SHIPPING.

PORT OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Grafton, s.s., from Wellington. To-day. Hawea, s.s., from the North. Sailed. Yesterday. West Riding, barque, for London. Prince Alfred, barquentine, for Pelorus Sound. To-day. Waimate, ship, for London. The New Zealand Shipping Company’s fine ship Waimate sailed from Lyttelton for Loudon early this morning, taking a full general cargo and forty passengers. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived—Herald and Sarah Pile, from Greymouth ; Stella and Hawea, from the North ; Albion, from the South. Port Chalmers, Yesterday. Arrived—Penguin, from the North : Yindex, barque, from Newcastle. Sailed —Frederick Bassell, barque, for Newcastle.

COMMERCIAL.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency report, under date London, 15th Feb. :—“ The wool sales opened flatly on the 15th. They comprise about 280,000 bales. 28,000 bales have been sent to the manufacturing districts direct, and 4,800 taken for export.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Chief Post Office, Christchurch, for the following places (subject to necessary alterations) as under: — Saturday, February 26. For United Kingdom, via San Fran cisco, Continents of Europe and America, West Indies, Sandwich Islands, Northern Ports of New Zealand, &c., per Wanaka, as follows :—Ordinary letters at 6.30 p.m. ; late fee letters at 7 p.m. ; books and newspapers, at 6 p.m. ; registered letters, at 5 p.m. ; money orders at 3 p.m. ; guard’s van, 8.30 p.m. train. This mail will be due in London on April 12th. Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at 5.30 a. m. 10 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10 a. m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. For Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., daily. For Timaru and South, at G a.m., 10 a.m., and 4.20 p.m., daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a m. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, at 4.30 p.m. daily. For Wakanui, Flgin, Seafield, Row land, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6 a. m. Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office — From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.25 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 Greenstreet, 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 and, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 4 p.m.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Saturday, March 12. Mr. W. J. G. Bluett, at J. T. Ford and Co.’s Salerooms—That valuable landed property, known as Elgin. At 2 o’clock. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c. Monday, February 21. Borough ■ Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Monday, February 28. Anniversary Concert, Loyal Ashburton Lodge, 1.0.0. F., Town Hall, Bp.m. Wednesday, March 2. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

Trains Leave Ashburton for Christ church and intermediate stations at 6 a.m., 10.30 a.m., and (Express) 5.48 p.m. Trains Leave Ashburton for Timaru and South, at 7 a.m., 10.36 a.m. (Ex press), and 450 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 prom Timaru and South at 10.15 a.m., 5.34 p.m. (Express), and 8.15 p.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1881. The Great Berry.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 4 p.m.]

As a politician, Mr. Graham Berry’s may not be the greatest name that has yet been inscribed on “ the blazing scroll of fame,” but the owner of it, when he touts for Victoria, is certainly as impudent in his demands as any de magogue that ever mounted the politi cal" stump. In that fluent and oily style of his, he addressed the magnates who assembled at the recent Inter colonial Conference banquet. Warmed with champagne and patriotic zeal, and carried away by tae intensity of the situation, which found him stand ing there, the representative of the great Victoria, amongst the inferior ones who reflected the lessi r lights of the Auatralasian colonial group —a Triton among the minnows—the great Berry delivered himself of his opinion on colonial federation. It was diffi cult to fancy what good would not flow from federation. It was the be all and end all of the colonies. Fervently be breathed out his aspira tions alter this great good thing, and we. feel as we read his oration that we have got into the flowery periods of some oraior who would fain imitate the gush of the author of “ David Alroy.” “Nothing he could conceive would enable him to go to that bourne from whence no traveller returns with greater satisfaction than the accomplishment of that object, and if the conference ap proached that consummation in the smallest degree, its labors would not have been in vain.” This is beautiful indeed, but the beautiful is sometimes a little aside from the true, and so in this instance is the oratorical outburst of Mr. Graham Berry. At the confer ence itself, this very great man had urged a system of intercolonial free trade that astonished all that heard him—the astonishment taking its rise in the fact that the system he in dicated was so apparently wide of the policy of protection which is the heart’s blood of the Berry Government. But it wanted only the banquet speech to show' how, though apparently inconsistent with his general profession of protection, his free trade idea was not altogether inconsistent. It w'as a free trade only in name, for behind it he held a reservation of pro tection that he would never yield. Victoria (he said in effect) the other colonies may look upon as a sister, but they must treat her as such. In no federation that can ever happen will she permit herself to be looked upon as other than the great Australasian centre of manufacturing industry, and for the more distant portions of the Australasian continent she must be come the Manchester, the Liverpool, or the Yorkshire. Having become so, she must receive in return all those products which the fertility of soil and geniality of climate of her sister colonies raise in abundance, and an excellent market for which the teeming population of Victoria would certainly supply. The picture was a beautiful one. The fore ground was brilliant with warm color, and the nearer sky w'as sunny and bright, while the whole was set in a frame lavishly carved with an eruption of horns of plenty. But away in the background of the picture there was the little cloud, no bigger than a man’s hand, that was to do all the mischief. That little cloud was the rigid barrier of protection that each colony was ex pected to set up against the manufac tures of the outer world. Victoria would open a free market to all the products of the neighboring colonies ; but in relurn those colonies must “realise and remember” that if she is a sister they must treat her as a sister. Her manufactures and hers alone must have a free entree into their ports, and all others must be excluded by a ruinously prohibitory tariff. Unless this “ claw me thee, and thee claw me ” system were conceded —a system by which Victoria would be made the workshop for our Southern Hemisphere, and every Northern com petitor would be barred out of the mar kets which she would thus look upon as her own —Victoria would close her ports against every product of those colonies which Mr. Berry is so anxious to call the sisters of Victoria. We do not know, at the moment, where to lay hands on a piece of greater impudence than this extraordinary enunciation of a commercial policy. For a long period Mr. Berry has been doing his best, aided by a few tinkering manufacturers and interested cliques to emasculate the commerce of the colony whose destinies are unfortunately in his hands. But Victoria is not Australasia, let us thank our stars, and Mr. Berry is not the leader of Australasian politics. It will be a long time before federation is an accomplished fact in the direction Mr. Berry would wish to see it; and when federation does come, as come no doubt it will, it will be on a far different basis than that of exchanging the manu facturing markets of the whole world for such markets as are available within the circumscribed limits of Victoria. We have yet to learn that she is so very far in advance of New South Wales that that plucky little colony is to be left out in the cold, and her manufacturing posi tion ignored; and we have yet to reckon up the loss we would suffer were we to wave off the manufactures of England and Amercia, and open the door for the less known and almost untried ones of Victoria. If only on Mr. Berry’s stringent conditions will Victoria’s ports open to other colonies’ products, then we fancy Mr. Berry’s vision of Man chester and Liverpools rising up in his little Elysjum is very far off realisation. We admire Victoria for many things,

