POST OFFICE NOTICES.

Mails close at the Chief Post Office, Christchurch, for the following places (subject to necessary alterations) as under:—

Thursday, March 11. For Otago, per Taiaroa. For Northern Ports of New Zealand and Australian Colonies (via Sydney), per Ringarooma, at 1.50 p. m. ; late fee letters, 2.10 p.m. ; guard’s van, 2.40 p.m. train.

The next mail for the United Kingdom-, via Brindisi, will be closed at Christ, church on March 11th, and will be due in London on April 29th. The next mail for the United Kingdom, via San Francisco, will be closed at Christ church on March 27th, and will be due in London on May 11th. SYDNEY J. DICK, . ■ Chief Postmaster.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at 10.20 a.m. 4.30 p.m., and 8 p.m., daily. For Chertsey at 10.20 a.m daily. For Rakaia at 10.20 a.m and 4.30 p.m daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.20 a.m, daily. For Temuka. Timaru, and South at 10.20 a.m and 3.30 p.m daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10.30 a.m For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at f. 15 p.m. daily. For Wakanui and Seafield, on Mondays, and Thursdays, 7.30 p.m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALE. To-Morsof.

By Messrs. Acland, Campbell, & Co.— Household Furniture, Cow, Trap, Har ness, Oaten Straw, &c., belonging to Mr. Gaukrodger.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1880.

The Brindisi Mails. —Mails for the United Kingdom &c., via Brindisi will close'at the Ashburton post office to-mor row (Thursday), at 12.20 a.m., to connect with the s.s. Rotorua, at Port Chalmers. Correspondence for this route should be specially addressed. The rates of postage are for letters, Bd. per ; book packets 2d. per 2ozs. ; newspapers, 2d. per 4ozs. Fire Bbigade. —The usual Fire Brigade practice takes place at the station this evening, at 6.30. C.Y.C.—Lieutenant Slater’s appoint ment to the Captaincy of the C.Y.C. is gazetted, as also the resignation of Sub- Lieutenant Brittan.

Grain at Rakaia. —The Rakaia railway station is now a busy scene from the advent of daylight till long after dark, long strings of drays all day long coming in loaded, and all the available trucks at the disposal of the station-master are filled with sacks almost as soon as they arrive. Presbyterian Tea Meeting.—The

annual tea meeting of the Presbyterian Chujch has been fixed for the 20th of April in the Town Hall.

Volunteers. — The total number of volunteers in the colony is 8247, exclusive of cadets, who number 1901. Auction Sale.— Messrs. J. E. Buchanan

and Co. report having sold the stock, im plements, Ac., on Mr. Jas. Ward’s farm at Waterton on Tuesday. The sale was well attended, and the bidding throughout very spirited, owing to the superior quality of the various lines submitted by the auctioneers. The following prices were realised :—MUormack reaper and binder, L2B ; other farming implements at fair rates. Double-seated buggy, L 24. Pigs were in demand, and were quitted at ex treme rates. Milch cows from L6to L 7, calves up to 315., heifers at L 3 12s. Gd., steers at 475. Horses : Draught stock from Ll 7 to L2B ; foals, Lll to L 24 10s., the latter being a prize taker at the Tin wald Show. The crop was also sold, the oats realising Is. 3d. per bushel, barley 2s. 3d., and the wheat, a blighted sample, only brought 2s. Ashrurton School Committee. —This Committee met yesterday evening. Present—Dr. Stewart, Messrs. St. Hill, Boyle, Andrew, Bean, and Jacobson. A letter was read from the Board of Educa tion in reply to the Committee’s applica tion for increased salaries to some of the teachers, stating that the staff required re modelling. The present staff are—a master at L 291 ; mistress, LIOO ; 2nd master, Ll3O ; and 7 pupil teachers. The staff allowed to the school by its average

attendance is a master atL29l; a mistress _aLLI64 ; infant mistress at Lllß ; assis schoo! is entitled to another mistress, and the Secretary was instructed to write to

the Board of Education to that effect, and at the same time to recommend Miss

Stewart for the post of head mistress at the increased salary of L 164. The master’s report, which was a rather lengthy one, was read, and some of the suggestions adopted. The Chairman, Messrs. St. Hill, Orr, and Bean were appointed a com mittee to arrange about supply of drinking water for the children, the present system being very defective. It was resolved that the school treat should be held on Easter Monday, 29th inst., and it was deter mined to appeal to the public for funds in aid, a considerable sum being yet required. It was resolved to urge on the Board of Education the necessity for immediately providing increased accommodation. Sale of Timber. This afternoon Messrs. Edmiston Bros, and Gundry, per Mr. T. Bullock, sold a line of about 70,000 feet of totara timber of useful dimensions, at from 10s. to 12s. 6d. per 100 feet. The speculation must be far from a profitable one for the consignors. The Native Commission.— The Royal Native Commission have concluded their sittings at Waitara. They will remain at New Plymouth another week, and then will return to Patea.

