SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. ■ Yesterday. Dunedin, schooner, from BlufL To-day, Rotorua, from the South. Wakatipu, from Sydney, via Welling, ton. ■Waihora, from Sydney, via Auckland. Sailed. Yesterday barque, for Wellington. Tucapnna, as., for Manakau and way ports. Rio Logo, brig, for Poft Louis, Mau ritius. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Arrived—Bengal and Prosperity, from Rockhampton; Myrtle, from Tonga ; Golden Isle, from Suva; Mata, from Rara tonga. Sailed—Queen, for Norfolk Island. Wellington, Yesterday. Sailed—Waihora, for Melbourne, via the South. Txmabu, Yesterday. • Sailed—Waitaki, for Auckland, with a full cargo of grain. , , Dunedin, Yesterday. Arrived—May, barquentine, Captain Grant, from Foochow ; Anthons, brigan tine, from Melbourne. -Med—Hawea, for Picton and Nelson; Waihora, for Melbourne, via the South ; Wakatipu, for the South; Go-Ahead, for (hustle Point and Napier; Sophia R. Luhts, barque, for Newcastle; La France, for Lyttelton; Rotorua, for the North.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

Tbajwb Leave Ashbubton fob Christ- CHCBOBand intermediate stationsat7.lo a.m., 10.55 a.m., and (Express) 5.37 p r rr>- Trains Lbavs Ashbubton foe Timaro ajtd Sooth, at 6.50 a.m., 10.25 a.m. (Express), and 4.45 p.m. —-the latter pro ceeding no farther than Txmaru. Trains Arrive at Ashbubton from Christchurch at 10 15a.m. (Express), 4.35 p.m., and 7.16 p.m. Tbaiks Aesivb at Ashbubton from Tucaeu and Spurn at 10.40 a.m., 5.27 ■ p.au (Express), and 8 o.m.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Tuesday, November 20. Matson, Cox and Co., at the Tinwald Kaleyards—Stock. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Etc. This Evening. Tow* Hall—Wilmott’a Combination Com pany, at 7.30 p.m. Monday, November 26. Bhrbogh Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7.50. "Wednesday, November 28. Ashburton County Council—At Council Chambers, 11 a.m. Saturday, December 1. Wakannl Road Board, at Road Board offico, Moore street, at 10.30 a.m. Monday, December 3. Road Board, at Road Board office,' Longbeach

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office follows: — For Christchurch and North at 6 am 10.30 a.mu, and 5 p.m., daily. For phertseyßakaiA) &a, at 10.30 a.m. Wl 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Bangitata, Orari, Winchester ■ad Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. For Temnka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. For Timssra and South, at 6 a,m., 10 a.ml, and 480 p.m., daily. For Greenstreet and Ashburton Forks, gfr Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 3.30 pLhi. For Hount Somers, on Tuesdays and ■.sturdays, 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, at 4.30 p.m. daily. For Flemington, on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 4.30 p. m. For Wakanui, Elgin, Seaview, Seafield, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 a.m. . ' For Newlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days at 10.30 a.m. Mail, arrive at the Ashburton Post *)ffice-“ From Christchurch and Bakaia at 10.15 ■tin., 4.35 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. From Cherteey, &c. at 10.15 a.m. and 436 p.m. daily. ’ From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.30 p.m. daily. From Temnka and Timaru at 10.40 a. m. 6.30 p.m., and 8 p.m. daily. • From Greenstreet and Ashburton Forks, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10 A.m. From Mount Somers, on Tuesdays and Savurdays, at 10.6 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 Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sat urdays, at 4 p.m. From Newlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days, at 9.30 a.m. From Flemington on Tuesdays, Thurs v day*, and Saturdays, at 10 a.m.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.

Advertisements for The Ashburton Guardian must be sent in not later than 3 p.m., with the number ®f insertion, written plainly on the copy, otherwise they will be inserted until counter manded, and charged accordingly. Re place Advertisements must be supplied the day previous to that on which they are to be inserted. Special notices can be received up 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.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas, et Prevalebit. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1883. Wellington Gold.

