DRINKS DOINGS AT DUBBO.

(By the Rpy. W Vakijerkistk, of Sydney,) Header, you are about to ramble with me amongst the wilds of Australia. I in troduce you to the year 1857,' and to the quarterly meeting of the Bathurst Circuit, New South Wales. When the conversa tion turned upon the spiritual destitution of the interior, everyone appeared pre pared to "rant my request for three weeks' leave of absence from the circuit, to make a flying visit to the regions beyond, where there were no churches or chapels, no ministers, and no re’igious services. A horse for the special occasion, had for several months been doing nothing at his own sweet null but eating drinking, and sleeping and rolling in the paddock, and enjoying himself generally. So; he left Bathurst, to return to it after seventeen days incessant riding, almost a skeleton. I passed strange scenes and strange : incidents, new goldfields visited, prayers for, half hours in lordly squattages and shepherds’ hut, the flooded Macquarie 1 crossed now in a small boat, the horse ; swimming behind : crossed again in a small canoe made of bark, after the fashion of aboriginals ; at one time, by a harness mishap, pitched over the horse’s head into a creek; at another having to ride ‘ten miles, shoes and stockings in hand, geiting wetted in crossing a river, the ascent of Gearo with its extensive panorama ; and one evening, as the sun was about to set, 1 approached Dubbo, then the furthest township in the western interior. There was little time to be lost. Dubbo must be preached in that night, visited, next morning, and then away for Duri dullamel and Murrumbidgerie on the re turn route. No Protestant minister had ever preached in Dubbo. The first house proved to be a public-house, and three drunken men lay dozing in the verandah. To ride up and speak to them was the work of a moment ; then I was off to the Court House. “I am glad you have come,” said the courteous clerk of the Court. Now for a scamper from house to house in Dubbo, to invite at tendance. When I went up to the Court House everything was ready, as the obliging clerk of the Court had promised. Candles lit, forms and seats arranged, and all Dubbo, or the representatives of all Dubbo, assembled. The three drunken men and the landlord were there. They ■ tried to sing when I sang, they paid the greatest attention to the service, and everybody seemed to vie with everybody in showing me every possible respect. In deed, this evident determination led to some little confusion, for stockmen and others to, whom a religious service was evidently a very strange scene, instead of spitting on the floor,- as usual, went to the door to spit, and came back tiptoeing to their seats, with an air that evidently showed they had been doing so as an ex pression of profound respect. > : j There was a most blessed divine influ-' ence present, at least I felt it, and if I may judge from the attention and looks of my, congregation j they felt it too. But the instant I had pronounced the benedic tion,'a plot was enacted, which had evi dently been cut out and dried beforehand by the drunken men. One rose to his —feet," whilst- the congregation- sat still. This individual, I afterwards found, was “ little P He said, “ This gentle , man has come all the way from Bathurst to preach to us, and” (then he asserted most vehemently that our. Heavenly Father knew that they greatly needed it) “now,” said he, “this gentleman must have been at expenses, arid I propose that we make a collection for him. ” Before I had time to commence a reply, a hat was handed up to me containing some pounds in notes and coin. This, with many thanks, I returned, assuring them that the Bathurst Circuit would see to it that I was not out of pocket; but as it was the first time we had aided Dubbo thus, I . thought they would be better pleased ; withme on my return if I did not. accept a collection. The congregation did not : seem disposed to leave, but awaited me under the verandah.. “We want a minister and we want a doctor in Dubbo*,” said some ; “ try and get them for us, we can support them.” I told the people it v was my practice to be very careful ■ respecting making promises, but added, “you may rely upon it I shall not readily forget Dubbo; ” . Other conversation ensued, and amongst others the threedrunken men received suit able admonition. Presently one them, who was little F——, said, “ and as you won’t

