A PORTABLE PIANO.

From llie London Echo ,

A useful invention it that of Mr. W. Percival, of Queen’s road, Bayswater, which reduces the pianoforte to portable dimensions, and enables the performer to play it in the most easy and comfortable position. Instead of the keys being arranged in horizontal plane, they are placed vertically on each side of the in strument, which is strung on both sides of tho back, and some of the notes are duplicated, so that forte effects can be readily produced in the centre of the register. The keys are exactly the same as in the ordinary instrument, the lowest bass being placed at the bottom on the left hand, and the highest treble note at the bottom of the right-hand clavier. Pour and a-half octaves are placed on each side, and some of the top keys strike keys in unison. The compass is seven octaves, as usual, but about 20 of the upper keys give the same note; so that the instrument can be played on either side, or on both at once. The instrument is a novelty, because it is a pianoforte in a small compass, that can be drawn up to the fireside, and is admirably adapted for the Binger who desires to face his audience while playing the accompani ment to his song. Although so small, the tone is good ; and tho fingering being the same as on the common form, it will probably find favour with students of the instrument, as well as with the general public.

Studying Human Nature.— ln Dun edin the other day an ingenious youth placed an umbrella with a cord tied to it in a public doorway. Eleven persons took that umbrella for theirs, and ®nly dropped it when the string got taut. They then ' ent on without looking back, or stopping u 0 pick it up again. The boy replaced it each time, and waited for the next victim. He says he knows a thing or two he didn’t know before..

SATURDAY, January 25, 1579.]

THE EVENING ECHO.



Strangers coming to reside in Ashburton need not be at any loss to find the best estab lishment to visit and purchase their drapery clothing, and general stores. Leaving the Railway Station and turning down Havelock Street, they will see the establishment of A. O. AITKEN & Co., who are now offering special advantages, which exceed any before offered to the public. Keeping at all times a very large and exceedingly well assorted stock of all classes of goods, bought in the best mar kets and on the most favoiable terms, enables them—to use trade parlance—“ to do the thing well ”; in fact the goods offered by them are such as cannot be excelled either in quality or price by any house in the trade and are marked at such prices that making any abatement is unecessay, and the most inexperi enced are enabled to buy their goods as avorably as the best judges.— Advt.



New Advertisements. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. THE REY. J. ELMSLIE, of Christ church, will preach (D.Y.) in the Presbyterian Church on Sabbath first. Collection in aid of the Sabbath School. 29G NOTICE TO GOOD TEMPLARS. ALL GOOD TEMPLARS in Ashbur ton and surrounding District, who can conveniently be present, are requested to meet at the Templar Hall, To-Mor row, (Sunday), at 2’oclock p.m., to attend the funeral of our late Brother G. SKAE. K. SANDO, 298 D.D.G.W.C.T. ASHBURTON GAS, COAL, AND COKE COMPANY, (Limited). SPECIAL NOTICE TO SHARE HOLDERS. AT a meeting of the Directors of the above company held on the 21st October, it was resolved —“That interest on unpaid calls be fixed at 15 per cent, per annum.” This resolution will be strictly and impartially carried out. By order, J. WARD, 297 Secretary. TEMPERANCE BOARDING HOUSE, Moore-street, Ashburton. (Late Womer’s.) PROPRIETOR JOHN CANDISH. rjIHE above Boarding House is now Open for the accommodation of Boarders, Travellers, and others. Private Rooms f®r Families. Breakfast 6 a. m. to 9 a.m. Dinner 12 to 2. Tea 5 to 7. Board and Lodging, £1 per week. MEALS & BEDS—ONE SHILLING. FANCY REPOSITORY. PAPER PATTERNS for Ladies’ and Children’s Clothing, Latest Fashions. Ladies’ own materials CUT OUT at Moderate Charges. MRS. MOREY, 232 Tancred-st.reet, Ashburton.



New Advertisements, '•* 111 E WHEATSHEAF HOTEL,” WIIE A T S T 0 N E. G. H. WILLCOCKS Legs to announce that he has just COMPLETED THE ABOVE HOTEL, which will bo OPENED on the 25th inst. EVERY COMFORT & ATTENTION Will be found for TRAVELLERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. LIQUORS OF THE BEST QUALITY. 299 FIRST-CLASS ACCOMMODATION FOR BOARDERS. WARWICK HOUSE, Cox-street, Ashburton. g LUCAS Begs to intimate to the Public that he has opened the above Boarding-house. Per sons requiring lodgings can rely on secur ing all the comforts of a home. 302 TELEGRAPHIC. THE VERY LATEST. AMERICAN GOODS. AW. WESTON, having been # appointed agent for AMERICAN GOODS AND YANKEE NOTIONS, will shortly receive direct from the manu facturers a lot of New American Goods, Novelties, etc., etc. January 25th, 1879. 301



