COMMERCIAL.

ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1879.

The candidates who retired from the contest for the Thames seat put their treasure in an eartlien vessel indeed when they trusted to any promise, agreement, or arrangement made by the Hon. John Sheehan. Messrs Fraser, Rowe, Brodie, and Ehrenfried, local men, —believing, in the. innocence of their hearts, that they were doing the colony a great service by retiring from the field and allowing the Hon. John Sheehan and the great leader of the Liberal party a walk over for the Thames seat, —trustingly accepted from the late Native Minister an assurance that “ if Sir George Grey elects to sit for the Thames (having been returned for Christchurch) he (Mr Sheehan) will resign, and thereby create a vacancy for a local man, in terms of an arrangement come to •this day with the retiring candidates.” Thus assurance bears the signature of “ and the date August 27, 1879. It is upon the strength of this assurance that Mr Rowe now calls upon Mr Sheehan to resign Iris scat in the House, and make room, as he promisee , for a local candidate. Mr Rowe is per fectly justified in holding Mr Sheehan to hia promise; and had the assurance been

givsti Tjv any oilier* than tfohn SihfcaHMi we would have expected a uQsignaiiQn o f thp seat to follow at once.' But M r Sheehan is different from other men, syn d if he consents to withdraw in response to the request of Mr It owe or any one else, we shall feel that we have done him great injustice and injury, and that th e honor able gentleman has been untrue to the character he has acquired in the past, and to the instincts with which he has been accredited. We have no idea he will respect the pledge he has given, and are fully prepared to hear that the Hon. John Sheehan, maugre the plain and definite terms of the assurance given to the men who retired to make room for him and Sir George Grey for the time being, has snapped his fingers at Mr Howe, and will continue to hold the seat.

The Municipal Association. —We ob serve that the Rangiora Town Council has deemed it wise to withhold its co-oper ation in the scheme suggested by the Ash burton Corporation regarding the for mation of a Municipal Association for the provincial district of Canterbury.

Tea Meetings. —The tickets are issued for a tea meeting and entertainment to be held on Wednesday, 26th November, in the Town Hall, in aid of the building fund of St Stephen’s Church. An ex cellent programme has always been provided when any entertainment has been given under the auspices of St Stephen’s Church, ond we have no doubt, the meeting now referred to, will not belie the good name of those having charge of it. To-morrow the Presby terian tea meeting, presided over by the Rev. B. J. Westbrooke, will be held in the the Rakaia Town Hall, and from what we can gather it will be a great success.

Volunteer Officers. —For the vacant commissions in the Rifle Corps there are several nominations. Last night a meet ing of the Corps was held after parade, at which a fair number of the Volunteers were present. The following gentlemen were nominated for the election, which takes place on Thursday evening : —Messrs Edward Saunders, Samuel Saunders, T. Bullock, J. Ivess, W. St. George Douglas, C. P. Cox, H. T. Winter, R. S. Shear man. The names of several other gentle men would have been brought forward, but it was understood they were not pre pared to undertake the duties. The Corps is daily increasing in numbers and efficiency, and the members’ regular at tendance at drill shows there is no lack of enthusiasm.

Postal Contracts. —Tenders are called for in the Government “ Gazette ” for the following mail services in the Christchurch postal district. Sealed tenders must be lodged at the Chief Post Officce, Christ church, by the 15th November, and the contracts extend from the Ist January, 1880, to the 31st December inclusively : (1.) Ashburton and Longbeach, daily. (2.) Springfield and Kowai Bush, thrice weekly. (3.) Barr Hill Post Office and nearest railway station, daily. (4) Meth ven Railway Station and Post Office, Alford Forest, daily. (5.) Chief Post Office and Railway Station, also clearing pillar and receiving boxes within city boundaries as required.

Government Telegrams. —lt will he remembered that the general election occurred during the September quarter, and hearing this in mind the following returns of the cost of Government tele grams are interesting : —Sept, quarter, 1878, £5,859 10s 3d ; September quarter, 1879, £7,657 2s. The increase is £1,797 11s 9d. On the whole telegrams —of all kinds—forwarded by the department during the quarter just past, there is an increase over those of the corresponding quarter last year of 1,862 — the numbers being, September, 1878, 334,799 ; September, 1879, 336,062. But it is suggestive that the cash revenue has fallen off to just about the same extent as the cost of Government telegrams has in creased, namely, £1,839 9s 3d. The whole telegraphic cash revenue for the quarter past was £17.700 4s sd. The same quarter last year brought in £19,539 13s Bd.

