COMMERCIAL.

Messrs Fried]ander Bros, have received advices by the San Francisco mail of the sale of their consignments of wheat per Piako, City of Quebec, and Maraval, at 48s and 49s per quarter.

ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST.

POST OFFICE NOTICES.

For Christchurch and North at 10.20 a.m. 4 p.m., and 7.30 p.m., daily. For Chertsey at 10.20 a.m daily. For Rakaia at 10.20 a.m and 4 p.m daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald Winslow, Hind*, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Gcra'dine, at 10.20 a.m, daily. For Temuka. Timaru, and South at 10.20 a.m and 3 p.m daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10.30 a.m For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at .15 p.m. daily. For Wakanui and Seafield, on Mondays and Thursdays, 7.30 p.m. Sydney J. Dick, Chief Postmaster.

UNCLAIMED LETTERS.

The following letteis from places beyond the colony were received at the Ashburton Post Office during the month of August, and temamed unclaimed on Ist October, 1879: — Allinham, J. Charles, Richard Critchley, W. S. Deacon, William Devane, Patrick Fraher, John Criffin, Morgan Maclean (or Maclear) John Kennedy, William Kissane, Michael Larkin, Andrew Morrison, James Moriarty. Michael Quinlan. Mary Ryan, Thomas B. Sharp, Sames Valpy, John N. Vincent, J. Walker, Archibald Woodman, W. D. Young, Lewis P. McAllister, Mrs Black, Tohn Twiss, Michael W. St, G. Douglas, Postmaster.

On the first daj A each month a list is ex hibited at each Pc . t Office in the Colony of the addresses of all letters received from places be yond the Colony that have remaind unclaimed for one month at such Post Office; and such of these letters as remain unclaimed at the end of a further period of two months are then for warded to the Dead Letter Office, to be return ed unopened to the countries where they origi nated. Unclaimed letters originating in the Colony are not advertised, but at the end of two months are forwarded to the Dead Letter Office, Wellington, there to be opened and re turned to the writers.

A travelling Post Office having been estab lished on the Southern line of railway, letters bearing a late fee of 2d. may be posted at any station in the mail carriage attached to the expre=s train, and they will be included in the mails made up in transit for offices on the main line and branches.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser With which is incorporated the "Evening Echo"). MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1879.

The Sydney Exhibition, considered as a financial speculation, has every prospect of being a very great failure. This is no more than was to be expected, and what the New South Wales Government was perfectly prepared for. But there can be no doubt whatever, on the other hand, that the great end has been accomplished the Industrial Exhibition of the Southern Hemisphere was inaugurated to subserve. It has brought in competition upon Aus tralian ground the great workshops of the world, and drawn together upon Antipo dean soil the representatives of the world’s manufacturing skill. They came there competing for the good opinions of the Australian markets, and spreading the fame of the excellence of their produc tions still further over the world. The show of manufactures will enable our im porters to obtain better information re garding the manufactures they have hitherto been introducing into the colonies, and put them in a position to select, from actual comparison under their own eyes, the best factories from which to procure the goods they have hither to been accustomed to receive, depending for choice upon the knowledge of the com mission agents with whom they dealt. To many importers the names of the manu facturers of numberless classes of goods were but “brands,” that had but little meaning, because the specialties of each particular firm were not known ; and not seldom the goods of an inferior but lower priced house were innocently preferred. To a keen man of business the Sydney Exhibition will be a great practical lesson on this point alone, and one from which the whole of the Southern Colonies will profit. Manufacturers from every pro ducing country are represented in Sydney, and even “ strange Japan” puts in a not unimportant appearance ; the products ot every industry in the colony are sampled to a greater or less degree, so that young Australia has now had brought under her eyes, in one great panorama, the natural history of the world’s commerce. She will be able to estimate to some extent how far she is behind her older compeers, and mark out for herself the easiest course to pursue in the race to come abreast of them. The keen sighted men who have come from every corner of the earth to attend the great show, and if possible, by its agency extend their own business con nections in these colonies, will have an opportunity of seeing what these great countries of ours are like. To their practical eyes our resources will be open for inspection, and they will go. home with no unduly rosy story, no jaundiced report, but the “ plain unvarnished tale” of men who are earnest in the professions they follow, whose word can be trusted, and whose opinions are valued. We prophesy great things to the Southern Hemisphere from this “World’s Show,” and the one that follows it, at Melbourne, and if the patriots of New Zealand have not taken advantage to the full of the opportunities now given the blame rests with them selves. But we are happy to say that advantage to a fair extent has been taken by New Zealand of the Exhibition, and the picture of her resources represented by her court in the great building will not fall upon eyes lacking collodion sufficient to retain the picture on the mind. As the summer goes on, we expect many visitors of a kind who have hitherto been strangers to our islands —men who know how to estimate the practical value of resources— and those visits will not be without their influence upon the industries and com merce of our future. Crowds of sight seers may not flow into the Exhibition building, to swell the receipts in a propor tion equal to the outlay expended to bring about the opening of such a great feature in the Australasian history ; but we feel assured the after results of the great Exhibition of 1879, will repay a thousand fold the paltry loss that may now be in curred, and those results will be shared in bv the whole colonies of the south.