but we do not admire her Berry ; and while he holds the reins of her Gc em inent the time is yet far off .vheher fleets of merchantmen will th'ckly find those southern waters. We fear acre istoo great a love for freedom unpl itsd in the bosoms of the free mt n v are raising in New Zealand, to expect that they will ever barter the privile e of buying in whatever market their own judgment may direct, and B'lrys arbitrary conditions once cono ;led, this privilege would be for c r er ; one. If we are to enter upon a commr. cial arrangement with Victoria it will be one that will be eq ially balanced, article for article, and ;i we cannot take our produce to the selling markets of Victoria without -.hut ting ourselves out from the baying markets of the world where the b- st of everything may be obtained, and con fining ourselves to the purchase of her not yet triumphant manufactures, -hen, we fear, we will remain co ’-tent with the markets we have, and we will live to see the protecti nists of Victoria rudely awakened Jom the Berry nightmare that has held ’.heir commerce in its paralysing grip, and hear them bewailing the time d: ring which they ignorantly worshipped this god with face of brass and feet of clay, that must assu edly fall prone before the surges of public opinion that cannot fail to rise ( at of the vortex of his fast sinking notions.

Going for Gold.— Active step:- are being taken to thoroughly prospect the Terawhiti district.

To Consultors. —From an advertise ment on our third page, it will be seen that the drawing in T. Quill and Oo.’s Consultation is postponed till Wedn aday next, in consequence of the non-retv, m of some of the books by county agents. Removal —Mr. Robert Murray, watch maker, announces, in another column, his removal from the shop in Moure s oet, which lie has occupied since starting busi ness, to one in the front street, beside the Clothing Factory’s store.

Pillar Box. —The Postal authorities have consented to erect a pillar box for the receipt of letters, at the junction of Fast and Moore streets, in accordance with the Borough Council’s recommendation. The convenience will save a great many people a somewhat longish journey. The Wellington Asylum Inquiry.— The Commission appointed by the Govern ment to inquire into the management of the Wellington Lunatic Asylum, com menced its sittings yesterday afternoon. After two witnesses had been examined, the Commission adjourned until to-day. The Weak Ones. — The Mayor lectured one drunk to-day, and sent him about his business; to another, named Sayle, he gave a holiday of 24 hours, to he spent in the lock-up ; a third, Parker West, had charge of a horse while lie was vinous, and he was sent to keep Sayle company. Sayle was also accused of obscenity, and three days were added to his holiday time for this offence. A glance at the charge-dieet shows that the united coin of those three gentlemen amounted to one penny, so that we need not give the fines imposed, of which imprisonment was the alter native.

Butter.— The New Zealand Tim - in referring to the success of the shipment of butter sent home by the Protos, ;ays; —“We trust to see this export trade established on a large scale. The London prices current shows that from Is. to Is. 4d. can bo obtained for the finest quali ties of tinned butter in London. It is clear, therefore, that a large export .vade in butter would bring great gain L the New Zealand farmer. And the-e is abundance of demand for it there. The yearly consumption of butter in Loudon has been estimated at ten pound* per head of the population, or 40,000,000 pounds per year, without including .tome 3,000 tons necessary for victualling t-hips leaving the port. Here now is the pros pect of a highly profitable trade, in which this colony ought to fully participa! 3, as well as in the export trade of frozen meats.