Ashburton Courthouse. —The follow ing is the “ Hansard” report of what trans pired in Parliament regarding the Ash burton Courthouse. Mr Wright is to he complimented on the way lie put the matter before the House, and we have every reason to congratulate ourselves on the accession to power of a Government who is willing to acknowledge the claims of the district, and the importance of the work. It would have been a long time before Mr Wright or any one else could have obtained from Mr Macandrew or any other member of the Grey Ministry such an acknowledgment as that made by Mr Rolleston :—Mr Wright asked the Minister of Justice, If he will cause a sum of money to he placed on the estimates for building a Courthouse at Ashburton ] In 1878, £3OO was put on the estimates for building a Courthouse at Ashburton, or, rather, for fitting up an old building worth about half that sum. The residents protested against this course being taken, and last session the Government promised to sanc tion the expenditure of £SOO, but up to this time nothing had been done. Ash burton was the centre of a large and in creasing population. There were no fewer than six lawyers practising in the borough, and the accommodation was altogether inadequate for the business. He hoped the Minister would see his way to put a substantial sum on the estimates for a suitable building. Mr Rolleston replied that he had looked into this question, and he was personally aware of the circum stances stated by the honourable member. The Government recognised the im portance of the work, and would place a sum of money on the estimates for the purpose.

Curtailing Her Freedom. —A lady of this city called at a police station the other day, and complained to the superinten dent that her husband had, in the most cruel manner, kept her a prisoner at home for the last ten days. “ Ah,” said the superintendent, “does he lock the doors on you]” “Certainly not.” “ Does he have somebody to guard you, and keep you from going out ?” “No, indeed ; not he !” “Well, does he—does he t-t-tie you to anything ?” “ No, sir ; he dares not]” “ Well, I should say, madam that —pray excuse me—that you have about all the freedom you could want.” “ Gracious heavens !” exclaimed the lady, with clenched fingers and Hashing eyes, “ a horrid mouse tied to the top of the box with my Sunday bonnet in it ; and you talk to me about all the freedom I could want. ”

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday, October 28, 1879. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30. CHRISTCHURCH ELECTION. Mr Fulton, Chairman of the Christ church Election Petition Committee, brought up a report finding Sir G. Grey occupied the seat illegally. Mr. Tole moved—“ That the report and proceedings lie on the table until enquiries are made as to whether or not the proceed ings of the Committee had been done according to law. ” He said that on the votes being taken, one member neglected to record his vote until the following day, thereby exposing himself to the risk of being tampered with. Mr Fulton said that the statement made in support of the motion was not in accord ance with the facts of the case. Sir G. Grey argued that, having been returned by the votes of 1350 electors, if unseated and Mr Richardson’s election confirmed, the electors would be practi cally disfranchised. The motion was negatived on the voices, and the report ordered to be placed on the official records of the House. The Hon. E. Richardson’s presence was then summoned, and he was formally in ducted into the seat for Christchurch. THE DEFECTION OF THE AUCKLAND MEM BERS. Mr. Hislop gave notice of a question relative to the terms made by Govern ment for securing the support of the four Auckland members, together with all particulars of the works upon which the money said to have been promised for that support was to be spent. The Hon. J. Hall tabled a document in conformity with a motion calling upon Government to produce all correspondence that had passed between the Government and the four Auckland members, dealing with the conditions upon which their support was obtained. The document was read, stating that no such corre spondence had been found in connection with the official records. Sir George Grey stated that the docu ment was simply an evasion, asserting that it was well known that correspondence had passed between the said parties. Mr. Hamlin moved the election of a Select Committee to inquire into the matter, with power to call for persons and papers, and take evidence on oath. The Hon. J. Hall maintained that the motion was irregular, inasmuch as it aimed at the production of documents which formed no part of the public busi ness. Mr. Swanson said that, so far as he was concerned, he had no objection what ever, to the production of the corre spondence. Mr, Colbeck defended his conduct in the affair, and charged the Opposition with having deposed Sir George Grey from the leadership, when in point of fact he was the only one that could lead them. Finding the public business ob structed, and no apparent chance of being proceeded with, he had gone over to the side of the Government for the sole pur pose of solving the difficulty that had arisen.

The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment.

EVENING SITTING.

The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. WITHDRAWAL OF THE NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION.

