POST OFFICE NOTICES.

Mails at the Ashburton Post Office close as follows :

For Christchurch and North at 10.20 a.m. 4 p.m., and 7.30 p.m.,, daily. For Chertsey at r 0.20 a.m daily. For Rakaia at 10.20 a.m and 4 p.m daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchestei', and Geraldine, at 10.20 a.m, daily. For Temuka. Titnaru, 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 3.15 p.m. daily. For Wakanui and Seafield, on Mondays and Thursdays, 7.30 p.m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

UNCLAIMED LETTERS.

The following letteis from places beyond the colony were received at the Ashburton Post Office during the month of July, and remained unclaimed on Ist September, 1879: —

Bennison, W. Bowden, W. Daly, Toseplx Gerry, Jehn Hetherington, William Horsfall, Miss O. Lafgren, P. P. • Millas, Mrs. C. Perkins, George Russell, Robert Smith, John Groves Stiiding, James Wilkinson, Mr. Woodman, W. D. W. St, G. Douglas, Postmaster.

NOTICE.

Mails close at the Chief Post Office for the following places (subject to the necessary alte rations) as under : The next mail fox the United Kingdom via San Francisco will be closed at Christchurch on Friday, Sept. 12, and will be due in London on Oct. 28.

The next mails for the United Kingdom, via Brindisi and Southampton (for specially ad dressed letters only) will be closed at Christ church on Sept. 24. The mail via Brindisi will be due in London on November 17th, and the mail via Southampton on November 24th.

A travelling Post Office having been estab ished 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 mam line and branches.

Sydney J. Dick, Chief Postmaster.

NEW POSTAL REGULATION.

Letters posted within the colony haying the names and addi'csses of the sendei's printed on the address side of the envelopes, accompanied by a request that the letters be returned if not claimed withiix 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.

UNCLAIMED LETTERS.

On the first da] 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.

ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser With which is incorporated the “ Evening Echo”). TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1879.

Some days ago we published a telegram which had passed between Colonel Whit more and Mr. Inglis the now defeated candidate for Cheviot. The peculiar nature of this could not fail to attract attention, and the independent portion of the press has been unanimous and very decided in its condemnation cf the course adopted by the Colonial Secretary. One of the Greyite retainers—we refer to the “ Lyttelton Times”— has severely criticised the publication of the telegram, and employed no measured language to wards “the various . parties concerned.” We were prepared for this, as abuse is ordinarily employed by the Ministerial supporters when they have no tangible defence to offer for the delinquencies of their directors. When we submitted the telegram, to our readers we did so with no intention of affecting the Cheviot election —we are aware that that constituency is beyond our influence—but with a desire which has always actuated us, to fairly represent the professions and practices of public men to our readers. We hold that such a communication emanating from a Ministerial department is fairly public property, and we have no doubt that some troublesome member of an inquisitive turn of mind—such as Mr. Wakefield, or Mr. Richardson, or possibly Mr. Wright—will, during next session of Parliament, call for a copy of all official correspondence bear ing on this general election. We antici pate that such a return would reveal some very unconstitutional matter, and the Wliitmore-Inglis telegram no longer enjoy notoriety as a specialty. The “Lyttelton Times ” triumphantly points out the dif ference between the copy we published and the authenticated version alleged to be in their possession. We have carefully examined them, but fail to discover any material differences in the substance, and as the comparison may interest our readers we now give them the three versions, firstly our own, secondly the “ Lyttelton Times’,” thirdly Mr. Inglis’. We are

