SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORI', OF LYTTELTON,

ARRIVALS. Jan. 28—Dido, brigantine, from Anahau, with a cargo of timber.

POST OFFICE NOTICES.

Mails at the Ashburton Post Office close is follows: —

For Christchurch and North at 10 a.m. \ p.m., and 7.30 p.m., daily. For Chertsey ac 10 a.m. daily. For Rakaia at 10 a.m., and 4 p.m. daily. For Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.15 a.m. daily. For Temuka, Timaru, and South at 10. 15 p.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, a 3.15 p.m. daily.

Mails for the Australian Colonies, per s.s. Albion, close at the Bluft on Thursday, the 30th inst., at 11 a.m.

Communication on the Port Darwin line has been interrupted beyond Powell s Creek since yesterday morning.

W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

CHRISTCHURCH NOTICES.

Mails close at the Chief Post Office, Christ church, for the following places as under, sub ject to the necessary alterations : . For United Kingdom, via San Francisco, on Feb. Ist; due in London on March 18th. . For Northern Provinces and Australian Colonies, per s.s. Rotorua, Jan. 30, at 3.15 p.m.

The Evening Echo. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1879.

For many years to come the ceremony of turning the first sod of a railway in this Colony must be invested with peculiar interest to New Zealand settlers. Every mile of line laid down means so much more land brought nearer to a market for its produce, and a greater facility given for settlement of population upon land hitherto unproductive, because unoccupied. The railways of New Zealand belong not to companies as in Europe and America, but to the country, and have not been constructed out of funds supplied by pri vate wealth, but from the public purse of the Colony. To meet the drain upon the public purse by railways and other perma nent works, recourse was had to the London Money Market, carrying out the Public Works and Immigration policy of Sir Julius Vogel, the principle of which was to borrow money for the construction of reproductive works. A National Debt incurred for such a purpose holds out a hop© of liquidation by a light and easy means in marked contrast with the debts

of other oountries-rdebta which have been the growth of centuries, and have grown out of the ever-recurring wars of the nations owing them. Every line of rail laid down in a country capable of development is a step towards it ; and a Colony with so many and so great resources as lias New Zealand only wants an energetic and determined policy of development to give her the position her resources entitle her to. There can be no doubt whatever about the benefit to the country of railway lines, still less about the advantage of Govern ment being their proprietors ; but in the present financial circumstances of the Colony it is impossible that every district can expect the near prospect. of a railway in its vicinity, and there are districts now clamouring for lines that can hold out no hope whatever of a return from traffic over the working expenses, if even that humble point of reproduction is reached. It is one of the good points of Mr. Macandrew’s conduct as Minister of Public Works that he sternly refuses to give way to the clamour of petty districts, and resolutely persists in his policy of laying down lines only where a good hope of return is held out, and where his scheme of a main through lirfe will be directly furthered. The District Railways Act puts districts, believing in the soundness of their own resources and the truth of their own assertions as to certainty of a good return to a railway line if laid down, in a posi tion to display the courage of their con victions, and lay down lines for them selves at theirown expense, and of course with the right, which ownership gives, to the profits. That the people of our own district believe in its soundness is evident from the fact that only recently the first sod of the Rakaia and Ashburton Forks line was turned ; and now we have the pleasure of learning that the people south are following our example. Even Mr Ballance, at the luncheon at Gore, in celebration of the sod ceremony for the Waimea Plains Railway congratulated the people on being “ the first” to take advan tage of the District Railways Act. Such a mistake on the part of a Cabinet Min ister was extraordinary, but on the occa sion of a luncheon celebrating the inaugu ration of the construction of a new line he may be forgiven. We hail every such line as the Waimea Plains and the Rakaia and Ashburton Forks with gratification. Their construc tion betokens the spirit of self-reliance which actuates the people in the districts, and it would be well if other parts of the colony would follow the plucky example shown and, instead of loafing in the corridors of Government House, put their own shoulders to the wheel, evincing to the Colony that they themselves believe in the works they demand the Government to undertake. There is no better proof of a man’s faith in any cause than the depth of his dip for it into his own pocket, and there is the highest hope for a people’s future who are willing and anxious, out of a noble and independent spirit, to help themselves.

