SHIPPING.

FORT OF LYTTEiTON. JI j E Arrived. Satdeday. . T*k*pun», a.a., from Manukau and way i porta. F Rotorua, a.a,, from Manukau and way porta. Grafton, a. a., from Oamaru. " Yxstxbdat. Oroffsiti, 5.8., from Westport. Sailed. f. Saiuedat. Rotorua, a.a., for Wellington, Picton * ' 'jwi Tfilann , Grafton, a a., for Wellington and Welt E Goaat porta, ( Obaan Bird, ketch, for Anahau. Antelope, cotter, for Akaroa. Ybsxkrdat Takapuna, a.a., for Wellington. t SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. I . Geetmouth, Saturday. — Omapere and Oreti, from ~ tilt North; Isabella Anderson and Zephyr, * 4 . tioar Hokitika. -- . Gkeymooth, Yesterday. , Arrived—St. Kilda, from Wellington ; Pbarito Edward, from the North. Sailed—Oreti, for Hokitika ; Isabella « Andelaon, for Dunedin. • .V; ,' r T - Tim ABO, Yesterday. i ' - Sailed—Mary Ann Annison, for Syd- < Mj), * i >} - Poet Ohalmbes,' Yesterday. Arrived, on Saturday Hawea and Beautiful Star, from Timatu; Maori, from r', OaSttin. Sailed—Tirairera, for the West Coast : Sounds, with 90 passengers; Koranui, for

COMMERCIAL.

i » ■ , Ashburton Guardian Office, ■’ Monday afternoon. , Alfred Harrison reports his weekly sale as follows:—Saturday, January 19th : Out of a good entry ofhorses, only a few changedhands at market values. Cows in profit and springers - SOldfairly well. Pigs are still selling well, tfcfmgh not at quite such extreme rates as have been rolipg ef late. Spring dray, L 6, LB, Ljt—Produce: Oats, good feed, is fid to is T " inferior, is; chickwheat, is to zs; potatoes, id and per lb.; onions, id* per - , * Jv—Tea, ais, - guaranteed.—Hamess’aod sun ■ realised good prices. -There was a very , fewa attendance throughout the sale., ' 'UrT. Bullock reports of the horse market * •. fbrffie week ending Saturday, January 19 th. ,j - ---There was a large gathering at the sale to day, 49 horses were yarded, and a decided im provement on previous! sales, and more. ■ > samited .biddings were experienced than for ' rmSy wieeks past, especially for good useful Ifrmf hones suitable for harvest work. , More thanholf the total number of entries.were sold, ' mdroorc would have changed hands, but some . -cjfßptryscllefs declined tp accept marke t value now ruling for their stock, and prefer holding, ’ expecting horses to be dearer, which I doubt * wiU not be realised for some time, and cer tainly not till after harvest. Out of the total entry of 49, *6 were sold as follows:—Medium draUght*, L2O to L 23 10s; useful farm horses, ■ •-Laib; aged draughts, of a good descrip ’ . tiop, lA2 ' ids to Lijjiged and inferior ditto,' L7lss to Liz ios; carriers’ horses from L 8 XOs to Liz ios ; hacks, L 6 105 to L 9; ditto in ferior, Lz ios to L 4. McCormick wire binder, X3X.'—-Landed Properties: Previous to the Khne salel offered T.S’s., but only succeeded towelling T.S 1239, situated between Shortand - Bntnett at L 54. By private treaty, I Cold lot on Town Belt East, for the sum of L 42. ,*

DAILY MEMORANDA.

- 1 AUCTION SALE*?. Tuesday, January 22. Matson, Cox and Co., at tbe Tinwald . IJaleyarda-^-Stock. ■ .. VmEKTISGS, AMUSEMENTS, Etc. t' Monday, January 21. Borough Council, at 'Borough Conncil Chambers, at 7.30. Tuesday,' January. 22. Town Hall— Grand Variety Entertain ment, at 8 p.m. r- - Monday, 4 January 28. \Road Board, at Road - BoaM'Office Friday, February 1. Ashburton . County Council- —At Council Saturday, Fbbruaby 2. Wakanni Road Board, at -Road Board : office, Moore street, at 10.30 a. m.

WAIL NOTICES.

Mali* close at the Ashburton Post Office aafollowa: — For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m. 10.30 s.xn. t and 6 p.in., daily. “For Oherteeyßakaia, &0., at 10.30 a.m. . tad 5 p.m. duly.' ‘ FgßVOhedinjTinwald, Winslow, Hinds, ; - Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, ■ v gnd Qeraldme, at 10 a.m. daily. For, Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 am., i got TinuLm and South, at 6 a.m., 10 a.m., and 430 p.m., daily. For Greenatreet and Ashburton Forks, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 3.30 jp>n>. , '• ' For Hount Somers, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 6 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. ■ For Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur jHaatOam. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, - at'AOOn.m. daily. d F6if > Fki!nington, on Mondays, Wednes- And Fridkys, at 430 p. m. For Wakanux, Elgin, Sea view, Seafield, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 a. m. ' For Newlands, on Tuesdays and Fri *daya at 10.30 a.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prevalebit. MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1884.

