The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the " Evening Echo”). WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1880.

L.O.L.—The Loyal Orange Lodge is announced to hold its meetings monthly for the future in the Templar Hall.

Drunk on the Railway.— Patrick McGuire and James Conanty for having been drunk at the Rakaia railway station, were to-day fined L2 each by his Worship the Mayor and C. P. Cox, Esq. The offence was committed on the 23rd. Both prisoners paid the fine inflicted. The Holidays. —Consumers of coal, who find their stocks getting low, will doubtless see it to be to their advantage to lay in a supply before Thursday even ing, as on that day the coal merchants in town shut shop till the Tuesday following. Larceny prom a Swag. —To-day his Worship the Mayor and C. P. Cox, Esq., JJ.P., heard a charge of larceny against William Bowden, alias James ISTankarvis, alias James Major, otherwise Billy the Cook. Billy had made free with the swag of Donald CluneMonteith, and abstracted from it several articles of wearing apparel. When apprehended by Constable Rowse, prsoner was wearing the clothing. Billy pleaded guilty, and the justices sent him to gaol to meditate on the unwisdom of thieving. Prisoner had been many times before the Court previously, and is by habit and repute a common thief. Mayfield. —Our correspondent at May field writes The last rain in the district has checked some of the farmers in their harvest work, which would have been com pleted had the weather held fine. On the whole, however, the agriculturalists have to congratulate themselves on the success of their year’s labors, for the harvest has been a fine one, and the yield is expected to be something over 30 bushels to the ' acre. i

A School Wanted. —Our Mayfield correspondent writes :—As this district is fast getting populated, it is the intention of the residents to call a meeting, at an early date for the purpose of considering the best means of having a school erected. The want of facilities for education is always a serious barrier to settlement, and this district is being made aware of the fact, for there are nearly 40 children of school age within its boundaries. The residents are scattered about at no small distance from each other, and . conse quently the selection of a suitable site may perhaps not be a very easy and fully satis factory work, but the want of a school is most seriously felt, and the establisment of such an institution would be hailed with the deepest gratitude. Election of School Committee of Tinwald. —The adjourned meeting of householders was held at the Tinwald school on Monday eveing. Mr. Baxter, C.E., was voted to the chair, and read the report for the year 1879, which a steady increase in the attendance, and tne necessity that now exists for additional accommodation, there being 80 names on the roll at the end of December last, and an average attendance of 67, while there is sitting room for 54 only. At the annual inspection of children held on 3lst October, 94 per cent, passed in the Stan dards presented. The financial statement having also been read and the report adopted, the following gentlemen were elected a Committee for the ensuing year : —Messrs Houston, Stalker, Baxter, Lewis, Norrie, Hampton, and Smith. Mr. Baxter was elected Chairman of the Com mittee, and the next meeting fixed for the evening of Tuesday, 6th April.

The Easter Review. —The Ashburton contingent of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry, to the number of ten troopers, left by the mid-day train to-day for Christchurch. The men attended to the boxing of their own horses, and while the embarkation was proceeding quite a crowd gathered at the stock pens. The Dunedm Naval Brigade and Artillery passed through by last night’s express, and “ military men” from all quarters are now arriving in Christchurch. The fol lowing is the programme prepared by the Committee who have charge of the arrangements :— Friday evening—Arrival of Volunteers from the South. Saturday morning—Early parade of battalions for battalion drill. At 1 p.m,, grand fete at the Agricultural and Pastoral Association Show Grounds, the programme including military exercises and competitions. At 8 o’clock in the evening, grand concert in the drillshed by military bands. Sunday —Church parade. Monday—At noon, the Review, which takes place on the racecourse. In the evening, Volunteer ball in the drillshed. The Carandinis.— I To a somewhat more limited but no less appreciative audience than that of Monday the Carandinis gave their second concert last night in the Town Hall. The programme was entirely changed, and a greater prominence was given to music of a higher class than is usually heard in an ordinary concert room. The better known and more popular ballad was, however, not forgotten, and did not fail to have its due effect upon the audience. Madame Carandini, in responding to an encore gave “Home sweet Home,” and the ever-green song . —wihf*. —oh6 Y-iWge-AxiafcKsnnflf" and the “ Sexton,” his singing of both of which was a pleasure to hear. The concerted pieces—notably “Oft in the Stilly Night,” went in that perfect style to be expected from a company of the Carandinis’ stand ing.

