SHIPPING.

STEAMERS LEAVE LYTTELTON AS UNDER. For Wellington Rotorua, Friday, March 20. Passengersby2.4op.nl. train. For Napier, Gisborne, Taukanga and Auckland —Rotorua, Friday, March 26. Passengers by 2.40 p.m. train. For Melbourne, via Bluff— Te Anau, Tuesday, March 23. Passengers by 2 *4O train. For Sydney —. Rotorua, on Friday, March 26. Passengers by 2.40 p.m. train. For A karoa Wellington, Thursday, March 25. Passengers by 5.25 p.m. train. For Picton, Nelson, Taranaki, and Manukau —Wanaka, Tuesday, March 30.

MEMORANDA.

Saturday, March 27. Messrs. Acland, Campbell, and Co., at the Ashburton Horse Bazaar —Horses.

MAIL NOTICES.

The next mail for the United Kingdom, via San Francisco, will bo closed at Christ church on March 27th, and will be due in London on May 11th. The next mail for the United Kingdom via Brindisi, will be closed at Christ church on April 6th, and will be due in London on May 27th. SYDNEY J. DICK, Chief Postmaster.

ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST.

The Ashburton Guardian. COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1880.

It will be remembered that some time ago a short cablegram from London was published in the New Zealand papers in which it was stated that Earl Beacons field had sent a manifesto to the Viceroy of Ireland in which the Premier invited the opionion of the Irish people on the ques tion of maintaining the unity of the British Empire, and asked Ireland to ex- I ress itself as to the necessity or otherwise for the predominance of English influence in the Councils of Europe. To most readers this short summary would be enig matical, while even to those au fait fn British politics there would be great haziness and uncertainty. To the latter, the cablegram of March 0, for that was the date, would only serve to arouse curiosity without in any way affording the means of satisfying it, and, considering that the Earl Beaconsfield is the greatest master of finesse of the present day, they would look with some eagerness for a full explanation of the wary old politician’s meaning. The cablegram was meagre in the extreme, but by a recent mail from Sydney we obtain an extension of the cablegram which runs as follows : Earl Beaconsfield has addressed an im portant communication to the Lord Lieu tenant of Ireland, which has been pub lished, and is regarded as a manifesto of Government. In this the Premier treats chiefly of the relations between England and Ireland, and the policy and tactics of the Home Rule party. Ho claims that the action of Government has had the effect of defeating the aims of the Irish agitators both in out of Parliament. He lays stress on the promptitude with which Government took steps to afford relief to the sufferers by the famine in Ireland, and insists that the interests of England and Ireland are inseparably connected with each other, and that any disunion must be calamitous to both. He also expressed a hope that the leaders of both of the great parties will repudiate the vicious and ab surd claims put forth by Home Rulers, against whom he would warn the people of Great Britain and Ireland, as being actuated by a desire to destroy the essen tial bond of unity that should exist in a great nations like ours. The Premier also challenges the opinion of the country on the policy and administration of his Go vernment. He holds that the presence and perhaps the ascendancy of England in the great Councils of Europe is essen tial to the preservation of peace, and this ascendancy, he points out, can only be ac quired by unity amongst her own people. This throws some light on the matter, and enables us, to some extent, to see what the Tory leader would be at. It is not difficult to gather from the summary of the manifesto that, for the time being at least, the Tory Government is adverse to the Home Rule Party, and is not likely to show any favor to their designs. But further information is necessary to show us the reason why Earl Beaconsfield should address the Irish people on the subject just at this time. That informa tion is supplied by the fact that, after Easter, Parliament will be dissolved, and of course an election cry is wanted to glamour the constituencies with. In Great Britain, Homo Rule for Ireland, or in fact any movement tending to disinte grate the governing power of the country, meets with no favor whatever from the populace. The two countries are quite prepared to do all they can for their sister on the other side of the Channel, but they never will allow her to obtain what certain of her “ patriots” so ardently desire. The experiences of recent Par liamentary sessions, in which the Homo Rulers have developed such powers of obstruction in order to place their one idea before the country, have not tended to make them popular with the English and Scotch people, and now that a gene ral election is about to eventuate, the Tory leader marches out, parading a banner inscribed with opposition to the policy of the Home Rule agitators. There can be no doubt that the Liberal side would certainly have adopted the same cry, and declared bitter war against the Home Rule notion, but Disraeli has been beforehand with them, and utters no un certain sound upon the subject—a sound that was to be looked for from a Con servative Government under any circum stances, but since Benjamin Disraeli has been the Conservative leader the party has been so often “educated” that it is exceedingly difficult to tell what principles may not be adopted under the name of Conservatism. Earl Beaconsfield “holds that the presence and perhaps the ascendancy of England in the great councils of Europe is essential to the pre servation of peace,” and this ascend ancy, he points out, can only be acquired by unity amongst her own people.” Earl Beaconsfield believes in a “ spirited foreign policy,” and in this he has the warm support of his party, whereas the foreign policy of the Liberals is altogether of a milder tone that favors peace. It is upon this question of hold ing aloof from the embroilments of their foreign neighbors that the problem of which party will rule in the next Parlia ment will be settled. Conservatism has now two little wars upon its hands—one of which appeared, until a few days ago, to be assuming alarming dimensions, but recent telegrams are of a more hopefully pacific tone —and these little strifes are the costly things against which Liberalism kicks, and which, should it come once more into office, it will do its best to stop. Liberalism has all along set its face against assuming continually a warlike attitude in Europe, whereas Conservatism, according to Lord Beaconsfield, looks upon England as a sort of arbitrator to the whole Conti nent, and never loses an opportunity to maintain its prestige in the “ Councils of Europe. ” To maintain this prestige it is essential that England should be strong, and the admission of Home Rule, the thin edge of the wedge of disintegration, would be admitting an element of weakness. This both sides admit, and doubtless the party that gains power will be one pledged to the maintenance of the country’s unity, but in the present state of the country’s affairs we are inclined to think the con stituencies will favor a foreign policy less “ spirited ” than has obtained during the past few years, and that counsels a quiescent attitude for the British lion. If the Liberals return to power the milder policy will be adopted without doubt, for Mr. Gladstone has a horror of spilling his countrymen’s blood, and would rather pur chase peace at a pound, shillings, and pence pries, as ho has done before, than procure it at the cost of warfare. His control of the State at this moment, when the Afghan chiefs are softening towards peace, would be a certain guarantee for the close of the campaign.

