SHIPPING.

t' POET OP LYTTELTON, , ~ Arrived. Yesterday. Clio, schooner, from Waitapu. Isabella, brigantine, from Pelorus Sound. Cutty Sark, schooner, from Foxton. To-day. Hawea, s.s., from Wellington. Sailed. Yesterday. Duncraig, barque, for London. Examine!*, barque, for Brisbane. (i ; Kangaroo, s.s., for Westport. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. p ( Wellington, Yesterday. ~j. £ Arrived —Rotomabana, from Mel bourne, via the South; Hawea, from Nel son and Picton; Westport, from West port ; Go-Ahead, from Wanganui. .Sailed—Rotomahana, for Aucbland, via ■'the East Coast. ..... Westport, Yesterday. Arrived—Beautiful Star, from Hoki tika. ; Dunedin, Yesterday. Arrived—Frank Grey, from Groy ; mouth; Penguin, from the North; Mathicu, barque, from Newcastle.

COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, , - . , Saturday Afternoon. -t, 1 There has been very little activity in ■3* the grain market during the week, and , prices are still without much variation, h .Wheats for shipment are gradually being -moved off, and several vessels have cleared during the last month. Messrs Friodlan der. Bros, are to bo credited with the largest quantity of local wheat shipped on owners,account, per their chartered vea ’°iew| 'thik season; and. we hope their spirited enterprise will be well rewarded. Jir Afatf ! quantity of grain remains in store hero, and small lots arc being delivered as the weather permits. The railway has ’’’iitoSped” with the grain traffic very success fully, and we hear of very little complaints made, so far as Ashburton and county are concerned. Oats are ready of sale, and prices remain firm at previous quotations. Barley, for malting purposes, is in demand, but only best samples are saleable at 4s to 4s 6cl. Potatoes are being delivered in quantities, and prices are slightly firmer in consequence of an increased demand for shipment. “‘ “ Messrs John Shaw and Sons, of 37, Mark (l Laoe; London, K.C., report, through their •‘agent (Mr Leonard W. Blake, of Christchurch) that , .the market during the fortnight ending March 23rd, was extremely brisk for every de scription of farm seeds, and o wing to extraor , idiwary lightness of stocks, pricas all round were . Isrettinairitained, and in some cases an ad , .vance had been established. English red was .spot coming so freely to market, whilst Ameri “ can, although the supplies were well kept up, -held its own in values, more particularly fine 5 Canadian, which was much sought after. In ‘ alsyke and white clover, a slight upward move ment was preceptible, and trefoil must be ;;quoted fully 2s per cwt. dearer. Full rates realised for both perennial and Italian rye grasses, Sanfoin continued scarce and dear. The business passing in bird seeds was meagre. The.Boatd of Trade returns for January, give the imports of clovers and grass seeds as 47,588 cwt., against 29,893 cwt. for January, 1881, and 41,727 cwt for January, 1880.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES ‘ Tuesday, May 9. Matson, Cox and Co., at the Tinwald Yards—Stock. J. T. Ford and Co., at the Tinwald Yards —Turnips. Friday, May 12. H. Matson and Co, at the Canterbury Wool Stores—Landed Propery ; 12 o’clock, i Saturday, May 13. Mr T. Bullock, at the Bazaar—Horses ; 1.30 p.m. he MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c Monday, May 8. Public Meeting re Library Site, Town Hall, 8 p.m. Toesday, May 9. Horticultural Society—Meeting of Com mittee, Mr Jones’ room, 8 p. ra. Monday, May 15. Borough Council, at Borough Council : i Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Bangitata Road Board—Monthly Meet -' ing. Road Board Office, Hinds, 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 6. ashburton 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. . , “ 'Thursday, June 8. Wakanui Road Board —Monthly Meeting, Road Boar~d Office,, Moore street

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

Trains 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 for Timaku and Squth, at *6150 a.ra., 10.32 a.m. (Express), ai)d 4.45 p.m.--the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timani. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Christchurch at 10 20 a.m. (Express), 4.35 pan., and 7.50 p.m. Traces .Aekivb at Ashburton from i,;Tb*aru'and South at 10.45 a.m., 5.23 p.m. (Express), and 8.10 p.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, MAY 6 , 1882. Mr Wright, M.H.R., at Alford Forest.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued ai 5.40 p. m. j

The speech delivered by Mr E. G. Wright, M.H.R., at Alford Forest on Thursday evening last, will, like all Mr Wright’s speeches, be found well worthy of perusal. It is a great pity that there are so few men in the House of

