SHIPPING.

FORT OF LYTTELTON.

Arrived. Yesterday.

Rtngareoma, s.b. , from Sydney, via Auckland and way porta. Hawea, is., from Port Chalmers. Comet, ketch, from Havelock. ;8TOOi! ;; To-day. Hauroto, from the South.

Sailed. Yesterday. Clematis, ketch, for Wellington. Saucy Lass, schooner, for Wellington. Prosperity, brigantifae, for Wanganui. Cutty Sark, ketch, for Greymoutb. Ringarooma, a. s., for Melbourne, via the South and Hobart. Hawea, s.s., for Manukau, via way ports.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office as follows:

For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m. 10.80 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertseyßakaia, &c., at 10.30 a.m. and 5 pi. m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, ■nd Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. For Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., daily. ForTimaru and South,'at 6 a.tn., 10 *.m., atScLAiSO p.m., daily. For. Qreenstreet, on Tuesdays and Fri days; -at' 10.30 a. m. For Mount Somers, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 6 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. For Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Sa’ur ®6fta’at6a.m. ■'For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, at 4.30 p.m. daily. For Flemington, on Mondays, Wednes days,’iind Fridays, at 430 p. m. For Wakanui, Elgin, Seaview, Seafield, and Kyle,, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays,' at 6.30 a.m. *For Rowlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days-at 10.30 a.m. p ; j — : — Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.15 *.m., 435 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. From Chertsey, &c. at 10.15 a.m. and 435 p.m. daily. uFfOm Dunedin and intermediate places at, 5-30 p.m. daily. From Temuka and Titnaru at 10.40 a.m. 5130'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, .(^-10.5 a.m. From Ashton, . Waterton, and Long himSlO a-ml’daily. From Flemington on Tuesdays, Thurs days, and Saturdays, at 10 a. m. JErcan.' Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, and Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sat urdays, at 4 p,m. EVom-Newlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days,at 9,30 a.m.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

: AUCTION SALES ,D£ January 20. Matron, Cox, and Co., at. their Bazaar— Hdrsds, Cows, Pigs, Poultry, Sundries, -&c.; 11.30 a.m. Mr 'j,, Bnllocb, at tha Bazaar—Horses, 1 p.m. Mr. T, r BuUock, at the Bazaar, Burnett J Property ; 1.30 p.m. Mr W r F. Allen*-at his rooms, Burnett street —Horses, Pigs, Poult* General Produce, #O.; IL3O a,m. Mr' Alfred Harrison, at the yards— ■ Horses, Pigs, Produce, &c.; 12 noon. Tuesday, January 23. Cox and Co., at the Tinwald ,yards—Stock. JffiAJired Harrison, at Saunders Bmld inga-—Photographer’s Plant; 2pm. ° MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c To-Night, Wednesday, January 17. Bachelors’ Ball—Town Hall. ff- To-morrow, hJL , ..Thursday, January 18. ( Horticultural Society Extraordinary Mr Jones’s Room, 8 p.m." .GJS'IIItiDAYy January-26. • Lodge, Monthly Meeting, in the Masonic Hall, Tancred street, 7.30. Tuesday, January 30, Ashburton Racing Club—Special General Meeting, Quill’s Hotel, 8 p m. Saturday, February 3. Wakanpißoad Board —Monthly Meeting, RodA Board Office, Moore street Monday, February, 12. County* Council, at the County Council pijunbers, at 11 o'clock.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

TRAINS,LEAVE ASHBURTON FOR ChßlST and intermediate stationsat?. 10 a.nC£, 10.56 a.m., and (Express) 5.39 p.m.?, Teaeml'Leave Ashburton for Timaru South, at 6.60 a.m,, 10.25 a,m. (Express), and 4.45 p. m. — the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru. Trains , Arrive at Ajshbubton from Christchurch at 10 20 a.m. (Express), 4.35 p.mV, and 7.20 p.m. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Tmaru and South at 10.45 a.m., 5.28 p,m. (Express)* and 8 p.m.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.

Advertisements for The Ashburton Guardian must be sent in not later than 3 p.m , with the number of insertions written plainly on the copy, otherwise they will 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 up to 3.30 p.m., but will be charged double rates. All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must bo accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good faith. All advertisements and business letters to be addressed The Manager ; literary communications sboall be addressed to The Editor.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1883. Our New Governor.