Issuing Summonses. —His Worship the R.M. in the Court yesterday called the attention of the bar to the fact that a cus tom had prevailed in Ashburton hitherto —a custom of which he had not been aware—and which would require to be modified in future. The members of the profession bad been in the habit of filling in summonses and fixing the dates of the bearing of the cases. In no other Court that he knew of was this course followed, and he threw out the hint now

so that in the future members of the pro fession would send their summonses to the Clerk of the Court with the date of hear ing left blank. With the officers at the Court’s disposal it ■ was imperative that the Court should have full control of the dates of hearing. He instanced the case of Messrs Branson and Purnell who had filled up the dates of hearing in the way mentioned, ana the officers had found it impossible to serve the summonses in time. Mr. Purnell in reply, stated the custom was quite a common one in other courts, and had been so in that court for the last three years. The summonses referred to by his Worship as having been taken out by his firm, could have been served if they had been sent to the officer at Rakaia, as they should have been, besides there

were often cases in which it was necessary that the solicitors should be able to select the dates of hearing so as to prevent pro perty being made away with before a case was heard.

Kaiser William. —The Germans in Wellington celebrated the 83rd anniver sary of Kaiser Wilhelm’s birthday by a ball on Tuesday evening. The Dunedin Murder.— The inquest on the murdered Dewar family is over, and a verdict of wilful murder lias been returned against Thomas Butler. Evi dence was adduced to show that there were blood stains on the prisoner’s shirt.

His Excellency. —The Governor re turned to Wellington from Napier on Tuesday. The Hinemoa, in which steamer he sailed, lost an anchor and chain on the passage.

The Christchurch Libel Case, —The case of Stead v. the “Otago Daily Times” and “Witness” Company was heard yesterday, at the R.M. Court, Christ church, as against the managing director, Mr. G. Fenwick, and resulted in the com mittal of that gentleman for trial. The other defendants were, on the application of the prosecutor, discharged from attend ance. —“ Press. ”

Scene in Court. —A rather painful sensation occurred in the R.M. Court at Christchurch during the hearing of a petty summons case yesterday afternoon. The plaintiff in the action then before the Court was a young servant girl, who had summoned her mistress for assault. On entering the Court she appeared indis posed, and was accommodated with a seat while giving her evidence. Just as the case was drawing to a close, the girl, who had been visibly agitated throughout, fell down in a fit, and had to be removed.

TELEGRAPHIC.

TO-DAY’S CABLEGRAMS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE (Renter's Telegrams.) The Afghan War. London, March 23. In the House of Lords to-day, Viscount Cranbrooke, Secretary of State for India, made a statement regarding the present position of affairs in Afghanistan. His lordship said that General Stewart, with a force under his command, was return ing to India via Ghuznee, where a large body of the enemy is collected at present. It was uncertain, though, whether an at tack would be made by General Stewart, in view of the recent offer of submission by the chief. Released- Constantinople, March 22. Colonel Synger and wife, who were captured last month by Greek brigands, have now been released. A Sa-crifice.

News have been received from Mecca to the effect that a religions fanatic has stabbed to death the Grand Sheriff of the city.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Reuter's. ) Melbourne Harbor. Melbourne, March 24.

At the Cabinet Council held yesterday, was resolved to give the Melbourne Har bor Trust facilities to commence the im provements recommended by Sir John Coode. The works will be commenced forthwith. Wheat at Adelaide. Adelaide, March 22. Wheat is quoted to-day at 4s. 7d.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

INTERPROVINOIAL.

Mr. Rolleston up North. Grahamstown, March 24.

