SHIPPING.

FORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday Tarawera, s s., from Auckland and way ports. Orowaiti, s.s., from Westport. Sailed. Yesterday. Wakatn, a. 8., for Kaikoura and Wei lipgtpß* Kangaroo, a.a., for Westport. Omapere, b.b-, for Westport. Tysww*. a.a., for Southern porta and Melbourne.

SHIPPING TELEGRAMS.

Auckland, Yesterday. Armed—Zealand!*, from Sydney. Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived—Kiwi, from Napier and the East Coast; St Kilda, from Oreymouth. Sailed—Grafton, for Lyttelton ; Ken- for Nelson and the West Coast. Dunedin, Yesterday. Arri«*d‘~-Waihora, from Bluff; Enter prise, from Napier. galled—Haw ea, for the North ; Kora noi, for-tha West Coast.

COMMERCIAL.

■ 'AShburtoN Guardian Office, ~-;p - ? Wednesday afternoon. The New Zealand lorn and Mercantile Agency' Company, Limited (per Mr E. G. Staveley, auctioneer), report on the Ashburton market at nth December as under:--Sheep : Very few entries came forward, of which stores formed the proportion, and with the excentforiJof A few pens of butchers’ sheep, most of the lots changed hands at full rates, as fmf quotations show— Fat shorn crossbred ewes made 12s qd; mixed sexes, 13s 6d; shorn merino wethers, 9s gd; merino hoggetts in the wool, lOS '1 id; merino ewes, with various per centages of crossbred lambs, according to age «d condition, 9s 2d, ns4d, and lis yd per COuple] i-tooth crossbred shorn, mixed sexes, «Is 8d and 12s; 4-tooth do wethers, 13s 4d; merino wethers in the wool, ys fid and 9s 3d. was yarded. Beef of prime quality was scarce, and even the little there was could not be placed. Fat cows brought L4,L 52s fid, and Ly 15s; Steel Si L$ lysfid; dairy cows, L 4 12s 6d; 2-yeat-old steers, L 4 3s i older cattle, L 4 iys ahd LS’ Ss fid; yearlings and over, L 3 ys fid. Although biddings were by no means brisk, there was yet throughout the sale a more de cidedihclination on the part of buyers to do business than they have lately evinced.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas Et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1883.

In the croton oil case at Blenheim the Grand Jury threw out the bill against Dr McDonough and Bignal, the barman, and found a true bill against the others. After a retirement of three hours, the petty jury found the other defendants, “Not guilty.” The funerals of Mr Hepburn and Mr Street’s son were largely attended at Dunedin yesterday. The High School boys acted as pall bearers in the case of the lad Street, and over 150 pupils at tended the funeral of their late school fellow. ■ ■ The property tax received up to yester day amounts to L 75,000. The last day on which payment can be made to escape the penalty is Saturday, the 15th inst., and all Money Order Offices will be kept open until 5 o’clock on that day for the accom modation of the public. The Inspector of Piisons paid a visit to Otago Heads yesterday, and expressed the opinion that the proposed harbor works there (breakwater, etc.) would be very suitable for the employment of prison labor, which the Harbor Board are likely to obtain from the Government. At a conference on drainage, between the representatives of the Dunedin City Council and the various suburban Coun cils, held last night, it was decided that the initiation of a general scheme was highly desirable, and the matter will be further considered by the respective Councils.

George Scott, a miner, died suddenly on Monday on the Kawarau river, in the Lake County. It is believed that his death resulted from the effects of a fight he had-with his mate, named Thompson, some days before. Thompson having ma ie contradictory statements, has been taken in custody by the police. An inquest will be held.

