SHIPPING.

PORT OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Crest of the Wave, schooner, from Stewart’s Island. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS- Auckland, Yesterday. Arrived—A. C. Defrietas, fromjLondon. Sailed Ringarooma, for Sydney ; HatfcWfOFthe South; • •v - Auckland, To-day. Arrived—Rotorua, from Sydney, via Wellington, To-day. Isle of Erin, barque, from Glasgow. Port Chalmers, To-day. AWtffed—Ta Anan. cl s. s.. from Mel bourne, via the Bluff : Melbourne, Yesterday. ArriVeA-T-Pf rand iO. Company’s «te»ts> ■hip Rjffl]ft|witbHfieinwaitfSuez mail.'

DAILY MEMORANDA.

r AUCTION SALES. ’ Saturday, January 29. Mr. T. Bullock, at his Rooms, East street -iValdable Town, Suburban, and Country Properties. Two o’clock.' , r Tuesday, February 1. Quill and Co., at the County Saleyards— i 1 MEETINGS] AMUSEMENTS, &c. ~Li* Friday, January 28. Meeting of persons-interested in the for irffttion v of a Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Society, upper room, Town Hattj 8 p.m. i {

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 5 p.m.] The Ashburton Guardian. WEDNESDAYS JANUARY 26, 1881.

Tije Pld Men’s Homb. —Thu master of Old Men’s Home wishes to acknow ledge, with t%nks,.the receipt of a bag of apples for tho inmates," from Mrs. Oliver, of We^teri^dclv-, i; ‘ <■: - 1 he Cleansing or the'Town. —At last nightf a-, meeting of i thje ,Councila resolu tion, proposed' by Mr. Harrison, was passed r,a y ra.te. for: purposes." 'The matter of course will re quire, the ratepayers’ sanctioo. Thb Tables Turned.— A Wellington telegram; tells ,ua that the Appeal Court has judgment, of the'. Supreme: Court,. ;phipß&burchj in the case of . tqjfqur years forgery,.and Murphy as theref orebeen discharged. Proposed, New Bock. —At a meeting of the Auckland Rtarbor ; Board yesterday It was. decided to examine sites, for a large dock, and I(s>opd was voted out of cur- purpose of examina tion and preliminary expenses in cqnnecr The Bird Shcw. Owing to the assembly in the Town Hall last night, which drew a very largo number of people; there was no meeting of the pro moters of a Canary, Pigeon, and Poultry Society. A meeting will therefore be held at a future period, and Friday even ing has been fixed as the date. The Outfall Drain. The outfall drain has given ; considerable, .offence to dwellers in its near vicinity, and shortly since the Council resolved to take the work of covering it in hand as soon as They .were reminded of their resolution last night by a paragraph in the Engineers’ report, but the matter was too weighty to rush at at once, and it was ' held over for a foptuightj i 7 “Sec Shillings Costs.”— Mr. Ivess having succeeded in his case against Mr. Crisp, and proved that, the sum of six shillings ought not to have been charged ■ from the defaulting ratepayers, last night asked that th 0 * o ,who. hjvdj-paid the,extra,, sum snoura 'h# vajis refunded,' as Mr. Crisp] 1 had said he had- refunded the money to . the Council. The matter was hung up for .6, fortnight for an. explanation by the Mayor as to how made. The Australian Scullers. —Trickett was hopelessly beaten in the second race with In the first race the latter claimed h'-fefldiiTrtach’' the ;nmpirej dis allowed. But Trickptt won by so many lengths that he was quite a favorite at - starring. Trickett seemed far from well, '■ ’ and, although he sirnggied havd for vic ' tory, Roes won easily by several lengths . The race caused but little excitement, and ; there were very few .spectators,. Laycock V has lately been Vunrinj; Rome* friends in jNor&utnberkxid.

The By-Laws. —Several alterations on the By-laws were adopted by the Borough Council last night, and a revision of the whole is under consideration. Fire ‘Brigade.— The Secretary to the Fire Brigade notifies in another column that there will be no practice to-hight, owing to the absence of the officers. The - Borough Council. —At the ‘Borough Council meeting last night the Mayor was unable to bo present from illness, and Mr. Ivess took the chair. The Rev. Mr. Pym. —The Rev. Mr. Pym delivered an evangelistic address last night in -the.,Town Hall, which, was crowded almost to the door. The rev. gentleman is to deliver another address in the Temperance Hall, Tinwald, on Thurs day evening. Church Parade. Another church parade by the Volunteers will probably ,be held on Sunday week, in compliment to the Rev. Mr. Pym, who is an old army Captain. As all the members of the corps will be in Ashburton on the date pro posed a full turn-out of both cavalry and riflemen is looked fox - . “ Natural Causes.” —A woman named Annie Ray was found dead in a lean-to in Christchux-ch on Monday. At the inquest the evidence went to show that she had been given to drink, and the medical evi dence bore that the diseased condition of the deceased was attributable to excessive drinking.- The jury found a verdict that the woman died from natural causes. The School Committee Elections in the North. —At Wanganui, the election of the committee was decided on the Bible-in-schools question, with the result that five secularists and two. Bible-in schqpls advocates were returned; at; Auckland the secularists carried the nominations. In many cases resolutions were carried in favour of the present Act. The Redskins. Telegrams from Mexico published in the daily, papers that an attack has been made by Indians on a coach in that district. The vehicle was full of passengers,- and the attack was so sudden and unexpected that ouly: feeble resistance was made by the passengers, five of whom were killed and several injured. The Indians gpt clear off. . . :

The Wesleyan Conference. —At the Wesleyan Conference .yesterday, seven candidates for the ministi-y were presented, and six were accepted. The Rev. Mr. Bavin said he had given up his intention of seeking removal to Sydney, and Rev. Mr. Barber, from England, was received into lull connection. The Rev. Mr. Buller said he intended to settle in Christ church, but would retire from circuit work. The Rev 'J. Berry was received into active work again. -All probationers were allowed to pass in their years, and the Revs. Murray and Spence were allowed to gain a year. Messrs. Pinfold and Slade were passed for circuit work.

