SHIPPING.

; J»ORT OP LYTTELTON. Airived. Bio Logo, from Foo Chow, via Dunedin. Sailed. Yesterday. Wild Wave, for Whang ica. Wanaka, a. 8., for Dun- m; Manapouri, a a., for ellington. ■■ J . A.uckland, Yesterday. Sailed—Wairarapa, for South. WELUNQtbIf Sailed—Wakatipu. for Sydney. Dunedin, Yesterday. Arrived —Fredeiick Bassil, from New castle ; Forest King, from Mauritius; Mennock, barque, from London (October 3rd), with twenty : ninepassengers all well.

COMMERCIAL.

London Seed Market.—Messrs John Shaw and Sons, of 37, Mark Lane, London, report through their agent, Mr Leonard \V. Blake, of Christchurch, that the seed market during the fortnight ending November 15th was in a very excited state. Continuous wet and stormy weather in the first part of it still further re duced the prospects of the new English crop, and cablegrams from the United States re ported red clover seed extremely firm, and al most every available parcel had been picked Up for their own consumption. These two Lets caused the market to be very firm for red clovers, whilst for Alsike prices have advanced very considerably, the crop turning out very badly. Trefoil and Foreign Italian rye grass Were both somewhat dearer. Rape was wanted for Fiance* but not much was to be had, having tended upwards. Hemp is rapidly falling. The imports in the United Kingdom of clover and grass seeds during October were 20,750 cwt, fvalue L34,06i ; against 18,825- cwt, value L 33.038, in October, 1881.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office u follows: — For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m. 10.30 a,m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, <fec., at 10.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a,m. daily. For Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., daily.:. For Timaru and South, at 6 a.m., 10 Anfi, and 4.30 p.m., daily. For Greenstreet, on Tuesdays and Fri days, at 10.30 a. m. For" Mount Somers, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 6 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. For Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Sa'ur dayspat 6 a.m. For. Ashton, Water ton and Longbeach, at 4J30 p.m. daily. For Flemington, bn Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 4.30 p. m. For Wakanui, Elgin, Seaview, Seafield, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 a.m. For Newlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days at 10.30 a.m.

Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office— ’’From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.15 a.mf, 4.35 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. From Chertsey, <&c. at 10.15 a.m. and 435 p.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 6.30 p.m. daily. From Temuka and Timaru at 10.40 a.m. 5.30 p.m., and 8 p.m. daily. IVoin Greenstreet, Tuesdays and Fri days, .at 3 p.m. From Mount Somers, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 10.6 a.m. and 8.16 p.m. From Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days, at 10.5 a.m.’ From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.m. daily. From Flemington on Tuesdays, Thurs days, and Saturdays, at 10 a. m. From Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sat urdays, at 4 p. m. From Newlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days at 9.30 a m. .

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES . . To-morrow, ' Saturday, January 6. Matson, Cox, and Co., at their Bazaar— Horses, Cows, Pigs, Poultry, Sundries, &c.; 11.30 a.m. Hr i Bullock, at the Bazaar—Horae?, 1 p.m. Mr Alfred Harrison, at the yards— Reapers and Binders, Horses, Pigs, Produce, &c.; 12 noon. Ur W. F. Allen, at his rooms, Barnett street—Horses, Pigs, Peulti. General Produce, &c.; 1L 30 a.m. Tuesday, January 9. J. T. Ford & Co., at the Tinwald Yards —9OO Merino Ewes. Matson, Cox and Co., at the Tinwald Yards—Stock. Mr T. Bullock, at Tinwald—Timber ; 11 a.m. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &o To-Night, Friday, January 5. Caledonian Society—Meeting of Directors, Quill’s Hotel, 7.30 p.m. Flemington School Distribution of Prizes and Annual Concert. Monday, January 8. Meeting reformation of Lodge of Ancient Order of Druids—Ashburton Hotel, 8 p.m. - Wednesday, January 10. County Council, at the County Conncil Chambers, at 11 o'clock. Friday, January 26. Somerset Lodge, Monthly Meeting, in the Masonic Hall, Tancred street, 7.30. Saturday, February 3. Wakanui Road Board—Monthly Meeting, Road Board Office, Moore street

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

t SAiRS Leave Ashburton bob Ohkist- OHUBOHand intermediate stationsat7.lo , am., 10.65 am., and (Express) 5.39 p.nu Trains Leave Ashburton bob Timabct and South, at 6.60 am., 10.25 am. (Express), and 4.45 p. m. —the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru. Trains Abbive at Ashburton bbom Chbistchueoh at 10 20 am. (Express), 4.36 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. Trains Abkivb at Ashbubton bkom Timabu AND South at 10.45 am., 6.28 p.m. (Express), and 8 p.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1883

Wakandi Road Board. —The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Beard, which was to have been held to-morrow, baa been postponed until Saturday, Feb ruary 3rd.

Railway Construction.—The tender of G. Whittaker, Dunedin, has been ac cepted for permanent way and stations on the Albury to Fairlie Creek and Burke’s Pass line.

