SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday Ocean Bird, ketch, from Anahau. Taiaroa, a.s., from Nelson, Picton and Wellington. Sailed. Yesterday. Croydon Lass, schooner, for Foxton. Taiaroa, e.s., for Oamaru and Dunedin. Hand Graham, schooner, for Napier. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Sailed—Te Anau, for the Southern Port* . , * ■ Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived —Waihora, from Melbourne, ▼ia the ,South; Takapuna and Grafton, from Lyttelton; Koranui, from Dunedin and ‘ Oamaru; Herald, schooner, from Lyttelton. , _ , Sailed—Wanaka, for Lyttelton; Taka j-puna, ifor Onehunga; Waihora, for Auok *' land, via the East Coast. , , Dunedin, Yesterday. ‘ Arrived—Wakatipu, from the North; . Wanganui, from Greymouth. Sailed—Nelson, ship, for London; Ringarooma, for the North; Superior, barque, for Auckland.

COMMERCIAL.

; ♦ Ashburton Guardian Office, Saturday afternoon. Messrs Friedlander Bros., in conjunction with Messrs K. Wilkin and Co. (per Mr F. C. Tabart, auctioneer), report for the week end ing Dcp. 12th, on the live stock market, as follows i —At the Ashburton Yards on Tuesday f list'a fahge entry of stock came forward, con. sisting of 4.iBS sheep and 115 head of cattle. Fat sheep—A limbed entry ,to hand, and mosl of them beinggood quality. We sold a small line of 33 fat shorn ewes, at 13s 6d ; 24 shorn ; merino wethers, at 10s; 53 crossbred ewes 5 and Wethers, 15s; 82 shorn ewes, at 12s gd. 'ln store sheep the demand was brisk, and every, lot yarded found buyers at fully - equal to vendor’s expectations. We sold 135 merino, ewes with lambs at 9s 2d each ; 23* ' ’merino ewes with 80 percent of lambs at in 9d; and a splendid line of 207 merino ewe! with Sz per cent of lambs at lis ?d, being tht best yarded this season; also, 24 broken-mouthec crossbred ewes at 9s; 3 6 3 merino hoggets ai ; etc. 4 ’Fat cattle—A small supply yarded : and bidding compared with late sales we con ” 'Sder : it one of the dullest we have had for somi '.time. Store cattle—A more spiriting sale wai noticed, especially good lines of grown steers * Dry'hfeiters made L 3 15s, L3l4s; steers, L; 125 to L 4 los. Mutton is selling, shorn a about per lb, and beef from 18s to 21 per ioolb.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

■ v U:.11 AUCTION SALE-. li. 'i Tuesday, December 18. Matson, Cox and Co., at the Aahburto: Baleyatda—Stock. Thursday, December 20. MeaiTa Matson, Cox and Co., at th ft 1 Railway Siding— I Timber, etc Mataon and Co., at tbei i- Stores—Wool MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Etc. 11i This Evening. Town Hall—Court Minstrels, at 8 p.m. '■ ' Monday, December 17. Athletic Sports, on the Cricket and Atl " lefic Sports Grounds • Monday, December 24. Borough Council, at Borough Counci Chambers, at 7.30. Wednesday, December 26. .Town Hall—Loyal Orange Concert an _ Ball, at 7.30 p.m. Thursday, December 27. . 'Mount Somers Annual Races and Sporti Tuesday, January 1. Winslow Annual Races and Sports. Math van Annual Races and Sports, : • Friday, January 4. 1 Ashburton County Council—At Counci ■.! Chambers, 11a.m. Friday, January 4. Longbeach Road Board, at Road Boan office, Lbngheach ; V ; Saturday, Ja-uaby 5. Wakanui Road Board, at Road Boar< office, Moore street, at 10.30 a. m. Monday, January 7- Upper Ashburton Road Board, at Roat Board Office " : 'TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE. Trains Leave Ashburton for Christ church and intermediate stations at 7.1* a.m-, 10.55 a.m., and (Express) 5.31 p.m. Trains Leave Ashburton for Timari and South, at 6.50 a.m., 10.25 a.m (Express), and 4.45 p. m. —the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru. Trains Arrive at Ashburton froi Christchurch at 10 15 a.m. (Express) 4.35p.m., and 7.15 p.m. Trains Arrive at Ashburton froi Timaru and South at 10.40 a.m., 5.2 1 p.m. (Express), and 8 p.m.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Offici follows: — ; For Christchurch and North at 6 a, in •10.30 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Bakaia, &0., 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., • : For Tima-ru and South, at 6 a.m., 1C a.m., and 430 p.m., daily. For Greenstreet and Ashburton Forks, OH Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 3.30 p.m. For llount Somers, on Tuesdays and YiliUutdaya, at 6 a.m. and 430 p.m. For Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days, at 6 a.m. r .For Ashtca, Waterton and Longbeach, at 430 p.m. daily. ■ ' :Fot Flemington, on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 430 p. m. For Wakanui, Elgin, Seaview, Seafield, and Kyle, on . Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 a. m. .;. A For Newlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days at 10.30 a.m. -

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1883. The Last Word.