L.O.L. —The Loyal Orange Lodge is announced to hold its meetings monthly for the future in the Templar Hall. San Francisco Mail. —The outward mails via San Francisco will close at Ash burton on Saturday morning at twenty minutes past ten. Scratch Match. —A scratch match amongst the local cricketers is meditated for Good Friday. Mr. Mainwaring is engineering the event, and players will ing to have a go-in should sec him. Tea Meeting. — i tea meeting in con nection with the Primitive Methodist congregation’s Sunday school, is to be held to-morrow evening in the Town Hall, and seeing that there is no counter attraction in the town, the meeting should be well attended.

The Holidays.—Consumers of coal, who find their stocks getting low, will doubtless see it to be to their advantage to lay in a supply before Thursday even ing, as on that day the coal merchants in town shut shop till the Tuesday following. School Treat.—At a special meeting of the Ashburton School Committee, held last night, it was resolved to postpone the proposed treat on Easter Monday, in order that more funds might be collected, and the gathering made a certain success. Postal Holiday.—The Asburton Post office will observe a close holiday on Good Friday (to-morrow). Mails usually de spatched on Friday will bo made up on Thursday evening at 8 o’clock, and in the Telegraph Department Sunday hours will be observed. Drunk on the Bailway.—Patrick M'Guire and James Conanty for having been drunk at the Rakaia railway station, wore yerterday fined L2 each by his Worship the Mayor and C. P. Cox, Esq. The offence was committed on the 23rd. Both prisoners paid the fine inflicted. Rakaia and Ashburton Forks Rail way.—ln the compensation case of the New Zealand and Australian Land Com pany v. the Rakaia and Ashburton Forks Railway Company, Judge John ston has fixed Wednesday, April 14, as the date of hearing. Grain.—From Cheitsey yesterday 2183 sacks of grain were despatched for ship ment. This is the lai’gest day’s grain work ever done at this station in any season, and as an instance of what the district has done this year it may be mentioned that 3000 sacks still remain to be sent awajq while teams still keep coming in grain laden. Mayfield. Our correspondent at May field writes :—The last rain in the district has chocked some of the farmers in their harvest work, which would ha ve been com pleted had the weather held fine. On the whole, however, the agriculturalists have to congratulate themselves on the success of their year’s labors, for the harvest has been a fine one, and the yield is expected to be something over 30 bushels to the acre. Claims to Vote.—Forms for claims to vote have been issued to the Registrars appointed under the Registration of Elec tors Act. The form is an exact copy of the schedule to the Act, and is perfect'y correct for those who wish to claim under the residential provision but it provides no space and gives no clear directions for a claim under a property qualification. In Auckland the Registrar lias got over the difficulty by having a separate form printed for those who desire to register under a property qualification. Larceny from a Swag.—Yesterday his Worship the Mayor and G. P. Cox, Esq., JJ.P., heard a charge of larceny against William Bowden, alius James Nankarvis, alias James Major, otherwise Billy the Cook. Billy had made free witli the swag of Donald Clune Monteith, and abstracted from it several articles of wearing apparel. When apprehended by Constable Rowso, prisoner was wearing the clothing. Billy pleaded guilty, and the justices scot him to gaol to meditate on the unwisdom of thieving. Prisoner had been many times before the Court previously, and is by habit and repute a common thief.

Auctioneering. —We learn that the vacant ground in West street running parallel with the grain stores of Messrs. Friedlandcr Bros, and Jameson Bros., and leased by Messrs. Matson and Co., is to be built upon, and largo premises are to be erected by that well known firm of auctioneers. Their busines in this dis trict has so increased as to necessitate this step, and also having a resident auctioneer. We understand that Messrs. Matson and Co. have found it impossible to do full justice to their business here without the facilities that a resident auctioneer and proper premises afford, and have therefore, with commendable enter prise, set about supplying the deficiency in this practical way. The Carandinis. —To a somewhat more limited but no less appreciative audience than that of Monday the Carandinis gave their second concert on Tuesday in the Town Hall. The programme was entirely changed, and a greater prominence was given to music of a higher class than is usually heard in an ordinary concert room. The better known and more popular ballad was, however, not forgotten, and did not fail to have its due effect upon the audience. Madame Carandini, in responding to an encore gave “Home sweet Home,” and the ever-green song was rapturously applauded. Mr. Gordon Gooch was perhaps equally successful with the “Village Blacksmith” and the “ Sexton,” his singing of both of which was a pleasure to hear. The cmcerted pieces—notably “Oft in the Stilly Night,” wont in that perfect style to bo expected from a company of the Carandinis’ stand ing. The Fahifield Estate.— A change, it will have been observed, has taken place in the place of sale of the Fairfield Estate. The sale had been advortisedjo take place in Christchurch, but in consequence of the number of applications for small holdings from people employed near Ash burton, it has been decided to hold the sale in our own Town Hall. This will give all who desire to possess two or three aci’es for a comfortable home an oppor tunity of choosing for themselves. Fair field is conveniently situated for those em ployed in or near Ashburton, and, con considering the times and the size of the property to be sold, we should fancy the sale will afford anyone who desires it an opportunity of obtaining a few acres at a more reasonable price than has been pos sible hitherto, and we expect bidding at the sale to be spirited. We are given to understand that Mr. John Matson will himself officiate as auctioneer on the occasion. Election of School Committee of Tinwadd. —The adjourned meeting of householders was held at the Timvald school on Monday eveing. Mr. Baxter, C.E., was voted to the chair, and read the report for the year 1879, which showed a steady increase in the attendance, and the necessity that now exists for additional accommodation, there being 80 names on the roll at the-end of December last, and an average attendance of 57, while there is sitting room for 54 only. At the annual inspection of children held on 31st October, 94 per cent, passed in the Stan dards presented. The financial statement having also been read and the report adopted, the following gentlemen were elected a Committee for the ensuing year : —Messrs Houston, Stalker, Baxter, Lewis, Nome, Hampton, and Smith. Mr. Baxter was elected Chairman of the Com mittee, and the next meeting fixed for the evening of Tuesday, 6th April. A Family Quarrel. —On Tuesday, at the 11. M. Court, the case of Anderson v. Fleming was heard at some length. It was a case in which one farmer sued another for damages through wrongful detention of a dog. The parties were brothers-in-law, and it was evident the relations between them were not of the most loving character, as may be judged from the following letter put in as evidence, and the one sent in reply was of an equally war-like tone: — “March! —SO. To Mr. W. Fleming: Take notice —Give my dog to the bearer of this note. If not given to him I’ll teach you such a lesson as you will never tie up a dog in your life again. If you lose sight of the dog, so as he is detained from me or lost, I will sue you for his price without delay. You want a lesson, so you shall have it.—li. Anderson. P. S.—You have not me ; I have you to a nicety just now.” His Worship ordered the dog to be given up, or the price of him to be paid, but declined to allow costs on either side.