The Way the Money Goes.— Another engine, and a new one, has gone to smash on the Taranaki railway (says the Patea Mail). It happened in this way:—The fireman at the Taranaki end got up early in the morning, and set a roaring tire under the boiler of his engine, hut for getting to put water in the boiler; the result was that he stoked and poked till he burnt the bottom out. And still the engine wouldn’t go ! Then, with true Taranaki energy, it was perceived that something would have to be done equal to the greatness of the emergency; so it was resolved to send for another engine from Waitara, and after three hours delay the train for the south was started on its way. It reached Ngaire without the boiler giving out. But the south coach was also delayed three hours, and people in this district were in great perturbation about their letters.

Was it a Mistake ? — A short time ago the wife of one of our townsmen took into her employ an amiable (and, by the way, good-looking) servant. The young lady did the work wished by her mistress in a most satisfactory manner, and as a mark of appreciation was presented with a dress very similar to one often worn by the donor. The other day Mr. had occasion to come home earlier than usual, and just as he entered the door of his house ho noticed (as he thought) the esteemed partner of his life busily engaged preparing something for the forthcoming meal. Her back was turned towards him, and he gently creeped up, reached over her shoulder unnoticed, and implanted such a loving kiss on her beautiful cheek. Mrs. has heard all about it, and says she will have the dress changed for a dif ferent pattern.

The Industrial Exhibition. —There was a meeting of the Committee of the Exhibition last night in the Borough Chambers, at which there were eleven members present. The Secretary re ported that 1128 feet of space had been applied for, and a large number of ex hibits were known to be coming for which applications had not yet been made. No definite reply had yet been received from the railway authorities regarding an ap plication to have exhibits carried free. In answer to a letter from Mr. Do Voeux, it had been replied that the selling prices of articles should be marked on them, and aitides would be carried free. A long dis cussion took place on the subject of in , surance, and it was ultimately decided that exhibitors should insure their articles themselves. A tender for the refresh ment booth from Mr. A. O. Aiken at LlO for the three days was accepted, and the Secretary said he had received an offer from Mr. Gates to work up a glee party to give two hours’ music each evening. Mr. Hodder’s suggestion that preference in allotting space should be given to locally manufactured articles, elicited a reply from the Secretary that ho thought there would be plenty of room for these. Ultimately it was decided that owing to the number of applications received for space already, all others must be sent in by the Ist of March. Messrs. Jameson, Hodder, cud Harrison were appointed a Committee to arrange for and allot space. Mr. It. Elston was appointed custodian during the days any exhibits were in the Hall, at a fee of LI fur every twenty-four hours, and it was arranged that during the day time the members of Committee would take turns of being present to act as stewards. The Committee had a 1c ig sitting arranging matters of detail and dis cussing general business.

Nelson College. —The accounts of the Nelson College show the surplus of re ceipts over expenditure to be L 1,394. Accident. —A man named Robert Miller had his thigh fractured yesterday through a truck running over him on the Break* ater line ah Oamaru. Export of Grain. —ln our advertising column appears an announcement by the Messrs. Friedlander of their arrange ments for the grain season, to which wc would draw the attention of farmers. Tobacco. —Dr. Qindcrs has shown us (Bay of Plenty Tones) a tobacco leaf from one of the plants grown by him this season, which is, we should think, o'i unusual size for this district. It is perfectly freeTrom any blemish, and measures 2ft. Gin. in length and Ift. 2in. in breadth. Dr. Ginders is experimenting with various kinds of the tobacco plant, to see which is most suited to the climate, though, of course, he grows only for his own con sumption. It will he satisfactory for the people here to know which plant is best adapted for the place, as it is to he hoped Government will some day withdraw their practical prohibition of the growing and manufacture of tobacco.

The Barihaka Meeting. —Themonthly talkee-i vlkee at Parihaka has concluded. Thereere present about ten Europeans and a large number of natives. To Whiti made an inoffensive speech, saying that although the Government had taken up arms against him, he would not do so against the pakehas. Ho intended to stop where he was to carry out his work. He would not send his natives for the Europeans to make prisoners through breaking the law. The Governnment might do what they liked, hut the natives would not obstruct them. With reference to Mr. Bryce’s resignation, he said that if the Government took Parihaka the natives would make no resistance. They might take him and Toliu prisoners. He com pared the Government to a cannibal, or a chief who would destroy his (Te Whiti’s) people. Toliu spoke in a similar strain.

Germany and the Ikon Trade. —The announcement very recently made that Herr Krupp has successfully tendered for 3,000 tons of steel rails for a Norfolk rail way will (states the Pall Mall Budget) be hut unsatisfactory news for the British iron trade, and will revive again in all its force the old l; bogy ” of foreign competi tion. Germany has, no doubt, increased her iron and steel production very re markably of late years, the statistics of her make showing that both pig and mer chant iron have been doubling from one decade to another with the greatest steadi ness. But the secret of Herr Krupp’s being able to supply the demand of the Norfolk contractor at prices considerably below the tenders of our own ironmasters probably lies in the unremitting care and attention which the Essen-house has be stowed on the recent changes of manu facture, and the many experiments which Herr Krupp has himself initiated to secure the best and cheapest mode of de phosphorisation. There is no doubt that in the matter of cheap steel Prussia is somewhat before England at the present time, and the experiments at the Essen and Hoerde works are proving the fact in a somewhat uncomfortable way for the British trader.

