COMMERCIAL.

Mr Alfred Harrison reports tlie follow ing business done at liis mart on Satur day :—Several horses were disposed of at prices ranging from LlO to L 25 ; also several drays at from L 7 to Ll 4 10s. Double-furrow ploughs by Reid and Gray brought LlO and Lll ; and one by Hornsby, L 6. Several single-furrows were sold at from L2 to L 5. Three-leaf harrows fetched L2 10s. and L 4. An in termediate and horse-power were sold for LlO. Harness sold at very fair prices in deed. Fourteen pigs, weighing about 151bs. each, were sold at 15s. per head. Geese fetched 10s. per pair, and fowls from 2s. Gd. to 3s. per pair ; ducks, 4s. Gd. to ss. Gd. per pair ; and turkeys, 4s. to Gs. each. Potatoes were sold at L 3 per ton, while onions were quitted at fd. to Id. per lb. Chick feed was sold at Is. Gd. to Is. 9d. per bushel, and pig feed at L2 10s. per ton. Cheese (a very good sample) brought Gd. per lb. A very good feature of the times is the fact that furniture and sundries are now on sale only in small lots, and Avhat comes to hand commands good prices—signs, we should say, of more confidence, and the absence of a desire to move.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows :

For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m. 9. a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia. &c., at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.15 a.m. daily. For Teinuka, Timaru, and South at 6 a.m. and 10.15 a.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 3.15 p.m. daily.. For Wakanui, and Seafield, on Tues days and Fridays, at 6 a. m. Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office— From Christchurch at 10.35 a.m., 4.55 p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. From Chertsey, Rakaia, &c. at 10.35 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.25 p.m. daily. From Temuka and Timaru at 9.25 a.m. and 5.25 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.m. daily. From Wakanui and Seafield on Tues days and Fridays at 2.30 p. m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster. Mails close at the Chief Post Office, Christchurch, for the following places (subject to necessary alterations) as under: — Wednesday, April 28. For Otago and Australian Colonies, per Penguin (to connect with s.s. Tararua at Port Chalmers), at 1.50 p.m. Thursday, April 2\). For Northern Ports, per Ringarooma, at 3.15 p.m. The next mail for the United Kingdom via Brindisi (for correspondence specially addressed only), will be closed at Christ church on May 6th, and will be due in London on June 2Gth.

SYDNEY J. DICK, Chief Postmaster.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 1880.

Postponement of Sale. —The sale of farm implements, etc., in the estate of Edwin Watkins, has been postponed till the 4th May. Ashburton Steeplechases. —The pro gramme of events at the Ashburton Steeplechase meeting, which is to take place on the 29th May, appears in another column.

Lunacy prom Drink. —A man named James Downie was yesterday remanded by Mr. C. P. Cox, J.P., to Lyttelton for seven days to suffer a recovery from ex cessive drinking. Tenders. —Both the Mount Somers and Wakanui Road Boards are advertising various works for which they invite tenders. Full particulars will be found in the advertising columns. Bottling Up. —Owing to the difficulty the folks who prefer taking their tot at home have experienced in procuring a bottle of genuine liquor, except through the'medium of the “bar,” which. is to many an objection, Mr. Quill has intro duced a new feature into his business, viz., that of a bottle and wholesale de partment. Mr. Quill has always had a name for keeping good wines and spirits, and he evidently means to im prove his reputation. Town Hall Fees. —At the entertain ment which was given last night in the Primitive Methodist Church, one of tlie speakers, in his remarks on the Waimate Town Hall, remarked that they had been able to obtain that building for the moderate sum of LI per night. Had the promoters of the entertainment been able to procure the Ashburton Town Hall for anything near that amount they would have done so ; but the amount asked was L2 25., with cost of gas, and so any thought of holding the meeting there had to be abandoned. Perhaps it might be as well for the directors of the Town Hall to revise their scale of charges, with a view to reducing them, and thus inducing more business.

