SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE

PORT OF LYTTELTON.

Lyttelton. March 17. Arrived —Kiwi, Jane Bouglas, and Grafton, steamers from Wellington, and the ship British Empire, from Auckland.

COMMERCIAL.

MAIL NOTICES

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at 10.20 a.m. 4.30 p.m., and 8 p.m., daily. For Chertsey at 10.20 a.m daily. For Ralcaia.&t 10.20 a.m and 4.30 p.m daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald Winslow, Hmds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.20 a.m, daily. For Temuka. Timaru, and South at 10.20 a. and 3.30 p.m daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10.30 a.m t For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at b. 15 p.m. daily. For Wakanui and Seafield, on Mondays and Thursdays, 7-3° p.m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1880.

At the recent quarterly Licensing Court the Sergeant of Police reported on the manner in which the licensed houses were conducted, which report in the main was satisfactory. He, however, took occasion in that report to point out instauces re quiring the attention of the Commis sioners. One of them was a hotel which he alleged had been made the rendezvous of dissipated men, not that these men congregated in the house, but round about it, and some time ago, a man had died drunk in the near vicinity of the house. The Commissioners refused to pay any at tention to this part of the report, and an nounced their intention of dealing only with complaints that were founded on cases already heard in the„R._M..HouJ&-» lor aruHken men, unless a charge to that effect had been substantiated under the Act, and tney denied their power to punish an offender. The Commissioners are of course entitled to grant or refuse licenses as may seem fit to them, and they may accept or reject evidence as to the character of a house. But when they as sign a reason for their conduct, that reason is open to criticism. With the par ticular case in which they refused to hear the sergeant’s complaints we are not now dealing, and are quite willing to allow that they were perfectly justified in not taking any action ; but we would point out a case reported in the “Press” of this morning in connection with the sitting of the Rangiora Bench, in which a similar report to that of the sergeant was at least received. The paragraph we quote runs as follows :—ln reference to the com plaint of the police against the licensee of the Red Lion Hotel, Mr. Greeson, who appeared, hoped the Commissioners would not be influenced by the vague accusations of the police to the effect that drunken men had been seen about, for the best proof that they had been so seen would have been their conviction before the Bench. The hotel was one of the best conducted in town, and it was unfair that the licensee should be complained of. The chairman pointed out that the licensee must be held responsible for the proper order of his house and premises, and warned him not to allow drunken persons to remain about. This shows at all events that the sergeant was not stepping out of the bounds of custom when he re ported that drunken men congregated near a licensed house, and it shows cer tainly a strange want of uniformity when such a report can be accepted in one place and not in another. We can easily fancy a house conducted in a very questionable fashion, and yet the licensee be able to escape a conviction before a Resident Magistrate.

Till Robbery. —A man named Wilson, who bears eleven names besides, as he finds occasion to use them, was committed for trial by the R.M. at Christchurch for robbing a shopkeeper’s till.

Outside Advertising. —A woman named Faith Gibson has been sentenced to a month’s imprisonment for stealing goods exposed outside a draper’s shop in Christ church. The Magistrate commented strongly on the practice of exposing goods outside shops—thus placing temptation in people’s way.

New Paper in Christchurch. —A new evening paper started, we believe, by several employees of the “Press” office, is to appear in Christchurch, on Saturday. There is some some talk that a morning paper will probably follow from the same office.

Turf Trophies.— Several English race cups were recently sold by auction, among them the Brighton Cup of 1850 ; her Majesty’s Gold Vase, given at the Ascot meeting of 1855; and the Chesterfield Cup (Goodwood meeting) of 1835. The cups were of magnificent workmanship. Only moderate prices realised. Illegal Travelling. A man and woman got into a first-class carriage on the Lyttelton line, and travelled between that station and Christchurch. Their tickets were second-class ones, and the

guard of course objected. Besides, they were drunk. They have been fined 50s. each, or 14 days in gaol. A Failure. — An inebriate retreat es tablished in Adelaide a year or two ago has not been an unmixed success. The receipts last year were LBOO less than the expenditure, and although a certain number of drunkards bad been kept sober for a limited period, the return under the head of decided cures is very meagre.

