SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON.

Arrived. Txsxbrdat Sarah Pile, brigantine, from Welling* ton.

Sailed. Txstxbdat. Beoamia, ketch, for Greymouth. Clematis, ketch, for Waitara. Olio, schooner, for Waitapu. mnafca, flj., for■ Dunedin. _ TeAnua, as., for Anokland and way aa, for Manukau and way

SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. AnoKXXHs, Yesterday. Sailed—Eotom&hana, for Melbourne via the South. . WaiiUfOiow, Yesterday, Arrived —Wakatu, from Kaikoura and Lyttelton; Waverley, from Patea. Sailed—Rotorua, for the North ; Ken tish Lasa, barque, for Hokianga; Koranui, for Westport; Kiwi, for the East Coast; Wakatn, for Kaikoura and Lyttelton. Wbixinoton, To-day. Arrived—Villala, barque, from Liver pool. _

Dunbdik, Yesterday. Sailed—Star of the South, for Grey mouth ; Ohiefton, for Newcastle ; Mana pooci, for Melbourne via Bluff.

COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, Friday aftemosn.

Messrs Miles and Co. report upon the live market for the week ending Thursday, 10th January, as followsAddington—At this mwkrt'on Wednesday a large number of sheep came forward, although not quite so heavy a yard as the week previous. The en tries comprised very few extra quality sheep, the’.majority. of the mutton being crossbred eweS and merino wethers. Amongst our con signments we had the pleasure of submitting a small line of the choicest wethers for freezing purposes' which we have seen yarded for some time? vK, a draft of crossbred Sonthdowns bom Mr S. Gillingham, Albury, with which we topped the market for the day at 2os each; we also sold, on- account "of Mr ■M. Quinn, Te a very nice lot of wethers and ewes, the wethers realising 17s.6d.and the ewes 13s 6d. A consignment from the LOwcliffc Estate was also, keenly competed for, and realised up to 16s od. -We quote mutton from 2>£d to 3d per' lb. ' The fine weather we have ex periencedthe last few days, and the pros . pect of a continuance of hot weather burning Up the feed, is tending to reduce the inquiry for stores, and we noticed a perceptible decline m prices, notwithstanding that a good many bnyirs'didc liot operate. Fat Cattle —About the< usual number penned, a small proportion only being ofan anywise extra quality. Prices ruled, at «ont recent rates, viz., from. 18s to BisihSiofib. . Store Sheep—ln this class of Btodt k ; ligtit entry, comparatively, ■ came for ward, comprising all descriptions. Sales showed a slight drop in values, crossbred wethers jn forward condition selling up to xjs 6d td 15s Od; crossbred ewes, up to 14s 6d ; merind wetberv9s 6d; merino ewes, from & to Qsi accbnfihg to age and quality ; crossbred 6d. Store Cattle-A limited supply, sufficient, however, for the small enquiry.. ,No alteration; in values is ap parentv except fer three and fqur-yeard-old bul mck4 'which ate extremely difficult to obtain, andrare ktifagiag good prices, from L+ 10s to L6-IQS. s uThe totals yarded were 8,427 sheep, 374cattle,and 82 pigs.

Til* following Is the Christchurch Com Ex change report for the week ending Friday erming, Uie nth lust. t—The grain market continuf* dull,, operations being confined to immediate requirements. The improvement In the weather has had the effect of forwarding crops, oat cutting having already commenced in several districts. The grass seed crop will be heavy, and buyers are diffident in offering price* so early in the season. The quotations foe the week are Wheat: Sound milling wmt«c,' 4s tq.4s 2d, f.0.b.; Tuscan, 3sgd to Rs- 'f bb. j secbnd quality, 3s 3d to 3s 8d; Wheat, is aod to 2s at Christchurch.— Oats? Primfe milling, 2s id to 2s. 2d per bushel; bright short feed, is id to 2s; in ferior and discolored, is 8d to is lod per bushel, f.o.b.—Barley ; None offering, prices nominal. -7: Cheese and Butter; 4j£d to s*l the fqimer with little demand, and 6j£d to 7d for the hitter.

Wool Bale. Messrs Miles and, Co. report on the third saledfthe series as follows :—Mr J. T. Ford as auctioneer, and submitted 1,096 bales, of which a very large proportion were sold at satisfactory prices, the bales withdrawn not fetching vendors’ reserves, which, in many arft put pn without knowledge of real value. It is a matter for regret that growers pay so little attention to the proper getting up of their dips. In many instances the want of proper cate has seriously affected the value here, and we cannot too earnestly impress upon out clients the necessity for careful skirt ing and packing. Of the wool withdrawn we were compelled to hold over the Valetta clip for our nextsaS, as only a smaU proportion arrived in rime. w TUs dip* we venture to predict, will prove second to none in this market having been well and carefully classed, heavily _ skirted, and is coming forward in grand condition ; and 'regret wasexpiessed that we were unable to offer it with the res*. Notably among the dips offered we would make special mention of the HackthOtne clip (Mr C. J. Harper’s) on the Hinds River. This is the third year this cKpohaJtibeeiP sold in this market, on each occasion bfingiug the highest value obtained at auction as a whole for net cash. The spanner In which it is got’up reflects great credit on the grower, and affords an example worthy of ; by;, others who send their dips, whether large or small, to this market. Of the whole 196 bales, 49 hales, one-fourth in numiberi and xonsideraly over one-fourth in pieces and locks. - Buyers con sequently have confidence in the different sorts, knowing that they can ship without further