Before the present week is over the new Governor of New Zealand, Sir William Jervois, will have landed in Wellington, and that.he will be heartily welcomed by the inhabitants of the Empire City goes without saying. During the time he has held the posi tion of Governor in South Australia he rendered himself popular with every class, and his departure was the occa sion of great regret in that colony. It seems, from the recent papers received from England, that the appointment of Sir William Jervois to what is con sidered to be the most coveted of colonial Governorships, was a surprise. Such posts as these are but too often given to men whose only claim is that they are not rich enough to take the place their rank entitles them to at Home, needy aristocrats whose appoint ment is due to some family job. Sir Arthur Gordon, over whose departure we had recently cause to rejoice, was one of the latter class, and certainly the colony does not wish to be made the victim of another similar experiment. The Duke of Buckingham and Lord Gifford were each mentioned in the English papers a$ the probable succes sor to the late Governor, Tire former was Secretary of State for the Colonies for a short time during the late Earl Derby’s Ministry in 1867, and in 1875 he was appointed Governor of Madras a position he held for some years, though he did not show much brilliancy. Of Lord Gifford, we know little, except that he distinguished himself by his personal bravery during the Ashantee War and that he has since entered the diplomatic service. But the Home Government have shown ■wisdom in choosing a man like Sir William Jervois, who has had experi ence of the colonies and who has had the opportunity of studying the colpnial temper. We are told by the wiseacres in England, that the position of Go

vernor of New Zealand is a difficult one. It may be difficult to a man of Sir Arthur Gordon’s stamp. : We will not tolerate supercilious snobbishness or a vindictiveness that prompts a man in a responsible position to send Home a garbled account of events for the purpose of bolstering up bis own mis taken and dangerous policy. What ever difficulties have arisen in the Go vernment of this colony have not been due either to the Ministry or the people. The past record of our present Governor is a sufficient guaran tee that he does not possess those qualities that rendered his predecessor so objectionable. Straightforwardness and honesty are characteristics of the and we may safely pre dict that Sir W. Jervois will never do anything unworthy of the position he holds.

The Volunteers. The appointment of Captain Stewart Newall, of the New Zealand Militia, as Adjutant to the volun teer forces of the Canterbury Volunteer district is gazetted. PHRENOLOGY. —Still another phrenolo gist is to pay a visit to Ashburton, Pro fessor Fraser having announced his inten tion of giving a lecture in the Town Hall to-morrow evening.

Appointment.—At a meeting of the Alford Forest School Committee on Fri day last Mr Alsopp, late of Tinwald,. was elected master of the local school. There' were several candidates for the post. Presbttehian. —The members of the congregation of the Ashburton Presby terian Church hold a tea meeting in the church to-night, after which the annual balance-sheet and matters generally affect ing the Presbyterian cause in the district will be considered.

Maccabe. —Mr Frederic Maccabo, the celebrated ventriloquist and impersonator, who has only partially recovered from his recent indisposition, was greeted with a crowded house at Oamaru on Monday. He will, however, not be able to appear in Ashburton as announced. Social Gathering. —An entertainment will be given this evening by the choir of St. Stephen’s Church, at the Old Men’s Home, to commence at 7.30 p.m. The public will be admitted, and a collection will be made at the close of the entertain ment on behalf of the Organ Fund. Df FACING THE CATHEDRAL. —The Spirit of vandalism which leads the British cad to carve his dishonorable name on the venerable monuments of the Old World, appears, unfortunately, to be rife in Christchurch. Yesterday (says the Lyttelton Times ) it was discovered that some individuals, with more misdirected industry than sense, had cut their initials in large letters on a portico of the white atone forming the dressings of the South porch of the Cathedral. ■no of the parties concerned, not content v\ uh this, had also placed his initials on a stone be side the door of the vestry. It is to be hoped that the persons who have thus set the example of defacing the edifice may be detected, in order that their foolish conduct may meet with the punishment it deserves.

