POST OFFICE NOTICES.

Mails at the Ashburton Post Office close as follows : For Christchurch aiul North at 10.20 a.m., 4 p.m., and 7,30 p.m., daily. For Chertsey at 10.20 a.m. daily. For Rakaia at 10.2 p a.m., and 4 p.m. daily. For Ashburton South, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine at 10.30 a.m. daily. UNCLAIMED LETTERS. The following letters are advertised at the Post Office, as having been received from places beyond the Colony, during the month of February, and remaining unclaimed on the Ist May, 1878 : Gooch, George C. Gray, George Hayward, Win. Inkster, Wm. Judkins, Lucas Letters originating in New Zealand are not now advertised, but are sent to the Dead Letter Office, after having lain for two clear months.

The Evening Echo. WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1878. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The first of the series of Ashburton County Assemblies was held in the Library Hall last night, and was a complete success. For being drunk and disorderly, and resisting the police, Dr. Trevor, to-day, sentenced John Langlands to pay a fine of £l. Five offenders are at present out on bail, during the interregnum between their appre hension and the weekly court day of the Resi dent Magistrate, Sergeant Felton having failed to find a magistrate. The police are not in a position to detain prisoners for a whole week in the Ashburton lock-up, and when a Justice of the Peace is not to be had, they are remanded till his Worship’s visiting day comes round. Surely this state of affairs ought not to be.

In a cursory glance at the stage of the new Town Hall, we observe that it is in process of lathing, previous to being plastered. Ily this means both sides and roof will be enclosed, and the question naturally arises—lf that stage is to be used at any lime by a theatrical company, how are flies and side slides to be fixed ? At present the stage shows a splendid frontage, and did its dimensions, as now seen, indicate the actual stage space available for the enact ment of a drama, the performers woidd be anything but cramped for room behind the rootlights. But ample as the stage may seem in its unfinished state, when side-wing space comes to be taken off, it will be found that at least six feet on either side has been sacrificed from the acting ground of the players. Then, again, the roof is also being lathed preliminary to plastering. To give room for the manage ment of the scenery suspended on rollers from above, it will be necessary to lower the pro scenium considerably below what an open roof would require, and this in a spacious hall like the one just building, will give the stage a dwarfed appearance. If we mistake not, the Directors of the Town Hall will depend for their revenue mainly upon the letting of the hall for entertainments, in which a stage is necessary.. The defect we point out, if not remedied in the plan by some arrangement not yet acted upon, is worth the attention of the Directors, foi it would be a pity that expense should be incurred in making alterations after the completion of the building when they could be made more easily while the work is in pro gress.

Complaints have been made to us of the highly inflammable nature of much of the kero, sene in use in the district. We are not prepared to alloti' that the oil is the offender ; possibly defective lamps may have as much to do with the accidents mentioned to us us the oil, but it is evident from the frequency of kerosene ex plosions in the colony, that much of the mineral oil sold as kerosene is of a more inflammable nature than is consistent with safety. Our tele grams, within the last few days, have notified two or three lamp explosions, attended with serious consequences, and in Ashburton there have been recently some narrow escapes. Dr. Hector, who analysed the oil used in the lamp which exploded in Wellington two days ago, and burned a girl to death, pronounced it to be petroleum, and “ dangerous ” within the mean ing of the “ Dangerous Goods Act.” It would be well to exercise every caution in the use of this dangerous substance, and to be careful that the lamps fittings used are in perfect order.

The “ Automaton Smoking Man ” is the latest novelty in tobacconists’ furniture in Dun edin. The figure is that of a British “ swell.” In the interior of the automaton is some clock work, by which one of the arms is set in motion, and a small bellows kept going, the use of the bellows being to force a jet of smoke from a lighted pipe in the inside through the lips of of the figure. The automaton consumes about balf-an-ounce oi tobacco per day. Mr. J. S. Macfarlane, M. H. R., (says the Auckland Herald) has again devoted his honor arium to the purchase of books, six hundred volumes of which in all he has added to the various district libraries, besides presentations to the Fire Brigade and Working Men’s Club. He has now given an order for a number of the excellent publications of the Scottish Temper ance League, desired by some of the residents in the Waitemata.

TIMARU.

