UNKNOWN

PORT F lot .. i' rrivod. Ybstebdav. Croydon Lass, ■ it- "uer, from WaitafU. Stella, Government s.s., from t'ort Chaims T 3. r * Hawea, s.s., from Wellington. Wairarapa, s.s., from Melbourne via Hobart and Southern ports. Hanroto, s.b., from Sydney and Wei tlnofi n.

Sailed. Y KSTKRDAY. Hawea, a. a , for Port Chalmera. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Wednesday. Arrived —Helen, from Hobart; Glau cus, from Newcastle. Sailed Rotornahana, for Sydney ; Southern Cross, for South. Wellington, Wednesday. Arrived —WakatJ, from Kaikoura and Lyttelton; Hawea, from Picton and Nel son ; Rotorua, from South. Sailed —Rotorua, for North ; Hawea, for Somh ; Hauroto, for South. O amaru, Wednesday. Sailed —Ada Melmore, for London. Dd'Edin, Wednesday. Arrived Rotornahana, from North. Sailed Orowaiti, for Wellington ; Wairarapa, for Sydney, via North.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Tuesday, December 30. Messrs Matson, Cox and Cj. , at the Tinwald Saleyarda—-Stock

MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Etc. Friday, December 26. Sports Ground—Ashburton Caledonian Society’s Annual Sports Loyal Orange Lodge—Concert and Ball in the Town Hall Mount Somers Annual Sports and Races Mokdvy, December 29 Ashburton Summerßacing Club —Annual Meeting

Thursday, January 1 Winslow'Raciug Club—Annual Meeting Saturday, January 3. /Pakanui Road Board, at Road Foard office, Moore street, at 10.30 a.m, Friday, January 9 County Council —At Council Chambers, 11 a. m.

MAIL NOTICES.

Malls close at the Ashburton Post Office follows: — For Christchurch and North at 6 a, in. 10.30 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10.30 a.rn. and 5 p. m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, f.nrl Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. ffor Temuka, at 6 ».m. and 10 a.m., For Tinwu and South, at 6 a.m., 10 s.m., and 4.30 p.m., daily. For Greenstreet and Ashburton Forks, Wednesday s and Saturdays, at 10.45

For Wakanui, Elgin, Seaview, Seafield, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 a.m. For rfount Somers, on Tuesdays and aturdays, at 6 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. For Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur jays, at 6 a.m. For Ashtcn, Waterton and Longbeacn, at 4.30 p.m, daily. For Flemington, on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 430 p. m. For Newlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days at 10.30 a.m.

Mnilii arrive at the Ashburton Post 'Office— From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.15 *,m., 435 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. FromChertser, &c. at 10.15 a.m. and 4.35 p.m. daily. . From Dunedin ani intermediate places at 5.3° *Mn. dai y. From Temuka an 1 Timaru at 10.40 a. m. ».30 p.m., and 3 p.m. daily. From Greei street and Ashburton Forks, Wed near ays and Saturdays, at 10 a.m. , From Mount Somers, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 10.5 a.m. and 8.15 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. . . Fiom Newlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days, at 2.30 p.m. From Flemington on Tuesdays, Thurs days, and Saturdays, at 10 a.m. From Elf,in, Wakanui, Seafield, and Kyle on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sat nrdays, at 4 p.m.

DEATH.

Lambib—Suddenly at Kyle on Dec. 24. John Drummond Lambie, eldest son O John Lambie, aged 18 years.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1884. The Indian Markets.

The information which has been fur nished by Sir James Fergusson to Sir Julius Vogel in reference to the In dian markets for colonial produce can not be encouraging to the Colonial Treasurer, but should be highly in structive. Sir James avoids throwing cold water himself, but he forwards communications from the Chamber of Commerce, the Trades Association and the Municipal Commissioner of Bom bay, which all concur in giving facts and figures that show that there cannot be the slightest opening, either for our meat or for our woollen goods in that direction. Sir Julius, and indeed most of our nominally responsible ad visers or rulers during the past fourteen years, have proved proficient in the construction of financial delusions, but in the plain hard facts that regulate commercial transactions they have oc casionally appeared to occupy the posi tion of infants, and of infants not very ready or willing to be instructed, either by their superiors or by the hard and unanswerable logic that never fails to guide the actions of men of clearer, though of less ambitious, and possibly of narrower views.

