POST OFFICE NOTICES.

Mails at the Ashburton Post Office close 13 follows : ■. For Christchurch and North at 10 a.m. \ p.m., and 7.30 p.m., daily. For Chertsey at 10 a.m. daily. For Rakaia at 10 a.m., and 4 p.m. daily. For Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.15 a.m. daily. For Temuka, Timaru, and South at 10.15 p.m. and 3 p.m daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Tuesdays arid Fridays at 10.30 a.m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST

The Evening Echo. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1878.

R.M. Court. —His Worship the Mayor to-day wiped off the Christmas scores contracted between the drunks, &e., and the law. Henry Draper was fined 30s, with the alternative of 48 hours in prison. Draper was very recently before the Court for drunkenness and disorderly conduct, but having been locked up since Tuesday he was thus leniently dealt with. John O’Grady was found drunk and asleep on the Post-office premises, and after a re primand and a warning, his Worship dis missed him. James Baker was charged with assaulting James M £ Rae. Constable Draper said that last night he was stand ing near Quill’s Hotel talking to M‘Rae. Prisoner came out of the hotel and used violent language to the latter, finally striking him. Witness attempted prisoner's arrest, who got amongst a crowd. Draper was struck on the mouth with a stone. M‘Rae was not present in Court when called, and had to be sent for. On arri val he corroborated the constable’s evi dence, adding that somebody struck him (witness) in the mouth with a piece of pudding. It was prisoner, who also struck witness with his fist. M £ Rae defended himself as best he could, and tried to help the constable, but they were set upon by a crowd of 20 or 30. The constable got badly used. He (witness) took his coat off as the odds were so great, but he had to run for his life, and when he went after his coat this morning he got it all torn as produced. Prisoner was fined £2 or 48 hours. M. Murphy, for being in capably drunk, was fined £2, or 24 hours. At half-past 2 his Worship aud James Campbell, Esq., sat to hear a charge of assaulting a constable brought against James Mulcahey. The case arose out of the row mentioned in the previous case, in which M £ Rae and Constable Draper had both been roughly handled by some dozen or so rowdy fellows outside Quill’s Hotel. Mr Heck defended the prisoner, and after evidence had been led, the Bench said the identity of prisoner -with the man who knocked in the constable’s teeth and cut his lip open had not been established, It was patent, however, that Mulcahey had been concerned in a very disgraceful row, and he was cautioned against such proceedings in future and let off.

Rangitata Bridge. There is again a difficulty with this railway bridge. This morning when the train reached it some men were sent forward to ascertain the state of the bridge as regarded its safety for the passage of a train. While the men were on the bridge the piles gave way in the second pier on the north side, and the north encl of the bridge sank con siderably. The men had difficulty in keeping their footing because of the bridge’s condition, and all goods traffic is now suspended, but passengers are allowed to walk over to meet the trains which have been timed to accommodate the running caused by the break-down.

THE HOLIDAYS.

Cliristmas was celebrated in Ashburton in the usuul way. Business of every kind was totally suspended, and the town wore the appearance of a Sabbath. Services, were conducted in the Episcopalian and Wesleyan churches, bntthe great majority of people were more on pleasure bent, and many made excursions to places in the district, to the seaside and elsewhere. The old custom of “the waits” was revived by a company of some very good voices, and at various hours between ten o’clock of Christmas eve and three of Christmas morn residents were awakened by the singing of carols under their win dows, to the delight of the majority of those favored with a serenade, but much to the annoyance of one or two cross grained ones in whose bosom the soul of poetry had no place.

