SHIPPING.

PORT OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. Saturday. Croydon Lass, schooner, from Waitapu. George Thornton, brigantine, from Westport. Yesterday. ; Beautiful Star, s.s., from Dunedin and Oamaru. Star of the South, s.s., from Oamnrn and Dunedin. brigantine, from Pelorus Sound. Cleared. To-day. J. W. Parker, brigantine, for London. Ms-.ft-. ■■■-■ ■. . . Sailed. Saturday. Hawea, s.s., for Wellington. Eankitikei, ship, for London, f i ‘ Yesterday. TOrea, schooner, for Auckland. ' To-day. Beautiful Star, s.s., for the West Coast. S.tar of the South, s.s., for Wellington an'd West Coast Ports. • SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Saturday. Arrived Annie, cutter, from Lyttel ton. .'i - Wellington, Saturday. Arrived-‘-.Go-Ahead, Kiwi; and Aspasia, frorU theEasi Coast. Sailed—vSdphia B. Luhrs, barque, for Newcastle. • ■’» ■ / ( .; : Timaru, Saturday. Arrived-—T. B. Taylor, Zior, and Ama ranth,-schooners, from Lyttelton-.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Chief Post Office, CSiristcliurch, ;for the following places (subject to necessary alterations) as under:—

Tuesday, January 11. Fpr .Northern Ports,., per Penguin, at LdO late fee letters, at 2 p.m. ; guard’s van,’2.3o p.m. train. Wednesday, January 12. For the United Kingdom, via Brindisi (for specially addressed correspondence only), Continent of Europe, Point de Galle, India, the East, Aden, Mauritius, Natal, 'Chpe of Good Hope, Suez,:,the Mediterranean Ports, Australian Colonies, «fcc.Grdiriaiy ibtters at 7 a. m. ; books and newspapers at 6 a.m. ; registered letters at 5 pirn, on Tuesday, January 11th ; money orders .at 4 p. m. on Tues day, January 11th. Late fee letters may be posted in the travelling Post Office van attached id'the express train on Wednes day, January 12th, ,

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Saturday, January 15. Mr. Alfred Harrison, at his Yards — Horses, Buggy, Harness, Piano, Sewing Machine, Furniture, &c. 12 o’clock. Tuesday, January 18. Robert Wilkin and Co., Tinwald Yards— Horses and Store Merino Ewes. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c. ‘To-Night, Monday, January 10. Borough Council, >at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Wednesday, January 12. Local Industries Association—Meeting, Upper Room of Town Hall, 8 p.m. Wednesday, February 2. County Council,'at the County Council

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

rttAms jptaAvJsAsjpuHroN for Christ church and intermediate stations at 6 a.m., 10.30 a.m., and (Express) 5.48 p.m. . ,J Trains Leave ' for Timaru aM/ at 1, 7 a,m.', 10.36 a.tri.(Ex press), and'4.6o p.m.—the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru. Trains . Arrive at , Ashburton from Cheistohuruh at 10 24 a.m. (Express), 35 p.m.,arid 7.50 p.m. Trains Arrive at Ashrurton from Timaru and South at 10.15 a.m., 5.34 p.m. (Express), and 8.15 p.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1881. The West Coast Railway.

TOWN EDITION. .. [lssued at sp.m. ]

A very commendable desire on the part of many Canterbury and West Coast residents to connect the two dis tricts by a line of railway, has recently impelled the taking of steps to form a company for the construction of the line. The official report supplied to Government on the subject of a railway to jhb West. Coast was not favorable to the linebut there were many men, who. though not engineers, knew every foot of the way over which the rails should travel, and were perfectly satisfied that no very serious engineering diffi culties would be encountered, and no disastrously costly works required. These men saw also the value that such a line would be, both to the East and the West Coast, and, believing that the results of the line, as a commercial speculation and as an agency for land 1 settlement and development of the West Coast industries, would recoup them for the outlay, they have moved in the direction we now find them. They have procured the ser vices of two engineers, than, whom we believe none more thoroughly ac quainted with the route are to be found, and those engineers have dispelled the fears that have been conjured up by previous reports, and in a few words lay before us the statement that the construction will be an easy matter. They state “ that a good, practicable line of railway can be constructed, keeping within the maximum gradient of one in fifty throughout; that • there shall be no expensive tunnelling, no central rails, and no stationery en gines.” The report they laid before the public meeting held last Friday in Christchurch, is one calculated to inspire the reader with con fidence in the undertaking. Mr. W. N. Blair’s report gave us to understand that the construction of a railway from Christchurch to the West Coast was simply not tc be thought of because of its cost. But at the date of his report it was not politically advis able to make that railway, or any other railway of any consequence. It is easy to understand, when we consider this* .why Mr. Blair should not have chosen to select the Cannibal Gorge as a pass to the West Coast but contented himself with : a gradient sufficient to frighten anybody who did not know that a more kindly ' passage could be obtained. Feeling ourselves justified in accepting Messrs. Thornton and Brown’s report as thoroughly reliable, and believing that the agitation, now going on pro ceeds from a genuine desire to connect the East and West Coasts of the Middle Island, with a patriotic view to make a wealth-producing district out of a now unprofitable wilderness, we say that a company for the formation of such a line deserves every encourage ment at the hands of the public, and a fair amount of aid from Parlia ment But when the promoters of the scheme come forward and ask that crown lands equivalent to the amount of their outlay should be given them along the route, we unhesitatingly say that they ask too much, and what will not be given them if Parlia ment act loyally to the colon;'. If all that is said about the prospects of the West Coast Line as a paying concern be true, then the promoters ought to be content with those prospects and such aid in land as Parliament may choose to give them. But to ask for an equivalent in land for the cost of the railway is simply to ask Parliament to make the line for them and allow them to pocket such profits as may be made from the traffic. There are many dis tricts in New Zealand that would supply themselves with railway lines on these terms and hand them over to Govern ment when completed. No. If a company is to undertake such a line as a railway from the Hurunui to the West Coast would be, then let it receive such aid as a Parliament kindly to the scheme may grant it, but let it bear the responsibility of working it itself. We could find a dozen routes for rail way lines in New Zealand and thou sands of people to back them up, and clamor for their construction—assure us That a fortune lay at the feet of Government if they would only con struct the tracks. But most of the lines how made were initiated amidst talk- of this kind, with the Railway Commission’s report as a result. We like to find men believing sturdily in the future of the districts they are in terested in, and we like to hear them dilate oh the resources of those dis tricts ; but we like better to see them have the courage of their opinions, and put their own hand to the plough. Now that Government has ceased for a time to become railway makers, and has determined on a period of rest from all expensive public works, to allow the colony to recruit itself after the bleeding she has been subjected to, it is unwise to again start to the con struction of all sorts of railways, and the West Coast scheme with its equiva lent of Crown land is tantamount to Government doing the work if its pro moters’ terms are agreed to. We should like to see the two Coasts con nected ; we believe a great amount of .good would be done by such a connec tion ;. th?re is a large trade to be opened up, and an extensive area of land to set tle; mining industries ofevery kind would be fostered and developed by the line, • and the interests of Westland and Can*

