SHIPPING.

PORT OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Tui, as., from Kaikoura. Circe, brigantine, from Foo Chow. To-day. Arawata, s.s., from Port Chalmers. Hawea, s.s., from Wellington. Sailed. Yesterday. Agnes-Jessie, barquentine, for Kaipara. Tui, as., for Kaikoura, Wellington, and Foxton. Grafton, a.s., for Oaraaru. To-day. Ringarooma, s. s., for Oamaru. Arawata, s.s., for Wellington and the North. f Hawea, s.s., for Port Chalmers. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Sailed—Penguin, for the South (with ihe ’Frisco mails). Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived—Xarifa, yacht, from Lyttel ton ; Tdrea, schooner, from Lyttelton; Wanaka, from the South ; Hawea, from Pioton and Nelson Sailed—Hawea, for the South. Port Chalmers, Yesterday. Arrived —Lapwing and Transport, from Newcastle! ; Arawata, from Melbourne ; Ringarooma, from the North, Sailed—-Jessie Niccol, for Macquarrie’s Mand; East Lothian, for Kaipara. Bluff, Yesterday. Arrived —Lochfleet, in tow of the tug Koputai.

MAIL NOTICES.

TWaila close at the Ashburton Post Office U follows : For Oliristchurch and North at 6.30 a. m. 10.30 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10.30 a. in, and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. For Temuka, at 6.30' a.m. and 10 a.m., daily. For Titnaru and South, at 6,30 a.m., 10 A.m., and 430 p.m., daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a.m. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, at 430 p-jpo., daily. For Memington, on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 4 30 p. m. For Wakanui, -Elgin, Seafield, New ymd, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 a. m. Mftila arrive at the Ashburton Post From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.25 а. 440 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. From Chertsey, &c. at 10.25 a.m. and 440 p.m. daily. Froin Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.35 p.m. daily. From Temuka and Timaru at 10.50 a.m.- б. p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet, 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. FnMri Flemington on Tuesdays, Thurs days, and Saturdays, at 10 a.m. From Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, New and, and Kyle, on Tuesdays. Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 4 p.m. JW. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster

DAILY MEMORANDA.

~j,r . AUCTION SALES. 1 Saturday, January 14. Mr T. Bullock, at tho Bazaar—Horses ; L3O p.m. MOi Tuesday, January 17. Matson, Cox and Co., at the Tinwald Tarda —Stock.

MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c Friday, January 20. Bazaar, in aid of Catholic Church Build ing Fund. ,• Monday, January, 23. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Wednesday, February 1. Amateur Dramatic Club, Town Hall, 8 p.m, / County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock. " Thursday, February 2. ‘ Wakanni Road Board—Monthly Meeting, Boad Board Office, Moore street ; i Tuesday, February 7. Ashburton Permanent Building and In vestment Society, Monthly Meeting, from 6.80 to 8.30 p.m.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

3'bains Leave Ashburton for Christ church And intermediate stations at 7.10 a.m., 11 a.m., and (Express) 5.40 p.m. Trains Leave Ashburton fob Timaru and South, at 6.50 a.m., 10.32 a.m. (Express),and 4.45 p.m.—-thelatter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from OKRiiiTCHUBCH at IC I 20 a.m. (Express), 435 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Timaru and South at 10.45 a.m., 5.28 p.xn- (Express), and 8.10 p.m.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.

All orders for insertion of advertise ments must be written legibly on the face of the advertisement. When no order is given the advertisement will be inserted until countermanded, and charged accord ingly- All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good faith. All advertisements and business letters to be addressed The Manager ; literary communications should be addressed to The Editor.

MARRIAGE.

Bonifant—McGrath. —On Jan. 11, at Anama, Mount Somers, by the Rev. A. W. Hands, John Bonifant to Mary McGrath.

DEATHS.

Hampton. —At the Ashburton County Hospital, on th 9th January, John, the only and beloved son of Benjamin and Sarah Hampton; aged 7 years and 4 months. Home papers please copy. Hampton. —At the Ashburton County Hospital, on the 12th January, Eliza beth, the third and beloved daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Hampton ; aged 5 years and 8 months. Home papers please copy.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas, et Prevalebit. THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1882. The Sparrow Nuisance.

TOWN EDITION.

