MEMORANDA.

MEETINGS. This Evening,

Annual Meeting: of the Fire Brigade—at the Borough Council Chambers at 6. Primitive Methodist Tea meeting—in the church, Wills street at 5.30.

Rhe Ashburton Herald. AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1880.

The discontinuance of the midday train has not been long in making the want felt. Yesterday a number of passengers from South, bound for Christchurch, amongst whom was, a very prominent -M. H. 11., arrived here by the morning train from Timaru, and on arrival they discovered to their dismay that they could just as well have stayed at home for the express train, for anygcliance they had of reaching the Christchurch before half-past seven. What the object of the railway department in putting the public to this inconvenience and loss may be we do- not attempt to guess. If for economy’s sake, we should say they have a very poor idea of the value of the midday train, since on many

expeditions we have : undertaken we have ' always found this train to be what is known as a mixed one—that is, a combination of goods and passengers, and the engine doing the-hauling business was also em ployed as a shunter, to the intense disgust of passengers impatient to arrive at their journey’s end. However, the powers that be seem to have decided to dispense with this train. We would respectfully point out to them that it is not a particu larly good stroke of business. As matters are arranged now,; a would-be visitor to town has to be on the platform either at ten minutes past six in the morning or at five in the afternoon ; and as fully the half of the passengers are folks from country the early train is clearly impractic able, unless the intending emigrant sits up all night to catch it. By leaving with the express at 5, he is led into all the tempta tion provided for the bucolics in the City of the Plains, for he has to stay over night and beyond the early train time next morning if he would do business in business hours. Thus he lms to remain in Christchurch the whole of next day till 5 p.m. again, while his business might pro bably have been completed in half an hour after arrival in the afternoon, and he rangement just dispensed with been con , again on his way to Ashburton, had the ar tinued. We are of opinion that an error has been committed in abolishing this train ; but if tie railway authorities are deter

mined not to continue it, we would suggest that some alteration be made in the time of starting the morning train, so that farmers in the outlying districts may have a chance of accomplishing a trip to town and back in a day, more particularly those farmers who reside south of Ashburton. Say start a train from Timaru at G a.m., which will arrive at Ashburton at 9 a.m., and :it Christchurch about noon. There would thus be left five hours for shopping, &c., plenty of time to do business in, and Ashburton is again reached at Bp. in. We are hearty advocates of economy in public expenditure, but we believe in efficiency of service and fair accommodation for the public in accompaniment with it. If the present time table is adhered to, we will see the farmers driving their spring carts and buggies to town, and probably a Cobb’s coach started, to say nothing of the now nearly defunct bullock dray—as being more reliable and speedy means of performing the journey than by the agency of the New Zealand Railways.

Druxk. —Mv. Guinness yesterday let off a man with a reprimand and a warning against a repetition of the offence for which he was brought up—drunkennessand disorderly conduct, the result of Saturday night's indulgence.

G. Y. C.—To-morrow, at G p.m., is fixed for the first parade under the new drill inspector. He is an old 2nd Life Guards man, and has the reputation of being ecpial in merit as a drill to any cavalry man in the colony. Capt. Slater will also bo in attendance, and wo hope to see a good muster on the occasion. Caved in. —One of the Longbeach coach proprietors lias found that running a vehicle without passengers is not a pro fitable business; and has accordingly with drawn from the spec, along with 1 ‘ certain impedimenta.” Mr. George Willcocks has the road to himself now, and with his dashing coach team is quite prepared to convey all travellers. Ckicket. —A match will be played on Saturday next, between an eleven of the Springfield Club, from Christchurch, and an eleven of the Ashburton Club. Play will commence immediately on arrival of the morning train. The following gentlemen are to play for Ashburton :—Messrs. G. Andrews, A. Andrews, J. Ashwood, A. Fooks, T. Hodder, S. Poyntz, AY. St. Douglas, F. Shury, D. Amos, E. Fooks, F. Mainwaring. Emergency men—E. G. Crisp, A. Curtis. It is to be hoped these gentlemen will turn up true to time, and show the Christchurch boys what Ashbur ton can do. A New Work Finder. —Government have instituted a new plan for finding out where laborers are wanted, with a view to disposing of any unemployed immigrants or others they may have on hand. Forms are kept on hand at the various post offices which employers in want of labor are required to fill up, stating number and class of workmen or workwomen wanted, wages offered (by day or per annum), and giving a guarantee to find employment for the workers asked for, on their arrival. The form, filled up, is sent free to the Immigration Officer, -who forwards free of cost to the applicant the workpeople lie requires. The institution will doubtless be very useful in districts where labor is scarce. As yet its usefulness in Ashbur ton has to be discovered.

