SHIPPING.

J*ORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. To-dat. Grafton, a.a., from Oamaru. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Arrived —Aurora, from Sydney. Sailed —India, for Samoa ; Camille, for Aratspu, to load for Melbourne. Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived —Ringarooma, from ■ Sydney, via Auckland and the East Coast; Taia roa, from Lyttelton ; Wave, L: g, from Dunedin; Spec, schooner, from Have lock. Sailed—Taiaroa, for Picton and Nelson; Ringarooma, for Melbourne, via South. Timaru, Yesterday. Arrived—Amateur, from Lyttelton ; Orest of the Wave, from Greymouth. Dunedin, Yesterday. Arrived—Motely, brigantine, from New York (Sept. 14.) Sailed—Defiance, for Auckland; Martha Reid, for Hokitika ;. Candidate, barque, for Wellington ; Hawea, for the North. Bluff, Yesterday. Arrived—Eotomahana, from Mel bourne.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office as follows: For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m. 10.30 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. ' For Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., daily. For Timaru and South,'at 6 a.m., 10 a.m., and 4.30 p.m., daily. For Greenstreet, on Tuesdays and Fri days, at 10.30 a.m. ♦For tfount Somers, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 6 «.m. and 4.30 p.m. For Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days, at 6 £.m. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, at 4.30p.m. daily. For Flemington, on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 430 p. tri. For Wakanui, Elgin, Seaview, Seafield, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 a.m. For Newlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days at 10.30 a.m.

Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office—

From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.15 *,m., 4.35 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. From Chertsey, <fec. at 10.15 a.m, and 435 p.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 6.80 p.in. daily. From Temuka and Timaru at 10.40 a. m. 5.30 p.m., and 8 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet, Tuesdays and Fri , days, at 3 p.m. From Mount Somers, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 10.5 a.m. and 8.15 p.m. From Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur ' days, at 10.5 a.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.m. daily. From Flemington on Tuesdays, Thurs days, and Saturdays, pt 10 a.m. From Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sat urdays, at 4 p.m. From Newlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days, at 9.30 a.in.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES Saturday, January 20. Matson, Cox, and Co., at their Bazaar— -1 Horses, Cows, Pigs, Poultry, Sundries, &o.; 11.30a.m. * Mr X, Bullock, at the Bazaar—Horses, 1 p.m. Mr. T. Bullock, at the Bazaar, Burnett street —Landed Property ; 1.30 p.m. . Mr W. F. Allen, at his rooms, Burnett / street—Horses, Pigs, Poult> General Produce, «£c.; 11.30 a.m. Mr Alfred Harrison, at the yards— Horses, Pigs, Produce, &o.; 12 noon. Tuesday, January 23. Matson, Cox and Co., at the Tinwald Yards—Stock. Mr Alfred Harrison, at Saunders’ Build ings—Photographer’s Plant; 2p. m. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Ao To-Night, Tuesday, January 16. Lecture by Archibald Forbes Town Hall, 8 p.m. To-morrow, Wednesday, January 17. Bachelors’ Ball—Town Hall. Friday, January 19. Maccabe’s Entertainment —Town Hall, 8 p.m. Friday, January 26. w jomerset Lodge, Monthly Meeting, in th# Masonic Hall, Tancred street, 7.30. Saturday, February 3.- Wakanui Road Board—Monthly Meeting, Road Board Office, Moore street Monday, February, 12, County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o'clock.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

.Crains Leave Ashburton #6r Christ ohuech and intermediate stations at 7.10 a,m., 10.55 a.m., and (Express) 5.39 p.m. Trains Leave Ashburton for Timard AND South, at 6.50 a.m., 10,25 a.m. (Express),and 4.45 p.m.—thelatterpro ceeding no fartber than Timaru. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Christchurch at 10 20 a.m. (Express), 4.36 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Timaru and South at 10.45 a.m., 5.28 p.m. (Express), and 8 p.m.

MARRIAGE.

Thompson Sullivan. —On the 15th January, at the Wesleyan Parsonage, by the Rev. C. H. Standage, Samuel, third son of Mr Henry Thompson, to Nellie, third daughter of D. E. J. Sul livan.

DEATH.

Oughton. —On January 15, at Cameron street West, Francis Edith, only and beloved child of E. and F. Oughton, aged ten months ; deeply ra_-retted.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prevalebit. TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1883. Imprisonment for Debt.

