SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Spec, brigantine, from Havelock. Bee, schooner, from Foxton. Celestial, barque, from Westport. Comet, ketch, from Wellington. To-day. Taiaroa, s.s., from Northern ports. Te Anau, a.a., from Melbourne, via Hobart and the South. Sailed. Yesterday. Stella, C .G. a s., for the South. - ■- Taiaroa, s.s., for the South. ■ TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Arrived—Caharfeidh, from Newcastle ; Fanny Thornton, from Lyttelton. Sailed—Loch pee, for London; Ovalau, for Rarotonga; Penguin, for the South. Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived- —Kiwi and Go-Ahead, from Napiar ; Taiaroa, from Picton ; Saucy Lass, from Lyttelton, Sailed—Kennedy and Grafton, for Nelson and the West Coast. Timabu, Yesterday. Arrived — Hannah Barrett, from Foxton. i Port Chalmers, Yesterday. Arrived—Rotorua, from the North ; Bella Mary, from Hobart. t p ft iSteeßken,..foE Lyttelton.

TOWN EDITION.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. THURSDAY, MAY 26, 1881.

Sudden Death. tt-A man named Samuel Trotter died suddenly at Makara on Tues day night. He had attended a soiree, and thia'irhornihg was found dead behind-a hill. It has been decided to hold a post, mortem examination. -. . Knocking off the Sixpence.—At a, meeting of the Executive Council it was" agreed to dispoptinue the ipeoial extra charge of sixpence per teiegram imposed on; non-paying'stations. ' " TURNED- 'Up. The four youths re ported to be missing at Cluistchurch yes terday, turned'*up all right. Their boat got stuck in a'mud flat, and they had to wait for the next morning’s tide.

Chain Drills.— Mqfepfs Reid and G ay have notified that of the New Zealand. American jgjtohf?* drills in hand. This Firm aro'now manufacturing a large number of these first class drills. Fijian Items.— Fiji news states that Mathias, of Auckland, expired suddenly at LCvuka,’ having burst a blood vessel in 'the public baths.—News has been re ceived of the foundering of the schooner Policeman, seven miles from Ahipara. The crew were saved. She was bound from Auckland to New Caledonia, and was owned by Mr E. R. Crono.—News comes from Tonga of a boat accident, which resulted in the death of the eldest daughter of the Rev, Mr Moulton and the narrow escape of all in the boat. While crossing-from one island to another, the sea became so rough that the occupants were washed clean out of the boat by the force of the waves. The Tongan crew succeeding in bring the rev. gentleman toland, as well as as a young lady who accompanied him ahd his daughter, but not before ho became in sensible. - The Tongan who had charge of Miss Moulton, who was fourteen years of age, let her slip from his back without giving any warning, and was seen no more.

Drowsed off East Cape.— Captain Pellman, of the ketch Fanny Thornton, from Lyttelton, reports that a seaman named Fred Yates accidentally fell over board off the East Cape while working the mizzen sheets. He caught a fishing line which was towing astern, hut it parted. He then struck out for a buoy and reached it, but sank before a boat reached the Spot. He. shipped in the vessel 'seme months ago, and is said to have relatives in, Auckland. A boat was lowered in five minutes, and every effort made to save him. i { | - An Open* Verdict. —The inquest on Davidson, found dead on the Kaipara railway line,! having been run. Over by ’■■*' train, resulted in an open verdict. The evidence showed that deceased was seen drunk near the line that evening, and he must have been dead some time before the train came along. Wellington Water Famine. The, water in the Wellington reservoir is again fast decreasing, and after ■ to-day the supply will be cut off from the town during the day. • Hydropathy.— A lecture on the subject of water cure and its efficacy was delivered last evening, in the Town Hall, by Mr Wallis, proprietor of the hydropathic establishment in Christchurch. The lec ture was confined to pointing out the modus operandi employed in cures under this treatment’,', and was sO clearly ex plained by Mr Wallis, that no doubt could exist as to its efficacy following Mr Wallis’ address. After enumerating the various diseases for which hydro l apathy proved to be the best ainjl most eflicacous system for their treatment,- Mr Wallis made his hearers thoroughly acquainted with tins method of restoring health. From his long : experience in hydropathic treatment to patients, and the detailed accounts of many persons who were cured by such treatment, the lecturer showed that his knowledge of the subject was of a thoroughly prac tical nature, , and the system moat successful. The audience ap peared well pleased with the manner in which the subject was dealt with by the lecturer. Mr Wallis leaves /or the North to-morrow, but may in the mean while be consulted at the Commercial Hotel.

Pre-Sessional. The Hon. J. -Hall, Premier, will address his Constituents at Leeston this evening. Bankrupts. —A notice of the bank ruptcy of Marsh and Groves, bakers, ap pears elsewhere. A notice also states that Quinton Bros, intend applying for an order of discharge at thO next sitting of the Dis trict Court.

A Dangerous Practice.— Yesterday afternoon a man on horseback and an other in a trap were racing down tha Beach road, and when opposite the road below Mr Tasker’s shop the horseman turned down the road, and the horse in the trap trying to follow, turned into a gateway and capsized the occupant Into a grass paddock on one side of the road. The furious rate at which-both were going led to the supposition that a serious acci dent had happened; but fortunately the driver of the cart was unhurt. Had there been any children near when the accident happened, the probability is that some would have been run over. Perhaps the police can get some clue to the offenders, and prevent, if possible, a repetition, of the offence.

