SHIPPING.

' .PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. To-day. Hawea, b.s., from Wellington. Waitaki, s.s., from Port Chalmers. Mahinapua, s.s., from Oamaru. Sailed. Yesterday. Olio, schooner, for Waitapu. Ocean Bird, ketch, for Anahau. Manapouri, s.s., for Wellington. To-day. Bells, barque, for Capetown. Hawea, s.s., for Port Chalmers.. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Arrived—Waiwera, from Aitutuki. She reports the schooner Elsinore ashore at the Island of Pcnuaihi. Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived Hawea, from the North ; Grafton, from Lyttelton; Manawatu, from Westport. Sailed—Grafton, for Nelson and West Ooast. Timaru, Yesterday, Arrived—Beautiful Star, from Dun edin ; Prince Rupert, from Catlin's River; Taiaroa, from the North. Sailed —Taiaroa and Beautiful Star, for Dunedin ; Anna, for Invercargill. Dunedin, Yesterday. Arrived—Barque Clifton, after a nine days’ passage from Newcastle ; Jessie Nicol, from Greymouth.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES Tuesday, December 5. Matson, Cox and Co., at the Tinwald Yards—Stock. Friday, December 8. R. Wilkin and Co., at the Ashburton County Saleyards —80 Horses. Saturday, December 9. *lt Bullock, at the Bazaar —Horses ; 1 p.m. Mr Alfred Harrison, at the yards— Horses, Pigs, Produce, &o.; 12 noon. Mr W. F. Allen, at his rooms, Burnett street —Horses, Pigs, Poulti General Produce, «Src.; 11.30 a.m. Saturday, December 16. Mr. T. Bullock, at the Bazaar, Burnett i treat —Landed Property ; 1 o’clock. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &o To-Night, Saturday, December 2. Meeting re South Rakaia Sports—South Bakaia Hotel. Tuesday, December 5. Ashburton Racing Club -- Half-yearly Meeting, Quill’s Hotel, 7.30 p.m. ashburton Permanent Bulletin.,' and In vestment Society, Monthly Meeting, from 6.30 to 8.30 p.m. Monday, December 11. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Saturday, December 16. Grand Temperance Demonstration —Ath- letic Sports, Tea Meeting, and Conceit. Wednesday, December 20. Fancy Fair and Tea Meeting, in aid of St Stephen’s Church—Dr Trevor’s grounds Friday, December 29. Somerset Lodge, Monthly Meeting, n the Masonic Hall, Tanored street, 7.30. Monday, January 1. Winslow Races and Sports. Wednesday, January 3. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o'clock, Saturday, January 2. Wakanui Road Board —Monthly Meeting, Road Board Office, Moore street

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

Trains Leave Ashburton for Christ church and intermediate stations at 7.10 a.m., 10.55 a.m., and (Express) 5.39 p.m. . Trains Leave Ashburton for Timaru and South, at 6.50 a.m., 10.25 a.m. (Express),and 4.45 p.m.—the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Christchurch at 10 20 a.m. (Express), 4.35p.m., and 7.20 p.m. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Timaru and South at 10.45 a. m., 5.28 p.m. (Express), and 8 p.m.

The Ashburton Grardian Magna est Veritas, et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1882. The Latest Political News from the United States.

