SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Annie, brigantine, from Hobart. Sailed. Yesterday. Ocean Bird, ketch, for Anahau. St. Kilda, 5.8., for Wellington. Janett, ketch, for Waitapu. Hero, cutter, for Wellington. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Arrived —Coronet, schooner, from the Islands. Sailed—Ringarooma, for the South. Wellington, To-day. Arrived—Penguin, s.s.,from the North, with the San Francisco mail. Sydney, Yesterday. Arrived —Wakatipu, from Wellington. Adelaide. To-day. Arrived —Orient Company’s steamer Cuzco, from Plymouth. London, Feb. 8. Arrived —Lyttelton, from Port Chal mers ; Crusader, from Lyttelton ; Helen Denny, from Auckland.

COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Retail List- Butter, inferior to best, $ tt>, 8d to lod. Eggs, $ dozen, is 4d. .Cheese, prime quality, t? lb, 4d to 6d. '3acon, prime smoked, 1? lb, lod to is. Haras, iu cloth, $ lb. Is. Flour, in bags, 1? loolb, 13s. Oatmeal. 1? 25®, 4s. Lard, t? lb. 7 d - i The Christchurch Corn Exchange. , The following is the report for the week end ing Friday evening, the nth inst.: — Little or no business has been transacted during the week. Farmers are still busy harvesting the grain. The weather up to the present has been extremely favorable, and a ■ large propoition of the grain is now in stack. The business done during the week has Iwen of an unimportant character. Prices cannot be • said as yet to be determined. Many farmers arc as yet undecided whether to sell at the 1 ' pi ices offering or take the risk of the home market themselves. __ , Wheat—Last year’s samples of good sound milling quality are worth from 3 s gd to 4s ; for new wheat, of good quality, 3 s fid to 3 s 8d per bushel is being offered; chick wheat, 2s to 2s gd per bushel. Oats—There is no alteration in prices since last week. Good short milling from is 6d to is yd per bushel; feed samples, is 3d to is 5d per bushel. Barley—A few transactions have taken place in the new crop. Really first-class malting will command from 3 s 3d to 3 s ?d per bushel; second-rate malting, nominal per bushel; feed, is 3d to is fid per bushel. Grass Seed—A few. sales of the new crop ' have been made. Really well-cleaned heavy seed, 3s to 3s 3d per bushel. Brisk enquiry. Cheese and Butter—There is no change to re port in values during the week. The former is in plentiful supply, from to4d per lb; the latter fid per lb. Auctioneers’ Report. Messrs. H. Matson and Co. report on the live stock market, £c., for the week ending ! Thursday, February 10th, 1881, as follows For yesterday’s weekly market at Addington there was an average supply of mutton sent to hand, just sufficient for trade requirements. Sales opened with a fair demand, at prices very similar to last week’s quotations, second rate quality being perhaps a little lower. The various lines were cleared without difficulty as the auction progressed, the best quality both in crossbreds and merinoes being the most sought after, and selling at much better rates in pro portion than medium or inferior classes. For prime merino mutton there has been for some time past a ready sale at satisfactory prices, but ‘ second rate quality is unsaleable excepting at store rates. Prime crossbred wethers brought losto 12s 3d ; mixed and inferior lots, 8s get to gs fid ; the best merino wethers, ys to 8s gd ; inferior, 5s fid to 6s fid. In store sheep there were comparatively few on offer, and those chiefly of a very indifferent class. We quote values unchanged. Merino ewes, mixed ages, sold up to Ss fid ; aged crossbred do., 6s to ys. The supply of fat cattle was barely equal to the demand, and the market generally ruled a little firmer. Prices, however, were unaltered, though most of the lines changed owners with less difficulty on the part of salesmen. In store cattle there was very little doing. The entry was small, and whilst the best lines found ‘- ' buyers at fair and satisfactory rates, inferior lots—old cows, &c. —were but little in request, .and very few sold. The totals yarded for the day comprised 5081 sheep, 278 head of cattle, . and 121 pigs, of which our entry included 2365 sheep, 450 fat lambs, 141 head of cattle, and 1 10 pigs. Lambs were in large supply, and with a line of 300 taken up for store purposes at Bs, the market was bare for trade require ments, and prices ruled high throughout. With farmers in the market as buyers of lambs, there is no prospect of a reduction of prices this season. We sold —38 at ys gd, 43 at Bs, 20 at Bs, 289 at Bs, 18 at gs, 20 at ys 3d, 23 at ys fid. Pigs—With the exception of one or two small lots, the entry was of a very rough class, little or no competition being shown for such. Well-bred useful little “slips” are selling at from 20s to 30s ; North Island pigs, 12s to 255.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. To-morrow, Saturday, February 12. Mr. Alfred Harrison, at his Yards — Blacksmith’s Tools, Sundries, &c. 12 o’clock. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c. Monday, February 28. Anniversary Concert, Loyal Ashburton Lodge, L0.0.F., Town Hall, Bp.m.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

Trains Leave Ashburton fob Christ church and intermediate stations at 6 a.m., 10.30 a.m., and (Express) 5.48 p.m. Trains Leave Ashburton fob Timaru and South, at 7 a.m., 10.36 a.m. (Ex press), and 4.50 p.m.—the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timarn. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Christchurch at 10 24 a.m. (Express), 4.35 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Timaru and South at 10.15 a.m., 5.34 ’ • p.m. (Express), and 8.15 p.m.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 5 p. m.] The Ashburton Guardian. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1881. The Intercolonial Conference.

