where a lady had large property but no power to vote.

Mr. Saunders here said that they did not come there to air fine speeches, but to listen to Sir George Grey, and asked for a vote of the meeting on their confidence or otherwise in Sir George Giey and his Government. Sir George reminded Dr. Stewart that New York was the. cesspool of Europe, and every blackguard in creation could there be natural ized at once. The Tammany ring frauds had occurred there, but they had been punished. The Paddington frauds in his (the speaker’s) young days had occurred in England and had not been punished. If the latter were possible in honest England, was it matter for surprise that frauds should occur in the cesspool of Europe. Political ostracism he thought pre vented reformation.

Sir George Grey would not commit himself, in answer to Mr. Andrew’s question as to whether manhood suffrage would also entail the qualification of members to be simply the qualification of manhood : not that he cared for himself, but as he led the House of Represen tatives it was better that he raised no prejudice. Mr. Ivess proposed—“ That this meeting tenders a cordial vote of thanks to Sir George Grey for his eloquent address, and has entire confidence in his Government.”

Mr. Orr seconded, and on its being carried with great enthusiasm, a vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Saunders as chairman, at the instance of Sir George Grey.

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the Evening Echo.

Sir,-—The decision of the Chairman at last night’s meeting that we did not go there to “air fine speeches,” though it may have been a necessary one on account of Sir George’ limited slay in Ashburton, was not one calcu' luted to insure a reliable test of the feeling of the meeting ; as, in order to arrive at an im partial consideration of the motion, unbiassed by the cultivated eloquence of Sir George Grey, very many of the speakers’ principal points might have been, at all events, put in a differ ent light, as, for instance, the one which Dr. Stewart ably pointed out to the meeting. Sir George may answer it by asserting that New York is the “cesspool of the world.” So it may be, but many other instances of great nations might be cited, in which it has proved disastrous in the extreme to the people adopting it. What good, may I ask, resulted to France after the Great Revolution, by the adoption of this pernicious system ? Again to take Sir George’s own example in Ancient History of the great empire of Greece. What was its fate ? Where is it now ?

“ Manhoi d Suffrage,” says Sir George Grey, would remedy a crying injustice to the majority of the whole population in New Zealand ; but I would like to know how many there were at the meeting last night who are not entitled to a vote, and of those few who were not, how many would care for a vote, or would take the tioiible to register if this measure became law. The suffrage as it now stands gives the right to vote to all, or nearly all those who contribute to the revenue, the few exceptions perhaps being young men resident with their parents, who would surely mostly share their fathers’ political opinions. By what statistics does Sir George get at the “ large majority ” who are non-voters ?

A vote of confidence passed on great and important changes in the constitution, at a hastily convened, and hastily held meeting, can.be of small value without that careful con sideration and scrutiny so essential to a decision on such measures, and 1 feel sure that when many of those held up their hands for the vote last night come to think over the manner in which the Land Tax which Sir George hopes to impose will operate, they must perceive that they would be cutting their own throats to give their support to such an oppressive tax, as this must prove to far more than the “ wealthy runholders ” against whom Sir George’s pero rations are addressed.

Hie proposition advocated so eloquently by the Premier is, as state;L by him last night, that three classes of land shall’ he created, to he taxed according to their value. Surely this seems to be but a new face in an old guise : the face indeed which Sir George was hut a few 'minutes before protest ing against as such an ugly one, namely, the taxation of improvements. What is taxing land according to its value but laying a burden on the improvements by cultivation ? The land in Ashburton, for instance, has, but at a very recent period, been broken up from uncultivated Government land, and trans formed into valuable and productive ground ; ground, too, which has brought to its fortunate possessors—not the “wealthy runholders,” but -a hard working and industrious class of the population, who by their own unaided exertions have brought it to the state of pros perity in which it is ; men who have indeed, by their enterprise founded the town and laid the basis of their own fortunes together—this land, I assert, which has brought to its fortu nate possessors the means by which in this and other counties the progress of the Colony of New Zealand is to be advanced, will by Sir George’s scheme of taxing the land according to its value, have to bear a far greater propor tionate taxation than the “ monied aristocracy” —the runholders—whom Sir George Grey so vehemently declaims against. Let us then study very carefully this and many other of Sir George Grey’s “reforms,” before we throw in our votes in the dark, car ried away by impassioned and studied oratory, for measures of the indirect bearing of which we are certainly not at present an fait , till we hear the refutations of many of them, which, I have no doubt, could be far more ably given than by

Yours, &c.,

Leighton Kesteven, Ashburton, March 19, 1878.

