BANQUET WITHOUT WINES.

From the Dunedin Morning Herald.

Political dinners aro usually distin guished for..colonial “blow,” personal flattery, bad. wine, and mysterious revela : tions of policy. At a recent banquet in Southland, however, at least one of these eliaracteristies was missing. The wine was not bad : there was none. These entertainments are seldom disgraced by excess; the insipidity, not to lay the acidity, of the drink, rather checks than otherwise any bibulous tendency. This unusual action is not t. be valued us putting down a crying evil at publi •. banquets ; but as a demonstration on the part of some eager reformers, and an ex ample of how a political dinner may be enjoyed without any wine—good, bad, or indifferent. It must have been a new sensation to most to find the menu, say liothing of port, sherry, hock, and Madeira, and replace these savory items by lemonade, toast-and-water, “ rasp,” “ polly,” and “ pop,” It reads very barbarous and uncanny. A new dish is a great thing with gourmonds; sch an eccentric novelty as this may have re lieved the dullness of speeches in which there was nothing new. It certainly illustrates the growth of temperance opinion outside Bands of Hope and the fantastic masonry of Good Templars. Messrs Jago and Adams, “ Doctor Roseby and Sister Lamb” (we omit their most worthy initials), are not the only represen tatives of an abstemious movement. . . The evil is patent and confessed. Men differ as to the remedy. Sagacious ob servers of the fact will not be content with a single line of policy. Good Tem plars can hardly suppose that mystery and millinery—though in antagonism to all alcoholic stimulants—is the sole or suffi ' cient method. The clergy must not ima gine that conversion and edification are the only lines on which they can work against the common enemy. These sec tions cannot, for many reasons, unite within the limits of either, but they surely can find some common ground of action — some border-land, where it will be possible to meet and co-operate without either party sacrificing principles which he holds with tenacious fidelity. Such a region may be found in the amendment and ad ministration of the Licensing Laws. Unrestricted traffic in liquor has long since been given up by the most ardent assailants of over legislation. The Liverpool experiment has settled the question of free-trade in liquor for many a year to come. Some control there must be. Nor is this a case in which the law of supply and demand can be read in one way only. The supply creates the demand, as well as the demand the sup ply, The demand itself is too great for the good of the community. It is fostered by an excessivo supply. Tem plarism and Christian teaching may lesson the demand. Legislation must be employed in addition, to regulate' the supply, It is in thi3 direction that general co-operation appears feasible and mojt directly and widely useful. The Licensing Law of this Colony is certa'nly a great advance on the English system. The Bench usually administer it with much firmness. Bub new licenses are granted too freely, and old ones are very rarely suppressed. The hotels and public-houses are far too numerous for the needful and moderate requirements of the population. The licensed victuallers are at present content with things as they are. Thfey are thankful that no change took place last season. This frank expression of opinion on the part of “ mine host ” shows how prepared he is to adapt himself to restriction, how well he is off under present conditions, and how clearly he sees that further legislation will not expand, but contract, the legal limits of his trade. This should only encourago reformers the question more, and call their forces togetherto accomplish some further necessary changes. These are, certainly, a diminution of hotels, and a check on new licenses. Moderate as these proposals are, they open up the two grave principles of “compensation” and “permission.” We doubt whether the country is yet fully educated for or against the latter ; but the former is a matter to \vhich attention should be given by all parties, with a view to some rea sonable and early settlement. Much may be done to raise the character of hotel-life, and diminish drunkenness, when the social economist and Christian moralist combine on some common, though it may be narrow, platform. They may approach the question from very different points of view. This is only a greater reason for each lying aside those unrea sonable suspicions which fifty years since were so powerfully rebuked by Dr. Chal mers’ magnificent rhetoric and daring reiteration.



