COMMERCIAL

Auctioneers’ Reports.

Messrs. H. Matson and Co. repoi fc on the live stock market, etc., for the week ending Thursday, May 27th, 18S0, as follows : -

The continued satisfactory advices of the European sales of our wool tend to create an increased demand'for all classes of store sheep, and the difficulty, ex-, perienced in the selection of good lines ..of stores for holding over is very great; in fact, without paying the full extra pros pective value they are not obtainable, and the prices asked for this class of stock exhibit to our mind such a small margin of profit, in comparison to the prices ruling for fat stock, that were we pur chasers, with a desire for an early return,- we should prefer the last mentioned, and our. remarks apply equally as well, as far j. as profit is concerned, to the cattle market, as until the permanent establishment of the freezing process on board our inter national vessels, we see no great outlet for our surplus fat stock, and although there is at all times a fair dealer’s profit attached to purchases and sales the bona fide pro ducer and grazier must make up his mind to the fact that unless relief is obtained through export, his breeding and feeding on comparatively high valued property is only a precarious employment. At the Canterbury Saleyards on Wed nesday the attendance was only moderate and,the bidding throughout the day was on a par with the weather, which was ex - ceedinglv damp. The supply oil offer was far from large, and only in a few instances was the quality sufficiently good to merit attention. 344 cattle, 4,838 sheep, and 79 pigs, comprised the day’s catalogue, of which we offered 203 cattle, 1,9G1 sheep, and 08 pigs, all of which sold, fetched a good figure. Canterbury Horse Market.—On Satur day, at Tattersall’s, 102 horses formed the catalogue for the day’s auction, chiefly consisting of light sorts, with a fair num ber of good useful farm horses, for which there was a fair demand. At the opening .of the sale biddings dragged, but towards the middle and close competition became more animated, and sales were effected • of a considerable number at quotations. The large number of weedy, ill-bred stock coming forward every week tends to weaken trade, and militates against sales of even good stock. Our sales were — Good serviceable draughts from L3O to L 42 j ordinary, L 22 to L2S ; medium to inferior, Ll 5 to LlB ; and weedy from L 3 to Ll2 ; hacks and light harness horses, Ll2 to L 22 ; very inferior, L 5 to LB. We have a capital demand for.well-grown, - decently-bred, upstanding geldings, for : cab,'coach, or hack purposes, with none in the market. Country Sale. —On Tuesday, at the Tin wald Yards, we held our usual fortnightly sale-of stock, &c. Our entries for the day comprised 2,074 sheep, 40 head of cattle, and 3 horses. There was a limited attendance, owing to the wet weather, but we' succeeded in disposing of the whole of the sheep and horses, and most of the .-y cattle, at highly satisfactory values.

Messrs. J. T. Ford and Co. report on -the live stock market for the week ending Thursday, May, 27, ISBO, as follows : The supply sent forward to the Adding ton Yards on Wednesday comprised 4,838 sheep, 344 head of cattle,, and 79 pigs. Prices remain at 2d. per ib. for mutton, and from 10s. to 20s. per lOOlbs. for beef. Store sheep of all classes are in excellent demand, crossbreds for grazing purposes fetching from 7s. Gd. to Bs. 6d., and ewes (crossbreds) in lamb to long-woolled rams, at from Bs. Gd. to 9s. each. Merino ewes from 4s. Gd. to os. Gd. each. Hoggets, from 6s.' to 7s. Gd. each, according to size, condition, and quality. Fat sheep moved off pretty freely, but the cattle sale was a perfect drug.from beginn' ig to end. On Thursday last we held a clearing sale at Metliven, on account of Messrs. Gunn Bros. Stores brought from L 35 to L3B each. Drays, from Ll2 to Ll 4 each, and farm implements at satisfactory prices. On Saturday we submitted for various owners, Messrs. Maxwell and Mathias and others, 30 head of draught and light har ness horses, and succeeded in placing a good few at from LlB to L 32 each.

