SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON.

Arrived. Yesterday. Weathersfield, ship, from Algoa Bay. Mary King, brigantine, from Kaipara. To-day. Rotomahana, s.s., from Wellington. Wakatipu, as., from Sydney, via Wel lington. Sailed. Yesterday. Oreti, 8.5., for Wellington. Go-Ahead, s.s., for Wellington. ”• To-day. Lt. Baida, 174 tons, for Dunedin. Rotomahana, s.b., for Melbourne, via “Ahe-Sooth-and Hobart.

SHIPPINO TELEGRAMS. Arrived—Cleopatra, from Lyttelton ; e- Klrte McGregor, from Timaru; Hero, from Sydney ; Sybil, from Savage Island. i-r , ; Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived—Malay and G. M. Tucker, { ; barques.ffrom Newcastle. . Sailed —Wanaka, for Picton and Nelson. . . foBT Chalmers, Yesterday. ‘ ■ Arrived—Havlah, barque, from'Mel bourne ; Helena, brigantine, from Ta> •'•mairia. :f ■" Sailed—Pioneer, brigantine, for Ade laide.- ' f.-j; Sydney, Yesterday. Arrived—The Australia, from Auck land.on Saturday. ■ -v ■ - 'LoNjpow, April 9. p' ! Aimkbd,—Nbrth,umberland, 8,8., from i>{ Wellifffg6on. "

MAIL NOTICES.

ChiefPost" Office for the folhnHiprplacekfeubject to the neces -sary alterations) asunder : Websesday, Apkil 13. (for specially addressed correspondence only), Continent..qf Europe, Point de Galle, India, the East, China, Japan, Aden,, Mauritius, Natal, Cape, of Good ‘jSo&Cj fJ>e Mediterranean ■ Ports, and Australian Colonies, &c., per express train (to connect with s. s. Botomahana at Bluff), as, follows:—Ordinary letters, at 7.a.in.j |bpoks and; newspapers at 6 am. ; ' regfeteredlatters at 5 p.m. on Tuesday I2th ; money orders at 4 p.m. on Tuesday 12th. Late lee letters may be posted in the travelling Post-office van attached to the express train on Wednesday, April 13th. The next mail for the United poTfl (via ;San> Francisco) will leave on April 23rdT‘ , f.l ——<-■ ■ , i; Mails : closß at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : - . , Eor Christchurch and North at 5.30a.rn. 40;a.ip., and 6 p.m. * daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &&, at 10 a.m. and 6 p,Jfu daily. JTor Punedin,>Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Cjldstream, Pangitata, Otari, Winchester, and [Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. oi FP r jTemuka, jab 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., daily. Fur Timara and South, at 6 a.m., 10 and4.-20i p. m., daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, 3sOpnt,.Sotuera, and:Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and-Fridays, at 10.30 a m; For Ashton, Water ton and Longbeach, 4.30 p.m. daily. For Wakaniu, Elgin,: Seafield, New landj and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and, Saturdays, at 6 a.m. :

„ Mails arrive; at the Ashburton Post uffice— [ Frqm Christohurch and Rakaia at 10.25 % ! pf*i4.36 p.m,, and 7.50 p.m; . ; i j[opi Oherteey, «&c. at 10.25 a. m. daily. f[ Frqm Duneduvand intermediate places at 6.35 p-m. daily. From Temuka and Timaru at 10.15 a;m. 5.35 p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton, Gorge oP Wednesdays'and Saturdays at 3p. m’. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beadi at 10 a.m. ! daily. From Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, New lanffi and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 4 p.m. ’

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. 2 ■ - Thubsday, April 14 Mr. JL F. Gray, at his Yaads ; Temuka— Sheep, Cattle, Horses, Pigs, Imple ments, &c.; at noon. : SATURDAY, AtKlt 16. Dan Hendersoi and Co. j. at their rooms, : Sitmdera’ Buildings —Usual Weekly Sale ; 12 o’clock,"' MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c. r-fi- To-night, ' Tuesday, Aron. 12. _ Agricultural ahd ; Pastoral Association-. Committee Meeting, at Quill’s Hotel, at 7.30 pim. Horticultural Society, Monthly Meeting, at Jacobson and Eyton’s office, at 8 p’clock. . . Parfula Ashburton Rifle Volunteers, at 7 p. iA* sharp. To-moseow, Wednesday, Aphid 13. Local Industries Association— apper room, Town Hall, at 8 p.m. Presbytenam Church Gift Auction, Town

HalL - : County Oooneil, Special Meeting, at noon. Templar Hall Company —Meeting of Shareholders, Templar Hall, 8 p.m. Thubsday, Aped- 14 M&unt ! Hiitt : Road District Annual Meeting . of. Ratepayers, Road Board Methven,-3 p.m. Meeting of persons interested in forming a Sparrow Club, Quill’s Hotel, 8 p.m. Thubsday, Ajpeil 21. Wakaniii Road BOard—Special Meeting, Road Board Office, Moore street. Wednesday, May 4. CouhtyCouncil, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock. WKtchester School Committee.

TRAVELLERS' GUIDE.

Trains Leave Ashburton rob ChbiSt ohuech and intermediate stations at 6 a.m., 10.30 ' a. m., and (Express) 5,48 p.m., Trains Leave Ashburton tor Teviaru and -South, at 7 a.m., 10.36 a.m. (Ex press), and 4.60 p.m.—the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru. Trains. Arrive at Ashburton from Christchurch at 10 24 a, m. (Express), 4.36pirn., and 7.50 p.m. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from TmAbu and South at 10.15 a.m., 5; 34 p.ntffiExpreaa), and 8.15 p>m.

