SHIPPING.

TORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Saucy Lass, schooner, from Wellington. Jannett, ketch, from Pelorus Sound. Reoamia, ketch, from Wellington. Croydon Lass, schooner, from Waitapu. Olio, schooner, from Waitapu. Sailed. Yesterday. Planter, barque, for Newcastle. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Sidled—Wanaka, for the South. I Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived Wallace, from Nelson ; Hinsmoa, from Lyttelton. Sailed Ladybird, for Westport ; Wallace, for Nelson. Timaru, Yesterday. Sailed—Waitaki and Lillie Denham, steamers, for Dunedin ; Edith May, for Sydney. ; Port Chalmers, Yesterday. Ajrrived—Rotomahana, from Melbourne via Bluff ; Phasis, ship, from Lyttelton. Sailed—Ada C. Owen, for Auckland.

MAIL NOTICES.

M *ih> close at the Ashburton Post Office as f< llows : Fi ir Christchurch and North at 6.30 a. m. 10. S) a. m., and sp. m., daily. Fur Ohertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. Fi ir Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Calc stream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. For Temuka, at 6.30 a.m. and 10 a.ra., dail’!’. For Timaru and South, at 6.30 a.m., 10 and 430 p.m., daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, m Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a m. Fcjr Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, at 4:SO p.m. daily. F<;t Fleming ton, on Mondays, Wednes days;, and Fridays, at 4 30 p. m. Fc;r Wakanui, Elgin, Seafield, New land., and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 a. m. W«l» arrive at the Ashburton Post Office— From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.25 а. DO., 440 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. From Ohertsey, &c. at 10.25 a.m. and 440‘P .m. daily. Filom Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.35 p.m. daily. Filom Temuka and Timaru at 10.50 a. m. б. jp.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. Fiona Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. Fi'om Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.m. daily. From .Flemington on Tuesdays, Thurs days,, and Saturdays, at 10 a.m. From Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, New and,; and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 4 p.m.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Saturday, January 21. Mir T. Bullock, at the Bazaar—Horses ; 1.30 p.m, Mr T. Bullock, at the Bazaar—Book Debts ; 2 p. m. Tuesday, January 31. Matson, Cox and Co., at the Ashburton Yardi —Stock. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c To-morrow, Thursday, January 19. Thiatlft Lodge—Monthly Meeting, Ma sonic Hall, 7.30 p.m. Friday, January 20. Basaar, txi aid of Catholic Church Build ing Fund. Monday, January, 23. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Wednesday, February 1. Amateur Dramatic Club, Town Hall, 8 p.m. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock. Thursday, February 2. Wakanui Road Board—Monthly Meeting, Boad Board Office, Moore street Tuesday, February 7. Ashburton Permanent Building and In vestment Society, Monthly Meeting, from 6.30 to 8.3 U p.m. ,

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

Trains Leave Ahsburton for Christ church and intermediate stationsat7.lo a.m., 11 a.in., and (Express) 5.40 p.m. Trains Leave Ashburton for Tim arc and South, at 6.50 a.m., 10.32 a.m. (Express), and 4.45 p.m, —the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru. f»tnm Arrive at Ashburton from Christchurch at 10 20 a.m. (Express), 4.35p.m., and 7.50 p.m. T»inra Arrive at Ashburton from TniAßir and South at 10.45 a.m., 6.28 p.m. (Express), and 8.10 p.m.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.

Advertisements for The Ashburton Guardian must be sent in not later than 3 p.m., with the number of insertions written plainly on the copy, otherwise they will be inserted until counter manded, and charged accordingly. Re place Advertisements must be supplied the day previous to that on which they are to be inserted. Special notices can be received up Ip 3.30 p.m. for insertion over the Leader, 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 The Manager ; literary communications should be addressed to The Editor.

MARRIAGE.

Ranger—Patching. —On December 17, at Nelson, at the residence of the bride’s father, by the Rev. J. Beckenham, James Ranger, of Ashburton, to Naomi, third daughter of Mr James Patching, Toi Toi Valley, Nelson.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas, et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1882. The County Water Supply.

TOWN EDITION.