With meat, which the population of India considers superior to ours, at from twopence to threepence per pound, it does not require much sagacity to see at a glance, that India will never equal the London market, where good meat is retailed at ten pence and one shilling per pound. So that if, as asserted by Messrs Bucklev and Peter, we cannot make boiling down prices of our sheep in London we are not likely to realise any very satis factory returns from India. The lean carcasses that disfigure the butchers’ shops of Bombay or Ceylon may not suit our ideas of quality, but a tropical climate soon removes the taste for fat meat, and the North Russia! who would eagerly devour even a few pounds of candles in his native climate, would shudder at the sight of a fat steak after a few months’ residence in India. Thus, apart all caste or religious pre judices, it is idle to hope that our fatter meat will ever present any superior attractions to the Indian consumer. The same climatic reasons would to some extent operate against any ex tensive demand for our woollen fabrics, but still there would be a demand for more than New Zealand could supply, if her social and political conditions were such as to enable her to compete in the open market with any production principally representing labor. But New Zealand has never yet come down to that level, and we may hope that it will be long before she will do so. Whilst any man can dig gold from the earth himself or any company can ex tract it from crushed stone ; whilst our temperate climate and our exemption from all destructive quadrupeds, makes meat and wool growing an easy task, and a virgin soil enables us to compete even with India and America in the production of wheat, the laborer of New Zealand is not likely to be em ployed at a rate ot wages that will pro duce either cloth, iron, linen, silk, sacks or carriages, at a price that will bear high freights, and then compete in an open market with other countries where men think themselves fortunate when earning two shillings a day, and with others where high skill, backed by capital and machinery, is procured for less than sixpence an hour. Of course the longer high wages can be obtained in any country the better for the coun try. The very essence of political pros perity is shown where the mass of the population, and not merely a few fortu nate individuals, can have all their reasonable wants abundantly supplied ; but we must never forget that wages higher than those obtained by other countries, precludes the possibility of export for the products of labor, except such as can be produced under some exceptional advantages of situation, soil or climate, not enjoyed by countries with which we have to compete. Whilst we are afraid to let our woollen factories compete in our own colony, with the manufacturers of the world, handi capped as all rivals must be with long freights, insurance, exchange, commis sions, and all the drawbacks that sur round a foreign and far distant com petitor, it is absurd to suppose that we can under sell “ Yorkshire and Ger many ” in the open market of India. If we could match them in India where our advantages would be fewer and our expenses greater than theirs, what chance could they have against us in our own country ? We mgst Jearn to walk alone, without the go-cart of protection, before we can entertain such I ami'to° us projects as that of competing with Manch PSter the markets of the world. Meantime, the possible necessity for preparing for such severe competition should teach us that our manufactories should be, not bolstered up and demoralised by ir judicious and excessive protection, but braced and liberated by freedom from every avoidable tax, imposition or fetter, and that the best friends of our colonial industries are not those who would drive away their best customers by the reckless imposition of 20 per cent, duties on the agricultural popula tion, but those who would exempt the

tanners from every unnecessary burden. America, with the best wood in the world, with iron equal to any, and with heads certainly second to none, does not build her own ships nor manufac ture her own cotton under the cloud of extreme protection, but easily “whips the universe ” with the only two articles she has never protected—her reaping machines and her watches.

To-day, being Boxing Day, has been observed as a close holiday in town. The Weather, although cloudy, has been plea san* and very favorable for the numerous outdoor gatherings which have taken place throughout the county. The Caledonian Society have held their annual sports on their new grounds, and from a report which appears in another column, they appear to have been attended by tlpe usual success. A cricket match between the Ashburton and Addington Cricket Clubs, which was commenced on the Sports Company's ground this morning and will be continued to-morrow, will also be found reported in this issue At Rakaia horse races and sports have been in progress, but owing to the telegraph office being closed, we are unable to fur nish particulars, although our correspon dent telegraphed at 10 o’clock this morn ing that ||a large number of visitors had arrived by the express from Christchurch, and a successful meeting was anticipated. Horse races were also to be held at iiangi tata and Mount Somers, and numerous sports, picnics and pleasure parties have been arranged elsewhere.

Yesterday about noon, Thomas Little, for some time barman at Mr Howell's Hotel, Rakaii, dropped dead on the Rakaia station platform. He was on his way to the Christchurch Hospital, having been indisposed for some time. Rheuma tism of the heart is supposed to have been the cause of death.

We have been requested to call atten tion to Mr Alex. Macdougall’s address to policy holders in the New Zealand Go vernment Insurance Association, which appears in another column. It will be observed that Mr Macdougall is a candi date for a seat on the Central Board, and his candidature has been favorably noticed by several leading papers in the North Island, where his mercantile experience and sagacity are well and favorably known. Two other candid«tas for seats on the Board address the policy holders in this issue. Mr 'Joseph Kitchen, of Welling ton, has been nominated by two Christ church gentlemen, and having already had considerable experience in the work ing of a successful Life Assurance Com pany, there would be no danger of the interests of policy holders suffering at his hands. Mr H. D Bell is another candi date, and as will bo gathered from his address, is well qualified to forward the interests of the Association he seeks 10 serve.

We hare received from the Government Printer a copy of the address delivered by His Excellency the Governor to the members of the New Zealand Institute at their. anniversary meeting held on 17th October last. The text of the address has already been published, but the copy we now have before us is accompanied by charts and plates illustrating His Excel lency’s proposals for the defence of the colony, On Wednesday afternoon John Drum mond Lambie, son of Mr J. Lunbie, of Kyle, died suddenly at his father’s resi dence. A.n inquest was held at 1 p.ra. to day Great sympathy is felt in the district for the deceased’s relatives. The annual tea meeting in connection with the local Sunday School will be held at Willowby this evening. The operetta “ Prizes and Blanks ” will be produced at the Town Hall this even ing, under the direction of Mr Sidney Wolf, R.A.M. It was reported in town last evening that during the day a well known resident In East street had attempted to commit suicide at the seabeach. However, on making enquiries we find that the report arose from a foolish escapade, evidently undertaken by the perpetrator while suf-

ftring from an over indulgence in Chris!

mas cheer. Before again attempting to emulate the fe’ts of Leander the adven turer will do well to imitate the hero’s abstemousness.