A Big Diamond.— The story comes from Parteall, India, where diamonds are usually found—Golconda being the place where they are merely cutand polished—that the largest diamond in the world has lately been discovered there. It is said to weigh more than 400 carats, 33 carats more than the famous stone belonging to the Rajah of Mattau. Bis Dat, Qui Cito Dat.— Mr. George Cates is announced as purposing to give a lecture on ‘ 1 the Abolition of the Bank ruptcy Laws ” in the Town Hall on- an early date, the proceeds of which will be devoted to charitable objects, and. we as sume that the quotation with which the advertisement is headed is intended foi a spur to public benevolence— 1 “ He gives twice who gives quickly. ” Anyhow . the subject he has undertaken to handle is a very ponderous one, and a lecturer equal to the task of showing us how we are to get along without bankruptcy laws must be a very valiant and a vevy clever man. We shall not feel the loss of a great Liberal champion if we have amongst us a re former equal to wiping such a great blot from our statute book as Mr. Cates ap pears to consider the Bankruptcy Laws. , Dog Registrars. —In the “ Gazette of March 11th, Mr. 0. J. W. Cookson has been gazetted dog registrar for the Mount Somers district, and Mr. W. B. Compton for Mount Hutt. Reserve Tested.—Section -No. (Tinwald), containing 20 acres, has been vested by proclamation in the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association (in corporated). . . , ~ Stock. Sale. —At the usual fortnightly sale yesterday there was a bettei atten dance, and more entries than at any sale for ' the past 12 months. Sheep show a considerable improvement in prices and are in demand. Cattle are still very low and purchasers shy of bidding. A lot of fine young draught horses from Wanganui were held over till Saturday’s sale. Longbeaoh Road Roard. —A special meeting of the Longbeach Road Board was held at the office on Monday.afternoon, to consider the question of dividing the dis tricts into legally constituted wards. As only three members were present, and it was reported that a strong feeling existed among the ratepayers against, the proposed alteration, the members decided to post poned the consideration of the subject. The tender of of Patrick Tully for claying Ford’s road was accepted, and the Board adjourned. Brown Paper against the Cold.— Ihe <£ Lancet” points out that stout brown paper of the commonest sort is an effec tive non-conductor, and may be most advantageously employed as covering for beds or to eke out scanty clothing. If this were generally known among the poor, strong sheets of thick paper would be stiched to the back of ragged quilts, with the result of rendering many a poor family comfortable, because better protected . .feom_ik e vM^teliix§^flitli < t!fie a'waist coat, or in the back of a thin coat, will render it warm as well as light. The sug gestion is a small one, but it is simple to carry into effect, and will be found effec tive.

St. Patrick’s Day. —To-day has been obsei vecl by all good Irishmen as the day sacred to the honor of their patron saint, and a good trade in green ribbon has been done by the drapers. Larceny of a Tether Hope. —Philip

Crumb and John Miles were charged at the Court to-day, before his Worship the Mayor, with the theft yesterday evening of a tether rope. A remand was asked for till Priday by Sergeant Pratt, which was granted, bail in L2O each prisoner being allowed, with one surety of L2O. Vagrancy.— To-day, his Worship the Mayor sent a man named John Hunter to gaol for a month, with hard labor for vagrancy. The evidence adduced went to show that Hunter had been continually drunk for a fortnight, and had been loaf ing about town asking people for money and drinks. He was in “the horrors” when arrested. Accused said he had paid all he owed where he had been living. His Worship in passing sentence, said it was evident the man was not then in a healthy state.

Infant Mortality.— Dr. Drysdale said lately that whereas the death-rate among English infants of the comfortable class is 80 per 1000, in cities such as Liverpool and Manchester it is 240 per 1000, in some places even 300, and in Berlin it actually reaches 500. Indigence is the main cause, he thinks.

A Valuable Situation. —An institu tion in London lately advertised for a secretary at a salary of L3OO per annum, and among the applicants were two mem bers of Parliament, 25 clergymen, and 73 retired military and naval officers, besides a large number of ordinary persons, the applicants amounting altogether to over 300.

