SHIPPING.

PORT OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday Onward, schooner, from Greymouth. Seagull, brigantine, from Kaipara. Comet, ketch, from Havelock. Annie, ketch, from Havelock. Zior, schooner, from Havelock. Omapere, s.s. f from Dunedin and ~ Oamaru. ■’ Wakatipu, s,s., from Port Chalmers. Soiled. Yesterday. Wakatipu, os., for Sydney, via Wel ' linglon. Y j; Dmapore, s.s., for Auckland, via way ports. Ooroiqandel, barque, for Xiondon. Eawatiri, B. a;, for Westport. SHIPPING TBLEGR AMS. -t '■ • Auckland, Yesterday. (.<’ | Arrived —Notero, from Lyttelton; - Syren, from Newcastle. :i /. >' . ■ Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived—Wanaka, from Picton and :N«lton; Hawea, from Onehunga, via Taranaki; Koranui, from Westport; * Waverley, from Patea; Rotorua, from the -y';-Bbuth. ; - ■ Sailed— Hawea, for Nelson; Wanaka, for the South. Dunedin, Yesterday. •i iV . Arrived—To Anau, from the North. Sailed—Star of the Mersey, for Auck , 1 land; Rotomahana, for the North.

COMMERCIAL.

f>. '} 1 i : ! -' • ' ' --A ■ Ashburton Guardian Office, ... --. : j Thursday afternoon, TKe Sydney Markets. , Tt* New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, report of the Sydney markets, under date Dec. 6, as fol- JoWsiJLWool: The satisfactoiy tone of the tele grams received from London has imparted ad ditional firmness to the local markets, and we •>. £re T eaabled to report an improved demand for scoured sorts and medium greasy; on the 23rd ult. we offered some" 1,200 bales to a very large attendance of buyers,, and: sold 750 bales at full rates. ] 'Gir nixt sale will be held on the 17th . imt when we shall submit about 1,000 bales, f incradingsdme fine parcels of fleece and scoured. Shtep-skibs: All parcels coming to hand are readily taken up at pur last quotations. —Tal- business 1 continues at prices 'iedtud to those reported; the demand, however, is principally for local consumption.—Potatoes; The market is now practically bare of N.Z. sorts, and small shipments (by steamer) of really sound dry potatoes , would, no doubt, command remunerative figures.—Flour : The ■, slightly improved demand which has sprung .'...tip daring the past few days has enabled us to i, quit some S,poo quarter sacks, Californian; V, ! #jid toclear at low rates, old stocks of N.Z., G which have hitherto been completely unmarket able. Prices, however, are not such as to in duce us to recommend consignments —Oats : .Have had a fair amount of attention during the T pSsT tbrtuight,' and we have quitted some binboeo'bushels at market rates, which are as follow*:—Prime bright potatoe oats, 2s 6d to ,■ as 8d; Medium to good feed, 2s 2d to 2s inferior, 23 to 2S id.—Wheat: We have cleared out seme i,600 bags of fowl’s feed at 2s 6d j -downwards; market fully stocked.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALE i Friday, December 21. Mr T. Bollock, at the Springburn School ■ Liveand Dead Stock ■" Saturday, December 22. Mr Alfred Harrison, at his Rooms — Unredeemed Pledges Tuesday, December 25. Matson, Cox and Co., at the Ashburton Baleyards—Stock. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Etc ’ Saturday, December 22. Ashburton High School—Annual Distri bution of Prizes, at 11 a.m. Monday, December 24. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7.30. 'Wednesday, December 26. ; Towil Hall—Loyal Orange Concert and : u Odnfellow«’ Hall- Oxford Dramatic Com pany, at 7.30 p.m. Thursday, December 27. ’* ’Ashburton Summer Races ’* ‘Mount Somers Annual Baces and Sports. Tuesday, January 1. Win flow Annual Races and Sports. Methven Annual Races and Sports. -u: Friday, January 4. Ashburton County Council — Vt Council Chambers, 11a.m. Friday, January 4. Longbeach Road Board, at Road Board office, Longbeach Saturday, January 5. Wakanui Road Board, at Road Board office, Moore street, at 10.30 a m, Monday, January 7- Upper Ashburton Road Board, at Road Board Office

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office follows: — For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m. 10.30 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. ,For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, ‘ Ooldatream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a. m, daily. ■A For Temnka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., For Timaru and South, at 6 a.m., 10 a,m„ and 4.30 p.m., daily. JPor Qreenstreet and Ashburton Forks, On Wednesdays arid Saturdays, at 3.30 p,m. _ For Mount Somers, on Tuesdays and ’Saturdays, at 6 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. For Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur iiKpi at 6 a- m ' For Ashtsa, Water ton and Longbeach, 4.30_p.m. daily. i For Flemington, on Mondays, Wednes days.and Fridays, at 4.30 p. m. For Wakanui, Elgin, Seaview, Seafield, •nd Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and at 6,30 a.m. For Howlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days at ip.3o A m. cHf 711,11,1.., 1 ■ 1 1 u-s

BIRTH.