The Judgment delivered by the Dun edin Resident Magistrate yesterday, the text of which will be found in another column, will serve to correct a very widespread error. Although the law is, as Mr Carevv pointed out, explicit enough, a great number of people imagine that when a judgment sum mons is issued it is only necessary to prove that the debtor has been in pos session of money sufficient to meet a particular liability, and that he has ap plied it to other purposes. But the law requires something more than this. The phrase “ sufficient means and ability to pay” is interpreted to signify money over and above what is required for the maintenance of a household, and, if the debtor has one, the support of a family. In fact, an intention to defraud must be proved before a com mittal to prison can be made out. This is clearly the intention of the Imprison ment for Debt Abolition Act, and if oeople bore this clearly in mind they might be saved considerable trouble ind not a little annoyance. In the case idjudicated upon in Dunedin the Act jives to a laboring man who has a family o support a perfectly justifiable pro ection; but at the same time there are nen who take advantage of the pro- : n'sions laid down to escape < he payment of their * just debts. i.et us take a hypothetical case. ; man runs into debt without having ] he slightest intention of paying, and ; vhen a judgment summons is taken < tut he shields himself behind the law, ] 'leading that his earnings are not sUffi- > ient for him to meet his liabilities. It ! nay be that his wifepossessesmoney, but ’ it is settled upon her, and she refuses * o pay her husband’s debts, it is doubt- f il if the law can compel her to do so. f ’here can be no question that, morally t peaking, the man, in such a case as c r e have cited, is guilty of an intention j > defraud, although the law may take £ different view. The instance we £ ave given is by no means exceptional, nd it would be an advantage to the n ommunity if a law could be framed <3 hich not only protected the unfortu- \ ate, but would also punish the guilty. t ; would be a distinct advantage to £ iciety if some of the men of the kind £ e have referred to could be deprived c f their liberty for a time, and we hope h lat some measure will be framed next J i<

session in the direction we have indi cated.

School Committee Election. —The annual meeting of the Committee takes place on Monday evening next, at the Borough School. Directly after the meeting the annual election of commit teemen will be held. The Grots. —ln another column will be found a report of the crops in the Sea field district. We purpose giving reports on the various districts in the County in each subsequent issue. Our Mayfield correspondent writes ; —“ Harvest is now just common-ing in this district, and the crops are looking splendid. The first rains came just in time to prevent the crops f.om dying off altogether.”

Police Court. —A man named John Murphy, of Tiuwald was brought up at the Court this morning charged with ex cessive drinking. He presented a pitiable spectacle. Sergeant Felton stated that t'e prisoner had made an attempt to burn his house down last night, and he had also smashed a quantity of furniture. The accused made a rambling statement to the Bench, and the presiding Magistrate (Mr R, Alcorn) then committed him to Ad dington for eight days.

Marine Insurance. —The Insurance Association have decided to reduce the rates on vessels loading for Home inside the Timaru breakwater from 47s 6d to 37s 6d, thus making them in reality the same as in Lyttelton, Port Chalmers, and other principal ports, with current coastal rates. The ship Margaret Galbraith will be brought inside the breakwater to discharge and load for Home. The barques Sea Toller and Silver Lining have already loaded wool inside this season, and the Ganymede is rapidly filling up.

Railway to Fairlie Creek. —At a public meeting held at Fairlie Creek, on Friday, it was resolved to request the member for the district to ag>iu urge on the Government the necessity of com pleting the railway line to Fairlie Creek. The formation has long since been finished. At present the Government intend that the line shall be completed two miles and a half from the township to the middle of the open plain, which will render it quite useless for carrying the heavy stock of grain grown this year in the district. A Matrimonial Experiment. — A con signment of fifty women will (says a Home paper of November 25th) be despatched in a few days from Bordeaux to Names at the expense of the State, and on the dis tinct understanding that on reaching their destination they must contract marriage with those convicts whom the local autho rities wish to reward for good conduct by conferring wives upon them. It should be explained at once that these women have not been pressed into the service. Although “ old offenders,” they are going to Numea of their own free will to settle down as respectable convicts’ wives. How the match-making will be carried on is at present unexplained. Perhaps the per sons most interested will be . llowed to choose their partners ; perhaps, to avoid heartburnings, 'he lottery system will be resorted to. Were the principle of open competition and lovemaking admitted, the most frightful consequences might ensue, considering the imperfect civilisa -1 tion of the settlement. If these difficul ties are avoided, France will deserve credit for the heroic manner in which she has at length set herself the task of increasing the population of her colonies. Mr Milner Stephen. —A clergyman in Wellington, the Rev. R. Coffey, preached a sermon last Sunday on Mr Milner Stephen. He strongly condemned the position taken up by that gentleman with regard to his alleged powers of heal ing, and argued that while Mr Stephen persisted in attributing the possession of his gift direct from God for the good of mankind or for any special godly service, he put himself in the position of the prophets and apost'es, whose gift of power to work miracles was credited as proving them to be messengers of God, for the exercise of which they dared not, and did not, receive money. Mr Milner Stephen dare not take money for the ex ercise of this gift (if it be a gift) without putting himself in the position of Simon, and all who countenanced him by their presence were equally guilty. The Rev. Mr Coffey mentioned that a number of persona had asked him to certify that they were not in a position to pay the fee de manded by Mr Stephen, viz., two guineas, and said he thought such a charge would amount in a year to at least Llo.ooo—rather a good price for a gift which Mr Stephen asserted had been be stowed upon him for the benefit of humanity at large. The Austral. —lt is noticeable that ex perts writing about the sinking of the Austral are unanimous that the ship was top-heavy, and that when the ballast was out «f her she merely assumed her natural position. An intere ting article in the Army and Navy Gazette says :—“ Naval architecture has sadly degenerated. We once had ships. We now have flea ing coffins. The pith toy, leaded at one and, which turns turtle when stood lead up permost, illustrates exactly what our mo dern ships are'built to do. It is now the exception to find a ship able to shift with out ballast. It used to be the rule. But those good old days are gone. We have entered upon others. The theory of the beauty of ugli ness finds favor at the Admiralty. The mercantile marine swarms with ships which will not shift without ballast. We last week condemned the Polyphemus ; that is to say, the Polyphemus having condemned herself, as we said she would when Mr Barnaby first disclosed the lines cn which he had designed her, we con demned the Admiralty for persisting in constructing this vessel on lines known to bo worthless. We also condemned the mo dern style of naval architecture introduced by'Sir E. J. Reed and Mr Barnaby. We stated it to be wrong, de fond en comhle. Little did we expect those words would so soon be proved by events to be but too true. But proved true they have been. Before our readers had perused the re marks we made regarding the cause of the failure of the Polyphemus, the Austral had turned turtle in Sydney harbor.”

