The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With Which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). THURSDAY, AUGUST 19, 1880.

, Shipping. —The ship Fiji arrived at Lyttelton from Newcastle to-day. L.O.L. —A meeting of the Star of Ash burton Loyal Orange Lodge will be held this evening, at 8 o’clock. Masonic. —The regular monthly meet ing of the Thistle Lodge takes place to night in the Masonic Hall. Christchurch Rates. — During the. past six-years the rates annually collected in Christchurch have risen from L 4,500 to LlljOOO. Lyttelton Jetty. —The construction of the new breastwork and jetty at Lyttel ton was commenced to-day, and is to be completed in twelve months.

The Court-House. —We are authorised to state that none of the tenders hitherto sent in for the fittings of the Ashburton Court-House will- be accepted; being all greatly in excess of the amount that can be granted. Road Work. —The Upper Ashburton Road Board invite tenders for shingling, formation, etc., on Bland’s Island, Stitt’s cross road, Town Belt road, Winchmore road, and from Thomson’s corner to the Winchmore road. Specifications at Mr. Pullar’s office, and tenders to be in by Monday, at noon, 30tli inst, I. 0. G. T.— The anniversary of the institution of Lodge 164, Dawn of Peace, Ashburton, is to be celebrated to-night by a tea meeting in the Town Hall, after which the drama “ Ten Nights in a Bar Room ” will be per formed by the Amateur Dramatic Club. We have only to repeat what we have said tfiat every preparation lias been made and the piece will be well mounted. ... A,shburton Sigh School. -Alt will no doubt be' gratifying to many of our readers to observe that tenders are being called for -the erection of a building to form -part of the intended High School, Apart from the educational privileges which will follow from the establishment of this school, the mere erection of the building, along with the cattle yardß, Messrs. Matson, Cox, and Co. ’s store, and the infant school will give at least temporary employment to a number of men, and when the sound of the hammer and saw are once more familiar to our ears, we may imagine there will be no more murmuring in our streets. ftU MonstercPanorama of. NeW'ZeaLANd.. —A monster panoramic exhibition by limelight is announced by Messrs. Bevan and Davies to take place in the Ashburton Town Hall next Monday night. We understand it is the intention of the pro prietors to make a tour of the Colony, and with this end in view they have procured a most powerful and ingenious apparatus which will give on the canvas a constantly steady light, with amazing brilliancy, the disc being ten feet in diameter. The views will embrace scenes, from nearly every part of the colony, and also some special scenes from Australia. It is to be hoped the energetic conduct and enterprise of Messrs Bevan and Davies will meet with unbounded success.

The “ WHEATsrfE.AE.”—Will cocks and EscottV in'vite’tn'eir friends to a dinner on the 24th of this month, to cele brate- the entrance of Mr. .'Escott as the new landlord. A darken will take place afterwards. ~

The: Literary Institute, Chertsey. -—The Chertsey Literary Institute . was opened for the first time on Saturday last. It consists of a detached building of : one large room, well furnished with cabinets for the books. Residents iji the district have lent (for use in the room only) several works of authority aS reference books, besides bound volumes of, English illus trated papers, and works of general in terest, amounting in all to about ; fifty; volumes. The circulating library com prises about ninety volumes of the works of standard authors, so that for. the size of. the place the library is very well stocked. The subscription for members has 'been fixed at the low figure of ten shillings per annum, which ought to induce every one Within reach of the library to join,. Owing to the,success of the.recent entertaipmeiif the Committee have LlO/iii han'd, khd' the institution may therefore be : lookod upon as financially healthy. The benefits of ihe library ought t§.be. widely taken ; ad vantage of by those .in the locality; as* the greater the support , given, to it,, and ,tjhe = larger the number of members, the'better able will the Committee be.to increase (be-- stock ;of books. The reading-room is open; daily, and is greatly appreciated by those . residing at a distance, while' the, library is open for the distribution and exchange of books on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. " .'. ... • - -• . : ■ Close Running. —What of, this in tjip way of coincidence ? Nearly twelve months ago (says the Thames. Advertiser) ,tlie marriages were announced of two brothers r on -the same day, by the same clergyman, and to-day is inserted the announcement of the advent of two olive.. brandies, the births being almost equally concurrent. Both children are girls, and the, nurse says. “as like as two peas.” further .than this, it may be said, one doctor and one nurse had been engaged for. both, but this ar rangement was upset by the course of events. . . . -v • -

