SHIPPING.

PORT CP LYTTELTON. I - Arrived. Saturday. Jessie, ketch, from Kaiapoi, put in irindbound. Rio Loge, brig, from Calcutta. Yesterday. Jasper, schooner, from Mauritius, via Dunedin. Westport, s.s., from Timaru. tfui, 8.5., from Kekerangu and Kai koura. Omaha," brigantine, from Chatham Is lands. Sailed. Saturday. Hawea, s. s., for We UIT1 "^ on . gjJlPpTrrt} TELEGRAMS. j. ; • Auckland, Saturday. g)jred —Taiaroa, for Fiji. / Bluff, Yesterday. / The Albion left Melbourne 4.15 p.m. on the 24th, and arrived at 10 a. m., after a smart passage of four and a half days. .She sails at 5, p.m. to-morrow for Dunedin. Rb« experienced strong westerly winds and high seas. Timaru, Yesterday. Arrived —Westport, from the North ; AnUie>ißow, from Newcastle ; Christine, from Dufaedin ; Kangaroo, from West port

COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, Monday afternoon. Ml Alfred Harrison reports his weekly gale aS follows :—Saturday, January 28— Horse market very dull; six cows and three calves were sold at low prices, but to satisfaction of owners. A large number of pigs were entered, all being sold at far better prices than have ruled lately. Fowls, 2s 3d per pair ; ducks, 3s 7d per pair. A dray and other implements of no great importance were sold at fair prices. Produce —Barley, 2s per bushel; chick wheat, 2s fid per bushel; potatoes, Id per lb; onions, Id per lb ; cheese, 3d and 4d per lb ; tea, 21s guaranteed. The atten dance was moderate, considering the weather and the season. Horse Market. —Mr T. Bullock reports for the week ending January 28 :—At the Bazaar, Burnett street, on Saturday, there was a much smaller attendance than usual, and bidding anything but spirited, bntihia-qanbe accounted for to a certain extent 'lay farmers being busy harvesting. Twenty-three horses of the usual descrip tion were entered, out of which seven were sold at the following prices, viz. : Medium draught, Ll 4 to L 1 8; light harness horse, Lll IQs, Lll 10s, LlO ; scrubbers, as low as L 4 and L 5 ; drays, Ll 7 15a and Ll 4. Implements, harness, etc,, at satisfactory prices.—Landed pro perties.—l sold town section 464, corner of Burnett and William street, on account of the trustee in J. Mutch’s estate, for Ll3O. I offered a number of sections near the Alford Forest road, also some suburban, properties, but the biddings not reaching owners’ limits, were passed in.

MAIL NOTICES.

Wftilw close at the Ashburton Post Office as follows• For Christchurch and North at 6.30 a. m. 10.30 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Ohertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. , , For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hmds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a. m. daily. For Temuka, at 6.30 a.m. and 10 a.m., daily. For Timaru and South, at 6.30 a.m., 10 Forks, "Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a.m. Foe Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, at 430 p.m. daily. For Flemington, on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 4 30 p. m. For Wakanui, Elgin, Seafield, New hmd, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 a.m. Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office— ; From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.25 im., 440 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. From Ohertsey, &c. at 10.25 a,m. and 440 p.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.36 p.m. daily. From Temuka and Timaru at 10.50 a.m, 5.35 p.m., and 8.16 p.m. daily. From Greenatreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a-m. daily. Flemington on Tuesdays, Thurs days, and Saturdays, at 10 a.m. FVom Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, New and, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 4 p.m. W. Sr, G. Douglas, Postmaster

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. To-morrow, > ■ Tuesday, January 31. !Matson, Cox and Co., at the Ashburton Yard?—St( ck. J. T. - Ford iiind Co., at the Ashburton Yards—Shsep. Saturday, February 4. ;Mr T. Bullock, at the Bazaar—Horses ; ■ L3O p.m. Mr. T. Bullock, at his rooms, East street Farm; 2 o’clock. Thursday, February 9. Mr/T. Bullock, at his Rooms, East street tiwLease. of Valuable Town Properties. !-■ : Thursday, February 23. Messrs' J. T. Ford & Go. —Timber, 'Horses, Carts. &c. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS. Ac 'ey-- ’ Wednesday, February 1. Amateur Dramatic Club, Town Hall, 8 ;p.m. {.■[.. .. Thursday, February 2. Wakanui Road Board—Monthly Meeting, •: Road Board Office, Moore street Monday, February, 6. Borough Council, at Borough Council .-! Chambers, at 7 o’clock. odi Tuesday, February 7. Ashburton Permanent Building and In vestment Society, Monthly Meeting, i from 6.30 to 8.30 p.m. -a.i ; Wednesday, February, 15. County Council, at the County Council . f'Chambers, at 11 o'clock.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.

