Primitive Methodist Church. —The congregation worshipping in Wilis/ have been, for a long time, deprived .of', the ministrations of a settled pastor, and have had to rely for their Sunday services on the assistance of the , local preachers and others who volunteered their aid. ‘We understand, however, that the 1 Rev. A. J. Smith, recently arrived fromu .England, has taken the pastorate of ithe .above church, and the Primitive Methodists are to bo congratulated in securing a minister of such evident ability and earnestness. On Thursday evening last, Mr. Smith held an outdoor service, the first of its kind we believe ever held in Ashburton, and a goodly crowd assembled around the preachers stand. The pulpit of the Wes ley an Church was occupied on Sunday by the Ame gentleman, and. from the ap parefttdixterest manifested by his hearers, and the enconiums passed, we conclude that beforedong Mr. Smith, will be very pemdar : among the religious bodies in AaMiurton. ■ ■

TELEGRAPHIC.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

(Reuter's Telegrams. ) : i i London, Nov. 27. The Chilians have captured Iquiqui. The Hon. W. E. Gladstone, in a speech at Dalkeith, favored local autonomy for Ireland. The total reserve.' ofc notes and bullion in the'Bank of England is £16,062,500. ' At the Wool sales to-day, 9631 bales were catalogued: The speculative de mandfor washed, scoured, and erosi-bied is advancing. E

i. ' ■ ..r , i- Later. Winhftd, scoured; and. cross-bred wool ■how •flkL-toAdj advance. , * i ; imi . > London, Nov. 88, Arrive*!—-JohnElder. Government: intend forming ■> an ; army reoerte of 10,000' men;in the dominion of Canada, availablefbr service abroad. i i Paris, Nov. 27. The’ ’'dhambers opened to-day. M. Gambetta in a speech, nrged conciliation. Berlin, Nov. 29. The King of Denmark is on a visit to to the Emperor of Germany..

AUSTRALIAN.

(Special.) Melbourne, Nov. 27. ’ Iti a speech at Lancefield, the Hon. Graham Berry declared the Reform Bills would be maintained in their entirety. ! . Melbourne, Nov. 29. Mr. Childers telegraphs that the French Government had decided to appoint a Commissioner at the Melbourne Exhibi tion, and- apply for an extension of time in 'regard to the French applications for space to March.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Nov. 28. The rifle mldaft between a team of Captain Payne’s battery (Artillery) and one from BLM.S. Cormorant took place to-day. There were ten men a side, and the' total scores were—Artillery, 401; Cormorant, 369. The former .fired with Snider -carbides, the latter with Martini- HSSrL ‘ ' MrrTitchener, of the Telegraph Department; m»4fi the highest score for the Artillery, .48; and Dennis, for the CdraioraniS, 86.' The Artillery enter tamed'flmCbrmotants at dinner, at the Csleddnian Hotel after the match. .Jltmee ; Meehan Connell was charged ai the..Polioe. Court with failing to summit his wife ‘and four Children, having been £3& hi ‘arrears : ikt Christchurch on Sept 26. ’ Prisoner was.-remanded to Christ church. J; Auckland, Nov. 29. .. A. White, champion sculler of thisPro viticei, from Sydney by the Roto- White had built, at Sydney, a cedar outrigger, ’ .with .patent swivel rowlocks, the same as used, by Hanlon. , .When the storm arose,, the sea broke on board and smashed : the'boat, and White loses £46. The four brothers: White intend going Shath to ebmpete at;vatiaus regattas.. Ct -. f Auckland, Dec. 1.

In.ths .ruQ from - Auckland toTapite Point-lSO : nuter-the Hawea' beat the l&Upii.' TW • two minutes fin' smooth in • bumpy ' ' , The farmers JucVA suffered heavily in ■ fcrt ‘through the weather. frbm : Sydney. ■ enmcmures-for public use, but will be cloae#»em owing to destruc tion to trees Hslftrnbi. - Eive seameh pfihe barque Anazi, for plundering cargo in the hold, and using a , light, were sentenced, three to one yaiftrfr imprisonment, and two to nine months’. They were also mulcted in aorta, *ad£4r los each for cargo plun dered. The Annul had twelve tons of . gunpowder stowed adjacent to where the men had, the naked lights. ..... G&ahamstown, Nov. 29. / The Albumin banked 5320z5. gold to . day, making » total yield for the month of-3,OGOozs. A 16s. dividend is expected. '/ / Wanganui, Nov. 29. A native prisoner escaped from Wan ganui Gaol last evening. He was engaged as yardsman, and watching his oppor tunity when no one was looking, climbed £ha mace and bolted towards the race gaagfv. Some boys saw him, gave chase, ahAqyartook him in a paddock. They ' ggprded him till a warder arrived and Mfimed charge. The boys Were quite jojupg, but behaved pluckily. The Native meant to go” to Farihakb. ■' . , Wellington, Nov. 29. .^ T jt is hour.; believed that fully thirty .plijtioa.iVill naive to be taken out of the igeamer. Toi, wifch etrqch the rocks at the , tb the harbour on Sunday last. ' \ WmimairiN, Dec. ■ 1. .°f laying the foundation, newCourts of justice here by’ to-day ' was a great success, were present, inclttd ttaag ,9<Mj Radies, | 300 masons, and all the corps, Theproceedings passed • great eclat. The cefeniony was iSWomML’iir the Fredk. Whitaker, Principal Grand Master North Island, 5.0., assisted by C. 11.G.M. of the North Island, • l.jfevr f Ay the close of the proceedings : g $£ made an eloquent address » qJ p |ayor,o t the Order. He was replied to o* W. Rolleston, Minister for . ball will be given .■ ys evening. court martial will'be held’ to-mor roW on the conduct of the second Lieu