Were it not that he has brought himself into his present position solely through his own misconduct, we should be in clined to feel sympathy for our local contemporary. His condition is in deed a truly pitiable one, and, although it is hoping against hope, we trust that the lesson we have tried to teach him will have a salutary effect upon his future conduct. It must be confessed, however, that as yet there is no evi dence that this hope will be justified, as the Mail this morning returns to the at tack upon the member for Ashburton, and not only devotes a leader to the subject, but also publishes a letter from Mr A. E. Pe<vche, which latter is ac corded the high honor of leaded type. Although our contemporary evidently values greatly this new assistance that has come to his aid, most people will, we imagine, be able to estimate the effusion at its true worth. For the in stant, however, we will let the amateur scribbler pass, and deal with the editor. " The stoat," says the old aphorism, “is difficult to kill, but we do not love the stoat,” and the Mail may fitly be compared to this unsavory animal. So tough is his skin that when you have thoroughly belabored him on one side he is quite ready for a drub bing on the other. This business of the visit of the Minister for Public Works is an instance of this peculiarity. A charge is brought against Mr Wright that he, to serve his private ends, deliberately kept secret Mr Mitch elson’s intended trip to Mount Somers, and the Mail to prove his case cites as a matter of fact that the mem ber for Ashburton hired the buggy for the purpose of conveying the party to its destination. This is indeed the only tangible fact that is put forward, all the rest about Mr Wright’s motives being pure surmise, coined out of the brain of a man who presumably would not hesitate to act in the unscrupulous manner he imputes to others. But when a distinct denial is made of the one so-called fact, what does our con temporary do ? In face of the contra diction it was impossible to adhere to the original assertion, and it is virtually admitted that a misstatement was re sorted to in order to injure the member for Ashburton. One would have thought that the only manly course to take would have been to admit the error and withdraw the charges, but manliness is not a striking characteris tic of the Mail , and instead of this he cunningly shifts his ground and says that after all the question is immate rial. At any rate it suits Mr Ivess to consider it immaterial when his unjus tifiable conduct is exposed, but he will probably find that the majority of his constituents will apply a very strong little Saxon word to his part in this dis graceful transaction. Following his usual tactics when the only definite evidence is refuted, our contemporary takes refuge in mere generalities, and reiterates his former charges as to Mr Wright’s motives. To attempt to answer accusations such as these would be undignified, and the member for Ashburton acts wisely in passing by the slanders with contemptuous silence. Let Mr Ivess flatter himself as he will, the time is assuredly coming when he will learn that his attacks upon one whose shoe-string he is not worthy to untie have, by disclosing his own char acter in its true colors, injured him irreparably in the opinion of the intelli gent portion of his constituency. Mr PEACHE’sJetter only calls for a few words from us, although he ex presses his opinion of the Guardian pretty freely, and indulges in some clumsy satire of a bucolic order. Our contemporary complacently observes,

“Mr Peache is a gentleman whose word can be implicitly believed.” and we have certainly no intention of im peaching his veracity. Fate, however, has placed him in the proud position of chairman of a Little Peddlington Road Board, and although he has no doubt sufficient ability to preside over the deliberations of that body, an interview with such an important personage as a Cabinet Minister was too much for him, and a little imperfection of me mory may be easily pardoned under the unaccustomed circumstances. This is, we know, a charitable view to take of Mr Peache’s rashness in rushing into print for the purpose of contradicting 3 plain statement made by the Minister for Public Works, but we can afford to be charitable in a case like this. It would be purely a waste of tissue to get angry with a harmless critic of this kind, and if Mr Peache cannot see in Mr Mitchelson’s message a “ distinct repudiation ” of Mr Ivess’s report, all we can say is that we are excessively sorry for him.

