SHIPPING.

»ORT OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. Saturday. Orowaiti, 8.8., from Greymouth. Grafton, a.a., from Oamaru. Rotorua, a.a., from Nelson, Picton, and Wellington. Yesterday. Mahinapua, s. a., from Dunedin, via Oamaru. Sailed. Saturday. Rototu, 8.8., for Wellington Grafton, a.a., for Welliington and Weat Ooaat porta. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Wellington, To-day. The Catalonia has juat (9 a.m.) arrived. Greymouth, Saturday. Arrived —Star of the South, from Dune* din ; Blibank Castle, from Hokitika, gailgd—Kennedy, for Hokitika ; Maud . Graham, for Manukau ; Zephyr, ;for Mel* -bourne. m „ , , Timaru, Saturday. Sailed— Annie, for Oamaru ; Spray, for Stewart’s Island ; Omapere, for Auckland.

COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, Monday aftemoen. Mr T, Bullock reports of the Horse Market for the, week ending Saturday, July 28:— Only 17 horses were brought forward for the day's sale. A large proportion of stock offer ing just now are of an inferior description, consequently a dull sale was experienced, any thing like good horses change hands readily at full market rates. Out of the day's entries, 17, 9 were sold at the following prices, viz.—Light draughts, suitable for farm work, not very good, Ll 3 to Ll 9, ditto aged and ef an inferior description, L7to L 7 10s. Hacks of a better describtibn than what has been offering lately, .L 9 U>*Llz lOS, ditto *f a light description and inferior, L 4 10s, young stock, not very good, from LB. Landed properties: I offered a suburban property, Tinwald section, and a farm at Longbeach, but although there were •Buyers, no'sales were effected. There appears just now to be a wide margin between sellers and buyers as regards value, the former having purchased at high prices during the land mania decline to submit to what they consider a sacrifice, and those in a position to buy will only operate at a low figure, when there is a nibble, consequently it is difficult to effect sales jSnd yery few properties changed hands. . Mr Alfred Harrison reports for the week ending ' July 28th, as follows We dnesday, July 25th. I held a sale of furniture and effects for Mr Winscr, Cox street, when all lots offered were sold at very good prices.—Saturday, July 28. Res pectinghorses very little can be said. Cows sold well from L$ 10s to L 7 17s 6d. Pigs sold readily, all pens being cleared at good prices. Implements dull, but a few lines changed hands. Carcase pork, 3d to 3%d per lb. Produce—Potatoes, 40s to 50s per ton; carrots, 30s per ton ; chick wheat, is 6d to 2s per bushel; oats, is 6d to 2s; tea, 21s, guaranteed. A large quantity of harness and sundries sold well, there being a large atten dance all day.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES Tuesday, July 31. Katsoii, Cox and Co., .at the Tinwald Tarda—Stock. Messrs Friedlander Bros., at the Tinwald Tarda—Breeding Ewes, &c. Embay, August 3. Mr Thoi. Bullock, at the Arcade, at 12 o’clock —Fruit and Forest Trees. MEETINGS,. AMUSEMENTS, &c Wednesday, August 1. Oddfellows’ Hall —Entertainment; 7.30. ■ Thuesday, August 2. Town Hall—Sink Club Ball; 8.30 p.m. Fmday, August 3. Second Meeting, Geraldine Coursing Club. Ashburton Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Association—Third Annual Show, Town Hall. First day. 'Monday, August 6. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Wednesday, August 15. Ashburton County- Council —at Council Chambers: 11a.m.

DEATH.

Cochrane —At Elgin, on the 29th, J ohn Henry, youngest son of John and Agnes Cochrane; aged 9 months.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. MONDAY, JULY 30, 1883. Our Little Washington.

The Centralisation debate in the House of Representatives has brought into vivid light the anomalous and mischievous position which the City of Wellington and its surroundings occupy in New Zealand politics. The subject under discussion was obnoxious in the highest degree to the Wellingtonians, who did their best to treat it as a matter of no account, and any debate which could take place upon it as an utter waste of time. Such efforts of local interests to stay the advancing tide of public opinion will, however, prove of little avail in the long run, and if there was one point more clearly brought out than another in the debate, it was that the interests of the colony are gradually being made sub servient to those of Wellington. The entire business of government is being centred there; and Wellington official dom is being firmly constituted the ruling power of the colony. If any person idly imagines that the outcry for economy in the administration of the General Government which was made two or three years ago has produced any permanent effect, he has but to read the Estimates for 1883-84, and he willjfind his belief dispelled. And why ? Simply because Wellington does not want economy in the administration of public affairs : it wants as large a staff of officers as possible employed in the Government Buildings in Wellington, and every petty detail of the business of the country confided to their care : and all the immense social and politi cal influences which it possesses are levelled against the Ministry and the Legislature to affect this end. The manner in which the taxpayers’ money is being wasted for the purpose of maintaining the Government establish ment at Wellington in full blast may be illustrated by a passage from Mr Ptke’s speech—“ I saw not long ago an invoice sent down from Wellington to a remote part of Otago—that far away district which is of so little impor tance to this House, and these were the lines : * one ruler, one quire of fools cap paper, six sheets of blotting paper, one bottle of ink, one dozen of pens,

