SHIPPING.

POET OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Star of the South, s.s., from Westport. Romeo, barque, from Wellington. To-day. Hawea, s.a., from Wellington. Jane Douglas, s.s., from Wellington. Beautiful Star, s.s., from Dunedin. Sailed. Yesterday. Elizabeth Graham, barque, for Cork or Falmouth. Taratua, s.s., for Wellington, East Coast pdt-ts, and Sydney. To-day. Glamis, barque, for London. Beautiful Star, s.s., for East Coast of the South, s.s., for West Coast ports. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. - - ■••• Timard, Yesterday!, •Arrived—Mercia, barque, from Napier; Taiaroa, from Dunedin. Port Chalmers, Yesterday. Siiled—-Te Anau, s.s., for Hobart and Melbourne.

”, ' English Shipping. {European Mail, Feb. 11.) Arrived—Crusader, at Gravesend, Feb. 6; Halcione, Feb. 5 ; Waitangi, Jan. 31; Waimea, Jan. 31. ‘Sailed —Abernyte, from London, Feb. 6; passed Deal same day. Loading—Merope, Remington, Wav tangi. ; _ ■■ ,: *. " .'

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, agfollows' For Christchurch and North at 5.30 a. m, lfta.in.il and 5 p,m., daily. iFor.'Obertaey Rakaia, &c., at 10a.m. and 5 p.m, daily. Fpr Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Qrari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. • • JFor.-Temuka, at 6 ; a.m. and 10 a.m., daily. ■ For Timaru and South, at,. 6 a.tn., 10 a-jn*, SJtd 4.20 p,m., daily. Foe Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a m. For Ashton, Watorton and Longbeach, 4.30 p.m. daily. For Wakanui, Elgin, Seafield, New land, andoKyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6 a.m. Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office— J?rom Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.25 a.in. *4-35 p.m., and 7.50 p-m. . From Chertaey j; &c. at 10.2 p a. m, daily. From and - intermediate places at OS.sp.mlidaily, , ; _ From, Temuk a and Timaru at 10.15 a. m. 5.35p.n1, and 8.15 p.m. daily.. From Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount JSomers, and Ashburton Gorge on Weclnesdays pnd Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long- Pach at 10 a.m. daily. From El win, Wakanui, Seafield, New land, Kyle, on ; Tuesdays, Thursdays, aadJSaturdays, at 4 p. m. The next mail for the United King dom (via. San Francisco) will leave on April 23rd, ■ W. St. G. Douglas, . / ‘i - i ■ Postmaster.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

’ ' AUCTION SALES. Wednesday, April 6. Mr. Alfred Harrison, at Mount Somers — Implements And Stock ;12 o’clock. 1 Tui&dat, April 12. Mr. Alfred Harrison, at his rooms—Farm and Town Properties ; 12 o’clock. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Ac. '* [' Slonday, April 4. Borough Ooiuicil, at Borough Council Chainhera, at 7 o’clock. Wednesday,. April G. County 1 Council, at the County Council Chambers, at XI o’clock. Templat - Hail Company Meeting of Shareholders, Templar Hall, 8 p.m.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

Drains Leave Ashburton for Christ- CHURCH and intermediate stations at 6 a,m., 10.30 a.pj., and (Express) 5.48 p.m. Trains Leave Ashburton for Timaru > and South, at 7 a.in., 10.36 a.m. (Ex and 4:50 p.m.—the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru.- Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Christchueoh at 10 24 a.m. (Express), 435 p,in., and 7.50 p.m. Trains . Arrive at Ashburton from Tutartt and South at 10.15 a. m., 6.34 p.m, (Express), and 8.15 p.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 1881.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 4.30 p.m.]

Dearth of Watec. —Fears are enter tained that the water supply at Lyttelton will run short. The Census. —We would remind our readers that to-morrow evening the census forms must bo filled in by every householder. Water Famine in Wellington. —The threatened water famine in Wellington is becoming very serious. There arc only 15 feet in the reservoir, and only two hours’ supply were available to-day. FißeS. —Fires by incendiarism, care lessness, and unacountable means have increased during the past few days to an alarming extent. No fewer than fifteen fires have occurred throughout the colony during the present week. Rain. —A much needed boon, in the shape of a fall of rain, commenced last evening at about 9.30 p.m., and continued tb ronghout the night and to-day. During some parts of this morning the downpour was very heavy. A Timaru telegram apprises us of a similar state cf affairs regarding the weather at that place.

Successful Whaling. —The Dunedin whaler Splendid has been very successful shice leaving there in November last, bho bas captured seven fish, which have yielded between 70 and 80 tuns of oil. The oil. has been transhipped at the Chatham Islands into the schooner Jessie Nicholl, which was expected to leave for Dunedin yesterday. Magisterial —This morning, at the Police Court, Janies Scott, who had been arrested on a charge of lunacy from drink, was committed to the Addington gaol in the interim previous to his trial at the Supreme Court, Christchurch, next week. Two inebriates, charged with being iu that condition while in charge of a buggy and pair of horses were severely reprimanded by the Bench, and fined 5s ahd costs each.

