COMMERCIAL.

Christchurch Corn Exchange.

The following is the report for the week ending Friday, May 21, of the Christ church Corn Exchange The state of the market for all classes of produce has in no way altered during the week that has elapsed. Recent ad vices from Home have not given buyers more exalted views as to the value of wheat. The price is barely so good as before. Good quality, and in large lines, will still command the price ruling a week ago. Inferior parcels do not meet with much attention. Barley buyers are still reticent and fastidious ; nothing but the best samples are meeting with any at tention, and even these are looked for at prices totally incompatible with the pro fitable production of the cereal. Oats are also at such a price that producers do not care to send them to market for the money oiFered, while potatoes are not meeting with the demand that was antici pated, consequently prices are very low. The Weather, for the general requirements of the country, continues to be all that can be desired. Threshing operations are being steadily proceeded with, and large quantities of grain continue to be shipped for Great Britain.

Wheat-Good, sound milling samples in large lines, fit for shipment, will meet with buyer's at 3s. 6d., f.o.b, in Lyttelton. Seed parcels —i.e., true to name—well grown and clean, are worth 4s. to 4s. 3d. per bushel. Chick wheat is still in large supply, with inquiry hardly so good, and is not.saleable at over 2s. 2d. to 2s. 9d. per bushel. Oats—Small parcels are looking for buyers at from Is. 3d. to Is. 4d. per bushel, but buyers are not eager. In ferior and feed samples will not command over Is. 2d. to Is. 3d. per bushel.

Barley —Barley still continues to be largely offered, the quality as a rule is in different, and is simply unsaleable, while 'good samples are going begging at ridicu lously low prices without meeting with purchasers. Little or no business is doing. Fair to good malting samples range from 2s. to 3s. 4d. per bushel. Feed quality has receded to Is. 6d. to Is. 9d. per bushel, with a dull market. Potatoes. —Only small sales are re ported. Buyers appear to be operatingwith great caution. Producers are in many instances equally unwilling to do business at the prices offered, and are pitting in anticipation of better things to come: Sales have taken place at 255. to 265. per ton (at the Styx and Papanui Railway stations), sacks extra. Grass Seed.—The market for this class of produce has not experienced any change, prices remaining at last week’s quotations —2s. 6d. to 2s. lOd. per bushel; cocks foot, 2d. to 2|d. per lb.

Cheese and" Butter.—The former is in good supply, with the demand slack, at4d. to 4Jd. per lb. The latter, for prime quality, the demand is fair, at Bjd. to 9d. per lb., while medium to inferior is un saleable.

MAIL NOTICES.

r 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 Temuka, 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.

Fr#m 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. The outward mails for the United Kingdom via San Francisco, will close at the Ashburton Post Office, on Saturday, the 22nd inst., at 9 a.m.

W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

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

The next mail for the United Kingdom via Brindisi (for correspondence specially addressed only), will be closed at Christ church on June 3rd, and will be due in London on July 24th.

SYDNEY J. DICK, Chief Postmaster.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). FRIDAY, MAY 21, 1880.

Unregistered Dogs.— George Jameson and Andre >v Orr, for having each an un registered dog in their possession, forfeited LI each to the Clerk of the Court this morning for their neglect.

Application for Be-iiearing.— Mr. O’Reilly applied to his Worship to-day for a re-hearing of the case Meehan v. Fried lander. Mr. Purnell opposed the appli cation, and after hearing arguments on both sides, Mr. Guinness dismissed the application, but without costs.

Pedestrianism. —A match is on the tapis between O’Connor, of Timaru, and a Christchurch man for LIOO a side over a ten mile course.

The National Steeplechases.— No work of importance was done on the course to-day. “ Voltigeur” at present tips —Royalty, 1 ; Agent, 2 ; Baron, 3, for the Grand National.

A Blackguard.— Cornelius Carne ap peared before his Worship this morning, charged, on the information of Constable Warring, with using obscene language in the public street. The constable stated that Carne had used the language stated while two respectably-dressed females were passing. His Worship gave, the accused a severe reprimand, and sent him to gaol for eight days, without the alternative of a fine.