There has been a gathering together of the great men of the Colonial World at Sydney, who clubbed their wisdom with a view to bringing about a multi tude of good things for the benefit of the Australasia, from the separate parts of which they were drawn, and for the individual good of the component parts which they severally represented. Con ferences are only of service in so far as, being composed of the representative men of the powers represented, they are presumed to be a reflex of public opinion the delegates have left behind them, and an indication of the pro bability or otherwise that exists for the attainment of such reforms or changes as may be proposed. This indication is arrived at by a comparison of the different opinions that exist on the various subjects discussed by the dele gates, who, as we said before, are as sumed to be a reflex of public opinion in the countries that sent them. There appears to have been a pretty fair oneness of opinion that the immigration of Chinese to Australia should be restricted, but at this point of the subject the unanimity stopped, and the extent to which restrictions ought to be imposed is still a moot point. Fairly unanimous, too, were the wise men on the subject of an Intercolonial Court of Appeal. This may be a very useful and desirable thing for the Australian Colonies, but for New Zealand we fail to see its advantages, inasmuch as to take an appeal case from any of the New Zea land Courts to Sydney or Melbourne, would be almost as costly as taking it to London, and if the principle involved or the amount at stake were worth the trouble of carrying a question to Aus tralia for settlement, it would be worth taking it to London, and there, doubt less, in the end it would go should the Australian solution of it be unsatisfac tory to the New Zealand appellant. The question of Intercolonial duties was also handled, and it is somewhat surprising to find the protectionist Berry advocating a proposal for what in effect is intercolonial free trade. The representative of the wine-growing districts of Australis desired an inter colonial trade in that commodity ; New South Wales, wished the reciprocity to be extended to colonial products generally; while suddenly, and ap parently inconsistently, liberal Mr. Berry would have the extension to in clude manufactures. Of course nothing very tangible came out of the discussion. Mr. Berry, tvho at the first glance may appear to be grossly inconsistent in putting the coping stone of absolute free trade upon a motion which was, to begin with, only for free trade in one com modity. But Mr. Berry’s protection appears to be, not for the trade and commerce of Victoria alone, but for that of the whole of Australasia repre sented at the Conference, so that he was not so inconsistent after all as his conduct may appear when it is judged as that of an out and out protectionist. But we will have something to say of him in this connection in a future article. The best work done by the Conference is perhaps the most im portant and most pressing ; though, so far as the purposes for which the Con ference met are concerned, it was a minor thing entirely. That work was the unanimous understanding the Con ference came to on the subject of an extradition arrangement on the sub ject of bankrupts and wife deserters, and for the recovery of debts in one colony that have been contracted in an other. In favor of reciprocal legisla tion on these subjects there was only one opinion, and that was that such legislation was absolutely necessary. We have referred to the wife deserters question in previous articles, and it now gives us pleasure to see a glimmer of hope that soon no colony in these seas will be a refuge to a cowardly deserter of his r wife and family. As the law at present stands any craven-hearted and soulless blackguard, sodden in hell brewed selfishness, who tires of support ing his wife and family, may bolt away from New Zealand and find a safe re fuge in any of the adjoining colonies. It Is the same with absconding debtors. Once in any of the other colonies of the group, there is no chance for the credi tor obtaining jhij? money, even though judgment should hswe been given in the creditor’s favor ■; and a man may run upa large score in New Zealand fnd eVade’ payment by slipping over fo Australia. Of course the evil cuts on the other side of the water as well, and

New Zeala,ri|| affords an asylum for Australian debtors who do not care to “part.” If, however, all the colonies unite in legislation that will give a war rant issued in one colony the needful force in another, and enable a deb; to be recovered in one that bas been con tracted in another, the end of the anomaly complained of will be reached, and no one colony will offer a haven of refuge to such men, as, dead to all sense of natural feeling, desert their wives and families; leaving them to the tender mercies of public charity—a burden on the community in which their hapless lot may have been cast. If such legis lation result from the deliberations of the Conference, and we have every faith that it will, the Sydney sitting will .not have been an unproductive one.

The San Francisco Mail is expected to arrive at Lyttelton about noon to morrow, and the Ashburton portion will most probably be delivered on Saturday evening.

The Old Men’s Home.—The mister of the Old Men’s Home wishes to ack- ow ledge with thanks the receipt of one hag of apples for the inmates, from Mrs. Olliver, of Westerfield. Release of a Prisoner.—Edward Clarkson, who was sentenced in November, 1879, to ten years’ imprisonment for robbery, was released to-day in conse quence of having received serious injuries by a fall of earth while at work.

An Unfounded Charge.—At the en quiry into the charges by Dr. Purchase against the masters of the Auckland Grammar School, Di. Purchase with drew clause 4 of his memo, against Mr. Anderson, classical master, as he heard since that Mr. Anderson was abstemious as to stimulants, and expressed regrcl at making such charge. Mr. Anderson declined to accept the apology. A Suspicious Fire.—An enquiry was held at Oamaru, yesterday, into the cir cumstances attending the fire at Messrs. Diehl and Davidson’s mill, and the j ury returned the following verdict : —“ The jury find that the Otepopo mill, belonging to Messrs. Diehl and Davidson, was burned down on the night of the 27th January, under very suspicious circumstances, but there is no evidence to show how th-. fire originated. They have also to comment in strong terms on the unsatisfactory nature of the evidence as given by James Davison, one of the partners of the firm.”