On the motion to go into Committee of Ways and Means. Mr. Macandrew said in consequence of his party having been deserted by certain members on whom they relied, he had determined upon withdrawing the No confidence motion standing in his name. The Hon. John Hall, in acquiescing in the application, said that all Government had aimed at was to allow their policy to be brought before the country. After passing a formal resolution, allowing the issue of a Deficiency Bill, the House resumed the No-Confidence mo tion, but as Mr. Macandrew did not wish to move it, the Speaker declared it lapsed. The Orders of the Day were then re sumed, and Mr. Rolleston moved the second reading of the Land Act Amend ment Bill, the debate on which proceeded till it was interrupted by the 10.30 ad journment.

TELEGRAPHIC.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

Auckland, Oct. 28.

Messrs Jones and Ware, have chartered the schooner Jessie, to convey their build ing plant to Lyttelton, to start operations on the new dock, for which they were the successful tenderers.

Mr James Mackay has left the Thames en route to Wellington. Considerable speculation now exists as to his mission. Dunedin, Oct. 29.

At the R.M. Court, this morning, C. Davis was sued by Willis and Atkinson for £l2 6s 9d, advertising the Loftus Troupe. Davis denied liability, stating that De Lias was the lessee, and respon sible for the amount, but admitted that he was one of the proprietors of the Troupe. Judgment went for the plaintiff. Invercargill, Oct. 29.

At a meeting of the Chamber of Com merce yesterday, a telegram was read from the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee to report on duties on articles used in colonial manufactories. The secretary was instructed to reply that the Invercargill Chamber of Com merce is of opinion that the subject of a reciprocal tariff between New Zealand and Australia is worthy the attention of the Committee, as a means of protection to produce. It was then resolved that the Chamber is of opinion that the introduction of certain raw materials for bona ffde manufacture, free of duty, would be beneficial.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

LAST NIGHT’S CABLEGRAMS.

(Special. )

London, Oct. 27. In addressing a political meeting

Mmumw m j«u« iwishi that tap fovifigb policy of the Gqvorn ment v/as not consonant with the general feelings of the country. The procrastina tion of a dissolution showed that Govern ment feared the result as unfavorable to the Conservatives. The Liberal policy was to avoid harassing wars, to practice retrenchment, and to secure reductions. In a contest the decisive defeat of the Merv expedition is confirmed. General Roberts is investigating the cause of the Cabul outbreak. Five of the ringleaders were hanged within the city. The punishment produces a deep impres sion.

(Reuter's Telegram. ) London, Oct. 27,

The Orient, London, Pacific, and Liver pool Companies have arranged for a fort nightly steamer to Australia, commencing in January next

Pams, Oct. 27. A Communist named Garel lias been elected for Lyons Municipal Council.

Washington, Oct. 27. The fever epeclemic at Memphis has ended.

( Reuter’s) Madras, Oct. 2G.

The P. and O. steamer, Hindostan, has been totally wrecked on the coast. The loss of life is unknown.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Reuter's Telegrams.) Melbourne, Oct. 28. The Cabinet has resolved to introduce a Bill to reconstruct the Harbor Trust. At Goldsborough’s wool sales there was a brisk competition and good rates were ob tained.

Sir 0. Gavan Duffy intends retiring into private life shortly.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

LAST NIGHT’S TELEGRAMS.

Gbahamstown, Oct. 28,

A tailing worker named Douglas Vanse Kent was found dead in his bed this morn ing shot through the heart. His carbine lay beside him, and he evidently com mitted suicide last night. Financial dif culties are supposed to be the cause of his low spirits for some days past. Deceased, who was recently separated from his wife, has well-to-do relations in Queensland.

A Liberal Association has been formed at Ohinemuri, with Mr C. F. Mitchell as president. A statement in the “ Star ” that Sir George Grey intends taking the leadership of the Opposition is giving satisfaction.

It is rumored that Government intend calling a Thames man to the Upper House. The Mayor is thought the most eligible. Several telegrams have been sent to Mr Sheehan tilling him not to mind Mr Rowe’s telegram asking him to resign. Wanganui, Oct. 28.

At the Supreme Court, John Brett, for false pretences, received one day’s im prisonment. Edward Price alias Robert Derritt, for stealing a watch and chain, received four years’ penal servitude. Stephen Hudson, for stealing money, received nine months. George Thomp son, for horse stealing, received eighteen months. Robert Morton alias Robert Lennard, for horse stealing, received ten years’ penal servitude. Six previous con victions were proved against this prisoner. He once escaped from Auckland gaol in company with Plummer. John Stephen Hutchison, for passing a valueless cheque, received two years.

