COMMERCIAL.

[by telegraph.]

Dunedin, June 25. Prime beef, 275. 6d. per 100 lbs.; mutton, 3£d ; good sample mill wheat, 3s. 6d. to 3s. lOd.; fowl’s wheat, 2s. 6d. to 35.; oats, Is. 3d. to Is. 4d.; malt barley, 3s. 6d. to 3s. lOd.; feed, 2s. 6d. to 35.; potatoes, L2 5s- ; old hay, L 4 ; new oaten hay, L 3 ; chaff, L 3 ; straw L2 ; bran, L 3 ; pollard L 4 ; flour, L 9 10s. to LlO ; oatmeal, L 9 10s; pearl barley, L2O ; onions, 75.; cheese, 5d.; bacon rolled, lOd.; hams, Is.; sides bacon, lOd.

BIRTH.

Dixon.—At her residence, Peter street, on the 25th June, Mrs, Chas. Dixon of a daughter.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 1880. The Borough Water Supply.

It is now about two months since the Ashburton Borough Council accepted Mr. James Wilkie’s tender for the works necessary for carrying out the scheme adopted by them for supplying the town ship with a water supply sufficient for the purposes of fire prevention, and for sluic ing the side channels of the streets. The work is now completed, and the water was turned on yesterday shortly before noon by Mr. C. E. Fooks, the Borough Engineer, and it reached the upper part of the domain shortly before 4 o’clock, thus shewing that the dreaded soakage and leakage about which we have heard so much is not a very serious matter. As the space which will form the reservoir is of considerable extent, covering some acres, and in' some places fully seven feet deep, it will take time before the gully is filled up to the overflow pipe, but that is a mere question of a week or more. The water is now in the Domain and that is a satisfaction to all ratepayers, as it cannot do otherwise than contribute to their health, wealth, and comfort —their health, because such filthy receptacles of disease as the Burnett street side channels will be a thing of the past; their wealth, bee vuse the risk of fire will he decreased, and in surance premiums in proportion ; and their comfort, since the presence of a large sheet of water in the Domain must he a welcome change from the monotonous appearance of tussocks on all sides, to say nothing of the cooling effect it will have on the atmosphere in a hot nor’-west gale. The works themselves are of the simplest nature, and when one has in spected them, he only wonders Avhy such a simple scheme was not carried out years ago. The natural fall of the country, and the fact that some twelve months ago a portion of the North Ashburton came down from the same starting point to the same outlet, following a natural instead of an artificial course, should have been suf ficient to have shown that the supply of water to the township was no difficult undertaking. The matter, however, was the subject of much cogitation and engineering among our local authorities as well as imported talent, and a large ex penditure was incurred for imported pipes for a highy pressure scheme. But when the Council themselves visited the pro posed works, under the guidance of the promoter of the present idea, Mr. Edward Saunders, (now. we regret to say, no longer a Councillor) they at once saw the folly of committing the Borough to the expenditure of money for a fancy scheme, which would have cost the rate payers an extra shilling rate, and they at once adopted the idea, and the work was let.

Briefly stated, the works consist of an intake near Mr. Donald Williamson’s re sidence, about 2]j- miles from town. At this point a portion of Messrs. Saunders mill race is diverted into a new channel, and concrete walls are built, enclosing a slide which, by means of a regulating screw, admits as much or as little water as may be required. Thence the water flows in a channel along Mr. Williamson’s divid ing fences till it reaches Winter’s road, the side of which it keeps for some 76 chains till it reaches the north-west Town Belt, the gully being crossed by a sub stantial flume. At the belt a sump is built in to intercept the debris, and the water then crosses the belt in a diagonal direction, through a 9-inch pipe to the Domain. About 16 chains of a race brings it into the gully opposite the Hos pital, and it istlien conveyed in this natural course to the embankment in West street, near the railway goods shed, where a most substantial dam has been erected, some 20 feet in width, and faced with large stones as a protection against the wash likely to be caused by N. W. gales. Another con crete structure is erected here from which a nine-inch iron pipe is led to the Post office, where it will be distributed to all parts of the Borough Eastward of. the railway line, the overflow being conveyed down West street to the river through a six-inch pipe from the reservoir. Pro vision has been made to take away all surplus water by the excavation of a capacious outfall drain at the East Belt, which not only carries all the water from the side channels, but will also relieve the residents of the east town belt of the r troubles in wet weather, they in that region having to assume for the time being an amphibious nature. The outfall will take all the flood-water of the township and carry it direct to the river. At pre sent this big ditch has a rather unsightly appearance in so thickly populated a part of the town, but it is only a temporary measure, and will, as soonas funds permit, be converted into a brick or concrete sewer.

