SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yestf.ro ay. Ganymede, from Timam. Sailed. Saturday. Cleopatra, brigantine, for Wellington. Hannah Barratt, schooner, for Napier. Magellan Cloud, brigantine, for Kai para. Torea, schooner, for Kr.ipara. Wanaka, s.s., for Dunedin. Seabird, brigantine, for Auckland. .Westport, s. a., for Wellington, Nelson, and jrVest Coast Ports. ; Yesterday. Penguin, s.s., for Wellington. irmioa, brigantine, for Kaipara. Oatiin, ketch, for Gatlin River. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived —To Anau, from Auckland, via the East Coast. Dunedin, Yesterday. Sailed—On Saturday, Mary Campbell, brigantine for Greymouth. Timarp, Yesterday. Arrived—Lucy James, from Lyttelton ; Prince Rupert from Gatlin River. Sailed—Clyde, for Auckland.

COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, | Monday Afternoon. M) ■ Alfred Harrison reports his weekly sale as follows:—Saturday, April 29. Horses —A fair proportion sold at market rates, though demtnd is anything but good. Pigs- -A trifle better this week, and all lots cleared. Fowls —is 10 33 per pair; turkeys, 10s per pair. Several cows sold well, also a small mob of calvi s. Implements —Double-furrow plough, L.lO 10s; treble-furrow plough, Lxo 10s; har rows L 8 10s; dray, L 5, etc. Produce —B. D. petal oes, 50s to 6os per ton. Supply being very heavy, prices fell in consequence of high rates last week causing a rush. Oats —3s 6d per bushel. Chick wheat—is 6J to 3 s P er bushel. Onions— to id per lb. Tea — 2 is. I Sundries very heavy, and attendance goodj. M;jr T. Bullock reports for the weeking end ing April 29. Horse Market :At the Baza.ar, Burnett street, on Saturday, 40 horses of the usual descriplion were entered, but the bidd :ngs were not quite so keen as at the pre vious: Saturday’s sale; nevertheless, out of the total number entered, I disposed of 20. A nmnlier of inferior horses were sold at very low price,s, holders appearing to be anxious to get rid cjf them, and place more profitable stock on tlueir farms. Medium draughts or useful farm horsiis fetched the following prices, namely: L 15,! LiS ids to L 22 ids ; aged horses and Inferior draughts 1.8, Ll2, Ll2 10s ; trap horses L 6, Lio, Li z Ss ; hacks, very dull of sale, there appearing to be no demand for their; three inferior were sold at L 4, LS, and and j- 4 ss; unbroken colts in very low con dition, two-years old, from L2 15s to L 6 10s ; scrubbers, a number were sold at very low prices, say from Li 12s 6d to L 5 ; set of harness L 4 15s; shaft and leading harness, L 3 and L2 2s 6d respectively.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES Thursday, May 4. J. T. Ford and Co., at the Ashburton : Yards—Horses and Sheep. Saturday, May 6. Mr. T. Bullock, at Ills rooms, Bast street —Landed Property ; 1 o’clock. Mr T. Bullock, f t the Bazaar —Horses ; L3O p.m. Tuesday, May 9, Matson, Cox and Co., at the Tinwald Yards—Stock. Friday, May 12. ' H. Matson and Co, at the Canterbury Wool Stores—Landed Propery; 12 o’clock. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &o ; ' TO-NIGHT, Monday, May 1. Borough Council, at Borough Council • Chambers, at 7 o’clock. To-morrow, • ■ Tuesday, May 2. Ashburton Permanent Building and ln vostment Society, Monthly Meeting, *' 1 from 6.30 to 8.00 p.m. • Wednesday, May 3. County Council, at the County Council r- Chambers, at 11 o’clock, Thursday, May 4. Wakanui Road Board—Monthly Meeting, Road Board Office, Moore street

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

We are compelled to hold over two com munications to the Editor.

DEATH.

Wright. —On May Ist, at Windermere, Myra Isabel, the infant daughter of Edward George and Harriet Myra Wright. Aged six months.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas, et Prevalebit. MONDAY, MAY 1, 1882. Our Public Library.

TOWN EDITION.

