POST OFFICE NOTICES.

Mails close at tlio Chief Post Office, Cheistchurch, for the following places (subject to the necessary alterations) as under : Saturday, October 5. For Kf ikoura, per Huia, at 4.45 p. m. For Northern Ports of New Zealand, per Penguin, at 1 p.m.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser With which is incorporated the "Evening Echo"). FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1879.

The Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Bill, introduced by Mr Hutchison, M.H.R. for Wellington, was under discussion on Tuesday by the House of Representatives. The following are its provisions : 1. The short title of this Act is “ The Abolition for Imprisonment for Debt Act, 1879.”

2. This Act shall come into operation on the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and eighty, from which date the Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Act, 1874, and the Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Act Amendment Act, 1875, shall be repealed. 3. Henceforth no person shall be Im prisoned for debt. 4. The following shall be deemed indict able offences punishable by fine or by im prisonment, with or without hard labor, for any term not exceeding 12 months : (1.) Any person who, with intent to defraud, shall by any device or promise induce credit to be given. (2.) Any person who, by any false representation or by any conceal ment of property which might he taken in execution, shall have pre vented or delayed the execution of any distress warrant or writ of fieri facias issued by any Court of competent jurisdiction upon a judg ment available against such person. (3.) Any person who shall have made default in payment of any sum or sums of money made in a fiduciary or professional capacity, and which shall have been ordered to be paid by a Court of competent jurisdic tion.

The Bill has apparently one great fault, namely, it has omitted to provide for the punishment of persons who, having the means to pay their debts, refuse to do ! so. It not unfrequently occurs that persons wilfully remain in debt when they are possessed of sufficient means to clear off what they owe, and it is for the benefit and protection of the creditors of such that the judgment summons is issued, and by no other means can debtors of this charac ter be touched. It is absolutely necessary that some protection of this kind must be given to tradesmen if credit is to be given at all.

Goons on the Street. —This week, in Wellington, several tradesmen were fined for displaying goods on the streets in front of their shops. One man exposed kits of oysters outside his premises, another stoves and chimney-pots, others drapery, another hams, and so on. The fines ranged from a shilling up to £l.

The Volunteers. —We understand that another election of officers for the Ashburton Rifles will take place on Thurs day next, the previous election having been informal. We learn that all the' three commissioned positions will be at the disposal of the company. .The Indecent Assault Case. —At the R. M. Court to-day the man, James Wells, was brought up for trial charged witjb committing an indecent assault, at on the person of a child of five yeadPyj|jved Leah Elstoff. The offence was alllpS to have been committed on the 21st of October, and the prisoner pled not guilty. Mr. Branson appeared for the defence. The evidence, of coutse, cannot be printed, but it was heard in o{ en Court, and ran to considerable length. Wells was committed for trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court.

The Troubadours. The McLean Troubadours play to-morrow night in the Ashburton Town Hall. The County Waterworks Bill. — Among the private Bills that last night were advanced a stage was the Comity Waterworks Bill, which passed the second reading. Loading a Stockwhip. —A man at Takaka, in the Nelson Province, while trying to load the handle of a stockwhip with lead, poured the molten metal into the wrong place —for a wet whip handle must be the wrong place for molten lead with the result that his eyes were visited suddenly by a liquid scarcely so soft as eye-lotion. We learn, however, that after a prompt application of kero sene, cream, Ac., and a week’s blindness, he is recovering his eyesight. Freak of Nature.— A t! lusus natural” in the shape of a foal with a calf’s head and feet, was (says the Hamilton Spec tator) bom on a farm near Byaduk, lately. With the exception of the head and feet, all other portions of the body resembled those of a horse. Its mother was a fine mare. Mr Christie, who supplied the information, says he ne. er saw anything like it, nor do we suppose anybody else ever did, and had it not been stillborn, it would have been worth hundreds of pounds to a show man.

The Brotherhood of the Press. — The “ Ananias ” referred to in the follow ing clipping is the Wellington “ Evening Post,” and is the complimentary title of which the “ Chronicle ” robs itself to enrich its contemporary :—An ingenius and valuable Cheap Jack, whose speciality seemed to be a wonderful new soap, has for the last few Saturday nights appropri ately taken up his stand close to the “Evening Ananias” office. We were somewhat amused by his extravagant statements, weathercock inconsistency, and flights into the regions of the im possible, and have come to the conclusion tli at our evening contemporary has a dangerous rival in liis own particular line of business.

