SHIPPING.

PORT OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. YesSerday. WakatipH, b.b. , from Port Chalmers. Go-Ahead, s.a., from Kekerangi. Reoamia, ketch, from Picton. To-day. Te Anau, s.s.,from Wellington. Wanaka, s.a., from Port Chalmers. Sailed. Yesterday.

Wakatipu, s.s., for Sydney via Wel lington. Pelican, brigantine, for Pelorus Sound. Prince Alfred, barque, for Pelorus Sound. Charlotte A. Littlefield, barque, for Auckland. Maud Graham, schooner, for Kaipara. Grafton, s.s., for Oamaru. Go-Ahead, s.s , for Kekerangi.

To-day. Wanaka, s.s., for Northern ports. To Anau, s.s., for Melbourne, via South.

SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Saturday. Arrived—Enterprise, from Timaru. Sailed—Edith, for Suva. Port Chalmers, Yesterday. Arrived —December 11th, Ocean Ran ger, from Mauritius, via Lyttelton. Sailed —Estelle, for Newcastle. Stella, Government steamer, for South. Wellington, To-day. The ship Orari, 101 days, from London, is anchored at the Heads.

DAILY MORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Thursday, December 15. T. Ford and Co., at Friedlander Bros.’ Saleroom —Valuable Freehold Pro perty ; 1 o’clock. Saturday, December If. Mr T. Bullock, at the Bazaar —Horses ; L3op.m. Tuesday, December 20 Matson, Cox and Co., at the Tinwald Yards —Stock. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c To-night, Tuesday, December 13. Horticultural Society—Monthly Meeting, Mr Jones’ Upper Room, 8 p.m. Amateur Dramatic Club, Town Hall, 8 p.m. To-morrow, Wednesday, December 14. Local Industries Association, Monthly Meeting, Upper Room, Town Hall, 8 p.m. Friday, December 16. United Masonic Ball, Masonic Hall, 8.80 p.m. Tuesday, December 20. Musical Festival, Town Hall, 8 p.m Monday, December 26. Caledonian Society’s Annual Gathering. Monday, January, 2. Winslow Annual Races. Tuesday, January 3. Ashburton Permanent Building and In vestment Society, Monthly Meeting, from 6.30 to 8.30 p.m. Wednesday, January 4 County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock. Thursday, January 5. Wakanui Road Board—Monthly Meeting, Road Board Office, Moore street L.O.L. —Monthly Meeting, Templar Hall.

BIRTH.

Braddell. —Dec. 12, at Ashburton, the wife of Charles Braddell, of a daughter. DEATH. Mortce. —On April 20th, at Hoddesdon, Herts, England, Richard William Morice, M.A., for thirty-eight years rector of the parish. Aged 82 years.

TO CORRESPONDENTS

We are in receipt of an item of intelli gence in reference to the late election from our correspondent at Waterton, but as we do not care to make public such a statement without further en quiry as to its bona fides, its publication is deferred for the present.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 430 p.m. j

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas, et Prevalebit. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1881. Squandering in the Education Department.

At an election meeting in the Wel lington district last week one of the candidates, Mr Stafford, was rather closely questioned about the education given in the State schools and its cost. It is somewhat curious that more fre quent enquiry is not made into this matter. The annual cost of State school education now amounts to more than L 400,000, and is still steadily on the increase. it may be safely said that there is no other item of a similar amount in our State expenditure the details of which are so little criticised. State education may be an excellent thing now, and so perhaps was State religion a few hundred years .ago; but in the Middle Ages large bequests were made to religion, and spent in pandering to the sensual vices of lazy abbots and monks ; and in the same way now money voted for educational purposes is often squandered in in creasing the salaries of teachers of very moderate capacity and energy, in making school inspectors comfortable for life, no matter what they do or leave undone, and in providing for the salaries and contingencies of the officers of numerous Education Boards, perhaps not required. The amount spent every year is so large that a hasty glance at two or three of the existing schbol arrangements, causing unneces sary expenditure, may not be out of place. And even such a hasty glance would at once reveal the fact that, in order to increase the salaries of the teachers and the importance of the in spectors, there is this unnecessary ex penditure at what may be styled both ends of our State schools—in the lowest and in the highest classes. As regards the children under five years of age, what on earth can they learn at State schools, except to imbibe more or less poisonous air in close rooms, when they ought to be running about and playing in gardens and paddocks, strengthening their limbs, lungs, stom achs,'and brains, and so preparing for the teaching to come when they are fit to receive it. A child is not composed of nothing but a brain which need to be crammed, but to a far greater extent of animal faculties which are perhaps more used in alter life, and certainly are on the whole.in early years more important, and needing more to be J iui:

kept in i Healey state. To over-charge the brain before it is ready, and when J from the undeveloped state , of the i physical powers, it almost immediately ] becomes a weariness, is to force it into j premature activity at the expense of all , energy afterwards. We know very well what has been written respecting iso- i lated childhoods of eminent persons, i of Queen Elizabeth’s knowledge of Latin when she was only four years old, and of John Stuart Mills’ thorough acquaintance with the Greek language at the same age. But it is not at all certain that even, in these cases of premature mental develope ment life might not have been pro longed, and eccentricities prevented, if the body had in early years a better chance and the mind a worse one. At any rate in State Schools in the over whelming majority of cases the teaching of these infants is a mere farce, and in spection of their attainments a tran sparent sham. Does any inspector profess even to give an analysis of the comparative merits of these children’s performances? Noj blit they all se: ve to swell up the number of children for whose teaching masters and mistresses are paid. And so also at the other end of the schools in the highest classes the pro fession of teaching is, for different reasons, little better than an expensive sham. In most of the schools in large towns, the masers h,aye twd of, three show Boys or girls, who are paraded on every possible occasion as proficients in the higher branches of learning, with which they have gained some extremely superficial acquaintance, and which the master and mistress themselves are usually quite unable to teach, and for teaching which they have never been examined. These two or three children are put forward as samples of what the schools can do, and in the effort to enable them to make a decent show annually the work of the classes at proper state School age is often quite neglected. We know of one State School in the South of New Zealand where out of four or five hundred children in attendance, two or three were annually trotted out as prodigies of learning, because they could solve problems in quadratic equations, and had acquired a mere smattering of Greek and Latin. In this instance the master was a qualified scholar but lazy, and the attainments of these two or three boys served to veil the neglect of work in most of the classes. And if the boys had been really sd far ad vanced as was pretended their proper place was not in the ordinary State Schools, but either in the High Schools or in private schools, where their patents could pay for the luxuries of the ornamental part of education. While these abuses of State School education continue it will be costly of necessity. A reform is needed. The infant classes and the highest classes in our State Schools have no business there; and if they were absent the annual expenditure in education would be largely reduced.

Police Court.— At the Court this morning, before Mr R. Alcorn, J.P., a man named Kennedy, was charged with lunacy from drink. From Sergeant Fel ton’s statement, it appeared that Ken nedy returned homo yesterday and amused himself by making a bonfire of his wife’s dresses, boots, etc. This morning the poor woman had scarcely anything to put on. Remanded until to-morrow for medi cal examination. Mary Cunningham, a very old offender, was charged with being “Irunk in a public place. Constable Smart said the woman was very noisy and vio lent when he arrested her last evening. Had to convey her to the lock-up in a cab. Mary asked his Worship to giyp her an other opportunity. Hia Worship said he would give her an opportunity of paying 10s, or goinghackto the lock-up for another spell of forty-eight hours’. She would also he required to pay the cab hire. Sor rowfully Mary said she had not got the money, and was led away. Michael O’Connor, also charged with drunkenness, was talked to very seriously by his Wor ship, who told him that the next time he came up he would render himself liable to he charged as a vagrant, and might then receive twelve months’ imprison ment. Only so late as December 6th, he had been brought up and fined 20s or forty-eight hours. He would now be sent up for another forty-eight hours’, this time without the option of paying a fine. Another inebriate who said he had not tasted anything until this time, for five months, was fined ss. The Court then adjourned. Our Volunteers. —An inspection parade of the Ashburton Volunteers will be held to-night. On Friday the men proceed to Timarn to take part in the sham fight, which promises to be an exciting affair. Timaru is to be attacked, the invaders marching on the town from the Washdyke. Outside the place the defenders for the time being of the hearths and homes of Timaru will meet the foe, and try to make it as warm for them as they can. The Ashburton and Temuka Rifle Corps, the Timaru Artillery, and the O.Y.C. will be the corps engaged. Captain Young, of the Temuka Rifles, will be in command of the attacking force, while Captain Hamersley will com mand those on the defence. The O.Y.C. will take part in the fight. Captain Hamersley will be in command of the whole force, and Mr Durham, of the 0.Y.C., will act as Adjutant and A.D.C.

Newlands School Committee —A meet ing of the Newlands School Committee was held last n’ght. Present —Messrs Megson (Chairman). Lloyd and Margetts. The Chairman laid before the Committee the correspondence from the Board in cluding their reply re incidental expenses, stating that the Board was prepared, as far as in their means, to consider any special case where it was shewn it war. required. The In spector’s report was lead as follows : “ The Inspector’s visit was paid on Nov. 14th. The attendance showed—Number on roll. 31 ; average last quarter, 20; average this week, 28 ; present at examin ation, 20; teacher, Mr Collins. The result of examination showed—Presented in the various standards 19 ; passed 19 ; percentage of passes, 19 ; per centage of number presented in standards (19) to number present at examination (20), 95. General Remarks—This school is con ducted in an efficient manner With two exceptions the scholars presented in standards passed very creditably. The small attendance on the day of examina tion was due to the wet weather. The pupils are indifferently regular,, and several are unpunctual. Except that singing is not taught, the course of instruc tion included all the subjects re quired by the regulations. Good order prevails, and the work is well arranged. W. L. Edge, Inspector. Nov. 14, 1881.” It was considered highly favorable, as only two failed to pass out of twenty. The Chairman stated that he had to close the school for three weeks on account of the measles. The Committee approved of the business done by the Chairman. After passing accounts to the amount of LI 7s, with the usual vote of thanks to the Chairman, the Committee adjourned until the Jirat Monday,in January.,; ,

Old Men’s Home. —The Master of the ishburton Home wishes to acknowledge he receipt with thanks of a box of clothes rom Lowcliffe Station, favoured by the lev. A. W. Hands. Also a quantity of ish for the inmates, from Mr J. Nolan, Ashburton.

