POST OFFICE NOTICES.

Mails at the Ashburton Post Office close i; follows :

For Christchurch and North at io a. m. \ p.m., and 7.30 p.m., daily. For Chertsey at 10 a.ra. daily. For Rakaia at 10 a.m., and 4 p.m. diily. For Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, CoMstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Oera!dine, at 10.15 a.m. daily. For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at 3.15 p.m. daily. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

The Evening Echo. MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1878.

The Crops. —We refer our readers to our county correspondent’s notes on the crops in the district. These do not appear to be very hopeful, but since they were written we have had a very accepta ble change in the weather, and from the wonderful tenacity of life possessed by New Zealand vegetation, it is, to use our correspondent’s words, “on the cards ” for the country to turn out a very fair yield of grain after all. To-day has been moist, and the atmosphere is still heavy with a promise of more rain. Foot Race. —The foot race which was to have taken place on Saturday between Oughton and Woods was postponed owing to the weather, but it will take place this evening at six o’clock. Drunk And Disorderly. —Tom Jones, who had since January, 1875, been 14 times before the Court, was fined by his Worship the Mayor to-day 205., with the alternative of 48 hours’ imprisonment. Alleged Theft of a Watch.—His Worship the Mayor, to-day, remanded William Noon for three days. The man was charged with the theft of a watch. Shabby Theft. —Last night or early this morning the meat safes of Mr. Thomas Quill, of the Commercial Hotel, were broken into and robbed. Mr. Quill is of opinion the theft was committed with the object of marring the Masonic banquet, to be held in his dining room to-night, and he offers £lO for information that will lead to the thief being brought to justice. Back door thefts, thefts of fire wood, and petty stealing generally have become very frequent of late, and it would be as well if a sharp look-out were kept,' both by citizens and the police. Two or three smart sentences would soon stop such depredations. - •

Charge of Manslaughter.— lt will be remembered that last week an inquest was held at the Spread Eagle Hotel, on the body of a man named Giles, who had been found dead beside his dray in that vicinity. The verdict of the jury was to the effect that the deceased’s death had been caused by a rupture of the liver, sustained by a fall he had had in or near the blacksmith’s shop at Spread Eagle. The police, having become possessed of evi dence leading to the suspicion that that fall had happened in a wrestling bout, in which Giles had been concerned with a man named Alex. Williams, had the latter brought up before his Worship the Mayor to-day, vho remanded him for eight days, bail being allowed prisoner in £IOO, and two sureties in £SO each. The body o: the deceased man is to be exhumed and a fresh ‘‘post mortem” examination is to place,

MEMORANDA OF THE CROPS.

BY OUR COUNTY CORRESPONDENT. Saturday. To cover Ashburton County in clry weather, with nor’-westers “ in good con dition,” is not a task of pleasure, and when what one sees around in the state of* the crops is added to the influence on the spirits exercised by those nor’ westers, the effect is not exhilarating. Looking over my pocket-book, I extract the loilow ing items regarding the different dis tricts : RANGITATA. The crops here are not so far advanced as in other parts of the county, and in their present condition it is on the cards for them to yield, with a fair modicum, 0 rain in a day or two, 25 to 28 bushels per acre. The whole district is rather late, and this, of course, will be in its favor. Oats, however, are too far advanced to do any good, I am much afraid, even if rain did come. The average per acre I give above of course applies to wheat; oats are so poor that I would not like to risk an estimate. Itangitata Island looks better, but the average of former years will not be anything like sustained.