The Old Men's Home. —We under stand it is the intention of a party of ladies and gentlemen to visit the Home, at an early date, for the purpose of providing an entertainment of a varied character for the old men. The appreciative manner in which the efforts of the same party were received on a former occasion leads us to infer that this visit will be anxiously looked for by the inmates. The Knowsley Hall. —Serious fears for the safety of this ship are felt in Lyttelton. She is a large first-class iron vessel of over 1,700 tons register, only on her second voyage, and is now nearly 150 days out. She has on board the balance of the iron work ordered by the County Council for the Rangitata Traffic Bridge. 1.0.G.T. —At the weekly meeting of the Star of the East Lodge on Saturday even ing in the Templar Hall, there was an unusually large attendance. There were no initiations, but several propositions for membership were made. The chief busi ness of the evening was the election of officers for the quarter ensuing. Bro. St. Hill was elected to the Chief’s chair, and Bro. B. C. Smith to that of Vice Templar. The installation ceremony will be per formed next Saturday evening, by Deputy Galloway, of the Tinwald Lodge. Amongst other items of business, a committee was appointed to aid in getting up an enter tainment for tli© inniatos of tlic Oxd. jMoii s Home on an early date.

The American Palace Railway Cars. —The first of the new American Palace Railway carriages made its appearance at Ashburton are to-day. There ten of them altogether in the possession of the Govern ment, and the balance will be put on the line as soon as fitted up. The first feature of the new carriage that strikes the eye is its great length, and this is borne out on measuring, as we find it is 44ft. in length as against the 32ft. English bogie carriage measure. Yankee ingenuity and lightness is visible everywhere, as is gaudiness and fiimziness throughout. The carriage runs on four pairs of wheels placed in couples at what looks a very great distance apart, an iron truss carrying the centre of the car riage. The axles arc on the bogie prin ciple so as to permit of the carriage run ning on the sharpest curves, and the ar rangement of the springs is very ingenious, almost neutralising the vibration and oscillation of the carriage. A powerful brake is also fitted. The iron work con nected with the under structure is very different to the English wheels, Ac., and in some points superior. On deck, the reverse is the case, for gingerbread archi tecture is at once apparent. The inside Of the carriage at first sight certainly looks palatial, but on examination there are some things in connection with it which we do not consider improvements on our present cars. Although 12ft. longer than the others, the new cars cannot seat so many passengers, nor can a passenger spread himself out at full length for a snooze, unless h ; takes to the floor, the seats being arranged so that the passen gers may sit face to face or back to back at choice, according to the terms of friend ship or otherwise they may be on with the passengers on the next seat. There is accommodation for 34 passengers only. Lavatories, Ac., at either end occupy more room than their utility justifies on a line like the Great South Railway, where a quarter of an hour’s stoppage is made every two hours or so. The arrangements for ventilation and lighting are very good, two handsome kerosene lamps being pro vided, in place of the dim abominations heretofore used, which only tended to make darkness visible. The walls are tastefully veneered with panels in maple, mahogany, and teak, and the ceiling has a flashy looking painted calico tacked to it, of the Chinese lantern pattern. The de signer of the cars dses not seem to have been aware of the dimensions of the tunnels in New Zealand, and as the car riages are higher than the excavations, Oamaru is the last point on this line they will ever reach. We suppose some one has made a blunder, and the only way out of the mess is to razee the top story, which will, perhaps, curtail their beauty, but make them more useful.