Wilhelmj. —Our readers are reminded of the musical treat in store for them at the Town Hall to-morrow night. We understand that a number of guinea family tickets have already been disposed of by Mr Weeks. We hope to see an excellent house. In another column will be found the programme of the concert. The Weather and the Crops. —The farmers are getting seriously alarmed about the state of their crops which are be ginning in many places to droop ominously. It was hoped that rain would fall laSt night, and there was some prospect indeed of a good down-pour, but after all, the rain amounted to nothing, and this morn ing the sky was as bright as a new shill ing. That over worked functionary, the clerk of the weather, must surely be away on a holiday. Zoedone. —Mr J. M. Cambridge, chemist, notifies that he has received a second consignment of the above popular nbti-alcoholic drink, which is described as having all the exhilarating properties of champagne, and none of its bad ones. Also Mr Cambridge has received a variety of fruit drinks, etc., suitable for summer use.

Licensing Court. The quarterly sitting of the Licensing Court which was fixed for to-day was adjourned until Thursday next. OnOe MOre at Work. —Mr Geo. F. Henry notifies that baking { ‘put his house in order ” after the confusion caused by the late fire, he will re-open his photo graphic rooms to-morrow, Wednesday, to the public. An American Press Notice. —An American paper says :—We have received an advance copy of a new publication, en titled “ The New Testament revised Edi tion.” We have not yet had time to look over it carefully, but it is well printed and independent in politics, and we predict for it a prosperous career. Boycotting a Bride. —The latest and most dastardly piece of Boycotting has just been exemplified at a place near Mallow, County Cork. A young lady, daughter of a farmer, was engaged to be married to the son of a neighbor, who was unfortunate enough to have offended the Land League, and was, consequently, undergoing Boycotting. The night before the intended wedding, the bride-elect was waited on by a number of Land Leaguers, and threatened that if she married the farmer’s son, she and her family would be Boycotted. Terror stricken, the poor girl has broken the match off.

A IjAbY on Tobacco. —An advocate on the use Of tobacco itt support of his stand unearths an article written by Margaret, Duchess of Newcastle, some 200 years ago. In defence of the seductive weed that lady wrote : “ It composes the mind, it busies the thoughts, it attracts all out ward objects to the mind’s view, it settles and retents the senses, it cheers the under standing, strengthens the judgment, spies out errors, it exasperates follies, it heats ambition, it comforts sorrow, it abates passion, it eScites to noble actions, it digests conceptions, it enlarges knowledge, it elevates imagination, it creates fancies, it quickens wit, and makes reason pleader and truth judge in all disputes or contro versies between right end wrong; ” Pxjmsoll’s Mark. —A “ Somersetshire Vicar" sends to the Times a startling letter received from his son, who is now abroad. He mentions the disappearance of a merchant ship which, nine months ago, left the port from which he writes, and has not since been heard of. Before leaving, he affirms that “Plimsoll’s mark” was obliterated by the sailmaker, an ap prentice holding a lamp; and was re painted by the captain a foot higher up. The ship was loaded to the new water line thus created, and has presumably gone to the bottom with all on board. The name of the ship and the port are suppressed, only, we aie assured, because there is no legal proof of the circum stances related. But >he “ Somerset shire Vicar” vcuohes for the trustworthi ness bf the narrative, which throws a flood of light upon the mysterious dis appearances now so common. The m..ral he draws is surely the very smallest deduct on that can be made from the premises. It is that means should be ta> en to make the safety mark inefface able. Even so it would perhaps not be a very efficacious check upon cupidity and recklessness ; but at present it is obviously no check at all.

CABLE NEWS

LATEST FROM EUROPE

[per rbdtbr’s agency.] Monetary and the Markets. London, Deo. 10. Consols have declined to New Zealand securities and colonial bread stuffs are without quotable change. Australian tallow—best beef, 39s 6d, being an advance of is ; best mutton, 435, being an advance of is 6d per cwt. The Wool Sales. At to-day’s wool auction, 7,300 bales were catalogued, making a total of 129,200 offered since the opening. A good demand was experienced. Home Arrivals. Arrived—Ships Glen Ariff, from Oamaru, Sept. 6; Waimea, from Wellington, Sept. 5 ; Araby Maid, from Auckland, Sept. 15. Discontented. London, Dec. 11. The Times to-day publishes a tele gram from Afghanistan stating that dissension has arisen among the ad herents of the Ameer Abdul Rahman. The discontent is chiefly manifesting itself amongst the Duranie tribes. Nature Aids the Insurgents. Paris, Dec. 12. Telegrams are to hand from Tunis reporting that heavy rains have fallen in that country, causing severe floods in many parts, and that the operations of the French troops against the in surgents are, in consequence, tempo rarily stopped. Where Will the List End? Vienna, Deo. 12. It is now officially stated that 917 persons who were present at the theatre on the night of the Bth inst. are missing, and it is feared that the total loss of life amounts to that number.