DEATH.

Reed. —Nov. 17, 1880, on board the s.s. Somersetshire, Sarah Jane, widow of the late Charles Reed, of Westerfield, Ashburton.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1881. A Strange Decision.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 4.35 p.m.]

The decision given at the Police Court this morning in the alleged case of larceny against the man fielding, although at first it only apparently re cognises an old and respected pre cedent of conferring on the prisoner the benefit of the doubt, when any such exists, on further examination, and to our reading thereof, is a strange freak of justice. In fact, we might term Mr Wood’s judgment a piece of justice’s justice. To our view of the proceedings, it entirely negatives itself; for, if the accused was not guilty of the theft, then the property found Op him at the time of his arrest, and which corresponded in all particulars with the sum stolen, was his, and consequently he was entitled thereto on his liberation from custody. If, and as we are led to presume, his Worship considered it proven that the money was the property of the prosecutrix, and by his order, merely refunded the same to her, the prisoner was guilty of theft, and it was the duty of the Bench to enter such conviction even though in leniency he made the accompanying punishment merely nominal. The one portion of the decision is at extreme variance with the other.

Oar Defences. That the defences of our colony in the case of an outbreak of war between England and a foreign power would prove of a very gingerbread character, cannot for a moment be doubted; and that the dependencies of the British Empire would prove the weakest spot, and con sequently most probable to attract at tention at the hands of a belligerent power, is equally certain. With these facts before us, we had thought ere this the matter of home defence would have received greater consideration from the powers that be. As it at pre sent stands, a declaration of war in the directions mentioned, would find New Zealand in a most uncomfortable posi tion. It is all very well in times of peace to play at knocking imaginary gunboats to smithereens, with aged ordnance, as is now the case in Auck land, Wellington, Dunedin, and Lyttel ton, but the inevitable result, in the event of real service, would be an utter and complete failure. The facts pointed out recently by the New Zealand Hetald in connection with the facilities our German cousins would have for appropriating this colony, were war declared between that power and Great Britain, are deserving of more than passing consideration from our legislators. True, this constitution of a German South Pacific Naval Station looks flattering enough at first sight to the ex-capital, but the line should be drawn somewhere, and peaceable-look ing as are both the German men-of-war now in Auckland waters, they would prove ugly customers*were they to show their teeth. The thing is not to heal the dog-bite, but to prevent the animal’s inflicting on one an ugly and lasting wound.

Postal. —Friday next being a holiday, mails per Rotomahana, for Australian colonies, close will at the Bluff on Thurs day, at 8 p.m. Valuation List. —The valuation list for the Upper Ashburton Road District, is now open for inspection at the Road Board office, Westerfield. 1.0.0.F.M.U. —The usual meeting of this Order in Ashburton, will be held in the ante-room of the Templar Hall, on Thursday evening, instead of Friday, the latter day being Good Friday. Bazaar and Gift Auction. —We would draw the attention of our readers to the bazaar and gift auction in aid of the funds of the Presbyterian Church. The bazaar will be open at 10 o clock, in the Town Hall, and the auction will com mence in the same building at 2 o clock. Contempt of Court. —At the Christ church Supreme Court yesterday, Mr Stringer appeared on behalf of Mr W. Martin, Clerk of the Court at Ashburton, to show cause why he should not be fined for delay of depositions in the case of Regina v. James Scott. Mr Stringer read an affidavit from Mr Nugent Wood, R.M., stating that he was unable through press of work to sign the depositions for a week. In allowing the matter to drop, the learned Judge remarked that he might say that he had noticed an im provement in the way the business was carried on lately with regard to tlm Ashburton Court, and he trusted it would continue.

The Rev. Charles Pym. —This gentle man, who is now in Auckland, has_ com menced a series of addresses daily to business men in the New Zealand Insur ance Company’s buildings. Not Quite Correct.— Mr Parris, civil commissioner, contradicts the statement that a contagious disease is prevailing at Parihaka, and says that the statement about sixty deaths is incorrect. Found Dead. —Mr Francis Campbell, an old journalist, well-known in the North Island, was found dead in the Free Lance office at Auckland yesterday even ing. The deceased was formerly of Queens land.

Bankrupt Bridget. —The Star boasts that only one declaration of insolvency was filed in Dunedin during last week, viz., that of Bridget Tohill, of Dunedin, domestic servant, with debts L29s 19s Cd; assets Ll 5. Orange v. Green. —Various Protestant ministers in Auckland have commenced a series of anti-Catholic addresses under the auspices of the Orange institution. Arch deacon Maunsell gave the first on Sunday night, the hall being well filled. Dog Owners Beware.— The Bench, this morning, during the hearing of a case of infringement of the Dog Registra tion Act, intimated that the nominal fines hitherto inflicted in such cases would be discontinued in the future, and more sub stantial penalties enforced. Suicide. —A currier, lately in Messrs Ireland Brothers’ (Auckland) employ, named Chas. Weyenleben, a German, shot himself in the Domain with a revolver. He came from Sydney last October. He was aged forty-five, an I had no relatives in the colony. Prevention Better than Cure. —A member of a Now York club objected to the publication of the list of the meeting nights of the club, “Because,” said he, “if it is published, we married men will have to account for the off-nights. The motion to publish was lost. The Property Tax. —The Property Tax payments up to April 9th are as fol lows :—Auckland, L 36,086 ; Hawke’s Bay, L 15,231; Wellington, L 40,014; Nelson, L 12,000 ; Canterbury, L 60,933 ; Waitaki, L 12,841; Otago, L 53.174; Southland, L 8,695. Total, L 238,974. Civil Servants’ Salaries. —The Wel lington correspondent of a northern con temporary writes:—“The Government will continue to deduct the 10 per cent, until Parliament orders otherwise, but in next session’s Estimates salaries will be reduced and re-arranged, so as to give a reduction of 10 per cent, on the aggregate amount, but there will not be an arbitrary 10 per cent, reduction on all salaries, as there was last year. The reduction will be carefully considered and allocated so as to bring about a fair re-adjustment.” The Trial of Procoffy.— The trial of the man Proffoffy, for the murder of a Maori at Te Aroha, was commenced yesterday, at the Supreme Court, Auck land. On hearing Sergeant Mulyille’s evidence, his Honor remarked that it was a grossly improper thing for police officers to ask prisoner questions of such a charac ter. Witness said he had no experience in such matters. His Honor went on; to