There were the usuil Christmas decora tions at the church services yesterday. At the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus the alter was very tastefully orna mented with choice flowers in pots and cut brooms, with a back ground of evergreens and toi toi. ' The pillars and arch under the organ loft were encircled with evergreens, and the vestry and pulpit were decorated with beautiful vases of exotics, the whole of the display showing great taste and a pleasing]simplioity. At St Stephen’s appro priate texts, surrounded by floral deaera tions were placed over the communion table and in other parts of the ohurc >. A general meeting of members of the Ashburton Racing Club will be held to morrow evening to discuss a proposed alteration in the rules, of which Mr M. Friedlander has given notice, and for the election of members.

Owners are reminded that acceptances for the handicaps at the Summer Race Meeting must be made to the Secretary, Mr G. J. Shaw, before 9 p.m. to-morrow.

j Kidney and urinary complaints of all kinds , permanently cured with Hqp Bitters. Read. ’ [Advt.] ' I hat husband of mine is three times' the * man he was before he began using “ Wells ■ Health Renewer.” Druggists. The N,Z . Drug Co., General Agents. 2 . Tic-Doloureux, Toothache, or any other neuralgic pain speediiy yields to Baxter’s Anti | Neuralgic Pills. Christinas presents free of charge. —Last ' year we are informed that over 9,000 presents 1 were given away curing December and the early part of January by H. E. May & Co., The Hall, Christchurch. This year they are doing the same, and this is how they do it Every customer is presented with a ticket equal to 10 per cent, on the amount spent by them, so that if you spend LlO you can choose anything up to Li, if L 5 is spent a los present will be given, if L 3 a 6s present, if a 2s present, but if you only spend One Shilling you will get something. And every time you come during this month of December and up to January the 6th you will get a pre sent. If you do not wish to spend a lot of money in one day’s shopping you can get jour tickets for what you have spent, and so on each time you come, and then get one really handsome thing equal upvalue to all the tickets you hoi I.—£Advt,] The Bad and Worthless are never imitated or counterfeited. This is es pecially true of a family medicine, and it is positive proof that the remedy imitated is of the highest value. As soon as it has been tested and proved by the whole world that Hop Bitters was the purest, best, and most valuable family medicine on earth, many imitations sprung up and began to steal the notices in whiph the press and the people of the country had expressed the merits of H. 8., and in tvel'y way trying to induce suffering invalids louse their'stuff instea'd, expecting to make money on the credit and good name' of H. B. Many others started nostrums put up in simi lar style to H, 8., with variously devised names in which the word Hop ”of *‘Hops ” were used in a way to indue? people to believe they were the same as Hop Bitters, All such pretended remedies or cures, no matter what dieir Style or name is, and especially those with the word “Hop’’ or “Hops in theirf ] name o,' ijs any way connected with them or their nanie, 'are 'imitations or counterfeits. ' BewarC of them. Touch none of tjiem. Use ■ nothing but genuine American Hop Bicteis, with a bunch or cluster cf green Hops on the white label, and Ur Soule’s name blown in the * glass. Trust nothing else. Druggists and chemists are warned agaipsf dealing W umta tions <ur counterfeits. 1

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT

ASHBURTON— To-day.

Before H. 0. S. Baddeley, Esq,, R.M., and T. Bullock, Esq., J.P.)

Drunkenness. —Joseph Sloane, J. McClure and G. Hell ngs, were charged with this offence, atid were each fined 10s and costs, or 48-hours. Robbery and Assault. —John De loranie, James W. Bellingham and Harry Green were brought up charged with stealing a purse containing L6.—Accused were remanded till Monday next.

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY’S SPORTS.

“ O Caledonia ! stern and wild,

Meet nurse for a poetic child ! Laud of brown heath and shaggy wood. Land of the mountain and the flood, Land of my sires ! what mortal hand

Can e’er untie the filial band

That knits me to thy rugged strand.” Scott's “ Lay of the Last Minstrel ,” c. 6, s. ii.

No writer has ever worked into verse so beautifully, nor so briefly, a better de scription of Scotland and the love her sons bear to her than has been worked

into the “ Lay of the Last Minstrel” in the above lines by Sir Walter Scott—one of the greatest novelists the world has ever seen, and a poet whose rause was tuned to a noble lay indeed. How it

