COMMERCIAL.

Christchurch Cora Exchange;

The following is the Corn Exchange re port for .the week ending, Friday evening, the 27th inst : Since last week's report, the grain growing districts in Canterbury have been favored with copious rain. Although the weather has been cold and boisterous, yet the early sown wheat shows marked signs of extreme vigor. The corn growing land, as a rule, is in fine condition, and as the weather has taken up, the season so far has been a favorable one. The rainfall, - however, has been considerably below the average, yet there has been ample for all farming purposes. The gale of last week has done damage in many localities, but is not very serious. The wheat market during the week has not suffered much change. The rates offered by the local millers prevent merchants buying for ex port, as the Home markets must even tually regulate prices here. The advanced rates can only be looked on as temporary. Wheat. The market continues to be in

bare supply, and local liiillers are still pur - chasers for good sound milling quality. Parcels of this description are saleable at from 4s. to 4s. 2d. ; seed samples at 4s. 3d. to 43. 9d., and chick wheat from 2s. to 2s. 6d. per bushel. Oats. —There is little or no change dur ing the past week ; the demand is hardly so° good, ■ but prices remain unaltered. , First-class bright milling samples are fetching Is. 6d. to Is. Bd. per bushel. Feed quality is not so much sought after, and is not worth over Is. 3d. to Is. 4d. ; inferior quality of feed Is. to Is. 2d. Barley.—The market is bare is first class malting samples. For this quality os. to 3s. '3d. is obtainable. Second rate 2s. to 2s. 6d. Feed quality Is. fid. to Is. Bd. per bushel. Potatoes.—During the past week values are lower. The Sydney market has been again liberally supplied from Warnambool and Tasmania. Holders are now anxious to sell, but exporters in the absence of ?/ present demand, decline to operate. -20 s. per ton now only is offered, and buyers are scarce.

Grass Seed.—The demand for this article of produce continues fairly good. Well cleaned parcels are being offered at 2s. 9d. to 3s. per bushel. Indifferent to inferior Is. fid, to 2s. fid. per. , bushel.

Cheese and Butter.—The former is in good supply, at from 4d. to 4|d. The latter is in abundant supply, and with the prospects of new being to hand very soon, as almost unsaleable.

Hay.—Hay is worth 50s. to 555. per ton delivered in Christchurch. .

Messrs. 11. Matson and Co. report on the live stock market, -&c., for the week ending Thursday, Aug. 2.6, iSBo, as follows For yesterday’s weekly auction at Addington there Was a falling off in the supply of sheep, whilst fat and store cattle showed a correspond ing increase over the previous week’s sale. The-entry in sheep was chiefly made up of “butchers’ lines,” but, with one or two excep tions, the quality was below the average of the pasf six weeks or two months. The exceptions bredsand merinoes would be difficult to beat. There was a fair attendance of the trade, and from fust to last the market was brisk, every line being cleared as the sale progressed, at prices very nearly recovering last week’s drop. This, however, must be looked upon as the result of the thin market. Heavy weight cross bred wethers brought l6s. 6d. to ißs. 6d. medium weights 14s. to 165., merino wethers Bs. to —, and a large line ot merino ewes 9s. to 10s. 6d. In beef the full supply had a somewhat depressing effect upon opening sales, and the earlier lines were taken up sluggishly. This, however, soon gave way, and the bulk of the large entry found buyers at prices bear ing favorable comparison with .last week’s rates. - Store cattle are perhaps a lit’le easier, but this no.doubt is partly accounted for by the full supply and by the sharp frosts we have been getting for several nights past. Two or three year old mixed cattle brought L 4 10s. to L 5 5?. ; steers to L 6 : yearlings to two-year olds, L2 15s. to L 3 15s. and L 4; weaners, ■3ss, to 50s. In the pig trade there is littl doing. The supply is very limited, but this in no .way checks the downward tendency in prices, owing to the suspension of curing opera tions. The totals yarded for the day com p-ised 3,915 sheep, 525 head of cattle, and 40 pigs,-of which our entry included 1,413 sheep, 330 head of cattle, and 23 pigs. Canterbury Horse Market.—On Friday last we held our special sale of horses, &c., in con nection with the ooening of the new addition and alterations to Tattersall’s. During the day the bazaar was thronged, and great satis faction was expressed on all sides with the arrangements made for the safety and comfort of our clients. There were 100 horses yarded for the day’s sale, most of which changed owners at prices considerably in advance to what we have lately been accustomed. On Saturday we held our usual weekly sale, at which the balance of horses either unsold or which were from other causes unoffered on Friday, were submitted to public competition. Our entries foi the day’s sale were 73 horses, &c., including the whole of the well-known railway horses and plant, the property of Mr. Peter McGrath, whose fifteen horses, realised as follows, namely, LSO, L 32, Ll 9 ios., L 24. L4l, L 32 1 os., L2B ios., LlB, L 27, Ll 9, L 32, Lio, Ll 5 15s. Ll 5, Ll 5. We also sold for Ihe same owner twelve sets of harness, at from 355. to L 5 15s. per set; six drays at from L 7 to Ll 7 ios. ; ten wheel barrows 15s. each, &c. We also disposed of our catalogue at more than usually satisfactoryf prices, and when we state that out of our total entry for the day only thirteen were turned out unsold, our clients must arrive at the same conclusion as we do, that it was certainly the best sale that has been held in Tattersall’s for the past twelve months. During the week we : disposed of. that well known and successful getter of first-class draught stock, Major, to F. M. Rickman, Esq., Waimalc. Major was bred by E. Aiding, Esq., Wiltshire, and was by the pure bred Suffolk horse Boxer, winner of three successive prizes of the Royal Agricul tural Society of England. Giand sire Rob Roy, Sober, by the celebrated horse Pride o Suffolk, grand dam ' Lady Mary. We must congratulate Mr. Rickman upon his purchase, and we trust that Major will prove as successful with him as he has with Mr. Joseph Taylor, his late owner. Mr. Rickman has also pur chased through us a very nice pony stallion, Wee Mick, by Merrylegs out of an imported Arab mare.