An Hokitika telegram states that the contractors for the extension of a tail race in the Ross United Company’s ground have passed through a layer of wash from which 250 z 10-lwts of gold was washed from a drive of 6ft by 3ft along a distance of 84tt. The directors have agreed to accept the proposal of a partly of miners to work this layer on tribute. The hy draulic pumping engines in the main shaft are now working and proving themselves able to cope with the water easily. Sink ing will be resumed immediately. Our local correspondent writes : —The Mount Somers Sporis Committee are very zealously endeavoring to make the anni versary horse races and athletic sports to take place on the 27th December, the best that have ever been held here. One step in the right direction isr, I think, the leaving of some of the races open to the county.—Shearing is in full swing here just now. The crops are very backward owing to the cold | weather. We are looking for summer, but it has not reached Mount Somers yet. We hope to have a better tale to tell soon if the Government will only extend the railway as far as Mount Somers and Alford Forest, will as speedily as possible, and they soon show up to advantage. It is well known to most people that we have any quantity of first-class building stone, also, coal and timber in abundance We have good. land, well watered, and wo only want the railway to bring us near a mar ket. The Auckland Resident Magistrate, Mr H. G. Seth Smith, has given judg ment in the' case of the loss of the barque India, which occurred on the 16ih Nov. at Kennedy Bay, Kokianga, in command of Kenneth McKenzie. The inquiry was held in the Courthouse on Friday last, before Judge Smith and Nautical Asses sor Captain Frasar, His Worship said the Court had carefully gone over the evidence, and had come to the conclusion that the loss of the vessel was to he attri buted to the gross carelessness on the part of the master. Having remarked upon the main points of the depositions the Court was of opinion that either the mate or roaster, Captain McKenzie, had been guilty of gross negligence in allow ing the ship to drift ashore in broad day light. The judgment of the Court would by the suspension of the master’s certifi cate for six months, and to pay the costs of the enquiry, amounting to L6lßs. A meeting of the Tinwald School Com mittee was held on Friday, the 7th Deo. Present—Messrs Clark (chairman), Tip pett, Jones, Ennis, and McKenzie. After the usual routine business, the Inspec tor’s report of the school was read. It was considered in every respect satisfactory, especially that only about seven months have .elapsed since the result of last in spection came to hand. It was resolved to convey to Mr Wallace and staff its ap preciation of their success in working up the school to its present state. The fol lowing is the report : —Standard 5, 100 per cent ; Standard 4, 60 per cent; Stan dard 3, 100 per cent; Standard 2, 70 per cent; Standard 1, 100 per cent; total, 84 per cent. Presented, 50; passed, 42; below Standard 1, 33. The Inspector added the following general remarks “This school is in a much better state than I have ever known it to be. The number presented iu Standards is a fair per centage of the roll number, and the results throughout are, all things con sideiel, very creditable. The neatness of the copy and exercise books showed careful teaching. The classes under the immediate charge of the mistress were in good order, and well prepared for such elementary work as they attempted.” After passing amounts for payment the meeting adjourned.—On Monday a meet ing of householders was hold to consider the invitation of Mr E. G. Wright to Windermere, when it was resolved that the Chairman, M r Clark, write to Mr Wright thanking him for l)is kind invita tion, but from the very short notice and that it will clash with the picnic of the Sunday School they must beg to decline this year. It was then resolved —“ That the picnic of the Sunday and Day Schools beheld on the same dates as arranged, viz,, Sunday School Picnic, Friday, Deo. 14 ; Day School picnic, Friday, Dec. 21. ” A vote of thanks to the Chairman termi nated the meeting.

T. Sheehan has be n disqualified by the Ohoka and Eyroton Club, also the horse Psyche and her jockey, Walls. Yesterday afternoon the Waihaorunga estate in South Canterbury containing 17,990 acres of freehold and 743 acres of leasehold, 14 years to run from May 14th, 1879, was sold to Mr John Holmes, M.H.R., for L 82,500. Ashburton is promised a visit at the end of the present week from the Court Minstrels and Hibernian Comedy Com pany', who are just concluding a highly successful season in Christchurch. When ever this Company has appeared in the colony the press have accorded them great praise for their entertainment, and no doubt they will secure good patronage here. The opening night is fixed for Friday, at the Town Hall. To-day a large number of residents proceeded to Waterton in order to attend the funeral of the late Mr A. Dawson. The various Masonic Lodges in Ashbur ton also met at the Somerset Hall, and after the Lodge had been opened, the Brethren to the number of about 60 were also driven to the Waterton Cemetery, where the funeral ceremony took place. The Rev. K. A. Scott, the Incumbent of Ashburton, read the beautiful service of the Church of England, and the Masonic ritual was read by the W. M. of the Somerset Lodge. The Masonic Brethren, according to an cient custom, dropped a piece of acacia over the coffin aftei the service, before leaving the cemetery. A large number of the neighboring settlers attended Ihe funeral, and much sympathy was ex pressed with the bereaved relations in the sudden loss of so promising a young man. A telegram from Feilding to-day informs us that a special service was held there last evening in the Church of England, in respect to the memory of the late Mr Alfred Dawson.

Captain Brotherton and several of his officers have been summoned to attend a Court of Inquiry into the wreck of the Triumph, which is to be held at Auckland on Thursday next. The Surveyor’s re commendation that the Triumph should be sold by public auction at an early date has been adopted, and accordingly with the view of giving intending purchasers an opportunity to view the vessel as she now lies on the rocks, the Penguin was ebar'ered by the agents to convey excur sionists to Tiritiri yesterday afternoon. She star ed, having a large number of peop’e on board. A great deal of specu lation has been indulged in concerning the coat and the value of the wrecked stea er. In the course of a conversation yesterday morning, the engin er stated that the Triumph originally cost L 45.000, independent of the Haslam refrigerating apparatus with which she is fitted. She was built at a time when there was great depression in the trade and ironwork was cheap, and he considered that the same contract would not bo taken at a less figure than L 50.000 At the same time be does not believe that she could be re paired in Auckland under L30,0D0, and ridicules the idea of paying LB,OOO or LIO,OOO to float the ship and bring her into port. He says that putting the coat of floating and repairing together, it would almost bring the total up to the cost of a new vessel, and it should be re. membered that the Triumph is now three years old. He farther considers that the engines, or at least the best part of them, could be taken out of the steamer now. It is reported that the ship is insured in the Tyneside Companies, but it is not defi nitely known whether or not this is so. g- Holloway’s Ointment and Fills.—Coughs» Influenza.—The soothing properties of thes medicaments render them well worthy of tria in all diseases of the respiratory organs. In common colds and influenza the pills, taken internally, and the ointment rubbed over the chest and throat, are exceedingly efficacious. When influenza is epidemic, this treatment is the easiest, safest, and surest. Holloway’s pills purify the blood, remove all obstacles to its free circulation through the lungs, relieve the over-gorged air tubes, and render respira tion free, without reducing the strength, irrita ting the nerves, or depressing the spirits ; such are the ready means of saving suffering when anyone is afflicted with colds, coughs, bron chitis, and other chest complaints, by which so many persons are seriously and permanently afflicted in most countries.

