SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON.

Arrived. Ykstbbday. Grafton, 5.8., from Oamarn. *Rotbmahana, b.l, from Melbourne, ri» southern ports. Rotorua, ■%, from Nelson, Picfcon, and Wellington. .’ Blackwall, ketch, from Le Son’s Bay. Sailed. , Ybsxbeday, , British Queen, s-s., for London. Hertha, barque, for Cork or Falmouth, for orders. v Fawn, brig, for Auckland. . Rotomahana, as., fornorthem forts. , Orowaiti, s.s., for Westport. ( Tythonus,; barque, for Queenstown or Falmouth, for; orders. Rotorua, s. a., for Akaroa and Dunedin. Grafton, s.*.-, for Wellington and West Ooast ports. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS ?. . : • ' Auckland, Yesterday. j> Clyde, Captain Hoyle, from London, 112 days out. ~; Sailodr—Waihora, for Melbourne, via * theJsOuthorn port*. , r .. Wbljunoton, Yesterday. ■ Arrived —‘ Awfroa, schooner, from Timaru ; Wanaka, from the south. Timabc, Yesterday. •jt'-. Arrived —Spray, fr omStewart’s Island. Sailed—Annie Bow,. fer Adelaide. Dunedin, Yesterday. . ■. Arrived—Mahinapua, fromOreymouth; Mathien,, barqne, ; from Newcastle; West ./ meath, steamer, from Auckland. Sailed—Manapouri, for Melbourne, via J ’ v the BlniC

COMMERCIAL.

TV ' r —-»• •-. ■ — Guardian Office, > , ‘n Friday afternoon. ‘' MessrS Miles and Co. (per J. T. Ford) re ’ p6rt on tnj live stock market, etc., for. the " week ending Thursday, May 31st, 1883, as f“lbllows:—Addington—A fairly large entry of stock ctune forward for the market on Wednes i ‘ daylast, but'the attendance of buyers was , scarcely up to the mark, and a slight deprecia tion in the ; values obtained was the result. ■ Fat sheep, generally, were of very good quality, but bjUfungs being dull.and spiritless, we quote IB for mutton, with perhaps a shade - over-for very prime. There was a very large ps£ntty(Of merinos, and prices Were much lower, J " except at the commencement of the sale. The Acton sheep were early in the market and were for, realising 13s. A small Me of Messrs Chapman’s sheep, from Spring- H-ntf, were*in splendid condition, but being late .in the market hardly realised their values. 3i! Instore sheep there were but few entries, and j-> prices were about equal ' to recent quotations.- tj: Merih’os ewes in short supply, prices very low. ; jTheteds;a fair demand for merino ewes in lamb to long-wooUed rams.—Cattle :■ There was but a limited supply of fat cattle and very few of the& were of good quality." We quote beef at 22s per loolbs.’—Store Cattle : Not many for ward,.andno improvement': in prices. Gra aers seemed to hwe filled their requirements , fa* sheep and cattle.—Figs : An “ ayerage entry, and, prices fairly good, about ■ e4ual torates current The sale generally was described by those who are capable of judging to be one of the dullest and most dragging that has been, experienced daring the past year. . The total entry for the day was 5,7*3 sheep, t 3fip.head of cattle* and 218 pigs.—Ashburton: ” Af this market on Tuesday last there was but ;;i a small entry Mutton we return at 2#d per lb,—7Btore Sheep: Nothing much forward, and n 'very little demand; Prices about the same. - "Cattle and pigs sold fairly weU, but business fenerally dulL —Wool, Sheepskins, Hides, ‘at, and Tallow : On Thursday we held our usual sale, quitted butchers’ crossbreds at 3s 9d, 4s 2d, 4s 4d, 4s yd, ss, and 5s 4d each ; <i tdittomerinos, 2s gd, 3s 3d, and 3s qd. Owing c , .to the lateness of the hour before our turn came '■‘ to sell, we withdrew all dry skins. Fat we ~ sold at 2>jd, 2#d, aad ifid, and 2%d per , lb. Tallow realised 225, 245, and 26s per cwt. ■’ l Hides'? A large consignment realised s#d per lb. Calfskins are worth the same figure. hides or calfskins, from i}4.d to

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency : Company, Limited (per Mr E, G. j.Stavdey, auctioneer), report-on live stock jmsnktt. on 29th inst., as fol rloifs:—Sfepp: There was a large entry of litotes, 'btiHittle fit for the butcher. The at tendance was only moderate, and the sale was t .. .the finUest that has been experienced this season 'Kncafterline being passed in unsold. Veryfew changed hands,- at the undermentioned prices I wethers,,in, forward condition, and of superior quality, 6s gd, Js 4d, mid 5s 1 id, for a pen of ff ‘gbod-y6nne wethers. Ewes (old), 2s gd, 3s ; 3d; 3a tid, 2-tooth, 6s id ; crossbred lambs, Tl s*«pd,r7s ( 3d, 2-tpoth, 10#, 3d.r—Pigs: Only * 1 one pen of porkers submitted, which realised 375.-*Cattle were exceedingly hard to quit; a small number were disposed of, but the sale i:• knd- quite devoid of animation, buyers appear ing perfectly indifferent, unless at prices evi dently below the values of the lots offered. Fat bullocks made 14155, L 6 Ss; cows, L 4, L 4 15s, L 6 2s 6d and L 7; two-year-old stores, in well grazed order, L 3 10s, L 3 19s. The dairy cattle were mostly withdrawn, one pair of springing heifers being sold at L 4 2s 6d. Throughoutthe whole sale business was diffi (,cultto transact