cornea that the natives of Scotland carry in their bos >ms so deep-seated a love for the land that gave them birth we care not now to discuss, but the fact is well known that go where you will—to the wild, to the desert, to the forest, to the city, no matter in what part of the world, on land or on sea—wherever you find Scottish men gathered together there also will you find the habits and customs of their country preserved and its traditions cherished. Few, if any, of her Majesty’s colonies exist, without having—and always good colonists too—a fair proportion of Scot tish families among the settlers, and it is a well known fact that wherever a suffi cient number of them reside in a colonial community or even in a foreign country, there also will be found a Caledonian So ciety. Ashburton enjoys the benefit of a strong Scottish element in her population, and the district owes much to the canny, thrifty, persevering men she has recruited from under Scotia’s “ Auld grey plaid.’’ With such a strength of Scotch people in the country, and the happy knack they have of making many friends among those in whose midst they reside, it would be strange indeed if a Caledonian Society did not exist—stranger still, if it did not prosper. _ The Ashburton Caledonian Society has existed in Ashburton for six years, and in the matter of annual sports meetings at least it has done good work. Few places of the “ inches ” of Ashburton can boast of so firmly established an athletic sports meeting as can we in our Cale donian Society’s gathering. Hitherto the meetings have been highly successful, and to-day’s was no exception to tne rule. Of course to Scotch people the great attrac tion of the meeting is the bagpipe music, the Highland dancing,'and the Highland costumes. When it is mentioned that Mr David Campbell, the Society’s piper was present, and with him Mr Aleck Mackay, the Lagmhor piper, Mr Maben, of Ashburton, and one *r two others who tendered an occasional “ lift,” it will at once be seen that there was plenty of good pipe music Dancers were plentiful, too, and in good form, and perhaps there were more men in tartan on the ground than we have seen at any previous gathering. The officers of the Society worked inde fatigably to make the affair a success, and we must not forget to mention the cour tesy awarded to everyone by the hard working Secretary, Mr 0. Reid. The Ashburton Brass Band, under the leadership of Mr Hosken, and a number of Highland pipers marched to the grounds, and when there played a number of excellent selections of music during the intervals between the various events. The attehdance was fully up to that of the previous year, there being fully 900 people present. Mrs Woodley presided at a publican’s booth, and appeared to be doing a very fair business. Messrs W. T. Davison and A. W. Randall had con fectioners’, fruit and refreshment stalls, at all of which a brisk trade was done. Peace and order were represented by Constable Smart, a d we need not add that his outing was almost a holiday. Punctually at 11 30 the first event was run off. The following are the results of the various items on the programme de posed of up to the hour of, our going to press : Open Handicap Hurdle Race, six hurdles; 440yds ; first prize, L2 ; second, LI. James Johns, 15yds ... 1 A J. Kenny, scratch ... ... ... 2 F. Betts, 7yds ... ... 3 Out of seven entries four faced the starter. Kenny was the favorite, but un fortunately made a blunder at the first hurdle, letting Johns take the lead with Groves well up. The latter improved his position until reaching the last hurdle, where he fell. Johns then spurted and came in an easy winner. 100 Yards Open Flat Race; first prize, L2; second, LI, Hulston 1 Kenny " 2 W. Fosse and J. Pauling also ran. There was a cood start, and a capital race ensued, Hulston winning by about two yards. Time, lOjiec. Running High Jump ; first prize, LI ; second, 10s, P. Coffey, sft ?in ... ... ... 1 W. Dalton ... 2 T, H. Dalton also competed, but re tired at 4ft 9;n. Running High Jump, boys ; first prize, 10a; second, ss. .7as Jameson, 4ft 9in ... ... ... 1 H Lucas 2 Johns also competed, but retired at 4ft Gin. Lucas and Jameson jumped very well, and the latter’s victory was loudly applauded. Scotch Reel, in Highland Costume ; first prize, L2 ; second, LI.

Banks ... ... ... ... ... 1 McKay ... 2 Messrs McGregor and Campbell kindly entered to make up the reel, and some very good dancing was given. Pipe Music, Pibrochs and Marches ; first pr'zs, 1,2 ; second, LI.

Campbell McKay Quoits ; first prize, L2 ; so:ond, LI, Bradshaw McLeod ...

This event brought seven competitors and caused no little excitement, owing to

the close finish between Bradshaw and Hepburn, and Bradshaw and McLeod, the former eventually winning by ten points. Grand Handicap Flat Race, run in heats of 100, 220, and 440yda ; first prize, L 5; second, L2 10s ; third, LI. 100yds race. O, Hulston, scratch ... ... ... 1 A. J. Kenny, 3yds ... ' ... ... 2 F. Betts, syds ... ... ... ... 3 There were pine entnes for this evpnt, end five faced the starter, Fox and G. Parkin making up the number. Scrim shaw, Doherty, Johns, and 11. Parkin did not accept. All got away to a very good start, and a capital race ensued, Hulston winning by about halt a yard. Time, ll.|aeo, Tos.ing the Caber ; first prize, LI 10s; second, 10s. J. Daley, 35ft sin ... ... ... 1 W. Dalton, 32ft 2 O. O’Conner, J. Anderson and Stock data also competed,

Standing High Jump; first prue, LI;

second, 15s. W. Dalton, 4ft 3jin ... ... ... ■+ P. Coffey, 4fc 3£m + A. Malcolm also competed, but retired at 3ft Sin, Sword Dance ; first prize, L2 ; second, LI Janies banks ... ... ... ... 1 McKay 2 The dancing of James Batiks was in every way excellent, and very deser vedly he took first honors. Grand Handicap, 220yds (second heat) 0. Hulston, scratch ... ... ... 1 F. Betts, syds ... ... ... ... 2 A. J. Kenny, 3yds ... ... ... 3 After a capital start the race resulted as above, Hulston taking first place by about a yard Time, 26£secs. Pole Vaulting ; first prize, LI 10s ; second, 15s.

W. Dalton, Oft 1 Geo Kidd, 8:t 10in 2 Three only competed. Pipe Music—Reels and Strathspeys ; first prize, L2 ; second, LI. David Campbell ... ... ... 1 A. McKay 2 The pibroch and marches of Campbell were much admired, and would, it is said, compare favorably with the music at the great Bidman gathering in Scotland.

TINWALD SCHOOL TREAT.

