SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Especulador, barque, from Newcastle. Martha Reid, schooner, from Dunedin. To-day. Penguin, s.s., from Auckland, with the an Francisco mail. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived—Rotoraahana, from the South. Sailed —Rotomahana, for the North ; Kiwi, for Castle Point and Napier ; Ken nedy, for Nelson and West Coast ; Sophia R, Luhrs, barque, for Newcastle. Port Chalmers, Yesterday. Arrived —Wauaka, from the North. Melbourne, To-day. Arrived —Tararua, s.s., from Bluff. London, Feb. 10. Arrived—Lurline, ship, from Oamaru ; Halcione, ship, from Lyttelton.

COMMERCIAL.

• ♦ English Grain Market. Messrs. Royse, Stead, and Co.’s weekly telegiam from their broker is as follows: London, loth February—Present price for New Zealand wheat at Mark Lane, per quar ter of 4961b5, ex granary, sacks extra, is 48s to 48s 6d for long berried, and 45s to 46s 6d for fair average quality. Present value, ex ship, is ; 143 sto 44s per 48olbs; sacks as wheat. Market declined slightly. New Zealand ordinary oats, 215.t0 22s per 3361b5, and 28s to 3 05 6d per ’ for extra fine oats, ex granary, sacks extra. New Zealand barley, 28s to 36s per , quarter of 400H1", sacks extra.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Tuesday, February 15. Matson, Cox, and Co., Tinwald Yards— , 200 Fat and Store Pigs. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c. Monday, February 14. Amateur Dramatic Club Meeting of - Members, Town Hall, 8 p.m. Tuesday, February 15. 'Horticultural Society, Meeting of Com i mittee, at Jacobson and Eyton’s Office, at 8 p.m. ■ ' Thursday, February 17. Degree Temple, Extraordinary Meeting, Templar Hall, at 8 p. ra. Monday, February 28. Anniversary Concert, Loyal Ashburton Lodge, 1.0.0. F., Town Hall, Bp.m.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

Trains Leave Ashburton for Christ church and intermediate stations at 6 ' a. m., 10.30 a.m., arid (Express) 5.48 p.m. ' -Trains Leave Ashburton for Timaru . and South, at 7 a.m., 10.36 a. in. (Ex- . —the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Christchurch afe-10 24 a.m. (Express),' 435p.m., and 7.50 p.m. Trains Arrive at Ashrueton from Timaru and South at 10.15 a.m., 5.34 ; p.m. (Express), and 8.15 p.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1881.

TOWN EDITION. «t,5 p-m»]

Special Service. —The Rev. C, Mel >jlle Ryin .will deliver an address,., to ■' ohly, in St. Stephen’s ChurcK, to-mortOW v - afternoon, at half-past two o’clock.

The San Francisco Mail left Christ church to-day by special train, which is due hers at 5.10. Horae letters will thus be available at tea time. Farmers’ Pests. —The Gazette contains a declaration that sparrows and linnets may be killed throughout the colony. 1.0. G.T. A special meeting of third degree members of the Good Templar Order, is called for Thursday evening, the 17th, at 8 p.m. A Nice Neighborhood.- The Oamaru Mail says that although the information may appear startling, no less than 32 sly grog houses, 12 houses of ill-fame, and 20 houses licensed to sell intoxicating liquors exist in Oamaru. Trout. — The trout recently put into the Domain creek by Mr. Shury are mak ing wonderful growth. To-day one of them, that had escaped down the outlet pipe, was found in the channel near the post office. It measured 3 inches long, and was a very healthy looking fish. The captor turned it adrift again.

A Suggestion. —A correspondent in the Oamarr. Mail suggests that Otago and Canterbury should adopt a system of ex change of Inspector of Schools, thereby preventing a partiality to certain teachers, and discovering those who may be really efficient and energetic in their labors.

The Property Tax v. School Fees. —At the half-yearly meeting of the Dune din Chamber of Commerce, held yester day, Mi*. W. J. M. Larnach, in his opening speech, referred-.to the-growing prosperity and return of confidence in business, and advocated the repeal of the Property Tax, and the re-iraposition of the tea and sugar duties and school fees.

Standing on Their Dignity. —ln con sequence of the Government refusing the repeated requests by the North Auckland Cattle Board, asking for the removal of the restrictions against driving cattle from the southern to the northern districts, the Board have virtually abandoned their functions by neglecting to hold meetings, on the ground that the action of the. Government implies a want of confidence in their judgment. The Rev. Mr. Pym. —The Rev. C. M. Pym delivered his farewell gospel address last night in the Town Hall. His subject was the angel wrestling with Jacob, and a largo congregation listened with great interest to his discourse. The hymns used were Sankey’s, and as every person present was considerately supplied with a copy of the hymn book, all were able to join in the flinging. Battle -Market. —A definite arrangement has at last been come to by the County Council on the subject of the keepership of the Cattle Market, Mr. Hay Smith having become lessee of the yards for a year. The letting of tli£ yards will supply a want that has been long felt in Ashburton —namely, some convenient and safe enclosure near the town where sheep can be securely penned for a night when on a long march, while the shep herds put up in town.

