SHIPPING.

PORT OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Hauroto, s.s., from Port Chalmers. Edwin Bassett, barque, from New castle. Olio, schooner, from Waitapu. Cingalese, barque, from Calcutta. Croydon Lass, schooner, from Wai tapo. T Mary Ogilvie, schooner, from Foxton. Island City, barque, from Newcastle. Sailed. Yesterday Hauroto, s.a., for Sydney, via Welling ton. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. . Auckland, Yesterday. Bailed—Energy, for Greymouth. Wellington, Ye terday. Arrived—Rotorua, from and Nelson; Wanaka, from the feouth; Wakatu, from Kaikoura and Lyttelton; Manawatu, from Westport. Sailed Koranui, for Lyt'elton and Dunedin; Rotorua, for the South. Timaru, Yesterday. Sailed —Seatoller, barque, for London. Dunedin, Yesterday. Arrived—Manapouri, from the North. Sailed— Mahinapua and Orowaiti, for the West Coast; Wairarapa, for Sydney, via the North.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALE-. Tuesday, December 11. Matson, Cox and Co., at the Tinwald Kaleyards—Stock. Thursday, December 18. Messrs H. Matson and Co., at their Stores —Wool MEETING?, AMUSEMENTS, Ere. This Evening. Town Hall—Concert by the Orchestral Society Star of Ashburton, L. O.L. Monthly Meeting, in the Arcade Chambers, at 8 p.m. Friday, December 7. Longbeaoh Road Board, at Read Board office, Longbeach Monday, December 10. Borough Council, si Borough Council Chambers., at 7- 30.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas Et Prevalebit. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1883. The Bread Question.

If the letter of Mr Thomas Taylor, which is published in this issue, represents the general opinion of the trade concerning the new Adulteration Act, we must say that in regard to the rise in the price of bread, the bakers have not logically a leg to stand on. On Saturday, when writing on this sub ject, we expressed our belief that the purveyors of bread were not more prone to fall into dishonest courses than other traders, but according to our correspondent this charitable opinion was scarcely warranted by facts. He frankly admits that before the present Act came into force it was not usual to exercise much care in weighing loaves, and that the mistakes were as a rule unfavorable to the consumer, Even the assertion of Mr Taylor that he had “ repeatedly seen loaves overweight ” will afford little consolation, as the knowledge that some other customer has got more than he paid for will hardly compensate the man who has sustained a loss. All that this argu ment proves is that legislation on this matter had been delayed quite long enough, and that the bakers must have been reaping a very* good harvest for some time past. Without doubt the provisions of the Act will entail additional labor, but we quite fail to see why the consumer should be called upon to pay for that, even though he “ receives all the advantages.” What does our cor respondent mean by the latter Asser tion ? All the advantage we can con ceive to accrue from this new arrange ment is that in future he who buys bread will have the satisfaction of knowing that he is getting what he pays f or —which simply means that the baker is to be placed upon the same footing as every other trader. This, it appears, has not been the case hither to, and the ease with which fraud—for there is no other word to use—can be carried out has been too great a temp tation to withstand. The provisions of the Act are unquestionably drastic, but if the revelations of our correspon dent are well-founded the bakers have had a good long innings, and it was about time they were howled out. Mr Taylor may consider it a ‘'misfortune” to belong to the trade, but we think that when all is said the occupation of providing bread is not without its compensating advantages. But not the least amusing part of the letter is where the consumer is advised to put his confidence in the purveyor, who will give an assurance that if he re ceives one penny more for a 41b loaf he will at any rate give fair value for the money. To this remarkably simple request, Mr Customer will probably answer: “No, my good man, on your own showing you have been abusing this confidence you are now asking for, by giving me light weight, but there is a limit even to my simplicity, and now you are frank enough to confess, all I prefer to benefit from my new know ledge and will trust you no longer. This little confidence trick of yours won’t do, ix.y friend.” Whether sevenpence is or is not an exorbitant charge for a 41b loaf made from flour which costs a ton is not a question we are called upon to decide, but the fact remains that the only real grounds for raising the price of bread is an appreciable in crease in the price of the chief material from which it is made. Until this increase occurs, the people are justified in protesting against the bakers taking advantage of this new Act to unduly augment their profits. The chief question for the public to decide, therefore, is how to destroy the combination entered into by the Ash burton bakers. The best way, we think, is for the people to combine in their turn and resolve that they will confine themselves to home-made bread, until such time as the tradesmen come to recognise the futility of their attempt to raise the price of an important neces sary of life. Bread-making is not such a difficult art that it cannot be learnt in a short lime, even if it does not come by instinct to most women, and although someone has declared that “ home made bread is a heavy compound of putty and lead,” we know as a matter of fact that it is at least as wholesome as what is provided by professional bakers. At any rate the remedy is in the hands of the people themselves, and we do not think that it will be long before the bakers are brought to their senses and made to understand that they cannot force customers to pay more for a commodity than it is justly worth.

Mr Levestam, M. H. R., addressed the Nelson electors last evening, and «as ac corded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. Our readers will be glad to hear that there is a possibility of Mr E. G. Wright again consenting to stand as representa tive in the County Council for the Ash burton riding. Several influential requi sitions have been signed, asking him to come forward again, but it is not yet cer tain whether he will consent.

