SHIPPING.

POE* OP LYTTELTON? Arrived. * Saturday. Aorongi, s.s., Iron London, via Wel lington!. Wanaka, s.s., from Manukau and way porta. Mahiuapua, a.s., from Danedin and JDfcmaru. Yxstsrday. Kangaroo, 8.8., from Weatport. Supreme, barque, from Newcastle acbooner, from Wellington. Rose M>, barque, from Newcastle. Sailed. Saturday. 9 Mabioapua, a a., for Wellington and r West Coast porta. Wanaka, s.s., for Wellington, Picton, and Nelson. Ysstbbday ■Mary Evans, barque, for Sydney. Dunedin, acbooner, for Stewart’s Island. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Saturday. ‘ Sailed—Maid, for Sydney. WaOiUNOTON, Yesterday. Arrived Hauroto, from Auckland -direct. Sailed—Takapuna, for Lyttelton. i ■ Timabd, Saturday. - Arrived Kawitiri, from the West Coast. : Sailed —Reward, for Oamaru ; Thurso, if*}* the Mauritius; for Westport. Post Chalmers, Saturday. Arrived—Beautiful Star, from Timaru; Rotorua, from Lyttelton. .?, 1 . j Post Qhaimses, Yesterday. • - Sailed— Celestia, for Kaipara ; Enter t - ptiae, for Napier ; Maori, for Oamaru. Bluff, Saturday. irrived Orowaiti, from Westport; Hinemoa, from Lyttelton. 1 ’ ■ Sailed—Paieora, for London.

COMMERCIAL.

j - Ashburton Guardian Office, Monday afternoen. , L Mr T. Bullock reports of the horse market ’■ for the weekending Saturday, January 26th:— 40 horses wc#e cntered for the day’s sale. There was about -an. average, attendance of country settlers and others, but the demand experienced 'atthe previous Saturday’s sale was not main- T this can be, accounted for partly by the 'inferior stock offered, and only a small propor . J ti*nof the entry 'being at all suitable for farmer*. For light harness horses of an inferior description, also hacks, biddings were very languid, and only a few of this class were sold. .Out of the total entry of 40 only 12 changed ’hands at the following prices, viz—Medium draughts of a not very good description, X. 12 .toLtyxos; ditto aged, L 6 10s to .L 8 15s; threeryear-old medium draught, just broken, ' -Li} i os ; light harness horses of a superior class, Li? 10s; ditto inferior, L 5 to Ls 15s ; ■ medium hacks, L 7 to L 9 ss.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALE-*. Tujbsdat, January 20. Matson, Cox and Co., at the Ashburton Saleyarda—Stock. Saturday, February 2. Messrs Matson, Cox and Co., at Tatter* —Farm and Crops , * MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Etc. Monday, January 28. Upper Ashburton Road Board, at Road Board Office ~; Thursday, January 31. 1 Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral A sao* ciatun—Meeting in the Arcade Cham ber*, at 3 p.m. Friday, February 1. . Oddfellows’ Hall—Concert, at 8 p.m. Friday, February 1. Ashburton County Council—At Council Chambers, 11 a. m. - 1 Monday, February 4 Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, a 1: 7.30. Saturday, Maboh 1. Wakanui Road Board, at Road Board office, Moore street, at 10.30 a.m. Friday, March 7.- Longbeach Road Board, at Road Board office, Longbeach

BIRTH.

Hicks —At his residence, North East Belt, Ashburton, the wife of Mr Robt. Hicks of a daughter. a ■—l— I 1 11 ■mu 1 ■mm

The Ashburton Guardian. Manga Est Veritas et Prevalebit MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1884.

0 ho Tarawera arrived at the Bluff yes terday morning after a most successful passage round the Sounds. They had glorious weather throughout. The Victorian bowlers were badly beaten by the Dunedin Club on Saturday. The game ended at 5.30 with a total score for Dunedin of 135, Victoria 96. Dunedin led all the way. Bis Excellency the Governor arrived at Bluff on Saturday from Invercargill. Ac companied by Major Eccles and Major Cautley he inspected the site at Tewaise Point, chosen by Major Cautley to erect a battery. They proceeded to Stewart’s Island and the Sounds at 4 a.m. yester day.

It has been discovered that the Wel lington magistrates have for a long time past been imposing penalties of under 20s for drunkenness, while the lowest legal penalty is that sum. Last year there were 140 more convictions for drunken ness than in the previous year, whieh is attributed to a large number of arrivals by direct steamships, who get on the spree on landing.

Croat interest was taken in the Dun edin Bicycle Club’s sports on Saturday afternoon. The principal races were the One Mile and Ten Mile Championships of New Zealand. These resulted in fine con tests between Langdown, of Christchurch, the present champion, and F, A. Cutten, ex-champion. Cutten, the local man, won both events, Langdown winning the Five Mile Race. Cutten was not a com petitor in the last event. The “ Captain ” of the Salvation Army was assaulted at the door of the Oamaru qarracks o it> Saturday night as the ser vices were about to commence, by six or seven young roughs. There has been a sort of ill-feeling on the part of the roughs to the “ Captain,” and it cul minated in an attack on his person. The police arrested one of the assailants, and he will be brought up at the Court to-day. Some peculiar disclosures are, it is said, expected *o be made when the case comes on.