Sports , for Tinwald.— At a meeting of Tinwald residents in Mr. Marl? Scott’s %?tel, Tinwald, last night, it was decided to hold mixed sports in Tinwaldy and a strong committee was appointed <to sug gest a suitable date and make ments. The committee comprised some of the leading men in Tinwald and adjacent district, including also represen tatives from Ashburton. In the room some L3O was subscribed, and a proposal by Mr. Scott was accepted that he should giveL2o to the sports fund for the privilege of the refreshment- tent. • The meeting was adjourned till Friday week, in the interval Mr. Jephson, who was appointed Treasurer and Secretary, should do his best to further the movement. Temperance in Shools. —At a meeting of the Auckland Board of Ediiction re cently, a letter was received from Mr. Habens, Inspector-General relative to no steps being taken re Sir William Fox’s temperance prizes. The memo, from the Inspector stated that the whole thing was objectionable, and by agreeing ttfany such arrangement as that referred to, the Board would be. obliged to abandon the position which it had taken up with re gard to the temperance book. Thp course of instruction would be interfered-with, and the minds of the teachers i|nsettled. It was agreed to reply that the proposition should be returned in accordance with the inspector’s memo.

The Property Tax. —The Press As sociation telegraphs from Wellington : The following arrangement has been made in regard to the payment of the property tax ;—ln any town where there is an office of a deputy commissioner the tax must be paid at that office, but with this exception, that payment may be made to the post master at any post office con nected with which there is a telegraph station or money ; order office, and in any such case the postmaster will give ati interim receipt, which will be'ftrtWtniALby a complete official receipt from the deputy commissioner of the district. Stil, further, it has been arranged that any taxpayer may forward the amount due by him to the deputy commissioner in a registered letter by post office order, cheque, bank draft, or in cash.

The Exhibition. —As the time for opening the Local Industries Exhibition draws on, the enterprise becomes more and more popular, and demands for space come fast and thick. So very popular has the Exhibition become that intending competitors, who would otherwise take it for granted that rojom mtist be found for them, have taken alarm and have very properly come to business at once. As a consequence a very good exhibition is already assured, but we would strongly urge on all who wish for a corner for what they wish to show, to at once interview the Secretary, and secure a site for the exhibits. We expect to see the Town Hall’s ample floor, room, and all the space that stage, gallery, upper-room, and ante rooms can afford thoroughly utilised, with contributions from every part of the county, as well as from every part of the colony, making the exhibition a very com plete index page to the resources and manufacturing standing, not only of this county, but of the whole of New Zealand.

The Crops. —The threshing machines are now at work everywhere, and from some of the earlier farms wheat has already been despatched for shipment. The yield all round will be considerably over the average, and some very heavy returns per acre are already mentioned. The wheat sample is an excellent one, and all the farmers are highly pleased with the appearance of their grain. Some of the barley samples, though, are not so attrac tive, but no fault era be found with the quantity. Oats are a grand crop all round. So expeditiously has the superb weather allowed work to proceed, that we expect within a day or two to see the long grain trains we are accustomed to after harvest, running down to Christ church for shipment of their freight at Lyttelton. Threshers are taking every advantage they can of the fine weather, and last ‘ night we know •of several machines that were at work all the. night through. In reference, however, to early threshing, we take the liberty of quoting the following from an Auckland telegram : —“ The Auckland millers decline to pur chase any wheat until it has been , stacked several necks, to allow sufficient season ing. They allege that for some years back they have bought too early, and a considerable quantity being damp, it has heated, the result being loss to them. •This year’s crop has been excellent, and there are; indications of an extensive wheat acreage, specially in the Waikato. It is not improbable that the market will open at ss. ”

The Australians at Wanganui.—Tim Australians started work at Wanganui yesterday, taking first innings against tk i home twenty-two. Blackham had hurt his foot, and didn’t play, so the lustra lians played a man short. The groit I was not to their liking, either, and tin / played under discouraging circumstanci . When their last wicket fell they had on - / got 49. Worse luck attended the Wanga nui players, whose crop was all reaped h r 48. Two of the Australians’ wickets fell in their second innings fir 18. Lever’s Economy. —W. J. Fitzpatrick tells a good story of the way in which Lever, the novelist, endeavored to put into practice Thackeray’s advice to him ui favor of thrift. That counsel was to begin with small economies, and to step some trifling expense that he could very well do without, when he would find t ie taste for saving grow on him and gradual .y include many things once thought neces sary. Accordingly, Lever determined to save the daily franc he gave a poor man for holding his pony at the door or a pistol gallery where he was ac customed to practice—the thought if stopping the practice itself never seems so have struck him. He tied the bridle to the hook of the window shutters and wont in. His first shot hit the centre and set a signal-bell ringing loudly, which so frightened the pony that it broke away, carrying the window-frame with hin;— “ the repairs,” wrote Lever, “ amount ,ug to eighty-seven francs, and more ridicule than lam able to set down. This was ay fiast and last attempt at economy.—Man chester Times.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE

(Per Beuter's Agency.) The Sculling Championship. London, Feb. 10. The race which takes place on Mon day next between Hanlan and Layccck regarded as a certainty for the former. The betting is now 3 to 1 onHanlan. The Idle Dollars. Total reserve in notes and bullion in the Bank of England is Lx5,250,000. Leather. Best sides Australian hides are firm. The Coercion Bill. In the House of Commons to-day the Irish Coercion Bill was under con sideration in committee. An amend ment was proposed by Mr. Pugh, Liberal Member’for Cardiganshire, that affidavits should be necessary to justify the arrest of suspected persons. The motion was debated at some length but was finally rejected by the com mittee. England Knuckling Down to the Boers. It is announced that instructions have been sent by Government to Sir George Colley, Governor of Natal, that he should ask President Brand, of the Orange Free State, to inform the Boers that, if they suspend hostilities, Eng land will be prepared to arrange a per manent and amicable settlement of affairs in the Transvaal. The Basutos Catching it. Capetown, Feb. 10. Intelligence has been received that the Basutos suffered a defeat at the hands of the Cape forces on the 15th instant. Colley in Distressed Circumstances. Feb. 11. Telegrams to hand to-day from Natal report that the force under Sir George Colley is now completely isolated between Newcastle and Ingogo, and no communication with it is possible.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Per Reuter's Agency.) The Markets. Adelaide, Feb. 11. Town flour, Lio ss. to Lio 10s ; country brands, L 7 ss. ; wheat, 4s. 3d. to 4s. 4d., market quiet. Freights to the United Kingdom from Adelaide, 455.; from out ports, 47s 6d. Sydney, Feb. 11. New Zealand wheat to-day is quoted at 4s. 2d. per bushel, and maize at 2s. lod. per 6olbs. The markets for brandy, kerosene, rice, sugar, tobacco and candles are unchanged. Destructive Hurricane. The f steamer Gunga has arrived from Levuka, and reports that a destructive hurricane has occurred there. Two steamers, the Rewa and Go-Ahead, which were lying in the harbor, sunk at their moorings. The destruction was very great, but the loss of life is npt known, as the Gunga was -unable to communicate with the shore before leaving, on account of heavy sea. A Merchant Charged with Incen diarism. A summons has been issued against Mr. Beckett, charging him with setting fire to his warehouses in Barrack street last month.

NEW ZEALAND

(Per Press Association.) Impersonating a Detective. Timaku, To-day. John Quinn, alias Nolan, has been arrested for impersonating a detective, and thereby obtaining from the landlord of the Masonic Hotel, St. Andrews, board, lodging, and money. The accused, who is charged also with forging a cheque, has been remanded till Monday. Fire at Port Chalmers. Dunedin, To-day. A fire occurred at Wood’s, tailor’s shop, Port Chalmers, but it was extinguished before much damage was done. Wood alleges that he lost L 45 in money. An RM. in Explanation, Mr. Watt, RM., made an explanation from the bench to-day re flogging, and sentencing boys for apple stealing, which has been severely commented on by the press. He said the real punishment was flogging, and it was necessary to award a term of imprisonment, in order to have the boys' flogged in gaol. Committal to the Industrial School was no punishment at all, as, on good behaviour, the boys were immediately let out to their parents. By this means they could, to a great extent, prevent larrikinisni in Dunedin. The sentences were only apparently severe, but practically they were only preventative. ;

WRECK OF A STEAMER.

(Bv Cable.) Melbourne, To-day. Telegrams are to hand announcing that thesteamshipßidgePark, 1,200 tons, has been wrecked near Gabo Island, on the New South Wales Coast, while on a voyage from Adelaide to Sydney. All lives have been saved

MURDER OF A MAORI.

Guauamstown, Yesterday. The reporter of the Thames Advertiser has arrived from To Aroha bringing the intelligence of the diabolical murder of a Maori named Simon, holding a good posi tion, by a Russian named John Procogy, a miner, who has been arrested. Blood stains were found on his clothes. The throat of the murdered man was cut from ear to ear. The Coroner proceeds to the field in the morning.

CHISPA’S LETTER.

“ I am not yet so hald that you can see my brains.”— Longflllow. The leading feature of the week has been the School Committee affair, and varied are the opinions expressed on the position of matters. It is evident that there is going to be some little stir over school concerns, and seeing that Sergeant Felton is personally concerned in them now, Constable Bob Neil is to be tem porarily promoted to the charge of the town while the school fight goes on. He assures me that he will be no respecter of persons, and if the Sergeant should be come “ rumbungtious ” and bang the Saint, he’ll run in his superior officer just as willingly as he would clap the darbies on any of the other limbs of our free and uusectarian system of education. He won’t handcuff the Doctor ; he’s a far seeing man is Neil. He will put old Daly in charge of the Chairman, so that in the event of any broken heads a medical man will be sure to be handy, and Daly has been supplied with a speech to deliver whenever the Doctor gets angry; It is this —“Rape yer timper, Dr., and down’t disterb yer nerves. You’ll want them in foine trim, for there may be ligs to saw off, and split heads to nail together.” Constable Smart will be back by the next meeting, from Hs recent rustication in Sydney, and he gets the position of umpire to sco fair play, and the duty of prevent ing foul hitting will fall to him. His prowess in the Burnham School highway nien affair eminently qualifies him for the position of standing by, and seeing that nobody bolts.

Science is a “ catching” disease. Since Mr. St. Hill expressed his great admira tion for it in the abstract, but his abhor rence of it in that little detail supplied by Dr. Stewart about pigeon—a—a—guano (that’ll do), there has boon quite a com motion in our little scientific world. Mr. St. Hill has many admirers, but there are many who dissent from him as well, and the latter have taken hugely to the guano idea. Pigeons are now at a premium in some quarters, and trials have been made with sundry tanks. The result of these trials is many wry faces, bilious-looking countenances, and strong assertions that there is nothing like science after all. I accept these assertions at once as unassail able fact.

