POST OFFICE NOTICES.

Mails at the Ashburton Post Office close 13 follows : For Christchurch and North at io a.m. (. p.m., and 7.30 p.m., daily. For Chertsey at 10 a.m. daily. For Rakaia at io a.m., and 4 p.m. daily. For Tinwald, Winslow, Plinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.15 a.m. daily. For Terauka, Timaru, and South at 10.15 p.m. and 3 p.m daily. , Ar For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10.30 a.m. For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbcach, a 3.15 p.m. daily. Mails for Sydney per Hero close at Auck land at 4 p.m. to-morrow, Ist February. 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. Sydney J. Dick, Chief Postmaster.

COMMERCIAL.

Wellington, Friday,

Mr O’Shea reports Adelaide flour, prompt delivery, £ls to 10s; Oamaru and Can terbury, £9 to £lO ; sharps, 6s ; bran, lid to is ; oats, 4s ; potatoes, £7 10s to £8 ; maize, 4s 6d to 4s 8d ; hams and bacon, best cured, 8d to Bj£d; Canterbury nominal, 5d to 6d ; salt butter, no sale, nominal, 7d to Bd.

ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST.

The Evening Echo. FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 1879.

Boots. —Mr T. Chambers’ new adver tisement in this day’s paper is interesting to cricketers and others.

The Ashburton Schools. —The schools, as may be seen by advertisement, will re open after the vacation on Monday morn ing, at the usual hour.

Mr Harrison’s Auction Mart. —We would call public attention to the opening to-morrow of Mr Harrison’s auction mart, in Baring Square. A free luncheon com mences at twelve, and the first sale of the new establishment begins at one.

The Old Men’s Home. —At the meet ing of the Christchurch Charitable Aid Board last night the report of evidence taken as to the alleged insubordination in the Ashburton Home was read by the Secretary. It disclosed a very unsatisfac tory state of affairs. After some discussion a motion was carried for taking the steps necessary for producing a reform by dis missing the present master and engaging a master and matron at a salary of £IOO a-year and rations. Mr. J. E. Brown gave notice that he would move at the next meeting of-ihe Board—“ That offers from duly qualified medical men resident at Ashburton be invited for attendance for the ensuing year upon the inmates at the Ashburton Home. ” The tender by Messrs Orr and Co. for rations supply was accepted.

Harrow Escape at the Railway.— As the express started for Chrisichurch this evening a man attempting to jump upon a carriage missed his footing and fell. He was caught by a person standing upon the platform of the carriage, and also by one upon the station platform,fand in this manner he was dragged along the line for nearly 20 yards. §lt was a miracle his life was saved, as those who beheld it looked upon him as gone.

The Rev. J. W. Inglis, who has been going-a series of Scotch lecture-entertain ments South, is to give one of his best in Ashburton on Tuesday next in the Town Hall. Of the lecture he purposes giving here the “ Bruce Herald ” says:—-‘We don’t know if this (the ‘ Pen-and-ink Pictures of tho Past ’) is the reverend gentleman’s best effort, but we assuredly do know that it is the best thing in the shape of a lecture-entertainment it has ever been our lot to listen to.

County Council.— The next meeting of the Council will take place on the sth February, at 11 a.m., in the Hoad Board Office, to which place the Council’s offices have been removed. Narrow Escape from Poisoning.— On Wednesday a man named Gibson, who lives a little distance down the river, received some slight inquiries as the sequel to a sort of Enoch Arden story, and called on Dr. Stewart to have his hurts seen to. He was supplied with two phials—one containing medicine for in ternal. application and the other a lini ment for external use. The liniment, being a compound of aconite and bella donna, was marked “ poison” in letters bold enough to give a sane and sober person the nightmare, but the unfortunate sufferer made the mistake the word “poison” was intended to prevent, and when he got home he took a liberal dose of liniment. The result was the natural one. He was soon taken seriously ill, but had the sense to knock upon the partition separating him from the other inmates of the dwelling in which he was, and they, being alarmed, at once sent for Dr. Stewart, who at once administered emetics, with a successful result. Gibson is now out of danger, so far as the effects of a dose of poisonous liniment is con cerned, and is likely soon to get well, but he had a nai'row shave for his life, as he had not been sparing in the dose he took. The emetics administered by the doctor worked with great power, and left the sufferer’s stomach free from all taint of either aconite, belladonna, or alcohol.

