SHIPPING.

Port or Lyttelton, May 13. —Arrived, Tui, s.s., from Wellington ; Rotorua, s.s., from Melbourne via Dunedin.

COMMERCIAL.

Mr. Alfred Harrison sold -to-day the farm of the late James Cairns, Waterton, at L 6 10s. per acre. The farm is 100 acres in extent, is laid down-in English grass, and is well fenced. The purchaser is a Waterton resident. The stock and implements brought fair prices.

Melbourne Markets.

The Ausiyvalasian of April 24th reports : —A London telegram of the 17th inst. reports a permanent downward tendency of the grain market, owing to the weather being propitious for the grain crops, and owing partly to the influence of American supplies, which continue to arrive on a large scale. The total quantity of wheat afloat on the 16th was 1,910,000 quarters, being a slight increase on the previous week’s returns. Wheat has continued to decline ; it receded Is. per quarter on the 16th, 19th, and 20th; on the last-named the quotations were 545. 6d. to 555. 6d. per 4961 b., ex warehouse. Flour had not declined so much, but still maintained the quotation of the 19th inst., viz., 395. 6d. per 2801 b. for Adelaide. New Zealand wheat on that date was quoted at 465., c.f.i.; 525. ex ship. In Melbourne the market has not been strong ; no inquiries for wheat for export have reached us, and sales have been on an extremely limited scale ; prices also exhibit a declining ten dency. Last week closed with quotations ranging nominally from 4s. 4d. to 4s. sd. . for prime, to from 33. 9d. to 4s. and 4s. 2d., according to quality. A quiet trade demand for flour was experienced at L 9 10s. to L 9 12s. 6d., the market on Mon day maintaining a similar aspect as re gards both flour and wheat. Arrivals for the previous week showed a very large decrease, the total received at Melbourne being 6,529 bags of flour and 6,878 bags of wheat, while only 392 bags of flour and 322 bags of wheat went forward to Wil liamstown. * On Tuesday breadstufis were noticed through the auction room, but otherwise little inquiry was experienced, and we were without any outside sales to report About 1,900 bags of wheat were disposed of publicly at prices ranging from 3s. B|d. to 4s. 4fd. At the latter figure only 150 bags were quitted, and really good was sold at 4s. 2|d. to 4s. 3|d., so that the trade done showed a further slight decline. No inquiry for export reached us. Flour likewise manifested a declining tendency. At auction, L 9 10s. was accepted, while privately we heard of 80 tons being quitted by one seller at L 9 7s. 6d. to L 9 10s. Flour to-day was dis posed of at L 9 10s., f. o. b., and also at L 9 10s. delivered. In wheat 400 bags prime were placed privately at 4s. 4|d., ex store. The auction sales comprised 4,800 bags, at prices ranging from 2s. to 3s. 10jd., 4s. to 4s. l|d., and 4s. 2d. to 4s. sd. Feeding grains have only been noticed for trade purposes, and though no large sales have been making, a satisfactory business, on the whole, has been transacted. Oats have been moving off at all prices from 2s. to 2s. 4d. for common to good feeding. On Monday a parcel of 250 bags milling was placed at 2s. 6d., at which price also the market was firm and business was done at auction to-day ; privately good feeding was disposed of at 2s. 3d. Malting barley had been in demand, and on Tues day about 1700 bag? were disposed of at

n f.,n x - j —nave no sales oi barley to report to-day. Considerable sales of bran have been made at lOd. ; pollard also is saleable at lid. to Is. Victorian oatmeal commands Ll 7 to LlB ; pearl barley, L 24.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at 6 a. m. 9. a. m., and 5 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 Ternuka, 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, and Seafield, on Tues days and Fridays, at 6 a. m.

Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office—

From Christchurch at 10.35 a.m., 4.55 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.

From Ternuka 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 and Seafield on Tues days and Fridays at 2.30 p.m.

W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

Mails close at the Chief Post Offices for the following places (subject to the necessary alterations) as under : The next mail for the United Kingdom via San Francisco, will be closed at Christ church on May 22, and will be due in London on July 6. The next mail for the United Kingdom via Brindisi (for correspondence specially addressed only), will be closed at Christ church on June 3rd, and will be due in London on July 24th.