observe that, even had prisoner been pre viously cautioned, the interrogations were of a character quite beyond the province of a police officer to put. Jack itf Office.— The census enu merator at Patea refused to allow people to enter themselves as Freethinkers in the column set apart for the record of religious persuasion. The Dunedin Free Thought Association heard of this, and telegraphed to Wellington to the effect that the enumerator's, action was illegal. This step had the desired effect, and the Patea enumerator was instructed that he was not acting in accordance with law in declining to allow people to describe them selves as “ Freethinkers,” and to abandon the position which he had taken up in the first instance. Larceny from a Letter.— At the Su preme Court, Dunedin, yesterday, Joseph Henry Paget was convicted of stealing money from a letter in the Post office, and was sentenced to three years’ penal servitude. In summing up to the jury, Mr Justice Gillies referred to the fact that the prisoner was debarred by law from giving evidence, and said that no one deplored this more than he did. He thought that it would tend to further the ends of justice if evidence were allowed to be given by prisoners, as it would be the means of punishing men oftener than of relieving them. While, however, the law prevented a man from giving evi dence, it did not stop him from making a statement.

Before Their Constituents. —Messrs Bunny anti Beetham addressed a fairly well attended meeting of their constituents at Carterton, last night. Mr Bunny ad vocated a property and income tax and duties on luxuries only. He would re duce the Education vote LIOO,OOO, and make those who desired to go above the fourth standard pay. He condemned the railway management, and supported Mr Bryce’s action, and said he thought it would have settled the native difficulty in a week. He was adverse to the county system, and thought that a modified form of provincialism .would have to be re sorted to. He advocated a loan of a mil lion for roads and bridges. The country would support the present Government which had the confidence of the country. He supported the Wellington-Foxton rail way. Mr Beetham agreed with Mr Bunny’s remarks on education (except that he would give free education only up to the third standard), Customs duties, railway management &c. , but disagreed with him as to Mr Bryce’s action, as it would have involved a costly war.: He saw no fault in the county system ejxcept want of funds. Next session they \yould find that free trade and protection would crop up, but he would vote for free trade. A vote of thanks was carried. The Night Side of Nature.—Speak ing of the breaking up of one of the dens of infamy which infest Christchurch, the Lyttelton Times this morning says : “ Once more, in the course of the Police Court proceedings, the veil has been lifted, and the community has been forced to look upon one of the more horrible phases of the social evil. Three more young girls, their ages ranging from four teen and a-half to eighteen years, were brought up yesterday morning under the provisions of the Vagrant Act; and the mother of two was included in the charge. In a four-roomed house in George street there was living a man and his wife, two grown-up daughters, two younger children, and a girl of sixteen. The parents were addicted to drink, and—according to the evidence given by the police—they have been living on the proceeds of the prosti tution of their daughters. There was scarcely any furniture in the house, the interior of which had a general appearance of squalor; the younger children slept upon what appeared to be a bundle of filthy rags, and the stench was sickening. Nevertheless, this place was much fre quented, and a witness stated that during Sunday some twenty ‘ larrikins ’ went there, the ages of these visitors ranging from twelve to twenty years. On Satur day night and early on Sunday morning, there were several free fights, and these disturbances led to the arrest of* the occu pants. The father, it appeared, left Christchurch a week ago. The mother, her two daughters, and the other girl, were each sentenced to three months im prisonment. The two younger children, aged ten ahd six years, were sent to the Industrial School at Burnham, there to remain until they attain the age of fifteen years. The Bench, after hearing the sickening story, characterised it as per fectly horrible. The woman was leading her children in a life of prostitution, and their career, judged from the past, would be one of perpetual imprisonment, with death in a ditch. ”