At the Front.— The Armed Constabu lary Force lately stationed at Stoney river moved to their new camp at Purehu, on Monday. The natives at Purehu made not the slightest opposition to the Armed Constabulary coming, telling them that they could fix their tents where they liked. The chief Te Motu intends mak ing a present to Colonel Roberts as soon as the tents are fixed. The site of the new camp is about 200 yards from the old telegraph oflice, and is on the stream called Hauminga. There were 260 men belonging to the Force, besides the work ing party, which consists of 80 men, who will be under the charge of Mr. C. W. Hursthouse.

The Caeandinis. —From acommunica* we have received from Mr. Walter Sher win, avc learn that the Carandini Company of talented instrumentalists and A'ocalists Avill appear in Ashburton for tAvo nights, the 22nd and. 23d inst., at the Toavii Hall. Particulars Avill appear shortly.

Neav Rush.— Gold has been discovered in the Upper Wairau Valley, about 30 miles from Blenheim. Some 40 miners are at Avork, making from 15s. to 20s. per day. A rush is deprecated. Experts con sider that Avith the first heaA r y rains the diggings Avill be flooded, and the works carried away. A Legacy to the Freethinkers.— Freethinkers in general, and Mr. Brad laugh in particular, have to thank a Scotch Radical—the late Mr. Wm. Thom son, of Montrose—for a nice little Avind fn.ll. Under that gentleman’s Avill £3,000 Avas bequeathed to Mr. Bradlaugh, to be applied at his absolute discretion to the propagation of anti theological and ad vanced political AdeAvs. The money has just been paid over, and Mr. Bradlaugh has exercised his “discretion.” The National Secular Society, of which Mr. Bradlaugh i 3 president, receives about £ISOO, and amongst the other beneficiaries figures the fund for securing Mr. Brad laugh’s election for Northampton, which is aAvarded £IOO.

Registration of Electors. —Mr. C. Percy Cox has been gazetted Registrar for Coleridge district under the Registration of Electors Act, 1879, the appointment dating from the Ist inst. Tiie Cyclone in New Caledonia. — Mr. D. C. Cruickshank, the French Consul at Auckland, is soliciting subscriptions in aid of the sufferers by the recent cyclone in New Caledonia. Insurance. —A conference of the heads of Insurance Companies is being held in Wellington. The business is of a private nature, but it affects insurance generally. Unemployed for the Waimate Plains. —The s.s. Hinemoa left Wellington for Opunake on Tuesday evening with the wives and families of the men already sent on to the Plains, and also a further de tachment-of unemployed. Inspectorship of Hospitals. —Dr. F. W. A. Skae has been gazetted an inspector of Hospitals and Charitable Institutions for the colony. The Lvte Dr. Fox. —The late Dr. Fox, who died on board the ship Eai’l Gran ville, quarantined at Auckland, came out last year as doctor of the immigrant ships Maraval and Famenoth. His interment took place on Tuesday. All the passen gers per Earl Granville are progressing slowly. Dr. Humphrey Haines has been appointed Surgeon-Superintendent, and he is at present on the island. The ship will be admitted to pratique about Friday, but the immigrants will remain on the island for a week.

The Nelson Crown Prosecutor.— At a meeting of the creditors of Henry Adams, solicitor, Nelson, his liabilities were given as L 8,597 and his assets at L 5,915. The assets are considered over estimated, as the properties are heavily mortgaged. A number of questions were asked with reference to moneys entrusted to the debtor for investment, and it was resolved not to assent to a deed of assign ment, but to throw the estate into the Bankruptcy Court.

Devi h of A Waterloo Veteran.—Ser geant Leonard Simons, aWaterloo veteran, has just died at Corby, Northamptonshire. He was born at Bedford in 1793, enlisted in the 69th Regiment in 1813, and served in the attack on Bei’gen-op-Zoom, the siege of Antwerp, and the battle of Water loo, for which he received a medal. He claimed his discharge in 1833, and re ceived a pension of Is. Gd. per day for life. Ho has left a widow, to whom he was married Go years ago.