A School Wanted. —Our Mayfield correspondent writes : —As this district is fast getting populated, it is the intention of the residents to call a meeting at an early date for the purpose of considering the best means of having a school erected. The want of facilities for education is always a serious barrier to settlement, and this district is being made aware of the fact, for there are nearly 40 children of school age within its boundaries. The residents are scattered about at no small distance from each other, and conse quently the selection of a suitab’e site may perhaps not be a very easy and fully satis factory work, but the want of a school is most seriously felt, and the establisment of such an institution would be hailed with the deepest gratitude. The Easter Review.—The Ashburton contingent of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry, to the number of ton troopers, left by the mid-day train yesterday for Christchurch. , The men attended to the boxing of their own horses, and while the embarkation was proceeding quite a crowd gathered at the stock pens. The Dunedin Naval Brigade and Artillery passed through by last night’s express, and “ military men” from all quarters are now arriving in Christchurch. The fol lowing is the programme prepared by the Committee who have charge of the arrangements Friday evening—Arrival of Volunteers from the South. Saturday morning—Early parade of battalions for battalion drill. At 1 p.m., grand fete at the Agricultural and Pastoral Association Show Grounds, the programme includh.g military exercises and competitions. At 8 o’clock in the evening, grand concert in the drillshed by military bands. Sunday ■ —Church parade. Monday—At noon, the Review, -which takes place on the racecourse. In the evening, "Volunteer bail in the drillshed.

Civil Cases. —At the Court on Tuesday several civil cases were heard. The Long beach Road Board sued several parties for rates, but the cases were adjourned till the 30th. McXerrow v. Lowe—judg ment for L 27 10s. and costs. Tisch v. Falkner judgment for LG 18s. Bd., balance of an I O U, Friedlander v. Mackie—j adgment for L 33 10s. and costs. Farrell v. Hartnell—plaintiff claimed L 5 6d. 4d., for baking work done at Ohertsey, but was non-suited, having sued the wrong man, the proper person to sue being the defendant’s brother. T. Wil kinson sued Moorehead for LOO, for work done on the harvest field, by wiitten agreement. After evidence had been led and counsel heard, the Magistrate said the fortunate existence of a written con tract made a decision in the case easy. It would not do for the defendant to find he had au unsatisfactory crop, and then to renounce his obligations to bis -work men. The money had evidently been fairly and honestly earned, and judgment would be entered for the full amount ; execution to issue after forty-eight hours. Issuing Summonses.— His Worship the R.M. in the Court on Tuesday called the attention of the bar to the fact that a cus tom had prevailed in Ashburton hitherto —a custom of which ho had not been aware--and which would require to he modified in future. The members of the profession had been in the habit of filling in summonses and fixing the dates of the hearing of the cases. In no other Court that he knew of was this course followed, and he threw out the hint now so that in the future members of the pro fession would send their summonses to the Clerk of the Court with the date of hear ing left blank. With the officers at the Court’s disposal it was imperative that the Court should have full control of tire dates of hearing. He instanced the case of Messrs Branson and Purnell who had filled up the dates of hearing in the way mentioned, and the officers had found it impossible to serve the summonses in time. Mr. Purnell in reply, stated the custom was quite a common one in other courts, and had been so in that court for the last three years. The summonses referred to by his Worship as having been taken out by his firm, could have been served if they had been sent to the officer at Rakaia, as they should have been, besides there were often cases in which it was necessary that the solicitors should be able to select the dates of hearing so as to prevent pro perty being made away with before a case was heard. Kaiser William. —The Germans in Wellington celebrated the 83rd anniver sary of Kaiser Wilhelm’s birthday by a ball on Tuesday evening. The Dunedin Murder. —The inquest on the murdered Dewar family is over, and a verdict of wilful murder has been returned against Thomas Butler. Evi dence was adduced to show that there were blood stains on the prisoner’s shirt. The Christchurch Libel Case.-— The case of Stead v. the “Otago Daily Times” and “ Witness ” Company was heard on Monday, at the R.M. Court, Christ church, as against the managing director, Mr. G. Fenwick, and resulted in the com mittal of that gentleman for trial. The other defendants were, on the application of the prosecutor, discharged from attend ance.—“ Press.” A Queer Bun 11 Notice. —-Somegenius or other named Yipond has a wife who has given him twin sons, and in the Auckland “ Herald ” he trumpets forth the fact with the addition to the usual notice, of “ Father surprised. Mother delighted.” Might he not just as well quote their weight, and say i c their phrenological organisation has any resem blance to their paternal relative 1

MOUNT SOMERS RAILWAY.