:• The following is the Christchurch Com Ex . chang?. report for the week-ending Friday evening, Ist June Business in the grain trade isin sympathy with all others, at a very low ebb. Pricesih nearly all lines remain un •' changed. ’'Wheat: Good sound Tuscan in ■hipping parcels, 4s 6d_per bushel f.0.b.; other wheats in similar condition, 4s 4d to 4s 5d per bushel, f,*.b.; . second: class samples fit for millings 3s 6d to 3s 9dper bushel; chick wheat jpmges from, 2s 3d, to 3s per bushel. Oats : Bnght 2s to as id per bushel; feed <■' qualify is gd .to is nd, delivered in Christ church..' Barley: Prime malting. 4s 4d to 4s yd per bushel, delivered in Christchurch; feed and second class malting quality, 2s 4d to 3s 6d per bushel: Grdss seed: Fanners’ sam , .;ples,, 38:6d to. 3s gd per bushel ;j machine dressed, 4s to 4s 3d per bushel, delivered in Christchurch; cocksfoot, to 3 Jjf of a penny per lb in Christchurch. Potatoes ; ... Business in the tuber still remains in a very stagnant state. Buyers are not keen, while sellers are unwilling to part for the money offered. A few small sales have ftaken place at prices varying between 30s and 355, at country stations; the discrepancy arising from the conditions as to time and manner of de livery. 'Cheese and butter, 5a to s#d for the former; 1 slo ts id for the latter. •

„ DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES Batubday, June 2.

Mr Alfred Harmon, at his Yards Horae*, Garniture, &c. Ironwork of Qombine and Elevator. Meurs Matson, Ooz and Go., at Tatter sail's—Horses, Implements, &0., at . , 11,80. , * Thursday, June 7. Matson, Ooz and Co., at Waterton—Town Sections, Farm, Live and Dd&d Stock, Sub., at 11 o'clock sharp. <•.,/ ' Friday, June 8. ;> Aoh«rt . Wilkjn and Co., at theTinwald Sale Tarda—Sutplup Stock, Farm Im plements, etc. .MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Ac Thursday, June 7. , Upper Ashburton Road Board District— J General election of members; polling 1 day7th day of Jane ' Monday, June 4. ...Town Ball—Panorama of the American ' War;, 8 p.m. Ashburton Borough—Annual Licensing meeting for Borough, June 4th. Long- V.r'tidarh Boad Board, at noon. June 6. Ashburton County Council —at Council / ‘ J ll a.m. ■-* Magistrate's Court, Ashburton— s«-‘ AenuelXocensiag meeting for Ashbur :- T aistriot, June 6th. ‘.' r i &fbin>AY,'Jußß 11. rt Borough Council, et Borough Ooancil

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalent FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 1883. The New Guinea Annexation.

When we first heard that the Govern ment of Queensland had upon their own responsibility planted the British flag upon New Guinea and taken possession of the island in the name of Queen Victoria, it could not fail to be a matter of wonder in what light the Imperial authorities would view the action. It was altogether such a new departure in colonial politics that when the English Government first learnt the news, their breath must have fairly been taken away. That a dependency should step in and usurp the functions of the Mother Country was hitherto inconceivable, and it is not easy to see what the ultimate issue of the proceed ing will be. What information is vouchsafed to us by Reuter concern ing the matter is certainly contradic tory. At one time we are told that New Guinea will be proclaimed a Crown colony, and at another —and this is the latest intelligence we have received—Earl Derby has determined not to do this, but to establish trading stations in certain parts of the island. Neither of these courses is likely to meet with the approval of the Austra lian colonies. The advisability of annexing New Guinea has been dis cussed for a long time, not only be cause it would be a valuable possession in itself, but because were it allowed to fall into the hands of any foreign power, it would be a source of danger to the neighboring colonies. But as suredly Queensland, when she acted as she did, did not contemplate the possi bility of New Guinea being declared a Crown colony, to be ruled over, as Fiji is, by an autocratic Governor whose will is law. Such a form of govern ment is not only objectionable in itself, but experience has shown that it has a demoralising effect, and interferes with the development of a country’s resources. We are left entirely in the dark as to who is to have control over the trading stations that are to be established, but we suppose that that duty will fall to the lot of Queensland. The result of the experiment will be watched with interest, although it is evident that the enterprising colony which took posses sion of the island expected that the government of the whole of New Guinea would be given into her hands. From a cablegram published in this issue, it appears that a Blue Book on this subject has been printed, in which it is stated that Lord Derby was averse to the annexation. This makes the action of the Queensland Govern ment all the more extraordinary, as it is very improbable that the step was taken before an effort was made to discover how such an unprecedented act on the part of a colony would be, considered by the Imperial authorities. What course the Secretary of State for the Colonies will advise is not officially announced, but if he changes his opinions on the question, it will cer tainly be due to the strong expression of feeling regarding the advisability of sanctioning the annexation given by the other Australasian colonies. Had the late Lord Beaconsfield been liNng and in power, such a plucky stroke of policy as that carried out by Queens land would have commended itself to his mind. The want of precedent would have been no objection in his eyes, as it assuredly is to the Liberal party. However, we must be content to wait for more definite information upon a subject that will be keenly dis cussed in the English Parliament, but it is certain that if New Guinea is abandoned some other power will step in and take possession of what must eventually be a very valuable colony.

The Government intend inviting ten ders in the colony for an iron bridge, which is to be erected over Jetty street on the Southern railway line from the Dunedin station. About 660 tons of iron will be used in the bridge, which will be 660 ft long.

An enquiry is going on before the Visit ing Justices into the management of Lyttelton Gaol. The proceedings are private. Hulbert’s hatter’s shop in Christchurch was burglariously entered on Wednesday night, but very little property was taken away.

