COMMERCIAL.

(by telegraph. I

Wellington, May 26. Messrs. Laery and Campbell’s report of sales shows no improvement in fruit. Onions, L 5 ; cheese, sd. to siyd.; butter, fresh, 9id. to lOd.; salt, 6d.; jams, Cd.; chaff, L 5 ; oatmeal, lOd.; pollard, L 5; to L 5 10s.bran, L 3 15s. to L 4 ; flour (100), Ll2; oats, Is. 9d. to Is. lOd.; Poverty Bay maize, 45.; chick-wheat, 2s. 9d. to 35.; rye grass, 4d. per bushel; cocksfoot, 4d. per lb.; peas, 4s. to 4s. 3d.; carrots, 2s. Id. per cwt.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Chief Post Office, Christchurch, for the following places (subject to necessary alterations) as under: — Friday, May 28. For Northern Ports of New Zealand and Australian Colonies, via Sydney, per Wakatipii. Tuesday, June 1. For Otago and Australian Colonies, per Botomahana. - . SYDNEY J. DICK, Chief Postmaster. Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office — _ . '' From Christchurch at 10.35 a.m., 4.55 p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. From Chertsey, Rakaia, &c. at 10.35 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.25 p.m. daity. Fr»m Temuka and Tiiharu at 9.25 a.m. and 5.25 p.m. daily. , From'Gfeenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and' Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Watertqn, and Long beach at 10 a. m. daily. From Wakanui and Seafield on Tues days and Fridays at 2.30 p.m.

Mails close.,at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows ;- • For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m. 9. a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.15 a.m. daily. For Temuka, Timaru, and South at 6 a.m. and 10.15 a.m. daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a m. For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at 3.15 pan. daily. - For Wakanui, and Seafield, on Tues days arid Fridays, at C a.m.

W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

The Ashburton Guardian, COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER THURSDAY, MAY 27, 1880.

A Gazette to hand yesterday gives the complete returns of revenue and expendi ture oh the New Zealand railways for the new financial year ended March last. This covers only a period of nine months, owing to the change in the financial year which used to close formerly in June, The Colonial Treasurer in his Financial State ment estimated the receipts at £075,000, the actual results are £99,412 under that figure, being in the aggregate, £575,588. The working expenses for the same period amounted to £460,284, or equal to74§ per cent, of the whole receipts, thus leaving 2o\ per cent., or £145,304, to pay in terest on the cost of construction, fully bearing out the Premier’s recent state ment that the Colonial Treasurer had in no way exaggerated, but rather under estimated, the probable deficiency that would face Parliament when it re assembled.

We had thought that the days of piracy on the high seas were past, and that men mad enough to attempt anything of the kind on an extensive scale were not to he found in these times. But we have been wrong in our trust in these peaceful and law abiding days, if the following telegram to the Press from its own correspondent at Wellington has any real meaning : <f An extraordinary and startling piece of information has just reached the Govern ment by a special official telegram from the Government of New South Wales. It is that a telegram has been received by Lord Augustus Loftus, Governor of New South Wales, from the Governor of Bom bay, that a steamer named the Genii, fly ing Liberian colors, left Aden on the 24th ultimo, professedly bound for Port Briton, having on board large stores of arms, ammunition, and provisions, and a numerous crew, comprising persons of various nationalities. The object of her mission is not disclosed, but from scraps of information which reached Bombay be fore she left Aden it is suggested that she is bound on a piratical or filibustering ex pedition, and a further suspicion has arisen that her operations were to be car ried on against either some Australian and New Zealand towns and settlements, or else against the Anglo-Colonial shipping trade by intercepting gold ships and other valuable prizes. The information at pre sent to hand is only of a very vague nature, but it was considered of sufficient importance to warrant the Government of Bombay in sending a special warning by cable to the Australian Government with a request that they would pass it on to New Zealand.”

The County Engineer invites tenders for drainage works at Tinwald and Wheeler’s Creek.

Longbeach Road District.—As will be seen in our advertising columns, the Longbeach Road District is about to be divided into wards.

Farmers’ Supplement. —A quantity of information, useful and interesting, will be found in the columns of the Supple ment published with this morning s issue.

Ashburton Steeplechases. The members of the Steeplechase Committee have arranged to meet at Mr. Hunt’s farm at 3 o’clock on this afternoon, for the purpose of selecting a course. Drunk. —An old offender, named Mar ten Moran, alias Wearn, against whom ten previous convictions were recorded, was lined ss. on Tuesday, at the 11. M. Court.

The Borough’s Auditors. Three gentlemen were nominated on Tuesday to fill the position of auditors to the Borough Council. As only two are required, a poll is announced to be taken on Tuesday next.

The Gas Company.— The meeting of the Gas Company called for yesterday fell through for want of a quorum, and was adjourned till Monday, 7th inst., at three o’clock.

Alleged Theft of a Watch and Chain. —A man named Lane was charged yesterday before Mr. C. P. Cox with the theft of a watch and chain from John Symons at the Royal Hotel on Tuesday. Ho was remanded till Friday. To Heads of Families. —Mr. Thomas Taylor informs us that, in consequence of the supply of good things at the Good Templar soiree on Monday being in excess of the demand, he has on hand a large quantity of cakes, tarts, and other edibles which he is desirous of disposing of at exceedingly low pi-ices. We recommend heads of families to pay Mr. Taylor a visit at once.

Pugilistic. —Three men, named respec tively William Stothers, Robert Falkner, and Charles Smith, were charged, before Mr. Guinness, on Tuesday, with com mitting a breach of the peace. Constable Warring gave evidence that the accused were fighting in the public streets and creating a disturbance. His Worship fined Stothers L 5 and tfc e two other offenders were let off with a fine of 10s. each, or in default, 48 hours’ imprisonment.

