COLLIERY EXPLOSION.

A dreadful colliery explosion in South Wales took place shortly alter noon on September the nth, at the old Abercarne pit, belonging to the Ebbw Vale Coal and Iron Company at Abercarne. It first was feared that the lives of upwards of 350 persons had heen sacrificed, but the actual number ot dead is reduced to about 280. Out of the 82 who were brought up alive many, it is feared, will succumb to the injuries they have sustained. The col liery is one of the largest and best worked in the district, and at the present time is yielding 1000 tons of steam coal per day. Upwards of 1000 colliers were employed, and these are engaged on three shifts or turns. Shortly after noon, when the 373 men who comprised the morning shift were in the pit, an explosion, which was of a terrific character, occurred. It was made known to the banksmen and ethers who we r e in the immediate vicinity of the pit, by the rumbling noise and the dense column of smoke that ascended the upcast shaft imme diately after it occurred. The fact having been thus made known, the manager, Mr. Pond, and other officials were promptly communicated with, and efforts were at once made to descend and rescue the men who were thus imperilled, and for whose lives the greatest alarm was felt. The present down-shaft was constructed in the year 1862, and descends to a depth of 200 yards. The disaster is something ter rible. Over 50 horses have succumbed to the explosion. The 82 men who were rescued were about 400 yards from the bottom of the shaft, and the others were scattered throughout the workings, which extended several miles each way. There is not the slightest hope of rescuing any more alive.

AN INFANT HEROINE.

(From the Globe.)

The battle of life begins at a very early date among the children of the humbler c'asses, x t a period when the offspring of the well-to do-people would feel completely helpless if thrown on their own resources. But it is seldom that even amongst the poorest a child is called upon to wage the eternal war under such cruelly hard circumstances as lately befel Mary Sheriff, aged nine years. Her mother dead, her father in jail, this little girl seems to have-been left-W-twcron pamonship of a brother a' trifle older than herself. And by some mysterious means she prolonged the struggle for six weeks, regularly going to a board school, besides doing all that was in her small power to keep the wolf from the door. The brute managed, however, to gradually force his way in, with the result that his vic tim waxed thinner and thinner and fell into weak health. Even then, Mary Sheriff refused to surrender, nor does she appear to have ever complained until one morning, when she went to school in tears. This unusual depress on at tracted the attention of the schoolmis tress, who soon ascertained that her 111 tie pupil was suffering from starvation Indeed so far had the process gone that, the child could not for some time partake of the tea and other light re freshments which were instantly set be fore her. But for the fortunate dis covery of her condition at this time, if seems likely enough that Mary Sheriffs fortitude would speedly have ended in her death. She is now in an Industrial Home through the interposition of a clergyman, and thus her battle of life ends, for the present, not unhappily, although the brave little lass may pos sibly mourn over the loss of her inde pendence, and the deprivation of her brother’s companionship. Had Dickens written this s*ory, he would have been accused of “ piling up the pathos,” by gross exaggeration. The truth is thgt the inhabitants of great towns know very little about what ; s passing around them, and we doubt not the good people of Leeds were as much astonished as horrified on learn ing that an infant member of their community had almost died of starva tion in an unaided struggle for existence.

The Evening Echo, Saturday, 88. 1878. • - ' 3 am ■ i. ■ i i i - —r r Tilf



I. O. G, T, STAR OF THE'EAST LODGE. MEMBERS of the above Lodge are in formed that the Hour of Meeting in future will be 7.30 insteadof 8 p.m. Members are particularly requested to at tend the next meeting This (SATURDAY) Evening, 26ih instant, at 7.30 p.m. Business: Nomination of Officers. , r- ! J. W. BRADLEY, W. S. W. R. BOYLE, J? STATE AND GENERAL AGENT ■ ■ mm, mumm