At the inquest on John Reid, found dead in his bunk at Lyttelton on board the Wanaka, a verdict was returned of death from disease of the heart. It is said tnat 30 men in Christchurch have been engaged as navvies to go to Queensland ; wages 9s a day for two years and passage found. At the inquest on the man Cardoza, burned in Aynsley’s Hotel, Mosgiel, a verdict of accidental death was returned. There was no positive evidence as to how the fire originated. Four firemen of the British Queen, for refusing to work, have been sentenced to imprisonment, with hard labor, two for four, and two for two months. It was stated in Court that the expense of de laying the steamer would be LIOO a day.

It is notified in the Gazette that cotton yarn, linen yarn, jute yarn, and woollen yarn for use in the manufacture of car* pets, and coat hangers for use in the manufacture of coats, shall be exempt from duty upon importation into (the colony. The Board of Governors of the Welling ton College have resolved to memorialise the Government to make provision for the establishment of a University College in Wellington, similar to those long estab lished in Dunedin and Christchurch, and the one recently inaugurated in Auckland. Vickers, who escaped from the Dunedin gaol, was captured yesterday afternoon at three o’clock by Constable Meldrum, who had been in the saddle since six a. m. Vickers was hiding in the fern at Mul locky Gully, nearly twenty miles from Dunedin. The constable covered him with his revolver, and he offered no re sistance.

Over 400 people met in the Harmonic Hall, Patea, on Wednesday night to hear Major Atkinson. The hon gentleman repeated his Hawera speech, and entered fully into local questions besides. The proceedings, which were lively towards the end, lasted until a very late hour, but a vote of thanks and confidence was carried almost unanimously.

A man named Michael Donovan was brought to Blenheim from Wairau Val ley yesterday with his threat badly gashed, and windpipe partly severed. He had been drinking heavily, and is believed to be suffering from delirium tremens. He disappeared on Tuesday night, and on Wednesday morning went| to an Accom modation house in a fearful plight. He had apparently, from the jagged appear ance of the wound, tried to cut his throat on a barbed wire fence. His head also is badly battered, it is believed with a stone. It is thought that he will recover, A large and very influential meeting Wanganui settlers was held yesterday afternoon, Mr F. R. Jackson in the chair. Messrs Buchanan and Beetham, of Wairarapa, made a long interesting statement as to the operations of the Wei lington Meat Export Company, and the meeting resolved, on the motion of Mr R. Pharazyn—“ That the settlers of the East Coast do all they can to assist the Company, both by taking shares and ex porting stock and produce, as soon as satisfactory arrangements can be made for the transportation of the meat from Wan ganui or other ports on this coast, either by rail or steamer to Wellington. ” An influential Committee was appointed to canvass the district to further the views of the meeting.

A very pleasant social gathering took place in Beecher’s Hotel last evening, the occasion being a dinner given in honor of Mr D. M'Farlane, who has recently left the railway service for the purpose of en gaging in trade as a grocer in Ashburton. The chair was occupied by Mr Arthur, stationmaster, and the vice-chair by Mr Stephenson, local foreman. In the course of the evening, Mr M'Parlane was pre sented with a testimonial, in the shape of a silver watch, suitably inscribed, and a gold albert chain, with a greenstone pen dant. Mr Arthur, in making the presenta tion, referred to the good feeling that had always existed between Mr M'Farlane and his fellow employees during the ten years he had been in the service, and the speaker concluded by wishing the guest of the evening every success in his new undertaking. The recipient of the testi monial suitably replied. Louis Lyons Levy, a Wanganui com mission agent, and a trustee in a great number of insolvent estates for years past, was brought up yesterday charged with fraudulently removing property belonging to his creditors, and within four months of filing. The evidence showed that four packages of miscellaneous goods, valued nearly atLIOO, were shipped to Auckland, addressed to Levy s wife, and brought back last week by the trustee, who ob tained an order of the District Court to seize them. The defence is understood to be that the property belongs to his wife under a settlement deed, and that the prosecution was instigated by spit* on the part of the trustees, and without direction of the creditors, who have already ac cepted a composition of 10s in the £ Levy was committed for trial, and bail was accepted. We observe from the local Chronicle of Saturday last that the Wanganui Dairy Factory Company have taken the wise step of sending a special agent to the Fleming ton Factory to minutely examine the system in operation there. The gentleman selected for the duty is Mr J. E, Wilson, a d he went south by steamer on Friday morning. If all the reports we hear are true, our contemporary goes on to say, the management of the Ash burton factory must he admirable, and it may confidently be expected that the re sult of Mr Wilson’s journey will be most advantageous to the company on whoso behalf he is acting. Mr Bowron had a good deal to do with the establishment of the Ashburton factory, and the system in operation there no doubt exemplifies his views ; but even he may have gathered some further knowledge with regard to his speciality, and the Wanganui company will do well to avail themselves as far as possible of his very lengthened ex perience.

A letter which, after travelling about for more than nine years, returns in a good state of preservation to the post-office whence it was first despatched, should be kept as a curiosity, and a species of testi monial to the care taken by post-office ad ministrations of what is entrusted to them. At the Elberfeld Post-office (says the European Mail) a letter was returned the other day whose peregrinations are thus related. It had been put in the box at the same office - on July 3rd, 1873, its destination being Nicolajiewisk, in Si beria, where the son of the writer of it (a seaman) happened to be. When it ar rived, however, the latter had gone away with his ship, so the letter, after re-orosa ing Siberia, returned in the course of three years to Elberfeld. The seaman’s father having learned that his son was at Hong Kong, re-directed the envelope, and once more, in Octobe-, 1876, the letter started on Its travels. When it reached Ohina, however, he to whom it was addressed had left the country ; so it followed him about from one place to another, always arriving just too late, until at length it found its way back again to the Elberfeld post-office, where, with the consent of its writer, it ia hencefor ward to be preserved with all the respect and consideration due to such a much travelled letter.

