POST OFFICE NOTICES.

Mails at the Ashburton Post Office close as follows:

For Christchurch and North at 10.20 a. m., 4 p.m. f 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, Rahgitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine at 10.30 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 February, and remaining unclaimed on the Ist May, 1878 Gooch, George C. Gray, George Hayward, Wm. Inkster, Wm. Judkins, Lucas Letters originating in New Zealand are not now advertised, but are sent to the Dead Letter Office, after having lain for two clear months.

The Evening Echo. MONDAY, MAY 6, 1878.

A telegraph station has been opened at Tainui, County of Wairarapa. A meeting of the Ashburton Steeplechase Committee was held at the Road Board Office on Saturday evening. Present—Messrs. Crisp (in the chair), Bristo, Compton,. Saunders, anil Wilkie. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. The handicappers ap pointed at a previous meeting having expressed a desire to be relieved from the duties of the office on account of having horses engaged in the races, it was resolved to request Mr. Neil McLean to act in that capacity. Some discus sion took place with reference to having a public dinner in connection with the Steeple chases, and it was eventually decided to leave the matter with the Secretary, who will ascer tain the probable cost, and report to a future meeting. It was resolved that the programme be published in the Evening Echo and Canter bury Times, and that Messrs. Acland, Camp bell, and Co. lie instructed to sell rights of erecting booths, selling race cards, and several other privileges by auction on Saturday uext. In the course of conversation, the matter of police attendance on the ground during races was referred to; a general anxiety being ex pressed to avoid similar disturbances to those which occurred during the last rural sports. The New Zealander, a new morning paper published in Wellington, made its liist appear ance on the 19th of April. It announces a highly liberal platform, declares against land monopoly, against class interests influencing the action of the Legislature and the Courts of Justice, and wages war against any political paper that will seek to direct the legislation or administration of the colony for the benefit and aggrandisement of the few at the expense of the many. The copy before us is a speci men of good printing; its arrangement as a news sheet is good ; the selections are carefully made, and altogether the paper is well edited, while the advertising columns show an amount of patronage which, continued, will give the New Zealander a good place as a commercial speculation ; and its political programme fol lowed out will undoubtedly earn for it a high, place as a leading journal. Mr. E. T. Gillon, late editor of the Wellington Argus, holds the reins editorial, and Mr. H. M. Moore, editor of the defunct Nelson Daily Times, is general manager.

According to a local paper, the baking of hot 4- buns in Auckland this year was limited to about half a dozen bakers, the excuse being “ they don’t pay." One baker abandoned the labor, and went to church instead. He said he was let into it last year ; a number of his cus tomers never paid for their supply of buns, and others returned them, saying they were too late, and very cold + buns, and not according to promise.— Sun.

Revolutions are not brought about with rose water ; trees are not felled with razors. Virtue and goodness may be sometimes honored, but are they always fed? Nature’s laws are inexora ble, and the foremost of them is work, patient endurance, and battle with difficulty. In the words of old Sam Johnson, we must jostle even a sweep if it be necessary to jostle him down. If the inner can sway the outer, the outer can sometimes obstruct, sometimes vex, sometimes tarnish the inner. Man must cultivate self reliance and independence, lie must stand as one master of himself, and learn to fight the world with its own weapons. Prized and sacred be the hour of meditation and holy commune, but the day is demanded by care and tod. Holy be the day of Sabbath ; but during six days thou “shall labor ” —not thou mayest, but “shalt.” Both are imperative and absolute. Sjx-sevenths of our life must and “shall” be given to battling with life’s realises, rough stem, and vulgar—with life as it is, and not as it ought to be. We love not to see wretched ness overcharged, and duty, in his service, perishing.— Australasian.

MAGISTRATES' COURT

To-day—Before A. T. Winter, Esq. Joseph Kinlay was charged with vagrancy at South Ashburton. He was remanded for eight days for further evi dence. John Duncan, drunk and disorderly on Saturday, was discharged with a caution. John Robinson, for the same offence on Sunday evening, was fined 10s.

NOTES BY PERIANDER.

I am pleased to learn that the Com mitteemen of the proposed Ashburton Steeplechase are receiving very liberal support from the public towards carrying out their published programme. The subscription list already shows a consi derable sum of promised money, and if horse owners evince a similar spirit in making entries for the several races, a capital day’s sport should ensue. Messrs. Smith, Jones, and Hunt have kindly offered the use of their farms for the day, and the Committee has succeeded in selecting a very admirable course over those properties, which will, while testing the capabilities of the competi tors, not be too much for an ordinarily good jumper. The prizes are certainly small, but this will only be a minor consideration with the class of sportsmen the promoters are avowedly anxious to encourage, and I hope to see a very keen contest for each event.