io fidOojps uiiihfiP 'fts bdtj we may state that our first information in reference to this matter was supplied by a gentleman quite outside political circles. lie/aid. Lyttelton Times. Mr. 11. Inglis. “Will you con- “ Will you stand “Will you stand test Cheviot with oil policy of Gov-on policy as dc- Saunders, on the ernor's speech in fined in Governor’s platform of the opposition to Saun- speech. If you Governor’s speech? ders. Party will will you shall have Our party will give support you as far the entire support you all support we as possible, and of the party; even can, and if you consider you to if defeated, you consent, your have a claim upon will have claims t.- claim for consider- it, even if you consideration, ation shall receive are unsuccessful.” attention whether you are success:!! 1 or not." Our tri-weekly contemporary in reviewing this matter, as usual shouts over our head at Mr. Alfred Saunders. We do not often notice the utterances of this organ, nor is it our intention to depart from our approved practice, but on this occasion they are suffering unusual provo cation, and it will only be a graceful act on our part to assure them that we under stand and sympathise with the deep disappointment they are now experiencing in having failed, notwithstanding the cordial co-operation of the “ ilangiora Standard ” and prints of the like calibre, to oust Mr. Saunders from the “ squatters borough.”

We quote the following information from the Parliamentary Papers : RETURN showing the Quantities of Timber and Flour imported into the Colony during each of the last two Financial Years.

Although it has been satisfactorily proved that our native timbers are more durable than imported wood, yet it is evident that the late Government have shown their want of encouragement to local industry by the extensive support given to the Australian timber trade, as nearly the whole of the imported wood has been for use in public works. The decrease in the importation of flour from foreign ports is a satisfactory sign ; and we are of opinion that next year will show that New Zealand will not require to import flour at all.

Fire Brigade. —The Ashburton Fire Brigade will meet for practice to-morrow evening, at 7.30, at the shed. A full attendance of members is desirable.

R. M. Court. —At a sitting of the Court to-day, before Frank Guincss, Esq., 35.. M., Ilonyy Itobevtson was again brought up charged with obtaining money uuiiw-. false pretences, and was remanded for eight days.

Cricket. — The season for cricket is now at hand, and we notice that the secretary of the County Club, Mr, F. Maimvaring, has called a meeting of the members at Quill’s Hotel, on Saturday, at 7.30. The new ground in the Domain look's level enough for an English eleven to play on, but the meeting will have to consider whether it is too soft yet for practice. The discussion on this point and other matters will be brought up at the meeting.

Ashburton Volunteer Cores. —A well attended meeting of the newly-formed Rifle Corps was held at Shearman’s Sam ple Rooms last night, for the purpose of swearing in the members, and electing officers. The Resident Magistrate, P. Guinness, Esq., attended to administer the oaths, and forty-one recruits declared allegiance to Her Majesty. The following officers were then elected C. C. Hurrell, captain ; G. F. Scott, lieutenant; and G. Jameson sub-lieutenant. As these offi cers are known to be good “ drills,” we may soon hope to see a review of tne Corps, and, with the assistance of the Ashburton contingent of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry, the residents of the County will feel secure from invasion of their hearths and homes. A meeting of the above Corps will be held on Friday evening next, at the same place, at half past seven. Maintenance of Roads. —The North Ashburton Road Board invite tenders for the maintenance of about seven miles of road in the Vakanui district. Some of these are considerably out of repair, and will find employment for a few hands for some time. Tenders must be sent in by noon on Thursday.

Me. Hart’s Meeting at Cheiitsey.— Mr. George Hart held a meeting at Clicrt sey last evening, about forty electors attended, and Mr. Robert Patton was elected to the chair. Mr. Hart’s speech was similar to his speeches already pub lished, and he was well received. Mr. W. A. Browne catechised him to a consi derable extent, and the questions were satisfactorily replied to. A vote of confi dence was carried with only three dissen tients. Mr. Hart meets the electors at Seafield to-night. Licensing Bench.— A sitting of the Licensing Bench was held to-day at the Court House, before Frank Guinness, C-. Percy Cox, and H. T. Winter, Esqs. An application from Spencer Stephens for a license for a hotel at Tinwald was refused, on account of an informality in the appli cation. Robert llill applied for a license for a house at Tinwald, and this was also refused, but the applicant was informed that in the event of his applying again at the next sitting they would probably listen favourably to his request. F. Doherty’s application for a license for the Waterton Hotel was granted, Borough Elections.- —-The election for three members to fill the vacant seals will be held on Thursday next. There arc now only five candidates for the vacan cies, viz., Messrs. Rudolf Friedlandcr, Janies Campbell, and George Parkin, the three retiring membeis, and John Fowler and Knud Sando, who were defeated last year in tlicir endeavors to obtain municipal honors. Mr. Thomas Clark has retired from the contest. The general feeling of the Burgesses is in favor of the old mem bers who have proved themselves worthy of the confidence of the ratepayers in the past, and who will no doubt be again re turned.