An Old Offender. —An old man named John Sutherland appeared before the Bench this morning, charged with being drunk and disorderly. Sergeant Felton gave the accused a bad character, stating that he.had just been released from, the Timaru gaol. The delinquent. stated lie had friends in Victoria, arid if his Worship would look over' his -offence he would clear out for that country at once. His Worship evidently being of opinion that this colony would benefit by the old man’s absence, fined him ss. or twenty-four hours ill the lock-up. Wandering Cattle! —George Eagle and Thomas Chambers, charged before his Worship ' this morning with allowing their horses to wander at large, were fined ss. each. Mrs. Hepburn appeared, in the absence of her husband, in answer to a summons for allowing two cows to wander in a public place. Mrs. Hepburn admitted that the cows ivere in the locality stated, but said that her l.ttle boy was in charge of them, but on the appearance of the “ bobby ” on the sceiie, had left his charge, being under the impression that the man in blue was about to take both the-cows and himself into custody. Mr. Guinness inflicted a fine of ss.

■Assaulting a Constable.— Nicholas Duncan appeared before Mr. Guinness this morning, and pleaded guilty to the two charges of being drunk and disorderly and a constable in the execu tion of his duty. Constable Rouse gave evidence to seeing the. accused at an auction sale at Rakaia yesterday, and while various parties were bidding, Duncan made use of some very disgusting lan guage. On remonstrating with him, prisoner struck him, and after a struggle, in which the assistance of bystanders had to be obtained, the culprit was taken to the lock up. A witness from Rakaia cor roborated the constable’s .evidence. Mr. Guinness inflicted a penalty of 20s. for being drunk, or forty-eight hours’ im prisonment, and for assaulting the con stable a fine of L2, or ninety-six hours im prisonment, with the addition, of the wit ness’ expenses, 12s. Civil Cases.— There were only two civil cases disposed of at the Court to-day. In the action Britain and another v. Innes, claim L 3 7s. 6d., in which Mr. Ireland appeared for the plaintiffs, judgment was given by default for the amount and L2 17s. costs. Mr. Ireland appeared for the defendant in the case of Armstrong v. Smith, in which the defendant sought to recover the sum of Ll 5 12s. 6d. balance of an account for cattle bought. The de fence was that Smith had not purchased the cattle from Armstrong but from a man named Dan McKellar. Armstrong stated that McKellar was only an agent, in the transaction, and as Smith had paid LlO to Armstrong in part payment of the account, his Worship decided that Smith had by this action acknowledged that Armstrong was the principal in the affair, and gave judgment for the amount claimed, and LI 16s. costs. A Business Minded Architect —The following paragraph appears in the latest issue of the Hawera Star, furnished by its Wanganui correspondent:—Rather a good thing occurred, not a hundred miles from here, a few days ago. An architect, noted for his anxiety to do business of any kind, in the coui’se of ordinary conversation with a widow lady, was asked what he thought of her house, and its value. He replied, “ Well, 1 don’t know ; about L 750. ” A few days afterwards, the lady was surprised beyond measure at receiving an account from the architect for LlB 15s. —2-gd per cent, commission on L 750 !

Mixed Scripture. —The Chairman of the Dunedin School Committee, Mr. Robins, came to grief at the last meeting through trying to quote scripture. He was comparing the case of some pupil teachers to that of “the poor and them that need help, who ” ; but here his memory failed him, and he had to finish with “ were generally shoved to the wall.” One of the members made an inquiry as to the portion of Scripture where this might be found, but was not enlightened. Mr. Robins is said to be one of the shining lights of the Otago Bible-in-Scliools Asso ciation, and a strong admirer of Colonial Secretary Dick.