New Advertisement, NOTICE. WEEKLY CUSTOMERS ARE requested to pay up all ARREARS, for the Evening Eoho to the it]i Jan, 1879, to the. Collector. In consequence of the large circulation it is found impracticable to send the collector. Weekly subscribers are there fore requested to pay the runners every Saturday after the above date. New quarterly subscribers should send in their names at once ? commencing with the New Year-, WEEKS & DIXON, Proprietors. Dec. 31, 1878. YOUNG Ladies Journals.—We have just received, per ’Frisco Mail, a few copies of this Journal of Fashion for December. Price, 1/9 each, mail copies, ECHO OFFICE,



New Advertisementsj THE EDUCATION BOARD OF*THE DISTRICT OF NORTH CANTERBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT OF ASHBURTON, TIN WALD, AND WILLOWBY. npHE Education Board of the District of 1 North Canterbury hereby publicly notifies, in accordance with the provisions of section 6r, of the Education Act, 1877, that the following are the boundaries of the School Districts of Ashburton, linwald, and Willowby respectively : _ Boundaries of the School District of Ashburton Commencing at the point where a stiaight line drawn from the north-eastern corner of rural section 8x92, to the northern most corner of section 10283, inter sects the north bank of the river Ashburton; thence by the said straight line to the northern-most corner of the said section 10283 ; thence by the north-eastern boundary of that section to its eastern-most corner; thence in a straight line to trig, pole 8a ; thence in a straight line to trig, pole 15 ; thence in a straight line to the easternmost corner of section 10413 ; thence by the south-eastern boundary of that section and by a line in continuation thereof to the river _ Asuburton ; and thence by the said river to the com mencing point. Boundaries of the School District of Tinwald Bounded tow'ards the north-east by the river Ashburton ; towards the north-west by the road separating rural section 5 2 59 l" rom section 6422, and section 5249 from section 5253 ; towards the south west by roads leading from the westernmost corner of the latter section to the southernmost corner of section 20819, by the railway from the said corner to Longbeach - road, by that road to the south-west corner of section 22085, by the southern boundary of the latter section and of section 22084, and of the adjoining reserve to Ford’s - road, and by Ford’s-road to the southern corner of reserve 931 ; and towards the south-east by the road to the south-east of the said reserve 931, and by the continuation of the said • road to the river Ashburton. Boundaries of the School District of Willowby Commencing at the northernmost corner of rural section 18003 ; thence southerly by the road separating reserve 737 from section 17187, and by the road in continua tion thereof to the southernmost corner of reserve 738; thence by the road forming the . southern boundary ot reserve 738, to its junction with the road forming the south-eastern boundary of section 8368; thence by the latter road to the southern-most corner of section 16744; thence by the road running on the south side of section 2034 S to the railway ; thence by the railway to the Longbeach-road, and thence by the boundaries of the School District of Tinwald to the commencing point. J. V. COLBORNE-VEEL, Secretary. Christchurch, December 30, 1878. 219



To tlie most Honorable tho Marquis of Normanby, Governor and Com mander-in-Chief of tlie Colony of New Zealand. THE PETITION of the undersigned Ratepayers of the Ashburton Road Board District, in the County of Ash burton, drawing your Excellency’s atten tion to the following facts, and petition ing your Excellency thereon, humbly sheweth: — That we desire to draw your Excel lency’s attention to the advisability of constituting all that portion of the Ash burton Road Board District north of the river Ashburton a separate Road Board District, and have to request that, your Excellency will grant the prayed-for separation on the following grounds : Ist. That the District, as at present constituted, is difficult to work in a satis factory manner, principally from the very great increase of its population, every available acre of Crown land having been purchased, and is now occupied. 2nd. That the District could be better managed if divided into two smaller and more compact Districts, having the centre of the river Ashburton for their bound ary. 3rd. That granting the prayer of your petitioners would give great satisfaction to that portion of the present District north of the river Ashburton. 4th. That it is believed that the Rate payers south of the river Ashburton are in favor of tho proposed separation. sth. That your petitioners have every reason to believe that the present Road Board will not offer the least opposition to the prayer of your petitioners. 6th. That the proposed now District would comprise that portion of the County of Aahurton bounded on the north-east by tho South "Rakaia District, on the south-east by the sea, on the south-west by tho river Ashburton, and on the north-west by the Upper Ash burton District. 7th. That this petition has been pub licly notified in both tlie local newspapers, and your petitioners will ever pray, &c. Edward G. Wright Joseph Grigg (by his Attorney John Grigg) Joseph Hunt, And one hundred and three others. 218 ~ THE “EVENING ECHO.” Ff 'IHE following are AGENTS for the JL Sale of the “Evening Echo” in Ashburton A, Weston, Stationer and Tobacconist, East Street, and Book Stand, Railway Station. H. M. Jones, Stationer, East Street, next Friedlander Bros, A, 0. Aitken & Co., General Store* keepers, Havelock Street,



