SHIPPING.

10RT OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Mahinapua, b.b., from Dunedin, via Oamaru. SaUed. Yesterday. Mahinapua, s.s., for 'Wellington and West Coast. To-day. Lurline, barque, f«r London. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. A.ucklvnd, Yesterday. Arrived—Acacia, from HobaG Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived —Saucy Lass, schooner, from Lyttelton ; Rotomahana, from Mel bourne via the South ; Wanaka, from the North; Sunbeam, barque, f.om Mauri tius via Lyttelton; Candidate, barque, from Liverpool via Port Chalmers; Wakatipii, from Sydney. Sailed—Rotomahana, for Sydney and Auckland via the East Coast; Wanaka, for Lyttelton. Greymouth, Yesterday. Sailed—Murray, for the North ; Clar inda and Fleetwing, for Auckland; Energy, for Onehunga; Examiner, for Lyttelton. _ , Oamaru, To-day. Cleared—Unicorn, barque (McOallum), with wool, for London ; Pax, brigantine glok)^o^

MAIL NOTICES.

close at the Ashburton Post Office as follows : • For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m. 10.30a.m., and 5 p.m,, daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10.30 a. m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. For Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., daily. 1 n For Timaru and South, at 6 a.m., 10 a.m., and 4.30 p.m., daily. For Greenstreet, on Tuesdays and Fri days, at 10.30 a, m. For Vlount Somers, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 6 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. For Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days, at 6 a.m. , , For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, »t 4.30 p.m. daily. For Flemington, on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 4.30 p. m. For Wn.lra.mii, 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.

Mkilg arrive at the Ashburton Post offi,C6—“ From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.15 *.m., 4.35 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. From Ohertsey, &c. at 10.16 a.m. and 4.35 p.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.30 p.xn. daily. From Temuka and Timaru at 10.40 a.m. 5.30 p.m., and 8 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet, Tuesdays and Fri days, at 3 p.m. From Mount Somers, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 10.5 a.m. and 8.15 p.m. From Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days, at 10.5 a.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a. m. daily. From Flemington on Tuesdays, Thurs days, and Saturdays, at 10 a.m. From Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sat urdays, at 4 p.m. From Newlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days, at 9.30 a. m. ■

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES Tuesday, Jantjahy 23. R. Wilkin and Co., at Tinwald—l Steer ;

10.30 a.m. „ Matson, Cox and Co., at the Tinwald

Yards—Stock. Mr Alfred Harrison, at Saunders* Build ings—Photographer’s Plant; 2 p.m.

MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &o Monday, January 22. ' Phrenological Lecture—Town Hall, 8 . ,p.m. . . Ancient Order of Druids—Meeting, Ash burton Hotel, 8 p.m. Friday, January 26. Somerset Lodge, Monthly Meeting, in the Masonic Hall, Tancred street, 7.80. Tuesday, January 30. Ashburton Racing Club—Special General Meeting, Quill’s Hotel, 8 p.m. Saturday, February 3. Wakanui Road Board—Monthly Meeting, Road Board Office, Moore street Monday, February, 12, County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock. .

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.

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

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

“ J.G.”—Your letter having already been published in a contemporary journal, we cannot think of re-printing it in The Guardian.

BIRTH.

Dudley.— At Trevorton, Ashburton, on January 19th, the wife of O. Thornton Dudley, of a daughter.

DEATH.

Whitehoun. —On January 18, at the Hospital, Mr W. R. Whitehorn ; aged 62.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, JANUARY 20. 1883. The School Committee Election.

On Monday next the annual election of the Ashburton School Committee will take place. This event, important as it is from many points of view, has not in the past received the attention it deserves, and it is to be hoped that on this occasion more interest will be shown. There is little reason to com plain of the manner in which the work has been done by the Committee whose term of office is on the point of expiring. Some little squabbling over questions of not much public impor tance has now and then taken place, but this fault is common to nearly all institutions of the kind, and Ashburton is not peculiar in this respect. It is of course easy to over-estimate the in fluence possessed by a School Com mittee, but when it is remembered that the administration of educational affairs in the district is vested in its hands it will be seen that every householder who can manage it should be present on Monday to record his vote. Nor does it follow that because the Com mittee that has been in office during the past year has given satisfaction, that men could not be found as good or even better to take their place. New members may have new ideas, and although we would not advocate change merely for its own sake, the Committee should represent the opinion of the people on the subject of education. This is alone possible when there is a good attendance of voters at the elec tion, and it is only in very few places in the colony that sufficient interest has been shown in the matter to prevent the choosing of candidates being a fore gone conclusion. Thus it is that many men, whose sole claim to a seat on a school committee is a desire to obtain a little cheap notoriety and an oppor tunity to air his not always brilliant eloquence, can by canvassing for votes easily secure the position they covet The system of cumulative voting, an attempt to modify which last session of Parliament was unfortunately not suc cessful, renders the task of such men as we have referred to perfectly easy. Under the pretence of giving a fair share of power to the minority we have accorded them sufficient influence to enable them to override the majority, and it is doubtful if the most perfect organisation on the part of the latter would prevent the importation of an obnoxious element into a committee should an attempt be made in that direction. That no such attempt has been made in Ashburton is simply due to our good fortune, but the power exists, and who shall say that it may not be used some day? The ohly way to nullify the baneful influence of this cumulative voting is for those people who feel an interest in the education of the young—and in this class should be included every member of the com munity—to put in an appearance at the election, and give their votes to those they think are best fitted for the posi tion.

