The Evening Echo. MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 1879.

Already a petition, signed by over a hundred ratepayers, has been forwarded to His Excellency the Governor, praying his assent to the division into two of the Ashburton Hoad District. That the division will follow there can be no doubt; seeing that,' a majority of the ratepayers having made the request, no choice is left either to the authorities or to any malcontents who may look coldly on the movement, but to divide. At first sight small excuse seems to exist for asking a division. Work has been done in the district during the year representing an expenditure of £19,900 5s lOcl. The cost of management for this, including the valuation (£140) is only £639 6s 6d, and when we state that the work includes the formation of over 154 miles of road, the metalling of over 52 miles besides necessary bridges, culverts, and drainage the question may naturally be asked what reason exists for separation. In addition the annual meeting of ratepayers made not a single complaint against the quality of work done, and found no fault what ever with the doings of the Board, or the conduct of its officers. It is a very un usual thing indeed for an annual meeting to take place without the exposure of sore places if any exist, and the silence of the .recent meeting on the matter of complaints taken along with the figures we have given above, proves that the Board has used great judgment in the selection of officers capable of doing their work. But, notwithstanding the apparently happy state of affairs, strong reasons do exist why the district should be severed, and the necessity ior. division is the out- 1 - come of the large, extent 6f work done. At present the district is bounded by the railway- from < Cherts ey to the Rangitata on the west and on the east by the sea; includes an area of 200 square miles ; and exhibits a vast network of roads, nearly all of which to a certain extent, have been operated upon this year. The increase of settle ment does not of course enlarge the dis trict, but it adds to the amount of new work the Board has to do, and every new road made requires to be maintained in proper order. The rapid increase of Settlement has thus made the present dis trict an unwieldy one, and placed it beyond the powers of supervision of one surveyor, while its management was be coming too much for one clerk, conse quently those best qualified to judge feel that, in their own interests, a separation is advisable, if not compulsory. But there is another reason, and one in which per haps most people will look for the true fores that impelled those signing the requisition to the course they have fol lowed. The dividing boundary of the proposed new districts is the River Ash burton, and the characteristics of the land on either side of the stream are of an opposite nature. On the north, the land between the river and Chertsey (known a 3 the Wakanui district) is a light dry plain requiring irrigation. South of the river the land is mostly swampy, intersected by numerous creeks and water-courses, and, in many cases, almost impenetrable for peat bogs, so that the Southern want. is mostly drainage. The Wakanui district argues, with some reason, that a rate of 6d. in the £ will do more for them in road making than a shilling rate will do for their neighbors over the water, because of the amount of bridging, eulverting, etc., requiring to be done on the Southern side.

A division of the district, with the river for a dividing boundary, is, as we

! t avo already guiid, almckt’a m.'tier of cer tainty, and it appears to have been agreed to by all parties in a friendly spirit. The change can in no way-affect the township of Ashburton, which, while it lived under the skirts of the Board, was not a neglected child, as its metalled roads will bear witness, and there are few townships that have assumed the honors of munici pality under so favorable circumstances in the way of roads as our little Borough has done.

The old Board and its officers have done their work well. Their attention to the duties falling to them has resulted in a pleasant drive being possible over many miles in almost any direction from the township. Those of our readers who have tried the road from Tinwald to Waterton, or by Tinwald to Longbeach, or any of those in the new portion of the Wakanui district, will support us when we venture to affirm that no better roads can be found in any district of the Colony, and we feel perfectly sure there is not another Board in the Colony whose cost for overseeing work and survey is only ;one per cent, of its total money. expended.

