SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Mabel, barque, from New York, via Dunedin and Wellington. Circe, brigantine, from Greymouth. Clio, schooner, from Waitapu. Esther, brigantine, from Pelorus Sound. Hinemoa, C.G.S., from Wellington. Glamis, barque, from Newcastle. Maud Graham, schooner, from Grey mouth- . Saucy Lass, schooner, from Wellington. To-day.

Hawea, s.s., from the North, with the San Francisco mail. Beautiful Star. s.s.,from Port Chalmers.

' Sailed. Yesterday. Clyde, schooner, for Hokianga. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Wellington, Yesterdfvy. Arrived— Charles Edward, from Nelson and the West Coast; Spec, schooner, from Greymouth ; Albion, from the South. Sailed—Charles Edward, for Nelson. Timaru, Yesterday. Arrived Margaret Galbraith, ship, from Auckland. Sailed Go-ahead, for Wellington ; Taiaroa, for Dunedin. Port Chalmers, Yesterday. Arrived—Penguin, s.s., from the North. Sailed— Tararua, for Melbourne, via Bluff. Bluff, To-day. The New Zealand Shipping Company’s ship Waitara made a start yesterday, but the wind fell away and forced her to take the passage inside the lightship. She grazed the rocks, but sustained no damage, and "is making no water; She will pro bably proceed' to-day. Her cargo is wool. Melbourne, Yesterday. Arrived —Rotorua, s.s., from the Bluff. London, March 10. Arrived— St. Leonards, from Welling ton ; Eernglen, from Auckland ; Hedwig, from Oamaru ; Timaru, from Port Chal mers.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows ; For Christchurch and North at o. 30 a. m. 10 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Eakaia, &c., at 10 a. m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, andiGeraldiue, at 10 a.m. daily. Fpr, Temuka,. at 6 a.ra. and 10 a.m., daily. ; For Timaru and South, at 6 a.m., 10 A. ra., and 4.20 p. m., daily. For Greeustreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a m. For Ashton, Waterton; and Longheach, 4.30 p.m. daily. For Wakanui, Elgin, Seafield, New land, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6 a- m.

Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office — From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.20 a.m., 4.35 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. From Chertsey, &c. at 10.25 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.35 p.m. daily. From Temuka and Timaru at 10.15 a.m. 5.35 p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. From Greenstrect, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.m. daily. From Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, New land, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 4 p. m.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Tuesday, March 15. J. T. Ford and Co., at the Tinwald Yards —670 Sheep. ' Friday, March 18. Matson, Cox, and Co., at their rooms, Ashburton—Valuable Freehold Farm, in the Hinds district; 12 o’clock. March 19. Mr. T. Bullock, at his Rooms, East street —Lot 124, Thompson street, Tinwald ; Trustee’s Interest in Lot 10 ; 3 Shares in the Templar Hall Co. ; 2 o’clock. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c. Monday, March 21. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Thursday, March 24. Ashburton Industrial Exhibition, Town Hall. Thursday, March 31. Ashburton Libraiy—Annual Meeting of Subscribers, in the Library, 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 6. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

Trains Leave Ashburton fob Christ church and intermediate stations at 6 a.m-, 10.30 a.m., and (Express) 5.48 p.m. Trails Leave Ashburton for Timaru and South, at 7 a.m., 10.3 G a.m. (Ex press), and 4.50 p.m.—the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Christchurch at 10 24 a.m. (Express), 435p.m., and 7.50 p.m. Trains Arrive at Ashrurton from Ttmartt and South at 10.15 a.m., 6.34 p.m. (JSxpress), and 8.15 p.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas Et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1881.

The Property Tax. —Up to last night 1,983 payments of the Property Tax had been made at Christchurch. The amount collected being a little over L 19.000. Stranding of the Mohaka. —At the official enquiry yesterday into the strand ing of this vessel, the Court decided to return Captain Symonds’ certificate, but Ecksford, the mate, was suspended during the Governor’s pleasure. The Mail. —The Hawea arrived at Lyttelton this afternoon, bringing the San Francisco Mails, which will arrive in Ashburton per 7.50 train to night. The Southern portion will be forwarded from here by special train immediately after arrival.

Mails for Europe. —Mails for the United Kingdom, Ac., via Brindisi (for specially addressed correspondence only), will close at Ashburton on Tuesday next, 15th inst., at 5 p.m. A supplementary mail will be closed at 10 a.m. on Wednes day, for despatch per express train.

Threshing Machine Accident. A man named Henry Lewis Lovell, working at Shag Valley, on Thursday had his foot crushed in a threshing machine. His leg was amputated by Dr. Browne, of Palmerston, and the man was sent by the express to Dunedin, but ho died on the way.

Cricket. —The following are the team selected to play at Geraldine on Tuesday next:—G. Andrews, A. Andrews, Hodder, Denshire, Wix, Jephson, Shury, Amos, Fagan, Curtis, E. Fooks, and St. George. Any of the above who are unable to play are requested to let the secretary know immediately. The team will start away by the 7 a- m. train. Ashburton Fire Police.— A meeting of the Fire Police was held last evening in the Council Chamber, Mr George Jame son, captain, in the chair. After some discussion the minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed. It having transpired during the meeting that the time for re-election of the captain had expired, it was decided to hold a meeting on Wednesday night next for this purpose. The meeting then ad journed.

