SHIPPING.

PORT OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Tui, s.s., from Wellington, Kaikoura, and Boatharbour. To-day. St. Kilda, s.s., from Dunedin. Rotomahana, s.s., from Melbourne, via the South. . . Wanaka, s.s., from WehSbgton. Sailed. Yesterday. Tui, s.s., for Amuri Bluff. Clio, schooner, for Waitapu. Freetrader, barque, for Newcastle. Edwin*Bassett, barque, for Newcastle. Reward, schooner, for Timaru. To-day. Wanaka, s.s., for Akaroa and Dunedin, Rotomahana, s.s., for Northern ports. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland , Yesterday. Sailed— Arawata, for Sydney; Southern Cross, for tevuka. Penguin for the South, from Manukau, at 6 p.m., with the Southern portion of the Californian mails. Wellington, Yesteday. Arrived—Hawea, from the South. Kennedy, from Nelson and _ the West Coast. Jane Douglas, from Kaikoura and Lyttelton. Wanaka, from Picton and Nelson. Sailed—Wallace, for Nelson and the WestCsast. V Port Chalmers,. Yesterday. Arrived—Te Anau, from the North.

The Ashburton Guardian. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1881. Rumored Quietness.

In a telegram from Home this week we published a rumor that agrarian outrages had almost ceased in Ireland for several weeks previous to the date of the telegram—the 5 th inst. The almost entire cessation of those out rages was attributed to the very prompt measures taken by Government to suppress disorder. Comparing this statement with accounts previously re ceived of the state of the agricultural districts of Ireland, we are forced to take it with a grain of salt. But, assuming it to.be-true, it is the most satisfactory intelligence the cable has yet flashed across the ocean to this colony. The descriptions of how the Land League managed to recruit its ranks and exercised a terrorism over the .main body of the people were something more than alarming, and the unscrupulousness of the worst “rattening ” of the Sheffield grinders paled before the Nineteenth Century f Inquisition that had been established in Ireland We would only be too glad to believe that the outrages have ceased, but we are afraid that the cessation is, too sudden to be genuine. The disorder in Ireland was too great and-had continued too long to be put a stop to immediately by any measures, however " prompt, taken by the Government, short of actual slaugh ter jri’ and the feelings of those who sympathise with the Land League had ( been worked up to such a pitch that'measures taken by the Govern- would require to be of the most stern, rigorous, and uncompromising character, to overawe the open defiance that has beent manifested Yet it was time some short,' sharp and decisive measures should be taken to stop the “Boycot ting” reign that existed—a reign of terror thht appeared to be only the precursor of actual rebellion. This « Boycotting " .has been made use of for (|very purpose of the League. It was used as a means, of terrorising un ’ just landlords, of compelling the quieter and more peace-loving farmers to supply funds to the’Land League, and :L give their countenance to itk . actions; it went further, it was used by unsqmpulous - men, under color of carrying put .the Land Leaguers’ de : signs’,’as k means of gratifying private’

spite and glutting privates malice. “ Boycotting ” simply means the most horrible system of ** Coventry ” that could well be invented. Let any person—no matter who—dare to offend the Irish Land League, and a horrible web is an once woven around him. He is immediately isolated from his fellows. He cannot deal with a merchant, for that merchant fears the vengeance of the League, and avoids the proscribed one like a plague. Thus the “Boycotted” one cannot procure even the neces saries of life, however high a price he may be willing to pay for them. His servants of every class are withdrawn from him, and wherever he goes he finds that this infernal Inquisition has cast its blighting influence across his path, like a remorseless fiend that stops short only at the taking of his life. His cattle and horses die or silently dis appear, he is left helpless for the in gathering of his crops, and his farm, however productive, is left valueless and useless to him. We are prepared to learn that the descriptions of the state of the country have been exag gerated, and that the horrible pictures have been too highly colored, but enough has been said to show that a great- / deal of - truth is in tlie descriptions, so that if the rumor we quoted at the outset is true, there will be huge reason for rejoicing. The thwarting of Parnell in the House of Commons which has been able to assert its powers in spite of the attempts of Parnell and his followers to rule the assembly, is also satisfactory, for now there is hope that the Legis lature will be able by the power it has taken, to repress disorder with a strong hand, while it directs its attention to reform in the laws relating to land, which reform was indeed impera tively necessary. We anticipate that the three “ fs” so much desired—“ fixity of tenure, fair rents, and free sale”—are now near realisation, but the revolu tionary ideas promulgated by Michael Davitt are as distant of realisation in Ireland as they are in Middlesex. Michael Davitt was a moving spirit in the Land League, and' much of its de fiance was fermented by his inflamma tory and seditious talk. His voice is now hushed for a time, and it is quite probable—assuming the rumor of re turning quietness to be true —that the dawn of peace is more attributable to the temporary extinction of this fire brand by his relegation to prison, to work out his unfinished sentence than to the prompt measures of repression taken by the Government. When the disturbing element is withdrawn, the necessity for the repressing element will soon disappear.

To Correspondents. Several letters are unavoidably held over, but will have early insertion. Obituary. —Mr. F W. Draper, of the firm of Draper and Charters, Christchurch, died suddenly this morning. Bench and Bar. —The members of the Otago Bar intend to entertain Mr. Justice Williams at dinner on. Tuesday, prior tp his departure for England. Refusing Duty.— The seamen from the steamer Huia, who went out on strike, were charged at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, with refusing duty, and sentenced to three hours’ imprisonment. Prospecting. —A prospecting party has started to search for gold between Taranaki and Waikato. They propose going inland from Mokau or Awakino. The party is headed by a well-known Thames prospector, named,. Barry, and they say they have the permission of the Government.

