MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Chief Post Offices for the following places (subject to the necessary alterations) as under : Tuesday, April 6.

For Australian Colonies, per exprest train, to connect with s.s. Ringarooma, as Port Chalmers, at 7.30 a. m. The next mail for the United Kingdom via Brindisi will be closed at Christ church on April 7th, and will be due in London on May 27th. The next mail for the United Kingdom via San Francisco will be closed at Christ church on April 24, and will be due in London on June 8. SYDNEY J. DICK, Chief Postmaster.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows :

For Christchurch and North at 10.20 n.m. 4.30 p.m., and 8 p.m., daily. For Chertsey at 10.20 a.m daily. For Rakaia a' 10.20 a.m and 4.30 p.m daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald Winslow, Ilinds, Coldstream, Kangilata, Orari, Winchester, and Gera’dine, at 10.20 a.m, daily. For Temuka, Timaru, and South at 10.20 a.m and 3.30 p.m daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, arid 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 Mondays and Thursdays, 7.30 p.m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). MONDAY, APRIL 5, 1880.

The great originator of the Immigra tion and Public Works Policy of New Zealand has experienced a reversal of the words that have passed into a proverb—A prophet hath no honor in his own country. To Sir Julius Yogel New Zealand was in deed his own country, for it was here he rose to the high position that gave him what litt'e fame our small and isolated colony could afford to anyone. But he found out his mistake when, leaving the land hurriedly, and not with all the credit imaginable, from a political point of view, he essayed a contest for a seat in the English Parliament. Sir Julius has been rejected by the electors of Falmouth, and it now remains for the disappointed and rejected one to grin and bear his disap pointment, and to lie on his oars ffor another Parliamentary term, and do his best to nourish his spirits on the pleasures of hope. Had any colonial as pirant to colonial Legislative honors agi tated the grievances of the community whose favors he sought to win as Sir Julius has agitated for a progressive push to the harbor of Falmouth, the kindness would have weighed well in the eyes of the colonial electors, and the chances are that a seat would have rewarded the kind efforts. But England is not the colonies, and the colonies are not England. The “ public works ” cry is here a talisman to conjure by, but unfortunately for Sir Julius Great Britain has long ago emerged from the Road Board era, and its electors are difficult to catch with chaff, as poor Sir Julius finds. But patience is a virtue that, combined with perseverance, over cometli all difficulties, and the time may come, when the quondam Premier of New Zealand will have his merits recognised— but his hour is not yet.

Timaru Races. — Return tickets issued for the journey to Timaru during the races will be available up to the 10th. The Courts. —During the sittings of the Supreme Court in Christchurch, and owing to the absence of the local officer, the R.M. and District Court offices will be closed till Thursday.

The Ivess Libel Case Withdrawn.— We believe Mr. E. G. Crisp has withdrawn the libel case against Mr. Joseph Ivess that was to have been heard at the Christ church Supreme Court now sitting. The particular reasons for the withdrawal we have not heard, but it appears to be a fact that the case will not be heard, and Mr. Ivess retires without even requiring to tender an apology.

Presbyterianism. —During the history of Presbyterianism in Ashburton the Session of the Chnrch has only been com posed of three members—the minimum required by the Church, —viz., the Mode rator (the pastor), and Messrs. Moore, of Waterton, and Henderson, of Methven. It has been found necessary to increase the Session by at least four members from the township, and on Sunday tire Rev. Mr. Beattie announced that an election will take place on that day month.

“Ashore and Afloat.” —The amateurs repeated their performance of “Ashore and Afloat” in the Town Hall on Saturday to a very fair audience, though not so numerous as on the previous night. The piece went very smoothly indeed, and was altogether an improvement on the repre sentation of Friday night. One or two of the actors received hearty bursts of ap plause for their rendering of particular passages, and the lady who played the part of Ruth Ringrose was called before the cur tain for her effective acting in the old mine scene. The scene painter, too, Mr. Bourke, had his merits recognised, and at the conclusion of the scene in which the Turkish war sloop is destroyed and the captain taken prisoner, Mr. Bourke re ceived quite an ovation, and came before the curtain to acknowledge the honor. The incidental music for the piece was supplied by Mr. Horace Gates, whose piano playing, it is needless to say, was in every way satisfactory. The enterprise of the company, wo are gratified to learn, will be rewarded by the financial success of the two evenings, and we are told that another representation elsewhere—pro bably in Rakaia—is under consideration.

