POST OFFICE NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : , , For Christchurch and North at 10 20 a.m. a 30 p.m., and 8 p.m., d uly. _ ; ■ For Chcrtscy at 10.20 annually. For Rakaia at 10.20 a.m and 4.30 p.m da For Dunedin, Tinwald Winslow, II imp, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.20 a.m, daily. For Ternuka. Timaru, and South at 10.20 a.m and 3.30 p.m daily. . For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10.30 a.m For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at 3.15 p.m. daily. For Wakanui and Seafield, on Mondays and Thursdays, 7-3° p.m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES, Monday.

By Messrs. Sdmiston Bros, and Gundry, at their rooms, at 12 o’clock—Bank runt stock of Fancy Goods &c. ; also, at the same time and place—l2 cases Fruit.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1880.

Rakaia R. 1)1. Court. Henceforth the R. M. Court at Rakaia will open at two o’clock, instead of the earlier hour.

Accountant in Bankruptcy.-—Mr. J. E. Buchanan has been appointed by Judge Ward a certificated accountant in bank-, ruptcy. Court Houses.-—The various votes for Gouit Houses throughout the colony dur ing tho present financial year ' exceed L 50,000. Of this sum, buildings at Wel lington absorb L 20,000 ; Auckland,Lsooo; Christchurch, LSOOO ; Oamaru, L3OOO ; Waimate, L4OOO ; Invercargill, L 4500 ; and Ashburton LSCO. The Upper Ashburton Assessment Court.—The valuation roll for the Upper Ashburton Road Board was-adjudicated upon by Mr. F. Guinness yesterday, and about half-a-dozen objections were lodged. These were duly heard, and the roll, after being corrected in accordance with the result of the objections, was duly passed and signed. A Hew Firm.—Messrs. Everett Bros., drapers, outfitters, &c., of Nelson and Christchurch, arc about to open a branch of their establishment in the stores lately occupied by Hooper, Ail ken, and Co., and at present used as an auction mart by Messrs. J. E. Buchanan and Co. The new firm intend opening for business on Saturday next, Gtli March.

Civil Service Reductions.—We arc informed on good authority that a Royal Commission will, at an early date, com mence their investigations into tho inner secrets of the multifarious departments and offices considered to be necessary for carrying on the affairs of the colony. Tlio necessity for the enormous army of officials employed has been severely com mented on, and has at last led to the ap pointment of a Commission of gentlemen who arc to make a rigid scrutiny into the working of every department, with a view to weeding out the ornamental and retain ing the useful portion of the great army of officialdom. The work before the Com mission is a Herculean one, and will, if thoroughly and successfully carried out, deserve to be put on a parallel with the cleansing of the Augean stables.

The Rakaia Valuation List.—Thurs day, the lltli March, has been fixed as the day for completion and inspection of the new valuation list of tho district, and objections will require to be sent in by the 29th of the same month. The Court to hear these objections will sit at two o’clock in the afternoon of the sth Apri],

Dreadeul Accident.—This afternoon, whilst a knot of business men, farmers, and idlers were doing their lounge under Montgomery ’a verandah an appalling crash was heard overhead, then a shower of a dog and glass fell on the footpath. The dog bad been locked up in the “Times” office, and the window being open he took the nearest exit from his prison, and looked considerably’' amazed when he reached terra finn-i. MIo sneaked off with a look of intense disgust at the outrage upon his feelings, in his fall he luckily did not land on anybody’s head, had lie done so, ho would have given a shock to somebody’s hat or system, as he was of tolerably good proportions.

The Remote Future oe Westland. — The “Hokitika Evening Star” thuses : —“The selfishness, as displayed by 7 the Christchurch Chamber of Commerce, and almost all the deputations, in Canter bury and Otago, who interviewed the Minister, is commendable. They have no hesitation in asking for the impossible. They know no one but themselves, until the tax gatherer comes round. Then they recollect that there are neighbors, and at once endeavor to saddle them with tne heavier burdens, whether having received any benefits or not. Westland ! your prospects in tlie face of sleeping cars, tiger rugs, foot-warmers, and perhaps sleeping car maids, are very remote indeed. You may pay, which is a privilege you are allowed to enjoy, but you are doomed to tramp, and manuka scrub placed on mother earth is your sleeping car.