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALE' 3 . ; . t Satokday, Jahoaby 12. > Ur T&bs. Bollock, at the Arcade, Barrett Str^t—Binder Wire M/lv Bullock/at the Arcade, Burnett Street—Carriage

Tvisdat, Jaotaey 16. Ma&bn, Cos and Co., at the Ashburton fcl«7*tdi-i-Stook.

MIKBTINGS,' AMUSEMENTS, Etc • j A jnyi* T 13, MaaotnejServioe in the Masonic Hall, at £.BO Shin.

Mowday, January 21. Boraagh Cormoil, at Borough Council at 7,80. Monday, January 28. Upper Ashburton Road Board, at Road '' Board. Office ...... Pbuday, Fbbeu aby I , Aahburtoif Oounty Council—\t Council Chambers, 11 am. Lonebeaoh Road Board, at Road Board dßm, Loogbeaoh SATOBDAY, FeBBUAKY 2. Wakanui Rbid Board, at Road Board osAff,jpioofe street,, at 10.30 a.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prevalebit. FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1884. Mr Whitaker on Annexation and Federation.

It would perhaps be saying too much to aver that the address of the Hon F. Whitaker upon Annexation and Federation was looked forward to with great interest, for the simple reason that most people in New Zealand care little about the question. But at the same time some curiosity was aroused as to what really took place at the re cent Congress in Sydney, on account of the resolution come to that the representatives of the Fourth Estate should be excluded from the meeting. What news we got was of a scrappy kind, and the resolutions arrived at did not strike one as being very practical. We did learn, however, that the dele gates from this colony had distinguished themselves as among the most ardent supporters both of Annexation and Federation, and on the occasion of the Melbourne banquet Major Atkinson delivered himself of an eloquent and enthusiastic speech. Beating in mind that during last session what is sup posed in some quarters to be a burning question was treated by the Government with indifference, it not contempt, as being, so far as New Zealand was con cerned, quite beyond the region of practical politics, this sudden conver sion was rather puzzling. Nor can it be said that the address of the ex- Premier at Auckland showed any good and sufficient reason for this new-born enthusiasm, and he told his audience little more of the subject than they knew before. A charming unanimity seems to have prevailed throughout the meetings of the Conference, but when we ask what has been the outcome of the deliberations, the answer must be, virtually nothing. Even the recom mendations which were resolved upon will have little weight, and we feel sure that, were they placed before the New Zealand Parliament they would be re jected by a very large majority. That this is the opinion of the Premier is apparent from the fact that he himself has not come forward to explain how his views underwent such a change in a miraculously short space of time. It has been freely stated that Mr Whitaker’s address was nothing more nor less than an ex periment to learn exactly what was public opinion as to Annexation and Federation, so as to guide the Govern meet in their future actions. This ap pears on the face of it not far from the truth, and throughout the idea of mak ing these matters a party question has been continually and urgently depre cated. Considering the important issues at stake, and also that should New Zealand take a part in any annexa tion scheme she will have to contribute her share towards the expense, it is difficult to see how this position is tenable. However pleasant it may be for a party of gentlemen to meet together and discuss politi cal theories after the manner of a debating club, it is certainly not right for a Parliament to waste its time in this way. If Major Atkinson is really in earnest, let him have the courage of his convictions, and bring down to the House definite proposals and be pre pared to stand or fall by them. As it is the time of Parliament is far too much at the mercy of members who wish to air their eloquence upon particular fads, and to place the question of An nexation and Federation upon the same platform as the Premier’s pet project of National Insurance will only serve to intensify the evil. We freely admit that many of the advantages enumerated by Mr Whitaker would accrue to us from the annexing of certain islands in the Pacific, but at the same time they are not necessary to our existence, and just at present we are in no position to in dulge in such expensive luxuries. The breeches-pocket argument is after all the strongest, especially in a heavily taxed community like ours, and we firmly believe that if New Zealand was polled not one per cent, of the people would be in favor of our incurring an expense for what would be, when all is said and done, a doubtful advantage. Whether the idea that the Conference was simply a meeting of private gentle men on a holiday excursion is, as Mr Whitaker averred, a fallacy, we will not stop to enquire, but perhaps the Premier might have been better occu pied had he remained at home and given his time to solving the problem of how to make both ends meet —a matter of no little difficulty just now, and of certainly greater interest to the majority of colonists than theoretical discussions on Federation.

Mother Swan's Worm Svrup —lnfallible, tasteless, harmless, cathartic ; for feverishness, restlessness, worms, constipation. Is at drug gists. Moses, Moss and Co., Sydney, General Agents.