Unclaimed Letters. —Tlio following is the list of letters received at the Ashbur ton Post Office from places beyond the colony, during the month of February, and remaining unclaimed on Ist April, ISSI :—Coo l son, Walter (2) ; Griimuins, Michael; Gewan, J. C. ; Heavhawk, Mrs ; Madge, F. ; Mathias, John (3); M'Cann, Felix ; McPherson, Peter; Os borne, Isaac ; Pettit, Henry ; Risdon, J.; Shanks, Hugh ; Staploy, H. The Credit of the Colony.— The fol lowing extract is clipped from * ‘ West garth’s Circular ” : —“ In the midst of the prevailing dulness, New Zealand securities have alone advanced since our previous issue, and the last loan (5 per cent, 1889) with its present monopoly of 4 per cent, inscription Has been especially enquired for. The demand has been fitful and occasionally heavy, as if the buying came from some of the larger financial institu tions, amongst which the New Zealand Government’s policy of retrenchment is gradually restoring the colony to its former position of financial credit. ” Contradicted. The special corres pondent of the Lyttelton Times admits himself to be in error regarding his state ment of Parliament being summoned for the 27th prox. His explanation is as follows :—The Post to-night contra dicted mv statement that Parliament meets on May 27. I telegraphed the nows on the strength of a statement of Mr Hall, the Premier, to Mr Mont gomery, of which I had telegraphic advice from Christchurch. ” Truly this is a case of “ going from home to hear news.”

Personal. —The Rev. A. J. Smith, who, for the last eignteen months has ministered to the spiritual wants of the Wills street Primitive Methodist Church, is, we understand, to leave for Wellington next week, to which city he was ap pointed by the last District Meeting, held at Dunedin. During his comparatively short residence in Ashburton, Mr Smith has, by his genial manner, made many friends, who will not readily forget the many social qualities he possessed, while those who have from time to time been associated with the rev. gentleman in matters more especially connected with Church work will sustain nn small loss in his removal to another sphere of labor. While congratulating the Wellington Primitive Methodists on obtaining the services of so acceptable a preacher, and of such evangelical principles, it is a matter for regret that Mr Smith should be removed from this district when the results of his arduous toil are showing themselves. To-morrow the rev', gentle man will occupy the pulpit of the Primi tive Methodist Church for the last time, prior to leaving for the Empire City, and as the services will have special reference to Sunday School work, in which Mr Smith takes great interest, we bespeak for him a large congregation.

Bishop Redwood’s Arrival in Christ church. The ceremony of receiving Bishop Redwood on his returning to his diocese after his European tour, took place last evening. His Lordship arrived by the express train from the South, and was met at the station by the clergy and a number of the leading members of the laity in the diocese. From the station they proceeded to the Bartadoes street Church, the grounds of which, and the main entrance were brilliantly illu minated, the effect being at once picturesque and charming. At the main entrance, through which his Lordship passed, on alighting from his carriage, was suspended a banner, with the inscription “ Dead mille failthe,” and further on, at the door of the Church, another, “ Wel come to the Prince of the Church. ” The interior of the church was artistically decorated and hung with banners bearing appropriate inscriptions. On his arrival at the church, addresses were read from the clergy and laity of the diocese, to which his Lordship replied, thanking those present for the hearty reception accorded to -him. In the course of his reply, his Lordship referred to the pro gress of education, and expressed the gratification he felt at the sacrifices made, and the spirit of devotion to the cause of their religion which the members of the church had displayed in the support they had given to their educational institutions. In this cppnection he gave a description of his interview with his Holiness the Pope, and of .the great interest.manifested by the, Head of the Church: in the, condi tion of the Catholic.people,j ajwL thpir in stitutions in fliis country.

Agricultural Lecture.— Mr T. R. Dow, of the Melbourne Leader, delivered a lecture this afternoon to a large audience in the rooms of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Christchurch, on “ Farming in New Zealand and Aus tralia. ”

More Coalfields. —Says a northern telegram : —At the Waste Lands Board to day, a letter was received from Mr Frank Morrm, reporting the discovery of a valuable seam of coal at Russell. He applied for protection and a license was granted.

Wanderers v. Dunedin. —At the time of drawing stumps last evening the scores iu the above match were Wanderers, first innings, 263; Dunedin C.C., first innings, 222; Wanderers, second innings, 6 for one wicket. Paramor made 98 for the Home team, only giving one chance to the field during the time he occupied the wickets.

The Te Ore Ore Covenant.— The Te Ore Ore natives have ordered, in Wel lington, a block stone with an inscription, to commemorate the meeting of 1841, at which Tainui was the presiding chief, and the gathering of 1881. Forty years ago they pledged themselves, at Te Ore Ore, to be loyal and friendly to the .Queen, and the stone is to be a witness that they have fulfilled their engagement. Templar Hall. A special general meeting of the shareholders of the Ash burton Templar Hall Company is con vened by an advertisement appearing in another column, to be held in that build ing on Wednesday evening next at eight o’clock. The agenda of business com prises the following : —To adopt resolution passed at the meeting held on March 9th, 1881.

Valuation List. —The clerk to the Upper Ashburton Road Board announces by advertisement, published elsewhere, that the Valuation List for that district is now open for inspection at the Board’s offices, Westerfield. Objections to the assessments contained therein must be addressed to the Assessment Court, at these offices, on or before the loth inst., and a copy of such objections left at the Board offices not less than seven days previous to the next sitting of such Court.