[lssued at 540 p. m. j

We shall not offer any apology to our readers for returning once more to the subject of a Library site, for the ques tion is one of much public importance, and cannot be too freely ventilated before definite action is taken respect ing the position finally selected for the new Library. We must conf. ss that we are very much dissatisfied with the result of the last meeting of the Library committee, at which a resolu tion was passed to the effect that the Borough Council should be asked to obtain a portion of the reserve behind Baring Square west for building pur poses. We are dissatisfied with this decision of the Committee, because we fail to see that the locality indicated in the resolution quoted, is in any respect better adapted as a site for a public building of daily and hourly resort like a reading-room and Library, than the old site in Tancred street west, and we are quite sure that our dissatisfaction is shared by nearly the whole of the resi dents of the town and district. It is, in short, the all but unanimous wish of the people ot Ashburton that a central site shall be selected for their Library, and no better spot could possibly be found for the building than Baring Square east. The objections urged against the utilisation of this excellent site are simply ridiculous, and are positively entitled to no consideration at all. We are told by the two or three objector; that if the Library is erected in Baring Square east, a dangerous precedent will be established which will infallibly be followed by the sacrifice ol the rest of the reserve to bricks and mortar, or worse still, to wood and corrugated iron, in the shape of grain stores and other business premises. Surely the grumblers must be very hard pressed for an objection when they have to fall upon such a fool ish one as this. The differ ence between the ' erection on a small portion of the reserve of a public institution for intellectual and recreative purposes and the erection of a row of unsightly grain stores de signed for individual benefit, is really too great to require comment. It must be patent to all but the determinedly pig-headed and obstinate, bent on ignoring the wish of the majority, and intent only on having their own way. The matter will no doubt crop up at to night’s meeting of the Borough Council, and we trust the City Fathers will not listen for a moment to the Library Committee’s suggestion advocating the erection of the Library in a spot where it will, for all practical purposes, be of no public benefit at all. Should the pig-headed ones succeed in carrying out their ideas, and persist in building a Library where it will neither be seen nor patronised, a split in the camp, as our correspondent “ Argus” points out in this issue, will be the inevitable result. The centralists will band them selves together to secure their object, and they will attain it —if two Public Libraries are run up. For our part we think it would be well if the Borough Council were to hold over their deci sion in the matter of site until a public meeting is called, at which the vote of the majority might be taken on the question. This would undoubtedly be the fairest way of settling the difficulty. The subscribers to (he Library cer tainly did not manifest much interest in the affairs of the judging by the meagre attendance at the last annual general meeting; but we are sa tisfied that if a public meeting were now held to decide the question of site it would be very largely attended, for the matter is exciting much attention at the present juncture. At all events the question is a public and not a private one; the Libraiy is intended for general and not individual use, and it therefore behoves the public to take the matter up and not to be dictated to by two or three obstructionists.

The Work of the Coming Session.

The near approach of the next Par liamentary session naturally gives rise to some speculation as to the nature of the measures which will be placed be fore our newly-elected legislators. Of entirely new measures, we take it, there will not be many ; for, despite the ef forts of a few would-be reformers during the recent contest for the House of Representatives, there is no “ burning question” to be decided by the people’s representatives when in Parliament as sembled. But although, as we have said, there are no entirely new measures urgently demanded by the people, there are many of our statutes which stand in need of very considerable amend ment. The bankruptcy laws, perhaps, demand a prominent place under this category, and we hope that the now near approaching session may see the introduction of some very necessary alterations in the much-abused Bank ruptcy Act. Then there is the lately

passed Gaming and Lotteries Act, which has been proved altogether un- 1 equal to the task for which it was mainly introduced namely, to sup press the large Derby sweeps which have become so numerous in New Zea land and Australia during the last ten years. It has been abundantly proved that all that is necessary to evade the provisions of this Draconic measure is an ambiguously-worded advertisement, and the promoters ot this species of speculation can ply their avocation much the same as before the passage of the Act which was to deal their death blow. It is true people are debarred from drawing a half-crown sweep on a ract-course, and to this extent the Act has put a stop to “ gambling j” but if the patrons of the turt cannot club tiieir half-crowns together, and take a dip into a hat, to apportion the various horses in a given race, they may'put their pounds into the totalisator and choose their horse for themselves. So the Gaming and Lotteries Act is another measure winch almost stands side by side with the Bankruptcy Act as regards the necessity for amendment. The Licensing Act, in so far as the local option clauses are concerned, has not proved the universal blessing which a large section of the public and press hoped for. So far as the polls on these clauses have been taken, it shows that only from about six to ten per cent., on an average, of those qualified to vote record their wishes for or against the granting of new licenses. We shall be told that it. is a new measure, and that we must not condemn it until the people have had time to get thorougly acquainted with its provisions, and to be educated up to exercising their new rights. But, after all the clamor for local option, it is rather a poser to find that the said people care not a straw for their newly acquired powers. It abundantly shows that the publican interest, if it likes to work energetically, can effectually veto the granting of any new licenses for three years to come, and so secure a monopoly to the existing houses. We do not say that the principle of local option is wrong, but we do say that if the people are not fully alive to the privileges which they enjoy under these clauses of the Act, and endeavor, by going to the polling booths in something like their full strength, and to neutralise the machina tions of any particular clique which may have an axe to grind, that we had better by far have been without local option. Then there is the Education Act, which many are of opinion should be amended in the direction of altering the “ school age ” of children to about, say 10 years. This would considerably reduce the cost of our educational sys tem, and also relieve the teachers of much work which is almost wholly un profitable. We think that at ten years of age, a child might very well receive its education in the home circle, and it will all tiie more readily retain the instruc tion imparted at the public schools after that age. The Corrupt Practices Bill, too, is another of our statutes which is urgently in need of revision. As the law stands now a man cannot hire a solitary cab in which to bring his supporters to the poll. But stringent as the Act is in this respect there is nothing to prevent an unscrupulous candidate or his friends buying up the stock-in-trade of every livery stable keeper and carter in the place, and using the vehicles and horse flesh to bring his friends to the ballot-boxes. This brings us to the Registration Act, which has left the door open to un limited roll-stuffing—as the Wakanui electorate will find to its cost, or we are much mistaken. It will take all the • time of the newly-appointed Registra tion Officer for Wakanui to keep the rolls which are now being prepared pure, and as the Act stands, it is an utter impossibility to ensure the purity of the latter or supplementary rolls issued just prior to the election. Judges of the Supreme Court have laid it down —and very rightly too —that they can not go behind the electoral rolls. This only points to the greater necessity for having the rolls as printed thoroughly purged of all unqualified claimants. The remedy in this case is comparatively simple. While fully agreeing that we cannot make people either sober or honest by Act of Par liament, we can at least punish them severely for being dishonest. All that is necessary with regard to the Regis tration Act is a short amending Act, making it penal for anyone to make a false declaration in support of a claim to vote. As regards the other measures we have mentioned as needing amend ment, we confess the remedy is not so apparent. The Bankruptcy laws have been a thorn in the side of almost every Government we have had in New Zealand; the Gaming and Lotteries Act is an endeavor to make men moral—a very laudable effort no doubt, butonenot e. sy ©(consummation; the Corrupt Practices Prevention Bill, if it is to be what its n, me implies, will tax the ingenuity of both Houses of the Legislature to the utmost; and there is such a deep-rooted aver sion to touch the Education Act in any way that we do not think the amendment of the latter will be the least easy of the tasks which the coming session of Parliament should have set it. And, admitting the dif ficult problems which have to be solved before our social legislation can be deemed to approach in the slightest degree to tlie perfect, we think it points to the necessity of electing men to the few seals now vacant who are qualified to grasp in a broad and enlightened manner questions which may be placed before them, and not men who come before the electors and ask them for their confidence with no past record in their favor, and nothing to back them but unblushing effrontery and a vain belief that they are the prince of players, and have nothing to do but pipe and their hearers will dance. We say that wherever the electors have the opportunity to choose between a man capable of grasping the details of social questions such as these we have mentioned, and a man who is a mere novice at the work, they should most unhesitatingly reject the latter, and record their votes in favor of that candidate who has proved him | self in every way qualified to deal with j great social questions.