SYDNEY J. DICK, Chief Postmaster.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1880.

There are very few of our readers but who will admit the many advantages and pleasures to be derived from a well con ducted Library, and there are equally few who will deny that the local Library has been a miserable failure in carrying out the objects for which it was intended, through neglect or carelessness on the part of those who have it under their immediate control; and just as much blame is to be attributed to the general public for the lack of interest they have shown in such a useful institution. There have, no doubt, been many matters which have tended to cool the interest of subscribers in this in stitution, the close application to business matters by commercial men which has been necessary during the last twelve months, being the principal hindrance. But if we mistake not, this is becoming a thing of the past, and we trust that there will now be the attention bestowed on the Library which it well deserves. A meet ing of subscribers is to be held this even ing in the hall of the Library, and it is to be hoped there will be a full attendance. It is very possible that there are some members who, through allowing their subscriptions to fall in arrear, have for feited their right to attend or to vote. This is a matter which, with very little trouble and cost, can be remedied. A quarter’s subscription amounts to the very small sum of 2s. 9d., and by paying this amount in to the Secretary this evening, it will entitle the individual, male or female, to a seat in the meeting, and the right to vote on all matters which may be brought before it. This course may also be adopted by any of our citizens who have never been members, with the like benefits. In conclusion, we would urge on all who have an interest in the well being of our young men and others, who would, were the institution carried on efficiently, spend many pleasant hours within its walls, to roll up this evening and add their individual effort to bringing about this desirable result.

Meeting. —We have been requested to remind subscribers to the Ashburton Library of the meeting which takes place to-night in the Library Hall, at 7 o’clock Queen’s Birthday. —lt will be seen from an announcement from the Railway Department that ordinary single fare tickets will be available for return from the 22nd to 25th May inclusive. Runaways. —Two lads, who did not take kindly to the discipline and comforts dispensed in the Burnham Industrial School, took an opportunity of making their escape on a recent date, but were captured at the Rakaia this morning and forwarded to the Burnham Institution once more.

New Firm. —We observe that Messrs. Jephson and Davison, a new firm, have purchased the business hitherto carried on in Tinwald by Mr. J. Escott, and they announce their intention of carrying on the establishment. We congratulate the ycung firm on their commencement, and hope their career in Tinwald will be a prosperous one. Correction. —The Hon. W. S. Peter writes pointing out an error that occurred in our report of the last Mount Somers Road Board meeting. In the report Mr. Peter is said to have proposed that Mr. Walker continue to act as chairman of the Board. Mr. Peter denies having done so, as he does not approve of a member of a Road Board being also a member of a County Council.

Police Cases. —Two drunks made their first bow to the Bench this morning, and his Worship the Mayor let them off with a fine of ten shillings or forty-eight hours. Patrick Ryan confessed to being drunk, and had this been his only fault, he too might have escaped with the like penalty. But Patrick was anything but docile when Constable Smart found him in East street this morning at two o’clock, and on arriving at the cells, Pat gave vent to his wounded feelings by “ going for ” some of the furniture in that in teresting locality. His Worship evidently thought a short retirement from the temptations to which Patrick was ex posed would be of equal benefit to him self and the public, and the offender was sent to gaol for eight days with hard labor.

Very Mad. —The Wanganui correspon dent of the Hawera Star suggests that the Hinemoa should be sent to that town once a month to take away the accumulation of lunatics. Very Important. —ln a recent deb case beforo the Resident Magistrate a Greytown, the amount sued for was Is sd. The Magistrate would not under take the responsibility of deciding the case off-hand, and adjourned it to a future sitting. Robbery at Rakaia.— -A tent belong ing to a man working with a threshing machine a little way out of Rakaia was entered yesterday, while the owner was away, and robbed of a cheque for £l3 ss. 3d., a pencil case, and a purse containing a sixpence and two coppers. The police as yet have not been able to obtain any clue to the perpetrator of the robbery. A Stinging Rebuee. —We get the fol lowing story from a Wellington contem porary : —The course of true love never did run smooth, and probably it never will till time shall be no more. So thought a beautiful and accomplished young lady residing in this city a few days ago. She had given her affections and plighted her troth to a good looking fellow, who ac cepted them in conjnr><?tioii -t-v-iUi a lock of me lair one’s tresses, which he swore to treasure as the apple of his eye. This was all very charming, but the bliss was brief. Another swain stepped in, and the young lady sought and found a pretext for breaking with her first love. She wrote to him and requested that lie would be good enough to return the lock of hair which he had obtained from her. His re ply was brief, and to the point. Rummag ing his trunk he collected a heap of tresses, culled from various sources during his love-making career, and forwarded them in a bundle to his deceitful fair, enclosing a note to the effect that he had really for gotten which was hers, but she might select it from those forwarded, and return the rest at her earliest convenience. This he considered a stinging rebuff, and so it was with a vengeance. The lady is now on a visit to some country relations.

