SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Saturday. Oreti, 8.5., from Onehunga, via way ports. Yesterday. Examiner, barque, from Greymouth. . Sydenham, barque, from Auckland. Malaura, barque, from London. Sailed. Saturday. Hawea, s.s., for Wellington. Star of the South, s.s., for Westport. Yesterday. Beautiful Star, s.s., for Timaru and Dunedin. Westfa, brigantine, for Falmouth or Queensland, for orders. Bee, schooner, for Foxton. E. and U. Cameron, schooner, for Foxton. Pelican, brigantine, for Picton. Isabella, ketch, for Gatlin’s River.

SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Saturday. Arrived—Seagull, from Oamaau - Sailed—Sissy, for Suva. Wellington, To-day. Arrived—Himalaya, barque, from Lon don, after a passage of 100 days. Timaru, Saturday. Arrived—Circe and Mary King, from Lyttelton. Sailed —Annie Bow, for Auckland. Port Chalmers, Saturday. Sailed—Arawata, for Bluff. Dunedin, To-day. At the Heads—Formosa, barque, from London.

COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, Monday afternoon. Mr Alfred Harrison reports for Satur day’s sale as follows ; —Quite a mob of hacks and draught horses were entered. Six of the former were disposed of at what for the times is a fair figure ; the draughts in every case, however, had to be passed in. Pigs still hold their own, every lot being cleared to owners’ satisfac tion. The prices realised were as follows : —lO stickers at Bs, 9s, and 10s ; 1 sow L2. Fowls were well represented, many of the pens containing fair birds, both as to quality and breed. Polands, 4s 9d per pair ; Dorkings, 4s per pair ; pullets and killing birds, 2s 6d to 3s 4d per pair. Bantams, 3s 3d per pair ; ducks, 4s per pair. Four greyhound pups, seven weeks old; sold at 12s 6d to 22s 6d each. Potatoes brought 35s to L 3 5s per ton, the latter price being obtained for a really good sample of blue Derwents. Chick feed (inferior), sold from 3s Gd to 5s per bags carrots, L2 per ton ; onions, f d to Id per lb ; cheese, 4d to 41 d per lb. A small consignment of bacon sold readily ; a really good quality would find a good market. The attendance was good, though not so large as usual.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at 5.30 a. m. 10 a. m., and sp. m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. For Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., daily. For Timarn and South, at G a.m., 10 a.m., and 420 p.m., daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 am. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, .430 p.m. daily. • For Wakanui, F.lgin, 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., 435 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. From Chertsey, &c. at 10.25 a.m. daily. . From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.35 p.m. daily. From Temuka and Timarn at 10.15 a. m. 5.35 p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p. m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.m. daily. Frond Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, New land, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 4 p.m.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Wednesday, April 27. Mr. T. Bullock, at Mr William Innis’ Fatm, Wakanui—Stock, Implements, &c.; 1 o’clock. i Saturday, April 30. Dan Henderson and Co., at their rooms, Saunders’ Buildings—Usual Weekly Sale; 12 o’clock. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Ac. Wednesday, April 27. Agricultural and Pastoral Association- Annual Meeting, upper room of Town Hall. Thursday, April 20. Public Meeting, re the Railway Engine Shed, Town Hall, 7.30 p.m. Monday, May 2. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Wednesday, May 4 County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock. Winchester School Committee.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

Trains Leave Ashburton fox? Chbtst church and intermediate stations at G a. in,, 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 4.50 p.m.—the latter pro ceeding no farther than Tiraani. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Christchurch at 10 24 a. in. (Express), 4,36p.m., and 7.50 p.m. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Timaru and South at 10.15 a.m., 5.34 p.m. (Express), and 8.15 p.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1881.