The Newtown Fire.—ln connection with the sad affair at Newtown (Welling ton) m which three children Were burned in a burning house, it transpires that there was a very complete arrangement for alarming the Fire Brigade in We ding ton ; but some unknown or impulsive individual, ignorant of how the diing worked, seized the isolated wire and pulled with all his might, as if he were ringing a bell. The consequence was he pulled the wire away from the connector, and, of course, the telegraphic signal was not given. By this unfortunate piece of absurdity help was prevented from being sent to the burning building Shocking Accident at a Sunday School Picnic.—At the Wesleyan Sun day School picnic at Taraneki, on Wed nesday afternoon, a fatal accident hap pened to a number of children swinging on branches of a fallen trunk of a tree, which was resting on its branches, when a branch broke, causing the trunk of the tree to roll over. A little boy named Darcy Harold Jackson, about six years old, was passing, when the trunk rolled over and crushed him to death. A little girl named Woodcock was also knocked down by the branches and severely hurt, her leg being broken. A boy named Malcolm Clen had his thigh broken. The tree was 30ft. in length and 7ft in dia meter.

Another Fire at Paeihaka. —Another large fire has occurred at Parihaka, causing extensive destruction of potatoes fully thirty acres of this crop being totally destroyed. None of the whares and other buildings were burnt, although it was only with the greatest difficulty that the natives were able to save their dwellings. All the men, women, and children worked like horses to save their homes and per sonal possessions. The fire is said to have originated through the bush be coming accidentally ignited by people of the Ngatiruanui tribe, who were clearing some bush land for sowing, and set fire to the fallen timber, the flames spreading to the forest and rapidly gaining the mastery.

The Australians at Nelson. The play, as far as has gone in the Nelson match, is against the Australians, who are either in particularly bad form or the men of Sleepy Hollow have developed a power in cricket that outsiders never gave them credit for possessing. Anyhow Nelson has made the best show against the great guns of the south that has yet been done in the colony, and the players of the prettiest town in New Zealand will now wear their feather very high and claim to be somebody in particular. They managed to get the Australians out in their first innings for 72, and in their own first they made 83. Yesterday they played their own second innings for 77. The wickets were drawn at 4.15, leaving the Austra lians 98 to make to win. Breach op the Stamp Act.— Before the Wellington Bench, yesterday, an im portant case under the Stamp Act was heard. Messrs. John P. Watt and Albert Barnes being charged with a breach of the 108th section of the Act, by omitting to file w-ith the Commissioner of Stamps within six months from the granting of letters of administration, a statement in writing in respect of the property for which such administration had been granted. Counsel for the defendants admitted the offence, which had been com mitted r in consequence of the difficulty of obtaining the necessary forms at Wan ganui, where the defendants resided. Mr. Izard, for the prosecution, did not press for a heavy penalty, this being the first ease of the kind brought before the Court. At the same time he wished to state that the defendants had put the Government to a great deal'of tfwjhjk)' and expense in the matter. Twelve : «ion*hs had elapsed since the administration had been granted. Defendants were fined 40s. eaph and costs.

Prohibited Hours.— HU Worship the R.M. to-day denounced one of our by laws as an absurd one that deserved to be walked through. The by-law provides that no cattle, sheep, &c., shall be driven through the town except between the hours of 12 midnight and 7in the morn ing, if such cattle be intended for sale, slaughter, or shipment, and if the per mission of the Borough Council have not been previously obtained for the driving. His Worship pointed out that in the case before him no attempt had been mads to prove that the sheep were intended for either sale, slaughter, or shipment, and the accused of course did' ’not go into the box to convict himself, a>|d consequently got oft His Worship dm. #ot see why more danger was to be apprehended from cattle that were going to'be milked than from those that were going to be killed, but possibly the framers of the law judged the animal intellect to be keener and more prophetic than his Worship does. . Any how, it will only be for a drover to prove that his cattle are neither going to sale, slaughter, nor shipment, and the elaborate of Foreman Brown will break down. The police were surprised to see the case brought, as they had been told not to enforce if. How is this thus ?

Fire.—A house and shed, the property of Mr. E. R. Deacon, Christchurch, were destroyed by fire this morning. The cause is unknown. The New Grain.—The first 150 tons of new wheat went through to port yes terday, and were loaded into the New Zealand Shipping Co. ’s ship Waimate. Action for Slander.—Mr. W. D. Stewart having refused to give such apology for a statement he made regarding touting for business during a dispute with Mr. Townsend MacDonnott, in the Dunedin Police Court the other day, as Mr. MacDermott will accept, an action will be commenced in the Supreme Court for L 2,000 damages for slander, to give Mr. Stewart an opportunity of justifying his remarks. A Nice Infant.—lnfancy has its privi leges. A woman was arrested in Pres burg, Hungary, for receiving stolen goods. She was by birth a Jewess, but six months previous to her dectection had been baptized into the Roman Catholic Church. When put upon her tidal she pleaded that she was an infant, and could not, therefore be held answerable for what she had done—the date of birth in Hun gary running according to the date of baptism—and after serious cogitation the tribunal declared the defence a good one, and that she, a woman of forty, was legally but six months old, with a score of years before her which she might turn to dishonest account with impunity.— Chambers’ Journal. __ Templar Hall Company.—At the an nual meeting of shareholders of the Tem plar Hall Company, held yesterday, there, was a fair attendance of members, and Mr. G. W. Andrews presided. The balance-' sheet was read and the Secretary’s report, and both were adopted. The income for the year had been L 137 9s. 4d., against an expenditure of LI 32 ss. fid. The assets amounted to L 493 19s. lOd., and the lia bilities to L 152 Gs. 7d. It was decided to raise a loan of about Ll5O to wipe off a liability to the Building Society of L 126 7s. Bd. , and other small debts. Shares to the amount of L 291 had been sold, and there were still L 97 of capital not called up. It was decided to call a meeting in a month to consider the future of the Company. The following directors were elected for the ensuing year: Messrs. T. Smith, B. C. Smith, A. Andrews, P. A. Vaughan, T. Williams, and R. Smith. At the directors’ meeting that followed, Mr. G. W. Andrews was elected President, and Mr. W. H. Zouch Secretary.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE

(Per Renter's Agency.) A Russian Intrigue. London, Feb. 8. According to official documents which have been published, General Sir Frederick Roberts discovered, while in occupation of Cabul, a secret treaty for an offensive and defensive alliance, signed between Russia and the Ameer, dated August, 1878, also a letter from the Russian General Soltikoff, dated October of the same year, advising Shere Ali to sue for peace with Eng land, but at the same time to secretly prepare for war. Other papers which were found moreover show that the Russiane policy included measures to incit an armed rebellion of the Ma homedans in India. Second Reading of the Coercion Bill. In the House of Commons last night, the Irish Coercion Bill was read a second time on division, showing a majority of 300 with the Government. The Panama Canal. London, Feb. 9. Intelligence has been received from Panama that the first batch of engineers has arrived, and preliminary operations in connection with the construction of the Isthmus canal have been com? menced. Paying the Pipor. Constantinople, Feb. 9. The Porte has decided to raise an internal loan, and levy a poll lax to defray the cost of the last war. The Boer Rebellion. Capetown, Feb. 8.

Further news to hand from Natal states that .since the stoppage of the mail between Langsack and Newcastle, General Sir George Colley has de spatched a force to clear the road of Boers. Feb. 9.. Later intelligence from Governor Sir George Colley, in the Transvaal, an nounces that his force has successfully attacked and defeated a large body of Boers whom it encountered between Newcastle and Ingogo. The British loss in the fight was 150 killed and wounded. The enemy suffered very heavy loss, but its extent is not stated. General Colley expects to be able to maintain lps position in the Transvaal until the arrival of reinforcements from Durban. Later. Further official intelligence from the Transvaal states that Sir George Colley was advancing with a force to clear the road to Newcastle, when the Boers made a strong attack on the position, and heavy fighting ensued, lasting fully six hours. Both sides suffered severely, but the enemy were finally repulsed with heavy loss, and withdrew at sup set. The British troops then returned to camp, where General Colley hopes to maintain his position until the arrival of reinforcements.

AUSTRALIAN

(Pet Reuter's Agency,) Precious Metal. Sydney, Eeb. 10. Newg has fyeep received that gold, has been discovered cm the Barrier ranges, on the western border of this colony. A ppearances are said to be very pro mising, god there is every prospect of a great rush.

NEW ZEALAND

(Per Press Association.) A Fraud. Auckland, To-day. At the Police Court to-day, Purcell, a contractor, a bankrupt, was charged by the trustee with two offences of removing goods in his estate. He was also charged with forging a promissory note for L3OO. The cases were remanded. A Penny a Dip. The City Council have resolved to charge a penny admission to the new Corporation baths. ■ Harvest Prospects in the North. The grain crops in all parts of Auck land ape’ unusually gofld, ; s?hs Wairarapa J^acgf. WBLLfNGXOJSr, To-day. About 600 people were present a£ |l}C second day’s sport provided by the Wairg-- rapa Racing Club. The Hurdle Raoe was won by The Agent, with Kangaroo second, and Koha third. Haven also ran, and threw his rider. Petrttchio won the Maiden, Plato, with Whitau second, and Elfreda third.

SPORTING.

D.J.C. ANNUAL MEETING. [by telegraph.] Dunedin, To-day. The following entries and acceptances for the forthcoming meeting were posted last night: — handicap hurdle race. st. lb. The Agent, aged... ... 12 0 Clarence, aged 11 12 Little John, fiyrs... ... 10 9 Waikari, syrs ... ... 30 0 Milo, aged... ... ... 10 0 Sailor Boy, aged 8 9 Carrigeen, aged 8 9 railway plate. The Governor, 3yrs ... 8 5 Sir Modred, 3yrs 8 5 Mischief, 3yrs ... ... 8 3 Nautilus, 3yrs ... ... 8 3 Miss Domett, 3yrs ... 8 3 Legerdemain, 2yrs ... 6 8 MAIDEN PLATE. Miss King, aged ... 9 1 Moa Bird, 4yrs ... ... 8 11 Sir Garnet, 3yrs ... ... 8 1 Morphia, 3yrs ... ... 8 1 Miss Domett, 3yrs ... 8 1 Cassivelaunus —Castinctte filly, Syrs 7 13 Hippona, 3yrs 7 13 queen’s plate. Hornby, 4yrs. The Governor, 3yrs. Lady Emma, 3yrs. Sylvanus, 3yrs. Nautilus, 3yrs. Miss Domett, 3yrs. champagne stakes. Mameluke, by King Philip—Rosette. Amulette, by Traducer. Cassivelaunus —Miss King colt. Idalium, Traducer—ldalia. Sumncss, by Traducer — Hammock. Yattendon —Peeress colt. Cassivelaunus—Envy filly. Selling Race. Boughleendham ... ... 8 7 Playboy ... ... ... 7 11 Sunbeam ... ... ... 7 8 Fenian 7 7 Sir William 7 0 Huntingdon' ... ... 7 0 Swede ... ... ... 7 0 Quikel ... ... ... 011 Little Fraud 5 12 Betting* The following is the latest betting : —• Champagne Stakes. 2 to 1 against Amulet. 4 to 1 against Idalium. 5 to 1 against Yattendon—Peeress colt. Cup. 4 to 1 against Sir Modred. 6 to 1 against Le Loup. 6 to 1 against Virginia Water. 7 to 1 against Titania. 8 to 1 against Grip. 8 to 1 against Volunteer . 100 to 10 to 2 against the rest.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