At the Front. —We learn from the Hawera Star that the “ Publie Works Contingent ” on the Waimate Plains work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but they are al lowed one hour at noon for dinner, besides which a quarter of an hour in the forenoon and a quarter of an hour in the afternoon are given them to enjoy the pleasures of the “soothing -weed.” Practically, they work seven and a half hours per day. The men have just been armed with En fields. The laying off of the road is being done by Mr. Cheal, who will have to be quick if he "wishes to keep ahead of the force following him. On Monday three quarters of a mile of road was formed, and it was expected a mile would also be finished during Tuesday. Allowing that half a mile of formation is completed each day from the camp at either end, and sup posing that fine weather should prevail, the two forces are likely to meet within from twenty to thirty days. The road will go more inland than was at first re ported, and will probably be within a mile—or even less—of Parihaka. Both forces are now within the boundaries where some “ Prophets of Evil ” prognos ticated that troubles would arise, but for all that everything goes steadily along, and the men appear to feel almost as secure as if they were working on the Carlyle road or on the Lambton Quay.

Extraordinary Affiliadion Case in Wellington.

(From the Post of Saturday.)

At the Resident Magistrate’s Court this (Saturday) morning, before Mr. T. A. Mansford, R.M., James Horace Smith was brought up, on remand, charged with refusing to provide for the support of his illegitimate child. The information was altered to include accused’s six illegiti mate children, the eldest of which was scarcely nine years, and the youngest but 11 months old.

Mary Ann Smith deponed that she was not defendant’s wife, but he was the father of her six children. On Thursday fortnight she got up at 6 o’clock, and found accused had gone out and taken all his clothes. He left 30s. and a note stating he was going. She next saw him when he was arrested. Her children were left destitute.

In cross-examination by prisoner, com plainant said she was the wife of Edward Louis Smith, the uncle of the prisoner. She had been living with prisoner for about eight years, and had had five children to her own husband, besides six to prisoner. She had been with her own husband nine years previous to making prisoner’s acquaintance. One child by prisoner hid died, and he had carried it to his uncle’s (witness’ husband), house, rolled in a blanket and laid it on his table. She left her husband because she would not stay in his house with two children of her nephew’s.

The accused then cross-examined wit ness about her conduct in Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch, the witness’ answers being to the effect that she had lived in misery. On Wednesday night week he came home late, and she refused to admit him for a long time, because she had never been accustomed to get up for her own husband, and was not going to do so for her nephew. He had called her improper names, and she had flung a kettle at him. She could not fight him, and had to defend herself against his abuse. Prisoner—Did you not use a knife ! Witness—Look here, James, the case is black enough without your fabrications, my dear fellow. About seven years ago you struck me, and I went to Mr. Craw ford, who made *me a present of a sum mons against you, but you begged me not to proceed, and I withdrew the charge. In reply to further questions, witness said she had often' been hungry, and so had the children. Her husband had offered to take her back.

The cross-examination extended to great length, during which the whole private life of the parties came out; the woman frequently making uncomplimentary re marks regarding the prisoner. Constable Lawrie deponed to the arrest of the prisoner at the Heads on board the schooner Annie, on the 22nd inst., bound for Hobart Town. Prisoner then said the woman was not his wife.