one packet ot pins!’ All these had ab solutely to be sent from the Govern ment storekeeper in Wellington down to the remotest part of New Zealand. And that is economy. These articles could all have been supplied by a local storekeeper at half the price which it cost to send them from the department in Wellington.” This is not an isolated case. The same kind of thing is going on day by day, year by year, in all parts of the colony. The influence of Wellington in the General Assembly is quite out of pro portion to the importance of that pro vincial district as compared with other parts of the colony. The late additions to the Legislative Council make the number of Wellington members of that body twelve, the roll of the entire Council comprising fifty members; and it must be borne in mind that the Wel lington members, living on the spot, can practically always attend the sit tings of the Council, and they thus forma more fo'inidable phalanx than any other equal number of Councillors, since the latter reside in parts of the colony more distant from the seat of Government, The effect probably intended —of Wellington being so strongly represented in the Council is to render it doubly difficult to effect any constitutional change, or even any temporary alteration in the place of sitting of the General Assembly, how ever necessary or expedient in the in terests of the rest of the colony, such change might be, if it were calculated to injure the pecuniary inter ests of Wellington in the slightest degree. The Wellington phalanx in the Legislative Council could always be depended upon to resist such a reform to the death. The mischievous influence exerted by Wellington over the Government is displayed in a variety of ways. We find it in the excess of loan expenditure, which Wellington has en joyed, compared with the Li, 257, 000 deficient loan expenditure of which Canterbury has been deprived. We find it in the unjust concessions of public property which have been made to Wellington private railway com panies : we find it in the refusal of the Ministry to offer Mr Wright the port folio of Public Works, while, in defer ence to public opinion, offering him a seat in the Ministry. The terrible alarm exhibited by a section of the Wel lington press lest the member for Ash burton should be placed in charge of the railways—a post for which men of all shades of political opinion, except those with Wellington interests, admit that he is admirably fitted—is the out burst of a natural fear that the various railways might, under Mr Wright’s management, be treated according to their respective merits; in which case the Wellington lines might possibly be placed under an economical system of administration which would be more conducive to the interests or the Colonial Exchequer than the conven ience of particular individuals or the gratification of Wellington vanity. These are but illustrations of the modes in which Wellington influences work to the detriment of the colony. There is a peculiar selfishness about Wellington and its people. Wellington is not the only part of the colony which displays a lively regard for its own interests; but Wellington, above all other places, thinks of /itself alone and at all about tjie rest of the colony. The fine-sounding names by which it de lights to designate the town of wooden boxes which lies on the shores of Port Nicholson only divert the inhabitants of the really important parts of the colony; but the latter are growing weary of the extravagance which per vades the Government administration and which is largely attributable to Wellington influences; and they are beginning to perceive that if the Go vernment of New Zealand is to be put on a sound and economical footing the first thing to be done is to remove it into some more wholesome social and political atmosphere than that which it breathes in Wellington.

Gold in Canterbury.

Should the news which has been debated so eagerly during the past few weeks, concerning the alleged discov ery of gold in this province, prove to be well founded, it will have such an important bearing upon the future of Canterbury that it is no wonder the rumors just now filling the air have caused considerable excitement. Otago owes her present position entirely to the fact that the precious metal was found to be plentiful there in the early days, and had it not been for the advent of the Victorian diggers Dun edin would probably now be but a humdrum Scotch town, instead of the important city it is. Canterbury has never had a similar advantage, and no one therefore can be surprised that when it was learnt there was a likelihood of a payable goldfield being discovered in our midst we were a good deal excited. We must con fess, however, that the intelligence received from Southbridge and the Ninety-mile Beach is not of a kind to make us particularly sanguine as to a second Gabriel’s Gully being found in this province. The ruby sand which is now and again washed up at the beach certainly contains gold, but it is doubt ful if it exists in such quantities as to make it worth while working it, while the verdict passed upon the South bridge find by the typical “ experienced digger ” is by no means favorable. It would, of course, be premature to offer a decided opinion on the matter, but certainly nothing has yet been de termined which would justify the slightest semblance of a rush. If gold is to be found in this province in payable quantities, we think it will be among the ranges rather than in the neighborhood of the sea. This opinion is fortified by some excellent specimens of quartz brought into Ashburton on Saturday from the Alford Forest district by ja very old resident in that locality. Any one examining these specimens can discern unmistakeably evidence of the presence of gold, and further news as to the discovery will be anxiously awaited by people in this portion of the province. It has long been an article of belief among men experienced in mining that sooner or later gold would be found on this side of the ranges, and it may be that we are on the eve of a new era in our history. Still, it would be unwise of us to buoy ourselves up with hopes that may prove delusive, but we think that we have received

sufficient evidence of the existence of gold in the ranges to justify a vigorous prospecting being carried on, and we trust that more than one party will be ready to leave Ashburton for that pur pose as soon as the weather will per mit.