Hoß'E —On Oct. 19, at Allenton, the wife of William Horne, of a son (still born).

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1883. The Unemployed.

That a cry should be raised at cer tain periods of the year in New Zea land to the effect that there is scarcity of employment seems to be inevitable. for such complaints, how ever, is the winter, and it is therefore somewhat surprising to find it being made in the present month. At the same time there is evidently no reason to believe that the deputation which waited on Messrs Mitchelson and Rolleston the other day were exag gerating when they depicted the state of a large number of able-bodied men as deplorable, owing to their inability to procure the means of livelihood. It would also be idle to deny that trade in the colony is very depressed, at any rate in the Middle Island, and probably in no place is this condition of things more keenly felt than in the City of the Plains. As we remaiked yesterday, deputations seldom receive satisfactory answers from the Ministers they interview, but in this instance no attempt was made to shirk the question. Mr Mitchel son, indeed, had the courage to utter some words of sterling truth to the workmen, which they will do well to lay to heart. He told them that not a little of the distress now existing was to be accounted for by the improvi dence of the men themselvef, who never thought of putting anything by for a rainy day while they were in employment, and when work was scarce in a particular district an objection was shown to removing elsewhere in search of it. Take for example the present agitation. The distress existing is almost entirely local, and even as near as the West Coast men are wanted, while the demand for skilled labor is still more strong in Auckland, just now the most prosper ous part of New Zealand. Messrs Montgomery and Holmes, whose business it is to pose as the friends of the working classes, argued that it was the duty of Government to find occu pation for the body of unemployed in Christchurch, but we are glad to say that Mr Rolleston firmly refused to countenance any such monstrous pro posal. Because Parliament has passed votes for certain works, it is urged that these should be pushed forward at a time when money is scarcer than it has been in the colony for many years. New Zealand is passing through a criti cal period, and it behoves the Govern ment to exercise the most rigid eco nomy. Yet they are asked at this juncture to launch into reckless extra vagance, and inflict more burden on the taxpayers, simply to benefit some three hundred men who have probably only to thank their past improvidence for their present position. But if Mr Rolleston refused to establish such a vicious precedent, he showed that the Ministry were ready to do what they could to alleviate the condition of the unemployed, and he has made an offer to provide them with employment at the rate of four shillings and sixpence a day. This has been met with an in dignant refusal, on the grounds that the wages were not large enough. We admit that they are not high, but thirty shillings a week is better than nothing, and if the men refuse to take it as a means to temporarily tide over bad times, it strikes us that they cannot be in such a parlous state as they would have us believe. At any rate, the offer, under existing circumstances, is a per fectly fair one, and by their rejection of it the working men have forfeited all

claim to public sympathy. We know that Trade Unionism in Europe has for its object the equalisation of wages, and that men aie bound not to take less than a stated amount for their labor. Such a principle is legitimate enough so long as a combination can be formed sufficiently strong to enforce it, but it must be remembered that when hard times come the burden of supporting those out of employment falls upon the trade societies and not upon the general public. It was pro posed at a mass meeting held in Christ church yesterday to form a Working Men’s Association, and there can be little objection to this course being taken, albeit the time seems hardly propitious for an enterprise of the kind. This, we presume, would be established upon the same basis as the Trades Unions at Home, and if powerful enough to dictate to employers the rate of wages to be paid for labor we should hear no more of the cry of the unem ployed, As to “shaming” the Go vernment into giving workmen more than the state of the exchequer war rants, it is to be hoped that the Minis ter will not be influenced by silly threats. The question is simply one of demand and supply, and at present, in Christchurch at least, there appears to be more men than there is work for them to do. When a merchant finds that his stock is 100 heavy he has to sell his goods at a sacrifice and trust to better times to recoup him for his loss. By analogy of reasoning, the unem ployed should recognise that their labor is at a discount, and should be prepared to dispose of it for what it will fetch.

