COMMERCIAL REPORT.

tfEOM OUR CHRISTCHURCH CORRESPONDENT.

EOR THE WEEK ENDING NOV. 20. There litis been bitt little elding in the errain and produce market this week, and my remarks under this head) and prices quoted last week, are applicable to the week now concluded. The recent weather has not favored growing crops, but the rain that has fallen would be very valuable if a series of warm sunshiny days would follow. I trust forcing weather of this desirable character will prevail during the ensuing week.

The following is a copy of a telegram received yesterday "by the' New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited), dated London, 19th Novem ber :—• Wool. —The sales opened with spirit on the 18th inst., and comprise about 83,000 bales. 3,000 bales have been sent to the manufacturing districts direct. Home buyers are purchasing freely. The follow ing have advanced since close of last sales: —Greasy, Id. per lb.; superior combing, washed and scoured, lid. to 2d. ; clothing washed, Id.; medium and inferior greasy, id. told.; cross-bred greasy, Id.; cross bred, superior combing, washed and scoured, 2d. to-3d.; lambs’, id. to Id. Tallow. —Market quiet. Stocks of all sorts, 14,500 casks. Mutton is worth 435., and beef 40s per cwt. Wheat.— Market quiet. Foreign arri vals heavy. Adelaide is quoted at 605., and New Zealand at 5Ss.

Messrs. Acland, Campbell and Co. report on the stock market for the week ending Thursday, 20th inst., as follows: At the Addington Yards yesterday, 5362 sheep were yarded, amongst which there was a fair supply of butchers’ sheep. As, ■owing to the holidays, no sale was held on Wednesday, the 12th, butchers were short of supplies and consequently operated freely; there being no difficulty in clearing all lots at rates fully up to those obtained a fortnight ago. We quote heavy weight cross-bred wethers at 9s. 6d. to 11s.; medium, 7s. 2d. to 7s. 6d. Only one small pen of merino sheep in the wool were yarded, realising 11s. We note that all the fat sheep now coming to hand are shorn, showing that shearing opera tions are in full swing. In stores several lines of very good hoggets in the wool were offered, fetching up to 9s. 6d. Two pens of one lot fetched up to 11s. but these were bought by butchers, being in excellent con dition, inferior hoggets in wool fetching ss. 6d., cross-bred ewes and lambs in wool 3s. 3d.; shorn merino ewes and lambs, 4s. 9<L; tw'o-tooth cross-breds, shorn, in good condition, ss. 3d. to 6s. 9d- A good supply of lambs in, and-they found ready sale at from Ss. 3d to Bs. 6d., according to quality. A very large entry of cattle came to hand, 817 being yarded, nearly every available pen being tilled. . 1 here was a large supply of beef, a considerable proportion being of excellent quality, the feature of the market being a pen of station-bred bullocks from. Longbeach. They were really magnificent animals, allowing fine breeding, with great beef carrying capabilities. They topped the market, averagirg £lO ss. Considering the large suppiy, the mar ket was tolerably good, most lots finding buyers, but at slightly reduced prices on the sales. The last few pens, however, had to put up with a reduction of about 10s per head on the prices obtained earlier in the sale. The average of prime beef was about 265. per lOOlbs.; inferior 225. to 245. The store cattle pens were all well filled, there being the largest entry we have had this season. . The mar ket was not very liyely, but still a good many lots changed hands, 3-year-old Bullocks, £5 7s. 6d. to £6, the latter being large-framed bullocks ; 2-year-old steers, £3 12s. 6d. to £4155., according to condition; 3-year-old heifers, £4 ss. ; 2-year heifers, £3 7s, 6d- to £4; yearlings, £2 ss, to £3 2s. 6d.: calves 21s. to 275.; store cows, £3 10s. to £4 10s.; very few dairy cows in, 1 and little demand. On Monday, 17th, we held our usual monthly sale at Southbrldge, when there was a large entry of store sheep, hut very ltwe business was done, vendors holding out for higher prices than buyers were pre pared to give. And the same remarks apply to the cattle market.- However, .-after the sale a good many were disposed iof privately. We placed fat shorn cross breds at Bs.; 2 and 4-tooth cross-bred stores, at 65.; shorn cross-bred ewes and lambs, os- Fat Cattle—A number of very nice cattle yarded, but little demand, what were sold making about 225. per lOOlbs ; 2-year-ol , mixed sexes, £3 2s. 6d.; yearlings, £2 ss. ; store cows, £3 10s. to £4.

