POST OFFICE NOTICES.

Mails- at the .Ashburton Post Office close 13 follows : For- Christchurch and North at xo a.m. \ 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, Coldstiecim, 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 Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on luesdays and Fridays at 10.30 a.m. For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, a 4.15 p.m. daily. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

CHRISTCHURCH NOTICES.

NOTICE. A travelling Post Office having been estab lished on the Southern line of railway, letters bearing a late fee of 2d. may be posted at any station in the mail carriage attached to the express train, and they will be included in the mails made up in transit for offices on the main line and branches. Sydney J. Dick, Chief Postmaster.

COMMERCIAL.

MR. ALFRED HARRISON’S OPENING AUCTION SALE. To-day Mr. Alfred Harrison held his first auction sale of general merchandise. The new auction mart just completed, and occupyfng an excellent central position in the south edge of Baring Square, was opened at 12 0 clock, when as it is the usual custom on such occasions, a free lunch was provided. There was a very large attendance of the leading men of the town, and his Worship the Mayor after lunch introduced Mr. Harrrson, in a complimentrry speech. Mr. Harrison then commenced his sale of general produce, &c, and met with very splendid bidding. Wellington, Friday, Mr O’Shea reports Adelaide flour, prompt delivery, ,£ls to ios; Oamaru and Can terbury, £9 to £lO ; sharps, 6s ; bran, lid to is; oats, 4s; potatoes, £j ios to;£8; maize, 4s 6d to 4s 8d ; hams and bacon, best cured, 8d to Canterbury nominal, 5d to 6d; salt butter, no sale, nominal, 7d to Bd.

ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST.

The Evening Echo. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1879.

The relations between the Bench, Bar, and Police of Ashburton do not seem to be such as ought to characterise those existing between men entrusted with the administration, guidance, and enforce ment of law and justice. For some time past the public have been treated to little scenes between the bar and the police— scenes that showed the feeling. subsisting —but yesterday those little scenes burst out into displays of temper and elegance of language. The bar “would not be bullied like constables or drunkards the police would not be “bounced while the meek and long-suffering Bench sud denly became courageous, and, with an effort that must have wrung its heart, complained that it had not always been treated as a gentleman by the Ashburton bar.

So long as the interests, of justice do not suffer and the dignity of the law is upheld, the public do not require to care how the bench, bar, and police feel towards one another, but when those feelings hinder the business of the Court, and their exhibition tends to bring it into disrepute, the time has come for reform. We do not wish to pronounce any opinion —we do not say the Bench lacks courage or firmness, the bar courtesy, or the police a proper sense of its position, but we do affirm that the present state of affairs, whatever the cause, has ademoral

ising effect upon the Court, and a malign influence upon the rougher element of the community. The Resident Magistrate s Court ought to be a terror to evil-doers and the praise of well-doers, but when, instead of being a well conducted organisation, it. becomes a very bear garden and tne theatre of gladiatorial exhibitions of Bar v. Police, unchecked hy a magistrate who fails to put his heel down firmly upon both combatants, and thus bares a spot for planting a charge by either side of undue favor, the time has come for a higher power to come into the protection of the public. We will not hark back on the past—let by-gones be by-gones —but we fear for the 'future ; and if the future of the Ash burton Court is to be creditable to the legal institutions of the Colony, the sooner some agency is "set to work to make it so the better. At present it is the butt of every witling’s joke, and does not in any sense enjoy that public respect and defer ence without which no Court of law is efficient, and the natural result of such a state of affairs is- that its usefulness is crippled. '

Templar Hall Company.— The annual meeting of shareholders in the Templar Hall Company will be held in the Hall on Wednesday evening next. Legal Partnership.— Messrs G. D. Branson and C. W. Purnell,: barristers and. solicitors, Ashburton, have entered into partnership, and henceforth they will transact business under the style of Bran son and Purnell.