Entertainment. An entertainment was given last niglit in the Primitive Methodist Church, to a very attentive and appreciative audience. The pro gramme opened with a series of views, given through the medium of a scioptieon, illustrative of “Heroes of the Christian Era,” Mr. Bevan accompanying the same with some interesting narratives in con nection with the people and times of early and English history. A number of views were then brought before the audience, which were described as a “ Trip to Syria and Palestine,” in which Mr. Bevan again led his audience along with him inio that deeply interesting part of the world. “ The Drunkard’s Progress” was next put on the canvas, and in this an opportunity was given to Mr. Puddicombe, and one he took advantage of, to display a certain amount of wit and humor, accompanied with some very sound advice. This gen tleman is evidently not new-to the work, and we would throw out the hint to our total abstinence friends that when they anticipate giving an entertainment in the interests of their cause they secure the services of Messrs. Bevan and Puddi combe. A number of views, illustrative of certain remarkable phenomena, were then exhibited, in which the llev. A- J- Srnith contributed some instructive items in connection therewith. The concluding part of the programme resulted in a series of views of places of interest in Waimate. Oainaru, and Dunedin, Mr. Puddi combe again acting as guide in these interesting localities. We should imagine the audience would feel some what dissatisfied with the paltry buildings of Ashburton, after taking stock of the finished and elegant structures of our but little older sister township, Waimate. During the evening a number of pieces of music were rendered qery effectively, a little girl of nine years old contributing not a little to p its interest. It is needless to add that Miss Jowsey presided with her usual ability at the harmonium, and received an encore to the song, ‘'Write me a letter from home.”

Photography. —We have been shown by Mr. G. F. Henry, who has succeeded Mr. Martin in the‘proprietorship of the photographic studio in Saunders’ build ings, a collection of remarkably well taken photographs of ladies and gentlemen as they have appeared at amateur theatricals and fancy dress assemblies. The coloring is the work of Miss J. Strachan, Dunedin, whom he has engaged as colorist for his establishment, and is most commendable indeed. In Ashburton, where amateur theatricals and fancy dress parties are so frequent, the want of an artist of Miss StrachanV ability was felt; but our local “'enactors” will now be able to have their shapely "persons in miniature, andjtheir fine costumes handed down to posterity, either in earnest, or for the “ fun of the thing,” as may best suit their fancy. A Blow-itp.—Yesterday afternoon a peculiar accident happened at Methven. A couple of sportsmen, who had been out shooting, were returning from an on slaught on ducks, and not having had much luck in the direction of birds, went in for sporting of another kind, that is to say, they tried the paces of their horses, one rider being handicapped with a double barrelled gun as ballast and the other with a half-pound cannister of gunpowder. The man with the powder lost his hat in the race, and on returning to pick it up was considerably astonished at an explo sion taking place in his ulster pocket. Whatever the cause, the result was palpable. One side of the great coat, and one leg of the trowsers were absent. The horse lost bis winter coat, and the whole of the rising township of Methven were in a state of alarm, as they were under the impression that the last day had arrived. I.O.G.T.—At the weekly meeting of the Star of the East Lodge, on Saturday evening, Bro. St. Hill presided. There was one initiation, and after the usual routine business, tlie question of the anni versary celebration was discussed. It was finally resolved to celebrate the sixth anniversary of the Lodge on the 24th of May next, by a tea meeting and concert, in the Town Hall. The following officers were then elected for the quarter ensuing : W.C.T., Bro. Henry ; W.V.T., Sister St. Hill ; W.S., Bro. J. Bradley ; W.T., Bro. Craighead ; W.F.S., Bro. B. C. Smith ; W. C., Bro. Trigg ; W. M., Bro. Cook ; W. D. M., Sister “ Cook ; W. I. G., Bro. Tutty, W. O. G., Bro. St. Hill; W. R, H. S., Bro. I. Scott; W.L.H.S., Bro. Elston. —There was a fair attendance at the Dawn of Peace Lodge last evening, Bro. S. E. Poyntz presiding. One candidate was initiated. The Lodge Deputy read a com munication from the Grand Lodge in reference to the registration of subordinate Lodges, and Bros. Poyntz, G. W. Andrews, and Williams were appointed a committee to investigate the by-laws. The election of officers for the ensuing quarter resulted as follows :—W.C.T., Bro. S. E. Poyntz; W.Y.T., Bro. Quarterman ; W. S., Bro. Richard Murray ; W.C., Bro. Geo. Mason; W.M., Bro. Williams; I.G, Bro. Brooks; 0.G., Bro. Leitcli; R.H. S., Bro. S. Hardley ; L.H.S., Sister Poyntz. The appointment of D. M. and A.S. were left over till next session.