ANNUAL DISTRICT PRIZE FIRING

Seventeen members of the Ashburton Rifles competed at their range this morn ing, Sergeant-Major Blackmore, of the Christchurch staff, superintending the shooting. The weather was favorable except at the 600 yards range, where those who fired last had a breeze to contend with. Regulation targets, with seven shots at each distance. Subjoined are the scores ;

BOROUGH SCHOOL.

The usual monthly meeting of the Ash burton Borough School Committee to .k place in the schoolhouse last evening Present—Mr J. Orr (in the chair), and Messrs P. T. Mayo, T. Sealy, W. Spar row, B. Reddin, G. W. Andrews and G. W. St. Hill, The minutes of previous two meetings were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. The following letter was read from Mr E. G. Wright;—“Mr Wright re grets exceedingly that he cannot receive the sohooi children at Win dermere on Friday, as arranged on account of dangerous illness iu the house, but will be glad to provide a special train to Terauka or Timaru for all the children, or otherwise support any arrangement the Committee may think desirable to substi tute.” The secretary was instructed to ac knowledge the receipt of Mr Wright’s letter, and express the regret of the Com mittee for the unfortunate circumstance which prevents him receiving the children at Windermere on Friday next.—The Chairman and Mr St. Hill were appointed to confer with Mr Wright on the matter, and it was decided to call a special meet ing of the Committee to hoar the report of these two gentlemen, after seeing Mr Wright.—A letter was received from thejjßoard of Education stating that Mr Stirling was suitable for the position of assistant master, and asking that he be informed of his appointment, and another from Mr Stirling accepting the position. The Secretary to the Board of Education also wrote to the effect that in accordance with section 47 of the Education Act any teacher can relinquish his engagement by giving a month’s notice te the School Committee as well as to the Board. An other letter from the same gentleman stated that Miss Clark had been appointed temporarily ip Miss Seager’s place, and Mr Bingham would fill for a short time ttya position of assistant master, also that Messrs Pole and Gilboy hiad been ap pointed as assistants. Mr Ttios. L. Pole wrote declining the position of assistant master, as he had applied for the position under a misapprehension as to the amount of salary; and a communication was read

from Mr Jas. Gilboy accepting the posi tion of second assistant master. The action of the Chairman in granting Miss Seager her resignation on account of her mother’s serious illness was approved of. master’s report. The following ’•eport was read .—Gen tlemen, —I bog to submit my report for the month. The number at present on the rolls is 522, and the average attend ance 401.6 There is a slight falling off in the numbers since the examination, which I attribute to three causes. (1) ’! he number of holidays in town. (2) The nearness of our regular holidays, and (3) To the changes in the staff. The pupil teachers are summoned to attend their usual annual examination commencing Tuesday, 18th inst I have taken steps to prevent so many articles being lost, and I hope my arrangements will be suc cessful in putting a stop to this. I am quite satisfied that the fault lies with the children themselves, who leave their things lying about in all possible places. I have, however, dealt with what I con sider the root of the evil, and I hope to have no more of it. There are a number of things that want looking after during the holidays; I have reported several already, but do not know what you have decided to do in the matter. I have had all blanks in the cap and cloak rooms sup plied with hooks, ond each child has now a particular hook for his or her things. I am, etc., H. Dempsey.” This report was adopted as usual. account--. Accounts amounting in all to L 7 2s were then passed for payment. inspectors’ report.

Messrs Edge and Cummings, the gentle men who examined a short time ago the children attending this school, handed in their report as follows “ This school is gradually but surely attaining a satisfac tory standard of efficiency. The quantity and quality of the results at the late ex amination are more creditable than on any former occasion. The papers handed in by the scholars show signs of careful and systematic teaching, and there is almost a total absence of that guesswork so common in previous years. The weakest subject in Standards V and IV is arithmetic ; the failures in spelling and dictation are far too numerous. The reading throughout the school has greatly improved this being specially noticeable in the lower Standards. The pupils pre sented in Standard 111. were on the whole well prepared. The work of Standards 11. and I. was, with very few exceptions, excellent. The general proficiency of the preparatory classes was very fair. In the upper classes the order and attention to work was not so good as might reason ably be expected. The boys’ closets ate far too close to the infants’ playground, and should be at once removed, and sur rounded by a suitable screen. The gates and fences are getting into a very had state of repair. Number on roll, 518 ; number present, 442 ; average last quarter, 355 ; average during week of examination, 437 ; per centage of attendance to roll number, 84 5 Results of examination in Stand ards ; V. IV. HI. 11. I. Tls. Presented ... 13 34 48 51 48 —194 Passed ... 11 21 40 45 48—165 Average age 143 12 6 11.1 10 9 - 2 Percentage of success in each Stan dard ... 84‘6 617 83‘3 88 - 2 100 — 85 Presented in standards, 194; passed, 165; failed, 29 ; not presented to pass a higher standard than that previously passed, 22 ; percentage passed, 85 ; p r centage of rail number presented, 37"4 ; below .-tandard L, 289. After lengthy discussion re the num ber or children presented for examination, it was moved by Mr Reddio, seconded by Mr G. W. Andrews—“ That th a Secre tary write acknowledging receipt of re port, and to state that the Committee are not quite satisfied that only 194 children out of 432 should be presented for ex amination ; also that in order to give .‘atisfaction the Committee thinks that more than four hours is necessary for the examination, and asking that a copy of Regulations re Examinations in Standards bo forwarded for use of Committee.”— Carried. The Chairman stated that the Com mittee had L 5 in hand towards the prize fund, and as it was necessary to get in about L 6 in order to give two prizes in each Standard, he would undertake to collect sufficient to make up the difference On the motion of Mr T. Sealy, it was resolved—“ That the Chairman, Mr St Hill and the Secretary be appointed to select books, etc., suitable for prizes. VISITING COMMITTER. The Chairman and Mr St Hill were appointed a Visiting Committee for the ensuing month.

