POST OFFICE NOTICES.

Mails at the Ashburton Post Office close as follows : For Christchurch and North at 10.20 a.m., 4 p.m., and 7.30 p.m., daily. For Chertsey at 10.20 a.m. daily. For Rakaia at 10.20 a.m., and 4 p.m. daily. For Ashburton South, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine at 10.30 a.m. daily. For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach at 2.45 p.m. daily.

The Evening Echo. MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1878. SIR GEORGE GREY AT CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our Special Correspondent) Sir George Grey’s meeting in Christ church on Saturday evening, will long ' be remembered as an epoch in the political history of the most conserva tive city in Australasia. Never before did the old Odd Fellows Hall resound to such rank heteiodoxy—never before did a dense Christchurch audience applaud such ultra-radicalism never before did the talent, the generalship, and the remarkable and oft-proved influence and power of tbe Canterbury •md ring find itself so helpless to start a cry to keep up an interruption, or in any way to deter an orator whose master-strokes were only made the more telling by the few noisy devices that were intended to divert them. The hundred tickets that had been distributed for tbe platform, chiefly by an old identity who thoroughly believes in the manners and customs of old . Canterbury, had placed behind the speaker a majority of those who were ready to act in concert, under the guidance of any of their old leaders, and to adopt the tactics that had been so long successful against all weaker op ponents ; but in front of Sir George was packed a mass of heads that knew not Joseph, that had lost all faith in the Nabob, and would not swear even by a Stevens or a Rolleston. The Mayor wisely made no introductory re marks, but simply introduced Sir George as soon as the cheering which greeted his entrance on the platform had sub sided. The large hall, crowded as it was with an excited audience, was a little too much for Sir George’s natural voice, and to reach the distant gallery where the ladies were seated he had to speak with a strain on his voice that made it less plsasant than usual, and suggested the idea that he would not be able too keep it up long, but as he warmed to his work, and especially as he was occasionally spurred on by some contradiction from his enemies in the

rear, the veteran’s voice became more natural, and at the end of two hours was better by far than at tbe beginning. We had expected, perhaps we had rather hoped, that a knowledge of his locality and his surroundings would have somewhat restrained the speaker in the expression of his very ultra views on each oi his favorite points, but instead of this he was evidently ex cited to go a little farther with them than usnal; and not only to hold nothing back, but on his pet scheme of manhood suffrage to be guilty of some decided exaggerations. This, however, was not the sorest point with those who had come to con tradict him, and such statements as that there were 150,000 adult males in New Zealand who ought to have votes whilst only about 40,000 really had them, did not provoke a single “ No” from those who were saving their breath for a subject that they believed to more immediately affect their pockets. Even on the question of taxing property in stead of mouths he was allowed without contradiction to assert that the rate of wages would be just as high if the taxes

were paid by the employees instead of by the employers; but when he came to handle roughly our sacred land laws— when he spoke of the way in which they had been worked to defraud the public and enrich individuals—when he point ed out how the representatives of Can terbury had neglected public interest and the interests of their constituents to secure one-sided land legislation, and to keep their runs from public competition —“ Noes” and contradictions came fast and furious, and once or twice the lion hearted speaker turned round and faced the raging countenances that were flashing upon him. When Sir George had concluded, and the long and vociferous applause bad somewhat subsided, the most able and most popular of the city representatives stood up,- and hoped to avert any expression of approbation by proposing a bald vote of thanks to the speaker. Mr. Stevens ventured not a single word of dissent or criticism on the speech, but he was coldly and impatiently re ceived ; his feeble voice could not be heard far, and he had the good sense to sit down, when loud cries of “ Mont gomery,” brought that gentleman to his teet, and he briefly proposed a vote of confidence in the present Ministry. Dr. Turnbull here climbed on to the platform,- and tried to gain a cheer of approbation by complaining of the difficulty, of getting a place on the plat orm, but even those who had been standing .nearly three hours, were little disposed to back him up in that com plaint- However, he is not the man to take a mild “ no ” for an answer, and insisted on delivering his oft-told tale about, the prudence of Canterbury con trasted with the profligacy of other provinces in general, and of Auckland in particular. His hard voice and combative action reached the far end of the room, and was perhaps understood by those who were born north of the Tweed. Every time he arrested his rapid delivery to refer to his long notes, he was greeted with rustic wit like— “ Give it to some one else to read,” “ How much more of it have you got there ?” whilst even the quiet Mayot innocently added to the general mirth by assuring the audience that the more quietly they, allowed the speaker to deliver himself of his burden, the sooner it would be all out. When, however, the Doctor came to the end of. his old tale, and began to apply it personally to Sir George, his game was up, and not another word would they hear. After a few. words from Mr Saunders in support of something more than a bare, vote of thanks, and a little irony on the proposer of that vote, in which he was warmly supported by the meet ing, Mr Rolleston came forward and was vociferously cheered by the plat form, but not a word would the body audience hear from their late Superin tendent. The meeting now clearly saw the tactics of their old leaders ; they saw that it was intended to make two long attacks on Sir George Grey, which there would be no time to answer, and to all Mr Ro.lleston’s and the Chair man’s efforts to be heard they persist ently answered, “We came to hear Sir George Grey, and we won’t hear you to-night.” For nearly twenty minutes Mr Rolleston stood and claimed his fight to be heard, but Greek met Greek, and at last he turned to his old friends the reporters and said some thing which was caught by them, and some words appear to have reached Sir George Grey, and gape him a well-used opportunity to clear up the accusation brought against him about the ex-Judges and the Land Bill.

