offered by different localities. Through out the ; southern provinces, formerly comprised in the kingdom of Naples, the crops seem to have been excellent in respect of quality, although the quantity fell somewhat short of the expectations of the spring. In Tuscany and-the country of Ancona, and throughout the states of the Church, the amount of grain harvested is thirty per cent below the yield of average years.

With one or two exceptions the re ports from the countries which make up the German empire are decidedly unfavourable. In the Rhine provinces wheat. exhibits a gain of ten per cent over the normal quantity, but elsewhere in Prussia every species of grain shows a decline of- from six to seventeen per cent. We find nearly equivalent re sults.in Baden and Wurtemburg, but in Saxony the crop of wheat is equal to the average, and in parts of Bavaria it rose some seventeen percent above the normal level. In the latter country, moreover, the volume of barley har vested is at least a quarter larger than the usual return. In the German pro vinces of Austria the amount of wheat is between two and three million quin tals in excess of the products of ordi nary years,.

In Hungary the amount of wheat garnered is extremely satisfactory. As a ; ru!e this country is able to export from th r ee to four million quintals, but the - products of 1877 will more than double that surplus. We may add that, in other respects, the past year has been a profitable one to the Hun garian agriculturist, nearly all sorts of grain giving returns far above the aver age. We come now to Russia, the great rival of the United States, as a purveyor of grain, and here we find a marked variance of results according to localities. In the plains of the Vistula, and generally within the limits of Rus sian Poland, the yield of wheat shows a decline of from ten to fifteen per cent below ordinary years. Throughout central and southern Russia, on the other hand, the wheat crop is excellent, and presents over the returns of 1876 an excess of twenty-five per cent. A marked falling off, however, is observed in the yield of barley and oats. Such is the record of 1877 for most of the grain producing countries of Europe. In the United States the harvests of the year are on the whole eminently satisfactory. Thus our yield of wheat, which in 1876 was 256,000.000 bushels,rose last season to 325,000,000. The quantity of corn is computed at 1,300,000,000 bushels, representing a gain of about 40,000,000 bushels. In view of all the facts here stated, there is no doubt that the foreign demand for our productions will exhibit a large increase during the next fi\e or six months, and that the existing situation is peculiarly favourable to the American agriculturist.— N. Y. Sun.

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[Bv Submarine Cable.]

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

The Eastern Situation.

FIRM ATTITUDE OF ENGLAND.

THE MONEY MARKET.

THE LONDON WOOL SALES.

[Per Press Agency.]

London, March 23.

The Admiralty have purchased a small rail way for military purposes, also four powerful ironclads in the Thames, built for Turkey and Brazil.

Money is in less demand, and rates are drooping. Bank rate 2. The Bank reserve is weakened by gold withdrawals. Consols, 95 H- ; The market for Australian securities shows a downward tendency. New Zealand Con solidated are quoted at 104.

The wool sales show considerable weakness ■as the sales progress. The langour in the de mand has led to several withdrawals.

March 24.

England proposes that diplomatic commu nication be treated as equivalent to presenta tion.

Russia refuses to believe that this commu nication will be fulfilled, in view of the inad missable pretensions of England.

The relations between England and Russia are in a critical condition. It is reported that Russia demands that the British ironclad squadron should leave the Sea of Marmora and the Dardanelles.

The Russian press is greatly irritated at Great Britain arming. England continues arming. Russia insists on the exclusion from Congress of the question of Bessarabia and the cession ol Armenia as an essential modification in the treaty conditions demanded by England and Austria.

St. Petersburg, March 23.

At St. Petersburg, it is semi-officially stated that owing to England persisting in her de mands in regard to the peace conditions the chances of an European Congress meeting have decreased.

AUSTRALIAN.

RICH GOLD DISCOVERY IN TAS-

MANTA,

Tasmania, Monday

A rich goldfield has been discovered on the West Coast, near Mount Protest. The wash dirt is five feet thick, and nuggets two pounds weight have been got. The discovery is causing great excitement, but winter prevents opera tions.