The steamer Kawatiri, which was ashore at Westport on Tuesday, got off yester day. Not the i lightest damage was done. In the cricket match b. tween Ashbur ton and Hcrorata, played at Selwyn yes terday, the visitors tcuecl a victory by three wickets The weather was very windy. The meat which was being frozen at Wellington for shipment by the Triumph numbers 4 500 carcases of mutton, and this will be shipped by the steamer Vic tory, due there in a few weeks. The body of a man, much decomposed, was found last Friday on an island in the east side of Olutha river. It is supposed to be the body of John White, bettor known as •* Brogden,” who threw h’m elf into the Molyneux at Ettrick on October IGth of th ; a year. Mr Steele, who was burned while mak ing steeline at Mataura, on Monday, died yesterday morning after great suffering He has left a w dow and family of five in straitened circumstances. Mr Steele was formerly printer and paper bag maker in a small way in Invercargill. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. (Limited), Christchurch, have received the following London telegram, dated December 4th, 1883 : —Wool—The sales progress firmly. Crossbred market slightly easier. Up to date 104,000 bales have been sold. Frozen meat—Market firmer.

At the Court this morning, Hosannah Hill, a very old offender, was fined 10s with the alternative of4B hours’ imprison ment, and Mary Cunningham was ordered to pay or go to gaol for 24 hours. J. Goughian, who had been remanded since Saturday last, was at the request of the police discharged. Sergeant Felton stating that he anticipated the accused would be re-admitted into the Home. Mr Bad deley, R.M., was on the Bench. Yesterday the weather was to say the least quite as cold as that generally ex perienced during a Mew Zealand winter. During the afternoon a very heavy hail storm came on, and lasted some consider able time, and during the night a severe frost made sad havoc with the early beans and potatoes, if n <t more serious damage to the fruit trees and the flower gardens. The cry is now, when may the summer be expected. A cricket match was played yesterday between the High School boys and an eleven of the Ashburton County Club, in which the latter proved victorious in the first innings by 19 runs, the sco es being Ashburton, 60: and High School, 41. Caygill made 32 in good style for the winning side, and Patching, with 10, was the only other player who reached double figures. For the boys F. Fish (21), was the only one who made any s and against the bowling of Quinlan, who took seven wickets for very few runs. At the annual meeting of the sub scribers to the Chertsey Library, held on Tuesday, the following gentlemen were chosen as a Committee :—Messrs Mang ham, Todd, Patterson, Childs, Gray, Wilkinson, Downie, and McDowell, At a Committee meeting, held afterwards, Mr Manghan was elected cha'irmau, Mr Todd secretary, and Mr Patterson trea surer for the ensuing year. After a dis cussion on a proposal to sell the present building and build a new one on the sec tion recently granted by Government to the library, which was deferred for fur ther information, the meeting adjourned. The Ashburton Borough School Com mittee held a special meeting last evening, when there were present Messrs J. Orr (chairman), St Hill, Reddin, Sparrow, Mayo, and T. Sealy. A let’er was read from Mr Wright, M. H. R., offering to provide a special train for the school chil dren’s picnic, and also to throw open his grounds at Windermere for them. The kindness of Mr Wright was acknowledged, and the 14th instant fixed on as the date of the outing, the Committee to LlO for the treat. It was decided to re commend Miss Olark to the B >ard, to fill the vacancy in the teaching staff of the school, and after discussing a reported case of pilfering, which it was resolved to further enquire into, the meeting ad journed. The following letter has been received by the German Cons j! at Dunedin from the Consul in Sydney:—“Sydney, Kovem ber 7th, 1883. Sir,—The increasing im portance of the expert of fresh meat from Australia to England has been noticed in the agricultural paptra of Berlin. His

Highness Prince Bismarck is desirous of gaining some information about the development of this k in lustry up to now. In order to make the information which I have been callei upon to furnish as complete as possible, I have the honor to rccjuest you kindly to favor me with a de tailed report on the subject. In particu lar, I beg you to minutely the price of the meat in New Zealand, the cost of transporting it to England and eventually to Germany, and the coat of the proce dure for preset, ing it.” A remarkable paragraph appears in the Indian news of the London papers :—“At a meeting of the Bombay University,” it is stated, “ it was proposed by a Brah min that in the regulations the pronoun ‘ he ’ and its derivatives should be deemed to denote either sex. An Englishman seconded the motion, whicli was carried without a division.” Applied to the statute-book of a kingdom, and not merely to that of a learned body, this short canon of interpretation would effect one of the greatest revelations in the world. It has been said by one of the ablest advocates of women’s rights that in this country in laws imposing duties and liabilities “ he already includes both sexes, while in laws conferring privileges it is constructed in its strict sense. Be that as it may, thinks the Pall Mall Gazette, the action of the Bombay University foreshadows the sense in which it will certainly come to be con strued, and that at no very distant date, in the laws of progressive communities. A meeting of the Mount Somers Road Board was held on Tuesday last. Pre sent—Messrs Peache (chairman), Macfar lano, Mcßae, Walker, and Kdson. The minutes of the previous meeting were re id and confirmed The overseer having read his report, he was instructed to have the necessary works completed. A letter was road from the Mount Hutt Road Board re the re-forming of the Alford Forest road from Methven to Soland’s road. It was resolved, in the opinion of the Board, the expenditure is unnecessary; and that they will be obliged for an amended estimate ; at the same time they would point out the necessity of the road being put in the same state of repair. It was moved by Mr Macfarlane, and seconded by Mr Walker —“ That no new work be under taken by this Board until after next har vest, unless absolutely necessary. A letter was read from Mr Trumble re the formation of a road to his farm. Re solved— “ That the Clerk be instructed to wiite and inform him that the Board will take the matter into consideration when Mr Ryan (ois tenant) will explain what is required,” It was resolved that a panel bo erected across the road leading fiotn Valetta to the Spread Eagle Hotel, an the south side of the river. It was moved by Mr Walker, and seconded by Mr Macfarlane, that a copy of Mr Wilfred Badger’s Statutes of New Zealand be ordered for the use of the Board. A let ter was read from Mr Macfarlane, Meso potamia, re repairs to roads, and it was resolved that he be offered the ouiq of LlO towards doing the necessary work*. Several accounts were passed for pay ment, and the meeting adjourned.