Sanitary.—The month has been one in which a more than ordinary amount of sickness has prevailed, the most rampant ailment being dysentry. The opening of the fruit season appears to be always marked by an increase ,of sickness, and those fond of fruit should be particularly careful to see that what they eat is ripe. There is no greater enemy to health than unripe fruit. We may mention, too, that while sickness has prevailed extensively, death has not been idle, and already - the per centage of deaths is unusually .high, no less than nineteen or twenty having occurred in the district; since the New Year. Pbimetive’Methodism:.—At the Primi tive Methodist Conference yesterday, the following list of stations,for ministers was adopted finally :—New Plymouth) Joseph Sharp ; Wellington, D. Dutton, A. J. Smith, W., ,J. Dean ; Auckland, (1), Joseph.Xiong ; Auckland (2), James Guy ; Invercargill, Chas. E. Ward ; Timaru,' John Dumbell ; Thames, T, W. Adam son ; Dunedin (1), W. S. Potter ; Dun edin (2), C. E. Barley ; Green Vale, P. W. Jones ; Ashburton, John Nixon ; Christchurch, Josiah Ward ; Manawatu, T. Sadler, Robert B. Horsley ; Geraldine, J. H. Luke ; Oamaru, James Clover. The 1882 conference will be held at Wel lington on January 13th next.

The Germans and Australia.— lt is stated that the North German Bank have resolved to forward the creation of a shipping line from Hamburg, via the Cape, to Australia. It is reckoned that the voyage will take six week via England or Antwerp, Capetown, Port Elizabeth, to Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney. The : Germans are plainly thinking seriously of the good they can draw from' Australia, one proof of which is the zeal with which they have sought to recommend their wares to the antipodes through the medium of the Melbourne Exhibition. . In the Imperial Budget last, year 300,000 marks were voted to assist national competition, and that sum being found inadequate by about '200,000 marks, the deficit is to be made up, and 35,000 marks more are now demanded in the Budget of 1881. The Fire Brigades Conference. — The last sitting of the Fire Brigades Con ference was held in Wellington yesterday. A committee’s report recommended that it-was not advisable to establish a sick and accident fund, but that the association be empowered to levy a rate if required upon all brigades that are members of the asso ciation, such levy not to exceed 2s. per member in addition to the annual sub scription; and such accumulated fund to be used for no other purpose than for ac cidents or death received or sustained at fires. After some discussion, it was re solved to receive the report, but to ask the committee to continue their labors during the ensuing year, and to bring up a more extended report at the next meeting. It . was resolved—“ That the pass word already suggested by the London Associa tion should be adopted.” Votes of thanks were passed to Mr. Oliver, Minister for Public Works, for free passes on the rail way, to the Union Steamship Company-for the; liberal reduction in fares, and to Mr, Meares, of the Union Insurance Company, for his exertions on 'behalf of the Fire Brigades Bill. Fifteen pounds was voted to th© secretary for past services.. - It was. decided that the next annual conference should be held at Timaru, and the con ference then concluded. The Australians at Oamaru.— The match resulted yesterday in a draw, caused by the irregularities of the weather, which interrupted the play very frequently and wasted a great part of the day. The Australians completed their innings for 118, and their opponents following raised 88, mainly attributable to the interference of the wet with the wicket. ; The Au stralians Had 25 to get, and half an hour to do it in, but a perverse shower came on, and:when the second innings came on only sixteen minutes remained to get the runs. SpoSbrth and. Boyle essayed the task,' but only got 18.. Boyle might easily have been run opt, as both men were in the same crease, , ; but the oppor-r tunily was lost, and they carried their bats out. Victory was thus,snatched from their grasp in a very unlooked-for manner. Regarding the bowling of Palmer and Spofiorth the Times’ special ; says hqye noticed that much more than the Ordinary proportion of men get out to Palmers bowling, and the reason is that the spip be pots pn the ball causes it to. Wonderfully fast,from pitch. ...I* am quite sure, that many batsmen, par-, tieularly at puhedin,. never. saw the ball that bpwled them , after .it- .pitched.. Another consequence of this peculiarity is that pretty well all his. wickets are bowled and.nqt.caught, tut I do not see that ‘good 'batsmen on a good wicket ahould find a great amount of difficulty in playing him. ‘ Spofforth, ;bn the contrary, hangs‘% little 1 from the pitch, and it' is hishrepk which requires watching on the whole ; he does not bowl as fast as Palmer, but there is . mprp time to , wait.for the twist. ”

The Subsidy. — difficult thing to draw money out of but the Borough Council have ak last-received a telegram., that the subsidy, now.ovordue, trill be paid next .week* ; " The Cost of-our Little Wars.— The Imperial Government, have published an official notification that .the';cost of the Afghan campi&.'n "to the present L17,50(VOOO.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Per Reuter's Agency.) Commercial. . ~ , - - - . 1 .. - . London, Jan. 24. Consols, Adelaide wheat, ex warehouse, 50s. 6d.; Adelaide flour, ex warehouse, 345. 6d. The markets l for Australian wheat and tallow are firm. Operations against the Boers. Capetown, Jan. 24. Intelligence comes to hand* from Natal that Governor Sir George Colley has organised a force one thousand strong, to operate against the Boers, and lias commenced his advance from Newcastle into the Transvaal. .

AUSTRALIAN.

(Pet Reuter's Agency.} The'-Intercolonial Conference. ‘ r - r Syd’ney, Jim. 26: The Intercolonial Conference met again to-day. The report of the select committee which was appointed to en quire into the powers possessed by the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific was brought up and adopted, with a view to representation 5 being made to the Home Government on the subject. A motion In favor of inter colonial free trade in wines was intro duced, but, after discussion, was re jected. The question of the restric tion of Chinese immigration tin ougliout the colonics was again under ct nsidera tion, and considerable difife. -nee of opinion on the subject was sho -n. The Victorian and New South Wa' s repre sentatives, favored the adoption of the draft Bill which was before the, Con ference, but the Tasmanian, South Aus tralian and New Zealand delegates sup ported the Bill which is in ope ation in Queensland. The report of toe com mittee appointed to prepare a memorial to the Imperial' Government on the subject of the Western Australia scheme for the introduction of Chinese was brought in and adopted, and it was further decided to submit the same to the Secretary, of State for the colonies.

