SHIPPING.

POET OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Maud Graham, schooner, from Wel lington. Sailed. Yesterday Notero, barque, for Auckland. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. , Arrived —Rockhampton, from New castle. Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived —V. airarapa, from Melbourne, via the South; Takapuna, from One hunga, via Taranaki; Taiaroa, from the North; Wallace, from Nelson; Hurunui, ■hip, from Port Chalmers. Sailed —Taiaroa, for Lyttelton; Mana watu, for Wanganui and Westport; Taka puna, for Lyttelton; Wairarapa, for Syd ney via Auckland. Timaru, Yesterday. Arrived Rotorua, from Lyttelton; Beautiful Star, from Dunedin; Koranui. from Wellington. Sailed —Rotorua and Beautiful Star, for Port Chalmers. Dunedin, Yesterday. Sailed —Barque Bolls, for Geographe Bay.

COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, Friday afternoon. Messrs Friedlander Bros., in conjunction with Messrs R. Wilkin and Co, (per Mr F. C. Tabart, auctioneer), report for the week end ing Dec. sth as follows : —At the Tinwald Yards on Tuesday, 4,596 sheep, 133 head of cattle and 32 pigs were yarded for the week’s supply. There was a limited supply of fat sheep, and consequently biddings were rather brisk, and prices a shade in advance of late rates were obtained. In store sheep there was a large entry, and most of the lots found buyers at satisfactory rates to vendors. Our entries for the day were on acconnt of Messrs J. Carter, G. Grice, C. Ga'e, T. Magee, L, E, Corsbie and others. We sold in fat sheep, 66 prime wether hogeets, shorn, at 13s ; 30 meri no wethers in wool, 13s 6d, In stores we sold 383'merino wethers, with lambs at foet, 10s ; 868 shorn hoggets, 12s; 161 shorn hoggets (culls), 8s 4<i; 70 merino wethers, 7s; 85 merino wethers, 10s lod ; 300 shorn merino ewes, with lambs, 8s 3d; 134 medium-size hoggets, in wool, 13s 3d ; 36 hoggets, small, 9s; 400 merino ewes, with lambs, 9s id. Fat Cattle—A fair supply yarded, most of them comprised of prime and good quality draughts. The sale was, however, a dragging one. Fat heifers sold at L 5, Ls 2s 6d, I 4 17s 6d; steers, from L$ 10s to 16 10s. In store cattle the entry was not very large, being principally made up of small lots, only one or two good lines being yarded. Springers sold at L42S 6d, L 4 6s, L 4 17s 6d; cows in full profit, from L 5 Ss to L 7 ; young dry heifers, from L 3 to L 4. We quote for prime crossbred, shorn, from 2#d to 3d per lb. Beef we quote from 19s to 22s 6d per loolb, according to quality. Privately we placed a line of shorn crossbreds, at los tod each.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALE-*. ; ) Tuesday, December 11. Matson, Cox and Co., at the Tinwald Kaleyards—Stock. Thursday, December 18. Messrs H. Matson and Co., at tbeir Stores—Wool MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Etc Monday, December 10. Borough Council; at Borough Council Chambers, at 7.30. Monday, December 17. Athletic Sports, on the Cricket and Ath letic Sports Grounds Thursday, December 27. Mount Somers Annual Races and Sports. Tuesday, January 1. Winslow Annual Races and Sports. Methren Annual Races and Sports. Friday, January 4. Ashburton County Council—At Council Chambers, 11a.m. Friday, January 4 Longbeach Road Board, at Read Board office, Longbeach Saturday, January 5. Wakanni Road Board, at Road Board office, Moore street, at 10.30 a.m. Monday, January 7. Upper Ashburton Road Board, at Road Board Office

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

Titling Leave Ashburton fob Christ church and intermediate stations at 7.10 a.m., 10.55 a.m., and (Express) 5.37 p.m. Trains Leave Ashburton for Timaru and South, at 6.50 a.m., 10.25 a.m. (Express),and 445 p.m.—the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Christchurch at 10 15a.m. (Express), 436 p.m., and 7.15 p.m. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Timaru and South at 10.40 a.m., 5.27 p.m. (Express), and 8 p.m.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office follows: For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m. 10.80 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Cheriseyßakaia, &c., at 10.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Bangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. For Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m,, ForTima.ru and South, at 6 a.m., 10 a.m., and 430 p.m., daily. For GrCenstreet and Ashburton Forks, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 3.30 p.m; - For Jfount Somers, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 6 a.m. and 430 p.m. For Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days,, at 6 a.m. For'Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, at 4.30 p.m. daily. For Plemington, on Mondays, Wednes day, and' Fridays, at 430 p. m. For Wakahui, Elgin, Seaview, Seafield, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 a.m. For Newlauds, on Tuesdays and Fri days at 10.30 a.m.

Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office— ■, From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.15 4i86 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. From Cherteey, &c, at 10.16 a.m. and 485 p.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at daily. Ftoiu' f emuka and Timaru at 10.40 a. m. 5.30 p.m., and 8 p.m. daily. From ■ Greenstreet and Ashburton Forks, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10 -*m. From, Mount Somers, on Tuesdays and Favurdays, at 10.6 a.m. and 8.16 p.m. From Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days, fet 10.6 a.m. Ifrom Ashton, Waterton, and Long fteachat 10 a.m. daily. From Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sat urdays, at 4 p.m. From NOwlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days, at 9.30 a.m. From Flemington on Tuesdays, Thurs days, and Saturdays, at 10 a.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas Et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1883.