Ministerial Movements.—Major At kinson left Wellington tor New Plymouth yesterday morning. Mr Bryce has re turned to the Empire City from his visit through the North Island. Meeting at Mount Somers.—A public meeting of ratepayers was held at the Road Board office, Mount S imers, an Tuesday last, re the closing of a road near Messrs Gould and Cameron’s. Mr A. E. Peache occupied the chair. On a vote being taken, it was decided that the road should remain open to the public.

Fire on Ship-board.—A fire occurred on board the ship Waitara, lying in the Wellington harbor, yesterday afternoon. A case of acids was stowed in the forehokl of the vessel, and one of the bottles burst ing at once set fire to the contents of the hold. Luckily the accident was observed before it had extended far, and the case was thrown overboard before much dam age was done.

The Green-eyed Monster.—At the Invercargill Police Court yesterday a rabbiter named James Mulholland was brought up on a charge of having, on New Year’s Day, discharged a loaded gun at his wife, with intent 10 do her grievous bodily harm. The parties live at Gething river, in the Oreti Riding of Southland County, and the accused fired through a door, on the other side of which his wife was pressing in order to keep him out. The ball struck her stays and grazed her spine. The wound inflicted is not serious, but there is danger of erysipelas. It is understood that Mulholland was jealous of his wife, who is considerably younger than he is. The accused was remanded. To Lighten Their Darkness.—The Government have sent home for the necessary machinery required for the lighting of the Houses of Parliament by electricity, as authorised by the House of Representatives last session. The Swan incandescent light is the one adopted. In this connection it may be mentioned that the proprietors of the Roslyn (Otago) Woollen Mills are thoroughly satisfied with the electric light which they have been using for some months. The work •in the mills goes on continually, day and night, so that the light has been thoroughly tested. The coat is mu h less than gas, but the steam motive power uaed for the spinning machines has been used to to drive the motor. Mount Somers Road Board.—The usual monthly meeting of the above Board was held on Tuesday last. Present —Messrs A. E. Peach (Chairman), Ede, and Edson. The Returning < fficer re ported that in the absence of any other candidate, Mr Samuel McClymont was duly elected a member of the Board, in the place of Mr I. E. Taylor, resigned. A letter was received from the Longbeach Road Board re the mprging of Road Boards. The Chairman stated that he had already replied to the effect that the Mount Somers Road Board were op posed to such a change. The Chairman re ported that the crossway over the water race at the blacksmith’s shop, Mount Somers, was completed. The Clerk was instructed to collect all outstanding rates with as little delay as possible. It was resolved that Mr W. R, Boyle be ap pointed to audit the accounts of the Board for the year ending the 31st Decem ber last. Several accounts were passed for payment, and the meeting adjourned.

The Value of Examinations. —A curi ous instance, showing that the proficiency of a teacher is not always to be gauged by being able to pass an examination, came before the Wellington Education Board lately. It appears the lady in question— Miss Baillie —was an excellent teacher so far as securing a large percentage of 1 “ passes ” is concerned, but had failed to pass her own examination, in consequence of which she was under notice to leave. Mr Grundy, the head-mader, has now written to the local School Committee, calling their attention to the fact that in the first standard taught by Miss Baillie the whole of the pupils, numbering sixty-one, had passed with credit, while similar good work had been done last year by the same teacher, sixty-nine passing out of seventy two presented. Mr Grundy strongly urged upon the Committee the desirable ness of retaining Miss Baiilie’s services as an unclassed assistant ; and the Com mittee accordingly urged the Board to the same effect, believing that such a step would be for the benefit of the school. The Board decided to retain Miss Baiilie’s services at her present salary (L4O) on Iho understanding that if at tee end of six months her work is found satisfactory she shall receive a bonus.

Sib Arthur Gordon and the Minis try.—The Government have received copies of the correspondence regarding the Parihaka difficulty, laid before the Im perial Parliament, and the Wellington correspondent of the Press last night wired a precis of the despatches from Sir Arthur Gordon, which are included in the papers, and which so many attempts were mad • during last ses ion of the Legisla ture to elicit. The despatches of His Ex cellency contain nothing now or of inter est beyond one or two significant admis sions on the part of the writer. For in stance, speaking of.the ultimatum to the prophet and his followers, Sir Arthur Gordon says—“ No Government which advised the recall of the proclamation could have looked for support from the country. Of this lam so confident that I conceive I should gravely misuse my powers were I to call other advisers to my counsels merely to test the correctness of the fact, which does not appear to me to admit of question. I therefore felt it my duty to acquiesce in the course initiated by Ministers during my absence,” It also appeared to Sir Arthur (according to his despatch to the Secretary of State for the Colonies) that his advisers sincerely desired a conciliatory settlement of the dispute, and were anxious to avoid the result of a violent measure for bringing it to an end. Serious Charge against an ex-Town ! Clerk. —At the Dunedin Police Court yesterday, J. M. Masse*, formerly town clerk and treasurer to the Corporation of Dunedin, was charged with having stolen on or about October 12th, 1881, two £IOO debentures, the property of the City Corporation. His wfe was also charged with receiving such deb ntures, knowing them to be stolen. Mr Stout, who ap peared for the prosecution, stated that altogether the amount involved was about £3,300, and in applying for a re mand he consequently asked for a heavy bail. The remand was granted for a week, and bail was allowed, amounting, in Massey’s case, to £2,400, and in Mrs Massey’s case to £I,OOO. The arrest (says a telegram) caused a deal of excitement. Some months ago, it will be rememb red, a seedsman named Allan brought a charge against Massey of having conspired to burn down premises in which both were interested. The Oi‘y Council then com pelled Massey to take proceedings against Allan for slander, which he did by actions criminal and civil. In both cases the pro secutor was so far unsucoesf ul that the City Council discharged him. He afterwards sued the Council for his salary, on the ground that his discharge was illegal, but this action was deeded against him. Since his discharge ha has been living in Dunedin, and both he and Mrs Massey have visited Melbourne. Up to the time of Allan’s charge he was universally re spected, and since than, though he failed to convict Allan criminally, or get damages civilly, his reputation among his many personal friends may almost be said to have been unsullied. His arrest on the present charge is an intense surprise