According to the latest news from America, received by cable message a few days ago, the Democratic party in the United States, for the first time since the great war of Secession, has been victorious in the biennial elections for the Lower House of Congress by 50 votes out of a total of 293. It is probable, therefore, that in the whole Congress next year their’s will be the more powerful side. After the Con federate war, which lasted from 1861 to 1865, and shook the Great Republic to its very foundations, the large majority of them were among the con quered, and the opposing party, the Republicans, were completely vic torious. At the close of that war the Democrats were for a time entirely crushed. Betweert seven and eight hun dred thousand men had fallen on various battle fields, and out of these, the very prime of the manhood of the country, fully halt had been soldiers of the South. The losses of the Southern States in other ways had been serious, Their property in the “ black chattel ” had disappeared, f or their negroes were freed without compensation to the owners. In many cases their planta tions were wrecked, either through the casualties of war, or from the vengeance of the enemy. Soldiers were quartered in their dwelling-houses, and at New Orleans General Butler issued orders intended to apply to the first ladies of the city, that if any women showed, by word or gesture, tire slightest disrespect to the Federal troops, they would be imprisoned in the common gaol and treated as drunkards or prostitutes. The money losses of the South were enor mous. Besides the cost ot their own material of war, the Confederate bonds representing the amount raised for their defence had become utterly worthless. And even this was not all. In every State their former slaves, the negroes, had been admitted to the full right to exercise the franchise, and the planters and upper classes were completely swamped and powerless. All State appointments were given by the negroes to their countrymen or friends, and all laws were made by them for their own benefit. To use the graphic language of one of their own popular songs, De bottom rail’s on de top, And we’s gwine to keep it dar. The check on the unbridled tyranny of an ignorant mob, which might have been, and usually would have been applied by the Senate, or Upper House of Legislature, was withdrawn, because it was not settled whether there should be a re-construction of the Southern States. As might have been expected, for years there was no such thing as prosperity in the South, and many of the first families, accustomed previously to every luxury, were brought literally to poverty. With a manly independence which did them infinite credit, the Confederate generals and officers asked for no assistance from the Government of the day, but helped themselves as well. as they could. General Lee, the Commander in-chief, returned to his native State (Virginia), and supported himself by giving lessons in mathematics, a study in which, during his early years at View Point, he had distinguished him self. General Johnston and General Beauregard, now one of the most dis tinguished military men of the day in America, entered into partnership and embarked in the ham, bacon, and pickled pork trade, and succeeded, if not in making fortunes, at any rate in maintaining themselves and their fami lies. There were some indeed in the South who acted with less dignity and with bitter animus against the party which had the upper hand. In Georgia and South Carolina the secret society of the Ku-Klun-Klaus plotted for ven geance, caught some of the negroes, flogged some, and murdered others. At length, partly through the general love of fair play, and partly through the efforts of successive Presidents, the Southern States were re-constructed, and once more began to raise their heads and slowly retrieve their enor mous losses. The wiser among the Southern ladies went vigorously to work to educate the negroes; the wiser among the men to associate with them, and prove to them that their prosperity, as fellow cultivators of the soil, was bound up with their own. At last the re-action in political opinion set in with the result we have just learnt. It has been said for years past that there is no perceptible difference between the views of the Republicans from those of the Democrats. There has been much truth in this ; the free expression of opinion on the part of those who were conquered seventeen years ago would have been very un popular, and the Democrats have been wisely reticent, expressing their political creed when necessary to speak, in almost the same terms as those used by their oppenents. In fact, of late years their real political faith has not been an expression of their belief of what is best for the present, but rather a recol lection of the past and a hope for the future. At the time when the Civil War broke out, it was not so, and the difference of sentiment between the opposing parties was as united as that between the Liberals and the Conservatives in England; perhaps more so. To the Republicans then the unity of the Republic was the para mount article of political faith just as State sovereignity was with the De mocrats. Subordinate beliefs were grouped round each of these cardinal principles. The large majority of the Republicans were protectionists in fiscal matters; the large number of Democrats at heart freetraders. The Republicans believed in a national bank, and an inconvertible currency j

the Democrats in specie payments' The slavery question has been settled, but whilst it lasted, the South heartily approved of it, maintaining with some show of reason, that under good masters it was an excellent thing for the slaves themselves. In the North slavery was condemned, but by no means with that thorough-heartedness which their representatives afterwards claimed for themselves. It was in the North that the anti-slavery advocates, William Lloyd Garrison and George Thomson were mobbed and insulted, and,Miss Mastineau threatened that she would be tarred and feathered, and Mrs Stowe was admired rather as a clever romancer than as an exponent ot American thought. That question of slavery has been settled now for ever; the others which have been specified remain. It seems from the last ac counts that the Democratic views are at last uppermost again; that they have won in New York, Pennsylvania, and the New England States, and that even if the Republicans have been more suc cessful than before in the South, their gains there, have not balanced their losses elsewhere.

Tenders. —Mr M. Friedlander invites tenders for cutting, stocking, and stack ing.

1.0.G.T.—A notice regarding the Star of the East Lodge, 1.0. G,T., appears in another column.

Outward Mails. —Mails for Honolulu, America, and the United Kingdom, per Australia will close at Auckland on Tues day next at 1 p. m.

Land Sales. —Mr Thomas Bullock an nounces in our advertising columns a large quantity of land for sale by auction on Saturday, December 16th, comprising some very choice lots.

The Fatal Fall From a Train.— The inquest on the girl Eliza Smith, who fell off the railway carriage near Balclutha the other day, showed that death resulted from an accident, and no blame is attached to the railway officials. Unclaimed Letters. —The following is a list of letters received at the local Post Office from places beyond the colony during the month of October, and re maining unclaimed Ist December ; Adams, George ; Bowick, David ; Man ning, Miss Ellen ; Moynihan, Maurice ; Sergeant, William. . L. O.L.—A grand concert and ball are announced under the auspices of the above Lodge, for Boxing night, at the Town Hall. Boxing day being a general holiday and the townspeople usually en joying themselves at the Christman season, we have no doubt that the concert and ball will be largely patronised. Ashburton Riflus. A squad pro ceeded to the butts at five o’.: 10k this morning for rifle practice, but the scores made were not high. We understand an other squad goes out early on Monday morning If our local men hope to pull off any of the district prizes on the 19th, it will be necessary xor them to practise steadily during the next week or two.

Southern Provinces Almanac. —We have to acknowledge the receipt from the office of the Lyttelton Times of a copy of the Southern Provinces Almanac for 1883. The thirtieth issue of this popular annual it may at once be said is fully equal (if not indeed superior in some respects) to any of its predecessors. It is well-printed, attractively got up, and comprises, in addition to the calendar, information on all sorts of subjects—the index ranging from A to W.