• An Industry Stifled. —lt is reported in Auckland, that the Waikato Coal Com pany is about closing, its . mine, in conse quence of the uncertainty as to the rates of carriage and terminal charges that the Government propose levying. The com pany is said to have paid nearly L 2,400 for railway carriage on coals for the last six months.

Gospel Address. —An evangelistic service will be conducted by the Rev. C. Melville Pym in the Town Hall, to-morrow evening. As this meeting is the last of the series, we have no doubt a goodly number will avail themselves of this opportunity of hearing the rev. gentle man, who has rendered himself so popular during his stay among us. The Revenue. —The Wellington corres pondent of a contemporary writes :—“I hear that there, are grounds for expecting that the proceeds of the property tax will be considerably better than was supposed likely after the results of the assessment were ascertained. Instead of being some fifty thousand short, as feared, it is now hoped that the deficiency will not be more than twenty-five or thirty. In that case, the receipts from the tax would be two hundred and seventy or two hundred and seventy-five thousand, exclusive of all land tax arrears. Unfortunately, how ever, as the second instalment of the tax is due on March 22nd, or eight days before the expiration of the financial year, it is not likely that all will be got in soon enough to count in this year’s balance sheet. This may make some difference in the above calculations. The Customs and Railways continue to show a marked and steady improvement, and the revenue generally is looking up well.”

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Per Reuter's Agency.) Trade Returns. London, Feb. 7. The Board of Trade returns show the imports for the past month amount to La,675,000, a decrease of L 562,500. The exports amount to Li7,3iz,500, showing an increase of L 375,000, as compared with die month of January, 1880. * Fire in a Colliery. A disastrous fire has broken out in a colliery at Tunstall, Staffordshire. Twenty colliers are entombed, and but little hope of rescuing them is enter tained. Visit of a Land Leaguer. T. W. Walsh, a Land Leaguer, one of the traversers in the recent prosecu tion at Dublin, has started for Aus tralia. The Coercion and Land Bills. In the House of Commons to-day the debate on the Irish Coercion Bill was resumed. The proceedings were in eveiy respect orderly, and the debate is proceeding satisfactorily. It is now announced that it is the intention of the Government that the Irish Land Bill should, if possible, become law before Easter, and every effort will be made to bring about this result. Consols. Consols have declined to 98 New Zealand securities are unchanged. The Markets. Adelaide wheat has fallen is. per quar ter, and to-day is quoted at 495., ex warehouse. Flour, ex warehouse, remains at 345. ; and New’ Zealand wheat, ex ship, at 445. Australian tallow remains at 345. 6d. for best beef, and 395, for best mutton.

Ashantee. ‘ London, Feb. 8. In view of possible hostilities with the Ashantees, her Majesty’s corvette Champion, fourteen guns, has. been ordered to the Gold Coast, where she will organise a naval brigade for service in Ashantee. A Crisis. Madrid, Feb. 8. A Ministerial crisis has occurred here, and a new Cabinet is being formed by Leon Sagasta. Marshal Campos will take the portfolio of Minister of War. Cape News. Capetown, Feb. 8.

News has been received from Nai il : that the Boers have stopped the mul between Sir George Colley’s camp at Langsak and headquarters at New castle. All the reinforcements from England and India have now arrived at Durban and Natal, and the troops will proceed without delay to the front.

AUSTRALIAN.

Exhibition Awards. Melbourne, Feb. 9. The following Exhibition awards to New Zealand exhibitors are announced: —First prizes—William Lane and Co., Dunedin, and Morgan O’Meara, Queenstown, for cordials. Third prizes —Hugh Cameron, Hokitika, Charles Chinnery, Rangiora, Alexander Robert son, Nelson and James Seed, South brook-for flax; John Coe, Lake Elles meere, P. Cunningham and Co., H E. Banks, Christchurch, C. T. Dudley, Irwdl, M. Dwyer, Franklyn, Otago, and L. D. T. Hollo>/ay, Richmond, Nelson, for wheat; W. H. Mein, Christchurch, for preserved meats, and Watkins, M‘Nully, and Co., Dunedin, for hams and bacon. Fourth prizes—H. E. Banks, S. Clayden, Wakefield, Nelson, P. Cunningham and Co., Christchurch, C. T. Dudley, Irwell, Canterbury, Goo. King and Co., Christchurch, W. Kelty, Tapanui, Southland, A. Moore and Co., Christchurch, Royse, Stead, and Co., Christchurch, and Job Vile, Masterton, for wheat. Additional first award for grain—Peter M'Gill, Tokomairiro. Fourth order of Merit, Charles Fulton, of Blenheim, for flax; Edward Sealy, Dunedin, for hams and bacon.

The Defence of Sydney. Sydney, Feb. 9. The Government have announced that a sum of L 6,000 will be spent in completing the torpedo defence of Sydney harbor. Put Back. The barque J ohn Knox, which sailed from this port yesterday for Lyttelton, put back to-day for repairs, having met with a heavy sea, and suffered serious injury to her bulwarks. Parliamentary- Sydney, To-day. The Hon. John Watson, Colonial Treasurer, introduced the Financial Statement in the Legislative Assembly last night. He estimates the revenue for this year at L 5,440,000, and the expenditure at 115,232,000. No material changes are proposed in the estim»t«»if expenditure, except a re duction of one-third in the immi gration vote. Mr. Watson an nounced that the railways of the colony are paying per cent, on the capital sunk in their construction. He disclaimed any intention on the part of the Government to raise a new loan in the London market at present, but states that a loan for L 600,000 might possibly be issued in the colony at an early date.