Telegraph stations are now open at Tinwald, in this County, and at L'ncoln in the Selwyn County. •\n announcement with reference to the forthcoming Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Show will be found on our fourth page. Mr H. Dempsey is to read a paper on “ Falstaff ’’ at the Debating Society’s meeting this evening. The Governor will deliver the annual address to the New Zealand Institute on August Bth. We learn from Christchurch that addi tional applications have been made for prospecting licenses in the supposed dia mond fields. The Wellington - Manawatu Railway Company has repaid to the Wellington Loan and Investment Society the L3J,000 advanced. Bishop Moran leaves Dunedin for Wel lington on Wednesday, t» give evidence before the Committee to whom the Catho lic petitions on education were referred. At the Police Court John Whiteside was brought up before Mr Alcorn, J.P., on a charge of lunacy from drink. The accused, who was still suffering from the effects of liquor, was remanded on a medical certificate for eight days. A public meeting was held at Timaru on Saturday, which was very numerously attended by leading runholders, farmers, and others in South Canterbury. It was resolved to form a refrigerating company, with head quarters in Timaru, meat to be shipped from Timaru direct Home.

News from the Terawhiti on Saturday reports that the Golden Crown crushing is proceeding satisfactorily. The plates show splendidly, and yielded sozs to the ton as predicted by experts. Shares in the Company have risen greatly, and all other stock has also advanced. Washing up is expected at the end of next week. The clergymen at Port Chalmers who desired to take up the work of religious instruction in schools have abandoned the idea. The Committee would only grant the use of the buildings between 9 and 9.30 a.m., and it was considered any attempt to bring children out at such an early hour would only result in failure. An entertainment, which promises to be of a varied and most pleasing character is to be given in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Wednesday evening. Combined with the pleasure of a couple of hours capital en joyment, the object for which the pro ceeds will be applied—namely, to augment the funds of the St Stephen’s choir— should secure a bumper house. Hazell, an expressman at Avondale, Auckland, who found what he thought was a piece of coal in his loft, put it in his kitchen grate, when an explosion took place, and he was seriously burnt about the head, face, and arms, and is in a critical condition. The supposed block of coal appears to have been Gib of blast ing powder. Its presence in the loft is explained by the fact that Hazell’s son-in law was some time ago employed on the Kaipara railway, and, it is believed, the powder becoming wet, he brought it home with the object of having it dried, and forgot all about its existence. A meeting of settlers was held at Thornbury, Invercargill, to discuss the proposed increase in the property tax. Mr Hamilton moved a motion disapprov ing of increasing the t£x, and expressing an opinion that instead of raising the tax the exemption should bo reduced to LIOO. The speaker admitted the fairness of a property tax, but held that with the pre sent exemption of LSOO only one third of the population contributed. It had been said that Government were afraid of being turned out if the exemption were reduced, but they were unworthy to hold office if influenced by such considerations. Mr Mclntyre agreed with the motion so fas as to lowering .the exemption, but he did not think the property tax fair, a land and income tax would be preferable, and it was simply a question of time when the change would be made. The speaker said the Celonial Treasurer might be a iood clerk, but was no politician, ai was shown by what he told people at Inver cargill, namely, that if they did not like they could sell out and go elsewhere. The speaker held that exemptions should be abolished altogether, and predicted that Major Atkinson would yet come out as the apostle of land nationalisation. In the event of settlers not being able to pay he would give them 10 per cent over the valuation of their land and take it over, leaving them free to go elsewhere. Another speaker in considering the pro perty tax mentioned cases where settlers with horses worth L6O returned them at Ll 5. Other speakers urged the reduction of exemption, and some also favored an income tax. No amendment was proposed, and the motion was passed by a large majority, a copy to be sent to the Trea surer.

The Hon. Colonel Brett (observes a Wellington contemporary) prides himself on the fact that he resembles the Moorish- Yenetian General Othello so far that he is “ rude of speech, and is little gifted with the set phrase of man.” Ye terday, from bis place in the Legislative Council, he characterised the City Council of Wel lingtm as being a “lazy body.” This rather brusque accusation arose in a short discussion relative to a notice brought forward by the Hon Mr Nurse, that cer tain suggestions made by a of members of Acclimatisation Societies laid upon the table of the Council, should be printed. The remarks of the gallant and hon, member were scarcely d propos to the notice, inasmuch as it referred to fresh-water fish and acclimatised English trout. Colonel Brett, however, is never at a loss for a subject upon which to ad dress the Council, and he on this occa sion brought forward a complaint that New Zealand waters, and more especially the waters of Port Nicholson, would very soon be quite void of flounders, owing to the fishermen forcing small and quite un saleable fry upon the retail fishmongers ; and, as a factor in his argument, he stated that he had that day been shown a quantity of flounders, whose size did not average that of a Spanish crown, whatever the size of that coin may be. This assertion few who are conversant with the tricks of fishermen can gainsay, but it was scarcely polite of the hon and gallant gentleman to designate the Muni cipal Corporation of the Metropolis as “ a lazy body.”