The Carbine match, Dunedin Naval Brigade v, Bspidgle, was won by the for mer with 643 to 534.

A slight shock of earthquake is reported to have been felt in Christchurch at 20 minutes past five on Saturday afternoon. An entertainment will be given to night at the Old Men’s Borne. The pub lic will, as usual, be admitted free, and there will be a collection for the Home Library. The programme is an excellent one. The chair will be taken, by the Rev E. A. Scott at 7 30 p.m. punctually. The Wellington City Council having determined to cut off the supply of water to the Government unless they paid the full amount of the account due by them; the Government paid on Saturday morn ing, and the water was consequently not cut off.

Mr J. Marshall, of Auckland, stepped in at the last moment and secured one of the highly-bred yearlings which the New Zealand Stud Company were sending to Sydney. This was a yearling brother to Necklace, by Musket out of Locket, and the price was 300 guineas. While Mr Seymour George, M.H R., was practising at a shooting gallery at the Onehunga racecourse on Saturday, the gun burst in his hand while being fired, blowing off a portion of the left fore-finger and injuring the base of the thumb and rest of the fingers. The police took pos session of the weapon. Dr Walker hap pened to be on the racecourse, and at tended to Mr George’s injuries. It is expected that the manufacturing works of the Caswell Sound Marble Com pany will be in full operation by the end of May next. The cargo of marble brought to Wellington by the s. s. Kangaroo list week is now lying in the company’s yards, and has been examined by a number of gentlemen interested in the development of the industry. The marble is of a beautiful white color. Mr Cox, of the Geological Department, has pronounced the marble to be of good quality. An inquiry was opened at Auckland on Saturday morning, before Mr Seth Smith, R.M., and Captain Frater, Nauti cal Assessor, on the application of Robert Thompson, Collector of Customs at New Plymouth, tor the purpose of in vestigating the casualty which occurred to the British ship Douglas at Airedale Reef on her passage from Onehunga to Waitara, on the 6th November last. The information stated there was great care lessness on the part of the master, Cap tain Chas Bonnor, who was at the wheel at the time of the accident, in steering for a false light, although the ivght was bright and cloudless. Mr Hudson Wil liamson, Crown solicitor, appeared for Mr Hill, and Mr Tole for Captain Bonnor, and on Mr Tola’s application the inquiry was held over till Saturday next.

The return of j the number of criminal cases dealt with at the Wellington Resi dent Magistrate’s Court during the past year shows that 1,363 males and 268 females were either summoned or taken into custody on various charges. Of these 254 males and 46 females were dis charged for want of evidence. The fol lowing shows the number of cases under the different headings :—Dismissed on their merits, 63 males and 5 females ; committed for trial, 31 males and 5 females; summarily convicted, 1,015 males and 212 females ; fined, 696 males and 58 females; imprisoned in lieu of fine, 267 males and 84 females ; peremptory punishment, 127 mates and 45 females ; whipping, 3 males ; bound over to keep peace, v* males and 3 females; orders made, 73 males and 22 females. Amongst 1,631 cases disposed of there were 436 cases of drunkenness, 262 under the City by-laws, 174 for vagrancy, 94 for larceny, 73 for common assault, 45 for wilful damage to property, 65 under the Ship ping and Seamen’s Act, 69 under the Dog Registration Act, and 42 under the Licensing Act. On Saturday evening at 5.30 o’clock John Phillips, a resident on the Kaiapoi Island, was thrown from his horse at the bridge on the north road at the j unction with Rice’s road, receiving such injuries that in spite of medical skill and unremit ting attention, he died at 6 a.m. yester day. Deceased has been for two years in the employ of Mr T. Pashby, and had left work about 3 p.m. and ridden to Kaiapoi for supplied of meat and bread. On his return it is presumed his horse, which had been some time foundered, slipped on the planning of the bridge and fell. Deceased’s head, which had struck some hard substance or on the bridge railing, was seriously fractured at the temple. The horse was much cut and covered with mud on one side. Mr L. Giles, a farmer, who was returning from Christchurch market, saw the horse fall, and drove up to decease 1, and Mrs Fraser, of Kaiapoi, driving up at the tune, also rendered assistance by going for help and obtaining restoratives. Phillips was re moved insensible to .Mr H. Davis’ house, where .every possible attention was shown to him. Dr Chiltpn attended, and sub sequently Dr Ovenden. It was found necessary during the evening to remove a portion of the skull that pressing on the poor, fellow’s brain, but he' npvep rallied or gained consciousness. De ceased, who was unmarried, was a native of Buchan, Scotland.