The Kelly and Leon Troupe. —This talented company gave a performance at the Town Hall yesterday evening, and we are happy to record that there was a full house, who, it is needless to say, were much delighted -with the perfor mance. The ' usual chair business consti tuted the opening part, and the admirable manner in which the orchestra played the overture was much admired. The songs, both from the corner men and the more solemn friends of “ Mr Johnson,” were much applauded, and in every case re demanded. Mr Beaumont Reed’s cele brated rendering of , “ The sweet by and bye” gained the same breathless attention here as elsewhere in spite of the wretched acoustic properties of tho ‘ hall. Some amusing extracts from “ Girofle Girofla” brought the first part to an end. The “Only Leon” then gave some wonderful female impersonotions, singing the “ jam” song, giving an Irish recitation, and further delighting the audience with the celebrated “duck” song, in which the “ chic” of Mademoiselle Therese was ad mirably counterfeited. A negro farce, in which the grotesque “Japanese Tommy” figured, followed, and during this part of the performance an accident happened which might have had serious consequences. Mr Kelly knocked down one of the kerosene lamps which hung above the stage, and the oil caught fire and spread along the boards. The stage carpet was, however, handy, and two members of the company speedily extin guished the flames in its capacious folds. Two quartettes followed the farce, the latter of which, “ Sweet and Low,” was admirably rendered. The orchestra then gave an overture, and the evening’s enjoy ment was brought to a conclusion by a delightful little comedy, in which Mr Kelly and the “ only” Leon took the principal parts. The troupe proceed to Lyttelton, where they play two nights before proceeding to Melbourne. The Southern Winter. —At the Otago Waste Lands Board on Wednesday a runholder on the Wakatipu asked permis -1 sion to surrender his lease owing to heavy losses in sheep sustained through the snows of last winter, and his consequent inability to profitably work his run. Mr Maitland remarked in connection with the application that every week he was receiving fresh intelligence of the very heavy losses in sheep occasioned in out lying country by the severe winter of last year. On some runs not less than half the stock had been destroyed. The Board agreed to recommend the accep tance of the surrender applied for to Government. The Prospects of Temperance in Russia. —lt is stated that some Polish Roman Catholic priests lately succeeded in inducing their parishioners to abandon the use of alcoholic liquors. The local authorities complained of this to the governor of Grodno, who thereupon ordered an inquiry. The priests were found to have acted solely for the pur pose of benefiting their parishoners ; but the governor of Grodno ordered them to be transported to the interior of Russia, in order to give them time to reflect there on the presumption of depriving a paternal Government, by preaching sobriety, of the revenue from the duty on spirits.

Failure of Crops in Australia.— The Canterbury Plains’ settlers are not the only farmers who have reason to bemoan a short harvest. “ The Australasian ” says : —The inquiries made by the Min ister of Lands into the state of the crops in Yarrwonga lead him to the conclusion that it wili be necessary to make some concessions to the selectors. Rust seems to have prevailed to a ruinous extent. The men who have reaped are worse off than those who have not, as it has cost them 4s. to get what they can only sell for 2s.

TO-DAY’S COURT.

