MAIL NOTICES.

IVlaila close at the Ashburton Post Office, s follows : For Christchurch and North at G a.m. 9. a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Eakaia, &c., at 9 a.m and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Eangitata, 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 p.m,..daily.-- For Wakanui, Elgin, and Tuesdays and Fridays, at 6 a.m. 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, Eakaia, &c. at 10.35 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.25 p.m. daily. Fr#m Temuka and Timaru at 9.25 a.m. and 5.25 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a. m. daily. From Wakanui, Elgin, and Seafield on Tuesdays and Fridays at 2.30 p.m. W. St. G. Douglas, . Postmaster.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.

All orders for insertion of advertise ments must be written legibly on the face of the advertisement. When no order is given the advertisement will be inserted until countermanded, and charged accord-

ingly. All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good faith. All advertisements and business letters to be addressed The Manager; literary communications should be addressed to The Editor.

The Ashburton Guardian, COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1880.

The Borough Council have at last seen fit to adopt a suggestion we made some time ago, and that had been made often before —namely, to enforce the by-law regarding the clearing off of tussock from unoccupied sections. Before they do so, however, they have resolved to set a good example to pro prietors _of tussocky sections, and are to call for tenders for stripping their owrJ unoccupied reserves of their “ yellovl -agony.” Mr. St. Hill is a sort of steanl tug to the Council; he is always dragl ging them along with him in some nevl direction of reform, and it is to hinl that we owe the initiation in the Council of the anti-tussock movement. We shall be glad to see the tussock curse rejl pealed, and feel grateful to Mr. Stl Hill fbf thus setting about it. _ Butl while we entertain gratitude to him fol his step and to the Council for followj ing him, and while we heave a sigh on relief tlat a few more days and all| danger , will be removed of conflagra-

tions arising from spontaneous com bustion or other untraceable cause amongst the winnowed tussocks, we at the same time, that the wisdom of the Borough Council cannot devise some scheme by which the word “ unoccupied’’\nay be changed to its-opposite, and . dwelling-houses and dwellers therein lake the place of the grass that is to be swept away. One pleasant reflection in the matter, how ever, is that the removal of the tussock will supply a few days’ work at least for some of the laborers about town whose time is anything but fully employed.

Dismissed. —Peter Fagan was brought up on remand at the Court on Saturday, on a charge of lunacy from drink, and was dismissed.

Testing the Liquor. —We understand that the various hotels in town were visited on Saturday by an officer of the Government to obtain samples of whisky, for the purpose of being tested by the Government Analyst. Drunk and Disorderly. —A man was yesterday remanded till the usual Court sitting to-day on charges of being drunk, using obscene language in the streets, and otherwise misconducting himself. He had been chasing females in the street on Saturday night. “Star Combination.” A “star” combination company gave an entertain ment in the Town Hall on Saturday even ing to thirty people. The show had not been advertised, and nobody knew any thing about it—hence the miserable ac count of empty benches.

The Cattle Yards Tenders. —The fol lowing tenders have been accepted by the County Council: —Fencing—A. R. Leask, £ls Bs. ; trimming fences —R. Rolston, £1 9s. Fencing Rakaia Gorge Bridge Road—a tender for this work has also been accepted—namely, that of Y. Soland, at £72 10s.

The Mails.— Mails for _ tha United Kingdom, &c., via Brindisi (for specially addressed correspondence only) will close on Wednesday, at 10.15 a.m., for despatch per express train, to connect with the Ro :orua at the Bluff. Money orders should be taken out the previous day. The Brindisi late of postage for the United Kingdom is 8d per half ounce. The Borough Election.— On the 9th September, the election of three persons will take place to fill the vacancies caused by the retirement by rotation of Messrs. St. Hill, Roberts, and Orr. These three gentlemen are eligible for re-election. Nominations will be received by the Town Clerk, who is returning officer, up till noon of Tuesday, the 31st inst. The Telegraph.— The telegraph lines destroyed during the recent gale have not yet been all replaced, and telegraphic communication between Christchurch and the north is still interrupted. It is ex pected that the gap will be stopped to day, but meanwhile we must depend on the arrival of steamers from Welling ton for such cablegrams as we are able to supply. Those we give to-day are the ones published in Friday’s Wellington Post.

“Cranmer and his Times.”— The above is the title of a lecture to be de livered in the Town Hall, next Monday evening, by the Rev. Mr. McKee, Pres byterian minister, who is to preach in the Presbyterian Church next Sabbath, anni versary sermons, the occasion being the induction of the pastor of the Ashburton church. Mr. McKee will also preach at Wakanui. The proceeds of Monday’s lecture will be devoted to the repair of the church building. An Ungrateful Old Man. —A decripit old man, named Sullivan, was brought be fore his Worship on Saturday charged with being drunk and disorderly and usir.g abusive language to the arresting con stable. Sergeant Felton stated that Sulli van had been brought up last November on a charge of vagrancy, but in conse quence of being a paralytic, he had been accommodated with quarters at the Old Men’s home. Mr. Guinness inflicted a fine of 20s. on the culprit, in default to be imprisoned for forty-eight hours.

Entertainment. —Last night the pano rama of New Zealand, which for some time past has been advertised in our columns, was exhibited at the Town Hall to a rather thin audience. The various views were described by Mr. Bevan, and the proceedings were enlivened hy the rendering of several ducts and trios, the parts taken by Mr. Bevan and two of his children, a son and a daughter. The views were good, the light giving them great brilliancy, and as a wind up some comic sketches were introduced. The panorama will be repeated at Rakaia to-night.

