DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT WEL LINGTON.

Wellington, June 16, 2 a.m. The largest fire ever known in Wel ington, in which the probable loss will be £50,000, and the insurances about £20,000, commenced at 8.30 last night at the Imperial Opera House, the cus todian and his wife being out at the time. The fire brigades were very promptly on the ground, but water seemed to have but little effect upon the blaze. The Opera House sent out sheets c f flame across Manners street, which ren dered it perfectly impassable, and shortly the Wesleyan Church, which was opposite the Opera House, was a mass of flame. A slight north-west wind was blowing, and sent the flames to the Nag’s Head Hotel, which, being an old building, was soon level with the ground. The flames then crossed Cuba street, and set the Royal Oak Hotel in flames, which also ignited the Market Hall and several new shops, all of which were reduced to ashes. Two important blocks in Cuba street were in great danger for some time, Whi grocery being at one corner, and Smith’s drapery at the other. The Naval Brigade and other volunteers manned the front of the buildings with wet blankets, and by great efforts they managed to prevent the fire gaining any hold, though it caught several times. The firemen worked magnificently. In certain positions they were obliged to cover themselves with wet blankets. The heat was so intense that, although the Bank of New Zealand was of brick and concrete, it was soon in flames, the fire getting in through the windows. At one time it seemed, with the breeze blowing, and the ineffectiveness of the water supply, that the fire would spread over a larger area than it did. The Insurances. The following are the buildings des troyed, and the estimated losses, the exact insurances not being obtainable to-night Opera House, loss ,£12,000, insurance £7000; Wesleyan Church, loss £6OOO, insured in Church fund; Bank of New Zealand (brick and con crete), loss £2,500, uninsured, every thing saved; Wesleyan school, loss £600; Eddie and Jack’s, bottlers, £'2,000, ; Stafford’s hay and corn store, £1,500; Hogarth’s timber yard, £1,000; Graves and Fleming, large drapery stock and house, £4,000; Scott, ironmonger, £1,000; Rickman, shoemaker, £1,000; Nag’s Head hotel and stables, £2,500; Market Hall, £1,000; Royal Oak, £2,000; Wil iams, Cameron, and Co., £700; Working Men’s Club, £1,500; furni ture insured for £650; Engleman’s fancy repository, £1,500; Warcup, shoemrker, £3OO ; Smart’s oyster sa loon, and Young’s oyster saloon £SOO each; Macarthy’s brewery damaged, loss probably £5,500. Probable Loss of Life. A stranger who was exerting himself very much, and was on the top of the Opera House assisting all he could, is supposed to have been burnt to death. The breeze carried the sparks for at least half a mile, and a good deal of alarm was caused in consequence. The streets were blockaded with furniture and goods from the burning houses. By a quarter to eleven all danger of the fire spreading was over. The hose of the fire brigades burst a good many times during the fire, and impeded their efforts.

NEWS AND NOTES.

According to Garibaldi, Italy is “ dis credited and despised abroad, wretched and despairing at home.” We had thought, on comparing Italy of to-day with the Italy of our boyhood, that the comparison showed for the new Italy a place amongst nations and a fair share of honor as against the down-trodden land we once knew it. But we will look for the opinion of the great patriot after he has renewed his health in Rome, and then, perhaps, when he is able to judge with a sound mind in a sound body, unracked by pain, he may speak more hopefully of a country whose social and political regeneration has been the end and aim of his exist ence.

Mrs. Besant, of “Fruits of Philo sophy” notoriety, has suffered an ad verse judgment as to the custody of her nine-year old daughter. Very natu rally the father’s spirit revolted against the idea of his child being brought up in the gross atheism and questionable morality that would inevitably have been her training if left in her mother’s care, and he claimed a father’s right to the custody of his child, notwithstanding that he had previously entered into an agreement with his wife that for eleven months in the >ear their daughter should be in its mother’s custody and one month in its father’s, the arrange ment being reversed in the case of their only other child—a boy. The Court holds that the father must obtain the girl—not from a simple question of Christianity, but from one of paternal right. The Rev. Frank Besant, there can be no doubt, is a Christian, and the child has a right to be brought up in the religion of its father; hence the decision.

