SHIPPING.

POET OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. Monday. Benvenue ship, from Port Chalmers. Dinapore, barque, from Adelaide. Yesterday. Rotorua, 8.8., from Sydney, via North. Ocean Bird, ketch, from Pelorus Sound. Annie Melluiah, barque, from New castle. To-day. Stella, b.?. , from Wellington. Remington, barque, from London. Hawea, b.&, from Port Chalmers. Sailed. Yesterday. Rotorua, s.s., for' Melbourne, via Southern ports and Hobart. To-day. TTaWfla, a.a, for the North. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Sailed— -Australia, P.M. b.b. , for Sah Francisco ; Thames, for New York. Port Chalmers, Yesterday. Arrived —Te Anau, from the Bluff. ’ Sydney, Monday. Arrived—Arawata, from Russell.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

' AUCTION SALES. To-morrow, Thursday, May 26. J. T. Ford l and Cd.i at Wakanui—Live and Dead Stock, &c.; 11 o’clock. Saturday, May 28. Mr. Alfred Harrison, at his yards— Hotees, Farm Implements, &c; 12 o’clock. Mr. T. Bullock, at his Rooms, East street —Valuable Town and Suburban Pro perties. Friday, June 8. Matson, Cox, and Co —Farina, Live and Dead Stock, &o.; 12 o’clock, j Friday, June 10. . J. T. Ford and Co. , on the premises of Mr Earle, Wakanui—Valuable Farm, LiVe and Dead Stock, &0.; 12 o’clock:. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c ■- < 1 To-night, Wednesday, May 25. Lecture oh “ Hydropathy,” Town Hall, 7.80 p.m. ■ ; Friday, May 27. Amateur Dramatic Club, Town Hall, at 8 b;jfc * ' Monday, May 30. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Upper Ashburton Road Board —Meeting to-elect five new members, at the Road Board Office; at 10 a.m. . : Wednesday, June 1. County’ Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock. k . Monday, June 6. Newknd School Committee Monthly meeting. Meeting to elect Committee for the Waka- in the' Wakanui School room. Tuesday, June 7. Ashburton Permanent Building and-In vestment Society; Monthly Meeting, from 6.30 to 8.30 p;m. Wednesday, June 8. Masonic Concert, Masonic Hall, 8 p.m. -f • • Thursday* June 9. Mount Hutt Road Board, Monthly Meet ing. Saturday, June 11. Ashburton School Teachers’Association, Borough School, 2 p.m. :

TOWN EDITION.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas, et Praevalebit. WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 1881.

Political Address. —This evening Mr E. G. Wright will address the Coleridge electors at Springfield. ■ ’ Local Steeplechases. —The weights for the handicap open and the district event at this meeting are published else where. - .

Tenders. —Particulars of tenders in vited by the County Council and Waka nui Hoad Board will be found in our ad vertising columns. ; Quadrille Party. The Tinwald Quadrille Assembly will meet as usual on Friday, at 7 o’clock sharp. - Consultation. —Particulars of a con sultation by Mr Stapletcn on the Water loo Cup, to be run on the 21st prox., are published elsewhere. Building Sites. —Mr A. Harrison advertises a building site for sale. , Borough Council. —A special meeting of this body is advertised to ■be held on Monday next for the purpose of consider ing the. Burgess List. Football.— Owing to the small atten -1 dance of members of the Fire Brigade yesterday, the football match between the Club and the Brigade fell through. A scratch match between sides chosen by the Captain and Secretary, however, took place, there being a big muster of Club men. The play was very good, and the Captain’s side scored one goal and several tries to their opponent’s nil. The goal was one kicked from a drop-kick by Hodder. Practice takes place on Satur day next, and a match between the same sides is fixed for Wednesday. Lucky Fellow. —At the Wanganui . Steeplechases the treble victory of the Handicap Maiden and Grand Stand Steeplechase was scored by one jockey,. Keith, who had the mounts on Venture (winner of the double) and Mira. The stakes landed by him yesterday amount to 425 sovs. _ - , Railway Accident. —A train contain ing forty passengers ran off the south line yesterday at a crossing half a mile from the Dunedin main station. Several pas sengers were bruised a little, but other wise no damage was done. _ _ A Shooxist. —The Wellington Rifle Association Champion Belt was won by Lieut. Tait, of the Engineers. Missing.— Yesterday four youths named Brett (2), Amos and Hossack, left Christ church in a boat, on a pleasure excursion. They were subsequently seen at Sumner, noi; since, been, heard of. Farmers’ Ball. —A farmers’ ball (90k place last evening in the Wakanui Mill. There was an excellent attendance, and the whole , affair passed off in a most satisfactory manner. ■ Messrs Nettleton and M‘Laughlin provided the instrumen tal portion of the proceedings, and Mr Aitken was entrusted with the catering. It is needless to remark that the manner in which these duties were discharged met with general approval. Dancing was kept up till an early hour this morning. Good Templary at Tinwald.— At the usual meeting of the Dawn of Peace Lodge, 1.0.G.T., on Monday evening last, the lodge was visited by Bro. C. J. Hard ing, at present (he :only ■ member of the Right Worthy’Gfand Lodge in New Zea land. The visitor delivered an address, which was highly appreciated, and, at the conclusion thereof, a vote Of thanks was accorded. ‘