Advertisements for The Ashburton Guardian must be sent in not later than 3 p.m., with the number of insertions written plainly on the copy, otherwise they will be inserted until counter manded, and chrrged aeei.rding’y. Re place Advertisements must La supplied the day previous to that on which they are to be inserted. Special notices can be received up to 3.30 p. m. for insertion over the Le der, but will be charged double rates. All notices of Births, Marriage , or Deaths must be accompanied by th( sig nature of the sender, as a guarant je of good faith. All advertisements and business If tiers to be addressed The Manager ; lit' wary communications should be addressed to The Editor.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas, et Prevalebit. MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 1882 Our Library.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 430 p.m. j

Things never turn out so badly,| but what they might have been worse, 1 the proverb tells us. The destruction of our public Library by fire is certainly to be regretted, but after all, so far as the books were concerned, the loss has not been a very severe one. The Ash burton Library has never been whlat it ought to have been. For a jlong period it was sadly lieglected; it was only during the last few months that

the present energetic committee took it in hand and endeavored to render it more worthy of public patronage and support, and that their efforts were be ginning to bear fruit is evidenced by the large increase in the number of subscribers of late. But the Library has never b.2en anything but a third rate one, :jind it was altogether un worthy of the place. If we are to have another public Library, let us by all means have a good one while we are about it, even though it may take a longer time to laise the necessary funds. In order to ensure the support of the public, the Library must offer that pub lic something in return for its money. Arrangements should be made when the new Library is erected for a pretty frequent supply of new books from Home. A comfortable reading-room should form a feature of the building, and there should be, if possible, a public hall attached, the letting of which for concerts, lectures, and other entertainments would supply the insti tution with a permanent source of in come. The new Timaru Mechanics’ Institute, erected to replace that de stroyed by fire twelve months or more ago, is found to answer admirably the purposes for which it was built. It contains a library capable of containing about 20,000 books, a large airy read ing-room, a very spacious upper room, suitable for balls, concerts, public dinners, or other assemblies, and pri vate rooms occupied by the secretary. This building cost Very pos sibly. the reader may wish to know where we are to raise the money to carry out all the ideas we have sug gested. Well, this is a public loss, and it remains with the public to make it good. We are sure that if a series of dramatic and musical entertainments were got up in aid of the building fund they would be well patronised. A bazaar might be also advantageously started. The success of the last bazaar at the Town Hall should be very encouraging. Perhaps a fancy fair at the Town Hall, with a few shows “ run ” by amateur showmen (forwantof professional talent), a few raffles (with the permission of the powersthatbe)and a promenade concert would be as good a way of raising the wind as any. An exhibition of the kind would run for a week, properly managed, and doubtless the Library Committee, in carrying out such a scheme,, would meet with the ready assistance of the Dramatic Club, our amateur vocalists, and, in fact, all whose aid would be valuable.

We would suggest that a meeting of householders be called as early as pos sible to consider what had better be done, and to discuss the question of ways and means, site, etc. This meet ing would be of great assistance to the committee. Some steps ought to be taken at once to repair the lass the town has sustained. Y;

On or Before Feb. 11.- All persons owing money to Messrs T. R. Hodder and Co., are requested to pay the same on before Feb. 11th next.

The Crops.—We learn that the last nor’-wester did considerable damage to the ripe crons in the district. The 1 wind knocked off on an average from a bushel and a half to two bustiers of grain- te- (he

His Maori Majesty at the Play.— Tawhaio, the Maori King, has been taken to see the “ Pirates of Penzance ” at Auckland; This is one way of civilising him. Wonder what he thought of the “ Policeman’s song ” : Tarantara ! Railway Refreshment Rooms. (—We hear that Mr Thomas Quill’s tender for the railway refreshment rooms has been accepted for the ensuing twelve months. Mr Quill takes possession on Wednesday next, and being so well known in the town, will doubtless be well patronised during his term of office.

Reaping By Lamplight. —lt is stated that a farmer in the Longbeach district was working all last Wednesday night at reaping, with a view to getting in his crop before it sustained more damage from the high winds. He had lamps attached to his reaper. How an Argument Ended. —Heated with argument and—lemonade, two well known Ashburton residents had a bit of a set-to last night in Moore street, and had it not been for the prompt interfer ence of the by-standers, who separated the angry couple, they would probably have fallen into the clutches of the “ man in blue.”

Sporting. —The date of the South Canterbury Jockey Club races has been altered to April 25th and 26th, so as not to clash with the Ashburton meeting. The programme includes the Trial Stakes, 50 sovs ; Sires’ Produce Stakes, 80 sovs. ; Timaru Cup, 200 sovs.; Flying Handicap, 50 sovs. ; S. C.J. O. Handicap, 150 sovs. ; Handicap Hurdles, 80 sovs ; Winter Oats Handicap, 80 sovs. ; and Consolation of 30 sovs., besides minor events. Filthy Lucre. —A correspondent of the Press draws the attention of that journal to the filthy notes in circulation at the present time. He says he cashed a cheque at a Christchurch bank of high standing the other morning, and received notes in exchange which stank offensively. Quarantine laws, adds the writer (and very properly), are tomfoolery as long as these dirty notes are allowed to circulate. The danger to the public is very great.