Wool, sheepskins, hides, fat and tallow re port.—On Thursday, there was an average at tendance of fell mongers, and, no doubt owing to the “reports from the English marke's still continuing favorable, biddings were very spirited, and values may be quoted at a slight advance upon last week’s rates.

Dunedin, Aug. 27. Good sample milling wheat, 4s. 3d. to 4s. 6d. ; fowl’s wheat, 2s. 6d. to 3?.; feed oats, is. sd. to is. 6d.; milling is. 7d. 10 is. Bd.; malt barley, 2 s. qd. to 3s. 3d. ; feed, is. gd. to 2s. 6:i.; potatoes, L2 ss. to L2 7s. 6d. ; grass hay, L2 10s.; oaten hay, L 3 ; medium wheat 3s. gd* to 45.; straw, L2 j

bran, L 3 ss. j. pollard, L 4 ; flour, Lio ios. to Ln ; oatmeal, Lg 'ios.; pearl -barley, LlB ; onions, ' 7s. 6d. to Bs.; cheese, s c h- 5 bacon, rolled, gd.; hams, 9)46.; sides bacon, B>£cU per lb. (grain fed) ; chaff, L2 15s. ; prime beef, 255. per ioolbs. ; mutton, 2jjfd.

MAIL NOTICES.

: Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office', as follows ; G '

For Christchurch-and Noi’th at 6 a.m. 9. a.m., and 6 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 9 a.m and 5 p. m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.15 a.m. daily. For Temuka, Timaru, and South at 6 a.m. and 10.15 a.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, Elgin, and Seafield, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 6 a.m.

Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office — „ From Christchurch at 10.35 a.m., 4.00 p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. From Chertsey, Ttakaia, &c. at 10.35 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.25 p.m. daily. Fr#m Temuka and Timaru at 9.25 a.m. and 5.25 p. m. daily. ( From Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.m. daily. From Wakanui, Elgin, -and Seafield on Tuesdays and Fridays at 2.30 p.m.

W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With Which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 1880. The Unemployed.

It is not reassuring for the future of the thousands of laborers in this colony that Government are talcing precautions. There are a large number of men still in the Government employ at “unemployed” wages, but we had thought their number was being steadily reduced, owing to times improving. We note, however, that Go vernment have appropriated L 70,000 as provision for the unemployed, and it is intended to disperse labor gangs over the colony at such works as may be convenient. The sum appropriated is sufficiently large to at least find low wages for as many laborers as are likely to accept “ unem ployed ” work.

The Civil Service Commission.