Curious Application. —A novel appli cation was recently made to the Chairman of the West Derby Board of Guardians. It ran as follows: —“ Dr. Sheldon.—Sir, —I write those few lines to you in bealf of the widur who has got two children she is depending on the parish for some assistance. I wishers to take the said widur for my wife it will he taking much expence of the parish to alow me something towares House Keeping.—l re main, yours obediently, . ” The com munication was ordered to lie on the table.

A New Use for the Telephone. —ln the United States a series of experiments has been made by the Ordnance Depart ment in the use of the telephone to assist matter or great diflicuity at long ranges, owing to the impossibility of seeing them strike. One telephone was placed within a few feet of the gun, and the other (both being provided with Blake’s transmitters) in the shelter, about 30ft. in front of the target. The telephone being placed to the ear, a stop-watch, beating fourths of a second, was started at the moment of fir ing, and stopped on the bullet striking. The observations founded on a large num ber of experiments never differed more than a quarter or half of a second from each other, the slight delay in starting the watch being neutralised by the delay in stopping it. It was found that the time of transit was affected by the wind, being shortened by a rear and lengthened by a head wind.

An American Miser. —An American paper announces the death of Hugh M'Glinn, proprietor of the Rhode Island livery stable, at the age of 60 years. The deceased left behind him an estate valued at over 200,000 dols. M*Glinn, it is stated, acquired his large fortune by lead ing an extremely penurious existence, and denying himself even the common neces saries of life. He occupied himself in the most menial employments about his estab lishment, and devoted himself to the making and hoarding of money. For years he occupied a loft in his stable, where he died. He was unable to read or write, and was obliged to entrust the manage ment of his business to an agent. In his illness he refused to pay a physician to attend him unless he would guarantee a cure. He left a will bequeathing the whole of his estate to his wife, who, with his daughter, are earning a living in Rhode Island as domestic servants. He separated from his wife a number of years ago be cause she bought a silk dress. Gipsy Life around London. —lt is estimated by Mr. Geo. Smith, of Coal ville, Leicester, who has recently been ex ploring the queer outcast world of gipsy dom in different parts of England, that some 2,000 people called by that name, but of very mixed race, living in the manner of Zulu Kaffirs rather than of European citizens, frequent the neighbor hood of London. They are not all thieves, not even all beggars and impostors, and they escape the law of vagrancy by paying a few shillings of weekly rent for pitch ing their tents or booths and standing their waggons or wheeled cabins on pieces of waste ground. At Hackney and Hack ney-wick, north-east of London— where the marsh meadows of the river Lea, un suitable for building land, seem to forbid the extension of town streets and blocks of brick or stuccoed terraces—where the pleasant wooded hills of Epping and Hainault Forests appear in the distance, inviting the jaded townsman on summer holidays to saunter in the Royal Chace of the old English kings and queens—where genuine ruralities still lie within an hour’s walk, of which the fashionable West- Ender knoweth nought—there lurks the free and fearless gipsy scamp, if scamp lie truly be, with his squaw and his piccanin nies, in a wigwam hastily constructed of hoops and poles and blankets, or perhaps if he be the wealthy sheikh of his wild Bedouin tribe, in a caravan drawn from place to place by some lost and strayed plough-horse, the lawful owner of which is a farmer in Northamptonshire. —“ Illus trated London News.”

Hematite Deposits. —A company is being formed in Auckland to develop the Thames hematite ore deposits, and other pigments in the province. Valuable ore deposits of pigments used in the painters’ art have been discovered in the province, and these, blended with the Thames crude material, will enable the company to manufacture all the most useful paints. The intention of the Auckland company is to bring out their pigments in quite a new form.

Soldiers’ Mournings. —The practice of wearing armlets of crape in the army has grown to such proportions that the Duke of Cambridge’s attention has been called to the fact that these habiliments of mourning can form no recognised part of the soldier’s kit. “ The Soldier's Tear ” is an old and favourite song, and the Go vernment cannot and will no:- attempt to repress the soldier’s tear, but a special order has been or is to be issued that the wearing of crape must be abandoned. This practice is to be immediately discon tinued, particularly by non-commissioned officers and privates.