Dromore Goods Shed. —Tenders closed for this building yesterday. The Hall Government’s ideas of economy have taken a fresh departure over this job. It was well known to everyone in the colony, when the expenditure on this work was authorised, that labor was cheap and plentiful, and that contracts could be let at very low rates. Knowing all this, the Government put off the construction of this building until harvest operations set in, and then issued specifications of a most extraordinary nature. Imprimis, the value of the job is heween L4OO and LSOO. It is set forth that it must be finished, in sixteen days, the penalty for over time being LlO per day, the deposit L 50,. and the security Ll5O. This is what they call giving a poor man a chance. As it is, there is a strong probability of some big contrac tor from Christchurch stepping in and getting a good nibble, instead of local car penters, who could have done the work satisfactorily had ordinarily easy terms been offered.

Small Mercies. —By the courtesy of his Worship the * Mayor we have been favored with a copy of a telegram received bj' him from the Christchurch Railway Manager. It is as follows : 11 His Worship the Mayor, Ashburton—lt has been arranged that a carriage be attached to ll'lo goods, commencing from to-morrow. Only first class passengers for Christchurch will be carried, as train will not stop at intermediate stations, ex cept at uncertain periods.— Fred. Back.” This concession to the requirements of an important district, we suppose, we ought to feel duly grateful for. But it is a remark able fact that only first-class passengers are to be considered in 'the matter, and even ithey, if they wish to keep them selves select, will now run a great risk of having their feelings trampled upon by the advent to a first-class carriage of some vulgar swagman in a hurry to get to Christchurch, who may be possessed of the wherewithal to. pay the extra, four shil lings.' We consider the manner in which the railway department has given way to the demands of the public can only be characterised as slrilly shally work.

Christchurch Taste.— A Christchurch correspondent writing to the “ South Canterbury Times,” makes the following remarks :—“Although the Opera Com pany, for want of patronage, expect to lose from LSOO to GOO (I have this from a very old friend and leading member of the Company), on their Christchurch season, yet those who say that we, of this very blue-blooded district, are not familiar with, and do not appreciate and encourage high art, cannot know us, as we know our selves. What makes me so sure of our love for the beautiful is that, although the Theatre Royal, with “ Carmen” mag* nificently produced, was about three fourths full, and the audience looking as if they had each a season ticket to attend funerals, the Oddfellows' Hall, with Abe Hicken, the Australian champion, some amateurs and retired pugs, having sets-to, was crowded in all but the front seats, and these were fairly filled, at ss. But it was beautiful, and how we applauded them, and how Abe “ propped, ” “plug ged,” “ undereutted ” and “ ducked,” was worth'going miles to see. It was, though, the best satire on the bosh we assume that I have witnessed in my experience here. ”

Fcnerat. —The funeral of Mrs. J. E* Buchanan will leave her residence in Cox street, to-morrow, at 2 p. in.

The Lincolnshire Delegates. —Messrs Foster and Grant arrived in town about one p.m. to-day, having been coached by Mr. J. LI. Crawley from Messrs. Gould and Cameron’s homestead. They wore received at Quill’s Hotel by Messrs. John Grigg, Chairman of the Longbcach Road Board; Hugo Friedlandor. Mayor of the Borough of Ashburton ; F. B. Passmore, of Sherwood ; James Scott, Manager of Chatmoss, Fairfield, and Chertsey; D. Cameron, of Messrs. Gould and Cameron; and other leading gentlemen in the district. At the hotel, host Quill had pre pared for the gentlemen a sumptuous repast, the entertainment of the Agricul tural and Pastoral Association, and after this had been partaken of the delegates proceeded on a further tour of inspection, after which they will go southwards. Inquest. —An inquest touching the death of Airs. J. E. Buchanan is being held to-day, and is still sitting while we go to press. It appears from the evidence of Air. J. E. Buchanan, her husband, that the deceased lady had been ill from the middle of December, and had been at tended up to the 10th January by Dr. Ross. On the latter date deceased refused either to take the medicines or submit to the treatment of the doctor, as she fancied these made her worse, and Air. Buchanan ultimately consented to Air. Alfred Saunders, her father, treating her hydro pathically. Under this treatment, she appeared greatly to improve, and her father was in attendance on her at inter vals up to the day of her death—lst instant. She had no medical attendant after the 19th January until Sun day morning, when, as she ap peared to be getting much worse, Dr. Ross was sent fox’. She again rallied, but died in the evening, a few minutes before the'Dr.’s second visit. The inquest is being conducted by All’. Guinness j and a jury of which Mr. Donald Williamson is foreman. A full report of the evidence will he given to-morrow.

