COMMERCIAL DEPRESSION IN ENGLAND.

(From The Sydney Mail.)

The Saturday Aeview in a recent article collates the bankruptcy statistics of the past few years, with the view of obtaining from them any light which they are calculated to throw on the assuredly very important question, whether or not the commercial depres sion in England has reached its turning point. For last year, it takes those col lected by Mr. Richard Seyd, and for previous years it relies on a circular issued last April by Messrs. J. Kemp

and Co. It finds that in 1868 the * total number of failures in England and Wales was 15,850, and that in 1869 they rose to 16,515 - . In the following year they dropped to less than half as many, or 8,151, and they remained at very nearly that figure during the two following years. In 1873 they began to increase, and, for three years remaining a little above 9,000, they in 1876 jumped up to 10,848, in 1877 to 1.1,247, and last year they reached 15,059. The number of failures in 1878, thus it will be seen, has not reached the point at which it stood both in 1868 and in 1869. The Overend Gurney failure took place in 1866, and the increase of bankruptcies conse quent upon it did not reach its maximum till three years after it. The alteration of the Bankruptcy Law, how ever, at the close of 1869, caused a rush of insolvents to get through the Court during that year under the provisions of the old Act. The year 1868, therefore, two years after the Overend Gurney failure, it is considered, may fairly be set down as the year during which the true maximum number of bankruptcies took place. Parity of reasoning would lead us to infer that the full effects of the Glasgow Bank crisis have not yet been realised, and that 1879 may show an increase of failures on 1878. It is satisfactory, however, to reflect that during the last decade the year of maximum bankruptcies, when it did come, was alsb the turning point of English trade; after which set in the period of prosperity, advancing, as Mr. Gladstone described it, by “leaps and bounds,” and that whether it comes again this year, or whether it must be waited for till next, there is good reason to anticipate that it will again usher in the long-looked for revival. It is a cir cumstance worthy of remark that a closer comparison of the statistics of 1877 and 1878 brings out the fact that there is a much greater proportional in crease in the failures of retail dealers than in those of merchants and manu facturers. The increase in the former is about 40 per cent., while that in the latter is only 20 per cent. The com paratively large increase in the failure of retail dealers must be mainly attri buted to the fac: that the depression has at last reached the working classes, who are their chief customers. It is not until trade has been bad for some considerable time that it does reach them. While the manufacturers still find it possible to carry on in their •former fashion, even though at a loss, it does not affect them. We may re mark further that, as it is they who are the chief consumers of woollen clothing, it is not till they have felt the depression for some time that it reaches us, through the price of our staple product. For tunately, however, we are not nowa days so exclusively dependent as we once were on the English demand. At the late sales it was observed that the brisk bidding came all from the foreign side of the sale-rooms.

A Chinaman in Church. —A China man—apparently a new arrival—attired in a costume which included a bright yellow smock, and “bell-pants” about a yard wide, and ornamented with a shaved head and monster pigtail, visited a fashionable church in Dunedin on Sunday evening. When the distinguished stranger entered, -the congregation were standing up singing. “ John” went in some distance from the .door, and stood among the worshippers. Soon the congregation sat down, but .“John” continued to stand. The minister • rose in the . pulpit and commenced his address. The Chinaman did not know whether to sit or stand, and when he saw the minister commence to speak, he evi dently took the observations from the pulpit as a polite request to himself to clear out. He made a dart for the door, and took his sudden departure amidst a poorly suppressed titter. No doubt the reverend gentleman who officiated on this 'occasion will include this little incident among his missionary reminiscences. Dishonored.— A servant girl in the Tokomairiro district had been carefully saving the cheques with which her employer had been paying her monthly for the past year. Shortly before her wedding, r which was to have taken place the other day, she presented the cheques in question to the bank, and they were all dis honoured!