The concrete channelling, under the able management of Mr. James Bradley, is also making rapid progress, although the late hard frosts are rather against the work. We expect in a very short time to chronicle the fact that Ashburton is one of the cleanest and healthiest toAvns in the colony.

The Civilised Maori. —The Maori in tellect does not appear to take kindly to classic education. The Maori class at the Auckland Grammar School has been aban doned. The fees recei\ r ed were only L2lO, and the master’s salary was LSOO a year.

The Dunedin Carnival. —The Carnival held in Dunedin in aid of the Benevolent Institute has netted and paid over L 2,000, and L2OO more are expected when the ends are all gathered up, and the fragments disposed of. Amateurs Beware. —ln the Magis trate’s Court at Wellington on Thursday, judgment was given under the Copyright Act for L 8 and costs against the manager of the Alliance Amateur Dramatic Club of Dunedin for an unlicensed representation of certain plays. “ Wicked Marks.” —“ Wicked ” Marks, the fruit seller, whose trial for Sunday trading was to have come off in Christ church yesterday, has to suffer such gnaw ings of remorse as he may be subject to for a few more days, as his trial has been X- ostponed till the 30th.

Property Tax.— A public meeting is to be held in Christchurch next Thursday evening to discuss the Property Tax. Wakanui Library. —A public meeting is called for the evening of 9th July, to be held in the Wakanui scliool-room, for the purpose of electing a Library Com mittee to act during the ensuing year.

Fires in Christchurch.—Two fires broke out in Christchurch last night—oiie in Tuam street, and the other in Chester street West. The fires occurred between 6.30 and 7.30, but they were speedily put out as the houses were only shanties. Pawned Blankets.—lt was reported that a pair of blankets, the charitable gift of the Christchurch Benevolent As sociation to a poor family had been pawned by the recipients. An officer of the As sociation went to see if the report were true, and denies it, as he found the blankets in use by the poor people. Such reports as these are cruel indeed. Retrenchment.—Only one train will in future run daily on the Waikato railway between Te Awamutu and Auckland. In another column Fred. Back, Esq., gene ral manager on the Middle Island rail ways announces the withdrawal of the officers from Aylesbury station on the Malvern line, and Asliley station on the North line, and that these stations will in future be flag stations only. Tenders.—Tenders are wanted by the Longbeach Road Board for —Two culverts with concrete abutments ; an outfall drain from boundary road, and the deepening of side ditches; side ditches on Ford’s road and on Iselworth road—a mile and a half in all ; thirty-five chains of shingling on the Isleworth road ; and for cutting into Rangitata river. The Old Men’s Home.—The Master of the Old Men’s Home, begs to acknow ledge with thanks the receipt of two sacks of vegetables from Mr. W. Giinblett, Christchurch. The Master of the In dustrial School acknowledges the receipt of two sacks of carrots, t\Vo do cabbage, one do turnips from “ Wicked Marks ” ; one box of vegetables from W. Strays. C.Y.C.—Owing to the illness of the Drill-instructor for the district, Sergeant G. F. Scott, the Ashburton instructor, is now doing double duty, and has to pay occasional visits to Temuka to discharge instruction duties for the troop there. A good drill instructor is indispensable, and the Ashburton Contingent are exceedingly fortunate in having an officer of Sergeant Scott’s ability resident among them. A Mirage.—The passengers by the early train from the South this morning Avere astonished by the spectacle of an un usually fine mirage. The phenomenon was first observed shortly after the train quitted Temuka, when the Peninsula Hills, Avith the houses upon them, Avere distinctly reflected in the sky. The illu sion Avas so complete that a stranger to the district might have been easily de ceived by it. Oddfellows. —The half-yearly meeting of the Loyal Ashburton Ledge, 1.0.0. F., M.U., was held in the Templar Hall last night, when a very large number of mem bers attended, shoAving that interest in this very sucessful Lodge is increasing. After the usual Lodge routine the election of officers took place with the following result: —G.M., Bro. J. C. Dolman ; N. G., Bro. G. F. Scott; Y.G., Bro. Joshua Tucker; E. S., Bro. James Tait ; L. M., Past Grand Bro. Cullen; W., Bro. Thomas Gibson ; 1.G., Bro. Baylis ; R. S. to N. G., Bro. R. Anderson; L. S. to N. G., Bro. R. Macfarlane ; Permanent Secre tary, Bro. Minnis. Auditors—Bros. Scott and C. Reid. The other vacant offices were suitably filled. The sick visitors re ported no sickness Avhatever in the Lodge, and the Ball Committee reported the pro gress made with arrangements for the forthcoming anniversary celebration. During the half-year tAventy-fivo neAv members have been added to the roll, and a number of old members who had become had on the books have paid up, so that the membership now shows the healthy number of 62 good members. A past officer’s Certificate of Merit Avas presented to Bro. Dolman on vacating the chair of Noble Grand, the usual votes of thanks Avere passed to the retiring officers, and the customary ac knowledgments were made by the neAvly-elected officers. Before the election three new members were initiated, and three others Avill be initiated at next meeting. It is a fact perhaps Avortliy of note that last night about L2O more money was taken than on any other night during the Lodge’s history. There are L 175 of Lodge funds out on mortgage, and about L7O in the hank.,