Walking Match for LIOO a Side.— In Hagley Park, Christchurch, yesterday, fully 3000 people assembled to witness a walking match for LIOO between two of the best pedestrians in the colony—viz., Bowley, of Christchurch, and O’Connor, of Timaru. The betting was even, and a large amount of money was staked, it being said that to Timaru alone, O’Connor, who won, brings his ' supporters LIOOO. The event is thus described by a Christ church contemporary : —Both men had plenty of supporters on stripping, and it was the opinion of many good judges that, although both had evidently had a good preparation, O’Connor was, if anything, a bit light. Even betting was the order cf the day, Bowley having slightly the call. Precisely at 3h. 581 min. the men started themselves, Bowley going off with a lead. For the first half-mile he maintained a slight advantage, but the Timaru champion then supplanted him. The first mile rvas completed in 7min. olsec. Soon after the following lap Bow ley put on a spurt and again headed O’Connor, but on passing the judge O’Connor was again in front. The second mile was accomplished in 7min. 49secs. 011 passing the starting post at the end of the third mile O’Connor had a long lead, which he thenceforth maintained and was never again caught. The third mile was done in 7min 53isee., the fourth in Bmin. 7sec., the fifth in Bmin. 3sec., the sixth in Smin. 20sec., and the seventh in Bmin. 39sec. The total time occupied it travel ling the seven miles was therefore sGmin. 44-o Sec.

An Example for New Zealand. — Engineering in these colonies has (says the Melbourne Daily Telegraph ) of late years become a choice profession for our intellectual young men, and to enable them to go through a course of training, there has been established for the past two years, in the lecture-hall at the Pub lic -Library, civil and mechanical engi neering and architectural classes, under an experienced instructor from England, conducted on the same system as the engineering colleges there.

Accident to the Express Train. —An awkward accident occurred on Monday to the Express Train from the South. It appears that the oil-box of one of the wheels got out of gear on the journey up, and the oil ceased to flo-w, the consequenee being that on the arrival of the train at Waimate, where the wheels were examined as usual, this particular wheel was found to be nearly red hot with the friction. The carriage was therefore detached and the train came on without it, and as it was crowded with passengers some inconveni ence was caused. A' second-class carriage was converted, to meet the emergency, into a first-class one by the aid of cushions, but even then there was considerable grumbling amongst the passengers, who could barely find.standing room. .

The Premier Before His Constituents.

The Hon. John Hall, Premier of the New Zealand Government, addressed his constituents last night, at Leeston, in the Public Hall, Mr. Bluett presiding. The Premier, after tendering his recent illness as an apology for not addressing the electors at an earlier date, and plead ing want of time for omitting to apeak in other parts of the electoral district, went on to deal with such questions as were of local importance. He complimented his constituents on their considerate absten tion from clamour for -public works; in this they had shown a good example to other districts in these times of financial difficulty, when the public exchequer was so exceedingly low. This want of funds interfered to such a great extent with the carrying on of public works that his Go vernment would find it impossible to con struct a bridge over the Rakaia at Deb bie’s Ford, however much it was his wish and the wish of the district that such a structure should be erected. The under taking may, however, be provided for if the Selwyn and Ashburton Councils ob tain liberty to lease the tolls for a given number of years. In that case some en terprising person may be found to build the bridge. If that, were desired he would do his best to aid the Councils in obtain ing the necessary authority. THE RAKAIA BRIDGE AND PROTECTIVE WORKS. The next question, gentlemen, is one which very seriously affects the occupiers and cultivators of land in the southern parts of the district, namely, the extent to which the present railway works at the south side of the Rakaia bridge are said to be endangering the protective works put up on the north bank of that river. A strong opinion is ■ entertained that the partial embankment across the river does great mischief to the works you have erected" to protect the district from en croachment. I havd examined the place, and, as far as I can judge, being a layman, that opinion is a correct one ; but the railway engineers, having been asked to consider the matter, gave it as their opinion that this work does not interfere with the protective works on this side. I found the best that can be done for your interests was this : To induce the Govern ment to agree that they shall appoint one engineer, that the North Rakaia Board of Conservators appoint another engineer, arid that these two appoint a third, to re port together upon the work and say whether any wrong is being done to the district or not. lam glad to be able to say that the Minister for Public Works has agreed to the course I proposed, and proceedings to that end will be taken without the least possible delay. We shall then ascertain, from an independent and impartial ftribunal, whether some altera tion of the present work is necessary or whether it is not. And I hope, gentle men, you will admit that, under all the circumstances, I have done my best for you in that respect. THE THAMES CONSTITUENCY. Sir George Grey called the Selwyn a rotten borough.' Sir Geoi’ge represents the Thames district. Comparisons are odious, but they are sometimes useful. It was my duty in the House of Representa tives to throw some light on the electoral roll for the Thames, and this is the result of the analysis I obtained, which has never been contradicted, and cannot be : —The electoral roll of the Thames at the time I speak of comprised 4,446 electors, being more than the whole of the male population of the district. But, of these people who were on that roll, 52 were dead, 262 were twice on the roll, 118 were three times on the roll, 699 were absent, 400 could not be found out by the gentle man who sent me this, and who knows the place thoroughly—(laughter), —850 were not properly qualified, 56 had no qualifi cation at all, 16 natives were twice on the roll, and 12 natives whose names appeared on the roll were dead. Now, I think if one of us represents a rotten borough it is not myself. sir George’s log-rolling. The constituents composing a rotten borough always expect certain benefits. If you look at the address of Sir George Grey to the electors of the Thames, you will find a column and a half devoted to a statement of what he had obtained for the district—such as harbor works, the high school, the railway, and other things. I have not found it necessary to speak to you in this way. I have told you candidly that some of your wants under more favorable circumstances might be con sidered, but under existing circumstances they could not be entertained. Ido not think it was wise for Sir G. Grey to pro voke a comparison between the two con stituences. . UNDER OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES.

