SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON

Arrived. To-day. h’ Tamerlane, barque, from London, <>B days out. St. Kilda, s.a , from Oamaru, Hawea, s.s., from Wellington. Sailed. Yesterday. Ganymede, barque, for Adelaide. Aurora, schooner, for Kaipara. Penguin, s.a., for Manakau, via way Porta. Alert, Fchooner, for Ho kitilca.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at tho Ashburton Post Office •a folloAvs: — J Saturday, May 20. - For the United Kingdom, via San Fran cisco, Continents of Europe and America, West Indies, Sandwich Islands, Northern Ports of New Zealand, &c., as follows: —Ordinary letters at 10.30 a.m. Supplementary mails fur despatch per jxpress train will close at 5 p.m., and late fee letters may bo posted in the mail van up to the departure of tho train.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES Tomorrow, Friday, May 12. H. Matson and Co, at tho Canterbury Wool Stores—Landed Propery ; 12 o’clock. Saturday, May 13. Mr T. Bullock, at tho B azaar—Horses ; 1.30 p.m. Mr T. Bullock, at the Bazaar—Chaff cutter ; 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 23. Matson Cox and Co., at the Ashburton Yards —Stock. r MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Ac To-night, k, Thursday, May 11. Jlrs Hampson’s Mission - —Evangelistic Service, Town Uall, 7-30 p.m. < To-morrow, Friday, May 12. Mrs Sampson’s Mission Evangelistic Service, Town Hall, 7.30 p.m. Monday. May 15. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Bangitata Road Board —Monthly Meet ing, Road Board Office, Hinds, 10 a.m. Tuesday, June G. Borough of Ashburton Licensing Com mittee —Annual Meeting, R.M. Court > house, Ashburton. Ashburton Permanent Building and In vestment Society, Monthly Meeting, from 0.30 to 8.30 p.m. Wednesday, June 7. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock. Ashburton Licensing Committee —Annual 'Meeting, Temperance Hall, Tinwald. Thursday, June 8. Wakanni Road Board—Monthly Meeting, • Road Board Office, Moore street _ Upper Ashburton Licensing Committee — Annual Meeting, Road Board Office, , Westorfiold. , Friday, Junk 9. Mount Somers Licensing Committee — Annual Meeting, Road Board Office, Mount Somers.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1882.

TOWN EDITION [issne.-i :<■/ 5.40 •».»*. j

Committee Meeting —A ! meeting of Mr A. Saunders’ Committee is called for to-morrow evening, at eight o'clock, at Messrs Poj’Utz and Co.’a ollice. Local Option. —The ratepayers of tho Mount Somers Licensing District arc to decide by poll on Tuesday next whether any fresh licenses shall be granted in that locality for tho next three years.

Hunt Club. —The hounds will most at Mr Hunt’s gate, on tho Wakanui road, on Saturday, at twop. m. If the weather is favorable, no doubt there will be a largo attendance of members, as the run chosen is through a a first-class locality for hunt-

The Licensing Question at Wester field.—Thu local option poll for the dis trict of Upper Ashburton was held at Westerfiuld yesterday, and resulted as follows For increase of puhl'cans’ li censes, 8 ; against, 0. For Now Zealand wine licenses, G ; against, 1. For increase of accommodation licenses, 8 ; against, 0. For increase of bottle licenses, C ; against, 0.

The Death from Chloroform. —An inquest was held at Dunedin yesterday on the boy who died recently whilst under chloroform. Tho only witness was Dr Burns, who detailed how he administered the drug, which was in tho usual manner. He said ho had been practising for twonty six years, and this was the first time, either in public institutions or elsewhere, ait accident had occurred in connection with his having administered chloroform. The Coroner said tho only questions' were —Was the doctor negligent? did he take due precautions ? Tire doctor said there was no way known to medical science to satisfy tho practitioner of such a thine, Tho jury decided to adjourn until this day week for the production of medical experts. Ashburton Pigeon and Canary Asso ciation. A committee meeting of t.ho above was hold lust night at Messrs Saun ders Bros.’ office. It was resolved to hold the annual show on Friday and Saturday, July 21st and 22ud, and that the entrance fee for members should be Is, and non membors 2s; also that first prizes bo fixed at 7s Gd. second, 4s; three exhibits or no second prizes to bo awarded. Several special prizes, wo understand, will bo of fered by members. A prize of one guinea is to be given for tho winner of a pigeon race—Christchurch to Ashburton. The secretary and Mr S. E. Poyntz wore ap pointed to make arrangements for print ing and distributing bills through local papers, and also to make arrangements for printing a comprehensive catalogue. It was decided that entries should close on Tuesday, July 18. The question of hold ing an art union in connection with tho show was held over until the result of the application of tho Christchurch society for the same privilege, is made known. Bacon Curing. —Directly opposite tho the .Prince Albert B lading-Jiouso, in Wills street, is a brick building, which many may pass by without knowing what busi ness is carried on within, except, indeed, on days when the carts are at tho door delivering and taking away goods. This is tho newly-opened bacon curing establishment of Mr O. W, Green, and although only opened for the despatch of business on Friday last, the place pro ented a very busy appearance at the time of our visit yesterday. The building is of brick, GOft x 25ft, with a concrete floor, which just now is strewn with the bodies of the slain, both whole and in pieces. Tho place ia in fact full of pork, the sides and hams of which will here be converted into the toothsome rasher and tasty broil. Mr Green’s head establishment is at Christ church, and he also has a branch at Doyles'on or Cheddar, to call it by its new name. Eight hands are employed at tho factory here, tho goods turned out being despatched to all parts of tho. colony. Tho pigs are slaughtered at Mr Lancaster’s yards, and tho trade, we are informed, done at the Ashburton factory averages just now 100 care: sea a day.