Before A. LeGrand Campbell, Esq., R.M

POLICE cases. A. W. Henderson, arrested on a charge of using obscene language on tlie public railway platform, liad been bailed out, and liis wife appeared to answer the charge on his behalf, accused himself being in Christchurch. She pleaded guilty for her husband, and lie was fined £2, with 4s expenses, to be paid within a week. William Hammond was fined 10s, or 24 hours’ imprisonment, for drunkenness yesterday. CATTLE TRESPASS. They following persons were fined 3s per head of cattle, etc., they had allowed to stray : —George Worner and A. O. Aitken, one horse each ; Thomas Hudson, George Parkin, and George Kidd, one cow each; P. Standcombe, one cow, on the railway line at Tinwald; and G. J. Martin, 16 head of cattle on one charge and 9on a second. The latter was fined 30s, and expenses, for the lot. Patrick Madden was fined 10s for tethering a cow to a fence in Moore street, thereby obstructing the footpath. NEGLECT. R. Hudson (“ Yorkey”) did not appear to answer a charge of neglecting to pro vide for the support of his wife. The particulars of Mrs Hudson’s case have already appeared in our columns, and need not be repeated. It was added, however, in Court to-day, that the woman had been taken to the Christchurch Hos pital, ivhere she was now lying. A war rant was issued for “ Yorkey’s” appre hension. Hudson was brought up, and dismissed on promising to pay all expenses and to contribute to his wife’s support. CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. A case of this nature was brought before the Justices in the early part of the week, and remanded till to-day. The police only possessed the surname (M‘Kenzie) of the alleged offender, and Mr Ireland, who appeared for the defence, took ex ception to proceedings being taken against a man improperly designated. The Magis trate issued a warrant for the accused’s arrest, who had not appeared. ILLEGALLY SUPPLYING LIQUOR. John Macnamara, landlord of the Railway Hotel, Rakaia, was accused of supplying drink to G. S. Skae, while the latter was in a state of intoxication. It will be remembered that Skae was drowned in the Rakaia on Saturday week while attempting in a state of drunkenness to ford the river. The case now before the Court arose out of evi dence given at the inquest, which was considered by the police sufficiently strong to establish the charge now brought. A smart passage at arms arose between Sergeant Felton and Mr. Branson, who conducted the defence. Mr. Branson desired to address the Bench while Ser geant Felton -was making an explanation to his Worship, and the Sergeant persist ing in speaking Mr. Branson claimed the protection of the Bench against Mr. Fel ton, who he said, had no right to finish his examination and then to state his case. The Sergeant, he continued, treated the gentlemen of the bar as though they were constables under him, but they ivere neither constables nor the drunkards Mr. Felton usually had to deal with, and therefore would not be bullied. The Sergeant replied that Mr. Branson would have an opportunity of speaking after he had finished, and he (the Sergeant) would not submit to be bounced. The Sergeant then went on with his examination of

Patrick o‘Shannessy, farmer at Rakaia, but acting on the 18th Jan. as barman at the Railway Hotel, supplied Skao with two glasses of beer. Skae had been drink ing, but was not so under the influence of liquor as to be unable to take care of himself, or know what he was doing. Saw deceased leave the hotel and ride to the station. He mounted his horse right enough, and did not stagger. John Shannon corroborated this wit ness’s evidence.

Chas. Hardy saw the deceased on the date named, about an hour after he left the Railway Hotel. He was drunk. The wind blew off his hat, and he could sit his horse only with great difficulty. The Magistrate considered no case had been made out, and dismissed the charge. CRUELTY. The man M‘Kenzic having been appre hended and brought before the Court the charge was proceeded with. The Magis trate overruled Mr. Ireland’s objection to the description “ one M‘Kenzie,” and the case went on on its merits. At the out set of the hearing, a scene occurred between Sergeant Felton and Mr. Ireland, similar to that which had previously occurred between the Sergeant and Mr. Branson, and Mr. Ireland left the case in the hands of the Magistrate and the Ser geant, declining to proceed with it if the business of the Court was to be conducted in the manner in which it was going on ; but he ultimately returned, and asked His Worship if he would dismiss the case, since the Sergeant had “allowed him to do so.”

The Magistrate dismissed the informa tion, but a new one was immediately drawn out The new information being laid, the defendant pleaded not guilty.

R. M. Buchanan stated that he saw the horses in a paddock without food or water, and finding the horses were starv ing and suffering from thirst, he supplied them himself with food and water. Mac kenzie, the owner of the horses, was in Christchurch from Saturday till Wednes day, and left the liorse3 without teod or water. Witness took the beasts to Comp ton’s stables to be looked after, and gave information to the police. The animals were nesrly dead when witness gave them

feed. He fed them on the Sunday : they had been without food for two days them

Mr. J. E. Buchanan said defendant when he went to town on Saturday spoke to him, saying he would return on the Monday. Witness suggested the feeding of the horses, but defendant said he would feed them on his return on Mon day, when he came back from Christ church. He did not come back till Wednesday, and meantime there was no provision for the horses till witness sup plied it.

