SHIPPING.

' ili PORT OP LYTTELTON. Arrived* Yesterday. Arawata, a.a., from Auckland and way ports. Penguin, s.s., from Port Chalmers. . , r Sailed. -- 'Yesterday. Arawata, s.s., for Southern ports and Melbourne. 1 Penguin, s.s., for Wellington. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. ; / Auckland, Yesterday, Arrived—Atlantic, from’ Rarotonga; .Three Oheera, from Suva. Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived Wakatu, from Kaikoura ; Emerald,* ketch, from Kaikoura ; Enter « prise, brigantine, from Timaru. s Sailed—Wanaka, for Pioton and Nel son ; Southern Cross, fer Auckland, .via the East Coast; Wakatu, for Kaikoura ; Kennedy; for West Coast. . Timaru, Yesterday. Arrived —Waitaki, from the South ; Endeavor, from Wellington. Sailed—Waitaki, for Dunedin. Dunedin, Yesterday. Arrived—Te Anau, from Melbourne, yia the Bluff; Wakatipu, from the North. Sailed—Taranaki, ship, for London, with a cargo valued at LIOO,OOO. ' Dvnbdin, To-day. Arrived—Ocean Ranger, from Man-, .1 zitius. ' \ . ' ' . ■ Bluet, Yesterday, Arrived—New Zealand Shipping Com pany’s ship City of Perth to. load wool for London ; Stella, s.s., from Waipapa Point - r ”J Lighthouse.

MAIL NOTICES.

' Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office : as follows : For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m. * 10.30 a.m., and 6 p. m., daily. ForChertseyßakaia, &c., at 10.30 a.m. ' and s’p.m. daily. a For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, . and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. For Teniuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., daily. For Timaru and South,’at 6 a.m.,10 and 4.30 p.m., daily. - For Greenstreet, on Tuesdays and Pri « “days, at 10.30 a. m. „ f , For tfount Somers, on Tuesdays and; r Saturdays, ft 6 a.m. and 430 p.m. For Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days, at 6 a.m. ' For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach,. at 4.30 p.m. daily. For Flemington, bn J Mondays, Wednes ' days, and Fridays, at 430 p. m. ; 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— ‘ Frojm Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.15 •.m., 435 p,m., and 7.20 p.m. From Chertsey, &o. at 10.15 a.m. and 435 p.m. daily. . From Dunedin and intermediate places , . gt 5.30 p.m.daily. ; From Temuka and Timaru at 10,40 a. m. 5.30 p.m., and 8 p.m. daily. • From Greenstreet, Tuesdays and E|ri days, at 3 p.m. From Mount Somers, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 10.5 a.m. and 8.15 p.m. • 9 i",j From Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days, at 10.5 a.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.m. daily. ■ Prom Flemington on Tuesdays, Thurs - -days,and Saturdays, at 10 a.m. From Elgin,-Wakanui, Seafield, and 1“ „ Kyle, on: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sat-, "... .nrdays, at 4 p,m. •r, - From Newlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days, at 9.30 a.m. ; .

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES Friday, January 26. ..... j^Ut'Alfred Harrison, at corner of Moore and Park streets—Building Materials, T &o.j 2 o’clock sharp. ' ' . '.’Saturday, JanuaE#: 27. i ' ’ Matson, Cox, and Co., at their Bazaar— <T Horses, Cows, Pigs,: Poultry, Sundries, ’ &c.; 11.30 a.m. ! Mi j.. Bullock, at the Bazaar—Horses, Ip.m. ; .... * Mr W. F. Allen, at his rooms, Burnett street—Horses, Pigs, Poulti General Produce, «So.; 11.30 a.m. Mr’ Alfred Harrison, at the yards— Horses, Pigs, Produce, Shares, &c.; 12 ■ ' noon. ' Tuesday, January 80. Matson, Cox and Co., at the Ashburton Tarda—Stock.. * ' A MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &o * To-Night, Wednesday, January 24. Phrenological Lecture—Town Hall, 8 . p.m. Friday, January 26. Somerset Lodge, Monthly Meeting,‘in the ' Masonic Hall, Tancred'atreet, 7.80. Tuesday, January 30. Ashburton Pacing Club—Special General Meeting,Quill’s Hotel, 8 p.m. * ; Saturday, February 3i Wakanui Road Board—Monthly Meeting, Road Board Office, Moore street , Monday, February 5. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. . Monday, February, 12. County'Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock.

DEATH.

Stephens —At Ashburton, on January 23, 1883, Thomas Le Retilley, second son of John and Lucy Stephens, Blacksmith ; aged 21 years. Hokitika papers please copy.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1883. Cumulative Voting.

