SHIPPING.

POET OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Saturday. *!« Montrose, barque, from Liverpool. *►' Janet Ferguson, barque, from Boston ’ via Dunedin. Sailed. Saturday. Wanaka, s.s., for Wellington. Aspasia, schooner, for Napier. Thames, ketch, for Picton. Cordelia, barque, for Newcastle. Croydon Lass, schooner, for Nelson. " Aratapu, brigantine, for Kaipara.

SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Saturday. Sailed —Pirate and the-Transit for the South Sea Islands. • Dunedin, Yesterday. Arrived, Saturday—lsabella Anderson, from Greymouth. Sailed —Star of the Mersey, for Syd ney. Melbourne, Saturday. Sailed Union Company’s steamship Mauapouri, for the Bluff.

COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, Monday Afternoon. Mr Alfred Harrison reports his weekly sale a follows :—Saturday, June 3rd. —Horses dull, several hacks only changing hands from the rostrum. Two good draught geldings were sold privately at L 25 each. Pigs were not wanted, but all lines cleared at low rates. t Fowls, is to 2s. Produce —Potatoes, 50s to 60s; * carrots, 40s ; chick wheat, 3s to 4s per bushel; -onions, id to pork, 2d to 3d per lb ; cheese, $d ! tea, 21s per box. Harness sold well; implements dull. Furniture and sundries, any quantity, as usual, and a good market. Sales are far more dull than usual at this, season, though un doubtedly there is a better tone generally, i Mr T. Bullock reports, for the week ending June 3rd :—Horse Market—At the Bazaar, Burnett street, on Saturday, on account of .the inclemency of the weather, only a few horses were entered, viz., 20 most of which were inferior, no good draughts being entered, £pd far which the biddings were anything but spirited. Out of the number brought forward (20), only S were sold. Inferior draughts, 2at L 9 ios each, I at Li I, and Ln ios ; inferior hack, L 3 ios. Implements—McCormick reaper and binder, L3O; set of four-leaf har rows, L 8 2s 6d. Harness, etc., at satisfactory prices. ■ Landed property—l .held a sale Jof town, suburban, improved farms, and rural lands at the Bazaar, Burnett street, • on Satur day. For town properties the biddings were fairly spirited ; also some of the suburban lots fetched full value, but for the improved farms and rural land the biddings were very languid, the reserves placed upon them were what pur chasers appeared to think more than their value, consequently they were passed in. Out of the eleven properties offered, six were sold as follows, viz.:—T.S. 524, situated in Peter street, brought LB2 ; T.S. 1132,. Cameron street, fetched L 49 ; T.S. 222, Tinwald, Ll 7 ios : T.S. 366, Tinwald, Ln ; lots 42, 43, 44, each containing ir 39p, situated in the suburban district of Allenton, about three quarters of a mile from the town belt, realised Ll2 each ; lots 3S and 39, same block, brought Li I each. During the week I sold by private treaty lot 46, with cottage thereon, the property ofMrH. Bryan, for LSi. Two sections at Tinwald, together with a T. cottage erected thereon, L 225.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES To-morrow, June 6. , i R. Wilkin and Co., on the ground—T.S, No. 256, Tinwald ; 11.30 a.m. J. T. Ford and Co., at the Tinwald‘Yards —Lambs. Matson, Cox and Co., at the Tinwald Yards—Stock. Thursday, June 8. Mr Alfred Harrison, at the residence of Mrs Honor, Tancred street House hold Furniture, Piano, &c.; 12 o’clock. Saturday, June 10. Mr T. Bullock, at the Bazaar—Horses ; 1.30 p.m. • MEETINGS. AMUSEMENTS, &c To-morrow, Tuesday, June 6. Borough of Ashburtpn Licensing Com mittee—Annual Meeting, B. M. Court house, Ashburton. &shburton Permanent Building and In vestment Society, Monthly Meeting, from 6.30 to 8.30 p.m. Wednesday, June 7. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock. Ashburton Licensing Committee—Annual Meeting, Temperance Hall, Tinwald. Thursday, June 8. Fancy Dress Rink, in aid of Library Fund—Town Hall, 8 p.m. Upper Ashburton Licensing Committee- Annual Meeting, Road Board Office, Westerfield. Friday, June 9. Mount Somers Licensing Committee— Annual Meeting, Road Board 'Office, Mount Somers. , .. Monday, June 12. Borough Council, -at . Borough Council Chambers,.at 7 o’clock. Thursday, July 6. Wakanui Road Board—Monthly Meeting, Road Board Office, Moore street!

