SHIPPING.

?ORT : OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Anne Melhuish, barque, from Welling ton. Sailed. * Yesterday. Hawea, s.s., for the North.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES Saturday, December 30. Matson, Cox, and Co., at .their Baz-’nr — Horses, Cows, Pigs, Poultry, Sundries, &c.; 11.30 a.m. Mr T. Bullock, at the Bazaar—Horses, 1 p.m. Ur Alfred Harrison, at the yards— Horses, Pigs, Produce, &c.; 12 noon. Mr W. F. Allen, at his rooms, Burnett street—Horses, Pigs, Poult> General Produce, ; 11.30 a.m. Tuesday,! January 0. Matson, Cox and Co., at the Tinwald Yards—Stock. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c To-Morrow, Friday, December 29. Somerset Lodge, Monthly Meeting, in the Masonic Hall, Tancred street, 7.30. . Monday, January 1. Rail—J. Clark’s Grain Shed, Tinwald. "Winslow Races and Sports. wakanui Races and Sports. Tuesday, January 2. ashburton Permanent Building and In vestment Society, Monthly Meeting, from 6.30 to 8.30 p.m. Wednesday, January 3. County Council, at the County Council Chambers,' at 11 o'clock. Thursday, January 4. L.O.L. —Monthly Meeting, Templar Hall. Saturday, January 6; Wakanui Road Board —Monthly Meeting, Road Board Office, Moore street

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1882. Higher Education.

A paper warfare is being carried on just now in the South on the question of higher education, and as this is a subject that affects the whole commu nity, and as it will probably be keenly discussed during the next session of Parliament, it deserves more than a passing notice. During his recent ad dress to the electors of his constitu ency, Mr H. S. Fish, the member for Dunedin South, ventured an opinion to the effect that ere long the circum stances of the colony would necessitate the making of secondary education self-supporting. It was not likely that such an observation, which by the way was loudly applauded by Mr Fish’s audience, would long remain unchal lenged, and Dr. Macdonald, the rector of the local High School, took up the gauntlet at the earliest opportunity. The worthy dominie naturally felt strongly on the point, and if the lan guage he used in denouncing Mr Fish and those who agreed with him was at times more forcible than polite, it is not difficult to provide an excuse. In this question, as in all others, there is a great deal to be said on both sides. Dr Macdonald is no doubt right in saying that when the State undertook to edu cate the rising generation of the colony, the education provided should con sist of something more than the teaching of the three r’s. Nor is Mr Fish, on the other hand, without reason when he asks whether the colony can afford to spend so much money on what is called “ higher education.” But the question arises : Can the State, having gone so far, turn back ? The High Schools which have been esta blished throughout the colony have not only done good work, but have also prevented the establishment of private educational institutions. If, then, we take from these schools State aid, and compel them to became self-supporting, we deprive the children of the poorer classes of the opportunity for obtaining more than the rudiments of education —which is tantamount to no education at all. There seems to be on the face of it an injustice in the fact that every body should be obliged to contribute towards an institution from which only a comparative few will derive any ad vantage ; but the injustice is more imaginary than real. We often hear it said that a boy is being educated “ beyond his station.” This is the veriest claptrap, for —especially in the colonies, where class -distinctions are not so marked as they are in older countries —no man knows what station he may be called on to fill. The vulgar parvenu, who by a turn ot Fortune’s wheel has suddenly become wealthy, is as familiar in real life as he is upon the mimic stage. Such a man when he finds himself in the society of those higherinthe socialscalefeelsout of place. His want of education precludes famil iar intercourse with those above him in station, while his wealth makes him an object of distrust to those who are his equals in ignorance. This is hut one in stance out of many that might be given to show what disadvantage a man labors under who has not received a good education, if indeed any proof is needed to establish the truth of what is generally recognised as an axiom. Mr Fish does not deny the advantages of education, but he differs from Dr Macdonald as to the amount to be given by the State. The member for Dunedin South says, in effect: —Let the State supply only the barest ele ments of education, and if more is needed, let it be paid for. The answer to this is, that when the State under took to educate the people it pledged itself to give something besides the mere rudiments, and the people hare a right to demand more than will fit their children for mere artisans or clerks. We do not say the working of the High School system is perfect ; no doubt there is room for reform ; but to improve these schools

off the face of the earth, as Mr Fish seems to wish, would certainly not be wise. As to the plea that the colony cannot afford to provide secondary education, we do not think that re trenchment in this direction should

commence with the High Schools. The argument would have far greater force if applied to such an institution as the Otago University. The establish ment of this University was the out come of that petty jealousy inseparable from the old provincial system, and which is still as strong as ever in some quarters. Surely one Alma Mater was sufficient for a colony like New Zea land, but the fact that Canterbury had a University was sufficient reason for Otago to set up a “ little place of its own.” The result is that expensive buildings have been erected and a staff of Professors engaged, several of whom have scarcely a pupil to attend their classes. Had Mr Fish chosen to wage war against such an unnecessary insti tution as this, he would have had more sympathy from us than we can give him in his attack on High Schools, which have done, and we believe will con tinue to do, good work.