Acknowledgment.— The master of the Old Men’s Home desires to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of a parcel of clothing from.Mr Twomcy. Also a parcel of tobacco and pipes, and three bottles of rum, from Mr Shearman, Somerset Hotel, Ashburton, for the inmates to drink the health of the Queen on her birthday. Racing Stock. —A five year old thoroughbred, named Cadovan, arrived in the Remington yesterday at Lyttelton, for Mr G. G. Stead, He is by Cremorno, out of Chance, by Adventurer—both Cremorne and Adventurer being" Derby winners. Jle is a bright bay with black points, and stand 15 hands. In 1879 he ran second for the Two Thousand at Newmarket, He arrived in splendid condition, and will be devoted to the stud.

Calcutta Sweeps. —Sporting men are reminded that Calcutta sweeps on the Ashburton County Steeplechases will be drawn at Henderson and Co. ’a auction rooms, Saunders’ Buildings, to-night. The sweeps will be under the direction of Mr F. Digby, Secretary C.J.0., which is no doubt a sufficient guarantee that they will be satisfactorily carried out. MALiciouMLYj Wounding. —: At the Hutt Resident Magistrate’s Court .yester day, Joseph Sqerrit, alias Joseph Black, butcher, again appeared on- remand charged with having maliciously wounded Jno. Dewar, butcher, with a knife. He was remanded tilLWednesday next. CaledonianSociett. —A meeting of the directors is to be held on Saturday evening at the Commercial Hotel, for the purpose of considering the proposed presentation to the President, Dr Stewart. Clearing Sa^e. — D. Henderson and Co. hold a clearing sale of miscelaneous articles at their Auction Mart on Satur day, particulars of which will be found elsewhere.

Changed. From and after Ist proximo, thedosignatiou of the telegraph station' at Rangitata south is to be changed to Rangitata. New TotaLisator.— Mr Prince has brought to Ashburton for the steeple chases to-morrow, a new tOtalisator, which appears to be the most perfect instrument of the kind we have yet se6n. It was manufactured by Shinnerling, of Mel bourne, and consists of brass castings .throughout. 1 When a ticket is given to a purchaser it is stamped, and the action of stamping ifnot only marks on the jacket the number of the horse, bub Causes a'’ cor responding number to appear on the out side record, and also in the total. It is one which is almost impossible for there to be in any way of overreaching the public with the machine, as it.must be thrown out of gear to make it record in any otheti manner than that mentioned. The ma chine is to be iseen at Me Quill’s ■ Hotel, and all those desirous ■of seeing a very beautiful piece of mechanism, should visit it. A safer way /.of investing LI on the yaces it is impossible to imagine. l - ALL)FpR / LovE. T -A man named Robert Richardson attempted to commit suicide at Lyttelton this niprning 'by taking 1 strychnine, but was was discovered in time for the stomach pumps to be applied, and he is now recovering. Richardson was recently rejected by a;, girl qt LytteU top, wjiioh seems to nave effected "his mind."

Entertainment at Waterton. —The first of a series of winter entertainments was held in the Library Hall, in aid of the library funds, on Tuesday evening, when there was a large audience, the hall being crowded to excess. Mr McDowell occupied the chair, and in a few words ; explained the object of the entertainment, i The programme consisted of an overture . on the pianaforte by Mr Jennings ; song, \ Mr Sicier ; reading, “ All goes wrong, Mr Norrish; song, Mr Gilmoure ; duett, Mr and Mrs Jennings, which was encored ; reading, “ Handy Andy’s Little Mistakes, ” Mr Clothier ; “ Brudder Bones” then gave a lecture on “ Women’s Rights song, Mr Day. A comic song, “ My old hat,” by Mr Doyle, created much- amusement, and received an encore; Reading, “ The Musical Butcher,” Mr Gilmour; song, Mrs Jennings., A Negro farce was then given by three gentlemen, which created much laughter and amusement; song, “ Norah Darling,'” Air •’Donnelly reading,.: Air Jennings ; song, Mr Sider ; duett, Air and Mrs Jennings. This concluded the pro gramme. Mr Moses, in a few appropriate remarks, proposed a vote of thanks to the performers, and also a special vote of . thanks to Mr Jennings for his piano, which he kindly lent. Mr Clothier pro posed a vote of thanks to the chairman.; The singing of the National Anthem brought the entertainment to a close. The hall was then cleared, and a dance took place, which was kept up with great” spiiit till an early hour, Mr Jennings playing the pianoforte, after which the .company separated, all having spent a most enjoyable evening. , A Fishy Transaction. — There was an amusing case in the Dunedin R.M.. Court yesterday. Mr Fish, a well-known City Councillor, sued four members of a suburban school committee for assault over a struggle to get possession of the minute book. ,Hq claimed LSO, having had his ribs broken and being confined to” the house for ten days. The stories told by the witnesses varied a good deal, and the Magistrate reserved his decision. Serve Him Right.— At the Dunedin Police Court yesterday, for ill-treating a horse, a man named Fitzgerald Lawrence was fined L2O or six weeks, and L 5 on a second charge. Honor to Whom Honor is Due.—The Argus states that the Jury Award List, , for agricultural implements at .the Mel-, bourne Exhibition, \yas incorrectly given, and that in one case, the name of an English firm was inserted in error, and , without the authority of the jury. And at the request of juries, published the ' following letter :— ‘‘ Melbourne, May 4th, 1881.—The collective award published in. the daily press of March 11th, 1881, as : given to Messrs Ransome, Sims, and Reid, agricultural ■ implement makers, Ipswich, England, was a clerical error of the clerk of jury 24-25. Messrs Ransome, Sims, and Reid, receive a first award but not a collection exhibit. On behalf of jury 24-25. —t. L. Page, Chairman. We re-publish the above ’because colonial makers who obtained the “ collective exhibits ” awards would be at a disadvantage, and English makers obtain an award that they were really iff no way entitled to.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[PEE HEUTEE’s AGENCY.]; ■ The Wool Salk > , London, May, £3. 1 At the wool sajes tq day i i,4oojhales were offered, making s total of i05,i00 bales; catalogued since the opdning. Less demand was experienced, and the prices were occasionally easier/--' ' The Brindisi Mail- -- . ■ The Australian mails -via Brindisi were delivered here to-day. , The Wool Sales. London, May 24. At" the wool sales to-day, 9,100 bales were offered. The tone of the bidding was strong. A Terrible Accident. : News has been received from Canada that a terribe accident has occurred near London, on the Thames, in the province of Ontario. An ex cursion steamer with several hundred persons on. Ijoard capsized, and 175 perished. An Unfounded Rumor. There is no foundation for • the rumor recently circulated that the Bey of Tunis has been deposed by the Sultan. Unaccountable. Further information has been re ceived by the Admiralty with regard to the blowiug up of H.M.S. Dotterell in Magellan’s Straits on April 20th. The survivors state that two explosions oc urred, -both about the same time, ten, o’clock in the morning, while the vessel was at anchor. They are, however, unable to throw any light upon the terrible disaster. * ! ■ Obituary. Madrid, May 24 His Excellency the Right Hon. Sir W. P, Adam, ' Governor of Madras, died to-day. Looks Like a Settlement.. . ~, Constantinople, May 24. The Turko-Greek Convention for the final settlement of the Greek frontier difficulty was signed by the Porte ,to ,day. ’ _ '

