SHIPPING.

PORT OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Thames, ketch, from Picton. Dido, schooner, from Waitapu. Olio, schooner, from Waitapu. Hero, cutter, from Picton. To-day. Wanaka, s.s., from Northern ports. 1 SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived—Pare ora, from London. ..i * Timaru, Yesterday. s^Amvad—Westland, ship, from Port Chalmers.... Port Chalmers, Yesterday. Arrived Benvenue, from London ; Hawea, from Northern ports. Sailed— Beautiful Star, for the West Coast; Jessie Nicol, for Macquame Island ; Hawea, for Waipapa Point. London, April 27. Arrived—Ned White, ship, from Port Chalmers.

MAIL NOTICES.

The next mail for the United King ppm (via San Francisco) will leave on mv si. ; Mnila dose at the Ashburton Post Office, Jtft follows i Fot Christchurch and North at 5.30 a. m. 10 a.m., and 6 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Eakaia, &c., at 10a.m. J and 5 p.m. daily. : ‘‘' For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, ' Gddstream, Eangitata, Orari, Winchester, ! and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. ' For Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., For Timaru and South, at 6 a.m., 10 ' *.m., and 420 p.m., daily. ' : For. Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a.m. ' For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, 480 P-m. daily. , ‘ For Wakanui, Elgin, Seafield, New . land, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, |tnd Saturdays, at 6 a. m.

iWAfla arrive at the Ashburton Post Prom Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.25 а. 4.35 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. From Ohertsey, &c. at 10.25 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.36 p.m. daily. From Temuka and Timaru at 10.15 a. m. б. p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, < Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge . on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.m. daily. From Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, New land, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, ' and Saturdays, at 4 p.m. W. St. G. Douglas, ■ ‘ Postmaster.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &a. Monday, May 2. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Wednesday, May 4. Local Industries Association, Committee ; Meeting, Upper Room, Town Hall. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock. Winchester School Committee.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

Trains Leave Ashburton for Christ * church and intermediate stations at 6 u* #ro.V 10-80'8.m., and (Express) 5.48 ' p.m. Trains ’Leave Ashburton for Timaru . and South, at 7 a.m., 10.36 a-m. (Ex press), and 4.50 p.m.—the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru. .hsTirWa Arrive at Ashburton prom * OhßibTchubch at 10 24 a.m. (Express), 435p.m., and 7.50 p.m. Trains ■ Arrive ,at Ashburton from t- 1 Tlmabu 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. AH advertisements and business letters to be addressed The Manager; literary communications should be addressed to The Editor.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1881. A Terrible Calamity.

TOWN EDITION. {lssued at 4.30 p.m.]

Our telegraphic columns yesterday contained the startling intelligence of the wreck of the Union Company’s s.s. Tararua, on a reef at the mouth of the Mataura river, Southland. Further particulars to hand this afternoon con tain the sad intelligence that nearly 100 lives have been lost. The truly heart rending description, which we publish elsewhere, of the sad scenes at the

wreck, w,illj s bring from our readers many of sympathy for the unfortunate passengers and their sad fate, as well’'as for the many friends and relations who are left in the colony to realise their loss. Within a short dis tance from land we have one of our finest coasting steamers stranded on a comparatively well-known reef, the passengers and crew perishing before the eyes of those on shore, and present ing one of the most terrible shipwreck scenes we have heard of for some time. The cause of the steamer being so close in-shore, we have, of course, no know ledge at present. The captain, officers, and crew, we believe, were thoroughly efficient, and we know that the Union Company spare neither trouble nor ex pense in providing every requisite for the safety and comfort of all who travel in their boats. We shall await with painful interest the further particulars of the disaster before enquiring into the probable cause, being fully aware of the mysterious perils those who “go down into the sea in ships” are subjected to at all times.

“ Sinecure. ” —Owing to pressure on our space, Jottings ”by the above con tributor, are held over till our next issue. Patent Medicines. —A notification is published in our advertising columns re “ Yates’ patent British Herb Ointment. Impounded. The Tinwald pound keeper advertises the impounding on April 25 of two mares (hacks) and a draught mare.

Harvest Thanksgiving. Harvest thanksgiving services will be held in St Stephens’ Church to-morrow at morning and evening. Frnsr Appearance. —This morning at the Resident Magistrate’s Court before the R.M., a first offender charged with drunkenness, was discharged with a cau tion.

Twenty Per Cent. —Creditors holding proven claims in the estate of Thomas Clark will receive a sum of 4s in the LI, from Mr Pavitt one of the creditor’s trustees, on application. Political. —Mr S. P. Andrews, M.H.R., addressed a crowded meeting .of the Christchurch electors last evening at the Academy of Music. A motion of utmost confidence in Mr Andrews as one of the Christchurch, members was carried amidst hisses and cheers. Primitive Methodist Church. Special services in connection with the above Church are to be held on the first week in May throughout New Zealand. To-morrow evening at the Will’s street Church instead of the usual service short addresses will be given by the minister and lay brethren of the Church.