An Irish Princess.— “ Frank File” writes to the Boston Herald : Down near the lower end of Washington street, not far from the deep hole that has been dug to hold the lower two stories of Cyrus W. Field’s great mercantile building stands a row of cheap tenement houses. In the doorway of one of these human hives, with dirty children darting past her, with slovenly women lounging around her, with the stench of the dirty street per meating the air she breathed, I saw an Irish Princess. Her person excited my curiosity before I knew that she was a personage of account. She was not much under six feet in height. She stooped and was angular. Her face was large and had striking features, including open blue eyes and a wide sensitive mouth, Her complexion was clearer pink and white than could be painted, and her hair was flaxen and wavy. I guess that she was thirty years old. She wore an out of date costume of velvet and lace. There is no joke in my asserting that Ohalotte O’Brien (that is her name) is an Irish Princess. She tr"ces her descent without a hiatus from Brian Boru down, and some say a distance of 1,500 years before that rude monarch ruled over the Emerald King dom. If her brother, who is named after the patriot, his father, William Smith O’Brien, had what Ireland claims as his right, he would wear a crown. The peasantry would have worshipped her on this account alone, but since she has dedk, cate 1 her life to effecting a proper and humane treatment for immigrants, they idolise her as a saint.

The Effects of an Earthquake.— There had been a time when Cape Hay tien boasted the proud title of “ Little Paris,” says a writer in the Patterson Pi 'exs. Its charming climate, its un rivalled scenery, its prodigality of riches, its exhaustless sumptuousness, made it a marked and distinguished spot, an Elysium beloved and far-famed. But the evening of May 7, 1842, was a memorable date in the history of this fair garden. People were eating, drinking, and making merry in their homes. No evil was dreamed of, no suspicion of calamity was entertained, no portentous signs warned them of their peril. Suddenly, like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, a terrific noise was heard ; nature was in her con vulsive throes ; the foundations of the earth were stirred. Men started up with blanched faces, women shrieked and wept, children crouched down paralysed with fright. To escape was impossible. Al ready yawning gaps were seen in the mas sive walls. The heavy roofs fell in with a deafening crash, giant buildings tottered and fell, the air was filled with flying timbers and stones and sickening gases. Alas ! the earthquakes so common in the West Indies had visited this proud city. In a few minutes 7,000 persons, with all their possessions, were buried alive under tons of broken masonry. To us it was a sad and mournful spectacle. What a gloomy and sightless cemetery ! There lay 'he uncoffinbd bones of the once rich and powerful and beautiful. No human hands had touched that monumental pile. Forty years have passed, and to-day the eye of the tourist surveys the same awful desolation that once filled the whole city with crying and bitter lamentation.

The Peninsula Election. —The nomi nation of candidates for this election seems to have been a very lively affair. One of the candidates, Mr Larnach, caused some excitement by stating that he was in favor of treating the Chinese who came to this colony fairly and humanely. He added that there were savages in civilised countries who shot their fellowmen from behind hedges and ditches, and the Chinam n were not to be compared with these. Mr Donnelly and Mr Wells made short speeches, but Dr Moran spoke at some length. In the course of his speech he said :—lt was not true that he was the nominee of this man or that, or under their instructions. Nor was he a man to be under instructions from any man beyend his own principles. It was said that ho was one of a hierarchy that had been tyrants everywhere. Was that true? Take the history of the British Empire, and it would disprove that assertion. Every time that Catholics had power in their hands in Ireland, they refrained with great praiseworthiness from inflict ing injustice upon any man, and from doing an injury to any man on the score of religion. Maryland, one of the most flourishing States of America, was founded by Catholics, and they es tablished in it the principle of univer sal liberty, but when the other party gained the ascendency they intro duced the penal laws, and it was the men who introduced penal laws there and in England, and everywhere where penal laws existed, that turned round on him and said—“ You are the advocate of penal laws and of tyranny.” He was the victim of penal laws and tyranny, and was of the race and religion that had been the vic tims of penal laws and tyranny for cen turies. The men who said this could not but know that they were speaking un truth, and that they were charging falselj upon him the principles on which they were acting in this very election. Con siderable laughter and applause was caused by his referring to the editor, of a local journal as an “ old woman.”

Holloway’s Pills.— Health'or Wealth.— No sane person would hesitate an instant in the choice between these two conditions. Now is the season to secure the former either by restoring or confirming it. These Pills ex pel all impurities from the system which fogs, foul vapours, and variable temperatures en gender during winter ; this medicine also acts most wholesomely upon the skin by disgorging the liver of its accumulated bile, and by ex citing the kidneys to more energetic action ;it increases the appetite for food and strengthens the digestive process. The stomach and liver, which most disorders originate, are fully under the control of these regenerative Pills, which act very kindly yet most efficiently on the tenderest bowels.—[Advt.]