An Unrehearsed Scene. —A remark able scene occurred at a reading recently given: Rt. Louisville by Mrs. Scott Siddons. The first part of the programme., had .just been concluded, the last feature of which was “ The M&niaoJ’'::' 4 Mrs.l Siddbn ap peared in costume, and..the audience was much; .mowed by ,her .dranaa.fic display.., Suddenly a woman, pushing past the door keeper, ran down the main aisle,' leaped upon the stage, and, rushing to Mrs. Siddons, attacked her savagely. The woman had a dog in -her arms, and a colored man followed her. People inter fered and prevented any injury'to-Mrs. 1 Siddons, who explained that the young woman was a demented cousin that had escaped from her custodian.- • 5 ~ • ‘ Hard Hitting. —Bonnor, the Aus tralian giant, seems, to-have excited some sensation in England at the,matches played by the Australian cricketers, both on account of his proportions and his batting. He is about 17st. in weight, and stands 6ft. 6in. in height-< He. is only between; 22 and 23 years of age.. During the match with Nottingham he made a hit fu11y.3120 yards long, the ball dropping in a. street leading down to the railway-station, and nearly alighting upon an omnibus waiting to take up passengers. On another occasion by an off-driye.; he sent .the ball on top of a house in town, and a worthy inhabitant had to “ shin ” upthe .water pipe to recover it.

Sketches from the Gallery.

No. 11. ; " {From our own Correspondent.) Wellington, Aug. 8,

Mr. Wakefield has taken a back seat' be hind the Government, where he'sits dreaded by all, yet silent as the grave ex cept now andthenan authoritative. “ Order, order.” No one knows what he is bottling up for, or whom he means to demolish when he begins. He probably, scorns to throw his pearls before such swine as now undertake to entertain the House. v. •

Mr. Stevens is seldom heard, and is never a bore. He'Seems fro have given up talking finance since he has been Chair man. of the Public Accounts Committee. Mr. Richardson'says but little, and that little is always about something on which he-has some special knowledge. His weak voice would be quite lost' on an unwilling House, but he commands the attention of both sides to the little he-has to say.

Mr. Moorliouse is speaking more than usual as to quantity, and much as usual as to quality. He still despises all.common economies and “ cheese-paring,”and would enrich the colony by some bold stroke of extravagance. He would borrow another L 50,000,000, make a few'more tunnels, import a few million immigrants,, and send all the fools who talk economy to break stones on the road.

Mr. Montgomery seems every session, to get more pompous and less wise. " He has been joked out of attempting financial statements, but lie has some very good notions of •taxation and fecono.mjy, and, compared to most of his party, is still a sensible man. ; He naturally .accomplishes;, nothing ill the false position he bas placed himself. He despises Sir G. Grey, and -disbelieves him as much, as most persons who know him, but die: would rather be top of the tail than tail of the top, and therefore elects to stay with a party in which a very little judgment or ability makes a man conspicuous. . ; - ‘ Your member for Coleridge keeps very quiet, and is perhaps reserving all his powder and shot for the defence of his: Commission, of which he is the only representative in the House. i / • Mr. Andrews is greatly altered since last session. He has become a much sadder and a much wiser man. His fine gold has turned to dross, his golden idol has.proved to be clay, and he now finds that the man who was to lead him into all liberalism knows nothing of the business himself. He still talks far too much, and says many mischievous things, but he is a real economist as far as his light goes,.and-is. one of the few men in the House who ,has kept clear, of all social fetters,and dares to bark at a lion, however big. Mr. Allwright did not take .near so .Jong, to see through Sir G. Grey, and has. the courage to vote on his own convictions without putting himself under anyone’s wing. Although one of the quie + est of men, he Can walk alone, 'and rarely seeks advice. He is always found on tlie'sitlei of real economy, and does not spend LIOO in trying to take off LlO. He has a 1 good deal of the right sort of self-respect, so

that no man - in.. tfie, House cait be m.or certainly depended -fipofi' never "to make fool of himself.

• .YoUr;neighbpr.Mr, voice.is only to be heard.in the '-and there it cries “property, property, property.” He: capip -.this.year .full. of -hope that, the “ propertywas' to be say-ed at', tlie-ex pense of education, but found little sympathy, except inTthe Upper House, and they could do nothing for him.

Parliamentary Notes.