Messrs. Acland, Campbell and Co. re • port on .the live- stock market for the week ending Thursday, 27th May, as fol lows On Wednesday, at the Addington yards, there was a smaller enti'y of sheep than we have had for some time, owing, no doubt, to the wet weather, only 4,838 being yarded. There were several lines of excellent butchers’ sheep entered, but, in spite of the limited supply, there was ■ ' very little, if any, advance on last week’s prices. Our quotations are —For best crossbreds, heavy weights, 11s. 6d. to 135.; medium, Us. to 10s. 6d. ; inferior, Bs. ; one line of merino ewes, good quality, 6s. 'lod. The few crossbred stores in were placed at late rates. Cattle yarded—There was a good supply cf butcher’s cattle of really first-class quality, but the market was one of the worst we have had for some time., very little of the best quality fetching more than 16s. per lOOlbs., averaging about 15s. The market for stores were also dull, and sales were only effected at prices slightly lower than late quotations. On Tuesday we held the usual monthly sale of live stock at Tin wald. There was a. large entry of sheep, » all of which found buyers at market rates. The market for cattle was very dull, and sales were, only effected with difficulty. After the sale of Jive stock we offered a number of sections in the township of Chelmsford, situated about six miles from Tinwald, on the Ashburton-MountjSomers railway.' The sale was highly satisfactory, all the sections offered being placed at prices ranging from L 5 to Lll 10s. for quarter acres. The remainder of the sections will be offered at Ashburton on Tuesday, the Bth June.

Christchurch Corn Exchange.

. The following is the Christchurch Corn Exchange Report for the week ending Friday evening, the 28th May, 1880 : The condition of the market for the past week is precisely what it has been for some time past. There is no improve ment to note. The market for all classes of grain is extremely heavy. Supply is in excess of demand in nearly all kinds of produce. Good milling wheat and short oats will find a good market, but at very low figures. The most recent ad vices'ffom..Home are not more reassuring than formerly, hence buyers are chary. Wheat—Good sound milling wheat will

find a market at 3s. Gd. per bushel, second quality ranges from 2s. Gd. to 3s. 4d. per bushel. Oliick wheat still con tinues in large supply, and does not meet with a ready sale, Is. 9d. to 2s. 4d. being the prices at which business can be trans acted.

- Oats —For good short milling oats a market can he found at Is. 4d. per bushel, f.0.b.; feed samples at from Is. to Is. 4d., according to quality. Barley-—The market still continues well supplied, with an indifferent demand. The prices quoted last week may be again repeated, but it must be borne in mind that sales are difficult to effect at the rates quoted, and the quality is the great desideratum. Fair to good malting samples range from 2s. Gd. to 3s. 4d. per bushel ; feed samples are almost unsale able, prices nominal. Potatoes are moving slowly. Sales are taking place at 255. to 2Gs. per ton, at stations within a few miles of Christchurch, sacks extra.

Grass seed. -—There is no change to note in the value of this article of produce. The demand is very limited, while the supply is abundant. The quality, how ever, as a rule is very indifferent, anci at best times would he difficult to place. Good heavy seed, well cleaned, is worth 2s. Gd. to 2s. lOd. per bushel. Cheese and Butter. —4d. to 4|d. for the former, and B|d. to 9d. for the latter.

MAIL NOTICES.

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

Tuesday, June 1. For Otago and Australian Colonies, per Rotomahana. SYDNEY J. DICK, Chief Postmaster.

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

“ Wicked Marks. ” —His Worship the Christchurch R.M. gave judgment to-day in the charge of Sunday trading against Marks, the Christchurch fruiterer, fining him ss. for the offence.

Larrikinism. —Four young men, for breaking into and wrecking the furniture of a Christchurch brothel, were on Thursday fined 40s. each by the Magis trate.

c ‘ Paying the Rent.” —A man in Christchurch went to pay his rent to his landlord. He exhibited the money and asked for a receipt. When that document was made out he seized it, but refused to cash up. To-day the Magistrate sent him to gaol for 24 hours.

c< Brack-eyed Susan.— Owing _ to un forseen circumstances, Mrs. Hoskins will be unable to play in “ Black-eyed Susan,” at the Town Hall, on Saturday. The piece, however, will not suffer in interest on this account, as the part will be played by the lady who has rehearsed for Dolly Mayflower, and who has made herself a favorite with local playgoers. An adver tisement elsewhere tells us that Mrs. Hoskins will take the part she promised at the representation next week. The play gives every promise of being well put Oil.

A Holiday Spree. —To-day his Wor ship, the R.M., reheard a charge against Wm. Stothers for breach of the peace. The case was heard last Tuesday, and on that occasion Stothers was fined L 5 in his absence. He applied for a rehearing of the charge, on the plea that when the first hearing came on he was in a very unclean state, and before he could become presentable the Court was over and his case disposed of. His Worship granted the rehearing, conjoining the charge with another of a similar character against John Meiklejohn, for whom Mr. Ireland appeared, who said the offence had been committed while his client, who had been to the Christchurch races, was under the influence of liquor, and in that state had discussed racing matters with his fists, his opponent being Stothers. Both parties were fined LI, his Worship remitting the previous fine of L 5 recorded against Stothers.

