COMMERCIAL.

ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST.

Aggregate Balance-sheet of the Bank of New Zealand at the 30th Septem ber, 1877, including London Office at 31st July, 1879. Dr.

POST OFFICE NOTICES.

Mails leave the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at 10 20 a.m. 4 p.m.j and 7.30 p.m., daily. : For Chertsey at 10.20 a.m daily. For Rakaia at 10.20 a.m and 4 p.m daily. For Dunedin, Timvald Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Gcra'dine, at 10.20 a.m, daily. For Temuka. Timavu, 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 .15 p.m. daily. For Wakanui and Seafiekl, on Mondays and Thursdays, 7.30 p.m. Sydney J. Dick, Chief Postmaster.

UNCLAIMED LETTERS.

The following letteis from places beyond the colony were received at the Ashburtcn Post Office during the month of August, and lemamed unclaimed on Ist October, 1879: — Allinham, J. Charles, Richard Critchley, W. S. Deacon, William Devane, Patrick Fraher, John Griffin, Morgan Maclean (or Maclear) John Kennedy, William Kissane, Michael Larkin, Andrew Morrison, James Moriarty. Michael Quinlan. Mary Ryan, Thomas B. Sharp, Sames Valpy, John N. Vincent, J. Walker. Archibald Woodman, W. D. Young, Lewis P. McAllister, Mrs Black, Tohn Twiss, Michael IV. St, G. Douglas, Postmaster. On the first da3 of 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 mouth 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 he return ed unopened to the countries where they origi nated. Unclaimed letters originating in the Colony are not advertised, hut at the end of two months are forwarded to the Dead Letter Office, Wellington, there to be opened and re turned to the writers.

BIRTH.

Westbrooke. —On October 31st, the wife of the Rev. Brownlow J. Westbrooke, of a daughter.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the “ Evening Echo”). FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1879.

A Peace Loving Witness. —ln the Court to-day, in the case against Currie and Thomas for fighting in the Royal Hotel, some amusement was caused by the evidence given by a farmer named Fletcher. He said he had witnessed the fight, but had not tried to stop it. He saw that Currie was not likely to stop his nonsense, and cease from attacking Thomas, so, on the principal, we pre sume, embodied in the proverb—“ The hotter the war, the sooner peace,” he ad vised both parties to “ wire in.”

The Rifle Corps. —At the meeting of the corps last night it was decided to de fer the election of officers for a week, and the date of nomination was fixed for Thursday next.

The Bank of New Zealand’s Re port.—Referring to the half-yearly report of the Bank of New Zealand, which we give in another column, the “New Zea land Herald” says : —The report of the Bank of New Zealand, presented to the half-yearly meeting, was such as could hardly have been expected considering

the monetary and commercial condition of the colony during the period to which it refers. Everywhere there Ims been a serious financial strain, taxing to the ut most the capacity, prudence, and tact, of the conductors of our great financial asso ciations, and it is an agreeable proof of the skill displayed in the management of the most important of our banking institu tions that it has been conducted with such I'eally remarkable success thi’ough su pro tracted and unusually anxious a period. Whilst carefully guarding the interests of its proprietary, its conductors have not forgotten that careful consideration for the interests of its clients, which was felt must be extended to them on the occasion of a financial crisis. The Bank has gone through a difficult period with remarkable success, for the diminution of its profits bears no proportion to the adverse circum stances, and we see, besides, the strongest indication of the excellence of its manage ment in the wise increase of its reserves of coin and its cash balances. It was some what tempting to pursue a more venture some course, because the unused capital in the reserves rendered diminished profits inevitable, and yet they amounted to the large sum of £09,000, after making all the usual reserves on a liberal scale. The first consideration was to strengthen the Bank’s position, and this has been accom plished by increasing the reserves of coin, and by other means, so justifying the con fidence reposed by the shareholders in the management of the Bank’s affairs.

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thursday, October 30, 1879.

AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30.

