POST OFFICE NOTICES.

Mails at the Ashburton Post Office close as follows : '"'f

For Christchurch and Tyorth at io 20 a. m. 4 p.m., and 7.30 p.m., daily. For Chertsey at 10.2 a a.m daily. For Rakaia at 10.20a.n1 and 4p.nl daily. For Dunedin, Timvald Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Chari, Winchester and Geraldine, at 10.20 a. in, daily. For Temuka. Timaru, arid 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, Waterloo, and Longbeach. at 3.15 p.m. daily. 'Wakanui "and Seafield, on Mondays and Thursdays, 7,30 p.m. - W. Sr. G. Douglas, Postmaster. 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.

MEMORANDA.

ENTERTAINMENT 3.

This Evening

Presbyterian Church— -Service of Song in aid of the Sabbath School, at 7.30.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser With which is incorporated the "Evening Echo"). MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1879.

“ Rumor is a lying jade,” says an old adage, and from what we can gather from reliable private sources in various parts of the colony, the said jade has been busy with her tongue as to the resources of the County of Ashburton. A report lias been broadly circulated in other districts that the value of land in this County has been grossly exaggerated, and that speculators from other parts of the colony had been induced, by misrepresentations as to the quality of the soil, to lay out large sums of money in investments in farms, and that they had not only lost the purchase money in acquiring properties on which they could not now realise, but bad also been heavy sufferers from the losses sus tained in harvesting their crops, which did not repajq in many cases, the cost of the reaping, threshing, and carting to market. That there is a good deal of truth in the accusation we are willing to admit, but there are other truths which should be placed in juxtaposition. Our readers will forgive us if we travel over some old ground to show how baseless and unjust such statements are. Three years ago there was scarcely a single homestead or an acre of land fenced between the Wakanui Creek and the Rakaia. The season that year was a remarkably wet one, many of the farmers living on the swamp land about Longbeach were unable to harvest their crops because of the ground being too soft to work on, others who managed to get their grain stacked could not get a thrashing machine on their farms, and owing to the state of the roads, those who were fortunate enough to get their pro duce into sacks could not get it to market, and we know of some cases where it was the following year before the grain was taken off their farms from this cause. During that wet season the few farmers who were fortunate enough to be cropping on the dry plains had exceptionally high yields. This naturally tended to make men turn their attention more in the direction of the great dry plain extending between the rivers Ashburton and Rakaia, and that land was “rushed.” Great facilities were offered by the original pur chasers to persons wishing to acquire sections, and only too many men, with a few pounds of hard earnings, took up, under purchasing clauses, blocks varying from .200 acres and upwards. Many of these would-be farmers were not possessed of sufficient means to fence in their selec tions ; their ploughing, ? seed wheat and, all other preliminary expenses had to be pro vided for by what at that. time., seemed to be a simple process, hut which eventually turned out disastrous to all concerned with it, viz., a bill of sale or a lien on the crop. Of course, it was a lovely arrange ment for Jack Straw and his brothers and cousins, Tom, Dick, and Harry, with, perhaps, £250 amongst them,'to take up two or three hundred acres each, first payment to be made after harvest, They proceeded to buy and pay for three or four draught horses, a couple of ploughs, &c., put up a sod whare, open accounts at the store keeper’s, butcher’s, and baker’s, and as soon as the wheat began to sprout they wanted some money and forthwith gave a lien on the crop, horses, &c. A dry season, coupled with incessantnor’-westers, was the prevailing weather till harvest, and—net result, 5|- bushels per acre ; final result, collapse of Jack Straw and Co.; result to the County, a damaged reputa tion.

Now, as a matter of fact, we all see that there was too much confidence in a succession of seasons favorable to dry land. As it unfortunately turned out, the two seasons, during which the great influx of farmers took place into the Ashburton, were exceptionally unfavorable for the nature of the land. Added to this there was not only the ordinary cost of preparing the land for crop and sowing it, but the farmer had the extra preliminary expense of fencing, build ing, sinking wells, purchase of plant, &c. So he had to be tolerably strong in the hack to get over one bad harvest, but when the second year turned out windier and drier than the previous one, it not only shook the grain out of the ears, but shook commercial affairs from the bauks downwards. During these two dry seasons the swamp people had their innings. Last year one field thrashed 58 bushels wheat per acre ; another farm, 41 of wheat, 70 of oats ; another, 82 bushels oats. This year these will have a good chance of being “ drowned out,” whilst the dry plains are a sight to gladden the farmers’ eyes, and instil some gleam of hope for the future into his heart. We are of opinion that when the agricultural returns come to be published at the usual time (February) Ashburton will be found leading the statistics for average yields in the colony ; as the quality of the wheat grown in it topped the London wheat market as per advices by the last mail.