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas, et Prevalebit. MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1882. The Electoral Laws.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 4.40 p. in. j

We recently took occasion to point out the necessity which existed for an immediate alteration in tlie electoral laws of the colony. The ; matter has been brought into prominence at this juncture by the recent issue of the Supplementary Roll (No. 3) for the Wakanui district, with its 300 and odd names, among which, no doubt, are some having every right to be found there. But we do not hesitate to affirm that the vast majority have no moral right, and that very many have neither legal nor moral right to a place on that roll. And as the law now stands those per sons who would fain purge the roll, and see the now near approaching election decided by the bona fide electors of Wakanui, are powerless to get those names removed, although they know full well that many of thtem cannot legally claim a place on the roll. With the law as it at present stands it is an utter impossibility to keep the electoral rolls of the colony pure, for if, after the present contest, the names illegally placed on the roll for Wakanui are erased, the same “rigging” process will be resorted to the next time an election takes place in which one of the candidates may be a man who thinks that the end justifies the means. It is true the Registration of Electors Act states that it shall be the duty of the Registrar to “ make inquiries ” as to the truth of the particulars stated on the claims for enrolment. This may be a bit of a safeguard as far as the property qualification is concerned, but as regards the residential qualification the clause is almost a dead letter, especially in a scattered country dis trict. It has been held, and very rightly, too, that the writs being once issued for an election the roll for the district concerned is final, and no mat ter how many aliens or other persons not qualified may be on it, they can, "one and all, put in an appearance at the ballot box and claim to record their votes. It was through a misread ing of the law in this respect by one of the Deputy Returning Officers last December which has caused the pre sent unfortunate contretemps in connec tion with the Wakanui seat. The electoral rolls being, as., we have said, held in law to be perfect, points to the necessity of their being closed a suffi cient time before the issue of the writ for an election to enable the names of those not qualified to be struck off the roll, and thus prevent their taking part in a matter with which they have no legal right to interfere. This would effectually prevent an unscrupulous candidate —and, unfortunately, there are such, we find—working the oracle and virtually disfranchising the real electors of a district. There is another clause of the Act to which we take exception, and that is what may be termed the “ transfer’ ” clause. By its provisions many names can be placed on a roll which have not the slightest right to be there. For in stance, all that a man claiming under the residential clause for Ashburton has to do to secure a vote for Wakanui is to go and live for a month prior to the closing of the roll just outside the belt or at Tinwald, and he can claim a vote for the Wakanui district. It is easy to see how such a privilege may be abused—in fact, we pointed out one instance of such a sharp practice in our article of Tuesday last, and no doubt there are many such. There is another provision of the Act which, we think, should be made more stringent, and that is clause 24, which provides that “ any person who knowingly and wil fully makes a false statement in any application, certificate, or declaration, shall be liable to a penalty not exceed ing This, we agree with our contemporary, the Dunedin Stat, is not a sufficient preventative. The offence of making a false declaration on a claim to vote should be'punished by a term of imprisonment, and not merely a fine. If the law remains as at pre sent, no man with clean hands will be found to contest the seats for the As sembly at all, for he will see how almost hopeless is the struggle should he hap pen to be pitted against a mah whose sense of right and wrong is not of the keenest; and, as a consequence, politi cal blacklegs will be permitted to scramble for the honorarium amongst themselves, while honest politicians, who would scorn to fight them with their own weapons, will look on in dis gust. If it is possible for good to come out of evil,, perhaps the fact of the evil being made so glaringly apparent in the case of Wakanui may draw at tention to the facilities which the law at present holds out for fraud, and we may hope to speedily see the much needed amendments we have noted become law

Tobacco Growing. —A movement is being made in Auckland to found a tobacco growing and manufacturing com pany. Chimney on Fire. —Last night, about 8 o’clock, one of the chimneys of the Panama boarding-house caught fire, and considerably startled the people who were passing at the time. Prompt measures, however, were resorted to, and all danger was averted. A Phenomenon. —A rare phenomenon was observed last night at about ten o’clock, in the shape of a lunar rainbow. The bow was very complete, but no colors were distinguishable. It was, however, a beautiful sight, the pale appearance of the rainbow being brought out distinctly by a background of heavy, black clouds.

Removal.— Mrs Harper notifies he r removal from the A 1 Restaurant to pro mises in Wills street. Wakanui Election —Mr A. Saunders will address the electors of Wakanui at the Town Hall on Wednesday evening next.

County Council. —Mr Andrew Mac farlane has been duly elected to represent the riding of Mount Somers at the County Council table, he being the only candidate nominated on Saturday for the office. Oamaru Steeplechases. —The follow are the acceptances for the Oamaru Steeplechase Handicap:—Clarence, Baron, Why Not, Rocket, Young Sledmere, A.G., Trovatore, and Black Doctor. Harvest Returns. —The Taieri County Council refuse to recommend the system of threshing-mill owners returning the grain statistics, as much of the grain in the Taieri is not threshed till months after harvest.

Agricultural College. —The Wallace County Council look favorably on the Rev. Mr Jenner’s proposal for an agricul tural college for Otago and Southland, and have asked their representative in Parlia ment to give it his warmest support. Ashburton Building Society. The usual monthly meeting of the Ashburton Permanent Building and Investment So ciety for receipt of payments will be held at the Secretary's office from 9 a.m. to 4,30 p.m., and at Mr Bullock’s office from 630 to 8 p. m. to-morrow. The “Commercial.” Messrs Elz Bros, have asked us to notice a new bugey turned out by them, the “Commercial,” which is certainly a well-finished and very conveniently-arranged vehicle, with plenty of stowage room. The firm intend to make this buggy a specialty. Journalistic Changes. A West Coast contemporary of tho 30th ult. states that aMr C. C. M‘Carthy, late school master of the Greymouth Roman Cath olic School, left yesterday for Ashburton, where, it is understood, he will join the staff of Mr Ivess’ paper. Horticultural Society. —The monthly meeting of the above will be held to-mor row night at Mr Jones’ upper room at 8. This meeting is open to all members of the society, who are requested to be pre sent. The presentation to Mr S. E, Poyntz will take place during the even-

