COMMERCIAL.

Christchurch. Corn Exchange.

The following is the Corn Exchange re port for the week ending, Friday evening, the 17th inst.::—

Nothing has occurred during the week which calls for any comment. Values are unchanged in all classes of produce. The weather continues favorable, and crops in most parts of the coun try are looking well. The light lands are feel-: ing the want of rain, although, as'yet, not seri ously. Last week’s report with respect to the rainfall registered at the Meteorological Stalipn, Christchurch, should have been 5.74 inches be low the general average rainfall from the Ist of January to the end of August, in place of “ The rainfall registered at the Meteorological Station from January Ist to the end of last month was 5.74 inches," as reported. Wheat.—There is no change to report in the state of the market for this cereal. Millers are in the marl et for good, sound milling quali ties. Extreme rates, however, must not be looked for, as flour from Australia can be placed in the market to compete with local produce. Last week’s quotations are repeated —4s. to. 4s. 3d. for good milling samples; second quality, 3s. to 3s. qd. ; chick wheat, 2s. to 2s. 6d.

Oats. —Shippers are . still in the market as purchasers, but the rates asked for by holders have to some extent checked business. Good short milling oats of bright color are saleable at from is. 6d. to is, Bd. in Christchurch, h eed parcels are not in so much request, and will not command more than from is. 3d. to Is. 4/4d. per bushel. Barley. ; —A few unimportant sales have taken place during the week. Maltsters and brewers are by no means eager purchasers, as their stocks are large. Good average malting quality'is passing into consumption at from 2S. 3d. to 2s. gd. per bushel; feed samples, is. 6d. fo is. Sd. per bushel ; extra prime quality is worth 3s. to 3s. 3d., but of this latter, there is none in the market.

Potatoes.—A few sales have taken place during the week at prices between 17s. and 20s. per' ton, and there, are rumors of some large lines having been quitted at less money. The diy weather in Sydney will doubtless have an effect on- prices, and enable holders to quit their stocks.

Grass Seed.—Good clean samples are selling at from 2s. ;.gd. to 3s. Farmers’ parcels, in differently cleaned, is. 9d. to 2s. 6d. per bushel; cocksfoot, 2jjd. to 3J4M. per lb.

Cheese and butter.— I The former is in fair supply at from 4d. to 4%d. The latter—there is no business doing. Prices nominal. •Hav—sos. to 555. per ton, delivered in Christchurch.

ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST.

The Ashburton Herald. AND Borough and County Advertiser (With Which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1880. At Last.

To-d»y, at two o’clock, the Borough; Engineer, Mr. Fooks, turned on,the water from the Domain reservoir into the dis tributing pipes, and in thirteen minutes the stream had reached the chanilels in East street. The floodgate was raised sufficiently high to open only two inches of the distributing pipe, but through the ■mall outlet enough water was,obtained to flush all.,the made channels in a few minutes. The flood to-day has estab lished the accuracy of the levels, as well as the success of the water supply scheme, and it only remains for the Coun cil to complete as soon as possible the work of concreting all the channels in the Borough to. have the streets clean and sweet. The Borough Council meets on Monday, and will doubtless fix an early day for the formal inaugration of the Works.

The Wakanui School Affair.

We are glad to be able to state that the differences that have unhappily existed between some members of the Wakanui School Committee and the householders have now,been amicably settled, the Com mittee at its meeting on Wednesday hav ing decided not to enforce the charge of three shillings per service against the re ligious bodies using the school; Instead of making the charge, a meetirig of house holders is •to be called for an early date, to consider what step 3 ought to be taken to relieve the school from the pre sent incubus of debt by which it is burdened. We received at a late hour this afternoon a full report of last meeting of the Committee, and a letter from Mr. Leadley, one of the members, but we cannot, owing. .to ‘ the length of. these documents give either to-day. Mr. Leadley makes a very handsome defence of Mr. Brown against some of the attacks that have been made against the latter gentleman, and puts us right in regard to certain omissions that occurred in our re port of the householders’ meeting on the 9th inst. The omissions were utiinten tional, and the conversation referred to was not published simply because the gentleman who made the report was new to the work, and . the meeting was quite lively enough to , test the abilities of a proficient reporter, far less those of an amateur. We are also happy to state that the prosecutions against the householders for the alleged trespass, on the 9th of Sep tember, are to be withdrawn.

Football —The Wellington team beat Nelson, on the latters’ ground on Thurs day, by eleven points to four. New District Judge.— Mr. George William Harvey has been gazetted District Judge for Dunedin. His Excellency’s Stud.— One of his Excellency’s horses has died at the Hutt. It is supposed that death resulted from the injuries received during the passage from Melbourne.