NEW ZEALAND

Blood Poisoning. Grahamstown, To-day. At the inquest on Mr. John Walker, civil engineer, held this morning, before Mr. Brassey, coroner, the following was the verdict —“ That deceased died from blood poisoning, caused by the bite of a spider.” The Wairarapa Races. Wellington, To-day. To-day was the first day of the Waira rapa Annual Races. The course is in splendid condition, and the weather beautiful. There are about 500 people present. The first event was the Produce Stakes, which was won by Whitan, after a grand race with Treasurer, Barbara being third. The Wairarapa Stakes were shorn of all interest by the scratching of Randwick, leaving Libeller to a walk-over. The Champagne Stakes were appropriated by Kilmore, followed home by Wanaka and Gentle Annie. Fire. Dunedin, To-day. A four-roomed house at Look-out Point was burned down last night. It belonged to Robert Spratt, and was insured for L 125 in a foreign office. A Cricketer Disqualified. The Cricket Association has disqualified W. J. Moore for three months for his conduct at the Australian match.

THE AUSTRALIANS AT NELSON.

Yesterday play began at two o’clock, just after the Australians' arrival at Nelson. Play continued till six o’clock, at which hour the twenty-two Nelsonians had all been got rid of for 83. To-day, our telegram says, the Australians went in at eleven. Burns and G. Fowler bowled. Spofforth was run out—l—3—7- Murdoch was clean bowled by Burns—2 —6—l4. McDonnell was bowled by Burns—3—s—22. Groube was bowled by Burns —4—12—29 Slight was bowled by Fowler—s—s—3s. Jarvis was run out—6—5—35. Boylo was caught by Lawry, bowled by Fowler —7 14 caught by Firth, bowled by Burns— -8—2—65. Blackham caught Balmain, bowled Fowler, 9—3—72 ; and White, the last man, was bowled in the same over, the total being 72, in which were included 2 byes and 1 wide. Palmer, the not out, was top scorer with 15. Bowling analysis :—Fowler, 128 balls, 19 maidens, 4 wickets, 32 runs; Bums, 124 balls, 13 maidens, 4 wickets, 36 runs, 1 wide. I.3o.—Nelson just gone to wickets again. At adjournment for lunch Nelson score stood at 16 with loss of three wickets.

DISTRICT COURT.

ASHBURTON— To-day. (Before His Honor Judge Ward.) Mangham v. Mount Hutt Road Board— Claim L 25 6s. Bd. The action was to recover the balance of an amount due for extras alleged to have been done on a contract for forming and metalling Chertsey road. Certain specifications were agreed to, some altera tions in the contract were made, and several extras completed. For the latter of which the claim was now made. For the defence, the Board denied any liability beyond what they had already been paid. The hearing extended-over the greater part of the day, and many witnesses were examined. Mr. Purnell appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Holmes for defendants. Counsel having addressed the Court, his Honor ’gave [judgment for (plaintiff for Ll 5 os, Bd. with costs. Lake v. M'Kerrow and Co.—Claim L 55 16s 3d, Case adjourned till next sitting day on the application of Dr. Foster for plaintiff. In Bankruptcy—Mr. O’Reilly applied fer an order for discharge in the bankruptcy of J. Smith ; for costs in that of 11. C. Williamr.m ; and for an order to show cause in that of Timothy Hurley. The applications were granted.

NEWS BY THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

Auckland, Yesterday. The P.M.S.S. Zoalaudia arrived this afternoon, having loft San Francisco on January 18th. She brings the following SUMMARY OF NEWS. In the Queen’sspeoch her Majesty says ; —Trade is gradually improving, and an abundant harvest has greatly decreased the distress in Ireland, but I grieve to state that the social condition of Ireland lias assumed an alarming character, and agarian ciimes in general have multiplied. Attempts upon life have not grown in the same proportion for the same offence, but I must add that efforts are being made for iiorsonal protection far beyond all former precedent by the police under direction of the Executive. I have to notice other e-fils yet more widely spread. The ad ministration .of justice has been threatened with respect to these offences.

Through the impossibility of procuring evidence an extended system of terror has thus been established in various parts of the country, which has paralysed almost alike the exercise of private rights and the performance of civil duties. This state of things is new in some important respects, and hence, with little available guidance from former precedents, I have deemed it right to put in use the ordinary powers of the law before making any further de mand. But a demonstration of their in sufficiency, amply supplied by the present circumstances of the country, leads me now to apprise you that proposals will be immediately submitted to you for intrust ing me with additional powers, necessary in my judgment, not only for the vindica tion of order and public law, but likewise to secure on behalf of my subjects protec tion for life and property and personal liberty of action. I object to the primary and imperious obligations to which I have just referred. 1 continue to desire not less than heretofore to prosecute the re moval of grievances and the work of legis lative improvement in Ireland as in Great Britain. The Irish Land Act of 1870 has been productive of great benefits, and has much contributed to the security and