The Crops. —MrMegson, of Newlands, has brought to our office this morning tvvo samples of his oat crop of this season. In a paddock containing 35 acres, the average length of the straw is 4ft 7in. It is a beautifully even crop, and will aver age between fifty and sixty bushels to the acre. In another paddock containing sixty acres a crop of the same cereal is 4ft high and also very oven. These results arc very different from last season, when the cereal crops averaged a little over 24in on the same land.

Suspicious Fires —A telegram from Wellington states that suspi ions circum stances have transpired in connection with the recent burning of the Cheltenham saw mills. The New Zealand Insurance Company offers a reward of LSO for the conviction of the perpetrator of the crime. A detective has gone to the scene of the fire to make enquiries into the matter.— At Balclutha yesterday George Fraser was charged with arson in connection with the mysterious burning of his store at Pnera. He was admitted to bail, himself in L3OO, and two sureties of Ll5O each. How They Made it Up. —At the Bal clufcha Police Court on Wednesday a young man named M‘Neill was charged by a Miss Churnside with having shot at her with intent to kill. It was expected that the evidence taken would have re vealed some interesting features, but the case was withdrawn without any evidence being taken at all, and, what was better, the parties, acting under their counsels’ advice, adjourned to the nearest registrar’s office, and were made man and wife be fore they were twenty minutes out of the Court.

Ashburton Cheese Factory. —The Ashburton Cheese Factory has now been in operation for a month, during which time, our readers will feel interested to learn, 12,3401bs of excellent cheese has been made—a pretty' fair return for os ao ly 32 clays’ work The farmers appear to be awakening to the great advantages which the Factory holds outto them, for the supply of milk has been gradually increas ing lately, until now (DO gallons are now every day delivered at the Factory. Cheques to the amount of L 221 have been paid away to the suppliers of this milk, and in several instances cows have yielded to their owners L2 per head each per mouth. We are informed that the cost of producing the cheese, including the price paid for the milk, is now a little short of 4|d per lb, and if the milk supply was in creased to 1,000 gallons per day the cost of production would be only 4id per lb. These are very encouraging facts, and sufficient to convince the most sceptical (if there are any sceptics) that the Factory must prove beneficial in the highest degree, not only to the promoters but to the farmers, and indirectly to the com munity at large.

Absconders and Detectives. --In con sequence of the recent frequency of cases of .absconding by the San Francisco mail steamers from Auckland, the Government have decided to send to Auckland a de tective from each of the priuoipd cities, in order tha. they may attend the depar ture of each San Francisco boat, and keep a careful surveillance, while it is pre sumed that, being acquainted with the personal appearance of most persons at their present stations, they would bo able promptly to recognise any defaulter, or debtor or criminal attempting to bolt. It has been pretty well ascertained that one or two recent absconders might easily have been stopped at Auckland had there been available anybody who could have definitely recognised them so as to be able to depose to their identity. It is to be hoped, by having one Auckland, Welling ton, Christchurch, and Dunedin detective to watch each boat an efficient check may be imposed, while also the knowledge that the mail steamers will be under such strict surveillance may act as deterrent to would-be absconders. The detectives re moved from Dunedin, Wellington, and Christchurch will be replaced by members of the force at present in Auckland.

The Canterbury'and Otago Almanac. —Wo have received from'the publishers, the Timaru Herald Co., a copy of their almanac for 1883. The general get up of the almanac is of its usual excellence, and it contains a large amount of information valuable to all classes of the community. The moderate price at which it is sold will command for it a very large circulation, and should thus prove very beneficial to advertisers.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[REUTER’S TELEGRAMS —COPYRIGHT.] The Prorogation Delayed. London, Nov. 30. It is understood that the prorogation of Parliament will not iaKe place until to-morrow, ist proximo, as previously announced owing to the delay which has occurred in the passing of the Pre mier’s resolution regarding the appoint ment of “ standing committee of selec tion.”

The Leaguers in Danger. In the House of Commons to-day Mr G. O. Trevelyan, Chief-Secretary for Ireland, stated if the leaders of the New Irish National League, Messrs Davitt, T. M. Healey (M.P. for Wex ford), and J. E. Redmond (M.P. for New Ross), continued to deliver speeches of an incendiary character, the Government would deem it neces sary to prosecute them, and to prohibit all meetings of the League. Cetewayo to he Re-Instated.

It has transpired that instructions have been sent to Sir Henry Bulwer, Governor of Natal, to re-instate Cete wayo, as King of the Zulu tribes at the earliest opportunity. The Wool Sales.

At the wool auction to-day, 10,000 bales were offered. Fine qualities are firmer. Since the opening of the pre sent series 8,600 bales have been with drawn.