A Caution to Persons Stopping at a Strange House. —An inquest was held at Timaru on Saturday, touching the death of John Anderson. It appeared from the evidence of the licensee of the Geraldine Hotel that the deceased recently called there and asked for a bed. He retired to rest in a perfectly sober state. Some hours afterwards, when everyone had gone to bed, Anderson was found in a dou'bled-up condition on the stairs, lying face downwards. He was removed to bed, and as he could hardly speak a doctor was summoned, and he was removed to the Hospital. The poor man was in a para lysed state. He had, it appeared, attempted to go downstairs in the dark, and being unaquainted with the house, fell and injured his spine. The accident terminated fatally on Thursday night. A verdict of “Accidental Death” was re corded. The Cultivation op Linseed. —We (Mataura Ensign) are exceedingly pleased to hear that some of the farmers in our neighborhood acted upon the suggestion we threw out some months ago, and were sufficiently enterprising to give the culti vation of linseed a fair trial. Mr A. Mclntyre, of Glenora, near Pukerau, sowed a few acres without troubling to prepare the land for the reception of the seed. Bte now has a grand crop of flax, and has been assured by recent arrivals from “ Old Erin,” that they never saw a crop to equal that of Mr Mclntyre’s in Ireland. This should be of some en couragement to others. Mr Mclntyre in tends to {put a large area under cultivation next season, and, feeling convinced that the plant will thrive well in Southland, will take more pains to ensure even a bet ter crop than, he has now. We hope others in the district will pay attention to the culture of European flax, and we have no doubt they will be equally successful.

Thanks. —Messrs Mitchell and Turner return thanks to all those who assisted to remote their stock at the late lire. The Mrs Borfoot Fund. —We under stand that the sum of Ll 5 4s 3d had been collected up to this afternoon for Mrs Burfoot, rendered homeless by the burn ing of the Library buildings.

Tobacco Growing. —We (ManaiVatil Times) have been shown a sample of Leugh’s tobacco, grown by Mr S. Rogers, of Rangitikei road. The tobacco was quite in its natural state—that is without any mixture —-and was of a green color, and pleasant to the smell. Numerous people have tried the tobacco as prepared by Mr Rogers, and all pronounce it a most excellent article. The manufacturer has this year grown a considerable quan tity of tobacco, and intends working it up into various classes in order to effect a trade thereby. Burning of a Newspaper Office. —A fire was discovered at Reefton at 1.30 yesterday morning in a cottage adjoining the Inangahua Herald office, occupied by Mr Donald Ross and family. Before assistance could be of avail the fire ex tended to the Herald office, and both pre mises were burnt to the ground. Some type and other effects were saved from the Herald office, but the frames and plant generally were consumed. Mr Ross and family had a very narrow escape for their lives and saved nothing, owing to the rapidity with which the fire spread. Mr Ross’s premises are said to be uninsured. The Herald office and plant are said to be insured in the Victoria office for L4OO.

CABLE NEWS

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[per reuter's agency.] Money and Commercial. London, Jan. 27. Consols remain at ioo%\ New Zea land securities : —Five per Cent. 10-40 Loan, Loan, 104 ; Four and a half per Cent. 1879-1904 Loan, The market for colonial breadstuffs is firm at the following quotations : —Adelaide wheat, ex store, 56s : New Zealand ditto, ex store, 525. Adelaide flour, ex store, 435. The total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain is 2,760,000 quarters. Australian tallow is firm at 42s for best beef and 48s 6d for best mutton. Heavy Failures. Several heavy failures of members of the London Stock Exchange have oc curred owing to the recent collapse on the Paris Bourse. " Alas! Poor Country." London, Jan. 28. Serious agrarian outrages continue rife in many parts of Ireland, and numerous arrests of offenders have been made in consequence. The bodies of two bailiffs who have been missing since December last have been dis covered tied up in sacks and sank in Lough Mask Lake, West Ireland. The Panic on the Bourse. Paris, Jan. 27. The panic on the Bourse owing to the political crisis has subsided. The position of affairs is calmer, arrange ments having been made by speculators for the best attainable settlement under the circumstances. Going to Try It. Paris, Jan. 28. M. de Freycinet has been sum moned by President Grevy to form a new Ministry, and has accepted the task.

Gone to Join the Rebels. Vienna Jan. 28. Intelligence to hand from the seat of the rebellion in Dalmatia and Herze govinia states that many Montenegrin chiefs, with large followings, are join ing the insurgents. Revoked. Washington, Jan. 28. President Arthur has revoked the direction recently issued by Mr Blaine, Secretary of State, to the American representative in Chili, in which the Government dictated to Peru and Chili the action to be taken with a view to bring about a peaceable settlement.

Abandoned. It is announced that the proposed conference of various American Re publics in November next to confer upon their common interests, and adopt guarantees against foreign inter ference, has been abandoned, i The Panama Canal. A despatch by Earl Granville to the United States Government has been published, in which the Foreign Secretary strongly upholds the necessity for the maintenance of the Anglo- American Clayton-Bulwar Treaty in reference to the construction of the canal across the Isthmus of Panama.

AUSTRALIAN.

[per reutrr’s AGENCY. 1 Death of a Well-Known Contractor. Sydney, To-day. Obituary—Patrick Higgins, well known contractor for the construction of the Zig-Zag railway over the Blue Mountains. The Small-Pox Dying Out. There is good reason to believe that the small-pox epidemic has been stamped out. No case now exists in the city, and there is only one patient suffering from variola, at the sani torium. Released. Melbourne, Saturday. The third class passengers by the Garonne have been released from quarantine. The Russians at Melbourne. Melbourne, Yesterday. The Russian squadron arrived here to-day.