Civil Cases. —There were but few cases called on at the Court on Tuesday, and all but one were adjourned. In the case of Passmore v. Johnson, Mr. Bran son obtained an adjournment till Friday, 11th June,. A number of cases brought by the Borough Council against defaulting ratepayers, were, on the application of Mr. Crisp, adjourned until Friday next. Mr. Crisp appeared for the plaintiff in M‘Rae v. Bates, and obtained judgment by default for the amount claimed, L3O, and L 4 9s, fid. costs, and immediate execution granted. The Froliques. —Last night this com pany gave its promised entertainment m the Town Hall. The advertisements an nounced their appearance as by request, but we saw nothing in the entertainment to warrant any one going into ecstacies over it. The singing is good, hut not superlatively so. The nigger business is commonplace, and the fun not of the most furious kind. “Zittella” is very effective in a flag song, and makes some very smart changes of costume, her ap pearance generally being very pleasing. Miss Lottie Elliot is a clever dancer ; she is called an “ endurance” dancer, and she deserves the term, for she shows good “ staying power ” in her long spell at the skipping rope ; but another foot of length to Jior skirts would not have detracted from her appearance. There was a very fair house.

Land Sale.— At Tinwald on Tuesday Messrs. Acland, Campbell, and Co. put up to auction 180 half and quarter-acre building sections in the township of Chelmsford. The day was wet, and the attendance was less than certainly would have been the case in bettor weather, but as it was, a fair business was done. We give below the sales that took place, with number of section, price, and purchaser. The numbers marked with an asterisk are corner sections : Section, Price per Sec. Purchaser. 4-acres £. s. d. 167 * 0 5 0 R. Nealan 168-170 4 0 0 R. Nealan 171* 9 10 0 R. Nealan 172 G 15 0 R. Nealan 173* 10 15 0 J. Cole 174* 8 0 0 Ford 195 8 0 0 Ford 176-180 5 0 0 Ford -£-acres. 181-3 8 5 0 Patterson 183-4 4 5 0 „ 185 4 15 0 Cole 180* XI 10 0 Housten

Ashburton A. and P. Association.— It will bo remembered'that at the last meeting of members of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, it was decided to hold monthly meetings for reading papers and discussing matters of fanning interest. The first of these meetings is announced to be held on Tuesday even ing next, in the new upstairs room of the Town Hall, on which occasion Mr. F. Guinness will deliver an introductory ad dress. All Hot. —Under this .attractive head ing our worthy townsman, Mr. Thomas Taylor, East street, announces that in future hot tea and coffee, accompanied with a hot pie, can be had at his shop at all hours. Mr. Taylor has had an in genious contrivance fitted up, by which the tea, coffee, and pies are kept in a steaming hot state, and we have no doubt but that our country friends especially will give the shop frequent calls during the coming winter months, at which period of the year such refreshments arc in especial demand. Good Shooting. —On Monday last a pigeon shooting tournament was hold near the Spread Eagle, and sportsmen, dogs, and game of various descriptions, breeds, and calibres, were in attendance. We are unable to give a detailed score of the events, but are informed that the quantity of powder and lead fired away was something tremendous. As a criterion of the amount of slaughter, we can state that one resident here sold the pigeon club 54 birds, of which 37 returned home within a day or so of the shooting match. Others are arriving hourly, and he expects the whole of them back by the end of the week. As he sold them at Is. Cd. per pair, he is anxious to know when another similar event is likely to come off. He reckons it beats growing oats into fits.

Horticultural Society. —The usual monthly meeting of the Horticultural Society was heldon Tuesdayin Mr. Anstee’s Private Hotel. After the usual routine business, Mr. Egbert Mayo read a short but interesting paper on “ Window Gar dening,” in the course of which he gave some practical hints as to the making of a neat and ornamental box for outside a cottage window. Discussion followed, in the course of which some valuable infor mation on the potting of plants, water ing, &c., was elicited. It often occurs that amateur gardeners are in doubt as to when certain plants require water. In addition to the limp appearance that thirsty plants present, Mr. George Smith said a good way to find out whether plants wanted water was to ascertain whether the earthenware pot was sound. If it were sound, a sharp blow administered to it would make it ring if the plant wanted water, because then the soil would be dry and bard, whereas if the soil were moist the sound produced would be dull and heavy. It was ruinous to a plant to place its pot in a saucer, and fill up the saucer with water, as that only made the soil sodden and liter.illy drowned the plant. It was right to use a saucer for cleanliness, but the drainage of the pot should be attended to. It was also far better to give a plant a thorough soak ing at once, than to give it only a very little at a time. A discussion on the best sort of plants to use for the win dows inside also took place. After the discussion on Mr. Mayo’s paper had con cluded, a vote of thanks was passed to that gentleman, and then the draft schedule of prizes for next show, prepared by a sub-committee was discussed, and several alterations made. Mr. Jacobson will read a paper at the next meeting, but the subject was not announced.