The natives had no meeting at Alex andra on Friday, awaiting Kewi and Paul’s arrival. Tawhianga interviewed Tawhiao yesterday. It is rumored he wanted Tawhiao, Rewi, and Taonui to join in a telegram to the Queen, express ing their disapproval of Mr Bryce’s action re the surveys of the Maniopoto land, and so intercept any despatch from the Native Minister to the Homo Government. Mr Sydney Tawhianga, it is believed, will take this opportunity of canvassing for himself against next general election. The session of the Wesleyan Confer ence on Saturday afternoon was devoted to the consideration of the state of reli gion in the churches, The annual re turns showed 5,622 members and 1,300 additional communicants, Sunday scholars 16,866. The total attendance upon public worship was 56,122. A long conversation took place, in which several members of che Conference took part, after which a resolution expressing gratitude to God for the largest increase of church members and hearers ever recorded in any one year of the church’s history in the colony, was passed, and ordered to be printed in the minutes. The events on the Wellington regatta programme, which ware postponed from Tuesday last, were got oft on Saturday afternoon. The weather was fine with a fresh north-east wind blowing. The volunteer boat race was won by the Pe tone Navals. The handicap yacht race was won by the Sappho (Bmin), The Pet (7min) a bad second. The Gamma won the second class yacht race by fully four miles. The ships’ boats go-as-you-please race was won by a crew from the ship Margaret Galbraith. The coasters’ race was struck off the programme. Hop Bitters gives good digestion, active liver, good circulation and buoyant spirits. Read larger.— [Advt.] That weakness and lassitude so frequent in fast-growing children may be easily remedied by a few doses of Hop Bitters. Read.— Advt.] “ German Syrup.” —No other medicine in the world was ever given such a test of its curative qualities as Boschee’s German Syrup. Tn three years two million four hundred thou sand small bottles of this medicine were dis tributed free of charge by Druggists in the United States of America to those afflicted with Consumption, Asthma, Croup, severe Coughs, Pneumonia and other diseases of the throat and lungs, giving the afflicted undeniable proof that German Syrup \yifi cure them. The re sult has been that Druggists in every towi> and village in civilised countries are recommending it to their customers. Go to your Druggist and ask what they know about in. Sample Bottles 6d. Regular size 3s. 6d. Three oses will relieve any case.— [Advt.]

We would remind our readers that the annual election of a School Committee takas place ibis evening in the school house.

At the Police Court this morning, be fore Mr Baddeloy, R. M., two men named Wm. Wilson and Alexander Smith wore each fined ss, with the usual alternative. In the Wellington Supreme Court on Saturday morning vhe case of Regina v the Hon John Martin, M.L.0., was heard before Judge Richmond. It was a suit brought to recover LSOO damages in respect to a small piece of land forming portion of approach to the Hutt bridge, which, it was alleged, defendant has many years ago sold and conveyed to the Pro vincial Government, but the conveyance •of which not having been registered, the defendant has since obtained a title to the land under the Land Transfer Act, and re-sold it to another party. All the evidence on each side was taken, and the law points were adjourned for argument in banco.

A deputation representing the Mana watu County Council waited on the Pre mier and Minister of Public Works at Wellington, on Saturday, to urge the necessity of placing a sum on the Esti mates next session for a railway through Manawatu Gorge, extending from Wood ville to the Foxton-Taranaki line. The deputation earnestly pressed upon the attention of the Government the desir ability of pushing on this important work as speedily as possible. The Ministers received the proposal very favora ly. The Minister of Public Works expressed a strong conviction of the importance of the work, and fully recognised the necessity 6f the Gorge line as an essential link in the trunk railway system of the North Island. He intimated the opinion that the railway ought to be»constructed with out delay, and he promised that a rote for that purpose would be placed on the Public Works Estimates next session, and that the Engineer-in-Chief would be im mediately instructed to pul in hand the needful surveys, etc, forthwith. The Premier concurred, and the deputation having expressed satisfaction wjth the Ministerial assurance, withdrew. The latest - phase of “ the Native diffi culty ” in New Zealand is of the serio comic order. Simply put (says ‘ Zamiel ” in the Auckland Star) it resolves itself into a difficulty which their chiefs ex perience in carrying on their time-honored practice of polygamy. Wahanui, a chief of great “weight” and influence and wealth, is just now prostrated from the effects of a little domestic “ difficulty ” of that kind. Though already quite suffi ciently married, the obese chiefUin the other day took home a new wife to his harem, whereat the “ boss ” female lifted a war-club and flattened the old fellow’s bump of ama iveness with it. Even the Maori King, as I lately saw from the papers, has to succumb to the spread of European ideas among the native women, who, used to doing bravo deeds on the field of battle, are proving as valiant' in the field of Cupid. More power to their strong right arm, says “ Zamiel,” and may they keep on in their civilising, humanising and levelling career 1