A Lunatic. To-day Dr. Trevor and His Worship the Mayor committed to the Sunnyside Asylum a lunatic named George Neaves, a man of many hallucinations. He had been, according to his own account, the “disappearing boy” and general assistant of the Wizard of the North-; was the owner of a section in Ashburton upon which somebody else had built, 'without leave asked Or: given; could sleep a week at a time if necessary, but at present never slept more than ten minutes at a stretch because of the necessity he saw for watching the Ashbur ton folk ; and fancied Dr. Trevor ought to give him a cheque for £5. Neaves was taken away by two constables but rebelled just outside the Court and had to be handcuffed and fettered before he could be carted down to the police station. The officers have found him a most' troublesome subject. Lunatic through Drink. —R. Hud son (known best, perhaps, as “ Yorkey”), was brought up to-day—before his Wor ship the Mayor and Dr Trevor—charged with lunacy through drink. He was let off, however, with .a fine for simple drunkenness, and a warning that next time he appeared he would be dealt with under the Vagrant Act, and be sent away for three months. A -witness said Hud son for some nights past had been vainly endeavoring to chop wood with a blunt axe, the edge of wffiich he occasionally tried to whet on the side of a sheet of corrugated, iron. This amusement he varied by a fierce effort to saw the corru gated iron with a blunt hand-saw, and the noise of his labour was anything but a soothing midnight lullaby to the neigh bours. It was also stated in evidence that the hotels in town had been cautioned against selling drink to Hudson,‘and that the caution, was respected, but he had other means of getting liquor. The ser geant said the accused bought his liquor wholesale. . Their Worships desired every seller of liquor to be cautioned against supplying Hudson. On Friday last a man named Lymont was sent to Lyttelton to suffer a recovery of sanity lost through persistent drunkenness. A Sunday Row.— A man named San derson was to-day charged before Doctor Trevor and the Mayor with assaulting Thomas Nolan, by striking him on the head with' a stone. Sanderson pleaded not guilty, and evidence was led, Mr. Ireland conducting the T. Nolan, in giving evidence, said that San derson, Sanderson’s mate. Mclntyre, and himself had 'been out yesterday morning. They had walked as far as the Ashburton Hotel, into which they went to be shouted for by Sanderson. A discussion arose about the quality of the beer, M'Kenzie remarking that the liquor he was then giving was proper stuff,. but rotten beer was drunk in Ashburton. A quarrel fol lowed between witness. : and Sanderson. Witness struck accused in the quarrel, and was retaliated upon by a blow on the head with a stone nearly as large as a man’s hand, inflicting a wound two inches long by one inch deep. Examined by Sanderson the witness .claimed the credit, of pointing out to the accused that it was Sunday and not a day for fighting, bnt allowed that he had called out Sanderson to fight. Another witness named Wakelin said he did not know how the fight commenced, but coming across the bridge with a mate of his saw the row going on, and tried to separate them. Nolan had the little man down and was kicking him most brutally. Saw the stone thrown and the wound made. The stone was thrown after the brutal kicking. James Mclntyre Was with the parties all the time. . Nolan first asked Saunderson to go out of the hotel to fight, they fought in the hotel to begin with,, and when they got outside Nolan brutally kicked Sanderson when he had thrown him down. The stone was thrown after the kicking. Sanderson told the bench that he did throw the stone but only when he felt his life in danger from the cowardly lacking of his assailant. The bench thought the one side was as much to blame as the other and dismissed the case with a caution to Sanderson not to throw stones. Mr. Ireland remarking after the decision that they could fight if they chose, so long as they fought fair, and didn’t throw stones.

Awkward. have an idle hour on one’s hands and know a lawyer. A very respectable, much respected, and universally beloved member of the community has an occasional idle hour, and knows a lawyer. He goes to the legal man’s office now and again to kill the hour. Now, the lawyer has had the misfortune to miss some small articles from his office, so gave the constable in structions to watch, Our idle friend,

iniio/iouVof; orimo and any theft having boon committed, dropped into the room to kill the accustomed hour. The lawyer was absent, so our idle friend proceeded to do a few minutes in the arm chair till the man of law came up. Those few minutes were fatal. Enter the stalwart constable : exit again hurriedly, locking the door with the lawyer’s lent latch key. Speeding off to Mr. Brief he informed him that the “ hour had come and the man ” —a “ drunk ” asleep in his chambers. Brief went with a rush to his office. Imagine the feelings both of legal man and “ occasional ” when it was ex plained to the latter that for the first time in his life he had been a suspected man, and that his goodly person had been before the official mind as that of a c .‘ drank ” illegally on premises for a felonious purpose. Moral —never fall asleep in a lawyer’s office.

