SHIPPING.

PORT OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Atlantic, schooner, from Dunedin. Annie Melhuish, barque, from New castle. Cutty Sark, schooner, from Wellington. To-day. Hawea, s.s., from Wellington. Rotomahana, s.s., from Melbourne, via Hobart and the South. WakSKptii s.s , from Sydney, via Wel ington. - - Sailed. . Yesterday. Penguin, s.s., for Wellington. To-day. Hawea, s.s., for Akaroa and Dunedin. Rotomahana, s.s., for Northern Ports. Wakatipu, s .s., for Port Chalmers. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Sailed —Qfiffiji, for Admiralty Islands ; Lizzie Guy, for Oamaru ; Loch Urr, for London. Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived —Hawea, from Nelson ; Jane Douglas, from Kaikoura. Timaru, Yesterday. Arrived —Nightingale and Enterprise, brigantines, from Kaipara. Poet Chalmers, Yesterday. Arrived—ElizaFrith, barquentine, from Greymouth; Eliza Mary', barquentine, from Hokianga ; Arawata, from the North.

COMMERCIAL.

gTkmdoa Seed Market* jjf j jj! r jJ y.l r ' jl ' * j. t i. ■ Messrs* John Shaw and Sons, of 37, Market Lane, London, E.C., report that the seed trade for the fortnight ending Jan. 27tb was almost at .a stand-still owing to the excessively severe weather prevailing during that period, and until’ that changed nothing probably would be done. English red clovers were being offered jrlass freely; fine, samples making more mifaiey. |_ AJiericfh quotations were coming 5 " firm. 'Alsyke tended upwards. Choice white clovers continued scarce; lucerne, dearer ; trefoil, unchanged ; rye grass, steady ; spring tares, owing to im peded navigation, in short supply, prices consequently advancing; canary and hemp still remarkably cheap. There was an increased sale for oatmeal, haricots, lentils, peas, and other similar cheap articles, of .foodi- ■

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows: For Christchurch and North at 5.30 a. m. 10 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsoy &c., at 10 a, m. and 5 p. m. dailv. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine* at IP,a.in. 4»%- ; .* For Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., daily. For Timaru and South, at 6 a.m., 10 A. m., and’4.2o p.'m., daily. - For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a m. For Ashton, Waterton and Longboach, 4.30 p.m. daily. For Wakanui, Elgin, Seafield, New land, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6 a. m. Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office—

From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.25 a.m., 4.35 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. From Chertsey, &c. at 10.25 a. m. daily. Frortt.lj>uuedin and intermediate places at 5.35 p.m. daily. Fr»m Temuka and Timaru at 10.15 a»m. 5.35 p. m., and 8,15 p. m. daily. From Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. FroM Ashton, ! "VVaterton, and Long beach at lb aim. daily." From Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, New land, and .KyLe, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 4 p’m.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Saturday, March 19. Mr. T. Bullock, at his Rooms, East street Thompsoir street, Tinwald ; Trustee’s Interest in Lot 10'; 3 Shares in the Templar Hall Co.; 2 o’clock. Quill and Co.—Usual Weekly Sale. Friday, April 1. Matson, Cox, and Co., at their salerooms, Ashburton —Building Sites ; 1 p. in. Matson, Cox, and Co., at their rooms, Ashburton —Valuable Freehold Farm, in the Hinds district; 12 o’clock. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c. To-nkjhi, . Thursday, March 17. Thistly Lodge, Monthly Meeting, at the Masonic Hall,: ; . To-morrow, . Frjd.a Yy March 18. Fire Folice—Meeting, at. the Borough Council Chambers, 7.30 p.m. Monday, March 21. Service of Song—“ Eva”—in the Presby terian Church, at 8 p. m. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Thursday, March 24. Ashburton Industrial Exhibition, Town Hall. Thursday, March 31. Ashburton. Library—-Annual Meeting of Subscribers, in the Library, 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 6. County Council, at the. County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

Trains Leave Ashburton for Christ church and intermediate stations at 6 a.m., 10.30 a.m., and .(Express) 5.48. p.m. Trains Leave Ashburton for Timaru and South, at : 7 ; a. m., 10.36 a. m. (Ex press), and 4.60 p.m.—the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru. Trains-, f Arrive- at Ashburton prom Chrisk HVR ;h at 10 24 a.m. (Express), 435 p.m., aid 7.50 p.m. Trains Arrive at Ashrurton from Timabu Und South at 10.15 a. m., 5.34 p.m,;(Eipress),and 8.15 p.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas, et Praevalebit. THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1881. The Registration of Dogs.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 5 p. vi. J