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The Waitaki, at high water yesterday, I endeavored to haul the Triumph oft', and j moved her some ten feet, when greater efforts were postponed till last night. The engineer of the Triumph came up to town for the purpose of obtaining certain neces sary appliances which will be required on another attempt which is to be made to get the steamer afloat. They secured a number of pipes, which are to be utilised in connecting the refrigerating apparatus with the forehold, so that it can be pumped full of air. They deft for the vessel in the steamer Blanche shortly be fore noon. Workmen were busily em ployed all day in making decking, which has been laid down over the forehold, as securely as possible, and it was also in tended to cover it with a coating of cement, which would greatly assist to wards making it air tight. Pipes having been laid fin ’ the hold and connected with the refrigerator, the engineer pro posed to pump the apartment full of air, which would of course drive the water out of tbe hold and lift her up. At the same time two kedges which are lying out astern will be hauled up, by means of machinery, on board, and it is anticipated that the next effort will prove successful in removing the vessel from her present dangerous position. The attempt was to have been made last night. Another favorite illusion (says the Pall Mall Gazette) has received its death blow. Arctic exploration, even when most suc cessful, is but a gathering of Dead Sea apples. The North west passage is dis covered only in order to demonstrate its uselessness, the myth of an open Polar Sea, with a circumpolar continent in habited by happy men who live behind the north wind, has vanished into thin air ; and now Professor Nordenakjold an nounces that his successful expedition into the interior of Greenland finally dis sipates the hope he has so longentertained of discovering oases of fertile land behind the ice belt on the coast. *' Over the whole inland there is ice. ” Greenland is no green land, as the explorer had hoped to find it, but in very truth a desolate wilderness of eternal ice It must have been a melancholy task fur the fame as traveller to destroy hia own hypothesis, and instead of achieving one of the tri umphs of acientifi prediction, to register hia own mistake, but that is the fate, more or less, of all arctic explorers. Even the North Pole, when it is retched at last will probably add but one more item to the long list of the disap ointments which have awaited all travellers in the frozen seas.

Says this morning’s Timani Herald : A. man who looks like a Kanaka, but who may be a mulatto, create I some stir in town during Tuesday night. Where he cmie from is not known, but ho told one person ho had walked overland from Liverpo 1 and showed him h s boots to look at the mud on the n. Ab ut six o'clock yesterday morning he was found in a private residence on La Jren’a ter race. The maid servant, on getting up, heard some one moving about in the front room, but thinking it was the master of the house took no notice of it. Shortly afterwards on entering the ro m she was frightened out of her life at seeing a dark complexioned man coolly siltin' at the window with a telescope in his hand. She rushed to her master’s room singing out “There’s a black mm, there’s a black man in the house !” The owner of the house donned his breeks and proceeded to the front room, where he found Mr Black Man sea'el as de scribed. On asking him what, he was doing there the intruder replied bo had been told to go there, or some such ex pression, The gentleman lost no time in ejecting him by the forcible application of his foot On returning to the room he found a garment, which is usually de scribed as “ nameless,” hanging over the back of a chair, and on asking the maid what it was doing there, she replied— * Please, sir, it isn’t mine : it’s the black man’s.” After this, we believe the fellow, who must be a lunatic, visited another house in town, and quietly turnedinto bed. On the girl going to clem up the room she was considerably startled at seeing Blaokie’s head on the pillow. It is needless to say he did not rest there long. Last evening word was brought in by a shep herd from a hut at the back of the Levels that a man who was shouting and yelling had gone into his hut and taken posses sion of it. As it was evidently the same individual who had been playing pran vs in Timaru, Mounted Constable Phi lips was despatched about 10 o’clock to look after him. Ho is a man apparently about 25 years of age, sft 6in in height, and shabbily dressed. It is to be hoped, for the comfort of the nervous portion of the community, he will soon be “ run in.”

