POST OFFICE NOTICES.

Mails at the Ashburtqn Post Office close is follows : . For Christchurch and North at io a.m. t p.m., and 7.30 p.m., daily. For Chertsey at 10 a.m. daily. For Rakaia at 10 a.m., and 4 p.m. daily. For Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.15 a. m. daily. For Temuka, Timaru, and South at 10.15 p.m. and 3 p.m daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a.m. For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, a 3.15 p.m. daily. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster. .

ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST

The Evening Echo. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1879.

The scheme suggested by Government for the maintenance of hospitals and the dispensation of charitable aid in the Can terbury district seems to be a muddle. It is evident that complete unanimity cannot be secured amongst the local bodies interested, and another session of Parliament will have to pass over before some definite and satisfactory arrange ment is come to. The slipshod legislation of last session left the question of chari table aid unsolved, and the counties and boroughs from the Rangitata to the Huru nui have nuder consideration the sugges tion of the Government to send represen tatives to a Board sitting in Christchurch, and to contribute funds for that Board to dispense. The amount of money to be contributed by each body sending repre sentatives to the Board is not fixed, but will be determined by the Board itself when it has come into existence. Should the local bodies of Canterbury not see their way to accept the proposed tem porary solution of the difficulty which the Board is intended to provide, the Government will take the matter into its own high and mighty hand, bear the whole cost themselves, and when these bodies come to reckon up with the great powers that be on the matter of subsidies, they will find the amount paid to them less by the cost above mentioned borne by Government. Should the plan pro posed be adopted, Government will pay one-half of the necessary expenditure. The situation leaves little choice indeed to those interested in the matter, and the dictatorial fiat from Wellington says : Half contribution if you join with our Board ; not a rap if you don’t, and we’ll take the whole amount out of your income from the subsidies we have to give you. So that whether, say the Ashburton County Council, sends a representative to the proposed Board or not, it will have to pay. If it sends a representative, it will be relieved of half contribution ; if it does not, Government will find ways and means to make it pay the full pound of flesh, while at the same time it is left with no voice in the hospital and chari table aid affairs of the provincial district. Under these circumstances, perhaps it is better to acquiesce in the Government proposal; but the state of affairs is cer tainly nnsatisfaetory, yVe had hoped

thaii. fjCQrt some permasjenis {inti efficient hospital would have been plantod in Ash burton, the centre as it is, of a large district, rapidly increasing in population ; but it seems to us that this prospect is as far off realisation as ever, and we are not hopeful that out of the-tangle surrounding the establishment, constitution, and work ing of the proposed Board such an insti tution will be evolved. An hospital is wanted now, and every day adds to the necessity for it; but the chances appear to us to be that, until the matter of chari trble aid is dealt with in a fair and liberal spirit by a Government not so palpably anxious as the present one is to shake off the cost of charitable and benevolent insti tutions as an unclean thing, we must con tinue to jolt dangerous and difficult cases over 50 or 60 miles of road to Christchurch; It is to be hoped, if our County and Borough Councils send representatives and funds to the Board, that they will not fail to agitate for an efficient hospital at least nearer to the boundaries of the county than Christchurch. [Since the above was in type, the County Council, we are glad to observe have to-day voted £SOOO to the erection of an hospital in Ashburton. The motion was made by Mr. Wason and he deserves the county’s thanks for moving in the matter. Beyond the question of amount the- Council was unanimous as to the advisability of an hospital. The Council, however, has declined for the present to send a representative to the proposed Board of management, but have decided to send a delegate to the conference to take place in Christchurch in a few days.]

The Case of Atack, the painter, who some weeks ago committed an indecent assault upon a little girl in this township, was yesterday sentenced at the Supreme Court, Christchurch, to twelve months’ imprisonment with hard labor. Cricket. —The match Melbourne v. Canterbury has been concluded, the for mer team gaining a decided victory by 169 runs. In the match All England v. Australia, the English team scored 113 in their first innings, the Colonials having three wickets down for 68 runs.