Business Notices. COALS. COALS. COALS. ALL kinds of COALS & FIREWOOD delivered at the shortest notice in any quantities and at reasonable rates. GEORGE PARKER & CO., Springfield Coal Depot, 138 Ashburton. NOTICE. HAYES’ TIMBER YARDS, ASHBURTON. IN consequence of the WAIMATE MILLS having been BURNED, the above Yards will be Closed for about Six Weeks, until Re-Erection of same. Mr. F. Pavitt is authorised to collect all outstanding accounts until further notice. ALPHEUS HAYES, perW. H. COLLINS, Manager. Ashburton, Nov. 23, 1878. 67 CHRISTMAS TREE ASHBURTON TOWN HALL. MRS. MOREY begs to intimate that, in consequence of the great rush on Xmas Eve, and the consequent disappointment of many of the ticket-holders, she has determined to hold another distribution ot CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR GIFTS, on January 30, 1879. All persons hold ing tickets can have them exchanged for New Ones, or the Money Returned, on application to Mrs. Morey. Fuller particulars in future advertisement 198 TINWALD FURNITURE DEPOT. 'QHARLES JgRADER, CABINET MAKER, FURNITURE DEALER, &c. Venetian and other Blinds, Curtain Poles, Oxford and othor Picture Framos made to order. Repairs Executed witii Despatch. Note the Address— Great South Road, Tinwald, (Next to Mr. Prettejohn’s, Shoe Maker.) 286



Drapery. yy ANTED KNOWN, that HOOPER, AITKEN, & CO. are Selling their Cloih ing, Boots and Shoes, &c. , CHEAPER THAN ANY HOUSE IN ASHBURTON. ANTED KNOWN, that HOOPER, AITKEN, & CO. havo opened up a Splendid Lot of Fichu 3, Manilla Hats, and a Large Assortment of FANCY GOODS. ANTED KNOWN, that HOOPER, AITKEN, & CO. are paying Particular Attention to their DRESSMAKING DEPARTMENT, which is superintended by a Lady whose Experience has been gained at some of the Best Houses in New Zealand. Y^ ANTED KNOWN, that HOOPER, AITKEN, & CO. have determined, prior to removing to their New Premises, now in course of erection, to reduce their present stock as much as possible, to effect which, they are now offering all Goods at the LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICES. Business Notice.



Bread. Bread. gANDO & OLSEN beg to inform the Public that from the Ist January, 1879, their BREAD will be Sold for sd. Cash, from the Counter, and s£d. monthly accounts. “ HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY,” (As the man said when he returned the Stolen Sheep), AND, as we wish to PAY our BILLS, must respectfully urge that all Accounts due to the undersigned, be paid by the 6th of the month. Short Reckonings and Long Friends. TAYLOR & LILL, Bakers and Confectioners. East Street, Ailiburton, 88 NOTICE. THE undersigned begs to give notice that in future all accounts must be settled monthly, and requests that no money be paid to any of the men in charge of the carts, but settled direct with him or at the shop. All accounts overdue must be paid within one month from date, or they may be liable to proceedings without further notice. THOMAS HICKS, Baker, 89 Ashburton. BREAD. BREAD. BREAD 6d. per 41b. Loaf. THOMAS HICKS, Baker and Con fectioner, Tancred Street, is now supplying First-class Bread, at 6d. per 41b Loaf, delivered to all parts of the District, or at the Shop. note — THOMAS HICKSj THE PIONEER BAKERY, Tancred Street, Ashburton LADIES’ AND CHILDREN’S RIMMED JJaTS ONE CASE JUST OPENED, From 2s. lid. each. MRS. MOREY, Tancred Street, Next Mr. Chapman’s. 262



Ironmongery. OR R & CO. Would call Special attention to THEIR STOCK OF IRONMONGERY. A Fine assortment of Carpen ters’ Tools now landed. I RONMONGERY. Parties Furnishing should in spect our Stock of Plated Goods — TEA POTS, CRUET STANDS, BUTTER DISHES. TEA AND COFFEE SETS, TABLE CUTLERY, &c., &c., &o IRONMONGERY. STOVES, RANGES, GRATES, FENDERS, and FIREIRONS. These Goods are imported di rect by ourselves, and will be sold at prices below anything hitherto offered in Ashbur ton. IRONMONGE RY. Harvesting Tools — Hay Forks, Rakes, Scythes, &c.



MeCORMACK’S Reapers and Binders. No farm should be without one. Can cut and tie even if the Straw is only 9 inches long. No necessity for wire. BUY A McCORMACK, AND SAVE YOUR STRAW. 200 DOZEN HORNSBY’S PLOUGH SHARES, Landing ex “ Hurunui.” OR R & Co., EAST STREET, ' AS H B U RTO N.



