•A merely proving what bank the notes I •>: have lost were of, they would be re covered ? ” “ Why as to that I can’t Hatter you there is, for the town is swarming with light-fingered gentry from all quarters, and there is no guessing which of them have found the way into your pockets, or where your money may be hidden. But if you would be only frank enough to describe the sort of people you were ■with—” “ I have described them already. I ' tell you they were highly respectable.” “And particularly if you could identify any of them —” “Identify them ! they were my most intimate friends.” “ And bring the charge home to any of them-—” “ Bring the charge home to whom ? ” “They might at least be brought to punishment, even should your money not be recovered.” “ This is really more than I can

•stand.” “Very well, don’t stand it then ; but don’t try to gammon us neither. If the people you were with were so very respectable, you wouldn’t be so unwill ing to . name them. But I say again, master —just please yourself.” Repenting bitterly that he had ever gone on such an errand —instead of regretting, as he ought to have done, that he had not gone about it openly and without reserve—our hero was about to leave the office without deign ing further reply to his inquisitor, when the latter requested him to stop a little, and he would see if anything could be done in the case after all. The lieu tenant then called one of the criminal officers belonging to the Police Estab lishment, from another apartment, and stated to him clearly and rapidly all that the student had communicsted, taking care to place in a very striking point of view his refusal to disclose some material circumstances. “ Now,” said he, “ if you see any way of tracing the business on so slight a scent, you had better set about it at once; but, for my part, I think it’s quite needless, unless the young gentleman chooses to tell you more than he has told me.” Here the officers whispered together earnestly for a while—all the time eye ing Mr. Duncanson with inquisitive and suspicious looks. At length, the thief-catcher, who was a sharp-eyed, intelligent, but quiet-looking person dressed in plain clothes and without any distinctive badge, approached the student, and said, in a mild and confi dential tone, “ This is really a very serious case, sir, and, for your own sake, you ought not to keep back any information you can give connected with it.”

James repeated his determination rather to give up all attempts to recover the money than to make his loss known to the only parties who could give any information in addition to what he had communicated; expressing, at the same time, his belief that anything they could say would be of little consequence —for he was sure they had neither kept a memorandum of the numbers of the stolen notes, nor observed any circum stance which could lead to the detec tion of the thieves. “ But did you not observe yourself what sort of people were jostling you and your friends at the time you sup pose your pockets were picked ? ” in quired the officer; adding;—“The illumination would surely give you "light enough to to see those about you.”

“ I recollect distinctly,” replied Mr. Duncanson, “ the appearance of two men who squeezed very hard against me at the time I pressed forward to save the young lady’s dress from being burnt, as I have described before. One of them was a stout-made, round shouldered person, with the lower part of his face muffled up in a spotted handkerchief; but I did not see his features properly, and could not identify him. The other was less in size and slighter made, and 1 would know him again anywhere, for 1 observed his features when I was struggling to get past him. He had a flat face, a very prominent chin, and .wanted one of his upper front teeth.” “Very good. That’s what I call particular enough. I think I should know both the fellows by the marks you have given, if they were natives ; but I suspect they are not; and I sup pose you are not quite sure that they were the thieves.” ; “ By no means ; ' only I think it highly probable.” “ Just so. We must see what can be done then, to find them out. Had you the money in a pocket-book, or case, or anything you could identify as yours ?” “ Yes; in a green leather pocket book, with my name on it in gilt letters.” “Very well, that is something, but not much either, for your book and the cash would not be allowed to keep company long together if they fell into hands experienced in the line.” “ And do you think think there is no hope of recovering the money.” “Not much, I confess; particularly as you are determined to keep the affair sd' close. A good deal will depend, though, on who the thieves may be. If they are stranger swells, they may be off with the railway and hundreds of miles away by this time ; or they may be in the town yet and fairly out of the way of detection. But if the cash has been prigged by any of our native gentle men, they may be spending it freely, . and it may be possible enough to ferret them out. You had better, however, come along with me and point out the

chaps that squeezed so close to you last night, if you happen to get ycu>- eye on them.”