Erratum. We were incorrect in stating in our issue of Monday evening that a burglary had been committed' at Mr Stevens’, Tinwald the night previous. The breaking ; into -referred to occurred, at Hawkins’, bootmaker, and of the occur rence wo gather the following details About 6.20 a.m. on Sunday morning, Mr Hawkins and his brother were awakened by a crash of glass m the shop, but,regard ing it as the work of a stray horse, no notice was taken. At daylight it was dis covered that a pane of glass had (been broken in the front window, and a large stone being found therein showed it to bo a case of wilful destruction. Nothing was missed from the stock at first, but subse quently a pair of boots, which had been made to order am} placed, in the window awaiting the customer’s call, were found t!b be missing, j , , ■, • v , StEAtiso Wreckage. —At the Mongb nui (Auckland), R.M. Coprt, Sub'ritzAky,. of Awanui, was charged’ with- having un lawfully in his possession goods and pro pertybelonging to the. whale-ship James, wrecked at Awanui Heads a short time, ago, and fined'L2o,'costa L2, and ’LB for’ goods deficient.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE [per REUTER’s AGENCY. ] ' Numerous Amendments. London, May 23. -. The various amendments Already put down against clauses ,pf the-'lrish, Land Laws Bill for consideration in Committee in the House of Commons occupy forty-two pages of notice paper. Still Another. Thomas Brennan, secretary to the Land League, and a mercantile clerk in Dublin,' 'has been arrested upon a warrant issued by the Viceroy, under the provisions of the Coercion Act. The Sovereign Honors Her Subjects. Her Majesty the Queen hals conferred the honor of Knighthood upon , the Hon. C. Lilley, Chief Justice of Queens land ; Hon. James Prendergast, Chief Justice of New*; Zealand } and John Gorrie, Chief Justice of Fiji. The Grand Cross of St. Michael and St. George has, been conferred upon Sir Arthur Kennedy, Governor of Queens-: land, Sir F.' Dillon Bell, Agent-General for New Zealand, and the Hon. H. A. Palmer, Colonial Secretary for Queens-, land, are created Commanders, and the Hon. M. Fraser, Surveyor-General of South Australia, a Companion of the same Order.

Prince Leopold has been created Duke of Albany. Monetary and Commercial. - Consols remain unchanged at 102%; New Zealand securities without quot able change. Adelaide wheat, ex warehouse, 48s; Adelaide flour, - ex’ warehouse, 33s 6d ; New Zealand, 445; Australian tallow—best beef,. 34s 6d; best Australian leather, nd per lb. Another 0: MG. Among the list of gentlemen recently created Companions of the* Order of St. Michael. and St. George, is‘that of Mr W. A. Duncan, Collector of Customs, Sydney. * ’ Going for Candahar; Calcutta, May 23. Intelligence has been received from Afghanistan that Ayoub Khan has openly announced his intention of seizing Candahar. li is, however, re ported that such movement on his part 1 will meet with general resistance from the inhabitants of the city and surround ing districts. The Ameer Abdur Rahman is making active preparations for the struggle. AUSTRALIAN. [fee - rbuter’s agency.] Dropped Out. Adelaide, May 24. Caraballo has been . scratched ;for all engagements at the Adelaide Queen’s Birthday meeting. Progress Wins the St. Leger. The race for the Adelaide St. Leger was won by Progress. Sculling Contest. < Sydney, To-day. A sculling match took place yester day at Grafton, on the Clarence river, between Laycock and Rush. The former led throughout the race, and won by half a length. , NEW ZEALAND • [per press association.] The Comet. ,•; ApcKL.ANb, Yesterday. The passengers by the Rotomaharyx last night report that they saw in a south west direction, about ten degrees (jffiove the horizon, a little before 8 o’clock, a star which they took to be a comet. An Old Traveller. .George Coates, one of the oldest com mercial travellers in the New Zealand trade, was entertained by his fellow travellers at a dinner at the Star Hotel last night,’ prior to his depar ture for England. He was presented with an address bearing 42 signatures of representatives, of Australian and New Zealand firms. Gone to Join the Mormons. Several Mormons leave by the outgoing mail steamer. A Long Price. Auckland, To-day. ' The Stud Company has sold to the Hon. James White, of New South Wales, who is en route for England, the Silvia colt, by Musket, for 1,250 guineas. This is the largest price ever obtained for a foal.- Silvia’s first foal since the Stud Company bought her fetched 800 guineas. Petition on Wool Duty. The United States Consul has received a letter frpm Washington, acknowledging the receipt bi the petition of the Chamber of Commerce, Dunedin, re wool duty, and stating that the ’ petition would be laid before a Congressional Committee. Narrow, Escape, , , Rogers, a City Council employee, was standing on the platform of a crowded train coming from Papakura races yester day,-when a scuffle ensued between two Maoris, and one, Ngahu Thomson,: threw .Rogers from tho.train, which,was going at the rate of fifteen miles per Hour, yet, when tae train, was stopped and Rogers picked up, it was found that he had.sus tained only a - sprained wrist,, and was slightly bruised. Thomson was charged with tho offence at the Police Court, and was remanded. Fatal Accident. Dunedin, Yesterday. The death of Edward Tewsley, third. son of the late Henry Tewsley, occurred yesterday. • The deceased was a fine, promising lad of 16 years, and was in the employ of S.argood, Son, and Ewen. About half-past 5 o’clock last dvening some groans were heard coming fi’om.the bottom of a lift (a part of the cellar), and upon someone going to the place, dis covered that the young fellow had fallen from one of the upper floors. • He could not have been lying long there before he was found, and when picked up was in sensifce. Dr Burrows was immediately called in, and the lad was removed to his house, where he died at 7 o’clock, rer maining unconscious t 0.., the last., His injury, so far as ascertained, consisted of an extensive fracture of the..skiill. How he came to fall down the lift ia not known, and had it not been for his groaning, he would have remained unnoticed when the place closed. .. Won’t Run. , The Roalyn Tramway Company, by 1,728 votes to 1,048, refused to allow oars to be run on Sundays. ; Sariciculture. '. ' ‘ ' / Wellington, To-day. The Government‘sent by the last San Francisco mailan order, through Mr Creigh ton, for a large consignment of silkworVn eggs, cf green, orange, ari'd white cocoon varieties, and for a quantity of white mulberry trees', bn which for the -Worn l ) to feed. ' At’the'sanie’stme-Jan-' order was' sent to Sydney, for- 500- white mulberry trees, two years- old. * - The intention is to ■ establish silk culture' in ‘ New Zealand.’ The idea was initiated by Mr Foals, of the Survey Department, who is stated to be - an expert, in that industry, i Nolnsurance-' Invercargill, To-day.* i , A barn and stables owned by G. Brown; New River, were 'burned down last night. A lot of produce was destroyed. Tiie loss is estimated at L 260, and there- is no insurance. ; • 1 1 - *