Through the Court. —The Lyttelton Harbor Board have passed a resolution by which insolvency on the part of any of their employees at once terminates the employee’s engagement with the Board. Civil Cases. —The only civil ’ case called on at the R.M. Court this morning, tras that of Journeaux v. Mcßae, but there being no appearance of either parties, the case was struck out and the Court adjoiirned.

Te Whiti and His Followers. —The natives at Wairoa express surprise at not hearing of war being declared by the Go vernment against Te Whiti. They state that the prophet’s emissaries informed them that the 12th of this month w'as fixed for an outbreak of war. The Unemployed. The Auckland Borough Council are finding work at stone breaking for the unemployed in that city. In Wellington work is very scarce, and with the Hero there embarked for Sydney tradesmen who have been starved out by the scarcity of employment.

Kaiapoi Woollen Factory. —So heartily has the project of the promoters of the Kaiapoi Woollen Factory been re ceived, that only 200 shares out of the 4,000 representing LIOO,OOO remain to be taken up; The list closes on the Ist Oc tober. Extensive enlargements and im provements at the Kaiapoi works > are to be taken in hand immediately.

. New Zealand Oil Springs. From Gisborne', in the North Island, we learn that work at the petroleum springs is pro gressing favorably. Mr. H. Clarke, the promoter of the oil spring enterprise in the district, has entered into negotiations for securing a lease of a block of land just outside the boundary of Gisborne muni cipality for the purpose of refining petro leum from the oil spring.

Land Sales.— At the usual sitting of the Waste Lands Board, held at Christ church bn Thursday, September 16 th, sales were made as follows:—Ordinary: Selwyn, 4a.; Ashburton, 22a. Or. 21p.; ditto (special value L 5 per acre),: 15a. ;. Geraldine, 12a. Or. 35p.; Waiinate, sa. Or. 3op. Under Public Reserves Sale Act— deferred payments : Reserve 389, 2a.; villiage settlement, South Rakaia, sa. Total acreage sold, 61a. lr. 31p. Total cash received, Ll6B os. 9d. Refund was made on account of a former purchaser of 4s.

Interesting to Butchers.— A butcher was summoned on Thursday at Oamaru for not giving the required six hours’ notice, in conformity with the Slaughter ing Ordinance, when about to slaughter cattle. It was argued that butchers had been in the habit of sending in a weekly notice of their intentions to kill. The case was dismissed, the Magistrate remark ing that in future butchers would; be re quired to give the necessary notice when about to kill.

Flemington.— This township, which i 3 situated about lnkhvay between Ashburton and Waterton, has, from a variety of causes, been destitute of school accommo dation, partly through doubt on the part of the Board of Education as to the exact site chosen by the school committee, and also to difficulties surrounding the title. It appears these obstacles have now been surmounted, and the architect has pre pared the necesary plans for the proposed buildings, .tenders for which it is expected will be accepted by the Board at its sitting on October 7.

A Sweeping Reduction. —Thdiimpossi bility of taking “ the breeks off a High lander ” is proverbial, from the self-evi dent fact that Highlandinen don’t wear trousers, but kilts. Government in the case of a Southland postmaster has essayed a similar impossibility.’ The man gets no thing for the post-office work he does, but lie has received notice that his salary of “ nil ” is to be reduced the usual ten per cent. ... L \. : v ; G

Cricket., —Members of the Ashburton Cricket Club are reminded that the first practice of the .season will be held on ground, in the vicinity of the' pound to morrow afternoon at 2.30 o’clock. The Club’s now material, which has been pur chased.in Dunedin, and is only equalled in its quality by quantity, has arrived in Ashburton, and with the enthusiasm at present existing amongst local players the great requisite 110 w for the district to turn out : a crack team, is what is a sine qua non to perfection in. everything— practice. The Oxford . Chalk. —For some time there has been considerable -.talk about the, chalk deposits at Oxford and their suitableness for the manufacture off cenient. The proprietors of the . land on Which the chalk exists have in manufacturing a very superior sample of Portland cement, weighing 11811)3. to the strike bushel. There is an almost un limited supply of the raw material in the district, and considering the large quantity of cement used, in this colony, the success of Messrs. Ingram and Wright in produc ing a good sample points to a profitable industry, that’it would be well to establish and encourage.

•More Victims. —A man named Edwd. Gaulston, supposed "to have come from Christchurch/died Suddenly near Motueba (Nelson province) on Wednesday after noon. The man, who is said to have a wife and four children in Christchurch, had been working hi the neighborhood for some time, and is said to have been drink ing. He was riding towards Ngatimoti when he was taken ill. On Thursday morning a man named G. Hawley, in the employ of Mr. King, a sawmiller at Goldsboro, cut his throat'with a razor. He was found quite dead. He had been drinking for some time past.