Burnham Escapees. —Two lads, one named Eli Jones and another named Best, were charged before Mr. C. P. Cox, J.P., yesterday, with the theft of a cheque from a tent at Rakaia. The theft had been com mitted some time ago—in fact, when the lad Joneson a former occasion had escaped from Burnham, and been recaptured. On that occasion, though he was suspected and searched, no trace of the cheque could be found upon his person. On Monday, however, he again made his appearance in Rakaia, having once more taken French leave from Burnham Industrial School, this time in company with a fellow-inmate of that institution. On that day the two nude an attempt to cash the cheque at at Messrs. Mulligan and Co. ’s store, but the history of the document was too well known, and the trick was not successful. In answer to inquiries as to how they came by the cheque one of them, away from his companion, said it had been paid to him and his brother as wages for 13 weeks’ work, and said brother was outside waiting. On the “ brother ” being ques tioned, he showed that Master Jones’ ex planation as to how the cheque was come by was quite an extempore speech, for he denied any blood affinity with him. The shopman kept the boys until a constable w;-s brought, and they were then taken into custody. On being searched an “olio of oddities ” sufficient to stock a broker’s shop was gathered from their pockets— knives, candle ends, pieces of tobacco, and all sorts of little unconsidered trifles, including a catechism that has evidently had little moral effect upon the young rascals. It turns out that when first searched Master Jones had the cheque hid between the leather and the lining of his boots, and so evaded the constable’s scrutiny. Yesterday Mr. Cox remanded the lads till Friday. How Ted Oughten Was Had. —We have in Ashburton one or two peds that take a lot of licking. Two of those are J. Groves and Ted Oughten. Groves goes in for long spells, and Ted for short flashes. Both went to Timaru to the sports of the Athletic Club of that town, on the Queen’s Birthday. It appears that the Athletic Club has a rule that all com petitors must pay a qualification fee of 10s. 6d. before they can enter—in fact, become members of the Club.. This is quite fair and above-board, so long as “’tis so nominated in the bond.” But Groves and Ted aver that no such proviso ap peared in the published programme of the sports, and therefore they consider themselves ill-used. Groves entered for the mile, and got a handicap of 75 yards. He was allowed to strip for the contest, and had toed the line with the others before he heard anything of the half-sov., and then he wag told it was time to “anty-up.” He remonstrated and paid under protest, but even with this trial to his temper, lie ran second, and landed some Timaru money. Ted is a little more fiery, and speaks his mind freely of the Timaruvians. He entered on the ground, but Groves entered on the 14th. Not a ■whisper did either of them hear of the 10s. fid. till they were ready to start. Ted’s essay was in the Maiden, and he, too, had stripped and toed the line, when he was asked for his 10s. fid. Ted isn’t a lamb, and we can easily fancy that he would not look very sweet as he stood in his tights, shivering in the cold air, chattering with the Secretary for this money. He paid it, however, under protest, and ran. It is quite fair, to bo sure, for a club to lay down a rule that all who compete for its prizes shall bo members ; but there is a certain amount of civility necessary in enforcing that rule. When no hint of the rule is given in the published programme, and the entries of strangers from a distance are accepted, the least that could be done would to let them know that such a fee will be charged, and surely not defer till the men have stripped and toed the line, Evjdeptjy the Timaru Athletic Club want a Secretary who knows Jiis business.

Te Wbiti at Home. —Te Whiii is having a considerable amount of clear ng done at Parihaka, and the land prepared for putting in a larger area of crops next season than he has ever done in any pre vious year.

The Racecourse Accidents. Han kins and Keith, who were hurt in the races on Monday, are progressing favor® ably. Sunday (Trading. —The case against the man Marks—“ Wicked Marks”—the fruiterer, in Christchurch, is to be heard before Mr. Hellish to-day. Death of Swindler. —The steeple chaser Swindler, which fell at the Grand National on Monday, died that night, while entering the box. Girls’ High School eor Christ church. —The Board of Governors of the Canterbury College have accepted the tender of Messrs. Greig and Hunter for the erection of the new Girls’ High School, at a cost of L4,5G9 Bs. 9d.

The Colliers’ Strike. —Much trouble has been caused throughout Australia by the strikes of the Newcastle colliers, and many factories had to suspend work for a time owing to want of fuel. 2,000 miners are on strike in Newcastle.

A Stray Raet. — A Wellington telegram says ; —Captain Flowerday, of the steamer St. Kilda, reports to the Marine Depart ment that he saw a raft of timber 15ft by 15ft, 2ft deep at Separation Point, bearing W.S.W., ten miles distant, which might be dangerous to shipping.

The Auckland Smuggler. —Mrs. Bos lock, the woman who was recently sentenced to to six months imprisonment for smuggling ashore from an English ship a large quantity of jewellery, and evading the customs duties thereon, has been pardoned by the Governor, and released from prison. The Manawatu Steamer Affair. —At the Wellington Police Court, on Tuesday, the charges against the captain and officers of the Manawatu were heard. Captain Doile, for proceeding to sea without the full complement of men, was fined 205., and D. White, the purser, for falsifying the articles, was fined L 5. The charge against the agent, for fraudulently ship ping men, was dismissed. Gun Accident at Timaru. —Scarcely a holiday passes when game is in season without some gun accident happening, attended with more or less severe results. In addition to the other accidents we have reported, a gentleman named Peryman, a Timaru resident, on the Queen’s Birthday received a charge of gunshot in his side from a companion’s gun, but was not dangerously injured.

A Prolific Grain of Wheat. —The Secretary to the Agricultural and Pasto ral Association has in his possession, at the Society’s offices, a crown containing 70 stalks grown from one grain of Hunter’s white wheat, by Mr J. Snow den, on bis farm, at Dunsandel. Each head yielded the average of 56 plump grains of excellent wheat, or a total of 3,920. grains from a single seed. In the same paddock there were several crowns containing over 50 stalks. — Times.

Christchurch Soup Kitchen.— The Mayor of Christchurch has obtained the use of the old'Christchurch Post office for the establishment of a soup kitchen, and will appeal to butchers, bakers, Ac., to send thither such surplus provisions as they may have. At the meeting of the City Council on Tuesday evening, he stated that the soup kitchen movement had been warmly supported by leading gentlemen in the city, and the Charitable Aid Board knew only too well how much the relief aimed at being given would be wanted during the winter. During a dis cussion on the subject Councillor Hulbert said there was as much food wasted in the city as might keep all the people requiring aid. Gaol Education.— lt cannot be said (remarks the New Zealand Times) that the authorities at the Wellington Gaol neglect the prisoners so far as education is con cerned. The space between tea and bed time is turned to good account by keejiing school. Those prisoners who can be im proved in this way are taught by masters, themselves prisoners, whose ability and good conduct Lave warranted their ap pointment to such a responsible ;position, and some of the pupils show not a little aptitude, the copybooks of the majority being most creditable. If education tends to prevent crime, then Mr. Read ought certainly to be congratulated upon the fact that he is adopting the best means at his disposal for reforming those whose conduct has caused them to be placed under his care.