A Good Suggestion. —At a meeting on Saturday of the Invercargill North licen sing district, the police drew attention to the want of means of escape from public houses in case of fire. Tlio committee cordially concurred with a suggestion that in the case of two-storey houses especially, supplying such appliances should be made compulsory. The applicants for renewals of licenses undertook to have rope-ladders or other means of escape from the upper stories provided. St. Stephen’s Church. —A tea meeting and concert will be held at the Town Hall on Thursday, 29th inst., in connection with the above Church. At two o’clock on the afternoon of the 29th a stall will be opened in the Town Hall for the sale of useful and ornamental articles. The proceeds will be divided between the General Church Fund and the Sunday School Building Fund. Tea will be on the tables at 5.30, and the concert will take place at 7.30. Railway Employees and their Over time. —It is understood a railway em ployee in the locomotive department of the Southland railways intends to com mence an action against the Government for overtime, alleged to have been pro mised by one of the Ministers, but never paid. He has kept an accurate record of his time for several years, and it is under- I stood that his claim will amount to a tidy sum. Should he succeed there are a number of others prepared to follow suit. There is still a great scarcity of trucks on the Southland railways. Linseed Flax. —On Friday last, says the Timaru Herald, Mr E. Pilbrow for warded to Mr J. Pearce, rope and twine manufacturer, Christchurch, a truck load of linseed flax, grown on his farm near Temuka. This is the first export of locally grown linseed flax from South Canterbury, and we are glad to learn that Mr Pilbrow intends forwarding some more in the course of a day or two. He deserves the best thanks of the district for the ener getic efforts he is making to open up a new and thriving industry, and we hope his example will be numerously followed. A Wintry Visitor. —Some surprise was caused this morning when on getting out of bed, Ashburtonians found the ground covered with snow. It was'not very thick, but sufficiently so to enable the youth of Ashburton to indulge in the sport dear to boys everywhere—a good game of snowballing. The snow soon turned into sludge while the weather has been c >ld enough during the day to re mind us of some of the winters at Home. However, we must not complain, for we have had splendid weather so far, and the “ shortest day ” —the half-way house to spring—is now rapidly approaching. Fatal Accident at Christchurch.— We take the following particulars of a tragic occurrence (which was briefly ! mentioned in our telegrams on Satur day) from this morning’s Press : On Saturday, about half-past eight o’clock, a fatal accident happened to a man named Ralph Reading, who owned a portable steam sawing-machine, and was in the habit of taking contracts for cutting fire wood for various coal and firewood mer chants in Christchurch and its vicinity. At the time in question deceased was working in Messrs T, and E. Pavitt’s timber yard on the South Belt, and whilst in the act of traversing a log of wood the saw broke into three or four pieces, one of which struck Reading in the face, com-

pletely bisecting his head. Death resulted instantaneously. Sergeant Brooks and Constable Fluellen was soon on the spot, and the constable at once conveyed the body of the unfortunate man to the morgue. It is stated that the saw was a new one, having been purchased only the day previously. A short time ago de ceased was seriously injured by a piece of wood flying from a saw, which, striking him on the face, broke his left jaw, and very much disfigured him. Deceased, who lived in Kingsley street, Sydenham, leaves a wife and family. Political.— The own correspondent of

I the Press wiring from Wellington last night says : —The Canterbury and West land members met together yesterday, the meeting being convened by Mr Weston and Mr Wright. There were twenty-five present. It was moved that Sir John Hall take the chair, but Sir John declined and proposed Mr E. G. Wright in his stead. Mr Wright was duly elected. As in most other “ local ” meetings the ques [ tion for consideration was what works ought to bo constructed out of the new loan if carried and floated. There was some discussion and difference of opinion relative to the desirableness of further borrowing at present, but in the end it was agreed that this question should be waived in the meantime, and that mem bers should hold themselves free to vote for or against a loan, discussing now merely its allocation if passed It was generally held that railway connection between Canterbury and Westland and northward past Hurunui was desirable,

and ought to be among the new works out of the loan, but no definite resolution was passed. A committee was appointed, consisting of Messrs Wright, Weston,

Seddon, Postlethwaite, Mcllwraith, Steward and Holmes, to obtain all need ful information and to report to a future meeting. The Stanmore case is now practically settled, and Mr Pilliet loaves tb-morrow for Christchurch to conduct his election campaign, an indemnified man.

The Railway Platform. —On Satur day workmen were engaged placing truck loads of broken bricks on the platform at the railway station, these by no means add to the comfort of travellers who desire to gain access to the refreshment room, the ladies especially complaining of the ex ceedingly uneven nature of the “going.” We should think the growing traffic of the district would warrant the Government in expending a few pounds in the necessary work of Laying asphalt on a pathway so much used by visitors to the town. Here is a chance for our local Joseph Hume, if he will but descend from his airy “ tre-a-tises ” on law reform and the inci dence of taxation; and come to something practical, should he obtain the much coveted M.H.R.-ship.