It is only a few short months ago, although the time certainly seems longer, since the people in this part of the colony were in a fever of excite ment concerning the supposed discov ery of the existence ot valuable mineral deposits in Canterbury. First of all we were to be made rich' by means of the development of diamond mines in the wilds of Alford Forest, and when that hope was cruelly dashed to the ground, and what were thought to be precious stones were proved mere valueless crystals, there were still many who clung to the belief that gold ex isted in the ranges. Copper and tin were also confidently predicted as a source of future wealth, and for all we know there may still be some sanguine prospectors working on the hills in the belief that their investigations will be crowned with success. So far, how ever, as the general public is concerned it may be said that they have made up their minds by this time that if the Ashburton district is to become rich, it will be by slower means than by the dis covery of valuable minerals, and the disappointment has been borne with be coming magnanimity. Almost simulta neously with the miningmaniahere there sprang up a similar excitement in Wel lington, and very glowing were the reports issued as to the wealth of the gold fields in that province. The inhabi tants of the match-box city indulged in visions of a time when they would trot depend for their existence upon what could be picked up during the three or four months of the year that Parliament was sitting. The Terawhiti mines were to work wonders, and all that was re quired was money, and the prospects were so good (upon paper) that there was no difficulty in obtaining the need ful. Companies sprang up like mush rooms, and shares were subscribed for with avidity by all classes. It was, indeed, noticed at the time that among the lists of shareholders appearing in the Gazette , there were very few names of miners; merchants, tradesmen and professional persons forming the bulk of the speculators. Still, there seemed to be no reason to doubt the bona fides of the undertakings, and when the first crushing was made and the result was shown to be favorable, hopes naturally ran high. But at last a bombshell was thrown into the camp, in the shape of a letter from a gentleman rejoicing in thename of Mr“LoNG-DRiVE” Walker, in which it was stated clearly that the gold exhibited as having been taken from the Makara reef, really came from the Thames. It was not likely that such an assertion would be allowed t© pass unchallenged, and after an angry correspondence, in which actions for libel were threatened, the truly English determination was come to to submit the matter to the “ ordeal by wager.” A Mr Isen bet Mr Walker a certain sum that he could not substantiate his statement, and the decision was left in the hands of two newspaper proprietors, assisted by a like number of mining experts. Every precaution was taken in carrying out the investigation, and the result of Dr Hector’s analysis proves conclusively that Mr Walker was right, and that the gold shown as a specimen from the Makara reef did really come from the Thames—-in plain mining phraseology, the claim had been deliberately “ salted.” This is the story of what can only be termed a most discreditable transaction, and the Wellington speculators who have been so decidedly gulled are now calling out with loud acclaim, “Whom shall we hang?” In the early days of the colony those who had been taken in would have made short work of such an offender, who would have been tried and punished by Lynch We go to work differently now, but it is to be hoped in the interest of the public that the person or persons who tried to work this little game will be brought to justice. Looking at the careful comparative analysis of the two metals made by Dr Hec tor, there appears to be no other conclusion to come to than that Thames gold has been substituted for what was obtained from the Makara reef, and there could be but one reason for such an action, namely, an intention to deceive the shareholders as to the value of their property. Had not Mr Walker come forward and ex posed the whole thing, a very pretty little sum would have passed into the pockets of certain people, and it is lucky that the nefarious transaction was exposed before greater harm had re sulted. As it is, Wellington will have to follow our example, and accept the undubitable fact that she is not to grow rich suddenly, but in the meantime the affair should not be allowed to rest where it is, and we trust a way will be found to punish those who have been guilty of this “ salting ” business.

Topia, a native chief of Murimutu, has telegraphed to the Government that he has withdrawn all opposition to the survey now proceeding under Mr Iloch fort.

Mr John Jackson has been re-elected Mayor of Timaru without opposition. tajThe total returns of collections at Christchurch on Charity Sunday amounted to L 444 ; last year it was L4BL On Friday the Waikuku flour mill, oc cupied by Mr Djw, was destroyed by fire. It was insured for L3OO on the stock and L4OO on the plar.t, but in what office is not stated. The cause of the fire is un known.

Colonel Roberts has pulled down the meeting whare at Parihaka, where the Waikatos have been in the habit of as sembling, because they refused to go away when bidden. They stayed three nights, although they only had permission to remain one.

Several test cas:B under the Volunteer regulations were heard at the Napier R. M. Court yesterday. The defendants were summoned for not attending the drills which were advertised in the news papers and notified on parade. Fines were imposed in all cases. The National Mortgage and Agency Company have received the following telegram from their London office:—“The frozen sheep ex British King arrived in fair order, and sold at an average of s£d over head, inclusive of half carcases.” A “ Salvation” public wedding took place in the Wellington barracks yester day, when “ Captain” J. W. Colley was married to “Lieutenant” Elizabeth Ed wards, who has recently arrived from England. The Hon J. Bryce is still at Te Awa mutu. He has had an interview with Rewi on native affairs. Rewi desires to postpone the discussion of the question till the arrival of Wahanui, who is coming down to Alexandra. The Native Minis ter is reticent as to his plans and move ments.

At the Police Court this morning, before Mr Baddeley, R. M., a first offender was fined ss, and a prohibition order to extend over the whole county was taken out against Charles Smith. Mary Hol borough, brought up on remand, was sent to gaol for three months, under the Vagrancy Act.