Timaru Races. —The following is the conclusion of the S.C.J.C. Meeting ; Selling Hack Hurdle Race ; Johnny, 1 ; Parnell, 2. Winter Oats Handicap : The Joker, 1; Billingsgate, 2 ; Hilda, 3. Consolation Handicap : The Poet, 1 ; Nautilus, 2 ; Billingsgate 3. In a Plight. —Says a Dunedin tele gram :—A boat’s crew composing four men have been left in an awkward plight on a small island off the Taieri Mouth, through their boat drifting away. They signalled by fires to the shore, and a steamer is going from Dunedin to their assistance. They have been on the island since Thursday. General Regret. —The news of the drowning of the passengers of the Tararua, caused a profound sensa tion in Christchurch. Several highly respected citizens were on board, some of them being en route to England. Revs. Armitage (editor, N.Z. Wesleyan), and J. B. Richardson, Wesleyan ministers, were also on board, on their way to the General Conference, to be held in Adelaide.

Fire in Christchurch. —Early this morning, a grocer’s shop and house, in Christchurch, belonging to Mr W, J. Hulme, were partially destroyed by fire. Mrs Hulme and the children escaped in their night dresses. The furniture and stock were totally destroyed, and the building completely gutted. The total loss is about LI,IOO. Insurances : Victoria, L 40 0; Standard, L 30 0; South British, L6OO ; Transatlantic, LSOO. The origin of the fire is unknown. Maori Prisoners. —Sixty-five of the political prisoners, who have lately been kept in Dunedin, came through Ashbur ton, en route to the North Island yester day evening. I. N. Watt, Esq., R.M., Dunedin, was in charge of the released Maoris. All of them appeared extremely contented and happy, and none the worse for their loss of liberty. They shipped on board the s.s. Hinemoa, in Lyttelton, this morning, and will probably reach their homes to-morrow or the next day. We hear that only twelve prisoners, in cluding one chief, remain in Dunedin, the latter intending to stay until the whole batch are released.

Nonplussed. The funny man con nected with the Christchurch Telegraph tells the following story of a gentleman who resides not very far from Christchurch who had overdrawn his account at the bank. It appears that the banker sent for his customer, and requested him to place his overdraft on the right side of the ledger. The gentleman walked into the bank parlor, vulgarly styled by some the “sweating-room,” and confronted the manager. Customer —“ Good morning, sir. I hope you are well. I think you sent for me.” “ Yes, I did; and I want you to put that overdraft of yours right.” Customer—“ I think you have every con fidence in me, Mr Banker— “Oh yea, certainly I have.” Customer— “ Then I may tell you I have the greatest confidence in you; soi good morning.” With that the customer put on his hat and walked'fiSht of the banker’s parlor, leaving that gentleman in a complete state of nonplus.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[per reuter’s agency.] The Irish Land Bill. London, April 28. The Catholic Hierarchy inr, Ireland demand material alterations in the Irish Land Bill, now before Parliament. They denounce the provisions of the measure generally, but particularly the clauses providing for grants to facilitate emigration. In the House of Commons to-day the Irish Land Bill was again under consideration, but the debate was further adjourned. Mr Bradlangh and the Oath-i

In the House of Commons to-day, Lord John Manners, on behalf of the Conservative party, gave notice of motion declaring that the Bill to be in troduced by Mr Labbuchere to enable Mr Bradlaugh to take the oath would only produce further confusion, with out arriving at a settlement of the question. Monetary and Commercial. Consols have advanced to lOijHj. Adelaide wheat, ex warehouse, per 4961b5., 49s ; Adelaide flour, ex ware house, per aSolbs., remains at 345, and New Zealand wheat, ex ship, at 455. The total reserve in notes and bullion

in the Bank of England is Li 5,800,000. Australian tallow—Best beef, per cwt, 345; best mutton, 375. The Bank rate of discount has fallen from 3 to per cent., and the market rate from to per cent.

More Trouble in the Transvaal- Capetown, April 20. News has been received from the Transvaal, to the effect that the rela tions between the Boers and the natives are of a very unsatisfactory character, and it is feared that further troubles will arise between them. Speedily Advancing. Paris, April 28. It has transpired that the Com mander of the French troops in Tunis has received orders to march against that capital, and the force is therefore advancing with the utmost speed.

AUSTRALIAN.

[per rbuter’s agency.] Arrested. Melbourne, April 29. The owner of the steamer India has been arrested. Sugar. Mauritius advices to the 19th inst. report that 275 tons of sugar were load ing for London. The tone of the market is unchanged. The crops are being improved by seasonable weather. More About the Ferrit. Melbourne, To-day. When the owner of the steamer India was arrested yesterday, arms and a log book, criminating the vessel, were found in his possession. Arrived. Arrived—Union Company’s steamer Arawata, from the Bluff. Mail Arrangements. It is announced that Mr Berry has arranged to delay the departure of the Suez mail steamer next week by twenty four hours, in consequence of the mis hap to the Tararua, so that the New Zealand mail may, if possible, arrive in time to be sent on. Attempt to Rob a Bank.

An attempt was made last night to break into the Bank of Victoria at Sey mour, in the North-eastern District. The manager, however, came across the burglars, who were frightened off by his revolver. Bank of New South Wales. Sydney, April 29.

The ordinary half-yearly meeting of shareholders of the Bank of New South Wales was held here to-day to receive the report of the directors for half-year ended 31st March. The balance-sheet showed that the profits for the half-year amounted to 1.93,066, to which has to be added the balance carried forward from the previous half-year, 1.2,523, giving thetotal available for division, 195,589. The following appropriations were re commended—To paymentof adividend at the rate of 15 per cent, per annum, 175,000; bonus at the rate 0f222y 2 per cent, per annum, 112,500; carried to the reserve fund 15,000, leaving a balance to be carried forward of 13,089. The report was unanimously adopted by the meeting.