THE ANNEXATION CONFERENCE.

Th? Hon. F. Whitaker’s Resolutions. At the meeting of the Conference on Dec. ith, the discussion on the annexation resolutions and Mr Whitaker’s amend ments was resumed. The first resolution as submitted by Mr Whitaker, which was practically the same as that submitted by Committee, was passed. Clause 2 of Mr Whitaker’s resolution was then submitted to the Convention as a substantive motion tn the following terms :—“ That the Con vention respectfully suggests that its ob ject may ho effectively attained in respect of the islands not connected by treaty or otherwise with foreign powers, by cession, annexation, or by protectorate as may be most suitable in each case. A discussion then took place upon this proposition and upon the resolution gene rally. Mr Whitaker said that because of the lawlessness and crime that were daily per petrated in the Pacific Is'ands by all kinds of people, British subjects as well as by foreigners, ha proposed in his second re solution that the islands should be practi cally annexed aqd protected by the British Crown. The resolution did qot actually show by whom this should be done, but he intended that annexation or protection should be carried out by Great Britain. That could only be dope in three ways—-by cession on the part of the chiefs of the islands; by annexation—that was by taking possession, or by establishing a protectorate such as that adopted by the French in the case of the Loyalty Islands, in which latter case they would bring the

island under the protection of the British Crown. Another mode of dealing with the subject would be by making the whole world parties to a joint protectorate over the whole of the Islands. If England took possession of the islands by cessation, then that cession must oome from the chiefs of the islands. If by a protectorate, then a course would have to be adopted similar to that which France adopted iu the case of Tahiti, The object of his re solution was to prevent other countries from slipping in ; and unless the islands were ceded to us how could we keep other nations from coming nnd taking possession of them. We had dealt with our people on those islands, and our people only, under what was called a High Commis sion, having no control over the people of any other country. It would be im possible for us to keep other nations out unless we took possession. The slate of lawlessness in the islands was something horrible. He quoted largely from the despatch of the Earl of Derby to the Australian Agents General, to show the Convention that the question put by Lord Derby to the ooloniea was— “ Are you making definite proposals,” aqd that Lord Dqrby practically asked them—“ What do you want, and what do you propose,” and also “ tell na how you mean to do what you propose,” His

amendment, which is now before the Convention, proposed to make matters mure definite than the first resolution of the Committee proposed. A long debate ensued. The Hon James Service, supporting Mr Whitaker’s proposals, and other speakers, remarked favorably upon the ability with which they had been advanced. The Hon. Major \tkinson considered that what had brought members of the Convention together was not solely to dis cuss the annexation of New Guinea, or the expense of annexing that country. They had come to consider the future of the Anglo-Saxon race in the Western Pacific, and also as to what measures might be taken for the protection” of the interests of the natives in the islands in the Pacific. Their first duty was to pro tect the inhabitants of the islands from labor traffic. 'I he labor question was one which would have to be dealt with vigor ously at the earliest possible date. He believed the Parliament of New Zealand would vote whatever 1 was required as the share of that colony towards the expenses connected with the islands in the Pacific, and if he were to go out of office on this question he would be to be re turned with more power. New Zealand’s representatives at the Convention could not go back to their Parliament without some proposals on a broad basis. He would rather return and say nothing about New Guinea if they could not deal with the whole question of the Pacific Ocean. He considered that the Com mit 1 ee’s suggestion about the French criminals meant war, and that the protest of 3,000,000 of people in Australia could not pass unnoticed. [A Voice : “ Then what do 'you propose to do ?”] He was not prepared at that moment to say what he would do, but ho hoped the Conven tion would decide what they should do in such an emergency. The Hon Graham Berry (Chief Secre tary of Victoria) explained to the Conven • tion that the amendments put before them by Mr Whitaker had not been pre pared as the result of any consultation with the Victorian delegates; that the views Mr Whitaker had put forward were in accordance with those which he held when he first read the draft of resolutions submitted by the Committee. It was en -tirely without preconcerted action that the New Zealand delegates had arrive i at views similar to those'which Victoria held. It was very undesirable to re-open the discussion which took place in the Convention last week on this subject, but he thought there had been omission on the part of the Committee, by their leaving out of their resolutions one or two points v. ith regard to the islands of the Pacific, which Mr Whitaker’s resolutions covered.

