SHIPPING.

PORT OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. Saturday. Conference, barque, from Newcastle. Mahinapua, s.s., from Wellington and West Coast. Eliza Firth, brigantine, from Bluff. Kawatiri, s.s., from Bluff. Mary Ring, schooner, from Kaipara. Wanaka, s.s., from Manuka u and way porta. .. !RHigarooma, s.s., from Dunedin. Yesterday Wakatn, s.s., from Kaikoura and Wel is., from Westport. Rotorua, s.s., from Dunedin and Aka roa~J Orowaiti, from Westport. Sailed : Saturday. Spray,- schooner, for Timaru. Alert, schooner, from Havelock. Coromandel, barque, for London. Edwin Bassett, barque, for Newcastle, RJngarooma, s.s., for Northern ports. Wanaka, s.s., for Wellington. # CSrtbj-brigantine, for Wanganui. VvOTVPRiV Mahinapua, a.a, for Dunedin and . ftmPPTWCT TELEGRAMS. Arrived —Marmion, from Kaipara. Sailed—Northern Belle, for Newcastle; Be%ut§iii Star, for Dunedin.

COMMERCIAL

Ashburton Guardian Office. Monday afternoon. Ml* reports of the Horse Market for the week ending Saturday, Dec. IS* ; Thirty-seven horses were yarded for the day s sale, newly half of which were sold. There was a larger attendance than usual, but the de mand- for medium and superior draughts appears 'to be .still very limited, and buyers de cline to operate unless at much lower prices than have been ruling for some weeks past. Sellers decline to accept this, consequently nearly ihe whole of the best stock brought forward* were tnriied out unsold. Out of the total entry, viz., 37, *7 foilows; light medium draughts, t 0 £ *4 , hacks ofa good description, £$ to *lo ios ; inferior, r. to /? lost* light harness horses, mfenor, A 3 ios to £7 10; colts, light, A 3 I S s to Vc fe. • Landed Properties- -I offered several roralsections and other properties, and it was very difficult indeed to obtain a bid, and only one sihall : section on the Alford Forest Road changcdhaads; at £ 10. _' Alfred Harrison reports his weekly sale as follows: —Saturday, Dec. 15 th : A number of horses were entered of a fairly good quality, hut many had to be turned out unsold, owing to reserves being placed upon them which their age did - not warrant. Cows sold fairly well from Li to. L 7, but out of 20 only 10 found buyers. - Bigs are still high, with not quite so caget A deniaiid ; all pens were cleared never theldiA 1 " Calves and yearlings sold from 5s to 30s per head. Fowls, 2s to 4s 6d per pair ; ducks, 45 to Ss* geese. »s to 15s ; turkeys,! os to 245, opr,pair. ; Springlrap, Ll 6 I ° - , d “ to » jn ios';- harness and saddles sold readily. Pro duced Oats, is 6d; chick wheat, 2S to 2s 6d per Bnshel ; : potatoes, 35s per ton. Tea, 2is T. S. 267, with dwelling, had to be passed in, but will probably be sold privately. There was a very large attendance of formers and others, and a capital sale for a large’proportion of entries.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALE'. Tuesday, December 18. Matson, Cox and Co,, at the Ashburton Baleyatds—Stock. Thursday, December 20. Messrs I 'Matson, Cox and C 0,,, at the RailwaYjSWi~er Ucl > eua , . Matson and Co., at their Stores—Wool MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Etc : To-morrow. Ashburton Kilwinning Royal Arch Chap ter j 187, S.C.—Regular Meeting in the Masonic Ball, at 7-30 pm. Monday, December 24. Borough Council, a; Borough Council Chambers,;a*. 7.30. J Wednesday, December 26. Town ;Bal l —Eoyal Orange Concert and Ball et 7;3ft pm. ' ■ ■ Thursday, December 27- Mount Somers Annual Races and Sports. r. -ij . Tuesday, January 1. Winslow Annual Races and Sports, Methven Annual Races and Sports. Friday, January 4, Ashburton County Council — Vt Council Chambers, 11 a. m. Friday, January 4. Longbeach Road Board, at Road Board office, Longbeach Saturday, .January 5. Wakanni Road Board, at Road Board office, Moore street, at 10.30 a.m. Monday, January 7- Upper Ashburton. Road Board, at Road Board Office

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office follows; — For Christchurch and North at 6 a. m. 10.30 a.m.,'-‘ahd 5 p. m., daily. Fear Ohertsojr Bakaia, &c-, at 10.30 a.m. % Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. Fc&:Tewhkfti »t 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. f For Timaru and South, at. 6 a.m., 10 a.m.f^d4,3o £.k., daily. For .G&enstreet and Ashburton Forks, on Wednesdays, and Saturdays, at 3.30 P.m. ; , ; F<rf“ tfdiiiit Somers, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at fia'.m. and 4.30 p.m. For Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur day sun. ■ For Abhtea, Waterton and Longbeach, at 4.30 p.m. daily. For FJemington, on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 4 30 p. m. For Watonui, d&gin, Sea view, Seafield, and Kyle, 'oh Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 a. m. For Rowlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days'at loi3o a.m. arrive at the Ashburton Post and Rakaia at 10.15 *.m., 435 p.nl., and 7.20 p.m. From Ohetteoy, &c. at 10.15 a.m. and 4.85 p.m. daily. . From Dunedin and intermediate places at disilj*; FrOnlilfßtnuka and Timaru at 10.40 a.m. 5.30 p.m., and 8 p.m, daily. From Greenstreet and Ashburton Forks, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10 «.ns* Jv Frmr» ; Mount Somers, on Tuesdays and Sakurdaya, at 10.5 a.m. and 8.15 p.m. From Mayfield, on Tuesdays and fa ur days, at 10.5 a.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and liOßj' beach at 10 a.m. daily. HFrom Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, and Tuesdays, Thursdays, *nd Sat urdays, at 4p.m. . From Newlands, on Tuesdays and Fn- on Tuesdays, Thurs days, and Saturdays, at 10 a. m.