[lssued at 430 p.m. j

As the plains water supply rapidly nears completion, signs are not wanting that the County Council will be called upon to grapple with several difficul ties in connection therewith. Perhaps the foremost of those difficulties is the pollution of the water in the races. Properly looked after, the network of water-races now in course of construc tion by the local governing body will be productive of nothing but good to the dwellers on the plains, but if the various races are to become receptacles for de caying animal and vegetable matter, then they will be but of very negative benefit after all ; in fact, to the small farmers with families living along their course they will be a constant source of alarm and trouble. The County Engineer appears to be fully alive to the importance of preserving the purity of the water, and in his last report to the Council sounds a note of warning in regard to this matter. He says : “ The question of pollution is one which requires to be carefully guarded against, as there has been more than one case recently of a dead animal hav ing been found in the races,” No one requires to be told of the danger likely to ensue, not only to adults and child ren, but to cattle, from the drinking of water in which the remains of a dead animal or animals have been allowed to decompose. So recently as within the past ten days we have had a terrible example of. the fatal effects of drinking water so • contaminated. From this cause, we believe, one family in the County has to mourn the loss of four of its members. Given a band of thirsty juveniles and a stream of run ning water within easy distance, and it is not difficult to foretel the exact locality of the youngters—little recking that by imbibing the apparently pure element, they may be planting the seeds of disease or even death in their youthful systems. If, from no other motive but that of self-interest, owners of property along which the races run must know that it is of the utmost im portance that the water from which their cows drink is as nearly as pos sible pure, or we may never hope for the success of the Butter and Cheese Factory about to be started in the County. Let cows habitually use water tainted with decaying matter — either animal or vegetable—and it must be patent that their milk will not be fit for the purposes of the factory, or indeed any other purpose but to throw away. Seeing this inevitable result, every one of these owners will at once admit the importance of the question, but so careless are most people of many matters of vital importance, such as this, that it is only by exercising the most careful supervision with regard to the purity of the water that the supply will ever be the good thing for the farmers which its promoters predicted. Means to this end are not wanted, for the Ashburton County Council Waterworks Act, 1879, Amendment Act, 1881, bestows ample powers on the Council to mulct in heavy penalties (and most properly) anyone guilty of polluting the water supply of the County. Another matter which likewise needs attention in this connection is the diversion and stoppage of the water. This was also referred to by the Engineer in his last monthly report to the Council, several instances being mentioned where damage had resulted to the races, and the flow of water had been stopped. Under the Act the Council have full power to sue for heavy penalties where such selfish and short-sighted conduct can be proved. A charge of polluting the water will doubtless be a difficult one to sheet home to the offender, but charges of damage to the works and diversion of the water will be of more easy proof, and we hope, if these mal practices are continued, we shall speedily hear of someone being made an example of.

“The Silver Lining.”

“ Every cloud has its silver lining,” as a certain candidate for the “ virgin constituency of Wakanui,” took occa sion to inform his hearers from the platfor.nvnot many weeks ago ; and let us hope that the cloud which has been

hanging so long over our heads—the cloud of financial depression —is no ex ception to the rule. We do not think it is. There have been signs lately of better times coming; at any rate, we know that the colony is not yet “ hope lessly sewn up,” as so many croakers were ready to declare, but a short time ago. In spite of its debt, and the lan guishing state into which it has fallen in consequence of the bad times, it is not yet quite “ used up.” There has been a remarkable revival of trade in Australia during the past few months, and things are also looking up at Home. In fact there has been a great wave of depression which has rolled over the whole world, and the effects of which have been felt universally. But now the cloud is beginning to show the silver lining. With us here, in Ashbur ton, although still “ tight,” money is becoming more plentiful, new bnildings are daily going up, the population is in creasing, not decreasing, and things have certainly taken a turn for the bet ter. We have wisely been turning our attention to local industries, and we trust ere long that two at least of these industries will be in full swing here. Our harvest promised at one time to turn out an almost unprecedently rich one. The long drought and the nor’- westers have interfered to a consider able extent with the crops, but there should, notwithstanding, be a fairly good yield. So on the whole our cloud has a bit of silver lining.

The Christchurch Exhibition.

No little amusement is being caused in various parts of the country by the discussion which is now being carried on in the columns of our Christchurch contemporaries as to the best site for the International Exhibition. Messrs Joubert and Twopenny, the promoters, with commendable business tact, have picked out Cranmer square as the most suitable site for various reasons. They have been offered sites at various prices within easy distance of the city, at terras varying from L4OO to L7OO, and also a gratuitous site from Mr J. T. Matson on the Papanui road. None of these seem to suit Mr Twopenny, as he has evidently considered that the use of Cranmer square must be given him in order to make the undertaking a commercial success to himself, and his partner. Now, if the exhibition is to benefit New Zealand at all, and Christchurch in particular, why should pressure not be brought to bear upon the powers that be, so that the neces sary facilities be granted to the pro moters to enable them to build on the Hagley Park ground, the best and most suitable site for an exhibition such as it is intended to hold ? Of course, it would cost a great deal more to have the building in the Park, but surely it would not be asking too much of the Government to undertake to make considerable concessions, as well as giving monetary help to the promoters in order to reduce their expenses, pro vided this site was selected. In Syd ney, the people’s Domain was chosen, because it was central and enabled visi tors to stroll around the lovely grounds. If the building is erected in Cranmer Square, it will be, to most visitors, no thing more than a large shop, and will always have that impression, whereas if it is erected in the Park it will have added to its attraction, at least, some little variety by way of surrounding scenery and breathing ground, which will help to diminish its “ shopping ” character to some extent. We hope that! the City Council will not granj; the use of Cranmer square undtlr any consideration, as it will ;be a dangerous precedent. If Messrs Joubert and Twopenny run the risk of a private speculation for what must be considered as a real benefit to the colony as a whole, they should be supported : in all fairness, and every facility given them, as one of them has said, to prevent their profits being played “ ducks and drakes ” with, but questionable civic rights should be suf ficient to deter them from running the risk of having to allow one gratuitous ad mission for all comers to the Exhibi tion, which we believe could be de manded if Cranmer square is finally granted.