The body of Jacobs, drowned at Lake Ellesmere on New Year’s Day, was found yesterday with all the clothes on. The Hon W. Holleatoi-, Mr Jaa McKer row, and Mr W. L. Bailer, have been elected Governors of the New Zealand Institute.

The law as to the employment of bar maids after 11 p. m. is said to be generally and openly violated in Auckland. Some girls are kept employed till midnight.

The Electric Circus arrived here this afternoon, and will give a performance to-night. As the circus is so well known here, and was so successful at its previous visit, there will no doubt be a good house. A Christchurch Regatta Oiub was formed last night, and promises to be well supported. It proposes to take the place of the Heathcote regatta. The first re gatta under the new Club will be hold on February 23rd. Four thousand pounds worth of shares in the New Zealand Tobacco Growing and Manufacturing Company have been subscribed in Auckland. The Company will have 280 tons of leaf in p.ogress of manufacture by April next. A hurdle foot race has been arranged to take place on the Sports Ground on the afternoon of the 24th inst., between Messrs James McFarlane, of Ashburton, and Walter Prebble, of Prebbleton, for LlO a side. The distance will be a quar ter of a mile over eight flights of hurdles. A man named David Lucy is reported to have died very suddenly on a gum field some miles above Henderson, near Auck land. Symptoms of poisoning were ob served, but no suspicion of foul play. An inquest is to be held to-day. A special meeting of the Dunedin Har bor Board was held yesterday, for the purpose of confirming the resolution to increase the import dues 50 per cent.; but, owing to the absence of several mem bers, the business was postponed. A tender for L 5436 10a was accepted for the extension of wharfage at Dunedin by4oofc. Mr J. W. Murdoch, lately R.M. at Palmerston, died very suddenly yesterday morning. He was at breakfast, and sud denly fell across the table and died before a medical man could be procured. He was aged eighty-five, but was active for his years, and was knocking about the township oil Wednesday in good health. Count Bologna Strickland, a young Maltese nobleman, who arrived at Auck land by the Rotomahana from Sydney, left for the Lake Country last evening. He intends making a tour south, to en quire as the advisability of forming a Maltese special settlement. With the Mayor, ho yesterday visited the Sugar Works,and theCaliiope Dock at Auckland.

A rush has set in to Larrikin’s Creek, Upper Mohikinu’, where Carson and party obtained theirgold. All the men employed on the harbor works have left, and also some from coal mine , besides other laborers. The g ouud is pegged ou; iu each side of the prospector’s claim. The new ground is situated 21 miles up the river from the beach, tea miles of which is very rough travelling. The Gisborne Resident Magistrate’s Couit was occupied all Wednesday in hearing a charge of alleged rape preferred against Richard Greenaway, baker, on Mary Walker, a shopwoman where he worked. The offence was alleged to have been committed while the woman was insensible through a fall from a horse. The case was dismissed without calling on the defence.

The following additional subjects of examination for admission as barristers are gazetted, signed by the whole of the Judges, iu pursuance of The Law Prac titioners Act 1882 Amendment Act 1883. It is prescribed that persons who have taken the deg ee of Bachelor of Laws, as mentioned in the said Act, shall be re quired to answer questions proposed for candidates for admission as barristers in subjects 8 and 9 of Rules and Regulations under the Law Practitioners Act 1882.

Tne largest trout yet captured in the Ashburton Domain was caught last night by Mr Joa. Miles. This specimen of the finny tribe turned the scale at 3lb 2£oz, and when it is remembered that only a few years back the creek where so many disciples of Izaak Walton spent a con siderable number of hours’ enjoyment, was but a dry gully, the efforts of those gentlemen who took steps to place the trout in the domain must certainly be looked upon as remarkably successful.

A batch of larrikins received a lesson in the Waimate Magistrate’s Court yes terday morning. It was proved that they had visited a farmhouse at Makikihi at 2 a.m. New Year’s Day, kicked up a tre mendous row, hurled stones on the roof and through the windows, doing damage to the amount of L2. The farmer re monstrated, and was called outside and knocked down, and struck several times. The offenders, four in number, were fined in a maximum penalty of L 5, with the alternative of a month’s imprisonment, the Resident Magistrate stating that the Bench was determined to put down the nuisance of larcikinisui. A t the meeting of the Gisborne share holders of the South Pacific Petroleum Company, it was resolved to urge the Syd ney Board of Directors to supply plant for sinking a second bore. Ths meeting expressed regret that the Southern Cross Company had not lent them a borer when their own manager had broken his leg. The bore is down 367 ft. The Southern Cross bore is 48fift and a barrel of oil is got eaih time it is pumped out. The American borer says the quality of oil is extremely superior. The Southern Cross Company have begun a second bore two miles from the other. 1,140 shares (for feited in the Southern* Cross Petroleum Co were sold at Christchurch yesterday at 4s.