DEATH.

Lucas— On Deo. 16, at Ashburton, Maud Elizabeth, youngest daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Hannah Lucas, age six months.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1883. Anniversary Day.

Yesterday was the thirty-third anni versary of the Canterbury Province, or more correctly speaking the Provincial district, and owing to it being Sunday, its celebration as a public holiday took place to-day. We may safely say that on no former occasion has the holiday been so generally observed in the matter of festivities, and has its com memoration been less loyally signalled in the various centres throughout the Province, than have been witnessed to day. But what changes have taken place in these thirty-three years ? We have merely to refer to a Pilgrim Father, or even a colonist of five and twenty years residence and we will be told what these changes consist of. Every year we find that the death roll of the Provincial district contains the names of some of those who bore the brunt of colonisation—names which were but a few years back household words. No new chum has any conception of the hardships en dured by the pioneers of Canter bury, or what are known now as the “Pilgrim Fathers.” Few indeed re main to tell the tale of an early settler’s life in Canterbury, but their eyes moisten with the grief caused by the inevitable separation from their comrades in the pioneering work of settlement. To know that our thirty third anniversary is worthy of comme moration let us but remember that in 1850 Canterbury possessed a po pulation of about 200 persons all told, | and • now we have a population of nearly 120,000! We have no farther to go than our own county to see what strides have been made in the van of civilisation. Can terbury has not the advantages many other Provincial districts in New Zea land have, but it has this advantage and perhaps it is the most lasting one, it pos sesses' the muscle bone and sinew of a class of Britons who have sprung from the right stock, and a soil and climate capable of turning a blade of grass into “ solid gold.” In Christchurch a close holiday has been kept by all and sundry, and perhaps the most impor tant ceremony of the year, the opening of the Industrial Exhibition took place, as well as various other festivities which will make the day as it should be—one of the most important in the history of the Province. In Ashburton the first important Athletic Sports meet ing of the season took place on the new ground, and festive gatherings of various kinds were held in several parts of the district, the beautiful weather which was experienced adding of course to the enjoyment of all. We can but wish to the remaining Pilgrim Fathers “ many a happy return of the day,” and to Canterbury every possible suc cess and prosperity.

