BIRTH.

Stott. —At the sehoolhouse, Burnett Street West, on the 18th Dec., the wife of Alexander Stott, Head Master Ash burton Borough School, of a son.

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

Prize Day. —The prizes were being distributed to the successful borough school pupils when we went to press. A full report, as well as the detailed prize list, will appear in our next,

The School Concert. —We would re mind parents and friends of the school children that the concert given by the scholars at the Borough School comes off to-night.

The Weather. —The past few weeks have been anything but summerlike, and not at all the sort of thing we are accus tomed to in this district at this season. The much grumbled-at clerk seemed to have taken “anew departure,” and to have gone from the extreme of hot nor’- west winds to the other extreme of cold steady drizzling wet. The aforesaid clerk was just as unpopular with his excess of wet as he was last year with his never endin'* nor’-west “busters,” and farmers think that the antipodes of last year’s evils had come upon them this year, just at a time when their hopes of a full barn were at their highest. On Friday afternoon, however, the wind, which had been blowing from the threatening nor’-east, chopped round to the nor’-west, and continued so all night. Saturday’s weather was something “ very hot,” the thermometer standing at 74 in the shade, and the barometer falling as low as we have seen it for many a day. The latter indicated a fierce nor’-west blow, and an hour or so before midnight on Saturday it came in earnest. A modified gust, with its accompanying clouds of dust, has con tinued up to the time we now write, and there is every prospect that warm weather will continue. Warm weather is what the farmers want, and now that it has come, their hopes have again risen. The blow, thanks to the season, will not do any harm for some weeks yet.

Mr. D. Davidson’s Private School. —To-day the boys attending the private seminary taught by Mr. D. Davidson, on the East Town Belt, were examined by the Rev. Mr. Beattie in the various sub jects they have had under study since the school opened in April. The lads showed that they had a clear and intelligent con ception of the work they were examined in, and bore unmistakable evidence of having been taught with a view to the lessons being understood, and not simply committed to memory with parrot-like rote. The rev. gentleman who con ducted the examination was very search ing in the work he set the lads, and at the close he expressed his satisfaction with the proficiency displayed by both of the classes in the school, and complimented the teacher on the result of his labors. He then pre sented the boys, as per subjoined list, with very handsome prizes, kindly given by his Worship the Mayor, Mr. Bullock. Having only ft limited number of scholars, Mr. Davidson is able to devote much attention to each individual pupil, and the result is very satisfactory. First Class—Subjects ; Reading, spelling and composition—l, P. O’Reilly ;2, G. Kidd. Second Class— Same subjects—l, Armer Orr; 2, J. Cawsey. Grammar—Senior division, P. O’Reilly ; junior, J, Cawsey. Geography and History—Senior division, P, O’Reilly; junior, Armer Orr. Arithmetic Senior division, G. Kidd; junior, Armer Orr. Writing—Senior division, G. Kidd; junior, Hubert Cookson. General Progress— Malmora O’Reilly. Home Exercise- Tom Hood, John Clark. Latin—P. O'Reilly and Armer Orr equal.

TELEGRAPHIC.

TO DAY’S CABLEGRAMS.

( Reuters ) Sydney, Dec 22. The winner of th© female pedestrian contest walked 76 miles in 24 hours,

INTERPROVINCIAL.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

Auckland, Dec. 22. A fire broke out at the house of Stephen Dailey, Mount street, Jt was suppressed by the neighbours. There was only ft child three years old in the house at the time, and it was asleep. At midnight another fire broke out in the house of Theodore Brown, which was destroyed. The origin of the fire was the upseting of a kerosene

lamp. Graham, Brown’s father-in-law, in iumping ov. ~ at a back window, fell, injuring his spi e. A five occurred at noon in Harper s Buildings, Vidorio Quadrant. It broke out on the roof, and .arose, it is believed, from a spark from an adjoining chimney. The house was gutted, out the furniture saved. Wellington, u cc. 2d. A woman named Jessie Walker was sen tenced to one hour’s imprisonment, at the Magistrate’s Court this morning, for being found in the public streets in male attire. Invercargill, Dec. 22. A man named Charles G. Engungdahl, a Swede, committed suicide early yester day morning. When found by the con stable he was hanging by a rope from a pole used for a clothes line, in the yard at the hack of the Clarendon Hotel, where he had been staying. Deceased was about fifty years of age, and arrived from Melbourne, where he was a clerk in Spence Bros.’ establish ment. About six weeks ago his wife went home from Melbourne, hut deceased was unable to go from want of funds, and came here to better his position. Ho had been in low spirits since his arrival, and in a letter addressed to townsmen here, who assistedhim, he says his nervous sys tem is ruined, and that suspense and dis appointment have done for him, An in quest will he held. Several sections eastwards of the town were sold on Saturday night, at an average of L 275 per acre.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

LAST NIGHTS CABLEGRAMS.

