SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Saturday. •‘Spray, schooner, from the Sounds. Spec, schooner, from Picton. Richard and Mary, schooner, from Nelson. Waimate, ship, from London. Onward, schooner, from Timaru. Tui, s.s., from Amuri Bluff. Prosperity, brigantine, from Stewart, Island. Sailed. Saturday. Jannett, ketch, for Pelovus Sound. Clio, schooner, for Waitapu. Forest Queen, ketch, for Wellington. Salamanca, ship, for London. Hero, cutter, for Wellington. Dunedin, schooner, for Dunedin. Aspasia, schooner, for Foxton. Hawea, s.s., for Wellington and Nelson. Westport, s.s., for Wellington. f To-day. Tui, s.s., for Amuri Bluff and Kai koura. ” SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. ■ WeI'tAXOT'ON. Saturday. Sailed— RotomahVma, for Auckland via Coast. Westport, Saturday. —Charles Edward, s. s. Port Chalmers, To-day. Arrived—Alhambra, s.s., from Mel bourne via Hobart and the Bluff.

COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian OfUcS, Monday afternoon. . Mr Harrison reports his weekly sale as follows:.—The horse sale was dull, although entries were numerous. All entries m pigs cleared at satisfactory prices. Milch cows and calves sold fairly Well. Fowls, 2s to 3s Id per pair > ducks, 4s per pair ; Geese 10s per pair (small). Implements are very slow of sale at present. Light carts are already eagerly bought up at anything like a fair reserve. Produce— Potatoes, 5s ; Chick wheat, 2s to 3s per bushel; barley, Is 6d per bushel; crushed T>ata, 2a per bushel; onions, Id per lb ; cheese 4d per lb ; hams and bacon, dull tea, 21s. Sundries, as usual, very heavy. I also disposed of the Caledonian sports privileges, for which the bidding was very spirited. ]The prices realised have already appeared in The Guardian..] The atten dance was very large, and a capital sale concluded. Horse Market—Mr T. Bullock reports for the week ending December 17 th as follows At the usual Weekly sale of horses at the Bazaar, Burnett street, there was an average attendance of farmers and others, and a larger number than usual of horses enteredand more sales effected than for some weeks past, some of the entries being very good. Draughts and hacks fetched high prices. Medium draughts did not sell so well again. There was a more spirited bidding for hacks, and a much better demand, but ■ only two or three were entered, and they ■old better than at previous sales. The entries for the day, on account of various owners, were 33, 16 of which I sold at the following prices, viz. : Good draughts, from L2B to L3O. Medium draughts, L 23 10s, L 22 10s, L2l, L2O, LlB, Ll 6 10s. Light harness horses, Ll2, Ll 4, Ll 6. Hacks, L 8 10s to LlO 10s. Weeds, from L 5. A well-built second-hand gig fetched Ll9los. There is still an inquiry for a few good draught horses suitable for harvest works.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office as follows : For Christchurch and North at 6.30 a. m. 10.30 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertseyßakaia, &c., at 10.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. For Temuka, at 6.30 a.m. and 10 a.m., daily. For Timaru and South, at 6.30 a.m., 10 а. and 4.30 p.m., daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, Ou Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a.m. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, at 4.30 p.m. daily. For Flemington, on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 4.30 p. m. For Wakanui, Elgin, Seafield, New land, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 a.m. 'i Mail* arrive at the Ashburton Post Office— From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.25 am., 4.40 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. From Chertsey, &c. at 10.25 a.m. and 4.40 p.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.35 p.m. daily. From Temuka and Timaru at 10.50 a. m. б. p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.m. daily. From Flemington on Tuesdays, Thurs days, and Saturdays, at 10 a. m. From Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, New and, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 4 p.m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. To-morrow, Tuesday, December 20. Matson, Cox and Co., at the Tinwald Yards—Stock. Saturday, December 24 Mr T. Bullock, at the Bazaar—Horses ; 1.30 p.m. Thursday, January 5. J. T. Ford and Co., at the Tinwald Yards—Farm Stock and Plant. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &o To-morrow, Tuesday, December 20. Musical Festival, Town Hall, 8 p.m Wednesday, December 21. Local Industries Association, Monthly Meeting, Upper Room, Town Hall, 8 p.m. Monday, December 26. Caledonian Society’s Annual Gathering. Monday, January, 2. Winslow Annual Races and Sports ; first event at 11 a. m. Wakanui Annunl Races and Sports. Tuesday, January _3. Ashburton Permanent Building and ln vestment Society, Monthly Meeting, from 6.30 to 8.30 p.m. Wednesday, January 4 County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock. Thursday, January 5. Wakanui Road Board—Monthly Meeting, Road Board Office, Moore street L.O.L.— Monthly Meeting, Templar Hall.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

rsAnra Leave Ashburton for Christ church and intermediate stations at?. 10 H,m,, 11a.m., and (Express) 5.40 p.m. Tbah.B Leave Ashburton for Timaru and South, at 6.50 a. m.. 10.32 a.m. (Express) and 4.45 p. m. —the latter pro ceedingno farther than Timaru. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Christchurch at 10 20 a.m. (Express), 4.35 p.m.. and 7.50 p.m. Tbadis Arrive at Ashburton ihom Tnnim. anp South at 10.45 a.m., 5.28 p,m. (Express), and 8.10 p.m.