AUSTRALIAN.

[per reuter's agency.] Dismissed.

Melbourne, Yesterday. The prosecutions initiated by the police against certain parties for raising sweeps on the Melbourne Cup have been dismissed. The Smallpox Spreading. Sydney, Yesterday. A case of smallpox is reported to have occurred at Bega, a small town in the south of this colony, about 250 miles from Sydney. Precautions have been taken to prevent the spread of the contagion. 1, j v JLU/U.i ;Sb-j7/’ 1

Cricket. The cricket match between the: English team and Eleven N.S. Wales was continued to-day. Thb local team were all disposed of in the first innings for 210, of which Murdoch contributed 58. At the close of the day’s play the Englishmen had put together 145 runs for the loss of six wickets, Midwinter being not out for 45, and Barlow not out for 26. Another Victory for Laycock. Brisbane, Yesterday. At the Brisbane Regatta on Satur day, the sculling race was won easily by Laycock.

TELEGRAMS.

[per press association.] Another Shake. Wellington, To-day. A slight shock of earthquake was felt at Wanganui and Wellington at 1 o’clock this morning. Smart Work; Dunedin, To-day. The Star mentions that the mail via the Orient line delivered hero yesterday was only en route 38 days from London. Wool Sales. Messrs Murray, Roberts and Co.’s wool cable, dated 10th, states that the sales closed with rates about equal to those ruling at the close of last series.

THE ELECTIONS.

An M.L.O. Charged With Elural Voting. A Newspaper threatened With a Libel Action. [by telegraph.] Hamilton, To-day. The official declaration of the poll for the Waipa took place to-day. The Re turning Officer declared the majority in favor of Mr Whitaker to be 38. All the candidates were present, and acknowledged their indebtedness to their supporters. Foxton, To-day. The official declaration of the poll was as follows :—Wilson, 379 ; Izard, 243 ; Russell, 227 ; Duller, 212 ; Newman, 199; France, 62.

Wellington, To-day. Some excitement was caused in town to-day cn the report that an information had been laid against the Hon. C. I. Pharazyn, M.L.0., for plural voting at the Thomdon election. The information waa laid by the Returning Officer, and accuses Mr Pharazyn of having voted at the two booths. Dgnedln, (To-day. At the Dunedin West declaration of the poll, Mr Stewart intimated that he left it an open question whether he would take proceedings under the Corrupt Practices Act aga : nst his opponents, while in a reply, the Hon. Mr Dick challenged Mr Stewart to prove the charge he made, and said he would consider whether he would take action against the Herald for alleged libel. Invercargill, To-day. The declaration of the poll for Wallace was postponed yesterday. The scrutiny was apparent in favor of Hirst (Minis terial), Daniel (Opposition) being put second by one vote. Evidence has been produced to-day that parties are supposed to have voted twice on the qualification of really distinct persons, and twice on one roll.

“THE MILLER AND HIS MEN."

Last night at the Town Hall the members of the Ashburton Amateur Dramatic Club made their bow in what the programme called “ Pocook’a grand melo-drama.” We have seen “ Pocock’s grand melo-drama ” under more favorable circumstances as regards scenery and stage accommodation than last night, and could not then discover much that was “grand” about it; but it is said that from the sublime to the ridiculous is but one step, and so We are quite willing to believe that the “ Miller and His Men” comes very close to the sublime. The drama is one of the old-fashioned “ blood and-thunder” type, in which there is a very bad man of no particular age, a very good young man, a maiden in distress (with whom the good young man is of course in love), a sentimental old man (who is the father of the maiden in dis tress), a count (who seems to have been introduced for no earthly purpose except to look as much like a fish out of water as we should imagine it possible for a gentle man in his exalted pasition to look), a lady who, it would appear, had been naughty enough to ; become the mistress of the bad man (and who was one of the principal agents in that bad man’s down fall), a few robbers or millers, and the in evitable funny man. Mr Cullen played the very bad man of last night, and excepting a rather imperfect acquaintance with his author, got through very well. Perhaps Mr Cullen thought that the lan guage which the author had put into his mouth was of so little account that the less said of it the better, and we are not quite sure he was wrong. Mr Jessop played the very good young man, and played with a vigor and freedom from re straint worthy of a better part, and we presume and trust he was at last happy with the girl of his choice, although as to that Mr Pocock left us altogether in the dark. The maiden in distress was repre sented by “a lady amateur” —a lady whose face is familiar at these entertain ments —and whose portrayal of the various characters allotted her has always been far above the level of an ordinary amateur. But we think the dreary nature of the production in which she was last night called upon to take part must have had a depressing effect upon even her spirits, and, although she did her beat to infuse some little “ go ” into the various scenes in which she was engaged, her efforts can not be said to have been very successful. Mr Tippets, as the sentimental old man, looked as uncomfortable and played as stiffly as sentimental old men in melo dramas usually do look and play. Mr P. A. Yaughan did not make a very dis tinguished-looking Count Priberg. He had but little to do except to look and act lugubriously as a foil to the funny man, and that little he did fairly well. Another lady who was also styled “ a lady amateur ” —and whose face was familiar played the mistress of the bad man, and she played the part quite as well as it deserved to be played. Mr Elston was of course the funny man of the play, and did what he had to do right well. Of banditti we are free to confess we have had no experience, but if the gentlemen who impersonated the banditti last night are to be taken as typical of the profes sion, we do not think banditti are such terrible fellows after all. Mr Bourk de serves a word of praise for his scenery, the set in the first act—the distant view of the mill—being especially worthy of men tion. Mr H. Morris played the overtures and music incidental to the drama in very good style. The attendance was not very large, but doubtless to-night, when the performance will be repeated, the amateurs will be greeted with a better house, many possibly preferring to wait for the second representation, when any little shortcomings will no doubt be rectified and removed. AU those of our