AUSTRALIAN.

[PER REUTEr’s AGENCY.] ' J Under Five Bushels per .Acre- Adelaide, To-day. The agricultural statistics of South Australia, published to-day, show that the area under cultivation is 1,734,000 acres, being an increase of 275,000 compared with last year. The yield during the past season has been 8,606,000 bushels, showing an increase of 564,000 bushels compared.. with the season of 1880. This year's average has been 4 bushels 58 pounds per acre •against 9 bushels 47 pounds last year. What the Celestials Bring With Them., , Sydney, To-day. The child tf a Chinese merchant, resident in Lower -George Street is suf fering, it is feared, from small pox, but hopes-ar eentertained that the disease may only be chicken jxox : . ’ Meanwhile .every precaution is being taken to pre vent the: spread of the contagion. .All communication with persons outside has-been cut off, and the house is now guarded by the police. • ( ' A Missing Vessel, y; j ... ■ Melbourne, May 25. Fears are entertained for the safety of the barque Cambria, which left Mauritius on March 14th for .Launces ton. She was last, seen on April 30th. Victoria’s Population. The completed returns of the census taken on April 3rd show the , total papulation of,Viplpria-tq . - ' 8s 4d per Bushel. . ■ A cargo of Ndw Zealand oats, which arrived from the Bluff per schooner Gleaner, has been sold at 3 s , 4d,per bushel.

Melbourne, To-day. f Arrived —Union Company’s stqfim ship Rotomahana, from the Bluff. ■ ' Why Hurry Them. No progress,is being made with the consideration of the Reform Bill. The Legislative Assembly and Legislative ■ Council meamv'liHe delaying the passing of the Land- Tax Bill. The latter Chamber now stands adjourned to 31st May. The Inward Mail. Albany, May 25. Arrived—P. and O. Company’s steamer Bokhara, with the inward Suez mail.

NEW ZEALAND

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]. Pushing a Man off a Train Auckland, To-day. In tho case against Thomson, a Maori, for pushing Rogers from a railway car riage when coming from the, Pakakura > races, evidence showed that. Rodgers, when pushed, fell over the shoulders of a man sitting on-'tho edge of the carriage platform, thus falling clear of tho track, otherwise he would doubtless have been killed. Prisoner, who protested no inten tion of pushing the man over, was fined five pounds, or one month’s imprison ment. Lost in the Bush. jXail? Napier, To-day. Andrew Jensen, travelling to Palmer ston North on April 25, lost himselfin tlje,. bush, and was attacked by wild cattle, and took refuge in a tree. A fog came on, and at night he completely lost himself. He supported himself on berries and roots, and turned up at Masterton on Tuesday, being directed to the town ship by hearing cocks crowing. He weighed 12st when he lost himsef, and was reduced to 7st. He was taken on to ■■ Woodviile, where he is being taken every care of. Political. Wellington, To-day. Writs for the Grey Yalley and Nelson City elections have been raised. The . former is made returnable for the 22nd Juno, and the latter for tho 15th June. Our Naval Defenders. At a meeting of the Naval Brigade i* was resolved almost unanimously to form all the naval brigades in New Zealand into one (body. Captain Johnston was in structed to consult with the captains of cipher brigades with a view to giving effect to the resolution. . Justly Remitted. ’ The Government have remitted the ■fine imposed on, Mr Knigge, proprietor of the Psovincial Hotel, who was recently convicted for' supplying liquor on a Sunday to.au invalid lady. Quack versus Fever. ' . . Blenheim, To-day. . It is stated' that A man named David Lee, vi ho died at Havelock on the 10th inst., was stabbed two month’s previously witji a.file in the region of the heart by a woman named Rankin, with whom he co habited. He was attended for this stab by a Havelock quack, and , a day or two before his death he was seen by Df Cummock. It is supposed that the latter gentleman knew nothing of thp stab, and when Lee died he gave a certificate to the effect ’ that death resulted from typhoid fever. The. police heard nothing of the case until five days ago, but have since presecuted enpuiries, with the result that Lee’s body will be exhumed and a post, moriam examination made. Inspected Goodsaft has gone to Havelock' to super intend the arrangements for the inquest, and to conduct, the case for ,the police. ? Three Ruffians . Dunedin, To-day. At Naseby, Robert Gollans and Abraham Dilworth, both young men, were brought, ppl at .the. Police Court on a chatgO of bommitting rape oil two wothen of bad character. One of the women, is about CO years of age. Another., young man was charged with aiding and abetting. The three prisoners were remanded till Friday. Population. •> -. The , population of the Borough of Naseby. is 560 and that of the County of Manitoto, 2,464

SPORTING.