TOWN EDITION. . [lssued at 4.30

Borough Council. —A special meeting of this Council was held this afternoon, at the Council Chamber. Present His Worship the Mayor, Crs St. Hill, Ivess, Williamson, Friedlander, Harrison, and Robinson. The Mayor stated that the business before the meeting was the con sideration of the financial position of the Borough.—Cr St. Hill moved, and Or Parkin seconded —“ That this Council go into committee on the financial position of the Borough.” Carried. The Committee, on resuming, reported progress, and the following resolution was adopted by the Council : —“ That the Borough’s banking account be transferred from the Bank of New Zealand to the Union Bank of Australia for the ensuing 12 months.” The meeting then ad journed. Mails for Europe. —The mails for Europe, via San Francisco, close at Auck land to-morrow at 12.30 p.m. Motooau Estate. —This estate was disposed of by auction on Saturday last, and was purchased by Mr H. J. Hall, of Ricearton, for L45,C00. Town Improve vents. —The work of erecting a boundary fence arcund the Court-house is now in hand, and will doubtless tend to the improvement of the appearance of the building. New Industry in Christchurch —The manufacture ot potato starch and fari naceous food, arrowroot, and similar pro ducts, are being commenced on a large scale in Christchurch. Chess Tourney. —Mr P. F. Jacobsen is the winner of the tourney, in connec tion with the Canterbury Chess Club, just concluded. His score includes six wins and *one lost game. Mr Hookham was not competing. Very Suspicious. —At the enquiry held atTemuka on Saturday afternoon into the burning of R. Hornbrooke’s stacks, the jury returned a verdict that there was no evidence to prove the origin of the fire, but the fact of the stacks being consider ably over-insured, was very suspicious. Racing Club. — At the meeting on Saturday, it was decided to defer the handicaps in the open events at the Steopleclare meeting till after the running of the Grand National. The appointment of office-bearers for the meeting also took place. The Totalisator Prosecution. —The case brought in the Christchurch Court against Messrs Hobbs and Goodwin, the proprietors of the totalisator, by Messrs Snider and Drake, bookmakers, was this morning adjourned, on the application of Mr Joynt, for one week. This will enable the defendants to attend at the Timaru races with their machine, much to the annoyance of the bookmakers. Not the Only One. —The Nelson Mail complains that the local cemetery trustees have been in a state of complete torpor for several years past. At present (says our contemporary) all the powers which should be vested in the trustees alone ap pear to be possessed, at all events are exercised, by the grave-digger, a very worthy officer no doubt, but still not pre cisely the individual who, in the event of the public being permitted to have a say in the matter, would be elected to the post of secretary, treasurer, general manager, &c., Ac. Another Tough One. —A curious in stance of canine sagacity is recorded by the Taranaki Herald. A dog, belonging to Mr Courtney, of New Plymouth, had a favorite companion, a dog owned by Mr Watkins, which was considered by its owner as unfit to live, and was therefore sewn up in a bag and deposited in the Henui river. Mr Courtney’s dog got “ scent” of the occurrence and went into the river and nobly rescued his compan ion. Ho was found tearing up the bag in the endeavor to liberate his highly es teemed friend.

Football. —The opening match of the season took place last Saturday, in a field belonging to Mr T. R. Hoddor. Owing to the great heat, a great many of the players did not turn up, but those who were there had a first rate game. Sides were picked by the Captain and Secretary. The play on both sides was very good, but the Captain’s side was the strongest, and won the game by one goal. For the Captain’s aide, A. Fooks, Hodder, Groves, and St George played splendidly, Hodder being especially noticeable ; for the Secretary’s side, Jephson, Andrews, E. Fooks, Leitch, and Reginald Hodder, played well. The lads, Reginald Hodder and D. Leitch, deserve credit for the plucky way in which they played. There will be another game in the Domain next Saturday. Suicide. —Some days since it will be remembered, the proprietor of the Eastern Hotel reported to the police that a Mr Foulkes was missing from his home and was supposed to have a gun with him. A search party went out yesterday (says a contemporary), and Mr Parker, one of the party, discovered the body of Foulkes, about a mile back from the Rridge Hotel Healhcote, and about the same distance from the estuary. It was at once apparent that the unfortunate man had committed suicide. He was lying on his back, a gun lying across his body, and the roof of his head was shot away, leaving only the chin. It is supposed that he discharged both barrels of the gun into his mouth. The body was brought to Christchurch and placed in the public morgue. Making Merry. —A number of Maoris belonging to the Te Aiawa tribe gave an entertainment at the Public Hall, Cambridge, recently, which seems to have been rather a curious affair. The pro ceedings commenced with a haka, after which came a representation of the cap ture of Ned Kelly, and the overthrow of his gang. The IVaikato Times, in des cribing this item, says :—“ Ned himself was represented by a gentlemen whose get up was in singular harmony betwecen that of the colored preacher and the mid night assassin. He moved stealthily about the stage muttering something, but whether it was a song or a sermon, we are not entitled to say. At last he discovered someone to ‘ operate ’ upon, and after dis patching two or three intruders with his six-chambered revolver, he was himself overpowered and carried off captive amidst immense applause from the audience.” The balance of the entertain ment was made up of so-called negro minstrelsy. We can quite believe the statement that the entertainment as a whole was very laughable. Butter and Cheese Making. A lengthy paper was read on Saturday on the above subject by Mr Bowron, at the rooms of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association. The paper was listened to with great interest, and at its close a vote of thanks was passed to Mr Bowron. Whilst on the subject it may be remem bered that an experiment was tried with the new preservative butyroseter, which was claimed to be effective. Two jars of butter, treated with Aylesbury butyro seter, were placed in the cool cellars of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and allowed to remain for three months. On being opened on Saturday last, how ever, it was found that the experiment had not been successful, as the butter was far from sweet. It may, however, be stated that a farmer at Southbridge treated some butter with the preservative, and that it kept sweet for a few weeks. This seems to point to the fact that for short voyages the preservative may be uted successfully. —Frees.

Spouting and Ridge Making Machine. —We learn that Mr Hardley has met with such large demands for spouting and ridging, that he has been obliged to for ward to Melbourne an order for a machine to be employed in the manufacture thereof. Those of his customers who have experienced a difficulty in immedi ately obtaining their orders, consequent on the great demand in this particular line, will therefore have little to fear in the future.