The Sheep Stealing Case.

Eight years penal servitude is cer tainly a heavy sentence, but few people will consider it disproportionate to the crime of which John Meiklejohn was yesterday found guilty at the Christ church assizes. The time is almost within living memory when, in England, a man convicted of sheep stealing was liable to be hanged, but we are more en lightened now, and have come to set a higher value on human life than to sacrifice it save for the worst crimes in the calendar. The reason that sheep stealing was in the old days held to be deserving of so extreme a punishment was probably on account of the difficulty experienced in discovering the criminal. This difficulty, as can be seen by a perusal of the evidence given yesterday, still exists, and it is more than likely that Meiklejohn has been carrying on

his illegal practices' for a long time. The system of registering brands is no doubt an excellent one, but at the same time it is by no means perfect. As was shown during the trial, many of the brands are so nearly similar that it is not easy to distinguish the par ticular flock from which sheep have been taken. Inspector Pender stated that sheep-stealing had been very prevalent in the district, and that Meiklejohn had been under police sur veillance for some time. The difficulty of sheeting home the charge was at last overcome, and great credit is due to our local police, especially Sergeant Felton, for the manner in which the various linksofevidence were got together to en sure conviction. In a country like New Zealand where sheep-farming is so ex tensively carried on and the runs spread over many miles, the animals are more easily stolen than in England. The mode of procedure adopted by Meikle john seems to have been that he ab stracted sheep from different flocks, transmitted them to some place where the brands were not known, and sold them to local farmers. It is impossible not to sympathise with the buyers of these sheep, who purchased them in perfect good faith and in ignorance that they were stolen property. It is, however, easier to see a wrong than to suggest a remedy, but the conviction of Meiklejohn will no doubt open the eyes of the farmers and make them more careful as to whom they obtain sheep from in the future. We understand that the cases which were adjudicated upon yesterday are not the only ones of which the police have cog nisance. There is good reason, indeed, to believe that Meiklejohn was not alone in his nefarious practices, and that he is only a member of a sheep stealing “ring.” Runholders in this and outlying districts have suffered severe losses of late, and it is to be hoped that the police will not relax in their efforts to bring the criminals to justice.

Sale. —At Mr T. Bullock’s auction yards to-day, the London Butchery, situated on T. S. IC6, was sold to Mr J. O. Dolman, for the sum of L 695.

Otago Central Railway. —At a ban quet given to Mr Fergus, M. H. R., at Queenstown on Thursday night, the Hon. Mr Rolleston said that if he had been opposed to the Otago Central Railway be fore, he was now convinced that it was a colonial work. He believed now in this line the colony possessed a valuable asset, requiring only judicious administration.

The Harvest in Southland. —An In vercargill telegram says :—The -'.either is warm and bright. Harvesting is begin ning early this season. Reports from the different parts of the district state that cutting has commenced. There is a famine of reapers and binders, the sellers being practically cleared out. It is said that fifty more could have been sold hero.

Winding up of the Pottery Works. At a meeting of the shareholders of the Milton (New Zealand) Pottery Company, it was resolved to wind up their affairs. There has been in their operations a loss of L 3,642 16s Bd. These present much re gretted the absolute necessity of winding up, and a hope was expressed that a new Company might be started, especially as all early difficulties have been surmounted, and a number of skilled workman have been brought into the country. Professor Friser. —There was a very fair attendance at the Town Hall last evening, and the admirable lecture de livered by Professor Fraser was listened to with much interest. “ How to read men like open books,” was the title of the discourse, and the lecturer explained the various scientific theories in regard to the formation of the head and the lessons learnt from them by the phrenologist. The heads of a number of gent emeu were examined at the end of the lecture, and their character determined. Professor Fraser’s next lecture will be given on Mon day.

The Volunteers. —The annual meet ing of the Ashburton Rifle Corps was held last evening, at the temporary drill-shed, in West street, when about twenty mem bers were preient. Captain Douglas pre sided. The balance-sheet having been read, was confirmed, after a discussion lasting over an hour and a-half, exception being taken to the items for erecting the butts and target. The election of various committeemen and others was then pro ceeded with, resulting as follows: Treasurer, Capta'n Douglas ; committee, Color-sergeant Hayes, Sergeant Jessop, Corporal Dunn, and Private Leach; auditors, Corporal Dunn and Private Wilkins. The election of secretary was postponed until next drill night, owing to the persons nominated refusing to stand. The drill night was then altered from Tuesday to Thursday night. The late band of the corps was voted L2O out of the capi tation money, to be paid on receipt of same. Captain Douglas notified that Major Lean, the officer commanding the district, would attend on Tuesday, 27th inat., to enrol the members of the Company under the new regulations. A vote of thanks to Mr Bullock, the late captain, for the use of the shed for drill purposes, to the re tiring committee, secretary, and to Lieut enant Dolman (drill instructor), for his services as color-sergeant, brought the proceedings to a close.