Messi's. J. T. Ford & Co. report on the live stock market for the week ending Thursday, the 20th inst., as follows : The total number of stock yarded at Addington on Wednesday comprised— -5362 sheep, 817 cattle, and 23 pigs. Fat sheep sold remarkably well in con sequence of the trade being what is termed run out—there being no market the Wed nesday previous, and every line was (quitted at capital prices. Beef was not in great demand, as many of the butchers had supplied themselves beforehand, but Still good quality sold at faip prices, and very few wei’e turned out unsold at the ,end of the day, .Store cattle aye moving away freely, and jn'isas for this clas< of stock will not be lower this year, as the supply of grass in every district is in the greatest abundance, and-an many instances too luxuriant for sheep. Store sheep are also in good demand, especially crossbred wethers. We have orders at present for larpe lines of four tooth crossbreds, but are unable to supply them. Young merino eaves are also in capital demand for forward delivery, but this class of sheep also is very difficult to obtain. Our entries for the day were on account of Meters. J. Studholme, Lad brook , Grieves, Limiey, Sutton, Suther land, Maher,. Cavleteo. Hayes, Duncan, S. Garforth, 0. 11. Campbell, Robertson, Rountree, Bvans, and others, comprising 1,500 sheep and 203 head of eatlfg ; 20 fat steers, on account of Mr. S. Evans, brought an all round average of 2s *esch ; 6 head, on account of same owner, brought £8 15s each. head of store cattle, on account .Sutton, brought an average of -*£s each. Twenty-six head of young istock, on .-account of Mr. Oarleton, brought from £1 13s fkl to £2 6s each, and several T<i u . s on-account of different other owners, at from £3 15s to £4 7s 6d each.

Mr. Studholme’s cross-breds brought from 9s 6d to 10s each ; Mr. Campbell’s 10s 6d each. Crossbred wethers, on account of Mr. Evans, brought 11s each ; ewes, dri account of same owner, sold at 9s each.

Wo quote beef at 9s per lOOlbs., and mutton at 2d.

At our Wool and skin sale we catalogued 2,100 skins and 150' hides. AVe had the usual attendance of buyers, and best butchers’ crossbreds went up to 4s 9d each ; best merino skins at from 4s 7d to 4s 9d each ; medium of each class at from 3s 6d to -Is each ; tallow sold at from ljd to If d per lb. Hides—We quitted our lot at 3id per lb. all round.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1879.

Don’t Be Alarmed ! —The fire bell will sound to-night at eight o’clock —but only to test its ringing powers. Nervous persons needn’t be put out about it. An Error. —ln our report of the Ash burton Show a typographical error oc cured in the prize list, which we desire to correct. IVtr. John Small, of Graham s road, took first prize for the best salt but ter, and we have to apologise to him for the mistake.

Protective AVorks. The County Council are calling for tenders for protec tive works near the Forks, and Mr. Baxter, the County Engineer, will be in attend ance at Mr. Goode’s at Ip.m. on Monday, to show intending contractors over the work.

Fire Brigade and Police. —A meet ing of the Fire Brigade, Fire Police, and Insurance agents will he held at Messrs. Edmiston Bros, and Gundry’s offices at 11 a. m. on Tuesday next, with the object of organising a body whose duty it will be to protect salvage goods at fires, and to assist the Brigade in keeping the crowd from interfering with the engine and hose.

Threatened Ffver Visitation. A correspondent wants to know when the new scavenger begins woik, as some closets have not been seen to since the aid hand left off. The stench is fearful, and health is endangered. The Recent Fire. —In another column Messrs. Orr and 00. express their thanks to the Brigade and others whose exertions saved their building and stock last Satur day night, and apologise for the tardiness of their acknowledgments. The circum stances in which a fire usually leaves a man’s premises may well account for any forgetfulness of conventionalities. Murphy v. Markham. —In this case, which was heard at the Court yesterday Mr. Markham wishes us to explain that the document in question was not an ordinary trade bill; but, being both payee anil one of the endorsers, and the drawer having become bankrupt, judgment was given against defendant. Mr. Markham feels that this explanation is required owing to the necessarily brief report given by us yesterday, which he fears may lead to a misconception injurious to his com mercial credit.