The Zbalandia’s Cargo. —From Auck land comes the intelligence that the cargo of the P.M. s.s. Zeal&ndia has been re leased from quarantine. ; Sad Accident. — A little son of Mr i Cole’s, farmer, residing at the Wakanui Beach, contrived by some means to so |injure his leg in hia father’s horse-power ichaffcutter yesterday that amputation was necessary last night. The little sufferer is only 2£ years of age. No further par -1 ticulars are to handjat present. Masonic. —The regular monthly meet ing of the Thistle Lodge takes place to imorrow evening, at the Masonic Hall. Property Tax. —An intimation else where from the Property Tax Commis sioner, fixing the dates on which the first and second instalments of this tax fall (due, will be interesting to all owners of to the value of over LSOO.

Struck of the Rolls. —At the R.M. Court this morning, one of the defeated candidates for Wakanui (Mr Joseph Ivess) succeeded in getting two names struck -off the electoral roll for Wakanui. The i objector claimed and obtained costs in each instance. It was not stated, how jever, whether either of these voters frecorded their votes on the day of election, but evidently they did not vote for a Liberal candidate. Indignant. —The case of an inebriate brought up at the Police Court this morn ing caused a gre.it deal of amusement to those present. The defendant was ar rested during the “ wee sma’ hours ” this morning by Constable Hicks, who de scribed the gait of the gentleman when he ;saw him as being of the most unsteady. |He was, in fact, according to the con- Sstable’s statement, rolling about from side Ito side of the road. On being placed in (the dock to-day, the defendant folded his iarms and regarded his captor with the utmost severity. He emphatically denied that he was drunk, or anything approach dug it. He was not even “jolly.” The ‘fact of the matter was he had made his arrangements as to where he should get a bed for the night, and was merely indulg ing in a “ moonlight promenade” when !the officious constable came up, and in sisted on walking him off to the lock-up. :It was really too bad for a man of edu cation, and one who during the many lyears he had been in the colony had never found himself in such a predicament be fore. He would like to call a witness to prove his sobriety. The witness was called ; but, alas ! failed to appear. His Worship said he was afraid that the de fendant had been exceeding the limits prescribed by abstemious men, but as he had been in the lock-up all night, he would be allowed to depart without pay ing anything for the accommodation he had received. The defendant thereupon quitted the box and the Court,

Nautical Enquiry. —An official en quiry into the stranding of the City of Cashmere will be held at Timaru on Friday next. Cricket. —The match All England Eleven v. Camara Twenty-two was con cluded yesterday, and resulted in a hollow win for the visitors, who put together 146 runs before the last wicket went down. The Oamaruites then took the bat, and were disposed of for a total of 57, the wickets falling like ninepins, Lawry being the only player who succeeded in making anything like a stand against the bowling of Shaw and Bates. To-day the Eleven play at Timaru.

A Constable Charged with Perjury. —At the Dunedin Police Court yesterday, Constable O’Shea was charged, on the information of Mrs Dupree, with having committed perjury in the Supreme Court in the case of Dupree, the constable con victed of fowl stealing, in which O’Shea was the principal witness. The alleged perjury was sought to he established by the fact that the note-book out of which O’Shea read the statement Dupree had made to him when arrested was bought after the date of the arrest, but after some evidence had been taken the prose cutrix asked for a remand in order to make an investigation whether O’Shea was the identical constable to whom the bookseller had sold the note-book. A remand was granted till to-morrow.

A Chapter op Accidents. Quite a chapter of accidents occurred this morn ing. Shortly after nine o’clock a cow emerged from Messrs Jameson and Roberts’ yard just as Mr George Scott was riding by leading a second horse. Be fore Mr Scott could rein in his startled steeds the same cow, who was evidently bent on mischief, frightened the horse attached to a buggy belonging to Mr Wood, of Waterton. The driver was away at the moment and the horse started off at a gallop down West street with the buggy behind it. Passing the Guardian office the runaway in its turn startled the pony attached to a trap belonging to Mr Zouch, and the pair raced helter-skelter down the road, turning up by the Bank of Australasia. The race was a most exciting one. The runaways made straight for the river-bed, and how tney managed to get over the uneven ground, covered with stones and scrub, without overturning their respective vehicles, is a mystery. The crowd of people in pursuit came up with the pair just at the back of the Old Men’s Home. One trap was standing on a sand bank, close to the deep water, while the other had pulled up on a hillock just by. Fortunately very little mischief was done, but if the horses attached to the buggies had taken it into their heads to indulge in a cold bath, there is no saying what damage might have resulted.