Mrs Wilson, of Auc' land, who at tempted suicide by poisoning, is new ex pected to recover. A number of the Highlanders who in tended taking part in the Christchurch Caledonian Gimea to-day marched in coa- < tume to St. P ul’a Church yesterday. 1 The ordinary meeting of the Kilwinning < Royal Arch Chapter takes place to- i morrow evening at the Masonic Hall, at « the usual hour. J The first regatta of the Auckland Row- . ing Association was held on Saturday. The whole of the events were won by the North Shore Rowing Club. , On Saturday evening a man who evi- ( dently had imbibed too much liquor was seen to fall trom hia horre whilst riding in East street. On being picked up he was found to bo insensible, but fortu nately no bones were broken. A New Zealand Tobacco Manufacturing Company is being floated in Auckland with great success. The directors decided to curtail the allotment ot shares in Auck land to allow a quantity for allocation to other parts of the colony. Mr Owen Jones, a member of the Har bor Board and one of contracting firm for the Lyttelton graving dock, leaves for Tasmania on Tuesday. Mr and Mrs Jones were entertained at a dinner at the Canterbury Club on Friday night. Arthur Henry Gainsford, a throe-year old son of Mr Robert Gainsford, a farmer on the New Brighton road, was drowned yesterday afternoon in the Avon. Deceased was playing hi a boat with two boys aged six and nine years, and over balanced himself. He was quite dead when hisTather got him out of the water. Messrs Rolleston and Mitchelson re ceived a deputation from the unemployed working men at the Christchurch Council Chambers on Saturday night. They were addressed by the Mayor and Messrs Montgomery, Holmes, Wynn-Williams, and White, who strongly urged the neces sity of finding immediate work for the married men. The unemployed represent 1,234 persons in destitute circumstances. 307 signed the petition. The Ministers said they would consider what could be done, and let the Mayor know on Monday. A large crowd of men were outside wait ing the result, but they were very orderly. The first instance of the use of the electric light in an established place of worship was afforded on October 28, when St. Matthew’s Church, Brixton road, London, was illuminated by electricity.. The system in use is the Fyfe-main. To light the edifice four arc and sixty small incandescent lamps were brought into re quisition. The former were placed in the roof, while the smaller lights were dis tributed over the lower parts of the build ing. The result was eminently satisfac tory, the chu-ch being suffused in every part by a fine, softened light, which burned with great steadiness. The Otago R fle Association meeting, which has lasted over three days, ended on Friday. The two first days wore very wet. The prize for the highest aggregate scorer in four matches was won by Volun teer Sonntag, of Waikari Rifles, with a total of 322, the next highest being 316. Sonntag took first prize in the first match, and second in the third. The competition between teams of five from various com panies for the ladies’ shield resulted in the Olutha Rifles team winning. Volun teer Johnston of the team made the graud score of 95 out of a possible 105, and Volunteer McCarthy, of the City Guards team, made 94. Ninety-two was the highest made in any previous year. All the rewards the police at Home re ceived for their exertions in bringing to justice the Phoenix Park murderers and the dynamite plotters amounted in the aggregate to the miserable sum of L 1,500, little more than a Melbourne Bank offered for the apprehension of a robber, and leas than one-fifth of the Kelly gang rewards. Why, the shrewdness and sagacity displayed by one man alone—by Price, who ferreted out the dynamite gang—would not have been inadequately recompensed by the whole sum. The pre sentation of the awards, such as they were, was made by the Home Secretary, Sir William Harcourt. There were fifteen of the London, four of the Dublin, and four of the Birmingham division. The reci pients were, with but one exception, superintendents and inspectors. We have all heard (says Atticus) of the Chinese tailor who copied, upon the new coat he made, the patch which ap peared upon the one sent to him as a pat tern. Something of that sort has oc curred in the experience of one of the Melbourne banks, who wished to have an improved pay slip and a receipt form for the money p aid in one paper. The form of receipt was to be perforated so ai to be easily detached, as postage stamps are, from the pay slip by the receiving teller at the bank counter. To that end, in the form sent to the printer the place of the intended perforation was indicated by a lino of dots, which looked comprehensible enough to any intelligence but that of a Chinese tailor. When the slips—printed in thousands -were sent in it was found that the dotted line had been carefully copied in dots by the printer, and no per foration whatever had been made. The clerks of that bank are profane when speaking of this now form of a printer’s error. Captain Russell informs the Dunedin Press that he has not made any report to the Underwriters’ Association about the Timaru harbor for some years. The in formation referred to by the Equitable Insurance Company, and which formed t>-e subject of discussim at the Timaru Harbor Board’s meeting on Wednesday, was obtained from a plan of the Timaru harbor works, on which is shown the berth occupied by ships which load there for Homo ports. It is shown that at this berth, marked A on the plan, there was only J. 9 feet of water in the line of the foremast [and 17£ feet at the mainmast. The plan carries at the head of it the fol lowing memorandum, signed by the Har bor-master of limaru, Captain Webster “ Waimate, Lurline, Aranoo and Norway, finished loading in tnis berth (A) ; Wai mate left at first quarter ebb, drawing 18 feet 6 inches, on even keel, on September 10th, at 11 p.m. September 11th; high water 9.5 p.m.” The movement that has been lately started in the southern portion of Hawke’s Bay, having for its object the deportation of emigrants to newly-opened settlements in the United States, appears to be making quite unaccountable headway. We (Hawke’s Bay Herald) learn on good authority that over 200 persons, the num ber made up partly of single men and partly of heads of families, have already decided to leave New Zealand for America at an early date. Some few of the num ber are residents of Napier, and most of them have a little capital. It is stated that a vessel will be chartered to convey the intending emigrants as soon as a further 100 persons can be induced to join the number who at present have de decided to go, it being estimated that a vessel to carry 300 persona can be profit ably chartered so as to allow the fare to be fixed at Ll2. It is to be hoped for the future welfare of those intending to leave the colony, and also for that of the latier itself, that the intendol emigration scheme may fall through. To those who have thought of leaving the colony for America we nould say “Look before you leap.” That indigestion or stomach gas at night preventing rest and sleep, will disappear by using Hop Bitters. Read.— [Advt.] Wells’ ‘‘Rough on Coens.”— Ask fo Weils’ “ Rough on Corns.” 7)4d. Quick re> lief, complete, permanent cure. Corns, warts, bunions. Moses, Moss and Co., ydney, General Agents. i L

DEPUTATIONS.