Oamaru Waterworks.— The construc tion of the Oamaru waterworks is being pushed rapidly forward. The townspeople look to an efficient water supply to confer ■ great benefits upon the place. Already the.various engineering firms in Oamaru are soliciting orders for water engines, : hydraulic lifts, and machinery.

the Ashburt6n heraLjT

[SatJroav, May io, iß;q



THE UNION FIRE AND MARINE IN SURANCE COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. SHAREHOLDERS are hereby informed that in accordance with clause No. 8 of the Articles of Association, the directors have decided to postpone the due dates of calls No. 7 and 8 on the shares of this "Company, which calls would have been due on June Ist and October Ist, next respectively. The usual formal notice will be given at such times as the calls are made. W. DEYENISH MEARES, G eneral Manager. Christchurch, May Ist, 1879. 832



Tenders. --WANTED. TENDERS for FENCING ten Miles Ploughed Furrows. Tenders to be sent in by WEDNESDAY, May 14th. Apply to D. McLEAN, 825 Laghmor Station. ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. A LTERNATIYE TENDERS are in vited for the supply of CEMENT, of approved brand, in quantitities of 100, 200, or 500 casks, to be delivered in Christchurch, Lyttelton, or Ashburton. Tenders, endorsed “ Tender for Cement, and accompanied by a guarantee deposit of £lO, to be delivered at the Borough Council Office on or before SATURDAY* May 17th, at noon. CHARLES BRADDELL, Ashburton, Town Clerk. May 7th, 1879. 829 ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. TO CONTRACTORS. TENDERS are invited for CON STRUCTING 50 chains (more or less) of Timber Kerbing and Concrete Channelling in East-street. The timber will be provided by the Council. Plans and . specifications may be seen at the office of Messrs. Fooks and Son, Borough Engineers, and tenders endorsed ‘‘ Ten der for Kerbing and Channelling,” and accompanied by a guarantee deposit of £5, to be delivered at the Borough Council Office on or before SATURDAY, May 17, at noon. CHARLES BRADDELL, Ashburton, Town Clerk. May 7th, 1879. 817 TENDERS. ASHBURTON COUNTY HOSPITAL. BUILDERS desirous of Tendering for the Erection of the above are re quested to send in sealed tenders, duly endorsed, and addressed to the Architect, on or before Wednesday, the 28th May. The Drawings and Specifications may be seen at the Architect’s Office, Ashbur ton, up to Saturday, the 10th May, and after that date at the City Council Chambers, Christchurch, and at the office of Maxwell Bury, Esq., Architect, Dune din. J. STANLEY BRUCE, C.E., 792 Architect. ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. TENDERS are invited for the following works : Ist. Timber bridge over North Ashbur ton River (3 miles from township) consisting of 21 spans, 40 feet each, and 2 spans 11 feet each. 2nd. Timber bridge for Surveyors’ Road, Hinds—one span 40 feet, and 2 spans of 11 feet. 3rd. Protective works for North Ash burton River, near Mount Somers Road Crossing. 4th. Timber bridge over-South Ashbur ton River at Hood’s Crossing, Mount Somers, consisting of 21 spans 40ft. each, and 2 spans of lift. each. Sealed tenders, addressed to the Chairman and endorsed with the number of the work tendered for, will be received till 4 o’clock on TUESDAY, 27th inst., with a. deposit equal to 5 per cent, of the work tendered for. Plans and specifications can be seen at the office of the Council, Moore street, Ashburton. WILLIAM BAXTER, Ashburton, County Engineer. May sth, 1879. 830



Public Notices- 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 NOTICE. S* HARDLEY, LICENSED GASFITTER, BEGS to notify that he is now prepared to execilte any orders entrusted to him with despatch. Estimates given on the shortest notice. Kitchen Ranges fitted with High-pres sure Boilers. Electric Bells supplied and fitted. Artesian Wells sunk. Pumps fitted and repaired. 798 PRESBYTERIAN SABBATH SCHOOL. A LECTURE will be delivered in the Presbyterian Church, Ashburton, by REV. W. GILLIES, Timaru, on HONDA i Evening, 19th May, 1879. Subject : “ Pluck, Probity, and Perse verance, as illustrated by the Lives of W. and R. Chambers.” Proceeds for Sabbath School. Doors open at ,7.30. Lecture at 8. Admission Is. 793 CHRISTCHURCH AND SUBURBAN DIRECTORY FOR 1879. ON SALE at the “HERALD” Office, Saunders Buildings, East-street. PRICE FIVE SHILLINGS, Neatly Bound in Cloth. The above Volume contains a lot of valuable information, and should be in the hands of e.ven T Tradesman.