Tni; Missiso Ship Miv-y-don'. —The Government schooner Kekino is to be despatched to search Stewart and other islands for survivors or traces of the wreck of the Miny-don.

Ashburton Building Society. The usual monthly meeting of the Ashburton Permanent Building and Investment So ciety for receipt of payments will be held at the Secretary's office from 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., and at Mr Bullock’s office from 6.30 to 8 p.m. to-morrow.

Sk afield Wf.slf.yan- Chuiich. A meeting of persons interested in the Wesleyan cause at Seafield is called for to-morrow evening in the Wesleyan Church at that place, when matters of im portance are to ba brought before those present by the circuit minister and stewards.

Police Court. —There was a clean sheet at the Court this morning. Hospital Retui-.ns.— The Hospital re turns for the month of April are as fol lows :—Number of patients under treat ment in the Hospital on April Ist, 8 ; number of patients admitted during the month, 4 ; discharged, 3. In the Hospi tal on April 30th, 9 ; deaths, nil. Acknowledgment. —The matron of the Ashburton Hospital begs to acknowledge with many thanks the donation of a pre sent of linen for the use of the patients from Mrs John Orr. The • Hospital is very short of linen, and any further dona tions of the kind will be thankfully i’e ceived. Mrs Orr’s example is a good one.

Political. —The Press special, wiring last night from Wellington, says the Ministers are hard at work preparing for the session. Mr Whitaker dislikes night work, and so to make up for burning the midnight oil, the new but septuagenarian Premier actually comes down to the office in the big building soon after 8 every morning, and remains there without even stirring out until 6 p. m., when he goes home to dinner. Parliament will be opened by commission on the 18th, which will mainly bo occupied in swearing mem bers, and making various preliminary ar rangements. The chief of these will be the election of the Speaker, which dignity will most certainly again devolve on Sir Maurice O’Rorke. On the following day (Friday, 19th) the Governor will deliver the speech from the throne, and little is likely to be done on that day, excepting the presentation of petitions, giying notices of motion and proposing sessional committees. The real work will thus not begin before Tuesday the 23rd. It is not yet settled who will move and second the address in reply. If that address is not made the subject of a no-confidenco mo tion or some other mode of attack by the Opposition, it is probable that some Native Bills may be dealt with, and I understand that the Budget may be ex pected at a very early period of the session, unless delayed by any party fights. _ I believe that at any rate the Financial Statement will be all ready for delivery as early as Parliament is ready for it, and that it will be of a very favorable charac ter.

Pedestrianism.— The mile race for LSO a-side and the championship of New Zea land, between W. J. Burke, of Dunedin, and S. W. Fagan, of Christchurch, took place on the Caledonian Grounds at Dun edin on Saturday, in the presence of a crowd of about 2,000 people. Burke was popular, being the local men, but not a few put their trust in Fagan, as much as 2to 1 being laid in his favor. The result was a surprise for a good many. Burke did the last 300 yards alone, his opponent having caved in. The Dunedin man’s victory was received with great cheering. The time was dmins. 3G 2-sth secs. Local Option at Mount Hutt. —The local option poll takes place at Mount Hutt on June 2nd. Vital Statistics for Ashburton. — The registrar’s returns for the month of April are as follows: -Births, 23; mar riages, 6 ; deaths, 5.