Digcy’s Bridge.—The contractor for the construction of the bridge near Digby’s made good progress until the advent of harvest, when tire carters struck for a substantial advance in the price of convey ing the material from the railway station to the site of the bridge. In consequence of tills rise in the value of haulage tne con tractor has for the present suspended operations, although the timber is now encumbering the railway, station yard. All the piles are driven, .about half the superstructure is completed, and in a very short time it is expected that the bridge will be open for tho limited amount of traffic expected to utilise the structure.

The Grain Market. —Messrs. Fiied lander Bros, announce to the farmers of the district that they arc prepared to either purchase or make advances on grain, and as this firm have local conveniences, both for loading into trucks and storage in the township if necessary, they ought to pass a large quantity through their hands this season.

Important to Farmers.—Mr. Joseph Chirk is prepared to purchase grain for cash, or to make advances to farmers wishing to chip their produce, and • with that object in view will attend to his con stituents in Ashburton on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The Eucalyptus Forests.—A corres pondent of the Haywards “Journal,” (Alameda county) writes as follows : —The first piece of land of any extent planted in California in blue gums and entitled, from its size, to be called a forest, contained about 45 acres, and was set out by J. T. Stratton of East Oakland, in Castro valley, near Haywards, during the winter of 1870. The number of trees planted per acre, GSO, Tii' tne' month's 'ox ivpru Ana" r,5 vetf; xvrt, some 19 acres of tho forest underwent the process of thinning out, but leaving stand 100 of the largest finest trees to tho acre. The 10 acres yielded in material 149 cords of wood and GOO poles. The latter were purchased by the Central Pacific Railroad Company to bo used on their telegraph lines as an experiment to test the value of the blue gum for such purposes. The cost of putting into market shape the cord wood was 1 dol. 10 cents per cord, and poles 25 cents each. The cordwood sold readily on the premises at from 5 dots. 75 cents 1o G dels. 25 cents per cord. The poles, it is said, brought 1 dol. each, de livered at the station, On deducting tho cost of labor involved in the operation, tho returns, as the figures show, were 1190 dols. profit. The same ten acres of land for agricultural purpose's, rented at the rate of 5 dels, per acre per year, at that rate for seven years, gives the sum of 350 dols. A plantation of gum trees, large or small, in necessary labor does not really require an outlay of more than lOdols. per acre during the period of seven years in the requisite culture and atten tion to insure success.

Seeing a Man : Home. —I picked Sim mons up pretty near dead drunk, and took him home. Yvhen I got to his house, as I thought, I shook him a bit, and said, “ Here you are.” “ Right,” said he, and gave a big bang at the knocker.. Up went a window. ‘ Who’s there screamed a woman. “I have brought the old man home,” said I. “All right,” she cried, and came to the door. She immediately seized hold of Simmons, and gave him such a r shaking that his teeth seemed to rattle in his head. “ Who are you shaking of 1” says he. “ Goodness gracious,” cried the woman, “ That is not my hus band’s voice. ” I struck a match, and she found she had been shaking the wrong man. “ There,” said tlie woman furi ously, “I’ve been sitting up here expect ing my husband homo drunk, and now I’ve wasted my strength on a stranger.” “Don’t he live .here?” said I. “No,” said the woman, “He don’t.” “What made you knock ?” said I to Simmons. “ Knock,” said he,” “ You told me to.” “I thought you lived here,” said I. “ Glad I don’t,” said lie. I suppose he was thinking of the shaking he’d liad. At last I found where he did live, and got him home. Mrs. Simmons was sitting up for him. As soon as ever we knocked, out she came. “Oh !” says she, “ you’re tho wretch as makes my poor, husband drunk, are you'?” and she caught mo a slap across the face. I’ve never seen a drunken man heme since.—“ Cope’s Yo bacco Plant.”

Holloway’s Ointment and Fills.— An infalllLlc remedy for bad Legs and all kinds of Wounds. —Tlie suprising sale ef these invaluable medicines in every part of the civi lised world is the most convincing proof of their efficacy. They speedily cure bad. legs, old wounds, rgrofula, and other diseases of the skin. Thousands of persons suffering from these dreadful maladies have been cured by them after every other means had failed ; and it is a fact beyond all doubt that there is no case however obstinate or long standing, but may be quickly relieved and ultimately cured by these' won.dprful medicines. Their united action' is irresistible ; more need not be said in praise of these celebrated Fills. Lpt those who doubt their excellence give them a. trial. -t-Advt,

County Council Works. —The County Council are calling for three small, but, to the districts affected, important works, viz., two drains in the Longbeach district, and the approaches to the bridge over the north branch by Digby’s.