I.O.G.T.—An advertisement in another column intimates to the members of tho Star of the East Lodge, 1.0.G.T., that the meeting of the Lodge will take place to-morrow evening instead of on Satur day.

Matrimonial. —The Divorco Court at Wellington will bo busy next week, no fewer than eight couples (five from Dun edin and three from Wellington), being anxious just now to cast off tho matri monial fetters. An Antidote for Wax Matches.— From time to time tho death of some child i.s reported as having occurred through eating wax vestas. It cannot be too widely known that there is a simple remedy for an accident of the kind. Mix carbonate of magnesia inio a thin paste and give freely, feeding it to the child with a teaspoon. A medical man should, of course, in tho meantime bo sent for.

Out of the District. —One of the Auckland City Council’s officials is a hu morist. Tho Fire Brigade in that city arc paid a shilling a hour for every fire they ate rung to, no matter whether tho alarm be false or not. Someone gave an alarm over tho recent display of the Awom Anutrcdiit, and the Brigade claimed as usual. r i he Corporation official, however, objected on tho ground that it was “out of the district.” Oddfkllowsiiip at Nel-on. The Past (fraud Lodge of Oddfellows of the Wellington district celebrated their anni versary by a dinner at Richmond last night. Bro. Kearns, P.P.M.M., referred to the establishment of the order in Nel son forty years ago, when nine met on the hillside and afterwards in a tent, their funds amounting to 15s. Ho pointed out the advance which had since taken place, 'i’lie funds at the present time amounted to over LIO,OOO.

V Bolt. —A horse attached to a han som cab belonging to Mr M‘Rao, livery stable-keeper, took it into his head to bolt shortly before five o’clock last evening, to fh ; no small consternation of pedestrians. Tho horse and cab were standing by tho railway siation, and the former suddenly started off at a hot pace, tearing down East street like a comet behind time. On reaching Burnett street west, tho run away turned tho corner and bolted up tho street, and thence up the Alford Forest road. Ho was pluckily stopped by a horseman, whose name no one seemed to know, who rode up behind tho cab, seized the reins hanging over tho driver’s seat, and, at tho risk of being pulled off his horse, brought the erratic animal drawing tho cah to a full stop. Te Warn and Tonu. —By the morning express from Christchurch, there passed through Ashburton the Maori chief and prophet To Wliibi, and his faithful ally Tohu These native celebrities were ac companied by Mr R. Beetham, Christ church R.M., who is an excellent rnaori scholar, and has done much to beguile the weary interval for the native prisoners who are now awaiting their trial for the Parihaka business. Tho destination of the party was Timaru, where Mr Beetham formerly presided as R.M. While the train stopped here the two tnaoris walked about tho platform, and were, as a matter of course, “tho observed of all observers.” Te Whiti is a little shorter in stature than Tohu. Both men were dressed in plain suits of gray tweed, and wore black wide a-wako hats, and looked as quiet and in offensive as if they had never heard of John Bryce or Mr Croumbio-Brown. They will probably return to-night or to morrow morning.

A Jolly Evening. —Last evening tho members of the local cricket clubs—or some of tho members—dined together at Quill’s Hotel, by way of an appropriate wind-up to tho season. The attendance •..as not so largo as could have been de sired or was expected, but some thirty Ciieketsrs sat down at eight o’clock to a dinner for which Mr Quill and his mana ger, Mr Hill (who superintended tho spread), are deserving of all credit. The dinner consisted of seven courses, and was excellent. On the removal of the dish \s the talking commenced, and some capital speeches were made. The usual loyal and patriotic toastshaving been duly honored, that of “The Cricket Clubs of

Ashburton,” coupled witli tho names of the captains, was proposed and responded to by several present, including Mr Hill, who made the speech of the evening. Several other toasts followed, and also a number of songs, tho party breaking up about 11 o’clock. Kaiapoi Woollen Factory. —The fol lowing is the jury’s report on the Kaia poi Woollen Factory’s exhibits at the Ex hibition :—“ We have carefully examined the various exhibits of the Kaiapoi Woollen Company, and recommend (a certificate of gold medal) for purity of material and the excellent finish of their tweeds and woollen goods ; also, a second award of (a certificate of gold medal) for the superiority of their made-up clothing. Wo further recommend this firm for the Industrial Prize. Of all the industrial corporations which have come under our notice, none are better qualified to com pete for an award of this character than the organisation at Kaiapoi. They em ploy capital amounting to LI 12,009 ; labor at the mill, 240 ; people at tho Clothing Factory, 185 ; total at present employed, 425. Additional labor re quired, 140 hands ; very shortly a total of 5G5 people will be employed. They have purchased for this year’s business wool, value L31),00D ; coal required, 2,G00 tons, Malvern coal only being used. Estimated consumption of oil manufac tured in New Zealand, 2,000 gallons ; estimated consumption of soap of colonial manufacture, 40 tons. The motive power at tire mill is a CO li.p. engine, made by Scott Bros., of Christchurch, steam being supplied by five (20 h.p.) boilers, made by J. Anderson, also of this city. Nearly all the shafting and belting in mo is also of Colonial manufacture. In short, wo know of no industry so well calculated to de velop the resources of the colony, and we arc not aware of any firm whoso efforts have commanded greater success.