Various deputations watted on the Minister of Public Works in Auckland on Wednesday re works in that district. In reference to the Panmure Road Board, Government had no money to spend on it, but would place a sum on the Estimates for it if the Minister could see his way. He promised, if the cost of the deepening of the channel near Onehunga wharf did not exceed L2OO. to have it done, and said he would look into the question of tariffs at the wharf, which were levied by the Government. As to lighting the beacons at the Manu ! <au Heads, he hoped the Minister of xMarine would reconsider his decision, so as to let steamers cross the bar at night. Replying to a tion re works north of Auckland, the Minister promised to have the balance of last year’s vote handed over to the Coun cils to expend. He thought the Main North road should be a colonial road, and the Northern Trunk line should go through the centre of the colony.

These old people whose blood has become thin and steps feeble are praising Hop Bitters for the good they have done them. See.— [Advt.] Flies and Bugs.—Beetles, insects, roaches, ants, bed-bugs, rats, mice, gophers, jack-rab bits, cleared out by “ Rough on Rats.” Moses, Moss and Co., General Agents, Sydney

“ German Syrui>.”—No other medicine in the world was ever given such a test of its curative qualities as Boschee’s German Syrup. In 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 will cure them. The re sult has been tha,t Druggists in every town and village in civilised .countries are recommending it tq fheir customers. Go lb your Druggist and ask what they know aboqt in. Sample Bottles 6d. Regular size 3s. 6d. Three doses will relieve any case.— [Ad vr.] !

At the performance of “ Mother Goose” pantomime at Wellington, cn Wed nesday night, Mrs Stanfield, who repre sents Mother Goose, had a nasty fall in the transformation scene through a trap carrying away.. Fortunately she escaped with but few bruises. That Ashburton is no longer to be passed by by first-class theatrical compan ies is proved by the promised visit of the Polks on Monday and Tuesday next. Since they have come to New Zealand, both Mr and Mrs Polk have drawn crowded houses, and our readers may anticipate a treat of no common kind. Mr Polk is a comedian of the Charles Matthew’s school, and whenever ho is on the stage laughter reigns supreme, while Mrs Polk both as an actress and singer takes high rank. Of course the chief in terest is centred in the “stars,” but the company supporting them contains several names of note. “ Good wine needs no bush,” and we are su a the Ashburton people will show their appreciation of the vimt by crowding the Oddfellows’ Hall on both evenings.

A large concourse of people assembled last evening to witness the open air enter tainment given by Mr Alexander, the Australian Blondin. Punctually at eight o’clock the performer made his appe tr ance and walked up the incline to the horizontal rope, amid loud cheers. There can be no doubt that Mr Alexander is an accomplished rope-walker, and he ap peared to be as much at home while mak ing his way from pole to pole as if he was on terra firma. All the most difficult feats we are accustomed to see done by funambulists, such as sitting on a chair in front of a table, lying down and standing on his head on the rope, and walking with his feet in baskets, were gone through with great ease and manifest confidence. In the second part Mr Alexander danced a High land fling to the evident amusement and astonishment of the onlookers, who ap plauded lustily. The Excelsior Band was in attendance, and played several selec tions, while a quantity of red fire which was burned added considerably to the effect. We are sorry to say, however, that the collection was by no means com mensurate with the attendance, and on opening the boxes more buttons than coins were found to be there. Such c-n ---temptible conduct deserves condemnation, for if people are so mean as to refuse to pay for what they get in the way of amusement, they should have the decency not to act in this way. Mr Alexander gives another exhibition of his skill to night, and we hope he will have more success.

Holloway's Pills.—Weary of Life. — Derangement of the liver is one of the most dangerous of diseases, and the most prolific source of those melancholy forebodings which arc. worse than death itself. A few doses of these noted Pills act magically in dispellinglow spirits, and repelling the covert attacks made on the nerves by excessive heat, impute atmos pheres, over-indulgence, or exhausting excite ment. The most shattered constitution may derive benefit from Holloway’s Pills, which will regulate disordered action, brace the nerves, increase the energy of the intellectual faculties, and revive the failing memory. By attentively studying the instructions for taking these Pills, and explicitly putting them in practice, the most desponding will soon feel confident of a perfect recovery.—[Advf

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

ASHBURTON.—To-day,

(Before H. 0. S. Baddeley Esq, R M.) Drunkenness. Samuel Corrigan, an old offender, against whom a prohibition order had been taken out, which has just expired, was fined 10s or forty-eight hours' imprisonment. A first offender was ordered to pay ss, with the usii ‘1 olternative. CIVIL CASES. Perryman v. Funge. Claim of L 4 19s 3d for wages.—Mr Crisp appeared for plaintiff, and Mr Caygiil ; for defendant. Tnis was a case in which the amount claimed was for bricklayer’s work done at Westerfield. The defence was that the defendant had made over the contract to a bricklayer named Emerson, and the lat ter should settle with the plaintiff. After hearing evidence, his Honor gave judg ment for the amount claimed with Court costs.