The business of the Mutual Fire and Marine Insurance Company has been taken over by the Union Insurance Com pany of New Zealand, which accepts risks and takes over all insurances. Under the terms given by the Union shareholders, the Mutual will probably lose only 9d per share. The cause of the step was the excessive insurance competition in every portion of New Zealand. Mr Dobson, General Manager, in his report to the directors, pointed out that there was nO opening for a profitable business. A meeting was held on Wednesday evening in the Arcade Chambers for the purpose of founding a Young Men’s So ciety in connection with St Stephen’s Church. There was a good attendance The incumbent, in a few opening remarks, said that he thought that the objects of such a Society as it was proposed to found should embrace the spiritual and also the bodily and mental development of its members. It was resolved that a Society to be called the St Stephen’s Young Men’s Society, be formed. The incumbent was elected President; Mr George Jameson, Vice president; Mr Arthur Wylde, hon. secretary; Mr Pavitt, jun., treasurer ; a Provisional Committee of five members was also chosen. It was arranged to meet on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 7.30 p.m.

The following extract from a private letter received in Ashburton, may prove interesting as showing the present state of agricultural affairs in England. It is dated Essex, April 18, 1883:—“ We are having now excellent weather, and the people’s spirit is rising about the crops. The farmers, and indeed the proprietors, are in a sad condition. The harvest last year appeared good and was got in well, but the crop threshed out badly, and the return proved very deficient. There have been several poor harvests, and then the immense supply of cheap corn from America has quite taken away the old consolation of high prices. One of the agitations in favor of the landed interest is for the fairer distribution of local taxa tion, and I think the demand seems a just one. One does not easily see why, for instance, the whole of the relief of the poor should be got from one kind of pro perty; which, though in Queen Elizabeth’s time it constituted nearly the whole pro perty of the country, is not now above one seventh part of it. I see in the papers this morning, that a resolution moved by Mr Pell pointing in this direc tion, was only lost last night by a majority of l 4 in a full house, which indicates that a change will not be long in arriving. ’’ At a meeting of the Lyttelton Harbor Board a gratuity equal to six months’ pay was voted to Mrs Rich, widow of one of the Board’s inspectors. During the past month 35,260 tons have been dredged in the harbor. The revenue of the Board during the same period was L 3,885, of which wharfage was L 1,028. The ques tion of the lighting of the harbor by elec tricity was brought up, Mr E. G, Wright moving—“ That no deviation be allowed in the contract entered into between the Board) and the Electric Light and Power Company for the lighting of the harbor of Lyttelton.” He thought they would find that the expense would be exceedingly great. In the first instance, the amount pud to two attendants, without wear and tear, was L 7 19s per week. The lamps near the dock were burning with a fair amount of brilliancy, but at the end of the circuit they were somewhat dim. If the lamps were all burning fully, he thought that sixteen lamps were sufficient to light the harbor. Again, the company had violated the contract by putting a cable between the moles, which was a dangerous matter, and was done simply to save the company some hundred yards

of cable. Now as regarded the contract price. This was to be LI,OOO, but he found that the Board had already ex pended 10 per cent, on this sum in extras. The .attendants had to work very long hours, and it seemed to him that the com pany had been making ,th*se experiments in a great measure at the expense of the Board. If they had the additional lamps spoken of, they would have to pay L2do for the dynamo, and LBOO for the ad ditional lamps. He thought that they would find that the expense of this sys tem was far too much for them. As to the cost being 4d per hour, this was quite out of the question. After discussion, the motion was withdrawn.

Hop Bitters gives good digestion, active liver, good circulation and buoyant spirits. Read larger.—[Advt.] Drowsiness, biliousness, pains and aches, and ague, Hop Bitters always cures. Read.— [Advt.] Wanted Known—That J. Meech is im porting all his own goods, which enables him to sell cheaper than any other furnishing house :n Ashburton. He has every class of furniture to suit all parties, from the kitchen to the drawing-room. All kinds of cutlery, crockery ware, fenders and fire-irons, iron beadsteads, carpets, table cloths, matting, and druggetting. A variety of tinware and other cooking uten sils, etc. A splendid lot of Vienna chairs in walnut and maple. Feathers, flock, horsehair, and wool for furniture and mattrasses —in fact every article for house furnishing. Owing to facilities afforded to him, enables him to sell cheaper than if in East street. Furniture ex changed, and parties selling out will find that he 'gives the highest price for furniture. All kinds of furniture repaired; practical workmen kept. Agent for the celebrated Dunedin blind-maker. Spring window rollers kept in stock. Carvings and turnery sold to the trade. —J. Meech. Note the address, next Bullock’s Arcade.— [Advt.] Holloway’s Pills.—Weary of Life Derangement of the liver is one of the most dangerous of diseases, and the most prolific source of those melancholy forebodings which arc worse than death itself. A few doses ol these noted Pills act magically in dispelling low spirits, and repelling the covert attacks made on the nerves by excessive heat, impure atmos pheres, over-indulgence, or exhausting excite ment. The most shattered constitution may derive benefit from Holloway’s Pills, which will regulate disordered action, brace the nerves, increase the energy of the intellectual faculties, and revive the failing memory. By attentively studying the instructions for taking these PilU, and explicitly putting them in practice, the most desponding will soon feel confident of a perfect recovery.—[Advt*

JOTTINGS PROM A TRAVELLER’S JOURNAL.