comparative well-being of occupiers of the soil, without diminishing its value or dis turbing the foundation of property. In some respects, however, and more particu larly under the strain of a recent and most calamitous year, the protection which it supplied has not been found sufficient either in Ulster or the other provinces. I recommend you to undertake further de velopment of its principles in a manner conformable to the special wants of Ire land. As regards the relation of land lords and tenants, and with a view to effective efforts for giving to a large portion of the people by purchase a per manent proprietary interest in the soil, this legislation will require the removal, for the purposes in view, of all obstacles arising out of limitations on ownerships of property, with due provision for the security of the interests involved. A measure will be submitted to you for the establishment of a County Government in Ireland, founded upon representative principles, and framed with the double aim of abridging the unpopular control over expenditure and of supplying the yet more serious want of extending the for mation of habits of local self-government. Her Majesty alluded to different matters of English domestic policy which will be laid before Parliament, and concluded with the benediction and commendation of her people to Divine care. 1 A despatch of the 15th instant says the Parnellites had an open rupture ,ip the House of Commons the night before the, debate came on. Mr. Justin McCarthy, in a bitter speech, accused the - Irish members of delaying the remedial mea sures. Mr. Parnell answered, charging Mr. Gladstone with misrepresenting the Irish members. He said that he believed the Irish people would justify the shed ding of their blood to secure their liberty if they saw a chance of success. He denied having encouraged an armed in surrection, because England was too strong. The Government could not sup press the Land League, because if the leaders were imprisoned the people would organise secret societies, and murder and outrage would be increased tenfold. If the Habeas Corpus Act was suspended the arrest of the first man would be the signal "for a general refusal to pay rents. Another despatch, of the above date, says the fol lowing is the outline of the Government Irish °Land Bill, which may, however, undergo modification before presentment: —The surplus fund of the Irish Church will be devoted, first, to the reclamation of waste lands ; second, to assist migra tion from overcrowded districts ; third, according to a carefully drawn scheme, to assist emigration. The measure will also include “ three f’s,” guarded by a restric tive provision necessary for the practical working of the measure. With respect to the Coercion Bill, it is stated that the Government contemplates the creation of a Commission of two Judges, with power in certain cases to supersede the ordinary judicial tribunal. General disarmament will also be passed.

In Ireland, since January Ist, the authorities are exerting themselves to maintain order and enforce the laws. Many persons are being arrested for “ Boycotting,” and “ Bulldozing ” people into joining the Land Leaguers, and other offences. Flying columns patrol dis affected districts, and troops and con stabulary are being quietly concentrated where they can be called upon at short notice. The anti-land league sentiment is being fostered by the Government, and considerable progress has been made in the formation of an association to combat the leaguers. The Orangemen are par ticularly active, and are making arrange ments to take care of persons suffering from Boycottiam. The London Times says that it is informed that the Pope has written a letter to the Bishop of Dublin, strongly condemning the method in which the agitation in Ireland is conducted, and that very emphatic instructions"- have been issued to the Catholic prelates, enjoining them to make a stand against the anarchial and Communist doctrines which have been preached and put in practice. The Post Office Department is ready to establish the telephone service throughout England, and has ordered 20,000 instru ments for use.

All prisoners for debt in Scotland were released under an Act of parliament on January Ist. Hanlan and Rosa on January Ist issued a challenge to any two oarsmen in the world for a double skull race for LSOO to LI,OOO a side, the race to come off early in the season.

The Jewish crusade still continues, es pecially in the larger towns, and notwith standing that the respectable press is almost unanious against the feeling, many Jews of Berlin and other places are pre pared to emigrate. The Albanian League has summoned all males over eighteen years to arms in every northern district in Albania. The Albanians demand Dulcigno, and if Montenegro does not give it up, they pro pose to declare war. The financial ad ministration of the Government is en tirely in the hands of the military men, and all the available resources of. the, country are devoted to warlike prepara tions.

Four new steamers ordered by the Chinese merchants ’for service between China and San Francisco will be ready next July, and in August a weekly line will be established between China and the United States.

The Emperor has authorised the con struction of 1,200 miles of telegraph, line in the province of Tientsin. The insurgents’ governing committee issued a proclamation defending their actions and offering pardons to all ap

ponents. They agree to retain their pre sent office, also to admit a British Consul and to indemnfy Great Britain for the ex penditure in the Transvaal. The Boers lost 100 killed and wounded before Potohefstroom, which was de fended for forty-eight hours by Major Clark and twenty-five men, who were compelled to surrender. The Cape authorities at last accounts were rapidly concentrating all their avail able forces in the Transvaal.

Copious rains have fallen in California, Oregon, and Washington, and the promise of the crops of all kinds, particularly wheat, is more than good. The Mormons are uneasy at the atti tude of the President, and have organised •a lobby at Washington to guard their in terests. George R. Cannon, their dele gate to Congress, was refused his certifi cate of election by the Governor of the - territory, on the ground that Cannon was a polygamist. .• Mark Twain, the famous humorist, has gone crazy. The population of the United States is unofficially given at 50,152,559. The House Committee on Post Offices is preparing a Bill to appropriate L 1,500,000 for carrying foreign mails on ocean routes during the coming year. The Australian line is to be included irt the subsidy if Congress passes the Bill. Post master-General Macnard favors the Bill, and President-elect General Garfield is thought to be favorably disposed towards it.

Jay Gould, the America railroad opera tor, last month, by purchase of a lease, obtained control of 2,479 miles of road, which makes him the controller of 9,649 miles of railroad, employing hundreds of millions capital. Very cold weather is being experienced in the Mississipi River Valley and along the Atlantic seaboard. In the Southern States it was the coldest ever known, in some places 12 and 15 degrees below zero. During the first week in January heavy avalanches of snow have fallen in the town of Alta, Utah, almost destroying the place and killing over twenty persons. Tile stage running between Fort Gum ming and Messila, New Nexico, was at tacked by Indians on the 11th January, and the driver and threee passengers murdered.