The first section of the Mount Somers railway lino was inspected on Tuesday by the railway authorities, and in every way the work was of such a nature as to elicit commendation from all who were invited to take a part in the proceedings. A special train, piloted by Mr. Henry Stephenson, left Ashburton about 11.45, containing Messrs. F. Back, general manager ; F. Simpson and E. Cuthbert, engineers ; Mr. Tunis, permanent way overseer ; and the contractors, together with some 40 or 50 others who were in vited as guests on the occasion. After passing the Ashburton bridge and the rising township of Tinwald, where a stop wa s made to pick up a few more passen gers, the train proceeded merrily along, passing on its way fields showing a sur prising number of stacks of grain, which elicited remarks of a most encouraging nature to the bucolic passengers. Besides the grain there were turnip and grass paddocks of no inconsiderable extent, showing that the pastoral in terests had not been abolished in this part of the county. Along the line, harvesting was seen in various stages, some of the grain being yet in stook, some stacked, some threshed, and some carted clean away; and those farmers owning the latter, we look upon as the luckiest, as the imminent prospect of bad weather moans a great loss of time in cartage and other final farming operations for the year.

So far as the railway itself is concerned we cannot praise the work of the contrac tors too highly. To the experienced in railway travelling, a difference was notice able immediately upon leaving the curve near Tinwald, and hence the train ran as smoothly as if it were on a broad guage line. This was of course not entirely due to the extra superiority of this line, but partly to the fact that there had been no traffic over it, and that it was put in the best condition for the engineers to report on. Leaving that point out of the ques tion, the railway is far and away a better one than the main trunk. We were pointed out on our way up, the site of

the future township of Chelmsford. The Laghmor Station, some Si- miles from Tinwald, was reached in good time, and a halt was called. In the twinkling of au eye, Host Quill and his assistants con verted some empty ballast trucks into a sumptuous banquet hall, and if the im provised tables didn’t groan with the weight of the viands, some of the par takers did, as was evident on the return trip. The visitors did not proceed beyond this station, but the engineering stuff went to the end of the line, about four miles further on, and after about an hour’s absence returned and expressed them selves in every way satisfied with the con struction of the railway. In the meantime the guests were treated to music by the champion piper of the district, Mr. Elder, of Lagmohr Station, who arrived on the "round to charm the ears of the Scotch men present with the sound of his pipes, and some impromptu dancing on the tus socks occupied the time until the return of the engine, when the authorities took charge of the guard’s van and left for town, the grade on the lino being such that the van could run down the line without the assistance of an engine. Mr. Donald Williamson was then ap pointed chairman, and briefly expressed his satisfaction and approval of what they had seoif that day. He proposed the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, which were duly responded to, and he called upon Mr. Wilkie, who proposed the healths of Messrs. John Fraser and Co., the con tractors f or the work. He said the work they had scon that day was one on which he could speak as an expert, having had similar works to carry out himself, and if blame was to be found with the line, it was m the direction of having been carried out too honestly. It was difficult in these days to find a man who was too honest in his transactions, but it must have been patent to all present at this gathering that a deal too much ballast had boon put on the line, as the spare heaps alongside the work would testify. The smoothness with which the train had travelled was a proof that the permanent way was well and truly hvd, and although this was perhaps the cheapest line of its length yet constructed in the colony, it was also perhaps, without exception, the best. Ho trusted that the continuation of the line would be shortly proceeded with, and hoped that it would be made by contrac tors equally able and willing to carry the work out. The toast was drunk with cheers. Mr. Jno Frazer, in reply, said ho was more at home when working than at speech making, but he begged to thank the meet ing for their expression of goodwill to himself and his partners. Mr. Goo. Parkin proposed the Agricul tural and Pastoral Interests. He depre cated the slowness of the railway' depart ment in the direction of giving facilities for farmers sending away their grain at this busy season of the year. Mr. John Carter replied, and said it was roads and railways had made New Zealand what it was to-day. He could recollect passing the same spot in 1801, and little expected tlien to be conveyed here by steam. Mr. G. M. Robinson proposed “ The Local Bodies.” He was a member of one, and thought himself as good a man as any body else. In the old days he had done his level best to get roads, but now every man wanted a railway. Mr. Donald M'Loan returned thanks as Chairman of the Upper Ashburton Road Board.

Mr. C. W. Ireland, in a happy speech, proposed “The Ladies.” Mr. C. C. Fooks said he could not understand how it was that the duty of replying to the toast of the ladies was al ways pitchforked upon him. He thanked the proposer and the company for the honor. The Chairman proposed the “ Banking Interests,’’andsaid they could not very well do without them, and sometimes had a good deal of trouble to do with them. They were perhaps a species of necessary evil, hut he would forego that .accusation and leave Mr. Shury to explain. Mr. Shury, amid loud cries for “ over drafts ” and “ discounts,” assured his hearers that the banks would render all possible assistance to the mercantile, agri cultural and pastoral interests. Mr. Ireland proposed the health of Mr. McFarlane, the Superintending Engineer of the line. Mr. McFarlane, in thanking those present for drinking his health, said Mr. Frazer had told him on starting the work that this ivas the first job of the sort he had tackled, and he had appealed to him for assistance to enable him to carry out the work properly. He was glad to say, in corroboration of Mr, Wilkie’s remarks, that the contract had been honestly carried out. His own work had been of a pro fessional nature, and he could testify to the quality of the railway. Mr. Hall proposed the Railway Officials, and Mr. Stevenson responded. Mr. Sherloek then wished to drink the health of the contractors for the line, but was informed the toast had already been disposed of Mr. Shury proposed “ The Press,” and said the newspaper folks were a good sort, as no matter what sort of a bungle a man made of his speech, he would always find it in nice readable English next morning. Mr. Sherlock replied, and informed those present that he had been a journa list for 20 years, and had always advo cated development, and would be glad to see railways all over the country like a spider’s web. Mr. Wilkie responded on behalf of the “ Guardian.” Mr. Allardyce also responded. It did not transpire in his speech what paper he represented. He did a good deal of repe tition of the phrase “ I’ll tell you what,” but did not in the long-run tell anything. The toasts of “The Piper.” “The Legal Profession,” and “The Caterer,. Mr. Quill ” were duly drunk and responded to. The train then loft Lagmohr, and in the course of half an hour was back in Tinwald, after a most enjoyable day’s holiday, and all returned lully convinced that the work they had been called upon to inspect was worthy of all the praise bestowed upon it and a credit to both engineers and contractors.