The Horse Parade. —About a score of entries have been made for the parade of entires in the Domain to-morrow. We hope that the day will prove fine, as the best horses in the district will be shown, both thoroughbred and draught. The Secretary wishes us to draw the attention of exhibitors to the necessity for being on the ground punctually.

Borough Cricket Club.— A general meeting of the members of the Borough Cricket Club is convened for to-morrow evening at 7 o’clock. The rendezvous is the Central Temperance Hotel—Broad belt’s—and tlie business is of importance. The season is getting on and we would advise earnest players to put in an appeaaance.

The San Francisco Mail.— On Satur day evening a special train left Christ church carrying the southern portion of the San Francisco mail, amongst the bags being'those for Ashburton, which arrived about niue o’clock. Hitherto the Ash burton portion of the mail budget has been made up along with the Christchurch lpt,

and tiiera was thus a ohanoc. that Dunedin would be better off than ourselves by being able to obtain a delivery before the letters for Ashburton were distributed. This has now been obviated by an arrange ment whereby the Ashburton portion of the mail is sorted out before it reaches Christchurch and the special mail train will now always bring up the Ashburton bags along with those for further south. The County Hospital. —The erection of this structure is now so far advanced that a fair idea of its future appearance can be obtained by a visit to the works. Situated at the upper end of-the Domain, it occupies the most commanding site within the town belts, and being in the public Domain, it can never be hemmed in by other buildings. Consequently it will always have the advantage of isolation —a great point in such a building as a sanitary institution. Added to this the old watercourse running close by it, will make drainage easy, and in the future we hope to see tlie gully flooded with water, so as to convert it into an ornamental ser pentine lake. Nature had done a good deal to make the Domain a “ thing of beauty.” Art has something more to do, and our recreation gardens will then be a “joy for ever.” At present we refrain from giving a detailed description of the building as it is not fair to criticise un finished work, but from the quantity of the elaborate white stone carvings now on the ground, we may fairly expect to see in the hospital architecture very different, both as to style and materials used, from what has hitherto obtained in this district. To the eye of a novice the rooms seem somewhat cramped, but this impression may be dispelled as the interior work draws near completion, when we purpose giving a detailed description of the whole

Buggy Accident.’ —Yesterday morning about 9.30, Mr. Henry Zander and his brother left Messrs-. Friedlanders’ stables in a new American waggon lately imported by the firm. The horse used, “Prince,” is a grand specimen of a coach horse, full of life and quiet to drive, but 011 this occa sion the Jehu did not appear to have com mand over his high-mettled steed ; for, after leaving the store to proceed down Moore street, Prince gradually increased his pace, and after some vain attempts on Mr. Zander’s part to pull him up, that gentleman was pitched out, and a little further on his brother dropped off behind. “Prince,” finding his load diminishing by degrees, negotiated the corner of Moore street and the east belt very cleverly, and raced along the latter street at a tremen dous pace, until stopped on the north side of the Wakanui Creek by McLauchlin and Co., contractors, who are camped there. The waggon was found to have one shaft broken, one of the wheels twisted out of shape, and some other slight damages. The horse had several flesh wounds, but none of them serious. Neither of the occupants were much hurt, and the wonder is that the vehicle escaped so well as it did. Mount Somers District.— As must have been the case throughout the length of this Island, the' back country runs in this district have suffered severely from the severity of the past winter, and -the- unusual time the snow lay on the ground. It is feared that the tallies at mustering time will show a heavy loss in sheep and possibly a lighter crop of wool will be obtained from the surviving por tion of the flock, owing to their weakened condition and loss of constitutional vigor. In the neighborhood of Blount Somers and Alford Forest, the spring is at least a month earlier than it was last year, and to judge from the appearance of the flower gardens, the advanced state of the crops, and the foliage of the willows, the season cannot be more than the merest trifle behind our own at Ashburton, although these places are situate at an altitude of some 1100 feet above the sea level. We notice many improvements carried out under the direction of the Road Board during the last 6 months : notably some extensive cuttings, etc., on the Gorge Road, where it was completely destroyed by floods last year ; also a bridge on the Bush road, and another on the main road near the Spread Eagle, in both of which concrete has been substi tuted for the old wooden structures which were becoming unsafe for traffic.