TERRIBLE EARTHQUAKE.

A Thousand People Killed. [REUTER’S TELEGRAMS —COPYRIGHT. ] [Received July 30, 3 p.m.] Naples, July 29. A most disastrous earthquake has been experienced on the island of Ischia, situated opposite the Bay of Naples. The town of Cassamiciola has been almost totally destroyed, and it is estimated that fully i,ooo persons have been killed, besides hundreds more or less seriously injured. Boat loads of the killed and wounded are ar riving here hourly from the island, and much anxiety and excitement prevails.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

A CORRECTION.

To the Editor. Sir. —Just a few lines in your valuable paper to correct an error which appears in one of your locals in Saturday’s issue. In commenting on “ a novel kind of con veyance ” of my manufacture, you also state that the vehicle in question has just been built by Mr Win. Hicks for Baker and Brown. This is not correct, as it has been constructed by Baker and Brown for an Ashburton resident. By inserting the above you will oblige yours etc., J. W. Baker.

BISHOP REDWOOD’S ADVERTISE MENT.

To THE EdIIOR. Sir, —It Is necessary for me to make a few remarks in explanation of the adver tisement signed by Bishop Redwood and appearing in your issue to-night. The Wellington special correspondent of the Lyttelton Times after telegraphing the advertisement that appeared in the Even ing Post if Wellington of Friday last, goes on to make an The paragraph in question runs thus in sub stance —** That the 1 Colonial Land Settlement and Endowment Association of New Zealand, Limited,’ was started to buy native lands and to found a special settlement where Catholic schools and other institutions of a like nature could be founded. Instead of devoting the money of the Company to the purchase of 'ands Bishop Redwood has a project of spending it on theological colleges." Sir, the one theologi al college was mooted, and part of the land bought for he purpose before the above-mentioned Company was dreamed of, but that Bishop Redwood thought for a moment of applying to this purpose the money of the shareholders is false, and I beg you to give it a distinct denial. The primary object of the Company, stated in the prospectus, was —“ That half the profits were to be divided amongst shareholders and the balance be granted to the Catholic schools pro rata with the number of shares held in each district, and with the ultimate object of educating their children at less cost than at present.” The slur cast on the character of a well known gentleman like Bishop Redwood carries its own condemnation. —lam, etc. Edmond Coffey,

THE NELSON TRAGEDY.

The Inquest. An inquest was held on Saturday after noon. Mr Shallcrass, the gaoler, deposed that at ten minutes to six in the morning he heard a scream, but thought it was from the outside of the gaol. Got up, went down stairs and into the gaol, but on entering the corridor was met by Davidson, who stood eight paces off with a revolver in his right hand, and said, “If you come an other step I will shoot you !” Davidson also told him to open the front door, but he refused, whereupon Davidson again threatened to fire unless he did it. Shall crass then commenced reasoning with and threatening Davidson, and managed to start him off talking about his grievances. Mrs Shallcrass entered the corridor and asked Davidson where Adams was, to which the convict replied, “ Oh, ha’s all right.” Thsy went on parleying for about five minutes, when Shallcrass told David son he could shoot him, and Davidson re plied, “I’ll be if lam shot,” Shall crass said, “ I would rather you take your own life than I should do so.” Davidson repeatedly put his revolver to his own head. After about 35 minutes Chief Warder White came on the scene, and commenced to expostulate with Davidson, until at length the latter drew back to the wall, p'aced the revolver to his mouth, and pulled the trigger, but the cap snapped. He then examined the rev-lver again, put it to his head, fired, and fell dead. Witness rushed up to see where Adams was, and found him lying dead in the yard. Ho had a wound in the back of hia head, another in the neck and the back, and a frightful wound in the abdomen, from which hia intestines wore protruding, i hree white prisoners were confined in cells in the corridor in which Davidson stood, and the latter before shooting himself, shook hands with the inmates of two of the cells, patting hisjiand between the gratings. Beiore this, however, Shall crass left the corridor and went to his office to get his revolver, leaving Mrs Shallcrass in the corridor. Davidson had then given up the idea of shooting. From the place where Davidson stood he could see Adams lying in the yard, and must have known ho was dead. Davidson had been employed as cook since May 18, and was always very orderly and obliging, agreed with everyone, and never showed any sign of mental aberration. It was the duty of Adams to call Davidson to light the fires, etc. Davidson had access to knives, and a long butcher’s knife was picked up beside Davidson’s body. Adams’s coat was in the yard, and Davidson ap peared to have searched it for keys, as a key was found in the gate between the jard and garden, but it was the key of an inner door, and would not open the gate. During his conversation with Davidson, I avidson drew back for a minute after threatening him if he moved, and then returned with two revolvers. The re volvers were kept in the armoury, which was a cupboard within the officers’ room, to which Davidson had access. The panel of this cupboard was broken. Two chambers of one revolver had been dis charged, and one in the other. Davidson was to have been removed to Wellington, and had not the Wallace been detained by bad weather, would have sailed; He did not appear to like the idea of going to Wellington, and said that if he had gone he would have jumped overboard. Shall crass told him to lay down the revolvers, and then he could jump overboard. Chief warder White corroborated Shall crass’ statements in all important p unts. The medical evidence was that Adams’ death resulted from hemorrhage, but that had immediate assistance been available, his life could not have been saved.