A Good Idea. —The following method of scaring sparrows from fruit trees is mentioned by the Ararat Advertiser as having been employed by a gardener, who had tried other means without success. It is, however, not to be recommended on the score of humanity :—“This season our friend determined to try a new means, and having several cats he placed them in cages, hanging one in the centre of each tree. So far his experiment has proved successful, and as the cats are not at all content in their confinement, but keep straining against their prison bars cater wauling to one another in tones that at times are suggestive of the deepest an guish, not a bird ventures to go anywhere near the trees. Last week a number of cats were taken away to be placed in the cherry-trees at Gathcart, and before long pussies will be at a premium. Indeed, if the inquiry continues at last week’s rates, we may expect soon to find a feline stock market established, and soon a quotation given daily for good prime 1 Toms. ’ ‘ A double blessing is a double grace,’ and the demand for cats would rid us of those prowling felines whose melody, whilst they prowl over the back-yard fence at times makes the night hideous. “ Tis a consummation devoutly to be wished.’ ”

An Awkward Predicament. —Some of the natives in the provincial district of Auckland do not seem to be inclined to treat the Europeans with much civility. The Star says the influential Chief Marsh Brown of the Ngapuhis, who offered not many years ago to find a Native contin gent to do battle against the Kingites, is endeavouring to recoup the L6O a year which he lost under the retrenchment policy of the Government, by setting up courts and laws of his own. The heavy and wholly illegal fines which are enforced under these laws have caused a good deal of dissatisfaction among the victims. An other mode of getting muru out of the pakeha for the loss of his salary is the imposition of 5s per head upon every Eu ropean who ventures into the settlement of Waiomio for the purpose of seeing the caves. Before, all the Europeans were made welcome, without distinction or re compense. Within last month, two Eu ropeans who visited the caves in ignorance of the new rule were seized upon and threatened with the confiscation of their clothing. A feminine band stood round eager to perform the delicate office of strip ping them, and for some time they were left in doubt whether they would not have to make theis way back to Kaka kawa attired in the costume of the Greek slave. After much parleying, however, Marsh Brown let them off with the confis cation of their hats, and they returned home with nought but pocket-handker chiefs to shield their noble Anglo-Saxon foreheads.

Advised to Leave the Loan Alone. Commenting upon the proposed Victorian loan of L 4,000,000, the Pall Mall Gazette of November It remarks ; “ We confess to a fear that this everlasting craving for debt and yet more debt will not in the end be a good thing for this or any other colony. What, for example, will any one of them do when all the public lands are disposed of i At present a large part of the ability to pay interest on debt comes from the sales of these lands. The capi tal obtained thereby is, in short, used to pay interest of debt and interest alone. But that kind of extravagant manage ment must come to an end some day ; and if meantime the debts grow bigger and bigger year after year what are the colonics then to do ? \v ill their in habitants submit to heavy taxation for the purpose of honorably meeting their engagements ? They may; but the re cent manifestations in this very colony of Victoria do not lead us to be very sanguine upon the point.”

The Colonial Trade with America.— An important return has been issued from the Custom House, Sydney, respecting the trade of the Australian colonies with America. The value of goods imported and exported from the Australian colonies and New Zealand to the United States of North America during the year 1880, was as follows :—New South Wales—lmports, L 387,056 ; exports, L 172,648. Victoria— Imports, L 362,844; exports, L 83,155. South Australia—lmports, 138,158 ; ex ports, nil. Tasmania —Imports, L 45 ; ex ports, nil. New Zealand—lmports, L 238,011; exports, 105,147. Queensland —lmports, L 30,723 ; exports, LB9O. Wes tern Australia —Imports, nil ; exports, nil. Imports total, L 1,156,837 ; exports total, L 361,840. The following is a state ment of the values of the principal exports to the United States of North America from the Australian colonies and New Zealand for the year 1880 : New South Wales—Coals, L 39,523 ; green fruit, L 865; skins, L 572 ; tin ingots, L 42.625 ; wheat; LIO9O ; wool, L 74,536. Victoria—Skins, L 130; wool, L 81,374. South Australia — Nil. New Zealand—Gum, L77j837; oats, L 234 ; wool, L 24,993. Tasmania—Nil. Queensland —Coals, LBBO. Western Aus tralia—Nil.

Gambling. —At the City Court, Dune din, yesterday, R. D. Pirie, hairdresser, was charged with keeping a gaming house and allowing a totalisator to be worked in his shop. After the case was heard, counsel for the defence raised several legal objections, and his Worship took time to consider his decision;. Sale Of Privileges. —The sale of the privileges of the All England v. Canter bury Cricket Match, which is arranged to come off at Lancaster Park on Friday, Saturday, and Monday next, took place at Christchurch yesterday, Mr J. G. Hawkes wielding the hammer. They realised a total of L 205, or L4O in excess of that realised last year, when the total proceeds amounted to L 165.

American Duty on Wool. —The Hon. Mr Hall, in replying to a letter from the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, in refer ence to the import duty levied by America on wool, writes : —“ As to the opinion ex pressed in the resolution that no ‘ good will lesult unless followed by sending a special representative to Washing to press upon Congress New Zealand interests,” I desire to assure t}he Chamber that the Government will, i.fter receiving a report

from Sir Henry Parkes as to his visit, be ready to consider as to further action that may appear to be necessary in order to secure what they believe will be a great benefit to the commerce of the colony.” Pot and — People will con tinue to quarrel until the end of the world probably, but if the quarrels which end in high words, blows, or, worse still, the law court, were carefully sifted and in vestigated, what a very few would remain in which the parties concerned could show reasonable cause for falling out. We are led to make these remarks in consequence of a case we heard at the R. M. Court this morning, in which two farmers, near neighbors, residing at Kyle, having had a bit of a “ tiff,” brought it to Mr Beswick to settle. The plaintiff complained that while he was away in Australia the de fendant’s forty hes.d of horned cattle got into his land and played up with the crops, besides breaking down the fences. The defendant admitted that his cattle had trespassed, biiit pled that plaintiff’s horses had also trespassed on his land. The plaintiff said 'he had called in two assessors to fix tlije damage done to his property. A subsequent witness stated that one of thesb assessoi’s own stock were in the habit of trespassing on plaintiff’s land. There were several ludicrous incidents in connection with the case. “ How is my land looking ?” en quired the plaintiff of defendant on his return from Sydnby, but before he had reached town. “ The best grass land in the district,” said the defendant,, “ as my cows have found out.” It would be well if more of these cases were settled out of Court.