The barque India went ashore at Hoki anga on Sunday, and is fast breaking up. It is owned by Mr Thomas Henderson, jun., Auckland. The Colonial has a policy of L 265 on the cargo of timber. The balance of the cargo is believed to be insured in Sydney in the Southern Insur ance Company. The India is a wooden barque of 202 tons, built at New Bruns wick in 1853.

According to the Herald a case of a rather exceptional nature is likely to be heard at the sitting of the Supreme Court in Timaru next month. From what we can learn, the defendant lost a number of fowls of a particular breed, and suspected a neighbor of appropriating them. He obtained a search warrant and visited the plaintiff’s (his neighbor) premises, but without finding his lost property. The latter has now served him with a writ for L2OO damages, for maliciously, etc., damaging his character and business, etc. At a meeting of the Committee of the Canterbury Jockey Club last night a letter from R. Derritt was read asking that his previous employers, Messrs Robinson and Lance, might be called upon to give leasons for his summary dismissal just before the recent races. The Committee decided the matter was not within their jurisdiction, therefore they could not in terfere. The Secretary read a report showing that the receipts at the gates amounted to over L3OO more than last year.

The first annual meeting of the South Canterbury Refrigerating Company was held at Timaru yesterday. The meeting was well attended. Nine permanent Di rectors were elected. The number of shares applied for to date is 3,328. A site of fifty-seven acres close to the rail way line, about one mile north of Timaru and having a>sea frontage, has been de termined on for permanent works. The price is L4O per acre. The total cost of land, buildings, machinery and erection is estimated at L 12,000. Our Mayfield correspondent writes : We have had a deal of wet weather up in this district lately. It started last Tues day, and we have not had a tine day since. Residents herb returning from the Ashburton Show, found that the roads were swimming with water, and every day since we have nearly been flooded out. On Sunday there was such a heavy hailstorm that nobody could go out in it, the hailstones being as large as common marbles, and now (Monday) it is raining very heavily, and has been all day, there being every appearance of it keeping on. It is so cold and the ground is so full of water that crops and things won’t grow. The Willmott Company have evidently not outstayed their welcome in Ashburton as was shown by the crowded house at the Town Hall last evening, in spite of the bad weather. “ Struck Oil ”is a piece so well known that it is unnecessary to speak of it in detail. Mr Wilkinson as the kind hearted Dutchman, John Stofel, acted with a comic force and displayed a power which few who had only seen him in low comedy parts would have credited him with possessing. In the last act, especi ally, he sank his own individuality in the character he was playing, and his acting as the madman shewed many touches of true and subtle art. Miss Amy Johns ably seconded Mr Wilkinson in his efforts to amuse the audience, the Dutch accent being well assumed and the songs allotted to Lisette were so admirably sung as to be accorded an encore in more than one instance. With the exception ot the part of Deacon Skinnor, played with much unction by Mr K. W. Rede, the piece, does not offer much scope for the display of histrionic talent in regard to the minor characters, and it will suffice to say that the manner the drama was put on the stage by the company was deserving of praise, and the audience testified by their frequent applause that they were satisfied. To-night will be the last of the season, and the entertainment chosen will be Pinero’s comedy of “Imprudence," a piece which from all accounts is well worth seeing, and should draw a good house.

The following amusing letter by a lady appears in one of the daily American papers :—“ lam a milliner, and I have m%de between 1,500d01s and 2,500J01s a year in my business for some time past. I married four years ago. My husband is kind and good-looking, but he never learned a trade, had no profession, and could not average 500dols a year. I loved him, however, but I saw it would not do to depend on him, so I kept on with my business. After a lime I think he got a little lazy, and as we were both away during the day we could not keep house, and got sick of boarding. Finally I proposed that he should keep house, and I would run the business and find the money. We have now lived very happy in this way for two years. My husband rises and builds the fire, gets breakfast, and I leave at 7.45 for my place of business. He does the wash ing and ironing and the cleaning, and I do not know of any woman who can beat him. He is as neat as wax, and can cook equal to anyone in town. It may be an isolated case, but I think the time has now come when women who have hus bands to support should make them do the work; otherwise they are luxuries we must do without.” We observe the lady does not say anything about the baby. Perhaps there were no children in that household. Her pattern husband might find it in his heart to do the washing and cooking, but. it is mighty likely even he would have kicked at minding the baby.

THE SOUTHERN FLOODS.