Cameron Street.—Our attention has

boon called to the wretched state of Came ron street east, which is sadly in need of improvement. As we understand the Public Works Committee of the Borough Council have this particular lacality under consideration, it is possible that ere long the street will be put in better order, and made more attractive to pedestrians.

The Woodstock Rush.— The Hokitika correspondent for a contemporary writing of the Woodstock gold-field says It is now universally agreed that this is em phatically a poor mann’s diggings—and a very good thing for the poor man too. It is after all a grand thing to have an exten sive tract of country upon which three or four men working together, can, after a few weeks labor, in some cases no*- more than two or three, obtain permanent em ployment, which will bring them in even three pounds a week, and this too with the chance that it may produce much more. It must be remembered that the miners are absolutely independent ; they have no one to please but thtmselves ; no master can discharge them ; there is no fear of the produce of their labor falling in price, they always have a market for their produce, and it costs nothing to take it to market.

Tenders. —Mr C. J. Wentworth Cook son invites tenders for the erection of a boardinghouse at Methven. The South Rakaia Road Board invites tenders for formation. The Longbeach Hoad Board invites tenders for certain works.

Ashburton Rinking Club. —The first meeting of the above will take place on Thursday next at 7.30 p.m., at the Town Hall.

From Doyleston to Cheddar. —The people of Doyleston are terribly indig nant at the local stationmaster having re ceived official intimation that the name of the Doyleston station is henceforth to be changed to Cheddar. These changes which the Railway is so fond of making are certainly as vexatious as they are unnecessary. Methven and South Rakata Licen sing Committees. —The quarterly licen sing meetings for the above districts will be held—At Methven on June 2, and at South Rakaia on June Bth next. Cruel Treatment of a Horse. —A story roaches us from Methven which we are very pleased to give publication, as our doing so may possibly lead to the punishment of a wretch who richly merits the treatment to which he subjected a noor dumb animal. It appears that on Saturday last about 11 o’clock in the fore noon, a man residing near Methven, and who is, we believe, a carpenter by trade, started out on horseback on a shooting expedition. He reached Methven in due course, and having refreshed himself with sundty nips at the hoi el, rode off again to the water-race, which he urged his horse to cross (the spot, we may mention, was not the proper crossing place by the bridge), but in vain. The animal, more sagacious that its brutal master," refused to" enter the race, whereupon the rider attacked the poor animal in the most savage manner with the gun he was carry ing. So fiercely and quickly did the blows rain upon the poor animal that the heavy gun was smashed to atoms ere long, even the barrel being twisted and bent from contact with the horse’s head and ribs. The sight was a sickening one, and the sufferings of the poor animal dreadful to contemplate. Several by standers had by this time assembled, and they loudly remonstrated with the scoun drelly rider. His only reply was to renew the attack, while In threatened to shoot any one that came near him, or attempted to interfere in any way with his proceed ings. It was his own horse, and he would do as he liked with it. Fortunately for this kiudly-natured sportsman, no policeman was at hand, or ho would have been arrested there an.l then. \s it is, we sincerely hope it is not too la'e. Such brutality as this should not be allowed to go unpunished.

Music Tuition. — Mr H. J. Weeks' second term commences on the Bth inst., and ends August 31st. Singing classes for boys and girls in Templar Hall on Saturday afternoons, will commence as soon as a few more pupils send in their names. *

Fire in Wellington,- A fire broke out at 10.30 on Saturday night on the pre mises known as Chew’s buildings, Wel lington. The fire originated in T. Dwan’s auction mart, which was destroyed. Ihe flames spread to the adjoining premises, one building occupied by M'Ough, provi sion merchant, and the other recently oc cupied by a boarding-house keeper named McNamara, both of which ware gutted. The fire had a linn hold when first dis covered, and was with the greatest diffi culty suppressed. A crew of thirty men with an engine were sent ashore from H.M.S. Miranda, and rendered excellent service in extinguishing the flames. A.t one time these seamen weie heartily cheered by the crowd for their plucky ef forts to get the lire under. The following are the insurances :—Chew’s building, L 2,700, in the South British, who are re insured as follows: Northern, LSO ; Colonial, LI,000; Scottish Imperial, LI.OOO. The latter is re-insured with the United for L 230. The Colonial and United offices have L3OO each on Dwan’s stock.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[mu KEUI’EU’s AGENCY.] Four to One on Hanlan. London, April 28. Both Hanlan and Tricket, are in splendid condition for their race on the xst proximo. Betting is four to one on Hanlan. The Viceroy of Irelands. The announcement that Earl Spen cer has been appointed to succeed Earl Cowper as Viceroy of Ireland is fully confirmed. It has further transpired that the noble Earl, although resign ing the Lord Presidency of the Coun cil, will continue, as Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, to remain a member of the Cabinet.

A Promising Child. A grand banquet given by Australian colonists and others to Sir Henry Parkes, took place at Willis’s rooms this evening. H.R.H. the Duke o( Edinburgh presided, and adistinguished company was present. In the course of his speech on the occasion Sir Henry Parkes quoted freely from the statistics of the colonies, with the object of showing that the Australian child was rapidly becoming equal to its parent. Report of the Irish Land Act Select Committee. London, April 29. The Select Committee of the House of Lords, appointed to enquire into the working of the Irish Land Act has con cluded its labors. In the course of the report which has been tabled, the Com mittee recommend that the State should advance to the tenants the pur chase money ol their holdings, in order that the arrears of rent due prior to 1878 may be cancelled.

