SHIPPING.

.PORT or LYTTELTON. Arrived. :YmX*RDAT. Gatlin, ketch, from Gatlin’s River. To-day. Wakatu, s.s., from Wellington. Rotorua, s.s., from Port Chalmers. Sorrento, s.s,, from Wellington. Sailed. Yesterday. Recamia, ketch, for Oamaru. Star of the South, s.s., for Westport. Taiaroa, s.s., for Wellington. SHIPPING- TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Sailed —Wairarapa, for Sydney ; Hero, for Fiji. Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived—Hawea, from Picton and Nel son. Timaru, Yesterday. Arrived—Oceola, brigantine, from New-, castle. Sailed —Kestrel, for Lyttelton. Captain Greenwood, of the schooner Young Dick, goes Home almost imme diately to bring out the Timaru, the first of the Timaru Colliery Company’s new boats. The vessel is expected to arrive in April next. Dunedin, Yesterday. Arrived —Te Anau, from the North. Sailed —City of Bombay, ship, for Lyt telton.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES Saturday, November 18. Matson, Cox, and Co., at Tattersall’s, Barnett street Produce, &c.; 11 o’clock. Mr W. F. Allen, at his rooms, Burnett street —Horses, Pigs, Poult) General Produce, &c. ; 11.30 a.m. Mr T. Bullock, at the Bazaar —Horses ; 1.30 p.m. Mr Alfred Harrison, at the yards— Horses, Pigs, Produce, &c.; 12 noon. 1 uesdat, November 21. Matson, Cox and Co., at the Tinwald Yards —Stock. Tuesday, November 28. R. Wilkin and Co., at the Canterbury Wool Stores—Wool Sale; 11 a.m. AMUSEMENTS, &o Wednesday, November 22 Ashburton Racing Club Spring Meeting. First Day. First race at 1 p.m. Thursday, November 23. Agricultural and Pastoral Association — Annual Show Frida* , November 24 Somerset Lodge, Monthly Meeting, n the Masonic Hall, Tancred street, 7.30. Monday, November 27. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock.. Wednesday, November 29. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o'clock. Saturday, December 2. Wakanui Road-Board —Monthly Meeting, Road Board Office, Moore street Tuesday, December 5., ashburton Permanent Building and In vestment Society, Monthly Meeting, from 6.30 to 8.30 p.m. ■

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas, et Prevalebit. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1882. The Last Movement of General Booth’s Salvation Army.

It has unfortunately often been the case that the great name of Christianity has been trampled in the mire through the follies and impostures of those who make a special profession of awe and love for it. It is rarely safe for even the highest individual types of the human race, for large masses of people are never safe, to outwardly affect an abnormal purity of soul, or an abnormal contempt of the customs of society. The result in such instances is usually the scorn and disgust of intelligent and honest headed people. The learned ecclesiastical historian Mosheim tells us that at the time of the Great Reformation of thought and morals in the sixteenth century, an ignorant tailor named John Bockholdt, of Leyden, who was one of the class referred to, assembled his fol

lowers (consisting of six men and five women) in his house, and in their en deavor to imitate Adam and Eve in their state of innocence in Paradise, they stripped off every stitch of clothing they had, cast it into the fire, and then sallied forth into the public street to show themselves. On being arrested and brought before the magistrate, they defended themselves by saying that “ they were the naked truth.” Their defence, however, was not sufficient to prevent their being compelled to put on worldly clothing again, and to serve a sentence of imprisonment. In a similar manner also, as Carlyle tells us in his “ Life of Oliver Cromwell,” at the first outburst of Quakerism, James Naylor, the Quaker, rode stark naked on Iris horse through the city of Lon don. Poor Naylor, however, who was really a good man, with the humble honesty common among his sect, after wards admitted that he was wandering in his mind at the time, and was sorry for it. Well would it be for “ General ” Booth and the members of his so called “ Salvation Army ” if they were to imitate Naylor’s subsequent regret, rather than to surpass his previous folly. But we fear that that is hopeless with persons of his and their enormous selt-righteous conceit. To him and to them Tom Hood’s lines well apply : Of all praties since Lucifer’s attaint The proudest swells tire self-elected saint.

Just take for illustration of their tone of thought the rubbish of one of their most admired spiritual songs:— Good Elijah went to heaven In a chariot of fire, Bright and warm to g’lory driven, Fiery horses drew him higher. We’re going up ! we’re going up ! In chariots we’re going up ! We’re going up! we’re going up ! At any speed we’re going up. Up to heaven Paul was carried, Wondrous things to hear and see, He surveyed the upper country — Paul went up to number three,

