The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 1880.

The Wild Beast Show. —Mr. Higgins’ menagerie of wild beasts is still been ex hibited in the large smithy Lately occupied by Robb and Bly'th, and the big lion, on which Dr. Maclntyre performed the surgical operation, continues to be an object of interest, as [do the other strange animals on the proprietors list. Leo will hold a special levee to-night. - j?v The Christchurch Riot Cases. —At the Christchurch Provincial Council Chamber,, yesterday morning, the hearing of the charges of riot and assault was proceeded with, there being 19 prisoners. The Resident Magistrate, His Worship the Mayor, and six other gentlemen occu pied seats on the Bench. The gallery was occupied by the public. Michael M‘Avey, Thomas Hanley, Patrick Cud dilxy, Thomas Magner, Patrick Shanahan, Edward Murphy, Thomas Keely, Michael Rock, Stephen Barrett, John Flaherty, Thomas Wood, and Michael Leary were committed for trial i while: John Barrett, Walter Teague, Stephen Ryan, Arthur M‘Mahon, Charles Gawley, and John Mahony were discharged. Ckiarini’s Circus. —This circus, than which we have had nothing in the colony approaching in size or importance as a travelling show since Cooper and Baddy’s visit in August 1878, is to open here on Monday, for a passing visit, while the company is in en route south. There is no greater index of the merit of an 'entertain ment than the patronage it receives from the public, and the character of the notice taken of it by the press wherever Chiarini lias opened his tents have been filled with patrons at every performance, and the press has been more than usually flatter ing. We have no doubt that the fame whicli has preceded the circus and mena gerie will have the effect of bringing a farge crowd to witness the performance on Monday-

Strike op Telegraph Operators.— Yesterday the telegraphic system of the colony was somewhat thrown out of gear bv a strike of, the operators, about 100 of whom ceased work. The dissatisfaction is with the conduct of Government in stopping all overtime payments, and re quiring the men to remain on duty all or any hours, as the service may require, without any remuneration for the extra time. In towns where there are morning papers, with special wires at work, the duties are especially arduous and the hours very long. The action of tlie authorities in requiring the men to stay on duty far into, the morning for .jio more pay than they receive for an ordinary day’s work is as hard a piece o'f colonial eheek as one would meet with any where, and though we are not admirers of' strikes under any circumstances, we fancy the present is one that does not require much justification. As a result of the strike a large number of telegrams for the evening papers could not be forwarded, and much delay of ordinary work took place. , Mount Somers Sports.— -Our corres pondent at Mount Somers writes that on New Year’s Day there was an excellent gathering of “ all nations ” on the ground where the sports were held, and. a full programme was fought through item by item, each being pluckily contested. The whole affair was carried through in perfect harmony and good will, and no difference either in religion or caste was manifested. [The prize list is not en closed in our correspondent’s parcel.] The Maycr. —ln the “ Gazette ” of 24th ult.,the name of Mr. Hugo Friedlan dfir, Mayor of Ashburton, appears as • a Justice of the Peace under the Municipal Corporations Act. The Telegraph Office. —lt is notified that in consequence of the strike amongst the telegraph' operators, and till ar rangements can b® made to overtake the work, the Ashburton office will close at 5 p.m. and open again at 7 p.m. until 8 p.m. for the reception of telegrams.

Mount Somers Road Board .Election. —At the nomination yesterday .of candi dates for the three wards in the Mount (Corners Hoad district, Messrs; Duncan Cameron, and W. C. Walker were the only nominees for wards 1 and 5, and these gentlemen were declared elected by the returning officer, Mr. J. CL Bell. For ward 2, Messrs. Chapman, Peache, and Tiseh were nominated, and a poll will be taken as betweentliem on Tuesday next at Alford Forest .schoolroom, between the hours of 9 A.m. and 6 p.-m, Bridge over Taylor’s Stream. — 'With the bridge over Taylor’s Stream, near Morgan’s Hotel, the contractor, Mr. Butt, is making good progress under the disadvantageous circumstances of the river bed, driving through which is ex ceedingly difficult. He has driven up to now 33 piles, and only fifteen remain to be driven. On the north end of the contract a commencement has been made with the superstructure, and already a considerable advancement lias Sheen made with it. Owing to the roughness ,o£ the river bed, and the size of the boulders, pile driving is exceedingly difficult, and nor more than a sixteenth of an inch is gained per stroke. The Czar.— With respect to the ru moured visit of the Emperor Alexander to the Berlin Court, the semi-official “ Norddeutsche Allgsyspine Zeitung,” in a letter from St. Petersburg, publishes the following intelligence : — A< According to very definite assurances I have -received here (in St. Petersburg), our monarch intends to remain during a considerable portion of the month of November stili