The Ashburton County Handicap is the first fixture on the programme, and entries for this event will have to be made with the secretary on Saturday next before 8 p.m. I expect to see six or seven nominations, and perhaps four or five starters for this race, and the winner will require some pace and cleverness to secure the victory. The Hunt Cup should bring out at least half a dozen amateurs to strive for the trophy, and much interest will at tach to the race. I notice that the Committee reserves the right of deciding upon the qualifications of “ gentlemen riders,” but 1 trust no latitude will be allowed on this particular, but at least the gentility laid down in racing law be insisted on. ,

The Farmers’ Plate will also probably produce excellent sport. Messrs. Daw son and Saunders are qualified to enter horses, but I understand they have both generously resolved to forego the right, and leave the field open to smaller stables. As the majority of farmers in the district have hacks of some descrip tion, and many of them showing con siderable quality, I shall expect a large entry and a close finish. The Maiden Plate, if I read the conditions aright, might have been called anything else with equal pro priety. As regards distance, it will probably be one of the shortest steeple chases on record, but I have no doubt that the time occupied in covering the course will be sufficiently long to satisfy all.

The Hack Race will bring a nice Hide programme to a conclusion, and although is a small reward for en < o altering the perils of a steeplechase, the jumping fever will by this time be very generally spread, and the treasurer may safely estimate that entrance monies will exceed value of the prize. In a day or two I hope to be able to give more information with reference to the likely starters, and as the day ap proaches I shall perhaps venture to predict results.

So many sick and wounded are suf fering at Sistova, that it is proposed to have “ typhus trains ” to carry soldiers infected with that disease only. Samuel Bacon, aged twenty-nine, was charged at the Greenwich Police Court with annoying and kissing a middle-aged widow while passing along the highway. The prisoner said in his defence that he had been drinking. He was fined 20s.

An old couple named Massey have been burned to death in a most shock ing manner at Garvaghy. They had been bedridden for years, and lived alone in a small cottage, with only a little fellow to attend to their wants. During his absence their clothes by some means got ignited, and both were burnt to cinders.

ASHBURTON ROAD BOARD.

Monday, 6th May.

The usual monthly meeting of the Board was held to-day, in the Road Board office.

Present: Messrs. John Grigg (chair man) E. G. Wright, J. Taylor, H. Hunt, D. Williamson. * Minutes read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE.

Application from Mr. C. Truckle to erect a lamp opposite Ai Restaurant in Tancred Street. Granted.

Application from S. Hutchinson, civil engineer, to open roads and* foot ways to lay down mains and** Services for the supply of gas to Ashburton consumers.

Mr. Williamson suggested that the step was premature, and that the Board should wait till the people of Ashburton had held a public meeting. Mr. Wright was averse to granting such important concession to a private individual. In the event of a public company being formed it would be ad visable to be in a position to give the concession to them. It would be un wise to grant this concession. The application was referred to next meeting.

From Mr. D. M’Lennan, Longbeach, complaining of the drain near his land damaging his ground. The overseer had seen the drain, but was not aware of its being a Road Board drain. The chair man said that the drains had been flushed by the Chatmoss Company. The drain was of use to the Board, and the question was ought the Board to allow drains to be sluiced to the detriment of the Board’s roads. The Board resolved to instruct the overseer to have the drain cleared out, and notice was ordered to be given for the discontinuance of slucing through that drain.

From the South Rakaia Road Board, asking the co-operation of the Ashburton Road Board in the formation of nine miles of road between Wakanui and the sea beach. Resolved, to make 4y 2 miles when the Rakaia Board had made that extent.

From Mr. Bishop, asking the altera tion of a gravel pit. Resolved, that the exchange be made provided Mr. Bishop bear the necessary legal expenses.

Mr. Hunt asked for a lease oP 10 acres of a reserve adjoining his property at 2s. 6d. per acre. Granted. Mr. Lea asked liberty to erect a scaffolding at his property, during the erection of his building. Granted, sub ject to the inspection of the surveyor. From Mr. John White, complaining of the South Wakanui Road being metal led on an improperly formed surface, whereby damage was done to his ditches. The surveyor reported the matter had been already attended to. Application from Mr. James Moore, for a year’s lease of reserve 1443 at 2s. 6d. per acre. Granted. From Furness & Dixon, tendering for advertising. It was decided to ascertain the terms of all Ashburton papers, and information as to their circulation before any steps be taken in the matter.

From Mr. Charles Reed, re disputed claim for drain at Westerfield. Further correspondence requested on the sub ject to show that the work was done.

