Heavy Bush Fire at Waimate.— The Waimate correspondent of the “ Timaru Herald,” telegraphing last night, says that the Waimate bush had been burning for the past two or three days, and that Hayes’, Bartlett’s, Hunt’s, and Barrett s saw mills have been destroyed, and a wide acreage of bush. Several settlers on the bush margin have been burned out, and some have received injuries of a more dr less serious character. Damage to the extent of £60,000 has been done, and in not a few cases life has been jeopordised. 50 acres of bush have also been burned at Geraldine.

Well Watered. —There are no fewer than one hundred and forty-two rivers, streams, and streamlets between New Plymouth and Wanganui. They are a capital feature of the country, but rather expensive in a road-making point of view. Earthquakes in New Zealand. —The New Zealand official earthquake report for August, 1878, is as follows : —Earthquakes, Taranaki, Bth. at Ba.ra. ; at Wellington, on Bth, at 7 53 a.m., slight double shock ; at Wanganui, on Bth, at 8 10 a.m., heavy ; at Lawrence and Arrow, on 24th, rather severe ; at Queenstown, on 23rd, at 7 35 p. m., slight, and a heavy shock on 24th, at 2 38 p.m. ; at Southland a sharp shock oh 25th, at 2 40 p.m. The Press in Japan. —The state and and growing power of the yress in Japan is shown by the fact that the number of domestic newspapers transmitted by post in 1877 (7,372,556) is an increase of 2,323,141, or 46 per cent, over the number in 1876, and 100 per cent, over that of 1875. There are now 3744 post offices, 151 receiving agencies, 916 stamp agencies, and 866 street letter-boxes in operation. Japan is a member of the General Postal Union, and her stamps are now recognised as valid payment of postage to other coun tries of the union.

The Australian Cricketers De pended.—The conduct of the Australian Eleven in refusing to pay the sum de manded by the English professional players who were, in the first instance, invited to form the opposing team (says the Mel bourne u Argus ”) has been the subject of comment. In view of the statements which have been made in some quarters as to the mercenary spirit displayed by the Australians, it is only just to publish the following statement, written by Mr. Conway in a letter to a friend in Mel bourne, who received it by the last Cali fornian mail :— il The match (Australians V. Players) was a splendid success in every way, and to show that we are not actuated by a spirit of meanness in our refusal to meet the greedy demands of a section of the Players,, and to give expression to our appreciation of the way in which Barlow, Hearne, M‘lntyre, Barratt, and others performed, we gave the Players taking part in the match, £2O each, the umpires £lO each (instead of £3), and every em ploye on the ground twice the usual rate of remuneration. ”

Just So !—A merchant tells us that he set a hen on an old tomato can, recently, and she hatched five bottles of catsup, with lithographed labels, and a dozen fine tomato plants. The gentleman is an aider man, and cannot tell a lie and would not if he could. An Indian Burdett Coutts. —Bombay recently held a solemnity for the purpose of investing Maharani Sumomoye with the insignia of the Imperial Order of the Crown of India. This lady is the Burdett- Coutts of India. She contributed over £26,000 to famine charities enumerated by the Commissioner from 1871 to 1877, and bestowed over £50,000 in works of charity and public utility ._ During that period she had expended in charity one sixth of her whole income.

CHISPA’S LETTER.

“lam not yet so bald that you can see my brains. ’’—Longfellow.