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expx’essed by our correspondents.

To the Editor of The Ashburton Herald,

Sir, — I saw in a contemporary that a ratepayer is of opinion that Councillor Parkin has brought himself within the meaning of the Act bearing on bankrupts. Now, the would-be Councillors Sando and Fowler both in my opinion come under the provisions of the Act ; one lias made an arrangement and paid 10s. in the £, the oilier lias assigned his estate, from which, as a creditor, i should like to get 5s in the £ —Councillor Parkin made a deed ol arrangement, whereby he carries on his business without other people’s endorse ments, and will pay 20s. in the £. I leave tlio ratepayers to draw their own infer ences as to qualifications.

lam, &c., Not a Ratepayer,

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual meeting of the Council was held last evening, Present —The Mayor, Councillors Parkin, Orr, Lriocllander, fet- Hill, Roberts, Williamson and Saunders. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Secretary to the Treasury, Wellington, intimating that 20s. fees had been paid to the Borough account. From the Commissioner of Railways re fencing of line and erection of gates at the crossings, intimating that the cost of such works would be heavy, but he would sub mit the matter to the Minister of Public W ovks.

From the Collector of Customs, Christ church, intimating that £4 10s. received for licenses had been paid to the credit of the Borough. From J. Hughes and Co., town scaven gers, enclosing account of £l6 10s. 81d. for work and labor since 25th June, and asking whether they should be paid by the Council or collect their own accounts. Referred to the Sanitary Committee, with a recommendation that £lO be paid on account, and that a reply be sent instruct ing Hughes and Co. that in future the Council would collect all accounts.

From Weeks and Dixon, asking per mission to erect three hoardings in East street, alongside those already erected. From J. Ivcss and J. C. Fisher, also applying for liberty to erect hoardings. Mr. Fisher wrote to the Council apolo gising for having erected a hoarding at the corner of Cox and Best street, under the impression that the site was an educa tional reserve.

Mr. St. Hill moved that permission be granted till after the elections. The Mayor opposed the proposal as the reserves would bo disfigured, and consi dered one hoarding on each reserve was sufficient. Ho suggested that suitable ■.hoarding si.L«o .isAM Wyi i >■ • H.Uoctofl. Mr. Williamson moved That as Mr; Fisher had hoardings already, his appli cation be refused, and that permission be granted to the other applicants to. erect one hoarding each on the two municipal reserves fronting East street, subject to one week’s notice of removal. Mr. Orr seconded the resolution, which was carried.

From Hogg and Co. , asking that their journal be placed on an equal footing Witn the other evening paper. After some discussion, it was resolved that as the matter had already been dealt with, it could not be re-opened.

INSPECTOR OF. NUISANCES’ REPORT.

Mr. H. Friccllamler reported in refer csce to the sanitary state of the Borough, that considerable attention had been paid to this matter, and a good deal of im provement effected. He suggested that two bad places near Quill’s - Hotel and Lancaster’s should be filled up. He also asked what should be done with respect to depositing night-soil, as the place selected at present was near certain residences, and a very disagreeable nuisance was created.