TOWN EDITION. [.lssued at 4.30 p. m. j

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1881. Mr Gladstone and the Irish.

The latest accounts from the Home Country tell us that it has been found necessary to furnish Mr Gladstone with an armed escort even when he is merely journeying to or from his own house, in order to protect him from assassination. As the present Premier has never been charged by his enemies with either physical or moral cowardice, it may fairly be assumed that this protection is needed. It is known that threats of deliberate murder have been almost publicly thrown out in Ireland, and quite recently there came to hand the report of a Fenian meeting held in America under the auspices of the in famous scoundrel O’Donovan, called Rossa, at which a decision to perpe trate the crime was decided upon. If it were accomplished the name of Ireland and the Irish would be eternally disgraced by the blackest deed the annals of the country can show, and every enlightened foreigner could only point a finger of scorn and loathing at i a nation calling itself a Christian people sunk so low as to do such a deed. 1 We should be sorry truly to suppose the majority of Irishmen capable of sympathising with such a crime. Never theless it is a melancholy fact that many of them do, and thus, apart from all consideration of the terpitude of the crime in itself, are guilty of the grossest ingratitude to the best benefactor Ireland ever had. Let Irish history be searched through from the earliest time, and it will not be found that there ever was a British statesman who made so strenuous an endeavor over a period of many years to remedy the real wrongs of Ireland. The disestablishment of the Irish Church Establishment, and the just settlement of the long vexed land question, were two reforms of such grandeur that in any other civilised country the author of them would be lauded to the skies in the national poetry, and immortal ised in marble by the national sculptor. Unfortunately Irishmen who themselves know and appreciate what Mr Gladstone has done for their country have not shown anything like befitting independence of the scum of their countrymen, and with few excep tions have allowed the noisy ruffians, who try to pose as patriots at Fenian meetings, to express what seems to many persons the sentiment of the nation, and that is—that Ireland’s greatest benefactor should be deliber ately murdered. Here and there some isolated bishop or priest has taken a firm stand on behalf of public morals, and has denounced the intended crime, but we wish we could say that the Church as such has done so. We be lieve it has the power and influence to control the stormy passions of an igno rant and excited peasantry, and say— “ Hitherto shall thou come, and no further,” if it only chose. But it has not as yet done so. A more complete contradiction than has been furnished lately in the case of the Irish people could scarcely be given to the often repeated fallacy— that the instincts of a people are always in the right direction. The vox popali has lately been demonstratively proved in Ireland to be quite as often the vox Diaboli as the vox Dei. Justice, honor, humanity, disinterested ness, lofty statesmanship, may be appreciated by the masses, but it is quite as likely that they may not be. The reward of popular approbation at any rate is one which no wise public man should look for, but only the approbation of his conscience and his God. It was public opinion that banished Aristides, and made Epami nondas a scavenger, pressed the cup of hemlock to the lips of Socrates, the dagger to De Wilt’s heart, and the crown of thorns to the forehead of One who shall here be nameless. It is in itself a poor motive for any deed worth doing. “ Great,” says an eloquent writer, “as are the achievements o( inferior principles of action, the love of power or the pursuit of glory, the only heroism fitted for the last extremity of circumstance is that of disinterested duty. Others may wisely and firmly use their outward resources to the last, but the Christian hero, when all these are gonp, Las yet to spend himself.” i j:: 0V

To those who have watched with ad miration Mr Gladstone’s career, and particularly his conduct with regard to Ireland, the assassin’s knife—if it murders him—will only convert a hero into a martyr possessed of still larger influence for making followers and disciples. • - -

OuR Christmas Story. Entries for the Christmas prize stories close to-raor row at noon.

Ashburton Library Committee. —Mr John Orr has been appointed a member of the above, vice Mr Jacobson resigned.

Annual Meeting op Ratepayers.— Ihe annual meeting of ratepayers of the Wakanui Road District will be held on Jan sth for the purpose of receiving the annual balance-sheet, and the election of two members.

Journalistic. - Early in January a new weekly paper, to be called the Spirit of the Times, will make its appearance in Dunedin. The new venture will be started by Mr George Griffin, of the Colonial Printers’ Register. The Spirit of the Times is to be devoted to the interests of the working man. It will be an eight page demy folio sheet, and its price 3d. We wish it every success.

Sporting. The handicaps for the horse races at Winslow will be found in another column. The handicappers were —Cup and Hurdle Races, Messrs Stitt, Carter, and Pullar ; Trot, Messrs Pullai and Stitt. Acceptances are due in the hands of the Secretary on or before the 28th inst. A committee meeting takes place On Thursday next. The acceptances fOr the Dunedin Cup also appear else where. An open handicap of 10 sdvs. hds been added to the events at the Methveh meeting.

A Warning. —Diptheria is very pre valent in Hokitika and neighborhood. Four children died in one house at Kaneri lately. The hot dry weather, and the offensive state of the drains, are regarded as the causes.

Assault bya Bookmaker. —W. Weston, a bookmaker, assaulted the editor of the Observer on Saturday at Tattercal’s, Auck land, for publishing strictures on a certain section of southern bookmakers.