Mysterious Deaths of Two Children. —This morning the twin infants of Mr. Penny, waiter at the Somerset Hotel, were found dead in bud, the bodies pre senting a peculiar appearance. At half past eleven last night the fatlxpr looked at the babes, who tlxen appeared to be all right. At four in the morning there also appeared to be nothing wrong, but two or three hours later they were found dead, with their mouths wreathed in foam. Dr. Ross was called, and on examining the children arrived at the conclusion that they had died from poison. All the food in the house has been sampled, and sent to Christchurch for analysis. The affair is most mysterious, but will probably be cleared up at the inquest on Monday at Baldwin’s Hotel.

The Polpi l'.—The Rev. W. Keall will preach a sernlon bearing upon “Drink and Abstinence” in the Wesleyan Church to-morrow night. Postponed Sale. —The sale of salvage stock advertised by Edmiston Bros, and G undry to take place to-day, was unavoidably postponed until Wednesday next. Sporting. —The Committee of the Winslow Sports meet at Harris’ Hotel, Winslow, on Monday evening to prepare programme, etc. ______

CHISPA’S LETTER.

“I am not yet so bald that you can see my brains. ’ ’—Lon gkel low.

The governing powers in the country have got the right measure of the bow wows, and it is evident that a census has been taken of all the stock of that descrip tion in the county, no matter whether they be of high or low degree. The County Council want some saddler, or other tradesman in the leather line, to give in a price for 1256 dog collars for next year. I can’t make out how they got so close to it; because 1 sometimes see some of the dog fanciers with one animal “following,” and a day or so afterwards they have a flock of all sorts and condi tions ; and I have been looking out for an advertisement in your columns for shearers for the animals, as this is about the season when the fleece should be taken off. Any how, I suppose that when the County Council sell the 1256 collars next year I will be perfectly safe in speculating in a dog of some sort, as in these hard times it would be very convenient to have one who knew how to'go to Digby’s shop and nego tiate the loan of a leg of mutton. I mean to patent this.

I was a good deal taken up at the races with the number of applications I received for a “ pipe of ’bacca” and I shelled out as far as my pocketful would go. A shil ling’s worth of “cut up ” and a stick and a half of nailroad were converted into smoke at a most alarming rate ; and on reaching home the wife of my bosom saluted me with, “ Chispa, you’ll have to give up that smoking ; tobacco is a shil ling a pound dearer, and you get through a pound a week, and whiskey is two shil lings a gallon more, so go to Worthy Chief St. Hill, and join the Good Tem plars, for your model, Johnny Hall, has raised the duties.” And then the mystery of the rush on my tobacco was made clear, and I silently wiped a tear from my eye, and vowed that I would for the future stick to sheepwash, and gingerbeer.

Bill-sticking is an easy sort of a job, and I should think it didn’t require a great deal of learning, nor a vast amount of talent to sling a white-wash brush over a hoarding. But some artists in this line of business in Ashburton are evidently troubled with an obliquity of vision, as some of their bill-sticking attempts show an amount of crookedness only to be ac counted for by that cause. There is another thing in bill-sticking, too, which the artist ought to watch, and that is not to stick his bills so that the new ones and the old ones will get mixed in the reading. I noticed a case to-day where, in reading straight across the page, or hoarding, a statement to the following effect was made MR. JOSEPH IYESS will ad dres the TWO BARMAIDS and the BRIDE OF ABYDOS at the Town Hall on Tuesday. Admission—front seats 35., back seats 25.” I don’t consider it a cor rect thing, you know, for our future Mayor to go in for this kind of thing. I could forgive an interview, and a drink on the quiet with one barmaid, hut when he goes for two, and Byron’s heroine into the bargain, he is monoplising the fair sex rather too much, you know.

My friends the carriers were got at on the course the other day. After the the racing was over they went for a shy round the track, for a five shilling sweep, on their own hook, and persuaded a good natured official to stop to see fair play. Five of them went for the event, and the stakes, 255., were handed to the official, who acted as stakeholder, judge, and so forth. The race was won by a hoi’se which, accompanied by his rider, is in the habit of making early journeys in the morning with a view of preventing other horses and cattle getting lost, and of putting them in a place where their owners can find them for a Price. After the event was over, the twenty-five shillings were demanded ; but the stake holder informed the winner that as there was a pound to be deducted for the use of the course, he could only pay over five shil lings, which the youth naturally didn’t see ; and the matter was made right at the “ settling,” when the treasurer was authorised to cash up the sweep, but to caution carriers that the Racecourse was not to be used by all and sundry, with out permission of and payment to the duly constituted authorities.