The Doings of Lightning. —Many are the strange stories related of the curious or wonderful freaks played by lightning— suprising, perhaps, because anomalous. One of these (says the “ Manavvatu Times ”) we heard of the other day as having occurred between here and Wan ganui. During a thunderstorm which passed over the district, the electric fluid struck one of the telegraph poles ancl damaged seven others. The pole first struck appeared as if riddled by small bul lets just below the arm which supports the wires. The others were either jagged, as if witli a chisel, at one of the corners, or had large splinters torn off. In the last pole a hole about an inch in diameter was bored clean down the centre from the arm to the foot, the portion in the ground being splintered to pieces. As the poles are four chains apart, the electric fluid must have travelled along the wire more than a quarter of a mile before entering the ground.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

To the Editor. Sir, —I noticed in your commercial article in a recent issue some very good suggestions as to the West Coast trade, and the amount of business done by Mel bourne firms with the merchants of Grey mouth, Hokitika, and Westport in an article which the farming districts of our own colony should certainly be able to supply, viz., chaff for horse feed. This is no new thing, for the chaff trade, like a good many more things, has been almost a monopoly for the Victorians for many years past. Although it seems strange that Canterbury farmers and ship owners cannot compete with Victorians, but such is the case, and the reason why is one which does not require much search to ex plain. The Melbourne chaftclitters do their work in a very much superior fashion to our local ones. More attention is paid to saving the straw, and the packing and baling is performed in a neat and conven ient form, and the chaff is cut into very short lengths so that there is abso lutely no waste in feeding horses. More than this the owners of the Melbourne vessels Lading to the Coast carry chaff at less than half the rates charged hence, so that with a superior article, at as low a price there is little to wonder at why teamsters should prefer the foreign article. It is very much to be regretted that our farmers do not again try to make a market for themselves in this direction, as the quantity used on the Coast is very large, and I am confident if a good article was exported that a profitable trade could be opened up. I am, Ac., West Coaster.

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

[by telegraph.] EROlt OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. Wellington, Oct. 23. Government will now, without doubt, meet the no-confidence vote successfully. Mr. Reader Wood has withdrawn from Macandrew, and several Auckland votes are sure to go with him.

„ October 24. Sir George Grey is unseated for Christ church.

TELEGRAPHIC.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

Auckland, Oct. 24. The Auckland Oil Company have ob tained from San Francisco a quantity of castor oil beans for distribution to settlers, with the intention of establishing a local industry in connection therewith. An old man named Wilson was missing from Parnell. When discovered by the police lie was found to be insane, and sent to Auckland. A movement to convene a public meet ing by the Mayor, re political crisis, is suspended, pending action of Auckland members on recent proposals. Lumpers engaged to take out the Minister of Marine intend entering an action at law for alleged breach of agree ment.

Wellington, Oct. 24.

The programme of the New Zealand Rifle Association’s second meeting has been issued. It contains twenty matches, for which £I,OOO will be given in prizes, being £2OO in excess of last year. A requisition is being signed, requesting Mr Charles Johnston to stand for the Mayoraty. At the Supreme Court in the libel ease Carkeek v. Williams, judgment was given for tlie defendent.

Invercargill, Oct. 24,

The foundation stone of the new Law Courts was laid yesterday with Masonic honors. The weather was fine, and the proceedings passed off most successfully. The ceremony was performed by District Judge Harvey, R. W.D.M., District Grand Lodge, Scottish Constitution. Members of the local lodges assembled in great strength, and with representatives of lodges from Dunedin and elsewhere, formed a larger turn out of Masons than ever witnessed here. All the Volunteer companies took part in the proceedings. The day was proclaimed a half-holiday, which was closely observed by the towns people. A Masonic ball, held at the drill-shed, in the evening, was largely attended.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

LAST NIGHT'S CABLEGRAMS.

( Renter's Telegrams. ) London, Oct. 21

The Cambridgeshire Stakes were run at Newmarket yesterday, with the result : Merrille ... ... ... 1 Caxtonia ... ... ... 2 Out of Bounds ... ... 3

There were 179 entries. Arrivals—Sir William Wallace, from Adelaide, May 5 ; Trevellyan, from Port Pirie, June 16 ; Carlton Castle, from Wal laroo, April 20.

