SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Comet, ketch, from Foxton. Columbia, schooner, from Tauranga. Saxon, schooner, from Tairoa. To-day Rotorua, s.s., from Port Chalmers. VVanaka, s.s., from Wellington. Grafton, s.s., from Wellington. Sailed. Yesterday. Palace,.barque, for Newcastle. To-day. Wanaka, s.s , for Akaroa and Port Chalmers. Eotorua, s.s., for the North. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. New Plymouth. Yesterday. Sailed—Penguin, s.s., for Nelson and Southern ports. Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived —Hawea, from the South ; Wanaka, from Picton and Nelson ; Graf ton from the West Coast; Endeavor, schooner, from Oamaru. Port Chalmers, Yesterday. A rrrived—Albion, s.s., from the North. Sailed —Florinda, brigantine, for Cape town.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1881.

TOWN EDITION. [ lssued at 5 p.m. 'j

The Native Minister. —Mr Bryce met liis constituents at Wanganui last evening. Owing to pressure on our space in con nection with our report of the Industrial Exhibition, we are compelled to hold over our summary of his remarks. His Excellincy’s Depahture.—After being driven through the town, his Ex cellency left here at 3.15 p.m. for the North.

The Industrial Exhibition. -- This Exhibition was officially opened by his Excellency, Sir A. Gordon, K.G.C.M.G., and Governor of the Colony, to-day. A report of the proceedings appears else where.

Lyttelton Oeriianage.— The inmates in this institution number 09. Of this total 53 are males. Only in Fairness. — Mr Mills’ creditors, at a meeting held yesterday, unanimously resolved to grant him his immediate dis charge. I.O.O.F.—The business transacted by the Grand Lodge yesterday, at its session in Wellington, was of an unimportant character. The officers during the after noon went for a cruise round the harbor, and in the evening were entertained at a banquet. Rain Wanted. —Raiu is badly needed in Wellington. There is only twenty-five feet of water in the reservoir. Fire in Christchurch.- A house situ ated in Harvey street was destroyed by fire last evening. The owner, Mr Purdic, is insured to the extent of Ll5O, but the occupant, a Mr Le Yoi, is a considerable loser thereby. Chess in Geraldine. —The Geraldine Chess Club have opened their 1881 season, and propose holding a handicap tournay and matches with Timaru, Ternuka, Wai mate, and Ashburton during same if practicable. Sunntside. —The Wellington corres pondent of the Press states that it is not intended to appoint a Commission in reference to the petition regarding the conduct of the Christchurch Asylum, as the complaints refer to past matters, and affect only Mr Seager, who is now absent from the colony on leave. The inquiry could not fairly be held during his absence, and no complaints are made as to the present management of the Asylum. The Wellington Asylum Enquiry.— At a meeting of the Executive Council held in Dunedin last night, it was decided to extend the time of the Wellington Asylumn Commission until April 19th.

Oamaku Volunteer Review. The project of a volunteer review at Oamaru is now almost a certainty. The pre liminaries are nearly complete.

Stranding of the Waitaba. —At the oflicial enquiry into the cause of this causalty held yesterday, the com missioners decided that no blame was attached to the officers in charge of the ship.

The Absconding Road Board Clerk. —Regarding the item published by us a few days ago to the effect that Mr Barnett, clerk to the Levels Road Board, had left suddenly for San Francisco, it has since been ascertained by an audit of his accounts by Mr Ollivier, Government auditor, that these are perfectly correct, and no deficiency exists therein.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

{Per Reuter's Agency.) Monetary and Commercial. London, March 21. Consols have declined and are now again quoted at par. New Zea land securities remain at last quotations, viz:—Five per cent. 10-40 Loan, 102 y? ; five per cent. 1889 loan nojZ ; four and a half pei cent. 1879-1904 loan. 97Q. Adelaide wheat, ex ware house, has further advanced is per quarter, and is now quoted at 51s. Adelaide flour remains at 345, ex ware house, and New Zealand wheat, ex ship, at 465. Australian tallow —best beef, 33s ; best mutton, 365. The Wool Sales- At the wool sales to-day 9,300 bales were offered. The tone of the auctions showed a hardening tendency. On a Visit. March 22, Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales started to-day on a visit to St. Petersburg!!. The Boer Difficulty.

In the House of Commons to-day, the Premier was questioned as to the state of the negotiations for peace in the Transvaal. In reply he announced that information had reached the Go vernment that the Boers have accepted the conditions of peace which were submitted to them by Sir Evelyn Wood. Under the same the Boers will recognise the sovereignity of the Queen, but will enjoy complete auto nomy, British Residents being, how ever, located in their capital. Mr Gladstone further informed the House that the Royal Commission of enquiry would arrange the native frontier ques tions, and would also consider whether the Transvaal should lose territory to the eastward. He concluded by stating that the Boers would disperse their forces forthwith, but the British garri sons would remain in l&eiy present positions until a complete settlement had been effected, and in the meaiv time the troops would be stationary. Capetown, March 21. It is announced that Sir Hercules Robinson will be one of the members of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the demands of the Transvaal Boers,