County Council. —Mr F. Main waring, clerk to the above, notifies that the offices will be closed from December 24th to January 3rd. Persons wishing to obtain renewals of slaughter-house licenses for 1882 should apply to the Council before Wednesday, January 4th, the Council’s next sitting.

Presbyterian Church. —This Church is undergoing a much needed internal decoration. When finished it should pre sent a nice appearance. Mr J. R. Chap man, painter, of this town, is the magician whose brush is effecting the transformation.

A Pleasant Trip. —ln another column will he found an announcement by the Railway Department with reference to a southern holiday trip to Dunedin, Inver cargill, and the Lakes, including Waimea plains. Full particulars will be found elsewhere.

Another Earthquake. —Between 20 minutes and a half past eight on Saturday night another shock of earthquake was experienced in Ashburton. But earth quakes are getting so common here now that they no longer excite very much attention.

Retiring from Business. —Mr J. Fowler notifies having disposed of his business in Tancred street, and he re quests payment of outstanding accounts due to him.

Installation of Mayor. —The instal lation of Mr Donald Williamson as Mayor of Ashburton takes place on Wednesday next, at the Council Chambers.

Ashburton Sacred Festival. — To night the final rehearsal of the “ Messiah” will take place in the Town Hall. It is to be hoped that all the per formers will be present punctually at eight o’clock, in order that the whole of the chosen choruses, etc., will be thoroughly rehearsed. We hear that a large number of tickets have been disposed of.

Police Items. —At the Police Court this morning, before Mr Robert Alcorn, J.P., four old offenders were charged in turn with drunkenness—viz., Edward Williams, William Fraser, R. Winter, and E. Cameron. The three first were fined 10s each, or in default 24 hours, and the man Cameron got off with a 5s fine, as a con siderable time had elapsed since his last appearance at this Court. A first offender was discharged with a caution. On Satur day last George Digby, alias Tracy, who made his third appearance during the week on the same charge, was brought up for drunkenness and sent up under the new Act for 14 days, with hard labor, without the option of paying a fine.

Gas and Kerosene. —ln this issue the Borough Council invites by advertisement alternative tenders for lighting the streets with gas or kerosene for eight months. It seems absurd to think that we should even contemplate a return to the smoky and inefficient oil lamp when we have a flourishing local gas works. But if our gas company insists on demanding an extravagant rate for its gas, what is to bo done? Why, we must go back to the oil. Surely the Gas Company could afford to make some reduction in its prices to the Council when it is paying a dividend of 8 per cent., and talks about establishing a reserve fund. Mr Bullock caused some laughter the other clay when he said at the annual meeting that they must have a reserve fund, because unforseen circum stances might arise which would render such a fund necessary. They might have the electric light introduced here, for instance. There are things more im probable than that. If we are to use kerosene again the Council will surely never rest until it has rendered itself in dependent of gas.

A Poultry Fancier. —About thre 6 o’clock this morning the Rev. Mr Hands man-servant was awakened by hearing footsteps round the house, and lost no time in jumping out of bed to “learn further particulars” as the n ovapaoers say. Cautiously rccooooicreing he soon dis covered a man busy at work killing the fowls and bagging the same with about as much coolness as if he had had a contract for the work. The servant, after gazing for a moment at the work of destruction, attempted to arrest the thief in the act, but the poultry-fancier being a bigger and stronger man than his antagonist, knocked him down and cleared before the alarm could he given, carrying the illgotten fowls with him. The police are investi gating.

Devil Fish. — A very large devil fish was washed up on the beach near Patiti Point on Saturday. It was first observed by some boys who were bathing inside the reef, and who, to amuse themselves, began poking it with sticks, thinking life was extinct. That such was not the case, however, was soon proved, for one of them happening to place his foot on one of its arms, found himself caught, and had it not been for his companions, who by stoning the brute made it release its hold, he would probably have suffered severely. A man living near Peeress Town heard the screams of the boy and hastened to his assistance, but only arrived in time to see the devil fish being washed out by the tide. This man, who is our informant, says the arms of the fish must have been fully four feet long.— Timaru, JPerafd. J|

A Boy Speculator. —When the new roof was being placed on the old home of President Lincoln* fit Springfield, a young lad purchased the old shingles at five cents a wheelbarrow load. The boy then bought a scroll saw, and has since that time been employing his time in making ornaments from those old shingles. He is now sell ing them at from 50 cents to one dollar a piece. If that boy lives he’ll own a rail road. Nor Lost, but Gone to ’Frisco. — We hear, on good authority, that Captain Evans, who was supposed to have com mitted suicide at sea, is now in command of one of the largest steamers out of ’Frisco. When the Wakatu was searched for him, the ladies’ cabin was missed, and the gallant though too much married captain got safely off to ’Frisco by the out going mail boat. It is now known for a certainty that the tragic suicide never took place. —Manawatu Standard.