Mr. Duncanson was rather reluctant to comply with this request, for he thought a criminal officer strange com pany for a divinity student. His com panion did not propose to go far, for the High Street was becoming densely crowded tvith multitudes waiting in eager expectation of seeing the Queen pass on her visit to the Castle, and the officer’s object was to place himself and the student at the point of the greatest pressure, where in all probability the light fingered fraternity would have a few representatives. This point was exactly at the Cross, where a barrier was thrown across the street, at which the mock ceremony of presenting her Majesty with the keys of the city was to be performed. There, in a slightly raised temporary erection in front of the Salamander Land (a tenement so called because of its having stood unscathed when the neighboring houses were consumed in the great fire of 1024), the officer recommended Mr. Duncanson to take his station, and keep a sharp look out, while he him self moved about in the near vicinity, with a vigilance which nothing could escape.

(To be continued—commenced on Yuly 26.)

District Courts.

Government have now under con sideration the question of District Courts, and there is every probability that changes of some importance will take place in this branch of the colony’s judicature very shortly. Returns show ing the business done in the various District Courts throughout New Zea land have been procured by Govern ment, and from these it is ascertained that in comparison with the cost of maintaining the Courts, the advantage taken of them for limitation by the public is not commensurate. It is. as signed as a reason for this that since the procedure of the Supreme Courts has been made less costly, the District Courts have been neglected for the higher institutions. Government, we understand, have no intention of abolishing District Courts, but the direction reform is likely to take is said to be their abolition in large towns where the Supreme Courts are easily accessible, and their retention in groups of smaller towns where their usefulness is recognised and appreciated. It is further hinted that the number of the Courts wilbjbe reduced to five or six— half in the South Island, and half in the North —the spare services of some of the Native Court Judges in the North Island being utilised. No one will gainsay the usefulness of the District Court to the. Ashburton district, which is likely to be rather a litigious locality for some years to come. We infer, if the surmises as to the probable changes are correct, that, with perhaps Christchurch cut off lrorn Judge Ward’s jurisdiction, our dis trict will remain the same as now, so that Ashburton will not be very greatly affected by the retrench ment that is indicated as about to take place, and the public will still be saved the trouble and expense that would be entailed upon them were it found to be necessary to revert to the old arrange ment under which every civil case of any importance had to be heard in Christchurch. "While Government are thus considering the remodelling of District Courts, we think they might just as well consider whether it would not be better to retain all the Judges and extend their usefulness, dispensing with the Resident Magistrates alto gether. Cheap law is all very well for Government and the lawyers, but it is not by any means cheap to the clients. Most of our Resident Magistrates are gentlemen who have not had a legal training, and their decisions are in many instances of a somewhat rule-of thumb character, while their business is not always discharged in the most ex peditious manner possible—at least were their benches occupied by Judges of acknowledged standing the character of their courts would be wonderfully changed. Would it not be better to abolish the very numerous Resident Magistrates altogether, giving the Dis trict Court Judges the same jurisdiction of cases they have now, and leaving all cases in Avhich amounts under are involved to be undertaken by the Justices. It would not be difficult, we take it, to simplify District Court pro cedure to admit of such an arrangement, and with the host of Justices of the Peace the colony possesses there ought to be little dificulty in getting the minor work done. A Mayor’s Court in Boroughs could easily undertake the criminal business—at least could do it nearly as well as it is done at present, for every case that looks at all formid able is committed to the Supreme Court for trial. If the plan we have suggested could be carried out, there would be a far greater saving by dis pensing with the array of Resident Magistrates than by reducing the Judges.

THE ASHBURTON HERALD, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1880.



Holloway's Tills.—At the change of seasons many persons feel oppressed without knowing why they are so—they arc aware something within them is wrong, though they cannot detect the defected organ. A few doses of these powerfully purifying and eminently cooling Pills will restore regularity to every part of the system —will cast out all impurities lurking in the frame, and will throroughly expel the last traces of disorder, however obscure its cause. With Holloway’s medicine belief is insured without risk : erroneous action is rectified without disturbing natural regularity, health is re-instated, and with it return the cheerful feelings which unmistakably tell the invalid that all within is right again.