THE CROPS.

[by our special reporter.] Seafield-

Taking the Seafield district yesterday first in my route. I proceeded according to instructions to examine the crops, and obtain any information as to the probable yields the various farmers expect this season. The wheat and oat crops in this district look remarkably well, little or no rust being discernible, and considering the nature of the"*laud, which is, for the most part more suitable for sheep grazing than corn producing, promise very good yields. The reapers and binders are in following, Wood’s and McCormick’s being the principal ones used. A great number of acres of < ats are cut and stacked and the wheat harvest has already commenced. Mr o‘Dare is cutting a magnificent crop, which will ihreshi at least 30 bushels per acre. The heavy rale we experienced o i the 26th

and 27th of last month, seems to have

done very little damage to tho crops in this district, only one farmer whose land is

near the sea informed me that the gale had

levelled a few acres of his wheat. But the wind has not done so much harm as those great enemies, the fanner has to contend against, viz., the small birds, who are reaping their harvest as usual at the expense of the agriculturist. The far mers round Seafield have gone in exten sively for plantation growing, and the clumps of gum and other trees which are already some height not only afford shelter round the various homesteads, but a most pleasing break to what was only i few years back a most dreary plain. Mr Parsons has a plantation of blue gums of three years growth, which are 15 ft high, uid were his own sowing. I must men ;ion another very great artificial boon to ;his district, viz , the county water-races ; ! or in every mile during my forty mile •ide we came across these refreshing streams. I have been careful to examine for myself the crops, and although the farmers themselves have in some instances stated their probable yields to be less than what I put them down at, I think 1 have understated the probable return rather than otherwise. Coming first to Mr J. W. Maiden’s farm, I found he had land under crop to the extent of 255 acres, of which 170 are in wheat, 55 in oats, and 30 in rye grass. The threshing machine was at work with the grass seed, and the crop was turning out 15 bushels per acre. The wheat, which is rather thin, will average about 23, and the oats 25 bushels per Off this land last season the average was, wheat 10, oats 14, and grass seed 8 bushels per acre. Mes rs Moore and Olncas have 408 acres in crop, 210 of which are in wheat and 168 in oats. They expect an average of 20 bushels of wheat and 30 bushels of oats to the acre. Mr Parsons has some very good looking crops. His acreage under crop is 300 acres of wheat and 75 acres of oats. I can safely put his f acreage yield down at, wheat 25 bushels, and oats 35 bushels per acre. Messrs Roberts and Winter have 2,000 acres of crop altogether, which will aver age 30 bushels per acre all round. Mr O’Daro hai about the same quantity of land in crop, and will average the same. Mr D. Brick has 500 of mixed crop, look ing very well. Mr T. Richardson has about 180 acres in wheat, which will aver- i ago 18 bushels, and 30 acres of oats, i which will yield fairly. I may mention I that Mr Richardson would have had'more t

crop, but part was unfortunately destroyed by the late gale, and the small birds have wrought considerable damage. Mr Strouts has 500 acres of crop, all of which is pretty good, and will run about 18 bushels all round. Messrs Collison Bros, have 300 acres of crop—2oo in wheat and 100 in oats ; the wheat was sown on clover lay, which was not skim-ploughed, and the crop will average about 25 bushels per acre. Mr Murdoch Bruce has 200 acres of crop. The wheat will run out 23 and the oats 35 bushels. This gentleman has, I believe, the beat sample of rye grass seed in the district. Mr W. B. Denshire has 100 acres of oats, which will realise about 30 bushels to the acre. He has also stripped 100 acres of grass, which produced 15 bushels of seed to the acre. Mr Michael Healey has 100 acres of wheat sown on grass land, which will bring him about 25 to 30 bnshels per acre. I noticed two of the best draught entires in the district Chance, and a magnificent animal which Mr Healey has lately purchased at Temuka. Mr E. G. Wright has a very extensive crop of wheat, which looks grand, and will aver age at least 30 bushels. Mr Robinson, whose land adjoins that of Mr Wright, has another remarkably fine-looking crop, which will no doubt yield from 25 to 30 bushels per acre.

LAND SALE.

A sale of Crown lands was held to-day at the Town Hall by Mr Marshman, the Crown Lands Commissioner. There was only a limited attendance ; still, the prices realised must be considered very satis factory. The Ashburton town sections elicited some little competition. They were nearly all situated on the west side of the town. The following is a list of land sold and the prices realised :

36. ~ o x o ,64 ORARI TOWNSHIP. I* I " 37. C. Griffiths o 1 o* J &7 10 38. S. B. Nelson o I o 7 10 RURAL LAND, NORTH RANGITATA. 39. \V. Baxter 138 2 28 o 40. W. Baxter 316 333 729 2 VILLAGE SETTLEMENT, NEAR ORARI. 41. E. Gillum ... ... 500 xo A number of lots on the deferred pay ment system, and also town and suburban lands at Orari, were offered, but there were no buyers.

ARCHIBALD FORBES.