\X 7 ANTED, o Rent, Immedift'tely, a Iwo VV or Three-Ro> med COTTAGE. ■ Apply ECHO OFFICE. WANTED, TENDERS for PLOUGHING iSo Acres Tussock Land, three (3) inches deep. Tenders to l«e sent in to H. Moffat, Wakanui, not later than the 31st October, 1878 ANTED, Two Good CARPENTER^ Apply to PAGE & I-lODDER, Moore Street. WANTED —An Apprentice for the Print ing Business. None but a Respectable Intelligent Boy need apply. ECHO Office W ANTE D, SUBSCRIBERS for copy of “Encyclo paedia Britannica,” new edition. Seven volumes now out. R. BINSTEAD, Bookseller, Christchurch. The REV. W. B. MARTEN will Preach in the WESLEYAN CHURCH To-morrow Evening. Subject—“ Acquai ntance with God.” Mr. Olsen in the mornmg. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. nPIIE REV. MR. ALEXANDER (recently arrived, per “Waitangi,” from Sco * land) will condu t the services in the Presby terian Church TO-MORROW, Morning an ! Evening. PCR SALE. AQUARTER-ALkc, SECTION in Have lock Street, on vrv easy terms. App v ECHO Office. O N SALE! ON SALE! at HAYES’S TIMBER YARDS, Stakes I Stakes 1 TOTARA WELL TIMBER, AND BLACK PINE FIREWOOD.



O T A TOES.' PO T A T O ES . FOR SAL E , at A. O. AITKKN & CO.’s T-Tn BOROUwii (Ji 1 .-.S-iubA-i APPLICATIONS are invited from Gentle men competent to act as ENGINEER for the . Borough ; salary, ,£l5O P er annum, with permission to cany on private practice. Applications to he sent to the undersigned on or before Monday/4th November next. CHAkLES BRADDELL, Town C erk. Ashburton, 23rd October, 1878. ■ .New Goods. JUST OPENED UP, Ex “ Palala ” and Waimate,” A Large and Splendid Lot of Account Books, from Foolscap size to Super-royal, in a VARIETY OF BINDINGS. Also, Photographic and Scrap Albums in abundance, made to order for the Advertiser. A very Choice Assortment of Ladies’ Note Books and Purses, all of which will be offered AT THE LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICES. esr Stores supplied. R. BINSTEAD, Albion House, Cashel Street west, Christchurch.



E. A. GARNETT, HAIRDRESSER, PERFUMER, TOBACCONIST, AND GENERAL FANCY GOODS DEALER, BEGS to inform the inhabitants of Ashburton and District that lie lias removed to 'so. D Montgomery's New Buildings, East ■treet, and has in .Stock a GOOD ASSORTMENT OF TOBACCO, CIGARS, PIPES, Perfumery, Frizzets, Plaits, Etc., Etc. Note the Address, - E. A. GARNETT, No. i, Montgomery’s Buildings, East Street.



CHARLES BRADD LL, Agent (or Press Company, Limited. Secretary Town Had Company. Agent for National Insurance Company. Removed to Montgomery’s Buildings, entrance from East and Burnett Streets. RUBBER STAMPS ! RUBBER rHE only Manufactory in Ashburton for these very useful Stamps, which can be nade any size, shape, or design. S amp, Ink, and Pads supplied at Moderate Prices at ilm R'/E NING ECHO OFFICE, K&H Street,



ASH BUB TON. BOTTLIHD STORES Ip connection with the ASHBURTON BREWERY, Yfood 8c Co. Have on hand a Large Stock of ALE and STOUT, in Bulk and Bottle. SHEEP MUSTERING. \ TE propose"MUSTERING our SHEEP VV at Alfred Mills on TUESDAY, 29th. October. _ * Owners are requested to be in attendance to claim strangers. SAUNDERS BROTHERS. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Tuned and Repaired. J. C. HUGHES, TEACHER of Pianoforte and Harmonium, Cox Street, Ashburton. Orders can be left at the Echo Office. THE ASHBURTON PICTURE GALLERY AND CABINET MANUFACTORY, Peter Street. T. A. GATES, PICTURE DEALER. Manufacturer of all kinds of Carpentry, Cabinet Making, Furniture, Venetian and other Blinds, Picture Frames, &c., &c. LOWEST CHARGES, combined wilh BEST WORKMANSHIP. Furniture Repaired and Polished. Maps and Plans Mounted and Varnished. A Lot of PICTURES On Sale at GREATLY REDUCED PRICES.