How the New England was Lost.— At tho inquiry into the cause of the wreck of the steamer New England, with the loss of many lives, John Lemaira, chief engineer of the vessel, stated that after the chief officer told him that he was not to move the engines without his orders, he (Lemaire) went on to tho bridge, called the captain down to the upper deck, and asked him if he was going on* - . Captain Mann replied in the affirmative, adding that the pilot distinctly told him that there was sufficient water in the channel to allow of their going out. Witness then asked the mate of the vessel if he would go up and stand by the captain in case anything should happen. He saw that there was something the matter with the captain. The mate went up accordingly. ' In the early part of the day it appeared to him (Lemaire) that the captain had had too much liquor. He did not appear to work the ship coming down the river that day as well as usual, and he (witness) thought this was from the effects of drink. The chief engineer detailed at length what took place after the steamer struck. The president, on behalf of the board, com plimented Mr Lemaire upon the bravery ho had exhibited in risking his life to save others, and said if there had been some more like him on the occasion of the wreck there would probably have been far le s loss of life. Henry Jamieson, steward on board the New England, stated that the agent of the Company came to him at South Grafton before the vessel left, and told him not to give tie captain anything to drink.

SHEEP STEALING.

We take the following particulars of tho trial of Meiklejohn from this morning’s Press John Meiklejohn was charged with stealing and driving away, on the Ist December, 1882, 398 sheep and 145 ewes, the property of Sir John Hall. There was a second indictment for stealing and driving away, on the 13th August, 1882, 400 ewes and 17 sheep, the property of

John Cordy. The prisoner, who pleaded “ Not Guilty,” was defended by Mr Wild ing.—Mr Duncan appeared for the Crown, and called the following evidence : —John Edwin Fountain deposed—He was man ager for Sir John Hall at his sheep station at Hororata. He remembered Tuesdaj, the 12th December last. In consequence of a telegram he counted the sheep, and missed nearly 400 wether*. Afterwards found there were also about

200 ewes short. At the hearing of this case before the Magistrate at Ashburton he examined six ewes and six wethers in a dray by themselves outside the Court, He identified them as belonging to Sir John Hall. The wethers had a tip off the right ear, and an oblong punch hole in the left, and the ewes had another punch hole in the right ear. It was the practice of Sir John Hall to put a special ear-mark on all sheep sold. There was no such mark on the sheep. They were all branded with Sir John Hall’s registered brand —a key brand. On the 13th De cember he examined a mob of about 500 sheep in a paddock at Ashburton in the presence of Sergeant Felton. All the sheep except one had Sir John Hall’s brand. They were ewes, wethers, and ewe hoggets. The one that did not be long to Sir John Hall had no wool on, and bore a different ear-mark. The two skins produced had Sir John Hall’s ear marks and brands, as previously de scribed. They did not have the selling

mark. Did not know the prisoner before; he never dealt with Sir John Hall.— Cross-examined : I have been manager for Sir John Hall for about twelve years. The extent of his run is about 32,000 acres. 31 is fenced, and the River Rakaia is the south boundary. The river is deep. It faces on the run for nine or ten miles. The town of Rakaia is from ten to twelve miles from the most eastern boundary of the station. The sheep were counted on the 13th October. Missed none until the 13th December. On the 13th October turned out about 8,000 sheep. That was within about 400 of the actual number.— William McLaren, shepherd, in the em ploy of Mr Bealey, at Rakaia, deposed he remembered Friday, November Ist. He was in charge of a flock of sheep that morning. Notice ! that the sheep had been disturbed, as the lambs were search ing for their mothers in the direction of the Rakaia bridge. Noticed tracks of sheep, and traced them over the bridge going south. The bridge was ten or twelve miles further down the river than Sir John Hall’s run. Dromore was south of Rakaia. Returned to the sea side of the railway line, and noticed a maji on horseback, who appeared to be driving sheep. This was about ten miles from the place where the flock were disturbed. That man was the prisoner. Asked him what sheep he had got. He said “ Peter Grant’s,” and that he had been wailing for two days to give de livery of them to Sandy Grant. Asked him which road he had come, and he said from south. Witness said, “ Come over till wo have a look at them.” He said,