The Masonic funeral of Mr Peter Chavannes took place to-day. Dunedin, Oct. 28.

Mr Thomas Glendinning, of Messrs Rirkpatriclc, Glendinning and Co., got his left leg broken, through jumping out of a tram car when in motion, near Wise’s corner last evening.

NEWS FROM THE CAPE.

[by telegraph.] The steamer Afghan brings Cape news to Sept. 26. Colonel Clark’s column, is on its way to Pietermaritzburg and Durban, by way of Middle drift and Greytown, the object of its marching by this route being to pro duce a moral effect on the Zulus living in that direction, who are restless.

John Dunn refuses to allow mis sionaries to enter his country, even Bishop Shroeder being excluded. His action is exciting much interest.

Numerous stories are circulated with re gard to the behaviour of Cetewayo when on his way ta the Coast. There is a very general agreement amongst those who have seen him that he is a most superior man, (.the very last to be guilty of atrocities towards his subjects. It is not a little remarkable to find what an absence there is of any evidence to prove the charges of a cruel disposition made against Cetewayo before the war Jjbegan. Every officer of intelligence who has been in Zululand tells the same story, and not a single Zulu has been found who does not profess regard for the late king. Al though hundreds of Matal natives saw Cetewayo brought into the camp at Ulundi, only one native saw him at Port D unford. The Natal Kaffirs state that the terms of the Zulu settlement leave the Zulus in possession of their country, cattle, and guns.

Tne affairs of the transvaal ;ire in a very uncertain state. It is not denied that Sir Garnet Wolseleys reception was anything but cordial.

It has been determined to erect a monument in Market Square, Pieter maritzburg, to the officers and men of the forces of the Colony who have fallen in the war, and to open a separate list to which contributions will be invited from England and South Africa, for the erection oi a monument on the field of Tsandula.

Holloway’s Pills. —The extraordinary range of temperature prevailing in our climate is extremely 1 rying to the delicate-chested, the weak and nervous. All troubled by these afflictions should resolve to resort to this strengthening and ? emulating medicine immedi ately they perceive in themselves discomfort of that feeling of restlessness which betokens dis ordered digestion and defective secretion of bile. One of Holloway’s Pills taken about noon and followed at bed-time by a dose suffi ciently large to act apperiently will speedily recruit the faulty functions, and restore order throughout the whole system. A treatment so safe in operation and so successful in result should be known and practised when, from cold and sundry other causes, disease is at tempting to gain a vexatious footing.-— Advt.

THE LOFTUS TROUPE IN TROUBLE.

Dostedin, Qct. 23. Five of tlie femnj@ pieinbers' outlie Lof tus Variety Troupe, Misses Linnis Leslie, Emma Dubois, Genevieve St Marty Minnie Esmond, .and Nelly Inman, have been

summoned to the City Police Court to morrow in consequence of their perfor mance last night, in what is known as the “High Kickers’ Carnaval.” The infor mations charge them ‘ ‘ for that on Oct. 27, at Dunedin, in the Princess’ Theatre they did unlawfully act in an indecent

manner in a burlesque known as the ‘ Indian Princess,’ and contrary to The Licensed Theatres Ordinance, 1862.” This is a Provincial Ordinance, and Section 5, under which the charges are brought, enacts —“ If any person shall act repre sent, perform, or exhibit, or cause to be acted, represented, or performed, or ex hibited in any theatre or other place, as aforesaid, any stage play or any act,

seance, or entertainment of the stage, as hereinbefore mentioned, or any part there of, or any prologue, or epilogue, or part thereof of a lewd, indecent, or immoral description, every such person so offend ing, if the theatre or other place wherein the same has been acted, represented, performed, or exhibited, be with the writ ten authority or license of the said Super-