Mbs. Morey’s Christmas Tree has been postponed for a fortnight owing to the non-arrival of goods from Wellington.

Potatoes. —Mr. W. T. Davison adver tises a fresh stock of potatoes. St. Stephen’s Sunday-school. —The children of St. Stephen’s Sunday-school will enjoy their annual treat to- jorrow. They marshal at the Church at 11 o’clock, and proceed to Mr Hay T. Smith’s pad dock, where every effort will be made by kind teachers and friends to enable the little ones to enjoy themselves. Ashburton High School.— The first meeting of the Governors of the High School was held in the Town Hall to-day, at 12 o’clock. There were present— Messrs A. Saunders, C. P. Cox, Bullock, and Dr. Trevor. Dr Trevor was chair man. Mr Bullock proposed the appoint ment of Mr W. C. Walker as Chairman of the Board of Governors. He did so because, though Dr Trevor resided in the town, and his claims to that position were of the highest, he had declined to accept the appointment. Dr Trevor said he really could not spare the time to dis charge the duties devolving upon him as Chairman, but ultimately the other mem bers prevailed upon him to accept the position, and he was elected Chairman. It was resolved that three form a quorum, and that the next meeting of the Board shall be held on Wednesday, sth Feb., at 7 p.m., in the County Council office. Mr Bullock proposed that a committee, consisting of Dr Trevor, Mr Saunders, Mr Cox, and himself, be appointed to select a site for the High School from amongst the recently surveyed town sec tions still in the hands of Government and about to be offered to sale by public auction. The proposition ivas adopted. The Board being entitled under the Ash burton High School Act to a tenth of the education reserves in Canterbury, it was resolved to write to the Commissioner respecting the probable income of the Board. The Board then adjourned. Police Court. —Before Jas. Campbell, Esq., J.P., to-day, John Murphy was sent to gaol for 48 hours, in default of a fine of 405., and 2s. cost of damage done to policeman’s coat, for being drunk and dis orderly last night, using obscene language, and resisting the police. Prisoner, who is an old offender, pleaded for leniency -with great fervour, stating that he had firmly resolved on reformation, and had entered with Mr. Sando an application for mem bership in the Good Templars, and was now working hard to send home money for the support of his mother. The Magis trate took a lenient view of the case, and inflicted the light sentence above men tioned, but warned prisoner that another appearance before the Court would be followed by a sentence of two months at the very least.

Friday’s Court. —His Worship L&G. Campbell will have his hands full on Fri day. About a score of police cases, including several cattle trespass items, two cases under the Destitute Persons Belief Ordinance, and an assault case. The charge of neglect of his wife against “ Yorkey ” will be brought up on Friday, and besides there is a long list of civil cases.

Bakaia School Committee Election —Lively Meeting. —Our correspondent writes : A public meeting of householders was held in the South Bakaia Schoolroom on Monday evening, for the purpose of hearing the outgoing Committee’s report and balance sheet, and for the election of a new Committee for the ensuing year. The proceedings of some of those present were most disgraceful. One man who was afterwards elected to the Committee declared his intention to make a noise to prevent the reading of the report and balance sheet being heard, and called the Chairman of the meeting a liar, and an infernal liar. Ho one seemed to know what to do, as there was neither ordinance nor minute book to be found. Nobody would take the chair for sometime and confusion reigned supreme. Ultimately a Chairman was found and a most rough and ready election took place. It is a woful state of things when the education of our children falls into the hands of those with whom no respectable people care to work.