Your paragraph about „“ judging but ter” has “fetched” me. I never was a butter judge, but it has been my mis fortune on one or two occasions to “ do ” a cattle show—speaking as a newspaper repoi’ter would. I did a show of this kind once too often. It was in Scotland. I had gone all round the sheep pens, and the cattle stalls, and half a dozen times thi’ough the butter pavilion. Igushed like a fountain of poetry over evei’y item in my departments of the Show that met my approbation, and specially did I praise the pi’ize-takei’s in the butter list. Had I foreseen the consequences of that ill-advised piece of flattery I should have “ shut up ” long before I did. But I have no gift of second sight. The paper appeared, and the flattered ones were doubtless pleased with th fir flattery. But three months afterwards I had occasion to journey through the district, of which the show was the annual event. Passing a farmhouse, a great big, hearty loolcing wench called out “Hi, chappie. ” I hied to her. She asked— “ Could you come in a minute?” I came in. “Sitdoon.” I sat “doon.” Open ing a drawer, she drew forth a well worn copy of the “ buster.” It was a copy with my Show report in it. “ Did you write that?” “Aye.” “ Do you think Janet Grant can mak’ better butter than me I saw that Janet Grant had second prize, while the “ Duko’s ” daii-y maid had first. I expressed my belief that both prize specimens were superior. If you ask me why I do not enter as I used to in my young; days for the annual spoils, you will find sufficient reason if you examine the calves of my legs—for that sturdy w ancli’s broom handle , hut why dwell on a painful scene ? I shall never

agiiiil report on butter, unless the" show happens the day before my previously arranged emigration to the other side of the world. Chispa.

TELEGRAPHIC.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

Auckland, Nor. 22.

John Powis, formerly officer in charge of the Commissirat Department, died in the Provincial Hospital, after a chequered career.

An alarm of lire yesterday is believed to have been made by a toper going home. The water pressure was turned on from the reservoir, and it burst a main and tore up the roadway. The charges of forgery and perjury against Oliver Macey Quintal, solicitor, have been withdrawn by the prosecutor.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

LAST NIGHT’S CABLEGRAMS.

{Reuter's Teleg) ams.) London, Nov. 15. Three per cent, consols, 98j. New Zea land 10-40 Five per cent L0an,,102. Adelaide wheat, 58s. per qr. ex ware house. Flour, 425, per 2801bs. ex ware house. Best Australian beef tallow 41s. Wool is in good demond. The “ Morning Post ” supports a disso lution of the Victorian Parliament.

Great agitation prevails in Ireland. Three arrests have been made for seditious language. Arrived Loch Katrie, from Mel bourne, August 9 ; Kirkham, from Port Pirie, July 17; Clan Campbell, from Timaru, July 29; Kosciusko, from Sydney, August 20. The cargo of the Abergeldie, from Sydney to London, took fire on the voyage, and 202 tons were jet tisoned. The cargo was much damaged. Adelaide, Nov. 21. Arrived—Aconcagua.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

1 LAST NIGHT’S TELEGRAMS.

Wellington, Nov. 21,

The second meeting of the New Zea land Rifle Association will be held in Nel son on Monday, 2nd March. At a largely attended meeting to-day, the tobacconists decided to raise the price of tobacco and cigars in consequence of the recent increase in the duties. The meeting adjourned for a fortnight. A German named John Francis Wilt hoff was ax-rested this evening for larceny at Oamaru.

Christchurch , Noy. 21.

The Gas Company have been making extensive alterations in their system of pipes. The principal suburbs ax-e now supplied with gas, and there are in all fourteen miles alone of mains laid.

The indecent exposure disease has again broken out badly, within the last week. Three cases of the kind have been severely dealt with.

The new tariff has been favorably re ceived here on the whole, regret being ex pressed in some quarters that the duties on tea and sugar were not re-imposed. Some of the alterations puzzle traders The heavy impost laid on salt, for in stance.

At the meeting of the Chamber of Com merce to-day, Mr. Nathan brought up the question of sending a vessel to look for the Knowsley Hall, now long overdue. It is thought she may have shared the fate of the Strathmore, and been wrecked on the Crozets, or some other island ; and it was resolved to ask Government to send a cableg’-am to the English Government, asking them to despatch a vessel from the nearest station to look for her.

Dunedin, Nov. 21,

Yesterday evening the management of the company now playing at the Queen’s Theatre, were served with a writ at the instance of Mr. J. Williamson, the well known actor, and the possessor of the “ Pinafore ” copyright.

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Friday, Nov. 21.

