POST OFFICE NOTICES.

Mails at the Ashburton Post Office close u follows : t For Christchurch and North at 10 a. m. \ p.ra., and 7.30 p.m., daily. For Chertsey at 10 a.m. daily. For Rakaia at id a.in., and 4 p.m. daily. For Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.15 a.m. daily. _ , t For Temuka, Timaru, and South at 10. i 0 p.m. and 3 p.m daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Porks, .Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10.30 a.m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

The Evening Echo. MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1878.

The extraordinarily dry season that we have had and the great loss to the district caused thereby will not be remembered with unmixed feelings of disappointment if it teaches us to avoid such catastrophes in the future. Our country districts being thinly popu lated, and the expense of diverting water great, these must, to a very considerable extent, trust to the chances of the season, although we are inclined to think that if the land owners systematically planted a certain proportion of their land even our rainfall would not be found entirely be yond our influence, for history teaches us that the climate of a country is very mate rially altered according to the amount of vegetation it grows or destroys. We may say more upon this subject at some future time; it is our intention now only to consider the proposed water supply for the town. At present our only supply is omalned fiwu rrelln, nncl i£ .the ..necessary precautions were taken to keep our soil pure by a proper system of drainage and other sanitary measures, that supply for drinking and general household purposes might be kept good for many years ; but with the constantly increasing number of cess-pools and the amount of filth that the soil now, for want of any system of drainage, is bound to absorb, it must soon become polluted and a fruitful cause of disease. When we consider this, and are daily annoyed by the many filthy dry drains now only tod common in our midst, and consider what a catastrophe a fire might prove owing to there being no water to extinguish it, we can only look upon it as a sort of madness to go on as we are doing at present. It is a curious thing, but circumstances have not only shown us the necessity of a water supply in our extraordinarily dry summer, but have also shoivn us an easy and effectual remedy in the late overflow of the river. It was then found by practical demonstration that, for fire prevention and all the purposes of drainage, we could easily obtain a first-rate supply of water at a very small cost. As our readers will remember, the river then, owing to a high flood, overflowed its banks some three miles above the township, and ran into the mill-race. That not being large enough to carry it all off, the water found its way into the dry creek that runs into the town ship by way of the Domain; and there being dammed up by the railway embankment, soon rose to a sufficient height to flush any of our streets with water. What was then done by accident, the Water-supply Committee appointed by the Borough Council, recommended as a temporary means of supplying the immediate wants of the town ; and after what wo have said regarding the importance of immediate steps being taken, we consider it a wise and practical recommendation, and hope that the Council will at once take steps to carry it out. To do it, there are absolutely no engi neering difficulties in the way, and the cost —not, of course, including compensa tion paid to owners of property, which ought not to be much—would certainly not exceed £250, a sum so small that, in a few months, the ratepayers would save it in insurance alone. The pipes, tanks, and channelling necessary to carry this water ±0 the different parts of the town, could at any time be used for a permanent supply of better water if we find such to be obtained at any future date. There have been several more elaborate schemes before the Council for a permanent supply, but they all take their water from the north branch of the Ashburton Bivgr, which, although the most convenient so far as position goes, is in no other way suitable, as for many months in the year the water -carries so much sediment with it that it would not be fit to drink, and with almost any quantity of fall would goon fill up all the pipes and tanks ; this of course could be remedied by filtering it, but as we all kpow thatwould coatagreat deal and always liable to get out of

order, and probably leave us without water just when we most wanted it. It was maintained by one of the members of the Council, and lias since been corro borated by a correspondent in this paper, that there is between the north and south branches of the river, on what is called the island, a spring of pure water that would in every way be suitable for the requirements of the town. We have since carefully examined this spring and made full inquiries about it, and think that too much cannot be said in its favor. It is just the right size,, contains first-rate water, and has never been known to vary very much in size. This can be said of none of the other proposed sources, and although there may be an additional expense in getting it over the river wo think the ratepayers would prefer having wood water at a greater cost than bad water although obtained much cheaper. We are not, however, wedded to the spring until an analysis has established its superiority, hut its purity granted, its claim upon attention is higher than that of any other source. We would suggest that the members of the Council should personally inspect these different sources, and with the large amount of common sense and local expe rience that the members have we are likely to get a more practical scheme than from any outsider not acquainted with our town and its wants. It is one of the most, if not the most, important question that our Borough Council will have to settle, and although we quite agree with them that great care should be exercised in dealing with such an important ques tion, more especially as it will entail the expenditure of a large sum of public money, we trust that they will as soon as possible get over the talking part of the business and begin to act.

