The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the "Evening Echo"). FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1879.

The House of Representatives is just now in a pet of frugality—but it is only a pet of words, not of actions ; and where actions characterise this pet of economy they have not as yet affected members themselves. With a sledge hammer the Legislature is ready to come clown upon the 5 Government officials, and the pruning knife has been applied to the salaries of some of these. But it was a different story when some one put forth his hand to touch the honorarium. For afew hours the country gave the House credit for a virtue —the virtue of patriotism, as ex hibited by a resolution on the part of the House to reduce by 10 per cent the Parlia mentary “ wages. ” But the representa tive men of New Zealand slept over the 10 per cent, question, and the after thought dispelled the country’s illusion. The 10 per cent reduction is not. A sensible member of the House fancied the politicians of the colony would not suffer were a considerable amount of the Parliamentary verbosity shut out from “ Hansard,” and a curtailed sum mary made do duty for the country’s enlightenment, instead of the long and wearisome harangues through which we have to drag our anathematising way ere we can comprehend the wisdom legislative of New Zealand. It was amusing to read how this proposal jarred upon the vanity of some members of the House. Even the Premier himself was not prepared to surrender “Hansard,” in which his own quiet utterances are published at full length L'eside the brilliant drivel of Sir George, in'd the milk and water commonplaces of the’ rank and file. No, it would never do to condense “ Hansard.” If a legislator’s every utterance to the House is not to be transferred with the accuracy of a photo graph to the pages oi “ Hansard ’’—re touched, however, before publication, by the original author —then a seat is not worth striving for. So the blue-covered gasometer of the New Zealand Parliament still will measure out its yards of wordy vaporing. The Premier was sceptical of the existence in New Zealand of the requisite talent to put the harangues of the House into con densed form. Yet he must be aware that the greatmass of the people whose destinies he holds are made acquainted with his doings through a system of condensation with which they seem thoroughly satisfied —for very many of the people of New Zealand know “ Hansard ” only by name. The newspaper reports of the pro ceedings of Parliament are sufficient to satisfy their political longings, and they ask no more. Why, our readers will bear us out when we affirm that an outline sufficiently clear of a whole night’s sitting is now sent down the special wires nightly, and, notwithstanding the errors in telegraphic transcription, it is wonderfully correct. Yet the Premier denies the existence in New Zealand of compress ing” ability. We hope, in these days of retrenchment, to see “ Hansard reformed and the useless and purposeless spouting ©f many members of the House carefully excised from its pages. They ought to have fuil swing in the House, when they can procure an audience 5 but to ask the country to pay thousands of pounds for }laving their harangues printed and thus handed down to posterity, is an honor and .a cost scarcely in pro portion to the services rendered to the colony by the orators whose eloquence is thus so dearly bought.

Thistle Lodge of Freemason —The ceremony of installation of the officer# of this Lodge will take place to-night, in their Lodge room, after which the annual banquet will be held. Seafielp Wesleyan Anniversary.—A number offriends of the Seafield Wesleyan Church met in the district schoolroom last Wednesday evening, and made arrange ments for holding the anniversary of the Church next Christmas day. Though same things, such as the general commer cial depression, and the departure of several persons from the district, made the effort more strenuous, it was never theless heartily undertaken. It was thought that as many visitors might be reckoned upon as lent their aid last year, and that provision should Ibe made ac cordingly. The advertisement \vill give some particulars. We trust that jwany friends wilt go in for the seaside piojaitc <on Christmas Day, and take a look in. for tea before they return. Wool Sale. Messrs. Edmiston Bros, and Gundry advertise their next wool, Ac., sale for the lltli December, entries for which they will take up t© sf/-'on of that day.

TELEGRAPHIC.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAM S.

Auckland, Dec. 5.

Kean, who has been training John Smith’s Maid of Honor for the Auckland Cup has been offered, and has accepted the post of trainer for his Excellency. Wellington, Dec. 5.

A man named Alexander Ogilvie, who ■was .arrested at Waihi, Taranaki, for

forgery at Sydney, while manager of the Operative Building Society there, has been remanded back to Sydney. Blenheim, Dee. 4. Two men were killed yesterday by a fall of earth at Wakamarina mine, near Havelock. Their names are Jones and Thompson.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

LAST WIGHT’S CABLEGRAMS.

(Reuter's 7degrants. )

London, Dec. 2.

At the wool sales to-day, 7,700 bales were catalogued. The tone of the market is firm.

Dec. 3

The Queen is recovering from her indis position. There is no cause for anxiety. St. Petersburg, Dec. 3.