The American barque F. M. Carlow is loading at New York for Dunedin- and Wellington, and will probably clear on January 18th. The British barque Orient, for Lyttelton and Auckland, will probably clear on February Bth. At Boston, the Peruvian barque Fray Beutos is loading for Dunedin and Lyttelton, and will pro bably clear on Tanuary 11th. The British barque Sarah Scott, for Adelaide and Dunedin, will probably clear on February 3rd. Indians are raiding in the state of Chihuahua. On December 23rd they killed eleven persons. The struggle in Parliament over the Canada Pacific railroad contract still con tinues, and the Opposition have been so bitter that a syndicate of foreign capi talists have been obliged to somewhat modify their original plan, but the essen tial details as to price are the same as heretofore telegraphed. The Toronto Globe of the 17th says : —** Since the for mation of the new syndicate 10,000,000 dols. have been subscribed in England for the Canadian Pacific raiiroad, and it is now certain that the whole amount of the capital for the construction of the road can be obtained. The plan has been some what modified, owing to the hostility of the Opposition.”

Mount Somers Road Board.

The usual monthly meeting of this Board was held at the Road Board Office, Mount Somers, on Monday, February 7th, Members present—Messrs. A. E. Peache (Chairman), I. E. Taylor, and J. Hood. The minutes of the last ordinary meet ing were read and confirmed. The Surveyor’s report was read and con sidered. correspondence A letter was read from Mr. W. C. Walker relative to the purchase of materials, &c. Messrs. Branson and Purnell wrote re a claim made by A. Prentz for work on Black Hill track, and other matters. The Chairman stated that he had directed the Clerk to reply previous to the meeting, which was approved. The Chairman of the Ashburton County Council wrote, re accounts for balance due to Council on Ashburton bridges. The District Land Registrar acknow ledged receipt of Board’s letter re transfer of Cameron’s road, Methven. Mr. Arthur Ede requested permission to take a small stream from Fergus Creek to his house.

The Surveyor, was instructed to exa mine the proposed race, and use his dis cretion as to whether the adjacent land owners would sustain any injury by Mr. Ede’s request being granted. If he re ported favorably, Mr. Ede’s request be granted provided he make satisfactory provision for crossing the Tramway Reserve road. The Railway Department, Wellington, enclosed the amended grain tariff. The Returning Officer wrote, re adver tising election, also informing the Board .that Messrs. Hood and P. Tisch had been nominated to fill the extraordinary vacancy in No. 4 ward, but that Mr. Tisch having retired, Mr. J. Hood was duly elected. The Ashburton County Council for warded a copy of a resolution passed at a meeting held on January 11th re division of the district, and stated that the ques tion had been referred to a committee of four members of the Council to report on. Mr. J. Ollivier, Provincial District Auditor, wrote certifying as to the accurate and careful manner in which the accounts had been kept during the past year. The Colonial Secretary wrote, re separa tion of district. VALETTA ROAD. Mr. Wm. Fergus interviewed the Board relative to the acceptance of tenders for Yaletta road. It was resolved —“ That in the future the tender-box bo closed punctually at the time mentioned in advertisement.” MISCELLANEOUS. The Board resolved.—“ That no orders given by contractors will bo entertained for the' future. ” Mr. I. E. Taylor asked why Messrs, Day Bros, had received the carting of drain pipes from Methven to Mount Somers. The Surveyor stated that he had agreed with Mr. Fergus to cart the pipes, but that, as Mr. Fergus had been somewhat dilatory, he had informed him that, if Day Bros, were prepared to cart them before he was, they should do so, the price charged by Day Bros, being very considerably less than that of Fergus. It was decided to grant the Surveyor leave of absence for a fortnight during harvest operations. The pay-sheet, amounting to L 320 9s. 2d., having been passed for payment, the Board adjourned

Holloway s Pills. —The blood being the ery essence of health and life it is most essen tial that it should be thoroughly purified before the depressing influences of winter display them selves. These Pills will accomplish this puri-. fication in a safe and satisfactory manner, and n\jt the circulation in that desirable condition, which alone can rightly fornt flesh, bone, mus ilfc, nerve,, and skin. Capricious appetites, weak digestions, torpid livers, and irregular bowels are corrected by this potent medicine, which may be.truly said to induce “a sane mind in a sound body.” Holloway’s Pills possess the remarkable property of cleansing without weakening. While purifying they are strengthening and adding to those enjoyments of life which health and vigor pan alone bestow.-—-Auvt.

THE CHIMNEY CORNER.

THE LAST MAN ON BOARD. “ Caught at last, Jack. The old craft’s bound to drive ashore in half an hour, and then there’ll be wet jackets for us all.” “ Aye, aye, Bill, my boy ; and it jist sarves us right for shippin’ aboard a ten-gun brig. They always has bad luck, .they has! ” So the two veteran sailors, as th(| staunch little cruiser,..whirled,on ward dike ’it feather by wind and sea, drifted nearer and meaner. to the huge black cliffs which, through blinding spray and deepening storm, loomed out plainer and painer upon the lee bow. The Seabird had indeed made her last voyage. All her boats had been stove in,' riiasts and rigging had long since been torn away by the furious gale, or hacked-. Off by the crew themselves, and

the cruel rocks upon which the help less vessel was'driving headlong would have crushed' the'' timbers ‘of the strongest seventy-four like an egg-shell. Byt, with death gaping for them every moment, not a ; man flinched. The Captain gave his.orders,, and the .crew, obeyed them, as coolly as if running into port on a fine summer morning. But' the end came at last. One mighty shock, which threw every man off his feet,-a terrible crash, a giddy rebound, and then the. doomed brig settled right down upon a sunken reef, with that tearing, grinding noise which) no one who has once heard it can easily forget. “ She’lj move no more now till she breaks up altogether,” said the Captain, quietly, “so we must just think of sav in" ourselves. Any chance of a line from the shore Mr. Rogers? You know this coast well.” “ None, sir, I’m afraid,” answered the first officer, who was standing near him.