Kyle Concert. —Notwithstanding the unfavorable weather, the Kyle school room was well filled on Friday evening, and everything passed off in a most sucess ful manner. Mr. J. Lambie occupied the chair, and expatiated at some length on the importance of public libraries. He was of opinion that “ Library on the Brain ” was not a dangerous form of in sanity. The several items on the pro gramme were most successfully rendered, the glees and choruses going with great precision and effect. Mr. George Johns was very successful as a reciter, and Mr. G. Parker, who sustained the comic por tion of the entertainment, was repeatedly encored. The real gem of the evening, however, was Mrs. Loudon’s song, “ ’Tis but a little faded flower,” which received a well merited encore. The instru mental pieces rendered by Miss Rogers and Miss Lambie were likewise very well received. Mr. Thompson sang “ Sad at heart,” and in response to an encore gave that musical gem “ The Arab’s farewell to his steed.” Mr. Blackburn’s singing was well appreciated. In the absence of Mr. Winter Mr. Hall gave a reading, Tenny son’s “ Northern Farmer,” new style. The style in which Mr. Hall delivered the reading fairly took the audience by storm, and he was vocferously encored, and responded with the “ Northern Farmer,” old style. The National Anthem, and a vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the concert to a close. Dancing was then kept up with great spirit till an early hour.

Borough Council. —A meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council was held last night. The business was not very im portant, and we hold over our report to make room for more readable matter. A Conundrum. —A humorous corres pondent draws bur attention to a mixture that occurred in the notice, in our last issue, of Messrs Davies and Winter’:-; sale to-day at Eakaia, and asks for a key to the “conundrum.” The key is a very simple one—a careless compositor allowed a line to get astray from the Corn Ex change report, and it found a lodgment in the sale notice referred to. He regrets the mistake—much.

The Rivers. lias been blowing for the last few days has had the effects of causing a consider able fresh in the Ashburton river. The Mount Somers coach found the South branch high enough to be unpleasant and the driver was discreet enough to take Digby’s bridge in preference to crossing the usual ford, down which a considerable body of wafer was flowing, “ It’s an ill vind that blows nobody good,” and we may perhaps thank our late boisterous weather for assisting to bring on the much-needed water supply for the town ship, as not only will Uiere be a larger quantity of water coming down the race, but the fluid will bo of a denser nature than usual seeing that a considerable amount of sediment Is coming down the North branch in freshets. The Kaiapoi Woollen Factory.— Yesterday Mr. Wood, the manager of the Kaiajro: Woollen Factory, visited Ashbur ton on his journey south, with a view to Lying the proposal to form a limited liability company to work the factory more extensively and more profitably, before the merchants and business men of the town. The proposed capital of the company is LIOO,OOO in 4000 shares of L 25 each. 825 of these shares, fully paid up, go to the present shareholders, in exchange for the shares now held in the concern by them, and of the remainder only 1,600 are proposed to be placed in the market at present. Nearly one-half of the latter have aleady been applied for in and around Christchurch, and we learn that Mr. Wood’s visit to Ashburton has not been an unsuccessful one.. The pro moters of the company do not desire to see the shares taken in large numbers in single lines by individuals, but would prefer to see a numerous proprietory of small holders, thereby spreading a personal interest in this native industry amongst the colonists. Intending share holders and others are referred to an advertisement elsewhere. Ashburton Racing Club. — A meeting cf those interested in sporting matters was held at Quill’s Hotel on Saturday evening. There was a good attendance, Mr. John Carter being appointed chair man. The Secretary, Mr. Wilkie, stated that the meeting had been called to test the feeling of the public on the question of holding the usual spring meeting. The committee had not felt themselves justi fied in undertaking the responsibility of publishing a programme owing to the pro bability of not being backed up by public subscriptions, and he would therefor e ask that the meeting would take some steps in the matter. During the first three years the Committee had expended a large portion of their funds in permanent improvements on the course, and had con sequently to give smaller prizes to be run for. As the cost of the course would not be an element in the present j-ear’s racing, it was therefore evident that a smaller sum would be needed to give for added money, and as they had had some eighty subscribing members last year, subscriptions and the amount realisable from the outside public and the sale of privileges should make up a suffi cient sura to carry out their usual pro gramme. Mr. T. Quill proposed, and Mr. Hay Smith seconded—‘ ‘ That the usual spring meeting be hold in November.” The motion was carried. It was further resolved that a meeting be held on Friday, September 3rd, at 1 p.m., at Quill’s Hotel, when the Committee would have a programme to submit to the public for approval ; and that notices be sent to all members, requesting their attendance. It was decided to call for tenders for leasing the course for a crop of turnips and a grain crop, tenders to he sent in by the 3rd September. The meeting then ad journed.

Over 12,000 of the unemployed are ap plying for Government work in Victoria.

A Good Sion. —There has been a great falling off in the number of applications for relief at the Christchurch Soup Kitchen during thii week. A Whirlwind. — At Westport on Friday last, a whirlwind, travelling E.N.E., passed over the town, unroofing several houses, and tearing trees up by the roots.

Sunday closing in Melbourne has proved a failure, as the hotel-keepers, by the con nivance of the police, habitually evade the law.

Fish. —Herrings are stated to be very plentiful on the East Coast just now. Last week a couple of fishing boats with one net caught over 1,500 fish in one haul in Napier harbor. Cray-fish, on the other hand, are remarkably scarce. Quick Sailing. —The steamer Potosi, recently made the passage from Plymouth to Adelaide in thirty-six days and one hour, including all stoppages. This is the shortest passage from England to Adelaide on record.

Cheap.—A horse, such as Mark Twain described as a crate covered with hide, was sold from the Pound at Bulls for one shilling. It is said to have been pur chased by a butcher, who, however, re assured his sausage-consuming customers by declaring that he only wanted the hide. An Offensive Cemetery. — So offensive have the odours become that arise from the Wellington cemetery and the drainage from it that flows into a neighboring creek, that steps are being taken by the City Council to have the burying ground closed in the interests of public health. Seamen’s Union.— Mr. George Song ster, a delegate from the Yictorian Sea men’s Union, is at present in New Zea land, endeavoring to establish branches of his society in this colony. He has already planted a branch at Port Chal mers, and it numbers 200 members already. Te Whxti’s Great Anniversary.— The 17th September is the 12th anniversary of the ra o te taJcahanga, the day on which Te Whiti initiated his scheme for thebene fit of the Maori race. Those who are fond of anticipating something sensational from the “Prophet” on important anniver saries expect a coup d’ 6tat of an unusual character from him on that date. Saddling the Wrong Horse. —A most ludicrous incident occurred in connection with a recent inquest at Hokitika. The Coroner by mistake made out a warrant for the burial of the hotelkeeper at whose house the inquest was held, instead of the deceased. Strange to say Boniface did not appreciate the unsought attention, and in defiance of the Coroner’s warrant still remains above ground.