The jury returned a verdict regarding Adams of “ Wilful murder by Davidson, 1 ' and on the body of the latter, a verdict fdo de ae. They then adjourned till Monday to consider a rider. Opinions were expressed that firearms should not have been left where they were accessible to prisoners, and comment was made on a life prisoner of such character being em ployed as cook.

SPORTING.

CHRISTCHURCH HUNT CLUB STEEPLECHASES. The following acceptances and sweep stakes for the above were received on Saturday evening: Hunt Club Cur—Melbourne, 12at 71b; Ravenswood, -12st 71b; Rattler, 12at; Tommy, lOst 131 b. Open Steemu chase Clarence, J2st 121 b; Quamby, IQst 131 b; Kosciusko, lOst 71b ; Ravenswood, lOst 61b ; Bate man, lOst 51b ; Levant lOst ; Hercules, iOst. Tally-Ho Plate Bambini, Bredon hill, Black ‘ Bess, Daylight, Linwood, Glenrowan, Traitor, Tommy, Camniy, Patience. The weights for the Hunt Club Cup have been raised 71b, in accordance with the New Zealand National rules.

FOOTBALL.

Ashburton v. South Canterbury. The match which took place on Satur day at Timaru between teams represent ing the above resulted in favor of the South Canterbury men by two goals and two tries to nil. Considering how little practice the Ashburton players have had this season, there is no wonder that they were beaten, but, at the same time, it must bo conceded they played a very plucky up-hill game. The ground was, on account of the recent rains, not in good condition, and some was ex perienced in the players’ keeping their feet. At about 2 o’clock the Timaru cap tain kicked off, the ball being well re turned by A. Fooks. Then followed a number of tight scrimmages, F. Jones ulti mately securing the ball, and bringing it behind the Ashburton goal, scoring first blood for Timaru. No goal however re sulted, but the visitors were compelled to force down. During the rest of the spell no further score was made, although the ball was kept perilously close to the visi tors’ goal. In the second spell the game was a fast one, some good passing being done by the Timaru men, and Hughes by a good kies from the centra of the play placed a goal to the credit of the local team. Soon after Lough touched the ball down, and the kick was entrusted to Shepherd, who was successful in obtain ing another goal. It was seen that the Ashburton men were quite over-matched, and before no-side was called another touch-down was registered for South Canterbury, although the try was a failure. The game was played through out with the most perfect good temper, and the Ashburton team returned by the last train well satisfied with the day’s out ing. Canterbury v. Wellington. This match which was played on Satur day, resulted in a victor) for Wellington by one try to nil, the same score as was made in the game with Otago last week. The ground was in bad condition, and at one time it seemed as if the heavier weight of the Canterbury men would give the victory to the south, Wellington won the toss, ana very little time was lost in setting the ball in motion At 3.7 Mill ton sent the ball well down in the Wel lington quarters. It was met by Wood, the local captain, who returned it into touch. The scrimmages were frequent, and after twenty minutes’ play the ball was fairly in the centre of the ground. The Canterbury men were playing a grand game, simply walking through the Wellingtonians, and those who were backing the local team at 2 to 1 were hedging again. From one hard scrim mage Campbell, one of the local for wards, picked up the ball and ran through the Canterbury backs, getting the first try fot Wellington. The position was not a good one and Dumbell, who is, as a rule, entrusted with the place kick for Wellington, refused to take it, and H. Smith, the Captain of the College team, was asked to have a try. Be made a splendid kick, the ball going in excellent direction, but fall low. Million, the captain of the Canterbury men, had previous to this another shot at goal from a “ mark ” obtained by Farr. The kick was from the side of the field, but not withstanding this Million made a splendid effort, and it was not until the umpires gave “no goal” that it was known what was the result. With those on the field the general opinion was that it had passed betweten the posts, and expressions of regret were frequent when the decision was given. The result of this pot seemed to inspire the visitors with renewed vigor, and they carried the ball into Wellington’s quarters, where they kept it until time for the first spell was called. The game, so far, had resulted in favor of Wellington by one try to nil. After a couple of minutes’ spell Wood kicked off, and scrimmages were again the order of the day for some time. Dum bell getting the ball made a grand run through the visitors, and took the leather behind the goal posts, but the umpires de cided to have the ball back, as some slight irregularity had taken place. This de cision was most unfortunate for Welling ton, as it would have given them another try, and, from the position that Dumbell touched the ball, it would have been an easy kick for a goal. The decision was re ceived with disapprobation by the Wel lington men, and the captain, on leaving the crowd, who were disputing it, re marked, “What hard luck.’' A few minutes later Dumbell, of the Wel lington side, in making a run, was collared, and immediately called “ down.” The Canterbury forward, however, was not satisfied with stopping him, but caugut Dumbell by the collar and dragged him several yards in the direction of the Wellington goal. This was the grossest piece of unfair play dur ing the game, and two of the Wellington men caught the Canterbury man, and once it appeared as if the affair would re sult in fists being used. The spectators who were near it noticed the dispute, and called to the Wellington men not to have a row. The rest of the spell was hardly fought by Canterbury, but just towards the last they appeared to tire, and Wel lington rushed the ball down close to the goal, when no side was called, Wellington winning by a try to love.