RETURN OF SIR G. GREY TO ASHBURTON.

PUBLIC MEETING TO-MORROW. , A telegram received in town to-day states Sir George Grey’s intention of addressing a public meeting in Ashbur ton on Tuesday night at eight o’clock.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The little zephyr of Saturday night and Sunday morning playfully twisted the new Wesleyan Church, and dis placed the plaster on both gable walls. Several outhouses were overturned by its gambols. On Saturday evening, about five o’clock, just after the publication of that day’s issue of the Echo, an acci dent, attended with very serious conse quences, occurred at tbe Ashburton railway bridge. A trolly was being driven along the line of railway by some workmen, while a three-horse dray, in charge of a man named Hayes, residing at the Road Board cottages, was cross ing the bridge. Behind the dray, Mr. Hicks, baker, was riding in his trap> and after passing the heavier vehicle, he discovered that the driver Hayes had lost control of the horses. They had evidently taken fright either at the trolly on the line, Mr. Hicks’ trap, or a lady who also passed on horseback. Mr. Hicks immediately gave whip, to get off the bridge, but the frightened horses gained rapidly upon him. Just clear of the approach, the wheel of his trap caught an old stump, and he was thrown violently out of his trap, which upset. On reaching the same spot, the dray was overturned also, and thus the career of the horses was stopped; but poor Hayes was knocked down, the -wheels passing over his chest, and breaking two of his ribs, while a large wound was inflicted on the back of his head, probably by a horse’s hoof. He was otherwise badly bruised, and lost a very large- quantity of blood. Dr. Kes terven was on the scene of the accident in a short time, and the man was taken home, whither the Doctor followed, and attended to the man’s injuries, who is now, we understand, progressing favourably. Mr. Hicks has sustained a bad sprain of the left arm and hand, and his left knee is also injured. The accideut caused great excitement at the time, as a rumour spread that a man had been killed.

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

To the Editor of the Evening Echo. Sir, —Another week has passed away, and the usual quietude of this rising township has been enlivened by the presence and reception of the Premier of New Zealand, who must have duly appreciated the flattering terms in which his past political history was alluded to, although many an old New Zealand settler, as well qualified to judge as Mr. Alfred Saunders, may take excep tion to those remarks. However, it is never to late to improve, and Sir George Grey may do more for the welfare of the colony during his declining years to come than he ever did up to the present time. I quite agree that the present Government should have a fair trial, and I trust I can realize the heavy responsibility that now rests upon it. Up to the present day it has been a steady system of borrowing; it’ is true that in many cases the outlay has been and will be reproductive, but there can be little doubt that there has been spent on departmental expenses and Home

commissions large sums that should have gone to opening up the country, &c. Retrenchment should (and I be lieve will be) the motto of the present Government. I observe that the war cry of Sir George Grey is “ The People” ; I wisl] • him every success, and hope that when the present Government re tire from office the affairs of this colony will look brighter than when they accepted the charge.

Friday’s reception (considering the population) was respectable; indeed, I question if the Governor of New Zea land would have received greater honor from the settlers of the district. All classes were fairly represented—com prising the members of the Ashburton County Council, clergymen, magistrates, bankers, merchants, tradesmen, and last (but not least) the working men of the colony.

I was sorry to observe that the gay uniform of the Ashburton Cavalry was conspicuous by its absence. It would have had a good effect; and guards of honor, I hope, will be the chief duty for our volunteers during many years to come. I am, &c.,

Civilian.

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[Per Press Agency.] [By Submarine Cable.]

AUSTRALIAN.

Sydney, Sunday. The Australia has arrived. Ihe Rev. Mr. Allen, a Baptist min ister, held forth in Hyde Park to-day against Roman Catholicism. Fifteen thousand people assembled, and a sec tarian riot is feared. One hundred police are present, and the military are ready to be called out. The passengers by the Chimborazo have been safely brought to Sydney. Twenty feet of the steamer’s keel is gone, but it is believed she can be readily brought on to Sydney for re pairs.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Grahamstown, Monday.

His Excellency the Governor is ex pected here about Friday to formally open the new country road to Ohine muri. _I he local bodies are preparing to receive him. Probably a citizens’ ball or a banquet will take place. The Maoris will take a prominent part in the-reception

Oamaru, Monday.

According to census returns the population of Oamaru is 4977, showing an increase of 2000 in four years.

Nelson, Monday.

In the District Court this morning, Florence Joseph, the Mulatto hairdresser recently apprehended on a charge of indecent assaults on a young girls, and who received severe handling from an infuriated mob in the street, when liberated on bail, was sentenced to six years penal servitude, he having pled guilty to the offence.

Hokitika, Monday. A heavy gale has blown for the last two days. The Christchurch coach, due on Saturday has not arrived. Mr Homer, the agent for the Bank of New Zealand at Ross, has been missing since Saturday. The Inspector and the Hokitika manager examined the agency books on Friday, and next morning the agent did not corne to the office. It is supposed he has secreted himself somewhere about the district. Ihe Bank has since issued a warrant for the arrest of Homer for the em bezzlement of £lll.

THE EVENING ECHO, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1878,