Yesterday afternoon at a quarter past four a fire broke out at the corner of Kil more and Barbadoes streets, Christchurch, in the premises of Mr Lezza, the confec tioner, The alarm was given from the adjacent box by Messrs Whitehead and Painter, who live close by. They saw a dense volume of smoke ascending from the building at the rear of Mr Lezza’s house, in which his manufacture was car ried on. The place seemed to be all on fire, and little could be done to extinguish it pending the arrival of the Fire Brigade, but a strong posse of neighbors was soon at work getting furniture first from the burning buildings, and afterwards from the houses on either side. These were socn

threatened, for the fire increased rapidly, and when the engines arrived their full strength was devoted to confining the fire to the confectionery building first attacked and the five, roomed wooden house adjoin iug it, which was by this time ablaze. The chemical engine was quickly at work in the road, while the Deluge and Ex tinguisher were stationed at the Barba does street bridge. After about twenty minutes the latter engine was unfor tunately disabled through the breaking of a tube in its boiler. However, the efforts of the Brigade were rewarded with suc cess, neither of the adjoining houses being injured. The police were quickly on the scene, and had plenty to do to keep off the dense crowd that assembled. The house was insured for L3OO, and the stock, n aohinery, fittings and furniture for L7OO, all in the Victorian office, but some of this is re-insured. Some sus picious circumstances appearing, Salvatore Lezza was afterwards arrested by detec tive O’Connor on a charge of arson. Oamaru, remarks the Mail, is at pre sent honored with the attentions of seve ral notorious characters, whoso presence is calculated to produce prophecies of robberies to come. It is therefore not pleasant to reflect that the Salvation Army for several hours each night mono polise the time and attention of the small body of guardians of the public peace allotted to the town, and consequently the property of law-abiding citizens is placed at the mercy of a set of theives. yhat such a condition of things should be necessary—if necessary it is—does not speak much for the Army or a section of the community, and it amounts to this ; That, owing to the adyent of the Salva tion Army and the consequent growth of larrikinisra, the taxpayers of the country will either have to provide the funds for the maintenance of a greatly augmented police force or their goods and chattels, if not lives and limbs, must go unprotected. We confess that we are by no means im pressed with the justice of the present course, and fail to see on what ground the Salvation Army can, for protective pur poses, claim a monopoly of the police, The “Captain,” however, thinks other wise, and during tne course of last night’s meeting declared that he was not going to remove from the hall people whose pre sence and behavior were distasteful to him, and added that the police were paid to do his dirty work. To say the least of it, this remark catno with an ill-grace from the local head of an organisation which claims that its special mission is to preach unto all men love, peace, and goodwill, but whose presence in the town has doubled the work of the police and made their positions decidedly unenviable.

Thick Heads, heavy stomachs, bilious cou ditions—Wells’ May Apple Pills—anti-bilious cathartic. Sd and is. Moses, Moss and Co., Sydney, General Agents. - 1 Wells’ "Rough on Corns.”— Ask for Wells’ " Rough on Corns.” T'/zd. Quick re lief, complete, permanent cure. Corns, warts bunions. Moses, Moss and Co., Sydney, General Agents. I Don’t Die in the House. —" Rough on Rats ” clears out rats, mice, beetles, roaches, bed-bugs, flies, ants, insects, moles, jack rabbits, gophers, 7'Ad. Moses, Moss and Co., Sydney, General Agents. 1 Holloway’s Pills. Liver Complaints.—The digestion cannot be long so seriously disordered without the de-_ rangement being perceptible on the counlen-* ance. These pills prevent both unpleasant consequences ; they improve the appetite and with the increase of desire for food, they augment the powers of digestion and assimila tion in the stomach. , Holloways Pills deal most satisfactorily with deranged or diseased conditions of the many organs engaged in ex tracting nourishment for our bodies from bur various diets—as the liver, stomach, and bowels, over all of which they exercise the most salutary control. By resorting at an early stage of this malady to these purifiying and laxative Pills, the dyspeptic is speedily restored to health and strength, and his sallowness gradually vanishes. —[Advt.]

HARVEST NOTES.