To morrow a number of residents in the Eorough and Wakanui districts have, we believe, to appear before Mr Wood, R.M., on charges laid by the police, for the non-registration of dogs. That every owner of an unregistered dog should be made to pay for his or her neglect, is perfectly fair and reasonable, when every facility has been placed in the way for getting the registration effected. Those who wilfully try to evade the Act, and for months per sist in keeping these dogs, without paying the fee of ten shillings, ought to be treated as they deserve. There are, however, exceptional cases which have been lost sight of, evidently, in the haste that has prompted our local police force to carry out their instruc tions in the matter of dogs registration. To these we wish to draw the attention of the various public bodies in whom is entrusted the matter of enforcing the provisions of the Act. We learn that there are a great many of those who are now summoned who have no desire to evade the Act, but, owing to there being some delay in the appointment of the proper officer for registration for the district of Wakanui, the registration was deferred. The Registration Officer for Wakanui was appointed by the County Council. A short time after his appointment, his resignation was sent in and accepted. The County Council wrote to the Wakanui Road Board, asking them to recommend a suitable person, which they did, but owing to so much time having elapsed before the County Council received their reply, another officer —Mr Main waring—was appointed. His notifi cation as Registrar, was, we hear, gazetted on the Bth February, and he has since then undertaken the duties. The County Council rt its last meet ing passed a resolution that all dogs were to be registered before the 31st of Marcii, consquently many were under the impression that if the dogs were registered before that date, they would not be summoned by the police. This resolution was passed, we believe, so that the police shall be entitled to a fee of 2s 6d for every unregistered dog found by them after that date. This premium, we are afraid, will be found to work prejudicially, in some cases un fairly. We hear that already little urchins are employed by the police as petty informers, and this, if true, is decidedly objection able. If certain duties are given to the police, they should carry them out themselves, and not employ “ hirelings” of this description. As before stated, every owner of a dog should be fined if his dog is unregistered, but when difficulties (as they have appear in the way of getting registration effected, certain restrictions ought to be placed upon the police, who will now receive a direct premium for hunt ing up dogs without collars. We do

not wish to infer that blame is attached to the police for what has been done in this matter, but would like to see that every precaution is taken that they do not exceed their duties in their anxiety to carry out the instructions given them, especially when 25 per cent, of the total registration fee is pocketed by them. One thing, however, we feel must be mentioned, and that is, as far as our present local force is concerned, we have to thank them foi the impartial way they have hitherto done their duty. According to the Dog Registration Act, 1880, every dog found without a proper registration label on the collar can be destroyed, and of course the owner fined. This will give a greater facility to those who wish to make a little money, as many dogs lose their collars, and again they are generally made of such poor leather, that often the badges or labels come off. With all due deference to the County Council for their desire to increase the revenue, by the registration of dogs in the county, we would like to see the com mission of 2s 6d dispensed with alto gether, as the Act was never intended to encourage payment to “ dog ” in formers.

Postal. —Mails for the Australian colonies and England, per Orient liner, close at the Bluff to-morrow (Friday), 18 th instant, at 11.30 a.m., per Arawata.

Fire at Sumner. —A fire occurred at Sumner last night, when a largo house belonging to Mr C. W. Duckworth was destroyed. Sons of Temperance. —The Now' Zea land Gazette of 10th March notifies that the “Helpmate Division” (No. 10), has been duly registered as a branch of the Grand Division (No. 10) of the Sous and Daughters of Temperance, under the Friendly Socities Act. Napier Races —These races took place to-day, but the only event of which we have received the result is the Maiden Plato, which was won easily by Grand Duchess, Firefly and Primrose filling the other situations. Miss Domett was left at the post, and was consequently never in the hunt.

The Dog Tax. —The people of Waipu (Auckland), abhor the dog tax. At a public meeting recently held the following resolution Was unanimously carried “ That any collector of the said dog-tax visiting Waipu be considered socially on a level of degradation with the common in former, and bo treated as a voluntaiy out cast from all possible association with any respectable member of society.”

The Ashburton Buidoe. —The dork of the County Council, Mr Mainwaring, has received a telegram from Mr Burnett, Assistant-Engineer, to the effect that the Ashburton bridge will be blocked against alltrallic, between 8 p.m. to-morrow, 18th inst., and 7 a.m. on the 19th, Saturday, in consequence of re-decking. Those per sons wishing to cross, must do so before 8 p.m. to-morrow, or they will be de barred until the following day. Service of Sono. —On Monday even ing next, a service of song will be held in the Presbyterian Church. The choir of the church intend giving “ Eva,” which is taken from Mrs. Stowe’s well-known work, “ Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” The service lias been highly spoken of in Dunedin and elsewhere, and with the well - known abilities of the Presbyterian choir, will no doubt draw a good attendance. Dr Stewart will contribute the connective readings. The Late Rev. David M'Kbe. —The following item, clipped from the Irish Times, will no doubt prove of interest to our Presbyterian readers : —“ We are in formed that a private fund, initiated in Dublin, in aid of the widow and children of the late Rev. David M'Kee has closed at the handsome total of L 925. This is a very gratifying tribute to the worth of the deceased clergyman, and indicates, the esteem in which his memory is held by those amongst whom ho laboured with so much acceptance for nearly ten years.”

