ASHBURTON TRADEDIRECTORY.

Accountants and Commission Agents— Charles Braddell, Montgomery’s Buildings H, J. Bristo, Prospect Buildings, East-st. Architect and Civil Engineer— S. W. Bi'own, East-street S. Farr, Montgomery’s Buildings

Auctioneers— Bullock and Co., East-street Saunders Bros., Ashburton*

Barristers and Solicitors — Mr. Branson, East-street Mr. E. G. Crisp, Montgomery’s Buildings

Bakers, Confectioners, Etc.— Thomas Hicks, Tancred-street Taylor and Lill, East-street,

Banks — • 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 Builders, Contractors, Etc.— Tames Baker, Havelock-street Geo. St. Hill, Burnett-street West G. Parkin, Steam Saw Mills, Moor-street Matthew Smith, Moor-street Thos. Williams, Tinwald

Booksellers and Stationers — A.- Weston, Prospect Buildings, East-street Furr.ess and Dixon, Stationers’ Hall, East' street South

Bootmakers — T. 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

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 1 ’. , .

Drapers and Clothiers— Aitken and C 0.,. Havelock-street Orr arc Co., East-street John Fowler, Tancrid-street Firth, Pass, and Co., Old Bank Store, East street

Engineers and Founders — > i 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 c , _ ; ’ Firth, Pass, arid Co., East-street John Fowler, Tancred-street K. Sando, East-street

Greengrocers—; ; ;V ! i 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 S, Hardley, East-street Ladies’ Clothing Establishment- Mis. Morey, Tancred Street. Painter, &c.— J, R. .Chapman, Tancred-street Printers and Publishers— ; ... . . } Furness and Dixon, East-street PtVMBERS, GASFITTERS, TINSMITHS, ETC.' ■ T. C. Dolman, Tancred-street Joseph Hyde, Tancred-street S, Hardley, East-sheet

Saddlers— Thomas Hudson, Burnett-street

Surveyors— C, El Fooks and Son, East-street Tailors— ' Aitken and Co., HaVelock-street

Tentmakers— K. Sando, East-street

Tobacconists— A. Pearse, Moor-street E. A. Garnett, East-street A, Weston, East-street

POST OFFICE NOTICES.

Mails at the Ashburton Post Office close 411 folloWß 5 ■ ‘ '

For Christchurch and North at 10 a.m,, 4 p.mand 7.3 b p>m.> daily. For Chertsey at to a.m. daily. ■ .-For Rakaia at 10 sum., and 4p.m. daily.. For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at daily. ■ • • -• ,: -- For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, aad Ashburton Gorge on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10.30 a.m. For Temrifca, Timaru, and South at 10.15 a.m. and 3 p.m daily. For Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Oran, Winchester, and Geraldine, at io.i£a.m. daily.

UNCLAIMED LETTERS.

The following letters are advertised at the Tost Office,' -os having been received from places beyond the Colony, during the month ■Of June, and remaining unclaimed on the Sst August, 1878 — Ahrenfeld, Henry , , v ; Curry, Peter (c/o Michael-Sweetman) Kennedy, Hugh King, A- J. ■: 'McDowell, John M. ' Mcßrien, Thos.. ' Sevres, T. Wallace, John fetters originating in New Zealand are not ' ftow advertised, but are sent to the Dead Letter after having lain for two clear

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE .

The Evening Echo. SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 1878.