TELEGRAMS.

[per press association.] A Great Day in Auckland. Auckland, To-day. To-day is observed as a close holiday in celebration of the forty-second anniver sary of the unfurling of the British flag in New Zealand by Governor Hobson. It is splendid weather for the regatta, and the aquatic picnics which constitute the chief sports. Entries for the various races are not so numerous as usual. In the schooner race the competitors are schooners Gisborne, Sybil, Transit, and Torea. The great interest centres in the yacht race, two new yachts being entered. For the sculling match Carter and White have entered. King Tawhaiao is aboard v,he flag-ship watching the races. Mr Bolleston on bis Travels. Dunedin, To-day. The Hon. Mr Bolleston has gone to Maerwhenua on goldfields business, thence north. The Interprovincial Cricket Match. The Interprovincial cricket, team com prises the following ; —Collinson, Cooke,

Orawahaw, Davenport, Y Fnth, Harris, Haskell, Mi cargill), Mac Neill, Rose, an

i r . Frith, C. itchell (Inver -1 Spring.

FATAL FIRE.

Seven People Burned to Death. [by telegraph.] Chkistchui oh, To-day. Between seven and eig it o’clock this morning a two-storey hou; e belonging to Harry Simpson, situate near the West Eyreton railway station, Was destroyed by fire. S’mpson’s wife and six chil dren were upstairs at tin; time the fire broke out, and all pei ished in the flames.

DR TALMAGE ON GUITEAU.

The Rev. Dr Talmagf, in an address in the Tabernacle, described a visit he paid to the White Houjse last spring, when he saw President (parfield. “At times,” he said, “ I am almost sickened, body, and mind, and soul, that a man of such splendid physique should be lacerated first by the bullet, then neces sarily at the demand of surgical skill, till nothing but the call of the Arch angel can mend that robust frame; that a man all right should be put out of the world by a man jail wrong —(ap- plause)—that a brave wbman should be made a widow; that an old mother should lose her favorite son, and the nation orphaned all because a brainless fool could not gel a foreign consulship. On the principle that all men, however bad, ought to be prayed for, I have tried for eight Sunday!; to get myself up to pray for that wretch, but T can’t do it. (Applause.) Perhaps before the day of his hanging! I may grow in grace enough to pray! for him, but until their I must leave it to the old ministers who have gCft so good that they can do anything. \

THE VICTORIAN YOUTH.

The Melbourne correspondent of a Southland exchange writes as follows : —While our world generally looks bright enough, there is a gathering cloud which causes much apprehen sion. Larrikinism has increased to such an extent during the year, and become so intensified at its close, that it seems to have utterly broken down the police. The element of fun is altogether absent. The whole of our press teems with articles demanding the use of the lash. Without giving any particulars, the state of things may be guessed when the Age declared, in a leading article at Christmas time, that never since its first publication had it to chronicle such ruffianism. . . . .

The most lamentable feature is that our young people seem to be gradually becoming of the opinion that there is nothing in the world except cricketing, rowing, football, andj horseracing—in fact that these form ths whole business of life. This cannot be for good ; it will bring about a dhitastp for honest labor, and a failure to appreciate the proper ambitions of life. lam in the custom of being much in the company of our youth, and their conversation runs wholly and solely upon these matters. You may pass days in their company and never h ; ;ar a word about art, science, literature,' politics, or even the industrial arts in which they are employed. The doings of Bonnor and the Champion race, with diversion on cards and billiards, are the staple. The wisest of our people see the thing is being overdone, but they are unable to imagine any means of stopping the tide.

Samuelson’s Reaper and Binder.—A public trial of the above well-known machine will be held at Mr Hjudson’s farm at Wakanui, on Ist Feb.

Poultry Stealing at Rakaia. —Four men were sentenced to fourteen days, with hard labor, at the Police Court this morning, for fowl stealing at Rakaia. Sergeant Felton informed the Bench that the offence was becoming very common ajtf Rakaia. When there one day last week,; three complaints had been made to him of mysterious disappearances of fowls. One resident of the place lost fifteen fowls in one week, and another resident had given up the idea of poultry-keeping alto gether, for he found he couldn’t keep them. The pursuit was poultry-losing in stead of poultry-keeping.