Mr D. Oliver, of Westerfield, informs that he saw the much-'alked-of comet at nine o’clock last night. It was in the western sky, about fifteen degrees above the horizon. The tail was scarcely visible without the aid of a glass. We have not heard of the comet being seen from Ash burton, though no doubt there have been many star gazers on the look-out for it. An accident happened to a man named McConnelley on Friday last whilst coming out of the Alford Forest Bush with a load of timber. McConnelley, who is in the employ of Mr .Black, contractor, was in the act of whipping one of the leading horses, when it let out with its heels, hit ting the unfortunate driver on the left cheek, and inflicting a nasty gash, but fortunately breaking no bones. McOon nelley was taken to Ashburton-, where Dr Ross attended to him, and he is now pro gressing favorably towards recovery. The Ntw Zealand Times very much regrets to leai n that the well-known lec turess on social matters, Madame Lotti Wilmot, lies m a most precarious condi tion at the house of sdr Morret, of the Lower Hutt. The whereabouts of Madame Wilmot were quite unknown to her Wel lington friends till Thursday evening, when she wrote to a gentleman in the city, informing him that she had for the past six months suffered the most acute agony, and for the past four months she had been confined to her bed. In a most pathetic manner she writes:—“ If I have any friends, I need them now. lam here, I fear, on a deathbed.” The following is from the Harbinger of Light : —“ We have it on the authority of a gentlemen long resident in Melbourne (whose name and address we will furnish to anyone desirous of making confirmatory inquiries) that his house has been for some months past the scene of strong physical manifestations, which have been witnessed by himself and five other persons, in the full blaze of gaslight. Loud knockings have been heard in various parts of the house, on the room door, the walls, and the glass of the window, for which they were unable to discover any ordinary cause A bell which was never used, the wire being broken, was repeatedly rung. The knockings and the bell-ringings both responded intelligently to ques tions. Movements of various articles of furniture also took place. One evening the chair went up the chimney as far as it would go, then tumbled over on the floor, no one being near it. On another occasion a pillow came flying down the staircase. It was taken up again and re pla ed, and a search made, but without success, for any person playing pranks. On coming down they were followed by two pillows and a bolster. Some one went partly up the stairs, and threw them up to the landing, when, on turning to comedown, a pillow was thrown at his head. A towel also came flying down, glided some distance along the passage. On one occasion, whan knocking came on the room door, oia person took hold of knobs on each side to see if he could dis cover their source The knocking*, how ever, came as before, close to his face, the gas being full on.

“ German Svrup.”—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 that Druggists in every town 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 doses will relieve any case.—[Advt.]

REAPER AND BINDER TRIAL.

The trial of the machine known as the Osborne No. 11 reaper and binder, which was postponed from Saturday on account of the weather, took place this morning, the field of operations being a paddock of oats on the Alford Forest road. The crop was a fairly good one, but the recent rains had rendered it so wet, while the under growth of clover was very thick, that the capabilities of the machine were tested to the utmost. In spite of these drawbacks, however, the work done was well-nigh faultless, and those who were present were loud in their praises. The cutting was remarkably clean and low, and not a sheaf was missed. It is claimed for this machine that the knotting apparatus is far less complicated than in other reapers, in the market. Thera are, in fact, thirteen less parts to be found in this portion of the mechanism than is the case with any other machine, with the exception of the Deering. This readers the knotting gear less liable to get out of order, and if any accident should occur, it is more easily remedied. An excellent arrangement is the addition of a s If-aoting chain tightener, which always keeps the chain at a proper ten sion, Every roller is provided with iron collars, so as to prevent straw getting be neath the canvas, and thus clogging the machine ; and there is also provision made for keeping the passage whence the sheaves are distributed clear, by means of a self-acting 1 ‘ hitcher. ” Another advan tage pointed out to ua was that the gear frame is made in two parts, so that if one breaks it can be replaced for the trifling sum of 2s, while formerly it nost L2 5s to repair. Mr W. Grace was in charge of the machine and clearly explained the working of the harvester, to the evident satisfaction of the farmers p.’eseut. He informs us that the Osborne has not hitfferto had a fair show 'ip this colony, the work done by the machine some years ago being considered inferior. Since that time, however, many important improvements have been made, as the cutting of this morning amply proved. Even under the admittedly adverse cir cumstances attending the trial, caused by the recent bad weather, which made the crop very wet and the going heavy, the manner in which the work was carried out left nothing to be desired. The draught appeared to be light, and the two horses used to draw the reaper were in no way distressed, although they were driven rapidly aud got over the ground unusually quickly. The trial was undoubtedly a successful one, and the Osborne should be able to hold its own amongst the numerous machines now competing throughout New Zealand. Mr George Jameson is the local agent for the har vester.