A Freak of Nature. —An extraordi nary freak of nature is recorded by the Manawatu Times. A butcher was dres sing a sheep, when he was astonished to feel a hard substance embedded in layers of fat upon the left side of the animal. Bringing his knife into operation the adipose matter was quickly cut away, when a young lamb in a perfect state of ossification was taken from its resting place. The object, which was thoroughly formed —the eyes alone being wanting— was about twelve inches long by seven inches broad, and was in a sitting position, with its legs doubled underneath it, after the manner of such animals when taking rest. The mass was as hard as a stone, and when weighed turned the scale at six pounds. The opinion of the medical men who have seen this lusns natural is, that it has been embedded in the side of the sheep—which was a six-tooth one—for the past two years, and the most singular part of the affair is that the mother has since been lambing. Ball at the Spread Eagle. —On the Queen’s Birthday a pigeon shooting match took place at the Spread Eagle Hotel, and a good many competitors entered, but the scores made were not extraordinary. In the evening a grand dinner was given in the hotel, and laid out in the handsome style which is characteristic of Host Tisch. After the cloth had been removed and the royal and loyal toasts heartily pledged, the healths of Mr. Tisch and his family were given with all honors. A ball took place afterwards in the large room of the hotel, which was gorgeously decorated for the occasion by the Misses Tisch. The dancing commenced at nine o’clock, and continued till four in the morning, between 30 and 40 couples taking part, amongst whom were many visitors from Ashburton. In the course of the evening the Misses Tisch played • several duets on the piano, and contributed much by their amiability to the success of the evening. The daneg music was supplied by local violinists, and 01 the coarse of tho night several sopgg were sung by gentlemen.

Telephonic Communications, -~ln one thing Melbourne appears to be behind the age, (remarks a Melbourne contemporary). The telephone exchange is in ordinary use in other places as a medium of busi ness communication, and is found to be convenient and an economiser of time, of which the equivalent is money. A man of business in Liverpool thus writes of it to his brother in Melbourne : —“ Writing of new discoveries, &c., we have now been using the telephone at our office for some little time, and as most of the mem bers of the trade have them, the saving in trouble and time is often very great. We talk to one another, pass offers, and make contracts, &c., without ever going out of the office. The company we have to do with supplies the Edison loud-talking machine, and I think it is the best. We pay Ll2 a year, and the company supples everything. We intend shortly to have a wire in communication with our ware house, which will be very useful, and for this we shall have to pay L 6 per annum extra.” It is stated that Mr. E-ussell, the manager of the new Melbourne Exchange, intends shortly organising a general tele phone system in connection with that es tablishment, which, for the first time, will afford adequate commercial advantages tp th,e mercantile community,

Railway Extension. The Picton- Blenheim Railway has been extended into the Blenheim township, and on Tuesday a Imicheon was given by- the Mayor of Blenheim in celebration of the event. Mr. Seymour, M.H.R. for the district, took advantage of the occasion to make a political speech, in which he defended the Government and the party supporting it. He said that Sir George Grey must either be leader of a Government or of an Op position. As soon as his party deserted him it had fallen to pieces.

The Waimakariri. —The South Wai makar'ri Board of Conservators held a meeting yesterday. When the following resolution was adopted ; —“ That, con sidering the danger of the river washing a breach at the end of No. 1 bank, it is advisable to construct a new embankment about 15 chains in length about 25 chains higher up the stream, during the present winter, the total cost of which is estimated at LI,OOO. ” The Chairman was authorised to call for tenders for that portion of the work which is usually done by tender.

Religion and Politics. London Truth tells a very characteristic story of Mr. Spurgeon’s political sympathies and his notion of the electoral duties of Liberals. During the recent contest in Lambeth the Conservative candidate called on Mr. Spurgeon and asked his vote on the ground of religious affinity. The answer he received was, “If the Liberal candidate were the Devil in per son I should vote for him against you, for the functions to which you and he aspire are political, and not religious, and on political matters I think with him. ” Mr. Henry Labouchere, who, by the way, has been elected, professes to be a warm ad mirer of the Tabernacle ; and he asked -all Liberals and Radicals to remember these words when the moment f r, r action came. They contain, he thinks, the whole duty of an elector. Of himself, he says in his address to the Lambeth elec tors :—“ I am a Radical to the Radicals. I have many social fads, and yet I should vote for the most retrograde of Whigs, the bitterest opponent of one and all my social foes, provided lie were sound upon the one point of hostility to the pernicious Imperialism of Lord Beaconsfield.”

A Melbourne Yiew of a New Zea land Unemployed Scheme. —This is the view the Australasian takes of the recent proposal made in Wellington by the un employed for the construction of the West Coast railway : —“A singular scheme of railway construction was broached at a public meeting held at Wellington, New Zealand, the other day—a scheme which seems to possess the novelty of embodying every possible objection which can lio against any railway proposal of any kind. The scheme is to include railway construc tion, relief to the unemployed, and land settlement. The railway is to be constructed by men to be paid at ' the rate of 65., 75., and Bs. per day. But out of this they arc to have rations provided by the Government at Is. 3d. per day, and to draw 10s. per week, and the balance to remain to be applied to the purchase-money of land, which the workmen are to be allowed to take up at L2 per acre. At first sight it would seem as though New Zealand must be the real paradise"of the working man, if laborers at a railway can live and pay for a farm out of the wages they earn during its construction. We have said that the scheme is open to every possible ob jection. In the first place nothing was brought forward in the way of statistics to show whether the line would pay even that modicum of return with which we have to be content in the colonies. Then it is obvious that, whatever else might be wanting, the Government would have undertaken to provide main tenance and pocket money for a whole army of workmen, who, under these happy conditions, w o uld possibly not be in a hurry to complete their work. Then the increase in the value of the land effected by the railway would be pocketed by those to whom the State had given land at LI per acre, which one speaker (whom the meeting wanted to ‘ put out’ at once) declared was worth L 8 to LlO per acre. And finally, if the scheme had any effect of the kind aimed at, it would settle on the land an immense number of men destitute of the means of livelihood, of appliances, and all farming experience. We observe that when it was pointed out that the Government could not sacrifice the public estate, one advanced thinker cried out, ‘ We are the Government, for we are the people,’ ? sentiment which met with much applause. Of course this ad mirable sentiment makes many difficult matters very easy. You have only to declare yourself the Government, and take what you want. In the meantime, it is worth the consideration of these land reformers whether the best way is not, after all, for men to work for wages, and buy what they want with their money, rather than reduce everything to a general muddle, in which everybody would be living,.not on his own means, but on those of everybody else. ”