Leon Mirsld, the Nihilist, lias been re prieved, and sentenced to penal servitude. Madrid, Dec. 2.

The vineyards in Malaga have been attacked by the phylloxera. 29,000 hectares are diseased, and the pest is in creasing. Berlin, Dec. 3.

A very serious colliery explosion oc curred at Kemnitz, in Saxony. Fifty men were killed.

Quebec, Dec. 3.

The Dominion Government intend to appoint a Minister resident in London, to adequately represent Canada.

(Argus Special. ) London, Dec. 2.

Mr. Bourke’s recent speech at Lynn, announcing that the Government were negotiating with the Powers in the interest of the peace of the world caused much comment. His remarks are now under stood to refer to England and Germany arranging with France and Austria for acquiescing in a political scheme securing the control to Britain of Asiatic Turkey, an improved seaboard for Germany, and complete isolation of Russia. The con tinued collapse of Turkey lias hastened the “denouement.” The first probable step will be Austrian occupation of Stamboul. It is intended to retain the Ameer of Afghanistan under restraint in India.

AUSTRALIAN.

[Special. )

Melbourne, Dec. 4,

It is stated that Mr. Munro’s re-election has had a demoralising effect on the Go vernment supporters. His amendment on the Reform Bill, proposing the introduc tion of a provision, resembling that in the Council’s Bill, is likely to be be largely supported.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

LAST NIGHT’S TELEGRAMS.

Auckland, Dec. 4. The schooner Colonist loads for Chatham Islands with timber, stores, and gear, on behalf of a company who are to try and get the wool out of the Ocean Mail, whicli was wrecked there some time ago. 150 people are at work on the newly discovered gum fields, about five miles from Hamilton. The average wages made are 10s and 12s a day. The Bay of Islands Coal Company shipped in the month of November 4,500 tons of coal. John Connor was committed for trial for stealing a quantity of tobacco. There were four other charges against him, on which he was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, to run consecutively.

The Auckland United Laborers’ Aid Society have taken up the question of contractors excavating by levels, as en forced in England, owing to the death of Boyle, at Fort Britomart. At the inquest on the body, a verdict of “Accidental death” was returned, with a rider that Government should take steps to see excavations properly and safety con ducted.

Grahamstown, Dec. 4.

Alburnia prospects are equally as good as before. Scrip stood at the close -of the day, ex dividend, sales, 575. 6d. ; buyers 575. Gd. ; sellers, 60s. Wellington, Dec. 4.

At the Supreme Court to- day, a case of considerable public importance, as well as to insurance companies, was heard. A man named White, of Nelson, had in sured his house, which was burned down, in one policy, and one premium, but with different amounts proportioned to the several items. The policy contained a clause making it void should another policy bo affected. Plaintiff' sued to re cover damage he had sustained by the fire, but the company disputed the claim on the ground that the articles mentioned in the policy were insured in another office The Supreme Court of Nelson held that the plaintiff could not recover. He ap pealed against the decision, but the Court upheld the judgment. Hawera, Dec, 4.

The result of the post mortem examina tion and inquest is that Mr. Moore, the chemist, died of heart disease. John Douglas has been committed for trial for attempting to kill his wife. He is supposed to have been under the in fluence of drink, which had a fmaddening effect upon lum. He also made a desperate attempt to cut his wn throat, but the knife being blunt, the cute were slight Mrs. Douglai escaped before any injury w&s inflicted.

oaward,0 award, Dec. 4.

Severnl of the large land owners in th's district are about to cut up their estates into suitably sized farms, and to lease them for 14 and 21 years. Mr. M‘Masters has alieady commenced the practice on his Tokarahi property with great success, many industrious farmers prefers to lease farms rather than sink all their in freeholds. Dunedin, Dee. 4. Sir Willissj* Fox was last night elected President of the New Zealand Temperance Alliance.

Mr. J. A. Walcott was fleeted a repre sentative of the Chamber of Commerce on the Harbor Board, vice Mr. H. Tewsley, resigned. Great regret is expressed at , Mr, Tewsley’s resignation. Mr. TiL J. Walter, in conjunction with Messrs. Finch and James James, this morning jiqdged a petition with the Resident Magistrate, praying that Mr. H. S. Fish, jupr., be .ousted from the position of Mayor of Dunedin, to which he was elected on Nov. -25, on the ground that he was at the time interested hr & contract under the Corporation. i John Tyrrell, the actor who was I arrested Irately arrested for forgery in mistake for another man, ia reported to have brought an action for £IOOO damages against Detective Bain,

Invercargill, Dec.’ 4,

Donald Mackay has been committed for trial for counselling and procuring Duncan Cameron to set fire to an occupied building, his property, at Mataura. Bail was refused.

