SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON Arrived. To-day. Te Anau, s.s., from Port Chalmers. Wanaka, s.s., from Wellington. Sailed. Yesterday. Penguin, s.s., for the North. To-day. Wanaka, s.s., for Akaroa and Dunedin. Te Anau, a. s., for North, via East Coast. Lily, brigantine, for Chatham Islands. « SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. , Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived—Wanaka, from Picton and Nelsoh; Hanraki, fromOpunake; Grafton, bom Lyttelton. Dunedin. Yesterday. Arrived —Rotorua from the North. Sailed-—Adieu, for Greytnouth.

MAIL NOTICES.

Ma ls close at the Ashburton Post Office ma follows: — t* Pbr Christchurch and North at 6.30 a. m. 10.30 a.tn., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10.30 a. m. and 5 p.m. daily. 0 For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, OjWstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. . lFot Temuka, at C. 30 a.m. and 10 a.m., drily; 1 For Timaru and South, at 6.30 a.m., 10 Hm., and 430 p.m., daily. Fo: Greensitreet, Ashburton Forks, Horn it Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, Od Tiiesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a m. Fo - Ashton, Waterton and Lnngbeach, at 4.5 Op.m. daily. ]Ppi' on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 4 30 p. m. Fo;r Wakanui, Elgin, Seafield, New fond, and Kyh>, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and f Saturdays, at 6.30 a.m. Mails arrive at the Ashburton Po t Office From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.20 •.m., 440 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. Fp >m Chertsey, Ac. at 10.25 a.m. and 440 j.m. daily. Frim Dunedin and intermediate places aAß*s® p.m. daily. “ Jn?)in Temuka andTimuru at 10.50 a.m. 6,35 p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. Fr>m Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Meant Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beacl.at 10 a.m. daily. From Fleroington on Tuesdays, Thurs days, and Saturdays, at 10 a.m. c; From Elgin, Wakanui, Sea£eM,..New fnd, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Hid Saturdays, at 4 p.m. j W. St. G. Douglas, j Postmaster

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Tuesday, January 10. Messrs J- T. Ford & Co., at the Spread Eagle Hotel—Farm Stock and Imple ments. Tuesday, January 17. Matesn, Cox and Co., at the Tinwald Yards —Stock. ; MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, .fee Thursday, January 5. Li O.L. —Monthly Meeting, Templar Hall.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

Trains Leave Ashburton for Ohrist- CHUBCH and intermediate stations at 7.10 a.m., 11 a.m., and (Express) 5.40 p.m. Trains Leave Ashburton fob Timaru and South, at 6.50 a.m., 10.32 a.m. .(Express), and 4.45 p.m.—the latter pro ' ceedingno farther than Timaru. Tittrw Abkive at Ashburton from Christchurch at 10 20 a.m. (Express), •'4.35 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Timaru and South at 10.45 a. m., 5.28 p.m. (Express), and 8.10 p.m.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.

All orders for insertion o 2 advertise ments must he written legibly on the face of the advertisement. When no order is given the, advertisement will be inserted until countermanded, and charged accord ingly. All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must he 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.

BIRTH.

Baxter. —At Tinwald, on 3rd January, the wife of Mr William Baxter, C.E., of a son.

DEATHS.

Hampton. —At Ashburton, on the Ist January, Harriett, the beloved daugh ter of Benjamin and Sarah Jane Hampton, aged eight months, Home papers please copy. Hampton.; —At Ashburton, on the 3rd January, Eva Louisa, third daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Jane Hampton, aged four years and three months. Home papers please copy.

TOWN EDITION. [lsswA at 4.50 p.m.. j

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1882.

Ashburton Borough School. —Mr H. Dempsey has been appointed head master of the Borough School.

Ashburton Cheese and Butter Fac tory.—An ordinary meeting-of the pro visional directors of the Cheese and Butter Factory was held last evening, at the upper chamber of the Town Hall. Messrs Branson and Parnell submitted a draft of the articles of Association to the meeting, and they were carefully con sidered and amended. Or course it will remain for the general meeting on Wed nesday, the 11th inst., to pass the articles, and the permanent directors will be ap pointed on the same daj. It was resolved last evening that it be a recommendation to the general meeting to fix seven as the number of directors, four to form a quorum. More than two-thirds of the shares in the company are now taken up, and theie is every probability of the whole number going off shortly. The Proposed Woollen Factory.—A meeting of all persons interested in the above project is called for to-morrow after noon, at the Town Hall, at 3 p.m. The man who was in charge of the plant of fered for sale will be in attendance at the metting to answer all questions with re ference to the machinery, etc. It is hoped that for the welfare of the town there will be a large attendance. Fire Brigade. —The members of the Brigade met on Tuesday evening last, at the Borough Council Chambers, for trans action of business. There was a good muster, the captain in the chair. Corres pondence was read from Messrs George Jameson, R. Robertson, Dunedin, Harris, Christchurch. The captain thanked the men for prompt attendance at the late alarms. Nominations were received for election of officers of the Brigade for en suing year, commencing on the 7th Feb. next, the election to take place on that date. Branchman Millar attended for the first time since his accident at Cook son’s fire, though still unable to put his foot to the ground, and personally thanked the members for saving his house on the 23rd ultimo. The ballot was taken for election of new members, Mr Geo. Wil son being successful. A committee for the month was appointed, and are to meet on Saturday next at 7.30 p.m. A few ac counts and some minor matters having been attended to, the meeting adjourned until the anniversary in February.