Arrest. —Last week, our readers will remember a man named Shipton, a bar man at the Moth von Hotel, reported to the police that some person had entered his room in the hotel, and took LSG out of his box, leaving him without a penny. Two or three persons have since been arrested on suspicion, but no trace of the money having been found on them, they ivere liberated. Something made the police doubt Shiptou’a statement, and the result was that he was arrested yesterday by Constable Neill, and the sum of L 42 found in his possession. Remarkable Occurrence. —A case of recovery from apparent death is recounted by a Swedish newspaper. A few days ago a landed proprietor in the neighborhood of Christiania died, or apparently died, after a short illness. His body had been laid in the coffin, the lid of which, how ever, had not been screwed down, in a room where some firewood happened to be kept. The evening of the same day the widow sent her daughter, a child of ten years old, into the room to get some of the firewood, and as the child was hastily gathering an armful, she heard her name called in a low voice. She sprang down stairs in alarm, and several persona hurried up to tho room to find the supposed dead man in jicifcct possession of his senses, and apparently quite well, although dreadfully shocked at finding himself in a coffin. He described his sensa tions on recovering consciousness as those of a man awakening from a pleasant and refreshing sleep. A Lost Child. —The other day, says tho Nelson Colonist, a little child, of some two or three years of .age only, wandered from tho house of its parents at tho Moutore, and for thirty hours tho baby was missing. The father of tho little boy, Mr W. Kramer, together with a number of friends, searched the country all one night and tho whole of the suc ceeding day without success. Towards nightfall, however, tho child was dis covered some six miles from homo, and he had made his way by some means through the roughest of the country, the ground being covered with high manuka, amongst which were numerous swamps, and when found this little babe was nearly starved to death, indeed, it is almost a miracle how ho survived tho wot and exposure, for ho was completely wet through, and of course ho had nothing to cat tho whole time.

Ashburton Agricultural and Pas toral Association. —Messrs Contes and Co., of Colombo stroct, have just com pleted the silver medals ordered some time ago by the above Association ; nud the work has been executed in a manner that must win high commendation. These medals, which are of sterling silver, have a diameter of 2 A inches, and are propor tionately thick r The obverse design pre sents, round the edge, the title of the As sociation, and with this is an admirably executed landscape, in raised and frosted work, showing the railway bridge over the Ashburton, the expanse of tussock, and the back ground of downs and peaks. The landscape appears to be almost identical with that which forms the seal of the Ash burton County Council ; but on the medals under notice it is partially hidden by a shield, bearing the arms of the old Provincial District of Canterbury. On the reverse of the medal is a raised laural wreath, with the words “ A warded to ” in raised lettering, and a largo plain surface on which to engrave names of recipients, &c.

Post Sessional. —The Hon. Major Atkinson addresses his Patca constituents at Patca on Monday next.

Reported Death or Sullivan.— Our cablegrams to-day announce that the murderer Suilivan is reported to have died at Wagga Wagga last week.

Postponement of Sale. —The sale of household furniture advertised by Mr W. J. G. Bluett, in our yesterday’s impres sion, is postponed till further notice.

Greymouth Jockey Club Races.— These races, which were to have been held to-day and to-morrow, have been post poned until Friday and Saturday, owing to rain.

Deceased Persons’ Estates. The personal estate of the late Michael Cauchey, Ashburton, which is under LIOO has been placed in the hands of the Public Trustee, Wellington. Again. —At the District Court, Hamilton, yesterday, Mr M'Tavish brought an action against Mr J. Ivess fot alleged wrongful dismissal from the editorship of the Waikato Mail. The damages were laid at LIOO, and judgment was given for LSO and costs. Dcfandant gave notice of appeal.

The Grand Jury System. At the cir cuit of the Supreme Court, at Lawrence, yesterday, Judge Gillies expressed an opinion that the time had come when grand juries should be abolished in trivial cases, as the circumstances of the colony had much altered since the framing of the enactment relative to the same. An Education Board in Difficulties. —The Hawke’s Bay Education Board has no funds to effect the commonest repairs to the existing schoolhouses, the LI,OOO allotted as the Hawke’s Bay share of the building vote being exhausted, as well as L 2,000 that the Board had saved from the general fund, which was used to complete existing contracts. At a meeting held on Tuesday, Mr Sut ton suggested, as the last resort, that the Board should imitate other Education Boards, and overdraw at the Bank, leaving the Government to pay ; but the other members would not consent. Rough on the Legislators. —The following is an extract from a speech de livered by the Governor of Queensland at the breaking up of the Ipswich Grammar School: —“ You boys will have a chance in the affairs of the colony, and I hope you will mrke better use of use of it than some constituencies have done, and trust you will not, like them, assist in sending drunken bankrupts to Parliament. I can say some things that, other people could not, and I do not care whether they are pleased or not ; but I think every right minded person in the colony will agree with me in what I have now said.” The Forthcoming Exhibition. —The goods are arriving rapidly, and will be placed in the Hall as soon as the places are ready for the different classes. The upper room of the Hall will be devoted to the New Zealand pictures, coins, jewellery, and articles of veriu, and in the main hall will bo placed the more delicate articles. The pictures are very numerous, and will be hung all over the wall space, both in the main hall and ante-room, &c., and on the stage will be placed choice collections of pot plants, drapery, Ac. A triumphal arch is to be erected over the side entrance, and the passage leading to the inside door will be decorated with flags and evergreens. It is proposed to allow the privilege to ladies to enter by the private entrance to the gallery, which will be set apart for their convenience, and save them from any uncomfortable crush.

Expelled from an English Order.— Happily, expulsion from an English Order is a very rare occurrence (says a writer in the Whitehall Review of 25th November), and last Friday’s Gazette, containing a Royal “ direction” that the name of Mr James Craig Loggie should be erased from the register of the order of Saint Michael and St. George, was on that

account all the more noticeable. As plenty of people will be wondering what it is all about, here are the facts. Mr Loggie, originally, I fancy, a sergeant in the Sappers, took charge of some Houssas in the Ashantee war. This was at the very commencement of the campaign even before Festing went out, and a O.M. G. was the prompt reward. Subsequently he was made Civil Commandant of British Sherborough, near Siera Leone, and while

holding that post misappropriated the public funds. Ho is now undergoing two years’ imprisonment. I cannot remember a single instance of expulsion—at all events, nothing of the kind has happened for years.