The French press is down on Lord Chelmsford. La Fiance says : —“ The unlucky general, Lord Chelmsford, will will be severely criticised from the terms of his own despatch. To send a convoy .of artillery and munitions into an unexplored country and across a river with the feeble escort of 104 men was an act of inexcusable folly.”

THE ASHBURTON HERALD

[Mohdav lyxE 1 6, 1879



Auction Sales. Messrs, acl and, Campbell & CO., have received instructions to sell the GOOD-WILL OF LEASE OF 260 acres 260 OF LAND AT WINCHMORE, With House and Stable thereon. Full particulars at our offices. ACLAND, CAMPBELL, & Co., 1014 Auctioneers. Tenders. UPPER ASHBURTON ROAD BOARD. TENDERS are invited by the Board for the following works : No. 29—Forming, &c., about two miles of the road rrom Wester field House to Bradfield. No. 30—Shingle repairs, Lagmhor Road. No. 31 —Reforming and Shingling a portion of the Alford Forest Road. No. .'32—Erecting Timber Crate at the Narrows, Alford Forest Road. Timber supplied. No. 33—Reducing Grade of a Cutting at the Rangitata. No. 34 —Reforming road from Wes terfield House to the River. Tenders, addressed to the Chairman, must be sent in not later than TUESDAY, the Ist July prox., at noon; if later, they will be rejected. Specifications, &c., are to be seen at the office up to six o’clock on Monday night, the 31st instant. ROBT. D PULLAR, Clerk. Road Board Office, Westerfield, June 12th, 1879. 1022 TENDERS are invited for the Cutting of Four Miles of Gorse Hedges at the Lagmhor Homestead. Tenders to be sent in by FRIDAY, the 20th. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. For particulars, apply to DONALD McLEAN, 1023 Lagmhor.



Public Notice. ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. -\TOTICE is hereby given that at a Special Meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council, held on Tuesday, the 27th day of May, 1879, the following re solution was adopted:— “ That under and in pursuance of the provisions andpowers contained in part X of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1876, and other provisions and powers contained in the said Act, the Ashburton Borough Council do borrow and take up at interest on the security or credit of a rate of one shilling in the pound, authorised to be made and levied by the said Council, under section 112 of the said Municipal Corpora tions Act, 1876, the sum of fifteen thou sand pounds, to be expended as follows : Seven thousand pounds (£7000) in supple menting the sum of Five thousand pounds (£5000) received from the County Council of Ashburton for the purpose of paying, satisfying, and defraying the cost, charges, and expenses of making, erecting and pro viding a system of water supply for the Borough of Ashburton, and for the pur pose of purchasing, or paying for any land which may be required for intakes, reser voirs, or otherwise in connection with the said undertaking or work, or which may be thereby injuriously affected ; and for the purpose of laying down pipes, erecting floodgates, and all other necessary works connected with such water supply, the balance of the said sum of fifteen, thousand pounds, to wit—Eight thousand pounds (£8000), for the purpose of defraying all outlay incurred in and expenses of, and incidental to the construction, and erection of all buildings, erections, constructions, protective works, pipes, gutters, channels,' sewers, drains, bridges, crossings, and all other works, and operations necessary, and requisite for providing underground and surface drainage for the said Borough. That for the purpose of securing the repayment of the said sum of fifteen thousand pounds (£15,000), together with interest thereon, the said Council do issue seven hundred and fifty debentures for twenty pounds (£2O) each in the form contained in the ninth schedule of Municipal Corporations Act, 1876, or to the effect thereof to the person or persons by or on behalf of whom such sum or por tion or part thereof be advanced. “ That the said principal sum of fifteen thousand pounds (£15,000) be borrowed for a term or period of ten (10) years, from the making of such debentures and that the rate of interest to be named therein or made payable by such debentures be at the rate of six pounds ten shillings (£6 10s) per centum per annum, and pay able half yearly, and that coupons for each sum so payable in the form in the tenth schedule to the said Act of 1876, or to the effect thereof, be attached to such deben tures for payment of such interest. That such debentures be forthwith issued under the seal of this said Council, and offered for sale by the Bank of New Zealand as agents for the said Council in London or New Zealand.” Notice is hereby giveu that a Special Meeting will be held on MONDAY, the 30th day of June next, at 6.30 p.m., for the purpose of confirming the above resolu tion. By order, CHARLES BRADDELL, Town Clerk. - Borough Council Office, Ashburton, May 30th, 1879. 946 SANDO AND OLSEN’S ASSIGNED ESTATE. ALL Debts owing to tins Estate must at once be paid to Messrs. Saunders Brothers, or they will bo sued for without further notice. S. SAUNDERS Trugteeg B. HALE ( iruatees -1016 _ JUST ARRIVED Young Ladies’ Journal, London Journal, Family Herald, and Bow Bells, at H. M. Jones’ Baring Square.