Mr. Saunders made a very strong appeal to the Government on Saturday night to take under their protection •such witnesses as gave evidence before the Civil Service Commission of a “ manly and straight-forward ” character. Tran slating this character into plain language,

they gave evidence of a nature the reverse of favorable to the management of the railway department, and they fear perse cution for their outspokenness. In fact, it was stated by the Hon. E. Richardson, that “the thing they greatly feared had come upon them,” inasmuch as he had received telegrams from two or .three of these witnesses complaining of the perse cution'.to which they liad been subjected. The Hon. Mr. Oliver, promised; that, he, would take care no 'cjVil servant suffered because of the evidence he had given be fore the Coni mission, and we ar e glad he gave this assurance. , There is nothing more persistent and hearty than petty departmental hate, and ninnies in authority are always unscrupulous in gratifying their animosity; but we feel assured that any attempt to persecute a man because he gave-evidence that was ugly for the railway “ bosses ” will be pounced upon by a higher power, and dealt with promptly.

Co-operation. —A Farmers’ Co-opera tive Association has been formed at Timaru.

Pensions. —The colony pays in pensions L21,2fi2, which represents the interest on nearly a quarter of a million of the public debt.

One Moke.— Another old settler has died—-Mr. Win. Buiek, of Wellington, seventy-three years of age. He came to the colony in 1841. Agricultural and Pastoral Associa tion. —The reading of Mr. Passmore’s paper on “ Agricultural machinery ” was postponed on Saturday to an evening to be afterwards fixed.

Parliament. — A large number of mem bers of the Legislature came South, with the Hawea on Sunday night—Mr. E. G. Wright, the member for Coleridge, among the number. - ;

A Mutiny. —The men of the ship Pareora, lying at Timaru, have refused to to proceed to sea. contending that the vessel was below Plimsoll’s mark. The men will probably be . tried for mutiny “ on the high seas.” The Halcione. —Shaw, Saville & Co’s, ship) the Halcione, arrived in Lyttelton on Sunday after a ninety-one days’ passage from London. ( She, brings twenty-five passengers, amongst whom are an old Ash burton family—that of Mr. A. Pascoe.

The English v Mails. —The inward mails, via San Francisco, arrived here from , Christchurch last night by special train shortly before eleven o’clock. The Ashburton portion was at once sorted by the postal officials, and the special train proceeded south after a very short stoppage.

Lockjaw, —Within a few years tnerehave been five fatal cases of lockjaw in Dun edin. A correspondent to the Evening Star states that he cured a case by pouring into the mouth of the sufferer a small quantity of cayenne pepper in a winegla.is of hot water, and then giving him an im promptu vapor bath.

—A first offender was fined ss. this morning,-v r +K6 rt.i-i., named Nicolas was sent to dig post holes at the police station for a day, in expia tion of an offence committed against the railway by-laws, having been drunk at the station. “Port Wine ” Annie—a ter rible character —was sent six months to gaol with hard labor for vagrancy.

A Ten Per Cent. Strike. The quarrymen on the public works at Grey mouth have struck' against the ten per cent reduction, which was to affect their present . month’s work. They contend that the reduction should not be retro spective, and their . wages are 9s. or 10s. a day. This figure is considerably reduced on the average by broken time from bad weather. , • Sunday School Anniversary.—lt was announced in the Cameron street Church yesterday, that the services in connection with the anniversary of the Wesleyan Sun day School would be conducted on the 19th September, by the Rev. Edward Best, of Dunedin. A tea meeting is to take place on the Monday following. Mr. Best has but recently arrived from Ireland, and is spoken of as a most eloquent and forcible speaker, and is very popular in Dunedin.

“William Pitt, the Eminent States man.”—To-morrow evening Mr. F. P. O’Reilly, barrister, will deliver , a lecture in the Town Hall on “ William Pitt, the eminent statesman.” The lecture will take the place of one of the readings for the library and the proceeds will go to the library funds. We are glad the Library Committee have secured Mr. O’Reilly’s services, especially yis we know his powers as a speaker and bis ability to make his subject interesting, and we can confidently say that those who attend on Tuesday night will listen to a lecture of lie common order. T ‘ ‘ Cranmerand His Times. ” — W e would remind our readers of the leeture to-night in the Town Hall, to be delivered by the Rev. D. M‘Kee, on “ Cranmer and his Times,” and would recommend it to them as a treat they ought not to miss. Mr. M‘Kee conducted the services in the Pres byterian Church yesterday, and both oc casions the building was full. The preacher was very eloquent, and .his hearers were quite captivated. His sub ject in the morning was the “ cleansing of the leper,” and in the evening “ Christ, the apostle and priest.” A collection amounting to ten guineas, was taken in aid of church repairs, and the lecture to night will be for the same fund. An A kward Arrest. —On Friday night, in Auckland, Mr. Brown, a respectable ironmonger and ironworker, got orders to proceed to the barque Glimpse and make some repairs on the galley. The vessel was about to sail, and he set to work with two assistants at midnight. The captain, finding three men with their coats off, sent for a police man. The constable arrived, and Brown and his companions encleavored to explain, but the captain positively refused to listen, and ordered the constable to take them into custody. The officer demurred, but finally yielded, and the the three men 1 were handcuffed and marched up the wharf and lodged in police cells, a charge being entered against them under the iVagrancy Act. They were, brought up at the Police Court on Saturday, when they were of course discharged, no evidence being offered against them. The captain of the Glimpse has since made a public apology to Mr. Brown and his workmen for having caused their false arrest and imprisonment while working on his vessel.