Railway Engine-shed Additions.— The Railway Department have now undertaken a decided improvement in older to enable better accommodation to bo provided for the locomotive engines now in use on the Ashburton section. An additional length of 60ft is to be erected on the present south end of the old shed, which will make it about 100 ft long when finished. The building is to be covered with iron, and is to be painted outside. On the roof three smoke funnels are to be built, which will add slightly to its ap pearance. An ash-pit 20ft long, and made with concrete, is also to be added outside the shed at the south end. Specifications for the addition are to be seen at the post office, Ashburton.

Ashburton Caledonian Society.—A meeting of the Directors of this Society was held at Quill’s Hotel last evening for the purpose of electing a Secretary. There were six Directors present. Mr Samuel Saunders presided, and read the advertisement calling the meeting. The applications for the office of Secretary were next considered, and that of Mr J. Mac Lean Dunn was accepted. A special meeting of members was afterwards held. Dr M'Bean Stewart, President, in the chair. The Chairman staled that the object of the meeting was to take some steps towards welcoming the Governor— Sir Arthur Gordon —on his visit to Ash burton. He would suggest that a com mittee be appointed to draw up an address of welcome to his Excellency, and it was finally decided that the Chairman, Messrs S. Saunders, Douglas, and the Secretary be appointed a committee for the purpose, and, when the address was prepared, to have the same illuminated. It was under stood by those present that as many mem bers as could make it convenient would appear in Highland costume, and that the Society’s piper be asked to be present. It was decided that the duty of reading the address should be left in the hands of the Vice-President. After some further ar rangements had been decided upon and some routine business transacted, the meeting adjourned, after a vote of thanks to the Chairman.

The Heathcote Regatta. This regatta was to take place this afternoon, but at two o’clock wo received a telegram stating that it was raining heavily, so probably the regatta will bo postponed.

The Wanganui Cur.—This event was run yesterday, and was won by Sir George carrying Cat 101 b in 4min His immcdi.ve attendants were Libeller (7st 41b), aunt Natator (Sst 121 b), the favorite, Randwick not getting a situation. Ten started.

The Tables Turned. —A young girl named Annie Bell, who at the late inquiry at the Industrial Home, Auckland, pre ferred certain charges against the late master, J. Stickley, lias been sentenced to three months’ imprisonment as a common prostitute and vagrant. Larkikinism. —An interesting discus sion on larrikinism took place in the Legis lative Assembly of Victoria recently. Mr Service asked the Premier if the Govern ment were prepared to adopt more strin gent measures than at present for the suppression of the nuisance, and suggested the lash.

Unfounded Charges. —Certain charges having been made by a wardsman and in mate of the Dunedin Benevolent Insti tution to the effect that the food supplied to the inmates was not fit to eat, and that the internal management was bad, the committee held an investigation, and ex amined a number of inmates, showing that the charges were without foundation

The Governor in Christchurch.— His Excellency the Governor this morn ing visited the Canterbury College, Christ’s College, and the Grammar School, afterwards holding a levee in the Provincial Council Chamber, when 120 gentlemen wore presented. This afternoon the Governor will visit the Museum and other public buildings.

Accident. — A lad named John Martin, about 14 years of age, met with an unfor tunate accident yesterday, whilst working at Anderson’s foundry, in Cashel street. He appears to have been engaged at a lathe, performing some unimportant duty, when by some means his left hand got between the cog wheels, which so seriously injured two of his fingers as to render it necessary to amputate them at the hospital, whither he was taken shortly after the casualty.— Times.

Letter of Condolence to Ladt Wil son.—At a meeting of the directors of the Press Company Limited yesterday, the following resolution was carried un animously :—“ That the directors of this Company desire to place on record their deep sense of the loss sustained by it in the decease of the late Sir J. Cracroft Wilson, he having been associated with the Company from its formation, and taken an active and zealous part in its affairs as a director. That the secretary bo instructed to forward a letter of con dolence to Lady Wilson, expressive of the sympathy felt for her by this Board under her bereavement.” Want to Know, You Know'.—At the meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club last night, the following resolution was carried :—“ It having been brought under the notice of this Committee that the representative of the owner of the horse Natator, entered for the Forbury Handi cap, accepted for the race at 10 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 25, scratched the horse at 10.10 a.m. on the 2Gth, and that the horse was sent by train to Christchurch by the 7.30 a. m. train on the 26th ; and the Committee having reason to believe that arrangements were made with the Railway Department for a box for the horse on the evening of the 25th, the Club call upon the Hon. W. Robinson, owner of the horse, for an explanation.” Muff Cricket Match. —A cricket match between an eleven of the Ashbur ton and the Rakaia “ Muffs,” was played at the Rakaia yesterday. The Ashburton team w r ere driven to the Rakaia by Mr M'Rae, who took them there in loss than two and half hours. On arrival, play w-as at oaeo-eommenced, the Rakaia men tak ing the first innings, when they made 51 runs. Mr Littelton contributed no less than 23 runs in this innings. The names