Chertsey Sports. —A correspondent at Chertsey sends us the following regarding the sports held there on on New Year’s Day, on the Railway reserve, adjoining the township. A capital programme was arranged by the committee (Messrs. W. A. Brown, J. Fowler, J. Wallace, R. Littlecott, and H. Childs), and great praise is certainly due to them for the efficient manner in which they did their work. There were eighteen events in all, and prizes amounting to £2O were given away. The way in which the principal events were contested speaks volumes for so young a district. A capital luncheon was spread by Host Wallace, of the Chertsey Hotel, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. A number of toys were distributed to the children for races, <ftc. , these were kindly arranged by Mesdames Brown and Childs. Our old friend, Aunt Sally, was on the ground, and to all appearance the spirited proprietor must have turned in a “bob or two.” A capital dance in Mr. Wallace’s large dining-room wound up the j oiliest New Year’s Bay Sports in Chertsey. Adjourned Inquest.— The adjourned inquest on the death of William Williams, ferryman at the Rangitata, was resumed on Tuesday, the 7th inst. This enquiry was adjourned to allow of the production of the man Barrett, who was one of the men in the boat at the time Williams met his death. Dennis Barrett crossed the river on Christmas Day—Returned about 7 or 8 o’clock on Boxing Day ; deceased took me over. Brooks, deceased, and myself were in the boat. It seemed that Barrett was under the influence of drink,, and was ordered into custody by the Coroner. Dr. Ross —I examined certain wounds on the face and forehead of deceased. There were all the marks externally of death by drown ing, and in addition there were three con tusions—*one on the nose, and two on the forehead. I should think these bruises could not have been produced very long before death ; they might have been pro duced after death ; the body washed up on a shingle bed, or striking against rounded stones, might have received them. They had not the appearance of bruises raised by a man’s fist. A smooth instrument might produce such wounds a very short time before or after death. To the Coroner: A smooth pole 4 or 5 feet long would pro duce these bruises. My opinion is that death resulted from drowning, so far as one can judge from an external examina tion only. By a juror : The wound would stun the man to a certain extent, and cause him to be less able to swim. The Coroner read certain statements he had received relative to Barrett ; also one made by himself, in which he stated that, at the time of crossing the river, all three were sober. This statement, in many particulars, differed from the evidence given at the previous occasion, and was not considered reliable. The Coroner then addressed the jury, who, after a short deliberation, returned a verdict of found drowned, but how, there was no evidence to show. The Post Office Alterations, so long promised, have at last been commenced, and there is now a probability that before very long we shall have a comfortable place in which to transact postal and telegraphic business.

Change of Meeting Place.— At its meeting to-day, the County Council re solved to rent the Road Board office for twelve months at a sum of £6O a year— the next meeting of the County Council to be held in that building.

The Rangitata Road Bridge.— The County Council to-day resolved to repair the Rangitata Bridge at an estimated cost of £IO,OOO. Solid iron piles are to be used, of Gin. diameter, and the material is to be ordered from England by the next San Francispo mail.

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

MUSICAL REHEARSALS WANTED.

To the Editor of the Evening Echo,

Mister, —Give me a little room to tell how much I should have enjoyed the music at the Presbyterian Church enter tainment last night if those incorrigible “ stampers ” had not joined in higgledy piggledy with their obtrusive hoofs ! It’s all very well for Lorenzo to tell Jessica—

“Here will we sit, and let the sounds of music creep in our ears : soft stillness and the night become the touches of sweet harmony. We are never merry when we hear sweet music. The reason is, our spirits are attentive : for do but note a wllct and ivan'ton herd, or race, of youthful and unhandled coits, fetching mad bounds, bellowing and neighing loud, which is the hot condition of their blood : if they but hear perchance a trumpet sound, or any air of music touch their ears, you shall perceive them make a mutual stand, their savage eyes turned to a modest gaze by the sweet power of music. . . . . Nought so stockish, hard, and full of rage, but music for the time doth change his nature.” Such are the refined ideas about music which Shakespeare put into the mouth of one of his most joyous characters. But, last night, just as the first notes of Mr. Gates’s last spirit-stirring song were giving me promise of rich enjoymentin listening, a rustic Lorenzo and Jessica on the seat behind me began beating time with their hoofs more wildly than calves or colts ; an old man and a boy joined in with their fists on the back of the very form whereon I sat; and half-a-dozen others all round me conspired to. apprise the poor singer of what they thought to be the correct time. What cared they for wretches of no taste who would have preferred the vocal and instrumental music without their “leather and timber ” accompaniment 1 They, for sooth, could not believe in mere singing to a piano without the exquisite discord of their banging and stamping. All the really impressive exhortations, whether from American or Scotchman, “to do to others as you would be done by,” had produced no effect; unless, indeed, the boors who were guilty of the unseemly disturbance considered the harsh rappings of their boots and fists a “ boon,” which they pre sented gratis to such listeners as might be stupid enough to have been better satisfied with the music as performed on the plat form, if they had been able to hear it, but who were doomed to utter disappointment through the persevering rudeness of the noisy, and not even accurate, time-keepers on the floor and seat-backs. When Mr. Gavin was asked to return the thanks of the meeting to some of the contributors to the entertainment, he was in the body of the Hall, and these -very boors shouted for him to display himself on the platform for their delight ! Would it not be a good plan in future to ask all those who want to stamp to appear on the platform, or even to rehearse first with the musicians, in order that the leader might drill them into correct time ?—Yours, etc.,

One “ Moved with the Concord op Sweßt Sounds.” January 7th, 1879.