News from Palmerston states that Foster, another of the passengers in the buggy from which Hobbs lost his Me, died this afternoon. He leaves a wife and two children at Palmerston. The conduct of the two young men Sloan who went to the rescue of the party on Satur day night is spoken of in the highest terms. One of them dived after Foster, and brought him out by the hair of the head. They had a small boat, and it capsized, and both had to swim ashore. At the inquest on Hobbs the Coroner specially thanked the Sloans on behalf of the jury. All accounts of the floods speak of the water as having risen wich unexampled rapidity. An officer of the Education Department, who was proceeding to Nase by, via Palmerston, on Saturday, informs the Dunedin Star that he never witnessed such a remarkable rise of water since he has been in the country as he saw at Flag Swamp on Saturday afternoon. But for the warning of a farmer, he thinks he must have met with a very serious acci dent in his anxiety to make Palmerston that night. On reaching the approaches to the Pleasant Creek bridge he found it impossible to proceed, and so dangerous was his position then thathe was compelled to get out of his buggy and grope his way in order to turn his horse, the water being up to his armpits. On returning to Flag Swamp after an absence of scarcely half an hour the water was fully 3ft over the road, and the local schoolmaster might have been seen with the water up to his chest gathering his goods and chattels into the schoolhouse with a hay rake. The residents of Flag Swamp do not recollect such a severe flood. The waters every where appear to have subsided almost as radidly as they rose. A strong south-wester set in last night, accompanied by rain. The Taieri Plains are flooded, but the damage is not ser ious.

The Dunedin suburban borough of Maori Hill will probably have an expen diture of L4OO entailed on it by the floods, and North-east Valley of L3OO. The particulars to hand about the drown ing of Mr Charles Eddie, manager for Mr ThomasCalcutt, who is Valuator of Lands taken for Public Works purposes by the Government, show that he was proceed ing in a single buggy to meet a train at Goodwood station. He was warned of the danger, but made light of it. He crossed the Pleasant River bridge safely, but hia buggy was completely washed away at a dip in the road over which the river was running. Some men on a hill near by saw the accident, but could do nothing. Eddie’s body was found on Sun day morning a quarter of a mile away, and the horse a short distance from the body. The buggy has not been recovered. The rainfall at Palmerston in twelve hours was 2 51 inches.

The following account of the fatal ac cident at Palmerston is given in yester day’s Morning Herald-. —Owing to the re cent heavy rain the traffic on the Nor thern* and Southern railway lines was partly suspended on Saturday last. Seve ral slips on the line between Palmerston and Dunedin were reported, and the Christchurch express having been ordered ’to remain at the former place, the accom modation of Palmerston was tested to the utmost by passengers returning the Christchurch and Ashburton races. A party consisting of Captain O. Halgeaon (of the barque Camille), Messrs Allan Hobbs, William Foster, John Curtis, J. Paterson, and F. Guinness hired a buggy with a pair of horses for the purpose of driving to Dunedin. They left Palmer ston at 7.20 p. in. on Saturday, and all went well until they reached Pleasant Valley. It appears that they had driven about nine miles when, owing to the quantity of water on the road line, Mr Foster unfortunately piloted the horses over a bank into a large water-hole about Oft deep,nearMrSloan’s house. The horses commenced to plunge fearfully, but they could neither pass the fence nor recede. This accident occurred shortly after 8 p.m. As the occupants of the buggy jumped into the wa*er their cries for assis tance reached the ears of Masters W. and J. Sloan, two youths about 18 and 15 years of age respectively. Notwithstand ing the danger, which was greatly in creased by the darkness of the night, these young gentlemen ran to the spot, where they observed the horses unman ageable,'and the passengers endeavoring to reach the laud. Master W, Sloan stripped and jumped into the water, while his brother got a boat, and by these means they saved Messrs Foster and Curtis from a watery grave. When they found the water rising above the seat of the buggy, Captain Helgeson, Mr Pater son, and Mr Guinness jumped into the stream and swam ashore. Mr Hobbs was unfortunately unable to swim, and after crying for assistance he was drowned, his body being discovered under neath the buggy. When Mr Foster was rescued he appeared to be quite ex hausted. The heroic conduct of Masters Sloan was such as to deserve public recog nition. Owing to the floods they had been left in charge of a cottage near the road while their father and other members of the family removed to a house several chains distant. The two horses were drowned and the buggy was slightly damaged. No time was lost in communi cating with Mr Sloan, who had the un fortunate man removed to his house. Here they were supplied with dry clothing and other comforts. One of the rescued men writes to us as follows :—“ The kind ness of Mr Sloan (fanner) and his daughter, and of their neighbors, Mrs Paterson and her daughters, is never to be forgotten." The Waimate correspondent of the Timaru Herald in a letter dated last even ing, says :—“ In consequence of damage' to the line at various points from the effects of Saturday’s flood, trains will not run on the Waimate Gorge railway until the line be cleared. There is no very serious damage at any one place. Two or three culverts are injured, the line in some places is scoured, and a slip at the cutting near Waihao Forks has occurred.- The railway bridge on this line over the Waimate Creek had a narrow escape. If the flood had not subsided when it did, the long embankment at the north side would have been swept away. The County road through the Gorge has suffered very much from the flood. L2OO will not be sufficient to make good the injuries to it and the bridges. Several culverts and parts of road near Calvert’s on the Main South road between Waihao and Otaio are damaged. The culverts and water chan ■ nels in no case were sufficiently large to discharge the great overflow of water which occurred. On the whole the public works in this district have escaped better than was expected on Saturday evening. There is hardly a farm of any extent on which damage has not been suffered in the shape of in jury to fences, where creeks, entered or discharged. It was feared a large number of sheep and lambs would be lost. Although on the flat land convenient to the railway line some loss has been sus tained, it is not, however, great, the flood subsiding before much mischief was done. I have not heard of any large amount of damage in the Waihao district. The crops in places where the water flowed in a current over the ground are injured, but the fine weather on Sunday wrought a wonderful improvement in the appear ance of the country. The Bush road near Mr Rickman’s is in a rather danger ous state from being scoured, and the crossing of the Hook river between Mr Adams’ and Mr Medlicott’s farm is ren dered impassable, their being a drop of seven feet from the road to the present level of the river. As there is no house