In accordance with a promise given in our leading columns last evening, and because we think that the public should clearly comprehend how the Committee which is to have control of our local educational affairs during the ensuing year was chosen, we will pro ceed to analyse the voting on last Mon day. The following table will serve to make the matter plain :

From this it will be seen that it is quite possible for a candidate to get together a number of people at a meeting who will give enough plumpers to make his election sure. Take, for example, the case of Mr St. Hill, who stood second on the list with 117 votes, but who really received the support of only twenty-four people, while that Mr Reddin was a fit and proper person to sit on the Committee was the opinion of but twenty of those who were pre sent. Again, Mr G. W. Andrews, who is now In office, was voted for by the same number of householders as was Mr Bean, the very last on the list Wc do not mean to insinuate that the meeting was “ packed ” with the friends of any of the gentlemen named, but the power given to a comparatively few to carry an election should not be accorded, and this is alone sufficient to condemn the system of cumulative voting. It may be argued that even taking the number of persons who registered their votes, the Committee appointed would have been virtually the same. Granting this, we must bear in mind that while thirteen men considered that Mr St. Hill was the only one of those nomi nated who was worthy of a seat on the Committee, and nine others held the same opinion in regard to Mr Reddin, there were fourteen who thought that Mr Bean would make a use ful member. Those who voted for the last mentioned candidate showed, in our opinion, more intelligence than those others who were satisfied with giving plumpers for their special friends. Let it not be imagined that we are finding fault with the present Com mittee. With the exception of two members, Messrs St. Hill and Orr, they are all new men, and for all we know they may develope special faculties for dealing with the work under their charge. Mr St. Hill has indeed ex pressed his intention of resigning, but it is to be hoped that he will reconsider his decision, as he has always shown himself to be in earnest, though he sometimes sins against good taste, as witness his remarks concerning the chairmanship at Monday night’s meet

rig. But what we specially wish* to protest against is the cumlative vot ng, whichunder the most stringent upervision must be unsatisfactory. ?hat this supervision vas riot exercised, >r that even ordinary precautions were iot taken to prevent people votirig twice vas apparent to everyone who was-pre ;ent, and we can assert without fear of contradiction that not nearly a hundred bond fide householders attended the meeting, while the number of voting papers received, as can be discovered by the table given above, was consider ably more than that number. If cumula tive voting is not a thing of the past by the time the next election takes place, it is to be hoped that some effort will be made in future to prevent a repetition of the fiasco of Monday last.

The Peninsula Election.

It may be said to have been a fore gone conclusion that Mr Larnach would be elected as member for the Peninsula, but we doubt if his most ardent sup porters expected to see him returned by such an overwhelming majority. Ihe contest created considerable ex citement in Otago, and a more than local interest was shown on account of the presence of a Bishop among the candidates. But now the election is over, and we find that Mr Larnach actually polled more than double the amount of votes obtained by both Mr Donnelly and Bishop Moran, it is evi dent that the gentleman who has been elected could never have had any doubt as to the result. That the Peninsula has chosen wisely will be the almost universal verdict. Mr Larnach is a man who has had previous experience as a politician, he has made money and report says that he has used that money wisely, and has done much good to the district of which he is now the repre sentative. His business capacities will make him a useful member ot Parlia ment, and he will be a decided acqui sition to whichever party he may join. He came forward as an “ in dependent ” candidate, but he is too practical a politician not to know that he can do little good unless he links his fortunes either with the Minis try or the Opposition. The addresses I delivered by Mr Larnach during his 1 candidature showed that he is a Liberal in the truest sense of the word, and for that reason we do not expect to find him in the ranks of the noisy dema gogues, who for the most part compose the Opposition. Of the unsuccessful aspirants for political honors on this occasion, Bishop Moran claims the first notice. His position, indeed, is the lowest on the poll, but he was not de feated ingloriously. He has fought a good fight with energy, and if the victory has been lost it may be truly said that he has used no weapons un worthy of a gentleman. He has stated his opinions clearly, and although he naturally differed widely from the views of his opponents in the matter of edu cational policy, his ideas of government in other respects were both liberal and enlightened. Mr Donnelly, on the other hand, has done his best to destroy what little reputation he gained when he wooed the suffrages of the people at the general election. Not only has he changed his political opinions in one short year, but he resorted to unworthy tactics during the contest. On the Saturday previous to the election he held a meeting at which Mr Fish was present. The latter gentleman made an attack upon Mr Larnach, in which he characterised that gentleman as a, “ shifty politician,” and indulged in per sonalities in a way that only the mem ber tor Dunedin South can. Mr Don nelly, though more moderate in tone, spoke in the same strain, and if he did manage to secure a little applause at the time, he may be sure that should he ever again come before a con stituency, the fact of his having attacked an opposing candidate when there was no opportunity for a reply being given will be remembered against him. How ever, it is evident that the good sense of the Peninsula electors prevailed, and without doubt they have done well in returning Mr Larnach.