Dangerous Fuel. —ln spite of all said against the much-abused coal fire, it,is,far less to be feared than some of the modern substitutes for it. A sad calamity has overtaken two families in Paris for the use of an American stove in the bed rooms, where a mother, her only daughter, and a friend with whom she was visiting, were suffocated by fumes from the stove. Without good ventilation coke and charcoal are most dangerous fuel. Alleged Incendiarism. With refer ence to the fire at Messrs Ireland’s tannery, Panmore, a telegram received informs us that Detective Jeffery pursued enquiries up to a late hour on Saturday, but returned to Auckland without being able to fix suspicion on any one. The investigation will bo pursued, and pro bably more light will be thrown on the matter when an official inquest is held. The proprietors are of opinion that it was the act of an incendiary. The Stamp Case. against William Michael Downes for tampering with the stamping of deeds at Wellington, the jury returned a verdict of “not guilty.” After having concluded their business, the Grand Jury handed the following presentment to the Judge ; The jury present that the evidence brought before them in the several cases of the Queen versus Downes discloses an utter want of system and great careless ness in connection with the custody of valuable public documents in charge of the Land Transfer and Registry of Deeds Department. Rees v. the “ FrelS Lance. — The Auckland representative of the Press Association advises us regarding this matter as follows :—ln the libel action, W. L. Rees v. the proprietors oj the Free Lance, two separate actions have been raised, one on the civil and one on the criminal side, on two different articles, but these are but the commencement of a general judicial review of a number of articles, which seems likely to give con siderable employment to the gentlemen of the robe, Messrs Hesketh and Tyler have been retained for the defence. Another Jumped-up Town. —No town in Africa (says a contemporary) can boast such rapid growth as Kimberley, the seat ■ of Government in Griqualand West, and the headquarters of the South African ; diamond diggings. Eleven years ago not a hut stood where now 10,000 people, with a trade of over L 2,000,000 a year, i form one of the most thriving communi , ties on the African continent. It is now i discovered that the town is built upon ■ land which promises to be as productive i of diamonds as the neighbouring

“ diggings,” which have been the source of its° wealth, and the very origin of its existence.

The Christchurch Public Library^ — Referring to the first opening on Sunday of the reading-room and reference library at the Christchurch Library, which took place on Sunday, the Press says “ Dur ing the day both parts were patronised by an orderly and quiet crowd of visitors. About forty signed the book of entrance to the reference library beyond those holding the ordinary tickets. Shortly before nine ■ o’clock last i.ight, at which hour the library closed, there were about thirty occupants of the reading-room. The greater number of visitors were there during the afternoon hours, though there was a far sprinkling from 7 to 9 p.m. Catching a “St, Elmo’s Light.”—From

the American press we glean the following narrative by Dr Foord Clarke : —On the night of November 23rd, of last year, a bright globe of light was observed at the mizzen mast of the vessel on which that gentleman was sailing. It was recognised by all on board as a magic light, known as “St. Elmo’s Fire.” A young midship man volunteered to go up aloft and re connoitre the situation. Not coming down, another boy was sent aloft, and brought dow.n middy No. 1 almost stupefied. He had touched the light and burnt his thumb, having received a strong electric shock ; his body became numb and rigid, his eyes were dilated, and his respiration spasmodic and hard. The boy was so dazed that he had to be put to bed,

and a narcotic administered. The magic light disappeared as it came, and did not again appear. X believe this to bo an authentic story.

At the fortnightly sale at Temuka on Thursday next, Mr K. F. Gray will offer for sale a number of sheep, cattle, pigs, horses, and a quantity of implements. It is notified that accounts due to the estate of Quinton Bros, must be paid at once to Mr Giindry. Tenders are invited for the erection of a chimney for Reid and Gray’s workshop. Tenders arc also requested for additions to the Commercial Hotel, to be sent in not later than Saturday next. Mr H. J. Weeks offers Dresden model pianofortes for sale.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[per reuter’s agency.] The Bey Protests. London, April 11. The Bey of Tunis lias formally pro tested against the French violation of his territory, and has appealed to the Powers for protection. Parnell on the Land Bill.

Mr Parnell has written a letter on the subject of the Irish Land Bill, which has been introduced in the House of Commons. He says that the measure is seriously defective and the good derivable from it depends ent'rely upon the firmness of the people in their adherence to the Land League. He denounces the clauses of the Bill providing for the making of grants to facilitate emigration. Greatly Relieved. A bulletin issued this morning reports that Earl Beaconsfield has had a severe attack of spasmodic breathing, but has since been greatly relieved by the same.

Sentenced to Death- Sr. Petersburg, April 11.

Rausakoff, the assassin of the late Czar, and his accomplices have been sentenced to death.

AUSTRALIAN.

[per reuter’s agency.] A Settlement Impossible. Melbourne, April H,

The Conference of Committees from the Legislative Council and the Assembly met again to-day, when a long discussion took place upon the Reform Bill. Mr Berry offered to amend the same, giving a franchise to householders and occupiers at Lio. Sir Charles Sladen, however, stood out for Lio for owners and Lzs for occu piers. The matter was debated for some time, but without any decision being arrived at, and the Conference finally adjourned till to-morrow. It is generally considered that it is im probable that the Conference will arrive at a satisfactory settlement.

NEW ZEALAND.

[PER press association.] Libelling a Lawyer. Auckland, Yesterday. At the Police Court to-day, Mr W. L. Rees, solicitor, Gisborne, formerly M.H.R. for City Bast, commenced a series of criminal prosecutions for libel against J. D. Wickham, of the Free Lance. The defendant asked for an ad journment, which was granted till Thurs day. 1 *

South British Insurance Company.

The half-yearly meeting of the South British Insurance Company was held to day. The report showed the income from fire and marine premiums to be L 65,872 ; from interest and transfer fees, L 5,185 ; total, L 71,057 ; which, added to L 11.971 brought forward from the previous half year, makes a total of L 83,029. The total expenditure has been —Fire and marine losses paid outstanding at close of books, L 32,830 ; re-insurance, L14 : 288 ; agents, commissioners salaries, and rents, L 13,461 ; advertising, printing, and stationery, L 794 ; Underwriters’ Associa tion and Fire Brigades, L 597 ; Govern ment licenses, L 424; making a total of L 62,396, with L 5,000 dividend paid, L 69,396 ; leaving a balance of L 15,633 at credit of profit and loss account, from which the directors recommend the pay ment of a dividend of 10 per cent. Things Dramatic. Wellington, Yesterday.

