COMMERCIAL.

ASHBURTON GRAIN TRADE. Herald Office, Saturday Evening. The market for produce has been tolerably active during the past week, sales of large parcels of every description having been effected at the rates quoted in our last report. Wheat. —The prices for prime qualities of this cereal have considerably hardened, 3s Id having been paid for several samples during the day ; and for ordinary, 2s lid to 3s is now freely offered. A quantity of faulty, shrivelled grain has been placed at prices varying from 2s 7d to 2s 9d, and we think that the whole of these prices are likely to be fully maintained. The low rates of freight ruling, continue to influ ence large shipments for the London market; and we think that this class of venture will prove-remunerative. Oats. —Prime milling are still full value at 2s lOd, but the prices for feed and inferior samples have exhibited weakness towards the close of the week. Sales have been effected at from 2s 7d to 2s 9d, and the market is now * fairly settled at these rates.

Barley. A small parcel has been placed at 6s, but we think the rate ex treme, and can only quote from 5s 3d to 5s 9d for prime malting. Inferior is not inquired for, and only feed prices are offered for this description. Grass Seed. —Little attention has been given to grass seed, and prices have further declined, 5s 6d being now paid only for the prime samples. Flour. —First brands are in full de mand at last week’s quotations, and several large shipping orders have been accepted at satisfactory prices. Bran and Sharps. —Prices are firmer, several lines of 50 tons and upwards having found purchasers at full rates.

Messrs Saunders Bros. ’ latest quotations are :—Wheat, 2s lid to 3s Id ; oats, 2s 7d to 2s 9d; barley, 5s to 5s 6d; grass jseed. 5s to 5s 9d ; flour, £9 ; bran, £4 10s; sharps, £5 10s.

ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the "Evening Echo".) SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 1879.

Since Sir George Grey’s celebrated «stumping tour,” when thousands stood before him to “gape and claw the elbow ”... of astonishment at the grandeur of his oratory, and the Pre mier was the “ people’s George,” just as Mr. Gladstone was but a short time ago the “peoples William,” a change seems to have! come o’er the spirit of the popular dream, and the people are becoming discontented with their whilom idol. A patriarch in politics, S.ir George’s supporters leant upon his experience, and he was perhaps the man of all others who knew by heart the interesting pages of New Zealand’s history, ana , thus, when he stepped out to fill the vacant place of Major Atkin son, the popu.lht voice was ready to cry, with Meg come, and the Starting with a programme that ought to h ave satisfied the most Radical reform'er, .the ranks of Sir George’s supporters iP- the House were so recruited in one fecess that from a bare majority at the proioga tion he met Parliament at its opening with a following almost irresistible in its apparent strength, and seemingly loyal even to slavishness. Great things were expected of the great man and his ministry, but, as is the case with most great and sanguine expectations of those who trust in princes, disappointment fell upon the hearts of the men who trusted in the idol of the hour.

Whether the “ loud acclaim of praise” with which the Premier was hailed in his tour round the colony led the good old man to believe that his power was absolute and forever strong against any attempt to weaken it, or whether only that fatality waited upon him which sometimes leads men on to their own destruction, or whether only a verifica tion has occurred of the proverb that “ whom the gods mean to destroy, they first make mad,” we have no power of divination to determine; but if Sir George had been possessed with a con suming desire to destroy his own popu larity, he could scarcely have chosen a more effective policy for the purpose than the course he has of late been following. His conduct in the Land Act affair at the close of last session is

still remembered, and his recent surly, silly, almost snobbish action in regard to the Marquis of Normanby’s depar ture has not raised him in the colony’s esteem, while the recent unseemly war in the Cabinet over the, “ Dowb ” transaction of Mr. Luckie’s appoint ment to the Commissionership of An nuities will be accepted as only another evidence that Sir George fancies there is only one man in the colony capable of ruling it, and that man is himself. Just now it would, perhaps,, be diffi cult to construct a Ministry who would command the confidence of the colony in the degree the present Ministry secured it on their assumption of office; and if Ministers were but loyal to the promises and principles with which they set out would then be no need for the Liberals of the colony to seek for another repository of their hopes. But when the safety of a party is certainly imperilled by the silly way wardness— to put it mildly —of its otherwise able leader, it is easy to prophesy that the time is near when the popularity of Sir George Grey’s Government must be written down “ effete.”