in Livadia. His Majesty contemplates then paying a visit • 0 the Empress at Cannes, in the South of France, and thence returning hither (to St. Peters burg) at the beginning of December. On Dec. 8, according to the traditional usage, the festival of the Order of St. George is to be celebrated as in former years in the Imperial Winter Palace. Whether, the Emperor Alexander, on his journey to or from Cannes, will take the route through Berlin is not yet known in this city. The story which has appeared in some organs of the Press, to the effect that on our sovereign calling at Berlin the Emperor of Austria and the King of Italy would like wise meet him there, is declared in St. Petersburg to be a perfect myth. ”

THE TIMARU ORANGE TROUBLE.

[by telegraph.]

(from our own correspondent.) Timaru, Jan. 2,

Despite the Mayor’s request, and the Master’s intimation, many hundreds of Orange sympathisers assembled at the Town Hall at noon. Business was al most entirely suspended, owing to a majority of employees desiring that they should be allowed iotake part in the pro cession. As it turned out, the. adver tised procession proved a failure, the Oraftqemen declaring their intention not to walk’ at, present. .. Their object is to hav& a grand gathering of thfe Order from all parts of he colony a few months hence, when they will be sufficiently strong to march without the protection of the police, or the assistance of in dependent citizens. Three more arrests have been made in connection with the late riots. All prisoners will be brought up'to-morrow morning. Timaru, Jan. 3.

. Nine of the Boxing Day rioters ap peared this morning before a full Bench and a crowded Court. Their names were Jeremiah Kelly, Lawrence Towers, Patrick O’Shea, Pat O’Conor, Pat O’Keefe, Jas. Watson, John Denihy, Thos Moyna han, and Thos. O’Driscoll. Mr. Stout appeared for the defence. Mr. White, Crown Prosecutor, prosecuted, and the Orange Lodge was represented by Mr. Hamersley. Several witnesses,principally members of the pol’ce, were examined. The 'most important evidence was that of George Kimber, bootmaker, who stated that before the row sixty men left O’Driscoll’s hotel, shouting, yelling, and gesticulating ; and that when the Orange men were assembled O’Driscoll was in the thick of the mob, inciting them to tear down the Orange banner, and offering a hundred pounds to those that would stop them marching. It. was proved that three of the crowd wore pistol pockets. Two Orangemeil proved having had their scarves torn off, and one said he was tripped and thrown down. The whole of the accused were committed for trial before the Supreme Court in March. Bail was allowed, O’Driscoll in LSOO and two sureties of L 250, the others LIOO and two sureties of LSO each.

CORRESPONDENCE.

WE do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents. To the Editor. Sir,— On reading your issue of Friday I found the following report of a decision given by our. local Magistrate in a case of Fuller v. Brown, -which in my opinion calls for some comment. The judgment as reported runs as follows “His Worship said that any deduction to be made for damages sustained by de fendant would have to. be brought before the Court in the form of an action for damages ; but he had no other course be fore him than to give judgment for plain tiff with costs. He, however, authorised the impounding of the money to enable Mr. Brown to bring a cross action for his damages. ” I should feel much obliged if you or any of your readers could answer the fol lowing questions : - u 1. Has a Magistrate the right to pre judge a case or invite ligitation 1 2. Has a Magistrate any statutory or other power enabling him to impound money in Court pending the result of the ligitation invited by him ? Answers to the above would be very useful to residents and business men as a .general impression prevails that the only person entitled to impound or seize money in Court is the bailiff, wlio is supposed to act under .a proper warrant. —I am, &c., An Enquirer and One Interested.

WILLOWBY SCHOOL TREAT.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) A treat and distribution of prizes took place in connection with the above school on Tuesday, the 23rd Dec. There was a large attendance of parents an'd friends. The children began to muster about 2 p. m., when racing became the order of the day, interspersed with jumping, swinging, &c. About 4 o’clock the ladies served a sump tuous tea to the children and friends, con siderably over 100 altogether. After tea) fun and frolic continued till about 7, when ,ajl were called in the schoolroom, which -was -crowded ; and Mr. Stephen Chapman, Chairman of Committee, distributed a very handsome lot of prizes, after making suitable remarks thereon. Congratula tions were .expressed upon the amount col lected, shewing the Interest taken in the school by parents and friends, as after spending about LlO, there was a balance of about L 3 to the good. The prizes were awarded according to marks in the inspec tor's (Mr. Edge’s) report, which was read, j and commented upon at some length by j the Chairman saying “ how proud lie w.aa j to place before them such accounts, year after year, of the school’s progress, and he believed the results would compare favorably i#th those of any school under the Board ( qf Education, being 100 per , cent, ipf passes the first year, 93 the second, and <94 the .third ,qr present year ; the total number',of failures for tne three years being only three girls .and ,qii.e jboy, ( which boy had attended the school ten f days only. He considered rim Inspector’s | remark, “the general results arc highly j satisfactory,” was certainly very appjp; cabin- Votes of thanks were unanimously passed ;to the teachers, Mr. and Mrs. B. Low, which were supplemented by an address from (read by the Chair man) to Mrs. Low, and >7*1.3 followed by his presenting to her a very handsome vvorkbox, as a mark of the ladies' appre ciation of her very great success in teach ing needle-work. This was responded to