An Operator’s Mistake —The Maini watu Herald says the intelligent telegraph operator and the unintelligent compositor are the causes of a great deal of unneces sary anxiety in the wo.dd. A few days ago this telegram i was received in Melbourne from the quaran tine station, and I repeated, viz., “ Many clearly sickening for the disease” (smallpox). The anxiety of course became great, but it was allayed considerably upon receipt of a correction, that “ many clearly” should hav;e been “Mary Cleary. ’ That operator would make a most intelligent compositor. ”

The New Licensing Act. —To- day’s Timaru Hera'd says.—“ Co nsiderable surprise and dissatisfac tion was manifested by the Licen sed Victuallers of this town on Satur day afternoon, on receipt of verbal in structions received by them from the In spector of Police that the provisions of section 154 of the Licensing Act passed at the last session of Parliament, and which was supposed to come into operation on the first of last October,, would be brought into operatisn on that evening. This sec tion provides that all | licensed premises shall be closed—“(a) c’n Saturday night from ten o’clock until six o’clock on the following Monday morning ; and (b) on the nights of all other days from ten o’clock until six o’clock on the following morning.” Steps were at once taken to call a meeting of publicans at which legal advice was obtained, and a decision unani mously arrived at that the houses should be kept open until eleven o’clock, not withstanding the orders issued by the police. This course was followed in every instance, and we shall doubtless hear more of the matter in the course of a few days. ”

Holloway’s Pills.— The changes of tem eprature and weather frequently upset persons who are most careful of tljeir health, and most particular in their diets.! These correctives purifying, and gentle aperient Pills are the best remedy for all defective actions of the digestive organs; they augment the appetite, strengthen the stomach, correct biliousness, and carry off all that is noxious from the ,‘ystem. Holloway’s Pills are composed of rare balsams, uumixed with baser, matter, and onjthat account are pe culiarly well adapted for ; the young, delicate, and aged. As this peerless! medicine has gained fame in the past, so will |it preserve it in the future by itsrenovatingand invigoratingqualities and its incapacity of doing harm.—[Advt.]

BURNING OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

A Mysterious Fire. v P About five o’clock on Saturday, Mrs £ Burfoot, the care-taker of the Public Library, was alarmed (according tb her ® own : statement) by a strong smell of blaming, and hastened from her own ] apaijtments at the rear of the building t to ascertain, if possible, the cause of it. i The: reading room was all right, but on ope ling the door of the front room or hall, used occasionally for public meet- ( ing<, rehearsals, etc., etc., Mrs Burfoot ( was terrified to find the place in flames, i Shi rushed away to give the alarm, and ; then ran back to get out her effects, or sone of them at least. But the build ing was so old, and the wood so dry thr t, fanned by the nor’-wester that was blcwingj the fire spread with umsual rapidity, and the care-taker hai barely time to escape before he: f own quarters were destroyed. In something under half-an-hour the entire building was consumed, and its place occupied by a heap of smouldering ruins. The fire brigade was quickly on the spot, and had to work under un usial disadvantages, for the high wind blew the clouds of smoke directly into th; men’s faces with blinding effect. Tiie flames had gained too firm a hold of the old building to render any chance of saving it possible, even be fo re the brigade arrived. At one time Messrs Mitchell and Turner’s store, adjoining the Library, was in some danger. It caught under the roof, and a number of persons, fancying that the building must go, rushed in and re moved nearly the whole of the stock, rich they placed on the footpath in front of the house. Fortunately the flames under the roof of the store wbre quickly extinguished, but the : gpods sustained considerable damage, : wie believe, by their hasty removal, i Poor Mrs Burfoot is to be sincerely : pitied. Not only has she lost every i thing she possessed, but is also de : p rived, by the destruction of the build ing, of her source of income as its care taker. Some sympathisers were collect ing money for her in the streets on Saturday night,and succeeded in getting aj few pounds together. It is to be hoped 1 that the public will supplement this sum : by further subscriptions, for the case is > s really deserving one. Mrs Burfoot is a , v'idow,and the mother of a young family. ’ 'i'he origin of the fire is at present en veloped in mystery. Positively no ’ tiing is known as to how it com * nenced. We understand that about t tiree weeks ago Messrs Mitchell and , '"urner ceused the reserve on which

the Library stood to be partially cleared c?f the high tussocks with which it was covered. Had it not been for this providential clearance the fire would in all probability have destroyed Kaiapoi House also. The Library comprised from 700 to 800 volumes, including a flew works of reference and a good I'nany novels and bound volumes of ijnagazines. The loss on the whole is Estimated at between L9OO and Li, ooo. Possibly an inquest will be ■held, but this is as yet not decided upon. The insurances on the Library were as follows :—Building, L4OO ; books, L6O ; piano, L4O. Total, £.500 in the South British office. The 'msuianccs on Mcasra Mitchell and Turner’s were as follows : —Li,3oo on jitock and Ll5O on building in the Onion office ; Ltso on building and rLioo on furniture and piano (LSO on latter) in Transatlantic office.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

ASHBURTON— To-Day.