Sir George said at Christchurch that you are a few farmers in an obscure country village. That is the way he has of speaking of anybody who crosses his path at all, and you have so far done this as to have elected a man to represent you who has been instrumental in turning him out of office. That is why he speaks of you in that contemptuous manner. His tune would have been widely different had you elected a supporter of Sir G. Grey. This would then have been the finest dis trict in the whole of New Zealand—you would have been the most enlightened and intelligent body of electors he had

ever met with—and Leeston, instead of being an obscure country village, would have been a great centre of political in telligence, from which benefits without number would have flowed throughout the whole of New Zealand. He would not even stop there. Tlie interest which Sir George Grey would have taken in your children would have been perfectly mar vellous. He would tell you that he never had observed such interesting children before ; that your sons would be elected Governors of the colony in the future, and that your daughters were the most perfect ladies he had ever met with. That is what Sir George Grey would have said if you had elected—well, Mr. Gammack, for instance. THE COLONY’S FINANCE. Speaking of the ordinary revenue and expenditure, we found a deficiency on the Ist of July last of L 1.00,000 ; but ’..for the subsequent financial period in which we then were the revenue of New Zealand, fairly estimated, fell short of the necessary expenditure by a sum of not less than LBOO,OOO ; that is to say, nearly at the rate of L2 per head for every man, woman, and child in New Zealand. Members of the late Government said that the present Treasurer took an unnecessarily gloomy view of our position, and that in point of fact the revenue would be much larger than estimated, and the expenditure much less. But at the end of the nine months for which the accounts are made up, signed, and printed, it appears that the deficiency is greater by L 280,000 than was originally estimated by Major Atkinson. redistribution. We hope to introduce at an early period of the session a Bill for the Redistribution of Seats. (Applause.) The existing dis tribution has become unfair, ‘through 1 the growth of population being greater! in some parts of the colony than in others. This unfairness is especially felt in the Canterbury district and in Otago. The first consideration in the allotment 1 of representatives will be population, but it will not be by any means the only con sideration. (Applause.) We think that other things should be taken into con sideration also ; for instance, the per manency of the population—whether it is of a really settled character or not. The question of contribution to the re venue should have something to do with the matter, and the facilities any particu lar district may have for making its, in fluence felt in Parliament and by the Go vernment, should also be taken into con sideration. After carefully weighing all these points we shall lay before Parliament proposals for redistributing the represen tation in a manner which, while doing justice to those districts that are now in sufficiently represented, will, I trust, not do injustice to any part of the colony. licensing. We have a Bill prepared, which, while dealing very strictly with everything of the nature of abuse, will not treat respectable licensed publicans as if they were neces sarily criminals. (Applause.) As to local option, what we believe, is a fair proposal is this—that with respect to all new licenses, residents or ratepayers in the dis trict shall be at liberty to give/a veto ; but we do not think it reasonable that such a principle should apply to licenses that have been continued for any amount of time, and with respect to houses well managed, and in the hands of respectable persons. At. any rate we do not think the application of the principle would be reasonable unless there was compensation, which we do not see our way to provide.

The Premier was accorded with cheers, a vote of confidence.

Ashburton Steeplechases.