Wool-broker’s Fees. —The wool sales at Invercargill yesterday came to an early termination without any business being done, owing to the combined action of the buyers, who objected to the clause in the conditions of sale to the effect that the buyer should pay the broker one-eighth of a penny per pound for delivering, and a further charge of five shilings per bale if repacked. No objection was taken till a lot had been knocked down to a buyer. It was evident there was combined action of a section of the buyers. The N.Z.L. and M. A. Company and their principals who were present declined to proceed. Other firms followed suit, hauling down their flags. Sales were to be resumed to day, several buyers being willing to give the eighth, while new buyers and com missions arrived during the afternoon. ThoJN.Z.L. and M. 1. Company placed over 100 bales private'y at satisfactory prices. The Cost of the Egyptian War.— Mr Gladstone made a brief statement in the House of Commons on November 28th, on the subject of the cost of the Egyptian expedition. The additional ex penses since October Ist, when the war charge, properly so called, came to an end —in other words, the expenses of the force of occupation maintained in Egypt —amount altogether to L 1,060,000. The cost of the Indian contingent, originally estimated at L 1,880,000, is L 1,140,000. The total expenditure which the opera tions of the war have involved is four rail'ions and a half. The extra charge in curred since October Ist will eventually be borne altogether, or almost altogether, by the Egyptian revenues. Mr Glad stone did not say whether anything would be charged to the Indian Exchequer. The matter, he intimated, is still under the consideration of the Government, and a definite announcement upon it will shortly be made. There is, it may be said, a strong feeling in, England against holding India liable for any portion of the ex-: ponditure. Systematic Thefts. —lt appears from the following, published in the Southland Times, that systematic rascality and fraud are gaining a footing even in this new land. It is wall known (says our con temporary) that the purchase of sowing machines, pianos, and other household requirements is frequently made by a system of hire with option of purchase ; the weekly rents going to the extinguish ment of the cost. It is on this system that a gang of chevaliers d’lndustrie in Dunedin have been preying far many months past. The modus operands was remarkably simple, difficult of detention, and remunerative. Many of the hirers are people in straightened circumstances, or, worse still, not over honest, and fall behind with their payments. The rogues in question find such persons out, and driving to their doors, assume an air of authority—“ You have a sewing-machine on hire from——, and have not paid your instalments, and I have been sent from the establishment to remove it.” No resistance is made to this plausible de mand ; the machine is removed, but not to the owner’s warehouse. It is taken elsewhere, and the numbers by which it can be identified obliterated and altered as far as possible, and the article sold at a reduction on the market value. That the swindle has been successful would ap pear from the fact that half-a-dozen such machines were sold around Wyndham by an agent, it is supposed, of the gang. The same plan was adopted to procure pianos from the hirers ; the identity of the instruments being cunningly de stroyed by placing the name of another maker over the original lable. The mat ter has another aspect of hardship ; these articles are stolen, and the owner, that is the hirer, can claim them wherever he finds thorn. This was done in the Wynd ham instances. Now these people bought these machines from a n>an (Dobbie) well known in the trade, and haying at the timo a shop open at Wyndham. As they paid cash for the machines they lose about L 7 each by the operations of the rascals. It is some satisfaction to know that one of the gang is now awaiting trial at the Supreme Court, Dunedin, while a warrant is out for the arrest of the one who carried the little game into Southland. There would appear to bo a suspicion that in some instances the ma chines were hired by parties in league with the gang for the express purpose of fraud. The circumstances detailed should cause householders to be careful as to whom they deal with.

Sewing Machines.—By reference to our adverti-ing Columns it will be seen that Messrs Singer and Co. have opened an agency for their sewing machines in Moore street. Licensing Committees. —The election of Licensing Committees for the Ashbur ton district will take place on Feb 2nd. The day for nominations to bo received is fixed for the 25tli inst. Storting —We learn from our Alford Forest corresoondent that in a match which came off on Saturday last between Mr W. T. Smith’s Wild Rose and Mr W. Ferneaux’s Spider, for LlO a side, the former won easily.

The Wellington Summer Meeting.— The Wellington Racing Club have decided to ask Mr Hately, of Wanganui, to frame the handicaps for the Summer meeting. The Cup Handicap was made up by the Stewards, and the result was that only six horses accepted. A Whirlwind.— A phenomenon in the shape of a whirlwind was observed in the front of the Somerset Hotel to-day, be tween 12 and 1 o’clock. The total ab sence of wind until the column of dust was observed made it all the more re markable. It ascended to the height of 50 feet or more, rapidly moved in the direction of the heap of coal belonging to Messrs Tucker, Bestell and Co., and then disappeared. “Lambing Down.” —The alleged “ lambing down ” case was resumed at the Wellington Magistrate’s Court yester day afternoon. Mr Gully produced the evidence of Timothy Murphy, taken at the Hospital, before himself and Mr For wood, counsel for plaintiff. It was read by the Clerk of the Court, and was strongly in favor of the defendant. Mr Gully also produced a book containing entries of all the liquor and cigars sup r plied to plaintiff. Mrs Harding was re examined as to the manner in which the various items were kept count of. This closed the case for the defence. Counsel having addressed the Court, his Worship reserved judgment. Mr Milner Stephen.—A controversy is going on in Wellington respecting the healing powers of Mr Stephen, and the local evening paper has invited communi cations from those who have been treated. Out of five letters sent in, four persons say they did not receive any relief, while the fifth winds up thus :—“Be he what he may, the relief from suffering for a fort night, which has never been secured by me before, is something to be thankful for, and she has never been so well for many, many years.” Mr Stephen having mentioned that Dr Keyworth had sent persona to him, has brought forth a reply, in which Dr Keyworth states that he never sent a patient to Mr Stephen, and further that he has no intention of doing so.