We’re going up, etc. Now we should like to know who entitled these people to put themselves on an equality with Elijah and Paul, and when did they stake their lives upon their faith, or endure for its sake, hunger and thirst, persecution and poverty? The notions of this sham “ General ” seem to be of a very dif ferent kind from anything of this sort, especially after his last escapade. It seems, from recent telegrams, that Mr Booth not long back leased or purchased the Eagle Tavern in the City road, London, apparently for the enjoyments of the faithful. This well known place of amusement was for many ’years a sort of casino, with gardens attached, where fast young men about town from the ranks of the clerks, shopmen, etc., in the great city used at night to meet milliners and barmaids of equivocal character,, dance with them, and obtain what refresh ments they required either with other company or by themselves. It appears that now Booth has “ surprised and grieved the judicious among his friends.” so the telegram runs, “ by ap plying to the magistrates for a dancing license for the tavern.” We further learn that the magistrates declined alto gether to entertain the proposal. Con sidering what we know to have been the character, or rather want of charac ter, of the place the wonder is that any decent person should have the impu dence to make such an application. But, as Swift said long ago, “ Very nice metware often men of very nasty ideas.” That Mr Booth and his Salvation Army should fancy that when the Apostle Paul was caught up to heaven he went to a hotel and lodged in “ Number Three,” may be natural to them, just as it may be quite natural to them that in their programme of religious exer cises there should be a ‘ great exhibi tion of hallelujah lasses,” but to most respectable men and women, there is something grossly sensual and repulsive in all this. If Booth wants to be a hotelkeeper and keep a “ fast house,” let him do so openly and not under the garb of religion. We should not think well of him then, but at any rate far better than we do now. His sensuality would be bad, but not half so bad as it is when combined with imposture. As for his silly followers, we can only pity them for their lack of brains in enlisting under such a general, and merely ask them one question, which they can answer to their own consciences, for it is a very easy one ; with all this show of religious fighting, have they learnt a bit more than before how to fight against their own pride, vanity, insincerity, and have they learned better what the old prophet taught them was the substance of real religion —“ To do justly, and love mercy, and walk humbly before their God ?” An appeal to the applause of weak-minded prelates anxious at all cost to get up a show of religious ex citement, will not answer the question. Other prelates of the Church of Eng land in better times might have taken a very different view. Fearless, sensible Latimer ; thoughtful and statesmanlike Cranmer; saintly and eloquent Jeremy Taylor; profoundly philosophical Butler and Berkeley; judicious Tillotson; and learned, strong-minded Horsley, have all long since joined the majority : but their thoughts live with us in their works, and we can imagine the scorn and disgust with which these great and reverend men would have regarded the doings of General Booth and his Salva tion Army.

The Auckland Cricketers. —Wo fire informed on good authority that efforts are being made to induce the Auckland cricket team to visit Ashburton, and that if the negotiations are carried through successfully we may expect to sea the Northerners here early in December. We auk Privileged to Pay. —The Waverley-Waitotara correspondent and agent for the Press Association evidently considers it very important that Ids par ticular race meeting shall have due pro minence in the Association papers. On Friday last he wired at our expense 600 words, of which about 50 were worth pub lication. Proposed Spring Flower Show. A meeting of persons interested in getting up a spring flower show in Ashburton is called for Friday night, at Messrs S. E. Poyntz and Co’s offices. A wish has been expressed that the Horticultural Society should hold a spring show, but although, doubtless, the Society would gladly do so, there is one fatal objection—its funds will not admit of two shows being held in one year. Therefore, it, is proposed to hold a private show, and there is no doubt that if the idea is carrried out that the affair will be a success, for there will fte no lack of exhibitors at this season of the year anxious to display their floral treasures. We hope there will be a large attendance at the meeting on Friday night.

Cricket. —A match will be played on the Domain ground on Thursday next (Show day), between the Ashburton and Borough Clubs. Play will commence at 10.30 a.m. sharp. A Lady Spiritualist fou Melbourne. —Mrs Watson, American spiritualist c lecturer, was a through pasienger from San Francisco, where she lias lectured two years. She goes to Melbourne, where she is under engagement for a three-months course of lectures.

Otago Central Line. Tenders are about to be called for a further section of the Otago Central line, which will carry the lino twenty-four miles from its junc tion with the main ti link line, and nine miles further will carry it to the Sutton, which will bo the first point at which the line will bo available for traffic. Mosgiel Woollen Factory —The Mos giel Woollen Company’s report shows that the balan c on the year’s operations available for distribution is L 4,522. The directors recommend the payment of a 10 per cent, dividend, absorbing L 2,800, and that the balance of L 1,722 be carried to the now profit and loss account. The additions during the year amounted to L 13,949 13s 2d, and the stock and raw material now in the hands o: the company are valued at L 21,533 Attempted Suicide by a Wife.—A Dunedin telegram states that early on Sunday morning last Mrs Kit to, wife of William Kb to, of Dumbarton Rock, cut her throat with a dinner knife; The windpipe is partly cut, but the main artery was not severe 1. The woman has had occasional attacks of insanity, and no doubt was suffering from its effects at the time of the rash act. Her husband has been from home for some few weeks, it appears, and is expected to return in a few days. She is expected to recover.

Railway Arrangements for Ashbur ton Races and Show. —The railway ar rangements for the Ashburton Rac s and Show appear in our advertising columns. Ordinary single fare tickets to Ashburton issued at Lyttelton or Timaru, or any in termediate station, on 22nd, 23rd, or 24th instant, and single-fare tickets from Mount -outers branch stations to Ashburton on 24th will be available for return up to 25th instant. On all three days a special will run between the saleyards siding, and on the show day trains will run on the Mount Somers line same as on Tuesdays and Saturdays. A Tale of the Sea. —Captain Bezar, of the brigantine Oceola, which arrived at Timaru yesterday morning from New castle, reports passing a quantity _of wreckage west of Foveaux Straits. Amongst it was a lower mast pain ed white, with what looked like a man lashed to it, but the weather was too bad to permit of the vessel heaving to. Captain Bezar also states that when about six miles south of Timaru last morning he felt a severe shock, 'he sea being violently disturbed over a considerable space. A number of dead fish floated to the surface. It seemed as if a submarine explosion had taken place.