The Hot Springs. —A correspondent of a Sydney paper thus refers to the Bay of Plenty Hot Springs :—ln your paper of the 27th September, in answers to cor respondents, I see inquiries made by a young man under the name of sufferer (Naajingoma) asking for a remedy for rheumatism. I have suffered very much in the way he describes for over 20 years, with the difference that the pains moved to nearly every part of the body ; and the only real relief I ever experienced, although I have tried numerous remedies, was at the Hot Springs in New Zealand ; I do not mean the Waiwera Hot Springs, which 1 have tried, and consider to be of no value for that complaint, but the Hot Springs, near the Bay of Plenty, about 50 miles from Tauranga, at a place called Ohinemutu. If Sufferer would write to me I would be happy to give him all the information necessary, as it is very difficult for a stranger to find out the best baths, the country about there being mostly in the hands of the natives. If he could go over next month, and stay till March or April, taking the baths two or three times a day, I am confident he would get great relief. I was at the baths for about two months, and found great relief.

An Extraordinary Yacht. —A blind boy and a cripple, residents of Baltimore, United States, have just built a splendid little yacht, about 20ft in length, and sj>ft beam. The boys—one sixteen and the other seventeen—begged the timber, nails, and other material, and worked early and late to finish their difficult task. A kind hearted police sergeant bought paint for them. The boat is well built, and shows to as good advantage as any craft of her size and description ever constructed, and the young builders are to make money by hiring her out.

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

[by telegraph.] FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. Wellington, Oct. 25. Mr Richardson is seated for Christ church, instead of Sir George Grey. The Greyites have served Mr Colbeck with a writ for £I,OOO, for sitting in the House while having some contract with the Government, which they had told him did not affect his seat at all when he was supposed to vote with them. The railing against the Auckland mem bers last night was someething worthy of Billingsgate.

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

TO-DAY’S CABLEGRAMS.

( Special.)

London, Oct. 25.

In addressing a political meeting at Manchester the Marquis of Hartington denounced the Home and Foreign policy of the British Government as immoral and wanting political sagacity.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

TO-DAY’3 TELEGRAMS.

Auckland, Oct. 27. Arrived—Rotomahana, at Russell, three days and eleven hours from Sydney. A man named William Robertson, arrested for attempted rape, was mate of the Luna. The attempted offence was made on a passenger named Sarah Wright, at night while the steamer was lying at Russell. The Rev. F. Parks, of Ponsoi.by,. h;;s resigned his position as Wesleyan minister and settles at Wanganui, with the in tenth n of taking orders in the Anglican Church.

Gbaiiamstown, Oct. 27.

A sad accident happened last night to Hr Gilbert. About 7 o’clock, desiring some stimulant, he went into his surgery and in his hurry took a bottle of bella donna tincture in mistake. He poured out 2 ounces and swallowed it off, only finding his error after finishing his draught. He immediately took a strong emetic, and also mustard, and in a few minutes threw off a great deal of poison. Medical men were summoned, who used the stomach pump and administered slight stimulants. The patient appeared getting on satisfactoi-y, but at one o’clock his heart suddenly stopped, and he died without a struggle. He told what he had done, and it is believed it was purely a mistake. Mr Mackay has not succeeded in ap prehending Pakura nor Epihi, nor is he likely to succeed. Mr Rowe has telegraphed to Mr Sheehan calling on him to resign in terms of an agreement made with the candidates who retired in favor of himself and Sir George Grey, which was that either should provide a vacancy for the Thames to allow one local candidate to be elected. Westport, Oct. 27.

Norman M'Kenzie, laborer, at Wai mangaroa, is in custody on a charge of attempted rape on a child 8 years old, on Saturday, at 8 p.m. Accused was suf fering from the effects of drink. Dunedin, Oct. 37.

At the Bity Police Court this morning Captain Charles Clark was charged with assaulting Mary M'lnnis by putting his arm round her waist, kissing her, and calling her a bonnie wee lass. After hear ing the evidence the case was dismissed. It excited great amusement in Court. The adjourned inquest on the tramway victim, John Meldrum, is now proceed ing. Ah Foo, charged with forgery, is re manded for a week.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

LAST NIGHT’S CABLEGRAMS.

( Reuter’s Telegram. )

London, Oct. 23.