“ No ; you had better keep off them, aa I don’t want them disturbed.” Witness replied, “ I am going to have a look at them,” and rode over towards the sheep and had a look at the ear marks. Did not particularly notice the number of sheep ; there were probably about 300. Noticed that some of the sheep had a punch-hole in the ear, and that the ’ears were tipped. They were merino sheep, and appeared to be mixed—ewes and wethers. Rode back to the prisoner and said, (t You have got one of Westenra’s there,” alluding to the proprietor of a s‘ation in the neighbor hood. Prisoner said, f ‘ There might be one broke in.” Witness said, “I believe you have got one of Mr Bealey s there too, and I would like to have a look at it. ” He said there was no necessity, aa ucitness could get the sheep when the mob was going through Bealey’s station. Witness insisted upon examining the sheep, and got off his horse and walked towards them. Prisoner walked after him and told him he had better keep off the sheep or ha would drive them through the fence. Witness caught two of the sheep and examined the ear-marks. They had punch-holes, but the tips were not cut. The sheep about him had tips off the ears, besides the punch holes. (Witness loft the Court to examine some of the sheep, and on returning his examination was continued.) Saw amongst the sheep ha had just seen one like a sheep the prisoner caught for him to examine when they were together. It had the s one ear-marks and the same brand. The sheep prisoner was driving had the same wool brand aa those witness had just exa

mined. Before examining the sheep thought they were Mr Westenra’s.—Cross examined : Had been a shepherd for three or four years. Had followed many other occupations, including engine-driving. Had been in the Rakaia didric: since September, 1882. Of ms own knowledge did not know much of the people around or of the brands they used, except that his manager had given him particulars of the brands on paper. Was first under the impression that some of Mr Bea'ey’s sheep had been taken away. The sheep witness saw in the possession of the pri soner were ordinary merino sheep. Mr Westenra also used a punch hole as an ear-mark.—John Edward Fountain re called, said he had examine 1 the sheep in the vestibule of the Court with the last witness. It was a wether, and bore Sir John Hall’s ear-marks and brand. It did not have the mark used for sheep that were sold. Witness identified six other sheep, which he had examined outside the Court, and which had not the selling mark.—Cross-examined : Did not know Mr Maiden’s brand of Wakanui.— Sergeant Felton, of Ashburton, deposed that ho arrested the prisoner at the Ash burton Hotel on the 9th December.

Charged him with sheep stealing. Pris oner denied all knowledge of the sheep, and said, “ I don’t know what you are talking about. You had better mind what you are about. If you never made a mis take before you have made one now in arresting me.” Witness said, “ I’ll take the consequences. I charge you with steal ing those 500 and odd sheep you had at Davis’s.”—Cross-examined ; The prisoner has been for about three er four years in the district. When arrested the prisoner said the sheep had been found in the river bed. Prisoner said ha knew nothing about those sheep. The prisoner was first charged in the Magistrate’s Court with stealing sheep from Westenra Bros. Mr Westenra said he did not own the sheep, and witness telegraphed to Sir John Hall's manager, who claimed them. —John Harris, shepherd to Sjr John Hall, identified the sheep.— Cross-ex amined : Sir John Hall might sell 2,000 or 3,000 sheep every season.— James Davis, farmer and miller, residing at Waterton, deposed that the prisoner came to his place on the evening of Saturday, the 2nd December, and said he had got some sheep in the river bed, and wanted to get some paddocks in order to shear them. Witness told him he had not a paddock available, and he asked for a small paddock for a few days, until ho could get the sheep removed. Witness consented, and prisoner brought the sheep next morning. He said he got them from Drum mond, at the Rakaia. He pointed to one sheep without any wool on, and wit ness said it would be all right, as the sheep had a kind of fever, and the wool would

grow again. Prisoner stayed until Thurs day, and then left with the sheep, saying he was going to take them to Tinwald. Prisoner said there Tyere §l7 sheep.— Cross-examined : Prisoner hji a sheep dealer and driver, and I have sometimes done business with him.--John Ashton, farmer, at Ashburton, deposed that on Sunday, the 3rd December, he saw the prisoner driving a mob of about 400 sheep towards Davis’s place. The road he took was not the usual one, and was abomt