SPORTING

. : 4- •-*>s£. N-Z- GRAND (NATIONAL STEEPLE CHASE MEETING. [BY OUR SPECIAIi REPORTER,] President —M.-Stuclholme. Yice-Presi dent-r-E. MenloVe, Stewards —F. Egan, T. A eland, T. Brittan,L. Walker, G. 'D. Dennistoun, F. J. Kimbell, E. Elworthy, S. A. Bristol, A. L. Barker, M. J. Godby, J. H. Paine, T. Tescheinaker, J. Braba zon, A. St. G. Hamersley, W. S. Lindsay, Hon R. .Campbell,- J. . O’Meagher, J.... Grigg, H. Maclean, C. Turnbull, A. E. Cox, H. Ford, C. N. Or.bell, C, H. Dowtl ing, J. Stephenson. Judge—M. Stud holme. Starter—o. N. Orbell. -Clerk of the Course—A. St. G. Hamersley. Clerk of the Scales —M. Mitton. Handicapper _E. Griffiths. Treasurer—Geo. F. Clulee. [A portion of the following appeared in an “ extra’-’ issued last night:—J. There was a good attendance at this annual cross country meeting, held Yesterday on the S. C. J. C. ’s grounds pear Timaru.' The weather' was -'fine. The following are the events and results New, Zealand Grand National Handi cap of 200 soys, with a sweepstake of 5 sovs each .for acceptors, to go to the second horse/ Nominations of 2 soVs to go to the fund. Distance, 4 miles. ’ Mr H. J. Lunn’s b g Clarence, aged, 12st 2lb ... ... (Bedge) 1 Mr P. Butler’s ch g The Agent, aged, 135 t... (Mr Lunn) .2 Mr T. Lyford’s b g Winfield (late Thilo),.aged, list slb (Owner) 0 Mr L. Marky’s g gMousetrap, aged, lOat 121 b (Mr Cullen) 0 Mr T. Sheenan’s b g Shark, aged, lOst ... (Owner) 0 Mr T. Foster’s b g Sailor Boy, aged, 12st 61b, (ran second) (Poole) dsq Blush Rose was the only absentee. The Agent was made the favorite, with Ciarence and Sailor Boy next in demand. The ring, however, _was. very poorly re presented, and very, little ’ betting took place. At the fall of the nag, Sailor Boy, Clarence, and Winfield, went to the front, closely followed by Mousetrap, Agent, and Shark, in the order named. Sailor Boy led over the first jump, agorsefence, and proceeded to take the double in com pany with Winfield. The first fence of this was got over by all, but Winfield baulking at the second set the field astray, and The Agent sailing on was the first to, come into view, closely followed by Clarence and Sailor Boy. The others got over, but at the post and rad double repeated their previous performance, and Shark and Winfield retired. Mouse trap, however, set sail in pursuit, having ip view the many probable mishaps. The Agent was the first over the stone wall, Clarence some four lengths behind, and Sailor Boy three lengths off Tim latter struck very heavily, and nearly unseated Powell,' whose horseman ship was certainly anything but praise worthy. The double across the road followed and here again Powell was nearly, off Mousetrap, on getting to this jump, 1 refused, and dropped out of it. The order was unchanged until the double at the bottom of the course was negotiated, when Sailor Boy ran up to and passed Clarence. They came on in this order, The Agent and Clarence jump ing the stone wall for the second time splendidly, but Sailor Boy striking very heavily nearly came to grief. Clarence here ran alongside Sailor Boy, but after the double had been got over, dropped in the rear. The order was unchanged until the, second jump from home, was reached, Sailor Boy, , however, at the jump, previously running around the fence-instead of going .over-it. Here The Agent, who looked a certain winner, came down a cropper, throwing Lunh, his rider, apd stunning him. Sailor Boy came on, aiid it appeared “ All Lombard street to a China orange ” on his winning it, but Hedge, after getting over the last jump,, a sod fence* called on' Clarence,: and; the little bay responded gamely. ‘ He rapidly overhauled Sailor Boy, and a neck, artd neck struggle ensued inside the ‘rails, Hedge succeeded in landing Clarence a winner by half a length. The winner was loudly cheered on . weighing in, There were in all about thirty jumps in the course. After Hedge had'Weighed in, he started in 'pursuit of The Agent, and, having recovered him, completed the course, .and was awarded second place, Sailor Boy being disqualified for running outside the fence referred to.. There were 293 .‘subscribers in the totalisator, 48 of these having invested on' the winner. . ■ - The following table shows the winners of the Grand National Handicap since the establishment of the race in 1876:

Maiden; Plate of 100 sovs, with a sweep stake'of 5 sovs each (for acceptors),, to go to the second horse; weight for age;:’,two miles. Mr F. St James’s b c Quamby, 5 yrs, list 121 b (Mr Cullen) 1 Mr T. Foster’s b g Sailor Boy, aged, 12st 31b ... ... (Joyce) 2 Mr A.' MeAlpin’s ch m Stella, aged, ' 12st 31b ... ... (Lyford) 3 Mr M. O’Brien’s b h Marvel, aged, 12st 31b ... ... (Brebner) 0 . Kosciusko was scratched. ;_ • • t , A grand struggle took place up the straight at the. finish, Quamby being the ■first to catch the judge’s eye, the decision being in his favor by a short head. Ll2O in the totalisator, 41 on the winner. Hunt CiiUß Cup, of 150 sovs, with a sweep stake of 5 sovs each (for acceptors), to go to the second horse. Weight for age. The winner of the Grand National Handicap to carry 141bs , penalty. Three miles. Mr P. Butler’s ch g The Agent, aged, 12st 31b ... ~. (Mr Lunn)w.o. Quamby and Clarence were scratched, and Agent walked over for the stakes. Consolation Handicap of 50 sovs, added to a sweepstake of 2 sovs each (for acceptors); nomination, 1 sov, to go to the fund; two miles. Mr T. Lyford’s b. g Winfield (late Tliilo), aged, 12st ...(Lyford) 1 Mr A. MeAlpin’s ch m Stella, aged, lOst (Joyce) 2 Mr L. Marky’s g g Mousetrap, aged, 10st 71b (Sheenan) 0 Stella and Mousetrap were out of it from the start, the former falling at the. post and rails, and the latter declining to negotiate the double near the stand. Winfield' won as he liked. 57 investors, out of - a total of Ll9O, were on the winner. - LOWER HEATHOOTE RACES. At'this meeting yesterday,-the follow ing were the results of the events run : Handicap Steeplechase—Beer, Tax, 1; •Native,,2 ; Johnny 3 ; two others started. "Maiden Steeplechase—Bijou, 1 ; For saken,' ! 2 ; May ’Flower, 3 ; four others ■also" ran. Trotting Handicap—Polly, 1; Peter, 2 ; Magic, 3 ; there were six other starters. Birthday 1 ; r Johnny, 2 ; Foul Play,, j . tivp others started. The Hack Race was won by Polly, and the Hurry Scurfy by ; Pinafore. PAPAKURA'%EEItINa ; 1 This meeting was held yesterday, the winners being as follows Hiitidicap 'Hurdle EfiOe, : Mdrnifa& V Star; FMatkti '

second ; Papakaura Grand DachA|R ; Railway Haidieifp, \ Rat catcher ; Consolation Race/Tjflagic. . WANGANUI STEEPLECHASES. , Handicap Steeplechase, of 250 sovs.; 3 miles—Venture, 1;V King Don, 2 ; Ghandler,3. 'There were seven other starters, Venture winning rather easily. . Hack Steeplechase, of 10 sovs.— Garry-a-awa. , Maiden Steeplechase, of 100 sovs.— Mira, 1 ; Sunray, 2 ; St. Svvithen, 3. Won by a length. Grand Stand Steeplechase, -of 75 sovs. —Venture, 1 ; Eclipse, 2 ; Lone .hand, 3. Won anyway. Consolation Handicap, of 40 sovs.— Grey Momus, 1 ; Czar, 2. Won by half a length. ‘ DUNEDIN BIRTHDAY MEETING. Handicap Hurdle Race, of 40 soys. ; 2 miles ' Isaac, 1; Mackay’s Robin Hood, 2 ; McMaster’s Eovnance, 3. Three others ran ; won with any amount iii hand, i ■ Maiden Plate of 30 sovs, 1| miles McLean’s Legerdemain, 1;* George’s Boughleen Dhoun, 2 ; Kirby’s Mameluke, 3. The were seven starters ; won easily. Queen’s Birthday Handicap, of 100 sovs, Ijr miles—-Bate’s The Poet, 1 ; M'Lean’s Lady Emma, 2 ; Bate’s- 1 Hilda, 3. Won by a neck, after a'game struggle with Lady Emma. Time—2min 50sec. Atlantic, Jasper, and Sylvanus were the other starters. Handicap Trot.—Native Cat, 1 ; Vic tor, 2. Novel Race of 00 sovs, 1-L miles— Dolly Barwon, 1; Swede, 2 ; Swagsman, 3. Palyboy also ran. Tradesmen’s Handicap, of 50 sovs, 1 mile and a distance—Lunn’s Coldstream, 1; George’s Atlantic, 2 ; Bate’s Hilda, 3. Atlantic cut up roughly, and Hilda fell, leaving Coldstream to win as he liked. Consolation Handicap of 40 sovs— Bale’s Hilda,. I. ; |■; ,;• ; ■ • ASHBURTON STEEPLE CHASES. The following weights were posted last evening, at the Commercial Hotel : ASHBURTON HANDICAP.

E. Griffiths, Handicapper.'

LATE EUROPEAN NEWS.

[Per s.s. Australia, at Auckland.]-;

London, May 16. rr

The Admiralty has given permission tp the Bacchante, to remain in : Melbourne from May 20th to June Ist, and in Sydney from June 6th to 16th. She is then 'to: proceed to Auckland. General Ignatieif’s appointment as Minister of the Interior in Russia and the, renewal of a repressive policy by the'Czar has created an impression. throughout Europe unfavorable to Russia. ... London, May 17. A daring Fenian: outragei has been per petrated at Liverpool. An attempt was. made to blow up the police station by a dynamite bomb, and the explosion was a terrific one, and was heard all over the city. Fortunately no lives were sacrificed, but considerable injury Was dohe to the station. ; The windows were all smashed 1 by the concussion, and the building was otherwise damaged. The perpetrators of the outrage have not been discovered. A strike of Chinamen has occurred on the Pacific Railroad. Two thousand struck work for higher wages. In the State of Nebraska serious rioting has taken ’place. ’■

FIJI NEWS.