QUESTIONS,

In reply to questions, it was stated that Government intended basing the expendi ture in Auckland district and other parts of the colony pursuant to agreement with some of the Auckland members on a basis fair to all parts of the colony. Govern ment had arrived at no decision as to the removal of the Commissioner of Railways to Dunedin. A sum would be placed on the Estimates for the erection of a Court house at Warkworth. Government had no power to make arrangements for the sittings of the Waste Lands Board at Grey mouth. A Bill would be introduced to regulate Chinese immigration this session. Government would consider the action re quired for removing doubts as to the efficacy of contributions to Friendly Societies, so that they may obtain full benefit of registration under the Societies’ Act, 1878. NEW BILLS. An amended Land Tax Act, and a Bill to prevent Corruption in Parliament, were introduced and read a first time. OTAGO CROWN LANDS. On the notion of Mr De Latour, it was agreed, “ That in the opinion of the House, it is desirable that a Committee should im mediately be appointed to classify Crown lands in the County of Maniototo, and that in the vicinities of Naseby, Hamilton, Hyde, and Blackstone Hill, land which may be classified as ‘ pastoral land ’ should be sold by auction in terms of the Land Act, 1877, on pastoral deferred payments, in sufficient and suitable areas, twelve months before the expiry of existing leases.” HONORARIUM. On the motion of Mr Moss, it was agreed that the honorarium of members should be fixed by statute. LOCAL SELF GOVERNMENT.

Mr Sutton moved—“ That it is desirable that the system of local self government at present in existence should be extended to provide : (1.) For the efficient construc tion and maintenance of public works (ex cepting railways and harbor w r orks) all hospitals and charitable institutions. (2.) That in order to enable local bodies to carry out their duty, it is necessary that their revenues should be increased (a) by the payment, monthly, of all debts col lected hi each district as stamp duties upon land or succession ; (b) by increasing the maximum of general rates in the case of Counties. (3.) That steps should be taken to prevent the Counties and Road Boards clashing, and to more distinctly define the powers and duties of each of these bodies. (4.) That the Government be requested as early as possible to intro duce a Bill for the purpose of carrying these resolutions into effect.”

Government acquiesced in the general tenor of the motion, and admitted that it was absolutely necessary to place County and other local administration on a much more efficient footing than it was. If the mover would not press the matter at present, Government would undertake during the recess to give the whole matter careful consideration, and be prepared to bring down a measure next session. At 5.30 a motion for the adjournment of the debate was carried.

EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. bills. The Heathcote Bridges Bill was read a second time. In Committee, the Oamaru Harbor Bill was considered, the first three : clauses passed, and leave granted to sit again re garding the remainder. GOLDFIELDS DUTY. The adjourned debate on the question— “ That the goldfields duty be reduced Is per ounce,” Mr Pyke moved as an amendment— “ That (klbe substituted,” and argued in support of the amendment that the reduc tion by the other sum would have the effect of crippling local revenues. On a division, the amendment was carried by 39 to 18.

The Waiuku Recreation Reserve Bill was reported with amendments.

TELEGRAPHIC .

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

INTERPROVI NCiAL.

Invercargill, Oct. 31

Mr Neil Ferguson, for many years in the Registr ition of Deeds Department, and one of the oldest residents here, died yesterday. Deceased was an active mem ber of the Caledonian Society, and the

success of the annual gatherings were largely due to his exertions. He was also well known in Volunteer circles, having only recently resigned the lieutenantsbip of R. battery, N.Z. R.A. He will i-eceive a military funeral on Sunday. A. Wheddon, D. M‘Kay, and D. Cameron, charged with arson at Mataura, were brought up at the Police Court to day and further remanded for eight days. In course of the hearing, three letters were read from Cameron to Wheddon, in which the latter was advised, in order to make sure of burning the place, to take a bottle of oil.

Experiments were made last night with the fire escape invented by R. Morris. The result was satisfactory. A further trial will shortly be made.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

LAST NIGHT’S CABLEGRAMS.

( Renter’s Telegrams.)

London, Oct. 28.

In reference to the telegrams stating that arrangements had been made be tween the Orient and Pacific Line, whereby the two Companies were to run steamers fortnightly between London and Australia direct, commencing in January next, the Companies believe that the magnitude of the trade and the increasing attraction of the Colo nies warrant the enterprise. The new service will retain the name of the Orient Line, and will be conducted by F. Green and Co. and Anderson, Ancle.'son and Co., joint managers.

Oct 29. The Marchioness of Lome has arrived from Canada. St. Petersburg, Oct. 29. Thirty thousand Russian troops have been ordered to Central Asia.

Calcutta, Oct. 29.