mile and a half further than by the i ordinary road.—Joseph Foster said he saw i the prisoner on Saturday, the 2nd Decern- ' ber, endeavoring to cross the Ashburton river with a mob of sheep.—William Met calf, night porter at Quill’s hotel, Ashbur ton, deposed that he reme.nbered the prisoner being at the hotel on a Friday night in December, two or three days be fore he was arrested. He told witness he wanted to be called at three o’clock in the morning. Witness called him, and he went away. —Cross-examined : Prisoner often stayed at Quill’s hotel. It was no unusual thing to call him early in the morning. Quill’s was a large hotel, often frequented by farmers, and Meiklejohn was well known there, and bore a good character. —Alexander Grant, cattle dealer, living in Christchurch : Did not know the prisoner personally, and had never had dealings with him. Did not arrange to receive any sheep from him in December last.—Peter Grant gave similar ■ evidence. —Constable Robert Neil, sta tioned at Ashburton, deposed to having tracked a mob of sheep from Davis’s to an island in the river-bed, about a.mile above the lower ford. He had them driven to Ashburton. The six sheep outside the Court were amongst the mob.—This con cluded the case for the Grown, and Mr Wilding having addressed the jury on be half of the defendant, His Honor summed up. The jury, after an absence of five minutes, returned a verdict of guilty. The prisonor was then charged under another indictment with stealing and driving away on the 13th August, 1882, 400 ewes and seventeen sheep, the pro perty of John Oordy. He pleaded “ Not Guilty,” and was defended by Mr Wild ing.— Mr Duncan, with Mr Button, con ducted the prosecution.—Robert Fitzroy Holderness, Inspector of Sheep, gave evi dence concerning the marks on the sheep outside the Court. He identified them as the registered mark of Mr Cordy. Three of the sheep had other ear-marks as well —a long punch hole corresponding with Sir John Hall’s mark.—Cross-examined : My district extends from Waimakariri to the Rangitata. It is called the Christ church subdivision of the Canterbury sheep district. There was a brand re gistered for Messrs W. A. and H. Ches nell, and also two ear-marks. The ear mark was a back quarter out of the right ear, similar to that of Mr Cordy, and an oval punch hole. Sir John Hall’s ear mark was elongated punch hole. Mr Richard Blake’s registered ear-mark for ewes and wethers was also a back quarter out of the right ear. Similar ear marks had been registered for different owners, but they were only portions of the brands on a sheep. Mr Madden’s ear-mark was an oval punch hole in the right ear. It did not quite correspond with Sir John Hall’s ear-mark. Alto gether there were about 700 brands re gistered in the district. It was a ques tion whether farmers were compelled to register and some did not. —John Lloyd Crawley, commission agent, residing at Ashburton, deposed : Saw the prisoner in September last. He said he had about 500 merino ewes on the road, and wanted 10s for them. They were purchased by Mr Denshire for 8s 6d, through witness’ agency, the prisoner being present at the sale. —Cross-examined : The sheep did not seem to have been over-driven, but were in fair condition. When I saw the sheep at the Ashburton Police Office I thought three of them belonged to Mr Chesnell, as they had an ear - mark similar to his, Wil liam Banks Denshire, farmer, gave evidence of the purchase from the pri soner of 504 ewe's. Prisoner said the wool brand was P.R. Did not notice the ear-marks. After shearing the sheep branded them with his own brand. The sheep were subsequently taken possession of by the police.—Cross-examined : Some of the ewes lambed when I had them. The lambs were healthy.—Sergeant Fel ton deposed that he accompanied Mr Cordy to the farm of the last witness, who mustered his sheep, and Mr Cordy picked out four, of which witness took possession. One also had Sir John Hall’s ear-mark on. The sheep were those now outside the Court.—John Edwin Foun tain, manager for Sir John Hall, and John Morgan, shepherd to the prosecutor, gave evidence as to the identity of the sheep.—John Cordy, sheep farmer at Hororata, deposed that his run was situ ated between Sir John Hall’s and Mr Bealey’s. In November missed about 400 merino ewes. His run was fenced and sub-divided. Identified his missing sheep at Mr Denshire’s. The witness ga've evi dence corroborative of previous testi mony.—Cros-examined : The rams were placed with the ewes on the 26fch April. The period of gestation was seven weeks, some of his ewes were lambing early in October.—This concluded the case for the prosecution. —Mr Wilding having ad dressed the jury, his Honor summed up the evidence. —The jury retired, and after an absence of five minutes returned into Court with a verdict of “ Guilty.”—ln spector Pender, in reply to the Court, said there were no previous convictions against the prisoner, but he had been un der police surveillance for some time, on account of the crime of sheep stealing having been very rife in the district.— His Honor, after remarking on the seri ousness of the offences of which the prisoner had been convicted, sentenced him to penal servitude for four years on each of the two indictments, making to gether eight years.

EUROPEAN ITEMS.

[Pbrs.s. Wakatipu, at Wellington. [ London, Jan. 9. The steamer Colombo, which is grounded in the Suez Canal at present, completely blocks the traffic. Negotiations between England and France on the subject of the control of Egyptian finances are at a complete stand still, the arrangements proposed on either aide being mutually unsatisfactory. Madame Christine Nillson is at present suffering from an affection of the throat, which will prevent her appearing in public for some time to come. The crops in Lincolnshire have become completely sodden through the late heavy rains, and their entire destruction is con sidered a matter of certainty.

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Sydney, Jan, 13. Ministers held a Cabinet meeting to day, and determined upon the Estimates to be submitted to Parliament. Financial arrangements being completed, a short recess will take place, when the Ministry will introduce a L an d Bill for facilitating settlement, and giving better tenure to pastoral tenants ; a Civil Service Bill and a Bill for affording a greater measure of local self-government is also included in the Ministerial programme under con sideration.

Much inconvenience has been caused to the residents of Sydney by the burst ing of a 30in. main leading from Botany to the Crown street reservoir. For two days the supply could only be obtained from stand-pipes and tanks, and all water had to bo economised.

The Anglican Synod appointed a com mittee to take necessary steps for the election of the Bishop. It consists of four clerical and four lay representatives. In view of the numerous complaints against the management of the Sydney Hospital, the Government have appointed a committee of inquiry. The weather has been very warm, and heavy rains have fallen.