Calcutta, Dec. 19. Notwithstanding the open hostility of the tribes preventing the marching of the troops previously, General Gough started from Gandamak for Cabul on Nov. 17. He encountered no opposition, and marched all day. He telegraped on the 18th that he had met with no serious opposition. Norman, with a strong force, is co-operating with Gough in maintaining communication.

AUSTRALIAN

( Reuter's Telegrams.) Sydney, Dec. 21. Arrived —Torres Straits mail steamer at Cook town.

The barque Adelplioi has been wrecked at Port Hackling. The crew were all saved. She was insured for L2OOO in the New Zealand Insurance Company. Of the two Chinamen discovered in a suburb of Sydney afflicted with leprosy one was poisoned, and is supposed to have committed suicide. The other was taken away late on Saturday night to La Perouse, close to the landing place of the New Zealand cable, and put in a tent near the beach. This is a favorite picnic ground, and great indignation has been also manifested by the cable and Custom House people. A strong remonstance has been sent to the Premier. This action means the absolute isolation of the cable state, and will possibly affect telegraphic communication with New Zealand. It is hoped that the New Zealand Government wall remonstrate with Sydney. Great alarm is felt, as the disease is of a most loathsome form.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

LAST NIGHT’S TELEGRAMS.

Auckland, Dec. 20.

The members of jthe Roman Catholic community are making arrangements for the reception of Archbishop Stein. Dec. 21.

A strong westerly gale, with squalls of rain is blowing. It is feared the continu ous wet weather will injure farming operations. Napier, Dec. 21.

The Sunbeam, schooner, belonging to Auckland, bound from Poverty Bay to Napier with firewood, capsized this morn ing opposite the Bluff, when only a few yards from the shore. The crew of two men, who owned the schooner, got on the keel, from which they were taken much exhausted, by the barque Lurline. The tug went out to try and get the schooner Lahore, but a high sea was on, and she could not attach a rope to the vessel, which is still floating about the harbor, and drifting to sea, the wind being off the land. Another attempt will be made to save the vessel when the wind lulls.

All yesterday, to a late hour, the Supreme Court was occupied hearing the case of Price v. Renata, an action to re cover compensation for alleged malicious prosecution. About six ' months ago Kenata, a well known chief, criminally prosecuted Price and Donnelly for con spiracy in connection with the sale of several race horses, which were offered by auction, The Grand Jury threw out the bill, and this action was to recover damages. The jury returned a verdict for plaintiff for one shilling, and the J udge refused to certify for costs. Messrs. Buller and Rees conducted Renata’s case.

New Plymouth, Dec. 21

The jury in Hill’s case, for indecent as sault, were locked up last night, not being able to agree. They were brought up again this morning at 6.30, and discharged, when the Court adjourned till Monday morning. Hill will be tried again by another jury. Mr. T. King was elected without op position for the vacant seat on the Harbor Board.

Heavy floods have occurred in the dis trict. At Waingonati a mass of large pines and other timber broke loose above Mr. Brown’s saw-mill, and carried away the embankment of a darn, and a bridge, his private property. A heavy fresh came down last evening at IQ o’clock} which caused the s.s. Hauvaki to break away from her moorings. Fortunately, her anchor got foul of the cable by which the p. s. Coomerang was moored, and also of a large snag, which held her until she was secured, otherwise she would have come to grief. Wellington, Dec. 20.

Owing to the heavy rains this morning several shops were flooded to various depths. A presentation was made to Mrs. R. C. Reid by the staff of the “New Zea lander,” yesterday, on the steamer Pen guin, previous to her departure South. Dunedin, Dec. 20.