j tenant of the Naval Brigade during a re cent parade. ' ]■ Nelson, No". 29. The Hon. Dr. Ren wick, M.L.C., died last night after a long illness. Port Chalmers, Nov. 29. I After a long spell of easterly winds and a seven cliys’ downpour of constant rain, ,a change has set in. the wind backing to south-west early this morning and blowing freshly. This, it was generally felt, ought to bring up some eight or nine ships now overdue from Home and Colonial ports. The first to turn up should be Messrs Shaw, Saville, and Company’s Hermione, ifow 107 days out, with the Albion Com pany’s Dunedin now 95 days out, and the New Zealand Shipping Company’s Loch Fleet, 96 days out; together with several American barques, and a vessel or two from the Mauritius. During the past week there has not been a vessel of any class in the bay nor at the piers doing anything, except the Invercargill and Mataura.' Both of these ships are load ing for London. Indeed, it is years since Port Chalmers has looked so dull. A change for the better is now to be devoutly wished. Dunedin, Nov. 29. In consequence of the inclement state of the weather the races have been post poned till Monday. The great twenty-four-hour walking match is causing intense excitement. Up to 12.30 P. M. Brooks led with 75 miles, Henderson and Scott 70 each; Drummond, 68. At the 76th mile Brooks was dis qualified for unfair walkii g, 15,000 people attended the scene of contest during the morning. The race was won by Scott, who did 106 miles; Henderson second, and Drummond third. Dunedin, Nov. 30. There was a narrow escape from a serious accident on the railway near Purakanui on Saturday night. She 5.16 special train from Dunedin to Palmerston was thrown off the line, owing to the engine running into a land slip which had covered the rails. Fortunately the train was not going fast, or it would have stood a good chance of going over the cliff. Considerable delay was caused in the traffic.

LATEST.

LATEST FROM EUROPE JKeutcAs) London, Nov. 28. Best Australian beef tallow, 37s 6d ; best Australian mutton tallow, 39a. At the wool sales to-day, 6936 bales were catalogued. Dublin, Nov. 30. Keiller has been committed for trial. Bail refused. EniNBUBGH, Nov. 30 The Hon. W. E. Gladstone at a meeting denounced the Tory finance as reckless and dishonest, and insisted on the auto nomy and emancipation of the Balkans. He warned Europe against allowing Austria to extend her influence where the supremacy of Turkey should be main tamed. Madrid, N«v. 30. King Alphonso’s marriage with Arch duchess Christina was celebrated to-day. (Aae Special.) London, Nov. 29. Government has been warned of a con spiracy to seize the Cork powder magazine. The guard has been doubled, and the garrison of Cork reinforced. The Board of Public Works invite Irish municipalities to suggest means of reliev ing local distress. Mr. Gladstone intends addressng the electors of North Devon. Dissatisfaction with Government’s ex travagance is increasing. (Argus Special. ) London, Nov. 29. The wool market is firm, and prices hardening. Foreigners are more active. Cross breeds 3d to 4d advance. Scoured Merino, 2d ; greasy, barely a penny.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Per our Special Wire.

Auckland, Dec 1,

Fiji advices by the Hero state that the Rev, Geo. Brown, the New Guinea mis sionary, is to be tried at Fiji, at the in stance of Chief Justice Gorrie, Commis sioner for Polynesia, on a charge of man slaughter in connection with the New Guinea affair. Sir Arthur Gordon dis approves of the prosecution. Wellington, Dec. 1.

At a recent parade one of the Lieuten ants of the Naval Brigade conducted him self in such a manner that his superior officer reported him, and it has been deemed necessaiy to hold a Court martial, which takes place to-morrow. Mr Edgecombe, formerly of the “ Bay of Plenty Times,” has purchased the “Waikato Times” from Mr. Whitaker, junr. Arrived—Annie Meluish, barque, from Newcastle. ' During her passage she encountered a heavy gale which carried away a portion of her bulwarks and did other damage on deck.

