The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1879.

Mr E. G. Wright’s engineering skill has been turned to good account in the House of Representatives. It will be remem bered by those who read the items of political gossip telegraphed to us by our own correspondent that Mr Allwright, the member for Lyttelton, had been successful in greatly improving the ventilation of the building in which the “House” meets. A later telegram from our correspondent puts us right as to whom belongs the honor. The credit, it appears, was given wrongly to Mr Allwright, and the real genius was Mr Wright, the member for this district. We hope the House will benefit in more ways than one from tlie improved ventilation, and that this is only the beginning of many successful attempts on the°part of Mr Wright to “clear the air ” of the august chamber of which he . has the honor to be a member.

Since Sir George Grey’s exultation has been suddenly cut short by the defection from his ranks of the four Auckland mem bers, and the recent further accession to the Government side of the Hon. Mr Richardson, who has supplanted the Knight of Kawau in the Christchurch seat” fcir George has been singing a very small song. The recent turning of the political tables has had the effect of, so to speak, shutting up the Opposition, and business has accordingly made rapid pro gress. It is significant of the extent to winch the sting has been taken out of the Greyite party that no less than seven Bills relating to electoral matters were read a second time' on Friday night.

Drunk in Charge op a Team. —M. Wilson was fined 20s. this morning for being inebriated whilst being in charge of a team on Saturday. He was not difficult to capture as he drove his horses up to the lock-up gates and constable Rouse at once assisted him to free lodgings for the night.

Sale of Race Privileges. —Messrs -* A eland, Campbell, and Co, announce that they will dispose of the privileges apper taining to the Agricultural and Pastoral Show, and the races. These latter last year we^r 0 keenly contested for, and as the busineß3\^ Olla on such occasions are for prompt imagine that they should realize quite as much this year. The sale takes place on Thursday next, November 6th, at the Horse Bazaar at noon, thecon • ditions attached to the various items may l, e learned from Mr Geo: g) Jameson or from JVIr James Wilkie.

Prince or Walks’ • Birthday. —The Prince of Wales’ Birthday this year falls on a Sunday. It is intimated, therefore, by a notice in the Government “ Gazette,” that the usual holiday will be observed at the post offices within the colony on the 10th inst.

Ashburton Racing Club.— We direct the attention of our readers to an adver ment in another column requesting mem bers of the Ashburton Racing Club to pay their subscriptions. Those not paying will forfeit the privileges attaching to membership.

Tim Unity or Man and Wjrk.—Dur ing the hearing of a libel action in the Supreme Court, Wellington, Mr Travers quoted a ease in which the defendant sent a defamatory letter respecting the plaintiff to the wife of the latter, and it was held to be publication of the libel. His Honor Mr Justice Richmond drily remarked that here were some things which a man might wish should come to anybody’s ears rather than his wife’s although man and wife were said to be one. Wesleyan FI owe Mission.— The atten tion of our readers is directed to an adver tisement in another column announcing the annual public meeting of the above cause to take place in the Wesleyan Church, Cameron street, this evening. We understand the Rev. Alexander Reid, cx-President. of lhe New Zealand Confer ence, will be the principal speaker. Mr Reid is an acknowledged popular man, and as his colonial experience extends over some thirty years, it may be expected that bis address this evening will contain a deal of interesting and instructive information on the subject with which be has to deal.

Bank Holidays. —The Banks are to have a merry time of it this month as they have no less than six holidays or parts of days set apart by proclamation as bank half-holidays, viz., November 10, for the Prince of Wales’ Birthday ; November 11, Id, and 14, for the Christchurch Spring Race Meeting; and the 12th, for the Show. The latter is a full day, and the Race days half holidays, and December Ist a whole day. In addition to the above, which are applicable to the whole of Canterbury, we understand that the County Council have.been applied to to declare the 18th, 19th, and 20th lialf holidays to enable the bank officials to attend the local Show and Races ; this will no doubt be done, and the overworked officials will consequently obtain a little harmless recreation.