Drunks. —William Willcock and John Darr were dismissed with a caution by the Justices to-day. They had been drunk and disorderly. The “ Biggest Vegetable. ”—Explora tions in Qippsland, Victoria, have brought to light some marvellous specimens of Eucalyptus. The State Surveyor of For ests measured a fallen tree on the banks of the Watt’s River, and found it to be 435 feet from the roots to the top of the trunk. The crest of this tree was broken off, but the trunk at the fracture was nine feet in circumference, and the height of the tree when growing was estimated at more than 500 feet. This tree, however, was dead. Near Fernshaw, in the Dande nong district, Victoria, there has recently been discovered a specimen of the Euca lyptus amygdalesia, or almond-leaf gum, measuring 380 feet from the ground to the first branch, and 450 feet to the topmost twig. This tree, if planted at Westmin ster, would overtop the Clock Tower and the tallest living Wellingtonia by 120 feet. Its girth is 80 feet, which is less than that of many Wellingtonias, but it must yet be considered the biggest living tree in the world. And so —at least in the matter of “big vegetables” —the United States must “ knock under ” to our great continent in the Southern Seas. An Irish Officer in the Afghan Army. —Among Shere Ali’s favorite cap tains is a certain Hussein, a Khyber Khan, commanding the cavalry of the military district of Kandahar. This Murat'of Afghanistan chivalry is a rene gade British soldier. His name in our service was O’Donnell. He served for many years in the 87th Fusiliers, or “ Faugh-a-Ballaghs,” as Dr Zimmer would prefer cailing them. This man was color and pay sergeant, but lost the rank, and was subsequently promoted to the grade of company sergeant, but lost that also. Soon after he left the regi ment —how i 3 not generally known. At that time, now some years ago, O’Donnell, who hails from Nenagh, was a man of forty, noted for his reckless daring and herculean strength. He was the only European in India who vanquished every native wrestler pitted against him, and his throw of a hammer marked in one of •the up country stations has not been equalled. This very capable man of war, having cried quits with the British army, found his way into the Ameer’s service, and will probably cross swords with his former brethren in arms.

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 see the establishment of A. 0. 1 Aitken & Co., who are now offering special advantages, which 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 favoiable terms, enables them—to use- trade parlance—“ to do the thing well ” ; in fact the goods, offered by them are such 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 unecessay, and the most inexperi enced are. enabled to buy their goods as favorably as the best judges.—Advt.

THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

(“From the Otago Daily Times.”)

There is something in the objection that entire silence in the schools about such a book as the Bible, which is so in terwoven with our literature and our thought, is absurd and unnecessary, and inconsistent moreover with the whole tone of our school reading-books. If it is admitted by even such men as Matthew Arnold, who denies its miraculous origin, that throuahout, this Book is one whose teaching “makes for righteousness,” it should surely have its place among other histories in our schools, and the only valid objections we know of to this are that it is a very large and varied book, and that there are parts unsuited for reading in class. To satisfy these objections it is only needful to prescribe, as has been done in the Irish National Schools, definite limits, indicating how much can or ought to be so read. If such a concession as this were accepted we do not see that any principle would be violated; but we have little hope that Presbyterians of the stamp of Dr. Copland, • whose overture of many “ whereases ” is now before the Presby tery, would accept it, and have some fear that extreme secularists would consider it as going to far, Let it, however, be distinctly understood that alism is not a system which can be regarded as an antithesis to the present secular system, a 3 at best it would cover little ground, and would only be availed of to any large extent by one religious body. When this is recognised it will lose what little attractiveness it has, as a means to the religous education of the people at the public expense,