(By Telegraph from our own Coyrespon : dent.) .-. ; i-. " - Wellington, Aug. 18. Tlie 'House has; made little- progress with business this week, and none of the essential-Tax .Bills are yet-in, print. This afternoon the majority of' the Opposition again declared that, .‘they Had no leader. Mr. Pyke has attempted’ to- fill the gap by giving notice of a want of -' confidence :fitotion in the management of the businsss Of the House, but that member’s estimate .Of himself is the'-'Ye verse'- r bf -'the opinion that the Households of’ 'hint, and the best of pauses.would fail-jin such hands. Sir G..)Grey is nbw- : goitfig through his usual tirade Messrs.--Rolleston, Dick, ,a, question. i>»

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE. OF iIjIIPMsHNTATIYES,

i WEDNESDAY* (AltJGtfsT '.'3.8,

' V The House, met. at. .2,36.,, : , ; . Mr. Pyke gave notice; that .he should aslt Government if they.were aware' that the line.from Bfieffieidto .Oxford, recom* mended by the Railway Commissioners, was a mere.pretext, to.get the -line, con tinued to Temuka, so. that it. may pass through the estates,owned by the. Premier and Mr. Wright', a) mqrfiher, ..of the Rail way Commission. “ w Mr. Hall said there "was no foundation in fact for the. statement set forth in the question. - Mr. Pyke produced a. telegram on the subject from’ resident of the district, who was well known'and. highly respected in the House. 'He refused-.-to"’give' the name. : ......

The Speaker* ruled that’ 'the ' telegram could''Ubt'b'e 1 read; L Mr. Pyke desired to read it, and laid it on the table, but'this..'wks rfiled ’-out'Ofi order. ,Y’ V OF TH-fil -3 7 Mr. Hall said that .Mr. Pyke would not give the ; • name;;,! because, -he; was thoroughly ashamed of himself, and the position he-hajd taken up. o ; , . ' Mr. Pyke gave notice that :on going into Committee of Supply, he would move that an,address'? be presented, ;to the Go vernor, informing' him that Ministers did not conduct, the business, of .thy House in a satisfactory manner.‘ IV . ~ Mr. Moss gave , notice . that lie would move thatj it’, is, expedient,' to relieve greatly the Legislature 'of all duties that can be more efficiently performed, by local governing 1 directly '• responsible to the electors by whom : they’ were chosen, that School districts be grouped to form Ro.adf districts; -Road? districts grouped Counties.;. ] and’-ppunties; grouped to form Provinces sufficiently large to warrant; the crp&tioff -of local legislatures-to, maintain peace, order, and good government -within their respective boundaries, with power given,? to' local Bodies to manage local matters in accord ance with such laws;Ss niay, be .passed by the legislature of the Province. Replying to questions it was stated that Government ~h.a.cL cpimsunicated with the ■ other* : colonies regardihg,-, joint action to bring to justice' iheii who deserted their wives and families. ,New South Wales, Queensland, and Tasmania, had replied favorably. The others had merely acknowledged receipt of the com munication. Further action .would be taken.—Government had under consider ation the recommendation of tlie: Local Industries Commission,, reepmmending a thorough ex&rnihation, of the west coast, of the Middle Island,' a’vie vv of ascet taining what ! aid ban be gHeft 'for the development of its resodrCCs. - .V;'' Mr.oHall moved'that for. tlib‘'remainder of the session Government business should take precedence -on Thursdays at ,7.30.

The mother was 'carried, on a ..division, by 47 to 20. Mr. Murray gave notice that he would ask the House to sit on Saturdays for the consideration of private 'members’ busi ness.

. ,Qn tlie motion for going into Committee Of - Supply, , ■' ' ..

Mr. DeLautour moved"“'lt is .desirable that the Minister of .' Lands, before the close of the session, Shofild give a dis tinct enunciation of his; : p'olicy in regard !:to the future administration - ' of the Crown 'Lands in Otago now occupied' by pastoral tenants on lease.” Mr. Rolleston said thatithe Government had all along followed put, the, principle of affording every possible facility for the settlement of waste lands'. 'No cast iron rule could be laid down' oft the subject, but only a-few gen'erdl'principles; to be acted upon as occasion required. The policy of settlement was- laic! down in general terms by the Act of 1577. 'TII9 course Government proposed fpllotfihg under that I 'Act was A'&bbject' oil ’’which the House had ■a- rightf* ; to expect the fullest possible information, and; h'e was quite prepared- to supply that informatidn. The discussion was interrupted by the

5.30 adjournment.