The Mechanism of Nature. —ln the “ Medical Record,” Dr. Hamond says that when you poke your finger in your ear the roaring noise you hear is the sound of the circulation in your ear, which is a fact, as anyone can demonstrate for himself by first putting his fingers into bis ears and then stopping them with another substance. Try it, and think what a wonderful machine our human body is that even the points of our fingers are such busy work shops that they roar like a small Niagara. The roaring is probably more than the noise of the circulation of the blood. It is the noise of all the vital processes that are always going forward in every living body from conception to death. A Native Medicine.— The value of the Koromiki shrub, as a medicine in cases of dysentry, is beginning to attract atten tion in England, and quantities of the leaves are being shipped Home. The tutu, which is well known for its injurious effect on cattle, is also being collected in smaller quantities. At present it is used only in experiments, in order that its value may be ascertained. How to Train Her.— l never shall forget my own childish tears and sulks over my sewing. My mother was a per fect fairy at her needle, and her rule was relentless. Every long stitch was picked out and done over again, and neither tears nor entreaties availed to rid me of my task till it was properly done ; every corner of a hem turned by the thread ; stitching measured by two threads to a stitch; felling of absolutely regular width, and patching done invisibly, while fine darning was a sort of embroidery. I hated it then, but I have lived to bless that mother’s patient persistence, and I am prouder to-day of the six patches in my small girl’s school dress, which cannot be seen without searching, than of any other handiwork except, perhaps, my bread.—Rose Terry Cooke.

State of Parties. —Both sides in the House claim a majority —Government claims to count one head more than the Opposition, and the Opposition estimates its own strength at three more than that of the Government, while one seat is still vacant, and two members are absent. 'The “ doubtfuls ” are variously placed, but the Opposition speak with so great confi dence that we are inclined to credit the statement of their strength. In any case it seems certain that the Government will be defeated.

TELEGRAPHIC.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

LAST NIGHT’S CABLEGRAMS

(Reuter's Telegrams.) London, Sept. 25. Three per cent. Consols, 97§. _ The total reserves in notes aud bullion in the Bank of England is £22,375,003. -- ‘ At the wool sales to-day, 6944 bales were catalogued. Inferior sorts were neglected. The sales closed with 290,000 bales sold, 39,000 held over, and 175,000 exported. Vienna, Sept. 2G.

Prince Bismarck, in an interview with the French Ambassador, said that the friendship between Germany and Austria ought not to disquiet France. Ho.believed that the relations between Germany and France would become daily closer, as Ger many wished henceforth to live in peace. St. Petersburg, Sept. 25.

The semi-official “ Agence-Russe” de clares that events in Asia prove the neces sity of an “entente cordiale” between Great Britain and Russia. (Age Special.) ! London, Sept. 26.

News from Afghanistan states that cholera is spreading among the British troops and is causing great alarm. The disease has also appeared amongst the forces at Pesliawiir, and there have been a number of deaths.

Colonial securities are falling. (Argus Special. ) London, Sept. 25,

Prince Bismarck has submitted to Austria a proposal for a general European disarmament.

AUSTRALIAN

(Reuter's Telegram.) Melbourne, Sept. 27. Sailed—Rofcomahana, for Dunedin.

UPPER ASHBURTON DISTRICT.

After the disheartening difficulties of last season many of our farmers were not unnaturally becoming somewhat anxious as to the probable duration and possible intensification; of the clear day weather, with ocassional light nor’ westers which, until recently, have been experienced for the last month ; but the welcome and very general rains of the past week have for the present allayed all fears of the crops suffering to serious extent from drought. Although it is too early in the season to indulge in much speculation on the subject, yet, as the result of a good seed time, a fairly early spring and the present moist weather, the grain crops bid fair to justify the most sanguine hopes that could be entertained respecting them, and pasturage (the want of which has been so much felt of late) is everywhere looking fresh and green. Now that the ground is saturated with moisture, with, the warmth of the first sunshine verdure will at once start into luxuriant growth. Although the greater portion of the dis trict between the Ashburton and the Hinds has but recently been taken up, it is being extensively fenced and brought under cultivation. At this time there cannot be less than ten thousand acres in grain, while on most farms of two or three years’ occupation, comfortable home steads may be observed, surrounded with young orchards, neatly kept gardens, good fences, —each homestead giving evi dence of care and attention to details, small matters, perhaps, in themselves, but denoting on the part of the owners present contentment, a belief in the future, aud a firm determination to settle down and make these spots attractive as their permanent homes. The above re marks will apply with almost equal force to every part of the upper district, and it would be invidious to single out any particular property for commendation in a cursory - notice like this. Many farmers are busy sowing grass seed, and a wide acreage will be so treated this season, but those who liave to roll in their seed on oat crops already above ground must now wait until the surface is sufficiently dry to admit of the work being satis factorily performed.