In connection with our projected In dustrial Exhibition, .my Irish friend Mike Murphy sends me a proposal. It is a very momentous one, and in this rising township it ought to have full considera tion. He points out as a fact that Ash burton is a rising town—that no place in the world in proportion to its size could send such a swarm of children across the railway line to school of a morning as we can do here ; and he suggests that a baby show should be held on the’ first evening of the exhibition, Let me advise Mike that though, as he says, we compete in cattle, sheep, horses, and almost every other living thing down to canaries, we don’t in this sedate community, compote in rearing babies. Besides we can control the noise of a bullock with a punch in the ribs, but there would be a row if anyone were to punch a show baby for caterwaul ing. But if Mike does want a baby show —he has eight to choose an exhibit from —he ought to make written application to Mr. Poyntz, who, I have no doubt, w-ould lay the matter before the pigeon and canary men.

“ Go-operation has arisen from dealing in ‘ long sixteen candles and retailers of treacle ’ to manufacturers of worsted and woollens, watches, biscuits. It embraces millers, nailmakers, bootmakers, printers, hosiers, cutlers, fustian manufacturers, etc. Besides, co-operation does its own banking, its own manufacturing, its own importing ; and furthermore, co-operative vessels trade between England and the United States, and the co-operator may build his own house and furnish it—even insure his life, indeed, through co-opera tive societies. So much has been done in a period extending over less than 40 years. What may be the future development of the system it is impossible even to sur mise. ” That’s what Mr. Bateman says about the success of co-operation. But it isn’t always successful Three thirsty souls last week agreed to jbo abstemious, clubbihg their pence to allow; a fourth friend to have askinful —theelubbing to be repeated at the end of the week for another of the quartette, and so on till all had had a spree. No. 1 took too much, and it took all the cash, credit, and power of borrowing to raise enough to pay his fine, so that the three weeks’ beer for Nos. 2,3, and 4of the loving cortipany is not likely to come off —not, at any rate,, on the co-operative principle.

In the telegraphic report of the match at Wanganui, it is stated that in the first innings of the home team the “ rot ” set in, and a mournful procession to and from the wicket was the result, the innings closing for 48. Before this innings had been played the Australians had had theirs, and had gone down in a heap for 40. It has to be mentioned, however, that Blackham had been injured, and didn’t play, so that only nine men played the crowd of Wanganuians. The “ rot ” seems to have set in upon the Australians as well as upon the Wanganui men, for they were virtually beaten by Nelson ; and only to make 49 against WanganuJ is something awful —especially after wiping out “ the best cricketers in New Zealand ” so effectually as they did at Christchurch. I am inclined to fear that the. Nelson cherry wine was too strong for the Aus tralian stomach, and the Wanganui home made Burgundy has finished the job. Ohispa.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

RAKAIA.— Thursday. (Before Mr. N. Wood, R.M., and Mr. D. G. Holmes, J.P.) POLICE CASES. Thomas Happen was fined 10s. and costs for leaving his vehicle and horses unattended. Joseph Basket, for being drunk and using obscene language at Methven, ■ was fined 455. and costs 12s. CIVIL CASES. Tish v. Bronte'. Adjourned to next Court day. C. Lake v. M'Lean. No appearance of either party. W. Hartnell v. Morse. Claim, L 6 Bs. 2d.- Defendant pleaded insolvency. Plaintiff was nonsuited. H. Mutter v. Williams. Claim, L 4 2s. 6d. No appearance of defendant. Judg ment for amount claimed and costs.

Rakaia Road Board.

The usual meeting of tbeßakaia, Road Board was held on Thursday. Present— Messrs. C. M. Mackie (chairman), D..-G. Holmes, and W. L. Allan. The Clerk’s report was read and received. ;It recom mended the removal of the shed from the old Pound, and that the yard be let. CORRESPONDENCE. f The Returning Officer wrote as fol lows: — . ■ ' * . ! ' ' Sir, —I have the honor to’report, m reply to Mr. F. B. Passmore’s letter dated January 6th, iBBi, in reference .tflthe legality of the election of three members to the South Rakaia Road Board on January 3rd, inst. First, I

cannot take Mr. Passmore’s time as correct, ,as he did not mention it at the election, and I had no opportunity to verify it. Second, that the time I went by at the election was, to the best of my knowledge and belief, correct. I closed the nomination at 12 o’clock, and then declared the three candidates nominated duly elected as soon as I could write out the necessary forms. Mr. Passmore came into the office almost immediately after 1 had posted the notices. He then never mentioned anything about the lime being incorrect. Third, I was particularly careful that the election was held in strict accordance with the Act. Fourth,

I hold that the election was legal, and Mr. Passmore’s objection thereto is untenable. —1 have, &c., A. Makexg, Returning Officer. The Colonial Investment and Agency Company wrote in reference to the selling of land for proposed road from Bushey Park to Chertsey. It was resolved that the sum of LlO per acre be offered to the Company, and the Board to do the fencing. A protest was received from twenty ratepayers near the Beach, objecting to the proposed road through Native reserve 2058, on the ground that it would be an unnecessary expenditure of ratepayers’ money. Mr. Allan gave notice that he would move at the next meeting of the Board that the resolution passed at a meeting of the Board on November 4th of last year, referring to opening the above road, be rescinded.