Resident Magistrate’s Court.

Friday, September 17.

(Before Mr; F. Guinness, R. M.) A discontented member.

Henry Hamlin, who was before the Court at last sitting for vagrancy, and had been sent back to the Old Men’s Home, whence he came, was again charged with vagrancy. Hamlin had again absented himself from the Home without leave, and of course once more came into the hands of the police. Mr. Harris gave evidence similar to that he had given at last sitting. He had written to the Charitable Aid Board, and Mr. March had replied that the man had been discharged, from the Christchurch Hospital as incurable. Hamlin suffers from injured eyes, and he protested strongly against being sent back to the Home. He appeared to . think lie had bfeen very badly treated because no one had taken up his case, and pro cured for him the services of an oculist; he was quite, sure, that a , good ' oculist could restore his sight. His Worship said he did . not wish 'to deal harshly with the case, but . there was only one of two courses Hamlin could follow, either to go back to the Home, or go to prison for six months. Accused re plied that he could not content himself in the Home, and the gaol'” was equally ob jectionable. Perhaps his Worship would send him back to the Hospital. He thought the public should take the matter up, and get him tlie attendance of an oculist. His Worship said the man would be sent back to the Home fo r a Fcek, during which time he might endeavor to interest private individuals in his case ; but if he were brought up again he would have to go to prison. Hamlin-said it was impossible for him to be content in the Oid Men’s Home, and . he evidently thought himself very hardly treated. His Worship said that, however much Ham lin’s condition was to be commiserated, his discontent with the only institution that wa# open to him left the Bench no alternative but to commit him to gaol for six months. tethered horses. William Smith was charged with having two horses tethered on a section within the Borough, the same not being enclosed by a fence. The defendant stated that tho ground was in his occupation. Con stable Neill stated that he had found the cattle on the ground mentioned,.and from instructions received from Sergt. Felton, he had impounded the horses. In answer to his Worship, the Mayor, who was pre sent, said-that, in his official capacity, he had no statement to make’, but as a private individual, if -anyone • edmo *6n a section of his to take away animals,, he should cer tainly order the intruders off. His Wor ship dismissed the case,'as he could not interfere with the common law right of any individual, and he considered the section under which the information was. laid was ultra vires. However, there were instances under which an action could be laid under the section, but there was nothing to prevent a man tethering a horse on his own property so long as the rope were short enough to prevent the animal’s getting on to the road.

A Cool Individual

Murray Kevern, , the levanting bank clerk of Marton, who was run down at Melbourne the other day, is a cool hand. On Constable Coyle, of Marton, meeting Kevern in the Melbourne Detective office, he came forward and shook hands inquir ing, “ How are you Coyle, and how is Mr. Coodall ? (the Inspector).” He said “I saw you pair of beggars standing at. the corner the day I cleared out. Don’t you remember 1 I was going into the Bank of Australasia to get some money, and I thought you were both discussing running me in at the time. ” On the way to the watchhouse Coyle said “It’s & pity you left Marton.’’ and prisoner replied “ I was advised by Russel to clear out, or if I did not you -would collar me.” On the 11th August, while they were on_ board the Arawata, Kevern asked if he would be put to work on the loads if he was con victed in Wanganui. Coyle said “ No ” that as he was a good clerk he might get a staff billet. Kevern thereupon observed that perhaps all the staff billets would be taken up, and added : ** If they put me on

the roads I would make a bolt of it, but if they give me a staff billet I would remain as long as they like to keep me.” Accused was committed for trial, bail being ac cepted—himself in|Lsoo, and two sueretie3 in L 250.

The St. Leger.

(By cable from Reuters Agency.) London, Sept. 15. St. Leger Stakes, of 25 so vs. each, for three-year-olds ; colts, Sst.C 101 b. ; fillies, Bst. 51b.; the owner of the second horse to receive 200 sovs., and the third 100 sovs. out of the stakes ; new St. Leger course, about one mile six furlongs and 132 yards ; 265 subscribers. Mr. C. Brewer’s Robert the Devil 1 Lord Roseberry’s Clipolata 2 Mr. Naylor’s Tho Abbot... ' ... 3 '

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

Per Rente> ’s Agency. The Cape Trouble. London, Sept. 15.