Tim Otago Rifle- Association gathering was finished yesterday. The consolation match, ranges SCO, 400, and 500 yards, was won by Volunteer Oreagb, of the City Guards, with a score of 42. The

Cadet match was won by the Dunedin Naval Brigade. The long distance match, any rifles, was postponed for a month. The Douglas Hotel, Princess street, was sold by auction on Saturday for L 5380 cash, to Mr. Robert Wilson, with good v ill, plant, and book debts. The Eveinng Tribune ” newspaper was o+iej.e.i at auction on Saturday, and

parked in at a reserve of LSCO. The highest bid was L4BO. The ketch Huon Belle, as she lies stranded on Goat Island, was sold to Cap tain Sutherland, for L6O. Port Chalmers, Dec. 20. After seven weeks’ spell of north-east wind a change to south-west has set in.

FIRE AT PORT LYTTELTON.

At 2.30 on Sunday, a disastrous fire broke out at west end of Norwich Quay, Lyttelton, in Mr. Pope’s blacksmiths’ shop. There was a strong northerly wind blowing at the time, driving the flames across Mr. Wood’s coal and timber yard, and they quickly communicated with a cottage occupied by Mr. Loader, who had a narrow escape in getting out with his family, one of the children having been gallantly rescued by a member of the police force. Bain’s store was the next to ignite but before this the fire brigade had arrived, and with hose attached to the hydrants on Norwich Quay, and in Durham street, quickly had a good force of water playing on the build ings. They had very little success owing to the wind, but the tug-boat Lyttelton soon appeared at the quay, and with the powerful steam fire engine she is fitted with, soon had a couple of streams directed at the blazing buildings, which soon assisted the Brigade in their efforts towards annihilating the fire, which was mastered by 4.30, The following are the insurances as nearly as can be ascertained : R. Wood, L 950, on stock and buildings ; insured in the South British Insurance Company. Buildings and stock destroyed; very little stock saved. John Pope, L 835, on building, machi nery, tools, &c., ill Liverpool and Lanca shire Insurance Company. Building entirely destroyed, and machinery, tools, &c., damaged by fire. James Bain, L3OO, on stock in Colonial Insurance Company ; Ll2oon building in the Sun Fire Office. Building destroyed by fire. Stock parity saved. Harvey, Hawkins and Co., L2OOO, in Colonial Insurance Company on store and contents. Contents damaged by water.

Parts of the above amounts are re insured in other offices.

CRICKET.

The Association match set down for de cision on Saturday was styled “ Under 12 stone v. Over 12 stone,”, but two hours after the time appointed for the com mencement of the game only one gentle man of sufficient magnitude to represent the heavier side was on the ground. How ever, Messrs. E. Books and Fowler chose sides from the few players present, and a very fair wicket having been prepared, an enjoyable game ensued. S. Saunders, playing much freer than usual, put together 23 very rapidly, a nice clean hit to long-off, for which six were run, being one of the best of the season. No other player succeeded in making double figures, but the bowling of Guy is deserving of mention.

The following are the scores : MR. E. ROOKS’ SIDE. FIRST INNINGS. Field, b Fooks ... ... 1 Guy, b Saunders 1 E. Fooks, c Saunders b Fooks ... 0 Gaukrodger, c substitute b Fooks ... 3 Milford, not out 5 Roper, b Sannders ... ... ... 1 Ashwood, absent 0 Extras 3

Total ... ... ... ... 14 SECOND INNINGS. Field, b Saunders ... ... ... 0 Guy, b Fooks ... ... ... ... 3 E. Fooks, b Saunders 2 Gaukrodger, c and b Saunders ... 4 Milford, b Fooks ... 4 Roper, not out 1 Ashwood, bSaunders ... 3 Extras 3

Total 20 MR. fowler’s SIDE. S. Saunders, b Guy ... ... ... 23 A. Fooks, hit wicket b Field ... ... 1 Fowler, b Guy 0 Guinnie, b Field ... ... ... 1 N. Hodder, c and b Field ... ... 7 Smith, pot out ... ... ... ... 1 Extras ... ... ... ~, 7 Total 40 The Committee of the Cricket Associa tion will meet this evening at 7 o’clock to arrange a pew series of matches, and it is to be hoped that they will be better sup ported by our cricketers in discharging the new programme than they have been in the past. A match will be fixed for Boxi lg Day.