'TO-MORROW’S RACING. The number of acceptors in the open event is-very limited and, therefore, the task of spotting the winner is, I regard it, ho difficult matter, Clarence, I am given to understand,, is a . certain starter, and although he has five pounds more to carry than Was first allotted him by Mr Griffiths, I think, taking his finish in the" Grand National into consideration, that I need noi look farther for the winner. Quamby is certainly a good fencer and fast on the flat, but I regard it that his running with Sailor. Boy is a criterion of his abilities, and taking it that he only boat him by half a length in the Maiden after the Boy had covered four miles in the National, I cannot see that he can live alongside Clarence. Lo.nehand has shown himself a reliable' horse in the past and were he in as good form as he was when Hedge pilotted him to victory in the Maiden and Cup double at the Grand National of 187 C, I think, he would take a lot of beating. He is, I hear, very big, but I can only regard his chance as a secondary one, ; j Of Koscuisco I know nothing. He is a big,.upstanding horse, . with plenty of muscle, but whether he can travel with the company he is in, and get over his fences in safety, is a question I am unable rto propound; My selections will be .; Clarence ... 1 Quamby or Lonehand ... 2 For the second event the field’is also very limited. Taking it that Lonehand will have a race inside him, I shall look for the finish to be between Why Not and Raven, and as the latter is a sure fencer, I shall plunge, for him, placing Raven... ... 1 Why Nor ... 2 ,1 cannot ■ regard • anything else but Clarence for the Tradesman’s Plate. Romeo is entered, but I never befdre heard that he had been delegated to ; the illegitimate sport, and think there must be some mistake somewhere. I shall put Clarence 1 . Quamby 2 For the Farmers’ Plate the same field as in the District Handicap come together, that is, .putting Mungo Park vice the Raven. I think the old horse should be very handy at the last, and shall allow my choice to rest on i 5 Lonehand ... 1 MonooPark... ... ... 2 The course is in splendid condition. I liave been requested to state that owners of horses other than those engaged in the various events, jumping their horses oyer the fences will risk prosecution by Mr Carter, the proprietor, who strenuously objects to having bis fences knocked about by. outsiders. In conclusion, I hope to see a fine day and a fine days sport. ... Neophyte. .. Acceptances and gerieral f entry night • was last evening, when the following were .posted. In the Open Handicap, the top weight, The . Agent, Clarpncft’s wffiglil. has hepn raised ,ih; ac- • cordance' with the Club’s rules, to 12st '7lbs, and Ihe Others proportionately ? Ashburton ■; Handicap , Steeplechase of ■ sova, added 1 to sweeepstakes' of 2

govs each for acceptors; 'distance ■ftbout 3 miles.

REFORMING THE LORDS.

The Wellington correspondent of the Press .telegraphed to that journal yester day. “ Ministers are reported to be pre paring a Bill for the reconstitution of the Legislative Council on the basis of elec-, tion by the House of Representatives instead of nomination by the Government of the day. The latter is supposed to represent the will of the majority of the Lower House; but under the new pro posal, as said to be framed, a vacancy would be filled by the’direct 'vote of the Lower House on a motion, after due notice in the ordinary way. The size of the Council, however, is to be limited to half the number of members in the Lower House, and any deficiency is to be at once made good by election. At pre sent, through the death of several Coun cillors, and the retirement of Sir F. Dillon Bell, there is a considerable doficiencj', which would thus be filled up by a resolution of. the House of Repre sentatives, and each subsequent vacancy recurring will be similarly treated: Under this system the Council could never exceed its standard strength, and. 'no Government, therefore, could swamp *iffi Opposition by creating new peers. Any death or resignation would be followed,by an election by the Lower House, and this would be the only way that additions would be made to the Council, which thus would represent directly instead of indirectly through Ministers the will, of the majority of the House of Rep'fc; sentatives. In addition to these two pfoi visions as to the number of the Council and the mode of election, there is, I hear, a third dealing with deadlocks between the Houses. The proposal in the case of a deadlock is, I believe, that should con currence prove impossible to obtain |n one; session, both Houses should sit together next session, and decide the question by an absolute majority of the aggregate . of the two Houses. This is the rumor,’“so far as it goes, as to the nature of the Bill reported, to, be, in course of preparation; but I cannot!vouch for the entire accuracy of the : information. 1 Rumor further say§ that if the measuso meets with much -opposition, or perhaps even if not,..the Bill may only be introduced, and t}«j matter then left over until after, ,thfe general election, when the people have time to think over the whole question. Those who are best qualified to" judge regard the proposal very favorably, both as to itself and alp, as, to its. probable acceptablehess to the colony generally. ”