The annual treat to the scholars attend ing the Tinwald School va< held on Wed nesday, and although the morning did not break very promising the prospect gradu ally improved, and when the hour for commencing proceedings had arrived a more suitable day could not have been desired. Shortly after 11 am. the chil dren began to master in the school grounds, where every arrangement had been made to ensure the success of the gathering, and by 1 p.m. there were about 140 children and 30 parents and friends present, who were abundantly supplied with all the good things pertain ing to a treat, after which sports of every description, racing and jumping were in dulged in. Every child on the ground received one or more prizes, while the elder ones amused themselves with cricket and.lawn tennis. At five o’clock the children partook of what may be called tea proper, the tea and cakes, etc., disappearing in a wonderful manner, the exertion of the afternoon tending to make all ready for what the colonial youths term a good square meal. However, all were eventually satisfied, and the children were then marshalled by Mr Wallace, the head teacher, and marched to the large schoolroom, which had been tastefully decorated with flowers and evergreens by the three senior scholars of the school, viz, Misses Williams, Lewis and Cairn croas. In addition to the flowers, etc., the walls were hung with maps and drawings, the work of the scholars, which presented a very pleasing appearance and drew forth very favorable comment on the ability of the scholars. After the children, parents and friends were seated, which taxed the school to its utmost extent, the scholars, under the leadership of Mr Wallace, sang four selections in a {very pleasing and creditable manner. Mr Clark, the Chair man of the School Committee, then ad dressed the children, congratulating them on their musical talent, and in a pleasing and jocular manner made those who had not been so fortunate as to g>in a prize almost as happy as those who had, and expressed a hope that thay would all enjoy their vacation, and return to school strong and well, and with a deter mination to work harder than ever. The Revs Messrs Garbett and Beattie followed with short appropriate speeches, and highly eulogised Mr Wallace a» a pains taking and persevering teacher, and im pressed upon the children the necessity of acquiring a good education and due ob servance and attention to the instruction and example of their teachers, who, to a very great extent, were the moulders of their future usefulness in life. Enthusias tic cheers were given by the scholars for Mr Wallace, the headmaster, Mrs Wake mistress, and Mr Todd, pupil teacher. Mr Wallace acknowledged the compli ment on behalf of himself and the staff, and pointed out in a very able manner the relation in which parents stood to a master, and showed that to a very great extent jvithout the co-operation of the parents a master could not hope to be so successful as he might otherwise be. If would be well if parents would attend to the hints thrown out by Mr Wallace. Mr Clark then distributed] the prizes, every child below the Standards receiving a small book as a Christmas present. After votes of thanks had been passed to friends lor providing for treat, the Com mittee, especially Mr Lowe, who was in defatigable in endeavouring to please, a distribution of cake was made at the door, and the children having been invited to return the following day to dispose of what remained of the provisions, a moat enjoyable gathering was brought to a close.

* Prize List.

Standard V.—Agnes Williams, I j Mary Lewis, 2. Standard IV,—Rees Williams, I; George Clark, 2 ; James L Smith, 3. Standard Ilf.—John Murphy, 1 ; Sarah Cairncross, 2 ; Ralph Armstrong, 3; Daniel Cairncross, 4. Standard (I.—Thomas Murphy, 1 ; John Lewis, 2 ; Frederick Clark, 3. btandard I,—Elizabeth Gibson, 1; Wil liam Meharry, 2 ; Christina Gilmour, 3. Writing. Standard V.—Agnes Williams, 1. Standard IV.—Rees Will ams, I. Standard lll.—Daniel Cairncross, I ; Ralph Armstrong, 2 Standard ll.—Mary Stalker, I; William Jeff, 2. Standard I.—Elizabeth Gibson, 1 ; Gather, ine Gibson, 2. Special Prizes. Mapping and drawing.—Agnes Williams, 1. Good ttendance.—George Cla'k, William Clark, Annie Lewis, George N. Wallace. Industrial Department. Standard IV. and V., sewing.—Agnes Wil liams, 1 ; Martha Meharry, 2; Isabella Stalker, 3. Standard 1., 11., and 111, Ist Division.— Mary Gough, 1 ; Annie Meharry, 2; Louisa Clark, special. Second Division —Emma Scott, I; Mar garet Stalker, 2 ; Flora Bell, special. Sewing.—L fants : Blanch Lewis, x ; Lena 13. 11, 2 ; Georgina Clark, 2.

THE MIGNONETTE TRAGEDY.

The trial of Thomas Dudley and Edwin Stephens, the captain jand mate of the yacht Mignonette, for the wilful murder of the lad Richard Parker on the high seas, on July 25, took place at Exeter on November 6.h (writes the Argus' London correspondent), before Mr Baron Huddle ston. The Court was densely crowded, even ladies being present. The prisoner Dudley seemed iu good spirits, but Stephens was anxious and depressed. The counsel for the defence insisted that the

action of the prisoners. was justified by the necessity of their case. The jury re turned the following special verdict, add ing thereto a strong ezpressiou of sym pathy and compass : on for the sufferings the prisoners had undergone ; —“ That on July sth, 1884, the prisoners, with one Brooks, all able-bodied English seamen, and the deceased, an English boy between 17 and 18, the crew of an English yacht, were cast away in a storm on the high seas, 1,600 miles from the Oape of Good Hope, and were compelled to put into an open boat; that in this boat they had no supply of water and no supply of food, except two lib tins of turnips, and for three days they had nothing else to subsist on.