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST FROM EUROPE. ( Reuter's ) London, March 22. The University boat race was rowed to day, and won by the Oxford crew. The new land regulations have been (gazetted. The “ Morning Post,” in a leading article in to-day’s issue on the subject of the general election and change of Ministry in Victoria, congratulates that colony on the result of the former, and hails the advent of Mr. Service as a prelude to a return of prosperity in Victoria. Mr. Parnell has arrived at Queenstown, Ireland, from America. London, March 23. In the House of Lords ro-day, Viscount Cranbrooke, Secretary of State for India, made a statement regarding the present position of affairs in Afghanistan. His lordship said that General Stewart, with a force under his command, was return ing to India via Ghuznee, where a large body 7 of the enemy is collected at present. It was uncertain, though, whether an at tack would be made by General Stewart, in view of the recent offer of submission by the chief. Constantinople, March 23. Colonel Synger and wife, who were captured last month by Greek brigands, have now been released.

News have been received from Mecca to the effect that a religions fanatic has stabbed to death the Grand Sheriff of the city. Calcutta, March 22. Latest news from Afghanistan states that the chiefs at Ghnlzai, have offered to submit to British command, and arc willing to negotiate for peace. AUSTRALIAN. Melbourne, March 23. Arrived—Siam, with the Suez mail. Melbourne, March 24. At the Cabinet Council held yesterday, was resolved to give the Melbourne Har bor Trust facilities to commence the im provements recommended by Sir John Coode. The works will be commenced forthwith. Adelaide, March 22. Wheat is quoted to-day at 4s. 7d. Sydney, March 22. Hanlon the Canadian sculler, has sent a cable message to Trickett with reference to the latter’s challenge to meet Hanlon in England. Hanlon says he cannot possibly proceed to England to meet Trickett. The Union Company’s steamship Ringarooma arrived to-day from Auck land. March 23. The Chandernagorc, which recently arrived from New Ireland, where the colonising party was landed, has, after some difficulty, obtained clearance for Liverpool, and will sail shortly for that port. She will, however, again visit Now Ireland. Brisbane, March 23. Wells, the Cannamulla bushranger, was hanged yesterday. INTERPROVINCIAL. Auckland, March 24. The Auckland Artillery will visit the Thames on Monday for a review with the Waikato cavalry. Captain Colbeck, M.H.R., succeeded in induchig Messrs. Grant and Foster, the Lincolnshire farmers’ delegates, to visit t.be district north of Auckland. At Orakoi, the Native Parliament threw out a resolution approving of Mohi Tawbai’s conduct. The meeting decided that all Mohi Tawhai had done was to re ceive L2OO and come away. Paul cen sured the action of those who came to at tend Parliament, but spent their time in card playing. A vote of the Assembly was passed against card playing. A long debate took place on the abolition of Laud Courts, and the proposed exemption from Rond Board taxation. Frier, of Dunedin, and Hutton of Auck land, are in training for a LIOO foot race on Monday. Considerable betting is going on. A tire at Kybcr Pass road destroyed a dwelling-house occupied by a man named Webb. The family escaped in their night dresses. All the clothing and furniture were burned. The house was insured in the New Zealand Office for LIOO, but the loss is estimated at Ll5O. The Harbor Board yesterday instructed their Engineer to select a situation and prepare plans for a large graving dock. The Board imposed increased port dues, with the object of realising revenue on their endowments, in order to he in a position to borrow further on security. They will also proceed to ask the Imperial Government to guarantee a loan on con dition of erecting a dock suitable for ships of the navy. A meeting of the Kingites, Ngatimanio potos, and Taupo tribes is proceeding at Otorohaki, near Te Kuiti. Judge Richmond decided yesterday that where a bailiff enters on land to levy exe cution, and takes the necessary steps to realise, but the parties settle before the sale, the bailiff is entitled to poundage. Dr. Skae is expected here shortly to in spect the Asylum. Graiiamstown, March 24.