A New Zealand Yacht for the Mel bourne Regatta. —Mr. Thomas Niceol, of the North Shore, Auckland, is to be (Commissioned to build a yacht of between 30 and 40 tons, which will bo entered for the first-class yacht race at Melbourne Regatta. .A considerable amount of money has been subscribed to defray-the cost of the Vessel.

“No girl gets along well without- a mother,” says a moral . contemporary. This may. be true, but hereabouts girls work! harder to get mothers-in-law than they do to get mothers. Married couples resemble a pair of shears, so joined that they cannot be separated, often moving in opposite directions, yet always punishing anyone who comes between them.

Fatal. —“ You just take a bottle of my medicine,” said a quack doctor to a consumptive, “and .you’ll never cough again.”—“ Is it so fatal as thatgasped the consumptive.

The Hornssy Hedge Cutter.

A public trial was made yesterday of Hornsby and Son’s new patent hedge cutting and trimming machine. The trial took place on Mr. John Carter’s Grove Farm, Tinwald, and a goed number of farmers, r unholders; &c., were' present. The machine started work on a thick, matted hedge of gorse —a hedge that had been allowed to grow luxuriantly, and rose to a height of over six feet. The ground was somewhat uneven, and was not perhaps the best suited for the trial, but though the hedge-cutter worked under this disadvantage for showing 'off its full powers, and the further one of being drawn by horses unused to that kind of work, and driven and worked by men equally new to it, the machine gave every satisfaction. It cut away the thick upper growth evenly and steadily, and was perfectly under control. Mr. bmithurst, the agent, worked the machine himself for a short time, and then Mr. Carter’s manager mounted the steering seat. Though the latter gentleman had seen the machine only that day for the first time, aiid had never tried anything of the kind before, he had no difficulty whatever in working it, and was able to trim both top and, sides of the hedge with as great facility and regularity as Mr. Smithurst himself. After the thick upper growth had been cut, the machine was put to do the side trimming, still cutting from the same side of the hedge, and the result was perfectly successful. After being driven along the hedge to cut the side nearest to it, and doing that well, the machine was brought back to where it started from, the bar which carries the knives being adjusted to reach right over the hedge and cut the opposite site. The machine is calculated .to cut and trim from four to five miles of hedge per day, and ought to be- a useful introduction to this district, and a.great labor saver. It will work to most advantage, we should think, on a hedge of ordinary but compact growth, and one of its great recommenda tions is its strength. On several occasions 10 oiuntr -with a ‘ heavy shock against the stakes that stand at intervals in Mr. Carter’s hedge, '.and though it could slice through a gorse stem an inch ,thick, those wire strung stakes were too heavy bites for it. However, nothing-gave .way, but instead of a breakage 'the horses were brought up ‘ all. standing. In’ cutting hedges, of course a^igateway will be occa sionally encountered, and the horses may not be pulled up in time to prevent the knives from catching the gate-posts. If they do catch the posts they will stick there, and the horses will have to stop perforce, but nothing will break in the machine. This feature is certainly an advantage, and we would be glad to see it a. universal one amongst reapers and binders. The machine shewn yesterday was very, popular amongst the practical men who witnessed the trial, and we have no doubt it will come into extensive use in the district. Labor is cheap at present, and gorse-cutting can be done at sixpence a chain, and perhaps less ; but we have no idea that low prices like these are going to rule always, and the gorse-cutter is bound to make its way. 'lt will not, however, be found on every farm as the reaper and binder now is ; but it offers, we think, an inducement for an enterpris ing contractor to invest in and travel round the district. Wo understand the machine costs between LGO and L7O, and is of the substantial character of all Eng lish made machines. As to a description of the hedge-cutter, we find one ready made in the firm’s circular, and we cannot improve upon it :