Mr Bolek’s Benefit. —The benefit to Mr Charles Bourk, by the members of the Ashburton Dramatic Club has been de finitely fixed for February 1. The first rehearsal of the pieces to be presented, viz., “ Doing my Uncle ” and “ The dead shot,” takes place on Monday next. The Town Hall , company have kindly con sented to give the use of the Hall rent free on the night of the performance. We would suggest that the Club, in order to ensure the success of the benefit, should invite the Mayor and Borough Councillors to be present on the occasion.

The Small Birds Nuisance. —Says the Waimate Times :—“ Some idea of the magnitude which the sparrow nuisance has assumed in certain localities may be fathered from the fact that at a meeting of the newly formed Sparrow Club held in Oamaru on Saturday, the chairman re ported that during the week no less than 2 970 eggs and 467 heads had been col lected, for which L 5 10s had been given. It'was announced that Mr Dunlop was prepared to give a prize of L 5 5s to the boy who at the end of the season could show a receipt for the largest number of eggs and heads. ” Wouldn’t some of those English boys jump at the idea of bird nesting on such terms as these ? At Home the boys are taught that it is a vjry naughty thing indeed to go a-bird-nesting, and they do it in fear and trembling. But the delight of the London boy at having all restrictions removed, and being promised L 5 into the bargain for" the largest number of sparrows’ heads would be more easily imagined than described, as the novelists say. The average London small boy is the natural enemy of the small bird. Perhaps the small birds nui sance will attain such proportions pre sently that it will be found necessary to import a few ship loads of London boys to lessen it.

Press Telegrams. —We are informed that in future the Ashburton Telegraph Office will be open for press work on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday even ings only. The hours of attendance being from 8 till 11 o’clock. The office will open on Sundays from five till half-past, as hitherto.

The Wakanui Election. —lt is stated that Mr Joseph Tvess has decided to ap peal against the election of Mr J. C. Wason for Wakanui.

Police Court. —At the Police Court this morning three inebriates made their appearance before Mr R. Alcorn, J.P. George Digby was charged with vagrancy, {.e., habitual drunkenness, three convic tions having been recorded against him during the last month. His Worship re marked that the defendant would not take the warnings given him. The defendant pleaded very hard to be let off, and said he would clear out at once if his Worship would give him “ one more chance.” His Worship said Digby had rendered himself liable to three months’ imprisonment. He would be sent up for fourteen days. The defendant thanked his Worship and stepped down. George Shrimpton was charged with drunkenness in a public place, and was fined 20s with the usual alternative. A third inebriate, who was also charged with making use of abusive language, was fined 10s or 24 hours.

The Honorable and the Stowaway.— Comment is being made by the Auckland Press upon a Stowaway on the s.s. Australia being quarantined, while the Hon. F. Whitaker boarded the mail steamer to see Sir H. Parkes and returned to town. A Shocking State of Things. —At Auckland yesterday, Francis William Crow was sentenced to three month’s im prisonment for keeping a brothel. He had been imprisoned before for the same offence. Shocking disclosures were made. He lived on the profits of the prostitution of seven young girls, who were in the Court. The Magistrate expressed regret that ho could not inflict a heavier sen tence. Harvesting. —Various farmers in the district are calling for tenders in this issue for harvesting the grain, which, through the intense heat of the last few weeks, is rapidly ripening, and in a short time the work of getting in the crops will be proceeding vigorously.

DEATH OF A CELEBRATED NOVELIST.

(by cable.) London, Jan. 3. William Harrison Ainsworth, novelist, is dead, aged 77 years.

DISTRICT COURT.