[from our tbaelltng reporter.] As your readers are unfortunately only ■ too well aware, the vio'ent storm that 1 passed over the district on Thursday, the ] 17th inst., was followed by a solid week’s i cold wet weather, with such downpours of i rain as are rare y witnessed in these parts except during the worst week of our usually fine and mild winters. Those only who haVe visited the parts of the district over which the storm raged with the greatest violence, can form any true conception of the amount ofdamige done in the brief space of half an hour. From personal observations and information to hand from various sources it will, unfor tunately, be inside the mark to state that LIO,OOD will not more than cover the damage done by the storm in the districts immediately surrounding the Ashburton township. On the Kaiapoi reserve, near Sherwood, 10,000 acres of wheat that pro mised a good yield, has been very badly damaged, and Mr J. T. Brown, who has a large area under wheat in the same dis trict will be a very heavy loser. Mr Woolley also has suffered great loss, aud out of 200 acres of crop he does not an ticipate cutting more than thirty acres. As already reported, the greatest damage was done in the Winchmore and Ashbur ton Forks districts, From the Winch more homestead down to Digby’s b idgo, where the crops were previously looking in splendid condition, the effect of the storm was very destructive. Mr Manson had a very fine crop of pearl wheat oppo site his house ; but the grain has been almost totally destroyed. A good pad dock of oats close to Mr Stitt's residence was also badly damaged. From the road side through the Ashburton Forks dis trict the effects of the storm are not very apparent, but a closer examination of many of the paddocks reveals the serious loss that many of the grain growers will suffer, especially Messrs Pearce, Sargent, Friaby, Gorabie, Fast, Green, Mclntyre and Knox, all of whom were looking for ward to heavy yields. The damage done was not confined to the cereals, for in one instance a farmer lost a number of valu able sheep, whilst fruit suffered, and the ‘destruction amongst the feathered tribe, including fowls and small birds was wholesale. Much sympathy is felt for those farmers who have suffered such imparable injury through the violence of the storm, as their prospects of a good harvest were very bright and they were looking forward to recover themselves from the loss sustained through the un favorable weather that prevailed during the harvesting of last year’s crop. Just a week from the date of the storm the weather fairly broke, and as soon as the sun shone out reapers and binders were at work in many parts of the district. Notwithstanding the severity of the storm in the localities mentioned above, the crops generally in other parts appear to be none the worse, and so far rust has not made its appearance. Round Temuka, Winchester and Geraldine fanners have been busy cutting the oats, and these, as well as the wheat, are in most cases l ick ing very well indeed. Close to Winches ter there is a paddock of wheat in which smut has made its appearance, but gene rally speaking all the cereals south of the Rangitata promise a yield quite up to the average. From the Hinds, and through ( the Winslow, Willowby and Longbeach districts, the crops are rapidly ripening. In the Wakanui district there are some splendid crops of both wheat and oats, together with a few acres of barley here and there. Most of the oats are nov ready for the reaper, and the farmers were busy cutting on Friday and Satur day. The rain, however, which fell dur ing the niaht and has continued through the day will put a stop to further pro ceedings till there is another break in the weather. Had the weather continued fine during the week harvest operations would have been pretty general. Notwithstand ing all the drawbacks up to the present, the harvest prospects are not all dis couraging, and for the sake of the farmers and the good of the country in general, it is to be hoped the bulk of the grain will be stacked and] threshed out in a fair marketable condition.

THE NORTH ISLAND CROPS.

The very extraordinary and unreliable weather which has been experienced dur ing the past five months (says the iYetc Zealand Times) is proving most disastrous to the farming interests of the colony, ard it is to be feared + hat, if fine and seasonable weather were to set in now and continue to the end of the wheat harvest, the loss that has been sustained by farmers would be almost incalculable. Shearing operations have been seriously delayed throughout, and flockowners who gene rally get through their clip in about six weeks or two months had to keep their ' 1 shearers for more than a month extra We are creditably informed, and believe the estimate to be a low one, that the extra expanse has amounted to 5s per hundred or 20 per cent extra. Luckily the fleeces do not appear to have suffered, as is very often the case in continued wet weather. The frequent rains which interfered with shearing proved most destructive in the hay field, and lucky indeed was the farmer who stacked his crop undamaged. We are not ex aggerating when we say that in the pro vincial district of Wellington three fourths of the hay that has been gathered in will prove to be of very indifferent quality, and that nearly all the remainder has been completely spoilt by the wet. Such heavy losses having been sustained, it was hoped that the grain crops at least would escape, for farmers as p rule believe that a wet spring brings a dry summer. Had this been the case the grain returns would undoubtedly have been so large as to counterbalance all previous disadvan tages. The wet weather experienced during the spring months was very natur ally highly favorable to crops, as it induced a very vigorous growth. Wheat and oats do not, however, want to grow for ever ; there must be a period during which the grain can ripen, for without this both cereals would speedily die out. A very rapid growth having taken place, tha continuance of rain is now causing additional losses, for the haulm than would, under other circumstances have been lit to bear the weight of moisture that settled upon it, required all its strength to support its own length, and it was, therefore, unfit to withstand such a heavy downpour as that which, accom panied by a heavy southerly gale, oc curred on Monday last. Reports of heavy damage reach us from all parts of the colony, and a telegraphic message from the VYanganui district is to the effect that farmers, finding it impossible to save their crops have turned their cattle into them. Fram the Wairarapa we learn that many fields of grain have been beaten down as if a roller had passed over them. An early change would, no doubt, save the late wheat, but with the experiences of the season, so far as it has gone, freshly in their memory, farmers have almost ceased to hope against hope. Such an unfavorable season has not been expe rienced within the memory of Ihe oldest colonists, and even that of 1862, when a large. proportion of the wheat crop was lost, seems to sink into insignificance. It .would De futile to attempt to make an estimate of the amount really lost ; but unless a very decided change takes place in the weather at once, many a fanner will find not a little difficulty in paying his way.