Positive Criticism. —lt is related of the late Mr Hope, the wealthy banker of Amsterdam, that he had bought a picture as a Rembrandt for ten thousand dollars. Finding that it did not quite fit the frame, he sent for a carpenter to ease it a little. While watching the operation he remarked how wonderfully the picture was pre served, considering that it was nearly two hundred years old. “ That is impossible ” said the carpenter. “ This wood is ma hogany, and mahogany had not been in troduced at that time.” Mr Hope burned the picture. A Boy’s Hair Turns Gray. —The Henry County (Ga.) Weekly says:—Seve ral days ago Johnny Westhrooke, of this place, a lad of about twelve years, was running some cows across an old field, when he stumbled and came near falling headlong into a deep, uncurbed old well. He was very badly frightened, and on his return to the house related the cirourri stance to his parents, telling them of the scare he had received. A few days after wards it was discovered that his hair had turned from a very dark to an iron gray color, and no cause can be ascertained for it but the result of the severe fright. We have often read of such, but this is the first case of the kind that has ever come to our knowledge. Fiji. —We (Ellesmere Guardian ) have seen a letter from Mr J. G. Scott, late of Leeston, written from Suva., Fiji, by the last mail. The letter gives some interest ing details respecting the island. Mr Scott does not concur in our description of it as one of the sunny isles of the South Pacific. He says that since he has been there it has rained foiir days a week; that the heat is not so intense aS he had been led to believe, but was a most oppressive kind of heat, like a vapour bath. Wages are high, carpenters getting from 16s to LI per day, and shopmen from L 3 to L 4 per week. There are no roads nor paths about Suva, to which place the Govern ment intend to remove from Levuka, the present capital, about the beginning of the year.

Perseverance. —The Chinese have a capital illustration of the power of perse verance. One of their countrymen who had been making strenuous efforts to acquire literary information, discouraged by difficulties, at last gave up his book in despair. As he returned to manual employment he saw a woman rubbing a crow-bar on a stone. On enquiring the reason, she replied that she was in want of a needle, and thought she wonld rub down the crow-bar till she got it small enough. Her patience provoked him to make another trial, and he succeeded in obtaining the rank of one of the first three in the empire. This story may illustrate perseverance very well, but we cannot help thinking that if that crow-bar woman was to try the experiment now-a-days she would secure admission to a lunatic asylum in a remarkably easy manner. She Took Her Sister’s Peace. —Daisy Shoemaker, the pretty daughter of a farmer near Richmond, Va., had agreed to elope with Westland Pierce, but when the critical moment arrived she feared to transgress her parent’s wishes, and would not go to the rendezvous. Her sister Jane, two years her senior, begged her to keep her tryst with her lover, but all in vain. “ Well, if you don’t keep your word with West, I’ll do it for you,” she said, and indignantly leaving her sister, she got into the buggy and dashed oft’, despite the screams of her sister. Miss Jane reached the waiting place ; explanations were made ; and said she was willing to take her sister’s place. The lover, touched by her pluck, and captivated by her determina tion not to let the plan fall through, did actually marry her. Internatonal Exhibition, Christ church. — Those that wish to be repre sented at the International Exhibition to be held in Christchurch in March next, should inform us of their intentions. We have been connected with all the Exhi bitions held in the colonies. At the late Adelaide Exhibition we represented sixty exhibitors, for which we received ten special gold medals, forty-nine first and one second award, three of which were New Zealand firms (D. Strange and J. T. Martin, Invercargill, and T. Bevan, Wellington). Our plan is to represent the exhibitors, transact their busines, fix their exhibits on their space, attend to the judging of exhibits on their space, and anything necessary while the exhibi tion remains open ; at the close pack and send back exhibits or sell them, or duplicates thereof if required. It is very inconvenient for exhibitors to come to the Exhibition to fix their exhi bits, which amounts to an expense, be sides the loss of time which must neces sarily be expended on them. Then, again, the exhibitors have a benefit, they have no trouble of getting space. They let us know how much is required, and wo get it for them, as we have a large amount granted to us. Wo fix the ex hibits on a better space than if they ap plied themselves. Our terms are mode rate. We specially caution the public against giving their exhibits to so-called Exhibition agents, who go the rounds of Exhibitions and run exhibitors into debt and other difficulties. On account of our not being able to give exhibitors the exact amount of our fee, as it is impossible to do so until we know the size of exhibit, they may rely on it being most reason able. The exhibits should be addressed “ Albert S. Manders and Co., Christ church Exhibition.” If exhibitors will kindly send a note stating how much space they require, no further trouble will be necessary.— Albert S. Manders and Co., British and Colonial Manufacturers, Agent. Hcvd office—9l Little Collins street East, Melbourne; and at London— St Paul’s Buildings; Adelaide—67 King William street; Perth, Western Australia; 6 Town Hall. Permanent branch in Christchurch after Ist of February.— Advt.

CABLE NEWS

LATEST FROM EUROPE [per redter’s agency.] The Panama Canal. London, Dec. 16. A dispatch from the United States Secretary of State to Mr Lowell, Minister to London, on the subject of the projected Panama Canal, was pub lished to-day. Mr Blaine dwells in forcible language on the growth of American interests in the Pacific, and draws attention to the solicitude which has been shown by England to control the route to India, via the Suez Canal. He asserts the right of the United States against that of European Powers to control the Isthmus of Panama, and points out that such control would offer the absolute neutrality of she I

canal. The dispatch concludes by stating that the claims of America cancelled everything which might be deemed to forbid her fortifying her right to the control of the projected highway between the Atlantic and Pacific.