TELEGRAPHIC.

TO-DAY ’S CABLEGRAMS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE

(Are SJh’cir,!.) ' The Nihilists in Russia- London, Fob. 27. General Malakoff has succeeded Count Gourka as Governor of St. Petersburg.

A waiter employed in the palace ot the Czarowitch was arrested on suspic.on of being implicated in tho attempted ex plosion of tho Winter Palace. Fighting at Herat. Latest news from Afghanistan states that fighting is occurring at Herat. A Plot to Assassinate tho Sultan. A Cabuloe (?) plot was discovered to murder the Sultan of Turkey.

AUSTRALIAN.

(AV.vAv V.) The Irish Relief Fund. Sydney, Fab. 28.

The total subscriptions obtained in this colony towards the Irish Relief Fund amounts to £20,000

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

1 N TERPRO V ! N 01 A L

Fatal Accident. Wellington, Feb. 28,

A man named Brown, a laborer em ployed on tho Corporation works at New town, was killed this morning by a fall of earth.

Onr Sporting Governor. Dunedin, Feb. 28.

Tho Governor intimates in the papers that lie is not in any way interested in any of the Hon. W. Robinson’s horses, but probably ho will form a stud. He has bought one horse in the North, but has not taken delivery. If he goes in for racing, be will not be in partnership with anyone. The Oliampage Stakes, 1831. Nominations for the Dunedin Cham pagne Stakes close on Tuesday. A Thief Whipped. Edward Thorne, for stealing money, was sentenced to six hours’ imprisonment, and ordered to receive 12 lashes.

LAST NIGHT’S CABLEGRAMS.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE

(AY Ufa's.) Constantinople, Feb. 25. A Greek lias been arrested at Stamboul, having a number of bombs in Ins posses sion. He is suspected of conspiracy. London, Feb. 26. An anti-rent meeting was being held to-day at Portadown, Ireland, when a large body of Orangemen made an attack met elign6tT^tt I 'Wh'dhlDor I *uf I TO .YcAh were wounded. St. Petersburg. Feb. 25.

Fears are entertained that a serious Nihilistic outbreak will take place in this city on ’Wednesday next.

LAST EIGHT'S TELEGRAMS.

I NTERPROVi NOiAL

Auckland, Fob. 27

Messrs. T. and S. Mo’Tin had a carcase of au animal, supposed to be infected with pleuro. scut to their yards in High street to-day from the neighborhood of Ellerslio. It was examined by Messrs Goldsboro and Haines,'veterinary surgeons, and a number of gentlemen interested, and their reports will be sent to tlie Attorney General. At tiro meeting of the Pastoral Associa tion a resolution was passed requesting Government to trace and purchase the cattle recent!y imported from Australia, : in order to destroy them, and thus stamp out the disease. The cost would be LSOO. Mr. Buckland, in event of this being done, offers to furnish a list of the purchasers and the prices given when sold at his yards. Government are urged to quaran tine tlie cattle expected by the Hero from Sydney. Cattle are also expected shortly from Queensland. Mr. McKelvio, an old Auckland colonist, has sent to Auckland Museum, by the Loch Ure, from London, a collection of Maori curiosities, which had been sent to England more than thirty years’ ago, also a large collection of silver and copper coins, and twenty curious medals.

The “ Tim aru Herald,” having refused to apologise for the statement made respecting the condition of tlie barque Glimpse, Captain Norris lias determined to proceed with the action for libel. Hawera, Feb. 27.

Tho Commission on Native _ Affairs is still sitting hero, but will conclude to morrow. A largo number of natives have been examined, and their claims and grievances fully gone into by the Com mission. Wellington, Feb. 27. A petition is in course of signature calling on the Mayor to convene a meet ing for the purpose of urging the necessity of pushing on the completion of tlie Wel lin g ton -Fo xton rai 1 way. Seventy -five men engaged by G over men! left for Waimate Plains this after noon, when they commence work in form ing the roads. “ Wellington Prices Current,” issued to-day, states that the bank rate for deposits will be reduced early next month, and the open market supply of money is rather less restricted, though still a good deal short of the demand, and from 10 to 12Jr per cent, is paid on mortgage of real estate. Greymouth, Feb. 27. In the last match between the Grey mouth rangers and the Westland rifles, the former made 673, this is believed to be. tlie highest, score yet made in the colony. • Lyttelton, Feb. 27.