Business Notices. IMMENSE ARRIVALS OF NEW GOODS AT ORR & CO.’S. TARTANS FOR THE SCOTCH CONCERT. We are now showing



THE LARGEST STOCK OF ■NEW SPRING GOODS EVER OFFERED IN ASHBURTON. TARTANS FOR THE SGOTCH CONCERT Ex HALCIONE, AT LYTTELTON, AND NEW LONDON, AT MELBOURNE. ALSO, FjpHE Stock in the Assigned Estate of Messrs. Edmiston, Gundry, and Co. valued at £2,000, Which will be SOLD at about HALF-PRICE. CONSISTING OF CARPETS, MATTING BLANKETS, TARTANS FOR THE SCOTCH CONCERT. GROCERIES, IRONMONGERY, CHAIRS, MATTRESSES, &c ORR AND CO. September Ist 0 | 841c-1820



For Sale. FOR SALE. A GOOD Brick Four-roomed HOUSE, with back kitchen, 'trash-house, and boiler, all well finished and complete, good out-houses, 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. * 798 c Public Notices. THE ASHBURTON TOWN lIALL COMPANY, LIMITED. n\TOTICE is hereby given that the J\J ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of Shareholders in the above Company will be held on MONDAY, the 4th day of October next, at 8 o’clock in the evening, in the Town Hall, Ashburton. Business : 1. The adoption or otherwise of the Directors’ Annual Report, and the Annual Balance Sheet. 2. The Election of Directors for the ensuing year. 3. The Election of Auditors for the ensuing year. 4. The advisability or otherwise of increasing the nominal value of shares, and other general business. CHARLES BRADDELL, Secretary to above Company. 922c-2610 TO HIS WORSHIP THE MAYOR. WE, the undersigned Ratepayers, re spectfully request that you will proclaim Monday Next, the 22nd inst., a Half-holiday, in commemoration of the Water Supply being turned on. John Orr Branson and Purnell A. Orr Thos. Bullock W. H. Gundry Saunders Bros. T. R. Hodder and J. M. Cambridge Company Friedlander Bros. 0. Carstens and Co. Fredk. Clark T. Chambers Hallenstein Bros. G. M. Robinson (P. (per W. Sparrow) C. and Co. William Anderson Sealy Bros. R. Lancaster City Company B. Hughes (Butchers) Weeks and Dixon. Everett Bros.



TO THE BURGESSES SIGNING THE ABOYE REQUISITION. Gentlemen, —I have much pleasure in acceeding to your request, and hereby declare MONDAY Next, the27th Inst., a PUBLIC HALF-HOLIDAY, from 12 Noon. HUGO FRIEDLANDER, Mayor. Ashburton, Sept. 22nd, 1880. 242a-926c A SPRING ON THE PIPES! TWENTY POUNDS REWARD. THE above reward will be paid to any person who shall give such informa tion as will lead to the conviction of any one committing a breach of the Law Practitioners or other similar Acts or Odinances, by preparing Deeds or other Legal Documents, or in any way what ever. BRANSON and PURNELL. F. P. O’REILLY. EDWD G. CRISP. C. W. IRELAND. 853c-198c nntlE NATIONAL MUTUAL LIFE X ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRAL ASIA (LIMITED). Established 1869. Actuary and Secretary —J. M. 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, Featherston 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



Business Notices. LATEST STYLES FROM LONDON & PARIS. Craighead & Co., Merchant Tailors, TANORED STREET, (Next Orr & Oo.) PERFECT FIT GUARANTEED. 982a-4450 NEW PROPRIETOR. CENTRAL TEMPERANCE HOTEL, Havelock Street. THE undersigned having taken the above Hotel, hopes by strict atten tion to business to merit a fair share of Public patronage. Board and Lodging, LI per week; Meals and Beds, Is. GEORGE WATTS. Proprietor. 644 c SHOUTHER TO SHOUTHER. LABOURERS requiring work can secure first opening by applying early at Herald Registry Office, on pay ment of Is.



Business Notices.



PAY A VISIT AND INSPECT Hodder’s First Grand Display OF NEW SPRING AND SUMMER DRAPERY AND MILLINERY.



HODDER’S



T. Bullock. OPENING SALE AT The Horse Bazaar, ox SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2. mo FARMERS and SETTLERS de j[. sirens of entering Horses for this Sale—Please send particulars at once. T. BULLOCK, 256g-936c Auctioneer.



SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, CLEARING SALE OP FURNITURE AND MISCEL LANEOUS GOODS. MR,. T. BULLOCK has received in structions from Messrs. Orr and Co. to sell by Public Auction, at his Rooms, East street, on the above date, the SURPLUS STOCK purchased by them in the Estate of Messrs. Edmiston, Gundry and Co., comprising— Cooking Ranges, Double and Single Bedsteads, Carpets, Rugs, Doormats, Washstands, Dressing Tables, Toilet ware, Looking - glasses, Clocks, Mattresses, Chairs, Tables, Chests of Drawers, Couches, and a quantity of Miscellaneous Goods; also, Doors, Sashes, &c. Terms liberal. 253g-937c T. BULLOCK, Auctioneer. FOR SALE—CHEAP. FOUR SECTIONS in one block—viz., 602, 6C3, 510, 611, situated in Tin wald. Small deposit cash : balance by instalments. 266 I7IOR SALE OR TO LET, WITH A } PURCHASING CLAUSE, 439 Acres, all fenced, and partly improved situated in Wakanui A compact Farm, all fenced, well-watered,, and partly in English Grass. Improve ments consist of a comfortable Five-roomed Cottage, Stable, Stockyard, &c., &c. All fenced, partly improved and well-watered. All fenced, and a portion of it in English Grass. Near the above, will be sold very cheap. About Three Miles from the Town of Ashburton. Near the above, and adjoining Mr. George Aston’s About Six Miles from Ash burton. 220 360 50 65 150 290 TOWN PROPERTIES. That Valuable TOWN SECTION, 159, Tancred Street, will be Sold very cheap, and on easy terms. 639, (part of) £ of an acre, terms same as as above. 341, Kermode Street. 77 , 37, (Lot) Mayo’s Block. 78, (Lot) with Dwelling-house of Seven Rooms, near the Parsonage, East Town Belt. TO LET, A Four-roomed COTTAGE, situated on the North Town Belt, opposite the High School Site. Commodious BOARDING-HOUSE in East Street. Shop and Office in East Street. That convenient SHOP, situated in the Triangle, Wakanui Road, now in the occupation of Mr. Lublow, tailor. SHOP or BOARDING-HOUSE, situated in Burnett Street, opposite the Mail Office, and lately in the occupation of Mr. Dufrates. Apply, 571c-1860 T. BULLOCK. THE SCOTCH CONCERT Business Notices. MONEY TO LEND. Trust moneys—£2,ooo, £4OO, and £250. These sums are now ready for investment on real security, at current rates of interest. F. P. O’REILLY, 899c-226g Solicitor, Tancred street. NEW INDUSTRY. ASPHALTING. JAMES BRADLEY is prepared to take orders for ASPHALTING at very noderate rates. All orders to be left at the Works, Park rreet. All work kept in repair for twelve nonths. 695 c GHILIE GALIUM, at the Scotch Concert— Thursday 30th THE SOUTHLAND TIMBER YARDS. THE UNDERSIGNED BEGS to in form his friends and the public gene rally, that he has made arrangements with the best SAWMILLS in Southland for a constant Supply of Building Timber, including Red and White Pine FLOORING LINING SKIRTING ARCHITRAVES MOULDINGS and will open the same OCTOBER lsi 1880, at his yards, corner of CAMERON AND WEST STREETS, Next Jameson and Roberts, AS HBURTON. JOSHUA TUCKER, 17g-884c Proprietor