[Received Dec. 2, 12.45 p.m.] Money and. the Markets. Consols are at The Bank rate of discount remains at 5, and the market rate at per cent. The total reserve in notes and bullion in the Bank of England is Lx 1,000,000, being half a million more than last week. The proportion of the reserve to the liabilities is 42 per cent. New Zealand securities are without quotable change. Colonial breadstuff's are un changed. Adelaide wheat, ex ware house, is 49s 6d; New Zealand, 44s to 475. Adelaide flour, ex warehouse, 345. Off coast cargoes of New Zealand wheat are quoted at 42s 6d. Austra lian tallow—Beef, 42s ; best mutton, 44s 6d. A Protectorate for Tonquin. Paris, Dec. 1. In the Chamber of Deputies , to-day the Government announced that a Bill was in preparation providing for the establishment of a French protectorate for Tonquin, northern division of the Empire of Anam. Arahi’s Trial. Cairo, Nov. 30. A report is"current here to-day that the trial of Arabi and other rebels will be entirely dropped, and that the pre parations which have been in progress for some time past are at a stand. Don’t Recognise Him. The Egyptian Government has re ceived a communication from the British Ambassador, stating that the Eng lish Government decline to recognise Baker Pasha as Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian army.

AUSTRALIAN.

[rP.OTER’s TELEGRAMS —COPYRIGHT.] From Plymouth. Melbourne, To-day. Arrived—The Orient Company’s steamer Orient, trom Plymouth (Oct. 2). A Loss. The Australian Frozen Meat Co.’s report shows that their shipments of meat to England have resulted in a loss of L 3,000. The Markets- Sydney, Yesterday. New Zealand wheat, 4s 3d per pushel; New Zealand oats, 3s 3d ; maize, 4s nd. Sugar Company’s No. 1 pieces, L 35 per ton. The market is stocked with inferior and damaged grain, hence the low quotations now ruling. England v. New South Wades. The match between the English team and Eleven of New South Wales was commenced here to-day. The attend ance of spectators was small. 'The home team went in first, and were all disposed of for a total of 153. The wicket was somewhat heavy. The fol lowing are the scores in the New South Wales first innings : —Davis, st, 18; Geary, run out, 6 ; Allen, st, 7 , Hid dleston, c, 8; Moses, c, 21 ; Powell, b, 22 ; Turner, b, 4 ; Marr, c, 34 ; Evans, c, xo ; Weare, c, 6 ; Callahan, not out, 11 ; extras, 5; total, 152. After the adjournment the Englishmen com menced their first innings, and at the close of the day’s (day had lost one wicket for 39 runs. The following are the scores ;—Mr G. B. Studd, b, 6 ; Barlow, not out, 17 ; Mr C. F. H. Leslie, not out, 1 ; extras, 1 ; total for one wicket, 39.

TELEGRAMS.

[per press association.] Slade on the War Path.

Auckland, To-day

In the Auckland papers Slade, the wrestler, challenges any man in the colony to a wrestling match for L 209 a side.

Volunteer Complications. Oamahu, To-day.

The indefinite nature of the Order-in- Counoil rc the new volunteer regulations has led to a difficulty hero. On Thurs day the artillery and the rifles fire for the cup given by Mr Shrimski, M.H.K., and Captain Creagh (of the artillery) has given written notice to Captain Headland that he objects to bandsmen of the rifles firing in the team, holding that the new regulations are now in force, and that under them the band became a garrison band. Captain Creagh is a lawyer, and threatens to persist in his objection, ard as Captain Headland is equally persistent complications are likely to arise unless the point bo pot beyond dispute. Fire at a Sailmaker’s. Dunedin, To-day.

A fire occurred on the sailmaking pre mises of Thomson and Owen, Castle street, last night. The firm w'ere insured in the Hamburg Company for L2OO.

BURNING OF THE MILTON POTTERY WORKS.

Forty Hands Thrown out of Employ.

Incendiarism Suspected.

[BY TELEGRAPH.] Dunedin, To-day. At a quarter to two o’clock this morn

ing .the Mhton Pottery WorJM By three.o’ the greater part of tjjwi works were destroyed. The appairehtly broke pdfc in tBl packing room. Hada, few menvbeen at tiand nearly all flight'have bben saved,/£ut before assist- arrived tho'4|ames*«hta : ’~ 1 a com- Wktei,mastery. 1 For tue houses Ihjthß eicinily were in pbril. Had there hben any windfall must have been de stroyed. The only buildings saved were the kilns,, a brick building .containing 4he wheels, and the printing room.. Recently much valuable machinery'- was' erected, and'only the day before additional expen sive works were completed. An immense amount of finished ware in stock was de stroyed by the fire. This is a bad thing for Milton. Forty hands are thrown out of employment. Suspicions are enter tained of incendiarism. The stock and Pottery were insured for L 1,525 with the National, part of which is re-insured in the New Zealand, United, and Victoria Companies.