The Effects of Bad Liquor.—A man of the name of Drinkwatep was brought up before the Dunedin Magis trates yesterday, charged with attempting suicide, by cutting his throat. He gave as a reason for his rash act that ho had been drinking bad liquor at Lyttelton, and the sympathising J. P’s. discharged him.

A Wonderful Sheep. —The following tough one is published in a Blenheim paper :—As an instance of the wonderful wool-producing capabilities of this pro vince, we may mention that a stuffed sheep was exhib’ted at a show lately, on which the wool i» still growing. The apimal was shorn just prior to its being killed, about forty years ago, and was afterwards stuffed by its owner, Mr J. Gibson, since which time the wool has been steadily growing until now, when the fleece is quite heavy enough for the shears. Wool growers will do well to ascertain tha pe culiar breed of this sheep, with a view of developing the species, for if wool can bo grown in this way on shelves under cover flock owners can be independent of both droughts and runs.

Carried off by the Wolves. —A Morar correspondent writes to the Indian Pioneer : The wolves are carry ing off children at a tetrible rate. A poor little child was taken away and eaten (only the lower part of one leg being found) from the lines of the 27th Punjaub Infantry a short time ago. Another child was carried off and eaten (only the head being found) from the door of the house of a poor, old, half blind coolie. Last night an ayah’s child was carried off from inside a wall en closure in an officers’ compound, the wolf jumping over two children, and taking a third lying close to its mother, who. poor creature, rm shrieking after it Thejj poor children are apparently always seized by the throat, so their cries are not heard. The English Press and the Colonies. —At one of the annual civic dinners given in tho Leathersellers’ Hall a few days since (writes the London correspondent ®f the Argus) Sir Saul Samuel, in replying to a toast, made pointed reference to the indifference exhibited by the London Press towards all news relating to tho colonies. His remarks, however, were not allowed to appear in print. Another and more important illustration or the same fact was afforded by an omission of the London papers, when reporting the recent meeting held at the Mansion House, to promote the sue ess of the Amsterdam Exhibition. Though great stress was laid upon the desirability of the whole of the Australian colonies par ticipating in the Exhibition, and a special resolution was passed urging the Agents- General to use their influence to secure that end, none of the metropolitan jour nals even alluded to the circumstance in .heir reports next day.

European Flax Cultivation.— Mr M. Murphy, Secretary of the Caaterbury A. and P. Association, has received a letter on the above subject from Mr H. H. Lamont, of San Francisco, in the course of which he says :—“ I would state that the proper way to remove scepticism of any kind is to give ocular demonstration of the subject in question ; but the proving in this instance involves considerable time, expense and risk, for all of which I am willing to be responsible, providing that your company are willing to encourage me. What I would ask them would be to rent me at a moderate rent about 100 acres of clean, good fenced land, prepare it and save the seed. I will get the latter of the very best quality, and I will be in New Zealand in time for the harvest with my machine, and convince you of the truth of all I stated in my previous letter. If the company are then persuaded fhat

there is sufficient merit in the invention to warrant them having a business in terest in it, that could be arranged at the time; or perhaps ray proposal would be more agreeably carried out could there be some pre-arranged basis of purchase, but that seems to be quite impossible under existing circumstances. However, if you can suggest any way, I shall be glad to consider it. ” Ferrets —There was some warm dis cussion in Parliament last session as to the advisableness or otherwise of intro ducing ferrets, etc., to this colony for the purpose of exterminating rabbits. The Colonies and India of October 27 last, referring to this subject, says : —“ The idea of sending out weasels, stoats, and ferrets to the Australian colonies, to prey upon the surplus population of rabbits, has been again revived, notwithstanding all the arguments which have been brought forward against the proposal. It would take some years before these ani mals would become numerous enough to make any appreciable inroads on the numerous s ock of rabbits which have overrun so many districts ; and before then there is reason to hope that the means now being adopted to deal with the evil will have proved ef ficacious. Even if they do not, the risk of the vermin in their turn over-running the country, and attacking other kinds of animals than those it upon which it was specially intended that they should feast, would be too great to justify the experi ment. The case of the rabbits should be a sufficient warning against any more heedless attempts at acclimatisation. The loss of the interesting wingless birds of New Zealand, which would inevitably fall a prey to the weasels and stoats, would alone be too great a price to pay for the extermination of the rabbits, which, after all, can be turned, and are being turned, to useful and profitable account, while the vermin would have no redeeming f aturo —not even th of a white coat and black tail, which, in cold climates, the stoat assumes when ho furnishes us with the once highly-prized ‘ ermine.’ ”