Judgment went by default in the fol lowing cases : Ashburton Guardian Company v G. T. Nixon (Christchurch), claim L 7 ; Orr and Co v Hussey, claim L2 19s fid ; McFarlane v Murray, u 5 10s Id.

The following cases were brought up on judgment summonses ;—Gookson v Mur phy, claim of L2 19s; payment at the ra e of 10s per week, the first instalment to be made a month hence ; Tucker and Res ted v Metcalfe, claim L 4 13s Bd, to be paid at the rate of 15a a week, tl.e first payment to be made a month hence. The Court then adjou-ned.

THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Francis Hicks, who has been largely en gaged in driving sheep from Hawke’s Bay to Waikato, and who was employed to lay off paddocks between Hawke’s Bay and Litchfield, has sent the following c immuni cation to Mr Banks, the Managing Direc tor of the New Zealand Frozen Meat and Storage Company : “Auckland, Jan. Bth, 1884. “ J. Banks, Managing Director New Zea land Frozen Meat and Storage Co. “ Sir, —It is scarcely necessary to re mark that in starting a Freezing Company here you and others familiar with the kind of stock raised in this and adjoining dis tricts, calculated upon drawing your sup plies directly or indirectly from there (Hawke’s Bay) at whatever cost. Supplies from there will have to increase, because our own flocks are not keeping pace in their growth with the requirements of the market. It is quite another matter whether under existing circumstances it will pay to bring sheep here from that district to be frozen for export. For this purpose the London market must fix the value of sheep in Hawke’s Bay, conse quently the difference in the coat of send ing them to the frozen depots of Auck land and Wellington must be taken into account. The latter is only half the distance by sea that Auckland is from Hawke's Bay. Having this advan tage, is it likely that Wellington people will be so blind to their own interests as to allow the surplus stock of the largest sheep producing district in the Island to be taken from them, for want of a concession being made to a freezing Company, as has been done in Auckland ? The circumstances at present are equally favorable to Wellington for taking sheep overland. The distance is shorter and the road runs through better country to the nearest point of either railway than is the case with Auckland, and unless this advantage is met by making paddocks be tween Hawke’s Bay and Litchfield it can. not pay to bring a single sheep to Auck land to be exported. It is true that under very favorable circumstances sheep have been brought to this district without in jury, but then they were fed on old sheep camps and other patches of grass known to drovers, and these have not been eaten by other mobs of sheep. This is proved by the fact that out of about 500 brought straight through from Hawke’s Bay and sent by Motorua only one was rejected as being unfit for freezing. It farther proves th.it when men understand their work sheep can be yarded and paddocked with out injury. The sheep in question were brought over and yarded eight or nine times on the road, and were put through the yards and drafted from the ewes at Oambr dge. With regard to the 'sit be selected for paddocks, and the difficulty [ about the sheep being able to reach them

from day to day, 1 may say that they are in all cases either part of or close to old sheep camps, and that, with a dozen years’ experience, I have never known a sound mob of fat store sheep fail to reach them. The difficulty has always been with lame sheep and what to do with them. With paddocks this would be done away with. As to the question whether the proposed paddocks ;ooul • be made to take grass or cot, it is a fact that without being sown, some of the old sheep camps are covered with rich clover. Of course this is the result of heavy manuring, but then how long would it take to make paddocks of two or three hundred acres each just as rich and large? By mobs of sheep camping on them, I have no hesitation in saying that in a very short time those paddocks would bo cap able of properly feeding on tha road a much larger number of sheep than Hawke’s Bay can send us, whereas now it is well known to every farmer, butcher and auctioneer in this district that sheep, as a rule, suffer great injury in coming across, and consequently are greatly de preciated in value, and being so is it pos sible to over-estimate the value to far mers, consumers and the freezing Com pany of the means which, as shown in a previous report, can be obtained at a small cost that would practically bring the large grazing and fattening district of Hawke’s Bay close to our borders and to our rail ways 1 What I have further to say does not necessarily form a part of this ques tion. My object is to show how advan tage can be best taken of our position in dealing with the whole question of sup plies from Hawke’s Bay. But assuming that paddocks are made and that sheep can be brought through without injury, there remains the still more important question as to whether our farmers can compete with the Coast for the surplus store sheep iu Hawke’s Bay. Any one familiar with the two districts must know that our only chance of being able to do so lies in our having a superior turnip-growing district. An extraordinary quantity of tur nips could not be grown unless previous ar rangements were made with breeders to deliver sheep when required. The diffi culty—that of price—hitherto in the way of such arrangements, no longer exists, because the London market price of mut ton must give fat and store sheep a rela tive value at per lb as much as the price of flour governs the price of wheat. With this difficulty once settled, it becomes as much an object to the seller as to the buyer to arrange for the delivery of his stock at a fixed time. Later in the season in a heavily stocked district like Hawke’s Bay, subject at times to long droughts, such an arrangement would soon become the rule, and if so, Waikato rather than ; the West Coast, would be in the best position to take advantage of it, because the best grass-growing districts can reckon ■ on hav : ng a certain quantity of feed at a given time with the same certainty that ■ turnip growers can. The question now ■ comes, how large a number of sheep can ' be arranged for and moved from the 1 hands of the breeders to those of farmers 1 and from the farmers to the freezing shed in the cheapest way. That the old method of dealing will have to be abandoned is beyond question, if we look at what has been and must be the result of it. Let us suppose that store wethers are worth to the breeder at a weight on an average of 401bs each, 31 per lb, that, after keeping them three months on turnips i»j the Waikato, they weigh 601 b each, and that they are worth 3d per lb, or 15s each in Auckland. The expenses connected with them are as follows : i 50,000 sheep at 10s each, L 25,000 ; when fat, worth 15a etch, L 37,590 ; commission for buying, at 6d, L 1,250 ; cist of driving to Waikato, at Is, L 2.500 ; coat of selling at auction, at 6d, L 1,250 ; speculator ot owner’s profit, 6d, trucking to Auckland (including loading), Is, cost of selling in Auckland, at 61, L 1,250. i The farmer thus gets for three months’ • feed, at Is, L 2,500. Now, let us sea what it can be done for under one agency and ; paddocking. 50,000 sheep, at 10s each, ; L 25,000 ; cost of pu chasing, L3oO ; eight i men’s wages for sis months, at L 3 10s a > week, L7OO ; 500 sheep lost, L 250 ; inter - est at 10 per cent, on HO,OOO (for pad ■ docks) L 1000; cost of slaughtering in Wai kato at 6 1 a head, L 1,250 ; railway freight • to Auckland, at 71 a carcase, L 1,458 ; farmers’ profit, 3i a head or 3d per week, L 7,542. What the result of such a sys r tern if acted upon on a large scile would , be to our up-country farmers is not diffi i cult to imagine. With rega dto sheep i being sent to Auckland to be frozen from the West Coast there is this difficulty in i the way, they cannot be brought direct to the freezing shed by sea or land.' At » Wellington they can do both, which i makes all the difference.”