“ There’s neither rocket nor life-boat within several miles, and no boat could come out in the teeth of the sea.” At that moment a red light blazed up from the cliff overhead, and the whole scene started into view at once. The great wall of black rock, with the sea-birds flapping and shrieking around it, the narrow strip of beach below, crowded with anxious watchers;-the quaint little fishing village, with its rude huts built of driftwood or broken stones; the stranded ship and her crew, every face and every rope stand ing out distinct in the light of the beacon; and all around, the tossing waves, which, reddened by that..un-

earthly glare, seemed to cast up a spray of fire against the gloomy sky. ; It was plain that the vessel must break up be fore long. The Captain looked keenly toward the shore for a moment, and then turned to his men. “My lads,” cried he, “ there is some chance for us yet. They can’t get a boat out to us, but we may get a line to them, for the tide’s setting strongly in-shore. Twenty pounds to the man who will swim ashore with a rope !” The offer sounded like a bitter mockery, for to face that sea appeared nothing less than certain death. The words were hardly spoken, however, when a man stepped forward and touched his wet forelock to the Captain, who started as he recognised him. And well he might, for this man was the “ black sheep ” of the whole crew, and had been brought up for punish ment (not for the first time) a few days before.

“What, you, Thompson ?" “Aye, it’s me, your honor!” answered the man with a grim smile, as he knotted the rope around his waist. “ Yer honor told, only t’other day, as I was a disgrace to the ship, so mayhap the old craft’ll be well rid of me !” For a moment the Captain’s iron face worked as no one had ever seen it yet; and then, without a word, he held out his hand. The other grasped it for an instant in a grip like a smith’s vice, and then, watching his oppor tunity, plunged into the roaring sea. 1 hen came a long and terrible pause. Every man on board held his breath, while straining his eyes into the boiling whirl of foam below. Once, a few of the keenest sighted among them thought they caught sight of the sailor’s black head in the midst of the white, seething breakers; but the next moment a mountain wave rolled in and covered all. Had the daring swimmer suc ceeded, or had he perished in the attempt ? No one could say. There are very few things more diffi cult, or requiring more skill and judg ment, than* to carry a rope ashore in a stormy sea. To a' landsman it may seem merely a question of breasting the waves between one point and another; but such is by no means the case. To avoid a wave, or to take advantage of it j to know when to escape by diving, when to rise on the crest of a billow as it breaks; to husband one’s strength at one moment, and put it forth to the utmost at another —all this must be thought of, in the very crisis of the peril, if the task is to be achieved at all.

Suddenly a cheer comes pealing from the shore, so loud and hearty as to be heard above all the roar of the storm, and it is repeated again and again, till every cranny of the great cliff se§ms alive with echoes. “ He must ha’ done it, sir,” says the boatswain to the first officer, “ for I feel the rope cornin’ taut in my hands,.” Sure enough, in another moment the narrow black line stood clearly ; out against the ghostly white of the sea, for some distance from the wreck, although farther out, it was completely hidden by' the leaping waves. “ Now, my lads,” cried' Captain Hardy, “ off with you, aqd mind you hold fast. If we were boarding an enemy I wouldn’t ask you ro go first ; but this is a different thing ; I don’t take my foot off these planks till every other man has left them ; so the sooner you all get ashore, the less time you’ll keep me waiting.” The concluding joke, grim as it was, touched his hearers in the right place. They answered him with a cheer, and at once began upon their perilous journey. More than once a stifled cry was heard from the depth of the darkness, as a furious wave tore some poor fellow from the slippery, cord, and whirled him away to destruction; but the greater part reached the shore in safety, hailed by the’ lusty cheers of the fishermen. After the turn of the men came that of the officers. Ope by one, thej? cleared the, deadly spaccytiirthe only man left upon the .

wreck was ihe captain himself. All at once a terrible cry was heard, and the first officer, turning hastily, saw the rope tossing loose upon the waves. It had snapped in the middle ! “ God help mun,” muttered an old fisherman, sadly: “itbe a’ over wi’ mun now !”

What ?” shouted Thompson, start ing up from the wet shingles, upon which he had been lying exhausted. All over with him, d’ye say? Not while we have hands of our own, any how !”

“ Why, Bill, what’s got you ?” cried one of his comrades, jokingly. “ I heerd you say, myself, only last week, as you’d give a year’s pay to see the old man in a scrape as he couldn’t git out of!”

“ And what o’ that ?” retorted the - other, savagely. “ D’ye think Bill Thompson’s the one to remember any sich foolery when there’s a brave man dyih’ right afore his very eyes ?. I tell ye,-he giv’ me his hand afore the whole ship’s company, jist as if him and me warn’t cap’n and A.B. at all, but man and.man ; and.Til-help him some how, it I die for it!” “ Ee be’st a brave lad,” said one of the fishermen, approvingly.; “ but boat nor line can never reach yon man now. Qod ha’ mercy on mun’s soul!” “ And so we’re all to git ashore, and leave our cap’n behind to drown !” cried a sailor;fiefcely. “ That ’ud be a nice piece for' English blue-jackets to tell, wouldn’t it?”,. Mates are we men ? or arp we a pack o’ skulkers as oughtn’t never to show our faces on blue water again ? Who’ll.help me to take a boat out to him ?” “ I will!” “ And I !” “ And I !”

