SHIPPING.

J>ORT OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Clyde, brigantine, from Foxton. Celestia, barque, from Westport. Grafton, s.s., from Wellington. Comet, ketch, from Havelock. To-day. . Hawea, s.s., from Port Chalmers, Manapouri, s.s., from Wellington. Sailed- Yesterday. Wave of Life, schooner, fro Pelorus Sound. . Prince Alfred, barquentine, for Pelorus Sound. Wild Wave, schooner, for Waitapu. Grafton, s.s , for O.imaru.

SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Arrived —Zealandia, from San Fran cisco. Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived—Cora, schooner, from Grey mouth ; Go-Ahead, from Oreti ; Maud Graham, schooner, from Greymouth. Sailed —Manapouri, for Melbourne, via the South ; Wanaka, for Picton and Nel son ; Kiwi, for the West Coast ; Mans watu, for Westport. Timaru, Yesterday. Arrived —Catlin, from Lyttelton ; Wai taki, from Dunedin. Sailed —Waitaki, for the South. Dunedin, Yesterday. Arrived —Mahinapua, from the West Coast; Canterbury, from London.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office - as follows : For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m. 10.30 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Oaldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. For Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., 1 daily. “■ ’ For Tim am and South, at 6 a.m., 10 *.m., and 4.30 p.m., daily. For Greenstreet, on Tuesdays and Fri fdays, at 10.30 a. m. For Ashburton Forks on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 30 p. m. For ilount Somers, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 6 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. For Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days, at 6 a.m. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, »t 4.30 p.m. daily. . For Flemington, on Mondays, Wednes - days, and Fridays, at 4.30 p. tn. For Wakanui, Elgin, Seaview, Seafield, :V New land, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thurs " days, end Saturdays, at 6.30 a.m.

Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office- Prom Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.15 *.m., 4.35 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. From Chertsey, &c. at 10.15 a.m. and 435 p.m. daily. ... - From Dunedin and intermediate places 6.30 p.m. daily. From Temuka and Timaru at 10.40 a. m. 6.30 p.m., and 8 p.m. daily. ■ From Greenstreet, Tuesdays and Fri days, at 3 p. m. ' From Ashburton Forks on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10 a. m. From Mount Somers, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 10.5 a.m. and 8.15 p.m : From Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days, at 10.5 a.m. From 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, jmd Saturdays, at 4 p.m.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES Saturday, December 16. Mr. T. Bullock, at the Bazaar, Burnett —Landed Property ; 1 o’clock. '<■ jSx T. Bullock, at the Bazaar—Horses ; 1 p.m. ‘ V: Mr T. Bullock, at the Bazaar, Burnett street —Caledonian Sports Privileges ; r 1.30 p.m. Hr Alfred Harrison, at the yards— >: . Horses, Pigs, Produce, &c.; 12 noon. !■ Mr’Alfred Harrison, at his room—China, Glassware, Fancy Goods, Ac.; 2 pm. Mr W. F. Allen, at his rooms, Burnett n street—Horses, Pigs, Poult> General , Produce, Ac.; 11.30 a. m. Matson, Cox, and Co., at Tattersall’s, Burnett street —Produce, &c.; 11.30 ■ ' a. m. + Tuesday, December 19. : Mr Alfred Harrison, at his rooms— Pianos, Organs, and Harmoniums ; 2 p.m. Matson, Cox and Co., at the Tinwald Yards—Stock. , JEL Wilkin and Co., at the New Zealand • . Wool Stores, Christchurch —Wool ;11 a.m. Wednesday, December 20. N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., at the Christchurch Wool and Grain Ware house—Wool. Friday, December 22. i ' Matson, Cox, and Co., at Tinwald—Tim ,'V her, Ironmongery, &c,; 11 a.m. Saturday, December 23. ■ Matson, Cox, and Co., at their Bazaar— Landed Property. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c To-Night, Tuesday, November 12. Meeting re Cheese and Butter Factory— Wakanui Schoolroom, 8 p.m. Saturday, December 16. Grand Temperance Demonstration—Ath letic Sports, Tea Meeting, and Conceit. Tuesday, December 19 Meeting re Wakanui Library—Wakanui Schoolroom, 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 20. Fancy Fair and Tea Meeting, in aid of St Stephen’s Church—Dr Trevor’s grounds Thursday, December 21. Entertainment—Tinwald School. Friday, December 29. Somerset Lodge, Monthly Meeting, n the Masonic Hall, Tancred street, 7.30. Monday, January 1. Winslow Races and B'ports. Tuesday, January 2. ashburton Permanent Building and In vestment Society, Monthly Meeting, from 6.30 to 8.30 p. m. Wednesday, January 5. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o'clock. ; Thursday, January 4. . - L.O.L. —Monthly Meeting,Templar Hall. Saturday, January 6. 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 r ■ p.m. Crains Leave Ashburton for Timarc 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. -'■l Trains Arrive at Ashburton from j > Christchurch at 10 20 a.m. (Express), 5 4.35p.m., and 7.20 p.m. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from i ■ • 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. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1882. Mr A.C. Gillies and the Press.