In the Council to-day,

Mr Whitaker stated, in reference to a motion re harbor defence, that the Minis try had been written to by Col. Scratcliley, who would visit the colony in January After he had inspected the harbors and reported, the Government would be en abled to state his views on the subject. The Oamaru Harbor Land Bill was read a second time and passed. The Native Expenditure Investigation Committee obtained an extension of time till 3rd December, to bring up their re port. The greater part of the afternoon was spent in debating the Qualification of Electors Bill, and when the Council rose at 5, the Hons. Mr. Whitaker, Bell, YVhitmore, P. Buckland, Fraser, Grace, Pharazyn, Ngatahe, Reynolds, Taiaroa, Waterhouse, Wilson, and Wood had spoken, all very shortly, and generally in favor of the Bill. The arguments used, however, on the other side were chiefly repetitions of those brought forward in the Lower House.

At 5 o’clock the Council adjourned till 7.30. EVENING SITTING. The Qualifications Bill passed the se cond reading on the voices. The Miners’ Rights Fees Reduction Bill was thrown out by 24 to 10. The Council adjourned at 10 o’clock.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Friday, November 21.

The House sat till 5.30 this morning, in Committee on the Wanganui Schools En dowment Bill, and the Auckland Im provement Commission Bill. A deter mined opposition was offered to both, and progress at length had to be reported. The House then adjourned till 7.30.

EVENING SITTING.

The House met at 7.30.

Mr. Pyke, in Committee, said that in Vincent County arrangements have been made to extend expenditure over a period of years. At present the County was committed to contracts amounting to £30,000 ; and, if the subsidies were dis continued, where was the guarantee these contracts would be provided for. The Act provided tnat these subsidies were to ex tend over a period of 5 years, and on that

understanding heavy obligations had been contracted for. The proposal for dis continuance was equivalent to a proposal of repudiation on the part of Government. Considering the part taken by the: Treasurer in bringing the Counties Act into force, he ought to have been the last to make such a proposal as one for discontinuation. The virtue of the Counties Act was that it left district works to be dealt with by localities, and did not trouble. Parliament with such matters. But this proposal was pi-actically stultifying that virtue. Subsi dies were not the best way to provide for the wants of counties. A better inode would bo sot aside the land fund for the purpose. He thought some provision would have been made, lie urged the House to insist on a definite assurance being given. He blamed the Treasurer for his attempt to discontinue the subsi dies without giving counties the slightest notice of his intention. Counties should have had at least twelve months notice of the proposal. He denied the right of Government to take the land fund and appropriate it as consolidated revenue fund. It should be applied for improve ments in counties, and to the other purposes Sir George Grey defended the late Go vernment for having appropriated the Land Fund for purposes of revenue. Go vernment did not sell the land in the pro per sense of the word “sale.” They tax purchasers and resume possession thereof on paying a reasonable compensa tion. All that it showed was that in parting with the land they did it accord ing to the usual acceptation of the word. They only settled population upon it, a population for which the means of bear ing the burdens of the State ought to be provided.

Mr. Stewart moved as a further amend ment to the effect that the House, con sidering the circumstances under which Government took office, refuses to grant supplies until Government gave a distinct pledge that they will during present session bring down a Representation of Seats Bill. He argued that the Regula tion of Elections Bill, passed by the House without a redistribution measure, placed the colony in a more illiberal con dition than it had previously been. The amendment was lost on the voices. The motion for going into Committee of Supply was then put and carried. THE ESTIMATES. The Estimates were brought on for con sideration. On the first item being put, Mr. Mont gomery moved that progress be reported. If it was intended to pass the Estimates just now, with the meagre information they had, it would, he thought, be shown when the Public Works and other state ments came down, that it would be neces sary to very considerably cut down these Estimates. They had other important business to go on with, ao the time would be thrown away. Mr. Shepherd pointed out that tha sala-. ries proposed in the postal department were in excess of those paid last year. In the present state of the finances he thought it was a mistake.

The Hon. John Hall replied, and in doing so pointed out that the work had increased very considerably, and it was only fair that increased remuneration should be paid.

Mr. J. T. Fisher said the increase had been proposed by the late Government, and was one which, considering the im portance of the department was both fair and reasonable. Mr. Ballance denied that these were Estimates prepared by late Government. If he was rightly informed, the Estimates now submitted had been carefully con cealed in the Cabinet. They were only departmental, and no attempt had been made to ascertain how far they fitted in with the general finance of the colony. The increase in this one debt was £36,000. In the fact of that proposal they found that there was only an increase of £4OOO, so that in reality they proposed a net loss to the revenue of £33,000 —a proposal of that kind could only be justified by most exceptional circumstances, and no such circumstances had been shown. In that case lie would support the views of Mr. Montgomery—that consideration of the Estimates should be.postponed till they had detailed particulars of the finan cial proposals before them. He had been told the Land and Property Tax Bill was prepared. Why was it kept back ?It was absolutely necessary they should have that measure before taking up Estimates.