The nominations for the Canterbury Jockey Club Handicap of LSOO close on Monday. In nominating, the age of the animal at the time of entry is required.' Christchurch, ‘ Feb. 27.

The University Senate sat again this morning. An application from Mr. Percy B. Adams, to be admitted to an ad

out idem M. A ., this withdrawn ho'certifi cate forwarded by him being informal. The other business consisted of arrange ment of details of examination. The Senate at its rising adjourned till Monday afternoon.

The Otago crew won the boat race easily. They outpaced the local men from the start,'and came in fire lengths ahead. The betting was also against them—and the result was a complete surprise, it is attributed to the difference in tire style of rowing and the long sliding seats used by the Otago men. ■ The Bicycle Club races come off to morrow. There are three events, all handicaps, one mile, four miles, and ten miles. Gutten, the Otago competitor, is at scratch in the first and last, for which alone lie has entered. There are eight entries in the ten mile. Tim.uiu, Feb. 27. Duncan Oruikshank was yesterday com mitted for trial at Waiiaato for fraudulent' bankruptcy, making the third case of the kind for hearing at ill) District Court at Tima.ru on Monday. There are thir teen other criminal cases on the list, .in cluding nine riot cases. Very few transactions have yet taken place in new grain, deliveries being very light. Merchants’ prices are os. 3d. to os. Gd. for wheat, Is. 3d. for oats, and os. to os. 3d. for barley, but farmers are disin clined to accept these at present. The weather is still very changeable. O ’.iiiiiU. Feb. 27. A man named James Deering committed suicide to-day by drowning himself in the Creek as Ngapara. He had lately coma out of a lunatic asylum, and the act was in consequence of an unsound mind and No inquest will be held. Dunedin, Feb. 27. A quartz reef, carrying silver in con siderable quantities, has been discovered on the main Caclrona range. Samples of ore will be sent to Dunedin for assay. The Native Land Purchase Commission sat again at Waikouaiti to-day, and ad journed till to-morrow. Ann Ward, a servant at Fidler’s Auld Scotland Hotel, where she had been only for a week, gave birth to a child on Wednesday, which was asterwards found dead in a water closet. The girl was taken to the hospital. The body of the child was removed to the morgue, where it awaits the usual inquest. His Excellency the Governor has not received any information concerning pro bability of war between England and Russia referred to in Reuter’s Sydney message to-day. Balclutiia. Feb. 27.

At a meeting of the Clutlia Council to day, John Watson’s tender to erect the Balclutiia bridge, L 10,953, was accepted, Council giving back security for indent of iron from England.

SPORTING.

DUNEDIN SUMMER MEETING.

(By Telegraph. ) Third Day —Saturday, Feb. 28. 4000 people were on the course to-day. The weather was simply beautiful. For the Steeplechase, Louehand, Thiio, Robin Hood, and Scamp faced the starter. The hitter Was served up a warm favorite. At the third hurdle Robin Htod, who was -tMMR£Hi3bp-iwA.aud fell, and at the water when lie negotiated it, was clean out of the race. On going past the stand Scamp, which cantered the rest of the 'way, won just as he liked, Robin Hood being a good second. Time—7min. 45secs. Foreuny Handicap. Foul Play ... ... ... 1 Chancellor ... ... ... 2 Libeller ... ... ... 3 Time—2nxins. 44-isccs. Queen’s Plate.

The Queen’s Plaid was a dead heat be tween Volunteer and Mata.

CHISPA’S LETTER.

“I am not q-ct so bald that } r ou can see my brains. ” —Long reu.ow.

The past week has been a very dull on c for gathering items for my usual letter; as all the floating population have vanished into the country to assist in gathering the harvest, and the regular inhabitants of our village have had to devote themselves to comparing notes on the heat of the weather, and their future prospects. And an opinion seems to prevail that money is easier. That, lam told, is a trade term, but if it means that money is easier to get I have as yet failed to experience the im provement so far as my financial opera tions are concerned ; but it is something to bang on for, to see and hear other people hopeful, even if it is only in the direction of making a rise out of a libel case.