Telegrams are to hand to-day from Natal reporting that the armistice be tween theßoers and the British jtroops, which expires to day, is to be prolonged for another fortnight. The requirement of the conditions of peace that the Boers should surrender their arms, is the sole difficulty in the way of a complete understanding for

the cessation of hostilities being arrived at. Troops for Candahar. Calcutta, March 22. Intelligence has been received to-day from Cabul that the Ameer Abdul Rahman has, despatched a large body of troops to Candahar. The movement is believed to be a measure of precau tion against any action on the part of Ayoub Khan.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Per Reuters Agency.) Exhibition Awards. Melbourne, Yesterday. The following additional Exhibition awards (for liqueurs) were announced to-day :—First order of merit—W. Lane and Co., Dunedin, for curacoa; J. D. Feraud, Clyde, for peppermint ; J. D. Feraud, Clyde, and Thomson and Co., Dunedin, for raspberry ; J. D. Feraud, Clyde, and W. J. Moffett, Invercargill, for cloves; Thomson and Co., Dun edin, for ginger wine ; IV. J. Moffett, Invercargill, for ginger brandy. Second order of merit—J. Gomery, Bulls, Rangi tikei, W, Lane and Co., Dunedin, W. J. Moffett, Invercargill, and Thomson and Co., Dunedin, for raspberry syrup ; J. D. Feraud, Clyde, for clover; W. Lane and Co., Dunedin, for maras chino ; J. D. Feraud, Clyde, for ani setta and for ginger wine ; \V. Lane and Co., Dunedin, and W. J. Moffett, In vercargill, for ginger wine; W. J. Moffett, Invercargill, and Thomson and Co., Dunedin, for cherry brandy ; W. Lane and Co. and Thomson and Co,, Dunedin, and W. J. Moffett, Invercar gill, for bitters. Shutting out Johnny. The Age to-day states that the Go vernment intend to support a Bill which will shortly be introduced in Parliament to exclude Chinese from voting at elections. The New Ireland Settlement. Sydney, March 23. The steamer City of Melbourne has arrived here from Noumea, and reports that the steamer India has arrived from New Ireland with 300 of the Marquis Dc Rays’ immigrants. Their pro visions and water were exhausted, and seven had died on the passage, and four after arrival at Noumea. They report that the colony at New Ireland is virtually abandoned. The immi grants of the India refuse to land at Noumea, fearing fresh deception, and demand conveyance to Barcelona. They are entirely dependent for the common necessaries of life on the benevolence of the New Caledonian authorities. The Reform Bill. "Melbourne, To-day.

In the Legislative Assembly last night the Reform Bill was read a third time on a division of 48 to 27, an amendment moved by Mr Gaunson that the Legislative Council should be elected in 1883 was previously accepted by the House, but the motion by Sir Bryan O’Lauchlin to refer the Bill to a Select Committee, was ruled out of order.

NEW ZEALAND

(jPer Press Association.) Out of Session. Wanganui, To-day. Mr Bryce spoke for over two hours last night, and was patiently listened to. A vote of thanks and confidence was moved by Mr Somerville, Chairman of the County Council, and seconded by Mr Sharp. Mr George Hutchison, speaking to the motion, warmly attacked Govern ment over their land policy, and said the future would prove their grave. He supported the motion, but moved a reso lution that the action of the Government did not entitle them to his confidence. The motion was put and carried un animously. Fire. Wellington, To-day. Information has reached town that Faber’s Club Hotel, Featherston, is on fire and still burning. The insurances on stock and buildings amount to L 3,000, in the following offices :—National, United, Colonial, Union, South British, and Standard, but the individual amounts are not at present known. Later. The fire at the Club Hotel, Featherston, has burned out, not, however, before it destroyed a corner block across the street, It also caught Toogood’s store, O’Neill’s painter’s shop and out-buildings, which were all destroyed, the total damage amounting to about LB,OOO. The origin of the fire is supposed to be a faulty chimney in the Club Hotel. Sir A Gordon at Timaru. Ti-'fAKU, To-day.

The Governor reached Timaru shortly before midnight last evening. The Mayor and Councillors were asleep, and Sip Arthur had a military reception this morning. He laid the foundation stone of the new Mechanic’s Institute. Ad dresses were presented from the Borough Council, and Institute Committee. His Excellency afterwards drove over the town, visited the breakwater, and then resumed his journey north by rail.