New Advertisements. WANTED, a respectable intelligent BOY as an apprentice to Printing. ECHO OFFICE. TAN TED a MAN COOK. Apply to V . SAUNDERS BROS. 217 TENDERS WANTED at once for Cut ting, Binding, Stocking, and Stack ing, Ac., about 150 Acres Wheat, near Chertsey. For particulars apply to 220 FRIEDLANDER BROS. ASHBURTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. THE SERVICES in Ashburton will be conducted, Morning and Evening on Sunday, by the Rev. Mr. Cree, of Leeston. Waterton, Library Hall, at 3 o’clock same day by Mr. Mac Lean Dunn. 222 Election Notice. TO JOSEPH HUNT, ESQ. WE, the Undersigned ratepayers of the Ashburton Road Board Dis trict, on the occasion of your retirement from the Board through effluxion of time, desire to record our gratitude for the benefit which we have derived from your attention to our wants during your term of office, and therefore to express our earnest hope that you will consent to offer yourself for re-election. If you should comply with this request we pledge ourselves to use every effort in our power to secure your return : (Signed) Edward Jones George Lamb John Cochrane Henry Robinson William Inncs Peter Innes James Droyer Andrew Letham Joseph Ivess A. G. Earle Malcolm Millar John Harrison Peter Chalmers John Chalmers Thomas Bullock To the Gentlemen signing the above Requisition. Sirs, —I have much pleasure in acceding to your request. In permitting myself to be placed in nomination for a seat at the Board, I assure you that, if elected, no effort of mine will be wanting to retain your good opinion, and to deserve the honour done me. I am, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, JOSEPH HUNT. Ashburton, Dec. 30, 1878. 209



Tenders. ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. TENDERS are invited for 1000 DOG COLLARS for the County of Ash burton for the ensuing Year. Particulars are as follows : —4OO of inch : 400 of 1 inch ; 150 of % of an inch ; 25 of £ inch; and 25 of | inch. The Collars to have the badge of Registration affixed thereto, and to be approved by the Council. Tenders, endorsed “ Tenders for Dog Collars,” will be received at the Council’s offices, Ashburton, up to the hour of 11 a.m., on the Bth day of January, 1879. The Council reserves to itself the right of rejecting all or any of the Tenders if it thinks fit. W. C. WALKER, Chairman.. Ashburton, December 18,1878. 167 ASHBURTON ROAD BOARD. TENDERS are invited for the follow ing Works : No. 142—Shingling Christie’s Road, 85 chains. No. 143 —Formation Cochrane’s Road, 40 chains. No. 144—Cutting at Wakanui Tenders addressed to the Chairman, and endorsed with the number of the work tendered for, will be received till 9 a.m. on Monday, January 6th, 1879. Tenders to have £5 enclosed if the amount of the contract is under £2OO ; if over' that amount, 2| per cent, on the value of tho work. By order of the Board. JAMES WILKIE, 160 Surveyor to the Board. ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. Applications are invited from gentlemen willing to act as Engineer for the Council of the County of Ashbur ton. Salary, £SOO per annum, with travelling expenses. The successful candidate will be expected to initiate and superintend all works under taken by the Council, also to reside in the County, and to devote the whole of his time to tho business of the Council. Can didates are requested to state how soon they can commence duties. Applications with references endorsed, “ Application for Engineer,” addressed to the Chairman of the County Council, Ash burton, will be received at the Council’s offices, Ashburton, up to the hour of 11 a.m, on Wednesday, the Bth day of January, 1879. W. C. WALKER, Chairman. Ashburton, December 10th, 1878. 140