Resident Magistrate’s Court.

Tuesday, April 27.

(Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.) CIVIL CASES. Mutch v. Hudson.—Claim L 4. Judg ment for plaintiff, by default, with costs ss. Mutch v. Dudley.—Claim L 5. Judg ment for plaintiff, by default, with costs ss. Arnold v. Gardiner.—Claim LG ss. Gd. Judgment for plaintiff, by default. James v. Leggett.—Claim L3O 10s. Adjourned for a week. Duffy v. Smith.—Claim L 24.135. Mr. Branson for plaintiff. Judgment for plain tiff, with costs L 5 ss. Lacey v. Baldwin.—Claim L 43. Mr. O’Reilly for plaintiff, Mr. Branson for defendant. This was an action to recover money, which it was alleged had been lent by the plaintiff to the defendant at a time when the latter was in financial difficulties. It was contended by Mr. Branson that the action was one in which partnership matters were involved, and therefore his Worship had no jurisdiction. The Bench concurred in this view, and Mr. O’Reilly accepted a nonsuit with costs L2 2s. The Court then adjourned.

The Arson Case at Napier.

By Telegraph.

Napier, April 27. William Henry Shaw, late rate collector, was charged at the R.M. Court to-day with setting fire to the Government Build ings, ancl was remanded for eight days. The police having set to work to make inquiries,found that it was the annual audit day, and the fact that,, a number of rate-book counter-foils had been pulled down from a shelf and ranged round Shaw’s books after oil - had been poured over them in open order, so that they would readily burn, directed suspicion to him. He was in the office, and was most active in suggesting theories to account for the fire, pointing out footprints on a table below a window, which nobody else could see. At last he seemed to become con scious that suspicion pointed to him, and at once he went to the Mayor and con fessed that he had embezzled money be longing to the Corporation, and had falsi fied the books to hide defalcations, but he denies having set the place on fire. The police have since discovered that Shaw purchased kerosene in the bottles which were found in the room, from Messrs. Maney and Co’s, on Saturday. Shaw is well connected, and has hitherto borne a good name. He was at one time a punholder in the country, but for several years past has been in the employ of the Corporation. About six months ago he was appointed rate collector, and it is sup posed that the defalcations have occurred since then. He states that he has no idea how much he has embezzled, and it will take several days for the auditors to find it out, though several specific embezzle ments have already been discovered. Shaw has a wife and large family, and much sympathy is expressed for them. He has never lived in a fast manner, and nothing occurred to arouse suspicion before the fire. The general belief is that he got gradually into debt, and on being pressed by tradesmen, took the money from the rates, and then altered the books to cor respond with the amounts he paid in, His salary was over L2OO a year.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

THE BOROUGH WATER SCHEME.

To the Editor.

Sir —Through the medium of your columns, I wish to congratulate the bur gesses of Ashburton on the very marked improvement in their town’s financial pro spects, if I can take as a criterion their illustrious town Council’s action at its special meeting held to accept tenders for a water scheme.

As a contractor of about three years’ standing in Ashburton, and against whom I challenge anyone to bring any of those “ unfavorable experiences ” urged by Mr. Saunders against Mr. John Black’s tender, my tender should have been taken notice of, being more than L4O less than the one that was accepted. I felt a little bit slighted in the matter, more especially as I have failed to elicit from the “ genial ” Town Clerk or Borough Engineer the reason why. But (to quote “ Faithful George ”) the fact is “ insignificant.” L4O in these times of plenty is not too high a premium to pay to “practical knowledge” of this great ditch and bank scheme. There is one very significant fact in connection with these tenders. Mr. J. Black, who was disqualified by previous “unfavorable experiences,” and want of “practical knowledge ” is, lam informed, the very man who is practicaly doing the work. I take it, sir, that henceforth in your Borough, at the hands of the Council, “merit (when known), shall reap -its own reward,” and with them, ‘ knowledge shall be power.”—lam, &c., W. J. SILCOCIC.

The San Francisco Mail.

[by telegraph.]