The Christian Herald. —The usual monthly number of this periodical was published to-day. Professor Scott gave another of his entertainments last night in the Town Hall, to a good house. He will give the last of his series to-night.

We are desired to state that Mr. Geo. Worner was not the person sued at yes terday’s Court. Next Week’s Meetings. —On Monday, the usual monthly meeting of the Road Board will be held, when, probably, the division of the district into two indepen dent Boards will come under discussion. On Tuesday, the Licensing Bench will sit for the despatch of license business. There are six new applications—two for Tinwald, and four for the township—be sides the ordinary renewals. The Bench sits at eleven. On Wednesday, the County Council holds its usual monthly meeting in the Road Board Office.

The New Road Board Districts. —ln our advertising columns to-day, is given the “ Gazette” notice, containing the boundaries of the new Ashburton Road Districts.

Heavy Wheat. —We were to-day shown at Messrs. Williamson & Co.’# store quite a little sheaf of stems of purple straw Tuscan wheat, grown on the farm of Mr. Robert Miller, near Winchmore. The stems number 40, and are all in ear. There is nothing extraordinary in all this as far as we haVe gone, but when we add that the 40 ears are the crop of one seed corn, and are still attached to the common root, the reason why we refer to it is obvious. An average of 70 seeds of wheat to the ear gives far over a 2000-fold yield, so that we have advanced somewhat since the parable of the sower was given to us. We hear this prolific plant is to be sent, with several of its equally obliging fellows from the same paddock, to represent Ash burton’s producing power at the Sydney Exhibition. The curious may examine the extraordinary growth at Messrs. Williamson’s.

The s.s. Taupo. —Latest reports state that the water in the after-part of the s.s. Taupo can be easily pumped out, and after she is lightened of her coal she may be got afloat in a few hours.

The New Zealand Times- is to be advertised for sale, and if in three months no eligible offer is received the company will be placed in liquidation.

The Wellington Compositors’ Strike has collapsed, and the men have with drawn their demands for an increase of pay. The Kaitangata Explosion. The inquest will be resumed on Monday, and Mr. Cox, the Government Geologist, and Dr. Hector will give evidence. Great Fire at Blenheim.— Yesterday morning a terrible fire broke out in Market street, Blenheim, and raged furi ously for several hours. Had there been any wind the greater part of the town would have gone. The following places were burned Healy and Sons, boot makers ; Scott, confectioner; Jensen, barber ; Presswood, watchmaker ; Griffith, auctioneer; Dobson, stationer; Horne and Cleghorn, chemists; Jellyman, butchers ; Quin, watchmaker ; Macey, photographer ; Collier, stationer ; O’Sulli vin, commission agent, and McNab, barrister. The insurances are very light.

Immigrants. There are now about 1477 statute adult immigrants afloat for New Zealand, and the Government are seriously considering the propriety of call ing upon the Agent-General to send out 2000 labourers immediately, to meet the demand for labour in this Colony. The Mail.— The Zealandia, with the January Colonial mails, arrived at San Francisco on the 26th, one day in advance of contract time.

Hydrophobia. An innkeeper at Ash ton-under-Lyne, named Allen Cook, has j' L 'ist died from hydrophobia. The deceased was bitten some time in June last by a dog belonging to himself.

Dissatisfied. —Several French manu facturers have refused, as inadequate to their merits, the medals awarded them by the Paris Exhibition jury.

AlDancing Revolution.— A revolution in dancing circles is promised in Paris this winter. Quadrilles and cotillons are to disappear, and to be replaced by stately ballets, such as were danced in the time of the three last Louises. .