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Tress Association.) The Governor’s Tour Auckland, To-day. A Star special says that the Governor left Ohinemutn yesterday for Whakare warewa en route to Rotomahana. At Te Wairoa, Te Pangipuaneke and other chiefs of the Takourngi, let their men out along the road to meet the Vice-Regal party, and returned singing songs of welcome. Captain Mair accompanied the Governor through the native districts. , A Probable, Row. The natives held a monster meeting yesterday to consider the course of action to be pursued with regard to the land courts. Nothing was settled, and probably there will be a great row between the rival claimants. Not Sufficient Enterprise. Gkahamstown, To-day.

The reports from Te Aroha are not so promising. Men are working steadily, but no rich finds are reported. The claim-holders are making strenuous efforts' to get a crushing battery erected, but the residents of, the Thames and Auckland refused to take shares in the undertaking. • . Waterlogged. Napier, To-day.

The Silver Cloud, 820 tons, from New castle, N. S'. W., while , being kedged into the wharf, broke' the hawser, swerving round, bumped heavily, and broke her stern post. She now has grounded at the. neck of the channel, between the piers, and nearly waterlogged. The ship belongs to Vautier of Napier. The Fencers at Work Again. Opunakb, To-day.

Since the evacuation of the camp at Opua, four miles from Opunake, the na tives have erected fences across the new. road here, which still remain, necessitat ing the public travelling some miles over a heavy beach. Going to Law, Wellington, To-day. The captain of the schooner Fleetwiag, which came in first in the Coasters Race at the regatta, but was disqualified on the .ground of not having Sailed the proper course, was summoned by the Regatta Committee for the amount of the prize money and trophy. The case will be heard on Monday. A Christchurch Conviction Quashed. At the Appeal Court, this morning, judgment was given in the Crown appeal case, Murphy v. the Queen, an application to reverse the judgment upon a verdict given at the Supreme Court; Christchurch —the prisoner being sentenced to 4 years’ penal servitude for forgery. The applica tion was successful, and the prisoner was discharged. The Australians at Timaru. Timaru, To-day. The Australians arrived from Oamaru this-morning, and started at noon for tile cricket ground,' which is two miles from town. Play was 1 commenced at 1 o’clock. Black was chosen as umpire for the Aus tralians, and Dundas for’ the local team. The Australians went first to the wickets and Gioube scored 19, when he was thrown out.

Drowned. Dunedin, To-day. Mr. 0. E. Blanck, oil manufacturer, was drowned at Pelichet Bay at two o’clock this morning. Ho was returning homo on horseback. The deceased was insured ,in the Accident Insurance Company for LSOO. At a Popular Price. The Daily publishes at a penny from the Ist February, Cricket. The iuter-provincial cricket match will be played at Christchurch on February 34th, 25th, and 2Gth. : Tobin, of Melbourne;, plays for Australia at Canterbury. ' ‘

THE IRISH QUESTION.

Repressive Insures. , ’ . j l , A Protest' tiy the nfehiher fbt OuMIH.” ilk A'.,:v,.;h:q »i!.T W " Wbs }-Trial of LeaptrsA;;; ; ' [By Cable.] : ; ' ' J ' ' London; Jfip. 24. In the House of Commons to-day, the Right Hon. W. E. Forster, Chief Secretary.for Ireland, asked leave tp in troduce a Bill empowering the Viceroy of Ireland to; issue \yarrants fdr the arrest and detention of all persons sus

pected of treason, and to take steps to restrict the sale and possession of arms in any district.

London, Jian. 25.. A Bill for the adoptiorLof CoerpVe, measures in Ireland was introdjiceji-by the Irish Secretary in the House Commons to-day. The which it proposes to give thei-WieCrOy, to issue writs for the arrest and detention of suspected persons, and persons guilty of treasonable conduct, will hold good till October, 1882. . , V Dr. Lyons, given nbtiee bf an Amendment: ,on the measure, requiring ’Government: to carry out reforms in Ireland before pursuing a-policy of coercion. In the course of a speech made in the Hotrseto-day, Sir Stafford North cote, referring to the remarks made by the Secretary for Ireland, in introduc ing his Bill, said.ttjaf ,Mn were sadly convincing of the. necessity: for immediate stringent measures in re gard to Ireland. ; . ■ The trial of the 1 Leaguers at Dublin still proceeds. Judge Fitzgerald finished his . summing up to-day. The whole tenor of‘his address is generally ad mitted to have been strongly hostile.to the accused Leaguers. .. ■

(Per Steamers at AurJdanPand the Stuff:} London, Jan. 10. In connection with the state trials now being: proceeded with, the Government have consented to permit members who are amongst the accused to .attegd ; '.;the sittings of Parliament,' bn tlib'undfemlfnd ing ’that they must appear in Court’, to receive sentence when called upon. Recently the Tenantry-in certain ’dis tricts in Ireland refused to permit the gentry,to hunt on their farms. It is now reported that many farmers in Galway are hunting over the porperty of their land lords. " January IT. 1 The ’ flying column of troops recently organised in Ireland hare started through the disaffected portions of the country., January 12. ■ ’ The Honxe Rule party,i nf which Mr. Shaw is the leader, has renounced Par nellism. January 17.

It has been decided that certain mem bers of the Cork Land League who havV been instrumental in stirring up sedition in the county shall be prosecuted. There are some signs now that the Land League feels that the popular passions arb getting beyond its control, and desires to check them. A recent manifesto from the Dublin Central Organization to its.branches. throughout Ireland disavows the outrages,, though at the same time it declares that there must be no compropaise or partner ship with landlordism. -'The proposals known as fixity of tenure and sale -must be repudiated. The charges of Justices-to the Grand Juries in various provinces all depict the anarohial condi tion of the country in the darkest colors. The English papers are full of letters from victims of the Land League, some indig 5 nantly protesting - against the robbersV tyranny, and violence to which they are subjected; others making touching appeals for help in the extremities to which they, have been reduced by the loss of Terits y sale as a source of income; Public opinion in England is gradually favoring the stern repression of the disorder before . the measures of land reform should be intro duced.- The fresh Cabinet crisis, which occurred this.week owing to the renewal of the demand by Mr. Forster for imme diate coercive measures, has been again tided over. It is now stated that the Ministry, yielding to Mr. Forster’s re peated representations, agreed to include the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act among the coercive measures. As regards the other provisions of the Coercion Bill, they will be regulated by events, and official i-nquirieswill be conducted mainly by English detective officers. The Land Reform Bill will be presented at the same time as the Coercion Bill, and the Govern ment are now elaborating it: Neverthe less, it is a grave question still whether the state of things between this and .the opening: of Parliament may not compel the adoption of stronger measures with out waiting for Land Reform. The last prominent instarice of Boycotting is that of Bruce Jones, owning a large farm near Cork, who is being treated in the same manner as Captain Boycott, and has to be guarded by armed men day and night. . The technical point raised regarding the legality of evidence tendered by a large number of witnesses which it was intended to call for the defence of the land leaguers was sustained by ihe Court, and the wit nesses withdrawn. : -