General Roberts is storing five months’ supplies at Cabul, and making prepara tions for hutting the troops.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Renter’s Telegram. )

Sydney, Oct. 30. The cabmen’s sti’ike has ended. Sailed for New Zealand—Wakatipu and Austrian frigate Heligoland. Melbourne, Oct. 30. Arrived —Arawata, from New r Zealand. Albany, Oct. 30. The P. and O. Company’s steamer Assam arrived at King George’s Sound to-day.

{Special.) Melbourne, Oct. 30.

The “ Australasian’s” tips are Secundus and Riverton for the Cup. “Augur’s” tips are Wellington and Secundus, and he thinks His Grace will be the winner of the Derby.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

LAST NIGHT’S TELEGRAMS.

Auckland, Oct. 30. At the Diocesan Synod Mr G. P. Pierce said, respecting the accounts of the Native School Trust, he had heard Mr Burrows considered it was nobody’s business what he got from the Government in aid of the school. The President said he would wait on Mr Sheehan and the Native Minister to ascei’tain whether the Synod was held responsible for the money received from the Government on accouut of the schools. Mr Sheehan said he was greatly satisfied with Mr Burrows’ receipts, and did not hold the Synod in any way responsible. It was carried that a full statement of the receipts and expenditure be furnished to the Synod. New Plymouth, Oct. 30.

A woman named Mrs Connell com mitted suicide this morning by cutting her throat Avith a razor. When found by her daughter she was quite dead. She attempted to destroy herself three years ago, but since then lias behaved well. A

verdict was returned this afternoon of “temporary insanity.” Invercargill, Oct. 30.

The remanded Mataura arson case came on for hearing at the Police Court this morning. Fourteen witnesses were ex amined, including some of the principal residents of the district. The most important evidence was given by Con stable Fretwell, who swore to the foot prints about the house seen after the fire, being identical with the boots worn by the prisoner Wheddon, who, on being arrested by him and Detective Twohey, admitted having fired the building for monetary consideration at the request of Duncan Cameron. The latter was charged as an accessory. He, when arrested, also admitted his guilt, stating tha': he had received his instructions from Donald M‘Kay, a well-known contractor, who was also charged with aiding and pro curing Wheddon to do the deed. When arrested some days since, both Cameron and Wheddon admitted their guilt, but M‘Kay held out. The evidence to-day tended to show that the building, bought from Hugh Cameron for £2O, was removed on to a vacant section, and then insured for £l7O in the New Zealand office, the policy having a currency of only two months, and the premium paid being 8s 9d. The policy had only run one month when the fire took place. On the application of Mr Inspector Fox the three accused were again remanded for eight days to allow further investigation. A man named Joseph Weston was put into a stable at Elbow the other evening in a drunken condition, and set fire to some straw. He was brought up this morning at the Police Court, charged with arson, and remanded for eight days. A welcome rain fell last night. The progress of vegetation is astonishing.

ANOTHER FATAL FIRE IN DUNE DIN.

TWO CHIDOREN BURNED TO DEATH. Dunedin, Oct. 30. A fire broke out shortly before ten o’clock in a two-roomed cottage at the roar of a building near the corner of Great King street and Union street. The building was occupied by a dairyman named Michael O’Brien, his wife, and three children. At the time the fire oc curred, the husband, wife and infant were outside the house, and the two children in bed. It was believed that one of the

fowls inside the house knocked over a kerosene lamp, for it was from the break ing of a lamp that the fire originated. The small tenement was filled with flame directly, and though desperate efforts were made to save the children, both perished in the flames. Their bodies were recovered about half an hour after he fire broke out, as the flames were easily subdued. One of the children is a boy aged three, and the other a girl two years old. The scene was a terrible one. The father and mother were in uncon trollable agony, and the mother swooned, and was removed to a neighbor’s house in an insensible state.