Garrick. —Garrick’s character was by no means perfect. Many faults were laid to his charge ; and among others was his fondness of flattery. Murphy, to whom Garrick had given loan upon loan of money, accuses him of meanness. This charge, however, has been proved to be as unjust as it was ungrateful. On one occasion Murphy was asked his opinion of Garrick. He replied : “ Off the stage, sir, he was a moan, sneaking fellow; but on the stage—throwing up his hands and eyes— “ Impossible to describe !” Mrs. Clive was one night standing at the wing, alter nately weeping and scolding at Garrick’s acting : and turning away in anger, she exclaimed : “ I believe he could acta grid iron !” Once at a splendid party at Lord ’s, they suddenly missed Gar rick, and could not imagine what had be come of him, until they were drawn to the window by the convulsive shrieks of laughter of a young negro boy, who was rolling on the ground in an ecstasy of de light to see Garrick mimicking a turkey cock in the court yard, with his coat-tail stuck out behind, and in a seeming flutter of feathered rage and pride. In ‘ ‘ Lear ” Garrick’s very stick acted. The scene with Cordelia and the physician, as Gar rick played it, was ineffably pathetic. The anathema in this play exceeded all im agination ; it electrified the audience with horroi'. The words “ Kill—kill—kill ?” echoed the revenge and impotent rage of a frantic king.— Chambers' Journal.

New Zealand Help for the Cape.— The Wellington Post of Wednesday says: —“A rumor has lately been current of the probability of a volunteer contingent being organised in Wellington for service at the Cape, but the matter is now not only talked of but actually in progress. The idea has emanated from the Naval Brigade, from which corps some 95 men have sent in their names. It is proposed to raise about 250 men to go as a blue jacket contingent from New Zealand, and the promoters are waiting the return of Captain Johnston from the south to enter into immediate communication with the proper authorities. It is asserted that within a fortnight of the undertaking being accepted by the Cape Government, the men to the proposed strength would be ready to embark We hear also that a detachment of 50 picked men from the Thames Navals are prepared to join under one of our blue jacket lieutenants, who served in the Thames corps for several years, and who, we believe, has, at the request of the men, taken the matter in hand. It is believed that the proposed contingent can he made up of first-class shots and hardy fellows, who would ho a credit to the colony; and as the Govern ment compel the volunteers here to buy their own uniforms and now give no capi tation money, it is supposed that the scheme can hardly he opposed by the Defence Minister.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Per Reuter’s Agency.) Monetary and Commercial. London, Feb. 16. Consols Adelaide wheat, ex warehouse, 495.; Five per Cent. New Zealand 10-40 Loan, Cent. New Zealand 1889 Loan, Four and a-half per Cent, New Zealand 1879-1904 Loan, 98. The Wool Sales. At the wool sales to-day 10,300 bales were offered. There was a good de mand, and a good attendance of home buyers. Feb 17. At the wool sales to-day 8,300 bales were offered. The tone of the sale was quiet, and prices suffered a further de cline, greasy being now id. lower, and fleece correspondingly low. compared with last sales, A False Step. The news of the visits of Mr. Parnell to Rochfort and Victor Hugo has created great disgust amongst the Irish Roman Catholics. Keeping them Quiet. The Speaker of the House of Com mons has adopted further stringent rules for the suppression of disorder in

the House, which have caused indigna tion to Radical and Irish members. Discount Rates. The total reserve in.notes and bullion in the Bank of England is 416,625,000. The Bank rate of discount has to-day been reduced to 3 per cent.; the market rate being per cent. Suez and Brindisi Mails- The homeward Australian mails via Suez and Brindisi, were delivered here to-day. Gladstone Conies to the Point. London, Feb. 18. Mr. Gladstoneannouncedinthe House of Commons last night, that Government proposed to bring the debate in Com mittee on the Irish Coercion Bill to a close on Monday next. The announce ment was not well received by the Irish members, a number of whom pro tested against the consideration of the measure being curtailed. More Troops for the Cape. It is announced that in addition to the detached squadron, a flying squad ron is also under orders to proceed to the Cape. The Forces Meet- Capetown, Feb. 18. News has been received from Natal that the corps under Sir Evelyn Wood have reached Sir George Colley’s camp at Ingogo, and that the rest of the re inforcements from Durban have arrived at Newcastle. A junction of all the troops is expected to be effected at once. Generals Wood and Colley have held a conference to decide upon their course of action. The Turkomans Submitting. St. Petersburg, Feb. 18. Telegrams to hand from Central Asia report that since the issue of General Skobeloff’s proclamation, offering an amnesty, a number of Tekke Turko mans have sent in their submission, though the movement is not general enough for the whole tribe. To the Relief of General Colley. Capetown, Feb. IG. Telegraph communication between Durban and Newcastle hss been re stored, and news has now been received that reinforcements for General Colley are rapidly advancing to the front. A corps under Sir Evelyn Wood has already crossed the Ingogo river and is expected shortly to reach General Colley’s camp. A Proclamation. St. Petersburg, Feb. 17, News has been received from Central Asia that the Russian Commander, General Skobeloff has issued a procla mation to the Teke Turkomans, that if they submit they will be granted a com plete annesty. German Mediation- Constantinople, Fob. 18. Count de Hatzfieldt has returned here as German Ambassador to the Porte, with the object, it is stated, of using his friendly influence with the Ottoman Government to bring about a peaceful -settlement of the Greek frontier difficulty.