ASHBURTON— To-day. (Before His Honor Judge Ward.) IN BANKRUPTCY. In re McMaater, a debtor.—Mr O’Reilly appeared for Mr Purnell (pre vented from attending through indisposi tion) to apply for his (Mr Parnell’s) costs to be paid out of the bankrupt’s estate.— Order granted. In re Little.—Mr O’Reilly applied for „n adjournment until next Court day.— Granted. Inre H. Cape-Williamson.—Mr O’Reilly made an application for the affidavit of the bankrupt to be taken off the file, as the statements made therein were recently admitted to bo incorrect. —His Honor said lie could not see how he could make the order, the affidavit having been filed.—Mr O’Reilly said his application was for that order, or such order as his Honor should deem fitting.—His Honor said Mr O’Reilly could lay an informa tion.—Mr O’Reilly did not propose to take that course.—His Honor then re marked that Mr O’Reilly could renew his application for the attachment of trustee, and he would then summon the bankrupt for examination. —Mr O’Reilly intimated that he might do so. This concluded the business, and the Court rose.

WAKANUI ROAD BOARD.

Annual Meeting. The third annual meeting of this Board was held this morning at Moffat’s Mill, Wakanui. Mr Hugo Friedlander, Chair man of the Board, presided. There were about twenty-five ratepayers present. The Chairman read the following report of work done, etc., by the Board during the past year : —ln laying before you our third annual report there is but little for me to say. The annual statement of receipts and expenditure, etc., published

in the papers gives an explanation showing in what parts of the district the money has been spent. No. 1 Division (the suburbs) has a balance in hand of L 258 Is lid. No. 2 Division, representing the district between the River Ashburton and Butterick’s road, has had most of its year’s revenue expended, and has a balance in hand of LlO7 15s 6d in its favor. No. 3 Division, being the north east portion of the district between But terick’s road and the Chertsey Boundary road, has a balance in its favor of L 485 3s lid, which will be absorbed by con tracts that are in hand. Making in all a

balance of Xjßsl Is lid to tbe Beard s credit, of which LSOO is at fixed deposit and the balance at current account. You will see by this that the revenue has been expended in accordance with the rateable value of the several Divisions. With regard to the cost of management, such as salary for Clerk, Surveyor, Valuator, and Collector, this comes to 13 per cent on amount expended, and by including! with this general expenses, such as advertising, printing, insurance, etc., it reaches about 19 per cent, which I think is satisfactory, as showing that the money well spent at a reasonabls cost. Referring to out-

standing rates, the collector informs me that they will all be collecte.l, and would have been so before, but being mostly properties that have been changing hands and owners difficult to find, has conse quently prevented them from being in before the close of the year. I may state that we have now 69 miles 21 chains metalled—39 miles 57 chains formed only, and 3 miles 74 chains of footpaths made in the district. At the meeting of the Board held in September, an application

for part of shingle reserve 1420, for edu cational purposes, was received from the Wakanui School Committee. The Board at that time declined to comply with the request, but on second consideration it was resolved that the part of the reserve applied for would be of more public ser vice as a school ground than as a shingle reserve, ami has recommended that it be dedicated in compliance with the request. You will be called on to-day to elect two members in the room of Messrs James Brown and David Wilson, who retire by rotation. The balance-sheet was also read. Mr Megson asked whether the liabili ties stated included the contracts in hand? The Clerk replied that they did. The Chairman alluded to the econorpi cal way in which the Board had worked, and also to the way in which the rates had been paid, only a very small amount being new outstanding, most of which was col lectable.

Mr Beckett asked the reason why a certain cutting in the road leading to his property had not been made yet ? He said he could not get at his gate in conse quence.—The Clerk said that he had told Mr Beckett that if he made the cutting good, he could keep the crop on the Board’s land, which was occupied by him, as an equivalent. Mr Beckett said that he had paid his rates twice last year, and he would like to know what he would do this year, as he believed the Board intended to sue him. ’"he Clerk said that Mr Beckett had paid his rates only once to the Board, and they were not responsible for rates paid to any one else. —Mr Beckett said he paid the former Clerk to the Board (Mr Wilkie),

and Messrs Friedlander Bros, had paid them also on his (Beckett’s) account. The Chairman said that Mr Beckett had his remedy if the case was as stated. Mr Megson proposed the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. He thought that something ought to be done to have the district formed into wards, or have a separate district declared. This was owing to the unfair way in which the Board’s meeting place was situated at present, viz., at the extreme end of the district. He would recommend a rate of 3d in the L, instead of Is, which would meet the exi gences of the district. He should recom mend the sale of the Road Board office, and to practise every economy in re spect to the management of the Board. Mr David Wilson said he agreed with Mr Megson. He thought that it was rather unfair to have the meetings held as at pre sent He thought that a special rate should be struck when any expensive work was required, and any future rates struck tobe one-half as much as was at presentthe case. [Hear, hear.] He would second the adoption of the report and balance sheet. —Mr Murdock Bruce agreed with the last speaker, and considered a 3d or 6d rate was quite sufficient. He thought that Seafield was not fully represented on the Board. —The Chairman said that the matter of removing the Board’s premises to some other spot was an old complaint of Mr Megson’s. He considered that the offices of the Board could not be sold to advantage at present, and he he thought