ENDURANCE OF THE BRITISH SOLDIERS.

The correspondent of the “Daily News’’ with the British army on the Zulu frontier writes: —“We have some wonderfully hard men out here in this force ; men who seem not to know whab fatigue means. Lord Chelmsford appears able to ride for ever. His military Secretary, Colonel North Crealock, leads his own packhorse on his chief’s long stretches on horseback. Captain Stewart, General Marshall’s brigade major, has lived in the saddle ever since he left the ship. General Clif ford contrives to content himself with three hour’s sleep out of the twenty-four ; and Colonel Buffer goes on a three days’ ride with half a dozen biscuits, a pannikin and a couple of ounces of colfee without sugar. An instance of dogged physical hardness, however, came under my notice the other day that stimulated my special admiration. I was sleeping the other night in a tent at Washband, half way between Sunday River and Dundee. About one o’clock I heard a voice outside that I thought I knew, asking for a drink of water. Getting out into the moonlight I found alone and on foot the Hon. Guy • Dawnay, attached to General Marshall’s staff. On the previous day he had left Utrecht with an urgent despatch from Lord Chelmsford to General Marshall. He had ridden hard the forty miles to Dundee, when his horse was beaten. He could not get another so he started on a night tramp to find his chief, wherever he might be. When I saw him he had done fourteen miles in three hour, s He had his drink of water, and started anew quite cheerily. He. reached Sunday River by daylight, 12 miles further on, and finally, still on foot, ran in to his chief, 12 miles nearer Ladysmith-, somewhere about break fast time, still game, though footsore.

The Hinemoa. — lt is reported that the Hinemoa, the Government steamer, which broke down at Wellington Wharf on Saturday, has been sadly neglected and abused during the last twelve months. Her boiler has never been chipped all that time, and her fires weie either in full blast or banked up during six months of the time, a deep encrustation gathering upon the boilers and tubes Lom the con stant use of salt water. Her machinery has been over-worked, and is wanting a thorough overhaul before the vessel is in thorough sea-going order,

POULTRY IN GAME IN SOUTH AFRICA.

I found a friendly courier in the tent of the quartermaster of the 21st. This gentle man is a heavy sleep er, and he has fallen oni a curious metho d of having himself wakened. About four o’clock I was startled by a vehement cockcrow, apparently within a couple of feet of my head. The noise continued for some time then ceased. I thought it emanated from a cock roosting on a tent roof outside. About five the piper of the 21st sounded the reveille by playing ‘ Johnnie Cope ’on his pipes. The demoniac bird was roused to noisy rivalry, and vied vehemently with the pipes. As the day dawned I observed a ragged, yellowish cock serenely roosting on a perch inside the tent. He was the Quarter master "s alarm clock, and lie it was which had been making all the din. He, with others, male and female, is a perfectly contented denizen of the camp. He comes home to roost in the tent with all the punctuality of a curse. When the regiment moves the poultry ascend the baggage waggons, and are serenely wheeled to another locality. In the next tent there are five hens, by name Mabel, Mrs. Lang try, Joan pf Arc, Giraffe, and Mrs. Ketch ewayo. Thusi there are eggs in the 21st, but ill-feeling occasionally occurs by rea son of the erratic laying of the hens. Sup pose a hen not belonging to Jones’s tent, there is a strong temptation and some ex cuse for Jones in annexing for his own uses the deposited egg. But Robinson, to whom the hen belongs, naturally re gards the egg as his also, and if he dis covers _that Jones has regarded it in the light of a lawful waif he is likely to grum ble. The quartermaster, although he has no hens, only a cock, somehow has always eggs, but the quartermaster is an old soldier. Archibald Forbes, in the “ Daily News. ”

CAPTAIN BARRY AND THE CLAIMANT.