Practical Joking. —Another victim of practical joking has paid for his credulity with his life. Last mouth, as tho French barque Felix was approaching tho port of Marseilles under easy sail, a negro belong ing to the crew suddenly clambered up the bulwarks and plunged into the sea. Although tho vessel was promptly hove-to and a boat put out in search of tho un fortunate man, who was known to he a powerful swimmer, all the efforts made to rescue him from a watery grave proved fruitless. Inquiry among the crew re specting the probable motives of his sui cide resulted in tho following painful revelation; —He had shipped in the Fe ix at Mozambique .as an able seaman, and his shipmates learning from his own month that he had never before made a voyage to France, agreed to persuade him that human flesh, of tho negro variety, is so highly relished as a dietio luxury by wealthy Frenchmen of tho present clay that ho could not fail, upon arrival at Marseilles, to ha roasted and eaten. Tho plot proved too successful. The convic tion that ho was destined to figure as a comestible at some fashionable Mai soilles restaurant undermined his spirits and preyed upon his mind to such an extent that lie had at last resolved to die by his own hand rather than encounter the dismal fate awaiting him in port. This determination, it appears, ho in ido known to the authors of the hoax, but these in veterate humorists, nevertheless, kept up their jest until the Felix sighted Mar seilles. when tho wretched negro, believ ing himself irrevocably doomed to sutler death by the batcher’s knife within a few hours, drowned himself in the manner above related It ia satisfactory to know that his tormentors are in prison and likely tojpay dearly for their barbarous joke.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[pkr reuter’s agency.] Money and the Markets. London, May 10. Consols are unchanged at New Zealand Five per Cent. 10.40 Loan has declined to 106 ; and Five per Cent. 1889 Loan to 103, ex divq Four-and-a-Plalf per Cent. 1879-1904 Loan is unchanged at The markets for colonial produce remain at yesterday’s quotations. Not the Cabby. The Dublin cabman, who was yester day arrested on suspicion of being con cerned in the assassination of Lord Cavendish and Mr Burke, has been re leased. His name is Mocre, and it has been ascertained that he has recently arrived from America. It is stated, however, that several further arrests have been made. £IO,OOO Reward. A reward of Lxo,ooo has been offered for the discovery of the mur derers. The police are sanguine of success. Satisfactory. The comments of the Press indicate that the appointment of Mr G. O. Trevelyan as Chief Secretary (or Ire land has met with general approval both in England and Ireland. The Under-Secretaryship. It is announced that Mr G. C. B. Hamilton, Accountant-General to the Admiralty, will succeed the late Mr Burke as permanent Under-Secretary for Ireland. The late Lord Cavendish. The funeral of the late Lord Fred, Cavendish will take place to-morrow at Chatsworth, Derbyshire, the seat of the Duke of Devon. The ceremony will be attended by a large number of dis tinguished personages, including all the members of the Ministry and many members of both Houses of Parlia ment. Aquatic. Sculling matches have been’arranged between Boyd and Laycock, to take place on Tees, on 3rd July, and be tween Largan and Pearce, to take place on the Thames, on 17th June next. The Homeward Mails. The homeward mails via Suez and Brindisi, which left Melbourne on March 30, were delivered here to-day. Nice State of Affairs. Cairo, May 10. The Khedive has commuted the sentence of exile recently passed upon the Circassian officers for conspiracy to assassinate the Arab Pasha. His Highness has taken the step in spite of the opposition of his Ministers, who, it is believed, are seeking to depose him. The situation is critical, and it is re ported that the foreign Consuls resident here have summoned the ironclads of their countries, now in the Mediter ranean, to Alexandria, in view of pos sible complications.

AUSTRALIAN.

[i’KU rkutuk’s AGENCY.] Her Majesty’s Ships. Sydney, To-day. H.M.S. Cormorant sails for Ply mouth, via Wellington, on Saturday next, 13th inst. H.M.S. Nelson will sail for Wellington on the 20th inst. Correction. Melbourne, To-day. The telegram yesterday should read ; —Wheat is firm at 6s gd —not 4s gd.

TELEGRAMS.