that as moat farmers had to cpme into Ashburton to transact their business, the present position of the Board’s premises could not be bettered. He alluded to the fact of the rate of Is last year which was found to be necessary. The proportion of the funds of the Board was made as fairly as could be. He was surprised at the remark made by Mr D. Wilson, be cause as a member of the Board ho should have brought the matter of the removal of the Board’s office before the Board’s meetings, if the ratepayers desired it.— Mr Wilson said that he did not cast any reflection on the Board, but merely to endorse the remarks made by Mr Megson. The report and balance-sheet was then read and adopted. The election of members in the place of Messrs David Wilson and James Brown then took place. Mr Joseph Megson "was proposed by Mr M. Bruce, seconded by Mr Hard wick.

Mr David Wilson was proposed by Mr Megson, seconded by Mr D. Margetts. Mr Thomas Walsh was proposed by Mr A. Leatham, seconded by Mr B. Connor. Mr James Brown was proposed by Mr Meredith Wilson, seconded by Mr Leatham. Mr Megson and Mr Walsh briefly stated their views on Road Board matters. Mr Wilson said he would go in as an independent member, and would do his best to economise in the working of the Board, but unless the ratepayers gene rally wished it he should not be in favor of having the district divided into wards. Mr Brown said that as there was some dissatisfaction on the plains he should be in favor of having the district divided into wards, still, under the present circum stances, the rates were not heavy, and if a petition or resolution had been sent in asking the ratepayers at this meeting to get the Board to divide the district he should support it to the best of his ability. He thought that a 3d rate would be suf ficient for the plains, and a Is rate would be fair for this part. He would do his best if returned to serve the interests of the district. The Chairman said that the plains people seemed dissatisfied with the way in which the money had been expended. If the Seafield people would return a member to look after their interests, they should do so now. Messrs Bruce and Megson said that they did not find fault with the present Board. What they wanted was for the money standing to the credit of the Seafield division to be spent in that portion of the district, and not kept in hand, in order that the roads might be made good. The Returning Officer (Mr Charles Fooks) then called for a show of hands, and the following was the result : Joseph Megson ... ... 17 James Brown ... ... 10 James Walsh ... ... 8 David Wilson ... ... 5 A poll was demanded on behalf of Mr Walsh, but as the result would not be known before 5.30 p.m., we are unable to state who are the successful candidates until to-morrow.

TELEGRAMS.

[per press association. ]

The Auckland Jack Sheppard. Auckland, To-day. The Grand Jury found No Bill in two of Plummer’s burglary cases, and a True Bill in a third. Reserves for the Natives. Patra, To-day. Sir William Pox finished the work of his commission here to-day, granting chief Tauroa and his people reserves for certain concessions. Sir W. Fox proceeds on to Taranaki. The Patea River. The Patea river will be made navigable for a long way up by the removal of the eel weir. An Unsatisfactory Finding. Havelock, To-day, An inquest on the late fire at the Masonic Hotel and James Had field Smith’s store was held yesterday. The verdict was that there was no evidence to show how the fire originated. The Stabbing Case. New Plymouth, To-day. John Young Henry was brought up be fore the Court this morning, on a charge of stabbing Millet, at Opunake. Mr Samuel appeared for Henry. The case is now proceeding. Terminated Fataly, Wellington, To-day. The lad Bin den, who was hurt by a falling tree at Masterton, died yesterday. Got Off. James Hargreaves on a charge of setting fire to an out.house belonging to Daniel West, at Waiwetu, has been discharged through insufficient evidence. The Charge of Dual Voting Against the Hon. J. Pharazyn.

At the Supreme Court this morning, the charge of personation preferred against the Hon. J. Pharazyn was heard. Defendant alleged his second voting was through his mind being much occupied and that it was quite unintentional. The Judge summed up briefly, and after re ferring to the evidence, gave it as his opinion that the offence was committed. He directed the jury as to the finding of a verdict. After a few minutes’ de liberation, the jury returned with the following special verdict : —“ We find that Mr Pharzyn, having voted at the election for Thondon, did apply for a second voting paper in same electorate, but that the application was made under the impression that he was voting in a different electorate, and for another candidate.” The prisoner contended this was a verdict of “ Not guilty.” The judge, however, held that it /rasa verdit of “ Guilty,” and reserved the question for the Court of Appeal, the prisoner being bound over in his own re cognisances of LSO, to appear for judg ment when called upon.