(Before his Worship the Mayor and Mr 5 R. Alcorn, J.P.) j Poultry Fanciers. —Charles Dancer, (William Purser, Fred Farmer, and John Seymour, four laboring men, vere charged with stealing three fowls, of the value of 4s 6d, the property of William Byrne, carpenter, of Rakaia. It ap peared from the prosecutor’s evidence that he resided at Rakaia, and had a xowl-house adjoining his cottage. On Saturday night he locked up his nineteen fowls at nine o’clock and retired to bed, but yesterday morning three of the birds >vere missing, and an inspection of the fowl-house revealed that the door had been tampered with. On this he gave information to Constable Rouse, stationed at Rakaia, and the pair paid a visit to a camp, and situated about a quarter of a mile from the prosecutor’s cottage, and occupied by the four prisoners. The men were at breakfast. j3n searching the tent the sack produced |vas discovered, with the three birds jnside it with their necks wrung. On being detected, the men offered to pay for ];he fowls, but the prosecutor gave them in iharge on the spot.—Constable Rouse de iosed to accompanying the prosecutor to .he tent occupied by the prisoners. When bund out, they said it was a drunken ipree, and asked him (the constable), to et them off. Dancer remarked, address ng the Bench, that he was entirely inno cent. He only got back to the camp at lalf-past ten on Saturday night, and knew nothing whatever about the fowls. Another of the prisoners remarked, with a guileless glance at their Worships, that he was as innocent as a child. He was quite surprised, etc., etc. - Sergeant Fel ton said that complaints from Rakaia of poultry-stealing, had been numerous of late, and he trusted their Worships would make an example of the accused. —The Bench considered the charge fully proved, and sentenced the prisoners to fourteen pays’ imprisonment, with hard labor. ■ Drunkenness. Two inebriates from Rakaia, first offenders, were discharged ■with a caution. A first offender, arrested in Ashburton on Saturday, was ordered to pay 2s express hire to the lock up, it having been necessary, on account of the man’s violence, to cart him to the cells. —Robert Pender was charged with being drunk and behaving in a riotous manner, and also with using obsene language. Constable Da'y deposed that from infor mation he received he proceeded to the accused’s house yesterday, found him drunk, and took him into custody. Several witnesses were called to testify to the disturbance the defendant was creat ing, and the objectionable language he was making use of. The Bench remon strated with the defendant on his conduct and fined him 20s, with the alternative of eight days’ imprisonment. He was also ordered to pay the witnesses’ ex penses, amounting to Bs. The Court then rose.

EUROPEAN ITEMS.

[Per s.s. Albion, at the Bluff.]

London, Jan. 16,

An insurrection lias occurred at Herze govina, the people being dissatisfied with the government established after the Turco-Russian war by the Berlin Confer ence. The. revolt is spreading, and it is feared that it will extend throughout the whole province. It is rumored that the United States Government has consented to advance the

indemnity demanded by Chili before she ■will withdraw her troops from the con quered Peruvian territory. For this ad vance Peru, it is said, will give the Tara pera Silver Mine province to the United States, as a guarantee of repayment. The trial of twenty-two Nihilists has commenced at St Petersburg!), and is exciting great interest throughout Russia. The energetic action which Great Britian and France have taken in regard to Egyptian affairs, is expected to result in the fall of the Egyptian Ministry. London, January 19. The reckless speculation indulged in on the Paris Bourse has resulted in a finan cial crisis. This i esult, which had been expected for some time, was hastened by the failure of the Lyons Bank. Germany and Austria are affected by the crisis, and the next settling day on the London Ex change is looked forward to with con siderable anxiety. The stocks principally affected are the Suez Canal, the Egyp tian, Imperial, and Ottoman Bank, and the Clerical Union. The value of the last-named shares has fallen from 3,000 francs to 1,300 francs.

The first steamer of the Aberdeen line owned by George Thompson will load for Australian ports in March next. She is named the Aberdeen. The Government has decided that those members of Parliament who are at pre sent imprisoned for their connection with the Irish Land League shall remain in confinement for a further period of three months.

It is now believed that the project to cut tlie canal through the Isthmus of Panama will be abandoned as a failure.

A project is announced for the con struction of a railway through the mining district of the Gold Coast.

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Per s.a. Albion at the Bluff.] Melbourne, Jan. 24.

The smallpox continues to occupy most of the public attention in all the principal ports of the different colonies. The Garonne’s passengers at Portaea are nearly. all well, and the first and second class : passengers were released to-day. The re mainder will be kept a short time longer. There is no sign of the disease in the colony. A scare was raised yesterday, but it speedily proved to be without foundation. Some passengers made a complaint, but it is generally be lieved to have been groundless. The deficiecy upon the Treasurer’s esti mate of the amount of revenue received from the selectors for the current year is I L 30,000. This small amount, as com- * pared with the previous year, is an indi cation of agricultural prosperity. The 10th was the hottest day since 1876. The heat in the shade was 110, ’ and in the sun 169 ; the previous day’s heat in the shade was 104.

Owing to the small pox scare, a number of vaccinations take place daily. The profits of the Goldsborough Com pany, Limited, for the half-year are L 28,339, yielding a dividend o f 10 per cent.

A committee of magistrates was appointed at a public meeting to consider-; the question of larrikinism. They recom- ' mended the use of the birch for youthful offenders, to be administered at the rising., of the Court, and the application of the cat for hardened larrikins.

5}A. large quantity of grain is stored at all the country stations for shipment to Eng land. The export this year already ex ceeds that of previous years. The har vest generally is satisfactory. Mr Plimsoll, the sailors’ friend, now en route for the Australian colonies, is staying some weeks in Egpyt. Blasting operations at Port Phillip Heads are completed, and the fairway is now free of obstruction.

Adelaide, Jan. 24 The heat has been intense, and up to 115 in the shade. Several bush fires have taken place.

THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

[from our own correspondent.] [by telegraph.] Christchurch, To-day. The morning session was occupied with the consideration of the education and children’s fund. The fund for expenses of delegate to the Ecumenical Congress was in debt to the extent of Li 70, which sum was paid to the Treasurer, Mr Gould, from the con tingent fund, whereupon he returned the same amount as a donation to the home mission fund.

MORMONS AT AKAROA.

The little local paper, referring to the Mormon elders now on a visit to Akaroa, says : —Two great novelties have been perambulating Akaroa lately in the shape of a couple of Mormon Elders, who seek proselytes amongst us to go to the Great Salt Lake. Our worthy librarian was somewhat as tonished the other evening when a man who wasn’t wearing his halo at the time, entered the library, announced that he was a follower of the great Joseph Smith, and asked if there were any objections to his leaving a few tracts on the table. No objections were offered by Mr Sims, and the “ Latter Day Saint ” then proceeded on his prowl. Some of the tracts are rather amusing and one hymn is very good. We quote the last verse : “ Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven, Earth must atone for the blood of that man ; Wake up the world far the conflict of justice; Millions shall know ‘ brother Joseph ’ again. Hail to the Prophet, etc.” The latter words strike us as peculiarly applicable, no doubt it is “ Hail to the profit ”in their case. It is said that these people have made four converts at Little River, two men and two women. The people of Akaroa, how ever, do not seem to have much affec tion for them, and we understand a number ot gentlemen went Morman hunting the other day, but were un successful in making them break cover. We honestly believe that it will be the best thing, not only for the public, but also for themselves to leave this locality at as early a date as possible.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 1882.



John Meech, PRACTICAL CABINETMAKER, -JK' UPHOLSTERER, Ac., fIJRNETT STREET, Opposite the Mail Office. J Easy Choirs, Couches, English and American Chairs, Single and Double Iron and Wood Bedsteads. All hinds of Carpeting, Matting, and Oileloih; A large assortment of Repps ' ind Cretonnes at lowest prices. Suites of Furniture from Ll 3 and upwards. All 'Kinds of furniture re-covered and repaired at the very lowest prices. v 1 All work guaranteed and completed at the shortest notice. Furniture exchanged, and prices given for second-hand ouiress—Cheapest House in opposite Mail Office, Burnett Side



Wante i ITT ANTED —A SITUATION aa Cook YV or Housekeeper in a small family. Gobd references given. Office of this Paper; Address X,” 702 d WANTED. —TEAMS for Carting Grain. Two months’ work, and one month’s stubble ploughing to follow. Apply to John Grigg, Longbeach. 696 d w T^ANTED —A COOK. Apply to Mrs Trevor, Ashburton. 685 d TTfANTED-A GROOM; one who - would be willing to make himself generally useful. References required. Apply, Office of this Paper. 679 d WANTED KNOWN—For sale cheap, for cash, a Horse, Buggy, and Harness. Apply, “ Alpha,” Office of this Paper. 688 d WANTED KNOWN—That Robert Elston, Burnett street, Ashburton, having procured the Newest Apparatus, is prepared to SWEEP CHIMNEYS at very low rates. Any orders left at the Town Hall will receive prompt attention. 760 c Ty/"ANTED KNOWN—Every descrip. » » tion of Plain and Fancy Pointing executed on the shortest notice, at the €hiadian Office, next Matson, Cox, and Co.’s, West street. Special Advertisements. mo FARMERS. HAMUELSON’S REAPER AND STRING BINDER. A. PUBLIC TRIAL of the above named Machine will 1 be held at Mr Hud son’s Farm, Wakanui, on WEDNES DAY next, the Ist February. FREDK. PAVITT, 705 d For Geo. Booth & Sons. THE undersigned will be prepared, during the coming season, to supply the following articles at the-lowest rates:— REAPERS and BINDERS EXTRAS for DO. BINDING WIRE CORN SACKS TURNIP and RAPE SEEDS PLOUGH SHARES And all kinds of Agricultural Imple ments. FREDK. PAVITT, Corn Merchant, &g., Ashburton. Agent for John Anderson, Canterbury Foundry, Christchurch; Geo. Booth and Sons, Importers of Agricultural Imple ments, Christchurch; and Agent for the United Insurance Company, 150 d CHEAP BOOTS. CHEAP BOOTS. The Undersigned wishes to draw the attention of the public to his well-f elected stock of BOOTS AND SHOES, which he is disposing of at a ridiculously low price for cash. All orders entrusted to him executed by the best of tradesmen on the premises. Repairs promptly attended to Note the Address—C. HAWKINS, East street, Ashburton ; and Tinwald. 998 c JILOODED OUT. FLOODED OUT. E. Clark, HAIRDRESSER & TOBACCONIST, Montgomery’s Buildings, East Street, Begs to inform the inhabitants of Ashburton that, owing to the defective roof of the above Buildings, the rains of Friday and Saturday last have greatly damaged his Stock, and he has determined to sell at less than Cost Price, to make room for New Goods. 319 d THE BEST VALUE FOR READY MONEY IS THE MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING MANUFACTURED BY THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Eactory, Which can be purchased at their Retail Branches all over New Zealand. A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Thousands of discerning customers testify that the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Garments are the very best for ready money. Ashburton Branch : East Street. W. SPARROW, 632 c Branch Manager. .W-lf f BSBnHH tm mi ;J ! I jANTERBURY MUSIC DEPOT. ASHBURTON BRANCH. Milner & Thompson Desire to inform the residents of Ash burton and surrounding districts that they have appointed Mb H. M. JONES their sole Agent for this district, and invite j inspection of the Instruments, Music, &c., now displayed in the SHOW ROOM, above Mr Jones’ Shop. PIANOS by all the best makers— Broadwood, Collard and Collard, Erard, Pleyel, Bord, Challen and Sons, Ascher burg, Lipp and Sohn, Chappell, Ronisch, Beehstein, Kapp, and others. , Sole Agent for John Brinsmead’s Gold Medal Pianos. Specialities Our Dresden Model Pianos, which took First Award of Merit at the Ashburton Exhibition, from £35 to £55. Harmoniums and Organs, from £7 10s to £SO. Concertinas, Accordians Violins, Flutes, and all other kinds of Brass and Stringed Instruments on hand. Any orders for Books, Music, or Instruments not in stock here can be supplied from our Christchurch establish ment by first train. The above Instruments can be pur chased on Deferred Payment from 20s per month. Orders for Tuning executed by a first-class professional. Pianos on Hire. 770 c