Three per cent, consols, 97§. The total reserve in notes and bullion in the Bank of England is £18,750,000. Calcutta, Oct. 25.

The Ghilzais assembled at Kushi have assumed a threatening aspect, and Gene ral Roberts has taken precautionary measures.

Paris, Oct. 23. The Bank of France’s rate of discount is three per cent. Constantinople, Oct. 23. Midhat Pasha has resigned.

[Argus Special.)

London, Oct. 23. The accident to the steamer Australia occurred off Ushant on Friday. The steamer Trentham Hall was passing, and in attempting to tow her back broke seve ral hawsers. The high seas finally forced her to desist after two days, and she went to Plymouth for assistance. Afterwards the Australia drifted into a dangerous posi tion p near Guernsey, where the Valorous and Trusty, war vessels, followed her with the intention of towing her out. In this they failed, and with difficulty removed the passengers, who were conveyed to Plymouth, where they will await the Pekin. Powerful tugs brought the Aus tralia to Plymouth to-day. The departure of the Brindisi mail is deferred a week, but the Company expect to deliver the mails in the contract time.

(Aqc Special.)

London, Oct. 24.

The Boers publicly insulted Sir Garnet Wolseley. They were most determined in expressing their resolution of violently re sisting the annexation policy. The Turkish Ministry is causing serious anxiety.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Reuter's Telegrams.)

Adelaide, Oct. 23. Parliament is to be prorogued to-mor row. The Totalisator Bill has passed.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, Oct. 25.

Seaman Moore, of the Naval Brigade, has been promoted to the rank of petty officer, for gallantry in jumping overboard from the gunboat during the recent ex plosion, and saving a comrade’s life. Funds are being raised for a benefit to the suf ferers.

Owing to the decision re Sir George Grey’s seat for Christchurch, the candi dates for the Thames seat will have to re tire, unless Mr Sheehan fulfills an alleged agreement with Mr Rowe. Cambridge, Oct. 25.

At the Cambridge show, held yesterday, Mr A. A. Fantham, formerly of Canter bury district, won great honors with his short-horn herd. His chief point of excel lence was in the young stock which he has bred in Waikato. His nine months roan bull calf, Darlington, by Lord Darlington the Second, dam Rosebud, carried off the Champion prize for the best bull last year. Fantliam’s yearling bull, Lord Stephenson, won the Champion prize, thus proving the excellence of his herd. M‘Lean and Co’s imported Clydesdale mares were a show in themselves.

Westport, Oct. 25.

A general holiday was kept yesterday to celebrate the driving of the last spike in Dey’s contract of the Westport Colliery Company’s branch line. The ceremony was performed in the first break, half way up the incline tramway. The work is considered the largest of its kind in the world.

Timaru, Oct. 25.

The tender of John Anderson, of Christ church at £4lO, was accepted for a new iron surf boat for the Harbor Board.

The first of the new wool clip reached town yesterday. Dunedin, Oct. 25.

All the papers express themselves pleased at the termination of the deadlock. The “ Times,” referring to Sir George Grey being unseated, says “ It would be more satisfactory if it involved the retirement of the late Premier from the House, but we must be grateful for small mercies.. Mr Macandrew will meet with very little sympathies from Otago electors. Although

his ardent admirers regard him as the wiliest of politicians, he has found more than his match in Sir George Grey, and having, in a weak moment, lent an ear to the voice of the charmer, he must take the consequences.” At the City Court to-day James White law was fined 20s and costs for exposing meat for sale which was not lit for con sumption.

It is rumored that the medical school will be removed from Dunedin to Christ church.

Walters, who had been arrested on a writ of attachment from the Supreme Court and admitted to bail, was brought before Mr. Justice Williams this morning. A viva voce examination having taken place, the Judge was satisfied that no contempt of Court had been committed, and Waters was discharged. The whereabouts of Mrs Woodlock and her child is not known.

The Taieri Agricultural Society has agreed to amalgamate with the Otago Society on certain conditions.

An inquest on the body of John Mel drum, who was yesterday killed by the tram car, took place at the Hospital. The driver having given evidence that the tram car was being run carriage first, and that there was no brake, it being out of order and under repairs, the Coroner ad journed the inquest, as the matter had assumed a serious aspect.

ASHBURTON CONTINGENT, C.Y.C.