Another question, and one upon which they really all could agree, was to secure as much of the Pacific as possible against convictism, for if we regarded convictism as a great evil, we could agree that Eng land should abate the nuisance. If we considered that this convictism in those seas had been brought about largely through our own inertia,' we should at once seek to place all unoccupied territory under the sovereignty of the British Crown, and this could secure what our forefathers neglected. to obtain for us. Lord Derby, in the event of bur not ask ing enough would say, “ I gave you the opportunity of asking and of : stating the whole of the case, and you refrained from doing bo. When the danger was before you you did nothing.” Mr Berry then proposed an amendment which at the end of the discussion the Convention passed. The resolutions were subsequently modi fied, and carried as already cabled. The ‘ onference met on Dec. sth, when, although the Convention at Tues day’s sitting unanimously passed a series of resolutions upon the annexation ques tion, it was deemed advisable that these resolutions should bo subjected to a final revision in order that any verbal amend ments which appeared desirable could be introduced, and the resolutions were again taken into consideration. The Hon Mr 'Whitaker made an attempt to have the resolutions altered in the direction desired by the New Zealand representatives, and wished to have the second resolution altered, so that it might intimate to the Imperial Govern ment that, while the Convention refrained

from suggesting action by which effect could be given to the first resolution, the information that something had been done to establish British authority over the subjects of Foreign Powers and natives in the islands of the Pacific. This pro posed amendment, however, was not en tertained. It was generally agreed that *he whole matter had been decided the day before, and that the only reconsidera tion of the resolutions which could now take place was with a view to the intro duction of verbal amendments. After the passing of some amendments the re solutions were adopted finally.

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Sydney, Dec. 6. The Land Bill debate as yet shows no immediate signs of coming to a close. Strong opposition to the measure is being shown by those interested in pastoral pursuits. Yery good entries have been received for the Boxing Day Meeting of the Aus tralian Jockey Club. The Bummer Cup closed with 43, and 42 for Tattersall’s Club Cup, to be run on New Year’s Day, Yesterday and to-day the weather has been very hot. In some parts of the country it was over 102 deg in the shade. Melbourne, Dec. 6. Large bush fires ate reported in the Sandhurst district, where the country is very dry. A reply to a circular on tuberculosis shows that the disease is not menacing in the colony, but exists notwithstanding to a considerable extent. Lord Normanby has arrived at Ade laide, where he is a guest at Government House. He will regain until the Nelson leaves. Dec. 6. The official enquiry into the loss of the Tasman was concluded to-day, when the chief officer’s certificate was suspended for twelve months. He admitted that he deliberately disobeyed the orders of the captain to go outside the Hippolyte rocks, in order, he Slid, to save time. He added that he had gone through them before with as experienced a man as ever sailed out of the port.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

RAILWAY RESERVES QUESTION.

TO THE Jd/DITOR. Sir, —If our Borough Council made a I mistake at their last sitting by voting L 5 to the prize fund of our State School, I think they are to be congratulated on the manner in which they disposed of the i above question, and it is to be hoped they will push the matter until their wishes are carried out and justice done to all concerned. It is a notorious fact that an injustice is being done to some of the lessees of these reserves, by having their leases cancelled, while, others are allowed to remain unmolested. And although engaged in carrying on the same kind of business, yetsome are evidently “spotted.” Talk about Iceland, Sir, its despotism 1 think is nothing to what is being carried on under our very noses. b eie - Why should A be pounced upon end not B? Why not serve all alike ? and let fair play be dune. That suoh a state of things should ever come about under British rule, is a disgrace to the department which brought it about; and if our public works are being carried out after the same

fashion, no wonder that dissatisfaction prevails. But, Sir, this question of re serves has, 1 think, another aspect be sides an injustice being done to single individuals, for if one is to reap an ad vantage which to another is derived, will it not have a tendency to produce a monopoly, and so become a Question in which the public are very materially con cerned 1 We do not want monopolies, neither should the present act of injus tice which is being done allowed to pass quietly over. And as the Borough Coun cil are the prime movers in the matter, they should leave no stone unturned in order that the matter may be rectified; and as the Minister of Public Works is about to visit us, strong representations should be made to him to have it settled once and for all.—l am, e'c., Justice.

SPORTING

WAIM ATE RACES. The following are the nominations foe the Waimate races, to be held on Deo. 27th : Hurdle Race; Kareakarea, Black Doctor, Encore, Milo, Myrtle, Fawn, Our Pony, Matipo. Waimate Handicap —Prospero, Faust, Forty-fives, Catalonia, Redcliffe. Pi blicans’ H indioap —Prosper >,Kare akarea, Faust, Barnaby, Catalonia, black Doctor, "Vinoo, Forty-five’, Redoliffe. County Purse —Kareakarea, Coryphee, Forty-fives, Nailer, Kyneton, Our Pony, Canary, Redoliffe.

DUNEDIN CUP.

Dunedin, To-day, Epicure has been scratched for the Dunedin Cup.

CRICKET.