Resident Magistrate’s Court.

Friday, June 25.

(Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M., and Dr Trevor and C. P. Cox, JJ.P ) OBSTRUCTING THE THOROUGHFARE.

Henry Beckett Avas charged on the in formation of Chas. 0. Fooks, that he did on the 12 th June last obstruct the Wakanui road, contrary to the provision of The Public Works Act, 1876. Mr. Purnell for the prosecution, Mr. O’Reilly for the defence.

John H. Baker, sworn : I am Chief Surveyor of the Canterbury district. I produce the Government Survey Map of roads in the Wakanui road district. The road running through section 20485 was laid off under my instructions by an assistant named Seaton, on or about August, 1878 ; the section was bought in April, 1874, I believe by the accused. By Mr. O’Reilly—l cannot tell when section 16686 was surveyed—it must have been before January, 1877. It is usual when a section is surveyed to put the numbers on the pegs. Mr. Chalmers re turned his report in 1875 ‘ as having surveyed the section in question. Charles C. Fooks deponed—l am clerk and surveyor of the Wakanui Road Board. About the latter end of January I first became acquainted with the fact that the road was obstructed. Complaints were then made to that effect. I know the road, and had visited it before January. In 1878 there was no building on the place in question. 1 do not know whether the road was marked on the ground in 1878. I first saw the building on the ground about the end of January, x will swear the building is on the road as marked on the map. Beckett has told me that he owned the building on the road, and did not intend to remove it until compelled. Acting under instructions from the Road Board, I have written to accused, asking him to remove the build ing. The Board have instructed me to

take proceedings. I have been Clerk to the Road Board since its formation— August, 1879. The Board has never given permission to defendant to put an obstruction on the ground. Section 166.86 belongs to Mr. Earle, who is a mem ber of the Board. I cannot say Avhether Mr. Earle is the only person who requires the road.

For the defence, the accused, Henry Beckett said that when he bought the section there Avas no road laid oft’. He saAV Mr. Seaton, the surveyor, come there on the 23rd August, 1878. The road Avas marked off on the map in 1875. The land was bought in April, 1874, and accused said that the road Avas not marked off until the year after. Was burnt out last year, and.as there had been a deal of dispute about the road, built upon the road to settle the dispute, and partly because it aatis more convenient. Took counsel’s advice on the matter.

By Mr. Purnell —At the time I bought I received a right to occupy. I did not know at the time of purchase that there Avas a road marked through the ground. I did not lcnoAV that when a license to occupy is given, the Crown reserved the right to put a road through the property. I have sunk a Avell in the road.

Mr. O’Reilly submitted that the action of defendant Avas first caused by the con duct of the Ashburton Road Board, Avho had told the defendant and his neighbors to fight out the matter amongst themselves, and on-taking legal advice he had taken the action. His client purchased the land and had no idea that any one had the right to put a road through the land. After once buying the land, he had no idea of anyone presuming to put a road through it. Mr. Purnell said that the defendant had admitted the offence, and all that had been said only tended to obtain a mitiga tion of it. He Avould press for the full penalty of LlO.

The Bench inflicted a fine of ss. and costs L 3 3s. in the case. A month would be allowed for accused to remove the build ing, and for every day beyond that, on Avliicli the building remained, a penalty of LlO per day Avould be inflicted. alleged sheep stealing. Benjamin Corrie was charged Avith having, in the month of May, stolen and driven away from the sheep farm of Frederick Tooth, Alford Forest, managed by Mr. L. E. Corsbie, three sheep, the property of Frederick Tooth. Inspector Pender appeared for the prose cution ; Mr. Ireland for accused. His Worship said there appeared to him to be aprima facie case against accused, and it was a case which he would not undertake to decide, therefore he would refer it to a jury, and committed prisoner to trial, bail being allowed in L2OO, and tAVO sureties of LIOO each.