Business Notices. THE PRINCE ALBERT BOARDING HOUSE AND DINING ROOMS, WILLS ST. (Near Railway Station), ~VTOW OPEN for the convenience of J\| Boarders, Commercial Travellers, and the Public. The House is entirely new and will be fitted up with every comfort, and the proprietor can guarantee that every attention will be paid to patrons, with a good table, on the most liberal terms. Families can be accomodated with private rooms. THOMAS CLARK 149 Proprietor. CHRISTMAS GREETINGS TO YOU ALL ! CHRISTMAS PRESENTS and NEW YEAR’S GIFTS in end less variety, at WESTON’S EAST STREET NOVELTY DEPOT. Those in want of New Novelties in Christmas Cards, GO TO A. WESTON’S. Gift Books, at all Prices, GO TO A. WESTON’S. Albums, a Choice Lot, AT A. WESTON’S. Children’s Eooks and Fancy Stationery, GO TO A. WESTON’S. Silver and Plated Jewellery, GO TO A. WESTON’S. Beads, Fans, and all kinds of Ball Requisites y GO TO A. WESTON’S Piesse and Lubin’s, Gosnel’s and Rimmel’s Choice Perfumery, GO TO A. WESTON’S. All kinds of Fancy Goods, Books, Sta tionery, &c., go to A. W. WESTON, HAIRDRESSER, TOBACCONIST, AND BOOKSELLER, East Street, Ashburton. PHOTOGRAPHY. MILLION PRICES. E. TEAGUE begs to announce that he intends reducing the price of Photographs for the Holidays to — Cards 9s. per dozen. Cabinets 255. „ Notice.—This Gallery will Permanently Close on 30th instant. Business Notices. TREVORTON BUTCHERY. J fFIASKER begs to inform the , Jl public of Ashburton and district that ho has commenced business as a BUTCHER, in his HIS NEW PREMISES, TREVORTON, And hopes by strict attention to business, combined with cleanliness and civility, to merit a share of patronage. N.B. —None but the best quality of meat supplied. Families waited upon daily for orders. 202 CHRISTMAS TREE ASHBURTON TOWN HALL. Mrs. MOREY begs to intimate that, in consequence of the great rush on Xmas Eve, and the consequent disappointment of many of the ticket-holders, she has determined to hold another distribution of CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR GIFTS on January 30,1879. All persons hold ing tickets can have them exchanged for new ones, or the money returned, on application to Mrs. Morey. Fuller particulars in future advertisement. J. CAMPBELL, BOOT AND SHOE MAKER., MOORE STREET, ~|p>EGS to announce that he has com menced business, and is prepared to make every description of Boots and Shoes of the best material at moderate prices. To arrive—Boots and Shoes of every description at very low pi ices. Remember the address. 210 Bread. Bread. Public that from the Ist January, 1879, their BREAD will be Sold for sd. Cash, from the Counter, and s|d. monthly accounts. 187 HAMS. HAMS. SPLENDID CHRISTMAS HAMS At OBR & CO.’S



Ironmongery. OR R & CO. Would call Special attention to TIIEIR STOCK OF IRONMONGERY. A Fine assortment of Carpen ters’ Tools now landed. I RONMONGERY. Parties Furnishing should in spect our Stock of Plated Goods— TEA POTS, CRUET STANDS, BUTTER DISHES. TEA AND COFFEE SETS, TABLE CUTLERY, &c., &c., &c. IRONMONGERY. STOVES, RANGES, GRATES, FENDERS, and FIREIRONS. These Goods are imported di rect by ourselves, and will be sold at prices below anything hitherto offered in Ashbur ton. IRONMONGERY. Harvesting Tools— Hay Forks, Rakes, Scythes, Blc. McCORMACK’S Reapers and Binders. No farm should be without one. Can cut and tie even if the Straw is only 9 inches long. No necessity for wire. BUY A McCORMACK, AND SAVE YOUR STRAW. 200 DOZEN HORNSBY’S PLOUGH SHARES, Landing ex “ Hurunui.” OR R & C 0., EAST STREET, ASHBURTON.