The Hon. Mr. Rolleston, after visiting the Te Arolia lands, accompanied by Mr. Percy Smith, chief surveyor ; and Mr. Maginnity, of the Telegraph Depart ment, left for Kati Kati and the East Coast settlements. Deputations waited upon him at Ohinemutu regarding tele graphic and postal communication. He stated both were dependant upon Tuki kino granting a right of road through Komata settlement. He had an inter view with Tukikino, but no progress was made towards obtaining a right to continue the county ro<ids. Tukikino demanded 1000 acres, said to have been promised him by Mr. Sheehan. Mr. Rolleston questsoned the truthfulness of such a promise, when the old man walked away. He had previously sent some melons as presents to Mr. Rolleston. The Minister intends offering some sections of bush lands for the use of persons taking up lands on deferred payments, which are all fern land. Fire. Auckland, March 24. A fire at Kyber Pass road destroyed a dresses.” 'AlIYhe "clothing and furniture were burned. The house was insured in the New Zealand Office for LIOO, but the loss is estimated at Ll5O. New Graving Dock at .Auckland. The Harbor Board yesterday instructed their Engineer to select a situation and prepare plans for a large graving dock. The Board imposed increased port dues, with the object of realising revenue on their endowments, in order to be in a position to borrow further on security. They will also proceed to ask the Imperial Government to guarantee a loan on con dition of erecting a dock suitable for ships of the navy. Native Meeting. A meeting of the Kingites, Ngatimanio potos, and Taupo tribes is proceeding at Otorohaki, near Te Kuiti. A Wrinkle for'Bailiffs- Judge Richmond decided yesterday that where a bailiff enters on land to levy exe cution, and takes the necessary steps to realise, but the parties settle before the sale, the bailiff is entitled to poundage. The Asylum. Dr. Skae is expected here shortly to in spect the Asylum. Earthquake. Wellington, March 22. Two sharp shocks of earthquake were felt at 5 this morning. Indecent Assault. Henry Beattie, on a charge of indecent assault on Caroline James, aged 15, has been committed for trial. Bottled Up. The Wellington cramway was sold to day to Mr. E. W. Mills, ironmonger, for L 19,250. More Passengers. Dunedin, March 24. The Aconcagua left Plymouth on the 20th, with 120 passengers. A Boy Drowned.

Henry McLeod, aged 14 years, has been drowned in the Leith, whilst bathing. He had got out of his depth.

THE MOUNT SOMERS RAILWAY.

The first section of the Mount Somers railway line was inspected yesterday by the railway authorities, and in every way the work was of such a nature as to elicit commendation from all who were invited to take a part in the proceedings. A special train, piloted by Mr. Henry Stephenson, left Ashburton about 11.45, containing Messrs. F, Back, general manager ; F. Simpson and E. Guthbert, engineers ; Mr. Innis, permanent way overseer ; and the contractors, together • with some 40 or 50 others who were in vited as guests on the occasion. After passing the Ashburton bridge and the rising township of Tinwald, where a stop was made to pick up a few more passen gers, the train proceeded merrily along, passing on its way fields showing a surr prising number of stacks of grain, which elicited remarks of a most encouraging nature to the bucolic passengers. Besides the grain there were turnip and grass paddocks of no inconsiderable extent, showing that the pastoral in terests had not been abolished in this part of the county. Along the line,

harvesting was seen in various stages, some of the grain being yet in stoolc, some stacked, some threshed, and some carted clean away; and those farmers owning the latter, we look upon as the luckiest, as the imminent prospect of bad weather means a great loss of time in cartage and other final farming operations for the year. So far as the railway itself is concerned ■\ve cannot praise the work of the contrac tors too highly. To the experienced in railway travelling, a difference was notice able immediately upon leaving the curve near Tinwald, and hence the train ran as smoothly as if it were on a broad guage line. This was of course not entirely due to the extra superiority of this line, but partly to the fact that there had been no traffic over it, and that it was put in the j best condition for the engineers to report on. Leaving that point out of the ques tion, the railway is far and away a better one than the main trunk. We _ were pointed out on our way up, the site of the future township of Chelmsford. The Laghmor Station, some 8|- miles from Tinwald, was reached in good time, and a halt was called. In the twinkling of an eye, Host Quill and his assistants con verted some empty ballast trucks into a sumptuous banquet hall, and if the im provised tables didn’t groan with the weight of the viands, some of the par taker's did, as wa3 evident on the return trip. The visitors did not proceed beyond this station, hut the engineering staff went to the end of the line, ’about four miles further on, and after about an hours absence returned and expressed them selves in every way satisfied with the con struction of the railway. In the meantime the guests were treated to music by the champion piper of the district, Mr. Elder, of Lagnrohr Station, who arrived on the ground to charm the ears of tlie Scotch men present with the sound of lii3 pipes, and some impromptu dancing on the tus socks occupied the time until the return of the engine, when the authorities took charge of the guard’s van and. left for tow if, the grade on the line being such that the van could run down the line without the assistance of an engine.