CABLE NEWS.

LATbST FROM EUROPE. [per reuter’s agency.] The Egyptian Trouble. London, June 2. In the House of Commons last night Sir Charles Dilke, Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, in reply to a question stated that he believed that all the Powers will accept the proposal to hold a conference for the consideration and, settlement of the Egyptian question though no definite decision has yet been come to. It is further announced that information has been received that the Egyptians had commenced construct ing earthworks around Alexandria, and that the Government were in conse quence consulting with Admiral Sir BeauchampSeymour, Commanderof the united squadron, as to the course to be pursued in regard thereto. Money and the Markets.

Consols remain at ex div. The market rate of discount has been raised to per cent. The bank rate remains at 3 per cent. New Zealand securities remain firm at last quota tions, viz. :—Five per Cent. 10-40 Loan, Loan 105; Four and a Half per Cent. 1879 -1904 Loan Colonial breadstuff's continue dull at the following unchanged prices:— Adelaide wheat, ex warehouse, 525; New Zealand wheat, ex warehouse, 51s. Adelaide flour, ex warehouse, 355. The total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain is 2,030,000 quarters, 270,000 less than at this day last week. Australian tallow is advancing—best beef is now at 46s 6d and best mutton 44s 6d. The total in London yester day was 5,900 casks. The Wool Sales.

At to-day’s wool auction 10,000 bales were offereed. There was a firm and active demand for most descriptions, but New Zealand greasy sorts were rather weaker. The Australian Cricketers at Manches-

The cricket match at Manchester— Australians v. Eleven of Lancashire— was resumed to-day. The Home team commenced their first innings, and were all disposed of for 118, being 141 behind the Australians. The Lanca shire men then followed on their innings, and when time was called had put together 213 runs for the loss of seven wickets. Mr A. G. Steele made 50, and Mr R. G. Barlow 55. Spoffbrth was in first-class form, and his bowling for the Australians was much admired. The attendance of spectators was large, although the weather was cold and in clement. The Australians’ fielding was very good, but the wicket was not in good order.

London, June 3.

The cricket match Australians v. Lancashire, was resumed at Manches ter to-day. There was a very large at tendance, and the greatest interest was taken in the match. The weather was showery, and the wicket was conse quently not so lively as yesterday. The Lancashire men resumed their second innings, with 7 wickets down for 213 runs. The remainder fell for 56, mak ing a total of 269, and leaving the Aus tralians 129 runs to get to \yin. This they obtained for the loss of six wickets, and the Australians thus scored a victory by four wickets. The bowling of the Englishmen was dead on the wicket, and their fielding was excellent. In their second innings Barlow was top scorer, witli 67. Going to Egypt. Constantinople, June 3.

Dervish Pasha, one of the prominent Turkish Generals, will, it is announced, ! shortly proceed to Egypt. The Iron-workers’ Strike. New York, June 1. Intelligence is to hand from Chicago that a large body of iron-workers who are on strike, boarded a train and severely maltreated a number of non strikers. The disturbance was of a serious character, and was only sup pressed by police intervention. New York, June 3.

There are now in all fully two hun dred thousand iron workers on strike in the United States.

DEATH OF GENERAL GARIBALDI

[by cable.] Rome, June 3. Intelligence is to hand of the death ol General Garibaldi, aged 75.

ATTEMPTED MURDER AT THE EXHIBITION.

[by telegraph.] Christchurch, To-day.

At the Exhibition this morning a youth named Bathurst Noel attempted to shoot a man named Dawkins, who is in charge of a stall in the “World’s Pair.” Noel was seized in the action of levelling a revolver, and handed over 10 the police. Three chambers of the revolver were loaded. The cause of the affair was a dispute between Noel and Dawkins re specting the price of some toys. Noel is a> recent arrival from England.

WOODSTOCK NEWS.

[from our own correspondent.] Upper Woodstock, Juuel. In sending you my first batch of items from Woodstock, I venture to congratu late the colony at large on the prospects which have so far been met with here, and lalso venture to say, that from all I can see, my future budgets will contain even more favorable accounts of the field. The population of Woodstock is on the increase, and new claims being pegged off almost everyday ; its appearance is improv ing very fast too, new tracks being cut through the bush, some of them gravelled; while paddocks for holding the wash-dirt are being built in all directions, and the appearance of the water-race to sluice it is anxiously looked for. Several parties that have been»““'duf fered ” here, have gone to a small rush about a mile and a half up the Hokitika river. j

The “ Scstchmen ” who have been working on a claim for the last thirteen weeks, are at last completely duffered out, but are about to try their fortune again. J. Smith (lately of Ashburton) and party, have struck a lead of gold about tweHtyffive yards wide, some distance to the west of the main lead, and running parallel to it. It prospects pretty regular and in the centre of the lead yields three grains to the dish. One party bottomed a few days ago, and got eight grains in the first dish tried ; surely that would satisfy the most san guine.

Burke’s claim, which is situated on the main lead,, nearly a mile from the town ship, still continues very good, and aver ages about fifteen pennyweights to the load, while McKennar’s claim, further west is giving sixteen and seventeen pennyweights to the load; between them are the “ Oxford Boys ” getting from five to seven pennyweights to the load.

