SHIPPING.

POET OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Forest Queen, ketch, from Wellington. To-day. Rotomahana, s.s., from Auckland, via way ports (San Francisco mail.) Hawea, s.s. from Port Chalmers. • Star of tha South, s.s., from Westport. Sailed. . Sunday. ■ Wanaka, s.s., for Wellington, Picton, and Nelson. Yesterday. Croydon Lass, schooner, for Waikato. Isabella Pratt, schooner, for Oamaru. To-day. Rptomahana, s.s , for Melbourne, via Port Chalmers and the Bluff. : BCTTPPTNQ TELEGRAMS- Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived—Go-ahead, from Lyttelton ; Rotomahana, from Auckland, via the East Coast; Elizabeth Conway, schooner, from Greymouth ; Neptune, brig, from Newcastle; Wanaka, from the South. Sailed—Wanaka, for Picton ; Oreti, for Manukaiij, via the West Coast; Kiwi, for the East Coast. Port Chalmers, To-day. . Arrived —Ringarooma, s. s., from Mel bourne, via'Hobart Town and the Bluff. Sydney, Yesterday. Rotorua, s.s., from Auckland

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails ‘dose- at the Cliiot Post Office, Christchurch, for the following places (subject !to necessary alterations) as under;- v i; R ‘ f . -Wy.DNE.sDAY,. January 19. Fur Otago, and .Australian Colonies, per express train (to connect with the s.s. Rotomahana,: at the Bluff), at 7 a.m. Late fee letters' may be posted in the travelling posO»ffiPO..van attached to the express train. _ Saturday, January 29. For, United Kingdom, via Sun Fran cisco, Q[wr,HaweA. Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follow^ ForUhristchurch and North at 5.30 a. m. 10 ami., ’and 5 p.m., daily. For. phertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10 a.m. and spi in*, daily. , „ , For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Cjldstrea.nl , Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a. m. daily. For at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., daily. '"' , , „ , A For Timaru and South, at 6 a.m., 1U a. m., and. 420 p, m., dady. For., Greenslreet, Ashburton horks, Moimf Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on and Fridays, at 10.30 a m. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, at 4.30 p.m. daily. ■ For Wakanui, Elgin, Seafield, New land, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at Giun. M&ifi Vrrive at the Ashburton Post FfoniiGhristchurch and Rakaia at 10.25 a. hr, 05 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. From Chertsoyv&c. at 10.25 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.35 p.m. daily. . From Temuka and Timaru at 10. lo a.m. 5.35'te, hhd 8.15 p.m. daffy. From Greenstreet,, Ashburton Forks, Mount" Soinets/ and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach it 10 a. iff. daily. From Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, Row land,,and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 4 p. iff. W. St. G. Douglas, , ; - Post master.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

; AUCTION SALES. . r -Tuesday, January 18. Robert Wilkin and Co., Tinwald Yards— Horses, and Store Merino Ewes. Thursday, Januaky 20. Quill apd : Go. —Special Sale, at their Rooms and Yarda. At 12 o’clock. [See advertisement on third page.] h'EJDAY, January 21. Matson, Cox, and Co.—Horses, Wagons, Buggy, Implements, Oats, Chaff, Wool press, Cheese, &c. Twelve o'clock sharp. / '

MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c.

. To-Night, Tuesday, January 18. Degree; Temple, Fortnightly Meeting, Teraplar flall, at 8 p. in. Caledonian ; Society—Meeting of Direc tors, at, Quill’s Hotel, at 7.30 p.m. :: To-morrow, Wednesday, January 19. Amateur Dramatic Club —■ Meeting of Members, in side room of the Town Hall, at 8 p.m. Ashburton Town Hall Company, Meeting of,Shareholders, Town Hall, at 8 p.m. ■/ Monday, January 24 Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers,, at 7 o’clock. .i VVednesday, Febrxtary 2. Couniy. CouncO, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE

Trains Leave Ashburton fob Christ church and intermediate stations at 6 a.m.., 10.30 a.m., and (Express) 5.48 p.hi : Trains Leave Ashburton for Timaru and,:South, at 7a. m., 10.36 a.m. (Ex pr'ess) j And 450 ,p. m. —the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Christchurch at 10 24 a.m. (Express), 435 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. Trains/Arrive at Ashburton from Timabu and South at 10.15 a.m., 5.34 p.m. (Express), and 8.15 p.m.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.

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

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 5 p.m.] The Ashburton Guardian. TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1881. Tie Resignation of Mr. Bryce.