Public Notices. FREDERICK PAVITT, COMMISSION AGENT, Etc, East Street, Ashburton, BEGS to notify to the Public that he has received the following appointment: — I HEREBY appoint FREDERICK PA YITT, of Ashburton, a Certifi cated Accountant in Bankruptcy. C. D. R. WARD, District Judge. April 25, 1879. 766 A USEFUL NOVELTY. Most Favorable OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE MONEY. PER CENT. A DISCOUNT of SEVEN AND A i HALF Per Cent, will be allowed to all CASH CUSTOMERS BY Friedlander Bros., EAST STREET. 828



JU S T PUBLISHED, Price 2s 6d. THE PROGRESSIVE POLICY OF THE MUTUAL PROVIDENT SOCIETY REVIEWED, Together with a comparative abstract of the expenses of English, American, and Australian Life Assurance Institutions, by MORRICE A. BLACK, F.1.A., (Actuary to the Society.) GEORGE ROBERTSON, 815 Sydney. OTICE—The “ Ashburton Herald” is a Gazette for all notices under the Debtors and Creditors Acts. 60 Fruiterers, &c. NOTICE OF REMOVAL. W. T. DAVISON, GREENGROCER AND FRUITERER, BEGS to inform his customers and the public that he has REMOVED to the Shop lately occupied by Mrs. Morey, next to J. R. Chapman’s, Tancred Street. Fresh vegetables, salads, herbs, etc. Orders Delivered Regularly. W. T. DAVISON, Wholesale and Retail Greengrocer and Fruiterer, Tancred Street, Ashburton. 315 LONDON PIE HOUSE (Opposite Baring Square), Havelock Street, Ashburton. RICHARD MADIGAN, PASTRYCOOK, CONFECTIONER, AND FRUITERER, BEGS to announce to the inhabitants of Ashburton and county that the London Pie House was OPENED on SATURDAY, 22nd February. COFFEE ROOMS. Tea, Coffee, or Cocoa, with Pie or Pastry, oD always ready from io a.m to II p.m. Pastiy supplied ior Parties or Soirees on the Shortest Notice. TRADE. SUPPLIED.



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. BULLOCK AND CO.’S ABSTRACT OF SALES. TUESDAY, MAY 13, At Ashburton Yards, Stock and Implements. THURSDAY, MAY 15. At our Sale Room, 80 quarter-acre sections, close to S. E. Belt, and facing Wakanui Road. Also the same date (instead of 14th) At the Farm of Mr. M. Wren, N. Rangitata, near Coldstream, the whole of his Stock and Implements, also 20 Acres Land, With a two-roomed Cottage thereon. TUESDAY, MAY 20. At Tinwald Yards, Stock, &c. THURSDAY, MAY 29. At our Sale Room, 40 quarter-acre Sections, adjoining Saunders’ Mill. BULLOCK AND CO., Auctioneers.