Mount Somers Railway. c The Hon Fdward Mitchelaon, Minister a of Public Works, arrived in Ashburton ( - by special train at about a quarter to four o’clock on Saturday, and shortly after _ received a deputation at the County Coun- * cil Chamber, composed of persons inter ested in the Mount Somers railway. f There was a large attendance, many people having come down from the hills for the purpose of interviewing the Minister on | this question. Mr Blair, Engineer-in- Chief of the Middle Island was also pre sent. Mr W. C. W. Iker, as Chairman of the County Council, said ho would say a few words by way of explanation. Last year the County Council, in order to settle the difficult question of this railway, had ap pointed a Committee to report on the matter. He alluded to this as showing that the representative body in the Coun cil was desirous of recommending the best route to be taken. The Committee came to a conclusion that the best route was round by the South Ashburton bridge to Bowyer’s stream, and in this decision they were actuated by a desire to do jus tice to all parties. If it had been a new line many different routes might have been suggested, but the line was made as far as Anama, and the question now was to be the best direction to extend it. On the South side of the river only the owners of a few pastoral properties would be benefited, but he hoped that the present Minister would recognise the advisability of extending the line so that the settlers on the North side of the river should re ceive benefit from it. The large atten dance v.as, he thought, due to the belief that the question would be decided by the Minister, without having recourse to the Royal Commission. He (Mr Walker) had read the announcement to that effect in the paper with great pleasure, as he thought tint no one could better decide the question than a gent’emau so tho roughly above local prejudice as was the Minister of Public Works. Mr D. William on said he had been deputed as Mayor to apeak of this much vexed question so far as it affected the borough. Ashburton was some distance from the railway, but the town depended upon certain portions of the county for its support, and it was to its interest that the line should be extend d to where it would tap the most valuable country. The Borough Council had from the first sup ported the line being taken across the river, and in taking this view they were simply desirous of promoting the interests of the district. If the line were extended in that direction he felt sure that a fairer revenue would be returned. On the pre sent line there was little traffic as it, ran through a sparsely - populated district. Mount Somers was one of the earliest settled parts of ilie county, but there was now but little incentive to the settlers there to cultivate their lauds as the coat i of carriage absorbed all the profit. These ’ woie the broad views that actuated the > Council on this question, and in support of those views they had formed a Cora ‘ mittee, and had collected evidence to place before a Royal Commission. That i evidence was not yet complete as the 1 Committee expected that longer notice ■ would have been given to them, but if the Minister decided to settle the matter ■ himself without a Commission, all the I evidence collected could be sent to Wel l lington. J Mr Peache said that after what the > Chairman of the County Council and the Mayor had told the Minister, there was - no necessity for him to say much. Evi ) dence as to the best route had been I collected at Mount Somers and he would s be glad to lay it before the Minister , should he decide to supercede the Royal : Commission, and settle the matter him , self. f The Hon. E. Mitchelaon said he had I listened attentively to the speeches that r had been delivered, and he might say at » once that so far as he was himself con » earned, he had not the power to decide the question. He was not aware before , that a Reyal Commission had been deter mined on, but now that he knew it, he f would certainly not usurp their functions. • The only thing he could do would be to ■ appoint the Commission at once, and that , would be done immediately on his (Mr Mitchelson’s) arrival in Christchurch, and r nows of the appointment would bo sent , on to Ashburton on Monday or Tuesday. Having travelled over the country to be traversed by the line he had no doubt in his own mind as to what direction the railway should be extended and where the terminus should be. What that decision was, however, he could not of course tell the deputation, as it had previously been resolved that the question should be settled by a Cornmis sion. He might inform the deputation that the cost of carrying the lino to Mount Somers township would bo L 9,000, and as only L 4,000 was available it was impos sible to carry out their wishes. The question was whether the money at their disposal should be spent in extending the line a part of the way, but if the Commis sion reported that it should be carried to Bowyer's stream a further vote would bo required. There was no necessity for him to say more, except that if the lino were constructed he hoped that it would open up the country, but he could not agree with Mr Walker that it would be a paying line, as he thought it would boa long time before it could be that. Mr Walker asked how the vote load come down to L 4,000. His impression was that LII,OOO was the amount. Mr Blair explained that the present contract was included in the L 11,003. Mr Wright said that the sum originally allocated was L 15,000, and he thought that only a small portion of that was spent. Mr Mitchelson said that he understood a report had been spread throughout the district to the effect that Mr Wright had been using his influence with him to get the line extended in a particular direction. There was certainly no foundation for the report. Mr Wright had been very kind in pointing out the country, but he had never said a single word as to what direc tion he desired the line to go. Indeed, Mr Wright had said distinctly that he wished the railway to be extended to where it would most benefit the settlers, and per sonally he did not care where it went. He (Mr Mitchelson) was sorry that such a report should have been circulated, as it was entirely without foundation. (Ap plause,) Mr Wright thanked the Minister for having made the explanation he had. When”he (the speaker) asked andobtained a Royal Commission he did so because he had constituents on both sides of the river, and he wished the matter to be settled with strict impart'ality. The means he suggested were the only way to secure this impartiality, and he thought, that the Commission would beaguarrntee to all fair thinking men that the question would be decided without regard to local prejudice. Mr MUcbslsou said that if Mr Wright was correct in saying that L 15,000 was allocated for the work LB.OOO was still available, but he (Mr Mitchelson) was re ferring to tht vote of last session, which was L 4,000 Even LB,OOO was LI,OOO less than it would cost to take the line to the Mount Somers township. Mr 0. J. Harper, as representing the settlers on the South side of the river, was glad that a Royal Commission was to decide the question. Some time a;o a i petition was signed by settlers ] owning a very largo quantiy of t land on the South side of the river, f and although ho had no objection i to the Mount Somers people having a I line others had their rights to bo con- t

fiidered r.s well. He thought that when the Royal Commission sat it would be found that the evidence would not be so one-sided as some people would have it appear. The Hon W. S. Peter said that a good deal was talked about the superior quality of the lend ontheoneside of the rivercom pared with the other. Ho would suggest that the Government have a paid valuator to assess the land. He had a ! so learned for the first time that his name had been mentioned in conjunction with Mr Wright’s as wishing the line to go in a certain direction. For his part, he had been opp > ed to the con traction of the line from the first, and he could appeal to Mr Blair to say if this was not so. (Ml Blair signified assent,) Ho was glad to see that so many people were there to advocate the extension of the line to Mount Somers from purely unselfish motives, and it gave him a better opinion of human nature than ho had ever had before. Mr H. Friedlander said that the settle! s at Alford Forest and Mount Somers were entitled to a railway, as they bad come to the place in the early days, while the people represented by Mr Harper had bought the land after the line was made. He certainly thought the original settlers had a prior claim. The deputation thanked the Minister and then withdrew.