It is understood that the Jesuit College near Dunedin is to be discontinued. The principal, Father O’Malley, intends going to Sydney, Two unoccupied dwelling houses and a small shop were burnt down at Lawrence, Otago, on Thursday night. The fire ori ginated in one of the unoccupied houses. The insurances are in the National, Stan dard, Norwich, Union and Victoria offi ces. The amounts are not to hand. A telegram to the Otago Daily Times from Cromwell states that G. W. Goodger left home at 3 o’clock on Thursday morn ing, and has not since been seen. Search parties have been organised, but no clue can be found. The worst fears are enter tained, as he was in bad health and des pondent. Mr Goodger was for many years the leading hotel-keeper of Crom well and served as Mayor. He was also the leading shireho'der in the famous Cromwell Quartz mining Company at Bendigo, but of late reverses have over taken him. At Port Chalmers yesterday the second and third engineers, a boiler-maker, and three seamen of the Tongariro, were all before the Court for offences against dis cipline. Charles Colley, the boiler-maker, for being absent without leave, was sen tenced to (.even days’ imprisonment. Captain Hallett giving him a bad char ic ter, and stating ho had no wish to have him again on board the vessel. The second engineer, J. E. Hodgson, was fined 20s, and to toifait two days’ pay for being absent without leave ; and the third engineer, Steadman, was ordered to forfeit two days’ for disobeying 1-wful orders. Three seamen were also ordered to forfeit two days’ pay for being absent without leave. An inquest was held at Wellington yes terday on the body of a young woman named Florence Woveley, aged 19, who was found dead in bed at her employer’s residence. Medical evidence went to show that there were no signs of violence pre sent, and on carefully examining the whole of the internal organa, they were found to be in a perfect state of health. The brain was also healthy. No patho logical change whatever was observable sufficient to account for death. The con tents of the stomach had not been analysed, but had been carefully secured and handed over to the police fer that purpose, if necessary. There was a slight discoloration about the hands and face. The inquest was adjourned till Monday, to allow of the analysis being made of the contents of the stomach. The High School Board met at the County Council Chambers at noon to-day. Present —Messrs Walker (in the chair) Saunders, Jackson and his Worship the Mayor. A report by Messrs Matson, Cox and Co, on the reserves of the Board was referred to Messrs Saunders and William son. Letters were read from Messrs Wright and Pitman, advising that about LSO would be available from the School Commissioners at the end of the year. The head-master waited upon the Board and submitted several matters in connection with the High School, and some discus sion followed on the proprietary of estab lishing a girls’ school in connection with 'he establishment. On the motion of Mr Saunders, it was resolved to offer four scholarships of the annual value of Ll2 each, tenable for four years, to boys at tending the primary schools within the county, and it was determined to write to the High School Board in Christchurch, suggesting that scholarships open to boys attending the High Schools throughout Canterbury should be offered. There was a very fair attendance at the Town Hall last night to witness the first performance of the Court Minstrels, although the audience was certainly not so laige as the quality of the entertain ment merited. At the rising of the cur tain, the singers were disclosed seated in a semicircle, and a very pretty appearance they presented. Except in the case of the two corner men, the usual black faces were discarded, the minstrels being dressed in court costumes of the eighteenth century. After a vocal and instrumental overture, Miss Vesta Amor, who possesses an admirable soprano voice, gave “ Still thine own ” with ex cellent effect, and when a few jokes had passed between the interlocutor and the “ corners,” Mr Johnny Cowan sang with great humor “ Will you be my holly hock.” This was followed by “ Don’t for get me, little darling,” by Miss Bella Sutherland, which called forth loud applause from the audience. Mr Tom Buckley’s “ Hannah Maria Jay bird ” was the favorite item in this portion of the programme, and an en core was insisted upon, the singer giving another effusion which was even more suc cessful than its predecessor. Miss Eva Win nett’s rendering of “The Old Wooden Rocker ” was a splendid performance, her full-toned contralto voice enabling her to give perfect expression to the senti ment of the ballad, and secured her a de cided encore. The finale of the first part was a vocal medley, “ The Sleeping Beau ties,” and was well sung. Mr Shaw Cross, who acted as interlocutor, possesses a voice of wide range, and he lent efficient aid in the choruses. After an interval of ten minutes, the curtain rose on the farce of “ Mollie O’Connor,” in which Misses Amor and Vivian, and Messrs Cross, Cowan, and Buckley took part. This is a very amusing produc tion, and the audience was kept in roars of laughter from beginning to end, The chief bulk of the falls to Messrs Cowan and Buckley, the former a “ nigger ” servant and the latter an Irish guide. Both are admirable actors and dancers, and there could be no doubt that their efforts to amuse were thoroughly successful. Miss Vivian was a fascinating Mollie, and Miss Amor was a graceful Charlotte, and the singing of each of these ladies was worthy of high praise. In the case of Mias Amor the audience insisted on the repetition of her song, in spite of a rule to the contrary. Taken as a whole there has probably not been an entertain ment of the kind in Ashburton at ail to bo compared with the Court Minstrels, and we anticipate a crowded house for them to-night. To producejreal genuine sleep and childlike repose all night, take a little Hop Bitters on retiring. Look for.—[Advt.] Wells’ “Rough on Corns.”—Ask for Wells’“Rough on Corns.” Quick re lief, complete, permanent cure. Corns, warts, bunions. Moses, Moss and Co., Sydney, eneral Agents.