How the Boers Fight. —An exchange says : —‘ ‘ The Dutchmen who are giving ns so much trouble in the Transvaal, it may be mentioned, aie armed with an admirable weapon, the Westley-Richard rifle ; and, mounted on their powerful and hardy little ponies, they stalk the British troops pretty much after the manner they stalk the bucks and other wild animals of their country. They are admirable marks men, and gallop up to within shooting dis tance, throw themselves off their ponies, and making their steeds’, backs rests for their rifles, fire and ride off. Guerilla war p are of this kind is likely to tell with murderous effects on the movements of regular infantry in a broken country.

The Law of Husband and Wifa At the Police Court, Wellington, yester: day, the case of Hill v. Hill, involving impori ant questions as to the relatior ship of husband and wife, was argued. The husband, who had been separated for some years from his wife under a deed of separation and protection order, returned from Melbourne, and sued her to recover his goods and stock of a tobacconist's shop. On behalf of the wife, Mr Ollivier contended that a husband has no remedy by action against a wife, but can only exercise his common law right of seizure. The case being of great importance, Mr Slraw reserved judgment. Proceedings in the Divorce Court are pending at the suit of the wife, Who has supported her self and four children during the hus band’s absence of nearly four years. Mr Shaw mentioned that the question was an entirely novel one in this colony. Post Sessional. —Mr Speight, the member for Auckland city, last night ad dressed his constituents, speaking for two hours and twenty minutes. His speech was principally a review of the work of the session. He condemned in strong terms most of the Government measures submitted to the House. He stated that Mr Sheehan, had latterly falsified every principle which he formerly advocated as a mode of dealing with Native lands. The land, as the heritage of the people, should bear the cost of go vernment, and in two or three years, valuable lands w ould fall into the hands of the Government, which if honestly and properly administered would beagthe whole burden. He condemned the Charitable Institutions Bill, as legalising pauperism and frightening capital. He believed that the present Cabinet contained some men as pure minded and fitted as over held the reins of office in the colony, while others were the very reverse. A vote of con fidence was accorded. A Miserable Voyage.— No revelations of the misery endured, by emigrants by English vessels equal the tale told by the passengers of the Switzerland, from Ant werp (o New York, on November 2oj;h, She had 430 steerage passengers on mostly Germans and Swedes, and she was eighteen days in crossing the Atlantic. There was no separation between the sexes, there were only three lights in the steerage at night; and in the semi-dark ness the mixed multitude gave way to such brutal immorality that, in the words of one of the passengers, “ the ship was nothing but a floating hell.” The people were crowded together like hogs in a pen. The steerage was never cleaned, but re mained foul and filthy throughout the voyage, the accumulated abominations emitting an effluvium ‘‘beyond belief.” Two gallons of water were served out for the 430 passengers to wash with, and pure drinking water was unattainable. Most of the crew were shipped drunk. One of them was so nearly murdered by the boat swain that bis life was despaired of. Two Italian stowaways were stripped naked, and exposed to the biting winds for hours on deck. The sailors were more than once on the verge of mutiny. These horrors of the Atlantic steerage recall memories of the Middle Passage.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

{Per Reuter's Agency.) Monetary and Commercial. London, March 31. Consols continue at par. The total reserve in notes and bullion in the Bank of England is Li 7,000,000. New Zealand four and a half per cent. 1870- 1904 loan, Best Scotch pig iron, No. 1, f.o.b. in Clyde, 50s. The Quarter’s Revenue The revenue returns for the quarter amount to showing an increase of L 750,000 compared with the corresponding quarter last year. The revenue for the year amounts to L 84,062,500, showing an increase of La,750,000 compared with last year.

Colonial Loans. Loans for Tasmania for L 300,000, at 4 per cent, and for Fiji for Li 50,000, at per cent., have been issued on the London market. More Favorable. _ The bulletin issued at midnight re ports that Earl Beaconsfield’s __ health was in a more favorable state. * t.( London, Aprill. The latest; bulletin issued this morn-, ing, regardingthe health of Earl Beaconsficld, states that his Lordship is ! much weaker, from the effects r 6f the relapse, but’ otherwise has improved during pight.,, . ~

Russian Local Government- St. Petersburg, March 31. , An Imperial decree has been issued announcing that a form of representa tive municipal government for this city will forthwith be initiated.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Per Renter’s Agency.) A Missing Mail Steamer. Melbourne, To-day. A London telegram slates that the Pacific mail steamer City of New York which left Auckland on the ist March, has not yet reached San Francisco, and is a week over due. A steamer has left San Francisco to search for the City of New York. The Markets. Sydney, April 1. Hennessy's brandy, case, 36s 6d ; kerosene, diamond, per gallon, is qd; maize, per 6olbs, 3s ; candles, D.R.0., per ib, Bd. Adelaide, April 1. Wheat is quoted at 4s 3d to 4s 6d, with no business doing. Town flour, Lto 5s to Lio 10s ; country flour, Lq 7s 6d. Freights to London, steamer, 45s ; do, sailing, 42s 6d. Freights to the United Kingdom, from Adelaide, 42s £d to 455; ditto, from outports, 45s tq 47s 6d.

