POST OFFICE NOTICES.

Mails at the Ashburton Post Office close i; follows :

For Christchurch and North at io a.m. \ p.m., and 7.30 p.m., daily. For Chertsey at 10 a.m. daily. For Rakaia at to a.m., and 4 p.m. daily. For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at 3.15 p.m. daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10.30 a.m. For Temuka, Tirnaru, and South at 10. 15 a.m. and 3 p.m daily. For Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Oran, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.15 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 July, and remaining unclaimed on the Ist September 1878 : Anderson, James Clough, Robinson Doherty, Henry James Fergusson, J. PI. (2) Gooch, W. Kelly, Cornelius Moyna, Joseph O’Donnell, Patrick Palmer, William Rilly, James Sweetman, Michael (2) Spencer, W. Wallace, John Letters originating in New Zealand are not now advertised, but are sent to the Dead Letter Office, after having lain for two clear months.

ASHBURTON TRADE DIRECTORY.

A :cOUNTANTS AND COMMISSION AGENTS — Charles Braddell, Montgomery’s Buildings H. J. Bristo, Prospect Buildings, East-st. W. R. Boyle, Moore-street. A tCHITECT AND CIVIL ENGINEER —■ S. W. Brown, East-street S. Farr, Montgomery’s Buildings B. Mountfort, East Street A jctioneers— Bullock and Co., East-street Saunders Bros., Ashburton Bvrristers and Solicitors— Mr. Branson, East-street Mr. E. G. Crisp, Montgomery’s Buildings B xKers, Confectioners, Etc.— Thomas Hicks, Tancred-street Thomas Taylor, East-street, B vnks — Bank of New Zealand, East-street Union Bank of Australia, East-street Boarding House Keepers— T. G. Anstee, East-street Eagle’s Dining Rooms, Plavelock Street Builders, Contractors, Etc.— James Baker, Plavelock-street Geo. St. Hill, Burnett-street West G. Parkin, Steam Saw Mills, Moor-street Matthew Smith, Moor-street Thos. Williams, Tinwald G. Compton, Builder, Moore-street. B '•OKSELLERS AND STATIONERS— A, Weston, Prospect Buildings, East-street Furness and Dixon, Stationers’ Hall, East street South

Bootmakers— J. Chambers, Prospect Buildings, East-street M. Nealas, East-street Brewers— Wood and Co., Cameron-street Cabinetmakers and Undertakers— James Baker, Havelock-street G. Parkin, Moor-street Thomas Williams, 1 inwald

Carrier— G. F. Scott, Cameron-street

Chemist and Druggist— J. M. Cambridge, Montgomery’s Buildings Coal and Firewood Merchants— G. Parker and Co., near Railway Station A. Hayes, Firewood and Timber, near Rail way Station F. P. Leßreton, Bumett-street. Drapers and Clothiers— Aitken and Co., Havelock-street Orr arc Co., East-street John Fowler, Tancred-street Firth, Pass, and Co., Old Bank Store, East street W. Gavin, East-street T. Quinn & Co., Moor-street Engineers and Founders— Edwards and Lee, Engineers, Smiths, etc., Burnett-street W. J. Hessey, Central Foundry, Peters-st Furniture Warerooms— A. Spillard, Tancred Street Grocers, General Dealers, Etc. — Aitken and Co., Havelock-street Orr and Co,, East-street Firth, Pass, and Co., East-street John Fowler, Tancred-street K. Sando, East-street