The Cavalry turned out for the first parade of the season on Saturday after noon, but the attendance was small, only seven troopers putting in an appear ance. They marched to the North Town Belt, and were put through the sword exercise by Trooper Scott, who shows considerable efficiency as a drill instructor. A meeting was held in the evening at the Somerset Hotel, Sergeant Bruce in the chair, who gave a resume of the pro ceedings of the company at the last general meeting, held at Sergeant-Major McGuin ness’s, Christchurch. It was resolved that five officers should be elected, of which Christchurch should nominate three, and Ashburton, Christchurch, and South bridge one each, so that there probably would have to be an election to decide upon the officers. A drill instructor would also have to be elected and the whole company would have a voice in the matter. Very suitable candidates had made application, and there would not be any difficulty in filling up the offiee ; the successful candidate would have to pass an examination, and be approved of by the Government. Captain Strouts had re signed the command of the corps, and Lieutenant Slater had taken his place. The business of the evening was to nomi nate an officer for the district. Three gentlemen in the locality had been men tioned as suitable, and it was for the members present to decide upon which to recommend.

After some discussion Trooper Wilkie proposed, and Trooper Pyke seconded — ‘ ‘ That Sergeant J. .Stanley Bruce be nominated as the officer to represent the Ashburton contingent.” All present spoke in high terms of the qualifications of Sergeant Bruce, and his energy and perseverance in connection with the contingent, and the motion was carried unanimously, those present pledging themselves to assist Sergeant Bruce to the best of their ability in for warding the interests of the corps. It was resolved that until further notice a drill shall be held every Thursday at 6 p. m., foot and horse parade alternately. Three new members were proposed, and the meeting closed.

The Crops.

(Br our Travelling Reporter.)

As time rolls along I find in every part of the country that crops are promising splendid yields, providing the weather only keeps anything like what it has done up to the present. Rolling is just now the order of the day, and one noticeable feature on the plains is that where the tussocks have been carted oft’, the pad docks have a much better appearance than where they have been allowed to encumber the soil. Now, this is a point on which I feel inclined to lecture our agriculturists, for two reasons. First, because wherever a tussock is left it is bound to occupy a certain area of ground on which corn should be grown, and as the season advances the tussock advances with it, so that by the time the reaping season comes on No. 2 difficulty crops up, and that was illustrated to a very consi derable extent last year in the clogging of the reaping machines, the breakage of knives, &c., the reapers having to cut through clods of soil instead of grain. This was due solely to the slovenly manner in which the grain had been pre pared, and had the crops been heavier the evil would have been aggravated con siderably. This year, I am glad to say, a much better system has obtained, and in many ways a great improvement is to be observed in the country. One item in particular is worthy of notice and imita tion, that is the conversion of a portion of the farm into a fruit and kitchen garden, sheltered by a plantation. This kind of tillage is not so immediately profitable as cropping, consequently it has not received that amount of attention it deserves, but I am glad to see the farmers devoting their energies in this necessary branch of their occupation. One reason why it has been neglected so much is because in many cases our farmers have gone in for ‘ £ crop ping leases,” sometimes with profit to themselves, but oftener to the proprietor of the land, and in such cases every acre means so much cash to each party for the short term during which it is let, and the planting of 20 acres in trees this year would probly mean a loss to the landlord of £3O or £4O of rent, consequently a bad system has been adopted of impoverishing the stamina of the land for an immediate gain in preference to making provision for future and permanent improvements. There can be no two questions about the matter. Public bodies and private farmers must establish a plantation system in a more vigorous manner than they have yet done, and carry it out in such a way that some good will eventuate to the country. The County Council made a start at the work this year by ploughing and fencing some half-dozen small blocks at wide intervals along the railway line, and with the usual consistency displayed by public bodies selected in most cases the poorest