BOXING DAY. came in on the wings of a fierce nor’- wester, and those who know Ashburton at all can at once imagine what like the enjoyment of THE ANNUAL SPORTS would be, and under what disadvantages they would be carried on. The sports commenced at ten o’clock in the indis pensable paddock belonging to Mr. Hay T. Smith. For some time after the commencement the spectators were not a very large body, but they steadily grew in numbers till in the afternoon there was a very large crowd upon the ground. The Committee who undertook the work of arranging and carrying through the sports had no light office. Only very short notice of the meeting had been given and competitors had hot much time for practice, so that everything was done in the way of preparatory arrangements with the utmost expedition. However, the arrangements were complete, and when the short time for preparation and practice is considered, as also the terrible day of wind and dust on which the gathering came off, the wonder is that the sports were the great success they proved to be. The sports began with a Quoit Match : Ist prize, £llos ; 2nd, 15s entrance, 2s 6d. 1, Geo. Kidd; 2, Hughes. Three entered. District Hurdle Race, 440 yards, over 6 flights of hurdles, 3ft Gin high; Ist prize £3 ; 2nd, £1 ; entrance, 2s Gd. 1, 0. Risely; 2, S. Barratt; 3, W. T. Davison.

Five entered for this race. Cullen cut out the running until the last hurdle was reached, when Risely spurted, and won easily by about 5 yards. Running High Jump ; Ist prize, £1 5s ; 2nd, 12s Gd; entrance, 2s. 1, J.

O’Connor ; 2, R. Cullen. District Boys’ Flat Race, under 16 years : 100 yards : Ist prize, 12s. Gd ; 2nd, ss. ; entrance, Is. 1, J. Permain ;2,

F. Hitchings. Flat Race for Men, 100 yards : Ist prize : £llos. ; 2nd, 15s ; entrance, 2s. 1, Oughten ; 2, Risely ; 3, Barratt.

After some false shapes at a start, the following crowd, were got away for this money : —W. T. Davison, Taylor, Oughten, Risely, Arthur, Quill, and Barratt. Oughten took the lead, andkept it through out the spin, which closed with Barratt and Risely ties for second place. Risely won the tie in the run off. Open Handicap Mile Race : Ist prize, £3 ; 2nd, £1 ss. ; entrance, 2s. Gd. 1, O’Connor ; 2, Parish.

The entries for this event were — Hughes, Parish, O’Connor, Jackson, and Davison. O’Connor’s fame and appear ance gave him the place at scratch ; Parish, who was quite a youth, was held lightly, and got 150 yards start; all the rest got 50 yards start of O’Connor. The first lap of the mile saw the last of Jackson and Hughes, and O’Connor soon passed Davi son. For a time Parish gamely held the start he had got, but before the last lap was half finished O’Connor came up, and took him in tow, walking in first. From the beginning of the race it was evident O’Connor was top sawyer. He is a man of splendid physiq ae, and his swinging stride at once bespoke him favourite in every event he entered for. Ha passed everybody without any apparent effort. Parish kept on steadily, and ran his mile well. Davison, though heavily handi capped against the boy’s 150 yards and O’Connor’s grand mettle, stuck gamely to his work, and though he kept up a long stern chase his staying power would have told on a longer distance. O’Connor’s mile time was smin. s|sec. Pole Vaulting : Ist prize, £2 ,* 2nd, £1; entrance, 2s.

In this event seven athletes vaulted— Cullen, Fowler, Hunt, Mayo, Botting, Orchid, and Cosgrove. Each competitor was evidently up to his work, and all showed excellent vaulting powers. Start ing at 6ft., not one of the seven, men jibbed until—rising 3in. at the time—the bar had reached 7ft. 9in., when the next notch choked off Orchid and Cosgrove. Botting caved in at Bft. ; Mayo held for another up-shift, and when the Bft. Gin. pegs held the bar, J. Hunt and H. Fowler were the only contestants, Cullen having succumbed just before. Fowler cleared the bar at Bft. 6in., but this seemed to be his limit. Hunt just failed to get clean over the height, and thus had to be con tent with second place. The contest throughout was a splendid one, and pro videdan entertainment of quite unexpected superiority. Ashburton County Handicap Cup Race, 1 mile, open to all comers : Ist prize, cup, value £5 ss. ; 2nd, £2; entrance, ss. 1, Risely; 2, Parish. Time, smin. 43|sec. Risely had this race from beginning to end against the other two competitors, and the event lacked interest. Walking Match Handicap, 2 miles ; Ist prize, £2 ; 2nd, £1; entrance, 2s 6d. 1, O’Connor; 2, Smith. O’Connor had this .all his own way,

quickly wiping off all handicaps, and over baking the advance guards. . V: : Tilting at the Ring : Ist prize, £3 ; 2nd £i 10s ; entrance, ss. 1, M. Digby ;