[written SPECIALLY FOR THE “ASHBURTON GUARDIAN.”] No. XVII. (Concluded). J

Ospedaletti—San Remo—An Original Entertainment —A Clever Improvi sators—An Unsavory Town—“ Such a Getting up St sirs” A Gaudy Church A Leper Hospital A Warning—Hard Nails

Resuming ray journey I passed Ospo daletti, a place that bids fair to become of some importance, A company of en terprising men of Lyons have taken it in hand and laid out a great deal of money in projecting and completing various works of improvement, hoping to raise Ospedaletti into the position of an attrac tive watering place. But I question if their efforts will meet with as much suc cess as they deserve. Monte Carlo and Mentone are too near, and too well estab lished in public favor. The aspiring rival will have but little chance in competing with them, even though it possesses one advantage of which they cannot boast—a picture gallery in the Town Hall of La Oolla.

In due time the train rolled into the station at San Remo, and I found com fortable quarters in the Victoria Hotel. After dining at the table d’ hote, I re paired to the Salle Recreazione, or, as we should say, to the drawing-room. There I had an opportunity of seeing a peculiar phase of Italian life. A man dressed as a gentleman in black coat and white kid gloves, proposed to entertain (he guests

by an exhibition ?-"of his talents as musi cian,ipoet, and improvisatore. He was accompanied by a female—rather showily dressed—whom Ipreau tried to be his wife. There was a good pianoforte in the room, and they sang several songs and duetts very creditably. . The duetts were emi nently comic. The" words I did not understand, but the significant panto mime of the performers partially revealed the sentiment, and was ludicrous in the extreme. It is no figure of speech to say that my sides ached w .:h laughing, as I saw the man, at intervals-, caperihg about the room like a monkey, and imitating with hands and voice the music of a guitar with extraordinary precision. After the songs came the more serious part of the performance. The improvisatore asked some one present to give him a theme. A gentleman suggested “San Remo.” “That will do,” said the per former, bowing, and writing down' the word. “Now let each gentleman and lady in succession give me a word that is to constitute the last in each line of the poem I am to compose, and they must be words that will rhyme. ” He spoke broken English, so that I understood his mean ing. He took down the words as sug gested. Then he sat down, and for some tep minutes or so was busy with his pencil, occa sionally pausing as if in search of an idea. I should have said that all the words given him to include in bis poem were Italian words. It was not long before he said finiio ; and stood up and read what he had composed with great emphasis and unction. Being in Italian, I could not understand the purport of his verses:; but I could perceive that he had suc ceeded in bringing in every word that had been suggested ; and from the applause that followed from those who could speak Italian, I gathered that his composition was one of considerable merit. It con sisted of some twenty-five or thirty lines, and hp received the pommendations of his audience with evident satisfaction. I presume he’was too proud to ask directly for remuneration ; but it soon became ap parent that be intended to be paid. He [ proposed a lottery. The tickets were two francs each, and every one present was ex pected to invest. Some purchased two or three. The prizes when drawn con sisted of trifles that would not in the ag gregate have cost as much as the price of a single ticket —one prize being a cigar, which, though the proverbial fickleness of the blind goddess Was won by a lady ! When the drawing was concluded, the well-rewarded performers—for they oar ; ried off at least fifty francs—made their congees to the} company and withdrew. The fellow certainly displayed talent’; but that which rendered the exhibition somewhat distaa eful to me was his as sumption of ’ gentility. < In, England, or the colonies, we do not object toil be amused ; but we do not relish strolling actors putting on airs iof social equality with those whom they entertain. The next day I took a stroll through the town. But gentle readers do not in terpret this to mean an ordinary walk on level pavement or pathway, with pretty ihouses and tempting shops on either hand. Nothing of the kind; a walk up and down the ancient portion of San Remo is quite a laborious undertaking. Most of the streets run up hill at an angle of thirty or forty degrees, and form a com plicated labyrinth. It is the queerest place I ever saw. And oh ! the unsavory odour.of the narrow lanes i Some of them not more than six or eight feet wide. At intervals flights of stone steps, supply the ..place of the ordinary paved causeway, and assist the pedestrian to mount: though 1 fancy the numerous mules and donkeys that are cohstantly going up and down must mentally "ote them a nuisance and obstruction.. As I watched if ho poor animals, heavily ladeu, ascending with laboring breath and jerking motion, I said to myself,“ Such a getting upstairs I never did see." '

The houses on each , side are so lofty that the sun never shines on some of the narrow thoroughfares; and as a natural consequence they ,afe generally damp and dirty. Arches of solid masonry are fre quently thrown across from house to house as: if to discpurage encroachment on the narrow space between. But I was told the real purport of those archeb was to keep the houses from toppling over, as some of them are not remarkably up right. Occasionally, moreover, San Romo is subject vo earthquakes;; and the unsightly additions are needed to guard against the effects of slight shocks. The sombre-looking dwellings rise 'tier above tier; the only light and ventilation the inhabitants can enjoy—that is, if they consider light and air conducive to enjoy ment—must be obtained from the back, as the fronts of the buildings generally present blank mouldering surfaces of masonry. Here and there vines, having their roots under the paved causeway, are trained.up in tall bare stems to the flat roofs, where, out of sight, their branches, I suppose, can feel the influenoe of the sun, ani are allowed to spread’ and frvctify. Pome of the lower com partments of the houses are occupied by goats and donkeys ; and human beings, 1 in the other quarters, are huddled to gether like rabbits in a warren. The odors, as I passed certain ' openings and corners, with steps ascending to heights, or descending to mysterious depths, 1 had no desire to explore, were almost overpowering. As I toiled up towards the Church of Madonna della Costa, I was glad, at intervals, to protect my nasal organ with a handkerchief sprinkled with Eau de Cologne. Like moat of the churches I have seen, the interior of Madonna della Costa is gaudily adorned. There are, however, some frescoes on the roof which cannot be termed gaudy. They are beautifully executed, and are real works ot art. Ranged along the sides of the church are statues of some of the patri archs, prophets, evangelists and saints, and in one of the chapels there are some pictures of ancient date.