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[By Submarine Cable.]

[SPECIAL TO THE “ PRESS ASSOCIATION.”]

London, January 1. Government is understood to have arranged a scheme of University educa tion with the Catholic Bishops of Ireland. Jannary 3. “The Provincial Correspondence,” the Government organ at Berlin, regards the political horizon as clearer now than it has been for a long time past. Confidence is gaining ground that there will be a strict execution of the Berlin Treaty. At a reception of Ambassadors by the Sultan, most friendly assurances were exchanged on behalf of the several Powers. Consols, 95. Wheat, flour, and Colonial securities are unchanged.

[SPECIAL TO THE WELLINGTON POST.]

Dec. 31.

The Pope appeals to the German Bishops to inculcate the duty of obedience to the laws of the land, and also directs the Bishops and clergy to pray for the welfare of the secular Powers, including the temporal sovereigns of Europe.

Another intended assassination of a European sovereign has been discovered, a plot to murder the Prince of Servia having been detected. The report of the liquidators of the City of Glasgow Bank is of a very un favorable character.

Jan. 1,

General Hill has for the present stopped all traffic through the Khyber Pass.

Four of the Amefcr’s regiments have deserted his standard.

Three-fourths of General Biddulph’s division' have taken up a position on the plain of Candahar, aud there is a general advance of the British troops on that city.

Jan. 3,

One of the 38-ton guns on board H.M. turret ship • Thunderer hurst, destroying the turret, killing seven men and wound ing 40 others.

AUSTRALIAN

Melbourne, Jan 1,

The seamen belonging to the ships now in port have struck. They demand £7 per month for the voyage from Melbourne to London, or £6 per month for the

round trip, Fully ]SO glrpady-'at'O out on strike, and the movement is spread ing rapidly. Several ships are now lying idle in port, unable to procure hands to work them.

An absurd statement has found currency in reference to Emmett and Ulyett, the two Yorkshire professional cricketers, who were playing in Lord Harris’ English team. It is broadly asserted that they sold the recent match with the Australians, which was won by the latter with ten wickets to spare, and that having arranged with the bookmakers that the English team should lose the match, they took care by their play to bring about the pre arranged result. This allegation is abso lutely untrue, as the match was played and won entirely on its merits. This is freely admitted by both sides.

January 7,

On Thursday, four men answering to the description of the Kellys, well mounted, crossed the Murrumbidgee going towards a station. They had two pack horses with them.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

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

Auckland, Tuesday.

It is stated that Mr. S. Macfarlane in tends to bring an action against Mr. Rees, M.H.R., for making a certain statement about the estate of Mr. Read, of Poverty Bay, whereby it had been seriously depreciated in value. The statements were made at a public meeting at Gisborne.

Mr. Strange, of Waitoi, Upper Thames, has sold his farm of 200 acres for £IOOO to a southern capitalist. The death of a boy under suspicious circumstances at Coromandel has been re ported to the police. The boy had a quarrel with another boy, who inflicted a severe kick in the groin, and it is believed that this was the cause of death. A post mortem examination has been ordered, a telegram has been sent to Superintendent Thomson, requesting that another medical man may be sent from Auckland to assist. Dr. Haynes pro ceeded in the s. s. Argyle to render pro fessional assistance yesterday. Wellington, Tuesday. Three of the recent New Guinea party intend returning there. Last night the army of supers engaged in “ Henry V ” struck just before the curtain rose, beesuse the management re fused to give them free passes each during the remainder of Rignold’s season. Mr. Darrell, ivith a number of friends, made up a volunteer army. In the Police Court to-day E. Holroyd Beere, a well-known surveyor, appeared to answer a summons for embezzling £133 the property of lii3 brother and Henry Czarwonka and two other surveyors. Mr. Ollivier, for the prosecution, stated that Mr. Brissenden was an important witness, and although subpoenaed, he had. not attended; he -would be an unwilling witness. • The case was adjourned for a fortnight, with an, intimation that if Mr. Brissenden were not in attendance a warrant would be issued. Tijiaru, Jan. 7. Harvest operations are rapidly being commenced. The late rains have done much good to the crops.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

Sydney, Jan. 7. There was a great election freo fight at Young amongst the prominent partizans. Wellington, Wednesday.