“The machine is mounted on two road wheels of large diameter, to secure light draught. Both wheels are employed in driving the working parts, the motion being communi cated by an arrangement of gearing to one of a pair of knives, similar to the knives of mowers and reapers, but larger, and of greater strength. These knives are carried by a sliding bar pro jected from the side of the machine. This bar with the cutting apparatus is so arranged, as to be capable of ready adjustment to suit different circumstances, the entire machine when set for work, being under complete con trol of the man in charge, who rides upon a seat conveniently placed for making all neces sary adjustments. The cutting apparatus can be raised to any required height to suit high or low hedges, or the level of the ground on which the machine may be travelling. It can also be set at any required angle, to cut more or less off the hedge, and to reduce its height or alter its shape as may be desired. Both sides of the hedge may be cut from the same side, so that the machine may be kept on that side which is most convenient. The side cf the hedge nearest to the machine is usually cut first, and then the bar lifted over the hedge and the angle of inclination reversed, so as to cut the other sir.c. The top may afterwards be trimmed if required (though this is not usually necessary), by setting the cutting bar straight out .from the machine, at the height the hedge is required to be left. The cutting bat being constructed on the same principle as the Paragon mower, swinging round the crank spindle, will work equally well on either side or at the top, and at any angle of inclination. The hedge when cut is A shaped, of any re quired width at bottom, and of any height, and it is believed this shape is the most generally preferred. The machine is worked by two horses, and requires only a youth to- drive and one man to manage and control the cuttirg, and the work accomplished is about five miles of hedge, cut on both sides and at the top, per day. Where trees, railings, or other ob struction are found in hedges, the cutting ap paratus can be instantly withdrawn and put into work again, when the obstruction is passed. The machine is substantially constructed, so that hedges of two or three years’growth may be cut without fear of breakage, but where they are regularly cut, they will be gone over once or twice each year,”

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Saturday, August 28. -y ■>' EVENING SITTING. , j ;■ The House met at 7.30 p.m. MB. FYKE’S CASE. Mr. Montgomery applied that till hon. member for Dunstan should be heard in further explanation. The application was agreed to, and the Sergeant-at-Arms was instructed to bring in Mr. Tyke. Mr. Shephard moved that strangers be excluded, but the motion was objected to and withdrawn. Mr. Pyke was then brought in by the Sergeant-at-Arms, and took his seat. The Speaker—Mr. Pyke, the House gives you another opportunity to explain your conduct while in Committee of the House this morning. Do you desire to avail yourself of it 1 Mr. Pyke—Mr. Speaker, the explana tion I have to make is this : Whenever I heard myself desired by-; the voice of the Acting-Chairman to sit down, I did so. At the time. hon. members on all sides of me were shouting out “ Sit down, sit down. ” The remark I made, that I would not sit down, was addressed by me to these members, and not to the Chairman, and I beg also to add that I intended no disrespect either to the Committee or the Chairman. I beg also to state that certain language imputed by the papers to the Sergeant-at-Arms when he visited me in the gallery is erroneous. That officer did his duty without using any • improper or disrespectful language. The Speaker then put the question— “ That the explanation be accepted.” A response being made in the affirma tive, Mr. Pyke said that he regretted he had inadvertently been the cause of the disturbance. The Hon. J. Hall asked leave to with draw the motion censuring Mr. Pyke, which was granted. Mr. Tole withdrew his amendment. The Speaker said he wished it to be clearly understood that the House had ample power to punish refractory mem bers, and although in this case the power had not been exercised, the present case was not to be taken as a precedent. Mr. Moorhouse corroborated Nvliat Mr. Pyke had said about the language alleged to have been used by the Sergeant-at-Arms when he took Mr. Pyke into . custody in the press gallery. He added that at the time lie was in a position to hear what passed. SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES. The House then went into Committee on the Supplementary Estimates. Clause 3—ltem purchase of wagons L 22,000. Mr. Saunders said that if rail way workshops were to be kept on, the propriety of which he; doubted, wagons ought to be made in these shops. Go vernment kept a large number of men as a stand-by, and by adding this as a depart ment to those shops it might be the means of keeping them fully employed. He hoped Government would take under their protection the witnesses who gave straightforward manly evidence to the Civil Service. Commission. They had already seen that the South Island Com missioner had recommended some of these men to be removed out of the way ; and there was only too much reason to suppose that if these recommendations were given effect to, not one honest man would be left on the South Island Railways. He there fore hoped Government would protect their witnesses from the persecution and injustices to which their evidence given before the Commission was liable to sub ject them. That appeal was more neces sary, seeing that the recommendation of the Commissioners had not been carried out.

The Hon. R. Oliver said he would give the House the assurance that no civil servant -would suffer in consequence of evidence he might have given before that Commission.