'ASHBUETON v. LEESTON. A match was played to-day between the above elevens on the new ground, and on the first innings the local men gained an easy victory. Ashburton went in first, Crocker and Jephson facing the bowling of|r. and C. Willis. Both batted care* fully, and Crocker was well taken by Allington off r. Willis when he had made 4. A. Fooks followed, but did not re main long, being clean bowled with only two to his credit. Simpson, the next man, made a determined stand, and played excellent cricket. He scored 30, and was not ' dislodged till near the close of the innings. None of the others managed to reach double figures, and the innings finished for 79. The bowling of the Leeston men was fairly good, and their fielding excellent. The visitors, however, made a very poor show with the bat, and had only managed ; to put together 24 when the last wicket, .. full. Jephson and Simpson bowlacL throughout, the latter’s trundling being especially destructive. The following are the scores for the first innings of each eleven ; Ashburton. Crocker, c Allington, bT. Willis... ... 4 Jephson, run out ... ... 8 A. Fooks," bT. Willis ... ... ... 2 Simpson, c and b C. Willis .. ... 30 Caygill, c and bC. Willis ... ... ... 5 G. W. Andrews, c and b Taiaroa ... 6 Cox, c and b C. Willis o J. Fooks, not out ... ... ... ... 6 L. F, Andrewes, bC. Willis ... , 4 Leahy, c Allington, b Taiaroa ... ... 2 Quinlan, Ibw, bT, Willis ... ... ... 7 Extras ... ... ... ... 5 Total ... ... ... ... 79 Leeston. Hammond, c Simpson, b Jephson ... 3 Heslop, b Simpson or Taiaroa, cA. Fooks, b Simpson ... ... o Allington, cL F. Andrewes. b Simpson t*» r. Willis, cG. Andrews, b Jephson ... o Gardner, b Simpson ... ... ... 6 Makeig, cA. Fooks, b Jephson ... ... 6 C. Willis, b Simpson o ; c Murray, c Quinlan, b Simpson o ' Frankish, not out ... ... ... ... 3 Woodman, c Jephson, b Simpson o Extras 4 Total , ... ... ... ... 24

GARDEN PARTY.

The garden party given for the benefit of the St Stephen’s Sunday School build ing fund commenced this afternoon at thres o’clock. Thero was a fair attend ance, but it is not expected that much business will be done until the evening, when the charge for entrance after seven o’clock will bo one shilling. The stalls on the ground are under the control of the following ladies :—fancy goods, Mrs ' Trevor and Miss Johns ; fruit, Mrs Ourtit and Mrs C. Fooks; tea, Mrs Felton and ' Miss Moss; liquor (strictly temperate); Mrs and the Missrs Gates. The following will also assist in ministering to the wants of visitors so far as tea is concerned: —Mesdaraes Mayo, Truckle, Bose, Ben- . nett, Poyntz, Haines, Permain and Miller and Misses Cave, Compton and Hogg. '1 he stalls are admirably laid out, and are sure to attract attention. A lawn tennis court has been prepared for lovers of the game as well as other amusements, and there is also a gipsy’s tent where, fortunes can be told with unerring accuracy. Within the parsonage a museum of curio sities and a collection of works of art have been got together, and admirers of artistic and natural beauties can de rive delight from the contemplation - of valuables from China, India, Mount v! Somers and several other places. A splendid collection of New Zealand but terflies will be found in this museum, which cannot fail to interest, and no doubt will be extensively patronised this evening. Should the weather continue fine we confidently expect to see a very large attendance to-night, and the party will no doubt be as successful as its pre decessors. The pyrotechnic display is promised to commence at half past nine, and is reported to have been preps red without regard to expense.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[rBOTBE’s TKLBORAMB—COPYRIGHT, ] Distribution of Titles. London, Dec. 10. It is officially announced that Alfred Tennyson, Poet Laureate, has been raised to the peerage, with the title of Baron. Surgeon-General Sir J. Brown, K.C.8., Honorary Surgeca to . the Queen, and Professor J. Lister, Surgeon Extraordinary to Her Majesty, have been created Baronets. A Loan. The tenders for the Tiraaru Harbor : Board loan of Ltoo,ooo, which were' opened to-day, ranged from 98 to 101. [Received Deo. 12, 11.40 am] - Farewell Banquet. London, Dec. 11. Dr Barry, the Bishop-elect of Syd ney, New South Wales, was entertained ; at a banquet at Worcester last evening. Sir Saul Samuel, the Agent-General in'r London for New South Wales, was among the guests. The French Government. Pabis, Dec. 10. In the Chamber of Ejeputies to-day; 1 a debate took place upon the Tonquiq policy of the Government, at the condu- ” sion of which votes of credit an<f confidence in the Government vyere passed by large majorities. In the course of his speech M. Ferry declared

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1883,



200 500 500 yds. yds. yds. Tl Lieut. Fooks 21 21 15- -57 Captain Douglas ... 22 21 12- -55 Private Irvine 22 13 19- -54 Private Leitch 23 13 18- 54 Private Groves ... 20 19 13- -52 Bugler Savage ... 18 15 18- -51 Private G. Parkin 22 21 8- -51 Sergeant Nelson ... 11 21 18- -50 Lientenant Dolman 18 17 15- -50 Private Stephens... 19 19 12- -50 Sergeant Jessop ... 10 20 19- -49 Private Andrewes 17 15 15- -47 Private Ashton ... 12 19 15- -46 Corporal McDonald 10 20 13- -43 Private Crocker ... 17 13 13- -43 Private Hooper ... 16 11 7- -34 Private Gates 16 3 6- -25