OUR SYDNEY LETTER

(from our own correspondent.) Sydney, May 7. The recess, so far, appears to have been, so far as the political world is con cerned, something more than a name. Not one of the Ministers has had occasion to make a political speech in public, and the two or three members who have appeared on the platform, have only spoken on questions that were burning rather more fiercely a fortnight ago than they are now. Sir Henry Parkes has, of late, had his hands full ; the onus of. acting on the Chinese question that has been coming to a head, rested very much with him, and there are grounds for sup posing the whole matter has been carefully considered. Sir Henry does not think that the Chinese invasion is likely to be as severe as it has been, or that it is neces sary to call Parliament together to resort to special legislation. -That august body is now'further postponed till June 9th, and, and as it is not invited to meet at that date for the despatch of business, the recess will probably continue till July. The Government "has consented to a re duction of. railway fares for persons living within a reasonable distance of the City, who, whilst they must toil at their places of business, prefer their families to live in the country. This is a step, but I believe only one step—and it not a very long one - in the right direction. The result of the census in this colony and Victoria is another example of the oldfsaw that one can never tell “ till the numbers are up.” The population of the City of Sydney lias been ascertained to be 102,803, whilst the suburbs within the metropolitan area bring the total up to 222,100. This is a striking increase upon the returns of the previous census, when the total was little more than 100,000. One of the features in the returns is the falling off in the crowded portion of the City. This, of course, points to the fact that people who Jived in town have joined the masses now congregated in the huge suburbs, and inhabit dwellings which extend the City almost to Parramatta. Of course a great deal of this is due to the better means of communication which now exists between the City and suburbs. The Victorian metropolis shows a total of 260,000, including Williamatown _ and Brighton, although these municipalities are as distant from the City as is Parra matta, the population of which is not included in our returns. The Victorian census has been as great a disappointment as ours has been a pleasant surprise. The Government statist expected 026,000, whilst Mr Berry vaunted at the prospects of seeing seven figures. The Premier’s chagrin can well be imagined when he found the actual total to bo ,854,000. [Frpm a cablegram ia another column, ' it will be seen that the total for Victoria is stated at 964,080. — Ed. - (?.] Ou tlie other hand, in New South Wales, the Registrar-General had made the modest estimate of 775,000, but now that he has the returns, he looks for an advance, quite 100,000. This is pretty sure to be maintained, and if it is, the Victorians will have to bid farewell for ever to their dominance in population much sooner than they expected. An ugly. circum stance disclosed by the enumerators of the southern colony is that the metropolis isr growing in population, whilst many.of the country districts show.. a falling off. Sydney has made strides, but the country districts' are also gaining in population in greater 1 proportion. The returns, so far as they have been disclosed, are eminefitly satisfactory for'the ,*/ Corn stalks.” The opposite' characters ’ of the two colonies are strangely reflected by the census, ,for the .Victorians,,expected top ih’iicli, tea' ttifr Nbtf * South Welshtneh 1

hazarded nothing but kept well within mark. Surely the fusion of peoplb' actuated by such extreme impulses should be fraught with great results i. _ Tlie Industrial and Live Stock Exhibi tion, at the Prince Alfred' Park, on the 20th ultimo, under the-auspices of the New South Wales Agricultural Society, closed this week. Taken altogether, the Exhibition was not so great 'ju sncpessv aA those of former years. The live stock ex hibits have decreased greatly in numbers, and somewhat in quality, but the indus trial exhibits did not partake so much of the “shoppy ” character—a feature in pre vious exhibitions that was greatly dis approved of. . Some facts in connection with the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation - Company that are not generally known, will, I am sure, be read with interest by many, although not immediately con cerned in the shipping trade of Port Jack son. The officers and seamen of the company are paid higher wages than those of any other company whose vessels sails from London. Tho men are never dis charged at the termination of a voyage, except for gross misconduct. The result of this policy has been that men have been known to join a vessel immediately after leaving the stocks, and have’only termina ted their connection with her when she has gone to the bottom, and several of the men on board the R.M.S. Rosetta, which was in our harbor a few days ago, had been in the company’s service over thirteen years. Here the people are going mad on the subject of bicycle riding; everyone has an “ iron tyorse,” ; ajic| of 'an ■ afternoon, hundreds are to be seen exercising them selves round the gravel walks of our Domain. The'Postmaster-General took it into his head a short time ago to do away with the horse flesh used by the telegraph messengers, and to substitute the velocipede, but it has not altogether been a success, because as soon as the novelty had worn off, the Australian youth found tho work too hard —Australian boys, as a rule, do not like work that is at all laborious. The opening of the Sydney Bicycle Club took place on Monday last. About fourteen members of the Club made a start for Botany, witnessed by a large concourse of people, who had gathered to see the first run of the season.

The Athenaeum Club, which was formed recently in Sydney, was formally opened during the week. About fifty members of the Club attended at the rooms in Castle reagh street on the occasion, arid,, judging from the hejitiy anxLsociable spirit that prevailed, there is every hope of the Club having a prosperous' and satisfactory cp.reer. The Club’s rooms are beautifully arranged, the ventilation being perfect. As soon as the necessary preliminaries are adjusted, dining rooms and a billiard room are to be erected, and the Athenaeum, which already has on its roll of membership a large number of gentlemen connected with literature .and the liberal professions, will then oc«*py no inconsiderable posi tion in our city, and it. is satisfactory to note that a reproach that had too long existed on Sydney, through the want of such an institution,_ has at length, been, removed. " "