Drunk and Rowdy. —There are a goodly number of very disorderly charac ters in the town just now, if we may judge by the amount of “drunk” business the R.M Court has to dispose of. To-day a man named Symons, who was robbed of a watch, was fined 5s or twenty four hours in prison for being drunk, lie having gone to the police station in such a state of inebriation that the Ser geant had to lock him up. Charles Tonan, another inebriate “owned to it,” but urged that he hadn’t been before that Court for two years. In Court, however, he appeared to he under tlie influence of drink : he had been out on bail. His Worship levied LI from Tonan. Robert Hunter, an “incorrigible vagabond,” was sent to prison for twelve months. Previ ous convictions were recorded against him, and this time he was found drunk in Moore street, and it was only after a severe tussle, and aid had been obtained, that Constable Daly was able to fix liim up with the handcuffs.

The Burnham School Escapees and the Stolen Cheque. —To-day at the It. M. Court, the two lads, Eli Jones and Wil liam Edwin Best, who recently escaped from the Burnham Industrial School, were brought up before Mr. Guinness, charge with the theft of a cheque f> a 1 Ll 3 odds from a tent at Itakaia. Sergeant Eelton said that the lads, having con fessed their guilt, it would I>e useless to send them for trial, if the case was gone on with, as being of such tender years, there was no suitable gaol to send them to, and hence the only course which would be open to the Judge would he to send them back to the Burnham School. Mr. Guinness dissented from the opinion ex pressed by the Sergeant, as it was a mat ter open to doubt as to what his Honor the Judge might do with the lads in case they were found guilty. The matter being one wlxich was very difficult to deal with, His Worship allowed the case to be with drawn. The two lads were then charged with absconding from the Burnham In dustrial School. S. J. Maddison said that he missed the two boys on Saturday last. He had allowed the lads to sort the clothes of the reformatory on Saturday, and they had taken the clothes which they had on, and hid their uniforms in a paddock. Constable House deponed to arresting the lads at Rakaia on Monday night. From the statement of the boys he knew that they were absconders. His Worship said in making an order for their return to the Reformatory, he would order Jones to be privately whipped. Mr Guinness gave both lads a warning to mend their ways, and to endeavor to lead an industri ous life, Both lads would be sent buck to the Reformatory until they had reache.l the age of 15 years.

A Baby Smothered. —A half-caste Maori woman had her baby smothered at Cambridge, Waikato, while sight-seeing at the races.

Infected. —Old Wellington residents will 'learn with regret that Mr. John Orr, of the celebrated City Buffet, in Lambton Quay, a popular temperance hotel, has seen fit to apply for a license —but whether from choice or necessity we cannot say. The application will doubtless injuriously affect a colonial popularity the buffet has secured.

Vital Statistics. —The vital statistics of the four principal cities of New Zea land for the month of April, 1880 have been issued. The births registered were 81 in Wellington, 76 in Dunedin, 59 in Christchurch, and 57 in Auckland. The deaths were—Dunedin, 39 ; Wellington, 33; Christchurch, 17 ; Auckland, 13. The death-rate per 1000 of population was 1.63 in Dunedin, 1.53 in Wellington, 1.12 in Christchurch, and 0.87 in Auckland. The mortality from zymotic diseases decreased from 62 in March to 40 in April. The deaths from dysentery and diarrhoea were 21 in April against 49 in March, but the deaths from typhoid fever increased from 7 in March to 12 in April, and in the latter month there were 12 deaths from rheumatic fever; no deaths from that cause having occurred in March.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Per Reuter s Agency.) The Markets.

London, May 26.

Three per cent. Consols 99),-. Adelaide wheat. 4961 b., ex warehouse, 51s. ; market flat. Tallow lias active demand. At the wool sales to-day 7,400 Dales were oflered, making a total of 259,200 bales catalogued since the opening. The tone of the sale was unchanged. Mail and Shipping Items.

Messrs. Money Wigram and Co.’s steamer Somersetshire arrived at Ply mouth yesterday.' The homeward English mails, via Brin disi, were delivered in London to-day. The Afghan Ameershm- London, May 27. The London press confirm a repc-fc which lately lias been circulated to tlie effect that the Amocvship of Afghanistan has been offered to the Afgnan Pretende 1 ’, Abdul Rahman Khan. The offer is said to have been made in consequence of Abdul Rahman’s friendly relatiens with the British Government, and in order to conciliate the Afghans and maintain the dynast}' of Dost Mahomed. Garibaldi on the Italian Dynasty. Rome, May 27. The elections to the Italian Parliament are now proceeding. Garibaldi has chosen the opportunity to address a letter to the electors, in which he severely attacks the present dynasty, and declares that it is ruining Italy. The Prices. Hong Kong, May 26. The opening prices for China ten at Foo Chow are 2 taels above last yeai ‘s. The quality is considered about the same as last season’s. '

AUSTRALIAN.