ASHBURTON INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

President: E. G. Wright, Esq. M.H.R. ; Vice-President : H. Fried lander, Esq., J. P. Committee : Messrs J. C. Wilson, F. Pavitt, F. B. Passmore, C. Hardy, A. M‘Farlnne, A. E. Peache, St. G. Douglas, Bullock, C. P. Cox, T. R. Hoddor, C. Braddell, F. Mayo, G. Jame son, A. Harrison, H. Zander, R. W. Shearman, H. C. Jacobson, and D. Williamson, ; Treasurer : Mr 11. Eyton ; Secretary ; Mr. S. E. Poyntz. Arrival of the Governor. The train conveying his Excellency and suite arrived at Ashburton, amid hearty cheering, about S minutes to i o’clock. Innnendiately on arrival, his Excellency alighted, and was met at the triumphal arch by the members of the Borough and County Councils, In dustrial Exhibition Committee, the Caledonian Society, the two former and the latter reading addresses of welcome. The Ashburton Rifle corps acted as a guard of honor, and were drawn up frosi the train to the arch, some mem bers of fhe (Caledonian Society, and the police, and die Fife Brigade forming a passage up to tire H.ajl His Excel lency was accompanied by wig Hon. the Premier, Lieutenant Colonel Packe, Captain Knoliy, Aid-de-Camp, apd Captain Dundas, C.Y.C. The Mayor then stepped forward and welcomed his Excellency as follows :—lt is with the highest degree of pleasure that, as Mayor of the Borough of Ashburton, I welcome you to-day, The colonists of New Zaland bear a loyal love to her Majesty th§ Queen, and rejoice in having an op.- portunity to welcome amongst them a

distinguished representative of the Crown like yourself. The best proof of our loyalty that we believe we can •. give, is to diligently labor for the ad- i vancement of the land of our adoption, ' so that it may take a high place among the Colonies of the great Empire which own our Sovereign Lady as their Queen, and help to maintain her position among the nations of the earth. That position is the premier one, and it has been achieved!by the sterling qualities which characterise a people prosperous in times of peace and noble in times of war. In our time of peace we are striving to build up for our Sovereign and ourselves, as her people, a Colony that shall be the abode of prosperity and plenty. To do this, our agricultural position shows that we have taken an important and successful step. But as man cannot live by land alone, neither can a Colony so isolated as ours make itself the future home for a dense population by only one industry. The Colony is now striving to inaugurate and establish many industries, so that her well known resources may be ascer tained more fully and developed, with a view of benefitting the people en gaged in them. The Town and County of Ashburton desire to join in the industrial effort now being made by the Colony, and I have to thank you on be half of my fellow townsmen for the great honor you have done us to-day, to grace with your presence and presi dency the opening of our first exhibi tion of art and industry. By your presence here to-day you countenance and encourage the colonists of this district in their determination to cul tivate such industries as it is capable of maintaining, and for such kindness let us return to you our sincere thanks. I have the honor to present your Excellency with an address of welcome from the Borough of Ashburton, which is expressive of the welcome they give you, and of the appreciation of the high honor you have done them in kindly consenting to open the Ashbur ton Industrial Exhibition. (Cheers). The Town Clerk then read the following address Ashburton, March 24th ( 1881.—To his Excellency the Hon. Arthur Hamilton Gordon, G.C.M.G., her Majesty’s High Commissioner for the Western Pacific Government, and Commander-in-Chicf in and over her Majesty’s Colony of New Zealand, and also its dependencies,*and • Yice-Admiral of the same

May it please your Excellency,—We, the Mayor and Councillors of the Borough of Ashburton, desire to tender to your Excellency, on behalf of ourselves and our follow-townsmen, our heartiest wel come on the occasion of what is to us and to this district an important visit. Your Excellency, in coming to Ashburton to day, has been pleased to confer upon us a high favor, and we desire to express to your Excellency our warm gratitude for your Excellency’s kindness. We trust that your visit to this borough will im press your Excellency favorably with the progress made by the settlers in a district only five years settled, and more than fifty miles from a sea port ; and that your Excellency will recognise in their endeavor to encourage industries, a desire on the part of settlers to still further advance the mission of colonisation they have under taken. Such an endeavor on the part of her Majesty’s subjects in this district your Excellency has been pleased to in augurate this clay in the Industrial Exhi bition you are now to open, and your Excellency’s presence on this occasion is to ns a source of the deepest gratification. We feel assured, from your Excellency’s past history as a representative of her Majesty, that your administration will be characterised by increasing efforts to ad vance the progress of the Colony in every direction and to add to its well-being, and we are confident that when, on a future occasion, your Excellency may be pleased to visit us, the Colony will have fully emerged from the temporary commercial depression under which every part of the world has recently suffered. We trust that tlie term of your Excellency’s ad ministration will be fraught with blessing to yourself and to the subjects of her Majesty in the Colony, and, while we assure your Excellency of the continued loyalty of the people of this borough to our Sovereign Lady, we trust that happi ness, health, and a brilliant career may characterise your life, which it is our wish may be long and pleasant, and we beg to subscribe ourselves, — Your obedient servants,

Mayor— Hugo Fkiedlander. ( Donald Williamson. 1 G. M. Robinson. | Rudolph Fribdlander, Councilllors'l W. G. St. Hill. I Alfred Harrison. j George Parkin. I T. Bullock.

