SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF LYTTELTON.

ARRIVED.

May 17 —Alhambra, s.s., from South and Melbourne.

Sailed.

May 17 —Alhambra, s.s., for North

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 Rakaia at 10.20 a.m., and 4 p.m. daily. For Chertsey at 10.20 a.m. tb'ly. For Ashburton South, Winslow, Ilinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine at 10.30 a.m. daily.

UNCLAIMED LETTERS. The following letters are advertised at the Post Office, as having b;en received, from places beyond the Colony, during the month of February, rnd remaining unclaimed on the Ist May, 1878 : Gooch George C. Gray, George Hayward, Win. Inkster, Win. Judkins, Lucas

Letters originating in New Zealand are not now advertised, but arc sent to the Dead Letter Office, after having lain for two clear months.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Friday, May 17. Messrs. Bullock and Co. report, for week ending May 16, as follows : —At the usual fort nightly sale, held at the Ashburton Sale Yards to-day, there was only a limited attendance of settlers, and entries were not so many as at the previous fortnightly sale. Farmers and others who have stock for sale, and can at all hold, will not part with them at the present prices ruling, and we d > not see much chance of things improving for some months to come. The late rains will not benefit the grass much, as the frosty nights prevent its growth, consequently feed will be very scarce this winter. The prices realized were about an average on last sale, which we give below. Our entries for the day were as follows :

On account of Messrs. H. T. Winter, J. Ward, Hughes Bros., Frisby, Ede, Murrell, Kennedy, Reynolds, Earle Bros., Doherty, and others—cattle, 20 head ; sheep, 840 ; horses, 4» lo 7i which were all sold, except the horses, at the following prices : We sold on account of Mr. H. Anderson, cow £lO 15s. ; Hughes Bros., 2 steers at £$ each, 3 at £2 12s. 6d. each, 1 bull £5 ; Wm. Reynolds and others, cow £9 2s. 6d, do. £4 12s. 6d., 2 heifers £3 2s. 6d. each, cow £7 ios., &x. Sheep—On account of Mr. H. T. Winter, 250 merino ewes at 4s. 6d., 250 at 4s. 6d., 165 at 4s. sd. ; on account of Mr. Jas. Ward, 164 fat cross-bred at 9s. 9d., which we consider sold very cheap. Horses—We only succeeded in disposing of four light harness horses at £25 10s, £22, j£2l, R2l.

Pigs—On account of Earle Bros., 10 porkers at 38s each, 25 at 35s ; on account or Mi. Lane, 12 at 30s, 11 at 29s ; on account of Mr. B. Ede, 19 weaners at 6s 6d.

Country Sales.—We held a clearing sale of farm stock, implements, etc., at Mr. Henry Hunt's on the Bth instant. There was a fair attendance ol buyers, and considering the season of the year and the great scarcity of feed, the prices realised we think were very satisfactory.

Farms. —We have sold a farm of 150 acres, situated about three miles from the township, at £6 per acre, and 100 acres adjoining the above, all fenced and ploughed, at £6 10s per acre, and have several inquiries for improved farms.

Town Properties. —We have sold half-acre section on Town Belt, with a lour-roomed cottage erected thereon, at £220.

Oamaru, Friday. Although grain is being delivered freely, the breadstufis market is inactive, but firm. Milling wheat is worth 4s ; oats, 3s to 3s 411 ; good milling barley, ss; flour, £ll to j£ll 5s f.0.b.; oatmeal, /"iS; pearl barley, £2O; pollard, £5 5 s J bran, £4.

The Evening Echo. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 1878.

Ashburton has the credit of being a pushing young town, full of spirit and enterprise, and not likely to lag in the race with its fellows if efforts of its own will keep it neck-an 1-neck with them. From a quiet hamlet it has risen in three years or so to the position of a thriving town, and is fast becoming an import ant centre of trade. Some months ago, —in August last, in fact—its importance had made itself so manifest to the resi dents that a public meeting was called with a view to apply to the Governor for municipal rights. The necessary petition, as theoutcome of that meeting,

was forwarded to His Excellency ; but it was found that, rapid as had been the growth of. the town and steady its in crease of population, the number of per manent householders necessary to war rant the proclamation of a borough had not been reached, and, for a time at least, the desire of tfje inhabitants could not be gratified. Though unsuccessful in that attempt, those who had interested themselves in this matter were not disheartened ; and now, after a lapse of barely ten months, during which time the official census has been taken, it has been found that the required number of permanent householders has not only been reached but considerably exceeded, so that all difficulty in that direction is removed, and it now only requires that the steps taken last year be repeated, the same unanimity be displayed now as then, and the proclamation will follow as a matter of course.