Cricket. —A match will be played on Tuesday, November 11, between an eleven of Ashburton Borough Cricket Club and an eleven of the Avonside Cricket Club in the Ashburton Domain. The names of the Borough eleven are Messrs A. Andrews, G. Andrews, T. Buchanan, T. Hodder, D. Amos, H. Whitley F. Shury, D. Leitch, F< Wright, J. Ashwood. Emergency men : S. Poyntz, Hoskyns, and T. Groves.—Members se lected in the following matches are re quested to be in attendance punctually at the time stated, viz., for the Association match at 1 p.m. punctually on the ground; for the match, Ashburton Borou h Cricket Club v. Avonside, the team are requested to meet the Avonside team at the railway station on arrival of ex press train at 10.45 a. m. on Nov. 11.— An Association match, 15 World v. 15 New Zealand, will be played in the Domain on Saturday next. 'Hie following gentlemen have been selected to do battle for their respective sides, viz., The World—Messrs Mainwaring, Whitley, E. G. Crisp, R. H. Pratt, D. Amos, A Curtis, J. Ashwood, Hoskyns, S. Poyntz (captain), St. G. Douglass, D. Leitch Denshire, Grant, Field, and T. Buchanan ; emergency—C. Broadbelt, Hoskyns, J. L. Crawley. New Zealand —Messrs Hodder, S. Saunders, (captain), E. Saunders, Fooks, G. Andrews, A. Andrews, Bruce, Lusk, Wright, West enra, H. Fowler, Wilkie, Groves, J. Leitch; emergency—Shury, J. E. H. Harris, May. —The following gentlemen have been selected to play against the Ashburton County Cricket Club in the match on Monday next to take place at Mount Somers : Bailey, Burden, Chapman, Cook son Corsbie, Gifkins, Honor, Hood, Lovell, Mitchell, Pol hill, Potts, and Tomlinson. We have been requested to call attention to the alteration of date from Saturday, Bth November, to Monday, 11th Novem ber.

I.O.G.T.—The usual weekly meeting of the Star of East Lodge, No. 62, was held on Saturday. About 70 members were present, and the following quarterly re ports were read and adopted, viz., the Secretary’s, which showed that during the early part of the quarter the depression existing in the country had militated somewhat against the attendance, but the last month had shown a decided increase in numbers present at Lodge, and alto gether the Lodge was again progressing favorably. The Financial Secretary’s report showed the total receipts of the quarter to be £8 13s. The Finance Committee’s repox-t was considered favorable, as also the W. Marshal’s, to whom a hearty vote of thanks was ac corded for his untiring energy in con nection with his office. Two new mem bers were proposed for initiation, and four new 'members having been duly initiated took their seats as members of the Lodge. The office of Lodge Deputy having, been declared vacant, Brother T. Scott was recommended to the Grand Lodge for the office without opposition. The ballot was sent round for a candidate from one of those nominated for the office of D D., viz., Brothers Sando, R. Elston, and Galloway. Brother Gal loway objected to his name appearing as a candi hate, and questioned the present D.D.’s authority to place his name on the nomination paper. Brother Elston addressed the Lodge, refuting cei’tain charges made against his ability to attend to the duties of the office if elected. The ballot papers were also sent round for the office of Grand Lodge representative, the candidates being Brothel’s Sando, G. Andrews, and R. E'ston. The installa tion of officei’s was then pi’oceeded with, and the following officers were installed by Brother T. Scott, acting for G. W.C.T., assisted by Brother Galloway, as G. W. S., and Brother Williams, as G.W.M., viz., Brother G. St. Hill, W.C.T.; Brother Smith, W.V.T. ; Brother J. Bradley, W. S. ; Brother T. Scott, W. F. S. ; Brother H. R. Johnston, W.T. ; Brother G. Tutty, W.M. ; Brother G. Henry, W.C. ; Brother T. Muir, W.I.G. ; Brother T. Smith, W. O. G. ; Brother T. Ibell, W.D.M. ; Brother Charlton, W. A. S. ; Brother H. Pickford, W. R. H. S ; Brother S. Sai’geant, W. L. H. S. ; The Lodge then closed iu the usual form.