Auction Sales. UNDER DISTRAINT FOR RENT. WEDNESDAY, ißth JUNE, At i o’clock. ALFRED HARRISON lias received in structions to sell by Public Auction at Waterton, on the above date, — 1 Horse Power, with intermediate motion 1 Single Furrow Plough I Double Furrow Plough 1 Set (4 leaves) Iron Harrows 1 Movable Hut 1 Spring Cart I Harvest Frame for dray 1 Roadmaker’s Scoop And a Quantity of Wheat Oats Barley and Flour. Sale at 1 o’clock, AT WATERTON, WEDNESDAY, JUNE ißth. Extra stock may be entered up to day of sale with Mr. H. Hudson, Waterton. ALFRED HARRISON, 1002 Auctioneer. Public Notices. C. PERCY COX, AND AND ESTATE AGENT AND ' VALUATOR, ASHBURTON. TO LET OR SELL -680 Acres first-class land (limestone) with good house, large stables, woolshed, sheep-yards, granaries, etc., etc., com plete ; very convenient. 320 Acres reserve, first-class land, part sub-let, sufficient to cover the whole of Government rent, etc., leaving upwards of 200 acres rent free for 2 years. Low price wanted for goodwill of lease, or would be let to a suitable tenant. 2,500 Acres ring-fenced, to be let in one block for grazing, or in blocks to suit purchasers for cropping, with or with out purchasing clause. Town and Suburban Sections sell or let in Ashburton and Hindhope. MONEY TO LEND ON APPROVED FREEHOLD SECURITY Agent for • Union Insurance COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. 717 Tenders. PLOUGHING AND FENCING. TENDERS are invited for DOUBLE SOD FENCING round portions of the Plantation Reserves near Chertsey, Dromore, Wakanui, Tinwald, and Winder mere. Also, for PLOUGHING 30 acres at each of the places named. Further particulars may be obtained at the County Council Office, and tenders must be left there by noon on WEDNES DAY, the 18th. EDWARD G. WRIGHT, 1015 (For the Plantation Board). ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. North Ashburton River Bridge, near Mount Somers Road Crossing. FRESH TENDERS are invited for Bridge reduced to 600 feet in length, and spans to be 20 feet. Plan and specifi cation can be seen at Council offices, Moore-street, Ashburton, and Tenders addressed to the Chairman, with a deposit equal to five per cent of the amount of tender, to be lodged .not later than 10 a.m., Wednesday, 2nd July next. By order. Wm. BAXTER, Ashburton, County Engineer. June 14th, 1879. 1018 ASHBURTON ROAD BOARD. TENDERS are invited for the following works : No. 171 —124 Chains drains, near Waterton (fresh tenders). No. 174 —156 Chains, M‘Lennon’s Road. No. 175—22 Chains Gidding’s Outfall. No. 176 —Drain on Longbeach Road, by Chapman’s, 28 chains. No. 177 —Drain on Osborne’s Road, near the above. Tenders addressed to the Chairman, and endorsed with the number of the work tendered for, will be received till 10 a.m. on MONDAY, June 23rd. All tenders to be accompanied with a deposit equal to 5 per cent, on the value of the work tendered for. The Surveyor will show intending ten derers over 174, 175, 176, and 177 on Wednesday, June 18. These contracts wil be let in short lengths to suit the un employed. By order of the Board, 1020 JAMES WILKIE, Surveyor.