Earl Fortescue having asked a question in the House of Lords as to what measure the Government intended to adopt in carrying out their announced poljoy. of coercion in Ireland, Earl 'Granville de clined to state the intentions of. the Go vernment. He notified that a Bill will be introduced- in the Commons dealing with the whole Irish question,' and until the measure was announced information as to the further intentions of the Government would not only be premature but indiscreet.

Mr. Gladstone has taken up a threaten ing attitude towards the party of obstruct tion in the House of Commons. He has condemned , Justin McCarthy’s amend ment to the address, sarcastically remark ing that Parliament' was not a debating society. : He characterised the amend ment as an insult to the Throne. Parnell made a speech, in the course of widen he vaunted the power of the Irish Land League. ' Several disorderely scenes occurred. The militia barracks at Edinburgh have been burned down. It is no doubt the work of an incendiary, and is suspected to be part of the Fenian scheme, to destroy the military bar racks and arsen als.

Ashburton Borough Council.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held last night, when there were present—Messrs. Fried lander, Ivcss, Harrison, Robertson, Roberts, and St. Hill. Mr. Friedlander apologised for the absence of his Worship the Mayor, through indisposition.' ■ On the motion of Mr. St. Hill, sconded by Mr. Roberts, Mr. Ivess took the chair. .THE BANK BALANCE. Briefly referring .to the business which would come before the Council that.even ing, the Chairman- remarked that the credit balance at the bank stood at L 37 18S. • AN INVITATION. , The Clerk of the County Council wrote,, ipviting the members of the Borough Council,to, be- present at the ceremony of; opening , the, Budding ; HiR , water-race. : Rfeaolved.to accept; the invitation;, with; thanks* j; e ■: - : - ■ vf :>;■ nq EiTtna-fo - . " The.Hnder-Secfeta.ry fot : that the. * the Go,un6u ? that , the tallway cattle yardsbe removedto aplace outside' the. ftoroughi boundary hadtbeen referred to the ?übho Works JJepaytferntj but there wepe at present po-jfnpjjs, aviil able for the’ work'to be uhfleHakra/'' A - Mr. gt. Hill’ liabVed’thk-fh^' MtfOr 1 be referred to the membhr' Tor ’the district, With a request that he bring the matter before 1 Government iih his i place in .1 that Souse. The speaker spoke - strongly against the cattle yards being retained in '

their present position, I'iSrhere a source of danger and annoyance publiaf _ ;■ 1 q : Mjj, r ; ; Robin?on seconded .the motion!;- - , itbat .ah' view by Mr. Wright with; the head dfjthejf Railway Department more likely, to be :Buccessft|||! thaff any aiiobunt' of . .a, } - . ' V cSrijaed Unanimously. ~%‘- THE BY-LAWS.

Messrs. Branson and Purnell wrote, enclosing draft by-law in lieu of No. 54 ; new building regulation in.lieu of No,. 1 ; and;, J rpg,u.laripß-fixing fees - payable-, J or., inspection' 6f;plans7” Ceftaih alterations ; wefa*klfdwfti©' : bbSgestecT to; this building ■ reginations. Ths .solicitors also forwarded ; bpiniO'fis ‘ relating*•‘■‘'to The” Asphalting by-" laws. ’ '•

Thesuggestod alterations in the build ing bydaws were adopted. The Chairman drew attention Of the Council to the concluding paragraph .of iMessrs. Branson quid . Purnell’s letter Relating, to,the revision of the by.-laivs a whole, which they remarked 1 WoUld bfe a work of time.” If the Council’ were not careful this work ,of revision might be a rather costly affair. ... It was resolved that the paragraph be. referred to his Worship; the . Mayor ;to make inquiries. THE SUBSIDY, A telegram from the Postmaster- . General’s,office informed the Council that the subsidy -would be, forthcoming, next week. ,• - AN OFFER. -Mr. R. Lancaster offered to lease for twenty-Qne..years . section.. 631, aj certain terms. It was-resolved,,that the offer could- not be..entertained. THE ASPHALT CONTRACT. Messrs Branson add ad ’ vising the , Council re of the. con tract for asphalting. Mr.' Bradley, the ■contractor, also wrote, proposing certain alterations iii his contract.

The request in clause 2 of Mr. Bradley’s Tetter that he should only be bound to keep the work in repair for the term of two years, the result of any occa sioned by his own neglect, or ordinary wear aildf,tear, was conceded. With.re ference- to. cslause- 3,. in which .the con tractor objected to one officer being the sole arbiter as to whether the work was or 'was not done satisfactorily, the Council declined to alter the beyond •adding the words, “ Or of any other per son the Council may appoint. ” Regarding lithe question of damages, it was decided that the contractor should only be liable for accidents to. life or limb, during .the progress of his work, or from any negli gence or carelessness in his-work. A' con siderable amount pf discussion .ensued en tile request of the contractor for interest pn his deposit. Mr. St. Hill proposed and Mr. Harrison seconded—“ That interest, at the rate of p -percent:, be .allowed to Mr. .Bradley, on pis'' deposit Mr.. Harrison explaining that hd - ’ suppdrted 1 the" request from the jmpression that it was the practice of father bodies.