Labor is scarce up north, and alarm ists have it that unless a supply of hands is forthcoming by harvest, commensu rate with the largely increased acreage under crop, much of what is now sown will be lost at cutting time. We hear it stated round our own district that plenty of work is to be had for every pair of willing hands, and no man able to work and wishing to do it need be idle. It is pleasing to know that a flood of prosperity such as this state of things betokens has set in upon the colony, and that New Zealand, much decried at Home, is thus able to hold out a substantial inducement to work ing men as a field for emigration.. But a feature of the situation is cropping up which is not a pleasant one, and which we hope Government will view care fully before they deal. with. It is said by some of our exchanges that employ ers of labor in the North Island are to petition Government to take steps for the importation of more labor, so that the demand may be met by a fair sup ply when harvest comes round. Against an influx of free immigrants to supply the necessities of a largely increased tilled acreage we raise no demurrer; but the lessons of the past do not point to free immigration as a means to the end in view. . What is wanted is a. class of men who are accustomed to farm work and agricultural labor generally, and if a large contingent of “ sons of the soil ” can be landed on our shores by Government aid, a great good will be done and a felt want met. But under the system hitherto followed, no pains have- been taken to secure this class of immigrants. It was no difficult thing for a. Londoner, who never saw a plough, except in a picture, to secure a free passage to New Zealand, and the great bulk of those persons who have come to this colony under the auspices .of the Public Works and Immigration policy have been of a. class .by whom the agricultural districts have not pro fited, nor have the. ranks of the farm servants been very materially recruited by them. To secure a passage to New Zealand, it was only necessary to apply fora form of application. Procure— honestly if possible, but failing that, forge—the ; required’ signatures and the thing was done. A pickpocket, who knew as much practically about what a day’s honest labor meant as he did about the Arian heresy, could find a free berth in an immigrant ship (if he went the proper way about. it) with as much, if not more, ease as honest John Ploughman who never had even a suspicion of crime upon his name. Since Sir Julius Vogel took the post of Agent-General, nominated im migration has been the main system of supply, and the result has been a de cidedly improyed class of “ new chums.’ But should our northern neighbors put the screw. on Government again, and get the highways and by-ways system re-instituted, the consequences will be, to say the very least, unsatisfactory. In one immigrant ship, a free-passage organ-grinder supplied music during the voyave, and is now “doing”, the colony. Another vessel brought over a “ nigger ” troupe, at the public ex pense ; and we do not require to add that a system so liable to be abused is not the one to follow in face of a large area of uncut grain calling for the not-to-be-found sickle, and fallow ground that would be broken if the men were forthcoming to' do it. _ flU. * If immigrants are to be brought, let them be such as will be of use to the men who are calling for them—such as mil settle upon the land and cultivate it, and .mot scrape a haphazard living in the towns. ■ "Farm servants can al ways find employment in the country,, where their labor lies; but New Zea land has already as many men trained to industries which are not agricultural as she'can well employ, and the im portation of more ’is ah injustice to those who are already here,

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Gas Company Directors held a meeting to-day, at which, we are given to understand, it was reported 1600 of the 2000 shares-had been taken up in this district and South, but that the Christchurch returns were not yet in. It was decided to telegraph home at once for the heavier parts of the plant, so. that no time should be lqst in getting the works under way. ~ Extension;—The enterprising firm of Orr & Go. have for. some time been, considerably hampered for room in their premises in Eeast Street, and to remedy this they have enlarged' their drapery saleroom by an addition of 20 feet to their old shop. “ The drapery room is now a large one of 50 ft. x 25 ft., while the requirements of the grocery and general store have demanded the addi tion of another room. To meet the demands of the general store the firm have secured the new iron warehouse opposite, which measures 40 ft. x 20 ft. A reference to the • Messrs. Orr’s adver tisement on our fourth page will show the reason why the additions have been hurried on.

Attempted Housebreaking. The house of a gentleman residing in Wakanui Road was last night attempted to be entered by some person or per sons. The inmates were awakened a little after midnight by the noise of some one. trying to force the door. The would-be robbers decamped as soon as a light was struck. Another gentleman complains of having his coal heap robbed now and again. Vestry Meeting. —At a vestry meeting held at the Union Bank on the 31st inst., Dr. Trevor stated that the churchwardens had met Mr. Mountfort, architect, in reference to the projected additions :to .the- Ashburton church. Mr. Mburitfort had not succeeded in getting a satisfactory reply to his advert tisement for tenders ; the only offer he had received being greatly in excess of the estimated cost of the work. The architect, however, had liberally under taken the work himself at a cost of Should the cost exceed that sum he would bear the expense himself, and in the '.event qf .a -balance being left bfithe £ 1 poo. he - would pay it . to the churchwardens. Mr. Mountfort’s liberal offer was accepted, and a vote of thanks passed to- him. A committee, consist ing of the ‘ Rev. W. E. Paige, Dr. Trevor, and Mr. Ward, was appointed to draw up a statement of the amount expended since the Ist January, and what was still required for the erection, additions, etc, of churches in the parish arid district', arid' have it printed and Circulated throughout the Ashburton parish and the parochial district of Mount Somers and Long Beach. Scarcity "■ of Labor. From all quarters of the district, the Rangitikei Advocate hears of a scarcity of labor, not work, complained of. In Hal combe and Feilding, almost any num ber of steady men could get employ l ment, and in both places, but especially the latter, tradesmen, such as shoe makers, tailors, &c., could find remu nerative openings for their respective callings. .Certain, of the. labor ... em ployers of Halcontbe are thinking .of making a trip to the West Coast with a view to try to induce the emigration of reliable laborers for employment in the neighborhood. Singular. Accident— A very sad fatality (says the Ballarat Courier) happened recently to a little boy aged six years, son of Mr. R. Irwin, of Gor dons, near Ballarat. It appears that just after he left the State School, one of his companions gave him some dam son stones, whereupon he put one of them into his his mouth and swallowed it, when the stone got into his wind pipe, causing him to breathe with much difficulty. The child was in great pain, and Dr. Drummond was immediately sent for, and on his arrival, he decided on making an incision in the throat to ;jtake out the stone. The operation was at once performed, but the doctor failed to extract the stone, and the child died immediately afterwards, having been iri the greatest agony for upwards of twb hours. - ' \ ■