Fat Cattle. —We noticed to-day some prize beef on its way by train to Christ church. There were fifteen head in the trucks, three being for the show, and the balance for the sale yards ; they are from the li'ingbeach estate, and a dozen head are now sent down to Christchurch weekly and, by the auctioneer’s reports, Mr Grigg generally topstbe market. The cattle are mostly bred on the estate, from pure bred shorthorn stock, Mr Grigg having paid great attention to this line.

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST FROM EUROPE

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

Paris, Oct. 31

Government have threatened to expel Carlos unless he forthwith ceased all policical demonstration.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, Nov. 3. Arrived—The Hero, from Sydney. Mrs Peacock, wife of the Mayor has died suddenly.

An inquest has been held on Robert Glover, killed by a cart accident. From the evidence it appeared that the accident was largely owing to drink. The party called at two public houses on the road, as'they went, and'the lunatic Glover had a glasS of rum given him. The cart cap sized twice, the last time with a fatal re sult. A verdict of accidental death was returned, and no rider was added. A large number of men have struck work at Dempsey’s railway reclamation contract. A fortnight’s wages are due, and the men are apparently under the im pression that the new rule of fortnight payments by Government contractors ap plied to them. Fresh men have been put on.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

LAST NIGHT'S CABLEGRAMS

( Reuter's Telegrams.) London, Oct. 31. Best Australian mutton tallow, 41s 6d. Obituary —John Baldwin Buckstone. St. Petersburg, Oct. 31. Two Russian cruisers have sailed for the Pacific.

Naples, Oct. 31. Mount Vesuvius is agitated, and the eruption is increasing.

(Special to the Globe.) London, Oct. 30.

General Roberts is trying the Ameer and bis Ministers (or the Ameer’s Minis ters) for complicity in the massacre of Sir L. Cavagnari and his escort. October 31.

The money market is active. With drawals of gold from the Bank of England are large. Sugar has advanced Cd per cwt. The wheat market is quiet. Australian is selling, ex ship, at 59s per 4801bs. At a public sale of Australian tallow nearly all offered was disposed of. Finer qualities of beef tallow command 39s to 40s.

The invention of a mixture is announced to preserve butter in ordinary kegs without the use of salt.

(A»e Special.)

London, Oct. 30.

News from Afghanistan states that General Roberts, instructed by the Vice roy of India, has issued a proclamation announcing that Afghanistan has been permanently placed under the administra tion of the British, who will occupy the principal cities and strongholds. General Roberts will act temporarily as Military and Civil Commissioner of Afghanistan, supported at Cabul by a large bod;/ of troops. Several Indian regiments will reinforce the troops at Cabul, Candahar, and Jellalabad. The announcement has created a profound impression on the Con tinent of Europe. India generally ap proves. General Roberts has discovered that the massacre of the Embassy was inspired by powerful advisers of the Ameer, but that Yakoob was not implicated. He will arraign the Ameer’s Ministers before a Military Court for complicity in the massacre.

AUSTRALIAN.

Svdnev, Nov. 1

Best beef is selling at a balf-pennv a pound. The squatters are subscribing liberally for its shipment.

Chester is scratched for his engage ments.

Melbourne, Nov. 1. An early dissolution of Parliament is expected.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

LAST NIGHT’S TELEGRAMS,

Auckland, Nov. 1

The Minister of Marine, owing to the wind changing got away to-day, and was last seen off the Barrier.

The-memorial expressing the confidence of the electors of Newton in Mr Swanson was in circulation to-day, and received a lai-ge number of signatures. New Plymouth, Nov. 1. Te Whiti’s influence is on the decline. The sickness at Parihaka and the non release of the prisoners have caused many to lose faith in the pi’ophet. Te Motu, the opposition prophet, has succeeded in getting thirteen of the pi’isoners’ wives under his protection.