The agent of the Bank of New Zealand wrote with reference to deposits. In .the absence of Mr. Lambie, Mr. Allan moved a resolution standing in his name, that the resolution passed on Dec. 2nd, 1880, authorising the Chairman to deposit LB,OOO, be rescinded, and L 7,700 be deposited. Seconded by Mr. Holmes and carried. Mr. John Holmes wrote stating that he had handed to Mr. Gill the sum of Ll 5, and taken his receipt in satisfaction of all damages against the Board. Mr. E. Cuthbert, 0. E., offered his ser vices to the Board, and enclosed testi monials. The Ashburton County Council acknow ledged the Board’s letter re the state of the well at the new Pound.

Mr. Helmore wrote re the valuation of his property, stating that he had had no notice sent to him. The Clerk stated that the party occupy ing the land had received notice. The Wakanui Road Board wrote in reference to an objection by the chairman to the way the Boundary road was being formed. The Clerk stated that he had waited on the chairman of the Wakanui Road Board, who had promised to have the matter attended to. WATEH SUPPLY. On the motion of Mr. Holmes, seconded by Mr. Allan, it was resolved that 2s. a tank be charged to the public for water obtained at the wind-mill pump. FENCING. It was resolved that Mr. Allan be ap pointed to meet the manager of the Colo nial Investment and Agency Company to arrange about the fencing to be erected on the new road. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of L 330 10s. lOd. were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned.

Dangerous Gifts of Genius.

Genius, when unaccompanied by right principles and self-control, is a more dan gerous quality in a woman than in a man. Nothing shows this more plainly than the life of Lady Caroline Lamb. No one was more fully alive to her faults than she was herself. When the Hon. William Lamb, then Lord Melbourne, laid his heart and fortune at her feet, she refused him, saying that she was afraid her violent temper would wreck their happi ness. Again, however, he proposed ; and this time, unfortunately for himself, was accepted. Lady Caroline’s fear that she could not control her temper was by no means groundless. At the marriage ceremony she was seized with a fit of passion, and she thus afterwards described her behavior : “ I stormed at the Bishop, tore my valuable dress to pieces, and was carried nearly insensible to the carriage which was to convey me for ever from my home.” Lady Caroline was certainly at times not quite sane. Lord Melbourne made.her a far better husband than moat men would have done ; and though at last he was obliged to separate from her, he still retained a portion of his old affection.

Without undervaluing intellect, we think that no one will be inclined to deny that both in men and women the qualities of the heart are far more important than those of the head; and we cannot do better than conclude with the following lines of the late Canon Kingsley, addressed to young girls, and which bear closely on this subject. Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever; Do noble things, not dream them all day long; So making life, death and that vast for ever One grand sweet song. — Chambers' Journal.

The Voracity of Society.

Were Voltaire’s intelligent Huron landed in a London drawing-room at the height of the season, he could scarcely fail to remark that the costume of an English lady of fashion is far more indelicate than that of an Indian squaw ; and again, I am tolerably sure that the enlightened savage would be struck with the addictedness of modern fashionable society, especially the femi nine portion thereof in England, to im moderate eating and drinking. For my part, the voracity of society fills me with a pleased amazement, because I can remember the time when ladies ate and drank—or, at least, professed that they could eat or drink— scarcely anything at all. Pope’s “Lord Fanny,” who protested that that he never touched “ beef nor horse, nor any of those things,” found many imitators among our ladies some forty years ago, when tight lacing and “ hour glass waists ” were all the rage ; when a Byronic paleness of complexion was a la mode , and high-born damsels absolutely drank vinegar in order to make themselves thin; and when a lady with an anatomical development resem bling that of Madame Sarah Bernhardt was though t to be the most symmetrical of models for such a fashionable portrait painter as A. E. Chalon, R.A. Modern society has changed all that. To judge from the innumerable en graved vignettes of ladies’ corsets in the fashion-books and on the wrappers of the illustrated . papers, tight lacing appears to be at present more prevalent than ever it was ; but, save among a proportion of the dowagers, the vora city of society appears to be powerless to make it stout. I was at a conversa zione at the Mansion House the other evening, and, so far as I can discern, the majority of the “ fine city ladies ” of whom Tom Tug in “ The Water man,” used to sing, run small and'thin. Yet the Lord Mayor’s copiously-pro vided buffets were densely thronged from' 9 to i i o’clock, and his lordship’s guests were all eating and drinking at a prodigious rate. The strains of the military band in attendance were half drowned hy the sound of the clicking of plates and the popping of champagne corks. Had all these good people dined? And if so, at what hour had jhey jkVtakeh of a ifihsttmtiiil repast ? —London Truth,

THE CHIMNEY CORNER.