[Per Southeen Cross, at Auckland.] Auckland, Yesterday. The s.s. Southern Cross has arciye.d from Fiji. • The Governor has gone to Rotumah to complete the annexation of that island. A lady has given birtli to triplets. F. Strange and his son Frederck, ‘the owners of a small : vessel,, have been drowned. The copra in the hold caught fire, and they beached the vessel on a reef at the inland of Bakanai In attempting to land, the dingy was capsized, and the unfortunate men were drowned.

GOOD TEMPLAR ENTERTAIMENT.

Last night the members of the Star of the Bast Lodge of Good Templars in the Ashburton district celebrated their seventh anniversary by a tea meeting in the Templar Hall. The Good Templar Order in the district is at present in a very flourishing-position, and within the. last two years .no less than. five new Lodges have been established in different parts of the County. The Star of the East is the parent Lodge of the district, and has had a very successful history, and has been instrumental in doing a great amount of good in the special mission it has adopted, in “reclaiming the fallen and, saving others from falling.” It at present numbers some fifty members, and its strength is steadily on the increase. The weekly meetings are held on Saturday evenings, and are; usually of a most agree able and attractive character. The anni versary has always been celebrated on the evening of tlie-Queen’s Birthday, and the tea meetings then held have invariably been a success. Last night’s meeting was no exception, and long before the time for opening it was' evident that the little Templar Hall was altogether too limited for the number of people it would be re quired to accommodate. About 200 persons, young and- old, altogether, were supplied with tea, purvejed by Mr A; O. Aitken, and dispensed by the sisters of the Lodge. The Hall had been gorgeously, decorated for the occasion by Bro, St. Hill and assistants, and its appearance was brilliant in the extreme—evergreens with : a wealth of chyrsanthemums; from Mr St. Hill’s well-known garden, being every where ‘visible. After tea the hall was arranged for the entertainment that followed. Bro. Isaac Scott was chairman, and delivered one of his characteristically earnest addresses on temperance, while the Rev. Mr Keall, the Rev. Mr Nixon, and Mr J. Wallis also spoke on the same subject. , 1 The musical programme was. unusually good, and comprised songs by some well-known amateurs t in their usual excellent style. .We must notice the singing of Mrs Nixon, a lady whose sweet voice and tasteful expression we hope frequently'to hear in Ashburton. The accompaniments to the songs were gracefully played by Miss M. Murray. At the close the usual votes of > thanks were given. Notwithstanding the terribly crowded state of the hall the audience, many of Whom had to be content with exceedingly uncomfortable accommoda tion, displayed the very best of humor. ,

Dunedin Young Men’s Christian v Association.

‘pf (communicated. ) ;; I was pleased the oth§,r day, .lyheli visiting Dunedin, to find imopg its-Othpr, improvements that the Association above-' named has had a building. pf its own erected entirely for Association purposes.. It faces the grounds of the First and is in every respect a credit to the city The premises are substantially built of blue stone and Hubbart’a patent brick, and the internal arrangements are all that could be desired. The general.secretary, (Mr D.' Wright) kindly furnished me with the following particulars, which may interest your, readers :—ln May 1878, the Rev; Dr Somerville made an eloquent appeal on behalf of the Young Men’s Association, which resulted in promised donations of over L 1,600, five gentlemen offering LIOO each for the erection of suitable rooms ; and, although Dunedin has suffered commercially since that date, nearly all the friends who promised have paid their donations. The building is arranged; as follows On the base ment floor there are two excellent class-rooms and the heating apparatus, ; and a gymnasium is about . to be erected for the benefit of members of the' Association and others. On the ground floor there is a lecture hall, which accommodates about 200 people, and a retiring-room. Upstairs there is the secretary’s room, a well-fur nished parlor, a chess-room, and a very large/’ comfortable, well-lighted reading room and library. The rooms are all, well ventilated,* qnd the ceilings about 16 feet fr6m the floor, “Tlie work in which the Association is atf present engaged is , to a large extent of a’ devotional charac-' ter, such as meetings for prayer, Bible classes, Ate., etc.; but a large amount of work -is just being planned for the winter months. A considerable num ber of well-known clergymen and laymen, of known ability have consented to' lecture on popular subjects ; a class for studying elocution commences in June ; also, ft class for' music and one for studying on asystemalicplan the Christian evidences. The young men have agreed to conduct a Sunday evening service for young men And others who do not attend any place of worship, and they have also resolved to arrange for the distribution of tracts throughout the city. A ihdhthly con versational meeting, 1 open to all young men, is held to discuss public questions of a social and political character; and once everymonths the members meet to confer about fresh work', and for the encouragement of one another generally. There is of course an active Board of Management ; but without a paid official we do not think such a undertaking could well succeed. The rooms are largely used by the members themselves, and by young, men from the neighboring colonies, and from all parts of the world. All young men visitors and strangers are invited to the rooms, which are open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p. m.

A STRANGE BED

(Continued.)