A Romantic Suicide. —A St. Peters burg telegram says : A touching story is rold by the Notxe Vrenuja of an event that happened some days ago in one of the principal hotels of that city. A young gentleman from Moscow, who had been staying a few days by himself in the hotel, one day ordered dinner to be served for two, and then went to the railway station evidently to meet his expected friend. He returned to the hotel alone, and at dinner time, as his door was fast shut and no reply could bo got from within, the police were sent for to break open the door. They found tho young man stretched across the table, shot through tho heart. On the table also, was the photograph of a young lady, and the frag ments of a letter was found about the floor. Another letter was found addressed to the proprietor of tho hotel, stating that tho young man had shot himself in despair because the young lady whom he had been expecting had not kept her promise. Half an hour afterwards the postman brought a letter from the young lady herself, stating that she had missed the train, and would not be unable to come till the next day. The scene when she arrived, and was informed of the tragedy that had taken place, can be bettor imagined than described.

The Industrial Exhibition. Tho Management Committee mot last evening, his Worship tho Mayor presiding. It was resolved that no one should bo admitted into the exhibition until after the Go vernor had inspected it. The Secretary stated that he had received several ex hibits for presentation to the contemplated museum, and it was resolved that tho Mayor be requested to apply to the Government for a portion of a reserve at tho corner of Cass and Burnett streets, for the museum. The following gentlemen were appointed a Provisional Committee, viz , Messrs Bullock, Jameson Passmore, and his Worship the Mayor, and Messrs Wood, Compton, and Mayo, woreappointed a Decoration Committee. Tho Secretary was instructed to write to Inspector Broham, asking for an additional number of police during the days on which the Exhibition was open. It was decided to erect a close boarded fence, 6ft. Gin. high, round the enclosure when the tents were placed. The question of providing a luncheon, to be given to his Excellency, was next discussed, and it was decided to make it a recommendation to the Recep tion Committee to issue complinientary tickets to the Royal Commissioners, and the Presidents of the Christchurch and Dunedin industrial Associations, the members of the County and Borough Councils, the Industrial Committee, and also all acting Judges. It was also de cided to ask the President to deliver an address at the close of the Exhibition. The meeting then adjourned.

Mr T. Bullock advertises a sale of apples, to take place after the horse sale on Saturday next, Mr lames Clark advertises the Wcsterfield mill as now open. He is also a cash buyer of grain. A notice re Charles Sheppard appears in another column. The order of masses at the Roman Catholic Chapel appears in unr advertising columns. ]). Oliver requests the owners of grists now lying at the Westertield mill to remove them. Mr W. J. G. Bluett will hold an extensive sale of live and dead stock at Elgin on the zßth inst.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Per Reuter’s Agency.) Addresses of Condolence- London, March 15. , In the House of Lords and House of Commons to-day addresses were . voted to the Queen and Duke and i Duchess of Edinburgh, expressing con dolence with her Majesty and their Royal Highnesses on the death of the Emperor of Russia. John Bright and the Boer Rebellion. The Right Hon. John Bright has addressed a letter to the press, in which he says he is very hopeful that peace may be secured in the Transvaal, and adds that he will exert his utmost in fluence to bring about the same. The Homeward Mails. The homeward Australian and New Zealand mails, via Brindisi and via San Francisco, were delivered here to-day. Monetary and Commercial. Three per cent. Consols remain at changed ; Adelaide wheat, ex ware house, 49s fid ; New Zealand wheat, ex ship, 455; Adelaide flour, ex warehouse, 34s ; Australian tallow—best beef, 32s fid ; best mutton, 40s fid; best Aus tralian sole leather has declined to ro^Zd. The Wool Sales. At the wool sale to-day 9,500 bales were catalogued, making a total of 206,400 offered since the opening. There was a good demand. A Full Confession. St. Petekshuku, March 15. Rousakoff, the assassin of the late Emperor, has now made a full confes sion of his crime. The Nihilists Exultant. A Nihilist manifesto has been issued referring in terms of exultation to the success of Rousakoff’s attack. Several arrests of Nihilists, suspected of having been directly instrumental in the issue of the manifesto, have been made. Gone to Join the Rebels. Capetown, March 15. Telegrams have been received from Natal to-day, announcing that 1,000 Boers of the Orange Free State have left the Transvaal to join the hostilities against the British. A Conference. Intelligence is to hand from Natal that it has been arranged that a con ference shall take place on the 18th between Sir Evelyn Wood, President Brand, of the Orange Free State, and M. Kruger, President of the Transvaal Boer Republic, with the object of dis cussing the proposals for peace.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Per Reuter's Agency.) Board of Enquiry. Melbourne, To-day. A board has been appointed by the Government to enquire into and report upon the Cerberus torpedo explosion. The Maungatapu Murderer Reported Dead. Sydney, March 16. It is currently reported here that Sullivan, the New Zealand murderer, died in the hospital at Wagga Wagga, last week.

