POST OFFICE NOTICES.

Mails at the Ashburton Post Office close a; follows :

For Christchurch and North at io a.m. :j. p.m., and 7.30 p.m., daily. _ For Chertsey at 10 a.m. daily. For Rakaia at 10 a.m., and 4 p.m. daily.

For Ashton, Watcrton, and Longbcach, at 3.15 p.m. daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10.30 a.m. For Temuka, Timaru, and South at 10.15 a.m. and 3 p.m daily. For Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.15 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 July, and remaining unclaimed on the Ist September 1878 : Anderson, James Clough, Robinson • Doherty, Henry James Fergusson, J. H. (2) Gooch, W. Kelly, Cornelius Moyna, Joseph O’Donnell, Patrick Palmer, William Rilly, James / 1 i Sweetman, Michael (2) Spencer, W. Wallace, John Letters originating in New Zealand are not now advertised, but are sent to the Dead Letter Office, after having lain for two clear months.

ASHBURTON TRADE DIRECTORY.

A ICOUNTANTS AND COMMISSION AGENTS— Charles Braddell, Montgomery’s Buildings H. J. Bristo, Prospect Buildings, East-st. W. R. Boyle, Moore-street. A ICHITECT AND CIVIL ENGINEER — S. W. Brown, East-street S. Farr, Montgomery’s Buildings B. Mountfort, East Street A JCTIONEERS — Bullock and Co., East-street Saunders Bros., Ashburton BvRRISTERS AND SOLICITORS— Mr. Branson, East-street Mr. E. G. Crisp, Montgomery’s Buildings B iKERS, Confectioners, Etc. — Thomas Hicks, Tancred-street Thomas Taylor, East-street, Bvnks— Bank of New Zealand, East-street Union Bank of Australia, East-street Boarding House Keepers— J. G. Anstee, East-street Eagle’s Dining Rooms, Havelock Street Bjilders, Contractors, Etc.— James Baker, Havelock-street Geo. SL, Hill, Burnett-street West G. Parkin, Steam Saw Mills, Moor-street Matthew Smith, Moor-street Thos. Williams, Tinwald * G. Compton, Builder, Moore-street. B 10TCSELLERS AND STATIONERS— A, Weston, Prospect Buildings, East-street street South Weeks and Dixon, Stationers’ Hall, East- BOOTM AKERS— J. Chambers, Prospect Buildings, East-street M. Nealas, East-street Brewers — Wood and Co., Cameron-street Cabinetmakers and Undertakers— James Baker, Havelock-street G. Parkin, Moor-street Thomas Williams, 1 inwald Carrier — G. F. Scott, Cameron-street

Chemist and Druggist— J. M. Cambridge, Montgomery’s Buildings Coal and Firewood Merchants— G. Parker and Co., near Railway Station A. Hayes, Firewood and Timber, near Rail way Station F. P. Leßreton, Burnett-street. Drapers and Clothiers— Aitken and Co., Havelock-street Orr and Co., East-street John Fowler, Tancred-street Firth, Pass, and Co., Old Bank Store, East street W. Gavin, East-street T. Quinn & Co., Moor-street Engineers and Founders— Edwards and Lee, Engineers, Smiths, etc., Burnett-street W. J. Hessey, Central Foundry, Peters-st Furniture Warerooms— A. Spillard, Tancred Street Grocers, General Dealers, Etc,— Aitken and Co., Havelock-street Orr and Co,, East-street Firth, Pass, and Co., East-street John Fowler, Tancred-street K. Sando, East-street

Greengrocers— W. Birtwell, East-street J, Mooar & Co., East-street Hairdressers— E. A. Garnett, East-street A. Pearse, Moore-street Hotels — Quill’s Commercial Hotel, near Railway Station Shearman’s Somerset Hotel, East-street Ironmongers- Orr and Co., East-street Aitken and Co., Havelock-street 5. Hardley, East-street Ladies’ Clothing Establishment— Mrs. Morey, Tancred Street. Painter, &c.— J. R. Chapman, Tancred-street Printers and Publishers— VVeeks and Dixon, East-street| Plumbers, Gasfitters, Tinsmiths, Etc.— J. C, Dolman, Tancred-street Joseph Hyde, Tancred-street 6, Hardley, East-street Saddlers— Dudson, Burnett-street

Son, East-street

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF LYTTELTON.

expected arrivals. From London— Crusader, Waimea, Lang stone, Waimate, Waitangi. From New York Star, Southmiuster, Olmstec. From Foo Chow —Rio Lodge. From Calcutta —Aries.