Melbourne, Monday

The Australian Eleven in their second inn ings made 240 runs, and the Victorian 113, The Australian won by 157.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

INCENDIARISM IN AUCKLAND AND

WELLINGTON,

Auckland, Monday.

Mrs. Warren, a lady-like person, who came from Sydney some time ago with her husband, supposed to be a commercial traveller, was arrested on a charge of attempting to set fire to Haslett’s boarding-house, Waterloo quad rant, and stealing apparel to the value of £B, the property of Mrs. Lowrie, another lodger. Mrs. Warren and Mrs. Lowrie were on friendly terms, but on Saturday night Mrs. Warren’s room was found on fire in several places, while a quantity of valuable articles from Mrs. Lowrie’s room were missing. Mrs. Warren ultimately confessed that she had taken them. When brought to Court this morning she fainted, and had to be carried out. The case was remanded. Wellington, Monday. An extraordinary attempt was made to burn down the Argus office. On opening the office this morning it was found that an entrance had been effected into the accountant’s room some time between Saturday night and Monday morning by some person, who turned on all the gas jets, twisted oft' one branch, broke open the editor’s door, and clambered through a trap door, apparently with the view of securing a free draught for the flames, and then set fire to papers on three files hanging close to the ac countant’s desk, and under a gas jet. The papers on fire, being packed pretty close, burnt all round the edges and then went out, leaving the papers a charred mass. Fortunately the gas had been turned oft at the main, which the incendiary could not get at. He is supposed to have effected his escape through the rear of the building, which is on the edge of the water. The insurance companies offer /"ioo for the apprehension of the guilty person. The building and plant are insured for a moderate amount. The origin of the fire in Willis-street on Sunday morning remains unknown. Dunedin, Tuesday. The census returns for the City of Dunedin have just been completed. The population within the limits of the Municipal boundary is 22,493? the males being 11,605, females 10,888.

THE EVENING ECHO, TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1878.



WANTED MEN, for Storing Wheat. Three weeks’ employ for io or 12 good hands. Apply immediately to SAUNDERS, BROS. ON SALE by the UNDERSIGNED. BUILDING MATERIALS Of every description. Fencing Material, Cement and Lime, Coal and Firewood. MONTGOMERY & CO., East Srreet, Ashburton.



WANTED, Immediately, a few Respect- able YOUNG LADIES as APPREN TICES to the Dressmaking. Apply to ORR ft CO. Al. RESTAURANT. R E Nfd" V A L To the premises lately occupied by Mr. Quinton. TANCRED STREET, On the Sth April. Increased Accommodation. C. TRUCKLE, PROPRIETOR. To Carpenters. WANTED, FOUR Smart HANDS. GEORGE ST. HILL, Builder. Notice to Young Men. YOUNG MEN’S MUTUAL IMPROVE MENT SOCIETY. HP HE above ASSOCIATION will COM- A MENCI2 its SEASON on Wednesday Evening, 27th inst., at 7,30 p.m., in the Library Hall, Ashburton, when the Rev. W. 15. MARTEN will deliver a LECTURE- Subject : “ Mutual Improvement.” D. ROSS, Hon. Secretary. f O R D , lIUG II ES , & CO. GRAIN AND PRODUCE MERCHANTS, Shipping and Commission Agents, Make Liberal Advances on Grain or other produce for shipment to their agents in the Australian Colonies or London. Cornsacks and Woolpacks supplied at lowest current rates. Indents executed from all parts of the world. Offices —High Street, Christchurch. MRS. E. PETERSOnT DRESSMAKER, (Two doors from the Echo Office). All orders executed with neatness and "with promptness. STATUARY! STATUARY! A GRAND Display of some of the Finest Models extant. Casts from the works of the Best Masters. A Rare Chance for the Adornment of the Drawing-room, Portico, or the Garden. 4 Visit our Shop To-night, and see the Display. FURNESS and DIXON, STATIONERS’ HALL, EAST STREET.