On the > kidding were; three doors. Passing the first two, we entered, the third, at the. end of, .the. passage."' It was a room of better appearance . than I had expected. True, the walls were whitewashed, the well-worn carpet only half covered the floor, and the furniture was scanty, in cluding, .besides the bed, only, one chair, a dressing-table, and a wash stand ; still, everything looked fresh and clean, and there was an air of homely country comfort about it that pleased me. The solitary chair was a spacious armed one, covered with .chintz—one of those easy old-fashioned chairs which seem to invite one with open arms to take a seat in their soft laps—arid the bed, an antiquated four poster, with faded green hangings trim med with yellow braid> promised to justify all the eulogiums of its proprie tor. With its snowy sheets, large square pillow, and warm knitted cover let, it looked a most inviting resting place for a weary man. The very sight of it appeared to act on my as a soporific;' I felt-so? drowsy that I ciould hardly keep my eyes open as I glahCea found the room. ,

‘ Have you everything you require, sir ? Can Ido anything more for you ?’ enquired my host, as he stood near the door, with his head a little on one side, slo.vly rubbing ; his (hands, .and re garding me with his bland, perpetual smile.

‘ Nothing more. Call me in the morning at about six.’ ‘ Very good sir. There is a lock to your door, and a bolt also,’ he added, as he was passing, through. , * All right. Good night; ’ and, stretching my arms and giving a tre mendous yawn, I transferred the pistols from my pocket to the dressing table before the window.

Just then the landlord, who was not fairly out of the room, returned. ‘ I beg your pardon, sir; I want to see if the window’s fastened properly. If it. aint, it rattles when the : wind blows; ’ and, calling to'Joyce, who was outside, to hold the light, he leaned over the dressing table, fumbling with the hasp of the casement. As I stood aside, unfastening my neck-tie, the girl, glancing at her master, whose back was turned, took a step towards me, raised her lips to my ear, and whispered rapidly— ‘ Don’t go to bed yet, and don’t lock your door.’ ‘There’s all—fast ; now,’ said her master the next moment, giving the casement a pull to test it; ‘arid now I wish you a good night, sir, and a sound sleep—but that you are sure to have in the Green Bed.’ And, smiling to the last, he disappeared. ‘ Don’t go to bed yet, and don’t lock your door.’ I repeated the sentence mechani cally, standing astounded where they had left me, with my neck-tie in my hand.

I was wide awake now-—that mys terious whisper had roused me as effectually as a douche of cold water wide awake, and particularly uncom fortable. What did it mean ? Did the girl suspect her master’s honesty? Had I fallen among thieves —or worse? I turned hot and cold at the thought. Involuntarily my hand , wept into the breast-pocket of my coat; arid I drew a breath of relief at finding the precious pocket-book still safe. But the girl’s warning, if warning it was, was un intelligible ; what did she mean by bidding me not to lock my door? I puzzled over it till I was completely bewildered and more .uncomfortable than ever ; .t(h£n 'the (thought occrirred to me that there might be another con cealed entrance to the room,* and l , taking up the candle, I proceeded to reconnoitre my quarters. I first inspected the door-ya,remark ably strong one, with iron clamps, and

tiQt-otiMlflip6felSpk but a heavy bolt as theh I went to the window/: which looked out upon the yard,;at the side 1 of the house, and was a casement opening all in one piece like a dbor—plainly it would be im possible to open it from the outside without employing force. I next went roun4 the walls, tapping them to find if they sounded hollow anywhere; no, they were composed of good solid honest bricks and mortar. Then I turned up the loose carpet, to make sure that no trap-doors were *in "the' floor. Finally, after ascertaining at a glance that there was neither cupboard or fireplace in* the -room, -1- examined the much vaunted Green Bed; somehow had become an objept. of vague suspicion to it, under it—l could not look behind it, as it stood close, against tfie,, wall— / got on to the chair to satisfy myself f that there was no mattrass on. the . top to descend and smother rne, as I had 7, read in sofiie traveller’s tale—sniffed thb ‘ pillow, which was 1 reddent of no stupefying drugs, bat had the whole some smell of the grass on which its ■tover had been dried, and ivith a' ‘ half laugh at myself for the precaution, turned down the clothes Jto make sure that no diabolical machine was secreted between the sheets. No ; the bed was what it appeared to be—a comfortable country bed, and nothing more. My citadel was impregnable, and whoever wished to attack me must Come through the keyhole to do it I was so much reassured by this dis covery that I felt inclined to laugh at ’ my late fears. No doubt the girl Joyce . was deranged;' as her master had said, v and as her own strange looks and ways seemed to testify, and this was raeteljl cne of her ‘ odd notions ’; in that case I need alarm myself no farther. Still, I could not bring myself to disregard her warning altogether, so I compro mised the matter by resolving that I would leave the door unlocked for half an hour or so, and watch ; then, if nothing happened, I would just lock and bolt it, put'the my pillow, and* the pistol -Within reach of my hand, and turn into bed. So, settling myself comfortably into the arnvehair, I prepared to watch. ~ . It was a remarkably comfortable, chair, and now that I was na longer in motion, the old drowsiness: returned more heavily , than ever. Before the fipt five minutes of my solitary vigil had expired, I found myself nodding, now sideways, now forwards; starting up now and then with a jerk that almost dislocated my fuff jading.* forward again, to wake next moment in the middle pf \an

snore. ■ , 7 , , i , \ At last, after dozinggqd waking for ten minutes or so, an<3 grqjving more,: deadly drowsy every moment, I began to cast longing-eyes -at the* bed-treat’ me, Hojy teaming, jt warm coverlet and soft pillow 1 Could I not watch just as well in a horizontal position ? ? *»T- "WoVtlcf n4t? bfed,’ no; but;might I Hut just stretch my- ! self on it for a few‘moments? ; I'was *• conscious of these but so . - stupefied with, sleep that 1 was not con scious'of having acted, upon ; them till I foundrayself stretched upon the bed, my . limbs sinking in its soft'’embraces, my head resting oil its snowy pillow, with its faint fragrance of grass and clover,; suggestive of summer Sir ’and sunshine.’ ‘ By a preternatural effort 1 managed to keep my eyes' open for ' about three minutes ; then they slowly Closed, and my thoughts began to wand'er vaguely. I was on the rnopr again,, shut in by , the ever-descending White curtain; then Joyce’s pale face seemed to drift; past me with-the drifting snow; then 1 1 1 myself drifted away, and was lost in a. sea of oblivion. '