A most successful cattle sale was held at Wallaeetown yesterday, some 160 head being, disposed , of at very satisfactory prices. The Mataura Agricultural and Pastoral Show to-day was a groat success.

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Thursday, Dec. 4.

In the Council to-day, after usual work, the Canterbury Church Property Trust Bill, and the Mines Act, Amendment Bill, were read a third time and passed. The batch of small measures from the Lower House were read a first time.

The Electric Telegraph Act Amendment Bill, Onewheoro Grant Empowering Bill, Imbecile Passengers Act Extension Bill, and Land Act Amendment Bill, were read a second time. The remainder of the sit ting was occupied in Committee on several minor measures, a number of amendments being made on the Onehunga Waterworks Reserves Bill. The Council rose at 5.30 p. m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thursday, Dec. 4.

AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30 p.m. the election telegrams committee’s REPORT. Mr. Macandrew brought up the report of the Election Telegrams Committee. He stated that the Committee were of opinion that seven telegrams sealed up, and accompanying the report, had been improperly laid on the table. The report itself set forth that five messages were originally paid for by the senders and for warded through the Department to the destination of Ministers, and two were sent by a mistake of the Telegraph Office. These had been sealed up and left un touched. Seventy-six telegrams in all had been sent and received by Government on election subjects. Mr. Montgomery asked that the evidence and proceedings of the Committee be read. The report was not an unanimous one, as there were three votes on one side and four on the other.

In reply to a question, The Speaker said that the telegrams would remain in his hands until the House decided what course they would adopt in the matter. Sir G. Grey proposed—“ That the resolution passed in Committee, to the effect that the report be not adopted, by the Committee, be read to the House.”

Mr. Stewart seconded the motion. _ The House divided. Ayes, 32 ; Noes, 41.

The amendment ferr reading the minutes and proceedings was accordingly lost. Mr. Tole said that a distinct statement had been made that a draft report had been submitted to the Government before being submiflfced to the Committee. He moved —“ That a Committee be elected to enquire into the truth of the allega tion. ”

. Mr. J. B. Fisher seconded the motion, and expressed surprise that Government had not denied the truth of the allegation if it was untrue. The whole conduct of Government in this matter justified him in assuming that the Government were well aware that they were producing private telegrams and laying them on the table in the first instance.

Mr. Wakefield said that the report of the Committee was never shown to any one until it was submitted to the Commit tee. He drew it up himself, and it was shown to no one until it was submitted to the Committee for approval. Mr. Tole’s amendment was withdrawn with the consent of the House, and on the original motion being put, Mr. Macandrew said that, as a fact within his knowledge, the telegrams were never at any time out of the possession of members of the Committee.

Mr. Hamlin thought that it was right the House should have the names of the members who had made copies of the telegrams as alleged by a previous speaker.

* Mr. Sutton said that these telegrams having been placed on the table of the House they became public property, and a. member was justified in copying them, if he thought proper. • . . ; The Hon. J. Hall suggested that the motion for printing the report and evi dence be allowed to pass, and an effort would be made to get them completed by Monday. Mr. Finn proposed as an amendmet that the Speaker be requested to examine the sealed packet, with a view of informing the House as to the names of the senders of those telegrams. The Hon. R. Oliver denied that the secrecy of the Department had been violated, and hoped that the amendment would not be agreed to. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. PROPERTY assessment rill.

The Hon. Major Atkikson moved the second reading of the Property Assess ment Bill. They had already gone as far as they could in the way of indirect tax ation, and direct taxation, was now rendered necessaiy. A difference of opinion existed as to the propriety of tax ing incomes or capital, and Government had come to the conclusion that it would be boiler to tax property than incomes arising fro*?; property. An income tax was a tax up op. a man’s energies and abilities, and on that Recount it was ob jectionable. The income tax was a great deal more inquisitorial than a property tax. In a colony like this the majority of settlers dyed incomes, and there was no difficulty jp -rendering an account of what oa-c’h possessed- Iff the farmer had to give a r.eturp pot OJ,dy of ; crops, hut likewise of any rpal property i acquired during the year. Then, again, he was not allowed to deduct anything for labor he employed in improving his pro perty. If he did not please the assessor, thep Ijfi) had to exhibit all his books and discjtesp pjil Iffis transactions to prove his income was wliat Ac Returned it as. Under the tax they proposed, no inquisitorial pro ceedings were required, and ail he was