Farther intelligence to hand from the Cape of Good Hope states that Lethrode, the Basuto chief, attacked the Cape Rifles on Monday, but was repulsed. The Wool'Sales. , At the wool sales to-day, 8,300 bales were offered, making a total of;260,100 catalogued since the opening. The tone of the sale continues firm. The Australians.

The match between the Australians and the Sussex county team, which was in terrupted owing to bad weather, was re sumed to-day. The Australians continued their first innings, and ■were all disposed of for 154 runs. The Home team then went in for their second innings, arid when the stumps were drawn had lost two wickets for 156 runs. The weather being very showery throughout the day the match was unfinished. Arrivals.

Arrived—Araby Maid, from Port Chal mers: Dumfriesshire, Fleur de Lis/Men doza, and Cochrina, from Lyttelton ; Crownthorpe, from Wellington; Mercia, from Tiinaru ; Altara, from Oainaru.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Per Reuter's Agency. ) Sir Brian Opposes.

Melbourne.. Sept. 16. In the Legislative Assembly, £ir Brian O’Loghlen opposed the Government on retrenchment, especially that of the Law Department. The ex-Governor.

Sir Hercules Robinson has arrived here on his way to England. Shipping. Sailed—Ringarooma, for the Bluff. Sydney, Sept. 16. Sailed—Rotomahana, for Auckland. The Natives. f

There is later news to hand from the Solomon Islands, which confirms the pre vious information regarding the wreck of

the Ariel, and the poisoning of the mate and seamen. It is reported that the captain and rest of those who were on board have succeeded in making their escape from the natives. The Sorata.. -,%i Adelaide; Sept. 16. The Sorato has become a total loss, and all hope of saving her has been aban doned. . The lower deck is now bulging, and fears are entertained of her entirely breaking up.

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per,Press Association.) Embezzlement. Dunedin, Sept. 17. : At the City Court yesterday, Henry Guilford, late clerk to the Portobello Road Board, pleaded guilty to two charges of embezzlement, and was sentenced to six mo nths’ imprisonment. . Caving In. Mr. Murray, M.H.R., at the conclusion of his address, announced his intention to retire into private life after next session of Parliament. Retirements. ■ The Star states that Wardens Stratford and Wood retire, their districts being annexed to Dunstan and Tuape.ka.

The Property Tax.

The following is a copy oftKe new re vised schedule under the Property Assess ment Act, which lias been finally adopted : ■ ■ •■ Statement of all the property of me, the abovenamed, required for the pur poses of The Property Assessment Act, 1875, and the Property As sessment Act Amendment Act, 1880, and the value of my interest in such property, value of real pro perty and freehold... ... ... £ Leasehold and personal property and all other property belonging to me, including debts owing to me (at their estimated value), mortgages, liens, bills of sale, annuities de bentures, or other securities for mon:v, household'furniture, jewel lei y, plate, works of art, live stock of all kinds, produce, merchandise, stock-in-trade, plant, machmeiy, cash, and everything else I possess, except vessels, agricultural imple ments in actual use, life insurance policies, shares in pubticY com panies, and any other property ex empt from taxation under the above Aci - £ Deduct existing mortgages on the real property sta'ed above; all, other debts ancl liabilities owing by me, for which I claim exemption, and not included in the preceding statement as to mortgages ... ... £ Net value... ... ... ... ... £ Deduct fixed exemption... ... ... £sco Taxable value ... ... ... £ I hereby declare that the foregoing stater ment is true and accurate in all the particulars

siatecl by me according to the best of my judg ment and belief.

Dated this day of , ISBO Signature. Printed on the forms are notes explana tory as to what is freehold, leasehold, and personal property, together with the time for returning the form, which . has been extended to October 25. * v A;

Fastidious Domestics.

Women servants (writes the San Fran cisco correspondent of the Auckland Herald) are a little worse than they are in New Zealand, if possible. They are dainty, exceedingly ; require to see their sleeping-room before engaging a place, and frequently wanting the use of the parlor ence a week for their friends. A friend of mine told me a cook came one evening to engage herself. Her husband happened to be sitting in the room, and was infinitely amused at the questions of the woman such as “Is the dinner always overby seven?” “Can I go out three times a week ? ” “Can I attend church on Sunday ? ” Can I see my bedroom ? ” “I can . only sleep in a room with a northern aspect, etc. “T will show you the bedroom,” said the gentleman, and rising, the “ help ” followed. Arrived at a large, handsome apartment, he flung open the door—“ This is the only room with the aspect you desire ; it is mine, but I shall be but too happy to vacate it in your interest.” That “help” turned and walked so quickly away that a lamp lighter would scarcely have overtaken her. I have had a similar experience, but then I have had also a Chinaman—so “ high toned’’that he took the blankets off my bed to put on his own, because, he said they were “ heap whiter ” than his. But, so far from John going, it appears, at present, very like his being the conquer ing hero in a few years’ time.