[.lssued at 4.30 p.m. j

“ What shall we do with our spar rows?” is becoming a very burning question indeed. The little birds were originally introduced into the colony at a greit expenditure, of pains, time, and money, but once here they took so kindly to the soil, and increased and multiplied so rapidly that we would at the present time give almost anything if we could be rid of them. Like the rabbit, they have proved r pest instead of a blessing, and farmers and garden ers alike are bent upon their extermina tion. In our own neighborhood their ravages have been keenly felt as many a gardener can testify to his cost. “ Look at those cherry trees,” said a gentleman to us the other evening, pointing rue fully to a number of trees ia bis long garden. “ Those trees have produced a hundred-weight of cherries every year for years, until this year, and this year the crop would have been equally good but for the sparrows. At it is, I have hardly any fruit at all.” Similar ac counts are constantly to hand of the havoc wrought by the same feathered depredators amongst the oat crops. And yet we have been doing our best (individually) to abate the nuisance. “Sparrow pie ” has become popular in Ashburton, and sparrow netting a favorite amusement, Indeed, the spar row netters must have done good ser vice in reducing the number of the enemy. There is also supposed to be a Sparrow Club in existence, but we are afraid that the members are too apa thetic to effect much good. At the last meeting called (at Shearman’s Hotel), we believe the secretary was the only person connected with the Club who put in an appearance. In Oamaru, the crusade against the sparrows is being most vigorously prosecuted. The newly formed local club has offered 5s for every 100 sparrows’ heads, and in one week lately nearly 3.000 sparrows’ eggs and 500 heads were received by the club. In Adelaide the sparrow is in as bad odour as in this colony. The Sparrow Commission recently laid a lengthy report on the question before

the South Australian Parliament. The Commission regards the sparrow as a great public enemy, and his suppression a great public duty. .They therefore recommend that it be compulsory on all owners and occupiers to destroy both nests and birds within their pro perties. The Commission further re cbmmends that Sparrow Inspectors slpould be appointed to see the work of annihilation duly carried out, and tiiat the Legislature should enforce compulsory action, and that the. sister colonies be requested to adopt a simi- Uir policy. These are vigorous mea sures indeed, but the sparrow nuisance requires to be dealt with vigorously. Let us hope that the energetic example set us in other places may have the effect of stimulating our local club to renewed exertions.

Reasonable Cause For Grumbling.

' An Auckland telegram published in our issue of yesterday, calls attention to the inadequate provision existing at Auckland for the fumigation of letters Arriving by the mail steamers flying the bellow flag. Those steamers it is scarcely necessary to say, are quaran tined, and before the mails are allowed to leave they are very properly sub jected to a disinfecting process. But ?;he appliances at present in use for that purpose are of such a wretched descrip tion, that a most vexatious and wholly delay is occasioned to the persons to whom the letters, etc., are addressed. On the last occasion that a mail steamer was quarantined the mails were detained for a clear two days after the vessel’s arrival, and on the present occasion theZealandia’s mailshave been detained a pr'vokingly long time. The postal authorities cannot be charged with remissness or indifference in con nection with the matter. They hive repeatedly brought it under the notice of Government, but up to the present time nothing has been done to remedy • the evil. Seeing that the erection of a proper smoke house would be covered by a very trifling outlay, we-.consider ithat the powers that be, ought, in jus tice to the hundreds of persons who are anxiously expecting news from Home by leach incoming mail, to provide proper i disinfecting appliances. The delays in - connection with the mails, which cannot ibe helped, are quite sufficient, as it is without the recipent of letters from Home being put to a further and easily avoidable delay.

Matrimonial Persecution.

For a considerable time past there . has been a startling decrease, it seems, I in the number of marriages contracted |in France. This fact has engaged the j particular attention of a member of the | French Chamber, who proposes to deal | with it in a manner which has often } been suggested in fun, but which is I now proposed in sober earnest. This is to impose a tax upon bachelors, and the member of the French Parliament ]l above referred to is actually con templating the introduction of a Bill providing that every bachelor between t the ages of 30 and 35 shall pay to the 5 State a yearly tax of five francs, the ! sum being doubled immediately he has passed his thirty-fifth year and until his fortieth, and increased in proportion as he advances in life without entering j the connubial state, until the yearly • tax reaches 100 francs. Poor French ; bachelors ! let us pen a word of \ sympathy for you, threatened with this I matrimonial persecution. It is certainly j hard lines, and yet (joking apart) ; statistics go to show that the married : man is much better off than the celibate. It is notorious that the benedicts are longer lived, as a general thing, than the bachelors. Probably 1 this fact is attributable to the more j regular hours kept by married men as a rule, and the fact of the domestic j hearth serving to occupy their spare I time and attention, to the exclusion of j less worthy objects. Again, we are . told, unmarried men go mad twice as often as married men, and statistics on suicide show that where one married man puts an end to himself, ten single ones adopt a similar course. However the poor bachelors may view it, we have no doubt that the proposal of the French legislator will meet with the heartiest approval of the ladies.

Police Court. —At the Police Cou-t this morning, before his Worship the Mayor, three inebriates were brought up. As they were all first offenders, his Wor ship dismissed them, with a caution to mend their ways.

The Proposed Woollen Factory in Ashburton. —A meeting of persons inter ested in the establishment here cf the above industry is called for to-morrow, at 3p. m. at the Town Hall. We under stand that promises of support to the ex tent of about 300 shares have been re ceived. We trust that the meeting to morrow will be well attended, as the question to be discussed is one affecting the welfare of the community. The Old Men’s Home —At yesterday’s meeting of the Charitable Aid Board, held at Christchurch, it was reported that on June 30, 1881, there were 42 inmates in the Old Men’s Home at Ashburton. From July Ito December 31,16 additional inmates were received, and 21 discharged. During the same period there had been three deaths. The total remaining in the institution was 34. Ah Gee’s Novelties.—The exhibition of Al. Gee’s collection of wood carvings has been visited by a large number of people during the past week, and every one has expressed admiration at the skill and perseverance which, must have been brought into exercise ere such marvellous results could have been brought about. As the ingenious proprietor intends leav ing for southern townships on Monday next, our readers who have not seen the exhibition should certainly lose no time in doing so.