The Railway Sites.

The Hon. B. Mitchelson afterwards re ceived a deputation from the Borough Council re the vexed question of the rail way sites. Amongst others present were —Mr IS. G. Wright, M.H.R., Mr H. Friedlander, and the following lessees of railway sites : Messrs Ferriman, D. Thomas, J. Tucker, J. S. Houston, J. Ward and A. Roberts. His Worship the Mayor, in addressing the Minister for Public Works, explained that the reason the Council had moved in the matter of the railway sites was because the leasing of the reserves for the pur poses for which they were now used was unfair to freeholders of other business sites, and the Council feel the Govern ment were entering into unfair competi tion with private freeholders. The Minis ter wou’d be aware that Government and other sections in the town of Ashburton had been sold at a high figure, and had realised as high prices as Government sections in any other part of the colony, and the burgesses had a right to expect that the Government, holding as they did a railway reserve running through the business centre of the town, should not enter into unfair competition with private individuals, who had bought and paid hi"h prices for freehold properties. So long as people could get the railway re serves freeholders could not procure i tenants for their property, and if the rail way reserves were allowed to be use I for i the purposes for which they were used at present it would have the effect of retard ing the progress of the Borough. Had i business continued to improve and things ; gone on as well as they promised to do ■ several years ago, the burgesses would not i have felt the present grievance so much. : Me was not a leaseholder of any of the reserves, and he might assure the Hon. » the Minister for Public Works that any : action he or the Council as a body had ’ taken in the matter was taken purely on ) public grounds. As the Minister was aware representations had already bem made to the Government on the matter, ) and he was glad to sea a start had been ) made to clear the reserves o? business i premises, as a number of the leases had - already been cancelled. As the Minister i could see for himself there were buildings I of all descriptions on the reserves, and • most of the goods stored there were more 1 or less ot an inflatnable nature, and if a - fire occurred serious damtge would re ult to property on the other sides of the I streets, besides which the coal heaps were t a great nuisance through the clouds of ; dust that continually came from them. - The Government had been asked to clear s the sites, and he hoped they would not > stop till they had cleared at least the buildings and material stored on East s street. He might mention that what ever buildings were erected or busi » ness carried on on the rail wry re -, serves the' Borough Council as a : rating body had no control whatever over 1 the lessees, as the reserves were nu’sido ; the range of the Council. He had hoped that all the councillors would have been i present to-day, but business prevented several from b-jing in attendance. Having i explained the position of affairs he had every confidence in now leaving the mat ter to be dealt with by the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. The Council had no desire to be harsh with the lessees of the reserves, and bethought they (the lessees) should have every consideration shown them, He would like to point out that if the question of leasing the sites permanently were mooted the Canned would be prepared lo take them over for a period of 2L years. The Mayor then pointed out on the map the streets that were already open for public traffic across the railway line. Unless the Minister thought fit, he (the Mayor) did not wish to ask for the opening up of more streets at present, but he would like to point out that the opening up of Moore street before the grain season would bo a great convenience to tire public Mr E. G. Wright pointed out that before leaving Wellington at the close of the session, he had written to the Minister of Public Works asking that notice to quit should be served on all the lessees, as the present competition was un fair to the freeholders. He thought if it were decided to clear at least East street, it would only be doing justice to free holders. The dust arising from the coal heaps was a great nuisance to business people, and being so thoroughly exposed the dust was not unfrequently followed by shingle, pailings, etc. He did not think there was any urgent necessity for clearing the West side of the line, but a hardship had been inflicted on some of tho leasees on the East side, as notice had been served on some while others following a similar line of buisness were allowed to remain. He might mention that Messrs Ferriman, Hayes and Co., and one or two others were under notice to clear from the reserve while others had not been inter fered with at all. Mr Ferriman handed the Minister a document setting forth the position of himself and other tenants. Ho remarked that all he wanted was to be placed on the same footing as other lessees, and having been a tenant of the Government for the past eight years, he thought he had a tight to ask for fair treatment There were in all about forty tenants, and only four had received notice cancelling their leases. Mr Soaly said since the railway engine shed had been removed from opposite Baring Square, tho site had been occu pied with coal aud timber. If the sites in East street were cleared he thought it quite possible application would be made for the site opposite Baring Square west. He hoped such an application would not be granted. The Hon. E. Mitchelson said that on his return to Wellington he would care fully go through all the documents that hal been handed to him, and forward a reply at as early a date as possible. The subject was quite new to him, but he would like to point out that the town of ( \shburton was in the same position with regard to the railway reserves as other ‘ parts of the colony he had visited. If the Government were to grant the pre sent request of the Council, other towns ] in New Zealand would have a right to ask 1 for similar steps being taken. To cancel r tho Eases of all the railway reserve. t