Appointment. —At a special meeting of the South Rakaia Road Board held on Tuesday, Mr A. Makeig was appointed returning officer for the South Rakaia Licensing [District.

Aquatig. —Hearn and four other row ing men have issued a challenge to row any other five men in New Zealand for any sura up to L2oo.—The following are the Otago crew to row against Canterbury on the Taieri river on February 23rd ;—S. A. Gibson, bow (lOat 12lb); E. L. Drew, No. 2 (list 91b); W. XL Fowler, No. 3 (USst 41b); E. Fulton, stroke (lOat 21b).

Political Enthusiasm. —The Dunedin Star of last night contains the following paragraph :—“ On dit, that the sequel of yesterday’s election proceedings was that a well-known M.H.R. and a leading mem ber of the successful candidate’s commit tee, allowed their political feelings to so far over-master them as to endeavor to settle their differences by a resort to physical force. Rumor adds that the Op position cause again suffered material damage, which will very likely prevent its champion putting in an appearance in public for a day or two. ”

Cricket. —A match was commenced yesterday afternoon on the Domain between two elevens of the Guardian and Mail, The Guardian went first to the wickets, but-they made a poor stand against the bowling of their opponents, and when the last wicket fell the total had reached the small number of 36. The Mail team was evidently the stronger, and they were not disposed of till the time came for drawing the stumps. Reddin made 53 by hard vigorous hitting, and Venables scored 21. The innings closed for 155, and the match, which at present looks a “ moral ” for the Mail, will be re sumed at a future date.

Wesleyan {Conference. —The Wes leyan Conference opened at Auckland yes terday in the presence of a large congre gation. Sixty ministers were present. The Rev. Mr Bavin was elected President, and the Rev. Mr Bull Secretary. Ad dresses were delivered by the ex-president and others. Notices of motion on Metho dist Union were given. A congratulatory resolution was passed to the Rev. Janies Wallis on his attaining his ministerial jubilee. The first draft for stations wis made, and the following appointments for the year wore recommended by the Stationing Committee ;—Ponsonby, Re s. Mr Smalley ; Upper Thames, Rev. T. J. Wills ; Te Awamutu, Rev. Mr Penfold ; Gisborpe, Rev Mr Marshall; Waitara, Rev. Mr Fee ; Patea, Rev. Mr Lattaher ; Hutt, Rev. Mr Dewsbury; Greytown, Rev. Mr Hudson ; Colombo road, Christ church, Rev. Mr Crump; St. Albans, Christchurch, Rev. Mr Morley and Rev. Mr Jones; Springston, Rev. Mr Haux well; Woodend, Rev. Mr Wills; Temuka, Rev. Mr Garlick; Morningtdn, Rev. Mr Murray; Merton, Rev. Mr Martin; Oamaru, Rev. Mr Riishworth; Gore and Tapanui, Rev, Mr Buttle.lJ " M< ,

Dastardly Outrage. —Some scoundrel Entered Sir’James Prendergast’s stable on Monday night and deliberately cut the tongue out of his favorite pony. No clue has been found to the perpetrator.

Slander Case. —ln the case Paxton v. Stead, for slander, which occupied the Supreme Court at Christchurch on Mon day and Tuesday, a verdict was given last evening for the plaintiff. The jury fixed the damages at LIOO. Reaper and Binder Trial. A trial is announced to take place to-morrow at Mr Jos. Hunt’s paddock of a new des cription of reaper and binder, termed the Hornsby. This machine has been highly spoken of elsewhere, and the farmers of the district are invited to be present at the trial, when the capabilities of the ma chine will be thoroughly tested. An Absconder. —lt has been definitely ascertained that Mr Charles White, the absconding secretary of the Wellington Building Society, did proceed by mail steamer to San Francisco. He landed at Honolulu, and spent the day in company with J. S. Webb, a similar defaulter from Dunedin. In San Francisco, he resided a few days at Baldwin’s Hotel, after which he was lost sight of.

Literature tor the Rough. —A new weekly has made its appearance in Lon don. It is called The Hag, and the fol lowing sentences from the commencement of its leading article will sufficiently indi cate its character ; —“ Good morning, my rorty pals. Hope you are pleased to see me. This will be the propereat rag chucked out of any paper-showing crib in London ; no tommy-rot, no advertise ments, no pound of flour and two plums, all real jam and no mistake.”