A New Convincing Ground. —We (Morning Herald) understand that the Dunedin Jockey Club are considering the advisability, of getting a new racecourse. At a meeting of the club held on Friday evening—at which were present, Messrs Marshall (in the chair), Stephenson, Hazlett, Meenan, and Dowse —an offer was received of 100 acres freehold land, said to bo suitable for a racecourse. A sub-committee was appointed to confer with a surveyor and engineer with refer ence to the land, and to report 011 as early a date as possible. Just So.—The following paragraph is taken from the last budget of “ ” in the Australasian :—Some little child ren of Australian parentage are at school near London. Their English school fellows are rather critical and outspoken about the strangers. Said Miss Violet, from Bayswater (aged eleven), to Miss Wattleblossom, from Sydney (aged nine) ; “ Your new dross, dear, is very nice, but somehow you don’t look like us. What makes Australian girls ..different to Eng lish'?” “Just, dear, wo’re not so im pudent —that’s the difference Burning an Editors Effigy. —The Poverty Bay Herald has been writing some very strong articles about the recent encampment held there, and, as a result, at an indignation meeting held by the corps, “ Snider,” the editor, was called upon by resolution to retract or substantiate the allegations that the camp was mutinous, drunken, and debauched, and that the officers were incompetent. This he de clined to do in an editorial, and at a second meeting of the corps the following resolution was passed ;—“That the pro prietor of the Poverty Bay Herald, by allowing publicity to be given to the lead ing article in the issue of Tuesday, April 19, has identified himself with the abusive article alluded to by printing and pub lishing the following words—viz, ‘ That the writer’s opinions have in no way changed with respect to the comments he thought proper to make. Ho recalls nothing, cancels nothing, although the members of the corps challenge him to substantiate the statement made by his re porters or expect him to make a full and ample apology.’ ” Added to this the effigy of “ Snider ” was burnt at midnight in the presence of four hundred persons. Viewed from the Pulpit. —Mr Thomas Spurgeon, speaking'at a meeting of the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Society at Dunedin a day or two ago, said he thoroughly believed in relaxation of some kind from business, and pointed out that it was a mistaken idea that a good Christian must always wear a face “as long as a fiddlestick,” and refrain from enjoyment of any kind. Sports, however, might be indulged in to far too great an extent, and be considerably abused. For instance, the game of cricket had of late been occupying too much of the people’s attention, an altogether un necessary and extravagant amount of fuss •having been made over the Australian cricketers during their recent visit to Eng land. Dancing was an enjoyment which he considered should be avoided, par takers not only losing their heads, like St John the Baptist, but sometimes also their hearts and souls. Theatres he des cribed as “ hotbeds of infamy ” and “gates of hell.” Whenever he saw people going to those places of amusement he felt inclined to say, “Let the pigs have their wash,” for those who found pleasure in the immoralities of a theatre had no hope of enjoyment in eternity.

A notice io the effect «hat C. R. Harold, dairyman, a debtor, iniendr to apply for hi* discharge at the next sitting of the District Court at Ashburton. Any person return'rg two houses lost from the Hinds, will be rewa r ded. Tenders a ,- e required for leas’og a blacksmith’s shop. Tenders to be sent to Messrs Friedlander Bros, on or before koth May. Small parcels of land are noii&>d for sale. The programme of the steeplechase meeting, to be held under the auspices of the Rac : ng Club, on the 27th May, appears in our advertising columns to-day. Mes.rs Fool:s and Son invi.e tenders for the erec tion of a hou-e. to be s:nt to their oTrcei not laitr than 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 23.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[per eeuter’s agency.] Monetary and Commercial. London, April 22. Consols have advanced to (sic); Five per Cent. New Zealand 10-40 Loan has advanced to Five per Cent. 1889 Loan remains at 106 ; Four and a Half per Cent. 1879- 1904 Loan has advanced to best Scotch pig iron, No. 1, f.o.b. in Clyde, 26m guage, Lx6 xos; best Sydney copra, per ton, Ll 4 5s ; Ade laide wheat, ex warehouse, 50s ; New Zealand wheat, ex ship, 46s ; Adelaide flour, ex warehouse, 345,

Wheat. The total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain is 2,550,000 quarters. The Frisco Mail. London, April 23. The homeward Australian and New Zealand mails, via San Francisco, which left Auckland on March xst, were delivered here to-day. Disclaims Responsibility. The Bey of Tunis has addressed a communication to the Powers, in which he disclaims all responsibility for any outbreak of fanaticism which may take place in the Principality in the present excited state of the people over the action of the French in Algiers. A Minister Resigns. Athens, April 23. A difference has arisen in the Greek Cabinet, and the Minister of War has resigned. M. Vohmos has been ap pointed lo the vacant portfolio. Evacuation of Candahar. Calcutta, April, 22. News has been received from Can dahar to the effect that the evacuation of the city by the British force which was stationed there has been com pleted. The town and district are now under the control of the Ameer’s Government.

Turkish Troops Opposed. Constantinople, April 22.

Despatches have been received from Dervish Pacha, commanding the Turkish troops in Western Roumelia, stating that the advance of his troops has been forcibly opposed by a body of insurgent Albanians at the river Vardan, and that an engagement has taken place at Uskup, resulting in the defeat of the rebels. Assassinated. Constantinople, April 23. Four domestics of the Tcheragan Palace have confessed that the Sultan Abdul Aziz, who was believed to have committed suicide on the 4th of June, 1869, by stabbing himself with a pair of scissors, was murdered by them selves. JFhe confession of the assassins implicates several prominent public officials in this city.