Pressure on our space, on account or a rush of late advertisements, compels us to hold over leading and other matter from this issue.

Owing to the continued illness of Judge Ward the sittings of the District Court have been again adjourned to January 10.

The match between the Geraldine and Ashburton Borough Cricket Clubs is un avoidably postponed. It is probable it will come off on the following Wednes day. There will be a confirmation service held at St. Stephen’s Church to-morrow morning at 11 o’clock, when the Primate will officiate. His Lordship will also preach in the evening.

At the Appeal Court yesterday after noon an order was made reinstating Mr Staite, of Canterbury, a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court. The re maining judgments will be delivered on Monday morning.

At a meeting of teachers of the Ashbur ton Wesleyan Sunday School, held on Thursday night, it was decided to hold the annual treat on New Year’s Day in the mill paddock, which has been placed at the disposal of the Committee by Mr S. Saunders.

The funeral of the late Mr W. J. W. Hamilton took place yesterday. There was a large attendance at it, including members ot the Diocesan Synod, and the Canterbury College Board of Governors. The Most Reverend tlu Primate con ducted the service.

The New Zealand Shipping Co. are ad vised by cable that the Fenstanton’s cargo of frozen meat has arrived in good condi tion. The following steamers of the Co.’s direct line are to leave London this month for New Zealand: —Doric, s.s., on 13th instant, for Auckland, Wellington and Lyttelton ; henstanton, s.s., on 21st inst. for Port Chalmers.

A copy of the Canterbury and Otago Almanac for 1884 is to hand from the Timam Herald office, and is quite up to the high standard of former issues of this useful handbook. The information con cerning the different parts of the colony is admirably compiled, and considering the low price at which it is published, a shil ling, it should have a large sale.

As will be seen by a notification appear ing elsewhere the drapery business of S. W. Alcorn in Fast street has been taken overby Messrs Ore and Co., the latter firm thus instituting another branch to their already extensive business. The premises just completed by Messrs Orr and Co. are now fully stocked, and from a cursory inspection wa vdd say that there are few things that are not to be procured at the store. In hardware and ironmongery the stock is especially com plete, the increased size of the premises giving far more storage room than was possible in the old building, and no doubt in their new undertaking the firm will reap the benefit their enterprise un doubtedly merits. Our own correspondent writes :—An entertainment of an interesting and amus ing nature took place in the Ohertsey Schoolhouse last evening. First, a very racy lecture on the “ West of Ireland and the Lakes of Killarney ” was delivered in characteristic style by the Rev Mr Cham bers, the Anglican clergyman of the dis trict. The lecture, to judge by the ap plause which followed the various points of the lecturer, was highly appreciated by those present. At the conclusion of the lecture a spelling bee was held. Ten candidates came to the front. The suc cessful candidates were—lst prize, Mr W. Wilkinson ; 2nd, Mr E. Wilkinson : each receiving a valuable volume. The worst speller in the lot (Mr Wagstafi) received as a reward for his exertions a “ Mather’s feeding bottle!” Holloway’s Pills. Liver Complaints.—The digestion cannot be long so seriously disordered without the de rangement being perceptible on the counten ance. These pills prevent both unpleasant consequences ; they improve the appetite and with the increase of desire for food, they augment the powers of digestion and assimila tion in the stomach. Holloways Pills deal most satisfactorily with deranged or diseased conditions of the many organs engaged in ex tracting nourishment for our bodies from our various diets—as the liver, stomach, and bowels, over all of which they exercise the most salutary control. By resorting at an early stage of this malady to these purifiying and laxative Pills, the dyspeptic is speedily restored to health and strength, and his sallowness gradually vanishes.—fAdvt.l

Some interesting statistics relating to the strength of (he police force in New Zealand, as compared with other colonies and different cities in Great Britain, have been placed at the disposal of the Evening Post. They are compiled !rom recent official returns. In London there is one constable to every 356 inhabitants ; in Ireland. 1 (o 397 inhabitants ; Queens land, 1 to 460 ; New South Wales, 1 to 644 ; South Australia, 1 to 670 ; Victoria, 1 to 775; and in New Zealand, 1 to 1,084. In the Dublin metropolitan force there is one officer to constables ; in London the proportion is 1 to 17y ; Queensland, 1 lo 20£ ; New South Wales, 1 to 33 2-7 ; South Australia, 1 to 35 ; New Zealand, 1 to 41^ ; Victoria, 1 to 44£. In A ictoria the number of officers has been doubled since the returns were issued from which these statistics are pre pared, so that the proportion in that colony is 1 officer to every 22£ men, showing New Zealand not only to possess the smallest force as compared with the population, but also to have the least number of officers in proportion to the men.