Accident on a Racecouksb.— A sad accident occurred in the Consolation Race at the Taratihi races on Monday. Comus fell at the turn, rolling over young Ray, who had not up to last evening re gained consciousness. Fear is entertained of a fatal termination. Accidents are frequent on this course ; almost every meeting some one is nearly killed, through the corners being too sharp,, or bad management Orphan fell and almost killed Tom Hayward last year. On Mon day many persons were standing in the straight when the horses were finishing, some of the horses almost refusing to pass them. If any horse had swerved to enter the saddling paddock, it must have come into contact with some of the spectators. A Warning. —Recently a number of the laborers of Tokomairiro, hearing that there was a scarcity of harvest hands in the Oamaru district, left here (says the Bruce Standard) for that place, in search of emp'cyment. On their arrival there they found scores of men going about idle, and after spending several days in a fruit less search for work, have just returned to Milton disgusted. Not a single one of them, we have been informed, could manage to get a job at harvesting, so plentiful were hands ; and the highest wage offered by the farmers was 30s a week and found. One or two went as far as

Timaru and Ashburton, and received no bettor encouragement. Their fruitless

journey was occasioned by reading press telegrams from these places telling of scarcity of harvesters and high wages. These they pronounce to be utterly false. An Amusing Incident. The Mel bourne correspondent of a contemporary writes:—An incident, which has in it much of the ludicrous, occurred a day or two since in the City Police Court. A wages dispute between a mistress and a maid had arisen, and in order to see ‘ jus tice ’ done to the former (who is the better half of an influential constituent), Mr Lawrens, member for North Mel bourne in the Asaeihbly, occupied, for the first time during the last 12 months, a seat on the Bench, which was consti-

stituted of four magistrates. On the hear ing the Justices were equally divided, two being in favor of the plaintiffs claim, and txiro against it. Of these latter Mr Law rens was one. ‘ The Bench is divided:’ quoth he; ‘ the case is therefore dismissed.’ —‘ Not so,’ said the Chairman (a member of the Upper House) ; ‘ I’m two, and my brother Magistrate one; that’s three. Yerdict for plaintiff’ The figure the discomforted Lower House rrepresenta tive cut - may be imagined. To be thwarted by an ‘ oligarch ’ is a pill hard to swallow,” A Peculiar Bankruptcy. A Maori gentleman named Heremaia Nga Mare, whose residence is we (Wanganui Chro nicle) believe “ somewhere up the river," had the misfortune a short time ago to be sent to gaol for disobeying an order of the Resident Magistrate, whereby ho was to pay a sura of L 29 5s to Mr William Kells, of Waitotara, whose debt trans actions with the native race occupy a large share of the time of the Court. Here maia, who speaks English well, and thoroughly believes in the little devices of the pakeha, filed his schedule in order to get out of durance vile. In this he of course succeeded, and called the first meeting of his creditors on Thursday after noon. His statement of assets and liabili ties was brief, but to the point. He had no property, and only one creditor—Mr Kells. The meeting yesterday was made up of the debtor ; his solicitor, Mr Cooke; Mr Kells himself; Mr Blake, as the re presentative of Messrs Borlase and Barni-

coat ; Mr Keils’s solicitors, and the inevi table representative of the fourth estate. Mr Blake, who held a proxy for some other member of the Kells family who had proved his debt, moved the appoint ment of Mr Kells as chairman of the meeting. This was seconded by Mr Kells himself, and of course declared duly car ried. The same gentleman was then ap pointed trustee of the “ estate,” without any variation in the mover and seconder. Mr Cooke then intimated that the whole proceedings was illegal, and he should de cline to recognise the appointment of trustee. Mr Kells made a moving appeal to Mr Cooke not to do any more mischief than had already been done, but to let the estate be wound up in peace and quiet ness. Mr Cooke declined to accede to

this, and a sharp and decidedly offensive passage of arms ensued between the two gentlemen, from which we gathered that each had the lowest possible opinion of the other’s veracity. Matters, however, calmed down, and t h e meeting adjourned, without it having been necessary (as seemed at one time very likely) to bind over anyone to keep the peace.

Holloways Ointment and Pills. — Notable Facts. —Intense heat augments the annoyances of skin disease and encourages the development of febrile disorders; therefore they should, as they can, be remove by these detergent and purifying preparations. In stomach complaints, liver affections, pains, and spasms of the bowels, Holloway’s ungent well rubbed over the affected part immediately gives the greatest ease, prevents congestion and in flammation, checks the threatening diarrhoea and averts incipient cholera. The poorer inhabitants in large cities will find

these remedies to be their best friends when any pestilence rages, or when from unknown causes eruptions, boils, abscesses, or ulcerations point out the presence of taints or impurities within the system, and call for instant and effective curative medicines.— [Advt.]

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTION.

To the Editor.