AUSTRALIAN.

[PER iuiutrr’s AOBNOY. ] A New Trial.

Melbourne, April 29. On application of the plaintiff a new trial has been ordered in the libel action brought by H. R. Williams, Minister for Mines in the late Berry Administration, against the Afgus, in which the verdict was on the 15th ult. returned for the defendant. A Victory for Sydney. The intercolonial eight-oar boat race, between Victoria and New South Wales crews, was rowed to-day on the Yarra, and resulted in a victory for the Sydney men by three lengths.

A Welcome Rain. Melbourne, This day. Rain has now set in over the greater part of the colony, and all danger of farther drought has been averted. The Produce Market. Adelaide, April 29. Wheat is quieter, at 6s per bushel; town flour is unchanged, at Ll 4 per ton 1 country brands are quoted at JLI3. The Insurance Frauds. The trial of Barker and Horton, on a charge of conspiring to defraud the Au stralian Mutual Provident Society, was concluded to-day. Both prisoners were found “Guilty,” but sentence was de ferred.

TELEGRAMS.

[per press association.] A Ped’s Failure. Auckland, To-day. O’Brien attempted the seat of walking 75 miles in 12 hours, on Saturday, and 05 miles 17 laps. His attributed his failure to ill-health, and the smallness of the ball.

Steeplechase for £IOO A-side. A steeplechase match for LIOO a-side, between Te Whetu and Catch ’em, re sulted in an easy victory for the former. An Elopmeat in Low Life. The wife of a laboring man has eloped with with another laborer, to Hokianga, and the husband has burnt his own house at Yiller’s creek, it is supposed in order to prevent his wife’s paramour from get ting the benefit of his labor. Local Option. The principle of increasing publican’s licenses has been affirmed at Hamilton. The Walpa Block. 500 acres of the Waipa Block, Patatere, have been sold for L 5,000. A Good Yield. An aaverage yield of 80 bushel- of maize per acre were obtained from Opotiki. The Native Meeting. Albxandla, To-day. There is nothing doing at Tawhiao’s settlement, at Whatiwhatitihoo, beyond providing for the guests, who continue to arrive from various parts of the country— on horseback, in buggies, and on foot. Yesterday a local publican was sent to the settlement, and saw Tawhiao about the Hon. Mr Bryce’s prohibition against the sale of drink. Tawhiao said that on asking the Native Minister to prohibit the sale, he only intended it should apply to his own settlement, and not to Alexan dra ; and gave him a telegram to send to Mr Bryce to that effect, consequently the police have nob enforced the provision here to-day. Te Maku came in this morning, and had a long consultation with Mr Bush, Government Representa tive, and from enquiries i find that Ta whaio was not disinclined to meet iir Bryce. It appears that Mr Bryce tele graphed, saying he would come to Alex andra if Tawhiao wished. Tawhiao thought if he replied “ come,” Mr Bryce would then ask him what he had sent for him for. If he had c mie of his own motion, Tawhiao would have mot him at Alex andra. A Valuable Block. The Kakapnka block, which Mr Alex

ander McDonald is endeavoring to secure for the Ngatiraukawas, includes the mountain hearing that name, which forms a conspicuous feature in Alexandra scenery, and is within the Kingite terri tory. Correspondence has passed between Tawahio and Mr M'Donald on the sub ject. Kakapuka is known to be rich in copper ore. Crushed. Mastebton, To-day. A man named Fremgar was killed at Woodlands, Taunia, by a falling tree on Saturday. The body was brought into Masterton for the inquest to-day. Disqualified. The Carterton-Wairarapa Jockey Club have endorsed the disqualification passed on Murtagh by the Hawke’s Bay Racing Club. Customs Returns. Dunedin, To-day. The month’s Customs revenue ia L2G,609. Vital Statistics- The vital statistics for April are : Births, 110 ; deaths, 31 ; marriages 39. Football. At a Rugby Union meeting, the ques tion of an intercolonial match with New South Wales was mooted, and it was re solved to communicate with the secretary of the Rugby Union there, with the view of their sending over a team of footballers to make a tour through New Zealand.

Shipping. Arrived—Wanaka. A Flood. A Tapanui telegram states that the Pomabaka has overflown its banks. Kelso is flooded, and the people having to leave. Lower dow n the river, between Glenken nick and Pomahaka, there is water for a mile on either side. The damage has not yet been ascertained.

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

The San Francisco mail arrived at Auckland this morning.