The resignation by Mr. Bryce of his portfolio as Native Minister, a few days ago, took most people by surprise. Mr. Bryce has been looked upon as one of the most honest of our legislators, one of the most painstaking and cautious, and withal one of mildest of men. It was, therefore, with some degree of anxiety that a full explanation was waited for of why he had chosen to separate himself from his col leagues, and decline the further responsibility of being head of the Native Office. The explanation that reached Canterbury through the “ inspired ” correspondent of a Govern ment organ was not the fullest that could have been wished, but it was sufficiently clear to lead the reader to the inference that Mr. Bryce wished stronger measures to be taken with Te Whitt than had yet been tried, and subsequent information has placed before us the fact that these measures were such as, had they been followed out, would more than likely have re sulted in a civil war. The native dis tricts are at this moment kept quiet in the way that the English Government keeps Ireland quiet—viz, by the presence in their midst of a large number of troops. This is a very costly mode of keeping things quiet, and judging from past experience, should the Govern ment be led to believe the presence of the Constabulary had had a pacifying effect upon the natives, and withdrew the troops in consequence, there was no assurance that the retreat of the Con stabulary would not be the signal for all sort of trouble between the unchecked natives and the unprotected settlers. Mr. Bryce desired to take steps which he calculated would be decisive. He wished the Constabulary to advance at once on Parihaka, and at the monthly native meeting which was to have taken place there yesterday, occupy the stronghold of the prophet, and appe hend the prophet himself. Mr. Bryce felt so sure of the success of his pro posal in bringing about a pacific settle ment of the native difficulty that he was persistent in urging.the course he sug gested upon his colleagues. They, however, firmly refused to adopt these strong measures ; and the result was that Mr. Bryce, who apparently would not permit himself to see any other mode of dealing with the sore at Parihaka than what we may call an iron cure, chose to resign because his plan was not adopted. He has evi dently overlooked the fact that he and his colleagues stood com mitted to try all that had been sug gested by the Royal Commission with a view to pacifying and reconciling the natives by redressing as far as practicable the grievances they suffer under. In spite, too, of the fact that another Commission is at work to find out how best these grievances could be removed, and in spite of any real offence on the part of Te Whiti Mr. Bryce wished to take this very high handed course. Te Whhi is not a rebel j he has not taken up arms against the Europeans of the colony 3 nor has he dared to defy the Government. Pie is a Maori, and according to the custom of his race he has taken his own way of protesting against the in fringement of what he believes to be his rights, and those of his people, to certain lands. To those rights he has tenaciously clung, and if his mode of entering his protest is a peculiar one, still it cannot be called rebellion, for he allowed, nay ordered, all the men he employed in making the protest to the Europeans’ prison for making that protest. Those men were the flower of his tribes, and it was wisdom on the prophet’s part to let them go to prison, for their absence secured all the more safety from a breach of the peace between the races. The Royal Com mission have admitted the righteous ness of part at least of Te Whiti’s claims, and Government have so far adopted that admission as to send an other Commission out to see how best they can be met, and how far. Yet in face of fhe present state of affairs which all thd Cabinet seem to consider ripening into a happy understanding be tween the prophet and the Government, Mr. Bryce would precipitate a war with the natives by the armed entrance of Parihaka and the forcible arrest of their prophet. Tliere are’ many, h 6 ftoubt,

in the colony who believe with Mr. Bryce that the time has come for troublesome Parihaka to be cleared out by a shower of leaden hail, but we firmly trust these are not a majority, and that the colony in the mass is willing to try the case fairly between Te Whiti and the whites, to in quire into and rectify his genuine grievances, and attempt a lair reconciliation between the races before we resort to the arbitrament of powder and shot. We cannot but regret the loss to the country of Mr. Bryce’s services as Native Minister, end that he should have chosen to st.; nd out of the Cabinet because a majority of its members are against his idea of dealing with Te Whiti; but we must at the same time congratulate ourselves that his resignation is the sign that not at least until every effort has been made to heal the breach now existing between the races will the troubles be attempted to be removed by a resort to arms.

Longbeach School. —A master for the Longbeach school is advertised for in this issue.

Stcwaways. —Michael Haveney and John Cantau, stowaways on board the Rotomahana from Wellington, were to-day committed to prison for seven days each by the Christchurch magistrates. The Cattle Market.— At a special meeting of the County Councii on Feb ruary 2nd, the proposed rules and regula tions for the County Sale yaros (adver tised in another column) will be con sidered. Evangelistic Address.— The Rei C. Melville Pym will deliver an ovangt :stic address in the Town Hall on Tlur May evening next, at eight o’clock. Mr. Pym will conduct the St Stephen’s Church ser vices during the absence of the Rev. Mr. Hands.

Cricket. —A match is to be played bn the evenings of this week between the Ashburton Cricket Club and the Borough Cricket Club, commencing to-morrow at six .p.m. sharp. Members wishing to take part in the match are requested to La on the ground punctually at the above time. Impoundings. —A special meeting of the County Council is to be held im mediately after the ordinary meeting on Wednesday, February 2nd, to consider a resolution compelling .all poundkeepers to advertise all animals impounded, what ever their number may be. V.R.C. Autumn Meeting.—Thirty five entries have been received for the Australian Cup, including Progress, Grand Faneur, Camballo, and other lead ing horses. Camballo is also entered for the Newmarket Handicap.

Bank Rates. —The Insurance and Banking Record of a late date states a further reduction in rates of interest to three per cent, is inevitable, and that the Banks are only awaiting similar action on the part of other colonies. The Wellington Cup. —The following are the final payments for this event:— Lady Emma, Hailstorm, On Dit, Natator, Libeller, Sir George, The Governor, Mis chief, Dan, Virginia Water, Norseman, Randwick, Volunteer, and Badsworth. As letters and telegrams bearing yester day’s date will be received, there may possibly be an increase to the above. Bold Out. —Mr. Ivess appears to be getting rid of his numerous newspaper properties as rapidly as possible. Last week a telegram stated that he had dis posed of his latest literary venture—tha Waikato Mail —and now a Greymouth message says that the local Star has been sold by Ivsss to Mr. Petrie.