- • Wednesday, Auq. 18, . The debate was at .the evening sitting by Mr. Dick, who was followed by Messrs. Jones and . Bro>vn. Sir George Grey blamed the Minister for Lands for using unbecoming language to Mr. De Lautour, who had ,only done his duty. He then accused thp i Government of acting Unfairly in the matter of land,.- and said that the. government benches - were oc cupied by men who had actod in this way, referring to the Canterbury gridironing. He spoke of the time coming when such men as 1 noW occupied ''the benches would be swept from their position by the votes of enraged constituencies; their names would vanish from memory,.while that of the noble young man of Mount Ida would be preserved because he bad stood up for the rights of his fellow-men.--> r Sir .George, then delivered a;;jbMllipic" tq: 'dVti*.; .Georgiy M f Lean, whom he set'down as a man with a cold heart, greedily.pursuing-wealtk,,and, who, regardlessof everything, woiild destroy his fellow men and reduce-tjiem tq slavery, After asking the House to "abolish the Legislative Council and the office of Go vernor, the Speaker called Sir George back

to the subject. Sir George then went on, to say that, the.acquisition of large estates was closely connected with the consti tution of the Legislative Council and the Governorship. day gifted young men told him that, but for.the way land was parcelled out, they'would be able to earn honorable ' He de manded to know whether homes were at' once to jbe secured by the young men to whom he referred, or. whether they were to remain victims of poverty and indolence. The motion for going into Committee of supply was then.put and carried by‘ 40 to 35, Mr. DeLautour’s amendment being thus negatived. COMMITTEE. The House went into Committee on the ■Public Works Estimates. Class s.—ltem Roads North . Island, L59,00Q. Mr. Shrimski proposed- that the vote ho re duced by L 46,164. The vote was agreed to ais printed. •' Item.'—Roads, bridges and wharves north of Auckland, L 66,650. Carried. Item.—Roads and bridges un settled districts in Patea and Taranaki, L 48,816 18s. 9d. Mr. Thomson pro posed that it be reduced L 26,000. The motion wa3 negatived on. a division . of 21 to, .46, and , tlid Vote -as printed passed Opening 'up roads rihd constructing through'lands recently purchased, Passed. Nelson, South-west Goldfields -road and bridged) LI ,650. Passed. Roads to Greymouth and West port.' 'Passed. ’"Westlalid roads and bridges, L5, ; 000. Passed. Hokitika to Christchurch construction, supervision, and damage by f100d5:,’L15,427 193. : sd. Passed. Roads to open up land before sale, L 61,544 9s. Id. Passed. Class 6, Land'Purchase, North Island.. Yote—Chief Office, Wel litigton, L 120,622 2s. 4d. Mr. Mont gomery asked the Government, to say if theyintended to goon with theso purchases, or whether they would try to'withdraw froni them as soon as possible. The Hon. J. Bryce replied ’ that he did not wish it' to ,be understood* that Goveriimen't in tended to complete all these negotiations. Mr. Montgomery condemned the Govern ment foi’entering into obligations which would entail the expenditure of a million of money, without- the sanction of the House. Mr. Macandrevv, as a member of the late - Government, , repudiated tho whole thing, and did npt. look upon it as a liability. The Government were not called upon tjO take the land at all unless thev desired’ to do so.

The Hon. J; Bryce looked upon it as an engagement,'.dndednsequently asaliability. Government; had’-entered into a : solemn contract; with the .natives; which ought to be fulfilled.- Mr. Whitaker deprecated the idea of repudiating bargains entered into with the natives. If they had agreed to pay them so much an acre they must do so, unless they could, be honorably re leased with the. .consent., of the natives. Sir George,Grey moved tlie adjournment of the yotes until, the late Native Minister was present. The Hon. J. Bryce did not see the necessity for Mr. Sheehan being present, and insisted upon the propriety of the vote beifig''disposed of. . ’ At’ 2 a. in. the Chairman was so ex hausted that. Col. Trimble had to take his place. The vote afterwards passed as printed. . Class 12. Contingency defence, L 140,000. Passed without dissent. :. -Class B.—Telegraph extension, L 43,577 10s. Passed without dissent. Class 7.—lmmigration, L2G,984 13s 4d, was reduced by LIOOO. Class 7. —Waterworks on goldfields, L 26,716. Passed. . .Class 9.—Miscellaneous public works, L 129,178 9s, 9d. On a motion that it be reduced L2OOO, the House divided—Ayes, 9 ; Noes, 21. Passed as printed. Class IQ. —Lighthouses,. L455Q. Passed. Class 13.—Charges and expenses on raising loans, L 189,430: I9s. 9d, Passed without dissent.