Dissolution op Partnership. —The firm of Messrs Firth, Pass, and Co., store keepers, &c. , has been dissolved by mutual consent, Mr J, B. Firth retiring. The business will in future be carried on by the remaining partners under the style of J. H. Pass and Co. Road Steamer.— Mr. John Grigg, of Longbeach, one of the most advanced agriculturists in the County, has, in view of the large amount of horse haulage re quired to bring the grain from his vast estate to the railway, procured one of Fowler’s road steamers, which he means to run between Longbeach Station and the Winslow. Railway Station. Yesterday the work of fitting was so far completed as to put the steamer in a fit state to make a private trial. Steam was accordingly got up, and the engine made a very satisfac tory essay at a journey along the road. It is a hovel sight indeed for the people of this Colony to see a locomotive engine drawing a train of waggons along a com mon country road, but such a sight will now be a frequent spectacle in the Long beach district. The engine is one which can be used eitherforthepurposeitwas put to yesterday, as a stationary motive power for a threshing-machine, as one of a set in a steam cultivator, or for any other pur pose to which a stationary or traction engine can be employed.

The Ashburton Rifles. —ln answer to a proposal to start a Cadet Corps at Christ College, the Defence Minister states that there are no arms in the Colony available, and until the arrival of a supply from England the offer must be declined. It is probable a similar offer from Ashbur ton would receive the same answer.

The Bassingthwaite Case.—Yester day, at the Christchurch R-M- Court, after considerable discussion by counsel, Bassingthwaite, now in Lyttelton Gaol waiting trial for fraudulent bankruptcy, was admitted to bail in two sureties of £SOO each. Inspector Hickson said he had heard that Mrs Bassingthwaite was interesting herself in collecting means to recoup the sureties in the event of her husband leaving the colony. Strangers coming to reside in ■ Ashburton ire often at a loss to know which is the best Establishment to visit for the purchase of Drapery, Clothing, and House-furnishing Iron mongery, and General Stores. ORR & Co. offer special advantages to the public that can be met with nowhere else in Ashburton. They keep at all times the largest and best-assorted Stock of every class of Goods, imported direct from the leading manufacturers at home, which beinp - bought entirely upon cash terms, they are enabled to ofler goods of such sterling value as cannot be equalled by any other house in the trade. Every article in stock is marked at the lowest price, from which no abatement is made so that the most inexperienced buy their goods at the same piices as the best judges.—Advt'

YESTERDAY’S COURT.

The following cases were disposed of yesterday afternoon —too late for their appearance in last night’s issue. CIVIL CASES. A. Fraser v. Friedlander. —Claim £l9. Mr Crisp for plaintiff, and Mr Branson for defendant. This was a case which arose from Mr Friedlander detaining some rollers and blocks, the property of plaintiff. The. property was on a section of Mr Friedlander’s, and it appeared by the evidence of plaintiff and Mr. J. Bradford, carrier, that when they went for' the timber Mr Friedlander refused to let the blocks go. Some of the blocks were under a house of Mr Friedlander’s. Mr Friedlander allowed some oijbhq.timber' to go, but stopped some, as it was his own property. Plaintiff had entered, into a contract for removing defendant’s house, and defendant had paid him £l6 out of £25, the whole amount of the contract. It was argued by the defendant’s counsel that plaintiff asked for the blocks at a most inopportune time, when the house would have . been much injured by its instant removal. Mr Crisp argued that Mr Friedlander had used Mr Fraser’s timber for his own purposes, the said tim ber having been stacked by Mr Fraser on ; Government land. Plaintiff was non suited.

George v. Bristow.—Claim £7 13s. Judgment for plaintiff with costs (13s), solicitor’s fee (21s), travelling expenses (19s lid).

ON THE DAUNDER.

• <5- “I foucht Tor my ain hand.”—Hal o’ Till- WVND.