The Janet and Taniwha.— A cable gram has been received at. Auckland, stating that it is probable that a further trial will take place between the Janet and Taniwha, the first and third yachts in the Champion Yacht Race at the Inter colonial Regatta.

Valuation Lists. —The valuation list for the Borough lies for inspection at the Town Clerk’s office, and any objections to it must be left at the R. M. Court, ad dressed to the Assessment Court, on or before the loth February, copies of such objections being also left at the Town Clerk’s office.—The Mount Hutt valuation list is now open for inspection at the Mount Hutt Road Board office, and all objections must be left there addressed to the Assessment Court, copies being also left at the Road Board office.

Was it After Dinner ?—The Ramp shire Post reports a strange incident, which, it states, has occurred off Cowes. While the Royal yacht, Osborne, was moored off the island, the Prince of Wales and an officer on board the yacht resolved to plunge into the water and swim round the yacht with their clothes on. It was no sooner resolved upon than the Prince and the officer were seen struggling in the sea, hampered with their clothes. The tide was running strong at the time, and the swimmers were, in spite of them selves, swept past the stern. Possibly the result might have been serious had not Admiral Sir Henry Keppel, who had heard the conversation, succeeded in launching a boat and rowing to the rescue.

The Grounding of the Chimborazo. —The Chimborazo struck on. Morion’s reef, Troubridge shoal, in the Gulf of St. Vincent,- at three a.ra. on Sunday, the 9fch inst. Three tugs immediately went to her assistance, and eighty passengers and the mail were taken off The weather was calm. when the vessel struck. The cause of her grounding appears to have been that the haze led the captain to imagine that Troubridge light was six miles off, whereas it was only two and a half. Not much damage was apprehended, and a number of passengers remained aboard. The vessel remained in the same position until night, when lightering commenced. By the aid of the strong tug the Chimborazo floated early in the morn ing, and made for the Semaphore, having suffered no apparent damage.

THE AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS’ NEW ZEALAND TOUR.

The Australian team arrived at the Bluff early yesterday morning, and com menced their first match in New Zea land against twenty-two of Invercargill shortly after one o’clock. The twenty two went first to the wickets, to the bowling of Spofforth and Palmer, which was superb, and the fielding was equal to it, only one case of muff having been apparent during the whole innings. In an exceedingly short space of time every Invercargill wicket went down before the “ demon ” and his mate, only five out of the twenty-two ; having been caught; and only 43 runs were totalled by the Southland host. Then the twenty-two took the field,to .struggle with the famous batsmen, an/jlatfi p.m. Jarvis (15), Spofforth (33), Murdoch (40), M'Donnell Alexander (3), Boyle (o), had been disposed of, leaving the not outs Groube (3) and Slight (14), with extras (10) —the whole innings reaching up to 154 for six wickets. Play was to be resumed to-day, if the weather were favorable, but rain fell heavily over night.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Per Banter’s Agency.) London, Jan. 15. Money and Commercial. Consols, count has been raised to 3jZ P er cen t> equal with the Bank rate ; New Zealand securities are unchanged; Australian tallow has advanced, best beef being quoted at 345, and best mutton at 365. 6d. The Explosion at Salford Armory. Information has been received which seems to prove that the attempt to destroy the armory at Salford, as re ported this morning, was actually made. It is now definitely known that an ex plosion took place, but the cause of the same is a complete mystery. Turkey and Greece. Telegrams are to hand from Athens reporting that the Greek Government has decided that an attack shall be made at the end of the month to obtain the required teiritory in Epirus and Thessaly from Turkey, unless the cession be previously made. In con sequence of this information the Powers are making renewed efforts to prevent an outbreak of hostilities between Turkey and Greece, and to bring about the settlement of the frontier difficulty. Mr. Gladstones Health. London, Jan. 17. Mr. Gladstone has recovered from the cold from which he was recently suffering. The Ritualist Parsons. The Rev. O. P. Dale and Rev. Mr. Enright, ritualistic clergymen, who were imprisoned for contempt of orders of the Court of Arches, have been dis charged from custody, it having been found that the writs under which they were arrested were defective. The Turcomans, Further news to hand from Central Asia states that the Turcomans recently made an unsuccessful sortie from Geok Teplebling and were heavily repulsed by th? Russians, who then stormed the outworks. 'Che conflict was a most sanguinary one, and resulted in heavy loss to both sides. The Greek Frontier Question. Constantinople, Jan. 17. The Porte has sent a circular note to its representatives abroad, requesting them to propose to the Powers tIL-jt, the latter should send delegates to a‘Con ference at Stamboul, to negotiate for the settlement of the Greek frontier question. The Porte desires that the Conference should be held in lieu of arbitration, as proposed by the Powers.

AUSTRALIAN.

{Per Reuter’s Agency.) Obituary. Melbourne, Jan. 17. Mr. A. K. Smith, M.L.A, is dead. Walking Match. 1 A two days’ walking match takes place between Baker and Swan on Friday and Saturday next. The’lntercolonial Conference. Sydney, Jan. 17. The Intercolonial Conference met to-day, and considered the Bill for the establishment of an Australian Court of Appeal, as drafted by Mr. Vale, the Victorian Attorncy-Gnneral, and col league of Mr, Berry at the Conference. After discussion, it was decided to refer the Bill to a committee for revision before further considering it.