Quebec, Oct. 21. H. R. 11. the Marchioness of Lome l\as sailed for England. Vienna, Oct. 21. There is a serious famine in Hungary. The failure of the crops is general. St. Petersburg, Oct. 22. The occupation of Merv is officially denied.

The Russian Press indignantly protests against the hostile language of the Secre tary of State for Foreign Affairs at Man chester, which the official “ Messenger ” denounces as not calculated to contribute to satisfactory relations between England and Russia.

Paris, Oct. 22.

Humbert, the Communist, has been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for making a seditious speech.

AUSTRALIAN.

( Reuter's Telegrams.)

Melbourne, Oct. 23. The Directors of the Provincial Bank have been committed for trial.

The Legislative Assembly will not ad journ. Sir John O’Shannassy’s motion to abolish the Land Tax was defeated by a large majority.

{Herald Special. ) Sydney, Oct. 23,

Six hundred cabmen are expected to withdraw from the streets to-morrow on strike.

Melbourne, Oct. 23,

The quasi wife of Ellen Tremayne, alias Lacy Evans, resident at Sandhurst, affirms that a child was born while living with her supposed husband.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

LAST NIGHT’S TELEGRAMS.

Auckland, Oct. 23.

The Bank of New Zealand meeting was held to-day, Mr Logan Campbell, Chair man presiding. There was a large atten dance of shareholders. The report showed a profit of £259,406, including £189,600 premium of new shares, and £9,700 balance brought forward ; out of which it is proposed to pay a dividend and bonus of 15 per cent (£13,500), add £IBO.OOO to the reserve, and carry forward £5,890.

Wellington, Oct. 23.

The steamer Agnes left Worsers’ Bay at daylight for the purpose of repairing the cable, but returned at 9 o’clock. She made another start at 10.

The unemployed public meeting on the reclaimed land this morning attracted about 100 persons. The deputation inter viewed the Premier, Minister of Public Works, and the Minister of Lands. After the grievances of the unemployed had been represented, Ministers promised that im mediate instructions would be issued to give work on an additional mile of the West Coast Railway, that by Nov. 3 a contract for an additional two miles would be accepted, and that the contract for the first section and reclamation would be im mediately accepted. An arrangement has been made with the contractor to give employment. No men will be discharged from the Government works through being unused to the work, but all round would be paid according to what they were worth. Legislation was proposed to allow working men to settle on the land, and free passages would be granted to other parts of the colony where there might be better prospects for any of the men.

Dunedin, Oct. 23.

It is said that Mr B. S. Booth, of Hyde, has just put together th j only perfect moa skeleton in existence, the bones un doubtedly belonging to that immense bird. In Banco this morning, on the applica tion of the Paesident of the Law Society, a rule nisi was granted by Mr Justice Williams on a motion to strike off the roils a late member of one of the laeding legal firms in this city. The affidavit of the principal member of the firm showed that there had been large misappropriations of the firm’s money by the solicitor in ques tions.

The proposed twenty-four hours’ open walking competition has been arranged to be held at the Garrison Hall on November 27 and 28. This will prove a very good date, as the Races and Agricultural Show will come off about that time. Entries will be received from Dunedin competitors till November 7, and from other districts up till November 17. The President of the Caledonian Society has consented lias consented to act as stake-holder, and Mr Austin has already paid over to him half of the money to be given in prizes, the other half being payable on November 3. Already six Dunedin entries have been

received, and there are sure to be several fi-om the North. The date of the match has been extended specially at the request of pedestrians in the North Island. This contest promises to be a great success, much interest being already taken in it ; and as the stakes amount to about £IOO, there should be plenty of competitors. It maybe mentioned that W. J. Burke is willing to make a match with the West Coast mile runner, who recently issued a challenge to run an Auckland man for £3OO a-side. Burke will run him for any amount up to £SOO a-side, if the latter’s friends will come to the scratch.

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Thursday, Oct. 23. The Council sat to - day for three quarters of an hour, there being little besides formal business

In reply to Sir F. D. Bell, The Attorney-General said that the Government would open no more land for sale on deferred payments till the end of the session.

Captain Fraser complained of the in sane velocity of the trains between Wel lington and the Ilutt, where the line was full of sharp curves, but after some dis cussion the matter dropped.