The Hon. Mr. Rolleston, after visiting the Te Aroha lands, accompanied by Mr. Percy Smith, chief surveyor ; and Mr. Maginnity, of the Telegraph Depart ment, left for Kati Kati and the East Coast settlements. Deputations waited upon him at Ohinemutn regarding tele graphic and postal communication. He stated both were dependant upon Tuki kino granting a right of road through Komata settlement. He had an inter view with Tukikino, but no progress was made towards obtaining a right to continue the county roads. Tukikino demanded 1000 acres, said to have been promised him by Mr. Sheehan. Mr. Rolleston questsonod the truthfulness of such a promise, when the old man walked away. He had previously sent some melons as presents to Mr. Rolleston. The Minister intends offering some sections of bush lands for the use of persons taking up hinds on deferred payments, which are all fern land. Wellington, March 22. Two sharp shocks of earthquake were felt at 5 this morning. Henry Beattie, on a charge of indecent assault on Caroline James, aged 15, has been committed for tidal. The Wellington tramway was sold to day to Mr. E. W. Mills, ironmonger, for Lit),2so The Governor returned from Napier yesterday by the Hinemoa, which vessel lost her anchor and chain off that port. The weather is still bad, and the land slips on the Masterton Railway are more serious than was at first supposed. Mr. W. Hutchinson addressed the city constituents last night. He condemned the policy and administration of the pre sent Ministry, especially in regard to the selection of Royal Commissions. He urged retrenchment in salaries, from the Governor downwards. A vote of thanks and confidence was passed unanimously. "Wellington, March 24. The Government steamer Hinemoa left for Nelson this morning to bring the Nel son volunteers cn route Christchurch re view. She returns here to-morrow night, and takes the Wellington detatchment South. 300 volunteers leave Wellington and Nelson. Wm. Farley was charged with rape this morning, but the Magistrate alter hear ing the girl’s statement in cross-examina tion, dismissed the charge, and com mented strongly on the action of the police in takffig up the case. Dunedin, March 22. Butler, charged with the murder of the Dewar family, and also with burglary, was again remanded till Monday. Dunedin, March 24. The Aconcagua left Plymouth on the 20th, with 120 passengers. Henry McLeod, aged 14 year's, has been drowned in the Leith, whilst bathing. Ho had got out of his depth.

Relics of the Past.— Mrs. McKie, of Moat, one of the two last survivors in Dumfries of those who witnessed the funeral of the poet Burns, died recently 7, aged 92. Stx-ange to say, within twenty-four hours of Mrs. McKie’s death, the other Dum fries survivor who witnessed Burn’s fune ral also died. This was Mr. William Gordon, of Ironbank, formerly the leading legal practitioner in the town. He was 96 years old, and latterly had been bed ridden. Scene in Court. — A rather painful sensation occurred in the R.M. Court at Christchurch during the hearing of a petty summons case on Monday afternoon. The plaintiff in the action then before the Court was a young servant girl, who had summoned her mistress for assault. On entering the Court she appeared indis posed, and was accommodated with a seat while giving her evidence. Just as the case was drawing to a close, the girl, wl o had been visibly agitated throughout, fell down in a fit, and had to be removed.

THE FARMER.

CHERTSEY. (by a correspondent.) 11l this district the combines are very busy, and from the number to be seen at different places the grain should be soon threshed out. At Mr. Rules’ farm we saw some wheat, oats, and barley. [Some stalks of each of these are on view at our office, and as many as 63 straws in oats have been grown from one root with good heads. The wheat and barley are also very fine, with about 60 straws to each root.] The yield of wheat on Mr. Rule’s is fully 20 bushels to the acre, and the average would have been larger but for GO acres of late crops which was taken very bad with rust. Tim barley varied in different places, some yielded 18 and others 23 bushels, and the oats gave the good yield of 52& bushels. Mr. Rule has made a great many improvements on his farm which we had the pleasure of inspecting. The first thing worthy of notice is a belt of gum trees, two miles in length, along the main road, and the plantation looks well for trees only planted two years. They have been well looked after and the ground kept clear, thus giving them every chance of growing fast. In front of the farm is a gorse hedge which for growth and thickness in ears can scarcelybe equalled. It is now four feet high, and looking very healthy. The gardens are well laid out with shrubs and fruit trees, while a large lawn and flower-beds set off the front of the house. The house is rather a superior looking dwelling, about 30 x 40, with a verandah around the front and sides, en closed with glass, for flowers on the sunny side. There are six nicely finished rooms in the dwelling, with dairy and out-houses attached, all roofed with corrugated iron, very substantial, and kept in good order. At the roar there are a number of build ings, viz. store, smithy, store-room for machinery, and coach-house. In the yard a Corcoran 14 feet windmill is to be erected shortly for raising watei from an excellent well, which has been put down some time ; and under the coachhouse is a concrete tank, capable of holding 10,000 gallons. A short distance off is the rick yard, with four stacks of oats, estimated to contain 4,000 bushels. Mr. Rule has a large quantity of machi nery and appliances, and altogether the farm seems to be very complete. Messrs. Roskruge J3ros. are busily en gaged preparing for threshing. A small lot threshed turned out 21k bushels wheat, and 50 bushels oats. Mr. Mangham has about the best field of turnips that could be grown, and they are centainly much to be admired. His wheat turned out 23 and 25 bushels, and a good sample. Mr. W. A. Brown’s farm, and dwelling house, with the grounds exquisitely laid out and kept in good order, is worth a visit, and any one who may chose to drop in will be hospitably received by the pro prietor. Tiio house and grounds sur rounding, with flower and kitchen garden, are well sheltered with a belt of Ik chains deep of shrubs and broom hedges, very artistically laid ou‘. At the rear of the house is a large windmill, with iron tanks and largo concrete reservoir, to hold water for domestic and general purposes. In the yard is a large store, 40 x 45 feet, used as machine store, and coach-house, besides a 20-stall stable, sheep-pens, and other out-houses. Threshing has not been commenced here, as Mr. Brown’s machine is at work elsewhere for the present. The farm comprises some 11,000 acres, divided into convenient paddocks, some of which are laid down in grass, and carrying stock. It is also very conveniently situated, being close to the railway station. The railway station at Ohertsey is send ing away a very large amount of grain, which has to be piled up on the ground along the line, as there is not nearly suf ficient store room.

DISSOLVING BONES.