Sir, —It seems very doubtful indeed iwhether one of the persona elected at the meeting of householders, held on Mon day evening, to be a School Committee man, and whose claims to that office it would be remarkably difficult for anybody but a cumulative voter to discover, is legally qualified to hold the office,. Lhe

Act says that a Committeeman must be a householder, and defines the term “ householder ” to mean every adult, male or female, who as owner or tenant, leasee or occupier, occupies, uses, or re sides' in any dwelling-house, shop, ware house, or other building in any district, or qvery parent er guardian who is liable to rfaaihtain or has the actual custody of any child. This is plain English enough, and clearly intimates that bare ownership of a building is not sufficient qualification for a Committeeman ; actu d occupation or use of a building is required. Nowj I assume that the person in question is not the actual ocoupans or user of a building within the Ashburton Educational dis trict in any shape or form ; nbr a parent or guardian or the actual custodian of any child. If this be so, his electiqn, I take it, is null and void. This is 1 a matter which the Committee should take in hand without delay, and if the Com mittee will not move, it should be brought under the notice of the Board of Educa tion by the persons interested.—l’am, etc., A. B.

THE PENINSULA ELECTION.

[by telegraph.] Dunedin, To-day.

Mr Larnach’a injuries were not jso severe as was anticipated, tie Was able to be present at the official declaration! of the poll for the Peninsula, the numbers for which were as previously announced. Bishop Moran admitted that he did not expect to bo elected, his object in coming forward being to call attention to the in justice dene to the Catholics on the edu cation question, and to keep Mr Donnelly out. He regretted that no steps . were taken by Mr Larnach with regard to the untrue statements issued respecting his (the Bishop’s) candidature, and, in con clusion, said that as to choice of language and election epithets, Mr Larnach stood head and shoulders above other men, an d he would doubtless represent the electors to their heart’s content.

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the Council was held this morning. Present—Messrs E. G. Wright (Acting-Chairman), J. Jack son, J. Lunbie, T. Bullock, and H. T. Winter, APOLOGY. A letter was read from Mr W. G. Walker, apologising for his absence, chairman’s statement. The Chairman said the special business for consideration at this meeting was—(l) striking a rate ; (2) matters in connection with the trespass on the water-races ; and (3) the appointment of a Returning Officer for the Licensing Committee elec tion for the County. BANKING ACCOUNT. The Chairman read a statement of accounts relative to the Council’s banking accommodation for temporary purposes, which was very satisfactory.—The Chair man’s action was approved of. RETURNING OFFICER. Mr Mainwaring, Clerk to the County Council, was appointed Returnirtg Officer for the election of the Licensing Commit tee for the Ridings of Ashburton, Long beach, Upper Ashburton, and Mount Somers. i .... PRESIDING OFFICERS, It was resolved that the clerks of the respective Road Boards be appointed pre siding officers for the election of ’Licen sing Committees. ; CORRESPONDENCE. ' y - i A letter was read from Messrs Fopks and Sons, relative to the necess ty for pro viding some means to inspect the roofs of, the County Council offices.—The neces sary outlay was agreed to. j A communicatian was received from the Chairman of the Christchurch Hospi tal and Charitable Aid Board, re appoint ment of a representative to attend the next meeting of the Board. A discussion ensued as to any suggestions which the Council’s representative should be asked to bring before the Board relative to the contributions, etc., members generally being of opinion that a rate would be much more satisfactory than a system of voluntary contributions. —Mr E. G. Wright,' M.H.R., was Unanimously ap pointed the Council’s representative at the Board’* meeting, in terms of their letter. A letter from the Ashburton and Ra kaia Forks Railway Company, re striking the rate for railway purposes, was read but its coh-id "ration was deferred Until the next meeting of the Council. INSUCANCE ON THE HOSPITAL. It was decided that the insurance on the Hospital buildings be renewed for another year. GENERAL COUNTY RATE. The consideration of the rate for general purposes was then gone into and confirmed. RESIDENT MAGISTRATE. A letter from the Under-secretary in reference to the appointment of a separ ate resident magistrate for Ashburton was read and received. TAMPERING WITH WATER-RACES. , The Council then went into committee to consider the cases of tampering with water-races. The Ranger to the Council was present, and pointed out where the obstructions in the races are situated and their nature, iu accordance with a report recently laid before the Council by him. On resuming, the Council were of . opinion that no action could be taken against Mr Hussey, on account of alleged tampering with the race through his pro perty. Other complaints brought before the Council were deferred for further evi dence. NEW WATER-RACES. Applications for a number of new branches of water-races were received, but the Council decided to defer making any additional races until after harvest. The Council then adjourned.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

South Rakaia.