of the Rakaia team wore—Messrs Mann, Makeig, Bailey, Robinson, Hartnell, Littleton, Winter, Hussey, Simpson, Mann (jun.), and Kemp. The Ashburton team were composed of the following players : —Messrs Hill, Eagle, M'Rae, Mainwaring, Marsh, M. Scott, Ede, Ire land, Chapman, Fowler, and Power. The Ashburton team only succeeded in putting togethers in their first innings, 33 runs. In the second innings Rakaia made the large score of 107 runs, and Ashburton only 64, the former winning the match by 01 runs. The visitors were entertained in capital style by the Rakaia players, and a very nice luncheon was partaken of at Kemp’s South Rakaia Hotel, every one enjoying themselves heartily. It is pro posed to play the return match on Friday next at Ashburton.

Mount Hutt Assessment Court.— This Court was held on Friday, before Mr N. Wood, Judge. Mr Helrnore appeared for George Hawkins, and objected to his assessment for 553 acres at L 193 11s. The acreage was reduced to 493 acres, and the valuation fixed at 5s an acre, making the assessment L 123 ss. Mr Helrnore appeared for A. Lambert, and objected to his assessment at LOG 12s. It was shown that the stated area of 27G acres should bo 280 acres. The assessment was fixed at 5s an acre, namely L7O. Mr Helrnore objected to the assessment of section 271304. The assessment was fixed at 4a an acre for 525 acres, namely LlO5. Mr Thomas Allen, who appeared for Mr Dcwling, objected to the assessment of C 660 acres at L 3,800. The assessment was reduced by Is an acre, making the amount L 3322. The name was also altered from T. Allen to T. Dowling, and “ the owner ” from Allan and Brown to William J. Brown. Mr Edward Chap man objected to his valuation of 2,105 acres at 5s an .acre, equal to L 526 ss. The valuation was sustained. Mr Jack son applied in the interests of other rate payers, who had objected, for an adjourn ment of the Court, as they had depended upon the action which the Board was said to intend to take. The Judge said he did not see that the Act allowed him any discretion in the matter, the Court having once been opened, and the objectors not having appeared. He would have taken the cases on their merits had anyone appeared. He could not see that ho could do anythin" with regard to an adjourn ment. The objectors were Messrs Aling ton, M'lhaith, Wason, and others. The Judge decided to go on with the objections. Mr. 0. S. Alington had ob jected to his farm of 500 acres being assessed at L 250. The Clerk supported the valuation. The assessment was re duced by LSO, making the total L2OO. The Judge said that ho was of opinion, if an objection was sent in, the Court was bound to consider it, even if it was not supported. Mr. Sydney Rolls had ob jected to his assessment of 4s an acre, and also incorrect. The area was reduced by 41 acres, leaving 209 acres which was reduced to 4s an acre, or Lsl 16s. Mr Charles Kiver, jun., was rated for 511 acres at 7s, or L 179 altogether. The assessment was reduced by Is an acre, making it L 153 9s, Mr E. G. Wright was rated for 600 acres at 7s. The assessment was reduced to 4s an acre, equal to Ll2O. Mr. J. 0. Wason had objected to his assessment of 5150 acres freehold at L2OGO, and 2700 leasehold at LIOBO. The assess ment was reduced by Is an acre, making the total L 2747 10s. Mr McKillan ob jected to his assessment of 1330 acres at Bs, or L 532. The amount was reduced by 2s an acre, equal to L 399. Mr James McQuade, assessed for 300 acres at LlO5, was reduced to 4s an acre, or L 65. Mr Duncan Cameron, assessed for 418 acres at 7n, was reduced to*3sJ6d, or L 73 3s.

Juvenile Immorality. —Owing to the disclosure of the existence of immoral practices between the elder children at the Auckland Industrial Home the com mittee have decided to send to service all boys over twelve. A general meeting will shortly be held to consider the posi tion of the Home, and get the Govern ment to provide proper buildings for the separation of the sexes and enforcing dis cipline. Prisoners’ Statements. —Mr Justice Hawkins decided, at the Leeds assizes, that prisoners may make to the jury a statement of their version of the matter with which they are charged, but not upon oath. Mr Justice Lush, who was sitting in the nisi prim Court, was consulted on the point and entirely agreed with the ruling of Mr Justice Hawkins. Accord ingly, in the case in which the question arose, the prisoners in the dock made their statement to the jury after the address of their learned counsel The Wrong People in Wrong Places. —An Otago contemporary thus moralises : “We are a strange people. The colony is

full of angular pegs in round holes. We have merchants on Land Boards, and painters on Harbor Boards. There is not even one retired teacher on our Education Board, and Professor Shand is the only University man on the Education Board. Our Volunteers are led by men wbo