The Court then adjourned till this morning.

Saturday, June 26.

(Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M., and Dr.

Trevor.)

W. H. Watson, compositor, Avas charged with obtaining money under false pre tences from Mr. Samuel Lucas, boarding liouse-keeper. It appeared from the evi dence that Watson had given to Lucas as security for a loan of 30s. some pictures owned by accused, but Avhicli had been impounded for a drink account at the Central. After hearing a good deal of evidence, his Worship dismissed the case, but disallowed costs. MORE SCUM. Caroline McCann, charged with being a vagrant, appeared before the bar, Avith tAVO little children, about the ages of tAvo and four. Constable Warring deponed—l arrested the accused yesterday about three p.m. Accused lives at a brotliel commonly known as the lean-to. I have frequently visited the place. I have ahvays seen the accused there with several prostitutes and a number of men. Each time I visited the house, I saAV prostitutes there. I Avent to the house Avith Mrs. McCann yesterday in a cab to get some tilings which she required. By the Bench:— l knoAV the girls avlio were at the lean-to as prostitutes, havung seen them at another brothel. Mrs. McCann remarked to me yesterday that she did not care if their Worships gave her twelve months, she would como back again and keep a had house. By accused—l have never seen you partially undressed or in a state of drunkenness.

Sergeant Felton deponed that he had known accused for about three years. When she first came to Ashburton she lived in a wretched little tent in the river bed, Avhich was a resort for men for immoral purposes. Since then she has lived at the lean-to, and I have never knoAvn her do any work. The lean-to has been a resort for men for immoral pur poses. Complaints lmve frequently been made by neighbors. Last May, in conse quence of complaints made, the accused was prosecuted and discharged Avith a caution for keeping a disorderly hous„<.~ Told accused yesterday that I should arrest her, and she asked me to let her alone until “Charlie ” came out of gaol, so that the house might he looked after Avhile she Avas in gaol. She asked me not to send the children to Burnham as she had tAvo other children there, and she had enough money to keep the two children present very comfortable. The accused has always kept her children very respectable, and they always look healthy and Avell-cared for.

By the Bench The lean -to has always been complained of, and it is a fact that property in the neighborhood has de preciated in value, and heads of families have been unable to leave their Avives alone, in consequence of being frightened at Avliat was going on at the lean-to.

Accused, in answer to the Bench ac knowledged to being the owner of the lean-to.

Constable Neill knew accused ; she lives at the brothel. She always seems to take an interested part in the proceed ings going on there. Prostitutes live at the lean-to. On one occasion when I went there, Charles Ryal was there, but no other man. The two children now in Court were playing about. On the 16th of this month, I visited the house. There were three prostitutes there besides Mrs. McCann. , There were also a couple of cabdrivers there. Accused said she would leave Ashburton in a week if she were let off, but the Bench would not entertain the application, and sentenced her to three months’ imprison ment, with hard labor.

Two children belonging to the Avoman McCann, aged respectively four and two years, Avere then brought up, under the Neglected and Criminal Children Act, their Worships ordering them to be sent to the Burnham Reformatory for eight years.

His Worship asked Mrs. McCann what religion she Avished the children to be brought up in. Mrs. McCann—Oh, Protestant. His Worship—There are many forms of the Protestant faith, which do you prefer. Mrs. McCann (hesitatingly)—Oh ! Wesleyan.

CHISPA’S LETTER.

‘ ‘ I am not yet so bald that you can see my brains. ” —Longfei,t,o\v.

Mr. Bullock does a blow iioav and again Avhen his key note is “ Ashburton.” He never loses a chance to sing the town ship’s praises, and those pseans of his are heard at a great distance sometimes. They have his last one at Taranaki, through the telephone apparently of the Ashburton press, for your namesake the Taranaki Herald fancies he discovers just the least bit of inaccuracy in Mr. Bullock’s melody. Mr. Bullock piped up thusly-at the last gas meeting—that Ashburton AA r as the only toAvnship in the colony that had been lit with gas within five years of the toAvn ship’s birth. The Taranaki man reads Avithout his spectacles, and he is Avrong headed enough to fancy our Thomas loves the Gas-Company better than the town ship which it lights, and that Thomas was “gassing” about the Company and not about Ashburton. So, shooting in the dark, the Taranaki man misses the mark. He tells us that Thomas does not know Taranaki history enough, and that before he cracks up a company like ours he should learn Avhat has been done in Taranaki, Avhere, the Company Avas making gas and lighting the toAvnship within two years of the Company's forma mation. Thomas’s company is ahead of that even, great as Mr. Taranaki Herald may think the achievement—hut my friend Shott Avas fleeing from the Taranaki township aAvay back in the “ sixties,” long before Ashburton had been gi’idironed.