Instead of Gilligan leaving a fortune, as was reported, he was in financial diffi culties. Prior to his death his affairs were very much involved. Rignold appears in a new play to-night. “ Henry V.” had a most successful run. Auckland, Wednesday.

Rewi accompanied Mr. Sheehan to the site of Oradaria Pah, where he pointed out places of interest in the engagement in which he took part. His visit to Kihikihi is the first step to a settlement on confis cated land. Tawhaio is anxious to carry out the agreement made with the Premier. Fidgett, who was tried and acquitted yesterday for placing obstruction on the railway, has been an officer in the Royal Navy, but is suffering from aberration, caused by former wounds. He was pre viously convicted of vagrancy. A meeting of representatives of various trades was held at the Working Men’s Club to consider the advisability of peti tioning. Parliament to stop the Chinese immigration. Mr Macandrew is arranging for work men’s trains from Oneliunga to Auck land.

Six young ladies at ihe Convent Chapel took the plain veil, viz.—Annie Comers ford, Mary Redmond, Eliza M‘Dormott, Kathleen Bolger, Kathleen Annie Curtis, and Eliza Ryan.

A meeting of the New Zealand Insur ance Company was held to-day. The re port says that after making provision for all ascertained losses and carrying £SOOO to the reserve fund, which now stands at £40,000. There remains a sum of £19,283 Is lid available for division, which the directors propose to appropriate to the payment of a dividend at the rate of 15 per cent. The total premiums ivere £86,100135, and the losses £60,147. The retiring directors were re-elected.

Ax Coblentz and Saarlouis the police recently prohibited smoking in the streets by youths under 16 ; and at Treves a bye law of 1857 has just been brought into force, which imposes a fine of from three to nine marks, or imprisonment in default, on boys under 16 who smoke in the streets and in places of amusement.

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usjal- monthly meeting of the County Council was held to-day, in the Council Chambers, East-street. Present : Messrs. W. C. Walker (Chairman), J. Grigg, E. G. Wright, D. Cameron, J. C. Wason, and Alfred Saunders. _ ; The minutes of previous meetings (spe cial and ordinary) were read and confirmed. chairman’s statement. y The Chairman said —The Council would have to consider the subject of charitable aid and hospital management, as raised by the' correspondence that would come before: them, and also a notice of motion pro posing to erect a County Hospital. In reply to a telegram from Government, urging, the appointment of representatives to the proposed Central Board at Christchurch, he had wired that the whole subject would be dealt with at that meeting. Tendeis for dog-collars had been advertised for. Mr. Conyers had been appointed by Go vernment to operate on the special deposit of £0,993 9s. Ud. lodged in the Bank of New Zealand for the Rakaia Road Board, in conjunction with the Chairman of the Council. Re the Rangitata Traffic Bridge, the Chairman suggested the placing of it under proper regulations, as "with ordinary ferries, until it was completed. In connec tion witli the appointment of air engineer, it would be necessary to consider the sub ject of office accommodation. The room was insufficient for the Council’s work. A suitable seal would haye to be decided cm. The A. and P. Association could not pro ceed with the striking of their medals until the County’s device for a seal had been decided upon. Government had decided to .issue no more free passes to County Councillors. It seemed a hard ship that men jgiving their time to the pub lic should he deprived of this privilege. RAILWAY PASSES. Mr Saunders' said that in the matter of the withdrawal of railway'passes, lie un derstood Government meant to grant a pass to each newspaper, and probably County Councillors may secure a renewal as well. There had been a general with drawal of all passes because of their gross abuse. Probably it would bo better to pay members expenses than to ask for free passes, as it was sometimes more ex pensive to come frbm a place where there was no railway than from one where there was a line that could be used. Mr Wright was of opinion if would be better to pay their own expenses if it were a general rule over the colony that Coun cillors did pay their own expenses. SLAUGHTER-HOUSE LICENSES. , G. S. Cooper wrote to say that , the Council’s slaughter-house by-laws were still under the consideration of the Crown Law officers. v' Mr Joseph Hunt wrote, complaining of a slaughter-house on his section, and ask ing the prevention by the Council of a contamination by the slaughter-house refuse of the water in the; Wakanui Creek. The matter was held over. DOG REGISTRATION. Mr R. D. Pullar wrote, accepting the position of collector of dog tax. > CHARITABLE AID. Several letters were read on the subject of charitable aid, including the Govern mental circular in reference to the tem porary Board proposed to be established at Christchurch. Mr Grigg was of opinion that the Go vernment proposal was only, another turn of the screw by which they desired-to get rid of the whole question of charitable institutions. He thought the matter should be left over for a time. The whole thing, as suggested by the Govern ment, was utterly unworkable and uii sound, and he could not think in whose brain the thing had arisen. The question of private contribution ivas only a fad, and they had no right ..to be placed, as this movement would place them, at the caprice of residents in the district. He would urge that no steps be taken in the matter till their representatives met in Christchurch, and he would add that re presentatives should be sent. . L. Mr Saunders thought the question should not be further discussed that day; but representatives should be sent. Mr Wason moved that Mr Walker be nominated as representative to the Beard proposed to be established. Mr Walker at this time of year begged to be excused, and Mr Wason substituted the name of Mr Saunders. Mr. Grigg was opposed to the Couricil committing itself to the Board. He would move that in the meantime it was not desirable to send a representative to the Central Board of Management. Mi 1 . Wright seconded, and the motion was carried. Messrs. Saunders and Grigg were ulti mately appointed delegates to the Confer ence, to take place in Christchurch on an early date. PROPOSED COUNTY HOSPITAL. * * _ Mr. Wason proposed that the Council vote £SOOO for the erection of a County Hospital. Every one knew the disad vantages at which the district stood by the nearest hospital being at Christchurch. Mr. Grigg seconded the motion. Mr. Wright was of opinion that this matter should be considered apart from the mere matter of cost. It was a matter of humanity. Medical men had told him that cases had been undertaken here by surgeons which should only have been undertaken with such appliances for sur gery as are to be found in an hospital. To take a case of severe accident to Christ church was sometimes as much as the sufferer’s life was worth. Mr Saunders was quite in favor of the establishment of an hospital, but lie thought £SOOO was more than the require ments of the district at present demanded, Mr Wason’s motion was carried. [Left Bitting.]