would interfere materially with the rail way revenue, and that the Railway Department ‘would ' have to seriously consider. The reason several of the Ashburton leases had been cancelled was because the tenants had violated the expressed conditions of their leases. Mr J. Ward thought if all the tenants were not placed on an equal footing those whose leases had been cancelled should be compensated. Mr J. Tucker drew attention to the conditions of the leases. Mr H. Friedlandec pointed out that one of the buildings on the railway reserve had been sold for something like LSO, and the. purchaser had since been making a large revenue out of the transaction. As a freeholder he objected to such unfair competition. Mr D. Thomas said that the firm he represented had held sites in both East and West streets. As soon as they re ceived notice they had cleared offthesite in East street a loss of L 250. He had now been told they were quite safe and would not he interfered with in West street, and yet the business done in West street was exactly the same as that for merly carried on in East street. As an owner of property he objected to the principle of sites being used on one side of the street and not on the other. After thanking the Minister the depu tation withdrew.

ASHBURTON ATHLETIC SPORTS.

The experiences of tlie Ashburton pub lic have not been such as to foster senti mentality, they prefer to apply the poeti cal test of expediency to matters which many other communities regard from a more poetical standpoint. Unfortunately for the promoters of the Athletic gather ing at the new sports ground to-day, the Anniversary of the arrival of the Pilgrim Fathers in Lyttelton and all the traditio-.s connected with that important event were insufficient to induce the general observ ance of to-day as a close holiday. In addition to this fact the usual popular sports and Caledonian festival in Christ church attracted a number of visitors from Ashburton, who otherwise have assisted at the local fixture. As a result the attendance did not reach the anticipations of the promoters, not more than 100 spectators being present at the hour appointed for the commencement of proceedings, although during the after noon this number was considerably in creased. , ; The track prepared by the Sports Ground Company was in fairly good order, and the arrangements of the manage ment appeared to work smoothly, 'the lion’s share of the work fell, of course, to the lot of the hon. sec., Mr Caygill, and he discharged his multiferous duties with promptness and courtesy to all concerned. Messrs Cox and Gundry at the gates, and Messrs Leahy, Thomas, Curtis, Fooks and other officials in their different depart ments, were energetic and successful. In the absence of Mr Saunders, Mr Simpson officiated as starter. iu.rs Butler and Mr Davidson had respectively, publican’s and confectioners booths on the ground, and catered for the hungry and thirsty with their accustomed success. The weather was superb, one of the few tastes of sum mer we have enjoyed this season. The following are the particulars of the dif ferent events: — Quoits. (1.) Thomas beat SouII—(2) Stevens beat Nelson—(3) M'Leod beat Thomas— (4) Stevens beac Kidd—(s) Stevens beat M‘Leod and won. 100 Yards Flit Race. A. J. Kenny 1 T. Organ 2 Coffey 3 T. Barber ... ... ... ... 0 Kenny and Organ gave a great deal of trouble at the start, and were both put back a yard on this account, How ever, the former jumped away with a lead of four or five yards, and won easily, Organ second. 100 Yards Flvt Race, for boys under 11. D. Betts... ... ... ... ... 1 T. Burns... ... ... ... ... 2 Four diminutive specimens of muscular Christianity took part in this event. They did not display the same impatience as their seniors, and Mr Simpson had little difficulty in despatching them on very level terms. Betts running in capital form won by 7yds from Burns, the latter disposing of the other two competitors with ease. Running Long Jump. F. Betts, 19ft lin 1 W. Coffey, 18ffc 11m ... 2 Jephson and Johns also competed. 440 Yards Handicap. T. Organ, scratch ... ... ... 1 B. Stewart, 12yds 2 A. J. Kenny, 3yds 3 Fosse, Groves, Betts, 7yds; Page, 10yds; Johns and Barber, 12/ds, also ran. Stewart led the field at a great pace for 300yds, Kenny here made his effort and nearly reached the leader, but soon fell back beaten. Organ then came through with a great rush, had Stewart beaten 30 yards from home, and won with a good deal in hand. Stewart 7yds in front of Kenny, the rest quite out of it. 150 Yards Race, for boys under 13. D. Price 1 T. Prebble 2 D. Betts 3 \Y. Wilkie 0 This was a splendid race, Price and Prebble running neck and neck until the last few yards. Betts also ran with great determination, and would have been much closer at the finish if his bigger opponents had not shut him out at the turn into the straight. 220 Yards Handicap Race. A. J, Kenny, scratch ... ... ... 1 T. Organ, scratch ' ... 2 J. Fooks, 10yds 3 R. Lechner, J. Groves, F. Betts (syds), T. Barber and S. Poole (10 yds) also ran. After some trouble the lot were des patched to a good start, Foots leading by several yards into the straight, Betts and Lechner close up. Fifty yards from home Kenny ran up to the leaders, and going on strongly won comfortably, Organ beating Fooks in the last few yards, Betts fourth, the rest close up. 220 Yards Rage, for boys under 15 years. H. Lucas 1 E. Simpson .. ... ... ... 2 D. Price 3 Five lads contested this race, Lucas having-things much his own way, Simp son and Price making a good race for second place. Two Mile Handicap Walking Race. A. Fosse, 65yd5,... ... ... ... 1 W. Mullis, 65yds 2 J. Smith, scratch 3 Mullis lead for the first two laps, Fosse walking in very questionable style close at his heels. Fosse then went te the front, and as the judges passed his very “ clistial” method of progression he was never headed. Smith walked with great pluck and in very pretty style, but could never get near the two leaders. Throwing Cricket Ball. 0. Maud 1 E. Prebble ... ... ... ... 2 Shury, Coffey, Amos, Malcolm, Johns, •iealy, Dalton, Cuthbert, Nooks,.■Robert son and Allan also combeted. 1 One Mile Handicap. B. Stuart, 85yds 1 T. Organ, scratch ;A. Fosse, 40yds ; J. , Iroves, 50yds ;G. Page, 60yds ; J. Johns j md A, Jones, 65yds, also ran.

INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

Opening Ceremony. [bt telegraph ] Christchurch, To-day. The New Zealand Industrial Exhibition was formally opened this morning. Th* Mayor and members of the City Council Rnd principal visitors assembled at the Council Chambers and drove to the Exhi bition, where they were received by the Committeejof Management and conducted to a platform in the aft gallery, the organ playing a march. The building waa crowded, and among those on the plat form wei e the Mayor and members of the City-1 and Suburban Town Councils, the' Hon W. Rolleaton (Minister of Lands), Hon E. Mitcholson (Minister of Public Works), the Primate, Messrs V. Pyke, Fish, Thomson, Wright, Ivess, Allwright, White, O’Callaghan, M.H.R.’s, the Hons Richardson, Peacock, de Renzie Brett, and Gresson. Mr Howland, President of the Industrial Association, delivered an address, requesting the Mayor to open the Exhibition. The Mayor replied and de clared the Exhibition open, three cheers being given for the Queen, and the National Anthem being played on the organ. The Mayor and party then made a tour of the Exhibition. The covered spaco for the exhibits amounts t > 30,000 square feet, and the uncovered space, for machinery, 25,000 square feet. The ex hibition is an exceedingly good one, all parts of New Zealand being well repre sented.

CABLE NEWS.

A fhS 5 :*O.Vi fr tROPE.

(heuteh’s telegrams—COPYßlGHT,] Monetary and Commercial. London, Dec. 14 Consols remain at Zealand securities at the following quotations: —Five per cent 1889 Loan, 104 Per cent iO‘4° Loan, ioi}4 ; Four and a half per cent, 1879-1904 Loan, Four per cent, inscribed stock, 100 The total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain is 1,800,000 quarters, being 100.000 less than last week. Adelaide wheat, ex -store, remains at 465; and,. New Zealand ditto, at 38s 6d to 43s 6d; Adelaide flour, ex warehouse, 325. Australian tallow is without change. Shipping. Arrived —Steamship British Queen, from Lyttelton (October 2.7 th). Parliamentary. Both Houses of Parliament are sum moned to meet for the despatch of business on February sth. Re-inforcements. Paris, Dec. 14. :i , General Millet has received orders to proceed to Tonquin in command of • two brigades, comprising 3,000 men. The forces in Tonquin will, by the re inforcements, be raised to a strength of 15.000 men. Hicks Pasha. Cairo, Dec. 14. A telegram has been received from the Governor of Dongola announcing that he has received authentic ihforma tioe that Hicks Pasha was not killed at the time his army was annihilated by the rebel Arabs, but succeeded in escaping, and is now at Birket. Later intelligence from London states that dissension occurred among the tribes who were leagued together under El Mahdi, and that they are now returning to their former isolated condition. German Prince. Madrid, Dec. 14. Prince Frederick William, the Ger man Crown Prince, arrived to-day at; Barcelona en route for Italy. King of Anam. Hong Kong, Deo. 14 A report reached here that the usurper of the throne of Anam, who caused the late King to be poisoned, refused to recognise the treaty which his predecessor made with the French Commissioner, M. Harmand, and will declare war against the French. [Received Deo. 17, 11.30 am.] Another War Vote. Paris, Dec. 16. •' In view of the necessity for the dis patch of reinforcements to Tonquin, M. Ferry stated at the sitting of the Cham ber of Deputies to-day, that it would be necessary to ask for a further vote of credit to meet the expenses, and that a sum of 20,000,000 francs would be required for that purpose. Fire in Alexandria. Alexandria, Deo. 15. A serious fire has occurred in this city. The temporary buildings which were erected in the square to replace those burned at the time of the bom bardment of the city by the British squadron have been totally destroyed. Mussalmen v. Christians. A serious religious ferment has com menced in Upper Egypt, between Mussalmen and Christians, and it is feared that the ill-feeling may give rise to a serious outbreak. Admiral Hewitt. London, Dec. 16. Admiral Sir W. N, W. Hewitt, com manding the last Indian squadron, has gone to Senakin on the Egyptian coast of the Red Sea. [Received Dec. 17, 12.40 p.m. The Steamship Kent. London, Dec. 15. The steamship Kent, which was found to be on fire on her arrival at Port Said, has resumed her voyage for Australia after overhauling and restor ing the damaged cargo. [Received Dec. 14, 12.40 p.m.] Monetary and Commercial. London, Dec. 15. Consols have further declined }i t and are quoted to-day at 100# ; New Zealand securities remain at yesterday’s quotations. Adelaide wheat, ex ware house, 465; New Zealand ditto, 38s 6d to 43s 6d, according to quality. Ade laide flour, ex store, 32 s.