intendent, shall forfeit and pay for every such offence any sum not exceeding £SO over and above any separate penalty such person may have incurred under any other provision of this Ordinance, and if the theatre or other place wherein the same has been acted, represented, performed, or exhibited, be duly licensed, shall forfeit and pay any sum not exceeding £SO, and the authority or license by or under which the heatre or other place was opened, shall become absolutely void. ” The case will be heard before Mr Watt, It. M. The “Otago Daily Times” says of the performance (which was one of those on which the “ Lyttelton Times ” ex pressed its opinion very plainly) : —Mr Sarony was vulgar to a degree in the character of a “ school-marm,” who ap peared to have nothing whatever to do with the plot of the burlesque, while the female members of the troupe did their best to keep him company. The exhibi tion was utterly degrading to themselves as females, and we can only feel astounded that the audience did not evince disap probation of their conduct in the way it deserved. Not to put “ too fine a point” on it, the performance was lewd, disgust ing, and indecent. When the curtain rose there were two ladies in the dress-circle, one of whom took an early opportunity of leaving. Through some apparent defect in the law, the protests of the Press in other towns have only had the effect of drawing the dirty-minded to the temple of the drama that the Loftus Troupe were doing their best to descrate. That is our own excuse for having passed without notice what under other circumstances we should have denounces as objectionable. After last night’s performance we feel j ustified in saying that the entertainments given by the Loftus Troupe should not be tolerated in any respectable community. We believe that the authorities are in a position to take the license from the theatre, and compel the shameless women who took part in the “ High Kickers’ Carnival ” to pander to the depraved tastes of some other community, and their more shameless employers to earn a dis graceful living elsewhere. If the authori ties permit a repetition of last night’s per formance, it will be a standing reproach to Dunedin. The audience lart night in cluded a police officer and a police magis trate.

[By Telegraph.] Dunedin, Oct. 29.

At the Police Court this morning, Linnie Leslie, Emma Doubois, Genevieve St. Marc, Minnie Esmond, and Nellie In man, were charged with having, on the 27th October, unlawfully acted in an indecent manner in the burlesque known as “ The Indian Princess,” at the Prin cess Theatre, contrary to The Licensed Theatres Ordinance, 1862. Mr. E. Cook appeared for the defendants, who were not in attendance. The case was ad journed till two o’clock, on his applica tion. The Court was crowded, and the people Avere disappointed at the non appearance of the fair ones.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

THE EARTH’S INTERNAL HEAT.

To the Editor,

Sir, —In the short article of Oct. 18, on the earth’s internal heat, as suggested by the thermometer’s registration of the temperature in the shaft of the Magdala Quartz Company, Victoria, the statement is made that “ Science will have to con siderably modify her interpretation of the gryeat heat at the bottom of many Euro pean mines of no greater depth. ” If none else have done so I would ask you to find room for a few lines expressive of doubt as to the correctness of the above statement.

In the first place, it may be presumed that the thermometer used in the Magdala shaft was a very good one of the orclinaiy kind, but it is doubtful, I think, whether the measurements were made by the aid' of one of those exceedingly delicate self registering instruments which are used by men of science to obtain measurements of the most perfect accuracy. Secondly, the measurements were not taken by experts for the purpose of scientific investigation, and it may there fore be supposed that there was not observed that perfect precision and exact attention to minutiae which characterises the experiments and observations of scientific men.

Thirdly, when measurements are made for the purpose of determining the heat of the interior of the earth it is not (as appears to be the case in the Magdala mine) the atmospheric temperatuie which is measured ; but the temperature of the rocks. Now, the registration given in the article referred to is that of the tempera ture of the mine oflice, and with the thermometer suspended 17ft. from the bottom, compared with that in the office on the surface of the ground. Fourthly, in ascertaining the tempera ture of the rocks, those only which are uniform in substance and form are con sidered to give data of importance as it is found that the nature of the rock, the dip of the strata, the quantity of contained water and other circumstances will con

%>0i s<i.kVy: 5 <i.kVy: the iui'fipev&lHgs af jho rckjiH in tyho locality.*’**' 3 *' ir’jffclily, in ' u the articiy referred to, the temperature at |hy bottom of the Magdala phaft (§$ deg.) is com pared with tiie temperature in the office on the surface of the ground (80 deg.) This, 1 think, shows that the investigation was not carried on by experts, as I just now hinted, because it is known that the earth is affected appreciably by the heat of summer and the cold of winter to a depth of 100 ft from the surface, at which depth the temperature is about that of the mean annual temperature of the locality, and it is only the registration of the thermometer below this limit which should be compared, as it is evident that the registration in the office would vary with the seasons ; so that science will not have to considerably modify her views, notwithstanding the manager of Magdala mine.

When I began I intended to refer to the terms molten and vaporised as applied to the interior of the earth in the article referred to, with a view to show that the earth is not molten, as used to be sup posed, but rigid to the centre ; but I am afraid that I have now made the letter too long. If you find a corner for this, I may trouble you again. The article, which is somewhat misleading, got into your valuable columns, no doubt, inadvertently, and I thought you would be glad to have it corrected.