The following entries were received by the Committee last night : ASHBURTON HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE. Mr. R. Mclvor’s Grey Momus Mr. R. Mclvor’s Loch Lomond Mr„ W. H. Hankin’s Magic Mr. A. W. Dillon’s Micky Free Mr. G. Dancell’s The Lad Mr. P. Butler’s Stella Mr. P. Husband’s Raven Mr. J. H. Lunn’s Fakir. DISTRICT HANDICAP. Mr. J. Holmes’ Sir George Mr. G. Dancell’s The Lad Mr. H. Primmer’s Jack (late Spider) Mr. George Willeock’s Deceiver Mr. P. Husband’s Raven Mn H. Muir’s Tam o’Slianter. WAKANUI STAKES. Mr. R. Mclvor’s Grey Momus Mr. P. Butler’s Stella Mr. J. H. Lunn’s Fakir. farmers’ steeplechase. Mr. J. Holmes’ Sir George Mr. H. Primmer’s Jack Mr. G. Wilcock’s Deceiver Mr. H. Muir’s Tam o’Shanter. It was resolved to accept Mr. F. LeSeur’s offer to work the totalisator on the ground for half the commission.

THE PARIHAKA MEETING.

Interpretations of Te Whiti’s Speech [by TELEGRAPH.] Hawera, May 21.

The meanings given by the natives of Te Whiti’s statements at the Parihaka meeting are conflicting. Some say he refers to swamps as the impediments to the roads meeting. Those more in the prophet’s confidence say his words have no reference to the actual road now being made, the word road being only used on a metaphor to signify the paths of the two races, the policy or interests of ilie races being two ends that cannot meet at the same time. Te Whiti strictly enjoins peace and good-will to all men and no in terference with road parties, nor other works in progress. It is also said by some of the natives that he forbids any more whares being erected to seaward of the reserves.

The Vicksburg Herald tells of a negro with heels on eacli end of his feet.

A young lady, a member of a temper ance society, says cider is a necessity for her, and if the society will not allow her to drink it, she’ll eat apples and get some young man to squeeze her, for she can’t do without the juice of the apple. Poor Ireland.— The Pope has been informed that three-fourths of the agita tion in Ireland is due to the spirit of Socialism, and he has enjoined the Irish bishops to be careful lest, while relieving distress, they should play into the hands of those who are working for political objects.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[Per Reuter's Agency.) The Markets.

London, May 19.

Three per cent, consols 99$ ; Adelaide wheat, per 4961 b ., ex warehouse, 535. 6d ; flour per 2801 b., ex warehouse, 38s. ; pig iron, 51s. ; leather lljd. At the wool sales to-day 10,200 bales were offered, making a total of 235,700 bales catalogued since the opening. The tone of the sale was dull. The Brindisi Mails. The John Elder has arrived with the mails via Brindisi, which were delivered in London to-day. Beaeonsfield on his Defeat. London, May 20. A meeting of the Conservative party was held to-day, at which Earl Beacons field made a speech. H's Lordship referred to the result of the elections, and said he could only attribute the defeat of Conservatism to a desire felt by the electors for a change of Ministry. He stated he would retain the leadership of his party, and advocated a dignified oppo sition to the Liberals and the formation of proper local Conservative organisations throughout the country. Earl Carnavon, who resigned his position in the late Ministry in 1878 in consequence of its Eartern policy, was present at the meet ing. The Melbourne Exhibition. Paris, May 20.

The war ship Finisterre has sailed for Melbourne with French exhibits for the forthcoming exhibition. Shipping Casualty. ■Valparaiso, May 19.