Representatives of Mr Wright’s de scription. There a few good speakers ' there; are a great many good promisers, and the bulk of the mem bers are quite capable of enjoying, and not a few of adorning the social festivities connected with their three months stay in Wellington; but the men who think, and examine, and judge for themselves ; who take nothing second-hand that can be investigated at its source, and who have the inde pendence and courage to act up to their carefully formed opinions, are very few and far between, and are of more value than any other class of men that enter our legislature. When Mr Wright first offered his services to the Coleridge electors he was most unfor tunate in his sponsors, and heavily handicapped by the support he re ceived from a quarter that surrounded him with suspicion. So strongly was this felt, and so great was its effect that even those who best knew Mr Wright and had seen much of his useful local work were afraid to trust him in such company, and conse quently voted for his less able and active opponent. But the crucible of earnest public work soon brought out the true metal from the dross that obscured it, and Mr Wright now stands before the Ashburton electors as one of the few men who think, and act, and speak for themselves, and one, moreover, who has intelligently and wisely served both the district that trusted him, and the colony that had previously known so little of him. His reception at Alford Forest the the night before last was not encour aging to anyone who may contemplate honest and arduous service to the colony, or may be prepared to devote intellect and energy of a high order to the service of electors, amongst whom ■ there will always be too many abso lutely ignorant of all that has been done for them, and utterly uncon scious of the day and night vigilance with which their public interest has been watched over and protected. When Mr McFarlane expressed a hope that Mr Wright “ would do something more for them in the future than he had done in the past,” it is to be hoped that he knew very little of how much public work Mr Wright had really per formed, and that his unjust aspersion was said more thoughtlessly than wantonly. With the single exception of Mr Hall there is no man in the House of Representatives who has worked harder than Mr Wr’ght. Those who know him, know that it is not his ; nature to be idle anywhere, and those 1 who have only read his speeches in “ Hansard” can see that every sentence he utters is the outcome of some labo . rious research, while those who have taken up the Committee Reports he has brought out must be struck with the painstaking manner in which he enters into any public duty, and the enormous mass of evidence he can bring to bear on any subject he takes in hand. On the Railway Commission we find him the leading spirit, and doing the chairman’s work without the chairman’s honors or the chairman’s pay. We see him following up that report with a formidable array of evi dence intended to slop the waste of millions on the Otago central line. Then we find Mr Wright employing his active mind in demonstrating the folly cf constructing railways by the side of navigable rivers, or pointing out in his forcible way, that each journey that the train makes from Wellington to the Hutt entails a heavy loss upon all the rest of the colony, and that the gross average earnings of each such journey amounts to the enormous sum of one and-ninepence! Then we find this useful public man directing his attention to the desert lying between Nelson and the West Coast, and com ing down like a sledge hammer on the Government, for proposing to waste on a few miles of the useless political line there. On another occa sion this indefatigable member ferrets out and exposes the concealment by the Otago Minister for Public Works of the expenditure on the Tuapeka line; and coming back to his own pro vince, he brings up a collection of figures to show that out of the so ostentatiously paraded as a vote for the Canterbury interior lines, in 1878, only p£B,ooo had been ex pended.

The New Railway Station at Timaru. —Tho tender of Mr McOombo, of Oaniaru, has been accepted for tho erec tion of the new railway station at Timaru. The figure is L 3,495.

The Mosgiel Woollen Factory.— It is stated that although the Mosgiel mills are working at the present time night and day they cannot keep pace with the demand for the goods turned out. This is re-assuring for Ashburton.

Notice of Removal.—Mr J. J. Doyle intimates elsewhere that he has taken the shop lately occupied by F. Furness, ad joining Mr Murray’s, East street. For further information, which Mr Doyle sup plies, our readers are referred to the ad vertisement.

Shooting Game on Sunday.—A test case was tried at the Oamaru Magistrate’s Court yesterday, to prohibit tho shooting of game on Sundays. The prosecution urged that as there was no Now Zealand Act in force interdicting tho practice the English Act ought to be recognised. Tho Bench thou <ht otherwise, and dismissed the case.

Off to the Exhibition. —Vn Exhibi tion excursion train loft, Ashburton at 9.20 this morning. Twelve Ashburtoni ans availed themselves of the opportunity of taking a cheap trip to tho cathedral city and doing the wonders of the World's Fair. The train commenced it? journey at Timaru, which it left about 7 o’clock, arriving hero at 9. We understand that a special cheap excursion is to bo laid on, starting from Ashburton, shortly. This is as it should be. Timaru has had several excursions, .and it is time we got a turn, before the Exhibition closes

A Blind Vagrant.—At tho Christ church Magistrate’s Court yesterday Henry Hambline, who was recently sen tenced at tho Ashburton il. M. Court to one month’s hard labor for vagrancy, was charged with having no visible means of support. It was stated that the defendant had been turned out of the Old Men’s Homo at Ashburton for gross misbeha viour, and had been afterwards punished in taol for bad conduct whilst undergoing his month’s imprisonment. Hamblin, who is quite blind, expressed much con trition for his conduct, and said if again admitted fo the Ashburton Home he would behave bettor. Ho was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment, the Magis trate promising to see Mr March in the meantime, and try to make some arrange ment as to his future.

Measles at Auckland.—One hundred cases of measles occurred during the month of April in Auckland !