In the Australasian colonigs we have become accustomed to considerable ec centricities of practice and doctrine on the part of those who style themselves Christian ministers. We cannot, in deed, go so far as to endorse the state ment made to us some time back in this colony, by one son of an English clergyman, that England sends out all her clerical rubbish to this part ot the world. But some of it apparently comes here; and the two clerical gentlemen mentioned in our news columns last Saturday do not seem to be bright samples of the members of their profes sion. Of Mr Charles Fraser, of St Andrew’s church, Christchurch, we shall at present say little, because the final hearing of his case by “ libel ” is still subjudicc. He is charged by one section of his congregation, and by the majority of the Presbytery, with immo rality, dishonesty, and disobedience to the laws of his Church. It is possible that at the last moment lie may bring forward conclusive evidence to disprove all the charges made against him ; but in endeavoring to fence himself round with all manner of technical objections to the court before which he is tried, instead of giving a flat denial and disproof of the charges made, he is certainly furnishing people generally with very strong suspicions adverse to his innocence. As regards Mr Gillies, the case is different. His offence con sists in what he has said or written, rather than in anything he has done. We do not know this gentleman, and have no desire to possess that honor. Whatever else he may be in reality, he is certainly not a Christian minister in sentiment. He writes to a reporter for the Otago Daily Times , whom he ap pears to have mistaken for someone who has given him offence:—“Your presence is not required in the North Dunedin Presbyterian Church so long as I am the minister of it. Only Christians and such sinners as are worth saving, or, at least, are capable of being saved, are welcomed there.” We are not going into any theological discussion respecting these sentiments, but as a test of their Christianity we will transfer them to one of the most characteristic passages in the Sacred Book of Christianity, and leave our readers, whether lay or clerical, to form their own conclusion. In Mr Gillies’ version it should stand as follows ; “ Then came near unto him all the most respectabe Scribes and Pharasees, and other orthodox Jews, whose souls are worth saving, or, at least, capable of being saved, to hear him.” We will ask our readers with confidence whether such a burlesque of Christianity ns this is anything like that Christianity they prize as the noblest thing on earth ? Yet this is the Christianity of Mr A. C. Gillies. Looking at the matter from a secular point of view, Mr Gillies’ utterance is nothing but a piece of con summate impudence. As if it rested with him to decide whether a reporter for the press —or, for that matter, any one else —should be allowed to enter a Christian Church ! Why, all Chris tian people have long ago made up their minds that it is an exhibition ot narrow-minded fanaticism when a

Mahommedan mosque is closed against them ; but to close a Christian church against anyone, no matter whom, de sirous to listen to the Divine message to man, is not Christianity, whatever else it may be. It is of the very essence of Christianity that it should he universal, free as the air of heaven. For any man ostensibly a teacher of Christianity to display his petty vanity and bad temper so far as to desire even to exclude a single listener from his church shows him at once no Christian at all, but only a wolf in sheep’s clothing. We laugh at Sir Anthony Absolute telling his son who has offended him that he will have an atmosphere of his own, but even he is not in the least more absurd than Mr Gillies. We have not attached the prefix “ Reverend ” to the nani 's of either Mr Fraser or Mr Gillies. We have made the omission advisedly. The fact is, the title would have no meaning as applied to either of them ; for what man of the slightest intelligence regards either of them at the present time as being really a “ man to be revered,” for that is the meaning of “ reverend.” When we speak of Dean Stanley, or of Dr. Pusey, or the late t Archbishop of York, or of Doctors Norman McLeod, Guth rie, or Caird. “ Men whose life having faith and pure intent would have been held in high esteem by Paul,” to use Milton’s words, we do not use the term reverend, because it is felt at once to be quite unnecessary, as the feeling is so obviously demanded there. In the case of Messrs Fraser and Gillies, dif ferent as their offences are, we feel at once with regard to each, that the title of honor, if it be one at all, is utterly misplaced. The sooner, in fact, this prefix is dropped altogether out of common usage, the better it will be for our truthfulness of speaking. With ignorant people all such misapplied terms of sacredness do harm, and cause them gradually to lose sight of the thing, so strangely travestied by cur rent forms of expression. The terms “ divinity ” and “ divine ” have also come to be most strangely misused, and in their usual signification are utterly preposterous. We find boys of fifteen years of age, committing to memory the logical arguments in Paley’s “Natural I heology ” or “Evidences” and then they are publicly announced as having “ passed a good examination in divinity.” In the same way a young man, on leaving his college, is advised by his friends to go into the Church, because there is a good living in the gift of the family, and he forthwith gets ordained, and thenceforth is sty'jJ, as we often read in newspapers, “ a divine,” when all the time there is no thing more of a divine in him, or of divinity in his knowledge than there is in a stockbroker’s knowledge of the currency question and practice of it in speculating on the Stock Exchange. These inappropriate terms of sacred ness, where there is no real sacredness at all, should certainly be abolished as soon as possible. As old Chaucer says of the grand monkish and priestly equi pages of his times, All suche like falsehede note nedis fall.