The Fire Engine. —The Fire Brigade of the Newcastle police force attended a farm yard fire near Kentoh some time ago, and after pumping four hours, and exhausting two ponds qf water situated a considerable distance off, to which the hose was laid, the. flames were extinguished. As the bri gade limbered up to depart, the ser geant in command caught the eye of a miner, who was standing looking at the engine with unfeigned admiration, and who delivered himself as follows: she cam’; she’s puttin’ oot o’ hor a lot o’; wettorr AVhe wad hev; thowt* she wad^h'a’d 1 such a. loUas sheV thrown over the hoose thor ? Begox, she’ll again 1"

CHISPA’S LETTER.

“I am. not yet so bald that you can see my

brains. ” —Longfellow.

I’ve had the gout ;, hence the idle ness of my pen. If you are exacting enough to think that is not a sufficient 'renson .fir hating the sight of every, thing within range of vision—pen, ink, and paper included—may your" edi torial toes have ja- twinge, one after another, just (as Paddy. said when he askM the Highland piper to.; play “ Bjyne Water,”) to see how you stand it. By-the-way, what with plough ing match dinners, Orange Lodge din ners, Oddfellows’ dinners and the like, I believe host Shearman has my gout lying at his door.. We are great in Friendly, Societies novv— Foresters, Oddfellows, Orangemen, Good Temp lars, and, of course, : the everywhere present Craft. P have the grips, &c„ of them all, and I joy to, be able to meet so many brothers in every part of the town and district.. A Forester “ shook” me some days ago, I thought he was a Good Templar because of the grip he gave my hand, and was horrified when he volunteered a.“ shout” : The cold water men are making headway though. They have very nearly con verted the Coroner, arid after the “set” they made at him on Thursday, if he don’t cave in he’s a hard shell indeed. I admire the pluck of the G.T.’s.- They are everywhere. Brother St. Hill slips in a word for them between. every swill at the public dinners; and it must be uncomfortable for those chaps who; drink their'grog from tumblers, clutched in the hand so that the quantity to be gulped is hid from prying eyes,'to be .reminded by the temperance champion of the standing- -army of coldstream. guards; I was once at aiT Orange dinner, and the best speech most sensible, and most exponent of the reverence in which the Bible is held by that great, order.delivered that evening was poured out by a brother who. required considerable propping up to deliver ft, and ultimately went home with such "a 'skinful that he made' an apology to a cabhorse for accidentally j ostling? him; Till is is only an-Jnstance of how' much the great and glorious principles of all those societies are not followed out by individuals. If human nature.could only be tied in, so that all the good these grand societies aim at could be .carried out, what a happy world would ours be. But —well - I’ve had;the gout, and you’ll say I’ve got it now in my temper, if ,1 do not change my subject. ■ I ' ,v .

We’re a Borough! When the 10.30 rolled in with,the news. pn Friday morning, I felt that a great justice had been done to Ashburton. I went home and told the missus she must trot out and run up the old well-worn Union Jack her grandfather carried with him in the Mediterranean, and gave her to understand that she was no longer the wife of a country clodhopper, but Mrs. Citizen Chispa! My heart was full, and big with a huge pride. Larry O’Toole; the tatterdemalion, dropped in to tell me old Jelly-bag’s cow had been munching the few remain ing cabbages I have. I shook Larry by the hand, and told him it was a day when man .and beast rejoice, and the old milcher had a roving com* mission till the glory of that day’s sun should She took;' it, I will liave to encourage Celestial industry-in consequence, or patronise the green- I saw - visions of, -Mayoral ; dignity, and conjured up the scene of a contested election, in which I beat the favorite for the chief civic honor, and came hotne with all the dreams of glory and ambition fulfilled. But Mrs. C. brought me back to stern reality when I hinted to her the possibility of honor in .store for hen She simply said m answer to my hopes—“ Going, going, gone.”