MBS. BRIGGS’ CLERK. He was a tall, thin, starved looking boy, with a little jacket, the sleeves of which crept half way up to his arms, and a hat that was nothing but a brim, and when she saw him he was eating a crust out of the gutter. She was only a poor old woman who kept a little shop for candy and trimmings, and poor enough itself, heaven knew ; but, said she, he looked a little like what her Tom might be if he had grown up and been neglected, and she couldn’t stand it. She called to him : “ Come here, sonny,” she said ; and the boy came. Before she could speak again he said : “ I didn’t do it. I’ll take my oath on anything I didn't do it. I ain’t so mean.” “ Didn’t do what ?” said the pleasant old woman. “ Break your winder,” said the boy, nodding his head toward a shattered pane. “ Why, I broke that myself, with my shutter last night,’ said the old woman. “ Im not strong enough to lift’em, that’s the fact. I’m getting old.” “ If I’m round here when you shut up, I’ll do it for you,” said the boy. “ I’d just as soon. What was that you wanted me for?”

“ I want to know what you was eat ing that dry crust out of the gutter for?” was the reply. “ Hungry,” said he, “ I’ve tried to get a job all day. I’m going to sleep in an area over there after it gets too dark for a policeman to see, and you can’t have a good night’s sleep without some supper, if it is a little dirty.” “ I’ll give you some that’s cleaner,” said the old woman. “ That will be begging,” said he. “ No,” said she, “you can sweep the shop and the pavement, and put up the shutters for it.” “Very well,” said he. “Thankee then. If I sweep up first I’ll feel better.” Accordingly she brought him a broom, and lie did the work well. After ward he ate his supper with a relish. •That night he slept, not in the area, but under the old woman’s counter. He had told her his story. His name was Dick ; he was twelve years’ old, and his father, whom he had never seen sober, was in prison for life. The antecedents were not elevating, but the boy seemed good. The next morning the old woman,engaged a clerk for a small establishment. The terms were simple—his “ living and a bed under the counter.”

When the neighbors heard of it they were shocked. A street boy, whom no one knew. Did Mrs. Briggs really wish to be murdered in her bed ? But Mrs. Briggs felt quite safe. She had so much time now that she was going to take in sewing. Dick attended to the shop altogether. He kept it in fine order, and increased the business by introducing candles and chewing gum. Pennies came in as they never came in before, since he had painted signs in red and blue ink to the effect that the real old molasses candy was to be got there, and that this was the place for peanuts.

And in the evening, after the shop was shut up, she began to take him into her confidence.

Her great dream was to buy herself into a home for the aged. It would cost her ioo dols. She was saving for it. She had saved three years, and had 15 dols. of it. But it cost so much to live, with tea. 'twenty-five cents a quarter, and loaves so small, and she had been sick, and there was the doctor and Mrs. Jones’ Maria Jane to be paid for minding her and the shop. After this Dick took the greatest in terest in the savings, and the winter months increased them as though he had brought a blessing. One night in spring she took the bag from under the pillow, and counted what it held. It was 30 dols. “ And I’ll begin to make kites to morrow, Mrs. Briggs,” said the boy, “ and you’ll see the custom that it will bring. If a little shaver sees the kites, he’ll spend all he has for ’em, and then he’ll coax his mother for more to buy the stick dates and chewing gum. I know boys.” “ You’re a clever boy yourself,” said the old woman, and patted his hand. It was a plumper hand than it had been when it picked the crusts from the gutter, and he wore clean, whole garments, though they were very coarse. “ How wrong the neighbors were, she said. “ That boy is the comfort of my life.”

So she went to bed with the treasure under her pillow and slept. Far on in the night she awakened. The room was utterly dark, there was not a ray of light—but she heard a step on the floor. “ What is that ?” she cried. There was no answer, but she felt that someone was leaning over her bed, then a hand clasped her throat and held her down, and dragged out the bag of money, and she was released. Half suffocated, she for a moment found herself motionless and bewildered, con scious only of a draught of air from the open door, and some confused noises. Then she sprang to the door and hur ried into the shop. “ Dick ! Dick ” she cried ; “ Dick Dick ! help ! wake up ! I’m robbed!” But there was no answer; the door into the street was wide open, and by the moonlight that poured through it she saw as she peered under the counter that Dick’s bed was empty. The boy was gone. . Gone ! gone I Oh I that was worse to Granny Briggs than even the loss of the money; for she had trusted him and he had deceived her. She had loved him and he had abused her love. The neighbors were right; she was a fool to trust a strange street boy, and had been served rightly when he robbed her. When the dawn had broke the wise neighbors came into Granny’s shop to find her crying and rocking to and fro ; and they told her they had told her so, and she only shook her head. Life had lost its interest for her. Her “ occupation was gone,” but not with her savings. Money was but money, after all; he had come to be the only thing she loved, and Dick had robbed her. It was 10 o’clock. Granny satmban ing by the kitchen hearth. Good

natured Mrs. Jones from the stairs was “ seeing to things” and trying to cheer her, when suddenly there came a rap on the door and a policeman looked in. -

“ Mrs. Briggs?” he said. “ Here she is,” said Mrs. Jones. “ Yes, I’m that wretched critter,” said Mrs. Briggs.

“ Some one wants to see you at headquarters,” said the officer. “ There’s a boy there, and some money.” “ Dick !” cried Mrs Briggs. “ Oh, I can’t bear to look at him.”

But Mrs. Jones had already tied on her bonnet and wrapped her in a shawl, and taken her on her arm. “ The wretch !” she said. “ I’m so glad he’s caught; you’ll get your money back.”

And she led Mrs. Briggs along — poor Mrs. Briggs, who cried all the way, and cared nothing for the money. And soon they were at their destina tion. Then, not before, the policeman turned to the two women.