W estlino. —lii connection with the subject of wrestlin», now creating some interest through the recent exhibitions in Christchurch, it should be understood that Strong, of Dunedin, holds the cham pion bolt of New Zealand in Border style, and also of Australia as Thomas lost the latter at the Caledonian games at Dun edin two years ago. The Caledonian Society’s rules, under which he holds it, prevent him making a match for less than LSO, but for that or any larger sum he, by these rules, maintains a standing chal lenge to all the colony. Tiffcn also, who held for twenty years the nine stone championship of England, holds a light weight champion belt of New Zealand, and maintains a similar standing challenge which he exten Is to any man in New Zealand or Australia, even one stone over his weight. The Lo&obeacu Sale —The pedigree cattle were disposed of on Tuesday after noon, and the sale of these choice lots ex tended over yesterday. Some fancy prices were realised. Mr John Grigg became the purchaser of ihe well-known bull Oxford Duke of Cambridge 2nd, a rich roan, calved Aoril, 1877, and bred in. Vi ctoria. The Duke, whose portrait graces the auctioneers’ oofcalogue, fetched 155 guineas. Mr J. E. Stent, of New Ply mouth, secured some of the best lots, and the animals knocked down to him realised aom of the highest prices obtained during the s>le. Amongst the most noticeable of his bargains were Flowet of Dorimut, bred at Long each, 90 guineas; Hose of Riby Ist, 50 guineas; Flower Duchess 3rd, 40 guineas ; Countess of Bridgewater, 90 guineas; Farewell 4th, 42i guineas; Riby Duchess, 40 guineas; Riby Twin Duchess, 90 guineas; Gertrude, 85 guineas; Prin cess Royal’s Daisy, 50 guineas. 2nd Roan Duchess fell to Messrs Dudley and Northey a: 50 guineas Light Roan be came the property of Mr Reynolds at 95 guineas; and Baron Oxford was secured by Mr John Grigg at 70 guineas. The total sum of the first two days’ sale amounted to L 17.804 15s. Wesleyan Methodist Church. —The animal district session of the above was resumed yesterday morning.’ Corres pondence was read by the chairman from a gentleman who offered himself to the Conference for the office of the ministry. As the offer had not passed the quarterly meeting of the circuit of which the gentle man was a member it was resolved that the consideration of offer ho postponed for twelve months, in order that the matter may come forward in the regular way. The reports of the home mission agents were presented, and it was resolved ‘‘ That having heard the reports of the mission agents with much satisfaction this meeting rejoices in the good work that is being done by them, and recommend the continuance of these stations, and would express sympathy with them, and satisfac tion with the faithful manner in which they have prosecuted their work during the past year." In the absence of the Rev. J. Beck, the district secretary for Sunday Schools, the Rev. W. Martin gave the report. The returns showed that there were 460 teachers and 4,606 scho-

lavs. The libraries contained 6,976 volumes. The chairman wished to call the attention of the superintendents and school officials to the necessitv of exercis ing greater care in selecting library book'; it was a matter of vital consequence that the school should seek to secure a litera ture for the young of a pure and healthy tone. Rev. Keall thongat it was cause of regret that the schools did not accord larger patronage to the Connexional Book Depot. The literature that could be ob tained there was thoroughly healthful and safe. Sessions closed at 5.30. Holloway’s Pills.—-A certain cure for Headaches, Bile, Loss of Appetite, and Low ness of Spirit.—These Pills can be taken with out danger from wet or cold, and require no interruption from business or pleasure. I hey act mildly on the bowels, strengthen the stomach, and promote a health action of the liver, whereby they purify the blood, cleanse the skin, brace the nerves, and invigorate the whole system. They effect a truly wonderful change in a debilitated constitution, as they create a healthy appetite, correct indigestion, remove bile, giddiness, headache, and palpita tion of the heart. Plain directions for the use of this medicine, at once so mild and efficacious, arc affixed to each box.

THE ALLEGED ILL-TREATMENT OP AN INMATE OF THE OLD MEN’S HOME.

At yesterday’s meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board at Christchurch the following report was road respecting the allegations of cruelty and ill-treatment made by an inmate named Mann against the Master. The commissioners appointed to conduct tjhe enquiry were Mr March

and the Resident Magistrate of Ashbur ton :