Mr. Donald Williamson was then ap pointed chairman, and briefly expressed his satisfaction and approval of what they had seen that day. He proposed the visual loyal and patriotic toasts, which were duly responded to, and he called upon Mr. Wilkie, who proposed the healths of Messrs. John Fraser and Co., the con tractors for the work. He said the work they had seen to-day was one on which he could speak as an expert, having had similar works to carry out himself, and if blame was to be found with the line,, it was ill the direction of having been carried out too honestly. It was difficult in these days to find a man who was too honest m his transactions, but it must have been patent to all present at this gathering that a deal too much ballast had been put on the line, as the spare heaps alongside the work would testify. The smoothness with which the train had travelled was a proof that the permanent way was well and truly la'd, and although this was perhaps the cheapest line of its length yet constructed in the colony, it was also perhaps, without exception, the best. He trusted that the continuation of the line Hoped that it would be made by contrac tors equally able and willing to carry the work out. The toast was drunk with cheers.

Mr. Jno Frazer, in reply, said he was more at home when working than at speech making, but he begged to thank the meet ing for their expression of goodwill to himself and his partners. Mr. Geo. Parkin proposed the Agricul tural and Pastoral Interests. He depre cated the slowness of the railway depart ment in the direction of giving facilities for farmers sending away their grain at this busy season of the year. Mr. John Carter replied, and said it was roads and railways had made New Zealand what it was to-day. He could recollect passing the same spot in 1861, and little expected then to be conveyed here by steam. Mr. G. M. Robinson proposed “ The

Local Bodies.” He was a member of one, and thought himself as good a man as any body else. In the old days he had done his level best to get roads, but now every man wanted a railway. Mi*. Donald M'Lean returned thanks as Chairman of the Upper Ashburton Road Board. Mr. C. W. Ireland, in a happy speech, proposed “The Ladies.” Mr. C, C. Fooks said he could not understand how it was that the duty of replying to the toast of the ladies was always pitchforked upon him. He thanked the proposer and the company for the honor.

The Chairman proposed the “ Banking Interests,” and said they could not very well do •without them, and sometimes had a good deal of trouble to do with them. They were perhaps a species of necessary evil, but he would forego that accusation and leave Mr. Shuiy to explain. Mr. Sliury, amid loud cries for “ over drafts ” and “ discounts,” assured his hearers that the banks would render all possible assistance to the mercantile, agri cultural and pastoral interests. Mr. Ireland proposed the health of Mr. McFarlane, the Superintending Engineer of the line.

Mr. McFarlane, in thanking those present for drinking his health, said Mr. Frazer had told him on starting the work that this was the first job of the sort he had tackled, and he had appealed to him for assistance to enable him to carry out the work properly. He was glad to say, in corroboration of Mr. Wilkie’s remarks, that the contract had been honestly carried out. His own work had been of a pro fessional nature, and he could testify to the quality of the railway. Mr. Hall proposed the Railway Officials, and Mr. Stevenson responded.

Mr, Sherlock then wished to drink the health of the contractors for the line, but was informed the toast had already been disposed of Mr. Sliury proposed “ The Press,” and said the newspaper folks were a good sort, as no matter what sort of a bungle a man made of liis speech, he would always find it in nice readable English next morning. Mr. Sherlock replied, and informed those present that he had been a journa list for 20 years, and had always advo cated development, and would be glad to see railways all over the country like a spider’s web. Mr. Wilkie responded on behalf of the “ Guardian.”