THOSE BY-LAWS

A special meeting was to have been held on Tuesday to consider, and, if satisfactory, to adopt the by-laws, a draft of which was advertised in the Herald a fortnight since, but the meeting fell through for want of a quorum. His Worship the Mayor, and Messrs. St. HiH, Friedlander, and Wey mouth Heberts, with Mr. E. G. Crisp, the Borough Solicitor, were present, and one more Councillor was required to give legality to the proceedings. For this im portant addition to their number, the abovenamed gentlemen waited, but waited in vain. Mr. St. Hill was for hunting up Councillor Robinson, but it was hinted as extremely improbable that he would be found at home, so the suggestion was not acted upon. The possibilities of other members rolling up was discussed, but any gleam of hope in this respect soon dis appeared. They came not. Tim Council lors present, cheered possibly by the in fluences of a glowing fire and the prospect of once more putting off the consideration of those dreary by-laws, waxed merry, and while sundry anathemas were at inter vals poured forth by Mr. St. Hill on the absent ones, the joke, in the absence of the glass, went merrily round. What other influences were at work on the minds 'of our worthy Councillors we know not, but that wit and humor prevailed to an extent hitherto foreign to the usually dry dis cussions of the Council Chamber is a matter of fact. Sundry conundrums were flung about by the Mayor and Mr. St. Hill, and our unassuming apd rgticent Borough Solicitor, as he saw the object of his special care being put off for a more convenient season, seemed to have a special inspiration, and from what appeared to be a mine of anecdote and conundrum, contributed to the general merriment, To those of our readers who are partial to this kind of entertainment and those who are blessed with a vein of fun and humor in their composition, the following riddle given last night by the Borough Solicitor will perhaps prove as difficult to them in the solving as it did to their worthy re presentatives in the Council, and also enjoy as hearty a laugh as they did when made acquainted with the simplicity of itA man gets married and has two sons, one named Jack, the other named Tom, but Jack says he is no relation to Tom; what is Jack ? ” After patiently, waiting for three-quarters of an hour, it was ar ranged that the meeting should stand ad journed until Friday night, but the pro babilities of a quorum being present on that evening were so risky, that two of the gentlemen, who guaranteed their ’’pre sence, so as to conform with the require ments of the law on the matter, arranged to contest a game of chess should their mental faculties not be in requisition for

the' less serious work of playing at Borough legislation. We extremely regret that those of our fellow citizens who have been elected by the burgesses of Ashburton to fill the position of Borough Councillors are not more in earnest to merit the trust and confidence which has been tnus reposed in them. It has been hinted that there are a class of men in our midst who will leave no stone unturned to occupy posi tions in society which will add, perhaps, an extra title to their names, but who are just as anxious to shirk any duty or drud gery which may be associated with such a title. From our acquaintance with the members of the Borough Council, we are assured that every individual member of that body is above such a charge ; but un less more interest is exhibited in matters of detail of Council work, the general pub lic will not hesitate to pronounce a ver dict which will not be flattering to some of the gentlemen who hold the position of City Fathers. Recently theordinary meet ingsof the Council have been well attended, arid the most hyper-critical of our citizens would find it difficult to censure the coun cillors for any lack of duty in regard to the general routine of the Borough’s business, but it is where meetings are called of the Works, Planting, and By-laws, and other Committees that there is room for com plaint ; and it is specially in connection with the Borough’s by-laws that the burgesses of Ashburton will soon make their voices heard, if more energy is not displayed in making them law. The Borough has been in existence now for nearly two years, and during that time many pounds might have been carried to the Council’s credit, as the result of pro secutions under the by-laws had they been in force, as well as contributing very much to the sanitary condition of the township. We understand that all that is requisite now to making them effective is for the Council to hold a meeting approving of the draft already advertised ; a copy is to be transmitted to the Colonial Secretary, and upon his acknowledging the receipt of it, prosecutions under these by-laws can at once be instituted. In the interests of the Borough we would once more urge on the Councillors of taking the bull by the horns, and see to the immediate bringing into force of this necessary acquisition to effective Borough administration.

INQUEST.

The inquest on the body of George Bland, whose death occurred under such melancholy circumstances in the river bed on Sunday last, was held in Baldwin’s Central Hotel, on Tuesday, before the Coroner, Dr. Trevor, and the following jury, of whom Mr. Joshua Tucker was chosen foreman :—Messrs. R. Murray, Barrett, S. Lucas, John Gardiner, Quinn, P. M'Lauchlin, Anson, Broadbelt, Everett, Tucker, Johnston, Allison and Trickett. The body was brought in a dray from the house where death, took place, and exhibited to the jury in the yard of the hotel. After the jury had been sworn and had had adjourned to view the body, the following evidence was taken on their return :