A petition from the Kevv Zealand Uni versity to make its reserves in various parts of the colony at once available for the purposes of higher education, was re ferred to a Select Committee.

During a brief discussion on the subject the Hon. Dr Grace asserted that all Go vernments had treated the University un fairly, because tlie Institution had refused to lend its influence to party, but bad steadily pursued the course for which it was formed.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday, October 22. The following is the conclusion of tlie report : SECOND READINGS. Considerable discussion took place on the Wanganui Endowment Schools Bill, as to whether it was a public or a private Bill. Ultimately, Mr Ballance’s motion for tlie second reading was carried, and the Bill referred to a select Committee.

The following Bills were also read a second time, viz : —The Oamaru Harbor Board, Lyttelton Harbor Board, Imprison ment for Debt Abolition, Mines Act Amendment, Mining Companies Act Amendment, Masterton and Greytown Lands Management, and the Bluff Har bor Foreshore Endowment.

The second reading of the Local Option Bill was moved by Mr Saunders, and the House rose at 12 - 30.

Thursday, October 23, 1879. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30. QUESTIONS.

Replying to Mr Pitt, The Hon W. Rolleston said that a Bill to amend the Land Act, 1877, had been prepared, and that an opportunity would he given for amending it so as to give effect to the recommendation made by the Commisioner of Crown Lands, Nelson, in his last annual report. In reply to Mr Sutton,

The lion J. Hall said that a return would be laid before the House of all sums paid to Ministers of the House as travel ling allowances, or any payments in excess of salary since July 1, 1878. In reply to Mr Sutton, The Hon J. Bryce said that Mr Jolm White had been employed in connection with the natives at a salary of £450 per year. Mr J. B. Fisher asked the Premier (1) Whether the Government recognised the necessity and justice of their taking over and maintaining the main lines of road on the west coast of the Middle Island. (2) If the Government are aware that the Buller County Council has not and cannot raise sufficient revenue for maintaining existing roads in the County, and that great loss is continually accruing to the colony from the inability of this County to assist in developing its resources, by making short tracts connecting new and proved goldfields with the centres of trade and population. (3) Whether the Go vernment are aware that new, rich, and proved gold fields are lying unproductive in the Buller County for the want of a few hundred pounds to make roads to them 1

The Hon J. Hall replied that the ques tion of roads and bridges was part of the County system, and that information on the subject would be given in the Public Works Statement about to be brought down. Sums of money bad been placed on the Estimates to meet the particular case referred to. In reply to Mr J. B. Fisher,

The Hon R. Oliver said a report upon the subject of the alleged great and un necessary injury done to the gold mining industry by the withdrawal of lands upon the Nelson South-West Goldfields from occupation, notice of which was given in the Gazette of June 18, and December 18, IS7B, had been ordered to be made. Replying to Mr Hislop, The Hon R. Oliver said it had not yet been decided whether Government intend to remove from Christchurch to Dunedin the Departments of the Commissioner, the Accountant, and Cashier of the Middle Island railways, or any of these depart ments, and if so, when such removal may be expected to take place. In reply to Sir Geoi’ge Grey, The Hon J. Hall said that he woidd re quest the Governor to permit correspon dence with late Ministers regarding their resignations to be presented to Parlia ment.

In reply to Mr Shephard, The Hon J. Hall said information would be given ori an early day as to the advis ability of making such an alteration in the mode of distributing the subsidies to the Counties and road districts, as will appor tion them according to the number of miles of road to be maintained instead of as at present, in proportion to the amount of rates collected.

In reply to Mr Bowen, The Hon. R. Oliver said he had been unable to find on the official records that the attention of the Government had been drawn to the mischief done to the north bank of the Wairnakariri river, by the works constructed by order of the Board of Conservators. Government were aware of very considerable dissatisfaction on the subject.

Replying to Mr Fisher,

The Hon. 11. Oliver said Government would give favorable consideration to Hie proposal for constructing a branch line of railway from Ferrymead to Sumner. In reply to Mi- Ormond, The Hon. J. Bryce said Government would arrange a return of amounts paid since June 30, 1877, for services rendered by permanent officers or others in connec tion with the purchase of Native Lands vote.