Shooting with Intent to Kill. —At the Police Court. Kumara, yesterday, Ed ward Haylock, publican, of Kawhaka, was charged with shooting with intent at Andrew Curie, a sheep-drover, of Papa nui, at Harris’ accommodation house, Christchurch road, on Monday last. -From questions put by accused to prosecutor, the causa is attributable to imputed im proper intimacy with one of accused’s daughters. The case was adjourned till to-morrow for the production of further evidence. Accused was allowed bail, himself in L2OO, and two sureties in LIOO each. The Small pox Cases Aboard the Zea landia. —The small-pox patients by the Zealandia are Auckland passengers, Messrs R. T. Crawford and George Stainger Crawford. Dr Sandes has been. sent down, and isolated on the island with the patients. The Australian stowaway, John Anderson, who was sent to quarantine, has been appointed to attend on them, he and Barnsley, quarantine-keeper, being vaccinated by the health officer.

A Story by Lefroy. —ln another column will be found a story entitled ‘ ‘ Three Terrible Nights,” from the pen of Lefroy, the Brighton murderer. The story had been in type before in Australia, but this is its first appearance in this colony. Letters from Home. —The following telegram from the Secretary of the Postal Department was received to-day by the Postmaster here :—“Your portion of the ’Frisco mail, per Penguin, consists of one bag of letters—the balance follows by the To Anau. Make this information public. Fumigation has caused the detention. ”

Ashburton Cheese and Butter Fac tory.—After we went to press yesterday, the following permanent directors were appointed at the Cheese and Butter Fac tory meeting at the Town Hall : —Messrs S. Chapman, J. Orr, B. Moss, R. Ander son, Joseph Clark, J. Wheeler, F. Payitt, S. S. Revans, and H. Friedlander. The next meeting of dirctors will take place on Monday, the 16th inst., at 7.30 p m., when the important questions of selection of site, erection of buildings, etc., will be discussed.

Ashburton Amateur Dramatic Club. —A very successful rehearsal of the pieces to be produced for Mr Bourk’s benefit by the members of the above Club, took place on the Town Hall stage last night. Both pieces have been well cast, and should go off well on the night of the per formance. We are glad to think that the suggestion thrown out in these columns that the entertainment should be under the patronage of His Worship the Mayor and Borough Councillors, has been acted upon. His Worship to-day signified his assent to the proposal, and we understand that the members of several friendly societies have also promised Mr Bourk their countenance and support. This is as it should be.

The Projected Woollen Factory at Wellington. This project has fallen through owing to the lack of interest dis played by the public, and want of response to the application for shares.

New Colonial Industry. —The New Zealand Fruit Preserving Company opened their works at Dunedin yesterday, a quantity of jam being turned out in the presence of a number of visitors.

The Grain Traffic. A meeting of farmers was held at Methven yesterday to consider the expediency of memorialising Government to effect certain improve ments in the working of the grain traffic on the Rakaia and Ashburton Forks Rail way during the grain season. It was re solved- “ That, for the better regulation of grain traffic, a memorial to the manager of the Christchurch section of the New Zealand Railways be drawn up, asking that a man be placed in charge of each of the stations on the Rakaia and Ashburton Forks Railway, to give receipts for grain, and have charge generally of the yards attached thereto during the grain season.” Fire Brigade. —The Fire Brigade held its usual fortnightly practice last night. Some interesting experiments were made with the fire engine and water. The engine, with a gang of 14 men, emptied one of the sumps in Peter Street with a full head of water on in Imin 35secs. Then an adjournment was made to outside Shearman’s Hotel, and it was resolved to see how long the water would be travelling from the Post Office to the corner of Burnett street. Three minutes and five seconds sufficed to bring down an ample supply of water for the engine. The tube wells were then tested with most satis factory results. We understand that the anniversary of the formation of the Brigade is to be celebrated by a dinner on February 9ih.

The’Frisco Mails.— The s.s. Penguin crossed the Manukau bar at two o’clock yesterday afternoon, and is expected to reach Nelson this evening, and Wellington to-morrow morning, proceed ing to Lyttelton immediately so as to catch the Dunedin express. The first por tion of the mails, therefore, is likely to be delivered in Dunedin by Saturday night. The balance of the mails (the news papers) leaves by the Te Anau to-day, reaching Wellington on Sunday, and Nel son, Christchurch, Timaru, and Dunedin on Tuesday. There is one bag of letters coming to Ashburton which should be here by Saturday morning.