CANTERBURY GOLD.

In order to obtain authentic and more reliable information respecting the “Can terbury Goldfield,” the opening of which was heralded by the Christchurch papers with such a flourish of trumpets, we paid a visit to the scene of operations, or more correctly speaking, a portion of the same, on Thursday, and must confess that we were not a little disappointed with the result of our visit. We wish it to be understood that our present remarks apply only to the locality visited.—the prospector’s claim granted to Nicholas Bassi and his mates, and not to the ground from which it is alleged that Mr G. F. Smith obtained the sample of wash sub mitted by Mr Rollescon to the Govern ment Geologist (Mr Skey), with whose report of “ loz Gdwt 14gr to the ton ” the public are now familiar. We did not visit this as the lateness of the hour, the bad state of the roads, and the unfavorable reports received from old diggers return ing from it, suggested the propriety of deferring our visit until the result of the party’s washing-up became known. In the vicinity of Bassi and mates’ claim there were several parties either camped, or preparing to camp. The claim is on the beach between Taumutu, or the outlet of Lake Ellesmere, and the Little Rakaia. The beach does not present to the traveller acquainted with the West Coast any of the indications of being auri ferous. There ate none of the black sand reaches of that celebrated region like the Seventeen Mile or Canon Creek beaches to be seen. Nothing but the barren grey sand and shingle which by the action of a heavy surf have been thrown up beyond high water mark, so as to form a kind of terrace. Vet it is in this, strange to say, that Bassi alleges he found ruby sand, six pounds of which yielded two pennyweights of gold. Most of those who were’ engaged in taking out prospects it was evident were very green “ expe rienced diggers ” judging from their style of working, and we could not help re gretting that they should have been in-, duoed to try their luck at this mythical El Dorado. Bassi was engaged trying a prospect in a superannuated frying-pan, about the size of a soup-plate, and a very fair one he obtained. We fancy, how ever, that some of the results of farmer prospecting efforts with the same imple ment must have adhered to the rusty iron,

for it was much better than that yielded by some stuff from the same hole which we brought away with us. The best wash is found at a depth of from two feet six inches to three feet below the surface, where a thin layer of ruby sand is met with. This slightly impregnates the over lying stratum, and if a good head of water were available so that operations could be conducted on a larue scale it might pay to run the whole through the boxes. But water here will be the main difficulty. The ground would have to be far richer than it is to pay for bringing water on to the beach between which and the flat where the creek runs there is a range of sand hills, in no place less than twenty feet high, and it would be a very formid able undertaking to cut through these. Unless this be done we do not see even a ghost of a chance of the auriferous de posit being utilised, as, in our opinion, it is very far from being rich enough to pay for haulage to the water. From what we have so far seen (and heard), we can only say that we are afraid the “Canterbury Goldfield” is destined to prove a bitter disappointment to many. — Ellesmere Guardian.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE

[rEDTER’s TELEGRAMS —COPYRIGHT.] Monetary and Commercial. London, July 27. Consols remain at New Zealand securities : —Five per cent 10-40 Loan, remains at ie6 ; and 5 per cent. 1889 Loan at 4ft per cent 1879-1904 Loan is quoted at being an advance ot 20s \ 4 per cent inscribed stock has advanced by 10s, and is quoted at 100 ex div. The market for Australian tallow con tinues dull at 40s for best beef, and 41s for best mutton. Colonial bread stuffs remain at last quotations —viz., Adelaide wheat, ex warehouse, 475; and New Zealand ditto at 44s 10475; Adelaide flour, ex warehouse, 335. The total quantity of wheat afloat for the United Kingdom.is 1,430,000 quar ters, being a reduction of 210,000 quarters during the week. Best Sydney sun-dried copra has advanced to L2O.

The Hop Harvest. Accounts to hand from hop-growing districts are less favorable, bright dry weather being required after the recent heavy rains. A False Alarm. London, July 28. The report that a case of cholera occurred at the Docks has been ascet* tained to be without foundation. A Compliment. In the course of an address to the students at Cooper’s Hill Indian En gineering College to-day, Earl Kimber ley said he rejoiced at the success which had been achieved by students from Australia, and hoped that many others from the colonies would join the institution. The French in China- Paris, July 28. Intelligence is to hand from Tonquin reporting that in a sortie made from Hanoi by the French garrison on the 19th inst., fully 1,000 Anamites were killed, and only n Frenchmen iost their lives.