The Italians’ claim is improving wonder fully. Three weeks ago one of the party —Martinee—sold his share for LB, and now LSO would not buy it. The man who bought the share went down below to work, but the huge stones in the roof and sides so frightened him that he called to be drawn up, and could not bo induced to again venture his life below. Martinee has been duffered out of a claim since, but is again trying to tempt fortune to smile on him.

Mayo and party (among whom is Price, of Aalibprton) bottomed last week, and after 'driving a short distance got very good prospects. This claim was, until it was bottomed, farthest down the lead and nearest the sea, but on Sunday the news got about, and on Monday morning two parties were on the spot waiting for daylight, so that they could see to peg out claims. Quite a little rush took place, and nearly a dozen claims have been pegged ofi farther down the lead. It is evident that the main lead will, be fore very long, be traced right down to the sea. ( Shades are getting valuable, one in McGovern’s claim being held for L 250.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

ASH B URTON. -To-day,

[Bofore His Worship the Mayor and Mr R. Alcorn, J.P.] Larceny of Underclothing; —Thomas Jones, a shabby-looking man, was charged with the larceny of five pairs of drawers, of the value of 28s 9d, from Everett Bros. ’ shop in Havelock street. Accused, in answer to the charge, said that he knew

nothing whatever about the matter.— Constable Robert Neil said that he was on duty on Saturday night in town, in plain clothes. Saw accused about a quarter to nine o’clock, and in consequence of a com plaint made, arrested him at the Somerset Hotel. In answer to the charge, accused said, “ Where is the shop ?" and witness took him to it. Saw an assistant there, and accused asked “ What does he (the assistant) say V’ Witness replied that he said accused was the man. Accused then said, “ Ob, he can’t say that, for he only saw my side as I was passing.” He then asked what time the clothes were taken. Witness replied, “ About half-past six.” Accused rejoined, “ Oh, I can prove where I was then—take me to Quill’s Hotel.” Took him there. George Eagle, barman, was standing at the door, and accused asked him if he didn’t remember I serving him with a pint of beer at half past six that evening. Eagle replied that he did not remember having seen him be fore. Accused then said he had been at the Somerset Hotel all day. Witness thereupon remarked that he would have to lock accused up, and he said, “ Oh, I yes ; I know you would like to lock me up.” Saw accused before at about half past five o’clock that night. He was then standing near Quill’s. He asked witness to shout for him as he had not got a cent. He was a carpenter by trade, and had only very recently come to Ashburton. Accused said witness could not “ put him away,” as nothing was found on him. “ Put away ” was a slang expression used by thieves. Accused was well versed in such slang.—Alexander Henderson, em ployed by Mr Scott, carrier, proved find ing the stolen goods in a shed attached to I his employer’s stables, about a quarter I past eight on Saturday night. There was a right-of-way between the stables ana IMr Everett’s place.—Frank Everett, draper, deposed to recognising the drawers as the property of his firm. They were outside the shop on Saturday night, but disappeared. J. D. Edwards, draper, in the employ of Everett Bros., deposed that he missed tho drawers on Saturday night from outside the shop, and saw a man running up the right-of-way by Scott’s. The man resembled the accused. —Accused, addressing the Bench, said he I was entirely innocent of the charge. He I knew nothing about the robbery. He was I a stranger in Ashburton, and did not I even know where Everett’s was before the constable took him there.—Sergeant I Felton pointed out to the Bench that the I accused had already admitted passing the I shop, of the locality of which he stated he I had been ignorant up to the time he was I taken to it.—The Bench considered the i charge proved, and several previous con- I victions Being recorded against the accused, he was sentenced to two months’ j imprisonment. I

SHOWS AND SHOWMEN.

Under the above heading I purpose, week by week, to chronicle the doings of “ the profession ” both at home and I abroad. Theatrical and other entertain ments of a local kind will, of course, re ceive special attention, and I trust that my weekly budget of stage gossip will not ' be found unacceptable to the readers of The Guardian. ' The coming theatrical event in Ashbur ton will be the amateur entertainment at the Town Hall in aid of the Library funds. The date is not yet fixed, but the affair will probably come off about the end of the month. The first part of the evening I will, I understand, be devoted to miscel- I laneous items, comprising songs, readings, I and vocal and instrumental selections ; I

I but the piece de resistance will consist of the “Trial from Pickwick,” which, if my I information is correct, is to be put upon the boards in first-class style. The whole of the characters, or nearly the whole of them, have been cast, and as soon as the I dramatised version of the famous breach I of promise case is in hand (the waiting for I Which is causing some unexpected delay) I the piece is to be put in active rehearsal, j I The Town Hall stage will be converted I fob the nonce into a regular Court of Justice, with regular judge’s desk, clerk’s desk, witness-box, jury-box, etc., and to I add to the fun, the immortal Pat Boy j and a comic policeman are to be intro- ( duced “ for this occasion only.” I The Fancy Dress Rink at the Town I Hall on the Bth inst. promises to be j highly successful. All the skaters will be I attired in fancy costumes. The thing should be well worth seeing, even if it is j only viewed from the gallery, and I am I pleased to learn that the tickets are going I off rapidly.