\ serious collision occurred at sea on the morning of Jan. 11th, between the Newcastle Steamship Company’s Kembla, and the Rosedale. The Kembla was

struck bn the after part of -the starboard sponson, and somewhat damaged. The Rosedale then went bn her way without offering any assistance. A movement to extend the railway to Circular Quay is again being agitated. An accident occurred on the morning of the 11th to a train between Jonee and Hay. The axle of a truck containing bricks suddenly broke, and the truck being overturned dragged .with it three carriages and the brake .van. Some of the .passengers were braised, but np bones were broken. The portrait of Sir Herculesjßobinson, furnished for the Government House, is considered not at all good, end. a meeting of the committee has been called to con sider whether it shall be accepted or re je;ted. , Melbourne, Jan. IS, Trade agitations are- continuing and ex tending. The bookbinders have resolved i to obtain reductions of their hours. The Omnibus Company have agreed to reduce the hours of its coachmakers to nine hours per day. In consequence of the wholesale con demnation of detectives contained in the Police Commissioaerslreport, several of the detectives have called for a Board of En quiry. It is stated that the musical festival will cause a loss of about 12,000. The Melbourne compositors are seeking for a rise from la to Is Id per 1,000, and the Argus at once granted it. Brisbane, Jan. 13. Successful exhibitions .have been held of the Lane-Fox incandescent lamps. A serious coach accident happened to a coach conveying passengers :to Gympie. It suddenly capsized, the occupants were thrown out, and all were hurt. -

The Hiron arrived at Maryborough from the South Seas, and reports that the Lord , of the Isles, from Fiji, was seized by tho natives of Santo, and the crew were massa cred.

CRICKET.

ENGLAND v. AUSTRALIA.

[reuter’s telegrams—copyright. ] Melbourne, Yesterday. The cricket match between the Austra lian and English elevens commenced here to-day. The weather was fine, and the attendance of spectators large. Great in* terest is being taken in the contest. The Englishmen went in first, and at the con clusion of the day they had lost seven wickets for 243 runs. The following are the scores:— Barlow, b 14 C. T. Studd, b 16 A. G. Steele, c ... ... 37 C. F. H. Leslie, run out ... 54 W. W. Read, not out ~,‘ r 62 Barnes, b ... ... .V; : 32 E. F. S. Tyleoote, b ... 0 Hon Jvo Bligh, c ... v.v 0 Bates, not out ... „T 34 Extras i. 9 ' Total for 7 wickets ..J248 .. ==, ■■'! .8

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

A COMPLAINT.

To the Editor. ; Sib, Will you permit me’ to ask through your columns—Why when com plaints are laid before the Borough Coun cil of the neglect in not removing the night-soil, the cause of compla-ttt is not removed ? Surely this is a serious matter at this time of the year, and'if, It is not in the power of the Council to nss into it, then to whom should we apply ?—I am, etc. Resident.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[reuter’s telegrams—copyright.] A Railway Strike. London, Jan. 19. » A strike of extraordinary magnitude has occurred among the employees on the Caledonian Railway Company’s lines. Traffic is completely paralysed* and efforts which have been "made to induce the men to return to work have as yet proved unavailing. Monetary and Commercial- The total reserve in the ; Bank ot- England in notes and bullion is Li 1,400,000, being an increase ot Lqoo.ooo since last Thursday. The proportion of reserve to liabilities has advanced to 41 per cent. The Bank rate ot discount is unchangedlat 5 per cent, and the market rate at P er cent Consols are New Zealand securities are firm at last quotations. Adelaide wheat remains at 46s to 49s per quarter, ex store j and New Zealand ditto, 44s to 47s per quarter. Adelaide flour, ex warehouse, 335. Australian tallow—Best beef, 43s per cwt.; best mutton, 45 per cwt.

Berlin, Jan. 18. Discount at the Imperial Bank of Germany is now at four per cent. [Received Jan. 20, 2-5 p.m.j Fatal Explosion. Berlin, Jan. 19. A serious explosion occurred to-day at a powder mill in Minden, a strongly fortified town in Westphalia.. The greater portion of the place hias been shattered to pieces, and twelve lives have been lost. The Bonapartist Pretenders. Paris, Jan. 19. In the Chamber of Deputies to-day M. Faillieres, Minister of the Interior, introduced a Bill to provide measures to prevent the issuee of manisfestos by Bonapartist pretenders. The mea sure provides for the punishment pf offenders by imprisonment, instead of expulsion from France. Socialists in Franca. Prince Krapotkin and th‘e leaders pf the socialist movement have been sen tenced to five years’ penal servitude, and various terms of imprisonment have been passed on other prisoners. Buiqored Legitunist Plot* A report is current that a widespread Legitimist plot is now in existence in France under the leadership of Char r ette,

AUSTRALIAN.

[rKDTKR’s TELEGRAMS —COPYRIGHT } Commercial. Sydney, Yesterday. New Zealand wheat, 4s per bushel; New Zealand oats, 3s 3d per bushel; maize, 4s gd per bushel. Sugar Co.’s No. 1 pieces, L 35 per ton. Monetary. The Commercial Bank of Sydney has declared a dividend for the past half year at the rate of 25 per cent, per annum. Promised Visit of a Land Leaguer. Mr J. E. Redmond, M.P. for New Ross, whose approaching visit to Aus tralia is understood to be in connection with the Irish National Land League, is expected to arrive here in March. The Suez Mail. Albany, Yesterday. The steamship Indus, with the in ward mails via Suez and dated

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1888.