The Sultan. —Accounts from Constan tinople state that the Sultan is the moat abjectly wretched of all monarchs. The events of the past few months, the defeat of his projects in Egypt, the sword which England holds suspended over his head, the intrigues by which he is surrounded, the contempt with which he finds himself regarded in every Court in Europe, even in that of Russia, which was futilely offered Constantinople for a Russian gar rison if Russia would interfere in Egypt —all these things have weakened his never too powerful intellect. Thera is insanity in his family, and he shows symptoms of it. He is a prey to the most fearful fits of depression, becomes frantic in his terror, and shrieks, at his imaginary enemies, makes and unmakes Ministers in twenty-four hours, and alto gether presents a pitiable spectacle. His dread of assassination has become like a perpetual nightmare. He tells everyone that he will meet the fate of his brother, and if his hallucinations do not carry him off it is quite possible that he may. The place is now practically in a state of seige. Nobody is allowed entrance unless summoned. The Sultan is alarmed, owing to sedition among his troops, who are angry at the way the palace Guards are paid, while they are in rags. The re-appointment of Osman Pasha, who is unpopular in the army, as Minister of War, has added fuel to the flames. The Sultan has had built for his use an armoured carriage, bullet and grenade proof. The Standard's cor respondent at Constantinople says the Sultan did not attend the Mosque on Fri day, and it has since transpired that an attempt to assassinate him was contem plated. The Sultan is completely terror stricken, and hardly dares to show him self outside the harem. [A cablegram re ceived this morning states that the Saltan has been attacked, so that we see the precautions referred to were not un warranted.--Ed. G.] Archibald Forbes. —There was a good attendance at the Town Hall last evening, when Mr Forbes delivered his second and final lecture in Ashburton. The subject treated of was “ Kings and Princes I have met. ” The celebrated war correspondent has perforce been brought into contact with many of the highest notabilities in various countriei of the world, and his graphic description of their appearance and the narration of personal reminiscen ces could not fail to be interesting. Com mencing with the Franco-Prussian war, we were introduced to the present Em peror of Germany, his war-like son, the Crown Prince, and the <f Red Prince ” Frederick Charles. It chanced that Mr Forbes was present when Bismarck and the conquered Emperor Napoleon met at the roadside cottage to arrange the terms of the capitulation of the French army at Sedan. The picture ha drew of the van quished Emperor was pathetic in the highest degree, and will long be remem bered by those who were present last evening. The late Gzvr of Russia and his son, the reigning Monarch, and the Em psror of Austria were passed in review, as were also loss important dignitaries such as King Teebaw and the Shah of Persia. For the latter Mr Forbes appears to have, and very justly, the most supreme con tempt, as the “ most gigantic fraud in this age of gigantic frauds,” and the audi ence thoroughly relished the description given of the manners of this shoddy poten tate. The sympathies of the audience were roused by the eloquent and touching description given by the lecturer of the death of the Prince Imperial in Zululand. Mr Forbes was on intimate terms with this unfortunate youth, whose premature death was so greatly lamented in England, for which country fie wasfiglving when he fell. The lecture concluded with the nar rative of the dangerous illness of the Prince of Wales in 1871, and the national thanksgiving for his recovery in the Feb ruary of the following year. Throughout the lecture Mr Forbes.was listened to with great interest, and the applause of the audience was frequent and hearty. rIoLLOWAY’s Pills. Liver Complaints.—The digestion cannot be long so seriously disordered without the de rangement being perceptible on the counten ance. These pills prevent both unpleasant consequences ; they improve the appetite and with the increase of desire for food, they augment the powers of digestion and assimila tion in the stomach. Holloways Pills deal most satisfactorily with deranged or diseased conditions of the many organs engaged in ex tracting nourishment for our bodies from our various diets —as the liver, stomach, and bowels, over all of which they exercise the most salutary control, By resorting at an early stage of this malady to these purifiying and laxative Pills, the dyspeptic is speedily restored to health and strength, and his sallowneas gradually vanishes. —[Advt. ]

CRICKET.

BOROUGH V. COUNTY. A match was played yesterday after noon between the above. Elevens, result

ing in an easy victory for the Borough by seven wickets. 'The County were the first to go to the wickets, A. Fooks and Cas telli making a good stand, and giving the field a considerable amount of work. Dr Leahy put together 9 runs, but with the exception of Wroughton, who scored 23 by ..careful play, none of the others dis tfnguished themselves, and the innings closed for 104, The Borough opened badly, Castelli’s first ball removing Amos’ off bail. Grove* was the next man, but he did. stay long, as when he had made 8 Gas tell i cleaned bowled him. Andrews and Crocker made a good stand, the former especially hitting the bowling about in all directions and giving (he field a lively time. Several changes of bowling we r e resorted to, and a separation was at last effected by Wroughton, who was playing under great difficulty, owing to a blow ho received while batting, clean bowling Crocker, who had made 20. Among the retiring batsman’s hits was one to leg off Castelli, for which seven was run. Beard joined Andrews, and the two kept their wickets up till their opponents’ score was topped. Andrews played care fully, and his companion showed consider able hitting power and good defence. The victory of the Borough may be said to have been in no small measure due to the miserable fielding on the part of the County men. Balls were muffed in a most disgraceful way, and it would cer tainly be as well if more attention were paid in future to this most important part of the game. Subjoined are the scores ; County. A. Fooks, run out ... ... ... 28 E. Castelli, b Crocker... ... ... 22 Dr Leahy, bG. Andrews ... ... 9 Hogg, bG. Andrews ... ... ... 1 Hart, b Beard ... 3 ; Wroughton, c Marsh, b Andrews ... 23 Hutchison, b Andrews, ... ... 2 Jones, b Andrews 1 Maud, b Andrews ... ... ... 1 J. Fooks, b Beard 4 Jephson, not out 3 • Extras 6 Total 104 Borough. J. W. Crocker, b Wroughton ... 20 D. Amos, b Castelli ... ... ... 0 J. Groves, c Hogg, b Castelli ... 8 G. W. Andrews, not out ... ... 46 Beard, not out... ... ... ... 23 Extras 9 Total for 3 wickets ... ... 106