Nelson, Dec. 1

The funeral of the late Dr. Renwick, M.L.C. , who died on Saturday, aged 61, takes place to-morrow. Christchurch, Dec. 1.

In a muff cricket match to-dav, between the City Council and Muff Club, Mr. W. H. Smith, of the “ Press ” office, came into collision with another player, and broke his leg. Last year a similar accident happened to a player in one of these matches, while jumping over a fence after the ball.

At the ELM. Com* to-day, George Green, executor in an estate, was called upon to answer a charge of failing to send in returns to the Deputy-Commissioner of Stamps, as provided in the 108th section of the Stamp Act. Defendant did not appear, and a penalty of £lO was imposed. Other cases were set down for hearing tut were adjourned. The R. M. pointed out that a fine of £SOO could be imposed for a breach of the Act in this respect. In future cases of the kind the full penalty would be pressed for. The secretary of the Chess Club—Albert linkstbne —who has hitherto held a re spectable position, was charged, under the Offences Against the Person Act, upon three charges of aggravated assaults upon females. He pleaded guilty, expressed contrition, and threw himself upon the mercy of the Bench. The R.M. said there was only one reason that he could

see why the matter should have been dealt with in a superior Court ; that was that a more appropriate punish ment might ha inflicted by his Honor doaling with it and the feelings of delicate young girls would bo saved. He would send accused to gaol for the longest term allowed—viz., 6 months on each charge, to run consecutively. At the end of the time, he would have to enter into his own recognisance of £SO, and find a surety of £SO for his good behavior, or again to go to gaol for six months. These cases are becoming quite startling ; Pink stone’s is the fifth or sixth within a month —the, defendants in several, as in this, being men of presumably good characters and the last to be suspected of such crimes.

The cable at the Heads was successfully laid by Dr. Lemon on Saturday, and tele phonic communication between the Heads and the port will be establithed in about two weeks.

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

(from our special correspondent. ) Wellington, Nov. 29.

In Committee on the Estimates this morning, twenty guineas were taken off the honorarium, leaving the sum of £lB9. A most acrimonious debate ensued, in which every kind of bad motive was im puted to those who voted on the side of the reduction, and the Ministry were as sailed for not voting in a block against it. Messrs. Hall and Uolleston voted for the reduction, and the other Ministers against it.i A great deal of coarse language was used, chiefly by MV. Hislop, about reduc ing the payment of Ministers, and Mr. Hall was unwise enough to resent it. But for this question, which is always a knotty one, the Estimates would have been got through before the House rose this mornj ing ; but finding the debate interminable, members contented to report progress soon after 2.30 this morning.

PARLIAMENT.

Per our Special Wire. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Monday, Dec. 1. The House met at 7.30 p.m. NATIVE INDUSTRY. Mr. Dick presented a petition signed by 4,400 residents of Dunedin and suburbs relative to the encouragement of local manufactures, etc., which was read and referred to the Tariff Committee. WHAT DOES IT MEAN I Sir G. Grey presented a petition signed by 490 residents of Canterbury, complain ing of the conduct of the Hon. John Hall, and Messrs. Moorhouse, Rolleston, and Saunders, relative to the maladministra tion of the waste land of that provincial district, and the abuse known as gridiron ing. The petition was read in such a fragmentary manner by the clerk to the Assembly that its precise contents could not possibly be noted. In reply to Mr. Pyke, Major Atkinson said the Government would agree to a recommittal of the Estimates for the purpose of reconsider ing the reduction of the honorarium. (Left sitting.)

SPORTING.