The Nero Zealand Times mentions that a telegram was received by the lands de partment a little while back from Mr Huntley Elliott, Under-Secretary for Lands and Immigration, stating that when he examined the Triumph and her immi grants up' u her arrival in Auckland, he noticed that she was generally unfit for the requirements of an immigrant ship, and was also very dirty. Mr Elliott found that the Government immigrants had no complaints to make, and they spoke of the captain favorably. The second and third class passengers, however, were greatly dissatisfied, and with good reason. There seemed also to have been gross moral irre gularities, in which the ship’s officers and some of the passengers were said to have participated, allowed to pass unchecked Mr Elliott’s estimate of the way in which the captain, doctor, and officers of the ship discharged some of their duties was not a favorable one, though he had reason to believe that the captain was a compe tent navigator. The present Passengers Act is unfortunately rather lax, having been passed in 1855, mainly for the go vernment of vessels carrying emigrants from Liverpool to America. A meeting of the Wakanui School Com mittee was held in the main school on Wednesday evening last; all the members being present except Mr T. Patterson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman re ported having paid teichera their salaries, amounting to 137 9s 7d, and o’her ac counts to the mount of 12s 6d. Ho had a'ao let the schoolroom to the J Sports Committee at 2a 6d for each meeting. Mr Cockle had asked, and been granted per mission to cut and remove the grass on the school ground. He had, as instructed at last meeting, asked the Board for a special grant for the purpose of erecting the gymnastic apparatus, but as yet the Board had ny. replied. The actions of the Chairman since last meeting was ap proved of. A circular was received from the Board of Education, stating that for

the future all salaries and allowances, the amount of which is regulated by the aver age attendance, will be paid strictly in ac cordance with the regulations; upon the working average for the last preceding quarter, and that the Board will not be able to take into consideration the circum stances of the attendance at any school having been diminished by sickness or other accidental cause. —It was resolved that the Committee advertise tor a master for the side school, applications to be sent in by the 29th inst. The Committee than adjourned. A deputation representing the West port Coal Company waited on the Hon Mr Mitchelson at Dunedin yesterday afternoon to urge the advisableness of carrying on the work of improving the Westport Harbor in a speedier manner than it was being proceeded with at pre sent. Mr Mitchelson said the matter had come before him for the first time, and he could make no definite promise, but he had no doubt when he returned to Wel lington, and placed the views of the de putation before the Government, they would agree to the expenditure of the money voted, as was suggested. A depu tation from the New Zealand Manufactu rers’ Association also waited on the Min ister to urge that as much of the Govern ment work as possible should be given to colonial manufacturers. Mr Mitchelson promised that whatever he could place in the hands of colonial manufacturers he would, but he added the fact of the Gov ern ent having work done in their own workshops instead of private factories in

Dunedin would not affect the labor mar ket in any way. So far as he could see, the Government were employing as great an amount of labor as the various factories throughout the town, and had also a num ber of apprentices. Mr Mitchelson goes to Invercargill on Monday, and returns to Dunedin on Wednesday. He had intended inspecting the Otago Central line this trip but will forego the inspection on this occasion. The attempt to float the Triumph by the agency of compressed air has failed, owing to leakage in the fore compartment. The highest pressure obtained was 51b to the square inch. Mr Hawkswood, of Hobson street Foundry, has laid before Messrs Nathan and Captain Brothertoo a scheme for lifting thn head of the Triumph with four large iron , pontoons, and when she is floated off to tow her to Auckland with pontoons still under to support her. Captain Brotherton doubted that the idea could be carried out, owing to the difficul ty of getting the chain under the vessel’s keel, but Mr Hawkswood is sanguine that any difficulty in that direction coul I be overcome. Hia scheme has been freely discussed and is generally approved of, the prevailing idea being that if his method of lifting had been adopted at first, instead of tearing the vessel’s bot tom tp pieces, she would by this time have been in Auckland harbor. The proposal is still under considora'ion. hfforts will now be directed towards keep ing the vessel on the rocks in order to save the remainder of the cargo, machi nery, etc. An anchor has been thrown out forward to assist in keeping the vessel in her present position. Pumping opera tions have continued all day. None of the fittings of the machinery have yet been removed, the reason being that the ship had been only insured against total loss. There is not the slightest doubt that thousands of pounds worth of fittings might have been removed to a place of safety; also the Haslam r frigerator, which could all have been taken away since Monday and Tuesday.

NOTES ON FARMING OPERATIONS

[by our special reporter.] Yesterday morning the weather looking more settled, 1 rode out to (Jreensireat to ascertain how farming operations gener ally were progressing in that district. 1 he first farm I visited belonged to Mr A. Fiisby, whose land is principally under crop, only a small portion being kept for grazing. His cereals look remarkably well, notably one large paddock of wheat opposite his residence, which if no unfor seen misfortune happens to it, must yield a grand return at threshing time, and is without doubt the best field of this de scription in the district. This gentleman informed me that a good many of his hoggets had died from bronchial worms, and that at a very early lambing season he lost quite 50 per cent of lambs. This was in the month of August, when we had some very severe weather. The feed everywhere is most luxurious, the cattle being up to their knees in grass, and the sheep in some instances being quite hidden

and are looking, in an auctioneer’s dialect, “as fat as mud.” The [fruit trees, both large and small, excepting the peaches, look remarkably well, in fact the branches of some of the apple trees if not thinned must break from the weight of fruit, i’he peach trees, I am sorry to say, have been attacked by a blight; first the leaves shrivel, then the fruit becomes soft, and eventually both fall to the ground leaving the tree as bare as in v inter. Smaller fruit, such as gooaebonies and currants, show well, some very fine specimens of the former were shown me by Mr Frisby. There is a very nice paddock reserved for hay of about eighty acres opposite the school, belonging to Mr Sutherland, which ought to yield four or five tons per acre, and with this exception is the only large meadow the other side of Digby’s bridge, hay being evidently the one bra"ch of agricultural industry that does not pay. The shearing season through out the will no doubt be a pro traced one, on account of the [cold sum mer we are getting. One or two farmers have finished, some are in the middle, while the greater majority have not com menced operations jet, waiting until after Christmas, when they prognosticate more .wasonab'e weather. The generality of farmers up this way have been very for tun? te in not losing many lambs this year, having wisely made the lambing time later than formerly. The small birds no means numerous, a great many having been poisoned, especially the larks, which indeed do the most damage, and if the poisoned wheat is as successful next year as it has been this, the farmers think that this great evil may be a thing of the past. Greenstreet is by no means standing still in the county, as many new homesteads have sprung up since I last had the pleasure of reporting about the district. The land for the most part being very good, it must of necessity soon repay the agriculturalist for the labor he bestows on it.