A Legal Dilemma. —The case of the three men, Thompson, Morgan, ami Tay lor, who were recently found guilty in Wellington on charges of being concerned in the production and sale of illicitly dis tilled spirits, has assumed an interesting phase. It will he remembered that after the accused had been found guilty, and mulcted in penalties which amounted in the aggregate to £4OO, with the alternative of cert 1 in periods of imprisonment, their counsel applied that the warrant of com mitment might be hold over for a short time to give them an opportunity to pro cure the amount of the fines imposed upon them. To this Mr Izard, who appeared for the Crown, assented, provided security was given to his satisfa tion that the de fendants would reappear if the fines wore not forthcoming, lie also informed them that they could not expect more than three days’ grace. Thereupon a simple bond appears to have been entered into by the defendants and two sureties each in a penal sum of twice the amount of the fines im posed. The defendants failed to make up the money required to clear them, and acting upon the advice of their counsel, Mr E. Shaw, they intimated their readi ness to surrender themselves for the alter native terms of imprisonment if the magistrates would sign the warrants of committal. This the magistrates appar ently find themselves unable to do, as the defendants having been discharged from custody after they had been found guilty cannot be rearrested. According to the N. Z. Times, it is the intention of the Crown to proceed under the Crown Debts Act and sue the defendants and their sureties for the amount for which they are supposed to be liable. The action of course will be defended, and advice has been given that the Supreme Court is likely to sot aside the bonds altogether, on the ground that they were obtained for the purpose of ensuring the reappearance of the defendants, and cannot now be treated as security for any other purposes. Thus the matter stands at present. The further development will, no doubt, be looked for with the keenest interest. I

Postponment op Sade. —On account of the inclemency of the weather the ealo of Mr Black’s contracting and farming plant, etc., is postponed until Wednesday, January 3rd, 1883.

Borough School. —The distribution of priz s will take place at the Borough School (to-morrow) morning, at half-past ton o’clock. The date for the annual school treat has not yet been decided upon, owing to the inclement weather.

Assaulting a Mayor. —A Miss Rouse was fined 10s and costs at the R. M. Court, Invercargill, the other day, for assaulting the Mayor of North Invercargill (Mr John Garmson). Constable O’Leary deposed to seeing Mr Garmson shortly after the as sault complained of, when he bore marks as if he had been scratched by a woman’s nails, his cheeks being scraped and bleed ing on each side of his nose.

Railway Excursions. — la our adver tising columns will bo found a notification from tho Railway Department in refer ence to cheap fares by the excursion train which leaves Christchurch and Ashburton for Invercargill, the Lakes, and Dunedin on the 30th inst. A special night train also leaves Ashburton on tho 30th inst., at 10.30 p.m. All tickets will be avail able for return up to the Bth January. The cheap rate ought to encourage a good number of excursionists for the New Year holidays. Caledonian Sports. —The following are the special prizes which were presented in connection with the Caledonian Sports : —By Mrs Butler, of Butler’s Hotel, a silver medal for Irish dancing ; and by Mr F. Hill, of the Somerset Hotel, a silver cup, valued at L 3, for Handicap Flat Race winner ; a silver cup, of L 3, for the Mile Handicap winner ; aSt Andrew’s cross, of 1.3, for the best piper ; and a similar cross, of L 3, for the best Highland Fling dancer. J, M. O'Connor, the Titnaru pedestrian, was disqualified by tho com mittee for both his races, the protest lodged against him for not paying his no mination fees before running being up held. Harbor Improvements. —The Bluff Harbor Board have at a special meeting, resolved to sand up plans of the reclama tion works on the f oreshore to the Marine Department, Wellington. The Railway Department will take a large portion of tho reclaimed land. A strong section ot the Board was against going on with it on such terms, but consoled themselves that before the plans were approved an elec tion of the Board will take pi -ce. The action of the present Board in declining to purchase a tug for the harbor was not ap proved by a strong section of the com munity,and there islikelyto be opposition to their election. The plant for dredging, now being fitted up, consists of an iron screw steamer, to carry a Priestman dredge on a bogie in the hold, and a barge for 60 tons of spoil, with doors to the well.

The Weather.—Since yesterday at 8 p.m. the weather has been decidedly boisterous. Very heavy and intermittent rain, accompanied with a strong south west wind, has during last night and to day been experienced throughout the county, and we fear'that some consider able damage has been done to the crops. Inde'ed, it has been a return of one of the old fashioned “ sou’-westers,” with

which “ new chums ” have had little or no experience. We have not yet heard the extent of the damage done to the farmers, whose crops are in a forward state, beyond the information given us by a gentleman in the Wakanui district, who states that his crops are very much knocked about. The Rakaia and Ashbur ton rivers are in high flood, but no damage has yet been reported as from this source. Holloway’s Pills.—Health or Wealth.— No sane person would hesitate an instant in the choice between these two Now is the season to secure the former either by restoring or confirming it. These Pills ex pel all impurities from the system which fogs, foul vapours, and variable temperatures en gender during winter ; this medicine also acts most wholesomely upon the skin by disgorging the liver of its accumulated bile, and by ex citing the kidneys to more energetic action ; it increases the appetite for food and strengthens the digestive process. The stomach and liver, which most disorders originate, are fully under the control of these regenerative Pills, which act very kindly yet most efficiently on the tenderest bowels.—[Advt.]