CALISTHENIC CLASS EVERY alternate Wednesday and Saturday Afternoon. Terms, per Quarter —Five bindings each Pupil. SUPERIOR LADIES’ BOARDING AND day School, Oxford Villa, Burnett St., Ashburton, Conducted by Miss Steane. Private Lessons in French, German, and Latin, twice weekly ; Music, and Drawing in Various Styles. Preparatory School for Boys. Inclusive Terms. CHARLES NEATE, (Late of Messrs. Gould & Co., Christchurch), BUGS TO ANNOUNCE He has commenced business as CHEMIST AND DRUGGIST, IN MOORE STREET (Opposite Messrs. Friedlander’s Store), ASHBURTON.



NOTICE. jpOR SALE AT T. QUINN & CO’S, DRAPERS and CLOTHIERS, MOORE-ST; ASHBURTON. 75 Men’s and Boys’ Suits, at 30s per Suit 40 doz. Silk Handkerchiefs at is each. 20 doz. Straw Hats, 7s per doz. 1’ . QUINN & CO., Moore Street, Ashburton.



SONS OF TEMPERANCE BENEFIT SOCIETY. XMIIS useful institution meets every alter nate Friday in the New Templar Flail, Moore Street. New members invited. All information can be obtained from Bros. G. W. Andrews, East Town Belt; K. Sando, East Street ; Thos. Williams, Tinwald. Next meet ing on the 25th wist. A. J. ANDREWS, R.S. f 11E HORSE BA;ZAA R LIVERY AND BAIT STABLES BURNETT-STREKT, ASHBURTON. W. B. COMPTON, Proprietor. ' piRST-CLASS ACCOMMODATION T Morses and Vehicles on mos. libera terms at these Stables, Mth every ittentio* and civility. Saddi.k Horsbs or Bugsies on Hire, HstfUfiS Bright ®.yt| Sold or Commission.



To Farmers & Others '■jpHE UNDERSIGNED HAVE CONSTANTLY CN HAND Farm Implements AND AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY Of Every Description. WOOL PACKS, SHEEP SHEARS, FENCING MATERIAL. GRASS & CLOVER SEEDS, JUST LANDED Ryland’s Best Fencing WIRE, 6,7, 8, 9 & 10. PORTLAND CEMENT, CHAFF CUTTERS, PLOUGHS, CAMBRIDGE ROLLERS, CORN CRUSHERS, HORSEPOWERS, ETC. Also, GOSPEL QkK Galvanised Iron, IN ALL SIZES, Which we are now Prepared to Sell at MOST REASONABLE PRICES. 80. CASH ADVANCES Made on Growing Crops, Shipments of Wool and Grain. FRIEDLANDER BROS EAST STREET, Ashburton.



DRAPERY. NEW GOODS I NEW GOODS!! A. O. AITKEN & GO. Are now opening up, a large and choice assortment of NEW SPRING AND SUMMER DRAPERY, Which will be offered at PRICES LOWER THAN EVER. New Dresses New Fischues New Prints NewJßibbons NewTeathers NewTlowers New Hats New Bonnets Note the address A. O. AITKEN and CO. The Pantechnicon, HAVELOCK STREET • Ashburton.