A very sad incident connected with the affair is, that when O’Brien rushed to see the bodies of his children lie received a heavy blow in the face from a fireman, and an order was made by one of the Brigade to take him in charge. This of course occurred in mistake, but it was an exceedingly painful exhibition of officious ness.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

FRIDAY, Oct. 31st. (Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.) DISTURBANCE IN A LICENSED HOUSE. James Currie and Edwin Thomas were charged with creating a disturbance in the Royal Hotel on Wednesday last. Mr Branson appeared for Thomas, who denied the charge, but Currie pled guilty. Constable Maroney stated that he was sent for by Mr Power, the landlord of the Royal. He went there, and saw the accused fighting. Tried to separate them but could not, and with the aid of the landlord succeeded in ejecting them from the house. Was not present when the fight started ; and didn’t know who com menced it. Couldn’t say whether Thomas was acting in self defence or not. Thought he was. Saw blows struck, and fighting went on for five minutes while witness was present.

Mr Power, landlord of the Royal Hotel, —Saw them fighting, and asked them to stop several times. Consider that Thomas was the instigator of the disturbance. They 7 were fighting for some minutes after Maroney came. I gave them in charge. I saw the commencement, and there was some bonnetting going on between T’hrmas and Meredith Wilson. 1 took Wilson out of the way. Wilson used provoking lan guage to Thomas. Thomas commenced the row and hit Currie first. I was look ing on. I think Thomas had no provoca tion to hit Currie. Currie was drunk but had not tried to pick a quarrel with any other people. Mr Wilkie was present on the occasion of the fight. Wilson was a very annoy ing man when in drink. Currie on this occasion was stupidly drunk, and "was pushing against people, and making him self disagreeable. Saw 7 Thomas and Wilson talking together. Currie pushed himself against Thomas, but the latter was in no way annoying Currie. They went for each other, and Thomas got the best of it. Thomas told Currie to go away, seeing that Currie had got enough. Thomas made off after the Constable came, and witness went after him. Told Maroney, the constable, to take the other man, and he would take Thomas. Told Thomas that he would have to go to the lock-up, and there w r as no use for running away. To begin with, Currie was struck in self-defence.

George J. Martin, Clerk : I saw the disturbance. I heard Thomas call upon Currie to knock off. Don’t think it took more than a minute and a half to sepa rate them. Thomas did not make any violent resistance. Was there four or five minutes before Maroney came in. There was an interval, and the young fellow started again. The young fellow (Currie) was so drunk he could not hit a haystack.

James Wood : Saw the row. Heard Thomas tell Currie to clear out, and Currie still wished to continue the fight. Saw Thomas hit him with his open hand.

James Fletcher, farmer, said he saw the first of the row. Saw Currie inter fere. While Wilson and Thomas were “barneying” the young fellow got up and pulled his coat off, and struck Thomas, who then acted in self-defence, and twice called upon Currie to knock off. When Maroney came in it did not take above li minutes to stop them. Currie was about three parts drunk. When Thomas called upon Currie to knock off and would not I told them to w T ire in, and they did. When Maroney got hold of Thomas he held him from behind, and Thomas did not know who had hold of him, and as soon as Thomas knew it was Mai'oney he desisted. A passage of arms here took place be tween the It.M. and Mr Branson, after which

His Worship fined Thomas and Currie 20s each or 48 hours’ imprisonment, with costs

E. Thomas was then charged with re sisting Constable Maroney. Maroney stated that lie arrested Thomas, who knocked him down outside the Hotel, and then escaped from him. Wouldn’t say he was drunk. He was sober enough. Cross-examined by Branson : He did not strike me. He purposely tripped me. Did not tell Mr Wilkie that I was tripped and knocked down.

For the defence the accused was put in the witness box and stated that I did not deliberately trip him. Did not see the constable inside. Don’t know whether Maroney touched me or not. There was a rush through the door and I could not say whether I knocked Maroney down or not. I did not push him down deliberately. Fined 10s. CIVIL CASES. Weeks & Dixon v. J. E. Hyde Harris —claim, £l3 18s lOd. For plaintiffs—Mi- Neck ; for defendant —party. Summons incomplete. Plaintiff's non-suited. Costs disallowed.

Hawkins v. Harvey—claim, 12s Gd for a whip alleged to have been bought by defendant from plaintiff who held a shop in Tinwald of Spencer Stevens. Mr O’Reilly took exception to a date given in the particulars and spoke at some length on the matter. When he had finished, Mr Crisp, for the plaintiff, pro ceeded to reply to what he was pleased to call Mr O’Reilly’s “rigmarole.” Mr O’Reilly objected to his learned friend speaking of anything that had fallen from a solicitor of that Court as a “ rigmarole.” Mr Crisp withdrew the word rigmarole, and replied to Mr O’Reilly’s arguments The plaintiff was nonsuited with 10s costs.