readers who have si taiste for “ thrilling ” situations, without troubling themselves much about the probabilities, ought to paly the Town Hall a visit to-night.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN* TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1881.



m H B ACID CURE. F. COUTTS and SONS’ Guaranteed ACETIC ACID is a safe and sure remedy for Rheumatism, Neuralgia, Sore Throats, etc. May be obtained from Mac Kay Bros, Manchester street, South, Christ church, Wholesale and Retail, or from Mr Thomas Collins, Main South Road, Timaru. AN AGENT WANTED FOR ASH BURTON. 734 c OANTERBURY MUSIC DEPOT. ASHBURTON BRANCH. Milner & Thompson Desire to inform the residents of Ash burton and surrounding districts that they have appointed Mr H. M. JONES their sole Agent for this district, and invite inspection of the Instruments, Music, &c., now displayed in the SHOW ROOM, above Mr Jones’ Shop. PIANOS by all the best makers— Broadwood, Collard and Collard, Erard, Pleyel, Bord, Challen and Sons, Ascher burg, Lipp and Sohn, Chappell, Ronisch, Bechstein, Kapp, and others. Sole Agent for John Brinsmead’s Gold Medal Pianos. , , Specialities Our Dresden Model Pianos, which took First Award of Merit at the Ashburton Exhibition, from £35 to Harmoniums and Organs, from £7 10s to £6O. . Concertinas, Accordians violins, Flutes, and all other kinds of Brass and Stringed Instruments on hand. Any orders for Books, Music, or Instruments not in stock here can be supplied from our Christchurch establish ment by first train. The above Instruments can be pur chased on Deferred Payment from 20s per month. Orders for Tuning executed by a first-class professional. Pianos on Hire. 770 c Back from the front.—The scare at Parihaka is over; our vo lunteers have proved themselves equal to the occasion, and although no fighting was done, they were the “ boys” to do it fuJ it been required; a brush with the “ blackfellows ” was what they went for. Nevertheless they did a good deal of hard tramping up hill and down dale; and the astonishing fact is that most of them, having been provided with STOUT BOOTS from C. HAWKINS’ never-to-be excelled Boot and Shoe Warehouse, came back with their “ understandings” nearly as good as when they left this go-ahead little township. Try C. Hawkins’ Shop before you go elsewhere. 998 c



CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S CARDS. Just arrived —The Best and Newest Assortment ever seen, including Scented Satchels and Fringed Cards L. F. Asdbbwes, Bookseller and Stationer, East street, South Ashburton. 672c* John Meech, PRACTICAL CABINETMAKER, UPHOLSTERER, &c., BURN ET T STREET, Opposite the Mail Office. Easy Chairs, Couches, English and Chairs, Single and Double Iron and Wood Bedsteads. All kinds of Carpeting, Matting, and Oilcloth. A large assortment of Repps and Cretonnes at lowest prices. Suites o. Furniture from Ll 3 and upwards. All frlnrU of furniture re-covered and repaired *t the very lowest prices. All work guaranteed and completed at (he shortest notice. Furniture exchanged, and highest prices given for second-hand Furniture. , Note the address—Cheapest House in Ashburton, Mail Office, Burnett itreet 3160