Wellington, April 26,

The Australia left San Francisco on Monday, the 12th inst. Under the recent arrangements for shortening the period of transit between London and Auckland, the mail steamer should have left San Francisco on Saturday, the 10th inst. ,' but for some reason unexplained in the telegraphic advice, she did not get away on the proper date, It is anticipated, how ever, that she will make up two days on the voyage down, and reach Auckland on the Ist or 2nd of May.

The City of New York, with the March homeward mails, arrived at San Francisco on Wednesday, the 21st inst. —one day in advance of contract date.

The New Courthouse.

Our correspondent in Wellington yes terday telegraphed to us that tenders had been accepted for a wooden Courthouse for Ashburton, and added, as a reason why the wooden structure had been decided upon, that Government had been urged not to incur the delay of calling for alternative tenders. We have no reason whatever to doubt the accuracy of our correspondent’s telegram, and therefore assume that the information is to be relied upon. We are not very much surprised to learn that the new Courthouse is to be of wood—we had not much hope that it would be of any other material. If we had been in the midst of a dense bush, where timber was plentiful (as at Wal mate, for instance), we should have ex pected to see a grand edifice of white stone put up ; but being on a wide plain, where timber only grows at the planting of the settler, and where we are miles and miles away from the “ forest primeval,” It is only in keeping with departmental intelligence and foresight that a wooden building should be put up that will last but a few years, and require its com ponent parts to be imported from a dis tance. It seems to us such an exceedingly sensible thing to discard the very superior bricks we can turn out from our local factories for the timber we cannot fell on our treeless plains, and must therefore be behMden to some more sylvan locality for, that we were not a bit surprised to hear that wood has been the material selected with which to build the Courthouse. But we were astonished to find that the reason why timber had been selected was that owing to the pressing urgency of the case there was no time to wait for the calling of alternate tenders. We haven’t waited for two years already, and another month would make such a terrible difference. We are such a patient people, too, and we have been so long neglected that really it would be unkind on the part of the Government to keep us out of our Courthouse any longer. And so, rather than waste the other week or two in waiting for alternate tenders for a * building in brick, the Government makes all haste to relieve the terrible pressure of legal business, and accepts a tender for the wooden house. Just so. Now that the tender has been accepted, will the work go on at once ? will every hammer available within coo-ey of the township be set to work like greased piece-work to fix the studs and weather boards of the wooden Hall of Justice ? Not if the slow-moving Government ma chine can obstruct their movements. And who, we should like to ask, was it repre sented the case to Government as so ur gently pressing that we could not wait another month for alternative tenders in brick 1 It would.be interesting indeed to learn who tendered this advice, and to whom we are indebted for this piece of gratuitous kindness. Is he a myth, or is he really living, and did he really so advise Government ? We shall not, pro bably, be able to ascertain for a few months to come who the sage adviser is, but we hope the member for the district will make it his duty to ascertain, when he takes his place in the House. After waiting for more than two years for a Courthouse of any desciiption, surely we could have borne with our troubles for a few weeks more, when these were to be lightened by the hope that they Would really end in a comfortable brick building being provided for the accommo dation of our Court. There is no very great amount of harm done, perhaps, by our having to be content with a wooden building, The suffering party will not be the district, for at an advance of ten per cent, on the total cost of a wooden structure a building that would have been good for a hundred years could ha T, e been erected, whereas, by accepting the tender for a timber house, a structure of a perishable nature is obtained that must be renewed in a comparatively short time. Government knows its own affairs best, but we would be very much' pleased to learn who was the gage that advised the

“ urgency,” and if we can we will learn to whom we arc indebted for the “ hurry” in which we are to get a Courthouse, though not one altogether to our liking.

Business is Business.