WAKANUI ROAD BOARD.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the above was held to-dny at the Board’s office, Moore street. Present—Messrs H. T. Winter (Chairman), Megson, Mayo, Brown, and Walsh. Correspondence. —Correspondence was read as follows :—Prom Mr Albert Betts, the contractor for forming Fairfield road, who wrote— “ Having commenced work at the worst end of the road, which took longer time, half of the road was taken from me and let at an advance of Is 6d per chain on that received by me. For this reason, and also because the job has not paid me, 1 would respectfully ask you to allow me the Is 6d a chain on the part done by me, which was the worst half of the road.” The Board, after discussion, resolved that they could not comply with the request. —From Messrs Robert Wil kin and Co., Christchurch, acknowledging the Board’s letter of the 4th ult., and, in reply, stating that Mrs McLean had signed a transfer of road through her pro perty to the Queen, and the transfer would be registered as soon as possible. —From County Council enclosing resolu tions passed at the last meeting of that body re small birds nuisance, and inviting the'co-operatidh of the Board in abating the same.—Mr Brown was of opinion that lOd per 100 was insufficient for eggs and heads. He begged to move—“ That the Board heartily concurs with the County Council in its endeavors to abate the small birds nuisance, and will increase the price to 2d a dozen foreg/s and he Ms received, and that, the Board oommunicite with the Chairmen of the school comini tees throughout the district, requesting the assistance of the committees m suppress ing the nuisance.” Seconded by Mr Megson and carried.

Proposed Road Board Amalgamation. —Mr E. G. Wright, Chairman Kangitata Road Boarc(, wrote:—“At the last,meeting of the Raiigitata Road Board ”! was in structed to communicate., The other Road Boards in the County ahd’in vite them to consider the .expediency. of merging the seven road districts into one, unjler the.Cp.unty Council, view to greater economy■ in the administration, as the cost amounts .in. some instances to 25 per cent, of the’annual rateable value.. Three of the Road Boards, feeling, extravagance 6f the present Syste’tii,‘T Avei already dispensed with , the services of their surveyors. As the most important works of road-making, bridge-building, 7 and drainage throughout the County are now completed it is thought that the or dinary work of - maintenance, together with such minor new works as may be required from time to time, will be car ried out with utmost economy and effi ciency under one competent; Engineer. As the causes which led to the sub-divi sion of. -the county into seven Road Board districts still exist, more or less, it will probably be- desirable, jfco retain as far as possible the present sub-divisions for all s rating/ purposes.*” ; >MrT >Wk’.ah ex pressed himself to the effect that the Road Boards, as they now existed, were most useful institutions, and that it would be a great mistake to amalgamate them as proposed. Mr Megson was of the same opinion, and the other members also con curred. Mr Megson then moved the fol lowing-resolution That the letter be 'acknowledged'and that the’iCh’dirman of the Rangitata Road Board be informed' that this Boatd'bannot fcohbur'ift'the sug gestion contained in his letter.”—Mr Walsh : I bog to second that, and would advise the Rangitata Road Board not to press the matter either.” (Laughter.) The resolution was carried unanimously. Engineers’ Report. —This report was read as follows : —(1) Fairfield road : The contractors forming the Tower : portion of this road are progressing with their work. They expect to finish in about ten days. As their contract time expired on the Ist, they have asked for extension.—(2) Win ter’s Road : The contract for forming this road is proceeding towards completion. The co,ntrqc]tora have asked for an exten sion of time:—(3) Great South Road :‘ On the night of the Agricultural jSpow, the culvert at the side 'of this road was smashed in. Provision was at onep-made to protect the same, pending the con struction, of a concrete culvert, which has been proceeded * with as expeditiously as possible, —(4) Maintainence of Roads Contract':'We have inspected roads' in this contract, and have to report them in a very fail’condition, with a few small ex ceptions, which will be attended to before the final payment is made. Tenders will be laid before you to-day, for the main tenance of roads in Nos. 1,2, and 3 Wards for the ensuing year, and also for the re-formation of Butterick’s road.— Fooks & Son. —Clause 1, extension for tan days, granted. 2. Extension grafted for a fortnight. The remainder of the re port was adopted. r

Tenders. —Tenders for maintenance of roads in forming Butterick’s road were then opened. It was resolved that T. Patter son’s tender for No. 1 Ward, at 9d for maintenance and Is 2d for metalling, be accepted. It the event of his not-accept ing, the matter to be left in the hands of Mr Mayo and the surveyor to act. J. Doaks' tender for No. 2 Ward, at 7£d for maintenance and Is Id for metalling, and the same contractor’s tender for No. 3 Ward, at 5Jd for maintenance and Is Id for .metalling, were accepted. It was also resolved that Mc'.'ormick Bros.’ tender for re-forming Butterick’s road bo ac- ; ceptod, aard that failing, their acceptahpe, ;the Purveyor mhko arrangements with next tenderer.

accounts. —T-.e usual accounts were passed for payment. The Board then ad journed.

CORRESPONDENCE.

SVe do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed V>v our correspondents.

RAKAIA ANNUAL SPORTS.