AUSTRALIAN.

{Per Reuter's Agency.) The Leader of the Opposition. Melbourne, Feb 18. Mr. Murray Smith has virtually assumed the leadership of the Opposi tion in the Legislative Assembly. The Hereford. The which was suc cessfully floated yesterday at Cape Patton, has been safely towed to Queenscliff. A Political Manifesto. Adelaide, Feb. 18. The Hon. William Morgan, Chief Secretary and Premier of South Aus tralia, has issued an address containing an outline of the policy of the Govern ment. He calls attention to the neces sity for the reform of the constitution of the Legislative Council, and says that a Bill will be introduced for the purpose. If the measure is twice rejected in the Council the Governor will be em powered to declare one-half of the seats vacant at the time of the next dissolu tion. The present time is considered favorable for the introduction of the Reform Bill, though there is no conflict between the two Chambers. The Government have further resolved to increase the number of the electorates to twenty-six for each House, each electorate to return two members. Referring to his recent visit to Sydney to attend the sittings of the Inter colonial Conference, Mr. Morgan says that he is quite convinced that the chief object of his Government should be to assimilate the tariff of South Aus tralia with that of New South Wales, and adds that he is prepared to pursue a policy of reciprocity and mutual con cession. The revision of the tariff, he states, is necessary to readjust the incidence of taxation, and to relieve the farmers, artisans, and laborers. Re mission of taxes to the extent of L 6,000 will be proposed in order to secure uniformity with the tariff of New South Wales, and the duty on corn sacks, woolpacks, and implements, will be reduced, the idea that the colony can procure raw material being erroneous, and very little less than mad ness. In order to enable a reform of the system of taxation, a tax of one half-penny in the £ on property valued at over L3OO will be proposed. Mr. Morgan also discusses the question of a railway to Port Darwin, and says that he believes capitalists will be prepared to co-operate for the construction of a line on the alternate block system, and the Government will be asked for authority to negotiate with that object. He advocates the extension of railways to meet the New South Wales lines, thus shortening the distance by 300 miles as compared with that via Mel bourne, He concludes by saying that the policy of the Government is to strengthen the union with New South Wales.

NEW ZEALAND

(Per Press Association .) Good News. Dunedin, To-day. The Herald says a large Scotch paper manufacturing firm have en route for Otago a complete plant and machinery for a large paper mill for the manufacture of printing paper. A Blaze. A seven-stalled stable and 2,000 bushels of oats on the farm of O. G. Thurston, at Crookstown, have been burnt. Privileges. Racing privileges at the forthcoming meeting realised L 587.

THE AGENT GENERAL.

[By Telegraph.] Wellington, To-day. The Government have received a cablegram to the effect that Sir F. D. Bell yesterday assumed office as Agent- General.

SPORTING

TRAINING NOTES FROM FOR BURY. [By Telegraph.] Dunedin, To-day. Sir Modred did a fine four-mile gallop, the Cup favorite going exceed ingly well. Titania and Sylvanus were out early, and did a fast mile and a half. Nautilius and Atlantic were sent four times round with the sweaters on, Kitchen’s other two, Hippona and Boughleen Dhoun, following suit. The two King Phillip colts, Goai, and Mameluke, with Moabird in atten dance, did the Champagne distance at a pretty fast pace. Our Pony did a lot of work, looking and going well. King Cole and Maud were sent a mile at good speed, the latter having the best of the finish. Carrigheen was treated to two rounds on the tan, and Foster took Sailor Boy twice round over the hurdles. A number of horses did walking exercise.

CHISPA’S LETTER.

" I am not yet so bald that you can see my brains. ** —Longfellow.

In rny wanderings in this “ loveliest village of the plain,” “ where health and plenty cheer the laboring swain” (who has anything to labor at, and can get a bob an hour for his labor), I have marked the energy with which some of the village by laws are enforced, and how carefully cases of infringement of others are allowed to pass unheeded. It is a long time now since the Borough Council first began to breathe “threatening and slaughter” against the careless owners of unoccupied sections who allowed said sections to lie overgrown with the “ yellow-haired tussock.” So soon as the municipal ful minations went forth, the less cheeky of our landed proprietors at once set about grubbing up their superfluous tussock, and the smoke of the burning vegetable aborigines of the township rose in snaky wreaths every quiet evening, and hung above us till dark. Gradually, the bulk of the tussocks disappeared. But not all. I do not know why some of it was saved. Possibly there are botanists in the Borough Council who wish to preserve a specimen or two of the tussock, so that its memory may not be altogether lost. Any how there are a few sections yet, to the roots of whose tussock stocks the destroy ing spade of the clearer has not been applied. One of these sections is that on which the Library stands, and there are many others I could guide the Council’s Inspector to. I was a fool to go and slash down and burn my tussocks so soon, I might have saved a man’s week’s wages if I hadn’t been such a loyal individual. Perhaps the Library means to preserve a specimen of the tus sock, and is only giving their field of tus sock plants a chance, by the survival of the fittest, to show which is the sturdiest. There are other offenders besides the Library, and don’t you think that during this dry weather there should be a poking up done by some one in authority. I do.