j HINDS. In this district, the light land crops look better than the heavy towards the hills’ foot, but the great want of rain is, of course, solely felt ; indeed'“rain” is the word forming the refrain of every man’s conversation here and elsewhere. On the heavy land the ground is all cracked open with the drought, which has pierced to a great depth. If rain does not come speedily the crops will be poor indeed, but with a fair amount of moisture I should say 20 bushels per acre of wheat may be obtained. At LONGBEACH late, crops look best, and have a darker green. The early are all withering in the short blade. Here, too, the heavy land has cracked as at the Hinds. The wheat average I should approximate at 22 bushels. Early oats are simply worth nothing, but the later show a more hope ful color, and with rain might yield about 33 bushels to the acre. Mr. A. Dawson has a field of barley well forward, which will yield about 23 bushels to the acre, and ought to be in the market in about six weeks. Taking the district all round wheat will not rise above a 20 bushel yield, and early oats, will do] very well, perhaps, for sheep feed. Late oats are looking a little better, but are not far enough advanced for a keener eye than mine to give an estimate of harvest result. Barley generally looks weakly, and if 16 or 18 bushels an acre is reaped I shall say my estimate has been reached. graeme’s road is looking very fair, and should yield 25 bushels for wheat and 33 oats, and where barley is not too far advanced 27 bushels per acre. BEACH ROAD. Very fair until you come towards the sea, within three miles of which things alter greatly, and crops show a sorry con dition. If no rain falls soon things won’t be worth harvesting on the land near the beach. As you come near ASHBURTON you find wheat pointing towards a 20 bushel average. 1 saw some early oats in ear, but the heads were very small, and will be just about half the bulk of grain they ought to be. Barley is a bad lot generally speaking. Grass is ready for cutting; it is 10 inches long, but on minute examination the half of the head head only husk, so that the yield of grass seed will be below farmers’ estimate. WAKANUI ROAD is in about the same state, the crops in poor condition. Grass withered and thin, and in poor condition. Average per acre something like 20 bushels wheat, 25 oats, and 18 barley. Of SEAFIELD the less said the better. The wind appears to ha . e taken the soil away from the grain roots.’ With few exceptions the country looks jjoor—one of the poorest districts I have yet been in. So like a failure does the growth seem to me to be. that I do not think there is even feed for sheep left in the stunted dried up crop. In some places there are very large fields which present a sorry sight, and it is saddening to witness men toiling for a whole year only to see their labor blasted by the pitiless wind. CHERTSEY is the most hopeful district I have peram bulated. The land is nearly all in wheat, the soil is of a very much, better quality, and naturally enough the crops show it. Mr. F. B. Passmore has a great acreage under crop—an amount scarcely credible, and it looks very fair besides. I should think at the lowest 32 bushels per acre wheat should he taken from the Chertsey land, but of course some fields look better than others, and as a rule they have all that dark green hue so much admired by farmers., RAKAIA BELOW THE LINE. As you go towards Fidler’s Green you find that the wind coming through the Gorge has been at work on the light soil and doing its very best to let us know who is master, and Ventosus’ bellows has worked so well that I quail before the task of attempting an estimate of the yield—certainly it will not be heavy. RAKAIA ABOVE THE LINE. What crops are in this district will pro bably be like this in the yield—wheat, 20 bushels ; oats, 25 ; barley, 18, ASHBURTON NORTH BRANCH. Things are backward a little, but if the preat want is supplied a fair crop might. got, There is a large area of ground

under cereals, and if the needful comes it will tell favorably. In the

FORKS there is a great amount of land in grass, but the same half-empty husks appear, and grass seed samples from this locality will be poor.

ASHBURTON SOUTH AND UP-BIVER crops are looking fair. The water is near the ground surface, and the drought has not been so severely felt, still the want of rain has had its effect. Wheat ri the staple here, and will yield 23 to 30 bushels per acre.

CRICKET.

County Club v. Borough’Club.