Amusements. TOWN HALL. Lessees and Managers Iliscocks, Hayman, and Co. Business Mamger ... Geo. Lingard. JUNE 18 AND 19. The Idols of Two Continents, PROFESSOR S. S. and CLARA BALDWIN, EXPOSERS OF SPIRITUALISM, In their Original and EXTRAORDINARY LIGHT SEANCE, Performing by Human Agency all the Mar vellous, Physical and Mental Tests of the Most Celebrated Spirit Mediums. Endorsed by upwards of 1,000 prominent Divines, Editors, Literati, and Notables, as being the Most Crushing Blow yet aimed against the performances of Mediums, being all the more overwhelming in that the Banner of Light the leading Spiritualistic paper (U.S.A.), claims that Professor Baldwin is a Medium. OLARA jg AL D WIN’S RENOWNED SPIRIT SEANCE MATERIALISATION. Ths Melbourne Argus says: —“You can actually see and recognise the faces and forms of the dead as they appear in a bright light on the open stage during Clara Baldwin’s spirit xride reception.” Doors open 7.30 ; commence 8 sharp. Ad mission, 35., 25., is. W. C. CONKLING, Agent. 987 OCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL CON- V CERT IN THE TEMPLAR HALL. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25TH, 1879 An Entertainment will be given on the above date in aid of the WESLEYAN CHURCH BUILDING FUND. GLEES, PART SONGS, DUETS, AND SOLOS. Admission, Is 6d. Tickets can be obtained from Messrs. Jones, Aitlen, Weeks, Orr, Ashwood, Andrews, and others. 994



Public Notices. NORTH ASHBURTON AND LOWER ASHBURTON ROAD DISTRICTS CONSTITUTED. [l.s] Hercules Robinson, Governor. A PROCLAMATION. BY virtue of the powers vested in me by the seventh section of the Ordin ance of the Province of Canterbury, in tituled “ The Canterbury Roads Ordin ance, 1872,” and of the powers vested in me by “ The Abolition of Provinces Act, 1875,” and “The Canterbury Roads Or dinance Amendment Act, 1877,” I Her cules George Robert Robinson, the Gover nor of the Colony of New Zealand, do hereby proclaim and declare that, from and after the date hereof, the portion of the Lower Ashburton Road District des cribe! in the First Schedule hereto shall be severed from the said road district, and shall be and is hereby constituted a new district under the name of the “ North Ashburton Road District,” and that the remaining portion of the said Lower Ash burton Road District described in the Second Schedule hereto shall be deemed to be a new district under the name of the “ Lower Ashburton Road District.” FIRST SCHEDULE. Description op the North Ashburton Road District. The North Ashburton Road District comprises all that portion of the Provincial District of Canterbury, bounded towards the North-east by the South Rakaia Road District; towards the North-west by the Great Southern Railway and by the Town of Ashburton ; towards the South-west by a line running along the Middle of the Ashburton River ; and toward the South east by the South Pacific Ocean ; as the same is delineated on the plan deposited in the Survey Office, Christchurch. SECOND SCHEDULE. Description op the Lower Ashburton Road District. The Lower Ashburton Road District comprises all that portion of the Provin cial District of Canterbury bounded to wards the North-east by a line running along the middle of the Ashburton River ; towards the North-west by the Great Southern Railway; towards the South west by the Rangitata River ; and towards j the South-east by the South Pacific j Ocean ; as the same is delineated on the plans deposited in the Survey Office, Christchurch. Given under the hand .of His Excel lency Sir Hercules George Robert Robinson, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order, of Saint Michael and Saint George, Governor and Com mander-in-Chief in and over Her Majesty’s Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies, and Yice-Admiral of the same ; and issued under the Seal of the said Colony, at the Government House at Wellington, this twenty-ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine. G. S. WHITMORE. God Save the Queen. 1001 SLAUGHTERING LICENSE. WE HEREBY give notice that we in intend, at the Council’s sitting on the 2nd July, to apply for a license to kill small and large cattle on R.S. 26598. ROBERTS & WINTER. Selma, June 9,1879. 990 ESTATE OF F. P. LeBRETON. ALL Claims against the above Estate must be sent in to the undersigned by TUESDAY, 17th June, otherwise they will not be recognised. A. 0. AITKEN, Trustee. Ashburton, June 10th, 1879. 992