A Smart Trick. —Although the race may not always be to the swift, yet occa sionally the competitor who is at once most ingenious and energetic wins very satisfactorily. A short time since it ap pears that two Americans quitted Minnea polis by the same train for a district near Sioux Falls. Their object was identical— they were rival claimants to a piece of land; and each held a deed of such a nature that the first recorded would entitle the holder to permanent possession. It was accordingly expected by those who were watching the contest that when the train containing the pair of would-be landowners reached its destination there would be a sharp run for the Government agent’s office. In this, however, they were disappointed, one of the parties to the contract being a much cleverer man than his friends had suspected As the carriages approached the city this worthy, moving from one car to another, suddenly jumped upon the engine, and, slipping the coupling that connected it with its load, left the train to take care of itself, and dashed into the station. In vain was it attempted to dislodge him ; he held on until the town was reached, when, sliding off the locomotive, he made a dash for the office, recorded his title, and entered upon his property, while his rival was waiting in the train on the line, discomfited and out-manoeuvred.

Tub Electoral Rolls. —The Gazette ■just receive* 1 , announces the Ist of May as the elate by which all electoral rolls made after the passing of the Electoral Acts Re peal Act, 1879, must come into force. A Whistling Buoy has been placed on the North-east Goodwin Sands by the Trinity House. The corporation intends to experiment with it so as to ascertain its capabilities in warning off sandbanks or dangerous coasts. The buoy is similar to the ordinary conical one, except that about three feet from the top it is made flat. On this are fastened two small tubes, through which the air passes into the m terior, and between these a large whistle is fixed. Around the whole is a handrail, and two steps are placed, so that the top may be reached from a boat for painting, repairing, and other purposes ; there is also a man-hole. To the bottom of .the cone a large iron tube, about 20 feet long and between six. feet and seven feet in circumference, is attached. When in use, more especially in a heavy sea, the wind which passes down the two small tubes is forced out through the whistle by the perpetual movement of the buoy. The noise, it is expected, will be so great that it will be heard for miles. A Curious Exhibition of Singing Birds has recently been held at Turin. Only canaries were allowed to compete, and fifty-four couples were placed in cages on a platform gaily decorated for the oc casion. In the course of the afternoon the jury arrived who were to put them “ through their paces,” and the trial com menced. Some sang in time, others stood on- one leg at the command of their owners, while others, again, engaged in a nr vnic fight on a given signal. The eventual prize winners, however, were those that had been taught the more useful art of adroit flattery, five birds who, whether motu proprio or from their instructors’ hints, managed to gravely salute the members of the jury, being decreed gold medals of the first-class. The Guernsey is the latest novelty in female dress. It fits the figure to perfec tion, is made of silk tissue, and has no seams. It is laced at the back, and moulds the bust and hips without a wrinkle, much in the style of the Renaissance bodies of yore. In Paris it is called the “ Veronese Cuirass.” A very popular one is made of dark myrtle-green silk. Round'the hips there is a band of plush of the same shade of myrtle-green, and this band is fastened at the hack with a chased silver buckle. The sleeves are green satin, ornamented with plush bracelets, fastened with small silver buckles. The skirt consists of tunic of shawl-patterned material, called “ Hin doo woollen,” and it is bordered with a wide band of myrtle plush. This tunic is draped on the left hip ; the skirt is myrtle green satin, and two plaitings of the same are visible on the left side, where the tunic is looped up. At the back the woollen tunic, bordered with plush, is draped on the skirt. The Bedlington Terrier.—Though

the breed may not be so popular as others with “ cloggy ” men throughout the coun try, it is nevertheless certain that in its own district its merits meet with due recogni tion. In Newcastle and its environs almost every man has a “poop,” and that “ poop ” is certain almost to be a Bedling (on. Jn the company of his trusty tyke, the miner when .off duty is supremely

frequently drink together; it is no un common sight to enter the tap-room of a north country public house and see as many dogs as men in the room, and all equally interested in the even ing’s proceedings. The greatest insult which can be put upon such a master is a reflection upon his dog’s appearance or gameness ; and as for illtreating them, a stranger had better injure “ Geordie ” than hurt his dog. “If thau pooncb ma dog ’arl poonch thee ” is proof of the miner’s love for his Bedlington, and is no uncommon threat,, in the neighborhoods where this breed is mostly found.—From “The Book of the Dog” for January. New Musical Journal.— One of the French deportes, recently landed at Auck land, Mr. F. O. Oalleau, intends publish ing there a new musical journal with the title of “ The New Zealand Muse.” Sheehan v. Bryce. —The Hon John Sheehan, ex-Native Minister, at a banquet in Auckland on Tuesday, paid a high com pliment to the honesty and ability of the Hon. Mr. Bryce as a politician, and ex-

pressed his belief that Mr. Bryce was fully able to cope with the Waimate difficulty.