Cricket England v. New South Wales.— This match was concluded yes terday. Lord Harris’s Eleven were beaten by five wickets, England making 248 and 217( total, 465), and the Colonials 240 a nd 226, with five men to bat—total, 466. Mr. Conyers’ Accident. —The tank against which Mr. Conyers unfortunately struck was a contractor’s tank, and not situated at the regulation distance from the line. A similar accident happened some three years ago to a manager in the North Island, and the tanks were put fur ther back in consequence. Goods and Chattels. The following is a copy of an advertisement in a New Jersey journal : —“ To be sold, 131 suits in law, the property of an eminent lawyer about to retire from business. — Note : The clients are rich and obstinate.” Phormium Tenax. —Dr Hector has re ceived a letter from a gentleman resident at the Azores Islands, asking for informa tion as to the most modern mode of dress ing phormium tenax ready for market. It seems the people of the Azores have been informed of the success attending the cultivation of flax in New Zealand and in St. Helena, and think their climate is also specially suitable for the growth and production of marketable flax. The writer explains that he writes to Dr Hector in consequence of seeing his name attached to the report of the commission which sat in this colony in 1871. Tristan d’Acunha. When H.M.S. Emerald sailed for the Pacific Ocean last summer (says the'“ Home News”), she re ceived orders to call at the Island of Tristan d’Acunha, to learn how the small colony fared, and to inquire for some shipwrecked passengers, also to land a score of cats sent out by the Admiralty in consequence of the reports that the island was impove rished by swarms of mice. Letters just received from the Emerald’s officers state that the nominal governor of Tristan, Peter Grant, and his 90 subjects, received their visitors cordially, and the books and news papers brought were most welcome; but the present, of cats caused amusement and dismay, for Grant told his guests he could supply them with hundreds of catskins. It was true the island was overrun with mice, but is also swarmed with cats, and it was doubtful which was the greater plague. The mice destroyed every green blade on the island, but the cats live on friendly terms with the mice, and disdain to eat them, preferring to prey on young sea-birds and chickens ; therefore cats are trapped and destroyed by hundreds. The Emerald’s chaplain baptized seven children born to this community since the last visit of a man-of-war. Happy State op Kentucky. —There has been civil war in Breathitt County, Ken tucky. Two rival factions of outlaw's hold Jackson, the county seat. The Court house was sacked, and Judge Burnett killed. Twenty odd were killed and wounded. This is the centre of a lawless district, where murder, rape, and violence of all kinds prevail. Not one murderer in twenty is convicted in Kentucky. The leader of one mob is a Justice of the Peace. The Sheriff’s armed guard was overpowered. The Governor of the State says he has no official knowledge of the outrage. An exploit of a peculiar character is reported in a recent number of an Italian military paper. On the morning of the 3rd November a party of officers, consisting of a captain and eight lieu tenants of the sth Begiment of Cavalry, left Milan at 3 o’clock to ride 310 miles in five days. Starting from Milan they were to ride on the first day through Bergamo to Bovato ; on the 4th, from Bovato, through Brescia, to Verona ; on the sth, from Verona, through Mantua, to Modena; on the 6th, from Modena, through Beggio and Parma, to Piacenza ; and on the 7th, to return to Milan i through Pavia. The horses ridden were the chargers of the officers, and were not of an particular breed ; neither had they been trained in any way for the journey, the object in view in undertaking the expedition being simply to ascertain what an ordinary horse might be expected, to achieve in case of emergency in actual warfare. Of the nine officers who left Milan, seven arrived on the sth at Mantua, at half-past ten in the forenoon, and left again at 11.30. a.m. for Modena, but on the 7th, three only reached Milan, arriving in the town about half-an-hour before midnight, having therefore ridden the 310 miles in 102 hours.

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[special to association.] London. Jan. 25. Cape advices say that Cetewayo had not replied to the ultimatum up to Jan. 6, and evidently intends fighting. The British Commander gives till Jan. 11 for complete submission, ; meanwhile he is preparing to cross the frontier. Jan. 26. Arrangements are being made to estab lish a National Bank for Egypt, with a capital of four millions. Germany is preparing to mobilise eighty thousand men for the purpose of estab lishing a sanitary cordon on the Bussian frontier against plague.. Jan. 27. The trial of the Glasgow' Bank Directors still continues. The case for the prosecu tion closed to-day. The charges .of theft and embezzlement have been abandoned.