THE CHUHCHES. V| ♦ Y SUNDAY AND WEEK NIGHT SER VICES AND MEETINGS. EPISCOPALIAN CHURCH.— Tancred Street, West. Rev. A. W. Hands, Incumbent. Sunday. Corning alll a.m., Mr. J. Ward. Afternoon at 2.30, Sunday School. Evening atG.3O, Mr. J. Ward. Wednesday. Evening Service at 7 p.m., Rev. A.-W. Hands. Choir Practice at 8. Country Services —To-Morrow. Greenstreet at 11 a. m., Mr. G. Jameson. Timvald at 3 p.m., Mr. J. Ward. •' : Mount Somers, 11 a.m., Rev. A. W. Hands. Shepherd’s Bush, 6.30 p.m., Rev. A. W. Hands. • • - r;' ; • Westerfieldj 3 p.m., Mr. G. Jameson. RAKAIA PARISH. Rev. W. H. Elton, Incumbent. Sunday. St. Mark’s Church, Rakaia.—Morning at 11, Lay Reader. Evening, at 7, Rev. W. H. Elton. St. John’s, Barrhill, 3 p.m., Lay Reader. Kyle, 3 p.m., Lay Reader. St. Barnabas, Methven, 11 a.m., Rev. W. H. Elton. .. All Saints, Sherwood, 3 p.m., Rev. W. H. Elton. Communion.—First Sunday in the month at St. Mark’s. Second Sunday at St.. John’s. Fourth Sunday at St. Barns bas. Fifth Sunday at All Saints. Baptism in St. Mark’s, and Children’s Service at 3 p.m., second Sunday in the month. Sunday School. St. Mark’s, St. John’s, and Kyle, at 2.30 every Sunday. Friday. Evensong and Choir Practice at 7.30. St. Mark’s. v PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.—Have lock Street, West. Rev. A. M Beattie, Minister. Sunday Services. Morning at 11, and Evening at 6.30, in the Church. —Rev. A. M. Beattie. .. Wakaiiui, at 3 o’clock afternoon, at Mr D. Wilson’s house—Rev. A. M. Beattie. Sunday School in the Church at 2.30 afternoon.—Mr. W, Gavin, Superinten . dent. .. Tuesday. .- Finance Committee —First Tuesday of every month, in the Church at 7.30. S. S. Teachers’ Association—Second Tues day of every month, in the Church at 7.30. Wednesday. Pastor’s Bible Class in the Church - Vestry—Weekly at 7. Week night Service at B—Rev. A. M. Beattie. Thursday. Tinwald-School —Weekly service at 7.30. Friday. Choir Practice at 7.30- —Mr. Savage, con ductor ; Mr. A. Stott, organist. RAKAIA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. —Town Hall, Rakaia. Rev. B. J. Westbrooke, Minister. Sunday. Rakaia Town Hall at 11 a.m./ : Kyle School, at 3 p.m, WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH. —Cameron Street, East. Rev. W. Keall, Pastor. / . Sunday. Morning, at 11, Rev. W. Keall. Evening, at 6.30, Rev. W. Keall. Sunday School—Afternoon, at 2.30 ; address at 3. 30 by Mr. H. M. Jones. country services. Old Men’s Home —Afternoon, at 3, Mr. J. Buchanan. Tinwald—Evening, at 6.30, Mr. H. M Jones. . Seafield—Afternoon, at 2.30, Mr. J. Alison ; Sunday School at 1.30. Monday. Cameron Street Church—Prayer meeting at eight o’clock.



Tuesday. Class Meeting at 7.30. Thursday. Preaching Service at 7.30, Rev. W. Keall; Class at the conclusion of the service. Friday. Choir Practice at 7.30., Mr. Weeks, con ductor. PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH. -—Wills Street, East. Rev. Arthur J. Smith, Pastor. Sunday. Morning School at 10 a.m. Morning Service at li a.m., Mr. W. H. Puddicombe. Afternoon School at 2.30 p.m. Evening Service at 6.30 p.m., Rev. A. J. Smith. Monday. Ladies’ Class—ln the Church at 7.30 p.m. Tuesday. Divine Service at 7.30 p.m.. Rev. A. J. Smith. Wednesday. Children’s Singing Class, at 7 p.m., Mis 3 Jowsey, teacher. A Thursday. \ Class Meeting at 7.30 p.m. Friday. Choir practice at 7.30 p. m. Saturday. Bible Class at Mr. Smith’s, at 7 p.m. NEWLANDS PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH. Sunday. - . Morning School, 9.30. Divine Service at 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m., Rev. A. J. Smith and Mr. E. Watkins. ASHBURTON FORKS. Sunday Afternoon Service at 2.30, Mr. J. Colwell. ROMAN CATHOLIC CHAPEL.—" Burnett Street West. Rev. Father Chervier. Mass at 11 a.m. on the second Sunday of every month. Benediction service in the evening of the same day at 6.30.