To THE EdITOK. Sir, —For several years past it has been the custom to hold athletic sports at Rakaia on Boxing Day. Until last season a committee was formed at one of the hotels sometime at the end of each year for the collection of subscriptions and carrying out the sports, the meetings being always held at an hotel. Last year thoi whole thing fell into the hands of the Oddfellows Lodge, and this year the Order decided to act as on the previous occasion, going so far as to issue their programme. For some reason, not made very plain,, they have determined not to go on with s the sports. Not to have the usual holiday* s orts on Boxing Day would bo a pity ; it would seem like retrogression. 1 would; suggest that a Popular Sports Association be formed, without delay, the meetings not to be held at any hotel. The Asso

ciatiou to be under responsible iAltflifcge* ment. The members to be electedr afr a meeting to be held not later than No* vember Ist in each year, When the balance* sheet, duly audited, shall .be presented. If a paddock could be obtained if wbuld be better than holding the sports on cbm mon ground, as the Association could then charge for privileges and possibly admis sion, thereby doing away with as far as possible the subscription list,—l am, eta Spero. [Our correspondent will observe that a meeting regarding these sports is called for to-night, at the South Rakaia Hotel, by Mr A. P. Howell.— Ed. <?.]

THE BOROUGH COUNCIL, THE ATHLETIC SPORTS GROUND COMPANY, AND THE RATE PAYERS.

To the Editor. Sir, —The above question having now assumed a more serious aspect, and one affecting the interests of the ratepayers,' as a ratepayer, I must ask permission to lay the facts of the case before thepabli<),that they may judge for themselves the action of the Council in this if there is any explanation to be~ given of their at present inexplicable actidn, Sir* haps this may elicit it. Before making application to the Council to purchase any earth there might be to spare on the S.B. town belt, I waited on the Mayor to' ask him if he thought the interests of the Council and the Company would not be mutually served by the Belt being partially formed by the removal of the earthwhMh the Company required from somewhere, and might as well take from there as-from elsewhere, and whether he thought there would be any to spare, and if he thought it was worth while to apply for it. He replied it would entirely depend on the report of the Engineer, but if there was earth to spare, hs saw no objection to it, I then saw Mr Fooks, and asked him if he could tell me whether there would bo any earth to spare, as I was unwilling to make an application if it was likely to be .re fused, as we had no difficulty in getting it elsewhere. He replied he thought there would be surplus soil, but kindly promised to calculate it that night and let me'know approximately what quantity there would be to spare, and, accordingly, two or three days later 1 received a piece of paper, which I was informed had been sent te the office by Mr Fooks, stating, in writing, that there would be at least 2,500 to. 3,000

yards of soil to spare. 1 subsequently saw Mr Fooks himself, when he mentioned lihat there would be over 12,000 yards of earth t to be moved, between Burnett street 'and ' the terrace, but that part of that wbuld’be j required for raising the level of the roads 1 below the terrace ; but he again confirmed 1 his previous statement in writing there would be at any rate 3,000 yards I to spare, if ter completing the road to' tfia * river. Therefore, Sir, whatever explana- 4 tion may be given of the Council refusing $ an offer of LSI 5s in cash and Ls 3 6s, in i work to be done in helping to form the ; Belt, they cannot lay it on the' shoulders. I of their surveyor, as I hear is now being i done, especially as in your report of, tie f proceedings of the Council, -it* was 7 stated that: the “ Engineer recommended ' that the application shcmld be referred, to fhe JPorha. Committee for considei-ation pj details.” Now, Sir, it is a matter ef per fect indifference to the Oomphhy whether their application was granted or refused} 'as they have offers of the requisite quan tity of soil from two or -three sources of supply; but, Sir, I submit it is. not a matter of indifference to the ratepayedi, ’■ whether the Council refuse offers of LtOO, ’ or so, and whether the Belt is left with a large and dangerous gravel pit in it. If • an accident happened there, who wwd have to pay the damages? Would the the Borough Councillors out of their own pocket=s, or the unfortunate ratepayers I Again, if either of the Ooun'ciUors, "in im proving their private property, had'to ei- : pend several hundred pounds, and?-* j neighbor being equally interested in part ; of the work being done offered to con tribute LIOO towards it, would any, one of the Councillors in their own case refuaa such an offer? I think I may safely gay “not one.” Why then should they not exercise equal discretion in the ratepayers’ interests. It is not everyone who' ha* time to spare for therefore. Sir, 1 think the public owe a debt of gratitude to those who do spare time for the public service, provided the ser vice rendered is valuable and not mis chievous. But if gentlemen do offer their services, and they are accepted by the "rate payers, I think those electing them - a right to expect at least equal discretion . .in administering public affairs, as in pri vate, and if this matter has been decided from private pique, from narrow-minded jealousy of property outside the Belt ob taining even indirect benefit (and this -is not the first case in which it is stated that there has been one cause influencing;tlia ; decision) from incapacity to understand the ■' question, or from whatever caprice-, : the decision has been arrived at, it is at least ~ plain, from the above mentioned: facts, that it has been arrived at not from the, report of their Engineer, but on the con trary, directly against his recommendation, and, undoubtedly, equally against the in terests of the town and ratepayers. There-., fore, Sir, I trust that this'will be reman- • bered at the next election of councillors, and as I was very pleased to see that at the last election, so many good men came forward, out of whom three of the best, not to say the best, were elected, all of whom I was also glad to see voted for this matter being considered on its merits, and in the interests of the ratepayers,’ So I hope at the next election equally good man may be induced to come forward, and put a stop to the petty childish squabbles, which have so frequently 5 graced the proceedings of the Council hare, and instead of wordy warfare, foolish decisions, and narrow-minded jealousy, wo may have our Borough business trans acted in a business like waj.—l am, etc., O. PbectCox, A Ratepayer. L