The Hon. E. Richardson was glad of the assurance just given. He had only that day received telegrams from two of these witnesses to the effect that they wei;e being subjected to much persecution oh account of the evidence they had given. Tho item was agreed to.

Item provision for unemployed, L 75,000. The Hon. It. Oliver explained that lie intended to disperse these labor gangs over the colony at such, works as might be most convenient.

Mr. Macandrew objected to Govern ment having sums of money like this to spend, without a definite understanding as to the works upon which they were to be expended. Mr Adams moved —“ That the vote be reduced L 20,000. ” The Hon. J. Hall said a heavy responsi bility would rest on members if they re fused Government power to spend this money if it was required. Not one shilling of it would be . spent unless absolutely necessary. Government had not yet time to say . where the unemployed could be most advantageously employed. The vote passed as printed. The re mainder of the supplementary estimates passed, and on the motion for the adop tion of the report, Sir G. Grey asked leave to move a motion to the effect that the proclamation over the Patetere block of land should not be removed during the recess, nor till the conditions of removal had been first sub mitted for approval to the House. Leave being refused, the motion for the adoption of the report was carried. A message was received from the Go vernor announcing that the Deceased Wife’s Sister Marriage Bill had been re served for the assent of Her Majesty. MISCELLANEOVS. The Property Assessment Amendment Bill No. 2, providing only for a simplified schedule, was introduced and passed through all its stages. The Council’s amendments in the Pub lic Works Bill, Hokitika Harbor Loan Bill, Otago Harbor Board Bill, and other Bills were agreed to, and the House at 11.40 p.m. adjourned to 11 a.m. on Mon day.

Monday, Aug. 30. The House met at 11 a.m. The amend ments made by message upon the Financial Arrangement Act, and upon the Public Works Bill were agreed to. • _ Later. ■ In the House Sir George Grey has tabled a long series of resolutions about the Patetere block which are being dis cussed on a motion for adjournment.

THE HENDERSON TRAGEDY.

Miss Blyth’s Denial.

(From the Wellington Evening Post.)

Miss Blyth states that on the morning of the tragedy she and Henderson both ate a good breakfast, indeed, that he seemed to have a ; particularly vigorous ap petite, and urged her to follow his example, telling her it would be her last meal. She declares that slie . did not in the least imagine that he was in earnest, but thought he was merely joking. She still at first believed him to be in jest when he mixed the poison with the lemonade and insisted on her drinking it,* but he becam#?- very violent and fiercely threatened her, swearing that if she did not instantly drink her share he would pour it down her)/ throat by force : and expressing his regret / that his pistols had been taken from him, as otherwise he vowed he would have ~ made matters sure at once by blowing put her brains first, and then his own. She . still hesitated, but ultimately, overcome J A with terror at his storming, and seeing no way of escape, as he was preparing to exe- T cute his threat of forcing it down her f throat, she, by a sudden impulse, yielded, and swallowed the poison, he immediately afterwaids. following her example- . - MisA' i Blyth says he took strychnine from a small blue paper which he had carried con cealed under the lining of his hat. This accounts for it having escaped the vigilance of the police. She asserts most positively that the order in which they took the poison was as described above, that .is, that She. i forced her first to take it and then swal lowed his own share. She also alleges with equal positiveness that they exactly shared the poison, he carefully dividing it into two precisely equal parts in separate glasses while suchjwas his stem, determin‘d $ ation to effect his purpose,, that to prevent any undissolved strychnine remaining in • the glasses he rinsed them out. with water and compelled her to drink her share 6f the rinsings, he swallowing the other half. She is very clear and precise ,on these points, and.also in asserting that the state- - mentthatHenderson took a larger quantity of the poison than she, and before her, is incorrect, as they shared exactly alike, | and she drank her share off slightly before f him, although; the two actions were as nearly as possible simultaneous. The \- sequel is well known. Miss Blyth is , anxious it should be :thoroughly under- /: stood that the act was utterly un premeditated on her part, ~ and she expresses the utmost horror at the idea of suicide; but when at the last moment—not having previously supposed him to be in earnest—she was treated so violently by Henderson, and believed that in any case her life was sacrificed, as she " was powerless to resist his great strength, and saw he was perfectly reckless and desperate, no help being at hand, she seemed to lose her senses, and obeyed his imperious command as the only way'of escaping an instant violent evident, therefore/ that the Government ) acted judiciously as well as humanely in . forbearing to'prosecute her for attempted’ suicide, as no prosecution could possibly have been maintained under the circum stances now disclosed. The unhappy man, " Henderson, in fact, was really guilty of attempted murder, as well as of self slaughter. Lastly, Miss Blyth declares mostsolemnly thatsheand the deceased had not not lived together as man and wife, and that she would not have consented to such a proceeding until they were married, which was to be immediately on their •arrival at 1. San Francisco. She implicitly believed his story that he was free to marry her,:) and that he would do so directly they reached a place where they could be legally united without the consent of ffier parents being required. She indignantly/ - denies the truth of the stories which have been circulated on this head, and also in. reference to her state of health, alleging’ that all are wholly unfounded, i She' ex presses deep contrition for her conduct ini eloping with Henderson, adding that she/ is unable now to account for her past in-; fatuation. She is . now almost entirely convalescent, and is beginning to recover her former looks and spirits... It‘is only fair to add that both Miss Blyth and her mother speak in terms of the warmest gratitude of the kindness. they have , ex-/ perienced from Dr. Diver, who has been unremitting in his attention to the case, while refusing to accept any fee for his services. He has, however, the profes sional satisfaction of having performed the very rare medical feat of saving the life of a person poisoned with strychnine.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[Per Reuter's Agency.) - ;. The Irish Constabulary. London, Aug. 27. :