The local Dramatic Club have very generously consented to give a performance at the beginning of next month in aid of the Library Fund. The pieces selected are “Doing my Uncle ” and “ 117, Arundel street.” The former has been specially requested. The Exhibition at Christchurch has made the Cathedral City more than usually ■festive of late. At the Royal the comic opera “ La Petite Mademoiselle ” was the latest attraction. The piece was produced by Mr H. F, Towle, assisted by that,

lively little lady Miss Amy Horton, who was until recently the bright particular star of “ Lyon’s Tourist Party,” and played with the company on the occasion of their visit to Ashburton some weeks back. “La Petite Mademoiselle ” was played for the last time on Wednesday evening, when Mr Towle took a farewell benefit prior to his departure for Sydney, where he has secured a theatrical appoint* ment of importance. At the conclusion of the opera the beneficiare sang a new patriotic sorg of his own composition, which was well received. It is said to bo a far superior production both in words and music to the milk-and-watery “ Hands all Round. ”

The Old English Fair wound up a successful season at the drill shed, Christchurch, on Saturday. “Ye Chel sea buns ” were announced as one of the attractions of the Fair. Whether the buns were remarkable for their staleness I cannot say, but a Christchurch confec tioner, who must bo a wag in his way, invited the public by advertisement to go to him for Chelsea buns, which were “not made in ye olden tyme, but fresh every morning ?” At the Christchurch Gaiety that well known professor of the noble art of self defence Jem Mace, the holder of the champion belt of the now extinct Eng lish P.R., is appearing in conjunction with a number of other athletes.

Barritfc’s Sciopticon Cosraorana closed a short season in Christchurch on Fri day, and opened up at Lyttelton on Satur day. “ Gifts ” aro included amongst the attractions.

“ Professor Westen,” lately in Ashbur ton, is now appearing at Invercargill. He did not draw particularly well in Dunedin.

A skating contest comes off at the Ex hibition on the 12th inst., in the Concert Hall.

The Wellington amateurs will give a performance in aid of the Timaru Wreck Relief Fund, at the Wellington Theatre Royal, to-night. Mrs Marcus Clarke (Miss Marion Dunn) purposes to return to the stage shortly. Johnny Hall is about to sail for London. The Harts, of “ Happy Hours ” cele brity are playing in Sydney. Hoskiiis is also in Sydney playing with Miss Jennie Lee, whose “ Jo” is just now the attrac tion there.

Lyons’ Tourists and the Lynch Family of Bell-ringers are in Tasmania. The Bell-ringers rang the “ English Church Chimes ” the other night at Launceston, and so affected one old couple, who said that they had walked eight miles “ just to hear the Chimes once more,” that the audience was quite touched, and at the old man’s earnest request the item was repeated. He said he had been a sexton years and years ago in England, Horace Bent’s Minstrels are in Mel bourne, doing well, and “The Colonel” is also delighting Melbourne audiences.

I will conclude this week’s gossip with a little story, which, if not true, is at least new, and very funny. An aspiring ama teur dramatist recently wrote to Alex. Dumas, asking, in an off-hand way, that the great author would be good enough to revise a production of his pen and place his name on the title-page as joint author. To this remarkably cool request Dumas replied—“ Sir—How dare you propose to yoke together a horse and an ass 1” To which the young author replied—“ Sir, — How dare you call me a horse 1” Dumas was so tickled, it is said, that be “ thought better of it. ” Mask.

CRIMINAL EMIGRANTS.

Writers of fiction, says the Home News, are not always sufficiently alive to their responsibilities. They exercise an Influence for good or evil, tco often the latter, for the novel that is didactic is generally voted dull, and the writer', who can describe graphically actions the reverse of virtuous is the more cer tain of readers. It is a well-authenti cated fact that Ainsworth tempted many weakly-balanced minds to imitate Jack Sheppard, while it is more than possible that Mr Fagin’s academy for young gentlemen may have fired the ambition of honest lads to turn pick pockets and imitate the skill of Charley Bates or the Artful Dodger. A more recent and more authentic case has just occurred, in which the colonies are to some extent interested. This time * it is Captain Mayne Reid who is re sponsible, and if it is gratifying to that veteran novelist to note the effect he can produce he must feel rather guilty at having driven a hitherto well-behaved farm servant into evil ways. It appears that a Lancashire lad who was a vora cious reader of Indian novels was seized with a longing to follow in the footsteps of some of Captain Mayne Reid’s heroes. It was his ambition to transport himself to the Far West and there adopt the jovial life a buccaneer. He chose Canada as the scene of his future exploits, and in order to provide himself with the necessary funds for the voyage began his new line of life by laying hands on his roaster’s money-box. With the seventy pounds thus obtained he made his way to Liverpool, secured a passage to Quebec in the steamship Parisian, and then laid in a stock of arms necessary for his pro posed profession. By this time the police were on his track, and he was presently arrested for the theft from his master. But when the police took him he was found to be in possession of a couple ot revolvers, a dagger, two bowie knives, and a stiletto. : The account does not go on to say whether he had a false beard, a slouch hat, and other necessary properties for the stage buc caneer. Probably his career would have been promptly cut short, but it is quite clear that emigrants of this class are not wanted in Canada.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

THE NOMADS ON THE ROLL.