Special "AdY ertisements. I fpHE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN. PR IC E ONE PENNY. PUBLISHED EVERT EVENING. Advertisers are reminded that The Ashburton Guardian is the ONLY DAILY PAPER published between Christchurch and Timaru, and conj mands a LARGER GIRO U L ATIOIs throughout the County of Ashburton than any other Journal. ; The Ashburton Guardian circulates largely in the Town and Suburbs, and also in Rakaia, Ohertsey, Seafield, Meth ven, Alford Forest, Mount Somers, Wakanui, Longbeach, Ashburton Forks, Tinwald, Winslow, Waterton, and every part of the County of Ashburton within the reach of postal communication, thus being the best gemual as well as local medmm for Advertising. The Ashburton Guardian will be forwarded to any address in the colony for 24s per annum (paid in advance), or 6s 6d per quarter, postage extra. Stationery. Ledgers, journals, day BOOKS, GASH BOOKS LETTER, INVOICE, and MEMO RANDUM BOOKS, in various sizes and bi.nd’ngs ENVELOPES, 6s 6d per 1,000, cash NOTE PAPER, Five Quires for Is, and upwards ACCOUNT BOOKS made to order TOYS and FANCY GOODS in great variety. H. M. JONES, EAST ST. & BARING SQUARE. 293 d O. Carstens & Co., (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, Tobacconist, fancy goods, AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipe s, G.B.D. Pipes Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco A nice assortment of Accordions, Con jertinas, Flutes, Violins, Mouth Or 'ana, and Toys of every description, direct from Home. Saircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET ASHBURTON. £JIS LORDSHIP’S LARDER. THE ONLY ESTABLISHMENT IN THE WORLD WHERE A GRILLED CHOP OR STEAK; AND ! A GLASS OF BASS’ ENGLISH A:|.E Can be obtained j FOR ONE SHILLING. THE BEST MENU TO CHOOSE FROM IN CHRISTCHURCH. Unequalled Accommodation for Ladies. Dinners, Banquets, Ball Suppers, . RfAatffl.iKq. unH Pinnina - jftwv.- vided for, in the very best possible style. W. H. MESSENGER, 360 d Purveyor. "y" ALENTINES Valentines FOR THE MILLION. A large and beautiful assortment, to .suit everybody. Thousands to choose from. L. F. ANDRE WES, Bookseller, &c., 671 d East street south. JplOR SALE, CHEAP. A First-class \\ OOD’S WIRE BINDER complete with a full set of duplicate parts. The Machine has just finished 200 acres without a hitch of any kind ; work can be inspected. JOHN STALKER, 706 d Tinwald. 1 I JjWERETT BROS will SELL PRI VATELY till the END of THE MON PH, when the whole of the Drapery early in February will be sold by auction. ( ome and secure Lines sit Cost Price. EVERETT BROS. |



Slight Misunderstandings. —A clergy man in Scotland preached a few Sundays ago from the text, “ If you do not repent ye shall likewise perish.” The wife of a farmer who was present went home and told her husband that the text was, “ If you don’t pay your rent you shall leave the parish. ” This reminds us of our friend at a former election, who inveighled against Manhood “ Sufferings” and “ Triangular” Parliaments. Holloway’s Pills.—The sudden changes, frequent fogs, and pervading dampness sorely impede the vital functions and conduce to ill health. The remedy for these disasters lies in some purifying medicine, like these Pills, which is competent to grapple with the mis chief at its source, and stamp it out without fretting the nerves or weakening the system. Holloway’s Pills extract from the blood all noxious mattexs, regulate the action of every disordered organ, stimulate the liver and kidneys, and relax the bowels. In curing chest complaints these Pills are remarkably effective, especially when aided by friction of the Ointment on its walls. This double treat ment will ensure a ccitai , s.c ,1, -md bene ficent progress, and sound health wl . -o rx be ■ e-establisfied. —Advt.