ONE FOR DARWIN.

(San Francisco Neivs Letter.) Mr. Darwin threaten to contribute to a magazine an article on infants, sug gested by the mental development of one of his own sons. Mothers are cautioned against reading it as there is insanity in every line. He expects to prove that the texture of young Darwin at his birth was analogous to the pulp of a .clam ; that the crown of his head was as gelatinous as a marsh mallow lozenge, and his bones as' grisly as a si rtf pie polyp. These examinations were not made without difficulty. On one occasion the great scientist was boring his infant’s nose with a needle, to prove that the cartilage was penetrable, when he was discovered by Mrs. Darwin and the nurse, who designed an intricate Italian flower garden on his face in less than two minutes. At another time he poulticed young Darwin’s spine surrep titiously in the hope of making a tail grow; and tried to fit him out with an amphibious bretithing airangement, which was so successful that, after the child’s head had been under the water for thirty seconds, he was black in the face, and lay comatose for a week. Young Darwin can do, however, a great many things which other lads of his age are not at all proficient in. Though not fifteen years old, he can run on all fours, trot or gallop, dig roots with an artificial snout, and climb trees like coon. His brains were partially ex tracted when he was a week out, and he can neither speak or understand. Though not exactly quadrumanous, he is just as handy with his feet as he is footy with his hands ; and early training enables him to hang by one arm from a branch, and eat nuts with his toes with the greatest ease. The father of modern thought hopes to live to see his son united to a well-bred Aztec, and is confident that his grandchildren will be three grades lower. In sacrificing his offspring to science, Mr. Darwin de pends on future generations to complete the work ; but as time rolls on mankind will doubtless have the pleasure of gazing on a perfect gasteropodous mol lusc on a wall, directly and lineally descended from the great theorist.

Another opportunity is now afforded to our readers of proving the sincerity of our remarks regarding, the advancement of Ashburton. We spoke upon a late occasion about the necessity of encouraging those who did their best to foster trade in the neighbourhood. We observe amongst our latest advertisements one calling attention to an extensive sale of Drapery, Cloth ing, Boots, Shoes, etc., by Messrs. AITKEN & Co., and wouid advise all who read this notice to take advantage of an opportunity such as seldom occur to buy one pound's worth of goods for eighteen shillings, Messrs. A. 0. Aitken and Co. having decided to take ten per cent oft the price of all goods paid for in cash, will be glad to give all a chance. Vide bills grea* clearing sale, from 24th July, /or one month only.—Advt.

•the Bvealag Echo,, Monday, July 22, 1878,



PROSPECTUS OF THE ASHBURTON GAS, COAL AND COKE COMPANY, LIMITED. Incorporated under the Joint Stock Companies ': •} ;{)’ ) Act. CAPITAL: in 2,000 Shares of each, Ten Sbillmgs deposit per Share on application, Ten Shillings on allotment, and the re mainder in Calls of Ten Shillings per Share at intervals of not less than three months. PROVISIONAL DIRECTORS : Chairman, Thomas Bullock. R. W. Shearman ■{ F. Ma.cbean Stewart i A. O. Aitken J. Ivess T. Quill A. Orr E. G. Wright F. Doherty R. Friedlander J. M. Cambridge BANKERS: Union Bank of Australia. Engineer. Treasurer. SOLICITORi: G. D. BRANSON. * Secretary; 17, [i J. IVESS, Pro Tem.; 'T'HE , ASHBURTON GAS COMPANY 1 R to be formed for the purpose of supply ing ! the'Town of Ashburton with Gas at a reasonable rate.. .? '' It is estimated that £s ooo W, H suffice to establish the 'works upon a suitable scale, and it is hot intended to call up .more than £2 per share during the first twelve months. It’ is intended to send to England for the necessary:Plant and Street Mains by the August Mail. ' ' ■ -' A ' ' ' The Provisional Directors desire t) call atten tion to the fact that Gas Companies have been invariably found to pay handsome dividends on the paid-up capital. . ,r Ashburton, is growing very rapidly, and there can be no doubt that there will be sufficient consumers to make the undertaking re munerative. The Branches of the Union Bank of Aus tralia at Ashburton, Christchurch, and Timura ar ( e nowprepared to receive applications for shares. The Share list will close"on Saturday, August 3*4. 1878,