How it Strikes a-Stranger. —Some wanderer from the West Coast has been up this way, and gives his impressions thus to the “ Westport Times —Drop ping down b} 7 the 8.40 a.m. express, I thought I would have a look at Ashbur ton, and proceed on by a following train ; this would enable me to make a few memos., and possibly give me the oppor tunity of seeing some old Westport friends whom I knew to be resident in the town, so I stopped. I was not long in finding some of them out, and after din ner took a stroll around the town, one of them assisting as cicerone. My guide was evidently dissatisfied with the change he had made in his quarters, as he mentioned his intention to again try the West Coast as soon as the harvesting was over. I have little doubt Ashburton is a lively enough town during the continuance of what is generally known as the grain season, but viewing it as I did, in an inter val between the departure of the southern trains, it looked dull enough. There seemed to be plenty of idle men knocking around, and the drays and expresses about the railway station were anything but busy. Folks in Ashburton told me it was a great place entirely for opposition in matters of business—from newspaper pro prietors upwards; perhaps since the rejec tion by the burgesses of tlie proprietor of one of the local papers as a candidate for the office of Mayor of the Borough, things will resume their ordinary peace footing in that community.

TELEGRAPHIC.

TO-DAY’S CABLEGRAMS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE (Rente) X) The English Parliament. London, March 8. It has been announced to-clay that Par liament will be dissolved at Easter. The general elections will take place during April, and the new Parliament will, it is expected, he summoned for the despatch of business in the beginning of May. The Budget. "uitc laxcVicquerf —\rrrr~suDmnrTne midget statement to the House of Commons on Thursday next. The English Markets. Three per cent, consols are at 98. The market for Australian wheat is strong, and Adelaide brands remain un changed at 505., and Queensland at 475. 9d. The tallow market is quiet; best beef being worth 355. Gd. and best mutton 375. At the wool sales to-day 8400 bales were offered, making a total of 159,200 catalogued since the opening. The tone of the auction was firm, and there was a good attendance, and a fair inquiry for New South Wales fleece wools. Board of Trade Returns.

The Board of Trade returns of imports for the past month amount to L 33,250,000, showing an increase of L 4,562,500 com pared with last year. The returns of ex ports amount to L 7,437,500, an increase of L 3,781,250 on last year’s returns for the same month.

“Dizzy” Lays a Trap. London, March 9. The Premier, Earl Beaconsfield, has issued a manifesto addressed to the Vice roy of Ireland, in which he invites the opinion of the country on the question of maintaining the unity of the British Em pire. His Lordship asks Ireland to express its opinion as to the necessity or otherwise for thepredominence of English influence in the Councils of Europe. The Panama Canal- Washington, March 9. President Hayes, in a message to the Senate, aas pointed out that it is necessary the construction and working of the Panama canal should be under the control of the United States.

AUSTRALIAN.

{Reuter'’s,) An Outrage by Blacks. Bkisbane, March 10. A large number of blacks made a raid yesterday upon a station near George Town and drove away a large mob of cattle.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

INTERPROVINCIAL. The Conqueror Comes. Auckland, March 10. The Naval and Artillery Volunteers are arranging for a reception to the Thames Winner of the Carbine Belt and competi tors. The Old Land Claims. Major Heapliy is holding an enquiry into the old land claims. The most im portant is Captain Bendon, R.N., who claims a large portion of the Piako Swamp, now in possession of the Piako Swamp Company.

The Local Industries Commission. Wellington, March 10. Messrs. F. W. Bain, E. Wakefield, and W. Murray, M.H.R.’s, have been ap pointed members of the Commission to re port on the question of local industries. Two others are yet to be appointed. Shipping Accident. During the passage of the barque Alas ter, from London, a seaman named W. Day /ell from the main topmast on to

the deck, receiving concussion of the brain. He died four hours later. Christchurch Police Court. Christchurch, March. 11. At the Police Court, Patrick Martin, on a charge of indecently assaulting a child was committed for trial. E. W. Terry, obtaining money under false pretences, was remanded.

LAST NIGHT’S CABLEGRAMS.

AUSTR A L 1 A N .

( Renter's Telegrams.) Murder by a Drunkard. Sydney, March 9.

A man murdered bis two children at. Bathurst. He was suffering from the effects of delirium tremens. Arrived —Hero and Tararua from Auck land yesterday. The Rotomahana Aground. Melbourne, March 9.

The Rotomahana grounded on the banks of the Yana, but is expected to float again at midnight.

THE NELSON PRIZE FIRING.

[by telegraph. ]

Richmond, March 10.