Seventeen Chinamen, recently employed as firemen on the Triumph, left Auckland by the Ringarooma yesterday for Sydney, en route for Hong Kong, their passage money having been paid hither by the local agents of Shaw, Savilland Co. The jubilee choir gave their entertain ment, “ An hour with the Jubilee Singers,” in the Wesleyan Church at Wakanui last evening. There was a fair attendance, and the audience appeared to thoroughly enjoy the entertainment, which was carried out with great success. The musical portion was well rendered, and the descriptive reading was given bv Mr U. Brown in an interesting and instruc tive minner. x\t the conclusion it was announced that the entertainment would probably be repeated in a few months time. Mr Bryce has held a meeting at Kihi kihi with opp"&i')g Ngahihauaa. They object to the survey being carried on, and ho.d by document signed at the Kuitui meeting of 1881, in which the land was assigned over to Tawhaio. Mr Bryce said the paper by which these lands are handed over to Tawhaio is waste paper. “ My march,” he raid, “ is onwards, and the sooner this is understood the better for the Maoris. I am speaking in your interests. There is no such authority in this country as that put forward ; it never existed in my eyes, and does not now.” The lawn tennis match played on the Sports Ground court yesterday between Ashburton and Lowcliffe, resulted in the defeat of the visitors after a very closely contested game. Messrs Curtis and Dig nan did battle for Ashburton, while Low cliffe was represented by Messrs Maberlay and Boyle. The first set was won by Ashburton by 3 points, and Lowcliffe won the second by two. In the final set the opposing sides played their best, and long rallies were the order of the day, Ashbur ton eventually coining off the victors by one point. The court is in admirable condition just now, and played splen didly. What the Herald terms an unusual case came betoro the Timaru Police Court yesterday, when a man named Peter Robertson was brought before E. G. Sterioker, Esq., J.P., charged under the Prisons Act, 1882, with loitering on the prison grounds after being ordered to leave. Robertson was a few weeks ago committed to Sunnyaide fro n Timaru as of unsound mind, and being discharged from the Asylum he returned to Timaru, and apparently with the idea of obtaining admission, he being penniless and unable to obtain work, he loitered about till he was taken into custody. He was remanded till the 24th instant for medical examina tion. At a meeting of the Otago Rugby Union last night, it was explained that the English Union contemplated revising the whole of their rules, and the question of affiliating was left over pending the re ceipt of the amended rules. A letter was read from the Canterbury Union in re gard to a trip next season to Sycney, and suggesting the following basis for the choice of a New Zealand team —the team to consist of nineteen men, eight backs and eleven forwards; Auckland to send three backs and two forwards ; Otago, two backs and three forwards; Wel lington, five men, not more than three focwrrds, leaving Canterbury to send the remaining four players. The letter pro posed the team should leave about the middle of June. The proposal was favor ably discussed, and it was ultimately agreed to co-operate upon the basis speci fied. A destructive fire occurred in Upper Symonds street, Auckland, at one o’clock yesterday morning, and eight houses were destroyed before the fire was arrested. The block was built on a level a little below the Kyber Pass reservoir, and a good pressure of water could not be ob tained. It began in Fotheringham’a, saddler, and also took the premises of Ryan, hairdresser; Young, plumber; Holloway, chemist ; Derry, bootmaker ; Halliday, fruiterer ; and also the dwel lings of Messrs De Jongh, Harris, Cava nagh and Mrs Plumridge The total damage exceeds L 5,000. The insurances are—South British, L 1,200, the loss being LI.OOO, a pare being reinsured ; Victoria, L 700; Imperial, L6OO ; New Zealand, L 312, less L2OO ; North British, L2OO ; Norwich Union, L2OO, less LSO ; Stan dard, Ll5O ; Phoenix, LIOO. Dr Jessop tells a story in the Nineteenth Century which deserves a larger audience: —“ Somewhere in the neighborhood of Aylsham lived a certain Jerry Eke, whose appetite was said to bo superhuman, and whose prowess at harvest sappers was the boast and wonder and envy of the villagers around. It came to pass that at a far mers’ market dinner, the talk turned upon Mr Eke’a performances, when someone present protested that what had been nar rated was impossible. * Impossible,’ said another, ‘ I’ll bet you L 5 that Jerry Kke will eat a calf at a sitting.’ The wager was taken, and the preliminaries were arranged. The calf—let us hope it was only a baby calf was killed ; the bones were cut out, the flesh was chopped into minute particles, and appor tioned into seventeen enormous pasties, whose outer crust was a thin film of bat ter, made lovely and tempting to every sense, but carefully kept from any ingred ients that could cloy the palate. Jerry was called in, he having agreed to the wager with evident delight, and was told he might fall to. He did so, and steadily gorged. He had made no difficulty of the first nine pasries, but when a tenth was brought in he seemed to flag. To the horror of his backers he sighed and looked perplexed. It was but for a moment; he only desired to expostulate. ‘ I say, mas’r, I aint got nuthin' to say 1 agin them poys; I loik 'em amazin,’ but 1 I’m a-thinkin’ et’s aoout time as I should I begin on that that calf !’ ” 1