Wellington, Nov. 1. William Crawford has been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for beating his wife and breaking her ribs. She was brought to Court in a cab. The Chamber of Commerce passed a re solution to the effect that, under the pre sent law imprisonment for debt is abol ished, except in cases where the debtor can, but will not pay, therefore Mr Hutchinson’s Bill is wholly unnecessary. Copies of the resolution were sent to the members for Wellington. It is reported that the “ New Zealand Times ” changed hands yesterday. It is understood that Joseph Saunders, of Wellington, is the successful tenderer for Thorndon reclamation, and the first section of the West Coast railway, for tho amount of £75,000. A tender fi’om an other part of the colony was very close. One of the Government’s conditions was that the contractor should find work for

the unemployed. Mr Saunders under takes to find work for all unemployed within a fortnight. The Agnes was unsuccessful to-day in picking up the Lyell Bay end of the cable, which is supposed to be buried deep in the sand. She has sent for fresh ap pliances, and will resume work at daylight to-morrow.

An inquest was held on the body of a man who died suddenly at the National Hotel. The post mortem examination led to the conclusion that he died from narcotic poison. Close by a bottle was found labelled “ One or two spoonsful as re quired.” The stomach was handed to Dr Skae, Government analyst, for examina tion, and the inquest was adjourned. Amongst other suggestions offered by the licensed victuallers’ conference is one that public-houses should be opened for a specified time at mid-day and evening on Sunday. They are not opposed to local option coming into force provided com pensation is allowed. Westport, Nov. 1.

A boy nine years old, a son of Mrs Maumson, dressmaker, has been missing since Thursday afternoon. He is supposed to have fallen off the coal stairs into the river.

Dunedin, Nov. 1

The City Councillors will take action at next meeting re the tramway traffic. A limit will probably be put to the number of passengers to be carried, and engines will give place to horses. Trade during the week has been un settled, owing to tlief belief that a revision of the tariff was about to take place, and that heavier duties would in all proba bility be imposed. Large clearances of tea, sugar, and tobacco have in consequence taken place. Messrs Cargill and Co’s wool telegrams state that transactions by private contract since tlie close of the last series amount to 5000 bales. Prices on an average show fully a penny higher than the close of last series. The tone of the market is very firm.

An inquest on the bodies of the two children of Mr O’Brien, who were killed by the recent fire in Great King street, was held, and after the parents and other witnesses having been examined, the jury returned a verdict of “ accidental death,” and did not wish any blame attached to the mother.

Prosperous Exiles.

In a late number of the Paris “ Figaro’’ there is an interesting article on the transported Communists at Noumea.. The writer says he has spent several months in New Caledonia studying the manners and customs of the convicts. If the in formation he gives is reliable, it ivilj make many an industrious English artisan wish he had been sent to Noumea as a Communist. That place, in fact, ap pears to be the ready and straight road to fortune for all who are willing to work. Take the case of M. Bourdinat, for in stance, formerly a sergeant-major under the Commune, and now a contractor for joiners’ work on a large scale. “For merly,” said M. Bourdinat to the writer of the article, “ I was in favor of a general sharing all round ; but at that time I had nothing. Now I am worth 200,000 francs, and have no debts. I won a bronze medal at the Intercolonial Ex hibition of Sydney; the local Govern ment encourages me, and I am now executing several important orders for the colonies. I have no desire to return to France, except to see my old mother, and even if I do go I shall return to Noumea.” M. Victor Grellier, who was at the head of the Home Office under tlie Commune, keeps a nourishing hotel, and, though lie sometimes speaks with a sigh of his past greatness, his present and material prosperity consoles him for the loss of official honors. Another Com munist, M. Joulin, has turned surgeon dentist, and is rich—a fact which would tend to prove that there is a great deal of toothache among the convicts, for it is scarcely probable that there is much demand for ornamental dentistry in. new Caledonia. Member, who had not a sou when lie arrived at Noumea, is now worth £4,000. Four journalists can boast of having made as much in the short space of six years. M. Meunier lias liis daughter taught by a religious order, and may have adopted religious opinions since tlie Commune. M. Cognie, who had a great deal of gold on his ephemeral uniform in 1871, but none in his purse, has spent 25,000 francs in having a new house built for himself, and has paid for it in hard cash. Piazza, an ex-Garibal dian, has recently bought two houses for 20,000 francs, and spent 10,000 francs in having them repaired. This is a veiy bright picture ; but there is a terribly dark shade to it. The majority of the political convicts work as little as pos sible, and spend all their earnings in drink. It is probable that not many of them were drunkards in Paris, but during their banishment they are des cribed as having generally become c in firmed sots.