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[special to association.] London, Januaiy 6. Ellisdon, supposed to be implicated in the Avoca gold robbery, was discharged, the Law Officers holding that the Vic torian Government had no exclusive jurisdiction for an offence on the high seas, and that Weiberg’s evidence was inadequate. It is not intended to re arrest him. January 7. Mr Forster, at Bradford, made a severe attack on the foreign policy of the Go vernment. He hoped the general elec tions would condemn the Imperialist policy, which might lead to war through out the worid. Jan. 8. The Premier has had a severe attack of gout. - • . The depression of trade is causing a general reduction of wages. There are in consequence numerous strikes. 1500 goods’ guards and 'shunters oh the Mid land Railway have struck'. Jan. 9. Lord Beaconsfield is progressing favo rably. An outbreak of the plague has taken place at Astrachan. The Russian authorities are endeavoring to localise it. The statement that the Ameer of Afghanistan has entered Russian territory is not authentic. A proposal to reduce the wages of the Yorkshire, colliers resulted in a strike. 7000 men are out, of work, and the manufacture of railway iron has been stopped. Engineers to the number of 2000 have also struck against a proposal to extend the hours of work without extra pay. The whole of the London trades’ organisation assist the Unionists, and a special fund is being raised to assist the strikers.

The British garrison at Pivar Pass are threatened with a raid by the hill tribes, and urgently demand help. General Roberts’ division has arrived at Matsuma, and are advancing to Cabul. Bombay, Jan. 10. General A. Roberts successfully attacked and completely defeated the Afghans at Khost. They were massed in considerable numbers, and suffered severe losses. The casualities on the British side were slight. Salutory effects, are ex pected from this victory.

AUSTRALIAN

[By Submarine Cable.]

Sydney, Jan. 11. Over 1300 immigrants are afloat for Sydney. ~ Behrns, whose firm failed at Brisbane, disappeared last night, and fears for his safety are entertained. A daring robbery of Lady Robinson’s jewellery has taken place here. The thief, a clerk named Montgomery, was detected pawning articles to the value of £2OO.

The sailing of the ship Duthie was prevented in an extraordinary manner. A seaman accidentally stabbed himself near the heart, and a doctor forbids the slightest movement. The Duke of Buckingham, Sir James Fergusson, and Sir Henry Ward are com petitors for the Governorship.- Hobajrt Town, Jan. 11. The Englishmen beat the Tasmanian Eighteen by six wickets.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

From the New Zealand Press Asso ciation to the “Echo.”

New Plymouth, Saturday.

After much negotiation, Mr. Williams, interpreter at Patea, has succeeded in get ting the natives to permit a gravel pit to bo opened on a native reserve onthe'Wai mate Plains. This is considered a greater achievement than the survey of the Plains themselves, as the natives have generally a great objection to soil being removed from their land for road-making. The mountain road is now used for all kinds of conveyances. A buggy and pair wenh,through|‘in one’day, returning the next. Wellington, Saturday. At a meeting of members of the various School Committees in the city held yester day evening, it was resolved that sewing should be taught in school hours, that no teacher should be removed from a school without the Committee being consulted, and that in inflicting punishment no child should be struck ,on the head. The ques tion of Savings’ Banks in schools was ad journed for consideration, and amotion that teachers should be paid through the Committee was negatived. The payment of the R.M. Court fees by stamps is being reduced to an absurdity. The daily batches of inebriates who have to pay their fines i«i stamps are of course unprovided with these, and have to re main in custody till they can get someone to go and buy them the stamps. The N.Z.S.S. Co., at their annual meet ing, unanimously approved of the Direc tors’ recommendation to wind the company up voluntarily, A new Company is talked of. A man named Miles has been' arrested at Masterton on a charge of forging cheques on the Bank of New Zealand. Some nine months ago there was a defi ciency of £123 in the accounts of the late Treasurer of the Star Boating Club. The Club has -within the last week received the whole amount.

The Ringarooma, which left Melbourne yesterday, has on board 14 head of pure bred Shorthorn animals for Messrs, Simp

son 'and 00., of fhb'Marivyatu dhtriot. Those comprise Matilda’s Double Bruns wick, a bull purchased at Mr. Gardiner’s sale on Dec. 31, the bull Earl of Alva, purchased at Mr. Robertson’s sale on Jan. 3 ; the cow Maid of Oxford (32016), served by the 22nd Duke of Derrimut; cow Countess of Colac (31068), served by Oxford, Cherry Duke, and the pure-bred heifers, three years old, served by the Duke of Derrimut. Nelson, Saturday. Wilson and Mercer, journeymen em ployed by Mr. James, cabinetmaker, were arrested on a charge of robbery, &c, from their employer’s warehouse. Their premises were found well stocked with goods, .and everything was identified by Mr. James. Both were about to be married. They were remanded for ten days. Harvesting has commenced, and labor is very scarce. The crops all look splendid, and the yield is estimated from 40 bushels upwards. Invercargill, Saturday.