CRIMINAL SESSIONS.

Auckland.

At the criminal sessions yesterday, in the case of Whataki, a Maori, of Tau ranga, charged with perjury, a verdict of not guilty was returned, and the prisoner was discharged and cautioned. Christchurch. In the Supreme Court yesterday Daniel Maydwell was tried for obtaining an ad vance from the New Zealand Grain Agency and Mercantile Company by falsely repre senting the contents of five casks as tal low. The trial occupied the whole day. The defence proved that the casks con tained tallow extracted from bones, but the stuff was described as in a fermented and putrid condition. A verdict of not guilty was returned. At the Supreme Court to-day Joseph Pritchard, for an indecent assulc on his niece, was sentence I to four years’ penal servitude. Dunedin At the Dunedin Supreme Court yester day the principal case was the charge against John Newton of indecent assault upon a girl eleven years old, in the min tug district of the Nevis. He was found “ 6 illy,” and on being challenged said all he hid to say was that the girl was the consenting party when she came to his hut. Bis Honor said— “ Prisoner, you seem to have done your best to corrupt and ruin this child, and although you have not used violence, yet I think it is a case where severe punish ment should be indicted. If the child indeed, as you say freely consented, she did so because through your prior con duct she had become depraved. The sentence of the Court is that you be kept to penal servitude in the colony of New Zealand for the term of seven years, and farther, thit you be privately whipped with a cat-o’-njae-tails, receiving twentyr five lashes.” A Chinaman named Ah Chew, who pleaded “Guilty” to bur glary in a drapery shop in George street, was sentenced to four years ; and another named Wong Ah Tack, who was found “Guilty” of having stolen gooes from the same shop in his possession, got 12 months.

THE WEST COAST MURDER.

[bt telegraph.] Gbeymooth, To-day.

The police have obtained a lot of evidence in respect to the recent murder case at Maori Creek. Twenty-one wit nesses will be present for examination at the Magistrate’s Court on Monday, and plans of the locality have been prepared. It is thought that the umbrella and knife will be identified as the property of the accused, Donohue. The prisoner is very bullen and uacoramuiica'ivo

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

fREUTER’S TELEGRAMS—COPYRIGHT.) Monetary and Commercial. London, Jan. 9,

Consols have further advanced and are now quoted at New Zealand securities remain at last quota tions. Adelaide wheat, ex store, has further fallen 6d per quarter, and is now quoted at 453. New Zealand ditto remains at 38s to 435, and Ade,- laide flour, ex store, 31s 6d, Austra- Han tallow—Best beef, 39s 6d; best mutton, 445. The Mai’s. The homeward mails via Naples, per Orient steamship Sorata, from Mel bourne (December xst), were delivered here to-day.

The Transvaal Frontier. London, Jan. 10.

It is believed that the Transvaal Government will reject the proposed modification of the frontier line which is proposed to be made in _ order that native chiefs friendly to England may be afforded British protection.

Arrest of Nihilists.

>st Petersburg, Jan. 9.

Forty students have been arrested at Moscow on a charge of complicity in the murder of Colonel Sudeiko, of the Russian gensdarmes.