In reply to Mr Whyte, The Hon. R. Oliver said Government thought the Cambridge branch railway a line worth consideration. THE SITUATION. The Premier said that as was briefly an nounced yesterday, he would now state the course Government proposed taking with the no-confidence motion tabled by the member for Port Chalmers. To-day being a private members’ business day, they should not interfere with that part of the work. To-morrow, however, Govern ment would be prepared to afford the House an opportunity for bringing that question to an issue. Mr Macandrew said the Opposition did not think it would be prudent to interfere with the proposal made, although they were not without a feeling that it Avas their duty to allow no business to go on. Of course they would understand that no Go vernment business was to be taken. The Hon. J. Hall replied that cf course if the lion, member objected, all such business -would be postponed. He then moved the adjournment of the Govern ment measures on the Order Paper. FIRST READING. A Bill to grant an endowment to the Harbor Board at Wairoa, Hawkos Bay, was introduced by Mr Sutton and read a first time. PUBLIC WORKS ON THE WEST COAST. On the motion of Mr Hursthouse, a re turn showing the amount of money spent on public works on the West Coast of the Middle Island from June 31, 1872, to October 1, 1877, Avas agreed to. GOLD DUTY. Mr Gibbs moved opinion of this House, the gold duty should be reduced by Is per oz. ”

Mr Seddon moved as an amendment— “ That the duty be reduced at the rate of Is per oz. until the whole duty is abolished, the first reduction to be made on Jan. 1 next.”

Major Atkinson suggested the adjourn ment of the debate until Wednesday, pending further information as to tlie question of what revenue should be sub stituted for that proposed to be abolished. Mr Gibbs seconded, and spoke in favor of the adjournment, which was put and carried. The House then adjourned.

EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. MISC 3LLANEOUS. The Wail uku Reserve Bill was con sidered in Ccmmittie, and reported with amendments. The Land Transfer Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. The Oamaru Waterworks Act, 1875, Amendment Bill was considered in Com mittee, and reported without amendment, read a third time, and passed. The Hawkes’ Bay and Marlborough Rivers Act, 1868, Amendment Bill was read a second time. LICENSING BILL. Mr Acton Adams moved the second reading of the Licensing Further Amend ment Bill (New Zealand). The effect was to make a uniform license throughout the colony In Otago the licensing fee was £25, whereas in Nelson it was £4O. That was only one of the many examples that could be cited to show the unfairness of the present system. The proposals con tained in the Bill had been approved of by a large section of the licensed victuallers of the colony, and before it passed through all its stages he hoped to be in a position to submit it to the approval of all the others. So far as the general conduct of the trade was concerned, the Bill did not propose to interfere except as regards a trifling alteration in clause 0, which he would not insist upon if objected to. He had stated a schedule of fees, but be would be quite prepared to make them £5 one way or other if thought advisable. The Hon. John Hall said it was high time this matter was taken in band. It was to be regretted that the matter was not taken up before. They would not be able to deal with the whole question this session, still, that was no reason why they should not deal with the question in a partial manner. He agreed with the spii'it of the Bill, although one or two details would have to be attended to in Committee.

Captain Russell objected to the Bill, as a general measure would have to be pro vided for dealing with the whole question. He thought the matter might be left in the bonds of Government to prepare such a measure during the recess. Mr Hutchison objected to the proposal to lessen the license fee. In Wellington alone it would reduce the Municipal re venue very considerably, and he was not aware of any complaint having been made about the fees charged being too high.

Mr Stewart moved —“ That the Bill be read that day six months,” and reviewed various clauses in it to which he objected. Mr Murray moved, as a further amend ment the adjournment of the debate. The motion for the adjournment having been withdrawn, the motion for reading that day six months was put, and, on divi sion was lost. Ayes, 32 ; noes, 26.

The Bill was then read a second time.

SECOND READINGS. The following Bills were read a second time :—Hew River Pilot Station Reserve ; Auckland Free Public Library; Ash burton County Council Waterworks ; Re - sident Magistrates’ Act, 1867, Amend ment ; and District Courts Act, 1858, Amendment. PRIVILEGE. Mr Reeves spoke to a breach of privi lege. He had received a letter from an ex-member of the House, Mr Woolcock, recommending him to turn over and sup port Government, to which he replied he had never seen so much moral' turpitude in so few words. He moved that the letter be laid on the table.

The motion was discussed, and then withdrawn.