At the Court this morning B. McNab n was fined 10s with the alternative of 48 p hours’ imprisonment for drunkenness. e The following privileges were sold by _ auction to-day by Mr Thomas Bullock : Winslow races and sports—Gates, LlO, Mr Johnson; publican’s booth, LlO, Mr Harris; confectioner’s booth, L 7 10s, Mr s Randall; cards, 9s 6d per doz, Mr Hicks, v Wakanui races—Publican’s booth, Ll 3, c Mr Bn.t’er; confectioner’s booth, L 4, Mr j Davidson. Caledonian Society’s sports — ( Publican’s booth, L? 0, Mrs Woodley ; j. confectioner’s booth, L 9, Mr Davidson ; crrds, 8s 6d per doz, Mr Ward. J The Hon. E. Mitchelson, Minister for Public Works, arrived by special train 1 this afternoon from the South, and shortly ’ afterwards met a deputation of those per sons interested in the Mount Somers rail- i way, and another deputation from the Borough Council. During his short stay ■ ho was fully occupied in hearing the views of (he deputationists. A full report of the preceedings will appear in our Mon day’s issue. Mrs Brookes, whose doings in connec tion with some of the charitable institu tions in this country and Great Britain have been previously noticed, arrived in Wellington on Sunday by the Manapouri. She interviewed the Colonial Secretary, tho relieving officer (Mr Johnson), and the Mayor without delay, but without success. She strongly objects to be called “ the champion beggar of the world,” and has written a letter to the Post which con cludes thus: “ What have I had from the benevolent charity of Wellington? I received for three weeks three shillings and sixpence, that is all; and yet that man Johnson should dare to call me a beggar. I have met a few kind ladies and gentlemen ; mind, I say gentlemen, for they could enter into my distress of mind in losing a kind husband and two fine boys. All three left me well in their usual health, and I never saw them again. Little wonder I should wander where I thought I should hear something of the lost ones. It was not to beg I wandered about, but to satisfy that longing for my boys which would not be satisfied. I re member Johnston’s father’s tinshop on the beach, and yet he dared insult me in this manner ; but I suppose the old saying is the true one—you cannot expect anything fr m a pig but a grunt.” | The celebrated pianoforte Ptuner, Herr Otto Schweers, is now in Ashburton. The musical ' public are fortunate in securing the services of ' Herr Schweers who is an exceptionally good i tuner. Orders must be sent to H. J. Weeks, music seller. [Advt.] Holloways Pills.— Nervous Debility. No part of the human machine requires more 3 watching than the nervous system—upon it 3 hangs health and life itself. 1 hese pills ar -3 the best regulators and strengthened of the t nerves, and the safest general purifiers. Naue 3 sea, headache, giddiness, numbness, and men j tal apathy yield to them. They dispatch in a j summary manner those distressing dyspeptic , symptoms, stomachic pains, fulness at the pit of the stomach, abdominal distension, and over come both capricious appetites and confined bowels—the commonly accompanying signs of - defective or deranged nervous power. Hollo i way’s Pills are particularly recommended to 3 persons of studious and sedentary habits, who s gradually sink into a nervous and debilitated v state, unless some such restorative be occa ionally taken.—[Advt.]'

A MARVELLOUS ESCAPE.

A fatiguing day’s ride, which,, with the exception of the unfat orable mid day siesta, had been continued since soon after sunrise, was brought to a close by our finding ourselves some where in high latitudes upon that ever lasting range of \siatic snowpeaks of which the Kop-Dagh forms the culmi nating point. There was no disguising the fact —the compass had failed us j and, with night closing in with eastern rapidity, we found ourselves utterly and hopelessly lost. Our horses, too, were thoroughly jaded, and had in several cases to be led by those who, tired as themselves, could scarcely put one leg before the other. Then again, we were in a neighborhood known to be in fested by brigands, and since we had "lost the beaten track we might, for all we knew, come upon their haunts at any moment. . . . Thus it was that even the luxury of pipes was denied, lest the tell-tale spark should betray us. So we crept noiselessly along till we were almost enveloped in long, dank grass, and lost in brushwood, each man carefully leading his horse with one hand, while in the other he held his six-shooter, ready for emergencies. Half an hour had been thus probably occu pied, and still no convenient place had been found, when Johannes, the driver of my araba, utterly exhausted, fell by the way. This, accompanied with the distant sound of trickling water, which promised well for the morning, decided, beyond argument, our course. To go on now became impossible, and it was at first thought wise to ascertain the whereabouts of the watercourse, this was overruled by the majority, so we prepared to camp. While tethering our horse, one slipped, but soon recovered himself, on the rough edge of what we supposed, in the darkness, to be a ditch. This trifling circumstance would not have attracted attention, had not my dragoman again called my attention to the sound of rippling waters. We were both inclined to move our camp on a little nearer to the inviting allurement, but finding that several of our party had picketed their horses meanwhile, and were already rolled up in their huge cloaks, prepared to snatch what sleep they could before daylight, we aban doned the idea. In a very few minutes all remembrance of that dreary night ride was steeped in sweet forgetful ness. And now comes the denoue ment. At the first streak of dawn we were astir untethering our horses and preparing for our onward journey. A dense vapor made all as imperceptible around us as if we had still been en veloped in the shades of night; this, however, was not long in lifting, and then it was that we realised the terrible death which we had so narrowly es caped. We had encamped on the very edge of a frightful precipice, so close, in fact, that my dragoman, the corres pondent of the Manchester Guardian, myself, and several others had literally slept upon its very brink, and the rip pling water, which had so nearly tempted us to advise camping yet a little farther on, was now to be seen like a silver thread winding its way hundreds of feet below.—“ Adventures of a War Correspondent.” “Good Words.”