The Markets. Hennessy’s brandy, case, 37s ; bulk, quarters, 12s 3d ; kerosene, diamond, is gd per gallon; Devoe’s, is 1 " lod; Sugar Co.’s No. 1, per ton, L 36 ; New Zealand wheat, per bushel, 4s 6d; New Zealand oats, per bushel, as gd ; maize,' per 601 b., 3s; tobacco, Raven twist,’ per lb., is 3d; candles, D.R.J.’s, per lb., Bj^d; candles, D.R.O.’s, per lb., Bd.

NEW ZEALAND.

[per press association.] Sporting in Wanganui. Wanganui, To-day. The next meeting of the Trotting Association is fixed for the. 24th June. Prizes to the value of Ll3O will be offered. Nominations for the Wanganui Handi cap Steeplechase close on Monday, 2nd May, at 9 p.m. A Fatal Kick. Nelson, To-dajy. A lad named Panzetaw, residing at Ranzau, received a kick from a horse and has died, after 48 hours severe suffering. A Wrestling Contest. Timaru, To-day. A wrestling match for LSO a-side came off this morning at Lea and Whitley’s saloon, between Hudson, of Dunedin, and Slade, of Temuka. The match was for the five best falls out of nine, and was won by Slade. Hudson was out of con dition, or the result would probably have been different. About 200 persons were present, including many bookmakers down for the races. Betting—2 - to 1 on Slade. A Happy Miss, Dunedin, To-day. L. Rodgers, of Invercargill, is not a passenger by the ill-fated Tararua. He missed his passage at Port Chalmers. The Population of DunedfiT The census return of the population of Dunedin City shows 12,182 males ; 12,067 females ; against 11,599 males and 10,926 females in 1878.

VitalfStatistics. Invercargill, To-d&& The vital statistics for April show 33 births ; 9 deaths ; and 10 marriages.

Cut in Two. The body of a child, run over by an engine on the northern line, was found last night literally cut in two. An inquest will take place.

THE RIVERHEAD STABBING CASE.

Further Particulars. Auckland, Yesterday. Further particulars state that the young woman was taken to the Auckland Hos pital, and is likely to recover. The jugu lar vein was exposed, but it was missed by the knife by a quarter of an inch. Sims was charged at the Police Court with attempt to murder, and remanded to May 6, to await results. On the last trip of the ship Wanganui to Auckland, Sims, the second mate, and Miss Carlile, a pas senger on the voyage, became very in timately acquainted, and he regarded her as good as engaged to himself, and went to sea while she took an engagement as servant to James Hands, Helensville. Thence she went to Walker’s, Kaipara Hotel, where she made the acquaintance of a man named Tom Ross. While here, Sims returned, and induced her to leave her employer and go down to Auckland. Sims then accepted a position as A .B. on board the brigantine Clansman, and soon after his departure, John Lamb procured an engagement for the girl in the house of Mrs Linton, his daughter. She left this situation shortly after wards, and took up her residence at Broadley (Riverhead), where feims (who had returned to Auckland) interviewed her on Wednesday night, and desired an ex planation of her conduct, stilting that he had heard she had been flirting with certain young men. He did not deem her explanation quite satisfactory, and on

Thursday morning again wont to see her when he stabbed her. Sims is wiry in appearance, but evidently quite sensible of his actions, and certainly there is no sign of madness about him. Sims’ rival is a respectable young man named Boss, who was formerly employed as mate on the steamer Minnie Casey. He for some time past has been paying his attentions to Miss Carlile, who did not at all seem averse to him, and they were said to be very good friends, and it is believed that in Sims’ absence he was forgotten. This so enraged him, that laying the whole blame of the other attachment on the shoulders of the unfortunate girl, he stabbed her. Whether Ross and Sims were acquainted is not known, and there existed no correspondence between them on the subject so far as is known.

THE WRECK OF THE TARARUA.

FURTHER PARTICULARS. Terrible Disaster. All the Women and Children Perished. (by telegraph.) [A portion of the following appeared in an extra issued by us this morning.] Wyndham, To-day. The special correspondent of the Southland News telegraphs from Toi Tois ;—Arrived here from Wyndham at 2.30 this (Saturday) morning. The tidings from the wreck are that a terrible disaster happened. The Tararua struck on the Otara reef, about half a mile from the shore, at 5 o’clock yesterday morning; it is supposed in a fog. The captain and chief mate, it is reported, were below at the time when she struck. The engineer, in trying to reverse the engine, broke his leg. The women rushed on deck in their night dresses, but a heavy sea soon washed the most of them off. Three boats were got out, but were swamped. One got away to seaward, and one came ashore, landing five or six men. The steamer parted amidships, and numbers perished; several are still clinging to the wreck. A man with a child in his arms is lashed to the rigging. Numbers of settlers are on the beach, anxious to render assistance, but many are turning away heart-sick at seeing their fel low-creatures perish before their eyes and unable to help. The total number ashore is twelve men so far. It is supposed that all the women and children perished. The beach is strewn with the wreck and cargo. Several photographs were picked up, but only one body had been washed ashore last night. It is said the cries were heart-rending when the people on the wreck saw those on shore leaving at dusk'.' I proceed to the wreck at daylight. The William Archers was wrecked on the same reef four years ago. The s.s. Gothenburg previously struck on it.