i- ,Mr. Williamson objected .to the motion; as sup.b a course would be unfair to the unsuccessful contractors. ..-He always understood that, in tendering for work, the parties made allowance for the deposit. He moved, as an amendment—“ That the terms of the specification be adhered to.” The Chairman supported the amend ment, and-some of the members suggested that the specification should he produced for perusal before coming to a decision. : Mr. St. Hill objected, to delaying the matter. Ever.: since the contractor com menced his work - übsti’ttctions.,had. been placed-in his way, and he was thoroughly hedged in with conditions. . ; Mr. vWilliajiason wished to know at wliom’Mr. St. Hill’sinuendoes were aimed; bnd during a warm conversation, in which Messrs. Friedlander, Williamson, and St. Hill were prominent speakers, the latter gentleman was somewhat severe on the Borough Engineer, who evidently was, in Mr. St. Hill’s opinion-, the contractor’s evil spirit. The Chairman said shield' - any officer of the Council from attacks-made Upon him in his ,absence, which was a most Unfair thing; to do. If the contractor had a grievance against the Engineer, it was cpiite competent for him to lay a charge rxijith the Council; ■ j Mr; Friedlander was sure that Mr. Bradley’s letter was written without the slightest approach to animus against the -Engineer, and,-in fact, had no reference to the latter’s conduct. - ; . ‘

Ultimately, the discussion waA post poned until next meeting night, to allow the specifications to be produced. THE WATER PIPES. A letter from the manager of the Union Bank with reference to a loan on the water pipes was’ referred to his Worship the Mayor. THE AUCTIONEERS’ CHARGES. Correspondence from Messrs. Matson, Cox and Co., in?, explanation of their -charges fot- land- sale, was also referred-to sls yj^B^ip s |ihe'|^yo|s;;tlV--’.-.'' *• ; ’ THE FIRE BRIGADES. A letter froiti’ the Lyttelton Fire Brigade enclosing information which had been - requested, was : ordered to,lie: on the table. ...... engineers’ report. Concrete Channeling. —This contract is just on the paint of completion. We.. would sug gest, the advisability of determining as tp whether and what further channelling is to be ■done. . Outfall Drain. —lf the Council determine on -proceeding with this work at once, we should be glad of instructions so that the working drawings, and specification can be prepared. The estimate of cost, of the drain" in different materials is contained in our report of. 28th of June, 1880, ■if reference is required on this point. ,

The Labor Gang has been principally en gaged in filling up gully in and completing for mation of Cass street, between Cox street and Wills street, -and making good in> Peter ■ street, &c., also, in'making aild fixing bridges, . clean sing channels, &c. Wa have completed the Valuation List of the borough for 18S1, and beg to apply for a payment of L2O on account. Fooks & Son. Glauses 1 and 2 were ordered ; to. stand over ( clause 3. cpiifirmcjj $. andL clause-. f postponed. ' SCAVENGE RING. . Mr. Harrison moved “ That, upon the termination' of the present contract, the scavengering be undertaken by the Borough ; the plant, to-:be the property of the men employed by the .Borough; that a rate ha levied r to be called the drainage and cleansing rate, whereby will be obtained a system effectual and universal, far more inexpen sive to the Borough. ” Mr. Harrison ' spoke at some length on the subject, and referred to the necessity which existed for ■ airefofmation in the mamiet in which the scavenging work was being done, cr, in many oases left’undone.' A number of 'difficulties had arisen in the past, especi ally in cases where householders had neglected to pay the scavenger, and, as a natural result, he had refused to attend their premises, .filth had' acutnulated, and sickness in the neighborhood followed. The speaker then went into figures on the subject, in which he showed that while, by imposing a rate of, say 4d. in the ■£, the Borough would add to its receipts, the burgesses also would- find- it far cheaperjthao the present itjie ' proper cleansing, of the "town jyoultl •. be | jhspi’ed.; By striking a’,fat’ey, fdo,' jir&perty- who were absent from the : ’would also be contributWg towards "the sanitary, \wellfbeing of- the: Bprdpgh. 051, the rate df-fid., L237;Xoai would be produce^ Mr. Priedlander seconded the jpotjpp.j os ith© motion, ;but- thought Mr, Harri son went a little too far when he suggested

p.'be levied on unoc ?cussol‘sections equally wMkyeffheriir; He system in Ghrist chiqiph qf'paying a certaiiiy«im quarterly veijy. well. £ Mr. gftJTiirjwas the multipli icatidn of yrates, result in ■iheiE but he jvqtdd ftqt. offer \ a&yf. oppoaitidn'iitq tbo •motion, as to%cbme before the burgesses;, A > . Mr. Williariison tliougbt it would be a hardship to manydf, in a small town like

this it were made compulsory on property holders ,lb- pay, rates r fofer.scayengißgi-i Th.ere, was perhaps a 1 need for it with regard to tjie business parts of the-town, but where: —as in many instances was the , ctifee—persons! Kad a houSeH'bn a,' quarfebv-' aero section, there was nothing tc inter fere with' them' Using the rubbish for gardening purposes. •. r Mr.. Harrisop' .replied; and the resolu tion being put was carried. ; .= asphaltKisteßiNp.... • l J ■ A Suggestion by Mr. Harrison that the asphalting be furnished with-a margin of . woodwork'to, prevent the asphalt. from being broken away, by the-; shingle, was ■ referred to the. Works Committee with ; power to. act.

THAT SIX-.VXD-KIGHTPBNCE. The Chairman * wished tq refer- to. a matter which, while he had been a partici pator in tho affair, ho .hoped the .curtain had dropped over for. good,; yet it was well that, the’.matter of which he was-' about to speak- should .he veptilated- A statement had been made by..tho late. Borough solicitor in tho. Supreme Court yesterday that he had deposited ’ the sum of L 7 as a refund "for the’ charges which had been made on defaulting ratepayers. 3Vfr, .Iv;cas suggested that, as a matter-of common honesty, now that the moiioy had been refunded to the Council, repara tion should be mado.'tb the ratepayers who, had paid tho six shillings. He under stood a refund had been made in one in stance—-that of Miss Callaghan. Mr. Williamson said it was the first he had heard of the refund. When Mr. Crisp’s account 'of LIOO was paid that ■gentleman gave a discount of LlO, but he (Mr, Williamson) understood that was on account of the little legal work, that had been required of Mr. Crisp. , • ; The Chairman said that the.Tovyn.Clers; had just informed him that no refund had be.en made to Miss Callaghan. That lady had paid her rates,, less 65., but. the Town Clerk had only given her a receipt for the amount paid “.on account.” It was resolved that the matter be deferred till next meeting, when it was expected that his Worship .the . Mayor would be able to explain. Accounts were then passed for payment, and the Council adjourned.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTION.