“ Come along then !” “ Bide ye, bide ye, lads !” said the old fisherman; “ ee’ll do nought o’ good thik’ way. But I’ll tell ’ee what ye need do, if the wind ’ud only shift a p’int to the east’ard, as it do seem to be for doin’.”

“It is shifting; I see it!” exclaimed Thompson eagerly. “ What are we to do, daddy ? tell us quick !” “ ’Ee see yon p’int ?” said the veteran, indicating the rocky headland that closed in the bay to the east. “ When the wind be south-and-by-west, it do raak’ a coorrent across the bay, right down to the rocks where the vessel be lyin’; ’ee must get to mun so.”

The impatient crew barely gave him time to finish. One universal hurrah shook the air, and in an instant these bruised, half-drowned, starving men, who had seemed hardly able to stand a few minutes before, were running like madmen towards the point, where they scarcely waited to let the wind change sufficiently for their purpose, before launching a boat and pulling furiously towards the wreck.

Meanwhile, how fared it with the doomed Captain ? Perhaps even his stout heart may have failed for a moment, at the thought of his young wife far away on the Kentish shore, and the two, little girls who were praying that “ papa might come safe back from sea,” while he stood there alone with death. But, whatever might be the peril that threatened him, there was no “ white feather ” about Captain Richard Hardy ; and the eyes that had faced without flinching the grinning muzzles of French cannon, looked just as fear lessly upon the gnashing wpves. Suddenly a loud hurrah came rolling over the wild sea, and the rising moon, breaking for an instant through the inky masses of clouds, showed him a boat coming straight towards him, in the bow of which sat the scape-grace Thompson, bending to his oar with the strength of a giant. And as they approached, he could hear beneath his feet the rending of the timbers, and the gurgle of the fatal water as it poured in, keeping time to the oar strokes of his deliverers. “ Pull, boys !” roared Thompson ; “ will yer let him drown afore yer eyes?”

At that moment a mountain-wave broke over the wreck, completely bury ing it for an instant. A terrific crash , was heard, and when the spray had cleared, it was seen that the vessel had parted amidships, and that the whole after-part was clean gone. The bow, however, still held firm, and upon it, shadow-like in the fitful" moonlight, stood the dark figure of the Captain. “ Hold up, your honor,.” shouted Thompson ; “another minute, and you’re saved!”, But it is often that another minute ” which makes all the difference. Just as the boat ran alongside the wreck, another tremendous sea over whelmed both. There was a second crash louder than the first, and nothing remained of the strong ship but a toss-

ing chaos of broken timbers, But where was the Captain?. Amid the blinding spray and the deafening uproar, no one but the man beside noticed Bill Thompson twist a rope around his left arm, and plunge into the sea. But the next moment his call was heard from, the midst of the mass of floating wreck; and his cora rades; hauling in the line, brought with it Capt. Hardy, senseless from the blow of <a falling splinter, and Thompson ihmself, bleedingffreely from a terrible gash in the: forehead. And now came the hardest part of the work. To* return to the point against the current was simply imr possible; their only chance was to head straight for the shore, right through the worst fuiry 6f the breakers. More than

once all seemed over with them; but the old fisherman who steered was as cool'ahd steady as if only on a pleasure Jtrip, heeding the seas that almost filled the boat no more than drops of rain. The moment her keel touched the sand, a score of strong hands were ready to drag them beyond the reach of. the-, waves, while a louder cheer than all burst forth when it was seen that not one man was missing. Years later, when Commodore Sir Richard Hardy retired from,Jthe service with a pension and a baronetcy to con sole him for the loss of his left arm, he ..was never seen unattended by his con fidential servant, a short, thick-set man, with a deep scar across his forehead, whose favorite after-dinner was “ how me and his honor was pretty nigh swamped ’bout 25 years ago, when the old Seabird went ashore in Ridge-' mount Bay.”

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY!!!^ISBI.



: 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 Gdlott’s, Mitchells, Brandauer and Co.’s Inks —Stephen’s Blue Black, Walkden’s Black and Colored, Antonine, Copying, &c. Workboxes, Albums, Books, i&c. H. M. JONES, STATIONERY AND FANCY" GOODS DEPOT, East Street and Baring Square. . 710 H~i 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, all oyer New Zealand. A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Thousands of the discerning customers testify : that the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Garments are the Very Best Value for Ready Money. Ashburton Branch EAST STREET. WM. SPARROW, 751* Manager. O. Carstens & Co. (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, Tobacconist, fancy goods, AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair . Tobacco Musical Instruments, etc., etc. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. 520* ANOTHER YEAR OF SUCCESS’Ss WASTED SNOWS— H. J. Weeks, Teacher of Music, Tuner, &c., has room for a few more Pupils for the Pianoforte, Harmonium, Violin, Flute, or Singing. Terms on application. Second hand instruments bought or sold on com mission. Address—Cameron street west. 86a TOWN EDITION. ' [issued at 5 p.m.] .