“Ashburton, loth November, 1882. Sir,— Wo have the honor to report that in terms Of a resolution passed by the Hospital and Chari table Aid Board, we held an inquiry at the Ashburton Home this day respecting certain allegations made by a late inmate of the Home named William Mann against the master, to the effect that he (William Mann) had been knocked down by the master and otherwise ill treated. The evidence of Dr Trevor (the medical officer of the institution), Mr Harris (the master), William Mann (the late inmate), Thomas Thompson, James McGrath, John Norton, Henry Jones, George Fuller, Alfred James Siordet, and William Cotterill (now in mates of the Home), together with the evidence of Sergeant Felton and Constable Smart, is attached. The real facts of the case are briefly as follows :—William Mann was admitted to the Home on the 6th January, tSB2. On his admission it was found that he was covered with vermin, and it was absolutely necessary to put him through a bath. This treatment Mann strongly objected to, and wished to leave the Home and be sent to England. He appears to have made several applications to the medi cal officer to recommend his application. It also appears from the medical officer’s testi mony that he was always complaining and dis contented with everything. The master of the Home consulted the medical officer as to the

best course to adopt with an inmate who was discontented, and did not want to remain. Dr Trevor recommended that in that case the best plan would be to let him go. On the 20th October Mann left the institution, and was found in one of the hotels drinking. He re fused to return to the Home, on the ground that he had been ill-treated by the master. In reply to a direct question, Mann stated that he had not been ill-treated; at the same time be charged the master with knocking him down. The evidence of Sergeant Felton clearly proves that Mann’s word is not to be relied on in any way, and his conduct during the time of the inquiry convinced us that he is a man unable to control his temper. From the evidence brought forward we do not think that the master of the Home ill-treated Mann in any way, but we think his conduct open to censure in not complying with a request made by the police for him to attend and give evidence in court. It is right that we should add that all the inmates were assembled in the day room, and each inmate was asked if be had any complaint to make. All replied in the negative with the exception of one, who comp’ained of partiality shown by the master and matron in their treatment. Several inmates

expressed tneir tnanKiumess uuu uieie was such an institution as the Home.—We are, etc., Donald Williamson, J. E. March. H, Thomson, Esq., Chairman Hospital and Charitable Aid Hoard. Christchurch.” Hon E. C. J. Stevens said that the Board had at its last meeting taken just the same view of the question as the re port, a» they felt that the master should have attended at the Court when requested to do so. Dr Prins said that he thought a letter should be sent to the master, stating that while he was exonerated from the charge of ill-treatment, the Board were of opinion that in future when called upon by’the police, he attend at the Court to give evidence. It was resolved—“ That the Board are satisfied that the charge of ill-treatment against the master by the patient Mann was not substantiated, but that he be directed in future to attend and give evidence when called on by the police. ”

THE BALANCE OF NATURE.

[“ THE FIELD.’’] It sounds strange, in these days of wild birds protection by statute, to read from certain districts reports of the suc cesses during the past season of local sparrow and rook clubs. It is not as if the political bias of those who organise these societies was of an op posite tendency to that of persons who supported measures for the protection of wild birds in the breeding season. The views of the farmer as a rule in a con servative direction, and so also are the Acts just alluded to. Fifty years ago the farmer was even more conserva tive than he now is, and yet he in those days was keen to wage war against the rook and sparrow, as the reputed na tural enemies of his calling. It is almost needless to state that the re searches of naturalists have long ago ex posed the fallacy of supposing that either rooks or sparrows do damage to the farmer at all commensurate with one-tenth of the benefit they confer on him, by preying upon insects and cater pillars during the period when.crops are not in a state to invite their attack. Practical experience and experiment have proved over and over again that, in districts where certain species of birds have been exterminated, the crops have suffered to a far larger extent from the attacks of insects ; and though in harvest season they may have been freer from depredations of birds, the amount of produce that has been de stroyed by beetle and caterpillar is much greater than any which would have been plundered by the birds. They lived first to protect the crops in their growth, and afterwards to eat of the fruits of their labors. The fallacy of supposing that destruction of such birds meant protection of crops, was a natural one for the bucolic mind to en tertain in the first instance ; but in the face of later recorded experiences, and of the march of education, it might have been supposed that agricultural ists en masse would in this country have recanted the error, and have been only too glad to encourage their own protectors. And yet we read in more than cne local journal of the proceed ings ot these clubs, the reports of their secretaries of the result of the opera tions of slaughter during the past year, and self-gratulation on the results. The reason why the rook is looked upon with suspicion by farmers is on ac count of his operations on young wheat, and the ocular evidence that he digs up a certain number of young plants where at work on a field of this sort. It is naturally assumed that he is operating as a depredator. A little careful examination of the plants which he has uprooted will show that each has been attacked by the wireworm, or some other larva;, and that these, and not the wheat plant, have been the ob jects of the rook’s search. It is evident that he selects his plants, and that he does not uproot one patch in entirety before proceeding to another part of the field. This fact alone might sug gest that his motive was something dif ferent from a direct attack on the wheat itself; but it it required further confirmation it will be found in examination of the uprooted plants, and still more if he is scared away just as he has turned up one plant, and that is at once inspected, the actual wireworm may be found for which the rook has been searching. Similar evi dence of the benefit of the rook’s ope rations may be found in a turnip field, especially when the turnip plant is young The sparrow does not disclose such palpable evidences of useful work, but his value, like that of many another blessing, is best appreciated when he is absent from the district, and when, in place of him, all sorts of insect pests prey upon the crops. That both rook and sparrow should, during the week or two when grain is ripening, be tempted to prey upon it, is intelligible ; but the cost of “ lenting ” a ripening