THE ANNEXATION OF SAMOA.

The following are alditional particulars re Samoan affairs and annexation. After the passage of the Federation and Annex ation Act through the New Zealand Par liament, copies of the measure were trans mitted to Mr John Lundon, then at Samoa, with the intention of having ex plained to the islanders and their Pailia ment how the measure could facilitate the desires already entertained among them in favor of political {connection with this colony. It appears that the Consular administration which controls the islands in their relations with Europeans abroad or resident in the islands, has been very vexatious in its operations. The Islanders are pr°pared for anything to relieve them from this anomalous interference with them and with their government of them selves By the Penguin, from Fiji, Mr Lundon is the bearer of an impor tant communication aidresed to the Premier and members of the Assem bly of New Zealand. It appears that the Annexation Act of this cchmy has been fully discussed by the Pailiament and chiefs of Samoa, and that they have unanimously agreed to take steps towards obtaining annexation to New Zealand One of the communications says “various chiefs and members of Parliament have expressed themselves much gratified w-th the action taken by the Parliament of New Zealand with regard to Samoa, and they promised Mr Lundon that they would hold a meeting of both Houses of Parliament and discuss annexation, which they have since done, and were all unani mous for annex tion to New Zealand All members were present with the ex ception of the two kings, viz., Malietoi and the vice-king Tamesse, they thinking it better not to attend." It would appear that the Samoans have been particularly taken by the large sums voted by the New Zealand Parliament for education, for native schools and Land Courts ; and being a very intelligent people fully com prehended the amounts and the purport of the expenditure in the various depart ments of the public service. A communi cation forwarded from Samoa, by the re quest of the Samoa Government, to the Premier and Parliament of Ne w Zealand says : “ Members of the present Samoan Government and other chiefs of influence not in the Government have asked me to make the following proposition to you : —Will your Government pay the expense of a visit of a deputation of Samoan chiefs to Ne v Zealand, while there, and return back to Samoa? The deputation consists of ten members and an interpreter extra. They are willing to await this answer to appoint a deputation to visit you, consult you, and if clear and good to their mind to enter into temporary arrangements for annexation till further nows is obtained from the Home Go ernment. A deputa tion also from your Government to come back wi!h them and further this scheme and fix it at all points.” The letter urges, “ Send when in New Zealand show them about your Government vessel here for them ; the country, and they will return here full of wonder and admiration aid praise o f what your Government can do. It will get them a longing for and desire for their country to be like it ; get native members of Parliament to send an invitaion for King Malietoa to go to New Zealand.” Again—“ Since passing Sir George Grev’s resolution on this subject thro ’gh the House, the scheme, has borne fruit ; an nexation is now the feeling.” In a memorandum accompanying it is said— “ They are willing to go the full length of anything, so that they can get a check on the Gormans from taking land never sold to them, and a check on Consuls bullying them so often. They do not want to be a Crown Colony, but they de sire to be joined to a representative one.” The statement goes so far as saying that should the Home Government decline to sanction action in the matter, they are prepared voluntarily to take action them selves, and declare themselves part *and parcel of New Zealand. There has never been a better opportunity of transferring this group to the British than now ; if not, France will be here next year, as well as at the New Hebrides. The last war vessel (French) from Tahiti that was here told the people that. next year they will coma and visit them and do them some good. The French priests do not want France here on account of the ill-feeling between the Republic and the priests. Every Catholic chief, Protestant chief and wild chief of influence is for joining New Zealand. Hoping, wishing and praying for it so as to get it settled in the mind and in Government.” The letter enclos ing these documents for the New Zealand Government says They are written out by roe at the expressed wish of the present Government." The intelligence just received as to the strong desire of the Samoan (Government and Parliament in favor of annexation to New Zealand and of the steps taken with that object, has been transmitted by cable to Mr Whitaker at Sydney, so that he may be possessed of the information in the event of anything arising bearing on Samoa at the Convention.

THE MOUNT SOMERS RAILWAY.

The following correspondence has been placed at our disposal:— Ashburton, 4th Dec. 1883. Dear Sir, —Will you kindly look at the passage marked in the Ashbutton Mail sent herein, and say if you are correctly reported as informing Mr Ivess “ That you had left the arrange ments of your visit yesterday in my hands.” I certainly did not under stand anything of the sort. Apologis ing for troubling you upon such a question.—l am, dear sir, yours truly, Edward G. Wright. The Hon. E. Mitchelson, Dunedin. To E. G. Wright, Esq., M.H.R., Winslow. All that I told Mr Ivess was that I had arranged with you on Saturday to visit the Mount Somers Railway on the Monday following, and I do not consider Mr Ivess was justified in con structing the paragraph as he has done. I will arrive at Ashburton by the first train from Oamaru on Saturday week. —E. Mitchelson. To E G. Wright, Esq. M.H.R., Winslow. The Minister intends to be at Ash burton on Saturday, 15th inst, an hour or two before the northern express, by which he will proceed to Christchurch aftar receiving the deputation. I will advise you more precisely about the time further on. Will you take the necessary steps to inform all concerned. — J. P. Maxwell.