When I first read Mark Twain’s “ Beef Contract ” my youtli had not quite lost its first innocent bloom. The versatile American’s “ quips and cranks and wanton wiles ” .could not fail to move me to “ nods and becks and wreathed smiles.” but I experienced a sort of inward com punction about imbibing what my conscience regarded as an exaggerated parody on government deliberativeness. 1 thought that a little weakness was being overdone, but a case almost parallel with the beef difficulty recently came under my notice, and I now think it well within the bounds of possibility that Mark Twain selected from life. A large mercantile firm, not so far distant from this as Honolulu, required an iron spike from the Government stores to extend their railway siding to some new buildings. The local station master was applied to for information as to the definite mode of procedure. He professed entire igno rance as to the orthodox course, but counselled the expediency of communi cating with the head station master,- which was done. This official in turn, referred the applicants to the Commissioner of Railways. This gentleman after some clelayj intimated that the Secretary of the department if properly addressed would give the matter his attention. The Secretary was in due course addressed, and promptly replied that the application had been placed before the authorities, and was then receiving consideration. Three weeks subsequently the applica tion was returned to the station master with sundry departmental endorsements representing “inextenso” that a more minute description of the spike required was necessary for the guidance of the Wellington government storekeepers. This communication was handed to the applicants and they hurriedly specified a flat headed spike as the one they re quired. The amended requisition wended its weary way up the long line of digni taries until it once more came before the government storekeeper, and from him it found its way into the office of the Minister for Public Works. There it made a long sojourn, delayed for the Premier’s signature. This affixed, the Governor was indisposed, and his seal was waited for. In a few weeks conval escence was vouchsafed to Her Majesty’s representative, and the spike application progressed another stage. It came back ward with greater alacrity, and my mer cantile friends were the other day placed in possession of an order on the local government storekeeper for a flat headed spike. Hope long deferred indeed maketh the heart sick, but the realization of that hope comes as balm to the anxious soul. So the recipients of this order, so long as harassed by the dilatory red tapeism of the Government fumed in excusable wrath; but with the long sought spike apparently within their grasp, they generously dismissed all boisterous sentiments, and felt half abashed at their previous . impatience. Unfortunately, before they had become quite stable in this Christian amicability the order was presented, and they were abruptly informed that there were “no spikes in stock.” I am hourly expecting a sum mons to a coroner’s inquest.

“ What do you think of ‘ Our American Century’?” is the recurrent question of the clay in social circles. “ Teeming with information and racy anecdotes, emi nently adapted for a place on the drawing room table,” is the orthodox reply quoted from a local journal. Well, lam pretty stupid : I don’t run much intellectual per ception, but I was not taken in by this Yankee record. Drawing-room literature may be a specialty which I cannot appre ciate ; but it is a fact that I fail to see why details of duels, nice little murders, comfortable suicides, robberies, elope ments, and even less savoury police news, should be particularly adapted to occupy a prominent place in our select libraries. American writers have niched out for themselves a literary fame which will endure unto the end, but that perpetuity was won before the publication of “ Our First Century. ” While on books, let me recommend my sporting friends to peruse a treatise, recently published by an Italian writer, styled “ Fluvial Exercises and Con tests of the English Schools. ” The author has been too diffident in the selection of a title, and few would suspect that this modest appellation covered so complete a dissertation on British sports. “ Cricket, played with a long ladle, or stake of wood, called a bat;” and “ Football, or the game of kick,” are exhaustively treated ; and some new features of the game, minutely detailed, may interest and amuse our local experts.

There does not appear to be much com petition for places on our School Com mittee. Folks don’t pine much to legislate for the ideas of our youthful olive branches. Our inventive tri-weekly says that there ..was a laugh during Monday’s proceedings, but I didn’t-detect the hilarity. It struck me as being about the tamest exhibition I have done for some time, and the man it would fetch even a smile from would be the accommodating sort of auditor I should like to have around when I attempt a funny thing. I think that, by reading to him a few pages of the Borough Bye-laws, I could bust him up everlastingly. A feature of the newly-elected Committee, which makes them peculiarly fit for their duties, is that only two of the members have chil dren of an educable age. They won’t go interfering with things much.