Rakaia- ■ . The annual . meeting of householders in the educational district of ; South Rakaia, was held in the Schoolroom, Rakaia, on Monday evening. There was .not'a very large attendance. On the motion of Mr. Hardy, seconded by Mir. Sharp, Mr. Tucker took the chair. The -chairman read: the advertisement calling the meeting, after which he read the - report and balance sheet ; of - -the out going committee. It : was ■ resolved - that the- report and balance sheet-be adopted. ' ■ The meeting then proceeded to the election of a new committee, which thete was some difficulty in-doing, so many individuals declining to act., During the interval between the nominations Mr. Tucker, the late chairman, said that as there appeared to he-a-certain- amount of. antipathy to serving on the School Com mittee, if, the meeting- would - elect him as a commissioner he would do his best for the district. Ultimately, however, several, gentlemen on being pressed agreed to their nomination, and. the following names being the only ones, they were de clared duly elected;—Q. Hardy, J. N. Sharp, R. Davies, J. Gaarder,- W. Byrne, W. Kemble", and E. - Bowler. - This being the whole of the business, after the customary votes.- of Thanks -th.e meeting broke up. ANNUAL, REPORT. . On this the occasion of the annual election of a school committee, as provided' by section 64 of the Education Act, 1877, it becomes necessary for the old dr retiring- committee to make a report of their proceedings-during their term 0/ office. During the year, your .com mittee have held thirteen ordinary, and two speciakmeetings, at which the attendance has been four and eight-tenths on the average. Yorr committee have to report that the school has made satisfactory progress during the year, fifty-six per cent of the pupils’passed in the standards in which they were examined,: and considering the-irregular attendance and the fact that only eleven months elapsed between the two examinations, better results could not well be expected. The Inspector in his report refers to the very irregular manner ini which children attend, and We trust that parents and guardians - will endeavour to remedy this cause ofcomplaintby regnlariysendingtheirchildreh to school. The committee of the year 1879, when making their report, recommended that the committee of 1880 keep the matter of increased school accommodation well before the Board of Education. This, matter has not been lost sight of, and-the Board have at-length decided to proceed with the enlargement of the school out of the amount granted for building pur poses , during the current, financial year, in spite of the ahovena.med drawbacks—bad accommodation and bad attendance —the school has fully maintained the average attendance, as at the end of last year, average 93. During the year, there has been a change in the teaching staff. Mips- M.- Ausley having been appointed to the vacancy caused by the resignation of Miss B. Jack, and on account of the average attendance requiring it, it has been found necessary to appoint a pupil teacher in tire person of Miss Kate Doherty, who has so far performed her duties in a careful and painstaking manner.. The actual boundary of the school site has been defined during Ihe year, and we would recommend our, to ex tend the-boundary fence arblind the remaining, portion as soon as funds and fhe -season pf tire year will permit- r eference to the balance sheet and correspondence will show that, at the commencement of the year, this matter was.not. in a very flourishing condition, but with strict economy: and the assistance of the Board of Education, we have been able to pay all out standing debts, do some repairs and improve mentsi arid have now a small balance in hand.

BALANCE SHEET, RECEIPTS. £ *• d. Balance from last audit ... ... 2 14 4 Education office ... ... ... 271 17 11 Incidentals ... ... . ; 45 *9 4 Special grants ... ’ ' ... ... '22 10 o Total ; .... ... £343 1 7 EXPENDITURE.- • Salaries ... - ... ?7( 17-H Incidentals ... 61 15 9 Balance in Bank ... ... ... 9 7 11 Total ..._. :: £m. 1,7 committee meeting.' ' , The new committee then sat, when Mr. Hardy was elected Chairman. Mr. Tucker, chairman of,the late com mittee attended, and explained the nature, of some. correspondence which had re cently passed between that committee and the Board, when it was resolved-that the .pew committee adopt the correspon dence as read.. 1 ; ■ V

The Chairman said it would be neces sary .to elect a secretary, and to fix his salary. , On : the motion of >Mri Gaarder it was .Resolved that .a 'Secretary be ap pointed. >r that the -secretary be paid .LlQjper arplu.m.. -Mr. E.. Bowler proposed as an amendment, that the amount be BS per anpum, . which was seconded by Mr. Sharp,; iTheTWnend mept Was lost. ■. : > ... ,; ! 'lfe.i£as>decided..tQ call for tenders for the 3W», tenders to f b 6 in by Tuesday, February Ist, to which date the committee adjourned.

CORRESPONDENCE,

We do not hold ourselves responsible forlße opinions expressed by our, correspondents. 1 ;

THE HOSPITAL'S CASES .

To THE Sik, —I have been travelling for some time, out of employment. I bad occasion to call at Ashburton Hospital, and ex plained my sores to the doctor. He told me,he could do nothing for me. I had to wnpder about the town for some time, in misery and pain. Fortunately, I met with fargood Samaritan, who gave me ail order for medicine for the trouble that I was labpring under at the time. I merely wish ta .showVtlie public how a poor riia®,- Ts treated, when he calls at the hospital for aid.—-T am, dte;'} 2, ' - A. Houltson.

THE CHIMNEY CORNER.

1 MY MEMORANDUM BOOK - . ■ PART 11. —Gontimied. Repairing one morning to the read ing rbom to see the English papers being naturally, anxious to learn what :Was going, on at-home, I found a file of the Times for the past month or two studied, together; and while casually perusing the agony columns, my eye fell upon the advertisement I have read to you, as. also to an appended descrip tion of myself, -Tiie transaction flashed, upon me.,’ 1' at once looked up the entries in my pocket book, and found that the date when I got change at Dibdbn’s corresponded with that given in. the advertisement. You see, here are the entries :—August vyth —Bank of England note 37,299, Lio, from Roberts and Co.” And—“ September 2nd —Bank of England note 65,982, L 5, from iliibden, Knollys and Dibden.” ' I need scarcely tell you that I lost no time in leaving Paris for London ; and when I arrived there I at once found my way to ' the office of Smith and Olliver. ' At the - very moment I was about to enter their chambers a young lady was in the act of leaving them. Her eyes no sooner met mine than she seemed fixed to the spot. Thinking she might possibly have recognised hi me an old acquaintance, I raised my hat and was about to speak, when she eagerly replied, “ Did you see the ad vertisement ?”