Mr. Thomas Bullock, who was chair man of the August meeting, and whose public spirit in the matter is highly commendable, has again appoached the powers that be, asking if the former petition could be used with the added information as to number of householders, and has been informed that the proceedings of last August must be repeated, a fresh petition drawn up and signed, and the Governor approached without regard to the former application. No time has been lost, and an adveriise ment now appears calling a public meeting of the inhabitants for Monday evening, to consider the question. The acreage of reserves which shall become the property of the town ought of itself to be sufficient inducement for activity in the matter of securing the speedy proclamation of the Municipality. At this moment many patches of re served ground are lying in unprofitable and unsightly idleness, and these in the hands of the corporation could be made a source of revenue by lease. In one case an ugly gap in the line of buildings in East Street is caused by a reserve. This the County Council speak of utili sing for County offices, and a court house is also mooted as a probable use for the site. On the same ground room might be found for Borough Coun cil chambers, and thus concentrate on one spot all the head-quarters of the public bodies meeting in Ashburton. Though the township has not been neglected by either Road Board or County Council, but has received as full measure of attention as these two bodies could well give it, there are many matters requiring prompt attention-in a town of the size of Ashburton, that ought not to have to wait for the monthly consideration of either Road Board or County Council, —and over which in not a few instances neither body has control, —which could be seen to instantly by a Borough Council meet ting once a fortnight, or a sub-Commit tee of Public Works of the same Council meeting at any time. Of course, the institution of a Borough Council means the appointment of officers for the special work of the public requirements of the town ; but then rates now paid by Ashburton ratepayers, would become the revenue of the Council, and would be devoted to Ashburton wants alone. In ten months the town has so increased in householders as to give us over the necessary 250, and surely we can de pend on an equal rate of increase for some time to come. Every house erected would add to the revenue, and no ratepayer would complain of even an increased rate on his property were he satisfied that it would be spent on the improvement of the town, and a conse quent enhancement of the value of pro perty.

We hope that as many of the public spirited residents as can possibly make it convenient will attend on Monday evening, to aid in the endeavor to make Ashburton a municipality, and thus make an accomplished fact of what has long been a felt want.

LOCAL AND GENERAL..

If we outlive the gale at present tear ing away so grandly, we will be able to publish to-morrow. If there is no issue of our paper, subscribers may be sure that we and our establishment have gone with the hurricane where we ob serve several fences, etc., have already gone—to smithereens.

_ A meeting of cricketers was held last night in Quill’s Hotel, at which were present Messrs Andrews (2), Chamber lain, Crisp, Mainwaring, Westenra, Zouch, and Wilkie. In the absence of the members of the Domain Board and Mr S. Saunders, it was determined not to go into the matters for which the meeting was originally called, and those present elected Mr E. G. Crisp to the chair. Mr Wilkie brought forward a motion that Messrs Allington, S. Saun ders, Crisp, Mainwaring, and Zouch be elected a Committee to confer with the Domain Board as to the best means of expending the vote of on the cricket field. Mr Westenra seconded, and the motion was carried. A discus sion arose as to the best means of turn ing the Domain into a playable ground, ploughing and harrowing, levelling and covering with turf, and the purchase of a roller being amongst the suggestions considered.

The body of Miss Bowling was found yesterday in the Avon, within fifty yards of the spot where the articles were dis covered which raised the suspicion of her suicide. The Press states that Miss Bowling had received a month’s notice from Mr. Hardy Johnston, at whose house she was governess, because of her doleful demeanour, and the expressions she often used before the children, such as she wished she was in her grave. It is also stated that Miss Bowling was the party who behaved in such an extra ordinary manner recently at Akaroa. The Cheviot contest ends to-day, between Messrs. Ingles and Saunders, l'he poll will De declared in the even ing.

A patient in the Christchurch Hospi tal yesterday attempted to cut his throat. He was prevented, and sent to the asylum.

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

I o-Day —Before A. Le G. Campbell, Esq., R.M. Drunks.

Harry Jones, on the 10th of May, “ was not drunk, sir,” but Cohstable D’Arcy, who found him on the fence by the Royal Hotel, proved the alleged inebriety, and Sergeant Felton corro borated, proving several previous con victions in addition. The Magistrate fined Harry £l. Joseph Maguire, James Reeves, and Edward Holmes were each admonished against drunkenness and let off. Mr. Reeves had been overcome with the social company of some cavalrymen and the drinks he had with them. Hence his appearance before his Worship. Civil Cases. Gates v. Mooar.—ln this case, which was heard last week, the amount ad judged had been paid into Court less solicitor’s cost. Mr. Branson claimed these under the 44th section, a solicitor’s letter having been sent to defendant but not attended to. Order granted for £1 is. Taylor v. Gilbert.—Claim £1 ss. Judgment for plaintiff, with costs. Taylor v. Fletcher.—Claim £1 7s. 4d. Judgment for plaintiff, with costs.