MASONIC HALL. npl-IE BUILDING COMMITTEE are re- J. quested to ATTEND at the Office of the undersigned TO-MORROW (lUESDA\)at ii a, m., to meet the Architect. CHARLES BRADDELL, Secretary. ■\X RANTED immediately, TWO GOOD VV CARPENTERS.—AppIy W. Birt well, Greengrocer, East-street. WANTED, an Active BOY for the Print ing Business. Apply Echo Office. TOWN SECTION. WANTED, to purchase, in or near East street, a Quarter-acre SECTION. Apply, by letter, stating price, &c., A. 8., office of this paper. WANTED, Four Good CARPENTERS, Apply sharp to PAGE & HODDER, . Moore Street. PAPERS by the San Francisco Mail now on Sale at the Echo Office, Stationers’ Hall, East Street:— Lloyd’s Weekly Pictorial World The Farmer Plome News The Field Reynold’s Newspaper Illustrated London News Penny Illustrated News Police News Punch NOTICE. g C. FARR, ARCHITECT, &c., can be consulted at Messrs. W. Montgomery and Co. ’s Buildings, Ashburton, EVERY SATURDAY; or any communications left at Mr. Charles Braddell’s Office, will be .promptly attended to. Ashburton, July 12, 1878. THE NEW TOWN HALL.



GRAND FANCY DRESS BALL. BALL DRESSES Made to Order on the Shortest Notice. Colored Silks in great variety Evening Flowers c Evening Wreaths Josephine Kid Gloves’in all sizes Ladies’ White Boots Ladies’ Frillings in Silk. Ties Ladies’ White Lisle Thread Hose Ladies’ Opera Cloaks Ladies’ Puritan Lace Collars Ladies’ Flors Edge Ribbons Ladies’ Neck Ribbons 1 Ladies’ Sash Ribbons Ladies’ Collars and Cuffs Book Muslin Colored Grenadines, etc Gents’ White Kid Gloves Gents’ White Ties Gents’ Kid Boots 0 R R & CO., EAST STREET; ENCOURAGE LOCAL ENTERPRISE ! AND MAKE YOUR PURCHASES where you get Value for Your Money and a LARGE ASSORTMENT To choose from. To make room for more New Novelties from America and other novelty markets, the Undersigned is OFFERING to the public AT GREAT REDUCTIONS his present STOCK, comprising— ABOUT 900 NOVELS FROM 6d. UPWARDS Books on Gardening, Cookery, Farming, Bird-keeping, Etc., Etc., Dictionaries and Ready Reckoners, Journals, Magazines, Song Books, Stationary, and FANCY GOODS of every DESCRIPTION. Novelties in Enless Variety, including CARDS, DRAUGHTS, CHESS, DOMINOES, LOTTO, and other Games. 1 8ST Note the Address— A. WESTON, BOOKSELLER AND AMERICAN TOBACCONIST, DEALER IN FANCY GOODS, General Advertising Agent and Bill Poster. Agent for the Sale of the renowned Weston’s | Wizard Oil.



Past Street, near Bylleck’s Awctien Mad,



I. O. O. F. M. U. -f V ijMp&'ftSr'* *J: MANCHA K TEH. UNITY cu r 2\'n&i'£i\mKnrr o/ujar. 02* ODD ITECT.OWX LOYAL ASHBURTON LODGE. THE above Lodge will celebrate its Anni versary by a Public Dinner To be held at the Somerset Hotel, on TUESDAY, July 23rd, at 8 p.m. When all friends are invited. TICKETS, 7s. 6d. each, To be had from the Committee : Brother J. C. Dolman.. G.M. ~ T- Corbitt, N.G. „ W. ]elfs, V.G. >--• ~ W. Ledbrook, E.S. ~ Chas. Brown -— : ~ H. A. Gates. ~ William Price, P.S. ’ ~ Jarnes Wilkie, Chairman. PRELIMINARY NOTICE. NEW FIRST-CLASS BOARDING-HOUSE. MR THOMAS CLARKE has to announce that he will commence immediately the erection of a FIRST-CLASS BOARDING HOUSE, to supply a felt want in Ashburton. The House will occupy a site within One Minute’s walk of the Railway Station, and will afford the following accommodation : FIRST AND SECOND CLASS DINING ROOMS. SMOKING AND READING ROOMS. WELL VENTILATED, LARGE, AND LOFTY BEDROOMS. PRIVATE ROOMS FOR FAMILIES. • The work has been contracted for at the price of and the Plouse will be under the supervision of an experienced manager from Christchurch. FRUIT IMPORTED DIRECT FROM SYDNEY. J. MOOAR & CO., Wholesale & Retail GREENGROCERS AND FRUITERERS, REMOVED to EAST STREET, (Shop lately occupied by Mr. Cambridge.) TUST ARRIVED A LARGE STOCK J OF Oranges, Pine Apples Lemons, Bananas Apples, Vegetables Confectionery " &c., &c. Delivered to all paits of Ashburton. MR. BRANSON, BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR, East Street, ASHBURTON. E. G. CRISP, jg ARRIS TER AND SOLICITOR, Has removed his Offices to MONTGOMERY’S BUILDINGS (Ist Floor), BURNETT STREET, ASHBURTON. , JAMES BAKER, Builder, contractor, and UNDERTAKER, HAVELOCK STREET, Ashburton. FUNERALS FURNISHED ON THE SHORTEST NOTICE. W. R. BOYLE, gSTATE AND GENERAL AGENT, MOORE STREET, ASHBURTON. [A Card.] . PRIVATE LESSONS .TO YOUNG LADIES, Four times a Week in Music, French, German, and Drawing, at MISS STEANE’S, ’ ■. Oxford Villa Burnett treet. CHEAP FUEL. SPRINGFIELD COAL, NEWCASTLE COAL, AND FIREWOOD. SPRINGFIELD Coal can’be highly recom-_ mended for every purpose, and the fact 0 i its being used on the Railway must be a, suffi* dent guarantee of its quality. J , | 1 G. PARKER & Co., Neat Mlwsjf