AUSTRALIAN

[By Submarine Cable.]

Sydney, Jan. 28.

The Bulli lock-out has been settled. Union is permitted, with reservations in the employers’ interest. At the Anniversary Begatta yesterday, Magic—in a match lasting 3 hours and 33 minutes—beat the Waitangi, a yacht from New Zealand, by 12 minutes.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

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

Auckland, Tuesday.

The action of the Board of Education in peremptorily enforcing a combination of three Educational Districts of the City of Auckland into one, without con sulting the existing Committees, and in the face of a strongly worded protest from one of those bodies, resulted in an in dignant meeting of the householders at which a resolution of a strong denuncia tory character was carried unanimously amidst great applause. It is patent that the motive of the Board in such high handed action is that they were anxious to secure for the district the vote of £2OOO voted by the General Assembly for a training school, and without a training school they could not obtain the grant. The Gael, schooner, from the South Sea Islands, reports the wreck of the Hawaiian schooner Mance, at Ellice Group, on Dec. 19. The crew and labourers, 33 in all, remained on the island until taken off by a vessel from Honolulu. Edward Bich, a settler of 40 years’ standing, died suddenly of apoplexy. Wellington, Tueday. The annual elections for School Com mittees passed off very quietly last night. Lady Normanby is better. The Committee has decided that the farewell demonstration to the Governor shall be confined to the presentation of address on the wharf. W. H. Parnell, who stabbed his wife in the nose with a fork, has been committed •for trial. The Commission on Higher Education have resolved not to admit the Press. The Hon. W. Gisborne and Dr Wallis wished the meeting to be open. The Boyal Commissioners for the Syd ney Exhibition held their first meeting to-day, Dr. Hector in the chair. Imme diate action was advocated by the Chair man. With a view of ensuring an ade quate representation of New Zealand wool at the Exhibition he urged that, as it is so late in the season, no time should be lost in obtaining samples from this season’s clip, which is now being shipped. A telegram was received from the Sydney Commissioners to the effect that the Sydney Government had taken over the entire management, and that a new pro gramme was about to be issued, one thousand illustrated copies of which are being sent by Thursday’s mail for distri bution in the colony. Four thousand feet of space in the Exhibition is offered to New Zealand, but the Commissioners think this mil be inadequate if they receive proper support from the public throughout the colony. It is understood that the Government have placed £2OOO at the disposal of the Commissioners to begin with. At the inquest on Mr Luhning to-day, it was clearly proved that he jumped off without giving any signal to stop. He was in the last carriage, and fell between it and the next one in front. The jury added a rider that when there were two carriages there should be two guards, that the guards should discourage crowding on the platforms, and that there should be fixed stopping places instead of pulling, up whenever anyone wants to get in or out. Timaru, Tuesday. During the four w r eeks ended to-day 51000 bushels of wheat, 2054 bales of wool, 845 sacks of flour, 648 sacks of malt besides various minor items of produce, have been shipped from Timaru. It is reported that Mr. Conyers is reported on favourably. His mind still wanders, but to-day he read a signature shown him.

The railway picnic has been postponed sine die, owing to the accident to Mr. Conyers.

The action threatened against the “ Age ” by Mr. Denniston, solicitor is to be prosecuted. A writ for £IOOO has been served. The editor accepted service and will plead his own case, it is under stood, because he is determined not to be punished by being involved in legal expenses.

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

Wellington, Wednesday.