LATEST PARTICULARS. Dunedin, To-day. The Star has received a message from Wyhdham saying that the Tararua has broken up amidships, and only 16 persons are believed to be saved. It is supposed she had nearly 100 pas sengers on board. The settlers were unable to render the slightest assistance. The Bank of New Zealand had L. 4,000 worth of gold and silver in the Tararua. It was insured in a Mel bourne office.

THE VERY LATEST. Fifteen Persons Saved. Dunedin, To-day. The Hawea has arrived at the Bluff. She reports that the Tararua has dis appeared. The Hawea picked up a boat containing the second officer, Mrs Hill, and six of the crew. Fifteen in all are supposed to be saved.

List of the Passengers and Crew. The following is the list of passengers, so far as we can learn, from Lyttelton and Port Chalmers :—From Lyttelton, for Melbourne —Dr. and Mrs Campbell, five children and servant, Messrs Gough, Gillingham, E. Connal, E. Mitchell, John M. Dean, Crawford, Revs. Waterhouse, J. B. Richardson, J. Armitage, C. Carlberg. From Dun edin, for the Bluff—Mr Bailey. For Hobart—Mr and Mrs Bryant. For Melbourne—Messrs A. Rac, G. Grey, J. Young, G. Anderson, G. Dobson (2), Bambndge, Cook, Shevar, Dowdall, Andrew, Barry, Ramsay, Wright, G. Robins, G. Martin, Anderson, Brown, J. O. Eva. From Auckland—Messrs Rogers and Bell. The following were on board the ill rfated vessel, in addition to those mentioned abotag ;-+-From Tauranga for Hobart:—Saloon : Mrs Brenan and three children. From Napier to Mel bourne —steerage; Mrs J. Daly. From Wellington to the Bluff—steerage : Mr Penman. From Wellington to Mel bourne —saloon : Mr C. Purgett, Mr S. T. B. Marsh, Mr and Mrs E. W. Downes, G. Wiltshire; steerage: Mr Thalin, Mr T. O’Sullivan, Mr Williams, Mr Chas. Holt, and Mr T. Davis. From Lyttelton to the Bluff—steerage : Mr Laurence, Mr Sharp, Mr Boyle. From Lyttelton to Melbourne—Mrs W. B. Jones, Mr John Gordon, Mr Chas. Gough ; steerage: Mr and Mrs Hill and child, Mr J. Wallace, Mr Wm. Young, Mr B. Hanson, Mr J. Scann, Mr T. Jones, Mr Wm. White, Mr Daniel Davies, Mr Carl Colburg, Mr Neill Gough, Mr William Green, Mr W. Bassett, and Ashworth. The officers and crew are:—Master, F. G. Garrard; chief officer, R. Lind say ; second officer, E. Maloney; chief engineer, Alexander Munro; second do., A. Livingstone; third do., Andrew Sutherland; purser, W. B Jones; car penter, John Morrison ; chief steward, C. Allan; stewardess, Miss Aitken; crew (so far as known), E. Johnston, T. Dixon, C. Stewart, F. Derag, J. Gibb, E. M'Davitt, D. Corbet, Frank Rahls, Anmstead, William Brien, Wm. Smith, W. Collins, Charles Silver, G. Weston, J. Burnett, G. Woran, T. Nicholson, H. Poison, W. Adams, A. Armistead, James Maher, James War ren, Robert Burwood, T. Haynes, W. Davidson, A. Mickaliney, and four whose names are unknown. Dunedin, To-day. A man |named Brown and several people booked and joined the vessel at Port Chalmers. Of these, Denis Eng lish, William English, and Alexander M*Kenzie, shearers, are known to be on board.

ANOTHER DISASTER.

THE TATJPO SUNK AGAIN. Narrow Escape of Those on Board. [by telegraph.] Auckland, To-day. The steamer Taupo, when being towed by the s.s. Wellington to Auck land, filled and sunk, 17 miles outside Tauranga. A stiff breeze was blowing at the time. It is supposed that some of the gear below the vessel gave way. The men aboard had barely time to escape, and lost everything. The vesser was cased in wood sheathing, which was secured by chains, and it is these latter which are believed to have given way.

PARISH MEETINGS

St. Stephen’s. The annual parish meeting was held last evening in the Public Library, the chair being taken by the Rev. A. W. Hands, incumbent, and there being a good attendance. ELECTION OF SYNODSMAN. Mr Ward, Returning Officer, reported the election as synodsman of Mr W. C, Walker. chairman’s address. The Chairman, previons to the reading of the minutes, addressed those present, requesting them to bear in mind that they were assembled as Christian friends, and that whatever subjects cropped up, they should bo considered in a spirit of amity. Regarding the services, differ ences of opinion existed everywhere, some being in favor of choral services, others otherwise. He held that the services, with the exception of such occasions as Easter, Pentecost, &c., should be read, and the responses said together. In these matters he hoped to receive the assistance of the congregation. He objected to be dubbed either a High or Low Churchman. He regretted that the offertories were so poor. It was a disgrace to the commun ity that persons who would pay for a drink at a public bar several times daily should make it a point of putting the smallest coin they could find into the offertory. After referring to the work of the past year, he said he hoped the vestry would not expect him to pay the whole cost of the new Communion service. He was willing to pay his share if needed. In the matter of the retiring churchwardens, it must be borne in mind that Mr Bullock assumed office at a time when they were in great difficulties, and he (the speaker) had found him a wise and kind friend. In conclusion, the rev. speaker referred complimentarily to the heroic manner in which Mr Fooks, in spite of ill-health, had worked for the Sunday School, and said that he knew they grudged his being absent in the country so much, yet they must regard the same in a missionary spirit.