NEW ZEALAND

(Per Press Association.) Burning of a Bridge. Greytown, To-day. The high bridge, North Greytown, is now buming. It caught fire about 6 o’clock this morning. The bridge cost about LBOO, and will be totally destroyed, as there is no water near to save it. The Governor. Dunedin, To-day. His Excellency the Governor left for Invercargill at 10 o’clock this morning. There were 300 persons on the railway platform to witness his departure. Judicial. In consequence of Judge Gillies having to go on circuit to Hokitika on Thursday, the sessions here cannot be held till the 11th. A Celestial Killed. Invercargill, To-day. A Chinaman, named Ah 800, was killed yesterday, at Round Hill goldfields, through a fall of earth.

THE BANKRUPTCY OF MR E.W. MILLS.

[By Telegraph.J Wellington, To-day. A meeting of Mr E. W. Mills’ credi tors will be held this afternoon. The liabilities are Li56,30i. —The follow ing are the principal creditors : Secured—-New Zealand Loan and Mer cantile Agency, L34,2ii ; A. De Brandon, Li,020 ; Hornby and Son, Lincolnshire, L 748 ; M'Ewen and Co., London, L 689 ; Crossman Bros., New York, Li,369. Partly secured—Bank of New Zealand, 1.53,192 ; Keep Bros., Birmingham, Trustees of Bennett’s estate, Li,600. Unsecured —Bank of New Zealand, Li 2,320; Andrews and Anderson, Christchurch, Li,Q25 ; Levin and Co., Wellington, Li,468 ; Krull and Co., Wellington, L 658 ; Thompson, Shannon, and Co., Wellington, L 784 ; Thompson, Sterne, and Co., Glasgow, L 456; Turnbull and Co., Wellington, L 437 ; Brandon and Son, Wellington, L3OO. There are numerous other creditors for small amounts. The assets set down at Li 97,428, are as follows ; —Landed property, 1,16,863; household pro perty, warehouse, &c., 1,55,343 ; shares in various companies, L 2,335 ; stock, 1.50,500; book debts (good), 1,55,400; ditto (bad and doubtful) 1,3,000 ; bills received, contract deposits, and cash, 1-9,973-

OUR SYDNEY LETTER.

'From a New South Wales Correspondent.) Sydney, March 5

Parliament has adjourned till next Tuesday, Bth inst. When the estimates for the department of the Minister for Justice were brought forward in Com mittee of Supply, in the Legislative Assembly, on Wednesday night, Mr M'Elhone commenced another attack upon the Master in Equity, Mr Holroyd. The hon. member for the Upper Hunter, having made use of such expressions as “ unmitigated scoundrel ” and “ unmitigated vaga bond,” and announced his intention of making his defence heard throughout the length and breadth of the country, was wisely stopped by Mr Trickett and Mr Garrett, rising to a point of orde>-. Mr M'Elhone then commenced to speak to the point of order, when the attention of the Chairman of Com mittees was called to the presence of strangers in the gallery. The galleries being cleared, the Committee was ad dressed at great length by Mr M'Elhone and Sir Henry Parkes. The Estimates for the year rBBi have been passed. The Sabbatarian party in the House is de termined to test their power, and are proceeding in a legitimate manner, and one that will test the strength of the two parties. Mr Melville last night gave notice, that on Tuesday next, he will move—“ That in the opinion of the House, it is undesirable that the Museum and the Public Library should be ope non Sundays.” It is generally thought that the motion will meet with very little support. Owing to the recent scarcity of water in our city and suburbs, the streets re mained for days and days unwatered, the result being very disastrous to tradespeople, the dust spoiling articles of clothing on view. Whereupon, see ing the necessity of preparing to avoid a repetition of the same annoyance, Messrs Kirwood and Sircom, engineers and surveyors, have invented a hydrau lic ram for supplying the city with salt water. If the experiment proves a suc cess, arrangements may be made dur ing the winter for having a cheap supply in store for next summer. Mr Sircom was up to a few months ago employed on the New Zealand staff of surveyors, and will doubtless be known to some of your readers. The Mount Browne diggings are the latest talked about in speculative circles. Only a few months ago, Temora was all the “ go ” amongst the knowing ones. Mount Browne is now the spot to make our fortunes, but until more rain comes, I will put very little faith in any reports that come to hand. A party started last week for the dig gings to open a road. Messrs Wright and Co., have offered a bonus of Lioo to the first four teams opening a practicable road from Bourke to the : diggings. The libel action brought by Mr. Robertson, solicitor, against the pro prietors of the Bulletin, came to a close ’ on Tuesday, after having occupied the attention of the Banco Court for two full days. Mr. Darly, Q.C., Sir A. Michie, Q.C., Mr. Salamon, Q.C., appeared for the plaintiff, whilst Mr. Pitcher and Mr. G. H. Reid appeared for Mr. Heaton, one of the proprietors, and Mr. Haynes appeared for himself and Mr. Archibald. Damages were laid at Lxo,ooo. The Chief Justice (Sir James Martin) summed up dead against the paper, pointing out that a cruel and blackguardly libel had appeared in its columns. The jury, after a brief deliberation, brought in a verdict for the plaintiff, damages Lr.ooo. Great excitement was mani fested throughout the trial, the Court being crowded to excess. The following is a strange incident, and worthy of mention : —A few nights ago, a (lock of some 9,000 sheep were in camp near Coolah, when a terrific thunderstorm set in, with vivid and dangerous lightning. One flash of the electric current made a lane right through the flock, killing 800 instantly, Mr. Bloxsome, one of our large squatters, is the owner, and suffers a heavy loss. What appears at present to have been a shocking accident, occurred on the suburban railway line, on Saturday night (Feb. 26th), near the Redmyre station. The victim was a Miss Char lotte Fanny Bray, aged 17 years, the daughter of Mr Thomas Bray, J.P. It appears from the evidence so faradduced, that the young lady left her home at Burwood, at three o’clock in the after noon, with the intention of gathering wild flowers; but nothing was after wards heard of her until her mutilated remains were found on the line near Redmyre station. The body presented such a horrible spectacle that indentifi cation was impossible ; but the father subsequently recognised some of the clothing. i The “father of coursing” in New South Wales has at last gone to his long home. I refer to Mr. A. H. Gardner, who became a victim to that dire malady, typhoid fever, a few days ago. The deceased gentleman has been one of the leading enthusiasts of the leash in both colonies, Victoria and New South I Vales. He was good natured and genial, and beloved by all our true sportsmen who came in con tact with him. The Australian team of cricketers arrived here last Tuesday by the Ara wata, from New Zealand. They apparently seem pleased with the cordial reception given them down in your islands ; and as regards cricket, they think that the Nelson men were the best they met in the tour. The late rains have apparently, judg ing from reports, done a great deal of good in our pastoral districts, and have helped to give everything a more cheer ful aspect. Grass is in abundance everywhere, and the stock are rolling flit. Many are of opinion that there will be plenty of good grass for the winter.

