Thb Pulpit. —The Rev. \V. Keall will preach a sermon bearing upon .‘.‘'.Di-ink,, and Abstinence” in the Wesleyan Oh avh to-morrow night. Sporting. —The Committee of the Wilislow Sports meet at H-uvia’ Hotel. Winslow, on Monday evening to prepare programme, etc.

Postponed Sale. —The sale of salvage

stock advertised by Edmiston Bros, and Gundry to take place to-day, has been Unavoidably postponed until Wednesday next.

Buggy Accident at Seafiei.d.— While Mr. Murdock Bruce and his family were going home on Tuesday evening after the Show, and when they had reached Sea field school the shafts of the buggy broke, and the occupants of the vehicle were tbrbwn.but. Beyond the breaking of the shafts, and a good fright, to the children, there was no great mischief done. ; XJppbk Ashburton Road Board. —A Special meeting of the above Board was he}d at the office, Westerfield, yesterday, for.; the purpose of accepting tenders, and Mr. ■ Charles SmithaTs for formation of two miles of the Great South Road from Thompson's Comer northwards at sa. 9d ' pet chain, including fords, and Mr. John Beveiy’s for the Hinds road at £29 for repairs and HJtd per yard for shingle were accepted. .

The New Fire Bell. —The members of the Fire Brigade were busy yesterday afternoon in hoisting the new bell into its 'position, and under the superintendence of the Captain, Mr. George Compton, the ■work was done quickly and efficiently. It would have been fixed at least an hour sooner but a'big and therefore prominent ■ member of the brigade having undertaken ; to-get the alterations made to some iron work, went on a gossiping tour, and forgot the fire bell business. There was a Vote of anything but thanks passed to the messenger. However, as an advertise meat is in our columns to-day to the effect that the bell will ring out its dread peal, ; to enable our residents to become acquainted with its tones, and a couple of strokes - were given last night, it is evident that the bell is in position. It is reported in the Dunedin papers that the “tone was universally admired.” We do not think that the Ashburton householders will admire it if they have to hear it very often. :

'Watercourses. —An advertisement Appears in another column in which the 'County.(Council calls upon occupiers of land to refrain from, placing obstructions in the way of stopping storm water. As much damage is dbne by land owners fencing indiscriminately along the boundaries of : tl&ir ’aecliohs without making any pro vision' for floods, the notice given by the Council is one which should be attended to by ajl parties, as when floods do occur oh, the plains the farmers themselves are generally-thO heaviest losers through not •providing sufficient room for the occasional deluges to find vent.

Clearing Out.—By the trains going north and south yesterday morning the ignoble army of betting men, sharpers, and others of the like class left, most going to Dunedin to fleece the “canny” ones there. Wo do not regret their de-

parture.aa such additions to our popula tion are by no means desirable, and we : quite agree with the remark of a gentle ■ 'mah 'on ; the platform who had been **■ bled.” that it was a “ good riddance of : bad rubbish. ” CttiGKislr:—A cricket match will be plafyfed ih ihe Domain this afternoon, the Sides being chosen alphabetically—those who are On the early part of the rate roll ; - up to M 'being on one side, and the others at S’, and monopolizing the ' “tbe balalnce'of the alphabet doing battle ■‘against them. The leading division will ' 'hhve adbng' Way the best of it, as they have- secured—D. Amos (Captain), F. •' Mainwaring, T. Buchanan, H. Fowler, A. • Andrews, ■: A.' Fodks, D. Bruce, G. St. Douglasy-W.- Giant, E. 6.' Crisp, W. B. Denshire, 1 with 1 Messrs. A. Curtis, J. E. - A. Groves, and D. Leitch for : femergenciea. On the other side there is a " deficiency both, of talent and number. ‘ ‘T)ie billy available-men on the fag end of ; -theroll- being S. Saunders, S. E. Poyntz, 1 Pratt,' Whitley,- Roper, : Wilkie, and j Zouch,and they cordially invite any battist •' in town whoso name commences with the " right 1 kind of letter to meet-them, and ’ - charitably- assist them in - their sore dis tress, and the Samaritans will meet their ‘ reward here or hereafter.

' San: F’kancisco —The mail ar rived at - Wellington at Thursday after noon .at four o’clock.. We hear it would remain there: until -spine time yesterday, when the Southern portion will be put on boajtl; the s.s. : Wanaka, and will arrive in Lyttelton this morning. “This is quick despatch 1” /Surely the Government could have sent on the mail by the Hinemoa, find had this, been done merchants could ; have replied by the outgoing mail, which leaves the Bluff this morning. .Sbteuno Day.— The most pleasant part of ■- tfa3 Race meeting (for winners) took placeatQuiU’s Hotelyestorday, when the stakfes were paid over, tp .-.the various i winners, with - the exception of [Mr. ■ M’Causland, Owner of: Orange Peel, .whose case hAs been referred to the Canterbury Jockey. Clubi Everything passed off satis factorily, and every one seemed to be . satisfied with the result of the meeting.