The second reading of the Wellington Harbor Bill was under discussion at 12.30, when this message was despatched.

Sodom and Gomorrah.

The Nile is a sacred river, and the Tiber is famous, but the most sacred and most famous river of the world is the Jordan. From its beginning to its end it lias tliat mystical character which befits such lofty pretensions ; its life is the most vivid and complete, and its death the most sudden and mysterious that can be imagined. It is torrential, and it leaves the flanks of Hermon and the many fountains of its tributaries with an eager precipitation, as if it bore a mission. From its greatest height, some hundred feet above the sea level, it leaps downwards till it disappears in the Dead Sea, some 1,300 ft. below it. It hides itself among oleander, tamarisk, and willow, and many an unfamiliar Oriental tree, as if wishing to keep from profane eyes the secret of its errand. It does not stop long to overflow its banks and fertilise the valley ; for it has a pur pose too mystical to waste itself even .imong acts of beneficence. It is only to become a living barrier between the desert tribes and the favored nation which loved it. No boat lives on its bosom. No fishermen dwell by its margin : but it moves one headlong column of sacred waters from its cradle of snow and cloud, high in the heavens, till it dies in a fatal lake marked by the finger of God, and for ever a subject for man’s curiosity and re verance. It would seem a thing apart, and not to be confounded with vulgar waters, which lose their personality in the bosom of the mighty sea, hut exhail ng to heaven like some holy messenger who perished in the fulfilment of his duty. Its birth and its death alike separate it from its sister rivers on earth, and only the voiceless mounds of perished and nameless cities, tribes stationary as if hid den halt by some supreme destiny of the past, or the awed and questioning stranger from the many Christian lands whose baptism drew its authority from the first sprinkling of its waters, are seen upon its banks. And then we wandered through many whispering reeds, through a kind of jungle where sterility and the river had fought for mastery, and which showed traces of both ; a tangle of bushes as it were fighting their way up, and great spaces of barrenness which the summer would scorch to lifelessness. And at last the Dead Sea. Though we know that it is of volcanic origin, and fed by mines of salt, tlie imagination now, as ever, is con tent to see in it a thing accursed. There Avas a fresh breeze ; and a reluctant lift and liea\ T y tumblers of its tiny breakers made them unlike other Avaves, but rather like those of Dante’s infernal sea. There AA r as a breath heavy Avith doom in the air, and Ave are fortunate that it Avas not more stifling. Was it the breath of those lost or tortured there ? And beneath that saline sheet did Ave not see, as in the picture of Delacroix, the agonising and twisted figures of the condemned ! We did not bathe in the Dead Sea. Others have done so, and report of its buoyancy the same tales that are told of the Ameri can Salt Lake. There is a Avhimsical coin cidence in the geographical relation of the Dead Sea and the home of the earlier pro phets and Brigham Young’s personal con tinuation of the old dispensation, Avith a private Dead sea of his oaaui in his imme diate neighborhood. The poorest sAvimmer keeps his head above Avater, and persons have said to me that their legs seemed to fly up from under them. All speak of its Avaters as refreshing after the great heat of that tropical valley. Birds are said never to fly over it, which is the merest superstition, for they are really often seen do so. This lake certainly has a brand upon it, as of Divine vengeance. The Avaters are heavy Avith sin, the shores around blasted, and the very site of de stroyed cities upon its banks unknown. And here are still seen the apples of Sodom, smooth and pretty to the eye and touch ; of a pale yelloAv, like a small orange ; but within, as Josephus says, still retaining ashes of Sodom in living per petuity of the Divine punishment. They are like little oranges to the eye and toucl), but AAhen pressed are like oak apples, and explode like these, a puff of air leaving the shell holloAV, Avith only a slender pouch holding fine filaments like silk, which the Arabs use as matches for their guns.—From “ Syrian Sunshine,” by T. G. Appleton.

A WONDERFUL MAN-OF-WAR.