A Novel Society.— A new Society, to be known as the Canterbury Dietetic .Re form Association, was initiated at a meet ing held on Monday night, at the Tem perance Hotel. The chairman, Mr H. Satchell, in briefly addressing the meeting, strongly advocated the adoption of veget arian principles as the only sure means by which that greatest of all blessings, good health, may be obtained by those who are fortunate enough to be already in posses sion of it, but also the only means by which many of the ills to which society, in its ignorance of the dietetic laws of health, is subjected, may be effectually eradicated, and this heconfirmed by his own experience during. some two years past. Having derived vei?y great good himself, he was anxious that others, too, should come to share its benefits, and recom mended that this society be formed for the dissemination of information upon this all-important subject, and respecting which so very little real knowledge existed. A committee was formed, and other de tails having been ai ranged in a satisfactory manner, a vote of thanks was passed to the chairman for tl[e practical interest he had shown in the welfare of others.— Press.

Intercolonial Steam Communication. —A special meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Gommi'irce was held yesterday to consider a project of the P.. and O. Company, to inaugurate steam communica tion between Australia and New Zealand. The President (Mr C. C. McMillan) said what was wanted was an expression of opinion, that if it was favorable it might help on the realisation of the proposal. It had been hoped when the Union Com pany was established, or rather when it placed boats on the Australian trade, that it would prove itself a truly colonial con cern, but it had sirjce then shown itself to be one of a stiictty provincial character, whose chief object iwas to centralise trade at Dunedin by dis regarding the require ments of other porl s. He begged to move —“ That this Clumber has heard with satisfaction the probability of the Penin sula and Oriental Company commencing steam service between Sydney and New Zealand, connecting with an English line, and cordially suppc rt the movement, and pledge themselves i o do all in their power to support the serv ces. ” After some dis cussion, in which the Union Company were condemned by various speakers, who supported the Chai man’s view, with re gard to the Compai iy having sacrificed the interests of the Northern ports to the aggrandisement of Dunedin, the motion was carried.

CABLE NEWS

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[per reuter’s agency.] The Sultan’s Rights in Egypt. London, Jan. 16. Masurus Pasha, the Turkish Am bassador, to-day formally presented to Earl Granville, Foreign Secretary, a circular note to the Powers, in which the Sultan sets forth that his rights in Egypt are founded upon an Imperial firman, and that foreign nations are in no way en titled to interfere in the affairs of the regency. The note, as already re ported, further demands an explanation of the Anglo-French note, guaranteeing the maintenance of the Khedive’s authority against any disorder that may at any time arise in Egypt. The Loss of the Triumph. Further intelligence to hand regard ing the disaster on board H.M. ship Triumph at Coquimbo states that the same was caused by an explosion of xenotine sickatir, or dry phosphate of yttria. Money and the Markets. Consols remain at 103-9; New Zea land securities are without quotable change ; colonial: breadstuffs are de clining ; Adelaide wheat, ex ware house, has falleu to 555, and New Zea land wheat, ex warehouse, to 52s ; and Adelaide flour, ex warehouse, to 41s. Australian Tallow —Best beef, 43s ; best mutton, 47s 6d. The Anglo-French (Treaty. Paris, Jan. 16. A proposal, emanating from the Go vernment, was to-day submitted to the Chambers providing for the prolonga tion for a further period of one month of the Anglo-French Commercial Treaty, which otherwise expires on the Bth proximo. No decision has yet been arrived at by the Chambers in regard to the proposal. The President Dosen’t See It. Cairo, Jan. 16. The Egyptian Assembly of Notables, which opened its sittings last month, has .passed resolutions defining its own powers, and virtually assuming control

of the Government of the Kingdom. Dherir Pasha, President of the Council of Ministers, has intimated his refusal to accept the decision of the Notables.

AUSTRALIAN.

[per rbuter’s AGENCY.] A Fund in Aid Melbourne, Yesterday. At the Wesleyan Conference now being held here, a fund is being started in aid of the families of the Wesleyan clergymen who were drowned by the wreck of the Tararua. The subscrip tions already amount to L. 2,000. Death From Smallpox- One of the Garonne’s passengers named Morgan died of smallpox at the quarantine station to-day. No fresh cases have been reported from the station. Bank Dividends. Sydney, Yesterday. The City Bank pays a dividend of 10 per cent, for the past half year, L 5,000 is carried to the reserve fund. The Mercantile Bank declares a dividend of 9 per cent, for the past half year, and carries forward 1^3,037.

TELEGRAMS.