' ; Thb Wellington Tragedy.—Further ' ‘ particulars of this melancholy affur are , 5 •' aS fpllows Mr Miller had been ill during the night, and Clarence (who had been at v home for a few days owing to a bad finger) ■ went to ‘Dr. France's in the morning for some medicne for his father, which was given him. Mr. Miller then, lay down to sleep, *nd, the son ordered the servant to get about her work. At the time no ho .suspicion seems to' have attached- itself to oi >his>oondUot in any way. Miller then fired >c'i a blank charge at his father, cut his throat «nd < mutilated the body. On : coming out the room l e" met his mother talcing in ooal*, ittnd out hex throat, finally,going out jdTsids>iH».'viaw-of the servant, and cutting otl f ktjtnfit' .The girl .was horrified at the : r immediately .sent for assistance, G jn.maohjWMrof no avail, life being extinct. iU v ThAlAslirttbient used in ‘ perpetrating the ordinary carving knife. The SDdrpdipeKtrtiptofc hae 'on more than one occa ifid t sio Jt gj van I sign* of, aberration of the intel hlootij Abrotlmr named Sidney, accountant uo -infiießsmkof New South,Wales at Grey- Uo moutbf; committed suicide recently by eo ,sri>d«tiajghinißell, and it is,believed another is in the lunatic asylum at, Sydney. The affair has cast quite a gloom over the' city. Hr. and Mrs. Miller being greatly TsajMcted. .

j PROTECTIVE Woßj{S. The County I Council are calling for tenders for protec j ,ti. e works near the Forks, and Mr. Baxter, j the County Engineer, will be in attend ! nuoe at Mr. Goode s at 1 p.m. on Monday, I to show intending contractors over the 1 i ! work.

; A Race Incident. —The betting frater nity and the men who follow'races up w'ith the patriotic intention of giving the public a show at the,newest and fairest games, and who are not as a rule burdened with too much bashfulnoss, came in a, perfect swarm to the races this week, and there was a deal of difficulty in keeping them from taking up positions otherwise than those allotted to them. One “mural agriculturalist,” with more than ordinary push in him, took up his position in front of the grand stand, and after being several times ordered away by members of the Committee, and as often returning as soon as no official was in sight, the Secretary finally disposed of him by using a powerful argument in the shape of kick ing his stand over, and the front of the booth was kept clear fur the rest of the meeting without further arguments.

TELEGRAPHI C.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

{Age Special. ) London, Nov. 17.

The Marquis of Salisbury denies the correctness of the Duke of Argyle’a state ment at Leeds, respecting the causes which prompted the Government policy in the settlement of the Cabul and Eastern difficulties.

London, Nov. 19,

Princess Louise supports a company re cently established in England to encour age immigration to Manitoba. The Porte solemnly promised the Powers to execute the reforms in Europe and Asia, and predicts speedy brilliant re sults.

A large band of undisciplined Burmese marauders threaten an invasion of British Bunnah. Reinforcements have been ordered to the frontier.

Three men, named Koiller, Davitt, and Daly, have been arrested in Dublin for sedition.

The Church Union resists the suspen sion of Mackonochic, for Ritualism. Mr. Potter, M.P., for Rochdale, has been banquetted in New York. Agitation is going on in America to in duce Government to reduce the duties on foreign wool.

(Reuter's Telegrams.) London, Nov. 18,

The new series of Colonial wool auctions was opened to-day. The quantity cata logued was 7,300 bales. The tone of the sale was very active. Australian merinos showed 10 per cent., and cross-breds 15 per cent, advance. The sales close on December 9.

Rojie, Nov. 18. The Ministry has resigned. Constantinople, Nov. IS

Baker Pasha has been appointed to inaugurate reforms throughout Asia Minor.

{Argus special.) London, Nov. 18.

The Austrian squadron in the Pine us proceeds to Salonica, and ultimately, it is believed, to Besica Bay. At Sergeant Simon’s meeting at Dews bury, this evening, the gallery fell with 300 people. Three were killed and forty injured. The total number of bales available at the present series of wool sales is : 12,736. 7,900 bales have been despatched to Yorkshire and the Continent. Cape wool preponderates. The attendance was exceptionally large, and the opening com petition extremely vigorous. Prices show an average advance of about 2d a pound, chiefly in crossbreds.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Special.) Sydney, Nov. 19.

Captain Moonlight was training. his gang for a bushranging career. He says that he intended to bail up the Gundagai banks, but the men commenced drinking at Wontabadgery , Hotel, and spoiled his game. At the station they prepared to hang the overseer for refusing rations. Moonlight got a rope, ordered the gang to put Mr. Baynes in a buggy, drive to the first convenient branch, and leave him suspended th ire, but the women’s shrieks prevented the accomplishment of the deed. At the hut where the final combat took place, the owner and his wife were inside. When the fight commenced the owner jumped into an under-ground dairy, but the bushrangers prevented his wife following, saying that the police would cease tiring when they discovered her pre sence. She got up a stone chimney. The gang fought with the utmost determina tion.