FIREWOOD. FIREWOOD. gLA C K PINE FIREWOOD On Sale at Hayes’ Timber Yard. J. R. CHAPMAN, PAINTER, PAPERHAHGER, SIGN WRITER, CENERAL HOUSE DECORATOR, ETC., TANCRED ST., ASHBURTON, (Nearly opposite the Union Bank). A CHOICE selection of Paperhangings, at Christchurch prices. Genuine White Lead Linseed Oil, raw and boiled Brashes of the best American and English manufacture A large stock of Glass, of various sizes and quality Kerosene, Putty, and Glue Copal, Carriage, Oak, & Paper Varnishes PAINTS Of every description prepared and supplied on the shortest notice. WATER COLORS, from is 3d to 255. Drawing and Tracing paper, Paper Binders, File Clips, Date Cases, Ink and Pencil Erasers, Black and Colored Pencils, Colored Inks, Quill, Steel, and Magnum Bonum Pens, Pocket Books, and Purses, in immense variety, at FURNESS AND DIXON’S, Stationers’ Hall, Ashburton. MATTHEW SMITH. Builder and Contractor, MOORE STREET, ASHBURTON. Plans and Specifications carefully pre pared for all branches of the trade. Jobbing carefully executed. All kinds of, Building Material on Sale at Wholesale Prices. M. S. being appointed Agent for the Victoria Steam Joinery Works, all kinds of Joinery Work can be procured for the Trade. RUBBER STAMPS ! RUBBER STAMPS ! RUBBER STAMPS 1 THE ’only Manufactory in Ashburton for these very useful Stamps, which can be made any size, shape, or design. Rubber Stamps for Cheques Rubber Stamps for Receipts Rubber Stamps for Banks Rubber Stamps for Societies R.ubber Stamps for Companies Rubber Stamps for liooks Rubber Stamps for Linen Stamp, Ink, and Pads supplied at Moderate Prices at the EVENING ECHO OFFICE, East Street. PIONEER BAKERY; (Next to Fowler’s) Tancred Street, Ashburton. THOMAS" HICKS, FANCY BREAD & BISCUIT BAKER, PASTRYCOOK, AND CONFECTIONER. Pastry'and Biscuits of the best quality always in stock. Tea meetings and parties liberally dealt with. Wedding Cakes made to order on the shortest notice. ' Families supplied daily in all parts of the town. ASHBURTON SPIEET IRON, TIN, & ZINC WORKS, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL. SAMUEL HARDLEY, TINSMITH, IRONMONGER, &c., Having commenced business in Ashburton, begs to notify that he has just received his first consignment of Selected Goods from Melbourne, consisting of IRONMONGERY, LAMPS, RANGES, TINWARE, ETC, To be continually supplemented by new ship ments from the best markets which places him in a position to supply the public and trade at prices equal to any in the colony, and respect fully invites the residents of Ashburton, and surrounding dstricts to give him one tral which will be a sufficient guarantee as to work manship and price. Suitable Workships are being erected to carry on the bfisraess in all its branches. Water Tanks manufactured at per 100 gallons, fitted with Brass Tap. Spouting supplied at Christchurch prices. Don’t forget the Address — SAMUfcL HARDLEY, XIBQ JSr JULOJSrGrttTI, Tin , Irons and Zinc Wotke?, EAST {STREET, NEAR ECHO OFFICE,