near this point it is of importance the fact should be known. The rain eased off on Saturday evening between five and six, bub the weather continued vety damp, with a dense fog until 11 p.m., after which it cleared and remained fine until about 2 p.m. to-day, when the sky as sumed a threatening aspect, with a cold wind from the south. The rain meter in the Waimate County Council office regis tered 3.68 inches of fall from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, during which thirteen hours there were two when the rain was not heavy."

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Melbourne, Nov. 13. A railway accident on the racecourse line was caused by the breaking of one of the axles in the .centre. The passengers soon noticed the serious jolting, and at length one side of the carriage dropped suddenly out and then was dragged along the line, bumping heavily on the sleepers. This soon caused the iron-work of the carriage to give way, and also brought one of the ends violently against the buffers of the carriage in front. The train was stopped as soon as possible. One or two passengers jumped put and injured them selves. The heavy rain has caused floods on the low-lying lands in Hawthorne and Richmond. This day (Sunday) the river was 7ft above the summer level. H.M.’s gunboat Raven put into Port land, en route for Sydney to coal. Messrs Webb, L. L. Smith and F. Brown have been nominated for the vacancy in the North-Eastern Province. The Board appointed to distribute the late reward offered by the Commercial Bank in connection with the gold robbery, made their awards. The relatives of the prisoner received L4OO. Sydney, Nov. 13.

The Land Bill debate continues to drag its slow length along, and it will probably be some time before it concludes.

The Prince of Wales’ birthday was kept as a close holiday. The fire brigades de monstration was the principal event. Over a thousand firemen from "Victoria took part in it. During a torchlight pro cession the previous night the roughs broke windows in Pitt street to the value of L6O or L7O. Bather an extensive fire occurred on Saturday night in the premises of some Chinamen, Lower George street. It oon municated with the stores of G. Dignon and Co,’s crockery warehouse in Pitt street, and fche adjoining buildings. Dignon’s was completely gutted. It was insured for L 12,000 in various offices. The insurance altogether amounted te near L 20,000. The fourth centenary of Martin Luther was celebrated on the evening of the 12th inst. by a demonstration in the Exhibition Building, at which several appropriate ad dresses were delivered by prominent ministers and others. The weather has been very unsettled during the past week, with frequent; thunderstorms. The Chief Justice, fro a the Bench, has expressed a strong opinion against the running of steam motors through the city. Brisbane, Nov. 13. The election of Mr W. H. Groom, as Speaker of the new - Assembly, is much commented on by the press. It is stated, it is a blot on the new Parliament. The Ministerial members refused"to accompany the Speaker to the Governor. The barque Ramsay, bound for London, was wrecked on Elizabeth Reef, about 400 miles from the Australian coast. The vessel breaking up, the crew left. One of the boats was picked up at Point Danger after being six days at sea. The captain’s boat has not since been heard of. The Ramsay, which was eight months loading, had 2,130 bales of wool, 156 casks tallow, besides other cargo.

PECK’S BAD BOY AND HIS PA.

“ fVhat is this I hear about your father creating a panic in a dry goods store?’’ said the grocery man to the bad boy as he took a butterrtryer and ran it into a pumpkin a few times. “ They tell me that he had about a hundred female clerks treed on the shelves and on the counters, and all of them screaming bloody murder; and that a floor walker hit him over the head with a roll of paper cambric, and somebody turned in a fire alarm. How was it ?” f