A CURIOUS CASE.

The case or Williamson v. Prime and another came on in Chambers at Auck land, before Judge Gillies yesterday. This action, of which it was sought to have the issues settled, is one brought by Sarah Williamson (widow of the late John Williamson, formerly superintendent of Auckland) for the purpose of securing from F. L. Prime and the Hon. Patrick Dignan, a sum of L6OO voted her in 1875 by the House of Representatives as a gratuity. It seems that upon the death of her husband the Provincial Council of Auckland voted LI,OOO as an endowment for her and Miss Williamson, and that subscriptions were obtained from the pub lic wherewith a house and land in Sy monds street were bought for their use. Shortly afterwards the House of Repre sentatives voted a gratuity of L6OO, and it was handed over to the Com mittee having, charge of the public subscriptions, and by them it was in vested in city debentures. Subsequently the committee directed that at the death of Mrs Williamson and her daughter the property and debentures should be sold, and the proceeds applied to the foundation of a scholarship in the Gram mar School, to be called “ The John Wil liamson Scholarship.” A deed was duly drawn* up for the purpose, and Messrs Prime and Dignan were appointed trus tees. Mrs Williamson now seeks to di vert to her own use the L6OO which was voted her by the House of Representa tives as a gratuity, and she therefore asks in her declaration (1) that the trust deed may be annulled in so far as it relates to the L6OO, and (2) thau if necessary a further deed be executed by the trustees in respect of the landed pro perty, and that they be ordered to return the L6OO or to transfer the securities in which it has been invested. Mr Hudson Williamson appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr A. E. Whitaker for the Corporation of the Grammar School, who are associated with the trustees. There was no appear ance on the part of the trustees, but they forwarded a letter in which they admitted that the facts stated in the plaintiff’s de claration were correct, besides signifying their desire to let the case go by default; they therefore entered no plea. His Honor said this was a most improper posi tion for the trustees to take up. They would have to attend and answer, for they could not be permitted to shirk the re sponsibility that devolved upon them. Mr Williamson replied that they had no wish to shirk their responsibility; they merely wished to save expense, and con sequently had failed to employ counsel. His Honor said that he did not think the time would be ripe for trying the matter until the trustees had come in, and the matter was therefore allowed to stand over until the trustees should have come in and pleaded.

THE FRASER CASE.

The last act of the notorious Fraser case, so far as tha Chriatch arch Presby tery is concerned, was played yesterday. At the opening of the meeting the clerk read a letter from Mr Fraser, in which he stated that the position he had taken up in withdrawing from the jurisdiction of the Presbytery forbade his attendance at the meeting. He utterly and absolutely denied the truth of all the charges made against him, and added that he purposed approaching the General Assembly by petition, accompanied by a full statement of his case. The Rev. Mr Elmslie, in miking a brief statement for the prosecu tion, said that the charge preferred against Mr Fraser originally consisted of three parts. The last of the three they had omitted as the case went on, because of the difficulty of leading proof ; the second they omitted because the proof would have been tedious, and because the ques tion of trust moneys would have to come up in other connections ; and ultimately they had confined themselves to the charge of undue familiarity with female servants. Here again they had eliminated a number of items referred to by witnesses and others, and confined themselves’ to the five counts complained in the libel which had just been read. The first count was based upon a fama clamosa, which arose early in last year, and which exists to the present hour. This was the charge which led to the whole case—an evil report which proved to be too well founded, and which was enough to destroy the usefulness of any minister of the gospel. The charge primo, he asked the Presbytery to notice, was not a thing of ancient date, but of the present time, and was of such a nature that for the honor of the Church they were bound to make investigation, and this investigation had led them step by §tep to the other counts contained in the libel. The charge under secundq, w’hich went three years back, involved an unavoidable inference of immorality, and the charges under tertio, quarto, and cjiiinto were supported by the most incontestable evidence—evi dence which Mr Fraser could not rebut. And singularly enough it was when this evidence was laid upon the table that Mr Fraser had withdrawn from the jurisdic tion of the Presbytery. If it was said that such evidence could not be rebutted, owing to the lapse of time, the same diffi culty had to be overcome in the matter of