ASS BU ETON. —To-pay. (Before Mr. Nqgept Wood, R. M.) Drunks. r-An old woman who has heei) frequently before the Court, was fined 03. and 40s. for being drunk and using in decent language. William Davidson was charged with being drunk, and assaulting constable Neil. The constable deponed to prisoner assaulting him at about twelve o’clock last night. Prisoner denied the assault, but the Court found him guilty, and he was fined 15s. in all, By-Laws.— Weymouth Roberts, jun., was charged with allowing a horse to wander at large in Cass street. The offence was admitted, but accused said the horse had been tethered and had got away, how he could not tell. He was fined ss. and 7s. costs. William Taylor admitted having crossed the footpath in Peter street with a liorse, and was fined ss. and 7s. costs. George Swan drove sheep across a footpath in Burnett street, and also through the town within prohibited hours. Defendant said lie had been driv ing cattle and sheep in the district off and on for five years, and knew nothing of the prohibition. He had done the same thing a; dozen times before and had pever been Interfered with. Foreman Brown gaye evidence as to the crossing of the footpath, and for this Swan was fined Is. with 235. costs. In regard to driving within pro* hibited hours, the by-law provided excep tions in favor of sheep that were not being driven for the purposes of sale, slaughter, or shipment. No evidence was adduced to prove that the sheep were being taken for either of these purposes. The Magis trate said the by-law was a most stupid one, and he failed to see why a mob of cattle would do any less harm because they were going to be milked, or because they were going from one farm to another, than if they were going to be sold, killed, or shipped. The by-law was one that deserved to be walked through, but in future when accused wanted to drive sh jep through the town within prohibited hours he must first obtain the Borough Council’s permission. Sergeant Felton said he was surprised to see tfiis case brought at all, as it was only recently the police had been asked not to enforce the by-law umjpr which it was brought. The case was dis missed. Alexander Spring was fined ss. and the psual costs for allowing a cow to be a.t large, snd Raines Wilkie did jiot appear to answer a charge of crossing q, footpath in Peter street with a horse. He was fined 10s. and costs. CIVIL CASES. Grice v. Saunders. Claim, L3O. In this case, which was heard last Friday, his Worship gave judgment at the rate of 2d. per head of the sheep alleged to have trespassed, contending that the ordinance never was'intended to confine all trespass ijaijiages to Id. per head. It was absurd to imagipe tlja.t this \vas jtlie limit when perhaps a crop that plight yiplj possibly 60 bushels to the acre had beep destroyed by a large mob of sheep. He would give judgment for L 27 ; with L 3 15s. costs. Peter v. Fergus, Claim, LIOO damages for alleged non-performance of a Contract to cut 200 acres of grass. Mr. O’Reilly for plaintiff ; Mr. Branson for defendant. The evidence was almost a repetition of what was given in a previous case where the. positions of parties, were reversed, and defendant sued plaintiff for the cost of cutting 70 acres of the same contract at 7s. 6d. ah acre. The evidence led to-day was to the effect that the contract was originally to cut, tie, and stack 2QO dftrea at LI an acre. Fergus failed to fihd meji to tie,‘though he advertised for . then), pud 'i*eter uJljerjfcook * jhit duty himself, relieving Fergus, and entering into another contract with pirn tq cpt only, at 7s, 6d an acre. The cptting took place as far back as December, 1878. Fergus was said by’plaintiff to have agreed to come and cut whenever he was sent for. He delayed some days ; as a consequence the grass was shaken during the catting by hot winds and, rain, and about 3,000 bushels, at 4s. or ss. a bushel, were lost. Mr. Branson contended that the second contract condoned any breach of the first, and under the second contract of 7s. 6d. per acre, Fergus had done as much as he could till he was stopped by Peter. The wind and rain were the act of God, and not of Wm. Fergus. His Worship said a non-suit should be accepted, as he could see no case that had been made out. Plaintiff was non-suited, with costs, Ls' 6|. T “•

OUR SYDNEY LETTER.

(From a New South Wales Correspondent.) Sydney, Jan. 27. The Conference is sitting to-day for the last time, and its proceedings so far have not been fraught with any real good for Australasia. The only points upon which there has been any unanimity wore—The adoption of a Bill to restrict the immi gration of Chinese, the adoption of a memorial to the Queen on the subject of the South Seas’ outrages, and the Bill to establish an Intercolonial Court of Appeal. The minor legal points, such as the arrest of deserters of wives and children, and reciprocity in the admission of barristers —which, by the way, were initiated by the Melbourne Conference—have now assumed tangible forms. An intercolonial tariff, upon the basis of that of New South Wales, was proposed by South Australia, upon which Victoria moved an amend ment—“ That no tariff be considered satisfactory unless it recognised the various interests and surroundings of each and every colony.” The amendment met with no other support, and the motion was postponed. Subsequently, there was a proposal for the appointment of a commis sion to frame a common tariff. This also was postponed—a very convenient mode of shelving it. At a later period of the proceedings, Mr. Mann, one of the South Australian representatives, proposed that there be intercolonial free trade in wine, whereupon Mr. Watson (N. S. W.) moved the addition of the words—“ and of their products.” Mx - . Berry would not be satisfied unless it included manufactures, thereby completing intercolonial Free Trade. It may appear surprising, but nevertheless true, that Sir Henry Parkes and his colleague opposed the proposal, although it was in keeping with their much-vaunted policy of Free Trade, and did not in any way interfere with the revenue derived through the Custom House Queensland alone supported Victoria, so that Mr. Berry’s motion, as well as the other two propositions, was negatived. No reference has yet been made, nor is likely to be, to the Border Duties difficulty between New South Wales and Victoria. The question of Defences did not provide a subject for agreement. South Australia wanted a fleet supported by the Australasian colonies, with a Federal Defence organi sation ; but the rest of the colonies sup ported the motion of Mr. Giblin (Tas mania) — lf That in view of the great interests Great Britain has in the shipping of these colonies, she should still continue to bear the whole cost of the Australian squadron.” The character of the vessels comprising the squadron was referred to, and the general opinion expressed w'as that a much more formidable class of ship was required. The Conference completes its business to-day, and the Southern delegates return overland to Melbourhe by special train to-night. Anniversary Day came round again yesterday, and found us with no abate ment of our prosperity, and with no diminution of our prospects. In some of tl\e neighboring colonies the great holiday of the year is Separation Day. Our great holiday is Foundation Day. It is to be hoped that the day is not far distant when amongst our neighbors *f Separation f)ay ” >yilj po p be Iflojced upoij as an eter nal Rational memorial, but that “ Re union Day ” will tujfo its plac.e as jitter to be remembered and celebrated.