A U STRAL I A N. [per reuter’s agency.] Shipping. Sydney, To-day. Arrived—Y esterday afternoon, steam ship Wakatipu, from Wellington. More Small-pox. Two fresh cases of small-pox in Woolloomooloo have been reported to the Health Board. Fatal Railway Accident. Brisbane, To-day. A trolly in which two laborers were asleep was run into by a train near Dalby arid both irien were killed. Cricket. Melbourne, Saturday. The match between the English team and Eleven of Victoria was re sumed to-day. The attendance was large, though the weather was showery during the day, and owing to the rain the wicket was not so lively as yester day. The Victorians continued their first innings, which closed for 251, Edwards 65. The latter then went in for their first innings, and were all disposed of for 146. Bates was caught for 42, Scotton bowled for 28, and Shaw caught for 25. The English merlj being log behind,- followed their innings, and when stumps were drawn for the day, had put together 41 f° r t* l6 loss of two wickets. Selby was caught for 32.

TELEGRAMS.

[per press association.] The First Oases under the Gaming and Lotteries Act. Wellington, To-day. The police authorities have definitely decided to take action against the gentle men who were engaged in sweeps at the Hutt races. The cases will be heard in the coilrae of a day or two. Appeals Against the Recent Elections Three judges of the Supreme Court meet in a few days time to draw dp regu lations under the Elections Petition Act. This step is rendered necessary as it is understood that several petitions in con nection with the recent elections will be presented. Wellington Items. The Chief Justice returned from Nelson this morning. His Excellency the Governor and Lady Gordon and family leave for Lyttelton by the Hinemoa at eight o’clock to-night. They are expected to be absent eight or ten days. Mr and Mrs A. Morey and Elizabeth Stewart were to-day committed for trial on a charge of stealing a watch and the sum of L6l7s fid. A meeting will be held to -night to con sider the advisability of forming a new Gas Company. Admitted to Pratique. Dunedin, To-day. The brigantine Fairlie, from Sydney, was admitted to Pratique yesterday. Oats. The New Zealand Mercantile Company received the following telegram from Mel bourne :—“ Oat market still declining; suspend shipment.”

LATE EUROPEAN NEWS.

j [Per s.s. Alhambra, via the Bluff.] 3, London, Deo. 6. p In connection with the enquiry now L being p; osecuted by the Royal Commission h on the defence of British possessions and commerce abroad, the War Office has it decided to despatch Lieut.-Colonel Croas e man Royal Engineers, to report upon d the best means of providing for the de e fence of colonial harbors. The impor ir tanco of Sydney as a point of defence is r specially recognised in Colonel Crossman’s i- instructions. d In flagrant defiance of Articles 12 and 26 of the Transvaal Convention, the Boers are endeavoring to ruin all English traders s- who remain in the country, by subjecting o them to a species of Boycotting similar to that practised in Ireland, e Two servants employed at Brynkinalt, i- Lord Hill Trevor’s country residence, e Chirk, Denbighshire, have been arrested jr on suspicion of having committed a great n jewel robbery. The family jewels which d have been abstracted are said to be worth e L 40,000. In consequence of recent outrages by slavers the Philomel has been ordered to t blockade the island of Zanzibar, x The Irish National Land League are o endeavoring to perfect their military . organisation. Numbers of their adherents I. are secretly drilled at midnight in various k parts of the country by recognised military chiefs. An attempt has been raide to destroy 0 the Courthouse at Montreal, one of the principal buildings of the city, by the i. explosion of a machine charged with i- dynamite. The outrage is attributed to American Fenians, e The Convention of Irish Americans now t sitting in Chicago have organised a rebel- E 5 lion fund amounting to 250,000d015, to be a expended in assisting the Irish people to . obtain their national independence. An anonymous letter has been received - from one of the accomplices in the out -3 rage committed in the mausoleum attached 1 to Dunech House, Aberdeen, ia which the f writer confessed that he was hired by two t men, who were strangers to him, to steal r the body of the late Earl of Crawford from t the family vault to enable them to learn 3 the art of embalming. The trial of the man Tobin, who was arrested at Middlesborough on Dec I 14 on suspicion of being connected with the Fenian Lodge at Bradford, Yorshire, 1 is now proceeding. The evidence shows i that the Bradford “centre” comprises I 250 Fenians. > It is understood that if it is the wish of the Zulu people that Cetewayo should re i turn to his native country, the British . Government will direct his release, r Another unsuccessful attempt has been • made to blow up the Courthouse, Mon i treal, by means of an infernal machine. In consequence of the great increase of outrages in Ireland, Government are raising a temporary force of 1,000 men who have belonged to the army reserve and who have been constabulary recruits. It is proposed to employ these men in patrolling the most disaffected districts during the night, with the view of afford ing protection to property. A number of officials connected with the Imperial Court have been placed on their trial for having neglected to take proper precautions for the safety of the • late Emperor Alexander 11, who was assassinated at St. Petersburg on March 13 th. Messrs Wigram and Sons, shipowners, Leadenhall street, have entered into con tracts for the construction of three power ful steamers of 4,000 tons each, to be em ployed in the London and Australian trade. Another murder is reported from Ire land. A farmer in Athlone, a town on the borders of the Counties Westmeath and Roscommon, has been brutally mur- j dered, it is supposed, at the instigation of j < I the League. i

A memorial has been presented to the Home Secretary, praying that Her Majesty might be moved to commute the severe sentences of several persona recently Convicted of bribery and corrupt practice# in Connection with the elections at Macclesfield and Sandwich. During the excitement of the election Contests rioting took place in London derry. Antagonistic feeling ran high be tween the opposing parties, and several persons were injured and one man was shot. The police had much difficulty in suppressing the disturbances'.