REAPER AND BINDER TRIAL.

The trial of Messrs Reid and Gray’s New Zealand twine binder, which was to have commenced this morning, was post poned, owing to the weather, until this afternoon. The machine arrived on the ground, a paddock of oats belonging to Mr Rose, of Wakanui, at about half-past two o’clock, and soon got to work. Unfortunately, however, after cutting round two sides of the field, a mishap occurred, the pitman attaching to the swayboard breaking off. This cessitated some slight delay until a fresh attachment was obtained. Up to the time of the accident, the machine was unquestionably doing excellent work, not a sheaf being misted. Messrs Reid and Gray are to be congratulated on turning out a reaper and binder, manu factured in the colony, which will equal in all respects the imported machines. Indeed, the firm claim, and with justice, that their knotting ap paratus is an improvement on that of other binders, an ingenious arrangement preventing the slightest possibility of the string escaping, in this connection we may mention that Messrs Reid and Gray are perfecting a still further improvement in the knotter, which has already been tried and found to work well. The con . situation is so far simplified that from twenty to thirty parts are done away with. The obvious advantage from this is that any mishap is easily discovered, and as easily and inexpensively remedied. The farmers present to-day expressed great satisfaction at the way the machine cut the oats this afternoon, but as time was wanting to finish the paddock to day the trial will be continued to-morrow, when no doubt there will be a larger attendance. The accident of this after noon was a very rare one, and in no way impairs the merit of the machine. Mr Peter Walker, the local manager of the firm, was on the ground, and clearly ex plained all the various details

SPORTING.

WELLINGTON SUMMER RACES. [by telegraph.] WELLINGTON, To-day. The following are the weights declared by Mr J. 0. Bvelt for the first day’s Wel lington Summer Meeting:

Flying Stakes. st lb * »t lb Welcome Jack 9 9 Kingask ... 7 2 Mischief ... 9 7 Witora ... 6 7 Salvage ... 8 9 Consul ... 6 6 Sir George ... 712 Orlando ... 6 0 Minerva ... 7 6 Hurdle Handicap. st lb st lb Clarence ... 12 4 Orient ... 9 7 Hercules ... 11 7 Scrutineer ... 9 5 LochLomond 10 8 Liability ... 9 0 Stewards’ Handicap. at lb st lb Welcome Jack 9 9 Libeller ... 7 8 Mischief ... 9 5 Minerva ... 7 6 Salvage ... 810 Poet 7 3 Vanguard ... 8 6 Normanby ... 7 0 Leonata ... 8 5 Administrator 6 7 Tim Whiffler 8 2 Briar... ... 6 0 Sir George ... 7 12

CRICKET.

AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN v NEW SOUTH WALES FIFTEEN. [REUTER S TELEGRAMS. —COPYRIGH f.] . Sydney, Saturday. The cricket match between the Aus tralian eleven and the fifteen of New South Wales was continued to-day, when the home team, with six wickets down and 275 runs to their credit, re sumed the first innings, which closed for 364. The Australians then com menced their first innings, and at the conclusion of the day's play scored 100 with two wickets down. The following are the scores ; A. Bannerman, bowled 1 McDonnell, caught 47 Murdoch, not out 35 Giffen, not out 13 Extras 4 Total ... ... ... 100 The weather was showery during the day, and the play was stopped on ac count of the rain in the afternoon.

CORRESPONDENCE.

VVe do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

A REMONSTANCE.

To the Editor. Sib,—The notice that the papers have taken of the Druid’s entertainment to gether with the Secretary’s letter, seems to create the impression with the public that 1 am concerned in the management or mismanagement. Hence expressions of displeasure are constantly being poured in upon me from all I come in contact with 1 had nothing whatever to do with the management, and when I consented to take a part in the waxworks I was under the impression that I was only wanted to fill op an odd corner, and when I knew of what the show consisted I came to the conclusion that that show would get hissed, and was only surprised it did not, and felt quite satisfied that if profes sionals had played the concluding piece it would have fallen flat from what had gone before. Apart from this, whenever my help has been asked for the benefit of Church, Lodge, or Order I have freely given that help willingly as others have done, and would remind you that there is always an amount of work attached to any performance whether it be drama or farce, and I must say I think it only com mon courtesy to have that work ac knowledged (even if there is want of ability in the performer). To be just is gentlemanly, and I only ask for justice at the hands of gentlemen.—l am etc, E. A. Manhirb. Ashburton, Jan. 26th, 1884. We publish this letter, but we fail to see what cause our correspondent has for complaint, unless it be against the Secretary of the Druids. For ourselves we refrained from individualising any of the performers at the entertainment, for a reason which should earn for us their gratitude.—Ed. G.

CABLE NEWS.