CHRISTMAS HI W YE A R GIF TS. A T NOW OPEN ' HILL’S SAMPLE BOOMS, Opposite Arcade. Monster Bazaar Fancy Fair. p. CLARK, Hairdresser. 11 929 Beward Books, Presents, Prizes, Toys, Dolls, &c. H. M. J O N East street. E S; 11 877 A S H BURTON HOTEL, East street, near Bridge. MBS 'M. A. L. WOODLEY, (Late of Clarendon Hotel, Dunedin, and Hinds Hotel), Has taken this very commodious house, which is jiow elaborately furnished throughout, and Invites the patronage of the general public. Only the best Wines, Spirits, and Liquors kept in stock. Good Stabling provided. J M. A. L, WOODLEY, 12 1036 Proprietress. m © •o*S •fc a ° « ’|S95 m gp O SO *||; a 1'? i | I f2 « a •N <© O Q 2* H O i o e*s* *■2 i ,is 3, ■■ fl S-c, »S Z : E.S? $ I.M A T E BACK ANNUAL RACES, DEO. 27th, .loxr on the ' waiblate racecourse. Nominations must be sent in to the andqnugned not later than Dec. 11th, at S p*iu, No qualification!ee required. W. A. COLLINS, 12 1043 Secretary.



ArXi-flik-* TIO SPORTS, is: SPORTS. To be held on the Ground of the Ashbur ton Cricket end Athletic Sports Ground Company on MONOAY.DKO. 17, 1883. ' OoMMlrnui; : T. Bullock Samuel 6. Nelson J. McLean Dunn Andrew Orr routes J. 7. W. C. P. EL Jephson E, 0. Prebble B. Reddin S. Saunders G. J. Shaw D. Thomas Dr Leahy *•*■''' H. Zander '• Judges-0. 0. Fooks. Dr Leahy, S. B. Nelfoo. M. Stitt, and D. Thomas. BaAwdpiterß—J. Anderson and M. G U. Digby. , T JSander. :*'• fitartort-8. £ sunders. JOHN A. CAYGILL, Bon. Secretary.



Wanted WANTED —For three months, good GRASS for 2,000 sheep. Apply Matson, Cox & Co. 12 1037 WANTED Known—That Hayes and Co. have about 196 pairs of Ladies’ Cashmere Boots, splendid value, at 3s 6d. WANTED Known—/or Sale, two COTTA'. .ES on East Belt. Cheap, easy terms. Apply W. C. Davis or Ward and Sons. 12 1012 WANTED Situations for Nurses, Housemaid and Housekeeper (town or country). Apply, Mis Hodge’s Registry Office, Tanored street, opposite Arcade. 12 1050 WANTED KNOWN— Robeet Elston, Bill Poster, Theatrical Agent, etc., Town Hall, Ashburton. Theatrical companies and others visiting Ashburton should communicate with the above. Orders by post or telegram promptly attended to. 760 c WANTED— A MASTER and MIS TRESS for the Springburn School; a married man preferrrd. Wife as mis tress. Number on roll, 56; salary, as per scale. None bat 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,jlßß3. —T. E. Mcßae, Chairman of Committee. 12 1017



WANTED Known—That in conse quence of the rapid increase of business, John Moison, Impermeable Bootmaker, has been compelled to get a large stock of Boots of a superior quality in the town in order to meets the demands of his customers, and those who may pur chase from him will find no deception as to price or quality. As J. M. has gained the public trust in the past by doing best work and fit, combined with neatness and style, he intends even to make greater exertions in the future. Fowler’s Build ings, Tancred street (opposite Arcade), Ashburton. 7 207 WANTED KNOWN—That Mr Dan Lea’s Gymnasium is the only place for real amusement ; admittance free. Every kind of amusement to be ob tained on the premises calculated to please the general public—American Bowls, Skittles, Shooting, Boxing, Fencing, Horizontal Bar, Trapeze, etc. Temper ance Drinks, Cigars, etc. Tickets— monthly 2s 6d, for use of Horizontal Bar, Trapeze, Single-sticks, Dumb-bells, Indian Clubs, etc. Dan Lea is always at his post to give lessons in Boxing, lesson £1 per mop*h, or according to arrangement. Special Advertisements. GUARDIAN is on every Tea .able in Ashburton. BALL PROGRAMME CARDS in very neat styles, with Pencils and Ribbons, printed at the Guardian Office, Wsst street STOP THAT COUGH 1 DON’T DELAY.—How can you stop it “? Where, a the Remedy. Bennington’s PECTORAL OXYMEL OF 0 A BRA CE SN or IRISH MOSS (register 1), can produce more evidence of real merit than any other article for the purpose. Sold everywhere. G Bonnington, Christchurch. 1344