have any money, you wen’t take anything from us:?” An idea struck me, and I said l well, as you particularly wish it, I will. ” ' ' The people oh the verandah closed round, and little F , placing his hand eagerly on his pocket, said, “ let me give you a pouncb” “ No,!’ said I, producing my 'ff pocket book, “what I intend to take is your pledge never ,to drink another drop of intoxicating liquor.” F -paused a moment, and then said very earnestly. : “No, when I do that I’ll mean it.” Another of the drunken men, a giant in < comparison to little F , brushed him aside in a moment, and said, “Then if >! you won’t I will,” and made a signature which occupied the whole available space of a page of the book. Little F received further exhorta tion from me, but I could not induce him to sign the pledge. “ No,” said he, “ not now ; when Ido that I’ll mean it.” He ; was, I afterwards found, a celebrity in Dubbo, celebrated for his drunkenness. In consideration for himself, and perhaps yet more for his hapless family, the magisterial bench—one of its number, at whose residence I stopped on ttiyi return journey, informed me—had long issued the order, which the Act enabled them to do ih extreme cases, forbidding all pub licans to serve little F with any kind of intoxicant, on certain pains and penal ties ; but so far as producing the desired effect was concerned, their Worships ' . might almost as well have whistled to the great cod-fish of their own Macquarie Itiyer, for little F still managed to , continue as drunken a character as before.

, About a year had elapsed'and I had not heard from little F——. It was evening ; we were endeavoring to form a Bathurst Temperance League. The little committee of three persons had just commenced a preliminary meeting in my little study. We of course began with prayer ; we were on , our knees, pleading hard for the drunkard, praying too that our proposed league might be made useful to him. There was a tap at the door—-it was the time of postal delivery in Bathurst —and when I went to the door, our man, who, I presume, was not aware we were praying, handed me a letter. It was an odd one ;

there was no ink—it was written in pencil. I opened it, and found it was subscribed from Dubbo, and bore the signature of little F . I asked my companions’ permission to read it, ere we proceeded with our prayers ; and then I read this encouraging Godsend to them, and greatly did it stimulate our devotions. It was a Long letter, and in it little F informed us that he had .at last signed the pledge, 'ie said that he felt if he really meant to get to heaven, he must set about it. He had signed the pledge, he said, not expect ing to keep it by his own strength, but a 3 I had; told him. He was looking to God for Christ’s sake, by the Holy Spirit, to enable him to keep it, and to enable him to serve God with all his heart. I can tell you, reader, the long letter written in pencil, because little F ’s nerves had suffered too much from strong drink to handle a pen, moved us greatly in that little study. Was it not an answer to prayer for the poor drunkard ? And did it not come most opportunely with its encouragement? Verily it was, and verily it did. Little F lived for some ten years after this, and those who knew him spoke to me of his great change. He was con sidered to have lived-and died a decided and consistent Christian. “In the morn ing sow thy seed, and in the evening with hold not thine hand : for thou kpowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that or. whether they both shall be alike good” (Eccl.xi). >

THE ASHBURTON HERALD,

d et rhertewrtew



* They indeed needed both. At one squatter’s resi dence, near Dubbo, my kind entertainer lit me across the verandah to a bedroom, and I observed held the light so as'to show the boarding well., Some months before the cook was serving up dinner, just after dark, and, when crossing the verandah, felt a bite on her ancle. A deaf adder, called here the death adder, had stung her, and in about an hour she was a corpse. The nearest medical man resided about 90 miles distant.