SPORTING

NEWMARKET SPRING MEETING. London, April 28. The following is the result of the race for the ONa Tbocs»n ) Guinea Stakes, a subscription of 100 sovs each, h ft, for three-year old fillies, Bst 12lb each ; the owner of the second to receive 200 sovs out of ihe stakes, aid iha thi'd to save Ins stake ; 11. M. ; 64 subs. Mr W. hi. Crawfurd’s ch f St. Mar-

gue.lte, by Hermit—Devotion ... 1 Duke of Westminster’s ch f Sbotover, by Her.nik—Stray Shot ... .-2 Mr L. do llothLchild’a ch f Nellie, by Bernik—Bippia 3 THE GRAND NATIONAL. The following weights have been de clared : sfc. lb. at. lb. Clarence ... 12 10 Baron ... 10 12 Sailor Boy.. 12 10 Carrigeen... 10 0 Why Not... 11 7 Katerfelto.. 10 0 Quamby ... 11 5 Mousetrap. 10 0 Young Sledmere 11 3 |

C.J.C. HANDICAP. The following weights have been de clared for the Canterbury Jockey Cgub Handicap, a sweepstake of 20 sovs each, with 500 so vs added. Second horse to receive 50 sovs from the stakes ; third horse to save his stake. Acceptances, with 2 sovs, on August 1, S sovs on day of general entry, and 10 sovs by 9 p. m. on the evening before the race. Two miles.

FATAL FIRE.

A Family Burned to Death

[by telegraph.]

Masterton, To-day.

News was brought in this morning of the dreadful death by fire of a man, his wife, and three children at Whare araea ferry. The man’s name was Smith, and he had been ferryman for many years. No one knew of the fire until some persons going by discovered the remains of the building and also those of the unfortunate man and his wife. The body of a child was found on the hill side where some dogs had dragged it.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, MONDAY, MAY 1, 1882.



Grip st. . 9 lb. 8 at. Blue Jacket.., 7 lb. 4 Mata . 9 5 Holderness ... 7 3 Sir Modred.. . 9 0 Nonsense ... 7 1 Nat a tor . 8 11 Siesta 7 1 Ho r a by , 8 4 Vanguard ... 7 0 Lady Emma. . 8 4 Cheviot 7 0 Virginia Water 8 4 Matanaka ... 7 0 Betrayer . 8 4 Murat 7 0 Somnus . 8 4 Yatterina filly 7 0 The Dauphin. . 8 4 Flap Jack ... 7 0 Salvage . 8 4 'The Poet ... 6 12 Mischief . 8 1 Ir : s ... 6 11 Chancellor . . 8 1 Sou’ Wester... 6 10 Amulet . 8 0 OnDit 6 9 Idalimn . 8 0 Lagedemain... 6 9 Gorton . 8 0 Hinetnoa 6 9 Emir Bey . . 7 13 Toi Toi filly... 6 5 Libeller . 7 12 Welcome Jack 6 6 Tasman . 7 10 Turquoise ... 6 5 Louis d’Or . 7 10 Armourer ... 6 6 Sir George .. . 7 10 Administrator 6 4 Hilarious .. . 7 10 Leonora ... 6 4 Lure . 7 10 Minerva 6 4 Volunteer .. . 7 10 Amazon 6 4 Cathedral . . 7 8 Bayard 6 4 King Quail .. . 7 7 Coupon 6 4 Fleur de Lys. . 7 7 Statesman ... 6 4 Slander filly. . 7 5 Ghana 6 4 Envy filly .. . 7 5 Dan 6 4 La Mode . 7 5 If So 6 0 Hilda . 7 4 The Jilt ... 6 0 Bundoora .. . 7 4 Aida 6 0 Whitbach .. . 7 4 Te Ata 6 0 Violin . 7 4 Trinket 6 0 Nonpareil .. 7 4| Taiaroa ... 6 0



SPECIAL ENTRY. THURSDAY, 4TH MAY. MESSRS J. T. FORD & 00. have been instructed by the Manager of the Lagtnhor Estate, to Sell on Thursday next— 90ft Of the Finest FAT SHEEP JUXjSj ever yarded in the Saleyards v of the County of Ashburton. The attention of butchers is particularly drawn to this advertisement. J. T. FORD & 00., Auctioneers, Or FRIEDLANDER BROS., Ashburton. SCHOOL BOOKS SCHOOL STATIONERY. SCHOOL COMMITTEES SUPPLIED. Foolscap from 16s per Ream, Cash. * Envelopes ~ 6a 6d per 1,000 ~ Note Paper, Five Quires, Is „ A GOOD ASSORTMENT of Ledgers, "Cash, Day Books, and Ledger Books IN STOCK. Toys Fancy Goods, Crewel Wools, &c. H. M. Jones. Stationer :|.nd Bookseller, 203 d O. Carstens & Co., j j * (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, rBACCONIS'J; 1 , FANCY GOODS AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, 0.8. E>. Pipes •j.. Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco A nice assortment of Accordiom, Con certinas, Flutes, Violins, Mouth Organs, •ad Toys of every description, direct from ■ Home. Hftiroutting, Si laving and Shampooing. BAST STREEP ASHBURTON. 257 a ■J3 O C. HAWKINS has Just I), n. Received a Large Consignment Of B. & S. (not Brandy and Soda, but BOOTS and shoes) that must be sold. BUCKS BELOW THOSE OF CHKIiTCHOECU. Hole the Address C. HAWKINS, ITINWALD AND ASHBURTON. ■ 998 c 0 MOUNT SOMERS AGENCY. sftfr W* H. Puddicombe is authorised to money and transact all business Connection with The Ashburton slur in the Mount Somers and ’Forest districts. np ISMtete