A Re-union. The wives and families of the “ unemployed ” roadmakers at Stoney river and Stratford, to the number of 60, have been sent on by the Hinemoa from Wellington to New Plymouth. Pedestrianism. —Young Scott at Auck land, finished his feat of walking 112 miles in 24 hours with 8 minutes to spare, and show r ed no signs of distress. Boyd, at Wellington, failed to accomplish the same feat.

SrEciAL Settlements —The Government do not seem to favor special settlements, and in reply to the Wellington Small Farms Association, who urged the necessity of setting aside a block of land for special settlement, have advised the Association to take advantage of the deferred payment clauses of the Land Act.

Lost in the Bush. —From Wellington we learn that a man named Douglas w r as lost in the bush near Woodville for eleven days, and subsisted on berries. He states that he saw the footprints of a boy and man whom he met on the road, and fears are entertained that they also are lost in the bush, as they have not since been heard of.

A School Carpenter. —Such a large amount of money is annually spent by the Dunedin School Committee on repairs to buildings, that that body has determined to permanently employ a carpenter. At a recent meeting of the Committee it was resolved to call for applications for that position, at a salary of Ll5O a-year and a free house.

The Napier Arms.—A correspondent, “ J. H. ” inquires whether the borough of Napier has any coat of arms. The “Napier Herald” replies—“ We are not aware of any, but it is about time we had one. We suggest as appropriate the figure of a judge in wig and gown, seated under a canopy. { ln bankruptcy ’ on a scroll underneath. The judge might be blind folded, with a pair of scales in his hand, with ‘ liabilities ’ on the lower scale and ‘ assets ’ (shadowy) on the other side kicking the beam.”

More Churches.— The number of people, says an Auckland paper, wandering about during the hours of Divine service, smoking and blaspheming would lead a stranger to think that there were no churches in the city. Yet there are, and always well filled. The truth is there are not half enough of them. But to get more is the question that seems to be asked. Are there not church lands and endow ments that might be hypothecated to this end ? If so, where and what are they, is what people would like to know you know. Emerald Isle. —A recent arrival from the land of failed potatoes was fishing the other day, not far from Seymour. He experienced some difficulty in obtaining worms for bait, and a companion advised him to look under a large sheet of bark near at hand. Worms in abundance were there, and so was a 15-inch snake. Pat rick joyously announced to his friend, “ Sure enough here’s a fine lot of worms, and the ould mother of the lot !” The great deeds of the saint he was named after had left liim innocent as to the ap pearance of vipers.—“ Angles,” in the “Australasian.”

Land Settlement. —On this subject the “ Hawkes Bay Herald’ says : —“After everything is said that can be said for the land, what inducement do we offer to pioneers to clear the bush and extend civilisation? We insist that they shall pay an unduly high price for the land, and though we grant them time in which to pay the money, this favor is counter balanced by many conditions as to im provement and residence. We believe in the deferred payment system, for it com pels the occupation of the land, but the clause relating to personal residence is un duly restrictive, and likely to retard settlement, while the price at which the land is offered is extravagantly high when it is remembered that the clearing of the bush will cost even more than the original purchase money —and the bush must be cleared before the land can be rendered productive.” Thrift. —Agood“goak” comes from “Sleepy Hollow.” It is told of a theatrical manager who recently ran a show there that, to save expense, he took the money himself—or rather he was in the box to take it. In one of those intervals which frequently occur in Nelson between the ad vent of patrons, a young man, with the signs of twenty-one on his upper lip, walked boldly up to the window, and pro ducing two threepenny pieces and six cop pers, asked for a Is. ticket. The manager I'ose, and grasping the hands of the youth, to his astonishment said—“ Glad to meet you ; you heard about this show a long time ago ?” The youth, blushing and stammering, inquired “ Why ?” On which the manager replied, “Because you ap pear to / have been saving up for a few months ; you are one of Nature’s noble men, and a true patron of the theatres. Pass in a dead-head, and my blessings bo with you.—“ Dunedin Star.”

THE SUPREME COURT SITTINGS.

(by telegraph.) Christchurch. April 5.

The Supreme Court criminal sessions opened to-day. Mr Joynt informed his Honor that the libel cases against the “ Otago Times and Witness” Company and against the “ Ashburton Mail” would not be proceeded with. A youth named John O’Brien, for horse stealing, got two years. Wellington, April 5.