Mark Twain's Cat Story.

A GOOD ONE NOT IN ANY OF HIS COL LECTIONS. I knew by the sympathetic glow r upon his bald head—l knew by the thoughtful look upon his face—l knew by the emo' tional flush upon the strawberry end of the old free-liver’s nose, that Simon Wheeler’s memory was busy with the time. And so I prepared to leave, for all these were symptoms of a reminieence— signs that he was going to be delivered of another of his tiresome personal ex periences—but I was too slow ; he got the start of me. As nearly as I can recollect, the infliction was couched in the following language : “We were all boys, then, and didn’t care for nothing, and didn’t have any trouble, and didn’t worry about nothing only to shirk school and keep up a re vivin’ state of devilment all the time. This yah Jim Wolf I was talkin’ about was the ’prentice, and he was the best hearted feller, he was, and the most forgivin’ and unselfish I ever see—well, there could not be a more bullier boy than he was, take him how you would, and sorry enough was I when I see him for the last time.

“ Me and Henry was always pestering him, and plastering horsebills on his back and putting bumble bees in his own bed, and so on, and sometimes we’d crowd in and bunk with him, notwithstanding his growling, and then we’d let on to get mad and fight across him, so as to keep him stirred up like. He was nineteen, he was, and long, and lank, and bashful, and we was fifteen and sixteen, and tolerably lazy and worthless.

“So, that night, you know, that my sister Mary gave a candy pullin’, they started us to bed early so as the company could have full swing, and we run in on Jim to have some fun.

“ Our winder looked out onto the roof of an ell, and about ten o’clock a couple of old tom cats got to runnin’ and chargin around it, and carryin’ on like sin. There was four inches* of snow on the roof, and it was frozen, so that there was a right smart crust of ice on it, and the moon was shinin’ bright and we could see them cats like daylight. First they would stand off and e-yow, yow, yow, just the same as they was cussin’ one another, you know, and bow up their backs and push up their tails and swell round and spit ; then all of a sudden the grey cat ’ud snatch a handful of hair from the yallow cat’s ham, and spin round him like the button on a barn door. But the yaller cat was game, and he’d come and clinch, and the way they’d make the fur fly was powerful. “Well, Jim, he got disgusted with the row, and ’lowed he’d climb out there and shake him off’n that roof. He hadn’t reely no intention of doin’ it, likely, but we ever lastin’ly dogged him, and bullyragged him, and ’lowed he’d always bragged how he would not take a dare, and so on, and lo andbholdyou, he went—went exactly as he was—nothin’ on but a shirt, and that wrs short. But you ought to see him. You ought to see him creeping over that ice, and diggin’ his toe nails and finger nails in to keep from slippin’, and ’bove all you ought to have seen that shirt-tail a-flappin’ in the wind, and them long, ridiculous shanks of his a glistenin’ in the moonlight. “ Them company folks were down there under the eaves, the whole squad of them under the ornery shed of old Washin’ton Bower vines—all sett’n round about two dozen sassers of hot candy, which they’d set in the snow to cool. And the was laughin’ and takin’ lively ; but bless you, they didn’t know nothin’ about the pano rama that was goin’ on over their heads. Well, Jim, he went a sneakin’ up unbe known to them cats—they was a swishin’ their tails and yow-yowin’ and threatenin’ to clinch, you know, and not payin’ any attention—he went a sneakin’ right up to the comb of the roof, till he was in a foot and a half of ’em, and then all of a sudden he made a grab for the yaller cat ! But by gosh, he missed fire and slipped his holt, and his heels flew up and he flopped on his back, and shot off’n that roof like a dark, went a slashin and a erushin’ down through them old rusty vines and landed right in the dead center of them company people— sot down like a yearthquake in them two dozen sassers of red-hot candy, and let of a howl that was hark f’m the tomb ! Them gals—well, they looked you know. They see he wasn’t dressed for company, and so they left. All done in a second, it was just one little war whoop, and a swish of their dresses, and blame the wench of ’em was in sight anywhere. “ Jim, he was a sight. He was gormed with that bilin’ hot molasses candy clean down to his heels, and had more busted sassers hangin’ to him than if he was an Injun princess—and he came a prancin’ up stairs just a whoopin’ and cussin’, and every jump he gave’he shed some china, and every squirm he fetched he dropped some candy ! “ And blistered ! Why bless your soul, that poor cretur’ couldn’t reely set down comfortable for as much as four weeks-”