NEW ZEALAND

(Per Press Association.) More Gold Reefs. Grahamstown, To-day. Hone Wereahiko, the To Aroha pros pector, informs the Star that he has dis covered a new reef at Omahu, To Aroha. It is seventeen feet thick, has been traced for a quarter of a mile, and shows good gold. Hone believes it will eclipse any thing yet found in the vicinity. Hone Wereahiko has received a pressing letter from Te Ngakaro to attend the Kingite meeting to open on the 26th instant, with a view to hearing his proposal regarding the prospecting of the King country and Tuhua, where Moffatt is reported to have got gold. Affairs generally, are assuming a more hopeful aspect at Te Aroha. Failed at Last. Wellington, To-day. The committee appointed to float the now morning paper company have decided to abandon the project. Several names were placed on the list of the committee without any authority. The Relief of the “Boycotted.” Dunedin, To-day. A meeting of Orangemen was held last night, at which L7B was subscribed for the assistance of persons ‘ 1 Boycotted ” in Ireland. Magisterial. On Monday Mr Simpson relieves Mr Watt of the City and Port Chalmers Courts.

JOTTINGS.

[By Sinecure.]

Beetlecrusher, with myself and another, took a ride on horseback round the town the other day. B. was the possessor of very large feet, and was a poor rider as well. Much to my astonishment, as well as my fronds', he was riding a horse, which, though extremely quiet when iu harness, is well known to be a most difficult animal to manage when in saddle. Several persons met us who knew the animal well, and seemed also greatly surprised to see him on its back. One of the passers-by asked me the reason B.’s horse was so meek and quiet. My friend, who is always ready at a joke, replied, in order ta explain matters, it was “because the horse evidently thought he was between the shafts ! ” There has not yet been a “ satisfactory ” meeting between Beetle crusher and my friend, but the former, I learn, recently purchased a six-chambered Colt in view, he told the gunsmith, of the approaching game season.

“ I think you will admit that during my whole time of residence I have acted, as far as I possibly could for what I thought were the best interests of the peace.” Judge my surprise, when I perused the above in the columns of your respected contemporary. So his Worship, durin"- his whole nine or ton years’ stay in our midst, has been acting in the capacity of a peace officer—a “ full-blown bobby,” as some would facetiously dub him. Won ders will never cease ! I little thought the Russian Secret Police system had ob tained a footing in our little five-year-old township.

I believe in fires. One stands a chance of improving the condition of their wardrobe on such occasions. I once made a silk hat at one, I don’t mean at the fire, but at the hotel to which we afterwards adjourned, and the exchange was made much in favor of the other party. But I’m wandering from the subject. Several choice spirits turned out on the occasion of the fire the other night, and en route “ fast hundreds ” were indulged in : a certain ex-publican always occupying the position of whipper in. Their stay at the scene of the conflagration, as } 7 our reporter glowingly described it, was but short, and an adjournment in search of iovigorators followed their arrival back in town. They wore all travellers and boarders that night, but a considerable check was put on them on discovering the night porter had gone to bed and positively declined to be aroused by the incessant clang of the door-bell. How ever, at this juncture, our friend previously referred to, to use a sporting phrase, “ ran through his field ; came to the front and” —not “ won in a canter ” —but, played burglar and shinned through the dining room window. The manner in which he tumbled in reminded me of the ‘‘Joey” of the pantomimes which formed the joy of my youthful days. But the climax' was yet to come, for safely inside he yelled out “Last man in shouts,” and the scene which followed was quite refreshing. It was an unfair advantage to take; but “boy—let go the curtain. ” ''' '

That was an ingenious defence of Howard C. J ’a the other day, when the police, like Byron’s A Syrian "came down like a wolf on the fold,” and trotted him up before the beak, for keep ing an unregistered poodle. Alas for human hopes ! His Worship couldn’t see that, if there was no registrar appointed till within twelve days of the visit of the minions of the law, Howard hadn’t had a full fourteen days wherein to think Ou’t. Never mind, old man ; when next you argue on the Spirit of the Law, preface the same with an invitation to the “ all powerful ” to “ come and see Quill’s new barmaid.”

Things are dull everywhere, and the Oity of the Plains is no exception to the rule. Recently, to enliven proceedings, two young ladies had a “ dressing com petition.” The winner’s time by stop watch was 3 hours 15 min. 42sec, This is the fatest on record. Young ladies, please note.

SPORTING.

CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB AUTUMN MEETING. Great Autumn Handicap. The following are the acceptances fo ■ this event Sir Mbdred, Lady Emma, .Hilda, Luna, Grip, Natatdr, Libellej?,', Harakway, Prospero, Randwick, Jokey, Governor., .Volunteer and Laertes ,hftve been scratched ‘ for all engagemerits

FIRES.

Fjre at Cairnbrae.— Our Rakaia correspondent telegraphed the follow ing this m rning :—A stack of 300 sacks of wheat, covered with straw, were discovered to be on fire at Cairnbrae between seven and eight o’clock last evening. All efforts to ex tinguish the flames were futile, the fire burning fiercely throughout the night. The grain was principally the property of Messrs. Gould and Cameron, and was uninsured. The loss is estimated at 1 1,600. The fire is supposed to be the work of an incendiary. Mysterious Fire; —During Thurs day night last (says the Tanaka Leader) a four-stalled stable and large granary, belonging to Mr J. A. Young, at Winchester, were entirely destroyed by fire. The whole affair is surrounded with mystery, and no one was in the place for two days previously. One of Mr Young’s men at 6 o’clock yester day morning discovered the smoulder ing embers—all that remained of a very commodious building. The build ing was uninsured, and Mr Young’s loss will amount to about Ll5O. Another Hotel Destroyed.—A newhotel at Kamo,Whangarei, has been destroyed by fire. The owner lost everything. It was to have been opened last evening. Fire Near Dunedin. —The agent of the Press Association at Dunedin wired this morning:—A five-r»omed house at Rothsay owned by Mr Joseph Sergeant was burned down last night. It was insured for L 175 in the Trans atlantic office.