Entertainments. RAND VOCAL & INSTRUMENTAL CONCERT, To be followed by a Drama, on MAY Ist, 1 ' ' r IN THE 1 ! ASHBURTON ; TOWN HALL, To pay for the TE M P ORA R Y TOWER, FOR ST. STEPHEN’S BELLS. 671 jp L AIN A S S J>ALL WILL BE HELD ON EASTER MONDAY, 14th Inst., • •' 'AT THE TOWN HALL, ASHBURTON. Tickets : Gentlemen, 4s. ; Ladies, Free. Dancing to commence at 8.30 sharp. c 75 To Let. TWO ROOMS to LET, unfurnished, in Cox-street, near Station; rent, 9s. per week. Apply office of this paper. 661 T 0 L E T, TWO Good SHOPS, with Dwelling Houses of four rooms attached. Centrally situated. Apply to CHAS. BRADDELL, 515 Montgomery’s Buildings. Tenders. ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. POUNDKEEPER’S HOUSE. ASHBURTON. THE Tender of Matthew Muir, for the Erection of the above House has been accepted. By order. F. MAINWARIN G, Clerk. Ashburton, April 9, 1879. 674 MOUNT SOMERS ROAD BOARD. TENDERS will be received up to 10 a.m. on Friday, the 18th April, ad dressed to the Chairman, for the follow ing works : No. 11. Forming A namaDowns Road. No. 16. Picking Stones on Road to Rangatata. Specifications may be seen at the Board’s office, Mount Somers. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. JAMES FRASER, 668 Clerk. TENDERS. - BUILDERS desirous of Tendering for Additions to a Cottage for Mr. T. R. Hodder, at Ashburton, are requested to send in sealed tenders, duly endorsed, and addressed to tlie Architect, on or before SATURDAY, the 12th April, The drawings and specifications may be seen at my office. J. STANLEY BRUCE, C.E., 633’ 0 A’ . / Architect. TENDERS for the Erection of a CHURCH near Wheatston will be received up to 12 noon, on April 12th. !879. . . ! Plans and Specifications can be seen at the offices of W. Montgomery and Co. Tenders to be addressed—G. Gilmour, Secretary for Church Committee, Ashton. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. 642 TO LET BY TENDER. AN IMPROVED FARM of 600 Acres. For particulars apply to 587 '' J SAUNDERS BROS. ... j W A N'T ED. CHERTSEY SCHOOLS TENDERS are invited for the making of a CONCRETE TANK, ,10 feet square, together with Pump and Piping. Also FENCE for dividing School Grounds, partly Palings, rest Post, Rail, and four Wires ; and Screens for Closets, etc. Plans and specifications can be seen at A. R. Markham and Co.’s store, Chertsey. Tenders to be sent in to W. A. BROWN, 604 Chairman.



Public Notices, EASTER HOLIDAYS. the undersigned, hereby give notice to the public that our respective places of business will be fully closed on EASTER MONDAY, 14th inst. J. H. PASS & CO. OKR & CO. SANDO & OLSEN. JOHN FOWLER. WILLIAM SPARROW. TI-lOS. CHAMBERS. E. A. GARNETT. WILLIAM GAVIN. ■ T. R. HOLDER & CO. HOOPER, AITKEN 6- Co F. DOHERTY 676 WEEKS and DIXON. FOR SALE, I-Acre of LAND near North-west Belt, on Terms. Wanted, j-Acre near the Town. 5 Templar Hall SHARES for sale. Mb. ALLEN, House, Land, and Commission Agent, 650 Saunders’ New Buildings. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. A MEETING of Creditors in the estate .jCjL °f Thomas Maddox, builder, of Tinwald, a bankrupt, will be held at my office. East-street, on SATURDAY, the 12th inst., at 2 p.m. 669 K. SANDO, Trustee. THE CHRISTIAN HERALD. IS Now Published, containing the Preachers’ Plan for the current quarter, and other Church news. Price Three pence ; obtainable at the Herald Office, Hooper, Aitken, & Co.’s, and H. M. Jones’. 673 REMOVAL NOTICE. MRS. MANHIRE, Dressmaker, begs to inform her numerous friends and the public generally that she has removed to premises behind Mr. Boyle’s Office, Moore Street. NIGHT SCHOOL on Monday Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday Evenings. 634 JUST ARRIVED, Albums, Desks, Workboxes, &c. H. M. JONES, Stationer, Baring Square. 473 a PUBLIC NOTICE. fJpHE Wakanui Road is Stopped for Traffic (opposite Moffatt’s Mill) until fur ther notice. 610 NOTICE. ALL persons indebted to the under signed will oblige by settling same before the Bth instant, to prevent un pleasantness. JAMES McRAE, 651 Cab Proprietor. FOR SALE, SECTION 670, Cameron Street, with well-built 4-roomed COTTAGE there on. Apply on the premises. 641 W. K. HURST. NOTICE. ALL ACCOUNTS due to the Estate of Thomas Hicks, Ashburton, must be Paid at Once to the undersigned, at Messrs Pass and Co’s, or at the Road Board Office, Ashburton. Accounts re maining unpaid will be sued for without further notice. J. H. PASS, )rp . 454 C. B. BRANSON, J Trustees - ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. EXTRAORDINARY ELECTION FOR A MEMBER FOR THE MOUNT HUTT RIDING. ~VTOTICE is hereby given; in accordance JiS with Clause 46 of the “ Regulations of Local Elections Act, 1876,” that an ex traordinary vacancy has occurred in the Ashburton County Council, for the Riding of Mount Hutt, and nominations, in the form prescribed by the above Act, will be received by me at Edgington House, Barr hill, before the hour of 12 noon, on Wed nesday, April 16th next; and I further give notice that a poll, if necessary, will be taken at the undermentioned places on Wednesday, April 23rd next, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Polling places—Edgington House, Barr hill ; Woolshed, Drayton. CHARLES BRADDELL, Returning Officer. Ashburton, April sth, 1879. 663 ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL NOTIFICATION OF VALUATION LIST. TAKE NOTICE—The Valuation List for the Borough of Ashburton is now open for INSPECTION at the Office of the Council, Montgomery’s Buildings, between the hours of 10 and 12 forenoon, and 3 and 5 afternoon. All objections thereto must be left at the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Ashburton, on or before the 30th day of April, addressed to the Assess ment Court, and a copy of every suc.i objection must be left at the Town Clerk’s Office not less than seven days before the next sitting of the said Court. Forms frr objection can be obtained at the Town Clerk’s Office. CHAS. BRADDELL, Ashburton, Town Clerk. March 31st, 1879. 617 MOUNT SOMERS ROAD BOARD THE NEXT MEETING of the Mount Somers Road Board will be held at the Office, Mount Somers, on Fbiday, April 18, at 11 a.m. By order, JAMES FRASER, 667 Clerk.