NEW ZEALAND

(Per Press Association.) A Wreck at Samoa. i: Auckland, Toiday. The schooner Myrtle, just arrived, brings news of the wreck, at Tonga, of the Auckland brigantine Active. The vessel drifted ashore at Samoa in a calm, and became a total wreck. The passengers, crew, and her original cargo from Auck land were all saved. The wreck was sold to Lorenson for L3O. The Active was owned by Lcwe and Brown, Whangaroa, and M‘Arthur and Go., Auckland. She was insured in the New Zealand for L 750, and in the Union for LBSO. The Property Tax. Wellington, To-day. It has been decided that the Property Tax be payable cither at the end of Feb ruary or early in March. The Act re quires it to be paid in two instalments for the year, but it will be necessary to have the dates for each moiety close together, in order that the tax be collected during the financial year. By the original intention the first moiety was due some time ago. After Hours. At the Magistrate’s Court, the pro prietor of the Princess Theatre Hotel was fmed L 5 on two informations for selling liquor on Sunday. The proprietors of the Victoria Hotel for refusing to admit the police sergeant on Sunday without un necessary delay, were fined L2 and the license was endorsed with the convic tion. The Danger of Delay. Timaru, To-day. At the Magistrate’s Court to-day, judg ment was given against the Secretary of the Timaru Ttegatta Committee, for over L4O, with costs, money claimed by the purchasers of privileges, in consequence of the Regatta having been adjourned. Fedestrianism Dunedin, To-day. ( Austin, Scott’s trainer, accepts Edwards’ challenge. Land Sale. At the Crown Land Sale, 4,1G4 acres of pastoral land in Silver Peak district were sold at upset price of 20s. per acre, A Handsome Present. The Bruce Herald states that the direc tors of the Bank of New Zealand have presented the widow of Mr. Alfred Jones, late manager at Nelson, with a cheque for a thousand guineas.

THE CHAMPION SCULLING RACE.

POSTPONEMENT OF THE HANLAN LAYCOCK CONTEST. (By Cable.) London, Jan.. 17., iv Owing to the large quantity of floatihg ice on the Thames the race between Hanlan add Laycock could not take' place' torday..- - ... -- - ■ - ' ■

RESIDENT MAGISTRATES COURT.

ASHBURTON.— 'jV-da'-. (Before Mr. Nugent Wood, R. M. Martin v. Sycamore—Claim 020, for trespass. Mr. Branson appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. Wilding for defendant. Charles Martin, farmer, Winslow—Saw defendant on my land on the sth January, at a quarter past nine in the evening. He was leading a horse. I had warned him before not to trespass on my land. On this occasion I asked defendant what he was doing there, and he replied ‘ ‘ What the devil do 1 care for you, or any one else i” After further words, I asked my servant to fetch a chain to fasten the gate. Sycamore said he would go through the fence. Defendant took Tiis coat off. 1 subsequently let him go out on the under standing that he had fastened his horse. When he got outside he called me “a mean little devil. ” The'father was out side at the time, but came in and pushed me, and used bad language. I gave him notice about the end of September not to trespass on my land. I got a letter in re ply to this notice. By Mr. Wilding—After a trespass on the 24th of October, I instructed my solicitor to write to defendant. There had been previous trespasses. There was a paddock adjoining mine belonging to Mr. D. Wilson. The horse was in that pad dock on the previous day. There was a mutual arrangement as to keeping the fence in repair. The wires were not down on this occasion. There were three wires on a bank of about a foot high. Subsequent to last trespass, the father came to witness’ place and apologised. Thomas Stanton —I am a servant to last witness. , Saw Sycamore with a horse on Mr. . Martin’s . land on Jan. sth. They, were down at the gate, and I heard Sycamore use insulting language to Martin. Defendant’s father pushed plain tiff.

By Mr. Wilding Defendant said lie wished Martin was a match fur him, but he did not touch him. Ellen Sheridan substantiated the evi dence as to the trespass in October and January. Sycamore- -I am a farmer ar Wins low, and had been in the habit of visiting last witness. Mrs. Martin forbid me to visit until i had obtained the girl’s parents’ consent. Her reason for object ing to my visiting until the parents’ con sent was obtained was the difference in our religion. Mrs. Margin said her husband would write to the parents and would give me a reply. 1 got that reply on the 27th of September. On the 24th Octobtor I went to the house to give the girl two letters, but Mrs. Pye stopped me. The letters were not delivered. I did not break any gate or fence on that occasion. On the sth January I went to the place., My horse was pasturing in Wilson’s paddock, in the fence to which there were gaps, the gorse being away. I went to the place to got my horse out of Martin’s ground. Wilson and my father were with me. I first saw Martin when I was going out of the gate with my horse. He said he had impounded my horse on his property. I tpld him he had given mo no notice. 1 never called him a mean little devil.

By Mr. Branson—l said 1 would not like to lay hands on him, but if he had been my own size I don’t know what I might have done. He said he would bring a man to make me leave the horse, and I took off my coat to take my own part. On the sth Jannai-y 1 got on Martin’s land through a gap, and Wilson and my father went through also. Wilson, farmer, said that when he was with the Sycamores, the younger man told him that he had been forbidden to go on Martin's land.