Class 9,—Public buildings, vote—ju dicial, Lfii,429. , Passed as printed. Postal and_ telegraphic, Lll ,025. Mr. Hall agreed to reduce the . amount by L 550. Agreed to. . Customs, L9OO. Passed. Lunatic asylum's,' L 55,500. Passed. Hospitals, L4OOO. Passed. School build ings, L 106,031 17s. lOd. Passed. At 4.30 progress was Reported and the House adjourned till 7.30 to-night.

Mine Schildhood.

Der.schiltren dhey yas put in ped, All tucked oup for der nighdt ; I dakes mine pipe der mantel off, Und by der fireside pright - I dinks aboudt vhen I vas young— Off moder, who vas tead, . Und how at nighdt—like I do Hans— She-tucked me oup to ped. ,1 mindt me off mine fader too, v ' • Und how he yoost to say, ‘ Poor poy, you haf a hardt old’t row To hop, find leetle blay-! ’ I find me out dot id vas drue. Yot mine old fader.said, Yhile smoodhing down mine flaxen hair Und tucking me in ped. : Der bidt folks ! Id vas like a dhream To speak off dem like dot. , Gretchen und I vas ‘ oldt folks ’ now, Und haf two schiltren got. .. jYe loves dhem more as nefer vas, - Eachffeedle.curly head, -Hild efry 'nighdt ve dakes dhem oup paid iuqks’idbein in’dbeir -ped-.' Bfidt dhen, : somedimes, vhen I - feels plue, -A Und all‘dings lonesome seem, I vish I vas dot poy again, Und dis vas all a dhream. I Vant to kiss mine moder vonce, Und vhen mine brayer vas said, To! haf mine fader dake me oup Und tuck me in mine ped. — Harper's Monthly.

A Dilemma. —There is a good anecdote told of the late Bishop Selwyn. If it is not true it ought to be. Wandering after his manner one day through the streets of a .mining village in the Black Country, he came: across a group of men employed in the strange pastime of seeing who amongst the num.ber. could tqll the most, outrageous lie. They Had got funds together to pur chase a new tin kettle, which was to be awarded to the successful contestant. The good Bishop learned with wonder not un mixed with indignation the strange trial of skill being made. It appeared wicked .to. lfim and he expostulated with the liars 'op .tlie heinousness bf the action. They failed; however, to see any harm in the transaction, and told.the Bishop so.. He to their amazement told -them ho had never? told a lie in his life. On hearing this assertion a stalwart miner called out, “ Gie the governor the kettle.”—Waira rapa- Standard.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

{Per Reuter's Agency .) The American Wheat Harvest

London, Aug. 17.

The American wheat harvest prospects are favorable, and the yield is estimated' at 500,000,000 bushels. Wool Sales. The third series of wool auctions opened to-day. There was a good attendance of home and foreign buyers, 6,900 bales were offered, these being inferior and faulty wools of all kinds. The tone of the bidding was hesitating. The auction closes on October Ist. The Indian Budget. In the House of Commons the Marquis of Hartington, Secretary of State 1 for India, in submitting the Indian Budget, said that an increase of taxation was pro posed of L18,Q00,000. He also mentioned that no definite proposals had yet been by-tlie British Government to render aid until .such times ;as hostilities were sus pended. v f ; .Mr. Dillon's Speech?*: ’ r : , • . • • ■ Aug. 18. In the House of Commons to-day, the Right Hon. W. E. Forster,. Chief : Secre tary for Ireland, denounced the ■ nass and cowardice shown by Mr. Dillon in his seditious speech at Kildare, but said the Government had no intention of pro secuting him. The French Crop. Paris, Aug. 18. It is expected that the. French crop this year will be an average one. > On the Defensive. Calcutta, Aug. 18. Further information to hand states that Ayoub Khaii is now engaged bombarding Candahar, and that the British forces are acting on the defensive. London, Aug. 17. Fall In the Price of Wool.

The wool sales opened with, prices at from a halfpenny to a penny.lower than last sales.

Investment of Candahar by. Ayoub Khan—Cabul Evacuated General Stewart at Gundamuk. . ; :U-. v; " Calcutta, Aug.'lß. '

News conies to'hand .that the citadel at Candahar is invested on three sides by Ayoub Khan’s aruiy. General Stewart reports he has reached Gundmuk with the British force which was left at Cabul after General. Roberts departed for Candahar, and The evacua tion of Cabul is now completed. A Silly Hoax. London, Aug. 18. A report was current to-day' that' two barrels of gunpowder had been found in a railway tunnel under Cork barracks, but on inquiry the whole thing . was proved to be a hoax.