A Journey Across the Sahara.—A letter written by the African traveller Gerhard Rohefs from Benghazi gives some particulars of a remarkable journey per formed across part of the great desert of Sahara by himself and his companion, Dr. Stecker, who, it will be remembered, were plundered by one of the native tribes and compelled for the time to give up their intention of pushing on further into the interior of the continent. The travel lers started from Baltifal, the most southern of the springs of Cyrenacica, and had to reach Taiserbo, the most northern oasis of Kufra. The distance between these two places is 220 English miles, and there is not a drop of water to be had along the whole of the route between them. The two German explorers performed the distance in 108 hours, The had no sleep on the journey of four days and four nights. The travellers did the journey partly on camels and partly by walking on foot, and safely reached the springs of Taiserbo after being four days and a half constantly in motion. Lifeboat Services in 1879.—During the last year 637 lives were rescued by the boats of the National Lifeboat Institution, and twenty-one vessels saved from des truction. In the same period the institu tion granted rewards fo: saving 218 lives by fishing and other boats, making a total of 855 lives saved mainly through its in strumentality. Altogether, since its for mation, the society has contributed to the saving of 26,906 shipwrecked persons. It may also be mentioned that during the past two years the institution has not lost a single life from its 269 boats. The largest ferry-boat in the world has recently commenced its work of transport ing passengers and freight across the Straits of Corquinez, between Port Costa and Benicia. It is 424 feet long, with an extreme width of 116 feet, and the engines are capable of developing a power of 2,000 horses. The Solano, as the boat is named, has four lines of metals extend ing fore and aft, on which she can accommo date 48 freight waggons or 24 passenger carriages of the largest size. The vessel is not only the largest ferry-boat, but in some respects is a unique specimen of modern naval architecture.

Down a Well.— On Tuesday John Thomas, aged nine years, while drawing up a bucket of water at a well in Waterloo Quadrant, Auckland, fell down it a dis tance of eighty feet. He was uninjured, and while being drawn up he lost his hold forty feet from the top, and went down again. Ultimately he got out all right. °The En'd or His Tether. —At Timaru on Tuesday, Detective Kirby made a smart arrest of one Henry Thomas Head, who has been wanted since October, 1877, for the embezzlement of Ll5O belonging to Warnambool Building Society, in Victoria, of which he -was secretary. Head, since that date, has paid a visit to England, and arrived here about four months ago. Up to within a few days since he was librarian to the Timaru Mechanics’ Institute.

TELEGRAPHIC.

TO-DAY’S CABLEGRAMS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE

[Reuter's.) Arrivals in London. London, March 15

Arrived--Steamship Orient,, from Mel bourne ; Helen Denny, from Napier ; Timaru, from Port Chalmers. The Tire on Board the City of Sydney. London. March 16.

News have been received from San Francisco that the fire'which broke out on board the steamship City of Sydney while lying in dock, was speedily suppressed, and the vessel has sustained but little damage. Arrest of Nihilists in Russia. St. Petersburg, March 15.

A number of Socialists were holding a meeting to-day at Warsaw, when the police entered the house in which they •were assembled, and arrested sixteen of the number.

AUSTRALIAN.

( Reuter's Tcleg rams.) Governor Weld. Adelaide, March 15. Governor Weld, of Tasmania, has been appointed Governor of the Straits Settle ments. New Zealand Awards at the Exhibition. Sydney, March 17. The following further awards by the Ex hibition judges, are announced In hemp, Robertson, of Nelson, Ist. ; flax, Beaven, 2nd. ; Fulton, Blenheim, 3rd.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

I NTERPROV ! ? NCi AL.

St. Patrick’s Day. Auckland, March 17

The Catholic schools marched in proces sion to the Domain, headed by the band. Sports were held. The Native Lands Court. Judge Fenton, of the Native Land Court, goes to Taranaki to give evidence before the Royal Commission. Ministerial Movements- The Premier, accompained by Messrs. R. Macfarlane and Brett, yesterday visited the abbatoirs, waterworks, and asylum, ordering some alterations in the latter. The Cackle after th?