Counsel ’addressed the Bench, and His Worship said he would pass over the first trespass, as tie relations between Syca more and the girl sufficiently condoned that, and the second was not a very deadly one. The whole care would have been dismissed, but for the language used to Mr. Martin. The judgment w’oukl be for LI, with costs of Court, witnesses, and professional fee. Branson and Purnell v. M'Lcod.— Claim, LI 10s. for professional services. Judgment for plaintiffs.

LATE CABLE NEWS.

(Per s.s. liingarooma, at the Bluff.) London, Jan. 7. Some Turkish soldiers stationed on the Greek frontier have fired at some Greek brigands, who retreated. A 'Birmingham clockmaker, who has asked for police protection, has revealed a plot on the part of the Russian Nihilists, who are having infernal machines con structed in England to be used in further ance of their projects against the Emperor of Russia. Jan. 8. During the debate on the address in reply to the Queen’s speech, and the amendment thereon by Mr. .Parnell, the Irish members who have spoken condemn t|ie stoppage of public meetings in Ireland. Mr.- Parnell declared that the Coercion Bill which it is proposed to introduce will have the effect of increasing the outrages rather than diminishing them, and would cause conspiracies. Mr. Forster, Chief Secretary for Ireland, pointed out that'the outrages followed the inflammatory and seditious speeches delivered by the mem bers of the Land league. The Canadian fishery question is now being debated by Congress at Washington, in a friendly tone towards England. A disastrous fire has taken place at Havanna, and, with Tho exception of the large cigar factories, the principal buildings have been destroyed. Jan. 9. The Dutch at Natal are showing signs of disaffection. It is rumored that Potchef stroom has been attacked by the Boers, and has surrendered. There have been 1,100 evictions and 1,700 outrages in Ireland during tlio last eleven months. Jas. Orelly, of Roscommon, and other Leaguers of the hottest, are proving very, obstructive. Yesterday they made use of the forms of the House, and delayed the progress of business over three hours. A scene of confusion followed, and the attitude assumed by the Leaguers has generally been condemned.

The members of the Irish Land League are prosecuting the agitation with con tinued vigor. They have threatened to bring before illegal courts, which they have established, all tenants who do not sympathise with the general purpose of the Leaguers and give the movement sub stantial support. Capetown, Dec. 20. The town of Kimberly is being fortified against an expected attack by the Boers, who are now desperate. They have a large number of men in the field, and, emboldened by previous successes, are ad vancing further into Natal. . The native outbreak .still, continues. The colony has now in the field nearly 18,000 men, of which number about one half are native allies. The others are mostly Volunteer Burghers and Cape Riflemen, of European descent. Colonel ■\Vavcllß secured a ; victory over Tembus, and fiOO.rebels, besides captur ing 1 alarge number of livestock at Leribe. Our fm?cq v mut a slight disaster by eleven of our then being cut off and killed by the enemy. Altogether it is impossible to predict the duration of the war, as the Volunteers claim to be relieved after three months’ service in the* field. - On the 1 Gth inst. Colonel Wayells-made a .further cap r ture of 1,400 cattle and COO sheep from Tembus, and also, killedJ'en.Teiflbiia. In Basutoland 1 'Colonel ! Carrington had. a sharp engageriieht I wiflvA Targei body of Basutb rebels, and repulsed them. The

Transvaal Boers elected Kruger; Vice president, and Volksraad JouLert Com mandant General. Matters there are very disturbed.

Mother Shipton.

The fo'lo«vlng e.-died from the Nao York Journal of Commerce is rather interesting :

Mother Shipton was a veritable character, who lived more than three hundred years ago, and uttered a num ber of so-called prophecies. They were, for the most part, a vague, unmeaning jumble of seeming predictions applic able to no special event, and without point or general interest. In 1641 a pamphlet containing a medley of this sort, chiefly in halting verse, was printed in '■ ondon, and her “ Life and Curious Prophecies” were given to the public in 1677. In 1862, Mr. Charles Hind ley, of Brighton, England, issued what purported to be an exact reprint of a “ Chap-bcok version of Mother Ship ton’s prophecies from the edition of 1648.” In this for the first time, there were point and pith and special appli cation. All modern discoveries were plainly described, and one prophecy read as follows : Carriages without horses shall go, And accidents fill the world with woe. Around this world.thoughts shall fly In the twinkling of an eye. Water shall ret more wonders do; Now strange, yet shall be true. The world upside down shall be, And gold Ire found at root of tree. Through hills men shall ride, And no horse or ass be at their side. Under water men shall walk ; Shall ride, shall sleep, shall talk. In : the air men shall be seen, In white, in black, in green. Iron in water shall float, As easy as a wooden boat. Gold shall be found—and found In a lard that’s now not known. Fire and water shall wonders do. England shall at last admit a Jew. The world to an end shall come In eighteen hundred and eighty-one.