A Talented Man. —A man named B'bby advertises a curious challenge in the Sydney papers. He that he is prepared “ to eat any man living at oat meal porridge for the sum of LIO or up wards. ”

An Immoral City. The Auckland police made a raid on the houses of ill fame one night last week. Eight women were arrested, and nearly all got G months. The police have a list of 137 women en gaged in prostitution. Nabbed. —Marges, the Auckland le vanter, has been nabbed at Adelaide. LB,OOO lodged by the ex-merchant in the Colonial Bank at Auckland, was drawn out by his wile a few days prior to the flight of the family. Sparrows. The operations of the North Otago Sparrow Club have been eminently successful in so far as the de struction of birds and their eggs is con cerned, and it is estimated that about 50,000 eggs and birds have been destroyed during the season. District Court. —ln oar report of the hearing of the case Nelson and Coutts v. W. Compton, at the District Court yes terday, we stated the claim to be LG4B IGs lid. As there had been several al lowances and a payment of L3OO made on account, the claim befox - e the Court should ghave been stated as only L2OO, instead of the amount inadvertently stated by us. The Exhibition. —The Ehibition Ath letic Sports came off to-day. The weather Was threatening, and the attendance smal'. The 100yds race resulted Hukton, (Christchurch), scratch, 1 ; Wood-, (Wellington) scratch, 2 ; Mann, (Christ church), 12yds, 3. Time, 10 l-sth secs. The one mile race resulted : Handcock (Christchurch), 100yds, 1 ; O’Connor (Australia), scratch 2; Vaughan (Wel lington), 50yds, 3.

A Night in a Buggy.— At the Police Court this morning, before Mr C. P. Cox, J.P., Robert Gibb, alias “ Scotch Bob,” was charged with vagrancy—being ille gally on premises. It appears “Bob” was found lying asleep in a buggy at the rear of Quill’s Hotel this morning at about one o’clock. Prisoner had been warned to clear out, and failing to do so was taken in charge by Constable Hicks. As “ Bob” had been fined 5s on the 17th ult. for drunkenness, his Worship sent him up for seven days on this occasion, “ with out the option. ” Cloture.— Mr Matthew jjArnold writes to an English paper as follows : —“ May I ask why we all persist in saying cloture ? Is it for the pleasure of describing the circumflex when we write the word, and of pronouncing the French u when we speak it ? Or is it for the mere English love of whatever is complicated and not simple 'I We all say enclosure, disclosure, every day of our lives. But closure itself, also, in its unoompounded state, is a per fectly good English word ; a word used by Chaucer, Shakespeare, Boyle, Atterbury, and Pope.”

“ Montgomery’s Corner ”.—The well known “Montgomery’s corner” has undergone considerable alterations since the block passed into the hands of Messrs Friedlander Bros. The ironmongery shop

at the corner of East and Burnett streets has been much enlarged within the past few days, the work having necessitated the removal further down Burnett street of the staircase communicating with the upper floor of the buildings. When the alterations are completed, Messrs Fried lander Bros will possess one of tho hand somest shops in Ashburton.

u Knives to Grind !”—James Edwards was arrested on a warrant in Ashburton last evening by Constable Daly, charged with stealing a pair of scissors of tho value of 8j from a Temuka resident. Edwards, who is a knife grinder by trade, obtained the scissors to grind, and failed to return them to the expectant owner. When ar rested accused said he had to chtch a train, and had no time before doing so to return the scissors. He had no intention of steal ing them. He was sent back to Temuka in charge of a constable this morning, there to interview Mr Beswick. The Hunt Club. —Tho first meet of the season took place this afternoon. The “ throw-off” took place near the mill, where a large number of horsemen had assembled. The “ run ” was through Messrs H. T. Smith’s and J. Hunt’s pad ducks. One or two “ spills” were noticed in the early part of the afternoon, but wo did not hear of any other casualties. A number of vehicles and horsemen fol lowed tho roads adjacent to the hunt, but it was very difficult to get a good view of the run owing to the height of the hedges.

Criminal Carelessness —One cannot be too careful in handling fire-arms. One Instance in proof of this (says the Tele graph) occurred at Rangiora one day last week. A resident of that thriving little place had but a gun to a friend, who after using it returned it, as tho lender sup posed, unloaded. A young man named Thompson happening to enter tho house shortly aftewards, casually took up the gun and examined it, and in replacing it brought the butt-end down rather smartly; the consequence was that the hammer fell, and the piece was discharged, the contents passing within an inch of Thompson’s face, and passing through both coiling and roof of the house.

An Infaunal Machine.—What may he considered a local attempt at tire manu facture of infernal machines was dis covered the other day in a garden at the northern end of Riverton. While digging the proprietor came across a small tin canister closely sealed, of the diameter of a 11b coffee tin and about two inches deep, sloping up from the bottom in the shape of a dome. When prized open with a chisel it was found to be full of gunpow der, and soldered to the bottom were three short pieces of thick wire which did duty as nipples, on each of which was placed a concussion cap. What the object of the inventor of this ingenious con trivance could have been it is hard to con jecture. Perhaps (remarks a local paper) he will try dynamite next time. Philosophical Explanation of the Aup.oka Australis. —The auroral lights visible last week have given rise to some amusing theories among certain Welling ton people, who had never before seen the Aurora Australis, which is rather a rare phenomenon in this latitude. One philo sophical person (says the £1 m-jitikei Advo ciihi) enlightened his friends by imparting the fact of the appearance being caused by a great volcanic ourption taking place at this time in South Australia, and gravely proceeded to state that the vol cano referred to had first broken out about throe years ago, and iw tremendous erup tion bad causoel a sensation all over the vvorid. This mountain wan named the “ Rora Austorlitz,” ami the singular lights in the heavens were the iejection of an other eruption now taking place 1 We hope tire above scrap of knowledge will be useful to the benighted believers in the generally prevailing theory as to the cause of the Southern lights.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[per reoteu’s agency.] Chief Secretary. London, May 4. It is announced that Lord Fredk. Cavendish, Financial Secretary to the