Experimental. —Prominent physical!* of Rush Medical College, Chicago, expert mented with electrcity on Tracy, a hanged man, just after his execution on the 16lh September. They succeeded in restoring the rhythmic motion of the heart, and'flx* press the belief that if the neck hadribt been broken they could have reatored dife. The question would have arisen in that event as to the legal status of the ream* citated criminal. i.' Fatal Jestinowith a distressing accident occurred at Islington, north London, a short time back, bywlpch a widow lady named Nicholla lost her life. She was about 53 years of age, and With her son and daughter. The family rented besides a tobacconist's shop .some distance away in the same thoroughfare. Several attempts are said to have bees made to break into the business premises, which for a time were left unguarded at night. By way of precaution, the son purchased a five-chambered revolver, and, loading it, left it at his mother’s private residence. Among the visitors to tbe> family was a man named Frederick Sea* mer, about 19 years old, living at Camp* bell road, Bow, who was engaged to Mist' Nicholls. On a Saturday evening Sfean&r entered the house, and almost immediately after a report of firearms were heard/ao-, companied by a scream. In alarm, seve ral of the inmates ran to the spot, and met Seatner, who was frantically calling for a doctor, and saying that be had' shot “ mother ” meaning Mrs Nicholls. 'Tm bid lady was found seated in har arm-chair, blood flowing copiously from a large wotUid in her temple. Death was instantaneohi. Seamer stated that he took up the weapon and presented it at the deceased in faO| not thinking it was loaded, -W •

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1882.



o T I C E. We have now IN STOCK and for aale, ex vessels from Kaipara, a large assort ment of DRESSED AND UNDRESSED Kauri Timber, including sizes to suit all requirements of the Building Trade. WELL - SEASONED TIMBER for Joiners and Cabinetmakers. Also, from Foxton, ex Awaroa and Forest Queen, Totaral Black Pine, of <he best quality to be obtained. 021 TUCKER, RESTELL & CO.



The Smith Organ, Made expressly for churches, very strong and plain case, twenty stop , octave couplers,’grand swell, twenty-nine pedal rotes of Wb registers (equal to fifty-eight potes), double exhausting bellows (to blow by hand for full power, but a foot lever can be used for the soft organ), a complete powerful church <organ at a comparative small cost, and combining the stops and swells of the pipe organ costing four times the amount. Any. ordinary player can use this organ. Guaranteed for five y< ars. These organs ore imported at special low prices for churches, and sold on terms to suit customers. Organs exchanged if not satisfactory. Further particulars from H. J. WEEKS, MUSIC SELLER, ASHBURTON. • Agent for 0. Begg & Co. Importers. ATGHMAKERS *s EW ELLERS, (pi ISM CH-CH* Tlje Celebrated American Waltham patches, in sterling hunting cases, from £3 IDs. N.B.—Nona genuine unless eu jiraved “Waltham, Mass.” on movement. Rotherham’s Celebrated English Le vers, ’tom £slos. All Watches Examined, Timed, and Guaranteed Two Tears.



Wanted WANTED —A. Strong BOY for Black* Bmith’a shop. Apply Office of this Paper. 30n WANTED —A few young ladies as APPRENTICES to the Dress making. Apply to A. Orb. n2O ANTED—A SITUATION of trust in an office, or any capacity. Re ferences to be seen at the Office of this Paper. n 29 WANTED— SHEARERS. Longbeach Shed opens on MONDAY, the 27th inst. T. W. EOCKEN, 28n Manager. WANTED to Purchase—A Second hand Windmill PUMP, delivered at the Store of the undersigned, in thorough working order and repair. Full particulars required as to price, maker, etc., etc. Apply to MATSON, COX & CO , n3O Ashburton. XTTANTED— Everybody to buy CAN- W TERBURY COMIC ALMANAC, to be had of J. C. Duncan and Agents everywhere. n 24 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 Largo and Well selected Stock of FANCY STATIONERY, BOOKS, NEW MUSIC, Etc., all at Dunedin prices. GEO. F. HENRY, an 5 Saunders’ Buildings. TT/'aNTED KNOWN-That Robert Vy 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. a’ n t e d k n o‘ w n. That BONEDUST, specially prepared for drilling with carrots, mangolds, etc., can be obtained from the undersigned. F. MAYO, Hampstead Bono Mills.