FUN AND FARCE I w ASTE PAPER for Sale, 3d. peril?. %t .>ftw Qvj&nijLjf Pfficg '



Wanted, WANTED, a smart LAD as an -. apprentice. Apply, J. Mfech, Cabinetmaker, Barnett street. 86ft ■ 1 r— I ' , - ...-Tf; )•_' I WANTED— A BOY to look after horses atid to make himself generally useful. Apply to FniEDi.Ain>iK Bros. 76a WANTED —MARRIED COUPLE, r . for Maronan, without incumber* ancea. Man, odd jobs ; woman to cook for men. John Carter, Grove Boose, Tinwald. ■■■**&** •■■■" WANTED KNOWN—VALENTINES’ , — Valentines ! Valentines ! —‘St Valentine’s Day next Monday.- assortment of Valentines, to suit every-inA body, at L. F. Andheweßj ®Sst street, - - South. , ,



WANTED TO SELL Twenty-five , - ; Wakariui' Road. « Apply to Patching,; Tent-maker, |6>>§ Street. 888 Ail W N T K TENDERS for right of MfiKOtSH*: ; ’ MENT STALL in the Town Hall during , the Industrial Exhibition, on Maf;h ITj " 18, and -19. Tenders to be i®' by .. SATURDAY, Feb. 12, at noon. Full in formation on application to STEPHEN E. POYNTZ, 53a „ ; v :H6h.J



WANTED KNOWN—The .lorinfek' and Best Siodsl of Sadbxbbt is to be found at the shop of S. STEPHENS, Tinwald. Good strong Cart Collars from - 13?,; Cart Winkers, Bs. 6d.; Plough - Back-bands. 6s. -cash ; Cart Saddles*-and* Breechens, from. 505.; Reaping Machine A Pole Straps,, 2s. Farmer# will; make / a great saving by buying of S. StßPHßirs; -' Saddler, Tinwald* - ■ ~ . ; >T ‘M TTTANTED KNOWN.— Ashbnrtop , V\ REGISTRY OPFICK for lfaia/ and Female Servant*. —L. F. A*nß»WKfcn i begs to inform the, public of ; Ashburton ; ■ and surrounding districts that.he ..baas ,r opened the above. Male and - Female Ser"ants of all classes provided, -be * ployers requiring servants, with good recommendations, who are in- . want of situations* ate reqttestedrto apply. .7 to L. F. Andkbwes, Labor Agent, Book- seller, and Shatibner, East streSt/SonthCl > ~ ■ ■ 627 - WANTED vC^Mcb of England minister's" wife write* ; that she saves Ten. Shillings i •fFpirtrij’M by using Harper T welvetree*' Villn ~ . Washer, Wringer, and bined; and, although she permit* rubbing, the clothes are beautifully white, and much cleaner than when done by' hand, while the saving in mending haa been astonishing. .. Sold by J. HERN, Range Maker and/Importer, <»mer o| < Manchester and Vnam Street#, j, church; Price—loa. , ) -



wanted 'known;" 1 SOMfaiSET JW. M‘RAE:begS'to;ihft>m the . public that he has taken the above Stables front . Mr; Boseettbeag, r *»d ris making extensive repairs. - , Buggies and aaddlo horsea;onhirflu/. . > p Meetings. /■ T HIST L E _ iJ iM. Am EMERGENCY MEETING will be ,L OftOE. i . fc $ I / held at the Masonic Hall THIS (Thursday) evening:; ' ir.v: yr/ 7 T - • V 81a By order of the R.W.M., U GEO. GAtJKRODGEB, Hon. See.



Ecclesiastical JgjVANGEIiiSTiO ADDR'KS?. A MEETING will be held- at tie Town. Hall, Ashburton, TO-MORROW (FRIDAY) EVENING, At 8 o’clock, V. When ad ADDRESS fthe last of it»- Series) will-bo' deEvetodbyfibo 1 '-AiX I REV. C..MELVILI«E p A Collection willbemade at the close of the meeting towards defraying the J expenses. Sanhey’s Hymns will be used. ; / €d*



Amusements •j-: o. ■ ; g.. / .iiv f y. ';ifc ’j jjs* ■ U)YAL ASHBURTON LODGE, No. 6003. GRAND ANN IV ERSA RV Concert ,' ? J Of Vocal and Instrumental' Static," , j Pances, and Comic Sketches, iit the j 3 TOWN HALL, ASHBURTON. - T ON " f- MONPAY EVENING, RBB. SB. 7/ £ The Loyal Ashburton Lodge,No. 0003, hi purpose celebrating their Anniversary with - ' a Concert bn thb Shove *KbffT#«*rr~ cellent programme will be presented- :; Poors open at half-past seven ; concert at eight prompt, , *’ '■/ f *l* JOSHUA tucheß; n.g, 76a R. MINNAS, Secretary,,, ~,



PublicJJoticep. V. U B LI C *'P* „• RATING ACT, 1876. ..... . -H'’/' The Assessment Courts for the Road \ S Districts of. Wakaoui, Longbeach, South Bakaia, Mount Hutt. Upper Ashburton. Mount Somers, andife burton, for the purpose of bewii?g not .determining all OBJECTIONS to the Valuation List, or Lists, of the said dia* tricts and Borough, will be held bn the dates and at the places following, T , Road District of South Bakaia, on 17th vJ February, at South Bakaia Road" Board Office, at 12noon. • .• ; Road District of Mount Somers, on lßth February, at Mount' Sbitoi* *'” * .■ Road Board Office* atlSaooM. .>:h r i Road District of Upper ■ Ashburton, as 3rd March, at Werterfield Road Board Office, at 12 noon. ~~ Road District-bl Lobgbeaicli, -bn 5tK March, at Willowby. Road Beard : ,■ Office, at 12 noon. A " / Borough of Aahburtoo, on sth March, ■* at the Resident Magistrate’s Court house, Ashburton, at 10 &oaao:sX_l Road District of Waktaitkl, W .March, at the Reei^ept',,r,j trate’a Courthouse, : A«hbtfftbh^ Road‘District, of Mount Hutt, March, at the Methven Roadßaard. „ ■ - Judge. * \ .W.vMARim V; : Clerk' Assessment v ' Resident Magistrate’s Court, ■ Ashburton, {Hbfpbtaa^,