I don’t know if you will have any room for me or not this week, what with racing and cattle showing you’ll have had plenty to employ your time without bothering ■with my idle gossip. I wonder if you had time to take any note of things at all beyond the fact that the races were won and lost, and who won and lost them. Well, perhaps, you didn’t, but I had nothing else to do you know but look about me, and I remarked that, whatever .good the Racing Club might have done to the town by their meeting, they were instrumental, in importing into our midst for the time a very fair proportion of the off-scourings of Canterbury. The crowd of blacklegs and blackguards generally who came up to see the races and what they could swindle out of the softer headed portion of our community was a sight to behold. They went away, if they have gone yet (I hope they have, for I always remember when I see them Auto lycus’ warning, “when the kite builds look for lesser linen,” and they could do with a change, some of them), with no very high opinion of the Ashburtonians, for I have heard this town, and its people, and its wind more roundly cursed and with a wider choice of profanity by those loose and lean human cattle than I have ever heard before. Standing one. day at the Town Hall, when this scum of Christ ohurch was filing past after the arrival of a train, I felt the very air stink with them, and a couplet from the old version of the song “ Bonnie Dundee” ran through my mind as the stream of moral sewage flowed past : ! “With sour-looking scamps the Grass-market was panged As if half of the west had set tryst to hanged.” “ Where the carrion is there will the vul tures be gathered together. Let the Racing,Club have full swing if it must, but oh save us from the mixed multitude of poisonous social fungi that springs u|> around its meeting day. Ciiispa.

TELEGRAPHIC.

[By Submarine Cable.]

AUSTRALIAN.

Sydney, Nov. 15.

Arrived. —Easby, from Newcastle. Brandy, 9s ; Adelade flour; £ll 5s to £l2 ; wheat, 5s Id ; New Zealand, 4s 4d ; candles BJn to .Qd,.. Adelaide Nov. 15. Government intend to remove the stock prohibition.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

[Per Press Agency.] Auckland, Friday. . There is a strong feeling in Auckland at the delay in proceeding with .the pub lic works during the present fine weather, and a monster public meeting is on the Mr. Coleman, solicitor, has been elected Mayor for Parnell. . The Board of Education has received an intimation from the Minister of Educa tion that £IB,OOO has been allotted for school buildings in this district. Fifteen chiefs and priests arrived from the King country en route from Raglan to open a Hauhau chapel in the Aotea dis trict. . At the Waste Lands Board meeting, Mr. Firth protested against the cancelling of Mr. Broomhall’s contract, saying that only one-third of the land was . fit for small settlers, the remainder being hills or swamps requiring considerable outlay of capital. Two applications for land for special settlement, one from Aus-

tralia from a number of Germans, were submitted to the Board. In both cases replies were sent to the effect that the Board had no power to set apart land for such purposes. Grahamstown, Friday. The King’s Prime Minister writes < to the Ohinemuri County Council asking them not to proceed with the road works through Tukumoki and other land for the present. Wellington, Friday.

Dr. Diver has visited Miss Wood, the Wainui-omata lunatic, for the purpose of subjecting her to a medical examination. He says she is suffering from idiotic lun acy of a congenital 'character. A very close examination of the patient was inad visable, owing to her violence, but from her appearance he thinks the patient has been well-cared for by her relations. The District Court opened for the first time to-day, in the old Provincial Council Chambers, owing to the bad accomodation attheß.M. Court. The Hinemoa with the Governor, lias arrived from Lyttelton. It is said that Mr. Hales, who has been instructed under the provisions of the Tramways Act ro report upon the Welling ton tramway, discovers that the tram cars are wider than the Act permits, and that he also condemns the use of steam as a motive power in the narrower thorough fares. The statement, however, is not authoritative. At the preliminary enquiry into the loss of. the Charlotta at the Heads, it was elicited from the master that the immedi ate cause of the wreck was that the vessel missed stays while beating into the Heads. A good deal ol rigging has been saved, but the vessel will never be got off. Three hundred acres of the Okotuku block sold for £2375, nearly 300 per cent, above the upset price. Blenheim, Friday.

A. M. Normanby, tailor, was charged at the Resident Magistrate’s Court with perjury in his statement regarding his-, bankruptcy, and was remanded to Mon day. Greymotjth, Friday. The Greymouth Coal Company’s mine and plant was sold to-day at auction, by Mr. W. B. Moss, for the sum of £II,BOO. Mr. J. A. Mackenzie, of Dunedin, is the purchaser.