'.AThST FROM EUROPE. [REDTRR’h TELEGRAMS —COPYRIGHT. ] Fatal Shipping Disaster. London, Jan. 26 A disastrous collision has occurred in the Channel, near the Needles, Isle of Wight, between the ships Simla and City of Lucknow. The former sank rapidly, and twenty-two of the passen gers and crew are reported missing. A Proposed Conversion. It is proposed to convert the Oriental Bank Corporation into a Limited Li ability Company. The Transvaal. It has transpired that Lord Derby has refused to accept the compromise suggested by the President of the Transvaal, in order to bring about a modification of the Transvaal frontier on a basis satisfactory to both Govern ments. Obituary. The death is announced of the Mar» quis of Hertford, aged 72.

9 The Ebert Bill. ~ ~ Calcutta, Jap. 25. The Criminal Jurisdiction Bill, intro duced by C. P. Ilbert, has now been finally passed by the Council and Governor-General of India. The mea sures provides that Europeans in country districts shall be subject to the jurisdiction of Native Magistrates, but that the prisoner shall be entitled to a jury consisting of a majority of Euro peans. Mining Explosion. , New York, Jan. 25. Intelligence is to hand from Denver, Colorado, of a terrible mining disaster near that city. An explosion of fire damp has occurred in one of the local coal mines, and so far as has been ascertained fifty-seven miners have been killed. [Received Jan. 28, 12.30 p.m.] Monetary and OommerciaL London, Jan. 26. Consols to-day are quoted at iooj£, being an increase of }£. New Zealand securities as follows:—Five per cent 10-40 Loan, 105; Five per cent 1889 Loan, 103; Four and a half percent 1879-1904 Loan, xoij£; Four per cent. Inscribed Stock, 100. Colonial breadstuffs—Adelaide wheat, ex store, 44s ; Nfew Zealand wheat, ex jtore, 36s to 425; Adelaide flour,'ex store, 313. The total quantity of wheat afloat for the United Kingdom is 1,800,000 quar ters, being a decrease of 80,000 during the week. Australian • tallow—-Beef, fair average qv-'Miy, 39s 6d; mutton, ditto, 42s 6d. Best Sydney sun-dried copra remains at Ll 9; best Australian leather, ioj^d.

AUSTRALIAN.

[REUTER'S TELEGRAMS—COPYRIGHT.] [Received Jan. 28, 1.20 p.m.] Arrival. Ssdney, To-day. Arrived, last evening—The Wai hora, from Auckland. Sporting. At the Sydney Tuif Club’s Summer Meeting, at Randwick, oh Saturday, the Anniversary Handicap was won by Here’s Luck easily.

TELEGRAMS.

fpKR PRESS ASSOCIATION.] The Onehunga Shooting Case. Auckland, To-day. The charge against Jones, late manager of the ironworks at Onehunga for shoot ing McDermott, laborer, in consequence of a row arising from a quarrel over cards, commencsd at the Police Oourt to-day, McDetmott having recovered sufficiently to appear in Court. The case is still pro ceeding. The Conference. Wellington, To-day. At this morning’s session of the Wes leyan Conference the third reading of stations was passed. The Rev O. H. Standage was re-appointed to Ashburton. An evangelistic service was held in the Wesleyan Church last night, and was most successful. The president of the Confer ence presided. Addresses were given by the Revs Lewis and Berry, An open air service in the church grounds prior to the ordinary service had to be abandoned on account of the rain. On the motion of the secretary, the thanks of the Confer ence" were presented to the Rev A. Reid for his valuable ordination charge, and it wab ordered to be printed in the New Zea land Wesleyan. The Governor’s Tour. It is understood that the Governor, on his return from the West Coast Sounds, will not call at Hokitika, the Grey or Westport. He is expected to arrive here on 10th February. Store Burnt. Blenheim, To-day. At half-past twelve on Sunday morning a fire broke out itTthe premises occupied by Rankin an I Ackroyd. The fire, for which no origin can be ascertained, started in the corner abutting on the bridge, and with the exception of about L2O worth of goods, nothing was saved. The adjoining building, in which nearly L 2,000 worth of furniture for the Criterion Hotel now in process of erection was stored, had a narrow escape. The side of the building and roof caught fire at one time, but the Brigade succeeded in quelling the flames. The insurance on the furniture is said to be LI,BOO. The insurances on Rankin and Ackroyd’a stock are;— Union, LSOO ; New Zealand, L 250 ; Aus tralian Mutual, L 250. The building is insured for L 250 in the New Zealand. Messrs Rankin and Ackroyd’a stock was valued at L 3,300, and they estimate their loss irrespective of shop, furniture and fixings on which they had no insurance, at L 2,300 The books and some sixty pounds in cash were found in the safe next morning, and although the books are scorched they are legible. Arson. Christchurch, To-day. At the Magistrate’s Court jthis morn ing, Salvatore Lazza was charged with arson and was remanded till Friday, next, bail being allowed. The Weather. Heavy rain occurred again last night, but the weather is now beautifully tine. Farmers are becoming very anxious for settled weather, as harvest will soon be in full swing. A Presentation. Dunedin, To-day. At a meeting of the .Mataura’s con signees it was determined to present Cap tain Cruikshanks with a memento of his vessel being the first home ship to dis charge cargo at the Dunedin wharf.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1884.