Booksellers, &c. . NEW BUSINESS. J. Y. WARD, BOOKSELLER, COMMERCIAL AND FANCY STATIONER, HAS much pleasure in announcing to the inhabitants of the Borough of Ashbur ton and County, that he COMMENCED BUSINESS ON SATURDAY MARCH i, 1879, in Messrs. Saunders Bros.’ Buildings, EAST STREET, NORTH, With A LARGE ASSORTMENT OF Professional Stationery, Commmercial Stationery, Household Stationery, Fancy Stationery, &c., &c., &c. LITERATURE— (In Assorted Bindings) COMPRISING ALL THE MOST POPULAR AUTHORS Also, — PRESENTATION BOOKS. SCHOOL REQUISITES IN STOCK. Colonial, English, and Foreign Papers and Magazines supplied to order. WORK-BOXES, WRITING-DESKS, and OTHER FANCY GOODS, AT REASONABLE PRICES. Hamilton’s Library Books on Deferred Payment. UgiJNote the address— J. Y. WARD, East Street North (Saunders Bros.’ New Buildings), ASHBURTON. 440 Business Notices. rpHE UNDERSIGNED have for SALE and to % rrive - Calcutta Cornsacks, 4bushels ; expressly manufactured for shipping Wheat. Woolpacks —Seaming Twine best quality. Fencing Wire, No. 6 to 10. 20. Tons Galvanised Iron, 6 to 9 feet. 400 Casks Cement. 300 Dozen Ploughshares. Etc., Etc., Etc.J FRIEDLANDER BROTHERS. BIBLES, Prayers, and Church Services, Hymnals for various churches. —H. M. JONES, Stationer, Baring Square. |473b



Drapery. ORR AND CO.’S



BARGAINS!! BARGAINS!! 150 Pairs Ladies’ Sewn Kid Boots, at 6s. 6d,; former price 12s. 6d. 230 Pairs Children’s Boots, at 2s. 6d. per pair ; former price 6s. 6d. THE ABOVE ARE SLIGHTLY STAINED Through bad Packing. Sale at ORR AKD CO.’S



763 ORR AND CO., IMPORTERS.



Auction Sales. APPLES! APPLES!! APPLES!!! CONSIGNMENT. MONDAY, May 12TH, At 12 ’3O sharp. MR, ALFRED HARRISON will sell by public auction at his Rooms on the above date, 50 CASES APPLES VERY FINE— DU Without Reserve.—At 12 '3O Sharp. MONDAY, May 12TH. ALFRED HARRISON, 831 Auctioneer. WEDNESDAY, May 14th, At 11 o’clock. MR. ALFRED HARRISON has re ceived instructions from the Pro prietor to sell by public auction the whole of the Furniture and Effects contained in the TEMPERANCE HOTEL, Havelock street, Comprising— Horsehair Suites. Tables, Cheffoniers. Chairs, Washstards. Iron and Wood Bedsteads. Mattresses, Pillows. Blankets, Sheets. Carpets, Matting, Oilcloths. Pictures, House Linen, etc., etc. The Auctioneer begs to state that, should he not dispose of the above by private treaty, the whole will be offered for abso lute sale WITHOUT RESERVE, at 11 o’clock, WEDNESDAY, MAY i 4 th. LUNCHEON PROVIDED. ALFRED HARRISON, 816 .Auctioneer.



PUBLIC NOTICE. TRADESMEN and others who intend using the Ashburton Gas Company’s Gas should give their orders at once to have their premises fitted with Gas Fittings, to ensure no delay when the Gas is brought into the town. J. C. DOLMAN, LICENSED GASFITTER, Plumber, Locksmith, Whitesmith, Bell hanger, Zinc and Tin-plate Worker, Hot and Cold Water Engineer, TANCRED STREET, ASHBURTON. N.B.—Artesian Wells sunk and Pumps fitted and repaired ; 0. G. Guttering fixed at Current Rates. Electric Bells supplied and fitted. Orders punctually attended to in town and country. 812 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 Sceane. Private Lessons in French, German, and Latin, twice weekly ; Music, and Drawing in Various Styles. Preparatory School for Boys. Inclusive Terms. notice. ALL ACCOUNTS due to the Estate of Thomas Hicks, Ashburton, must be Paid at Once to the undersigned, at Messrs Pass and Go’s, or at the Road Board Office, Ashburton. Accounts re maining unpaid will be sued for withoul further notice. J. H. PASS, Trustees 454 C. B. BRANSON, } A * ustee3 ‘ TO MEET A WANT Long Felt in Ashburton, S. COLLINS AND SON HAVE opened a shop in Compton’s Buildings, Moore-street, next to Neate’s, chemist, for the sale of NEW & SECOND-HAND FURNITURE Of every description. Curtain Poles and Rings, Venetian, Spring and Roller Blinds made to order. Highest price given . for Second-hand Furniture of all kinds. PAINTING IN ALL ITS BRANCHES carried on as usual in town or country. Paperhangings, Paints, Oil Colors, Var nishes, Window-glass, and every trade requisite on sale. Guttering, and Piping found and fixed. S. COLLINS AND SON, PRACTICAL PAINTERS, PLUMBERS, AND HOUSE DECORATORS Moore-street, Ashburton. s^B SCHOOL Books, Bags, Etc.—H. M. JONES, Stationer, Etc., Baring Square. 4:73d JUST ARRIVED, Albums, Desks, Workboxes, &c. H. M. JONES, Stationer, Baring Square. 473 a