Greengrocers— W. Birtwell, East-street J. Mooar & Co., East-street Hairdressers— „E. A. Garnett, East-street A. Pearse, Moore-street Hotels— Quill’s Commercial Hotel, near Railway Station Shearman’s Somerset Hotel, East-street Ironmongers— Orr and Co., East-street Aitken and Co., Havelock-street S. Hard ley, East-street Ladies’ Clothing Establishment— Mrs. Morey, Tancred Street. Painter, &c. — J. R. Chapman, Tancred-street Printers and Publishers— Furness and Dixon, East-street Plumbers, Gasfitters, Tinsmiths, Etc.— J. C. Dolman, Tancred-street Joseph Hyde, Tancred-street S. Hardley, East-stieet Saddlers— Thomas Hudson, Burnett-street Surveyors— C. E. Fooks and Son, East-street Tailors— a"d Co., Havelock-street IENfMAKRpc* ~7 K. Sando, Easi* a w» e t Tobacconists— A. Pearse, Moor-street J., /. Garnett, East-street . .A, Weston, Past-street

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. ARRIVED. Sept. 17—Wanaka, s.s., from North. SAILED. Sept. 16—Hawea, s.s., for North. Sept. 16—Tui, s.s. for North. EXPECTED ARRIVALS. From London Crusader, Lutterworth, Waimate, Waimea, Waitangi, Langstone, Palala. From New York Star, Southminster, Olmstee. From Foo Chow—Rio Lodge. From Calcutta —Aries. - Adelaide, Sept. 14. Arrived—Orientjsteamcr Garonne.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST.

The Evening Echo. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1878. PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS.

[FROM our own correspondent. 1 ] As might be expected, the Public Works Statement has proved a bomb shell in the House, and has made matters much more lively. There has been little progress in any real business, but the most innocent-looking motions are made pegs on which to hang debates on the Government policy, the . Speaker being exceedingly lax in keep ing members to the question before the House. Mr. Stout is much missed from the Government benches, and his week’s absence has proved that there is no one there who can take his place. Mr. Sheehan is twice as well listened to, and gives the House plenty of laughter with his Irish wit; but his logic is Irish too —far more amusing than convincing; and however much his profanity may be laughed at, it will not raise him in the estimation of sober minds. On Friday he described the leader of the. Opposition as calling to the House, *“ Come unto me, all ye who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He said Mr. Fox was now a “ fox without a tail,” and as the Opposition avowed that they had no head, it was impossible to inflict upon them the extreme penalty of the law, which they so well merited, and to hang them by the neck till they died. Major Atkinson complained that in the South Island he was held up to execra tion as the man who had colonialised the Land Fund, and in the North Island as the one who had done all he could to prevent it. Mr. Sheehan replied that was quite the natural consequence of his own proceedings; in the South Island the people knew who had first proposed not to take but to steal that fund ; but in the North Island they were credu lous enough to believe the hon. mem ber’s frequent assertions that he would never do such a wicked thing. Mr. Ballance is like the old-fashioned black Lincoln dray horses in London streets, very stately, very sure not to run away, but never up to any pace or to any great amount of work. Mr. Fisher made a speech of nearly a minute’s duration on the Triennial Parliaments Bill, and on Friday night was caught in an easy trap by Mr. Ormond. That gentleman, in describ ing the Dunedin banquet, said that one member of the Government had been so indiscreet in his remarks on Sir Julius Vogel as to call down hisses on himself. Mr. Fisher immediately raised his portly form from its usual resting place and said I did nothing of the sort.” Mr. Ormond politely regretted that the Hon. the Postmaster-General should so readily put the cap on him self if it did not fit, as no one else had put it on him. Mr. Woolcock’s attempt to appro priate the other 20 per cent, of our land fund met with very few accom plices. The most hungry Northerners thought it a little too soon to remove the gilt they had put on the pill for the Canterbury members last year. Of course, Mr. Macandrew’s policy has alienated all the Nelson and Marl borough members from the present Go vernment, and they are banding to gether to get another political railway at the colonial expense, compared to which the Nelson and Foxhill would be. harmfero aj?d lucrative, It is said the