Auction Sales. BULLOCK AND CO., AGENTS FOR THE SOUTH BRITISH FIRE AND MARINE’INSURANCE COMPANY [of NEW ZEALAND. CAPITAL £1,000,000. Insurances effected at the lowest current rates on all kinds of Buildings, Threshing Machines, Crops Growing and in Stack. J. DRUMMOND McPHERSON, Manager, Christchurch. TO RUNHOLDERS, FARMERS, AND OTHERS. PJIHE Undersigned have on Sale:— Fencing Wire No. 6to 10. v Standards and Stakes. Seeds— White Clover Red Clover Cow Grass Alsike Trefoil Lucerne, &c., &c. Rye Grass Seed Coal and Firewood Station Stores of Every Description. We are prepared to allow a very liberal discount for cash. BULLOCK AND CO., East Street. Business Notice. Properties for sale and] TO LET by Messrs. Poyntz & Co., ASHBURTON. F O R S A L E. 800 Acres Unimproved Land, near Chert sey. 150 Acres,; three miles from Ashburton, 70 acres in English Grass. 150 Acres at Longbeach; Good House and Outbuildings. 10 Acres near Wakanui Township ; good stand for a Blacksmith. |-Acre in South Rakaia Township. The Central Temperance Hotel, Baring Square, Ashburton. TO LET. 40 Acres of Good Land, two miles from Tinwald. 350 Acres Good Land, Coldstream Run, Rangitata —purchasing clause. Several Houses in Ashburton, various sizes. A House and Shop in East Street. A House and Shop in the Triangle. A House, Shop, and Bakery, in the Tri angle. A House and Shop in Burnett Street. also, — SEVERAL HOUSES IN ASHBURTON FOR SALE, ON EASY TERMS.



Apply POYNTZ & CO., East Street, 928 Ashburton. Public Notices. IN BANKRUPTCY. WEEKS & DIXON have on Sale at their Office, East Street North, — BANKRUPTCY ACTS, PROOFS OF DEBT FORMS, FORMS OF AFFIDAVIT, Also, — FORMS of TO LET and FOR SALE. BIBLES, Prayers, and Church Services, Hymnals for various churches. —H. M. JONES, Stationer, Baring Square. DIARIES. —A Few Commercial and Scribbling Diaries on Sale, Cheap, at the “ Herald ” Stationery Depot, East Street North, near Railway Station. SEWING Machines and other Requi sites. H. M. JONES, Stationer, Etc., Baring Square. 473 k WANTED KNOWN—That the cheap est and neatest CARDS may bt> had at the ASHBURTON HERALD OFFICE East Street North.



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 r, 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 FANCY GOODS, AT REASONABLE PRICES. Hamilton’s Library Books on Deferred Payment. S®„Note the address— J. Y. WARD, East Street North (Saunders Bros.’ New Buildings), ASHBURTON. 440 Business Notices. Y EW JNDUSTRY. COFFEE, Pure and Fresh Ground Daily at ORR & CO.’S. 953