And that reminds me that there has been the promise of a very prolific crop of libels lately. Even that “obscure ” pub lication the “Herald” has been deemed worthy of a prosecution, or to bo more cor rect, a threat of one, and the wounded feelings of the “ scarifier ” Mosley could only be soothed by the intervention of the law ; Mosley is a nice man but he wasn’t quite good enough for his legal adviser to undertake the case on spec., the said adviser in the meantime being expected to shell out the necessary live bob with which to lay the informa tion. The fiasco of the great Montague Mosley reminds me of the general con duct of a mongrel pup. So long as you are within kicking distance the pup is very subdued, or he gives you best, and if lie can, rapidly puts a safe stone’s throw between you and himself. He be comes very brave then, and very barky ; but take up a stone, and lie’s off precipi tate].)', turning corners with vehemence, and dashing himself against the opposite Avail in his hurry. Mosley, my hoy, I’ll lend you ten bob if you’re hard , up, to start the legal game. YourP. 13. tells me he overheard the talk and witnessed the scene in your sanctum when Mosley brought his lawyer to “ knoAV, you know,” about that Wesleyan. The P. D. • was quite excited Avith delight as ho described the look of the great Montague after the lighting editor, Avith a significant glance at the open AviudoAV, suggested a handier way of having the' matter out than leaving it “ in the hands of Mr. H . ”

I have to compliment the lads and lasses aa'lio tried my sum. There avctc eight competitors altogether, but only two of them Avere rigidly correct, yet all slioAved tha t they had taken great pains in the Avorking and writing out of the sum. Philip O’Reilly, is a smart little

chap, who owns allegiance to Mr. Dai id Davidson, the master of the Boys’ Sem inary on the Belt, while Miss Eva Hen derson is a junior pupil teacher under Mr. Stott, of the Borough school. I dare say wo shall hoar of those two again, long before the last hair that lies between mo and heaven has been removed. Next week I shall again ring the boll for com petitors.

We haven’t heard a great deal about the unemployed for a week or two in this district, seeing that work is plentiful enough, but I heard a yarn the other day from a large employer of labor as to the nature of some of the “bone and sinew” of thy country which is illustrative of the sort of men who make much cry but give little wool with it. Four men took a job ditching. One, Pat, was a good workman, an Italian from Tipperary, and the other three were a very ordinary lot. After about a fortnight's work, pat visited the homestead with a view to getting squared up, but the station holder objected to do anything of the sort till the contract was finished, and ouqived of Pal his reason for wanting to leave. After considerable hesitation and beating about the bush lie at last blurted out that his mates were a lot of “ confadj.; fives,” This word was not quite intelligible to the boss, and lie asked the meaning of the expression, and Pat said it meant men who “couldn’t either earn their tucker nor eat it.” While on grammatical subjects I recollect another word invented by a waspish and ill tempered lady of my acquaintance up North. She was in fact my next door neighbor, and I had for a mate a pure thoroughbred cockney, and these two never allowed a day "to pass without having a passage at arms. 11 Let not the sun go down on your wrath ” was an in junction they religiously didn’t follow. One evening a row took place between the pair, and luckily a paling fence intervened so that the weapons employed in the combat were only the tongues of the virago and the cockney. After a prelimin ary exchange of courtisies respecting the ownership of some chickens, cockney re marked, “you'rea little whipper-snapper.” Virago replied, “yah ! get out, where did you learn your well-brought-up-tedness. ’’ This was a squelcher, and the cockney retired humiliated and crestfallen.

I was at Rosoby's lecture of course, and sat quietly during its delivery. You have recapitulated his sayings, so I needn’t. But you did not tell the effect the Rev. Mr. Beattie’s speech had on one or two friends of mine who believed he delivered the most sensible speech of the evening, and forthwith made numerous demands on Shearman’s “ whisky and soddy,” in .which they drank the Rev. gentleman’s health fully “ down to the peg. ” But what with Rosoby’s fiery denunciations against whisky inside, and Saunders’ ap peal for water outside, it seems to me that it is absolutely, necessary for the municipal authorities to get in a supply of water at once, otherwise there will not be sufficient of the aqueous fluid from the wells to keep us going. The hydropathic craze has set in in some quarters very severely. I know one man whose horse is suffering from the want of oats and too much work, and he asked my advice on the matter, as to whether a wet pack, or a warm bath would be the most likely to make a con valescent of the animal. I strongly recoin months’ spell His worship the Mayor, however, has come to the front in a most noble and disinterested way in this mat ter. Ho has developed a full blown scheme for bringing in clean, sparkling, and pure water for the Ash burtonites, and lie proposes to ob tain his supply by means of -four windmill pumps.' Patriotic Mayor ! He is agent for the Alt-house windmill. Coun cillor Saunders has also an idea by which to supply the township with a stream, and is going to put up a dam, and a hatch to regulate tire quantity necessary for the requirements of this flourishing city! As 'something of a sticky nature is required to make his dam watertight, he intends to recommend a few tons of superfine silk dressed flour from the Alfred mill as a suitable material for the purpose.