The reception of the carbine champion, Thomas, and the Thames representatives, took place last night. They were met on the wharf by 350 Volunteers with burn ing torches, and the champion was carried shoulder high to a carriage. There were four rows of flags and Chinese lanterns across the principal streets, while Greek fire was burned on all the principal edi fices. From the Bank of New Zealand there was a brilliant firework display. Thousands of people witnessed the de monstration, and the champion was pub licly welcomed by the Mayor. Cheers were given for champion, ex champion Gordon, Seaman, Parslaw, and Captain Wildman. The Wrong Place. Wellington, March 17. At the Magistrate’s Court this morning, Wakeford, proprietor of the Bank Hotel, was fined L 3 for selling spirituous liquors in the Arcade during young Scott’s walk. An Alleged Swindler. Timaru, Murch 17.

Henry Thomas Reid, ex librarian, of the Timaru Mechanics’ Institute, was remanded to gaol, to await his transfer to Victoria, on a charge of embezzling the funds of the Building Society of Warnam bool, where he was also Town Clerk. His identity was fully proved by a constable from Warnambool. Bail was refused.

LAST NIGHT’S CABLEGRAMS.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE {Reuter''s,) The Home Mails. London, March 15. The homeward mails via San Francisco were delivered in London on March 13th. Tallow.

Best Australian beef tallow, 355. to 365,

AUSTRALIAN.

{Reuter's). New Zealand at the Exhibition. Sydney, March 9. The following further awards by the judges at the International Exhibition have been announced to-day : —For ropes —The Auckland Factory, Ist prize ; Bovan, 2nd ; Harbutt, 3rd. The New Company. Melbourne, March 16. The Australian and Agricultural Com pany has been formed in Melbourne, and has purchased Mr. J, H. Clough’s busi ness. The New Programme. A Cabinet Council has been summoned for Monday for the consideration of new measures. The Australian Eleven Beaten. Adelaide, March 16. At the cricket match sixteen Adelaide players beat the Australian Eleven by 69 runs.

MOUNT SOMERS ROAD BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting was held in the office at Methven on Thursday, March 11th. Present.—Messrs. Jackson, Ailing ton, and Mr. E. Chapman (chairman). The overseer’s report was read, and consideration was deferred for a special meeting to be held on the 25th inst. A letter from the County Council was leceived, informing the Board that the

Council approved of the site chosen for a pound. A lettir was read from the Mount Somers Road Board, informing the Board that they had paid Cooper Bros, the sum of Ll9O 16s. Bd., for forming and shing ling the boundary road, and requesting the payment of half the cost of same. The overseer was instructed to write to the Mount Somers Road Board, informing them that this Board declines to pay the half until the contract is properly com pleted. The overseer was instructed to write to the overseer of the Mount Somers Board, requesting him to appoint a day on which to have the deficiencies pointed out to him. From the same, requesting this Board to pay a share of the cost of the bridge over the North Ashburton branch. Re solved—“ That the matter stand oyer until the special meeting for consideration by a full Board.” Resolved—“ That the Chairman should insure the Board’s buildings with the Union Fire and Marine Insurance Com pany, Christchurch, for the sum of L 600.”

Accounts were passed for payment to the amount of L 106145. 3d. The meeting then adjourned till the 25th inst., Thursday.

THE DUNEDIN TRAGEDY.

The Dunedin “ Herald ” thus describes Butler’s career, the man who has been arrested on suspicion of having murdered the Grant family He was in Pentridge when a boy, and was known to the police of Victoria for 13 years. He came to New Zealand and turned respectable, and having a good address and his antecedents being unknown, he was employed as Catholic teacher in one of the country districts. He rewarded the confidence which they had placed in him by robbing the priest of L6O. He then came to Dunedin and broke into a number of houses, and his career was ultimately checked by his being arrested, and he was sentenced to, we believe, five years imprisonment. He was liberated a few weeks ago, and appears,_ from the fact of having a loaded revolver in his possession, to have prepared himself for anotier career of crime. Butler was arrested about five miles on the Dunedin side of Moeraki. He was armed with a six chamber revolver, and had in his posses sion thirty or forty cartridges. When he saw the police he ran behind a flax bush and presented his revolver at them, but beyond this he made no attempt at resis tance. Butler is known to be a desperate criminal.