land at their disposal. The season of the year, also, was chosen so that the gronnd should be prepared just too late for any planting to be done. So that next year the operations of ploughing, harrowing, etc., will have to be repeated, and the trees which are yet to be planted will be a year behind. In the Longbeach district a considerable amount has been done in this direction, more particularly about Chatmoss and Windermere. At the former place the change which has taken place in the swamp land is wonderful. Two years ago walking was almost an impossibility on the lower part of this estate ; it being a swamp with a depth of from G to 12 feet of peat on it, and the cultivation of it looked hopeless. The manager, Mr James Scott, however, has for years been carrying out an extensive system of drainage at an enormous cost, tn«! has gradually re claimed the land acre by acre. Last autumn he was able to sow rape and grass seed on the whole of the large block east of the boundary road, about 1|- miles from the railway line, at an expenditure of about £IGOO for seed alone. The growth on this block is so heavy that un less one saw it, it would be impossibe to imagine anything so luxuriant. The sheep depasturing on it are hidden by the growth, and as it will not, or rather can not, be mown, a large quantity of it will not be made use of for fodder, the land being yet too soft to admit of cattle being put on it. Chatmoss is well situated for carrying on large operations in all descriptions of farming, for the land on this large estate is of the most varied description, that near the railway being light and strong, gradually improving until it meets the swamp. This dry land is of great advan tage, where so many sheep are kept, as a run on it occasionally prevents the foot rot. The improvements on Chatmoss are of an extensive character, and in a few years, when the whole of it can be got fit for the plough it will be probably cut up into a number of small farms.

The Charm of Life.

( A fter Longfellow. )

Tell me not that advertising Is at best an empty dream, For its charm is more surprising Than its base traducers deem. And whichever way thou turnest Thou wilt find upon the whole, Those who advertise in earnest Soonest reach the wished for goal. Wouldst thou save regret and sorrow For good prospects thrown away ? Never wait, then, till to-morrow ; Always advertise to-day. Advertise, then ! time is fleeting ! All the wealth this side the grave That is ever worth the meeting It will bring if thou be brave. Try the charm of advertising, And avert a meaner fate ; Be ye ever enterprising ; Learn to advertise and wait.

Mormon Emigration.

The United States Government has sent a letter to its Ministers in England, Germany, Norway, Sweden, and Den mark, protesting against further Mormon emigratian to America. The letter de clares that bigamy in any part of the United States is a crime, and that the Mormons destined for Utah go there with the avowed purpose of violating that law. The letter recites the laws on the sub ject, with convictions thereunder, and de claims the intention of the Government to prosecute every one in Utah against whom evidence is obtainable of his violating any law in this respect. This letter is believed to be preliminary to Government action forbidding vessels from landing Mormons in its ports, in pursuance of its obligation to prevent the immigration of lawless people.

Resuscitating the Drowned.

A Frenchman has the credit of invent ing an apparatus for aiding in the resusci tation of persons apparently drowned, or who from any other cause have been tem porarily deprived of animation. It con sists of a cylinder of sheet iron large enough to contain the body of an adult person. It is closed at one end, and the inanimate individual is inserted, feet fore most, in the receptacle as far as the neck, round which there is placed a padded diaphragm, fastened to the cylinder so as to be air-tight. An air-pump, attached to an opening in the tube, creates a partial vacuum, and then the outer atmosphere, by its own pressure, forces its way into the lungs by the mouth and nostrils, which are left exposed. By a reversed action of the pump the air is allowed to re-enter the cylinder, and respiration is thereby re-established. A glass plate in serted in the iron casing enables the operator to watch the movements of the chest, which rises and falls as in life with the working of the pump. The action may be repeated, it is stated, 18 times in a minute, an exact imitation of natural breathing thus produced.

Little Johnny’s Piece About the Oppossum.

If there is anything in names, this ani mal comes from Ireland, but them thats here calls themselfs jess ’Possums, like they was natif born. ’Possums has a sharp nose, and a long bald-headed tale, which is always cold, never mind the wether. It jes like their tales was ded, and no money for the funeral performance. The ole she ones has got a tobacco pouch on the outside of their stummockses, and wen the little ones is afraid, they smuggle in don’t care a copper wot be comes of their old mother wich is outside. When a dog finds a possum, and it can’t git to a tree, it lies down and pretends lik it was dead.

One time there was a dog wich dident kno possums, found one a lik ded, and after rolling it over a wile and smellin it, the dog twinkled his ear as much as to say, “ Mity good job for you ole fellow, that you was dead fore I cum along. ” And then the dog he lay down and went to asleep. Wen the possum see the dog a sleep it stood up on its feet to go away, but just then the dog woke up. Such a fritten possum you never see, and such a fritten dog you never see too, but the dog most. It got up, the dog did, and made for home, yellin like its lieirt was brek, and fore it got home it had changed with scare from a black Nn foundland pup to a ole bull dog, white like Gaffer Peterses hed !