P YOU WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE, GO TO DAVIS'S OHEAP FURNITURE AND BED DING MANUFACTORY, EAST STREET SOUTH, ASHBURTON. EVERY article Sold at Christchurch Prices and guaranteed best of material and workmanship. FUNERALS CHEAPLY & COMPLETELY FURNISHED sl tZ jPianos, OC)A TO £9O. Several Second band 3Q**. l: on sale, hire, or deferred pay ments. Organs. The best made are by the Smith Ameri can Co. Guaranteed for five years. Not to be equalled for tone and durability. Violins, &c., Flutes, Concertinas, Ac cordions. Orguinette, Host wonderful instrument. Requires Do knowledge of Music to play. Equal to the cabinet organ. H. J. WEEKS, Teacher and Music Seller, Tancred street, J2 (Agent for 0. Begg & Co.)



Wanted TT/'aNTED KNOWN—That Robert V\ Elston, Burnett street, Ashbur ton, having procured the newest appara tus, is prepared to Sweep Chimneys at very low rates. Any orders left at the Town Hall will receive prompt attention. Terms cash. 760 c ANTED KNOWN. That BONEDUST, specially prepared for drilling with carrots, mangolds, etc., can be obtained from the undersigned. F. MAYO, Hampstead Bone Mills. WANTED KNOWN—It is Mr Lan caster’s intention to extend his Bread Business, and he wishes his cus tomers to know he has secured Mr Thomas Hicks to manage that branch. A Cart will be run with Broad alone, independent of the other Two Carts, which will con tinue to run as before. The name of Mr Hicks will be a sufficient guara tee that, under his management, Bread of unex ceptionable quality will be turned out of the FREETRADE BAKERY, East street.—R. Lancaster, Proprietor. 240 WANTED the Public to know that they can purchase on deferred payment one of Singer’s celebrated SEW ING MACHINES. They are cheaper, mote durable, and will do a greater variety of work than any other kind of sewing machine. They have been awarded up wards of 300 First Class Prizes (gold and silver medals, cups, etc.) Sewing Ma chines of all kinds bought, sold, or exchanged, and repaired. Lessons given given free of charge to purchasers at their own homes. Moore Street, Ash burton. 100



Special Advertisements. QHRISTMAS PRESENTS. JUST OPENED UP, A Large and Choice Selection of FANCY GOODS TOYS PRIZE BOOKS. &c., &c., &c. Andrewes Bros., BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS, & c . East street south, Ashburton- n!5 To Farmers.



WHEAT SHIPMENTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM or CONTINENT of EUROPE. THE NEW ZEALAND GRAIN AGENCY AND MERCANTILE COM PANY, LIMITED, Are prepared to make LIBERAL ADVANCES Against wheat placed in their hands for shipment to London, Liverpool, or the Continental markets. FARMERS’ PARCELS Will have the personal attention of Mr P. Cunningham and Mr G. G. Stead, and will be forwarded by the COMPANY’S LINE OF SHIPS DIRECT TO THEIR LONDON OFFICE Shippers thus avoid the delay and ex pense which is incurred when shipments pass through int rmediate channels. The advantages and economy of being in DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH HIGH-CLASS EXPERIENCED BROKERS, Whose sole business is the disposal of Grain, must be obvious. Ihe Company’s large business enables it to handle grain upon a very low scale of charges, and farmers availing themselves of its services for the disposal of grain in the Home Markets can rely upon the HIGHEST PRICE being realised, and prompt account sales being rendered. Shipments will be superintended with out CHARGE, and



Free btorage supplied whilst awaiting shipment, and every care taker to ensure dispatch. GEORGE G. STEAD, Managing Director. P, CUNNINGHAM, Consulting Director. W. HORNE, 12au Ashburton. JBL M. Jones’ COUNT BOOKS. BOOKS ! BOOKS ! ! REWARD, PRESENTATION, and PRIZE BOOKS. NEW VOLUMES— Boys’ Own Annual Girls’ Own Annual Chatterbox Child’s Companion Infants’ Magazine, Ac., &c. POETS— VARIOUS Authors ; Sir Walter Scott’s Works, new edition, complete. TOYS ! TOYS !! TOYS !! ! GREAT VARIETY—in Wood, Tin, China, and Indiarubber. DOLLS ! DOLLS !! DOLLS !! ! ALL SIZ -'S—From one inch to two feet—in Wood, Rag, China, Composition, etc. FANCY GOODS ! FANCY GOODS ! A NICE SELECTION of the above now in stock. ALL the above Goods are offered at the LOWEST Possible Prices for CASH. A LIBERAL DISCOUNT allowed to schools on parcels of Toys, Books, etc. PIANOS. ORGANS, BRASS, and STRINGED INSTRUMENTS ON ' DEFERRED PAYMENTS. H. M. JONES, BURNETT ST. & BARING SQUARE. 13d



John Mcech, Burnett street, AshbdetojN, CABINETMAKER & UPHOLSTERER. The above advertiser begs fo intimate to his numerous friends and customers that as he has EXTENDED HIS PREMISES He is now in a position to execute all kinds of FURNITURE at pbioes to meet THE TIMES. Second-hand Furniture bought and sold. First Prize awarded at the late A. and P. Show, Showrooms —Next Bullock’s Arcade. Workshop—Next Mail )ffice.