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents: :

THE FOUR-POUND LOAF.

To the Editor. Sir, —Will you you kindly insert the following, as I think it is high time some attention was called to the matter. I have carefully weighed the bread taken from my baker, immediately on delivery, for the last three weeks past, and find, to my astonishment, that out of thirly-six 21b loaves and three 41b loaves, or in all, equal to twenty-one 41b loaves, there was. 124 ozs short weight, or, in other words, seven and a quarter loaves, equal to a third of the whole quantity supplied, and for which I have to pay. I am aware that some allowance has to be made for evaporation, itc.,in process of baking, but I think you will agree with me that this very great difference is beyond all reason. In mentioning this matter to a friend of mine, he contended there was no wrong done to the customer, inasmuch as the baker simply supplied a loaf at a given price, irrespective of weight. I contend, sir, that the public have a right to expect and demand that the so-called quarter loaf shall weigh 41bs in return for the price charged, whatever that may be. With your permission, I may wish to say some thing more on the subject at a future time.—l am, &c., Customer. Ashburton, April 2.

A TIGER LILY : A GOLDEN ROD.

CHAPTER 11.— Tough and Go. [continued. I ‘ Oh ! no, no ! do not say so', Miss Wainwrigbt,’ insisted Miss Lucy Hynd ford, administering a sweeping negative to Lauderdale’s half-ironical objections. ‘ Don’t bring the man’s blood to our doors. We have not got brazen faces, and hearts of stone. However could she do it, sealing a man’s doom and sending him to despair, with a woman’s heart in her ? How I wish.she had/not got her abominable noisy boys into the concert-room at half-price on my benefit night! Oh, yonder he is,’ as they came in sight of a pedestrian—a man with a s ick or gun on his arm—before them ; ‘ the rejected suitor, that is a move correct name for him than 'he slighted swain, though it is not so touching ; but it may be quite as distressing in certain circumstances. He will not do any harm to himself with you looking on; men have always so much respect for their neighbors’ feelings. You have only to let him see you, and keep him in sight, you will easily overtake him, for he has slackened his speed already. He could never continue at the pace at which he was going when he passed me, as he is used up. And I observe you are a good walker. Good : bye, for the present, my dear Miss Wainwrighl.. Thank you, thank you very much in deed, for not compelling me to feel consenting to a man’s death, or else disappointing the public by failing to appear in my part in the concert, with out the excuse of illness, and so risking the cancelling of my engagement, Which would be fatal to me as a business woman, if not as an artiste, otherwise I should not have failed you : I should have stood by you in this dreadfully interesting, distracting contretemps. But I am sure you understand it all, and I shall make all the haste I can, and re lieve you as soon as possible.’ Miss Lucy Hyndford had as great a flow, once it was elicited, of half-educated, sentimental, silly, kind-hearted womanly words as Miss Clara Mortimer of bounding statements. When the prattle had died away with the retreating steps of the artiste, Lauderdale began to regard her own

dilemma, half comically, half irefully, somewhat as a man might have done. ‘ A fine commission ! The fortune hunting scapegrace has most probably come out to shoot pigeons and taken the wrong road. He may shoot me if I dog him ; but I need not pretend to nerves. Penniless debtor, disreputable bankrupt, coward fearing to face his claims, rather liking the sensation of frightening ignorant, simple, soft-hearted people oid of their wits with his antics, and the apprehension that he will have recourse to the last weak, unworthy subterfuge of blowing his brains out— if it has come to that, what use: or good will there be in preserving him ?’ The thread of Lauderdale’s hasty re flections was broken short by the action of the man preceding her by a few yards. All at onc.e he sank down in the close, stiff undergrowth of blae berries among which Miss Lucy Hynd ford had been ruralising, and raised his hand with the weapon which he ; held to hL head. Had he aimed stead'ly, had he fired without hesitation, the strength of Lauderdale s nerves would have been tried by, a dead or dying man, the image of Captain Feather stone, biting the dust, with a horrible ■flood staining his well-fitting.greymom ing suit and delicate linen, while he had hot so many shillings in his pocket those forfeited—as to buy him a. pauper’s coffin. ' ‘ ' !,! ’ 1 ' ’ : 1

But this man had never steadily or acted without hesitation in his life, so that at a bound the firm, re solute woman was at his side arresting his intention, forcibly turning aside his ann, and dragging it down till the muzzle of the gun was pointed to the ground, which receives all injuries and keeps all secrets without retaliation and without betrayal. Lauderdale had not time to think of the policy of feigning not to apprehend his purpose, if such policy had been possible. ‘ What were you going to do, sir ? How could you be guilty of so great a sin and shame?’ she demanded sharply. She had mastered him for the moment, and he remained still, and only turned and stared at her in a stupefied way, as he had stared at Miss Hyndford. ‘ And what have you to do with it?; he muttered at last, in counter ques tion. ‘I have nothing else left me to do.’