THE ANNEXATION CONFERENCE.

[reliter's TELEGRAMS. —COPYRIOHr.] Sydney, Yesterday. The consideration of the Federal Council Bill was concluded this morn ing, and the draft was adopted by the Convention, The Hon. R. B. Lesfe, member of the Legislative Council of Fiji, had an interview with Major At kinson for the purpose of representing to him the desire of the Europeans in Fiji for incorporation of the islands with the colony of New Zealand. Major Atkinson leaves for New Zea land by the Hauroto on the 18th inst., Mr Whitaker by the Wairarapa on the 20th. At this afternoon’s sitting of the Convention, Mr Whitaker gave notice of a motion that steps should be taken to prevent the landing of criminals in the Colonies, The motion of Mr Dibbs, Colonial Treasurer of New South Wales, requiring the various Govern ments to be pledged to submit to their several Legislatures various resolutions that may be come to by the Convention, was agreed to ; and that of Mr Giblin, Premier of Tasmania, for the appoint ment of the Premiers of Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Queens land and New Zealand, as a Committee to carry out the objects of and summon the Conference when necessary, was adopted.

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents. THE BREAD QUESTION, To the Editor. Sir, —It is evident by the tone of your leaders, etc., that you are of opinion that the price now charged for bread —viz., 7d per loaf—is exorbitant. Any one who has had anything to do with the baking business here knows that for some time past the profits are so small at to scarcely allow us to make ends meet. This *fact alone, 1 should think, would be sufficient to show that the artic'e cannot be pro duced for 6d. You seem also to convey the idea that, as the full weight is now imperative we have been compelled to put tho extra charge on the loaf. Now the amount of profit to be got from making bread even so much light as one ounce in 64 is so small that the gain is not worth the name. It takes a man just as long to make a loaf which weighs 31b 15oz as it does to make a loaf which weighs 41 bs, and just as much firo to cook it, and just as many horses to deliver it, so that tho gain mmt bo solely on the flour, which is at the rate of one ounce in 84, very small indeed ; and I do not admit that the bread was ever so much as one ounce light. I may be pardoned for assuming that the bakers know their business equally as wall as newspaper men know theirs, and it would be better for the public to get the facts of the case before they condemn the bakers. — I am, etc., Thos. Taylor. Ashburton, Deo. Bth, 1883. Our correspondent simply makes our con tention stronger, namaly, that if it is found necessary for the bakers t > raise tho price of bread for no other reason than that they are now compelled to give full weight, it proves that the law has systematically been broken hither to, as fraud in any trade was never legal. As to 7d not being exorbitant for a 41b loaf, that is For the customer and not the purveyor to decide, and it remains for the former to discover whether he can obtain good bread at a cheaper rate than is now being charged for it in Ashburton.— Ed. G.

CABLE NEWS.

■ ATfcST FROM E’J O'*--:. fkk ur k r’s t klso ra ms —copyright. 1 Monetary and Commercial. London, Dec. 6 The total reserve in the Bank of England in notes and bullion is Li 2,500,000, being a decrease of L 500,000. The proportion of reserve to liabilities has fallen 1 per cent dur ing the week, and is now 42 per cent. The bank rate of discount remains at 3 per cent. The market rate has ad vanced y 3, and is now Consols have declined yi, and are quoted to day at New Zealand securities remain at the following quotations : Five per cent 10-40 Loan, 105 ; Five per cent. 1889 Loan, 104 ; Four and a half per cent. 1879-1904 Loan, Four per cent, inscribed stock, 101% There are no changes to report in the markets for colonial breadstuff's and tallow. The Wool Sales. At the wool sale to-day 11,900 bales were offered, and prices were firmly maintained. The withdrawals since the opening of the series amount to 12,000 bales. The Frozen Meat Tra'ie. A cargo of 3,650 frozen sheep, ex Garonne, shipped by the Australian Frozen Meat Export Company, was sold at an average of 5 J^d. London, Dec. 7. The refrigerating chamber of the steamship Fenstanton was opened yes terday, and the cargo of frozen mutton was found to be in good condition.

Federation. In the course of an address delivered last evening at Knotlingley, Yorkshire, the Right Hon. H. C. E. Childers re feired to the Intercolonial Conference now being held at Sydney, and ex pressed a hope that it would result in the federation of the Australasian Colonies, and in the adoption of other wise and well-regulated measures haying for their aim the extension of British influence and commerce. Serious Fire. Brussels, Deo. 6. The Belgian Parliamentary Cham bers were destroyed by fire to-day. France and China. Paris, Dec. 6. It has transpired that the Chinese Government continues to adopt a firm and unyielding attitude in the negotia tions which are now proceeding for the settlement of the Tonquin difficulty, and has refused either to withdraw or to modify its claims in Tonquin, and is prepared to appeal to aims rather than surrender to France the military forts in Tonquin which are now occupied by the Chinese troops. The War in Upper Egypt;. Cairo, Deo. 6. Despatches to hand from the Soudan state that the panic which arose at Khartoum, in consequence of the ex pectation that El Mahdi would advance and besiege the town, after having annihilated the Egyptian army and Hicks Pasha, ia now subsiding, the rebels having shown no intention of taking advantage of the weakness of the garrison to make an attack. [Received Dec. 8, 2.40 p.m.] The Fenstanton’s Cargo. London, Deo. 7. A portion of the cargo of frozen mut ton, ex Fenstanton from Lyttelton, was placed in the market to-day, and re alised fid per lb. Preparations for Defence. Woodlark, one of the gun vessels at the East Indian station, hasbeenordered to Souakim, on the coast of the Red See, fears being entertained that an other attack may be made upon the Egyptian garrison stationed there.