ENG INFERS’ REPORT

The Engineers reported that 180 chains of kerbing had been completed, and that nearly the whole of the labor gang with the exception of a few hands retained for tree-planting, had been discharged. The tender of T. H. Tucker had been accepted for painting lamp-posts at 3s Gel each, and that of 1). McLacldan at £Bll4s for form ing and metalling the Town Belt. LAMP LIGHTING. A tender was received from the Gas Company, offering to supply the seventeen street lamps with gas from the 9th Feb ruary to the 3rd March at £8 per annum each, and to light and clean the lamps for 80s each per annum. CONTRACTS AEANDONED. The Engineers reported that Wake’s contract ‘for the improvement of Baring Square and his contract for the |North East Town Belt were both abandoned. The matter was referred to the Works Committee. COUNCIL OFFICES. Tt was reported that the Council offices would be finished during the week. The accounts for the improvement of Baring Square, costing about £7B, were authorised to be paid. THE LABOR GANG. The Public Works Committee reported that the labor gang had been discharged on Saturday evening with the exception of the foreman and three laborers. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting .to £270 13s 2d, were passed for payment. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr. St. Hill gave notice that lie should move at the next meeting that a return showing the expenses incurred for adver tising, printing, and stationery since the formation of the Council, together with the amounts paid to each person for work done under these items be laid on the table. The Council then adjourned.

Good Digestion. —Mr. W. Garrett, butcher, Yaokaudandah, wi.cn cutting up a bullock, found in its paunch a branch or stick measuring about 14in. in length, and lin. in diameter. It had evidently been there for so mo time, as it was thoroughly sodden ; nevertheless, the beast was fat, and one of the most lively of the mob.

TELEGRAPHIC .

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

TO-DAY’S CABLEGRAMS.

THE MUTINY IN INDIA. London, Sept. 8.

News from Afghanistan state that Cavaguari fell gallantly in defending the Presidency. The staff and all the mem bers of the household shared the same fate.

Nine Sowars escaped. Intense emotion is felt throughout India. A re-invasion is promptly proceeding, and it is demanded that Cabul be dis mantled as a punishment for the massacre.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

Auckland, This Day.

Mr. S. Morrill returned from Sydney and Melbourne by the s.s. Hero, at mid night, and brought over a number of pedi gree cattle and horses for the Stud Com pany ; also a number of cattle for Messrs. Maclean Bros.

A daughter of Mr. Pervis, Thames, aged 14, had the ends of three lingers blown off' while examining a dynamite cap she had picked up.

Wellington, This Day,

The annual meeting of the Wellington Racing Club was held last night. The re port showed that though the racing last year was better than previous ones, the financial result had not been a success. Mr. G. Hunter was elected president. Blenheim, This Day.

The Awatere return received late last night makes Seymour’s majority 31 over Henderson.

THE DUNEDIN FIRE.

Dunedin, This Day.

The following is a list of those whose remains were recovered from the fire with special details regarding thorn. Robert Wilson, aged 59 ; Sarah Wilson, aged; 40; Fred. Wilson, aged 19 ; Sarah Wilson, aged 8 ; Lawrence Oliphant Wilson, aged 4 ; Margaret McCartney, aged 19 ; George Augustus Martin, aged 23 ; John Taylor, aged about 20 ; a man identified of the supposed name of Swan ; another man and boy not known. The police are making enquiries, and it is expected that some light will be thrown upon the origin of the fire at the inquest.

LAST NIGHT'S CABLEGRAMS.

EUROPEAN. (Reuter's Telegram.) London, Sept G. Best Australian beef tallow 32s Gd per cwt; best Australian mutton tallow 37s Gd per cwt. The total quantity of wool sold at the present sales to date is 195,500 bales.