[For continuation of reading maUersee first page.] .

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN* MONDAY* DECEMBER 19, 1881;



Wanted. WANTED KNOWN—Mas Bender- : son, Dressmaker, Burnett street, i near Catholic Church. Ladies’ Dresses i made from 6s 6d. Apprentices Wanted. WANTED NNOWN—During the i Christmas Season, FRTEDLaNDER BROS, are selling NEW FRUIT, NEW FRUIT, Currants, Sid; Elemes, 7d ; Sultanas, 8d 5 Candied Peel, Is 6d ; Best. Butter, 6d; and General Groceries equally ' cheap for Cash. 318 d TT/ - ANTED KNOWN VV Grow a splendid crop of Turnips, Purchase some of Mayo’s Bonedust. —Address F. Mayo, Hamstead Mills. . 1 266 d ANTED KNOWN. —SPRING AND SUMMER MILLINERY. MISS VERIIALL is now Showing her Fitat Display of Spring Millinery. Co lombo street (opposite Cookham Hou^e.) 827 c WANTED KNOWN—That Robert Elston, Burnett street, Ashburton, having procured the Newest Apparatus, is prepared to SWEEP CHIMNEYS at very low rates. Any orders left at the Town Hall will receive prompt attention. 7800 WANTED KNOWN.— just received a consignment of “ Novelties,” together with new, tare and generally esteemed varieties of Flower Seeds, annual and perennial, ip addition to those cata logued. Those of my customers who have not had their orders for Garibaldi Bulbs, Carnations, &c., will oblige by calling for he same. A very fine stock of bedding out Plants will bo ready in September and October. W. Gimblett, Colombo street, Christchurch. 580 c Special Advertisements. THE undersigned, will be prepared, during the coming season, to supply the following articles at the lowest rates:— REAPERS and BINDERS EXTRAS for DO. BINDING WIRE CORN SACKS TURNIP and RAPE SEEDS PLOUGH SHARES And all kinds o£ Agricultural Imple ments. FREDK. PAVITT, Corn Merchant, &c., Ashburton. Agent for John Anderson, Canterbury Foundry, Christchurch; Geo. Booth and Son's, Importers of Agricultural Imple ments, Christchurch; and Agent for the United Insurance Company. 150 d



The compliments of the SEASON. Heads of Families, and all who nVish to obtain suitable articles for Christmas Presents AND NEW YEAR’S GIFTS Are respectfully invited to inspect the unrivalled assortment of Toys, Fancy Goods, Christmas and New Year’s Cards, etc., just opened up by the undersigned. Also STATIONERY. Plain and Fancy Note Paper and Enve* lopes, Account and Memorandum Books, School Books, etc. An extensive stock to select from. Schools liberally dealt with. H. M. Jones, EAST STREET AND BARING SQUARE. Pianos, Organs, Harmoniums, and all kinds of Musical Instruments on Deferred Payments. A quantity of SHEET MUSIC very cheap. Lowest Prices for Cash. 293 d



jg-IS LORDSHIP’S LARDER. THE ONLY ESTABLISHMENT IN THE WORLD WHERE A GRILLED CHOP OR STEAK, AND A GLASS OF BASS’ ENGLISH ALE, Can be obtained FOR ONE SHILLING. THE BEST MENU TO CHOOSE FROM IN CHRISTCHUBCH. Unequalled Accommodation for Ladies, Dinners, Banquets, Ball Suppers, Wedding Breakfasts, and Picnics pro vided for, in the very best possible style. W. H. MESSENGER, 360 d Purveyor. F. Furness, jmUITERER AND CONFECTIONER Pine Apples Strawberries Cherries Nuts, And all other Fruits in Season. REFRESHMENT ROOMS—Tea and Coffee Always Ready. and Saunders’ Build ings. 363 d NEW ZEALAND LOAN AND MERCANTILE AGENCY COM PANY (LIMITED). AN AGENCY has this day been OPENED at Ashburton, with Mr Walter B. Moss in charge. TEMPORARY OFFICE CORNER OF WEST AND HAVE LOCK STREETS. JOHN COOKE, Manager. Christchurch, October 1, 1881. 782 c John Meech, RACTICAL CABINETMAKER, Jf UPHOLSTERER, &c., BURNETT STRE ET , Opposite the Mail Office. Easy Chairs, Couches, English and American Chairs, Single and Double Iron and Wood Bedsteads. All kinds of Carpeting, Matting, and Oilcloth. A large assortment of Repps and Cretonnes at lowest prices. Suites of Furniture from Ll 3 and upwards. All kinds of furniture re-covered and repaired at the very lowest prices. All work guaranteed and completed at the shortest notice. Furniture exchanged, and highest prices given for second-hand Furniture. Note the address—Cheapest House in Ashburton, opposite Mail Office, Burnett street* 816 c