Government must come to terms with this mercenary band of voters ; if so, it is quite time that some better tribunal than party Government should decide such questions. On Friday evening, in Committee on the Estimates, the question was argued that the Premier’s private secretary should not act. as a reporter on the Hansard staff, reporting debates in which the conduct of a Premier is a frequent and important subject. The arguments seemed strong against it and very weak for it, but the voting was the reverse, so that the practice stands un condemned by the House.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Shop Window Improvements. —Messrs. Chambers, bootmaker, and Weston, tobacconist, &c., have re cently gone in pretty largely for win dow improvement. Mr. Chambers has enclosed his with glass casing, and erected a neat gallery for the display of boots ; by this means his wares will be protected from the dust so lavishly tossed about by our nor’-westers, the glass, frames being, of course, impregn able to its insidious action. The side walls of the window have been hung with a very pretty pink paper, which gives a lightsome appearance to the whole. Inside the shop, a consider able amount of new shelving has been erreted, and this, too, has been pro tected by sliding glass doors. Behind the shop, Mr. Chambers has had erected a “galley” for his workmen. It is a small but neat and comfortable little room, and its erection will relieve the main shop, so as to allow the room immediately behind the front sale room to be utilized for attending to lady patrons, and also to display Mr. Cham bers’ recent arrival of stock. Mr. Wes ton’s window has had its whole internal arrangements recast, and it is. now com pletely enclosed with muslin-covered framework, while a gallery for the dis play of fancy goods has also been erected, besides some shelving. The whole window is now dust-proof, which was the chief end in view of the altera tions in both shops, and the appearance of both has been greatly enhanced by these improvements. The Spensley Concert. —We would remind our readers of the grand concert this evening in the Town Hall, in aid of the Wesleyan Church Building Fund.

Inquest. —An inquest on the body of Thomas Quinn, killed yesterday at Cameron’s Station, will be held this evening at 5 o’clock. The Circus. —Messrs. Hayes and Benhamo, proprietors of the well-known circus, last night gave a performance in Baring Square. There was a moderate sized but very appreciative attendance. The company was, by some misunder standing, expected to perform last night at Tirnaru, and many people attended at the place where the circus should have been. To-night, we understand, the disappointed ones will have an op portunity of witnessing the performance. Parliamentary. —Last night Mr. Vincent Pyke gave notice of a motion to raise the pay of the police in the South Island, and Mr. Sheehan an nounced that to-night he would make his statement on Native Affairs. The House went into Committee on the Electoral Bill., and an amendment on clause 5, proposed by Mr. Wakefield, was passed -to make it imperative on the Government to advertise electoral notices in local papers. After ten o’clock clauses 6 to 14 passed unaltered, but a great many amendments were proposed—that to confer female suf frage was lost by thirty-six to twenty-six. The freehold qualification was retained unaltered, and the household reduced to five instead of ten pounds. A num ber of other amendments were pro posed, but all were rejected. Progress being reported, the House adjourned at 2.10 a.m.

Mr. Ballance. The Wellington correspondent of the Auckland Star telegraphs : “An amusing story is going the round of the lobbies. It is said that Mr Ballance, in the old days of war on the West Coast was a private in the Wanganui Cavalry, and for some offence was put in the guard room by Colonel Gorton, who little dreamed he was then punishing the future Colonial Treasurer. The result is that Mr. Bal lance lately decided to abolish Gorton, and cut down the Branding Depart ment.”

Shooting made Easy.—An in ventor named Bailey, of Indianopolis, United States, has sent to this country, and proposes placing at the disposal of the War Office, a wonderful specimen of a Gatling gun. This formidable engine of destruction is guaranteed to fire from 1,000 to 1,500 shots per minute, so greeted as to sweep a whole }ins, It is also entirely sejfdoading,

TELEGRAPHIC.

AUSTRALIAN.

Sydney, Sept. 16

China advices report the wreck of the Australian ship Harlow on the Chi nese Coast. She is expected to be a total wreck ; steamers have gone to her assistance. Three of the four boats which left the ship have been picked up. Nine of the crew are still missing.

Melbourne, Sept. 16.

' Th; Ringarooma arrived on Thurs day. The C laud Hamilton sailed on Wedn :sday with the Suez mail.

