The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1881. A Terrible Calamity.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 332, 30 April 1881, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1881. A Terrible Calamity.

TOWN EDITION. {lssued at 4.30 p.m.]

Our telegraphic columns yesterday contained the startling intelligence of the wreck of the Union Company’s s.s. Tararua, on a reef at the mouth of the Mataura river, Southland. Further particulars to hand this afternoon con tain the sad intelligence that nearly 100 lives have been lost. The truly heartrending description, which we publish elsewhere, of the sad scenes at the

wreck, will bring from our readers many expressions of sympathy for the unfortunate passengers and their sad fate, as well as for the many friends and relations who are left in the colony to realise their loss. Within a short distance from land we have one of our finest coasting steamers stranded on a comparatively well-known reef, the passengers and crew perishing before the eyes of those on shore, and presenting one of the most terrible shipwreck scenes we have heard of for some time. The cause of the steamer being so close in-shore, we have, of course, no knowledge at present. The captain, officers, and crew, we believe, were thoroughly efficient, and we know that the Union Company spare neither trouble nor expense in providing every requisite for the safety and comfort of all who travel in their boats. We shall await with painful interest the further particulars of the disaster before enquiring into the probable cause, being fully aware of the mysterious perils those who “go down into the sea in ships” are subjected to at all times.

“ Sinecure. ” —Owing to pressure on our space, Jottings ”by the above contributor, are held over till our next issue. Patent Medicines. —A notification is published in our advertising columns re “ Yates’ patent British Herb Ointment. Impounded. The Tinwald poundkeeper advertises the impounding on April 25 of two mares (hacks) and a draught mare.

Harvest Thanksgiving. Harvest thanksgiving services will be held in St Stephens’ Church to-morrow at morning and evening. Frnsr Appearance. —This morning at the Resident Magistrate’s Court before the R.M., a first offender charged with drunkenness, was discharged with a caution.

Twenty Per Cent. —Creditors holding proven claims in the estate of Thomas Clark will receive a sum of 4s in the LI, from Mr Pavitt one of the creditor’s trustees, on application. Political. —Mr S. P. Andrews, M.H.R., addressed a crowded meeting .of the Christchurch electors last evening at the Academy of Music. A motion of utmost confidence in Mr Andrews as one of the Christchurch, members was carried amidst hisses and cheers. Primitive Methodist Church. Special services in connection with the above Church are to be held on the first week in May throughout New Zealand. To-morrow evening at the Will’s street Church instead of the usual service short addresses will be given by the minister and lay brethren of the Church.

Timaru Races. —The following is the conclusion of the S.C.J.C. Meeting ; Selling Hack Hurdle Race ; Johnny, 1 ; Parnell, 2. Winter Oats Handicap : The Joker, 1; Billingsgate, 2 ; Hilda, 3. Consolation Handicap : The Poet, 1 ; Nautilus, 2 ; Billingsgate 3. In a Plight. —Says a Dunedin telegram :—A boat’s crew composing four men have been left in an awkward plight on a small island off the Taieri Mouth, through their boat drifting away. They signalled by fires to the shore, and a steamer is going from Dunedin to their assistance. They have been on the island since Thursday. General Regret. —The news of the drowning of the passengers of the Tararua, caused a profound sensation in Christchurch. Several highly respected citizens were on board, some of them being en route to England. Revs. Armitage (editor, N.Z. Wesleyan), and J. B. Richardson, Wesleyan ministers, were also on board, on their way to the General Conference, to be held in Adelaide.

Fire in Christchurch. —Early this morning, a grocer’s shop and house, in Christchurch, belonging to Mr W, J. Hulme, were partially destroyed by fire. Mrs Hulme and the children escaped in their night dresses. The furniture and stock were totally destroyed, and the building completely gutted. The total loss is about LI,IOO. Insurances : Victoria, L 40 0; Standard, L 30 0; South British, L6OO ; Transatlantic, LSOO. The origin of the fire is unknown. Maori Prisoners. —Sixty-five of the political prisoners, who have lately been kept in Dunedin, came through Ashburton, en route to the North Island yesterday evening. I. N. Watt, Esq., R.M., Dunedin, was in charge of the released Maoris. All of them appeared extremely contented and happy, and none the worse for their loss of liberty. They shipped on board the s.s. Hinemoa, in Lyttelton, this morning, and will probably reach their homes to-morrow or the next day. We hear that only twelve prisoners, including one chief, remain in Dunedin, the latter intending to stay until the whole batch are released.

Nonplussed. The funny man connected with the Christchurch Telegraph tells the following story of a gentleman who resides not very far from Christchurch who had overdrawn his account at the bank. It appears that the banker sent for his customer, and requested him to place his overdraft on the right side of the ledger. The gentleman walked into the bank parlor, vulgarly styled by some the “sweating-room,” and confronted the manager. Customer —“ Good morning, sir. I hope you are well. I think you sent for me.” “ Yes, I did; and I want you to put that overdraft of yours right.” Customer—“ I think you have every confidence in me, Mr Banker—“Oh yea, certainly I have.” Customer—- “ Then I may tell you I have the greatest confidence in you; soi good morning.” With that the customer put on his hat and walked'fiSht of the banker’s parlor, leaving that gentleman in a complete state of nonplus.