[pick press association.] It’s at Work. Auckland, To-day. The electric fire alarm system is in working operation. Bad News- Scarlet fever of a malignant type is pre valent in the city and suburbs. To Be Handed Over. The Industrial Home Committee have notified to the Government their inten tion to hand over that institution on April Ist. Case Dismissed. Timaru, To-day. The charge against W. H. Tubb, of alleged larceny of LIOO partnership money, was heard this morning and dis missed. The accused had received LIOO, and went to , Wellington without telling his partner he was going, but took only L3O with him, leaving L7O with his wife. His partner suspected a criminal intention and laid an information. Larrikinism. Eleven lads have been summoned for larrikinism on New Year’s eve—breaking windows, lifting gates, upsetting offices, Eleven v. Twenty-two. The English cricketers arrived this morning to play a one day’s match. The veatjier is cool, and a steady breeze is blowing. The local Twenty-two went in first. The Vexed Question. Dunedin. To-day. The Presbyterian Synod debated at length last night the question of marriage with a deceased wife’s sister. Ultimately a motion was carried by a majority six referring the question to the Presbytery kirk sessions, with a view of dealing with it next year. Libel. In the Supreme Court, the case, Mas sey v. Allen, in which the ex Town Clerk claims L 2,500 damages for alleged libel is being heard.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

ASHBURTON— To-Day. (Before Joseph Beswick, Esq., R.M.) Drunkenness. —W. Dawkins, charged with being drunk at Rakaia Railway Station yesterday, was fined 40s, with the alternative of ninety-six hours’ imprison ment.—Julius Cavanagh was charged with being drunk while in charge of a horse and buggy.—Sergeant Felton said the man was ijtx a beastly state of intoxication, and in consequence of this the vehicle was capsized, and the defendant and his wife and children were thrown out. Both husband and wife were addicted to drink, and it would be well if the man was sent up without the option of a fine.— His Worship said that he would give the defendant a chance, but he had better be careful what he was about. He would be fined 20s, or forty-eight hours’ imprison ment. —Another man who was charged with drunkenness, pleaded that he was “not even jolly” when run in by Constable Hicks. He was taking a moon light promenade when the constable got it into his head that he was drunk and took him into custody. He was as sober as he was then. . In all the years he had been in the colony, he had never been in such a position before.—His Worship thought that there was not much doubt about the drunkenness, but taking into ac count that he had been locked up all night, he would be discharged.—W. Haggarty and J. Jordan were each fined 10s, and two first offenders were dis charged with a caution. Alleged Breach of the Constable’s Act. —George Joseph Martin was charged with a breach of the Constable’s Act, in inciting a prisoner to resist a constable in the execution of his duty. —The defen dant pleaded not guilty. —Constable Hicks deposed that he had arrested, some days ago, a man named Burke who had been fighting with one Israel Luke, outside the Somerset Hotel. While attending to Burko, the defendant came up, and told witness that he was not to handcuff a man behind his back, as he might fall down and hurt himself. Immediately afterwards the roan Burke fell down.—B. Hughes, manager for Montgomery and Co., and G. Compton were called as witnesses, and stated that they had witnessed the arrest, but had not seen Burke throw himself down after being handcuffed. —His Wor ship in dismissing the case, said he thought that the defendant had shown but bad discretion in taking the part he had. It was tlie duty of every citizen to help the pnlicejto the best of his ability. If the defendant had seen any cruelty on the part ojf the police he should have reported the same to the offending constable’s superior officer. Cow Straying. —George Parkin, for allowing a cow to be at large, was fined ss. civil cases. Wa lace v. Craddock, claim L 3. Mr Crisp or plaintiff. Jas. Wallace, of the Cherbey Hotel, said he had in April last sold t le defendant a black cattle dog for L 3, Wjiioh sura he had never been paid. Judgment for (plaintiff, with costs. —S. Low i. Buckley, claim L3l, for tres pass a id damage to fences. Mr Crisp for plaint ff; Mr Wilding for defendant. There was also a cross-action for trespass, Buckley suing Low for LBO. With a view to save time both cases were taken together. The case arose out of a neigh bors’ quarrel. Both parties were farmers residing at Kyle, and lived opposite to each other. It appears that some time since, the plaintiff went away to Sydney, leaving his brother in charge of the farm. On his way homo he m',)t the defendant in the train, and asked him how his land was looking. Uucklty said, “ Your grass is the best in the district, and my cows have found ic out.” On his return home he found his fences broken down and his grass crop serioutly damaged. The defendant owned some 40 head of horned cattle, and they w sie repeatedly on the land, although plainti f had again and again complained of sue 1 trespass to the defendant. —The defend int admitted his trespass, but pleadei I that the plaintiff’s . horses had repeati dly trespassed oh his (defendant’s)

land. The trespass had been a mutual one, and if Low had not taken legal pro ceedings against him, he would never have thought of taking legal proceedings himself. The plaintiff pleaded that his fences were in a good state of repair when he left home, while the defendant said they were in a broken down state when plaintiff went away. The damage to the grass crop had been done as much by the stock belonging to others as by those animals in his own possession. A num ber of witnesses having been examined, pro and con, counsel declined to address the Court. His Worship, in the case Low v. Buckley, gave judgment for Ll 9 with costs, and in Buckley v. Low, gave judg ment for defendant, without costs. E. Warne v. S. Lucas.—Claim, L 5 8a 6d. Judgment for the plaintiff, with costs, 19s. The Court then rose.