The Supreme Court sittings commenced this morning. The Chief Justice, in his address to the Grand Jury, said the calen dar was of the usual average for the dis trict, and the cases were of a class which required no particular comment. Frank Hooke, for larceny, was found guilty and remanded for sentence. True bills were found against Samuel Jackson for attempted suicide ; A. Weber, obtaining money under false pretences ; and against Charles Stewart Burns, for larceny. The indictment against the lat ter was withdrawn, owing to the prosecu tor attending Court while under the in fluence of liquor. Dunedin, April 5; The sittings of the Supreme Court opened this morning. Judge Williams, in his charge, regretted that the calendar was the heaviest for many years. In a considerable majority of the cases, the crimes committed were as usual traceable directly to the drunken habits which were unfortunately prevalent in the colony. He spoke of Butler’s case as one standing alone in its horrible pre-eminence. Crimes of the kind Butler was charged with were exceptional, fortunately for human nature, and could not be accounted for by any of the social forces and influences that operate upon the ordinary run of men. The Grand Jury returned true bills in the following cases, the prisoners pleaded guilty, and were sentenced as under : Ernest Sydney Jame 3 and Henry Conway, both lads, robbery, three months each. Edward Featherstone and James Murphy, also robbery, one year. Henry Fell, for gery, two years. James Midgeley, cut ting and wounding, eighteen months. James Gibson, for larceny, got six months. The Grand Jury threw out the bills in the cases of William Chalmers and John Mowat, robbery, and David M'Neill, high way robbery. They also discharged the bill against Robert Sewell for cutting and wounding. William Mathieson was con victed of robbery, and got two years. Butler’s case will be taken on Thurs day.

The General Election at Home.

[By cable from Reuters Agency.) London, April 2,

The election returns, so far as known, show that 175 Liberals and 103 Conserva tives have been elected. The Liberals have gained forty-eight seats and lost 18. Leeds has returned Mr. Gladstone by an enormous majority. Lord Hartington has been re-elected for New Radnor with out opposition. The Conservative papers foreshadow a change of Ministry. Both the Liberal candidates have been elected by a large majority for Southwark, thus reversing the decision of February 13th, when a Conservative was elected to fill the place of the deceased Liberal member. Both the Liberal candidates have also been re-elected for Chelsea. ■ London , April 3. Liberals have gained nineteen to-day, the total now gained being—Liberals, 50 ; Conservativesj 20. The sitting members for Lambeth and Tower Hamlets have been re-elected. Two Liberals have been elected for Marylebone by large majori ties. Bradlaugh, a Radical candidate, has been elected by a large majority for Northampton. The Right Hon. James Lowther, Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, has been defeated by a small majority for York. A change of Ministry is considered inevitable, and the “ Times” publishes a paragraph stating that it is quite probable that Lord Gran ville will form a Ministry.

A J.P. under a Cloud.

[From the Auckland Evening Star.)

One would imagine that Justices of the Peace, like Caesar’s better half, should be above suspicion. But it is not so. A few days ago the manager of a bank at Bulls received a letter with the signature of “A Ammond,” containing a request that a LSO note and three LI notes might be forwarded in an envelope to “H. Howell,” to be called for at the Foxton Post-offics. Suspicious of the genuineness of the sig nature, the manager wrote to Mr, Am mond, one of his customers, with a view of ascertaining whether he had really made the request or not. Mr. Ammond replied that the signature was a forgery. The question then arose, “ Who foi’ged it ? ” After communicating with the police, the following plan was arranged upon : An envelope, addressed to “H. Howell, Post-office, Foxton—to be left till called for,” was immediately despatched, and a constable in plain clothes was stationed in the locality of the Foxton post-office to await subsequent events. No groat inter val elapsed before a tap came to the office window and the enquiry made, “Any letters for H. Iiowell?” “Yes, sir, one,” replied the clerk, at the same time hand ing him the closed envelope in question. The stranger, having carefully deposited the supposed treasure in his coat pocket, at once marched home, and was followed by the policeman who had been an ob server of the whole of the proceedings. Arrived at home, the man was arrested. It turned out to be Mr. Hermann Rock ell, a member of the Manawatu Highway Board, and a justice of the peace. About the house were discovered slips of paper bearing evident attempts at producing the name of Arthur Ammond, and in a pocket was placed another slip containing the words “Henry Howell,” which it is sup posed served as a reminder to call for the letter. Mr. Rockell has been brought before the Fielding Court, and com mitted for trial at the ensuing criminal sittings at Wanganui, having been let out on bail himself in LSOO, and two sureties of L 250 each.