terbury would bepome more and more identified—but all this may be accoi i plished, and yet the line be a financial failure ; while at the same time it may turn out, who knows, a great financ al success. We contend that the p: > motets' 1 of the line have no right to pet their railway by a side wind at Govern ment expense, and having got it all w it gently to drop into Governmen ’s hands, who would be saddled with .>ll the risks that must necessarily attend it. If they have the courage of their opinions, let them satisfy themselves that the line will pay, and having done so by acceptable evidence they will have no difficulty in finding share holders, not from amongst those who are specially benefited by the line, but from amongst the general public.

The Borough Council. —The usual meeting of the Borough Council is to be held to-night. The Templeton Murder. —From a telegram published elsewhere, it will be seen that to enable counsel for Gibsuii’s defence to prepare evidence in support of a plea of insanity, an adjournment of the trial for a month has been granted. Ivess v. Crisp. —An application; of de fendant in the case of Ivess v. Crip will be heard ,at the Supreme Court, Christ church, before a special jury, on January 22nd ■ .

Grayling for Canterbury. 4/Q0 grayling are on the way from L ke Kanieri, on the West Coast, for the Christchurch Acclimatisation Society. They will be distributed in the rivers Avon and Selwyn. The Chatham Island Murder. —The papers in the Chatham Island murder rase have been sent on to Auckland, where ',ho Executive Council will meet and de> de the fate .of the murderer. • Mount Somers Road Board Election. —Messrs. Hood and Tisch were nominated for the vacancy in No. 4 ward of -he Mount Somers Road District, but we find that Mr. Tisch has withdrawn, so that no poll will be necessary, Mr. Hood hat mg been declared elected. Gold.— The Commissioner of Crown Lands at Wellington has been applied to for and has issued a protection license for a quartz reef prospecting claim on Tararua ranges, near Palmerston North. The applicants are experienced miners, nho have been prospecting for some time, and now think they have kit a payable reef.

I.O.G.T.—The Grand Lodge of New Zealand of the Independent Order of G'>od Templars was registered as a speoif.lly authbrised society, under the Friendly Societies’ Act, 1877, on the 20th Dec >lll - ; and on the same day 84 branches of the Grand Lodge wore simi larly registered. !; Turn's Lexters.— Several letters were written by Tuhi before his death to relatives and friends, but their contents would be quite incomprehensible to English readers. They abound in Maori imagery of the most eccentric description, interspersed with what apparently are scraps of native songs. They will be duly forwarded to their destination. The Volunteers. —We understand that a suitable range in the river bed has been secured by Captain Bullock for the Rifle Corps. The Captain lias purchased twenty acres of land which he will allow the Volunteers the use of, and it only remains to make arrangements for the erection of a small footbridge, across an arm of the Ashburton river for access to the firing site. District Court. —At the sitting of the District Court to-morrow, the following cases will come on for hearing :—Saunders Bros. v. Irvine. For plaintiffs—Branson and Purnell; for defendants—Harper, Harper, and Scott. Friedlander Bros, v. Prendergast. For plaintiffs—Branson and Purnell ; for defendant—self. In bankruptcy, the following : James Fletcher to appear for examination—Mr. Crisp. Applications for order of dis charge—J. Smith (Mr. O'Reilly) and Weeks and Dixon (Branson and Purnell). Showing us the Way. — The Welling ton Post says Those who are in the habit of visiting the Queen’s Wharf may have from time to time noticed that Mel bourne-bound steamers have frequently conveyed from this port large quantities of green flax, and it has been a matter of conjecture among the curious as to what use the flax is put to. It has been hinted —and the suggestion is; not at all an im probable one—that the flax is manufac tured in Victoria into rope and sold here and elsewhere as “ Manilla ” —a class of rope which readily fetches L4O per ton. However this may be, it is certain that a large trade in the exportation of flax from Wellington is being quietly carried on. It is known that some owners of flax swamps in the vicinity of Wellington receive from L2 to L2los. per ton for flax as it grows, and the purchasers at this figure cut and deliver it at their own cost.