2, Gr. Smithel. : ' : Tiiis was a long event, occupying about an hour and a half. There were fourteen entries, who each in turn essayed the rings. Digby got three rings, Smithel two, and Scott and others one. District Flat Race, 440 yards: Ist prize, £3; 2nd, £1 15s ; entrance, 2s Gd. 1, Risely ;2, Barratt. A well-contested and closely-run race. Sack Race : 150 yards ; Ist prize, 15s ; 2nd, 5s ; entrance, Is. 1, G. Edmunds;

2, Powrie. . The usual fun followed the start of six men to run in sacks with comic-looking masks upon their faces. Open Handicap : 440 yards; Ist prize, £2 10s ; 2nd, £1; entrance, 2s Gd. 1, Risely ; 2, O’Connor. Risely’s 15 yards gave him a good ad vantage over O’Connor in this event. Three-Legged Race : 100 yards ; Ist prize, £1; 2nd, 10s. ; entrance, 2s. Gd. (per pair). 1, C. Risely and R. Cullen ; 2, Wood and Toll. Four pairs entered. Bobbing for Buns : Open to all comers. No entrance fee ; Ist prize, 10s. 1, A. Benn ; 2, Hopkins. This event supplied much amusement to the onlookers. Putting the Stone : Ist prize, £1; 2nd, 10s ; entrance, 2s. 1, Cullen ;2, Bar ratt. Against Cullen no one had any chance in this contest. It might be as well, in future meetings on the Ashburton ground, if two “ stone” events were placed on the card —one to be competed for under Scotch regulations, and the other in any style the thrower may select. The Scotch thrower is only allowed a space equal to the width of a farm-cart wheel on which to collect the necessary impetus for a throw, and to this space Cullen yesterday restricted himself, while Barratt took a rush of 10 yards. When the difference between 10 yards and 4i feet is taken into consideration, Cullen’s right to the prize is at once seen.

Consolation Race : (Handicap), 200 yards ; Ist prize, £llos ; entrance, 2s. 1 Brown, 2 Gauld. The sports concluded with a chase after a pig—a chase that brought out the latent brute nature, lying in the composition of many of those who entered for the chase. We had thought that fair play was a jewel prized by every Briton, and that it would have been extended even to a pig, when that animal was promoted to the honor of trying conclusions of speed with the lords of creation ; but such was not the case, and the pig was run down without even a chance given. One clodhopper was so much in love with the porker that he followed it into a mud hole, and wallowed knee deep in the mire. If a pig is to be tortured annually to please the brute tastes of young Ashburton, it would be as well at least that some arrangement should be made whereby it should be done in at least the gentlest if not the fairest man ner possible. , old men’s home.

In accordance with the desire ex pressed by his Worship the Mayor, Mr Barratt, the master of the Hospital and Immigration Barracks here—in which the late inmates of the Sehvyn Home and other infirm and temporarily destitute per sons receive Government charitable aid in shelter, food, and medical attendance— provided a solid and plentiful Christmas dinner of the best quality for all the inmates and persons employed in the establishment. Other contributors to this holiday treat were : —Mr Shearman, beer ; Mr Hicks, cakes, nuts, and lollies, and a barrel of ginger beer : Milsom and Co., a large case of lemonade. About 82 sat down to dinner at about 1 o’clock, but several bed-ridden patients also tasted of the feast. Before the ample dessert of cakes, nuts, and sweetmeats • had been cleared away, a written address of thanks to Mr Bullock personally, and, through him as Mayor, to all other contributors, drawn up by one of the inmates and unanimously adopted, was signed by the greater portion of the inmates. The Mayor visited the Home at about three o’clock, and, upon the address being pre sented to him by “ one of the oldest inhabitants,” replied in very feeling terms, wishing those now in misfortune a speed relief from their distresses, hoping the inmates had enjoyed a good meal, and cordially inviting all of them to make known their wants to him at any time, in order that he might relieve them if pos sible. His Worship spoke rather diffi dently, but what he said was to the point and his confusion was that of a kind heart, and apparently the result of real sympathy with distress of any kind. The address of the inmates lays stress on the fact that they value, far more than the mere enjoyment of the meal, the sense of having one or more persons living near them “ who take a lively interest in their welfare, and love their neighbors as themselves and it expresses them hope that Mr Bullock, with, if thought fit, some other leading residents in the borough or neighborhood, may soon be placed in a position of authority to inspect the premises at times, to hear, examine, and decide on any complaints that may arise, and to rejoice with them in satis faction when all things work smoothly, as they assert is now the case. Three cheers for Mr Bullock and his lady were heartily given, and after mutual wishes of A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, the Mayor bade all farewell and returned to his carriage. ■ Yesterday, a welcome Christmas-box, consisting of a fine ham and side of bacon, and a large sackful of green peas, new potatoes, and cabbages, was left at the Ashburton Railway Station, carriage free, addressed to Mr. Barratt at the Immigra tion Office, by Mr. Charles Bourn, a lead ing farmer of We are informe