C. Bkaddbll, Town Clerk. His Excellency replied—

Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen, —I am grateful to you for the cordiality of your welcome, and thank you sincerely for the kind wishes, with reference to my self, which your address contains. The progress which has been made here, during the Inst five years, is indeed remarkable, and it affords me much pleasure that the last place I shall visit on my present tour is one, the aspect of which testifies so strongly, not only to the resources of the colony, but to the energy apcl determination of its people. The Chairman of the County Coun cil read the following address ■ — To his Excellency the Honorable Arthur Hamilton Gordon, Kinght Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, her Majesty’s High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, Governor and Commander-in- Chief in and over her Majesty’s Colony of New Zealand and its dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same :--Mayit please your Excellency—On behalf of the in habitants of the Ashburton County Coun cil, we bog most cordially to welcome your Excellency, on your first visit to this portion of the Colony. Wo desire to con voy to your Excellency, as her Majesty's representative, the assurance that the in habitants of this County are animated with the deepest loyalty to her most Gracious Majesty. We feel sensible that in your Excellency the Colony possesses a Go vernor whose past career affords every pro spect that the office which your Excel lency holds will bo maintained for the true benefit of the Colony, and all classes of her Majesty’s subjects. We venture on behalf of the inhabitants of this County most respectfully to thank your Excel lency for being pleased to honor with your presence the opening ceremony of the Ashburton Industrial Exhibition, and wo trust that the practical lessons in pro ductive economy taught in to-day’s Ex hibition, will result in material advance ment towards greater independence of precarious markets. That your Excel lency’s tenure pf office may bo gratifying to yourself and satisfactory tp the Colony, and that your Excellency U)ay, during that time, witness the great advance of the Colony in all that constitutes pros perity, is the most fervent wish of this Council. Signed on behalf of the coun cillors and inhabitants of the County of Ashburton, tfiis 24th day of March, 1881. W. (tX Wajukeßj fihajrm^n. f. Majnwakj.no, Olprjf,'

His Excellency replied—

Gentlemen, —I thank you for your address, and receive with much satisfac tion your assurance of loyalty to the Crown, and devotion to the person of the Sovereign. It has afforded me much satisfaction to be able to be pre sent with you to-day on so interesting an occasion as the opening of your Industrial Exhibition, and I share your hopes that the interests of this fine dis trict may be essentially promoted by the display of its resources.

The Vice-President of the Caledonian Society read the following address :—| The Ashburton Caledonian Society hail with joy the appointment by their be loved Queen of a scion of the noble house of Gordon to be Governor of New Zea land, and the Society has unfeigned pleasure in according to your Excellency a Highland welcome as her Majesty’s re presentative and as a fellow-countryman. Descended from an illustrious family, noted for their wisdom in council and their bravery in the field, with hereditary attainments carefully cultivated, and with a long and varied experience as Governor over different races, we feel, in the pre sent state of matters in this colony, that her Majesty’s choice has been an emi nently wise one, and certain to impart a feeling of confidence and security through out the country. Your Excellency is aware that the relationship between the two races inhabiting these islands has not been and i» not in a satisfactory state. That the natives .are brave and intelligent is without doubt, and they are extremely jealous of their rights and independence ; and justly so, we think. That their rights have been fully considered is open to question. A descendant of a proud and warlike race, your Excellency will naturally bo the more able to understand the feelings of the Maoris, and by your counsel and advice the difficulties that prevent a thorough and cordial under standing between the two races will, we hope, he swept away ; and instead of a legacy to our successors of bitter hatred and deadly feud, a feeling of friendship, amity, and a co-relation of interests shall join the two people as one, obeying the same laws and respecting the con stituted authorities of the land. Such a result we think worthy of the ambition of the highest intellect. That your Ex cellency may be spared to accompish such an object is the earnest desire of the Ashburton Caledonian Society. Signed on behalf of the Society by F. Macbean Stewart, Vice-President.

His Excellency said he thanked the members of the Caledonian Society most cordially for the warmth of their address to him. It would ill become him did he, after the receipt of such, reply thereto in the formal and measured tones of an official reply. He thanked them for their expressions of loyalty to the Crown, but those were sentiments which he found were shared by the whole of the population, and their respect to her Majesty was proven in every part of the Colony. He had also to thank them for their more personal wishes and remarks as effecting himself. It was reported of Lord Dufferin, Governor-General of Canada, that when leaving that country he said he had only one fault to find with his successor, and that was that he was not an Irishman. (Laughter.) He could quite understand the feelings experienced by Lord Dufferin, and was aware that kindred and country ties in the breasts of Irishmen were strong, and that the possession of similar sympathies on the part of their rulers endeared them to the people. Nevertheless, he hoped that, because he belonged to the north of the Tweed, the respect would not be the less.

They had done him the honor to allude to the great house to which he belonged, and he believed that his desire to do his duty as a member thereof would prove a great incentive in the guidance of his actions, and he attributed all his success in life up to the, present to his having followed the guidance of his father. He regarded self-government as the privilege of the people, and not a boon. It was the r people’s right. He should make it a point to follow the guidance of his Ministerial advisers in native and other matters, more especially the former, only so long as they had the confidence of the people. The conclusion of his Excellency’s remarks was the signal for prolonged cheering.