‘ls the world not wide enough to hold you ? Is there fiolhing else left you to do, save to come out and com mit murder —spot the bonnie blooming heather with the hideous stain of your blood ?’ With that- the smothered-down, grown-over woman of Lauderdale broke forth unexpectedly and got the belter of her. She sat down, wrung her hands, and sobbed hard—as ihe bravest wo man will sob in the grisly face of an execution, or at the sudden revelation of a shocking accident; for the wrong and the suffering of others, ' Lauderdale could not have done a belter thing to recall and get the better of the reprobate. He had been a man who might have caused angels to weep for his irretrievable ruin, but he had been always ludicrously overcome by the' tears of .women and children, any time he had encountered them in his life. He . was a. poor, despicable weak ling of a fallen gentleman. ‘ Don’.t cry, I beg, I implore you, don’t cry; I shan’t harm you.’ She laughed a little hysterical laugh at the absurdity of the assurance, which frightened him still more ; and the man who had been on his knees to p’unge darkly i into eternity, flung down Ws gun, and remained kneeling, laboring to soothe . the excited humop of a homely, fetderly woman, who was a stranger to him. ; “I shan’t harm myself, then, before you, to hurt' ybuP feelings ; never think it. Do come round and compose your self, I beseech you, like a good soul. Let me see you home, I think I know the way; you are the photographic arlist’s sister. lam so sorry for having frightened you in this lonely place. Upon my honor I had no idea that there was anybody, especially any wo man, behind me.’

‘ Why should you do it at all ?’ asked Lauderdale, With asperity, turning upon him, and charging at him with all her might, her short-sighted eyes blazing at him under their frowning brows. ‘To kill yourself is an abominable crime against your fellow-creatures as well as against God. Every man, woman, and child has a human right, not only to interfere and prevent the wicked deed, but to challenge and upbraid you for its cruel licentiousness.’ ‘ I assure: you I did not see it in that light,’ protested Mr Hopkins, by com parison meek and crestfallen, lifting his hat to give himself air and a moment’s breathing space, as he found himself driven to the wall, beaten and badgered by another woman. .‘I really thought I had nothing else to do. I can tell you, what with the heat of the weather, the darkness before’me, and what I remembered of any ghostly counsel, or any friend who was ever kind to me— whom I ever heeded or credited, it was not very pleasant work.’ ‘ Nothing else to do but slay your self, really !’ repeated Lauderdale with imperious irony.

‘ slaying is one thing, and starving another,’ explained Mr Hopkins, rising to his feet, and kicking away the gun, but speaking with growing sullenness. ‘ And, by Jove, starving is not the worst; no, nor begging, nor stealing, neither; but to be workedU’ke a back, and treated like a dog, taunted and cast off after all;’ his wan face grew cadaverous, and hequiveredand ground his teeth with' mingled rage-aind des peration.

‘Why should you starve or lead a dog’s lot ? you are a man, capable, ab'e bodied, even highly educated as men count; in your prime—as to yea's.’ She added the three last words in a lower key, for she was forced to own that the hand which had thrown down the gun and was raising the hat again, shook like an aspen, and the whole man’s figure was scorched, blasted, cowering, as if. si a In the form of a simoon had passed overit, and withered it to the root. She wrs forced to see it and own it, while she haled the spectacle. It was little to say her flesh crept at it: it all but set her off again, strong, wise, virtuous woman, fellow artist of Gregory Wainwright, crying bitterly in another paroxysm of pain and indignation. ‘ How much belter off are you than I who am a woman, — not young, or beautiful, or a genius, or rich—anything but any of these ; wiih Gregory, to be sure, but who may marry and leave me any day; yet I do not fret, or rise up in defiance of my Maker, but manage to keep myself in bread and water and something more, and to use and enjoy life.’

‘lt is little a woman knows of it. I suppose you have not got a mill-slone of debt, which has been accumulating steadily, the only steady thing about you since you were a confoundedly neglected, misguided, witless lad, and is hanging round your neck, ready to drown you any moment—well, it does not signify when.’ He said it vapor ingly and sneeringly. And there was the free, peaceful moor around them. ■The brooding, blessing of the fruitful heat was ripening the very heather bells and the wild, berries. The young grouse, which Miss Lucy Hyndford had not taken into consideration when she said that there was no living thing there for him to kill save himself—with the 12th of August still in the future, and the warrant for their killing not gone out —were forgeUing each alien-pre* sence; And rising, with a cheery crow and clap of rapid wings, from theT close covert.