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ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY’S CONCERT

The Ashburton Orchestral Society are certainly unfortunate. On the occasion of their first concert the weather was so unfavorable that comparatively few people cared to leave their firesides, and last evening an “eagerand a nipping air” prevailed, interfering considerably with the attendance. However, we feel sure that if the lovers of music knew what a treat was in store for them they would not have been prevented by the bad weather from attending, and we are glad to say that the Society has decided to re peat the concert this evening, so far as the instrumental selections are concerned, but the songs will be altered. But if the entertainment was not a financial success the Society can fairly claim to having placed before their patrons the best con cert ever listened to in this town. The first item was Lamothe's Invocation to Saint Cecilia, which had been given at the previous concert, and it was possible to judge from the manner in which it was rendered last night horf much theorcheatra has improved during the past few months. The two gentlemen engaged from Christ church, Mr Corrick, the leader, and Mr Poore, the flautist, it is needless to say lent additional weight to the performance, hut the local talent showed marked im provement, and the instrumentalists have been practising to good Mr G D. Branson chose Ascher’s beautiful song “Alice, where art thou?’ for his first contribution, and acquitted himself so much to the satisfaction of the auidence that an encore was loudly demanded, and he was forced to repeat the final verse. A similar compliment, which was well de served, was accorded to the cornet duet “ Will o’the wisp,” excejlontly played by Messrs G. Hoskins and J. McDonald. Mrs Corrick, who appeared next, has a good contralto voice, well under control, but although little exception could be taken to her vocalisation, her rendering of “ Vashti,” a song that calls for the de piction of strong passion, was somewhat wanting in force. In the encore song, “ To the woods,” however, Mrs Corrick was thoroughly successful, and well merited the applause she received. A quartrttte for flute, violin, ’cello and piano, consisting of selections from Beet hoven, was beyond doubt the gem ofthe concert, the instrumentalists, Misa Griea, aqd Messrs Poore, Corrick and Bell, ren dering it to perfection. Mi»s Smart has been heard to better advantage than in hqr song of last evening, as she did not seem to be in good voice. Mr Poore's flute solo was heartily appreciated as a delightful piece of instrumentation, and the concluding item of the first part,

“ Cleopatra,” as played by the orchestra, I is deserving of praise. The second por tion of the programme started with a medley overture of London street tunes, and so caught the fancy of the audience that nothing would satisfy them but its repetition. This was not high class music, but it presented an excellent contrast to the more solid selections, while its succes' amply justified its introduction. Mrs Crisp then gave “Close to the threshold,” which was sung with considerable expression, the obligato being played on the violin by Mr .Corrick, in the absence of Mr G. Jameson, who, we are sorry to hear, was too unwell to take his accustomed place in the orchestra. A brass quartette fol lowed and secured an encore, but while admitting that is was well played, it is doubtful if such ljud instruments as cor nets, euphoniums and tenor horns are not a trifle too strong for the size of the hall. The only fault to be found with Mrs Cor rick’s otherw se admirable interpretation of “ Alas, those chimes ” was that it was perhaps taken a little too slow, but this did not seem to be the opinion of the audience, as the singer was loudly re called. Mr Corrick’s solo, a fantasia on a well-known Irish melody, was one of the most striking features of the evening, and proved the performer to be a violinist of a high order. Its repetition was in sisted on, and although the encore system is as a rule to be deprecated, everybody must have considered that an exception ought to be made in this case, as Ashburton people have very few oppor tunities of listening to instrumentalist* like Mr Corrick. That well-worn but ever popular ballad “ Come into the gar den, Maud,” as sung by Mr Branson, raised a storm of approval, and it ap peared as if the audie ce would not be satisfied until it had been given three time?, but the singer very properly re fused to accede to the demand, though no doubt he appreciated the compliment. The overture “ La Fde de Potsdam ” by the orchestra was the final item, and its effect was greatly enhanced by Mr Poore’s masterly performance of the picco'o pas sages. As to the musical success of the concert there could be no two opinions, and we hope to be able to record a very large attendance this evening, as the Society unquestionably deserves support.

CONCEALED WEALTH.

“ I have been sent for very often in my time,” said an elderly detective, “to search for money concealed by eccentric people. There was more of this hiding of cash forty years ago than there is now, wing probably to the doubtful character of m ny of the old savings banks. “ Some fifteen years ago I went up to a farmhouse at the request of the heirs to ook for money. The deceased had no str king characteristics for my purpose, and afcer trying several lines of search for three days 1 grew doubtful. His riding saddle had been ripped open, his bjot heels knocked off for diamonds, his shoes sp'it up, and 1 his upholstery pulled to pieces. Bricks had been taken oir, the hearth torn np, and the wainscotings pulled down. Even the backboards of picture frames had been taken out, and thj boys had dug around the roots of every tree in the orchard, but still no money had been found. The reward was too large to be lost, but I was nearly at my wits’ end. Finally the thought came like a fissh ; ‘ Where was the old gentleman in the habit of sitting V I asked ‘ Oh, he almost always sat at the window,’ said the bro ther; • but we’ve pulled everything to pieces round there ’ ‘ Sit down just as ho did.’ The man sat down. ‘ln which direction was he most apt to look V ‘No where in particular; out of the window generally.’ ‘ Toward the barn V ‘No, this way.’ t followed the look ;it was directed toward an old, used-up pump. ‘ Which way did he walk when he went out to the field V ‘ Over to the pump, and then made a bee-line for the pond.’ These answers had a certain significance. Men like to have the place of conceal ment in sight, and it is well known that they will often walk over money they have hurried to see that the sod is undis turbed. 1 had the pump taken up and exc ivations made—no money. The pump was replaced. I entered the room ones more and stood by the window. Sud denly I saw a faint but peculiar-looking mark on the sill ; it was a surveyor's ,oint. I ‘lined’ it up to the pump, measured out to the exact centre of the line, and the digging be tan. A two-inch steam pipe was struck at a depth of four feet. The end was plugged. I took home LIOO note that night. “ I had a curious case a few years ago. A wealthy man had been attacked with partial paralysis, and his speech and the greater part of his memory had failed him. He write out the question : ‘Where did I put my money ?’ The nmount was large, L 32,000 in bonds, which he had been about to take to a safe deposit build ing. The heirs were wild. I stopped all the tearing up and cushion-pricking busi ness, for the man was not a * c mcealer,’ though it was supposed by the doctors that he had felt ths attack coming on and had put the money in some out-of-the-way place. Just how or in what spot in his library he had fallen could not be made . ut. Afier a day’s reflection my partner and I had to conclude that he had been robbed. Two courses were open to us : We could make sudden arrests without any real evidence (always a hateful course for a good detective to take), or we must find the exact spot where the man fell, and ‘line’ up from that. The doctors helped us here. They suggested that we examine the gentleman’s body. We did so, and found a long horizontal mark on the hip, and blue marks on the knee and elbow. He had fallen sideways over some object not more than sixteen inches high, and having a narrow rounded head of metal, for an iron mark was found > n the clothing. Every piece of furniture in the house was inspected, but to no purpose. We took all night to think the matter over. Then my partner spoke of the cellar. They all laughed. ‘He hasn’t been there for a year,’ they said. We went down. My par ner glanced quickly around, and then gave roe a look which rather puzzled me. But I soon understood its meaning. He had discovered some common household articles which had not been used since the family had searchel the fireplaces. Ho was in fact looking over a lot of coal scuttles. He turned the scuttles carefully, and from out of a mass of waste paper there rolled ’at last the L 32.000 worth of bonds. The paralytic had fallen over the scuttle, and the money had dropped into it among the waste papers. My partner and I divided LI,OOO between us that night.”— Tit Bits.