Mr. Allardycc also responded. It did not transpire in his speech what paper he represented. He did a good deal of repe tition of the phrase “ I’ll tell you what,” but did not in the long-run tell anything. The toasts of “The Piper,” “The Le"al Profession,” and “The Caterer, Mr? Quill” were duly drunk and responded to. The train then left Lagmohr, and in the course of half an hour was back in Tinwald, after a most enjoyable day’s holiday, and all returned fuily convinced that the work they had been called upon to inspect was worthy of all the praise bestowed upon it and a credit to both engineers and contractors.

A Rum Story.

Anything one eats or imbibes with pleasure to the palate, followed by no unpleasant after sensations, should be taken for granted. It is courting dis comfort to pry too curiously into its com position. Some forty years ago the ship Governor Endicott- arrived at Salem, Massachusetts, from India ; and there landed several missionaries, who departed at once for Boston to report the arrival to the Missionary Board, leaving their belongings at the Lafayette Hotel. There they attracted the attention of the cus tom-house clerk, who, noting the presence of a cask, suspected an evasion of duty, and reported the matter to General Millar, the collector of customs. That official at once ordered baggage and cask to be sent to the custom-house for examination, and requested that the missionaries would give him a call as soon as they returned to Salem. The sus picious cask was taken into the custom house yard, the bung knocked out, a proof-glass inserted to find out what kind of liquor was inside, in order to fix the duty on it. They all tasted—collector, deputy-collector, naval officer, inspector, clerk, and a tribe of hangers-on. They drank it neat, they drank it with water, with sugar, with biscuits, with cheese, but could not agree what kind of liquor it was. Bets were made, and it was finally agreed to leave the knotty question to be decided by two absent inspectors —Capt. Bill L and Capt. Steve It . At last they came. They tasted. Capt. L said he would stake his reputa tion that it was old London Dock brandy, vowing “ he had not tasted such liquor since "General Crowningshield launched Cleopatra’s barge in 1818.” Captain R declined “to put a name to it”; he said it had a flavour different from any liquor with which he was acquainted. The next day the missionaries arrived at the custom-house to have their baggage passed, all save the cask oft liquor. “ That must pay duty,” said the General. “ Would they inform him what spirit the cask contained ? ” The amused mis sionaries complied by telling him that when, they left India they brought with them* a pet orang-outang, which dying after thirty day’s experience of sea life, had been put in a cask of rum for pre servation —an explanation accounting for the peculiar flavour that had puzzled so many experienced tasters.

"Rope, Axe, or Bullet.”

cuoenve heading “ Rope, Axe, or Bullet, a reporter of the “New York Herald ” recounts his latest experi ences of the question as to whether it is desirable to bang or otherwise dispose of a person condemned to death. By way of obtaining a really interested opinion, the ingenious writer sought out the persons who had the misfortune to lie at the moment under the disadvantage of having been found guilty of murder, and these he interviewed. Most of them, the reporter discovered, were enthusiastic converts to the opinion that hanging was a very bad thing indeed, and several of them went into details and gave reasons. Mr. William Burke (who stabbed Alice Strick land, in San Francisco) declared that he “ was not in favor of capital punishment.” He had read and studied much on the subject, and the conclusion at which he had arrived was that “it was one of the great evils of the age.” The accepted logic of the matter Mr. Burke thought absurd ; and to the question, “ Rope, axe, or bullet?” he emphatically replied, “ Neither.” An opinion was then sought from Patrick McCormack (who lately murdered a man named James Welsh), and McCormack became very sentimental. “ What does the world care about a mur derer’s mother or sister? What does it care if they die of shame at the disgrace of their boy,” Mc- Cormack asked, taking, perhaps, a rather one-sided view of the matter ; for the thoughts of the victim’s mother and sister tire somewhat ignored on this system of reckoning. The reporter turned, therefore to George Smith, the colored steamboat cook (who shot his wife in Seward street), and who pronounced him-