[pur press association.] Lucky Auckland. Auckland, To-day. Experiments in tea culture made under the auspices of tho Acclimatisation Society have been very successful, an excellent infusion having been obtained. The plant grows luxuriantly in the ordinary soil of Auckland. For the Fray. Sir George Grey and Mr Morrison, M.H.R.V, and Mr Williams, M.L.C., arc passengers to Wellington by the Rotoma hana. Messrs Swanson, Hurst, and Hamlin go by the Penguin on Tuesday. 1 _TholKiugite -Meeting. Alexandra, To-day. The native settlement wore a verj- ani mated appearance this morning. Tho Southern tribes advanced from their en campment in holiday attire, headed by a flag made in Wanganui, with figures of

Tawhaio on it. They were received by Tawhaio, Rowi, Ahaura, Minihira, Te Wlieoro, and other chiefs. The usual Tangi songs of welcome followed, but contained nothing of note, beyond the concluding sentences, “ Come and see us sinking, sinking, sinking,” in allusion to tho alteration of tho tribes and land. Nothing of importance has trans pired. The real speech-making will com mence to-moirow. The Gallagher Case. New Plymouth, To-day. At the Supremo Court the Gallagher case is still being proceeded with. Two native witnesses were examined this morning. The case is likely to occupy the whole day. Deeply Interesting. The steamer Wanaka arrived this morn ing, and her large cargo for this place is being landed. Weather fine. Scholarships. Christchurch, To-day. There are forty entries for the annual examination for the Board of Education scholarships. Musical Prize Takers. The Judges for tho Exhibition musical competitions have awarded tho following prizes for tho performances which took place on Tuesday, May Dili, 1832 : —The Dunedin Motett Society fur tho best choral performance, L 25 ; tiro Durcdin Motett Society for tho best unaccompan ied part solus, LlO ; for the band of piano and stringed insrruinents, under Mr Sorgo (Chamber of Music) LLO 10s. Growls from the Exhibition. The Westland Commissioners have entered a protest against tho action of tho Exhibition jurors in refusing to judge ex hibits not in the catalogue. The Com missioners exhibit a very fine gas retort, made from Brunner fireclay, which is thought to have been accidentally omitted from the catalogue. The jurors refuse to report upon it. Sudden Death of a Horse Trainer. Dunedin, To-day. James Kenneth, a cirlor, died very suddenly at Palmerston yesterday, whilst training horses for the races.

MRS. SAMPSON'S MISSION.

Mrs Hampson, tho lady evangelist, whose labors in various towns of the colony have been attended with such re markable results, commenced her mission in Ashburton yesterday afternoon by holding a meeting, attended by women only, in the Town Hall. About 180 were present, and after an appropriate and affectionate address had been given, Mrs Hampson warmly advocated the forma tion of a Women’s Prayer Union. In response to this appeal forty-eight names were given in from among those present, and Mrs Meddings, by request, consented to undertake the duties of secretary to tho Union, the next meeting of which will take place on Tuesday next. Last night Mrs Hampson addressed a meeting of Christian workers at the Town Hall, about 120 persons being in attend ance. The lady chose for her text Isaiah vi., and before entering more fully into the main subject, intimated that the pre sent gathering was one where she desired to obtain an acquaint.ince with those who would bo associated with her in the Ash burton mission, impressing the necessity of being united in the purpose for which they were working—the salvation of their fellow-townspeople. Mrs Hampson then spoke at length on the chapter mentioned above, kindly but faithfully urging her hearers to a full consecration to the Lord. Before concluding the service she gave some practical hints to Christian workers, interspersed with several very interesting episodes ot her mission in other places. After the hymn “To tho work, to tho work,” had been sung, Mrs Hampson en gaged in prayer, and the meeting was brought to a close. The united choir, under tho leadership of Mr Weeks, ren dered several of Sankey’s hymns during the evening, and the “ service of song ” being a prominent auxiliary to the success of evangelistic gatherings, too much praise cannot bo accorded to those ladies and gentlemen who have banded together to lend their aid at these rpeclal meetings. In consequence of the limited accommo dation in tho Town Hall for a large audi ence, the Committee desire us to state that a special service for children will bo hold next Sunday afternoon; in the mean time, so as to provide as much room as possible for adults, the young folks will be conferring a favour by patiently wait ing the pleasure of hearing Mrs Hampson till Sunday next, and refrain from attend ing the evening meetings.

AMUSING STORY OF AN ENGLISH BISHOP.

A Home paper says : —An accident of a somewhat startling though amusing character happened recently to one of our most popular bishops. He had been invited to preach on some special occasion in a country parish,and was pro ceeding to church after breakfast when his host the rector, a man known to be given to “ dodges,” called him aside. “ My lord,” he said, “ I wish to tell you about the pulpit, which is constructed on a plan of my own, with a movable bottom. This communicates with a screw underneath the floor of the church, and can be raised or lowered at pleasure to suit the height of any preacher. If, when your lordship gets into the pulpit, you find that the floor is not high enough, please stamp once gently with your foot. The sexton will be underneath, and will wind you up until you signal for him to stop.” Now his lordship is a somewhat stout and short man, with legs quite worthy (as to shape) of a dignitary of the Church, but, unfortunately, not of any great length. When he got into the pulpit he found that the floor was, apparently, unwound to its uttermost limit. He had hardly finished his prayer, as the last verse of the hymn before the ser mon was being sung, when he dis-