AUSTRALIAN

(Per Renter's Agency.) ; . Oats. Melbourne, Aug. 17. ' : NeW Zealand oats, 2s. 6d. to 2s. 7d. Best milling'qualities are firmer. Warm. Melbourne, Aug. 18. Mr. R. Bowman, the member for Mary borough, made a speech last night, in the course of which he denounced Mr. Williams, the member for Mandurang, as a political traitor. The Tararua. The Tararua sailed for. the Bluff to-day. Shipping. . Arrived—Rotornahana, from the Bluff. Re-elected. All the Ministers have been re-elected. Messrs. Graham Berry and Wm. M. K, Yale by small majorities, and Messrs. R. Richardson and IT. R. Williams by large ones. ' ■ ' Prorogued. Sydney, Aug. 17. • Parliament has been further prorogued till September 28th. 7.' Empty. A box which should have contained 1260 z. gold from Coolctown, addressed to the City Bank, arrived here empty. The Australians. Sydney, Aug. 18. A cablegram was received to-day from Murdoch, of the Australian cricketers, •who says that the All England match has not yet been arranged, but a reply is ex pected in a few days. Wants Cash. Sydney, Aug. 19. It is understood that Government has notified to the banks its intention to with draw L 200,000 from its deposit.

The Suez Mail.

King George’s Sound, Aug. 19. The steamship Bangalore, with the in ward Suez mail, has arrived here.

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association.) Death from Lockjaw. Auckland, Aug. 18. A man named Robert Montgomery died at Cambridge from lockjaw. He cut his toe with an adze a week ago. Successful Prospectors. The prospecting party, for which Adam Peter got money voted, is now at Te. Aroha where they have struck several, reefs. A “Bum” in a Fix. Wellington, Aug. 19. The charge of perjury against a bailiff named Clifford has been further re manded. Embezzlement. A charge of embezzlement is being heard at the Masterton Court against Johnson, formerly the assistant clerk to the Court there. - Compulsory School Attendance. Invercargill, Aug. 18. The Invercargill School Committee have decided to adopt the compulsory clauses. >*. Fire. Invercargill, Aug. 19. A fire at Crosbie’s farm at .Wyndham yesterday destroyed two stacks of oats and a st«am threshing machine.

Meat-Freezing Movement. The Forest Hill Chamber of Agricul ture intend making an attempt to procure the calling at Bluff of vessels ivith meat freezing chambers.

The Henderson Tragedy.

[by telegraph.)

Wellington, Aug. 18. . The suicide to-day caused quite a sen sation in town. Miss Bligh is reported to be out of danger. Henderson was thirty years of age and the lady nineteen. Both arc said to be respectably connected at Christchurch. A letter found on deceased shows the act was premeditated. - An inquest will be held on Friday morning... • Wellington, August 19.7 Miss Bligh passed a good night, and is progressing favourably from the effects of the poison.

“Parish Business.”

In the House yesterday afternoon Mr. Moss gave notice to move for the institution of a system of local Govern- 7 ment with a view to relieve Parliament of a great amount of what Mr. Sheehan called the “ parish business ” it is called upon to perform. We have no wish to see the' old provincialism re turned to, with its mock Parliament of “honorable members,’* sitting in every chief town, and the way Mr. Moss puts his motion makes us feel as if the spirits of the provincial parliaments had begun to “walk.” But when one sees how much real legislation has td -be shelved each session simply because the House has had its time taken up with matters that could have been just7as well attended to by the Counties in the districts which' these matters affected, he is inclined to' favor some scheme that - will relieve Parliament of;any local ” duties that help it to fritter' away its time without profit to the colony. As';' it is, there is an element in the' House - sufficiently prodigal of time : in its tendencies, no matter how important to the country the issues of a question may be, and the'result of the action of this element is that we find the Legisla ture, as the session draws to a close, having a pile of work to get through ; that it has no hope of accomplishing. ' This session is no exception, and we fear the Representation Bill has shown all of itself we will see this year; the Licensing Bill we would not be sur prised to see held over at the last moment till next year, while the Hos pital and Charitable Institutions Bill stands a good chance of sharing the same late. It is aggravating to find a session that opens hopefully and full of; promise having to close with its work half done and a large proportion of it done hurridly and therefore less thoroughly and carefully, than it might’ ’ have been. To remedy this state of affairs in some measure at least is Mr. ; Moss’s intention in the motion he wishes the House to consider and adopt. But we fear his reform in this direction has been mooted at too late a - period in the session to receive the consideration that, not so much his scheme as his intention, merits. Some ■ thing, however, will have to be done in the direction he hints at, but as it is. hopeless to expect a private member to carry through a reform of this kind, the matter ought to be taken up by Go vernment. . We hope that during the . recess Government will consider what is best to be done to relieve the House of the pile of purely “parish business”- iris annually called upon to do, and yet retain spine sort of direct control of , such bodies as they may relegate, it t 0,., or specially create for its transaction,