Hearing Angel’s Whispers.

There has recently appeared in the city of New York a clairvoyant who adds to his gifts of spiritualism that of clairaudience, which may be described as the faculty of hearing angels’ whispers and the low-toned c mversation of those ethereal beings of the other and supernatural world. The ne w medium has published a work on the new discovery, and the credulous and the sceptics are said to be rapidly buying it up, inasmuch as it is a work of a man of superior education, who until recently would only believe what he could see or understand to exist by putting it to the test of his live senses. Whilst this convert is reviving the drooping hopes of spii’itual ists in New York, a young lady is causing quite a sensation in San Francisco by her “ marvellous power over the spirits of the defunct friends of all her visitors. ” Know ing only the English language, she possesses the wonderful facility of com pelling the immortals to communicate their thoughts in any language which their living friends may indicate. A gentleman, whose testimony is said to be unimpeach able, and whose faith in clairoyancy was previously at zero, has made public his visit to this wonderful medium. He took the precaution to arm himself with a double slate, hinged strongly, and so made

that when folded no . human ingenuity 'could- insert any writing instrument to the interior, and before entering the house of the medium lie placed a piece of genuine pencil within it. Without enquiring into the peculiar construction of the slate, the lady asked the especial object of her vistor’s call. On being informed she laid one hand on the wooden cover of the slate and immediately a scratching noise was heard. She withdrew her touch and tlie sound at once ceased. The visitor opened his double slate, and found one side written close over in English in a clear and bold hand, whilst on the other the answers were written in French. Though his incredulity was fast being sapped, he begged another trial. After cleaning the slate he closed it and held it tightly be tween his two hands, and on this occasion the medium did not even touch it. At a wave from her hand the scratching noise was repeated, and ceased when she motioned negatively with her head. The whole slate, on being opened was found to be covered with questions. During this manifestation of power strange Wrappings' 5 were heard, the air seemed charged with murmurings of soft voices. Later on the lady astonished her visitor by command ing a trumpet to sail round the room, which the instrument did in a series of gyrations, during the whole time emitting sounds and speaking words as if with a human voice. The lady does not pretend to read the future, nor does she cause the spirits to indulge in prophecie's. With the dead, however, slie claims to hold communion,/and she asserts lier of summoning to her presence the departed friends or relations of any person living who will honor her with a call, and, of course, with a fee. —“ Daily News.”

A Duel in the Dark.

The Washington correspondent of the “ Boston Journal” writes : —“ Among the many bloody duels on record as having been fought by Congressmen was one in which James Jackson, of Georgia, who had been and who was afterwards a United States senator, was tlie challenged party. He was an Englishman by birth, hut he went to Savannah when a lad, studied law, was a leading Freemason, and fought gallantly in the revolutionary war. He killed Lieutenant Governor Wells in 1780 in a duel, and was engaged in several other £ affairs of honour, 5 until he finally determined to accept a challenge on such terms as would make it his last duel. So he prescribed as the terms that each party armed with a double barrelled gun loaded with buckshot and with a hunting knife, should row himself in a skiff to designated points on opposite sides of the Savannah River. When the city clock struck 12, each should row his skiff to a small island in the middle of the river, which was wooded and covered with underbrush. On arriving at the island each was to moor his skiff, stand by it for ten minutes, and then go about on the island until the meet ing took place. The seconds waited on the mainland until after one o’clock, when they heard three gunshots, and loud and angry cries. Then all was still. At day light as had been agreed on, the seconds went to the island and found Jackson lying on the ground and his antagonist lying across him dead. 55 Jackson recovered, but would never relate his experience on that night : nor was he ever challenged again. He died while serving his second term as United States Senator, March 19, 180 G.

How we Catch Cold.