('From the Field.) While experimenting at the farm we have hit upon a cheap plan of manufac turing super-phosphate of lime, which not only saves a large outlay each year, but converts a lot of heretofore useless and unsightly trash—such as dead animals, bones, offal, &c.—into one of the best fertilisers known. The plan we adopted is as follows : Take a large cask, put 2001 b. of water in it, then add, slowly and cautiously, one-half this amount of pure sulphuric acid, and great care and diligence must be used in handling this acid, not to let it touch the skin or clothing, as it will in stantly blacken the skin and destroy the clothing, wherever it comes in contact, and when the two elements (water and sulphuric acid) meet there is what is called a chemical affinity, and a very intense heat is thereby engendered. When you have this mixture, throw in the same number of pounds of bones as you have of water, or twice the number that you have of the acid. Keep those proportions in mind, for they are jusLabout the proper ones, and if much deviation is made poor success may and doubtless will follow. The acid, as soon as it comes in contact with the bones, attacks and enters into combination with them, reducing thorn to a pasty consistence, and completely ab sorbing every particle of the whole batch. Keep the “ mess ” under cover, and turn it over occasionally while the process of assimilation is going on, and, when com pleted, dump the whole business on tire barn floor or on a platform of boards, and work into the mass, thoroughly, four times its bulk of dry bog earth or dry road dust; mix and pulverise completely with a wooden shovel. This dry earth acts as an absoi’bent or drier, retaining the fertilising propert’es of the compound, and rendering it easy of uniform distri bution. If whole bones are used it will take six or eight weeks to dissolve them, but they will succumb after this if the acid is pure. If the bones are broken up into small pieces they will dissolve in two or three weeks, depending upon the size of the pieces ; while if they are ground up fine two or three days will accomplish the work. This manure is the most powerful fer tiliser in existence, and when made ac cording to directions it is the cheapest, one ton being equal, by actual experiment, to 32 tons of farmyard manure. For top dressing grass lands, use 3001 b. per acre ; for corn, potatoes, beans, turnips, Ac., apply 4501 b. per acre in the drill, mixing with the soil; for wheat, rye, oats, or barley, 4001 b. per acre, and harrow in with the seed ; for buckwheat, 2001 b. per acre. A good time to make this phosphate is when sufficient material can be obtained to make up a hatch ; then barrel and keep ready for use when wanted. It would not be a bad plan to have some in process of manufacture all the while. It will clear the place of old bones, carcases, &c., and a lot of the best manure known will be on hand, ready for use every time. Try this plan. SELECTING STOCK. (From the Adelaide Abserver.) A good dairy cow commends itself to the eye of any one who has any judg ment. The first consideration should be to secure young stock. It would be false economy to commence a dairy with old cows, which in a short time would not be worth the food they eat, and useless al o for the butcher. As soon aa the co w begins to get old she should he weeded out to make room for a younger animal. There are several breeds to chose from— Alderneys, Devons, Herefords, short horns, and mongrels—and sometimes a mongrel will prove to be aa good a cow for

daily purposes as one boasting the highest pedigree and the bluest blood. A good cow is always thin and hollow in the neck, narrow in the breast and shoulder indeed, kangaroo like in the fore-quarter —that is, light, with but little dewlap, and neither full fleshed along the chine nor showing a likelihood of putting on fat. The hide should be smooth and thin, and the hair fine, whilst the tail should be small. The udder should bo full and round, but thin to the equal in size and substance shows more behind than before, it is thought to be a sign that the milk will fall off in quantity soon after calving, and if it feels course and lumpy, it shows that the bag will not contain a large quantity. The temper of the animal is a great considera tion, for good-tempered cows not only give less trouble, but it has been noticed that they almost always give a great quantity of milk with little difficulty, and that the supply lasts a great deal longer than with cows that are ill-tempered. It must be remarked here that the temper of even a good cow may be completely ruined by in judicious management. A bad-tempered man or woman having to deal with the mik ing cows will very soon be noticed in the falling off of the milk. Chasing the cows round the yard with a stick, throwing the milking-stool at them, hitting them with the bale-pin when putting them up or letting them out, kicking them when in the bale or elsewhere, or even loud scolding, will make a cow sulky or frightened, and the nervous excitement will cause a contraction of the muscles of the udder, preventing her letting down the supplies. For this reason a constant watch "should be kept upon all those who have to deal with the cows. Even the boy in bringing them down from the paddock into the milking-yard should be cau tioned to drive them quietly without the aid of sticks and stones, and certainly without a dog. If the cows are worried their blood becomes heated and feverish, and it is highly probable that the milk will be affected thereby. When cheese or butter is the object sought, those cows should be chosen which are known to afford the richest milk in the largest quantity. Probably this advice would be sought to be followed in any case, but the quality of the cheese or butter will depend very considerably upon the quality of the milk, but in the milk dairy the absence of superior richness is scarcely noticed. Of course the weight of butter from a given number of cows depends a great deal upon circumstances —for instance, cows freshly calved will give greater quantities of rich milk than those which have been in milk for some time. Then the size of the cows sometimes exercises an influence upon the quality of milk and the yield of cream, but not always, for now and again it will be found that a small cow will give a great quantity of rich milk, whilst a large cow, on the contrary, will occasionally give down a pail of very “ sky-blue ” product. Then the kind of food will exercise a great influence, and so will the quantity given. A very little dry hay given will result in a very small quality of poor milk, but plenty of rich succulent food will enable the animal to give plenty of rich creamy milk, especially if the food contains a propor tion of linseed meal or oilcake. It jis not advisable to pick out small cows simply because they are small, for it is only reasonable to suppose that a large beast will produce largely of milk, but some times only is it found that size has nothing to do with milk production. The small headed animal may be looked upon as kindly tempered but easily put out. Large eyes may also be looked upon as an indi cation of good temper, but the safest rule is to try the animals before bringing them in as dairy cattle, are in any way unsuitable, let 'timnrbe turned out of the yard, for one sulky, disagreeable old cow is enough to sour the temper of tlose who have to deal with her, as well as to upset the whole yard.