Yesterday afternoon, after the installa tion of the Mayor of Christchurch, Mr t John Ollivier suggested that a public lun- 3 cheon should be given to the promoters t of the Industrial ExhibiMui. The sug- t gestion found great favor, and LBO was ( guaranteed on the spot. 1 The Now Zealand Shipping Company | are advised by cable that the lonic 1 reached Rio Janeiro on the 15th and sailed on the 17th. Her passage from Lyttelton was, th 1 fastest on record, viz, only twenty-one days. Her frozen meat - is reported to be in prime condition. The ex-Muyor of Christchurch has tele graphed to the Government the refusal of the unemployed to accept “so mean a pittance ” as 4s 6d a day, weather permit ting, and their determination “ to ute every lawful and constitutional means to shame them into hnding reasonable work at reaaonab'e wages for the unemployed of Christchurch.” They propose to form a Working Men’s Association. Amongjthe many designs |' : or Christmas cards this year we have seen none so artistic as those to be found in the shop of Mr T. F. Farley. They are hand painted on ivory tablets, and' some of them are beautifully mounted in plush, and are ex cellent specimens of art workmanship. They have the further advantage of being fitted with cords, so that they will furnish very pretty wall ornaments for those who are lucky enough to receive them. 1 he toothless biped of the future is no mere idle dream of the speculator. Mr Spence Bares, F. R. S., has lately shown that the average tooth of the modern European shows under the microscope a distinct deterioration of structure and loss of substance as compared with the tooth of the Esquimaux, the Red Indian, and the Ashantees, as well as with those found in the ancient barrows of England. And not only is the quality degenerating, but there is a tendency likewise towards diminution of quantity. The cranium de velops at the expense of the face and jaws, and as the space required for the teeth diminish© ■, their number likewise de creases, While the lower vertebrates have four ganders on each side of each jaw, the higher have three, whilst in man their number is reduced to two. Nor is if, ex pected that the diminution will stop here, if the average size of the human skull goes on increasing as it is now doing. Fortunately, the question dues not press. Some months ago (says the Sydney Morning Herald) the attention of the Hon J. P. Abbot, Minister for Mines, was drawn to an extract from a Melbourne journal which pointed out the groat value of the catalpa speciosa as a timber tree, and, judging from what was stated, that the tree would be a very useful addition to the limber treas of this colony. Mr Abbott called for reports upon the sub ject from the inspector of forests and the director of the Botanic '-ardens, with tuo result that a plantation of catalpa trees has bean formed on the railway reserve at Cootatnundra. The tree is indigenous to North America. It is of largo size, tx ceedingly durable, and so impervious to damp that logs have been known tc remain in water uninjured for very many years. In ica growth it at tains a height of 50ffc and a diameter , of 3ft or 4ft before it throws out any branches, and generally it is said to equal, if not surpass, the jarrah of Wes -1 tern Australia. It is one of the most valuable trees of the American forests, 1 and grows in a damp rich deep loam in a low-lying sheltered situation. Near the Cootamundra railway station a block < f land has been closed with a fence, and within this enclosure 50 catalpa plants have been placed. The work of feuc ng, 1 trenching, and planting has been care -1 fully carried out, and the plants are ’ healthy, and show indications of making vigorous growth. Last year the director of the Botanic Gardens ordered from 1 America seeds of the catalpa speciosa and of the catalpa syringte folia,, and the plants from these seeds will probably be 1 ready for distribution for next year. ! We have been shown by Dr Monokton, who is at present staying in Ashburton, a , working model of an invalid bed recently , invented by him, and for which letters , patent have been taken out both in New , Zealand and England. The contrivance , is exceedingly simple, and has the great [ merit of being easily worked. On the lower part of the bed is a frame with an arrangement attached similar to a parallel | ruler. By means of a lever and crank , this frame can be raised sufficiently to allow of the mattrass being removed from under the patient without inconvenien cing him in the least. Indeed, so simply is it worked that the invalid can raise himself with the greatest of ease, thus affording himself relief as the ventilation obtained pi events bed-sores. In cases of fractured limbs the invention is invaluable, and wherever Dr Monclcton’a bed has been submitted to experts the verdict h is been universally favorable. Another impor tant feature is that the weights on the lever can bo so adjusted that the doctor is able to determine exactly whether his patient has lost or gained in flesh. The principle for raising a patient off the mattrass which has been in vogue for many years is by means of a winch under neath the bed, worked with cranks. This necessitated foundry castings which were both expensive and cumbrous, while the sick person was put to considerable pain, besides having no means afforded of raising himself. Dr Mtonckton’s inven tion is so incomparably superior and is hygienioally so important that we have great pleasure in calling attention to it. The coat of the bed is very trifling as compared with the benefit gained by its use ia the case of invalids, that there is little doubt that it will be generally adopted in hospitals both here and in England. The manufacturers are the Woodware Factories Company at Dune din, where they can be obtained. The New York Herald writes as follows on the deficiencies of the United States navy:—On the exaternand western shores of the Pacific Ocean in South America and Asia there appears to be a call for a display of naval force by our country as a reason able safeguard for American residents in China and at the same time in Peru. The imminence of war between France and China, the riots which have already oc curred in Canton, the announced anti pathy towards the residents of every foreign nationality which is charateristio of the lower order of the Chinese to dis play whenever their country is embroiled with any foreign power, the very import ant American interests at stake in half a-dozen great Chinese ports, the preju dices against our people which the perse cution of Chinese in California and the anti-Ohiueso legislation at Washington have intensified, not to speak of other considerations, require a powerful naval representation of our country on any great field of military and commercial commotion- These all de mand the immediate reinforcement or our Asiatic squadron. There are three Chinese ironclads, any of which, in speed, armament, and impenetrability by Ameri can guns, is more than a match for Ad miral Hughes’ whole wooden squadron, which is armed with antiquated smooth bores. The motive we have for naval do mination in the North Pacific is to pro tect our coast-line, our great seaports, and vast interests. Is it respectable that, contrasting the United States with this gallant and enterprising little South American State, we should find ourselves inferior to her in naval power ? Is it pru d nt I la it decent ? This very day it is ] clear that the Chilian nation, with a popu lation just about that of the state of Mis souri, if she had interests in China to pro tect, has a stronger disposable naval force I for their protection than have theJUnited 1 Stales. 11