“ It’s pretty bad,” he said. “ They’ll take him to the hospital in an hour. I suppose you are prepared for that. He’s nearly beaten to death you know.” “ Did you beat him, you cruel wretch ?” said Mrs. Briggs. “ I wouldn’t have had it done for half the money. Let him go with it if it’s any comfort to him.”

“ I beat him !” said the man. “ Well, women have the stupidest heads. AVhy,' if I hadn’t got up when I did, he’d have been dead. Ile held the bag of money tight, and the thief was pummelling him with a loaded stick ; and the pluck he had for a little shaver —I tell you I never saw the like.” “ * You shan’t take Granny’s mon«L from her,’ says he, and fought like© little tiger. If it’s your money,lqjg* lady, he’s given his life for it, for Ill^J “ Oh, Dick ! Dick ! I knew vojywradt good. I must have beenjcrafer to doubt jou.” And then hands and cried q. “ Oh, Diclfe Hr%fst a paltry bit of And so beside the still, pale face upol tie pjffipw,|tad y^»it, And Dick, lie«r sus picions of him,%rn^9ered “ I was so afilld he’d get\ff with it if he killed me, Gran/yVipl you high hopes last nignt.H** He did not know wnat was meant by begging him to forgive her. - |p IBS®”!' have killed him if he had, »or IpPwas very near to deajhf But DioK dpi not die! He got "'Sell at last* 1M came back to thelVyfl shop; though Granny she never went to j&e for long before of the most prosrawus the city, and his hers, and she was very happynn it.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1881.



Special Advertisements. ANOTHER YEAR OF SUCCESS H Ar, Commercial and fancy STATIONERY. THe Undersigned has opened up a NEW ASSORTMENT of the above. Cream, Blue, ahd Hand - made Notepapers; Ruled, Plain, Fancy, and Repp ditto. Good Business Envelopes, No. 7, Court, Albert, Queen, Tinted, Repp, and others. Pens GTlott’s, Mitchell’s, Brandauer and Co.’s Inks—Stephen’s Blue Black, Walkden’s Black and Colored, Antonine, Copying, &c. Workboxes, Albums. Books, &c. 11. M. JONES, STATIONERY AND FANCY GOODS DEPOT, East Street and Baring Square. 710 HE BEST VALUE FOR READY MONEY IS THE MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING MANUFACTURED BY THE NEW ZEALAND ClotMng Factory, - > Which, can be purchased at their Retail Branches, all over New Zealand. A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Thousands of the discerning customers -testify, that .the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Garments are the Very Best Value for Ready Money. Ashburton Branch EAST STREET. WM. SPARROW, 751* Manager. 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 Musical Instruments, etc., etc. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. 0 * JO R MEN ONLY. A SPECIAL SERVICE for men only in St. Stephen’s TO-MORROW, con ducted by the Rev. C. Melville Pym. All men invited. 107 a WASTE PAPER for Sale, 3d. per lb. at the Guardian Office



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 : jngly,f;, ■ I \ All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of , good faith. 1 All advertisements and business letters to be addressed The Manager ; literary - communications should be addressed to Editor.



“ Tin dollars a month is what I got at furst, but as she wanted me to wear a cap and look Frinch I got two dollars to practice the deception.”



Wanted. WANTED— A smart LAD to sell Bakers’ Small Goods. Apply, Office of this Paper. 90a WANTED— TENDERS for PAINT ING House for Mr. R. Lancaster. For specifications, apply to R. Bird, Burnett street. Ola ANTED MARRIED COUPLE, for Maronan, without incumber ances. Man, odd jobs ; woman to cook for men. John Carter, Grove House, WANTED TO SELL Twenty-five SECTIONS, Wakanui Road. Apply to Patching, Tent-maker, East Street. 898 ANTED KNOWN—VALENTINES! —Valentines ! Valentines ! —St Valentines’ Day next Monday. A large assortment of Valentines, to suit every body, at L. F. Andrewbs, East street Tinwald. 82a South. 98a



WANTED MUSIC KNOWN. H. J. WEEKS, Teacher of Music, Tuner, Ac., has room for a few more Pupils for the Pianoforte, Harmonium, Violin, Flute, or Singing. Terms on application. Second hand instruments bought or sold on com mission. Address—Cameron street west. 86a WANTED KNOWN—The Largest and Best Stock of Saddlery is to be found at the shop of S. STEPHENS, Tinwald. Good strong Cart Collars from 135.; Cart Winkers, Bs. 6d.; Plough Back-bands. 6s. cash ; Cart Saddles and Breechens, from 505.; Reaping Machine Polo Straps, 2s. Farmers will make a great saving by buying of S. Stephens, Saddler, Tinwald. VTTANTED KNOWN. Ashburton V\ 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. WANTED KNOWN—That a Church of England minister’s wife writes that she saves Ten Shillings a Fortnight by using Harper Twelvetrees’ 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 Manchester and Tuam streets, Christ church ; Price—£9 10s. 700 WANTED KNOWN. ' SOMERSET LIVERY AND BAIT STABLES. JW. M‘RAE bogs to inform the . public that he has taken the above Stables from "Mr. Bossenberg, and is making extensive repairs. Buggies and saddle horses on hire. Lowest prices and best attention. 852 Meetings. AN adjourned MEETING of the Dramatic Society will be held on MONDAY EVENING, 14th inst., at 8 o’clock. 104 a JJORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. A MEETING of the Committee is con vened at the usual place on TUESDAY EVENING, Feb. 15th, at 8 o’clock. S. E. POYNTZ, 105 a Hon. Sec. 10.G.T.— Unity DEGREE TEMPLE. , Special Meeting of 0 bird Degree Members on THURSDAY, 17th inst;, at 8 o’clock, at the Templar Hall, for ex traordinary business. All Third Degree members invited.— Thomas Williams, D.T. 106 a FUN AND FARCE I