covered the state of affairs, and stamped gently with his loot, a signal which was at once responded to by a creaking sound below and a perceptible eleva tion of the floor. Then again, the good bishop stamped ; and, believing that the screw would forthwith stop work ing, delivered with all due solemnity, the injunction, “ Let us pray.” To his horror, however, the screw, so far f.iom stopping, appeared on this second signal to revolve with the greater celerity. Little by little the good ecclesiastic found himself propelled to wards the ceiling, prematurely proceed ing heavenwards. His sermon and his Bible slowly disappeared from before his eyes. He clutched at the pulpit candles to stay his upward tendency, and again he stamped in a ghostly man nner on the treacherous floor. But it was of no avail. Onwards went the screw until the topmost rung was reached ■ and when the astonished congregation, who had been waiting for the prayer, raised their eyes to the pul pit they found, instead of an eloquen t orator, a shame-faced and indignant mortal (the tops of whose knee breeches were visible above the railings of the pulpit), preserving his balance by clinging to the summit of the pulpit candlebra, and in whose face all ap pearance of saintly calm had given place to unmistakeable signs of wrath and indignation. The horror-struck appearance of their rector as he rushed from the church, the audible creaking of the screw and the gradual descent of the bishop to a level more in ac cordance with the fitness of things, en lightened the delighted congregation as to what had really happened. But the dignity and force of the subsequent discourse were powerless against the cachinnation that reigned universal in the church. The unhappy rector had, alas 1 ommitted to state that while one gentle stamp of the foot was the signal to ascend, three stamps rendered in quick succession told the sexton that he was to cease screwing.

FACES WE SHALL MISS.

A writer in the Otago Daily limes, under the nom deplume of “ Juvenis,” briefly refers to a few of the more pro minent men who sat in the last House, but failed to re-win their seats at the general election. “Substantial Mr Bain,” he says, “ will no more display Ins alderman figure and kindly features to advantage.” He concluded with a reference to “ the greatest of the de feated —Henry Bunny, to wit ; “ Bun ney, the irrepressible, ejected from a 20 year-old seat. Mr Bunny will Ire missed; he will be very much missed. He will not be missed in the arena itself, but rather in what may be called the side-shows, all of which ha pervaded, and where he was omnipresent, omni potent, and omniscient. He was a feather-weight oratorically, but was a consummate revolver of logs. It has been well said of him that as a speaker he rushed blindly in where angels fear to tread, and, as he was never listened to in the House, he preferred to retreat to Bellamy’s to wasting breath on a quorum reading newspapers. Through

being a Wellington resident, assump tive in disposition, and long its chair man, Mr Bunny grew and grew till he tOas the House Committee, and was constitutional autocrat in everything relating to ‘the comfort and con venience of members.’ It is thus he will be missed, for right worthily did he discharge the sovereignty by which he had won fame. He was an admirable mait/e d'hotel, for his vigilance and energy was unwearying. No one would listen to him in the House, but a waiter would quake at his frown and a cook tremble at his nod. Mr Bunny was the square peg in the square orifice, and his absence will be felt in various ways. What is the great officer at Constantinople who tastes everything placed before the Sultan, to detect poison?—lt may be the Grand Vizier, but I think it is the Chamberlain. Mr Bunny was the Chamberlain to the Sultan of \ T ew Zea land—not to discover poison, but inter cept inferior brands. His taste was infallible; Bellamy’s liquors were the best in the colony. It was always understood that Air Bunny sampled every cask and case before the receipt was signed ! and certainly no bad drink was ever served. So great was his fame that no caricature was ever drawn of him without glass in hand. The artist would as soon have pour trayed Neptune with no trident, or Britannia lionless. I have misgivings when I speculate as to who will be the new Chamberlain. I occasionally take a modest quencher at Bellamy’s myself, and therefore feel personally interested. Not but that I am certain there are seve ral members qualified for one part of the duty. I know several whose experi ence amply fits them for the peculiar function of Chamberlain ; but they would not do the hard work of the House Committee. And no one but a Wellington man could fill the office satisfactorily. The prudent and far sighted Bunny used to provide every thing during the recess, and sampled everything in time to detect inferiorities and replace them. He was never caught with bad stocks on hand at the , last moment. And when one reflects on the influence bodily comforts have on even legislative faculties and tem pers, the importance of the office of ; Chamberlain to the Assembly will be > apparent, and its filling will be watched as a subject of anxiety. If it could but be known how many ‘ little bills ’ Mr Bunny helped indirectly to pass, and how many roads and bridges were voted | on dinners of his providing, I verily : believe the hat would go round the country to raise him a status, or an annuity to replace his honorarium.”

A RICH MINE.