Yankee Grab.— Yankee Grab is to be abolished in California. Tyler has intro duced in the Assembly a bill which pro vides for the punishment of any saloon keeper, or proprietor of any other place where liquor is sold at retail, who shall allow any game of cards, dice, bagatelle, or other game of chance to be played for the purpose of determining who shall pay for or who shall not pay for the drinks, and to punish any persons who shall engage in such games for such purpose.

TELEGRAPHIC.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

A Disputed Road. Grahamstown, April 5

Tukukino, tlio Romata obstructionist, lias signified to the County Council through the Police Department, his willingness to allow the road to be made if Government will grant tiie county L3OOO for the con struction of the same. A Maori Tribal War. Gisborne, April 5. During the past few days a quarrel, threatening to terminate seriously, has prevailed among the natives at Mohaka, between Wairoa and Gisborne. The feud is one of long standing between adjoining tribes, and relates to the ownership of valuable land. It is reported that shots have been exchanged, and one or two lives lost. On Saturday a meeting of native chiefs in this district took place to deter mine the action to be taken. The native chief Wi Pere has been requested to pro ceed at once as peacemaker between the contending factions, but has declined to do so without specific instructions from Go vernment. Fire. Wellington, April 5. A telegram received from Feilding states that the Awhari Hotel was destroyed by fire last, night, everything being lost, and the family only escaped in their night dresses. One of the boarders whose name is unknown, was burnt to death, and two others were seriously injured. An inquest will be held on Tuesday. The hotel is in sured in the Colonial office for LISOO, of which L 1250 are re-insured in the South British for LSOO, partly re-insured in the Union for LSOO.

LAST NIGHT'S CABLEGRAMS.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE The Markets. London, April 2. The total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain is 1,930,000 qrs. Best Australian beef tallow, 345.; best mutton, 355. The total stock of tallow in London on April Ist was 17,500 casks. New Zea land -wheat, per 49Slbs., ex warehouse, 475. c.f.i. Probable War between China and Russia. St. Petersburg, April 3. The relations between Russia and China arc considered as being very critical, the latter having declined the ratification of the treaty releasing Russia from restoring Kuldaja. A report also is current that Chinese troops have crossed the river Amoor, thereby constituting open hostili ties to Russia.

AUSTRALIAN.

( Reuter's 7'degrams.) Exhibition Awards- Sydney, April 3. The following exhibition awards have been announced to-day : —First prizes— A. and T. Burt, for lead piping; Buchanan, for illustration of grasses ; Colonial Museum, geology and natural history ; Professor Haast, ethnology; Anna Wilson, of Dunedin, for laces ; Mrs Beal, for shell ornaments. Second prizes—A. and T. Burt, for bottling machine ; Burton, for taxidermy ; Jennings, for stuffed birds. Sundry New Zealand exhibitors in the foregoing classes take third and fourth prizes. Death of a Son of the Marquis of Normanby. Melbourne, April 3. The second son of his Excellency the Marquis of Normauby is dead.

Capture of a Spirit.