I am, &c., B. J. Westbuooke,

Breeds and Varieties of Sheep.

From May's Ilandy Book

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES Of Breeds of Sheep, both Native and Foreign, found in Great Britain. Clyss I.— Sheep Without Horns. 1. Dishley or New Leicester : —Head clean, straight, and broad ; body round, or barrel shaped; eyes fine and lively ; body fine and small ; pelt thin ; wool long and fine, wel! calculated for combing, and weighing upon an average 8 lbs per fleece when killed at two years old. : Fatten kindly and early, being admirably calculated for the market, thriving on pastures that will scarcely keep other sheep, and requiring les3 food than others. Tolerably hard and vigorous. Are found chiefly in Leicestershire and the neighbor ing counties, whence this breed is gradually dispersing through the kingdom. 2. Lincolns: —Face white; bones large; legs white, thicfi, and.rough ; carcass long, thin, and weak ; wool fine and long, from ten to fifteen inches, weighing per fleece, when killed at three years, an average of 11 lbs ; flesh coarse-grained ; slow feeders, calculated only for the richest pastures ; constitutions tender ; are found in Lincoln shire, whence they receive their name, and other rich grazing districts.—Variety 1. Teeswater Breed : Bones finer ; legs longer ; carcass more heavy and firm ; back and sides wider than in the original breed ; wool not so long as that of the preceding sort, weighing about 9 lbs when killed at two years old ; flesh finer grained and fatter ; female singularly prolific, generally producing two, and often three lambs each; constitution weak; slow feeders, suited only for the finest pastures, consequently less profitable than the smaller-sized, but quicker feeding sorts of sheep : capable of great improvement by crossing with New Leicester or Dishley rams ; are found in the extensive, fertile, sheltered and inclosed tracts of pasture watered by the river Tees, in Yorkshire. Variety 2. Cotswold or improved Glouces ter Breed : In most respects resembling the parent breed, but superior ; wool not so long as that of the original sort ; mutton fine-grained, rnd full-sized; capable of great improvement by proper crossing; are found chiefly in Gloucestershire. 3. Dartmoor or Devonshire Natts : Face and legs white ; neck thick; bones large ; back narrow, but backbone high ; sides good ; wool long, weighing upon an average 91bs when killed at about two years and a half ; improves materially by crossing with the Dishley breed ; are chiefly founc on the moors in Devonshire, whence they derive their name.

4. Hereford : —Face and legs white ; size small; carcass well shaped; wool very fine and short, growing close to their eyes, and weighing, when killed at four years and a half old, upon an average 21bs per fleece ; patient of hunger; flesh fine grained ; constitution tender, requiring shelter in winter ; very profitable, no breed being supposed callable of subsisting on so small a quantity of pasture as this sort requires ; are found in the county of Hereford, where th) Archenfield or true breed is known by the name of c ‘ Ryelands.” 5. Southdown : —Face and legs grey ; bones fine; neck long and small; low before : shoulder high ; light in the fore puarter; sides good loin tolerably broad ; backbone rather too high ; thigh full ; and twist good ; wool very fine and short (the staple being from two to three inches in length) weighing an average of 241bs per fleece when kilied at two years old ; flesh fine grained, and of excellent flavor ; quick feeders ; constitution hardy und vigorous ; capable of improve ment ; are found on the dry chalky downs of Sussex, whence* this valuable breed is being gradually introduced into the various districts. Variety 2., Cannock Heath: In most points resemblingthe South down race ; wool fine and soft ; flesh fine and sweet; greatly improvable by crossing with Herefordshire rams; are found on Cannock Heath, in the county of Stafford, which gives this breed its name. 6. Romney Marsh : —Face white ; legs white, and rather long ; bones rather large; body round or barrel shaped ; size good ; wool fine, long, and white, weighing, when killed at two years and a half old. about Slbs per fleece ; flesh ex cellent and fine-grained ; fatten early and kindly, but calculated only for rich marsh or pasture grounds, where this breed is very profitable; are found on Romney Marsh, whence this valuable sort is denominated, and on the rich marsh-lands of Sussex.