'('his, of course, quite startled the public. 1 f all other important events oj the nineteenth century had been so aptly described, why should not the last prediction be fulfilled? We copied the prophecy, and without knowing any thing of its source, denounced it as a forgery. An English paper replied that it was an exact reprint of the old edition, for nearly 250 years on file in the British' Museum. We sent our correspondent to the Museum, and learnt that there was a chap-book of that title bearing date 1641; another of 1642, containing what purported to be Mother Shipton’s portrait; other prophecies dated 1648, 1667, and Mother Shipton's Lije and Curious Pro phecies, complete in an octavo edition, of 1796. We then purchased the re print and sent to have them compared. This proved that a fraud had been committed. The old prophecies were a vague jumble of local predictions that might have been fulfilled at any or every decade since their date. All the pointed and interesting predictions in the new issue were not in the old book, and were either interlineations of entirely new fragments, evidently written after the events they were supposed to predict. We pressed the point, and then the secret came out. In the spring of 1873 Mr. Hindley wrote a letter, confessing that he had fabricated the prophecy above quoted, and ten others, in order to render his little book saleable.

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not I'o'd oiiise'ves lespoasih'e for the opinions expressed by .oar cone-pondenls.

SYMPATHY.

To THE EDITOR. Sir, —The letter you kindly inserted last week respecting the late Matthew Petty appears to have awakened consider able interest amongst the inhabitants of this district, and I beg to inform you that Mr. Thomas Struthers has nobly mani fested his sympathy in a very practical manner, by canvassing the town for sub scriptions towards the expense of the funeral of the said young man ; and, not with standing the dullness of the times, the appeals of Mr. Struthers have been most liberally responded to. This morn he brought mo the sum of Ll 3 7s. (3d., and, judging from the number of names on the list, Mr. Struthers has evidently been most indefatigable in his efforts to collect so much money, and deserres very great praise. The sympathy felt must have been very general, for men of nearly all classes have freely and willingly con tributed; This is a strong proof chat the people of Ashburton know how to be generous when occasion demands it. I am requested to heartily thank the public through the medium of your paper for the prompt and substantial help they have, rendered, and am pleased to state that arfter all funeral expenses are settled there will bo a few pounds remaining, which will be immediately handed over to the sorrwing father. —I am, A'., A. J. Smith.

THE CHIMNEY CORNER.

THREE SCENES IN THE LIFE OP A TRAVELLING SHOWMAN.

A Sketch from Life.

SCENE THE SECOND.— Continued. The first scene was the finale of “ Blue Beard.” The curtain drew up and discovered another, with skeletons painted on the back, and lurid with blue fire.

“ There, sir; we carry that scene wherever we goes,” said Mr. Muraford to me, confidentially; “it always draws.. The scene’s three feet wide and eight feet high.” Blue Beard (Mr. Jones) entered, and was about dragging Mrs. Mumford (whom he discovered in the room) to instant execution, when her two brothers (Mr. Mumford and another) entered, and cut him down after a very tough and, for a long time, doubtful fight. Blue Beard eventually (I should perhaps mention) gave up the ghost from the 'result of a horse-pistol fired by Sister Anne [l.c.]. Turkish march; curtain fell.

“ There, sir; how do you like that ? ’ I liked it very much, and so I told the manager. The next performance was the most distressing scene in the: “Stranger.” The Stranger (Mr. Thompson,, again) entered in Hessian boots—-deeply; affecting. Stranger,, rather like gentle man mute, alluded to “ another and a better worr-r-rld,” and was pursuing that vein when' giant," as comic servant, entered, and threw a somersault {bhty one, the stage was not large enough for two.) . '• ; • “ Hallo ! ” said I' to the manager, ’, J . , -' “ Innovation, I allow,” said Miim

ford. We found the piece drag, so in troduced IJilly with comic business; great success now. Next piece, ‘ Mamlet ’—only ghost scene, to intro duce the Pepper Ghost. Ghost, Billy, in grey seal-skin. Great hit.” And so it was. Young Roscius, Hamlet—only twelve, clever, and with a sense of acting. The manager occasional’)' interrupted the peiformance with remarks, such

as — “ Mr. Jones, take care, sir, your feather is singeing. Freddy, put more ‘ .r 0 ’ into it. Mr. Thompson, don’t stand before the Ghost —if you do that again I’ll fine you. Now, band, slow music for Ghost; ‘ Still so gently’— good.” The Ghost appeared - such a ghost. “ Last time we played at Devizes,” said the manager to me, “ there was an awkward business about that ghost. Lilly had just come on, and was show ing up well in the plate glass, when two hands appeared and grabbed him by the shoulder. By the living Jingo, sir, they were bailiffs! They’d mistaken Billy for a high comedy man that had just left, and that had been in the hard ware line in Bristol. That 11 do. Trapeze.” . . The manager was eager to exhibit his prowess-on the trapeze. Curtain fell, rose again, and he appeared in mid-air, facing the young Ros cius on another trapeze. He swung across, he caught the boy with his knees, and let him hang in the air. It was really very fair, and 1 applauded. - “ It’s all very well,” said the giant, who had nmv joined me, and who spoke in a whisper. “ But theguv’nor’s getting too stout. He’s as found of it as ever, but he can’t do the first-rate thing.” “Joe’s wonderful, ain’t he?” said Mrs.' Mumford, who now came round to me. “Now he’ll do his double somersaults.” And so he did—nine running, in very fair style. He joined me in ?. moment after. “ We’re going to Plymouth next .week,” he said. “And if I don’t go in and beat that sneering rascal Turnafelli, I’m a Dutchman, for I know I can do it.” “ And he will do it—Joe will,” said the proud little wife. “Papa’ll beat that man,” said the • infant Roscius; “he can beat any man.” “ The guv’nor can do anything he likes,” chimed in the faithful giant. “ Guv’nor’s a. good sort—-very good sort,” whispered the giant to me. “ But he’s bumptious, and a great deal too , venturesome.”