(By cable from Reuter's Agency.) Shipping. Melbourne, May 27.

Arrived—Te Anau, from the Bluff. The Union Company’s steamship Ringarooma sailed for tl:e Bluff yester day. _ Sailed—Albion, for the Bluff. Dr. Beaney in Courb.

The case of Balliere v. Beaney, a claim for remuneration for obtaining the latter a commission to inspect the hos pitals in Europe, was decided in favour of the defendant. A Crusade against Reform. A caucus of the members of the Oppo sition has been held, at which it was re solved to hold a mass meeting in con junction with the League, in order to condemn Mr. Sei vice’s Bill for the Re form of the Constitution, now before the Assembly. The South Australian Parliament. Adelaide. May 27. Parliament was opened to-day by His Excellency the Governor, who in his speech announced that Bills would be prepared to amend the constitution by in creasing tlie number of members in the Council and Assembly, and altering the boundaries, also an amendment to the Insolvency and Education Acts, as well as other Acts, which were merely of a local character.

NEW ZEALAND.

A Maori Prisoner. Wj llingion. May 27. In the Supreme Court, in Banco, this afternoon, Mr. W. Travers, solicitor, ap plied to have a rule nisi fora writ of haoeas corpus in the case of Winiata Rarata, one of the Maori prisoners at present confined iu Dunedin gaol, made absolute. The application was based on an affidavit by the prisoner’s father, which set forth inter alia that his son was under the influence of certain Maori chiefs, to whom he im agined lie owed allegiance, and that in pursuance of that influence he was re strained from making the application on his own account. The rule was discharged, the Judges holding that in the .absence of prisoner’s concurrence the rule could not be made absolute. A Big Dram. It is understood that Mr. Daniel Climie, who made out the drainage scheme for the City Corporation, and who was unemployed by them for the same, has issued a writ against the Corporation, claiming the sum of L 4,731 19s. 4d., made up as follows Commission on the cost of his drainage scheme, L 50,104, at per cent., L 2,002 11s.; one month’s salary as drainage engineer during January, 1878, L 66 13s. 4d.; for services rendered in connection with Mr. Clark’s drainage scheme, thirty one days at L 5 55., L 162 155.; for wrong -lul dismissal from his office as engineer, L2,5C0 —L 4731 19s. 4d. The drainage committee in their report, which will be presented to the Council this evening, recommend chat the sum of L 162 155., Claimed under the third head, be paid into Court, and that the other claims be contested. Had a Quiet Crack ■with. Them. Invercargill, May 28. Mr. J. W. Bain, M.H.R. for Invercar gill, held a private uuadvertised meeting with his supporters on Saturday. Rabbits. The rabbiters are offering to exterminate the rabbits free of charge. The squatters refuse, and the rabbiters assert they are mating a good thing out of the so-called pest. An Association recently formed offers prizes for the best dressed skins, the best exhibits of skins to be forwarded to the Melbourne Exhibition.

Theft of a Watch and Chain.

At the R.M. Court to-day, Edward Lee was brought before his Worship charged with tlie larceny of a watch and chain from one John Symons, an Tuesday last.

Constable Smart arrested the prisoner in the bar of the Somerset II del about 8 p. m., last Tuesday, and charged him with the theft. On arriving at the lock-up, prisoner said he had not got the m >ncy, but another man' had it. He said the man who took the money wore a long coat.

John Symons, sworn—l am a laborer, residing in Ashburton. On Tuesday evening last I was sitting in the bar of the Royal Hotel. I had, as nearly as I can recollect, about L4O on me, including a cheque for L 29,: which .was in a purse in my right-hand trousers pocket, I had a roll of twelve LI ivies, also in my pocket, and some silver loose in my left-hand waistcoat pocket. I had a silver watch and steel chain, the bar of which was attacked to my button-hole. [Watch produced, which witness identified]. I value the watch at about L2 10s. The prisoner, who is a stranger to me, was in my company. We had a glass or two of drink together. Up to one o’clock of that day I had the watch and money in my possession. I was par tially intoxicated on that occasion, hence I cannot remember the last time the watch was in my possession. I had occa sion to go to the back of the hotel, but do not remember prisoner following me out. It was between half-past four and five o’clock when I missed my vvaicli and some notes. On coming into the bar I wanted to shout some drinks, and on putting my hand into my pocket found only L2 remaining. I do not know how the other money was taken out of my pocket. I never gave the prisoner any permission to take care of the watch. It was about five o’clock when I missed it. On a constable coming to the hotel, I gave my cheque and other money to John Toppin. The cheque was for L 29, and there w r as also two single notes. I cashed a cheque at Mutch and McKenzie’s for L 39 odd.