This pertinent question is just now en gaging attention. There is another ques tion which should be answered first — namely what is cold ? The old idea of a “ chill ” is, perhaps, nearer the truth than the modern notion of a “cold.” The hypothesis would seem to be that a “cold ” is something more than a cold, because it is is said, “ you do not catch cold unless you are cold.” The fret is, there are pro bably as many diverse occurrences grouped and confounded under the generic title of cold catching as diseases covered by that popular term fever, which is made to comprise every state in which the pulse is quickened and the temperature raised. By a parallel process of reasoning “cold” ought to be limited te cases in which the phenomena are those of a “ chill. ” When a person “ catches cold,’, either of several morbid accidents may occur—(l) He may have such a chill of the surface as shall drive the blood in on the internal organs and hamper some weak, or disorder and influence some diseased viscus ; (2) the cold ma} r so impince on the superficial nerves that serious disturbance of the system will ensue and a morbid state be set up ; (3) the current of the air which causes the cold may in fact be laden with the propagating “ germs ”of disease ; or (4) the vitality of the organism as a whole, or of some one or more of its parts, may be so depressed by a sudden abstraction of heat that recovery may be impossible, or a severe and mischievous reaction ensue. The philosophy of prevention is obviously to preserve the natural and healthy action of the otganism as a whole, and of the surface in particular, while habituating the skin to bear severe alterations of tempera ture by judicious exposure and orderly stimulation by pure air and clean water, and natural habits of hygiene and health.

The American commercial failures in the first half of 1879 were 4058, with liabilities of $65,000,000, as against 5825 failures, with $130,000,000 in the first half of 1868.

The “ Cologne Gazette” states that Dr Falk has been offered the patient of nobility, but has declined it for himself, accepting the offer, however, for his son, who is an officer in the army.

Holloway’s Pills. —These Pills are more efficacious in strengthening a debilitated con stitution than any other medicine in the world. Persons of a nervous habit of body, and all who are suffering from weak digestive organs, or whose health has become deranged by bilious affection, disordered stomach, or liver complaints, should lose no time in giving these admirable Pills a fair trial. Coughs, colds, asthma, or shortness of breath are also within the range of the sanative powers of this very remarkable medicine. The cures effected by these Pills are not superficial or temporary, but complete any permanent. They are as mild as they are efficacious, and may be given wilh confidence to delicate females and young chil dren. Their action on the liver, stomach, and bowels is immediate, beneficial, and lasting, restoring order and health in every case.— Advt ,

Lost Property Department.

From a correspondent of the “ Inver-': ness Courier 55 we glean the following curious facts. He says : —Most London ers have heard of the Lost Property De partment at the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police in Scotland Yard, but very few are aware of the magnitude of the transactions carried on there ; and the report recently published in one of the daily newspapers of a visit to this museum off< Tactfulness must have been a startling revelation even to the most ardent be liever in the vastness of the Great City. It seems that on an average one hundred articles are received every day from cab men whose honesty is sufficiently active to induce them to comply with that stipula tion in their license which requires them to convey to the nearest police station any stray goods or chattels found in their vehicles. Not that that virtue is left to be altogether it own reward ; for if the property be claimed, the owner has to pay two shillings and sixpence or three shil lings in the pound, which is handed over to the-law-abiding coachman; and if no satisfactory application be made within three months cabby becomes the legitimate possessor of the “ treasure-trove.” It is said that the men, as a rule, prefer to re ceive the reward rather than the article it self. And certainly when it came to be the fourth umbrella or walking-stick, or tlie third pair of spectacles, a smart young cabman might be excused for murmuring at the monotony of chance. But when it is a case of five hundred pounds in bank notes, six hundred pounds’ worth of watches, four hundred and seventy-six American gold eagles, or four thousand pounds in valuable securities, the requisite three months must seem a very long time to wait for a careless owner to put in an appearance. If the value of the property exceeds ten pounds, the reward takes the shape of a lump sum fixed by the Com missioners of Police, in accordance with the particular circumstances of the case, and in a few instances ranging as high as one hundred pounds. Within the last twelve months, cabmen who are now ply ing for hire, have received amounts in this way of twenty-five, fifty, and one hundred pounds. Some of the stories of forgetful ness thus brought to light are as curious as they are amusing. A hairdresser leaves behind him a bag containing all the materials of a modern coiffure and all tlie implements of his craft.. A merchant for gets his cheque book, a traveller bis port manteau, an invalid his box of pills, an actress her diamonds. Umbrellas, spec tacles, opera-glasses, walking-sticks, muffs, pipes, even boots, all find their way to the Lost Property Department. Little wonder is it then that the total value of the “ flot sam and jetsam ” of this great sea of traffic was estimated last year to amount to four teen thousand pounds.