TELEGRAPHIC

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

TO-DAY’S CABLEGRAMS

(Reuter's Telegram. ) Singapore, Jan. 27. Aground. The Brisbane, from Sydney, got aground in Arafura Sea, for 96 hours. After jetti soning a considerable quantity of her cargo, she got off, and proceeded to this port, where, after being docked, an exami nation of her bottom will be made. London, Feb. 2. Chili v. Peru. According to: latest news from South America, a strict blockade is being main tained by the Chilians along the Peruvian coast. It is generally believed that the war will be concluded. Sx. Petersburg, Feb. 2. Nihilism Again. A conflict of a. serious nature took place here to-day between Nihilists and the police. The rupture resulted in several Nihilists being arrested.

(Age Special.) London, Fob. 1. The Afghan War.—Horrible Outrages and Massacre.—Many Villages De stroyed. Latest news from Afghanistan states that it is rumored that Ayoub has been de feated by Ibrahim Khan, who opposed the Shere Ali dynasty. The Ghilzais are committing frightful outrages. The natives supposed to bo friendly to the British are reported to have massacred 2000 families, destroying many villages. The Chilian War.

The Chilians threaten the Bolivian frontier towns. A war-ship lias been despatched from California to protect the British Resident at La Perez City from the Bolivians.

INTERPROVINCIAL

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

Gkaiiamstown, Feb. 3. Benefit Concert. A concert took place last night for the relief of Ensor, the man injured recently by blasting in - a mine. The concert re sulted in LSO being obtained to send him to Sydney. Wellington, Feb. 3. The Official Lunch. An alteration has been made in the civil service hours. Owing to the incon venience of the officials leaving the office for lunch in the middle of the day, the lunch hour has been abolished, and the offices close half an hour earlier as com pensation. Wellington Gas Company.

At the annual meeting of the Wellington Gas Company directors, it was recom mended that a payment of dividend at the rate of G| per cent for the last half year should be made.

At the Supreme Court, rule absolute was granted for a new trial in the case of Farrelly v. 0 ( Mally. Nelson, Feb. 3. Nelson Anniversary.

The Friendly Societies fete yesterday was largely attended. The sports were good, and the mile race was won by Webber in 4 mins 45 secs. The champion points race, of 400, 100, 300, and 200 yards was won by A. Askew (Nelson); Webber (Wel lington), 2nd ; Masted (Blenheim), 3rd. The other events were well contested, and entries were numerous. Death of an Old Settler. W. Collins, an old settler, and who was member of the first Provincial Council, is dead. The Nelson College. Mr. Oswald Curtis, late M.H.R. for Nelson city, has been appointed Secretary to the Nelson College Governors, having first resigned his position as Governor. The college has commenced this term with a greater number of students than ever before, the boarding accommodation being taxed to the utmost. Westport, Feb. 3. Death of the Alleged Murderer. Charles Sibree, alias ‘‘Yankee Charlie,” well known in connection with the Cos tello murder case, died in the hospital last night, after a long illness. A Woman at the Bottom of It. A man named Neil M‘Lean was brought down from Inangahua Junction last night, with a serious wound on the bead, in flicted by one Stewart. Jealousy in con nection with M'Lean’s wife is supposed to

be the cause of the assault. The woman was living with Stewart for 20 years before sire married M Lean, some two years ago. The constable is after Stewart. Dunedin', Feb. 3. Railway Time Table.

The Dunedin Chamber or Commerce committee passed the following resolu tion :—“ That the committee does not feel justified, with the information at present at its disposal, in opposing the abolitisa of the Invercargill express train, but is of opinion that the train substituted should, if possible, be accelerated so that it might reach Invercargill earlier in the day ; that a deputation wait on the Ministers on their return to town, with a view to dis cussing the proposed changes as far as they affect the commercial interests of Dunedin, Invercargill, and Christchurch.

LAST NIGHT’S TELEGRAMS.

Wellington, Feb. 2.

Mr. Johnson, Secretary to the Benevo lent Institution, had an interview with the Colonial Treasurer to-day, with refer ence to the unemployed. The Colonel Treasurer replied that the matter had been under consideration by Government for some time, and as soon as the Cabinet met it would be dealt with without fail.