James Kinvood, one of the guards of the tram cars, died last week in the infirmary from severe injuries caused by the pole of a ’bus running into him. The Intercolonial Eight has not been doing much work lately. One of those selected, Anslow, has already drawn out, whilst Finlayson is complaining of cuts from the slide, and Lord is suffering from cold in the lungs, which prevents him going out regularly. The crew is indeed at present in a very dis jointed state. An extraordinary suicide took place this morning in Pitt street. A man

was observed 'to be standing on the top of Messrs Hoffming and Co.'s ware house with a crow-bar in his hand. He threw the crow-bar over first, and almost immediately, much to the horror of the spectators, jumped from the parapet himself, falling a distance of fully 150 feet on to the pavement, and of course was dashed into pieces. The body has not yet been identified. The B jema Operatic Concert Com bination Troupe will shortly treat us to a series of concert. The company corns to us with a great reputation, and comprises Mdme. Gabuella Boema, said to be the greatest dramatic soprano that has ever visited Sydney, Signora Agnest Palma, Signor Seandio Coy, and Signor Steffani, violinist. The first length of the South-western Railway, in course of construction from the Great Southern Railway, at Junee to Hay, on the Murrumbidgee, was opened during the week, but, strange to say, there was no public demonstra tion.

In one of my previous letters, I think 5 I mentioned that a bank called the Sydney and County Bank was about to start. It is satisfactory now to , notice that the share list is filling up so fast that it is decided to close it on the 17th. Large applications have been received from the country districts, and also other colonies, but the wish of the directors is to retain as many shares as possible in Sydney. It is generally rumored here that a new line of French steamers is to trade between France and these colonies. It is probable the steamers will leave Bordeaux and call at Mauritius, Ade laide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Noumea.

Fatal accidents have of late been very numerous in and out of Sydney. , A most painful occurrence took plitfce’ 1 /, yesterday, resulting in the death of a well-known and highly respectedj/->{ Sydney lady. Miss Christina Lontit, daughter of Mr. Wm.. Lontit, of Surry Hills, had, with her- sister, been spending a holiday at Holmesby, and on last Wednesday they were 1 ’ returning to Sydney by way of the North shore, where they stayed at~ar> friends house. While there a pteasurfe' party was made up, and they drove in , - the direction of Sydney. A walk being proposed Miss Lontit was jumping oqfci.Htj into the road, when her dress caught some protruding portion of the vehicle : and she was thrown on to her head, fracturing her skull. Medical assistance was rendered, but the young lady died in three hours, ' i h -—f The Austrian Band performed at 1 Newcastle last Thursday and Friday* at the Victoria, to houses crowded in every part. Their reception was most enthusiastic, the conductor being re called several times, and some .of the selections encored. To-night they perform in the Garden Palace here. ;

Tricks of Stage Costume.

A great many tricks of stage costume spring from personal defects. In tyhat ever cut of waist Modjeska appears, there is always a bunch of flowers or a bow placed at the left side of her open corsage. When this device is not.. resorted to, a little strap will be trailed across diagonally, or a little fan of lace ' will suddenly spring from the left cor ner, in order to hide a scar on the ’ breast that looks as if it might be the result of a wound from a poignard, a “ souvenir of a romance.” Poor Lucille Western was afflicted by a birth mark. She was a regular female Esau About her waist there was a growth of silky brown hair, which ran to a point in front. When it came to the tops of her dresses it was carefully shaved, but r - the skin always remained blue, i So,I Lucelle wore a huge cross dangling just ; . over that portion, df her anatomy. . Parepa Rosa had a deep vaccination. i scar far down her robust arm, and when her sleeves were very short, a knot of .:■ ribbon or a trail of flowers used to cover it. Before she grew so extremely ' ~ stout she wore a golden band -above:- the elbow to hide it, but when her armlet had to be as big as a waistband she abandoned the oddity. One night, speaking of this scar to an American’- ;>j ■- girl, who sat in her dressing-room, the Yankee offered an immediate and effectual concealment of the offending; spot. She took one of the candles .off . , the toilet table, and, holding it above / the arm, let one drop of the melted wax , ; fall upon the place, and there was no further need of concealing devices. A’ : dash of flesh-tinted powder completed - the cure, and Parepa’s make-up box for ever after contained a bit of wax candle.