Tenders. Messrs Matson, Cox and Co. invite tenders for fencing. Memoranda. —The Church of England Temperance Society meets to-night.— Mr John Grigg wants several ploughs for grass land.

New Plymouth Ikon Company.—At a meeting yesterday of the New Plymouth Iron Company the manager reported that the furnace would be ready to “ blow in ” in about ten days. Wakandi S ports. —The programme of the Wakanui sports on New Year’s Day app ars in our advertising columns. Judging by the number and variety of the events this should bo a good day’s sport. Honor to whom Honor is Due.—ln our report of the new Catholic church we referred to Mr Walter Dolman as the gas fitter employed at the building, whereas we should have credited Mr J. C. Dolman with the job, which was so well performed.

The “Green-eyed Monster.” —A young woman named Priscilla Hollins, while in an excited state, attempted to throw herself into the Auckland harbor at the Reclamation Works yesterday. She was arrested by the police. Jealousy is alleged as the cause.

The Late Sudden Death at Welling ton. —Ac the inquest at Wellington yes terday on the body of the young man Carter, who died suddenly in that city on Friday night, the medical testimony proved that the deceased was suffering from heart disease. A verdict of “ Died from natural causes ” was returned. The Minister For Public Works.— The Hen. Mr Johnston was severely de putationised at Christchurch, yesterday. From 11a.m. to 4 15 p.m., with about “ five m-mites for refreshments,” did the Minister receive visitors. The result of the interviewing we published in brief yesterday. To-day f he Minister went to Hurunui, and to-morrow he goes to Hoki tika.

Borough Council, —The ordinary fort nightly meeting of the Council took place last evening, the sitting lasting close on two hours. A full report of the proceed ings appears elsewhere. As the next or dinary meeting falls on Christmas Day, it was resolved last evening to transact any ordinary business that may be necessary on the date of the annual meeting, which takes place on the 20th instant, and thus avoid two sittings. Remarkable Sand-Storm —A remark able sand-storm, accompanied by an in tensely cold temperature, raged in Iceland for two weeks during the spring. The air was so filled with dry fine sand that it was impossible to see for more than a short distance, and the sun was rarely visible, though the sky was clear of clouds. Nobody ventured out of his house except upon matters of urgent necessity, and many who wore exposed to the storm were frozen. The sand penetrated into the houses through the minutest crevices. It was found mixed with articles of food and drink, and every breath drew it into the lungs. Thousands of sheep and horses died. — Knowledge. Butter Fanciers at Shows. —The Taieri Advocate, in “Notes” on the recent Agricultural and Pastoral Show in Dun edin, speaks as follows of a d sgustiug habit practised by a certain class of visi tants to these exhibitions:—“One ob jectionable feature of the Agricultural Show was the way in which people fingered the butt-.T about. In was simply sickening to see all sorts of people jabbing their thumbs into the butter and gouging great lumpt out of it. If the thumbs had boon clean it would not have been so bad, but some of them were particularly dirty. And then what lumps some people took ! Pieces the size of a large walnut ! In fact, some of these self-appointed butter judges seemed to be having a butter pic nic. Salt or fresh, it was all alike to them. It must have been a matter of deep regret to them to find the cheese was protected by wire netting. It was very hard on those people who had evidently made up their minds for a cheap feed.”

Rakaia. —Mass will bo celebrated at Rakaia on Sunday next. Little Players. — A drama will be per formed by the children of the Catholic School to-morrow evening. Parents and friends are invited to attend. Bush Fires. —Extensive bush fires havs been raging at Reefton. By dint of groat exertions the Courthouse, Catholic School and other buildings were saved Several important buildings were ignited by flying sparks. Two premises were consumed and a lot of fencing. The wind has died out now, and apprehensions are over. Cricket. —On Thursday afternoon a match will be played on the Domain ground between the second elevens of the Borough and Ashburton Clubs. The Bo rough Club will be represented by the fol lowing, vi \z. —C. R. Andrewes, Davis, Dee, Patching, Stevens, M or, Eastham, Venables, McFarlane, D. Zander, and Davison ; emergencies, Baker, Burnell, and Bland. Play will c mmence at three o’clock sharp.—A match v. ill also bo played to-morrow afternoon at three o’clock on the Domain ground between a team selected from the Borough Club and an eleven of the Ashburton Club. The fol lowing players will represent the latter Club : —Castelli, Denshire, Jones, Dr Leahy, Saunders, Hart, Wroughton, A. Fooks, Jephaon, Maud, J. Fooks. Holloway's Pills. —The sudden changes, frequent fogs, and pervading dampness sorely impede the vital functions and conduce to ill health. The remedy for these disasters lies in some purifying medicine, like these Pills, which is competent to grapple with the mis chief at its source, and stamp it out without fretting the nerves or weakening the system. Holloway’s Pills extract from the blood all noxious matteis, regulate the action of- every disordered organ, stimulate the liver and kidneys, and relax the bowels. In curing chest complaints these Pills are remarkably effective, especially when aided by friction of the Ointment on its walls. This double treat ment will ensure a certain, steady, and bene ficent progress, and sound health will soon be re-established.—Advt.