Sergeant Anderson gave evidence to the effect that prisoner acknowledged that the woman’s six children were his, and that the woman had previously had six to her own husband, his uncle. Prisoner then made a lengthy statement regarding his relations with the woman. He said he first became acquainted with her some nine years ago, when invited to stay at his uncle’s house in Auckland. He was then about seventeen years of age. His uncle went to the Thames for a time, leaving him to take care of his aunt. He was thrown a good deal into her company during this time, and had frequently to take her to the theatre, a place where till then he had never been, as he had been brought up to attend church and Sunday School regularly. It was during this time that he was enticed by his aunt. He had never, however, thought of living with her as he subsequently did. He then told his aunt that he must leave the house, but she said she was very fond of him, and she wished him to stay to take care of her. When his uncle came back he (prisoner) proposed to leave the house. She said, “If you do you will have to take me.” He kept on living with his uncle, and at last Mrs. Smith told her husband that he (prisoner) should leave the house, as she could not agree with him. His uncle then took his wife to the Thames. They had only been away a few days when she arranged with her husband that she should, leave and go to him (prisoner) with her children. Prisoner consented to this, and w.ent to the Thames and brought the woman'and children to Auckland, and she lived with him as his wife. After two months she went back to her husband, butreturnedtoprisoneragain, and for 18 months she came and went. Finally she brought up her husband and children, and all lived together. He after wards left the house, and the woman followed him. He then determined upon leaving Auckland. He left for Welling ton, and shortly afterwards Mrs. Smith wrote to him, stating that she had been turned out by her husband, and was houseless, and she wished to come to him (prisoner). He, of course, agreed to take her, as he could not see her house less. He then left Wellington, and went to Christchurch, where Mrs. Smith’s ex travagance sent him into the Bankruptcy Court. He returned to Wellington, having left Mrs. Smith in Christchurch, but taking the children—one only nine months old—with him. [Here he broke into tears and loud sobs, during which Mrs. Smith remarked that “James could do that at will.”] He then explained that he determined to leave, and took passage in the Annie, when he was arrested. He was prepared to take the children, and provide for them, but not to allow the woman anything. Sergeant Anderson said prisoner’s sister was anxious the disgraceful connection should cease, and would help to look after the children.

Mrs. Smith—lt is very hard for me to have my children taken from me. His Worship—This is a very lamentable case of domestic misery and unhappiness. Both parties are to blame, but the woman most. I think it advisable the mother should have charge of the youngest child for a time. I shall make an order that the father shall pay for the support of the youngest child ss. per week; the other children will be handed over to the care of the father. The prisoner was then released.

Pleuro Pneumonia.

The resolution of the Geraldine County Council requesting the Governor, by Order-in-Council, to prohibit the importa tion to the South Island of stock from the North Island and from Australia has given offence, as we had no doubt it would, to several districts in the North Island. Government does not see its way to ad vise His Excellency to give effect to the wishes of the Geraldine County Council in the matter of prohibition, and perhaps there is no harm done ; but the storm that some North Island newspapers are making over the action of the Geraldine County and all who followed, like Ash burton, in their wake, is quite violent, and the motives attributed to those who made the request to Government are of the most praiseworthy kind, to be sure. One paper, after expressing its "wonder at what all the outcry is abjut, gives out a belief that the idea of stopping the impor tation was not conceived with a view to prevent infection from reaching the South Island, but with a purpose to crush out the Northern trade in cattle with the South. Yet we are very much mistaken if the same newspaper did not advocate