ALLEGED BREACHES OF THE REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS’ ACT.

At the R.M. Court this afternoon, before Mr J. Beswick, R.M., Robert Shannon, laborer, residing at South Rakaia, was called upon to answer a summons requiring him to prove his right to have his name retained on the electoral roll for his district, on the ground that he was not 21 years of age, and therefore was not qualified nnder clause 2 of the Qualification of Electors’ Act, 1879, to be registered as an elector for the above district.—Mr Joseph Ivess appeared as the objector in the case, and conducted it himself. The defendant did not appear.—C. P. Cox, Registrar of electors for the electoral district of Wakanui, was put in the box by Mr Ivess. In reply to a question of the latter’s, Mr Cox said that he could not produce the claim made by Mr Shannon to be placed on the roll. He might find it.—Mr Ivess said he had requested Mr Cox to pro duce it. Mr Ivess then said that he had received a letter from Mr Shannon that morning, admitting that he was not 21 years of age, and he. (Mr Ivess) supposed that ended the case. Shannon’s name was ordered to be struck off the roll.— Mr Ivess thereupon claimed costs. — In reply to his Worship, Mr Ivess said that he had been out of pocket by this matter to the extent of 10s. He was prepared to swear it. He had spent 5s for a summons, 4s for two subpoenas, 6d for a registered letter, and 2d for a stamp —total, 9s Bd.—The expenses were allowed.

William Jackson, of Ealing, was then called upon, on the information of Mr Ivess, to show why his name should not be struck off the Electoral Roll, he having received notice to withdraw his name, but not having complied with the order within the 15 days required by the Act.—Jackson did not appear. The name was ordered to be struck off the roll, and 9s expenses were allowed Mr Ivess.

THE BLACK ANT.

Many of the leading orchard pro prietors in Northern Italy and Southern Germany are cultivators of the common black ant, which insect they hold in high esteem as the fruit-grower’s best friend. They establish ant-hills m their orchards, and leave the police ser vice of their fruit-trees entirely to the tiny colonists, which pass all their time in climbing up the stems of the fruit trees, cleansing their boughs and leaves of malefactors, mature as well as embryotic, and descending, laden with spoils, to the ground, when they com fortably consume or prudently store away their booty. They never meddle with sound fruit, but invade only such apples, pears, and plums as have already been penetrated by the canker, which they remorselessly pursue to its fast nesses within the very heart of the fruit. Nowhere are apple and pear trees so free from blight and insects.

BACKING THE FAVORITE.

So long as racehorses run (says a Home paper) it is as inevitable that men will make bets about them, as also that the enormous majority of backers will lose their money. How to lose as little as possible should be the aim of those who are bitten with the mania for speculation, and it appears that, on the whole, nothing is safer in the long run—except, of course, leaving investment alone—than following the fortunes of favorites. The mere fact of a horse being favorite for a race shows that men of infinitely keener wit than the average race-goer have reasons for be lieving in his chances of success; and that their reasons are generally just is shown by a glance at the results of the past year’s racing. A. fair test of the wisdom of backers is to take four im portant meetings—the Newmarket First Spring, during which the Two Thou sand and One Thousand Guineas are run ; the Epsom Meeting ; Ascot, and Goodwood; and at these it is found that the favorites won more often than the non-favorites. Omitting those races where two horses start in equal demand, it will be found that at the Newmarket First Spring, in 26 races 14 were won by favorites and 12 by non favorites. At Epsom the proportion was much the same, for 13 favorites won and 11 lost. At Ascot backers had it still more their own way, as, in 29 races only 12 times were favorites defeated, and 17 times they won. At Goodwood the proportion was the other way, for in 27 races only 10 favorites won, and 17 were defeated. Thus, on the whole, at these four meet ings, in 106 races, rather more than half, 54, fell to the favorite. Consider ing that in many cases these favorites started with odds laid on them, it will be seen that a man who had invested on the first favorite in every case would be little the better for his speculations. It will be well for rash persons to con sider also that in almost every race that is run several horses are run for reasons which seem to their owners to en courage the hope of overthrowing the favorite; and how often those hopes are futile is readily apparent.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1882.



CHEAP BOOTS. CHEAP BOOTS. The Undersigned wishes to draw the attention of the public to his well-felected ■took of BOOTS AND SHOES, which he Is disposing of at a RIDICULOUSLY IOWPKICB jo& cash. All orders entrusted to him executed by the best of tradesmen on the gem sea. Repairs promptly attended to. ote itho Address—C. HAWKINS, East Street', Ashburton ; and Tinwald. 998 c Christmas Presents AND NEW YEAR’S GIFTS. TUUT Received, a Choice Assortment »of Christmas and New Year Cards, Dollst Hamming Tops, and Shell Goods in gxt| at variety. Lei ts’ Diaries for 1882 ; Family Reader (div. 12); Boys’ Standard (new series) ; Intel s Novelties in Pipes. F. CLARK, Hairdresser and Tobacconist, Montgomery’s Buildings. 319 d John Meech, Practical cabinetmaker, . UPHOLSTERER, &a., B H-i NETT STREET, • Opposite the Mail Office. New Chairs, Couches, English and Obairs, Single and Double Iron •nd Wood Bedsteads. Al ? kinds of Carpeting, Matting, and Oflolirtb. A large assortment of Repps nd (Jretonnes at lowest prices. Suitea of Funiiiture from Ll 3 and upwards. All jypdiii of furniture re-covered and repaired tho ihorteat notice. Furniture exchanged, prices given for second-hand . d *’ i - Cheapest House in ! OPP c '“ l *u Mail Bu ™ e ( “