The Opening Ceremony. As the Governor entered the Exhibi tion Building the National Anthem was performed by four ladies—viz., Mrs Wood, Miss Kidd, and Miss Pavitt at the pianos, and Miss Hodder at the organ; Mr H. J. Weeks, conductor. The effect, as may be imagined, was excellent, from the capital tone which the instruments produced, and the ex cellent time and expression, was indeed very flattering to these performers. The toning of the instruments and the arrangement of the music was left ip the hands of Mr Weeks. His Excel lency then went round and examined the various exhibits, after which the following address was read by Mr Wright, M-H.R., President, who was acconppanied op tire stage by His Ex cellency, and suite. IVjir E. Wakefield, M.H.R., Commissioner appointed by the Government, thg Mon. Colonel Brett, Colonel Paeke, and members of the Exhibition Committee,

After a few minutes, the ladies were admitted to the gallery, but the crush added, with the great heat, made it any thing but pleasant for them. Some discomfort was also felt by some visi tors who held opening tickets, as they had to stand out in the broiling sun, and were not allowed to enter for some time—the Committee thinking that there would not be sufficient room in the Hall.

The following address was read ; To His Excellency the Honorable Arthur Hamilton Gordon, Knight Grand Cross of the most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Her Majesty’s High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, Governor and Commander-in- Chief in and over Her Majesty’s Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same. Your Ex cellency—The members of the Ashburton Local Industries Association desire to thank you for your kindness in consenting to preside at the opening of their first Ex hibition . This collection of works of art, manufactures, and raw produce is the result of the labours of a few zealous gentlemen, who desired to bring under the notice of the public some tokens of the valuable resourses and capabilities of this district. They were incited thereto by a keen sense of the importance of developing, in this colony, as many othet fields of employment as possible, in addi tion to the agricultural, pastoral, and mining industries, both as a means of con tributing to the natural prosperity,. and also as a means of furnishing congenial employment to those who, from any cause

whatever, may fail to find profitable occupation in mining or agriculture, or other kindred works requiring great physical endurance. Your Excellency will he pleased to learn that the invitation for exhibits has been so heartily responded to, that there are upwards of five hundred entries. The exhibits of purely local pro duction, though not very numerous on this occasion, are nevertheless important, including as they do, grain, of which this county exported last year upwards of 50,000 tons of the value of L 350,000 ster ling. The wool grown in the county may be estimated at an annual value of LIIO,OOO, and it is anticipated that within the next twelve months active measures will be taken to establish a manufactory for the production of beet-root sugar. En quiries are being prosecuted with that object, and the importance of the industry has been forcibly represented by Sir Julius Vogel in his despatches to the Govern ment. Samples of the sugar-beet have been grown in the neighbourhood, and both soil and climate are favorable to its production in large quantities. The modest anticipations of the promoters has been more than realised, and the public interest manifested in the work appealed such as to warrant the Commit tee in seeking Your Excellency’s support to a movement which, it is hoped, will conduce somewhat to the prosperity and happiness of Her Majesty’s subjects in these {.arts. We hope that Your Excel lency’s sojourn in New Zealand may be a source of happiness to yourself, and marked by a large development of those resources with which this colony is so bountifully endowed. We have the honor to be Your Excellency’s most obedient servants, The Committee. His Excellency said—

Gentlemen —I thank you for your address, and for your kindly welcome. It has afforded much satisfaction to conclude my present tour by formally opening this interesting Exhibition. The display of products exhibited, speaks highly for the zeal and perser verance of those by whom it has been promoted, as well as for the value of the resources, the existence of which it manifests. lam gratified to learn that your efforts have been justly appre ciated by the public, as they certainly are by myself; and I trust that your hopes as to the advantage to be derived from them may be more than fully realised. At.the request of Mr Wright, M.H. R., his Excellency then declared the Ex hibition open to the public, and the proceedings terminated with the sing ing of the National Anthem by the public assembled. The musical selections during the afernoon were given by Mrs Wood and the Misses Hodder, Kidd, Pavitt, and L. Fookes, and they must be con gratulated on their rendering of some reallly excellent music. We must not forget to mention that the triumphal arch is a most elaborate one, and Mr St. Hill deserves the highest praise for his artistic design and the excellent way in which it was decorated with flags and evergreens. The Luncheon. His Excellency was subsequently enter tained at luncheon, the necessary arrange ments having been prepared in a marquee adjoining the Exhibition building, and carried out in a very satisfactory manner by host Shearman of the Somerset Hotel. About sixty other gentlemen were pre sent, his Excellency being supported on the light by E. G. Wright, Esq., M.H.R., and on the left by E. Wakefield, Esq., M.H.R. Refreshment having been partaken off, Mr Wright proposed the health of the Queen, and followed this by proposing that of the Prince of Wales and the Royal Family. He referred to the Irish land troubles, Nihilistic, and Socialistic disturb ances now prevailing in Europe, and said it behoved the crowned heads of the world to look well to their seats. He trusted the Prince of Wales on his succession to the throne of England which Heaven grant might be far distant —would follow the example set him by Her Majesty! (Applause). Mr Wright then said that, as the time at the disposal of their guest was brief, it devolved upon him to propose his health. He thought he should not be incorrect in calling them members of the working community, and he was certain they would all appreciate the industry which their visitor had displayed in mak ing himself acquainted with the agricul tural and other districts in the Colony over which he had been appointed Governor. They were well aware that in no other way could he have arrived at any estimate of the amount of work which had been done, he might say, by a handful of settlers. Ho called them a handful of settlers because the total population of the colony was but little in advance of the number of persons who, during last year, poured into America from all parts of the world. Sir Arthur Gordon had governed a good many of the colonies under the sway of the British Crown, and although New Zealand had to give way to nearly all on the score of population, yet he believed he was not wrong in saying it need not do so on the point of the bright ness of its future. It was not too much to say when ho asserted that few places had brighter prospects. (Applause.) He thought the Governor would experience a thrill of joy when it came before him tl;at' ho had helped to fill one page in the jqatter of advance ment. In one particular his Excellency had fallen on a particularly happy time. He alluded to the native difficulty, which had qccupied the minds of all for some iqonths past. Fortunately this difficulty had been overcome, and the promises of the Government were being carried out to tlie letter, ife believed he interpreted tlja feeiing of all present on tl;e native question when he said let justice be dealt out to the 40,000 or 50,000 natives, the remnant of their race. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. His Excellency said, during the few hours he had been in the town, he had seen nothingbutthatwhioh badgxcited his admiration, and heard nothing but that which had given him satisfaction. He had only one complaint to make, and that was that lie had been told previous to coming hero that he was to stay two hours and make four speeches. Nothing was said of a fifth. Now they would probably learn in the course of time that of the many things he did badly, that which he did the worst of all was the making of an after dinner speech. They would, therefore, excuse him if he made his re ply as brief as possible. He thanked them iieartily for the kind manner in which they had drunk his health, and in con clusion, expressed the surprise he had experienced at the magnitude, consider ing the age of the town, of their Exhibi tion. In conclusion, he begged to pro pose “ The success of the Ashburton In dustrial Exhibition, coupled with that of the district. ”