Kyle School. —On Friday last, a school fete came off at Kyle. The children en gaged in the usual sports, &c., in a pad dock lent for the occasion by Mr. Lambie, and in addition to refreshments, every child was presented with a suitable pre sent or prize. The young ones thoroughly enjoyed themselves, thanks to the arrange ments made and the forethought of those who had the control;of affairs, and after the children’s gathering had dispersed, a concert was given in the schoolroom in the evening. The programme was a choice one, and concerted pieces were numerous. Kyle has a good name as a nursery for musicians, and the appearances of the glee party were a credit to Mr. Thomson, the enthusiastic master of the district school. The instrumentalists comprised the local players and a contingent from Seafield, and together formed an orchestra of no mean power. The solos and duets sung were very creditable, and the readings and recitations above the average. The proceedings closed, as usual, with a dance. The Crops. —The recent rains have had a markedly beneficial effect upon the crops in the light plains land, and in the Seafield and Kyle districts the returns are expected to be far higher than the most sanguine hoped to realise. During the continuance of the dry weather the crops in those districts fell away much, and for atime a repetition of the results of 1875 was feared, but the bountiful rainfall having revived everything so much, and filled out the ears of all grain so well, the harvest prospects are very encouraging indeed. It may be remarked, in fact, that wherever the crops were late enough to benefit by the recent rainfall —and this has been the case in most instances all over the county—there will be a perfectly satisfactory return, and taking a general view of the Ashburton grain districts there is every reason to hope that the harvest this year will be : a'bountiful one. All that is wanted is weather suitable for the in-gathering, and at present the pro mises are fair indeed. Harvest operations have commenced in many districts, and within the next fortnight or three weeks they will be general. The grain is ripen ing fast everywhere, arid no one as yet has any complaints to make of rust. The most bitter complaints appear to be made against the depredations of the huge flocks of sparrows that now infest the paddocks, and it seems high time that united, action were taken to rid the county of this pest.' The sparrow’s fecundity is well known, and it will-yfant a strong and. united en deavor or£ the part of all the farmers in the early spring to keep the little thieves under. We are reciting no fancied griev ance when we urge the sparrows’ destruc tion, for we have bee ll shown a plant of wheat; fully headed, and, representing sixty: bushels to the acre, that has been almost completely i (Societyspets. ' ; . v .’’.V.*,,.,■,

Music Classes. Music pupils and others ini crested are referred to an ad vertisement elsewhere, in which Mr. Weeks intimates that his classes will be resumed this week. •,

Bank Dividend. —A Reuter’s telegram from London, dated the Bbh inst., states; that the National Bank of New Zealand pays a dividend of 3 per cent, for the half* 1 year. , Sunday Traffic in Drink.—Accord ing to a promise made to the deputation from the Grand Lodge of Good Templars, the Government have sent a circular to the local heads of the police force through out the colony, requesting them to do all in their power to put down Sunday traffic in drink. . ’ • ‘ 1

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Per Reuter's Agency.) . Commercial. T " 5 London, Jan. 7. . v Consols are unchanged'at ipo)4> New Zealand per Gent. 10-40 Loan ,-104 ;; Five per' Cent; (1 889) Loan, 108 | Four-and-a-half per G^nt; Loan, Adelaide and New Zea land breadstuff's remain at last quota tions. . The' total .quantity, of; wheat afloat >. fqii Great Britain ; is 1,240,000 quarters. Australian tallow —Best beef, 335. 6d. ; best mutton; 355; The-total stock of tallow hr London on the Ist inst, was 13,500 casks. The Imperial rßarliament. v > , ■ i«' G-,' t ) Jan. 8. In the,House of ;Commons tq-day,. the debate on the Address'in Reply’ to* the Queen’s Speech was resumed. Mr. Parnell moved the amendment of which;he;had given:-, notice,, ,tcf the effect that peace in Ireland would not be promoted by suspending the existing laws. He addressed the House at some length, but only spoke in rate terms in defence of the Irish Land League, the object of‘ which was, he explained, to force landlords to reduce their rents. Mr. Foster, Chief Secretary for Ireland also spoke, and in strong terms defended the decision of the Government to apply coercion as a remedy for the agitation in Ireland. The debate now stands adjourned to Monday, while a Bill to repress corrupt practices at elections has been intro duced into Parliament, It contains clauses fixing heavy penalties . for bribery and other corrupt acts. The Irish Land Bill, which has been brought in - by the Government,: is not generally approved by the Liberal party,: several Liberal members in both Houses, hav ing expressed considerable discontent with the provisions of the measure. The Turko-Qreek Frontier. In consequence of continued urging on the part of the Great Powers, the Ottoman and Greek Governments have consented to reconsider their decisions refusing the proposed arbitration of the Powers for the settlement ol the Turko- Greek frontier question.

AUSTRALIAN.

; (Pet Reuter's Agency.) ■ The Trans-continental Railway. SO The Queensland Government have issued a map showing the routes of the proposed Trans-continental Railway to the Gulf of Carpentaria, and the Grand Trunk line of South Australia from Roma, in this colony. _ The Fate of an Explorer. Brisbane, To-day. Mr. Skuthorpe telegraphs from Black all that he has discovered the grave of Classaf, and has also obtained evidence as to the fate of Leichardt, the explorer. Massacre of Celestials. A junk has arrived at Cooktown and reports that the crew of the schooner Prosperity, 1 consisting of nine Chinese, have been slaughtered by the natives of Leucade Island, near New Guinea. The captain of the schooner succeeded in escaping.