“never set a squadron in the field, nor the division of a battle knows.” The mania of the colonists seems to be to emulate the example of Sir Joseph Porter in the Pinafore, whose partnership in an office was the only “ ship” he ever had seen !” J. Sheriff, Manchester street South, and Barhadoes street, Christchurch, advertises a large stock of head . stones, &c. Tenders are invited for the erection of a boarding house in Cameron street. To he sent in to Messrs Fooks and Sons, byjxo a.m. on Monday, March 2t, The declaration of insolvency of Francis Black ap pears in another column The Chief Postmaster, Christchurch, invites tenders for the conveyance of mails between Ashburton and Seaficld, via Elgin, Wakanui, and Newland.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Per Reuter’s Agency.) Collision in the Channel. London, March 10. The barque Chaudiere, from Napier, which arrived off the coast on Monday, came into collision yesterday with the Euphrates as she was coming up the Channel. She suffered considerable damage, and shortly afterwards went ashore on the Goodwin sands. She has, however, since been tugged off and brought safely into dock. The Euphrates was but slightly injured. Monetary and Commercial. Consols, Adelaide and New Zealand breadstuffs are unchanged. The total reserve in notes and bullion in the Bank of England is Li 7,625,000. Five per cent. New Zealand 10-40 loan, 102)4. Five per cent. 1889 loan, Best Australian leather, ii%- There is but little inquiry for Australian hides, and prices are Jfjd lower. The Wool Sales. At the wool sales to-day, 7,000 bales were catalogued. There was a good demand.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Per Reuter's Agency.) Exhibition Awards. Melbourne, March 11. The following further Exhibition awards have been announced :—First order of merit—P. and D. Duncan, Christchurch, and Reid and Gray, Dunedin, for ploughs. Second order of merit—P. and D. Duncan, Christ church for ploughs ; John Walker, C.E., Thames, for designs for farm buildings. First order of merit—A. and T. Burt, of Dunedin, for brewers’ machine. Third order of merit—Edward Arnold, Kuripeoni, near Wellington, and Bagnall Brothers and Co., Thames, for beehives. Committed for Trial. Sydney, March 11. Beckett has been committed for trial on a charge of setting fire to his pre mises in Barrack street in January last. The Markets- Henncssy’s brandy, case, 38s; bulk, quarters, 12s. Kerosene, diamond, is 7j£d; Devoc’s is pd. New Zealand oats, 2s qd. Maize, 3s. Adelaide, March 11. Wheat 4s 2d to 4s 4d, firm. Town flour, Lio 7s fid to Lio 11s ; Country brands, L9ssto L 9 7s fid. Freights to London, steamers, 45s ; ditto, sailing vessels, 40s to 42s fid.

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association.) Well Caught. Timaru, To-day. This morning a man in Messrs Cun ningham and Co.’s grain store, while carrying a bag of wheat along a plank, overbalanced, and fell twenty feet with the bag on the top of him. A grain screen, into which he fell, saved his life. A Good Return. Lyell, To-day. The United Alpine Company’s return for four and a half days ended Friday, shows 124 tons stone with 2030zs amalgam. Drowned. A man named Samuel M'lntyro was ac cidentally drowned while crossing the Upper Matakitaki, on Thursday.

CAPE NEWS.

* The Armistice with the Boers. Hostilities with the Basutos Resumed. (By Cable.) London, March 10. In the House of Commons to-night a question was put ’to the Premier re garding the armistice which has been declared between the Boers and the British troops in the Transvaal. Mr Gladstone, in reply, said that, although it had only been agreed to suspend hostilities for one week, it had been understood between Sir Evelyn Wood and the Boer Commander that a longer armistice woiild be proclaimed should the state of the negotiations for peace render such necessary. Capetown, March 10. News to hand to-day, from Basuto land states thatthe negotiations forpeace which were proceeding between the Colonial commander and the Basutos having failed, the armistice has now entirely ceased, and hostilities between the two forces have been resumed.

IRISH AFFAIRS.

Seizure of Military Weapons. A Manifesto from Mr. Parnell. Arrests in Ireland-8 (By Cable.) London, March 7. Information has been received to day from Ireland that an important seizure of military weapons, consisting of one hundred pikes, had been made by the police at Kanturk, in County Cork. Mr. Parnell has issued a manifesto, in which he exhorts the Irish voters in England to resist the Legislative measures of the Liberals to the utmost, and to oppose the return of further members of the party to Parliament. Several further arrests of suspected persons have been made in Ireland under the Coercion Act.

What the Canadian Farmers Believe In.

According to the Canada Farmer , the agriculturists of Canada met in convention and adopted for themselves the following creed : —“ We believe in small farms and thorough cultivation ; we believe that the soil lives to eat as well as the owner, and ought, therefore, to be well manured; we believe in going to the bottom of things, and, therefore, deep ploughing, and enough of it—all the better if it be a subsoil plough; we believe in large crops, which leaves the land better than they found it, making both the farm and the farmer rich at once ; we believe that every farm should own a good farmer ; we believe that the fertiliser of any soil is a spirit of industry, enter prise, and intelligence—without these lime, gypsum, and guano would be of little use; we believe in good fences, good farmhouses, good orchards, and good children to gather the fruit; we believe in a clean kitchen, a neat wife in it, a clean cupboard, a clean dairy, and a clear conscience ; we believe to ask a man’s advice is not stopping, but of much benefit; we believe that to keep a place for everything, and every thing in its own place saves many a step, and is pretty sure to lead to good tools and to keep them in good order ; we believe tlrat kindness to stock, like good shelter, is saving of fodder ; we believe that it is a good thing to keep an eye on experiments, and note all, good or bad; we believe that it is a good rule to sell grain when it is ready; we believe in producing the best butter and cheese, and marketing it when it is ready.