Ironmongery. —We would draw atten tion to Messrs. Orr and Co.’s new “ Iron mongery” column in our issue of to-day. We fancy customers ought to get suited from such a list.

The San Francisco Mail was delivered on Saturday. The outgoing mail will close at Christchurch on January 3, and will be due in London on the 18th Feb. The Old Men’s Home. —His Worship the Mayor, with his well-known kind heartedness, has not forgot the inmates of the Old Men’s Homo, and will cheer their Christmas time with a good dinner. Mr. Barratt is also collecting subscriptions, with a view to adding to. the old men’s treat, and relieving His Worship of a por tion of the expense. Any surplus wall be devoted to the clothes fund of the inmates, so that there is plenty of room for the liberality of the public. Free Xmas Dinner. —Mr. Thos. Quill, of the Commercial Hotel, means to be royal in his hospitality on Xmas Day. He has got his cook to compound “thelargest plum-pudding ever made in New' Zealand,” and all and sundry are invited to partake ; drinks are also to be given.

The Ashburton Christys and the School Children. —The Christys are to give a grand entertainment on Boxing Night, and they have kindly placed at the School Committee’s disposal the free use of the Town Hall gallery for the Ashbur ton School children on the occasion. It only remains for the Committee to accept the offer, and supply sitting accommoda tion from the school furniture. Doubtless, the pupils will fully appreciate the Christys’ kindness. The Water Supply.— On Saturday last the Borough Council held a special meeting to consider the reply of Ir Napier Bell to the Council’s request to that gentleman to report on Messrs Fooks’ scheme for a water supply to the borough. Mr Bell’s reply was to the effect that he was unable to undertake the work owing to a press of business. This reply bring ing matters back to the old standpoint, Mr Saunders, with a view to immediate action in the bringing in of a water supply proposed that the Borough Engineer be requested to give in a plan and estimates for bringing the water through the gully in the Domain, and also to communicate with the landowners and others interested regarding consent and compensation. Mr Campbell seconded the motion. Mr Ivess moved for the opinion of a professional gentleman before tne Council committed itself to any definite plan. Mr Roberts seconded, and the amendment was carried by the Mayor’s casting vote. Further discussion drew from Mr Ivess a motion to submit Mr Fooks’ scheme to the opinion of Mr Hardy Johnston, and to proceed at once with the work if a favorable opinion were given by that gentlemen. This was not carried. Mr Saunders then moved “ that the plan which was under discus sion this day—viz., that of taking the water from B to C [on Mr-Fooks’ plan] on private property, and from C to north east town belt along the road in an open channel or through pipes into the gully in the Domain—be adopted ; and that steps be taken to obtain the consent of the Domain Board, Upper Ashburton Road Board, the proprietors of the water, and the land-owners. ” This was seconded by Councillor Roberts. Mr. Ivess moved the adjournment of the debate till Satur day next, meanwhile the Clerk to procure all necessary information regarding the carrying out of the work embodied by Mr. Saunders’ motion. The adjournment was agreed to, and the Council broke up after a sederunt of three hours.

Carlyle. A London correspondent says : Sundry reports are afloat as to the health of Mr Carlyle being at the pre sent time in rather an indifferent state. I may mention as g proof that the reverse is the fact, that on the occasion of his latest visit to his native Dumfries-shire he was able, as in his Oraigenputtock days, to take horse exercise in the country, I understand that he intends after the next anniversary of his birthday giving shape £9 h}§ much-talked-of autobiography,

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[Bv Submarine Cable.]

London, Dec. 20.

There has been a great storm in the sea of Marmora. A French steamer was sunk and 150 persons drowned. A Liberal candidate was elected, by a great majority, for the County of Derry. 0 At a meeting of the SydUey Exhibition committee, it was stated that France has applied for immense space. Arrived —Chimborazo, via Suez canal. Bombay, Dec. 20. General Brown hopes to occupy Jella labad to-day. Reports of the flight of the Ameer are still current. It is stated he left Yankood Khan in full power.

AUSTRALIAN

Sydney, Dec. 22.

The brig Iserbrook was badly injured by fire. She was scuttled. The captain was killed, and the mate badly injured by an explosion. Dec. 21. The strike difficulty has been referred to two leading politicians. Melbourne, Dec. 21.

A leading politician is certain to accom pany Mr Berry to protest against the em bassy project.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

[Per Press Agency and Exchanges.] Tauranga, Saturday.

Keen, mate of the steamer Rowena, fell overboard and was drowned* whilst off Cape Colville, last night. Wellington, Saturday.