Mr. Guildford Onslow gives an account of how “Captain Barry,” of New Zea land notoriety, interviewed “the; Claimant.” Mr. Guildford Onslow has championed the redoutrble “ Captain,” who is thus heralded in the Englishman,' Lloyd’s, and other papers: —“Captain Barry has just arrived in the country from New Zealnad, having been sent by that Government to England for the purpose of publishing a work on the resources of that colony, and to lecture on the advan tages of emigration. He has introduc tions to our Colonial Office from Lord Normanby and from the New Zealand Government, and lie is a personal friend of Sir, Julius Vogel. ” Thus introduced, the Captain speaks for himself :—“Having known during my long residence in Aus tralia, both Arthur Orton and Thomas Castro, I considered it as my bounden duty before returning to the colonies, to make a point of visiting the prisoner now in Portsea convict prison, confined there as Arthur Orton. lam happy to say I visited the prisoner this day, and imme diately recognised him as Thomas Castro, and undoubtedly not Arthur Orton. On this I could not be mistaken, as my old acquaintance Arthur Orton had a half cir cular scar on his cheek which is certainly not on the prisoner’s face. The prisoner immediately recognised me, and remem bered our-last meeting at Castlemaine, in 185.9. Finding,.therefore, that an inno cent man is suffering in penal servitude, I have made it my business to inform the Heme Secretary of the facts as an act of justice to an ill-used man—a victim of mistaken identity. ” Mr. Onslow himself gives a fnller account of the interview : “ Captain Barry soon made himself known to his old friend Thomas Castro, £ Why,’ said the Captain, ‘ you are no more Arthur Orton than I am.’ At this moment I produced the photograph of Creswell and said : ‘ Captain Barry, before Tichborne, is that the Arthur Orton you knew??’ Captain Barry said 1 Yes, that is Arthur Orton ;’ and Sir Roger said, ‘ Why, there can be no doubt about that.’ Captain Barry shook the poor man’s hand over and over and over again, and said, ‘ Now that I know that you are not Arthur Orton, I will never rest easy until you are re leased.’”

TERRIBLE SCENE AT THE NIAGARA FALLS.

A terrible spectacle was witnessed at Niagara Falls on the afternoon of Sunday, May 25, by about 500 people, chiefly ex cursionists from Buffalo, who had arrived by a special train on the Erie Railroad, little imagining the sight that was in store for them. A cry was suddenly raised from the shore opposite the upper end 'of Goat Island, “A man in the rapids!” and there was a rush to the edge of the water, from whence a small boat was seen being slowly sucked into the current. The man was rowing with all his might, and seemed dazed with fear, and was unable to make much headway. Suddenly he “ caught a crab,” his oar flew out of the rowlocks, his head went down, and he lay at length in the bottom of his boat. The boat turned its prow down the stream and began to descend the rapids of the American fall, its. pace growing more and more swift until it struck a rock about two inches from the surface, and its progress was checked for the moment. There were loud and prolonged screams from the crowd to jump out arid cling to the rock, but he still lay crouching in the boat, and seemed paralysed by fear. There was wild excitement on shore. Two oid guides ran up the stream to get a rope and another boat, when the light skiff on the rock swung round with its occupant and plunged onwards to destruction. Striking a second rock it was shattered on the port side—the body of the man as it shot for ward into the whirlpool was sucked under for an instant and then tossed to the sur face just above the bridge that leads to Goat Island. He was still alive, for he threw his arms wildly into the air, and his despairing face was plainly visible to the awe-struck beholders as he was drawn below the waters a few seconds later, and his body was torn to shreds by the jagged edges of the boulders against which it was tossed. The unfortunate man who had saved many persons from the fate which befell him, was known as “ JL J i Walker. ” He was a noted smuggler and river pirate, and is supposed to have been drunk, when he thus “ braved the rapids,” and lost his life.

The Messenger. —The wreck of the Messenger, now lying on Ferewell Spit, on the Nelson Coast, has been sold to a speculator for £IOO.

FRED. ARCHER THE JOCKEY.