LECTURE.

The experiment made by the trustees of the Ashburton Wesleyan Church in dis pensing with the conventional tea meeting and speechmaking, to celebrate their church anniversary, and obtaining the services of the Rev. J. S. Smalley, to de liver an instructive lecture instead, was evidently appreci Ted. if the large audience assembled last evening is any guide in the matter; and tiie frequent ex pressions of applause showed that those present were much entertained. The north end of the church was hung with a number of colored diagrams, and greatly facilitated the making of an otherwise in teresting lecture even more so. After de votional exercises, the Rev. C. H. Stand age introduced the rev. lecturer, who treated the subje :t in a very abl manner. The preliminary portion of the lecture dealt with infidel objections to the au thenticity of the Scriptures; and from prophecies fulfilled, and the character of Christ, as pourtrayed in the Bible, claimed for it divine oiigin. Notwithstand ng the terrible opposition which it had met with, the Bible had survived it all, and every part was untarnished—preserved by a per petual miracle. Taking as his ground work, Thomas Cooper’s “ Bridge of His tory over the Gulf of Time,” Mr Smalley traced the history of the New Testament, century by century, right back to the days of the Apostles, and remarked in passing that were the New Te tament in our pos session blotted out, the whole of it as it stands, with the exception of eleven verses, could be recovered from the original copies written by the early Fathers. Some interesting details were given concerning the incidental proofs of the divine origin of the Bible, including inscriptions on the Moabite and Sinaitic stones. The latter were found ia a place where none but persons with an abun dance of leisure could have written the characters inscribed thereon, and such persons must also have been fed miracu lously. The hieroglyphics on these stones, when deciphered, were found to be synonymous wi h chapters in Exodus and Numbers, and the inference was that the work was performed by the children of Israel on their way through the wilder ness, and when miraculously’supplied with food from heaven. The work of writing the Bible, the material used, and by whom written, were then spoken of, and reference was made !o the Book of Job, w ich, although believed to be the oldest book in the Bi‘de, yet cont ined a large number of scientific facts, some of which had only recently been discovered. Speak ing of the Apocrypha of the Old Testa ment, the rev. lecturer said no portion of it was ever quoted by Christ, and the Apo crypha of the New Testament was never mentioned by the early Fathers. No im portant section of the church ever looked upon them as inspired until the Council of Trent, and then the decision that they were so was not carried by a large ma jority. The work of translating and copy ing the Scriptures was then spoken of, and the impetus given to their circulation by the invention of printing. It was worthy of notice that in the time of Tyn dall a copy of the Bible cost L2O, now it was sold at a shilling. The lecture was interspersed with a number of quaint anecdotes, and, at its close, a well-de served vote of thanks proposed by Mr J. E. Buchanan, and seconded by Mr John Orr, was carried by acclamation. During Mr Buchanan’s remarks, it was elicited that some time on Sunday Mr Smalley lost the manuscript of his lecture, and hence the rev. gentleman had solely to rely on his memory on this occasion. A portion of the MS was found by a lady last evening and handed to Mr Buchanan, but too late to be of any service to Mr Smalley. However, the majority of the audience would never have known of the loss had they not been tohl.

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the above was held hist evening. Present — His Worship the Mayor, and Councillors St Hill, Frledlander, Harrison, Nelson, Bird, Ivess, Roberts, and A. Orr. Mayor’s Statement. —The Mayor re ported the overdraft at the Bank to_ be L 1,083 19s 41. Amounts received since last meeting: Rents of reserves, Ll 9; licenses, LI ss; earth sold, L2O 6s; as phalt, L 7 14s. Correspondence. —Correspondence was read as follows;—From Mr T. Bullock, asking for permission to erect a verandah in fruit of his premises in Burnett street. Granted subject to approval of the engi neer.—From Colonial Secretary’s office, Wellington, acknowledging receipt of Council’s letter notifying appointment of Mr D. Williamson as Mayor of Ashbur ton.—From Property Tax department, Wellington, acknowledging receipt of Council’s letter re the valuation of the Borough for 1883. Serious Charges against the Borough Scavenger —Mr Davidson, Inspector of Nuisances, in his report wrote as follows respecting James Taylor. Borough Scar vonger:—“l have to bring before the notice of the Council the manner in which the scavenger is neglecting his duty in not properly burying the night soil. There wore great complaints re a nuisance which he made at the corner of the Domain by washing his tank in the race running through the Domain, also on several oc casions after the nights he has been out, there has been night soil found under the culverts in the channels and on the grat ings at the outfall drain. This he denies to have done, but-admita that he has emp tied part of a pan several times that is kept at the Union Bank for slops aid liquid refuse. Also, I may mention that last week he deposited it in the river. Some time ago I asked the Council to t