O. K Whisky Trophies for Ashbur ton Men.— lt will be remembered that our fellow-townsmen, Mr Murdoch Elder and Mr James M‘Rae won three of the above handsome trophies at the Caledo nian sports at Christchurch the other day. The prizes are cups manufactured at Sandstein’s, the well known Christchurch jeweller’s, and are engraved with the names of the winners. The two cups won by Mr Elder were awarded for the sword dance and for reels and strathspeys, and a third cup was won by Mr M‘Rae for pibrochs and marches. The prizes were expected to be sent to their owners to day.

Sporting. —To-day’s Lyttelton Times says :—“ Racing men will be glad to learn that in addition to the Canterbury Great Autumn Handicap of 300 sovs, a cup of the value of 100 guineas will be given to the fortunate winner of the race this year. Mr Robert Campbell, of Bus cot Park, England, has presented a cup of the above value each year for five years, to be run for on the Christchurch and Dunedin racecourses alternately. The welcome news comes from Mr G. G. Stead, and will no doubt be properly appreciated by owners of horses in New Zealand. ”

Holloway’s Pills. —Health or Wealih.— No sane person would hesitate an instant in die choice between these two condition*:. Now is the season to secure the former eli.har 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 a:tion ;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.]

CABLE NEWS

LATEST FROM EUROPE [per PvKUTEB’s agency.] Lome’s [lntentions. J'London, Jan. 11. It is announced that the Marquis of Lome will return to Canada at an early date. Further Seizures. Further extensive seizures of arms have been made by the police at Tralee, in County Kerry, and Clonmel, in County Tipperary, Ireland. His Successor. London, Jan. 10. It is announced that Sir John Holker, Q.C., M.P. for Preston, who was At torney-General in Lord Beaconsfield’s Adminstration, has been appointed to succeed the late Sir Robert Lush as Lord Justice of Appeal. t The Cloture. It has transpired that at a recent Cabinet meeting Ministers have had under consideration measures to be proposed next session for the reform of the procedure in the House of Com mons, and it is further known that at to-day’s meeting of the Cabinet it was finally decided to propose the adoption

of the cloture when the same shall be demanded by a simple majority of the House.

Another Seizure of Anns in Ireland. The search for arms in the pro claimeed districts of Ireland is being rigorously carried on by the police. At Cork yesterday an extensive seizure of rifles and other weapons which had been concealed in a vault was made. A quantity of dynamite tvas also found in the same place and was confiscated by the police. j A Promising Society.

The police to-day effected the cap ture at Mill street, Dublin, of some members belonging to a secret society, which had projected the wholesale murder of farmers who continue to pay rent. The leader of the band, who was arrested last month at Macroom, County Cork, turned informer, and thus enabled the police to effect the capture of his confederates.

AUSTRALIAN.

[PER KBOTEu’s AGENOV.] The Produce Market. ■ Melbourne, Yesterday. The market for New Zealand oats is steady and the demand moderate. Feeding oats are quoted to-day at 3s 2d, and milling at 3s gd. Wheat, per bushel, $s ; barley, 4s Bd. As Well as can he Expected. Another case of smallpox has oc curred amongst the Garonne’s passen gers at the Quarantine Station. The sufferer is a passenger named Prene, a Dane. Two more cases of sickness are regarded as suspicious, and have been isolated. All the patients are progressing favorably.

What, Another? The Melbourne Cricket Club, at a meeting to-night, passed a resolution unanimously approving of the proposal received from the Hon. Ivo Bligh to bring a team of gentlemen cricketers from England to the colonies next year. Off She Goes! The ship Melanope, which rs.n aground in the South Channel yester day, was floated off to-day. The Wrecfc of the s. s. Wotonga. Sydney, To-day. The enquiry into the circumstances attending the wreck of the steamship Wotonga, at Port Macquarie, has been opened here before the Marine Board. The evidence of the captain and the mate has been taken, but has not yet been published, as it is of a conflicting nature. The enquiry stands adjourned to Monday next

TELEGRAMS.

[per press association.] Fatal Accident. Havelock, To-day. A m.m named Charles O’Doijnell met with an accident yesterday at Tojtara Hill, about eight miles from Havelock. A truck went over him bodily at 9 a.m., and he died at 3 p.m. Occupation of Maori Land. Opunake, Yesterday. Two old abandoned stations—|-Kaikahu and Ngakurmikurui—are to-di:,y to be occupied by the Constabulary jfor road making purposes, and to facilitate the settlement on lands about being opened up. • Acquitted. Wellington, To-day.. The list of criminal cases at the Su preme Court this morning, included that of Mary Ann Hughes, who wat; charged with ste -ling from the person- and ac quitted. A Bough Passage. Christchurch, To-day. The Circe, brigantine, from Foo Chow, arrived at Lyttelton last night. On Jan. 3, during a gale, a heavy sea broke on board, carrying away the starboard quarter house, staving in the bulwarks and filling the cabin with water. The man at the wheel was knocked down and rendered almost insensible, and the boats wain (named Nicholas was killed;) New Zealand Potatoes for England. 3he Stir says J. A. Morran has devised a new method for treating potatoes so as to enable them to stand a long voyage, and trial shipments are about to be sent to England or India by Cunningham and Co. Bound tor London. Sailed—City of Nankin, ship, for Lon don. A Double Voter Committed for Trial. Invercargill, To-day. At Riverton to-day C. R. Martin was. committed for trial for double voting in the Wallace election. Shipping. Port Chalmers, Yesterday. At the Heads—Loch Esk, ship; Fray Bentos, barque.