Constantinople, Deo. 7- In consequence of the excited and fanatical state of the native tribes in Upper Egypt the Porte has ordered several frigates to rendezvous in the Red Sea, with a view to co-operating with the Egyptian troops now operating against the rebel Arabs. A U S I H A L I A .*• . I'kEOTER’s TELEGRAMS —COPYRIGHT.] The Markets Adelaide, Yesterday. Wheat is quoted at 4s 5d to 4s 6d. There is less business doing on the spot, but good competition is experi enced in up-country markets and at the out ports. Flour, town brands, Lio to Lio 10s; country do, Lg 10s to Lg 15s. Freights to London per steamer, 455, nominal. The freight market is steady, and charters are improving. Sydney, Yesterday. New Zealand wheat remains at 38 gd, and New Zealand oats at as 3d; maize, 3s ad; Sugar C6.'s No 1 pieces, pe r ton, L 34. Shipping. Sailed, this evening—Union steam ship, Te Anau, for Auckland.

TELEGRAMS.

[PKR PRRBS ASSOCIATION.] The Triumph Breaking Up. Auckland, To-day. All the hands except the captain and chief officer left the Triumph last night, fearing she would break up during the northerly gate which set in. The waves took her further on the rocks and knocked her about considerably, but the wind moderated by midnight, so averting total destruction. The water increased con siderably, but the pumps got it down again this morning. Tenders are now called by the agents for floating the vessel and delivering her in Auckland. If a suitable tender is not receive 1 by Monday, she will be sold by auction. The Funeral of Pakeha Maori. There was a large attendance at Judge Maning’s funeral to-day, and 22 carriages followed. A New Association. Gisbobnb, To-day, A meeting of licensed interpreters, in connection with the formation of an as sociation, was held here. Rules of associa tion were agreed upon, and a circular drawn up to be sent to interpreters throughout the colony, inviting co-opera tion. Killed by a Horse. A fatal accident happened at Patutabo to Mr James Williams, alios Jones, a farmer. He was killed by a stallion (Sir Julius Yogel) on the Agricultural Shoiv Ground. The animal became excited, and commenced kicking. One of the kicks caught Williams a terrible blow be hind the right ear, and rendered him un* conscious. He lived only fifteen min utes. An Injunction Refused- Wellington, To-day. In Chambers this morning before Mr Justice Richmond an interim injunction was applied for in the suit of Brandon and Brandon v. Shaw. The affidavits showed that a suit for a dissolution of partner ship had been commenced, the'terms on which the dissolution of the legal firm of Ltrandon, Shaw and Brandon should take place being in dispute, and the plaintiffs (Messrs Brandon and Brandon) now applied for an injunction to restrain the defendant (Shaw) from taking any part in the partnership business until the case was heard and determined. After argu> ment his donor refused to grant the in junction. The Forty-eight Hours’ Match- The walking match at eleven o’clock this morning stood:—Scott, 149 miles ; Edwards, 146. Both of the competitors were off the track last night for three hours.

At 1.30 p.m. Scott had walked 160 miles; Edwards, 154 miles. Prorogation of Parliament. An extraordinary Gazette further pro rogues Parliament until 14ih February next. Fire. Dunedin, To-day. A five-roomed house in Elm Row, be longing to Mrs Dallas, a widow, was totally destroyed. It was insured for Ll6O in the Standard office. A Watery Grave. . Andrew Smith, shareholder in the Ex celsior dredge, fell of the dredge yester-, day into the Clutha and was drowned. A Political Lecture. Balclutha, To-day, Mr Thomson, M. H. 11. , delivered a lec ture on “Our Public Fii acces ” at the Warepa school last night, and received a vote of thanks and confidence. He an nounced he would not seek re-election at the next general election,

J?HE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1883.



Wanted WANTED— A few good HANDS for mowing grass in the Domain. Apply, seven o’clock to-night or before eight on Monday morning. James Tasker. 321034 \T7ANTED— A smart, respectable, in- VV telligent LAD, for the grocery department. Orb & Co. 12 1032 WANTED —A strong, useful GIRL, about 16 years of age, as servant. For address, apply at the Office of this Paper. 12 1031 WANTED Known—That Hayes and Co, have about 196 pairs of Ladies’ Cashmere Bootj, splendid value, at 3s 6d. KNOWN Pick and W shovel men engaged to commence work on Tuesday, not required until 8 a.m. on Wednesday next, 12th instant, S. Saunders. 12 1006 WANTED Known — ?or Sale, two COTTA; ,Ed on East Belt. Cheap, easy terms. Apply W, C. Davis, or Ward and Sons. 12 1012