St. Petersburg, Sept 0. The Russian Ambassador at Constanti nople has been appointed Ambassador to Great Britain. Bombay, Sept. 7. A reliable Native reports having seen the bodies of the British officers at Cabul. None (or nine ?) of the British residents on the escort escaped. ( Special. ) London, Sept. 6. The news from Afghanistan states that the unpaid native troops suddenly attacked the British Residency. The escort made a desperate defence. The buildings were burnt. It is believed everybody belong ing to the mission were massacred. The British re-occupied tho Afghan passes im mediately. The Home Rulers’ agitation in Ireland causes great uneasiness. The language of the leaders on the public platform has been most seditious, and calculated to pro voke violence. The press unanimously and strongly urges the Government to use repressive means. Lord Hamilton in addressing a public meeting at Sheffield, denounced the sym pathy of the Liberals with the Irish agita tion. In addressing a political meeting, the Marquis of Hartington insisted on a com plete revision of the relation of landlord and tenant as a basis for the only perma nent remedy for the agricultural depres sion. The Swedish exploring expedition has discovered a north-east passage in the Polar Sea. A syndicate of the Associated Banks have opposed the issue of the new loan for New South Wales. It is probable that the calling of tenders will be postponed. The prospectus has been issued of the New Plymouth Harbor Loan for £200,000 at G per cent. The minimum is 95. The Greek currant crop is good. New currants are selling at from 28s to 30s per cwt. Tho Governor of Quebec has declined his dismissal, considering the act to be unconstitutional.

French way of complimenting the r lady— “ Ah madame, you grow every d to look more like your daughter ! ”

1-loli.oway’s Ointment. —Measles, Sen lalina. - -These are the first great trials alii

birth to which our children are subject. Toll) diseases are very infectious, and both require judicious management, In one the chest, in the other the throat is most likely to sutler, but the mother or nurse will find in Holloway’s Ointment a sovereign remedy for these distres sing complaints. When rubbed upon the throat, chest, and hack, it is absorbed, the respiration immediately becomes more tranquil, the cough less troublesome, the lips grow less vivid, the eyes brighten, and the countenance loses that anxious ga/.e which often forebodes a serious assault on the constitution and nervous system. This invaluble Ointment not- only cures the urgent symptoms, but dispels all dangerous sequents —Advt.

DEATHS ON THE STAGE.

In November 1820, Madame Linsky, at a performance, at Arnstadfc in the pre sence of the Royal family, was fired at by six soldiers (who were instructed 1 to bite off the bullet when biting the cartridge, but which one omitted to do), and for a moment remained standing, but almost immediately sank down, exclaiming, “ Dear husband, lam shot !” She never spoke afterwards, and died on the second day. For a time the reason of her young husband was impaired; he had recently lost a child, and his unfortunate wife was expecting soon again to become a mother. A similar.accident had occurred in Dublin half a dozen years earlier, where a clever juggler had to catch a ball, fired from a pistol, between the teeth. A young gentle man from the company had the wrong toi handed-to him, and. when he fired, a bullet crashed through the head of tho unfortunate conjurer.—At Milan Theatre au actor named Lombardi, playing m the An. igone of Aifieri, had to appear us turn in*; his weapon from his father’s breast to stub his own, which in the heat of the moment, he so effectually did ar> to fall on tho stage covered with blood, and entirely insensible ; death ultimately resulted. At the theatre of the Baguorcs, during the representation of the comedy La Jeune Hotesse, M. Ruelle, who played the part of Durmont, was seized with apoplexy at the end of the second act, and expired in a few minutes.”