MOUNT HUTT ROAD BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Mount Hutt Road Board took place at Methven on the 13th inst. Present—Messrs. Chap man (Chairman), M‘Mill an, Jackson, and Allington. Mr. Grigg wrote informing the Board that the transfer could not be made at present on account of the plan not having been completed. From County Council re natural water courses, requesting the Board to induce owners of land to open up tlie natural watercourses. The overseer was instructed in the evept of any person having fenced across the natural channels to give the necessary notice, and then proceed to re move the obstruction. It was resolved “ That remaining three members form a committee, inspect the different water courses, and report at the next meeting. ”

A letter from Mr. Passmore was read, informing the Board that as the Methven railway was nearly completed, it would be advisable for the Board to appoint some person to go over the line and point out any places that may be considered unsafe, Resolved that the Chairman accompany Mr. Passmore.

A letter from the County Council was read asking the Board to recommend some person to collect the dog tax. The Board recommended Mr. Compton. A lettpr from JMri Coster asked the Board to have the cutting op the Blackford

road put in good condition. The over seer was instructed to have the work done at once.

The overseer’s report was read and con sidered The overseer was instructed to call for tenders for crossings on Coach road and Mount Hutt and Alford roads ; also to put in order the road running through Broom Park.

Mr. Chapman and Mr. Pannett retired by lot. After passing the accounts the Board adjourned.

WHEAT IMPORTS TO GREAT BRITAIN.

The following return ; of supplies of wheat'- and flour into the United Kingdom for the cereal years, Ist September to 31st August, is compiled from Government returns by Messrs. Horne and Son, of 59 Mark Lane, London, and is furnished to us by Messrs. Saunders Bros. Cwts. converted into Imperial qrs, to correspond with English grain, which is always returned in Imperial qrs.

Captain Moonlight.

A history of this desperado’s career will be of interest at the present time. His real name is Albert George Scott, and he is now 37 years of age. He was born in the north of Ireland, was of respectable parentage, and was brought up as a civil engineer. When yet a youth he emigrated to New Zealand, and joining the volun teers there he fought against the Maoris. In an engagement he received a charge of shot in both legs. The slugs were ex tracted, but they left their marks. Sub sequently he came to Victoria, and having entered the Church of England, was stationed as a lay reader at Bacchus Marsh. Whilst administering to the spiritual wants of the district he became acquainted with the manager of the Eger ton Bank, and also with the schoolmaster of that township. He used to visit the bank manager very frequently, and was on the most friendly and intimate terms with him. He also associated • with the schoolmaster. One night a man with a mask on his face, and armed, called at the bank, and bailed up the manager. The manager recognized the voice to be that of his friend Scott, but this discovery did not have any deterrent effect on the rob ber. Gagging his friend, Scott marched him into the schoolhouse, which w?is close at hand, and made him wrile and pin upon a desk the following line “ Cap tain Moonlight has stuck me iip and' robbed the bank.” He then took him outside, tied him up in his gagged state to a tree, and having obtained possession of the bank kej’s, he ransacked the coffers, and stole upwards of L2OOO In s. notes, coin, and cake gold. He llad’ a : horse ready close by, and immediately galloped to a neighboring township* seven miles dislant. The journey was accomplished in half an hour, and on his arrival he asked several of his friends what o’clock it was. It was afterwards seen that this wa<s on purpose to prove an alibi, for lie argued that as he was in this township half an hour after the robbery, he could not have been the robber. So successful was he in throwing suspicion off himself, that the bank manager and schoolmaster were arrested as the criminals, and lie (Scott) was used by the local police as a witness against them. At the trial the jury could not agree on the manager’s case, and he was discharged. The schoolmaster was admitted to bail, but was bound over to surrender when called upon. In the meantime Scott had gone to Sydney, and lived there for a brief period in very grand style. When his funds became about exhausted, he purchased a yacht, and engaged a crew with the intention of trying his fortune in Fiji, or in the South Seas generally. It was, however, discovered that lie had passed a valueless cheque for about Ll5O, and before he had got beyond Sydney Heads he was arrested. A charge of false pretences was established, and he was sentenced to 18 months’ imprison ment. During is incarceration at Sydney it transpired t lat he had sold the exact amount of a cake of gold that had been stolen from the Egerton bank to tlie Sydney mint. When hi: sentence ex pired he was therefore brought back in custody to Victoria, and a police court i vestigation having taken place, he was committed to stand his trial for- the Egerton Bank robbery. Pending the trial he was lodged in the Ballaratfgaol. On the night before the day fixed for his trial he cut through the wall of his cell occupied by a prisoner named Dermoodie. He made Dermoodie join him, and toge ther they managed to take off' the lock of