THE STORY-TELLER.

' ❖ ——— ’ d:..--' . THE DISRUPTION: A TALE OF TRYING TIMES. CHAPTER X— continued. “ If I happen to be employed to! doV so. There’s no harm in that surely?” “I am no very clear about that. To be sure, if ye be weel paid for’t, and get payment in gude Scotch notes, and no in English goold—which, for ought ye ken, might be blude-stained, ill-gotten money—maybe in that case it might be allowable for ye to teach the callari, the' mair especially as it would gi’e ye opportunities o’ hintin’ to him npo and then "what a state o’ utter dark ness he has beefi • jborir and brought:up 11 in, and gi’ein’ him some insicht intil the iniquities of the Prelatic harlot.” “ You don’t mean to say that I should try to undermine the faith in which his father has reared him, during the time I may be paid to teach him the dead languages ?”. “ Ay, but I div though. The dead languages, I jalouse, are no worth a boddle to onybady, unless they be seasoned wi’ a spice o’ soond doctrine, and ye wadna be doin’ your duty, to the callan if ye learnt him naething but a jargon o’ meaningless gibberish.” Stiffrigs was in too animated a key to be willing to part company without further conversation, and he . readily accepted of an invitation from Mr... •; Duncanson to take tea with him at his. A. lodgings. Here the farmer found an old acquaintance in the person 1 of Robin A fleck, and passed a very happy evening. It was a happy evening, too, with Mr. Duncanson and Robin ; for the. letter formerly quoted from Jean Brown, containing the news of Miss Montgomery’s release from domestic thraldom, and a few lines of the most encouraging nature from the young lad herself, had just arrived.

THE ASHBURTON ;H ! AUGUST 19, 1880.



'Amusements.., t ‘fe GRAN D ATTRACTION {M COME ONE!! COME ALL!!! TOWN HA L L l , Thursday & Friday, \ AUGUST 19TH AND 20TH. *r p fT! Anniversary of the Dawn X*V-J»vT» J- • 0 f Peace Lodge, No. 16. A. ' # Tea Entertainment 5 -p Will be held in the TOWN HALL Tea to commence at's.3o, after which the AMATEUR DRAMATIC CLUB ‘ Will Perform that Grand' Moral and . ’ j -Sensational Drama,.entitled, • To which the curtain will rise at 8 p.m. Prices of Admission —Tea only ls. 6d.- Tea and Entertainment (to Body of Hall), 2s. 6d. Entertainment only—Dress Circle 3s. Body of Hall, 2s. and Is. ■ ON FRIDAY, THE 20th. The Drama will be Repeated. . *' 749c-118g own hall, ashburton; MONDAY, AUGUST 23rd, 1880. fen % MONSTER PANORAMA ■ ZEALAND. OF NEW p Limelight Exhibition, amazing brilliancy P and beauty. ■J The Principal and ' most Charming Sceneries of the Colony. Cities, Towns, Buildings, Gorges, Waterfalls, Rocks, Landscapes, Harbors, Bays, Bridges, Rivers, Monuments, Hot ip springs, Boiling Lakes, Gold Mines. First land discovered by Captain Cook. Scene where .Cook first unfurled the British flag and claimed New Zealand, Ac., &c. SPECIAL SCENERIES OF P - AUSTRALIA. ‘ Vocal Music—Special attractions. Posters. See Admission—Dress Circle, 25.; Body of Hally Is.; Children half price. Commence at 8 sharp in order to get through the lengthy programme. Descriptive Lecture ... Mr. R. Bevan Manager Mr. T. Davies 774 c Christchurch.