Auction Sales. 150,000 FEET 150,000 ASSORTED TIMBER. JONAS, HART & WILDIE have been instructed by Mr. Alpheus Hayes, Waimate, to sell by public auction at his Timber Yards, Ashburton, on TUESDAY, 15TH April, 40,000 4 x 2 Totara white and black pine. 15,000 3 x 2,,. ~ ~ 10,000 4x3,',' ~ „ 15,000 6x6 „ and black pine. 10,000 6x2 ~ white and black pine. 5,000 5x 5 ~ and black pine. 25,000 8 x | Boards, Totara & white pine. 5,000 6 x 1 T. and G. flooring. 5,000 8 x 1 Totara and white pine. 5,000 6 x f T and G. lining. 10,000 8 x 1| Totara white & black pine. 5,000 8 x 2,, ~ ~ Also, — A Large Quantity of Stakes, Posts, Stable Props, and Firewood. NO RESERVE. —Sale at 11 o’clock. JONAS, HART & WILDIE, 657 Auctioneers. Partnership Notices. DISSOLUTION OF PARTNERSHIP. THE Partnership lately existing be tween us as Engineers, Millwrights, &c., has this day been DISSOLVED by mutual consent. All claims on the above business must be sent in by the sth of April. All accounts owing must be paid by the same date. Signed ( H. J. EDWARDS, l HENRY - LEE, Ashburton, March 22, 1879. 572 Fruiterers, &c. LONDON PIE HOUSE (Opposite Baring Square), Havelock Street, Ashburton. RICHARD MADIGAN, PASTRYCOOK, CONFECTIONER, AND FRUITERER, BEGS to announce to the inhabitants of Ashburton and county that the London Pie House was OPENED on SATURDAY, 22nd February. COFFEE ROOMS. Tea, Coffee, or Cocoa, with Pie or Pastry, 6d. always ready from 10 a. m to II p.m. Pastry supplied tor Parties or Soirees on the Shortest Notice.' TRADE SUPPLIED. 40 COME AT LAST. NEW FRUIT.. FRESH FRUIT. From Geraldine. j. mooar - & CO., HAVING purchased a Fine Orchard at Geraldine, are now in a position to j supply Fresh Fruit and Vegetables every day. PLUMS, per lb., only ... 56. APRICOTS „ ... sd. GREENGAGES, per lb., only sd. HONEY PLUMS „ S<L APPLES, per lb,, only 3d. and 4d. POTATOES. DEFY COMPETITION -tts* W. T. DAVISON, GREENGROCER AND FRUITERER, IS PREPARED to supply fruit and vegetables of every description, fresh from the gardens, Wholesale and Retail, at Christchurch Prices. NOW ON SALE BLUE DIAMOND PLUMS, per lb., sd. ORLEAN „ „ 6d. PURPLEGAGE,, „ 4d. For quantities y/z per lb. The cheapest house for fruit for jam-making. COOKING APPLES per lb., 3d. and 4<i. GOOD EATING Do. „ 6d. ONIONS. NEW POTATOES, At reduced prices for Quantity. Fresh vegetables, salads, herbs, etc. Orders Delivered Regularly. W. T. DAVISON, Wholesale and Retail Greengrocer and Fruiterer, Moore Street, Ashburton. 31*5 Business Notices. TO MEET A WANT Long Felt in Ashburton, S. COLLINS AND SON HAVE opened a shop in Compton’s Buildings, Moore-street, next to Neate’s, chemist, for the sale of NEW & SECOND-HAND FURNITURE Of every description. Curtain Poles and Rings, Venetian, Sprir.g and Roller Blinds made to order. Highest price given for Second-hand Furniture of all kinds. PAINTING IN ALL ITS BRANCHES carried on as usual in town or country. Paperhangings, Paints, Oil Colors, Var nishes, Window-glass, and every trade requisite on sale. Guttering, and Piping found and fixed. S. COLLINS AND SON, PRACTICAL PAINTERS, PLUMBERS, AND HOUSE DECORATORS Moore-street, Ashburton. 588