The Rev. J. Upton Davis has been giv ing a course of lectures on Sunday even ings in Dunedin. The church was crowded to excess on Sunday week, and the preacher took for his text 1 Thess. ivv, 2. The following is a portion of the lecture : Christ never censured the honest occu pations of men. He Himself had wrought at the'gates, windows, and ploughs needed by His neighbors at Nazareth. ' Matthew was a custom-liouse officer; John was joint proprietor of a fleet of fishing smacks ; Paul was proud to support him self by weaving haircloth, . Christ never forbade money-getting ; He taught that the labourer was worthy of his hire. But as became the doctrine of -one who would make man perfect by control ling his whole life, He counted money but means to an end, and business but a part of life. And the double charge we make against the men who adopt “Business is business” as their sole motto, is that they ignore the social, domestic, and personal relations of business itself, and wholly exclude the claims of religion. Were this done solely at the cost of the delinquents alone, they might be left to their own folly ; but it is done to the injury of com merce at large, the deterioration of families, the stunting of their own growth, and the damage of religion. By getting and by spending they lay waste their powers. “ Business is Business.” . Even in its widest sense this axiom, touching society, home, self-confidence, and wealth, does not cover all our relations. The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath; so business was made for man, not man for business. You must not sink your manhood in its pursuit, its objects, and occupations. This is often done to the neglect of the highest inter ests of a man ; iiis relations to his Father in Heaven and the future beyond the grave. Religion is religion. We are told in one of those inimitable stories of. East ern life,. which abound iff the words of Jesus, how a feast was made, friends were invited, but at the time they all with one accord began to make excuse. What were the excuses the invited guests urged for their refusal? “Business is Business.” For one said, “ I have bought a yoke of oxen and.go to prove them.” He was malting money. Another said, “I have bought a section and am going, to look at it.” He was investing his money. A third said, “ I have married a wife and cannot come.” Well, he was spending his money. ; Is not that story true to-day ? The feast is in the home of Divine Love; its pleasures are in the friendships" of a Heavenly Father ; and yet the getting, saving, and spending of money keep men from the marriage supper of the Laiffb. “ Business is Business,” hustles out of life “ Religion is Religion.” The truest manhood is not with those whose investments are large, whose trans actions are world-wide, and whose wealth is enormous. It is with those who, what ever their business and their gains, love God supremely and their neighbors as themselves.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE

{Per Reuter's Agency.) ‘ - The Imperial Ministry. London, April 26. Mr. Gladstone is engaged iff the forma tion of anew Ministry, and has already filled the following offices Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Earl Granville ; Secretary of State for India, The Marquis of Hartington ; First Lord of the Admiralty, Earl Northbrooke ; Lord High Chancellor, Lord Selborne ; Secretary of Slate for War, the Hon. Mr. Childers ; Chief Secretary for Ireland, the Hon. W. E. Forster. Mr. Gladstone, as previously telegraphed, will hold office as First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer. The remaining portfolios in the new Ministry have not yet been filled; but it is expected that Earl Kimberley will accept that of Secretary of State for the colonies. The American Fisheries Question. Diplomatic correspondence between Lord Salisbury and Secretary Evarts, of the United States Government regarding the Fortune Bay outrage, has been pub lished in the papers. It shows that Lord Salisbury refused to give any compensa tion in the American fisheries question, and the dispute thereover therefore re mains unsettled. The Berlin Treaty’s Fruits. Constantinople, April 26. News lias been received of hostilities between the Montenegrins, and Albanians, The former were proceeding-to avail them selves of their territorial rights under tli© treaty of Berlin, when the Albanians entered the country before their arrival. Shots were exchanged between the con tending parties, but the Montenegrins eventually retired.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Per Reuters' Agency.) A Coal Strike. Sydney, April 26. The associated miners have unanimously declined to accept the terms offered by the masters, and have now struck. It is not likely that the miners who do not belong to the association will follow. The Colonial Bank. Melbourne, April 27. The Colonial Bank of Australasia has declared a dividend at the rate of six per cent, per annum. Measles. Measles are spreading in Melbourne. Reduced Rates. The Banks have reduced their rates for trade discoqntp.

Oats, There is little inquiry for milling oats,

NEW ZEALAND.

Arrival. Auckland, April 27. Arrived—Tc Auau. An Orphan’s Home Report.