The torpedo ram Polyphemus, now being constructed in Chatham Dockyard, appears likely to be the most extraor dinary ship that has yet been built. She is novel and peculiar alike in form, structure, fittings, and arrangement of armour protection, while her weapons of attack are such as will necessitate her being fought differently from any other war-ship. Her design was described by the late Mr Ward Hunt, in the House of Commons on the 12th of March, 1877, as being “ of a kind as yet unknown in any part of the world, but which has been much talked about, and has been at last forced upon me by the gallant officer who stands at the head of the veteran list of the navy —viz., Sir George Sartorious, who has shown that although his age is great, his mind is still youthful, and that he is willing to receive new ideas, and able to inculcate them.” The leading features of the Polyphemus are a strong ram bow, a powerful torpedo battery, great speed and handiness, moderate size, and a small extent of surface above water exposed to the enemy’s lire, such portion of the vessel as is above the water-line being convex in form, so as to deflect any projectile that may strike it. The appearance she will present when at sea will be that of a cylinder, floating on its side, and deeply immersed, which is tapered at the ends to form a bow and stern. The top of the cylinder will be 4 feet 6 inches above the water-line, and will be flattened over a large portion of its area to form a deck. The whole of this flattened cylindrical surface will be plated over with steel armour, and will cover in and protect the ship and all her machinery and fighting appliances. The ship proper as she will thus appear will be surmounted by a light structure, carrying a hurricane deck of about two-thirds her length, and upon this deck will be seen a signal mast, funnel, pilot tower, boats, and other fittings. Under water the form of the Polyphemus is as strange as it will appear above. The cylindrical curvature of the sides is carried down several feet below the water-line, and armour-plated to that depth. Below this point the section assumes a Y form, and

ends in a sharp angle at the keel. It Avill therefore be seen that a complete cross section of J the vessel is very similar to that of a peg-top. The flattened convex curvature of the upper part would rep resent the part of the Polyphemus that is above water, and the loAver portion, which ends.in a point, Avould also repre sent the part of the ship that is beloAV water. If the peg-top be imagined to float in water at a depth below Avhere its breadth is greatest, and where the section thus begins to cuiwe toAA r ards the centre line, a rough idea may be obtained both of the form and proportions of the above and under Avater parts of the Polyphemus. The Polyphemus is 240 feet long between perpendiculars, 40 feet in extreme breadth, and will have a load draught of 20 feet. Her displacement will be 2640 tons. The convex armoured deck Avill be 4 feet 6 inches above the water-line, and Avill be completely plated oA r er with steel armour 3 inches thick. This armour Avill be carried to a depth of 0 feet to 7 feet beloAV the Avater line. The Polyphemus Avill not be fitted Avith masts or sails, but will carry a pole for sig nalling purposes, and for making ob servations from. She Avill be propelled by twin screws, and Avill have tAvo pairs of high-pressure compound horizontal engines, Avliich are being constructed by Messrs Humphreys and Tennant, of Deptford. E tch high-pressure cylinder will be 3S inches in diameter, and the loav pressure 64 inches. The stroke Avill be 45 inches. The boilers will be of the locomotive type, 12 in number, and Avill be made of steel. They Avill work up to a pressure of llOlbs per square inch. It is estimated that the engines will indicate a collective poAver of 5500 horses, and that the speed of the ship will be 17 knots. The only offensive Aveapons the Polyphemus will possess are a powerful ram boAV and Whitehead torpedoes. She will have no guns at all, except a few light shell guns and Gatlings on the hurricane deck for the purpose of repelling boat or torpedo attacks. —“ Times.”

Pruning Trees.

Deciduous trees, or those Avhich lose their leaves during cold Aveather, ought to be pruned before the sap begins to rise. If pruned afterwards they Avill “ bleed ” that is, the sap Avill exude from the wound. Whore there are many trees to be pruned, a selection should be made, taking those first which break out into bud earliest. First, perhaps, Avould be the almond; then the peach ; then the cherry. Last of all Avould be the mulbeny, which is so chary of putting forth its green mantle that it is said there can be no frost after the mul berry is in leaf. Every book upon prun ing, nearly, gives a different rule; per haps the safest rule is to cut no more than is necessary to keep the centre of the tree moderately open to allow enough of branches to shelter the stem in this hot climate, and to leave Nature to do the rest. As a rule trees are planted too closely together, and Avhen the branches interlace, there is not enough play of air amongst the leaves in summer time. The ground beneath, if any Avay damp, is teaming Avith heat, and no doubt much I in j ury results. Eighteen to tAventy feet,'' at least, ought to separate each tree from its neighbor, and in pruning, if trees are closer than this, it would be advisable to prune off eacli second tree root and branch. There are always branches which are barren, and these may be cut out, as Avell as those which, by growing across the centre are liable to croAvd it. Some of the old gardeners recommend severe cutting back on every branch—shortening them —Avhilst some of the neAV lights say.we should not prune at all. A medium course is most likely to be correct, except Avith some kinds of vines, Avhich must be pruned close to the stock to ensure plenty of neAV Avood.