MINUTES. The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed. SUNDAY SCHOOL REPORT. The following report from the Super intendent was read : Ashburton, April 29th, 1881. The Incum bent of St. Stephen’s, Ashburton : Reverend and Dear Sir, —I have the honor to report that Che attendance at the Sunday School is still steadily increasing. The number of names on the register at the present time, are—Boys 85, girls 91. Total, 176. The average attendance is now about 140, or, for the past year, 128. The number of teachers engaged in the work is 13; namely, 6 for the boys and 7 for the girls. This staff is not sufficient for the pur pose, but it is to be hoped that additional as sistance, especially for the girls, will soon be obtained. The reason of the present compara tive smallness of the teaching staff, is partly the absence or ill-health of some of the old teachers, and partly from the incieased atten dance of children. Should, as may be hoped and expected, this increase continue, the question of building a schoolroom must be seriously taken into consideration, as it is now inconvenient in the church, and there are other objections to and drawbacks in the existing arrangements that I have pointed out in former reports. I take this opportunity of gratefully acknowledging the ready and cordial assistance and co-operation of the staff of teachers, who have considerably lightened the duties and responsibility. I; regret that, not having received all the accounts and subscrip tions on account of the annual treat, I cannot make a balance-sheet, but would state that, the debit balance last year of L 38s 6d was very kindly liquidated by Mr John Gtigg, and there is at present in the Savings Bank a sum of L 7 15s Bd, being the children’s contributions to wards the proposed school buildings.—l am, &c., C. E. Fooks, Superintendent. The report was adopted. churchwarden's annu al report.

The following report was then read : Parish of Ashburton, and Parochial District Longbeach apd Mount Somers. —In presenting the annual accounts for the year ending March 31, 1881, we regret that we are not able to show a more satisfactory balance-sheet, although we may congratulate the parish on the fact that the balance of debt has been re duced to someextent, being now L 1,437 4s Bd, instead of 1.1,492 9s id—last year’s debit balance. This result can hardly be said to have been attained by larger contributions or support from the parishioners, as, although the offertories show an increase of L 23 10s 20, and the pew rents exceed those of last year by Ll 9 3s 6d, there is a considerable falling oft", namely, Lso 8s 3d, in the subscriptions to the Stipend Fund, which deficit is principally in those from the parochial district. Credit was taken in last year’s balance-sheet for L 66 10s —outstanding subscriptions to the Stipend Fund, which has not been done this year, as they can hardly be deemed^available assets ; but this circumstance wouWfshow the financial position in a still more favorable light; that is, an actual improvement, as compared with last year, of L 122 14s sd. \ our vestry have en deavored to use the strictest economy in the expenditure, and to this end have curtailed some necessary expenses, and postponed some much-needed works. It has not been thought right to incur any but the most necessary ex penses in the face of the uncertain and unsatis factory stale of the subscription list, as it must be horse in mind that any deficiency in the Stipend Fund must be made good from' offertories, pew rents, etc., which would other wise be devoted. to general purposes, or the reduction of the debt. Among the works calling for attention, we would mention the painting of the "paffeonage, fencing the section on which the Tinwald church stands, fixing an inner swing door at the western entrance to St. Stephen’s Church, and providing additional seats in the transept. We have much pleasure in recording several benefactions to the church during the past twelve months. A handsome pulpit has been presented by a few liberal members of the congregation, to whom the thankful acknowledgments of the parishioners are due for this valuable and needed' addition to the church furniture. The Incumbent has, at his own expense, erected a porch at the front entrance of the parsonage. The church grounds were put in order by private subscrip tion ; and a new supply of psalters and hymn books for the choir has been provided by a parishioner. A gift auction and bazaar were held in the month of August, last year, when, owing to the liberal gifts, added to the willing exertions of the ladies and others engaged, and notwithstanding the unpropilious weather, the sum of Ll3l 15s 2d was obtained, after paying all expenses. A tea meeting was subsequently held at the Town Hall, in November, realising about L2O, a portion of which was devoted to repairs, etc., at the parsonage. During the absence of the Incumbent, in. the months of January and February, the parochial duties were carried on by the Rev. C. Melville Pym, who also gave a series of Evangelistic addresses in the Town Hall. Mr Pym’s hearty and earnest services and kindly ministiations to the sick dining an epidemic, were, we hope and believe, beneficial to, and gratefully remem bered by, many in this parish. The Church Property Trustees have executed a lease to the Churchwardens, at a peppercorn rent, of two sections (half an acre) of land fronting Burnett street and adjoining *he church. It has been proposed by the vestry, after reserving suffi cient land for the erection of a Sunday School, to let the frontage for business purposes. In conclusion, we would strongly urge a more

general and hearty response to the-, necessitie" of the church funds on the parishioners,' both. by subscribing to the Stipend Fund, and in contributing more liberally to the offertories, as, with the exercise of the most jigid economy and skilful management, it is not possible, but of the present income, to effect any saving, so as to relieve the incubus of debt, which to so great an extent weighs down and paralyses the energies of minister and vestry.—A. W. Hands, Incumbent; T, BULLOCK and CHAS. E. Fooks, Churchwardens. April 29th, 1881.

The report as read was adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers was then pro ceeded with, and resulted as follows : Churchwardens : clergyman’s, Mr George Jameson ; parishioners’, Mr Gundry. Vestrymen :—Messrs Bullock, C. E. Fooks, Wood, Ferriman, J. Grigg, Ward, Hunt, Mayo, H. T. Winter, and Bean. Auditor, Mr W. H. Zouch. VOTES OF THANKS.