Taxation of Beauty.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer when presenting or about to present, his Budget, is annually inundated with sug gestions and advice as to what article should have a tax imposed upon it ; each would-be legislator of course being equally confident that his is the only right and proper way for diminishing the National Debt, or possibly producing a balance on the credit side. The list of articles when read causes much laughter, and, if the Budget is not so satisfactory as it might be, the Chancellor of the Ex chequer benefits by this hilarity, inas much as by the time he is ready to pro ceed to the business part of his speech, the “House” is in a good humor. Amongst other gratuitous counsel there was one suggestion at the last “presenta tion ” that struck us as being decidedly good. That was the proposal to tax photographs. The enormous increase of late years in this branch of pictorial art fully j ustifies the supposition that a small imposition would be a great source of revenue; and as the main object and aim of a Government is to tax luxuries only, leaving intact the necessary commodities of every-day life, it would seem to answer this requirement completely. It cinnot- be said that photography, especially portraiture, is a necessity, therefore it must come under the head of a luxury. It is one of “ Mary Ann’s” chief delights to be “took” with her young man,” and the effigy, costing from sixpence to a shilling, will remain in her possession long after

the “young man” has transferred his powers of fascination to others; or it may be that Mary Ann herself is somewhat changeable, in which case her box will contain a perfect gallery of her own portrait, with the protecting arms of various “young men” encircling her waist. Again, surely it is not a necessity that photographs of reigning beauties, or so-ealled beauties, should fill our shop windows, side by side with actresses, leaders of the deiui monde, malefactors and murderers, all labelled and ticketted— “Mr A., 2s od Mrs 8., 2s ”; “ Maud C., 3s”; and “Putney Bill, in great de mand, 2s 3d”? No. The vanity of human nature, whether displayed as in the case of Mary Ann, or by the love of publicity, as in the other instances (save and except, perhaps, “Putney Bill,”), is fair game for taxation, and well worthy of consideration. At first sight it would seem somewhat difficult to collect the tax j'’ r " or to obtain even an approximate idea of how many photographs were taken in the year by the various “galleries,” “ studios,”!" and “ companies ” now extant. There are, however, many ways by which this difficulty might be overcome. Either by compelling each artist to take out > license, costing, say £ls per annum, or by having every card on which the photo graph is mounted stamped at so much; apiece, as is done abroad with bills and advertisements; or perhaps the best method of all would be—a fair impost.-on every lens or apparatus in the studio. It would, of course, increase the price ofy photography in a small degree, but that cannot be held up as a disadvantage, or one that the public would feel very strongly about. We doubt if it would diminish the production by as much, as one “carte.” For a short space cer tainly, the “young men” and “ fol lowers ” might grumble at having to pay a penny or so extra for Mary Ann’s picture, and the contractors for male factors and beauties might raise the cuckoo cry of “injury to trade.” But that would not cause a revolution or civil war. Even if their trade were .slightly damaged by reason of the increased price, the pandering to human vanity is 7 not an article of commerce that is essen tial to the the welfare of the country, but rather the reverse. Indeed, it will be a health} 7 sign when the public are tired of portraits of celebrities and themselves,, or their husbands, perceive how execrable is the taste which allows of the practice being carried on.