Wants, &c. WANTED, a Smart RUN BOY; Good Wages can be made. Apply 802 HERALD OEFICE. WANTED IMMEDIATELY, in a Small Family, a young girl as General Servant.—Apply to MRS. T. G. RUSSELL, Mooi-e-street, Nest Templar Hall. WANTED, Apprentices and Improv ers for the Dressmaking. Apply to MISS CAUSEY, at T. R. Hodder and Company’s. - 776 FOUND, A PARCEL, containing some Black Lustre, Owner can have same by paying for this advertisement. If not claimed by the 12th inst., will be sold to defray expenses. Apply 768 HERALD OFFICE. To Let. TO LET, A COMFORTABLE FOUR-ROOMED COTTAGE, with Verandah, within two minutes walk of the Railway Station. Apply 806 HERALD OFFICE. Public Notices. NOTICE OF REMOVAL. HM. JONES begs to inform his . friends and the public generally, that after the 24th inst. he will be found at his NEW PREMISES, BARING SQUARE, (Next Post Office). Stationery, Books, Toys, Fancy Goods, Music, &c. 397 CHEAP TIMBER. AT HAYES' TIMBER YARDS. BALANCE of Timber unsold at the auction sale. Also, 200,000 feet to arrive, now lying at the Waimate Station, will be disposed of at reduced prices at HAYES’ TIMBER YARDS, East Street, Ashburton. 730 Business Notice. 171 A. GARNETT begs to inform the Inhabitants of Ashburton and dis trict that, in consequence of Depression in Trade, ALL GOODS will be offered at, GREATLY REDUCED PRICES, } consisting of Tobacconist, Perfumery, and! Fancy Goods. I-lAIR-CUTTING IN THE LATEST | STYLES. j E. A. GARNETT, MONTGOMERY’S BUILDINGS, j Ashburton. 73d



C. PERCY COX, L AND AND ESTATE AGENT ANT VALUATOR, ASHBURTON. TO LET OR SELL -680 A cres first-class land (limestone) wit good house, large stables, woolshed sheep-yards, granaries, etc., etc., com plete ; very convenient. 320 Acres reserve, first-class land, pat sub-let. sufficient to cover the whole < Government rent, etc., leaving upward of 200 acres rent free for 2 years. Lo 1 . price wanted for goodwill of lease, c would be let to a suitable tenant. 2,500 Acres ring-fenced, to be let in on block for grazing, or in blocks to su. purchasers for cropping, with or witl out purchasing clause. Town and Suburban Sections to sell or h in Ashburton and Hindhope. MONEY TO LEND ON APPROVED FREEHOLD SECURm Agent for Union Insurance COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. RABBITS! RABBITS!! P. HARP ER, FISHMONGER AND POULTERI Near the Ashburton Hotel, East Street, BEGS to inform the inhabitants Ashburton that he WILL OPJ in the above line on SATURDAY, M« 10, and trusts, by strict attention to bi J ness, and supplying but articles of fii‘ class quality, hopes to merit a share! public patronage. OYSTER SALOON. Hot Fried Fish and Stewed Eels fro ; to 11 every night. : Board and Lodging for respectable w<; ing men. ’•