Miscellaneous. FOR SALE. A GOOD FOUR-ROOMED HOUSE, A and nearly ONE ACRE of LAND in a first-clasß position, cheap. 771 c POYNTZ & CO. PIANOFORTE FOR SALE. , GOOD Strong Cottage Pianoforte for Sale, second hand, price L 35 cash. Apply office of this paper. 641 c a GOOD PIANO on hire, by the XX evening. J ones, H. M. Stationery and Fancy Goods Depot, East Street and Baring Square. - ' TITANTED—A Smart LAD for a General YV Store. Apply A. R. Markham & Co., Chertsey. 762c-1360 "ITTANTED—A Good GENERAL W SERVANT for a Private Family in town. Apply at once, Herald Registry. 773 c WANTED—Tenders for MORTICE YY ING about 216 POSTS (more or ; less), for Cattle Yards. Full particulars 1 at the works. Tenders received up to noon on FRIDAY, the 20th inst. 767 c ‘ NELSON & COUTTS. A AAA TO LEND, in sums to suit borrowers, at lowest rate of interest. F. P. O’Reilly, Solicitor, Ashburton. ~ 424c-835a ASHBURTON RACING CLUB. - JBLIC MEETING of Members and others interested in Sporting Matters will be held at Quill’s Hotel, on SATURDAY, August 21, at 8 p. m. Business—l. To consider the advis ableness or otherwise of holding a Spring Meeting. 2. To consider the question of, letting the Course for cropping. JAMES WILKIE, 755c-127q. Hon. Sec. EDUCATIONAL. “|t TISS S. BARRATT, having taught IVX successfully in the colonies for the last 'four years, is anxious to join her sister in establishing a SCHOOL in Ash- • part to all entrusted to' her care a THOROUGHLY GOOD GENERAL EDUCATION. English,, pne . guinea. Extra charges will be made for Music, French, and Drawing. Apply to MISS BARRATT, 639 c Wills Street. ASHBURTON HIGH SCHOOL. /TENDERS are invited for the EREC -1 TION of a BRICK BUILDING, being part of the intended High School. Also alternative tenders for a TIMBER BUILDING. Plans and specifications may be seen at our offices on and after MON DAY, the 23rd inst., and sealed tenders indorsed “Tender for High School” to be delivered on or before noon, Wed nesday, September Ist. FOOKS & SON, 130a-777c Architects.



THISTLE MASONIC S.O. LODGE; 627,; fipHE REGULAR MONTHLY MEET -1 ING will be held THIS EVENING, August 19th, in the Masonic Hall. By order of the R.W.M. 772 c ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. i PPLICATIONS are invited from JOL competent persons willing to act as FERRYMAN at Lower : Rangitata for ; one year, on a subsidy of £BO per annum, together with all fees paid according to the schedule as hereinafter mentioned. Applications, with references, endorsed “Ferryman, L ower Rangatata,” will be received.at the Council’s Offices, Ashbur ton, „ up tp 11. n»‘m. 6n WEDNESDAY; ttye Ist day of September, 1880. Duties 'to commence on the 4th September, 1880. .. ..Two sureties for £25 to be provided. SCHEDULE OF FEES. Cattle or horses, driven or led in a mob, j 6d. per head. Passengers forded op horseback, 2s. ; each. Horses forded (including horse and rider), 3s. each. Vehicles, ss. each. . V' -V By order, « 5- • f: mAinwaring, - Clerk. Ashburton, July 27, 1880. 718c-82« V. R. In the District Court of Christ church, Holden' at Ashburton; ' IN THE MATTER of the Debtors and Creditors Act, 1876, and the several Acts amending the same, and, in the ' Bankruptcy • 'of - SAMUEL HOLLAND, of Waterton, in the County of Ashburton, farmer, a Debtor. Notice is hereby given that the above-named Samuel Holland has this day filed in the above Court a declaration that he is unable to meet his engagements with his cieditors. And notice is hereby given that the first meeting of the, creditors; of ;the above named ' debtor wilt'be ‘held at - the District' Court, Ashburton, on Wednesday, the 25th day of August, 1880, at n o’clock in the fore noon. '■ Dated this 19th day of August, 1880. C. CAVENDISH HURRELL, • Clerk of the Court. E. G. Crisp, Solicitor for Debtor. 77&c NOTICE THE LONGBEACH COACH will leave Baldwin’s Central Hotel, at 5.45 p.m. on TUESDAY NEXT, August 24, for the Wheatsheaf Hotel, Wheatstone, in order to Convey Passengers from Ash burton to the Supper and Ball. The above coach will return immediately after the Ball for Ashburton. Return Tickets 4s. each. THOMAS COTTON, 776 c Proprietor.