Messrs. George, P'limmor, Cofley, Bayliss, Harcourt, Jackson, and Mills, were nominated to-day as candidates for the two city representatives on the now Harbor Board. Changes arc about to be made in the proprietorship of the “ID veiling Chronicle,” but it is not yet decided who retires. The arbitration is now being hold. During January, 111 birtlis and 52 deaths were registered here, and 30 marriage certificates issued. Mr. Cbas. Woolcock, formerly M. 11. R. for the Grey Valley, has been appointed to the editorship of the “ Rangitikei Ad vo cate. ”

The following is the latest betting on tliQ Cup ■ —s to 2 against Foul Play (offered), 100 to 30 and 80 to 25 against Lara (taken and offered), 6 to 1 against Hipocampus (taken and offered), G to 1 against Templeton (taken and offered), 100 to 12 against Laertes (offered), 100 to 10 against Hailstorm (offered), 100 to 10 against Chancellor (offered), 100 to 9 against Soukar (offered), 100 to 5 against King Quail (offered). Over 100 tickets in North’s sweep were sold on Saturday. Timaru, Feb. 3. Many of the principal farmers in this district are making arrangements to ship their wheat Home direct on tlioir own ac count this year. The Timaru High School was opened this morning, 36 girls and 28 boys pre senting themselves. O amaru, Feb. 2. A inquiry has; been made to-day con cerning the identity of the human remains found in the ruins of the Queen’s Hotel after the fire. Dr. Delatour gave evi dence to the effect that the bones were those of a human being, and although it was not absolutely proved the remains were those of William King, yet there can be no doubt that he it was who met his death in the- fire. Dunedin, Feb. 2. The Dunedin Jockey Club have resolved to do away at their future meetings with Lcgcr stakes for three-year-olds, with a view of increasing the stakes for two-year olds.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

ASHBURTON —Tuesday, Feb. 3. (Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.) DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. John Kelly, known as “ Kelly the Rake,” pleaded guilty to the above charge, and several previous convictions were re corded against hiin. The Magistrate re minded the accused of his frequent visits to Court. Kelly pleaded having a harvest job to go to, but lie was fined 40s. or 48 hours. CIVIL CASES. Ruddick v. Passmore. —Claim, L 33 14s. lOd. Mr. O’Reilly for plaintiff;: Mr. Purnell for defendant. Mr. O’Reilly applied for an adjourment for production of a material witness, and offered to pay costs. Mr. Purnell said lie must object to an adjournment. His client, Mr. Passmore, had to leave his harvest to attend this case, and it was the plaintiff’s own fault if the necessary witnesses had not been sub poenaed. lie would ask, if an adjourn ment was to be granted, that it should be for six weeks, so that harvest operations would not be interfered with. His Worship agreed, and .granted an adjournment, with costs' against plaintiff’, £i ss. ; case to be heard on March 16. Ivess v. Weeks and Dixon. —Joseph Ivess gave evidence that the sum of 12s. was due by the firm to him, for the “Mail” sent to tlieir office. By Mr. Purnell.—An order was left with my clerk for the supply of the “ Mail,” a previous account had been paid to Mr. Poyntz, my collector. Don’t, know whether it was received from Mr. Weeks or from the firm. I can only speak from having received information from Poyntz and Co. when the money was paid.

Mr. Ivgss applied for an adjournment for half an hour for the production of a witness.

His Worship regretted that such a case should come before him. It would have been much better settled out of court. He would, however, grant the adjournment. On resuming, the matter was further heard, and the plaintiff accepted a nonsuit with costs.

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

, TELEGIIArH.) Noumanby, Feb. 3.

The camp at Kaipipi was visited yester day by a largo number of visitors from ELawera and Normanby. Tlic Constabu lary, who finished forming the road to Inaha on Friday 7, and commenced work into the portion between Kaipipi and Ilai pokanui on Saturday, were to-d<iy sent to Inaha to form the road between that stream and Waingongoro. To-morrow it will be necessary for the men to take their dinner with them, as the distance from camp is too great to allow of their returning. Mr. Cheal is engaged on the survey of the road. It was falsely rumored yesterday that 80 more Constabulary had landed at Opunake. It is reported that two Europeans visited the Native kainga yesterday and insulted one of their women. The Europeans were recognised as civilians.

AMONG THE FARMERS

(By O'jr Rambling Rjspcktes.)