required to do was to giye.an account of liis visible property. it; lay with him as far as he might deem advisable to show any transactions that did not appear. on the face of his possessions. ' The objec tion that by taxing property and not in comes, a certain class escaped was to some extent true. The Property Tax was levied for the purpose of adjusting taxation. An indirect tax bears on all clases of the com munity, and they could hot possibly tell upon whom. That the Bill would not tax unearned increment was a fallacy. If speculation in land was going on to the detriment of the settlement, then by all means let them resort to special legisla tion ; but it was -wrong to impose .i land tax simply to get hold of a larger class of land owners. They could not deter specu lators by that tax, and, on the other hand, it was a gross injustice to a particu lar class ut the community. The Bill be fore the House was prepared rather hastily, so that while it contains the prin ciple of taxation proposed, there were de tails which he would amend in Com mittee. With regard to personal property it was proposed that man should be his own valuator, and as the owner sent in a' refcu.m to the deputy, commissioner, de ducting as he thought fit any debt he might owe, it was open to the Commis sioner to object or not. It was then for the owner to substantiate the return he had made before the officers had called re viewers. In that case there would be no prying into the man’s affairs, and it would be the object of Government to secure men of high standard. It might be so far altered as to make the tax receiveable from the mortgagor instead of the mort gagee. He made that proposal with a view of preventing property being twice taxed. The question of how much was to be levied on property was lmt touched upon by the Bill, as it was purely a machinery Bill, and it was to be hoped that in discussing it they would not mix up the general question of taxation. They had to make up £1,500,000 per year to meet the demands of the public creditor, and without some such tax as this, they would always be in the position of being compelled to adopt some temporary ex pedient for making good liabilities. The proposal was simply to provide the ma chinery, and then as occasion required fix the amount. Tins year they proposed to make it one penny in the pound, and in arriving at that determination he was led by the feeling that they had to face very uncertain times, and it was unnecessary they should not overrate their revenue. Then again their expenditure was more than it should be, and though they would use every effort towards economy, still lie could not at present take that into account. He had therefore estimated the expenditure as that of last year, and in that case he had shown that a deficit of £BOO,OOO or £900,000 would exist. They proposed to meet the House in May, and if they found the revenue was rising on the expendi ture then the amount of one penny in the pound could be reduced to what was deemed necessary. Before next March they would have to borrow some £BOO,OOO, and it was just possible that their loans would not be negotiated by that time. With this tax they would be in a position to go into the money market with a much better grace, having ordinary expenditure amply covered by taxation. If looked at impartially he thought members would agree that an Income Tax would be inex pedient at present.

Mr. Ballance contended that the re marks which had been made about the proposed tax of one penny in the pound were chiefly made. for the purpose of raising the credit of the colony in London. The Treasurer told them that the Income Tax was more inquisitorial than the Pro perty Tax, but he had given no proof in support of the statement. Under the Income Tax it was only in cases of doubt that it was rendered inquisitorial, and he now asked would it not be the same in regard to the Property Tax. There were a great number of concerns in the colony in which large amounts were invested, Mining Companies for example, which paid no income at all. Now this Bill would fall as heavily on these as it would on concerns paying large incomes. They had evidence that the land tax, which was condemned by the Treasurer, was being reverted to by other colonies. If they eliminated all the ob jections from the land tax incidental to its immigrants, then he would say they had adopted a tax acceptable to the whole country. There was a great danger of chopping about from one tax to another, and that was precisely what the Treasurer proposed to do. If a scramble was to be permitted in Committee, as the Treasurer had partly prepared them for, then it would merge from Committee in a shape altogether different from what it now pro fessed to be. The credit of the colony depended not as the Treasurer would lead them to suppose on one tax, but upon the whole system of taxation. One of the most prosperous classes in the colony was the professional man, and he was to escape altogether. The question that arose was was all this crushing taxation necessary ? They had been told that it was to be a shifting tax, small in prosperous times and heavier in others. He would contend that taxation was not called for ; the sum of £200,000 had been miscalculated in the Estimates. 4- large amount of repre sented deficiency was due to the manner in which the Treasurer had brought down his statement, and he saw no reason to reduce the revenue £250,000 as the Trea surer had done. The late Government had been blamed for not calling the House together earlier than they did ; he, how ever contended thus there was no financial reason for doing so. One charge made against the late Government was that it Ijyed on the land fund. It was the Trea surer who had first established the prin ciple of bringing the land fund into the public account in 1875, and he (Mr. Bal lance) went on to show that the late Go vernment had lived on that fund far less than the Government of which the Trea surer had previously been a member, and even yet Major Atkinson had not ceased to live on that fund. He contended that the liabilities had been overstated, and that 1 u-ge items had been put down' which would not come d own for payment this financial year. Tjhe had attacked his Estimates of last year ; the fact was that they ha,4 .estimated £IOO,POQ from the l.apd fax, and they would reach that amount within £io,,qO.Q. In % e Financial Statement for the present year, a mis statement of £50,000 for taxation alone had been made, the expenditure was over estimated by £70,000, and other items were quoted and criticised to show that the computation was altogether wrong.