TJie hot weather has again set in. The temperature in Sydney during the last few days has been very high, making all outdoor exercise very disagreeable. The thermometer at the Government Observa tory showed the temperature to have been at its highest, 89 deg. in the shade. The highest point reached in the sun was J. 44 deg. Large and devastatory fires have been raging up in our country districts, the loss from which can only be computed by thousands. Mr. Rutherford, owner of the Grogan and Mystery run, near Young, has suffered, his fences and grass being burnt for miles. This visitation as a climax to the drought will prove a severe test to stationholders. During the past month Mr. M. H. Stevens, Mr. G. C. Davies, Mr. Owen, and other eminent men have left the colony on a visit to Europe. At least one elevation to the Bench is now necessary, perhaps two, ip view of the anticipated re tirement qf Mr- .Justice Hargraves. There is consequently a considerable stir in legal circles. Torday Mr. justice Tancett leaves by the Hydaspes on leave of absence. Other new talent is daily arriv ing here, encouraged by the rapidly in creasing business of the legal profession in the colony. The Austrian Band, after finishing a most successful season in Tasmania, arrived here last week, and advertised themselves to hold their first performance in the old Exhibition Building on Anni versary Day (26th), but owing to a mis understanding arising with the entrepren eurs respecting the contract under which they came to the colonies, their opening concert has been postponed. The Boomerang Club has lately been formed here by members of the press. The club will onty consist of members of the literary, musical, dramatic, and other liberal professions. The rules of the Savage Club, London, are to be adopted. Respecting the illness of Bishop Barker, it is pleasing to note that he is speedily progressing toward recovery, and 1 his medical advisers are of the opinion that lus lordship will he able to attend his diocese in about a month', Mr. Samuel Howard, of the Opera House, King street, has filed his schedule, failing for the sum of L7BO, letting the company in tor L 240. The Anniversary Regatta, which took place yesterday, was a great success. The weather was fine, the company on board the flagship was very large and fashion able, while the sport was good. The harbor was enfetc with the bright bunting displayed by all the shipping, including the A.S.N. Company’s vessels, and by men-bf-war, both English and French, at anchor neap Fort Denison!' jhe Inter colonial Delegates, accompanied by Sir Henry Parkes and Sir John Robertson, honored the regatta with their patronage.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

THE ASHBURTON SCHOOL SQUABBLE.

To the Editor. Sir, —After carefully perusing the re port of the School Committee meeting, which appeared in last evening's issue of thb'Gidmiid'R, It' seemed doubtful to me whether we were living in the midst of a Christian community or'whether vvp had suddenly ygWp»s4 % state of gemi barbarism, The eager and indecent haste to get rid of the schoolmaster, displayed by several of the Committee, manifested a spirit of ono-aidedness and injustice which is at once disgraceful to a New Zealand comtr'-aity and a sufficient proof that not qualified to discharge those duties which they have been called upon to discharge by a too confiding public. It is a true saying that “extremes meet,” and they did meet on Tuesday night with a vengeance. One member supports a motion with the view of taking immediate steps towards “ changing the schoolmaster,” urging as a reason that if three months are allowed to expire, the present master may be retained. Could anything sound more malicious, or better betray a iqofe utter disregard of. justice 1 or fair play ? If at the end of throe iuont}|a he should prove himself competent' td 'dja charge Ins duties properly, why, I ask, should he not be retained j While another

member (the chairman tohoot)seom3 either to have parted with his senses or imagined himself to bo the “ concentrated essence of the School Committee. ” If he sees that he has a strong case in favor of the schoolmaster, why not rather invite dis cussion, and have the matter thoroughly sifted, instead of trying to smother the subject by attempting to follow a course which is most arbitrary in its nature, and I think almost unprecedented since the in troduction of a free press and a free plat form ? By some cause or combination of causes, which certain members of the Committee do not understand or do not care to under stand, the Inspector’s last report was not so favorable as its predecessors, and the result of this match on the inflammable matter around us, is the hue and cry for dismissal without even the slightest pretence to justice, fair play, or ordinary manliness. Now, sir, if the Committee wish to prove themselves gentlemen in the true sense of the word and not mere partisans, they will make a careful and impartial inquiry into the causes which have brought about the present unhappy state of affairs, and, if I am not mistaken, the chief charge they will be able to bring against the master will be, that he did not complain earlier of the fearful disadvan tages under which he has labored during the last twelve months. In regard to the master’s literary quali fications as a teacher, even his bitterest enemies are compelled to admit that he stands high. What is required, then, for the school, sir, is not a change in the management at all, but more accommo dation for the constantly increasing num ber of pupils, and a more efficient staff of sub-teachers.