The Victorian Sculling Race. —A sculling race between W. Hearn, of New Zealand, and C. A. Messenger, of Mel bourne, for £SO and the championship of Victoria, was rowed on Saturday aftrrnoon over the Lower Yarra course, from the Gasworks to a point in Humbug Reach, the distance being about two miles. A steam tug was chartered to convey 'the judge and umpire down the river to wit ness the race, and as many spectators as could be crowded on to the paddle-boxes, bridge, and fore part of the vessel were taken on board. After a good deal of delay the men came to the starting place. Hearn seemed to be in perfect condition, and his fine physique at once made him a favorite. Messenger looked well but he is of much slighter build than his antago nist. The betting was a shade of odds on Hearn. Both men seemed to be taken by surprise when the word was given. Mes senger got away very quickly, and soon had nearly a boat’s length of a lead. He was rowing a quick stroke and steering admirably. Hearn seemed bustled and splashed a good deal. Opposite the last of the Woolsheds he was steeling badly. At this point the tug, which had accompanied the boats in a very eccentric manner, made a sudden swerve to the south side of the river, and was with much difficulty prevented from running into the bank. After some delay she was set going again, but the passengers saw no more of the race, and had to put up with the gibes of the spectators who lined the banks all the way clown the river. Messenger held his place all the way, and won easily by two boat’s lengths. —“ Argus.”

- Matrimonial. —Dr. C. Heifczman (Ar chives 7)f~flle'cticinej~«rwuuc»i. <r.-,™a.©t<»),-*toUo us (“British Medical Journal) that “ marriages should be allowed in doubtful cases only upon the permit of a reliable microscope.” “Last season,” he says, “ a young physician asked mo whether I believed in marriages among kindred, lie had fallen in love with his cousin, and

his cousin with him. I examined his blood, and told him he was a nervous man,

•passing sleepless nights, and having a moderately good constitution. The simi lar condition being suspected in the lady, marriage was not advised, for fear of degenerate offspring. So great was his faith in my assertions that lie gave up the idea of marrying his cousin, offering her the last chance— -viz., the examination of her blood. This beautiful girl came to my laboratory and very much to my sur prise, I found, on examination, her blood of first-class constitution. The next day I told the gentleman, ‘ You had better marry her. ’ ” Aquatic. —ln reply to an aquatic cor respondent, the “Australasian” supplies the following information: —“Haulan’s time in his late match with Elliott was 21m. Is., the course being 150 yards short of three and a half miles. There seems no reason to doubt that lie could have rowed the full course, if pressed at the rate of a mile in 6m. Cole is said to have rowed a mile on the Thames, in a trial, in 4m. 305., but he was going with a high spring tide. Renforth’s time, 23m. 155., is the fastest recorded for the champion ship of England.” The Larrikin. —The Sydney “Town and Country” says : —The Sydney larrikin is an individual who has ever since the distant date on which he became an insti tution been sufficiently recognisable. It was always easy to distinguish him, whe ther he happened to be a graduate of Darlinghurst University, a mere matricu lated student, or a youth of sixteen, pre paring for his “little go.” He has ever been noted for the evident regard displayed by him for the maxim, “ It’s not the foot, it’s the boot. ” He always wore thin little boots with long high heels tapering to the mei’est point, and so far forward as to ter minate almost in the middle of the soles. His trousers have for a long time been light in color, tight to the knees, “ bell mouthed,” and striped down the sides. His coat has been, still is, and no doubt ever will be, a short “ paget” to match his trousers, gorgeously adorned with light buttons and dark braid, and velvet collared. His tie is almost invariably cither a little black ono or a very big red one—further glory in the latter case being lent to the color by a huge gold, brass, or “ haluminium” pin. However, it is noticeable that the larrikin who wears, as larrikins often do, frilled shirts, does not favor large ties. He wears in his mouth cither an imposing meerschaum lavishly adorned with silver or a bad cigar. His beau, covering has hitherto been of various colors and various shapes, but now bids fair to become uniform. Hundreds of young gentlemen, attired after the fashion described above, have adoped a hat of ecclesiastical pattern—dark in color, wide of brim, and decorated with cord and tassel. The oy.laey larrikin has, there fore,'the boots of a woman, the “pants” of a stable boy, and the “ tile” of a clerical swell. As, however, he looks half bull dog as well as half bishop, there is no danger of an awkward mistake being made. Wiiv arc our noses and chins always at variance ? Because words are continually passing between them.