The Colonial Secretary has replied to Mr Barton’s letter, saying that the cor respondence has reached its natural con clusion, and no useful purpose can be served by re-opening it. “ Otherwise,” he adds, “ it would have been my duty to return your letter last received, as the language it contains is at variance with the well-understood courtesies of official correspondence, and the insinuation that Judge Richmond was consulted in reference to your charges, or was even cognisant of the decision of the Govern ment, is as untrue as it is gratuitously insulting to the Cabinet and the Law Officers of the Crown.”

“The Post” says that in the event of Sir William Fitzherbert being appointed Speaker of the Legislative Council, Mr. Mason, chairman of the Hutt County Council, will be a candidate for the vacant seat.

One of the Kennione’s patients, in quarantine, is dead. A supplementary “ Gazette ” notifies that the pay aud travelling allowance for non-commissioned officers and constables shall be as follows —Police Sergt-Major, 11s per day; Ist class sergeants, 10s ; 2nd class 9s Gd ; 3rd class, 9s ; Ist class con stables 8s Gd ; 2nd class, 8s; 3rd class, 7s Gd. Reserve sergeant - major, 9s 6d ; Ist class sergeant, 9s ; 2nd class, 8s Gd ; 2nd class constable, 7s ; 3rd class 6s Gd ; travelling allowances of non-commissioned officers and constables is fixed at the rate of 6s per diem. Detectives—Chief detec tive, 16s per day ; Ist class detective, 14s ; 2nd class, 12s Gd ; 3rd class, 11s ; 4th class, 10s. All Government offices will be closed on 2Gth December. Dunedin, Dec. 22. A private letter received in town states that Dr. Somerville preached in Glasgow on October 12th, his heaith being much improved. The Rev. A. R. Fitchett has left for Melbourne to be ordained to Deacon’s orders in the Church of England. He will probably be appointed to all Saints’ Church

A mounted cavalry corps is to be formed in Dunedin, about sixty people having enrolled their names for that purpose.

A Sunken Treasure. —“ The Chilian Times ” reports the fitting out of an expe dition to search for six millions of silver dollars which were lost many years ago upon the coast of Venezuela with the Spanish ship San Pedro de Alcantara. Captain Folingsby, of New York, the organiser of the expedition, lias made an arrangement with the Government of Venezuela by which the exclusive right of searching for this treasure in the neigh borhood of the site of the wreck is re served to him for six years. The Govern ment is to receive 5 per cent, of whatever treasure is found. A schooner of 100 tons named the Peter Mitchell, has been pur chased for the expedition, and is being rapidly fitted out at New York.

Victor Emmanuel Incognito. —Signor Clhiron in his recent book, tells us of Vic tor Emmanuel’s fondness for the chase, and his disposition to make journeys “ in cognito.” One day, descending the mountain with one sole attendant, he was met by a peasant farmer, who said, “ Good gentlemen, you seem brave hunters ; I should be so grateful if you kill a wolf that is destroying everything about me. ” “We should be happy to serve you, but we are out of ammunition,” replied the hunter. “We will pass this way to-mor row.” They came on the morrow and killed the wolf. The peasant expressed his thanks, and gave the King two francs for his trouble. He put them in his pocket, saying, “ These are the first coins I ever earned.” The peasant was shortly after summoned to Court, and was astonished to recognise in his sovereign the Alpine hun ter to whom he had giv'en the two francs, which were restored to him with heavy interest,

A Geologist says [hat he never heard of secondary formations without pleasure, the ladies being the secondary formations, for they were formed afterjthe men,

TO-DAY’S CABLEGRAMS.

London, Dec. 21,

The Committee of the London Stock Exchange have expelled four members and suspended two others, for unfair dealings in Bank shares. The marriage of the Duke of Cumber land with the Princess Tliyra was cele brated to-day.

Bombay, December 21. It is stated on good authority that the Ameer has left Cabul for Turkestan, in company with the returning officers of the Russian mission.

His troops are deserting Yakob Khan Night.

An official despatch just received fully confirms the statement regarding the Ameer’s flight into Turkestan, leaving his son, Yakob Khan in power.

“COLLISION DRILL” IN THE BRITISH NAVY.