D SHOW OF New Goods AT syp Jpl? Jew & fftftvft. w E are now opening up a second shipment of INTIErW GOODS, Consisting of Gents.’ Black Satin Hats Gents.’ White Shirts Gents.’ Black Cloth Suits Gents.’ Double and Single Breasted Suits Gents.’ Felt Hats Gents.’ Kid Gloves Gents.’ Colored Shirts FLOWERS. IO boxes New Flowers 5 ~ New Feathers 30 ~ New Ribbons 50 shades of Bonnet Silks'to .match New Ribbons POPLINS & SILKS. A large assortment of real Irish Poplins, direct from Pim Brothers, of Dublin. PRINTS. An immense assortment of New Prints, French Checks, and Stripes in great variety. COSTUMES. A large assortment of New Costumes are now being opened up. BOOTS & SHOES. JUST RECEIVED, 10 TRUNKS NEW BOOTS. Men’s Watertights, pegged and riveted. Ladies’ Kid Boots in great variety. Children’s Boots of every make.



DRESSMAKING DEPARTMENT, This department is managed by a First-class Dressmaker, with competent assistants. A'PERFECT FIT GUARANTEED. Prices Strictly Moderate.



SAUNDERS BROS., ASHBURTON, CHRISTCHURCH, AND . LONDON. T i. e u Have a number of NDERSIGNED teriMPROVEO AND UNIMPROVED FARMS AND OTHER Properties for Sale In the Ashburton County ►ECTIONS s. e v;e; r a l 'T' quburban q 1 OWN & O O] FOR SALE ON EXCEPTIONALLY EASY TERMS. INDENTS EXECUTED For eveiy description of Goods from the Australian, American, and English Markets. OATS AND OTHER HORSE FEED AT LOWEST RATES. SAUNDERS BROS. WATCHMAKER TEWELLER, Mm -v.u /w » AUji. >?/ OPTICIAN, ■&&, &c. ALWA'V s: oi Sale a Ltrge Stock of Eng lisb, /. merican Geneva, and other Watches; Fiench,. American, and Other Clocks; Concave and Convex Spectacles; Reading Glasses ; Wedding and other Rings ; Barometers ; Thermometers ; Eye Protectors ; Goggles ; Pocket Knives ; Scissors and other Cutlery, by Rogers. To Arrive ly “Star,” brig, from New York, 6 Cases of American Clocks—all New Styles. J. P. PARKER, WATCHMAKER, JEWELLER, &c. (Two doors above Bullock & Co.’s Auction Rooms), EAST STREET, ASHBURTON.



BREAD. BREAD. BREAD. SANDO & OLSEN, GROCERS, ETC., EAST STREET, Ashburton. gUPPLY really Good BREAD at per Quartern Loaf, Cash, and 6& Monthly Accounts. Families in Town and Suburbs waited- oil daily. Note the address, S ANDO. & OLSEN, GENERAL STOREKEEPERS & BAKERS East Street, SCHOOL BOOKS Just Arrived—Roya Primers, Victoria Exercise Books, &c' —Echo Office, Stationers’ Hall, East-street. * GRATEFUL—COMFORTING. ' BREAKFAST COCOA, “ By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a careful application of the fine properties of well selected cocoa, Mr. Epps lias provided our breakfast tables with a delicately-flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors’ bills. It is by the judi cious use of such articles of diet, that a constitu tion may he gradually built up until strong enough to resist every tendency to disease. Hundreds of subtle maladies are floating arc ond us, ready to attack wherever there is a weak - point. We may escape many a fata JTnTTT'V keeping ourselves well fortified with pu:e blood md a properly nourished frame.” —The CiVv'i Soviet Gazette. SOLD ONLY IN PACKETS LABELLED JAMES EPPS AND CO., Homoepathic Chemists, London. HEALTH FOR ALE. HOLLOWAY’S PILLS AND OINTMENT THE PILLS Purify the Lloo 1, correct all disorders of the Liver, Stomach, Kidneys and Bowels, and arc invaluable in all com, plaints incidental to Females. CHE Oil? lIUENT is the only relhbl* remedy for Bad Legs Old Wounds, Sores, and Ulcers. For Bronohlue, Diphtheiia, Coughs, C< Ids, Gout, Rheumatism, »ad all Skin Di leases it has no equal. Sold by , the Proprietor, Thgxja* Hollowat, 1533, Oxford Street. London, by Ml FlsdietM Viators thwoghtto