The name of Archibald Forbes is so widely known and his lectures have been so successful both in America and Aus tralia that we fully expected to see the Town Hall crowded on the occasion of his first appearance in Ashburton. This, however, was not the case, for though there was a very fair attendance there were more vacant seats than there should have besn, considering the merits of the

lecture. Few men have passed through so many hardships as Mr Forbes has,' but still he is in the prime of life, and judging from his appearance he is capable of going through as much in the future as he has done in the past. The subject of the lecture last night was the “ Experiences of a War- Correspondent, and after prefacing it with a little anecdoti concerning General Skobeleff and himself, Mr Forbes went on to give the audience his notion of an ideal war-correspondent, and his enumeration of the qualities necessary for the holder of such a position caused considerable amusement. Personal reminiscences of the Franco-Prussian Wa”, the Servian campaign, and the Russo-Turkish, Afghan and Zulu wars followed. It is unnecessary to speak in detail of the lecture, in which the scenes of the various campaigns Mr Forbes has witnessed were described with great graphic power, enlivened here and there with touches of quaint dry humor, that were heartily appreciated. At the outset the lecturer asked the audience to forgive him if his remarks savoured of the egotistical, explaining that no method had yet been found to enable a man to speak of himself and not lay himself open to that charge. There is no need to say that a lecture coming from a journalist so dis tinguished was a literary matorpiece. Whether it was in describing the state of Paris after the entry of the Prussians, or

the celebrated attack of ihe Russians on Plevna, or narrating the pathetic story of a young sergeant in the Germ m army who was married on the eve of a battle in which a few hours later he was killed, the lecturer was equally successful. What gives to Mr Forbes’s narrative special in terest is the fact that he does not treat of other men’s adventures, but the audience know that the man who is speaking to them has endured the vicissitudes he nar rates. There can be no doubt that the duties of a war correspondent are sur-

rounded by very great danger, and in this branch of journalism Mr Forbes has every right to claim that he has in augurated a new era. As he pointed out last night, the correspondence of Dr Rus sell, at the time of the Crimean war, differed altogether from what was de manded by newspaper readers now. Five and twenty years ago people were satisfied if they were furnished with the details of a battle some days after it had been fought, but now the telegraph wires are brought into requisition, and news of vic : tory or defeat is transmitted and is known to the stay-at-home public very soon after the event has tran pired. Indeed, as Mr Forbes instanced, on one occasion he was able apparently to “ beat time, 1 ' and the I readers of the Daily News received intel ligence of a victory in Afghan at eight o’clock in the morning when the message was actually dated two hours later. But though the lecture was, of necessity, chiefly concerned with the personal ad ventures o? Mr Forbes, the lecturer did not fail to recognise the merit of many of his confreres. The generous tribute to the brave MacGahan, a name that will long be remembered in the annals of journalism, was loudly applauded, and his humorous description of the young gentleman who was sent to assist him in Servia, and who turned out to be absolutely useless, was given in such a manner as to evoke hearty laughter. From first to last Mr Forbes keeps his audience interested. He has a story to tell and he tells it well, never letting the horrors of war become too prominent, although we are made to perfectly realise them, as for example when he described the terrible spectacle that met the eyes of those who passed over the field of battle

after the massacre of British troops by the Zulus. Mr Forbes may not possess the qualities of a professional lecturer; his speaking is at times rather strained, but this is of little moment when the subject matter is so excellent. It is not too much to say that no entertainment at once so interesting and instructive as that of Mr Forbes has ever been given before in Ash burton, and it is to be hoped that there will be a larger attendance at the lecture to-night than there was last evening. “Kings and Princes I have Met ” will be the subject treated of, and judging from what our contemporaries sayabout it, those who are present may expect a genuine treat.

SPORTING.

WELLINGTON SUMMER MEETING. The general entries for the Wellington Summer Meeting received last night were as follows : Wellington Cop (final payments)-*— Bundoora, t Turquoise, Louisa, Parera, Mischief, Armourer. Hurdles Handicap — Express, Ctor aence, Nutting, New Year. ? Flying Stakes Handicap Poet, Siesta, Minerva, Amulet, Painter, Ka kapo, Parera, Diosma, Mischief, Hippo damia, Hipporina, Dan O’Connell; Trea surer, Sou’-wester, Tasman. Hutt Park Stakes Handicap— Poet, Minerva, Siesta, Amulet, Turquoipe, Painter, Kakapo, Parera, Mischief, Hip podamia, Treasurer, Sou’-wester, T«sman. Hurdles Handicap (second day)—Ex press, Clarence, Nutting, New Year. Wellington Racing Club Handicap— Poet, Bundoora, Turquoise, Siesta, Louie, Dan, Dioama, Mischief, Hippodamia, Sou’-wester, Tasman.

Selling Race —Amulet, Diosma, Hip porina,

R4ilway Stakes Handicap The Poet, Minerva, Siesta, Amulet, Painter, Diosma, Mischief, Hippodamia, Dan O’Connell, Parera, Sou’-wester, Tasman.

AN IMPORTANT JUDGMENT.