CORRESPONDENCE.

We Jo not hold ourselves responsible for ihe opinions expressed by our correspondents. THE PRICE OF BREAD. To the Editor. Sir, — My attention has just been directed to your article in Saturday’s issue on the price of bread. I may at once admit that bakers have not exer cised the same care in weighing their bread as is required by the new Act, and although I have repeatedly seen loaves overweight, e rors were more frequently on the other side. Now bakers must, to protect themselves, supply bread at least a overweight, and the weighing and stamping will entail much additional la)aor, for wjiich the consumer —reoeiying all the advantages—is not, I think, vm? naturally asked to pay. Without wishing to oast any unfavorable reflections on the i ra le to which it is my misfortune to be

long, I can assure the consumers in confi dence that in many cases they will receive very good value for the extra penny. All things considered, I think 7d the ilb loaf is not an exorbitant price for bread made from flour for which the bakers pay LI 1 per ton. Fortunately, the best floor in the colony is man factured in our midst, which enables the Ashburton bakers to earn a good name for their bread, and all will admit that quality and quantity in this necessary article are worth paying a fair price for.—l am, etc., Thomas Taylor.

THE ANNEXATION CONFERENCE.

[REUTER’S TELEGRAMS.— COPYRIGHT.] Sydney, Yesterday. The Conference adopted the resolu tions on the subject of annexation pre viously telegraphed, with a few minor verbal alterations. The question of the Federal Council and its functions comes on for discussion this afternoon. It is expected that a permanent body will be appointed to carry on the work of the convention after its close. At a meeting of the Conference to day the draft of the Imperial Bill for defining the constitution and functions of the proposed Australasian Federal Council was under consideration, and occupied the iwbole afternoon. The first seven clauses of the Bill were dis posed of, and the meeting then ad journed. [Received Deo. 6. 1 o.m.] vr> r.Y, To-day. A telegram was read ac the Conven tion yesterday, announcing that France lays claim to the following islands or groups in the Pacific :—New Caledonia, Loyalties, Pines, Marguesas (eleven islands), Societies,Tahiti, Moorea, Low, Archipelago (eighty islands), Australs, Tubuai, Koito and Rapa. France is willing that the Leeward islands near Tahiti should be independent.

CABLE NEWS

*. ATt£ST FROM EUROPE. [redter’s telegrams—copyright.] Monetary and Commercial. London, Dec. 4 Consols remain at ioo)4, ex div. New Zealand securities are at yester day’s quotations. The wheat market is unchanged, Adelaide, ex store, 46s j New Zealand, ditto, 38s 6d to 43s 6d. Adelaide flour, ex store, 325. Austra lian tallow —Best beef, 395; best mut ton, 435. The Wool Sales. The catalogue at to day’s wool sale comprised 9,700 bales. The market continues firm. Frozen Meat. Arrived, yesterday—Steamship Fen stanton, from Lyttelton (Oct. 10), with a cargo of 8,000 frozen sheep. Exploration of New Guinea- London, Dec. 5. An expedition sanctioned by the Royal Geographical Societyis now being organised for the purpose of exploring New Guinea, and it is expected to start at an early date. The War in Madagascar. Telegrams to hand from Zanzibar re port that the bombardment of the Malagasy coast towns has again been resumed by Admiral Galliber, and that the French war vessels have shelled several places on the north and south coasts of Madagascar. A New Peer. The report current yesterday that a peerage would shortly be offered to Tennyson is now confirmed. Submission. Capetown, Deo. 4 News is to hand from Basutoland to the effect that the native tribes have agreed to accept Imperial rule, and that the chiefs have rendered their submis sion to the British authorities. [Received Dec. 6, 1.19 p.m.] Cetewayo. D orb an, Deo. 5. It is reported that Cetewayo is to be reinstated at Ulundi, with a British Resident there. Some of the British troops are remaining in Zululand until peace is quite assured. AUSTRALI A r . [rbdter’s telegrams COPYRIGHT.] Shipping. Melbourne, Yesterday. Sailed,this morning The Union steamship Waihora, for the Bluff. The Suez Mail. Albany, Yesterday. The P. and O. steamship Shannon, with the inward mails, via Suez and Brindisi, dated London, Nov. 2nd, ar rived at King George’s Sound this after noon.