The Evening Echo. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1878.

In the House, yesterday, Mr. Pyke moved for a committee of the whole to consider an address to His Excel lency, praying that a sum of money may be placed on the supplementary estimates for increasing the pay of police officers in the Middle Island. The debate on the motion was ad journed on Mr. Sheehan promising to move for a Select Committee to inquire into the question. The efficiency of the colonial police force is a matter of great importance, and one that may not be lightly set aside. Upon the mem bers of it depends the proper enforce ment of the law, and just according to their general intelligence, judgment, and ability, will be the measure of satisfac tion to the public with which the police functions are discharged. It is a com mon error to set down the office of con stable as one that may be filled by any lout with a hard skull and a strong muscle. True, such a one may be use ful for dragging the insensate carcase of a drunken man to the police station, or taking a brute force part in a rough and-tumble with a band of rowdies; but the qualifications of a constable ought to be higher than these. In the service it is usual to draw the higher officers of the force from the ranks of the constables; and not unfrequently the duty of public prosecutor falls, as in Ashburton, upon a sergeant. All service, to be thorough and superior, must be well remunerated; and it is not to be expected intelligent, trustworthy, able-bodied men will de vote themselves for 6s. a day to the service of the colony in the thankless office of a policeman, when so many other opportunities are open for turning their work and talent to remunerative account. We have on many occasions, since the inauguration of the “cheap and nasty” policy in appointing police men, heard complaints of tyranny and cruelty on the part of constables, and only recently the Ashburton magistrate took occasion to reprove one for using undue violence in apprehending a pri soner. Such a state of alfairs must continue while Government are con tent with the men to whom 6s. a day is an attraction. The reduction of pay had the effect of eliminating from the ranks- a large number of able, efficient, and discreet officers, and the residuum of valuable men only remain in the service waiting for something better to turn up, or because they are not wholly dependent. for a living upon the pay ■they receive from Government, and do not care to change. If good men are to be secured, either as rank and file constables or as officers over them, then the remuneration must be increased, and we hope the House will seriously consider the matter. . Surely, there is something wrong when a man holding the position of a sergeant, and doing the duties of a Superintendent of Police, conducting the criminal business at the Magistrate’s Couit, and doing all the work of police supervision, is able to discover a difference of only is. 6d. a day between his own pay and that of the constable on. a street beat. When work of this kind is required of any man i i the service, the disparity between the remuneration of the higher and subor dinate officials should be reduced by a levelling-up process. Money spent in well-disciplined and intelli not foolishly thrown

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Riley and Allen’s Troupe.—A hitch occurred last night in the arrange ments of this company. They had ad vertised to give the first of two enter tainments in the Library Hall at eight o’clock. At that hour, the stage was erected, a considerable audience had assembled, and everything, so far as preparations were concerned, was ready for commencing. It was found, how ever, that several of the leading per formers had not arrived from Christ church, as arranged for, and the last train in without bringing them, it was impossible to carry out the advertised programme. /The crippled company then decided to have no show that evening, returned the money taken at the door, and commenced to take down the stage. A number of enthusiasts, however, would have an entertainment, and the two or three members of the troupe who were on the spot were pre vailed upon to proceed with an im promptu programme, and to an audience of twenty or so they commenced. In the course of the evening they announced that nothing but severe indisposition could have prevented their colleagues from “ rolling up,” but if they put in an appearance to-night, the full advertised programme would be gone through.