A USEFUL NOVELTY, Most Favorable OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE MONEY. \N h\ h & .w o P 4 w P 4 \N K\ £>• DISCOUNT of SEVEN AND A HALF Per Cent, will be allowed to all CASH CUSTOMERS BY Friedlander Bros., EAST STREET. 828 GEORGE LADBROOK, (Near the Station, Winslow), HAS in Stock a Good Supply of Gene ral Stores, which he can supply Wholesale and Retail at the lowest current rates. Public Notices. NOTIC E. ESTATE OF F. DOHERTY. A LL Accounts due to the above estate }\ must be paid forthwith to Mr. Doherty, or they will be sued for without : urther notice. By order of the Trustees, D. CARO. )27 W. BROWNE. DISSOLUTION OF PARTNERSHIP. BY Deed of Assignment, dated 21st day of May, 1879, filed in the Supreme Court of New Zealand on 22nd May, 1879, and assented to by the Creditors in Meeting held at Christchurish on 10th of June, 1879, the partnership existing be tween Messrs. SANDO &> OLSEN is hereby dissolved. Dated June 11, 1879. /CJ . ( KNUD SANDO. (Signed) j JOHN OLSEN. 995



Business Notices. Gr BEAT g ALE OK DRAPERY AND CLOTHING, AT THE TRIANGLE, ASHBURTON, FOR ONE MONTH ONLY. Early purchasers will have the opportunity of making good selections. 1008 GABITES & PLANTE. Educational. MUSIC TUITION, VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL.. Terms, per Quarter or per Lesson, on appli cation to the Principal. SUPERIOR LADIES’ BOARDING AND DAY SCHOOL, Oxford Villa, Burnett St., Ashburton, Conducted by Miss Steane. Private Lessons in French, German, and Latin, twice weekly ; Music, and Drawing in Various Styles. Preparatory School for Boys. Inclusive Terms. Tailors. NOTICE OF REMOVAL. S. STOKES, TAILOR AND CLOTHIER. BEGS to remind his friends and the public that he has removed his busi ness to new shop near Baldwin’s Central Hotel, Wakanui Road, and would take this opportunity of acknowledging the very liberal support accorded to him here tofore, and solicits a continuance of patronage at his new shop—Wakanui Road, near Baldwin’s Central Hotel. S. STOKES., TAILOR AND CLOTHIER. 794



TAILORING, AT MOST REASONABLE RATES, TO MEET THE TIMES. W. L E E (Formerly Tailor to G. Fletcher, of Christ church), BEGS to announce to the Gentlemen of the County of Ashburton that he has commenced the business of Tailoring and Habit Maker, in all its branches, and can guarantee a Good Fit and Superior Workmanship in all orders entrusted to him. Gentlemen’s materials supplied made up in the best style, on the shortest notice. Clothes cleaned and repaired, and made to look equal to new. ALL ORDERS EXECUTED' AT THE LOWEST POSSIBLE RATES FOR CASH. Address^- W. LEE, TAILOR, &c •, Havelock Street, Ashburton. at Hooper, Aitken & Co. ’s. 1012



Bootmakers. PUBLIC NOTICE. BOOTS! BOOTS! T. CHAMBERS WHILE THANKING the pcblic of Ashburton and surrour ding dis tricts for past favors, begs to inf* in them that he has received, and to arrive ; at his place c.f business, East-street, a WELL-ASSORTED STOCK OF LADIES’, GENTLEMEN’S, AND CHIL DREN’S BOOTS AND SHOES Of all descriptions. T. C. also calls special attentii 1 to the Measure Department, and invites the gentlemen of Ashburton to inspect the superior class of Sewn Boots and Shoes he is now making. Riding Boots, Shooting Boots, Walking Boots and Shoes, Cricketing Boots and Shoes, and Running Shoes. WORKMANSHIP UNSURPASSED. A PERFECT FIT GUARANTEED. T. CHAMBERS, PROSPECT BUILDINGS, Next to Montgomery’s, East-street. M. NEALAS, BOOT AND SHOEMAKER, AND IMPORTER, HAS now on sale a Splendid Assortment of BOOTS and SHOES for Winter, which are of the Best Quality, and will be Sold at very reasonable prices. Note the address— M. NEALA NEXT TO MESSRS. ORR & CO.’S, EAST STREET, ASHBURTON.