proof, and Mr Fraser’s greater knowledge of all the circumstances put the advantage on his side. Mr Blmslie concludod.by re marking that the case was a sore calamity to the Presbyterian character, and' that nothing,but a regard for the honor of 4he Church and the interests of the cause of JDhrist would have compelled 1 them t0..g6 on with it. If they had been able honor ably and consistently to maintain Mr Fraser’s innocence, it would have served their interest as a body, and would have been gratifying to themselves per sonally to have proclaimed bis inno cence to the world. Nothing but dire necessity had led them to bring the prosecution to the present painful issue.— The four counts of the accusation having been sustained, the Rev, Mr McGregor moved the following resolution;: —“That whereas certain fdrrias having arisen touching the moral character- bf the Rev. Charles Fraser, of St Andrew’s Church in the Presbytery- of Christchurch in: con nection with the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, and this Presbytery,' led to take action by the serious nature of such famns, having appointed a committee consisting of members of this Presbytery to investigate and report upon the i saqa& it was unanimously agreed, after haying heard their report, to proceed, against the said Charles Fraser by libel In strict ac cordance with the polity of the Presby terian Church of New Zealand’; ' abd whereas the relevancy of the libel having been sustained, and the same having been duly served on Charles Fraser,. every opportunity having been given him to bring forward rebutting evidence in his own defence, he was then summoned to appear before - the Presbytery at a given , time i and placs to answer the charges, preferred against him in the libel; and inasmuch as the said Charles Fraser having repudi ated the authority of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, tailing to appear in answer to the summons at the time and place appointed for his trial, the Presby tery thereupon proceeded to the investi gation of the evidences upon which the several charges against the said Charles Fraser were based, together with rebut i ting evidences previously brought for i ward in his own defence ;and having unanimously found him guilty upon each and every count contained in the libel, it i is now moved that this Presbytery pro i coed for-hwith to depose the said Charles Fraser from the office of holy ministry. ” i After some discussion, .the latterpart of the motion, beginning with the: words “having unanimously,” was carried unanimously, the motion being seconded by the Rev. Mr Burnett. The Moderator then formally read the sentence of the Presbytery deposing the Rev. Charles Fraser, and declared the charge of St. Andrews vacant.

CRIMINAL SESSIONS.

[by telegraph. ]

Auckland.

Auckland, The quarterly session of the Supreme Court opened to-day. Judge Gillies, in his charge to the Grand Jury, stated that there were 37 prisoners, charged with 29 offences. He remarked on the increase of crime in the. district* which he found difficult to account lop. It was a singular fact th.t when, ond ot two crimes of a particular character hap* pened in the district, others followed. He had no doubt that the sensational -aC’ counts in the newspapers .had had some* thing to do with it. Such reports had .a pernicieas effect on young persons and those of emotional temperament. Re* ferring to the Hamilton murder case, he said that while the investigating Magis trate had done right in committing the' prisoners on the evideme, the Grand Jury would have to be satisfied that that evidence was sufficient to warrant them in believing the prisoners guilty, before finding a true bill. They could take no cog nizance of any intention to produce, fur ther evidence, however serious the case op strong the suspicion of guilt, the Grand. Jury found true bills against R. O. Breg stock and Owen Sime, for forgery ; Mark Marks and Sampson Josaphson, for stall ing from a shop ; A. R, Long, for attemp ting parricide. No bills were rettirded against Annie Stackpole, for concealment*' of birth ; Hotaia, for horsestealing, and Ellen Curtis, for stealing from the person

Wellington. W Ellington - , To-day. Tha Supreme Court criminal opened this morning. The Judge's’Ohatgs to the Grand Jury lasted only ? ' two ; minutes. He congratulated th*ni dn u t6p. lightness of the calendar, there cases of a serious character. A true sll was found against Henry freeman,- for house-breaking. The trial is proceeding. True Bills were found against Sarah Par nell for wounding, Julia O’Barne for attempted suicide, Peter Walsh attempted larceny. Ho Bill was found against Annie, alias Mary, Brown for lar ceny from the person. - ■- > <' Dunedin. Dcnbdin, To-day. ■ ’ \ The criminal sessions commenced this morning. His Honor’s charge merely re ferred briefly to the cases on the calendar. He remarked that none of them called fojjr special comment. There, are six oases,, jo* volving charges of indecency. Gebrge Henry Hill pleaded guilty to house-break* ing, and was sentenced to six months. Robert Galbraith (on two indictments), for forgery, was sentenced to six„ months. John Yorston was convicted of attempted rape, sentence being deferred. William Forshaw pleaded guilty to two indictments for stealing sewing machines. Sentence was deferred. Christchurch. Christchurch, To-day. The criminal sessions of the Supreme Gqurt opened this morning. Judge Johnatqn in his charge expressed hia ap? proval of the recent change with regard’ to the administration of criminal justice,: Daniel Meat, for larceny froiq a dwelling,: was sentenced to two years' imprisonment. Herman Hempton for forgery (three. cases) was sentenced to 4 years.