The following votes of thanks were passed unanimously : To the retiring vestry, moved by Dr Trevor, seconded by Mr Boyle. To the Secretary, moved by Mr Cates, seconded by Mr Gundry. To the lay readers of the parish and parochial districts, viz :—Messrs Ward, Jameson, Grigg, and Walker. To the Superintendent and teachers of the Sunday School. To the gentlemen donating the new pulpit. To the choir, and Miss Gates, for presiding at the harmonium. PEW BENTS. Dr Trevor moved—“ That it will be a recommendation to the vestry that the seats be appropriated, and each person taking one should be asked to give a voluntary annual subscription.” A lengthy discussion followed and ultimately the resolution was carried. STIPEND FUND. Some discussion on this matter took place, no action, however, being taken in the matter. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the proceedings.

Rakaia. The annual meeting of the parishioners of the St. Mark’s Church, Bakaia, was held on Thursday evening. Present—The Incumbent, Messrs Chapman, 0. N. Mackie, C. S. Mackie, Oxley, Pyke, Cox, Davies, and Alington.—Correspondence re taking over Barrhill Church was read. —In reply to Mr C. N. Mackie, the Incumbent said, LlB3 19s were the liabilities of the Barrhill Church. — Mr C. N. Mackie opposed the taking over of the Church on financial grounds. The parish was not in a position to do so. —Mr E. Chapman also opposed.—MrC. S. Mackie advocated it, and proposed—“ That, in the opinion of this meeting, it be desirable that the parish give a promise to take over the Barrhill Church as soon as they are in a position to do so.”—This was seconded pro forma by Mr Alington, but was lost, only two voting for it.—On the motion of Mr E. Chapman, seconded by Mr C. N. Mackie, it was resolved—“ That the matter of taking overlby the parish the liabilities on the Barrhill Church be left to the next meeting of parishioners, the parish not being in a financial position to do so at present.”—Mr E. Chapman, minister’s churchwarden, brought up the balance sheet for the year ending at Easter last; —Expenditure, L 332 13s 9d. Receipts : —Subscriptions, Ll6llßs 8d ; offertories, Lll9 19s 9d ; grant, L2O ; other receipts, 15s 6d; balance, L 29 19s lOd. Total, L 332 13s 9d.—Mr Pyke moved the adop tion of the balance sheet. This was seconded by Mr Davies and carried, —Mr Pyke moved a vote of thanks to the out going churchwardens and vestrymen for their services during the past year. This was Seconded by Mr G. Robinson and carried unanimously. The chairman stated that Mr C. N. Mackie had con sented to act as minister’s churchwarden. —Mr R. Davies was elected parishioners’ churchwarden.—The following gentlemen were declared duly elected vestrymen : Coster, Y. Pyke, L. Mangham, G. Alington, E. Chapman, E. S. C. S. Alington, F. Francis, W. Morgan, F. Thompson, and W. Smith. —Mr C. N. Mackie said he had much pleasure in moving a vote of thanks to Miss Cox, who acted as organist during a great part of the year. The motion was seconded by Mr G. Robinson, and carried unanimously, and the meeeting terminated.

ELECTION OF SYNODSMAN. Mr C, N. Mackie, Returning Officer for the district, attended and read the writ for the election of one member for Synod.—Mr C. S. Mackie proposed, and Mr Alington seconded, the nomination of Mr E. Chapman. There being no other nomination, Mr Chapman was declared duly elected.

ASHBURTON HIGH SCHOOL.

A meeting of the Board of Governors of the above school was held in the County Cohncil Chambers tb-day. Present —Dr Trevor (Chairman), and Messrs Wright, Friedlander, Walker, and Coster.

NEW CHAIRMAN. The election of a Chairman for the ensuing year resulted in Dr Trevor’s re election unopposed. The Chairman remarked that the meet ing had been principally called for the purpose considering the application made by the head master regarding the insufficiency of the teaching staff. Mr Wright said this'was merely a ques tion of funds. What amount had the income of the Board realised for the past year ? The Chairman replied that for the year ending May next the receipts had been estimated at L 432 17s fid. An increase might be looked for in the coming year. It was finally resolved that the position of second master be offered to Mr Buchanan at a salary of L 225 per annum. SCHOOL . IMPROVEMENTS. Some minor details in this direction were left in the hands of the Chairman. The meeting then terminated.

LISA.

CHAPTER VI. That night a dark shadow, as of a coming terrible sorrow, fell upon Lisa’s soul. Perhaps she was over weary, having only lain down for a few minutes and then rising again to the many duties of poor folk, before any sleep had closed her tired eyes. Or, again, was it the heavy-charged thunderclouds, which slowly gathered and seemed to weigh down the-ahr,‘that oppressed her; vfhile the, neighbors gossiped in her • tired* eafrs, ’coming in and out to ask after remiwd ing her that she must leave him and silver dear ones to other care to-morrow. Yes 1 to-morrow They meant well; so why j her heart grow heavier? The sun-clouds were growing redder and redder; the storm must burst'sooto, she thought, as she looked out at Uhe summer night

Then a thought struck her. Her beautiful lily 1 : ’, 1 j By to-morrow it would,- i>e bruised and battered—may be dead. Some vague : superstition- -as fe hfer own life and that of the flower, her symbol, had unconsciously so, grpspi up within her that she felt uneasiness overpower her feverishly tired and over wrought brain. She glided-outskfe, and Jean, who dumbly watched, Jier with eyes like those of a loving ddg, to night followed close. 1 1 Already a few heavy rain-drops splashed upon them, and heaven’s thunder (that crashes and reverlievates to warn fqlk of their sins, and teujify them to repentance) was faintly to be heard growling in the distance. ;j * Quick, quick! ’ said the boy, J * lift the pot, and put it in shelter, or we shall get soaked.’ ‘Here, then, dear Jean; and Lisa, with a sudden thought, pushed wider her little lattice. Jean, laughing, jumped over the low sill, while with some difficulty she lifted the bigpot, and they got the great lilf ißto’iia: room. i,-?.