A Modern Miracle.

West Union, 0., Aug. 15.—Persons ac quainted with Mrs H. Clay Cooley, of Manchester, compassionately remember her as an unfortunate, patient, Christian sufferer from that most painful of all afflic tions—a weak spine. For ten years past she has been unable to attend ordinary household duties, and only able to hobble around with much pain and labor, with the assistance of braces, crutches, or canes. Her sufferings have, at times, been in tense, and to all beholders she seemed a cripple for life. Only a person of great piety could have borne up under what she has foregone without a soured, grumbling disposition, but she has been as bright and earnest and hopeful as if a merciful Provi dence had only dispensed upon her His choicest blessings. Unable to do anything else, for years past she turned her atten tion to flower gardening, and as her beau tiful, tasty home testifies, she has become an adept in that line. But she has de voted more time and more pains in doing what she could for her church. Being a Christian of the most extreme and best type, she has always believed in what her minister called “ the saving power of Jesus Christ,” and never ceased to pray, and pray almost hourly, for the full re storation of her physical powers. This week her prayers have been singularly and completely answered. On Tuesday she told her friends that her pains would soon be over ; that her sound body would once more be restored, and that the next day she would walk as well as as ever.” "That night,” she says, “I spent in prayer, and prayed as I had never before prayed, until about daylight, 4 o’clock aim. when [ arose, without effort, and with no assistance whatever, only believing that Cod had fully restored me, and went forth with a joyful, thankful heart to spread the good tidings of His wondrous love and power. 5 ’ Since that time Mrs Cooley has been as well as she ever was in her palmiest days, and suffers no pain whatever. To all intents she is as healthy a woman as thei’c is in Manchester. Is her wonderful recovery a miracle ? One thing is certain. Tuesday she could not walk ; to-day, without having taken any medicine, or being under any one’s treat ment, she walks as well as ever. She does not appear under any excitement or delu sion whatever, but takes her recovery as a matter of course, after God’s sending peaceful assurance that she should again be well. Will some one explain the mystery ?

A Jury Story.

One of the best jury stories I have heard for a long time (says a London correspon dent v T as told about a case which was tried at Westminster recently. The action was brought to decide a dispute between a water company and some of its consumers, and the evidence in favor of defendants seemed so irresistible that the judge ex pressed his wonder that the jury should want to retire to consider their verdict. After being absent some time they came back and announced that they wore all agreed with the exception of one, and the judge, indignant at a single person refusing to accept the overwhelming testimony offered in favor of the defendants, made some remarks not flattering to the intellec tual powers of the solitary recalcitrant, though, of course, no one out of the jury box knew which of the twelve was the man. However, the jury had to be dis charged, and it afterwards it turned out that it was the twelfth who had taken the same view of the evidence ns the judge himself, and the other eleven who had refused to adopt what his lordship, and, indeed, everybody else in Court, thought the only reasonable conclusion to be drawn from the fact.

AGRICULTURAL PAPERS.

No. 4,

On the System of Farming Best Adapted Under the Existing Circumstances to

Canterbury.

By J. N. Tosswill, Esq.

The following paper, headed as above, was read to the Lincoln Farmers’ Club by Mr Tosswill on the 9th July, 1872 : In considering this very wide and im portant subject it will be obvious that while many matters require to be taken into consideration, such as peculiarities of climate, the relative values of produce and labor, etc., yet they are all in reality included under tlie one general enquiry— <£ What system of farming will yield l , the greatest amount of profit, and at the same time diminish the fertility of the soil as little as possible ? ”

In this paper I propose to keep the question steadily in view, and although it’ is impossible to lay down any rigid rule suitable to all cases, yet I hope .to be able to indicate with sufficient distinctness a general system, which it may reasonably be hoped will best comply with its conditions.