I replied that I had seen an adver tisement in the. Times which I believed referred to myself, and that I was there that rooming in consequence. The strained and anxious expression on her face seemed to become in tensified as she asked ; “And was it you who gave him the note ?” ■ You will see I was until now quite ignorant of what had taken place with regard to that ten-pound note, or even why any information was wished from me regarding it; I did not, therefore, quite understand the question, and looked, I dare say, somewhat taken aback. Ere I could reply, however, she spoke. • “ Oh,” she said, “ J beg your pardon ; but something dreadful has happened in connection with that note, and I. spoke as if you must have known all about it.. Will you kindly come in and see Mr. Oliver?”

I went in, and a very few minutes’ conversation . with the solicitor was sufficient to acquaint me of the very distressing occurrence to which the young lady had referred. I observed that she was still much agitated, and seemed to await my reply with some thing like- impatience, and as I drew forth the blue pocket-book, her eyes were riveted upon it with an eagerness painful to behold I then exhibited the entries which I have already shown you, and placed the book in the hands of Mr. Oliver. Both he and the young lady examined and compared then!, without speaking a word. He took from a bunch of papers on the table a folded sheet, . which, when he had opened it out, I saw . was a criminal indictment. Glancing it over for a minute, he read ; out slowly and dis tinctly, .the . number “ 3-y-2-g-g,” com paring it, figure by figure, with the first entry in the pocket-book. .. , “ Thank God,” said the young lady, “ that is it.” . During this time her face had changed from, being pallid to a hue like that of death ; and now, as tears started from her eyes, ; she sank, half fainting, intd a chair. I was not sur prised at the nature of her excitement when 'I canie to .know all, and that when I met her she was- leaving the chambers in a state of despondency almost bordering on despair—-day after day having passed, and no reply being received to her repeated advertisements and appeals. . Mr. Oliver spoke kindly and en couragingly to her, and in a little while she had so far recovered as to allow him to prosecute, the inquiries which naturally, arose out of the information I had given him.. “ I have already mentioned to you,” he said, “that the note-which the young gentleman admitted having re ceived from you and placed in the cash box was a forged note j I trust the fact that you had that note in your posses sion can be satisfactorily explained, as we should be very sorry indeed if the information which promises to give such relief to us should in any way reflect on you.”. I said 1 hoped npt. .. I had received the note, as entered in the memoran dum, from a firm called Roberts and Go. ; but I knew nothing further of them, the firm having been a strange one to me, and the transaction—the first and last I had with them—a cash one.

, He asked if I remembered the ad ; dress of the firm. I told him as near as'l could ; whereupon, again referring to his papers, he showed me a cutting from a newspaper containing the detec tion anjt-cotitrictibirof' : a £arig/of. bank note forgers, who had transacted busi ness under various : cognomens, one of these being’?? Roberts attd Co.;” and he stated;’, what was afterward verified, .that the persons from whom I had re ceived the note which had . caused all this trouble to innocent people were in all probability inferred.to. V.‘ r . | It was thus that ! ac • of ISli§s^3?ierly, and I may” ■bf iriy old, gblue _ppcket-hopk; ivith its mass of apparently than when the SeCretaryibf* State, after hear ing the statement we made' to hith; ac cepted my. pocket-mhrrtprahda as eyi? dbnc^;‘ and' ln; due codrsd dSSuecl an orderfSr feeprge'Hamilton’s' liberation.; ‘ Tnh yb^d?y;toe;otd'Q r .was.received I < went to Millbank to take him back;

aSSwwaliours'he was sitting at din neij in)|fee you now occupy, with hisshaHome-. bride elect at his side. The atoxftment I could make him fdrjhe suffering I had innocently caijsed him was do take the place of a father, arid give her away on her wed ding-day,: _ You will now, I hope, perceive the value I place upon such memoranda as my old pocket-book contains. To make such entries is only the work of a minute; and when '• knowing what .usefuLpurpose fhey’|nay serve. There Can be" no’ reasonable ■doubt that if I- hadiwHKKl llli actions above aboye fefened as at first sight they mayhrave appeafSdi” duly entered) in my ;meraqgndag statements to the Secreturv of bedn of nb' avarfj would have looked like the .trumped-up fictions of a latei- Hour, cbritmaea l pt 1 <the purpose of defeating justice. . it was the entries stood in my boo? under ther proper date,, and were ® ficient of themselves, apart from my. parole evidence, to prove that the per son to whom I pound note on the and of September was not the of the farmed r rrote, whoever may have ”been, n] the r,gpiUy*,ir-f party; consequently,. I was thus able ■ to free an innocent person, not only from prison and -from a lohg and de grading course., ; .-.oEVpenaV "scfvitnde,but from the life-long.stigma which- the im- putation of such a> crime would.|have left on his character. And now; my dear boy, I am gbirig - to mike yoU ; a ,1. present of a nice new memorandum-d ---book, and I hope you’ll make good.use } of it. — Chamber? JoutnaL ,

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY, -JANUARY 26, 1881.