The Calcutta Exhibition. Calcutta, Jan. 9.

Up to the present time the Exhibi- , tion has been visited by 262,000 per sons. Various satisfactory sales have been effected, and the juries -IfiWrSf*’ commenced the work of allotting awards.

[Received Jan. 11, 2.20 p.m.] The French in Madagascar. London, Jan. 10.

Intelligence received on the 7 th inst that the Malagasies had accepted the French. ultimatum and agreed to cede the northern portion of Madagascar is not yet confirmed. Later news states that France insists on the establishment of a French protectorate over the %hd!S v,t island, and as the demand is objected to by the Malagasy Government mat ters are still unsettled. A Successful Loan. Tenders for the City of Auckland loan of Ltoo.ooo were opened to-day. J The total amount offered was found to be Lyoa.ooo. Tenders at LlO2 7s 6d will receive 5 per cent of the allotment * and tenders above that amount will rer ceive in full.

AUST A L IAN.

[REUTER’S TELEGRAMS—COPYRIGHT.] The Victorian Wool Sales. . Melbourne, Yesterday.

The catalogue at the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Co,’s wool auc- , tion this week, comprised 2,600 bales. There was a large attendance of buyers,' and with the exception of 200 bales all ' the lots offered were successfully cleared at excellent prices. The market is firm for all descriptions of greasy, low cross-; I bred excepted, and farmers’ lots sold at J ' : improved fates. Scoured merinos are in good demand, and parcels offered ; to-day realised up to and greasy to I2d. Sxaall-sox at Mauritius. Quarantine hap been established here ■ against vessels arriving from Mauritius, where an outbreak of smallpox oc curred. • v A Another Noble Visitor. ■./ The Marquis of Bute is a passenger for Australia by the steamship Orient, which left Plymouth on December Ist, The Fire.

The principal damage done by the fire at the Apollo candleworks was in two of the stillrooms, both of. which were completely gutted. The loss was estimated at Lia,soo. The insurance amounts to 1,40,000 divided among twenty companies. [Received Jan. 11,12.30 p.m.] Shipping. Svdnkt, To-day. Sailed, yesterday afternoon—Rioga rooma, for Auckland. The Queensland Policy. ;> Brisbane, To-day. Mr Griffith, the Premier, made a statement of the policy of the ment. He announced that notice had been given to terminate the .present contract with the British India Navigation Co. for a direct service with Queensland, and that in future, imml gration will be limited to a thousand monthly. It has been decided to make a change in the Agent. Generalship. The poll tax on the Chinese will be in creased, and the number allowed to arrive will be restricted. Trunk lines of railway will be extended, and a start will be made with the line from the Gulf of Carpentaria. [Received Jan. 11, 2.20 p.m.] Appointments. Melbourne. To-day. It is understood that Messrs Symonds, Templeton, and Professor * Irving will constitute a new Public Ser vice Board, about to be appointed, and it is probable that Mr Agg, Audit Com missioner, will be one of the members of the Railway Board.

TELEGRAMS.

[per press association:] The Triumph. AccKtANB, To-day. The engineers and purser of the Tri umph went by the Rotomahana yesterday to join the s.s. Victory at Lyttelton, which belongs to the same owners. The lightening of the Triumph is proceeding, and coal is being taken out to day. Capf. Brotherton, considering the chief ofjjcer not to blame for the recent catastrophe, has paid Mr Owen’s share of the Qnp imposed by the judicial court.

King Country Survey, Mr Spencer and four surveyors have started on a survey of the King country, and reached the settlement of Hanaru (who was principal objector to, the survey) where they were hospitably treated.: They proceed thence to Tekiriti, where ! some opposition is anticipated. , : Shooting. A shooting match, 8 men aside, is beidg arranged between the Fiji and Auckland " Volunteers.

A Body Recovered. Dunedin, To-day. A body supposed to be that of O. W. Goodgers was found in the Clutha near , Roxburgh yesterday.

THE ASHBURTON GU AUDI AN, FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1884.



T .a I. k w D, Boots, Boots, Boots la eaaseqaehcaof the scarcity of money, O. HAWJUWB, who baa just replenished Ilia STOCK with all kinds of SHOES - Bor tUa season of the year, is prepared to :BKLXi at alanning'liow Prices for GASH. 4i\,l plllSf# Jj|| kinda of Boots Made. Repairs done on the shortest notice. 13 1067