Wanted Wanted — a shepherd. Apply to E. H. Dobson, Lowcliffe. 341 e * IT ANTE!), immediately—Several AS YV SISTANTS to the Dressmaking. Apply, A ndrew Ore, East street. 255 a 'ANTED—On the Ist of June, lirst class MILLER. References re quuircd. None but steady men need apply. Jas. Clare, Wcsterfield Mills, Ashburton. 386 a WAN T ED—A SITU AT lON, as Clerk or Storeman, by a married mrn of experience. Good references. Apply, “ M,” Office of this Paper. 82Gd WANTED to purchase Ashburton GAS COMPANY SHARES. Jameson and Roberts. 356 e ANTED TO LEI’—SHOPS in Havelock street. Low rental — viz.—lss per week. And also to SELL' ONE ACRE of LAND, Mayo’s Block. Apply to James Baker, Havelock street. 251 c ANTED KNOWN.— A Cikgulat ing Library is now open at L, F. Andrew eh’, Bookseller, East street South, Ashburton. A large number of books to choose from. Terms very moderate 745 d WANTED KNOWN—That Robert Elston, Burnett street, Ashburton, havin'* 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



Special Advertisements. E. ASHBURTON COAL AND FIREWOOD DEPOT E. S. Eean (Late of Montgomery and Co., Limited), HAS COMMENCED BUSINESS as above, next to Mr Jos. Clark’s Office, in WEST STREET, and hopes, by civility and attention, to merit a fair share of public support. Agent for the Springfield Coal Co. Coal, Firewood, Posts, Rails, Stakes, &c. Orders taken for Bricks, Cement, Lime, Timber, &c. Oats, Bran, Chaff, Chicken Wheat, &c. Note the Address — NEXT MR JOSEPH CLARK’S, WEST STREET. 181 e FARMERS. T ROBERTS, PAXTON & CO. ARE CASH PURCHASERS OF WHEAT BARLEY OATS GRASS SEED AT HIGHEST MARKET RATES, AND ARE SUPPLYING FARMERS With Largo and EXTRA QUALITY CORNSACKS At Lowest Current Rates. ROBERTS, PAXTON & CO. Offices : Manchester street, Christchurch, two doors south of Messrs P, Cunningham and Co.’s. 30e *5 Sr LOCAL INDUSTRY. John Moech, CABIN STM A KER'A UPHOLSTERER, Begs to invito his friends to inspect his large stock of New and Second-hand Fur niture, consisting of Drawing-room and Bedroom Suites Chiffoniers Book Cases Wardrobes Chests of Drawers Tables Wash Stands Wood and Iron Bedsteads Cots, Cradles Perambulators And everything required in household furnishing at the very lowest prices. Practical workmen kept for all kinds of repai rs. Furniture bought, and high prices given. Furniture lent, on weekly and monthly payments.



JOHN MEECH, Burnett street, Opposite the Mail Office. fiCTI 82e * Wit t: OANTERBURY 'MUSIO DEPOT, ASHBURTON BRANCH. Milner & Thompson Desire to inform the residents of Ash burton and surrounding districts that they have appointed Mr H. M. JONES their Bole Agent for this district, and invito inspection of the Instruments, Music, &c., now displayed in the SHOW ROOM, above Mr Jones’ Shop. PIANOS by all the best makers— Broadwood, Collard and Collard, Erard, Pleyel, Cord, Challen and Sons, Ascher bnrg, Lipp and Sohn, Chappell, Rbnisch, Bechstein, Kapp, and others. Sole Agent for John Brinsmcad’s Gold Medal Pianos. Specialities Our Dresden Model Pianos, which took First Award of Merit at the Ashburton Exhibition, from £35 to £55. Harmoniums and Organs, from £7 10s to £SO. ORGANS. ORGANS. Organs now on Sale at Ll2 12s. A perfect Gem, L 25. PIANOS. PIANOS. New Stock, just opened up. The above Instruments can bo pur chased on Deferred Payment from 20s per month. Orders for Tuning executed by a first-class professional. Pianos on Hire. 707 c



Special Advertisements. 'EW GOODS. NEW GOODS JUST OPENED UP, A General Stock of the very best Sta tionery, Cash, Day and Minute Books, Ledgers, Journals, Small Account and Memorandum Books, &c. Fine Cream Laid Envelopes, 6a 3d per 1,000, cash ; Blue Laid, Best Quality, 6s 3d per 1,000 ; Note Paper, from Is per five quires. Toys and Fancy Goods too numerous to particu larise. R. B E V A N STATIONER, BOOKSELLER, Ac., Saunders’ Buildings, East street (Near Quill’s Hotel). 721 d N D R E W E S BROS. (Late L. F. Andrewes), BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS, AND NEWS-AGENTS, East street South, Ashburton. School-books and Stationery of Every Description. School Committees sup plied. Hymn and Prayer-books of Every Kind. Children’s .Picture and Story Books. American Novelties, just arrived. Journals, Magazines, and Homo Papers every Mail. A large assortment of Maori Photographs, including Te Whiti and other Chiefs. N. B. —All orders attended to without delay. 334 e r <A AAn TO LEND on Freehold 3jOU,UW Property, in sums of £3OO f And upwards, at Lowest Current Rates of Interest THE N.Z. GRAIN AGENCY AND MERCANTILE COMPANY, LIMITED. WILLIAM HORNE, 2SGe* Agent. Gr. Adams & Co., |'PRACTICAL ENGLISH WATOLT- I MAKERS, JEWELLERS, AND IMPORTERS, HIGH STREET (Next W. J. Fishers), Christchurch. Rotherham’s English Lever Watches, guaranteed genuine, capped and jewelled, £5 10s to £lO 10s. American Waltham Lever Watches, of world-wide celebrity, English Hall-marked cases, £3 10s to £5 10s. N.B. See that the words “ Wal tham, Mass.” arc engraved on the works. None are genuine without. Ladies’ Watches, in gold or silver cases, from 455. Every Watch is Examined, Timed, and Guaranteed for Two Years. A splendid assortment of the Newest Patterns in Gold and Silver Jewellery. Novelties in Greenstone. 708 d