* I have not a penny of debt save such as I can pay,’ answered the honest woman severely; ‘ but if I had, in place of seeking to die and escape it, I should guard every channel of life jealously, till ; I could go away, make money, fulfil

no man any thing to love one another.’ He stated at her, shrugging his bowed shoulders, and grimacing with his hag gard face, before lie replied: * I believe some women are of a poetic tempera ment, though I have not come across many of-them; and it may be easy to dream of paying debt, but I could no more make money than I could fly. I

wish I could do either the one or the other. It would be extremely con being put out of his lodging, yherc there are no* ihobL and sleep in, according, to the meat actor’s . dodge. To be' frank since 4 we have comeso'oddly ttffilose and it does not matter who that the whole aflmr is Iso nearly! dolxe

with, I never was any good.. /I think 1/ might not have gone so faSt dad cer/_ tainly to the bad, or come to such out- . and-out grief, if-1 haid not bcert jraih: : y 1 bered with the educaiibn 'you' men tioned, and if my ihews and sinews had got a chance among the mol)-of. WOtfc* if ing men, if I had been a soldier or & sailor; not that !am much of^a man, and I grant yp.u it is hard Ip believe,, r without the proof, ; Standing to be shot may even be more difficuh than drawing the trigger for one’s otfm busi ness, and the enemy may ?be mure energetic and irresistible than Miss— , Miss, the 'photographic ariistV sister.’ 1 ' ’ Never mind,- that ,1 was bred r tlye, bar, without any taste or capacity.; fojh the law, or for anything else that I can think: of, unless, by alVUhe world; fOT your line of photography,, in which 1 once' came it strong for'a little white? ' merely* for my 1 o#ri amusement; _ df I *z course, was, inadmissible. I never got a brief save*one or ram, and mever did the! name of ‘iflybfid * when I got So much. <hty lather—l - am not. going to ill of the, otyl, gentleman at this time of the day; ‘buf, A poor old fellow, he first dipped me in his own mess, and then, as .my.mother was dead and gone, gave me' up, dis-.r , gusted at the consequences of his work-> My sister Jane—poor dear Janey—the only human being who was notrtoo wise and . nice todhe /for* tnfe for my own sake, who had set. her heart ,qn getting nie on rty pdlling me S through, died—l aifi thankful for it-r- : , before I had done Her simple business, and broken her, fond, fopljsh heart; and a she devil polished me off.’ 1 . (To he

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 1881.



B READ ! BREAD ! ! BREAD!!! A. Thiele’s BEST .BREAD, First Award of Merit, 'Ashburton Industrial Exhibition, 6d DELIVERED CASS SJd ON DELIVERY 470 a m QUILL’S CONSULTATION, 1. No. 2, ’ ■ On GREAT AUTUMN HANDICAP, To Ke riirT lit Christchurch in April, 1881. 1,000 Members at 10s. each. First Prize ... ... £l4O Third Prize ... ... 50 Starters and Nonstarters, divided ... ... 220 Early application is necessary to secure tickets. " r > . T. QUILL, r : • Treasurer. Encourage local enter prise. & KEEP THE MONEY IN- Tflll PLACE WANTED—IO,OOO customers to Pur chase 100,000 Envelopes and upwards (jcst aekived). 1,000, 7s 6d; 0,000, 6s 9d per 1,000, for Cash., Pianos, -Harmoniums, and American Organs for sale on deferred payments, from 30a per month. (V;- H. M. JONES, Stationer and- Bookseller, East . street- and Baring Square. ‘•OVA ... ... . . 365 a,



O.SCarstens & Co., (Late Wewoh’s), STATIONERY. Medrachaum Pipes, ! G.B. D. Pipes SUkody'- > Twisty and Vanity- Fair j;ii®ol»eco- ; ; ;• i : A-ako" assortment , Of- ■ Accordions, Con certinas, Flutes, VidKosj Month: Organa, and Toya-af 'ditect from Honferuilo’ ,o'^n:n T flaißSHrafg^Hm^^ad^Shaiiipooing:- ET/t ASHEDRTOy. * i



Waited. WANTED— A General SERVANT. Apply to Mrs Geoaoii James ox, Tancred street. ! 370 a WANTED —Immediately, a NURSE GIRL. References required. Apply, Office of this Paper. WANTED— An Active LAD, to sell The Ashburton Guardian on the Ash burton-Winslow Line. None but smart Boys need apply. WANTED— TENDERS from suitable pemons for the office of SEXTON to the Cemetery Board. All applications to be forwarded to the Chairman on or before twelve o’clock at noon on TUES DAY, the 12th April next. Particulars of duties required can be obtained on ap plying to the undersigned. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. J. WARD, 347 a Chairman. WANTED to PURCHASE—BONES, in any quantities. Apply, Mayo and Host, Beach road. 130 a WANTED —A Family’s WASHING. Apply, Office of this paper. 178 a WANTED TO SELL Twenty-five SECTIONS, Wakanui Road. Apply to Patching, Tent-maker, East Street. 898 ■tttaNTED KNOWN That the \\ undersigned will sell BREAD, during the month of April, at 6d. per 4ib. Loaf. THOS. TAYLOR, Ashburton Bakery. .



WASTED KNOWN—That O’Connor’s four-wheeled covered WAG GGNNETTE rims between Ashburton railway station and Scott’s Tinwald Hotel at intervals every day. 441 a ANTED TO SELL —PIANOS. H. J. WEEKS, Teacher of Music, Tuner, &c., has for sale the following Secondhand Piano fortes; 1 full-sized Brinsraead, £45; Bord, £25; Broadwood, £26 ; also, American Organ, 5 stops, £3O; 1 Church Harmonium 14 stops, £3O, a bargain. Pianofortes of any kind can be obtained on deferred pay ments. Address: Camero i street west. B<ia WANTED KNOWN—The Largest and Best Stock of Saddlery is to be found at the shop of S. STEPHENS, Tinwald. Good strong Cart Collars from 135.; Cart Winkers, Bs. 6d.; Plough Back-bands. Os. cash ; Cart Saddles and Breechens, from 505.; Reaping Machine Pole Straps, 2s. Farmers will make a great saving by buying of S. Stephens, Saddler, Tinwald. "VTTANTED KNOWN. Ashburton VV REGISTRY OFFICE for Male and Female Servants. —L. F. Andrewes begs to inform the public of Ashburton and surrounding districts that he has opened the above. Male and Female Servants of all classes provided. Em ployers requiring servants, and all persons with good recommendations, who are in want of situations, are requested to apply to L. F. Andrewes, Labor Agent, Book seller, and Stationer, East street, South. 208 a