Permit me to say, in conclusion, that I admire the manly attitude which was taken by Messrs, liobertson and St. Hill at the meeting on Tuesday night; and in dealing with this question I trust that their colleagues will endeavor to suppress those feelings and impulses which are worthy only of the savage breast, and, so far as a civilised community is concerned, ought to have been buried with the past ages. Hoping you will insert this in the in terests of common justice. —I am, &0., Neutral. Ashburton, Feb. 10. To the Editor. Sib, —I observe that two of the members of the late Committee have voted for sitting in judgement on the efficiency of the head master at a special meeting to be held on Tuesday next. This appears to me to be inconsistent, if not vindictive, on their part, as when the Inspector’s report came before them in November last it was resolved to leave the matter entirely in the hands of the Board of Education, and wait the result of the next report from the Inspector of Schools. But now they think it necessary to express their opinions. Why did they not do so before, at the proper time ? lam no champion of the master’s, at the same time I do not believe in unfairness or unnecessary persecution. Does it not seem strange that up to the present time not a single complaint has been submitted to the School Committee in writing by any parent relative to the master’s inefficiency ? As to street talk, that goes for pothing. I sincerly hope, sir, that the present Committee will be guided purely by a desire to advance our large and important school, w'hich up to the present time (let the cauqe be what it may) has not been a success. —I am, A 0., Householder.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1881.



Special Advertisements. A THIELE’S ZWEBAK, or GER , MAN RUSKS, and Prepared ■ Floor, always on hand. 68a ANOTHER YEAR OF SUCCESS H^ t COMMERCIAL AND FANCY i', STATIONERY. The Undersigned has opened up a NEW . ASSORTMENT of the above. Cream, Dine, and Hand - made Notepapers ; , Ruled, Plain, Fancy, and Repp ditto. ' Good Bußmess Envelopes, No. 7, Courts ; Albert, Queen, Tinted, Repp, and 'i-others. Pens Gdlott’a, Mitchell’s, Brandauer and Co.’s Inks —Stephen’s y. Black, Walkden's Black and Colored, Antonine, Copying, &c. Workboxes, A liming. Books. - &C. ' h. m. Jones, STATIONERY AND FANCY GOODS '■' ■ DEPOT, ' East Strjskt and Baring Square. . : - 710 W ASTE PAPER for Sale, 3d. pet lb. at the Guardian Office



Special Advertisements. The best value FOR READY MONEY IS THE MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING MANUFACTURED BY THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, Which can he 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 Beat Value for Ready Money. Ashburton Branch EAST STREET. WM. SPARROW, 751* Manager. O. Carstens & Co. (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, rnOBACCONIST, FANCY GOODS, i. AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco Musical Instruments, etc., etc. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. BAST STREET, ASHBURTON. FO R S A L E, A real Bargain owing to the owner leaving the district, a substantially built 3-roomed HOUSE, with half an acre of ground attached. Apply, 96a POYNTZ & CO.



• • Toiaixv G^Boofe m- —lslington was visited on Wednesday by a mppe than usually heavy wind, and among other damkge it* completely destroyed the camera obscura, which was then on exhi» bition there.



Wanted. WANTED— A smart LAD to sell Bakers’ Small Goods. Apply. Office of tfiis Paper- QQa ‘ ANTED—TENDERSfor PAINT ING House for Mr. R. Lancaster. For specifications, apply to R. Bird, Burnetc street. 91a WANTED, a smart LAD as an apprentice. Apply, J. Meech, Cabinetmaker, Burnett street. 85a WANTED— A BOY to look after hordes and to make himself generally useful. Apply to Friedlander Bros. 75a WANTED MARRIED COUPLE, for Maronan, without incumber ances. Sian, odd jobs ; woman to cook for men. John Carter, Grove House, Tinwald. S2a WANTED KNOWN—VALENTINES! —Valentines ! Valentines ! St. Valentine’s Day next Monday. A large assortment of Valentines, to suit every body, at L. F. Andrewesj, East street, South. S3a



WANTED TO SELL Twenty-five SECTIONS, Wakanui Road. Apply to Patching, Tent-maker, East Street. 898 A N_ T E D. TENDERS for right of REFRESH MENT STALL in the Town Hall during the Industrial Exhibition, on March 17, 18, and 19. Tenders to be sent in by SATURDAY, Feb. 12, at noon. Full in formation on application to STEPHEN E. POYNTZ, 53a Hon. Sec. WANTED MU S 1 o'' KINO WN. 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. 80a WANTED KNOWN—The Largest and Best Stock of Saddlery is to be found at the shop of S. STEPHENS, Tinwald. Good strong Cart Collars from 135.; Cart Winkers, Bs. 6d.; Plough Back-bands. Os. cash ; Cart Saddles and Breechens, from' 50s.j Reaping' Machine Pole Straps, Ss. Fanners will 'make a great saving by buying of S. Stephens, Saddler, Tinwald. WANTED KNOWN. Ashburton REGISTRY OFFICE for Male and Female Servants. — L. F. Andrewes begs to inform the public of Ashburton and surrounding districts that he has opened the above. Male and Female Servants of all classes provided. Em ployers requiring servants, and all persons with good recommendations, who are in want of situations, are requested to apply to L. F. Andrewes, Labor Agent, Book seller, and Sbitioner, East street, South. I ;■ . 527 WANTED KNOWN—That a Church ‘ pf England ministers ivite pyrites 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, corner of Manchester and Tuam streets, Christ church ; Price—£9 10s. 700 WANTED KNOWN. SOMERSET LIVERY AND BAIT STABLES. JW. M‘RAE begs to inform the , public that he has taken the T,bovo Stables froip Mr, Bossenberg, aqd is making extensive repairs. '■ " ’ Buggies and saddle horses on hire. Lowest prices apd best attention. 852