by Mr. Low, expressing the great satisfac tion it gave Mrs. Low that her services, were so highly esteemed,‘and hoped that the friendships formed in the district would be cemented and lasting. Mr. Martin commented upon the testimony given by masters and scholars to the good conduct of the boy and girl who took good be haviour prizes, thinki lg that the scholar who had not required chastising for two years really deserved a prize, and honed that others would follow their good ex ample. Two regular attends-w cert'- ficates were given to those deserving' them. During the evening several pieces were sung, and recitations given in a very creditable manner. Votes m hanks were given to the ladies and Chairman, and responded to, and notice was given that the school -would be re-opened on Monday, sth Jan. The following is the prize list: — Standard IV.—lsabel Cairncros3 1 ; Joseph Hawkins, 2 ; Moses ■ Hawkins, 3. , . Standard lll.—John Gourlay, 1; Emma Sycamore, 3 ; Thomas Wilson, 3. Standard ll.—Emily Hayman, 1 ; Sarah Hayman, 2 : Janies Walker and Janet Morris, 3. Standard I.—Alice Hawkins, 1 ; Ernest Elliott, 2; Sarah Heasley and Thomas Drennan, 3. Regular attendance prizes.—Margaret Mary Low, Rjobert Frisbey. For perseverance under difficulties. — Mary E. Grice. For best behavior.—Joseph Hawkins .and Annie Cairncross. 1 For composition.—Emma Sycamore. Eor greatest progress since opening of school.—Benjamin Low. All below Standard I. received a present. sewing prizes. Standard IV.—Mary J. Hayman, 1 ; Susanna Low, 2. Standard 111. —Mary E. Grice, 1 ; Annie Cairncross, 2. / Standard II - —Annie Grice, 1 ; Rebecca Frisbey, 2. , Standard I.—Sarah Heasley, 1 ; Sarah Cairncross, 2. ,

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

ASHBURTON— Saturday, Jan. 3.

(Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.) DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. C. Sweeny and George Power were fined 10s. each with the alternative of 24 houra for having indulged too freely.

ORIGINAL POETRY (?)

YERY ROMANTIC.

He sat on the tussocks, the swag oh his back, His funds they were low and a drink he did lack, From out of his lungs there rose a dim cry, This blooming Ashburton has gone up kite high.

Oh ! where are the times when all the day long I could do a good loaf, and hear a good song Whose words were delightful and made me feel right, And the lock-up was opened whene’er I felt tight.

A gazist I now sit on the dry plains, A nrakist of camps in sight of the trains A sittist in sorrow, not having the fare A guardist to pay, so my troubles I bear.

Melodious they sound across the bright plains— Them darned Yankee engines, when pelting in rain ; I sit as I ponder where next I will go, ’Tis very hard lines as all of you know.

Once, men with full pockets, and willing to part, Like Romans would take this poor buffer to heart, But how they despise me and treat me with scorn, They shun me, and shirk me, and leave me forlorn. -

I’ll heed them not, partner, nor will be cast down, Although my nose blossoms, and the hair’s off my crown, To mo ’tis a loss, for the loss is my wool, And losing it once makes a cove look a fool.

One second a light, yellow drink of quinine, With a slight dash of whisky, I’ll none of your wine ; I’ll up and be roaming and give a wide berth, Or Pratt and his bobbies will have all I’m worth. Ashburton A. Limb.

TELEGRAPHIC

TO-DAY’S CABLEGRAMS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE

(Reuter's 1 elegrams.) London, Jan. 2.

General Sir Evelyn Wood lias, by com mand of Her Majesty the Queen, been directed to accompany the ex-Empress Eugenie on her visit to Zululajjd.