“ Well, if you will keep watch for pa at the doer, I will tell you all about it,” said the boy. “ Somebody has told pa that I was at the bottom of the whole business; and when a man loses con fidence in his boy, and rolls up a trunk strap and.carries it habitually, it stands a boy in hand to keep his eye peeled. “ You see, pa has been in the habit lately of going to the store a good deal and lally-gagging with the girl clerks. Any girl that will smile on pa and look sweet catches him, and he would sit on a stool in front of the counter ten hours a day, pretending to want to buy some kind of fringe or corsets, or some thing, and he would fairly talk the arms off the ghls. Ma don’t like it at all, and she told pa he ought to be ashamed of himself, ’cause the girls was only making a fool of him, and all -the people in the store were laffing at him; but pa said for her to shut her yawp, and he kept on trying to find excuses to go to the store. Ma told me about it, and she felt real sorry, and, by jinks, it made me mad to see an old man—old enough to have gout or paralysis—going around mashing clerks in a store, and I told ma if she would let me I would break pa up in that sort of business, and she told me to go ahead and make him jump like a box-car. So t’other day ma gave pa a piece of ribbon to match and a corset to change for a larger size, and a pair of gloves to return because the thumb of one of ’em was ripped off, and told him to buy four yards of baby flannel, and see how much it would cost to have her sealskin coat re-lined, and to see if her new hat was done. Pa acted as though he didn’t want to go to the store, but ma and me knew that he looked upon it as a picnic, and he blacked his boots and changed ends with his cuffs, and put on his new red necktie, and shaved himself, and fixed up as though he was going to be mar ried. I asked him to let me go along to carry the packages, and he said he didn’t mind ifl did go. “You have seen these injy-rubber rats they have at the rubber stores, hav’n’t you ? They look so near like a natural rat that you can’t tell the difference un less you offer the rubber rat some cheese, I got one of those rats and tied a fine thread to it, with a slippoose on the end, and when pa got into the store I put the slipnoose over the hind button of his coat tail and. put/the rat on the floor, and it followed him along and I swow it looked so natural I wanted to kick it. Pa walked along smiling, and stooped at the rib bon counter and winked at a girl, and she bent over to see what he wanted, and then she saw the rat, and she i screamed and crawled up on to the <

shelf where the boxes were, and put her feet under her and said, * Take it away, kill it,’ and she trembled all over. Pa thought she had gone into a fit ’cause i she was paralysed on his shape, and he turned blue, and went on, ’cause he didn’t want to kill her dead; and as he walked along the rat followed him, and just as he bowed to four girls who were standing together, talking about the fun they had at the Exposition the night before, they saw the rat, and they be gan to yell and to climb up thingi One of them got on a stool and pulled her clothes tight around her ankles, so a live rat couldn’t have got in her stocking, let alone a rubber rat, and the girls all squealed just like when ,you tickle them in the ribs.

“ Pa, he looked scared, as though he was afraid he was breaking them all op with his shape, and he kept on, and another dock of girls saw the rat, and they jumped upon the counter and;sat down on their feet, and yelled ‘rat* Then the others yelled ‘ rat,’ and in a minute about a hundred girls were getting up on things and saying ‘ shoo,’ and one of them got on a pile of blankets and the pile fell on the floor with her, and the men had to dig her out. Pa’s face was a study. He looked at one girl and then another, and wondered what was the matter, and finally the floor-walker came along and see what it was, and he took pa by the collar and led him out of doors, and told him if he ever came in there again he would send the police after him. 1 had gone by the time pa got out on the sidewalk, and he picked up; rat and found it was hitched to his coat, and he weht right home. Ma says he was so mad that he stuttered, and she thinks I had better board around for a day or two. She tried to ceason (frith pa that it was intended for his good, to show him that he was making a fool of himself; but he does not look at it in that light,”— Peck's Sun.

SPORTING.