Chisea.

RAKAIA AND ASHBURTON FORKS RAILWAY COMPANY (Limited.)

." The annual general meeting- of share holders in the Raknia and Ashburton Forks Railway Company (Limited) was hold at two o'clock on Friday afternoon, at the office of Mr. C. F. Barker, Here ford street, Christchurch, Mr. George Hart in the chair.

The Secretary having read the advertise ment convening the meeting, the minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed.

The following report was then presented and adopted as read :

The directors, in submitting their second annual report, have much pleasure in congratulating the shareholders" on the opening of their line for traffic. The arrangements - with the Government are not yet completed, and there are minor portions of the contract unfinished. Tour directors. hoAveA’or, being anxious to facilitate the carriage of grain this season thought it undesirable to wait for the completion of the contract before open ing. The Company’s engineer has certified that tne railway is safe for the conveyance of passengers and goods and the line has also been inspected by- tiie Government Engineer. Having the past year, your directors have found it absolutely necessary to make two calls, amounting to 30s. per share ; the first, of 10s. per share, payable on first August, 1870, and the second of 20s. per share, payable on the Ist January, 1880. They have, however,- good reason to believe that it Aviil be unnecessary for them to make any further calls on existing shareholders. For the Board of Directors. Geokcie tLurr, Chairman. The Chairman moved, and Mr. Cuff seconded, the _ report and balance sheet, the motion being unanimously agreed to! Messrs. G. Hart, J. L. Coster, and J. ii-. inylor, the retiring directors, were re elected for the ensuing year, no other gentlemen having been nominated. Mr. John Ollivier, on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr, Passmore, Avas elected as auditor. ’.

The sum of LoO having been A’oted to the directors as remuneration for their services during the past year, a A’oto of thanks to the Chairman terminated the pro ceedings,

Management of New Land.

By a Plains Farmer. Having had many years experience in managing both light and heavy land, I venture to give the farmers of this district the benefit of ib When I first came into Canterbury I was fortunate in getting a good section of heavy land, adjoining a large swamp, but sufficiently elevated for good drainage, with a creek of running wafer at the bottom of it. I commenced in April, and got 30 acres ploughed five inches deep, using four strong bullocks. These acres were sown with oats in August, and produced 30 bushels to the acre. The next year I got another paddock of 35 acres ploughed in the same way, five inches deep, which was done before harvest, in the fall of the year. This was ploughed again lightly, about half the depth, and sown in wheat, which produced about 45 biisliels per acre average. The •year following I had another paddock of 83 acres (heavy"flax" land) skimmed as light as it could be done, and then ploughed the second time about five inches deep, which produced a heavy crop of 50 bushel per acre average. But this was a more even and better piece of land than the other. . The first paddock was sown down to clover oad cocksfoot, which was stocked with several good milking cows, the produce paying the grazier and butcher : besides rearing calves and pigs. After some years I went on to a larger piece of light land, and foolishly followed the example of others in Hying out a large sum of money, first in paying a portion of the purchase, then getting more horses and implements, and having to buy horse feed arid seed at the dearest rate, then A building house and stabling, together with fencing. All these.and other outlays can scarcely be accurately calculated' on, only by hoping that a good harvest will re imburse.it all. But alas it is a failure. Not withstanding this, farmers are not as a rule beaten with one bad harvest, but rather make a desperate effort and put the whole of their land in crop the next year, and if it should be a favorable season they will yet recover this loss ; but if a second bad harvest should bo the result, and that worse than the first, as was the case last year, then it becomes a national calamity, and should be borne patiently by all classes.