ATTEMPTED WIFE MURDER.

[by telegraph.] Auckland, To-day,

A murderous assault was committed here this morning. A woman named Olsen was asleep in bed, when her hus band attacked her with an axe, and split her head open. He gave himself up to the police. The woman was taken to the hospital in an apparently dying state.

TERRIBLE CATASTROPHE.

A Steamer Wrecked,

Six Lives Lost,

[reuier’s TELEGRAMS —COPYRIGHT.] Sydney, Yesterday.

Telegrams are to hand from the Clarence River Heads, reporting that the screw steamer New England, 360 tons, struck on the bar at the entrance to the river, and has become a total wreck. The majority of the passen gers and crew were safely landed. Some were left clinging to the wreck, which was in a critical position and likely to break up. The sea is rising on the bar.

[Received Dec. 28, 11.40 a. m ] Sydney, To-aay,

The latest telegram from Clarence reports that six persons have been drowned through the wreck of the steamship New England. Seven still remain on the vessel. Twenty-eight have been landed, but it is supposed that there were twelve others unac counted for.

A terrific sea is running at the Heads, and the position of those still on the vessel is most critical. The catastrophe has caused great consternation at Clarence.

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Melbourne, Dec. 21. In the Assembly, on Wednesday, Sir Bryan O’Loghlen moved—“ That the House adjourn until January 9th.” Mr Francis protested that the time was too short, and moved an adjournment to February 13th, saying that rather than sit during January, after the long session, he would retire from public life. The amendment was carried, and the Supply Bill for L 40,000 was passed. Amongst the expiring laws to be renewed is the Lands Bill, which will be continued for twelve months.

Two Chinamen have been imprisoned in a drive in a mine at Buninyong. A number of men are working vigorously trying to extricate thorn. The Legislative Assembly [Chambers arc to be lit with the electric light, At a meeting of Police Commissioners, Chief-Commissioner Ohomloy recom mended the disbandment of the detective force as at present organised. He denied that promotion in the general force was gained by Masonic or Orange influence. A Masonic welcome on a grand scale has been given to Sir W. J. Clarke.

Sydney, Dec. 21. The elections have resulted in a pro nounced opposition to the Government land policy by eighty-five of a majority. The Premier has been urged to follow con stitutional precedent and resign before the meeting of the House ; but it woul.l - m

that he still inclines to the idea that he will have a majority. However, it is possible that the present Government may meet the new House, obtain supplies, and then announce their resignations. There are altogether fifty new mmebers elected. Those of the old members who have suf fered defeat were supporters of the Go vernment. The Treasurer, the Minister of Justice, and the Minister of Mines are without seats.

Canon Walsh, a friend of the late Bishop Selwyn, has died, aged 70. On the morning of collision between two goocis trains oc curred at Kakambo. The large American engine was thrown off the line, and was much damaged. Another collision oc curred the following morning on the middle of the Zigzag line. One train ran into another, and three cattle trucks were smashed ; but no further injury was done. Adelaide, Dec. 21. The trial of Patrick and Elizabeth McGee, for the Hamley Bridge murder, resulted in a verdict of “ wilful murder.” Both prisoners seemed overcome with terror. The female prisoner having alleged that she was enceinte, the Chief Justice decided to pronounce sentence at once, and directed the sheriff to em panel a jury of matrons to testify to the female prisoner’s condition. Arrangements are being made for the determination of the Australian longitudes next year, when the boundary line be- Soulh Australia and Queensland will be defined.

A gentleman who has taken up lands on the Herbert River has started sheep farming with 15,000 ewes and 100 rams. He hopes within three years to have 100,000 sheep there.

CORRESPONDENCE.

VVe do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

“ALFORD FOREST.—FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.”

To the Editor.—Sir, —When we see the above heading in your otherwise valuable paper we sigh, and, metaphori cally speaking, take off our shoes and stockings and wade through it. I did this last night on opening your issue of the 21st, and found the composition thinner and even more vapid than usual. I have long thought that your “ own cor respondent ” must be an old woman, and now I feel certain that this is the case, in spite of her assurance at the end of her letter that she is a man of plucla. There has no doubt been a certain amount of jealousy and ill-feeling between the Al ford Forest and Mount Somers people for some tine past, but it has chiefly been stirred up by such mischief - making people as “your own old woman.” Why should she warn the Alford Forest people against us ? If she had taken the trouble to come over when the committees ap pointed by the County Council to inquire into the matter of the Tinwald line exten sion visited Mount Somers, she would have found out that the Mount Somers people, who were questioned by the committee as to what direc tion they wished the line to be extended in, all agreed in saying that Bowyer’s stream should be the terminus, and that so long as that point was reached we should be satisfied, as in that case the line must pass within a reason able distance of Mount Somers. We also did our best to convince the committee that the traffic from Alford Forest would very materially assist in making the line a paying one, if carried to Bowyer’a stream. We all know that the better a line pays the better it is worked, so that from the lowest point of view, even sup posing we are as black as the old woman paints us, we shall continue our efforts to have the line extended to b’owyer’s stream, even after it has crossed the South Ashburton, in order that we may get a daily service of trains instead of only two days a week as at present. I had the honor to drive the Minister for Public to within a mile of Bow yer’s stream, on the occasion of his late visit to Mount Somers. I pointed out to him the large extent of bush, the numerous homesteads and generally culti vated appearance of the land below the Forest, and did my best to convince him that the line should be extended to Bow yer’s stream before it would be a paying one. No petition, or other expression oB public opinion has ever been in favor of bringing the line to the pre sent township ’of Mount Somers, although “your own old woman” has done her best to make the people of Alford Forest, believe that that is our only object. We should have about as much reason as she has if we objected to the Methven line being extended by Gough’s crossing (which is, I suppose, the place she means by Goss’s crossing), be cause it would pass Alford Forest on its way to Mount Somers. I hope “ your own old woman ” will not flatter herself that I think she represents the general feeling of the Alford Forest people in her voluminous and ''washy contributions to your paper. I know that there are plenty of sensible men, and sensible old women too, for that matter, round the Bash, but I think it as well, from her semi-official position as “your own correspondent,” not to let her letters go altogether un challenged. Allow me to recommend the following verses by A. J. Symington for her serious consideration before she inflicts another letter on the suffering public :