The ship Antipodes has put in here in a leaky state, and has had to discharge cargo. Repairs are being effected.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Reuter's Telegrams.) Discovery of Tin in Queensland. Sydney, May 20. Another discovery of tin has been made near Thornborough, in Queensland, but the exact locality is at present kept secret. The San Francisco Mail- Sailed—The City of Sydney, for Auck land. Disturbances over the Coal Strike. Sydney, May 21. Disturbances are reported from the Newcastle district, owing to the strike. Two hundred women and crowds of children mobbed some of the miners at the Australian Agricultural Company’s mine. The police were powerless to sup press the outbreaks. Nobody was seri ously injured during the disturbance, but a repetition of the mobbing is threatened. A Deposit Wanted. A clause has been introduced into the Electoral Bill now before the Assembly, which requires candidates for election to deposit L4O. Mr. Service’s Reform Bill. Melbourne, May 20. Mr. Service, on introducing his Bill for the reform of the Constitution, entered into an exhaustive history of colonial re forms, and expressed his approval of the 60th clause of the Constitution Act being excised. The speech made a most favor able impression. The Victorian Reform Bill- Melbourne, May 21. Mr. Service’s Reform Bill was' read a first time in the Assembly last night, with out a division. The debate on the second reading will commence on Tuesday. The Imperilled Islanders. Brisbane, May 20. The steamer Leichardt has rescued all the Europeans and 93 Islanders who were on board the labor schooner from Noumea, wrecked on Saumarex reef. Seven Island ers were drowned while attempting to reach the boats, from the vessel after she struck.

NEW ZEALAND.

Breach of Bailway i By-laws. Auckland, May 21. At the Police Court, yesterday, James Johnston, for commuting a breach of the railway regulations by getting on a train whilst in motion, was fined ss. and costs. -Serious Charges. Serious charges are being made against the management of the Industrial Home. Several leading members of the old Com mittee write, charging the master and matron with neglect and irregularity. An inquiry is pending. Fire Brigade Enterprise. : . The Fire Brigade have sent to England for an electric telegraph aparatus. Fraudulent Practices. Several fresh cases of forging and utter ing, and salting customs invoices are still under consideration. The Crown Solicitor caused the goods to be seized by the Customs authorities. Bise and Fa V- The Golden Crown shares suddenly rose to 21s. yesterday, in consequence of it being reported that new discoveries had taken place. They fell again to-day to 16s. Another Fire. A five occurred in Ford’s tailors shop, in Queen street early this morning, caused through ignited cinders failing on the floor. The fire was promptly extinguished, and the damage done was very slight. Wheat Burned. Napier, May .21. A threshing machine, owned by Messrs. Wfctford and Hislop, and six stacks of wheat and oats, belonging to the natives, were burned to day at Kohuputika, near this town. The total damage is about LBOO. The machine was insured for L2OO with the New Zealand Company. A Young Ploughman. The A. and P. Association’s Ploughing Match and Grain and Foal Show at Hastings yesterday was very successful as far as the ploughing was concerned, but there were few entries for grain or roots. In the dcmble-furrow ploughing class, the first prize was taken by John Ramsay, a youth under 16 sjears of age, against eight adult competitors. Another Victim.

Henry Nicholls, formerly a storekeeper in the country, committed suicide yester day at Waipawa, by shooting himself with a revolver. For some days he has been in a state of delirium tremens, and he had previously made several attempts to kill himself by cutting his throat and jumping down a well. In consequence of these at tempts to kill himself, he was arrested by the police, and was yesterday charged at Waipawa Court with lunacy. Dr. Todd, of Hawera, declared that Nicholls was

not insane, but was merely suffering from the effects of drink, and he was accord ingly . released. He then went to the post office, and thence home, where he shot himself; within two hours of his dis charge from custody. Another old settler, Henry M‘Dougall, is feared to have been drowned. He went out to muster sheep, but after several days his dogs returned. A search party have discovered M‘Dougall’s tracks lead ing to the Tntaekuri river. / A Land Slip. Wellington, May 21. Owing to heavy rains a land slip occurred on the Featherston railway line yesterday, and communication was interrupted till this morning. ' Te Whiti doming to his Senses. A telegram has been received by Go vernment to-day from Mr. Parris to the effect that Te Whiti has issued orders that the whare building by natives on disputed territory is to be discontinued forthwith, and and no more ivhares undertaken. A Bankrupt In Trouble. Dunedin, May 21. At the City Court yesterday, John Sel kirk Capstick, who had recently been in business as a hotelkeeper, and had filed his schedule, at Wanganui, was charged upon a warrant issued at that place with having failed to deliver up to the trustee in his estate his bank book and cash book. Capstick was remanded, to appear on the 29th instant, at Wanganui. In asking for bail, the prisoner mentioned that his books had been destroyed by a fire which had burnt his premises. Bail was allowed in prisoner’s own recognisances of LIOO, and two sureties of LSO each. i The Fraudulent Clergyman. ■ Letters have been received by Arch deacon Edwards, from the Bishops of Carlisle and Aberdeen, in reply to in quiries addressed to them regarding the quondam clergyman, who was recently convicted of forgery. The letters con clusively prove that the testimonials pro duced by Graves were forgeries, and also that he was ordained as deacon in the diocese of Carlisle on letters dismissory from the Bishop of Aberbeen. He was subsequently committed on two charges-of forgery at Home, and for the second he was convicted and imprisoned with hard labor.