In a case of procedure upon a judgment summons before the Dunedin Resident Magistrate yesterday, Mr Carew delivered a written judgment, for the purpose of explaining clearly the law relating to stxch cases. The plaintiff sought for an order to imprison the defendant. After quoting the Act to show the powers of the Ccsart, he concluded as follows;—In neatlyl'all the cases brought in this Court, the plain tiff signs an application, a material part of which is in the following form, and the plaintiff in this case has done so “I undertake to prove to the satisfaction of the Court at the hearing that the judg ment debtor has, or has had, since the date of the judgment, the means to pay the sum in respect of which he has made default. lam aware that if I do,not prove the same accordingly that I' shall have to pay the costs «f his summbns.” Thi i seems to me very clear and explicit, and I f«el convinced that, many judgment creditors, if they would read and apply a meaning to these few simple words printed in the form of the application be fore proceeding to sign, would quickly understand their position, and go no further in the matter, save the charge far Court fees, much time, and frequently teffiper. Very often it is clear that plaintiffs tfilfcjc all that they have to do is to show that there is a judgment debt unpaid, while others will go further to prove that a debtor has had some money, and that what monhy he has he has not applied towards extinguish ing the debt; but I take k different view of the law. which I will presently explain. The evidence in the present case proves that defendant is a laborer, and has re ceived since the date of the judgmopt in two payments between L 3 and Is, 12s, being his gross earnings for four wieeks. Now this is more than sufficient in amount to have paid the plaintiffs claim, and in that sense he has had the means to pay it; but defendant has proved that he has no property nor means except his earnings as a laborer; that he has a wife and five young children dependent upon him for support, that house rent costs him 8s a week, and railway fare to get to his work 6s fl 6d a month. This would leave, at the. most, 28s 6d a week out of which to procure food, firing, clothing, and other., neces saries for seven persons ; and I feel no surprise that defendant has said it was not sufficient. I take it to be the polioypf the Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Act, to be gathered from the whole of the pro visions of the statute, that no person shall be imprisoned for debt in the absence of fraud, and read in that light I interpret the words “ sufficient means and ability to pay” to mean over and above what Is reasonably necessary .for the support and maintenance of the debtor and his wife and family, if ha has any, I have never held it necessary to prove that a debtor has had the fix’l amount of a*judg ment debt in hand at any one time, but I say the plaintiff may prove through the defendant or any other witness the gross earnings of the debtor or of the properly he may have owned since judgment was given. But it must be borne in mind that when the judgment has not ordered payment by instalments it is not sufficient for a plaintiff to prove that the debtor could have paid part of the money. ' That a debtor must live, and commits no fraud in applying the necessary part of his earn ings to that purpose, requires no explana tion. 1.

EUROPEAN ITEMS.

The people of Eastern Roumelia, which now forms a province of Turkey under a Christian Governor-General, are agitating for the formation of that province into an independent nation. It is now authoritatively denied that the envoys from the Queen of Madagascar were subjected to surveillance or treated as prisoners during their stay in Paris. It is reported that the wife of Archduke Rudolph, of Austria, has been threatened, and a gang of Italians have been arrested on a charge of conspiring to murder the Prince.

M. Leon Say, late French Minister of Finance, is prostrated by a severe : ’attack of the gout.

The Danube is still flooded, that river having inundated various towns upon its banks. Seventy persons hare perished by drowning since the flood commenced. An English agent having visited the Vatican and had several interviews with the Pope, asserted that he represented England in a semi-official way. Mir Glad stone, however, emphatically denied that the Government have in any way entered into communication with the Court of Rome. The matter has created great sensation in England, and Mr Gladstone’s denial is questioned in a good many quarters.

Amongst the troops ordered to return home from Egypt are the remaining batal lions of the Highland and Iri. h brigades, and they are now under orders to start immediately. A fatal affray is reported to have oc curred at Alexandria between some Tur kish and Egyptian members of the police force. Several deaths resulted.

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Melbourne, Jan. 9. The accounts of the Ballarat licensed Victuallers’ Association exhibit a; deficit of over LIOO. ; s

The general feeling throughout) the co lony is that the subscriptions raised in consequence of the Creswick disaster should form the nucleus of a permanent fund for .the relief of cases of distress arising through future accidents ifi mines. Four out of the five gentlemen asked by V

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1883.



ASHBURTON Lot. Purchaser. town Sections. Acreage. Price. I. J. Simmonds ... A, ... O R. I P. 0 £56 2. G. Jameson ... ... O I 1 36 3- , >i ... O I I 43 4- ,, ... O I I 25 5- ,, ... O I 0 28 6. ,, O I 0 29 7- R. Bird ... O I 0 36 8. ... O I 0 35 9- W. Anderson... ... O I 0 29 IO. R. Bird "! ... O I 0 32 n. ... O I 0 29 12. J. Davison O I 0 31 13- C. wV Purnell’* ... O I 0 28 14. ... O I 0 31 IS- G. Jameson ... ... O I 0 27 16, O I 0 26 17. ,, ... O I 0 29 18. Mrs Maloney ... ... O I 0 35 19. ... O 1 0 So 20. G. Jameson ... ... O I 0 33 21. ,, ... O 1 0 3i 22. ,, ... O I 0 32 23- ,, ... O I 0 34 24. ,, ... O I 0 46 2 5- s , ... O I 0 44 26. a ... I I 0 .4 2 27. J. Davison ... O I 0 46 28. G. Jameson ... ... 0 I 0 34 29. J. Quinn ... O I 0 44 3°. ... 0 I 0 46 3i. T. Connelly ... ... O I 0 48 32. ... O I 0 56 33- G. Jameson ... ... O I 0 48 34- ... O I 0 44 35- C. P. Cox ... ... 0 I 0 :48