There is a large attendance at the cavalry tournament. The arrangements are good and the .weather perfect. In the first contest for files, two men ride quarter of a mile, taking two fixed fences 3ft. Gin. high, and on arriving at the 200 yards firing point dismount and fire as many shots as possible. The time allowed is 3mins. The winners are—l, M’Lean and Waldington (Wairoa), 15 centres, 10 outers —90 points ; 2, Howie and J. Thurston (Wairoa), 15 centres, 9 outers — 87 points ; 3, Johnson and Aiken (Wairoa), 2 centres, 24 outers —80 points. The other squads are—Smith and Thurston (Alexandra), 65 points ; Somer ville and Laird (Alexandra), 43 points. Somerville’s horse refused the jumps, and time had almost expired when he arrived at the firing point. M‘Lean was thrown when going over the second fence, but jumped up and run to the firing point.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

ASHBURTON— Wednesday, March 10.

(Before His Worship the Mayor.) DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. George Palmer was fined 10s., and costs 12s. Gd. for having been drunk and dis orderly at the Rakaia. OBSTRUCTING THE RAILWAY. George Palmer rvas then charged with having obstructed a train by lying on the rails, thus placing himself in a dangerous position, and in one likely to cause an ac cident to the train. The Magistrate gave him a severe caution and fined him L 5.

A NARROW ESCAPE FROM COL LISION IN THE FRENCH PASS.

The steamers Waitaki and Charles Ed ward narrowly esca])ed a disastrous col lision in the French Pass on Thursday night. The Charles Edward left Nelson at 7 o’clock on Wednesday evening, and reaching the French Pass at 11, steamed adverse. The night was dark and rather thick, while the precipitous spur which projects into the passage on the south side effectually shut out any long view ahead. Suddenly, to the horror of those on board, the lights of another steamer were seen coming round the corner, and bearing down on the Charles Edward with the full force of the strong tide which runs through the “ narrows ” at the rate of ten or twelve knots. All her lights were visible, thus showing that she was heading straight for the Charles Edward. It was perfectly well known on board the latter that the other could not possibly stop or even check her way without instant destruction, and the only chance of escape for both vessels was to get the Charles out of the direct course. Captain Whitwell, who never lost his presence of mind, instantly stopped the engines, and then put them full speed astern. For a few moments the vessel hung motionless, and then began to move backward just in time for the approaching steamer, which proved to be the Waitaki, to slip by, almost touching her as she passed. The escape was about as close as well could be, and had the threatened collision occurred it is hardly likely that a soul would have escaped to tell the tale. —“ Evening Post,” March 6th.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

THE FACTORIES ACT.

To the Editor. Sir, —Would you kindly inform one of your subscribers and the general public if the same law exists in the town of Ashbur ton as was recently applied in the case of the Wellington and Oamaru drapers, who were not only heavily fined but severely censured for keeping their female work people after the hours prohibited by law. Are the officers appointed for that purpose in Ashburton less vigilant than those of the two towns before mentioned, or do they simply wink at what must be known to them, viz, that the majority of the stores in Ashburton keep their work people as late as six o’clock on Saturdays, instead of allowing them to go at two o’clock l By inserting the above, and giving the infor mation asked for you will oblige One or Your Subscribers.

[The laiv holds here as well as elsewhere. -Ed. ]

THE WATER SUPPLY.

To the Editor. Sir— By your report of the Borough Council meeting, Mr. Bullock is repre sented to say that I reported in January, 1879, that the water supply scheme now adopted was impracticable, and that it was in consequence abandoned for the per manent one. This is not exactly correct. I did not report against it as impractic able, but suggested it as a temporary plan, and was actually engaged in working up t]ig details at the time the Council threw it overboard on trie grounds of its being only temporary. I would ad.d that the present idea of tapping the mill race near Mr. Williamson’s homestead was suggested by me, as an alternative plan, to the County Council in 1878.—1 am, &c., Chas. E. Fooks. Ashburton, March 10th ; 3.880,

Mount Somers Road Board.