. . . That the boat was drifting on the oceau, and was probably more than 1,000 miles from land ; that on the 18th day, when they had been seven days without food and five without water, the prisoners spoke to Brooks as to what should be done if no succour came, and suggested someone should be sacrificed to save the rest, but Brooks dissented, and the boy, to whom they were understood to refer, was not consulted ; that on the -day be* fore the act in question Dudley proposed to Stephens and Brooks that lots should be cast who should be put to death to save the rest, but Brooks refused to con* sent, and it was not put to the boy, and in point of fait there*was no drawing ol lots; that on that day the prisoners spoke of their having families, and suggested it would be belter to kill the boy, that their

lives should be saved, and Dudley pro posed if no vessel was in sight by the next morning the boy should be killed;

that next day, no vessel appearing, Dudley told Brooks that he had better go and have a sleep, and made signs to Stephens and Brooks that the boy had better be killed. Stephens agreed to the act, but Brooks dissented from it ; that the boy was then lying at the bottom of. the boat quite helpless, and extremely weakened by famine and by drinking sea water, and unable t > make any resistance, nor did be ever assent to being killed ; that Dudley, with the assent of Stephens, went to the boy, and telling him his time was ooma, put a knife into his throat and killed him; that the three men fed upon the boy for four days; that on the fourth day after the act the boat was picked up by a passing vessel, and the prisoners were rescued, still alive, bat in the lowest state of prostra tion ; that they were carried to the port of Falmouth, and committed for trial at Exeter ; that if the men had not fed upon the body of the boy they would probably not have survived to be so picked up and rescued, but would within the four days have died of famine; that the boy, being in a much weaker condition, was likely to have died before them ; that at the time of the act there was no aail in sight; nor any reasonable prospect of re lief ; that under these circumstances there appeared to the prisoners every pro bability that unless they then or very soon fed upon the boy or one of them selves, they would die of starvation ; that there was no appreciable chance of saving life, except by killing someone fit the others to eat; that, assuming any neces sity to kill anyone, there was no greater necessity for killing the boy than any of the other three men ; but whether, upon the whole matter, the prisoners were and are guilty of murder, the jury are igno rant, and refer to the Court.

CRICKET.

ASHBURTON C-C. v ADDING

TON 0.0.

A cricket match was commenced at the Sports Ground, South East Ball, to-d y, between the Ashburton and Addington Cricket Clubs. The visiters were the first to bat, and although a fairly repre sentative team from a strong Club, could not make a prolonged stand against the bowling of Messrs Oaygill and Andrews, assisted as it was by a very treacherous wicket. During the innings Mr Thomas made a remarkably fine catch which dis posed of Mr Ashby, and Mr Caygill bowled with great judgment and success, fhe following were the scores at 3 p.m.■ Addington. Ashby, c Thomas, bE. Fooks 2 Patterson, b Andrews 14 H. Ogier, b Caygill ... 16 Turner, b Caygill ... ... ... ... II Halley, bAndrews... 12 W. Ogier, b Caygill 6 Manning, cL. Andrevves, b Caygill ... I Caygill, c G. Andrews, b Caygill 3 McMurray, b Caygill 6 Napier, notout ... II Woodward, b Caygill o Ex ras 6 Total ’BB

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

fRKOTER'B TBLKORAK3—OOPVKIOHf ] Monetary and Commercial. London, December 24 Consols remain at ex div., and New Zealand securities at last quota tions, The Markets. The markets for colonial breadstuff's and tallow are without quotable change. The total quantity of wheat afloat for the United Kingdom is 1,950,000 quarters, an increase of 50,000 during the week. The Mails. The homeward mails via Naples per Orient R.M.S. Garonne, from Mel bourne (Nov. 15) were delivered to day.

Spanish-African Society. The Spanish-African Society has acquired 15 square miles on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea. The territory extends some distance inland from a point opposite Korisko.

Egyptian Affairs. It is understood that the European Powers have shelved the. proposal re cently submitted by the English Cabinet for the settlement of the affahs o£ Egypt.

Boer Haiders.

Capbx tvs; December 23.

Telegrams from Pretoria state thaj the Transvaal Government has de spatched an officer to the frontier ip order to prevent the Boers who formed parties, with the object of raiding ad joining native lands, from crossing the bonjer, Khartoum Expedition- Cairo, 1 December 2% Intelligence has been received from Dongola that 64 whaleboats, conveying troops to the front, have arrived at Kortie, on the Nile, near Ambukol, where the concentration of the troops is rapidly proceeding. The ahdi’s Reinforcement. The Mudir of Dongola telegraphs hat a Bedouin, from Omderman, a dllagenear Khartoum, which h* l«ft

THE ASItBtJRTON GUARDIAN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1884.