. Special Advertisements. . COMMERCIAL ’ AND FANCY . STATIONERY. -tM. -ifi <■'■=—L' ... ■: ■; The Undersigned has opened up a NEW ASSORTMENT hf the above. Cream, Blue,, and -Hand - made. Notepapers ; Ruledy* Plain, Fancy} and Repp ditto. Good Business Envelopes} No. 7, Court, Albert/—Queen, Tinted', Repp, and others. Pens Gilloll’s,' Mitchell’s, Brandauer and Co.’s. ‘lnks—Stephen’s Bind Black} Walkden’s Black and Colored, Antonihe, Copying, &c. Workboxes, Albums. Books, &c. :ii. m. Tones, STATIONERY AND FANCY GOODS ledm?...' DEPOT, East Street and Baking Square. 710



Co. (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, mOBACCONIST, FANCY GOODS, i AND STATIONERY. . » T r J« *> < * i■ ■ Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes ■ Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco, Musical rnatranfehts, etc., etc.' Haircutting, t Shaving and Shampooing. EAST- STREET, ASHBURTON. 520*



The best value <■; - ..... FOB r ■ ~1 . . READY MONEY IS’. THE MEN’S ! AND BOYS’ CLOTHING i_ q IMAHHFACTtrBEO. BY ‘ THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, Which can be purchased at their Retail Branches, all over New Zealand, a Single garment at the WHOLESALE PRICE. Thousands of the discerning customers testify that the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Garments are the Very Best Value for Beady Mooney. Ashburton Branch JS--A ST STREET. •{ WMi SPARROW, 751* Manager.



O' ! It S A L E. A EfcERING TWINE BINDER; has only '-cuf Acres, and is in BplemM-WOfkmg order. Apply to 988*D. WILLIAMSON.



Holloway’s Pills,—These PHls are efficacious in strengthening a debilitated constiv finrr tution than any other ; medicinesin the wotKL-iV/ fficaons- of nervous habit of body, and alt jnA are suffering from weak digestive organs, .or whose health has become decayed by billions effections, disordered istonufch, dr~|iver plaints, should lose’ rid time in"“giving thfse admirable Pills a fair trial., . Copgh, colds, asthma, or shortness of breath, are" also within, I the range of the senative, powers of thisveryrVA remarkable medicine. The cures effected ■ these Pills are not superficial or temporary, but ■ • complete and permanent. They • are asmild they are efficacious, and may be given, wtt confidence to delicate females and young, chil dren. —Advt.



Wanted. ; H[ WANTED TO SELL SECTIONS, Wakanui . Road. Apply to Patching, Tent-maker,. .East < Street. ' , . 89®;.: A; N T B D, TENDERS for Erecting, at Fairfield, r ac; about Two Miles of Wire FENCING (Ploughing included) ; to - consist- - ofe-S-lf Four Sods,-and Three fWires j ; Applications, at. pec. Chain, will be ah r - r ceived until TUESDAY next, by ' rJ H W >R BOYIE, 998 Moore street..



WANTED, TENDERS for.JPJJR. CHASE of 250 Acres six miles from Hinds, next iJßii Fyo* a. 0!M Water, 20ft. Half Fenced. ' Ploughed. Terms—lo per cent (ash, 15 per cent, in twelve per arrangement; Tenders tolC.lH6wJaa»,'.« Woodend, by February 10th. No tender • necessarily accepted. 944 ■ - - ~ -L. J /,■ WANTED KNOWN, That HENRY’S PORTRAIT ROOMS, Saunders’ Buildings, East! Street, Ashburtomr.«acr; 1 open' DAILY, ‘from "9 a.m.' till '5 p.'rit Portraits taken in any .weather. Orest Reduction in Price. .606 TTTANTED KNOWN—ThA- Li&teSO J vv and Best Stock of Saddlery is to be found at tire shop of S. Tinwald. Good strong Cart CollarAfrom 135.; Cart Winkers, Bs. 6d.; Plough Back-bands. 6s. cash ; Cart Saddles and Breechens, from 505.; Reaping Machine Pole Straps; 2s. , Farmers will ppaaks4 a great saving by buying of, S- Stephens, J-k Saddler, Tinwald. W>J ITT ANTED KNOWN, -r- -Ashburton T y, VV REGISTRY OFFICE for Made 1 J and Female Servants.—L. ?- •'Axdeewes begs to inform the public of Ashburton and surrounding districts that he has . opened the above. Male-, and- • jFemale . Servants of all classes provided. 1 * Em- . ployers requiring servants, aiid all J with good .recommendations, who are Iff: *■ want of situations, are requested to apply to L. F. Andkhwes, Labor Agent,TJEWok seller, and Stationer, East street, South. 52? WANTED KNOWN—Thata Church of England minister’s wife writes that she saves Ten Shillings a Fortnight HT by using Harper Twelve trees’ Villa JJ-, Washer, .. Wringer, mid,. ,Mangler # Tis<39i»r' X * bined; and, although' site permits no rubbing, the clothes are beautifully white; and much cleaner than when done ■by hand, while ..the saving in mending; h a s fTT been astonishing. Sold hy J. HERN, fl Range Maker and Importer,. corner ; <rf- -’1 Manchester and Tuain streets, Chmt* church; - ’’uawflOt *•« WANTED SOMERSET * LIVERY- AND BAIT - STABLES. ; r r j JW. M‘RAE bogs to inform the . public ihafe he hsa/takoni AffeYf Stables from Mr. Bossenberg, and ia CjL making extensive, repairs. Buggies and saddle horses on Hire. Lowest prices and bestattention. 852 ITTANTED KNOWN—That ViStlng V V Cards, plain; 6|" mour»H^j<ai»(h* Cf obtained printed in *• Guardian” office, opposite the Railway * Station. ’I"':-!.'-V ' gfiaTaHLlAjJ



CANARY, ■ gocsnarar. l .wwwrf The MEETING of the above* mu POSTPONED to FRIDAY, January 28, at 8 p.m. in the Upper Robin iajthe.Totra I T Hall. -S All interested are desired ia attend. Lost. =??SSV(H S .-.W .ehinathT LOST, a Gold Keeper RING with Fern Leaf design. Reward on returning- - same to Office of thia Paper. jj 'j/ 989 Tenders. > a^dsHOi-i/rj rHENDERS FOR PURCHASE OP 1; TENDERS ace invited for the Purchase , T of 500 Acres■ ~f cf i, 'Sthndii&*". ... 350 Acres First-Class Short Oat« T,,rl ' 160 Acres Firsc-Clasa Barley In the Chertse; Compass LanV.. . ,■■, . ~ i Tenders t 6 be in not'daCeplthuJ SU>Ni r \ DAY, January 31sR- -in>a;i*yATJs _■ _ kjf . Poll particulars csh 0 1 a >990; ■ MATSON.-GQ#, fei<3Q. qiHB- GUARDIAN is on every Tea A- ‘ Table in Ashburton.