SCENE THE THIRD. THE LAST OF ALL. It must I'ave been four years after that summer evening we have just described, that I was riding home from hunting one autumn night across the downs to Salisbury, a mile or two past Winterbourne Stoke. Just as I reached the great Roman camp' at Varhorough, I saw a light glimmering above the grassy mound that still marks the rampart that the sturdy legioners threw up against our ancestors hundreds of vears ago. The light shone like a glow T worm in that vast range of lonely down. Thinking it was a gipsies’ camp, and wanting a light for my cigar, I cantered smartly towards it. When T came up to it I found it was a light from the open door of a caravan. “ Can you oblige me with a light?” I shouted.

Thera was no answer. J got off my horse and walked up to the light. I looked in. A woman was sitting with her head resting on a coffin, and near her was a youth of about fourteen, with his head bandaged, and his arm in a sling. A little child of three years old, as I looked in, was striking the coffin with a coral and bells, and cry ing— , . “ Why doesn’t papa come out of that black box, and come to tea ?” Just then a tall spectre came out of the darkness. It was the giant, crying like a child. He knew me, .and took my hand. “ That’s the guv’nor’s coffin,” lie said. “He would go and do it. He challenged that beast Turnarelli to do double somersaults. I always told him he’d kill himself, and he ” (here he burst into a storm of tears) “ broke his —neck —last Wednesday. The boy was hurt too.”

I went up and tried my best to say a word of comfort to the poor widow, and, after I had given the poor boy a present, I took my leave. As 1 rode slowly off the giant fol lowed me. “It would have been a consolation, sir,” said the faithful creature, “if you could have been at the funeral, but that will be at the guv’nof’s native place, Knoyle, sir, and that’s out of your dis trict. O dear, sir, what will become of the caravan and the company ?” I suggested that it should become a joint stock company, with a_ double share for the widow. The giant shook my hand, and muttered audibly, “ Bless you ” three times, each time with more intensity, and then strode'back to the caravan'through the darkness. (jDondiuled).

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1881



Special Advertisements. E EE ST VALUE ■oU,f<- ■' . J. OB ' READY MONEY d/.-'.V ■■ / - IS THE MENS AND BOYS' CLOTHING MANUFACTCJKE D BV THE NEW! ZEALAND Clothing Factory, Which can he purchased at their Retail Brancheflj all over New Zealand. A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE 11 / WHOLESALE PRICE. ■Thousands of the discerning customers testify that the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Garments are the Very Best Value for Ready Money. ‘ U: jAattBUBOiON Sbanch EAST ST RE ET. , ( „ WM, SPARROW, Manager. the Ashburton guardian P^.iC'E-— '’G/N E PENNY. tTISEES are reminded that *- f '^ S nTON GUARD!AN ’' I and Suburbs,‘and the places tor* adierlisemetils are' very at'.“The



Special Advertisements. Commercial and fancy STATIONERY. The Undersigned has opened up a NEW ASSORTMENT of the above. Cream, Blue, and Hand - made Notepapers; Ruled, Plain, Fancy, and Repp ditto. Good Business Envelopes, No. 7, Court, Albert, Queen, Tinted, Repp, and others. Fens Gillott’s, Mitchell’s, Brandauer and Co.’s. Inks—Stephen’s Blue Black, Walkden’s "Chick and Colored. Antoinne, Copying. Ac. Workbos.es, Albums, Books, Ac. H. \L JONES, STATIONERY AND FANCY GOODS DEPOT, East Street and Baring Square. 710 O. Carstens & Co. (Lite Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, r |TOBACCONIST, FANCY GOODS, J. AND STATION CRY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B. D. Pipes Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco Musical Instruments, etc., etc. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. 520*



Which is the One “ Aurelia, dear, when we were married We were made one ; and I thought T should be that one. But a man can’t always‘ tell what may hap pen." ! ' k! ' ‘ " -



The Best of the Jm>GK.~A -certain' judge was once obliged to sleep with an Irishman in a crowded hotel, when the following conversation, ensued : —“Pat, you would have remained a long time in the old country before you could. have ; slept with a judge, would you' not ? ” “Yes, your honor,” said Pat; “and I think you would have been a long time in the old country before ye’d been a judge, too.” i. l i .. M. ■ : ;■ I