Cyclone and Waterspout at New Bruns wick-

An extra edition of the “Mohiteur Avadien” contains the followingparticulars of the great storm at Buctouche : —At about one o’clock on Wednesday afternoon the sky was covered with dark, thick clouds, and heavy thunderclaps were hearff in the distance. This presaged a tempest, but nobody expected the terrific one that plunged the people of North Bank in terror. Some thick clouds ploughed the sky, and two especially, enormously large and black, approached each other from opposite directions, and came into collision at Rich Cove, about two miles'above St Mary’s Churcli. The shock was terrible, forming a waterspout conical in shape and frightful in size. The cyclone, moving towards the east, traversed several small woods, uprooting and raising everything in the course of its passage for. the width, of two acres. Three farm-houses with barns and stock were scattered about the fields. After describing a circle towards the north, the waterspout fell upon a barn and completely demolished it. The zigzag course saved St. Mary’s and the Presby terian churches and their dependencies. Advancing towards the east in a zigzag fashion, in the twinkling of an eye it reached Buctouche Church, where it wrought its last destruction on the side of the frith, and then lost itself in the sea. On the river the waterspout lifted two arches from the top of the big bridge to the south of the channel, and launched them a hundred paces below. The covering of the mill on the south side was carried off, and the crown was injured. Return ing to the river the cyclone moved back to strike the convent, the church and presby tery, and it is here especially that the ruins are enormous and the destruction indis cribable. The convent was considerably damaged, the church steeple was raised on one side many feet, and the church itself was othermise much damaged, outside and in. The presbytery is a mere mass of ruins. The violence of the cyclone was tremendous. Houses were raised thirty feet and dashed to pieces. At St. Mary’s Church trunks of trees, poles, pieces of wood, &c., traversed the air with the rapidity of lightning. A large, heavy hay cart, that had been left near a barn at St. Mary’s was transported a quarter of a mile, and a carriage was smashed to atoms. Ricks of hay containing twenty tons nearly disappeared before the tornado. One of the gallery benches of the Buctouche Church was carried through a window into the prcsbjffery. The number of dead and wounded, large as it appears, is wonderfully small considering the circum stances. Among the dead are the wife of Etienne Duplestis, Avho was confined to her bed with sickness, and was found dead in it in her demolished house; Jean Squaw, wife of Thadeus, who had her head broken by stones from a chimney ; a two year old child of Alexis Roy, who died yesterday of wounds received. Among the wounded are Alexis Roy, dangerously bruised all over his body; Mrs M. Girouard, whose skull is frac tured, and who remained insensible until this morning ; Narcisse Chesse, wife, and two daughters, badly bruised; Anseime Allain, sick in bed and much bruised ; a little Girl of Phillip Cmnier, burned foot ; two little girls of Thomas Ward, legs crushed; an Indian widow ; fractured skull and other injuries, and expected to die ; two young Indian girls, broken arms; a young Indian, wounded in the leg ; a child of Virol Girouard, fatally wounded. The number of houses destroyed is more than eighty. The losses amount to fully §IOO,OOO. . ■>

Dissenters are much persecuted by the authorities in the Bernaul and Biesk dis tricts of Siberia, and 150 of them have decided to complain to the Russian Go vernment of the invasion of tlreir family life, the taking away of their children, and other arbitrary acts to' which they are subjected.

Friday, October 31, 1879.]

THE ASHBURTON HERALD



Balter, inferior to best $ lb s. I d. 2 to s. I d. 0 Kggs, h? dozen I 2 to 0 0 Cheese, prime quality, 1? lb 0 8 to 0 10 Bacon, prime smoked, # lb 0 9 to 0 10 Hams in cloth, lb 1 0 to 0 0 Flour in bags, 1? ioolb 14 6 to 0 0 Oatmeal, lr ? 25Tb 6 0 to 3 Vz Lard, t? lb - 0 9 to 0 0



the past half-year’s operations, which will, no doubt, be considered satisfactory. The Net Profit at 30th Sep- tcmber, after making am- pie appropriation for De- pendencies considered bad or doutbful, and the usual Reductions in Bank Pre- raises and Furniture Ac- counts, amounts to • •• .*£09,038 14 9 To which has to be added— Premium on 25,521 New Shares taken up, part of 27,500 issued under autho- rity of the Half-yearly Meeting of the Proprie- tors, held on 29th Ccto- ber, 1878 180,613 15 0 Balance from half-year ended 31st March, 1879 ... 9,753 n 8 Making a total available for ' division of ... ,£259,406 1 5 Which it is now recommended be appro- priated as follows : — To payment of Dividend, at the rate of 10 per cent. per annum ... ... ,£49,010 xo 0 To Bonus of 5s. per Share, equal to 5 per‘cent per annum ... ... ... 24,505 5 O To proposed addition to Reserve Fund ... ... 180,000 0 0 To Balance carried to Protit and Doss New Account 5*890 b 5 ,£259,406 1 * 5 The Dividend and Bonus wull be pay- able at Head Office, Auckland, on Fri- day, the 24th October, and at Branches on receipt of advice. For the Board of Directors, J. Logan Campbell, President.