Scripture Improved On.

A gentleman who cannot use tobacco without suffering nausea, and who therefore very naturally concludes that the use of tobacco is a sin, contributes this parody on scripture : —Then shall the kingdom of satan be likened to a grain of tobacco seed ; which, though exceedingly small, being cast into the ground, grew and became a great plant, and spread its limbs rank and broad, so that huge and vile worms found a habi tation thereon. And it came to pass, in the course of time, that the sons of men looked upon it, and thought it beautiful to look upon, and much to be desired to make lads look big and manly, so they put forth their hands and did chew thereof: and some it made sick, and others to vomit most filthily. And it further came to pass that those who chewed it became weak and unmanly, and said : “We are en slaved, and cannot cease from chewing it.” And the mouths of all that were enslaved became foul, and they were seized with violent spitting, and they did spit even in the house of the Lord of Hosts, and the saints of the Most High were greatly plagued thereby. And in the course of time it came to pass that others snuffed it, and they were taken sud denly with fits, and they did sneeze, insomuch that their eyes were filled with tears, and they did look exceed ingly silly. And yet others cunningly wrought the leaves thereof into rolls, and did set fire to one end thereof, and did look very grave and calf like, and the smoke of their torment ascended for ever and ever. And the cultiva tion thereof became a great and mighty business in the earth. Merchant men waxed rich by the commerce thereof. And it came to pass that the saints of the Most High defiled them selves with it; even the poor, that could not buy shoes, nor bread, nor books for their little ones, spent their money for it. And the Lord was greatly displeased therewith, and said : Whereof this waste, and why do these little ones lack bread, and shoes, and books ? Turn now your fields into corn and wheat, and put this evil thing from you, and be separate, and defile not yourselves any more, and I will bless you, and cause my face to shine upon you. But with one accord they all exclaimed: We cannot cease from chewing, snuffing, or puffing ; we are slaves. And the Lord was sorely dis pleased with his people who raised this plant on the Connecticut, and cried ; Repent, or I will come and curse your land with a sore curse. —Ametican Paper.

The Fenian Scare in England.

Stories of the most daring and dia bolical attempts (says the European Mail, of 14th January) are beginning to come in from all parts of the king dom. Rumors, indeed, have been current for some time back that since the Land League was founded by the Fenian Davitt, acting in conjunction with another Fenian in New York, called Devoy, the secret societies in England connected with the “ veiled rebellion” have been thrown into a state of feverish activity. The ugliest feature in the present situation is the

brisk secret trade in arms which is carried on between Birmingham and Ireland. Great numbers of old Enfields were sold by the War Office early last year at ridiculously low prices, and it appears that they were bought by agents of the Fenian organisation in England. These weapons are being gradually, week after week, converted into breech loaders for 7s 6d each, and secretly exported in small quantities to Ireland, where they are used in propagating the principles of the “ Irish Terror.” The announcements made in certain quarters

respecting a threatened attack on the drill-sheds, stores, and magazines of volunteer regiments in the home dis tricts by no means represents the serious import of the intelligence which has readied the War Office. Some time ago the Secretary of State for War, conjointly with the Commander in-Chief, had concerted arrangements to provide against any contingency which might arise, and, judging from the apparently well founded rumors which have since reached Pall Mall and Whitehall, the action subsequently adopted was not taken an hour before it was required ; so quietly have the

proceedings connected with the safety of the arms of upwards of two hundred thousand men in all parts of the coun try been carried out, owing, no doubt, to the strict secrecy enjoined by the War Office, all the communications on the subject being marked strictly confi dential. It has been an established rule in the volunteer force to suspend shortly before Christmas all drills until usually about the middle of January. This fact has apparently been well known to those from whom an attack has been apprehended; but to the credit of the force —which, it will be remembered responded promptly to the call made upon it on the occasion

of the last Fenian disturbances—the greater number of the volunteers have already assembled. On receipt of orders from head-quarters there was a unanimous response, and the spectacle is now presented in all the head quarters which by their position are liable to attack, of guards and sentries properly mounted and posted, with a superabundance of men for reliefs both day and night. The exceptions are those regiments which recently, in ac cordance with War Office orders sent their arms to Birmingham for examina tion and re-browning. As far as the Home district is concerned, the pre cautions taken are of an extraordinary character. It is now no secret, and it is well that it should not be, that the

locks have been removed from every rifle in the armouries. Of course no orders have been issued respecting the weapons entrusted to members, who, under certain strict regulations, are allowed to keep them at home. The measures adopted have gone even further than this. With useless weapons ammunition is not of much service, but it will be information to some thousands of riflemen to learn that the small-arm ammunition has already been removed, or is about to be removed from all the rifle ranges in districts where it cannot be sufficiently protected. The authorities at the Home Dis trict Office, Horse Guards, who have the superintendence of the ar rangements concerning the large body of regular and auxiliary troops in Lon don, Middlesex, Surrey, Kent, and Essex —about 40,000 —have provided