WANTED KNOWN—It is Mr Lan caster’s intention to extend his Bread Business, and he wishes his cus tomers to know he has secured Mr Thomas Hicks to manage that branch. A Cart will be run with Broad alone, independent of the other Two Carts, which will con tinue to run as before. The name of Mr Hicks will be a sufficient 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. LETTS’ DIARIES, Office and Pocket, for 1883. JOSEPH COOK'S LECTURES. IBLES, CHURCH SERVICES and PRAYER-BOOKS. CRICKETING MATERIAL— Gloves, Footballs, e f c. FIRE SCREENS, Stove Ornaments, ,sold and Silver Shavinj>s. ELOPHONES. 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. HE PICTORIAL HISTORY OF THE WORLD, just issued by the National Publishing Company of America, Contains a vast amount of information, admirably printeo, profusely illustrated, and handsomely bound. Subscribers wanted. C 0 O U N T 800 K S Various Sizes and Descriptions. C H O O L BOOKS And Requisites. |7\ N V E L O P E S, Business, Official, and Fancy. Toys, fancy goods, crewel WOOLS. PIANOS, HA IOfOA CMS, ORGANS AND MUSIC. HYMNS (Ancient i nd Modern), Wes leyan and Presbyterian HYMN BOOKS. FOOLSCAP AND ACCOUNT SALES PAPER. OTEPA P E R, Various Sizes and Qualities. JEL M. J ones, BURNETT ST. & BARING SQUARE. BooKUtNDiNO Executed in All Branches. Great sale OF A LARGE SALVAGE STOCK OF FURNITURE! FURNITURE! Furniture ! Also, a large quantity of NEW and SECOND-HAND FURNI TURE-CHEAP. All kinds of Turnery, Carving, &c. Bedroom and Drawing-room Suites. John Meech, BURKETT STREET, Ashburton. Showrooms—Next Bullock’s Arcade Workshop—Next Mail tffice, JF YOU WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE, GO TO D AVIS’S CHEAP FURNITURE AND BED DING MANUFACTORY, EAST STREET SOUTH, ASHBURTON. (71 VERY article Sold at Christchurch Prices and guaranteed best of material and workmanship. FUN ESA L S CHEAPLY & COMPLETELY FURNISHED



Special Advertisements. rjIRY THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory For every article of MEN’S, YOUTHS’ AND BOYS’ CLOTHING, j SHIPPING AND TRAVELLING OUTFITS; Also for CHOICE NEW GOODS In .HATS, HOSIERY, SHIRTS, TIES, PORTMANTEAUX, RUGS, BLANKETS, &o. 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 WHOLESALE PRICE. Ashburton Branch: EAST STREET, W. SPARROW, Manager. slfl JjTOTICE 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 RATES of Interest. They are also Sole Agents for Messrs Satnuelson and Sons’ new REAPER & TWINE BINDER. Mr Ernest Satnuelson, during hia 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-e every confidence in recommending them as the most DURABLE, COMPLETE, & SIMPLE Machines yet manufactured. G. STEAD, Managing Director. P. CUNNINGHAM, Consulting Director. W. HORNE, 12au Agent, Ashburton. CLEARING SALE. CHEAP BOOTS AND SHOES. C. HAWKINS Invites his friends and the public to in spect liis large stock of Boots and Shoes, at sweeping prices, C. HAWKINS, Ashburton and Txnwald. N.B. —All Accounts owing to the above must be settled at once.



O A L. COAL. COAL. We have now IN' STOCK, ex Con ference, a large supply of the Old Lambton Coal. This is the BEST HOUSE COAL imported. 18n TUCKER. BE ST ELL & GO. N OTIOE TO BLACKSMITHS, BREWERS, AND OTHERS. Just landed, ex Mary Campbell, from Greymouth, a supply of the CELEBRATED Brunner Coal, The best procurable for blacksmith and steam purposes. n 27 TUCKER, RESTELL & CO, JUST RECEIVED —ex “ Thorne ” (from London)— a splendid selection of FANCY GOODS, 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, Portmonnaos, 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 description. A large stock of Cricket e’ s’Materials of every kind. Children’s Balls, Dolls, Toys, &c. ANDRE WES BROS., Booksellers, Stationers, &c., East street south, Ashburton. n!5 rriHE SCOTTISH IMPERIAL IN- X SURANCE COMPANY. Head Office: 151, West George street, Glasgow. Capital ... £1,000,000 FIRE RISKS taken at lowest current rates. Claims promptly settled here. W. R. BOYLE, n 7 Agent, Ashburton. THE MUTUAL FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. The undersigned beg to intimate that the above Company has started Business in Ashburton, and that they have been appointed Agents, and are now prepared to receive proposals for INSURANCE. Premiums at a Discount of 25 per cent, off past current rates. o 2 TUCKER, RESTELL & Q). HOME, SWEET HOME I—Christ mas and New Years’ CARDS for posting to friends in Europe. The newest designs in great variety. Andrkwes Bros., Booksellers, Stationers, etc.. East street south, Ashburton.



Special Advertisements. Thomas Taylor, JgAKER AND CONFECTIONER, East street. WE DDING OAKES To Order. Manufacturer of CIDER AND OTHER CORDIALS,