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for thjt opinions expressed by our correspondents. ‘ :

A MEETING FOR LOCAL HORSES.

To xhb Editor.

Sib, —I saw from a local 5n yoar issue' of the 11th inst. that a motion affirming the advisability of holding a meeting con* fined to local horses on New Year’s Day was withdrawn at a meeting of the Ash burton Racing Club held on the 9di inst. I was not present at the meeting in ques tion, so I do not know the nature of the arguments which were used against the motion, and which led to its withdrawal Probably it was thought that it would clash with the numerous mixed sporting and athletic fixtures which are held in the County on the first day of the yefcp,’ and thus the meeting would be a financial failure. But, Sir, I do not lhin|t that this would be the case to any appreciable extent. Those wheae particular penchAnt - is the turf do not patronise these» mixed gatherings to any extent at present, : and they would do so still less, were race meeting held in Ashburton on New - Year's Day. As U is-I fear those who i take a delight in the “ noble , British pastime:,” as it is so often and sotrulyi termed, wHI betake themselves north-* ward, to witness the Summer fleeting of

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1883.



XUST ARRlVED.—Christmas Double f f Part of “ The Young Ladies’ Jour nal.” Also, “Bow Bells,” “London Jd&rnaL”. " Family Reader,” “Family Herald,” etc., etc. Andeewbs Bros., East street south, Ashburton. 77 THE SCOTTISH IMPERIAL in . SUBANCE COMPANY. Hbk| Of&ce: 151, West George street, - ' Glasgow. . 'Capital ... £1,000,000 *PIRE RISKS taken at lowest current promptly settled here. W. R, BOYLE, q 7 Agent, Ashburton,



- Jolm Meech, T> UR NET T STRE E T, Eft*- - Ashbuktojs, CABINETMAKER & UPHOLSTERER. iSITf '/ii. “ The above advertiser begs to intimate friends and customers thatas he has fcIrf iXTENDED HIS PREMISES He, Djow in a position to execute all kinds of FURNITURE at peices to meet x»«,times. 1-hand Furniture bought and eoMU 7 AC 1..'1 LviJ* L yp'i •at Prize. awarded at the lata A. and Show. , imo ' ' ’ ext Bullock’s Arcade., —Next Mail Jffioe. 1 - < J * ' ' - ' '■'■■■



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 WANTED KNOWN—That Robert Elston, Burnett street, Ashbur ton, having procured the newest appara tus, is prepared t© Sweep Chimneys at very low rales. Any orders left at the Town Hall will receive prompt attention. Terms cath. 760 c ANTED KNOWN. That BONEDUST, specially prepared ,for drilling with carrots, mangolds, etc., can be obtained from the undersigned. F. MAYO, Hampstead Bone Mills. WANTED KNOWN—It is Mr Lan caster’s intention to extend his Bread Business, and he wishes his cus tomers to know ho has secured Mr Tho naa Hicks to manage that branch. A Cart will be run with Bread alone, independent iof 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 ;tho FBEETRADE BAKERY, East street.—R. Lancaster, Proprietor. 240 WANTED the Public to know that they can purchase on deferred payment one of Singer’s celebrated SEW ING MACHINES. They are cheaper, more durable, and will do a greater variety 'of work than any other kind of sewing machine. They have been awarded up wards of 300 First Class Prizes (gold and silver medals, cups, etc.) Sewing Ma chines of all kinds bought, sold, or exchanged, and repaired. Lessons given given free of charge to purchasers at their own hemes. Moore Street, Ash burton. 100 Special Advertisements.



QHRISTMAS PRESENTS. JUST OPENED UP, A Large and Choice Selection of FANCY GOODS TOYS PRIZE BOOKS. &c., &0., &c. I Andrewes Bros., BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS, Ac. East street sodth, Ashburton- n!5 To Farmers.



WHEAT SHIPMENTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM or ; CONTINENT of EUROPE. THE NEW ZEALAND GRAIN AGENCY AND MERCANTILE COM PANY, LIMITED, Are prepared to make LIBERAL ADVANCES Against wheat placed in their hands for shipment to London, Live l pool, 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-GLASS EXPERIENCED BROKERS, Whose sole business is the disposal of Grain, must be obvious. Ihe Company’s large business enables it to handle grain upon a very low scale of charges, and farmers availing themselves of its services for the disposal of grain in the Home Markets can rely upon the HIGHEST PRICE being realised, and prompt account sales being rendered. Shipments will be superintended with out charge, and Free btorage supplied whilst awaiting shipment, and every care taker to ensure dispatch. GEORGE G. STEAD, Managing Director. P. CUNNINGHAM, Consulting Director. W. HORNE, 12au Agent, Ashburton.