Strangers coming to reside in Ashburton are often at a loss to know which is the best Establishment to visit for the purchase of Drapery, Clothing, and House-furnishing Iron mongery, and General Stores. Orb. & Co. offer special advantages to the public that can be met with nowhere else in Ashburton. They keep at all times the largest and best-assorted Stock of every class of Goods, imported direct from the leading manufacturers at home, which being- bought entirely upon cash terms, they are enabled to ofler goods of sunh sterling value as cannot be equalled by any other house in the trade. Every article in stock is marked at the lowest price, from which no abatement is made so that the most inexperienced buy their goods at the same prices as the best judges,—Advt

ON THE DAUNDSR.

I foucht for my ain hand. —Hal o’ the Wynd.

I was absent from the first issue of The Herald, and it is unco soothing to the self-complaisarice of a youth who pines for literary fame to learn from the runnel’s — the only attaches of the paper with whom I have a humble intimacy—that that par ticular issue had an unprecedentedly large circulation. One small friend, whose limbs, although younger, are more fully developed than his pantaloons, kindly suggested the better tone of London stocks as the possible cause of the improved trade. But the proprietors took a differ ent view of the case, and rather abruptly informed me that, as the public had evi dently tired of my attempts, I might henceforward only retain my connection with the office as an honorary contributor. I felt the slight from an intelligent public, and my own precarious position, too keenly to remonstrate, and I bowed—-with what grace my shattered prospects and sensitive ineffables would permit—and presented my little account. £3 2s. 4d. was not much for 17 chains and some odd links of the choicest jocularity, slung off in season and out of. season, against my dearest friend, my own pet weakness, and often very much against my own inclination. As I say, the pay was not extravagant, considering that for it I had bartered my self-respect, yet the “ boss ” stigmatised it as extortionate, and said that he would look up his little contra. This little contra —people with bills always call them little, if they are unusually large—comprised such items as—ls old maids’ papers stopped by your indecorous reference to “panniers,” £1 2s. ; 17 mixed papers stopped by your derogatory article on mothers-in-law, £1 4s. ; 13 Byronic sub scribers choked off by your attempts at verse, 3s. fid. (they don’t count much on poets paying) ; 57 horns hauling over your orthography, crossing your t’s, and dotting your i’s, £5 14s. These are only conspicuous items in this little contra ; the aggregate is some £ls, leaving a bal ance to my debit of, say, £l2, and this I am to liquidate by piece-work, at the same old rate, £l4 ss. per mile ! I do hope that in future offended subscribers will brutally assault me rather than stop their papers.

I have just concocted a pretty little article about the water supply. Its a sub ject on which I am enthusiastic, and the manuscript some fifteen hundred demy folios, is now in Mr. Ireland’s hands having | libelous matter expunged. He reports about seven paragraphs in every eight highly slanderous, and as containing indelicate references to Borough Coun cillors’ domestic affairs. I shall publish these anonymously, or offer them to my friends in the street with the bad drain, and I anticipate that they will take con siderably. But Ido not intend here to review the matter, more than acknowledge my indebtedness to Councillor Shearman for very valuable documentary evidence. He has supplied some very antique and interesting records of the early history of this unsylvan retreat, from which I have quoted largely, in this style :—“ Visitors will find this a pleasant place of resort, with the ever-flowing and beautiful river Ashburton in its immediate vicinity, teem ing with fish, and on its grassy banks abound ing with wild fowl, and game of varied description, the true British sportsman will ever find amusement and recreation. To the patron or lover of the turf, nature has placed at his disposal on the broad expansive plain, the finest racecourse in the Southern Hemisphere * * * The majestic view of the distant snowy ranges, with the mighty avalanche rolling dow-n from their summit, is a picture of Alpine scenery, which, beneath the rays of a set ting sun, or the artist’s touch is at once grand and beautiful (‘ entre parenthese,’ this is not original, my rambling friend still reigns supreme in this class of hyperbole).

Englishmen are ever known to take their enjoyments sorrowfully, but it is a great many dates since the Ashburtonians have had an opportunity of taking their enjoyments so very sorrowfully as during the past season. To use jockey parlance, misfortune has got home pretty much all round, some have been hit more, some less ; but to generalise trade, things are not prominently buoyant. However, I am sure that this temporary fickleness of the sightless dame will not induce our townspeople to resign the honorable posi tion they have hitherto taken in all chari table movements. We are appealed to for the sufferers by the Kaitangata dis aster, and I trust that the response will be in every way consistent with our reputation as aliberal and able community. Many of us can appreciate the position of the bereaved ones—my uncle is a lone orphan himself, and I know what it is ! and apart from the material benefits to be derived from pecuniary assistance, we understand the solace of this practical sympathy.