The theatrical company to support Mr Carden, arrived yesterday, a portion from Auckland and the others by the Wakatipu, from Sydney. They proceed South to-day. Mr De Lias’ Dramatic Company opens here on Saturday next.

Moritzson’s Case. Dunedin, To-day. Moritzson's case is fixed for the 20th inst. Death from Apoplexy. A man named John Mouatt, a laborer, was found dead jin his bed, supposed to be from apoplexy. A Solitary One. There is likely to be only one civil case this session. Sheep Stealing. Joseph Gard was convicted of sheep stealing. Mr Stout moves an arrest of judgment, on the ground of improper ad mission of certain statements.

A MIRACULOUS ESCAPE.

A most miraculous escape from death occurred to a lad named Frank Black, about twelve years of age, a Lyttelton resident now visiting here, this morning. Black was riding a horse into Ashburton, and intended crossing the bridge but was delayed by the approach of the Timaru- Christchurch train. This, however, had hardly c’eared the gate when the man in charge thereof permitted Black to go upon the bridge, and boy-like, he immediately set to race the train. During the past few days portions of the planking of the bridge have been removed for repairing purposes, and it so happened that there was an opening in the centre between the lines of rail some eight feet by four feet. The train being m front of Black covered the opening until he was right upon the brink thereof, when the horse, on dis covering the same, made an effort to jump it, but fell head first through on to the river bed, a fall of some fifteen feet. The horse was killed on the spot, but, strange to say, the boy escaped with a .severe bruising and a few cuts about the face. He was rendered insensible by the force of the fall, but shortly recovered on being removed to the north entrance keeper’s lodge and attended by a medical man. Some men who. were working at the repairs and were standing to one side, state that Black was following the train so closely as to be excluded from their view until at the moment of the horse’s attempting to jump the opening.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

ASHBURTON.— To-Day.

(Before J. N. Wood, Esq., R.M.)

Drunk. —A first offender was fined Is, and ordered to pay cost of cab hire in his removal to the Police Station.

Lunacy. —Peter Kepper, who attempted suicidefat the Old Men’s Home on Satur day, was committed to the Lunatic Asylum, the medical testimony proving him to be of unsound mind. Alleged Petty Larceny.— A man named William Fielding, alias William Thomas was charged with the larceny from Emma Evans of the sura of 10b. The evidence showed that accused visited a brothel on the outskirts of the town on the date of the information, and prosecutrix alleged that he removed 10s from a cup board in her bedroom, and then left the house. This sum of money was found on him at the time of his arrest, his state ment to the arresting constable being that prosecutrix gave this to him in payment of loans made by him to her. Prosecutrix admitted his having lent her money, but denied that she had given him the sum mentioned. The Bench dismissed the case, ordering the 10s found on prisoner to be handed to prosecutrix. Those Dogs Again. —C. Fooks was fined Is and costs on an information of keeping an unregistered dog.

CIVIC CASES. Maxwell v. .Wilson. Claim L 45, damages. Mr O’Reilly for the plaintiff, Mr Branson for the defence. The plain tiff claimed the sum of L 45, damages done to a mare by a kick received from a horse, the defendant’s property. After hearing the evidence, his Worship gave judgment for the sura of Ll 5 and costa.

Sycamore v. Grant. —Claim L2210s 6d, for work and labor done. Mr Branson for the plaintiff, and Mr Crisp for the defence. The plaintiffs case was that, in the latter portion of last year, he executed certain farm work on a farm the property of the defendant as partner with other persons. The defendant swore that the farm was not in his possession throughout the whole of the time covered by the items in plaintiff’s claim. He bad paid the plaintiff the sum of L 25 for work during the time he was in occupation of the farm, Scott had possession at the time the work was done, and it was he, therefore, who was responsible. Left sitting.

SPORTING.

ELLESMERE J.C. MEETING. The following are the acceptances and entries for the District Hurdle Race (Handicap.)— Albion, lOst ; Terry, 9st 101 b; Maori Jane, 9st 71b ; Flying Doe, 9st. Open Hurdle Race (Handicap.)— Shark, list; Raven, 10st 121 b; Wine field, lOst 101 b ; Beertax, lOst 101 b ; Stella, 9st 101 b ; Blue Gum, 9st 71b ; Johnny, 9st 71b ; Mountain Deer, 9st. Maiden Plate ; weight for age.—Lady Helen, Bst 61b ; Paukaki, Bst 61b. Publicans’ Purse ; welter weights for age.—Lady Ellen, lOst 21b ; Paakaki, lOst 21b ; Albion, list 4lb. Ellesmere Cup (Handicap). —Levant, 9st ; Coldstream, 9st; Victim, Bst 71b ; Fair Play,Bat 41b; Fugitive,Bst; Blue Gum, 7st 101 b ; Lady Florence, 7st 71b ; Romeo, 6st 101 b. Farmers’ Plate. — Lady Caledon, 9st 31b ; Albion, 9at 3lb.

THE PICTON MURDER

Inquest on the Deceased-

(By Telegraph.) Blenheim, To-day. The inquest on the body of Ropoma Peni Peni, commenced at Piet on yester day, before Mr J. Allen, Coroner. The principal evidence taken was that of Nihana Pakera, who deponed that he knew deceased and accused. Was at Ro poma’s house on Saturday night. Rawiri and Ropoma were haying words. Did not know what they were wrangling about. Saw Rawiri strike at Ropoma. They then fought, and witness parted them. They had no weapon of any kind in theit'' hands. \Vitness went home at ten o’clock', and did not see any more quarrelling that night. Ropoma was all right when witness went home. After witness had been home some time, he wont outside and .heard a noise. Walked downy and saw Ripoma lying on his back. Witness picked him up in his arms. Deceased was bleeding from his mouth. He did not take any notice of witness when he pickedhim up. His wife ranatwitness._ She tried to strike her husband, but witness pushed her away. Rawiri was doge along side. Witness took Ropoma to his house. He never spoke after. At two o’clock he was so bad that a doctor was sent for. Mary Ropoma saw her husband after he was brought to witness’ house. She dressed him.