James Leeson, sw r orn—l am a wheel wright, residing in Ashburton. I remember being at the Royal Hotel on the 251 h May. I saw prisoner outside the bar door. Prisioner said he had got another man’s w'atch and chain, and he knew that the man had ten pounds more, and he was “ going for it.” He said he would give me five pounds to say notliing about it. A person, sitting with his head down, was in a corner of the bar. Prisoner was crouching down on the right hand side 0? tkis'individual, with his arms crossed, but I cannot say whether he w 7 as touching the other person. This was after prisoner had told me he had got the wateb.— about three o’clock. I then gave information to the police. Adam Stevenson, gave corroborative evidence.

John Toppin deponed—l am barman at the Royal Hotel, Ashburton. I saw Symons and prisoner at the hotel last Tuesday, drinking together. I saw Symons take a roll of notes out of his left-hand trousers pocket to pay for some drinks. I also saw a watch chain on Symons at dinner time. Prisoner handed over a watch and chain to me about four o’clock, saying it belonged to Symons, and he did not want to sec him robbed. Ido not know whether prisoner had been out side before this. It was after Leeson'and Stephenson came into the bar that prisoner gave me the watch. Symons was under the influence of drink, but prisoner seemed sober. Between 7 and 8 o'clock Symons gave me a cheque for L 29, two notes, and some silver James Leeson, re-called, was examined by prisoner—l never w r as acquainted w ith you, and don’t know how r you came to make such an observation to me as you did.

James Stephenson, also re-called— Prisoner is a perfect stranger to me. Prisoner was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with hard labor.

Robbery with Violence by two Foreigners.

Charles Peterson, a Swede, and Carl Brunn, a Dane, were charged to-day before Mr. Guinness with violently assaulting Hugh Hewitt, and stealing five one pound notes from him. Constable Warring deponed to arresting the two prisoners on the south end of tho Ashburton bridge. They were both in a cab, and he charged them with robbing with violence. They said “ You have captured the wrong men.” This was about 3.30 in the afternoon of Thursday. I found on searching them 18s. Gd. on Peterson, but no money on Brunn. At the request of Peterson, his Wor ship explained what robbery with violence meant, upon which Peterson professod innocence of such a charge.

Hugh Hewitt said he had been em ployed on the Westerneld Estate. Got L 7 10s. about 9 o’clock on Thursday morning from Mr. Shearman. Put the money in my trousers pocket. Paid away one note, and changed another at the bar of the Somerset Hotel. < >u going out about eleven o’clock in. the morning, I fell over the catch of the gate, making myself very dirty. I was in such a state that I went back and got a change of clothes. I went into the wash-house, which is in the backyard of the hotel, to change. Before taking the dirty clothes off, I took five single notes and about a pound’s worth of silver out of my pocket, and put it on the boiler at the side. Joseph Gale assisted me qff with the trousers. I put on a fresh pair. While talking to Joe, two men came into the wash-house. Joe said they had no business there. T recognisd Peter son as one of the men who came in. Peterson struck me in the eye, and knocked me down, rendering me in sensible. Just before becoming insensible I heard Joe ci'y out “ you shan’t take his money.” When I came to my senses the whole of the notes were gone, and some silver also. I do not remember seeing the prisoners in my life before, or of ever giving them any offence. By prisoner Peterson—l have not seen the money since. I saw you both in the wash-house, but did not see you come in. Joseph Gale deponed—l am a laborer employed at the Somerset Hotel. I know the last witness. I took him to the wash house on Thursday before dinner to change his clothes. Before taking Ills dirty trousers off, Hewitt took some notes and silver out of his pocket and put them on the boiler. He was sitting on a small -box, and put on clean trousers, duripg which time, Peterson came in and hit Hewitt in

the eye and knocked him down. The ocher prisoner got on to him and com menced taking his money. After Peterson came in, Hewitt put the money in his pocket. I called Mr. Hewitt by his name, upon which Peterson made use of a course remark. Neither of the men said anything to me. Brunn took the notes out of prosecutor’s pocket, and four of them fell on the floor, which I took possession of. I. saw Brnnn’s hand in Hewitt’s pocket while the latter was on the floor. When the_ notes fell I ran out with them to Mr. Shearman. The wash house is in a portion of the yard not open to the public. The next time I saw the prisoners was when I was in company with the police. They were in a cab, coming over the bridge. Hewitt was very drunk.