Wanted WANTED —A MIEtiER. Apply to John Grigg, Longbeach. 621 d ANTED A MAN to Drive a Reaper and Binder. Wages, £2 10s per week. Must have a little knowledge of Harvesting. Apply ANDREW GIBSON, 605 d Hinds. WANTED, a SITUATION, by a Married Couple on a farm or sta tion. Man can do Carpentering work and woman to act as Cook and Laundress. Apply for address, Office of this Paper. •^TANTED— TENDERS for CART ING a quantity of Wheat to Chertsey.



•Threshing to commence Ist February. Tenders to be sent in by 21st instant. 576 d ROBERTS & WINTER. WANTED KNOWN—If yon want to Grow a splendid crop of Turnips, Purchase some of Mayo’s Bonedust. —Address F. Mayo, Hamstead Mills. WANTED KNOWN—That Robert Elston, Burnett street, Ashburton, having procured the Newest Apparatus, is prepared to SWEEP CHIMNEYS at very low rates. Any orders left at the Town Hall will receive prompt attention. ; 760 c WANTED KNOWN—Every descrip tion of Plain and Fancy Pointing executed on the shortest notice, at the Guadian Office, next Matson, Cox, and Co. ’s, West street.



Special Advertisements. QATEN SHEAF CHAFF. £3 per Ton. AT THE ALBERT STEAM FLOUR MILLS. 590 d CHAFF OUT AT THE ALBERT STEAM FLOUR MILLS At 10s per ton. 612 d HENRY BOWERS. THE undersigned will be prepared, during the coming season, to supply the following articles at the lowest rates:— REAPERS and BINDERS EXTRAS for DO. BINDING WIRE CORN SACKS TURNIP and RAPE SEEDS PLOUGH SHARES And all kinds of Agricultural Imple ments. FREDK. PAVITT, Corn Merchant, &c., Ashburton. Agent for John Anderson, Canterbury Foundry, Christchurch; Geo. Booth and Sons, Importers of Agricultural Imple ments, Christchurch; and Agent for the United Insurance Company. 150 d



Stationery. LEDGERS, JOURNALS, DAY BOOKS, CASH BOOKS LETTER, INVOICE, and MEMO RANDUM BOOKS, in various sizes and bindings ENVELOPES, 6s 6d per 1,000, cash NOTE PAPER, Five Quires for Is, and upwards ACCOUNT BOOKS made to order TOYS and FANCY GOODS in great variety. H. mTjONES, EAST ST. & BARING SQUARE. 293 d



The best value for ready MONEY is THE MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING MANUFACTURED BY THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Eactory, "Which can be purchased at their Retail Branches all over New Zealand. A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Thousands of discerning customers testify that the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Garments are the very best for ready money. Ashburton Branch : East Street. W. SPARROW, 692 c Branch Manager.



£JIS LORDSHIP’S LARDER. THE ONLY ESTABLISHMENT IN THE WORLD WHERE A GRILLED CHOP OR STEAK, AND A GLASS OF BASS’ ENGLISH ALE, Can be obtained FOR ONE SHILLING. THE BEST MENU TO CHOOSE FROM IN CHRISTCHUBCH, Unequalled Accommodation for Ladies. Dinners, Banquets, Ball Suppers, Wedding Breakfasts, and Picnics pro vided for, in the very best possible style. W. H. MESSENGER, 360 d Purveyor. O. Carstens & Co., (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, Tobacconist, fancy goods, AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair ( Tobacco A nice assortment of Accordions, Con certinas, Flutes, Violins, Mouth Organs, [ and Toys of every description, direct from Home. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET ASHBURTON. THE following ACTS, passed last Session, can be obtained at Pub lished Prices at Office of this Paper ; Corrupt Practices Prevention Fencing Regulation of Elections Representation Canterbury Rivers Amendment Public Reserves Property Tax Gaming and Lotteries Volunteer Property Assessment Act Amendment > Licensing



Special Advertisements. OTI C E TO ' SUBSCRIBERS Subscribers to this Journal are requeatea to communicate with the Proprietor when any delays or omissions in the Delivery of this Paper occur. AYI N G ASHBURTON, GIVING UP BUSINESS. EVERETT BROS. Will on Saturday, December 3, commence A GREAT CLEARING SALE Of their new and well-selected Stock of GENERAL DRAPERY, And to effect a speedy clearance will, in addition to the already very low prices,. offer, as an extra inducement, a DISCOUNT OF TEN PER CENT. The Shop To Let. The Fixtures, Fit-i tings, &c., For Sale.



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