Sydney, Nov. 20.

Moonlight evinces the greatest compo sure. He took copious notes of the pro ceedings at the inquest, and cross examined the witnesses. With the apparent purpose of clearing his comrades, he declared that only the deceased Nesbitt fired at the police Melbourne, Nov. 19. Sugar has advanced £2 per ton. Trade generally is very active.

(Rcutsr's 7 e!'tgrams.) Melbourne, Nov. 19,

Arrived—Rotomahana,

A caucus of Liberals promised their support to Government to prevent ob structiveness. It was resolved to close the session .at the earliest possible date. The third reading of the Reform Bill will be taken on December 4, when the House is called together. Sydney, Nov 20. Arrived —Wakatipu. Sailed—Rotomahana.

The inquest was held yesterday on the bushranger ' shot. Witnesses identified Nesbitt as an old Pentridge prisoner. Lawrence, aged 19, was the son of a hotelkeeper at Melbourne. The prisoners are Bennett, Rogan, Lyon, and Moon light.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, Nov. 19. The Auckland tobacconists have tele graphed to Sir George Grey against the increased tobacco duties, and propose in stead an annual license fee on tobacco. Sir George Grey suggested that a petition should be sent to the House, which he would present.

Mr. Bnais'ey, late purser of the O.’ty of New York, returned by the Zeal.viidia, and has been appointed resident agent in the Pacilic, and also agent of the Union and Central Pacific Railway Company. The Newton Fire Bragado has been dis banded, owing to insufficient support by the public and Insurance Companies. The new battery' of artillery is now sixty' strong. MV. A. E. Isaacs has accepted the Captaincy, and Mr. S. C. Caultun a Lieutenancy. The former is late of Nixon’s Light Horse, and the latter of the Napier Artillery. Mr. J. W. Robinson was elected Mayor of Parnell without opposition. Oliver May Quintle was charged with making and tiling a false affidavit before Hudson Williamson, Deputy Registrar, in reference to a bill of sale on certain stock, purporting to be signed by Mr. Shaw, at Auckland, on March 17. Mr. Tyler remarked that a summons had been made out for his client to appear in the Resident Magistrate’s Court, and that, acting under his advice, he had done so. There was no appearance of defendant, and the case was struck out.

Auckland, Nov. 20.

Mr. Beardsley, late purser of the City of New York, will make a tour through the colonies, having been' engaged by Elder and Co., and the Pacific Mail Steamship Company to give information to agents and the public respecting the American overland routes. Great interest was manifested in the carbine match arranged between Payne’s battery of artillery and the men of H.M.S. Cormorant.

A minute d ,„s.: dptiou of the remains of the officer of 11. M. S. Orpheus, lately dis covered at Manuka Heads, is to be for warded to the surviving officer Paymaster Amphlefce, to assist in identification. At the annual meeting of the Auckland New Zealand Rille Association, it was re solved to make special efforts to raise a fund to send representatives to Nelson at the coining prize meeting. At a meeting of the Auckland Laborers’ Mutual Aid Society, the following resolu tion was passed—“ That the Secretary correspond with kindred societies through out New Zealand, with a view to devise some means whereby to stop for the present free immigration to the colony. ” At the Wesleyan district meeting to-dav, reports were read from the missionaries in the native districts. Miss Shakenburg reported that dancing was becoming a mania among the Raglan and Kawhia natives, and Mr. Gittos states that the Kaipara natives were largely influenced by superstition owing to the outbreak of disease.

Tho Auckland Artists’ Exhibition baa been opened. There was a large number of visitors.

News by the Meg Merrilees, from Fiji, to Nov. 5, reports the brig John Wesley, at Levuka, having on board the Rev. George Browne, and a quantity of supplies for the New Britain mission. The Chiefs of Rotu iah have visited Fiji, and ten dered the annexation of the island to Government. Sir Arthur Gordon accepted the offer, pending the Queen’s reply, and sent Lieut. Gordon to Rotumah to act as adviser to the natives in the meantime.

Auckland, Nov. 21.

The brigantine Active brings news to the 18th ult. The civil war is still pro ceeding. The notorious horse stealer Wara Pakari, was lodged in Mount Eden Gaol and escaped from custody once, and was rescued by Maoris. A warrant has been out since 1875 for him, during which time he has been sheltered by Kingites. He came into Alexandria, where ho was recognised and arrested. In response to a request by Mr. Lundon, the tobacconists’ and dealers’ petition will be signed by the Auckland wholesale and retail dealers for a reduction of the new duty to sixx>ence per pound. Gbahamstown, Nov. 19.