Betting.—Wellington Cup—soo to 100 against Fishhook (taken) ; 100 to 20 against Laertes (taken) ; 100 to 15 against Camballo (taken) ; 100 to 20 against Dane bury (taken); 100 to 6 against Sailor (taken); 10 or 12 to 1 against all others offered. Dunedin Cup—looo to 150 agst. Fallacy (taken); 500 to 40 against York (taken). A large fire in Greytown last night broke out in. Heel’s Boarding House at nine o’clock, destroyed it, and spread to Beetham’s (solicitor) office, Caselbergh’s large store, the police office,' and court house, all of which were totally destroyed. The telegraph office, the Standard office, and Hughes’ butcher’s shop were saved with difficulty. Estimated loss, over £IO,OOO. The following are the in surances on Caselbergh’s stock and premises : New Zealand, £ISOO ; Victoria £500; United, £1500; South British, £500; National, £500; Imperial, £SOO of the New Zealand risk ; £SOO is re-in sured with the Liverpool and London and £375 out of the Colony. The other buildings are not insured so far as known. Dunedin, Wednesday. Captain Andrews’ large saw mills, at Catlins Biver was totally destroyed by fire this morning at daybreak. The origin of the fire is unknown. The loss is esti mated at £5,000. A deputation, headed by Mr. Vincent Pyke, waited on the Minister of Public Works this morning to urge that the sur veyed portions of Strath Taieri Bailway be proceeded with at once. Mr. Macan drew promised that tenders would be invited for a portion by the first week in February. A section would be reserved for the unemployed, and the completion of the rest would be considered.

A prosecution under the Cruelty to Animals Act took place at the Police Court to-day. John Meiklejohn and John Swan were proceeded against for lashing a horse in a coal dray over the legs and head. The evidence showed that they had thrashed the animal till it broke one of its legs ; then they took it out of the shafts, and, having tied its three legs together, knocked it on the head with a hammer ; and that, while still alive, Swan’s father got a chain round its neck, secured it to another horse, and tried to drag the poor animal on to a tilted dray. Evidence of a peculiarly revolting nature was given by Mr. Elliott, a J.P., who witnessed the occurrence. Defendants were only fined 10s. ! Invercargill, Wednesday.

Mr Conyers is progressing favorably. 1000 ounces of gold was brought down by escort from Switzers, Waikari, the produce of eight weeks’ work. The Begistration Office here has pro vided forms to enable the clerks of Boad Boards and Town Councils to register property under the Batepayers’ Qualifica tion Act.

WESLEYAN CONFERENCE AT AUCKLAND.

[by telegraph.]

Considerable difficulty was experienced in regard to the stations of ministers. The following is the correct list of appoint ments for the Canterbury district :

Canterbury District. Christchurch (Durham-street). —A. Reid, Wm. Baumber ; J. Aldred super numerary. Editor of the “ New Zea land Wesleyan”—John Armitage. Christchurch (Colombo Road). —G. S. Smalley. Christchurch (St. Albans). —J. B. Richard son. Lyttelton.—W. H. Beck. Maori Mission. —Te Kote. Springston. —J. A. Taylor. Leeston.—W. Worker. Kaiapoi.—J. Armitage. Rangiora.—W. Cannell, H. Ellis. Amberley. Timaru.—J. H. Simmonds. Waimate.—Thos. Fee. Temuka.—W. S. Harper. Ashburton. —Wm. Keall. Chertsey and Bakaia. A. Reid, Chairman of the District.

Voltaire. Lamartine, writing on Voltaire, says : —“ One thing was want ing in Voltaire —the love of God. He saw Him in mind, and he detested the phantoms which ages of darkness had taken for Him, and adored in His stead. He rent away with rage those clouds which prevent the Divine idea frdm beaming on mankind, but his strength was hatred against error rather than faith in the Divinity. The sentiment of reli gion, that sublime resumd of human thought, which when enlightened mounts to God as a flame, Voltaire never felt in his soul. Thence sprung the results of his philosophy ; it created neither wor ship, nor morals, nor charity ; it only decomposed and destroyed. Negative, cold, sneering, it operated like poison; it froze, it never gave life. Thus it never produced, even against the errors it assailed (which were but the human alloy of a Divine idea), the whole effect it should have elicited. It made men sceptics instead of believers. The Theocratic reaction was prompt and universal, as it ought to have been. Impiety clears the soul of its consecrated errors, but does not fill the heart of man. Impiety alone will never destroy human worship. A faith destroyed must be replaced by a faith; it is not given to irreligion to ruin a religion on earth ; it is only a religion more enlightened which can really triumph over a religion fallen into darkness. The earth cannot remain without an altar.”