CABLE NEWS

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[per rboter’s agency.] A Meeting of Landlords. London, Jan. 3. A meeting of landlords was held to day in Dublin to consider the working of the Irish Land Act and the recent decisions of the Land Courts in the cases brought before them. Fully 4,000 landlords from various parts the country were present, and resolu tions were passed setting forth their

willingness to loyally abide by the Land Act, but adding that if certain decisions which have been given by the Assistant Commissioners were maintained, they (the landlords) would demand com pensation from the State for losses occasioned by the reductions made by the Courts in fixing the rental to be

paid by tenants. Two of England’s Legislators on the State of Affairs. A large Liberal meeting was held this evening at Birmingham. Messrs John Bright and Chamberlain, two of the members for the borough, were present, and delivered lengthy ad dresses. The former in the course of

his speech alluded to England’s foreign relations, and stated that even if the country was without allies, there was no power that had more friends. In reference to Irish affairs, Mr Bright justified the policy of coercion which had been pursued in that country. Mr Chamberlain also referred to the state of affairs in Ireland, and stated that there was already a decrease of

fully 40 per cent, in the number of agrarian outrages, and the position was decidedly hopeful. The speaker ridi culed the idea of the landlords being compensated for reductions in rent.

Trial of the President’s Murderer. Washington, Jan. 3. The trial of Guiteau continues. The defence of the prisoner is now being proceeded with.

A Catastrophe. New York. Jan. 3. A serious disaster occurred to-day at Shanville {sic), a small town in the State of Ohio. The floor of a room in which a large number of people were congregated gave way, and all were precipitated into the space below. Twelve persons were killed instan taneously, and fully one hundred re ceived injuries of a more or less serious character.

AUSTRALIAN.

[per beuter’s agency.] Cricket. Melbourne, Yesterday. The cricket match between the All England Eleven and the Combined Australian team was resumed to-day. The Englishmen continued their second innings with Scotton and Shaw at the wickets. The following are the scores of to-day’s play ; —Scotton, not out, 50 ; Shaw, caught, 40 ; Pilling, bowled, 3 ; Peate, run out, 2. The visitors were all disposed of for 308 runs. The home team commenced their second innings, and when the stumps were drawn had lost three wickets for 127 runs. The match was drawn, the Australians requiring 156 runs to win. Oats. Oats are firmer in consequence of short supplies. New Zealand feed are quoted at 3s 2d and milling at 3s 4d ; wheat is quoted at 4s qd. They Are Coming. Sailed, this evening—Arawata, for the Bluff. The English cricketers are passengers by her. Determined Attempt to Burn a Ship at Anchor.

Melbourne, To-day. An unsuccessful attempt was made last night to set fire to the ship Oasis, lying at Sandridge pier. A quantity of shavings saturated with resin and kerosene was found to be on fire, but was extinguished without any damage being done. The carpenter of the ship is stated to be implicated in the attempt. Shipping. Sydney, Yesterday. Sailed, this afternoon —Hero, s.s., for New Zealand. Small-Pox. All the small-pox patients are now progressing favorably towards recovery. Political. Brisbane, Yesterday. Mr Archibald Archer has been ap pointed to the Colonial Treasurership, temporarily held by the Hon. Thomas Mcllraith, vice Sir Arthur Palmer, who recently accepted the Presidency of the legislative Council. Mr Archer will also ho'd the portfolio of Public In struction.

FIRE AT INVERCARGILL.

Invercargill, Y esterday. A tremendous conflagration occurred here this evening, resulting in the de struction of a large amount of valuable property. It originated, it is believed, in a shop on the western side of Dee

street, occupied by Mrs Hannah, and rapidly spread to the adjoining build ings. For some time the extensive warehouse at the corner of Dee and Spey streets was in imminent danger, but, thanks to the almost superhuman exertions of the fire brigade and others its destruction was averted. The ware house is now the property of Messrs Paisley and Co., and was formerly oc cupied by Guthrie and Larnach’s Com pany. The windows, although they were two chains distant from the burn-

ng buildings, were nearly all broken by

the heat, and considerable damage must have been done to the stock. The building was on fire several times. Other buildings on the same side of the street had narrow escapes. The fire broke out at ten o’clock, and at mid night, when the telegraph office closed, the following buildings had been de stroyed ;—The City Butchery (oc cupied by F. Campbell), Mrs Hannah’s grocery store, the Hibernian Hotel, Mr D. Roche’s grocery and wine and spirit store, an unoccupied building known as the Red Lion Hotel, M'Liskey’s boot shop, Hannan’s Temple of Sci ence, W. Brown’s drapery store, and Cooper’s jeweller’s shop. Cooper and Brown occupied a portion of Hannan’s building. At midnight the fire was still raging with unabated fury, and in order to save the remainder of the block strenuous efforts were being to pull down the shops occupied by J. Rogers (tailor), W. Patterson (bootmaker), and A. Raeside (pastrycook). It is hoped

chat, by having adopted this course, White Swan Hotel will be saved and the buildings to the northward of it also. The brigade worked well, but were hampered by the scarcity of water. Great excitement prevailed and still prevails. The loss must be something enormous—at a rough guess L. 25,000. The insurances fall far short of this, but the amounts are nut obtainable to night

Further Particulars.