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

The Eastern Situation.

Constantinople, March 17

The Russians occupied a plateau near Fong, commanding the Black Sea en trances to the Bosphorus. The Rus sian troops near Bulair had been rein forced.

March iB.

The Russians arrived at Bojukhene, on the shores of the Bosphorus. Great excitement is manifested in conse quence.

St. Petersburg, March 15

It is semi-officially stated here that Russia refuses to accept the demands of England regarding the treaty ot peace- which Turkey submitted for con sideration of Congress. St. Petersburg, March 18. Ratification of treaty of peace ex changed between Russia and 'Turkey.

Vienna, March iS.

Serious negotiations are reported to be proceeding between the Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and the British Ambassador at this city res pecting an alliance between Austria and England.

London, March 15

Sir Stafford Northcnte, rep'ving to a question in the House of Commons, said that negotiations in the Europe in Congress continue. The British Go vernment required, before agreeing to enter the Conference, that all peace conditions be submitted to their con sideration, and added that the decision of the majority was not necessarily to be considered binding. England would maintain her own views.

Athens, March 15.

The official journal announces that Russia refuses to accept a proposal to admit Greece to the European Con gress.

March 16. Doubt exists as to whether Congress will meet at all. Warlike preparations in England con tinue.

March 17. The European situation is menacing. The British ironclad squadron at Gallipoli has been reinforced.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Kumara, Tuesday.

Father Hennebery, since his arrival on the West Coast, has denounced marriages between Catholics and Pro testants as adultery, the result being the separation of families, and much domestic misery. He was strongly criticised by the Kumara Times , and retorted by a personal attack on the editor, who has commenced an action in which damages are laid at Most Catholics have withdrawn their subscriptions from the. Times , and Pro testants have doubled and trebled their subscriptions. It is feared that sectarian difficulties may take place, as the Catholics are being incited from the pulpit.

Mr. Barff addressed his constituents and received a unanimous vote of con tidence.

Timaru, "Tuesday.

A meeting of settlers in the Otaio district was held this afternoon, to con sider the question of constructing a branch railway line up Otaio Valley, under the District Railways Act. A committee was formed to collect the necessary data, and report as early as possible to a public meeting.

LATEST NEW GUINEA NEWS.

(Special to the Press.)

Ingham writes that a great deal of prospecting will be necessary in order to discover payable gold inland. The tribes have all joined in making war against Fort Moresby. It is impossible for any but a large well-armed body to go inland. Some villages contain two thousand inhabitants. Thirteen inland warriors were lately surprised and killed by coasters; hence the cause of the war. The captain of the London missionary schooner Mofri, reports that on Decem ber 29th he was lying off Stacey Island.

The Rev. and Mrs Chalmers, four Rorotonga teachers, and their wives were living ashore. “After dinner I sent three natives ashore to cut fire wood, remaining on board with one. A native canoe came alongside, and one of the natives came on board, and asked for something to eat. I heard footsteps att, and looking up the scuttle, received a spear in my left side, pinning me to the deck. Before I could use firearms I received three more spear wonds, one in the left shoulder, another in the fleshy part of the right thigh, and a third through the thick part of the left hand. I received a severe wound in the instep of the left foot with a large knife, com pletely severing the sinews. I got a revolver and fired up the scuttle. "The natives put die hatch down and stood on it. Hearing a scuffle forward I got through the bulkhead and saw the cook struggling with the natives. I shot one native on deck, and flred several shots before the natives were driven from the vessel. I crawled up and found the cook wounded in two places, and one dead body. "The crew ashore got mus kets from the teachers and came to the rescue. The natives gathered in great numbers ashore. Some other natives were defending Chalmers’ mission station. Mr Chalmers came off and ordered me to proceed to Thursday Island, as I was wounded. The main land swarmed with natives. The friendlies warned Mr Chalmers to leave as oiher villages intended to attack them. 'The hostile natives attempted to launch a large war canoe belonging to the friendlies to attack the ship, but the friendlies prevented them. I con sidered Mr Chalmers’ life in great danger.*, Mr Chalmers has since been rescued.”