A Queer 10-Acre Field.

An American paper says:—“In Colorado there is a 10-acre field which is no more nor less than a subterranean lake covered with soil about 18 inches deep. On the soil is cultivated a field of corn, which produces 30 or 40 bushels to the acre. If any one will take the trouble to dig a hole the depth t of a spade-handle, he will find it fill with water, and by using a hook and line fish four or five inches long can be caught. The fish have neither scales nor eyes, and are perch-like in shape. The ground is a black marl in its nature, and in all probability was at one time an open body of water, on which has ac cumulated vegetable matter, which has increased from time to time until now it has a crust sufficiently strong and rich to produce fine corn, though it has to be cul' tivated by hand, as it is not strong enough to bear the weight of a horse. While har vesting, the field hands catch great strings of fish by punching a hole in the earth. A person rising on his lieel and coming down suddenly can see the .growing com shake all round him. Any one having the strength lo drive a rail through the crust will find, on releasing it, that it will disappear altogether. The whole section of country surrounding this field gives evidence of marshiness, and the least rain produces an abundance of mud. But the question comes up, Has not this body an outlet ? Although brakish the water tastes as if fresh, and is evidently not stagnant. Yet these fish are eyeless and scaleless, similar to those found in caves.”

A man was lately brought up for murder in a London police court, who had stabbed a man in the leg with a clasp knife be cause he stood in front of him in a theatre. The wound necessitated amputation, and the man died from the operation. A Hale Clad Plea. —ln Wellington on Monday a picture shop proprietor was sued by a shopman for wages, and, in defence, pleaded that lie had been doing but little business, and that little was almost ruined by the shopman putting the “ counterfeit persentment ” of the Victoria Loftus Troupe in the shop window ! This plea did not move Mr Mansford to compassionate the defen dant, who was promptly mulcted in the full amount of the claim.

Forgetting Himself. —The “ New Zealand Times ” thus rubs up Mr Hutchi son’s Parliamentary etiquette :Mr Hutchison, one of the members for Wel lington Citj 7 , has been sufficiently long in Parliament to know that the rules forbid a member from walking about the floor of the House with his hat on. Should he repeat the disrespect, intentionally or un intentionally, he will probably be called to order by the Speaker.

Friday, October 25. 1879. J

illE ASHBURTON HERALD.



New Advertisements. TEN SHILLINGS REWARD. II GST, on Tuesday last, a Dark Bay J.'Heavy Trap IIORSE ; branded M on near shoulder, and newly shod. Anyone returning or giving information will receive the above reward. MR. J. TASKER, 590 a Trevorton. MOUNT HUTT ROAD BOARD. TENDERS FOR BUILDINGS. OFFICE, COTTAGE, STABLES, AND CONCRETE TANK. TENDERS are invited for the Erection of Office, Cottage, Stables, and - a Concrete Tank for the Mount Hutt Road Board, according: to plans and specifica tions to be seen at Messrs. Friedlander Bros.’ Stores, Ashburton. Tenders, if posted, will be received up to the 4 h of November; if de livered, up till 12 o’clock on the 6th at Corwar, addressed to the Chairman, Cor war, Mount Hutt, and endorsed, “ Ten ders for Building.” The lowest or any tender not neces sarily accepted. Plans and specifications to be seen at Messrs. Friedlander Bros. ’ Ashburton, up till 4th November. W. B. COMPTON, 591a—124 Overseer.



OWN lIALL, ASHBURTON. T Lessees, Messrs Hiscocks, Dayman, & Co. FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25th, McLEAN’S JUVENILE DRAMATIC TROUBADOURS. Twelve Lilliputian Performers. The entertainment will commence with CONRAD AND LIZETTE ; Or, Tim and Con. Conrad Schoollerhoosteroflenstein Master Parlarto Tim Flaherty ... Master McLean. To be followed by the Musical Melange, entitled, PATCHWORK. Open at 7.30, commence at 8. Admission, 3s and 2s. 592 a J. GARDNER, Manager.