the cell door. They got out into ths •corridor just as a warder was approaching. Springing upon the warder, they choked and gagged him, and tied him up. They then relieved him of his keys, and liberated four other prisoners. All six of them reached through the outer yard without any alarm having been raised. The wall being very high they were at a loss as to how they could scale it. Scott’s genius, however, was equal to the occasion. A blanket was brought from a cell, and torn into stripes,, which ..were then tied together, so as to form a rope. Scott then placed himself at the wall, a second man climbed up and .stood on his shoulders, a third did the same arid stood on the shoulders of the second,; and so on ilritrl-Scott bore the‘‘height-of all five. They succeeded in doing , this by ineans of their blanket rope, ; to which they had previously attached a heavy stone, throwing tlleh the weighted end over the wall. The last,., man easily managed to * seathimself on the top, and he then pulled up the one next him. The others scrambled up in turn by means of the rope. . The descent on the other side was-conducted in the same way, the order of the opera tion being simply reversed. The six men thus all escaped. Three hundred pounds, or LSO each, was offered for their recap ture, and all but two were eventually arrested. Scott and Dermoodie stuck to gether, and the former obtaiiied arms. As they were travelling together through the bush Scott intimated that it was his inten tion to stick up a hank. Dermoodie de clined to take part, saying they might have to take life, and their case was bad enough already. Scott thereupon turned upon him in a passion, called hirii a mean coward, and gave him five minutes to live. So convinced was Dermoodie that his time was come that he fell on his knees and pleaded with tears’ iri Ills’ eyes for mercy. Scott relented, but kicked him away contemptuously. Shortly after wards the police authorities receivec ir formation that Scott was lurking abou* some diggings in the vicinity of Sand hurst. Detectives Brown, and Alexandei and Sergeant (now Sub-inspector) Drought set out at once to effect his capture. They arrived at the place at about 2 o’clock ii the morning, and soon learned that the desperado was asleep in a hut. - The hvt was in charge of a boy who was working in the neighborhood. This lad wa,s hunted up and questioned. He frankly told then that there was a man asleep in his hi t and that he was fully armed. The hut was cautiously approached. Going rourd to the door Detective Brown could see through a chink a man lying on a stretcher, sleeping soundly. By his hand stood a gun, and on a table lay a revolver and bowie knife. These things were easily recognised through a log being alight in the fireplace. How to enter without dis turbing or alarming the sleeper was, how ever, a question difficult to be solved. The door was made of heavy timber, it covered the old end of the hut, and rested on heavy side posts. An iron chain was passed through two holes in the centre, and through the loop of this chain in the inside was passed a ponderous bar, which was turned round so that its end had a firm grasp of the door posts. Detective Brown endeavored to push the bar aside by inserting a knife through a chink, but failed to move it far enough. He then gave this attempt up, and resolved on using the boy as a snare for the ruffian. The lad after much persuasion^—for he was in mortal fear of being shot—consented to act as desired, on Brown saying that he would . imp .y have to speak from behind his back. The two then took up their positions at the door, and in accordan e with his instructions, the boy called out— “ Please, sir, will; you give me out my billy-can ?” A grunt from within was the only answer, and the request was re peated. Scott then demand id, “ What do you want it for?” -The lad promptly answered, “for tea, it js.rnpw our tea time.” “ What o’clock is it !” inquired Scott, and the boy still speaking as he had been previously directed, said “Just 12 o’clock—our tea time.” There was a pause for a minute, and the detective feared that the scoundrel had discovered the truth, and was preparing to fight. He, however, exercised patience, and, by and-by, the bar was removed. The door was then slightly opened, and a hand held out with a billy-can. Brown at once seized the man’s wrist with a firm grasp, whilst the other he thrust a revolver into his face, and said, “If you move you are a .dead man.” The other officers came promptly forward, and the fellow wai secured. He denied at first that he vias Scott, but Brown settled his identity by pulling up his trousers and showing the shot-marks in his legs. For escaping from legal custody, the desperado was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment in irons. He was also convicted and sentenced to ten years for the Egerton Bank robbery. His conduct in Pentridge has been already ad verted to in previous reports. He was discharged in March last, and has now, we hope, committed his final outrage on humanity.

A New Range Finder. —The war office authorities have hit upon a marvellous Tange finder lately. General Younghusband has the credit of it. Working on the basis of the Italian one, he has made such improvements that in recent experiments it was found possible at the first shot to hit a boat three miles out at sea. The Electric Light.—The achievements of science will speedily make the electric light one of the grandest and most useful ad iitions to the many useful inventions of mankind. The chief cities of the universe will soon be lighted in dark nights as in noon day, and ocean steamers will flash from their mast heads such ligh s as will make collisions at sea-easijy avoid able. —Correspondent Nczv York Herald.