for its own district complete isolation from the districts where the plague of pleuro pneumonia was raging. As soon, how ever, as the Southern stock-raisers, in their own defence, sought to close the avenues by which any stray pleuro affected cattle could find their way South, there is a cry raised that Southern rivalry desires to crush Northern trade, and to secure better prices for its own cattle. Doubtless the Southern farmers will feel highly flattered at the very charitable construction that has been put upon their action. We would be exceedingly sorry to see the trade of the North Island in cattle injured by a prohibition of export ; but we would be very much more so to see our own herds infected with the dreaded pleuro. And surely if it is right for districts in the North to protect themselves from each other, and the colony to protect itself from infected Australia, it is equally right for the South Island to protect itself against the North, especially when it knows, and when those who are crying out confess, that the plague is making sad havoc amongst the herds. We are glad, however, to learn that the settlers in the affected districts are wrestling loyally and manfully with the disease, which has as yet been pi'etty successfully confined to a limited area, through a most liberal and vigorous stamping out process. In fact, in some cases, the Waikato especially, complaints are loud that the stamping out has been too liberal, inasmuch as many cattle have been slaughtered that were not touched with the disease. But these settlers for get that stamping out, to be successful, must not stop altogether at the animals that show signs of infection, but must step out to those that run a risk of infection. In this way, in Great Britain, during the existence of rinderpest, whole farms were denuded of stock ; and though it was try ing indeed to the farmer to see his appa rently healthy cattle slaughtered and their carcases buried, it was far better that the sacrifice should be made than that all his own and his neighbors’ stock should be destroyed without any compensation what ever. While on this subject, we would again express a hope that the Legislature in the coming session will supply some means for providing compensation for cattle slaughtered to stamp out disease. Now that our colony has been shown to possess no charm against disease, but that her bovine blood may be contamin ated as readily as that of her neighbors, it is time that machinery were provided for prompt cleansing. The poleaxe is the only safeguard to be depended on when a murrain stalks over the land, but means must be found to compensate the farmer for cattle slaughtered.

A New Yankee Craze.

We cull from the American Agricul turist the following description of a new puzzle that has taken Yankeedom by the ears :—Whoever visited New York in February last must have met at every street corner men and boys doing a thriving business in selling a new game or toy known as “ The Sliding Number Puz zle.” This game, which is for a single person, and therefore a solitaire, consists, as the diagram shows, of a box into which 16 small square blocks of wood fit quite closely. Upon the upper face of each block is a number, and these run from one to sixteen. When the puzzle is to be worked, one of the blocks is re moved (the one having “16” upon it), and the others are placed face down upon the table, and mixed as in the stirring or “shuffling” of dominoes. The blocks being well mixed, are then placed in the box just as they are picked up, beginning at the upper left hand corner, and filling to the right. When all the 15 blocks are in, there isasingle space vacant, and thisallows of a sliding of the blocks—one at a time, and of course through only one space. The trick, or puzzle, is to so move the blocks that they will be finally brought into the regular order of the numbers upon them —that is, block “ 1” is in the upper left hand corner, “2” next at its right, and so on until “15” is reached at the end. So far as the explanation of the puzzle is ‘concerned it is very simple, but to get the blocks, into the regular order is quite another thing. Some persons, after having spent several hours, and even days, have been unable to get them right, while others have succeeded in doing it after a few minutes. Of the latter, it may be said it was all guess work, and the next time they try, it may take them a much longer time. The possible arrangement of blocks as they are placed hap-hazard in the box, are so numerous, that it is safe to say that it can never be twice alike ; therefore, the movements are different in every succeeding “game.” It is interesting to see how much “taken” people have been with this puzzle, bankers and business men have stood in groups at the entrances of their places of business, and exercised their calculating powers over some hard move, or laughed to see someone else move and move again, and not make the least particle of pro gress. The puzzle took with the boys at once, who freely invested their dimes and half-dimes—the puzzles being of various sizes, shapes, and prices, to suit the de mands of the trade. In our first trial of the puzzle we failed, but in a second at tempt, about lialf-an-hour of “ shoving around,” brought all the blocks to their proper places. THE SLIDING NUMBER PUZZLE.

Lorne and Curling. —The Marquis of Lome has united at Rideau Hall all the old Scotch with the Canadian games. He gets up curling games whenever he ha 3 the chance, and s urprises people by the way he handles a broom.

Holloway's Ointment and Pills. — Diseases of the skin, ringworm, scurvy, jaundice, scrofula or king’s evil,sore heads, and the most inveterate skin disease to which the human frame is subject, cannot be treated with a more safe and certain remedy than Holloway’s Ointment and Pills, which act so perculiarly on the constitution and so purify the blood, that these diseases are f at once eradicated from the system, and a lasting cure obtained. They are equally efficacious in the cure of tumors, burns, scalds, glandular swellings, ulcerous wounds, rheumatism, contracted and stiff joints. These medicares operate mildly and surely. The cures effected by them are not temporary or apparent only, but complete and permanent.{

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Renter's Telegrams.) Wool.