At the Dunedin police court on Tuesday morning, in the presence of a great crowd, the man Robt. Butler, alias Don nelly, alias Medway, alias Lee, was charged with the murder of Mr. and Mrs Grant and child on Sunday morning last, and remanded until Monday next. He is also charged with attempting to shoot the arresting constable, and Inspector Mallard intimated that there would probably be a third charge of arson or burglary at the house of Mr. Stamper, lawer, on Satur day morning. It appears that the pri soner, who had been recently discharged from gaol, had been lodging at the Scotia Hotel, within a few minutes’ walk of the occupy’fs is lodging on Friday or Saturday nights, but returned on Sunday morning within half an hour of the discovery of the murder, and after paying his bill he walked to Blueskin, changing his clothes by the way, and clipping off his mou staches. When arrested he had a loaded revolver and a number of cartridges, but was secured before he could use it. He is a small sharp looking man under thirty years of age.

THE YIELD OF GRAIN.

Now that the principal work of the farmer is in connection with the threshing and carting of his grain, we are enabled to form a more correct idea as to the yield per acre throughout the County, than by the guess-work process of a casual look and a rub at the ears. Taking it all through, we think that the large majority of farmers have good cause to be satisfied with their lot. Some have had blight and rust in their paddocks to rob them of a portion of their hard-earned crops, but, leaving these out of the question, the yields have as yet threshed out up to the average expected. The cry at present is for more engines and combines, as, although more of these are at woi’k this year than have hitherto been known. There are a huge number of stacks and a large quantity of grain in stook, which is awaiting the advent of the threshing ma chines. This is more particularly notice able in the swampy parts of Longbeach, where there have been some very heavy oat crops cut, and the farmers there will find some difficulty in carting the grain out of the soft land if they do not get rid of it before the winter sets in. The price at which oats are quoted now acts as a deterrent on the farmer being anxious to thresh, as the cost of that, of the cart age, and of the sacks, will almost absorb the market value of the grain. At Methven, a few days will finish all the stacking. Threshing has commenced, and the jdeids, so far, show a return on an average of about 28 bushels, and the new branch line is kept busy in conveying the produce to the main south railway. Some of the newer makes of combines are very highly spoken of by both the men working on them and by the farmers. A traction engine, lately purchased by Mr. Henry Moffat, does her work uncommonly well, and can shift her cumbrous load with the utmost ease, besides being able to turn on a much narrow'er radius than a two-horse dray could. We saw her working at Mr. Patterson’s farm, on the north bank of the river, and a return of bushels per acre of a splendid sample of vffieat was the record. Another new machine, owned by Messrs. J. Tucker and Co., has been credited with doing some big work, Mr. J. W. Mcßae being pilot of the ship, having given up cab driving for the nonce. This gang have been on some big farms—the Fairfield estate, Messrs. Woods, Mr. G. Parkin’s, and others—and the returns for wheat on these farms are from 15 to 24 bushels of firsts, the seconds being larger in propor tion this year on account of the rust. Barley has, as a rule, yielded well, and the samples are above the average. Oats have not been threshed out much as yet, farmers preferring to hold for a rise ; and in a good many cases we find farmers are rather reticent as to giving information regarding their crops.

THE STORY-TELLER.

BROOKLEBANK’S TENT.

A TALE OF UNFOUNDED ACCUSATION. After the departure of surly Fry I breathed more freely, and felt less les3 an interloper. Nothing could be kinder tlian Brocklebank’s manner towards me; he could not have treated me with more consideration if I had come recommended by his most intimate friend, instead of being a mere waif and stray of the great Australian immigration. Although he was keeping a retail store, and selling glasses of lemonade, bottles of pickles, and digger’s boots to any chance passer-by, I learnt that he was a young man of highly respectable connections in Liverpool, the son of a Nonconformist minister, and that, like myself, he had been drawn out by a spirit of adventure. I presently asked him how I had better set about finding

my friends. On hearing that I possessed no more special address than Bendigo, he shook his head, said that- the diggings covered an enormous area, and that I might spend a month in visiting every gully in succession. I had better call at the post-office on the Camp, and ascertain if there was a letter awaiting me there. I went to the Camp, and enquired at the post-office..- There was no letter for “Mr Frederick Parker, late of Watling Street, London.” I returned to Iron Bark Gully in rather a desponding frame of mind. I was heartily ashamed cf myself at the time for my low spirits, but I am not surprised now that a lad of eighteen, who in London had been surrounded by attentive friends and relations, should feel rather lonely among the motley, self- seeking herd of gold-hunters. I told Brocklebank of my ill fortune, and asked 9 him what I had better do.