SATURDAY, November. i 6, iS/B,]

THE EVENING ECHO,



Strangers coming to reside in Ashburton, need not be at any loss to find the best estab lishment to visit and purchase their drapery, clothing, and general stores. Leaving the Railway Station and turning down Havelock Street, they will see the establishment of A. Q, 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—“ to do the thing well;” in fact the goods offered by them are such as cannot be excelled either in quality or price by any house in the trade, and are marked at sue! prices that making any abatement is unnecessary, and the most inexperienced are enabled to buy their goods as favorably as the .best judges. — Advt.



AN AMATEUR CONCERT, Etc., will be held in the OUTH RAKAIA TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY NEXT, NOV. 19TH, The Evening of the Turning of the First Sod of the Rakaia and Ashburton Forks Railway, In Aid of the School Funds. A number of Ladies and Gentlemen from Ashburton and other districts have kindly volunteered their services on this occasion. j The Programme will include a VARIETY OF SONGS, READINGS, AND RECITATIONS, • To Conclude with a Dance. Doors open at 7.30, performance to commence at 8. Admission to Concert and dance—Front seats, 3s ; back seats, 2s; children under 12 years of age, half price. 45



ASHBURTON ROAD. BOARD, .. TENDERS are invited for the follow ing works: — No. 134.—Clearing Greek on Cold stream Run ; 50 chains, more or less. : % No. 135.—Erection of Bridge and Embankment on Innes’ Road. No. 136.—Formation of Corbett’s Road ; 40 chains. No. ‘l37.—Road through Gully by Hugh Smith’s. Tenders for No. 134 will be received till 11 a.m. on Monday, November 18th, and for the other contracts.at the same hour on Monday, December 2nd, endorsed with the number of the work tendered for, and enclosing £5 if under £2OO, and 2| per cent, on the value of the work if over that amount. The lowest or any tender not neces sarily accepted. By order of the Board. JAMES WILKIE, 21 Surveyor to the Board.



Town Hall. ASHBURTON. GRAND OPENING NIGHT, WEDNESDAY, 20TH NOVEMBER. Positively Two Nights only of CHEEVERS, KENNEDY, & BENT’S * MINSTRELS 14 38 GEO. LINGARD, Business Agent. BURTON’S GREAT AUSTRALIAN CIRCUS IS COMING. THE LARGEST Now TRAVELLING in THE AUSTRALIAN COLONIES, and the GREATEST SUCCESS ' of all MAMMOTH SHOWS IN THE WORLD, —REMEMBER— appears at Ashburton on FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NEXT, November 22nd and 23rd. ' For further particulars, see other adver tisements nnd bills of the day.- 44 W. WOODYEAR, Agent..



ANNIVERSARY SERMONS of the Ashburton PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH, Wills Street, by the REV. B. J. WESTBROOKE, N gUN NOV. 17th, 1878. Morning, 11 o’clock ; Evening, 6.30. ; Public TEA AND ENTERTAINMENT on the following TUESDAY, 19th NOVEMBER, in the Town Hall, TTts Worship the Mayor in the Chair. Addresses by the Revs. Tinsley and Westbrooke, and other friends. MUSIC BY AN EFFICIENT CHOIR. (Songs and Solos.) Tea on the Tables at 6 p.m. ; Enter tainment, at 8 o’clock. 34 0 DAY EXT



THE SERVICE OF SONG - * entitled •' C '■ J CHRISTIANA, From the Pilgrim’s Progress, JILL be given by the Choir and Sunday School of the Primitive Methodist Church on SUNDAY AFTERNOON, commencing at 2.30. Parents and others cordially invited. 33



STRAYED ROM Bennison’s paddock, near Tin wald — One Bay Colt (draught), two hind legs white, and white face. One Bay Filly (draught), two hind legs white, and white face. One Bay Trap Mare, aged ; in foal. £1 Reward will he paid by W. R. BOYLE, 43 Ashburton. RICKET! QRICKET!! Clubs and others requiring any of the requisites for this, universe game, go to WESTON’S EAST STREET NOVELTY DEPOT. WANTED KNOWN—That 'the': chea pest and neatest CARDS may be had at EVENING ECHO OEEICE. East Street.