Gathering Up a Fragment. —Some considerable time ago a Wellington con stable named McWilliams, in trying to arrest two “blue jackets” belonging to H.M. S. Sappho, was flung down stairs and injured for life. The officers of H. M. S. Raleigh, now in port at Wellington, in terested themselves on behalf of McWilliams, and got him placed on the ship’s roll. He left in the Raleigh for England last week.

Recent Earthquakes. The earth quakes on the Ist and sth inst., which it will be remembered brought the members of the House up all standing in the thick of business and gave some of them an E3ea that the end of all tilings had come, [were felt at a distance of 150 miles off lland, where a marine disturbance was ex jperienced, the shocks being felt most dis tinctly on board the Rodell Bay, in spite ph a heavy sea. I The Census Act.— The following is [the text of the Census Act Amendment [Bill introduced by the Government; —The [general account or census provided by [The Census Act, 1877, to be taken in the [year one thousand eight hundered and [eighty-one, in such month and, on such [day, not being later than the first day of [April in such year, as the Governor shall [appoint, shall be taken on the third day [of April in the said year. All the pro- Ivisions of The Census Act, 1877, shall apply and extend to the account or census to be then takens

Submarine Volcano. —The people of Napier have been somewhat excited of late by a rumor having gained currency that a volcano under the sea has been dis covered at a place called Blackhead, which is situated nearly 100 miles from that town. The phenomenon is on the coast near Porangahau, and the water is con stantly being thrown at a great height. The earthquakes.that have been experi enced of late may no doubt be attributed to this volcano. Should it be a very active one, earthquakes may occur more frequently in the future than they have done before.

A Would-be Dairyman. —The Tara naki Herald, of the 11th inst., has the following: “There are many ways of appealing for charity, but we imagine the one adopted yesterday by an able-bodied man was quite new and original. The person referred to, it seems, knocked at the door of a house occupied by a gentle man in good circumstances in New Ply mouth, and requested to speak to the ‘ good lady’ of the house. When Mrs. appeared, the man produced a paper, and solicited a subscription to go towards the purchase of a cow, by way of encouraging him in his honest endeavours to establish a dairy. He stated that he was a hard-working man, and had succeeded in buying a cow out of his own earnings, and what he now wanted was sufficient funds to enable him to buy another cow in order to set up a dairy. Mrs. was greatly puzzled at the manner in which the appeal for charity was made, and, after serious reflection declined to become a subscriber.”

A Boil Over. —The following curious story is told by the Parliamentary cor respondent of the Wanganui Herald: — “I have just heard of one of the most extraordinary affairs that has, perhaps, ever occurred in the history of official dom, and I can vouch for every word I am going to relate. An officer of the Go vernment, who is described as a Com missioner, addressed a few days since a telegram to Sir George Grey, in Maori, asking Sir George to take up his case against the Government, and promising some startling disclosures. Sir George handed the telegram to an interpreter, who translated it as if it had been written by a native, who signed himself an Asses sor. Thinking it referred to one of the Native Assessors who had been dismissed, Sir George showed the telegram to Mr. Bryce, desiring to know the cause of the dismissal. The Native Minister replied that it was only one case out of twenty seven Assessors who had been relieved of office in order to promote retrenchment. Sir George Grey then asked the Minister if he would be good enough to state the reason on the telegram formally, so that he could reply. Mr. Bryce took away the telegram, and handed it to an interpreter, who brought it back with the startling in formation that it was from a Commissioner, not Assessor, and that the said Com missioner was a well-known Government officer. The Minister duly informed Sir George Grey of the discovery, whereupon Sir George observed that, considering the way the Minister had got the information, he should not take any notice of it ; bub the Minister sharply replied that, since it came before him, he woidd notice it. And so the matter stands. It is evident the officer telegraphed in Maori because of some lurking fear that the Telegraph Office could not tetain so great a secret as a high official intriguing against his Ministerial heads. It will be interesting to know the future career of this Com missioner.”

Potato Export. —There is an opening for our produce in J lhdia. The Madras Times of the 2nd May has an advertise ment respecting the anticipated arrival of a trial shipment by the mail steamer of Australian potatoes for table and seed pur poses. The potatoes were packed in 4cwt. boxes. Should the shipment prove a suc cess, there will doubtless be a considerable demand for potatoes of Australian produc tion, and there is no reason why those grown in New Zealand should not find as good a market. City of Glasgow Bank. —lt appears that among the assets of the City of Glasgow Bank was a gold reef in the Indian mines, to which public attention has lately been directed, and it now ap pears that this “claim” has proved very rich ; indeed, it is rumored that its pro duct may possibly be of sufficient value to return a moiety of the Bank’s debts, the payment of which utterly ruined so many well-to-do shareholders. But those, and much the larger number, who have failed or compounded with the liquidators will have no share in this -windfall, which will go the very small, number who have been rich enough to., weather the storm, and retain their position on the roll.

Mr. Gladstone’s Correspondence The following letter recently appeared in the London Daily News: —“ Sir,—l am reluctant again to trespass on your columns for the purpose of asking the in dulgence of my correspondence, but for some weeks past the daily arrivals at my door by post have exceeded 100, and I must trust to the kindness of very many, whose communications might well claim a distinct notice, to believe that they re ceive from me the best attention which circumstances permit me to give.—l have the honor to be, Sir, your obedient ser vant, W. E. Gladstone.”