corn field isiiyery small compared to the loss of crop whiclf ensues when the protection of these birds is removed for the whole of the earlier part of the sea son. The' farmer himself would he the first to deride a suggestion that sheep dogs should be because they might now and then be tempted to help themselves to a bone, or even a joint, = when the stock had 4>een con verted into mutton. One reason for the crusade against rooks and sparrows being still maintained, and even re vived of late, is that the wood pigeon is really mischievous, without giving a satisfactory quid p>o quo to the farmer. He will eat his own weight of food, over and over again, in a week, and will take it from the crops themselves

for choice, rather than the pests which prey upon them. It really pays to kill down these birds in the inte rests of agriculture; and the idea of a crusade against birds of some sort being once inaugurated, it be comes more difficult for the bucolic mind to discriminate in the matter of slaughter. The wood pigeon is more of a pest than he was, because of the decimation of birds of prey, owing to game preservation. The balance of power of nature would tend to keep the wood pigeon in due bounds; but while the same causes that protect game from feathered assailants, protect also the pigeon, the latter is not annually thinned in the cause of sport, like the partridge and pheasant. He is in danger of becoming to English agricul ture something like what the rabbit is in Australia. The latter animal was thoughtlessly introduced without calcu lating that he had not m that country

to contend against the same enemies, in the shape of vermin, that lie has to meet in England; hence .he has over grown his quarters, and has become an actual pest. Even the sparrow has be come a complete pest in America and Australia; but here again the same doctrine of balance, or rather the want of balance, in nature crops up. In this country the sparrow has his own func tions to perform as A consumer of smaller animal life, and to be in turn food for carnivorous birds more powerful than himself. While the two rounds of the ladder of destruction exist on each side of him, he does more good than harm; but when he is transplanted to a new country, in which no natural provision has been made either for his sustenance ; or his decimation, he becomes possibly an anomaly,• and then demands artificial sustenance in the shape of the artificial productions of agriculture. There may be insect life which requires destruction

in his new home ; but if it is of a dif ferent character to That,,which his natural instincts have impelled him to seek, it is intelligible that, with a choice of new food before him, he may un fortunately select that which he was not intended to consume. And, in addition to this, the absence of birds of prey, such as cruelly decimate his tribe in his mother country, tends to increase his numbers, and to make him still more dependent on artificial sup plies, of food. The partial failure of the sparrow as an agricultural ally in America and Australia should be held as evidence, not of mischief on his part in his Own mothet country, but rather of that general principle of the balance of nature, which man cannot safely disturb in one part with out doing himself even more injury in another. If man is pre pared completely to reorganise creation in the entire scale of the chain of des truction, he may perhaps be able to arrange it to his own satis faction and benefit. But if he seeks to strike out one link only, or to introduce a solitary new link in a place unsuited for it, he must not be surprised if he finds in the end that his tinkering cannot compare to the organ isation of Nature.

SPORTING.

OAM ABU JO. RACES. The first day’s racing (the results of the Maiden Plate and the Oamaru Handicap were published in our last issue) concluded as follows :

Won easily. The Handicap Tima Trotting Race of 20 sovs was won by Ronie.

Tasman led from the start to the finish, and won with something to spare. [by telegraph.] Second Day—Thursday, November 16. Oamaru, To-day. Hurdle Back. Mr Dooley’s b g Milo ... ... 1 Mr Jones’ ch m Lady Perdita ... 2 Mr Robertson’s b g Wild Boy ... 3 Hack Hurdle Race. Mr Sutherland’s Guesswork ... 1 Mr Aikenhead’s Marksman ... 2 MARTON-RANGITIEEI RACES. [by telegraph.] Bulls, To-day. The following are the nominations for the handicaps for the Marton-Rangitikei races :—■

Flying Stakes. —Minerva, Mischief, Laurel, Maid of Eccleston, Touchstone, The Orphan, Ringleader, Tanbary, Hine moa; Hippodamia, Larry. Marton-Hangitikei Handicap — Mis chief, Armourer, Annuity, Wilberforce, Leonora, Dan, Buzzard, Tally-Ho, Last Chan -e, the Green, Formosa, Blue Gown, St. Glair, Banshee, Hippodamia, Hippo rina, Larry. District Handicap Minerva, Ar mourer, Annuity, Dan, Maid of Eccles ton, Touchstone, The Orphan, Buzzard, Last Chance, Formosa, Blue Gown, St. Clair, Banshee, Larry. Railway Handicap. —Mischief, Am ourer, Annuity, Wilberforce, Leonora, Dan, Maidof Ecelestou, Touchstone, Buz zard, Ringleader, Tanbary, Last Chance, Hinemoa, The Gem, Formosa, Blue Gown, St. Clair, Bansh e, Larry, flippo damia, and Hipporina.

DUNEDIN SPRING MEETING.

Dunedin, Yesterday. The fallowing handicaps for the first day’s racing at the Spring Meeting were declared last night Hurdles —Agent, 12. t 71b ; Wild Boy, lOst 101 b; Mokarakara, lOst 71b ; Over draft, Oat 121 b ; Robin Hood, 9st 101 b ; Gang Awa’, 9st 71b ; Don Jose, Bst 101 b. Sx. Andrew’s Handicap— Sir Modred, 9st Blb ; Lady Emma, Bst 51b ; Tasman, Bst 2lb ; Hilda, 7st 101 b ; Turquoise, 7st Sib ; Adamant, Gst 121 b ; Sir Garnet, 6st 101 b ; Legerdemain, Gst 31b. Spring Handicap— Sir Modred, 9at 101 b ; Tasman, Bst 51b ; Somnus, Bst 21b J

Rangatira, 7st 101 b ; Turquoise, 7at 101 b ; Nonsense, 7st 91b; Nautilus, 7st 41b; Adamant, 7st; Legerdemain, 6st 91b; Gitana, fist 91b ; Violin, Oat slb ;If So, fist; Maribyrnong, Sat 101 b ; Amy, sst 71b.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

THE BOROUGH COUNCIL AND THE ATHLETIC SPORTS GROUND COMPANY.