Mr. Theophilus Daniel, of Riverton, has presented to the Invercargill Athenseum a valuable contribution in the shape of a lithographed fac-simile of the “Declaration of Independence, and the Treaty of Waitangi, 1840. Dunedin, Saturday.

It is understood that Government books in connection with penny school savings banks have been prepared, and that the system will be brought into operation throughout the colony shortly. Tenders for the Waimea Plains railway have been opened, and referred to the engineer. The work will probably be commenced in a few days. The agreement beiween Mr, D. Proud foot and the South Dunedin Council for the construction of a tramway has been signed, and the work of construction will shortly be . commenced. A provisional directory has been formed to carry on the steam tramway to Eoslyn.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

Auckland, Monday.

It is stated that the recent raid on the public houses for gambling was at the ex-, press wish of the Ministry. An old soldier named Hill, formerly of the 51st Regiment, was found dead in his residence. He claimed to have been at Corunna and Waterloo, and to be 105 years old. Mr Coulson, alias Sir Richard Carkeet Coulson, just liberated from gaol, is again in the hands of the police for smashing windows. He was removed to the Hospi tal to have his wounds sewed up. Colonel Rosenoelt, late American Con sul, departed by the City of New'York for San Francisco somewhat unexpectedly and to the surprise of a number of neigh bors and friends. The yacht Zodiac has been missing fo a week. She went out fishing with one day’s provisions for her crew —Fred Mat son, and two boys named Quinn and Healey. Considerable anxiety is felt, and boats are out searching. Napier, Monday. The Barque “ Adamant ’’ arrived on Saturday from London, via Plymouth with two hundred and seventy immigrants, all well She experienced a fine weather passage of one hundred and five days. Two births occurred on the way out, and one infant died. The immigrants speak highly of Captain Bowling, and presented him with an address. There ar« 75 single women on board. Wellington, Monday. A teacher •writes to “ The Times ” com plaining strongly of the new scheme of classification. He says that men pre viously holding second and third class certificates are now made equal with first cIcLSS- 111611* j.. • ■ “The New Zealand Times” declares that Mr. Wood has been appointed to the Legislative Council, and calls on the Governor to resist making additional appointments to the Council until the Assembly has had time to consider whether the Council is to be destroyed in that way. A smart shock of earthquake occurred here shortly before 9 last night. Government are preparing now tables of life insurance, under which premiums may be paid fortnightly into any Post Office. Dunedin, Monday. The City Council are taking active steps to prevent a waste of water, as the reser voir is getting rapidly dried up, and a water famine is feared. The civil sessions of the Supreme Court commenced this morning. The first case was Smart v. Brogden and others, a claim for £6OB, work and material sup plied to defendants while plaintiff was a contractor under them in the construction of Otago Railways. Evidence is now being taken. The Bluff, Monday. The Ringarooma arrived at Hobart Town on the 9th inst. ; left at 5 pan. the same day ; arrived at the Bluff at 4 a.m. to-day; sails at 4 pan. for Dunedin. She experienced fine passage. Time from Hobart Town, 3 days 2 hours. Arrived—Taurunga, from Oamaru.