James Owld, sworn—l am cook at the Somerset Hotel. I saw Joe and Mr. Hewitt in the wash-house about 10.30 a.m. on Thursday. I saw the two prisoners go in about ten minutes afterwards. I think they were in the wash-house about half hour. ITewett w r as intoxicated when he went in. The prisoners came out of the wash-house very quietly and went into the cap-room. They were slightly under the influence of liquor. The door of the wash-house was closed while they were in.

George Millar depoded—l am barman at the Tinwa’d Hotel. Saw prisoners at about three o’clock on Thursday at the Tinwald Hotel. Peterson gave me a pound note, out of which to pay for three drinks. They then went away in a cab in the direction of Ashburton.

.Robert Shearman, sworn—l am proprie tor of the Somerset Hotel. I paid Mr. Ilewitt seven LI notes and ten shillings in silver about eight o’clock on Thursday morning. At about 12.30 I received four LI notes from Gale. I saw prosecutor at about ten o’clock, at which time he was sober. There is a wash-house in my back yard for the use of servants exclusively. The prisoners had come to board at my house the night previously. I could not identify the notes which I gave to Hewitt in the morning. This concluded the case for the prosecu tion, and after being cautioned by his Worship, Peterson said that on Thursday he was in Shearman’s bar drinking. He missed his mate, and on going into the yard to look for Brunn, he found Joe and Hewitt in the -wash-house, and on going in en quired who was going to shout, upon which the prosecutor said he would shout, and said that Peterson should have the first drink. Hewitt then gave him a slap across the face, and on Peterson enquiring whether he meant it, said yes, upon which Peterson gave him a blow, but not suffi cient to knock him down. Hewitt sat down with his hands before h ; s face, aud the accused then went out and found his mate lying on the table in the dining-room. Peterson asked Brunn if he had sufficient money for a drink. Brunn told him to feel in his pocket, and he found a note. Both of them took a cab and went to the hotel by the bridge, where accused said he shouted for himself and the cabman. They then drove out to Tinwald, to get wages for work which they had done there. They had drinks at the Tinwald Hotel with another man. Peterson said that the night before they each got a note from Sir. Shearman. He had spent his, but it was with Brunn’s note the drinks were obtained.

The prisoner Brunn declined to make any statement.

His Worship committed prisoners for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court to be held at Christchurch.

Telephone’s Tips.

The annual steeplechase meeting which is to be held on Saturday next ought, if the Clerk of the Weather is in good humour, to turn out even more successful than the meetings held by the Committee in previous years. At present the deluge we are experiencing will not only make the course extremely heavy, but will pro bably prevent so. numerous an attendance as might have been expected, seeing that most of our farmers are backward in their ploughing owing to the late dry season, and their anxiety to get in their wheat at as early a date as possible, so as to pre vent a recurrence of the evils of smut and rust, so recently experienced to their loss, .may probably keep many at home. At the same time, I am decidedly of opinion that the enterprising Committee who take this sport up annually are not backed up by the wealthier class of squatters and farmers as they should be. It must be recollected that the Steeplechase Commit tee, when they undertake to give the pub lic a treat of this sort, assume a consider able amount of responsibility, and should consequently be awarded due support by those for whom the said sport is provided. I offer these remarks to the readers of this journal in consequence of the impecu nious appearance of the subscription list. To come to the probabilities of the present meeting, I must say the Commit tee committed a grave error in appointing an outside handicapper for local horses. Mr. Lance is without doubt facileprbiceps as a handicapper of horses known to fame, and no one knoivs better how to bring them together in a finish. I must also say that he has shown better judgment of recent than in previous years. At the same time, the Committee of the Ashbur ton steeplechases asked too much of Mr. Lance when they required his services to weight local horses, most of which he never heard of before. The conse quence is that the District Handicap is not at all in accordance with the merits of the horses. For instance, Deceiver, a 6 year old, unknown to fame, and bred from very shady progenitors, is to carry the same weight as such horses as Tam o’Shanter, Jack, and the Raven, all known performers, and has to concede 51bs. to The Lad, who was reckoned by his breeder, Harry Markey, the redoubtable owner of Mousetrap, to be the best fencer in New' Zealand when a 3 year old. Sir George, again, a 3 year old, who has never yet started, is to carry list. 21b. In his case, I consider that if any horse should be let into a steeplechase at anythin** under the minimum oflOst., Sir Gecrae should start with a feather. However, next year, perhaps, the club will see the wisdom of reverting to the old rule of having the local horses handicapped by . residents in the district; and I am sure they will give more satisfaction fco their patrons, and owners of horses. ASHBURTON HANDICAP. For the Ashburton Handicap seven have cried content, viz., Grey Momus, Stella, Raven, Fakir, Magic, Mickey Free, and The Lad, and as the ground is heavy a good