STEPPING STONES TO FAME.

In the year of our Lord, 1868, there was a clerk in the Post Office Depart ment by the name of Samuel M. Bryan. He drew from the General Government r,200d0l as compensation for his ser vices. Bryan was an ambitious clerk. He was dissatisfied with copying docu ments, indorsing mouldy papers, and leading the life of a retired rat in an obscure hole. So he began to look about for his opportunity. Finally he

let his opportunity in a very strange lace, about the last place a man would sped anything less than a calamity in -a woman’s rights convention. In lat year there was a great upraising of ild-eyed women, conspicuous for their v\ nort hair, bony hands and large feet, Pi ho insisted in demanding from day to T ay their rights from their tyrant op- ressor —man. It goes without saying bat when the pretty women call for beir rights they always get them. When romen suffrage people enlist the good- C ooking women then the right of suffrage i nil probably be given to the alleged C weaker sex the next day or thereabouts. ' 3ryan strolled into one of the meetings j me night, and he observed that there vere no men speaking for the cause, rhere was plenty of shrill female declara tion, but the absence of deep-chested, £ nrile manly tones suggested to Bryan in opportunity for a bit of notoriety, Notoriety was at least one step up from abscurity, and after the first was taken no one knew what might happen. e The National Republican , then under < the direction of Pap Talcott, was pub lishing each day burlesque reports of « the meeting. The second night Bryan 1 stood up and addressed —the chair- woman. Instantly there was a sensa- , tion. Bryan was young, good-looking, ; with square, manly figure. His face, however, wore such a devil-may-care look that it was at first believed he in tended making fun of the meeting. But when it was finally seen that this nice, sweet young man was with them, the apture of the ancient virgins, the Roman matrons, and the Spartan mothers who made up the audience was of such an ardent character as to be almost lurid. Night after night Bryan played base to shrill accompani ments of his suffering, shrieking ad mirers. Bryan wore then, as a set-off to his brilliant complexion, a green cravat. The local reports of that day speak of him as the man with the Fenian necktie. His memory in many an ancient female heart is still as green as was once his richly-colored tie. Bryan gained this much in the can vass. He learned first confidence in himself. The adulation he derived had fired his imagination; his speeches had stimulated his brain and waked him up. He had also discovered a new, to him, business principle. First find a scanty market for your wares, and then sell as dear as possible. He had made a great hit amongst the advanced women because he was the only live man that worked with them. He went back to his dingy office in the Post Office De partment, and began that most painful of processes—thinking. He wondered just what would be the next turn in the wheel of fortune. The man with the Fenian necktie could not sink back into obscurity. Upon his desk lay a news paper. In that paper was a small para graph that decided Bryan’s fate. With out the knowledge contained in it he might yet be obscure and poor. The paragraph was a brief one. It merely said that the Emperor of Japan was about to inaugurate a postal system corresponding to that of civilised coun tries. The Emperor was about to start out agents to make special studies of these systems. Bryan almost bounded out of the chair when he read this para graph. “ Here is my market,” said he. " The Emperor of Japan shall be my customer.” He acted promptly. He had barely enough money to pay his passage to Japan, but he did not wait. He resigned, and was off by the light ning express for Japan and fortune. Bryan's pleasing address and thorough knowledge of our postal system at once gave him work. So well did he please the Emperor that he gave him rapid advancement. He established our postal system in Japan. To it he has added the system of postal telegraphy and savings bank. He came to this country in 1872, and negotiated our postal treaty with Japan. He then went to Europe and negotiated similar treaties with leading Powers there. For years he has been director-general of international posts in Japan, and has acquired a handsome fortune. —Chicago Times.

ASHBURTON ATHLETIC SPORTS.

The following handicaps have been de clared : 440 Yards Race. T. Organ, scratch Betts, 7yds W. J. Kenny, 3yds G. Page, 10yds A. Fosse, 7yda B. Stuart, 12yds J. Groves, 7yda J. Johns, 12yds R. Lechner, 7yds T, Barber, 12yds 220 Yards Race. T. Organ, scratch E. Oughton, syds A. J. Kenny, scratch J. Forman, 10yds R. Lechner, syds J. Pooks, 10yds J. Groves, syds T. Barber, 10yds F. Betts, syds S. Poole Two Miles Walking Vlatch. J. Smith, scratch W. Mullis, 65yds J Hooper, 35yds J. Fooks, 85yds A. F.’ase, 65yds R. Lechner, 85yda One jjxilb Race. T, Organ, scratch G. Page, 60yds A. Fosse, 40yds J. Johns, 65yds J. Grooves, 50yds B. Stuart, 85yds 120 Yards Hdrdlb Race. T. Organ, scratch F. Betts, 7yds A. J. Kenny, 3yds J. Fooks, 12yds J. Groves, 7yds

SPORTING.