The Cape Colony.—Now that the troubles with the Zulus and the Boers are at an end, there is no doubt (says the Home News) that the colonisation of South Africa will rapidly progress, especially as great inducements are held out by the Cape Government to surplus humanity to go to those parts. Any man with a few pounds can become a farmer there. This is what the Cape Government offers to respectable agriculturalists, married or single, not over 45 years old, desirous of emigrating to Cape Colony: —A free passage for the settlor and family, and land in the finest agricultural and grazing district of the Cape at 10s. per acre ; the payment to be made in ten years, at Is. the acre per year. In some districts, where the poor rates are heavy, the means of relieving the burden suggests itself to the advantage of all-comers. Perhaps the laborers will, however, want a sprinkling of diamonds in the soil guaranteed.

"AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY."

A lecture on ‘‘ Agricultural Chemistry ” was given last Friday night, in the Cam bridge School, by the master, Mr. H. Cape- Williamson. There was a fair attendance, and the lecture was listened to with marked attention throughout. Mr. Meg son, who was in the chair, briefly stated that the proceeds were in aid of a fund to purchase a harmonium for school use, to become school property. He then intro duced the lecturer, Mr. Williamson, who stated that by the term “ Agricultural Chemistry ” was not meant chemistry or geology, but scientific agriculture. A knowledge of this subject could be prac tically applied to the daily occupations of their lives, more particularly with far mers, and it had, therefore, an actual money value. To raise larger crops from their land they must have an increased knowledge of the culture of the soil, and if the farmer aspires pecuniarily to some thing more than mere living and paying expenses, a knowledge of the subject was absolutely necessary fco the practical man, for the whole work of the farmer was simply to raise the largest crops, at the smallest cost, and with the least injury to the soil ; and to enable him to do this he must know the nature and composition of his crops, land, and the manures which he applies or ought to apply f o his land. The chemistry of his crops was a matter of groat importance, because he could not restrict his operations to such crops as the land was particularly adapted for, but must endeavor to render his laud capable of carrying more or less the crops most re quired for daily consumption. Plants consisted of two classes of constituents or parts—an inorganic, which might be called the foundation, and the organic, which could be considered as the super structure. Plants contain usually much organic matter, derived partly from the air and partly from the soil. The organic part of plants chiefly consisted of woody fibre, starch, sugar, gum, albumen, gluten, oil, or fat; and these consisted of four ele mentary bodies —carbon, hydrogen, oxy gen, and nitrogen, with small quantities of sulphur and phosphorous. Of these, starch, sugar, gum, oils, fats, and woody fibre, contained only the first three ; the gluten of wheat, fibrin of flesh, white of egg, gelatine, contain all six. Plants re quired for a healthy growth, sup plies of food obtained partly from the air (organic food) by their leaves, and partly from the soil (inorganic) in the form of carbonic acid gas, retaining only the carbon, and giving off the oxygen to the air again.- They also absorbed watery vapor from the air, which served to moisten the leaves and stems, to fill their cells, and to produce the substance of the plant itself. Plants also take in carbon from the soil in the forrii of car bonic and humic acids, and by the aid of this carbon they secreted vascular tissue, starch, sugar, and other carbon aceous principles. The nitrogen the plants required was absorbed in the form of ammonia and nitric acid, of which it is a constituent. By its aid the plant secreted gluten, albumen, and other nitro genous principles. Water was necessary to plant life, and it had three important properties —first, that of dissolving solid and other substances in the soil, enabling it to take up and convey into the roots and stems of planes the various kinds of food required ; second, the property of rising in vapor and falling again as dew ; and, third, the property of yielding oxygen and hydrogen, to enable the growing plant more easily and quickly to form the various compound substances of which the parts consist. The inorganic or mineral part of the soil consisted of soda, potash,f magnesia, lime, silica, oxide of manganese, oxide of iron, alumina, sulphuric, phosphoric, and boracic acids; chlorine, iodine, bro mine, and fluorine. The organic part of the soil was obtained from the roots and stems of decayed plants, from the dung and remains of animals and insects of various kinds. It does not usually form a large proportion of the soil, except in the case of a peaty soil. The inorganic part was obtained from the crumbling down of rocks and stones which consist principally of more or less hardened sand stones, limestones, and clays, either alone or mixed together in various proportions. Air. Williamson hero referred at some length to the improvement of the soil by ploughing, subsoiling, and drainage, and then went on to say that the mineral or inorganic part of the soil had three pur poses to serve—first, as a medium for the plants to root or fix themselves in to keep an upright position ; second, to supply inorganic food ; and, third, to prepare the crude constituents of manure into available plant food. The mineral part of soil consisted chiefly of sand, clay, and lime, and about eight or nine other sub stances, such as soda, potash, magnesia, etc., and a soil to be fertile must contain all these, because plants require them all for their healthy growth, though not in equal proportions ; and if a soil was de ficient in any one of them, good crops would not grow on it. In fertile soils all these inorganic substances were present, and in proper proportions. In barren soils some of them are, or may bo, wholly wanting. A soil might be barren if it contained a very large proportion of some such readily soluble matter as com mon salt, which is in great quanties inju rious to the soil ; or some matter like green vitriol which is injurious in small quantities. Lime was often ap plied to such a soil as this because it con verted the green vitriol into sulphate of lime, a substance beneficial to vegetation. The mineral substances which the grain of the crops draws more especially from the soil were phosphoric acid, potash, and magnesia. The roots of potatoes, and turnips chiefly exhausted it of the first two, so that by injudicious treatment a fertile soil could be rendered barren ; for if the same kind of cropping were carried on year after year without a supply of proper manure, the land would gradually become less and less productive ; because all crops draw certain substances from the soil, which, after a few years, the soil would be unable to furnish in sufficient quantities to the growing crop. This, of course, could be obviated by returning to the land as much, or more, of the sub stances the crops had taken out. Unless done the land could not be kept in proper condition. This a farmer could afford to do, for he laid on the land what was almost a worthless refuse, which would be converted into valuable produce. There are three principal kinds of manure or plant foods—vegetable, animal, and mineral. Vegetable manures are the parts usually buried in the soil to enrich it—such as grass, clover, straw, turnip tops, etc. Animal manures are the blood, flesh, bones, hair, and wool of animals, and and the bodies and refuse of fish. Bones are crushed in mills, and sifted into different sizes and applied to the land. Fifty years ago when it was proposed to use them in Wigtonshire as a manure, the objection urged was “ They’ll do naething but breed maggots to eat everything off the land. ” Bones consist of gelatine or glue, and bone earth, both good manures. Of the droppings or dung of animals, that of birds, or guano, was the most valuable, on account of the ammonia contained in it. Horse dung was more valuable than cow’s, because the large quantity of urine voided by the cow as compared with the horse carried off a great proportion of substances which would cause it to ferment. The dung of animals differed from the food on which they live, in containing a less quantity of carbon and a greater quantity 'of nitrogenous and saline matter. The carbon was less because it had been to a great extent thrown off by the lungs, and this large proportion of nitrogen and saline matters was one cause of the greater activity of