The Poet and the Flunkies. —When Longfellow visited Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle the servants crowded on the stairways and in the lobbies to get a view of him. On the Queen asking them, next day, Why this compliment was paid to the poet, she was told that they used to listen to Prince Albert reading “ Evangeline ” to his children, and' knowing the lines nearly by heart, they longed to see the man who wrote them.. The Queen is fond of telling the story. ; y

Niagara Falls. —The amount of water passing over Niagara Falls has been estimated at 100,000,000 tons per hour, and its perpen dicular descent maybe taken at 120 feet/ without considering the rapids, which represent a further fall of. 150 feet. The Lrce represented by the principal fall alone amounts to 16,800,000 horse power, an amount which if it had to be produced by si earn would necessitate an expen diture of not less than 266,000,000 tons of coal per annum, taking the consumption of coal at four pounds per horse power. In other words, all the coal raised throughout the world barely suffices to produce the amount of power that annually mas to waste at this wonderful fall.

Mondav, December gg, ify 1

-THE ASHB'TTON HERALD,



Sterling Value Foreign Wheat and Flour. English Wheat. Total. Foreign Wheat and Flour. 1874-75- Qrs. Qis. Qrs. £ 11,770,372 14,081,175 • 2,787,089 H,557,46i 27,477,408 1875-76- 2,098,962 16,180,137 33,250,931 1876 77- 12,321.445 2,032,268 14,353,713 32,855,475 1877-78.. 2,000,359 16,809,325 39.510,805 1878-79- H,543,6o7 2,475,506 17,019,113 32,587,236 N.B.—The above quantities of English wheat, being the returns from 150 towns only, may be multiplied by four, to arrive at the total deliveries over the whol. i of Pngland. Of the above deliveries of foreign wheat and flour there came from Turkey, British Russia. Germany France. Wallachai Egypt. United Chili. British Austra- North Other Moldavia. States. India. lia. America Countries Qrs. Qrs. Qrs. Qrs. Qrs. Qrs. Qrs. Qrs. Qrs. Qrs. Qrs. 874-75-B979,922 1,264.070 652,637 167,535 151,788 5,986,096 222,307 745,610 600,350 302,933 406,8-7 916753 875-76... -2,140,232 .1,207,141 579,872 435,044 636,462 5,884,559 U57i,325 876-77- -2,447, 522 1,151,509 904,458 291,269 673,781 4,215,972 162,799 1,191,847 42,137 895,418 340,628 941,660 877-78... 2,076, 830 1,673,965 281,448 59,5*5 129,738 7,715,266 254,665 926,512 753,473 878-79. ..2,168,981 1,242,808 ; 104,447 66.666 259,401 8,343,525 126,701 165,292 488,911 888,427 688,397