allow me to place a signboard to prevent persona from carting rubbish, etc., into the river-bed behind the cemetery, which they did. There is now a quantity of night soil slightly covered over with tus socks and deposited there by Taylor. I would ask the Council to insist o-i 1 re moving the same or allow me to have the same done, charging him with cost. 1 would also wish the Council to inquire into this matter, as the hot weather is now here and steps should be taken at once to prevent a recurrence of these complaints. " —Taylor wrote stating that the Inspector had informed . him that he was going to lodge a complaint respecting him with the Council, and partly admitting the charges brought against him, while wholly deny ing certain things complained of, and winding up by asking the Council to overlook his shortcomings and he would endeavor to do better for the future.—Mr Stephen Potter wrote asking the Council to allow his bond for the fulfilment of Taylor’s contract to bo cancelled, “ as, from what had transpired lately he did not ft el justified in supporting such a man.” Sergeant Felton forwarded a written report handed to him by Constable David Smart, who stated that at 1 o’clock a.m. on the 3rd instant he saw Taylor empty a load of soil into the main stream of the Ashburton river. On his returning the constable charged him with having done this, and Taylor had denied it, slating that he had buried the soil. Ayoungman named Dudley, who was with Taylor at the time, thereupon admitted that they had put the soil into the main stream, add ing “ it will be out at sea before morning.” The Mayor thought the matter was one that the Council ought to take up. Taylor was evidently not a fit and proper person to discharge the duties of scavenger. He (the Mayor) was of opinion that he ought to be prosecuted. Several Councillors ex pressed themselves strongly on the matter to the effect that Taylor’s conduct had been extremely reprehensible, and it was resolved, on the motion of Cr Harrison, seconded by Cr St Hill—“ That the scavenger’s contract be cancelled, and that steps he taken to fill his place.” Engineers’ Report. —This report was read as follows - Town Belts : The Works Committee having considered the proposed manner of forming the Town Belts, recommended the Council to adopt the plan as per sketch enclosed, showing a central roadway of one chain wide with an avenue of trees on each side, say about 12 feet apart, and that any future work done on the Belts be carried out in accordance therewith.— Horse-troughs The committee also resolved that this question be deferred for six months.— Kerbing and Channelling : The contractor is progressing with the channelling of the street junctions on the north-west side of the railway. We would respectfully suggest that the same plan be adopted in some of the streets on the south-east side, and that the kerbing and chan nelling be done in front of the Council’s re serve in East- street,, bet ween Cox and Peter streets. There would still be a margin left in Mr Bradley’s contract for zoo chains. labor gang have been employed in forming footpath in Peter street, and lowering Cass street in'order to obtain material,-and have commenced the formation of the footpath in Bast street, between the Gasworks and Quill’s Hotel. They have also been clearing side channels of grass, etc., preparing culverts, and attending to water supply. We have by direction ef the Works Committee had the grass cut in the squares and plantations, etc., and as there is a considerable quantity of clover and grass in the latter, are having it made into a stack of hay for the horses.— Poors and Son.

Vacant Sections.—Cr Harrison re ferred to the vacant sections in town and the absentee owners, and urged that these sections should be rated higher than they were at present. As it was, the people whoMived in the town and did all that they could towards its advancement were heavily handicapped as ratepayers, while the owners of these vacant sections who allowed them to remain idle and unpro ductive were let off far too easily.—The Mayor entirely sympathised with Or Harrison, but was afraid nothing could be done. He had attended at the last As sessment Court, and had been “sat upon” by the Resident Magistrate on that occa sion for the part he took in the proceed ings. Mr Bullock appeared on that day on behalf of Mr Rhodes, and he (the Mayor) felt annoyed that Mr Rhodes should get off without paying his fair share of taxation ; but the Magistrate said that although he (the Mayor) could ;,ive evidence if so disposed, he could not become an advocate, and so he only got “ sat upon ” for his trouble. He quite concurred with the justice of Cr Harri son’s remarks, but was afraid that nothing could be done in the mater. The Vimt to Mount Somers.—The Mayor said he had to report that he bad accompanied the Minister for Public Works to Mount Somers on Saturday, and although not all the Councillors were present on that occasion several had gone. Ev rything had passed off satisfactorily, and the Mount Somers people had been most hospitah'e. H e was pleased to think that the Minister’s visit would be attended with good results. Cr St Hill thought the absence of Mr E. ,G. Wright from Mount Somers on Satur day was a slight upon :J the Council. The members of the Council were personally strangers to the Hon. Mr Johnston, and they would have been placed in a very awkward predicament had : it not been for the kindness of, the member for Wakanui, who had introduced the Councillors to the Minister, and made things pleasant. He thought Mr Ivess deserved a vote of thanks from his fellow Councillors, and moved a resolution to this effect.—The Mayor fully endorsed all that Cr St Hill had said, and a vote of thanks was carried unanimously.—Cr Ivess briefly expressed the pleasure which it had given him to introduce the Councillors to Mr Joh i ston, and the joy he would always feel in doing anything, at any time, to serve the interests of either Wakanui or Ashburton.' Anniversary Day.— CrSt Hill referred at some length to the practice of proclaim ing public holidays on all sorts of occa sions in Ashburton. Every little local event, every tin-pot cricket match was made ihe excuse for a half-holiday. He wondered that the day the comet made its first appearance was not proclaimed a holiday. He observedjr.hat the 16th An niversary day, had been proclaimed a Government holiday, and he thought that if the business people were determined to observe the day that they ought to keep it on some other day than that on which ic fell—Saturday next. This was a busy time, and Saturday was a busy day, and a m st inconvenient one for businesspeople to bo shutting up on. He would suggest that the holiday be observed on Wednes day or Thursday instead of on Saturday. —The Mayor said he had been asked by some of the business people to proclaim the 16th a holiday in.town, but, as Cr St Hill had pointed out, Saturday waaabu.-y day, and the day was really not an im por:ant one. He did not object to holi days himself, for he thought people were none the worse for them. (Hear, hear.) Still, it would he better to postpone the holiday aa it fell on a Saturday. Monday or Tuesday would be better. It was then resolved that the Council’s men should have a holiday on Monday. Doo Licenses. —The fee for dogs was fixed at 10s for the ensuing year.