THE SCOTTISH IMPERIAL in- SURANCE COMPANY. Head Office: 151, West George street, Glasgow. Capital ... £1,000,000 PIKE RISES taken at lowest current rates. Claims promptly settled here. W. R. BOYLE, Burnett street, Ashburton, CABINETMAKER & UPHOLSTERER. The above advertiser begs to intimate to bis numerous friends and customers that as he has EXTENDED HIS PREMISES He is now in a position to execute all kinds of FURNITURE at pricks to meet THE TIMES. .. Second-hand Furniture bought and ■old. First Prize awarded at the late A, and ,P. Show. Showrooms —Next Bullock's Arcade, - ' Workshop-Next Mail Iffioe. Agent, Ashburton. John Meech,



Wanted WANTED— A respectable MARRIED COUPLE, for a farm (without en cumbrance). A young couple preferred. Apply to John Bland. 69 WANTED— A BOY to look after Cattle and make himself generally useful; must be a good milker. Apply to Robert Anderson, Brookljn ; or at Flemington Cheese Factory. 84 XT fANTED KNOWN-That Robert ' Elston, Burnett street, Ashbur ton, having procured the newest appara tus, is prepared to Sweep Chimneys at very low rates. Any orders left at the Town Hall will receive prompt attention. ANTED KNOWN. That BONEDUST, specially prepared for drilling with carrots, mangolds, etc., can be obtained from the undersigned. F. MAYO, Hampstead Bone Mills.



WANTED KNOWN—It is Mr Lan caster’s intention to extend his Bread Business, and he wishes his cus tomers to know he has secured Mr Thomas Hicks to manage that branch. A Cart will be run with Broad alone, independent of the other Two Carts, which will con tinue to run as before. The name of Mr Hicks will be a sufficient guarantee that, under his management, Bread of unex ceptionable. quality will be turned out of the FREETRADE BAKERY, East street.—R. Lancaster, Proprietor. 240 Special Advertisements. QHRISTMAS PRESENTS. JUST OPENED UP, A Large and Choice Selection of FANCY GOODS TOYS PRIZE BOOKS. &0., &c., &c. Andrewes Bros., BOOKSELLERS. STATIONERY, &c. East street south, Ashburton. n!5 JUST ARRlVED.—Christmas Double Part of “ The Young Ladies’ Jour nal.” Also, “Bow Bells,” “London Journal,” “ Family Reader,” “ Family Herald,” etc., etc. Andrewes Bros., East street south, Ashburton. 77 To Farmers. WHEAT SHIPMENTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM or CONTINENT of EUROPE.



THE NEW ZEALAND GRAIN AGENCY AND MERCANTILE COM PANY, LIMITED, Are prepared to make LIBERAL ADVANCES Against wheat placed in their hands for shipment to London, Liverpool, or the Continental markets. FARMERS’ PARCELS Will have the personal attention of Mr P. Cunningham and Mr G. G. Stead, and will be forwarded by the COMPANY’S LINE OF SHIPS DIRECT TO THEIR LONDON OFFICE Shippers thus avoid the delay and ex pense which is incurred when shipments pass through int rmediate channels. The advantages and economy of being in DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH HIGH-CLASS EXPERIENCED BROKERS, Whose sole business is the disposal of Grain, must be obvious. Ihe Company’s large business enables it to handle grain upon a very low scale of charges, and farmers availing themselves of its services for the disposal of grain in the Home Markets can rely upon the HIGHEST PRICE being realised, and prompt account sales being rendered. Shipments will be superintended with out charge, and Free storage supplied whilst awaiting shipment, and every care taker to ensure dispatch. GEORGE G. STEAD, Managing Director. P, CUNNINGHAM, Consulting Director. W. HORNE, 12au Agent, Ashburton. gPECIAL NOTICE TO THE INHABITANTS OF ASH BURTON AND SURROUNDING DISTRICTS. GL R, West and Co., MUSIC AND PIANOFORTE WAREHOUSEMEN, Princes street, Dunedin, Have great pleasure in announcing that it is their intention to cater for the Music loving population of Ashburton in such a manier as has never before been at tempted. Messrs G., R. West & Co. are the Largest Direct Importers of PIANOS, ORGANS, HARMONIUMS, BRASS, WIND, AND STRINGED INSTRUMENTS In the Colony, and a large and varied stock of the above can always be found. Mr G, R. West, being at present in England, is shipping direct to Dunedin all the latest novelties in MUSIC ! MUSIC ! ! MUSIC !! ! And the firm respectfully solicit a call from their friends, teachers, and the public in general to inspect their magnifi cent stock of Music, personally selected. did



F YOU WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE, GO am TO DAVIS’S CHEAP FURNITURE AND BED DING MANUFACTORY, BAST STREET SOUTH, ASHBURTON. J7IYERY article Sold at Christchurch Prices and guaranteed best of material and workmanship. FUNERALS CHEAPLY & COMPLETELY FURNISHED;



Special Advertisements. mHE BEST YALDE FOR READY X MONEY 18 THE MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING Manufactured BY THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, Which can be purchased at their Retail Branches all over New Zealand. A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Thousands of discerning customers testify that the New Zealand Clothing P'actory's Garments are the very best for READY MONEY. Ashburton Branch; EAST STREET. W. SPARROW, Manager, »19



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



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



We have now IN STOCK and for sale, ex vessels from Kaipara, a large assort ment of DRESSED AND UNDRESSED Kauri Timber, including sizes to suit all requirements of the Building Trade. WELL - SEASONED TIMBER for Joiners and CabinetmaKers, Also, from Foxton, ex Awaroa and Forest Queen, Totaral Black Pine, of the best quality to be obtained. ©2l TUCKER, RESTELL & CO.