New Advertisements. SHBURTON CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. PROGRAMME OF SPORTS, To be held on BOX IN G DAY, FRIDAY, 26th DECEMBER, 1879. X. Music—Bagpipes, Pibrocha; Ist prize, L 5; 2nd, L2 10s. Marches, and Strathspeys, Ist prize, L 5 ; 2nd, L2 10s. 2. Quoits— Ist prize, LI ; 2nd, 10s. | 3. Men’s Open Handicap Hukdle Race _440 yards, 6 hurdles; Ist prize L 3 ; 2nd, 30a. 4. Handicap Hurdle Race—For boys not over 16 years of age—44o yards ; Ist prize, LI; 2nd, 10s. 5. Running High Jump—Men and bojs ; Ist prize, LI ; 2nd, 10s. 6. Tossing the Caber —Ist prize, L2 ; 2nd, LI. 7. Standing High Jump—Men and boys ; Ist prize, LI ; 2nd, 10s. 8. Handicap Race—loo yards, men ; prize, L 3. y. Running High Jump—For boys under .16 years of age ; prize, 10s. 10. Highland Reel —Ist prize, L 3 ; 2nd, : 30s. 11. Highland Fling—lst prize, L 3; 2nd, 30s. 12. Irish Jig—Men ; Ist prize, L 3 ; 2nd, 30s. 13. Irish Jig—Ladies ; Ist prize, L 3 : •. 2nd, 30s. 14. Sword Dance —Ist prize, L 3 ; 2nd, 30s: 15. Grand Handicap Flat Races — Men, 200 yards, 300 yards, 440 yards, Ist prize, L 6 ; 2nd, L 3; 3rd, LI. 16. Vaulting with Pole —Men ; Ist prize, L2 ; 2nd, LI. 17. Vaulting with Pole—Boys’ under 16 years ; Ist prize, LI ; 2nd, 10s. 18. Fiat Race —Men, mile : Ist prize, L 3 ; 2nd, 30s. 19. Walking Match—Men, 2 miles ; Ist nrize, L 3 ; 2nd, 30s. 20. Putting the Stone—l6ib.; Ist prize, L2 ; 2nd, LI. 21. Throwing the Hammer —161 b.; Ist prize, L2 ; 2nd, LI. 2. We estling—Cumberland Style, prize, L 5. Collar and Elbow, prize, L 5. Entrance money to go to 2nd prize. 23. Flat Race —Men, 1 mile ; Ist prize, L 5 ; 2nd, L2. 24. Three Legged Race—loo yards ; prize, 30s. 25. Running Hop, Step, and Jump— -Ist prize, 30s ; 2nd, 15s. 26. Running Long Jump—lst prize, 30s ; 2nd, 15s. 27. Best Dressed Highlander —prize, L 5. 28. Old Men’s Race —Over 40 years ; 100 yards ; Ist prize LI; 2nd, 10s. 29. Handicap Consolation Race—For boys and men, 200 yards ; Ist prize, L2 ; 2nd, LI. 30. Singlestick.—Prize, LI. 31. Tilting in the Ring—Prize, L 5.



Entrance money, 5 per cent, on amount of Ist prize. Entries can he made with the Secretary up to 11 o’clock on day of Sports. Entries for events numbered 3, 15, 18, and 23 must be lodged with the Secretary on or before the 23rd inst., and the ac ceptances for those events must be made before 11 o’clock on day of Sports. J. E. HYDE HARRIS, 286 Secretary.



NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS. FARES—CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. ORDINARY Single Fare Tickets from any station to any station issued on SATURDAY, 20th t DECEMBER, 1879, and following days upjto SATURDAY, 3rd JANUARY, 1880, inclusive, will be available for the return journey any day up to, and including MONDAY, sth JANUARY. WM. CONYERS, Commissioner of Railways. Commissioner’s Office, Christchurch, Dec. 13, 1879. 846 a Y. R, NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS. (Christchurch Section. ) CHRISTMAS AND BOXING DAYS, Dec. 25TH and 26TH, 1879* TRAIN ■ AR RANGEMENTS. CHRISTMAS DAY. T YTTELTON and CHRISTCHURCH | J Line —Trains will Run as on Sun days, with an additional train leaving Christchurch at 8 p. m. for Lyttelton, and returning therefrom at 8.30 p.m. NORTH AND SOUTH LINES A>D BRANCHES—Ordinary Trains. BOXING DAY, 26th Dec. LYTTELTON and CHRISTCHURCH Line —Ordinary Trains, and a Late Train leaving Christchurch at 11.15 p.m., and returning from Lyttelton at 11.45 p.m. NORTH LINE AND BR INCHES — Ordinary trains. SOUTH LINE, AND MALYERN AND WHITECLIFFS BRANCHES— Ordinary Trains. SOUTHBRIDGE BRANCH—Ordinary Trains, with the following exception : The ordinary 3.50 p.m. train, Christchurch to Southbridge, will leave at 5.15 p.m., and be one hour and twenty-five minutes later than usual at all stations to destina tion. FARES: Ordinary single fare tickets issued at any station from SATURDAY, 20th December, to SATURDAY, 3rd January, will be available for return up to and in cluding MONDAY, 6th January. NO GOODS TRAFFIC ON EITHER DAY. FREDK. BACK, General Manager. General Manager s Office, Christchurch, Dec. 17, 1879, 843 a ALL PROGRAMME CARDS in ,t styles, with Pencils and iibbons, Sast stre S' 1 : p lied "at the Herald Office, near Railway Station.



New Advertisements, ANTED IMMEDIATELY W APPRENTICES for Dressmaking and Ladies’ Jacket making. Apply to T. R. HO ODER & COMPANY. TO LET. — A Four-roomed COTTAGE in Peter street. Apply to J. Olsen, near the Foundry. B^s PROMISSORY Note Forms, in Books of 25, unstamped, for sale at the HkiULD Office. Price 2s. 6d. each.