WANTED KNOWN SOMERSET LIVERY AND BAIT STABLES. J W. M‘RAE begs to inform the , public that he has taken the above Stables from Mr. Bossenberg, and is making extensive repairs. Buggies and saddle horses on hire. Lowest prices and best attention. 852 tTTANTED KNOWN—That Visiting W Cards, plain or mourning, can be obtained printed in various styles, at the “‘Guardian” office, opposite the Railway Station.; Special Advertisements. rjIHE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory. ASHBURTON BRANCH.



NOTE THE BRANCH ADDRESS— East Street. ■ W. SPARROW, 369a* Branch Manager.



W. M. SPACEMAN’S Offices are now in Canterbury Chambers, Here ford street, Christchurch, next Miles and Co., having REMOVED from Messrs Wynn, Williams, and Deacon’s. 335 a OTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS to this Journal are requested to pommunjcatei jyith the Proprietor when ‘any delays or omissions in the Delivery of this Paper occur., - , , , . : F.,H. ZOUCHi: ■ * , p^^rietof..



Special Advertisements. BROUGHT DOWN THE PRICE OF BREAD?—WHY, Aitken. 374 a WHO Sells the Best Pastry, Cheapest Cakes, and greatest variety of Small Goods in Ashburton ?~Why, AITKEN, Bakek, &c., Saunders’ Buildings, Ashburton. 375 a



Matson, Cox, and Cq. ; MaTSON, CoX & , Co.. : STOCK AND ESTATE AGENTS, LAND & MONEY BROKERS, ■ AUCTIONEERS AND COMMISSION ! *' ' AGENTS, " - ‘M ASHBURTON. ■ : ■■ : .Jj uOtfZlJj'Rl Their business «rill include the manage ment of Estates, Investment' and ! Pro- ; 1 curation 'of Money, Valuation‘'-of Pro*. 3 parties, Stock, &c., and General Agency. They will hold throughout the' District Public Auction Sales of Land, Live and Dead Stock ; also on Market-Days at Ashburton and Tinwald - t Fat and Store : Stock. They arealao-prepared to -"■ Liberal Gash Advances; opr Properties, Stock, Wool, &c., placed in their hands for sale. . .MATSON,-. GOX,- &. 0p.,.. - Agents for Robey & GaV i CELEBRATED - f /-i THRESHING MACHINES > - ■ 'Meeflajfo;^‘ V \ SHBURTON TEMPLAR HALL COMPANY (Limiter). , r a sPEGikt oSiteß of SHAREHOLDERS in me above doni- * j papy. will be held in the Templar BplL . on WEDNESDAY next,' Ajiril 6£h, at 8 ! p.m. Business : To adopt resolution passed at the meeting held op March: 1831. G. 372 a . Chairman.^-g Tendon



Te n d e r s? TENDERS required for the following PRIVILEGES at Tihwald Sports : Confectioner’s,Booth ~ . Right of Sports Sale of Programmes. ' , J■’ ,> H. ; £ Tenders toTje sent in by Hth April to j ■ 0. P. JEPHSQN* L. IU 448 a . . Tinwald. Public Notices, / 7\ AKE NOTICE—Ihe Vaimtiibh Lwfc ;s ' for the Upper AshbhrtbiU District is now open for inspection, ■ at the Road . Board Office, Westerfield. 7 All OBJECTIONS thereto must be left ; at the 1 Said office on or before’ the 15th' ’ 1 day of APRIL, addressed to the Assess*!.-h ; tnent Court, and a copy- of every such Ob jection must be left at the Road Board Office, Westerfield, not less tfaah SSveb Days before the next sitting of the said Court. R. D. PULLAR, Clerk to 373 a Upper Ashburton Road Board. PRESBYTERIAN. CHURCH. ASpBURTOIf-f O X 1 0 1 0 It is proposed to hold a ;: > Gift An.otioM\y\ IS THE r. / TOWN HALL, , On WEDNESDAY, April 33th, In aid of the Panda of the above Church. Mr. T. Bullock has kindly consented to be the Auctioneer. H O f|! The following gentlemen, vif^ l Auctioneer, will receive Goods*up to Ihe" date of Sale Mr. Andrew Orr,Afr. G. Kidd, Mr. G. M. Robinson,' And Mr. D. Wlliiamson. ... .“uH ! —-



aaving taxea tne aoove jmua, :XDSg Wj-i; inform farmers and the public generally i /- that the MILL is NOW i - hope, by turning out a first-class article,— ' to meric a share of public support. _i Gristing onTt'sl|4 ‘ s»ua|itpN#}(lVh March 17th, 1851. ' 376 a • TO F OT jyt I beg:. to,iflt|H£|ei to m* L further no|ica.