Whatever you have to say, my friend. Whether witty, or grave, or gay, Condense as much as ever you can, And speak in the readiest way. And whether you write on rural affairs Or particular things in town, Just a word of friendly advice— Boil it down. For if you go spluttering over a page, When a couple of lines would do, Your butter is spread so much, you see, That the bread shows plainly through. So when you have a story to tell, And would like a little renown— To make quite sure of your wish, my friend— Boil it down. When wiitingan article for the Press, Whether prose or verse, just try To butter your thoughts in the fewest words, And let them be crisp and dry. And when all is finished, and you suppose] It is done exactly brown, Just look it and then Boil it down. For editors do not like to print An article lazily long, And the general reader docs not care For a couple of yards of song. So gather your wits in the smallest space If you’d win the author’s crown, And every time you write, my frond, Boil it down.

The old woman kindly offers to drive her quill for the assistance of Mount Somers in case of need—Ye gods forbid.— I am, etc., A. Edward Peache. Mount Somers, Dec. 23.

P. S.—As I suppose we may expect a profuse splutter from her pen in answer to this, allow me to assure her, as sune apology for my ungallant conduct in attacking an old woman, that she shall have a woman’s privilege of saying the last word.

ARABIAN EVERGREEN MILLET— A NEW FORAGE PLANT.

From a pamphlet published in San Francisco we take the annexed account

of what appears to be a most valuable plant:—“The following are some of the leading points in the character of this extraordinary millet:—lt is a perennial hay and grazing grass. It requires sowing but once. It can be cut for hay four times a year, and produces two to four tons per acre each cutting. No irrigation is ever required for it. It has been tried on all kinds of soils and variety of climates, and everywhere has been a perfect success. It makes more hay than alfalfa, and of greatly superior quality. It is succulent, and contains much saccharine matter, and is very valuable for dairymen and farmers generally. And, besides all this, no animal was ever known to bloat from eating it, and all kinds of stock eat it with the greatest avidity. It also makes a greater summer and winter growth than any other forage plant. And, to crown all, it cannot be injured by drought or flood, freezing or gophers. Wherever sown, it will thoroughly estab lish itself, and will run out all kinds of ! weeds, and take possession of the soil without any help whatever. It will be asked, is this a new grass ? and where is its native habitat ? In reply, it may be stated that it is not a new grass, though it may be quite new to the farmers of these colonies. In the' Old f World it appears to have been grown from the earliest ages of which there is any record, grown, too, both for pas,tur/e and hay, in the driest lands. Origin- , ally it came from near the city pfv Aleppo, in Asia Minor, and was exten sively grown between the river Jordan and the Euphrates.” The following is an extract from an Australian paper in regard to the Arabian evergreen millet —“ This new millet is quite distinct from all other species, and is, without doubt, destined to take the'front rank of valuable forage plants. Sown in light sandy soil the plants at first appear feeble, but when a few inches, above ground they begin to tiller, and new shoots appear rapidly from the original root until the number is half-a-dozen to : a dozen or more. The stems at first are nearly prostrate, but when about two feet long they begin to assume anj upright position, reaching a height ‘of eight or ten feet, not differing in color or substance from Indian corn. When the stems have reached nearly their full height the seed or flower spikes appear at the summit. As soon as the first or principal flower spikes appear, the stems throw out lateral branches from every joint, these, in turn, producing leaves and flower spikes. When cultivated for fodder the seeds should he dropped in drills, and given plenty of room on account of the habit of tillering, and, judging trom our brief experience with it, we think a quart of seed, or, at most, two quarts, abundant for an acre.” As to the great success and unprecedented growth of this new forage plant, the following ex tract from a letter written by Mr Cox, of New York, and which appeared in the August number of the Tropic , will be read with interest : —He says: “The seedsman who has it (one of the most reliable in New York), experimented with it himself, and tells me that here in New Jersey soil and climate he ob tained the following results :—He sowed the seed on the 15th of May, in drills 18 inches apart at the rate of four pounds to the acre. In 12 days the plants were up so that he ran a cultiva tor between the rows, after which no cultivation was necessary or for the growth was astonishing, and crowded down every weed and other vegetation, The first cutting was made on the Ist July, just 45 days after sow ing; it was then seven feet high, cover ing the whole ground, having filled up the spaces between the drill rows, and the crop, cut three inches above the ground, weighed in the green state -30 tons to the acre. This, when dried, gave six and one-half tons of hay to the acre. After this cutting the second growth started, and was cut again on the 15 th of August—just 45 days after the first cutting. Its height' was then nine feet, and weighed in the : green state 55 tons to the acre, and when dried eight tons of hay to the acre. The third crop started as rapidly as the second, but the cool nights of September lessened its tropical lukuri ance, so that this crop, which was cut on the Ist of October, only weighed 10 tons to the acre in the green state, and one and one-half tons when dried into hay—making in days an aggregate weight of 95 tons of green fodder, or 16 tons of dried hay to the acre. He further says that all his horses and cattle ate it greediy in both the green and dried states, and it seemed in every way an excellent feed for them. Just ‘think of this rapid growth, be tween the xst of July and the .15th of August, nine feet—nearly two and one half inches every 24 hours.” A gentle man in California, writing on behalf of his firm, says : —“ The growth of this grass is surprising, VVe are now cutting it for seed; it is eight feet high. We expect to sow 200 acres of it this sea son, as we think it far ahead of alfalfa. The roots are known to go down into the earth from 5 to 15 feet, according to the character of the soil. The grass has a head something like English oats, and the seed resembles that of flax seed, but a little more full and round when ripe.”