I suppose my sleep lasted half an • hour or so,..when I woke with a violent start to find a hand on my shoulder and a white face-bent over my own. As I unclosed my lips to'' speak,' she laid her, hand on them. ’ ‘ Hush. ’ I struggled into a sitting posture and looked at her; the confusion of vague alarm and shdden awakening j were upon me, and at first I almost’ fancied she was part of a dream. ‘ What is it? What do you frant ? ’ I whispered. As she ,paused for a moment, listen- . ing tasome fancied noisieS down-stabs,. I could distinctly hear the beating of her heart. She bent her heat} again, and put her lips close to my ear. * I want to save you from a dreadful death ! ’

I could not speak, I could only ask with my eyes what she meant. Look ing straight into them, her face, but a few inches from mine, she whispered— -IDo you remember what-the master said just now ? “ Those that sleep in the Green Bed always sleep sound." ’

I nodded. She smiled^—a smile that made me shiver.

‘Aye, they sleep sound enough, for they never wake.” ‘ Good heavens 1 What—— ’ She put her, hand to my lips again. ‘ Hush 1 I cannot tell you; I s will show you. Come.’

I was off the bed in a moment; She took me by the wrist—the touch of her icy fingers chilled my veins—and, faking,the candle in her band, led me from *the room to the landing outside. Noiselessly opening the door of the chamber next to mine, she signed to me to enter.

It was of about the same size as that I had just left, and was apparently used as a lumber-room, as it contained" ! no furniture but a dismantled bedstead,' a rickety table, and one or two, broken ~ chairs. In the wall which divided it from the room I had occupied were the folding doors of a large cupboard, about four feet wide, opening at about as many feet from the floor, and extending to within a few inches ’of the ceiling. Setting down the candle on the table, Joyce opened the doors, which were / not locked, and disclosed an unusually t shallow cupboard; its depth little more ■ than the thickness of the wall, without any shelves; and containing nothing but a large heavy, thickly stuffed pillow dr cushion. She removed it—l saw her shudder as she touched it—and then putting her hantLloanangLeof - at the back of the clipboard, revealed :. that It was no wall, but.a door. On pressing a spring it . .opened, inwards, leaving an aperture as large as the cup board itself, through Chichi saw, Waif * lost in the shadow, the room I had

'just left; “ / Jojrce' 'tritri.n^ed,iHe. ! aind. raised it ;* : and'then I made a discpviffy ; whjc$ i ;','| ■startled me The,dQ9iwas»inf*ct,;th l e i back of the bed on which I had beetl e

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY MAY 25, 1881.



Year. Horse. Rider. Weight. Betting. 1876 Royalty Mr Mavtelli St. IO lb. 0 6 to 1 1877 Fakir S. Osborne 10 5 7 — 1 1878 Mousetrap P. M'Goy 11 4 -3—1 187Q The Agent W Hankins 12 7 2 — I 1880 The-Agent MrH. Lunn 12 7 2 — I 1881 Clarence F. Hedge 12 2



st. lb. st. lb Agent ... 13 0 Shark 10 5 Clarence ... 12 2 Lonehand 10 0 Quamby ... 11 8 ' Koscuisco 10 0 Fakir ... 11 4 Stella 10 0 DISTRICT HANDICAP. Raven .. 11 7 1 Lonehand... 11. 0 Whynot .. 11 7



IJRAYELLBRS’ guide.



Trains Leave Ashburton nob Christ church and intermediate stations at 6 am., 10.30 am., and (Express) 5.48 p.m. Trains Leayb Ashburton Noe Timaru and South, at 7 am., 10.36 am. (Ex press), and 4.50 p.m.—the latter pro ceeding, no farther than Timaru. T&axss Abuts’ at Ashburton prom Christchurch at 10 24a.m. (Express), 4.56p.m., and 7.50 p.m. Trains iAreiYe ax Ashburton from Timaru and SdUxH at 10.15 am., 5.34 p.m. (Express), and 8.15 p.m.



jyjTR W. H. SPAOKMAN’S Offices are now in Canterbury Chambers, Here ford street, Christchurch, next Miles and Co,, having REMOVED from Messrs Wynn, Williams, arid Deacon’s. 335 a Y T *•' . ■ ' - > : - ' . . H E NE W ZEAL AN D Clothing Eactory. ASHBURTON BRANCH. NOTE THE BRANCH .ADDRESS—' •i 369a* Branch Maoag