Mr Wright briefly returned thanks, and then begged excuses of the company for His Excellency, whose stay in town was limited to half an hour, and who he stated desired injthe meantime to drive round the town.

The Exhibition. It is, and always has been, 1 a recognised fact that, in the cases of young ' colohites} the fostering of local industries is the one most essential point to be kept in the mind’s eye of the settlers therein. The

place that possesses good agricultural re sources is certain to prove attractive to the artisan,’as well as the farmer, and to ensure the retention of the former as a resident therein, it rests with the latter to encourage them in their efforts to meet the demands of the local market, and thus' ensure the well being of the community. It is possible, indeed, we may say, cer tain, that the locally manufactured articles will not, in the first instance, equal that impoited, In quality, or be able to com pete with it in price ; but the difference, which will not be so great, is attributable , to the circumstances in which the manu facturer finds himself placed. Increase, however, the number of his orders,' and let him but bear in mind the -mazier-of “ Small profits and quick returns,”- and the majority of these difficulties are swept out of his path. Possibly, even in this event, his prices will i still be slightly in advance of the imported article-; but - should this be taken into question 1 We argue not, and feel certain eveiy well wisher of the colony will side with us., But not alone with the settlers in the colony does it rest On the, Government devolves a most important doty in the matter of Protection, and, up to the pre-: ‘ sent, New Zealand cannot complain, of the action of its legislators in this respect. By the infliction of customs duties, they have hitherto placed the imported article, ', commercially speaking, on an equal footing with that locally manufactured, and it is the fault of the manufacture* if'this local article does not attract attention and support at the hands of their fellow colonists. The master. spirit of the’ age is competition, and is always productive of improved workmanship ; thsrefore it is J easily to be perceived the great gain to he derived by all classes by the introduction of a spirit of emulation amongst our oolonial industries. Such inauguration cannot but tend to advance the intereat;of any industrious community ; therefore: none will deny it when we assert that-to the promoters of the Ashburton Industrial Exhibition, 1881, opened to day f by his Excellency the Governor,. atA*'duo‘ the* thanks, not only of the residents in till Ashburton district,but of every well-wishci of of the colony. The conception of (saw an idea was not difficult- of attainment, but what decidedly was, was the carrying out thereof, and the surmounting of thd prejudice of the public against the feas* ability of the scheme. Few persons a~o to run the gauntlet of public ridicule, which would certainly have been the tion of the gentlemen above mentioned had they failed in their endeavors. Nothing daunted, howevpr, they haye by their united efforts enabled Ashburton to far outstrip her elder sister townships in this race for advancement; they' have fought the good fight, and their’s alone is the victory and praise. . ■ . ! i Admission is gained by the side en trance to the Hall nearest Shearman’s hotel, and the passage leading thereto from the thoroughfare has been most tastefully decorated with evergreens aUjd foliage. In the passage leading to the main hall are exhibited, by Mr Aitken, a book of oil paintings on New Zealand subjects, deserving of more than a pass ing notice, the subjects being most faithfully delineated, specimens of litho graphic work, in all its grades, from the ’ Lyttelton Times office, the subjects; of the 1 exhibits being the Award Certificates;■ Mr J. Mac Lean Dunn exhibits a part of the first parchment made at Neltod,'. foe which a first award has been made. A similar honor has been conferred in an extra exhibit in the same class by Mr ‘ Smith, on behalf of Mr Collier of Nelson, | the manufacturer. A specimen of litho-

THE HAUNTED HOUSE.