Auction Sales. ]ypSSRS. Jg ULLOUK & c ( (C. J. Edmiston, P. A. Edmiston, axd W. H. Gundry). TIN WALD STORE. Messrs, bullock and co. beg to notify that, for the convenience of their customers and friends on the south side of the Ashburton River, they have OPENED a New STORE at Timvald, and draw attention to their stock, com prising— STATION AND FARM STORES, GRASS SEEDS for AUTUMN SOWING, AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY, HARDWARE, FURNITURE, BUILDING MATERIALS, At their TINW A L D STORE. Stock Sales conducted at the Tinwald Yards will be settled for at the Tinwald office if required. BULLOCK AND CO., Ashburton and Tinwald. BULLOCK AND CO.’S ABSTRACT OF SALES. APRIL 12, SATURDAY, At Hugh McHraith’s, Esq., Methven. APRIL 15, TUESDAY, At Ashburton Yards—Cattle. BULLOCK AND CO., 416 Auctioneers.



Booksellers, &c. NEW BUSINESS. J . Y. WA R D, BOOKSELLER, COMMERCIAL AND FANCY STATIONER, HAS much pleasure in announcing to the inhabitants of the Borough of Ashbur ton and County, that he COMMENCED BUSINESS ON SATURDAY MARCH i, 1879, in Messrs. Saunders Bros.’ Buildings, EAST STREET, NORTH, With A LARGE ASSORTMENT OF Professional Stationery, Commmercial Stationery, Household Stationery, Fancy Stationery, &c., &c., &c. LITERATURE— (In Assorted Bindings) COMPRISING ALL THE MOST POPULAR AUTHORS Also, — PRESENTATION BOOKS. SCHOOL REQUISITES IN STOCK. Colonial, English, and Foreign Papers and Magazines supplied to order. WORK-BOXES, WRITING-DESKS, and OTHER FAN'CY GOODS, AT REASONABLE PRICES. Hamilton’s Library Books on Deferred Payment. K3L,Note the address— J. Y. WARD, East Street North (Saunders Bros.’ New Buildings), ASHBURTON. 440 Business Notices. fJIHE UNDERSIGNED have for SALE and to •• rrive : Calcutta Cornsacks, 4bushels ; expressly manufactured for shipping Wheat. Woolpacks —Seaming Twine best quality. Fencing Wire, No. 6 to 10. 20 Tons Galvanised Iron, 6 to 9 feet. 400 Casks Cement. 300 -Dozen Ploughshares. Etc., Etc., Etc. FRIEDLANDER BROTHERS.