Mr George Richard Dibbs, who has been incarcerated in Darlinghurst gaol for twelve months, for contempt of Court arising out., of the, noa-paiyment of L 3,500 damages and boats awarded by the jury in a slander action instituted by Mr John ex JSJ.Ij. A.j was released from custody last week. Mr Dibbs has not found his detention very irksome, for his quarters were well furnished and his visitors numerous. Then again, in the complication of his insolvent estate, it has been nepessary that he. should put in an appearance at the Law Ootirts 'at least once a, week. These outings kept him before the public, and now he once more enjoys unrestricted association' with his friends. Of the latter he has many, and his plucky action, in going into gaol; rather than allow the sum to be paid, has his popularity instead of dimin ishing it. The loss of the • Tararua has been keenly.felt in this city, where the .officers had many friends. Already the press has been advocating the inauguration of a re lief fund. The people of Sydney have on many occasions responded cheerfully to the cry for succour, and it will not be in vain that the necessities of the widows and children of those lost in the Tararua are pleaded. The fact is thoroughly re cognised that there has been no loss of life s'o thoroughly representative of Aus tralian as. that which befel the old favorite| of the Union Company's fleet at Waipapa. s The weather has turned suddenly colder, and a good downpour of rain has been experienced by the metropolitan and surrounding districts within the past week, but it is a long time since the : colony has had such a general rainfall. The want of rain.is being.seriously felt in •some of the'pastoral districts in* the west, where the grass is. insufficient for the sus tenance of the cattle and sheep. In thesfe localities the continued dry weather fear fully depresses the meat market, thousands of cattle and sheep being sold and slaughtered to save their dying from want of grass and water. [The foregoing has been delayed in transit, as in the ordinary course it should have reached us last week— Ed. G.]

A STRANGE BED.

{Continued.) Leaving the door open* Joyce ap proached me.; ‘Do vou understand?’ she whispered. I nodded, and, half unconsciously, drew a little away from her. She noticed the involuntary movement, and k faint-color flushed for an instant over her pale face. After a few moments I turned and looked at her. ‘ And, knowing this horrible secret, knowing what devil’s work goes on beneath this roof, you can remain under its shelter? You can con tinue to eat the bread of these men, knowing—’ ‘As heaven is above us,’ she in terrupted, clasping her hands, and speaking with passibnate earnestness, ‘ I did not even suspect it until last month, the last time they—it happened. I have been here three years. More than once travellers have, come to the house at night whom ;I have not seen go away in the morning; if I asked after them, the master . .said they had left early, before I was up. The body of one of them was found days after wards in a lonely part of the heath, and it was thought he had been way laid and murdered, though there was no trace. of violence; another was found in the stream, and it wis .sup posed that on leaving here before it was light he had missed his footing and fallen in. I believed it with the rest. But one ; stormy , night last month a man—a farmer coming from Packerton market—came here to sleep; they drugged him, no doubt, but they gave him tpo little, I suppose. Any how, when they opened the door, he was awake, and there was a dreadful struggle. I heard the noise and came down. They were half in and 'half out of the door, all ngnting 1 together ; he had a knife and wgs defending him-, sejf. He was a strong man, ‘and'might have been too much even for them, but, while he was.. struggling with Reuben, the master took up that iron bar in the corner there, and—’ she

After a slight pause* she —* I did not see otmld not look—but, Oh, Heaven'; ‘ I heard it—l hear it still!’ She coveted he* eyes with both hands, and leaned against the table, trembling from head to foot. In a few minutes she went on, wiping her forehead with her -apron—* I was very ill after that night—l believe I was mad for a time ; but they kept me close, and let no one see me, and when I came to myself— not myself as I was before, for that I shall never be again—l farmer’s body had beeji foupd in . the river close to Beckley "Bridge; he had fallen against the!rocks' It was' and so wounded his heaa.’ : J

‘ And you let the belief pass|un contradicted ? Yob-did not denounce these men ?’ ; , l 1 They kept me a prisoner,; and/ k cowed me with threats —at least the master did j besides,, my illness seetned , j to have stupefied me. jlyyenjti?ibobt] about like one in a dream,, feeling dazed and stunned, 'they thought I had turned idiotic, and talked of their-, r dreadful secrets. quite openly before me—that is bow I came to know all 1 have told you —but I listened and understood, and I swore to. myself tha,t , they should never have another victim.’ She paused a minute. ‘Even before you entered the: house‘to-night. I believe the master had resolved,,you should never leave it alive. He saw your pack, he guessed you would wear , a watch and carry money,, and when he took off your overcoat I saw him feel your pocket arid look at Reuben. " I knew then that the time was come, -; to keep my vow.’ She paused again ; her voice sank still lower. ‘lf you had been coarse and: brutal to me, ki they are, I would have saved you, all, the same at the risk of xny own life, but when I heard you speak so gently, when you looked at me when you defended me, and afterwards touched me—me, a. poor, half-witted " drudge, as tenderly aS if I ■lfad’.been' ! - ; your,,iistet T -QtivsQK Her voice, fier. breast the warm J color Vbshed" over hifir face from chin to forehead, transfiguring it; her eyes softened; suddenly she caught my hand in both hey own, and i kissed it passionately, and then, cover-*-* ing her face, burst into an agony of tears, the heavy sobs shaking'her slight figure from ! head to foot, / .;. i All ray repugnance ...waa,//gone.j : but compassion remained. What a life must hers have been if a few commonplace wo r ds of 5 sympathy,- a trifling act of!!4Sn<ife&p tould IxciteL such- passionate, wondering gratitude!; , I drew nearer to her, and'would have J put my arm about her, as If shfe had I been my sister or: my sweetheart, but, controlling herself :by. an -effort, ! slip raised her head and put me away from her."' "" ■ "

‘ I have stayed too .long,’! she i said, hurriedly. ‘ They think lam still in the kitchen,;’at ahy riioment, miss, me, ' and—Vatic! f |pid ypu he£r a noise?’ / L \, '■ 1 ■:"