D.J.C. SPRING MEETING. [By Telegraph.] Dunedin, Dec. 1. To day was opened as a general holiday, nearly all the business places being closed. The opening day of the Dunedin Jockey Club Spring Race Meeting, post poned from Saturday, has been very suc cessful, the weather being fine and the course in tolerable good order. There was a good attendance. Free Handicap, of 40 sovs. One mile. Mr. R. Butler’s b g Numa, aged, 6st. 121 b. Carried 7st. 31b.) (Ruddings) 1 Mr. A. J. Keith’s Soukar, 4 yrs.,7st. 41b. (S. Harris) 2 Mr. J. Chaafe’s br. h Oberon, 5 yrs., 7st. 21b 3 Mr. J. C. Hall’s b g Unknown, aged, Gst. 121 b. (M. Allen) 0 Mr. H. Taggart’s br. m Grace Darl ing, 4 yrs.Gst. 101 b. (W. J. Taggart) 0 Betting—s to 4 on Soukar, 2 to 1 against Numa, 3 to 1 against Unknown, Oberon ; 5 to 1 against Grace Darlin Numa won by a length. Time, Imin. 53jsec. Ladies’ Purse :30 sovs. One mile and a quarter. Welter weight for age. Gentlemen riders. Mr. H. Goodman’s b h Chancellor, aged, list. 31b. (Mr. Bradley) ... 1 Mr. S. C. Hall’s b g Unknown, aged, list. (Mr. Taggart) 2 Eversley, Grace Darling, and Hornby were scratched. Betting—Any odds on Chancellor. Chancellor won with the greatest ease in 2min. 3|secs. St. Andrew’s Handicap, of 100 sovs. Two miles. Mr. Ray’sb m Titania, 6 yrs, Sat ... 1 Mr. H. Goodman’s ch h York, 4 yrs. 7st. 51b. 2 Messrs. Mason and Vallance’s b h Lara aged, 7st. 101 b. ... ... 3 Time —3mins. 58|secs. Betting 25 to 10 on Titania.. Won by a length and a half, Lara a good third. The scratchings were Hornby, Camballo, Rangatira, Soukar. Atlantic was leading at the back of the course when hi* rider fell. Titania took first place and was never passed. Hastie, the rider of Atlantic, was unhurt. Handicap Trotting Race, of 40 sovs. The second horse to receive 10 sovs. from the stakes. No weight under lOst.; optional for saddle or harness. Mr. J. Vesey’s blk g Zulu, 300yds (Jameson) 1 Mr. W. Kirkwood’s br g Titokowam, aged, 275yds (Owner) 2 Mr. W. Sutherland’s g g Charley, aged, 200yds (W. McKay) 3 Zulu won easily by twenty yards. Time —9 min. 29 sec. Spring Handicap, of 461 sovs. One mile and a distance. Winner of St. An drew’s Handicap to carry 71bs. extra. Messrs. Mason and Vallance’s br g Camballo, syrs, Bst. 71b. (Nolan) 1 Mr. W. A. Johns’ b m Dolly Yarden 4yrs, Gst. (W. Allen) 2 Mr. H. Goodman’s ch h York, 7st 121 b (Rudings) 3 Betting—2 to 1 on Camballo who won by a short head. Time—2 min. 11 sec. Benevolent Scurry. Post entries Won by Bell’s Comet.

CHISPA’S LETTER.

(From 1 lie .■>s,wtnton iicrald, November 29 ) ■‘l mu not yet so bald that you can see my brains.” — Longfellow’

Philology is the study of language, and the philologist who studies, so as to add new words to our already extensive collec tion in the latest dictionaries, deserves the thanks of the English-speaking world in general. When Ashburton can raise a man equal to adding a word to our vocabu lary, Ashburton ought feel duly proud. When Mr. Ivess returned thanks to those who voted for him on Wednesday last, he told Ills audience that purific ition was re quired in the organisation of the Council ; and, had he been elected Mayor, he would have gone there as a “ purificator. ” No doubt thoughts of the Burnett street drain were floating in his mind at the time,andour omnodern Hercules intended to undertake the task of cleansing the augean stables of the present da} r . For that reason, if for no other, I regret Mr. Ivess’ defeat.

They seem to have some original specimens of natural history down Wak anui way. A case was heard in Court the other day, in which his Worship was asked to decide upon the question of whether pigs were carnivorous animals ; and also if sea gulls were in the habit of .adopting the habits of eagles, with a view to the destruction of lambs ; also, if dogs when out on path excavated residences for themselves in sod fences. The evidence of a Vet. was called in, whose memory served him sufficiently to state that lie had known an old sow act the part of a tiger on one occasion, and go for a lamb. That, however, was the only instance in his recollection, and as the animal in question existed on the other side of the Equator, and no instance could be adduced of pigs becoming butchers in the colonies, it was laid down by the Bench that their reputations had been slandered, and there was no ground for believing that they had acted improperly. The sea gulls were also'acquitted, as it was clearly ostablised that the damage being done by night, and the birds usually retiring to their bods at dark, no case could lie against them ; so that the culprits must have been dogs. One of these dogs was described by a witness as ’ having a penchant for eggs, and the owner of the eggs having a taste that way himself, and being the possessor of a gun as well, endeavored to get within hailing distance of the thief. But up to the present time the eggs still disappear- His Worship, with his usual kind hearted, ness, took the part of the pigs, and in formed the bar that he had seen a tiger and a pig living on the most aft’ectionrte terms together. Since that case was heard I have lived on bacon, so much has my estimate of a hog’s value been raised.