Our Navy (says the “London Times” correspondent from the Sea of Marmora) is, as it ought to be, far in advance of any other, and our ships are far better provided to meet emergencies than those of any other nation, even to the effects of col lision. “ Collision” drill is now as much a recognised part of the exercise of the men, as “general” or “fire” quarters, and the thrum matting is hauled over the side to cover imaginary holes, and the pumps rigged, just as if the ship had been really run into. The “ collision ” mats supplied to our vessels are about 17ft. square, made of number one canvas, the stoutest manufactured, and well thrum med with rope yarns. It is spread between two yards, the lower one being fitted with a span, for hooking on the tackle by which it is lowered into its place. The general reader is probably not aware that so much foresight has been exercised in respect to the safety of our ironclads, and it may interest him, therefore, to hear a little about how these “ collision-mats ” are supposed to act. The mats, which form a tolerably thick roll, are kept one on each side of the ship in a convenient position for being run along the deck towards any part of the ship's side which may have suffered from collision. The nearest yard at the same moment is braced up, so as to plumb the damaged spot, and .with a tackle the mat is hoisted over the side. While this is going on, other men are getting a rope under the ship’s bottom, by passing the end weighted with a round shot at the bows. The”weight carries the end of the rope below the keel, when, by means of a light hauling line attached, it is hauled up again on the other side. The one end of this rope is quickly secured to the lower part of the mat, and then, by hauling upon it and lowering away the tackle, the hole is covered, the pressure of the water, once the mat is in position, keeping it in its place. With the present arrangement, too much time, however, is required to get the mats over the side for it to be considered as anything like per fect ; from seven to eight minutes with the best trained men being considered a fair average of the- interval between giving the order and receiving the report, and this when only carrying it out for exercise. To facilitate the haul ing of the mat under the bottom, the bilge-pieces of our ironclads, which ex tend nearly the whole length, fore and aft, have now a number of holes in them fitted with rollers, through which the chains are rove, their ends being brought up on opposite sides of the ship. The direction in which improvement should be made in the present system is towards reducing the time required for getting the mats in a position for being hauled over the holes. Running the mats along the deck, and bracing up the yards, however smartly done, allows the “ enemy ” too much headway, and many tons of water would be taken in before the leak could be reduced to dimension’s which would place it under the control of the pumps.

Has England a Conscience? —“The Nonconformist ” declares that the present position of the Afghan question turns our national pretence of Christianity into a hideous hypocrisy. Our greatest authori ties on Indian affairs openly declare our quarrel to be unjust. Even the most slavish organs of the Government allow that our only justification is fear of Rus sia. Yet we are to kill the Afghans by hundreds and thousands, besides sacri ficing our own people, while the Church will bless the drunken heroics of music halls with sanctimonious appeals to “ the God of Battles ” to favor our deeds of wholesale murder. What is the use of Christian Evidence Societies, and learned apologetics in Church Congresses, when the hollowness of our pretended national religion is thus glaringly revealed? If people really believed in the authority of the New Testament would they look on with acquiescence or indifference while, because of a stupid mistmderstfinding, the miseries of a war are inflicted upon a popu lation innocent of ail offence against us !

Three Sorts of People not Safe to Quarrel with. Henry Clay used to say that there were three classes of people whom it was never safe to quarrel with. “First, ministers, for the reason they could denounce me from the pulpit, and I had none through which to reply. Second editors, for they had the most powerful engine from which they could every day hurl wrath and fury upon me, and I had none through which to reply. And, finally, with women, for they would have the last word anyhow', ” “ Oh, Wonderful Son !” A true story is told of the late Charles Mathews, that, personating an eccentric old gentle men, a family friend, he drank tea with his mother without her finding out the cheat.

ROMANCE IN REAL LIFE IN SWITZERLAND.

“ The Times ” Geneva correspondent writes under date October 17 : —“ A ro mance in real life, ending in what is. not unlikely to prove a tragedy, is reported from Berne. A good many years sincej a man named Boliren left his wife and his native commune and went to America. ,’, For a long time nothing was heard of him, and his wife, thinking her husband dead, and being.qonfirmed in this belief by .in formation she received from a Switzer, who had returned from America, accepted an offer of marriage from Herr Zumbrunn, President of the Tribunal of Wimmis (chief town of a district of the Canton Berne). A few weeks since, Boliren, to the surprise of everybody, came back and claimed his Wife. But according to the q law of Berne it was not quite clear that i Frau Boliren, or Zumbrunn, or whatever may be her right name, was his 1 wife. * The President declined to give her up, and she, on her part, decidedly preferred the husband she had to him who had so long deserted her. So the lady becanie the subject of a lawsuit, and the matter is now before the Courts. Unfortunately, how ever, Boliren , does not seem to have brought back with him any great respect for the laws of his native land, and on Saturday last lie endeavoured to put a summary end to the dispute by taking the life of his adversary. 1 He shot the Presi dent with a pistol, seriously wounding him him in the arm and chest. Immedi ately after this exploit, Boliren gave him self up to the police. Thus, while a Civil Court is engaged in ascertaining to which of these two men Frau, Boliren, or Zum brunn, is legally wedded, a Criminal Court will be occupied with' the trial of her first husband for the attempted murder of her second, and in the'event of her being declared the wife of Boliren, and if, as is likely enough, he slmuld be condemned to imprisonment for life; she will be in the singular and unfortunate position of having lost her second husband and found her first only to lose him, and without possibility of marrying another so long as the latter may live. But divorce is easy in the Protestant Cantons, and , should the lady find herself in so unplea sant a matrimonial fix, it is not likely the Courts would refuse her relief. A brewer at Courtance, named Wetzel, has just been sentenced to death for a double crime of- peculiar atrocity. .In order to extricate himself from financial difficulties he set fire to his brewery, which he had over insured, causing thereby the .death of one of his men, who perished in the flames ; then he poisoned his wife with arsenic that he might be free to marry a woman with money, and so further re trieve his damaged fortunes.”