We both listened ; mi, all whs still. J * I have more .to.,.say. -tq> ,ypu,’ continued— ‘ the mosl.important;of ail; If you wish to leave this- house 'alive,'' ’ you'must leave it at once.' Listen. : The master told you it wasf hide' piiles '. toj Beckley—that is '’.VSirri out the truth ; it is not more than iive. '. The road crosses the- stream by the old wooden bridge just above .Beckley Fall. The window of your room is not above nine feet from the* ground; drbp into the yard, saddle your horse, lead it out by the side-gate—the snowf p 1 will muffle the sound—you will see 1 th£ road; straight ■ btjfprfe yod,|and|i| less than half ah' hour you 'will bfe at Beckley.’ •' ; ‘ . ■'• ■ ‘ And you ? While I aril riding away in safety, what will become of 1 you ? When they open the dbor and Arid the bed empty—the bird flown— ; ‘ they will at once suspect you of havihg , warned me, and then—’ She. shuddered involuntarily, but , answered, quickly and firmly—

‘I am prepared for the worst; ; I halve expected it,, What does it ■ matter ? Of what value is my life to myself or any one ? Do not waste time in speakirig oif irie‘; ! gb—g& , * / *

;‘ And you think I will leave you— leave you to suffer a;worse|fate than | that from which you have' rescued Me? * What; do you take me for ? If I go, ? you must go too.’, : niv 'No, no; it is impossible. They will miss me before we can get away, and then— ’

* Let them come; I have a bullet for ■ each of them,’ I returned, grimly. ‘No, no,’ she reiterated, ‘your pistols are, gone. The master .tpok. them when he came back to fasten the. window. One man unarmed against : two, both stronger than yourself, what • couldyou do? ‘I could at least die in defending you. But -we| shall yet have time,, if' 5 you will come at once. Come, or it | will be too late.’;

But Joyce stood as if she were turned to stone.

‘ It is too late already !’ she breathed. ‘Hark!’ . .

I listened, and heard the staircase door open. * They have missed, me !’ she said, breathlessly. ‘ The master is coming to look for Jme ! In another moment he will be in the room. Go-go !’ ' > /

‘By heaven, I will not leave you 1’ > ' ‘ You must—you shall! , There will : be time. I can make ari : excuse for being found here; he, wilt suspect, nothing till you are safe away. Go T . ‘lf you go—not else.’ : - ....

I threw my arras round her, and tried to draw her away, but she ! Wrenched herself from my grasp.' ‘No,’ she said, in a vehement , whisper; ‘if he : misses, me, he will suspect—we shall both be lost —two lives instead of one 1 He is coming for heaveh’s sake^-* 1 : /

She threw herself at my feet, and 1 -- raised her;clasped hands in a dumb 5 agony of entreaty. I hesitated. One ' hope remained—a chance of safety for, : ! * us both. I pointed towards, the secret,,, - door. '

‘ How long will it be before they r open .it ?* ‘' " •'■'■■■■—•" ‘I do not know—'-it is iuncertaini V they may come at any moment. The master has been up already to see if your candle was out’ ‘ Then they will not attack mb while the light J>ums ?’ . ; , s ; i / * ‘ No,-, they' will waif— bp, is coining/ down the passage! ’i she-broke off, and, * staggering to. her feet, , thrust the 1 candle I ; into my band; ‘ Quick—in at the ; * door!’ .-l.n wMvn

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, MAY 26, 1881.



st. b. Mr J. H. Lunn’s b g Clarence, aged . ... 12 7 Mr T. S; James’ bh Quamby, 5yrs ... 11 13 Mr T. Sheenan’s b h Kosciusko, ■ 4yrs 10 5 jMr. Jd. Muir’s bg' Lonehand, aged ... ... 10 b District Handicap of 25 sovs, added'to a sweepstake of 2 sovs for acceptors 2 miles ; for district horses only. st. lb. Mr S. Saunders’ b g Why Hot, aged 11 7 Mr P. Husband’s blkg Pa von, aged 11 7 Mr H. Muir’s bg Lonehand, aged 11 0 Tradesmen’s Prate of 30 sovs ; wei =ht for age ; distance 2 miles. st. lb. Mr J. H. Lunn’s bg Clarence, aged ... ... 12 3 Mr T. S. James’ bh Quamby, 5yrs ... ... ... 11 10 Mr T. Lyford’s bh Romeo, 4yrs... 11 0 Farmers’ Steeplechase of 20 sovs ; dis- tance about li miles ; weight for age ; for district horses only. st. lb. Mr S. Saunders’ bg Why Not, . aged 12 3 Mr H. Muir’s bg Lonehand, aged ’ 12 3 Mr T. Cotton’s b g Mungo Park, 5yrs 11 10