Uijhappy Marriages. —Two petitions for dissolution of marriage will be heard at the, ensuing sit ings of the Suprome Court at Wellington. '

Fire Raising. The fiend is again at work at Cambridge, Waikato, fresh attempts at incendiarism having been made in the district.

Costume Cricket Match.—A meeting was called for last night at Quill’s Hotel, for the purpose of considering the advisa bility of holding a costume cricket match in aid of the Library Funds. At the hour appointed there was but a meagre attend ance, no doubt owing to the strong counter-attraction of the lecture in the Town Hall, and it was decided by those present to adjourn the meeting to a future date, when .it is hoped that the attend ance will be more satisfactory.

Three Days’ Takings.—At the recent summer meeting of the Auckland Racing Club, Mr J. Pilbrow won £1,509, that being the amount handed over to the lucky owner of Welcome Jack on settling day. Not a bad total by any means, when it is remembered th it all but a mere trifle was won by one animal, and that one the son of Traducer and Mias Flat, whose winnings in stakes alone since the commencement of the present season must amount to something like £2,000. Convict Labor.—English convict sta tistics show that of the 10,261 prisoners, three-fourths are fit for hard labor, and only one-thirtieth unfit for labor of any kind. It appears that the ages between twenty-five and thirty-four contribute far more than their proportion of criminals, and this, therefore, may be taken as the criminal age, after which a tendency to crime rapidly diminishes. Someone in England has made the suggestion that if those whose career evinces a marked criminal tendency could be locked up or kept under supervision till they had passed, say, forty yevrs of age a vast deal of crime would be prevented.

Child Stealing. —An arrest of a peculiar nature was made at Wellington yesterday afternoon. A young lady of rather prepossessing appearance was ar rested on a charge of child stealing. It is understood that the accused, Lucia Stewart, is a married woman from Christ church, and that some time back her daughter was adopted by a gentleman re siding there. When Mrs Stewart left Christchurch, she brought the child to We lington. Information was at once given to the police, and Mrs Stewart was arrested, pending the arrival of the warrant. The accused was brought be fore the Magistrate to-day, and the plain tiff, having regained possession of the child, refused to offer any evidence, and the accused was discharged. A Murderer Burnt Alive.—One of the most atrocious criminals in Ameri a, a negro named Jerry Cox, when lying under sentence of death for killing his mistress and then placing her corpse on the rails to be cut up by an express train, set fire to the goal in which he was con fined at Nashville, and was burnt alive in the building. He had previously perpe trated a double murder in circumstances of appalling atrocity. About midnight people were awakened by the roar of the flames, and many hastened to the gaol, but on their arrival they found the walls and bars glowing red with heat, while the murderer within was screaming in his death agony. In less than an hour the gaol was a mass of ruins. The next morning the body of Cox was found, and a great crowd stood appalled at the murderer's fate. The San Francisco Mail Service.— The Special Agent of the Pacific Mail Company waited on the Premier at Auck land yesterday in reference to the San Francisco mail service. The subject was discussed, but a difficulty in reference to. the opening up of satisfactory negotia tions exists in consequence of the position in which New South Wales takes with reference to the change of Government now progressing. Mr Ormstead has just returned from Sydney, where he had an interview with the New South Wales Government, but he has met with some difficulty. He, however, will return to New South Wales shortly, when he hopes, and is led to expect, that New South Wales will favorably consider the question of the continuation of the service. From advices from Sydney there is every proba bicy that the White Star Line will enter the field as competitors for the next con tract.

Elopement. —The peaceful hamlet of Makino was recently stirred to its depths by the sudden disappearance of a married lady named Robinson, in company with a by no means fascinating Lothario of the district.’ The lady had given two pledges of affection to her lawful husband, and (actuated by a spirit of fairness which was remarkable under the circumstances) she left one with him and took the other away with her when she eloped. Directly the wronged husband found that the guilty pair had departed, he did what most husbands do in such cases—he took an inventory of his worldly goods, and found that the gay Lothario had taken away other portable property, besides the woman. Information was given to the police authorities, and a warrant for lar ceny issued against the man, who, with the erring wife, was traced to Nelson. On hearing that the law was set in motion, the woman disappeared ; but her com panion was arrested on a charge of steal from the dwelling house of one William Robinson at Makino, two trunks, con taining wearing apparel and a sewing machine the whole being valued at £ll 9s 6d The prisoner, whose pame is William Wakefield, was brought back to Wanganui, and remanded to Feilding. The husband appears, however, to have been a little hasty in laying the informa tion for larceny, and will probably have to amend or withdraw it, as the trunks were found (o contain per onal wearing apparel of the wife’s own, and certain nether garments belonging tothe prisoner himsesf, upon which no charge of larceny can certainly be founded. The discovery of Don Juan’s continuations in his lady love’s travelling trunk, though a'fact im portant in other respects, consideraly detracts from the romance of the elope ment.