Stevens v. M‘Creena.—Mr. Johnson, for defendant, objecten to proceeding in this case in consequence of the in sufficiency of the bill of particulars. Fresh summons ordered.

TREATMENT OF BARREN TREES.

A gentleman who has had considera ble experience in fruit raising gives the following as his method of forcing barren trees to become productive : “ Some fifteen years ago I had a small apple tree that leaned considera bly; 1 drove a stake by it, tied a string to 1 limb, and fastened it to the stake. The next year that limb blos somed full and not another blossom appeared on the tree, and, as Tim Bunker said, ‘ that sot me a-thinking,’ and I came to the conclusion that the string was so tight that it prevented the sap returning to the roots ; consequently it formed fruit buds Having a couple of pear trees that were large enough to bear, but never blossomed, I took a coarse twine and wound it several times around the tree, above the lower limbs, and tied it as tight as I could. The next spring all the top above the cord blossomed as white as a sheet, and there was not one blossom below where

the cord was tied. A neighbor, seeing my trees loaded with pears, used this method with the same result. I have since tried the experiment on several trees, almost with the same result. I think it is a much better way than cutting off the roots. In early summer, say June or July, wind a strong twine several times around the tree, or a single limb, and tie it, the tighter the better, and you will be pleased with the result; the next winter or spring the cord may be taken off.”

AN AMERICANISM.

Yesterday a man about sixty-five years of age came upstairs into the local room of this paper, and inquired : ‘ Is this whar the Legislature is ?’ ‘ No, sir,’replied the reporter, ‘the Legislature is in session at Lausing.’ ‘ Way off there, eh ? ’ continued the man, as he sat down, laid his cane across the table, and took off his mittens. ‘ Yes; trains run twice a day. Pretty good crowd out there by this time.’ 1 1 don’t care about the crowd,’ said the old man, I want a law—a new law.’ ‘ Eh ?’ ‘ Yes, sir, I want a new law—sunthin to purtect old men like me.’ ‘ What’s the matter—how do you want to be protected ? ‘ My name’s Horner,’ said the old man, as he slowly fumbled inside his coat, ‘ My name is Horner, and I’m an old fool 1 What do you think I did three months ago ? Went and married a girl about nineteen years old, and a redhead at that! Yes, went and deeded her a farm, gin her 600 dollars cash, and married her !’

‘ And did you not live happy ? ‘ Happy ? Young man, let me show you sunthin—here, look at that !’

And he unrolled a piece of brown paper and displayed a handful of gray hairs, some of which were bloodstained.

‘ Pulled right out of my scalp only three days ago!’ he went on. ‘ And see this ’ere leg !’ He pulled up his pants and exhibited n black and blue spot just above the shin.

‘ Struck there with a ' flatiron ! ,: he explained, ‘ meant to hit me ’in the chest and kill me at once, but I dodged. And see here !’

He opened his coat and vest, and revealed the fact that he had no shirt on, and consequently nothing on which to button a collar.

1 Tore it off me two weeks ago ! ’ he whispered, ‘and she burned my other one. I’ve bin around this way for a fortnight, almost dying by inches?’ ‘ Well, she must be a regular wild cat,’ said the reporter. ‘ Young man, if I were to sit here and tell ye how that woman conducts herself v’d have to hold yer hair down ?’ exclaimed the old man, striking his leg. ‘ No one knows how she’s heaved flat irons at me, hit me with clubs, throwed water over me in bed, pulled hair, jawed around, and brought my grey hair in sorrow to the grave! Why what do you think she called me this morning ? ’ ‘ A cundurango, perhaps.’ ‘ Wuss’n that, boy—far far wus, she called me an Apollo?’ ‘ Possible ? ’

‘ Yes she did 1 Think of that, think of a man my age, who has aiwavs paid his debts and been honest, bein’ set down with pirates ! ’

‘ It’s bad !’ sighed the reporter, as a long pause ensued. ‘ It’s awful—the awfulest kind of awful!’ replied Horner. I’ve got to stand it, but I want a law to protect other old men. I want a law to forbid any man over sixty from marryin’ a girl who isn’t over twinty.’ ‘ That might be a wise law.’ ‘ I can’t go to Lausin,’ he went on, ‘ but you can help me. Put it in your paper—get up an excitement about it. Will you do this. Look at me, boy— look me all over ? See how I have suffered ! See how hot my head is !’ ‘ I’ll help you all I can.’ ‘ Do ! Write to ’em five times a day. I’m goin’ hum to meet her, and be unded rounvu and sassed and jawed, but> if I know you are gettin’ a law through, I’ll go to the grave felin’ good.’ And he put on his mittens, took up his cane, and has gone.

THE EVENING ECHO, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 1878,



Five shilling packets of cop pers to lie had at the “ Echo ” office.