that his attention had been called to the preliminary announcement of the worthy Maj or of Ashburton’s generous, but unos tentatious, exercise of seasonable “ good will to men,” and that in the spirit of the true motto, “ Bis dat qui cito dat”— u Twice giveth he who quickly gives.” Mr. Bourn, being on his way to Timaru, took care to follow Mr. Bullock’s example with the utmost promptitude possible. This action is the more pleasing, because Mr. Bourn is one of the “ first Canterbury colonists,” having arrived at Lyttelton as a free immigrant, in the employ of the late Mr. J. C. Watts Russell, about Xmas, 1850 ; raised himself to the position of a tenant of 50 acres of land at Riccarton three or four years afterwards ; and in the following year became a freeholder in the Southbridge district, where he is now a leading man in farming, and an honored member of the community in \ social and commercial matters. Among other in stances of this, he is Chairman of the Southbridge Bacon-curing Company, of wliVch he was the chief founder. The master and inmates of the Hospital Bar racks report highly of the quality of this local produce, and no one can fail to observe the very neat and business-like way in which it is prepared for market. A hearty letter of thanks, in acknowledgment of his kindness, has been sent to Mr. Bourn on behalf of the inmates. THE SCHOOL FETE. The scholars attending the public schools had a treat provided for them by the Com mittee, to defiay the expenses of which subscriptions had been raised amongst friends and the general public. The chil dren assembled at the school about ten o’clock, whence they adjourned to the play-ground, and at once commenced the sports, according to a programme drawn up by Mr. Ward and others, and adhered to or departed from as circumstances, or the discretion of those in charge, prompted. In a rope enclosure, by the fence on the south side of the play-ground, a large table was placed, bearing the prizes to be competed for by the children. No one can accuse the Committee in charge of the arrangements of niggardliness in regard to the awards given to successful competi tors, for on the table when the sports com menced were no less than 52 dozen articles, and the collection presented the appear ance of a gigantic toy shop. Nor were the toys of a paltry description ; the quality of them was superior indeed, and the total value of the collection amounted to something like £l7 or £lB. The object of the gathering was to give enjoyment to .the children, and this was secured by the plethora of prizes at the Committee’s dis posal, for every scholar left the ground with some little souvenir or other of the Boxing Day Treat of 1878. The games consisted of innumerable races (the runners being classified accord ing to age), wheelbarrow races, sack races, “ rabbit ” races (all fours), jumping, vault ing, and gymnastics. At tw r o o’clock lunch was laid in the schoolroom, when upwards of 600, besides many parents and others, enjoyed an abundant repast. The appetite created by the out-door exercise having been satisfied, another start was made at the games—more races wore run, more jumping, vaulting, and gymnastics. Of course we do not require to give particu lars of the many events, but the jumping, vaulting, and gymnastic performances of the elder boys were really good, and if progress is made in the future at the same rate as the proficiency exhibited yesterday showed had been made in the past, the arena of our Annual Sports Committee will be well filled with competitors. It is to be hoped, too, that the lessons of the school will be mastered as speedily. Mr. Mayo, of the Normal School, Christchurch, superintended the gymnastic performances, acting as leader, and the boys followed his pattern in the feats with rare pluck. Some of these feats were very difficult, as, for instance, climbing the poles, turning somersaults from the gymnasium rings, getting up a swing on the ropes, the hori zontal ladder, the feats known by gymnasts as “Yankee drop,” “dislocation,” etc. Mr. Mayo himself is a clever gymnast, and he also made a good appearance at the Ashburton Sports in the vaulting competi tion, where he only succumbed v 7 hen the bar was 8 feet high. At 5 o’clock the games were all over, and tea was partaken of in the schoolroom again, at the conclusion of which cheers