Waikawa Murder. —The man Welsh, alleged to have murdered his wife last Sunday, was arrested in the Waikawa bush yesterday. He does not deny the crime. The inquest will take place on Friday. Mr. Wakefield’s Readings. These readings, as advertised, will be given in the Town Hall on the even ings of Friday and Saturday. • They will comprise selections from Long fellow, Scott, Byron, Macaulay, and Shakespeare, and a national hymn com pose by the reader. Addresses on the taxes in New Zealand, “as they affect the ladies” will be given on Friday, and “as they affect wealthy men and working men,” on Saturday. Musical interludes by a pianist will vary the evening’s entertainment, and the read ings will be varied on each occasion. Sudden Death at Chertsey.— This morning about nine o’clock, Mrs. Quinn, the wife of a farmer residing about two miles from the Chertsey Hotel, found her four months old baby girl dead in bed. The cause of death has not transpired, but the infant was apparenrly in perfect health when put to sleep the previous night. Inquest.—An inquest is being held to-day at Mount Somers before Dr. Trevor, the District Coroner, on the body of a male child, which lived twenty-four hours after birth, the.son of Mr George Houston, Mount Somers. Parliamentary.— ln reply to Dr. Henry in the House yesterday after noon, Mr. Macandrew said a Reefton- Westport railway survey would be made during the recess. Dr. Hodgkinson’s motion to institute a penny postage for all places within the colony, was nega tived by 49 to 12. A motion by Mr. Barff to consider gold duties rates and subsidise them accordingly, was also negatived. Mr. Pyke moved for an in crease of police pay in the Middle Island in the following ratios :—Third class constables, 6d. per day; second and first-class constables, is.perday; sergts., is. 6d. per day; sergts.-major,. 2s. 6d. per day. After some remarks from Mr. Sheehan, who approved of the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire into the matter, the question was adjourned on the understanding that Mr. Sheehan would move to-day for such a Committee. Mr. Curtis’ series of resolutions to amend the con stitution of the Legislative Council, came on. He denied that they were called forth by recent appointments. A conflict between the two Houses was inevitable, he held; and it was better to consider reforms on the constitution of the Upper House when men’s minds were not embittered by a conflict. Dr. Hodgkinson attributed the debt of the colony to the Upper House, as also the sweeping away of our constitution. Mr. Stout opposed an elective chamber as a curse to the colony. Mr. Saunders concurred in the idea that the best time to approach consid eration of such a question was when there was no immediate cause for a change in the constitution, but disagreed with the mode proposed. By leaving the election of members of the Council to the House of Representitives, they would be bringing too much party spirit into play. Sir R. Douglas pointed out the neglect of Government in not making their appointments according to territory, the consequence of which was that questions occasionally arose concerning localities, and respecting which no one in the Council knew any thing. The motion was rejected on the voices The bulk of the after business wg,s of a private character, but a dis cussion took place on tlje Triennial parliaments gill, which was thrown out

on a division for its second reading. The figures were : For 14 : Against rB. Members were anxious to facili tate-private business and the discussion was brief and the division was soon taken. A number of members paired. The Session. —Bitter complaints are made of the slowness with which the business of the House is proceeding. The Chronicle attributes this to the factious opposition of the members of the Opposition, and the lack of unity of p lrpose and agreement among the Ministerial supporters. A False Declaration.—A very unusial case was tried before Judge War l at Timaru.- Charles Frederick Sher dan pleaded guilty to making a falsj declaration Before the Register at Timaru for the purpose of obtaining a certificate of marriage. Prisoner’s counsel pleaded that prisoner was an American, and did not understand the laws of New Zealand, as he had only come here recently. Prisoner’s wife’s father was quite satisfied with the match his daughter had made, and it would be a great injury to the young bride if the accused were to be imprisoned. The Judge said he considered the ends of justice would be met by imposing a fine. As Mrs Sheridan’s father had been brought from Auckland to give evidence, and the expenses of the Court were large, he would make the fine sufficient to recoup Government for undertaking the prosecution. Defend ant was fined .

The Australian Eleven. —“ It is probable no eleven, either of Gen tlemen or Players, could beat the Uni versity. The Australians have received their most decisive lesson, and yet, so uncertain is cricket, that on another day, they might make a very good fight with their victors. They have justified professional criticism based on their performances at home. They are more than a match for most county elevens, and it seems extremely probable that the best possible Colonial eleven could meet the best possible eleven of Eng land. For a travelling team, which several good players (Mr. Evans, for example), were unable to join, they have done wonders. Their visit has been a source of healthy enjoyment to many thousands of people, and we trust that it has been no less pleasant to them selves.” —Saturdav Review. Strangers coming to reside in Ashburton ire 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 offer goods of suHh 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 prices as the best judges.—Advt.

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[By Submarine Cable.]

London (undated).

It is reported that England refuses to join the other Powers in enforcing the Berlin Treaty on Turkey. London, Sept. 14. The Princess Alice Relief Fund has reached ;£i 5,000.

The Government has sanctioned the appointment of Mr. Rivers Wilson to the control of Egyptian finance. Pageant won the Doncaster Cup.

The Australian Eleven have played twelve of West Scotland. The Austra lians won in one innings.