REVIEW.

“ Our Domestic Birds.” There is probably no man in the colony who possesses more complete knowledge of poultry than does Mr Alfred Saunders. Throughout this island he has for many years taken a prominent part in judging the exhibits in the various Poultry Societies’ shows, and his verdicts have always been accepted w.th that approval which betokens confidence in the judge’s acquaintance with the question he is called on to decide. For this reason the appearance of the book under notice* has been anxiously looked forward to, and we venture to say that whoever purchases it will not bo disappointed. ■ The volume is indeed a complete vade rnecum for not only the poultry fancier, but for every housewife who keeps fowls, etc , for the purpose of food or profit. The author may fa<rly lay claim to having supplied a decidedly felt want, for though many excellent works on the same subject have Domestic Birds, a practical poultr y booh for England arid Ifew Zealand, by AliFßsd Saunders. London, J. 883.

been published, we have never seen one of so thoroughly practical a character as this, where every information that can possibly be required is comprised in a small space. No one is readier to own his indebtedness to standard authorities than Mr Saunders, but though he pays tribute to the excellent work done in the same fi Id by such writers as Tegatmeior and Wright, he is not ready to take for gospel anything they may say, but is care ful to verify their dictums by personal experiment. Those who know Mr Saunders either publicly or privately are aware, that whatever ho takes in hand h.- enters into with a will, and this characteristic is strikingly apparent in “ Our Domestic Birds,” Then again, he not onlv possesses intimate knowledge of his subject, but has also the much rarer ability which enables him to impart this knowledge to others. The language in this volume is terse and clear, and there is none of that inflated verbiage which is too often used by men when they are mounted upon their particular hobbies. To speak of the book in detail, the author commences by giving instructions concerning the proper housing of poultry, and kis remarks under this head are tho roughly practical, and •> of careful consideration. Mr Saunders is in favor of fowls being allowed as much space as possible, and his suggestion that the grass growing portion of the yard should be separated into two divisions, which may bo used alternately, is certainly an excel le t one. Full information, too, is given concerning the best kind of hen-coops to use, a diagram materially assisting the reader in arriving at an understanding of the subject. On the important question of food, the author has naturally a good deal to say, and he deals with the matter from a common sense point of view. One thing the reader may be sure of, and that is that every suggestion is the outcome of a large experience. Mr Saunders is a firm believer in the doctrine that ibe food provided bj nature is the best for all creatures, and he argues that if we want to augment the fecundity of hens we should take care that their “food, though more regular and abundant, should be always of a character adapted to the diges tive' organs upon which we wish to put a great additional strain.” This is undoubtedly a sound principle, and our author follows it up by giving very full details as to the kind of food to be given to fowls at different stages of their exist ence. The opinions of Mr Saunders on the temperance question are well-known, and he is a strong opponent of the doc trine that domestic birds should be nourished with alcohol. He would carry the principles of total abstinence down to the lower animals, for, as he remarks, “ many persons will continue to take in toxicating drinks because they like them, but they need no longer be under any mistake as to their real effect, nor suppose for a moment that they gain either health or strength by their use. And,” ho adds, “ with that knowledge they can have little temptation to enforce any such bad habits on their poultry” When the matter is put in this light, we feel sure that those who keep fowls will shrink with honor from the recomraen lition of Mr Wright, that the birds should be fed with “ egg and brandy through a delicate glass tube," a suggestion which, it is needless to say, Mr Saund-trs emphatically condemns, both upon moral and utilitarian grounds. Space is wanting for ns to enter into the other divisions of this useful book, and it must suffice to say that the author on all questions connected with the keeping of fowls speaks as one having authority.. Perhaps the most interesting chapters of the volume are those dealing with the choice and management of breeding stock, Mr Saunders’ long colonial exp rience making his remarks especially irustwor thy. Many examples arc given showing the effect of crossing the various breed* of i fowls and the instructions here set down are clearly enunciated. It may be re ’ marked that the author of this volume is a strong opponent of the French system of artificial feeding. The barbarous prao , tice of cramming he utterly condemns, and in this he is supported by all the principal English authorities. Mr Saun ders also raises his voice against oaponia ing fowls, which he regards as gross cruelty to the birds, without any com mensurate advantage being gained. The dates given in this work are applicable to New Zealand, but the author, to ren der his book useful to Home breeders, has in every case printed the antipodean month, so that the instructions as to the management of poultry will be found suited both to the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Mention should be made of an interesting chapter on pheasants, partridges and Californian quail, which is contributed by Mr A. M. Johnson, who is so well known in connec tion with acclimatisation in Canterbury. The price of Mr Saunders’s volume is so moderate and the advantages to be derived from a study of it so manifest, that we expect it will meet with a large sale both at Home and in the colonies. The local agent for the publication is Mr T. F. Farley, of East street, and he has already received numerous orders for the book.