At a meeting of the St. Stephen’s Orphan Home last night, the report showed that, there were' sixty-one inmates, with a

total income of L 961, and expenditure of L 959. The contributions from Govern ment amounted to L 233. Civil Cases at the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court civil sittings opened to-day. The case of Alex. Smith v. Henry Palmer, an action to recover L 3,000 for non-performance of contract, is proceeding. Auckland, April 26. Mr. Sheehan proposes to accompany Mr/ Bryce overland through the Upper Thames to Graliamstown and there to address his constituents. Several depu tations waited on the Native Minister to-day, one asking Government-to grant a sum of money as compensation to the natives in consideration of their grantin'* land for the road from Cambridge .to Rotorua. Mr.- Brodie, and others from the Thames, asked Government.. to., .assist 1 in opening- the'.road through Komatu block. A deputation consisting of Messrs. McDonald, Sheehan and Morris asked that the lands of Tauranga district should be thrown open for purchase. Mr. Bryce promised to consider the application. Wellington, April 26. : The enquiry as to the circumstances connected with the recent accident to the steamer Manawatu will.be merely a short preliminary one, for it is practically certain that a full official investigation will be held before the magistrate and a nautical assessor.- '

Dunedin, April. 26. In Butler’s case, it is said, the police will able to adduce Jresh eveidence-that Butler was seen about the premises on the morning of the murder

Native Affairs.

[by telegraph.)

Hawera. April 27. By direction of the Royal Commission, Mr. Parris is carefully including in the Native Reserves all the native settlements, cultivations, and burial grounds used- and occupied by them. Statements published to the contrary are incorrect.

Canterbury Agricultural Statistics.

The following are comparative agricul tural returns for the years 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879, and 1880, of grain and pota toes grown in the Canterbury district, New Zealand.

The Road to Slumberland.

What is the road -to Slumberland, And when does the baby gh ? - ■ ■ The road lies straight through mother's arms When the sun is sinking low. He goes by the drowsy “ land of Nod,” To the music'of “ lullaby,” When all we lambs are safe in the fold, Under the evening sky.

A soft little night-gown clean and white, A face washed sweet and fair ; A mother brushing the tangles out From the silken, golden hair ; Two little tired satiny feet, From the shoe and the stocking free } Two little palms together clasped At the mother’s patient kuee.

Some baby words that are drowsily lisped In the tender Shepherd’s ear, And a kiss that only a mother can place On the brow of her baby dear ; A little round head that nestles at last Close to the mother’s breast, And- then the lullaby, soft and low, , j Singing the song of rest.

And close and closer the blue-veined fids Are hiding the baby eyes, As over the road to Slumberland The dear little traveller hies ; For this is the way, through mother's arms, • . All dear little babies go To tlie beautiful city of Slumberland When the sun is sinking low. —Mary D. Brine, in Cambridge Tribunet

Tuesday, April 27, 1880.1

THE ASHBURTON HERALD



Wheat. Average yield per Year. Acres. Total bushels. acre. Bushels. 1876 57,500 1,770,363 30.8 1877 9 2 ,.4 T 7 2,707,627 29.3 1878 H7A97 3,399,353 23.0 1879 173,895 3,621,820 20.8 1880 193,556 5,461,400 Oats.-- 28.2 1876 72,522 * 2,888,683- ' 39-8 1877 70,032 2, io6,Soo 30.1 1878 86,728 2,396,483 27.6 1879 128,384 3,237,462 2.5*2, 1880 153,427 5,776,275- Barley. 37*6. 1876 16,820 600,699 36.9 1877 16,047 505,700 3i-5 1878 13,757 335,733 24 5 t879 17,062 . . 371,009 21.7 1880 37,095 1.124,281 30.2 Potatoes. Tons. 1876 3A40 17,895 5 7 1877 3,423 19,886 • 5-8 1878 4,4i9 26,786 6.0 1879 4,613 26,766 5-8 1880 5,651 37,466 6.6



ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST.



s. d. s Butter, inferior to best $ ft> 010 to Eggs, if dozen - - i 6 to Cheese, prime quality, o 7 to Bacon, prime smoked, fib o o to Hams iu cloth, if lb o o to Flour in bags, if ioolb 14 6 to Oatmeal, if 251 b - 5 0 to Lard, if lb - - - o 9 to . d. I o o o o 10 o o o o o o o o o o