self as “ against capital punishment.” The black man was, to some extent, a student of English literature, and supposed his interrogator had read where it says, “ No rogue ere felt the halter draw with good opinion of the law.” George Smith could not help feeling that his notion of law would be the reverse of favorable if he could live to express it after having ex piated his crime ; and not being prepared to go so deeply into the philosophy of the question, the reporter passed on to Thomas Condon (who fatally stabbed John Lynch, in Elizabeth street on election day.) Condon “was not in favor of capi tal punishment. ” So far as he could see, it did not agree with the laws of nature. Hanging was better adapted to the peculiari ties of the lower animals than to those of

human beings ;so said Condor. Signori Francisco Acceta and Frank Bello (the Italian murderers) thought hanging “bad”; and in cell 56, William Poste (who lately killed a man -with a club) ex pressed himself as “opposed to capital punishment.” Chastine Cox, a negro (who killed a woman some time since), went further, and boldly declared that “ hanging is foolish in most cases.” Cox only believed in hanging men over fifty. They were grey-headed pinners. He and the reporter, lie said, were young, and might repent and reform. The reporter then, having being snubbed by two other popular murderers, went away to reflect on the possibilities which Cox had sug gested. :

Tjeje Fly G 003 isr TI[E North. The landslips on the Mastertoq Railway fiave proved more serious than were at first supposed, and consequently the work of clearing the line will take a longer time.

A Queer House.

An eccentric Englishman has recently built a house in Quarter Tivoli for the residence of himself, his wife and eight children, which is the talk of all Paris. It is circular, and has neither door nor window externally. The appi'oach to it is from the ground floor on to the roof by means of a ladder, which is moved up and down by machinery similar to that of a draw-bridge. There is only one floor, and that contains eighteen apparhnents, more or less small in dimensions, looking into the centre, which is lighted from above by a glazed cupola. One stove for all these rooms is in the middle, and in summer is to be occupied by an exquisite parterre of flowers. A circular balcony, open to all the apartments, surrounds this space. The motive of this oddity is, of course, only known to the author of it, but everybody can see that two points are gained by it—immunity from the taxes on doors and windows and a perfect preven tive of any attempt at burglary.—Boston Traveller.

A Prayer-Book in a Tree’s Heart.

A correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette, writing from Eton, Ohio, says : —“ Recently Nelson Davis, of West Alexandria, this coimt3 r , cut down an oak tree about six feet in circumference, in the centre of which was a cavity about seven inches square, partly filled with some rotten kind of wood and a roll of cloth, which crumbled -when touched. Inside of all was a German Catholic prayer book, bound in leather and much worn. The book was printed in 1726, and had a Latin introduction, while some of the blank leaves are filled with writings in French, part of which is unintelligible, but enough is easily read to show that the owner was a French soldier, tells what bat talion, and mentions the name of one of the officers as De La Magne. It may be of interest to the Historical Society. A growth of at least five inches over the hole where it had been slipped hermetically sealed and preserved the book. It is now in the hands of W. C. Barnhart at his book store in this place, and is regarded by all as a great curiosity.”

The Identity of Diamonds and Char coal.

Public attention has recently been specially directed to the fact that the dia mond is but a crystalline form of charcoal. We referred a year or two back to some very interesting experiments, by which Lavoisier had originally demonstrated this, and which, at the time of our reference to the matter, were explained by Professor Roscoe. In view of the interest that has been awakened in the subject, it may be woith while to recall those experiments to mind. Lavoisier first of all subjected a diamond to intense heat by means of a powerful len3. . The stone gradually dis appeared. It simply evaporated, and the experimentor proceeded to ascertain what was the nature of the evaporation and what was the product yielded by the proce.ss, that is to say. First, however, he tried the effect of subjecting a similar stone to a lower degree of heat. He found that only a part of the diamond, about twenty five per cent had vanished, and that the v residue was coated with a layer of sooty IUT/ttPr ppponi’o<l to illlllUUitc tilclt ine diamond had been converted into this soot or carbon by simply subjecting it to heat. Acting on this suggestion he eva porated another diamond in a carefully measured volume of air, and on testing the contents of the vessel in which the process had taken place, it was found that the resulting gas was identical with that which would have been produced by a similar combustion of pure carbon. The dia mond, that is to say, had become resolved into carbonic acid gas, just as the char coal would have done. This result ex plained what had hitherto been an alto gether inexplicable fact, that the diamond would not yield to any degree of heat when surrounded by charcoal. The fact was that the charcoal intercepted the oxy gen which was essential to the conversion of the stone into gas.—Globe. ”