Mr. Ireland then addressed the bench for the defence, contending that, as the horses had been supplied with food and water, the charge should be dismissed. Another unseemly squabble here occurred between the bar and the police, in the course of which the Magistrate said he was always treated as a gentleman by the bar in every other place but Ashburton. He would not mention names in this matter. He dismissed the case. CIVIL CASES. Acland, Campbell and Co. v. G. Comp ton. —Claim £54 19s. Adjourned till next Court, day. M‘Kerrow and Co. v. Broderick.— Claim £ls 9s lOd, on dishonored promis sory note. Judgment for plaintiff for amount claimed, and costs.

Dudson v. Bradford.—Claim £ls ss. Settled by consent on papment of solici tor’s fee (21s) and Court costs.

TELEGRAPHIC.

AUSTRALIAN

[By Submarine Cable.] Sydney, Jan. 30. The Chinese Bill empowers the Go vernment to levy a tax of £lO on every Chinese landing in the Colony. In the event of non-payment the captain of the vessel will be liable to a fine of £2O and the forfeiture of his vessel. The report that Sir H. Robinson had received his commission as Governor of Hew Zealand is premature, and the date of his departure lias not been definitely fixed. Sailed : Zealandia, with the San Fran cisco mails. Heavy gold has been struck on the Scrubby Plains. Melbourne, Jan. 30. The butchers project a new Meat Com pany, with a capital of £20,000. Mr. John Thomas Smith, once a Minister of the Crown, and who was seven times elected Mayor, is dead.

It is rumoured that Ministers intend to reduce the number of employees. The weather is desperately hot and fires are raging in the country districts. Preparations are being made for the reception of the Marquis of Kormanby. Sir B. O’Loughlen, the Attorney-General, will meet the Ringarooma at the Heads. At a public meeting held under the auspices of the Anti-Chinese League to day, resolutions were passed urging the Government to legislate in order to prevent an influx of Chinese to the Colony. Adelaide, Jan. 30. The weather is fearfully hot, and large bush fires are raging. Brisbane, Jan. 30. At a meeting of stock-owners it -was resolved to establish works in tidal waters. Eighty Chinese have been landed at Port Darwin from the steamer Bowen. Sydney, Jan. 30. The Legislative Council have intro duced a clause in the Parliamentary Privileges Bill, defining contempt as acts, words, or writings in, or within the precincts of the Chamber ill defiance of recognised authorities.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

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

Auckland, Thursday,

The Rev. Mr Carrick, of St. Andrew’s, received a severe contusion on the fore head yesterday on the flagship at the Regatta, by falling against a beam. Dr Stockwcll attended ; but wmeks will elapse before he can resume his pastoral duties. The Raglan road is approaching com pletion, and it is now hoped that a few months hence will see the Waipa bridged, and a road made between Hamilton and Raglan. A report is just brought into town that a man, name unknown, was seen this afternoon to jump from the top of the Rewcrewere bridge, in the Whau district, into the bed of the creek, which was almost dry at the bottom and full of rocks. The distance from the top of the bridge to the bottom of the creek is over 30 feet. A settler rode into town and informed the police, who went out and found that the man’s name was Hayman, an upholsterer in town, who had been drinking hard lately. He still lives, and the doctors give hopes of his ultimate recovery.

Wellington, Thursday,

It is proposed to establish a new com pany here to buy the fleet and continue the business of the Hew Zealand Steam ship Company. Labour is very scarce, and contractors are chary about tendering for any large jobs. Ordinary laborers demand 9s per day. The Wellington has returned. She was unable to safely approach the Hydx-abad on account of the strong gale. The vessel, however, seems afloat and safe. The wind lias now moderated. For the Wellington Cup Fishhook came

up with a rush last night, and is now at sto 2. Anything above is eagerly taken. Longlands has in consequence receded to 4to 1. Laertes, at Gto 1, has been backed to some extent. 7to i has been laid about Mufti. Sailor last night was backed to win £SOO at 12 to 1.