James Purchase, sworn, deponed—l am a hairdresser, and reside in Ashburton. On Sunday morning last, the 23rd inst., about half-past nine, I left Ashburton on horse back, in company with the deceased George Bland, whose body the jury have just seen. We had each a double bar relled gun, and wore proceeding, in re sponse to an invitation to spend the night at the house of the deceased’s mother, Mrs. Bland, at Greenstreet. We also proposed to go shooting on the following day (the Queen’s Birthday), and also to take part in a pigeon match. We decided after leaving my shop, to go up the river, and about a mile up from the bridge we loaded, thinking to have a shot. Bland’s gun was found to be foul, and neither cap nor priming would discharge it. We de cided therefore to keep it, loaded as it was, until we reached George Bland’s mother’s, where we meant to draw the charge. I gave my gun to George, who was the best shot, and for some distance we went on foot, I leading the horses. We chased two ducks up and down the river for a time. We mounted again, and three miles further up we entered a swamp. Here I went on foot, and George was mounted, leading my horse, A swamp hen rose, and I raised the gun which I was carrying to fire. On account of having to raise the hammers, I was not in time to shoot the swamp hen, and I didn’t fire. Another chance was missed in the same way, and Bland said, “ For God’s sake, put those hammers up, and keep your finger on the trigger, or we shall never get a bird.” At his ivisli, though very reluctantly, for I had never carried my hammers at full cock before, 1 followed his instructions and carried the gun with the hammers raised. Another duck rose, and I fired, but missed. It was then that George Bland asked me to come to him for ammunition, as mine was in the pockets of my great coat, which was strapped on my horse behind- the saddle, while he wore his shot-belt round his body. I went between the horses at deceased’s right side, and he poured the charges from the flask into the right barrel of the gun, which was the one that had been dis charged, and I rammed them home. The left barrel of the gun was still at full cock, as from the time I fired to the time I went to the deceased I had not let down the hammer of the left barrel. I got a cap from deceased, and was raising the gun with my left hand to put the cap on, when the horses came together and threatened to jam me between them. Fearing an accident with the gun, I stepped back co avoid being crushed be tween the horses, and in doing so I dragged the gun towards me to clear the horses. In stepping back, the left barrel of the gun went off, but whether the trigger caught in my clothes or hit against my arm, I cannot say. The charge lodged ju the calf of George’s right leg, who im mediately said, “ My God, I am shot! ” He then swung round on his horjp, and came down, alighting easily on his feet, He then sat down on the tussocks, and meanwhile the horses had bolted, frightened by the discharge of the gun so near them. I asked him if it was his leg that had been shot, as I saw no marks. He replied that it was his leg. I made him as comfortable as I could, but did not bandage his leg in any way, and I at once made for the nearest house for assistance. The nearest house was that of Mr. Harris, about a mile from the place where George lay. The accident mfjst have happened about one o’clock, I found Mr. Harris trying to stop our horses. He came with me, (bringing some bandages from the house. Others also came. When we reached deceased we found the trousers all saturated with blood, but thp bipod about the wound was all congealed. The drawers about the wound were very tight, the leg having swollen very much. We cut up the trousers, but did not cut the drawers, thinking it -would be unwise to do so until the doctor arrived, iis we feared the bleeding would start afresh. We carried deceased on a dray (which had been procured) to Mr. Maconochie’s house, and meanwhile a messenger had brought Dr. Stewart from Ashburton. Dr. Stewart, who arrived perhaps about three o’clock, ordered de ceased’s removal at once to Ashburton. I do not remember that I made a statement to Dr. Stewart of how the accident oc curred, but I think I told Mr. Harris. I scarcely remember how I spent the day after the accident, owing to how I felt in regard to it. Deceased and I were close and intimate friends. I have been used to shooting, but I never carried my ham mers cocked before, and only did so at George’s urgent request. When I loaded the gun beside him, he pouring in the

charge while he sat on his horse, I had quite forgot that the hammer of the left barrell was on full cock. The forget fulness arose from my habit of carrying my gun being different—namely, with the hammers down. While the left, barrel was on full cock during the ramming home the charge in the right, my own hand and head were in danger. By the .Coroner —I saw no blood bj r deceased when I left him, and I gave him some spirits from the flask we carried to keep him up. I did not know what to do very well, and I thought it was best to g i for assistance.

The Coroner —Did it not strike you that it was necessary to bind up the wound ? Witness—No. I did not think the wound was nearly so serious as it was, and I didn’t know very well what to do; besides, there did not appear to be so much bleeding as to cause alarm. The Coroner —There must have been some very "great bleeding at some time, for by it the lad lost his life. You went away for someone else, who probably knew as little how to act as you did your self. You should at once have put some sort of a light bandage above the wound— between it and the heart. If you had done so, you would have saved the young man’s life.

By a juror (Mr. Allison) —I have been out shooting with deceased—a fortnight ago I was out shooting with him. lam used to the gun. F. Macbean Stewart, sworn, deponed— I am a duly qualified medical practitioner, and reside in Ashburton. On Sunday last, about two o’clock, a messenger came to me, saying that a young man, named Bland, had been shot, and was lying up in the river bed. We went to the house of Mr. Maconochie, where we found deceased had been removed. On examining the wound, I found that the trousers had been cut, and proceeded to cut the drawers, which had been left intact. I found a very extensive lacerated wound —or rather three wounds—about the middle of the calf of the leg, between the knee and the ankle. The tibia or shinbone was com pletely shattered. One of the arteries began to bleed very profusely, but by ex erting pressure upon it I was able to stop it. I made a pad, and tied it very tightly above the knee, so as to prevent further hemorrhage. The wound being of so serious a nature, I considered it better to have the young man removed to Ashbur ton. That was done, and he was brought to Mr. Daily’s house, in the Wakanui road, where Dr. Trevor, Dr. Ross, and myself held a consultation. Deceased was in such a weak state that it was considered not advisable to perform any operation until a reaction had set in. A reaction never took place. I left deceased a little after eight o’clock, so that I could go home and make preparations for staying with him over the night. About half-an hour after, John Bland, his brother, came for me, saying that a sudden change had taken place. On going to the house I found that the young man was dead. I believe deceased died from loss of blood and from shock to the system. From the appearance of the body, more blood had been lost than the last witness appeared to think. 1 did not see the place where the lad had been lying while Purchase went for aid. But when I came to deceased first —about three o’clock —the wound was still bleeding. The face of deceased gave the appearance of great loss of blood having been suffered. Deceased was quite conscious. I would not expect a man of good and healthy con stitution, such as deceased was, to die from simple shock to the system from such a wound without a great loss of blood. Supposing measures, to stop the bleeding, had been taken by tying any thing tight round the leg above the wound, it is quite possible the young man would not have died, always supposing that death did not result from shock to the system. I heard the last witness’ evi dence. He made a similar statement, as to how the accident occurred, in ray pre sence and in the presence of deceased, who was quite conscious. Deceased did not contradict the statement of Purchase in any w r ay. Deceased was quite conscious, but he gradually became fainter up till the time of his death.