THE ENGLISH ELEVEN AT DUNEDIN.

[by telegraph.]

Dunedin, To-dav.

The English players commenced a three days match against the Dunedin eighteen to-day. There was a strong northerly wind blowing. Spring won the toss, and sent Dunedin ini Peate and Midwinter opened the bowling. The fielding was not particularly bright. At 1.30, two wickets were down for 30, Vernon being bowled for 13, and Craw shaw smartly taken at the wickets for 9. Later. Harris made 11, including a fine hit

for 4 from Midwinter; he was bowled by Peate, who is in fine form, his analy sis showing—lß overs, 15 maidens, 3 wickets, 11 rtlns. At the luncheon ad journment the score stood al 42 for three wicke.ts.

PROFESSOR HOLLOWAY.

Professor Holloway is one of the best advertisers in the world. News paper men with one accord rise up and call him blessed. His pills and ointment, for the immense sale of which he has been indebted to his extensive advertising, has brought him an im mense fortune. It may be an open question whether his medicaments have or have not alleviated human suffering to any extent, but it is no longer an open question that the professor is an open-hearted generous man. If his pills and ointment have not wrought miraculous cures, it is certain that the money he has made out of them is being put to a good use, as the follow ing extracts from a London paper will prove. Near the Virginia-Wjiter Station of the L. and S.W. railway, stands a magnificent building, of which our con temporary says : —Built on the top of a slight eminence, the Holloway Sanitorium, with its tower standing in pleasure grounds 22 acres in extent, is a conspicuous object in the richly wooded country which inspired Sir John Denham with some of his finest

verses. Commenced some seven years ago by Mr Thomas Holloway, the Sanitorium for Curable Cases of Mental Disease was originally intended by the founder as a gift to the nation, perfect and complete as it stood. Since its completion and decoration, however, Mr Holloway has resolved not only to make a gift of the building, but to in vest an additional L. 50,000 as an en dowment, which will raise the cost of the whole foundation to L 350,000. The purpose for which it is designed is clearly defined by the founder to be the succour of persons of the middle class afflicted with mental disease. In se lecting this object he has been guided by the consideration that rich people so unfortunate as to suffer from cerebral disease need no monetary assistance, and the poor in a similar mental con dition are already cared for in public asylums. Put broadly, the scope of the Holloway Sanatorium includes the doctor, lawyer, artist, clerk, or any pro fessional bread-winner whose work cannot like an ordinary business, be carried! on by deputy, and whose in come (leases absolutely when he is un able tcj work. At some little distance from the Sanatorium, in the direction of Egljam, is the still greater institution foundejd and endowed by Mr Hollo way. jin memory of his deceased wife this public-spirited benefactor has decided not only to build but to endow a college for the higher education of women. A few years ago Mr Holloway called a meet ing of persons interested in education to consider the best means of advancing the higher education of women by some gift or endowment to be made by him. The meeting was very well at tended ; but some time afterwards he determined to take the whole matter upon himself Accordingly, he bought 95 acres of freehold land at Mount Lee, Egham; and on the Bth May, 1876. conveyed the property to three trustees —Mr Henry Driver, Mr George Mar tin, and Mr David Chadwick, then M.P. for Macclesfield. Mount Lee is a magnificent as well as a simple site. Holloway College is of enormous size, It forms a double quadrangle 500 feet from east to west, and 350 feet from north to south. The main portions, which run from east to west on each side, consist of five floors, each 10 feet 6 inches high', all of which (with the exception of the western portion of the lower floor, arranged as store rooms) are devoted to rooms for students, pro fessors, and class-rooms, connected by four spacious stone staircases placed equidistant, two in each wing. The building is laid out to provide the most ample accommodation for 350 students, and each student will have two rooms, arranged as bed and sitting rooms, each 13 feet 6 inches by to feet 6 inches, and divided by corridors xo feet wide and 100 feet long on each floor. Mr Hollo way pas already communicated his de sire tb convey at once to trustees a sum of l|oo,ooo in order to complete the payment and endowment of the two institutions he has founded, and has askeiil Mr Samuel Morley, M.P., to join 'Mr David Chadwick, Mr Driver and Mr Martin in the trust. He has also jluring the past season made quite indaijlvertently a sensation in the pic ture (market. A mysterious American was sjaid to be buying up some of the best things offered by Christie, Manson, and Woods, and by private dealers. The “ mysterious American ” seems to have been no other than Mr Holloway, whose idea is to make a “ gallery of gems ” for the “ girl graduates ” of the future. His purchases in this line amount to LSa.yoo and this together with his other conveyances to trustees, will raise the amount of Mr Holloway’s gifts to the nation to Lqso.ooo a sum which throws all previous charities and endowments into the shade.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