Carrier's License. —One carrier’s li cense was granted.

Licensing. —lt was resolved that Braddell be appointed Returning Officer for the Borough Licensing District for the election to take place in February. The Resident Magistracy. —The ques tion of the Resident Magistracy again cropped up, and the Mayor alluded to the unpuuctuality of Mr Beswick in keeping his Ashburton engagements, adding that the gentleman had not been here at all during the past month. Something ought to be done in the matter. Many people had given up the idea of civil ao

tions, holding it was better to sacrifice small amounts than sacrifice .valuable time.—lt was resolved to memorialise the Government again' on the subject, and a petition was here signed by all the Coun cillors to the Minister of Justice. Accounts. —The usual accounts having been passed for payment the Council ad journed.

NEWS BY THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

By the falling of a floor at Hanley on Sunday many members of the Salvation Army were injured. The general result of the November municipal elections held in England and Wales is a Tory gain. The first annual report of the Irish La d Commission was made on November the 14th. It speaks of the indisposition of the tenants to purchase holdings, though a number of landlords are anxious to sell. The arrears clauses of the Act are not operative to the extent expected, and the amount of assistance applied for is insignificant, considering the large sums due to landlords. The agreements fo* fair rents between landlords and tenants with the intervention of the Courts are increasing. Under the machinery of the Act fair rent cases are disposed'of at the rate of 4,600 per month- The laborers are not availing themselves of the Act. Mrs Langtry made her American debut at Wallack’s Theatre, New York, on the evening of the 6th inst., before an ex tremely large and fashionable audience, as Esther Grazebrook in “ The Unequal Match. ” She was called before the cur tain twelve times. The London. .Werld considers her reception as creditable to the American Republic from every point of view, and at once enthusiastic and dis criminating. Davitt, in a recent speech at Aberdeen, urged the Scotch farmers to Remand a decrease of their rent. He said they should claim the right to have an independent tribunal to arbitrate between them and their landlords.

The companies who are promoting the scheme of the Channel tunnel have re newed their applications to Parliament, ac companied by fresh pirns. The Moody and Sankey mission in Lon don was suspended owing to the illness of the former.

Bradlaugh made an application -to the Court of Queen’s Bench on the 6th Nov. to have the indictment against hitqself for blasphemous libel quashed. The applica tion was refused.

Letters from Ireland, November 10th, state that a famine is impending •in the counties of Donegal, Clare, and Ros common. The potato crop is a failure, while storms have devastated the fields and cabins of the poor. The guardians of the workhouses declare that the prospect is the worst since the famine of 1836, ■’ i; •'* ;

Mr Gladstone proposes to introduce a fresh scheme for Irtish legislation into Parliament to still further develops the provisions of the Land Act'in the direc tion of peasant proprietorship and the ex tension of the franchise, and a scheme for local self-government. During the twenty-four houls ending Oct. 29th incessant rains have prevailed in several parts of England. Large areas of the country are flooded and bridges are carried away, railways are blocked', and in the Midland counties only the roofs of the farmhouses were to be seeu in many places. The floods along the Thames are very serious.

A greatj gale, accompanied by floods, visited England on the lat of November, this time devastating the western and southern section. A dozen houses were swept away at Boroughbridge, and the Ely track was so torn up in Devon and Somerset that the trains were stopped en tirely. The damage was severe, but no loss of life is reported. At Exeter the canal broke its hanks, and the whole coun try in Cheshire, Warwickshire; and So mersetshire was flooded. A great part of England is flooded by heavy rains, which have fallen almost without intermission, so that in scarcely a district has the autumn crop been saved. It is impossible for farmers to do so. The traffic of some parts of such towns as Canterbury and Reading is carried on in boats,; and the country upon each side of the principal railways looks like a large lake.;, Sheep rot has also appeared.in many places, so that it is not surprisingjth© .English far mers are more anxious and depressed than ever.

Mrs Melville, wife of the engineer of the Jeanette, Arctic ship, who went in sane on seeing her husband, has'been re -stored to health and reason. rl

Mr Bradlaugh went to the House of Commons on the afternoon of the 13th. to try and take his seat. He had a brief per sonal consultation with the Speaker, and was informed by him that thd Order for expulsion was still in force. He then withdrew without making any further effort.