A match between these clubs was played on Saturday last, and after a really excel lent game, resulted, as was generally anti cipated, in a victory for the former. The Borough captain winning the toss elected to take the field, and S. Saunders and Pearce were deputed to commence the defence for the county, G. Andrews and R. Tucker bowling. Runs came very slowly, both batsmen playing with extreme caution, and when a dozen were up Pearce fell a victim to the borough captain. Westenra filled the vacancy, but was almost immediately badly run out by his companion. Denshire followed, and the cricket all round was now very good, the bowlers being well on and the batsmen playing it in their best style. At 56 Den shire allowed Andrews to get past, and retired with 25 to his credit, obtained by the be3t play we can remember having witnessed on the ground. Field’s stay was brief, and Grant was only there long enough to see his captain run out in attempting an impossible addition to the score. E. Saunders’ sojourn was shorter than usual, his career being abruptly terminated by a smart catch at cover point. Graeme speedily made room for Crisp, and this latter gentleman, with Harris, brought the score to 120 before a nice catch by Priestley separated them. Harris carried out his bat for a rather lucky hut well hit innings of 21. Before the borough team sent their representa tives to the wickets a drizzling north-east' rain set in, rendering fielding very dis agreeable. Field and Westenra com menced the attack for the county, and no stand was made until George Andrews and Leach got together. Andrews, without scoring, showed a very determined defence, and saw the total reach 25 before he was well taken at the wickets. Philpott played carefully for his dozen, and we remarked him as one of the most promising young cricketers we have in the district. The innings terminated with the score at 49, and as rain was now falling in real earnest the stumps were drawn, leaving victory, as before intimated, with the county team. The display of cricket was very creditable, Field and George Andrews with the ball, and Denshire with the bat, being in grand form, while the fielding all round was above the average, Grant as long-stop, and Priestley wicket-keeping, deserving special mention. The following are the scores :

An Unrehearsed Act. An amusing circus story is told by the “Manawatu Herald”:—On Friday night, when Dick Turpin was being performed, at the death scene, Black Bess was placed upon the bier as usual, and the band struck up the plaintive Dead March from “ Saul,” whilst Turpin, with rueful countenance, sat upon his favorite mare. After a few steps, however, Bess moved her leg, and her hoof gently touched the head of one of the hearers. He at once dropped his end, and the whole affair came down with a crash, Turpin clearing himself with a tremendous leap. Fortunately, beyond one or two slight bruises no damage was done, though poor Bess suffered after wards for not acting her part better. This “ conthratongs ” (in the pure French of Paddy Murphy) seemed to surprise to a degree the circus company, whilst the Dead March suddenly ceased, and the National Anthem closed the performance.

A Skeleton in the Cupboard. —The Wellington correspondent of the Waira rapa Daily tells the following story about a lady who sought a divorce in the Court there. Her husband was a doctor, who kept a skeleton in a —as most men are in the habit of doing—only this was an actual and not a metaphorical one. His mode of punishing Madame Medico was to put her into the cupboard with the bones, which may have been part of one of her ancestors, and shake the cupboard well when she was locked in to make the contact between the living and the dead complete. The story, adds the corres pondent, has only the merit of truth,

ASHBURTON ROAD BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the above Board was held in the Road Board Office to-day. Present: Messrs. E. G. Wright, Taylor, and Williamson. In the absence of the Chairman, Mr. Wright was asked to preside, and took the chair, but after some time Mr. Grigg came in, and assumed his proper place. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read fro in Mr. Dow ding, Coldstream, agreeing to carry on the contract (left by Leask on this road, and dealt with at last meeting) peradventure the valuation for the work be made by the Board. Resolved to instruct Mr. Leask to complete his contract or forfeit his deposit. Another letter was also read from Mr. Dowding, Coldstream, offering, on behalf of Mr. Studholme, to pay half the cost of widening the creek and drain as an outlet for the water on Crow’s Road, provided the actual cost did not exceed 12/ per chain. Resolved, “ That the pro posal now made being at variance with the original agreement, Mr. Stud holme should pay half of the cost the work had been stopped until a cheque for that amount, £22 25., be received. ” The Clerk was instructed to reply accordingly. From Wynn Williams, Esq., notifying the registration of the deeds conveying to theßoaid roads on Mr. Moore’s (Wakanui) estate.