NEW ZEALAND

(Per Press Association.) Petroleum. Gisborne, To-day. Mr., Kendall, the manager of . the Poverty Bay Petroleurri Company, re turned from Sydney on Saturday, bring ing -with hint improved tubing and machinery for oil-boring purposes. The survey of the oil spring block near the East Cape is now about completed. The native owners are anxious for the title to be determined, in order to enable them to deal at once with the European investors. A Clean Sweep. Wellington, To-day. Rumors are current that a well-known getter-up of sweeps, who recently drew one for L 2,000 on the Wellington Cup, was a passenger by the last outward mail steamer for San Francisco. He left per Hawea, his family having previously left, under an assumed name, per Rotorua. The drawers of horses are in despair. Stack Fire. Timaru, To-day. William Gosling, a farmer at Mount Horrible, had a large hay stack burned last night. Incendiarism is suspected, and the police are now looking for the sus pected parties. The Fire Brigades Conference. Dunedin, To-day. The Brigades Conference will be at tended by three delegates from Christ church, two from Dunedin, and Naseby, Rangiora, Port Chalmers, Wahnate, Mornington, Caversham, and Napier will sand one each. , Our Resources? . Quicksilver is reported to have been found on Waitahuna heights. The Australian Cricketers. The Otago Association have decided to play eighteen against the Australian team. Stabbed. iNVKUUARfJM.ii, To-day, Early on Sunday morning a brothol- Kooper in the suburbs, named William Ourrdn, otherwise Morris, was severely stabbed near the abdomen and loft shoulder and right arm by a respectable young man .named William Langston Curran was a few months ago sentenced to imprisonment for wounding a man in a house of ill-fame. Land Leaguers in New ZeaUnd. At a meeting here on Saturday, a branch of the Irish National Land League was forriied, and office-bearers ejected. One speaker said tliC Irish colonists wore not of. so much benefit to the country as they might be, through having, year after year, to send money Home to support their parents, who, . proper land laws, would not require such aid. It is intended to hold a public, meeting in con nection with the League.

MOUNT SOMERS ROAD BOARD.

Annual Meeting of Ratepayers. The annual meeting of ratepayers of the Moiint Bornera Road District was held at the-’SchoMhouse, Mount Somers, on Thursday, January 6th, 1881. About fifteen ratepayers were present. Mr. Peache, the Chairman of the Board, pre sided; .. The Clerk read the balance-sheet for the past year, also returns shewing mileage of roads formed, metalled, &c., and the expenditure upon each road in the district, also a statement of the expen diture in the different wards. r The returns as read were adopted. Mr., John Hood asked for the amount of expenditure on Mount Somers Downs road, and the Surveyor furnished particu lars. Mr. John Boyle desired to know the amount expended on Valetta road during the year. The Surveyor stated that no work had been done on that road during the past twelve months. ' The Chairman said that at the ordinary ’meeting to be held that day, the matter would receive the Board’s immediate attention. Mr. J. Hood asked if the cost of the Ashburton bridges should be charged to the ward’s account, and if the amount voted for their construction had been ex pended or not, Mr. Walker spoke at some length upon the Subject, and was of opinion that the Surveyor had acted wisely in making out ■Jth e returns as he had done. In reply to a question from Mr. Hood, asking whether it was the intention of the Board to levy rates this year, the Chair niaq stated that the matter had not as yet -been considered. I Mr. Boyle thought that the striking of rates should be left to the discretionary power of ,thq Board. , In’ reply to a 1 question from Mr. Morgan, asking why the Board had not built a room’ sufficiently large for an annual meeting, the Chairman said that as the Road Board had the use of the Schoolroom; it whs not deemed expedient to incur any further expenditure. In reply to Mr. Boyle, the Chairman stated'that, ;gray€l pits had been secured in different;parts of the. district wherever practicable. Alter a vote of thanks to the Chairman, the proceedings, terminated.

Ordinary Meeting. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Board was then held. Present—Messrs. Walker, ; Peache, Cameron, and Taylor. The Clerk read a notification from the Returning officer, stating that at the nomination of candidates on December 29, Messrs. Taylor and Peache were re-elected to serve as members for Wards No. 2 and 3 respectively. Mr. Cameron proposed, and Mr. Walker’ seconded. ‘ ‘ That Mr. Peache be Chairman for the ensuing year.” Carried. The Surveyor’s report was read and considered. The following correspondence was then read and disposed of : From Mr. Cookson, Senior, the valuer for the district, informing the Board that the Valuation List for 1881 had been completed, and requesting a payment on account. It was decided, that Mr. Cookson’s request bo granted. From Mr. Charles Sheppard, asking the Board to open gravel pits on Messrs. Gould and Cameron’s property. The Board declined to take any action in the matter, as Mr. Sheppard had been led to understand that he would have to make his own arrangements about obtaining shingle when he entered into the con tract. , Prom the Union Bank of Australia, re Board’s account; also stating amount of balance at Bank on December 31st, 1880. ■ ’