The Coroner, after giving the custo mary explanation of what constitutes manslaughter, said there had evidently been carelessness manifested—or at least great inexperience—both in the use. of the gun in this affair, and in the treat ment of the young man after the accident had happened. A double-barrelled gun had been carried about for a considerable distance with both hammers at full cock, and after one barrel had been discharged, it was re-loaded while its fellow still re mained at full cock. The witness, Pur chase, who had carried the gun, had given as a reason for the loading in this condition of the gun that it was a depar ture from his own invariable custom, at the urgent request of his companion, and being a departure from his own custom he had forgot for the time that the un fired barrel was at full cock. It would be for the jury to say how much of cul pability there was in this as well as in the neglect to bandage the leg. The Coroner,

in referring to the young man’s death, which had evidently taken place from a loss of blood that might have been pre vented by judicious precautions, saw that fatal results often attended accidents simply from the want of a little useful knowledge. It was as well that people should know how to act when placed in circumstances similar to those in which Purchase found himself last Sunday. When a wound was inflicted on any part of a person’s leg below the knee, a band age, of any kind, tied tightly round the knee would stop the bleeding. Where ever the limb was wounded, and exces sive bleeding resulted, a tight bandage put round the limb, between the wound and the heart would stop the bleeding. Even when a bandage could not be well applied, placing the thumb upon the artery in the groin, where the pulsations are felt, and pressing strongly, would stop the bleeding for a time. The same course of bandaging would be successful with the arm ; and where the hand had been in jured, bleeding could be stopped by doub ling the forearm at the elbow, and pass ing the bandage tightly round both fore arm and bicep—the thick part under the shoulder. He hoped the press would take note of these simple instructions, and impress their necessity upon the public. The jury, after a short consultation, re turned a verdict of “ Accidental Death.”

DISGRACEFUL CONDUCT OF TWO POLICEMEN.

[By Telegram*.] Aucuclakd, May 26. At the Police Court to-day, Bloom, a respectable storekeeper, was charged with obstructing the police in the execution of their duty. Inspector Pardy said the constables had used unnecessary violence, and withdrew the charges. Bloom laid a charge of assault against Constables Ross and Igoe, but withdrew it on a promise being made that the men would bo punished under the police regulations, and pay Lll expenses. The particulars are these : Bloom was standing in front of his own shop door. He was told to “ move on,” but refused, on which the two constables knocked him down, knelt on him, handcuffed and dragged him to the station, where they put him in a cell with two drunkards, and refused bail, until Mr. Cosgravo, a J.P., procured his release. The case has caused much pub lic indignation. Rc ss is a young member of the force.

SPORTING.