The township of Matlock (says the Melbourne Leaded is the highest in habited place in Victoria, and a bare, bleak, and cheerless place it is, especially in the winter time, when five feet of snow on the level, and twelve or fifteen feet in the drifts may frequently be seen. Ever since the great rush, some twenty years ago, the silence of desolation has brooded over this bare, bleak hill, presenting in its three or four huts, and in the traces of some few others which have been left in the shape of ruined chimneys, quite a contrast to its near and comparatively flourishing neighbour—Wood’s Point. Last week, however, the long silence of the almost deserted township was broken by the startling announcement that a wonder fully rich reef had just been opened up, and that there was every prospect of a large rush to the place. The announce ment was to the effect that at a place between Jericho and Wood’s Point, and close to the main road, two prospectors, named Allan Folks and Patrick Manyx, began about a month ago to prospect the old Perseverance claim, and within a foot of the surface came across a reef, which, up to Friday, 3rd March, yielded from 8 oz to xo oz to the ton ; that on the day just mentioned they broke with their pick 60 oz of pure gold ; and that they have now come across such wonderful stone that it is believed a ton of it will yield no less than ißcwt of pure gold. The story recalls the old flush times at Ballarat. Can it be true, is the ques tion which naturally rises to one’s lips. To that question we reply by stating that, immediately on the receipt of the information, which we may say, came from our correspondent at Sale, we telegraphed at once to Matlock, and the telegram sent in reply was corro borative of the original report in all respects, save that there appears to have been some slight exaggeration in the statement that a rush had taken place. The shaft, we were informed, was 129 ft. deep and the prospects were splendid. The exact locality of this last sensational find of gold is half a mile from Matlock township, and 300 yards south of a place called Toorak, which consists of a few miners’ houses, perhaps a dozen in all, dropped down apparently by accident, on the roadside. Just at this point that wonderful piece of road making—the Yarra track— overlooks on one side the Black River Range and Valley of the Goulburn, and on the other the Valley of the Jordon lies some r,sooft. below the spectator. Beyond the Jordan, range rises after range, all densely timbered, and swell ing upwards to Mount Ban Ban, whose scarped and towering summit forms an appropriate termination to a view of mountain and valley unequalled in Vic toria. In all this district large finds of gold have been made, and work is being pushed on, although the evi dences of failure are many.

THE WOOLLEN TRADE IN NEW ZEALAND.

The Tima/u Herald of a recent date says;—The present condition of the woollen trade in New Zealand makes it more than ever a matter for regret that the project for establishing a factory at Timaru came to nothing. The mills at Mosgiel and Kaiapoi are working to their utmost.capacity, but are quite un able to keep pace with orders ; and the Ashburton factory, which is not yet at work, has already received promises of large orders, if it proves capable, as no doubt it will, of turning out good ma terial. In fact, the time is fast ap proaching when the great bulk of woollen goods used in the colony will be locally manufactured. Of course there will always be some imports, be cause people like a variety and like the newest fashions, and also because there are special descriptions of cloth :

which are made only at particular places in England, Scotland or else where, and which cannot be so well or cheaply produced here. The value of woollens imported into New Zealand amounts to about Lioo,ooo a year, of which about L 20,000 is for blankets. There is no reason why the whole of this latter sum, and a great part of the remainder, should not be spent locally* to the great advantage ot the purchasers as well as the manufacturers. The New Zealand cloths and blankets are of better quality than those imported, and much about the same price ; and as the trade becomes more extensive and the appliances more complete they will become considerably cheaper. We have always had an idea, indeed, that eventually this country will be a large exporter of woollens, the honest quality of our goods giving them a reputation of their own in the Horae markets. In order to gain that end, however, it will be necessary for our manufacturers to produce some speciality, of a more oc less original character, which will be known everywhere at a glance as New Zealand cloth. We should also like to see a manufacture of carpets spring Up. The best of carpets are made in Tup key, Dagestan, and all sorts of wild mountainous oriental countries, the freight from whence is quite as heavy as that from New Zea land. Carpets are very heavy and expensive goods, and freights and insurance are an important item in their cost. They are made entirely of wool, and we cannot see why they should not be made as cheaply here as any where in the world. We have seen a New Zealand-made carpet, hand-made by a woollen weaver in his spare time, and though it was rough and the pat tern not too artistic, yet it was an excel lent warm* comfortable carpet, and quite as good as many which fetch high prices in London, simply because they come from the East. We commend the idea to some of our enterprising manu facturers.

CANNIBALISM AT NEW BRITAIN.

By the arrival of one of Mr Farrell’s boats in Meoka, from Berara, New Britain, news have been received of a terrible outrage. A Fijian teacher’s wife and two children on a Sunday evening left their home to visit their neighbor, a teacher, about three miles from their residence, where they ar rived took some refreshment, and started for home again, but never reached it. The husband having made every search that possibly could be made, without finding any traces, even tually gave it up, coming to the con clusion that his wife must have gone out of her mind and got lost in the bush ; but the sad truth has come to light. It seems that the natives, see ing the women and children alone, attacked them, murdering the two children at once, but only wounding the woman with a spear; she finally got out of their sight in a thick bush. The children were placed in baskets, and taken to the native camp, where they were roasted for their horrible feast, and eaten by the natives. The teacher’s wife subsequently arrived at Rouluana, merely a living skeleton, after roaming about for eighteen days in the bush.

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents;

“MR CROY’S” STATEMENT RE VERSED.

To the Editor.