TQALL PROGRAMME CARDS in il vary neat styles, with Pencils and Ribbons, printed at the Guardian Office, Wist street B 1 NDER T R I A PUBLIC TRIAL A L. OF REID & GRAY’S NEW ZEALAND TWINE Reaper and Binder will be continued in MR RISE’S PADDOCK, Wakanui road, ( ON TUESDAY, 29th INSTANT, (Weather permitting). Work wiH'commence at 11 a.m. Fanners respectfully invited. 1 166 < XT/vrtr ' Tlron Frame, Full ~ I Trichord and . PianosJ, SECOND-HAND PIANOS Guaranteed in Good Order. : ' - 1 . Excellent valu a . CHAPPEL r PIANETTE £24 GAVIN & GAVIN 25 AUCHER FRERES ... 23 LEIPSIC MODEL (new £6s) ... 42 RONEISCH (new £67 10s) 42 m S» &Thompson ON . JONES, Acen



Wanted ANTED— Purchasers of Boots and V V Shoes *to call and inspect our stock of New Goods. The price and quality will please.—Obr & Co. 1 136 SITUATION Wanted —By first-class camp Cook and Baker. Address or apply personally to “Frank,” care of Messrs Fowke andMcEwen, Bootmakers, Ashburton. r 1 171 WANTED to Buy—A small second hand fire-proof SAFE. State price, maker and size to Box 45, Post Office, Ashburton. 1 44 WANTED Known—That Hayes and Co. are slaughtering 2,000 yards of Madras Muslin wor.h Is 9d at 6d per yard. WANTED Known—For Sale, two COTTAGES on East Belt. Cheap, easy terms. Apply W. C. Davis or Ward and Sons. 12 1012 WANTED Known—Clearing Out Sum mer Stock. Great bargains now on. Costumes, 3» lid ; Prints, 3£d; Sateens, 7£d. Millinery given away. Come and see. 11. C. Segees, Sealy’s New Buildings, East street. 1 186 WANTED KNOWN — Robert Elston, Bill Poster, Theatrical Agent, etc., Town Hall, Ashburton. Theatrical companies and others visiting Ashburton should communicate with the above. Orders by post or telegram promptly attended to. 760 c WANTED —The public who are in want of Boots to inspect our win dow before purchasing elsewhere. As far as style and cheapness we are determined not to be excelled. Boots for everyone, and at any price. Barge stock of women’s best prunellas from 7a 6d ; men’s half sole and heeling, 4s 6d ; women s do, 3s 6d ; girl’s do, 2a 6d. Nokes, Leicester Boot Warehouse, Burnett street. 12 1107 Special Advertisements. STOP THAT COUGH! DON’T DELAY.—How can you stop it? Where, s the Remedy. Bennington’s PECTORAL OXYMEL OF CARRA GEEN or IRISH MOSS (registei ed), can produce more evidence of real merit than any other article for the purpose. Sold everywhere. G Bonninoton, Christchurch. ~ H 0) o m o 5 O 'O.S cc pq . p 3 P rrt 'a o •< -S O P 1-5 § S 3 sc S B o jas < P 3 s O OP'S <1 P .2 i-q o o sc * Q 5 « •< C 3 •s p ft STATIONERY (commercial, plain and fancy), Account Books, School Books and Requisites, Prize Books, Chil dren’s I icture and Story Books, New Serial Volumes, Hymn and Prayer Books, Books on Gardening, Farming, Poultry, Sheep, Horses, etc.., etc. ; Novels, Fire Stove Ornaments, Birthday Cards, Scrap and Photograph Albums, Scraps, Pictures, Tissue Paper, Purses, Card Cases, Diaries, Writing Desks and Cases, Work Boxes and Baskets, Toilet Sets, Fancy Ink stands, Wall Brackets, Ladies' Bags, Maori Photographs, China and Brass Ornaments; Toys of every description from a Penny upwards ; Judaon’s Dyes, Sold Paint, Concertinas, Accordions, Song Books, a job lot of Music (very cheap), Journals and Home papers every English mail, Cricketing Goods at reduced prices,.and a large assortment of other articles. All goods at Christchurch and Dunedin prices. Ankbbwbs Bros., Booksellers and Stationers, East street South, Ashburton. I F YOU WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE, GO [ TO DAVIS’S CHEAP,, FURNITURE AND BED DING MANUFACTORY, EAST STREET SOUTH, ASHBURTON. f7l VERY article Sold at Christchurch -J Prices and guaranteed best of uaterial and workmanship. FUNERALS CHEAPLY *& COMPLETELY ETTKNfSHED ___________ INTENDING PURCHASERS *OF CLOTHING FOR THE SPRING AND SUMMER SEASON Should visit the NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory’s BRANCH, Where they can select from the LARGEST VARIETY OF FASHION ABLE GARMENTS, Manufactured from sound and reliable New Zealand Tweeds. The well-known reputation enjoyed by the Firm of Selling a GENUINE ARTICLE AT WHOLESALE PRICE Has resulted in an increase of Business during the past season, and they can now boast of having Twenty - One Retail Branches in New Zealand, thus enabling them to increase the Factory produce, economising both material and labor, and ensuring to their patrons a further benefit in the shape of a still Lower Rate of Wholesale Prices. SHIRTS, UNDERCLOTHING, HATS & CAPS, PORTMANTEAUS, And every riequisite at Wholesale Price. Ashburton Branch : EAST STREET.