[bt telegraph.] Invercargill, To-day. By 1.30 the fire was got under sufficiently to ensure the safety of the White Swan Hotel, which was several times in imminent danger.; The wooden buildings between ut and Hanan’s Temple of Science were cleared to a large extent of their contents and partly demolished before the flames crossed the roof of the Temple, a sub stantial brick structure. The insurances were—North British, 1,1,400 (portion of which was re-insured), distributed as follows : Li,ooo on Roche’s stock and T.,400 on Hanan’s Temple of Science 3 in the Hanseatic; Ll5O on Rogers* stock 3 in the Transatlantic, L3OO on the Hibernian Hotel; Colonial, L7OO. on the stock and furniture in the Hibernian Hotel, L3OO on Roche’s stock, Li,ooo on the Temple of Science, Ll5O on Raeside’s buildings, total L2,iso’, in the Northern, Ll5O on Raeside’s shop; in the Liverpool, London and Globe, L2OO on the Hibernian Hotel, LIOO on Campbell’s butchery, LBOO on Mrs Wilson’s stock and building 3 in the New Li,ooo on Roche’s building and stock 3 L3OO on Hannan’s stock, and LSOO on Brown’s (draper’s) stock, total Li,Boo, of which L3OO is re-insured in the Colonial ; South British, Lis© oil Roche’s buildings. Total insurances, so far as known, Ly.aoo.

THE NEW ZEALAND LOAN AND MERCANTILE AGENCY COM PANY'S NEW STORE.

Fronting on West street and Baring Square west, will shortly be erected a fine iron store for the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company. The building is intended for storage of grain and all kinds of farm produce, and o wing to its position, it will command most central business premises. The store age room on the ground floor covers an area of mft. by Brft. wide, and 22ft high in the clear. It will thus be seen that a very large quantity of grain and wool can be stored. Like the other stores on this side of the railway line, the interior of it is made so thft the railway trucks can be brought right into the centre of the building and their contents discharged, or they can be loaded without any difficulty. The floor is all concrete throughout In the front portion of the store is a very nice and convenient office 16 x 12, which will be lined with T and G boards and stained and varnished. Two large sliding doors 12ft 3m x 12ft in, are placed at the entrance for goods, etc, from the railway and West street. The roof and side are com posed of very substantial timbers, well braced and bolted together, and pre sent a very strong appearance. On the roof are three ventilators, and six sky lights, which will admit plenty of air and light. Taken altogether, the struc ture will certainly be a great improve ment to West street, and we hope will not fail to recompense the spirited enr terprise of this company, in a short time. Mr Armson, of Christchurch, is the architect, and Mr George Compton, of Ashburton, the contractor, and it is almost needless to state that the vari ous parts of the new building cannot fail to give satisfaction when finally passed. '

AH GEE’S EXHIBITION.

There is at present on view, for a short season, at Fowler’s Buildings, Tancred street, an exhibition well worthy of a visit. This is a collection of models, toys, and carvings by Ah Gee, who hails from the Flowery land. The Chinese have ever borne away the palm for their ingenuity, and the speci mens of Mr Ah Gee’s workmanship we inspected to-day are amongst the most ingenious things of the kind we have ever seen. One of the principal models is a beautifully-executed one of Pictori, the town and harbor, together with the principal buildings, and the railway station with a train of several passenger carriages, which emerges from a covered shed at the will of the operator, anjl runs along the line in the most realistic way. The wharf is also shown., with moving models of the s.s. Arawata, the schooner Pelican, and yachts Hine and Lily at anchor in the harbor. In the background are the hills. The town of Wanganui is another prettily-finished model, the river and the bridge also being shown. The model of the Mon garewa Gorge, in the hot springs dis trict, by moonlight, is also well worth looking at. The trees are wonderfully carved, and the bridge, with the water tumbling beneath, very cleverly exe cuted. In the foreground are several Maoris dancing about a wood fire. The Rotomahana terraces, with the hot springs shown, give one a better idea of what this interesting region is like than a hundred photographs. Amongst the other curiosities is shown a table top about five feet in diameter, com posed of something like 200 pieces of highly-polished native woods. This ♦ specimen is very beautiful indeed, and no doubt would command a fancy price if offered for sale. Round the walls are hanging some scores of exqui site carvings of initial letters in Old English, German Text, Gothic initials, and some exceedingly grotesque initials executed in the form of comic figures of men and animals. But we have not space to describe half the curiosities to be seen at Ah Gee’s, and would recom mend our readers to pay the exhibition a visit, for they will be able to spend an amusing half hour by doing so. We may mention that the artist has seen but few of the places he has modelled so cleverly; the majority of them he. has taken from photographs, including a nice model of the Great Eastern ■ steamship.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1882.