most effectually against any attack, however well organised, which may be made. Scattered all round the metro polis—at Wimbledon, Epsom, Strea tham, the Scrubs, Harrow, Rainham, Paistow, and many other places —large quantities of ammunition, which had been stored for class-firing and practice, have been taken away and stored in Government magazines. Meanwhile such additional precautions as were adopted at the last Fenian disturbances have been ordered, and in many cases have been carried out. In many of the head-quarters strong forces are posted, and will continue to be until the ideas of attack have been removed. Should any further drain of regular troops take place from the metropolis, it is understood that the volunteers will be available, under certain condition, for garrison duties. .

THE WITCH OF WINDY HILL.

CHAPTER 11. A pedlar crossed the bridge one day, and stopped to show his goods to the carpenter’s wife, she being always ready to spy any passer-by, and delighted at the chance of chaffering, if not getting a bargain. He had just come down from Windy Hill, he said, having sold nothing up at the cottage, however— little wonder ! The moment he had clapped his eyes on Mistress Daly and her dumb little girl he had recognised them, and on his saying so, the widow had been so vexed, she had shut the door in his face.

Thc carpenter’s wife could not con tain her curiosity at that. With eager lips she inquired more, and with itching pars listened to a strange sad story, told with equal relish by the pedlar. Widow Daly’s late husband had been hanged for murder a year ago ! —ay, for murder : no less ! They lived down in the West at the time when he was said to have done the deed, and was taken and tried for his life. And his own child—this same child, little Mary— was brought up as a witness and swore the evidence that caused her poor in nocent father fo swing. “ Ah ! in nocent ” —repeated the pedlar with unction. Who would doubt it, for did not her tongue turn black in her mouth the moment after she said it, and she was carried in a fit out of the court and never spoke another word after; as those he knew, who were bystanders, could affirm. “Never?—no never!” cried the car penter’s wife. And the pedlar, in reward of his

marvellous! tale, was asked to spend the night in the cottage, and after supper repeated his story to several more eager listeners. And each time he told it, it grew by help 'of additions, till at last it seemed as if the pedlar had himself been in the court-house and seen all the sad scene between father and child; whilst an impression began to gain upon himself and his hearers, first begun by the idle surmise of one among them, that the widow must have been at enmity with her husband, else how could she have allowed her child fo swear away his life. ; 7 This was certainly the supposition only of the most ignorant ''im&ag***** Widow Daly’s neighbors. Some few ■ were found to take her part, in fairness —all this being still unknown to the poor woman. , But, nevertheless, the story, after it had passed from mouth to mouth for a month through the country, ran some what thus: that the widow was shrewdly suspected of knowing who had done the murderous deed, and had taught her child to help in screening the guilty, thus bringing about the death of its father.

At last all the neighborhood around Windy Hill thought so fiercely of the unsuspecting lonely mother and child, ; that some mutterings of the black storm brewed by slander against them, alarmed poor Mrs Daly. The grocer’s wife told the widow, kindly enough, that there was ill gossip going which ; she herself would not entirely believe. Nevertheless, unless Mistress Daly could contradict it, it might be better to keep away from the shop. For,- ■ : though a good customer, and one who ,: paid with the most careful exactness, still other customers objected, to her presence. . ; / In alarm and grief poor widow Daly j went straight to the minister of the parish, and, entreating him to take Her part, at last told out all the sad story which till then had never crossed her , lips. , She said—what he found out to be . •) the truth—that her husband had been, ,j ---indeed guilty, and the grief of knowing that she must bear to her grave ! t But poor little Mary had in nowise been even the innocent cause ol her un- |' happy father’s execution; since the * child, although examined, could tell : but little. It was the evidence of others which had been damning, : and ’could not be disproved.

The awful misery of mind felt by the tender child, who haJ Taeen much at tached to its father, was,-however, so’ intense beforehand and during the* trial, that when it came to her own share in the latter she fell into convul sions, and in this state had to be re moved, as the pedlar said. 1 Instead of recovering, the little creature grew only the more ill, and no one knew rightly what ailed her. She ; would hardly ever speak, scarcely eat, , ? and in a last attack of her nerves ftlje: f;| power of speech seemed altogether to leave her. A good Samaritan, a doctor, -I saved her life, and said he believed * ’ that any great shock would give her back the use of her tongue, and she would then speak as well as ever again. But, alas ! meanwhile, the child re mained dumb. = - The minister took up the cause'of the widow and the fatherless and spoke sternly to many : so that after a while those in the cottage were again better thought of, and the scandal came to' die, or at least it hushed, and no more harsh human clamours reached the ears of the lonely dwellers on the . hilt-top, , who seemed to themselves nearer the , ‘ sky there—more beneath the very £ye ! of God.