From Mr. Wi McAvey’s solicitor, re his client’ffc claim for balance due on Anama Dovvns road, and other works. Clerk to reply. From the Ashburton County Council, requesting: the 'Board’s co-operation in protesting against the new railway tariff. It was proposed by Mr. Cameron, seconded by Mr. Taylor, and carried. “1. Thai the Mount Somers Road Board is of opinion that the present railway tariff is unjust and specially oppressive to the grain growing districts of the colony, and trusts that the Government will see its way speedily to relieve the farmers from this unnecessary impost. 2. That a copy of the above resolution be forwarded to the Minister of Public Works, and to the Ashburton County Council, with a letter conveying the thanks of the Board for the part taken by the Council in pro testing against the present tariff.” From the same, re bridges over the Ashburton. The Clerk was directed to return the accounts for future details of interest, &c., and to state that when the matter is put clearly before the Board they will be willing to pay half of Butt’s claim ; but hope that the Council will see their way to remit the Engineer’s ex penses on the different bridges.. At the same time, the Board wish toexpress tlieir disapproval, as a matter of principle, of any compensation outsidj the terms of a signed contract being, allowed, and is of opinion that the present difference would never have occurred had the Council submitted Butt’s claim to the Board previous to finally agreeing to a Settlement.,

' From the Treasury, Wellington, ad vising the Board that the sum of L 275 16s. 7d.| being a subsidy of 7s. 6d. in the £ on rates collected: prior to March 31st, 1880, had been paid into the credit of the Board’s account at Ashburton. From Mr. J. C. Bell, Returning Officer for the district, regarding elections and other matters.

From Mr. Urquhart, requesting that the road from Clent Hills to Lake Heron be attended to at once. The Surveyor to attend to the matter immediately. From Mr. John Devery and three others, petitioning the Board to continue the formation and metalling on Cameron’s road to the river. The Board did not consider the work necessary, and declined the request of the petitioners.

The ClfeTk was instructed to advertise that the road on Messrs. Gould and Cameron’s property, running from the south-east corner of 23,518 to the south east corner of 19,975, is now closed, and that a road from the aforesaid south-east corner of rural section 23,518 to the south-east corner of rural section 24,989 is opened in lieu thereof. The Clerk was further instructed to forward a copy of the Chairman’s declaration, together with plan of roads, to the Land Transfer Office, Christchurch, according to section 4, subsection 11, of the Public Works Act, 1880. It Was. decided to apply to the Government Printer for all Acts for 1880. It was decided to call for tenders for reformation of Valetta road, to be sent in by the 15th inst. Tenders for protective works in Taylor’s stream were opened, and that of Messrs. Tlowson and Cook accepted. ■ The paysheet, amounting to LBOS 14s. 7d., having been passed for payment, the Board adjourned. ■..

THE CHIMBORAZO ASHORE.

[Bv Cable.] Adelaide, Jan. 8. The Orient Company’s steamship Chimborazo, bound-from Plymouth to this port, has gone ashore in the back stairs passage in the Gulf of St. Vin cent. She lies in 17 feet of water, and will require 27 feet to float. Her pas sengers are remaining on the coast. Adelaide. To-day. The Chimborazo was successfully floated this morning, without injury, and has proceeded to Melbourne.

THE TEMPLETON MURDER.

Postponement of the Trial. [By Telegraph.] [.From Our Own Correspondent.] Christchurch, To-day. At the Supreme Court this morning, Walter Pringle Gibson was charged with the murder of William Kerrison. Mr. Holmes applied for a postponement of the trial till next session, as the plea for the defence would be insanity, to establish which he would require a month to collect evidence. The post ponement was granted.

A Maori Court.

The Hawke’s Bay Herald tells the following story of Maori duplicity and Maori honesty, in reference to some of the East Coast natives :—“ A native girl recently appeared at the home of a well-known runholder, and told a piti ful tale of how her aged father had’ fallen and broken his arm. The frac-i ture was most minutely described. The object of the girl was to obtain Li, in order, as she said, that the old man could be carried to Napier to have his broken arm set. The runholder gave the money, full of admiration of the girl’s affection for her aged relative. A day or two afterwards a pedlar came round, and it transpired in the course of conversation, that this girl had spent exactly Li with him. Further enquiries showed that the girl had no aged father, and that no one connected with her or her people had broken an arm. The aggrieved runholder went to the chief and represented the facts; suggesting that they should be laid before the Native Committee of the district, answering to our courts of law. He was told that -he must pay ss. for a summons before anything. could be done. This curious request was com plied with, the runholder being anxious to see the result of his application. Two days afterwards he heard that the Committee had met, considered the case, and fined the girl Li, in addition to ordering her to pay the Li bor rowed and ‘ costs of the Court.' The L2 ss, was sent to the runholder, which is, by the bye, a little different to our experiences of European courts of law. He kept the pound and, the costs, but sent the fine back to the,Committee.”-

THE CHIMNEY CORNER.

THE RIVALS. A ROMANCE OF ILFRACOMBE. [Continued-] ' ■ And so, ■ after consultation, it was finally settled. It was a busy time at home, and for the : moment Gerald’s presence was essential; but it was at last arranged that, early in June, he should sail for Melbourne. A week before leaving he went to a large dinner parly. He was one of the last to arrive ; and his hostess said ; “ I will introduce you at once, Mr. Mayfield, to the lady you are to take down to dinner,” and Gerald .was led across the room. “ Mrs. Gossett —Mr. Mayfield,” she said, and then turned away to repeat the ceremony else wheie. Gerald bowed in silence. The shock and the surprise took away all power of speech or of collected thought. “ There was no occasion for an intro duction, Mr. Mayfield,” Maud said, gently holding out her hand. “We are old acquaintances, though you did treat us shabbily by running away without saying good-bye.” Gerald touched the hand extended to him, murmured something in reply to the question, and then- fell back a ew steps until it should be time to Coffer his arm.