CRICKET.

VICTORIA, v. NEW SOUTH WALES. [reutbr’s telegrams—copyright.] Melbourne, Yesterday. The Intercolonial match, Victoria v. New South Wales, was resumed here to-day, when the home team, with one wicket down and 60 runs to their credit, continued their second innings, and at the conclusion of the day’s play had scored 332 runs with four wickets yet to fall. The principal scorers were Horan 129, and Midwinter 38. Great interest was taken in the match, and arrangements have been made to play it out.

[Received Dec. 28, 2.15 a.m,] Melbourne, To-day. In the intercolonial cricket match yesterday, P. McDonnell, for the Vic torians, scored 70. THE ENGLISH CRICKETERS. [beuter’s telegrams—copyright.] Melbourne, Yesterday. A match was commenced yesterday at Ballarat between the Hon. Ivo Bligh’s English eleven and a team , re presenting Ballarat and district. The home team went in first, and were all

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1882.



o E. now IN STOCK and for sale, •x ▼easels from Kaipara, a large assort ment of DRESSED AND UNDRESSED Kauri Timber, including sizes to suit all requirements of the Building Trade. -{WELL SEASONED TIMBER for Joiners and Cabinetmakers. : Also, from Foxton, ex Awaroa and Forest Queen, Tptaral Black Pine, of the best quality to be obtain d. ©2l TUCKER. RESTELL & CO. QANTA CLAUS IS COMING. JEL M. Jones' COMPLIMENTS TO ALL; > Ada -desires to call special attention to the following items, which have been carefully selected for the coming Festive Season : BOOKS! BOOKS!! -REWARD, PRESENTATION, and . PRIZE BOOKS. , : NEW VOLUMES— Boys’ Own Annual Girls’ Own Annual Chatterbox Child’s Companion Infants’ Magazine, <&c., &c. ;T. POETS— VARIOUS Authors; Sir Walter Scott’s Works,’now edition, complete. i TOYS! TOYS!! TOYS!!! GREAT VARIETY—in Wood, Tin, China, and Indiarubber. J;' _____ JjOLLS ! DOLLS !! DOLLS !!! ALL SIZ S—From one inch to two feet—in Wood, Rag, China, Composition, efc&'. 1 FANCY GOODS ! FANCY GOODS ! •k NICE SELECTION of the above, suit&blb'for Christmas Presents and New Year t Gifts. ALL the above Goods are offered at .. the LOWEST Po«sibie Prices ’ for CASH. A LIBERAL DISCOUNT allowed to schools :I on parcels of Toys, Books, etc.