London, May 11. There is a good attendance of Home and Foreign buyers at the wool auctions. Wheat Prices. Correction—New Zealand wheat, ex ship, 435. per 4001bs ; ex warehouse, 495. The Greek Question. Londod, May 12. England has sent a circular notice to its representatives abroad specifying a. means for the solution of the Montenegrin, Greek, and Armenian, questions, in con cert with the other Great Powers.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Per Renter's Agency.) Shipping. Melbourne, May 12. Arrived—Arawata, from the Bluff. The sailing of the Tararua has been postponed until to-morrow morning, awaiting the arrival of the Orient steamer from London. The Peninsula and Oriental Company’s steamer Tanjore, from Galle, with the in ward Suez mail, arrived at King George’s Sound to-day. Oats. New Zealand oats, 2s. 2d.; superior, 2s. 4|d. Parliament. The Address in Keply ha,s been moved and seconded. Notice of motion ha 3 been made re payment of members. The Victorian Parliament. Melbourne, May 13. The debate on the Address in Reply to the Governor’s Speech commenced last night in the Assembly. Sir John O’Shan nessy severely criticised the action of the Governor in delaying the meeting of Par liament, and condemned Mr. Service’s reform scheme and the repeal of Mr. Lingmore’s land regulations. He con cluded by saying that he refused to be identified with the Ministry. The Victorian Agent-Generalship.

Sir Andrew Clark is unable to accept the Agent-Generalship of Victoria in Lon don.

NEW ZEALAND.

A Defrauding Debtor. Auckland, May 12.

Robert Little, described as a boot maker, Queen street, has been charged with concealing a number of pictures, with intent to defraud his creditors in bankruptcy. The case was adjourned un til Monday. Defendant was admitted to bail in LIOO and two sureties in LSO each. The Industries Commission. Mr. Burns, M.H.R., leaves for the Thames on the Colonial Industries Com mission. Departures. Mr. Arthur Sketchley and Professor Proctor were passengei’3 for Sydney by the Rotomahana. A College for Auckland. Auckland, May 13. At a meeting of the Board of Governors of the Grammar School to-day, Mr. O’Rorke moved, and the Mayor seconded a resolution to the effect that as, in the matter of University education, Auckland was at great disadvantages as compared with the South, a college should be estab lished in Auckland with a staff of Profes sors. Sir George Grey. Sir George Grey proceeds South by the Te Anau to-day. A Heat/ Rate. The City Council last night struck a rate of ninepence in the pound, and a special rate of a shilling and threepence. Sad Death of a Young Man. Edward Walsh, nephew of Mr. Cald well, station-master at Hamilton, passed from the guard’s van to a passenger car- j riage while the Waikato train was in motion, and fell off. The driver of the en gine returned and found Walsh uncon scious near the line. His left leg was smashed close to the groin, and his left leg broken below the knee. Walsh died in a few hours after. Deceased was only married on Sunday last. The Patetere Block. The surveys of Patetere land are not sufficiently advanced to pass the Cam bridge Land Court. The Value of the Railway. The progress of the railway to Te Awa mutu is causing a great rise in the price of land. Numbering the Houses. The City Council have decided to num ber the houses in the principal streets. A Boarding School. The Grammar School governors to-day affirmed the desirability of combining a boarding branch with the Grammar School. Sir Hercules Robinson. Hapier, May 12. The Governor returned to Napier this afternoon, expecting to find the Hinemoa ready to convey him to Wellington. On his arrival, he learned that the steamer would not be here till Friday. His Ex cellency has gone back to the country for another day’s shooting. Committed For Trial. W. H. Shaw, -who was arrested in con nection with the recent fire at the Cor poration offices has been committed for trial on both charges of arson and em bezzlement. A Missing Doctor. Carterton, May 12. Dr, Campbell left Carterton for Wel lington last Friday, intending to ride over the Rimutaka, but he has not been heard of since. A search party has just left to look for him. The Civil Service Commission. Nelson, May 13. All the Civil Service Commissioners arrived here last night, Messrs. Kelly and Pliarazyn being unable to land at Tara naki, as intended, in consequence of the high sea. The railway manager, the gaoler, the public works storekeeper, and the District Judge were examined.

Two Kind Hearts.