COMETS.

Professor Bredikhine, of St. Peters burg, writes Mr. Proctor in the “ New castle Weekly Chronicle” has made some interesting researches into the evidence respecting the tails of comets. He shows reasons for believing that these appendages may be divided into three distinct classes, according to the different relations be tween the attractive and dispersive power of the sun. The latter power he con siders to be, in all probability, modified by the different properties of ihe particles of which the tail is formed. There are few subjects of inquiry more difficult and more perplexing than comets’ tails. The evidence seems unmistakeably to point in some cases to a true repulsive action excited by the-sun, and yet nothing seems harder to understand than the possibility that the sun should exert such a power in so energetic a manner as to produce the amazingly rapid extension of tail matter seen iii certain cases. Thus the tail of Newton’s comet, seen after the comet had made its nearest approach to the sun, must have been thrown out in less than a day (probably in less than a few hours) to a distance of ninety millions of miles. Under the sun’s . gravitating power, ‘ tre mendous though tho power appears, the comet, with all the velocity it had already acquired, took more than four weeks in traversing the same distance. Tyndall’s ingenious attempt to explain the forma tion of comets’ tails' as due to the actinic energy of rays which have passed through the comet’s head, fails to account tor the phenomena presented by many long-tailed comets. Professor Tait’s sea-bii;d analogy by which the formation of a comet’s tail is compared with the coming into view of a flight of sea birds, as the plane of their array comes to coincide with the observer’s eye, would never have been advanced by anyone with the history of the most important comets, or even with the history of any one of the great comets whicu have been visible for more than a few days. What Sir John Herscliel wrote more than] forty years ago has never yet been invalidated —viz., that the pheno mena of some comets can only be explained by assuming the existence of an intense repulsive force, excited by the sun on the thin material raised by his heat from the surface of comets approaching him from interstellar space.

Maurn*?! gSrfSsipi §<_. 1

THE HMAbts



s. d. ■T. d. Butter, inferior to best $ lb I 6 to I 9 Eggs, $ dozen I 2 to O 0 Cheese, prime quality, $ ft> O S to O 10 Bacon, prime smoked, $ lb O 9 to O 10 Hams in cloth, lb 1 0 to O 0 Flour in bags, H? ioolb 14 6 to O 0 Oatmeal, $ 251b 6 0 to O 0 Lard, lb - - - 0 9 to O 0



Financial Years ended. Timber (sawn). Flour. Feet. Tons, cwt 30 th June, 187S 4,5 7 7.440 4,293 0 30 th June, 1879 7.703.367 2,986 2



THE ASHBURTON HERA LB. Advertisements for the Ashburton H erald nnist be sent in not later than i p.m. for the Country Edition, and 3 p.m. for the Town Edition, with the number of insertions written plainly on the copy, other wise they will be inserted till countermanded, and charged accordingly. Notice to discontinue Advertisements must be left at the Office in writing, before 12 noon and alterations the day previous. Subscriptions : Agencies. ASHBURTON HERALD, Published Daily. gCUBSCBIBEPvS are requested to make known any irregularity in the delivery, whether in Town or Country, which shall be immediately remedied. Country Sub scribers along the Wakanui Road to the school, thence to Seafield, Cambridge, and Newland, are supplied by the mail-cart every Tuesda;- and Friday, TA.RVLLOPES, NOTEPAPER, EN VELOPES, NOT E PAPER.—The •cheapest ever ottered in Ashburton, at the Herald Office, Wholesale Stationery Pepot, Saunders’ Buildings.