Amusements- J O. O. F., M. U. LOYAL ASHBURTON LODGE, No. 6003. GRAND ANNIVERSARY Concert Of Vocal and Instrumental Music, Dances, and Comic .Sketches, in the TOWN HALL, ASHBURTON, ON MONDAY EVENING, FEB. 28. The Loyal Ashburton Lodge, No. 6003, purpose celebrating their Arimvetsaty with a Concert on the above date, wheU an ex cellent programme will be presented. Doors open at half-past seven ; concert at eight prompt. JOSHUA TUCKER, N.G. 76a R. MINNIS, Secretary. , Partnership Notice.. ISSOLUTION OF PARTNER SHIP. NOTICE is hereby given that the PARTNERSHIP hitherto existing be tween us as DOCTORS has this day been DISSOLVED by mutual consent; and



that for the future each of ua will carry on the practice of his profession at Ash burton and elsewhere, separately. Notice is also given that all debts due to the late firm are hereafter to be paid to Mr. W. H. Zouch, who has been authorised by us to collect same, and whose receipt for same will be a sufficient discharge. Dated this 9th day Of February, 1881. JAMES e. tßEyoia, W. G. ROSS. ! J / WitnMS— ! ' £ ■ XdD. - yj.. Solicitor, Ashburton. * ‘ ' v ' ~ v> 88a



Public Notices. i SHBURTON BORfrUGd^C NOTIFICATION O^tA^U&Tl^ TAKE Valuation Liat for the Borough of Kkshbniton ’ for the Year 1881 is now open, for inspection at the Borough Council's Office, Burnett street. All OBJECTIONS thereto .must be left at the Resident Magistrate s Court on or before the 22nd day of February, addressed to the Assessment Court for the Borough of Ashburton, ahd ja copy of every such objection must be left at the Town Clerk’s office not less than seven days before the next sitting of the said Court. CHARLES BRADDELL, ■ Town Clerk., Borough Council Office, '' 14th January, 1881. 940 RO A D BOAR D. TAKE NOTICE.-The VALUATION LIST of the Wakanui ; Road District, for the year 1881, is now Open for Inspec tion at the Ashburton Road Board Office, Ashburton. All OBJECTIONS thereto must be left at the Road Board Office, Ashburton, on or before,, the |.sth day of February, addressed to/the Assessment Court; and a copy of every such objection must be left at the Road Board Office, Ashburton, not loss - than seven days before the next sitting of the said Court. FOQKS & SON, Surveyors, &c. Jan. 15th, 1881. . ” 89a M OUNT SOMERS ROAD iB^ARD. TAKE NOTICE that the VALUATION LIST for the Mount Somers Road Dis trict for the year 1881 is now open for inspection, at the Road Board Office, Mount Somers. All OBJECTIONS thereto must be left at the Office, on or before February 15th, 1881, addressedto the Assessment Court, and a "dopy of ofay such objection must be left at the Rbad Board Office, Mount Somers, hot losatfian seven days before the sitting of .tbiQ. said Court. 0. J. WENTWORTH COOKSON, Jr* Clerk to the Mount Somers 934 Road Board. * M OUNT HUTT ROAD BOARD. TAKE NOTICE the VALUATION LIST of the Mount Hutt Road District for the year 1881 is now open- for inspec tion at the Mount Hutt Road Board Office, Methven. 411 OBJECTIONS thereto must be left at the Road Board Office, Methven, on or before the 15th day of February, addressed to the Aqsras ment Court; and a copy of objection must be left at the Road Board Office, Methven, not less than seven days before the next sitting of the said Court. W. B. COMPTON, Overseer. Jan. 15th, 1881. f P 53 Grain Season, 1881. WE are prepared to make LIBERAL GASH ADVANCESagainatship menta placed in our hands. We have Brokers of the highest standing 'ill Mark Lane, who will give every attention to Grain consigned through us, and, obtain the extreme price for all shipments Farmers may intrust to our care.: W® have also established Agencies in pcol, Glasgow, Hull, Dublin,iand Antwerp, and we can ship to any of these markets if so required. Our charges we regulated at the lowest rates. / P. CUNNINGBLOT & Coi? mt 13a Christchurch. OTICE TO : F A/R MER S, The undersigned are '! of all descriptions of. GRAIN delivenibat their warehouses in Lyttelton, Timaru, Oatnaru and Ashburton, or at any; other railway station. 1 • P. CUNNINGHAM & CO. 14a Clrii. I irffTtioLi .. [card.] :;j if-3 'fartsi r* Theodore b. 1 jacobben, ■ iv ,t jiv iy\ ARCHITECT. J ■ ■ -■—;■ ,T 0 lit Noteoffide-^' HEREFORD STREET; WSkfT, Christchurch 671