Smart Telegraphy. —As a specimen of what can be done by intelligent tele graphists, the “ Southland Times” gave on Saturday, under the “ latest” heading, the following remarkable telegraphic message, neither placed nor dated, which came to hand from Wakatipu that morn ing :—“ Africa, Arabia, Ollivier, Auck land, Cooper slow round, London Turkey slight, caught Baker, Ashby sixteen, Treadway bowled Ashbv three, Wolf caught Frith first one, Baker bowled Fuller one hundred, Napford caught Fowler, Fuller one, Major fifty-three, extras 726. Buker Auckland Afghan Wolf Major Auckland, Sometime Italy Turkey.”

monday january dfew

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”' lomwift KNOWN, that HOOPER, AITKEN, & CO. are Selling their Cloih ing, Boots and Shoes, &c., CHEAPER' THAN ANY HOUSE IN ASHBURTON. Ranted known, that hooper, AITKEN, & : 00. have opened up a . Splendid Lot of Fichus, Manilla Hats, and a Barge Assortment of • FANCY GOODS. XT /‘ANTED KNOWN, that HOOPER, AITKEN,-& CO. are paying Particular •' a , i-V i ‘ - * ' ’ ” * r ’’ • Attention to their " DRESSMAKING DEPARTMENT, which is superintended by a Lady whose Experience has been gained at some of the Best Houses in New Zealand. ANTED KNOWN, that HOOPER, AITKEN, & CO. have determined, prior to removing to their New Premises, now in course- of erection, to. reduce their present stock as much as possible, to effect which, they are now offering all Goods at the i: /v •. , ' LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICES.



NOTICE TP O R SALE AT T. QUINN & CO’S, ■" DRAPERS and CLOTHIERS, ' MOORE-ST.. ASHBURTON. ... 75 Men’s and Boys’ Suits, at 30s per Suit t • • , 40 doz. Silk Handkerchiefs at is each. 20 doz. Straw’Hats, 7s per doz. T . Q.U I'N N &: CO . , '••• ... ’ Moore Street, Ashburton. ' ’ . =gg "" Jl ” Business Notice., ——— —, NOTICE. ■jt.■ y.i; *,■ i *■■ ’■ • .• . ASHBURTON, WAKANUI, AND SEA - FIELD MAIL EXPRESS. Subscribers to the Evening* echo residing at and between the above places will, in future, be .supplied by Sando and Olsen’s Mail Express, which leaves Ashburton every Tuesday and Friday. ... . : - New Subscribers will please forward their names to any of the Agents, or our Office, as early as possible. ' Subscription: By post or express, Bs. 6d. per quarter; in advance, 7s. 6d. per. quarter ; or 28s. per annum. The Evening Echo will contain all the latest telegraphic and other news,.grain and produce market reports, and particu lar attention will be paid to the wants of settlers. All notices referring to the Borough Council, County Council, and the Road Boards, will be found in The Echo. Agencies where The Echo can be obtained : Wakanui School* ... McClure Wakanui Creek.. . ... G. Leadley Seafield... ...* ... T. Jones ~ v>.. .../, ... M. Bruce ~ ... ... ... T. M. Jones Charing Cross ... G. S. Brown Newland.. U, ...; Ed. Watkins The Agents' will supply printed forms or new subscribers to sign. WEEKS AND DIXON, Printers and Publishers, Uaat-st, N.j Ashburton,



gpSQisi _ PRELIMINARY NOTICE. A LFRED HARRISON begs to /\ announce that .on or about the Ist Feb., 1879, he will open a; NEW AUCTION MART §ln Baring Square; • A. H. -will make: a specialty of Sales of Furniture and Effects, Sales of Stock and Merchandise. ALFRED HARRISON, AUCTIONEER, 'COMMISSION AGENT, &c., HAVELOCK STREET, ASHBURTON, Near the Town Hall. 213



THE JjjCHO’ NEWSPAPER AND GENERAL . ‘ PRINTING OFFICE, Has Removed • to ‘ new buildings, East street North, near Post Office, and next Quill’s Hotel. . THE LARGEST STOCK OF MACHINE CASTOR OIL IN ASHBURTON!! OOME to SANDO & OLSEN’S if you . want to buy really good machine castor oil, and oil-feeders. 246 WE hafve’ much pleasure in intimating to our friends and the public generally that wo have this day taken into Partnership Mir. Thomas Hooper, who has for some time past been connected with our Firm. The Business will in future be carried on under the name and style of “ HOOPER, AITKEN, & C 0.,” who will carry out all arrangements made by the late firm. Dated at Ashburton, this 9th day of January, 1879. • A. 0. AITKEN & CO.