A Good Skit.

The following list of “ new books,” to be published by the Government Printer, and issued by the “proprietors of Hansard appears in yesterday’s Times : ENGINEERING. “ Moorhouse on Tunnelling, with Hints on Bores in General.” " The Screw,” showing how its power may be increased by a ten per cent, reduction.— Saunders. " Perpetual Motion,” a description of the Continuous, Commission Evolving, Financial Rotary Wheel, by Sir Julius. MISCELLANEOUS. "Hallon Divisions,” with Diagrams illus trative of the use of Lobbies. " Improvements in Precincts of the House —explaining the abuse of glass.” Fox. - NATURAL HISTORY. ." The Railway Octopus,” illustrating the absorbing powers of this extraordinary crea ture. After Conyers. ■; , BIOGRAPHY. “ Life of the Prophet, with Visions of the Great Swamp.” Brown, Parihaka. . PHYSICAL.. - Blair on " Scours” (written during a visit to Timaiu), with various recipes. LEGAL. • , "The Law of Eviction,” by Pykc; and by the same author, “An Apology;” ■ MEDICAL. ■ . "Narcotics; Is their use injurious to the .system.” Seddon. “ Plow to Live on L2lO per Annum.” By a Member. . , . "Self'Help.” Sheehan. "The Maori Question.” Highly colored illustrations. .By a Pakeha-Maori. “Rats: Their Treatment.” By the Hon. J. Hall. "Railway Management.” A treatise by, Lawson, with copious notes by Saunders. "Conyers’ Venture; or, Call it L500.’ Founded on fact. Unknown.

Holloway's Pills.—These Pills are more efficacious in strengthening a debilitated con stitution than any other medicine in the world. Persons of a nervous habit of body, and all who are suffering from weak digestive organs, • or whose health; has become deranged by bilious affection, disordered stomach, or J : ver complaints, should lose no lime in giving these admirable Pills a fair., trial.. Coughs, colds, asthma, or.shortness of breath are also within the’range of the sanative powers of this very remarkable medicine. The cures effected.by these Pills are not superficial or temporary, but complete any permanent. They are as nvld as they are efficacious, aud may be given with confidence to delicate females and young chil dren. Their action on the liver, stomach, and bowels is immediate, beneficial, and lasting, restoring order and health in every case.— Advt

Mr. Passmore's Paper.

The following paper was read by Mr. Passmore before the Agricultural and Pastoral Association on Wednesday last:— " I have been asked by the Chairman to read a paper before you. At first I objected, think ing that it would be presumptuous on tke part of one who has so little experience of agricul ture to address men who have made that sub ject a life study. On second thoughts, how ever, I decided to comply, with the request, feeling that it is the duty of each of us to try and advance the interests with which we are so closely bound - together. In this paper, therefore, I shall merely state my views on matters as they have occurred to me, and en deavor to point out how we may all work better and more economically. We will first consider the use of abuse of implements. Some of- you may be surprised to hear that a machine suffers far less when in actual wark than when left exposed to the weather; but such is really the case. Take, for example, a reaper and bjndei. In the hands of a careful man this suffers but little during the season’s cut ting. If the machine were at once cleaned and put int® thorough order, the cost would be on an average about Lq. But what do we find ? As a rule, as soon as the work is done, the machine is left in the paddock, and there it remains until it is wanted for the next crop. The result is that everything is rusty, many of the delicate parts are permanently injured, and the. woodwork has been so affected by the constant variations of temperature and weather that it is impossible ever to make a good machine of it again. When it is required to cut the next season’s crop it is hurried to the smithy, where a bill for Lio is soon run up, and the machine is, after all, not nearly so good as it would have been had it been properly treated. A machine costs, say, L 75, and, with the ill usage described, will probably not last' more than three years ; whereas, if properly treated and piolected from the weather by a rou°T> shed, costing not more than Lio, the life, of such a machine can, without doubt, be ex tended to six or seven years. There is another very important matter that we are apt to over look. ploughing and other work is finished, the ploughs and other implements are left wheie last used until required again, and aie then lushed to the smithy and wanted in a great hurry. Now, this is most unreasonable. I he smith has at times but little to do, and then suddenly he gets a rush of work, all wanted at once, and the result is that, however well intenlioned the map may be, the work is not done as well as it would be if more time were allowed. The plan I have adopted, and 1