Drapery.



:d:R-A.:p:E]:RT", O R THE BEST THING GOING FOR ASHBURTON. THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT IT THE GREAT SACRIFICING SALE OF HOSIEET, CLOTHING, BOOTS AND SHOES, &0-, Now going on for a Short Time, to mske room for Very Heavy Shipments, at R AND CO’S, EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. Greatest Bargains ever offered.



OBK AND CO., IMPORTERS.



PRELIMINARY. STATIONERY, BOOKS, FANCY GOODS, SCHOOL REQUI SITES, &c. R. ALFRED HARRISON has been favored with instructions to sell at au early date, about 104 Yols Superior New Books— Prayer .Books, Hymnals, Bibles, School Books, &c. Note Paper, Envelopes, Ac. Quantity Fancy Goods. ALFRED HARRISON, SOI Auctioneer, etc. _A_L FRED HARRI SO N , AUCTIONEER, ASHBURTON, IS open to conduct Sales by Auction, at his Rooms, or elsewhere ; also Sales by Private Treaty of any description upon the lowest possible terms. SEND IN YOUR PRODUCE, such as PIGS, FOWLS, CHEESE, EGGS, &c., & c., &c., Also, FURNITURE, EFFECTS, and GENERAL MERCHANDISE, for [SATURDAY’S WEEKLY SALE, At 12 o’clock. The following are upon my books, besides many others : Farms from 200 to 1000 acres, on easy terms. City and Suburban Sections. Sections at Tinwald. Two-roomed Cottages and handsome resi dences, on easy terms. SHARES FOR SALE— The Ashburton Gas Company. The Ashburton Templar Hall Company. Properties entered for sale free of charge. SALE YARDS attended every TUESDAY. New Sacks—Very Cheap. Old Sacks, any quantity. Fencing Wire, all sizes. iETDON’T FORGET SATURDAY’S SALE, at 12 o’clock. AGENT FOR THE Manchester Fire .ASSURANCE COMPANY. Capital, £i, 000,000. —Lowest Rates, Established 1524. ALFRED HARRISON, AUCTIONEER, STOCK, ESTATE, AND COMMISSION AGENT, BARING SQUARE, ASHBURTON. 282



Business Notices. BREAD! BREAD, BREAD! ON and after TUESDAY, April Ist, T. R, HODDER & COMPANY, Grocers and General Provision, Hardware and Soft Goods Merchants, sell FULL WEIGHT QUARTERN LOAF of BEST BREAD at 4 PROMPT CASH, delivered any part of the town daily. 614 HAYES’ TIMBER YARDS, EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. A LPHEUS HAYES wishes to inform his customers and the public gene rally that he has RE-OPEN. HD the above yards with a fresh supply of first-class SAWN TIMBER, all size s ; SAWN STAKES & PICKETS ; BLACKPINE & MIXED FIREWOOD. Also, that, having the Waiirate Mills now in full operation, orders for Totara and Black Pine for bridge and other purposes can be supplied of any dimensions. 453 W. H. COLLINS, Manager. SPECIAL NOTICE. WE ARE NOW LANDING— Ex p.s. “ Tongariro,” 8x a Totara for Wells Ex “ Clifton,” from Invercargill, 240,000 feet first-class Boards and Scantling Ex “ Drover,” from Bluff, 120,0.00 ditto ditto . Ex “ Wave of Life,” from Thames, 50,000 feet Flooring, Lining, &c. Ex “ Flora.” from Kaipara, A splendid assortment of 95,000 feet Kauri Timber MONTGOMERY & CO. (Limited) CHRISTCHURCH; AK5> EAST STREET, ASHBURTON* IN BANKRUPTCY. J^OTICT.E— The “ Ashburton Herald”' it a Gazedte for all notices - under the Debtors am 1 Creditors Acts. 60s