Sir G- Grey at Invercargill. Invercargill, May 21. Sir George Grey had a splendid recep tion at the railway station last evening, the crowd followed him to the Club Hotel. At 8 the Drill Shed was crowded, 1500 at least being present. Sir George spoke on education, taxation, the withdrawal of subsidies, immigration, Christchurch elec tion, an elective Governor, the Auckland compact, the abolition of the Legislative Council, and the establishment of one Chamber, the same as the Provincial Council, Native Lands, and .district rail ways. He spoke even better than on former occasions, and was listened to with rapt attention. He received frequent ap plause, particularly when he condemned the Property Tax, as a class tax, and because it touched im provements. The propesal to suspend the education vote he characterised as an increase of the people’s burdens, and nationally a retrograde step. The begin ning and conclusion of the address were loudly cheered. Henry Feldwick, late M.H. R., in a few remarks (in which he traced the whole disasters of the Grey party in 1879 to members being misled by the cry, “ We are all Liberals, but object to Sir George Grey,” a cry similarly raised in the colony during the subsequent election), moved—“ That the meeting thanks Sir George Grey for his address, and declares the continuance of the utmost confidence in him as leader of the Liberal party in New Zealand.” PeterDalrymple, President of the Liberal Reform Associa tion, seconded the motion, which was cai’ried unanimously. Sir George’s Movements. Sir George left this morning, per Ex press, for Dunedin. He will probably speak at Timaru on Monday, returning to Dunedin on Tuesday. Wanted to Speak. A telegraphic requisition, on foot now, will be forwarded to the Premier, Mr. Hall to-day, asking him to address the electors of Southland.

A Railway that Hangs Fire. On dit that, owing to Government not taking over the Waimea District Railway, the opening is likely to be indefinitely postponed.

Loss of a Cutter, with all hands. Bluff, May 21. A csstter, supposed to be the Ariel, foundered during the night on the outer Sandspit, three-quarters of a mile east of the Pilot Station. The pilot boat went off, but did nothing, owing to the heavy sea. All hands on the cutter are sup posed to be lost. The vessel was held on the Spit by anchors. Her mast was gone.

THE STORY-TELLER.

THE TWO LANDLORDS.

(From the Agricultural Gazette.) CONTINUED.

“ Fill my jug Mrs. Crockit,” said the gardener, and then addressing Sam, after looking at him for some time, he invited him to cross over and sit by his side. “ Come here ! ” said the gardener. Sam crossed the room and stood before his friend, and gave him his jug, and the gardener returned the compliment and gave his jug to Sam, and then the gardener spoke in solemn tones. Fixing his eyes on Sam, he said, “ Come here ! ”

“ I am here, John.” “Yes, you are; I see you are,” said the gardener. “lean see your beloved face, my friend, especially your nose. I can feel you with my mug, Sam, so ! I am glad we are both where we are. This morning I was in a place I hates.” “ I know you were,” said Sam, who knew the circumstances of a case before the magistrates in which the gardener had been too deeply interested. His daughter, a pretty and rather flighty girl, much given to extravagance in dress, had pur loined some trifling article from her mis tress. The gardener had attended the bench, and hence the tone of his reflec tions, and hence, perhaps, the several pots of beer in which he had endeavored to drown his grief. “ I hate a court of justice,” he con tinued. “I hates the buzz, and I hates the hum and the turning over this and that and crying ‘ Order ! ’ Eh ? I hates it, and I’m glad I’m here.” The company assured the gardener they were glad to see him. He haci opened his heart as wide as the company seemed to expect.

THE ASHBURTON HERALD, FRIDAY, MAY ar, 1880.