A letter written in a pretty female hand, and signed “ A constant admirer of Chispa ” reached me this week. She heads her letter “ Something serious (not fun and farce),” and proceeds to tell mo she does not wish to try me beyond my strength, but. would like my opinion on why the Bible is retained in the church service, and in the swearing ceremony of the Courts of law, when high Protestant authorities have pronounced the greater portions of the two testaments to be no thing leas than old women’s stories and in ventions of the monks. Well, I am not much of a theologian, very little theology is needed to fight one’s way through this world and into a better, and if my lady friend will just content herself as I do with the Old Book, and be abundantly satisfied with its teaching till these great authorities supply the world with some thing that will fill the Bible’s place, she will find that her Bible will last her a long long time yet. He must be a smart critic and endowed with great creative power that can bowl down the old temples and erect new ones that are better. For that work, a new set of builders are wanted, and they haven’t completed their ap prenticeship, and won’t yet awhile.

Another letter—this time from our great local man, philosopher, and social re former, Mr. George Cates. His letter, were I to print it, would bring down about my ears all the shillelaghs in Ashburton, for what the able and eloquent George says about Ireland’s leaders in the agita tion now going on. But Mr. Cates wants a testimonial got up for the Hon. W. E. Gladstone. I admire Mr. Gladstone very much. He is, doubtless, the greatest man the world ever saw, since ho draws forth the admiration of all classes of philo sophers, from the humble “ Chispa” up to the great Cates ; but I don’t think Mr. Gladstone wants any testimonials of greater financial value from us than the homage to his name we are all ready to pay;

The Reviewers sat yesterday. They didn’t have a great amount to do ; nobody seemed to care a rap about whether their objections to the Property Tax valuation were sustained or not, and the hardest worked man was the herald of the Court, who, for a solid hour or more, had to trot from the inside door to the outer stair case, call out the names of the non appearing non-contents, and then trot back again and repeat the stereotyped formula—“No appearance, your Honors.” This herald was immensely got up in a pair of neat knickerbockers, that showed off his shapely legs and comfortable stock ings, and his stately march, while doing the flat, stale, and unprofitable “ sentry go,” gave ample evidence—as the trem bling wood resounded his tread —that the Civil Service can raise a decent thing in muscular Christianity. What a terrible thing that the police force could not raise a constable, nor the Court-house a bailiff, to cry the cases, and so relieve a man in aristocratic “knickers” from the weary duty. Why,. I thought a Prince of the blood had come down to Ashburton to see how we got along here, and I was afraid he’d make a complaint to his Royal Mother —God save her !—of how we could dare treat great men.

The hot weather has had such a telling effect upon the dairies of this district that the cream won’t rise to the top of the milk for fear of being transformed into oil. One dear old dame, who has often sup plied me with butter, came to me this week, asking who was the best man to make butter tins, as she meant selling her butter by the pint instead of by the pound. I don’t know if she has gone in for the new system of retail, but she took the addresses of the three tinsmiths in the

town, and started away in the direction of Joe Dolman’s to begin with. She had five bottles of butter in her basket, and she said the heat made everything so lazy and slow that her cows were infected with the slothful disease, and were too lazy to give milk. Chispa.

ASSESSMENT COURT.

MOUNT SOMERS— Friday, Fbb. 18. (Before N. Wood, Esq., Judge.) Messrs. Saunders Bros. Acreage, Castle Rock property, reduced from 2,100 to 895 acres. Mr. J. N. Boyd—Acre age reduced from 1,800 acres to 1,280 acres, and the assessment from L 225 to Ll2B. Mr. M. Thomas was placed on the roll as owner of 250 acres assessed at L7O. Mr. Frederick Tooth (represented by Mr. L. E. Corsbie) made a number of objections, and succeeded in sustaining the following : 100 acres, assessed at L 25, reduced to 96 acres at Ll 4 18s.; 417 acres, assessed at L 125 25., reduced to LlO4 ss. At the request of Mr. Corsbie, Mr. John M'Lean’s name was substituted for that of Mr. Tooth, as owner of 40 acres, Boyd’s Road Bush. Mr. Edson—Assessment reduced from L34to L 29. Mr. G. E. Nicholas—Re duced from L2G 9s. to L 25 3s. Mr. C. Blakision —Struck off the roll, and Mr. W. S. Peters substituted as owner of 872 acres. T. R. Hodder (represented by Mr. S. Saunders) —Acreage reduced from 630 to 503. The following objections were over ruled ; Messrs. Geo King’s, Stanley Edwards’, and 4. E. Pcache's.