“ He looks ill,” Maud said to her self. “ It is very awkward, and he is evidently ashamed of himself. Poor fellow, I expect he is very unhappy. What mistakes we all make !” Maud had been married but four months, but she spoke as if she was conscious that she too had made a mistake. In the few minutes which had elapsed before dinner, was an nounced, Gerald had recovered from the shock -Sat the meeting • had given him, and vas enabled, as he took her down, to talk to her as to an in different acquaintance. The party was a large one, and the conversation was not, therefore, general. They chatted together upon indifferent subjects ; the opera, the last new book, the Parlia mentary struggle, the Derby which was to be run to-morrow. Not a word ..was said of Ilfracombe. : “ Mr. Gossett is not here, Gerald said, looking round the table. “No; he promised to come, but he is so busy a.t the bank , he could not get away; and as Mrs. Patterson is ‘ a cousin of mine, I was able to come alone.” , When dinner was nearly over, Maud’ said : ~ “ You are not looking well, Mr. May filed.” “I have not been quite well; Mrs. Gossett, for some time. Overwork,' I supposed I am going abroad to Aus tralia next week, probably for some years.” . /, ' i ■ Maud looked up at him. “ For some years, Mr. Mayfield! Do you mean it.? ” ,i “ Yes,.Mrs. Gossett. I have > been restless and unsettled here ■ for some ‘

months, so I am going to open a branch of our business out there. Someone must go, and I am glad to be the one.” “Is Airs. Mayfield here ? Of course she goes with you ? ” “ Mrs, Mayfield ! Do you think I am married, Maud ? ” She did not notice the Christian name. “ Are you not ?” “ Married ! I married ! Who can have told you such a monstrous thing?” For a full minute Maud did not answer. She looked down into her plate, and the color had all died out of her face. “ I heard it mentioned,” she said. “ Certainly someone said so. I suppose it was a mistake. There was nothing monstrous in it.” “It would be monstrous to me,” Gerald said. “ Believe me, Mrs. Gos sett, whoever may tell you henceforth that Gerald Mayfield is married, you can tell them it is not so. I shall never marry —never.” For a time no further word was spoken. The color did not return to her cheek. Presently she said, “ I am’ going to ask you a strange question, one I should not ask were it not that you are going away, and that, perhaps—perhaps we shall never meet again. It is as well to clear up mis understandings. Why did you leave Ilfracomb so suddenly, without even saying good-bye ?” “ May I tell you the truth ?”

Mrs. Gossett bowed her head. “ Becaue I heard—of course there’s no secret now—because I heard from Gossett that you were engaged to him —that you had been engaged to him for months ; and I loved you so I could not trust myself to see you again.” Again she sat silent, and without a vestige of color in her face. There was a slight noise at the head of the table, and a sudden flush leaped into her cheek. “We are going,” she said. “ Don’t come up stairs—don’t 'see me again before you go. Have I your promise?” “ You have,” he said. “ God bless you, my darling, my own lost love ! May you be happy !” As he spoke she rose, gave him her hand, looked full in his face with a wan look of sorrow and love, and was gone. When she returned to her home, she rwent straight into the library, at which her husband was still busy with books and papers. He looked up. “ Bless us, Maud, what is the matter ? You look like a ghost.” “ I have seen Gerald Mayfield,” she said, “ and I know that you lied to us both. You told him we were engaged j you told me he was married. What have you to say?” “Say?” Gossett said, with a light laugh. “Nothing. Everything is fair in'love and war. If we were not en gaged, I knew we should be soon; so I was only anticipating the thing a little.”

■ “ Paul Gossett, 1 ’ his wife said, when you asked me to marry you, I told you that I didnotloveyou as a woman should love a man she was going to marry, but that I would give you what love I could, and would do my best to make you a good wife. You were content with the terms, and said that you hoped and believed the love would come. ■ I hoped so too. We have not been mar ried long, but long enough to see that your love is no truer than mine. I should, have no right to complain that you gave no more than I, and I could have gone on with liking and respect. That is over for ever. I find you won me by a lie—that you have neither honor nor generosity. I will not bring scandal upon our names, but at present I can not live with you. To-morrow I shall go home to my mother; she is ill, and it will appear natural for me to wish to r be with her. After a time I may get over tlie horror I feel, and then I will come back and try to do my duty.” “ And how about Mr, Gerald May field ?” Paul Gossett asked, with, an evil smile.