The following letters appear in the London “Times,” Sir,—Some time ago, being desirous of investigating the truths of so-called Spiritualism, we were advised by an eminent Spiritualist to attend the seances held in 83, Great Russell street (British National Associa tion of Spiritualists). We were assured that the seances conducted at the associa tion were the most genuine in England, and under strict test conditions. On our first visit, the medium being by us with great care, no manifestations followed. At the second visit, January 2, one of us again tied the medium, but under the direction of the chairman, who is officially connected with the institution. A ‘spirit’ soon appeared which we were told was ‘ Marie, 5 and was represented to be that of a dead child twelve years of age. She was dressed in white, her face covered with a veil, and her arms and feet bare. We were surprised to distinguish the ap pearance of a corset under the white robes, and her voice and general appearance gave us the idea that it was the medium herself —Mrs. Corner (nee Florrie Cook). On the third visit January 9, we were ac companied by a friend, Mr. John C. Fell, engineer and editor of a scientific journal of 23, Rood Lane, E.C. with his wife. The ‘ spirit Marie’ again appeared and rendered our former suspicions almost certain by the audible sound of undressing within the curtain, and by the ‘ unspiritual ’ levity of her behaviour and conversation. One of us by a sudden rush intercepted, and gently held the ‘ spirit,’ while another dashed into the curtains, and, drawing them aside, displayed the medium’s empty chair with the knot slipped, her dress, stockings, and boots, and other discarded garments. There was sufficient light from a half obscured candle for the captured ‘ spirit,’ and all the above objects to be plainly seen, which latter were handed round for inspection and examined by those present. After a few minutes—to cover the confusion, we presume —the candle tvas extinguished by the official present, and we adjourned to the lower room. All present, except the officials, one of whom took refuge in abuse entirely agreed with us, and thanked us for expos ing the deception. Row, sir, we leave general conclusions on spiritualism to tliers, but what we do claim to have proved is that, in the first society of Spiritualism in England, one of its best mediums has been detected in personating the spirit herself. Not wishing to further occupy your valuable space, we shall be happy to give fuller information to any one interested in the cause of truth. George R. Stitwell, Carl von Buch. Wit ness to the signatures of Sir George R. Stitwell and Carl von Buch, F. C. S. : John C. Fell, M.1.M.E., Professor of Me chanics. 23, Rood Lane, E.C., 10th January,

A Disagreable Ghost.

A strange and, to put it mildly, decidedly “ uncanny ” Gory has reached us from the locality formerly, and by very many still, known as the Flat. A resident there (says the “ Southland News) has been for some time past enraged in trying to solve the problem of liow to make the best of both worlds, in a way scarcely contemplated by the Rev. Mr. Binney. To be plain, he went in for table-rapping and with several others was in the habit of endeavouring, at regular intervals, to induce some former inhabi tants of this sphere to “ revisit the glimpses of the moon.” Success followed their efforts, so they supposed, and they were soon in regular communication with intelligences of some kind or another. In succession, all varieties of human char acter were represented—good, bad, and indifferent, the second class including the spirit of one who said he had paid the last penalty of the law for a capital offence. In time this particular intelligence evinced a remarkable fondness for the house in which the “ circle ” sat, and gave place to less notorious but more desirable visitants with the greatest reluctance, and at length he, or it, intimated his intention of taking up his abode there permanently. This was more than the members of the circle, particularly the occupier of the house, had bargained for, and it was unanimously resolved to drop the acquaintance. This was easier said than done, however. The spirit wouldn’t go, but carried out his intention to the fullest extent. In season and out, at all hours, unearthly and otherwise, he made his presence known by tapping, rapping, and other manifesta tions familiar to circles. The occupant of the house stood this for some time, but lately his nerves have got the better of him, and he decided to vacate it. He says “a man in possession” might bs borne with, but he can’t stand a spirit. Here is a chance for a strong-minded per son who doesn’t believe in “ that sort of tiling,” and who thinks that human beings have enough to do in keeping up sides with the living, without trying to fight against those who were not paticu larly amiable during their earthly pilgrim age.

Perseverance can sometimes equa 1 genius in its results. “ There are only two creatures,” says the Eastern proverbs, “that can surmount the pyramids—the eagle and the snail.”

Sulphur for Diphtheria. —A writer in an. English magazine says : “A few years ago, when diphtheria was raging in England, I was prevailed upon to accom pany the celebrated Dr. Field on his rounds to witness the so called wonderful cure, which lie performed, while the patients of the others were dropping on all sides. The remedy, to be so rapid, must be simple. All he took with him was flour of sulphur and a quill, and with those he cured every patient without exemption. He put a teaspoonful of flour of brimstone into a wineglassful of water, and stirred it with his finger, instead of a spoon, as the sulphur does not readily amalgamate with water. When tiie sulphur was well mixed he gave it as a gargle, and in ten minutes the patient was out of danger. Brimstone kills every species of fungus in man, beast, and plant in a few minutes. In stead of spitting out the gargle, lie recom mended the swallowing of it. In extreme cases, in which he had been called in just the nick of time, when the fungus was too nearly closing to allow the gargling, he blew the sulphur through a quill into the throat, and, after the fungus had shrunk to allow of it, then gave the gargle. He never lost a patient from diphtheria. If a pa tient cannot gargle, take a live coal, put it on a shovel, and sprinkle a spoonful or two of flour of brimstone upon it; let the sufferer inhale the fumes, and the fungus will die. ”