Two or three years had passed, and one there was who thought well of both- k mother and daughter—the young far- ’ raer below the hill. ‘ ; • Mary Daly, the dumb girl, had grown , up so fair of face and slender of figure that she was, though little seen, some times the talk of the country-side. The jealous raked up at times the old story * •»* but young Ryan thought he could. judge best. Who, of course, so 'un prejudiced, he thought, as a young man judging of a pretty girl. He was no relation, and impartial; not a woman, therefore not jealous; not an old manj therefore not indifferent.

So many a dusk and many a glpam ing, when Mary Daly came otit to search for the calves to house them, t she would see young Ryan come up I. the narrow dark path lined with tall ashes that led up the hill, to tell her how the calves had broken into his young , . corn on the right-hand field here, or had strayed down to his meadow yon der—not that he minded the damage done a bit. Then he would help her to bring them up to the bleak hill-top, and stop to lean over the gate at the lane end to say some parting words, and watch Mary’s pretty gestures answering him back, and her “ speaking face.” At last young Dennis told Mary he would rather have whatever her facesaid to him than any other woman’s sweetest words. So it was settled, and soon known in the country that these two were going to be married. Many a mother had wanted Ryan and his rich farm for her own girl They wished the widow to her face joy of having got so good a son-in-law, but behind backs they talked bitterly of how she must have entrapped him. The malice broke out afresh.

But young Mary Daly became like a new creature; she that never laughed, nor hardly smiled—the timid girl who ' ’ seemed just stepping out of a joyless childhood with regret, as if fearing older years meant addedsorrow, seemed f | suddenly to have seen the sun and be * glad! She was like a young] bijrd • fluttering happily out in the great green world—like a fresh opening flower. 1 ler mother trembled lest it was too , wonderful and blessed a change in their “ : t lives to last. And indeed too soon came up a small cloud in their clear blue sky, for - the mother fell ill; so that till she - f grew better the wedding must wait a - bit. They said it was all for; the best ; since a black-edged letter came, from , America telling young Ryan of the ? / money left him there, which he must go out and claim. So he sailed out in - r the next vessel westward, and his last.. ’ words to his sweetheart were; “ Now, ' ] Mary, lass, don’t ye be carrying on with _.]] ] any other man, for it would break my t ? .- heart.” ‘ ~/■ Days passed, and other young men ; 1 truly enough saw Mary Daly, and to get her to walk with them, and quar relled together about ,-

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1881.



METHVEN AGENCY. MORGAN and HIBBS, General Store keepers, Methven, are authorise? agents for the Ashburton Guardian. Subscribers will please get their papers from the agents in future. Orders en trusted to them will receive prompt attention. P JR, I N T I N Of Every Description, G, NEATLY AND CHEAPLY EXECUTED, . ' ; at IJIHE OFFICE. PLACARDS AT AN HOUR’S NOTICE. THE ASHBURTON GUA7RDIAN OFFICE, SAUNDERS’ BUILDINGS, East street,



Wanted. W AIM TED—A smart LAD, about 13 or 14 years of age, as an appren tice. Apply, Office of this Paper. w ANTED—A Family’s WASHING. Apply, Office of this paper. 178 a WANTED to PURCHASE—BONES, in any quantities. Apply, Mayo and Hunt, Beach road. 130 a WANTED TO SELL Twenty-five \\ SECTIONS, Wakanui Road. Apply to Patching, Tent-maker, East Street. 898



•VTTANTED KNOWN That the W undersigned is now landing 100,000 feet Best Union KAURI, ex Aratapu, from Kaipara. J oshua Tucker, nest Jameson and Roberts, Ashburton. 302 a WANTED KNOWN,— That HENRY’S PORTRAIT ROOMS, Saunders’ Buildings, East street, Ash burton, are Open DAILY, from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. Portraits taken in any weather. Great Reduction in Price. 101 a WANTED TO SELL —PIANOS. H. J. WEEKS, Teacher of Music, Tuner, &c., has for sale the following Secondhand Piano fortes ; 1 full-sized Brinsmead, £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: Cameron street west. 86a



ANTED KNOWN—The Largest and Best Stock of Saddlery is to be found at the shop of S. STEPHENS, Timvald. Good strong Cart Collars from 135.; Cart Winkers, Bs. 6d.; Plough Back-bands. 6s. cash ; Cart Saddles and Breechens, from 505.; Reaping Machine Pole Straps, 2a. Farmers will make a great saving by buying of S. Stephens, Saddler, Tinwald. ttt ANTED KNOWN. Ashburton W 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. JW. 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. 802 VTTANTED KNOWN—That Visiting VY Cards, plain or mourning, can be obtained printed in various styles, at the “Guardian” office, opposite the Railway Station. Special Advertisements.