Thi Underwriters’ Association re port the arrival at London, on Sept. 13, of the Rialto, from Wellington. The Auckland, from London to Dunedin, stranded going down the Thames, but was got off without apparent injury. The Association report from Foochoo : Sailed —Aug. 20, Hopeful, for Dune din. 1

(Per Claud Hamilton at the Bluff.) Melbourne, Sept. 11.

The Government do not appear likely to be able to float their loan so easily as they imagined. The state of the London market is such just now as to make floating a loan rather a hazardons proceeding. This has been confirmed by banks here. The Government intend calling for tenders for a new mail service via Galle, and also direct to Aden and Suez. This latter will give the Orient line an oppor tunity of competing with the P. and O. Company, and they are augmenting their fleet.

The treatment of the Admiralty sur vey by the Government in discontinu ing the local allowances has led to the Admiralty withdrawing their officers, and removing them to Tasmania. Very welcome rain has fallen in this and the neighbouring Colonies, doing much good. The weather has been very sultry. Business continues very dull. The wool season is fast setting in ; some of the early clips have arrived. J ust now there is much competition amongst all the Colonies for the carriage and ship ment of the river-borne wool. The Loan is to be for five millions at 4*4 per cent.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

[Per Press Agency.]

Auckland, Monday.

A petition against Mr. Curtis’s Bill to legalise denominational education was placed in circulation on Friday last, and has already received the sig natures of 2000 adults. It will be sent to Mr. Swanson by the Taiaroa, and, if necessary, new petitions will be circu lated, it being estimated that 5000 sig natures might be obtained in the city and suburbs alone within a week.

The bazaar in aid of St. Mary’s Church realised Alexandra, Sept. 16.

The news of a motion for a Com mittee of Inquiry into Major Mair and Mr. Serancke’s abrupt dismissal was received here with great disfavor, as it is felt that a wrong is being committed, to the natives especially, for it is ge nerally known that these gentlemen were the first to break up the aukati. Mr. Serancke, years ago, was at the 'first meeting after the war at Orakau, and was the first to arrange a subse quent meeting at Tokangamutu, be tween the Government and the King. All say that Major Mair should be al lowed to complete this work, that is until all differences between them and the Government are settled. Wellington, Monday. The Gazette to-night will contain re gulations altering the rates of postages. Any article of merchandise, raw or manufactured, not dangerous, may be sent by parcel post; also seeds, cut tings, bulbs, and roots, the postage to be one penny per two ounces. Manu script intended for publication may be sent at book-post rates. No book packet is to be sealed or otherwise closed against inspection. Legal docu ments may be sent by book-post. These changes are to come into force from the 4th instant. Tuesday. The following programme has been arranged for the Hutt races on the 6th and 7th February next. On the first day the Maiden Plate of 75 sovs.; Hurdle Race of 50 sovs.; Wellington Gold Cup, value 100 sovs., with 500 sovs. added; Hutt Park Stakes 50 sovs ; Flying Stakes of 500 sovs. Second day—Wellington Derby of 100 sovs.; Hurdle Handicap of 7 5 sovs.; Racing Club Handicap of 200 sovs.; Free Handicap of 50 sovs,; Empire Plate of jog sovs,; Consolation Stakes of 50 sovs,

Dunedin, Monday

At a pulic meeting, held at Kaitan gata on Saturday, a resolution, recom mending that the Kaitangata Lakes should "be sold subject to certain con ditions, was agreed to. The carnival in aid of the Benevolent Institution has realised but an auction will be held, and the Committee expect to hand over jQ 1700 and to the Institution. Invercargill, Monday. A land furore is raging here. Specu lators from Dunedin and Christchurch are buying up at fancy prices. A great deal ot land, both Crown and private, has changed hands during this week, and it is said that the Waste Lands Board will be deluged with applications this week. As a rule buyers are agree ably surprised with the quality of the land.