ASHBURTON RACING CLUB. The Committee of the Ashburton Rac ing Club met at the Club’s room last even ing, when there was a full attendance of members. The Secretary was directed to wait upon the management of the South Canterbury Jockey Club, and prevail upon them to alter the date proposed for their meeting, which is the same as that usually assigned to the Ashburton Club. It was resolved to give a sum not exceeding LSOO in stakes at the Autumn meeting, and Urs Leahy, Ross, and Mr M. Friediander were appointed to draft a programme for submission to the General Committee at their next meeting The Improvement Committee was directed to report upon the present condition of the course and advise further necessary improvements.

ASHBURTON SUMMER MEETING- A printer’s error in yesterday’s issue made the weight accorded to Taipo in the Counties Handicap 7at 121 b. It should have been Bst 121 b. Digby Grand has been scratched for all engagements at this meeting. Mr T. Bullock sold the privileges of the Meeting to-day with the following result -Gates, L 42, Mr Hayes ; publi can’s booth No. 1, LliJ, Mrs Woodley; publican’s booth No. 2, L 43, Mrs Woodley; confectioner’s booth, L 5, Mr, -Davidson ; new grand stand, L2O, Mr T. Quill; old grand stand, LB, Mrs Butler ; cards, 10s 3J per doz, Mr Hicks.

AUCKLAND RACES.

The following are the general entries: — Maiden Plate.- -St Leger, Flageolet, Strathearn, A. 8., Musketeer. Midsummer Stasis. —Wood Nymph, Ugly Buck, Fuaileer, Trenton, Gretna 7 Green, Colt by Castaway, Carbineer, Re volver, Krupp, Necklace, Satanella. Handicap Hurdles. —Hercules, Clar ence, Barbary, Woodpecker, Harkaway, Christmas. Railway Plate —Ledger, Welcome Jack, Wapiti, Musketeer, Carbineer, Mit railleuse. Selling Race —Rewi (LSO), Envious (L 100), Sir Badevere (L 100), Flajeolet (L 100), Strathearn (LSO), Tuba Bill (L2O), Paramena (LSO), Woodpecker (LSO), Soukar (LSO), Kenilworth (LSO) Publicans’ Purse. —Salvage, St Leger, Welcome Jack, Nelson, Mitrailleuse, Ea copeta. New Year’s Gift —St Leger, Wood Nymph, Ugly Buo';, FusiHer, Trenton, Gretno Green, Flageolet, Musketeer, R®- i volver, Carbineer, Krupp, Satanella. i Grand Stand Handicap— Rewi, Sal . vage, St Leger, Fishwoman, Welcome , Jack, Envious, Wapiti, Yuba Bill, Li beller, Kalo. Newmarket Handicap— Salvage, St. ' Leger, Fish woman, Envious, Welcome • Jack, Tim Whiffler, Sir Bedivere, Nelson, F Wapiti, Flageolet, Yuba Bill, A. 8., Li i bellor, Musketeer, Kalo, Mitrailleuse, r Escopeta, Notesse. „ Nursery Handicap —Wood Nymph, Ugly Buck, Fusilier, Trenton, Gretna r Green, Colt by Castaway, Teteford, Car -1 bineer, Revolver, Krupp, Necklace, Sa tanella. Auckland Plate— Salvage, Welcome i Jack, Sir Bedivere, Maori, Nelson, Es- J copeta. i Stewards’ Handicap —Rewi, Salvage, Fish woman. Envious, Tim Whifflir, Sir ‘ Bedivere, Maori, Nelsjn, Wapiti, Flageo > let, Yuba Bill, Kalo, Escopeta, Vortex.

CABLE NEWS

Afcif FROM £URO?t.