Wanted. ANTED—A iGeneiffIKsERYANT, where two imildrellpire h ept. Ap ply, Office of this Paperl , . 840 a 'ANTED to Purchase—SECTlONS Prebblelon or South Belt preferred. Cash. State price. H, Lockett, P.O. 887 a ANTED KNOWN—The Tinwald Quadrille Assembly will as semble the same as usual on FRIDAY Evening next, at 7 o’clock sharp. By order of the Committee. 884 a WANTED —The person who borrowed a pair of Boots from my window on Sunday morning to call and get the laces. C. Hawkins, Bootmaker, next the Blacksmith’s, Tinwald. r 885 a VTTANTED '— A PARTNER, with W small capital, to farm an unim proved freehold. For particulars apply to W. H. Gundry, or W. 8., Box No. 1, P. 0., Ashburton. 801 a w N E D . TENDERS for PLOUGHING 100 Acres of Laud, with the option of taking 200 Acres, within three miles of Ashbur ton ; near the water. Tenders to be sent to the undersigned by SATURDAY, 28th inst. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. For particulars, apply to HAY T. SMITH, 839 a , Ashburton Farm. w N E D . TENDERS for PLOUGHING 200 Acres skim-ploughed Land; to be ploughed six inches deep for v heat. There is a good hut for men, and good stables and paddocks for horses on the ground. Tenders to be sent in by THURSDAY, 2€th inst., and the work to be completed within one month. Tenders, to be addressed “ Farmer/’Office of this Paper.' 484 a WANTED KNOWN—That W.' Fergib’s EXPRESS runs to and from Tinwald Twice Daily. Goods con veyed at most reasonable rates. Orders left at Jephson’s Store, Tinwald, or W. Patching’s, Ashburton, will be promptly attended to. ■ 760 a AN TE D KNOWN That HENRY’S PORTRAIT BOOMS, Saunders’ Buildings, East street, Ash burton, are open DAILY, from 9 a.m. till Bp.m. Portraits taken in any weather. Great Reduction in Price. : 101 a W“ ANTED KNOWN—That Miss Verbali is now showing her Winter„Stock of Millinery, Drapery Ac. Stay and Corset Manufacturer. Dressmaking done on Premises, Colombo street, opposite Cookham House. 630 a ANTED KNOWN—That the “ Crown Lands Guide ” (No. 3), Newj Zealand Gazette, Parliamentary Papers, and all other Government Publi cations can be obtained by applying at Office of this Paper. , WANTED KNOWN—That John Moison (late in the employ of Mr Nealas) has opened business in Fowler’s Buildings, Tancred street, where all descriptions of Boots and Shoes can be made to order. Having had large ex perience both at Home and in the colonies, J. M. feels confidence in soliciting a share of public support , . . 768 a .Special Advertisements. ■\TOTIOB TO FARMERS AND OTHERS IN THE DISTRICTS OP ASHBURTON AND EAKAIA On and after this date our BUSINESS in the above districts will be under the MANAGEMENT of Mr William Horne. P. CUNNINGHAM & CO., Grain Merchants. Christchurch, May 3,1881. 717 v O. Cars tens & Co., (Late Weston’s), . PROSPECT BUILDINGS, mOBACCONIST, FANCY GOODS, |. AND STATIONERY. : Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes Nailrod, , Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco : A nice assortment of Accordions, Con certinas, Flutes, Violins, Mouth Organs, and Toys of every description, direct from Home. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing, BAST STREET ASHBURTON. 527a* Encourage local enter prise, & KEEP THE MONEY IN THE PLACE. WANTED—IO,OOO customers to Pur chase 100,000 Envelopes and upwards (just arrived). 1,000, 7s 6d ; 6,000, 6s 9d per 1,000, for Cash. Pianos. Pianos, Harmoniums, and American Organs for sale on deferred payments, from 30s per month. ' 11. M. JONES, Stationer and Bookseller, East street and Barinr Sauare. 865 a Hayes’ |JI IMB B R Y ARDS. Balance of Short Firewood sold at auction sale will be SOLD CHEAP, for cash, in order to clear it. ALPHEUS HAYES. FRESH SUPPLIES of TIMBER, &c., to hand. 608 a John Meech, PRACTICAL CABINETMAKER, UPHOLSTERER, Ac., BURNETT STREET, Opposite the Mov'd Office. Cheapest House in Town for New and Secondhand Furniture. , All kinds’ of Furniture repaired or ex changed. GOOD PRICE GIVEN FOR SECOND HAND FURNITURE. B^9 George St. Hill, JJUILDER AND CONTRACTOR Burnett street, Ashburton. Flans prepared dud'Estimates given at the lowest rates. i i (Terms as may be arranged. >.m i 409 a



BOYS’ AND YOUTHS CLOTHING. WE hare, on account of holding too large a Stock, Reduced the Prices of our Boys’ and Youths’ Tweed, Suits and Overcoats. Intending pur chasers will save money by giving us a call. EVE RET T- BROS.. Havelock street. 822 a N O TI 0 E TO FARMERS. j The Undersigned can SUPPLY Prime Samples of SEED WHEAT on favorable terms. P, CUNNINGHAM & CO., 870 a Ashburton. O R SALE. ALFRED HARRISON has for sale, a really beautiful BUILDING SITE. 1 ACRE, Fenced with posts and rails and planted. This Section, which faces the Belt and corner of Winter’s road, has a frontage of over 6 chains, is within ten minutes’ walk of ,Post office, there being a road through the Domain directly to it, and situated as it is at the very highest' corner of the township, offers perhaps the finest building site in township in the district. Terms very easy. Apply, ALFRED HARRISON, 889 a - Auctioneer. BOUNTY STEEPLECHASES. FRIDAY NEXT, MAY 27. A SPECIAL TRAIN will leave Ash burton for the Racecourse at 12 o’clock, and return immediately after the races. J. C. BELL, 892 a Sec. A.R.C.



NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.



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



Deaths of old Friends.— News has been; received 'at Sydney that ;am prig those who perished -at burning of the Opera House at NfceVqre three members of the well-known Kennedy family. Their names were—Jas. Kennedy, aged twenty three ; Kate Kennedy, nineteen ; Lizzie 1 Kennedy,, seventeen. They - were the Children of .David Kennedy, the: Scotch vocalist; who some time since made a pro fessional tour off the colonies, ■ s :f .' ■! <