To the Editor. Sib, —You have “ dragged me from my obscurity.” The sentence is journalistic, one commonly used when newspaper writers want to make some private citizen

“feel small.” It is one of the tricks of your trade, and I use it to prevent you from having the satisfaction. You appear : to me to be silly; either that or your best I efforts are like that clerical philosophy which “ passeth understanding either way the climax is reached. In your lead ing article of the 30th May you want to make it appear that Mr Ivess depends on • “ mere wanderers ” for his election, and you make me the “ horrid example,” a man forty years a colonist, and five years a resident in New Zealand, twelve months of which was passed in Wakanui. The : way you connect me with Mr Ivess and his election is worthy the intellect of a. chimpanzee. There are 1,799 electors in Wakanui, and you have the following . paragraph:—“As the law now stands a • man has only to rent or purchase a few cottages on the other side of the Belt, and pack them with adult males a month prior to the making up of the roll, and he Venders his election almost acertainty, &o” ■ Jt is not jour fault that nature bas/made but a poor job of you, but surely your shipmates ought to look better after yon periodically. = “ The moon had yet - tilledherhorn ” i.o ***

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1882.



QAKTEUBUBY MUSIC ASHBURTON BRANCH. DEPOT Milner & Thompson



Desire to inform the residents of Ash urton and surrounding districts that they have appointed Mr H. M. JONES their sole Agent for this district, and invite nspection of the Instruments, Music, &c. now displayed in the SHOW ROOM above Mr Jones’Shop. PIANOS by all the best makers— Broadwood, Collard and Oollard, Erard, Pleyel, Bord, Challen and Sons, Ascher burg, Lipp and Sohn, Chappell, Ronisch, Pechstein, Kapp, and others. Sq)» Agent for John Brinsmead’s Gold MedailFianos. Specialities Our Dresden Model Pianos, which took First Award of Merit at the Ashburton Exhibition, from £35 to £66. Harmoniums and Organs, from £7 10s to £6O. ORGANS. ORGANS. Organs now on Sale at Ll2 12a. A perfect Gem, L 26. PIANOS. PIANOS. New .Stock, just opened up. The above Instruments can be pur chased.on Deferred Payment from 20s per month. Orders for Toning executed by a flrsUrh- •ofessionaL Pianos on Hire... . 7070



Wanted WANTED— A good GENERAL SER VANT; wages L 35. Apply Office of this Paper on Tuesday next, between 11 and 12 o’clock noon. 610 e ANTEP KNOWN MARSH’S **SQPTOH PIES, ALL -HOT, Fresh every day, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.; price 3d each. Pioneer Bakery, Tancred street. 614 e ANTED KNOWN—If you want to Grow a splendid crop of Turnips Purchase some of Mayo’s Bonedust. —Address F. Mayo, Hamstead Mills. 255 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



Special Advertisements. Jj- E W COAL YARD. Coals. Coals. Coals. The Undersigned desires to intimate to his Customers and the Public generally that he; has OPENED IN THE COAL TRADE, in conjunction with his present TIMBER and FIREWOOD BUSINESS, and has now on Stock and to Arrive, a large supply of the best Newcastle Coals, H(Frotik the Old'Lamb ton Mine), which will be delivered to Customers to any part of the Town and Suburbs at the LOWEST POSSIBLE RATES.



ALPHEUS HAYES, Timber and Coal Merchant, 4<jg 0 East street, Ashburton. 7T ; UMN. 11882.) WINTER. for this Season, comprising over twenty cases are now opened up. The Boys’ and Youths’ Clothing is especially recommended, and Parents and Guardians will find it advantageous to make an-early selection. The Stock of Men’s Clothing is simply superb, and the variety of Hats, Hoisery, Blankets, Flannels, and Shirtings second to none in New Zealand. Agents for the Celebrated Werthexm Machines. TheTirit Portion of the New Goods



Ashburton Branch; ANDRE WES BROS. (Late L. F. Andrbwes), BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS, AND NEWS-AGENTS, East street South, Ashburton. School-books and Stationery of Every Description. School Committees sup plied.-',' Hymn Prayer-books of Every Kind.' Chfldreti’s J Picture and Story Books; Atherican Novelties, just arrived. Journals, Magazines, and Home Papers every Mail. A large assortment of Maori Photographs,* including Te Whiti and other Chiefs. N.B.—All orders attended to without delay. 334 e



Prime DERWENT POTATOES L2 15a. 636 e " POYNTZ & , price CO.