WBBNBA&AV J*W?aP lilfrl

cvjejdwmfclm



Hotels. “IHE WHEATSHEAF HOTEL,” WHEATSTONE. G. H. WILLCOCKS ■ Begs to announce that he has just COMPLETED THE ABOVE HOTEL, which will be OPENED on the 25th inst. EVERY COMFORT & ATTENTION Will be found for TRAVELLERS AND THE GENERAL P ÜBLIC . LIQUORS OF THE BEST QUALITY. i • Boarding Houses. ANSTEE’S PRIVATE HOTEL AND ' BOARDING HOUSE. , TANCRED STREET, ASHBURTON, J. G. ANSTEE BEGS tp intimate to the public that he has opened the above Suparior and Comfortable Hotel. 1 Sitting and Smoking Rooms, Large Dining Rooms, - Ladies’ Private Dining Rooms, and Suites of room? for Families, The Bedrooms are well ventilated, and every attention paid to cleanliness. The Table wili be found all that can be desired. First-class accommodation for Boarders. FIRST-CLASS ACCOMMODATION FOR BOARDERS. WARWICK HOUSE, Cox-street, Ashburton. g LUCAS Begs to intimate to the Public that he ha 3 opened the above Boarding-house. Per sons requiring lodgings can rely on secur ing all the comforts of a home. 302 TEMPERANCE BOARDING HOUSE, Moore-street, Ashburton. (Late Womer’s.) PROPRIETOR..... JOHN CANDISH. fjpHE above Boarding House is ‘ now Open for the accommodation of Boarders, Travellers, and others. Private Rooms fer Families. Breakfast... ... 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Dinner 12 to 2. Tea • ... ... sto 7. Board and Lodging, £1 per week. ; MEALS & BEDS—ONE SHILLING. THE PRINCE ALBERT BOARDING HOUSE AND DINING ROOMS, Wills Street, Near Railway Station, Proprietor ... ... Thos. Clark, Is now open for the convenience of Boar ders, Commercial Travellers, and the Public. The house is entirely new, and beauti fully fitted up with All Comforts. Every attention will be paid to patrons. FIRST-CLASS TABLE, AND T E R M S LIB E R A L. Families accommodated with private rooms. Breakfast, 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. ; Dinner, *l2 (noon) to 2 p.m.; Tea, 5.30 to 7 p.m. ME A L S Breakfast or Tea, Is. ; Dinner, Is. 6d. SERVANTS REGISTRY OFFICE. No Charge. FRANK BROWNE, Manager. Photograhy. PHOTOGRAPHY. MILLION PRICES. jyjß. 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 Qallery will Permanently Close on 31st instant.



NOTICE.



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 express train, and they will be included in the mails made up in transit for offices on the main line and branches, Sydney J. Dick, Chief Postmaster.



Special Notices. ALFRED HARRISON, Baring Square, Ashburton, AUCTIONEER, STOCK, ESTATE, & COMMISSION AGENT. OPENING DAY— SATURDAY, FEBRUARY Ist, 1879. Lunch at 12 ; Sale at 1 o’clock. See full advertisement on the third page. POSTPONED TILL FEB. 14. CHRISTMAS TREE. ASHBURTON TOWN HALL. MRS. MOREY, not having returned from the North in time with the New Goods for the Christmas Tree to be held on the 30th January, it is unavoid ably postponed till about the 14th of February, in order to make the Very Best Arrangements. Lots of BEAUTIFUL GOODS COMING. Tickets, Is., still on sale at the shop in Tancred-street. 307 EDUCATIONAL. D AY SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, ASHBURTON. Principals—Miss Boyle and Miss Cam y . - bridge. This School will open (D.V.) on Mon day, February 3rd. 309. POTATOES.— First-class new POTA TOES, at per lb. by the bag, 16s. per cwt., or 2d. per lb., at W. T. DAVISON’S, Moor-street, next to Boyle’s. 308