Soma evilly-di'posed larrikins were up to th sir games last night at the County Sale yards. It appears that they had tied back the paddock gates so that the sheep (to the number of 400) which were enclosed could stray out on the roads. Fortun ately the game did not succeed as it was found out in time. vVe believe that the parties are known. Wells’ “Rough on Corns.”—Ask for Wells’ “ Rough on Corns.” Q uick re ‘ lief, complete, permanent cure. Corns, warts, ..bunions. .Moses, Moss and Co., Sydney, eneral Agents.

Holloway s Ointment and Pills combin both sanitive and sanative powers in a high degree—by the former term is understood their ability to preserve health, by the latter their capability to restore health. With these reme dies at h«nd no invalid need be at fault to guide himself or heiself safely through the many trials to which everyone is subjected during our long and ofttimes inclement winters. Coughs, colds, ulcerated throats, diptheria, whooping cough, can be successfully treated by well rubbing this Ointment upon the chest, and by taking the Pills. During weatherasthmaticalsufterers will experience the utmost possible relief from the inunction of the ointment on all tender chested persons will save endless misery by adopting this treatment.—[Advt.]

CRICKET.

BOROUGH 0.0. v. COUNTY 0.0.

The match between the Ashburton County and the Sydenham Hovers, which had been arranged for yesterday did not come off owing to the inability of some of the members of the latter team to get away, and it was therefore arranged to play the return between the Borough and County Clubs. The game at the com mencement did not promise to be an in teresting one, as the Borough in their first innings only put together the meagre total of 25 against their opponents’ 105, neces sitating a follow on. For the County A. Fooks (27) and Makeig (20) were the highest scorers, both batsmen making several good hits. Dignan played excel lent cricket for his 14, and Gaygill and Curtis made 10 each. The boiling of the Borough was not particularlyji good and the wicket was rather bumpy, especially at one end. The bowling of Thomas proved too much for the Borough batsmen, who were sent back one after the other with great rapidity. Seven wickets were credited to Thomas at very small coat, Wroughton taking the remain der. The second venture of the Horough was far more successful, 88 being scored for the loss of only two wickets, so that if the rest make a stand a close game will be the result. Crocker made 37, but he had a good deal of luck, being missed badly several times, and G. W. Andrews scored 21 not out. Subjoined are the scores : County C.C.— ist innings. Thomas, c Coffey, b Prebble I Caygill, b Crocker ... ... ... ... IO A. Fooks, b Davis -27 Dignan, b Prebble ... ... 14 Makeig, cG. Andrews, b Davis ... ... 20 J. Fooks, b Davis ... ... ... o E. Simpson, c and b Davis... ~ ... 4 Quinlan, b Crocker 3 Curtis, b Prebble ... ... ... ... 10 Wroughton, b Crocker ... ... ... o Leahy, not out ... ... ... ... 0 Extras 16 Total 105 Borough C.C.—ist innings, G. Andrews, cJ. Fooks, b Thomas .. c Crocker, c Makeig, b Thomas ... ... 6 L. F. Andrewes, b Wroughton ... ... 5 Amos, b Wroughton ... o Prebble, b thomas ... ... ... ... o Colley, cA. Fooks, b Thomas ... ... 3 Patching, c Wroughton, b Thomas ... o Purchase, c Caygill, b Wroughton... ... 2 Davis, cA. Fooks, b Thomas ... ... 6 Marsh, b Thomas ... ... ... ... c C. R. Andrewes, not out .. 3 Extras c Total ... 25 2nd innings. C. R. Andrewes, cA. Fooks. b Quinlan ... ic Crocker, b Makeig 37 L. F. Andrewes, notout ... ... ... IS G. Andrews, not out ... ... ... 21 Extras 5 Total for two wickets ... ... 88

THE KING COUNTRY.