horse will be wanted to get over the plough and gorse. Momus, with 12st. 71b. up, is top weight, but fit I think to pull the event off; I have a fancy for The Lad, and think that the will prove the grey’s most troublesome opponent. The ’lucky old stager the Raven always seems to he able to come in at the finish, and to stand any amount of whip, and I shouldn’t be surprised to see him in the van in the wind up, and I am told he is in better fettle than ever he was. Magic, I don’t think will show up, having been too badly hurt at the Grand National to send here, otherwise he would have carried my money. Stella has a good style with her, and not too much weight. Fakir is getting too ancient, and although he has won a Grand National, his day is gone by in my opinion. I place the field at the finish as follows ' Gre yMomus... ... ... 1 The Lad 2 Stella 3 DISTRICT HANDICAP. For the District Handicap, Sir George, Deceiver, Raven, and Tam-o’-Shanter will start, and, as I remarked above, there is nothing in the handicap to make of it. Tam-o’-Shanter will win. Raven, if he goes for the first race, will have had enough gruelling not to attempt this ; and the other two will never get round the course in anything like time. The WAKANUI STAKES brings out the smallest field, showing that weight-for-age races are not popular with sporting men. I place the three as fol lows :

Grey Momus... ... ... 1 Stella 2 Fakir 3 the farmers’ handicap shows up with a good entry of eight, and the winner will take a lot of looking for. The folio wing will figure on the card : Sir George, Jack, Deceiver, Tam o’ Shan ter, Lonehand, Little Tom, Tinwald, and Raven, and the winner will be pro bably Jack, as he has no work cut out for him in any of the previous races. lam surprised at this, as I heard he was as fit as a fiddle ; but the Secrerary informed me last night that he had received no ac ceptance, but that a letter bearing the post mark of the 26th would be received for the other races. The first three in this race will be Tam, Jack, and Raven, but I reserve my final tip on this till Saturday morning.

The Manawatu Steamer Affair.—At the Wellington Police Court, on Tuesday, the charges against the captain and officers of the Manawatu were heard. Captain Doile, for proceeding to sea without the full complement of men, was fined 205., and D. White, the purser, for falsifying the articles, was fined L 5. The charge against the agent, for fraudulently ship ping men, was dismissed.

Railway Extension. The Picton- Blenheim Railway has been extended into the Blenheim township, and on Tuesday a luncheon was given.by the Mayor of Blenheim in celebration of the event. Mr. Seymour, M.H.R. for the district, took advantage of the occasion to make a political speech, in which he defended the Government and the party supporting it. He said that Sir George Grey must either be leader of a Government or of an Op position. As soon as his party deserted him it had fallen to pieces. The Waimakariri. —The South Wai makariri Board of Conservators held a meeting yesterday. When the following resolution was adopted :—“ That, con sidering the danger of the river washing a breach at the end of No. 1 bank, it is advisable to construct a. new embankment about 15 chains in length about 25 chains higher up the stream, during the present winter, the total cost of which is estimated at LI,OOO. ” The Chairman was authorised to call for tenders for that portion of the work which is usually done by tender. A Melbourne Yiew of a New Zea land Unemployed Scheme. —This is the view the Australasian takes of the recent proposal made in Wellington by the un employed for the construction of the West Coast railway : —“ A singular scheme of railway construction was broached at a public meeting held at Wellington, New Zealand, the other day—a scheme which seems to possess the novelty of embodying every possible objection which can lie against any railway proposal of any kind. The scheme is to include railway construc tion, relief to the unemployed, and land settlement. The railway is to be constructed by men to be paid at the rate of 65., 75., and Bs. per day. But out of this they are to have rations provided by the Government at Is. 3d. per day, and to draw 10s. per week, and the balance to remain to be applied to the purchase-money of land, which the workmen are to be allowed to take up at L2 per acre. At first sight it would seem as though New Zealand must be the real paradise of the working man, if laborers at a railway can . live and pay for a farm out. of the -wages they earn during its construction. We have said that the scheme isopen to every possible ob jection. In the first place, nothing was brought forward in the way : of statistics to show whether the line would pay even that modicum of return with which we have to be content in the colonies. Then it is obvious, that, whatever else might be wanting, the Government would have undertaken to provide main tenance and pocket money for a whole army of workmen, who, under these happy conditions, Would possibly not be in a hurry to complete their work. Then the increase in the value of the land effected by the railway would be pocketed by those to. whom the State had given land at LI per acre, which one speaker (whom the meeting wanted, to ‘ put out at once) declared was worth L 8 to LlO per acre. - And finally, if the scheme had any effect of the kind aimed at, it would settle on the land an immense number of men destitute of the means of " livelihood, of appliances, and all farming experience. We observe that when it was pointed out that the Government could not sacrifice the public estate, one advanced thinker cried out, ‘ We are the Government, for we are the people,’ a sentiment which met with much applause. Of course this ad mirable sentiment makes many difficult matters very easy. You have only to declare yourself the Government, and take what you want. In the meantime, it is worth the consideration of these land reformers whether the best way is not, after all, for men to work for wages, and buy wbat they want with their money, rather than reduce everything to a general muddle, in which everybody would be living,,not on his own means, but on those of everybody else. ”