Narrow Escape of a Wire-Walker. The “Southern Argus” (New South Wales) reports that an accident which at first was thought would be very serious occurred to the Australian wire-walker Blondin and a lad whom he was carrying on his back on a recent date on a vacant piece of land near St. Clement’s Church of England, Goulburn. Several reports are about as to the reason, one being that a horseman most foolishly tied his horse to a support of the guy, and upon some kerosene being thrown on the fire the horse immediately rushed backwards displacing the piece of wood. Another is that the ground being so hard the timber had not been placed in the ground a sufficient depth. Upon Blondin and his companion in peril (who was as heavy as Blondin) getting a short distance along the wire, it was seen to give, and gradually to fall in towards the other support of the wire. The presence of mind displayed by Blon din was something surprising. He quietly told his campanion not to get flurried or struggle about, but hold on to him tightly, which he did, and kept walking on the wire in its falling downward incline until within about ten feet of the ground when, with a sudden plunge, he threw himself and his burden away from under the falling guy, sustaining nothing further than a slight bruise to his ancle and a good shaking, the lad he was carrying, also receiving a very severe shake, and cutting his mouth, which bled a great deal.

A New Local Indtstry.— The arrival of a vessel from a South Australian port, with a full cargo of bark for tanning pur poses (says the “ New Zealand Times”), should induce those who take an interest in jjthc development of local industries to ask themselves whether equally good material could not be collected in the ex tensive forests of this colony. So far as the existence of suitable bark is concerned, the answer can only be in the affirmative, as there are many trees, both large and small, which would furnish it in almost unlimited quantities, most noteworthy among them being the liinau, a tree which is abundantly produced in all the forests both Nhrth and South. Why its bark is not gathered, especially during the present depressed state of the labor market, is a puzzle which we shall not attempt to solve. It might- however come within the scope of the Local Industries Committee. We may add that Australia, especially the colonies of Victoria and South Australia, has regular wattle-farms, which prove very profitable, although the bark collected from the young trees is the only return. As it would take many years to exhaust the native supply in Nev r Zealand, the local product should prove the most re munerative.

Amateur Heathen.

(New York Times.)

The small boy who lias been well and piously brought up hates the heathen, though policy compels him to conceal his feelings. He envies the heathen small boy, and at the same time looks upon him as a selfish and remorseless absorber of Christian pennies. This is natural and inevitable. The small bo} 7 is told that his heathen contemporary goes constantly bare-footed, wears very little clothing, is never washed, never goes to school, and is never taught anything that is good and useful. Moreover, the heathen small boy lives in a country where tigers and other delightful wild beasts abound, and where the exciting spectacle of a widow burning to death in company with her husband’s corpse—an attraction which no circus in this country has had the enterprise to offer—is simply exhibited free. Of course the small boy of Christian lands envies the blessed lot of his heathen brother, and would give worlds had he too been born a heathen. Now, when the envious small boy is compelled to give 50 per cent, of his pennies to the heathen, he feels that it is both unreasonable and unjust, and his anger burns against the heathen small boy, who, although rolling in every kind of heathen luxury, meanly absorbs the scant wealth of small boys who have the misfor tune to be born in Christian countries. He cannot avoid noticing that the grown folks who think that ho should give one half of his pennies to the heathen, do not divide their own property in that way, and he never drops a copper in the col lector’s box without feeling that he is the victim of moral black-mailing. Now and then tnere arises a small boy with a gigantic intellect, and a degree of courage which marks him as a born leader of his race. It is the exceptional small boy of this variety who heads expeditions against the Indians and organises gangs of juvenile highwaymen. That these enter prises do not meet with success is due to forces beyond his control, -but they dis play the greatness of his intellect and the boldness of his character. Of this type of small boy is Master Jaggars, of North Meri den, Conn., who lately devised an ingeni ®us and entirely novel scheme for arresting the flow of American copper coins towards the heathen pockets of juvenile Indians. Some two months since Master Jaggcrs, who had painfully accumulated the sum of 25 cents, with a view to an expected circus, was compelled to consecrate 15 cents to the hated small boys of India. It was this last of a long series of pecuniary outrages that determined him to take a bold stand against missionary assessments, and he therefore summoned a mass meet ing of small boys on Sunday afternoon at Deacon Pratt’s barn, ostensibly with a view to rats, but really to propose a plan of defence against heathen encroachments. Master Jaggars made a moving speech, in which he glowingly described the luxury in which the heathen small boy wallows :