WELLINGTON RACES. The following acceptance!* have been received for the Wellington Racing Club’s Spring Meeting on Nov. 30th:— Railway Stakes— Sir, George, The Poet, Dan, Administrator.* Hurdle Handicap —Orient, Liability, Bob, Mountain Door. * Flying Stakes —The Poet, Dan, Ad* ministrator, Treasurer, Fairy Queen, Amalia. - , Hutt Park Spring Handicap —Sir George, The Poet, Satellite,' Missjuaii, Odd Trick, Administrator, Camelia. , Trotting Race— Deception,"Oai'tawajfr Kite Kelly, Councillor, Maid. The weights in the Flying Stakes have been raised 101 b, the top weight not having accepted. ■ : The following are the nominations for the race meeting to be bald at Island Bay on December Ist: v * - --- —■ - ■' Maiden Plate. --Jack, Rimie, : Alarie, .Gabble, Swordsman, Fairy Queen, Bahjy King, Woodstock, Egmont ; -« ■ : ' Hurdles. —Shamrock, Orient; Ebb (Ist* Flying Dutchman), Mountain Deqc, Scru tineer, Liability,.! umbo. , Island Bay Cup. —Bob (late Flying Dutchman), Jack (lata Welcome Jack), Orlando, Administrator, Gabble, Oamelis, Scrutineer, Satellite,. The Field, Dan, Shamrock. Flying Stakes. —Jack, Orlando, Dan, Gabble, Bonita, .Barmaid, Mountain Deer, Liability, Swordsman, Fairy Queen, Maid Mangle, Egmout, Baby King, Bolter. AUCKLAND RACES. ■ [by telegraph.] Auckland, To-day. The weights in the principal events of the Auckland Summer Meeting are as follows Auckland Cup.— Welcome Jack, 9st 101 b ; Cheviot, Bst 121 b ; Mischief, Bst 12lb ; Vanguard, Bst 101 b ; Salvage, Bst Blb ; Lady Emma, Bst 61b: Turquoise, Bst 31b ; Tim Whiffler, 7at 121 b ; Leonora, 7at. 101 b; Leonita, 7»t'Sib; Libeller, 7at 71b; Maori, 7st 6lb ; Fishwoman, 7st 21b; Normanby, 7st 21b ; Hippodamia, 7st 21b ; Adamant, 7st; Envious, 7st; Poet, 6st 121 b ; Jilt, fist 121 b; Kenilworth; sst i 101 b ; Sir Bedivere, fist 91bMusketeer, 6st Sib; Master; Agnes, fist 81b; Esoopeta, fiat 7lb; Epicure, fiat 61b ; Buzzard", fist 41b; Hippona, fist 41b; Soukar, .fist; .Linda, fist; Report, fist; VortpEj I Spt; Gilderoy, fist; Swordsman, fist. Auckland Steeplechase —Clarence, 12st 121 b ; Hercules, 12at ; Reform; list; Bateman, list 101 b ; Ohandler,-lOst 121 b; Woodpecker, lOst 101 b; Harkaway, lOst 71b ; Wild Boy, lOst- 71b ; Barbary; lOst 71b; Christmas, lOst 41b; Ngata, lOst 41 b; Grey Momus, lOst; Chevalier, lOst; Home Rule, lOst; Bavenswood, 9st lOlb; Strathearn, 9st 71b. <

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[bKUTKE’s X KI.KO E AMS —-COPTKIOHT. ] Frozen Meat. London, Nov. I?. The Orient steamship Garonne*, #ith a cargo of 3,650 frozen sheep on board, arrived at Plymouth yesterday. Egypt Asserts Herself* - . A note has been addressed. by ; the Egyptian Government to the English Government, in which the former claims to have a voice in the control of affairs relating to waterways through the Isthmus of Suez. Shipping. . Arrived—S.S. Doric, with 8,000 car cases of frozen mutton, from Lyttelton (Oct. sth); ships Blanche and Colleen, from the Bluff (Aug. 3rd). France and China- Paris, Nov. IS. In the course of an interview .which was granted by the Marquis Tseng to a newspaper correspondent, the latter elicited from the Chinese Ambassador a statement to the effect that act attack upon Bacniuh by the French . troops in Tonquin would ’be considered by. the Chinese Government as a casus belli The Servian Rebellion- Belgrade, Nov. 16. A large number of nriso*'*—, ,-p ---tured by (the troops d .. :’- -t . ccnr risings atj Scernareka a: dvn u n f are being tried for panh: : r .-. ; .0r, . :ho revolutionary movemt Toe ments which have beer. ,v>s.> zd c those ‘who have been fi ut-J gudt/ j:s remarkable for their rigorous severity. The Suez Canal. . Ch mo, Nov. 17. A Syndicate of Bankers ;a this coun try offered to provide ike r.ccesuary capital if the Egyptuu Government Undertakes the construction of the pro jected second Suez Canal. China Preparing for War. Uonq Koiro. Nov. 22. News has been; sedeived here that a volunteer force of as o,ooo men is being raised in China in view of tUe prospect of war. Much uneasiness is felt in consequence by foreigners resi dent in the Chinese territory.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1883.



mwm THIS PAPER IS ON FILE 'lad AdTattatoe Contract* tor Itaod all oth«r impipn <» ttoaerfcf can b« made on th» stoat imntlt tarsia at tlia taitmtiml Vmp;u igncj, H. P, HUBBARD, Proprietor, W mi.WBH.At "rtWWhtp if U# ItvntMr til iMkOlmlwrifthi WsrilT 'F YOU WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE, GO TO DAVIS’S OHEAP, FURNITURE AND BED DING MANUFACTORY, bast street SOUTH, ASHBURTON. EVERY totVeie Sold at Christchurch Pkiokb and gatranteed bea. of and workmanship.