The Resident Magistrate’s Court was occupied all day with the case of alleged larceny against ex-Sergeant Lambert, of Government documents relating to Volun teer script. Majors Murray and Cooper were examined to-day, and the further hearing was adjourned till to-morrow. Gbahamstown, Nov. 20.

The charge of larceny brought against ex-Sergeant Lambert yesterday was con tinued to-day, before the Resident Magis trate, and dismissed. The Alburnia mine shows no falling off in production. Eighteen hundred weight picked stone is now being crushed at the Herald battery. Shares are firm at 80s., and a large business was done to-day at that figure.

New Plymouth, Nov. 19.

At the Parihaka meeting on Monday there was a very small attendance of Natives (less than 400). Te Whiti and Tohu both addressed the assemblage. They distinctly expressed themselves op posed to European laws, and refused to be bound by them. Wellington, Nov. 20.

The memorial stone of the new Wes leyan Church was laid Last evening by Mr. W. H. Levin, M.H.R., Tea and public meetings were held in the evening. A cablegram from Sydney states that Captain Holt is still in a critical condi tion.

Messrs. George Allan and William Hutchison were nominated to-day for the Mayoralty. In the case of W. 11. Lingard v. Gillon, which was an action to recover £lO for royaltyfeesalleged to have been improperly paid in 1877 by the plaintiff to defendant, who represented himself as the New Zea land agent for the Dramatic Authors’ Society of Melbourne, judgment was given for plaintiff with costs. The Magistrate held that the fees had been paid under compulsion, and that the Society had no power to recover. Leave to appeal was asked for.

In the Court of Appeal to-day Mr. Downie Stewart appeared for the New Zealand Law Society in reference to Arthur Tulloch Nation, a solicitor, on a rule to strike him off the rolls. Mr. Stewart read the affidavit filed in the Court below, and left the matter in the hands of the Court, speaking, however, in favorable terms of Nation’s previous professional character. The Court unani mously made absolute the rule striking Nation off the rolls.

A couple of land slips occurred near Pakuratahi, on the Wellington-Feather atone railway, last night, blocking the line all day. A gang is now working, and it is expected the line will be cleared to morrow.

Wellington, Nov. 21,

At a meeting of fruit importers held last night to consider the proposed duty of 15 per cent, on fruit, opinions were expressed

that, owing to a largo of fruit btiiiir li>st in tranait it would bo unfair to levy ' ijo proposed duty on shippers’ values, with |(f per cent, added on arrival here. Ultimately a deputation was appointed to wait on the Collector of Customs to ascer tain on what principle the duty would be assessed.

The deputation this morning waited on the Collector of Customs, and asked that damaged fruit should be exempt from duty. The Collector replied that all damaged fruit would bo assessed by the landing waiters. Tire fruiterers met this afternoon to prepare a petition to bo pre sented to the Tariff Committee praying that grapes and all stone fruit be exempt from duty. At the inquest on the victims of the terrible tragedy yesterday, a verdict was given that the father and mother were murdered by the son, who afterwards com mitted suicide while in a state of unsound mind. The funeral took place this morn ing. Archdeacon Stock performed the burial service.

A man named Thompson, charged this morning with stealing boots, was re manded.

Timaru, Nov. 20.

John Doyle was yesterday afternoon committed for trial on charge of forgery at Temuka.

The prisoners now awaiting trial at the Supreme Court number nine. There are four charges of forgery and uttering cheques, one of forging a deed of property against Edward James, and two of the accessories to the forgery; one of ob structing the railway with malicious in tent, and two of common larceny.

Dunedin, Nov. 20.

The Licensed Victuallers met to-day to consider the property tax and tariff pro posals. It was decided to petition Go vernment to relieve houses devoted to the accommodation of the public from property tax ; that the duty on spirits be increased by Is. only, and that if neces sary a further increase be made in the duty on sparkling wines. A petition to Government, praying that the tobacco duty might not be increased more than 6d. per lb., received a large number of signa tures.

Mr. Conway, the Australian cricketer, si here, and it is said that he may become a resident.

' The principal merchants and traders in terested in tobacco have decided to petition the Government against an increase on the tobacco duty by Is. per lb. They think that so large an increase in the duty would tend towards a diminished consumption, and not materially add to the Govern ment revenue. An increase of (sd. per lb. is recommended, which it is said would be Is. per lb. more than is levied in Vic toria, New South Wales, South Australia, and higher than any Colony in the South Pacific.

The representative of Mr. J. C. Wil liamson, who purchased the right of pro ducing “H.M. S. Pinafore” in the Aus tralian Colonies, is here, and is about to take proceedings against all who have in fringed the right. IjS'VEKCAIiOILL, Nov. 20.

The Ranger reported at the Waste Lands Board to-day that 975,740 super ficial feet of timber had been cut in the district during the month, producing a royalty of £l2l. The District Court opened to-day. The case M'Caughan v. Gardner, to recover the value of a threshing machine, was adjourned by consent for two months. The case of M‘Ncil Bros, and trustee in the estate of Bowine, a bankrupt, to re cover £IBO, value of goods alleged to have been wrongfully seized by defendant, oc cupied all day, and inclined in favor of the plaintiff. Delivery of judgment was de ferred till to-morrow morning.