Holloway's Pills are strongly recom mended to all persons who are much reduced in power and condition, whose stomachs are weak, and whose nerves are shattered. The beneficial effects of these Pills will be percep tible after a few days’ trial, though a more ex tended course may be required to re-establish perfect health. Holloway’s medicine acts on the organs ol digestion, and induces complete regularity in the stomach, liver, pancreas, and kidneys. This treatment is both safe and cer tain in result, and is thoroughly consistent with observation, experience, and common sense. The purification of the blood, the removal of all noxious matter from the secretions, and the excitement of gentle action in the bowels, are the sources of the curative powers of Hollo way’s Pills.

LONGBEACH SCHOOL TREAT.

On New Year's Day the children at tending the Longbeach main and side schools had their annual outing, when they met on the beach near the Long beach station. At 1 p.m. the youngsters were regaled with an excellent repast, which it is needless to say was heartily enjoyed by one and all. Sports were then held in a paddock, kindly placed at the disposal of the committee by John Grigg, Esq (chairman of the school com mittee), and Messrs Norrish, Croy, Tomlin, Moses, Boyle, and others wore indefatigable in their endeavors for the enjoyment of the young people. After all had thoroughly enjoyed themselves, the school prizes were presented as follows:

Main School.—Standard IV. : Susan Bell, 1 ; Mary Bundle, 2; Margaretta Ashton, 3 ; Mary Ann Thompson, 4. A

spe ial prize _ was awarded to William Dawson for history! and to Jesse Soal for general improvement. - Standard Ilf. : Amy Norrish,: 1; Cecilia Bell, 2 ; Percy Edge, 3; Percy Edge also being the winner of a prize for regular attendance. Standard 11. : Louisa Pearson, 1 ; Alice Norrish, 2 ; Fred Norrish, 3. Standard I. : William Rundle, 1; Eliza Timms, 2 ; William Edge, 3 ; Elizabeth Williams, 4. Sewing-: Elizabeth Rundle and Susan Bell (in Standard IV.) were equal. In Standard HI., Fanny Rundle took first prize, and in Standard 11., Jane Houston was first. Side School. —Standard IV. : Hugh G. Wake, 1. Standard III.: Sarah Ander son, 1 ; Alexandra Stewart and Henry McConwell, 2 and 3, being nearly equal. Standard II.: Mary McConwell, 1 ; Jane Brown, 2 ; Arthur Painter, 3. Standard I.; Herbert Wake, 1 ; Agnes Shearer, 2 ; William Taylor, 3. Infant Division.—Maud Bawfield, 1 ; Robert Croy, 2 ; George H. Anderson. 3. Prizes were also given for sowing in this school in addition to the above. Books were given to all in the infant divisions in each school.

Mr H. Cape-Williamson examined the main school, and Mr Wallace the side school, and the Misses Grigg judged the sewing. After the prizes had been distributed and throe cheers given for the chairman, J. Grigg, Esq., and three for the Secre tary, an adjournment was made, and all withdrew to partake of the spread of the good things prepared by the ladies, who also came in for their cheers for their liberality. This brought a most enjoyable day’s outing to a close, and those present wended their way homeward.

LECTURE.

A deeply interesting lecture was de livered by the Rev. T. B. Stephenson, LL. D. , at the Town Hall last evening, entitled, “The history of a box of fusees, with notes on child life in Lon don.” The Rev. Mr Nixon having opened the meeting with prayer, the Rev. Mr Beattie was voted to the chair, and briefly introduced Dr Stephenson. The chairman alluded to the great pleasure it gave him to preside over such a respect ableandience, and a meeting that had been convened for such a good cause. He regretted that, although in London fre quently when at Home, he had never been able to visit the excellent institution which Dr Stephenson had founded for the poor “ waifs and strays ’’ of children in that great metropolis. He had seen a somewhat similar institution in Ed n burgh> and he could assure his hearers that there could be no better object in a Christian life than to devote it towards helping to rescue the thousands of chil dren from the haunts of misery and vice, and providing for them in their young days a home and the means of getting an honest Christian living as they grew to manhood. Dr Stephenson, who possesses an excellent voice, and delivers his lectures with precision and great pathos, alluded first of all to the city of Washington, which used’to be ironically cdjed “ the city of magnificent distances,” owing to its vast streets which were not built upon, and that of London, which has a population of nearly four millions gathered within its area,, and where no space is left long unoccupied. London was, indeed, a city of terrible contrasts, the most splendid and yet the most squalid place in the world. Within its walls there were scores of the wealthiest families, and yet it encloses hundreds of thousands of persons whose whole life is a desperate struggle to find food. No one but a Lon doner gains more than some slight glimpses of the melancholy aspect of Lon don life. It was impossible for a mere sight-seer to form any adequate idea of its condition in this respect. The man who stands at the entrance to the Stock Exchange, or at the great doors of West minster Hall, or leans over the rails at Rotten Row, may think that London is a splendid city, and life in it a splendid pastime. If he wanders through the wes tern squares where every house is a palace, and sees the gorgeous footmen all “ purple and fine linen,” or takes a peep at the library of the British Museum, or watches the crowds that crush into St Paul’s to hear a fashionable preacher, or into the huge Tabernacle across the water, London seems to him the most stately, the most learned, and moat devout city in the world. This is only the bright side of Lon don life. Tomakemore than a fancy sketch, the picture contains, a>as! those dark shades which complete the portrait, in the shape of courts in which virtue is a scoff and decency impossible. And this within the shadow almost of Westminister Ab bey ! You have the Duke here with his LI ,000 a-day and a hundred thousand people, who when they wake to-morrow know not where their breakfast is to come from. Great religious societies are daily sending out streams of holy influence to