The Plague in Egypt. Cairo, July 28. A rapid decrease in the daily number of deaths from cholera is reported, and it is hoped that the epidemic has now been got under control. The Calcutta Exhibition- Calcutta, July 28. The International Exhibition build ings are now in a state of forwardness, and extend over an area of 25 acres. An exhibition shipment of meat and show of Australian live stock are looked for, and the time for the entries in these classes has been further extended for a fortnight. [Received July 30, 1.30 p m.] The San Francisco Mail. London, July 28. The Homeward mails via San Fran - cisco, which left Auckland on June 19 , were delivered in London yesterday, three days before contract time. [Received July 30, 3 p,m.] The Late Captain Webb- New York, July 29. The body of the late Captain Webb has been recovered in the Niagara River, near Lewiston. It is most terri bly battered by its passage down th stream.

AUSTRALIAN.

[rECTßr’s TELEGRAMS —COPYRIGHT.] ■ Disastrous Bush Fire. Sydney, Saturday. During a terrific gale a bush fire ignited at Gerringong, near the south, coast of this colony, and spread rapidly. Six homesteads were totally destroyed, and villages in the neighborhood of the bush were only saved with great diffi culty. [Received July 30, 1.30 p.m.] Shipping. Sydney, To-day. Sailed, on Saturday afternoon —s.s. Wakatipu, for Wellington. A Sculling Match. A sculling match took place on the Parramatta river on Saturday between Edward Trickett and Beach, and re sulted in a victory for the former.

TELEGRAMS.

[per press association.] Arrival of the Catalonia. Wellington, To-day. The New Zealand Shipping Company's chartered steamer Catalonia (Capt Talbot) arrived from London at 8.3 J this morn ing. She left London on Juno 3rd. The passage, (including stoppages, occupied fifty - seven days, the length being accounted for by her running on. a short supply of coals. The passage was uneventful. Two deaths occurred : —William Jenkins, aged 45; and Edward Brown, aged 24. The cause was con sumption. The latter died yesterday morning and was buried at sea. Both men were steerage passengers, and bound to Wellington. Missing. Nelson, To-day. It is feared that Mr Morris Bucbholz > third son of Mr S. Buchholz, an old resi dent of this district, has beeii drowned in the Takaka river. He was acting aa traveller for Mr Moss Davis, and on Thursday afternoon left Collingwood to ride to Takaka. On Saturday it was learnt in Collingwood ’that he had net arrived. A search was made yesterday,- and the horse he rode was found with one stirrup leather gone and the saddle turned round under the horse’s belly. The body has not yet been found.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, MONDAY, JULY 30, 1883.



ROBINSON AND TOWNSHEND are cash buyers op WHEAT OATS B ■V.RLEY GRASS SEED Agents for A. Moore & Co. ROBINSON AND TOWNSHEND, Havelock street. 229 I^.SSVr;/~ cr?/ wmmm sjffr- MlmSm ill mm Milner & Thompson . Ashbcteton, H. M. JONES, Agent, PIPE ORGANS. —Especially suitable for Churches. Par superior to any ReeA Organ near the price for richness and purity of tone, volume of sound, and durability of onstruction. Price—Ll2o. REED ORGANS. —By Smith and Co., Mason and Hamlin, Wood and Co., Easby and Co., New England Company, and Clough and Warner —from LI2 I2a. PIANOS. Brinsmead and Sons, Broadaiood, Collard and Collard, Erard, Ployel and others. Dread sn Model, and German and French manufacture, with test improvements. jar DEFERRED PAYMENTS W MOLES AXE AND RETAIL. 18 JP OR SALE. Seed. Seed, SNrrcn WHEAT—Hunter’s White. Prime Tuscan, gßim OATS—Canadian. Tartarian, first-class. Danish. KAIAPOI ISLAND POTATOES. CRUSHED OATS, ' • First-class, Is. lOd, per bushel. JOSEPH CLARE, c ' Ashburton and Tinwald.



Wanted WANTED— A person to take charge of a CHILD five months old. Apply, stating terms, to S.J., Office of this Paper. 7 84 WANTED Known —Two or three Gentlemen will meet with a com fortable home ; terms moderate. Mrs G. H. Thompson, Trevorton. 1443 WANTED— A GIRL, about 13 or 14 years of age, to help with house work. Liberal wages and a comfortable home to a good girl. Apply Mrs McFarlanb, Havelock street, Ashburton. 7 188 WANTED 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. Terms cash. 760 e WANTED Known—That 0. Haw kins, BOOT and SHOEMAKER, having given up the Ashburton branch, is now carrying on the Business at Tin wald under his own personal supervision. Being overstocked with women’s and children’s BOOTS, he is now offering them at a sacrifice. Como and see for yourselves. 7-49 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, lessons £1 per month, or according to arrangement, 1344



ANTED KNOWN Great Slaughter Now going on with BOOTS AND SHOES, AS GREEN & CO. Are giving up business on 16th August, they are determined to clear out the whole of their well-assorted Stock of Boots and Shoes at any price, to save removal to Dunedin. No reasonable offer will be re fused. GREEN & CO.. Corner East and Burnett streets. 7 169