The “ Scientific American ” predicts the revival of Sodom and Gomorrah, and gaily points out the probable advantages which will accrue to humanity from this restitution. The fishing up of the “pur et semple ” customs of these ancient days, may or may not be an advantage—l am sere and yellow enough to evade any de cided expression of opinion,—but I much question whether the morals of the anti submerged period were sufficiently repu table to pass muster now-a-days.

At Dunedin, Mr. Leary, “ a respectable looking man,” let his honesty slip up about Signor Morley’s umbrella. In fact, not to put too fine a point on it, he appropriated the vocalist’s sunshade, under some mis apprehension. This misapprehension had a tolerably long run, as the nice, respect able gentleman realized on the little trifle which had intruded itself into his posses sion, and melted the proceeds in a very cordial manner—Schnapps, and such like. Like many other youths of respectable exterior, Mr. Leary was also poor. A sort of indifferent respectability and poverty are pretty much familiar in these antipodes. When brought before that august functionary ' whom vulgar little boys term “ the beak,” Mr. Leary pleaded this poverty in mitigation of punishment for his little wandering from the straight and narrow, and the lenient magistrate, taking into - consideration his com bined virtues, acquitted him. Now, it occurs to me that this magnanimity on the part of the Southern Justice will establish a popular precedent. There is much in personal appearance. Fox said,

“No man could be so wise as Thurloe looked,” and we ordinary mortals who have long passed the holiday of sympa thetic magnetism, when even beauty has lost some of its fascination, know- how much there is in the appearance of an importunate creditor. Yet we cannot all run a reputable visage. I lost mine at the early age of ten, by observing that etiquette which demands that you should hang on to a hot potato when you have indiscreetly mouthed it unthermometerised —but poverty will land a big majority clear of chastisement. I already begin to dote on my friend’s movable property.

I notice that the good people of Whareama have been giving pretty free expression to their views on newspaper correspondents, in language quite after Mr. Cass’ heart. It comes perhaps with rather bad grace from a disappointed as pirant for literary fame, but I do endorse the expressed views of these anti-news mongers. I give an extract from an “ own correspondent,” which will suffi ciently exemplify the exalted (?) use these paper gentlemen make of their position. ‘ ‘ Youremember W. 1 Well, itappearsthat circumstances of rather an unusual char acter have recently thrown him into the society of a young lady—a regular free lance in the matrimonial tournament. An intimacy sprang up between the two, which appeared to afford to W. a char acteristic quiet satisfaction, and .to the young lady and the world generally antici pations of an early declaration. Our mutual friend, however, lacked that enthusiasm which the fair one expected her fascinations to excite, and as a stimu lant to his dilatory feelings, the lady re sorted to that oft-used feminine stratagem of introducing a rival. W., nothing moved, kept on at the same jog pace, but the new aspirant pressed his suit with energetic perseverance, and, as he well deserved, brought it to a calamitous issue—an acceptance. Congratulations of varied earnestness followed, W., amongst others, having his say, and saying it (the young lady exult ingly reports) with bitter tears of disap pointment coursing down his youthful cheeks. Yet don’t alarm Mr. W.’s friends, as his appetite and spirits, both of which I have opportunities of closely observing, continue good; and I have seen him wring ■ the hand of that successful rival with grateful exhilaration, which leads me to think his a case for the light affliction department. ”

Lonehand.

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[By Submarine Cable.] London, Feb. 27.

The Embassy was received with the utmost courtesy by Sir M. Hicks-Beach who said that the subject was of great im portance, requiring grave deliberation. It was desirable that the Commissioners should again see him before the matter was submitted to the Imperial Cabinet. Mr. Berry, as spokesman, expressed his satisfaction with the interview.