STATIONERY, BOOKS STATUARY, FANCY GOCDS School Requsitls, & C., &C., J MPORTED direct from the", best Me :kets, and Sold cheaper than any house in Town. A large stock of ACCOUNT BOOKS,! CASKETS OF STATIONERY, FANCY gGOODS, PENS, PENCILS, &c., Just opened from London, marked off at prices never before heard of in\Ashburton. Inkstands, Stationery Cases, Date Cases, Pen Racks, Writing Desks, Paper Weights, Office Bells, String Cases, Invoice Files, Letter Balances, and every Office requisite at very low prices for cash. Writing Papers, Envelopes, Pens, Inks, Blot ting Papers, &c., &c. , Photograph Albums, Scrap Books, Purses, Ladies’ Bags, and a large number of Prize Books and Cards. Church Services and Hymnals, Wesleyan and Presbyterian New Hymnalr, Bibles, in various bindings, Color Boxes, Mathematical Instruments, Rulers, Drawing Pencilsand Pins Drawing Papers, Tracing Paper and Cloth, Indian Ink and Colors. Hair Brushes, Combs, Oil, Perfumery, Scent Bottles, Hair Pins, Brooches, Earrings, Bracelets, and numerous other usefu 1 articles. All to be'sold very cheap, at THE STATIONERS’; HALL, [ Evening Echo Office, EAST STREET, SOUTH,



NOTICE! NOTICE!! NOTICE!! REMOVAL. Firth, Pass, & Co. Beg to inform the Inhabitants of Ashburton and surrounding districts that they have REMOVED TO THEIR NEW PREMISES Next the Union Bank of Australia,- EAST STREET. piRTH, PASS, & CO. take this oppor tunity of thanking their numeious customers who have so liberally supported them hitherto, and to solicit a continuance of their patronage at the i !•' ■ \ new premises, •; TO BE CALLED The Old Bank Stores ; (late union bank). Orders entrusted to our care will re-; ceive prompt attention. Families waited on for orders; weekly, *• I / FIRTH, PASS, AND CO., Grocers, Drapers, Ironmongers, . ; WINE AND SPIRIT MERCHANTS, &c. East Street. NOTICE OF REMOVAL. VICTORIA FRUIT DEPOT, East Street, near Orr & Co.’s, WILLIAM BIRTWELL,; PROPRIETOR, i A BEGS to inform the inhabitants of Ashbur* ’ ton and surrounding districts that, having . removed to more central premises, is now pre pared to supply, at the lowest price for cash,— Fruit of all descriptions ; Confectionery of best quality Vegetables & Herbs, all kinds Potatoes, not to be excelled i Poultry, regularly supplied »- Cheese, &c., &c. ! . : Pastry of the best quality kept in stock. !• The Central Foundry, PETER STREET, ’* ASH,BU R T 0 N . W. J. HESSEY, BEGS respectfully to inform the public of Ashburton and surrounding districts that he has nearly completed his. foundry in Peter Street, where Castings of eveiy description in Iron, Brass, and other metals, will be carried on under his own superintend ence, and from the many years of practical experience he has had in America, England, and the Colonies, can guarantee to turn out work satisfactorily. Highest prices given for old cast metals and brass. ' Orders can be left at the Foundry. W. J. HESSEY, Proprietor. Tj'URNESS AND DIXON have on Sale a X Choice Assortment of Interesting arid Popular Works, including the following:— Saved from the Sea, by Kingston. Robinson Crusoe, ioo Illustrations. Swiss Family Robinson, 300 Illustrations, Boys Book of Sports. Every Boys Annual. Ethel Clinton. Little Hazel. Polly and Jack. Nannette Dampier. Prince Übbely Bubble. >• ’ Told in the Twilight. ' Aunt Martha’s Corner Cupboard. By liesba Stretton, — Fern’s Hollow. Cassy. Max Kromer. • Little Meg’s Children. Fairy Frisket. The Silver Casket. Aunt Jane s Hero. Richard Hunne. With the Tide. The Fairy Spinner.' General Beckwith. Barriers Burned Away. The Teachers Handbook of Questionin on the Gospels. Men Who Have Made Themselves. The Sword and Gaunent. Grace for Grace. Lite of D. L. Moody. Church L’fe in Australia. Recreations of a Country Parson. - The Land of the Sun. Military Heroes of England. Enquire Within. The Revolt of the Field ; a Skei* of the Rise t .d Progress of the Mor xnent among the Agricultural Labours of England. Martyr Graves of Scotland.) A Cloud of Witnesses, 7gle?pf.Qs Ocean, ’• ‘ . j‘l