It was the tiniest closet of a room, with barely space to turn in; and the roof sloped so low they had to put the plant close to her pillow, not to brc|k its beautiful head.

‘How it smells; stronger than in cense,’ said her boy brother, snuffing the broad flowers. ! ‘

‘Art thou not going to take the beautiful plant over to thy new home, my Lily ? said her old father, in tones of warm if rough affectipp.|w|ien r l . later on they wenttotheir catty rest, poor people must ! | ‘ Oh, no!’ she said, smiling sweet but tired look. ; * The other ‘lily must always grow here to remind you of me, when I am gone away.’ 1; These were her last as she took her leave of them.,

‘ She is too pale and salnt-like, and looks strangely like her as she lay dead,’ thought the miy% remembering with a thrill common! ® all human hearts such another summers night five years But he .wefit to his hard-earned sWSpjike the others-; and 1 toil and all their eyes fast, though, the over head, and the rain fell through - ness as from heaven’s opened sluices. Before her crucifix the Lily of Vau court had prayed long jnto the night, for she was’ weeping, bay&fa ftgainst a growing horror of fallen upon her spirit, but importunately, to te- saeSd this strange mystery, tws pfjtfc* Evil One Which overhung ttnd grew, and grew, taking awful possession of her.

T She threw out her qrms with a hitter ‘cry; ‘Save! help I bring me aga% tg life and light,put,of;terrible black ness her very flesh turning cold with the chill of those as. though they were going down into the'valley of the shadow of death; as uf there was no heaven, no mercy, po help jp |his life or the next; as if after praying fll our lives, our prayers chad -been shown to be useless appeals to anemptykky; as it—after all 1 after ail!—tthere was no God.

Such a raomepLof. awful soqkewpr, one of the Devil’s devices. to frighten mortal souls, if temptations fail,:-hated come and will yet come to thebighest and best of human minds. But 4 God be thanked, it will not not too long. At that great though silent cry from Lisa’s suffering spirit, theintfstfl!yddt£ ness around it seemed rent with a Tfty of the old glad light; the terrible fear vanished, as' of a stud. Alone in space and eternity, without foothold or trust in any beneficent superior power, Ifee faith was nO deldsidn j itifriumpbed n the hour of need. . flow often . , • / ‘. . . The steps offaitl} r// , Fall on the seeming void and find The rock beneath.’ 1 , !

So now the casement rattled, and the rain and wind still howled, but the darkness and terror, as of an evil powet that-had terrified the lily-maiden's pprp soul, had passed—as if borne away on tlie wings 6f one of those storm-blasts. Still and white, Lisa lay down on her humble, marrow couch, withboth hands crossed upon her breast, and the strong scent of the lily passed into her brain in narcotic waves of torpor, with > eaoh more and more Heavily drawn breathy What was Jacques doing?! that.was her faint last conscious thought ..m Outside a little hut in the forest four strong men are waiting in'the flight' and rain and tempest, watching door and window with loaded arms—whisper? ing one to another as nearer they crawl and crawl. ■ ~ * *->.? t ) Inside a man sits alone ‘ byYbme dying wood embers—all alone. Yet to him another ghastly companion, as ff Jl fellow woodcutter, with a gash across his throat, rises from’' the floor, Itakesfli place by his hearth, grins and nbds in dreadful jest—keeps theraurdererfroip hearing any sound at the door now-r ------will not be silenced—will not go 1. ; ? There will be a rush into the hut soon —a scuffle; sharp shots* and bloody work, maybe, under that- night blackness. What will be the end to Jacques Lemaltre? By Lisa’s pillow stood the great lily, but it now seemed 1 in the shadflWy moonlight to have shaped itself ifltio the form of a woman, the mother| Who bore that sleeping girl, watching, with a soft yet saddened smile that made .4 tender light amidst the gloopu Through her closed eyelids, the wepy, sleeper seemed to feel the virtue of that bl^p

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATUEDAY, APRIL 80, 1881.



5E NEW ZEALAND llothing Eactory. ASHBURTON BRANCH. • - THE Buy and sell for NEW ZEALAND Cash only CLOTHING FACTORY



1 THE ' NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY Are therefore pa tronised by Thousands of Discerning Cus tomers :ir. • ■ Jjj THE v,) NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY Is the Premier Establishment in New Zealand THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY r, ' : **W : You can Purchase every and any article of wear ing apparel THE ZEALAND lING FACTORY Their productions give universal satisfaction wearers to THE ' Display in Cloth- NEW ZEALAND ing is the Largest -CLOTHING FACTORY in the Southern 1; Hemisphere THE New Seasons NEW ZEALAND Goods for Au- CLOTHTNG FACTORY tumn and Winter , THE Hats, Caps, Shirts NEW-ZEALAND and Hosiery, at CLOTHING FACTORY Wholesale Prices , • THE Every article in , NEW ZEALAND Mercery, &c., at CLOTHING FACTORY Wholesale Prices NOTE THE BRANCH ADDRESS— *• East Street. , W. SPARROW, 3s9af,r ■ Branch Manager.