Wanted. WANTED— An ENGAGEMENT as Governess. English, French and music. Daily or resident. Address “ Beatrice,” Guardian Office. 11 902 WANTED Known—That Hayes and Co. have about 196 pairs of Ladies’ Cashmere Boots, splendid value, at 3s 6d. WANTED, immediately A young GIRL who can milk. Apply at the Manse. H 893 WANTED SHEARERS. Apply, W. H, Rude, Pendarves. 11 S’; 6 WANTED KNOWN—That Robert Elston, Burnett street, Ashbur ton having procured the newest appara tus, is prepared to Sweep Chimneys at very low rales. Any orders left at the Town Hall will receive prompt attention. Terms cash. 7600 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 Lea’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 Lba is always at his post to give lessons in Boxing, lesson £1 per month, or according to arrangement. 1344 Special Advertisements. STOP THAT COUGH 1 DON’T DELAY.—How can you stop it ? Where, s the Remedy, Bennington's PECTORAL OXYMEL OF GARBA GE < SN or IRISH MOSS (registered), can produce more evidence of real merit t-han any other article for the purpose. Sold everywhere, —G, Bonnington, Christchurch.



ORIOKETING MATERIAL, Of every description, at CHRISTCHURCH PRICES, AT Andrewes Bros., EAST STREET SOUTH. 77



JJQ ME, SWEET HOME. XMAS & NEW YEAR CARDS, WITH Photos of New Zealand Scenery And a Beautiful Assortment of Others of Latest Designs, Andrewes Bros., BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS, Ac., East street South, Ashburton. n!5



NEW SPRING GOODS Showing in every department. 5 PEE CENT. DISCOUNT Upon usual prices allowed to purchasers of parcels amount ing to 10s and upwards. Dimant and Coe, Beady Money DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, Etc., East Street, Ashburton, 9528



THE NEW ZEALAND GRAIN AGENCY AND MERCAN TILE COMPANY, LIMITED, JJ AYE FOR SALE A VERY COMPLETE Threshing Plant, By Ransome—almost equal to new, and which terms are specially easy. Also, SEED OATS AND BARLEY RYE GRASS NEW CLOVER SEEDS WOOLPACKS, Eto,, Etc. All at lowest current rates. Wm. HORNE, 12 au Agent.



INTENDING PURCHASERS OF CLOTHING POR THE SPRING AND SUMMER SEASON Should visit the NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory’s BRANCH, Where they can select from the LARGEST VARIETY OP 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 further benefit in the shape of a still Lower Rate op Wholesale Prices. SHIRTS, UNDERCLOTHING, HATS & CAPS, PORTMANTEAUS, And every requisite at Wholesale Price. Ashburton Branch : EAST STREET.



Special Advertisements. INTRODUCTION OF THE PARCEL SYSTEM. Fashion I?otss, Cashel street, Ohk*»tcharch. Great success has been achieved in the Old Country by the introduction ®f 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 te be re turned. This system is now being intro duced by E. 0. Brown & Co., FASHION HOUSE, Christchurch. The splendid stock of General Drapery in all departments has been purchased by B. 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 seld under cost price leave a good margin of profit for the vendor, while giving unsurpassed value to the purchaser. In all parcels wo 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 £ s. d.



1 dress piece (12 yds) any shade, French costume cloth ... 0 18 6 1£ good velveteen to match dress 0 5 6 3 yds silesia, for linings ... 0 1 10 2 doz new oxydised buttons, to match ... ... ... ... 0 16 1 pair warm lined fur-top spring cuff gloves 0 2 6 £1 9 10 Our No. 2,30 s household parcel, contains— Worth 1 pair good medium size blan kets ... ... ... ... 1 0 0 1 good honeycomb quilt... ... 012 6 8 yds good wincey ... ... 05 0 1 pair good strong corsets, any size ... ... ••• ... 0 5 0 £2 2 6 Our No. 3, dress parcel for £2, contains— Worth 1 dress piece (10 yds) celebrated Empress black velveteen ... 1 7 6 3 yds good silesia for lining ... 0 2 0 2 doz new style oxydised buttons 0 16 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 check costume cloth ... ... 1 1 0 3 yds silesia lining for same ... 0 2 0 2 doz choice buttons, to match dress 0 16 1 good warm Ladies’ tweed ulster 017 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 ... ... ... ••• 014 6 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 ... ... ... ... 0 9 6 1 good black alpaca or sateen skirt ... ... ... ... 014 6 2 pairs Ladies’ black hose ... 0 3 0 1 pair Ladies’ two-button choice black kid glores ... ... 0 4 6 £ doz Ladies’ cambric handker chiefs, in fancy box ... ... 0 5 6 £2 19 6 Our No. 8, furnishing parcel for £lO, contains— Worth



£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 ... 2 17 3 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 see 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. P. 0.0. made payable to E 0. BROWN & 00., Fashion House, Christchurch. 1362



Special Advertisements. Jg U S I NESS Envelopes, 5s p i_ R 1,000 REWARD BOOKS. H. M. JONES, East street. 11 877