Wanted. WANTED— A GIRL, 13 or 14 years of age, to look after children. Apply, Office of this Paper. 339 d WANTED— A good General SER VAN T for a small private family. Apply, Office of this Paper. 185 d i TT7"ANTED— A number of TEAMS V y for Ploughing. Apply, John Geigg, Longbeach. 309 d WANTED KNOWN— Mrs Bender son, Dressmaker, Barnett street;, near Catholic Church. Ladies’ Dfesses made from 5s 6d. Apprentices Wanted. 306 d WANTED— Everybody to see Ready Money Richard’s advertisement. ll9d WANTED KNOWN—During the Christmas Season, ERTEDLaNDER BROS, are selling NEW FRUIT, NEW FRtUT, Currants, 6^d; Elemes, 7d ; Sultanas, 8d ; Candied Peel, Is 6d ; Best Butter, 6d; and General Groceries equally cheap for Cash. 3lßd WANTED KNOWN—If you want to Grow a splendid crop of Purchase some of Mayo’s Bo'nedust. —Address F. Mayo, Ham Stead Mills. 255 d WANTED KNOWN—That Geo. F. Henry, PHOTOGRAPHER, has much pleasure in announcing that he has now “ put his house in order,” and will be able to RE OPEN his Studio on WEDNESDAY next (Dec. 14th). At the same time he Wishes to apologise to i his patrons for ahy delay in the execution ! of orders entrusted to him previous to the reCent fire. 324 d ANTED KNOWN.—SPRING AND SUMMER MILLINERY. MISS YERRALL is now Showing hot First Display of Spring Millinery. Co lombo street (opposite Cookhatn House.) 827 c WANTED KNOWN.—Just received a consignment of “ Novelties,” togither with new, rare and generally esteemed varieties of Flower Seeds, annual and perennial, ih addition to those cata logued. Those of my customers who have Pot had their orders for Garibaldi Bulbs, Carnations, &c., will oblige by calling for he same. A very fine stock of bedding out Plants will be ready in September and October. W. Gimblett-, Colombo street, Christchurch. 680 c Special Advei tisements. THE undersigned will be prepaied, during the coming season, to supply the following articles at the lowest rates:— REAPERS and BINDERS EXTRAS for DO. BINDING WIRE CORN SACKS TURNIP and RAPE SEEDS PLOUGH SHARES And all kinds of Agricultural Imple ments. FREDK. PAVITT, Corn Merchant, &c., Ashburton. Agent for John Anderson, Canterbury Foundry, Christchurch; Geo. Booth and Sons, Importers of Agricultural Imple ments, Christchurch; and Agent for the United Insurance Company. 150 d Scottish imperial insurance co. Capital ... £1,000,000. Head Office, 151, West George street, Glasgow. General Manager : W. W. W. Reid. NEW ZEALAND BRANCH ! J. STUART ReID, General Agent, Wellington. Messrs Tucker andßestell having been appointed AGENTS for the Ashburton District for the above Co’mpany, are now prepared to accept risks at lowest current rates. FRED. H. BARNES, 248 d Agent for Canterbury. Christmas Presents AND NEW YEAR’S GIFTS. JUST Received, a Choice Assortment of Christmas and New Year Cards, Dolls, Humming Tops, and Shell Goods in great variety. Letts’ Diaries for 1882 ; Family Reader (div. 42) ; Boys’ Standard (new series) ; Latest Novelties in Pipes. F. CLARK, Hairdresser and Tobacconist, Montgomery’s Buildings. 319 d THE COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON. Heads of Families, and all who wish to obtain suitable articles for CHRISTMAS PRESENTS AND NEW YEAR’S GIFTS Are respectfully invited to inspect the unrivalled assortment of Toys, Fancy Goods, Christmas and New Year’s Cards, etc., just opened up by the undersigned. Also STATIONERY. Plain and Fancy Note Paper and Enve lopes, Account and Memorandum Books, School Books, etc. An extensive stock to select from. Schools liberally dealt with. H. M. Jones, EAST STREET AND BARING SQUARE. Pianos, Organs, Harmoniums, and all kinds of Musical Instruments,on Deferred Payments. A quantity of SHEET MUSIC very cheap. Lowest Prices for Cash. 293 d NEW ZEALAND LOAN AND MERCANTILE AGENCY COM PANY (LIMITED). AN AGENCY has this day been OPENED at Ashburton, with Mr Walter B. Moss in charge. TEMPORARY OFFICE CORNER OP WEST AND HAVE LOCK STREETS. JOHN COOKE, Manager. Christchurch, October 1, 1881. 782 c jt T>. M O N K’ S ORIENTAL BILLIARD AND REFRESHMENT SALOON is NOW OPEN DAILY. Tables by Alcoek and Thurston of the highest quality. Carved in solid walnut. Come and see one of the FINEST BILLIARD SALOONS In the Colony. FLEMING’S BUILDINGS, TRIANGLE Next A. Wilson, Tobacconist, 250 Christchurch,