Strawberries, ST R A W B E R R I E S, STRAWBERRIES, And other Fruit for sale, wholesale and retail, price moderate. B. BROOMFIELD, Eext Nursery, Allentoa. 12 2242 EO ALLOWAY, . WHEELWRIGHT WaVanui road, Ashburton. (Next Ray’s Machine Shop) Special attention is deroted to all kinds of repairs. Combined with moderate charges. 11 2199 qheistmas goods. Just opened up— A Large Assortment of FANCY GOODS, BOOKS, Exo. Also, a GREAT VARIETY OF TOYS Of every description. Andrewes Bros., Booksellers, Stationers, &c., I EAST STREET, SOUTH,! Ashburton. I



Wanted. WANTED Known—2.soo ladies’ straw . hats (150 different shapes) bought at a groat sacrifice, and to be sold about 30 per cent under wholesale prices ; 110 costumes at 3i 9d ; other goods equallj - cheap: must be sold—come and see them. * H. O. tEOKits, ealya’ Buildings, East j street. 1 WANTED Known—Great redustions ] in the prices of Christmas Fruit during this month, at J. McGregor’s, ( Cash Groce’, Tancred street. WANTED Known —Fresh Flounders are dai'y despatched direct from ohr own boat, now fishing at Late Elles mere. Delivery guaranteed within eight hours from time of catching. All orders received at my shop will be immediately executed on arrival of the train. W. c. Page, East street, Ashburton. 11 2151 ■VTTTANTED Known—That Jones and W Bradshaw, next Mr Lancaster’s butchers shop, East street, are now offer ing Pig Feed, Chick Wheat, Horse Feed, etc., etc., etc., cheaper and of a better class than any other in the town. All coeds delivered free of charge in town. 8 4 752 WANTED KNOWN — Robert Elston, Bill Poster, Theatrical Agent, etc., Town Hall, Ashburton. Theatrical companies and others visiting Ashburton should communicate with the above. Orders by post or telegram promptly attended to. 760 c WJ ANTED Known—Boots ! Boots ! VV That Hayes and Co. are Clearing a few desperate lines of Boots, etc., to wit, Ladies’ Leather, 4s 6d; Men’s Shooters, Pegged, 10s; Men’s Elastic sides, 9s, and a lot of odd lines that must be cleared at once. 7 1278 SOMETHING worth knowing.—F. F. CLAYTON, Practical Tailor, pro fessed Coat and Habit Maker, is next Jones and Bradshaw’s, East street. F. F. 0. is too well known as a master of his profession to need further comment. One trial will prove it. Gentlemen’s own ma terial made up ; repairs and alterations carefully attended to. 10 1952 WANTED Known—J. Meeoh & Co., are still Selling On and not Selling Off at saleroom prices. J. M. and Go’s Furniture is made for use as well as ornament and not for auction sahs The best materials are used, being specially telected, and combined with good workmanship, all goods arc guaran teed of the best quality, and at the very lowest prices. East and Burnett street, Ashburton. 12 23'2 \\7 ANTED Known—The undersigned W beg to notify to their customers and the public generally that they have Removed into the premises adjoining Mr Taylor, Baker, East street. By strict attention to business and making a good article, they hope to merit the continu ance of public patronage. Foweb AND MoEwen, Bootmakers, East street, Ash burton. 10 1973



Special Advertisements. jQOMESTIC PATTERN DEPOT. Mrs Modge, DRAPER AND DRESSMAKER, Ea&t Stbeet, near Lancaster's butchery. REGISTRY OFFI9E For Female Servants. 7 1413



Davis’s QURILUS STOCK OP FURNITURE Now selling off at HALF-PRICE. Must be sold to make room for . NEW STOCK, . Parties about to Furnish will SAVE 50 PbuCknt, BY PUCHaSING AT W. DAVIS’S FURNITURE WAREHOUSE, EAST STREET SOUTH, Aahbiutvn 9 1729



A. Tapper, TIMBER MERCHANT, &c.. Has decided to * Sell Off His Large Stock of TIMBER BUILDING MATERIALS GALVANISED IRON FENCING WIRE BUILDERS IRONMONGERY, at greatly Reduced Prices, As he is retiring from business, therefore ANY REASONABLE OFFER WILL NOT BE REFUSED. Stock must be cleared off by December 31st. ALL DEBT 5 OWING prior to Ist DECEMBER must be paid by 15th Inst, or legal steps for their recovery will boltaken. H, W. BARRETT, 1587 Manager.



| OF ANNUALS Boys’ and Girls’ Own Annuals, Chatterbox, Sunday, Quiver, Child’s Companion, Little Folks, Child’s Own Magazine, British Workwomen, British Workmen, Cottager and Artisan, etc, CHRISTMAS CARDS In great Variety and Newest Designs. PRIZE BOOKS ( An immense Stock of PRIZE BOOKS ( School Prizes Always on hand. School Committees will do well to pay a visit and inspect for themselves. LIBERAL DISCOUNT ALLOWED to all Schools by Thomas F. Farley, BOOKSELLER, STATIONER, AND PRINTER, Saunders’ Buildings, Ashburton.



g T U D Y ECONOMY AND SUPPORT LOCAL INDUSTRY UY USING Native Coal, Which can be had at the yards of the undersigned. MAOPHERSON, FILMBR AND GO (late A. Hayes), TIMBER, COAL, & WOOD MERCHANTS.