The great firm of Sir W. Armstrong and Co., ordnance makers, and ‘ Mitchell and Co., shipbuilders, have amalgamated, and will establish works on ; the river Tyne. ■ ■ \ Marquise Queensbury, sister to Lady Gertrude Douglas, has scandalised Lon don society by marrying her baker. Her ladyship is old and the baker twenty-one. The affair was made public on the 18th November.

The Criterion Theatre, built some years ago in London by Spiers and Pond, for merly caterers in Melbourne,- is con demned by the Board of Works as hope lessly unsafe. It will be closed per manently. Clement Scott’s action for libel against Simpson, of the Referee, newspaper, has been settled. The jury awarded L 1,500 MHflnages, to be paid by d fendant, plain tiffs costa, and the Referee engaged to publhh a full apology and retraction. It will be remembered that Admiral Glynn and the name .of the lata Adelaida Neil son figured prominently in the matter.

A disastrous fire has occurred at Mar gate. The Assembly Booms, the Vicar age, and one side of Cecil square has been burnt. The loss is L 300,000.

It is reported that there are 200 people on Tory Island without food, and other portions of the population of western Ire land are threatened with starvation.

The Home Rule League are consider ing the policy of merging the League into the Irish National League. General Wolseley, on landing at Dover from Egypt, on the 18th October, was most enthusiastically received.

The British Postmaster-General an nounces that when the new mail contracts are entered into the lines leaking the quickest possible passage will be favored if their regularity justifies it. The fate of Professor Palmer, Captain Gill, and Lieutenant Charrington has been ascertained. According to a despatch from Colonel Warren, dated Alexandria, Oc tober l€th, the whole party were ordered te be killed. They were led to the edge of a precipice, and were offered the alter native of throwing themselves oyer or being shoe. The bodies of Gill and Char rington have been found. No hope i| entertained that Palmer is alive. He is: supposed to have jumped offttye precipice. Colonel Warren is tracking the Murderers. Several further subscriptions for tha Juwish relief fund from New Zealand are acknowledged by the Mansion House Committee, among them L 261 from Geraldine, L2OO from Christchurch, L6O. from Wellington, LSI from Hokitika. The list is now being closed. In all L 108,759 has been - received, and L 94,141 expended. Matthew Holmes shipped' from the Clyde a valuable selection of high-class Border Leicester sheep, selected by James Archibald, of Shields.

THE ASHBURTON GUAKDIAN, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1882.



,|TIHE GUARDIAN is published every X evening, giving every day i ‘•tb, tip to the hour of going to press. This is hotter thou buying a sixpenny weekly.



Wanted RANTED —A smart BOY, who can read manuscript, as APPRENTICE to the Printing. Apply at once, to The Manager, Office of this Paper. ■TTT ANTED, by a steady and energetic W man, a SITUATION of trust in an office, or any capacity. References to be seen at the Office of this Paper. n 29 WANTED EVERYBODY to know that Bates and Co.’b is the Cheapest House in Town for CLOTHING and DRAPERY. au 12 WANTED lOOWN Friedlander Bros.’ is the cheapest house in town for first-class Drapery. 10 per cent, discount, or 2s off every £ for cash. d 5



WANTED— The Ladies of Ashburton to inspect my Large and Well selected Stock of FANG Y STATIONERY, BOOKS, NEW MUSIC, Etc., all at Dunedin prices. GEO. F. HENRY, an 5 Saunders’ Buildings. WJ ANTED KNOWN-That Robert Vf Elston, Burnett street, Ashbur ton, having procured the newest appara tus, is prepared to Sweep Chimneys at very low rates. Any orders left at the Town Hall will receive prompt attention. ANTED KNOWN. That BONEDUST, specially prepared for drilling with carrots, mangolds, etc , can be obtained from the undersigned. F. MAYO, Hampstead Bone 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 FREETR, aDB BAKERY, East street —R. Lancaster, Propiietor. 240 Special Advertisements. [With an apology to Green’s Shade.] CHE \P HOOTS AND SHOES.—The BIG SHOP in East Street, Ash burton, has just been opened with an entirely NEW STO K of English, Foreign, and Col mial-m ide BOOTS and SHOES, which will be sold at my usual LOW PRICES, which have given such satisfaction in Tinwald and else where.— 0. HAWKINS, “ Munste Warehouse, A.shburton ; also at Tin wald. T‘ ETTS’ DIARIES, Office and Pocket, J for 1883. JOSEPH COOK’S LECTURES. ISLES, CHURCH SERVICES and PK AYER-BOOKS. CRICKETING MATERIAL— Gloves, Footballs, e<m. FIR'S SCREENS, Stove Ornaments, Jold and Silver Shavings. ELOPUONES. MELOPHO NES, The newest and most wonderful Musical Instrument before the public— far surpoaaing the Orguinette in Utility, Sweetness Tone, and Price. Any child can play it. HE PICTORIAL HISTORY OF THE WOKLD, just issued by the National Publishing Company of America, Contains a vast amount of information, admirably printeo, profusely illustrated, and handsomely bound. Subscribers wanted.