FIRE AT CHRISTCHURCH.

On Saturday night a fire occurred in High street, Christchurch, by which were destroyed the premises occupied by Alfred Simpson, bookseller; Church, draper; Delaware, grocer; and Smith, boot and shoe maker. The fine new building of the Empire Hotel prevented the spread of the flames in one direction, and the brick wall of Petersen’s, jeweller, in the other. A heavy rain also assisted by ex tinguishing the large flakes of burning material which fell on the neighboring roofs. The Fire Brigade worked hard for three hours. the damage is estimated at about LIO.OOO. Delaware was uninsured, and the insurances so far as ascertained want certifying as -o details. The follow ing are said to be the insurances :—H. J. Hall’s, on the premises occupied by Church and Smith, L 1.300, office not ascertained ; Smith’s stock, insured in the London and Liverpool for LSOO, Stan dard LSOO, and Union L 509, of which L 250 is re-insured, not known in what office ; Church’s stock, in the New Zea land LSOO, and Mercantile Union L6O, fixtures insured for LI 50, office not known ; Simpson’s buildings, LSQO in the Imperial, LSOO in the South British, and stock LI,OOO in the Phoenix, LI,OOO in the Now Zealand, LI,OOO in the Union, LSOO in the Guardian, LSQO in the Nor wich Union, LSOO in the Royal, L 250 in the United, and LSOO in the Mercantile Union, fittings insured for LIOO office un known.

[by telegraph.] Christchurch, To-day. The following are the additional or corrected insurances on the fire ;—H. J. Hall’s building, LBOO in the Union office, of which L 250 is re-insured in the United and L 225 in the Hamburg-Magdeburg; on Church’s fixtures, LSO in the Austra lian Mercantile. The Union and the Victorian had LSOO each on Simpson’s (bookseller) stock in addition to the in surances already telegraphed, but the Australian Mercantile had no risk over this stock. Of the LI ,000, for which it was insured in the Union, LSOO was re insured in the London and Lancashire, and L 260 of the LI,OOO held over the same stock by the New Zealand was re insured in the Hamburg-Magdeburg. The total of all the insurances is L 10,250.

A TYPICAL LONDON SLUM.