-R ~W T) H. : SPACEMAN'S Offices M '- are now in Canterbury Chambers, Here ford street, Christchurch, next Miles and Co., having REMOVED from Messrs Wynn, Williams, and Deacon's. 335 a John Meech, TfcRACTICAIi CABINETMAKER, Jtf .UPHOLSTERER,. &c.. m B URNETT STR EE T » Opposite th 9 Mail Office^ Cheapest House in Town for New and Secondhand Furniture. All, kinds of Furniture repaired or ex changed. GOOD PRICE GIVEN FOR SECOND -HAND FURNITURE. Biq it IT. work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” consequently, bear ing, the truth,of this adage in mind, Frederick Clark, .//OF EAST STREET, HAIRPR E S S E R, Has just imported a' quantity of novel j and amusing games whwrqwitn jjty while away the, dragging hours of winter nights. * They meet the requirements of both old and young, and include playing cards, “ squeezero,” &c.; chesq - and draught men and boards, back gammon, dominoes) gp-bapg, race game, lotto, &c. , &c. Those haying, favorite, Authors should, to prevent disappointment, make their selections from his large stock of NEWEST NOVELS at their earliest convenience. THE FRIEND is F. 0., and to' preserve the, right, to this title he has'lust 'imported the following Brands of TOBACCO : —Nail Rod, Vanity Fair, Ruby Twist, Twist, &c., &c. CIGARS and CIGARETTES: Havanna and Cuban, Vanity Fair Cigarettes, &c., &c., and a large selection of novelties in PIPE WARE. FLOODED OUT. ENCOURAGE LOCAL ENTER PRISE, & KEEP THE MONEY IN THE PLACE. WANTED —10,000 customers to Pur r chase . 100,000 Envelopes and upwards (just arrived). 1,000, 7a 6d; 6,000,6 s 9d per 1,000, for Cash. Pianos. Pianos, Harmoniums, and American Organs for sale on deferred payments, froin ’3os per month. H. M. JONES, Stationer and Bookseller, East street and Batin? Square. • . 365 a O. Carst«ens~ & Co., , (Late Weston’s), ' PROSPECT buildings, rrfOßAccoNiST, fancy goods, I AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes Nailiod, Twist, / and Vanity Fair 1 Tpbacco ; A tried assortment of Accordions, Con jertittih,Flutes, Violins, Mouth Organs, and ■ every description, direct from Honid. 1 p '*'■ ~ J "':, J: Sfatnfoct and Shampooing. ashbubtok. 527a* IMITIOB J vfFO) FARMERS h AND U|>l OTHERS IN*OTHE DISTRICTS! .OFASHBURTONANDRAKAIA Jn.and after this date our BUSINESS' tlitf (; &bove districts will be uncUtt* 1 the- XNAGBMBNT of Mr William Horne. P. CUNNINGHAM & CO., . • i - . Grain Merchants. Christchurch, May 3,188 L 717®



Wanted. ANTED —GepJpi SERY ANT, where two”children are kept. Ap ply,. Office of this Paper. 840 a WANTED to .Purchase—SECTlONS Prebbleion or South Belt preferred. Cask State price. H. Lockett, P.O. \ 887 a WANTED KNOWN —The Tinwald Quadrille Assembly will as semble the same as usual on FRIDAY Evening next, at 7 o’clock sharp. By order of the Committee. 884 a ANTED A PARTNER, with small capital, to farm an unim proved freehold. 'For particulars apply to W. H. Gundry, or W. 8., Box No. 1, P. 0., Ashburton. 801 a WANTED EVERBODY to know that HORSE COVERS can be bought for 17a 6d (former price, 255), at S. Stephens’, Saddler, Tinwald. 726 a WA NTED KN O WN—That W. Fergie’s EXPRESS runs to and from Tinwald Twice Daily. Goods con veyed at most reasonable rates. Orders left at Jephson’s Store, Tinwald, or W. Patching’s, Ashburton, will bo promptly attended to. 760 a '|TT ANTED KNOWN —That VV HENRY’S PORTRAIT ROOMS, Saunders’ Buildings, East street, Ash burton, are open DAILY, from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. Portraits taken in any weather. Great Reduction in Price. a Wanted known—That miss Verrall is now showing her Winter Stock of Millinery, Drapery &c. Stay and Corset Manufacturer. Dressmaking done on Premises, Colombo street, .opposite Cqokhatn House, 630 a WANTED KNOWN—That John Moison (late in the employ of Mr Nealas) has opened business in Fowler’s Buildings, Tailored street, where all descriptions of Boots and Shoes can be made to order. Having had lame ex perience both at Home’and in the colonies, J. M. feels confidence in soliciting a share M public support. 758 a -f-T-rANTED KNOWN. Ashburton V\ REGISTRY OFFICE for Male and Female Servants.—L. F. Andrewes Kegs 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 am in want of situations, are requested to apply to L. F. Andrewes, Labor Agent, Book seller, and Stationer, East street, South. - - ■ * " 208 a Special Advertisements. Hayes' |j| IMB E R YARDS. Balance of Short Firewood sold at auction sale will be SOLD CHEAP, for cash, in order to clear it. ALPHECS HAYES. FRESH SUPPLIES of TIMBER, &c., to hand. 608 a BOYS’ AND YOUTHS . CLOTHING. WE have, on account of Folding too large a Stock, Reduced the Prices of our Boys’ and Youths’ Tweed Suits and Overcoats, Intending pur chasers will save money by giving us a call. EVERETT BRO S., Havelock street. 822 a George St. Hill, JJUILDER AND CONTRACTOR, Burnett street, Ashburton. Flaosfprepared and Estimates given r * at the lowest rates. Terms as may be arranged. Reid & gray’s new zealand- AMERICAN Grain Drill, 15, 16, and 17 Coulters, f With all latest Improvements, and of best Material and Workmanship. ASHBURTON; BRANCH : Cameron street. 898 a OTICE TO FARMERS. The Undersigned can SUPPLY Prime Samples of SEED WHEAT oh favorable terms. P. CUNNINGHAM & CO., 870 a Ashburton. QOAL! COAL!! COAL!!! The [undersigned have just received a large supply of BEST NEWCASTLE And SPRINGFIELD COAL, Which they are Selling at lowest current rat63 ‘ MATSON, COX, & Co., 902 a West street. m|o - NIGHT! TO-NIGHT!! 1 TO-NIGHT!!! LITTLE BARON PUCK, THE NEW ZEALAND DWARF ! Weight 171 b. 2 feet 2 inches height. Now exhibiting at SHOP FRONT OF TOWN HALL. His levees were visited by upwards of 3,000 persons in Dunedin the first week. Little Baron Puck was bom in Welling ton in April, 1871, and is thus just ten years of age at the present time. Admission ,6d. Children half price. ' 903 a