7. Herdwick : —Face speckled with blade and white ; legs of the same colour, small, fine, and clean ; wool short and matted in the fleece, each fleece averaging 21bs when killed at four and a half years old; constitution very hardy and vigorous, requiring oniy a little hay during intense winters ; are found on the mountainous tract at the head of the rivers Eslc and Dudden, in Cumberland, where they are farmed out to herds, from which circumstance they derive their name.

8* fiiwvist MPaes r»4 ta, white j foody long \ eyes Uvefy find prominent ; forequarters deficit in dgpth on the breast, which is narrow, aa also is the chine; pelt thin ; bones fine, clean, and small; wool partly fine, and in part of a coarse quality, each fleece averaging about 4jlbs when killed at four years and a half hold ; a very hardy mountain breed, well calculated for exposed situa tions ; fattening kindly ; are found in the mountain tract termed Cheviot Hills, whence they liave been introduced into most northern districts.

9.. Dun-Faced :—Face of a dun or tawny color; small size ; tail short ; wool of various streaks, black, red-, brown, or dun, and partly of a fine texture, weighing about l|lbs per fleecy when killed at four years and a half years old ; flesh finely grained, aud of excellent flavor ; not so hardy as the preceding sort; are found in exposed northern dis tricts.

10. Shetland : —Very small in size, and of various colors. Variety 1. lias coarse wool above, and fine wool below, • being supplied with long hairs, termed fors and scudda, which protect the animals from the intense cold of winter. Variety 2. has a soft cottony fleece, and is less hardy than the preceding variety, the wool being short and open. Wool very fine and soft, fit for the finest manufactures, the fleece weighing from 1 to 31bs ; very hardy, but too wild to be confined; are found in the islands whence this breed is named.

Ci.ass ll. —Horned Sheep.

11. Exmore Face and legs white ; bone, neck, and head peculiarly delicate ; wool fine and long, averaging about 41bs per fleece ; very hardy ; are found chiefly on and in the vicinity of Exmore, in the northern part of the county of Devon.

12. —Dorsetshire : —Face white ; legs long, small, and white ; ewes singularly prolific, bringing lambs twice, and at any time of the year ; wool fine and short, the fleece averaging about 3£lbs when killed at three years and a half old ; are found in the county from which the name is de rived, and in the adjacent districts. 13. Norfolk : —Horns large and spiral; face black ; body long, thin, and weak ; neck long ; legs long, black or grey ; wool short and fine, weighing about 21bs per fleece at three years and a half, which is the chief quality of this breed, whose flesh is well-flavored and of a fine grain ; kept chiefly for the . convenience of folding ; are found in the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, where it is native ; but is giv ing way to the more profitable Southdown breed. 14. Heath :—Horns like those of the preceding sort ; face and legs black; eyes wild and fierce ; carcass short and firm ; wool long, open,.coarse, and shaggy, fleece averaging about 3llbs at four years and a half old; constitution hardy, and superior to that of the Cheviot breed ; ad mirably calculated for elevated, healthy, and exposed districts ; good feeders ; flesh excellent ; are found in the north-western parts of Yorkshire, the north-eastern counties of England, and thence forward to Scotland ; it appears to be the same breed which is known in the district of Linton by the various names of Linton, Short, or Forest sheep. 15. Merino, or Spanish Sheep :■ —Horns, of middle size, of which the ewes are some time destitute ; face white ; legs of- the same hue, and rather long; shape . not very perfect, having a piece of loose skin depending form the neck; bone fine ; pelt fine and clear; wool uncommonly fine, weighing' upon an average about 3jibs ; constitution pretty hardy ; fatten kindly ; are found in Spain, whence two flocks were imported into England ; the first in or about 1802, for His Majesty George 111., the other by Lord Somer ville, at an immense expense ; great bene fit has been derived by crossing this sort with the best British sheep.

The Age of a Sheep.

The second year they have two broad teeth ; the third year four broad teeth ; the fourth year six broad teeth ; the fifth year eight broad teeth before. About the end of one year rams, withers, and all young sheep lose the two fore-teeth, and the incisive teeth of the lower jaw; at eighteen months the two teeth joining to the former also fall out ; and at three years, being all replaced, they are even and pretty : as these animals advance in age, the teeth become loose, blunt, and

finally black. The age of horned sheep may be known by their horns, which show themselves in the first, year, and continue to grow, forming one ring each year.

A Spurious Shorthorn.