Water ,supplies-fire at present agitating the civic minds of New Zealand. Christ church is rapidly losing the artesian supply which has hitherto satisfied her libating burgesses, and which has relieved

the city monitors of all aqueous anxiety ; Dunedin lias been threatened with a scarcity like unto that which prevailed during last summer, when the precious fluid was retailed at one shilling per bucketful ; and in many other colonial towns a similar difficulty presents itself. Ashburton, with every natural advantage for the introduction of an excellent water supply, lias a Town Council. Perhaps this Town Council would not be much of an obstruction to the work if they were a penniless body ; but this they are not. They have a sort of indefinite interest in some five thousand pounds, which appear to have lost themselves in so intricate a mass of restrictions and conditions that our city fathers find in them food for endless controversies and little else. Another topic which appears equally in exhaustible -to our town legislators is the selection of an Engineer. I do not desire to excite any professional jealousy between Mr Johnstone and Mr Fooks by insinuating that one is greater than the. other. In such a case a little judiciously spread adulation is permissible, and I wish them both to understand that I rate them both the most eminent practitioners that have ever exalted and walked their noble craft. I believe that they are both sensible men and won’t believe it. I see that in Christchurch they have consulted a non-professional man, Mr W. White, about their water difficulties, much to the chagrin of the local press and professional talent. Perhaps the metropolitan coun cillors have incidentally heard of Chainey’3 Corner, or of the Rangitata Bridge, or possibly of the drainless embankment between Rakaia and Ashburton —which works were all superintended by legiti mate engineers—and have therefore pre ferred to consult a man whose works are his sole passport, like those poor diploma less engineers—Brindly, Watt, Murdoch, or Stevenson.

Do any of my readers bear in remem brance their youthful sabbaths 1 Can they recollect the unusual feeling of impropriety which overtook them on the first day of the week—a feeling which made the quietude of the Sunday-school and the solemnity of the old parish church literally abhorrent to their youth ful senses'? Surely some will honestly answer “ yes,” and to them I appeal for the children of this generation. It is the practice here to place children under the irksome restraint of school for one hour previous to their entering on a church service of one hour and a half. Some of them do reach maturity through this ordeal, but such services have frequently quenched out of them all capability of grasping the beauties of our Christian doctrine. It is, indeed, watering the small plant of faith with a vengeance. By all reasonable means let us make Christian men and women of our chil dren, but this will not be accomplished by laying on their youthful shoulders grievous burdens, which we should our selves be unable to bear.

Lonehand,

TELEGRAPHIC.

AUSTRALIAN

[By Submarine Cable.] Sydney, Jan. 31

A man named Arthur Campbell was found at 2 o’clock this morning in the Domain, desperately wounded by a bullet. He states that he was attacked by two men, shot and robbed, but his statement is doubted, and an attempt at suicide is suspected. Campbell’s re covery is doubtful. The heat in the interior is terrific. At Melsania it is 125 Fahr. in the shade. Fourteen sudden deaths which have occurred there in ten days are ascribed to the temperature. Private advices by the mail state that Colonial securities are in the market. In the match between the Bathurst Eighteen and the Englishmen, the former were all out for 47. Only one man got into double figures. The Englishmen’s first innings closed for 229, of which Ulyett and Penn made 32 each. Pleuro-pneumonia has appeared in the cattle in the Narrabrai district. A four-oared whaleboat was washed ashore at Double Island Point, Queens land. The beach is strewn with cocoanuts. The wreck is probably a Levuka vessel.

Hennessy’s case 335, quarters, 9s. 3d. ; kerosene, higher; Adelaide flour, £l2 to £l3; New Zealand wheat and oats, none ; candles, lOd. Brisbane, Jan. 31.

A baker named Martin attempted suicide to-day by tying two bags, each containing a 141 b weight, round his body, and walking into the river. He was dragged out by some boys in a boat. Melbourne, Jan. 31.

Mr. J. T. Smith had on immense funeral. There are numerous candidates for his seat in the Assembly. Severe sunstrokes have been reported recently.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

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

Auckland, Friday.

At the half-yearly meeting of the shareholders in the Auckland Gas Com pany, held this afternoon, a dividend was declared of 7-g- per cent, for the half year. The half-yearly meeting of the share holders in the Union Sash and Door Company was held this afternoon. The amount available for division was £10,587 12s. 9d. of which the sum of £9,827 was net profit upon the half year. A dividend at the rate of 20 per cent, per annum was declared, absorbing £6,423, and leaving a sum of £4,164 12s. 9d. to be carried forward to new account.