Oasterton, Thursday. A heavy bush fire has been raging in the neighborhood for the last two days, and this afternoon the wind is driving it in the direction of the township. One dwelling house has already been burned, and others are in danger. Every precaution is being taken. Timaru, Thursday. A small fly is doing great damage to the turnip and other green crops in this dis trict. Oamauu-, Thursday. At the meeting of the Municipal Council to-night, it was decided to take the neces sary preliminary steps to float the new £40,000 loan for the completion of the water-works. A strong gale has been blowing to-day, doing much damage in different parts of the town. The most serious mishap, and one very nearly having a fatal result, occurred at Mr. o‘Meagher’s residence. A long sheet-iron pipe was fitted to one of the chimneys ; this apparently caught the wind, and caused the chimney to be blown down with such force as to crush through the iron roof and fall on to the floor of the house. Mrs. 0 ! Meagher’s two servants and three children had but just left the apartment, Mrs. o‘Meagher being last. Had they remained, there is every reason to believe that not one of them could have escaped serious injury or death, as the floor was strewn with largo blocks of stone.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

Auckland, Friday.

The house of George Manken was burnt down last evening during the absence of its owner. It was uninsured.

At the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Scotland, a letter was read from the Westland Lodge of Freemasons asking the assistance of the P.G. ■ Lodge toAvards relieving the necessity of Brother Lazar, 66 years old, blind, and incapable of providing for his family. After express ing sympathy, the matter Avas referred to the P. G. Committee, with poAver to act.

Patrick O’Keefe has been sentenced to 4 months’ imprisonment for an indecent assault upon a child. A landlord named Edward Harvey, has been fined 40s. and costs for having an insecure Avell, a child having been droAvned therein.

Kelson, Friday.

At the nomination of cannidates yes terday, Mr Acton Adams Avas proposed by Mr Sclandeas and seconded by Mr J. Graham ; Mr Aibert Pitt was proposed by Mr Richmond, M. H. R., and seconded by Mr Cooksey. Both candidates spoke at length, and Avere severely questihned. Mr Adams, in his first address, had spoken against Curtis’ Bill and the Catho lic demands. Since then letters in the papers had charged him Avith going to the Catholics last Sunday and canvassing for votes. He denied this, and challenged the authors to confront him. Afterwards Mr Cooksey said he had a mitten state ment, signed by a person named Condell, asserting that Mr Adams had canvassed him as alleged. Cooksey could scarcely obtain a hearing. Feeling ran high throughout the proceedings, Avhich lasted fully three nours. Shoiv of hands : Adams, 58 ; Pitt, 43. A poll takes place on Thursday. Wellington, Friday. The house burned at Casrerton was one oAvned by Charles Potts, the roof caught fire from a spark from the bush fire. The housefwas insured in the Colonial office for £2OO and £SO on the furniture. A Bank holiday on the first day of the races and a half holiday on the second day are proclaimed. At the Gas Company’s employes’ dinner last night the manager stated that with the exception of Auckland, the number of gas consumers Avas groater here than in any other toAvn in the Colony. Dunedin, Friday.

The Supreme Court is occupied with the case of Harbour Board against Proudfoot. Plaintiffs ask that defendant may be de creed to perform his agreemeut relative to the lease of a number of sections of reclaimed land which he purchased at auction in June last, but since declines to pay for. Defendant’s case is based on the statue of frauds, and he submits that there is no binding contract between him and the Board which can be specially en forced. Four hundred Freethinkers attended Mr. Charles Bright’s farewell meeting last night. The Attorney-General pre sided, and the Mayor of Dunedin was present. “ The Herald ” of to-day devotes a leader to the meeting, and says : “We abhor and renounce the teachings and doctrines of Mr. Charles Bright, even as we do the devil and all his works ! ” At the Police Court to-day, the man named South, .who pretends to be insane but is declared to be suffering from hard drinking, gave a lively exhibition, jump ing and howling, and finally ripping down the front of his shirt. He was sent to gaol for three months for habitual drun kenness.