To thii Editor. Sir, — An application was recently made by the Athletic Sports Ground Company to the Borough Council for some surplus earth which I had been informed by the Borough Engineer would be to spare, and as the application distinctly stated “ thereby assisting to form the Town Belt free of cost to the Borough,” and to my surprise it was curtly refused, although recommended by their engineer to be re ferred to the Works Committee for consideration of details, or, in their words, to consider how much forming, free of cost, the Company were willing to do in exchange for the earth, or how much per load they would give for the earth. Now, Sir, as the same report of the meeting stated that the Borough account at the Bank was overdrawn over LI,OOO, and as rather a warm discussion had just taken place over paying an account for L 3 odd for travelling expenses incurred by a gen tleman who gave his time, trouble, and

experience freely, at the request of the * Mayor, who, at a public meeting of citi zens called by the Mayor, was appointed by the citizens (the same body th it elects the Council) to obtain certain information.- ,- and report to the Council, it certainly does seem to me that an offer to do certain work, which I estimate would coat the Council some LIOO to Ll5O at least, was certainly worthy of more considera tion than a flat refusal, especially in the face of the recommendation of their own engineer that it should be referred to the Works Committee for consideration of da ta Is. It is true that Councillor S-. Hill, with his usual perspicuity, stated that, in his opinion, it would pay the Council better to pay LSO out of pocket than to have Ll5O worth of work done for them free of cost ; but then one is now pretty well used to Councillor St. Hill’s idea of of public work, viz , to constantly oppose anything useful or practical, and abuse other people, and impute wrong motives to them, so that his action requires no further comment, th“ Ugh one Involun tarily calls to mind the well known Par liamentary retort to an obtuse member, that “ one can give a man information, but cannot give him brains to compre hend it !” But with the remainder of the Council the case is different, and I feel so sure that the conclusion arrived at was come to under a complete misapprehen sion of what was proposed and of the objects of the Company, which has been formed chiefly to further the interests of Ashburton, and by a good many of the trading citizens of Ashburton, including the Mayor himself, that I think a little more publicity given to the objects of the C ompany and to this proposal will tend to clear away misapprehension, and to lead to the Council acting harmoniously with the Company, when the object ot both ia for the common good of the town. While the fact I have mentioned above—of the Mayor and many leading citizens, being shareholders in the Company—will be an earnest of their conscientious discharge of their public duty, as they thought in re fusing the application, I think it will be equally plain, from what I have said, that it was under one of two misapprehensions, either that there is no earth to spare (a great mistake if that was so thought, as I find, on further application to MrFooks, that there will be some 12,000 yards to spare in forming the South Belt, or more than three times as much as required by the Pompany), or else that the Company wanted “something for nothing,” an equally great mistake, as the application distinctly offered to do so much fo'rming of the South Balt/ree of cost to the Coun cil, and had the application been referred to the Works Committee, as recommended by their engineer, whether so much form ing was done, or whether so much per load was paid by the Company, would have been a matter of detail, and amounts to precisely the same thing in the end. But as the • application is likely to bo re newed by offering to pay so i much per load for the earth, with your permission, I should ■, like to say a few words as to the objects .of the Corapanj, that when their application comes before the Council it may bp dis tinctly understood that their desire is not to do the Council out of so much public property, but to work harmoniously* with them for the good and advantage of the town. The object of the Company is to provide a park and r-creation ground for the town of Ashburton, where cricket and all other athletic sports and which tend to make young men manly, and to afford healthy and wholesome recreation to all, may be provided for, bu-, as unfortunately money is necessary for everything of that sort, a company is the only possible way of providing for it. Betas, in providing the necessary ground, a well-hep- park and grounds will be pro vided for the town and the recreation of the citizens, is not that an object which may legitimately enlist the sympathy and cordial co-opemtion or the Town Council, as well as that of individual citizens, especially when the Company, as In the present instance, offers to contribute funds to the, at present, somewhat slender public purse?—l am, etc. 0. Pbbot Cox, Chairman, Athl -tic Sports Company.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[REUTER’S TELEGRAMS —COPYRIGHT.] The Premier on Egyptian Affairs. London Nov. 14. In the House of Commons to-day the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone made his promised statement regarding the proposed settlement of affairs in Egypt. In the course of his speech he an nounced that negotiations are now pro? ceeding with the view to the conclusion of an Anglo-Egyptian Convention, pro viding that Egypt shall be charged with the cost of the British occupation, and fixing definitely the period of such occupation. In the de bate which followed Sir Stafford Northcote complained that the Pre mier’s statement was incomplete. ’ Money and the Markets. Consols have recovered yeTerdsy’s fall and again are quoted at n2;[ New Zealand securities continue firm at yesterday’s quotations. Adelaide wheat is unchanged at 495, ex store; New Zealand do, at 43s to 465; and Adelaide flour at 33s fid. Australian tallow is quiet—best beef worth 425, and best mutton 43s fid. Favorable Progress Reported, The Land Commission in Ireland report favorable progress in fixing rents. Judge Lawson Justified. The Gray Committee justify the action of Judge Lawson in committing Mr Gray to prison. Improving. The health of the troops in Egypt is improving. Ministerial Changes. The Standard states that the Right Hon. H. C. Childers, the present Secre