OTICE TO FARMERS. We are (HSH PURCHASERS of WHEAT OaTS BARLEY RYEGRASS SEED COCKSFOOT SEED WANTED—IO,OOO bushels Pearl and 10,000 bushels Velvet CHAFF, For delivery at our Stores, at Addington, or Riccarton Mills, or any Country Station. WOOD, SINCLAIR & CO., Triangle, Christchurch ; Or, POYNTZ & CO., Ashburton. G RAIN SHIPMENTS TO THE ENGLISH OR CONTINENTAL MARKETS. The undersigned are prepared to make liberal CASH ADVANCES ON GRAIN AND ALL DESCRIPTIONS OF PRODUCE Placed in their hands FOR SALE IN THE ENGLISH OR CONTINENTAL MARKETS. Having commodious Brick Stores at Addington, we are open to make Special arrangements for the Storage of Grain. Farmers can, therefore, avail them selves of the local as well as export market. WOOD, SINCLAIR & CO., Triangle, Christchurch ; Or, POYNTZ & CO., 764 d ' Ashburton.



jgARLEY MEAL. BARLEY MEAL. H. BOWERS has FOR SALE Ground Barley Meal. 500 BDSHELS 600 Splendid Pig Feed. ALBERT MILLS. 35i



MR L. H. WILKINS ia authoiiaed to OANYASS and COLLECT AO COUNTS on behalf of Tan Ashburton Guardian, THE NEW ZEALAND THE NEW ZEALAND THE NEW ZEALAND THE NEW ZEALAND THE NEW ZEALAND S ► THE NEW ZEALAND | THE NEW ZEALAND ? THE NEW ZEALAND 3 CO > to o R THE NEW ZEALAND THE NEW ZEALAND p Agents for the Celebrated Wertheim The Boys’ and Youths’ Clothing is especially recommended, and Parents and Guardians will find it advantageous to make an early selection. I SD ss o o o & m CLOTHING FACTORY. CLOTHING FACTORY. 3CLOTHING FACTORY. ® % CLOTHING FACTORY. E- _ CLOTHING FACTORY. ° | gj CLOTHING FACTORY. S* 3 —CLOTHING FACTORY, o t-t* ? CLOTHING FACTORY a H-i CLOTHING FACTORY, tel P CLOTHING FACTORY.



Special Advertisements. -R E. G. WRIGHT will MEET the ELECTORS of ASHBURTON at the SCHOOLHOU3E, ALFORD FOREST, on THURSDAY, 4th May, at 8 o’clock. QTARTLING ANNOUNCEMENT. EVERETT BROS., GENERAL DRAPERS, ARE AGAIN IN ASHBURTON, And have OPENED in their OLD PRE MISES, next Harrison’s, Havelock street, FOR A FEW MONTHS ONLY, With a Large and Well-bought Stock of WINTER DRAPERY AND MERCERY. SEE CinC'DLA.nS.



Upper Ashburton Road Board. —The ordinary monthly meeting of this Board was held on Monday, the 24th. Present —Messrs D. M'Lean (Chairman), 0. J. Harper, and M. Stitt. The mmi tidy report was read and considered, Corres pondence was read from L. Hickman, asking permission to use gravel reserve Ho. 2L21, which was granted, under the usual conditions imposed by the Board.—Prom the Ashburton County Council, forwarding the electoral roll forjt.he Upper Ashburton Riding.—To be on view at tho office to the 16th May. Messrs iMiles and Co asking the Board if the piece of land required for a road through section No 29902. would still be required. Tho clerk to reply in the nega tive, as another lino of road was con templated. The Clerk was requested to see Mr Sealey relative to planting tho piece of land applied for adjoining tho Board’s reserve No 1928 Alford Forest Road. Ho was also instructed to have the fence of the reservo at Tinwald put in order, and also 1 1 allow no stock in the paddocks.' ♦The Clerk was instructed to still use Ills ' best endeavors towards getting in rates, \ and to make out a list of defaulting rato« ; ;if payers, and use the necessary means to % compel payment. A few small accounts r” were then passed, and tho Board ad- journed. , .■ i Vis- 'I 1 ... 11*.*..I I *.*.. ■ iwllid.jilM