A DENIAL.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —In the report of the District Cours, in Saturday’s issue, I notice, re H. C. Williamson, that MrF. P. O’Reilly madel application for the affidavit of the bankrupt to be taken off the file, as the statements made therein were admitted by the bankrupt to bo incorrect,” in other words that he had sworn to state ments which were untrue. Will you kindly publish my emphathic denial of this, as I have never made any such admission. I distinctly deny the truth of the asser tion made by Mr O’Reilly to the District Court.—l am, etc. H. 0. Williamson.

AN ORIGINAL STORY.

By Lefroy, the Murderer of Mr Gold. [Thanks to an Australian contempor ary, we are enabled to reprint an ori ginal story by Lefroy in this issue. The production is not without merit in a literary sense, although the first (and best) portion is a palpable imitation of Dickens’ style. The story was written some time prior to the commission of the crime for which the author suffered the extreme penalty of the law.—Ed. Guareian.] THREE TERRIBLE NIGHTS. Christmas time! There was no doubt about it. Everything and every body savored of it. The light of Christmas fires shone through and gleamed behind closely-curtained win dows, with merry leaps, sending showers of golden sparks up dark chimneys, to emerge more bright and dazzling than ever in the clear frosty air, like fleeting souls hastening through the gloom and cares of life to shine in higher

regions. “ Christmas !” cried the bells, as they pealed softly through the still night air Christmas ! merry Christmas !” so mer rily and cheerfully that he must have been a man of stony heart who did not echo it, too, from sheer sympathy. “ Christmas 1” murmured the dark river, as it lapped against the buttresses of the old stone bridge, and then sped away with many a secret in its gloomy bosom to the sea, where, in company with many others of its race, it mur mured still of Christmas; and “ Christ mas lime!” pleaded inebriated gentle men when questioned by stern police-- men as to why they were sitting in frozen gutters at midnight. For that one day a sort of universal truce seemed to be established. Creditors forgot their debtors, debtors forgot their cre ditors ; wives forgot to scold, husbands to abuse, and young husbands forgot their mothers-in-law, which was, per haps, hardest of all. Conservatives and Liberals, Churchmen and Dissen ters, “ old boy’d ” and “ old follow’d ” each other to their hearts content, and , the plea fpr all was—Christmas ! But when the world got up next day what a change was to be seen ! Closed blinds, no church bells, shops shut just as if everyone was ashamed of his or her last night’s festivity. There wasn’t much going on indoors

to-day, for it was Boxing Day—that day sacred to Christmas-boxes, bills, and last, but by no means least, panto mimes. And to go to one of these last the children were mad with hope long deferred. Papa and mamma affected not to like or care for such trivial amusements at all, but the children— sly dogs, those children ! —knew that when once within the cosy recesses of that “ lovely private box” no one would cry “ bravo ” more loudly or clap his hands more vehemently than papa. And what a lot of pantomimes there • were too! Just look at the various hoardings : “ Robinson Crusoe,” “Jack the Giant Killer,” “Aladdin,” and many, other well known stories had been made ? to contribute to the common good. But first and foremost among the brightly-colored bills was one that in formed the reader “that on Boxing .Night would be produced at the Rotunda Theatre” the grand Christmas pantomime, “ Jack and the Beanstalk.” Then followed a list of characters, scenery, etc., and, at the end, in large letters, Clown—Jolly Joe Jeffs. The Rotunda must have been a. / well-known theatre for pantomime, for .. that night it was crammed from floor to ceiling. Everything had gone off without a hitch! The music was pretty, scenery magnificent, and the grand ballet had been pronounced by the crutch-and-toothpick genus in the stalls .'W to be “ splendid,” and by an old lady in ■ the pit to be “ beastly.” And now, out of breath with honest.

laughter, warm, thirsty, and packed like sardines in a box, the great audience sat anxiously waiting for the “grandest, transformation scene ever attempted at > the Rotunda,” vide bills. If there was excitement in front, so there was be hind. Everyone busy, excited, and nervous, the manager and stage mana ger not being by any means in that happy condition described by the im mortal Mrs Jarley as “cool, calm, and classical."

Inside one of the principal dressing rooms was a man, clad in a clown’s dress, pacing moodily up and down, and listening with feverish impatience for a footstep which never came. It was Joe Jeffs, and the person he was waiting for was his wife. And she was a wife worth waiting for, too. Young, pretty, and loving, Nellie Raynor, then only—and, indeed, up to within a week of the present time—a ballet-girl at a West end theatre, had brought some new joy and life to honest hard-working Joe Jeffs, who, though nearly fifteen years

her senior, loved her with a passionate love, and would cheerfully have laid

down his life, if it had been necessary, to save her from harm. And this winter, when Nellie, through her hus band’s influence, got engaged at the Rotunda as columbine, Joe Jeffs thought that his cup of happiness was full to the brim.