Ice and Icebergs.

During the Austro-Hungarian Arctic Expedition of the years 1872-1874, a num ber of interesting experiments were made on ice phenonema. For example, on the sth March, a cube of ice was sunk under

the icefield to the depth of five metres. After a lapse of twenty-four hours it was found that a crust of new ice had formed itself over it about one em. thick. This was caused by the low temperature of the block itself, and, from a similar cause, ice crystals had formed between the edges of the hole, owing to the coldness of the walls. On the 10th March very little increase in the added layer of ice on the cube was to be observed. On the 20th

March this newly-formed ice was found to be softened so that it was easily im= pressed by the finger ; by the 2nd April it had become harder again, though por ous and apparently a little increased. From thence onward the block dwindled regularly, especially on that part of its - surface which was turned upwards-; on the 19th July it was only a third of its original size; nevertheless the hole through which it was sunk had, during the last period, become entirely closed by young ice at its lower margin, This experiment shows the loss of ice from below by the action of the warmth of the water. The author concludes from his experiments and measurements that compact salt-water ice can never obtain a greater thickness than 10 metres. Icebergs are subjected to disintegration after somewhat the same manner as rocks commonly are. They are full of crevices, into which the water formed by melting penetrates ; in winter this water freezes, and by its expansion all through the glacier a rupture of the mass ensues. “It is highly probable that most of the icebeigs afloat in winter are in such a condition that a very slight cause is sufficient to make them burst because of the state of internal tension. Every polar traveller can tell how a shot, the driving in of an ice anchor, or any other sudden vibration, has brought about the catastrophe ; cases have even occurred in which the sound of the voice alone was sufficient. Afi iceberg is always ap un pleasant neighbor.” "So many are thg causes which tend to destroy icebergs that the author conludes “ no berg exists which could withstand them more than ten years, and that commonly the life of a berg is much shorter. ” However this may be, doubtless the much larger Ant? artio bergs Last very ranch longer, a§ must necessarily occur because pf the much greater uniformity of the climate to which they are exposed,

Wednesday, March 24^,880]

THE ASHBURTON HERALD



New Advertisements. SATURDAY, MARCH 13. OPENING NEW STORE, East Street, Near Bullock, & Co s. James clark Begs to inform the Public of Ashbur ton arid Surrounding Districts that he is commencing business as GENERAL STOREKEEPER, FRUIT ERER, BAKER, &c., And trusts by supplying good quality articles at moderate prices, to share public support. Note the Address— JAMES CLARK, PROSPECT BUILDINGS, East Street, Near Bullock & Co s., Ashburton. 163 c NEWS AND MAGAZINE AGENCY, STATIONERY AND FANCY GOODS DEPOT. RE-OPENING. HM. JONES begs to inform his 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,’’ “AshburtonHerald,’, “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