j Treasury, has been appointed Chief " Secretary for Ireland, vice W, E. Forster, resigned. Money and the Markets. Consols have declin.d to New Zealand securities are unchanged at yesterday’s quotations. The total re serve in notes and bullion in the Bank of England is 1.12,500,000, being Li,000,000 less than last week. The markets for colonial breadstuffs and tallow are without quotable change. The Irish Policy of the Government. In the House of Commons to-day an excited debate took place regarding the Irish policy of the Government, The Irish members who have been under arrest warmly repudiated the charges which were made against them, that they had entered into a compact with the Executive in order to secure their release. Mr Forster, the late Irish Secretary, assailed the action of the Government in strong terms. Mr Parnell, in the course of a speech which he made, explained that he was willing to assist the Executive to restore order, provided the arrears of tenants’ rents were remitted.

AUSTRALIAN.

[per reuter’s agency.] Acquitted. Adelaide, To-day. Dubarry, another of the defendants in the insurance conspiracy case has been acquitted of the charge laid against him. The Zealandia. Sydney, To-day. Arrived, yesterday—Steamship Hero, from Wellington. Arrived to-day— Steamship Zealandia, from Auckland. Progression. Brisbane, To-day. The Queensland railway returns for the twelve months ended 30th April show an increase of revenue to the amount of £,35,000 as compared with last year. Poor Adelaide! Melbourne, Yesterday. It is announced that the steamships of the Orient Company will cease call ing at Adelaide after June.

TELEGRAMS.

♦ [per press association.] The Auckland Levanter. Auckland, To-day. L 175 in cash and a draft for LSOO were found on Harges when arrested. Hamiiton-Cambridge Railway. The first sod of the Hamilton-Oam bridge railway was turned yesterday by Major Knox, of Hamilton. The Kingite Meeting. Alexandra, To-day. I counted the buildings at Whatiwhati hoe. Thera were a hundred and fifty-four whares and tents, mostly the latter, ex clusive of a big runauga house. Averag ing them seven persons each, gives one thousand and seventy-eight. About a hundred occupy the big house. Two hundred additional arrivals makes four teen hundred people, which I believe will be about present. Fifty Ngatipuwaka ar rived on horseback this morning. It is still wet, and nothing will bo done before Monday. On His Trial. New Plymouth, To-day. At the Supreme Court this morning Joseph Gardiner Parnell, for indecent as sault, is being tried. Trod Upon. Opdnake, To-day. At the inquest yesterday, on the body of Ford, a verdict was returned that de ceased came by his death while lying down in the open, and by a horse treading on his abdomen. The deceased was a bricklayer, and well known in Wanganui. Washed Away. The stone work of some bridges towards IS ow Plymouth was washed away. No Thoroughfare. Owing to the heavy floods partially stopping traffic the Taranaki coach had to return here. Looks Like Business. Wellington, To-day. At a meeting of the shareholders yester day of the Wellington Meat Preserving Company it was decided to at once order the machinery. Electoral. Reepton, To-day. Mr T. S. Weston addressed a meeting of his constituents at Reofton last night, and received a unanimous vote of confi dence. The Dunedin Benevolent Institution Dunedin, To-day Mr Oliver receiving a deputation of the Committee of the Benevolent Institution, said ho would use his influence to get a commission of enquiry appointed. Drowned at Sea. Henry Sayers, seaman, aged 24, who shipped aboard the ship City of Lucknow, here last December, was drowned on the passage to Oregon. His parents reside near Dunedin. From “ Bosting.” The Janette Ferguson, barque, from Boston, is at the Heads.

LARCENY v. MURDER.

It would almost seem (says the Pall Mall Gazette) to bo regarded as a more venial offence in the eye of the law to kick a woman to death than to pick her pocket. In illustration of this, Mr McFarlane, M. P., strings together in the March number of Macmillan a few sen tences inflicted last year for offences against persons and property, from which we make the following extracts :—May 2G : Kicking a woman to death ; six weeks’ hard labor. Juno : Picking a woman’s pocket of 9s (second offence) ; ten years’ penal servitude. June 11 : Knocking down a wife and kicking her savagely in the face ; three months’ hard labour. Nov. 23 : Woman ill-treated in decently and killed by three men ; one sixteen months’ hard labour, and two six months’ each. December ; Stealing coals value 2s ; eight months’ hard labor. December: Trying to kill wife with razor (second offence) ; twelve monk s’ hard labor. December ; Stealing watch value 30s (second offence) ; five years’ penal ser vitude. December : Stealing a knife and keys ; Five years’ penal servitude. Deo. 10 : Striking violently in the face and in decently assaulting a woman ; 40s fine. Dec. 16 : Knocking down and kicking a woman twice ; L 4 fine. In the last two cases the women were strangers who were wantonly assaulted by ruffians in the streets. Is it any wonder that the rough regards a brutal .assault on an unprotected female as a legitimate pastime, winked at, if not actually encouraged, by the magis trate ?