[by telegraph.] Auckland, To-day. MrPeicy Smith, chief surveyor, met the natives yesterday in front of Kewi’s house at Kihikihi, to explain matters re lating to the survey of the King country. Bewi opened the meeting by saying he had agreed with the Government that a triangulation survey should be carried out. He had given that into Mr Bryce’s hands.. That will be paid for by the Go vernment. Mr Smith : I have already ordered a triangulation survey, which wili probably be commenced next week, and also other surveys. A boundary survey from Piron giu to Ruapehu is done, but that from Ruaoehu to Whiteoliffs has yet to be sur veyed, as also the one from Pirongiu to Kawhia. Ido not think it can be com pleted in twelve months. After discussing the matter with the Ngatimaniopotos the meeting closed with the expressed wish that the survey should go on at once at the price stated, L 1,600, which will be done. Mr Cussen stated that if not interfered with and with fair weather the triangula tion survey would be done in 18 mouths. Hanaurli and other natives will meet Tawhiao and Major Te Wheoro at Whati whatihoe, and a public meeting to-day. Despite the opposition offered by a section of the Ngatihauas yesterday a triangula tion survey of the King country will be gone on with. The opposition of the Ngatihauas is evidently fostered by the surveyors and’ other interested parties, and it is hardly likely that the good advice given by the Native Minister will be attended to. The triangulation survey is of course the first step to be taken, and then the application of the chiefs to have the King country surveyed in one block can be proceeded with. This work of itself will be a vast undertaking. It con tains 3,700,000 acres, and at, say, three halfpence per acre, a fair price, it would cost something like L 22,000. Then will follow surveys of the tribal territories and afterwards those of individuals. As Mr Bryce explained to the objecting parties yesterday, neither the first survey nor yet that of inter-tribal divisions could possibly prejudice the claims of individual owners.

POPE LEO AT HOME.

The Capitan Fracassa of Rome publishes a conversation which one of its correspondents had with the Rev. Philip Barry, canon of the Cashel Cathedral. The canon is said to have spoken as follows ; —“ Leo XIII. is now 74 years of age. He is tail, thin, and bony. His face is of an ivory tint, and his eyes and lips are very expressive and smiling. He looks very firm. Simoni says he resembles Voltaire, but Leo XIII.’s smile is totally different from Voltaire’s smile. The Pope wears his age well, and walks remarkably straight. He has snow-white hair and very finely-marked eyebrows. His eyes are wonderfully intelligent-looking, and his voice is extremely harmonious. He speaks several languages as well as any professor of languages. He never says a foolish thing nor does a foolish thing, like poor Pius IX., whose policy: was fatal to the Pope’s temporal power. He rises very early, and spends the first hours of the day in prayer and generally in his bedroom. At 6 o’clock

he says mass. At 8 o’clock he breaks his fast with a cup of chocolate, reading his correspondence all the time. At nine o’clock he receives Jacobim, and those chiefs of religious society who may de mand an audience. At noon he re ceives those Roman patriarchs who have remained true to him and his ambassadors. At one o’clock he dines, his dinner rarely costing more than two francs, or half a dollar.” “ And he keeps so many cooks?’ said..th& cor respondent. “He is obliged to keep up appearances,” answered the canon. “ Once upon a time Popes were great eaters and drinkers, and were given to every kind of extravagance; but Leo XIII. is nothing of all this. After din ner he takes a little walk in the Vatican grounds, or he visits the museums, gal leries, etc. Sometimes he is carried in a chair quilted with white satin. He is very fond of the garden, and liices to play the gardener at times. He fre quently receives visitors in the garden, and talks of flowers to them to avoid other subjects. The first and second time 1 saw him was in the garden. When I went with the pilgrims he was preceded by three noble guards, and at his side was Monsignor Macchi, his secret Chamberlain. He wore a wide-brimmed hat and a large red cloak. We were presented to him one by one. He looked at us and scrutinised us well, I saw he recognised me, but he treated me like the others—as if he saw me also for 'he first time. ‘ Are you all Irish ?’ he said ; ‘ I' am happy to receive the faithful of that nation.’ He then looked again at us as if he would have read into our souls. * Your bishop,’ he continued, ‘brought_me offerings from a people pressed with poverty.’ Then, seeing me still on my knees, he offered me his hand to raise me, ‘I had thought,’ he continued, ‘ that the offerings would have de creased, but it was not so. We live on charily’ (and here he smiled sadly); ‘ for all we had has been taken from us. Oh, these persecutions !’ he cried, with a loud voice; * they purify, us, even when the leaven is pure and immaculate.’” “I seem to see him now,” said the canon. “His head looked like a relief on the blue sky. The sun was setting, and he looked up to the sky, as if seeking an inspiration there. ‘ I have heard,’ he then said, ‘ that notwithstanding the general state of the anguish in Ireland, the churches are full of people. May the Lord be praised and blessed, and may my prayers bring peace on the people ! Lord, hear our prayers and judge us !’ He then blessed us arid the audience was finished. I have riever seen so much power, united to so much simplicity. At 4 o’clock the Pope re sumes his official audience in the Vati can. At 7 o’clock only he takes a little rest, but at 8 he returns to work in his private rooms, where he remains until 10 o’clock, when he retires for* the night, not always to sleep though, for it is during the night that he reads and writes (or his own pleasure, his favorite subject being the ‘Science of St Thomas,’ and essays on the works of that saint, which he receives from every part of the world, whenever and wherever published.”