every part of the globe, and yet you will find heathenism as dark as ever danced a corroboree in this great city ot London. [The rev. lecturer then sung “London Bridge ” with much expression, and was loudly applauded. He also played the accompaniment on the piano.] On re suming, Dr Stephenson gave several illus trations of the sorrowful aide of London life. He was convinced that until such scenes were looked at and pondered over, no one can understand the scramble for a

living that is going on there. He would take his hearers to the London dock gates to hear what, was going on at the principal entrance at 7-30 in the morning. Here were arranged masses of men of all ranks,

looks, and natures. Everyone of these persons requites a loaf of bread, and is willing to work for it. Character or re commendation not being required, every one has a chance of getting work, but many struggle to get it but cannot. The most callous must be saddened with a sight like this. Thousands of men are then struggling and scuffling to get a day’s work, made fiercer by the knowledge that hundreds must be left to idle out the day in want. To look into the faces of such a hungry crowd is a sight never to be for gotten. No less than 20,000 men are de pendent upon dock labor for their daily bread, and think of the women and children whom they repre sent ! The lecturer tjien recounted a visit be made to a maker of fusee boxes. Ho described njost minutely the manner in which these match boxes are made in the East End of London- The interior of the miserable room in a dingy street, the piles of match boxes, stacked on the bed, the chair, and the floor, and last’y, the poor girl, on whose labor the three occu pants of that room depended for food, was a aid picture indeed. Four gross of these boxes were made in a day of sixteen hou a’ duration, and the price obtained for them 2id per gross, the maker finding both the string and paste as well. Here in New Zealand eight hours’ work was thought enough for a strong man ; just think of sixteen hours’ a day for a woman, and 4s 6d per week as the result! Think ing upon the poor girl’s unselfish and ill requited labor, he could not help saying to himself, “ Here is another of our ‘ Martyrs by th,e pang without the palm.’ ” Look once more to a picture of sorrow, yet not wholly so. In a smajl room, scantily furnished, yet such as to de clare its owner no sloven, lies a dying woman on her bed, not 35 years old yet, her hair streaked with grey, and a fore head with seams that 60 years should not have graven there. Her husband died five years ago, and she is left with five children to get a living as best she might

with doing plain sewing) and, like Hood's--* sempstress, :ehe t : “ Stitched, stitched, stitched, - ---- Sewing at once with a doable thread A shroud as well a shirt.” She, however, was a Christian, and did not fear death ; to her death was bat gain, it is but to dwell where “They lie within the light of God, as a child " ’ upon its mother’s breast. Where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest.” The greatest anxiety to this poo • woman was what to do with her children. Before long she hears that the Children’s Home ... . is to receive them and care for them, and