Special Advertisements 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 A nice assortment of Accordions, Con certinas, Flutes, Violins, Mouth Organs, and Toys of every description, direct from Home. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EA.ST STREET ASHBURTON. 257a* HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Owing to the prior engagement of Mr Jones’ room To-Night, the advertised! Meeting of the above will be hold at Mr i Harrison’s Auction Rooms, by his hind permission. ~ k E. POYNTZ, 340 d Hon. Sec. rp H E NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, noted throughout the Colony for the best fitting and Genuine Well-made CLOTHING Of Every Description, are the LARGEST PRIZE-TAKERS At the Dunedin Industrial Exhibition having been awarded FIRSf ORDER OF MERIT, AND ALSO HIGHLY COMMENDED BY THE INTELLIGENT JURORS. One trial will prove the Superior Quality of all Products. A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Branches at all the principal Towns. HATS, HOSIERY, SHIRTS, BLANKETS, RUGS, TWEEDS, At Wholesale Priced. NEW SEASON’S GOODS NOW SHOWING. Ashburton .Retail Branch : East Street. W. SPARROW, 692 c Branch Manager. IT is not altogether a new idea, when business people burst into rhyme in their advertisements. Our grandfathers and grandmothers have read some ex crutiating poetry in advertisements in their time just as we do sometimes now. From an old newspaper dated a while after the Flood, a tea dealer, expatiating on the merits of his tea, has the follow ing ‘ — “ For lords and ladies it is fit; Seven shillings is the price of it.” I’m not going to paint tho lily or gild re fined gold by attempting to improve on that, but it should bo a source of comfort to the tea drinkers of Ashburton and sur rounding districts that they can now pro cure the finest Teas at my establishment for much less money. 1 have just re ceived a fresh consignment of Nelson, Moate, and Co.’s Pure Blended Teas, in packets and boxes. I have also opened up an assortment of Fancy Goods, and fruits in variety are constantly arriving, so that my patrons may have plenty to chose from at the coming festive season. I wish all my kind, customers a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. H. M. Carson’s New Fruit and Italian Ware house (next Bank of New Zealand), East street. Sole Agent for Nelson, Moate, <fe Co.’s Pure Blended Teas. See ad vertisement and handbills. 3c Ashburton registry office, For Male and Female Servants. All orders for Servants by letter or otherwise receive prompt attention. L. F, ANDRE WES, Labor Agent, East Street, 765 c Ashburton. THE following ACTS, passed last Session, can be obtained at Pub lished Prices at Office of this Paper : Corrupt Practices Prevention Fencing Regulation of Elections Representation Canterbury Rivers Amendment Public Reserves Property Tux Gaming and Lotteries Volunteer Property Assessment Act Amendment Licensing. ANF OUNCEMENT. Christmas Story. As a special attraction for Christmas, ! the Proprietor of the Ashburton Guardian offers a Prize of Three Guineas for the best original Christmas Story, to be written by an author resident in the Asnburton County, and published in the columns of the Guardian. The story will be published in the columns of this journal, and the Pro prietor reserves to himself all right and privileges connected with its publication. A Committee of gentlemen will adjudge the M. S.S. and make the award, and due notice of their decision will ap pear in these columns. CONDITIONS. All competitors for the Prize will he required to comply with the following conditions : (1) The story must be written by a bona fide resident of the Ashburton County. (2) The number of words employed must not exceed 400 lines. (3) Competitors will he required to write on white paper only ; on one side of the paper only, and in a plain legible hand. No member of the staff of this journal will he allowed to compete. (4) All the MSS. must he addressed to the Editor, and may be signed with a non de plume, but the writer’s real name and address must be enclosed, not necessarily for publication. (5) No award will be made unless more ‘.han three stories are submitted. (6) Rejected MSS. cannot be re turned. N.B.—All MSS. must be sent in on or before December 20. Any manuscript I coming to hand after date will be ineli | gible. ii. d , . < ’(• 1 (fi-.? I Ji



Special Advertisements. o E D 0 N E. JUST RECEIVED, A second consignment of this popular non-alcoholic Beverage. It contains both phosphorus and iron, and is therefore a brain and nerve tonic. It has the exhil erating properties of Champagne, without its disagreeabe effects. Three, five, and eight-pint Gasogenee at Reduced Prices. Lemon Syrup, Raspberry and Lemon Syrup, Eno’s Fruit Salt, Lime Juice, Citrate of Magnesia, Lemon Kali (or Sherbet. GINGER BEER POWDER. A nine-penny packet makes two gallons of finest Ginger Beer. ESSENCE OF RENNET. Four or six drops to a pint of milk makes delicious sweet Curds and Whey. J. M. Cambridge, d tr e m r s t, ASHBURTON. 337 d rjIHE GENERAL ELECTION. JJST ARRIVED. CORRUP T PRACTICES PRE VENTION, AND REGULATION OF ELECTIONS ACTS, 1881, NOW ON SALE At THE GUARDIAN OFFICE, WEST STREET. g P E C I A L NOTICE. In future all disclaimers sent in for publication in this Journal will be charged for as advertisements. TE AVING ASHBURTON. GIVING UP BUSINESS. EVERETT BROi. Will on Saturday, December 3, commence A GREAT CLEARING SALE Of their new and well-selected Stock of GENERAL DRAPERY, And to effect a speedy clearance will, in addition to the already very low prices, offer, as an extra inducement, a DISCOUNT OF TEN PER CENT. The Shop To Let. The Fixtures* Fit- tings, Ac., For Sale.



NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS. All orders for insertion of advertise ments must be written legibly on the face of the advertisement. When no order is given the advertisement will be inserted until countermanded, and charged accord ingly. All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good faith. All advertisements and business letters to be addressed The Manager ; literary communications should be addressed to The Editor.