LATEST.

Per our Special Wire.

LATEST FROM EUROPE

(Renter’s Telegrams.) London, Nov. 15. Three per cent, consols, New Zea land 10-40 Five per cent Loan, 102. Adelaide wheat, 535. per qr. ex ware house. Flour, 425, per 2801bs. ex ware house. Best Australian beef tallow 41s. Wool is in good demond. The “ Morning Post ” supports a disso lution of the V ictorian Parliament.

Great agitation prevails in Ireland. Three arrests have boon made for seditious language.

Arrived Loch Katrie, from Mel bourne, August 9 ; Kirkham, from Port Pirie, July 17; Clan Campbell, from Timaru, July 29; Kosciusko, from Sydney, August 20. The cargo of the Abergeldie, from Sydney to London, took fire on the voyage, and 202 tons were jet tisoned. The cargo was much damaged. Adelaide, Nov. 21. Arrived—Aconcagua.

INTt£RPROVINC!AL.

Wellington, Nov. 21

The second meeting of the New Zea land Rifle Association will be held in Nel son on Monday, 2nd March. At a largely attended meeting to-day, the tobacconists decided to raise the price of tobacco and cigars in consequence of the recent increase in the duties. The meeting adjourned for a fortnight.

A German named John Francis Wilt hoff was arrested this evening for larceny at Oamaru.

Christchurch, Nov. 21.

The Gas Company have been making extensive alterations in their system of pipes. The principal suburbs are now supplied with gas, and there are in all fourteen miles alone of mains laid.

The indecent exposure disease has again broken out badly, within the last week. Three cases of the kind have been severely dealt with.

The new tariff has been favorably re ceived here on the whole, regret being ex pressed in some quarters that the duties on tea and sugar were not re-imposed. Soma of the alterations puzzle traders The heavy impost laid on salt, for in stance.

At the meeting of the Chamber of Com merce to-day, Mr. Nathan brought up the question of sending a vessel to look for the Knovvsley Hall, now long overdue. It is thought she may have shared the fate of the Strathmore, and been wrecked on the Grozets, or some other island ; and it was resolved to ask Government to send a cablegram to the English Government, asking them to despatch a vessel from the nearest station to look for her.

Dcx/imy, Nor. pi. Yesterday evenin’.' the management of the company now playing at the Queen’s Theatre, were served with a writ at the install’---! of dir. J. Williamsorj, the wed known actor, and the possessor of the “ Pinafore ” copyright.

THE OAMARU SHOW.

(l!v Telegraph.) (prom OCR SCROTAL I'ORRPSFONDErn’.) Oam.vuu, Nov. ‘JO. During the afternoon about 5000 people attended the Show, and the weather was really splendid. But notwithstanding the excellent weather the ground was very unpleasant at times from the clouds of dust that swept over it. The ground has a fine situation in the summit of a hill, but it gave no protection from the dust. The turn out of hqrses was magnificent. Wo question whesher any other part of New Zealand could compete with North Otago in her annual display of all classes. Banker, the champion of Christchurch last year, took first honors as an entire, with Heather Jock 2nd. In cattle the Shorthorns and Ayrshires were well represented. I 1 here was also a grand display of sheep which occupied a large share of public at tention. The implements were fully up to Christchurch, which your readers know was excellent. Reid and G;ay occupied a fair share of the ground. In dairy pro duce the number reached the extraordinary total of ninety. The butter looked miserably bad, being covered with dust. A grand feature in this department was the enclosing of all produce with wire netting so as to prevent the public from abusing it so much as is generally the case at those annual gather ings. I cannot speak too highly of the whole arrangements of this Association. A large ring is fitted up, with three tiers of seats which seem to be fully appreciated by the public during the time the judging was going on. There were two threshing machines under steam on the ground, one a Ransome and Sims, with straw feeder and burner ; and of course there were all the usual demonstrations of a holiday in the shape of a fine band, and other attrac tions.

The Cup was taken by Fleming and Hedley with 25 points, against Mr. Men love’s 24. A fatal accident occurred on the Show ground this afternoon to a man named M'Kenzie, a blacksmith residing at Kakanui. He watching some horses which were being ridden over hurdles, wnen one of them turned round and kicked deceased in the stomach, causing almost instan taneous death. He leaves a widow and eleven children. An inquest will be held.

SPORTING.

ASHBURTON SPRING- MEETING -1879.

Second Day, Thursday.