An interesting'case, bearing upon the shorthorn mania has just been tried at Gloucester Assizes. A bull was exhibited at the annual shorthorn show at Birming ham, in 1875, as by Grand Patriot out of Graceful. The animal was, of course, supposed to be of this most distinguished parentage on both sides, and skilled judges awarded ,it the first prize. Mr Henry Allsopp saw the bull, and bought it for the sum of 115 guineas. So far, however, from the bull having the five successive crosses necessary to entitle him to be considered a bull of high degree, it was conclusively that this prize-winner, Grand Patriot 11., was only by a pedigree bull by an ordinary cow. Mr Allsopp, however, was quite satisfied with his purchase, and the bull became part of his herd. As a result he is now the happy possessor of some 70 calves, whose grandmother is an ordinary cow, and is likely to add another 58 to the number of these low-caste beasts, thus lowering the whole character of his herd. The jury came to the conclusion that Mr Allsopp had been imposed upon, and awarded him the sum of £750 damages.

Nothing was heard during the trial of the judges at the Birmingham annual show ; but it would be curious to learn how they come to award the first prize in the shorthorn class to a half-bred bull whose pedigree they had not investigated.

Service of Song.— -We. understand that the Service of Song, entitled “ The World’s Redeemer,” is to be given at the Wakanui school on Friday evening, by the Presbyterian Sunday school teachers. The proceeds will he devoted to the school funds.

Maori Seers. —The Maoris living in the Ciyde disti’ict have prophesied by means of signs and significations known only to themselves, that the coming har vests will be more abundant than any of those that have been gathered during the last four or five years. ..

W 3% iA' 90/J.

lUU jm HU U WBj H JiSMkEi



Butter, inferior to best 1? lb 1 2 to d. 1 0 Eggs, fc? dozen 1 2 to 0 0 Cheese, prime quality, V? lb 0 s to 0 to Bacon, prime smoked, lr? lb 0 9 to O 10 Hams ir> cloth, lb I 0 to 0 0 Flour in bags, 1? ioolb 14 6 to 0 0 Oatmeal, 25th 6 0 to V/z Lard, F lb - - - 0 9 to 0 0



ASHBUIITON CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. PUBLIC MEETING will be held at Quill’s Commercial Hotel on WEDNESDAY EVENING NEXT, Oct. 29th, at 7 '3O p.m., to consider the advis ability of holding Sports on New Year’s Day 13G —596 a



MOUNT SOMERS ROAD BOARD. The ordinary meeting of this Board will be held on MONDAY, the 3rd November, instead of Friday, the 7th. By order, JAMES FRASER, Clerk. 24th Ocb, 1579. 613 a ANTED, a BLACKSMITH; one acquainted with Shoeing preferred. Apply to JAMES BEGG, Tinwald. 615 a WANTED, a Smart BOY for Kitchen. Apply Central Temperance Hotel. 616 a NE W ZEALAND WESLE VAN , Published Monthly. JUST ARRIVED, the “ New Zealand Wesleyan ” for October. Price 6d, Sold at the Herald Office, East Street. WEEKS AND DIXON, Agents. f|IHE “ Herald ” is on every Tea Table in Ashburton Housemaids.— The herald asks a Housemaid for you in 20 words for 1/-. TO PRINTERS. MACHINE FOR SALE. EOR SALE, about the end of October, 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



TO FRUITERERS, CONFECTIONERS, AND OTHERS. FANCY Show Cards, neatly printed— “ Finest Lemonade and Cordials ” —on Sale at the Herald Office. R. In the District Court of Canterbury, Llolden at Ashburton. - - IN THE MATTER OF The Debtors and Creditors Act, 1876, The Debtors and Creditors Act Amendment Act, 1878, and of the bankruptcy of PATRICK GRACE, of Winslow, in the County of Ashburton, Farmer, a debtor. NOTICE is hereby given that the above named Patrick Grace has this day filed in the above Court a declaration that 'he is un able to meet his engagements with his credi tors. The First Meeting of Creditors will be held at the District Court, Ashburton, on Monday, the third day of November next, at eleven in the forenoon. Dated this twenty-eighth day of October, 1879. C. CAYENDISH HURRELL, Clerk of the Court. E. G. Crisp, •' Solicitors for Debtor. 614 a TIT ANTED ' Known, that TWENTY V V Words are inserted in this Column for ONE SHILLING prepaid, and FORTY Words for TWO SHILLINGS prepaid. TALE. —-The Herald publishes apor tion of a readable story ever Satur day. Read it. T7IORMS PRINTED—“ To Let” and JP “ For Sale ” —can be obtained at the Herald Office. V. sa, =282