Special Advertisements. Back from ti±e front.—The tfcafe at .'Parihaka is over; our vo lunteers have proved themselves equal to the occasion, and although Ho fighting was done, they Were the ‘‘ boys” to do it j had it ’been required; a brush with the “ blackfellows ” was what they went for. Nevertheless they did a good deal or hard tramping up hill and doWn dale; and the astonishing fact is that most of them, having been provided with STOUT BOOTS from C. HAWKINS’ uever-to-be excelled Boot and Shoe Warehouse, came back with their “ understandings” nearly as good as when they deft thin go-ahead "ittle township. Try C. Hawkins’ Shop before you go elsewhere. 998 c QPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT. Christinas Story. As a special attraction for Christmas, the Proprietor of the Ashburton Guardian offers a Prize of Three Guineas for the best original Christmas Story, to be written by an author resident, hi the AsnbUrton County, and published in the columns of the Guardian. The story will be published in the columns of this journal, and the Pro prietor reserves to himself all right and privileges connected with its publication. A Committee of gentlemen will adjudge the M. S. S. and make the award, and due hoti'eo of their decision will ap p'cf.V In these columns. CONDITIONS. All competitors for the Prize will be required to comply with the following conditions : (1) The story must be written by a bona fide resident of the Ashblirton County. (2) The fiumber of words employed must not exceed 400 lines. (S) Competitors will be required to write 6n white paper only ; on one side of the paper only, and in a plain legible hand. No member of the staff of this journal will be allowed to compete. (4) All the MSS. must be addressed to the Editor, and may be signed with a non de plume, but the writer’s real name and address most be enclosed, not necessarily fb‘r publication. (5) No award will be made unless more than three stories are submitted. (6) Rejected MSS. cannot be re turned. N.B. All MSS. must be sent in on or before December 20. Any manuscript coming to hand after date will be ineli gible. _ Jj D. MONK’S ORIENTAL BILLIARD AND REFRESHMENT SALOON is NOW OPEN DAILY. Tables by Alcock and Thurston of the highest quality. Carved in solid walnut. Come and see one of the FINEST BILLIARD SALOONS In the Colony. FLEMING’S BUILDINGS, TRIANGLE Next A. Wilson, Tobacconist, 25c Christchurch. IJIHE ACID CURE. F. COUTTS and SONS’ Guaranteed ACETIC ACID is a .safe and sure remedy for Rheuma ism, Neuralgia, Sore Throats, etc. May be obtained from Mackay Bros, Manchester street, South, Christ church, Wholesale and Retail, or from Mr Thomas Collins, Main South Road, Tiraaru. AN AGENT WANTED. FOR ASH BURTON. 734 c rjIHE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, noted throughout the Colony for the best fitting and Genuine Well-made CLOTHING Of Every Description, are the LARGEST PRIZE-TAKERS At the Dunedin Industrial Exhibition having been awarded FIRST ORDER OF MERIT, AND ALSO HIGHLY COMMENDED BY THE INTELLIGENT JURORS. One trial will prove the Superior Quality of all Products. A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Branches at all the principal Towns. HATS, HOSIERY, SHIRTS, BLANKETS, RUGS TWEEDS, At Wholesale Prices. NEW SEASONS GOODS NOW SHOWING. East Street. W. SPARROW, 692 c branch Manager. Christmas Presents AND NEW YEAR’S GIFTS. JUST Received, a Choice Assortment of Christmas and New Year Cards, Dolls, Humming Tops, and Shell Goods in great variety. Letts’ Diaries for I*B2 ; Family Reader (div. 42); Boys’ Standard (new series) ; Latest Novelties in Pipes. F. CLARK, Hairdresser and Tobacconist, Montgomery’s Buildings, 319 d O. Carstens & Co., (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, mOBACCONIST, FANCY GOODS, I AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes .Sfailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco A nice assortment of Accordions, Con certinas, Flutes, Violins, Mouth Organs, and Toys of every description, direct from Home. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET; ASIIbURTON. 257»*



Special Advertisements. QANTERBURY MUSIC DEPOT. ASHBURTON BRANCH. Milner &^hompson Desire to inform the residents of Ash burton and surrounding districts that they have appointed Mr H. M. JONES their sole Agent for this district, and invite inspection of the Instruments, Music, Ac., now displayed in the SHOW ROOM, above Mr Jones’ Shop. PIANOS by all the best makers— JBroadwood, Collard and Collard, Erard, Pleyel, Bord, Challen and Sons, Ascher burg, Lipp and Sohn, Chappell, Ronisch, Beehstoin, Kapp, and other's. Solp Agettfc for John Brinsmead’s Gold Medal Pianos. Specialities Our Dresden Model Pianos, which took First Award of Merit at the Ashburton Exhibition, from £35 to £55. Harmoniums and Organs, from £7 IQs to £SO. Concertinas, Accordians Violins; Flutes, and all other kinds of Brass and Stringed Instruments on hand. Any orders for Books, Music, or Instruments riot in stock here can be supplied from our Christchurch establish ment by first train. The above Instruments can be pur chased on Deferred Payment from 20s per month. Orders for Toning executed by a first-class professional. Pianos on Hire. 770 c AVING ASHBURTON. GIVING UP BUSINESS; EVERETT BRO^. Will on Saturday, December 3, commence A Great clearing sale Of their new and well-selected Stock of GENERAL DRAPERY, And to effect a speedy clearance will, in addition to the already very low prices, offer, as an extra inducement, a DISCOUNT OF TEN PER CENT. The Shop To Let. The Fixtures, Fit tings, &c., For Sale.