(A rgus Special,) London, Jan, %

A fund has been initiated to compensate Edmund Galey for his long illegal im prisonment. The Turkish Ministry, through jealousy of Sir H. A, La,yard’s" influence with the Sultan, persisted in evasion for a time but are now compelled to g decisive stand. The Home Government regrets the inci dent causing the difficulty ;but pppports Sir H. A. Layard and gives hhn parte blantlie in dealing with the Porte, The Liberals approve the expected compromise. Ihe German and Austrian embassies re commend the Porte to arrange.

(Age special.) London, Jan. 2.

Germany complains that Charzy, the French Ambassador ,at St. Petersburg, is entering into anti-German intrigues, and fomenting discord .between Russia and Germany.

AUSTRALIAN.

Sydney, Srturday. - As the result of the enquiry into the railway collision at Paramatta last week,

tlio Minister for Public Works lias dis rated the engine-driver of the express train, and has fined the Traffic Manager (who was on board the engine at the. time of the collision) a month’s salary.

INTERPROVINCIAL

TO-D A.Y’3 TELEGRAMS,

Auckland, Jan. 3. Mr. Bennett, driving down Hobson street with his wife and child, met with an accident. A wheel slipped off and the occupants of the trap were precipated into the roadway, but not seriously hurt. Chiniquy lectures and moves about freely, without the slightest obstruction, the Catholics apparently taking no cogni sance of his proceedings. Not one of the Auckland operators have joined the strike. The Lincolnshire farmers’ delegates are visiting Waikato. They were enter tained to dinner at Cambridge. The Union Bank yesterday shipped gold to the value of LBO7O. New Plymouth, Jan. 3.

A man named John bihaughnessy was drowned last night in the lagoon at Moturoa. His clothes were found along side the water, and it is supposed that he had gone for a bath after work, and had been drowned. The police went this morning to drag for his body, which has just teen recovered. Wellington, Jan. 3. . All but two operators here have re sumed worlfi Forty applications for nominated immi grants will be sent this mail. The Blenheim operators seem more de termined and. confident than ever. Seven or eight have obtained employment else where. It is stated a public subscription list will be opened to assist them when their funds run short. Several cadets from Wellington arrived at Blenheim this morning. • The steamer Jane Douglas, which left for Kaikoura and Lyttelton last evening, returned this morning with her engine damaged. Dunedin, Jan. 3.

The “Star” and “Times” supports the operators on strike, saying they have never been dealt with, and urge Govern ment to make a searching enquiry before taking any decisive action against the strikers.

About 5000 people attended the Cale donian games yesterday. Cavrisbrook won the cricket match easily, scoring 199 to Invercargill’s 02, and 60 for seven wickets.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE

LAST NIGHT’S CABLEGRAMS.

London. Dec. 31

Consols, 97-2- The total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain is 2,070,000 quarters. The divers at the scene of the Tay disaster found the carriages, but none of the bodies of the victims.

Arrived—Benares, from Port Chalmers, Oct. 31st ; Orari, from Lyttelton, Oct. 4th ; and Du tine, from Sydney, Oct. 7th. January 1.

The diver found portions of the train which fell through the Tay bridge. Some bodies have been recovered. Subscrip tion lists have been opened for the relief of the widows and orphans of the victims.

The British revenue returns for Decem ber quarter show a decrease of half a million, compared with the corresponding quarter of last year. Sir. Garnet Wolseley returns from the Cape this month. Madrid, Dec. 31.

An unsuccessful attempt was made to day to assassinate the King of Spain and Queen Christian when they were entering the Royal Palace in this city. The assassin, named Gonzales, a Galician waiter, fired a pistol at the King and Queen, but their Majesties were untouched. The assassin has been arres+ed. Bombay, Dec. 31.

Affairs at Cabul are quieter. General Baker is now in active pursuit of the Kohistonees.

January 1.

The dispersion of the Afghans since the action of the 28tli has been complete. The enemy lost 3000 killed. Capetown, Dec. 30.

The Transvaal Boers have held a meet ing, at which they adopted resolutions to re-assemble in April and summon the Yolksrad. The meeting elected a Presi dent, and then dispersed. / Constantinople, Jan. 1.

Sir H. A. Layard, the British Ambas sador, has suspended relations with the Porte, and awaits orders from the British Government as to further action.

St. Petersburg, Jan. 1. The Empress of Russia is recovering from her recent attack of pleurisy.

INTERPROVINCIAL

Auckland,Jari. 2.

Parades in regalia of the Hibernian Society will take place at St. Patrick’s Hall on Sunday morning.

A National Bank officer has won the L6OO prize in Abbott’3 consultation on the Melbourne race. , .

Seventeen prisoners await trial at the criir inal sessions of the Supreme Court. The charges include rape, forgery em bezzlement, horse stealing, wo,u n ding, larceny, and uttering counterfeit coin.