UNI N G . Herr Otto Schweers The Celebrated PIANOFORTE TUNER, Has Arrived, and will wait on CUSTOMERS ONLY Bakaia and Chertsey on Friday and Saturday. Mount Somers on Tuesday. ORDERS sent to the Music Dep6t, Tancred street, will be attended to. H. J. WEEKS, Agent for C. Begg & Co. 12



P YOU WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE, GO TO DAYIS’S CHEAP FURNITURE AND BED DING MANUFACTORY, EAST STREET SOUTH, ASHBURTON. IjIVEBT article Sold at Ohriatohnroh Prices ; and guaranteed best of material and workmanship. FUNERALS CHEAPLY & COMPLETELY PDBNISEKD



Special Advertisements. ri 'HE BEST VALUE FOB- READY 1 JL MONEY I IS THE 1 MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING Manufactured BY TUB NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, Which can be purchased at their Retail Branches all over New Zealand. A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Thousands of discerning customers testify that the New Zealand Clothing factory's Garments are the very best for READY MONEY. Ashburton Branch; EAST STREET, W. SPARROW, Manager. s!9 QO AL, COAL. COAL. We have now IN STOCK, ex Con ference, a large supply of the Old Lamb ton Coal. This is the BEST HOUSE COAL imported. 18n TUCKER, RESTELL & 00.



TO BLACKSMITHS, iM BREW£RS, AND OTHERS. Just landed, ex Mary Campbell, from Qreymouth, a supply of the CELEBRATED Brunner Coal, The beat procurable for blacksmith and steam purposes. n 27 TUCKER, RESTELL & CO.



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



“VTEWEST BOOKS at E-. SEVAN'S, Saunders’ Buildings. Cassell’s Popular Educator, Chambers' Journal of Popular Literature, Mayhew’s Illustrated Horse Management, the Leisure Hour, Every Boy’s Annual, Little Wide-Awake, Chatterbox, Children's Friend, Child’s Companion, Infant’s Magazine, Band of Hope Review, Morning Dewdrops (by Mrs 0. L. Balfour), Captain Cook’s Voyages, and others. A large stock of second-hand books—all offered at the lowest possible price for cash, 32 gA VE 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 Canter bury A. and P. Association. This Machine combines Lightness of Draught, Simplicity of Construction, Ease op Management, Durability, and with Quantity and Quality op 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 15A acres of wheat during a stiong wind with perfect ease, and produced good work. iours truly, Henry Herne, manager for J. E. Ruddenkiau. Newlands, 22nd December, —Messrs Poyntz and Co., Ashburton. —I 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 Geifpin,



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



Special Advertisements. JEL. M. Jones’ A COOUNT BOOKS. BOOKS ! BOOKS !! REWARD, PKESENTATION, and PRIZE BOOKS. NEW VOLUMES— Boys’ Own Annual Girls’ Own Annual Chatterbox Child’s Companion Infants’ Magazine, &c., &c. POETS— VARIOUS Authors ; Sir Walter Scott’s Works, new edition, complete. TOYS ! TOYS !! TOYS !! ! GREAT VARIETY—in Wood, Tin, China, and Indiarubber. DOLLS ! DOLLS !! DOLLS !! ! ALL SIZ r S—From one inch to two feet—in Wood, Rag, China, Composition, etc. FANCY GOODS ! FANCY GOODS ! A NICE SELECTION of the above now in stock. ALL the above Goods are offered at the LOWEST Possible Prices for CASH. A LIBERAL DISCOUNT allowed to schools on parcels of Toys, Books, etc. PIANOS, ORGANS, BRASS, and STRINGED INSTRUMENT - DEFERRED PAYMENTS. H. M. JONES, BURNETT ST. & BARING SQUARE. I3d fWith 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 ba sold at my usual LOW PRICES, which have given such satisfaction in Tinwald and else where.— C. HAWKINS, “Munstb's” Warehouse, Ashburton ; also at Tin wald. rpHE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN. PRICE ONE PENNY, PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. Advertisers are reminded that The Ashburton Guardian is the ONLY DAILY PAPER published between Christchurch and Timaru, and com mands a LARGER CIRCULATION throughout the County of Ashburton than any other Journal. The Ashburton Guardian circulates largely in the Town and Suburbs, and also in Rakaia, Chertsey, Seafield, Meth ven, Alford Forest, Mount Somers, Wakanui, Longbeach, Ashburton Forks, Tinwald, Winslow, Waterton, an every part of the County of Ashburton within the reach of postal communicat thus being the best geneial as well as local medium for Advertising. The Ashburton Guardian will be forwarded to any address in the colony for 24s per annum (paid in advance), or 6s 6d per quarter, postage extra.



Thomas Taylor, gAKER AND CONFECTIONER, East street. WEDDING OAKES To Order. Manufacturer of CIDER AND OTHER CORDIALS,