The Cost of Modern Warfare.

The recent experiments with steel guns in Germany has called up some interest ing facts concerning the increased cost of ordnance in modern times. We have but to go back to the days of the Crimea to find the ordinary weapon of cast iron, which was regarded as good enough for killing and wounding by our forefathers for centuries. A field-piece of cast iron that carried a canon ball of 10 or 12 lbs. weight could be fashioned for £5, or if made of bronze or gun-metal the expense of material and casting was not more than double that sum. Now-a-days a field piece of improved construction, made of the finest steel, such as Herr Krupp, of Essen, produces at his well-known factory, costs £llO. Next to the Krupp steel-gun comes the iron-steel canon of Woolwich. A field-piece manufactured on this prin ciple costs from £7O to £75, and the Armstrong breech-loader, that was for merly in use in our service was made for the same money, or perhaps a little less. In the British gun the most costly part is the steel tube or core of the weapon, which has to be bored out of a solid pillar. The steel tube is strengthened by having placed round it a coil or cylinder of wrought iron, which if it adds strength to the weapon makes it also heavier. The cheapest of all modern guns are those of the Austrians. These, like the Krupp canon and unlike our own, are breech loaders, and resemble in make a good deal the weapons turned out at the Essen factory. The Austrians make their field guns for £35 a piece, the lowest price paid by any nation for rifled canon. The material of which the guns are made is bronze, treated after a method proposed by General Uchatius. The metal is cast in a chill-mould, which renders the alloy harder and more crystalline, and still further strength is given to the gun by dilating the bore, brough about by forcing a steel cone through the tube, and thus increasing the calibre.

Afraid of Being Kissed.

A man was walking along one road, and ! a woman along another. The roads finally united, and theman and woman reaching the junction at the same time, walked from there together. The man was carry ing a large iron kettle on his back ; in one band he held by the legs a live chicken, in the other a cane ; and he was leading a goat. Just as they were coming to a deep dark ravine, the woman said to the man : “ I’m afraid to go through that ravine with you ; it is a lonely place, and yon might overpower me and kiss me by force. ” . , -

“If you were afraid of that,” said the man, “ you shouldn’t have walked with me at all ; how can I overpower you and kiss you by force when I have this great kettle on my back, a cane in one hand, a live chicken in the other and I am leading this goat ? I might as well be tied hand and foot.”

“ Yes,” reqlied the woman, “ but if you should stick your canc into the ground and tie the goat to it, and turn the kettle bottom side up and put the chicken under it, then you might wickedly me in spite of my resistence. ” “ Success to thy ingenuity, O Woman !” said the rejoicing man to himself, “I j should never have thought of this ex- f pedient.” And when they came to the ravine he ;. stuck his cane into the ground and tied the goat to it, gave the chicken to the woman saying ; “ Hold it while I cut some grass for the goat. ” And then lowering the kettle from his shoulders, imprisoned the fowl under it, and wickedly kissed the woman as she was afraid he would.

A Railway Across the Sahara.

The French “Journal Officiel” contains a report addressed to the President of the Republic by the Minister of Public Works on the proposed railway across the Sahara, followed by a decree appointing a commis sion to inquire into the question of opening railway communication between Algeria and Senegal and the interior of Soudan. The commission is to examine into the possibility of constructing such a railway, ithe best route to be followed, the means of protecting it from raids by na tives or animals, and from damage by rain or sand-storms, &c, and to estimate the probable cost of construction and work ing and maintenance. M. de Les seps is said to have warmly approved the project, which is also supported by the Minister of Public Works. Now that, official encouragement has been given to the idea, the question will be thoroughly worked out. Private enterprise has for some time been directed to the scheme, and several reconnoitring expeditions have been sent out to survey the probable route and ascertain correct particulars as to the condition of the country. A con temporary states that two explorers, MM. Fousean and Fau, who have lately visited the country south of Algeria, re port very favorably of the capabilities of the land “ Leaving Greyville, in the province of Oran, in November, with a caravan comprising over 2000 men and 8000 camels, they started for Gourara, where the caravan w r as to buy dates and other native produce. Crossing a series of sandhills, they came to the village of fruits and vegetables. A comparatively high range of hills, covered with alfa, had to be crossed, advantage being taken of two passes or defiles, when the oasis of Brezina was reached, situated on the banks, or rather formed by the waters, of the stream known as Oned Seggneur, which only runs after heavy rains, and is soon lost in the sand. Several other oases, as the El Maia, El Haoneta and Tadjorouna, "were visited en route to Laghonst. The country generally is des cribed as a series of undulating plains — the two words are expressive, though ap parently contradictory—interspersed with clumps of tall pistachio-nut trees. During the winter season numerous flocks of sheep, camels and oxen were seen all along the route, with the tents of their owners pitched here and there in this apparently fertile ‘ desert. ’ ”