Ecclesiastical -pTVANGELISTIC ADDRESS. A MEETING will be held at the Town Hall, Ashburton, THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING, At 8 o’clock,' When an ADDRESS (the last of the Series) will be delivered by the REV. C. MELVILLE PYM. A Collection will be made at the close of the meeting towards defraying the Sankey’s Hymns will be used. 84a Amusements. A J O. O. F., M. -“ U. LOYAL ASHBURTON LODGE, No. 6003. r. 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, ifith a Concert on the above date, when an ex cellent programme will be presented. Doors open at half-past seven ; concert at eight prompt. JOSHUA TUCKER, N.G. 76a R. MINNIS, Secretary. Partnership Notice. / TSSOLUTION OF PARTNER SHIP. JiAMPI-iD NOTICE is hereby given that the PARTNERSHIP hitherto existing be tween us as DOCTORS has this day been DISSOLVED by mutual; consent ;<nnd that for the future each of, iiß.,wi)l carry on the practice of his profession at Ash burton and elsewhere, separatelyw- Notice is also given that all debts due to the late firm are hereafter to be paid to Mr. W. H. Zpucb, who has been authorised Igy us to collect same, and whose receiptFfor same will be a sufficient discharge.; .I # Dated this 9tb day of February, 188 L JAMES E. TREVOR, ;, = W. G. PSCfeS; : Witness— GeeaXiD D. Branson, ‘ _ Solicitor, Ashburton. 88a



Public Notices. i •^TAKANUI ROAD B OABD. TAKE NOTICE.—The. VALUATION LIST of the Wakanui RoadUistrict, for the year 1881, is ; now Openfor.lnapec tion at the Ashburton Road Board Office, Ashburton. All OBJECTIONS;.thereto must be left at the Road Board Office, Ashburton, on pr before the day of Assessment Court; and a copy of every such objection must be : left Board Office, Asl}burtpn,vnot lesajjhan seven day's before the neit sitting ofllpj said Court., J EQQgS & SON, Surveyors, Ac. Jan. 15th, 1881. . ffla V. P UB L I O- -liji 4 E. The Assessment Courts for til'Road Districts of Wakanui, Longbeachi South Rakaia, Mount Huttj /Upper jAihWuSbn, Mount Somers, and the Borough of Ash burton, for the purpose of hearing and determining all OBJECTIONS to the Valuation List, of Lists, ..«£t the amd'dia* tricts and Borough, will’be held on the dates and at the places following, viz.:— Road District of South Rakaia, on 17th February, at South Rakaia Road Board Office, at 12 noon. Road District of Mount Somers, on 18th February, at Mount Somers Road Beard Office, at'l2 nopnf, ‘ Road District of Tippet 3rd "March', at VVester'field’ <Bos Board Office, at 12 noop. , ' Road ’ District'm - Lohgbeaphj on §th Marqh, at WiHo\yby Bpap4 Office, at 13 noon, Borough of Ashburton, on Bth March, at thp Resident Magistrate’s Ooupt* house, Ashburton, at 10 a.m. Road District, of Wakanui*' OU BtH March, at the Resident Magia* trate’s Courthouse, Ashburton, at 12 noon. Road District of Mount Hutt, on 11th March, at the Methven Road Board Office, at 12 noon. J. NUGENT WOOD, J udge. W. MARTIN, T Clerk Assessment Court. Resident Magistrate’s Court, \ Ashburton, sth February, 188 L , 66»



Jg XPORI OF GE A IJT. sipAsgifip.. SPECIAL NOTIOEf TO FARMERS. THE NEW ZEALAND LOAN""A’ND MERCANTILE AGENCY COMPANY (Limited.) Is prepared to make Liberal Cash Advances On GRAIN entrusted to its carp for shipment to, and sale in the Losd|m, Australian, and New Zealand markets. The Company does not purchase on its own account, but acts solely as Agent, luid as moreover all 'sales by its 1 Mark 1 Lana Brokers are carefully supervised by! an experienced staff, constituents may Test assurecj that their interests trill be care fully conserved, and fun' market obtained. * * Freight to England by first-class iron vessels has been arranged at Fifty Shil lings per Ton. Cornsacks supplied, if desired', atlowest ruling prices. Full information respecting terms, etc., may be obtained at the Company’s Offices, Cathedral Square, Christchurch. ; * JOHN COOKE, ; 92a Manager. WHEAT EREIQHTS TO ‘ LONDON 0 AND 1 HNITtO J KINGDOM - • FIFTY SHILLINGS BEE TON. ! THE NEW ZEALAND LOAN AND MERCANTILE AGENCY COMPANY (LIMITED), £ Has pleasure in informing Farmers that It has arranged with the New Zealand Ship* ping Company, for FREIGHT-ON WHEAT To London and the United Kingdom at Fifty Shillings per ton of 22401bs,and con fidently refers its Constituents to tw Just of first-class Vessels now Advertised, in the Daily Papers. - »- JOHN CGOKB, 93a , Manager. ITKEN’S PASTRY, CAKES, - are as good' as fcyfer. A Come' mid buy. A large assortment, of all Saturday. Aitsbn, Baker and Be#i3fd®ojH Siutidhrs! 1 ‘ ‘ 1 FUN AND FARCE | Odd-feUows'^Clia^vt.