The ordinary monthly meeting of this i Board was held at the office, Mount ! Somers, on Monday, March Ist, Pre sent —Messrs. W. C. Walker (Chair man), Isaac Taylor, and Duncan Cameron.—Correspondence was read as follows : —From Mr. C. G. Tripp, relative to the Coal-pit road. The Clerk was directed to reply.—A letter was read from Mr. William Hovvson, informing the Board that he would be unable to carry out his contract for the cottage and stable at Mount Somers, unless the Board could see their way to making him an advance of £75 on his tender ; as the Beard did not consider they could entertain this proposal, it was decided to accept the tender of Messrs. Nelson and Coutts.— From Messrs. Hubbard and Browne, civil engineers, Ac., offering to carry out any professional works needed by the Board. —From the Ashburton County Council, informing the Board that they have ac cepted the Board’s recommendation, and have appointed Mr. B. Clark as pound keeper to the Mount Somers pound for six months ; also informing the Board that the bye-laws for the conduct of the pound came into force on March Ist, 18S0.—A circular was received from the Minister for Public Works, advising the Board as to the interpretation of the term “gazetted.”—The Clerk was instructed to call for tenders for the re-formation of the township road, and also for the for mation and metalling of 20 chains of the Ashburton .Gorge road.—The Clerk fwas directed to write to Mr. Donald Forbes, informing him that unless his contract for the maintenance of the Spread Eagle roads is carried on within seven days, the Board will put men- on to complete the necessary repairs at his expense. With reference to J. Fergusson’s contract, the Board decided to refund his deposit, make him a small allowance for the work done, and cancel the contract —The Col lector was instructed to sue for all rates outstanding for the year 187S-9.—The Clerk was directed to write.to the survey office, Christchurch, requesting to be fur nished with tracings of the Alford Forest roads, and sections between Steven’s store, and Morgan’s Hotel ; also a tracing of the Ashburton Gorge road near the coal-pits.—The Clerk was instructed to report upon the road from the Spread Eagle to the Singletree.—The pay-sheet amounting to £149 19s. Id. having been passed for payment, the Board adjourned.

The Colony’s Finance.

It will no doubt be remembered with what a howl of disapprobation the Finan cial Statement of Major Atkinson was received by the so-called Liberal party and their supporters throughout the colony. When the Major had ransacked the Treasury accounts and satisfied him self as to how they balanced, he had no difficulty in coming to the correct con clusion as to why Sir George Grey had carefully held back everything in the shape of a balance-sheet and the custom ary Budget, and gone to the country while it was in ignorance of the true state of affairs. The reason why Sir George did so was not difficult to find. Had he put before his dearly beloved “serfs ” the fact that the colony had made a financial lee ing, and that to make good a portion of this leeway he would require to impose additional taxation, the multitude who “gaped and clawed the elbow” while he spoke, and swore by his name at the poll ing-booth, would have gaped with another wonderment, and would have cast about for another conjuror. But Sir George did not care to show his hand. In fact his success, if he was to succeed at all, lay in the ability he could display in concealing that hand, and how well he succeeded in doing so is shown by the difficulty his opponents experienced in turning him out; for he went back to Parliament with a following about equal in strength to that of the party ranged against him, and it was not till his own sup porters became disgusted with his tacties j that a defection from his ranks turned the balance of power, and let in the then Opposition. Up to this time no clear statement of the colony’s financial posi tion had been laid before Parliament. That money was scarce and the outlook not cheering everyone was aware, for in dications were not wanting, by the falling off in land sales, and the gradually at tenuating revenue from ordinary sources, that the treasury chest was getting low. The wild anxiety of the Greyite Ministry to rush on the Loan Bill was sufficient index of their trouble ; but it was only when Major Atkinson got fairly into office that a fair statement of the colony’s position was laid before the House and the people. Then came the storm. It was only an accountants trick —the de ficiency was not real ; it existed only on paper, and was manipulated with the ob ject, not of showing the true state of che colony’s finance, but of giving color to the charges of extravagance and incom petency that had been brought against the Grey Government. It was said that a statement such as that produced by Major Atkinson would ruin the colony’s credit and throw her back in her march of pro gress, rendering and deficiency that did exist more difficult to redeem. But Major Atkinson still held to his statement, and the evils that were prophesied to result from his fearless laying bare of the colony’s financial position have yet to come. But the evils he himself pro phesied have come. He told ns that to meet our engagements, it would be neces sary to increase taxation to a disagree able extent, and to reduce expendi ture at every available point. He told us, too, that by the end of the financial year we should have to face a deficiency, roughly estimated at £900,000. His opponents told us that the news of the deficiency would so fearfully tell on the colony’s credit that all hope of ever entering the money market again was irrevocably gone. We have had to endure the increased taxation, and that at a time when we could ill afford it, and reduced expenditure is the order of the day throughout every Governmental depart ment, and now we hear that a further issue of £200,000 Deficiency Bills has been necessary, making £1,000,000 since the commencement of the financial year This is only the state of affairs we ex pected from the Major’s statement, and is further proof that Government knew the rottenness of pur finance when they took office, and promulgated the disagreeable but spirited financial policy they did to make revenue cover expenditure. " Thp tax-payer will have reason to renjernber

how the extremely Liberal Government paved the way for the burdens he now ; has to pay, and the colony has reason to | be grateful for the intrepidity with which the present Government stepped in and saved her from financial disaster by simply pointing out the disparity between the two sides of her leger and with a bold front taking such steps as they could to equalise them.