An Exhibition is being arranged to be held at Madras next year.

Feb. 25. Wheat and tallow are unchanged. Flour 6s. higher.

St. Petersburg, Feb. 27.

The terrible Astrakhan plague has made its appearance here. One case has shown itself to-day.

AUSTRALIAN.

Melbourne, Feb. 28. Wellington is the favorite for the Leger. The Marchioness of Normanby was greatly fatigued by the voyage. Sydney, Feb. 20. The police rode 380 miles in pursuit of the Balranald bushrangers. The Hatfield bushrangers were re manded on six charges. Government have engaged twenty Queensland trackers to pursue the Kellys. Hennessy’s brandy, kerosene, rice, sugar, and candles are without quotable change. New Zealand wheat, 4s. 3d.; New Zealand oats, none in market. Arrived—Normanby, s.s., with the mails via Torres Straits. Adelaide, Feb. 28. Flour, £l2 ss. ; wheat, ss.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

Auckland, Saturday.

Messrs. F. & S. Morrin and J. Bennett have purchased Kamo coal mine, Wan garei. The Water Police have apprehended an Italian fisherman, who was sculling about the harbor in a nearly nude state. Some wounds festering had turned his brain. He was sent to the hospital. The German man-of-war has sailed for Samoa.

Owing to the vending of diseased meat, the City Council has made a new and stringent bye-law for the inspection of dead carcases.

To-day Messrs Goldie and Dignan were nominated for City West. Goldie got the show of hands and three cheers, and Dignan’s supporters not having formally demanded a poll, Goldie’s supporters claimed the election. A free fight was like to have ensued, but it was eventually decided to go to the poll. There was a large turn out, and great excitement be tween the secularists and denomina tionalists. During the row at the Re turning Officer’s table, Mr. Swanson delivered a capital speech, on secular education, to the crowd. Dunedin, Saturday.

A fire broke out between 3 and 4 this morning in the Railway Hotel, Milton, resulting in the entire destruction of the premises and contents. The landlord was in Dunedin at the time. The buildings were insured for £2OO, the stock and fur niture, £250. James Fairbairn, aged 12, son of a settler at Taieri Bush, had his left leg torn off below the knee by the machinery of a horse-power threshing machine in ivhich he got entangled. The limb was bandaged to stop the bleeding, and the Rev. Mr. Borrkftook the boy in his buggy to drive him to Dunedin for surgical aid, but he died at Saddle Hill.

The police are clearing out some of the dens of the city. Two depraved women were brought before the Bench to-day, charged with being a wandering nuisance, and were sent to gaol for two months. The owner of an “ under and over” table,

named Ford, got 48 hours for playing on the race-course. The Bench expressed re gret that the big betting men could not be laid hold of by the police, instead of the small shilling fry. As an additional attraction at the Prin cess Theatre to-night, the horse on which Rignold has figured as Henry Y., is to be given away on the art union principle. Invercargill, Saturday. The ratepayers’ meeting last night re solved to open a Kaitangata. subscription list. The police have liberally contributed to the police list. Queer dispute has occurred between the Corporation and the gas works manager, who purchased gasholder and other plant, ex the wreck of the Ann Gambles without consulting the Council. It was a bargain, but the Council stands on its dignity, and to save possible unpleasantness the manager has resigned. Nelson, Saturday. A ship is coming up the bay. It is believed to' .be the Warwick, with immi grants.

Nearly 100 volunteers arrived this morning for the rifle meeting.

THE AFGHAN WAR.

“ THE FIRST TO FALL.”

From the Daily News.