T7JGHM& 'POINTED “To Let ” and sfl . -«-jpor Sale " —can be obtamed at the OtTAiBDXAJf Office. OTIO E TO SUBSCRIBERS I : Subscribers to this Journal are requested to communicate with the Proprietor when liny delays or omissions in the Delivery o this Paper occur. J i W; ZOUCH, .‘i'u.iai. -■ Proprietor.



BLACKSMITH ; must be a good shoer. Also, a CARPENTER. Apply, John Grigg, Longbcitch. , 632 a WANTED— A Family’s WASHING. Apply, Office of this paper. 178 a WANTED to PURCHASE—BONES, iri any quantities. Apply, Mayo and Hunt, Beach road. 130 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 Cookham House. 630 a WANTED KNOWN That HENRY’S PORTRAIT ROOMS, Saunders’ Buildings, East street, Ash -1 burton, are open DAILY, from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. Portraits taken in any weather. Great Reduction in Price. 101 a TTtTANTED—MRS PAULING begs to VV notify that she has taken that Commodious House in Moore street, nearly opposite the Presbyterian Manse, where she will be glad to ACCOMMO DATE PATIENTS requiring surgical or medical aid. Mrs Pauling has had very considerable experience as Ladies’ Nurse, both at Home and in New Zealand. 528 a WANTED TO SELL PIANOS. ' H. J. WEEKS, Peacher of Music, Tuner, &c., has for sale the following Secondhand Piano fortes ; 1 full-sized Brinsmead, £45; Bord, £25; Broadwood, £26 ; also, American Organ, 5 stops, £3O; 1 Church Harmonium 14 stops, £3O, a bargain. Pianofortes of my kind can be obtained on deferred pay ments. Dresden Model Pianos, £45 and £55. Address: Cameron street west. 86a ytt ANTED KNOWN. Ashburton VV REGISTRY OFFICE for Male and Female Servants.— L. F. Andrewes begs to inform the public of Ashburton and surrounding districts that he has opened the above. Male and Female Servants of all classes provided. Em ployers requiring servants, and all persons with good recommendations, who are in want of situations, are requested to apply to L. F. Andrewes, Labor Agent, Book seller, and Stationer, East street, South.



TT7ANTED THE GUARDIAN tells VV your Wants for Is., cash. Special Advertisements. W. ±L. SPAOKMAN’S Offices are now in Canterbury Chambers, Here ford street, Christchurch, next Miles and Co., having REMOVED from Messrs Wynn, Williams, and Deacon’s. 335 a O. Carstens & Co., (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, Tobacconist, fancy goods, AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco A nice assortment of Accordions, Con certinas, Flutes, Violins, Mouth Organs, and Toys of eyery description, direct from Home. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET ASHBURTON. 527a*



John Meech, PRACTICAL CABINETMAKER, UPHOLSTERER, &c., BURNETT STREET, Opposite the 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. 819 Encourage local enter prise, & KEEP THE MONEY IN THE PLACE. WANTED—IO,OOO customers to Pur chase 100,000 Envelopes and upwards (just arrived). 1,000, 7s 6d ; 6,000, 6s 9d per 1,000, for Cash. Pianos, Harmoniums, and American Organs for sale on deferred payments, from 30s per month., Stationer and Bookseller, East street and Barinp* Square. IMBER Y ARD S. FIREWOOD ! FIREWOOD ! FIREWOOD ! H. M. JONES, 365 a Hayes’



The undersigned begs to intimate to his customers and others that he has made a ?ery large REDUCTION in the PRICE of Firewood, and is now retailing the same at from Thirty Shillings per Cord, in large or small quantities. ALPHEUS HAYES, Timber Merchant, East street, Ashburton. 608 a



Horticultural Society. —The Secre tary notifies by advertisement, appearing in another colum, that the annual meeting of the Society will be held in the Mail Office on Tuesday next, at 8 o’clock. His Mother Tongue. —According to the Marton paper, Gaelic is not yet a dead language in New Zealand. Recently an ancient “ Hielan man ” waited upon the Rangitikei Highway Board with a long string of complaints, and he being unable to give intelligent expression to his idea in the language of the once hated “Southern,” the acting-chairman, Mr A. Simpson, came to the rescue, and put matters straight in a “ jiffey ” by talking to him in the language of his fathers. The old man was so delighted at hearing Gaelic that he departed quite satisfied, though he had come with the intention of fighting his battle out to “ the bitter end.” Holloway’s Ointment and Pills.— Autumnal Remedies.—Towards the fall of the year countless causes are at work to lower the tone of the nervous system, which will be fol lowed by ill-health unless proper means be employed to avert that evil. Holloway’s far famed preparations supply a faultless remedy for both external and internal complaints connected with changes of season, All affections of the skin, roughness, blotches, pimples, superficial and deep-seated inflamma tions, erysipelas, rheumatic pains, and gouty pangs alike succumb to the exalted virtues of Holloway’s Ointment and Pills 5 which will effect a happy revolution in the patient’s con dition, though the symptoms of his disorder are legion, and have obstinately withstood the best efforts of science to subdue them. — Advt,