PIANOS. ORGANS, BRASS, and STRINGED liS-STRUMEN 1S °7- : - ' ON *” ;r 'DEFERRED PAYMENTS. .VjV-' 1«* ‘ - . . H. M. JONES, BURNETT ST. & BARING SQUARE. 13d John Meech, B.jr &NE TT STREET, Ashburton, CABINETMAKER & UPHOLSTERER. The above advertiser begs to intimate to his numerous friends and customers that as he baa EXTENDED HIS PREMISES He 1 is now In a position to execute all kinds of FURNITURE at pricks to meet THE TIMES. Second-hand Furniture bought and sold. f First Prize awarded at the late A. and P, Show. (■ ■ • Showrooms—Next Bullock’s Arcade. "Workshop—Next Mail Jffico. I P ( TpU WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE, GO TO DAVIS’S CHEAP FURNITURE AND BED t. ■' ■' ■ DING MANUFACTORY, EAST STREET SOUTH, 0 Z : ASHBURTON. VERY article Sold at Ohriatchurch and guaranteed best of laterial and workmanship. as n: " NEBALS Completely furnished



Wanted SHBURTON CHEESE FACTORY. WANTED—A MAN, vrith a thorough knowledge of rearing and feeding pigs, to look after about 200 or 300. Applica tions, stating wages required, to be sent in to the Secretary by noon of FRIDAY, 29th instant, from whom all further par ticulars may be obtained. S. E. d 23 S. E. POYNTZ, Secretary.



WANTED to LET, far Three Months, the whole or part of 180 acres English GRASS and 150 acres THSSOCK. Will ba Let cheap. Apply A. Gibson, Hinds. 23 d ANTED TENDERS—For CUT TING, STOCKING, and STACK ING 300 Acres Crop at Coldstream. Par ticulars can be obtained from Messrs Jameson and Roberts. Ashburton, or C. H. DOWDING, d 27 Coldstream. WANTED KNOWN—That a BALL will be held in Mr Clark’s Grain Shed, Tinwald, on Now Year’s night Tickets, 2s 6d. The proceeds will be given to the Tinwald School Treat Fund. Doors open at 8 p. m. 23d ■YTTaNTED KNOWN—That Robert Elston, Burnett street, Ashbur ton, having procured the newest appara tus, is prepared t® Sweep Chimneys at very low rates. Any orders left at the Town Hall will receive prompt attention. ■yy ANTED KNOWN. That BONEDUST, specially prepared for drilling with carrots, mangolds, etc., can be obtained from the undersigned. F. MAYO, Hampstead Bone Mills.



ANTED KNOWN—The Leicester Boot Warehouse, Burnett street, is the cheapest shop in Ashburton for Boots and Shoes. Ladies Boots from 6s 6d per pair ; Ladies’ Prunella, 7a 6d per pair; great variety of Infants’, lid per pair ; Men’s Balmorals, 12a 6d per pair ; Men’s Bluchers, 8s 6d ; Men’s Shoes, 10s 6d ; Boy’s strong nailed Laceups, 6a 6d. Repairs neatly executed. J. G. GREEN & CO., Burnett street. ANTED KNOWN—It is Mr Lan caster’s intention to extend his Bread Business, and he wishes his cus tomers to know he has secured Mr Thomas Hicks to manage that branch. A Cart will be run with Broad alone, independent of the other Two Carts, which will con tinue to run as before. The name of Mr Hicks will be a sufficient guara tee that, under his management, Bread of unex ceptionable quality will be turned out of the FREETRaDE BAKERY, East street —R. Lancaster, Proprietor. 240



Special Advertisements. QHRISTMAS PRESENTS. JUST OPENED UP, A Large and Choice Selection of FANCY GOODS TOYS PRIZE BOOKS. &0., &c., &c. Andrewes Bros., BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS, &c. East street south, Ashburton. n!5



g AVE YOUR GRAIN AND PURCHASE Walter A. Wood’s TWINE REAPER AND BINDER, Which obtained the FIRST PRIZE and GOLD MEDAL against all comers at the TRIAL held last season in Christ church, under the auspices of the Canter bury A. and P. Association, This Machine combines Lightness of Draught, Simplicity of Construction, Ease op Management, Durability, and with Quantity and Quality ©p Work. Ealing, 21st December, —To Messrs ,Poyntz and Co, —Gentlemen.—In an swer to your enquiry 1 might state that the Wood’s Twine Binder, works to my entire satisfaction,and may mention that [ during last season, I cut 154 acres of [ wheat during a sttong wind with perfect ease, and produced good work. Yours truly, Henry Herne, manager for J. E. Ruddenklau. Newlands, 22nd December, —Messrs Poyntz and Co., Ashburton.—l have this day completed cutting 25 acres of rye grass on my farm at Newlands, with a W. A. Wood’s Twine Binder, purchased from you last year, to my entire satisfaction. The crop is now lying on the ground, and speaks for itself. Anyone wishing to see the crop can do so on visiting my farm. Yours faithfully, Martin Griffin,



FOR SALE— Second-hand GRASS-STRIPPER. FOR SALE— Second-hand McCormick REAPERS and BINDERS. FOR SALE- Four-horse DR \Y. FOR SALE— A WAGONETTE, in capital order, FOR SALE— An Eight-horae-power ENGINE, by Clayton and Shattlewonh, in good order. FOR SALE COMBINE, by Marshall. ON SALE BINDER TWINE, WIRE, and OIL, at current rates. Poyntz & Co., AGENTS. 21d



Special Advertisements. [With an apology to Green’s Shade.] CHEAP BOOTS AND SHOES.—The BIG SHOP in East Street, Ash burton, has just been opened with an entirely NEW STO?K of English, Foreign, and Colmial-msde BOOTS and SHOES, which will ba sold at my usual LOW PRICES, which have given such satisfaction in Tinwald and else where. —C. HAWKINS, “ Mtoutbp." Warehouse, Ashburton ; also at Tin wald.