AUSTRALIAN.

[per bedter’s agency.] Second Best Again. Adelaide, To-day. A six days’ pedestrian tournament was finished here on Saturday night. Edwards walked the greatest distance, 451 miles; Swan, of New Zealand, coming in next, with 413 miles. Both men did their distances easily. Bad for the Washerwomen. Sydney, To-day. The Union Co.’s steamship Hero, which left here on Friday last for New Zealand, took 380 Chinese. Next in Suit. The steamer" Brisbane, which was quarantined at Cooktown for small pox, is now on her way here with 350 Chinese.

NEW ZEALAND.

[per press association.] Blew His Head Off. Auckland, To-day. A miner named Burke, Coromandel, committed suicide by putting a rifle in his month and blowing his head off. Frightful Gun Accident. Grahamsi own. To-day. On Saturday afternoon the most lamentable affair which has ever taken place in the Ohinemun district occurred at To Puke, near Pareora. A number of boys, whose ages average from 11 to 17, were out shooting, when one named Walter Ritchie, a son of the district schoolmaster, got in the line of fire of a companion named Lepsec, and had Iris brains blown out. Much sympathy is felt for the relations of the unfortunate lad, one of whose brothers is now lying in a critical state in the Thames Hospital. At the inquest held, the jury returned the following verdict “ The jury are unanimously of opinion that the deceased, Wa’ter Ritchie, met with his death by a gunshot wound inflicted by Frederic Lepsec, and that it was purely accidental and a misadventure. ”

The First Battery at Te Aroha. The Te Aroha batter}' was opened on Saturday with great eclat. Over 200 persons were present, including visitors from Auckland, Waikato, and Thames. This morning the stone from the Pros pectors’ claim will be crushed. Marine Disaster- Wellington, To-day. While the barque Himalaya was off ;he Heads this morning a seaman fell from the royal yard to the cross-trees and broke his thigh. Sly Grog Selling. Mr Ebden has been fined LSO for sly grog selling. Ho was also charged with assaulting the constable who detected him and was sentenced to fourteen days hard labor. Lost at Sea. Dunedin, To-day On April 15, Angus Cameron, the car penter of the ship Otago, was washed overboard. Every effort was made to re cover him without avail. He was 29 years of age. Criminal Assault. At the City Court to-day, Samuel Stewart was committed for trial for criminally assaulting a child aged five years. Another Tired of Life. Cheshire, a hospital wardsman, at the Queenstown hospital, committed suicide by taking prussic acid. Jealousy is said to be the cause.

SERIOUS TRAMWAY ACCIDENT.

Dunedin, Yesterday. An accident of a most alarming character, resulting in the injury of twelve persons, one of whom is almost certain to die, occurred at half-past n last night, on the Roslyn tramwa} r . Roslyn is a suburb situated on the hills above Dunedin, and the tramway started about four months ago. It is worked by an endless wire rope, to which the carriages are attached by grippers. The carriages are provided with a break supposed to be powerful enough to bring them to a standstill whenever applied. Last night the last car started up Rattray street for Roslyn, and proceeded some six hundred yards up the hill, the gradient being about i in 16, when something went wrong with the gear. The general statement is that the man in charge of the brake put it off instead of on, and before he could rectify the mistake the carriage commenced to run down hill, attaining such speed as it rushed down the incline that all efforts to stop it by means of the brake were futile. Three men, named Garrett, Spiers, and Stewart, jumped off, but the rest were unable to get out of the car, which reached the terminus of the line at a fearful rate of speed and tore through the heavy wood work and three feet of metal road and turned over on its side. At one moment it appeared probable that it would dash across the footpath into the Crown Hotel. Plenty of assistance was at hand, and the car was righted and the injured men removed to the Sham rock Hotel. The following is the list of those injured :—Andrew Thomson (Thomson, Strang and Co., drapers), cut and bruised; John Strang, bruised and cut about the face; William Stewart, bruised about the legs; T. Harvey, laborer, cut and bruised ; Rossmond Johnson, slightly bruised; Wm. Pearce, bruised and cut about the head ; Leckie, badly bruised and for a long time insensible; Spears, post office clerk, bruised and cut, severely shaken ; T. Mackintosh, bruised and shaken ; Peter Hannah, very little hurt; John Conway, bruised; T. Garrett, skull dreadfully fractured (case con sidered hopeless); Hislop, cut and bruised. The three men who jumped off fared the worst. The car was greatly smashed about. The sufferers were at once attended by Drs. Brown, Ferguson, De Zouche, Burrows and Macdonald. All but Garrett are doing well.

Further Particulars. Preaching a Live Man’s Funeral Sermon. [by telegraph.] Dunedin, To-day. All the sufferers by the tram acci dent are progressing favorably. Gar rett has partially recovered conscious ness, and the doctors think there is a probability of his recovery. It was re ported over the town last night that he had died, and in one church a funeral sermon was preached. Traffic was resumed to-day as usual.

EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE

A most extraordinary suicide oc curred in Tiinaru on Saturday night. The deceased was employed in Messrs Perry and Perry’s offices as engrossing clerk, and was named H. L. Nathan. On Saturday night he was accompanied to his lodging by a friend, at whose house he had been visiting, and during the course of the walk used some rather wild expressions regarding the right of a man to take his own life. No notice, however, was taken of this until yester day morning, about n o’clock, when his friend called on him, and was told that he was not.yet up, and could not be awakened, and that the door was locked. This aroused his friend’s suspicion, and an entrance being effected by the window of his apart ment, he was found lying dead, with his clothes on, covered by a sheet, and a bottle of laudanum in his hand. Near at hand was a letter, stating that he had been unable to obtain a something necessary for his life’s happiness, and therefore decided to put an end to his life. He did not believe in a future state or in a God, and would not blame the jury if they brought in a verdict of insanity, although he was perfectly sane, and that his pulse at the lime of writing was beating 75 to the minute. Deceased was well known in Timaru, but has no relatives in the colony.

SPORTING

DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB BIRTH DAY MEETING. Dunedin, April 24. The following are the handicaps for the D. J.C. Queen’s Birthday Meeting : Novel Race. —Emerald, Bst 51b ; Tom King, Sat 51b ; Robin Hood, 7st 101 b ; Morpheus. 7st 71b ; Playboy, 7st 31b ; Dolly Bar won, 6st 131 b ; Swede, Gst 101 b ; Sir William, Gst 101 b ; Flying Beauty, Gst 10!b ; sSwagsmah, Gst ; Isabel, Gst ; Gin kell, sst 71b, Norah, Gst ; Flossie, sst 71b.

Birthday Handicap. —Randwick, Bst 121 b ; Billingsgate, Bst 101 b ; Libeller, Bst 71b ; Hilarious, 8»t 11b ; Lady Emma, 7st 131 b ; Atlantic, 7st 101 b ; Sir Garnet, 7st 41b ; Don Juan, 7st 31b ; Coldstream, 7st 3lb ; Nautilus, 6st 91b ; Poet, 6st 91b ; Sylvanus, Gst Sib ; Hilda, Gst 51b ; Jasper, Sat 71b.

Tradesmen’s Handicap.— Billingsgate, 9st 31b ; Rand wick, 9st ; Libeller, Bst 101 b ; Lady Emma, Bst 21b ; Atlantic, 7st 121 b ; Sir Garnet, 7st 61b ; Coldstream, 7st 31 b ; Don Juan, 7st 31b ; Nautilus, 7st ; Poet, 7st ; Sylvanus, Cst 101 b ; Hilda, Gst 101 b ; Palyboy, 6st 121 b ; Dolly Bar won, sst 101 b ; Joshua, sst 101 b ; Lam pooner, sst 71b ; Trovatore, sst 71b; Mameluke, sst 71b ; Onyx, sat 71b. Handicap Trot. —Our Pony, scratch ; Nellie, Native Cat, Marmion, each 17secs; Bella and Vivacena, SOsecs; Peggie, Darkle, 35secs ; Cutty Sark, Brown Bess, 50secs ; Elsa, Jack, The Devil, Landy, Don, GSsecs ; Jessie, Gentle Annie, 75secs; Minx, Ada, SOsecs; Red Rose, Gazelle, 85secs.

Hurdle Race. —Milo, 10st 101 b; Robin Hood, lOst 61b ; Tom King, 9st 101 b ; Leapyear, 9st 101 b ; Antoinette, 9st 7lb ; Noumea, 9st 71b ; Romance, 9st; Isaac, Bst 121 b ; Maude, Bst 121 b ; Turk, Bst 71b ; Never-mind-Her, Bst 71b.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

“ SINECURE’S ” CONTRIBUTION.

To the Editor. Sir,— On reading Saturday’s issue of your paper, I find “ Sinecure ” has been put to the ruinous loss of half-a-crown, through lacking the moral courage to ex plain to the reverend gentleman who was collecting moneys for the erection of a new church, that he was not a member of that church, but had simply gone to a place of worship to ridicule sacred things, which, 1 have no doubt, his ignorance and stupidity, combined with bigotry, prevent him from knowing anything of. The rev. collector, contrary to the custom of most divines, had headed the subscription with LSO from his private purse, and no doubt considered he was asking the aid of his own people to accomplish a good work ; and evidently forgetting that bigotry, ignorance, and little mindedness still exists, although we live in the enlightened nineteenth century. But if “Sinecure” has had the bad luck to pay the half crown promised (which is doubtful), I as a Roman Catholic, who has contributed to other churches in the town, and will be pleased to do anything, at any time, towards a good work, regardless of sect, will return the sum. In imagination, I can see “ Sinecure ” wondering, open mouthed, at the handsome collection made by the few Catholics of the district ; and I have no doubt, if he were possessed of such a sum, he would beat a retreat, and your worthy paper—which I have always found to be a warm supporter of good works - would be troubled by no more of “Sinecure’s” jottings. I consider, Mr Editor, that “ S:ne cure’s ” comments upon a gentleman who is a stranger in our midst is cowardly ; for in the short time he has been amongst us, he has shown himself the right man in the right place, by the great energy he has displayed in establishment of a new church, and who is already held in great esteem by many of our fellow townsmen ; and with regard to “ Sinecure’s ” threat of not going to that church again, I have no doubt that his absence will be better appreciated than his presence. Apologising for taking up so much of your space,—l am, &c. , A Roman Catholic. April 25, 1881. [Our contributor “ Sinecure ” will, no doubt, explain his seemingly vague paragraph in reference to the method adopted to collect church subscriptions. We feel assured that in no matter are the Roman Catholics more liberal than in their voluntary aid to spiritual affairs, which exceeds by far that of many other denominations, especially in Ashburton. —Ed. G.]