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1882. if



Counties’ Handicap of 30 so vs. Magician... ... ... ... ... 1 Juggler ... ... ... ... 2 Light-Ford ... ... ... ... 3



Gkand Stand Handicap of 50 sovs. Tasman 1 Adamant 2 Gitana ... ... ... 3



THE SCOTTISH IMPERIAL IN SURANCE COMPANY. Head Office; 151, West George street, Glasgow. Capital ... £1,000,000 FIRE RISKS taken at lowest current rates. Claims promptly settled here. VV. R. BOYLE, a 7 Agent, Ashburton. Great sale OF A. LARGE SALVAGE STOCK OF FURNITURE! FURNITURE! Furniture ! Also, a large quantity of NEW and SECOND-HAND FURNI TURE— CH RAP. All kinds of Turnery, Oarving, &c. Bedroom and Drawing-room Suites. John Meech, BURNETT STREET, Ashburton. Showrooms —Next Bullock’s Arcade Workshop—Next Mail )ffice. -P YOU WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE, GO TO DAVIS'S CHEAP FURNITURE AND BED DING MANUFACTORY, EAST STREET SOUTH, ASHBURTON. EVERY article Sold at Christchurch Prices and guaranteed best of material and workmanship. FUNERALS CHEAPLY & COMPLETE!/? FURNISHED slO ATGHMAKERS j Jfer 5 ' !v« t V is fjsi IBM SH—GHm The Celebrated American Waltham Fetches, in sterling hunting cases, from €S 10s. N.B.—None genuine unless en tered" Waltham, Mass.” on movement. Rotherham’s Celebrated English Levers, Tom £5 10s. AH Watches Examined, Timed, and bhtaranteed Two Years ' fTIHE GUARDIAN is on every Tea ,j. r A; ‘ Table Ashburton. - . .....



Wanted WANTED— A General SERVANT. Apply Mas Parkin, Moore street n 4 WANTED TO LET A Three- Stalled STABLE, Harness Room, Shed, and Loft above. Rent Low. J. S. Savage, Painter, Peter street. Au 26 WANTED EVERYBODY to know that Hayes and Co.’s is the Cheapest House in Town for CLOTHING and DRAPERY. au 12 WANTED— The Ladies of Ashburton to inspect my Large and Well selected Stock of FANCY STATIONERY, BOOKS, NEW MUSIC, Etc., all at Dunedin prices. GEO. F. HENRY, au 5 Saunders’ Buildings. ANTED KNOWN—That Robert V\ Elston, Burnett street, Ashbur ton, having procured the newest appara tus, is prepared to Sweep Chimneys at very low rales. Any orders left at the Town Hall will receive prompt attention. 760 c ANTED KNOWN —It is Mr Lan caster’s intention to extend his Bread Business, and ho wishes his cus ! tomers to know he has secured Mr Thomas Hicks to manage that branch. A Cart will be run withßrc'd alone, independent of the other Two Carts, which will con tinue to run as before. The name of Mr Hicks will be a sufficient guarantee that, under his management, Bread of unex ceptionable quality will be turned out of the FREETRADE BAKERY, East street —R. Lancaster, Proprietor. 240 Special Advertisements. clearing sale. CHEAP BOOTS AND SHOES. C. HAWKINS Invites his friends and the public to in spect his large stock of Boots and Shoes, at sweeping prices. C. HAWKINS, Ashburton and Tinwald. N.B. —All Accounts owing to the above must be settled at once.



Bibles, church services and PRAYER-BOOKS. HYMNS (Ancient and Modern), Wes leyan and Presbyterian HYMN BOOKS. TRAPS and SO .AP ALBUMS, Pnotog- aph and Pocket Albums Cricketing material— Gloves, Footballs, etc. _ FIR ' SCREENS, Stove Ornaments, Jold and Silver Shavings. ELOPHONES. MELOPHONES The newest and most wonderful Musical Instrument before the public— far surpassing the Orguinette in Utility, Sweetness Tone, and Price. Any child can play it. mHE PICTORIAL HISTORY OF -I THE WORLD, just issued by the National Publishing Ooin j any of America, Contains a vast amount of information, admirably printed, profusely illustrated, and handsomely bound. Subscribers wanted. A CC O U N T BOOKS— Various Sizes and Descriptions. s HOOL BOOKS And Requisites. N O T E P APE Various Sizes and Qualities. R. F IOOLSOAP AND ACCOUNT SALES PAPER. Envelope Business, Official, and Fancy. S, Joys, FANCY GOODS, CREWEL WOOLS. s LATES, INKS, PENCILS, PENS, ’ &c., &c. fcIANOS, HARMON VMS, ORGANS AND MUSIC. JEL M. Jones, BURNETT ST. & BARING SQUARE. Bookbinding Executed in All Branches. N OTICE TO FARMERS. THE NEW ZEALAND GRAIN AGENCY AND MERCANTILE COM PANY, LIMITED, Are supplying Woolpacks, Full size and three-quarters, at LOW RATES. LIBERAL Cash. Advances ON GROWING CROPS, AND ON LARGE or SMALL CLIPS of WOOL, At LOW RA.TES of Interest.