Mr G. R. teims, who is writing a series of articles to the Daily News under the heading of “ Horrible Loudon," primarily to show the necessity of improved dwel lings for the poor of the metropolis, thus graphically describes life in one of the London alums :—One London alum, says the writer, is very like another, but for my purpose now I will select a district in Southwark where the houses are in such a condition that they are bound to come down under,any scheme of sanitary im provement, however half-hearted it may be. We enter a narrow court, picking our way with camion among the nameless filth and garbage and the decaying veget table matter that, flung originally in heaps outside the doors, has been trodden about by the feet of the inhabitants until the broken flags are almost undiscetnible beneathj a thick paste of indiscribable filth. The outsides of the houses prepares us for what is to come. Inside them we find the staircases rotten and breaking away. A. greasy cord stretched from flight to flight is often the sole protection they possess. Wooden rails there may originally have been, but the landlord has not replaced them. He does not supply his tenants with firewood gratis. The windows are broken and patched with paper, or occasionally with a bit of board. The roofs are dilapidated, and the wee of a rainy season has soaked through the loose tiles, and saturated the walls and ceilings from attic to basement. And the rooms themselves. To describe them with anything like truth taxes my knowledge of euphemisms to the utmost. Let me put it in this way. In some of the single rooms of the worst districts the sanitary officer has found pigs and other animals living and sleeping in a cellar with a man and woman and their children. The family did not find any extra i.-cmveninca from the ani mals because their hrbits—the pigs’ and the family’s were in most matters essentially the same. The rooms in'these houses are pigstyes aud nothing more, and in them, men, women, and children live and sleep and eat. More I cannot say, except that the stranger entering one of these rooms for the first time has every sense shocked, |and finds it almost impos sible to breathe pestilent atmosphere without being instantly, sick. And in such rooms as these there aro men and women now living who never leave them for days and weeks together. They are sometimes discovered in an absolute state of nudity, having parted with every rag in their possession in order tq keep. body and soul together through times when no work is to be had. So much for the dis trict which is to be levelled and the gene ral habits of the inhabitants who are to he ‘‘rehoused.’’ Let us take a few of the families that will have to be some body’s tenants under any scheme, and see what their circumstances are. The cases are all selected from the district I have endeavored to hint at I will be gin with the workers:—T. Harborna, stonemason, occupies two dilapidated rooms, which are in a filthy condition, has five children ; total weekly income, through slackness,-8i ; rent 4s 6d. E. Williams, costermonger, two rooms in a court, which is a hotbo(J of vice and disease, has eight children; total earnings, 17s ; rent, 5s 6d. T. Beiges,, laborer, one room, four children ; rent, 4s ; no furniture, all sleep’on floor; daughter an swered knock, absolutely naked ; ran in aud covered herself with a sack. Mrs Johnson, widow, one room, three children; earnings, 6s; rent, 3s fid. W. Leigh, fancy boxmaker, two awful rooms, four chil dren ; earnings, 14s; rent, 6s. H. Walker, hawker, two rooms, seven children ; earnings, 10s ; rent, 5s 6d. R. Thomp son, out o'f work, five children; living by pawning goods and clothes ; wife drinks ; rent, 4s. G. Garrard, laborer, out look ing for work ; eight children ; no income ; rent, 6s 6d ; pawning last rags ; no parish relief; starving ; declines to go into workhouse. These people may fairly be described as workers. They will accept employment if they can get it, but they positively refuse to go into the workhouse when they cannot. If they fail to get the rent together they will go into a “furnished apartment”—i.e., a frightful hovel with an awful bed, a broken table, and one chair in it. These places can be had by the night, and vary in price from sixpence to a shilling. They are largely used by the criminal classes, who do not care to accumulate household goods, which their frequent temporary retirements from society would leave at the mercy of others. In the same district and in the same houses, mixing freely with their psora honest neighbors, and quarelling, fighting and drinking with them, we find another class whose earnings are also precarious. I will quote one or two cases as these people must be dislodged when the present buildings come down :—Mrs Smith : Husband in gaol; one room, three children. She earns 6s a week, and pays 2s 6d rent. The man has been away fourteen years for burglar}. The day of his release ho came home. The woman gave him what money she had, and he went out at once and got drunk. In the evening he came back quarrelled with his neighbor, and stabbed a woman in a fight. He was taken to the police station, tried, and sen tenced to twelve months’ imprisonment. F. Barker : One dreadful room, three children ; father and mother both crimi nals. Have been getting three and six months at intervals for years. Sometimes both in gaol together. Their neighbors take the children and mind them till the parents come out. W. Moggs, Raspberry Court—a sweet name for a hideous place —one room, four children Rent, 4a. Father, professional thief ; constantly in and out of prison. These oases are fair samples of the class of people we call “the abject poor,” people who will not go to the workhouse under any circumstances, and who are at present herding together in the rookeries we are all agreed must be demolished and replaced by something batter. Add to them the people carrying on objectionable trades in one or two rooms:—and who must carry them on to live wherever they go—and the reformers will have a fair idea of the tenants for whom houses must be provided somewhere if their present dwellings are to be pulled down. At the first glance it seems almost impossible to cater for them. Fancy turning these people into nice clean rooms and expecting 5 per cent, for your money. Besides, putting their habits on one aide, they are never sure of regular work. They may pay the rent one week and be penniless the next. Then 5 per cent philanthropy must turn them out, having given them a glimpse of Paradise which will make the return to Hades a terrible trial to those who have had their better instincts aroused.

CRICKET.

TH3 AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN. The following are the engagements of the Australian Eleven in England!— May 15—Oxford, Australians r Oxford University. May 19—Oval, Surrey v Australians. May 22—Lord's, Australians rU. 0.0. and ground. May 26—Orleans, Australians v.Orleans Club. . May 29—Lord’s, Australians v Gentle men. . June 2—-Derby, Australians v All Eng land. June s—Manchester, Australians v Lan cashire. June 9—Bradford, Australians v York shire. Jane 12—Nottingham, Australians v flotts. June 16 Sheffield, Australians ▼ Players. June 19—Manchester, Australians v North. June 23—Clifton, Australian r Glou cestershire. June 26—Oval, Australians y Gentle man June 30—Nottingham, Australians v Notts. - July 3—Birmingham, Australians v Midland Counties. July 7—Liverpool, Australians v Liver pool. . ‘ July 10—Manchester, Australians r All England. July 14 Leicester, Australians . v Leicestershire. July 17—Huddersfield, Australians v Yorkshire. July 21—Lord’s. Australians ’v Eng land. July 24—Brighton, Ausirali ns v Sus sex. July 28—Sheffield Park, Australians v Lord Sheffield’s Eleven. July 31—Oval, Australians v Players. August 4—Canterbury, Australians v Kent. August 7—Hastings, Australians v An Eleven of England. August 11—Oval, Australians ▼ All England August 14 Clifton, Australians v , Gloucester. August 21—Nottingham, Austndianrv Notts. August 25—Cambridge, Australians ,v Old and Present Cantabs. August 28 —Oval, Australians v South. September 4—Australians v I Zingari.

CABLE NEWS.