Stewards—Messrs. Edward Saunders, Hay T. Smith, H. T. Winter, E. S. Coster, M. Stitt,RudolphFriedlander, John Carter, Joseph Hunt, Neil Maclean, Dr. Ross. Treasurer Mr. E. Saunders. Judge—Mr. M. Stitt. Clerk of the Course—Mr. S. Saunders. Clerk of the Scales—Mr E. F. Wright. Handicappors —Messrs. H. P. Lance and Neil Maclean. Starter —Mr. Neil Maclean. Secretary— Mr. James Wilkie.

The weather on Thursday was all that could be desired, and the attendance was fully equal to Wednesday. County Steeplechase of 110 sovs ; over about 2 miles of fair hunting country, including a double jump in front of the grand stand ; weight for age ; for district horses only ; entrance 2 aova. Mr. H Primmer’s b m Ada, aged, 12st

41b Mr. J. J. Dawson’s b g Lonehand, aged, 12st 41b - Mr. P. Husband’s br g Raven, aged, 12st 41b

For the first event the lot weighed out, but the race started rather late—a con siderable difficulty being experienced in finding leads and other descriptions of dead weights to bring the jocks up to the mark at the scales. The start was not an extra good one, Ada and Lonehand getting the best of it. Ada was first par,sing the stand, Lonehand in close attendance. At the next hurdle Johnny fell, and Outside baulked, and was out of it. At the back of the course Billy Buttons threw his rider, and the other three raced close together. It was soon apparent, however, that Raven had had enough of it; but Lonehand and Ada made a splendid race, and jumped the last hurdle together. The mare, however, had the most foot, and won pretty easily by a length, Raven third—the teat right out of it. A protest was entered against Ada by Mr. Dawson, on the ground that she was not a district horse.

The protest against Ada was not sus tained.

Racing Club Handicap of 40 sova. , added to a sweep of 3 so vs. for acceptors ; 1 J miles ; open ; nomination 2 so vs. Mr. P. Butler's b g Numa, aged, 7st, 81b - 1 Messrs. Mason and Vallanco’s b h Lara, aged. list - - - -2

For the Racing Club Handicap Lara was the favorite, Numa declaring Bilbs over weight. The start was good—Lara taking a slight lead, but Numa, before the grand stand was reached, took up the run ning, and kept the lead. Half a mile from home, Lara began to come up, and it looked as if he would win, but Numa was not to be denied, and won by half a length. The pace was hot from start to finish. Tradesmen’s Handicap of 20 so vs. . for district horses only ; miles ; nomi nation 1 sov., acceptance 1 sov. Mr. P. McCausland’sb. g. Orange feel,

Gyrs., lOst. 91b - - - - 1 Mr. Herrick’s b. g. Merlin, flsf 11b. -2 Mr. M. Friodlander’s ch. m. Cassandra, 4 yrs., 9st. 41b. - - - - 8 Orange Peel, Merlin, and Cassandra were the only three that went for the the Tradesmen’s Handicap. Orange Pee) led all the way, and was hard held—Mer lin second, Cassandra nowhere. Betting 2 to 1 on Orange Peel. Forced Handicap of 15 sovs. ; for all winning horses at this meeting ; en trance 2 sovs. Ij miles. Mr. P. Butler’s cgTe Whelu, aged, 9st. - - ‘ - - - - 1 Mr. M. Friedlander’a c gDagrid, 3yrs., 7st. - - - - - -2 Only two accepted for this even), T. Whetu and D.igrid. On coming up to t starting post the latter threw his rider,

ai»> escaped over thi' ivire fence, ami fha race km poxpmiud for a time. Thu Kamo buy eventually remounted him, and hoch gut away to a good start, To Wljetii leading all the way, ami winning easily. Consolation Hasuiuap of a 5 so vs ; for beaten horses ; nomination i sov., acceptance .1 sov. -dr. Loan's b h Robin Hood ■■ w. o. Ibe Omisobn.'i-i resolved itself into a,

wai > over tor fir. Lanins lio.se, Billy Buttons merely pit} mg up to give R dun Hood the opportunity of drawing his cheque. Hack. Race of 5 sms. ; post on try 10s; once round the course. District horses only. Mr. M’Camdand’s h m Creeping Jenny 1 Mr. Grant’s b g Steamer - -2 Six others started, and the pace was made very warm from start to finish, the mare winning easily. A hurry scurry was afterwards run, which was won by Mr Price’s Manilla, beating four others.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