The famous English Fredy Archer, is interviewed thusly at New-; market :—Mr. Dawson’s sanctum, with every inch of wall space covered lyith portraits of famous racehorses, and finds ensconced in ample armchairs the master of Heath House and bis friend Mr. Harry Hall, by whose pencil most of the por traits of this equine Valhalla ; have been wrought. To them enters presently a tail, slender young man of some 22 years. His general costume is, like his manners, exceedingly quiet and unassum ing. There is nothing horsey in his raiment, in the fashion of his dark hair ; nor does he wear a scarf tied in a coach ing fold, with the .almost inevitable fox tusk pin, the place of this eminently sporting article of costume being filled by a sailor’s knot. Nor is Fred Archer afflicted with" the Newmarket air, the five-to-two carriage of the head, so offen sive in the successful light-weights of the old plunging days. It. is odd that really great jockeys never wear a jaunty air, preferring to leave that kind of thing to the feather weights suddenly lifted to fame by the winning of a few handicaps.. As he enters, dressed in a suit of dark clothes, relieved only by the chain which holds the magnificent watch presented to him by Mr. Dawson when he was £ out of his time,’ with his overcoat thrown back, and his billycock hat held in his left hand, Fred. Archer might easily be taken for the rising young clerk in a thriving bank dropped in to take his chief’s orders on some important business. Success appears to have steadied rather than unsteadied him, and nothing is more pleasant than to witness the deferential air of the most successful jockey of the. day towards his -former master- and prs-j sent friend and part employer. That it may not be thought that Fred. Archer’s quiet and modest demeanour is dwelt on overmuch, it may be well to mention that; his present income, entirely his own, as he is out of his apprenticeship, some four or five years, is about as great as that of a Queen’s Counsel in ’ fnid-career ; of a ‘ special ’ surgeon ; of any Royal academ ician, bating perhaps five; and almost half ; as; great as; that of ; an; Italian, tenor singer. It is quickly earned,i without long delays, expectations, and disappoint ments ; for when he is put in charge, it is not long before the event is decided. His great causes depend on the within the space of a minute, of his nice judgment of pace, his successful operations on the display of consummate nerve and courage in tearing down a perilous declivity, or in hugging the rails at an awkward turn ; his great pictures are dashed in with a single stroke, as when he drove Jeanette through the leading pair at Doncaster ; his sensational effect when he brings a despised outsider like Charibert to the front, and makes mince meat of liis field. A very large income, the unbounded confidence of employers and the public, might help to turn many heads just ai’rived at legal manhood but Fred. Archer quietly goes his own way, and studies diligently to improve in his calling. It is about eleven yeai’3 since his father brought Fred. Archer to Mat. Dawson’s to launch him in his career. The lad was, in Newmarket parlance, bred to race. His father, Billy Archer, who won the Grand National on Little Charley, 1 was a well-known steeplechase rider, and a contemporary of Tom 'Oliver .-and Jem ;Mason, and put .the- lad on a horse almost’as scion'as he' could walk. The' characteristics of Archer’s method of riding may he summed up in three words—patience,.. viligance,, and courage.

THE GRANDEUER OF ANCESTRY.

In a letter to the Burlington Hawkeye, Mr. Burdette, the humorist, says : Speaking of relics, just before reaching Portsmouth, man entered into conversa tion with me, He said— “ You are from the West.” I mentioned something about the vast illimitable, &c., and the man said—•: “ Yours is a new country—a new coun try—a n e w country. ” Yes, I told him, it was new, but it was the only one we had, and accordingly we were in it Sundays and week days alike, worked and went to parties in it, and it would soon look a thousand years old. “ We’ve,” said the man, “come down from the venerable mists of antiquity. It is a glorious thought. ” “ Yes,” I said, “ but it wasn’t pleasant. I was in Boston four days, and it east winded and blew three of them. . It was misty enough, but it "spoiled the prospect. ” “My ancestors,” said he, “ came over in the Mayflower. But yours ?” and he looked at me with a rising; reflection. I tried to slay him with a look of silent scorn, but she missed fire. “Your ancestors, I take it,” said the man, “ did not come over in the May flower l”- -AY ./% *i

I then turned upon him. “ Sir,” I re marked, “ This Mayflower, I take it, was a sailing ship. ” “ She was,” he said, vainly endeavoring to stifle his emotion, “ She was a sailing ship.” f ~

“ Then,” I said haughtily, “ most assuredly my ancestors did not come over in the Mayflower. It has never been the misfortune of my family to be compelled to take a passage on any ship of the mer cantile marine. My ancestors came over in a Cunard steamer, first cabin/ no steerage passengers carried, only ten days from Liverpool, and the minute they landed in New York they went straight up to Mrs. Anstor’s tavern, and took front rooms on the parlor floor. ” I thought I had crushed that man, but may I be blessed if he didn’t look as though he pitied me.