Christmas Presents AND NEW YEAR’S GIFTS. TUST Received, a Choice Assortment of Christmas and New Year Cards, Dolls, Humming Tops, and Shell Goods In great variety . Letts’ Diaries for 1882 ; Family Reader (div. 42); Boys’ Standard (new series) ; latest Novelties in Pipes. . F. CLARK, ■fji-'-.r f - XCairdreßser and Tobacconist, Montgomery’s Buildings. 319 d



JAFTERBURY MUSIC DEPOT. ASHBURTON BRANCH. Milner <& Thompson n Desire to inform the residents of Ash burton and. surrounding districts that they Imre appointed Mb H. M. JONES their Adlfr' Agent for this district, and invite feiapeCtion of the Instruments, Music, &c., How displayed in the SHOW ROOM, «beve Mr Jones’ Shop, k, PIANOS by all the best makers— JJroadwood, Collard and Collard, Erard, ■Pleyel.Bord, Challen and Sons, Ascher- and Sohn, Chappell, Ronisch, ißodwtein, Kapp, and others. Sole Agent for John Brinsmead’s Gold Medal Pianos. lo Specialities Our Dresden Model w hich took First Award of Merit ntcthe Ashburton Exhibition, from £35 to - i6Bi- ' -x, .Harmoniums and Organs, from £7 10s idtJESOt g'jiOonoertinas, Accordians Violins, and all other kinds of Brass ' St ringed Instruments on hand. . Any orders for Books, Music, or 3Eutmn tents not in stock here can be supplied from our Christchurch establish ' «nent by first train. ,! .aflSut aiwTe Instruments can be pur -4dbu»ed,OttDErßßKßD Payment from 20s for Toning executedby a » professional Pianos on Hire. IHIkI!' - 1 ™ 7c JARDIAN is published every ng t giving every day ',7?* qf going to press. This is | » sixpenny weekly.



Wanted. MASTER V\ for the Lismoro Government School. Applications, accompanied with testimonials, will be received by the undersigned until TUESDAY, the 10th January, 1882. ARCHD. M'COLL, Chairman of Committee. Rangitata Station, Cracroft. 507 d WANTED, a Smart LAD. Apply, between 7 and 8 this evening, at Shop adjoining Thiele’s Bakery. 511 d ATT ANTED, a General SERVANT, W Apply immediately, to Mrs T. R Hodder, North-west Belt. 514 d WANTED —An assistant BLACK SMITH. Apply to John Grigg, Longbeach. 504 d TXT ANTED—A MAN to drive a VV Reaping Machine for the harvest. Good wages will be given to a competent man. Apply T. Trevorza, Wakanui. 501 d WANTED, for the Country, a General SERVANT. Apply to Mrs Parsons, Seafield, Ashburton. 472 d WANTED— A good general SERVANT. Wages £34 per annum. Apply, Miss Calugan, Tailored street, Ashbur ton. 455 d WANTED. —Two Gentlemen require Comfortable BOARD and RESI DENCE where no other boarders are kept, within a few minutes walk of the centre of the town. Apply, stating terms, before tho 9th, to “8.8.8.,” Box 42, Post Office, Ashburton. XT-t-ANTED Two MACHINES, to VV Thresh Nine Hundred (900) Acres of Nvheat each. Tenders will be received by tho undersigned till 7th JANUARY, 1882. Machine to find all men. 429 1 11. T. WINTER. WANTED— TENDERS for CUTT ING 100 Acres of Wheat (more or less). Tenderers to state wire or string. Tenders to be sent in by Jan. 6. Frank M. Foster, Winslow. 502 d \\T ANTED—TENDERS for HAR VV VESTING 350 Acres (more or less) of Oats and Wheat ; also, 50 Acres Grass. Apply to E. H. Dobson, Low cliffe. 500 d yXT ANTED Shearers, Harvesters, V and the public generally to know that Ready Money Richards leaves Ash burton Jan. 15th. 474 d ANTED KNOWN—If you want to Grow a splendid crop of Turnips, Purchase some of Mayo’s Bonedust. —Address F. Mayo, Hamstead Mills. 255 d