DIARIES ! DIARIES ! ! DIARIES ! ! ! have just received a splendid assortment of LETTS’ DIARIES for 1880, an inspection of which is invited. OFFICE DIARIES, POCKET DIARIES, SCRIBBLING DIARIES, DIAF.IES OF EVERY description WEEKS & DIXON, “ Herald ” and “ Guardian ” Offices, Near the Railway Station.



WANTED KNOWN, the season for transplanting is at hand, and we can supply, many thousands Cabbage. Cauliflower, Broccoli, Savoy, Brussel Sprouts, Celery, and other Plants, for winter supply. 745 a IP,y SEALY BROS.



£1 REWARD. STOLEN from the Tinwald Hotel m TUESDAY the 11th of Nov. last (Sale Day) a dark grey tweed OVER COAT, the pockets of which contained a pair of woollen lined dog-skin gloves, and a bag containing geological specimens. The above reward will be paid to anyone giving such information as will lead to the conviction of the thief. A. N. MACFARLANE, Ashburton Branch Railway, 832a* Tinwald. Archery material.—bows from ss. each. Arrows from ss. doz. H. M. JONES, Stationer, Baring Square. TO PRINTERS. MACHINE FOR SALE. FOR 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 steampower. Can be seen and all par ticulars obtained at our office. WEEKS & DIXON. Ashburton, October 14, 1879. 565 a JUST ARRIVED. PAPER BAGS, PAPER BAGS. r|ONFECTIONERS, Fruiterers, i Grocers, Drapers, Seedsmen, &c., can be supplied with Paper Bags, all sizes, and Printed or Plain. WEEKS AND DIXON, General Printers, East rtreet North.



INK for Marking Packages, Sten cilling, &c. Large bottles, 2s. each. WEEKS & DIXON, Stationers, &c., East street. "F 1 O B 18 8 O _ The press almanac And Diary Can be obtained from the undersigned. Price —One Shilling. WEEKS AND DIXON, Herald Office, Near Railway Station. TEACHERS can obtain the MULTI PLICATION TABLES, printed on gummed paper, in any quantity at the Herald Office, East street, near the Railway Station. FULL of Reading Matter is the Herald Every Evening, CROQUET full size—2ls. per set. H. M. JONES, Stationer, Baring Square. BOROUGH SCHOOL CONCERT. The Teachers and Scholars of the Ashlurton Borough School will give an Entertainment THIS (Monday) EVEN ING, in Aid of the Prize Fund. The Entertainment will be given in the large room of the school. Tickets, Is., Reserved Seats. 2s. Dhildren, 6d. Doors open at 7-30, concert to com mence at 8. 847 a



nnOWJtf HALL, ASHBURTON. ENTERTAINMENT BY THE ASHBURTON TEMPERANCE DRAMATIC CLUB, On FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, BOXING NIGHT, Will comprise that Laughable Farce “ WHITEBAIT AT GREENWICH, A Musical Melange, “ A MOTHER’S MYSTERY.” New Scenery, New Dresses, Unrivalled Mechanical Effects. See Handbills. 844 a CRICKETING Materials —Bats, Balls, Stiimpa, Knee Pads, &c., at H, M, JONES’, Stationer, Baring Square



New Advertisements. NOTICE. QTR A YED on my land at 'i’in wald, Brown Horse, saddle marked, and branded 80. 2on near Shoulder. If not claimed and expenses paid within one month from this date, will be sold. Apply— D, M‘LEOB, Near Tin wald. 6th Dec., 1879. 783 a LONGER AC II ROAD DISTRICT. IVTOTICE is hereby given that tho ANNUAL MEETING of rate payers will take place on WEDNESDAY, the 7th of January, 1880, at the hoiK of 12 o’clock noon, at the Road Board Office, on Longbeach road, for the purpose of electing two members in the place of Messrs Joseph Clark and Thomas Taylor, who retire by ballot, but are eligible for re-election. The Poll, if necessary, will be taken im mediately after the nomination, and will close at 4 o’clock, p.m. W CUTHBERT, Returning Officer. Longbeach Road, 20th Dec. 1879. 837a-297 COOKS. —You can advertise for a Cook in 20 words in the Herald for 1/-. T* OST A Parcel of CIRCULARS J addressed “H. Zander.” Please return same to “ Herald” Office. 489a J *