[rGUTKK’3 XKLKOKAMS —COPYRIGHT.] A Eew Loan. London, Deo. 13. The issue ot the loan of three mil lions for the New South Wales Go vernment, bearing interest at four per cent, was announced to-day. The minimum price was fixed at par. Monetary and Commercial. The total reserve m the Bank of England in notes and bullion is ’ Lx 3,000,000, being an increase of ; Lsoo.ooo. Compared with the reserve of last week the proportion of reserve to liabilities has advanced from 42 to 44 per cent since last Thursday The : Bank rate of discount remains at 3 per cent, and the market rate at Con sols have advanced to 100%. New Zealand securities are unchanged, at last quotations. Australian hides, are ■ dull of sale at easier rates. There are ; no other changes to report in the mar -1 kets for colonial produce. Mr Forster on Federation. London, Dec. 14. The Right Hon. W. E. Forster, M.P. for Bradford, addressed his con [ stituents last evening. In the course [ of his speech, Mr Forster said he was J lejoiced to hear of the proposed feder tion of the Australasian colonies, and trusted that Lord Derby would be able to accede to the request of the Austra-' lian Convention for the annexation of New Guinea and the Pacific Islands. The King of Anam Poisoned. Paris, Dec. 14. __ Intelligence is to hand from Tonquin , reporting that the King of Anam has been poisoned, and that his death has been caused by a conspiracy among the anti-French party in Anam. The War in Upper Egypt. Cairo, Dec. 13. The latest intelligence to hand from Soudan is to the effect that the im mense body of Arabs which £1 Mahdi recently had under his command has greatly decreased, and a large numbet of his adherents is dispersing. Preparing for Hostilities. Hono Kong, Dec. 13. Information has been received from Canton that the fortifications surround ing that city have been put in complete readiness to withstand an attack if an outbreak of war should occur, and that strong bodies of troops are posted in the neighborhood of the city. The (China Squadron. Hong Kong, Deo. 14. Admiral G. O. Willes, C.B. is com manding the China squadron now at Canton. AUSTRALIAN. [BBOTBR’s TELEGRAMS —COPYRIGHT.] A Doubtful Appointment. ydney, Yesterday. A question has been raised here re garding the validity of the appointment of Mr G. H. Reed to a seat in the Exe cutive Council, to which he was ap pointed in January last with the port folio of Public Instruction. It is af firmed that Mr Reed’s seat in the Legislative Assembly is jeopardised by virtue of the Constitution Act, under which no provision is made for the ap pointment in question. The Markets. New Zealand wheat, 3s $d per bushel; New Zealand oats, zs fld; maize, 3s 3d. Sugar Co.’s No x pieces, L 34 per ton. Adelaide, Yesterday. The wheat market is firm. To-day’s quotations are—4s 4d, f.0.b., at out ports, and 4s 6d at Adelaide; flour, town brands, Lxo to Lxo ss; country do, L 9 xos 10 L 9 15s. Freight to London, per steamers, 455; nominal do, sailing, 35s ; freights to the United Kingdom from Adelaide, sailing, 37s to 40s; do, from outports, 40s to 425. The freight market is firm. Charters are dull, with little doing.

TELEGRAMS.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. ] Infanticide. Wklungxon, To-day. A case of iufanticide is reported this morning. A young girl named Kate Boylan, aged nineteen, engaged as a

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1883.



The following acceptances have teen received : — Auckland Cup. si lb it lb Welcome .Tack 9 10 Nelson ... 6 10 Palvage ... 8 B Sir Bedivere 6 9 Tim Whifflar 7 12 Musketeer 6 8 Maori ... 7 7 Escopeta 6 7 Libeller ... 7 7 Soukar ... 6 0 Fish woman 7 2 En.ious ... 7 0 Vortex ... 6 0 Steeplechase. Clarence ... 12 12 JJarkaway 10 7 Htrcules ... 12 0 Barbary... 10 7 Chandler ... 10 12 Christmas 10 4 Woodpecker 10 10 Rav’aworth 9 10 Deeby. Nelson I Musketeer Waipiti 1 Escopeta



r-p 30 <3O C is 58 R 8 gp: Rg ■a t«a TP Tided Crtde, I 0 T 0 R-J 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 Stebkt, 9528



Wanted WANTED— RUNNERS for Cards. Apply on Monday morning, to Secretary Athletic Sports. 12 1080 WANTED— A strong BOY who can milk and drive a cart to the < Factory occasionally. Apply to James ' Oroy, Ashton. 12 1063 i WANTED Known— That Hayes and • Co. have about 196 pairs of i Ladies’ Cashmere Boots, splendid value, i at 3s 6d. WANTED Known—For Sale, two COTTAGES on East Belt. Cheap, easy terms. Apply W. C. Davis, or Ward and Sons. 12 1012 WANTED Known A D NCE in aid of the Tinwald Temperance Hall Funds will be held in the above Hall, on MONDAY night, 17th inst. Dancing to commence at 8p m. Admission, 2a 6d ; ladies free. Fred. Clother, Secretary. 12 1074 WANTED KNOWN— Robert 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 Springburn 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. Applications, with references, will bo 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 Motion, 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 I place for real amusement; admittance ; free. Every kind of amusement to be ob s 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 f 1 per mop*h, or according to arrangement. 5 1344 r Special Advertisements. Balt. PROGRAMME CARDS in very neat styles, with Pencils and Ribbons, printed at the Guardian Office, W'wt street HRISTM AS FRUIT! CHRISTMAS FRUIT !! i Currants fid, Raisins 7d; Sultanas 8d; Candied Peel Is 6d. Fresh Paste Butter 6d. Eggs Is. jl2 1078 FRIEDLANDER BROS. A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL. i Bazaar AND 1 Fancy Fair AT 1 ANDRE WES BROS., East Street South, IS NOW OPEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR GIFTS in great variety. INTENDING PURCHASERS OP CLOTHING FOR THE SPRING AND SUMMER SEASON i Should visit the • NEW ZEALAND ; Clothing Factory’s BRANCH, - Where they can select from the LARGEST VARIETY 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 further 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, GO TO DAVIS’S JHEAP, FURNITURE AND BED DING MANUFACTORY, EAST STREET SOUTH, ASHBURTON. fTIVERY article Sold at Christchurch Prices and guaranteed bes. of •notarial and workmanship. 1 FUNERALS ! CHEAPLY & COMPLETELY FURNISHED •1