Maud stepped back a pace, as if she had been struck, and put tier hand to her heart. “ God help me !” she said, “ and I ani married to this man !” And without another word she went out and left him. Gerald Mayfield was sitting in his office at Melbourne, two years after his arrival in Australia, when he heard the shouting Of the newsboys outside, “ Great fraud in England ! Second edition of the Argus/” In another minute a clerk came in. “ Here is the Argus, sir. Another great banking swindle at home.” When Gerald was alone, he opened the paper and read, in large letters : “ Great Fraud and Embezzle ment, —The Metropolitan and Suburban Bank has been robbed of upwards of Lroojooo by its manager, Paul Gossett. The frauds have been going on for years. Money lost in Stock Exchange gambling. Gossett still at large. Police on his track. All outward-bound vessels watched.” For a long time Gerald Mayfield sat without moving. “Poor girl!” he said at last, as he put down the paper. “ I never thought the fellow looked honest. I put it down to prejudice, but I; was right afrer all. I wonder what she will do ? I saw that her mother died just after I came out. I suppose her fortune’s safe.” Two days later came another tele gram : “ Gossett still at large. His wife has handed over her own fortune of 1,35,000 to bank.” Tlien Gerald Mayfield sent a tele gram to his partner: “Find out address of Gossett, the defaulter’s wife. Place LSO to her credit at a bank • adyise her anonym ously that an equal sum will be paid in quarterly. Be sure it is done so as to be untraceable. You remember our conversation when I first proposed coming oui here.” It was nearly three months after this that Gerald Mayfield was breakfasting at his club,, chatting with the head of She police. Presently a boy came in with a note for the latter. “ Ah,” he said, glancing over it, “ the Taunton Castle is off the heads; I have been expecting her for some days. By what we hear, -it is possible that Cos set, that fellow who swindled the bank in London; is, on board, and we shall . put our hands on him as he lands. I can’t go myself, for I have a very im portant case in Cohrt's but we Chall , have him'. 1 ” ■ ‘ >■- ■■■ ■ - ■ - : lh, , ~i ( 7,0 be (Oiiitnuedi) .< M 4

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1881.



Special Advertisements. THE BE ST VALUE ••i •; . FOR READY MONEY IS THE MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING MANUFACTURED BY : THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, Which can be purchased at their Retail Brakchea, all over New Zealand. A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. - Thousanda oif the discerning customers testify that; the; New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Garments are the Very Best Yalue-forßeady Money. si*■>■.> s■ Ashburton Branch EA S T STREE T, 41 : ■ WM. SPARROW, 751# Manager. Thomas Williams, ' TINWALD, UNDERTAKER, &c. All binds of Joinery and Jobbing work doneon the Premises. 654 O. Carstens & Co. (Late ? Weston’s), . ! PROSPECT BUILDINGS, Tobacconist, fancy goods, and stationery. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes NaihwLj; .Twist, . and Vanity Fair Tobacco ; . Mtuncal Instruments, etc., etc. Shaving and Shampooing. ASHBURTON. .. 520*



d. STORE, T . Harvest Notice^ Having '>thortmghly. re-organised my Busipfsf, £ Tam * prepared to Supply Farmersj-Cpn tractors, Working Men, and nthejrawith , r , f ::t9oes, ■ IJ . r . CLOTHING, &c., &c. isos>:-’ as 'to" where Harvesting mayW obtained given gratis. Carts runs,as follows : , ~. , , Botrth road to Wins- Iqw, Hindu, flUaronan. and Westpr 'mg&M Plaids.*"'. . \ ‘ £ ii ' Chat k, Wmdennere, ; Willoughby. Lt2£y uli.Witnrthn ’and Lon c. i'-Witisrfon ’arid; X^Sday^-M' Lean’s road'td Wester fieldi, ’Hiffd*fj'!Mardnfen,&ci / ‘ p. H.'T ; e prt s'ott, Storekeeper, * Tmwald. ‘ - «jjr - .a-'v >• - ■ 901



Special Advertisements. rjlO TENDERERS. WANTED, TENDERS for CARTING Shingle, at per yard, to new grain store. Tenders to be sent in to the undersigned by four o’clock TO-MORROW, Tuesday. For particulars apply to 902 T. BULLOCK. MUSIC TUITION.—The Second Quarter will commence THIS WEEK. Lessons on the Piano, Har monium, Organ, Flute, or Violin, given at any time to suit pupils ; Singing Class for Girls on Wednesday evenings, and Boys on Thursday evenings, from 0 to 7 p.m. Terms on application. H. J. Weeks, Teacher of Music, Cameron street, West. Several two, four, and five-roomed COTTAGES, at moderate rents. 901 O LET. W. R. BOYLE, 903 Moore street.



A country paper exclaims, “ Lives there a man with soul so- dead,j : who. <neyerf?tQ himself hath said, ‘ I’ll pay before I go to bed the, debt I owe po the printer?'” “ Yes, there are s6mc we Know full well who never such a tale could tell; but they, ! fear, .wiil go to —well, the place tfhere there’s po. .winter.



Holloway's Ointment and Pills.— Rheumatic Pains, Tic-Doloreaux.—These dis cases are unfortunately very prevalent in! this .country,-and are frequently most distressing, sometimes for years baffling all medical skill to alleViate the sufferings of the victim'. ’ : Inno case have Holloway’s Ointment and Pills failed to produce a cure. The Ointment produces a . peculiar and soothing influence over the nerves 4nd muscles, relaxing spasms and subduing pain. The attack soon becomes milder and the intervals between the paroxysms, fbngeir; until they cease altogether. The Pills restore the body drohi 1 avc&k and debilitated condition to k state of health and strength. Persons - with rheumatic pains and dwelling?, aftefjusingithe Ointment shave tbeeri ' jjured in an incredible short period.—Advt,