. Right in front of the churdh, but on a lower level, is a large hospital for lepers. The view from the platform around the church is charming., All the disagreeables of the town are out of sight, only such local characteristics remaining as added in terest to the scene. The quaint old place from 'his standpoint looked as if the houses were competing with one another in a race down the hill towards the sea. Villas and one or two suburban churches peeped from amidst the olive trees; and away in the distance southwards the blue outlines of the Island of Corsica could be traced.

The modern portion of San Remo, where European visitors congregate, has none of the unpleasant drawbacks of the old town. It is on the level mound that runs parallel with the sea beach, and con sists mainly of one long street bordered with trees and lined with decent shops and several large hotels. Altogether, I much enjoyed ray sojourn at San Remo. I felt as if I were in a place that had as yet scarcely been touched by the trans forming hand of modern innovation. The people are picturesque, both in person and costume. Little children, with round eyes and bronzed faces, stood in doorways, staring at me as I passed. Sturdi-framed women, with healthy olive complexions, and dark flashing eyes, were seen continually, carrying such heavy loads of firewood, or fruit, or wearing apparel, on their heads as caused me to wonder how their necks could bear the strain. Mule-drivers and vetturinos, in dresses that artists love to paint, cracked their whips incessantly, and cried to care less pedestrians to clear the way, while overhead the deep blue firmament flecked here and there by little clouds of pale golden hue, formed a fitting canopy Jo i a scene novel in its living features, and in its

natural varieties extremely interesting and attractive. V

I ought, however, to mention one un pleasant experience connected with travel ling i n the central and southern parts of Italy. It is necessary to be constantly on guard against extortion and imposition; All classes—porters, cabmen, boatmen, itinerant dealers, and even respectable shopkeepers—seem to regard travellers as lawful prey. The shops display many tempting articles, but it is difficult to effect a purchase without discovering after wards that you have been taken in, and paid more than double the worth of the object. The abominable system of asking twice or thrice as much as the vendor will ultimately be willing to accept rather than lose a customer is almost universal. .As a rule, an offer of one-third of the price demanded will generally suffice to con clude a bargain This makes trading a difficult and disagreeable operation. Those who are ignorant of the extortionate pro clivities of Italian tradesmen are be cheated, and those whose consciences recoil from the apparent injustice of making a very large distinction between the sum they are willing to give and that which the seller declares -to be' the lowest he can afford to take, must make up their minds to pay in proportion to their senti mental delicacy. Yiatob.

THE PETROLEUM MINES.

A large meeting of shareholders 'in the South Pacific Petroleum Company was held on Wednesday night in the Masonic Hotel, Gisborne, Mr Stubbs, Chairman of the local Board of Advice, presiding.' Mr Maude was elected a member, vice Mr Kentish, McLean;' de signed. The Manager reported,that the bore was down 250 ft, but the work was at a standstill for the want of a more powerful engine, This want had been made known to the Board at Sydney a long time ago, but the Dfrec lors ignored. the matter, but through pressure being brought to bear by cable gram, in consequence of the good pro spects at present, the Directors' wired that were trying to get a new engine at Sydney. The following resolutions were carried unanimously ;-—l. “ That two members of the Board of Advice retire annually in rotation at the ral meeting of shareholders to be «he}d in Gisborne immediately after the re ceipt of yearly statement in October, at which meeting two shareholders will be elected in.place of those, the retiring members being eligible for re-election;” 2. “ We, shareholders of the South .Pacific Petroleum Company resident at Gisborne, view with extreme disap probation the action of the Board of Directors in Sydney in refusing to for ward a new engine at the earnest solici tation of the mine manager and the Local Board of Advice, and thereby entailing upon shareholders useless ex penditure of money in wages, and a still more useless waste of precious time, and that the local manager be requested to convey this motion to the Directors at the earliest opportunity ”;, 3. “That a recommendation be made to the Directors that the Chairman of the Board of Advice be recouped all reasonable expenses incurred in the exercise of his duty; * also that Mr Stubbs be given the sum of L3O in recognition of his. past services as Chairman”; 4. “That the Directors be asked to advertise the list of for feited shares for sale in Sydney in the Gisborne paper for the benefit of the New Zealand shareholders, in lime to enable the New Zealand shareholders to- buy at such sale.” The following recommendation was also made— “ That the Directors send the Chairman of Directors to visit the works here; and report thereon, in order to give confi dence to the body of shareholders out side New Zealand that operations are being vigorously carried on.” Mr Weaver, Works Manager, said the prospects at the new-, bote were!the best they have hitherto existed there abundantly, he had seen oil several times in the course of putting down the pipes. The <xnmtry was very workable, arid he was , frilly convinced they were in the right place now.

SPORTING.

NEW ZEALAND ODP.

CABLE NEWS.

* '.ATtST FROM EUROPE [rKTJTKR’s T KLEOHAMS —COPYRIGHT. ] New Guinea.' London, May 30. A Blue Book on the subject of New Guinea has been published and laid before Parliament. The despatches contained in it are dated up to January last, and showed that prior to that time both Sir Michael Hicks-Beach and Earl Derby had declined to agree , to annexation. There is nothing later in the Blue Book except telegrams from the colonies urging the Secretary of State to approve of the annexation. r The Irish Informers. London, May 81. James Carey and Other informers against the Phoenix Park murderprs left Dublin and quitted Ireland, but their destination has not yet tran spired. . . t. . The Result of a Panic. . New York, May 30. The suspension bridge between New York and Brooklyn, which was recently opened, was crowded withpeopte-tp- *

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, FRIDAY, JUNE 1; 1888.