John Reenan, a half-caste lad, deponed —Was at Ropoma’s house on Saturday night, Rawiri and Ropoma were fighting outside. When witness saw them, Rawiri struck Ropoma and knocked him down.; He struck him again, in his- side when ho was getting up, and ■ when Ropoma was going to his house, Rapiri hit him on the back. Could not see whether. Ropoma was hurt. Witness; went away for a few minutes and came back, when he saw Ropoma coming up to his wife. Rawiri got up and struck him. This was in the orchard. When Rawiri struck he fell with his head against a stump. He did not get up again.: Witness >. was close to them. Nehana came and lifted Ropoma’s head upon his lap. Did not see Ropoma attempt to strike’ a, blow. Do not know the cause of . the quarrel. On Saturday, the deceased and prisoner appeared,to. be on friendly terms, but they had befn drinking. At this stage the inquest was adjourned till to-day. '

THE PROFESSOR’S

V. EXPERIMENT. {From the New Yotk Sun) j. The red wine of Affenthall has this quality) that one half bottle makes you kind but firm, two makes you talkative and obstinate, and three recklessly Un reasonable. ( . ’ If the waiter at, the Brinz Carl in Heidelberg had possessed a soulabove drink-money, he might have calculated accurately the effect of the six half-bottles of Affertthaler which he fetched to the apartment of the Rev. Df Bellglbry at the 6 o’clock dinner for three. . Tl\at. is to say, he might have deduced' this story in advance by observation of the: fact that of,the six: half-bottlesonewas consumed by Miss Blanch- Bellglory, two went to the Reverend Doctor,; her father, while the remaining moiety fell, to the share of young Strout, remotely of New York, and immediately of Pro fessor Scliwank’s psycho-neurological section in the University. So when in the course of the evening the doctor fell asleep in his chair, and young. Strout took opportunity to : put Miss Blanche a question which he had, already asked her twice, once at Sara toga and once at New York City,; she returned the answer he had heard on two former occasions, but in terms even more firm, while not less kind than before. She declared her un alterable determination to abide by her parent’s wishes. . This was not exactly - pleasing , fq! young Strout. He knew better than anybody else that, while approving him socially and humanly, the doctor ab horred his opinions. ‘No man,’ the doctor had repeatedly said, ‘who denies the objective verity of know ledge derived from intuition or other wise from subjective man who pushes noumena aside to his im petuous pursuit of phenomena cam make a safe husband for my child.’ He said the same thing. again in a great many words, and with much em phasis, after he awoke from his nap, Miss Blanche having discreetly with drawn. ‘ But, ray dear doctor,’ urged Strout, ‘ this is an affair of the heart, not metaphysics; and you leave for Nuremberg to-morrow, and now is my last chance.

* You are an excellent young man in several respects,’ rejoined the doctor. ‘Abjure your gross materialism and Blanche is yours with all my heart. Your antecdents are unexceptionable, but you are intellectually impregnated with the most dangerous heresy of this or any other age. If I should counten ance it by giving you my daughter,- I could never look the Princeton Facullv in the face.’

‘ It appears to me that this concern the Princeton Faculty in the least’, persisted Strout. ‘lt concerns Blanche and me.’ -

Here, then, were three people, two of them young and in love with each other, divided by a question of meta physics, the most abstract and useless question that ever wasted human effort But that same question divided the schools of Europe for centuries and; contributed largely to the list .of martyrs for opinion’s sake. The famous old controversy was now taken up by the six half bottles of Affenthaler, three of them stoutly holding ground against the other three.

‘No argument in the world,’ said the doctor’s two half bottles, ‘can shake my decision, off ■he went to sleep again.

‘No amount of coaxing,’ said Miss Blanche’s half bottle, two hours later in the evening, ‘ can make me act con trary to papa’s wishes. But,’ continued the half bottle in a whisper, ‘ I am sorry he is so stubborn.’

‘ I don’t believe it,’ retorted Strout’s three half bottles. ‘You have no more heart than one of your father’s non-individualized Ideas. You are not real flesh and blood like other women. You are simply Extension, made up of an aggregate of concepts, and assuming to be Entity, and imposing your* unreal existence upon • a poor devil Klee me. You are unreal, I say. A- flaw in logic, an error of the senses, a fallacy in reasoning, a onisplaced promise, and what becomes of you? Puff! Away you go into nil. If it were otherwise you would care for me. What a fool I am to love you ! I might as well love a memory, a thought, a dream, a mathematical formula, a rule ‘

anything else that lacks ob jective existence.’ She said nothing, but the tears came into her eyes. ‘Good-bye, Blanche,’ he continued at the door, pulling his hat over his eyes and not observing the look of pain and bewilderment that clouded her fair, face— * Heaven bless you when your father finally marries you to a Syllogism !’

Strout went whistling from the Prinz Carl Hotel to his rooms in the TWck strasse. He reviewed his parting with Blanche. ‘So much * fhfe better, per haps,’ he sakito hinwelfi' less in life,arid* riMtteP r6Bfe!??6ir’s%li ties.’ By, the clockm ihe place he saw; j was hlafipast riioc j .for the full moon,, hanging above ithe Konigstuhlo, flooded the ? lOwnJand valley with light Up on the side of the hill the gigantic ruin oifthb'old castle stooji 8 bojdfy' but jaiflSrig the trees.