Death of Tawhiao’s Sister.—Taw hiti, Tawhiao’s wife’s sister, who through Wilson Kingi, was connected with Wini ata, is dead, as it would appear, from want of proper medical attendance. A great tangi took place at Hikurangi. Holloway's Ointment, and Pills.— A Cure for Abscesses, Piles, Fistula, and Sores. —The many satisfactory cures resulting from the use of this invaluable Ointment in cases where patients have been suffering from.these complaints, have induced many medical practi tioners to introduce them into the hospitals and their private pnctice; and in many instances where the sufferer was. considered incurable, Holloway’s Ointment, in conjunction with his Pills, healed i the most desperate wounds. -These'■medicaments are unequalled for the cure of scrofula and diseases of the skin. In all cutaneous affections incidental to children, from the simple red gum to the complicated scorbutic disease, Holloway’s Ointment exer cises a remarkably beneficial influence, cooling inflamation, relieving - irritation, and giving ease to the impatient little sufferer.

TO-DAY' CABLENEWS.

EUROPEAN.

, h; |; Vv'-;| London, Sept. 26. i News from Capetown report that : Sir Garnet Wolseley had arrived at Utreeht, where numerous bodies of the Zulu forces, and a number of Zulu chiefs surrendered themselves. '■</’"% > The Russian press declares that the expedition against the Turcomans will abstain from occupying Merv.

AUSTRALIAN.

Sydney, Sept. 29."

169,000 people visited- the Exhibition on Saturday, when the;price ; pf,-^ad mission was reduced to one shilling... Brisbane, Sept. 29. ._

The outcome of the t£ Courier ”■ affair', is owing to a feud existing between the pro prietor and a certain member of the Assembly. ■■-■■■■■■■■ . 11/iuIAD Summonses have been*'issued against the “Courier” and “ Queenslander”

newspapers, for neglecting to keep their names over their, doors, accordingto the law. The penalty, which is cumulative, now amounts to £865. J;f The informer is Mr. Bell, a member of the Legislative Assembly. '.■■■». • (Special to the Association. ) t-Milii, Adelaide, Sept. 29. On the last homeward: voyage of; the steamer Chimborazo, it was 1 reported that a passenger, who joined at . Semaphore, was recognised as Ned Kelly. He disap peared at the Suez Canal. '•* :f - |

TO DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

Auckland, Sept. 29. Arrived—The Meg Merrilees, from Fiji. She ; brings no news’important. ; Y£ Billy Wilson, of the Georgia, Minstrels, has been discharged in 'the larceny case,, the police withdrawing,the;charge. O’Meara, arrested for receiving gems alleged to belong to Christchurch Museum, was also . discharged, .as .the police could not obtain the necessary evidence -in response to a telegram to Sydney. The Tuaranga leaves for Wellington re the Northern 'elections’. ’"She takes the petition of the Maoris against Mr.' Lun don’s election. • • ; :

Wellington, Sept. 29.

The body of the man''Houghton, Iwho lias been missing since the ; 7th, has ; been washed ashore at Clyde ' Quay, much de composed. His clothing was recognised by his friends. An inquest will' be held to-morrow.

A Torpedo Volunteer Corps, has been formed, consisting of members of the staff of the Royal Telegraph Office. ;\ : Dr. Lemon has been elected President.

Miss Clare, barmaid at the Post Office Hotel, sued the Union Shipping Company to-clay for £7O, the value of her box which had been lost. Judgment was given for the plaintiff. The company stated they would appeal on points of law against the decision. Alleged Murder in Dunedin. Dunedin, Sept. 29. At the police court this morning, Jama Smith was charged with having on the 27th September, murdered his wife, Ann .;Jane Smith. Inspector Mallard applied for a remand for a week, pending the result of the Coroner’s inquest: to be held to morrow. The request was granted. The magisterial inquiry into the Octagon fire is now proceeding at the gaol.

“A KISSIE OR TWA.”