in ai few minutes afterwards her life ia spanned, and her. soul is gone to God. (Amlause.) His (the lecturer’s) gym pathies, through seeing such scenes os the last, were long ago stirred on behalf of the London children, and for fourteen years he had labored amongst them. In other large towns, such as Manchester and Liverpool, the sorrows and sufferings of children were terrible. The work of homely care was a national one, and children from France and other countries were treated with equal consideration at the Home*;*' .(Applause.) The lecturer then described . the mode of selling matches, etc , adopted 1 by the London street arabs and “ mud- - larks,” the costermongers’ cas’ulty boys, , or “ nippers,”-and opinions ; of one of the better class of lads, taken from his own lips, were very amusing. He (the lecturer) r had known a boy only four years Old Who ‘ was compelled by his mother to sell “ Ights ”in the street. In most cases all the capital those boys possessed was one ... penny, with which they had to start trad-, ing every morning. (Laughter.) Some times they had to borrow from a capitalist who possessed twopence (great laughter) < to enable them to buy enough matches to sell for sixpence, which generally sufficed .. to pay for their scanty needs during the ; day. The lecturer then went on to des- . cribe London child life in its moat terrible aspect, giving most interesting accounts of various waifs that had been taken to the Children’s Home, showing their photo- r ] graphs when taken in fresh out of the | streets and dens of London, and again in later life, after leaving the Home. In thesephotos. thecontrastwas most marked, as may be supposed. In some cases the one-time inmates of the Home were now landowners in- Canada and Australia. Some had sent money to England to get their relatives out to live with them. [Dr Stephenson then sang, “ Pat and thA Parson,” which was received with loud applause and laughter.] The lecturer— then alluded to the much greater benefit "'i that the children derived from the homely j and family system adapted, to thai generally observed at the large Govern ment institutions. He had found that the best system on the whole was tor have ; C only about twenty children in each house, under the care of one matron. The latter, he was glad to say, were of such a f -. class that nothing better could be desired.* It was the. home feeling that made the children improve rapidly, and it very"' ~ seldom occurred that any child attempted f < to run away from the Home. It was-*- the two elements, religion and home, that supplied the most important training f0r.,... children. ("Applause). The old Lanca- l :i; shire song, “ Come Whdam to thy Childer,” was then sung by the lecturer. The quaint dialect caused the song and. the manner in which it was rerideredto 1 be greatly enjoyed by the audience.' The! 3 , lecturer advised patents to teach the gr children some trade or other, sc that can always earn their own living. One of the greatest injuries which -can be in flicted by a father upon his son is to bring him up as a “ gentleman ’’ < ;(Ap-# 4 plause). There are five institutions of the kind established under the Children’s j Home system—i.e., the system initiated^ in London by himself. The establishment ’ in London contained 250 children in resi dence, and each place ia the child’s home,"" and not a prison. He would not detain them any longer, but before he concluded-i would give them a song which had been sat to music by the choirmaster of the London Children’s Home. The song, which was a most amusing one, and which ’ ’ contained a capital moral, was exceedingly lll well rendered. The rev. lecturer then asked this question—What will you do totw help this work ? He would perhaps havp never been here at all to ask that question if some few months ago he had not been nt * ordered to travel by his doctor to his health. So having to seek strength he had determined to come to New Zealand, and see what his country men were doing here. He could forget the children he had left and he determined to see what could be raised on their behalf whilst he was herp. A number of Australian gentlemen haye,| signified their intention of paying each for five years, that being the cost keep a child at the Home, and about v thirty children are thus provided 'fpr,n He held in his hand' a birthday book, in which he wanted to get 16,000 signatures.

It was very similar to the books which yonnw ladies always asked their friends to write' 1 * their names in, but was a little different

in this respect—that those who put their- names down would be expected to con-'' tribute LI Is per annum towards the

Children’s Home. This would be by means of a collecting card, which J

would be sent to each subscriber every

year, and on its being filled up the was to be sent in to a gentleman of this town, who had been asked to remit same to London. On December Ist in. each 1 ' year such a card would be sent to each o£. those who put their signature on hi« Birthday Book, and they would knodi what to do. (Applause.) He thanked

them for the very patient hearing given him. The rev. lecturer then sat down amidst hearty applause. The Rev. Mr Standage proposed ,a hearty vote* of thanks to Dr Stephenson for his very interesting lecture, which was seconded by Mr Hogg, and carried with acclamation. A collection was then made in aid 0$ the Children’s Home, and resulted in Ll 5 being collected in the hall, besides a number ef signatures being added to the Birthday Book. The proceedings closed with singing the “ National Anthem."

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

ASHBURTON.— To-day. (Before His Worship the Mayor and,Mr Thomas Bullock, J.P.) ‘ Drunkenness. —John Maher, for being drunk in a public place, Wise fined lOij bif 48 hours. , ItiiTßEa Ti)i ent of HoBSES.—Jobn Pul len was charged with driving a horse ip an unst state.—Sergeant Felton said }fp saw the accused driving a horse and carl through the town yesterday morning. The horse was without shoes, very lama, and was scarcely able to walk. He took the horse away, and put it in the police paddock last night,— A. M. Pearson sa d he had seen the horse belonging to the accused on several occasions. It had no shoes on, and was in a very bad state.— Walter Martin, Clerk to the R.M. Court, said that the accused had often driven the horse in the state it was now in. The horse was in such a state that he had in formed the police, and had also stopped the accused when in the street and remoh-' strated with the accused for illusing the animal.—This was the case for the police. —The accused said he was always kind to his animals. Had never illused the horse. If their Worships would let him off he would promise hot to work the hope with put shops.—The Bpnch fined the accused JOs and costs, at the same time’warn pig him that if he, illtreated another he would be dealt with more.severely.- [Mr Bullock here left the Bench, ; »tid Mr R. Alcoru took his seat theron.] '

THE ASHBURTON GOARDIAN, FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1888.



'HE BEST VALUJ&raB'OR READY MON HbSSi 18 THE - MEN’S AND BOYS’ >- CLOTHING * Manufactured BY THE NEW ZEALAND , Clothing Factory, Which can be purchased at their Retail * ;y. Branches all over New Zealand. . A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE ' WHOLESALE PRICE. £ ,', Thousands of discerning customers notify that the New Zealand Clothing Garments are the very best for 3&ADY MONEY. °1 ' Ashburton Brunch; EAST STREET.! ii .... w SPARROW, ' Makaoek. si. 9 ■CENSING ACT, 1881, on Sal* at , Office of this Paper,