SUPPOSED MURDER IN OTAGO.

( Special to the Times.) Dunedin, Monday.

Inspector Mallard has received the the following telegram from Sergeant Boyd, of Switzers “Mrs. Welsh, of the Waikawa Station, has been murdered, it is supposed, by her husband, James Welsh, about noon on Sept. 15. De scription of Welsh —Irish, 33 years of age, 5 feet 4 inches high, dark brown hair and light whiskers inclining to red, and full on the cheeks, small moustache of the same colour, small face and lore head, shaves his temples, teeth very dark, brown eyes with wild expression, while walking leans forward and swings from side to side with his legs wide apart, wore a dark tartan Mosgiel dress —check about half-an-inch wide, and nearly new —had a meerschaum pipe— eagle claws around bowl, centre one broken. Mrs. Welsh was found mur dered, by Mr. D. K. Mcßae, her husband being absent.” Welsh has not yet been arrested. Inspector Fox pro ceeded to the locality, and on his re turn to Invercargill we shall doubtless learn particulars of the affair.

NEWS BY THE SUEZ MAIL.

[Ter Claud Hamilton via Bluff.\ London, August 2

Sir Richard Wallace has presented to Lord Beaconsfield the star worn by the late Marquis of Hertford, as Knight of the Garter. The diamond and rubies are valued at The Reserves have all been dis missed to their homes, and a general order commends them for their con duct. All of the extra hands taken on during the last few months, are being dismissed from the dockyards and arsenals.

Sir Chas. Dilke moved an amend ment against the proposal to grant the Duke of Connaught an additional -£I O,OOO per annum on his marriage, with £6OOO to his wife in case of her surviving him. Mr. Gladstone sup ported the motion, and the amendment was rejected by 320 to 33. During the debate on the Duke of Connaught’s marriage allowance, high encomiums were passed upon his Royal Highness, from all sides, and testimony was borne to his great popularity in Ireland by several of the Home rulers.

Judge Warren refused application for a new trial in the Bagot will case. An insect a quarter of an inch long is doing great damage in the turnip fields in Ireland.

Captain Coppin has. contracted to raise the Vanguard by Oct. 31.

The German Government are pre paring for the raising of the Grosser Kurfurst.

A Japanese corvette, the first war ship from the country that ever reached England, was visited by a distinguished party, including many members of Par liament and Midhat Pasha on July 26. Mr. Bennett, of the New York Herald , is sending the yacht Dauntless to the Polar regions via Spitzbergen. A robbery of Bank drafts, notes, and coin, valued at was effected on the night of July 26, at the house of a money-lender near Bradford. A novel and disgraceful prize fight between two women, married and with families, has taken place near Henley; a large crowd was present. Teeth as well as fists were freely used in the contest.

At an official banquet at Paris, the health of the Prince of Wales was pro posed by M. Feray, member of the Left Centre of the Senate, and was drunk with tremendous enthusiasm. It was stated that the Prince has interested himself as much in the French Exhibi tion as if it had been held in England. The return of the Russian Guards to St. Petersburg is expected this month.

The Russians are preparing to eva cuate Jassy, and have already aban doned places in Roumania. For the first time in the annals of Westminister Abbey, a coloured divine, the native Bishop of Hayti preached in that edifice on July 4,

The Queen’s assent to the Deceased - Wife’s Sister Bill, passed in Natal, has been refused.

Forty-eight soldiers belonging to one of the Indian regiments at Malta were nearly poisoned, through carbolic acid being served out instead of limejuice. No death resulted, though several are seriously ill. A strict investigation is to be made.

A beerhouse-keeper at Greenwich took his three young cMldren for a walk in a wood, cut their throats, and then killed himself.

James Pryor, late managing director, and Colonel Mahon, formerly M.P. for Clare, and Capt. Sleeman, directors, of Lombard Deposit Bank, have been committed for trial charged with forging and uttering a minute-book connected with the affairs of the Bank with intent to defraud.