We have a life assurance agent here at present, and he is doing a good stroke of business I should say ; but he couldn’t get over the keeper of a locomotive fish shop. The odoriferous purveyor of the finny tribe did not see the utility of insur ing his life ; hut the agent stuck to him ; and fish-oh, to get clear, said he wouldn’t do it till he had consulted his lawyers. He gave the agent the names of the whole six legal gentlemen in the town, as being his advisers. As even these learned gentlemen don’t always agree, I imagine it will be some time before the policy will be issued.

A Rambling reporter in a contemporary thus describes a truck used in connection with the Longheach road steamer.

The truck is filled with a ta’l side that can be let down to the railway siding, and across which the animal can be driven from the van without any tumble or vexation. It can be used in the threshing, in carrying wool, grind ing bone dust, 80 tons of which it turned out last year, and it might be used for ploughing required.

As I have seen the conveyance and know something about vehicles, I can only ac knowledge my ignorance in not discover ing the many advantages it possesses. Had it been exhibited going through all the manceuvres described, there would have been a big demand for such trucks. I should very much like to see the truck going through the process of grinding bone dust, perhaps that is done when the “ animal is driven from the van.” The ploughing, however, is a mystery. No wonder that when the author of such a description arrived with his old crock at Lowclitfe, he was taken for a “ sundowner,” and treated accordingly.' Chispa.

Curious Foundling Hospital in Russia.

As long ago as the time of Peter the Great, the enormous .mortality among children was recognized in Russia as an evil requiring legislation. The Russian poor are famous for their large families, and a custom haa grown up among the laboring classes of leaving their children unprotected during the day, merely placing a huge “quid” in their mouths to keep them quiet and afford them a little innocent amusement. It was found, however that an enormous per centage of these perverse little atoms in sisted on getting the “ quid ” into their throats, and so quietly choked themselves out of existence. A huge hospital or foundling was therefore started in Moscow by the Government, to which any child might be admitted upon one condition, viz. —that its future should be entirely at the disposal of the State. From that day to this the hospital has never lacked in mates ; and it still forms a wonderful feeder for the army and navy, to say nothing of the scores of female servants that are annually turned out of its doors. Among Pic curiosities shown at this won derful institution is an order signed at Moscow by Napoleon in 1812, to admit two children to its privilege.

The Kelly Gang. -The “Australa sian ” says:—Attention has been called this week in the Press to the humiliating circumstance that we have passed ths an niversary of the day on which Police- Sergeant Kennedy and his two fellow troopers were murdered by the Kelly gang. That terrible outrage gave a great shock to the feeling of security previously felt by the colony, but how much greater would have been the blow had it been for seen that within the year these daring scoundrels would twice mako raids on neighboring towns and plunder two banks, and that the efforts of the police to effect their capture would up to the end of the twelve months be utterly without result. If the occurrence of such a crime was felt as a degradation to the colony, how much more -degradation is involved in the fact that it was committed with the most total impunity.

The New York Diamond Gang.

No doubt you have lately noticed a good deal in the papers about a gang of swindlers wli > have boon playing the diamond game pretty freely. There are supposed to b about a dozen persons in the gang, and the half of them women—regular confi dence women, of course. The modus operand! is very simple. It is necessary, to begin with, to have a couple of pawn brokers and two or three diamond brokers in the gang. When the gang is ready for business, one of its members, “ a lady in distress,” perhaps, puts an advertisement in the Herald ” asking some capitalist to realise her diamonds from pawn, as they are in great danger of being sold. The capitalist appears and has a talk with the afflicted woman, who is usually very handsome, and exceedingly talented in the tongue. She tells him all about her imagi nary troubles, works vigorously on Iris sympathy, and occasionally goes so far as to make some demonstrations of affection. He agrees to visit the pawnbroker ' next day and see about the diamonds. Ten to one he knows nothing about diamonds, but ho means to he wide awake in this affair, and is dead sure that no one can got ahead of him. He calls on the pawn broker irext day with the interesting and distressed creature, probably a pretended widow who has excited his sympathy. He asks what sum has been lent on them, and is told SISOO. But are they worth that I Oh, yes, and much more. The capitalist wants to know how he can find out. The distressed widow then takes her cue. Perhaps the pawnbroker will be so kind as to let his clerk take the dia -1110 ids to an expert, who can tell the gentleman what they are worth. Certainly; so the clerk takes the diamonds, and he and the lady and gentleman go off to find an expert. The capitalist does not know where to look for one. The clerk finally remembers one, a well-known diamond broker in the neighborhood. He is one of the gang, but when the parties enter his shop, of course he does not know any of them. The diamonds are shown, and his opinion as an expert is asked as to their value. He looks them over carefully, and thinks they are worth from $2500 to S3OOO. The woman had said they had cost her husband S3OOO. They return to the pawnbroker’s and matters are arranged. The capitalist (we may as well call him that, though perhaps he is worth SIO,OOO all told) hands over theslsoo and receives the diamonds. He is to receive ten per cent, interest until the diamonds are re deemed, and perhaps a bonus as well. The transactionis over and the part'es separate. The capitalist tells some friend the next day. The friend suggests that it might be well to look into things a little deeper. A, reputable jeweller, perhaps Tiffany, is con sulted. He says the diamonds are probably worth S2OO. Off goes the capitalist in a rage to find the woman who had swindled him. She had folded her tent in the night time and had silently gone away. The pawnbroker is visited, but he does not know the woman, and he is not lend ing money upon diamonds at present. The expert is called upon, and he sticks to it that the diamonds are worth from 2500d01a. to SOOOdols. Will he buy them for ISOOdoIs ? No, he is not buying diamonds just now. ; The market is dull and he has a large stock on hand. It is clear to the capitalist that it is a first-class swindle, and he thinks all the parties are in it. But the chief swindler .is gone and he can get no trace of her. The game has been played over and over again in twenty different ways. The police lately caught a woman who has been identified by several persons as ono of the chief opera tors. She denies it flatly, and it may not be easy to convict her.—“ Hartford Times. ”