Clothing BatftWiishmettt. ASSIGNMENT OF THE ESTATE OF MESSES. AITKEN, PASCOE & CO., CLOTHING MANUFACTURERS, TO Mr. J. H. Morrison, 1 Manager Mosgiel Woolen | Factory, l Trustees. ANI) Mr. John Ross, Of Sargood, Sons & Ewing, nnHE above large Clothing Manufac taring Firm having had to succumb 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 and have resolved to sell the same again in our Branches direct to the public at prices at which we could not legitimately sell our own Goods. In fact (without exaggeration) during the next few weeks we are in a position to offer NEW GOODS IN MEN’S AND BOYS’ ATTIRE, Of Colonial Manufacture, at from ONE THIRD TO ONE HALF THEIR USUAL COST. lIALLENSTEIN BROS., New Zealand Clothing Factory. The assigned Stock will be for Sale in our Ashburton Branch from and on SATURDAY NEXT, 28th JUNE. New Zealand Clothing Factory. 12a COLERIDGE ELECTION.



GEORGE HART respectfully requests that the Electors of Willowby will meet him on WELNESDAY, Sep tember 10th, at 7.30 p.m., at Longbeach Schoolroom. ’ A '394a COLERIDGE ELECTION. Meeting is unavoidably held over. Electors will please attend at Longbeach Schoolroom. *395a



New Advertisements. MOUNT HUTT ROAD BOARD. WEST COAST ROAD. TENDERS are invited either separately or together for the shingling and forming of the following works 1. 1| miles from Blacksmiths —ruts to be filled in, and metalled, 25 yards to the chain; also 1 mile next the station to be similarly treated. 2. Coach Road to Alford Forest from section 19914, £ mile or thereabouts to be re-metalled, say 10 yards to the chain. 3. Road from Pocock’s to whard, Met liven, If miles about to be —formed. A chain on east side, 10 . yards to the chain. 4. Alington and Coward’s Road, 2 miles from Cairabral Siding, same as last. 5. Coach Road to Alford Forest, from creek on road to foot of Ter race, 10 yards to the chain. G. Cross Road to Lyndliurst’s Sta tion from back road, to be formed full width and 15 in crown. 7. Cross Road from Ban-hill to Winch more, to be formed same as last. Tenders, addressed to the Chairman, will be received at the Road Board Office, up to 10 a:m. on FRIDAY, 12th Septem ber. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. W. B. COMPTON, 404 a Overseer to the Board. A SHBURTON FIRE .BRIGADE.— Yv r et Practice on Wednesday (To morrow), at 6 p.m. 406 a ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. 'ELECTION OF COUNCILLORS. MR. THOMAS CL ARK having handed me a notice of retirement, in the form prescribed by “The Regulation of Local Elections Act, 1876,” I hereby give notice that his name is withdrawn from the List of Candidates for the office of Councillors at the Annual Election on the 11th September. CHAS. BRADDELL, Returning Officer. Ashburton, Bth Sept. , 1879 11—407 a ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. ASHBURTON POUND. is hereby given that tender* ]\J ‘ for one or ■ more years are invited from persons willing to undertake the duties of POUNDKEEPER of the Ash burton Pound. The successful tenderer will receive as remuneration all fees for impounded animals as laid down by “ The Canterbury Trespass of Cattle Ordinance, 1872,” and will also hare to comply as to any other details connected with the appointment with the provisions of the said Ordinance. Tenderers are therefore requested to state how much per annum they are will ing to pay to the Council for the privileg# of collecting these fees. A house of four rooms is attached to the pound, for the use of which the successful tenderer will have to pay to the Council ten shillings per week as rent during the time of liis tenancy of the Pound. The appointment to commence on the 19th October, 1879. A copy of the “ Canterbury Trespass of Cattle Ordinance, 1872,” is on view at the Council’s offices to intending applicants. The highest or any tender not necesarily accepted. Tenders, with references, endorsed— “ Tender-for Poundkeeper, Ashburton,” will be received up to Ten a. in. on Wed nesday, the Ist day of October, 1879. Bv Order, ” F. MAINWARING, Clerk. Ashburton, Sept 9, 1879. 405 a p' 7 SABERS WANTED for ERECTING I HOARDINGS. Apply Heuald OffiCE,