The Late Sir F. 'Lycett and Wesley anism.—-T]ie following is culled from a Home paper t —lt is privately reported that, notwithstanding Sir F. Lycett’a princely generosity during life, he has died possessed of a considerable fortune, said to, amount to upwards of a quarter of a million sterling. After the payment of certain legacies, his widow, Lady Lycett, has a life interest in all that is left, and at her death two-thirds of the residuary is to bo devoted to the erection of new Wesleyan chapels in various parts of the ‘metropolis. In addition, Sir F. Lycett is said to have left a legacy of 1 ,/23,000 to the same object, ’' payable shortly,’ Legacies amounting to several I thousands of pounds have been left to Wesleyan Foreign Missions, Home Missions, and other Connexional funds. Holloway’s Ointment and Puls.— A Cure for Abscesses, Piles, Fistula, and Soies ■ - The ma-;y sathfactory cures resulting trom the use of i l ' s invaluable Ointment in cases where patients have been suffering from these complaints have induced many medical practi tioners to r'.reduce them into the hospitals and 1 their priv. 'e practice ;.and in many instances wi’erc the suffeier .was..considered incurable, Holloway’? Ointment, In 'conjunction, wi.h his Pills, healed the moct : .desperate wounds Thebe medicaments are unequalled for the cure of scrofula 'ami diseases of (be shin. In all cutaneous affections incidental to chi’dren, fro n the sunn’s red gtim 'o ■ t>e complicatinl s:o.butic ti’sease, Ilo'loways Ointment exer cises a rcmarhab’y beuef:c : al influence, cooling hflamation,:; relieving iiriitatiori,-' and giving ease to the impatient little sufferer.



Wanted. WANTED, a . MASTER for the Long beach Main SchooL Salary, accord ing to average attendance for the present quarter, £137 155., less 10 per cent, re duction. Applications to be sent in on or before SATURDAY, 29th instant. JOHN GRIGG, Chairman. Longbeach, 17th January, 1881. 952



\\T ANTED—STATION COOK Good * ? Baker indispensable. References required. Apply at once, Alfokd Station. 958 WANTED, a Girl as General SER VANT ; must be able to milk. INTED, a Good PLOUGHMAN, accustomed to work a Machine. WANTED, TENDERS for CROSS PLOUGHING 800 Acres Stubble' Land. Apply, in person, at Longbeach, on SATURDAY, 22nd January;' 955 JOHN GRIGG. WANTED— TENDERS for TYING 400 Acres (more or less) of Wheat, Oats, and Cocksfoot, l enders will close on THURSDAY, 19th. Eurther particu lars, apply to William Fra&eu, Tinwald ; or James W. M‘Rae,. Somerset Stables, Ashburton. 951 \\f ANTED KNOWN. - Cricket— A V i General MErITING oi tlie Mem* bers of the Ashburton BOROUGH CRICKET CLUB will.be held at Mr. L. F. Andrewes’, East street, on WEDNES DAY Evening (To-morrow), at 8.30. All Members are requested to attend. Busi ness important. 9do WANTED TO SULL—Twenty-five SECTiuNS, Wakanui road. Apply, Patching. Tent-maker, East Apply, Office of this Paper. Apply, Office of this Paper. 885 street. 898



WANTED KN OWN, That DENJRY’S PORTRAIT ROOMS, Saunders’ Buildings, East street, Ashburton, are open DAILY, from . 9 a. in. till 5 p.nal Portraits taken in Any weather. Gr'ekt Reduction in Price. , . 606 ANTED KNOWN—The .Labciest ami Best Stock of Sadixleet in to be fourd at the shop of S. STEPHENS, Tinwald.. Good strong Cart Collars from 15i. ; Cart Winkers, Bs. 6d.; Plough Back-bands, 6s. cash; Cart Saddled and Breechens, from 505.; Reaping Machine Pole Straps, 2s, Earmers will make? a great saving by buying of S. Stephens’,’. Saddler, Tinwald. 871 WANTED KNOWN. Ahfaurton REGISTRY OFFICE for- Male and Female Servants.— L. F. AKdrkWes; bogs to inform the public of, Ashbifrtoii and surrounding districts that he has opened the above. Male and Female Servants of all classes provided. Em ployers requiring servants, and ail persons with good recouuueiidations, wlkrWe im-- want of situations, are requested to apply to L. F. Andkewes, Tabor Agent; - Book- ? seller, and Stationer, East street;-South. WANTED KNOWN—That a Church of England minister’s- wife writes that she saves Ten Shillings a rFortnight . by ; using Harper Twelvctreea’ Villa Washer, Wringer, and Mangier, com bined ; and, although she permits no rubbing, the clothes are beautifully white, and much cleaner than when done by hand, while the saving in mending has been astonishing.: Sold;by r J; HERN, Range Maker and Importer, comer of Manchester and Tuam streets, Christ church ; Price—Jo9 10s. . 700



WANTED KNOi SOMERSET LIVERY i STABLES. J W. M'RAE bogs i , public that be has tab Stables from Mr. J3qssen making extensive repairs. Buggies and saddle horse: Lowest prices and best at O/"ANTED KNQvAN—' YY Cards, p’am or iron’, obtained printed in various ** Guardian ” office, opposite Station. Meetings. This Evei] 10. G. T. —Unity DEQUE . THIRD DEGREE on TUESDAY EVENING, at the Templar Hall. Thom D.T. Ecclesiastical JjVANGELISTIC A An Address will be given : HALL, Ashburton, on Evening next, 20th instant, the Rev. C. AIELVILLIfi PI Doors open at half-past collection. Sankey’s Hymns will bo Ui Lost and Ponn LOST, on Saturday, betv Cross and ' Ashburto PLOUGH SEAT. Finder! leaving same with W. J. Sili J7IOUND, on the Westorfii ’ road, on January 13t VEST, and WATCH. The have the same by pay in Arthur Paterson, Mayfield Public Notices. POISON. —Prom this date be LAID on the secti by the undersigned on the