The following is a complete list of the acceptances and nominations for Satur day's meeting Ashburton Handicap. st. lb. Mr. MTvor’s Grey Momus ... 12 7 Mr. Hawkins’ Magic... ... 10 7 Mr. J. H. Lunn’s Fakir ... 10 7 Mr. P. Butler’s Stella ... 10^0 Mr. Husband’s Raven ... 0 Mr. Dillon’s Mickey Free ... Mr. Dancell’s The Lad ... 10 0 District Handicap. st. lb. Mr. Primmer’s Jack ... ... 12 7 Mr. Willcock’s Deceiver ... 12 7 Mr. Husband’s Raven ... 12 7 Mr. Muir’s Tam o’ Shanter... 12 7 Mr. Dancell’s The Lad ... 12 2 Mr. Holme’s Sir George ... 11 2 Wakanui Stakes. Weight for age. Mr. M‘lvor’s Grey Momua Mr. Butler’s Stella Mr. Lunn’s Fakir Mr. Dancell’s The Lad Farmers’ Steeplechase. Weight for age. Mr. Holmes’ Sir George, 3 yrs. Mr. Primmer’s Jack, aged Mr. Willcock’s Deceiver, 6 yrs. Mr. Muir’s Tam o’ Shanter, aged Mr. Sturgeon’s Lonehand, aged Mr. W. Mangham’s Little Tom, aged Mr. John Carter’s Tinwald, aged Mr. Husband’s Raven, aged By Telephone. [Since our correspondent furnished the following, the Secretary has supplied us with a complete list of the acceptances and nominations. As The Lad appears in that list, it will be necessary for “ Tele phone” to recast his tips.—Ed. A.G.] The annual steeplechase meeting which is to be held on Saturday next ought, if the Clerk of the Weather is in good humour, to turn out even more successful than the meetings held by the Committee in previous years. At present the deluge we are experiencing will not only make the course extremely heavy, but will pro bably prevent so numerous an attendance as might have been expected, seeing that most of our farmers are backward in their ploughing owing to the late dry season, and their anxiety to get in their wheat at as early a date as possible, so as to pre vent a recurrence of the evils of smut and rust, so recently experienced to their loss, may probably keep many at home. At the same time, I am decidedly of opinion that the enterprising Committee who take this sport up annually are not backed up by the wealthier class of squatters and farmers as they should be. It must be recollected that the Steeplechase Commit tee, w hen they undertake to give the pub lic a treat of this sort, assume a consider able amount of responsibility, and should consequently be awarded due support by those for whom the said sport is provided. I offer these remarks to the readers of this journal in consequence of the impecu nious appearance of the subscription list. To come to the probabilities of the present meeting, I must say the Commit tee committed a grave error in appointing an outside handicapper for local horses. Mr. Lance is without doubt facile princeps as a handicapper of horses known to fame, and no one knows better how to bring them together in a finish. I must also say that he has shown better judgment of recent than in previous years. At the same time, the Committee of the Ashbur ton steeplechases asked too much of Mr. Lance when they required his services to weight local horses, djusb he never heard of berore. The conse quence is that the District Handicap is not at all in accordance with the merits of the horses. For instance, Deceiver, a 6 year old, unknown to fame, and bred froin very shady .progenitors, is to carry the same weight as such horses as Tam o’Shanter, Jack, and the Raven, all known performers, and has to concede 51bs. to The Lad, who was reckoned by his breeder, Harry Markey, the redoubtable owner of Mousetrap, to be the best fencer in New Zealand when a 3 year old. Sir George, again, a 3 year old, who has never yet started, is to cany list. 21b. In his case, I consider that if any horse should be let into a steeplechase at anything under the minimum of 10st., Sir George should start with a feather. However, next year, perhaps, the club will see the wisdom of reverting to the old rule of having the local horses handicapped by residents in the district; and I am sure they will give more satisfaction to their patrons, and owners of horses. ASHBURTON HANDICAP. For the Ashburton Handicap six have cried content, vix., Grey Momus, Stella, Raven, Fakir, Magic, and Mickey Free, and as the ground is heavy a good horse will be wanted to get over the plough and gorse. Momus, with 12st. 71b. up, is top weight, but fit I think to pull the event up; I had a fancy for The Lad, but he did not show up in the acceptances last night. The lucky old stager the Raven always seems to be able to come in at the finish, and to stand any amount of whip, and I shouldn’t be surprised to see him in the van in the wind up, and I am told he is in better fettle than ever he was. Magic, I don’t think will show up, having been too badly hurt at the Grand National to send here, otherwise he would have carried my money. Stella has a good style with her, and not too much weight. Fakir is getting too ancient, and although he has won a Grand National, his day is gone by in my opinion. I place the field at the finish as follows : Grey Momus... ... ... 1 Stella 2 Raven ... ... 3 DISTRICT HANDICAP. For the District Handicap, Sir George, Deceiver, Raven, and Tam-o’-Shanter wi’l start, and, as I remarked above, there is nothing in the handicap to make a race of it. Tam-o’-Shanter will win. Raven, if he goes for the first race, will have had enough gruelling not to attempt this ; and the other two will never get round the course in anything like time, The WAKANUI STAKES brings out the smallest field, showing that weight-for-age races are not popular with sporting men. I place the three as fol lows : Grey Momus J. Stella 2 Fakir ... ... 3 the farmers’ handicap shows up with a grand entry of eight, and the winner will take a lot of looking for. The following will figure on the card Sir George, Jack, Deceiver, Tam o’ Shanter, Lonehand, Little Tom, Tinwald, and Raven, and the winner will- be pro bably Jack, as be has no work cut out fop him in any of the previous races. I am surprised at this, as I heard he was as fit as a fiddle ; but the Secretary informed me last night that he had received no ac ceptance, but that a letter bearing the post mark of the 26th would be received for the other races. The first three in this race will be Tam, Jack, and Raven, but I reserve my final tip on this till Saturday morning.

The Canteebtjbt Jockey Club. —At the last meeting of the C.J.0., helgl, in Christchurch on Tuesday, the cided to have a totalisator of iflbown op the racecourse at the Club’s footings, leaving details of the management 1 of the instrument with the Committee. It was also decided to start building the proposed new grand stand as soon as the plans were obtained and one adopted. The stand will cost L 3,000,. and individual members of the Club will give a guarantee to the Union Bank for the money.

mu AMUIMWU mkbm TMIksdAV, May 27, i««o.



AUCTION SALES. This Day. Alfred Harrison, at the Winslow Rail way Station —40,000 feet of Building Timber. Sale at 11 o’clock sharp. Edmiston, Gundry, and Co., at their Rooms, East street —620 acres of Land at Seafield. ' • Friday, May 28. Edmiston, Gundry, and Co., at the home stead of D. Hoare, Esq., Alford Forest —Farm Stock and Implements., Sale at 12 o’clock. Tuesday, J dne 1. J, E. Buchanan & Go. —33 building allot ments. Tuesday, J dne 8. Acland, Campbell, and Co.—On the estate of Mr. Thomas Simpson, Wakanui road, Ashburton, 120 acres of freehold land. At an early date. Messrs.’•Acland, Campbell, and Co., at Westerfield Station —Horses, Cattle, Implements, &e. NOTICE TO FARMERS. undersigned will be prepared to treat with farmers and others in Ashbur ton, every Wednesday and Saturday, for the PURCHASE of GRAIN, or SHIP MENT on ACCOUNT of GROWERS. JOSEPH CLARK. February •SS, 1880. • 550g* MESSRS. H. MATSON AND CO., AUCTIONEERS, &c., Hold fortnightly stock SALES at Ashburton and Tinwald. Next sale at the TINWALD YARDS, on TUESDAY, May 25, 1880. 0. PERCY COX, 27a* Agent, Ashburton. T HE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY’S GARMENTS FOR MEN’S AND BOYS’ WEAR. Fit Better Look Better Wear Better Are Better Cut Are Better Made Are Better Shrunk, And therefore give more satisfaction than any other goods offered to the public. Testified to by their Thousands of Cus tomers who purchase constantly at the NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FAC TORY’S BRANCHES, Now Established in Dunedin Wellington Invercargill Nelson O amaku Wanganui Timaru New Plymouth Ashburton Napier Lyttelton Thames Christchurch Auckland A SINGLE GARMENT AT WHOLESALE PRICE. N.B.— Our New Winter Manufactures are now ready. . “TRY THE nTzT OVERCOAT.” SHIRTS, HATS, and HOSIERY, of every description at WHOLESALE Prices. ASHBURTON BRANCH— East Street Wm. SPARROW, 588 g Manager. For Sale, BAR Framed BEE HIVES. T, A. Gates, Saunders’ Buildings. 828 g