THE EVENING ECHO, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1878.



r ORI), HUGHES, & CO. L/ GRAIN AND PRODUCE MERCHANTS, Shipping and Commission Agents, Make Liberal Advances on Grain or otlier produce for shipment to their agents in the Australian Colonies or London. Cornsacks and Wool packs supplied at lowest current rates. Indents executed from all parts of the world. Offices—High Street, Christchurch.



WANTED TENDERS for the under signed’s INTEREST IN THE RAKAIA LOCK-UP.



Having built the above according to con tract, which was completed on 30th January last, and Tailing to get any information from the Government respecting payment for same, the undersigned is prepared to sell his interest in the above to the highest bidden. Particu lars can be obtained from GEORGE PARKIN, Builder, Ashburton.



MRS. E. PETERSON, DRESSMAKER, (Two doors from the Echo Office). All orders executed with neatness and with promptness.



STORAGE. /~' RATN .ind other PRODUCE STORED vJ on Account of Farmers, at Lowest Rates. SAUNI >KRS H ROTIIE RS, Ashburton and Christchurch. LOTTO, Draughts and Draught Hoards, Dominoes, Cards and Cribbage Hoards, &c., at FURNESS AND DIXON’S, East-street, Ashburton.



J. G. ANSTEE, BUILDER AND CONTRACTOR EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. Every description of Carpentering, and all kinds of Jobbing Work, Shop Fittings, &c., clone on the most reasonable terms. Pictures Mounted and Framed !



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Medical. —An 1.r.c.p., 1.r.c.5., L.M., -Edinburgh, First Honorman and Medalist, aged 28 years,, married, would be glad to hear of an appointment in New Zea land. Would manage a branch or accept of junior partnership in a good practice, for which premium would be accepted out of proceeds. Advertiser is strictly steady and energetic, has had much experience in all branches, and holds a number of first-class testimonials from eminent men in the pro fession. Address, with full particulars, to DR. WMi BENNETT, P.O. Box 42, Ashburton, / Canterbury. MESSRS BULLOCK & CO., Asiiisurton, General Merchants, Auctioneers, Stock, Sta tion, Estate, and Commission Agents. Sales of Stock, Farm Implements, &c., will be held at their Yards, Ashburton, every alternate Thursday. CASH Advances made on Stock, Produce, &c., consigned for Positive Sale. BULLOCK & CO. THE undersigned is a CASH BUYER of OATS, BARLEY, GRASS SEED, WHEAT, CHEESE, and OTHER FARM PRODUCE, At highest Market Prices. Cornsacks supplied at ruling prices. 11. B. SORENSON. Christchurch. npO LET A FURNISHED, OCCA SIONAL ROOM, in a Central position. Can be had 011 application to ALPHA, “Echo” Office. TO LET. A SHOP IN EAST STREET, next door to Mr. San do’s. , Enquire at the ECHO Office. BUSINESS NOTICE. T L . WILSON, AUCTIONEER, VALUATOR & BROKER, Lichfield Street, Christchurch. WILL IMPORT for the NEXT SEASON, REAPERS AND BINDERS. JOHN ANDERSON, Canterbury Foundry , Having made arrangements for the im portation of each description of each machine, viz : The WOOD, The McCORMICK, and The OSBORNE, With all the latest improvements for next season’s harvest, begs respectfully to state that he will KEEP A STAFF OF EXPERTS In the district during harvest To Fit Up and Keep in Order, Which, with a supply of extras for each machine, will be a guarantee against stoppages. Early orders will oblige, to save dis appointment. WANTED Runners for the Evening Echo. Good wages to smart boys. RAILWAY FOUNDRY, CHRISTCHURCH.



SCOTT BROS., ENGINEERS, &c„ BEG to inform their customers nnd the public generally that they have REMOVED To new and commodious premises in MANCHESTER STREET SOUTH, Near the new passenger station. Manufacturers of Railway Contractors’ Plant, Flax Dressing Machines and Presses, Wool Presses, Agricultural and all descriptions of Machinery. Plain and Ornamental Railing, Gates, and Tomb Fencing. Stoves and Cooking Apparatus. Drawings prepared, and estimates given for all kinds of Engineering and Machinery. Repairing done with expedition.