Dr. Talmage Sold.

“ Pulman’s News ” is responsible for the

following : “ We are gratified to hear that in at least one place in England Dr. Talmage met his match. He arranged, soon after his arrival, to lecture at Bristol for £4O. Shortly after this arrangement was made he wrote to the gentleman who had en gaged him saying that he must have £SO, and asking for an immediate reply. The gentleman at once wired the simple answer —‘ Come !’ Within a short time of the day fixed for the lecture another letter arrived from Talmage, stating that the inquiries for his , services were so numerous that ho could not possibly go to Bristol under £GO. This time the gentle man telegraphed more emphatically— ‘ Come ! come 1 I conic I I!’ Talmage came and delivered his lecture, and when he had done so the person who was respon sible for the cash handed him' £4O. ‘ Oh, this is wrong,’ said Talmage ; ‘ I said I should not come for less than£oo. ’ There upan his first letter—the one in which he had engaged to lecture for £4o—was quietly placed before him, and he then discovered that the purchasers of h n ‘ eloquence ’ had the precaution to have the document stamped with a sixpenny agreement stamp, and thim rendered binding. Talmage was ‘sold,’ •and had to walk off with only £4O. He could make nothing of the two telegrams, for the sender was, of course, prepared to say that all he meant by them was—Gome and fulfil your engagement,’ and that he , certainly had no intention of engaging the Doctor on any other terms than those first arranged. Talmage, being a new comer, was probably not aware that Bristol people are accustomcvl to sleep with one eye open, so that to he on their guard against such as be ; hut no doubt it was this experience of English ’cuteness which induced him to insist, on all future occasions, on having the cash before delivering his goods. Some of the churches must be in a bad way when their noisest and most popular preachers have rendered themselves such objects of suspicion that, those who deal with them are bound to protect themselves by stamping their letters. There can be little doubt that Tahnage haa carried home several thousand pounds as ■ the pecuniary results of only 84 lectures, and much of that money came out Of, the pockets of those who arranged for the meetings. Let us hope that he will at least take his church organ out of pawn as soon as he reaches home. ”