Owners of stray cattle had better keep in view that twenty-five shillings a week rent has- got to be "raised by the poundkeeper. It would be as well to look to the fences, halters, and hobbles, for a man with a rent to pay is a man with a mission, and likely to mean business. - v

PARLIAMENT.

[Per Press Agency.]

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Friday, August 2.

The Address in reply was presented to His Excellency. The Brands Registration Bill was passed with a few* amendments. The Government agreed to furnish a' report showing the amount paid as com pensation for /beep and cattle de stroyed on railways since 1876* f- Several returns were asked for and promised, and the Council adjourned till Tuesday. ' 1/ ;'A fj vJi

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Friday, August 2. The House met at 2.30. p.m.

. , ; -NEW MEMBER. . - ; Mr. Feldwick . took the oath and seat. ’ A",

QUESTIONS

' Dr. Wallis gave notice to ask on Wednesday next, whether the law in the colony, as in England, permitted a man to sell his wife or to maltreat her, and to what extent. ,

The Hon. J. Ballance, replying to Mr. : Johnson, laid on the table ; a return showing the amount v of salary drawn by., each Minister since taking office, and the amount beyond the actual salary- by way of house allow ance or travelling and other expenses ; also the amount paid each Minister- in occupation of a Ministerial residence for rent. ; . ,

Mr. -Stevens asked to what extent .lh(e:holders-oC.Cppsplidated„Stocki'liaye availed themselves of the provisions of “ The Consolidated Stock Act, 1877 ; also to. what extent the last loan issue had been brought under the operation of the Act. ■ - •' :} • A? J The information was promised ' in a printed form, in a few days. \ In reply to Mr. Wakefield, • The Hon. R. Stout said that Go vernment did not intend to introduce this session any measure to deal with public domains and gardens through out the colony. : Replying to Mr. Wakefield, i. x The Hon. J, Macandrew: said the Govern merit had been considering the question of subdividing and throwing open for settlement.reserves adjacent to the railways, and a. BiU dealing with the question was'iri preparation. ‘ :: SUPPLY. * ; - j A, resolution “ That a. supply be granted to Her Majesty ” was brought in,, and the second reading fixed for Tuesday. - j RETURNS. Mr. Fitzroy moved for a return showing the ; cost of the working and maintenance of the Hirie’m'oa from Ist December, 1877, to 30th June, 1878?; also a return, giving-the names of those persons, other than His Excellency and staff,, arid ; Ministers; who/durjng the aforesaid period travelled in the Hine moa at the expense of the colony. The Premiei said Government would have pleasure in laying before the House the return asked for, but it would be made to include all Government steamers, since 1870. A - ; • The motion was agreed to.' The House then adjourned till Tues day, at 2.30 p.m.

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[By Submarine Cable.]

London, August 1.

A, long debate took place in the House of Commons on the Marquis, of Harrington's motion ie the vote of seven millions, extraordinary military expen diture, for the Indian Troops. Continuous negotiations are proceed ing the; .Vatican and' Prince Bismarck for sending a Pontificial Nun cio to'Berlin! . -V -.q.- t \

Berlin, August-if

The elections for the German Parlia ment hrive resulted in the signal deferit of the Socialists.; : !

■ , ; j,, .V;-/ • Rome, August r. j Cardinal Frarichi died to-day. j

AUSTRALIAN.

Melbourne, August 2. j

Melita is now first favorite for the Cup, rind is backed considerably; Ches ter, Calamia, Svdyellef, 1 and Emily stand at Too to 10 to 100” to 5. For the double Derby and Gup 1000 to so is taken, Boswdrth for the Derby and Melita . for the Cup. . ' - ; , - . ; . J Sydney, August 2., | ‘ Kerosene,/ is 9d> -. New Zealand wheat, 4s 9d j other quotations un changed, • :1 ' rf ■'* *• Adelaide, August 2. j Flour, £ll to £n‘, ffhcuft'do gd,

INTERPROVINCIAL.

V/ [Per Press Agency.]

Grahamstown, Friday.