The description which one special correspondent sends us of the death of Major Birch and Lieutenant Fitzgerald deserves an abiding place in our millitary history. No one will read without emo tion the passage which tells how these two gallant officers met death. A young officer named Maclean had rushed on, with a handful of men to support him, into a spot where he was in deadly peril. Major Birch would not be stayed from hurrying to his assistance, and leceived a shot which tilled him. The handful of men whose help he had gone were forced to fall back, and his body was left upon the field. 'One of his young officers, named Fitzgerald, could not endure the thought of abandoning the body of his , brave chief. His own command shrank from following ; he called for volunteers, and fifteen men from a detachment of Sikhs gallantly answered to his call. Fitzgerald had actually suceeded in raising Birch’s body when a third bullet—he had received two wounds already—struck him, and he fell dead. The bodies were found next day uninjured by the enemy, and were laid, our correspondent tells us, in “a soldier’s grave close to the headquarter camp, at the foot of Ali Musjid.” No episode of fight at once more gallant and more touching is recorded, we are inclined to think, in the history, or des cribed in the romance, of war. That such lives should have been wasted in an unnecessary and an in just war is deplor able ; but the splendour of such devotion is not clouded in any way by the errors of the policy which caused it to be thrown away. The young officer Fitzgerald was an Irishman. It was the pen of an Irish Nationalist member of Parliament that described the officers and men fighting in Afghanistan as “ butchers.” Fitzgerald’s countrymen in general will be able to say how far his deeds have corresponded with such a description.

Sunday in Germany.— A hymn is sung, in which all join at the top of their voices; a long prayer is read for all the royalties, the army, magistrates, burgomeister of the village, &c., &c. The Lord’s Prayer is repeated every Sunday, and the Creed occasionally, by the clergyman alone, no one taking any part in the service. The gospel and epistle (mostly the same as ours) are read, and then comes the ser mon. As reading the sermon is strictly prohibited, the preacher commits his dis course to memory, and delivers it without any help. I found quotations from the hymn-book far more frequent than quota tions from the Bible. The last verse of the hymn is sung at the end of the sermon, and the morning service is over. A second service is held between one and two; at this the school-master usually officiates, as our clergyman is also the pastor of the next village. The close of the afternoon service is the signal for the commencement of the Sunday revels. On ordinary Sundays the men play skittles at the public-house, while the women sit together in groups at their doors, and gossip, or sing, or do nothing; but when ever the people have money in their pockets, and can afford to pay for a band, they get up dances and amusements. An excuse for such festivities is never wanting—a school-feast, a wedding or a patriotic anniversary. The Government, in its anxiety to keep up a military. spirit in the country, encourages everything which will recall the victories of the Franco-German War, and, as every village furnished its contingent at that time, opportunities of revelry are not wanting. One village will celebrate the declaration of war, another battle of Worth, another the capitulation of Sedan or Metz, and so on. All the neighbours go in pilgrimage to the dorf where the celebration takes place ; it invariably begins on Sunday and lasts till the small hour on Tuesday morning, when the patriots return to their homes in the condition expressively styled in Germany “Cat’s grief,” a condition in which, for two days at least, it is impossible to do any work whatever. Then each country town has its yearly Schutzenfest, or trial of skill among the marksmen ; this lasts over two Sundays, and is accompanied by vigorous dancing and drinking. Last of all comes the Kirchwith, at the end of harvest, after the wages have been paid ; its name points to some religious origin, and the bands of music always begin to play in front of the church, and then march up the street, collecting the revellers ; it is simply an orgie which lasts four consecutive days and nights, and empties the pockets of the foolish peasants, who have almost to starve though the long winter months.—Leisure Hour.

Jem Mace, the ex-pugilistic champion, has two sons, who are preachers amongst the Plymouth Brethern, one of them being a young man of promise and ability.

A Big Hammer.— The enormous sum of £120,000 has been spent on a steam hammer at the Creuzot Ironworks in France.

Saturday, March i, 1879.]

THE ASHBURTON HERALD.



s. d. Butter, inferior to best $ ft I 0 to I 2 Eggs, ij? dozen - I 6 to 0 0 Cheese, prime quality, W ft o 10 to 0 0 Bacon, prime smoked, ty lb 0 10 to 0 0 Hams in cloth, # lb 1 0 to 0 0 Flour in bags, H? ioolb 12 6 to 14 0 Oatmeal, $ 25ft 7 0 to 0 0 Lard, ft - 0 9 to 0 0



Drapery. GREAT ANNUAL SALE ...V AT ORR AND CO/S FOR ONE MONTH, COMMENCING FRIDAY, MARCH 27TH. In order to make room for large ship ments now landing ex “ Mennock ” and “ Orthes,” we will sell the balance of our Simuner Stock at SWEEPING REDUCTIONS.