Wanted (JIHE EWE SHEARING will com mence at Coldstream on IUESDAY, 9th January, 1883. WANTED, Wool preaaers, Wool-rollers, and General Hands. 16 C. H. DOWDING. WANTED —A Strong BOY for Blacksmith’s shop. Apply, W. Cockle, Wakanui, or Office of this Paper. 33 WANTED— TENDERS for about seven chains Fencing and two Gatis ; labor and material. Specifica tions can be seen on application to the undersigned, at the Borough Council Office. Tenders to be in by TUESDAY, the 9th January. 38 JOHN DAVISON. TT7ANTED KNOWN-That Robert Elston, Burnett street, Ashbur ton> having procured the newest appara tus j is prepared t« Sweep Chimneys at very low rates. Any orders left at the Town Hall will receive promnt attention. 760 c ANTED KNOWN. That BONEDUST, specially prepared for drilling with carrots, mangolds, etc , can be obtained from the undersigned. F. MAYO, Hampstead Bone Mills.



VETANTED KNOWN—It is Mr Lan- W caster’s intention to extend his Bread Business, and he wishes his cus tomers to know he has secured Mr Thomas Hicks to manage that branch. A Cart will be run with Broad alone, independent of the other Two Carts, which will con tinue to run as before. The name of Mr Hicks will be a sufficient guarantee that, under his management, Bread of unex ceptionable quality will bo turned out of the ' FRBETRADE BAKERY, East street. —R. Lancaster, Proprietor. 240 Special Advertisements. [With an apology to Green's Shade.] CHEAP BOOTS AND SHOES.—The BIG SHOP in East Street, Ash burton, has just been opened with an entirely NEW of English, Foreign, and Colonial-made BOOTS and SHOES, which will be sold at my usual LOW PRICES, which have given uich satisfaction in Tinwald and else where.— 0. HAWKINS, “ Munste;i” Warehouse, Ashburton ; also at Tin wald. THE SCOTTISH IMPERIAL in surance COMPANY. Head Office: 151, West George street, Glasgow. Capital ... £1,000,000 FIRE RISKS taken at lowest current rates. Claims promptly settled here. W. R. BOYLE, n 7 Agent, Ashburton.



.• = • sr John Meech, Burnett street, Ashburton, CABINETMAKER & UPHOLSTERER. The above advertiser begs to intimate to his numerous friends and customers that as he has EXTENDED HIS PREMISES He is now in a position to execute all kinds of FURNITURE at prices to meet THE TIMES. Second-hand Furniture bought and Sold. First Prize awarded at the late A. and P. Show. Showrooms—Next Bullock’s Arcade, : Workshop— Next Mail )ffice. F YOU WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE,



CHEAP FURNITURE AND BED DING MANUFACTORY, EAST STREET SOUTH, ASHBURTON. \ ffTIVERY article Sold at -Christchurch Prices and guaranteed best of material and workmanship. FUNERALS CHEAPLY & COMPLETELY FURNISHED _ ___ SzMi - —' V>JJ Milner & Thompson Ashburton, H. M. JONES, Agent. PIPE ORGANS.—Especially suitable for Churches. Far superior to any Reed Organ near the price for richness and purity of tone, volume of sound, and durability of construction. Price— £l2o. REED ORGANS.—By Smith and Co., Mason and Hamlin, Wood and Co., Eaby arid C* , New England Company, and Cloufert and Warner,—from £l2 12s. PIANO S.—Brinsmead and Sons, Broadwood, Collard and Collard, Erari, Pleyei and others, Dresden Model, and German and French manufacturers* with 11 latest improvements. DEFERRED PAYMENTS. Wholesale and Retail. old Ball programme cards in very neat styles, with Pencils and Ribbons, printed at the Guardian Office, Writ street



Special Advertisements. O T I O B. We have now IN STOCK and for sale, ex vessels from Kaipara, a large assort ment of DRESSED AND UNDRESSED Kauri Timber, including sizes to suit all requirements of the Building Trade. WELL - SEASONED TIMBER for Joiners and Cabinetmii era. Also, from Foxton, ex Awaroa and Forest Queen, r UFvSv Totaral Black Pine, of ihe best quality to be obtain- d, 021 TUCKER, RESTELL & CO. DESIRES to call special attention to - the following items, which have been carefully selected for the coming Festive Season : BOOKS ! BOOKS ! ! REWARD, PRESENTATION, and PRIZE BOOKS. NEW VOLUMES— Boys’ Own Annual Girls’ Own Annual H. M. Jones’ Chatterbox Child's Companion Infants’ Magazine, &c., &c. POETS— VARIOUS Authors; Sir Walter Scott’s Works, new edition, complete.