“ He ain’t washed, and he can wear just as little cloze as heserminter. There ain’t no school for him, nor no Sunday, you bet. He can go swimmin’ every day, and can just lay off on the bank and see the crocodiles scoop in washerwomen and such. Then his back yard is chuck full of tigers and hippomusses, and no end of snakes, and he can steal his dad’s gun and shoot ’em out of the back window. This is the chap that rakes in all our money, and I say it’s mor’n we ought to stand. Now, I move that we all turn heathen ourselves: The folks can’t make us wash and go to school if we re heathen, and the other boys will have to put up their money for us.” It is needless to say that this speech was received with tumultuous applause. Howls of execration went up as the luxuries of the hated heathen were de scribed, and the proposal to adopt heathenism as a profession was unani mously supported. A slight temporary opposition was manifested by Master Sabin, who main tained that, in order to become heathen, they must first have their eyes put out — a theory that was founded upon a misin terpretation of ‘ ‘ the heathen in his blind ness. ”

The objector, however, was soon con vinced of his error, and expressed there upon a hearty desire to become r a heathen. The details of the scheme were all arranged by Master Jaggars. A plaster bust of Mr. J. S. Tilden was decided to be ugly enough to serve as an idol, and the amateur heathen placed it on an empty barrel in the barn, and bowed down to it with much gravity. They discarded all their clothing except a towel twisted around the waist, and blackened their entire bodies with burnt cork. There could be no doubt that they were very successful heathens in appearance, and, as it was late in the afternoon, they resolved to spend the night in the barn ; to break fast on the spoils of Deacon Pratt’s orchard, and to attend Sunday school in a body, in order to collect tribute from the Christian boys. The Sunday school opened as usual the next morning, although the absence of eleven boys created a good deal of re mark. Soon after the exercises had begun, the teachers u r ere astounded at the entrance of Master Jaggars and, his ten associate heathen. It is only fair to say that the heathen behaved themselves with as much propriety as their professional duties would permit. Master Jaggars advanced to the super intendent, and remarked : “If you please, sir, -we’ve all turned heathen. There ain’t no foolin’ about it. We’ve got a first-class old idol, and we don’t believe in nothing no more. So, if you please, sir, will you please tell them Christian boys to fork over half of all the money they’ve got, and to remember how blessed it is to consecrate it to real genuine heathen.” There is no instance on record in which s heathen has been converted as quickly as was Master Jaggars. The superinten dent held him by one ear, and at the tenth stroke of the cane Master Jaggars re nounced his heathenism, and promised to smash his idol and return to the Christian faith without a moment's delay.

The other heathen, alarmed by the fate of their leader, went to the barn, washed themselves, resumed their clothing, and went home with sober countenances, sing ing missionary hymns. The North Meriden revival of heathenism ivas a disastrous failure, but nevertheless the boldness and originality of the scheme devised by Master Jaggars must command our wonder and admiration.

Monday, Atrip 5, ISB©.]

THE ASHBURTON HERALD.



NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS. All orders for insertion of advertise ments must be written legibly on the face of the advertisement. When no order is given the advertisement will be inserted until countermanded, and charged accord ingly. All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good faith. All advertisements and business letters to be addressed The Manager ; literary communications should be .addressed to The Editor.