Special Advertisements. INTRODUCTION OF THE PARCEL , SYSTEM. I Fashion ] Cashel street, Christchurch. j 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 intro duced by E. O. 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«st 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 £ s. d. 1 dress piece (12 yds) any shade, French costume cloth ... 0 18 6 good velveteen to match dress 0 5 6 3 yds silesia, for linings ... 0 1 10 2 doz new oxydised buttons, to match ... ... ... ... 016 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 10 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, dress parcel for £2, contains — Worth 1 dress piece (10 yds) celebrated iimpress black velveteen ... 1 7 6 3 yds good silesia for lining ... 0 2 0 2 doz new style oxydised buttons 0 16 I 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 i 2 doz choice buttons, to match dress ... 9 1 6 1 good warm Ladies’ tweed ulster 0 17 6 1 black quilted alpaca skirt ... 010 0 I 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 ’ £2los, contains— Worth . 1 pair large size good witney ! blankets 110 6 1 nice large size good honeycomb quilt ... ... _ ... ... 014 6 ; 1 pair good heavy white sheets 0 9 6 r 6 good value honeycomb towels 0 4 0 6 yds heavy Welsh flannel ... 0 8 0 £3 6 6 j (Jar No. 6, family parcel for £3, contains— Usual price 12 yds super Roslyn flannel (pure wool) ... 0 18 0 24 yds splendid white calico, heavy make 0 13 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 6 2 yds 4x4 celebrated rainproof crape 0 9 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 parcel for £lO, contains— Worth 20 yds nice pattern godd tapestry carpet 3 6 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 6 1 pair full size good witney blan kets 1 10 0 1 pair medium good witney blan kets ... ... ... ... 1 0 0 1 full size white honeycomb or toilet quilt 0 14 0 1 choice pattern wool tabieoover 0 16 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 011 6 £ll 15 0 Our No. 1, wedding parcel for £4, contains— Worth 1 dress (12 yds) pretty shade in cashmere ... ... ... 1 17 6 2 yds pretty shade in satin, to match ... 0 13 6 1 dress (12 yds) good costume cloth 1 1 0 2 yds rich colored velveteen, to match 0 7 0 6 yds good silesia 0 6 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— Avery complete trousseau. Our No. 9, Ladies’ (half-price) parcel for L 5, contains— Usual price 1 Ladies’ handsome mantle ... 2 17 8 1 Ladies’ beautiful real sable muff and collarette 4 10 0 J 1 Ladies’ quilted satin skirt ... 1 0 0 1 fashionable tweed ulster, in leading shades 1 10 0 1 £9 17 6 l 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 1 any article returned in good condition. ( Samples post free on application to any part of New Zealand. f In ordering any of these parcels, it is sufficient to quote number and name of * parcel only. P. 0.0. made payable to 1 E 0. BROWN & CO., £ Fashion House, Christchurch. 1362 c



Special Advertisement. STOP THAT COUGH! PON’T DELAY.—How can you stop if! Where, s the Remedy. Bonnington’a PECTORAL OXYMEL OF OA. ttRA GE '‘"N or IRISH MOSS (register., 1), can produce more evidence of real merit than any other article for the purpose. Sold everywhere. G Bonninoton, Christchurch. Reward Books, Presents, Prizes, Toys, Dolls, &c. H. M. JONES; East street. 11 877 [advertisement. ] TO THE EDITOR OF “THE ASHBURTON MAIL ” Sir, —The assertion made by you, in yesterday’s leader, as a matter of fact, “ That he (Mr Wright) did make the arrangements for the journey, for he ordered a trap from Mr Patton to meet Mr Mitchelson at the Methven railway station” —is not a fact. Asa matter of politeness, I refrain from saying what it is. Your obedient servant, EDWARD G. WRIGHT. Windermere, 12th December, 1883. 12 1061 O T I C E, BANK HOLIDAY, Pursuant to the terms of the Banks and Bankers’ Act, 1880, and the Bank and Bankers Act Amendment Act, 1882, MONDAY, the 17th day of December, 1883, is hereby appointed a SPECIAL BANK HOLIDAY at offices of the undermentioned Banks in Canterbury : Union Bank of Australia, (Limited) JOS. PALMER, C. O, for N.Z. ; Bank of New South Wales, W. G. RHIND, Inspector; Bank of Australasia, E. W. MORRAH, Inspector; I National Bank of New Zealand (Ld.), D. H KAN, Interim Inspector ; Colonial Bank of New Zealand, ) G. COWIE, ) General Manager ; The Bank of New Zealand, > D, L. MURDOCH, » 12 1051 General Manager.