They are also Sole Agents for Messrs Samuelson and Sons’ new REAPER & TWIJSTE BINDER. Mr Ernest Samuelson, during his recent visit to New Zealand, was present at most of the reaper and binder trials, and the experience he then gained has enabled his firm to incorporate the latest English and American improvements in the Machines they are sending us for next season. We ha ,r e every confidence in recommending them as the most DURABLE, COMPLETE, & SIMPLE Machines yet manufactured. G. STEAD, Managing Director. P. CUNNINGHAM, Consulting Director. 12au W. HORNE, Agent, Ashburton. 10,000 3.000 2,500 1.000 1,000 TTTE are NOW LANDING, ex Maud • » Graham, from Kaipara— -10.000 feer 6i x li T. and G. 25.000 ~Gi x | ~ 6| x 1 ~ 9 in Shelving 12 in ~ 16 in ~ , _ 20 in ~ Also, 20,000 feet undressed KAURI, following sizes:— 9x2 9 i 12x2 12 x 1A 12x1 12x3 14 x 1 16 x 1 18 x 1 18 x 1% 12 x 2 15 X i 16 x | 24 x 1 021 TUCKER, RESTELL & CO. Thomas Taylor, JJAKER AND CONFECTIONER, EiSX STREET. WEDDING CAKES To Order. Manufacturer of . CIDER AND OTHER CORDIALS, Wholesale and Retail. 014



Special Advertisements. rjIRY THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory For every article of MEN’S, YOUTHS’ AND BOYS’ CLOTHING, SHIPPING AND TRAVELLING OUTFITS ; ■Also for CHOICE NEW GOODS In hats, hosiery, shirts, ties, PORTMANTEAUX, RUGS, BLANKETS, &c. HIGHEST AWARD AND SPECIAL HONORARY MENTION At DUNEDIN INDUSTRIAL EXHI BITION ; Also, TWO PRIZE MEDALS AND SPECIAL CERTIFICATE Awarded at CHRISTCHURCH EXHIBITION. Seventeen Retail Branches now open in the Colony.



A SINGLE ARTICLE AT THE WHOLES ALE PRICE. Ashburton Branch: EAST STREET. W. SPARROW, Manager. s!9 HOME, SWEET HOME!—Christ mas and New Years’ CARDS for posting to friends in Europe. The newest designs in great variety. Andrewes Bros., Booksellers, Stationers, etc., East street south, Ashburton. gPECIAL NOTICE TO THE INHABITANTS OF ASH BURTON AND SURROUNDING DISTRICTS. Gr. K. West and Co., MUSIC AND PIANOFORTE WAREHOUSEMEN, Princes street, Dunedin, Have great pleasure in announcing that they have appointed MrG. F. HENRY, of Saunders’ Buildings, East Street, Asbur ton, as their Sole Agent and Representa tive in this district, and that it is their intention to cater for the Music-loving population of Ashburton in such a man aer as has never before been attempted. Messrs G R. West & Co. are the Largest Direct Importers of PIANOS, ORGANS, HARMONIUMS, BRASS, WIND, AND STRINGED INSTRUMENTS In the Colony, and a large and varied stock of the above will always be found at their Agent’s Depot. Mr G. R. West, being at present in England, is shipping direct to Dunedin all the latest novelties in MUSIC ! MUSIC ! ! MUSIC 1! ! And G. F. Henry respectfully solicits a call from his friends, teachers, and the public in general to inspect his magnificent stock of Music, personally selected by himself in Dunedin. In connection with the above, we have retained the services of Miss Gates (organist of St. Stephen’s Church) who will be in attendance daily from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m., to receive Pupils for the Piano, Organ, and Harmonium. Terms on application. SAUNDERS’ BUILDINGS, East Street, Ashburton. 208 JUST RECEIVED —ex “ Thorne ’* (from London)- a splendid selection of FANCY comprising—Writing Desks and Cases, Workboxes (rosewood, walnut, and mahogany), Blotting Pads (papier mache), Fancy Inkstands, Photo graphic and Scrap Albums (at all prices), Purses, Portmonnaes, Ladies' and Gents’ Spring Card Cases (pearl and Morocco leather), Pencil Cases, Stationery Racks, Ink (large and small jars), School Books, and Stationery of every deac iption. A large stock of Cricketo 1 s’Materials of every kind. Children’s Balls, Dolls, Toys, &o. ANDREWES BROS., Booksellers, Stationers, &c., East street south, Ashburton. n!5 AGRICULTURAL & PASTORAL ASSOCIATION. ENTRIES for the SHOW must be made with the Secretary on or beforre THURSDAY, 16th November. GEORGE JAMESON, n 4 Secretary.



NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS,



Advertisements for Tub Ashburton Guardian must be sent in not Liter 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 be received up to 3.30 p.m., but will be 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 Tun Manager ; literary communications should be addressed to The Editor.