New Advertisements. "ASTE PAPER for Scale, 3d. per lb. at the Herald Oefice. Apply early. :)^ft Town hall, Monday, aprtl sth.-A BE HICKIN! ABE HICKIN ! Champion Boxer of Australia will appear with the Messrs. West, the World-renowned Gymnasts, Swords, Club Performers, and Boxers. Mr. Dan Lea will set to ; also a number of Amateurs. Ad mission—3s. and 2s. 268 c ASHBURTON PERMANENT BUILD ING AND INVESTMENT SOCIETY. rinHE Monthly Meeting of the above I Society will be held in Mr. Bullock’s office TO-MORROW (Tuesday) EVEN ING, from 6.30 to 8.30. Subscriptions will be received at the Secretary’s office, Burnett street, between the hours of 9 o’clock and 4 p.m. to morrow, and at Mr. Bullock’s office, from 6.30 to 8.30 to-morrow evening. J. WARD, 282 c Secretary. DISSOLUTION OF PARTNERSHIP. “TVTOTICE is hereby given that the Partnership hitherto carried on by the undersigned, as contractors and far mers, Geraldine and Ashburton, has this ■way been dissolved by mutual consent, and all moneys owing by the Firm will be paid by Charles Pye, Geraldine, and all due must be paid to the same. ~ ( CHARLES PYE. (feigned) j JOHN PYE. Witness to the signatures of Charles and John Pye, H. J. WEEKS, Ashburton. Ashburton, March 29th, 1880. 256 c ASHBURTON GAS, COAL, & COKE COMPANY, LIMITED. MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS. TVT OTICE is hereby given that an EX TSJ TRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING of SHAREHOLDERS at the abo\e Company will be held in the Library Hall, Tailored street, on MON DAY, the twelfth day of April next, at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. Business : To adopt Articles of As sociation, and appoint an auditor or auditors. By order, 267 c J. WARD. SHOP TO LET. Good Stanch Apply to Everett Bros. & Co., Havelock street. 257 c "ONEY TO LEND.—Several sums of money ready for investment at current rates. F. P. O’Reilly, Solicitor, Taucred street, Ashburton. 263c-68ia ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. TENDERS are invited for the supply of Furniture, &c., for the Ashburton County Hospital, Samples and specifications are on vieiv at the Council’s offices, Ashburton, where tenders, endorsed “Tender for Hospital Furniture ” addressed to the Chairman, will be received up to 11 a.m. on Wed: nesday, Api'il 7, next. By order, F. MAINWARING, Clerk. Ashburton, March 18, 1880. 640g283c TENDERS. WANTED— Tenders for THATCH ING 110 Stacks of Grain. Tenders addressed to the undersigned, from whom ail particulars can be obtained, to be sent in not later that 4 p.m. on THURSDAY, Bth April. DONALD M‘LEAN, 275 c Lagmohr. TO BUILDERS. nLENDERS required for BUILDING | 8-roomed HOUSE at Seafield. Plans and specifications can be seen at the office of Messrs. Edmiston Bros, and Gundry, where tenders will be received up to noon on Saturday, April 10. jj, • The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted 078g-4ißc



TT7ANTED. TENDERS for CROSS YV PLOUGHING 200 Acres, Gins, deep, 9ins. wide. ;To be completed in five weeks from acceptance of Tender. Tenders to be sent in before 9fcli April. FRANK B. PASSMORE, 262 c Sherwood. rjHALE. — The Herald publishes apor -1 tion of a readable story ever Even ing. Read it. WANTED KNOWN—That the cheap est and neatest CARDS may bo had at “ GUARDIAN OFFICE.” WANTED-A Y f Farm work. BOY accustomed to Apply to T. Bullock. 231 c. TITANTED, those in search of employ nient, to call and enter their names at Herald Registry Office, on pay ment of Is. [TANTED, a strong BOY, accustomed to horses, and to be generally usefuh Apply Herald Office. GGGg-2530 WANTED KNOWN, that Envelopes and Notepaper can be obtained, wholesale or retail, at unusually low rates at the “ Herald ” Office, East-street North. WANTED— By a respectable young man, age 33, EMPLOYMENT as Store Manager, Clerk, Cashier, or any position of trust. Unexceptional refer ance and testimonials. Apply in first instance to Mr J. G. Anst.ee, Tailored street, Ashburton. 277 c Y R NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS. TIMARU RACES, Bth and 9th April. ORDINARY Single Fare Tickets issued at all stations between Dunedin and Christchurch to Timaru on 7th, Bth, and 9th April, will be available for return up to 10th April. WM. CONYERS, Commissioner of Railways. Commissioner of Railway’s Office, Dunedin, 31st March, 1880. 280 c



ASHBURTON DISTRICT AND RESI DENT MAGISTRATE’S COURTS. PJIHE office of the above Courts will be CLOSED from Monday, April sth, to Thursday, April 9th, during the absence of the officers attending at the sittings of the Supreme Court. By order. C. CAVENDISH HURRELL, 281 c Clerk to Courts. ALL ACCOUNTS against the Amateur Dramatic Club must be tendered to the undersigned before noon on THURS DAY, APRIL Bth. A GENERAL MEETING of Members of the Club is called for same evening, at the Templar Hall, at 8 p.m. All intending members requested to attend. STEPHEN E. POYNTZ, Hon. Sec. 284 c