New Advertisements. ~VVT ANTED, a strong BOY, accustomed VV to horses, and to be generally useful. Apply Herald Office. 666g-2530 WANTED, a GENERAL SERVANT at once. Apply Mr. T. R. Holder, North-east Town Belt. 780g-380c WANTED— Washing to take home by a first class Laundress. Apply Mrs. Anderson, East Town Belt, near Wakanui Road. 371 c PIGEONS.— For Sale, a few pair choice Antwerps, and one pair Nuns. 370 c J. C- BELL. CASH RECEIPTS, in Books of ICO each, on SALE at the “Herald and Guardian ” office. 368 c SERVANTS requiring situations, call and get your names entered in the Herald Registry, Is. 'ONEY TO LEND.—Several sums of money ready for investment at current rates. F. P. O’Reilly, Solicitor, Tancred street, Ashburton. 263c-684g THE Friends of the late Mr. W. BOUCHER are informed that his Funeral will take place at one p.m. to morrow, 28th inst. THOS. A. GATES, Undertaker, Ashburton. TO LET—A TWO-ROOMED COT TAGE on the East Town Belt. Rent Bs. per week. Apply j D. M‘KENZIE, 323 c Ashburton Hotel. JUST ARRIVED Young Ladies’ Journal, London Journal, Family Herald, Family Reader, Boys of England, Boys’ Standard, Our Girls’ Own Paper, &c., &c. H M JONES, Stationer, 360 c East Street and Baring Square. TO FRUITERERS, CONFECTIONERS, AND OTHERS. T7IANCY Show Cards, neatly printed— I ' << Finest Lemonade and Cordials -— on Sale at the Herald Office.



Ashburton steeplechase MEETING. SATURDAY, MAY 29th, 1880. List of Officers : President : E. G. Wright, Esq., M.H.R. Vice President : W. C. Walker, Esq. Stewards : Mr. Hay T. Smith Mr. John Carter Mr. L. E. Corsbie Mr. R. Friedlandec Mr. Neil M‘Lean Mr. J. Hunt Mr. E. Saunders Mr. A. McLean Mr. E. S. Coster Dr. Ross Judge : Mr. M. Stitt. Starter : Mr. John Carter. Clerk of the Course : Mr. E. Saunders. Clerk of the Scales : Mr. E. F. Wright. Hon. Secretary : Mr. J. Wilkie. Hon. Treasurer : Mr. C. C. Fooks. Handicapper : Mr. 11. P. Lance. FIRST RACE TO START AT 12.30 P.M. 1. Ashburton Handicap Steeplechase, of 40 sovs., added to a sweepstakes of 2 sovs. each for acceptors ; over about 3 miles of fair hunting- country ; nomination 2 sovs. 2. District Handicap of 20 sovs., added to a sweep of 2 sovs. for acceptors ; 2 miles ; nomination 1 sov., for district horses only. 3. The Wakanui Stakes, of 20 sovs.; weight for age ; open to all horses ; 2 miles ; entrance 1 sov. 4. Farmers’ Steepechase, of 15 soys.; about lj miles ; weight for age ; en trance 1 sov.; for district horses only. 5. Hack Steeplechase, of 5 sovs.; 1 mile ; catch weights ; entrance 1 sov.; for district horses only. Rules and Regulations : The N.Z. Grand National Rules strictly adhered to, except where specified. District horses shall mean horses owned in the County of Ashburton, both owner and horse being respectively resident and owned in the county previous to March Ist, 1880, and any horse which has been entered by a non-resident for other races since that date will be disqualified. The decision of the Stewards on all dis puted points shall be final. No protest will be received unless 2 sovs. be deposited, which shall be forfeited if the protest be considered frivolous. Nominations for the Handicaps to be sent to the Secretary at Quill’s Hotel not later than 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 20th. Weights -will be declared on Tuesday, May 25th. Acceptances on night of general entry, Wednesday, May 26th, at 8 p.m. All entries to state age, color, and name of the horse, and the colors of the rider. JAMES WILKIE, Hon. Sec. Ashburton Steeplechases. NOTICE. RATING ACT, 1876. WHEREAS at a sitting of the Assess ment Court for the Road District of Longbeach, held this 17tli day of April, at Longbeach, before me, F. Guinness, Judge of the said Court, it was proved that no Valuation List had been prepared as required by the said Act. Now, there fore, under the provisions of clause 28 of the said Act, I order that a Valuation List be made ; and I hereby appoint William John Cuthbert to be the Valuer for the said District; and I do further fix Tues day, the Ist day of June next, the day for the completion and inspection of such list ; and that the last day for delivering objections thereto shall be Tuesday, the 15th day of June. The Court will sit at 10 o’clock in the forenoon on MONDAY, the 21st day of June next, for the purpose of hearing and determining all objections to the Valuation List of the said District. FRANK GUINNESS, Judge. C. CAVENDISH HURRELL, 378« Clerk.