Wants, &c. WANTED, at once, tenders for sup plying 20 tons of Newcastle Coal, for cash, at the railway station or the Commercial Hotel, Ashburton. 2H T. QUILL. WANTED, to Rent, for a term of 12 months, from January Ist, a Three-roomed COTTAGE, withi* a convenient distance of town. Apply early, “ Cottage,” ECHO Office. 158 WANTED, an Active Young MAN, to drive a Baker’s Cart. None but a steady man need apply. Apply 207 SANDO & OLSEN. LOST. ON 24th December, between Belfast Bakery and Town Belt, one Oval GOLD BROOCH, with fringe, and glass at back for photograph. The finder will be rewarded on leaving same at the 20G ECHO OFFICE. East Town Belt. Apply Mr. COUTTS, at Mr. Sealey’s Nurseryman, Trevorton. 201 rpO LET.—A two roomed House, FOR SALE, TERMS EASY. A FOUR. ROOMED COTTAGE and J-acro Section on the North Town Belt, let at 15/ per week. There is a pump fixed, and the land is fenced. 153 Apply ECHO OFFICE. TO LET. NE SHOP and Several Convenient OFFICES in our new buildings. SAUNDERS BROTHERS. 0 64 PUBLIC NOTICE THE Westerfield Mill Road, by Mr. Sargent’s will be Stopped for Traffic until further notice. R. D. PULLAR, Clerk to Upper Ashburton Road Board. December 9th, 1878. 125 THE POTATO FAMINE IS OYER. SQAVAGE . O supply is prepared to POTATOES In any quantity at 3jjsd. per 5). Be in time in case of a rush. 215 Entertainments. THE NNU A L OIR E E NNU A L g OF THE ASHBURTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WILL BE HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON MONDAY EVENING, JAN. 6. The Musical Programme for the occasion will be under the leadership of Mr. Savage. The Choir will be assisted in rendering a selection of anthems and other suitable musical pieces by some of our ablest local amateurs. Addresses and recitations will also be given by rev. gentlemon and others from a distance. Miss Gates will preside at the piano. • Tickets may be had from Messrs. Robinson and Orr, and business places in town. Tea at half-past five. 212 Meetings. ASHBURTON ROAD DISTRICT. PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that a Meeting of Ratepayers will be held at the Offices of the Ashburton Road Board on MONDAY, January 6th, 1879, at noon, when the following question will be submitted for the consideration of the ratepayers : “The expediency or otherwise of bringing ‘ The. Regulation of Local Elections Act, 1876/ into force in the Ashburton Road District.” By order. J. E. BUCHANAN, Secretary to the Board. Road Board Office, Ashburton, Dec. 19,1878. 169 ASHBURTON ROAD BOARD. PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Ratepayers of the above Road District will be held at the Offices of the Ashburton Road Board on MONDAY, the sixth day of January proximo, atnoon, for the Election of Three Members to serve on the Board in the room of the present members—Messrs. Williamson, Hunt, and Taylor, who retire by rotation, but are eligible for re-election. A poll, if necessary, will be taken after the public meeting, and will close at 4 p.m. of the same day. JOHN GRIGG, *• Chairman. Road Board Office, . - : Ashburton, Dec. 19, 1878. 170 UPPER ASHBURTON ROAD BOARH TVTOTICE is hereby given that the IN ANNUAL MEETING of the Ratepayers of this district will he held at the Road Board Offices* Wes crfield, on Tuesday, January 7th, 1879, at noon, lo elect Three Members in the room of Messrs D. McLean, Mathew Stitt, and Archibald McColl, who retire by rota tion, but who are elegiblo for re-election. A poll if necessary will be held the same day and close at 4 p.m. ROBT. D. PULLAR, Clerk to the ISoard,