Mr. Shrimski spoke in opposition \tb* the Bill. ;||| Mr. Macnndrew said that all the minority could do was to record their pro- ■ test against the measure. -The jfeelmgt produced was that after spending sb/maffiy; years of his life in New Zealand he. Would; have to leave the country. ’’ Before; posing a tax of this kind, other j "means. should have been exhausted.,' The] timates ought to have been cut down, for the expenditure was altogether out of proportion to their revenue. Mr. Hutchison did not think that any amendment likely to be made would make the Bill tolerable. Its principal effect would be to create another army "of officials, who, once created, the colony would have great difficulty in getting quit of. The system of taxation proposed was vicious in pi’inciple, and inquisitorial in effect. It made no distinction between the man of small and the man of large property. " - . • Mr. Turnbull characterised the. state ment that it was necessary for the credit of the colony that increased taxation should be imposed, as a most extra ordinary one. The reduction ; inr the Estimates when passing through' /the House should enable them to dispense with the proposed taxation.No good reason had been shown why a measure of this kind should be passed. On the con trary, it had been proved that the pro posal was quite uncalled for. Mr. Dick had an idea that the difficul ties of the colony had been overstated, and he was glad to find that the Treasurer now took a more hopeful view of matters. He believed the measure was an improve ment on the Land Bill ; at the same time he thought it defective. The proposal to tax shareholders was unfair Persons deriving large incomes from these very companies escaped. Education should not be absolutely free. Fees could be easily levied to the extent of £IOO,OOO, and at least one-half of the property tax might therefore be dispensed with. Trade was better outside, and no doubt would soon be improved here. An increased revenue from railways might also be anticipated. The property tax would discourage in brought capital. At present they should tread on the resources of the people as lightly as they could, and rather aim at reducing their expenditure. i :

(By Telegraph to-day.)

The House divided on the second read ing of the Bill at 2.45 a.m, Ayes, 24: Atkinson, Bain, Bowen, Dick, Gibbs, Hall, Hirst, Hursthouse, Kelly, Kenny, M‘Lean, Murray (teller), Pitt, Richardson, Rolieston, Saunders, Seymour, Shanks, Stevens, Studholme, (teller), Sutton, Swanson, Trimble, Wright. Noes, 14 : Andrews, Barron Delatour, Fisher, J. T. (Heathcote), George (teller), Gisborne, Harris, Hislop (teller), Moss, Seddon, Shephard, Speight, Stewart, Tele.

The Worsted Stocking.

“Father will have done the great chim ney to-night, won’t he, mother ?” said little Tom Howard, as he stood waiting for his father’s breakfast, which he car ried to him at his work every morning. “He said he hoped all the scaffolding would be down to-night,” answered the mother, “ and that will be a fine sight; for I never like the ending of those great chimneys, it’s so risky. Thy father’s to be the last up. ” “Eh ! then, but I’ll go and see him, and help ’em to give a shout afore he conies down,” said Tom. “And then,” continued his mother, “ if all goes right, we are to have a frolic to-morrow, and go into the country, and take our dinners, and spend all the day among the woods.” “ Hurrah,” cried Tom, as he ran off to his father’s place of work, with a can of milk in one hand and some bread in the other. His mother stood at the door as he went merrily .whistling down the street ; and then she thought of. the dear father he was going to; and the dangerous work he was engaged in ; and then her heart sought its true refuge, and she prayed to God to protect and bless her treasures.

Tom, with a light heart pursued his way to his father, and, leaving him his breakfast, went to liis own work, which was at some distance. In the evening, on his way home, he went round to see bow his father was getting on. James Howard, his father, and a number of other workmen had been building one of those lofty chimneys, which, in our manufacturing towns, almost supply the place of other architectural beauty. This chimney was one of the highest and most tapering that had ever been erected ; and as Tom, shading his eyes from the slant ing rays of the setting sun, looked up to the top in search of his father, his heart almost sank within him at the apalling height. The scaffolding was almost all down, the men at the bottom were re moving the last beams and poles. Tom’s father stood alone on the top. He looked all round to see that everything was right, and then, waving his hat in the air, the men below answered him with a long loud cheer, little Tom shouting as heartily as any of them. As their voices died away, however, they heard a very dif ferent sound—a cry of alarm and horror from above ; “ The rope ! the rope !”