NOTICE. RATING ACT, 1870. YT7HEREAS at a sitting of the Assess ' y ment Court for the Road District of Mount Somers, held this 19fcli day of April, at Mount Somers, before me, F. Guinness, Judge of the said Court, it was proved that no Valuation List had been prepared as required by the said A.ct. Now, there fore, under the provisions of clause 28 of the said Act, I order that a Valuation List be made ; and I hereby appoint Cracken thoiipe John Wentworth Cookson, Jun., to be the Valuer for the said District; and I do further fix Tuesday, the Ist day of June next, the day for the completion and inspection of such List, and that the last day for delivering objections thereto shall be Tuesday, the 22nd day of June. The Court will sit at 10 o’clock in the fore noon, on MONDAY, the sth day of July next, for the purpose of hearing and determining all objections to the Valua tion List of the said District. FRANK GUINNESS, Judge. C. CAVENDISH HURREI L. 377 c Clerk. WAIvANUI ROAD BOARD. TENDERS arc invited for the following Works : No. 18. Beach Road, Forming to full width from Finger Post to Wakanui School, about 200 Chains. No. 19. Beach Road, Metalling above, 15 yards to the chain. No. 20. Suburban Roads near South East Belt, Metalling about 50 chains. No. 21. Additions and Repairs to eight immigrants’ cottages in district. No. 22. Leadley andßuttericlc’sDrain, Making three concrete falls. Specifications, etc., can be seen at the Board’s office, Moore street, where tenders will be received till 10 a. m. on THURS DAY, MAY Gth, addressed to the Chair man, endorsed with No. of contract, and accompanied with 5 per cent, (marked cheque) on the value of the work tendered for. FOOKS & SON, 757g-365c Surveyors’ to the Board.



Y. R. In the District Court of Christchurch. Holden at Ashburton. IN BANKRUPTCY. TYTOTICE is hereby given, that applica- J 3( tion will be made at the next sitting of the above Court on behalf of WILLIAM FORD, of Westerfield, in the County of Ashburton, dairyman, a debtor, for an order of immediate discharge. Dated this 27th day of April, 1880. EDWARD G. CRISP, 375 c Solicitor for Debtor. Y. R. In the District Court of Christ church, Holden at Ashburton. IN BANKRUPTCY. TYrOTICE is hereby given, that applica- JLM tion will be made at the next sitting of the above Court on behalf of PATRICIC SULLIVAN, of Winslow, in the County of Ashburton, Laborer, a debtor, for an order of immediate discharge. Dated this 27th day of April, 1880. EDWARD G. CRISP, 376 c Solicitor for Debtor.



rjpOWN HALL, AS H BURTON. WEDNESDAY, 2 8th APRIL*. ONCE MORE!! ASHORE & AFLOAT. FOR THE LAST TIME ! Prices of Admission —Front seats, 2s ; back seats, Is. 6d. ; gallery, Is. 354c-7710



Drinking at Bars. —The social habi of drinking at bars, where each member of a party, having been “treated”'by another, considers it necessary to treat every other member, has at last attracted the attention of the law-makers. The. lowa Legislature has a bill before it to abolish the custom, and make it a punish able offence ; and, although such a pro position can never become a law,, it is :, significant as showing public dislike of a custom which no drinking man wants to be the first to disregard. This habit of standing treat is the cause of more physic cal and mental discomfort than every other convivial custom combined. A res pectable man who feels the need of a glass of wine or spirits—and there are hun dreds and thousands of such men, in spite of all that the temperance people say fq the cqntrary—approaches a bf\r, aqd ftpds, perhaps, several acquaintances who are drinking and who invite him to join them. - When he has done so, and drank all he came for, his spirit of. independence prompts him to return the invitation, which is accepted by the others because it would seem discourteous to refuse ; then those who have been treated make haste to return the compliment for fear of seeming mean, and-the end is that four or five men, each of whom came for a singlg ,- glass of liquor, retire with several times; as much as they needed or wanted, Boston Traveller,