Account books— Various Sizes and Descriptions. 8 CHOOL BOOKS And Requisites. JWNVE LOPE I'J Business, Official, and Fancy. S, P TOYS. FANCY GOODS, CREWEL WOOLS. lANOS, HARM' >1 'IMS, ORGANS AND MOSIC. H YMNS (Ancient . ml Modern), Wes leyan and Prerbytenan HYMN BOOKS. Foolscap and account sales PAPER. N O T E PAPE Various Sizes and Qualities. R, JBL. M. Jones, BURNETT ST. & BARING SQUARE. Bookb ndino Executed in All Branches. "F you want good and STRONG FURNITURE, GO TO DAVIS’S CHEAP FURNITURE AND BED DING MANUFACTORY, BAST STREET SOUTH, ASHBURTON. £7l VERY article Sold at Christchurch Prices and guaranteed beat of material and workmanship.



FUNERALS CHEAPLY & COMPLETELY FURNISHED slO Gi R E A T t of A LARGE SALVAGE STOCK OF L E 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, BURNETT STREET, Ashburton. Showrooms—Next Bullock’s Arcade Workshop—Next Mail Iffice.



Special Advertisements. THE SCOTTISH IMPERIAL IN SURANCE COMPANY. Head Office; 151, West George street, Glasgow. Capital ... £1,000,000 FIRE RISKS taken at lowest current rates. Claims promptly settled here. W. 11. BOYLE, n 7 Agent, Ashburton. fpRY THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory For every article of MEN’S, YOUTHS’ AND BOYS’ CLOTHING, SHIPPING AND TRAVELLING OUTFITS ; Also for CHOICE NEW GOODS In hats, hosiery, shirts, ties, PORTMANTEAUX, RUGS, BLANKETS, &c. HIGHEST AWARD AND SPECIAL HONORARY MENTION At DUNEDIN INDUSTRIAL EXHI BITION ; Also, TWO PRIZE MEDALS AND SPECIAL CERTIFICATE Awarded at CHRISTCHURCH EXHIBITION. Seventeen Retail Branches now open in the Colony. A SINGLE ARTICLE AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Ashburton Branch; EAST STREET. W. SPARROW, Manaqrr. sl9



Q O AL. COAL. COAL. We have now I?? STOCK, ex Con ference, a large supply of the Old Lambton Coal. This is the BEST HOUSE COAL imported. 18n TUCKER, RESTELL & CO.



TO BLACKSMITHS, iM BREWKRS, 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.



We have now IN STOCK and for sale, 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 Eoxton, ex Awaroa and Forest Queen, Totaral Black Pine, of the best quality to be obtain d. 021 TUCKER, RESTELL & CO.



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 & 00, 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 Samuelson and Sons’ new REAPER & TWINE BINDER. Mr Ernest Samuelson, during his recent visit to New Zealand, was present at most of the reaper and binder trials, and the experience he then gained has enabled his firm to incorporate the latest English and American improvements in the Machines they are sending us for next season. We ha"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.



QHRISTMAS PRESENTS. JUST OPENED UP, A Large and Choice Selection of FANCY GOODS TOYS PRIZE BOOKS. &0., &c., &c. Andrewes Bros., BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS, &c* East street south, Ashburton. nib



Special Advertisements. CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR CARDS —A Large and Splendid Assortment, comprising all the Newest Designs in Great Variety.— Andrewes Bros., Book sellers, Stationers, etc., East street south, Ashburton. d 6 NOTICE. TO THE INHABITANTS OF ASH BURTON AND SURROUNDING DISTRICTS. G. R. West and Co., MUSIC AND PIANOFORTE WAREHOUSEMEN, Princes street, Dunedin, Have great pleasure in announcing that they have appointed MrG. F. HENRY, of Saunders’ Buildings, East Street, Asbur ton, as their Sole Agent and Representa tive in this district, and that it is their intention to cater for the Music-loving population of Ashburton in such a man aer as has never before been attempted. Messrs G R. West & Co. are the Largest Direct Importers of PIANOS, ORGANS, HARMONIUMS, BRASS, WIND, AND STRINGED INSTRUMENTS In the Colony, and a large and varied stock of the above will always be found at their Agent’s Depot. Mr G. R. West, being at present in England, is shipping direct to Dunedin all the latest novelties in MUSIC! MUSIC!! MUSIC!!! And G. F. Henry respectfully solicits a call from his friends, teachers, and the public in general to inspect his magnificent stock of Music, personally selected by himself in Dunedin. In connection with the above, wa have retained the services of Miss Gates (organist of St. Stephen’s Church) who will be in attendance daily from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m., to receive Pupils for the Piano, Organ, and Harmonium. Terms on application. SAUNDERS’ BUILDINGS, East Street, Ashburton. 208



Thomas Taylor, -gAKER AND CONFECTIONER, East street. WE DDING CAKES To Order, Manufacturer of CIDER AND OTHER CORDIALS,



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 bo received up to 3.30 p.m., but will be charged double rates. All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good faith. All advertisements and business letters to be addressed The Manager ; literary communications should be addressed to The Editor.