The following weights hare been de- dared :— at. lb. st. lb. Mata ... 9 6 Sir Bedevere.. 7 2 sir Modred .. 9 C Hyauinthe ... 7 2 Bundoora 9 5 Kalo .7 2 Welcome Jack 9 3 Minerva 7 2 Salvage 8 9 Laonato 7 1 Tasman 8 9 Nonpareil ‘ ... 7 0 Cheviot 8 9 The Jilt 7 0 Lady Emma... 8 8 Adamant ■7 0 Mischief 8 8 Hippodamia... 7 0 Yanguard 8 7 Poll 6 13 Lord Burghley 8 6 The Poet 6 13 Betrayer, 8 6 Water Nymph'6 11 The Dauphin 8 6 Fair Agnes c'lt 6 11 Turquoise .!.. 8 4 Fame e 10 Leos ... 8 0 Blue Jacket ... 6 9 Iris 8 0 The Curate ... 6 9 Mignon 8 0 Bubina 6 9 Emir Bey 7 13 Dan 6 7 Sir George ... 7 U Capt. Webster 6 7 King Quail ... 7 12 Matanaka « 7 Jessie... ... 7 12 Radamea ... 6 6 Nonsense 7 12 Herculaneum.. 6 6 Leonora 7 12 Leopold 6 6 Murat 7 12 Leodogran ... 6 6 Neptune ... 7 10 Mataku ... 6 S Tim Whiffler.. 7 10 Trinket (L 6 Oudeis 7 8 Barnaby 6 2 July 7 6 Trickster 6 2 Louie 7 6 Maligner 6 2 Hilda 7 5 Water Color... 6 1 Envy filly 7 4 Speargrass ... 6 0 Sou’Weater ... 7 2 [stand Bose 'L.J 6 i 0 Taiaroa 7 2 Bribery colt ... : 6 0



Wanted Wanted shepherd ; single man ; permanent situation ; must have good dogs. 0. H. Dowdino, Gold stream. 1279 WANTED, at once GARTERS‘for 5,000 bushels Grain, eight milea to Hinds. Apply to Friedlandbr Bros. 1285 ANTED Men for FENCING and DRAINING. JOHN GRIGG. Longbeaoh, 28th May, 1883. 1241 WANTED Known— Green & Co. have the Largest and Cheapest Stock of Boots and Shoes in Ashburton. J. G. Green & Co., Liecester Boot Warehouse, N.B.—Don’t forget the Corner Shop in East and Burnett Streets. 1 169 WANTED Known That Messrs. Green & Co. have Removed into the Corner Shop, lately occupied by G. j. Martin, Bu‘cte.'. 1170 ANTED KNOWN— Hates and Co. have a lot of EMPTY CASES for sale. Arcade Shops. aul2 'TTT’aNTED KNOWN— That Robert Vy Eiston, Burnett street, Ashbur ton, having procured the newest appara tus, is prepared te Sweep Chimneys at very low rates. Any orders left at the Town Hall will receive prompt attention. Terms cash. 760 c Special Advertisements.



I have just received my season’s Gams stock of of every description, and respectfully invite an inspection. Double Breech-loaders from L 5 ss. Double and Single Muzzle-loaders at all prices. Decoy Ducks. Duck Galls. Game Bags. Cartridge Belts and Bags. Field Glasses. Loading Machines, etc., etc. New Season’s POWDER, Curtis and Harvey’s, and Pigou, Wilkes and Lawrence’s—very beat quality. Newcastle Chilled Shot, all sizes. Cartridges, Cartridge Cases, Wads. And every shooting requisite. Being the largest importer of Guns and and Ammunition in New Zealand, ana every Gun being made to my own order, intending purchasers cannot do better than communicate with me. HOS. G. ROWLEY, 630 Gunsmith, Timarn.



TO THE INHABITANTS OF ASH BURTON AND SURROUNDING DISTRICTS. GL E. West and Co., MUSIC AND PIANOFORTE WAREHOUSEMEN, Pill N CBS STBIST) DUNBDIK . Have great pleasure in announcing that it is their intention to cater for the Music loving population of Ashburton in such a manier as has never before been at tempted. Messrs G. R. West & Co. are the Largest Direct Importers of PIANOS, ORGANS, HARMONIUMS, BRASS, WIND, AND STRINGED INSTRUMENTS In the Colony, and a large and varied stock of the above can always be found. Mr G. R. West, being at present in England, is shipping direct to Dunedin all the latest novelties in MUSIC! MUSIC !! MUSIC I! ! And the firm respectfully solicit a call from their friends, teachers, and the public in general to inspect their magnifi cent stock of Music, personally selected. d!4



Com Sacks, lowestjmarket rates. J AM A CASH PUR CHASER, AT HIGHEST . MARKET RATES, of WHEAT OATS GRASS SEED BARLEY Farmers wishing to SHIP ON THEkB OWN AC COUNT can get information as co Cost, Freight, etc., by applying to JOSEPH CLARK, 1267 ' Ashburton & Tinwald. Corn Sacks, lowest market rates.



Money ! Money!! The equitable investment COMPANY OP NEW ZEALAND, limited, are prepared, through their agent, J. 0. Dttk'Jan, Eaat street, to LEND MONET on Ashburton approved free hold or leasehold property, repayable by either monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, .or . yearly instalments, or for a fixed period. The Company are also open to DIS COUNT BILLS. J. 0. DUNCAN, .983 Agent, East street.