There was an old chef de bureau at the Ministry of France —silent, brusque, and sometimes a little surly. Related to Madame Recamier, and introduced to her salon in his early youth, he had a sort of worship for her. In order to remain as much as possible with her, he lived just in front of her house in the Rue de Sevres, and when he did not see her he saw at least her windows. For thirty years the great interest of his life was to learn every morning if she were gay or sad, to run errands for her during the day, and dine at her table at night. She lost her sight and had no one to read to her ; he offered his services, which were accepted. The first sitting was trying, for he read so volubly that she had a dif ficulty in following him. Not to cause him pain, Madame Recamier pretended to understand him, and patiently listened. At the end of several weeks she found to her surprise that he had slackened his pace, that his faults of pronunciation had disappeared, and that he read better, then that he read well. Without being told by anyone, instructed by his heart still more than by his mind, he had perceived his shortcomings. The old man of seventy had gone to school again. Every morning he went secretly to a reading-master, and when he returned he practised for several hours. Thus, by force of toil, he had overcome the most tenacious of habits—a physical failing—and one contracted by the use of a lifetime.

No Food For Fourteen Days.

A case of lunacy was examined recently which possesses some features worthy of note. William Bryson, a man of about 43 years of age, with a wife and several children, rents and cultivates a small farm some seven miles above the city, on the river road. About four years ago he be came deranged on religion, and was sent to the State Asylum, from which institu tion he was sent home some time after wards apparently nearly cured. After a while, however, his malady developed itself into sullen silence, when he would take to his bed and refuse all nourishment till the “ spell” passed off, being dull and stolid in the intervals. Some three or four months ago a neighbor, visiting at Bryson’s house, began joking his daughter about a negro, which so excited the father as to bring on another attack. As usual he went to bed and refused to eat, andthefamily say that he really went without any food whatever for two weeks. At the end of that time the pangs of hunger compelled him to partake of some nourishment, and he again resumed'his stolid, stupid, silent labor on the farm. In the meantime the family had made preparation to prosecute the neighbor who had made the last attack, and the latter, hearing of it, got a neigh bor to make complaint before a magistrate, and submitted to a fine of 1 dol. and costs. This seemed to aggravate Bryson’s malady, and he again took to his bed, about a week ago, refusing food as usual, and continu ing to abstain for five or six days. Although he was harmless, his family thought it best to place him under the care of the physicians of the asylum, and therefore brought the matter before the authorities. Justice Vann of Knight Township, and Justice Roberts of this city, held the ex amination, and, after hearing the evidence, and on the certificate of Dr. Hayden, they decided that the man was a lunatic and should be sent to Indianoplis. . This will be done as soon as the proper papers are received. —Evansville ( Ind .) Journal.

Rare Pluck.

The following description of a plucky encounter with a shark is given by the Auckland . Herald. The incident was mentioned in our telegraphic news at the time : —About 6.30 a.m. on Tuesday morning last (May 4), a son of Captain R. Stevens, aged 14, was bathing opposite Fraser and Tinne’s, about 100 yards out from the beach, when Joyner came along with the intention of bathing, but after wards changed his mind. While standing on the beach his attention was attracted to the lad through his cries, and then he saw a shark about a yard behind the boy, making attempts to seize him, while the terrified lad was splashing to drive it away. Seeing the boy’s danger, Joyner at once stripped, got a sailor’s clasp-knife from a bystander, and leaping into the sea, swam to the youth’s assistance. On swimming up to the spot he told young Stevens to strike out for the shore with out fear, as he would settle the little diffi culty with the shark himself. The shark was equally agreeable to the new arrangement, and dived under Joyner with the purpose of attacking him, only to receive a stab in the belly, as he passed under, for his trouble. In the second attempt the shark got the “ cold steel ” behind the shoulder. Altering his tactics, the shark made a flank movement, with the purpose of seizing Joyner in the ribs or abdomen, but throwing out his arms round the fore quarters he jobbed the shark in the eye with the knife, sending it home to the hilt. The shark sheered off, carrying the knife away with him as a souvenir of the little difficulty. Joyner swam ashore, and was subsequently thanked and rewarded by the grateful father of the lad. The Royal Humane Society’s medal might very fitly be awarded in such a case, as there is little doubt that young Stevens owes his life to Joyner’s gallantry and courage. There are scores of men who would leap into the sea to rescue any one from drowning who would think twice before venturing in to deliberately en counter a shark.