Sir, —A correspondent signed “ James Croy,” has undertaken to enlighten the public on the fair play principle, in con nection with Mr Saunders’ late meeting at Ashton. Ho has read the latter gentleman’s letter, which is “ greatly dis torted,” and then follows the proverbial flat contradiction. With regard to my reply to Mr Saunders, in which I am made to say that the report of the Ashton meeting as it appeared in the Ashburton Mail, was false, I am always willing to abide by whatever I write or say, but when wo have men such as “James Croy ” coming forward and making such an. erroneous and false accusation, it shows at once whether he is a partisan or not. My letter or reply to Mr Saunders had no reference whatever, nor in any way called in question the Mail's report oi the meet ing at Ashton. It may have been, as your correspondent states, a faithful record, but seeing I never referred to it in any way, I fail to see wherein my statement was false. What I did write about, was in reference to a leading article which ap peared in the Mail subsequently to the meeting in question, and which mainly re ferred to the imprisonment case of Mr Saunders. It was simply in regard to some very uncharitable strictures, placed upon Mr Saunders in his reply to Williams, and more par ticularly that part referring to the Judge. In this he (Mr Saunders) had every reason to feel agrieved. Mr Croy seems, however, to think differently, as in his letter he says that that part re ferring to the meat and drink given to Judge Johnston “is accurate.” We shall see, after I have put the two versions before your readers, whether Mr Croy is the lover of fair play that he assumes to be in his letter, and whether he stands forth in the present case as a true or a false witness. Speaking in reply to a question put by Mr Williams, respecting his imprisonment, Mr Saunders said “ that his case had been surrounded by many untoward circumstances, on the Judge’s arrival in Nelson just previous to his trial he had happened to dine morning and evening with two gentlemen, both of whom he (Mr Saun ders) had previously displeased, and who he knew were rather bitter against him. He mentioned this because such company would certainly strive to prejudice his case ” Now this was almost word for word used at the Ashton meeting. This is how the Mail put it: —“ Mr Saunders informed the electors of Wakanui at Ash ton that the sentence he received was the outcome of a good feed which was given to the worthy Judge the night before the trial. Mr Justice Johnston supped at the house of an evening, when he was not only primed with eatables and drinkables till he - was as full as a tick, but primed with uncharitable thoughts.” —and so on, sir. Your readers will see here what Mr Maunders really did say, and they will also see the very accurate account given by the Mail, and which Mr Orc.y so freely asserts is a “ faithful re cord” of the “ meat and drink business,” as be terms it. Any men who says he was present at the meeting and comes before She public with such a statement as that given by Mr Croy, must be possessed of ui extraordinary range of imagination and very elastic conscience. Mr Croy has n'idently been hoaxed into, if not writ ng at least givinglns name to, a lett.r for mrely party purposes. Should Mr Croy ;vor essay to write another letter, he may wrhaps come to know that it is always iscessary to ascertain what he is really vriting about, and while professing to ispouse the cause of truth and fair play,

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, MAY 11, 188:4.



ASHBURTON COAL AND FIREWOOD DEPOT B. S. Bean (Late of Montgomery and Co., Limited), HAS COMMENCED BUSINESS as above, next to Mr Jos. Clark’s Office, in WEST STREET, and hopes, by civility and attention, to merit a fair share of public support. Agent fur tha Springfield Coal Co. Coal,Firewood, Posts, Rails, Stakes, &c. Orders taken for Bricks, Cement, Lime, Timber, Ac. Oats, Bran, Chaff, Chicken Wheat, &e. Note the Address NEXT MR JOSEPH CLARK’S, WEST STREET. 18io New Goods for this Season, comprising over twenty cases are now opened up. The Boys’ and Youths’ Clothing is especially recommended, and Parents and Guardians will find it advantageous to make an early selection. ■ The Stock of Men’s Clothing is simply superb, and the variety of Hats, Hoisery, Blankets, Flannels, and Shirtings second to none in New Zealand. Agents for the Celebrated Wbutheisi Machines. Ashburton Branch: SH gUPPORT LOCAL INDUSTRY". John Meecii, CABINETMAKER & UPHOLSTERER, Begs to invito his friends to inspect h‘s lar*'e stock of New and Second-hand Fur niture, consisting of Drawing-room and Bedroom Suites Chiffoniers Book Cases Wardrobes Cheats of Drawers Tables Wash Stands Wood arid Iron Bedsteads Cota, Cradles .Perambulators And 'everything required m household furnish’ng at the very lowest prices. Practical workmen kept for ab kinds of repairs. , ~ , Furniture bought, and high pnces .given. _ Furniture lent, on weekly and monthly payments. JOHN MEECH, BDRN BT T BTREHVf Opposite the Mail Office,