New Plymouth, Friday. Mr. Short, jun., of Mokau, who accompanied Dr. Hector overland to Waikato, was accidentally drowned yestei day in the Whakatino river in returning on horseback from Now Plymouth along with his wife and family. The natives had warned him that the river was too high. His body has not been recovered. The schooner Elibank Castle is ashore on the south side of Manawatu river.

Wellington, Friday

Fifty-seven deaths were registered this month in the city, 37 from diarrhoea, of whom 28 were children. The principal doctors publish opinions that the preva lence of disease is owing to the impure water from the reservoir.

One hundred and twenty-nine nomina tions of immigrants went by the mail to day from Wellington. Thomas Williams, late treasurer of a Foresters’ Lodge, was committed for trial for embezzlement.

Timaru, Friday.

This morning the wind changed round from south-west to south-east, and drove a heavy sea into the roadstead. The harbormaster ordered the vessels to sea, and all went out but the George Noble and Beautiful Star. This evening both wind and sea have gone down in shore, but a mountainous sea is running outside. It is feared that the ketch Huon Belle, which put to sea with the other vessels, will, owing to the wind dropping, be driven ashore somewhere on the Ninety-Mile Beach. The breakwater is standing magnificently.

o amaru, Friday.

At the adjourned annual, meeting of the Harbour Board to-day, there was a little scene. The Standing Committee recommended certain things with which Mr. Shrimski did not agree, and on-the adoption of the report being moved by the Hon. H. J. Miller he left the room, remarking that they would not have a quorum, and could not carry the motion. The Hon. R. Campbell, however, turned up and the business rvas proceeded with. The annual report shows a very satisfac tory state of things as regards harbour improvements. Owing to the scarcity of feed, dairy men here have raised the price of milk to sd. per quart. Dunedin, Friday. It is understood that the Rev. A. R. Fitchett, lately a Wesleyan minister, having been ordained by the Bishop of Melbourne, will preach in St Paul’s Church on Sunday. This morning’s “ Herald ” severely con demns the Attorney-General for presiding at the soiree given to Mr. Bright, the free-thought lecturer. Mr. Conyers is about the same as yes terday.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

Auckland, Saturday.

The candidates spoken of for the City West vacancy are J. Dignan, solicitor, D. Goldie, and W. J. Hurst. The Rev. Chas. Dents, late of Glasgow, has been appointed minister of St. Davids’ Presbyterian Church, Symond-street. The ketch Ada has been awarded the regatta champion prize. : Wellington, Saturday. The Wellington and Hutt Building Society shows a profit of £3,225 17s. for the year, equal to nearly £3 per share. Last yeai it was only £1 ss. lOd. The dwelling-house of Philip Gooden, Carterton, was burnt, with its contents. The origin of the fire is unknown, but the building was insured in the N.Z. Office tor £l5O. Wellington, Saturday. The schooner afloat at the mouth of the Manawatu is the Pelican, owned by Latiken, Oamaru, and charted by Wil liams, Wellington, coal laden from Grey mouth to Foxton. She will probably be got off. Dunedin, Saturday. A telegram just received from Goro states that Mr Conyers passed a restless night. His condition is unaltered. He is very drowsy, and conscious only at intervals. “ The Daily Times ” has an article to day denouncing sensational preachers. It says :—“ Can any one point to any lives reformed or permanent good effected by Dr. Somerville’s visit, and now we are asked to listen to another and far inferior man of the same stamp ? We regard the tendencies of this land of sensationalism as pernicious, both in the interests of reli gion and of morality. It will leave many an ardent young mind like a candle pre maturely burnt down into the socket, and disgust so many more, that Mr. Bright’s followers are likely largely to increase their numbers. ” At Mr. Yarley’s meeting in Knox Church last evening,' the preacher was assisted by Mr. Brunton, of the Plymouth Brethren, and they gave illustrations of faith by one telling the other that he held a knife in his closed hand, and asking if he believed it. Before closing the meet ing, Mr. Varley invited those willing to put trust in Christ to stand up, but out of 700 present none responded. The Minister of Public Works and the Attorney-General have be en well deputa tionised during*the week. To-day, an announcement appeared on their office doors, stating that Ministers are out of town. Invercargill, Saturday. _ Mr Stout addresses a meeting on politi cal subjects goes with Mr Ballance to Riverton on Monday. _ . Great interest is being taken in the Harbor Board election. Four candidates were nominated for the two seats for Invercargill yesterday, and two nominated for the one seat for the suburban munici palities.