In the House of Commons last night & Bill regulating the stowage of grain cargoes was read a third time and passed. The House then proceeded to deal with the Estimates, and on the vote for the Irish Constabulary being proposed, the Home Pule and other Irish members op posed it on the-ground of the military character of the Constabulary force. A long and excited debate, followed ; ,the Irish members vigorously obstructing the passing of the vote. The discussion lasted during the remainder of the sitting which did not close until noon to-day, whon progress was reported, and the House adjourned. The debate will be resumed on Monday next. The Rowers. Trickett and Laycock are now both at Putney training together for their res pective races with Hanlan and Blackman. The Markets, &c. . 4 Adelaide flour, per 2801b5., ex ware house, 345. Gd. The total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain is 830,000 qrs. Australian tallow—Best beef, 355. 5 best mutton, 375. At the wool sales to-day, 6,700 bales were offered, making a total of 88,400 catalogued since the opening. The tone of the sale was quieter. ' Aug. 28. At the wool sale to-day 8,300 bales were offered, making a total of 96,700 bales catalogued since the opening. The tone of the sale had a quiet- ten dency. ... In the House of Commons the Hares and Rabbits Bill has been read a third time. The new Burials Bill has passed through Committee. The English wheat prospects are favor able. ,

THE ASHBURTQN HERALD, MONDAY, AUGUST 30^1880.



NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS. All orders for insertion of advertise ments must be written legibly on the face of the advertisement. When no order is given the advertisement will be inserted until countermanded, and charged accord ingly. All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good faith.- ' All advertisements and business letters to be addressed The Manages. ; literary communications should be addressed to The Editor. Miscellaneous. PIANOFORTE FOR SALE. A GOOD Strong Cottage Pianoforte for Sale, second hand, price L 35 cash. Apply office of this paper. 641 c WANTED— By a young man, a SITUA TION in an office. Some experi ence. Address “ Clerk,” Guardian Office. 805c-16Gg W jn.JL'y jl'xiaxs j.miucuin.uoij' j cu General SERVANT. Apply at T. P. Hodder and Co.’s Store. 822 c jOl A TO LEND, in sums to suit borrowers, at lowest rate of interest. F. P. O’Reilly, Solicit! r, Ashburton. 424c-835g PLOUGHING. WANTED —At once, about 300 Acres Stubble Land PLOUGHED at Wasterfield Station, to be completed by the 11th September. Apply to E. H. BUTLER, Manager. Westeiffield Station, Aug. 30, 1880. 823 c FOR SALE. A GOOD Brick Four-roomed HOUSE, A with back kitchen, wash-house, and boiler, all well finished and complete, good out-liouses, and every convenience, Quarter-acre Section, nicely fenced, well, cultivated, with a number of trees planted thereon ; very cheap ; can be had on terms. Also, Quarter-acre SECTION adjoining, well fenced. Full particulars bv applying to “P.H.W.,” Herald Office. 708 c