A Case of Girls’ Straw Hats will be sold at 3d. each. One Case of Ladies’ Trimmed Hats will be sold at 55., Bs., and 10s. Dress Goods at 6d., Bd., iod., and is, per yard, worth 6d. per yard more. French Merinos at unusually low prices. One Case of Prints will be sold at 7d., worth 9d. per yard. Fine, White, Long Cloth, at 4d., S<L, and 6d. per yard. Brown Holland at Bd., iod., and is. ; much under usual prices. One Lot of Ladies’ Summer Skirts at half price. One Lot of Remnants of Dress Goods at half price. Splendid Flannel (our own importing) at is. 2d., is. 4d., is. 6d., is. Bd., and 2s. Kaiapoi Flannel, at is. 4d. to is. 6d. per yard ; Summer Finish.



BOOTS AND SHOES. In this Department we have reduced all classes of Ladies’ and Gents’ Boot 3 and Shoes. We hold a very large stock of these goods in all varieties, and different MAKERS’ GOODS. HOSIERY. Ladies’ Gloves and Stockings. Ladies’ Kid Gloves fo all shades. Ladies’ Balbriggan Hose. Ladies’ Merino Hose. Ladies’ Ulster Cloaks in great variety. Ladies’ New Jackets, beautifully trimmed. Ladies’ Stays, all colors.



DRESSMAKING DEPARTMENT. Dresses made to.order in the best style, and a splendid fit. Ladies’ Riding Habits made to order. Wedding and Mourning orders made up in the shortest possible time.



CLOTHING. We pay particular attention to this department, in which will he found the hesfc assorted stock in Ashburton. Colonial Clothing of all descriptions. Boy’s Clothing in great variety. Gent’s Overcoats in various shapes. Gent’s Waterproof Coats. Gent’s Suits of the best Colonial manufacturer Gent’s Ties and Scarfs. Gent’s Braces. Gent’s White and Oxford Shirts. Gent’s Crimean Shirts, etc. AGENT FOR THE SINGER AND HOUSEHOLD SEWING MACHINES. ORR AND CO, IMPORTERS, WHOLESALE & DETAIL DRAPERS & IRON34tONGERS.



General Storekeepers. Open To-Day. Open To-Day. Open To-Day.



RESERVE YOUR ORDERS. T. R. HODDER & CO., to inform the Inhabitants of Ashburton and Surrounding Districts that they intend OPENING THEIR NEW AND EXTENSIVE PREMISES IN SAUNDERS BROS.’ BUILDINGS, ON SATURDAY, MARCH ist, With a Large and Carefully-selected Stock, in the following' Distinct De partments :■



GENERAL DRAPERY, MILLINERY AND SHOW ROOM, BOYS’, YOUTHSV& MEN’S CLOTHING, TAILORING DEPARTMENT under THE CHARGE OF A FIRST-CLASS CUTTER FROM MELBOURNE), BOOTS, SHOES, AND MENS’ HATS, GROCERY & PROVISION WAREHOUSE CROCKERY, GLASSWARE, & FANCY GOODS. IRONMONGERY of Every Description. WOOL, GRAIN, & DAIRY PRODUCE BOUGHT FOR CASH, AND TAKEN IN ACCOUNT.



Indents received for every description of Agricultural Machinery, or any other commission promptly attended to by their LONDON AGENTS. T. R. RIODDER & Go., WHOLEi >ALE AND RETAIL GENERAL MERC HjA MTS.



Special Notice. H OOPER, AITKEN AND are prepared to make CASH ADVANCES CO. ON GRAIN, OR OTHER PRODUCE Placed in their hands for sale in the Home Markets. . *390 New Advertisements. FINAL NOTICE. ALL ACCOUNTS DUE to the firm of TAYLOR & LILL, Bakers, &c., East Street, must be Paid in Full by the 4th March, 1879, in consequence of a change in the firm. TAYLOR & LILL. February 28, 1879. 456