A iriovement was originated last night .tof send a congratulatory telegram to Earl Beaconsfield, on the auspicious termination of the Berlin Congress. The money was raised arid the message sent to day, signed by Warden Frazer on behalf of.the community ~... Auckland, Friday. The Hawea has-arrived; The rudder head carried and she ran. for Hick’s Bay. arid lay there "from Jifo’ncfay to Thursday. There was no other damage. - 1 ‘ V • : Wanganui,vFrMay., J The case of Frederick Whitelock and Thomas >M‘P,onogh, v; charged ' together witli. .having\ari illicit still in their,pos session, -occupied the ‘ Court all day. The evidence of the Collector of Cus toms, Mr. David Lundon, showed tfyat Whitelock was making a tour of inspec tion and his suspicions were aroused. He made an investigation of the upper storey of the City Brewery, and caught the .other, defendant and Ambrose Lough, partner of M‘Donogh, - upsetting vessels of grog. :f The still and worm were partly hidden by sacks. ; Upwards of twenty gallons of spirits, were-in the room, and the still was Avorking ; at the time. A .fine of £250, with the-option of twelve months’ imprisonment, was inflicted in each case. Ambrose Lough; who was caught in the upper room, and tried desperately to defend himself, said he was a servant of M‘Donogh.’s and knew nothing of unlawful proceedings. He was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment without the option of a fine. The defendant Lough stated that the still was being used for the first time when , they were caught. The affair caused much excitement here, being the first case of the sort in town. Defendants’; solicitors gave .• notice; of appeal. f ,

Who owns the Team?—The follo'wingns from the Toronto Globe-: The best joke of the season occurred a short time ago' in King. The names are not given to - the-' public, but-the facts,are as follows-:—Ab.outbedtime. a rather seedy individual, whose outer garments; betokened ati' eternal:estrange ment from his-washerwoman, called at Farmer B.'s, and. requested lodgingifor the night. Mf, B. did not .have any rooms suitable for the traveller, but offered some old blankets and the hay mow. These were thankfully accepted, * and the' tramp was soon soundly asleep -in the hayf 1 About midnight tWd m|n, having oiily vague;.idjeaS \bt‘ meumahd tuum , drove k team and wagon to the barii; > and ; commenced- stealthily - and noiselessly ;to ;; fill the,- wagons . twenty-two or • twenty-three bags,,of wheat, which Mr, B, bad all ready-for market next day. \They had all-loaded up save a five bushel sack, which stood which -they 1 ‘had : vkinly tried to lift. Said one of them, “ Let us go ; we can't load it.” . The tramp about this mdmenthhppehmg to awake, and considering the hbove an appeal to hi's manhood, arose out of the hay, sky ing, I’ll help you !” The men, at the appearance ot the king of shred* and patches issuing from the dark-comer, both fiew like- lightning- from -the pre mises, leaving'horses, wagon, and all behind them. The tramp aroused up Mr. 8., who, coming to'the barn, at once recognised'the team as belonging to a man living not a thousand miles away. They are still in-Mr. B.’s pos session. A Strarfge Tradition. -- Among the Seminole Indians there is a singular regardingV the Awhitej lean's origin and superiority. They say that when the. Great Spirit made the earth He also made three Imen;;'jalFlof whom were fair complexioned, and that after making them he led them to the margin of a smalt lake and 5 ,bade ;: them leap in and wash. '■ >:: One : obeyedj ; and' came but purer and fairer than before; the second hesitated a;mpiueht; during which time the water agitated by the first, had be come muddled, and when he bathed he came up copper-colored }:ther;third did not leap until the water became black fore them three packages, and out of pity for his misfortune in color gave the black man first choice. He took hold of- each of the • packages, and, having felt the weight, chose, the heaviest; the copper-colored man chose the next heaviest, 1 leaving .the. ,white : man the lightest. --When., the., packages were opened,' the. first was. 'found to contain 3pades, hoes, and alf the implements of labor; the second ‘ enwrapped hunting, ashing, , and warlike. , apparatus.;, the bird gave the> .white man pens, ink, md papery the engine, of the ;inind; ,-;the aieana of :;I rhentai improvement, the iociallinkofhumanityfthe foundation pf the White man's ittjpcnont^

The Evening. Echo, Saturday, August 3,1878.



ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST. d. s. d. Sutter, inferior to best, I? lb X 4 to 1 6 Eggs, 1? dozen - - 2 0 to- 2 3 Bacon, prime smoked, lb o 10 to O 0 Ham's in cloth, $Mb - i 0 to O 0 Cheese, prime quality, R> o 9 to O 10 Flour in bags, Ip ioolb j IS 0 -to 0 0 Oatmeal, ioolb - 26 0 to 0 0 Lard, lb - - - 0 9 to 0 0



JUST .PUBLISHED.— ■, The Nqw Zealand. Wesleyan, Price 6d. Agents for Asliburton — FURNESS AND DIXON, Echo Office, East Street.



Strangers coming to reside in Ashburton are 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. O.RR &. 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 Lading manufacturers at home* which beinp bought entirely upon cash terms, they are enabled to offer, 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 prices as the best judge v-Advi,