[from our own correspondent.] May 7. The past seven days have not seen many events which may be said to be of any very great interest to your readers, but as the unthankful task has fallen to my lot, I presume I must do my best to chronicle them. Amongst things that are past and gone, I may mention the election of a member for the Temuka Road Hoard, which took [dace yesterday, and re sulted in a walk over for Mr. John Hayhurst, who was the only person nominated. Somehow there does not appear to be such a rush for Road Board appointments as previously, and the last two vacancies have resulted in only one nomination. It is very probable that a local morn ing paper under Joint Stock Manage ment, will be shortly produced. Rumor is rife to the effect that efforts have already been made to present a pros pectus to the' patrons of journalism, setting forth the benefits to be derived from a rival journal to the Herald. The local Amateur Athletic Sports take place on Wednesday and Thurs day next, and should be a decided suc cess, at least there is no lack of prizes. Some slight amusement has been de rived by the publication in both the morning and evening journals of a “ petition” to the members of the club, who have decided not to allow any of the usual appendages to sporting meet ings, in the shape of “merry-go-rounds,” &c., from a person named Read, who accuses the club of attempting to stop his “ buttering his bread,” or some other such nonsense. At first some surprise was evinced, and the cry was “ Who is Read ?” when it leaked out that the in dividual in question was proprietor of a shooting gallery, at which the “ sinews of war ” used are peas instead of shot. At present, however, the decision of the club in one instance remains unaltered, and it is greatly to be hoped it will re main in that condition.

To-day, the Timaru Harbor Board will hold a special meeting, at which it is intended to bring up the question of calling for tenders for the first portion of breakwater in accordance wiih Mr. Goodall’s plan. Yesterday, a man named John Abbots ford Craig was committed for trial at the Supreme Court, on the charge of ob taining money and goods by means of valueless cheques from three.local trades people. The prisoner had been pre viously convicted on a similar charge, and will doubtless “catch it hot” for this little breach of our laws.

“ Coming events cast their shadows before,” and surely we may be allowed he privilige of affixing the old adage to the coming barque, the Mendoza, which will be put on. direct from this port to London. This can only be regarded as a shadow of future direct shipping with the English markets. The Waimate steeplechases will take place on Tuesday next, when some sport is expected. I learn that Will-if 1-can will not enter for the meeting, as he has a great aversion to the water jump.

My usual chapter of accidents is not quite so large as usual, as I have only to record one which occurred to a lad on the Waihi Road, who by some means got a limb in the way of a steam roller, and by this means succeeded in break ing his leg. Dr. Mclntyre attended him, and he is now, I believe, progress ing as favorably as might be expected.

THE LOSS OF THE EURYDICE.

On March 25th news reached Lon don of the wreck of the Eurydice off the Isle of Wight, almost within sight of Spithead, for which place she was standing at the end of a pleasant and successful cruise to the West Indies- The Eurydice was a training ship for young seamen, and had 368 sailors on board. At the time she was bringing a number of military officers, superan nuated and invalids, from the West Indies. She was a wooden sailing full rigged ship of 921 tons, and was at one time considered one of the smartest twenty-six gun frigates in the service, built about 1843. She sailed from Portsmouth on November 13, with a crew of about 300 ordinary seamen and officers, all of whom were lost, with the exception of two seamen. Captain Hare had been commander of the St. Vincent training ship at Portsmouth, and was selected for the command from his knowledge and experience of young seamen. The Eurydice left Bermudas on March 6th, and nothing was heard of her until she was seen by the coast guard at Bonchuro on March 24th, bearing for Spithead under all plain sail, her object being clearly to arrive at the anchorage in Spithead before nightfall. There was an ominous stillness prevail ing at this time, and heavy dark clouds were coming down from the north-west, and the glass was falling rapidly. Such wind as there was came Irom the west ward, and blew on the port quarter of the ship. From the direction in which the ship was steering, she would be in comparatively smooth water until she rounded Dungeness, so sheltered was she by the Downs, where the disaster occurred. This explains why the schooner Emma, which was near at the time, was not affected by the gale. Just before four o’clock the wind suddenly veered round from the west to the east, and a gale, accompanied by a blinding fall of snow, came rushing from the high land, striking the Eurydice just a little before the beam, driving her out of her course, which was heading to north-east, turning her bow to east. This is what seems probable, though from the manner in which the sea was concealed by snow, nothing was seen of her at the moment when she capsized to starboard. It cleared as suddenly as it had become overcast, the wind sinking away at the same time. As soon as anything could be seen, the masts and top hamper of the ship were discovered above water, about 2j£ miles E.N.E. off Dunnose. The ship lies in eleven fathoms, and from her position appears to have righted in going down. Of the whole souls on board, only two succeeded in reaching the shore alive. These are an able seaman named Benjamin Cuddi ford, a native of Plymouth, and Sydney Fletcher, an ordinary first-class seaman, aged nineteen, belonging to Bristol. Lieut. Laborn, who was rescued from the sea, died before reaching shore. One of the survivors states that when the squal struck the vessel they were taking in sail. The captain ordered the men to come down from aloft. The water was then running along the lee netting. He caught hold of the weather netting, and could see the vessel’s keel. The vessel righted a little before settling down, then went gradually over from forward, the greater part of the hands being forward at the time.