ALFORD FOREST.

[from our own correspondent.] j Our Alford Forest correspondent writes drawing attention to an important matter.

“ It is certain that for a number years to come, our forest will be, if properly hus banded, the mainstay of the district, but is it properly husbanded 1 I emphatically 1 say, no. More timber has already been J destroyed by fire than by the axe ; only a few short months have elapsed since a fire was star! el, its progress, fortunately, was checked, and what might have been an end to our fair prospects, ought to act as a warning to us all, not only to the owners of bush land, but to the whole in habitants of the district. The danger is there still, over and over again fires can bo started accidentally, or even malici ously. Let us face the difficulty, great evils require powerful remedies ; great dangers, great precautions. The forest will maintain a population in our midst, let us, therefore, guard jealously the great source of wealth God in his goodness has given us. The forest once gone, the population will follow ; pleasant home steads will tumble into decay, and our dis trict bo turned again intoahugesheepwalk. It is useless to say precautions are taken to avoid such great danger, and to laugh at the idea of a knave setting fire to the bush would be still more childish. I have the highest opinion of the colonists of New Zealand and Australia generally ; but I speak from experience of what I have known happen. Yea, I cannot shut my eyes to the fact that there are black sheep in the flock, who, to avenge what they

call a wrong, would think no more of setting the incendiary torch to work, than of tossing a glass of whisky down their throats. Can any one, for instance, ac cent as a matter of accident, six fires lighted at the foot of the straining posts of a post and rail fence, running through a hush for something like three miles with out a break 1 Yet I know such a thing has been done, having myself put out the fires —moreover, I am certain that I pul them out effectually previous to my riding from the spot, yet the incendiaries could not have been far off, and musf have set to work afresh as soor as they thought themselves safe from detection, since two hours latei the bush was in a blaze beyond all humar efforts to put out. This incident happened in Tasmania, not more than eight mile! from Launceston. Should such an are: of bush as was destroyed by that fire bi consumed in our forest, I would give litth for what was left. Looking at the facts who can deny that it was the work of ai incendiary ? And this sort of thing i always liable to happen—a severe drought a strong nor’-wester, a villian who ha quarrelled with his employer and bee “sacked”—and the dead may be done “ Early to bed, early to rise ” is the mott of the bushman and his family. Befor the crackling noise or glare of confligrt tion has awakened the thinly populate district, the chances are that the fir will have caught such hold that nothin will be left us but to mourn and look or Such wretches are, happily, few. This know, that if detected by the bushme working for wages in the Alford .Fores

an incendiary would stand a very good chance of being lynched, and should a hangman ever be wanted for the occasion, your cori’espondent would gladly offer his services on a pinch. The Waimate fire was caused by shepherds signalling to one another during muster. In the evidence brought forth at the trial it was distinctly stated that it was customary in hilly dis tricts to light fires, so that parties engaged in mustering may know the whereabouts of each other. It was adduced also that certain laws were in force regulating the lighting of these fires, but laws are too often made to be ridden through, a long purse and a clever lawyer .will whitewash many a black spot. It was also stated that a fire had been actually started in the bush, and never properly put out. Lot it be as it may, I have no idea of scratching old sores. What I want to arrive at is simply this—thousands of feet of good timber, fit for building purposes, were destroyed ; that Waimate, by that fire, lost more than the bulk of its inhabitants ever thought of ; and that wo ourselves were indirectly heavy losers, yet at the same time thought little or nothing about it. We have no timber in our forest fit for building purposes, yet we want houses. The Waimate bush was our store-house. The bush worked out, or all burned, means dear building material, therefore I am not “ stretching” when I say we were heavy losers. No, there is some similarity in the situation between the Waimate bush and our forest. Waimate bush is surrounded by sheep runs, the back of our hills are in the hands of runholdors. I presume in both instances, both districts being hilly, the custom of signalling by lighting fires exists, or did exist. At Waimate they have sawmills ; we have had saw mills at work, and will no do doubt have some more erected, or the old ones started afresh. We have, therefore to dread for our forest the same fate that overwhelmed the Waimate district. Fire is our most dreaded enemy ; I cimut, therefore, con ceive that too much emphasis can bo put on the warning. I must, however, refer your readers t<> my next letter, knowing full well that other matters have to appear in your columns ; but I will put as little delay as possible in the completion of my task, and I hope before I have done to show that a great deal can be done to en sure the safety of the bush, as well as a more beneficial and systematic method of working can be easily arrived at. In my next I shall have something to say on osier growing and the manufacture of baskets.

A CLEVER CLAIRVOYANT.