A diabolical Ashburtonian of my ac quaintance—not an intimate acquaintance, he’s too unlovely—says there are two cures lie knows of. One is for Irish dis content and the other is for the Maori difficulty, and he fondly cherishes both as tire regenerating agencies that ought to be brought into play for the' benefit of Great Britain in the first instance and of New r Zealand in the second. To cure Irish discontent he would tow the prettiest island under the sun inti the broad Atlantic and scuttle it. That’s not a neAv idea, but its carrying out Avill be a good deal newer when Ave hear of it. Evidently he doesn’t knoAV the “ Celtic Race ” so Avell as the poetically gifted Bard O’Reilly, nor as your humble servant, who has a lump as large as a hen’s egg on the back of his head—a souvenir of a faction fight. The second idea is not noAml either, but it Avould be more effective. He would lay bags of sugar and flour, each sack Avell dosed with arsenic, Avithin tempting view of the Maoris, and let them imagine they were stealing them. By and by, with a continuance of this baiting, the untutored savage Avould soon migrate to the happy hunting grounds, where Admitted to that equal sky His faithful dog would bear him company. I don’t knoAV that my acquaintance has been distributing his regenerative ideas

amongst the people of Ashburton ; and that some genius or other, finding it- im possible to tackle such a huge job as totv ing out Ireland to the middle of the At lantic and scuttling the Green Isle, tries a modified form of the other suggestion, and goes for the Ashburton dogs by the more homely and more easily got at medium of bread and butter. I can’t get at the reason any man can have for taking the dangerous course some fool or other has gone in for in spreading poisoned baits about the streets, seeing that only good dogs have suffered. He seems to forget that Avell-fed mongrels— and mongrels are mostly all Avell-fed —are quite above bread and butter, and Avon’t go it nolioAv, and the result is that sensible, Avell-trained dogs, Avho have to work for their living, have to pay the penalty of a hurried giving Avay to appetite. I have been asked by many broad-shouldered felloAA r s to say that im mediately on the culprit being found out he will be treated to a ducking in the Ashburton river, at the end of rope made from the best New Zealand flax, and your humble servant is to have the honor of heading the procession that Avill escort him to his bath. There is nothing like a cold bath for bringing a disordered brain back to reason, just as the whip is in valuable for the cure of co vardly Avicked ness.

At the close of the recent Supreme Court sittings at Timaru, Mr. Malefc, the Judge’s private secretary, Avas literally besieged by unfortunate individuals Avho had been summoned as jurors and Avere iioav claiming their pay. “Go to the Clerk,” said the secretary to some of the anxious ones when they applied to him. “ We have been to the Clerk, and its no good.” was the reply. Some further dis cussion ensued, and at length the secre tary testily remarked, “ Well, you can go to the Devil, then”—“And that’s just the reason vvliy avc came to you,” was the ready reply.

Judge Johnston is celebrated for dry humor, and at the recent criminal sitting of the Supreme Court at Timaru it will be remembered the Waimate arson case was heard. Mr. O’Meagher (of Oamaru) appeared as one of the Counsel for Clark and his Avife Avho Avere subsequently acquitted. In addressing the jury for the defence the learned counsel remarked, “ a great deal has been made by the pro secution, gentlemen, of the fact that my client, Clark, had Avritten under several different signatures to the various insur ance offices with which he had transac tions. But sometimes it has been 'shown he wrote as Charles Henderson Clark, sometimes as C. H. Clark, Avhile some times again he dropped the H, and became simply C. Clark—but what of that, gentlemen ? ” “ Oh, there Avas nothing in that,” remarked his Honor, “I have known many people Avho dropped their H’s. ’