A knock at the door. “ Come in,” cried the clown. Mr Flies, the stage manager, entered. Flies was a little short man, with a round red face, with very short black hair—so short that it always stood on end as if each hair was desirous of looking over its neighbor’s head.

“ I’m very sorry, Mr Flies,” said the clown, humbly, “ very sorry; but Nellie told me to-night she wasn’t well, and would lie down for a bit, and would come later on. I sent a boy to our place some time ago, and she must be here in a minute.” “ Minute !” roared Mr Flies, “ what’s the good of a minute. I—who the devil’s that ?” as a hand was laid on his arm.

It was the harlequin, in the bills Roberto Taylori ; out of them, Bob Taylor, an old friend of the clown’s. “ I’ve got an idea,” said the harle quinj" giving a kindly, unseen nod to his friend. “ Say a few words to the public, and let my girl Bella go on for the part to-night;. she’s about Mrs Jeffs’ size, and I’ve taught her the trip long ago.” Miss Bella Taylori was in the front row of the ballet, consequently could dance well and look pretty; but, beat

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1882.



LEDGERS JOURNALS GASH BOOKS |. J)ZY BOOKS . LEXTER, INVOICE, and MEMO RANDOM BOOKS, in various ' sizes and bindings ENVELOPES, 6b 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. MTjones, EAST ST. & BARING SQUARE. -:r .. 293 d



p John Meech, B kRACTIOAL CABINETMAKER, UPHOLSTERER, &0., URN ET T STREET, ■ . , Opposite the Mail Office. J&H Chairs, Couches/ English and Anwnruan Chairs, Single and Double Iron and .W ood Bedsteads. • of Carpeting, Matting, and Oilcloth. A large assortment of Repps n( j 'Cretonnes at lowest prices. Suites of jPuTßjture from Ll 3 and upwards. All of furniture re-covered and repaired at the very lowest prices. All work guaranteed and completed at notice. Furniture exchanged, and,highest prices given for second-hand fmmxtdzo* _ Hoto' the address—Cheapest House m Ashburton, opposite Mail Office, Burnett • iwt... ” 3,160 IRSS&V : \N is published every jvury day i *>7"s, aaS.tiiaa' buying a sixpenny weekly.



Wanted. W ANTED—A COOK for a Station. Jameson and Roberts. 565 d w ANTED—A NURSE GIRL. Ap ply Mrs Scott, Tinwald Hotel. 561 d WANTED— A Good GENERAL SER VANT. Apply, Mrs A. Orr, Tan cred street. 668 d WANTED —For St. Stephen’s Church A BELL-RINGER andCHURCH CLEANER. Apply to Church-wardens (George Jameson and W. H. Gundry.) 564 d "YTT" ANTED A Certificated MASTER V\ for the Lismore Government School. Applications, accompanied with testimonials, will be received by the undersigned until TUESDAY, the 10th January, 1882. AROHD. M'COLL, Chairman of Committee. Rangitata Station, Cracroft. 507 d TIT ANTED Shearers, Harvesters, ' V and the public generally to know that Ready Money Richards leaves Ash burton Jan. 15th. 474 d WANTED KNOWN-If you want to Grow a splendid crop of Turnips, Purchase some of Mayo’s Bonedust. —Address F. Mayo, Hamstead Mills. WANTED KNOWN.—SPRING AND SUMMER MILLINERY. MISS YERRALL is now Showing her First Display of Spring Millinery. Co lombo street (opposite Oookham House.) 827 c 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. WANTED KNOWN —Every descrip tion of Plain and Fancy Pointing executed on the shortest notice, at the Guadian Office, next Matson, Cox, an d Co. ’s, West street. Special Advertisements. T GOAL INDUSTRIES. WOOLLEN FACTORY. All persons desirous of seeing this in dustry established in Ashburton are requested to attend the adjourned Meet ing, to be held at the Town Hall, TO MORROW, January 13th, at Three p.m. 566 d



The best value for ready MONEY is THE MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING MANUFACTURED BY THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, Which can be purchased at their Retail Branches 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, 692 c Branch Manager.



JgARGAINS IN BOOTS, &o. Andrew Orr Has just concluded the Purchase of a Lot of LADIES’ BOOTS, all sizes, at about HALF PRICE, which will be open for Sale SATURDAY, 31ST DECEMBER, And following Days. Ladies’ Boots, at 5s lid per pair 1 Lot Children’s, at Is per pair 1 Lot Girls, at 2s per pair A Large Consignment of Men’s HATS, at greatly Reduced Prices. Men’s Leghorn’s, at Is each Men’s Leghorn’s, good, Is 6d Men’s Straw, splendid quality, at 3s 6d, former price, 4s 9d 21 Doz Men’s Harvesting Shirts, at 1s lid 20 Doz Men’s best do, 2s 6d and 3s 6d 1 Lot Men’s Paper Collars, at 3d per box. GREAT REDUCTIONS in all Classes of GOODS. GROCERY ESTABLISHMENT, Tancred street, Brick Buildings. SOLE AGENT for DAVIS’ VERTICAL FEED SEWING MACHINE. A I DREW ORR, Importer, etc. Ashburton, Dec. 30, 1881. 476d* 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 ail kinds of Agricultural Imple ments.