Commercial and fancy STATIONERY. The Undersigned has opened up a NEW ASSORTMENT of the above. Cream, Blue, and Hand - made Notepapers ; Ruled, Plain, Fancy, and Repp ditto. Good Business Envelopes, No. 7, Court, Albert, Queen, Tinted, Repp, and others. Pens G Ilott’s, Mitchell's, Brandauer and Co.’s Inks—Stephen’s Blue Black, Walkden’s Black and Colored, Antonine, Copying, Ac. Workboxes, Albums, Books, &c. h. m. Tones, STATIONERY AND FANCY GOODS DEPOT, East Street and Baring Square. 710 O T I C E. Fresh arrangements having been made in connection with the “ Ashburton Guardian,” taking effect from the Ist of March instant, I have to request that all Debts owing to me as Proprietor of the said Newspaper on the 28th February ultimo, be paid to Mr S. Saunders, on my behalf. All Debts now accruing to the Proprietor of the “Guardian” will be payable to Mr W. H. Zouch. Dated this first day of March, 1881. 251 a MAX FRIEDLANDER. O E. Persons willing to LEND the Exhibi tion Committee the use of GLASS CASES during the Exhihtion, for the better preservation of perishable articles, are requested to communicate at once with the undersigned. STEPHEN E. POYNTZ, 280 a Hon. Sec. T H E BEST VALUE FOR READY MONEY IS THE MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING MANUFACTURED by THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, Which can be purchased at their Retail Branches, now established all over New Zealand.



The Garments are thoroughly shrunk. The Fit and Style are perfect. The Workmanship is equal to bespoke. The Trimmings are of superior quality and strength. The Tweeds are of the very best de scription. The Stock is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. The tall, short, lean, and stout, can be equally well fitted. The Goods are all marked in plain figures. The system of business is to exchange every article that does not give satisfac tion. And, in addition to all these advantages, you can purchase A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Mercery, Hats, Shirts, Ties, Scarves,' Bags, Portmanteaux, Rugs, and Blankets, at Wholesale Prices. Thousands of the discerning customers testify that the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Garments are the Very Best Value for Ready Money. Ashburton Branch : E A S-T STREET. WM. SPARROW, 751* Manager. G TIC E TO SUBSCRIBERS. Subscribers to this Journal are requested to communicate with the Proprietor when - ~:ons in the Delivery of t|ia Jraper occur. ZOUCH, Proprietor.



Special -Advertisements. MUSEUM. All persons, and particularly exhibitors at the forthcoming Exhibition, who feel disposed to ASSIST in establishing a MUSEUM in Ashburton, are respectfully informed that the Committee of the Library have generously consented to appropriate a room for that purpose. Any willing to give Specimens, Works of Art, «&c., will kindly communicate with the undersigned as early as possible. STEPHEN E. POYNTZ, 293 a Hon. Sec. Industrial Exhibition.



O. Carstens & Co., (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, rnOBACCONIST, FANCY GOODS, I AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco A nice assortment of Accordions, Con certinas, Flutes, Violins, Mouth Organs, and Toys of every description, direct from Home. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. 527a*



J. Slierriff, Monumental mason, Manchester street south, and Bar badoes street (near the Cemetery). A large Stock of Head-Stones, Tombs and Monuments always on hand. Designs for- ".‘Wo Wishes to inform the Ladies of Ashbur ton and the surrounding districts that she will be at ASHBURTON the THREE DAYS of the EXHIBITION to take orders and measures for Ladies requiring Stays, Corsets, Belts, and Shoulder Straps, &c. A case of these several articles will be at the Exhibition, of Miss Yerrall’a own make. For any information required apply to Mr. Thiele, Baker and Confec tioner, where Miss Verrall will be in at tendance. COLOMBO STR EE T (Oposite Cookham House), Christchurch. warded on application. 0 TICE. Miss Yerrall March 10, 1881. 324 a THE GUARDIAN is on every Tea Table in Ashburton.



TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 5 p.m.]



She was a big, buxom lass, and when her small beau called one evening she said, “ Good evening, Lily. ” “ I’m no lily,” he replied, surprised at the idea ; “you’re the lily, men are not lilies.” “Yes, sometimes they are ; and you especially are a lily.” “How’s that?’ “ Lilli putian.” He then looked as if he wished he were an elephant;



Too Much to Expect, — A contempo rary thus apologises for its shortcomings : —“ If our paper isn’t as good as usual this week, excuse us. Too much reunion, and you can’t expect the editor and the paper both to be full at the same time. “No,” said the vagrant, with a sigh, “ times are getting better; they’re not what they used to be. A man’s offered more work than witals.” “Haven’t you signs amongst you so that you know whore to°go, and how you will be treated, and all that sort of thing i” Well, we each have signs of our own. If I see a big powerful bull-dog hanging around the front door, 1 take that as a sign meaning ‘ move on. ’ If there are a few stout men in the next field to the house, that means too much gristle and too little meat. If a large pile of firewood stands by a house with a bucksaw reclining against it, that’s a sign for ‘ saw’s-edge. ’ Oh, yes, we have lots of signs—good reliable signs, too.”



Holloway’s Pills.— At the change of seasons many persons feci oppressed without knowing why they are so—they are aware something within them is wrong, though they cannot delect the defected organ. A few doses of these powerfully purifying and eminently cooling Tills will restore regularity to every part of the system —will cast out all impurities lurking in the frame, and will throroughly expel the last traces of disorder, however obscure its cause. With Holloway’s medicine belief is insured without risk : erroneous action is rectified without disturbing natural regularity, health is re-mstated, and with it return the cheerful feelings which .unmistakably tell the invalid that all within is right again.