A fire broke out in a four-roomed cot tage, adjoining the Parnell Soap Factor//, occupied by a man who had left the house twenty minutes before the flames were first seen. The fire .started in a back room.

Graiiamstown, Jan. -2.

The place Is very dull. Most of the residents have gone to the Auckland races.

The Fire Brigades at 12 o’clock on Wed nesday night played seven jets of water from th.ejr large water supply. White and colored fires were burnt, and the night being dark, the jets, which were formed into a number of designs, had a fine effect with the colored lights, Alexandra, Jan. 2.

The sports here yesterday were a great success, there being a large pumber of spectators. The families the Hauhaus were hugely represented. Tawhiao's family, withtlieir friends, however, predominated. All passed off most happily, the Pakelias and Maoris fraternising pleasantly. Not a single fracas occurred. A concert took place in the evening. The nigger enter tainment in aid of the Public Hall at tracted the sympathies of the natives, re sulting in a full house. The dancing cop

eluded at daylight A concert fchd soiree in aid of SL Saviour’s Chureli, and the usual dance 'were held in the' schoolroom, and had a bumper house of settlers and their families, j-

HAWSKA, Jan. 2,

Yesterday’s sports were a grand success. Marshall, Wanganui, won the L2O cup handicap. The weather was , glorious. Three thousand people were on the ground, and there were ninety-seven en tries in the various contests. Wellington, Jan. 2.. The Australia, with the London mails of the 4th December, left San Francisco for Auckland on 22nd ult. She has a large shipment of white fish ova for the Government. The City of New York, with the December Colonial mails, ar rived at Sari Francisco on the 30th ult., two days in advance of due date. Government have given instructions to the Deputy, Commissioners of the Land Tax department to immediately sue for arrears of Land Tax. The ship Western Monarch, from Lon don, was towed.into harbor this evening. She brings 160 passengers. The tender accepted for the Newmarket junction contract of the Kaipara-Waikato railway was that of A. Maguire, Auckland, L6S7O. The contract for draining &c., at the proposed workshops site at New market has been let to Mr. W. Blewden, of Auckland, for the sum of L 2039. The strike' among the telegraph opera tors to-day is owing to the alteration in the hours of work and the abolishment of overtime.; It will not be known until afternoon how many arq out.. A, , Blenheim, Jan. 2.

Twenty-three Blenheim operators have refused to work on the new system, and are determined to resist the extension of hours and abolition of overtime. A depu tation waited on the officer in charge, and requested payment of salaries up to 31st December which was refused The operators allege they will take legal pro ceedings. . The men say they are willing to work the usual hours with overtime allowances as hitherto. Several men have already received offers of other employ ment, and some al’e leaving Blenheim. , Oama’ru. Jan. 2.

The Caledonian games held here yester day were well attended, and were the most successful of the ’ kind which have taken place in Oamaru. All the events were well contested, and the arrangements for the conduct of the sports worked admirably. Murdoch Elder won the prize for bagpipe music, and for Highlind reel dancing Murray, of Dunedin, was first, as also for dancing the Highland iing and the sword dance. Strong was first in the wrestling competition. Irish jis—Keat ing, 1 ; Murray, 2 ; M'Cluskey, 3. The half-mile handicap was won by A. Dul gleish. To-day was the secoid day. Elder won the prize for bagpipe music. Shantrew’s dance—Murray, i ; Buchanan, 2. Wrestling (Cornish style)—T. Harper, I. Hurdle race of 440 yards—Fraser, 1 ; J. Daigleish, 2-; A. Dalgleish, 3. Sailor’s hornpipe Gleeson, 1 ; Buchanan, 2 ; M‘Cluskey, 3. Mile race—J. Dalgleish,. 1 ; A. Dalgleish, 2 ; A. Smith, 3. The cup for the largest prize taker fill pro bably go to S. Smith, of Oamaru. The sum of L 250 was given in prizes. | . .

Harry Luxon, for assaulting Jute Hal low, Eliza. Dale, and Elizabeth Luxon, was remanded till Monday. The Customs’ duties at the port of Oamaru for the quarter ending Fee. 31,, 1879, amount to L 8230. 4s. lOd. J’or the corresponding period of 1 last yjjar the amount was L 4184 os. Bd. 1 The New Year’s Day celebration uas a grand success. There was fine feather, and the town was crowded with visitors. About six thousand persons attended the Caledonian Society’s Gathering/ which passed of with great success.' ■ The Bazaar in aid of the Atheifeum is is proving highly successful. • [During New Year’s Eve and yesterday over L3OO was t ken. The hall was /crowded to excess last evening. < The wet weather of Tuesdjy .and Wednesday has not done sc much damage as was at first ant bipats d, and harvest prospects are all grand The Telegraphic operators here struck to-day, but .have'agreed'to resune work to-morrow. So far as Oamaru is con cerned the strike has virtually enced. Dunedin, Jin. 2.