Chispa

She threw a stick of wood at an old hen, and killed two little chickens. Natural result of a woman throwing at anything she always hits something else.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Bv cable from Reuter's Agency.) - The Bank Reserve- London, June 24. The total reserve of notes and bullion in the Bank of England is L 18,000,000., . Five per Cent New Zealand 1880 Eoan, 103 b. The Australians. The Australians commenced a match, to-day against a strong team, consisting of 18 of Northampton. The latter went in first and had scored 65 with the loss of nine wickets, when, owing to the inclemency of the weather, play was stopped for the day. The United States Presidency. Washington, June 24. In consequence of the retirement of Tilden the Democratic Convention have chosen Hancock as their candidate in the Presidential election. The Burials Bill. London, June 20. In the House of Lords the Burials Bill was passed through all its stages, and has been transmitted to the House of Com mons. Bradlaugh Released. In the House of Commons this after noon, Sir Stafford Northcote moved that Bradlaugh be released from custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms. The motion, after debate, was agreed to, and Brad laugh has been accordingly released.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Reuter's Telegrams.) Wheat- Adelaide, June 26. Wheat, 4s. to 4s. Id ; flour, L 9 10s. to LlO.

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association.) Auckland, June 25.

At a meeting of the Auckland Cattle Board the Inspector stated that pleuro pneumonia had again actively broken out at Messrs. Ireland’s farm, Panmure. One cow had died, and another would pro bably be slaughtered.. A poorly attended meeting at Parnell condemned the Property Tax and carried resolutions in favor of a laad tax and ail income tax, if necessary., M. L. Ai-clier, a French colonist from New Caledonia, and a party of Com munists, have taken up a block of land near Henderson’s mill, under the Home stead Act, for vine culture. The Subsidies.

Wellington, June 26

A deputation from the City Council waited on the Colonial Secretary this morning, informing him that at the end of the present month, when the subsidies ceased, the Council would give up the management of the hospital. Mr. Dick asked the Council to resume the manage ment after the date and until hearing roin him, Government being responsible or its maintenance. The Brewers and the Beer Tax. A deputation, representing the brewers’ interest, waited on the Treasurer this morning, urging that by the imposition of the tax on beer, he would close the springs of local industry, and they sug gested that in event of the tax being im posed, brewers be allowed 12 months to clear stocks. The Treasurer replied it would not answer the purpose of Govern ment to cripple any industry. He had resisted to the last the' excise duty, and nothing but the state of public finance would induce him to levy a tax in opposi tion to what he himself would like to do ; but the Customs revenue had fallen off, and the liabilities must be met in other w'ays. He said the tax would no doubt be imposed and he should be glad if the deputation would furnish him with facts and figures, showing the cost of pro duction of beer, and the estimated result of the tax, and how it could be worked with the least possible objection. The Charge Against Adams, M-H.R,, Dismissed. Nelson, June 26. The case against Acton Adams, M. H. R., for perjury, concluded last night a little after eleven. An hour and a half was spent in selecting a special jury out of a panel of thirty-six. Mr. Connolly, who defended, challenged ten. Messrs. Fell and Bunny, for the prosecution, ordered twelve to stand aside, and {when the list was got through but nine jurors were in the box, the remaining num ber not attending and those for whom a medical man did not vouch, w r ere fined L 5 each. The list was again com menced. Mr. Fell then claimed to try certain jurors, but he ultimately agreed to take the first twelve by ballot, and the case then proceeded. For the prosecution, Baddeley (Clerk of Court), Judge Broad, Mr. Donald (purchaser of Marahan), Mr. Thomas (late owner and mortgagee of the same), Mr. Edward Moore (solicitor, who took notes at the District Court), and Mr. •Tones (articled clerk to Adams), were the witnesses called ; but the case for the prosecution was not so strong as it wa3 belore the Magistrates. At the conclusion of the case for the prosecution. Mr. Connolly said he should call no witnesses. Mr. Fell addressed the jury for half an hour, making a good temperate speech. Mr. Connolly followed for an hour and a half in a most effective speech, the Court being crowded. The Chief Justice summed up, occupying two hours, and the jury retired ; and having, in the mean time, asked a question of the Judge, in just over half an hour they announced their verdict “Not guilty,” which re ceived some applause. His Honor ex pressed his entire concurrence in the ver dict.

New Ireland Expedition. Cooktown, June 20. Her Majesty’s schooner Conflict has ar rived here from New Ireland, which place she visited on June 10th. Twenty four of the original Chandernagore party were found to be sickly. Sixteen have died, and the remainder are engaged as trader’s. The Genii had not arrived where the Con flict left for Laurhahu Island, when she called on June 10th, and rescued seven of the Chandernagore party, who had been marooned, and were starving. The Con flict brought them on here. Drank Herself to Death. Invercargill, June 20. At the inquest on Mrs. McFarlane, the wife of the landlord of the Clinton Arms Hotel, the verdict returned was “Alcohol ism.” The jury censured the husband for allowing his wife access to the bar.