were given for the Committee, teachers, etc., and at seven o’clock the whole of the children paraded and marched to the Town Hall, where the Oddfellows’ Christys kindly gave them free accommodation in the gallery. During the day a very large crowd of parents and other grown-up people attended the play-ground, and many resi dents assisted the Committee and teachers by helping on the games, thus adding to the day’s enjoyment. THE CHRISTYS. Last night the Oddfellows’ Christys performed to a crowded Town Hall. With commendable consideration the gallery was thrown open free to the school children by the Committee of the Christys, and the kindness was appre ciated to such an extent that several hundreds of children thronged the gallery. The programme provided was a good one. After the usual introductory chair business, which included a few good songs, some new jokes, and new fun by Bones and Tambo, all fairly got through, a new feature in these entertainments was introduced by Mr Walter Dolman in the shape of a local stump speech a la Uns worth. Mr Dolman’s speech contained a sly prod or two at the Borough Council and town affairs generally, and was delivered with much effect. Mr Dolman is an elocutionist of no insignificant merit, and has a thorough conception of what is required of a darkie orator, so that his oration took well, and was attentively listened t 0,,. a hearty round of

applause-following his peroration. Messrs Bpown and Gapes were quite at home in the farce “He would be an Actor,” and were quite a fund of amusement. The concluded with a very laughable piece entitled “ The Dai’kie Photographer,” in which Mr. Gapes .again come to the front with an instalment of comicalities, ably helped by the photo grapher (Mr. Gates), “ that boy Adolphus” (Mr. Tucker), whose evil spirit troubled everybody, and the living statue (Mr. Meant), ever ready to administer punish ment to the unfortunate darkie who came within reach of his stage cudgel.

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[By Submarine Cable.] 1 London, Dec. 24. An Italian war ship takes the Italian exhibits to Australia. The Duke of Genoa is commander. Ebsworth, Son and Co. have failed ; liabilities, £98,000. Obituary—The Hon. Eliot Yorke. Dec. 23. One million has been deposited in the Bank, and tenders are invited for the balance of the South Australian loan. The weather is intensely cold and snowy. '-"v. • The Duke of Edinburgh has been ap pointed a Rear-Admiral. Bombay, Dec. 22. General Browne occupied Jellalabad yesterday. All is quiet. The inhabitants are friendly. The report of the flight ,of the Ameer is fully confirmed. Dec. 24. The Ghilpis, a powerful Afghan tribe, have proclaimed Yakoob Khan,’ Ameer. Constantinople. An Imperial irade has been published authorising the conclusion of a convention for the Austrian occupation of the pro vinces. • v' -v. The Porte has appointed a commissioner to rectify the Greek frontier. Vienna. It is semi-officially stated that the Sul tan has authorised the settlement of Montenegro frontiers. '' ? t; The Porte is discussing the proposal of a loan guaranteed by the: European Powers.

AUSTRALIAN

Sydney, Dec. 25. The Bulli Coal ;[ Company’s miners struck because a steamer belonging to the Company arrived from Sydney with a Chinese crew.