ASHBURTON. Friday, November 21. (Before Mr F. Guiaess, 11. M.) CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. Daniel Buckley was charged with this offence. Mr. C. W. Ireland deposed to seeing accused, near Butler’s new hotel, last Monday week in the evening, with a mare which appeared much overdriven. The animal was harnessed to a spring cart, and was lying with her head in the gutter. Accused was dancing a sort of war dance round her, kicking her in the head and mouth most brutally. Witness took accused away from the horse, and asked his name, which he said was Dan Buckley. Witness then gave ac cused in charge to Constable Beaumont. Witness said cruelty to horses and other animals was getting only too frequent, and he had determined to give informa tion in every case that he witnessed. The Rev. Mr. Keall corroborated Mr. Ireland’s evidence, but could not possibly identify accused. Constable Beaumont deposed to Mr. Ireland giving accused in cliarge. The horse was very bad, scarcely able to walk to the station, and when taken out of the trap was so weak that it could hardly pro ceed to the livery stable. One of the hind legs was bleeding from a kick, and there was a mark the size of half a-crown on one shoulder. About half an hour previously witness had seen the horse, which was then all right. Defendant was partially drunk. Defendant stated that he had been at a sale and had afterwards gone to Mr. Baldwin’s Hotel for a glass. Some one else had taken his horse and driven it in spite of him to Cass street. He had a struggle for the possession of the horse, and in doing so ho certainly lifted his mare’s head and gave her a kick with a light boot. The mare was inclined to stick up in going through the town. The Magistrate announced his intention of putting down such brutality and fined accused £5 and costs. CIVIL OASES. Lancaster v. Spring—Claim, £ll 19s Sid. No appearance. "Friedlander v. Gleeson—Claim, £l4 18s 5d.. Judgment for plaintiff by default. Quill v. Orton—Claim, £l4 18s. Mr. Quill did not appear, but Mr. Orton said the claim was not a correct one, and that ho had incurred an expense of £2 15s 9d in coming to Ashburton about it. Mr Guineas granted defendant tle ex penses he asked for at plaintiff’s ex pense. Borough Council v. Pyke—Claim £2 for rates. Mr. Crisp, Borough solicitor, for plaintiff’s. Judgment for amount claimed and costs.

Same v. Broadbelt—Claim £2. Judg ment for amount claimed and costs.

Murphy v. Markham—Claim ±‘2G 19s. for dishonored promissory note. Mr. G. D. Branson for plaintiff, and Mr. E. G. Crisp for defendant. In this case the payee, one of the endorsers, and the drawer of the acseptance had become bankrupt, and the defendant had en dorsed the acceptance to “oblige a friend. ” Judgment for plaintiff, after lengthy argu ments from both counsel.

Gough v. Rapley.—Claim £'2G 10s., money paid by plaintiff in liquidation of an account due by defendant to the estate of J. H. Pass and Co.. The defence was that plaintiff had entered into an agree ment to buy land from defendant, and that £IOO of the price of the land was due. There was no written agreement in the matter, but the amount sued for was paid by plaintiff without defendant’s knowledge and the latter looked upon the money paid as a deposit on tiie land. The land had since been sold to some one else. Mr. Stringer, of Pass and Co., said plaintiff' had paid the money as a deposit on the laud purchase. Plaintiff was non-suited.

RAKAIA, Friday, Nov. 21,1870. (Before Mr. F. Guinness, P„.M.) POLICE V. MORTON —SLY CHOU-SELLING. This was au adjourned case fx-om last Court day—judgment having been re served. His Worship ruled that the in formation had been substantiated, and the offence proved. Defendant would be fined £25 and costs, or six months’ imprison ment in default. Defendant would be allowed a fortnight to pay the amount. RAKAIA BRIDGE REGULATIONS. ■ Win. Saunders was charged with com mitting a breach of the bridge regulations. Mr. Purnell appeared for defendant. Henry Ellis, sworn, said he was gat keeper at the south end of the Rakuia railway bridge. On 'Tuesday, Out. 7, closed the bridge at 12.20 p.m. After closing ita man looked in at Ids lodge and asked if there would be lime for a trap to go over the bridge. While the man was talking to him Mr. Saunders drew up in his trap loaded with boards. Before he could give an answer Mr. Saunders said “ Jump up there is a trap oo the bridge coming off.” The man jumped up into the trap, and drove off. lie called out they would not have time to cross. Did not know whether they hoard him or not. They did not stop. If the train had arrived at the proper time, he would have had to pull it up. Mr. Saunders had often told me he w ould not be stopped by any one if a train was not really in sight. He reported the lircumstance to the manager the same day. By Mr. Pa nell—"Was not very fond of Mr. Saundurr. Had not had a disagree-

I moot with that gentleman. Wa» not on | bad terms with the defendant. The goods ! train was not a regular train. It should | leave the Rakaia station at 12.25 p.m. i Goods trains are not very regular in their I departures. The}’ are not occasionally j two o'- three hours late. The gate was i shut when Mr. Saunders came up to it. i Saw no <>nu open the gate. Did not j know whether air. Saunders or his man l opened the gate. Shin the gate seven or ! eight minutes before Mr. Saunders came up. The gate was shut again. Did not see Mr. Saunders open the gate. Will swear the gate was shut when Mr. Saunders came up. Mr. Saunders drove off directly and did not speak to witness. The gate will open and shut easily. There is no clock outside the lodge at the bridge. There is one inside.