What is a Frenchman?

Some of the Monarchical papers re proach the Republic with having amongst its .functionaries certain per sons of alien origin. They are alike sorrowful and indignant at seeing the destinies of France committed in any degree to men of English, of German, or of Italian origin. To reconcile them to this state of affairs the Parisian Globe points out how largely the foreign element pervaded the race of kings for whose return they sigh so vainly. Sup pose it be admitted that Henry IV. was a true-born Frenchman. He married Marie des Medicis, an Italian, and his son, Louis XIII., would, there fore, be only half French. Louis XIII. married Anne of Austria, and, there fore, Louis XIV., offspring of this union, would be only quarter French. If this arithmetical test be rigorously applied to each succeeding branch of the genealogical tree, the result is certainly curious. Louis XV., Louis XVI., Louis XVIII., and Charles X. each contributed to the admixture of alien elements with the real blue blood royal of France, until in the case of the Comte de Chambord the quantity of the genuine article must be infinitesimal. If, instead of taking Henry of Navarre as the point of departure, an earlier monarch is selected, the case becomes even stronger. This method of proving the son of St. Louis to be a pilgrim and a stranger in the land of his legal ancestry is a neat leductio ad absurdum of the foolish temper of mind that judges the patriotism of public men, not by their actions, but by obscure considerations of nationality.

THE ASHBUETON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1881.



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'llott’s, Mitchell’s, Brandauer and Co.’s Inks—Stephen’s Blue Black, Walkden’s Black and Colored, Antonine, Copying, &c. Workboxes, Albums. Books, &c. H. M. JONES, STATIONERY AND FANCY GOODS DEPOT, East Street and Babxnq Square. 710 AHOTHEB YEAR OF SUCCESS another THE BEST VALUE FOB 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 over 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 E-A ST STREET. WM. SPARROW, 751* Manager. XX7ANTED—THE GUARDIAN tells your Wants for Is., cash. |



Special Advertisements. 0. Carstens & Co. (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, rnOBACCONIST, FANCY GOODS, 1. AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tol acco Musical Instruments, etc., etc. Haircuttirg, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. 520*



Lime-kiln Philosophy. —“ Walkin’ out de odder mornin’ to commune wid de openin’ day,” said the old man, as the hall grew quiet, I was ordered up past de ole man Link’s. He was asleep, wid his feet outen a winder, and his wife was stealin’ pickets off a nabur’s fence to light a fire wid. De hoe, axe, mop, and shovel, war lyin’ around de yard ; de gate was off its inges, de dog chawin’ up a pillow case on de stoop, and de general scene was one of desolashun. Fifty men in dia hall knowed dat ole man when he was worf ten fousan’ dollars, and it wasn’t so wery many y’ars ago either. What has brung jde change I I answer, foolin’ wid white man’s polyticks, holdin down boxes on de co’ners, an’ feelin’ dat he was too good to wuk. Ten y’ars ago the ole man wouldn’t spoke to none of us, Now he am de poorest cull’d man in de town. Ten y’ars ago he stuck up his nose when we went past wid our whitewash brushes. To-day he will go hungry for de want of a day’s work. Ize bin tellin’ you dese fings eber since dis club started, an’ I’m gwin ter keep poundin’ away as long as de club lasts. If we git a livin’ we must work. If we git a dollar ahead we must take keer of it, and keep right on workin’. We can’t stick up our noses an’ puff out our stumacks an’ sport gold-headed canes. It hain’t in ns. De minute we try it on we make tracks for de little earth of the ho’n. If any member of dis club wants a blue necktie, dat’s all right; if he kin afford to have mo’ dan free white shirts, dat’s all right, but a leetlc ’stravagant; if cuff buttons help him to git a job, den cuff buttons kin be worn. But, when it comes to tryiu’ to dress like a white man who aims 25d015. a week, den it’s all bosh, an’ I feel it my dooty to wrastle wid such a pusson an’ try an’ pint out wherein he am on de broad road to de asylum fur fools. We will now attack de usual order of bizness. ” Holloway's Pills. —Mind and body are so closely entertwined that for the former to be vigorous the latter must be healthful. The first step towards the maintenance of health is to secure perfect digestion, which is readily obtained by this noted medicine, the most com petent effectually to restrain every adverse Influence which can mar, impair, or vexatiously modify, this all-important process.. The student, merchant, man of pleasure, and humblest labourer may each in turn derive vigour, ease, and strength from occasional doses, or a longer course of Holloway’s purifying Pills. However waveri g the mind, orunstrung the nerves this fine medicine will track the derangement to its sourse, where it will over throw it and established order and purity in its lace — Advt.