Mr. Turnbull said he would feel it his duty to propose a reduction in the salaries. The proposals before them shewed that there was paid, or proposed to be paid, in salaries over £2OO per annum, the amount of £40,000. The time had now come when it would be necessary to cut down all departmental salaries, from the highest down to the very lowest. Meantime it would be much more advisable to adopt a motion for postponement till the financial proposals were before them. The Educa tional department was another department that would have to be cut down. It was impossible the colony could go on paying these large sums year after year. Mr. Speight spoke in support of the amendment for postponement. Mr. Swanson thought the Estimates might very well be reduced by £50,000. He was on a Committee that day at which an exposure of the rotten state of the pub lic service took place. It was shown that, a number of highly paid civil servants were not only useless but absolutely mis chevous. He warned new members from past experience, that there was not the slightest possibility of making any Minis terial reductions, unless the Estimates were sent back for reconsideration by Go vernment.

Mr. Hall said it was the extravagant demands of the public which necessiated the larger civil service complained of A post office was demanded here, tele graph office there, and so on, That was how the service became fo large. It was not the doing of Ministers, and it was a thing for which the extravagant demands of the public were solely responsible. Mr. Adams was inclined to support the proposal that Government should take back the estimates, and make consider able reductions.

Mr. Hutchinson submitted they might fairly increase salaries paid, and reduce the number of employees. There were hosts of R.M.’s for example a great deal of whose work might be under taken by J.P.’s. There was a Govern ment official for every nineteen of the population. He supported the amend ment.

[The debate had not ended when our message left at one o’clock.

THE OAMARU SHOW?

■ • : ' : (By; )

(FROM OUR SPECIAL COnKSSPONDENT.) Oamaru, Nov. 20.- During the; afternoon about 5000 people attended the Show, and the weather was really splendid. But notwithstanding the excellent weather the ground - was very unpleasant, at times from the clouds of dust that swept over it. The ground has a fine situation in the summit of a hill, but it gave no protection from the dust. The turn out of horses was magnificent. We question whesher any other part of New Zealand could compete with North Otago in lier annual display of all classes. Banker, the champion of Christchurch last year, took first honors as an entire, with Heather Jock 2nd. In cattle the Shorthorns and -lyrshires were well represented. There was also a grand display of sheep, which occupied a large share of public-at-, tention. The implements w ere fully up to Christchurch, which your readers know was excellent. Reid and Gray occupied ' a fair share of the ground. :In dairy, pro duce the number reached the extraordinary ’ total of ninety. The butter looked miserably bad, being covered witli, dust. A grand feature in this department; .was the enclosing of ail produce with wire netting so as to prevent .the public from abusing it so much as is generally the case at those annual gather ings., I cannot speak too highly ,of the . whole arrangements of this Association. A large ring is fitted up, with three tiers of seats which seem to' be fully appreciated by the public during the time the judging was going on. ' There were two threshing machines under steam on the ground, one a Ransome and Sims, - with straw feeder and burner ; and of course there were all the usual demonstrations of a holiday in the shape of a fine hand, and other attrac tions.

The Cup was taken by Fleming" and Hedley with 25 points, against Mr. Men love’s 24. - " - ■- A fatal accident occurred on'.the Show ground this afternoon to a man named M‘Kenzie, a blacksmith residing .. at Kakanui. He watching some horses which were being ridden over hurdles,: wnen one of them turned round, and kicked deceased in the stomach, causing almost instan taneous death. He leaves a widow and eleven children. An inquest will be held.

THE RACE COURSE.