The lgeu looked round, and cqjlej up op the groupd lay the rope which, before the scatfolding was removed, should have been passed over the top of the chimney for Tom’s father to come down by. The scaffolding had been taken down without their remembering to take the rope up. There was a dead silence. They all knew it was impossible to throw the rope up high enough or skilfully enough to reach the top of the chimney ; or, if they could, it would hardly have been safe. Tlpey stood in silent dismay, unable to give any o}.’ tjiink of any means of safety, . And Tom’s father !■' He walked round and round the little circle, the dizzy height seeming every moment to grow more fearful, and the solid earth further and further from him. In the sudden panic lie lost his presence of mind, and his senses almost failed him. He shut his eyes : he felt as if the next moment lie niijst be dashed to pieces on the ground belqw.

•The day bad passed as industpiousjy and swjftiy as u*qal with Tom's mother at home. She was always busily em ployed fur her husband and children in some way or other, and to-day she had been harder at work than usual, getting ready for the holiday to-morrow. She

jfig|'vfinisheS v .all her preparations, and ffier ihouglktisl were silently thanking God forffier hajspy home, and for all the blessings/of life/%hen Tom ran in. His face was/asfwhite as ashes, and he could hardly j;jget his _ words out : “Mother ! ni6the^jj,he’ , ctdha get down !” ** ’VYh^ladf"Thy father ?” asked his mother,& “ They/ye\ forgotten to leave him the rope/kanswered Tom still scarcely able to speak.

His mother started up, horror-struck, and stood for a .moment as if paralysed ; then, pressing her hands over her face, as if to shut out the terrible, .picture, and breathiiig rushed out of the house.. y ~; “ When she reached the her husband was , afe-work', a, crowd , had ..col lected round the fooPof the stood there-quite'helpless; faces full or horror; “T

“ He says he’ll Throw, himself down/’ exclaimed they, as Mrs/ Howardcama up. “ He’s going to throw:himself down !,”,- * “ Thee munna .do that, lad,” cried the wife, with a clear, hopeful voice/.../-“.Theb munna do that. Wait abit.' "Tak’off thy stocking, lad, and unravel it, and letdown the thread with a piece of mortar! Dost hear me. Jem . . - :.r\.. r? ’ The man made a sign of assent; jfor ‘it seemed as if he could not. .speak ; and, taking off liis stocking, unravelled, the worsted threadu-ow after l’bvvv! The; people stood round in breathless silence and;sus pense'- wondering what 'Tom-’sH mother could, be thinking, of, and why. she sent in such haste for the of twine. Xv- . ,

‘ ‘ Let down one end of the thread with a bit of stone, and keep fast ~hold of the other,” cried she* to her o ,husband. ;The little thread came waving . down the-:-tali. chimney, blown hither and thither /by , the wind; but at laslUft• '.reached'*'s6)dut?-. stretched hands. that were waiting /for it. Tom held the ball Of string while his ’ mother tied one end of it .to*the ..worsted thread. : “ Now, pull ■ it' lip slowly,” she cried to her husband. And she, gradually unwound the string as. the worsted drew it up gently. . It; stopped—the,: stnng “ had reached' her : husband.'.’ “ Now/ hold’ the string fast, and - pull it up, ’’ ' cried she. And the sti-ing grew .heavy and'hard to pull, for Toni and his firotlier had fasten&i• ? the thick rope to it! • They watched- it, gradually and slowly' uncoiling from the ground,;as the string, was drawn higher: There was" but one coil left. It* had

reached the top. “Thank God! Thank God ! ” exclaimed the wife. She hid her face in her hands, in silent prayer, and tremblingly rejoiced. - The rope was up. The iron to which it should be fastened was there all;right; but-would her husband he able to make use of them ?Would not. the terror of the last hour have so'unrierved him as to prevents him from, taking the necessary measures fdr his safety ? She • did not know the magic influence ‘ which her few words had exercised over him ; she did not know the strength the sound of her voice,, so calm steadfast,. had filled him with, as if the little thread/that carried him the hope of life once more, had conveyed to him some portion of that faith which nothing ever destroyed or shook in her true heart; she did not know that, as he waited there, the words came over him, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul, and why ,art though dis quieted within me 1 ? Hope though in God.”