FREDK. PAVITT, Cohn Merchant, &c., Ashburton. Agent for John Anderson, Canterbury Foundry, Ohiistchurch; Geo. Booth and Sons, Importers of Agricultural Imple ments, Christchurch; and Agent for the United Insurance Company. 150 d JJIS LORDSHIP’S LARDER. THE ONLY ESTABLISHMENT IN THE WORLD WHERE A GRILLED CHOP OR STEAK, AND A GLASS OF BASS’ ENGLISH ALE 9 Can be obtained FOR ONE SHILLING. THE BEST MENU TO CHOOSE FROM IN CHRISTCHUBCH. Unequalled Accommodation for Ladies. Dinners, Banquets, Ball Suppers, Wedding Breakfasts, and Picnics pro vided for, in the very beat possible style. W, H. MESSENGER, 360 d Purveyor. THE following ACTS, passed last Session, can be obtained at Pub lished Prices at Office of this Paper ; Corrupt Practices Prevention Fencing Regulation of Elections Representation Canterbury Rivers Amendment Public Reserves Property Tax : Gaming and Lotteries Volunteer Property Assessment Act Amendment licensing



Special Advertisements. Christmas Presents AND NEW YEAR’S GIFTS. JUST Received, a Choice Assortment of Christmas and New Year Cards, Dolls, Humming Tops, and Shell Goods in great variety. . Letts’ Diaries for 1882 ; Family Reader (div. 42) ; Boys’ Standard (new series) ; Latest Novelties in Pipes. F. CLARK, Hairdresser and Tobacconist, Montgomery’s Buildings. 319 d CHEAP BOOTS. CHEAP BOOTS. The Undersigned wishes to draw the attention of the public to his well-selected stock of BOOTS AND SHOES, which he is disposing of at a ridiculously iowprice 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 O. Carstens & Co., (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, Tobacconist, fancy goods, AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G. B. D. Pipes Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco A nice assortment of Accordions, Con certinas, Flutes, Violins, Mouth Organs, and Toys of every description, direct from Home. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET ASHBURTON. 257a* STRING FOR REAPERS AND BINDERS. The Undersigned has a stock of the above of good quality and at the lowest Market Price. FREDK. PAVITT, East street, Ashburton. 569 d TTE AVING ASHBURTON. GIVING UP BUSINESS. EVERETT BROS. Will on Saturday, December 3, commence A GREAT CLEARING SALE Of their new and well-selected Stock of GENERAL DRAPERY, And to effect a speedy clearance will, in addition to the already very low prices, offer, as an extra inducement, a DISCOUNT OF TEN PER CENT. The Shop To Let. The Fixtures, Fit tings, &c., For Sale.



International Exhibition, Christ church. —Those that wish to be repre sented at the International Exhibition to be held in Christchurch in March next, should inform us of their intentions. We have been connected with all the Exhi bitions held in the colonies. ' At the late Adelaide Exhibition we represented sixty exhibitors, for which we received ten special gold medals, forty-nine first and one second award, three of which were New Zealand firms (D. Strange and J. T. Martin, Invercargill, and T. Bevan, Wellington). Our plan is to represent the exhibitors, transact their busines, fix their exhibits on their space, attend to the judging of exhibits on their space, and anything necessary while the exhibi tion remains open ; at the close pack and send back exhibits or sell them, or duplicates thereof if required, it is very inconvenient for exhibitors to come to the Exhibition to fix their exhi bits, which amounts to an expense, be sides the loss of time which must neces sarily be expended on them. Then, again, the exhibitors have a benefit, they have no trouble of getting space. They let us know how much is required, and we set it for them, as we have a large amount granted to us. We fix the ex hibits on a better space than if they ap plied themselves. Our terms are mode rate. We specially caution the public against giving their exhibits to so-called Exhibition agents, who go the rounds of Exhibitions and run exhibitors into debt and other difficulties. On account of our not being able to give exhibitors the exact amount of our fee, as it is impossible to do so until wo know the size of exhibit, they may rely on it being most reason able, The exhibits should be addressed “Albert S. Manders and Co., Christ church Exhibition.” If exhibitors will kindly send a note stating how much space they require, no further trouble will be necessary.— Albert S. Mandeks and Co., British and Colonial Manufacturers, Agent. Head office—9l Little Collins 1 street East, Melbourne; and at London— St Paul’s Buildmgs; Adelaide—67 King William street; Perth, Western Australia; i 6 Town Hall. A Permanent branch is now established in Hereford street, j Christchurch. All letters sent to the above firm, Hereford street, will receive prompt attention, and circulars sent on 1 enquiry,—[Advt.] <