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Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 847, 20 January 1883, Page 2

Sale. —At Mr T. Bullock’s auction yards to-day, the London Butchery, situated on T. S. IC6, was sold to Mr J. O. Dolman, for the sum of L 695.

Otago Central Railway. —At a banquet given to Mr Fergus, M. H. R., at Queenstown on Thursday night, the Hon. Mr Rolleston said that if he had been opposed to the Otago Central Railway before, he was now convinced that it was a colonial work. He believed now in this line the colony possessed a valuable asset, requiring only judicious administration.

The Harvest in Southland. —An Invercargill telegram says :—The -'.either is warm and bright. Harvesting is beginning early this season. Reports from the different parts of the district state that cutting has commenced. There is a famine of reapers and binders, the sellers being practically cleared out. It is said that fifty more could have been sold hero.

Winding up of the Pottery Works. At a meeting of the shareholders of the Milton (New Zealand) Pottery Company, it was resolved to wind up their affairs. There has been in their operations a loss of L 3,642 16s Bd. These present much regretted the absolute necessity of winding up, and a hope was expressed that a new Company might be started, especially as all early difficulties have been surmounted, and a number of skilled workman have been brought into the country. Professor Friser. —There was a very fair attendance at the Town Hall last evening, and the admirable lecture delivered by Professor Fraser was listened to with much interest. “ How to read men like open books,” was the title of the discourse, and the lecturer explained the various scientific theories in regard to the formation of the head and the lessons learnt from them by the phrenologist. The heads of a number of gent emeu were examined at the end of the lecture, and their character determined. Professor Fraser’s next lecture will be given on Monday.

The Volunteers. —The annual meeting of the Ashburton Rifle Corps was held last evening, at the temporary drill-shed, in West street, when about twenty members were preient. Captain Douglas presided. The balance-sheet having been read, was confirmed, after a discussion lasting over an hour and a-half, exception being taken to the items for erecting the butts and target. The election of various committeemen and others was then proceeded with, resulting as follows: Treasurer, Capta'n Douglas ; committee, Color-sergeant Hayes, Sergeant Jessop, Corporal Dunn, and Private Leach; auditors, Corporal Dunn and Private Wilkins. The election of secretary was postponed until next drill night, owing to the persons nominated refusing to stand. The drill night was then altered from Tuesday to Thursday night. The late band of the corps was voted L2O out of the capitation money, to be paid on receipt of same. Captain Douglas notified that Major Lean, the officer commanding the district, would attend on Tuesday, 27th inat., to enrol the members of the Company under the new regulations. A vote of thanks to Mr Bullock, the late captain, for the use of the shed for drill purposes, to the retiring committee, secretary, and to Lieutenant Dolman (drill instructor), for his services as color-sergeant, brought the proceedings to a close.

How the New England was Lost.— At tho inquiry into the cause of the wreck of the steamer New England, with the loss of many lives, John Lemaira, chief engineer of the vessel, stated that after the chief officer told him that he was not to move the engines without his orders, he (Lemaire) went on to tho bridge, called the captain down to the upper deck, and asked him if he was going on* - . Captain Mann replied in the affirmative, adding that the pilot distinctly told him that there was sufficient water in the channel to allow of their going out. Witness then asked the mate of the vessel if he would go up and stand by the captain in case anything should happen. He saw that there was something the matter with the captain. The mate went up accordingly. ' In the early part of the day it appeared to him (Lemaire) that the captain had had too much liquor. He did not appear to work the ship coming down the river that day as well as usual, and he (witness) thought this was from the effects of drink. The chief engineer detailed at length what took place after the steamer struck. The president, on behalf of the board, complimented Mr Lemaire upon the bravery ho had exhibited in risking his life to save others, and said if there had been some more like him on the occasion of the wreck there would probably have been far le s loss of life. Henry Jamieson, steward on board the New England, stated that the agent of the Company came to him at South Grafton before the vessel left, and told him not to give tie captain anything to drink.