the manure. The nitrogen assumes for the most part the form of ammonia, which, dissolved in the soil, enters the roots of plants. Of the mineral manures, the most important were phosphate of lime, nitrate of soda, sulphates 6f lime, soda, magnesia, and ammonia, salt, gypsum, soot, and lime. The different properties of these were fully described by Mr. Yviiliamson, Several questions were asked by mem bers of the audience, which were replied to by Mr. Williamson. A vote of thanks was, accorded by acclamation to the lecturer, and themeeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.

THE GALE.

The gale which had been blowing with more or less force for several' days, and which apparontlyreached its maximum on Friday, ceased at noon on Saturday, and by two o’clock the weather had settled down to almost dead calm with steady rain. In Ashburton there has been really no damage done worth mentioning, but every district within the area covered by the gale has not been so fortunate. At Lyttelton considerable damage has been done, chimneys having been blown down and roofs smashed in, and fences and lighter .buildings every where levelled. The same sort of damage was done at Kaiapoi, where the roof of the Woollen Factory’s engine-shed was lifted off, and some sky lights broken elsewhere. Hot a few buildings had to be buttressed to keep them in position, and for a time the in habitants had all they could do to keep their township from being blown away. A freshet is feared in the rivers, which are rising rapidly. At Rangiora chimneys were blown down in every direction, while light buildings were demolished. At Amberley the telegraph poles were borne down wholesale, and there was disaster amongst the tents of the “ employed ” on the Waipara 'rail way works. The railway goods shed at Oxford was stripped of its ; roof, and the building otherwise injured. At Oatnaru, a house had its side blowrl in, and a stone cottage was levelled. The gale must have covered pretty nearly all the Middle Island, for at -Dunedin we find Campbell’s china bazaar had a wall blown in, and L1,500-worth of damage done." An iron and wood building belonging to Park and Curie was destroyed, 'and general devastation was done amongst the lighter buildings, &c.

ALFORD FOREST.

(From our Own Correspondent.) LOSS OF THE' MAIL COACH. The mail coach starting from here for Methven about nine o’clock on Saturday morning met with a mishap in crossing the Nor f h Ashburton River. In conse quence of the approaches to the new bridge being unfinished, the mail driver, Henry Cross, took the usual ford with a pair of horses, just above the new bridge. The stream was swollen , alarmingly by the snow-water from the hills and the furious nor’-wester, and when nearing the centre horses and coach were swept swiftly towards the piles of the bridge, striking which, the pole fortunately snapped, setting the animals at liberty. The driver clung tenaciously to one of the piles, and was rescued by means of a rope thrown to him by the bridge workmen. The horses anded safely, and two or three of the coach wheels were saved, but the coach body, with its contents, including the mail bag, were swept quickly down stream in the direction of Ashburton. Altogether the loss to Mr. Tisch, of the Alford Forest Hotel, who contracts for the conveyance of the mail, cannot be less than L4O, and it is considei’ed very fortunate indeed that the driver escaped with his life. This is a positive proof that the recent improve ments by way of bridge communication have not been finished one day too soon.

MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.

Considerable anxiety is experienced by the parents and friends of a young man named Henry Bontan, whose home is at Addington, in consequence of his mys terious disappearance since the 6th July last. It appears that on the above date Bontan left his father’s house at Adding ton to go to work on the farm of Mr. Morrow, South Rakaia. The lad "was on good terms with all the members of his family, and on leaving home expressed his intention of writing to his father immediately on reaching his destination, but up to the present nothing has been heard of him. The matter has been put in the hands of the police for elucidation, but nothing satisfactory has yet resulted from their enquiries. Mr. Morrow states that the lad had been working for him about six months, and in the early part of July last, Bontan went home* to see his parents, but Mr. Morrow has not heard anything of him since. Bontan did not take any of his clothes with him, and Mr. Morrow still owes him L 6 for wages. Mr. Morrow thinks it very impropable that the lad has lost himself, because he was so well acquainted with the ' district, and has gone over the place a number of times in the dark, and the road is-: neither rough nor dangerous. Ho reason can be assigned for the lad clearing out, as he appeared to be well satisfied with his place. Mr. Johns, a farmer at Kyle, states that Bontan came up with him in the train to Rakaia on the sth or 6th July last ; the lad said he had been home for a holiday, and was going back to Mr. Morrow’s. Mr. Johns left him on the railway plat form at Rakaia, and has not, heard or seen anything Of the lad since. Bontan was at one time in the employ of Mr. Lambie, at Kyle, and that gentleman has - stated that the' lad left him in a similar manner Bontan is about sixteen years of age, 5 feet 4 inches in height, of slight build, dark brown hair, fresh complexion; and was dressed in a dark tweed suit,- and black billy-cock hat. Our Rakaia correspondent writes re search was made for the missing young man, Bontan, but without any result. It is - quite possible: that too much importance has been attached to this young man’s not re turning to his work at Mr. Morrow’s, as he evidently had a wish to leave there, for on the day that he went to Christ church he said he was ill, and not able to work. He shortly afterwards said he felt better, and expressed a wish to go to Christchurch, and on obtaining leave he started off to walk to Rakaia, some eleven or twelve miles, as though nothing were the matter with him. He was to return on the Monday following, but he did not make his appearance till a week after, thus showing no particular haste to get back. The probability •appears to be that he has engaged himself to someone in another part of the district.