find to work admirably, is to get all imple ments cleaned and put in order as soon as they are done with for the season. By doing this the smith can A do the repairs whenever he has any spare time,: and the implements are always ready for use when required. Smiths^ Will tell you that jthis plan, if generally adopted; would suit them far better than the system now so universal. Instances could be cited of threshing machines when taken to work that have been completely choked up \ /with growing grain, which has had to be dug -v ’ out; and of /other machinery left witn dirt vi and grease to harden to such an extent as to ■ necessitate several days’ work before it could be employed. I think we are all too apt to fall into an old groove, and to do as we have seen others do, without bringing our judgment 1 to bear on the matter in hand. It with us to use five horses with a three-furrow plough ; but the mode of attaching these horses to the plough by means of a five-horse bar is very faulty, as well as being damaging to the crop through the constant treading of fwo horses on the ploughed land. -Besides this it is evidently very trying on the horses,, havin/r to walk on ploughed land all day, and their working power is considerably diminished. For ploughing, more than three hosiers shouldi never be driven abreast, and thus no horse treads on the- ploughed land. When using five horses, two should be next the plough and three in the lead. Instead, therefore, of. a five-horse bar, weighing i201b., we should use a two-horse and a three-horse barj ing 871 b. To the head of the plough!! is attached a block, through which a chain runs •' and each.set of horses is attached to one end of the chain, so that the draught is equalised. This system is not a new one, but it is surpris ing that it should be so little used. /• As the re- ~ suit of my own experience . I can say.that since using this tandem, the same teams have greatly, improved in appearance, although working every day, and doing 4# acres of cross ploughing. ‘ . The question has been asked whether American gang ploughs are a success'. If the matter is carefully studied, I think there would not be the slightest hesitation in sayingjthat. they are, especially for stubble. ' V If w;e take a three-furrow plough and five horse-tree, and merely drag it along the ground,. we find that it is nearly as much as two horses would do as a day’s work. Now it follows that when ploughing, the force required to move the plough must be exerted before any useful labor can be expended on ploughing, or to put it more clearly, it will take, say—two horses to drag the implement, leaving three horses to do the ploughing. Now, a man can easily drag a three-furrow gang plough, and the line of draught is better, so that I think three good horses could do nearly as much werk as five with an ordinary heavy plough. ! -. t: The objection is often made that American work is flimsy ; but all of us have seen the good useful work that light reapers and binders have done, and I doubt whether any of us . would condemn them as being weak and worth less. A great want felt in . the agricultural district of Canterbury is a really good cultiva- \ tor. The land seems to be. ploughed year after year, say five or six inches deep ; but the subsoil remains untouched. •:'/;. A.. if

The subsoil on the plains is a loamy clay, . " not stiff enough to prevent the surface water from passing through ; but .at the same time too compact to enable it to retain much moisture or to allow the roots to penetrate in search of food. The result is that towards the end of - the season the crops, instead of. ripening gradually, come to maturity suddenly, ,more ' especially if any north-west winds prevail, a Mr. Packer, who owns land on the plains, has, among others, found the want of a good cultivator, and he has set hipiself to the task of constructing an implement tp meet the want. He has a plough frame carrying strong which are shod with an ordinary .ploughshare^,- instead of the usual tips and shares, and I am informed that the work is done very well. The - - machine was worked on land that had been, ploughed five or six inches deep; but it re quired six horses to drag the cultivator when working to a depth of ten inches, using only three tynes. ‘This implement is not as*‘yet u supposed to be perfected; blit I make no doubt, and . sincerely hope that Mr. Packer’s enter prise will be crowned with success ; but I fear that the power requited to do the work will be beyond the capaeiiy of horses, and I ant per suaded that Sve shall have to call in steam < .power to our assistance to do this work well,. • for it is not the mere fact of passing a siibsoiler through the land that will do the benefit 1 ; but the greater the speed the greater the advantage derived from the operation, as the ground Is more thoroughly knocked about by the rapid passage of the implement. This can be seen in work done by steam, either in ploughing or rolling. Deep cultivation allows of the escape • of surplus water, and in addition to this the air, is also admitted/which enables the roots strike deeper, and draw their nourishment from a much greater depth. The increased distance through which the roots penetrate, furnishes them with additional moisture during a season of drought, thereby securing a luxuriant crop when it might other wise be destroyed, and moreover the. product is generally of belter quality. >. A subsoil which is permeable to water is - sometimes imperceptibly beneficial to vegeta- tion, not only by allowing the latent moisture to ascend and yield a necessary supply to the plants, but a moisture frequently charged with lime ancl various saline matters, : which the capillary attraction brings from remote depths below the surface. I his operation is going for ward during the heat of the summer. ,The water thus charged with salire matter ascends and A; evaporates at . and below the surface, leaving' them diffused throughout the soil. - After long continued droughts, a thin white coating of these salts is frequenl ly discernible' oh > the ground.