The annual meeting was held on Mon day, when there was a good attendance. The Rev Mr Chambers was voted to the chair. The minutes of the last annual meeting having been read and confirmed, the yearly report and balance-sheet was read as follows :

Your Committee have much pleasure in meeting you to render account of their steward ship. Their task is an easy one, and they feel certain it will give satisfaction. The attendance during the past year has considerably increased, .and the fact that a Central Board scholarship of the value of L4O per annum has been won by William Dougherty, a pupil of the school, and the high number of papers at the late ex amination shows that good work is being done. In addition to this, the Inspector informed your Chairman that he was greatly pleased to report the splendid order and discipline which were maintained in the school, and that the children were a credit to any district in Can terbury. During the past year our respected mistress. Miss Milsom, resigned her position, and her place has been filled by Miss Young. In consequence of your Chairman doing the work of the secretary, the money that is usually paid to that officer has been spent on general improvements, which, added to the special • grants from the Central Board, has greatly im proved the school and grounds. The attention of the Central Board has been called to the bad state of the ventilation in the schoolroom, and that body has instructed its architect to report on the same. The annexed abstract of school funds shows the receipts and expenditure ; ; the. results speak for themselves. The Committee" wish their successors as happy a year of office ‘ as they have passed, for during the term ah angry word has not been heard at any of their meetings. The receipts from all sources have been L9S 7s 4d, and the expenditure LB9 12s id —leaving a balance in hand of L 5 15s 3d. The following were then nominated as Committeemen for the present yearj; tt- Messrs Chambers, Cox, Hardy, Kemble,

Gaarder, Davies, Oxley, .Btoadbentrliand Arnold. The ballot was taken, and the first seven on the list elected.: hearty vote of thanks was passed to the retiring Committee.

The new Committee then met, and Mr Hardy was unanimously elected Chair man. ' ■

Mr Hardy kindly undertook to carry out the secretary's duties himself.' The Library J wis decided to be 5 the meeting house, Committee to meit on the first Monday -in every month, at- 7 p.ttf.' It was decided to call-for tenders for'.clean ing the school, . and. that Messrs Davies, Oxley, and Chambers be empowered to accept ■« tender, to-be in on, the 31st.

ACCLIMATISATION.

Acclimatisation may bp carried 1 too far (says the Daily News, of-26th Oct), and^ undertaken in a far too reckless spirit. 1 In Australasia, the home of the kangaroo, the wallaby and the wombat, another proposed subject for naturalisa tion, a terrible mistake was made in in troducing sparrows to eat the insects. The sparrows not only eat the \insects, but grain, fruit and everthiflgi' that comes 1 in their, waj£ jq: jtlie complete despair of the porting them large ■ numbers, *would make almost any sacrifice to get rid of them. But the-interlopers are too hardy and multiply too quickly^ttJ be grappled with. Thenativebhds have no more chance against them than the old black English rat had against the Hanoverian invaders, who , now rpign the undisputed lords of the sewer.)/The sparrow is bad enough, but his; ravages are slight compared with those ,of the rabbit in both Australia and %ew Zealand. What is curious is that the people who did - their best* to exterminate the kangaroo as a useless mouth, the unprofitable devourer of the grass ; which should sustain sheep, should have introduced the rabbit, which has proved a greater scbhrge than would the locust and the Colo rado beetle rolled into one. Large dis tricts of grass country have been from time to time completely overrun by rabbits, the herbage has been eatenl off, and the owners ruined. Acts of Parlia ment have been made against the rabbits, but “ bunny” has increased and multiplied in defiance of returns of rabbit skins imported from New Zealand, averaging some ten mil lions per annum, give some idea of the enormity of the mischief done fyy ( iJiose which are not caught Enthusiastic acclimatisers who had noted the failure of this, attempt to improve upon natural selection and distribution were justrnow about to try their hand by goihglback to Nature, and, having applied the bane, to apply the anjtgote. Nothing less was proposed thffl| the introduction into Australia Zealand of the vermin abhorred <#hke by farmer and game preserver. Artargo of stoats and weasels,' the natural enemies of the rabbit, was propeSffl as the solutioh of the difficulty' I> mese blood-thirsty little wretches be turned down into the districts infested with rabbits, and the disturbed balance of Nature was to be forthwith* re stored. Ferrets and~ polecats; in fact all of the tribe thkf p>uld be . obtained, were to be*- let loose on the devoted rabbits. It secerned unfair ,to “ bunny,?’ who is a good and pretty little beast, fit to eat, and with a useful hide v upon 1 himj whereas polecats, weasels, and'aUSuch vermin, except the stoat, when he' frirns into an ermine, as believer would !do in Australasia, and the sable and marten, are absolutely worthless:

COLONIAL DOMESTICS.