There was a great shout. “ He’s safe, mother ; lie’s safe !” cried little Tom. “ Thou’st saved me, Mary !” said her husband, folding her in his arms. “ But what ails thee ? Thou seem’st more sorry than glad about it !” But Mary could not speak ; and, if the strong arm of her husband had nofc held her up, she would have fallen down. ' The sudden joy, after such great fear, had overcome her. ,

“ Tom,” said his father,/‘let tliy mother lean on thy shoulder, and we will take her home. ”

And in their happy home tl ey poured forth their thanks to- God for His. gr eat goodness ; and tlieir happy life .-together felt dearer and holier for the peril it had been in, and for the nearness that the danger had brought them unto God. And the holiday, the next day—was it not a thanksgiving day ?

THE INTERIOR OF THE EARTH.

No. IY. By Rev. B. J. Westbrooke. The most conclusive evidence of the rigid state of the earth’s interior is that of the earth’s movements, known as pre cession and nutation —the former a kind of rolling motion, the latter an oscillatory swinging. These movements are caused by the force of gravitation. The laws of this mighty and wide spread force are now pretty well understood—thanks to the acumen and patience of such men as Kepler, Newton, and Cavendish. Three of these recognised principles it will be to my purpose to give. They are : Firstly—The laws of gravitation are universal. Secondly—These laws are com mon to all kinds of matter. And thirdly —every particle of matter attracts every other particle with a force proportional directly to the product of the numbers re presenting their masses, and inversely to the square of the distance separating one from t|;e otljer. Jt nuisf qqfc h§ '.'supposed that these are’the only laws, or, indeed, the most important laws of gravitation.. They are simply given here as; apropos to what follows... g'"'l

The more the laws, ojf- gravity .'are * studied, in their relation to. physiography } the more clearly Jo we gee the trutWme statement, that “In the whole realm of Physics there is no such thing as rest.” The ether of space is continually quivering with countless uhdulatory rays of light; the molecules of matter ceaselessly whirl ing and dancing with the vibrations of heat ; planets ever rolling ip the of SHhJugd light-i p 4 &4PB ssasp nht to swing jn qrbitg, tp tpg human roinj, quite infinite ; while comets come- leaping up, with increasing swiftness, froih the pro found depth of space, salute their suns, and then plunge back with decreasing velocity to the unexplored regions whence they came. And yet the laws ’of gravity demonstrate that from the smallest meteor that for a moment lights our gky, {.q the most distant star, all so pulling ancj sw.yyjng Other tliat the student of. astronomy is almost overwhelmed with the mighty signs of perpetual uhrest; and liis feelings find the relief of Sympathy as he rehearses the following noble transla tion of Jean Paul’s words, by De Quincy ; “God called up from dreams a man inta

Friday, December, 5, 1879.]

THE ASHBURTON HERALD.



New Advertisements. TENDERS for CUfETINCj a*p ! TYING. WANTED, Tenders' for 'Gutting ; andi Tying 120 iacres .of Grass ori the Dasjh.ni or Estate. Tenderswill be received; np till noon on TUESDAY next. -''The r Invest or any tender not necessarily ac cepted. 1' or partirmlavr. apply to DONALD McLEAN, 774 Laglnnor. TO WELL-SINKERS. ' TENDERS. are . Invi led for Sinldng a JiYSLL ’ ni .East' Street, opposite Saunti en?’ for the Ashburton “Eire Belgrade; “Labor only. . Specifications mav be soon ;itf Office of this Paper. Tenders To be sent in by WEDNESDAY next, at 5 p.m., addressed to the Fire WlLiaE ' CO:. ] “BUILDERS.