WANTED, a Respectable Man as Groonv arid Gardener, and to. make himself generally useful. Apply to REV. W. E. PAIGE, . 40 Parsonage, Ashburton. WANTED, a COOK, at once. Ap ply at the office of this paper. Ashburton 11th Nov., 1878. 23 WANTED, a Good Shoeing Smith. Apply to 14 h; ROBB & BLYTH. TTTANTED, a Smart BOY as ail Ap- YV prentice to the Grocery Business., Apply 2 ECHO OFFICE. w ANTED, Strong Boy for Printing- Department. Apply ECHO OFFICE. TENDERS will be received until Satur day next for Erecting a Post and Wire FENCE on the North Town Belt. For particulars apply to SANDO & OLSEN, East Street, 30 Ashburton. SOMERSET LODGE. THE Regular Monthly Meeting of this Lodge is POSTPONED from Friday, 15th, till Wednesday, 20th inst. By order. CHARLES BRADDELL, 35 . Secretary.



BOROUGH OF ASHBURTON. I HEREBY give notice that, in accord ance with the provisions of “The Municipal Corporations Act, 1876,” and “ The Regulation of Local Elections Act, 1876,” NOMINATIONS for the office of Mayor of the Borough of Ashburton will be received at the Town Clerk’s Office, Montgomery’s Buildings, before the hour of 12 noon on MONDAY, 18th Nov. instant. Nominations, in the form prescribed by the Act, must be addressed to the Return ing Officer, .'accompanied with a deposit of £lO. A Poll, if necessary, will be taken on WEDNESDAY, 27th inst., at the Town Hall, in the Borough of Ashburton. Nomination papers can be obtained at the office of the Town Clerk. CHARLES BRADDELL, Returning* Officer. Ashburton, Bth Nov., 1878. 18 A BARGAIN. TjlOR SALE.—A First-class Semi-grand Jj Tri-cord PIANOFORTE, by one of the most famous makers, Brinsmead and Sons. Price £SO. Apply ECHO OFFICE. JIIREWORKS ! Fob Sale at • ; W ES TON ’ S • EAST STREET NOVELTY DEPOT. BAKER’S NOTICE. TAYLOR AND LILL BEG to inform their numerous cus tomers, and the public generally, that on and after the first day of Novem ber, and until further notice, they will supply BREAD at 6d. per 41b LOAF, Made from the Best Flour in Canterbury, and by a First-class Practical Baker. invited. TAYLOR & LILL, Bakees, Confectionees, & Pastrycooks, East Steeet, Ashburton.



Bread. Bread. 6d. per 41b. Loaf. THOMAS HICKS, Baker and Con fectioner, Tancred Street, is now supplying First-class Bread, at 6d. per 4tb Loaf, delivered to all parts of the District, or at the Shop. ; note — THOMAS HICKS, THE PIONEER BAKERY, Tancred Street, Ashburton DR. STEWART JJAS REMOVED to his New Residence, CORNER OF MOORE STREET AND BEACH ROAD.



CHARLES NEATE, Late f Messrs. Gould & Co., Christchurch) BEGS TO ANNOUNCE He has commenced business as CHEMIST AND DRUGGIST, MOORE STREET (Opposite Messrs. Friedlander’s Store), ASHBURTON. TTTANTED KNOWN, 'that in General YV Printing the public can be supplied with every requisite in the latest and bed style of the art at - ‘ - • ~ : EVENING. ECHO OFFICE, } • •' : ■. East ■' Stbfet. imabti C



OHRISTMAS CARDS, , Elc... For transmission to Friends in England and Elsewhere via outgoing ’Frisco and Suez Mail, at A. WESTON’S EAST STREFT, Novelty Depot.