AUSTRALIAN.

(rKOTEB’s TELEGRAMS—COPYRIGHT.] [Received Dec. 17, 12.40 p.m.] Arrival. Melbourne, To-day. Arrived, on Saturday morning—The , Orient steamship Iberia, from London, * Nov. 2. The Hon. Mr Berry. The Hon Graham Berry, one of the V Victorian delegates to the late Sydney . Conference has returned to Melbourne.. The “Vagabond.” The “Vagabond,” Julian Thomas, • who went to New Guinea to carry on ! the exploration commenced by Captain Armit, the special correspondent of the ■ * ■ Argus, has returned to Cooktown. Terminated. The Argus this morning announces that the expedition to New Guinea has terminated for the present.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1883.



THIS PAPER IS ON FILE It and all other nswtpapan in Uit world tan be made on tha meat farorahlo ternuat the Istnutlml Hmptptr ifiscy, H.P.HUBBARD, Proprietor* «pr bato.wp., p.a.i, Kewipwr «wJ ■ Bank Dlrwtoryof th« World.



Wanted WANTED Known —That Hayes and Co. have about 196 pairs of Ladies’ Cashmere Boots, splendid value, at 3s 6d. WANTED Known—The usual inter esting Christmas Tree will be held in the Primitive Methodist Church, on THURSDAY, 20th December. 12 1086 WANTED Known—For Sale, two COTTAGES on East Belt. Cheap, easy terms. Apply W. O. Davis or Ward and Sons. 12 1012 CHRISTMAS FRUIT! CHRISTMAS FRUIT ! 1 Currants 6d, Raisins 7d; Sultanas 8d; Candied Peel Is 6d. FieJi Paste Butter 6d. Eggs Is. 12 1078 FRIEDLANDBR BROS. 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 be received by the undersigned up to the 18th December,|lßß3.—T. E. Mcßae, Chairman of Committee. 12 1017 WASTED 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. 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, Oigars, etc. Tickets— monthly 2s 6d, for use of Horizontal Bar, Trapeze, Single-sticks, Dumb-bells, Indian Clubs, etc. Dan Lea is always at his post to give lessons in Boxing, lesson £1 per mon*h, or according to arrangement. 1344 Special Advertisements. npHE GUARDIAN is on every Tea *- table in Ashburton. STOP THAT COUGH! DON’T DELAY.—How can you stop it 1 Where, s the Remedy. Bennington’s PifiCTORAL OXYMEL OF CARRA GEEN or IRISH MOSS (registers 1), can produce more evidence of real merit than any other article for the purpose. Sold everywhere. G Bonnihoton, Christchurch. 1 MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL, Bazaar AND Fancy Fair AT ANDREWES BROS., East Street South, IS NOW OPEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR GIFTS in great variety. INTENDING PURCHASERS OF CLOTHING FOR 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 of Wholesale Prices. SHIRTS, UNDERCLOTHING, HATS & CAPS, PORTMANTEAUS, And every requisite at Wholesale Price. Ashburton Branch : BAST STREET. I F YOU WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE, GO TO DAVIS’S JHEAP, FURNITURE AND BED DING MANUFACTORY, EAST STREET SOUTH, ASHBURTON. tpVERY article Sold at Christchurch '■l I’riobs and ... ;iranteed bes. of •u I'.rinl and workmanship. FUNERALS ! vyj K *JPLY & COMPLETELY FOKNIS ff V D



Special Advertisement. lie ward Books, Presents, Prizes, Toys, Dolls, <&c. H. M. J O N E S ; East street. 1.1 877 O .W a O o a> 2 c S gp o SO ® O S 3* ° Zh O *£3 O o' <0 o r § 0 & $ LJ - * CO M pi o W W c 3 Sg g 1 —> ® an 02 & S? «J M a .5 0 & Jr J 3 ®r2 . a 1 o 2 ft Ph .Jl jfcgK- I jalas sriSS 9 Milner Ashburton, H. M. JONES, Agent. PIPE ORGANS.—Especially suitable for Churches. Far superior to any Reed Organ near the price for richness and purity of tone, volume of sound, nnd durability of construction. Price—l 120. REED ORGANS.— By Smith and Co., Mason and Hamlin, Wood and Co., Easby and Co., New England Company and Clough and Warner—from LI 212 s. PIANOS. Brinsmead and Sons, Broadavood, Collard and Collard, Erard, Pleyel and others. Dresden Model, and German and French manufacturs, with test improvements. DEFERRED PAYMENTS Wholesale and Retail. NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS. Advertisements for The Ashbukton Guardian must be sent in not later than 3 p.m., with the number of 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 All notices of Births, Marriages, or TwtLo must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good faith. All advertisements and business lett is to he addressed The Manager ; literary communications should be addressed to The Editob,



Don’t Dm in the House.—“ Rough on Rats ” clears out : rats, mice, beetles, roaches, bed-bugs, flics, ants, insects, moles, jack rablrts, gophers, Moses, Moss and Co., Sydney, General Agents. I