Strange Appetite. —Recently Mr. Fos ter, of Independence, had a fat cow killed for beef, and in dressing it the butcher found in the stomach of the cow a pound or more of nails, pieces of wire, scraps of old iron, horse nails &c. Religious Freedom. —A company o Old Believers, dissenting sect of Russia b having been guilty of putting up a new church in Butkoff, have been sentenced to two months’ imprisonment, and the church has been confiscated. The Richest Man in Australia. -Mt may safely be said that George Lansell, of Sandhurst, is the richest man in Austra lia. Ten years ago he made soap and candles, and liad’t a second pair of boots. He liberal, even in the selection of a wife. He owns numberles rich claims of his own, and one fortnight lately received L 13.000 in dividends from two claims in which he has recently purchased an interest.

Thursday, Ma\ 13, 1880.1

THE ASHBURTON HERALD





Miscellaneous T3LOUGHMEN. Wanted, SITUA TIOHS for a few Good Ploughmen. Apply Herald Registry. 421 c CHRISTMAS Humber Young Ladies Journal, London Journal, Family Herald, Family Reader, Boys’ Standard, &e. Just arrived. H. M. Jones, Sta tioner, Baring Square.



■RANTED—: NURSE GIRL, for 7 * ' miles in country. Age 13 or 14. Apply, office of this paper. 446c-855g WANTED— A good COOK, eithe Male or Female. Apply at once to J. G. Anstee. 456 c WANTED KNOWN—That 0. Haw kins, The Tinwald Bootmaker, has REMOVED to premises Opposite the Tinwald Post Office, where he is still open to Sell firstrclass Boots and Shoes at his usual Cheap■ Rates. All kinds of Boots Made and 'Repaired. 805g—417c WANTED TENDERS for SUPPLY of VV COALS and "FIREWOOD for Ash burton Borough School for Six Months. All tenders must be in to the Secretary by 12 noon TO-MORROW. All particulars can be obtained from J. Ward, Secretary. 584 c OFFICE and Pocket Diaries for 1880 H. M. Jones, Stationer, Baring Square. CHINIQUY’S LECTURES.—Just Ar rived, New Edition H. M. Jones, aring Square. RCELOOL Requisites and Artist M *te. rials. H. M. JONES, Statio ler, Baring Square. » UNITY DEGREE TEMPLE. OWING to the inclemency of the weather, the usual Monthly Meet ing of the Unity Degree Temple was not held last evening. The POSTPONED meeting will be held on WEDNESDAY next, in the Tem plar Hall, at 8 p. m. GEO. F. HENRY, 457 c D. S. #lO 000 * TO LEND > in S T S t 0 cWJLx/jVjy v suit borrowers, at lowest rate of interest. F. P. O’Reilly, Solicitor, Ashburton. 424c-835g JUST ARRIVED —Young Ladies’ Journals for APRIL, and other Magazines. H. M. JONES, Stationer, 360 c East Street and Baring Square. PRIVATE BOARD and LODGING for two Gentlemen ; 20s. per week, washing included. Apply, John Olsen, Peter Street. 438 c LOST— A Brown RETRIEVER DOG, answers to the name of “Dizzie. ” The finder returning same to the Bank of New Zealand, Ashburton, will be re warded. 444 c Lost— ten young pigs, just weaned. Anyone giving R. Lan caster their whereabouts will be re warded. Anyone detaining the same after this notice will be prosecuted. 451 c FOUND. Brown gelding, with white hind Fetlocks. Brand W near shoulder, GB off shoulder. Owner can have same on paying expenses. Apply, , BALDWIN’S CENTRAL HOTEL, 454 c ■ Ashburton,



TO LET. QIX-ROOMED COTTAGE, with half. acre Garden, East Belt., - ArrV> —' 441 c ORB & CO.



O T T 0 N & CO., HORSE CLIPPERS, 24 Years’ Colonial Experience. HORSES BROKEN IN TO SADDLE AND HARNESS. Moderate Charges. Apply Baldwin’s Hotel, or Brighton Boarding House, Triangle. 842g-450c