Recent experiments have shown that porous soils, which are readily penetrated by water and air, absorb the nutritious gases (oxygeu, nitrogen and their compounds,-nitric and rear- • bonic acid, ammonia, etc.,) largely from the ' atmosphere, and that they do this, to an appre- j ciable extent, only while moist. "J,, Every inch in depth of ground pulverised means over too tons per acre capable of hold ing water, as does a sponge. The fall of one meh of rain is equal to 3.630 cubic feet onj; 22.687 gallons,-or say ;ico gallons of water per ; acre. No substance can absorb more, than a .. i ccitain quantity of moisture, consequently ■- > when the earth has absorbed as much of the moisture as it is capable of holding the rest is lost, and either runs off on the surface or sinks through the compact subsoil which is too close to retain any considerable quantity. Schubler has found that during twelve hours in the night, when the air was moist, icolbs of loamy soil gained 2ilbs and clay loam 25lbs. Davy also iound that iooolbs of very feitile and perfectly dry soil gained ißlbs in an hour’s exposure. The power of soils m retaining, water, is somewhat proportionate to their power ot absorbing it. • ' Quartz sand is saturated when it contains 24 per cent of its own weight; calcareous, when it contains 28 per cent; loamy clay, : whem it contains 3S per cent ; clay loam, when it cog* contains 47 per cent ; peat, when it contfflfi about 80 per cent. Rain-water contains con siderable proportions of carbolic acid and ammonia, both highly valuable as plant food, and if these permeate through the soil,, roots, or in their absence, the elements the soil itself, absorb and form permanent com binations with them. By loosening the earth it admits a larger deposit of water which re quires a longer time for evaporation. When the water escapes freely, the use of the sub soiler is attended with the best results. The broken earth, thus pulverised to a much greater depth, and incorporated with the descending particles of vegetable sustenance, affords an en*

THE ASHBURTON HERALD, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1880.



Butter, infer.ior to best W lb s. 10 tf. 0 to s. I if. 0 Eggs, H? dozen IO 0 to 0 0 Ciieesc, prime quality, j? lb 0 6 to 0 8 Bacon, piime smoked, lb 0 10 to I 0 Hams in cloth, 1? lb 1 2 to 0 0 Flour in bags, l? xoolb 13 0 to 0 0 Oatmeal, i? 251b 4 0 to 0 0 Lard, Ib - 0 7 to 0 0



Amusements. GOOD NEWS FOR THE OLD AND THE YOUNG. THE GIGANTIC “ CAMERA OB- , SCUBA.” rnHIS WONDER PRODUCING B OPTHIC in living and Moving Pictures, and Surrounding Scenery, will be on Exhibition in Ashburton ■ dur ing this week, for a FEW DAYS only. This is the largest of the kind in the world. Its really power ful capabilities for the production of a Colored Picture in all its hue and grandeur, must be seen to be believed. ' 876 c POPULAR LECTURE. A LECTURE will . be delivered in the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ASHBURTON, on TUESDAY, 21st., Sept'. Subject : “THE FI YE SENSES.” By the Rev. A. M. Beattie, M. A. Chair to be taken at 7.30. Proceeds for Sabbath School. The CHOIR will render some MUSICAL - SELECTIONS. 223g-89Gc WESLEYAN SUNDAY - SCHOOL v ANNIVERSARY, A S H BURTON. ANNUAL SERMONS in the Cameron street Church, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1880, At Eleven and Half-past Six o’elock, By the Rev. Edwjd. Best, of Dunedin. Also, a CHILDREN’S SERVICE, at Half-past Two o’clock. Special Hjmns for the occasion. Collections at each Service, in Aid of • the School Funds. On MONDAY, September 20, THE ANNUAL TEA, At 6.30 p.m. Admission, Is. Gd. each. ’ PUBLIC MEETING in the Evening, addressed by, the Rev. E. Best, and other Ministers. 895 c Miscellaneous. WANTED— A YOUTH for a Solici tor’s Office; must write a good hand. Apply, F. P. O’Reilly, Ashbur ton. 900 c WANTED— The Public of Ashburton to try AITKEN’S Shilling Currant Cakes. Best Pastry, Buns, &c., in town. AITKEN, Baker, &c., Saunders’ Build ings. * 898 c ANTED —A Tidy GIRL, from- Fourteen to Seventeen, to assist in house and milk one cow. Apply, Herald office. 890 c ENDERS are invited for CROPPING 100 Acres of native land, two miles from Ashburton Post Office. Tenders to be sent to the undersigned before MONDAY, September 20th. 888 c POYNTZ & CO. WANTED— TENDERS for FENCING about three miles of Sod , Fence, ploughed furrows, and four Avire3, on the Hinds. Tenders to close 23rd inst. Apply ROBEPvT JEEPS, Maronan St. P. S. —If stakes or standards, alternate tenders. 879 c