Melbourne, Dec. 26. Lord Harris’ team v. Fifteen of Victoria.—The latter are at the wickets, and have 12 out for 277 - Campbell, 127. The bowling is weak, the fielding good. The Canterbury cricketers arrived this evening at 7.30 p.m. They play Ballarat to-morrow.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

[Per Press Agency and Exchanges.] Wellington, Thursday. The Bank of New Zealand lose only about £3O by Mackie’s defalcations, £IOOO being secured by the Fidelity and Guarantee Society.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

Blehheim, Friday. At. the Renwick Boxing Day Sports yes terday, Beauchamp, the rider of Billy But tons in the Hurdle Race, fell, the horse and man coming down together at the fifth flight of hurdles. Hey la insensible, bleeding from the mouth for some time. People thought he was killed, and Doctors Horne and Cleghouse were sent for from Blenheim. Ten minutes after the occur rences&he boy revived, and when the Drs. came on to the ground, they pronounced him out of danger, but said he had experi enced a slight concussion of the brain, was much shaken and bruised, and had also been struck on the head by the horse’s hoof. Robinson, the rider of the horse just ahead,.seeing what had occurred, pulled up and went to the assistance of his comrade, thus losing all chance of the race. He was much applauded J or his humanity by the spectator’s, but is said to have acted against the racing rules.

A Delicacy.— The Duke of Bedford on one occasion asked the Marquis of Sligo to dine with him at Woburn Abbey, and being particularly anxious that his guest should taste some of his choice mutton, of which he was proud, ordered his shepherd to single out one of the finest sheep for the coming repast. The time came, when, both the marquis and the duke were seen to thin up their noses, and evidently, not relish the flavor’ The fact, was that the shepherd in his innocence- had singled out a very fine ram, for which the duke had paid the large sum of £3OO, making sure that that particular beast was the choicest in every way owing to the large price paid for it. 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 sec the establishment of A. O. Aitken & Go., who are now offering special advantages, s diich 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 sucK*as cannot be excelled either in quality or. price by any house in the trade and are marked at such prices that making any abatement is unnecessary, and the most inexperienced are enabled to buy their goods as favorably m the best judges, —APVT.

WEDNESDAY, December 27, 1878.]

THE EVENING ECHO.



s. d. J. d. Eegs, dozen I 2 to I 0 Bacon, prime smoked, lb o 10 to 0 0 Hams in cloth, lb l 0 to 0 0 Cheese, prime quality, $ lb o 9 to 0 JO Flour in bags, $ ioolb 12 6 to 14 0 Oatmeal, $ ioolb 26 0 to 0 0 Lard, $ lb • 0 9 to 0 0



Ironmongery. OR R & CO . Would call Special attention to THEIR STOCK OF IRONMONGERY. A Fine assortment of Carpen ters' Tools now landed. Ironmongery. Parties Furnishing should in spect our Stock of Plated Goods — ' TEAPOTS, CRUET STANDS, BUTTER DISHES. TEA AND C OFFEE SETS, TABLE CUTLERY,



IRONMONGERY. STOVES, RANGES, GRATES, FENDERS, and ' FIREIRONS. Tbsse Goods are imported di- by ourselves, and will be sold at prices below anything hitherto offered in Ashbur ton. . IRON MONGE RY. Harvesting Tools— Hay Forks, Rakes, Scythes, &c. McCORMACK’S Reapers and Binders. No farm should be without one. Can cut and tie even if the Straw is only 9 inches long. No necessity for wire. BUY A McCORMACK, AND SAVE YOUR STRAW. 200 DOZEN HORNSBY’S PLOUGH * SHARES, Landing ex “ Hurunui.” OR R & Co., EAST STREET, ABJJBURTQN,



Advertisements for the evening Echo must be sent in not later than 3 p.m. with the number of insertions written plainly on the copy, otherwise they will be inserted till countermanded, and charged accordingly. i Special notices can be received up to 3.30 p.m. for insertion over the Leader, but will be charged double scale. Subscriptions—Quarterly in advance, 6s. ; posted, Bs. 6d. ; per annum, in advance, 225. 6d. ; posted, 355. d. ; weekly, paid to collector, 6d. Delivered to any part of the town, and at any of the Rail way Stations.



Special Notices. FENCING WIRE. 4") A TONS Just Received and on Sale at LOWEST PRICES. A. O. AITKEN & CO., Havelock Street. Bread. Bread. SANDO and OLSEN HAVE much pleasure in announcing that ANOTHER oven is just completed, and they are now pre pared to supply GOOD BREAD IN ANY QUANT IT Y. 187