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[REUTER’S TP: LEO HAMS COPYKI&H j. 1 Monetary and Commercial. London, Dec. 18 Consols remain at New Zea land securities are quoted to-day as follows: —Five per cent. 10-40 Loan remains at 104*4 ; Five per cent 1889 Loan at 103*4 ; Four and a half per cent., 1879-1904 Loan has fallen to 101%; and the Four per ceat. inscribed stock to par. The markets for colonial produce are without quotable change. Another War Credit- Paris, Dec. 18. In the Chamber of Deputies to-day the additional war credit of 20,000,000 francs for defraying the cost of the Tonquin expedition was voted by a large majority. Disastrous Fire. Lisbon, Dec. 18. A seaious fire occurred ia the Royal Dockyard to-day, and resulted in the destruction of one man-of-war lying in the dock. A large amount of material also was consumed. Germany and the Vatican. Bomb, Dec. 18. The interview between Prince Fred erick William of Germany and his holi ness Pope Leo XIII. at the Vatican to day lasted an hour. TheJinterview was of a very cordial nature. The organs of the Catholic party refer to the meet ing in jubilant terms. His Imperial Highness leaves Rome on Thursday next. [Received Deo. 20,j1.15 p.m.] On the Look Out. London, Dec. 19. The police authorities deny that pre cautions have been taken to prevent the Fenian attack upon London Bridge or Newgate Gaol. They, however, ad mitted that strict watch against suspi cious characters was kept at Hawarden Castle, and that the police guard has been strengthened at the Premier’s seat. The Tonquin War. Paris, Dec. 19. A report gains credence here that Sontay has been evacuated by the native garrison, and was occupied with out opposition by the French troops who advanced against it on the 12th.

AUSTRALIAN.

[REUTEB’s TELEGRAMS—COPYRIGHT.] The Suez Mail. Albany, Yesterday. Arrived, this morning, in King George’s Sound The P. and O. steamship Parramata, with inward mails via Suez and Brindisi, dated Lon don, November 18 th. [Received Dec. 20, 1.15 p.m.] Shipping. Melbourne, To-day. Sailed, yesterday afternoon—-Mana pouri, for the Bluff. Arrived, this morning Tararua, from the Bluff.

TELEGRAMS.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION;] A Visit Abandoned. Auckland, To-day. The following telegram has Been re ceived from Lord Rosebery by Mr. J. M. Clark, the Mayor;—” Very sorry. We have to abandon visit to New Zealand; have written.—Rosebery, Government House, Melbourne.”

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1883.



HBURTON IT OTE L, A. East street, near Bridge. ' MBS' M. A. L. WOODLEY, •(Bate of Clarendon Hotel, Dunedin, and ; Hinds Hotel), Has taken this very commodious house, is now elaborately furnished throughout, and invites the patronage of 'this general public. Only the best Wines, Spirits, and Liquors kept in stock. Good Stabling provided. M. &. L, WOODLEY, 13 1035 Proprietress. } M iX 1 § h| / V 0?. | “ § g r I°* & 11 I Z r? “ ; jS-5 s si m gc, 553 « os m 4 *2 "2 |a • |L .1 §| S.’s S I S Z< Isßo a| S I SO S s g z I ‘as ‘"5 u-T.ni | |i *-< 'AS* 5 -- Q § s? mi iii H ,



Wanted VT7"ANTED —A General SERVANT. Apply, at once, to Mra 0. F. Fooks, Park House. 12 1097 WANTED Known—That Hayes and Co. are slaughtering 2,000 yards of Madras Muslin wonh Is 9d at 6d per yard. WANTED— A strong GIRL used to Children. Apply, after twelve o’clock on Saturday next, to Pine Cot tage, behind Masonic Hall, opposite Mr O. W. Purnell’s. 12 1096 WANTED Known —For Sale, two COTTAGES on East Balt. Cheap, easy terms. Apply W. 0. Davis or Ward and Sons. 12 1012 CHRISTMAS FRUIT! CHRISTMAS FRUIT! ! Currants 6d, Raisins 7d; Sultanas 81; Candied Peel Is 6d. Fresh Paste Butter 6d 12 1078 FRIEDLANDER BROS. WANTED Known—The usual inter esting Christmas Tree will be held in the Primitive Methodist Church, on THURSDAY and FRIDAY, 20th and 21st December. A stall laden with fancy and useful .goods will also be for sale. Doors open from 2 o’clock till 10 p.m. Admission Is, which entitles the visitor to a present off the tree. 12 1085 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—That in conse quence of the rapid increase of business/ John Moison, Impermeable Bootmaker, has been compelled to get a large 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, he 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 ob f tftined on the premises calculated to please the general public—American Bowls, skittles, Shooting, Boxing, Fencing, Horizontal Bar, Trapeze, etc. Temper ance Drinks, Oigara, etc. Tickets — monthly 2s 6d, for use of Horizontal Bar, Trapeze, Single-sticks, Dumb-bells, Indian Clubs, etc. Dan Lea is always at his post to give lessons in Boxing, lesson £1 per mon t h, or according to arrangement. 1344 Special Advertisements. STOP THAT COUGH I DON’T DELAY.—How can you stop it ? Where, s the Remedy. Bennington’s PECTORAL OXYMEL OF CARRA GEEN or IRISH MOSS (register 1), can produce more evidence of real merit than any other article for the purpose. Sold everywhere. G Bonhinoton, Christchurch. A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL. Bazaar AND Fancy Fair AT ANDREWES BROS., East Street South, IS NOW OPEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR GIFTS in great variety. INTENDING PURCHASERS OF CLOTHING FOB THE SPRING AND SUMMER SEASON Should visit the NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory’s BRANCH, Where they oan select from the LARGEST VARIETY OF FASHION ABLE GARMENTS, Manufactured from sound 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 during 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 a further benefit in the shape of a still Lower Rate of Wholesale Prices. SHIRTS, UNDERCLOTHING, HATS & CAPS, PORTMANTEAUS, And every requisite at Wholesale Price. Ashburton Branch : EAST STREET. F YOU WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE, GO TO DAVIS’S JHEAPj FURNITURE AND BED DING MANUFACTORY, BAST STREET SOUTH, ASHBURTON. ill VERY article Sold at Christchurch -2 Prices and guaranteed bes. of •naterial and workmanship. FUNERALS CHEAPLY & COMPLETELY FURNISHED