ASHBURTON FOR BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnighfly meeting was held hi the Borough Council Chambers last night -the Mayor presiding, and there '"•'re also present, Messrs. It. Friedlander, Parkin, Robinson, and Roberts. tiik mayor's statement. The Mayor • stated that he had ap proached th .- Comity Council ou the sub ject of a Board of Conservators, and he had met, he thought, with some success. The County had agreed to allow the Clerk a supply of dog collars at contract price. It would bo for the Council to soo to his gazetting as a collector. Mr. Wright had written to him regarding the pro posed clause in the Municipalities Act, re subsidies, but had not' expressed himself that the Government would he favorable to it. He had said, however, that he hoped to secure the balance of the 2000 acres rural endowment at some future time. The Mayoral election had taken place since last meeting, and Mr. Hugo Friedlander had been returned. He (Mr. Bullock), had asked the presence that night of Mr. Crisp, the Borough Solicitor, to advise the Council and Mr. Hugo Friedlander, as to whether it was within the scope of the Act that the installation of the Mayor might be postponed until after Mr. Hugo Friedlander’s return from the hot springs in the North Island, whither he intended going for a week or two for .the benefit of qis wealth. Mr. Crisp sa dhe had not had time Vi look into the question as closely as he wished to, but on the face of the Act he thought the Mayor at his installation sh uld be present. He would be able to give his. opinion on Thursday. The Mayor then reported that the bank balance was £482 IGa. 4d. The rates collected up to date were £351 9s. 2d., and those collected since last meeting £263 14a. 3d. PIPE WELLS. Mr. Samuel Hardley wrote acknowledg ing receipt of order for pipe wells in ac cordance with contract, and asking loan of Fire Brigade’s suction, hose and coup ling to adjust the screw thread, also the Council’s permission to test, the well on completim. Referred to the Fire Brigade. MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION. On the reading of a letter from the City Council, Christchurch, it was re solved r— “ That the first meeting of dele gates re the proposed Municipal Associa tion should be held some time in January, the date to be fixed at next meeting of Council.'’ NORTH EAST TOWN BELT. Messrs. Andrews and Gaukrodger, sureties for T. Trovurza, wrote enclosing a letter they had received from the latter, in which the quantity of work he had done on the North East Town Belt was shown, and the loss he was sure to suffer through the low price at which he had taken the contract. The sureties requested the Council to make Mr. Trevurza an allowance. It was resolved to reply to Messrs. Andrews and Gaukrodger that, as the contract for the Belt has to be paid for conjointly by the Council and i the Upper Ashburton Road Board, the Council could not take it upon themselves to make any extra grant. THE SCAVENGER. It was resolved to pay £l4, the amount of money collected for scavengers’ fees, to R. J. Hughes, ou account, the balance of his bill (£2O) to be paid when a full statement is supplied, and the arrears got in. He was also asked to commence work again for a fortnight, thenew scavenger having failed to enter upon his duties. Fresh tenders for the acavengering work to be called for. THE LAND FUND. Mr. E. G. Wright wrote stating that any attempt to give the Borough of Ash burton, or any other young borough a share of the 20 per cent, of the laud fund, would meet the House’s opposition, and would never succeed. Mr. Wright, how ever, was hopeful, that the balance of the 2000 acres rural land endowment would bo obtained at some future time. FIR® POLICE. The services of the newly formed Fire Police corps were accepted. FIRE BRIGADE. A deputation from, the Fire Brigade tendered a request for materials and a sum of money to sink an open well in place of the tube well opposite the “Herald” office ; also,; for a new length of suction hose and necessary fittings ; also, for a site for the ■ old bell, and ; two posts to erect it on. After the deputation retired, the money asked for—£l6—was granted, and also the needful timber, which the Borough had in stock. NUISANCES. The Inspector reported tvn the bad state of the closets in town owing to the dilatorinesa of the new scavenger. The matter was disposed of as above reported. WAKANUI ROAD FOOTBATHS AND LIGHTING. A petition from the residents in the Wakanui road and Willis street prayed for the completion of the footpaths and the erection of a lamp-post. Resolved, if funds bein hand, to proceed with one of the footpaths : and regarding the lamps, that the Fire Brigade who had scoured the lamp, he empowered to have it. lit, and also to light their sh “d with gas. A CHEQUE. The Chairman of th® Uppe • Ashburton Road Board forwarded a cheque for £O7 11s., being Board’s share of Belt road con tract. "WEEDS. The foreman was instructed to clean the weeds away from the trees in Baring Square. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £2B 17s. were passed for payment and the Council adjourned.

WESLEYAN DISTRICT MEETING.

Friday, November 28.

The meeting was opened at two o’clock by the'usual-devotional exercises. Two resolutions, omitted from Thurs days proceedings, were as follows 1. “ That the Conference be recommended to appoint a Boai’d of Commission in Eng land, to treat with any ministers or others, wishing to enter the ministry in New Zealand.” 2. “ That the Conference be urged to inaugurate a Sunday school Union for the colony. ” Reports upon the trial sermons preached were presented and discussed. One of the candidates was recommended to the Con ference as a student for the full term in Three Kings Institution ; two were recom mended to give themselves to special study

during’fife year, wixh the view of present ing them for examination next district meeting ; ami one was declined. The Rev. T. Fee, a probationer of three years, was recommended to Conference as a fourth year’s probationer. The Rev. H. Bamnber, a fourth year’s probationer, was recommended to be received into full con nection. EVENING SESSION. On re-assembling at 7 a.m., after sing* ing and prayer, the ‘ ‘ Liverpool Minutes ’* were read. An interesting conversation took place ou the pastoral oversight of the young, in the course of which the Chairman ad vocated the use of such measures as would give each minister the opportunity of per sonal intercourse, at least twice a year, with every child in the Sunday schools, for the purpose of becoming acquainted with their spiritual condition and afford ing them such direct instruction as may be needful. It was utimately reaolvcd : —“I.‘That the Sabbath school affords a ready and efficient means for securing the pastoral oversight of the young, and that efforts be put forth to bring all our baptised children into our schools. 2. That the ministers, when visiting the school.*, shall seek, as far as possible, to have religious conversa tion with the children . individually. 3. That in the larger schools, in order to pre vent disturbance of the school routine, the minister shall meet the children by classes in a separate room. 4. That in smaller schools the ordinary proceedings be sus pended during the minister’s visit. 5. That in those circuits where the time of the minister is much occupied by after noon services, arrangements be made to visit every school in the circuit periodi cal ty, even if it be necessary to curtail preaching appointments in order to dis charge this important duty. ” • Votes of thanks were passed to the chairman, the secretary, the reporters, anil the friends who had entertained the. members of the district, meeting. The meeting was closed at 10.30 by prayer offered by the chairman.

LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

SHEARER AND GALLOWAY’S CARRIAGE WORKS. TinwtiW, Although an infant among townships, has no cause to feel ashamed of its progress. Two years ago, one building was in existence to show that the place hail a habitation and a name,” and that was the blacksmith’s shop then worked by Messrs. Keetly Bros., and now. engineered by Mr. Begg. Since that date Tinwald has made rapid strides. A railway station, goods sheds, school and church ; Scott’s Hotel; Bullock’s store ; Clark ■ ami Beswick’s grain stores and saleyard*; butcher’s, baker's, Saddlers, and other shops, and a host of cottageshave sprung up nt such a speed that every week showed some new buildings in course « f erec tion. During the season of depression which we 'have experienced since' last, harvest, Tinwald, like all other places, Ha# suffered a check. Among the latest, bat not the least, of the local industries started there is the business of Messrs Shearer and Galloway, who erected abuild r ing 60 feet by 30 for the purpoaemf carry-!. ing on their trade 'as wheelwrights,, carriage builders, etc., and they; possess): the plant and working ability to carry oik the trade in all its various stages. Being; “ canny ’’ men, and cautious of speculating in bad times. Messrs Shearer and Gallo* way have not gone into speculations beyond ■ the requirements of the times, and in. thw>- / their example might have been of Value to other firms with more ambitious but ■ less successful ideas. This Tinwald business.? has undertaken the development of one, of our. sources of industry which thin paper has frequently referred to, viz. : chaff cutting, and the firm has invented a machine which we consider eminently qualified to do the work it is expected to_.. perform. Most people in Ashburton havir to buy chaff, and they will all acknow ledge that there is a great loss and waste; where the straw is so unevenly cut that: horses reject it, and blow out fully oust third of their feed in consequence <>f tin long straws. This complaint will be effectually got rid of by Messrs. Shearer and Galloway’s patent, since all the chaff fit for feed passes through a riddle, the long straws being returned to the cutter. An ingenious plan is adopted for pressing: the chaff into the bags . The chaff on. leaving the riddles is raised by elevator* and a blast to a height of about nine feet„ and is then shot into bags, and there com pressed hy means of stampers working alternately ; and a bag is made to contain about 651bs. of chaff instead of SOlbs.. as is usually the case. The first machine of their manufacture has been purchased by Messrs. Jones and Bradshaw, of Winslow, the motive power being an 8-horse engine,, the chaff cutter used being a Buncle’s, 3-knife machine* a Melbourne patent: which haa taken first prize wherever shown. This machine is equal to cutting something like 25owt. per-hour when tut alongside a good ata ;k of straw, and wu expect to hear of tue exportation of chaff Incoming one &f our prominent local in dustries during the slack months of the year. Messrs. Shearer and Galloway being ina nifacturers, are of course, capable of doing repairs, and on our visit we found combines, farm drays, tip drays, bakers’ and butchers’ carts —in , fact, every des cription of vehicle either under the pro cess of building or repairs; ami the capabilities of their establishment ex tend from the construction of the largest sized waggon to the fixing up of a Yankee buggy. Of course as their venture is a re cent one, and started at a time of depres sion, they have not attempted to extend their work as much as they would have done otherwise ; but the samples of the work they have turned out is sufficient evidence of the ability of the firm to do work Which they need not he ashamed to have brought to them for investigation after a few months’ work, and seeing that Tinwald is the centre of one of our richest farming districts, they ought to have a brilliant future before them.

Tuesday, Becembek 2, 1879.] '«>•»" “•*' *• 'jn*

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN.

3



Gas-lit Buoys. —By means of com pressed gas, buoys can now be made to show a light for a very consider able time. In one experiment, which has been made in an exposed position, the ght burned for thirty days, and neither wind nor waves extinguished it.



Steet» —According to the London “ Echo,” King Iron is dying, and King Steel is preparing to reign. King Steel has invaded the shipbuilders’ yards, the boiler-makers are making a treaty with, him, and now he is conquering the bridge builders. The great bridge over the F «rth» is to be built of steel, and a large brid(g«j for a railway in Australia has just been made in Scotland entirely fromsted, He sooner iron-masters recognise the npr order of things the better for themselves,