THE ASHBURTON HERALD, FRIDAY, MAY 28, 1880.



Miscellaneous COME all to night and see Madame De Murska’s Jewellery Bazaar, Prince Albert Dining Rooms. 509 c £IO,OOO rate of interest. Ashburton. TO LEND, in sums to suit borrowers, at lowest E. P. O’Reilly, Solicitor, 424c-835g O CHOOL Requisites and Artist M de O rials. H. M. JONES, Static ler, Baring Square. • * WANTED KNOWN—That C. Haw kins, The Tinwald Bootmaker, has REMOVED to premises Opposite the Tinwald Post Office, where he is still open to Sell first-class Boots and Shoes at his usual Cheap Rates. All kinds of Boots Made and Repaired. 805g—417c WANTED— TENDERS for CROP PING- 25 acres, adjoining Chertsey Railway Station. Tenders close FRIDAY, May 28th. Specifications on application to 479 c JAS. BORTHWICK. HAVE you Lost Anything I—Tell the finder through the Herald for a Shilling. If he is honest he will bring it to you without a reward, but you can bait a finder of shaky morals by a tempting offer of remuneration for his trouble. ■ .A)' for a Shilling cash. CHINIQUY’S LECTURES. —Just Ar rived, New Edition H. M. Jones, Baring Square. OFFICE and Pocket Diaries for 1880 H. M. Jones, Stationer, Baring Square. WANTED— A General SERVANT, about 14 or 15 years old. Apply Herald Registry. 489 c CHRISTMAS Number Young Ladies Journal, London Journal, Family Herald, Family Reader, Boys’ Standard, &c. Just arrived. H M. Jones, Sta tioner, Baring Square. JUST ARRIVED Young Ladies’ Journals for APRIL, and other jMCagcizines. H. M. JONES, Stationer, 360 c East Street and Baring Square.



TO LET. COTTAGE, with lialf- acre Garden, East Belt. Apply, 441 c ORB & CO. TO THE BURGESSES OF THE BOROUGH OF ASHBURTON. GENTLEMEN —I have to announce that I am a Candidate for the office of Auditor of the town of Ashburton for the ensuing year, I have to solicit your votes and trust that you will place me at the head of the Poll, which takes place on TUESDAY, June Ist, at the Borough Council Chambers. I am, Gentlemen, Yours faithfully, S. E. POYNTZ. 508 c



HALL, ASHBURTON. SATURDAY, 29TH MAY. GREAT ATTRACTION! THE AMATEUR DRAMATIC CLUB, Will give a representation of Douglas Jerrold’s Celebrated Drama, Black-Eyed Susan, OH ABOVE DATE. The performance ‘will conclude with the Side-splitting Farce of John Smith. Admission—3s., 2s , and Is. 506 c



Circumstances having compelled Mrs. Hoskins to perform in Christ church on Saturday, the part of Susan has been kindly taken at the last moment by a lady amateur. Mrs. Hoskins will appear in the part next week at the second representation. 507 c



EVERETT BROS. AND CO., CHEAP DRAPERS, HAVELOCK STREET, ASHBURTON. E. B. and Co. are now showing their tinter TV*r a pery, Comprising EVERY NOVELTY IN EACH DEPARTMENT. NEW GOODS ARRIVING MONTHLY. 505 c