There is an old naive Scottish song, in which an elderly spinster expresses her perfect willingness to alter her condition, and of which this is the last verse : j • Now, lads, an there’s ony amang ye Wad like just- upon me to ca’, Ye’ll find me no ill to be courted, For shyness I hae put awa’. And if you should want a bit wifie, Ye’ll ken to what quarter to draw ; And e’en should we no mak’ a bargain, We’ll aye get a kissie or twa. This chancing to he'recited or sung one evening in company when the poet Camp bell was present, he laughingly observed that the last sentiment was not without its parallel out of the world of song. He had heard a lady of distinguished beauty and rank defend Sir Thomas Lawrence from the charge of having been culpable in paying attention to ladies without in tending to follow'them up by an offer of bis hand. To this lady a gentleman had remarked that .lie thought in thisj one of the few. errors that could be laid to his charge, Sir Thomas was; highly blameable. “ No,” ’replied the' lady‘ who* was said -to have been herself the temporary object of the great painter’s attention : “ no,-no, not exactly—not so much to blame,” -said the lady, musingly. “ What! ” exclaimed the gentleman ;' “ you astonish me ; not to blame for such conduct !” ‘ “ No, not so much,” was. still the lady’s musing res ponse. “ Can you really, madam,” said the gentleman again, “ defend such be havior as desertion—.” “Why, sir,” in terrupted the lady, “to confess the -truth I am firmly of opinion that the majority of women would rather be courted jilted than not courted at all

Rabbits. —The Hon. John Martin hap tried with great success, on his station oh the Wairarapa, the phosphorus method, of poisoning rabbits. Once overrun with rbbaits, the statiou is now almost fre£ from them.

ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST.

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s. d. s. d. Butter, inferior to best k? ft> i 2' to I 4 Bggs, # dozen - - i 0 to 0 0 Cheese, prime quality, lb o 8 to 0 IO Bacon, piime smoked, lb o 9 to 0 so [lams in cloth, lb - I 0 to 0 0 Flour in bags, ioolb 14 6 to 0 0 Oatmeal, $>' 251b - 6 0 to 0 0 Lard, k? lb - - - 0 9 to 0 9



Meetings. TH CRICKET OUGH BOR A GENERAL MEETING of Mom /\ bers is hereby convened at the “ Centi'al Tempei’ance Hotel, on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, At 7 p. m. Very Important' Business. f , -All intending Members respectfully in vited. 510 a A Full Muster requested. V'::.' S. E. POYNTZ, Hon. Sec. ASHBURTON PERMANENT BUILD ING AND INVESTMENT SOCIETY. rf|HE Monthly Meeting of the above I Society will be held in Mr. Bullock’s office oii TUESDAY EVENING, from . 6 :30 to 8. 30. Subscriptions will be received at the - Secretary’s office, Burnett street, be tween the hours of 9 o’clock and 4 p.m. 'thi3' day,’at Mr. Bullock’s office, from 630 to 830 on Tuesday evening. J. WARD. 511 a Secretary. ASHBURTON AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION. HORSE PARADE. ITIHE ANNUAL SHOW OF ENTIRE 1 -v,- • HORSES (Under the management of the above Association) Will be held on - TUESDAY, the 30TH Inst., On the Reserve at the corner of the North- East Town Belt and West street. All horses must be on the ground not later than half-past ten. 500 a Entrance to Ground —Is. GEORGE JAMESON, Secretary. Clothing Establishment. ASSIGNMENT OF THE ESTATE A N : j ? OF MESSRS, r AITICEN, PASCOE & CO., CLOTHING MANUFACTURERS, TO Me. J. H. Morrison, Manager Mosgiel Woolen Factory, }>,; ~j i r . AND Mr. John Ross, j Of Sargood, Sons & Ewing J >■ Trustees. above large Clothing Manufac § turing Firm having had to succumb i to—these hard times, and assign their estate, we have been induced by the Trustees to purchase the whole of their large Manufactured Stock at a Very Heavy Reduction, .and have resolved to sell the same again in our Branches direct to the public at prices at which we could : hot legitimately sell our own Goods. Ill: fact (without exaggeration) during the next few weeks we are in a position to offer NEW GOODS ' IN A MEN’S AND BOYS’ ATTIRE, J, . Of Colonial Manufacture, at from ONE THIRD -...- TO ONE HALF 'A -. ; : ' A THEIR USUAL COST. lIALLENSTEIN BROS., •A . ’ New Zealand Clothing Factory. The assigned Stock will be for Sale in our,. Ashburton Branch from an! on SATURDAY NEXT, 28th JUNE. h "■£ New -Zealand Clothing Factory.