TOYS! TOYS !! TOYS !!! GREAT VARIETY —in Wood, Tin, China, and Indiarubber. DOLLS ! DOLLS !! DOLLS !!! ALL SIZ^S —From one inch to two feet—in Wood, Rag, China, Composition, etc. FANCY GOODS ! FANCY GOODS ! A NICE SELECTION of the above, suitable for Christmas Presents and New Year Gifts. JSS" ALL the above Goods are offered at the LOWEST Possible Prices for CASH. A LIBERAL DISCOUNT allowed to schools on parcels of Toys, Books, etc. PIANOS, ORGANS, BRASS, and STRINGED L\STRDMENI S DEFERRED PAYMENTS. H. M. JONES, BURNETT ST. & BARING SQUARE. EWEST BOOKS at R, SEVAN’■*, Saunders’ Buildings. Cassell's Popular Educator, Chambers’ Journal of Popular Literature, Mayhew’s Illustrated Horse Management, the Leisure Hour, Every Boy’s Annual, Little Wide-Awake, Chatterbox, Children's Friend, Child’s Companion, Infant’s Magazine, Band of Hope Review, Morning Dewdrops (by Mrs C. L. Balfour), Captain Cook’s Voyages, and others. A large stock of second-hand books—all offered at the lowest possible price for cash. 32 ON



gAYE YOUR GRAIN AND PURCHASE Walter A. Wood’s TWINE REAPER AND BINDER, Which obtained the FIRST PRIZE and GOLD MEDAL against all comers at tiie TRIAL held last season in Christ church, ui d*9 the auspices of the Canter bury A. and P. Association. This Machine combines Lightness of Draught, Simplicity of Construction, Ease op Management, Durability, and with Quantity and Quality op Work. Ealing, 21st December, —To Messrs Poyntz and Co, —Gentlemen.—In an swer to your enquiry 1 might state that the Wood’s Twine Binder, works to my entire satisfaction,and may mention that during last season, I cut 154 acres of wheat during a strong wind with perfect ease, and produced good work. iTours truly, Henry Herne, manager for J. E. RuddenkJau. Newlands, 22nd December, —Messrs Poyntz and Co., Ashburton.—l have this day completed cutting 25 acres of rye grass on my farm at Newlands, with a W. A. Wood’s Twine Binder, purchased from you last year, to my entire satisfaction. The crop is now lying on the ground, and speaks for itself. Anyone wishing to see the crop cm do so on visiting my farm. Yours faithfully, Martin Griffin,



FOR SALE— Second-hand GRASS-STRIPPER, FOR SALE - Second-hand McCormick REAPERS and BINDERS. FOR SALE— Four-horse DRAY. FOR SALE— A WAGONETTE, in capital order. FOR SALE— An Eight-horse-power ENGINE, by Clayton and Shattleworth, in good order. FOR SALE COMBINE, by Marshall. ON SALE BINDER TWINE, WIRE, and OIL, at current rates. Poyntz & Co,, AGENTS 21d npHE GUARDIAN is on every Tea ** Table in Ashburton.



Special Advertisements. riA MU EL SON’S PRIZE SHEAF O TWINE BINDER & HARVESTER THE NEW ZEALAND GRAIN AGENCY AND MERCANTILE COM PANY, LIMITED, Have landing, ex Marlborough, their first shipment of the tSamuelson PRIZE TWINE BINDER AND harvester. The Machines, which are now being fast sold, hare many material improve ments on the one exhibited by Messrs Samuel on last season. Among others we may mention especially the NEW AND STRONG MAIN GEAR FRAME CHAIN LIFTING GEAR ON TRA VELLING WHEEL RAISING AND LOWERING GEAR FOR GRAIN WHEEL PATENT OILING ARRANGE MENTS FOR DRIVING-WHEEL IMPROVED SHIFTING REEL, These, combined with the lishtness of draught, lowness of cut, simplicity of con struction, and strength of material, render the machine the most complete offered this season. The Binder is simple and easy to oper ate and automatic, making sheaves regular in size and with perfect separation and good shape, with secure knot. Messrs Samuelson, in perfecting this machine, have avoided complication, and have carefully studied extreme simplicity and facility of adjustment. An expert from Messrs Samuelson’s Factory is now on the way out. and will arrive in New Zealand early in December, sc as r.o be present to render his services during next harvest. Early application is necessary to avoid disappointment in securing a machine.



G. G. STEAD, Managing Director. P. CUNNINGHAM, Consulting Director. W. HORNE, 12au Agent, Ashburton. QIPECIAL NOTICE TO THE INHABITANTS OF ASH BURTON AND SURROUNDING DISTRICTS. GL E. West and Co., MUSIC AND PIANOFORTE WAREHOUSEMEN, Princes street, Dunedin, Have great pleasure in announcing that it is their intention to cater for the Music loving population of Ashburton in such a mamer 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! 1 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



QHRISTMAS PRESENTS. JUST OPENED UP, A Large and Choice Selection of FANCY GOODS TOYS PRIZE BOOKS. <Sro., &c., &o. Andrewes Bros., BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERY, &c. East street south, Ashburton. n!5



QOA L. COAL. COAL. We have now IN STOCK, ex Con ference, a large supply of the Old Lambton Coal. This is the BEST HOUSE COAL imported. 18n TUCKER, RE3TELL & CO.



TO BLACKSMITHS, -L-'l BREWERS, AND OTHERS. Just landed, ex Mary Campbell, from Greymouth, a supply of the CELEBRATED Brunner Coal, The beat procurable for blacksmith and steam purposes. n 27 TUCKER, RESTELL <t CO.



Thomas Taylor, JgAKER AND CONFECTIONER, East .street. WEDDING CAKES To Order. Manufacturer of CIDER AND OTHER CORDIALS,



NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS,



Advertisements for The Ashburton Guardian must bo sent in not later than 3 p.m , with the number of insertions 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 should be addressed to The Editor.