The Dunedin Echo is responsible for the following:—Cur sub-editor visited Signor Otto Hug, “ medical clairvoy ant,” corner Dowling and Princes streets, recently to take notes. On this day the poor are “ diagnosed ” and sup plied with medicines free. At two p.m. the waiting-room leading to the sanctum sanctonim was full of anxious, wan faces. Passing to the studio a person about twenty-six, of medium height, erect, strong built, fair com plexion, German cast of figure, accosted us. A number of patients—examined on previous Saturdays—were admitted first to report progress. Most declared they “felt much better,” some received more medicine, others none because “quite cured,” said they, in grateful and feeling terms. We questioned them one by one. They said the doctor, without asking a single question but requesting them to hold their tongues, correctly described their ailments, exact spot affected, how they felt, &c.; in fact, read them “ through and through,” afterwards giving them medicine, &:c. W'e add the testimony of a few as to results : Miss Elizabeth Larsson, Rus sell street, suffering from rheumatics in bath feet and legs, could hardly walk a fortnight ago, now walks almost as well as ever; Mrs Catherine Neame, Han over street, suffering for a long time from weak action of the heart and other complaints, now much better; a girl about ten years, belonging to Mrs Ireland, Union street, suffering from partial paralysis of leg since a child, experiences heat in part affected, a thing never felt before, leg get ting stronger ; Samuel Hatfield Glen, eighteen years old, suffering badly from asthma since a child, joy fully exclaimed, “ This is the first week in my life I have felt well.” Now for the modus opetandi of cases “ diag« nosed” last Saturday. Hr Hugclasp s :

his patient’s right hand, then passes into a “ trance," so-called, eyes firmly closed, placing left hand on patient’s head. In this position he claims to see the internal organs, as one views the mechanism of a clock j then de scribes the parts affected right. off, without looking at the tongue, feeling pulse, or asking questions. As we do dot expect our bare word to be taken on such an unusual matter, we subjoin addresses, etc., of those examined, who admitted in our presence the absolute correctness of their ailments as de cribed by |;Mr Hug—Mrs Hannah Hill, Macandrew road, suffering from rheumatism in legs, previously in head and arms ; Mrs Caroline Bills, 5 Bath street, fearful bad leg, exact state of leg, pains, etc., in other parts of the body described minutely ; Mrs Jeffesson, Caversham, suffering from a complication of diseases for some time, spleen mostly, aches, pains, special symptoms, all accurately given ; Miss Ellen Kldred, Cannongate street, genef ; ral debility, exact situation of pains, i etc., faithfully pourtrayed; often the ’ accident causing the disease was men ' tioned. All avowed themselves per j feet strangers to Mr Hug, and felt non | plussed. Each received medicines (all , herbal) or liniment, as the case re ! quired. The above is an unvarnished 3 account of what occurred. We, offer f no ooinion as to how it is done;

THE TRIAL OF THE NIHILISTS.

The New York Herald's St Peters burg special says : —The Court com menced sitting at half-past one. : The tribunal submitted to the defence 63 questions to which to which it was to reply. Counsel for defence remained in consultation until after four o’clock. They signified their acquiescence, with the exception of two alterations, which the tribunal allowed. After adjourning for dinner the tribunal entered into de liberation at six o’clock. During the recess it had become known that -the advocates for the defence had quar relled. They were still disputing vio lently when they re-entered the Court The tribunal resumed its sittings at a quarter past eleven. There then pc- ' curred a curious incident. The Presi dent, who maintains strictly the exclu sion of the public, perceived . two strangers in Court. “Who are these people?” he asked of the Huipser. The latter replied that they had been introduced by M. Nebokoff, Minister of Justice. “Expell them,” rejoined the President ; “we know no Minister here. I alone am master in this hall.” A few hours before the President had one of the Emperor’s aides-de-camp, Colonel Nestowich, expelled for at tempting to sketch the defendants, and another person for trying to take down the 63 questions put by the prosecu tion. Only twelve people were present during the last day’s proceedings, coun sel and accused, of course, not in cluded. Among them were Prince Schokovrokoff, Prince Demedoff of Sandonato and the Minister of Justice. The prisoners were brought into Court escorted by gens d’annes. They ap peared quite unconcerned, and several evidently had difficulty in refraining from bantering the judges. The 63 questions to which they were called on to reply were mere outlines of the charges elaborated in the indictment, with few exceptions. All the questions were replied to affirmatively. The sentences were then passed on the prisoners. Nothing worthy of reihatk occurred while the sentences were being read. The prisoners listened calmly, and made no sign. When, however, they were asked “ whether they had anything to add to their defence,” Teterka turned to Merkouloff, the in former, who had denounced Emiliainoff, and struck him in the face, saying, “ Take that from your fellow-prisoners.” Terentieffs answer to the President was a cough and a burst of ironic laughter. The prisoners sentenced to be hanged are the woman Lebedoff, and Michael off Kolodkewich, Trigonia, Barania koff, Haneff Klatotchnikoff, Isnaeff,. Ernilianoff, and Markeanoff all pf whom were convicted of complicity ,in the assassination of the Czar. The rest, were sentenced to indefinite terms of: penal servitude, except Luskig, whose term is four years. The sentence will f be read over to the prisoners once more on Sunday. There is no appeal from, the decision of the Judges, as the Senate is the Supreme Court. They will, however, be submitted to General Ignatieff for his approval. The priso- ; ners may then petition the Emperor for respite. It is rumored that Alexan droff, Emilianoffs counsel, will be trans ported for having used seditious lan-; guage in his address. Hessy Helfmann, whose removal was announced lately, died in the fortress of St Petersburg several days ago of illness contracted during her accouchement.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

KEEP YOUR OWN SIDE.