The Australians against eighteen of Sunderland—The latter made 59; Aus tralians 77. In Sunderland’s second innings one is out for 33. The money market is unchanged. Business on the Stock Exchange con tinues dull; Australian Securities show no sign of recovery ; Consols are reco vering, and are now quoted at 95. Bank rate 4 per cent.; market rate 4 New Zealand five per cents, loan 100 y 2 . The tone of the wool market is weaker; best scoured is id. lower; faulty scoured id. to 2d. Good greasy maintains its price at about lower than last sales. Inferior neglected crossbred is heavy. The corn market is flat; foreign arrivals are very heavy. One million, two hundred and eighty-one thousand quarters are on their way to England. By the collision at Woolwich 666 persons are now known to have perished in the Princess Alice.

Elliott won the championship of the Thames, beating Higgins and Boyd. September 15.

The Russians have evacuated Erze roum. In consequence the Archbishop fearing a massacre of the Christians by the Mahomedgw population, hag in voked Sir ft. Layard So grant English proteetipp, '

The Lord Mayor has opened a fun for the relief of the sufferers by the lat colliery explosion. • Destructive floods have occured in Canada. Toronto is flooded. Lord Chancellor Cainrs has been creatod an Earl.

The Daily News says that envoys of two of the great Powers have intimated to the Porte that a second Congress will probably be proposed on the ground of Turkey’s unsatisfactory fulfilment of the treaty obligations, The Pope is ill. Vesuvius is showing considerable violence of action.

September 18. War between Turkey and Greece is now considered inevitable. The Queen of Greece proceeds from Lieveda to St. Petersburg to confer with the Czar.

In the match with Sunderland the Australians made 58 in their second innings, Sunderland 147. The game was won by Sunderland, and the match is the last to be played by the Austra lians in England. Caroolyi succeeds Baron von Beust as Austrian Ambassador at London.

Vienna, September 14. A portion of the Austrian head-quarters staff, goes to Bosnia. The Austrians now occupy all Bos nia and Herzegovina, save where the insurgents hold entrenched positions. The Austrians are bombarding Epalli sat.

Constantinople, (undated).

The discovery of a large quantity of depreciated coin has produced sedi tious manifestations here. Many arrests have been made.

New'York, Sept. 18,

Yellow fever is diminishing in the States, consequent on the cold weather.

AUSTRALIAN.

Melbourne, Sept. 18.

The Loan Bill passed the Assembly to-day. The debentures will probably be forwarded to London by the outgo ing Suez mail.

Sydney, Sept. 18. Arrived-—Easby at Newcastle yester day. Arrived—Whampoa from Adelaide. In consequence of a notice of motion given in the Assembly yesternight, con demning the action of Government in abandoning the projected International Exhibition, the Premier announced to night that Government was unable to proceed with business while a motion of censure was pending. The House subsequently adjourned till Tuesday.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

[Per Press Agency.]

Grahamstown, Wednesday.

Negotiations have been entered into by Government agents for the purchase of large blocks of Native land in the Thames district, and are now approach ing completion. 181,500 acres were passed through the Lands Court at a recent sitting here, of which 123,300 acres are for the Crown, and the re mainder for Natives. The minimum value of the land passed recently through the Court is The total area of land under negotiation in various stages by the Land Purchase Department is 756,000 acres. Wellington, Wednesday.

The Maori war dance, with 50 ab original performers, passed off with great success at the Imperial Opera House last night. Hundreds were un able to obtain entrance. The Governor was present. The proceeds were ori ginally intended for the Benevolent Society, but as the latter objected to be benefitted by such performance, the takings, after defraying expenses, will be devoted to other charitable institu tions.

Dunedin, Wednesday.

At the annual meeting of the Otago Rifle association, held last night, it was resolved to accept the suggestion of the Christchurch associatiqn to establish interprovincial matches between Canter bury and Otago. The proposal emanat ing from Wellington to form a New Zealand Rifle Association was also favorably entertained. Mr Keith Ramsey has been requested to allow himself to be nominated for the Mayoralty. Mr Frank Egan, master of the Christchurch hounds, was presented with a handsome silver cup by Mr. Hugh M‘Lean, on behalf of a few friends, in the Criterion Hotel on Tuesday night. The presentation was made in honour of the first visit of the hounds to Otago. Lawrence, Wednesday. Yesterday as a man named Percy Greeves was driving a load of firewood from Molyneux bush, the dray went over the embankment carrying the three horses with it, and drowning them. On Monday morning a stable belong to William Gumming, of JQunkeld, eaught fire, arid three horses lyere burned to death. The buiidinf wai mt insured,

THE COST OF CYPRUS.