'.AffciSr FROM EUROPE'

[kKCTEb’s XRIjEOR &U 8 —COPYKI&HT. ] Monetary and Commercial. London, ' Jan. ■ 18» Consols remain at ioij£, and New Zealand securities at yesterday’s quota-' tions. Adelaide wheat, ex store, re- . mains at 445, and New Zealand ditto at 36s to 425. Adelaide flour, ex store, 3 is. The total’ quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain is 1,880,000 quarters. The Wool Market. The wool market is dull. New arr rivals to date for the first series of auc tions this year now amount to 100,000 „ bales. The Mail. London, Jan. 19. The homeward mails via San Fran cisco, dated Auckland, December 12, were delivered to-day, Gordon Pasha. It has transpired that, at the request of the British Government, Gordon Pasha has accepted charge of a special . mission, and started for Khartoum. Gordon Pasha will be answerable only to the British Government as regards any command in the Egyptian array. The Soudan. Cairo, Jan. 19. No further intelligence is to hand from the Soudan. The telegraph line from Upper Egypt to Khartoum has been cut by the rebel Arabs. Fatal Wreck. New Yobs, Jan. 19. B The steamship City of Columbus' bound from Boston to Savannah, has been wrecked, with great loss of life. According to the latest intelligence zao persons were drowned. J [Received Jan. 21, 1.30 p.m.] The Defence of New Guinea. London, Jan. 19. ■ The Times of to-day announces that as a result of the recent Conference at Sydney, the British Government will probably 'undertake the maritime .de fence of New Guinea, . [Received Jan. 21, 2 p.m.] Gold for Australia. ’ London, Dec. 18. The P. and O, steamship Mirzapore takes 1.300,000 ■in gold coin for Sydney. Arrived. London, Jan. 19. Per Merchant Shipping and Under writers’ Association Arrived Ship Glance from Auckland (Sept 23rd).

TELEGRAMS.

[PER FRESH ASSOCIATION.] The Weather. Wellington, To-day. A hard southerly gale is blowing, as companied by heavy rain. Wesleyan Conference. At the Wesleyan Conference'letters of sympathy were sent to the Revs Q-. Standard, Wills, and Aldred.who were' unable to attend the Conference through extreme age. Arrangements were made - to receive a temperance deputation on Wednesday. Mr Joughin .was accepted as a student candidate for the ministry. Fire. Christchurch,. To-day. ’ The premises of A. R. Qomeraham, woolsconrer, at Baloairn, together with a quantity of wool and skins, were de- r stroyed by fire on Saturday evening. The : insurances were :—New Zealand office, L4OO ; South British, Ll5O. A New Trial, Dunedin, To-day. The second trial of Wm, Pearce for. murder was commenced to-day. The . Crown Prosecutor ordered two jurymen to stand aside, and the prisoner’s counsel challenged twelve jurymen. The Comet. Mr Beverly writes to the Star as fol-. lows:—The comet was distinctly visible: last night at 9.30 till 10 o’clock. It aet.- at 10.15. At 9.60 it was due west near the horizon, but will continue ascending about two degress each succeeding night' at the same hour. It is as bright as a ; third magnitude star, with a faint tiil about two degreeslong as seen witban opera glass. To the uaked eye the tail iabarely perceptible owing to the unusually pro* £ tracted twilight. It will be in perihMion on the 26th and brightest. at _the end of ■ ■ February. .. v. jV ; The Murder Case. * ■' The defence in Pearce’s ca e to-day will be an entirely new. one,, viz.: 'fhet; the deceased accidentally inflicted, the ' wound on herself with an open .knife being carried by Pearce, and that she ~ ' not know of it, hence her not mentioning

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1884.



mgm 'KJtxvrr ' flron Frame, Full •Xi O W I Trichord and . Fianos \ F ?»£fT“ SECOND-HAND PIANOS Guaranteed in Good Order. SSl'* .. f".l .. .1 . : , . * Excellent value. , 'dIAPPEL PIANETTE ... ... £24 GAVIN ‘&'GAVIN 25 ! JWICHER FRERES ... 23 IjatPSLC MODEL (new 42 RQN£I§CH (new £67 10s) 42 0* ■>: ' • jll _ mpson siaii ; -e