Liabilities. £ s. d. Capital, £i,000,000; less £19,790 —par value of 1,979 new shares of £10 each, held in reserve ... 980,210 0 0 Reserve Fund 375,000 0 0 Notes in circulation 465,165 0 0 Bills payable in circulation Deposits and other lia- 1,486,577 0 5 bilities ... 6,658,287 n 8 Balance of and loss 259,406 1 5 Total ... ...£10,224,625 15 6 Cr. Assets. £ s. d. Coin and cash balances at banke' s Bullion on hand and in 2,054,648 19 4 transit ... 214.075 10 6 Government securities Bills receivable and securi- 200,000 0 0 ties in London... Bills discounted, and other 884,729 6 11 debts due to the Bank... Landed property, Bank 6,6 84,624 15 6 premises, &c. ... 186,547 3 3 Total £10,224,625 15 6 PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT. £ s. d. Dr. To dividend on 98,021 shares of £10 each, at rate of 10 per cent, per annum ... 49,010 10 0 To Bonus at rate of 5s per share, equal to 5 per cent, per annum 24,505 5 0 To proposed increase to Reserve Fund ... To balance cairied to profit 180,000 0 0 aud loss “ new account” 5,890 6 5 Total £259,406 1 5 Cr. £ s. d. By balance from half-year ended 31st March, 1879 By premium on 25,521 new 9,753 11 8 shares taken up, part of 27,500 issued tinder authority of the half- yearly general meeting of the proprietors held on the 29th Octobei, 1878 180,613 15 0 By net profit for half-year ended 30th September, 1879 69,038 14 9 Total... £259,406 . I 5 RESERVE FUND. Dr. £ S, d. To balance 555,ooo 0 0 Total £555,000 0 0 Cr. £ s. d. By balance from half-year ended 31st March, 1879 375,000 0 0 By proposed increase 180,000 0 0 Total £555,000 0 0 Audited. Benjn. Tones. 148—G18a Joseph : L. Wilson.



TT7ANTED, a BLACKSMITH; one W acquainted with Shoeing preferred. Apply to JAMES BEGG, Tinwald. 615 a A CARD. Mr. CATTLIN, SURGEON AND MECHANICAL DENTIST, Will attend Patients until Tuesday next, 4th Nov., at Quill’s Hotel, Ashburton. Gl7a Loyal ashburton lodge, M.U., 1.0.0. F. A Special Summoned MEETING will he held THIS EVENING, at the Lodge Room, Good Templars’ Hall, to consider the advisability of forming a Juvenile Branch in connection with the Lodge. Members are repuested to be in attend ance at 8 p.m. THOMAS WILLIAMS, 623 a Secretary. WANTED, a NURSEGIRL, about 17 years old, to take charge of Two Children. Apply TINWALD HOTEL, 620 a Tinwald. WESLEYAN HOME MISSION AND CHURCH EXTENSION FUND. THE Ashburton Circuit Auxiliary An nual PUBLIC MEETING of the above Fund will be held in the WESLEYAN CHURCH, ON MONDAY EVENING, NOV. 3rd Next, At Half-past Seven o’clock, When the Rev. Alexander Reid, Chair man of the District, and others, will give information respecting the objects and progress of the same. A Collection in aid of the Fund will be made at the service. 622 a V. K. In the District Court of Canterbury, Holden at Ashburton.



IN THE MATTER OF The Debtors and Creditors Act, 1876, The Debtors and Creditors Act 1876 Amendment Act, 187 8, and of tire bankruptcy of JOSEPH BENJAMIN ROGERS, of Winslow, Clerk out of Employ ment,' a debtor.



NOTICE is hereby given that on Saturday, the fifteenth day of November next, at eleven o’clock in the forenoon, or so soon thereafter as Counsel can be heard, application will be made to the abovenamed Honorable Court lor an order of immediate discharge to be granted to the abovenamed debtor- Dated this thirty-first day of October, 1879 'BRANSON AND PURNELL, (jXQa, Solicitors for tlxe Debtor.



rrUKiRT Y-SIXT H REPORT the directors of THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND, To the Half-yearly General Meeting of the Proprietors, held at the Banking-House, Auckland, on THURSDAY, 23RD OCTOBER, 1879. The Directors beg to submit the result of