The Corn Growth of Russia and America.

(Glasgow Mail.)

The writer of the article in the Ameri can “ National Quarterly Review” on the relative powers of America and Russia as corn producing countries gives a pretty full and clear statement of the compara tive progress of their corn growth. Tak ing the reviewer’s facts, we have in Rus sia land capable of supporting 200,000,000 of a population, while the present popula tion is only 70,000,000, whereas America, which has a population of 40,000,000, could support 250,000,000. This gives a very broad margin in both countries for the supply of the wants .of the world. The principal wheat producing States in America are Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, lowa, and Michigan ; but the yield fluctuates, some States which formerly produced thirty bushels per acre now yielding only fifteen, the consequence of unskilful farm ing. Mr. Gladstone in one of his ad dresses referred to the immense strides which America had made in raising corn ; and the following figures confirm and ill ustrate his statement :—From 1840 to 1850 the increase in the wheat crop was 15,002,072 bushels, or 1§ millions of bushels per annum. From 1850 to 1860 the increase was 70,170,037 bushels, or 7 millions of bushels a year. From 1870 to 1877 the wheat produced rose from 235,885,700 bushels to 360,000,000, an annual increase of more than 17 millions of bushels. The value of the agricul tural exports has risen from L 62,000,000 in ISO 9to L 118,000,000 _in 1879, which gives an annual increase of more than six millions sterling. As the population increases and lines of com munication are multiplied, the cultivation of the land will be extended, and we may therefore look for a continued high annual increase in corn production. Russia is not so favourably situated as America, although immense tracts of her land are the very finest for agricultural purposes. The highest value of her agricultural ex ports was £64,000,000, which is a little more than half that of America. The arable land of Russia extends to 1G4,000,000 acres ; but it is not all equally fertile, nor are the climatic influences over the area which it covers equally favourable. ‘ ‘ The corn-producing region,” says the writer from whom we are draw ing these figures, “may be roughly re presented by a quadrilateral, bounded on the north by the provinces of Moscow, Smolensk, and Nijni-Novgorod ; on the south by the Black Sea; on the east by the s Volga ; and on the west by the Dniester.” This extensive area, Mr. Wallace, in his work on Russia, divides into the northern and southern zones. In the southern there is the “ black" earth zone,” which is the finest corn-growing soil in the world. In the. southern J zone the produce is chiefly -wheat; in tho -nodhorn mainly rye. ___ The capabilities of these large tracts are very great; but the population is thinly spread over them, and agriculture is far behind. With the best land there is the worst farming. The Russian agricultu rists lack the spirit, enterprise, and skill of the Americans; and they are also crippled by their peculiar social state, which, though now free from the evils of serfage, has yet others to bear which are likely to harass the peasant for a consider able time to come. There are drawbacks also in the climate. The south is subject to severe storms, which are destructive of the crops. In one year there -were 11,000 acres of the finest corn destrojmd by a hailstorm. In the central and eastern districts the most serious mischief is done by drought and the grasshopper. But the corn trade of Russia has grown notwith standing. From 1857 to 1872 the export of corn has tripled. In 1857 Russia had just come out of the Crimean war; and at that time there were only 419 miles of railway made, but now there are 8124. These, howmver, are only a small portion of what should be made if the capabilities of the land are to be fully developed. In the last three years the corn trade of Russia has declined.

and mainly because her railways were monopolised, owing to the Turkish war, for military purposes. The exports for the first five months of 1878 were 13,000,500 bushels; for the corrcspon ing period of 1879 only 9,000,000 bushels. Taking one year with another, the average export of Russia is about L 15,000,000. With political quiet, more political liberty, and an infusion of foreign skill and capital, we should soon witness a great expansion in Russia’s production and exportation of corn. Tens of thousands of acres are waiting to be reclaimed; and “although,’' as the reviewer says, “the United States seems destined to occupy the first place among agricultural nations, Russia may fairly consider herself secure of the second.” We are thus tolerably sure of breadstufls in abundance and at a moder ate rate. And if our own agriculturalists, with their superior energy and methods, find that they cannot produce corn to cope with the foreign producer, then they have taken their land at a rental above its value ; and, like every other commodity which is affected by the fluctuations of commerce, it must come down.