The following tenders for work, being the lowest, were accepted : Formation of 270 chains on Christy’s Road—Mur doch Bruce, Bs. 6d. per chair. 90 chains on Stanley’s Road—W. J. Silcock, ns. 6d. 1t 1 chains on Bell’s Road —H. M'Cutchin, 15s. Shingling 32 chains on Ashton Road —A. Deveny, is. iod. per yard. Shingling 23 chains at Lowcliff-—J. Gardiner, 2s.

A letter from Mr. A. W. Weston was read, requesting pel mission to erect two hoardings for bill-sticking in the town. Granted.

The report of the surveyor was read, giving an outline of the progress of the different works on hand.

A report was submitted by the collec tor concerning arrears of rates, and summonses were ordered to be issued.

The paysheet for the month was passed for payment.

Mr. Williamson moved that the chair man be requested to write to the County Council for any moneys that may be due to the Board, and that the

same be handed over to the Board. Mr. Hunt seconded the motion, which was carried. The meeting then adjourned, and the Local Board of Health met. . Mr. C. Branson, Inspector of Nuisances, read his usual report as follows : To the Chairman of the Local Board of Health. Sir —l have the honor to lay before the Board of which you are chairman, my Report for the month of April. I wrote, communicating the resolution passed by the Board at the the last sitting, to all the hotels in the town, but with no satisfactory result; the remedy lies wholly in the hands of the Board, and can only be effectually re moved by a system of drainage. The system of pans in all closets will be taken this month, if possible ; the pans have been ordered and will be ready shortly. The stagnant pool in front of Mr. E. W. Page’s, has been filled up aSjdirected. I find that many persons within the Town Belt are in the habit of keeping pigs. The Act applies only to cities and boroughs. I would ask the Board for directions to enable me to prevent the same. I have, &c., C. B. M. Branson, Inspector. It was decided to proceed under the Act against owners of pigs kept within the boundaries of the town.

GLADSTONE ON CLERKS.

Perhaps there is no class of men more to be pitied than those who after receiv ing the advantages of a liberal education, at the age of fuur-and-twenty, or up wards, suddenly awaken to the fact that, with neither trade nor profession, ‘they are compelled to fall back on a—clerk ship. Overstocked, as the market is with unemployed clerks, all the world over, England especially complains bitterly ot the surfeit. Doubtless, in a majority of instances, a man who lias received a public school or university education, or both, has no one but himself to blame for being placed in this unfortunate pre dicament. Endowed with an ordinary share of brains, backed up by a reason able amount of application, there is nothing to prevent him acquiring an honorable and of eventually distinguishing himseifht it. ..For those, however, who have not hqd these facili ties, or have failed to profit 'by them, the future is decidedly gloomy. An agitation has lately,.been set on foot, with the object ofu: ilizing poor relations as “Gentlemen Helps” in the employ ment of the wealthier branch of the family, but the plan is too impracticable on the face of it toadmit ofa moment’s consideration. Mr. Gladstone, however, in answer to a pamphlet addressed to him on the subj ,-ct of the low rate of wages usually paid to clerks, with a re quest for a suggestion of a remedy of the evil, seems to have struck the key-note of a far more practical solution of the difficulty. He recommends that fathers should bring up their sons to some dis tinct trade, pointing out especially the great field that is always open for skilled labour, which invariably commands a fancy price. The social stigma placed by that dreaded bugbear of all English men— Society—on anything connected with trade or business is fast dying out. A brother of the Queen’s own son-in-law is in the tea trade, and a noble earl is doing business as a wine merchant. We may soon expect, at this rate, to hear that, to be fashionable, one must be in business ! “ The supposed para dise of pen and ink,” as Mr. Gladstone styles it, with its attendant black coat and tall hat, is as a rule represented by an income far short of an ordinary hack mans. Seldom, if ever, does it come near the earnings of a skilled artizan. In olden times, the sons of the kings and nobles in France were all taught a handicraft; and while suggesting that this practice be introduced in England, Mr. Gladstone reminds these ill-paid clerks that it need never be inconsistent with the dignity of a gentleman to be able to make a horseshoe or carve a picture-frame.

SHEPHERD’S DOGS.

A correspondent of the British Work man says : —I am never weary of hearing the stories of the sagacity of collcy dogs. One of the most interesting that I have ever heard was related by "Mr. Charles Hancock, the celebrated animal painter. Mr. Hancock said : “ I was once stay ing with Lord Kinnaird, at his seat in Scotland, when his lordship expressed a wish that I should see some of his prize sheep, which were then feeding with

THE EVENING ECHO, MONDAY, MAY 6, 1878.