THE HENDERSON TRAGEDY.

Wellington exchanges to hand per the Wanaka, give a full account of the Henderson tragedy, a telegraphic sum mary of which has already been given to our readers, containing the main facts, which were .shortly that Matthew Henderson came to Wellington with a Christchurch lady named Blyth, intending to elope with her to San Fran cisco, under the names of Mr. and Mrs. Terry, he himself being already a married man. He was apprehended in Wellington on the information of a telegam from Christchurch, charged with wife deser tion. The Magistrate did not recognise a telegram as sufficient warrant for the man’s apprehension, and dismissed Hen derson, who was immediately re-arrested on charges of larceny as a bailee, and of embezzlement. After his arrest two six-chambered revolvers and a sum of L2OO in gold wore found upon him. These were detained, and were not re turned to him on his liberation. He was liberated on bail, the Hon. W. S. Moor house being his surety, for L3OO. At Orr’s City Buffet Henderson took rooms for himself and the girl, but was requested to leave on being identified. They then went to the Empire Hotel, where they asked for lunch. Here it was observed Miss Blyth wore a wedding ring. They stayed there over Tuesday night, and breakfasted in the morning. Henderson took a bottle of lemonade into the sitting - room with him shortly after breakfast. This was on Wednesday, and on. that day he should halve sur rendered to his bail at the R. M. Court at half-past ten. Having failed to do this a warrant for his arrest was issued, arid it was in execution of this warrant that the fact was. ascertained by the constable :that the two . unhappy individuals had. taken poison, and were’ oh the point of death, from which, as our readers know, only Miss Blyth was rescued, the man dying of the poison. The story of ■ THE FINDING OF THE TWO by the constable is thus told by the New Zealand Times :—Detective Browne at Price' proceeded to the Empire Hotel, where he enquired for Henderson. In reply he was directed to the rooms -occu pied by him. He knocked at the door, and failing to obtain admittance, tried to open it,- but found that it was locked. A gurgling sound then attracted his atten tion. A moment’s listening convinced him that things were not as they should be, and he, therefore hastily sought the land lord. The two then found that another door leading to the apartments was not locked, and they unhesitatingly entered. The sight that met them realised the detective’s suspicion to the fullest extent, for on the bed they saw Henderson and Miss Blyth lying, dressed as if they were about to take a walk, but writhing in all the agony which strychnine poisoning is well known to inflict. The position was taken in at a glance. Detective Browne ran downstairs, jumped into the nearest cab, and drove up Willis street, in order to . bring down : Drs. ■ Harding and Collins, while a servant was at the same time despatched for Dr. Diver. Upon their arrival, Dr. Diver attended to Miss Blyth, while Drs. Harding and Col lins undertook to treat Henderson, De>i tective Browne arid .one or two others giving whatever assistance was required.. Both were made to swallow emetics, the’ stomach puipp being also freely applied, , but it soon became apparent that,,there was no hope of saving the man,'who had apparently taken a large quantity of the poison. Dr. Diver succeeded in making his patient vomit very freely, and he soon had reason for entertaining hopes that she would recover. Once she was understood to say, “He forced me to take it.” At other times she called upon her mother to forgive her for her folly. At noon there was good reason to believe that she would recover. DEATH OP HENDERSON. All hopes of saving the man were abandoned at that time, for, although a large quantity of liquid was extracted from his stomach, his system had absorbed sufficient to defy the skill of the medical men. Gradually the fearful spasms which attend strychnine poisoning became more frequent, at the same time growing in violence, and at 12.30 he breathed his last. Miss Blyth continued to improve, and by three o’clock Dr. Diver, who had remained with her till then, was able to pronounce her but of all ordinary danger. 1 Shortly after that time she, was .able to take some broth, and a little later on to speak, though in a very w*eak voice. She asked where “he” was, and being told that he -was in another room, she again expressed regret for her foolishness, and said" she wanted to go back to her mother. It was also learnt from her that the poison was brought up from Christchurch. HOW THE POISON WAS TAKEN. The bottle of lemonade which Hender son took into the sitting room was evi dently used to dissolve the strychnine. He probably poured a quantity of the liquid into a tumbler,-. ,and then put ini the poison, and having stirred it up divided the mixture into two parts, giving one to Miss Blyth, he, himself taking the other. As strychnine does not dissolve very . readily, and sinks to the bottom in any liquid, it is inferred that he kept the tumbler containing the bulk of the drug, and that Miss Blyth swallowed a much smaller quantity, than he imagined./ ~. On the table of the sitting-room were two letters ; one from Henderson, addressed to his wife in Christchurch, and, the other from Miss Blyth, to her mother at the same place, both containing statements to the effect that the writers . contemplated suicide. THE LETTERS. “Wellington, 17th August, 1880. . “ This letter is to be given to the per son in Christchurch calling herself Mrs. Henderson.