Anniversary Day.— The tailway afr rangements in connection with the abota will be found elsewhere. Ashburton Horticultural Society. —Owing to the prior engagement of Mr H. M. Jones’ upper room to-night, the usual place of meeting, the adjourned meeting of the Horticultural Society will ta>.e place at Mr Alfred Harrison’s auction rooms, by permission of that gentleman. Mr S. E. Poyntz, Secretary of the Society, will read a paper on pot A BurCear’s Box.-*-The Auckland police havfe discovered that a mysterious box was placed tin which recently sailed for Loudon, it is supposed by Plummer. They-hava com- I municated with the London police. A Bow ax PAiMBIBTOS.-rTbere was a row at Palmerston yesterday. Jit appears that the Clerk of the Court, Mr T. L. Shepherd, formerly an M;H. R. { las not been giving satisfaction of late,' and has been suspended by Mr .Watt,'JLM., for insubordination, for taking,,,possession without authority of the bailiff's office, and for frequent absence from duty. Mr Watt had to effect an entrance to the Court House by a window ■during' Shep hard’s absence* and he removed Shep hard’s personal belongiiigs and furniture from the bailiffs office. The matter will be referred to the Minister'of. Justice. Drowned ■ in the Heathootb. —An inquest was held, on the bodies of J. B. Campbell and 3Fhoijaaa r l£err church yesterday. . Deqeased.jf appeal* from the evidence, Were 1; drowned on Sunday morning in the Heathcote river. ' Campbell got into deep >Waten while bathing, and Kerr andrcqe; Jphn Smith went to hi» assistance. Kerr after.a time got exhausted, and both he *nd‘ CiiinpbeU endeavored to wind their lega.roufld of Smith, who, finding it quite Juqibssiblti to save either of them, swam ashore, and only savedrhis ■He believed Campbell* drove 1 a 1 cart for Duckworth, the grocer, was a cabman. Could not. tell how-lbng he was in the water. It wasa public bathing place, but.there was Uo protection to keep bathers from venturing into deep water. .It was not more than ten yards .from the i bank where they sank. The jUry returned ; a verdict of “ ccidental Death,’ ; commending Smith for his plucky con duct. •'*



[For continuation of reading, matter see Meetings. MR WASON’S COMMITTEE are requested to 'meet at iMessrs Poyntz and Co.’s Office on THURSDAY EVENING, the 15th December, f at 8 p.m< P .r ! r " A full attendance requested. 8. E. POtNTZ, 322 d Clerk to Committee. igpORTIC OLTPRAL SOCIETY. The postponed Meeting of the above will be held THIS EVENING, the 13th instant, when a paper will bo read by the Secretary as follows Hints on the Cultivation of Pot Plante.”" S. E. POYNTZ, 312 Secretary. Local industries assooia- TION. The Monthly Meeting of above will be held on WEDNESDAY EVENING, the 14th instant, when the question of closing the Association will be discussed, t ■ 'i. A full muster requested. S. E. POYNTZ, Slid Hon. Sfec.



Amusements. fjl GWN H A LX, ; ASEffiU&TOISr. TO-NIGHT (TUESDAY), December 13. THE AMATEUR f 1 Dramatic Glut) Will perform that splendid Melodrama entitled ' ; ? ‘THE MILLER AND HIS MEN,” With New Scenery and Effects by Charles'Bourk. , ' Efficient Orchestra. ‘ F ' Admission —3s, 2a, and Is. ' Doors open at 7.30 : commence at 8-p.m. mOWN HALL, ASHBURTON. WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 14- At 8 o’clock. Doors open at 7.30. WILHEXMJ GRAND CONCERT. WILHELMJ GRAND CONCERT. THE MUSICAL SENSATION OF 1881. First Programme : >- 1. Fantasie, “ Midsummer Night’s Dream” (Liszt) Mr Max Vogrich. • = 2. Aria from * ‘Lucrezia Borgia ” (Donizetti) Miss Marie Ookhoh. - >1 3. Violin solo, “Grand Concert” (Paganini) HERR AUGUST WILHELMJ.* 4. Piano. “ Rapsodie Hongroise ” -(Liszt) Mr Max Vookich. 5. Violin solo, “ Romance ” (Wilhelmj) HERR AUGUST WILHELMJ, 6. Ballad, “ The Snow-breasted Pearl” . (Robinson) Miss Marie Con ttosr.' - 7. Piano, (A) “Impromptu,” (B) “Funeral March” (Chopin) Mr Max Vogrtoh. r > 8. Violin solo, “ Hungarian Airs” (Ernst) HERR AUGUST WILHELMJ. . 9. “ Angel’s Seranade ” (Braga) Miss Conkom, VLt Vogrich, with violin obligato by HERR WILHELMJ. ■ Prices—Front Seats, 6s; Family Tickets, to admit five, £1 Is ; second seats, 4s ; back seats, 2a. Reserved seats may be secured at H, J. Weeks’ New Music Warehouse, Tancred street. 239 d ~T UN IT E D MA S O NIC BALL Will be held at the ’ MASONIC HALL, TANCRED STREET, ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16th, 188 L Committee : Bro. R W. Shearman Bro. J. Bradley Bro. W. H. Gundry Bro. W. Sparrow Bro. H. Stephenson Bro. W. H. Zouch Bro. C. Braddell Bro. R. Friedlander Bro. T. Quill Bro. Bro. S. Nelson Bro. G. St. Hill Bro. Ed. Saunders Bro. H. Zander Bro. D.M'Farlane Bro. E. G. Crisp- Admission by 1 icket only. Tickets may be obtained from the Oom ittae. Dancing to commence at 8.00 p. m. * HENRY ZANDER, Lod Hon. Sec.- Late Advertisements. , \ AUTIO : ! N . After this date, POISON for Fowls will be laid on my Section, No. 492, Cameron street. 42d W. R. DOYLE.