QO,A L. COAL. COAL. We have now IJf STOCK, ex Con ference, a large supply of the Old Lambton Coal. This is the BEST HOUSE COAL imported. 18n TUCKER, REST ELL &, CO.



TO BLACKSMITHS, iM BREWKRS, AND OTHERS. Just lavded, ex Mary Campbell, from Greymouth, a supply of the CELEBRATED Brunner Coal, The best procurable for blacksmith and steam purposes. n 27 TUCKER, RESTELL & CO.



n 'HE BEST VALUE FOR READY |_ MONEY IS THE MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING Manufactured BY TUB NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, 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 *- actory’s Garments are the very best for READY MONEY. Ashburton Branch: EAST STREET. W. SPARROW, Manager.



mHE SCOTTISH IMPERIAL IN ± SURANCE COMPANY. Head Office: 151, West George street, Glasgow. Capital ... £1,000,000 FIRE RISKS taken at lowest current rates. Claims promptly settled here. W. R. BOYLE, n 7 Agent, Ashburton. The mutual fire & marine INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. We are prepared to accept RISKS on Threshing Machines and Growing Crops. RATE—2S per cent. LESS than any previous season. o2 TUCKER, RBSTELL & CO.



gPECIAL NOTICE TO THE INHABITANTS OP ASH BURTON AND SURROUNDING DISTRICTS. G-. R. West and Co., MUSIC AND PIANOFORTE WAREHOUSEMEN, Princes street, Dunedin, Have great pleasure in announcing that it is their intention to cater for the Music loving population of Ashburton in such a man ior as has never before been at tempted. Messrs G. R. West & Co. are the Largest Direct Importers of PIANOS, ORGANS, HARMONIUMS, BRASS, WIND, AND STRINGED INSTRUMENTS In the Colony, and a large and varied stock of the above can always be found. Mr G. R. West, being at present in England, is shipping direct to Dunedin all the latest novelties in MUSIC ! MUSIC ! ! MUSIC !.' ! And the firm respectfully solicit a call from their friends, teachers, and the public in general to inspect their magnifi cent stock of Music, personally selected. d!4



SA MUE LS O N’ S PRIZE SHEAF TWINE BINDER & HARVESTER THE NEW ZEALAND GRAIN AGENCY AND MERCANTILE COM PANY, LIMITED, Have landing, ex Marlborough, their first shipment of the bamuelson PRIZE TWINE BINDER AND HARVESTER. The Machines, which are now being fast sold, have many material improve ments on the one exhibited by Messrs SamueLon last season. Among others we may mention especially the NEW AND STRONG MAIN GEAR FRAME CHAIN LIFTING GEAR ON TRA VELLING WHEEL RAISING AND LOWERING GEAR FOR GRAIN WHEEL PATENT OILING ARRANGE MENTS FOR DRIVING-WHEEL IMPROVED SHIFTING REEL. These, combined with the liahtness of draught, lowness of cut, simplicity of con struction, and strength of material, render the machine the most complete offered this season. The Binder is simple and easy to oper ate and automatic, making sheaves regular in size and with perfect separation and good shape, with secure knot. Messrs Samuelson, in perfecting this machine, have avoided complication, and have carefully studied extreme simplicity and facility of adjustment. An expert from Messrs Samuelson’s Factory is now on the way out, and will arrive in New Zealand early in December, so as r,o bo present to render his services during next harvest. Early application is necessary to avoid disappointment in securing a machine. G. G. STEAD, Managing Director. P. CUNNINGHAM, Consulting Director. W. HORNE, I2au Agent, Ashburton, EDUCATION Act, 1877, Debtors and Creditors Act, s,nd Amend ment Acts, Forest Trees Planting Encouragement Act, 1871, to be had at the Guardian Office, next Matson, Cox and Co, ’s, W * street.



Special Advertisements. Thomas Taylor, gAKER AND CONFECTIONER, East street. WED DING CAKES To Order. Manufacturer of CIDER AND OTHER CORDIALS,



Sporting.— Mr J. Pilbrow has dotor mined to enter Welcome Jack, who won the Auckland Cup on Tuesday last, for the Melbourne Cup. Telegraphic Communication. The telegraph line between Methven and Ra kaia is now completed, and it is expected it will be open to the public in a few days. A Swindler. —At the Invercargill Resi dent Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Amos J. Tudball, an adventurer from Christ church, who has been protending to nego tiate for the purchase of land in the Southern district, pleaded guilty to ob taining cash on valueless cheques from hotelkeepers. He pleaded in extenuation that he had forgotten that hehadclosed his account with the Bank in Christchurch in July. The Bench sentenced the; accused to six months’ hard labor. j ....