From the Land Office, Christchurch, stating that Mr. Marshman had been instructed to prepare a Crown grant in favor of the Board for the reserve on which the Road Board Office stands in the township of Ashburton. From ratepayers at Windermere, asking that the Church road be former, to allow of safe communication with the church from Chatmoss road. Tenders were re solved to be called for.

From ratepayers, asking that the boun dary road from the junction of M‘Lellan’s Road with the Boundary Road, to a point 110 chains south or the junction be formed. Resolved to call for tenders.

TENDERS FOR WORK were then opened. For contract 135 James Croy, bridge, £l2 ; embankment, £lO, was accepted, the highest tender being £55. For contract 136—Mr. Croy was also the successful tenderer—forma tion £2 lGs., two bridges, £45. Mr. Mur doch Bruce obtained contract 137, at 18/3 per chain. Contract 135 was for Innes’ Bridge and approaches; 136 was for the formation of Corbett’s Road and the erection of two bridges ; 137 was the formation of a road through Smith’s Gully. The question of bridging the Hinds River at Surveyors Road having been raised and pretty well discussed, a suggestion was made by Mr. E. G. Wright that the necessity of a traffic bridge to relieve the Ashburton railway bridge should be brought before the County Council. The discussion resulted in the passing of a resolution’ ca’ling the atten tion of the County Co: ncil to the neces sity of a bridge over ti e Hinds River at Surveyor’s Road, and at king that the cost of such a bridge be tahen into considera tion on any future app irticnment of money to the several Road Boards. Another resolution was passed as fol lows:—That the County Council be re quested to consider the expediency of constructing a separate bridge for road traffic across the Ashburton on the east side of the present combined road and railway bridge, as this is rendered neces sary by the large increase of traffic over the river. •

The Overseer reported verbally on the state and progress of works in the district. It was decided to hold a special meeting on the 16th December, for the purpose of accepting tenders called for and now out standing, this being the last ordinary meeting of the Board. The pay-sheet was then passed, and the Surveyor reported that Messrs. William son and Hunt had accepted the tender of Mr. Buchanan for making up the valuation roll. The Board then adjourned.

TELEGRAPHIC

AUSTRALIAN.

[By Submarine Cable.] Sydney, December 1. The Fifteen in their first innings made 338. The Australians in their first innings made 71. In their second they had made 52 for the loss of one wicket. Nov. 29. Committees of the various exhibitors have held important meetings. Continen tal applications for space are numerous and increasing. Nov. 30. The New Zealand yacht Waitangi has been matched to-day.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

[Per Press Agency and Exchanges.] Auckland, Saturday. St. Andrew’s Day was observed by the usual services. Tauranga, Saturday 8 40 p.m. The steamer Stafia visited the wreck of the Taranaki to-day. Her back is broken, and the after part is sunk in deep water. The remainder is breaking up fast. All the cargo is washed away, and the sea is strewn with the fragrants. The heavy swell from the east renders operations difficult. At a meeting of passengers by the Taranaki, held at the agent’s this morning, it was resolved to present Captain Malcolm w.th an address, and also to raise a sub scription for him. Napier, Saturday. ' As John Barry, storekeeper at Meanee, was mounting his horse at Tennyson street, Napier, about noon to-day, the animal boited. Barry fell on the back of his head, breaking his skull. He was attended by two medical men, but died in about an hour. At the inquest, this afternoon, a verdict of “Accidental Death” was re turned. A man named Smith, a German or Scandinavian, was found dead this morn ing, at the Farndon l ail way station. An inquest was held, and a verdict returned that deceased ‘ c Diedfrom Natural Causes. ’’ At the inquest to-day, at Hastings, on the body of an infant found in the bed room of a servant girl at the Railway Hotel, the medical evidence was that the child was stillborn. Wellington, Saturday. It is understood that the sale of the re claimed land will take place at the end of January. During November last there were here 86 births, 28 deaths, 26 marriages. Phillip Murtagh was arrested yesterday for stabbing a man named Falloon, but when the evidence was taken, the other man was also committed for trial.