FkIDAY Januuary ji,

THE EVENING ECHO.



s. d. Butter, inferior to best $ lb 1 0 to I 2 Eggs, $ dozen 1 3 to 0 0 Cheese, prime quality, f lu o 10 to 0 0 Bacon, prime smoked, If lb 0 10 to 0 0 Hams in cloth, $ lb 1 0 to 0 0 Flour in bags, $ ioolb 12 6 to 13 0 Oatmeal, 25ft 7 0 to 0 0 Lard, lb - 0 9 to 0 0



Chemists. BATE, QHAKLES .(Late of Messrs. Gould & Co., Christchurch), BEGS TO ANNOUNCE He has commenced business as CHEMIST AND DRUGGIST, IN .MOORE STREET (Opposite Messrs. Friedlander’s Store), ASHBURTON. i



gIJMMER JJeverages. Lemon Syrup. Lemon and Raspberry Syrup. Raspberry Vinegar. Lime Juice. Ginger Beer Powders. Granular Effervescing Lemonade Pow ders. Persian Sherbet. Gasogenes, from 30/ each. J. M. CAMBRIDGE, MEDICAL HALL. ASHBURTON. Cabinetmakers. THE ASHBURTON PICTURE GALLERY, PETER STREET. T. A. GATE S, Cabinetmaker , Picture Dealer , and Importer , PICTURE FRAME MAKER, &a. Furniture Repaired and Polished Maps and plans mounted and Varnished. Pictures of all kinds always on Sale. FUNERALS FURNISHED.



,1 WOOD TURNER AND VENETIAN BLIND MAKER. JOSEPH RULE Moore Street. IS prepared to execute all orders for Wood Turning, Venetian Blinds, Bedsteads, Tables, and every class of Furniture. Windo w Poles on hand, or made to any sixe. TINWALD FURNITURE DEPOT. HARLES DEADER, H AR L E S jg CABINET MAKER, FURNITURE DEALER, &c. Venetian and other Blinds, Curtain Poles, Oxford and other Picture Frames made to order. Repairs Executed -with Despatch. Note the Address— Great South Road, Tinwald, (Next to Mr. Prettejohn’a, Shoe Maker.) 286



Miscellaneous. TELEGRAPHIC. THE VERY LATEST. AMERICAN GOODS. AW. WESTON, having been . appointed agent for AMERICAN GOODS AND YANKEE NOTIONS, will shortly receive direct from the manu facturers a lot of New Ameeican Goods, Novelties, etc., etc. January 25th, 1879. SOI MILLINERY AND DRESSMAKING. MRS. WILLIAM ADAMS, assisted by a first-class Milliner and Dress maker, is prepared to make up Ladies’ and Children’s Dresses in the ■ Newest Styles and lowest possible charges. Mks. Adams devotes special attention to Millinery. STREET, ASHBURTON. (Mr. Powrie's late Residence,) 272



AUCTION SALES. To-Morrow, Alfred Harrison, opening sale, Baring Square. 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. PRELIMINARY. TOWN HALL, TUESDAY, Feb. 4. REV. J. W. INGLIS’ GRAND Lecture-Entertainment. For One Night only. * # *SEE FUTURE ADVERTISEMENTS AND HANDBILLS.



Strangers coming to reside in Ashburton need not be at any loss to find the best estab lishment to visit and purchase their drapery clothing, and general stores. Leaving the Railway Station and turning down Havelock Street, they will see the establishment of A. O. Aitken & Co., who are now offering special advantages, which exceed any before offered to the public. Keeping at all times a very large and exceedingly well assorted stock of all classes of goods, bought in the best mar kets and on the most favoiable terms, enables them —to use trade parlance —“ to do the thing well ”; in fact the goods offered by them are such as cannot be excelled either in qualitv or price by any house in the trade and are marked at such prices that making any abatement is unecessay, and the most inexperi enced are enabled to buy their goods as avorably as the best judges. —Advt.