To protest against the regulation en joining an extra hour’s service and dis continuance of overtime, the majority of the telegraph operators employ c in the principal offices of the Colony vent out on strike this morning. At Blenieim, 21 out of a total staff of 23, and at Dunedin 12, went off duty, and their exanple was followed by the entire staff at Damaru, Timaru, and Inyercargill. Nafier and other stations are expected-to iren out also. Mr. Maginnity, the assistant Manager, was in Dunedin yestenay, and has taken steps to prevent thi public being inconvenienced by the strile. The operators have inserted an advertisement in the local papers, asking the piblic not to prejudge the matter in dispute. It is reported that the places of those jn strike are to be filled by cadets. • j The New Year holidays have pissed'off more quietly than for years’ past/and the weather has been -splendid. ’There was an immense attendance fet the Cabdonian sports, and thousands travelled! by the tramway.

The lucky holders of the LlG<O prize in Oumeron’s sweep fi.e three Ciy Cor poration employees, of the second horse a basket maker in Princes street, and of Petrea", a at Pine. BEII. If the third horse proved to be Maitindale, as ohl telegrauPgiVes it, the tfrirf. money goes tS a well-known .ship captain. ‘ i Yesterday forenoon a very narrow escape Yrorn drowning occurred to a little gbd named Margaret Bradbury. While attempting po g.cj 1 on board tie ship Wanganui, she fell bepy.eep ih.s yessel and the Popt ClndnierJ railway pier. Mr. J.’ Prayne, the seconij Plate of the dayarua, witnessing the Occident, imraadintoly jumped overboard and rescued the child, wlio was taken on beard the shipj where restoratives being applied she soon re covered. Great praise is due to Frayne . for his promptitude \in jumping over board. \

THE BEST PAYING FARMERS’ SHEEP

(From the East At a meeting of the Motlfi Wycheproof- Farmers’ Union held at J ihnson’a hotel on November 22, Mr. Josi;\h Rice in the chair, the following paper oi, ‘ £ Best Pay ing Sheep for the Farmers” read by. Mr. Cooper: —“l have been \n observer pf sheep breeding in England'*] New Zea-

land, New South-Wales, and YictorilHlH about AO years. It has always study to find out what breed of would produce the, heaviest carcase, bined with the-best quality of mutton and! wool, iu the/shortest; time. I was amongst I sheep-breeders of note in my early *youth, I viz. , the breeders of the old original Lei- I cester, called the Dishley Leicester breed, 1 bred by Mr. Bake well, of Dishley ; also Messrs. Buckley, of Normanton hills, Leicestershire, who bijed and brought out the improved Leicester, which was considered the grandest breed and best -paj-ing sheep of the day, being noted for early maturing and .giving .the heaviest carcase and most wool in the shortest time. The weight of this latter class* of sheep would be about 801 b., weight when " 12 to 14 months old, when its mutton would be at its best. In two years the? weight could be increased to 1201 b. dr '' more, but the flavor was rather tallowy/ which is a drawback. There was also- t too . . much fat in proportion to the lean tosuibb!' the taste of the . consumers. The crosis with the Lincoln and Leicester was after- ..! wards tried, which produced a sheep of a J more fleshy nature as weli as an iilant in wool, but still the mutton wajfl tallowy and the fibre coarse ; this quality did not suit because, as in jfl Leicester,Sthere was too much the consumer. V A cross was tried .wifi®'. Southdown ram and the Leicester