iIPiIPMiJW! I flW|

#fi ■ - Sillii



s. d. s. d. Butter, inferior to best $ lb I O to I 2 Eggs, If? dozen i 6 to 0 0 Bacon, prime smoked, If? lb o 10 to 0 0 Hams in cloth, lb I 0 to 0 0 Flour in bags, If? ioolb 12 6 to 14 0 Oatmeal, I? ioolb 26 0 to 0 0 Lard, $ lb - O 9 to 0 0



OR R & CO. Would call Special attention to THEIR STOCK OF IRONMONGERY. A Fine assortment of Carpen ters’ Tools now landed. I RON M O NGERY, Parties Furnishing should in spect our Stock of Plated Goods — . TEA POTS, CRUET STANDS, BUTTER DISHES. TEA AND COFFEE SETS, TABLE CUTLERY, &c., &c., &c. IRONMONGERY. STOVES, RANGES, GRATES, FENDERS, and FIREIRONS. These Goods are imported di rect by ourselves, and will be sold at prices below anything hitherto offered in Ashbur ton. ■ : ’ IRON M ,ONG E RY. Harvesting Tools— Hay Forks, Rakes, Scythes, &c. McCORMACK’S Reapers. and Binders. No farm should be without one. Can cut and tie even if the Straw is only 9 inches long. No necessity for wire. BUY A McCORMACK, AND SAVE YOUR STRAW. 200 DOZEN HORNSBY’S PLOUGH SHARES, Landing ex “ Hurunui” OR R & Co., * ' EAST STREET, ASHBURTON,



Advertisements for the evening Echo must be sent in not later than 3 p.m. with the number of insertions written plainly on the copy, otherwise they will be inserted till countermanded, and charged accordingly. Special notices can be received up to 3.30 p.m. for insertion over the Leader, but will be charged double scale. Subscriptions—Quarterly in advance, 6s. ; posted, Bs. 6d. ; per annum, in advance, 225.. 6d. ; posted, 355. d. ; weekly, paid to collector, 6d. Delivered to any part of the town, and at any of the Railway Stations.



Special Notices. FENCING WIRK 20 TONS Just Received and on Sale at LOWEST PRICES. A. O. AITKEN & CO., Havelock Street. PRELIMINARY NOTICE. Alfred harrison begs to announce that on or about tlie Ist Feb., 1879, he will open a NEW AUCTION MART In Baring Square. A. H. will make a specialty of Sales of Furniture and Effects, Sales of Stock and Merchandise. ALFRED HARRISON, AUCTIONEER, COMMISSION AGENT, &c., ’ HAVELOCK STREET, ASHBURTON, Near the Town Hall. 213 THE JfJvENING JfJcHO NEWSPAPER AND GENERAL PRINTING OFFICE, Has Removed to new buildings, East street North, near Post Office, and next Quill’s Hotel.