Special Advertisements- INTRODUCTION OF THE PARCEL SYSTEM. Fashion F*>vbb, Cashel street, Chi .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, thousands of parcels being for warded to the order of distant customers upon the distinct understanding that any article 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. C. Brown & Co,, FASHION HOUSE, Christchurch. The splendid stock of General Drapery in all departments has been purchased by B. C. Brown and Co., from the Trustees in the Estate of the late firm of Craig apd Smyth, at a very large discount off cost for cash. Thus articles sold under c n st price leave a good margin of profit for the vendor, while giving unsurpassed value to the purchaser. J 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 £ b. d. 1 dress piece (12 yds) any shade, French costume cloth ... 0 18 6 l£ good velveteen to match dress 0 5 6 3 yds silesia, for linings ... 0 I 10 2 doz new oxydised buttons, to match ... 0 1 6 1 pair warm lined fur-top spring cuff gkves 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... ... 012 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 Empress black velveteen ... 1 7 6 3 yds good silesia for lining ... 0 2 0 2 doz new style oxydised buttons 0 10 1 handsome striped winter skirt 0 9 6 1 durable silk umbrella, paragon 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 ... ... ••• ... 0 1 6 1 good warm Ladies’ tweed ulster 017 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 0 2 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) ... ... ... _ ... 018 0 24 yds splendid white calico, heavy make ... ... ... 013 0 24 yds good strong brown or grey wincey ... ... ... ... 014 0 6 yds tartan plaid ... ... 0 6 6 6 yds good brown holland ... 0 4 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 g... 0 4 9 £3 15 3 Our No. (7, mourning parcel for £2 10a, 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 ... ... ... ... 014 G 2 pairs Ladies’ black hose ... 0 3 0 1 pair Ladies’ two-button choice black kid gloves ... ... 0 4 6 $ 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 10 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 6 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 1 dress (12 yds) good costume cloth ... ... ... ... 1 1 0 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 6 Ladies’ linen collars 0 3 0 6 Ladies’ linen handkerchiefs ... 0 5 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 I 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 see what you will save. 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. P. 0.0. made payable to E O. BROWN & CO., Faabiop House, Christchurch. 1362



Special Advertisement. Reward Books, Presents, Prizes, Toys, Dolls, &c. H. M. JO N E S ; East street. 11 877 CHRISTMAS SUPPLEM ENT TO “THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN-” ON MONDAY NEXT a four-page Special Holiday Supplement will be issued with the Guardian to all subscribers. The Supplement will be ILLUSTRATED With numerous woodcuts, and will con tain twenty-eight columns of reading mat ter, amongst which will be found the fol lowing : POETRY. “ Christmas Day,” by Orita “ Welcome to Christmas ” “ Our Long Ago ” “ Holy Christmas Day ” “ The Police Court Lawyer ” Ac. &c. &c. TALES. “David Grant’s Repentance,” by G. Dumas “A Story of the Diggings Thirty Years ago ” “ By the Sweat of his Brow ” “ What Charlie Burnside gained on Cup Day ” “ By the River ” “ Muriel and I ” “ Max Rae, the Little News Boy ” “A Merry Christmas Wished to All,” by K.G. &c. Ac. &c. FACEI'L®, CONUNDRUMS, INDOOR GAMES, Ac. Ac. Ac. Ac. N.B.—Subscribers wishing to obtain extra copies must send in application for same at once, as only a limited number will bo published.