The primary object I have in view in writing this article, is, if possible to point out the way of preventing the recur of such a calamity. I have come to the conclusion from my own experience, as well as others, that this district is not to bo relied on solely as a wheat producing one, at least not for some years, until it has been grassed down and stocked with sheep. I arrive at this from the fact that last q-ear when the crop was light, the quality and sample were first-class ; but this year, when the season lias been, favorable to the growth of a heavier crop, the sample is not so good. Now, as a rule on heavy wheat growing land, the larger the crop the better the quality of sample. I have seen some fine looking crops this year which if grown in heavy land with the same bulk of straw, would? yield-from 30 to 35 bushels to the acre, yet these crops which are now being threshed, I was told k by the owner on the spot, were only yield ing from 20 to 25 bushels per acre. And yet there was no rust, and better manage ment in every respect I have not seen in New Zealand ; in fact it would be _osn.'iUlxjH'ulcJaE_aQ.iua_Q£_our farmers to go and have a look at Mr. Loudon’s farm in the ivyle district, and take a leaf out of his book. But to return to the subject. The reason of the difference between this district and heavy land is that in the former there is not yet a sufficient quan tity of' wheat producing element in the soil to carry both quantity and quality. Therefore, I would suggest that instead of putting the whole of the farm in to wheat the first crop, as many do, they should put up a "sheep-proof boundary /fence withy four wires,"then, they coukl put on" a few she p at once ; and in g’oing on to new land, say in April, the plough should be kept going all the winter, at a depth of from four to five inches, and in August a sufficient quantity of land should-be put into oats as would be required for next winter's feed, and perhaps'a few acres, by way of experiment, into wheat or barley. But in October begin to sow turnips, with clover seed mixed, at the rate of say £lb. turnip seed, Slbs. of cow-grass, and 31bs. of red clover to the acre, and not be too sparing on labor in well working the soil, until (hero is from two to three inches of fine mould. This, with a good season, Mould produce a fine crop, ready to stock by March or April at the furthest, when full stock should be put on, and later crops of turnips only should be sown at intervals up to the end of December. The latter would go into eroq> the-following spring, and so keep on in succession until the whole is brought into cultivation, and by that time there should be plenty of stock making a good and sure return. As to capital, I believe it would mot require more to carry out such a system than it would in wholesale grain growing, as it would require fewer horses, fewer imple ments, and less labor.

Value of Mangold Wurtzel Beets.

Many farmers neglect the possibilities of mangold Avurtzel hoots for .cattle feed. Nothing Avliich Ave can grow is more satis factory for this purpose. The yield is enormous. Any good corn or wheat land is profitably employed in raising beets. A field Avhieli is intended for beets may and should -bo heavily manured, as this Aviil largely increase the immediate j ield, and its good effects will continue to be felt for several successive crops. Land in which mangold Avurtsels are to be planted needs a thorough preparation. Plough in -narrow lands, and with a single plough, following with a harrow and roller. The seed is sown: with a drilling machine, and six pounds will be required for an acre. Make the rows from 25 to 30 inches inches apart oh good soil, and rather closer whore the land is poor.- Arrange the seed cups of the drill so as to deposit the from four to six inches apart in the rows. Unless the woitheT is very- damp, the furrows made by the seed-drill should be rolled. If, after soAving, a heavy rain packs the surface of the soil so hard that it appears difficult for the young plants to force their way through the crust, pass a light harroAV -with sloping teeth over the rows. This is also an advantage as regards the early weeds, and the use of a harrow * to kill weeds between the rows, Avhilc yet small, is unquestionable. When the young plants are. safely past the dangers, of their, early ■ existence, they must be thinned out,-go as to stand terror