He popped whistling and gritted his teeth,: 'f • • ■■ ‘ ‘ Pshaw F he 'said aloud, * one can’t put off his convictions like ja pair pf uncomfortable boots. After" all, love is nothing more nor. less than-the dis integration .and recombinadoßHbf-'de tain of the* brain nr mattw, the exact laws governing which hayp riot yef been Ascertained/ Sb saying he ran plump, into a portly individual coming down the street: ;, ’ : t ‘ Hallo ! Herr-Strout,’ said the jolly voice of Professor Sehwank. ■ '‘‘ Whither are you going so fast, and what kind of philosophy talk you to the riibon ‘ l am wilking-bff three half bottles of your cursed Affenthaler, which have gone to iriy feef, Hriir Professor, ’ re plied Strout’; arid I ana making-lovb to the moon,' ■ It’S an old affair between US. 9 1; ** - -N J* ‘ Arid you? ‘lbybly. ¥ demanded the fat Prbfcssor, with a chuckle. . ~ ‘ Departsby the mpro;mg;tram 1 , , re plied Strout, gravely. <I j // ‘ Himmelsblitzen !’ exclaimed u the Professor. * And grief has blinded ybu so that you plunge intbiabdofoens of your elders? But come with me.to my robtri arid smoke ybdrsclf ibto ja philosophic frame of. mind,’ -v 7 ’ 1 (To be continued.) ' L '

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1881.



M Wiptranw AGENCY* MORGAN and HIBBS, General Store ■ keepers; ■ Methven, are authorise? agents forthoAsHBUBTON Guabdxah. Subscribe ta will please get their; papers from the' 'Agents; in future. Orders en trusted -to' J tKem will receive prompt attention.^ ' .dsifiiiot; W. BL Z()UCH f o .(i:; Proprietor.



DIAN jBVBBT BTHIDtO *s* CE - O'N E PEN NY. A VVERTISERS toe Reminded that A* GUARDIAN commands r Tße' LARGEST CI3RCC RA TION in tod ■ Suburbs, and the TrifceaWor : advertisements are: very unnWhltl w ot!_) 1 j -



Wanted. WANTED-— A Station COOK, must ’be a good baker. Also, wanted, a double-furrow PLOUGHMAN. Apply immediately to Archibald M'Coll, Ran gata Station. 11th April, 1881. 531 a WANTED— A MAN to dig potatoes. Apply immediately, Office of this Paper. 520 a WANTED— A Station CARPENTER, also a LAD to milk cows. Apply to W. R. Boyle, Moore street. 621 a WANTED —An Active LAD, to sell The Ashburton Guardian on the Ash’ burton-Winslow Line. None but smart Boys need apply. ‘TXT'ANTED SEWING, Dressmaking • » or Plain Work, by a young person of experiencein the business. For address, apply Guardian Office. 495 a WANTED —A Family’s WASHING. Apply, Office of this paper. 178 a



WANTED to PURCHASE—BONES, in any quantities. Apply, Mayo and Hunt, Beach road. 130 a WANTED— TENDERS for ERECT ING a CHIMNEY, for Messrs Reid and Gray’s Workshop. Apply on the ground. 534 a ttt ANTED KNOWN That W HENRY’S PORTRAIT ROOMS, Saunders’ Buildings, East street, Ash burton, are open DAILY, from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. Portraits taken in any weather. Great Reduction in Price. 101 a WANTED KNOWN—That O’Connor’s four-wheeled covered WAG . 60NNETTE runs between Ashburton railway station and Scott’s Tinwald Hotel at intervals every day. 441 a ANTED TO SELL —PIANOS. H. J. WEEKS, Teacher of Music, Tuner, &c., has for sale the following Secondhand Piano fortes : 1 full-sized Brinsmead, £45; Bord, £25; Broadwood, £26 ; also, American Organ, 5 stops, £3O; 1 Church Harmonium 14 stops, £3O, a bargain. Pianofortes of any kind can-be obtained on deferred pay ments. Dresden Model Pianos, £45 and £SO. Address: Cameron street west. 86a



TTTANTED KNOWN. Ashburton VY REGISTRY OFFICE for Male and Female Servants. —L. F. Andbewes begs to inform the public of Ashburton and surrounding districts that he has opened tie above. Male and Female Servants of all classes provided. Em ployers requiring servants, and all persons -with good recommendations, who are in jwant of situations, are requested to apply to L. F. Andkewes, Labor Agent, Book seller, and Stationer, East street, South. -• ' 208 a WANTED KNOWN SOMERSET LIVERY AND BAIT STABLES. JW. M‘RAE begs to inform the , public that he has taken the \bove Stables from Mr, Bossenberg, and is making extensive repairs. : Buggies and saddle horses on hire. Lowest prices and best attention. 852



Special Advertisements. O. Carstens & Co., (Latb Wrston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, Tobacconist, fancy goods, AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes . STailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco A nice assortment of Accordions, Con certinas, Flutes, Violins, Mouth Organs, and Toys of every description, direct from Hornet Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET ASHBURTON, 527a*



George St. Hill, UILDER AND CONTRACTOR, BuRNETTT STREET, ASHBURTON. Plains prepared and Estimates given at the lowest rates. Terms as may be arranged. 490 a



ji H E NEW ZEALAND Clothing Eactory. ASHBURTON BRANCH. THE Daily increasing NEW ZEALAND trade proves the CLOTHING FACTORY excellence of Marufacture



NOTE THE BRANCH ADDRESS- East Street. W. SPARROW, 369a*' ! : " Branch Manager.