To the Editor. Sib, — I noticed a local in your columns a few days ago drawing the attention of the public to the fact that they ought to keep to their own side of the way whilst crossing the railway bridge. It seems to have had but small efiect on some, or at least, on one, of the riding public ; as yesterday at dusk, I had occasion to cross the bridge; when about half way over, I met a man, or at least an apology for one, on horseback, riding at a furious rate on the wrong side, be nearly knocked me down. I called to him, but received no' answer, I hardly had time to escape from under the horse’s hoofs by jumping acrooS to the other side of the bridge, when I was again encountered, this time by a trap, which necessitated another quick move back to my own side again. .Now, Sir, can you tell me who would have to defray doctor's expenses if an accident wove to happen through the care lessness of ono of these riders, or if you think the lailway authorities are waiting • for somebody to get killed or maimed for i life, before they erect the much-needed hand rail for the protection of foot pas sengers.—l am, &c., Pedestrian. Ashburton, May 4th, 1882.

A DENIAL.

To the Editor. Sir, —In the leading article of your issue bearing date April 29. you have seen fit to offer me a deliberate insult, couched in the following words :—“ Perhaps, after all, the worst feature id the case is the.: deliberate, long premeditated, course of misrepresentation which had been adopted. The .plot was first laid at the Kyle meeting on the 4th of this month. There a Mr Arnold was put' up to ask Mr Saunders a numberoftjuestionsin a very peculiar manner, and amongst the rest

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, MAY 6, 1882,



-p R I N T J N G» ' Or Evsey Description, NEATLY AND CHEAPLY EXECUTED, # J fi-rt > \ ! * AT PTTIHE Q.UARDIAN . QFFIOE. WEST STREET s a* UPPORT LOCAL INDUSTRY. John Meech, OAIINETMAKER & UPHOLSTERER, Begfc io incite His friends to inspect his large stock pf New and Second-hand Fur niture, consisting of '(Drawing-roc m and Bedroom Suites Chiffoniers Book Cases; - Wardrobes Ohfests of Drawers Tables.,. Wash Stands _ . ■:/ jfogdjKnd Iron Bedsteads * t leqoired in household "•-furnishing at the very lowest prices. , Practical yrprl men kept for all kinds of . i-repaira. fct.Jlwiittar* bought, and high pnces h’ ' FdriSTture lent, on weekly and monthly ' - ' itHHk. '1 ‘ ‘ HOST 'i ' ' • -j. JOHN MEECH, BnrßiMißiii, - QgpOiitr the JCott Office. ■■ ■ * lf■ • '



Wanted w Apply street. ANTED, a respectable WOMAN as Nurse for three small children, to Mrs Geo. Jameson, Tancred 4!le \ A TA.'-TED—A good general SER VV YANT. Apply, Mrs W. H. Zoncri, East Dolt. 382 e J ANTED—Aim’ UATION, as Clerk V y or Storeman, by a married man of experience. Good references. Apply, “ M,” Office of this Paper. 82Gd WANTED TO” LET—SHOPS in Havelock street. Low rental — viz.—lss per week. And also to SELL ONE ACRE or LAND, Mayo’s Block. Apply to James Bakeh, Havelock street. J OM. ANTED KNOWN—If you want to Grow a splendid crop of Turnips, Purchase some of Mayo’s Boncdust. —Address F. Mayo, Hamstoad Mills. 255 d ANTED KNOWN.—A Circulat inq Library is now open at L. F. Andrewes’, Bookseller, East street South, Ashburton. A large number of books to choose from. Terms very moderate _ | < 745 d Special Advertisements. 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, Cash, Day Books, and Ledger Books IN STOCK. Toys Fancy Goods, Crewel Wools, &c. EL M. , Jones. Staiioner and Bookseller, 203 d



'» TO I/SND on Freehold ‘ Property, ia sums of £3OO And upwards, at Lowest Current Rates of Interest THE N.Z. GRAIN AGENCY AND MERCANTILE COMPANY, LIMITED. WILLIAM HORNE, 286a* Agent.