(New York Tribune.)

What is it that the British Government has done ? It has acquired an excellent military and naval station in the Eastern quarter of the Mediteranean. It has se cured an Island half as large as the State of New Jersey, with a population of perhaps 125,000, mainly Greeks. Cyprus is certainly a country worth having, and it is conveniently, situated in front of the mouth of the Suez Canal. Now let us count the cost, which is an important element in every bargain. England has virtually concluded a de fensive and offensive alliance with Turkey. The Sultan can henceforth live at his ease, and only guard himself against the enfeebling influences of too much luxury. If he can keep down the mob in Constantinople, all will go well. England and her Sepoys will fight his battles for him outside. She has stepped forward and taken upon her self the direct protectorate of the Turk ish Empire in Asia. The responsibility which this office carries with it is enor mous. In war she must fight, , and in, peace she must put an end to mis government. She must defend an im mense population against foreign aggres sion from every quarter, and she must reform administrative abuses from the Persian Gulf to the yEgean Sea. She cannot suffer the Turks to govern their own country, if they are unwilling to govern it aright. She must undertake to introduce the principles of her own Civil Service. She must stand ready, if need be, to face the complex problems of another India. This is the inward, and spiritual grace of which the cession of Cyprus is the outward and visible sign. . . . The vigour with which

the British Government is establishing its authority in Cyprus must soon se cure that island an honest and progres sive administration, which will encour age trade and stimulate agriculture. . . The commanding position which Cyprus occupies in the Levant makes it suit able as a trading station, whence goods may be distributed to the markets of Syria and Asia Minor. The readiness with which Greeks hastened to this is land, when they learned of the contem plated transfer, is significant and indi cates that it may again become a great mart.

THE TESTIMONIAL AILMENT.

The Wellington Chrontcle says:— Mr. W. Smith, the officer in charge of the City Telegraph Department, was on Saturday evening presented with a testi monial by his fellow officers, on the occasion of his removal to the offices in connection with the Government Buildings. Mr Smith, we believe, thoroughly deserves the high encomium passed upon him by his friends, but we must enter another protest against this absurd testimonial system. Here is a case in which a very worthy officer is removed from one building to another in the same city, and because his prospects are improved, his fellow officers are by the force of custom called upon to contribute out of their miserably small pay to a “ testimonial.” Is it not time the Government stepped in and put their ban upon this growing testimonial nuisance, just as the New South Wales Government has done. There an officer in the pay of the Gov ernment is not allowed to receive a testimonial or gift in any shape unless he be retiring from the service. The memoranda announcing* this at the time pointed out that the system was un fair to the other officers of the same de partment, as singling out men who were probably no more faithful in their work or to their trust than the majority of those who were employed in the same service. The Government deemed itself to be the best judge of merit, and as far as possible rewarded it when dis covered, and they declined, therefore, to permit the growth of a system which, however gratifying to self-vanity, was unfair to a large class of excellent and worthy officers whose circumstances, more than the lack of good qualities or merit, deprived them of the opportunity of receiving similar favors at the hands of their fellow workers.

A Ploughing Match for a side is to take place, we are informed/* at Oamaru to-morrow between Mr. Balfour, of that district, and Mr. Thomas Christie, of the Taieri. The Result of Practical Christ ianity.—Rev. T. Richard, a mission ary at Cheeroo, China, has 400 inquirers under instruction.; This large number of disciples is said to be due to the measures of relief taken for the sufferers by the famine last year. The Chinese thought that a religion which prompted {such charity must be more human, m efthm mqujter?

The Evening Echo, Thursday, September 19, 1878.



NOTICE



ADVERTISEMENTS for the Evening Echo must be sent in not kiter than 3 p.m. with the number of insertions written plainly on the copy, or they will be inserted till counter manded, 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.



Bank of New Zealand. 'JpHIS BANK is Prepared to RECEIVE ' DEPOSITS AT INTEREST AND TO TRANSACT ALL GENERAL BANKING BUSINESS on Verms > which may be ascertained AT THE VARIOUS BRANCHES AND AGENCIES IN THE CANTERBURY DISTRICT. J. L. COSTER. Manager.