To Get Rid of Rats. —Take a wash boiler, fill it at least two-thirds full of clean water, and put in carefully- oats enough, to cover it well, so it will look as though it were all oats. Put it where the rats are in the habit of going. Give them a good chance to get in, and you will soon clear your house of both fats and mice. Rubbing Posts. —When in a pasture cattle will frequently knock down the fences by rubbing against them. A few rubbing posts set up in a pasture will be of great convenience to the animals, and will save injury to the fences. The Bovine and Equine Maws.— The horse’s stomach has a capacity of only about sixteen quarts, while that of the ox has two hundred and fifty. In the in testines this proportion is reversed, the horse having a capacity of one hundred, and ninety quarts against one hundred of the ox. Wheat Soil.—Wheat requires, first, a well drained soil ; second, a soil that is compact; third, a soil not liable to heave; fourth, a soil not liable to be alternately strongly heated and cooled : fifth, cool, equable weather during the growing sea son. A Poultry Hint. —lf poultry are kept from food and drink at least twelve hours before killing, the crop and intestines will be emptied, and any superfluity of secre tions exhausted. The flesh will be juicy and the fat firm. Lime. —lt has been found that the potatoes, turnips, rape, and mangels grown on well limed land are of better quality than the same produce from a similar soil to which no lime has been applied.

A QUEER HOUSE.

An eccentric Englishman has recently built a house in Quarter Tivoli for the residence of himself, his wife and eight children, which is the talk of all Paris. It is circular, and has neither door nor window externally. The approach to it is from the ground floor on to the roof by means of a ladder, which is moved up and down by machinery similar to that of a .draw-bridge. There is only one floor, and that contains eighteen apparhnents, more or less small in dimensions, looking into the centre, which is lighted from above by a glazed cupola. One stove for all these rooms is in the middle, and in summer is to be' occupied by an exquisite parterre of flowers. A circular balcony, open to all the apartments, surrounds this space. The motive of this oddity is, of course, only known to the author of it, but everybody can see that two points are gained by it—immunity from the taxes on doors and windows and a perfect preven tive of any attempt at burglary.—Boston Traveller.

A PRAYER-BOOK IN A TREE’S HEART.

A correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette, writing from Eton, Ohio, says : —“ Decently Nelson Davis, of West Alexandria, this county, cut down an oak tree about six feet in circumference, in the centre of which was a cavity about seven inches square, partly filled with some rotten kind of wood and a roll of cloth, which crumbled when touched. Inside of all was a German Catholic prayer book, bound in leather and much worn. The book was printed in 1726, and had a Latin introduction, while some of the blank leaves are fi4jM'with writings in French, part of which iSmiintelligible, but enough is easily read toljjßSw that the owner was a French soldier, what bat talion, and mentions the name of one of the officers as De La Magne. It may be of interest to the Historical Society. A growth of at least five inches over the hole where it had been slipped hermetically sealed and preserved the book. It is now in the hands of W. C. Barnhart at his l ook store in this place, and is regarded by all as a great curiosity. ”

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s. d. s , d. Butter, inferior to best 1? lb 0 10 to I 0 Eggs, dozen I 1 to I 3 Cheese, prime quality, 1? lb 0 7 to 0 10 Bacon, prime smoked, 1? lb 0 10 to I 0 Hams in cloth, I? lb I 2 to I 3 Flour in bags, $ loolb 14 6 to 0 0 Oatmeal, 1? 25K) 5 6 to 0 0 Lard, lb - 0 9 to 0 0



NEW TAILORING ESTABLISH MENT. CRAIGHEAD & Co., MERCHANT TAILORS, HAVE opened those premises situated in Tancred street adjoining Messrs. Orr and Co’s General Store. A SPLENDID ASSORTMENT OF TWEEDS, FANCY GOODS, &c., &c., JUST ARRIVED. Mr. Craighead’s experience as Head Cutter in connection with First Class Tailoring Establishments in Edinburgh and San Francisco has extended over a period of ten years, and from the immense success which has always attended his efforts to please, he_ is prepared to guarantee a perfect fit in every case. TANCRED STREET, (Next Orr and Ox’s. CRAIGHEAD & CO. 982 a MOUNT SOMERS ROAD BOARD. TAKE NOTICE that the VALUA TION LIST for the year 1880, as amended, is now OPEN for inspection at the Road Board Office, Mount Somers. All objections thereto must be left at the Road Board Office, Mount Scraers, on or before the Third day of April, 1880, addressed to the Assessment Court; and a copy of every such objection must bs left at the Mount Somers Road Board Office, not less than Seven days before the next sitting of the said Court. C. J. WENTWORTH COOKSON, JuNR. Clerk to the Mount Somers Road Board. Mount Somers, March 13th, 1880. 614 g NOTICE TO FARMERS. PJIHB 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 28, 1880. 550a* TO FARMERS. HE undersigned are CASH BUYERS of WHEAT, or will make LIBERAL ADVANCES on shipments to London on growers’ account. MILES, HASSAL, & CO., Christchurch ; MILES, ARCHER, & CO., 56Gg Timaru. MESSRS. H. MATSON AND CO., AUCTIONEERS, &a, TJOLD FORTNIGHTLY STOCK |~~| SALES at Ashburton and Tinwald.



Next sale at the TIN WALD YARDS, on TUESDAY, March 30, 1880. 427g* C. PERCY COX, Agent, Ashburton. THE NSW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY AS started about five years ago. The proprietors at first in tended to manufacture for the Trade only, but, owing to the persistent op position of importers and Shop keepers who could make a better profit on the imported article, they were compelled in self defence to open Branches for the sale of their goods direct to the public. In this they but followed the example of some of the largest manufacturers at home, and the Public, by purchasing at the undermentioned Branches, will SAVE THE PROFIT OF MIDDLEMEN, AND OBTAIN A SUPERIOR ARTICLE. BRANCHES. Invercargill Christchurch Wellington Dunedin Ashburton Auckland Oamaru Nelson New Plymouth Timaru Wanganui Napier A SINGLE GARMENT WHOLESALE PRICE AT W. SPARROW, Manager, Ashburton Branch, 688a* New Zealand Clothing Factory.