Wednesday, March io, 1880.1

THE ASHBURTON HERALD



New Advertisements. ASHBURTON FIRE BRIGADE. T)RACTICE TO-NIGHT at 6.30. All Jf Absentees will be fined for Non-At tendance, unless a sufficient excuse is sent JAMES WILKIE, Captain. March 10th, 1880. 161 c 10s. REWARD. LOST or STOLEN, a large black and white Newfoundland DOG, answers to the name of “ Nap.” Any person de taining the same will be prosecuted. J. H. PASS, 160 c At T. R. Hodder & Co. ’s. WAKANUI ROAD DISTRICT. A LL RATES not paid by March 15th will be SUED FOR without further notice. By order, JAMES WILKIE. 162 c Collector. A PRIVATE and Superior Ladies’ School for DISPOSAL. Can be taken with or without the Plant, lerms Moderate. Ladies about to commence scholastic duties would do exceedingly well by an early attention. Address— Guardian office, Ashburton. 154 c 592 g PLAY on FRIDAY, MARCH 12th, from half-past seven to eight. No ad mittance. Band engaged. 158 c LONGBEACH ROAD DISTRICT. TENDERS are hereby invited for COATING with CLAY Fifteen Chains of Ford’s road, and will be received up till 3 o’clock p. m. on MONDAY, the 15th March, at the office, Longbeach road, where a specification of the work to be done can be seen. W. CUTHBERT, 159 c District Surveyor. HORSE FOUND. T7IOUND, opposite Wakanui Mill, a T HORSE, with saddle and bridle. Owner can have same on application to the undersigned, and paying expenses. H. Moffatt, Wakanui. 14Gc-583g NEWS AND MAGAZINE AGENCY, STATIONERY AND FANCY GOODS DEPOT.



RE-OPENING. HM. JONES begs to inform bis , customers and the public generally that he has re-opened part of the premises lately occupied by A. Weston and K. Sando and Co. for the sale of Newspapers, Magazinse, Stationery, Fancy goods, Toys/ &c. . English and Colonial papers, Periodicals, &c., by each mail. Licensed to sell .Stamps. Lowest prices—-Terms cash. Agent for “ Ashburton Guardian,” “Ashburton Herald,’, “Ashburton Mail,” “Lyttelton Times,” “Canterbury Times,” Daily “Press,” “ Weekly Press,” “Otago Witness,” “Australasian,” “Town and County Journal.” Subscribers to “ Canterbury Times” and “ Weekly Press” can obtain their copies at the above Establishment. *l2lc NEW TAILORING ESTABLISH MENT. CRAIGHEAD & Co., MERCHANT TAILORS, HAVE opened those premises situated in Tancred street adjoining Messrs Orr and Co’s General Store. A SPLENDID ASSORTMENT OF TWEEDS, FANCY GOODS, &c., &c., JUST ARRIVED. Mr. Craighead’s experience as Head Cptter in connection with First Class Tailoring Establishments in Edinburgh and San Francisco has extended over a period of ten years, and from the immense success which has always attended his efforts to please, he is prepared to • guarantee a perfect fit in every case. TANCRED STREET, (Next Orr and Cl’s. 982 a CRAIGHEAD & CO.



At Millotiz, in Moravia, nine gipsies and two horses have been frozen to death in a field.



The Raji Fair.-— The entries this yeai - the Ewe and Ram Fair are rams, IG4O ; ewes, 108. This is a decrease on last year’s entries of 327 and 178 re spectively, but the quality of the animals is reported to be greatly improved. Holloway’s Pills.—lmportant for the Delicate.—lt is difficult to determine which is the more trying to the human constitution—the damp, cold days of the autumn and winter, or the keen, dry, easterly winds of springs 1 hroughout the seasons good health may be maintained by occasional doses of Holloway’s Pills, which purify the blood and act as whole some stimulants to the skin, stomach, liver, bowels, and kidneys. This celebrated medicine needs but a fair trial to convince the ailing and de-ponding that it will restore and cheer them Without danger, pain, or inconvenience, as by a. timely recourse tp them the first' erring fqqc tion may be reclaimed, suffering may be snared and life saved,—ApYß