A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL. Bazaar AND Fancy Fair AT ANDREWES BROS., East Street South, COMMENCING WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER sth. CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR GIFTS in great variety. INTENDING PURCHASERS OF CLOTHING FOB THE j SPRING AND SUMMER SEASON 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 daring 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 b -neSt 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 CHEAP, FURNITURE AND RED DING MANUFACTORY, EAST STREET SOUTH, ASHBURTON. £7l VERY article Sold at Christchurch AJ Prices and g4»ranteed bea. of 'uuTorial and workmanship. ~ FUN ERA L 8 CHE APLY & COMPLETELY FURNISHED



Special Advertisements. INTRODUCTION OF THE PARCEL SYSTEM. Fashion F -vusb, Cashel street, Ch.Atchurch. 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 distanc 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. C. 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 cost 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 oxydiaed buttons, to match ... ... ... ... 0 16 1 pair warm lined fur-top spring cuff gk ves 0 2 6



£1 9 10 Our No. 2,30 b household parcel, contaius— Worth 1 pair good medium size blan kets ... ... ... ... 1 0 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 Empress black velveteen ... 1 7 6 3 yds good silesia for lining ... 0 2 0 2 doz new style oxydised buttons 0 16 1 handsome striped winter skirt 0 9 6 1 durable silk umbrella, paragon frame ... ... ... ... 0 8 0 I choice silk chenille scarf ... 0 3 11 £2 12 5 Our No. 4, Ladies’ parcel for £2, contains — Worth 1 dress piece (12 yds) French check costume cloth ... ... 1 1 0 3 yds silesia lining for same ... 0 2 0 2 doz choice buttons, to match dress ... ... 0 16 1 good warm Ladies’ tweed ulster 0 17 6 1 black quilted alpaca skirt ... 010 0 1 white or colored wool wrap ... 0 6 6 I I pair lisle lined fur-top spring cuff gloves 0 2 0 £2 19 6 Our No. 5, household parcel for £2 10a, contains — Worth 1 pair large size good witney blankets ... 1 10 6 1 nice large size good honeycomb quilt ... ... ... ... 014 6 1 pair good heavy white sheets 0 9 6 6 good value honeycomb towels 0 4 0 6 yds heavy Welsh flannel ... 0 8 0 £3 6 6 Our No. 6, family parcel for £3, contains— Usual price 12 yds super Roslyn flannel (pure wool) ... ... ... _ ••• 018 0 24 yds splendid white calico, heavy make 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 ... ... ... 076 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 ... 03 0 1 pair Ladies’ two-button choice black kid gloves 0 4 6 £ doz Ladies’ cambric handker chiefs, in fancy box ... ... 0 5 6 £2 19 6 Our No. 8, furnishing parcel for £lO, contains— Worth 20 yds nice pattern goctd tapestry carpet 3 6 0 1 nice pattern hearthrug, to match .v ... 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 wiiney blan kets ... ... ... ... 10 0 1 full size white honeycomb or toilet quilt 0 14 0 1 choice pattern wool tafalecover 0 15 6 2 white Turkish bath towels ... 0 3 0 6 white or unbleached honey- j comb towels 0 4 6 2 white antimacassars ... ... 0 2 0 2 white toilet covers ... ... 0 4 0 6 yds linen check glass cloth ... 0 6 0 1 superior white linen tablecloth 0 11 6 £ll 15 0 Our No. 1, wedding parcel for £4, contains— Worth 1 dress (12 yds) pretty shade in cashmere ... _ ... ... 117 6 2 yds pretty shade in satin, to match 0 13 6 1 dress (12 yds) good costume cloth 1 1 0 2 yds rich colored velveteen, to match ... ... ... ... 0 7 0 6 yds good silesia ... ... 06 0 3 doz buttons, to match dresses 0 2 0 8 yds braid, to match dresses ... 0 0 8 1 pair two-button first choice tinted or white kid gloves ... 0 5 0 6 Ladies’ linen collars ... ... 0 3 0 6 Ladies’ linen handkerchiefs ... 0 6 6 3 pairs Ladies’ nice hose 0 4 6 £5 5 8 Our No. 2, wedding parcel for £lO, contains — A very complete trousseau. Our No. 9, Ladies’ (half-price) parcel for L 5, contains — Usual price 1 Ladies’ handsome mantle ... 217 6 1 Ladies’ beautiful real sable muff and collarette ... ... ... 4 10 0 1 Ladies’ quilted satin skirt ... 1 0 0 1 fashionable tweed ulster, in leading shades i ... 110 0 £9 17 6 A problem whereby Ladies may stay at home and order their drapery in perfect confidence Just try one parcel and see what you will save. Remember—Cash returned at once for any article returned in good condition. Samples post free on application to any part of New Zealand, In ordering any of these parcels, it is sufficient to quote number and name of parcel only. P.C.O. made payable to E O. BROWN & CO., Fanhion House, Christchurch. 1362



Special Advertisement. 0 T I 0 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) Inspector ; National Bank of New Zealand (Ld.), D. HEAN, Interim Inspector ; Colonial Bank of New Zjaland, JOS. PALMER, O. O. for N.Z. ; Bank of New South Wales, W. G. RHIND, Inspector; Bank of Australasia, TdloOl(l) E. W. MORRAH, ew /j3aiana, G. COWIE, General Manager ; The Bank of New Zealand, 12 1051 W. L. MURDOCH, General Manager.