* - CHAPTER ll.— (Continued.) r After I had dismissed her 1 did not > know what to think. This was an I interference with my plans on which I had not counted. I had no one to ; advise with me, and felt much per plexed. As evening approached and ’ the gloom of twilight, 1 had a strange . nervous feeling, such as I had only once before experienced, and that wait in India, during the terrible days whet* the mutiny was at its height, and every footfall made us start, as if the next 1 moment were to be our last. As the dusk deepened my anxiety increased; and when at length the ayah conducted the joiner, as I had before instructed her. to my room, I was almost too over powered to speak. Andrew and the blacksmith were for the time detained in the kitchen, as I wished to talk the matter over with the joiner, as the most intelligent of the three. As he entered my room I was sur prised to find a second person' behind him, whom he introduced to me as Mr Burrowes, the district inspector of police/ who had been on an official visit to the village that day, and who, when he heard the story, volunteered his ser r vices in place of the constable. His presence at once gave me great relief; and this was enhanced when I found h e had had long experience in the London detective force, and was entering with' the enthusiasm of his profession info pur plans. Hie had heard already from the joiner what had passed that day ; complimented me highly on the pre : sence of ipind I had displayed on thf previous evening, qnq expressed hi§ acquiescence iq everything that we hqtj since done. When, however, I mentioned to him ray unexpected interview that afternoon with Mrs. Weevil, and that she had left the house, he iyas a good deal takeq aback. He questioned me a gqod deal as to her mariner aqd appestfstftceiflrai she was in my room, and as to whether she was much affected by her son’fr illness. I answered his several ques tions to the best of my ability, and he, after thinking awhile, pacing up and down the room, turned to me and' said :

‘Let everything be carried out as you formerly proposed. See that your family retire to rest at their usual time, with as little appearance as pos

sible of anything unusual going ‘ on. If the woman has taken alarm nothing

has been lost by waiting till to-morrow, when her rooms can be more carefully

examined by daylight. In the first, place will you show me the bed-room, in which you were disturbed last night?’;

I conducted him thither, the joiner , .f following, and after he had ascertained; where, to use his own expression, I had - first seen the ‘ party,’ and whejejand how the parly had disappeared, he at once intimated his plans. He £ I was to retire to my room as usual, seat myself in my chair by the . fire - on the previous evening, and either

sleep or appear to sleep, ■ as was tnost ■ * agreeable to myself. Beyond the - window stood a large wardrobe 1 , which, alter the house was t alV s qi^|bt/'fie and the joiner would selves, the blacksmith and the gardener being set: as a guard upon tfior the housekeeper’s "room village" constable, he would keep watct^mM^^^^^^^H

THE ASHBUETON GUAEDIAN, THUESDAY, MAECH 24, 1881.

[For continuation see Supplement.]



Meetings- T IN WALD RACES AND ATHLETIC SPORTS. Members of the Committee are re quested to MEET at Scott s Hotel on FRIDAY NIGHT next, at 7 o’clock. Urgent Business. ° C. JEPHSON 393 a Secretary. S OME RSET LODGE* ■The Regular Monthly MEETING of this .Lodge will be held TO-MORROW (Friday) EVENING, at 7.30., in the Hall, Tancred street. Brethren are requested to attend to receive certificates, which arrived by last mail from Home. Visiting Brethren invited. By order of the W.M., GEO. F. HENRY, 41,6 a H° n - Sec -



Educational* rjIHE MISSES HONOUR are prepared to receive, at their residence, Moore street, PUPILS in Music, Singing, and Drawing. Terms, per quarter, for each Subject, two guineas. Drawing, in class, ©very Tuesday, from half-past three to half-past four, one guinea per quarter.



First Award of Merit. TNDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION. All the CLOCKS and TIMEPIECES EXHIBITED BY Robert Murray ABE THE WORKMANSHIP OF THE EXHIBITOR.



Encourage local enter prise, & KEEP THE MONEY IN THE PLACE. WANTED—IO,OOO customers to Pur chase 100,000 Envelopes and upwards. 1,000, 7s 6d; 6,000, 6s 9d per 1,000, for Cash. H. M. JONES, Stationer and Bookseller, East street and Baring Square. 365 a J. Sherrill, Monumental mason, Manchester street south, and Bar badoes street (near the Cemetery), Christ church. A large stock of Head-Stones, Tombs, and Monuments always on hand. Designs forwarded on application. For further particulars apply to A. Thiele, Ashburton. 323 a T HE BEST VALUE FOR READY MONEY IS THE MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING MANUFACTURED BY THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, Which can be purchased at their Retail Branches, now established all over ■ 1. yr. New Zealand. The Garments are thoroughly shrunk. The Fit and Style are perfect. The Workmanship is equal to bespoke. The Trimmings are of superior quality and strength. The Tweeds are of the very best de scription., The Stock is the largest in the Southern •H&nispbere. The tall, short, lean, and stout, can he equally well fitted. The Goods are all marked in plain figures. » , -*-• The system of business is to exchange every article that does not give satisfac tion.