LISA.

CHAPTER 11.

‘ Jacques ! you frighten me—do not look so ! ’ cried Lisa, and covered her eyes with her hands, half trembling. ‘ Nay, you are as naughty as our Jean, who jumps out in the dark to alarm us. lam more silly than you think.’ ‘lt was an evil trick. Come away— come away,’ the young man hastily answered in apology, while he yet laughed out loudly at her terror. They then sat down on the bank. ‘Now I will tell you a little heart’s desire,’ said Lisa, smiling. ‘ I think it is so sad that up at your hut you should be all alone on the blessed Sunday afternoons. What if we put the chil dren in the cart and harnessed the old mule ? Would you not stare for joy if we came up through the forest all laughing and singing, bringing white bread and milk and strawberries ?’

‘ No, no ! You must not,' cried Jacques, with a great gasp in his breath, catching her by the arm. ‘ Do ypu not see—l might,, be away—might miss you. Some day, when we settle

beforehand, you may all come —not otherwise. I am easily vexed, Lisa ; swear to me never to come otherwise — swear!’ ‘ I promise,’ she somewhat sadly answered ; ‘ and now, dear Jacques, will you not let my arm go, for it pains.’

But that night when he had gone back through the dark forest, the poor girl dropped a tear or two in her little room ; for her heart told her now k must be true, as some whispered, that the woodcutters took the brown hares which came across their path—or even worse —a fine young roebuck or so. Most stoutly averred it was no sin, since these nibbled at the forest clear ings of poor men, and never a centime would the Prince’s steward repay them.

But Lisa was hardly sure of the rights or wrongs of the case, so wept a tear or two and prayed—prayed that if Jacques were indeed sinning he might be forgiven—prayed, also, that if ever this, her great love, had awhile blotted out heaven from her poor earthly sight, she, and she alone—not he—might be chastised. Only that her love might not be taken from her !

Before she had ended undressing, the girl was about to wash her face and hands, when by accident the string of beads Jacques had given her, and which she still wore, fell into the coarse white basin. Lisa was just going to lift them out carefully, when she perceived that the water about them was becoming slightly discolored —more and more ! till a reddish hue surrounded them. The girl snatched them out in haste, fearing that the water might spoil the delicate foreign wood of the rosary, that plainly con tained some dye. She brought the tallow candle near to examine them, before drying them on a towel. What was this? Sticking in the interstice between two of the beads was a soft clot, that, when she wiped it out, made her turn sick—for, as it touched her fingers and spread, she knew without doubt it was blood ! For a few moments Lisa felt amazed, disgusted, and rather faint; then she slowly recovered. She remembered what Jacques had told her of his acci dent that day, how he had been bruised by the tree, even bleeding. His blood was on his present, poor dear Jacques! She must wash the rosary now carefully, and would wear it round her neck during her steep for his loved sake.

And so she did, clasping it on ten derly, glad to see that no more signs of blood came off it on that second washing; showing that Jacques’ hurt had not been very severe. So Lisa lay down on her hard little settle bed and fell asleep with the brown beads round her throat and her hands folded as in prayer. Outside, the lily slept too, but—as if by the spiteful agency of some earth-gnome—an ugly great worm lay coiled hurtfully round its tender root, unseen by human eyes. The moon fell on the bare wooden floor, with its little boards all laid in zig-zag pattern, passed by the single chair and the rude crucifix on the wall, and kissed—in chat poor little closet it had barely a yard to go—the sleeper’s pure eyelids, whereon yet hung a tear. Lisa moved with slight uneasiness. Her momentary alarm had given her an ugly dream, and her imagination was working unchecked by the sense of material every-day existence given by the waking sensation of the body. Some thing had seemed so tight about her throat—nay, nothing 1 . The heavy white lids dropped again more heavily; again low breathings sounded, and • sleep pressed on the gir ls temples warm and close. . . . What seemed to press still closer about her neck ? For the second time Lisa half roused from sleep with a cry of alarm, and found herself—only trying, as it were, to tear her dear beads off. So she said an Ave and lovingly fondled them in atonement; then, turning on her other side, was soon again overcome with sleep, and dreamt and dreamt.

She dreamt of weird dark forest depths, ghostly treeboles, and shadowy fearsome places ; then of passing on and on, gasping because something followed her ever behind, or someone ! Gruesome, unearthly—the horror of which made her flesh creep, in the dream raised her hair, it seemed, and came nearer, nearer—almost touched her now! —now was at her throat, tightening, choking, strangling. With a great cry Lisa sprang, up in her bed, and tore the beads from her neck ; then tossing back her dark hair, glanced fearfully round with a pallid frightened face. Only the gentle moonlight on her white bed and shadows in the corners ! —yet she still felt that nameless horror, and trembling gazed all round as if in fascination, with wide innocent eyes; Little by little the muscles of her throat relaxed their convulsive tighten ing ; the sickening feeling—a feeling as of some evil near—lifted, slowly passed away. Creeping out from her poor bed, meaning to pray below the cruci fix, her bare feet touched the beads and she recoiled with a shudder, then forced herself to take them up, and hang them on a nail below the figure on the cross.