SATURDAY, February i, 1879,]

THE EVENING ECHO



Butter, inferior to best $ lb s. 1 d. 0 to I 2 Eggs, $ dozen 1 3 to 0 0 Cheese, prime quality, 3? lb 0 10 to 0 0 Bacon, prime smoked, lb 0 10 to 0 0 Hams in cloth, $ lb 1 0 to 0 0 Flour in bags, 1? ioolb 12 6 to 13 0 Oatmeal, 1? 251b 7 0 to 0 0 Lard, 1? lb - 0 9 to 0 0



Chemists. Rummer J^everages. Lemon Syrup. Lemon and Raspberry Syrup. Raspberry Vinegar. Lime Juice. Ginger Beer Powders. Granular Effervescing Lemonade Pow ders. Persian Sherbet. Gasogenes, from 30/ each. J. M. CAMBRIDGE, MEDICAL HALL. ASHBURTON. (Late of Messrs. Gould & Co., Christchurch), BEGS TO ANNOUNCE He has commenced business as CHEMIST AND DRUGGIST, IN MOORE STREET (Opposite Messrs. Friedlandar’s Store), ASHBURTON.



Cabinetmakers. THE ASHBURTON PICTURE GALLERY, PETER STREET. T. A. GATE S, Cabinetmaker , Picture Dealer , and Importer , PICTURE FRAME MAKER, &a. Furniture Repaired and Polished Maps and plans mounted and Varnished. Pictures of all kinds always on Sale. FUNERALS FURNISHED. WOOD TURNER AND VENETIAN BLIND MAKER. JOSEPH”RULE Moore Street. IS prepared to execute all orders for Wood Turning, Venetian Blinds, Bedsteads, Tables, and every class of Furniture. Windon* Poles on hand, or made to any sixe. TINWALD FURNITURE DEPOT. £jHARLES JgRADER, CABINET MAKER, FURNITURE DEALER, &c. » Venetian and other Blinds, Curtain Poles, Oxford and other Picture Frames made to order. Repairs Executed with Despatch. Note the Address— Great South Road, Tinwald, (Next to Mr. Prettojohn’s, Shoe Maker.) 286 Miscellaneous. TELEGRAPHIC. THE VERY LATEST. AMERICAN GOODS. AW. WESTON, having been , appointed agent for AMERICAN GOODS AND ■YANKEE NOTIONS, will shortly receive direct from the manu facturers a lot of New American Goods, Novelties, etc., etc. JUST ARRIVED. A Large assortment of Valentines, i ON VIEW TO-NIGHT. J MILLINERY AND DRESSMAKING. MRS. WILLIAM ADAMS, assisted by a first-class Milliner and Dress maker, is prepared to make up Ladies’ and Children’s Dresses in the Newest Styles and lowest possible charges. Mrs. Adams devotes special attention to Millinery. JS3K3OX STREET, ASHBURTON. (Mr. Powrie's late Residence,) 272



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 wiHj.be inserted till countermanded, and charged accordingly. 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, the town, and at any of the Railway Stations. Special notices can be received up to 3.30 p.m. for insertion over the Leader, but will be charged double scale.



Special Notices. ALFRED HARRISON, Baring Square, Ashburton, AUCTIONEER, STOCK, ESTATE,-& COMMISSION AGENT. TTTEEKLY SALE DAY, SATURDAY at twelve o’clock, of Horses, Pigs, Fowls, Fish, and General Produce ; also, Furniture and General Goods. Please read, full advertisements on the third page.