“Do nothing to-day,” he said kindly. “ You are tired with your week’s travell ing. Take it easy. You can make your self useful by helping me in the store.” I was delighted at these words, and fell to work with alacrity. Before two hours had elapsed I found myself .dis pensing slices of bacon at three shillings.. 0 a pound, and assisting sturdy diggers, seated on a tree stump in front of the Royal Liver, to pull on refractory pairs of new boots. Our distinctive flag, bearing as its emblem the fabulous bird which forms the crest of the good town of Liver pool, waved gracefully overhead in the sunshine, and my spirits rose as I once more found myself of some use in the

world. _ . In those primitive days there was little coin current on the diggings. Miners paid for their stores in virgin gold just dug from the soil. Storekeepers made large profits by these transactions, for, owing to the insecurity of the roads, the value of gold was from five shillings to ten shillings an ounce lower on the diggings than it was in Melbourne.. I forget the exact prices now, but I think that gold purchased on Bendigo in 1852 at three pounds five shillings and three pounds ten shillings an ounce, was worth three pounds fifteen in Melbourne. In these systematic days, when the smallest margin of profit attracts speculators to. the most distant gold-field, such a differ- V e"nce seems almost incredible. Some of t the storekeepers,™?*- 0 gad. rogues, and, not content with their fair profits, cheated the hard-toiling miners who visited their establishments by means of false weights and other devices ; but Brocklebank was, I am sure, thoroughly upright and honest in all his dealings. His plan of procedure when a gold transaction took place was at once business-like and simple. He weighed the gold carefully in his scales, and kept each parcel in a separate paper, with the name of the seller, and the date of the transaction, and the precise weight of the contents marked legibly upon it. All these j ackets were kept in a tin box, which at night was deposited in a little secret chamber under the flooring of the tent. I soon discovered that Brockle bank was much liked and respected by the surrounding population. Men would come in, and sell several ouuces of gold, take away only a few shillings’ worth of goods in exchange, and leave the balance in his hand to cover future transactions.

“I can trust you Muster Brocklebank,” I heard a rough old digger say, “ and my gold’s a deal safer in your big store than in my bit of a shanty yonder. ” As for myself, I felt highly pleased that Brocklebank should trust me—an entire stranger —so implicitly, and I resolved to work as zealously as I could in his service while under his roof, as a practical proof, of my gratitude. After the sun had set, and all work had been suspended for the day, three or four of the inhabitants of the adjacent tents strolled across to the Royal Liver Store, and sitting down in front of that estab lishment on a gigantic prostrate log, in one end of which a perpetual fire was burning, lighted their pipes, and pro ceeded to discuss the news of the day. The conversation was mostly of a monoto nous character, and referred chiefly to mining topics. How Tom’s new windlass had given way, how Harry had picked up a balf-ounce nugget out of his “ wash dirt,” how Dick had tumbled down a thirty-foot hole while out ’pcssuming the previous night. I was much impressed with the decency and respectability of our visitors. Before I left England, and even after my arrival in Melbourne, I had pictured life on the diggings as an exis tence of wild excitement, where the per petual anticipation of fabulous gains,, and the sight of lucky gamblers shovelling out the yellow metal, would keep the brain in a state of fever. In actual fact, Iron Bark Gully was a most prosaic, sober place. Men worked from six to six, and took it as coolly as navvies on piece-work, that is to say, they went at it with a will. Work over, they made their dampers, washed out their shirts and socks, or lounged round an open-air fire, discussing the local gossip. Brocklebank, however, informed me in the course of the evening, when we were alone together, that the little community gathered together at the head of the Iron Bark Gully con sisted of exceptionally quiet and respect able people. Several of them came from South Australia, a colony which has always maintained a high reputation, and one or two of those standing by our log fire were substantial Adelaide tradesmen, who, having been smitten by the uni versal epidemic, had deserted their shops, and come to seek a speedier road to fortune.