Wanted. W ANTED, by an experienced young man, age 21, a SITUATION as Farm Servant. la accustomed to horses, and a good milker. Apply, stating par ticulars, Office of this Paper. 897 WANTED —A GIRL, about 15 or 16, as General Servant. Apply, Office of this Paper. 900 WANTED, a Good PLOUGHMAN, accustomed to work a Machine. Apply, Office of this Paper. 885 WANTED, a good general SERVANT. Apply at once to : Butler’s Family Hotel. 869 COOK— WANTED, a SITUATION as Cook in a Hotel or on a Station. - Apply, Office of this Paper. 899' WANTED TO SELL—Twenty-five SECTIONS, Wakanui road.- Apply, Patching. Tent-maker, East street. 898 WANTED KNOWN—The Largest and Best Stock of Sajddlsrt in to be found at the shop of S. STEPHENS, Tinwald. Good strong Cart Collars from’ 155.; Cart Winkers, Bs. 6d.; Plough Back-bands, 6s. cash ; Cart Saddles and Breechens, from 505.; Reaping Machine Pole Straps, 2a. Fanners will make a great saving by buying of S. Stephens, Saddler, Tinwald. 871 WANTE D—Watches, Clocks, and Jewellery of all sorts to REPAIR. Lowest Charges. PARKER, .Watch maker. Private House, directly opposite the Public School. '837 WANTED KNOWN, That HENRY’S PORTRAIT ROOMS, Buildings, East street,' Ashburton, .-are,, open DAILY, from 9 a.m. fill fi p*™. Portraits taken in any weather. Great - Reduction in Price. , , . , 6Q6 r . WANTED KNOWN—Just arrived from England—Christmas, New Year, and Birthday Cards. New Zealand Illustrated. Annual, Young, Ladies’ Jour-ic i nal, and Bow Bells, Is.'6d. each; FaroilyiW Herald and Family Reader, Is. : eafib»:' . and all other Magazines supplied at Christ church Prices. Colonial and.. European Newspapers, School Books, Stationery,lfec. A visit solicited. L. F. Andeewes, East . street, near Lancaster’s Butchery. - U >527 ~f TTTANTED KNOWN—That a Church, VV of England minister’s wife ’writes that she saves Ten Shillings a Fortnight by using Harper Twelvetreea’ - 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 J. HERN, Range Maker and Importer, corner of' 1 Manchester and Tuam streets, Christ church ; Price. —£9 10s. ....70Q



WANTED KNOWN. ' V .. SOMERSET LIVERY AND BAIT 1 ' ‘ STABLES. . ' J W. M‘RAE bogs to inform , public that he has taken the above Stables from. Mr. Bossenberg, and; making extensive repairs. .= Buggies and saddle horses on hire. Lowest prices and beat attention- .. 852 Local industries assooia-~‘-‘ TION. A MEETING of the above will be held in Upper Room of Town Hall, on WEDNESDAY, the 12th, at.B p.nn- , ~ It is. requested that .members ijrißW. * prepared with all available information in respect of industries they are appointed to report upon. . : J U i-. S. E. POYNTZ, 890 Hon. Sec. ; : —: : - . K r - A i * /1 i j Tenders. rp E N D E i a TENDERS for the ERECT! 6N COTTAGE on the Wakanui Road will be received by the undersigned up to SATURDAY, the 14th instant. Plana and specifications to be seen at Mr. Bird’s, Burnett street. The lowest or any tender will not neces sarily be accepted. F. P. O’REILLY, 894 : Solicitor. Educational. Miss Steane, T .. . T (Late of Ashburton), BEGS to inform the Ladies of South Rakaia, Methven, and neighbor-, hood, that it is her intention to OPEN SUPERIOR PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR DAY PUPILS, Shortly after the Christmas recess, and she will be happy to treat with any wish- r ing their daughters or young sons tpj ceive thorough.instruction. 794 Partnership Notice. PARTNERSHIP - N OTIOE. In consequence of the death of the late Mr. T. M. HASSAL, the business of Merchants, &c., lately carried on by the firm of MILES, HASSAL and CO., in Christchurch, will from this date be car ried on by the surviving 'Partners,T!l I MESSRS. EDWARD PEACH WIL LIAM MILE? and FREDERICK - BANKS, both of the firm of Miles Brothers and ; Co., London, . HUGH PERCY MURRAY AYNSLEY, of Christchurch, and FULBERT ARCHER, of Timaru, under the style or firm or| I Miles and Co. The Business of the Firm at Timaru will continue to be carried .on by the above-named Partners, under the name of Miles, Archer, and Co. ~ Christchurch, Ist January, 1881. 884<- f



Public Notices. CUNT SOMERS ROAD lM- I TRICT. ELECTION OF ONE MEMBER FOR NO. 4 Messrs. JOHN HOOD and PHDLititiP TISCH having been nominated to the above office, on the 7th inst., and Mr. Phillip Tisch having ainco retired, I here by declare Mr. John Hood duly- elected £ 1 as member for No. 4 Ward of the,Mount . Somers Road District, for 1881. ; JOHN c; BELL, l Returning Officer* • jf) for Mount Somers Road l)issße£r.. -m* Mount Somers, Jan. 16,1881, ; * ' £1 Reward. . i ■ ■■ LOST, a long-haired '• CATTLE DOC, i black, with a little whits about H breast. Answers to the name of - ‘Panza." The above reward will be paid tq restoring the dog to ! “ J- F. STANDISH. 896 . Longboacfa,u/t 1 1 • i:■ ■: ll ■ L . r ? -wh?uoO [card.] .liwidtfsrulO T HEODORE AB. : * JAO< A R C H I T * / 1 Q !. I a -■/-rr-i' okri r A;i )hi NoteiOfiJcewririlT, , HEREFORD ■ STREET, i ; i ' , 0 Christchurch 671