TELEGRAMS.

1 [pick press association.] The Minister of Justice. WVllingxon, To-day, The Hon Mr Conolly loaves for Picton this afternoon to spend his Christmas holidays at home. He returns early in the new year. At Last 1 Hamilton, To-day. The Waikato Times this morning states that the long-neglected districts of Whata whata and Raglan are at last about to be connected by telephone. Sporting News. Wanoandi, To-day. The following addaMonal entry has been made for the Wanganui Jockey Club Flying Stakes Mr O. Williams's Dane bury. The Unemployed. Christchurch, To-day. A meeting of men recently discharged from the temporary employment provided by the Government was held this morn ing. Over 100 were present. A deputa tion subsequently waited on the Mayor requesting him to communicate with the Government with a view to getting em ployment for them, calling attention at the same time to the fact that work had again been found for the unemployed in Otago at 6s per day. The Mayor promised to do all he could for the men. The Bible in Schools. Dunedin, To-day. At the Dunedin Presbytery the Rev Mr Copeland gave notice of an overture for ; the Synod, asking the latter to take steps to bring about an amendment of the .Edu cation Act, so that daily reading of the Bible during school hours may be aooom pliahed. Fatal Accident-, George Townsend, a driver on the Castle street tram car, by soqie nnaccqunt- , able means foil oyer the splashboard an<] - held on" to the reins of the horses. He slewed round, the hind wheel of the car passing over his body. He died two hours afterwards at the hospital.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1888.



[advertisement ] WAKANUI RIVER PROTECTION. [to THE EDITOR OF THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN.] glß —ln your report of the meeting of the Ashburton County Council last week, you represent me as heading and being spokesman for a deputation from Waka nui re,the river question. Now, this I distinctly deny—-but I would not have taken any notice of the matter under or dinary circumstances —only I have special reasons just now for contradicting it. 1 went to Ashburton on that day and went to/ the Council Chambers at once. I think it was a little after one o’clock. Mr Baxter, told me in the map room that there was.a deputation from Wakanui in earlier in the day, and that it was to inter view theCbuncil at 2 30. This was the first Ihad heard of a deputation. This was just about the time the Council was adjourn ing for luncheon. I met the members of the deputation afterwards on the street, but there was not a single word as to the sentiments the deputation were about to lay before the Council that I can recollect. Certainly not one word as to my being one of the'deputation, or as to my being their spokesman. I went back to the Council at 2.30 as the members were returning from lunch. After the members went in, Mr McFarlane partially opened the door, when X asked him if I could be ad mitted. Ho said he would see. He then returned, at once and said yes. and the deputation from Wakanui was then invited to enter. I was at once in trodu ed to the Chairman as the Wakanui deputation. 1 will now give you the words verbatim that I did say :-1 began by say ing that I did not appear as a deputation as 1 was not deputed by any person, nor was X acting in concert with any one, nor was I there to make a statement. 1 had just come in to ask a few questions for the purpose of getting information re the river question. X went on to say that as they were aware that a petition had been drawn up and sent round the district by the Council, which was numerously signed for the purpose of getting the Council the powers conferred by theOanterbury Rivers Act, and that I understood that at the last meeting of the Council there were two counter-petitions, and in one of them ask ing to have their names withdrawn from the original petition. What I wanted to know was-whether these counter-petitions were withdrawn, or if the Council meant to take any action on the original peti tion, and how the matter stood at present with regard to the river question—if there was likely to be anything done. I then went on to say that there was another thing I wished to mention, viz,, that 1 had been falsely accused, .and the false hood had been industriously circulated all over the district'that I was opposed to the water supply, and that I had appeared at the Council hfcbpposition to it, and had even tried to influence individual mem bers. .I, explained that the Council could bear me out in saying that I had never ap peared before that body, nor spoken to auy member of it bn the subject; that I was strongly in favor of the water supply and always had been, and I felt sure every eoe in the district was the same, but that the wafer-race had not been a success, and that I thought it was clear to any intelli gent observer that there never could be an efficient water supply from the river without river protection, and that to be reliable the two must go together. Now, Sir, theme are the exact words I used at the Council. Now, Sir, 1 have been charged with acting in collusion with Brbvrh Brothers and others with regard to letting the water go through their land. Nothing could be more untrue, as <• never interfered in any way. There are many other , things said about the same matter, which' aVo' equal’y untrue. It has been said that the deputation appeared at the Oouqci] Tor the purpose of. opposing the water scheme, which is wrong. But when I attempted to explain or deny on Satur day, I was at once met with the news paper reports. Bad you reported fully what I said at the Council you would have saved me a considerable amount of pain, and the ill-feeling, which has naturally prevailed in this district would not have occurred to such an extent as it now has, and I did hope my accuser would have been presebt at the same time. Yours, etc., 12 1009 DAVID WIL ON. pCBL I O NOTICE. 2,000 "iff 2,000 f • at Thomas F. Farley’s BOOK & STATIONERY DEPOT, Saunders’ Buildings, Ashburton. Libraries, Sunday Schools, etc , receive from above (T.F.F.) greater discount than la obtainable either in Christchurch or Dunedin. An inspection is solicited. Christmas cards in great variety, prizj books, religious and secular works. . THOMAS F. FaRLEY. D I R ‘BH3 T IMPORTS R -wl or: ■ Books And Stationary, ASH BUR lON. 1041