Kempthorne, Prosser and Co. ’s share list remains open till 21st December. Isaac Murphy has been committed for trial for a criminal assault on a little, girl atGreytown. . The Customs revenue collected at Wel lington for the month ending to-day amounted to £12,208 14s. For the cor responding month last year it was £15,071 4s. sd.

Mr. McElwain, who owned the house which was burned under very suspicious circumstances, was arrested and brought y up this morning at the Resident Magis trate’s Court, and remanded till Tuesday. Heavy bail was allowed. Dunedin, Saturday. The vital statistics for the month are— Births, 144; marriages, 28 ; deaths, 28. . ) An inquest will be held on the George street fire. Tiffen of Otago, challenges any man in the Colonies under lOst to wrestle for £SOO aside, or anyone in the world under ' 9st for the same amount. A meeting of subscribers to the Ladies University Scholarship fund was held tills afternoon. The principal now amounts to £250, and it was decided to re-in vest it till' it will be sufficient to give a yearly scholar- J ship of the value of £SO.

Timahu, Sunday. The Customs’ revenue for the month of _ November was £1728, showing an increase of £456 over the corresponding month of J last year. , . ~ . ,

MONDAY, December 2, 1878.]

THE EVENING ECHO.



COUNTY., S. Sauiidcrs, run out 23 Pearce, b G. Andrews .i 6 Westenra, run out 0 Denshire, b G. Andrews 25 Field, b G. Andrews 0 Grant, c Priestley b G. Andrews 2 E. Saunders, c Philpott, b Ash wood.. 5 Graeme, b Ashwood ... ... 1 Crisp, c Priestley, b A. Andrews 13 Fooks, b G. Andrews 3 Harris,.not out ... 21 Extras ... 21 Total 120 BOROUGH. Ashwood, b Field ... 2 Priestley, run out 1 A. Andrews, b Field ... ... 1 G. Andrews, c S. Saunders, b Field .. 3 B. Tucker, c Graeme, b Westenra .. 0 Leach, run out ... ... ... 8 Philpott, c Pearce, b. S. Saunders .. 12 Dudson, not out, ... ... ' .. 4 Davis, b Field 1 Gapes, b Field ... 0 T. Tucker, b Field 0 Extras ... 17 Total-...' ... 49



Drapery. f * ■ ANTED KNOWN, that A. 0. AH KEN & CO., are Selling their Cloth ing, Boots and Shoes, &c., CHEAPER THAN ANY HOUSE IN ASHBURTON. AN TED KNOWN, that A. 0. AITKEN & CO. have opened up a Splendid Dot of Fichus, Manilla Hats, and a Large Assortment ©f FANCY GOODS. Yy" ANTED KNOWN, that A. 0. AITKEN & CO. are paying Particular Attention to their DRESSMAKING DEPARTMENT, which is superintended by a Lady whose Experience has been gained at some of the Best Houses in New Zealand. ANTED KNOWN, that A. O’ AITKEN & CO. have determined, prior to removing to their Ne w Premises, now in course of erection, to reduce their present stock as much as possible, to effect which, they are now offering' all o' Goods at' the LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICES.



NOTICE. PO R SA L E A T T. QUINN & CO’S, DRAPERS and CLOTHIERS, MOORE-ST. ASHBURTON. 75 Men’s and Boys’ Suits, at 30s per Suit 40 doz. Silk Handkerchiefs at is each. 20 doz. Straw Hats, 7 s per doz. T . QUINN & CO., Moore Street, Ashburton.



Carriers. B. C. SMITH, GENERAL CARRIER, Moore St., Ashburton. EXPRESS to meet every Train. Par cels delivered promptly, at moderate charges. 66 G. F. SCOTT, QENERAL CARRIER, Cameron St., Ashburton. Parcels delivered promptly and charges moderate. in attendance to meet every .v V,•’ A t '.Train.' . v . , Business Notice.