Business Notices.



WATCH THIS COLUMN.



Fruiterers. W. BIRTWELL, WHOLESALE & RETAIL FRUITERER, AND DIRECT IMPORTER FROM THE AUSTRALIAN AND TASMANIAN ORCHARDS. 104 LOOK OUT FOR NEW FRUIT ! J. M OOAE AND CO., WHOLESALE AND RETAIL GREENGROCERS & FRUITERERS, REMOVED to EAST STREET, Shop lately occupied by Mr. Cambridge. Delivered to all patts of Ashburton. ' W. T. DAVISON, GREENGROCER AND FRUITERER, Wholesale and Retail. n^ r EGETABLES Fresh from Christ church daily, from one of the Largest Growers. „ MOORE STEET, Ashburton. 47 Business Notices. MILLINERY and dressmaking. Mrs. WILLIAM ADAMS, assisted by a first-class Milliner and Dress maker, is prepared to make up Ladies’ and Children’s Dresses in the Newest Styles and lowest possible charges. Mrs. Adams devotes special attention to Millinery. ' jsff-COX STREET, ASHBURTON. (Mr. Povvrie's late Residence,) 272



Wants, &c. WANTED, a Good COOK. Apply Central Temperance Hotel. 291 TTT ANTED, at once, a Good HOUSE- W MAID. Wages, £3O. Apply to Manager, Prince Albert Boarding House. 287 WANTED, a respectable intelligent BOY as an apprentice to Printing. ECHO OFFICE. WANTED, a steady COMPOSITOR. Permanency for a competent hand. ECHO Offler WANTED KNOWN, that in General Printing the public can be supplied with every requisite in the latest and best style of the art at EVENING ECHO OFFICE, Extras for wood’s reapers and BINDERS can be obtained from the undersigned. FREDERICK PAVITT, 283 East-street, Ashburton. . HAM S' . HAM ,S . . ' ; - v SPLENDID CHRISTMAS HAMS At ORR & CO.’S Entertainments. rpOWN HALL, ASHBURTON Lessees and Managers—Messrs Hiscocks and Hayman. THE EVENT OF THE SEASON ! Positively for One Night Only. THURSDAY EVENING, JAN. 30, The Great K ELLY AND L EON’S MINSTRELS. AND BURLESQUE OPERA TROUPE, From their Opera House, 23rd Street, New York, in a series of the FINEST MINSTREL ENTERTAIN MENTS Ever witnessed in the Colonies. THURSDAY EVENING, JAN. 30, HIS GRACE THE DUKE. Louise Cherington The Only Leon. Admission:—Front Seats, 4s ; Back Seats, 2s 6d. Doors open at 7.30; commence at 8. 288



Tenders. V. H. TENDERS are invited for the supply of rations, &c. for the inmates of the HOME AT ASHBURTON. Full particulars can be obtained from Mr. Barratt, the officer in charge. Tenders to be sent to the Undersigned on or before Tuesday, the 28th inst. The lowest or any tender not neces sarily accepted. By Order, J. E. MARCH. Charitable Aid); Office, Christchurch, 21st January, 1879. 295 ASHBURTON GAS COMPANY. TENDERS are required for CARTING 200 yards of Gravel from the River Bed to the Gas Company’s Works. Tenders to be sent in to my office, Burnett Street, where necessary informa tion can be obtained, not later than 6 p.m. on Monday next, January 27, 1879. The lowest or any tender not neces sarily accepted. J. WARD, January 23, 1879. Secretary. 294 Tenders are inyited tin g p.m. on FRIDAY, 24th inst., for ERECT ING A VERANDAH in front of our new buildings. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. Plans and specifications can be seen at our offices, East-street. SAUNDERS BROTHERS. Ashburton, Jan. 14, 1879. 258 ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. TO BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS. Tenders are invited for FENCING (sawn timber and palings) Sections 450 and 451, Burnett-street; also, ERECTING a STORAGE SHED on the same land. Plans and specifications may be seen at the offices of Messrs. Fooks and Son, Borough Engineers, Triangle, near the Post Office; and tenders endorsed “Tenders for Fencing”or “Shod”— to be delivered at the Council’s Office on or before MONDAY, 27th inst. „ at noon. CHAS: BRADDELL, Ashburton, : _ Town Clerk. January 17th, 1879. 270 Meetings. . SONS OF TEMPERANCE BENEFIT SOCIETY. rlllS useful institution meets every alter nate Friday in the New Templar Hall, Moore Street. New members invited. All information can be obtained from Bros. G. W. Andrews, East Town Belt; K. Sando, East Street ; Williams, Tinwald. Next meet ing on the l7th inst. <. ; , V A J. ANDREWS, R.S;