good results, about case being produced time, viz;, a ; 801 b in 12 or 14 months, and sold at Id per lb. more than either the Leicester, Lincoln, or LincolnJDeicester'; the flesh, ; being more equalised with .the fat,'so tliat the whole carcase could be eaten without waste, the fat being sweet, ..and fibre fine. This breed was very much sought after/ ,it being the greatest favorite of both the butcher and consumer. . The cross be tween the Southdown ram ■ and Leicester ewe gave a heavy percentage of lambs, twin lambsbeing common, and occasionally • three. The constitution of this breed .■; was very strong and healthy, and is well \ worthy of the Marnier’s notice. I have seen the cross' between, a Leicester ram and Cheviot ewe, wliich yielded fat lambs,, , but it was not a desirable breed to con- :- 4 ' tinne. I have also seen the Romney Marsh, both pure . and crossed with the # Leceister. This class of sheep 'is an. early maturer, but produces too .much tallow for consumption, and is, therefore/ best suited for the boiling-down- pot, crossed 1 with either a Southdown or a Hampshire Down. The merino is the: , / king of all sheep for the squatter, .who has an unlimited area for it to run. It is hardy in constitution, which enables it to withstand the hardships of bad seasons. It produces a good wool, which is not to be equalled by any other breed of sheep, but it is a very choice feeder, and has the in stinct of roaming for choice herbage, and it often* spoils more feed than it consumes through rambling about so much. It does not matter what quantity it may spoil through roaming, So long as the area of grass is unlimited. The following will show that the cross between the South down ram and Leceister or .Lincoln- Leicester ewe is more profitable than the merino for selectors : —Merino hoggets, in ; wool, usual price, Ss per head, South down ram, crossed with a Leicester or i . Lincoln-Leicester ewe, at 11 months ® old weighs about 801 b, and in wool is worth 20s. value of quality for mutton, if realised, Id. per lb., 6s. Bd. - extra, thus leaving a balance in favour of the latter of- from 12s.- to ISs. perdiead. I have mentioned the. merino as being the best sheep for the squatter ; granting that it is so, w'e are not squatters but farmers with small areas, and want sheep that do not require much scope of ground, and that will enable us to make the most money in the shortest time. This sheep is to be found in the produce,of the Hampshire Down ram and either the Leicester or Lincoln-Leicester ewe. This' - breed excels all the sheep I ever saw for early maturing, producing the heaviest weight of carcase,in the shortest time/ the mutton being prime in quality and flavour, prolific increase, and yearly fat lambs. I have killed sheep of this breed when 12 months old, whose carcases* have weighed over 1001 b. I do not say that this -1 is the average,' but it shows well for tile breed, which, I believe, is heavier than the average of any other class of sheep that has come under my notice of that age ; therefore, I believe this breed to be . the best paying sheep for the farmer. The wool may be worth per sheep /less than that of the. pure Leicester or Lincoln ; but looking at it in every way it is by. far the best paying sheep. This breed q| sheep, though it must have plenty qf fqqs and water, is not so particular as tliq merino. It may be placed in a paddock, as it will not roam, but eat off everything before it. As before stated there must be plenty of feed and water, or else the result named as to weigh tip short space of time cannot be ot>j;aingd t Green crops, such as rape, &p,, eaten off, ; u would be beneficial to both; slieep .and * land, as they will fatten, the' sheep, and there will also be the liquid as well as the solid manure from the sheep on the ground, which would be improved for cropping. Irrigation would.enable us to carry and fatten 10 or more sheep to the acre if they are of the Hampshire Down and Leicester breed, which would give a great to sheep; farming amongst selectoMf-aa- \] they would then, by the aid of the water v supply, produce all kinds of feed for sheep *^» t . _ ‘ „• .IT\l -■ • **•’•*. ks v/t.. as gram growing. A ne question of irrigation and railway extension must be speedly carried out-in our-di-v distpigif, which have a riph soil, op it will soon "re* vert to its former occupation,; jas • a sheep walk. We farmers of the , Wimihera dis trict must therefore be up.apd doing at the next general election, and help our selves by returning those meVt' tq - ment who will neYerrqsb'pntilrailway v tension and irrigation are carried Into piiVs midst.'”-' ' ' ." ’ ' *_ ' -"'W . .A.-.. After a deal of questioning, a vote qt tlianks was carried for the interesting .... paper which Mr. Oliver Cooper had read.

A New Tramway. — A tramway has jiist been opened in the fine old City of . Brunswick on a new principle. The has no groove. It is laid exactly flush witwF the road’s level, and may thus be passed at * any angle with any description of-conveyr ance without any jar or disturbance, Th# car is guided apd kept jn its place .op the rail by slight steel studs on the tyre of fcho wheels, which fit ip to corresponding holes punched in- the rail at a distance of every live inches. The invention is that of ah architect at Birmingham, and may be said now to have merged from the experi* mental stage into that of accomplished fact. • ' ' v ;> : ‘

THE ASHBURTON H F.RALD.