WANTED KNOWN— Robeet Elston, Bill Poster, Theatrical Agent, etc., Town Hall, Ashburton. Theatrical companies and others visiting Ashburton should communicate with the above. Orders by post or telegram promptly attended to. 760 c WANTED— A MASTER and MIS TRESS for the Springhurn School; a married man preferred. Wife as mis tress. Number on roll, 56; salary, as per scale. None but a temperate man need apply. Duties to commence on January 1, 1884 Applies-ions, with references, will be received by the undersigned up to the 18th December,|lßß3. —T. E. Mcßae, Chairman of Committee. 12 1017 WANTED Known—That in conse quence of the rapid increase of business, John Moison, Impermeable Bootmaker, has been compelled to get a large stock of Boots of a superior quality in the town in order to meets the demands of his customers, and those who may pur chase from him will find no deception as to price or quality. As J. M. has gained the public trust in the past by doing best work and fit, combined with neatness and style, he intends even to make greater exertions in the future. Fowler’s Build ings, Tancred street (opposite Arcade), Ashburton. 7 207 WANTED KNOWN—That Mr Dan Lba’s Gymnasium is the only place for real amusement; admittance free. Every kind of amusement to be ob tained on the premises calculated to please the general public—American Bowls, Skittles, Shooting, Boxing, Fencing, Horizontal Bar, Trapeze, etc. Temper ance Drinks, Cigars, etc. Tickets — monthly 2s 6d, for use of Horizontal Bar, Trapeze, Single-sticks, Dumb-bells, Indian Clubs, etc. Dan Lea is always at his post to give lessons in Boxing, lesson £1 per month, or according to arrangement. 1344 Special Advertisements. STOP THAT COUGH I DON'T DELAY.—How can you stopldt 1 Where, s the Remedy. Bonningtlm’s PECTORAL OXYMEL OF CARRA GEEN or IRISH MOSS (regiatei| : J),, can produce more evidence of real Js|rit than any other article for the purpose. Sold everywhere. G Bonninoton, Christchurch.



A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL. Bazaar AND Fancy Fair AT ANDREWES BROS., East Street South, COMMENCING WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER sth. CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR GIFTS in great variety. INTENDING PURCHASERS OP CLOTHING FOR THE SPRING AND SUMMER SEASON Should visit the NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory’s BRANCH, Where they can select from the LARGEST YARIBT Y OF FASHION ABLE GARMENTS, Manufactured from sound and reliable New Zealand Tweeds. The well-known reputation enjoyed by the Firm of Selling a GENUINE ARTICLE AT WHOLESALE PRICE Has resulted in an increase of Business during the past season, and they can now boast of having Twenty • One Retail Branches in New Zealand, thus enabling them to increase the Factory produce, economising both material and labor, and ensuring to their patrons a fu.t.i.r benefit in the shape of a still Lower Rate of Wholesale Prices. SHIRTS, UNDERCLOTHING, HATS & CAPS, PORTMANTEAUS, And every requisite at Wholesale Price. Ashburton Branch : EAST STREET,



|-F YOU WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE, JHEAP, FURNITURE AND BED DING MANUFACTORY, EAST STREET SOUTH, ASHBURTON. fjIYERY article Sold at Christchurch Pbioeb and guaranteed bes. of material and workmanship. FUNERALS CHEAPLY & COMPLETELY PXJKNISHKD GO TO DAVIS’S



Special Advertisements- INTRODUCTION OF THE PARCEL SYSTEM. Fashion ITnvss, Cashel street, Ch. ,»tchurch. Great success has been achieved in the Old Country by the introduction of the “Numbered Parcel System,” for the supply ard purchase of useful household drapery, thousands of parcels being for warded to the order of distant customers upon the distinct understanding that any article not proving satisfactory to the pur chaser, the money in all cases to be re turned. This system is now being ini re duced by E. 0. Brown & Co., FASHION HOUSE, Christchurch. The splendid stock of General Drapery in all departments has been purchased by E. C. Brown and Co,, from the Trustees in the Estate of the late firm of Craig and Smyth, at a very large discount off cost for cash. Thus articles sold under c~at price leave a good margin of profit for the vendor, while giving unsurpassed value to the purchaser. In all parcels we stake our reputation on the values, and, as suggested above, re turn the money in all cases where the article is not satisfactory. Our No. 1,20 s Dress Parcel, contains— Worth £ a. d. 1 dress piece (12 yds) any shade, French costume cloth ... 0 18 6 l£ good velveteen to match dress 0 5 6 3 yds ailesia, for linings ... 0 I 10 2 doz new oxydiaed buttons, to match ... ... ... ... 016 1 pair warm lined fur-top spring cuff gloves ... ... ... 0 2 6 £1 910 Our No. 2,30 a household parcel, contains — Worth 1 pair good medium size blan kets 1 9 0 1 good honeycomb quilt 0 12 6 8 yds good wincey 0 5 0 1 pair good strong corsets, any size ... ... ... ... 0 5 0