PHOTOGRAPHY. JUST OPEN. E. TEAGUE, .... / i PHOTOGRAPHER, Begs to intimate tliat he has opened a Temporary Portrait Gallery next to Mr. J. G. Anstee’s Boarding-house, Tancred Street. Carte de visite, 12s. 6d. per dozen ; Cabinets, 30s. per dozen ; Home steads and Views, as per agreement. finished in oil up to life site. 42 ■NEW BUSINESS. COAL & FIREWOOD MERCHANT F. P. Le Breton, In commencing business begs respectfully to solicit a share of public support. B 'JR nett Street, near Friendlander’s Grain Store, and opposite Montgomery’s Buildings. Coal and Firewood supplied in any quantity to suit customers, and delivered to all parts of the district on the shortest notice.



FEA. TEA. iocT BOXES 50 HALF-CHESTS The above will. be found Pure combined with strength ano ;\' i" ' ' • Fine Flavour. ORIENTAL TEA COM PANY’S, in 11b and packets. We are Agents for this Tea, and would advise the public to give it a fair trial, as it is highly spoken of. O JEI & GO-



NOTICE ! NOTICE !! NOTICE !H REMOVAL,: - Firth, Pass, & Co, Beg to inform the Inhabitants of Ashburton and surrounding districts that they have REMOVED TO THEIR NEW PREMISES Next the Union Bank of Australia EAST STREET. pIRTH, PASS, & CO. take this oppor tunity of thanking their numerous customers who have so liberally supported them hitherto, and to solicit a continuance of their patronage at the new premises, TO BE CALLED The Old Bank Stores (late union bank). Orders entrusted to our care will re ceive prompt attention. Families waited on for orders weekly, FIRTH, PASS, AND CO., Grocers, Drapers, Ironmongers, WINE' AND SPIRIT MERCHANTS, &c, j * I't , T -- * East Street j ’ :



ALTHOUSE SELF-REGULATING WINDMILL , PUMPS. THE following TESTIMONIALS have been received: — “ Messes. Friedlander Bros. “ In reply to your enquiries as to how the Althouse Windmill I purchased of you has stood the late gales, I am glad to say that it has worked most satisfactorily since it. has been put up —about five months ago. “(Signed), 0. Percy Cox. “Oct. 17th, 1878.” “ Messrs. Friedlander Bros. “I have great pleasure in stating that the Windmill has stood the late gales most ‘ satisfactorily ; and, as far as I can tell, has not suffered in the slightest degree. “Signed) Norman P. Thompson. “ Longbeach, “ October 17th, 1878.” “Messrs. Friedlander Bros. “ I am pleased to inform you that the Althouse Windmill and Pump,'purchased of you, is now fitted up and working splendidly. My ditches are now full of water. I have an abundant supply for stock of every description. I consider the Windmill and Pump almost equal to an artesian well. There is no doubt these mills will become universally used on the Canterbury Plains. “(Signed), John Lambie. « Kyle, Nov. 8, 1878.” And several other Testimonials. Qly sold and set up in New Zealand 9 / during the last Six Months, all running and giving satisfaction. No other Mill can show as good a record. We guarantee the Althouse to give satisfac tion. K: Buy the Althouse, THE CHEAPEST & LEAST LIABLE TO GET OUT OF ORDER. Highly commended at Christchurch Show The specimen Windmill put up by us in front of our Establishment supplies the Borough and surrounding District with water, only running a small portion of the tune. For further particulars, apply to . FRIEDLANDER BROS., East Street, Ashburton. ysS' Sole Agents for the Australian and 1 New Zealand Colonies. /



A. O. AITKEN and CO. The Pantechnicon, HAVELOCK STREET, Ashburton.