As poor Lisa knelt below it humbly, in her white dress, the moon seemed to smile on her upturned face, pure as any failing earthly soul’s could be, whilst she prayed with hfcr whole strengh to be saved from all things of darkness and hurtfulness. Was she heard ?

The old glow in her heart, and, as it were, blessed light all about her, again softly came; comforting, hushing her sprit, uplifted in that bliss, as once or twice before in visionary exaltation she had felt a similar ecstacy. At such times the neighbours speaking to her had received no answer, so had held her a little crazed with goodness. Then Lisa added a prayer to the sweetest peasant Mother to shield her, the peasant maid. So she lay down again quieted and comforted, and dreamt that child-angels, with faces like B£be and the little ones, hovered dose round smiling to her. And the lily, too, revived in the moonlight, and swayed with the cool faint night breeze—for its evil thing had crawled away.

CHAPTER 111. It was a Sunday morning; and what a fair fresh morning, as the sweet peasant Lily of Yaucourt pushed open her little leaded lattice.

- .In the night it had rained heavily on the dry earth, and now the August sun was drawing up a rich steaming incense of mists and scents, like a service of thanksgiving to the Giver, mingled with the hum and songs and calls of insects and birds and beasts.

There was six glorious flowers on her lily, which she could touch from the window.

Hey ! but it was a joy to see. Six, and the seventh bud would open its eyes on the world to-day, and the next to-morrow, and the ninth and last on her own wedding day. What a happy omen ! Both the lilies of the mill would look their bravest, as the good Cur£ had told her, and remembering what he had added of the lilies of Solomon, she meekly tried to forget how beautiful her new wedding dress seemed; each time she peeped in the drawer where it lay neatly folded. And Jacques, her own Jacques 1 surely handsomest, best, and strongest of all the young men of Vaucourt, had even remembered her wish and hasted to atone for his strange refusal that night when his fall had made him so unlike himself. The very next evening he had settled with her they should see the wonders of the forest this happy day. If a little wild, somewhat too fond of pleasure, as some hinted, yet who dearer; who so loved her that at times it even well-nigh frightened her? That afternoon Jacques was standing near his hut, waiting; and watching the opening of the trees by which he knew the folk from the mill must come up. A strangely different man he looked from Lisa’s generally gentle mannered lover, with whom she never had cause to be vexed, save on that one evening recorded lately. There was uneasiness in his expression as he glanced round the tiny glade; now and then a black scowl of impatient anger and a sullen joining of the brows, which one poor girl would have turned white to her lips to see. Never a one of the honest Vaucourt lads could have looked like that.

The hut was only a rude cabin in the forest meant to shelter Jacques himself and a companion, when their work lay toofar from Vaucourtto allowof their returning thither at night. It was built against the hill which rose steeply behind, rough and rocky, and clothed with trees and brushwood. Around, the ground was flat, the sunbeams straggled down on a little grassy open ing where the wild strawberries grew thick at the base of the rocks, but under the close trees on either side the earth was always bare and brown, or if hidden, only by dead leaves. The woodcutter kept moving rest lessly, and at last walked back to his hut, stood in the middle looked all round, with close scrutiny up and down.

It was the third or fourth time he had already done so. Nothing in the bare-earthen floor to see ; only axes, and implements in one corner; two rude beds, a stool, and one, bench, which served for both chairs and table. That, and a few cooking utensils on a shelf, was all apparently that could be noticed. But Jacques’ strongly marked sallow face was turned upwards to the rafters and rough shingle roof overhead. Standing in one position with his head thrown far back, could he not just catch sight there of a blue line protruding ? It might have been fancy, yet, with an oath, he stood on the stool, and reaching, pushed deeper into a hole what felt like a handkerchief full of hard objects., Next, he stooped and peered . up the sooty chimney, pulled one bed so as to cover better part of the floor, and returned into the air and sunshine with a breath of relief. ‘ She will see nothing. But what a risk !’ he muttered.; * She suspected something, however, and with such a saint a breath might yet frighten her. Only to-morrow then I have her fast. No more eternal prayers then, my pretty bird. But that I had sworn to get hold of you, body and soul, how they would have wearied me !’ , ;

A malignant smile came on hisface ; then, as poor Lisa’s purity and good ness rose before his mind, it passed, and with a disgusted desperation he drew his big hand over his eyes and brow. She must find out something sooner or later . . . and then . . . and then . . no matter! He would have her. Part and parcel of his black self, she would be without escape—without relief till death—even if she grew to loathe him. Just then all the gay troop were toil ing, with laughter and snatches of village refrains, up through the forest by the stony track, which was often a torrent’s bed in winter. Up and up they had come , through the pleasant shadow of great branches, or where the sunlight flecked the big beech trunks and rougher oaks ; past thickets, from which sometimes a hare sprang out and vanished, making the children whoop for joy, or where the tall ferns grew and scented sweet brier blushed, Lisa had her hands full of pale pink blossomed branches, while the children’s chubby fists had been buried in patches of wood-ruff, or wild anemone, whose frail blossoms they flung into the cart, and then jumped for joy on the soft - carpets of pale green cup-moss, though Lisa stepped aside to hurt naught. . ( To be continued.) I

THE ASHBUETON GUARDIAN, MONDAY, APEIL 25, 1881.