V. R. NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS. (Christchurch Section.) EASTER HOLIDAYS. ORDINARY Single Fare Tickets issued from any station to any station, from March 25th to March 30th, will be available for return up to and including March 31st. FREDK. BACK, General Manager. General Manager’s Office, Christchurch, March 11th, 1880. 209 c Y. R. NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS. (Christchurch Section.) GOOD FRIDAY TRAIN ARRANGE MENTS. «=®a^OT?i5 =Ei,: “Tl{A!B , t l l'G ra:: will"" be SUS PENDED. FREDK. BACK, General Manager. General Manager’s Office, Christchurch, March 22nd, 1880. 227 c NEW TAILORING ESTABLISH MENT. CRAIGHEAD & Co., MERCHANT TAILORS, HAYE 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 Cotter 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. CRAIGHEAD & CO. 982 a WANTED to Rent—One Room, with Fireplace, centrally situated. State lowest terms to “M.C.,” Office of this Paper. 230 c XTTANTED—A BOY rccustomed to VV Farm work. Apply to T. Bullock. 231 c TO BUILDERS. TENDERS are invited for the erection of Two SCHOOL-HOUSES. Plans and specifications can be seen at Messrs. Fooks and Sons’ office up till SATURDAY, April 3rd, on which date tend ers must be sent in to my office, before noon. The lowest or any tender not necessarily ac cepted. B. W. MOUNTFORT, Architect. Cathedral Square, Christchurch, March 22, 1880. 223« ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.



■'VTOTICE is hereby given that the J3| undersigned has been appointed by the Ashburton County Council to COL LECT the SEPARATE RATE for that portion of the Upper Ashburton Riding, lying between the branches of the river Ashburton, the said rate being payable on 29 th March. The Council requests the ratepayers liable to pay to do so on demand, as after the 31st March the subsidy of £ for £ for rates received will not be recoverable from Government. By order, F. MAIN WARING, Clerk. Ashburton, March 19th, 1880 G26g |



THURSDAY, 25th MARCH. 598 ACRES OF GOOD PLAIN LAND. Sub-divided into 6 Farms. Four miles from Ashburton. VERY EASY TERMS. Messrs, edmiston pros. & GUNDRYhave received instruc tions from W. N. Milton, Esq., to offer for sale BY PUBLIC AUCTION, ON THURSDAY, 25th Makch, The following UNIMPROVED FARMS. R.S. 28216, ACRES. R.S. 28217, ACRES. R.S. 28218, ACRES. R.S. 28219. ACRES. R.S. 28220, ACRES. R.S. 28221. acres. These farms are adjoining the Akaroa and Kaiapoi Borough Council Reserves, about four miles from Ashburton. They will be sold on exceedingly liberal terms, viz., 10s. per acre cash, the balance for a term of years at a small rate of interest. This is really first-rate plain _ land, and we would draw special attention to the magnificent crops this season on the ad joining land.



Sale at 1.30 p.m. EDMISTON BEOS., & GUNDRY, 564g-226c Auctioneers. M . McCALLUM, ly^TAT GHMAKER AND JEWELLER Every description of Jewellery made to order and repaired. Electro-plating and Gilding. Hair plaits and Devices done. Watches and Clocks accurately Repaired. Diamonds and every description of Stones substantially Set. Clocks from 7s. 6d. each. Do., with alarm, 15s. CASHEL STREET, Next Bank op Australasia, Christ church. 221 c A CLAND, CAMPBELL, AND CO., Auctioneers, Land, Stock, and General Agents. WOOL AND GRAIN BROKERS. Christchurch, Ashburton, , and South bridge. We beg to inform our constituents and the public that we have made arrange ments with Mr. W. R. Boyle to take charge of our Ashburton Branch, and to act as our Agent there. Mr. Boyle will make arrangements for Sales of Stock, Farms, &c., and is au thorised to receive and pay all moneys on Will D 6 liold {IS heretofore. Account Sales rendered with care and promptitude. ACLAND CAMPBELL, & CO. W. R. BOYLE, 228 c Ashburton. WANTED KNOWN—The LOYAL ORANGE LODGE, No. 23, will met monthly at the Templar Hall for the future. — George St. Hill, W.M. 225 c FOR SALE, Cheap, Dwelling-house of 7 rooms, situated on the East Belt, near the Parsonage—For particulars apply to T. Bullock. 206 c lITE, the undersigned, Timber and W Coal Merchants, hereby agree to close our respective places of BUSINESS, from THURSDAY NIGHT, 25th inst., until TUESDAY MORNING, 30th inst., on account of the Easter Holidays. Signed— Wat. Montgomery & Co. , Limited. Edmiston Bros. & Gundry. Alpheus Hayes. 229 c