“ You have produced a certificate of marriage and laid an information against me'for deserting you. In the first place you knew I was going away because I told you, and I also told you that I was not coming back to Christchurch any more. And, secondly, you know that you are not my lawful wife. When you enticed me into marrying you, I had a wife to whom I was lawful married, which you knew, and I left England to escape a prosecution for, bigamy. I sinned, but repented long ago, and although you deceived me, I stood to you, and, for the sake of the two children, have submitted to a life of agony, of torture of the worst description, from you, a woman 20 years older than I am, a shrewd, calculating woman, a modern Jezebel of the lowest type and; worst de scription, a regular attendant at church and partaker of God’s sacrament, but a hypocrite of the very worst kind. You devoted your life to ruin me, and now you have accomplished it both body and soul, as you hope ; but I am not afraid to trust myself to God’s mercy. Oh, when I think of the past and of your hypocrisy, how you have tortured me in your quiet, nagging, and uncharitable words—cruel words—which I have seldom answered, and how you have led the outside world to deem you an angel of light, and how .you have succeeded, it makes- me think there surely cannot be a God cognisant of such cruelty, such sin, or He would never have allowed it. I am now going to die, and I leave you to the r.emorse of con science—if you have any—that you are my murderer. Yes, you have murdered me —for 1 told you I had sinned —that every man’s h »nd had been against me, and what a hard struggle I had had to keep the home together, and to make you and the children comfortable, and I told you if jl was stopped it would be my ruin ; and you promised me you would say nothing. At the same time you were glorying within yourself how you would gloat over my downfall. What is it that is in you—

— , w* it caunotbe lust, at your time of la) years of age ? May God forgive yo|[ do—the dear children whom in year%> by I have loved, but whose have weaned from me, and who, altffi you have taught them to treat mo h contempt, are old enough to havefi your treatment of me, and will yet curse you. I cannot say any morqj good-bye, and may God yet bring, yd, your sense?, and in His great mercy fo|j you for Christ’s sake. Amen. i (Signed) “ M. Henderson The other, also in Henderson’s hi writing, ran as under : •-) “ Wellington, 18th August, 188 Q “ My dear Mrs. Blyth, ,j “I deem it my duty to ask r forgiveness, and to state that lam no 4 ' villain you %vouid believe me to bet took your daughter from you, but I ' her and she loves me, and it is b first time in my life thatt have known what love is. It ,1 . be necessary for me to go somewhat baci ’ my history, and explain to you that wi very young I got married to a young .1?* whom I thought I loved, and. we Ul‘ / - happily together for three months,: wii she eloped with another man. I •soldi my home, and went to lodge with a widi, who had three children—a shrewd, 1- culating woman of ■ the world, twep years my senior. : I was very young d. ' • very foolish. She enticed mo in marrying her, and I did— commit! < bigamy—and to escape the cousequens ': I had to leave England. T could see my fty almost before the ink was dry that sigid the marriage register, and, although re pented, I stuck to my bond. I done iy best for the woman who had deceived ie, v and for the past fifteen years have sb mitted to a life of torture at the hads of a woman who calls herself Mrs. Hg derson.' No need for me to tell you nice of this.. I met your daughter, and knw what pure love was. ’ You saw. it, aid ' have seen it all along, arid have spokenof ■ it. Why have you interfered, or helpedto interfere ? We have resolved to do together, seeking and preferring to tnst - ourselves to God’s mercy; than to mans. You must forgive us for Christ’s sake. V. (Signed) “M. Henderson.’' : In a very shaky hand, follow theie words Dear Mother,—Forgive he: Kiss my sisters and brothers for me. I - may not have loved wisely, but too wel. [Here there is a cross, and the deceased’s handwriting is taken up as follows ] Good-bye, dear mother your erring ■” .daughter, * ~ r ‘ “ (Signed in Miss Blyth’s handwriting', “M. J. Blyth.” At the foot of the letter deceased again takes up the pen, and writes :—“ I wrote from the cross. Jenny could not finish . it, but managed to sign her name.” SHORT HISTORY OF HENDERSON. Regarding the .chief actors (says the New Zealand Times) a good many faois have been brought to light. . Henderson; who stood about 6ft. Sin. in height, and built in proportion, was about thirty-eight years old. .He was a police trooper at Sandhurst, in 1863, when ■ Detective Browne knew* him. He was dismissed : from the .force, for some breach of the* ll regulations, and then went, to Sydney, V where ho again joined the police, being ■ again dismissed, this time because he got mixed up in an assault case. About six; years ago he was employed as . a clerk in the railway' depart :, merit at Christchurch, but was dis missed because he was unable to .account.. .* r for certain moneys which bad:, passed i through , his hands. A charge of em- / . bezzlement broke down in . the, Supreme . v Court. / He was subsequently f ','arr,ested and committed for trial on a charge: of . grossly slandering the wife of ’ Mr. Ba.tes, si .n a cabinetmaker at Christchurch, but again got off, because Mr. Bates did not feel in clined to pay the costs of the prosecution. Since then he has made a living by keep ing books, and doing similar work when ever he could got it. He was occasionally appointed trustee in bankrupt estates, and! 1 !: it is said it was in connection with, these ' that he embezzled the funds which led to . the charges upon which he via 3 last ’ 1 arrested. During the time he was at liberty here he told various persons that he committed bigamy when he married* the woman who claims to be his wife; but 'v that his proper wife is now dead. He therefore felt himself, free to marry : Miss 1 ’• ■; Blyth. According to the yourig lady’s '' statement it appears that he told her something of* the kind before they-left ■ Christchurch. There is, however, good reason to doubt the statement.