Gr.’ Adams & Co., PRACTICAL ENGLISH WATCH MAKERS, JEWELLERS, AND IMPORTERS, ■ HIGH STREET (Next W. J. Fisher s), Cjfl KISTCHIJHC/11. Rotherham’s English. Lever Watches, guaranteed genuine, capped and jewelled, £5 10a‘to £lO 10s. American Waltliam Lever Watches, of world-wide celebrity, English Hall-marked cases, £3 10s to £3 10s. N.B. See that the words “ Wal tham, Mass.” are engraved on the works. None are genuine without. Ladies’ Watches, in gold or silver cases, from 455. ' Every Watch is Examined, Timed, and Guaranteed for Two Years, A splendid assortment of the Newest Pitterns’m Gold and Silver Jewellery. „i . Novelties in' Greenstone. 471 e



jr gUPPORT LOCAL INDUSTRY. . John Meech, CABINETMAKER & UPHOLSTERER, Begs to invito his friends to inspect his large stock of New and Second-hand Fur niture, consisting of Drawing-room and Bedroom Suites Chiffoniers Book Cases Wardrobes Chests of Drawers Tables Wash Stands Wood and Iron Bedsteads Cots, Cradles Perambulators And everything required in household urnishing at the very lowest prices. Practical workmen kept for all kinds of repairs. Furniture bought, and high prices given. Furniture lent, on weekly and monthly payments . >u | o hn'"meech, ' , Bun KE T T BTR B B a Opposite the Mail Office.



Special Advertisements. THE NEW ZEALAND GRAIN AGENCY AND MERCANTILE COMPANY, LIMITED. And upwards, on the security of Freehold Property, at Lowest Current Rates. ADVANCES to FARMERS are also made on Growing CROPS of Grain ; and also on Growing Clips of WOOL. Seed Wheat, Oats, and Barley supplied to farmers on most favorable terms. They have For Sale at Lowest Rates— FEED OATS CHICK WHEAT FLOUR, BRAN. & SHARPS CEMENT. £50,000 TO LEND, in sums of IU PU £3OO WILLIAM HORNE. 518 e Agent.



O T 1 0 E. ASHBURTON COAL AND FIREWOOD DEPOT R. S. Bean (Late of Montgomery and Co., Limited), HAS COMMENCED BUSINESS as above, next to Mr Jos. Clark’s Office, in WEST STREET, and hopes, by civility and attention, to merit a fair share of public support. Agent for the Springfield Coal Co. Coal, Firewood, Posts, Rails, Stakes, &c. Orders taken for Bricks, Cement, Lime, Timber, Ac. Oats, Bran, Chaff, Chicken Wheat, &o. Note the Address— NEXT MR JOSEPH CLARK’S, WEST STREET. 1810



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 Or 'ana, and Toys of every description, direct from Home. Elaircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET ASHRnBTON.



SCHOOL BOOKS. SCHOOL STATIONERY. SCHOOL COMMITTEES SUPPLIED. Foolscap from 16s per Ream, Cash. Envelopes ~ 6s 6d per 1,000 ~ Note Paper, Five Quires, Is ~ A GOOD ASSORTMENT of Ledgers. Casli, Day Books, and Ledger Books IN STOCK. Toys Fancy Goods, Crewel Wools, &c. H. M. Jones. Stationer and Bookseller, 293 d



T o FARMERS. ROBERTS, PAXTON & CO. ARB CASH PURCHASERS OF WHEAT BARLEY OATS GRASS SEED AT HIGHEST MARKET RATES. ADVANCES ON GROWING CROPS. The Undersigned are prepared to make liberal Cash Advances against Growing Crops during the ensuing Season. ROBERTS, PAXTON & CO. Offices : Manchester street, Christchurch, two doors south of Messrs P. Cunningham and Co.’s. 300



A SHBURTON CHEESE & BUTTER FACTORY, The Directors having decided to offer the Balance of Unalloted Shares to the public, applications will be received for same. Priority will be given in allotting the balance to applications from existing shareholders. Forms of application may be obtained from S. E. POYNTZ, 632 e Secretary. 1 PPLICATIONS are invited from per sons willing to act as SECRETARY to the Ashburton Woollen Factory Com pany ; salary LSO per annum. Applica tions, addressed “ Chairman Woollen Factory Company,” will be received by undersigned up to noon on Wednesday, June 7th. STEPHEN E. POYNTZ, 633 e Secretary pro tem.



ALL ACCOUNTS due to Dr Murdoch must be PAID within fourteen days from date to the undersigned, otherwise legal proceedings will be taken for their recovery. ASH PALACE. This is a very good world that we live in. To lend, or to spend, or to give in ; But to beg, or to borrow, or to get back one’s It’s the very worst world that ever was known But this docs not alter the fact that C. HAWKINS, Boot and Shoemaker, East street, Ashburton, and Archibald street, Tinwald, SELLS, or rather GIVES, away at a nominal rate, Boots and Shoes for CASH ONLY. So roll up and buy your boots where you can get a perfect fit. 998 c 615 e POYNTZ & CO. own,



MR L. H. WILKINS is authorised to CANVASS and COLLECT AC COUNTS on behalf of The Ashburton Guardian. |J| AK B NOTICE. Everett Brothers Are still in Ashburton, and are SELLING AS CHEAP AS EVER. Special : CALICOES FLANNELS WIFCEYS, and DRESS STUFFS. Bargains in LADIES’ ULSTERS, COSTUMES, and WINTER SKIRTS. We have still a Large Stock of MEN’S SHIRTS, HATS, HOSIERY, &c. Note the address : EVERETT BROS., Havelock street, Next Harrison’s Auction Rooms.



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 charged accordingly. Re place Advertisements must be supplied the day previous to that on which they are to be inserted. Special notices can bo received up to 3.30 p. m. for insertion over the Leader, but will bo charged double rates. 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 bo addressed to The Editor.