George Mapple, sworn—On October 7, met Mr. Saunders. Was riding beside him in his dog cart. When he came to tiro south end of the bridge, the gate was open about two feet. Mr. Saunders asked me the time. J told him it was twenty minutes to eleven. My watch was set by the station time when I left Rakaia. Mr. Saunders asked what tram could he coming at that time to warrant the gate bein' closed. Told him the next train would bo the goods down from Christchurch. Went to ask the bridge keeper whether we night go on the bridge. He looked at his clock and said he supposed so. Saw a trap coming on the bridge from the noitli end. There was no train in sight. When about three chains from the north end heard the whistle of an engine. By Mr. Ellis—ft was before II a.m. The express had just arrived before wo left Rakaia. Was sure this was on the. Vfcli October.

By His 'Worship—Thought there might bo a special carriage—that was why L asked permission. In summing up Ills Worship regretted very much the absence of Mr. Saunders, who, Mr. Purnell said, was unavoidably absent, as the evidence of Mapple was so very contradictory ho would have to dis miss the case. CIVIL CASES. M'Lean v. Lake and Beard. Defendants applied to have the case adjourned- Granted, with costs. O’Connor v. Lake and Beard. In this case plaintiff had sued the wrong parties ; ho was nonsuited.

Campbell v. Lake and Beard.—Claim, £55 ss. 7d., for chaff supplied. Mr. O'Reilly for plaintiff’; Mr. Purnell for defendants.

R. Campbell sworn, said—l live at. Chortsey. In September last I sold a quantity of chaff to defendants. Did n< t sell any particular weight. Defendants, agreed to give me £5 15s. per ton for all I. could spare. On Sept. 251 wrote a note to deb?ndants telling them I could not. deliver any more at the price. Offered to* deliver the remainder at Mitcham for £6i per ton. Lake and Beard called at mjr place and agreed to give me £G per turn and allow the chaff to bo second «ott. Defendants subsequently made me a pay ment of £3O on account. Asked them for balance on 24th October. Lake told me he would see Beard about the /iScount. Has not since paid me. By Mr Purnell—Agreed to sell all the chaff I could spare. I said there might: be twenty tons or twenty-five tons. Mr. Lake sworn—Asked plaintiff how much chaff he would have. Told me I could make sure of twenty tons. PljiintittV has delivered only eleven tons : that is: why he is not paid. Did not agree to* give £6 per ton. By Mr O’Reilly—l received no letter from plaintiff'. Saw no bill. Remembered being in plaintiffs stable, and having a conversation about seemm cut. Did not refuse £6 for the remainder.

By Mr Purnell—The extra 10s a ton was for delivery at Lyndhurst. Jarvis Board, sworn—Was present when made the contract wasfor twenty or twenty-- five tons chaff, at £5 10s per ton. Plain-• tiff afterwards complained of the difficulty he had in cutting and delivering the chaff,, and wanted £0 per ton for the remainder.. I said we would not be hard with him, as: the chaff was goffd. Agreed to give £6: per ton for the balance of the twenty/ tons.

Counsel on both sides having addressed! the Bench at some length, His Woraiqp said he would deliver judgment nextdbw at Ashburton. The Court then adjournal to Thursday, December 11th. At Ashburton yesterday his Worship gave judgment for plaintiff with cotte

THE INTERIOR OF THE EARTH.

By Rev. B. J. WESXfeaooKE. No. 111. There ax*e two principal roosomp for* believing that the interior of the e«coh is not molten. The first—but not tlx* most important—l propose now to review. It may be briefly stated thus :—The interior of the earth must be subject to immense pressure from the super incumbent matter. Now, it is thought that pressure exercises, a great influence over the fusing point of ’ bodies, and it is thought that this principle* may greatly modify the results of the* groat heat in the interior of the earth. Perhaps this will be better undei'stood 1 if the difference between gases, liquids,. and solids, be explained ; for it must be' understood that I do not presume to* write for men we 1 l read in science, 'Sut* simply for ordinary readers. Well, then,, each of these bodies consists of uktinatej particles, or- atoms (i.e., not mnfc' or ■ divided), and, in each of the three:—gases,-, liquids, and snKds—the particles emuport: themselves differently. In gases the = particles repel each other, so that if a >*ery ■ small cp'WM)ity of gas bo placed in a very - large vessel 1 the particles wiM get is far * away- from each other aa the: size o’ the » vessel-will allow, and the particles wll be • so diffused throughout it that the grs nay bo said to fill the vessel-.. The ato ■ a of gases are constantly tending to get -u>. far - away from each othea- as possible. In liquids, on the other-hand, the par lea • attract each other* but not ao strongly but that they are const tly moving in and out in a wavy path r all directions, so that a particle at one p r of’ the liquid will, at a certain, time, '• sve - traversed all the different parts ono ter another. But in the case of solids the attra ion . is stronger, and the particles are al ays witlxin the range of each other's a on,. and, although it is thought by m n of science that each particle can oso late* about its mean position, and even pin. about any axis in that position/ afl i the > case of vibration or contusion (beet iap

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