EDUCATIONAL. ISS S. BARRATT, having taught IVi successfully in the colonies for the last four years, is anxious to join her sister in establishing a SCHOOL in Ash burton. It is Miss Barratt’s desire to im part to all entrusted to her care a THOROUGHLY GOOD GENERAL EDUCATION. English, one guinea. Extra charges will be made for Music, French, and Drawing. Apply to MISS BARRATT, 139 c Wills Street, BOOTS! BOOTS! BOOTS ? To Meet the Times. C HAWKINS, the Cheap Boot and . Shoemaker, TINWALD (opposite the Post Office), has determined to .CLEAR OUT his large and well-selected Stock at sweeping prices. Only one trial will convince the public of the genuine cheapness of his Stock. His own make equally reduced. Come and see for your selves. Note the address— C. HAWKINS, PRACTICAL BOOT & SHOEMAKER, Opposite the Post Office, Timvald. Note—No co’anection with any other shop. 815 c ASHBURTON HIGH SCHOOL. TENDERS are invited for the EREC TION of a BRICK BUILDING, being part of the intended High School. Also alternative tenders for a TIMBER BUILDING. Plans and specifications may be seen at our offices on and after MON DAY, the 23rd inst., and sealed tenders indorsed “ Tender for High School’ 7 to be delivered on or before noon, Wed nesday, September Bth. 130g-777c FOOKS & SON, Architects.



Miscellaneous. The national mutual life ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRAL ASIA (LIMITED). Established 1869. Actuary and Secretary —J. M. D Templeton, F.I. A. The MOST LIBERAL and EQUIT ABLE OFFICE for Life Assurance in the Australasian Colonies. The best office for ' young men. : Profits divided, every three years. Offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Wellington, and Hobart Town. The New Zealand Branch—A LOCAL INSTITUTION, investing all moneys in the colony. Resident Secretary Thomas Swain, Temple Chambers, Fcatherston street, Wellington. Agent for the County of Ashburton S. SAUNDERS (of the firm of Saunders Bros.), Ashburton. Note the name—The National Mutual. 1690-821 c CHANGE OF PROPRIETARY. HP HE UNDERSIGNED has much :J- pleasure .in announcing to the in habitants of Ashburton and district that ho has TAKEN OYER the BUSINESS of Mr. J. S. SAVAGE, East street, Ash burton, and respectfully solicits a con tinuance of the patronage so liberally bestowed on his predecessor, trusting by keeping a choice assortment of all classes of FRUIT, CONFECTIONERY, Ac., to merit a fair share of the public support. • T. BENNETTO, FRUITERER AND CONFECTIONER, East street, Ashburton. * 814 c LOCAL INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION. A MEETING of the above will be held on WEDNESDAY, Septem ber Ist, in the Upper Room of the Town Hall, at 7 p.m. Business of importance. STEPHEN E. POYNTZ, 817 c Hon. Sec. ASHBURTON COUNTY. COUNCIL. Applications are invited from competent persons willing to act as FERRYMAN at Lower Bangitata for one year, on a subsidy of £BO per annum, together with all fees paid according to the schedule as hereinafter mentioned. Applications, with references, endorsed ‘ ‘ Ferryman, Lower Rangatata,” will be received at the Council’s Offices, Ashbur ton, up to 11 a.m, on WEDNESDAY, the‘lst day of September, 1880. Duties to commence on the 4th September, 1880. Two sureties for £25 to be provided. SCHEDULE OF FEES. : Cattle or horses, driven or lectin a mob, Gd. per. head. - Passengers forded on horseback, 2s. Horses forded - (including horse and • rider), 3s. each. - • Vehicles, os. each. V By order, F. MAIN WARING, Clerk. Ashburton, July 27, 1880. ' 718c-82g



KAIAPOI WOOLLEN MANUFACTUR ING COMPANY (LIMITED.) CAPITAL £IOO,OOO IN 4000 SHARES OF £25 EACH. ISSUE OF NEW SHARES. Forms of application for SHARES, with full information, can bo obtained of Mr. Weeks, Ashburton Guardian Office, by whom application for Shares will be received. Deposit, 20s. per share ; and 50s. per share on allotment. August 23, 1880.



In the District Court of Christchurch, Holden at Ashburton.; IN THE MATTER OF The Debtors and Creditors Act, 1576, and the several Acts amending the same, and in the matter of the bankruptcy of JOSEPH WARD, of Ashburton, Butcher, a debtor. Notice is i-ierebv given that at the first meeting of creditors of the above-named debtor, held this day, Richard Lancaster, of Ashburton, Butcher, was ap pointed Creditors’ Trustee of the estate of the above-named debtor. And further, that the said Richard Lancaster has this day filed in the above Court a written acceptance under his hand of the said trusteeship. Dated this 30th day of August, 1880. C. CAVENDISH lIURRELL, Clerk to the Court. E. G. Crisp, Solicitor for Debtor. 824 c