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 Emtok. Miscellaneous TO LET. Ct IX-ROOMED COTTAGE, with half- Apply, rvn-o v on 44p c ORR & CO. CHRISTMAS Number Young Ladies’ Journal, London Journal, I aniily Herald, Family Reader, Boys’ Standard, &c. Just arrived. H, M. Jones, Sta tioner, Baring Square.



Miscellaneous LOST. —A Meerschaum PIPE. Finder rewarded at this office. 4/8c LOST— TEN YOUNG PIGS, just weaned. Anyone giving R. Lan caster their whereabouts will be re warded. Anyone detaining the same after this notice will be prosecuted. 451 c OMFORTABLE BOARD and RESI DENCE, or Two good Rooms in a Private House, can be had by applying in the first instance at Mr. Savage’s Fruit Shop, East street. 483 c CIOHOOL Requisites and Artist M »fce rials. H. M. JONES, Statio ler, Baring Square. WANTED KNOWN—That C. Haw kins, The Tinwald Bootmaker, has REMOVED to premises Opposite the Tinwald Post Office, where he is still open to Sell first-class Boots and Shoes at his usual Cheap Rates. All kinds of Boots Made and Repaired. 805 g 417 c WANTED— TENDERS for CROP PING 25 acres, adjoining Chertsey Railway Station. Tenders close FRIDAY, May 28th. Specifications on application to 479 c JAS. BORTHWICK. WANTED TRADESMEN’S or other Books or Writing to do by contract or otherwise as evening employment. For particulars of competency and experience, address “ Nib,” Post Office. 484 c CHINIQUY’S LECTURES.—Just Ar rived, New Edition H; M. Jones, aring Square. OFFICE and Pocket Diaries for 1880 H. M. Jones, Stationer, Baring Square. o-g A AAOI TO LEND, in sums to suit borrowers, at lowest rate of interest. F. P. O’Reilly, Solicitor, Ashburton. 424c-835g WANTED,, at once, a HOUSEMAID, for a Country Hotel. Apply sharp, Herald Registry. ANTED, a General SERVANT. Apply at once to Guardian office or to Mrs. M'Kellar Wix, St. Leonards, Sea field. 470c-BG5g IT is only a Penny, is to be got every where in Town, along the Railway line, and of Country Agents. FORMS PRINTED —“To Let” and “ For Sale ” —can be obtained at the Herald Office. WANTED Known, the “ Ashburton Herald ” circulates throughout the Provincial District of Canterbury. ASHBURTON LIBRARY. ALL PERSONS having BOOKS in their possession belonging to the above Library are requested to RETURN them immediately. H. C. JACOBSON, Hon. Sec. . 481 c



QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY. TRIP TO SEABEACH, via WAKA NUI. PRICE’S BUS, drawn by five horse 3, will leave Friedlander’s corner, on MONDAY Morning, at 9.30, carrying passengers to the Beach, returning at 5.30 p.m. Return tickets, 2s. Gd. each. 485 c mO LET—OAKLEY FARM, Orari § (late Mrs. Arenas’), for a term of ten years.. For further particulars apply to F. LeCREIV, Esq., Timaru, Or to - FRANCIS ARENAS, Temuka, Or to FRIEDLANDER BROS., 87Gg "• Ashburton.



A SPLENDID CHANCE. TO LET, for a term of Fifteen Years — 1000 Acres of LAND, situated North Rangitata, in one or more lots. Four Shillings an Acre for the first five years. Valuation will be given for improve ments at the expiration of lease, if ap proved of. For further particulars apply to FRXEDLANDER BROS., 8770 Ashburton.



LOOK OUT FOR LANCASTER’S CART. FOR CASH. ON AND AFTER MONDAY NEXT. BEEF ... ... 2d, 3d, and 4d, per lb. LEGS MUTTON 3d „ FORE-QUARTERS MUTTON ljd ~ TTTAVING secured the Principal lines of Fat Stock in the Ashbui'ton district, from John Grigg, Esq., and Chalmers Bros., there can be no doubt of the excellent quality of the meat supplied. ALL KINDS OF SMALL GOODS DE LIVERED AS PER ORDER. THE TRADE SUPPLIED AT 20s. PER lOOlbs. 482 c R. LANCASTER,