Notwitstanding a bad season, last.. year, progrostications of no money for; racing this year, and a feelingof doubt among the Racing Club members that if a meeting were held, they would have to do. as the old committee did year’s ago - here—adver tise large stakes and then pay nobody— the meeting was an unqualified success. The sneers of some, and the impecuniosity ' of others, did not effect the question of the races being held, nor the ability of the stewards, to pay ; • for although in some cases the fields were not large, the quality of the sport was better than that usually seen at more important meetings, and, what is more, the Com mittee will have, after paying all their liabilities, fully a hundrei pounds to: their credit. As the Committee have so far disappointed those who predicted" a “ miserable failure” for the Spring meet- \ ing, it is probable that the Caledonian f Society will also “disappoint” the same public spirited individuals. It is now settled that the sports will be held on - the racecourse and it is probable that the Racing Club and the Caledonian Society will come to some undersigning, so A as to hold the ground jointly, and be'thus en abled to devote alarger sum towards perma nent improvements. It is to be hoped that thisdesirable amalgamation will take place, <

and we should like to see another body join the proposed partnership—tlie Agri cultural and pastoral association. As the ground held by the Racing Club is of sufficient area to accommodate all the societies, being 146 acres in extent, we feel confident that if an agreement- can be arranged between the three bodies, a really grand public park and pleasure ground will be made in a very few years ; and when a belt of trees is planted, the present dreary expanse of tussock willassume a a more verdant and arborial appearance.

THE INTERIOR OF THE EARTH.

By Rev. B. J. Westbrooke,

No. 111.

There are two principal reasons for believing that the interior of the earth is not molten. The first—but not-the most important—l propose now to review. It may be briefly stated thus : —The interior of the earth must be subject to immense pressure from the super incumbent matter. Now, it is thought that pressure exercises a great influence over the fusing point of bodies, and it is thought that this principle may greatly modify the results of the great heat in the interior of the earth. Perhaps this will be better understood if the difference between gases, and solids, be explained ; for. it muss b@ understood that I do not.. presqrqe write for men well read in bfiti simply for ordinary Well, then, each of these bodies' consists of ultimate particles, op atoms (i.e, , not cut or. divided), and in each ot the three—gases, liquids, and solids—the particles comport themselves differently. In gases the particles repel each other, so that if a very small quantity of gas be placed in a very large vessel the particles will get as far away from each other as the- size of the vessel will allow, and the particles will be so diffused throughout it that the gas may be said to fill the vessel. The atojps of gases are constantly tending to get as far away from each other as"possible. In liquids, on the other hand, the pari ides atti’act each other, but not so strongly but that they are constantly moving in and out in a- wavy path in all directions, so that a particle at one part of the liquid will, at a-certain time, have traversed all the different parts one after another.

But in the case of solids the attraction is stronger, and the particles are always within the range of each other's action, and, although it is thought by men of science that each particle can oscillat* about its mean position, and even spin about any axis in that position, as in the case of vibration or contusion (he»t is simply a vibration of the atoms of a body) yet these particles are not able to change that position fin illy and go and take up another position, as in gases and liquids.

SmmftAV, November aa, nSyg.;]

TIIE AS H 0 URTG N HE RA LD.



New Advertisements. FIRE ! FIRE ! ! FIRE !! ! OWN HALL. THURSDAY, NOV. 27th, For Benefit of J. H Y D E, Rendered by the musical people of Ash burton. Programme : I—Hallelujah Chorus, Ashburton Brass Band. —Part song, “ Come to the fair,” from Martha, Glee Company, of 20 voices. —Song, Mr. Dolman —Duet, “ List to the Convent Bells,” Misses A. Permain and E. Savage. —Song, Mr. H. Stephenson. —Aria, “In verdure clad,” Miss Strien 7 Song, Mr. Branson. 8— Trio, “Life’s a bumper,” Messrs. Stephenson, Pickford, and Savage. —Song, Mr. Jacobson. 10—Song, Mr. Harrison.



INTERVAL. Part 11. 11 —Selection, “ Pot Pourri,” Band. 12'—Part song, “ Comrades in arms,” (Adolph Adam), Glee Company. 13— Song, Mi*. Branson. 14— Recitation, Mr. Minnis. 15 — Song, Mr. Harrison. 16— Duet, Piano and Cornet, “ Staccato polka,” (Bonnisson), Mrs. Paige and Master G. Savage. 17 — Song, Mr. Stephenson. 18— Quartette, Messrs. Branson, Pratt, Zouch, and Jacobson. 19— Song, Miss Strien. 20— “ God Save the Queen.” The above Programme is subject to altera tion. Mrs. Paige has kindly consented to accompany on the Pianoforte. Conductor, J. Savage. ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. JVTOTICE is HEREBY GIVEN that JjS a SPECIAL MEETING of the Council will beheld on Wednesday, the 25th inst., immediately after the ordinary meeting to be held on that day, to con sider the advisability or not of closing the road between rural sections 24,398, 30,710, 27,030, 31,195, and 24,398, and 30,711 Mount Hutt Road Board district, and any objections made thereto by any person likely to suffer injury thereby, as provided in subsection 10 section 93 of The Public Works Act, 1876.” By Order, F. MAINWARING, Clerk. Ashburton, Nov. 11, 1879. 719 a ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. ASHBURTON FORKS PROTECTIVE WORKS. fnENDERS for these works, addressed 8 to the Chairman, with a deposit of 5 per cent, to be sent in to Council office, Moore-street, Ashburton, not later than 10 o’clock on WEDNESDAY, 26th inst. The Engineer will show intending con tractors over the proposed works on Mon day 24th inst., starting from Mr. Goode’s at 1 o’clock p.m. By order WILLIAM BAXTER, County Engineer. Ashburton, Nov. 18th, 1879. 701 a