THE DANGERS OF NAVIGATION IN THE PACIFIC.

(CFrom the Hong Kong Daily Press.)

The reports ot vessels recently ar rived in this part from the Australian colonies, demonstrate the neccessity for great caution in navigating among the islands of the Pacific. The American barque Sonntag, whose voyage up through the islands of the North Pacific was, owing to the currents and calms experienced, so protracted that she was at one time supposed to be lost, saw a ship ashore on the Pocklington bank, but could not venture near to ascertain any particulars of the wreck. What is the fate of the crew is difficult to say. They may have escaped in boats; they may have been taken off in a passing ship ; they may be still living on the island ; or they may have fallen victims to the natives. It must not be forgotten that the natives of most of the Solomon group of islands, together with many others in that part of the Pacific, are cannibals, or at all events ferocious and unfriendly in their demeanor to strangers. Unfortunately the hostile character of the natives is not the only danger that the mariner in these seas has to encounter. Great numbers of beautiful islands that stud the Pacific are of volcanic origin, and below the clear waters of the great ocean constant changes are transpiring through volcanic agency. Every now and again some fair island, bright with the luxuriant vegetation of the tropics and rich in natural beauties, sinks suddenly be neath the wave, often leaving no trace behind unless it be another hidden rock to add to the perils of the navigator.

Sometimes, too, new craters emerge from the dead level of the wide waste of waters and scatter far and wide streams of water. Jt was only the other day that ships coming up from the Pacific archipelagoes reported such an upheaval, and that some important geographical changes were taking place in the islands near New Guinea. Se veral vessels bound from Australia to Hongkong have passed through fields of pumice-stone extending for more than sixty miles. The steamer Pacific first brought intelligence of the great pheno menal changes going on in the islands east of New Guinea, and Captain Pe tersen stated that three craters had broken out on a peninsula of New Britain, from which these masses of pumice-stone were ejected, while a new island, three-quarters of a mile in dia meter, was thrown up some 70 feet above the water. The island is situated to the south of Natopi or Henderson Island. This great upheaval must also necessarily have caused other changes and created many unsuspected dangers in the shape of new rocks forced up ward near the surface. Tl.e reports brought from time to time of the natives of the groups are such, also, as to ex cite apprehension for the safety of any crew shipwrecked on the shores of Bou gainville, New Britain, New Ireland, or any of the adjacent Solomon group. Some of the islanders are, it is true, apparently friendly, but it is question able how far they can be trusted. Having regard to the manifold dan-, gers attending the passage up through these islands, it is worthy of considera tion whether one of Her Majesty’s sur* veying vessels might not for some time be profitably employed in surveying the numerous channels among them. The charts are not correct, and both rocks and islands are being constantly disco vered which have no existence on the latest ch uts. Captain Simmons, of the Sonntag, discovered an island belong ing to the Sarol Group, which is not marked in Imray’s North Pacific Pilot, and there are doubtless many others to be found which are now unknown, but may prove fatal to some vessel depend ing on the accuracy of the charts. The, traffic between Australia and Hong kong is greatly on the increase, and it is probable that before many years have passed a considerable development will fake place in the trade with the isles 9* the trade new in it? wfen^i

The Evening Echo, Tuesday, September 17 1878.



s. d. s. d. Butter, inferior to best, lb i 6 to I 8 Eggs, $ dozen - - X 0 to X 3 Bacon, prime smoked, $ lb o 10 to 0 0 Mams in cloth, $ lb I 0 to 0 0 Cheese, prime quality, $ lb o 9 to 0 10 Flour in bags, $ ioolb 12 6 to 14 0 Oatmeal, # ioolb - 26 0 to 0 0 Lard, ff? lb - - - 0 9 to 0 0



NOTICE.



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, or they will be inserted till counter manded, and charged accordingly. Special notices can be received up to 3.30 p.m. for insertion over the Leader, but will be charged double scale.