Miscellaneous. MONEY TO LEND. Trust moneys—£2,ooo, £4OO, and £250. These sums are now ready for investment on real security, at current rates of interest. F. P. O’REILLY, 899 c ' Solicitor, Tancred street. - TO -BUILDERS; ; .5. %* TENDERS are invited for the erection of a' TIMBER COTTAGE at Clear well Farm, near the Hinds, for C. G. Hamdon, Esq. Plans and specifications may be seen at our office, and sealed tenders endorsed “ Tender for Cottage,” to be delivered on or before 10 a.m., MONDAY, September 20tk. FOOKS & SON, 882c-219g Architects. ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. TENDERS FOR RESERVES. mENDERS for LEASING any of the I Borough Reserves, will be received at the Town Clerk’s Office (where full particulars may be obtained) up till 4 o’clock on MONDAY, the 20th inst. CHARLES BRAD DELL, Town Clerk. Borough Council Office, f September 13 th, 18S0. 894 c KAIAPOI WOOLLEN MANUFACTUR ING COMPANY (LIMITED,) • CAPITAL £IOO,OOO IN 4000 SHARES OF £25 EACH. ISSUE OF NEW SHARES. Forms of application for SHARES, with full information, can be obtained of Mr. Weeks, Ashburton Guardian Office, by whom application for Shares will be received. Deposit, 20s. per share ; and 50s. per share on allotment. ' August 23, 1880. PICTURE BUYERS and others will do well to call at my Picture Frame Manufactory, where I keep in stock some THOUSANDS OF PICTURES, framed and unframed, from Fine Art Pictures to Cheap Lithographs. Two Hundred Patterns of MOULDINGS to select from. . Frames made to order, from Is. each. E. BEARDSLEY, PICTURE {FRAME MANUFACTURER, AND Importer of MOULDINGS, PRINTS, &c., Manchester street, Christchurch, Near the Station. 889 c TWENTY POUNDS REWARD. THE above reward will be paid to any person who shall give such informa tion as will lead to th i conviction of any one committing a breach of the Law Practitioners or other similar Acts or Odinances, by preparing Deeds or other Legal Documents, qr in any way what ever. BRANSON and PURNELL. F. P. O’REILLY. EDWD. G. CRISP. C. W. IRELAND. 853c-19Sa



Y. & m Pv. In the District Court of Christchurch, ’ Holden at Ashburton. IN THE MATTER of the Debtors and Creditors Act, 1876, The Debtors and Creditors Act, 1876, Amend ment Act, .1878,. The Debtors and Creditors Act, 1876, Amendment Act, 1879. and of the bankruptcy of KNUD SANDO and GEORGE ARCHIBALD BOWLING, both . of Ashburton, Storekeepers, trading together in co-partnership under the style or linn of “Sando and Com pany,” debtors. I HEREBY SUMMON a meeting of the Creditors of the above-named debtors to be held at the offices of Messrs. Branson and Purnell, solicitors, in "East street, Ashburton, on MONDAY, the 27th day of September, instant, at II o’clock in the forenoon, to con sider the intended application by the said debtors for an Order of Discharge. Dated this 17th day of " eptemher, 1880. W. 11. ZOUCH, Trustee. Branson and Purnell, Solicitors for the Debtors. 901 c THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY’S GARMENTS FOR MEN’S AND BOY’S WEAR Fit Better Are Better Cut Look Better Are Better Made Wear Better Are Better Shrunk And therefore give more satisfaction than any other goods offered to the public. Testified to by their thousands of.■ Cu stomers who purchase constantly at the NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FAC TORY’S BRANCHES, Now Established in Dunedin Invercargill Oamaru Timaru Ashburton Lyttelton Christchurch Wellington Nelson Wanganui New Plymouth Napier Thames Auckland A SINGLE GARMENT AT WHOLESALE PRICE. N.B.—Our New Winter Manufactures are now ready. “TRY THE N.Z. OVERCOAT.” SHIRTS, HATS, AND HOISERY OF EVERY DESCRIPTION, AT WHOLESALE PRICES. Ashburton Branch : EAST STREET. WM. SPARROW, gs2e Manager.