Corpulence the Cause of Suicide.

An exchange contains the following strange story : —“ That the mere accident of unusual corpulence should prompt a young and healthy woman to. destroy herself is a sufficiently strange occurrence to excite general surprise ; but when the psychological mystery involved in such a motive for self-mur der is further complicated by the faqt that the suicide was an orphan, brought up by public charity, we cannot but regard so anomalous a deed with the utmost astonishment. Orphans, paro chially nurtured, are by no means wont to wax inconveniently fat, far less to attain a measure of obesity so extrava gant as to be incompatible with their toleration of mere existence. Yet such would appear to have been the case with Marie Speiz, a native of Brunn, in the Krautmarket, of which thriving city she has for some years past retailed sausages to her fellow citizens. , Al though, like the immortal Fat Boy in ‘ Pickwick,’ she was an orphan; yet unlike that epicurean philosopher, she , took a sinister view of her abnormal dimensions. A few weeks ago, the sausage trade having proved unremiin erative, she left Brunn for Vienna, with the object of taking domestic 1 service in the Kaiserstadt. Shortly after her departure from her native town, her sister-in-law received a letter from her, containing th§ melancholy; announcement that she could no longer put up with Her corpulence, which ex posed her to and had con sequently resolved to drown herself. Her body has since been found itl the! _ Danube, near Klosterneuburg.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1881.



Late Advertisements. F CN J l. ft A. L NOTI CE. The Friends of the late Mr W. H. are respectfully informed that the FcJNEftA,!' will leave the Hospital at 2 p.m. TO-MORROW. THOS. A, GATES, 378 a • Undertaker. METHVBN AGENCY. MORGAN and HIBBS, General Store keepers, Methven, are authorisep agents for the Ashburton Guardian. Subscribers will please get their papers from the agents in future. Orders en rusted to them will receive prompt attention. A DVERTISERS are reminded that AjmpSdtWi MON in the Borough and Suburbs, and the prices for advertisements are very



Wanted. WANTED— A General SERVANT; Apply to Mrs Hodder, North-wcs 1 Belt. 377 a WANTED —A smart RUNNER, to go to Winslow by afternoon train. Apply, Guardian Office. WANTED —A smart LAD, about 13 or 14 years of age, as an appren tice. Apply, Office of this Paper. WANTED —A Family’s WASHING. Apply, Office of this paper. 178 a rpo COMPOSITORS. WANTED-A good NEWS HAND. Piece-work, Is, Id. per 1,000. Apply at once. Office of this Paper. WANTED to PURCHASE—BONES, in any quantities. Apply, Mayo and Hunt, Beach road. 130 a TTTANTED TO SELL Twenty-five W SECTIONS, Wakanui Road. Apply to Patching, Tent-maker, East Street. 898 TTNCLE TOM — ;£ What’s little missy’s R I -ITA7A 354 a name?” EVA, TTTANTED KNOWN That the VV undersigned is now landing 100,000 feet Best Union KAURI, ex Aratapu,from Kaipara. Joshua Tucker, next Jameson and Roberts, Ashburton. 302 a WANTED KNOWN, —That HENRY’S PORTRAIT ROOMS, Saunders’ Buildings, East street, Ash burton, are Open DAILY, from 9 a.m. till 5 pan. Portraits taken in any weather. Great Reduction in Price. 101 a WANTED TO SELL PIANOS. H. J. WEEKS, Teacher of Music, Tuner, &c., has for sale the following Secondhand Piano fortes : 1 full-sized Brinsmead, £45; Bord, £25; Broadwood, £26; also, American Organ, 5 stops, £3O; 1 Church Harmonium 14°stops, £3O, a bargain. Pianofortes of any kind can bo obtained on deferred pay ments. Address: Cameron street west. 86a IT^VA —At the Presbyterian Church, on U MONDAY NIGHT, 21st March, 8 o’clock, Rev A. M. Beattie in the chair ; Connective Readings by Dr Stewart. ■i'TT'ANTED KNOWN—The Largest VV and Best Stock, of Saddlery is to be found at the shop of S. STEPHENS, Tinwald. Good strong Cart Collars from 135.; Cart Winkers, Bs. 6d.; Plough Back-bands, 6s. cash ; Cart Saddles and Breechens, from 505.; Reaping Machine Pole Straps, 2s. Farmers will make a great saving by buying of S. Stephens, Saddler, Tinwald. TTTANTED KNOWN. Ashburton w 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 Stationer, East street, South. SERVICE OF SONG by the Presby terian Church Choir, on MONDAY NIGHT, 8 o’clock. Tickets everywhere. Is each. 356 a