Meetings- GOAL INDUSTRIES ASSfiCtA TION. The ADJOURNED MEETING of. the above will he held at the Town Hall; on WEDNESDAY, 21st instant). When „ the establishment of a Woollen Factory willlie discussed, and the offer of a complete plant, at present in Christchurch,'at '» very reduced price will be submitted-) i All Members and intending members are requested to attend. S. E. POYNTZ, 370 d Hon.'See.' QHEESE AND BUTTER FACTORY. The ADJOURNED MEETING of Directors will be held at 7.30 p.m. on the 21st when a full attendance is particularly requested. S. E. POYNTZ. , r 371 d Hon. Sdc. \ SHBURTON SACRED FESTIVAL, ■ “MESSIAH.” The Final Rehearsal will take place THIS EVENING, in the Town BUU> at 8 p.m. A full attendance of performers is requested. W. TOWNSHEND, 377 d ... Hon. Bsc. ROAD DISTRICT. The ANNUAL MEETING of RATE PAYERS will take place at Moffat’s Mill, on JANUARY 6th, 1882. Business— To receive Balance-Sheet, etc. , and to Elect Two Members'in "the'rodiA of Messrs James Brown and David Wilson, who retire by rotation, but are eligible for re-election. A Poll, if required, will be taken mediately after the nomination, and dose at 5 p.m. C. 0. FOOKS, Returning Officer. District Office, Dec. 17th, 188 L 373 d Amusements. SACRED FESTIVAL.. “ Messiah.” For the first time in Ashburton will be given, Handel’s Oratorio “ THE MESSIAH,” At the Town Hail, on TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20. Doors open at 7.30 ; to commence at 8 p.m. Tickets, 2s each, can be obtained from Mr H. M. Jones, or the Hon Secretary (W. Townshend). 222 d Railway Notices. ZEALAND RAILWAYS. (Christchurch Section.) IMPORTANT NOTICE. CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. GRAND SOUTHERN TOUR TO DUNEDIN, INVERCARGILL, AND THE LAKES (Including Waimea Plains). On the 24th DECEMBER Excursion. Tickets will be issued as under:— From MB Ist. 2nd. Ist. 2nd. Ist. 2nd. Christchurch 30s 20s 60s 35s 60s 40s Ashburton... 30s 20s 60s 35s 60s 40s Temuka ... 20s 15s 40a 30s 60s 35s Timaru ... 20s 15s 40s 30s 60s 35s Waimate ... 20s 16s 40s 30s 60s 35a Passengers from Intermediate places must take Ordinary Tickets by one of the Ordinary Trains to nearest of above Sta tions, and there re-book at Excursion Fares, and Join Excursion Train. The Excursion Tickets will be available for Passengers to travel to Dunedin either by 815 a.m. Express on 24th, or by Night Special same day, leaving Christchurch at 8.40 p.m., Ashburton at 11.10 p.m,, Temuka at 12.45 a.m., Timaru at 1.30 a.m., Studholme Junction at 2.35 a m., arriving at Dunedin at 8 a.th. (25th). The Tickets are available for return at any time within 14 days from day of issue (i.e., the return journey must be completed by 9th January, 1882). Passengers for Kingston and Queens town may continue their Journey from' Dunedin 011 Monday, 20th December, by a Special Train which leaves at 6.15 am., arriving in Kingston at 2.25 p.m., where a Steamer will be in readiness to leave for Queenstown; or Passengers for Invercar gill and Kingston desirous of remaining a few days in Dunedin, or at any Station south of Dunedin, and then going forward, may travel by any Ordinary Train. Kingston or Queenstown Passengers have the option of travelling either by Waimea Plains Railway or via Invercar gill, when going or returning. W. M. HANNAY, Traffic Superintendent. Traffic Superintendent’s Office, Dunedin, Deo. 17th, 1881. 378 d



Late Advertisements. THE undersigned having Disposed of his Business, requests that all CLAIMS against him will be sent in on or Before the Ist January, and all AC COUNTS due to the same be PAID on the above date; otherwise will be sued without further notice. Temporary Office Next door to brick buildings, Tancred street. Days of attendance Tuesdays and Saturdays. ANTED KNOWN—Christmas and vv New Year’s Cards—Just arrived, the Best and Newest Assortment ever seen, including Scented Satchets and Fringed Cards.—L. F. Andrbwbs, Book seller and Stationer, East street, South Ashburton. 766 c ■ s umroßWi O it SAL E. Quarter-acre Section, No. 91, Bullock’s Block, East Town Belt. Cheap. Terms . 380 d JOHN FOWLER. easy. W. H. GUNDRY.