£2 2 6 Our No. 3, dresa parcel for £2, contains — Worth 1 dress piece (10 yds) celebrated Impress black velveteen ... 1 7 6 3 yds good sileaia for lining ... 0 2 0 2 doz new style oxydised buttons 0 10 1 handsome striped winter skirt 0 9 6 1 durable silk umbrella, paragon frame ... ... ... ... 0 8 0 1 choice silk chenille scarf ... 0 3 11 £2 12 5 Our No. 4, Ladies’ parcel for £2, contains Worth 1 dress piece (12 yds) French chock costume cloth 1 1 0 3 yds silesia lining for same ...0 2 0 2 doz choice buttons, to match dress ... ... ••• ... 0 1 6 1 good warm Ladies’ tweed ulster 0 17 6 1 black quilted alpaca skirt ... 010 0 1 white or colored wool wrap ... 0 5 6 1 pair lisle lined fur-top spring cuff gloves 0 2 0 £2 19 6 Our No. 5, household parcel for £2 10s, contains — Worth 1 pair large size good witney blankets 1 10 6 1 nice large size good honeycomb quilt 0 14 C 1 pair good heavy white sheets 0 9 6 6 good value honeycomb towels 0 4 0 6 yds heavy Welsh flannel ... 0 8 0 £3 6 6 Our No. 6, family parcel for £3, contains— Usual price 12 yds super Roslyn flannel (pure wool) . ... . ... 018 0 24 yds splendid white calico, heavy make ... ... ... 013 0 24 yds good strong brown or grey wincey 0 14 0 6 yds tartan plaid 0 6 6 6 yds good brown holland ... 0 4 6 12 yds hemp carpet, dark stripe 0 7 0 6 pair Girls’ or Women’s warm winter hose ... 0 7 6 4 large unbleached Turkish towels ... 0 4 9 £3 15 3 Our No. (7, mourning parcel for £2 10s, contains— Worth 10 yds good black French cash mere 1 0 2 yds 4x4 celebrated rainproof crape ... ... ... ... 09 6 1 good black alpaca or sateen skirt 0 14 6 2 pairs Ladies’ black hose ... 0 3 0 1 pair Ladies’ two-button choice black kid gloves 0 4 6 £ doz Ladies’ cambric handker chiefs, in fancy box ... ... 0 6 6



£2 19 6 Our No. 8, furnishing paroel for £lO, contains— Worth 20 yds nice pattern good tapestry carpet 3 5 0 1 nice pattern hearthrug, to match 0 16 6 1 pair handsome lace curtains ... 0 14 6 1 pair medium lace curtains ... 010 0 2 pair full size good white sheets 0 18 G 1 pair full size good witney blan kets 1 10 0 1 pair medium good witney blan kets 10 0 1 full size white honeycomb or toilet quilt 0 14 0 1 choice pattern wool tablecover 0 15 6 2 white Turkish bath towels ... 0 3 0 6 white or unbleached honey comb towels 0 4 6 2 white antimacassars ... ... 0 2 0 2 white toilet covers ... ... 0 4 0 6 yds linen check glass cloth ... 0 6 0 1 superior white linen tablecloth 0 11 6 £ll 15 0 Our No. 1, wedding parcel for £4, contains— Worth 1 dress (12 yds) pretty shade in cashmere ... ... _ ••• 117 6 2 yds pretty shade in satin, to match ... ... ... ... 0 13 6 1 dress (12 yds) good costume cloth 110 2 yds rich colored velveteen, to match ... ... ... ... 0 7 0 6 yds good silesia ... ... 06 0 3 doz buttons, to match dresses 0 2 0 8 yds braid, to match dresses ... 0 0 8 1 pair two-button first choice tinted or white kid gloves ... 0 5 0 6 Ladies’ linen collars ... ... 0 3 0 6 Ladies’ linen handkerchiefs ... 0 5 6 3 pairs Ladies’ nice hose 0 4 6 £5 5 8 Our No. 2, wedding parcel for £lO, contains — A very complete trousseau. Our No. 9, Ladies’ (half-price) parcel for L 5, contains— Usual price 1 Ladies’ handsome mantle ... 217 8 1 Ladies’ beautiful real sable muff and collarette 4 10 0 1 Ladies’ quilted satin skirt ... 1 0 0 1 fashionable tweed ulster, in leading shades 1 10 0 £9 17 6 A problem whereby Ladies may stay at home and order their drapery in perfect confidence Just try one parcel and sae what you will save. Remember —Cash returned at ones for any article returned in good condition. Samples post free on application to any part of New Zealand. In ordering any of these parcels, it is sufficient to quote number and name of parcel only. 8.C.0. made payable to E C. BROWN & CO., Fanhioo House, Christchurch. 1362



Vide et Grede. I 0 T O 11 I A HOUSE. In addition to the usual very low prices, during the present month (December) a DISCOUNT Of Is 6d on every 20s worth of goods purchased, will be returned to the purchaser. A large and well assorted stock to select from, Dimant and Coe, Ready Money DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, Etc., Patching’s Buildings, East Street, 9528 >0 'S tzs p - Jail and Inspect it. OVER A DOZEN IMPHOVEMENTS, CO t-3 CO CO *1 ® K) a l> I* ca § t) VI CO H i - ® g So fcd° a M* w i> % CO H H 73 0 pi CD Special Advertisements.



NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS,



Advertisements for The Ashburton Guardian must be sent in not later than 3 p.m., with the number ef insertion, written plainly on the copy, otherwise they will bo inserted until counter manded, and charged accordingly. Re place Advertisements must he supplied the day previous to that on which they are to bo inserted. Special notices can bo received up to 3.30 p.m., but will ho chai'ged double rates. All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must bo accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good faith. All advertisements and business lett is to be addressed The Manager ; literary communications should be a Idressei to The Editor.



A timely use of Hop Bitters will keep a whole family in robust health a year with but a little cost. Read.—[Advt.] Indigestion, weak stomach, irregularities of the bowels, cannot exist when Hop Bitters are used. See. —[Advt.] Mother Swan’s worm Syrup.—lnfallible, tasteless, harmless, cathartic ; for feverishness, restlessness, worms, constipation, is. Moses, Moss and Co., Sydney, General Agents. 3 Flies and Bugs.—Beetles, insects, roaches, ants, bed-bugs, rats, mice, gophers, jack-rab bits, cleared out by “ Rough on Rats." 7>£d. Moses, Moss and Co., General Agents, Sydney