WANTED KNOWN. SOMERSET LIVERY AND STABLES. BAIT JW. M‘RAE bogs to inform the , public that he has taken the ibove Stables from Mr. Bossenberg, and is making extensive repairs. Buggies and saddle horses on hire. Lowest prices and best attention. 852 DON’T FORGET—“ EVA,” a Service of Song, taken from “ Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” Most entertaining and instruc tive. 357 a WANTED KNOWN—That Visiting Cards, plain or mourning, can be obtained printed in various styles, at the “Guardian” office, opposite the Rail w ay Station. Special Advertisements. N o c E . Fresh arrangements having been made in connection with the ‘ ‘ Ashburton Guardian,” taking effect from the Ist of March instant, I have to request that all Debts owing to me as Proprietor of the said Newspaper on the 28th February ultimo, be paid to Mr S. Saunders, on my behalf. All Debts now accruing to the Proprietor of the “Guardian” will be payable to Mr W. H. Zouch. Dated this first day of March, 1881. 251 a MAX FRIEDLANDER. T H E VALUE MEN’S BEST FOR READY MONEY IS THE AND BOYS’ CLOTHING MANUFACTURED BY THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, Which can bo purchased at their Retail Branches, now established all over New Zealand. The Garments are thoroughly shrunk. The Fit and Style are perfect. The Workmanship is equal to bespoke. The Trimmings are of superior quality and strength. Tho Tweeds are of the veiy beat de scription. The Stock is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. The tall, short, lean, and stout, can be equally well fitted. The Goods are all marked in plain figures. The system of business is to exchange every article that does not give satisfac tion. And, in addition to all these advantages, you can purchase A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Mercery, Hats, Shirts, Ties, Scarves, Bags, Portmanteaux, Rugs, and Blankets, at Wholesale Prices. Thousands of the discerning customers testify that the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Garments are the Very Best Value for Ready Money. 369a* Ashburton Branch : EAST STREET. WM SPARROW, Manager. THE GUARDIAN is on every Tea Table in Ashburton.



Special Advertisements. o E. Persona willing to LEND the Exhibi tion Committee the use of GLASS CASES during the Exhihtion, for the better preservation of perishable articles, are requested to communicate at once with the undersigned. STEPHEN E. POYNTZ, 280 a Hon. Sec. O. Carstens & Co., (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, Tobacconist, fancy goods, AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco A nice assortment of Accordions, Con certinas, Flutes, Violins, Mouth Organs, and Toys of every description, direct from Home. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET ASHBURTON. 527a* J. Slierriff, Monumental mason, Manchester street south, and Bar badoes street (near the Cemetery). A large Stock of Head-Stones, Tombs and Monuments always on hand. Designs for warded on application. 323 a Miss Verrall Wishes to inform the Ladies of Ashbur ton and the surrounding districts that she will be at ASHBURTON the THREE DAYS of the EXHIBITION to take orders and measures for Ladies requiring Stays, Corsets, Belts, and Shoulder Straps, &c. A case of these several articles will be at the Exhibition, of Miss Vevrall’s own make. For any information required apply to Mr. Thiele, Baker and Confec tioner, where Miss Verrall will bo in at tendance. COLOMBO STREET (Oposite Cookham House), Christchurch. March 10, 1881. 324 a MUSEUM. All persons, and particularly exhibitors at the forthcoming Exhibition, who feel disposed to ASSIST in establishing a MUSEUM in Ashburton, are respectfully informed that the Committee of the Library have generously consented to appropriate a room for that purpose. Any willing to give Specimens, Works of Art, &c., will kindly communicate with the undersigned as early as possible. STEPHEN E. POYNTZ, 293 a Hon. Sec. Industrial Exhibition. W. H. SPACEMAN’S Offices are now in Canterbury Chambers, Here ford street, Christchurch, next Miles and Co., having REMOVED from Messrs Wynn, Williams, and Deacon’s. 335 a NCOURAGE LOCAL ENT ER PRISE, & KEEP THE MONEY IN THE PLACE. WANTED—IO,OOO customers to Pur chase 100,000 Envelopes and upwards. 1,000, 7s 6d ; G,OOO, Gs 9d per 1,000, for Cash. H. M. JONES, Stationer and Bookseller, East street and Baring Square. 3G5a



Beltoious Tkaohino in Public Schools. —A meeting is to be held in Christchurch this afternoon to consider what steps shall be taken to secure religious teaching in the public schools. The Primate is expected to preside. Holloway's Pills.—A certain cure for Headaches, Bile, Loss of Appetite, and Low ness of Spirit.—These Pills can be taken with out danger from wet or cold, and require no interruption from business or pleasure. They act mildly on the bowels, strengthen the stomach, and promote a healthy action of the liver, whereby they purify the blood, cleanse the skin, brace the nerves, and invigorate the whole system. They effect a truly wonderful change in a debilitated constitution, as they create a healthy appetite, correct indigestion, remove bile, giddiness, headache, and palpita tion of the heart. Plain directions for the use of this medicine, at once so mild and efficacious, are affixed to each box. 1



Sudden Death. —Mrs Manderson, wife of a miner residing at Walton Park, Dun edin, died suddenly on the evening of Friday last. While sitting on the door step about 9 o’clock she was seized with an apopletic fit, and expired shortly after-; wards.