And, in addition to all these advantages, you can purchase SINGLE GARMENT AT THE ', WHOLESALE PRICE. /SB- Mercery, Hats, Shirts, Ties, Scaryes, Bags, Portmanteaux, Rugs, and Blankets, at Wholesale Prices. 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, r WM. SPARROW, 369a* - Manager. CO.’S Auction Rooms will THURSDAY, the opening day of the Indoßtrial Exhibition, in order to* giVd parties Visiting Ashburton on that day an opportunity of seeing the very nleetion of Pictures (oleographs) on-view pnd for sale there. * SAUNDERS’ BUILDINGS. 404 a, tDILL & PEN on



Wanted. WANTED— A good general SER VANT. Apply, Office of this Paper. WANT ED Immediately, a good General SERVANT. Apply to Mrs A. Obr, Tancred street. 406 a WANTED —A BOY to cook for four or five men. Apply, Office of this paper. 407 a WANTED— A Family’s WASHING. Apply, Office of this paper. 178 a WANTED TO SELL Twenty-five SECTIONS, Wakanui Road. Apply to Patching, Tent-maker, East Street. 898 TTTANTSD KNOWN That the VV undersigned is now landing 100,000 feet Best Union KAURI, ex Aratapu, from Kaipara. J oshua Tucker, next Jameson and Roberts, Ashburton. 802 a WANTED KNOWN, That 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—We have just opened a splendid assortment of Children’s Maids’ and Ladies’ ULSTERS ; Also, a great variety of Ladies’ black cloth JACKETS, at prices not to be equalled | in Ashburton. An early inspection in vited. 413 a FRIEDLANDER BROS. WANTED 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; Broad wood, £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. 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 Pole Straps, 2s. Farmers will make a great saving by buying of S. Stephens, Saddler, Tinwald.



WANTED KNOWN. SOMERSET LIVERY AND BAIT STABLES. JW. M'RAE begs to inform the , public that he has taken the above Stables from Mr. Bossenborg, and is making extensive repairs. Baggies and saddle horses on hire. Lowest prices and best attention. 852 ITTANTED KNOWN—That Visiting vv Cards, plain or mourning, can be obtained printed in various styles, at the “Guardian’’ office, opposite the Railway Station. Special Advertisements. ASHING DAY REFORM. THE FAMILY WASH IN FOUR HOURS Without rubbing or boiling, saving five hours of copper firing every washing day, by using Harper Twelvetrec’s Patent WASHER, WRINGER & MANGLER. Three Machines in one. Price reduced from L 9 10s to L 8 10s. Sold by J. HERN, Manchester and Tuam streets, 405 a Christchurch.



Miss Yerrall Wishes to inform the Ladies of Ashbur ton and the surrounding districts that she will be at ASHBURTON the THREE DAYS of the EXHIBITION to take orders and measures for Ladies requiring Stays, Corsets, Belts, and Shoulder Straps, &c. A case of these several articles will be at the Exhibition, of Miss Verrall’s own make. For any information required apply to Mr. Thiele, Baker and Confec tioner, where Miss Verrall will be in at tendance. COLOMBO STREET (Oposite Cookham House), Christchurch. March 10, 1881. 321 a



SHBURTON IDUST RIAL EXHIBITION. The Exhibition is NOW OPEN to the public. Admission —To-day, 2s Gd ; to morrow and Saturdaj’, Is. Music during the day and every even ing- A Refreshment Tent in conjunction with the Exhibition, presided over by Mr Taylor. S. E. POYNTZ, Hon. Sec.



Craighead & Co., JAILORS AND CLOTHIERS. In thanking our friends and patrons for the liberal support which they have ac corded to us in the past, we have much pleasure in announcing that Mr Craig head, having now completely recovered, will be found at his post of duty as usual, in TANCRED STREET. We have also to intimate that we have just received a VERY SELECT ASSORTMENT OF WINTER TWEEDS, FANCY COATINGS, For the approaching season ; and, as these comprise only the \ ERY BEST MATERIALS in the MARKET, they need no other recommendation. PERFECT FIT GUARANTEED. PRICES MODERATE, AS USUAL. CRAIGHEAD AND CO,, Tancred street (Next Orr and Co.’s). 0. Carstens & Co., (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, rnOBACCONIST, FANCY GOODS, 1. AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco A nice assortment of Accordions, Con certinas, Flutes, Violins, Mouth Organs, and Toys of every description, direct from Home. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET ASHBURTON. 527a*



Special Advertisements. jyj-R W. H. SPACEMAN'S Offices are now in Canterbury Chambers, Here ford street, Christchurch, next Miles and Co., having REMOVED from Messrs Wynn, Williams, and Deacon’s. 335 a JpRELIMINARY NOTICE. Look out for the CHEAP GROCERY STORE to be opened on SATURDAY. See to-morrow’s Guardian.