WAN TED KNOWN. —SPRING AND SUMMER MILLINERY. MISS YERRALL is now Showing her First Display of Spring Millinery. Co lombo street (opposite Cookham House.) 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. WANTED THE GUARDIAN tells your Wants for la. ■ cash. Special Advertisements. O. Carstens & Co., (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, Tobacconist, fancy goods, AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes Nail rod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco A nice assortment of Accordions, Con jertinas, Flutes, Violins, Mouth Orjans, and Toys of every description, direct from Home. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET ASHBURTON. 257a* Back from the front.—The scare at "Pai-ihaka is over; our vo lunteers have proved themselves equal to the occasion, and although no fighting was done, they were the “ boys” to do it had it been required; a brush with the “ blackfellows ” was what they went for. Nevertheless they did a good deal of hard tramping up hill and down dale; and the astonishing fact is that most of them, having been provided with STOUT BOOTS from C. HAWKINS’ never-to-be excelled Boot and Shoe Warehouse, came back with their “ understandings” nearly as good as when they left this go-ahead ’ittle township. Try C. Hawkins’ Shop before you go elsewhere. 998 c



R I N T 1 N G, Ok Evkp.y Deschiption, NEATLY AND CHEAPLY EXEC U T E D, rjIHE Q.UARDIAN QFFICE, WEST STREET f> RACTIOAL CABINETMAKER, JT UPHOLSTERER, &0., BURNETT STREET, Opposite the Mail Office. Easy Chairs, Couches, English and American Chairs, Single and Double Iron and Wood Bedsteads. All kinds of Carpeting, Matting, and Oilcloth. A large assortment of Repps and Cretonnes at lowest prices. Suites of Furniture from Ll 3 and upwards. All kinds of furniture re-covered and repaired at the very lowest prices. All work guaranteed and completed at the shortest notice. Furniture exchanged, and highest prices given for second-hand Furniture. Note the address—Cheapest House in; Ashburton, opposite Mail Office, Burnett AT John Meech, street ai6c



ivertisements. HARYEST ING 400'4cres-|| in lots of 100-Aores or more, Cither cut with a String Binder or Handtied. Tenders to be sent in not later than noon of MONDAY, the 9th inst. ' For particulars apply to DONALD M‘LEAN, Lagmhor. Lagmhor, sth Jan., 1882. 515 d NEW ZEALAND LOAN AND MERCANTILE AGENCY COM PANY (LIMITED). . ,AN AGENCY has this day been OPENED at Ashburton, with Mr Walter B. Moss in charge. TEMPORARY OFFICE — ? CORNER OF WEST AND HAVE, LOCK STREETS. JOHN COOKE, Manager. Christchurch, October 1, 1881. 782 c



D. MONK’S ORIENTAL BILLIARD AND REFRESHMENT SALOON is NOW OPEN DAILY. Tables by Alcock and Thurston of the highest quality. Carved in solid walnut. Come and see one of the FINEST BILLIARD SALOONS In the Colony. FLEMING’S BUILDINGS, TRIANGLE Next A. Wilson, Tobacconist, 725 c Christchurch.



Jg AR G AIN S IN BOOTS, &c. Andrew Orr Has just concluded the Purchase of a Lot of LADIES’ 800 L’S, all sizes, at about HALF PRICE, which will be open for Sale SATURDAY, 31ST DECEMBER, And following Days. ladies’ Boots, at 5s lid per pair 1 Lot Children’s, at Is per pair 1 Lot Girls, at 2s per pair A Large Consignment of Men’s HATS, at greatly Reduced Prices. Men’s Leghorn’s, at Is each Men’s Leghorn’s, good, Is 6d Men’s Straw, splendid quality, at 3s 6d, former price, 4s 9d 21 Doz Men’s Harvesting Shirts, at Is lid 20 Doz Men’s best do, 2s 6d and 3s 6d 1 Lot Men’s Paper Collars, at 3d per box. GREAT REDUCTIONS in all Classes of GOODS. GROCERY ESTABLISHMENT, Tancred street, Brick Buildings. SOLE AGENT for DAYIS’ VERTICAL FEED SEWING MACHINE. A P DREW ORR, Importer, etc. Ashburton, Dec. 30, 1881. 476d*



The best value for ready MONEY IS THE MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING MANUFACTURED BY THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, 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.



TAT T O N E R Y. LEDGERS JOURNALS CASH BOOKS DAY 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 va,riety. H. M. Jones, EAST STREET AND BARING SQUARE. 293 d



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, Ac. , 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 £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.



Special Advertisements- FOR SALE.—That valuable piece of Land opposite “ The Grange,” being Lot 8, Tancred and Allan’s sale plan, and containing 41a 3r 28p, situated only two miles from the township of Ashburton. T. BULLOCK. OTIO - E . MOUNT SOMERS AGENCY. Mr W. H. Puddicombe is authorised to collect money and transact all business in connection with The Ashburton Guardian in the Mount Somers and Alford Forest districts. I' EAV IN G ASHBURTON. J 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 tings, Arc., For Sale.



A Poor Joke. —The Dunedin Police are satisfied that the bottle found on the Waikouaiti beach, asking for assistance to a shipwreck, is palpably a hoax. It Would bo well if the perpertratora of this most stale and idiotic joke could be found and severely punished.