Wanted TJC7ANTED— Situation as general Ser * * rant, town or country. Apply Davison’s, Fruiterer. 1 148 WANTED— To hire for a few weeks, TEAMS for earthwork at Valetta Bailway Station. Apply, Inepeotor P. Way, Ashburton 1 119 WANTED— The public to know that extra value will be given at Obr and Co.’s in Drapery, Boots, and Cloth ing during the cheap sale 1 136 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 st 6d per yard. WANTED Known—For Sale, two COTTAt/ES on East Belt. Cheap, easy terms. Apply W. G. Davis or Ward and Sons. 12 1012 WANTED KNOWN — Robert Elston, Bill Poster, Theatrical Agent, etc., Town Hal), 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 a do, 3s 6d ; girl’s do, 2s 6d. Nokes, 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. T> ATT. PROGRAMME CARDS in FI very neat styles, with Pencils and Ribbons, printed at the Guardian Office, W’wt street, COMMERCIAL Stationery, Account Books, Presents, &c, H. M. JONES, East Street. 11 870 STATIONERY (commercial, plain and fancy), Account Boons, School Books and Requisites, Prize Books, Chil dren's Picture and Story Books, Now 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, Chins and Brass Ornaments; Toys of every description from a Penny upwards; Judson’s Dyes, Gold Paint, Concertinas, Accordions, Song Books, a job lot of Music (very cheap), Journals and Borne papers every English mail, Cricketing Goods at reduced prices, and a large assortment of other articles. All goods at Christchurch and Dunedin prices. Asdkbwes Bros., Booksellers and Stationers, East street South, Ashburton. F YQC WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE, GO TO DAVIS’S OHEAP; FURNITURE AND BED DING MANUFACTORY, EAST STREET SOUTH, ASHBURTON.



EVERY article Sold at Christchurch Pricks and j iaranteod best of material and workmanship. FUNERALS CHEAPLY & COMPLETELY FURNISHED INTENDING PURCHASERS OF CLOTHING ‘ * YOB 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 Pricer SHIRTS, UNDERCLOTHING, HATS A CAPS, PORTMANTEAUS, And every requisite at Wholesale Price. ,■ -■. ■% ' "* ' Ashburton Branch: BIST STREET.



Special Advertisements. jp ASH IO N HOU E 185, 186, 187, CASHEL STREET, CHRISTCHURCH. E. C. Brown & Go’s GREAT PERIODICAL CLEARANCE SALE, PREVIOUS TO STO«K-XAMNa. FOR ONE MONTH COUMBXOINft SATURDAY, JANUARY sth. The Entire Stock, including several im portant purchases of goods at about HALF PRICE, will be sold at such prices as must com maud speedy clearance. UNPRECEDENTED BARGAINS in all Departments, MILLINERY DEPARTMENT. Out Beautiful Stock of Millinery (en vied by all) comprises the latest and prettiest chapes and shades in Beaded Spanish and Eidelweisa 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 ~ Fine Art Zephyrs ~ Plaid and Cheek 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 1s 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 sea circulars issued in Friday’s Press and Times.



DIM ANT AND COE beg to notify that they are REMOVING Into Shop lately occupied by ORR AND CO. (opposite Union Bank), which they will open on SATURDAY NEXT, JANUARY sm, with a specially selected Stock of DRAPERY, CLOTHING, BOOTS, &c VICTORIA BOUSE, Dimant and Coe, Ready Money DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, Etc., Corner East and Tancred Streets. 9528 cic&ag o g'S.STB ft a p o D fu C < S’lQO O ® H >-33 O O* tJd P”2 r-, 1® B 50 ? s ® w q 3> b a S 8 a pH cds: § 5 ~3 H g Pffl 2 *3 3 ? ® h-33 O •, {► Kg n g o |§L* 9 o 2 g d o 0 g a £ c S’ O Special Advertisement



NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS. Advertisements for The Ashburton Guardian must be sent in not later than 3 p.m., with the number «f insertifjn, written plainly on the copy, otherwise they will be inserted until counter manded, and charged accordingly. Re place Advertisements must be supplied the day previous to that on which they are to be inserted. Special notices can be received up (o 3.30 p.m., but will be charged double rates. All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good faith. All advertisements and business lett ' s to be addressed The Manager ; literary communications should be addressed to The Editor.



Don’t Die in the House.—“ Rough on Rats ” clears out rats, mice, beetles, roaches, bed-bugs, flies, ants, insects, moles, jack rabbits, gophers, Moses, Moss and Co., Sydney, General Agents, ' i



That weakness and lassitude so frequent in fast-growing children may be easily remedied |by a few doses of Hop Bitters. Read.— Advt.] _ Thick Heads, heavy stomachs, bilious con ditions—Wells’ May Apple Pills—anti-bilious cathartic, 3d and is. Moses, Moss and Co., Sydney, General Agents. 1 Holloway’s Pills.—The sudden changes, frequent fogs, and pervading dampness sorely impede the vital functions and conduce to ill- i health. The remedy for these disasters lies in some purifying medicine, like these Pills, which is competent to grapple with the mis chief at its source, and stamp it out without fretting the nerves or weakening the system, Holloway’s Pills extract from the blood all noxious matters, regulate the action of every disordered organ, stimulate the liver and kidneys, and relax the bowels. In curing chest complaints, these Pills are ' remarkable effective, especially when aided by friction ol the Ointment on its walls. This double treat ment will ensure a certain, steady, and bene ficent progress, and sound health will soon be re-established, —Advt,