Saturday, February 28, ISBO.I

THE ASHBURTON HERALD



New Advertisements. WAN TED KftO WN. —Messrs Poyntz and Co. have several BARGAINS in HOUSEHOLD PROPERTIES in Ashburton. 95c 'TT T ANTED, a smart respectable YY YOUTH, about 15 ; must be trust worthy. Apply toll. M. Jones, Stationer, Baring square. Bj_c TO LET. f 5 Roomed HOUSE, with Jialf an _ acre of garden ground. Eot 41, East end Princes street. Rent 12s. a week. Apply, Herald office. 101 WESLEYAN CHURCH, Cameron street.—Divine Service will be conducted in the above Church To-morrow Morning and Evening by the Rev. IV. Keall. l ! IQlc JQRIMITTVE METHODIST CHURCH £7. Wills Street. Divine Service -will ’be conducted in the above Church to morrow Morning and Evening by the Rev. A. J. Smith. 105 c NOTICE. RATING ACT, 1876. WY7HEREAS at a sitting of the Assess ;YY nient Court for the District of South Rakaia, held this twenty-first day of February, 1880, _ at South Rakaia, be fore me, Frank Guinness, Judgo, it having been proved that no valuation list had been prepared as required by the said Act. 1," therefore, under the provisions of clause 28 of the said Act, order that a valuation list be prepared, and I appoint FRANCIS GEORGE PARRY LEACH to be the valuer for the said district. I do fix THURSDAY, the 11th day of March next, tlio day for the completion and inspection of the said list, and the last day for delivering objections thereto shall be MONDAY, the 29fch day of March next. The Court will sit at two o’clock p.m. on Monday,"the sth day of April next, for the purpose of hearing and determining all.objections to the valuation list for the said district, . FRANK GUINNESS, 551g-108c J adgo. vru - NOTICE. TYLHEREAS at a sitting of the Assess » » nient Court for the Road District of Mount Somers, held this 23rd day of February, at Mount Somers, before me, F. Guinness, Judge of the said Court, it was proved that no valuation list had been prepared as required by the said Act. - Now, therefore, under the provisions of clause 28 of the said Act, I order that a valuation list be made, and I hereby appoint FRANCIS GEORGE PARRY LEACH to be the valuer for the said dis trict, and I do further fix SATURDAY, ' the 13th day of March next, the day for the completion and inspection of sncli list, and that the last day for delivering objec tions thereto shall be the 3rd day of April next. The Court ivill sit at 10 o’clock in the forenoon on Monday, the 19th day of April next, for the purpose of hearing and determining all objections to the valuation list for the said district. ... FRANK GUINNESS, 99c ■ • Judge. LABOR MARKET. REGISTRY OFFICE FOR. MASTERS ! AND SERVANTS, .( -*U AT THE * EVENING. = HERALD ” OFFICE. T7IARMERS •.REQUIRING HANDS Jjj . r can engage men through the “Evening Herald ” Registry for 1/- each, prepaid. ’LABORERS REQUIRING SITUA TIONS. can engage 'through the * { Herald Registry Office by paying 1/-. SERVANTS REQUIRING SITUA TIONS can; get them by applying at the “Herald” Registry Office, and paying Air .........ENGAGEMENTS will be POSTED UP every day at 12 noon and 4 p.m., by .numbers given to .the applicants, who ivill * learn the address on enquiring. SPECIAL or URGENT WANTS will be inserted in the “ Evening Herald ” in the registry column on payment of Six pence additional in advance, for each issue. . Further Particulars on application at .i.Si'U n the “EVENING HERALD” REGISTRY 77 v. ; . OFFICE. . -SAUNDERS’ BUILDINGS, EAST ST., ASHBURTON. II T ANTED, those in search of employ- YY ment, -to call and enter their names at Herald Registry Office, on pay ment of Is. Y ABOURERS requiring work can 1 J secure first opening by applying early at Herald Registry Office, on pay ment of Is. .. - ■ tjAVE you Lost Anything I—Tell the 5 r.JVL; -finder - through the Herald for a ■ Shilling. ' If he is honest he will bring it to you without a reward, but you can bail a finder of shaky morals by a tempting .. offer*of remuneration for.his trouble. A 1 foraShilling; pash. . . , v ■'



N 377 Advertisem outs- V. IN BANKRUPTCY. Estate of Thomas Maddox, of Ashburton, a debtor. KNUD SANDO; having resigned LVJ_ the appointment of Trustee, I here by call a meeting of Creditors of the above-named debtor, to be held at the District Court House, Ashburton, ' on MONDAY, the Ist day of MARCH, next, at 11 o’clock in the forenoon, for the pui pose of electing a creditors’ trustee. C. CAVENDISH HURFcELL, 103 c . Clerk District Court. EOUND, an iron Screw WRENCH, be tween Butler’s Hotel and Moore street. Owner can have same by paying for this advertisment. Apply, Herald office. 107 c SERVANTS requiring situations, call and get your names entered in the Herald Registry, Is. NEW TAILORING ESTABLISH MENT. CRAIGHEAD & Co., MERCHANT TAILORS, TTAVS opened those premises situated JTjL ' in Tailored street adjoining Messrs Orr and Co’s General Store. A SPLENDID ASSORTMENT OF TWEEDS, FANCY GOODS, Ac., Ac., JUST ARRIVED. Mi’. 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 co.se. TANCRED STREET, (Next Orr and Ox’s.) CRAIGHEAD A CO. 982 a FOR SALE. TOWN SECTION No. SOC, Burnett street, on easy terms. Apply to G. ivl. ROBINSON, 90c* Caro of P. Cunningham and Co.



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