[“ NEW ZEALAND HEBALD.”] - The only argument put forward to show how it is that women work to comparatively easy work, un congenial and unwholesome ..work to healthy and congenial work; ' isjthat those engaged in factories haves the evenings to themselves, in which may do what they like, while a girl in service is under restraint There 1 re no doubt that this is the secret'of 5 the whole matter. A servant is in apposi tion which is plainly and patently io feriorto thatofthe members of the family ifi which she resides, and . this,- though involving no real degradation,, is %hat the colonial girl will not submit toi'-* She must also have her evenings to herself without asking anyone’s leave as.to the time she may remain out A servant is liable to be called on in case of emergency or illness at any time, and colonial girls resent this as something like slavery. In reality a servant has her own way very much* more tlsn a seamstress in a factory, but she "does not obtain the liberty in a way which she values most, and at the time wjiich she values most. We heard pf one case within the last few days, in which a master and mistress were debarred from any enjoyment of the holidays, because their servant insisted Upon having a week to herself at this season. She said if she did not get it she would leave, and as they saw no prospept of obtaining another servant they had to consent. They had to stay at Home during the holidays while the servant enjoyed herself. But with all this, the colonial girl will not assume the fessedly inferior position of a self ant, and be degraded by being called “ Mary ” or “ Betsy,” or whatever' her Christian name may be. She will rather slave as a seamstress, and insist' upon being called “ Miss.” Another reason, no doubt, is the antipathy which women have to be subjectlio a mistress, to be at the bidding and Hinder the eye of one of her own sex, probably a woman who is no'better educated than themselves, who has been born.: in as low, or even a lower condition, but who has had the good fortune to many a man who can afford to allow her to keep a servant. A correspondent of the Melbourne Argus thus sumrnhVises the reasons why young women object to domestic service :—“r. The idea of degradation attached to the position of a ‘ slavey ’ in the minds of the lower classes themselves. 2. The short hours which they have to call their\Own, in the sense of being able to get ‘about and see their friends, and more parti cularly their consequent inability to form the acquaintance of" young ■■ men. 3. The over-anxiety Of mistresses' that their servants ’ should\ know their posi tion.” The writer says h§ has cpige to the'above conclusions from conversa tions with young women engaged in sewing factories, and probably tHts is the only safe plan to get at'a sound conclusion. Even the editorial mind, supposed ..to. beomniscient in ficial way, cannot safely speculate; on

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, VEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1888.



Sparrow ... 7 12 6 0 S 2 4 3 3 10 2 I 9 21 175 St. Hill ... 13 0 O 4 1 0 6 — no Orr 4 O 8 6 7 II — 109 Reddln 9 1 0 I 1 0 8 — 84 Mayo 4 0 O 5 3 5 11 — 78 Scaly 0 I 0 O 9 5 13 — 5 6 W. Roberts I O O 1 3 O 12 — 32 Andrews ... 3 O O O r S 9 — 43 J. Sealy .. O 1 O 0 t 4 8 — 25 Boyle 1 0 0 O I 3 9 — 25 Barrett O O O 3 I 4 2 — 25 Bean O O I O 1 3 14 — 23



OHRI S TM'AS PRESBN TS. JUST OPENED UP, A Large and Choice Selection of FANCY GOODS TOYS PRIZE BOOKS. &a., &0., &c. Andrewes Bros., BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS, Ac, East steeet south, i Ashburton. n!5 JF YOU WANT GOOD , AND As ... STRONG furniture, GO TO DAVIS'S 77OHEAP FURNITURE AND BED , DING MANUFACTORY, * EAST STREET SOUTH, a/r, ASHBURTON. nj»i. n 1 j ='r-' 'v ' h ! ■’ ■ article Sold at Christchurch Priokb and guaranteed beet of m EALS



Wanted WANTED TO LET—Four 4-Roomed SHOPS and DWELLING in Moore street, at 10s per week each. Ap ply, Mrs G. Compton, corner of Moore street and East Belt. 183 ANTED I E N D E R S —For THRESHING 20,000 bushels WHEAT, 14,000 bushels OATS, 1,500 bbshels BARLEY (more or less), including sewing, stacking bags, engine driver, and feeders board. j .Tenders also to state price for Thresh ing 7,000 bushels Oats and 1,500 Barley (more or less) if required, after 20th April. Threshing to start 17th February. Traction engine preferred. Tenders to be in before 3rd FEB., ad dressed to. D. CAMERON, 130 Chines, Methven. KNOWN—That Robert ‘ Elston, Burnett street, Ashbur ton, having procured the newest appara tus, is prepared to Sweep Chimneys at Very low rales. Any orders left at the Town Hall will receive prompt attention. Terms cash. 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. ANTED KNOWN—It is Mr Lan ' caster’s intention to extend his •Bread Business, and he wishes his cus tomers to knew ho 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 ANTED 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 homes. Moore Street, Ash burton. 100