F YOU WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE, GO TO DAVIS'S OHEAP FURNITURE AND BED DING MANUFACTORY, EAST STREET SOUTH, ASHBURTON. fiVVTSRY article Sold at Christchurch PaxoKS and guaranteed bes. of •material and workmanship.



FUNERALS CHEAPLY & COMPLETELY PUBNISHKd] K sl f jIHRESHING BOOKS printed on the J shortest notice, at the Office o this Paper.



Special Advertisements. THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory HAYffi spared no effort to place before the public a MOST COMPLETE ASSORTMENT OF NEW WINTER MANUFACTURES Comprising all the latest styles in MEN’S & BOY’S CLOTHING Manufactured from the beat qualities and newest Designs in COLONIAL, SCOTCH, BRITISH, AND CONTINENTAL TWEEDS. The large and increased trade has en abled the Proprietary to offer their cus tomers still further advantages than hitherto, and THIS SEASON’S GOODS, upon inspection, will be found CHEAPER THAN EVER. A SINGLE GARMENT AT WHOIiESAIdS TRICK. SHIRTS, HATS, HOSIERY, and every requisite at Wholesale Prices. Nineteen Branches now open in New Zealand. Agents for the Unrivalled WERT HEIM SEWING MACHINES Ashburton Branch : EAST STREET, JEL M. Jones' COUNT BOOKS. NEW VOLUMES— Boys’ Own Annual Girls’ Own Annual Chatterbox Child’s Companion Infants’ Magazine, &c., &c. POETS— VARIOUS Authors ; Sir Walter Scott’s Works, new edition, complete. TOYS 1 TOYS 11 TOYS !! 1 GREAT VARIETY—in Wood, Tin, China, acrt Indiarubber. GOOD BUSINESS Envelopes. SIX SHILLINGS PER THOUSAND — CASH. A Bargain. Good Second-hand PI ANETT <5, £2O. FANCY GOODS ! FANCY GOODS ! A NICE SELECTION of the above now in stock. ggf- ALL the above Goods are offered at the LOWEST Po<*sible Prices for CASH. A LIBERAL DISCOUNT allowed to schools on parcels of Toys, Books, etc. SECOND-HAND Pianos. In good order, £ls, £2O, 10s, 25. H. M. JONES, BURNETT ST. & BARING SQUARE. 13d



TVTEW WORK.— “THE ROYAL JJi PATH OF LIFE : or, Aims and Aids to Success and Happiness,” illus trated with Steel Engravings, in differ ent bindings. Also, a beautiful selection of EASTER CARDS. Andrbwes Bros., Booksellers and Stationers, East street South, Ashburton. 77 MR LAURENCE OXLEY has been Appointed Agent for the Ashbur ton Guardian at South Rakaia. CITATIONS RY OF EVERY DE- O SCRIPTION. Account Books Ink—ftom small to largest jars School Books—School Committees sup plied at lowest rates Latest Novelties in all kinds of Fancy Goods, Toys, &c. All the Home Journals, Magazines, and Papers by every mail. Subscribers wanted for any Magazine or Paper published. Andrewes Bros., BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERY, &0., East street South Ashburton. n!5 AND FOR SALE The UNDERSIGNED have received instructions from the Owner to SELL BY PRIVATE TREATY, All that COMPACT BLOCK OF LAND on the Acton Station ESTATE, SOUTH RAKAIA, Being SECTIONS 31757, 31758, and 31759, Containing 1099 ACRES. The block has been SPECIALLY SELECTED by the Proprietor, and is thoroughly adapted for farming purposes, the adjoin ing sections having this season grown some of the HEAVIEST CROPS ON THE PLAINS.



Only a email instalment on the pur chase is required to be paid, the balance to remain on mortgage at 6 j per cent, a term of years as may be agreed on. We have also FOR SALE an Improved Farm Containing 1026 acres. Situated close to Ealing Rilway Station, and well watered. For further particulars apply to THE NEW ZEALAND GRAIN AGENCY AND MERCANTILE COM PANY, LIMITED. Christchurch or Ashburton. 12au THE GUARDIAN is published every evening, giving every day’s news, up to the hour of going to press. This is better than buying a sixpenny weekly. ■J^'OTIOE —The Ashburton Guardian is a Gazette for all notices under the i Debtors and 0 ditors Arts



Special Advertisements. I AM CASH PURCHASER. OF BRIGHT MILLING Oats, IN AN 5T QUANTITY. ALBERT ROBERTS, 763 WeSt street. ANTED KNOWN. That BONEDUST, specially prepared for drilling with carrots, mangolds, etc., an be obtained from the undersigned. F. MAYO, Hampstead Bone Mills. OBINSON AND TOWNSHEND ARE CASH BUYERS OF WHEAT OATS B\RLBY GRASS SEED



Agents for A. Moore & Co. ROBINSON AND TOWNSHEND, Havelock street. 229 TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE. Crains Leave Ashburton for Christ church and intermediate stations at 7.10 a.m., 10.55 a.m., and (Express) 5.39 p.m. Trains Leave Ashburton for Timaru and South, at 6.50 a.m., 10.25 a.m. (Express),and 4.45 p.m.—the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Christchurch at 10 20 a.m. (Express), 4.35 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Timaru and South at 10.45 a.m., 5.28 p.m. (Express), and 8 p.m.



NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS. Advertisements for The Ashburton Guardian must be sent in not later than 3 p.m , with the number ef 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 be inserted. Special notices can be received up to 3.30 p.m., but will be charged double rates. All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good faith. All advertisements and business letters to be addressed The Manager ; literary communications sheuld be addressed to The Editor.