0. Carstens & Co., (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, mOBACOONIST, FANCY GOODS, 1. 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 everydescription, direct from Home. Hairoutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET ASHBURTON. ' ■ 527a* "W. H. SPACEMAN’S Offices axe now m Canterbury Chambers, Here ford. p#ti»et, Christchurch, next Miles aud.Cp,, Ivaving. REMOVED from Messrs "Wynn, Williams, and Deacou’s. ; -335 a



Wanted. WANTED, by a Young Man, a SITUATION. Can milk, and is trilling to make himself generally useful. Apply Office of this Paper. 561 a Wanted board and resi dence by a single gentleman. Apply Office of this Paper. 563 a WANTED at once—A MAN for gene ral out-door work, must be a good Milker ; references required. Apply to W. C. Walkgb, Yalctta. 587 a ANTED—An Active LAD, to sell The Ashburton Guardian on the Ash burton-Winslow Line. None but smart Boys need apply. WANTED— A Family’s WASHING. Apply, Office of this paper. 178 a ANTED—MRS PAULING begs to notify that she has taken that Commodious House in Moore street, nearly opposite the Presbyterian Manse, where she will be glad to ACCOMMO DATE PATIENTS requiring surgical or medical aid. Mrs Pauling has had very considerable experience as Ladies’ Nurse, both at Home and in New Zealand. 528 a



WANTED to PURCHASE—BONES, in any quantities. Apply, Mayo and Hunt, Beach road. 130 a WANTED KNOWN That HENRY’S PORTRAIT ROOMS, Saunders’ Buildings, East street, Ash burton, are open DAILY, from 9 a.m. till sp. m. 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 be obtained on deferred pay ments. Dresden Model Pianos, £45 and £55. Address: Cameron street west. 86a ITT ANTED KNOWN. Ashburton W REGISTRY OFFICE for Male and Female Servants.— L. F. Andrewbs 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. Andkewes, Labor Agent, Book seller, and Stationer, East street, South. 208 a



WANTED KNOWN SOMERSET LIVERY AND BAIT STABLES. JW. M'RAE bogs to inform the , public that he has taken the above Stables from Mr. Bossenborg, and is making extensive repairs. Buggies and saddle horses on hire. Lowest prices and best attention. 852 WANTED THE GUARDIAN tells your Wants for Is., cash.



Special Advertisements. rjIHE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory. ASHBURTON BRANCH.



NOTE THE BRANCH ADDRESS— East Street. W; SPARROW, 369.1’ Brandi Manager. Encourage local ent en- PE.ISE, & KEEP THE MONEY IN THE PLACE. WANTED —10,000 customers to Pur chase 100,000 Envelopes and upwards (just arrived). 1,000, 7s Gd ; 0,000, 6s 9d per 1,000, for Cash. Pianos, Harmoniums, and American Organs for sale on deferred payments, from 30s per month. H. M. JONES, Stationek and Bookseller, East street and Baring Square. 365 a



Hayes’ rpiMBER YARDS. FIREWOOD ! FIREWOOD ! FIREWOOD ! The undersigned begs to intimate to his customers and others that he has made a very large REDUCTION in the PRICE of Firewood, and is now retailing the same at from Thirty Shillings per Cord, in large or small quantities. ALPHEUS HAYES, Timber Merchant, East street, Ashburton. THE GUARDIAN is published every evening, giving every day’s news, up, to the hour of going to press. This is better than buying a sixpenny weekly.



A Walk Over. —A match for L 5 a-side, one mile, owners up, was arranged to take place on the racecourse to-day, between Mr Quill’s Lady Florence and a black. mare owned by Mr Connor, but owing to the latter nut putting in an appearance, Mr Quill received the deposit which had been made on the race, LI a-side.



Holloway’s Olntment , and Pills. - Rheumatism and Rheumatic gout are the most dreaded of all diseases, becaus their victims know they are safe at no season, and at no age secure. Holloway’s Ointment, af'er foments- . tion of the painful parts, gives greater relief; than any other application ; but it must be' diligently used to. obtain this desirable result.' It has been highly commended by rheumatic subjects of all ages and of both sexes, for ren dering their attacks less frequent and, less vigorous, and for repressing the sour perspera tfons and soothing the nerves. In many case*, Holloway’s Ointment arid Pills have proved the greatest blessings in removing rheumatism. and rheumatic gout which had assailed persons previously and at the prime of life.



■VTEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS. J3j (Christchurch Section.) ASHBURTON BRIDGE BLOCKED. This Bridge will be BLOCKED, fot repairs, from 8.15 on the nights of April 25th, 27th, arid 29th, to 7 o’clock next morning in each case. ’ FREDK. BACK, , Traffic Manager. District Traffic Manager’s Office, , - Christchurch, ApriL 22nd,1881. m*