As you are aware, land may be fanned in three ways : : - J - 1. As permanent pasture.

2. As arable land, under a rotation of crops extending over four, six, or more years.

3. 'As alternative pasture and arable land.

As a convenient method of dealing with my subject, I will take these systems in their consecutive order, and endeavor to ascertain how far each is adapted to this province. ’ 1. Permanent pasture.

A few years ago, when both sheep and cattle were worth three,or four times their present value, when roads were bad and railways only talked of, there was a general desire to sow land down with English grasses. Men looked forward to the time when, relieved from the uncer tainties, anxieties, and hard labor atten dant on grain growing, all their fields would be in‘grass, and by anticipation counted up the profits and rejoiced over the comfortable maintenance which they supposed to be in store for them. But, unfortunately, wool steadily declined and sheep fell to one fourth of their former value. Experience moreover proved that pasture, however carefully laid down, in most cases deteriorated rather than im proved after the first two or three years, and it became evident under the peculiar conditions of our climate it would be im possible to maintain ordinary land as per manent pasture with any hope of success or profit. Sheep have lately slightly recovered in value, but it is greatly owing to the fall in cattle having created a sudden demand. In a few years, at the present rate of pro duction, it will probably be difficult to find a market otherwise than by boiling down or preserving for a large proportion of our cross-bred paddock sheep. I need hardly add that under these cir cumstances the idea of laying down land to permanent pasture has, in most cases been abandoned.

2. Cultivation as arable land under a rotation of crops.

It is clear that any regular rotation of crops must imply a corresponding loss year by year of the fertilising properties of the soil, and that unless they are artifi cially renewed, it must speedily break down. Under the rotations common in England, such as the Norfolk or alternate system, which consists of turnips, barley or oats, clover, wheat (or their equiva lents), the fertility of the soil is main tained, and even increased, but it is solely by means of the manure applied to the roots and green crops. This manure is obtained by stall feed ing large numbers of cattle—involving much labor, —by feeding sheep upon turnips or hay, and by occasional pur chases of guano, phosphate of lime, &c. The cheapness of labor and the high price of meat render it not only impossible but highly successful amidst a dense popu lation like that of England, but as a re cent writer in the “ Australasian ” justly observes : "It would be no more possible to farm profitably in these colonies by adopting the four course Norfolk system in its integrity, feeding stock for nearly two thirds of the year upon straw, turnips, and hay, than it would he to pay farm rents in England out of beef and mutton at Australian [and he might have added Australasian] prices. It is the extreme value of meat which maintains the fertility of English farms, and those who are con stantly blaming the colonial husbandman for not following the example of his Eng lish prototype, only exhibit their incapa city to assume the role of instructors.”

3. Cultivation by alternately sowing down to pasture for a time, and breaking up and cropping for a time :

As this system—which is that described in works upon agriculture as the convert ible system of husbandry—took its rise out of the old triennial system, it may be well, before proceeding further, to trace their connection. The triennial system, which continued through so many cen turiesthe practice in England, where it was enforced by law, consisted of one year wheat or rye, one year oats or barley, one year fallow. Owing to the thinly popu lated country, large tracts of grass land and forest were available for pasturage around each village, and while cattle could feed on these runs in summer, and eat up the straw at home in winter, no difficulty was experienced in obtaining sufficient manure to maintain the fertility of the soil and produce two grain crops in suc cession, while the fallow kept the fields clear of weeds.

But when the pastures were in time broken up, and less manure produced, the land became impoverished, and at last the worst, being uncultivated, returned to natural pasture. After a time it" was found to be greatly renovated, and this gave the idea of laying down regularly to grass by sowing seeds, as a means of restoring fertility. In fact, as the Rev. W. Rham states in the “ Dictionary of the Farm,” the articles from which are copied into the “National Cyclopaedia” : —“ The want of a sufficient supply of manure on the old three-field system, led to the laying down arable land for pas ture for a time, and then breaking it up

again." You will perci ive that there is in this a remarkable analogy with our own c^se.

M , No'F'VfHER 3 I v9-j

r ASHBURTON HERALD



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