Special Advertisements. PAPER FOR SALE In Large or Small Quantities. ANDREWES BROS., Booksellers and Stationers, East street South, Ashburton. 77 THE NEW ZEALAND GRAIN AGENCY AND MERCANTILE COMPANY, LIMITED, HAVE FOR SALE, ON EASY TERMS OF PAYMENT a Complete Threshing Plant, By Ransome, including 8 h o ENGINE COMBINE ELEVATOR. The above has only threshed about 70,000 bushels, and is almost EQUAL TO NEW. Wit HORNE, Agent, WEST STREET, ASHBURTON. 12 an



THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory HAVE spared no effort to place before the public a MOST COMPLETE ASSORTMENT OF NEW WINTER MANUFACTURES Comprising all the latest styles in MEN’S & BOY’S CLOTHING Manufactured from the best qualities and newest Designs in COLONIAL, SCOTCH, BRITISH, AND CONTINENTAL TWEEDS. The large and increased trade bn' en abled the Proprietary to offer their cus tomers still further advantages than hitherto, and THIS SEASON’S GOODS, upon inspection, will ba found CHEAPER THAN EVER. A SINGLE GARMENT < AT WHOLESALE FKICE. SHIRTS, HATS, HOSIERY, and every requisite at Wholesale Prices. Nineteen Branches now open in New Zealand. Agents for the Unrivalled WERTHEIM SEWING MACHINES Ashburton Branch : EAST STREET. STATIONERY OF ETERY DE SCRIPTION. Account Books Ink—from small to largest jars School Books—School Committees sup plied at lowest rates Latest Novelties in all kinds of Fancy Goods, Toys, &c. All the Home Journals, Magazines, and Papers by every mail. Subscribers wanted for any Magazine or Paper published. Andrewes Bros., BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS, &0., East street Sooth Ashburton. n!5 mHB GUARDIAN is on every Te *• table in Ashburton.



Special Advertisements. jgCONOMY, COMFORT, SAFETY. rhe Shag Point Coal Company, Limited, beg to inform the Public of Ash burton and neighboring district that their FAVORITE HOUSEHOLD COAL Is supplied by the principal local_ Dealers at prices to suit the times. Special rates for quantities of 4 tons and upwards. Be sure and ask your dealer for Shag Point Coal, The most economical and efficient FueHn the market, being free from soot and live ashes and emitting a strong, steady and lasting heat. For terms apply to your Dealer or at P. 0., Box 213, Dunedin. N.B. —The price of every ton of Shag Point Coal sold is spent in the colony, and a large portion of it goes direct to the revenue. 7 149



F YOU WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE, GO TO DAVIS’S CHEAP FURNITURE AND BED DING MANUFACTORY, EAST STREET SOUTH, ASHBURTON. tjIVERY article Sold at Christchurch .J Prices and iiranteod bes. of 'naterial and workmanship. FUNERALS CHEAPLY & COMPLETELY FURNISHED



H. M. Jones r AS NOW ON VIEW A FUSE Has now on view STOCK OF PIANOS. FROM £2O AND UPWARDS. A Magnificent Instrument by Lipp and Sohn, in walnut; also one by Schwarch ton with TRANSPOSING KEY BOARD, And others by English, German and French Manufacturers. ORGANS. ORGANS. A good selection of these Instruments on hand from £l2 12s upwards. 25 INSTRUMENTS TO SELECT FROM. 25 HARMONIUMS HARMONIUMS. Accordians, Violins, Banjos, Cornets, and all kinds of Brass and Stringed Instru ments. PH 0 ot on th. 0 Lmost won- VT derful instru- ii Ements of the day. TJ Music by the yard. A child JQi Mean play it. Very cheap. Just the O thing for those who cannot have a K 3 piano. Pianos ®n hire and for sale at the lowest cash prices, and on TERMS to SUIT PURCHASERS. Agent for MILNER & THOMPSON. A Large Assortment of STATIONERY, BOOKS, TOYS, & FANCY GOODS. H. M. JONES, BURNETT ST. & BARING SQUARE. Ashburton. 13d Shag Point Coal. Tucker, restell and co. 7 192



Wanted the public to know you can save 100 per cent by dealing at the Ready-Money Meat Mart, Bullock’s Arcade. Meat delivered to any part of the town when purchased, 7 *B9



For general debility and prostration Hop Bitters will do you wonders. Prove it by trial. See.— [Advt.]



Flies and Bugs. —Beetles, insects* roaches*- ants, bed-bugs, rats, mice, jack-rab-- Wits, cleared out by “ Rough on Rats. 1% d., Moses, Moss and Co., Sydney, General Agents* Wells’ “Rough on Corns.” —Ask for Wells’ “ Rough on Corns.” Quick rc-- lief complete, permanent cure. Corns, warts* bunions. Moses, Moss and fcCo., Sydney* General Agents. j