Mr. HUGO FRIEDLANDER’S Committee are kindly requested to meet on SATURDAY EVENING, at 8 p.rn., in Mr. Wm. Taylor’s shop oppo site Mr. Wm. Power’s Hotel, next Road Board. 703 a ASHBURTON FIRE BRIGADE. NOTICE. THE NEW FIRE BELL will be rung at 8 p.m., TO-NIGHT, NOV. 22nd, 1879. 214 718 a TO PRINTERS. MACHINE FOR SALE. EOR SALE, at an early date,— One Second-hand Double Demy Tape Printing MACHINE, in thorough working order, with rollers, moulds, &c., complete. We are replacing this machine by a Double Royal Wharfedale, which necessitates removal of the Double Demy Machine now used for printing the “Herald’’and “Guardian,” for hand or steam power. Can be seen and all par ticulars obtained at our office. WEEKS & DIXON. Ashburton, October 14, 1879. 565 a 10s. REWARD, LOST Yesterday, a CROWN GRANT, Finder will receive the above re ward on leaving the same at the Somerset Hotel. 713 a N. OLSEN. WANTED— Two Good FARM SER VANTS for Rakaia. Scotchmen preferred. Must be good ploughmen and good with horses. Wages, £65 a year. Apply, SAtfsnKß.s Bros. SHEARING will Commence at Shep herd’s Bush, Rangitata, on DEC, 8. Price, Jss. per 100. 693 a Wanted— tenders for cart ing 250 BALES WOOL (more or less), from Shepherd’s Bush to Eal fficr. Tenders to be addressed to the Manager, Shepherd’s Bush, Rangitata, by Ist G 94»



How Advertisements, THE RECENT FIRE. THE undersigned beg to tender to the Fire Brigade and the other gentlemen their hearty thanks for the valuable and successful exertions made to save their property, and remove their stock, on the occasion of the fire last Saturday. The pressure of work caused by the fire, and other causes, must be our apology for over looking until now the duty of acknowledg ing our indebtedness thus publicly. 721 a ORR & CO.



A MEETING of the Insurance Agents j and the Officers of the Fire Brigade will be held at 11 o’clock on TUESDAY morning, 25th inst., at Messrs. Edmiston Bros, and Guildry’s office. Business : To consider the advisability of forming a SALVAGE CORPS in con nection with the Fire Police. J. M. CAMBRIDGE, 720 a Hon. Sec. A. F. B. A CAM). Mr catt li N , SURGEON DENTIST, Is now at Quill’s Hotel, and will attend patients until further notice. 671 a WINSLOW SPORTS. A MEETING of the Winslow Sports Committee will be held at Harris’ Railway Hotel on MONDAY EVENING, Nov. 24. 722 a ASHBURTON MAYORAL ELECTION. R. JOSEPH IVESS Will Address the Ratepayers ON MONDAY EVENING NEXT, November 24th, At the TOWN HALL, At 8 o’clock. 704 a TIN WALD. nnO LET.—A SHOP and DWELLING, | fitted with shelves and counters, at remarkably low rent, and is beyond doubt the best stand for a good General Store in this large district, embracing all the Long beach and Mount Somers traffic. The principal sale yards and grain stores being in Tinwald is also an inducement for a General Store or any other line of busi ness. Apply to 687 a S. STEPHENS. RIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH Wills Street. Service will be con ducted in the above Church To-morrow morning and evening. 723 a WESLEYAN CHURCH, Cameron street. —Divine Service will be conducted in the above Church To-morrow —morning and evening—by the Rev. W. Keall ; at 11 and half-past 6 o’clock, Evening subject : “ The Drink and Absti nence —a word to the wavering.” 717a-212