Special Advertisements. n 'HE BEST VALUE FOE- READY JL MONEY IS THE MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING Manufactured BY TUB NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, Which can be purchased at their Retail Branches all over New Zealand. A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Thousands of discerning customers testify that the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Garments are the very best for READY MONEY. Ashburton Branch: EAST STREET. W. SPARROW, Manager. s!9



QOA L. COAL. COAL. We have now IN STOCK, ex Con ference, a large supply of the Old Lambton Coal. This is the BEST HOUSE COAL imported. 18n TUCKER, RESTELL & CO.



'VrOTICE TO BLACKSMITHS, iM BREWERS, AND OTHERS. Just landed, ex Mary Campbell, from Greymouth, a supply of the CELEBRATED Brunner Coal, The best procurable for blacksmith and steam purposes. n 27 TUCKER, RESTELL & CO.



We have now IN STOCK and for sale, ex vessels from Kaipara, a large assort ment of DRESSED AND UNDRESSED Kauri Timber, including sizes to suit all requirements of the Building Trade. WELL - REASONED TIMBER for Joiners and Cabinetmakers. Also, from Foxton, ex Awarea and Forest Queen, Totaral Black Pine, of Ihe best quality to be obtained. 021 TUCKER, RESTELL <fc CO.



BWEST BOOKS at B. SEVAN’S, Saunders’ Buildings. Cassell’s Popular Educator, Chambers’ Journal of Popular Literature, Mayhew’s Illustrated Horse Management, the Leisure Hour, Every Boy’s Annual, Little Wide-Awake, Chatterbox, Children's Friend, Child’s Companion, Infant’s Magazine, Band of Hope Review, Morning Dewdrops (by Mrs C. L. Balfour), Captain Cook’s Voyages, and others. A large stock of second-hand books—all offered at the lowest possible price for cash. 32



gA Y E YOUR GRAIN, AND PURCHASE Walter A. Wood’s TWINE REAPER AND BINDER, Which obtained the FIRST PRIZE and GOLD MEDAL against all comers at the TRIAL held last season in Christ church, under the auspices of the Canter bury A. and P. Association. This Machine combines Lightness of Draught, Simplicity of Construction, Ease of Management, Durability, and with Quantity and Quality of Work. Ealing, 21st December, —To Messrs Poyntz and Co, —Gentlemen.—In an swer to your enquiry 1 might state that the Wood’s Twine Binder, works to my entire satisfaction,and may mention that during last season, I cut 154 acres of wheat during a strong wind with perfect ease, and produced good work. Yours truly, Henry Herne, manager for J. E. Ruddenkiau. Newlands, 22nd December, —Messrs Poyntz and Co., Ashburton.—l have this day completed cutting 25 acres of ryo grass on my farm at Newlands, with a W. A. Wood’s Twine Binder, purchased from you last year, to my entire satisfaction. The crop is now lying on the ground, and speaks for itself. Anyone wishing to see the crop can do so on visiting my farm. Yours faithfully, Martin Griffin, FOR SALE— Second-hand GRASS-STRIPPER. FOR SALE - Second-hand McCormick REAPERS and BINDERS. FOR SALE— Four-horse DRAY. FOR SALE— A WAGONETTE, in capital order. FOR SALE— An Eight-horse-power ENGINE, by Clayton and Shattleworth, in good order. FOR SALE COMBINE, by Marshall. ON SALE BINDER TWINE, WIRE, and OIL, at’current rates. Poyntz & Co., AGENTS



Special Advertisements. [With an apology to Green’s Shade.] CHEAP BOOTS AND SHOES.—The BIG SHOP in East Street, Ash burton, has just been opened with an entirely NEW STOOK of English, Foreign, and Colonial-made BOOTS and SHOES, which will be sold at my usual LOW PRICES, which have given such satisfaction in Tinwald and else where. —C. HAWKINS, “Munstb*” Warehouse, Ashburton ; also at Tin wald. CRICKETERS’ MATERIAL, includ ing Bats, Balls. Leg-guards, Gloves, Nets, &c., at neary Cost Price. Christ mas “ Graphic” and “ Illustrated London News,” “ Christmas Annual,” &c. Andkewes Bros. , Bo .ksellers. Station ers, &c., East street south, Ashburton. 77 THE SCOTTISH IMPERIAL IN SURANCE COMPANY. Head Office; 151, West George street, Glasgow. Capital ... £1,000,000 FIRE RISKS taken at lowest current rates. Claims promptly settled here. W. R. BOYLE, n 7 Asrent, Ashburton.