. Lambing Down Punished- Weaver’s Hotel, at Edendale, has been closed by the Licensing Bench. The land lord tried to transfer it to an undischarged bankrupt, but the Bench would not allow it. The refusal is in consequence of the recent case of lambing down. ■* Bunny ” Made Use Of. The Western Rabbits District Com mission have arranged with a chemist, Riverton, to supply poison at a nominal rate. One farmer bought LlO worth and killed enough “bunnies” to recoup the outlay by their skins.

The No-Confidence Debate.

[by telegraph.] (From our own Correspondent.) W Ellington, J une 26. Mr. Fox made one of his -old-sort.of-, speeches last, night, exposing . Sir George Grey in good style, and was very hard on Mr. Ormond. Mr. Stevens did very well, and Mr. Dick, in a most conciliatory and judicious speech, deprecated the mischief done by Mr. Oliver on Thursday night. Altogether it was evident that Mr. Ormond’s attack had made the Govern ment more careful in Aheir altitude to the Hovs.yand braced up their supporters to more energy and co-operation.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thursday, June 24.

EVENING SITTING.

The House met at 2.30.

Mr. Kelly presented a petition from Taranaki, praying for a modification of the Property Tax. 1 The Hon. John Hall gave notice that he would, at next sitting day, introduce the Representation Bill. The Hon. John Hall laid the evidence taken by the Civil Service Commission on the table. Mr. Macandrew spoke in favor of get ting the evidence printed. ' Mr. Hall pointed out that it was most voluminous, and that the cost would be enormous. ‘-‘in' rs Mr. Brown moved that it be printed, and after discussion the motion -was with drawn. . . Replying to questions, it was stated that the time for making returns under the Property Tax had been extended to let August. It might be inconvenient to make a general rule for the periodical re moval of Wardens and R.M.’s at least every three years. Government did not expect to receive any revenue from the extra Customs duties on imported beer for the financial year 1880-81. The following Bills were introduced and read :—Gold Duties Abolition, Registra tion of Dentists, and Heathcote Bridges., THE NO-CONFIDENCE DEBATE. '-...A The no-confidence debate was resumed by Mr. Reeves. He condemned the Pro perty Tax, and never expected to have seen it brought into operation. A better plan for meeting the emergency would be to impose a half-penny on wool, washed and greasy. . That would realise a sum of L 150,000; besides, it would increase labor, as all the wool would be washed. Another impost he suggested was a duty of ss. per ton on coal ; that would yield L 40,000, and would aid in de veloping the local mines. The proposal to abolish subsidies was most unfair, as most local bodies were committed to engage ments on the distinct understanding that they would extend over a period of five years. Mr. Russell, as a member coming from the district of the member for Clive, could not agree with much lie had stated. He could not agree with the suggestions that the best way to deal with the Civil Service would be to knock off L 250,000. That was far too sweeping a proposal. He com mended the Treasurer for the courage he had displayed in setting forth the true state of the case, uninviting as the subject no doubt was. He regarded the financial proposals as a whole as being for the welfare of the colony. He approved of the Property Tax, and considered it a slur on the industrial classes that the tax would hamper them. He was opposed to the beer tax, and thought it would be better if they had stuck to the Property Tax as originally adopted.

Mr. Stewart said the more the financial proposals were considered the more inex plicable they seemed to be. With any thing like decent management the pros perity of the country was bound to return." The Property Tax was essentially inquisi torial. It struck at precarious as well asfixed incomes, and a tax of that’ kind was sure to retard enterprise. Chopping and chang ing about from one tax to another as they were doing was calculated to aggravate the evils of taxation. If the tax was in sisted upon they might just as well pro claim the colony a sheep run, as that was sure to be its outcome.

Mr. Mason argued that the education vote should be reduced so as to provide only for primary education. The debate was interrupted by the 5’30 adjournment.

THE STORY-TELLER.

A NARROW ESCAPE. chapter iv— continued. These simple words, and the manner in which they were spoken, produced a greater effect than could have been imagined. The words and bearing were not those of a guilty man. The magis trates were deeply impressed. Most of them were acquainted with Thursfield, and could not bring themselves to believe him guilty. Still from the weight of evidence they had no choice but to com mit him, unless the statements made by the prosecution could be disproved or explained. In this perplexity the magis trates retired for consultation. On com ing back into court, they announced that in the hope of obtaining further and more direct evidence, they had decided to adjourn the case for two days. Mean while—so they advised him—the pi’isoner should consult his friends, and seek legal assistance, and if a further adjournment would enable him -to clear himself, it should be granted. So the court broke up. As the prisoner was removed he cast- a hasty glance around, as if seeking for a face he hoped, yet dreaded, to see. It was upon Ettiethat his thoughts were fixed ; but Ettie was not there. The shock had been too great for her. For some hours it was feared that she would never regain consciousness. " Late in ; the day she revived ; snd then her first cry was for George. Feeble as she was, the poor

THE ASHBURTON HERALD, SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 1880.



ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST.



Eggs,Ys clQzeii , . Hams ip cloth, 1? lb Flour.in bags, loolb Oatmeal. 25th » Lard, $ lt> - 4- 13 4 o



Miscellaneous TTfANTED—A good GENERAL SER YANT. Apply at once, personally to Mr. Willcocks, Wheatslieaf Hotel, Wheatstone. 559 c A GOOD PIANO on hire, by the evening. H. M. Jones, Stationery and Fancy Goods Depot, East Street and Baring Square. ANTED KNOWN—That C. Haw kins, The Tinwald Bootmaker, has REMOVED to premises Opposite the Tinwald Post Office, where he is still open to Sell first-class Boots and Shoes at his usual Cheap Rates. All kinds of Boots Made and Repaired. 805g—417c ~VjCr ANTED to buy Old Zinc 4s. 6d. per TsV'i/: • cwt., Lead ss. per cwt. Apply to the Chef de Cuisine, Commercial Hotel. . ,i 590 c ■^PANTED— A Good NURSEGIRL. Apply at the Tinwald Hotel. 591 c TT7ANTED KNOWN—That H. Hooper, V'Vp' jun., having purchased the horse and dray from R. Cullen, has commenced business as General Carrier. 592 c JUST ARRIVED Magazines and Journals by this Mail. H. M. JONES, Stationer, - • East Street and Baring Square. ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. TO BUILDERS. TENDERS are invited for the execution of certain Additions to the Hospital. Also for Entrance Gates and about 18 chains of sawn timber Fencing. ' s Plans and specifications may be seen at our. offices, and tenders, enclosing a guarantee deposit of £5 to be delivered at the County Council offices, on or before Wednesday, June 30th, at noon. FOOKS AND SON, 968g-588c Architects, &c. ‘ ' CHEAP MEAT FOR CASH. edi BUTCHERY, on (Established 1870.) Octavius Digby, Family Butcher. IN thanking the public for their liberal support for the last ten years, begs leave to inform them that having a large stock of cattle and sheep on hand, he is pre pared to supply the best quality of meat at the undermentioned PRICES for CASH, viz.— SIDES MUTTON 2d. per lb. HINDQUARTERS,-, ... 2M. „ LOINS... ... „ ... 2|d. „ FORE-QUARTERS,. ... l|d. „ FORE-QUARTERS BEEF 3d. JOINTS OF BEEF 2d., 3d., and 4d. „ - Pork, Veal, and small Goods always on and. O. D. having had twenty years’ ex perience in the London and New Zealand trade, customers can always rely on being supplied with meat of the very best quality from cart or shop. O. DIGBY, 593 c ; Butcher. TOWN HALL, ASHBURTON. Tuesday, June 29th. “GRAND AMATEUR Christy Concert, To liquidate the Debt of Original Club. T u PROGRAMME -Part I. 1. Overture ... ... 1 2. .Opening Chorus ... } CoMPAnr 3. Song—“ Put Me in My Little Bed ” Mr. H. Stephenson 4. Song (comic) —“ Don’t Tell Eather ” Mr. Joseph Dolman 5. Song—“ Kiss me Mother, Kiss your iVj,--., Darling” ... A. S. Gates 6. Song—“ Picture on the Wall ” . Mr. W. Dolman 7. Song (comic) —“ Lovely Nancy Brown” a o-i : Mr. R. Cullen TEN MINUTES INTERVAL. Part 11. Comic Trio—“ Military Lunatics ” Messrs. Cullen, Dolman & Stephenson Local Stump Speech Mr. W. Dolman Song.and Dance ... Mr. R. Cullen To conclude with the Screaming Farce, entitled COURTSHIP UNDER DIFFICULTIES BY THE COMPANY. j t :; i Johnston—Mr. W. Dolman. Bones—Me. R. Cullen. ■»*. Toney—Mr. Joseph Dolman. Dres3 Circle, 35.; Chairs, 25.; Back Seatsj Is. % H. ARTHUR GATES, Hon. Sec.