THE HORSE BAZAAR. LIVERY AND BAIT STABLES 3UK.NETT-STREET, ASHBURTON. W. B. COMPTON, Proprietor. thirst-class accommodation for Jl Horses and Vehicles on mo«. liberal terras at these Stables, vith every Utenti in and civility. Saddle Horses or Buggies on Hire. Horses Bought tid Sold on Commission. r ANTED KNOWN—That the cheap est and neatest CARDS may be 3ukl at I&YENJNG ECHO OEEICE.



NOTICE. 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, 6s. ; posted, Bs. 6d. ; per annum, in advance, 225. 6d. ; posted, 355. d. ; weekly, paid to ruuners, 6d. Delivered to any part of the town, and at any of the Railway Station? FENCING WIRE. hJ TONS Just Received, and on Sale * at LOWEST PRICES. A. 0. AITKEN & CO., % Havelock Street. Fish. Fish. Fish. MICHAEL DARCY begs to announce the opening of his new FISH STORE, Adjoining the Echo Office, East Street. Fresh Fish Daily. Crayfish, Cockles, Moki, Groper, &c. Dried Fish always on Hand. by post or otherwise punc tually attended to, and familes waited on.



£lO REWARD. WANTED, the Public to Know that a Rascally Attempt was made last night to mar the success of my Masonic Dinner, by Breaking Open the Meat Safes and Stealing therefrom the contents. Notice is hereby given, that a Reward of TEN POUNDS (£10) will be paid to any one who will give such information as will lead to the Conviction of the offender or offenders. THOMAS QUILL. 92 Commercial Hotel.



A private letter from San Francisco says:—“A move is on foot to impose a special tax upon all insurance companies, including Eastern offices. This would hit New Zealand offices hard. The under writers will fight; but they take a more effectual plan of meeting s ich a proposal by making a purse and squaring the officials. This will be done. ” A Russian Yiew of it. —The Berlin correspondent of the London “Times” sends an extract from a letter in the “ Golos,” dated from Orenburg, the city forming the base for Russian military operations in Central Asia. The letter says:—“ The inhabitants of British India at this moment impatiently await the arrival of their Russian liberators. The hope of imminent emancipation from foreign yoke is universal in the country. The English, fearing' that the Russian host, bent upon freeing the Hindoo race, will thread their way through Afghanistan, are determined to anticipate their adver sary, and to occupy the passes in advance. ” The Russian outposts, it is added, being only 700 miles distance from the Indian frontier, the possibility of a Russian inva sion is constantly apprehended by the. frightened Englishman. 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 nongery, and General Stores. Orr & Co. iffer 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 beinr bought entirely upon cash terms, they are enabled to ofier goods of 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 <o that the most inexperienced buy their goods at the same puces as the best judge*,— Ady* i



A spread eagle orator wanted the wings C« of a bird to fly to every village and ham let in'the broad land ; but he wilted when , t a small boy in the crowd sang out— “ You’d be shot for a goose before you had flied a mile. ” Bad Luck. —The luck, whatever that maybe, of some people is truly bad. *A young gentleman in a Ballarat lawyer’s, office drew Calamia in one of Miller's £IOOO sweeps for the Melbourne Cup, and • thinking, no doubt, that his horse was too much of an outsider to be near the front at the end of the race, sold his chance back to Miller for-£26, who thus pockets the principal prize himself. Strangers coming to reside in Ashburton, need not be at any loss to find the best lishment to visit and purchase their drapery. ■'.» clothing, and general stores. Leaving the J Railway Station and turning down Havelock-- Street, they will see the establishment of A. 0. Aitken & Co., who are now offering special advantages, which exceed any before offered to the public. Keeping at all times a very large and exceedingly well assorted stock, of all classes of goods, bought in the best.mar-: kets and on the most favorable terms, enables them—to use trade parlance— “ the thing well;” in fact the goods offered dy;. them are such as cannot be excelled either in quality or price by any in the trade and are marked at such prices that making any abatement is unnecessary, and the most inexperienced are enabled to buy their good* as favorably W the best ■ ,A