Monday, December 3J, 1878.]

THE EVENING ECHO.



Ironmongery, OR R & CO. Would call Special attention to THEIR STOCK OF IRONMONGERY. A Fine assortment of Carpen ters’ Tools now landed. I RONMONGERY. Parties Furnishing should in spect our Stock of Plated Goods — TEA POTS, CRUET STANDS, BUTTER DISHES. TEA AND COFFEE SETS, TABLE CUTLERY, &c., &c., &c. IRONMONGERY. STOVES, RANGES, GRATES, FENDERS, and “-EIREIRONS, These Goods are imported di- by ourselves, and will be sold at prices below anything hitherto offered in Ashbur ton. IRONMONGERY. Harvesting Tools — Hay Forks, Rakes, Scythes, &c. • McCORMACK’S Reapers and Binders. No farm should be without one. Can cut and tie even if the Straw is only 9 inches long. No necessity for wire. BUY A McCORMACK, AND SAVE YOUR STRAW. 1 • i 200 DOZEN HORNSBY’S PLOUGH SHARES, Landing ex “ Hurunui.” Or r & Co., EAST STREET, ASHBURTON,



Advertisements for the evening Echo must be sent in not later than 3 p.m. with the number of insertions written plainly on the copy, otherwise they will be inserted till countermanded, and charged accordingly. Special notices can be received up to 3.30 p.m. for insertion over the Leader, but will be charged double scale. Subscriptions —Quarterly in advance, os. ; posted, Bs. 6d. ; per annum, in advance, 225. 6d. ; posted, 355. d. ; weekly, paid to collector, 6d. Delivered to any part of the town, and at any of the Railway Stations Special Notices. FENCING WIRE. 20 TONS Just Received and on Sale at LOWEST PRICES. A. O. AITKEN & CO., Havelock Street.



Brown lias been so often deceived by the chicken at his boarding-house, that he now calls it the mocking-bird. Just so. —Some wives complain that they are always having to sew on buttons for their husbands, and sew en, and sew on. Strangers coming to reside in Ashburton tre often at a loss to know which is the best Establishment to visit - for the purchase of Drapery, Clothing, and House-furnishing Iron mongery, and General Stores. Orr & Co. . offer special advantages to the public that can be met with nowhere else in Ashburton. They keep at all times the largest and best-assorted Stock of every class of Goods, imported direct from the leading manufacturers at home, which beinp bought entirely upon cash terms, they are enabled to ofler goods of such sterling value as cannot be equalled by any other house in the trade. Every article in stock is marked at the lowest price, from which no abatement is made so that the most inexperienced buy their goods at the same piices as the best judges.— Advt



New Advertisements, " A UNITED SABBATH SCHOOL T Will be held in the WESLEYAN CHURCH, Cameron St., ON . SUNDAY NEXT, Dec. 29. Addresses will be delivered by Ministers and friends. Service to commence at 3 o’clock. The parents and friends of the children attend ing the various schools are cordially invited. 191 PHOTOGRAPHY. MILLION PRICES. E. TEAGUE begs to announce that ho intends reducing. the price of Photographs for the Holidays to^ Cards ... 9s. per dozen. Cabinets... .... 255. ~ „ Notice. —This G allery .will Permanently Close on 30th instant. HANKSGIYING Q ERYICE BOXING NIGHT. ODD FELLOWS’ HRISTYS, STUMP SPEECH ! N • LOCAL & TOPICAL SONGS ! NEW JOKES & FARCES !-, Three Hours’ Genuine Christmas Enjoy ment by the Oddfellows’ Christys. BOXING NIGHT. Admission—3/, 2/, l/. 192