A Questionable Compliment. The Wairoa “ Free Press” means to compiment somebody, we presume, in the following paragraph :—Judging by the number of people -we have seen this week with their heads done up in flannel, and a woe-be gone look on their faces—sure indications of neuralgia or toothache—we should imagine that Mr Wilson must have done a good deal of business during his short stay here.

MonD'Y. October 27. 18 7 Q. ’

i HE ASHBURTON HERALD.



s. d. s. d. Butter, inferior to best 1$ lb 1 2 to 1 0 biggs, $ dozen I 2 ' to 0 0 Cheese, prime quality, lb 0 8 to 0 10 Bacon, pi into smoked, I? lb 0 9 to 0 10 Hams in cloth, I? lb 1 0 to 0 0 Flour in bags, It? loolb 14 6 to 0 0 Oatmeal, 251b 6 0 to 3 Lard, lb • 0 9 to 0 0



LAST NIGHT’S TELEGRAMS.



NOTICE. NEW POSTAL REGULATION. Letters posted within the colony having the names and addresses of the senders printed on the address side of the envelopes, accompanied by a request that the letters be returned if not claimed within a stated period, will be return ed unopened. Provided, however, such letters shall have remained in the post office to which they may be addressed, at least ten days.



THE Friends of MR BERRY are re spectfully informed that the FUNE RAL of his late Son, Edward Ernest, will leave his Residence, in Cox street, at 3 n.m. on TUESDAY, the 28th inst. THOS. A. GATES, Undertaker, Go4a Ashburton. HOUSEMAIDS. —The Herald asks a - Housemaid for you in 20 words for 1 /- TEN SHILLINGS REWARD. I' OST, on Tuesday last, a Dark Bay Heavy Trap HORSE ; branded M on near shoulder, and newly shod. Anyone returning or giving information will receive the above reward. MR. J. TASKER, 590 a Trevorton. TO FRUITERERS, CONFECTIONERS, AND OTHERS. EANCY Show Cards, neatly printed— “ Finest Lemonade and Coi’dials ” —on Sale at the Herald Office. FORMS PRINTED “To Let ” and “ For Sale ” —can be obtained at the Herald Office. TIT ANTED Known, that TWENTY Y Y Words are inserted in this Column for ONE SHILLING prepaid, and FORTY Words for TWO SHILLINGS prepaid. V. jy jggg R.. In tiie District Court of Christchurch, Holden at Ahiburton. IN THE MATTER OF The Debtors and Creditors Act, 1876, of The Debtors and Creditors Act Amend ment Act, 1878, and of the bank ruptcy of TAMES JOHNS! ON, of Roxburgh, Farmer, a debtor. NOTICE is hereby given that a Meeting of the creditors of the above-named debtor w iU be held at the office of Mr. Crisp, solicitor, Montgomery’s Buildings, Ashburton, on Satur day n£ xt » the Ist November, at 12 noon, for the putfP ose °f considering an application for the saidSlpbffir’s discharge. fredic. tavitt, 602 a Trustee rnALE.—The Herald publishes apor- JL tion of a readable story ever Satur day. Read it.



In the District Court of Chuistchurci-i, Holden at Ashburton. IN THE MATTER OF The Debtors ami Creditors Act, 1876, of Ihe Debtors and Creditors Act Amend ment Act, 1878, and of the bank ruptcy of JOHN KOBE, of Ash burton, Blacksmith, a debtor. NOTICE is hereby given that a Meeting of the creditors of the abovenamed debtor will be held at the office of Mr. Crisp, solicitor Montgomery’s Buildings, Ashburton, on Satur day next, the Ist November, at eleven o’clock in the forenoon, for the purpose of considering an application for the said debtor’s d scharge. FREDK. PAVITT, 603 a Trustee.