One of these adventurei’S, a chemist and druggist from Rundle Street, Adelaide, took my fancy immediately, and we soon became very intimate together. He

Wednesday, March 17, 1880.1

THE ASHBURTON HERALD



ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST. s. d. s. d. Butter, inferior to best $ lb o IO to I 0 Eggs, $ dozen - - I I to I 3 Cheese, prime quality, $ o 7 to 0 IO Bacon, prime smoked, li' lb 0 10 to I 0 Hams in cloth, lb - X 2 to I 3 Flour in bags, 1? ioolb 14 6 to 0 0 Oatmeal. D? 25I0 - 5 6 to 0 0 Lard, -Ij? lb * - - 0 9 to 0 0



New Advertisements. BIS DAT, QUI OITcTDAT, OR SMALL PROFITS AND QUICK RETURNS Is the motto of Everett bros., & co., HAVELOCK STREET. We will give a GRAND CONCERT in the Town Hall, on FRIDAY, MARCH 19. The whole of the proceeds to be given for the purpose of Charitable Aid m Ashburton. 617g-18Gc* £2 REWARD. LOST— From Miles, Hassell’s & Co., Chertsey, on Saturday night, the 13th inst., Three HORSES. 1 Heavy Draught Horse, bay, branded C on near shoulder. 1 Small Bay Mare (pony) branded C conjoined, and C above on CD near shoulder. 1 Chestnut Trap Horse Apply GEORGE JAMES, Company’s Estate, Chertsey. Or E. ROSKRUGE. Chertsey. Anyone detaining them after this date j will be prosecuted. 183 c SATURDAY, MARCH 13. OPENING NEW STORE, East Street, Near Bullock, & Co s. JAMES 0L 4 K Begs to inform the Public of Ashbur ton and Surrounding Districts that he is commencing business as GENERAL STOREKEEPER, FRUIT ERER, BAKER, &c., And trusts by supplying good quality articles at moderate prices, to share public support. Note the Address — TAMES CLARK, PROSPECT BUILDINGS, East Street, Near Bullock & Cos., Ashburton. 163 c A PRIVATE and Superior Ladies’ School for DISPOSAL. Can be taken with or without the Plant. Terms Moderate. Ladies about to commence scholastic duties would do exceeding y well by an early ' attention. Address—



STATIONERY AND FANCY GOODS DEPOT. RE-OPENING. HM. JONES begs to inform bis , customers and the public generally that he has re-opened part of the premises lately occupied by A. Weston and K. Sando and Co. for the sale of Newspapers, Magazinse, Stationery, Fancy goods, Toys, &c. English and Colonial papers, Periodicals, &c., by each mail. Licensed to sell Stamps. Lowest prices—Terms cash. Agent for “ Ashburton Guardian,” “Ashburton Herald,’, “Ashburton Mail,” “Lyttelton Times,” “Canterbury Times,” Daily “Press,” “ Weekly Press,” “Otago Witness,” “Australasian,” “Town and County Journal.” Subscribers to “ Canterbury Times” and “ Weekly Press” can obtain their copies at the above Establishment. *l2lc NEW TAILORING ESTABLISH MENT. CRAIGHEAD & Co., MERCHANT TAILORS, HAVE opened those premises situated in Tancred street adjoining Messrs. Orr and Co ’b General Store. A SPLENDID ASSORTMENT OF TWEEDS, FANCY GOODS, &c., &c., JUST ARRIVED. Mr. Craighead’s experience as Head Cutter in connection with First Class Tailoring Establishments in Edinburgh and San Francisco has extended over a period of ten years, and from the immense success which has always attended his efforts to please, he is prepared to' guarantee a perfect fit in every case. TANCRED STREET, (Next Orr and Ox’s. CRAIGHEAD & CO. 982 a TANTED KNOWN—That Money can f be saved by purchasing your Sta tionery and Account Books, for cash, at the “Herald” and “Guardian” Whole sale. Stationery Dep6t, Saunders’ Build ings, near Station. "TTTASTE PAPER for Sale, 3d. per lb. Yy at the Herald Office. Apply early. 59a WANTED —By a respectable girl, age 18, a SITUATION as general Servant, Housemaid, or in a small family. Apply Herald Office. 612g-189c WANTED KNOWN.—AII_ prizes awarded at the late Horticultural Show are payable up to noon on the 22nd inst. at the office of the Hon. Secretary, after which date no claims will be recog nised. Stephen E. Ponytz, Hon. Sec. 190 c



BIS DAT, QUI CITO DAT. PRELIMINARY NOTICE. R GEORGE CATES has been engaged to deliver a LECTURE in the TOWN HALL, ASHBURTON, At an early date. Subject « ABOLITION OF THE BANKRUPTCY LAWS. The whole of the proceeds to go to Charit able Aid in Ashburton. 188c*—619o*