OTICE TO FARMERS. We are CASH PURCHASERS of WHEAT OaTS BARLEY RYEGRASS SEED COCKSFOOT SEED WANTED—IO,OOO bushels Pearl and 10,000 bushels Velvet CHAFF, For delivery at our Stores, at Addington, or Riccarton Mills, or any Country Station. WOOD, SINCLAIR & CO., Triangle, Christchurch ; Or, POYNTZ & CO., Ashburton. Grain shipments to the ENGLISH OR CONTINENTAL MARKETS. The undersigned are prepared to make liberal CASH ADVANCES ON GRAIN AND ALL DESCRIPTIONS OF PRODUCE Placed in their hands FOR SALE IN THE ENGLISH OR CONTINENTAL MARKETS. Having commodious Brick Stores at Addington, wo are open to make Special arrangements for the Storage of Grain. Farmers can, therefore, avail them selves of the local as well as export market, SINCLAI r * 00., Triangle, Christchurch ; Or, POYNTZ & CO., 764 d Ashburton. AN DRE WE S BROS. (Late L. F. Andrewes), BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS, AND NEWS-AGENTS, East street South, Ashburton. School-books and Stationery of Every Description. School Committees sup plied. Hymn and Prayer-books of Every Kind. Children’s Picture and Story Books. American Novelties, just arrived. Journals, Magazines, and Home Papers every Mail. A large assortment of Maori Photographs, including Te Whiti and other Chiefs. N.B. —All orders attended to without delay. 334 e OTIC MOUNT SOMERS AGENCY. E Mr W. H. Puddicombe is authorised to collect money and transact all business in connection with The Ashburton Guardian in the Mount Somers and Alford Forest districts. J\T O T 1 0 E. ASHBURTON COAL AND FIREWOOD DEPOT B. S. Bean (Late of Montgomery and Co., Limited), HAS COMMENCED BUSINESS as above, next,to Mr Jos. Clark’s Office, in WEST STREET, and hopes, by civility and attention, to merit a fair share of public support. Agent for the Springfield Coal Co. Coal, Firewood, Posts, Rails, Stakes, &c. Orders taken for Bricks, Cement, Lime, Timber, &c. Oats, Bran, Chaff, Chicken Wheat, &o. Note the Address— NEXT MR JOSEPH CLARK’S, WEST STREET, 181 e



The most marvellous musi cal INSTRUMENT of the Ago is the Orguinette, By Her Majesty’s Royal Letters Patent. A child can perform on it, either Ope ratic, Dance, or Sacred Music, after one hour’s instruction. Any kind of Music can bo procured for it, and performed without any know ledge of music. The Cabinet Orguinette is excellent in tone, unique in design, durable in every part, and an ornamGnt'm any room. For Cash, or by Monthly Instalments. On view at the ASHBURTON MUSIC SALOON, TaNOEED STEKBT. .a.I. WEEKS.: 1 693 d



Special Advertisements.



James Baker J TAS OPENED, in Baker’s Buildings, | rl Havelock street, as a GENERAL GROCER. Ho guarantees that the very best quality and quantity will be procurable for the money. His motto will bo CASH ONLY. The purchaser will thus save at least 25 per cent., for not having to pay for bad book debts. JAMES BAKER, Havelock Street (Opposite Harrison’s Auction Rooms). 391 e



rn O FARMERS. ROBERTS, PAXTON & CO. ARE CASH PURCHASERS OF WHEAT BARLEY OATS GRASS SEED AT HIGHEST MARKET RATES, AND ARB SUPPLYING FARMERS With Largo and EXTRA QUALITY CORNS AC KS At Lowest Current Rates. ROBERTS, PAXTON & CO. Offices : Manchester street, Christchurch, two doors south of Messrs P. Cunningham and Co.’s. 30a



THE NEW THE NEW THE NEW THE NEW THE NEW THE NEW THE NEW THE NEW THE NEW THE NEW ZEALAND ZEALAND ZEALAND ZEALAND ZEALAND S s ZEALAND g a ZEALAND F ZEALAND ZEALAND o ZEALAND | !> w in o' o' ►o £ > | F W B o O ff 3 S’® H a - ® o oi 3 CD *2; 5i - 3 0? - M , " W“ K C ® s it 3 P' » l-S-l h « a cd O os g K] **h ZL S &9 ST g. o 55/ $3 O w o » cf 53 {r S.» S CM 9 s < CO o ° *a J 3 oq CD ®S CLOTHING _ CLOTHING GCLOTHING S) CLOTHING CLOTHING £ I w CLOTHING Q s CLOTHING O a o Ul CLOTHING CLOTHING tei • F CLOTHING FACTORY, FACTORY, FACTORY. FACTORY. FACTORY. FACTORY. FACTORY. FACTORY FACTORY' FACTORY.



N OTICE OF REMOVAL. We desire to draw the attention of our customers and the public generally to the fact that we have REMOVED XO OUR. NEW OFFICES ON THE RAILWAY RESERVE, Between Burnett and Tailored streets, Lately in the occupation of Messrs W. Montgomery and Co., Limited. TUCKER, RESTELL & CO. 4000 Q AS H 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 own, It’s the very worst world that ever was known But this does not alter the fact that C. HAWKINS, Boob and Shoemaker, East street, Ashburton, and Archibald street, Tiuwald, SELLS, or rather GIVES, away at a nominal rate, Boots and Shoes for CASH ONLY. So roll up and buy your boots where you can get a perfect fit. 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. ‘ Haircuttiug, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET ASIJH'TRTON. 257 a gTARTLING ANNOUNCEMENT. EVERETT BROS., GENERAL DRAPERS, ARE AGAIN IN ASHBURTON, And have OPENED in their OLD PRE MISES, next Harrison’s, Havelock street, FOR A FEW MONTHS ONLY, With a Largo and Well-bought Stock of WINTER DRAPERY AND MERCERY. SEE CIKOULAItS.