Wanted WANTED —A married COUPLE, Ap ply personally or by letter, to E. H. Dobson, Lowcliffe, Hinds. 1 56 WANTED— By a respectable young girl, a light PLACE in a small family; good references. For address, apply to Guardian Office. 1 45 WANTED TENDERS for pulling 16 acres of Linseed. Tenders will close on Thursday evening next. Dudley AND Nobthet, Rivetsdale, Tinwald 1 72 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 worth Is 9d at 6d per yard. WANTED Known — /or Sale, two COTTA' iES on East Belt. Cheap, easy terras. Apply W. C. Davis or Ward and Sons. 12 1012 WANTED TENDERS—For HAR VESTING 600 Acres of Wheat. Tenders to be in by 12th January, H. T. Winter. 1 17 I fTTANTED TENDERS For CUT i YV TING and TYING 200 Acres, more or less, of Wheat. Tenders re ceived up to 15th inst., stating what | reaper used. John Emerson, Epperston Farm, Hinds. 1 6 WANTED Known—That W. C. Davis, Wills street, next Oddfellows’ Hall, ! had red, black and white currants, goose berries, plums, strawberries, raspberries, , cherries, old and new apples, fresh vege - tables, garden peas 6d per peck. 1 80 WANTED Known—That pickle and preserving jars from 4d each, tea j pots, dishes, fancy and common flower | pots and saucers, jugs, bottles, butter coolers, and everything else that can be made with clay, at Davis’s Pottery Yard, Wills street, next Oddfellows’ Hall. 1 79 TT7ANTED Known—That H. James V\ has taken over the market garden from E. Ling, Hampstead, and intends carrying on a RETAIL BUSINESS in Saunders’ Buildings. Vegetables and Fruit supplied fresh daily. 1 6 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. 7600 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. Large stock of women’s best prunellas from 7s 6d ; men’s half sole and heeling, 4s 6d ; women s do, 3s fid ; girl’s do, 2s fid. Nokks, Leicester Boot Warehouse, Burnett street. 12 1107 WANTED Known—That in conse quence of the rapid increase of business, John Moison, Impermeable Bootmaker, has been compelled to get a large stock of Boots of a superior quality in the town in order to meets the demands of his customers, and those who may pur chase from him will find no deception as to price or quality. As J. M. has_ gained the public trust in the past by doing best work and fit, combined with neatness and style, he intends even to make greater exertions in the future. Fowler's Build ings, Tancred street (opposite Arcade), Ashburton. 7 207 Special Advertisements. STOP THAT COUGH I DON’T DELAY.—How can you stop it? Where, s the Remedy. Bonnington’s PECTORAL OXYMEL OF CARRA GEEN or IRISH MOSS (registers i), can produce more evidence of real merit than any other article for the purpose. Sold everywhere. G Bonnihoton, Christchurch.



DIMANT AND COE beg to notify that they are REMOVING Into Shop lately occupied by ORE AND CO; (opposite Onion Bank), which they will open on SATURDAY NEXT, JANUARY sjh, with a specially selected Stock of DRAPERY, CLOTHING, BOOTS, &c VICTORIA BOUSE, Dimant and Coe, Ready Money DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, Etc., Conner East and Tanceed Streets. 9528



A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL. Bazaar AND Fancy Fair AT ANDREWS S BROS., East Street South, IS NOW OPEN. CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR GIFTS in great variety. 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 OP FASHION ABLE GARMENTS, Manufactured from sound and reliable New Zealand Tweeds. The well-known reputation enjoyed by the Firm of Selling a GENUINE ARTICLE AT WHOLESALE PRICE Has resulted in an increase of Business during the past season, and they can now boast of having Twenty - One Retail Branches in New Zealand, thus enabling them to increase the Factory produce, economising both material and labor, and ensuring to their patrons a further benefit in the shape of a still Lower Rate of Wholesale Prices. SHIRTS, UNDERCLOTHING, HATS & CAPS, PORTMANTEAUS, And every requisite at Wholesale Price. Ashburton Branch : BAST STREET.



Special Advertisements. A S H I O N HOD B 186, 186, 187, CASHEL STREET, CHRISTCHURCH. E. C. Brown & Co’s GREAT PERIODICAL CLEARANCE SALE, FBKVIODS TO STOCK-TAKINO. FOR ONE MONTH COMMENCING SATURDAY, JANUARY sth. The Entire Stock, including several im portant purchases of gotds at about HALF PRICE, will be sold at such prices as must com mand speedy clearance. UNPRECEDENTED BARGAINS in all Department*.



MILLINERY DEPARTMENT. Our Beautiful Stock of Millinery (en vied by all) comprises the latest and prettiest shapes and shades in Beaded Spanish and Eidelweiaa 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 QUANTITY OF REMNANTS In above materials, to bo cleared at an IMMENSE REDUCTION. FRENCH MERINOS, at Is lid, worth 3s lid. SPECIAL. Black Silks, from 36s 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 Frees and Times,



Special Advertisement. New ( Pianos \ Iron Frame, Full Trichord and Full Compass from £35. SECOND-HAND PIANOS Guaranteed in Good Order. Excellent valu?. wr 1 lip MM swasasa hT ■ Milner & Thompson Ashburton, H. M. JONES, Agent. 11 870



Young and feeble mothers with frail children' | will both become strong by the use of Hop | fitters. Read.-[Advt.] >, > I jr Mother Swan’s worm Syrup.— lnfallible, tasteless, harmless, cathartic* for feverishness, restlessness, worms, constipation, is. Mosesg Moss and Co., Sydney, General Agents. 3 ■