Wanted WANTED— An* unmarried MAN, as assistant Gardener. John Gbiqo, Loi.gbeach, Ashburton. 12 1008 WANTED 20 Pick and Shovel MEN, to commence work on MONDAY next. Apply to P. Saunders 12 1006 WANTED Known—That Hayes and Co. have about 196 pairs of Ladies’ Cashmere Boots, splendid value, at &s 6d. W A o,™ delivery MACHINES, Dpnn. . :i '■ to Purchase —One or two Apply toW. R 12 1014 WANTED KnovPn—/or- Sale, two COTTAi ,E S on East. Belt. Cheap, easy terms. Apply iW. C. Davis or Ward and Sons. 12 1012 WANTED KNOWN— Robert Elston, Bill Poster, Theatrical Agent, etc., Town Hall, Ashburton. Theatrical companies and others visiting Ashburton should communicate with the above. Orders by post or telegram promptly attended to. 760 c WANTED Known New Zealand .Bibleand Book Society OPENED at Saunders’ Buildings, with a large and well assorted STOCK Wll remain until 11th December only. Don’t lose the op portunity. J. R. Macdonald, Agent. * 12 1011 WANTED Known—That in conse quence of the rapid increase of business, John Moi-jon, Impermeable Bootmaker, has been compelled to get a largd stock of Boots of a superior quality in the town in order to meets the demands of his customers, and those who may pur chase from him will find no deception as to price or quality. As J. M. has gained the public trust in the past by doing best work and fit, combined with neatness and style, ho intends even to make greater exertions in the future. Fowler’s Build ings, Tancred street (opposite Arcade), Ashburton. 7 207



WANTED KNOWN—That Mr Dan Lea’s Gymnasium is the only place for real amusement; admittance free. Every kind of amusement to be ch inned 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 LBAnis always at his post to give lesions in Boxing, lesson £1 per month, or according to arrangement. 1344 Special Advertisements. CD O is a T 3 3 S *S p 05 O g © H p « TO & c 8 a -p P <D O £ & &.S !zi A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL. Bazaar AND Fancy Fair AT ANDREWES BROS., East Street South, COMMENCING WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER sxh. CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR GIFTS in great variety; INTENDING PURCHASERS OF CLOTHING FOB THE SPRING AND SUMMER SEASON Should visit th£' : NEW ZEALAND Olotbing Factory’s B RANCH, Where they can select from the LARGEST VARIETY OF FASHION ABLE garments; - Manufactured from*Bouud and"reliable New Zealand Tweeds. The well-known reputation enjoyed by the Firm of Selling a GENUINE ARTICLE AT WHOLESALE PRICE Has resulted in an increase of Business daring the past season, and' they can now boast of having Twenty - One Retail Branches in New Zealand, thus enabling them to increase the Factory produce, economising both material and labor, and. ensuring to their‘patrons afu.t.rU' benefit in the shape of a still Lower Rate of Wholesale Prices. SHIRTS, UNDERCLOTHING, HATS A CAPS, PORTMANTEAUS, And every requisite at Wholesale Price. Ashburton Branch : EAST STREET.



F YOU WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE, GO TO DAVIS’S JUEAP, FURNITURE AND BED DING MANUFACTORY, \ ■ 'O' fc “' EAST STREET SOUTH, ASHBURTON. fjIVERY article Sold at Christchurch ■i Pejobs and gasranteed bes., ’of •naterial and vt crkmanahip. ’ FUNERALS ~ OHEAJBY & COMPLETELY PUKNIBHED



Special Advertisements. INTRODUCTION OF THE PARCEL SYSTEM. Fashion P-vise, Cashel street, Ch..itch arch. Great success has been achieved in the Old Country by the introduction of the “ Numbered Parcel System,” for the supply ard purchase of useful household drapery, thou ands of parcels being for warded to the order of distant customers upon the distinct understanding that any artic'e not proving satisfactory to the pur chaser, the money in all cases to be re turned, This system is now being intro duced by E. 0. Brown & Co., FASHION HOUSE, CHRISTCHHKCn. The splendid stock of General Drapery in all departments has been purchased by E, C. Brown and Co., from the Trustees in the Estate of the late 6rm of Craig and Smyth, at a very large discount off cost for cash. Thus articles sold under price leave a good margin of profit for the vendor, while giving unsurpassed value to the purchaser. In all parcels we stake our reputation on the values, and, as suggested above, re turn the money in all cases where the article is not satisfactory. Our No. 1,20 s Dress Parcel, contains — Worth £ s. d. 1 dross piece (12 yds) any shade, French costume cloth ... 0 18 6 lit good velveteen to match dress 0 5 6 3 yds silesia, for linings ... 0 1 10 2 doz new oxydised buttons, to match ••• 0 16 1 pair warm lined fur-top spring cuff gloves 0 2 6 £1 9 10 Our No. 2,30 s household parcel, contains— Worth 1 pair good medium size blan kets 1 0 0 1 good honeycomb quilt 0 12 6 8 yds good wincey 0 5 0 1 pair good strong corsets, any size ... ... ... ... 0 5 0 £2 2 6 Our No. 3, dress parcel for £2, contains — Worth 1 dress piece (10 yds) celebrated Kmpress black velveteen ... 1 7 6 3 yds good silesia for lining ... 0 2 0 2 doz now stylo oxydised buttons 0 16 1 handsome striped winter skirt 0 9 6 1 durable silk umbrella, p rragon frame ... ... ... ... 0 8 0 1 choice silk chenille scarf ... 0 3 11 £2 12 5 Our No. 4, Ladies’ parcel for £2, contains— Worth 1 dress piece (12 yds) French check costume cloth ... ... 1 1 0 3 yds silesia lining for same ... 0 2 0 2 doz choice buttons, to match dress ... O'' 1 6 1 good warm Ladies’ tweed ulster 0 17 6 1 black quilted alpaca skirt ... 010 0 1 white or colored wool wrap ... 0 5 6 1 pair lisle lined fur-top spring cuff gloves ... ... ... 02 0 £2 19 6 Our No. 5, household parcel for £2 10s, contains — Worth 1 pair large size good witney blankets 1 10 6