Special Advertisements. Dimant and Coe, ARE authorised LOCAL AGENTS for Singer’s SEWING M A CHINES, and are prepared to receive . PAYMENTS and afford all information in connection therewith. Treadle and Hand Machines on Time Payments. A supply of Machine extras on hand. CORNER EAST AND TANORED STREETS, ASHBURTON. 11 2181 NEW TWEEDS ! SUMMER SUITS. Perfect Fit NEW TWEEDS! SUMMER SUITS. Guaranteed in the latest or any style that may be required. Craighead & Co., MERCHANT TAILORS, WE have much pleasure in announcing to our friends and patrons, and all who may feel interested in the general ogress of our times that we have just ceived a splendid assortment of Tweeds Coatings, Serges, etc., etc., of the best quality and latest designs—suitable for the season we are now entering. All Goods Supplied at LOWEST CASH PRICES. CRAIGHEAD & CO., Tancred street, Ashburton. 25 Branches Now Open 25 THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory Are now Showing NEWEST STYLES > in SPRING & SUMMER CLOTHING, ' Manufactured from the renowned Wear Resisting 1 MOSGIEL TWEEDS. i ’ The fit and workmanship of every gar \ ment is undoubtedly unsurpassed, while the large production and increased busi ness enables the proprietors to offer \ special advantages as to price. I Men’s, Boys’ and Children’s Clothing i in every variety at 1 Wholesale Prices. [ Shirts, Hats, Hosiery, Blankets, Rugs, 1 Portmanteaux, and . every requisite at > WHOLESALE PRICES. 5 Note the address — ! NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY, . EAST STREET, Ashburton 25 Branches Now Open 25



Christmas Carnival AND FANCY BAZAAR Will ba opened on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6th, 1884. sixpennyTshilling TABLES, Also, a TABLE of VARIETIES from ONE PENNY to FOURPENCE. All are heaitily welcomed. Please observe.—ln the ROOM NEXT to my PRESENT SHOP, specially taken for the Christmas Season. Admission —F RE E. K. Bevan, SAUNDERS’ BUILDINGS, (Next Shop to Qaill’s Hotel.)



COMMENCING TO-DAY. CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. FREE GIFTS TO ALL, CHOOSE FROM £IOOO WORTH. LAST Year, we gave, during December and the early part of January, 9240 Presents. This year we have even a larger selec tion, and intend, from to-day, giving every Customer a Ticket equal to ten per cent on the money spent; so that if you spend LlO you can choose any thing up to LI; if L 5 is spent, a 10s present will be given ; if L 3, a 6s present ; if LI, a 2s present; but if you only spend Ore Shilling you will get something. And every time you come during this month of De cember and up to January G:h, you will get a present. If you do not wish to spend a lot of money in one day’s shop ping, you can get your tickets for what you have spent, and so on each time you come, and then get one really handsone thing, equal in value to all the tickets you hold. If you want a pretty hat, bon net, useful dress, or anything in house furnishing, we feell confi dent you will save 12£ per cent by shopping with us, besides getting a present equal to one shilling in every ten, each time you come. H. B. May & Co



1884. Victoria House. 1885. gPRING AND SUMMER SEASON. Prints, Dress Stuffs, Costumes, Trimmings, Fancy Ties, -Hosiery, Millinery, Men’s, Boys’, and Youths’ Clothing, Shirts (assorted), Hats, Ac., &c., Of newest designs, super-excellent makes, and durability, selected and offered for the especial purpose of well and worthily recommending Victoria House as pre-eminent for variety, quality, liberality, and incomparable value. Ladies’, Men’s, and Children's BOOTS, Ac., at “ call again ” prices. Patterns of Roslyn, Mosgeil, and Kaiapoi TWE - DS received weekly, from which Men’s Youths’, and Boys’ Garments are promptly made to measure, jfit, finish, and fashion perfect. Charges strictly reasonable. Diinant and Coe. Reidy-Money Drapers, Clothiers, Ac, East and Tancred DtreetsiJinJpremiaea v ltely occupied.by Orr and Co.



Special Advertisements. Christmas Fruit. CURRANTS, 6$ per lb NEW RAISINS, GW per lb NEW SULTANAS, 7id per lb NEW FIGS (per Ruapehu), la per box NEW MUSCATELS, Is Gdperlb JORDAN ALMONDS, 2s per lb j ASSORTED PEELS, ls6d pur lb ENGLISH CUT LOAF SUGAR, 5d MiX ID BISCUITS, Gd per lb PL AIN BISCUITS, 3d per lb BEST WHITE CRYSTAL SUGAR, 3£d JAMES McGREGOR, Fakcked Street. 12 2342



Sour stomach, sick headache, and dizziues ' Hop Bitters cures with a few doses. See.- Advt. ] August Flower. —The most misetabl beings in the world are those suffering fron dyspepsia and liver complaint. More than 7; per cent of the people are afflicted with thcsi two diseases and their effects ; such as scui stomach, sick headache, habitual costivene: s, palpitation of the heart, heart burn, waterbrash, gnawing and burning pains at the pit of the stomach, yellow skin, coated tongue and dis agreeable taste in the mouth, coming up ol food after eating, low spirits, etc. Go to your druggist and get a bottle of august flower. This valuab'e medicine has cured thousands and thousands of sufferers, and is known in all civilised countries. Two doses will relieve you. It costs only 3s 6d a bottle. Sample bottles, 6d.—fAuvr. Holloway’s Pills. —Thechiefest wonder of modern times.—This incomparable medicine increases the appetite, strengthens the stomach, cleanses the liver, corrects biliousness, prevents flatulency, pijrifes the system, invigorates the nerves, and reinstates sound health. The enormous demand for these Pills throughout the globe astonishes everybody, and a single tria convinces the most sceptical that no medicine equals Holloway’s Pills in its ability to remove all complaints incidental to the human race, They are a blessing to the afflicted, and aboon to all that labour under internal or external a iseasc. The purification of the a blood, removal of all restraint from the secretive organs, and gentle aperitive action are the prolific sources or the extensive curative range of Holloway’s Pills. Advt.j <