J. G. ANSTEE, BUILDER AND CONTRACTOR, EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. Every description of Carpentering, and all kinds of Jobbing Work, Shop Fittings, &c., done on the most reasonable terms. Pictures Mounted and Framed !



BOOKS ! BOOKS ! BOOKS ! FURNESS and DIXON have on Sale a Choice Assortment of Interesting and Popular Works, including the following:— Sunday at Home for 1877. Leisure Hour for 1877. Child’s Companion lor 1877. Little Wide Awake tor 1877. Saved from the Sea, by Kingston. Robinson Crusoe, ico Illustrations. Swiss Family Robinson, 300 Illustrations. Boys Book of Sports. Every Boys Annual. Ethel Clinton. Little Hazel. Polly and Jack. Nannette Dampier. Prince Übbely Bubble. Told in the Twilight. Aunt Martha’s Corner Cupboard. By Hesba Stretton, — Fern’s Hollow. Cassy. Little Meg’s Children. Max Krbtner. Lost Gip. Friends till Death. Kardoo, the Hindoo Girl. Trot’s Letters to her Doll. Our New House. Melbourne House.



A/fEDICAL. —An L.R.C.P., L.R.C.S,, L. M., Edinburgh, First Honorman and Medalist, aged 28 years, married, would be glad to hear of an appointment in .New Zea land. \\ ould manage a branch or accept_of junior partnership in a good practice, for which premium would be accepted out of proceeds. Advertiser is strictly steady and energetic, has had much experience in all branches, and holds a number of first-class testimonials from eminent men in the pro fession. Address, with full particulars, to DR. WM. BENNETT, P.O. Box 42, Ashburton, Canterbury. MESSRS BULLOCK & CO., AstIIiURTON, General Merchants, Auctioneers, Stock, Sta tion, Estate, and Commission Agents. Sales of Stock, Farm Implements, &c., will be held at their Yards, Ashburton, every alternate Thursday. CASH Advances made 'on Stock, Produce, die., consigned for Positive Sale. BULLOCK & CO. THE undersigned is a CASH BUYER of 1 OATS, BARLEY, GRASS SEED, WHEAT, CHEESE, and OTHER FARM PRODUCE, At highest Maiket Prices. Cornsacks supplied at ruling prices. 11. B. SORENSON. Christchurch. w. R. BOYLE, J? STATE AND GENERAL AGENT, EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. TOL E T . A SHOP IN EAST STREET, next door -Cx t 0 Mr. San no’s. Enquire at the ECHO Office. BUSINESS NOTICE. L . WILSON, AUCTIONEER, VALUATOR & BROKER, Lien Ei Ki.t) Street, Christchurch. WILL IMPORT for the NEXT SEASON, REAPERS AND BINDERS. JOHN ANDERSON, Canterbury Foundry, Having made arrangements for the im portation of each description of each machine, viz : The WOOD, The McCORMICK, and The OSBORNE, With all the latest improvements for next season’s harvest, begs respectfully to state that he will KEEP A STAFF OF EXPERTS In the district during harvest To Fit Up and Keep in Order, YVhich, with a supply of extras for each machine, will be a guarantee against stoppages. Early orders will oblige, to save dis appointment. WANTED Runners for the Evening Echo. Good wages to smart boys. RAILWAY FOUNDRY, CHRISTCHURCH. SCOTT BROS., ENGINEERS, &c„ BEG to inform their customers and the public generally that they have REMOVED To new and commodious premises in MANCHESTER STREET SOUTH, Near the new passenger station. Manufacturers of Railway Contractors’ Plant, Flax Dressing Machines and Presses, Wool Presses, Agricultural and all descriptions of Machinery. Plain and Ornamental Railing, Gates, and Tomb Fencing. Stoves and Cooking Apparatus. -Drawings prepared, and estimates given for all kinds of Engineering and Machinery. Repairing done with expedition.