Further orders for war material have been transmitted by telegraph by the Victorian Go vernment to England during the last few days, and otherwise the authorities are manifesting activity in placing the Colony as far as possible in a condition of defence. The battery of heavy guns at the Heads will soon be com pletetcd.

The continual recurrence of stoppages in our cable communication with Home is thus spoken of by the Home News: —The stoppage, or rather the conduct of spasmodic telegraph communica tion between London and Australia is as detri mental to trade as it is annoying to private in dividuals. The destination of ships is now greatly managed by wire, and many a one is kept waiting for instructions. This is how we stood,on Dec. 15, when the cable was repaired. New South Wales had just heard on Nov. 29 that the elections were completed, but the re sult was not known. South Australia just hears of the advent of a new Government to office, but knew nothing of their plans, whilst the last news from Victoria was Government intends to put an export duty on bark. We must have two cables.

THE BELL BIRD

In the forests of Guiana at daybreak and at sunset may be heard, mingling with the morning and evening tributes of the birds, a loud, clear note,' like the sound of a distant bell; and at noon, when all animated nature in forest and grove seems hushed in tropic silence and repose, this tolling sound steals through the air at regular intervals, and rouses the drowsy hearer from his mid day reverie. This peculiar music is made by the bell-bird, a native of those climes, called by the Indians, Daro, and by the Spaniards, Campanero. The bird is about as large as a jay, with plumage of dazzling whiteness, and fiprm, much resembling a dove. The pecu liarity which distinguishes the bell-bird from all others in appearance is a rounded and muscular excrescence, of a jet black color, and covered with short feathers, which proceeds from the forehead. This caruncle is flexible and usually hangs down upon one side of the head, but when the bird would give forth its peculiar note, it is raised by a muscular contraction and protrudes above the head a distance of two inches or more, forming a hollow, spiral tube of small diameter. The cavity of this tube connects with the throat, and it is supposed by naturalists that the bell like tones of the bird are produced by the quick vibration of the air through this singular crest. The bird’s note is full and rich, like a silver-toned bell, and may be heard in the stillness of the forest for a distance of three miles. It seeks not the companionship of other birds, but alone in the midst of those extensive wilds, perched upon the high and withered top of an aged mora tree, it gives forth this strange and solemn strain. First a single toll, and then a pause for a minute, while the sound floats away into silence; then another toll, and then again a pause of longer duration, after which the former succes sion is resumed.

AN AMERICAN CLERGYMAN ON THE EUROPEAN SITUATION.

On February S, at the week night service, the Rev. Dr. Witt Talmage, alter reviewing the leading events of the day, is reported by the New Yotk Herald to have closed his address in . the following manner: “The third event of the week is volcanic. Turkey crushed, Russia triumphant, England aghast, the world confounded ! What next? you ask, That’s what all the world asks. There has not been such an intense moment in European poli tics during our lifetime as this moment. If England halt, she becomes a second rate Power; if she march, then all Europe is an Armagedon. May the God of nations appear in this crisis ! I am glad that the Turkish Empire has perished. She was an old butcher, and the most cheerful page of her history to me is her obituary. Where shall the - miserable old carcase be buried ? Where are the spades long enough to dig a hole deep enough ? But I have no admiration for her conqueror, Russia. We have heard from that nation a great deal of snuffling cant about religion during the past year. What does she care about true religion ? She has been one of the world’s most dreadful oppressors. Where is Poland ? Where are the myriads who have been strangled under the choking pressure of her hard heel ? I will not hide the fact that my deepest sympathies at this moment are for England. She has not always acted kindly to this nation, but what is the use of keeping old grudges . good while the fact is certain that England and the United States stand J side by side to-day in the great cause of civilisation and Christianity! When England is humiliated, the Church of God and the cross of Christ are humilia ted. Look at her churches, her Bible and missionary societies, universities; look at her throne the purest in Europe, if not in the world. The girl Victoria, kneeling with her ecclesiastical adviser on the night before her corona tion, made vows to God and promises to God and promises to England, not one of which has she ever broken. Her sorrows have been the world’s sorrows ; her bereavements the world’s bereave ments. Wherever there is a heart that knows how to admire pure, consecrated,

THE EVENING ECHO, WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1878.



Five shilling packets of cop pers to be lad at the “ Echo ” office.