TVTEWEST BOOKS at E. BEYAN’S, 1% Saunders’ Buildings. Cassell’s Popular Educator, Chambers’ Journal of Popular Literature, Mayhew’s Illustrated Horse Management, the Leisure Hour, Every Boy’s Annual, Little Wide-Awake, Chatterbox, Children's Friend, Child’s Companion, Infant's Magazine, Band of Hope Review, Morning Dewdrops (by Mrs C. L. Balfour), Captain Cook’s Voyages, and others. A large stock of second-hand beoks —all offered at the lowest possible price for cash. 32 g AYE YOUR GRAIN, AND PURCHASE Walter A. Wood's TWINE REAPER AND BINDER, Which obtained the FIRST PRIZE and GOLD MEDAL against all comers at the TRIAL held last season in Christ church, under the auspices of tha Janter bury A. and P. Association. This Machine combines Lightness of Draught, Simplicity of Construction, Ease or Management, Durability, and with Quantity and Quality of Work. Ealing, 21st December, —To Messrs Poyntz and Co, —Gentlemen.—In an swer to your enquiry 1 might state that the Wood’s Twine Binder, works to my entire satisfaction,and may mention that during last season, I cut 154 acres of w)ieat during a stiong wind with perfect ease, and produced good work. Yours truly, Henry Herne, manager for J. E. Ruddenkiau. Newlands, 22nd December, —Messrs Poyntz and Co., Ashburton.—l have this day completed cutting 25 acres of ryo grass on my farm at Newlands, with a W. A. Wood’s Twine Binder, purchased from you last year, to my entire satisfaction. The crop is now lying on the ground, and speaks for itself. Anyone wishing to see the crop can do so on visiting my farm. Yours faithfully, Martin Griffin,



FOR SALE— Second-hand GRASS-STRIPPER. FOR SALE- Second-hand McCormick REAPERS and BINDERS. FOR SALE— Four-horse DRAY. FOR SALE— A WAGONETTE, in capital order. FOR SALE— An Eight-horse-power ENGINE, by Clayton and Shattleworih, in good order. FOR SALE COMBINE, by Marshall. ON SALE BINDER TWINE, WIRE, and OIL, at current rates. Poyntz & Co., AGENTS 21d



Special Advertisements. H. M. Jones' COUNT BOOKS. BOOKS ! BOOKS !! REWARD, PKESENTATION, and PRIZE BOOKS. NEW VOLUMES— Boys’ Own Annual Girls’ Own Annual Chatterbox Child's Companion Infanta’ Magazine, <&c., &c. POETS— VARIOUS Authors; Sir Walter Scott’s Works, new edition, complete. TOYS ! 'TOYS !! TOYS !! ! GREAT VARIETY—in Wood, Tin, China, and ludiarubber. DOLLS! DOLLS!! DOLLS !!! ALL STZ S—From one inch to two feet—in Wood, Rag, China, Composition, etc. FANCY GOODS ! FANCY GOODS ! A NICE SELECTION of the above now in stock. ALL the above Goods arc offered at the LOWEST Possible Prices for CASH. A LIBERAL DISCOUNT allowed to schools on parcels of Toys, Books, etc. PIANOS, ORGANS, BRASS, and STRINGED INSTRUMENTS ON DEFERRED PAYMENTS. H. M. JONES, BURNETT ST. & BARING SQUARE. 13d [With an apology to Green’s Shade.] CHEAP BOOTS AND SHOES.—The BIG SHOP in East Street, Ash burton, has just been opened with an entirely NEW STOCK of English, Foreign, and Colonial-made BOOTS and SHOES, which will be sold at my usual LOW PRICES, which have given such satisfaction in Tinwald and else where. —C. HAWKINS, “ Munster” Wakehoxise, Ashburton ; also at Tm wald. EDUCATION Act, 1877, Debtors and Creditors Act, and Amend ment Acts, Forest Trees Planting Encouragement Act, 1871, to be had at the GuArniAN Office, next Matson, Cox and Co. ’s. W * “treet.



Thomas Taylor, JgAKER AND CONFECTIONER, East street. WEDDING CAKES’ To Order. Manufacturer of CIDER AND OTHER CORDIALS, NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS. Advertisements for The Ashburton Guardian must b« sent in not later than 3 p.m , with the number of insertions 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 bo received ftp to 3,30 p.m., but will be charged double rates. Ail notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good fa,ith. All advertisements and business letters to be addressed The Manager ; literary communications should be addressed to The Editor.