mENDERS' ace invited for the EREC JL TION 6i : a. HOTEL at Timvald, for Mr. Robert Hill- , ’ ,f * Plans and specifications may be seen at Quill’s Hotel on md after the Ist. of De cember,. f and at Mr. J. L. Fleming s Christchurch, on 2 vhd after December Toth. Tenders will t ilose at Ashburton oil January 31st, 1830. 237—741 a R, NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS. TENDERS FOR BO OK STALLS. (SEPARATE Written Tenders will be - received at this office, a db'essedto the undersigned, up to noo n of. p EDNJto- DAY, 10th December, for the 1 ot BOOKSTALLS at the Lyttelto n, Christ church, Ashburton, andßangior. 1 Railway Stations for One Year. - 1 Tenders to be accompanied by .a rnarxea for; - : Specifications and conditions can. Deseen at this office, and at the Lyttelton, • Christ church, Ashburton, and Rangiora Rt lll way Stations. , , The highest or any tender will not necessarily be‘accepted.; /r; FREDK. BACK. ’ _/’ r ' " General Manager:. '' k * ‘ General ; Manager’s Office, ■ Christchurch, Dec. 2, 1879. <7'oa |iit item Y 7.“ ’THISTLE LODGE, No. 627, SiC. w * IC:.. AASHBUBTON. ANNUAL INSTA3LLAT lON OF OFFICERS AND BANQUET, ON , FRIDAY EVENING,’ DEC. sth, 1879. Installation in Lodge Room at 7 p.m. Y,«,Banquet.in Bro. Quill’s at 9 p.m. JAM ES MUTCH, .240—751 a Hon. Sec. Town hall. MONDAY, D 1 SC. Bth. .Will l be presented' the Two-Act ...1 OPERA THE DOCTOR OF . ALCANTARA. FULL COMPANY 1 YND CHORUS. TWENTY-FOUR Ii NT NUMBER. . . . ;; 234—758 a WESLEYAN &\ lURCH. SERVICES ,in coisiiH ction with the Second Anniveraas y of the above Church, will be condudis d by the Rev. W: BAUMBER,, of Christchurch, On SUNDAY., 1 DEC. 14. Collections in aid of t,lie Building Fund OA; TUESDAY fol Jom ing, a TEA will be held in the Ch’ orcli, after which a , ; Poblic Meeting will t ake place, addressed Yfiy-j,Ministers; and oi ;her friends. Music /by;the..ChbiK rj .. r755a f A'-' Cy ' ***>• : ' A T T r. I H , ■■“IVX SURGEON ; DENTIST, Is now-at Quill’s .H otel, and w.ill attend patients until furthf ir notice. , 671 a R. V. t '7 In the District Co urt of Christchurc.h,



'Holden a' r As: hburton. IN THE MAT TER and Creditors Act ‘ ; and Creditors. Act Act,-1878, asudi d PATRICK SHE . slow, Laborei,, at OF The Debtors , 1876, The Debtors , 1876, Amendment ■ the bankruptcy of LLIVAN, of Win- Debtor. Notice -is iik:r<i the Creditors-, reff debtor having failed. tO' elbt tee, JI have this day a Pav : tt, a Cextiificatid! Ate ruptcy, to be Creditossf Ti and the said Fredericifc Fan Arne;in:;writii)g his accepts ,;Ship.;£| , n ft ffor.ivf-r f! ijj i -Dated at Ashburton) thih . her,': 1879/ ; ; \. . : cv'CAVExiiisa -j7:7 7h:; ; ' - C’ ;BY GIVEN that the above-named ;t a Creditors’ Trus ppointed Frederick countant in Bank ustee of the estate, ;itt has signified to ice of said trustee 4th day of Decem- I HURRELL, ierk oftlie Court. V. •ta- R. IK the. District C< • OLDEN a* THE MAI: •> arid Creditc and Credit! Act, 1878, DURi • of Christchurch r Asi ajjurton. d J - DUNCAN Tailor, a ck 4 ,; !-U . 1011 •> H:tt\ IVCOTICE IS lIE IN, | Creditorsj ■, •of, , having foiled 'to V tee,; f have appo : Certificat-ect Account Creditors’ o Frederick i'his. • a&cept sr£ JDgted at Aslnmr! / her," P 879. • 1 C. CAVEAT 7 78a fTEI v. OF The Debtors rs Ac t, 1876, The Debtors >rs A ct 1876 Amendment and o f the bankruptcy of DEIT CH, of Ashburton, :btor. REBV GIVEN that the the abot - e-named Debtor lect a ; Creditors’ Trus inled Fra lerick Pavitt, a sun in Bat ikruptcy, to be f the estat % and the said signified to me in writing lid trusteeship, mi .this 4 tli *I ay Decern - iISH HUXREIj; Clerk of the tlourt. T ANTED.— r Wants in Phte TfenaDD tells- your g© words, for 1/-.



New Advertisements. fJF • OST, on Saturday, a Scythe Sharpen _LJ ling', STONE;. The owner would, be glad if the Finder would leave same at the Herald Office. V.; I. - • 765 a E OST this morning, on Beaeli road, a v smaII’STOCKWHIP. Finder will be Rewarded on returning same to Herald Office. ,779 a WANTED KNOWN, the season for transplanting is at hand, and we can supply, many thousands Cabbage, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Savoy, Brussel Sprouts, Celery, and other Plants, for winter supply. 745 a SEALY BROS. SHEARERS WANTED. SHEARING will commence at Winch more on the 10th DECEMBER. Ap pply to 280 a M. STITT.