1 nice large size good honeycomb quilt 0 14 6 1 pair good heavy white sheets 0 9 6 6 good value honeycomb towels 0 4 0 6 yds heavy Welsh flannel ... 0 8 0 £3 6 6 Our No. 6, family parcel for £3, contains— Usual price 12 yds super Roslyn flannel (pure wool) . ... 0 18 0 24 yds splendid white calico, heavy make 0 13 0 24 yds good strong brown or grey wincey 0 14 0 6 yds tartan plaid ... ... 0 6 6 6 yds good brown holland ... 04 6 12 yds hemp carpet, dark stripe 0 7 0 6 pair Girls’ or Women’s warm winter hose ... ... ... 0 7 6 4 large unbleached Turkish towels ... ... ... ... 0 4 9 £3 15 3 Our No. i 7, mourning parcel for £2 10s, contains— Worth 10 yds good black French cash mere 1 6 2 yds 4x4 celebrated rainproof crape ... ... ... ... 0 9 6 1 good black alpaca or sateen skirt 0 14 6 2 pairs Ladies’ black hose .”-0 3 0 1 pair Ladies’ two-button choice black kid gloves ... ... 0 4 6 J doz Ladies’ cambric handker chiefs, in fancy box ... ... 0 6 6 £2 19 6 Our No. 8, furnishing parcel for £lO, contains— Worth 20 yds nice pattern good tapestry carpet 3 5 0 1 nice pattern hearthrug, to match ... ... ... ... 0 16 6 1 pair handsome lace curtains ... 0 14 6 1 pair medium lace curtains ... 010 0 2 pair full size good white sheets 0 18 6 1 pair full size good witney blan kets 1 10 0 1 pair medium good witney blan kets ... ... ... ... 1 0 0 1 full size white honeycomb or toilet quilt ... ... ... 014 0 1 choice pattern wool tabiecover 0 15 6 2 white Turkish bath towels ... 0 3 0 16 white or unbleached honey comb towels 0 4 6 2 white antimacassars ... ... 0 2 0 2 white toilet covers ... ... 0 4 0 6 yds linen check glass cloth ... 0 6 0 1 superior white linen tablecloth 011 6 £ll 15 0 Our No. 1, wedding parcel for £4, contains— Worth 1 dress (12 yds) pretty shade in cashmere ... ... ... 1 17 6 2 yds pretty shade in satin, to match ... ... ... ... 0 13 6 t dress (12 yds) good costume cloth 110 2 yds rich colored velveteen, to match ... ... ... ... 0 7 0 6 yds good silesia ... ... 0 6 0 3 doz buttons, to match dresses 0 2 0 8 yds braid, to match dresses ... 0 0 8 1 pair two-button first choice tinted or white kid gloves ... 0 5 0 G Ladies’ linen collars 0 3 0 6 Ladies’ linen handkerchiefs ... 0 6 6 3 pairs Ladies’ nice hose... ... 0 4 6 £5 5 8 Our No. 2, wedding parcel for £lO, contains — A very complete trousseau. Our No. 9, Ladies’ (half-price) parcel for L 5, contains— Usual price 1 Ladies’ handsome mantle ... 217 6 1 Ladies’ beautiful real sable muff and collarette 4 10 0 1 Ladies’ quilted satin skirt ... 1 0 0 1 fashionable tweed ulster, in leading shades 1 10 0 £9 17 6 A problem whereby Ladies may stay at home and order their drapery in perfect confidence Just try one parcel and aae what you will save. i Remember—Cash returned at ones for any article returned in good condition. Samples post free on application to any part of New Zealand. In ordering any of these parcels, it is sufficient to quote number and name of parcel only. JP.0.0. made payable to E O. BROWN & CO., Far.hioo House, Christchurch. 1352



Special Advertisements. Reward Books, Presents, Prizes, Toys, Dolls, &c. H. M. J O N E S, East street. 11 877



NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS



Advertisements for The Ashburton Guardian must be sent in not later than 3 p.m., with the number of insertion, 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 bo inserted. Special notices can be received up to 3.30 p.m., but will be charged doub’e rates. All notices of Births, Marriages, <>r Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good faith. All advertisements and business lett ■; s to be addressed The Manager; literary communications should be aidressed to The Editor.