Special Advertisements. y A SHI O N HOUSE 185, 186, 187, CASHEL STREET, CHRISTCHURCH. E. 0. Brown & Co’s GREAT PERIODICAL CLEARANCE SALE, PREVIOUS 10 STOCK-TAKING. FOR ONE MONTH COMMENCING SATURDAY, JANUARY sth. The Entire Stock, including several im portant purchases ef goods at about HALF PRICE, will be sold at such prices as must com mand speedy clearance. UNPRECEDENTED BARGAINS in all Departments. MILLINERY DEPARTMENT. Our Beautiful Stock of Millinery (en vied by all) comprises the latest and prettiest rhapes and shades in Beaded Spanish and Eidelweiss Lace Goods, ex quisitely matched and stylish. Splendid Selection at from 20 to 50 per cent reduction. 100 dozen Untrimmed Straw Hats in end. less variety, nearly given away. WONDERFUL BARGAINS And splendid choice in COSTUMES, MANTLES, JACKETS, DUST CLOAKS, THE WASHING DRESS DEPARTMENT comprises— Bargains in Pompadour Sateens „ Fins Art Zephyrs „ Plaid and Check Ginghams ~ Plain Sateens „ Prints (Floral Designs „ Brocaded Sateens And a large QUANTITY OF REMNANTS In above materials, to be cleared at an IMMENSE REDUCTION. FRENCH MERINOS, at Is lid, worth 3s lid. SPECIAL. Black Silks, from 35s the dress Nun’s Cloth Fancy Beiges Summer Homespuns Diagonal Mohair Dress Materials, at about half their value SIMILAR REDUCTIONS In all Departments, For further particulars see circulars issued in Friday’s Press and Times.



Special Advertisement COMMERCIAL Stationery, Account Books, Presents, &c. H. M. JONES, | East' Street. 11 870 THE NEW ZEALAND GRAIN AGENCY AND MERCANTILE COMPANY, LIMITED, Keapers <sT Binders. We have now Landing, ey Oamaru, at Poit Lyttelton, SAMUELSON & CO.’S TWINE BINDER [ For 1883, with all the latest improve ments. Owing to the great and increasing de mand for these Celebrated Machines at Home, we have been able to secure only a limited number, so that early application is necessary. A full stock of Extras and Binding Twine will be kept on hand during the Harvest at our Head Office and Branches. Binding Twine. We have now FOR S ALE at low prices, MANILLA AND HEMP BINDING TWINE. We have FOR SALE, on EASY TERMS OF PAYMENT, A Complete Threshing Plant, , By Kansome, including 8 h.p. ENGINE COMBINE ELEVATOR. Apply, WM. HORNE, 1 168 West street.



“ Rough on Rats,"—Clears out rats, mice, roaches, flies, ants, bed-bugs, beetles, insects, skunks, jack-rabbits, gophers. d. Drug gists. Moses, Moss and Co., Sydney, General Agents, . 2



A telegram was published last week from Auckland respecting the decision of the Auckland merchant* in regard to the Ashburton and Waikato cheese. The fol lowing particulars are from Friday’s New Zealand Herald :—A number of the lead ing wholesale and retail grocers paid a visit yesterday to the offices of the Auck land Agricultural and Mercantile Com pany (Limited), at the invitation of the manager (Mr G. W. Owen), in order to taste and test the relative merits of cheese produced by the Te. Awamutu Cheese Factory, that of Waikato (Hamilton), and cheese from the well-known Ashburton Factory, Canterbury. Among the gentle men present were : Messrs Robert Weal, F. Hewin, Holland and H. P, Gibbons, Ellingham, and- J.- Bridgman .(one of the directors of the Te Awamutu Cheese Factory) Three cheeses were out up for inspection and tasting, one from each factory. Those whp tasted the dif ferent varieties were for the most pact of opinion that the Te Awamutu cheese was the best made, but the Hamilton cheese of the richest flavor. The Ash, burton cheese seemed to be indifferently pressed and “ marbled.” It Was taken at random, as an average sample, from one of the grocer’s shops. As over half-a dozen of cheese factories are now at work in this district, with a weekly output of 30 tons a week, ic will soon become a question of serious importance as to the Best outlet for its export, through the' supply being in excess of the local def mand. It seems strange that with such fine samples of cheese as were exhibited yesterday from Waikato that only Can terbury cheese should be imported into this market. Mr Bridgman, lire may mention, was yesterday congratulated on the excellent specimen of cheese furnished from the Te Awamatu factory, of which he is a director.