The Chronicle says regarding Header son ;—When Detective Browne arrested Henderson, that officer was very . much . struck with the likenesslhe hereto a'noted '«e character he had seen twenty years ago in Bendigo, and after a few questions had been answered on both sides, sure enough he proved to be the same man, who had been-dismissed the .VictoVian force for certain irregularities. • From Victoria Henderson went to Sydney, and was for some time employed in the Hew South Wales police force. One night a row occurred in a brothel, and Henderson, with several other constables, rushed the hpuse. On getting inside‘the lights ’ were' suddenly extinguished, and in a struggle which ensued one of - the constable's 1 got struck a severe blow over the head with a - brass candlestick.'; ;At an inquiry which' was afterwards held, it was proved that Henderson 1 struck; his. fellow - constable;- and was here again dismissed the force. From thence he , came to Hew Zealand,' and his career in this colony has certainly been an extraordinary ; one. A clerk ra - the Railway Department, ho embezzled! the funds ;v a trustee in bankruptcy,-he appropriated money and absconded with a gold watch ; a member of an education ■ board, he led an innocent teacher astray; a married man, he married a second , time" • while his wife lived ; and because he was cornered in endeavoring to ruin his third victim he made an attempt to take her life by poison, and then brought his...own ; miserable and base career to a close by poisoning himself.; Taking all into, con sideration, perhaps it is well that'Matthew Henderson died as he did. i , , ” -' J ” ; MISS BLYTH. : ' -- . ’ ■ The Chronicle says-Miss Blyth is nine teen years of age, and' filled the "position of teacher at one of the public , schools in Canterbury. ; She is a little over five feet ■ln height, has dark hair, fair t complexion, amiable expression, and is decidedly pre possessing. She seems to have been very much attached to Mr. Henderson, and-de- dined to return to Christchurch, without him. About two o’clock , she was able to speak, but only uttered the words Save me, mama,” “Oh ! save me.” Facts have came to light which,conclusively show, that..; . Miss Blyth willingly partook,of- her share of the poisonous drug. They partook, of. ~ J breakfast in the morning-.in their own i room, .and the waiter states tliat-they both appeared to be perfectly calm. Miss Blyth. never lost her consciousness, and states;. ... that they had taken the poison only, .five ,! - minutes, when the detectiye arrived- , A . feeling of dimness'seized.lier, but she re-* collected seeing Mr. Brown enter the chamber and narrated all .that subse quently transpired. . .

Friday’s Fpst says :-r-Yesterday after noon she desired the nurse attends

ing her-to procure a newspaper. Sus pecting the motive that prompted her to make the request. Dr. .Diver,, who was present at the time,, asked the nurse to retire, when he said,/'I sup- . s pose you want to see Henderson ?” Miss . Blyth replied affirmatively. “You will never see him again in this world,” con tinuedthe doctor; “he died before we

took you, from the bed.” • The, intelligence did hot startle her to any perceptible de gree, and she merely remarked ‘ ‘ I thoughts .- so. ” She has since stated that occupied nearly two hours in ' her to take the poison, assuring her tha

THE ASBEBUETON GUARDIAN, TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1880.



AUCTION SALES. , This Day. . Messrs. Davies and Winter, at South Rakaia Saleyards, at 2 p.m.—Farm Stock, &c. KAIAPOI WOOLLEN MANUFACTUR ING COMPANY (LIMITED.) CAPITAL £IOO,OOO IN 4000 SHARES OF £25 EACH. ISSUE OF NEW SHARES. Forms of application for SHARES, with full information, can be obtained of Mr. Weeks, Ashburton Guardian Office, by whom application for Shares will be received. Deposit, 20s. per share ; and 50s. per share on allotment. August 23, 1880. 150g* PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. ANNIVERSARY SERVICES OF THE INDUCTION OF THE REV, A. M. BEATTIE. ON SABBATH NEXT the REV. D. M'KEE, of Christchurch, will Preach in the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ASHBURTON. Morning at 11 o’clock. Evening at 6.30. and at Wakakui at 3 o’clock. Special Collections on each occasion. LECTURE. The REY. D. M‘KEE will deliver a LECTURE on MONDAY EVENING, 30th AUGUST, in the TOWN HALL, Subject : “ CRANMER AND HIS TIMES. Chair to be taken at 7 o’clock. The Choir will discourse some appro priate Music. Proceeds to be devoted to repair of the Church. 789c-146g METHYEN AGENCY. MORGAN and BIBBS, General Store keepers, Methven, are authorised agents for the Ashburtoh Guardian. Subscribers will please get their papers from the agents in future. Orders en trusted to them will receive prompt attention. , ' WEEKS AND DIXON, 30g* Proprietors- NOTIGE TO SUBSCRIBERS. SUBSCRIPTIONS for the Quarter ending June are now due, payable at the office, Bast street, near Railway Station. A Discount of Is. will be allowed on the Quarter’s Subscription, and 4s. on the year’s subscription, if paid in advance. New subscribers are requested to send in their names and addresses as early as possible, to the Publisher, this being the first month in the Quai’ter. The Farmers' Supplement will be pub lished every Mouth. WEEKS and DIXON, a* Publishers. ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. Applications are invited from competent persons willing to act as FERRYMAN at Lower Rangitata for one year, on a subsidy of £BO per annum, together with all fees paid according to the schedule as hereinafter mentioned. Applications, with references, endorsed “ Ferryman, Lower Rangatata,” will be received at the Council’s Offices, Ashbur ton, up to 11 a.m. on WEDNESDAY, the Ist day of September, 1880. Duties to commence on the 4th September, 1880. Two sureties for £25 to be provided. SCHEDULE OF FEES. Cattle or horses, driven or led in a mob, 6d. per head. Passengers fcrded on horseback, 2s. each. Horses forded (including horse and rider), 3s. feach. Vehicles, ss. each. By order, F. MAINWARING, Clerk. Ashburton, July 27, 1880. 718c-82g ADVERTISEMENTS received for the GUARDIAN up to 9 p.m. at the scale charges, afterwards at double rates for insertion over the leader WANTED KNOWN—That Money can be saved by purchasing your Sta naonery and Account Books, for cash, at the “Herald” and “ Guardian” Whole tale Stationery Dep6t, Saunders’ Build ngs, near Station. rTTANTED KNOWN —That Visiting W Cards, plain or mourning, can be obtained printed in various styles, at the “Herald” and “Guardian” offices, near the Railway Station,



A Turquoise Mine.— For the first time j in two hundred years the old turquoise mine in Chalchuti Mountain, New Mexico, has been re-opened. In 1680 work was suspended on the mine, the cause being the caving in of one of the shafts, and the subsequent death of some 100 Indians, who were hard at work below. An attempt made by the Spanish to force' the Indians to begin again and re-open the shaft led to a rebellion, and probably was one of the causes which forced the Indians to an uprising, and the subsequent exclu sion of their rulers from the country. The extent to which these mines have been worked may be conjectured by the vast amount of debris lying around the old shaft, covering no less than fifteen acres of ground. The mine is the only turquoise mine on the continent, and, as the gem has always a market value, it will ere long, be one of the recognised sources of wealth of New Mexico. i