Meetings. QALEDONIAN SOCIETY. The Annual General MEETING of the Members of the Ashburton Caledonian Society will be held on MONDAY Even ing, 28th February, in Quill’s Hotel, at 7-30. The Directors will meet at 6 p.m, on the same evening. J. MacLEAN DUNN, 143 a Hon, Sec. Ecclesiastical. pRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The Rev. J. W. CREE, of Leeston, will Preach TO-MORROW, Morning and Evening, in the Presbyterian Church, and at Waterton at 3 p.m. 134 a Lost. £1 Reward. LOST, in Trevorton, a POCKET CASE of SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS. Apply, Office of this Paper. 115 a WANTED KNOWN—SICKNESS.— L. F. ANDRBWES, Bookseller, begs to inform his customers and the public generally that he has been obliged to CLOSE his SHOP for a few days, owing to temporary indisposition. 142 a



Wanted. TTTANTED to take charge of, one or W two CHILDREN. To anyone with children wishing to take a situation this would afford an opportunity for doing so. A comfortable home with moderate terms. Apply, by letter, to “ A.B.,’’ Office of this Paper. 129 a RACING CLUB. APPLICATIONS for the office of SECRETARY, addressed to the Com mittee, Box 12, Ashburton, Will hft re ceived up to 28th instant. Particulars of duties and salary may be obtained on ap plication to the undersigned. 1 S. SAUNDERS, 138 a Secretary, pro fern. WANTED TO SELL —Twenty-five SECTIONS, Wakanu! Road. Apply to Patching, Tent-maker, East Street. 898 WANTED KNOWN, —That HENRY’S PORTRAIT ROOMS, Saunders’ Buildings, East street, Ash burton, are Open DAILY, a.m. till 5 p.m. Portraits taken in any weather. Great Reduction in Price. 101 a ANTED MUSIC KNOWN. H. J. WEEKS, Teacher of Music, Tuner, &c., has room for a few more Pupils for the Pianoforte, Harmonium, Violin, Piute, or Singing. Terms on application. Second hand instruments bought or sold on com mission. Address —Cameron street west. 86a



WANTED KNOWN—The Largest and Best Stock of Saddlery is to be found at the shop of S. STEPHENS, Tinwald. Good strong Cart Collars from 135.; Cart Winkers, Bs. 6d.; Plough Back-bands. 6s. cash ; Cart Saddles and Breechens, from 505.; Reaping Machine Pole Straps, 2s. Farmers will make a great saving by buying of S. Stephens, Saddler, Tinwald. . 'K'jrxANTED KNOWN. Ashburton V\ REGISTRY OFFICE for Male and Female Servants. —L. F. Andbbwbs 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. Andkkwes, Labor Agent, Book seller, and Stationer, East street, South. ’ 627 WANTED KNOWN—That a Church of England minister’s wife writes that she saves Ten Shillings a Fortnight by using Harper Twelvetrees’ ■ Villa Washer, Wringer, and Mangier/ com bined ; and, although she permits no rubbing, the clothes are beautifully white, and much cleaner than when done by hand, while the saving in mending has been astonishing. Sold by J. HERN, Range Maker and Importer, comer of Manchester and Tuam streets, Christ church ; Price—£9 10s. 70Q WANTED KNOWN. SOMERSET LIVERY AND BAIT STABLES. JW. M‘RAE begs to inform the , public that he has taken the vbove Stables from Mr. Bossenberg, and is making extensive repairs. Buggies and saddle horses on hire.’ - Lowest prices and best attention. 852



Amusements. J O. O. F., M. U. LOYAL ASHBURTON LODGE, No. 6003. GRAND ANNIVERSARY Concert Of Vocal and Instrumental Music, Dances, and Comic Sketches, in the TOWN HALL, ASHBURTON, ON MONDAY EVENING, FEB. 28. The Loyal Ashburton Lodge, No. 6003, purpose celebrating their Anniversary Vith a Concert on the above date, when an ex* cellent programme will be presented. A BaLL will take place immediately after the Concert. Doors open at half-past seven • concert at eight prompt. JOSHUA TUCKER, N.G. 76a R. MINNIS, Secretary.. Public Notices. Grain Season, 1881. WE are prepared to make LIBERAL CASH ADVANCES against ship ments placed in our hands. We have Brokers of the highest standing in Mark Lane, who will give every attention to Grain consigned through us, and obtain the extreme price for all shipments Farmers may intrust to our care. Wo have also established Agencies in Liver pool, Glasgow, Hull, Dublin, and Antwerp, and we can ship to any of these markets if so required. Our charges are regulated at the lowest rates. . P. CUNNINGHAM & CO., 13a Christchurch. TO FARMERS. The undersigned are PURCHASERS of all descriptions of GRAIN delivered, at their warehouses in Lyttelton, Timaru, Oatnaru and Ashburton, or at any other railway station. P. CUNNINGHAM & GO., 14a Christchurch.



[CARD.] •' ; TjIHEODORE B. JACOBSEN, ARCHITECT. Note office— HEREFORD STREET, WEST~ ~ Christchurch 9 571 FARMERS ! FARMERS! FARMERS 1-, R. McKERROW AND CO., RE Gash Purchasers of Wool, Grain, and all kinds of Farm Produce, and an} a lso prepared to make Liberal CASH. ADVANCES on the above placed in their hands either for sale or shipment to the English or Colonial Markets. A Large Stock of Cornsacks, Wool packs, &c., for sale at lowest current prices. 1 ' * t R. McKERROW & 00., ( GRAIN MERCHANTS,