Special Advertisements. Encourage local enter- PRISE, & KEEP THE MONEY IN THE PLACE. WANTED—IO,OOO customers to Pur chase 100,000 Envelopes and upwards (just arrived). 1,000, 7s 6d ; 6,000, 6s 9d per 1,000, for Cash. Pianos, Harmoniums, and American Organs for sale on deferred payments, from 30s per month. H. M. JONES, Stationer and Bookseller, East street and Barinv c ~ 365 a UPPER A SHBURTON ROAD DISTRICT. TAKE NOTICE—The VALUATION LIST for the Upper Ashburton Road District is now OPEN FOR INSPEC TION at the Road Board Office Wester field. All objections thereto must be left at the said Office on or before the 15th day of April, addressed to the Assessment Court, and a copy of every such objection must be left at the Road Board Office, Westerfield, not less than seven days before the next sitting of the said Court. ROBT. D. PULLAR, Clerk to Upper Ashburton Road Board.



Q OO D FRIDAY. Friday Next, being Good Friday, there will be NO PUBLICATION of THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN on that day.



Afloat Again. —Thes.s. Napier, which ran Pagrocnd on Friday, was successfully floated at midnight, and proceeded to Kaikoura at noon the following day. Forgery. —The police arrested a man named Fuller in Christchurch on Satur day, charged with forging and uttering a cheque for L 5 on the Colonial Bank. The Australasian Football Team.— Mr Hammorton will probably join the Australasian Football team on their arrival here, as Mr Murray is not able to join. Freethought in Dunedin. —A pro gressive Lyceum or Freethought school holding meetings on each Sunday was in augurated under the auspices of the Dun edin Freethought Association on Sunday last 1



Fodkp Drowsed, —Titr-dwly of the man Black who was reported as missing from a barga in the ApcklandhajJjor, has been recovered. Pili^. —The frequent fogs, and pq-vading dampness sgrely impede the vital functions and conduce to ill health. ■ The remedy for l these disasters Ite m some purifying.. which is competent to grapple, with the mis* chief at-its source/ ! and stamp it out twAont fretting the SferVes or Holloway’s’Pills extract 1 , from 4 the blood noxious mattes, regulate ■ the 1 action of’ every disordered organ, : stlhnilate - the *'liw' ‘aha kidneys, and relax the bowels, - ' In' dttr&g" chest complaints Pills are remarkably thilSntrhJrit Wits wsd ment will ensure ascertain, .steady,.j ; and'&nin'd I re-established.-—Aidvtl



Meetings; 4 XT ORTIC ULTURAL 1 SOCIETY. MONTHLY mf?TirW ! ■above V’U bo held’ at /Megan Jacobson and Eyton’s office THIS (Tuosday)- EVENING, April 12, at 8 p.m. .. 513 a - STEPHEN E. PQYNTZ. Ashburton <& PASTORAL ASSOCIATION. A Meeting of the General Committee will be held at Quill's Hotel THIS;. (Tueat) day) April 12, at 7, 519 a Business Important. GEORGE JAMESON, L _£^Bgrffany # § * ' K' A.KB.A.C. A LODGE of INSTRUOTION'of the : above Chapter will be held •in the Masonic Hall, THIS (Tuesday) EVEN ING; at- 7.30. r



JL f Y J N V I T A T I O N . It is expected that A 3 many :of tthe Masonic Body as can make it convenient will ATTEND the INSTALLATION of . the W.M. and OFFICERS of the SOUTH - RAKAIA LODGE, oh WEDNESDAY EVENING, April 13th, 1881. ’* By order. w.m:, ■ ■' J 527 a Somerset Lodge., . ; i



Local industries associa tion. The MONTHLY MEETING of the above will be held at the upper ■ room of 1 the Town Hall on WEDNESDAY, April : 13th, at 8 p.m., when-important business in connection with New Industries will be brought forward. • All 1 interested, and willing to become members, are invited to attend. Annual subscription only five shillings. , , S. E. POYNTZ, 514 a Secretary. O T I C E. ;■ MEETING of SHABEHOLEBRS of Templar Hall Company. is POS T PONED to WEDNESDAY, the 13th inst. ,atß p.m. . r . G. W. ANDREWS, % 504 a Chairman. 0 TtC B. A MEETING of the Shareholder of the Templar Hall Company will V. held . , in the Templar Hall on WEDNESDAY, the 13th instant at 8 p.m. • , r - ; ‘ Business : To confirm resolution . passed- at the meeting held 2 on March.9th, 1881. GEO. W. ANDREWS, 509 a Chairman.



o. o. F., M. U. Owing to NEXT LODGE NIGHT falling on Good Friday, the usual meeting wilihe held on THURSDAY, 14th April, in the room behind the Tejnplar Hall :: Jj TUCKER? OMA 532 a, XJERSONS int&fcaated' in forming a = I) SPARROW CLUB are invited, to MEET at Quill’s; Hotel, ott THURSDAY, April 14, at B'o’clock p.m. .- 1 503 a ‘JOSEPH HUNT. M QUNT HUTT ROAD BOARD; DISTRICT. j.:.:;'-;. : The ' ANNUAL MEETING of • Rate payers will be held in the Road Board Office, Hethven, on TBURSDAY,.th,e 14th day of April, at 3 o’clock. 515 a. Chairman.