(Saturday, January 3, 1886. — . • —— ———————



H&^'Advertiseinsnbs. ' A SHBjjgTON FIRS BRIGADE. iV/ET at 7 p.m. TO-NIGHT. YYXANTED- —COOK . and NURSE- W MAID. Apply to Mbs. Bran son, Aitken street, Ashburton. ' rno TAILORS - WANTED, JOUIL i NEYMEN, also a Good OOAi HAND. Apply to Mr. Buxton, T. R. Hoddkr and Company. 80U ' 1 ! 1 ~ NOTICE. /CREDITORS of the late Christopher f! i Taylor, of Buccleuch Station, de ceased, are requested to send in particu lars of their claims to the undersigned by the 15th JANUARY, 1880 All debts owino 1 to- the deceased, .which remain unpaid on that date, will be sued for without further notice. a BRANSON & PURNELL, Solicitors for the Administrator. 889 a : F you want a CHEAP SUIT OF CLOTHES go to v-i*- X P. LUBlkw, TAILORING DEPOT. Triangle Ashbt/rton, Between Post Office and Baldwin’s Central Hotel. G. J. F. Lublow, importing hi 3 *own .■goods, is enabled thereby to make as Cheap a Suit of Ciothes as any tailor in ’New Zealand, and a First-class FIT is (Guaranteed. Terms —Strictly Cash. 5 per cent. Discount off all Orders Paid IN ADVANCE. • j 813 a R. V. NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS. FARES—CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. jTvRDINARY Single Fare Tickets from \ I • any station to any station issued on SATURDAY, 20th DECEMBER. 1879, and following • days up to SATURDAY, 3rd JANUARY, 1880, inclusive, 'will be available for the return journey any day aip to, and including MONDAY, sth JANUARY. - . WM. CONYERS, Commissioner of Railways. Commissioner’s Office, Christchurch, Dec. 13, 1879. * 846 a NOTICE. STRAYED on my 1 and at Tin wald, Brown Horse, -saddle marked, and branded No.. 2on near Shoulder. If not claimed and expenses paid within one month ifrom this date, will be sold. Apply— i D, M‘EEOD, Near Tin wald. .6th Dec., 1879. . ' 783 a D, OSEP H W A R FAMILY BUTCHER, PETER STPEET, _ (Opposite Journeau’s Smithy) i u>EG-S to inform the Public of Ash |j) Burton that he will Open the Shop itely occupied by G. Pike, on JANUARY rd. as Family Butcher, and trusts by applying none, but a good article, to merit share of public support. Families waited on daily for orders, hich will receive prompt attention. JOSEPH WARD, ( ->9» Butcher, 1 IN BANKRUPTCY. J^XOTICE —The “Ashburton Herald’ is a Gazette for all notices under the Debtors and Creditors Acts. WAEANUI ROAD DISTRICT. OTICE is hereby given that the \v ANNUAL MEETING of rate ayers will be held at the Schoolroom, 7akanui, on WEDNESDAY, January fch, 1880, at the hour of noon, to elect hree Members in the place of Messrs. 1 Saunders and J. Hunt, who retire by station, and Mr. D. Wilson, resigned. A ►oil, if necessary, will be taken im lediately after the nomination, closing at p. m. C. C. BOOKS, 06 —842 a . Returning Officer. MOUNT HUTT ROAD BOARD. VyOTICE is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Ratepayers will Ike place on MONDAY, January sth,' 380," at the hour of 12 noon, at the Road card Office, Methven. ■ At the same time and plr.ce nomina ous will be. received for two members to ;t in the place of Messrs. Edward Chap ian and E. Pannett, who retire by ballot, Lit are eligible for re-election ; Nomina tions will also be received at Barrhill chool t 11 noon. The Poll, if necessaiy, will take place i WEDNESDAY, the 7th January, 1880, Barrhill School, and at the Road Board ffi.ce, Methven ; to close at 4 p.m. W.. B. COMPTON, Returning Officer. [ethveii, Dec. 30th, 1879. ' 894a-338 WAKANUI ROAD BOAR -1 DERS are invited for, RENTING >v one year GRAVEL RESERVE, 1413, situate uear Mr; J. Jamieson’s, Beach road. Tenders addressed to the Chair man will be received till 10 a.m. on WEDNESDAY, January 7th, 1880. By order FOOKS & SON, 319_ 853 a Surveyors to the Board. Cheap Advertiser—the Ashburton [eii-ALiy. with its 20-words tariff.



■7' Nev/ -Advertisements. Cameron TAfESLEYAN CHURCH, Yy street. —Divine Service will be conducted in the above Church To-morrow Morning by Mr. J. Olsen, and in the Evening by the Rev. W. Keall. 900 a TT>RIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH Wills Street. Divine Service will be conducted in the above Church to morrow morning and evening by the Rev. A. J. Smith. 899 a YTTANTED, TENDERS HOEING, VV Four Acres Potatoes, North East Belt. Received office this paper, Noon TUESDAY. 897 a WANTED, a good strong BOY, to Milk, and make himself useful at Westerfield. Apply Herald office. 898 a