Wanted t V'TANTtSD —A young GIRL, to assist VV io house work. Address, Mrs Franklin White, East Town Belt 422 e iJATIONTaTCki’k or Storeman, by a married man of experience. Good references. Apply, “ M,” Oflica of this Paper. 826 d ANTED TO LE J’—SHOPS Tn Havelock street. Low rental — viz.—lss per week. And also to SELL ONE ACHE of LAND, Mayo’s Block. Apply to James Baker, Havelock street. 251 c I \XT ANTED KNOWN—If you want to W Grow a splendid crop of Turnips, i Purchase some of Mayo’s Bonedust. —Address F. Mayo, Hamstead Mills. 255 d ANTED KNOWN.—A Cxkcolat ing Ltbraky is now open at L. F. Anduewes’, Bookseller, East street South, Ashburton. A large number of books to choose from. Terms very moderate 745 d \\T ANTED KNOW—That Robert VV Elston, Burnett street, Ashburton, having procured the Newest Apparatus, is prepared to SWEEP CHIMNEYS at very low rates. Any orders left at the Town Hall will receive prompt attention. TGOc Special Advertisements SCHOOL BOOKS SCHOOL STATIONERY. SCHOOL COMMITTEES SUPPLIED. Foolscap from IGs per Ream, Cash. Envelopes ~ Gs Cd per 1,000 ~ Note Paper, Five Quires, Is ~ A GOOD ASSORTMENT of Ledgers. Cash, Day Books, and Ledger Books IN STOCK. Toys Fancy Goods, Crewel Wools, &c. EL M. Jones. Stationer and Bookseller, 203 d N OTICE TO FARMERS. We are CASH PURCHASERS of WHEAT OaTS BARLEY RYEGRASS SEED COCKSFOOT SEED WANTED—IO,OOO bushels Pearl and 10,000 bushels Velvet CHAFF, For delivery at our Stores, at Addington, or Riccarton Mills, or any Country Station. WOOD, SINCLAIR & CO., Triangle, Christchurch ; Or, POYNTZ & CO., Ashburton. Grain shipments to the ENGLISH OR CONTINENTAL MARKETS. The undersigned are prepared to make liberal . CASH ADVANCES ON GRAIN AND ALL DESCRIPTIONS OF PRODUCE Placed in their hands FOR SALE IN THE ENGLISH OR CONTINENTAL MARKETS. Having commodious Brick Stores at Addington, we are open to make Special arrangements for the Storage of Grain. Farmers can, therefore, avail them selves of the local as well as export market. WOOD, SINCLAIR & CO., Triangle, Christchurch ; Or, POYNTZ & CO., 764 d Ashburton. (TS.N'A AA|‘i TO LEND on Freehold dbOU,UIK/ Property, in sums of :2 3 0 0 And upwards, at Lowest Current Ratos of Interest THE N.Z. GRAIN AGENCY AND MERCANTILE COMPANY, LIMITED. WILLIAM HORNE, 236e* Agent. N OTICE OP REMOVAL. We desire to draw the attention of our customers and the public generally to the fact that we have REMOVED TO ODR NEW OFFICES ON THE RAILWAY RESERVE, Between Burnett and Tancred streets, Lately in the occupation of Messrs W. Montgomery and Co., Limited. TUCKER, RESTELL & CO. 400 e O. Carstens & Co., (Lath Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, Tobacconist, fancy goods AND STATIONERY. [ Meerschaum Pipes, G.B. D. Pipes | Naiirod, 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. 257 a O FARMERS. ROBERTS, PAXTON & CO. ARE CASH PURCHASERS OF WHEAT BARLEY OATS GRASS SEED AT HIGHEST MARKET RATES. ADVANCES ON GROWING CROPS. The Undersigned are prepared to make liberal Cash Advances against Growing Crops during the ensuing Season. ROBERTS, PAXTON & CO. Office a : Manchester street, Christchurch, two doors south of Messrs P. Cunningham and Co.'s. 30a



Special Advertisements. ASH PALACE. This is a very good world that we live in, To lend, or to spend, or to give in ; But to beg, or to borrow, or to get back one’s It’s the very worst world that ever was known But this does not alter the fact that 0. HAWKINS, Boot and Shoemaker, East street, Ashburton, and Archibald street, Tiuwald, SELLS, or rather GIVES, away at a nominal rate, Boots and Shoes for CASH ONLY. So roll up and buy your boots where you can get a Andre we s bro s. (Lath L. P. Asdrewusl, BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS, AND NEWS-AGENTS, East street South, Ashburton. School-books and Stationery of Every Description. School Committees sup plied. Hymn and Prayer-books of Every Kind. Children’s Picture and Story Books. American Novelties, just arrived. Journals, Magazines, and Home Papers every Mail. A largo assortment of Maori Photographs, including To Whiti and other Chiefs. N.B. —Ail orders attended to without delay. 3340 E W COAL YARD. Coals. Coals. Coals. The Undersigned desires to intimate to his Customers and the Public generally that he has OPENED IN THE COAL TRADE, in conjunction with his present TIMBER and PIREWOOD BUSINESS, and has now on Stock and to Arrive, a largo supply of the best Newcastle Coals, (Prom the Old Lambton Mine), which will bo delivered to Customers to any part of the Town and Suburbs at the LOWEST POSSIBLE RATES. ALPHEUS HAYES, Timber and Coal Merchant, 4G30 East street, Ashburton. own, perfect fit. 993 c



“Who Give You Th u Name?"— Indians get their queer names in the fol lowing manner : When an Indian baby is horn, tho medicine man or some one of tho family looks out of the door and casts his eye upon some object. The first tiling he has seen furnishes the child’s name. It would be pretty rough on the kid if a man suffering from jim-jams was selected to do the looking.