Special Advertisements. : [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 STOOK of English, Foreign, and Colunial-rmde BOOTS and SHOES, which will be sold at my usual LOW PRICES, which have given such satisfaction in Tinwald and else where, —O. HAWKINS, “ Munhtbk.” Warehouse, Ashburton ; also at Tin wald. To Farmers. HEAT SHIPMENTS UNITED KINGDOM or CONTINENT of EUROPE. 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 TO THE THE NEW ZEALAND GRAIN DIRECT TO THEIR LONDON OFFICE



Shippers thus avoid the delay and ex pense which is incurred when shipments pass through int mediate 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 iis 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 every care taken to pnsure dsepatoh. GEORGE G. STEAD, Managing Director. P. CUNNINGHAM, Consulting Director. W. HORNE, BURNETT STREET, Ashburton, CABINETMAKER & UPHOLSTERER. The above advertiser begs to intimate to his numerous friends and customers that as he has EXTENDED HIS PREMISES He is now in a position to execute all kinds of FURNITURE at prices to meet THE TIMES. Second-hand Furniture bought and sold. First Prize awarded at the late A. and P. Show. 12au Agent, Ashburton. John Meech, Showrooms—Next Bullock's Arcade, Workshop—Next AT ail. Office.



[Pianos, : | 7 TO £9O. Several Second hand on sale, hire, or deferred pay ments. The best made are by the Smith Ameri can Co. Guaranteed for five years. Not to be equalled for tone and durability. . Violins, &0., Flutes, Concertinas, Ac cordions. Most wonderful instrument. .Requires no knowledge of Music to play. Equal to the cabinet organ. * TbaobebaKd Mpsio Seller, Tancred street, (Agent fof'O. Begg & Co.) ' Second-hand Instruments of all kinds Organs. Orgninette, H. J. WEEKS, bought and sold.. , 12



Special Advertisements. I'HE BEST VALUE FOB BEADY MONEY IS THE MEN’S AND BOYS’ 0 L O T HI N G Manufactured BY THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, Which can be purchased at their Betail Branches all over New Zealand. A SINGLE GABMENT 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. sl9



QOAL. COAL. GOAL. 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.



'VT OTIOE TO BLACKSMITHS, BREWERS, AND OTHERS. Just landed, ex Mary Campbell, from Groymouth, a supply of the CELEBRATED Brunner Coal, The best 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 Awaroa and Forest Queen, Totaral Black Pine, of the best quality to be obtained. 021 TUCKER, RESTELL & CO.



"VTEWEST BOOKS at R. BEYAN’S, Saunders’ Buildings. Cassell’s Popular Educator, Chambers’ Journal of Popular Literature, Mayhew’s Illustrated Horse Management, the Leisure Hour, E\ ery 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 gATE 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 of 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 te my entire satisfaction,and may mention that during last season, I cut 154 acres of wheat during a stiong w : id with perfect ease, and produced good work. ITours truly, Henry Herne, manager for J. E. Ruddenklau. Newlanda, 22nd December, —Messrs Poyntz and Co., Ashburton. —I have this day completed cutting 25 acres of- rye 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 grourfd, 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- Seoond-hand McCormick REAPERS and BINDERS. FOR SALE- Pour-horae DR4.Y. 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, atfcurrent rates. Poyntz & Co., s AGENTS I



Special Advertisements. JEL M. Jones’ COUNT BOOKS. BOOKS ! BOOKS !! REWARD, PRESENTATION, 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 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 1 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 CRICKETERS’ MATERIAL, includ ing Bata, Balk, Leg-guards, Gloves. Nets, &c., at near y Cost Price. Christ mas “ Graphic” and “ Illustrated London News,” “Christmas Annual,” &c. Andbewbs Bros. , Booksellers, Station' ers, &c., East street south, Ashburton. 71 THE SCOTTISH IMPERIAL in SURANCB COMPANY. Head Office: 151, West George street, Glasgow. Capital ... £1,000,000 FIRE RISKS taken at lowest currert rates. Claims promptly settled here. W. R. BOYLE, n 7 Agent, Ashburton.



O-MORROW (THURSDAY), Of the)new HORNSBY REAPER AND BINDER Will be held TO-MORROW (THURSDAY), At Mr Joseph Hunt’s Paddock on the Wakamii road, commencing at 11 o’clock. Farmers are invited to attend and in spect the machine. A Trial 148 JOHN ANDERSON, Agent for Canterbury.



Mr L. H. WILKINS is authorised to Collect Subscriptions and Canvass on account of The Ashburton Guardian. 2j W. H. ZOXJOEL