WaKAITUI. —COETIN CE D

A mong the oldest, homesteads in the neighborhood of tlio Creek, is the comfort able dwelling of Mv. Thomas Greenway, who has not only, during his long resi dence in the district, added to its wealth by improving its lands, but has also im proved the face of the country and contri buted to the comfort of travellers ns a road contractor. Ho has about 130 sown iu wheat which will yield about 23 bushels ; 30 in oats, equal to 37 to 49 bushels ; and 25 acres- of a nice even cron of barley, that will thrash out 39 bushels. A stack of hay has been saved of some 39 tons, and lie has 40 acres in pasture, which is, like all grazing land here, first class. There are also some 3 acres in potatoes, carrots, and mangolds, - and 90 acres broken up for next year. Mr. Wm. Power, of the Royal Hotel, con.bines dispensing liquor with the pro duction of cereals, and he has about .110 acres in wheat, of 25 bushels per acre ; and 01 of oats equal to about 32 bushels. Between Mr. Power's and the railway line, is the large estate of Fairfield, better known as the “ Company's Block,” and o? which Mr. James Scott is the manager. There arc on this land 505 acres in wheat, and though it is of very various growths, it will probably average about 22 bushels throughout. There arc also about 800 acres in oats, averaging 35 bushels, and 450 in barley, equal to thrashing out 25 bushels. Heir vest operations are in full swing here, there being quite an array of reapers and binders in various parts of the farm, and threshing has also commenced : so that there wiil not he much delay in having the Fairfield grain in the market. In addi tion to the management of the Fairfield estate, Mr. Scott has the responsibility of supervision of the Cliertsey estate, be longing to the same firm. Eero, also, harvesting is employing a lot, of machines, and the crop is a great improvement on last year, both in acreage and returns. The wheat tots up here to 525 acres, esti mated to yield 2G bushels ; oats, 3GO acres, equal to 32 bushels ; and a splendid field of barley of 247 acres, fully equal to 40 bushels. There are also 370 acres in permanent pasture, with a magnificent sward on it, and about 350 in turnips. Nor do these two farms compose all the managerial duties devolving upon Mr. Scott, since we dropped on him.on another 5000-acre block on the other side of Wins low, known as “ Ohatmoss,” on which he lives when at home. But, as a rule, he is one of the most übiquitous individuals of of my acquaintance. He seems to be on some part of each of the properties every day. Ghatnioss is not a light burden to manage if worked by itself, as the greater portion of it is a peat bog, which, four years ago, could be inspected only by web footed or flying creatures. By an expen sive but effective process of drainage by the owners of the land, assisted (where roads intersected the estate) by the local Road Board, tiie peat has become so far consolidated and drained that sheep and cattle are now enabled to take advantage of the luscious growth of grass, clover, rape, &c., so luxuriant on this kind of land when it has once had a portion of the water squeezed out of it. On the swampiest land, the seeds are surface sown, and of this description there is an area of 2800 odd acres, which had some LI6OO worth of seeds thrown broadcast over the peat, and the result has been astonishing. Iu a few years’ time, when the land is so far trodden down and solidified that ploughing operations can be commenced, it will be a grand field for small farmers, who would find 100 acres here equal to 400 on the plains. In ad dition to this large block there five 1800 acres of cultivated grass land, and 480 which has been cut for hay, yielding some thing over a ton. to the acre. Cropping operations have not been gone into to any great extent this year on Chatmoss, these having been confined to 30 acres of barley, which promises 40 bushels pei acre.;' and 380 of oats, of about the same yield. Returning to whore we diverged at Fairfield, and travelling along the plaids, past Howlands, Messrs. O. and J. Pye have a fair average crop of wheat of 175 acres, promising a yield of 20 bushels or more ; and 80, of oats, : which will give over 40. They have also some 50 acres laid down in English grass, and a - kitchen garden which is well stocked with vege tables.

Acvoss tho road are the_ holdings of Mr. George Aston and Mr. H. Yi. Gray'burn —the former having 100 acres of a good crop of wheat, equal to any in this part of the district ; and 70 of oats, about 45 bushels to the acre ; and Mr. Grayburn has 47 of wheat, likely to turn out 20 bushels ; and 10 of oats,' 30 bushels.

Further north Mr. W. Alien lias LOO acres in wheat (20 bushels) and 110 in oats (30 bushels per acre), a small patch in grass, and 50 acres broken : up but not cropped. Hence to the Chertsey road the com pany’s Chertsey estate above referred to is on the left and Dundas farm, one of Messrs Saunders’ Bros, holdings on the right. On the latter, considerable per manent improvements have been made. There is a fine belt of young American pines well cared for, and- looking like making a handsome and use ful protection from winds in the future. The well is worked by means of a “ whim,” the only one we have as yet seen in the district; and the buildings in connection with the farm are of a neat appearance, and have plenty of room between them in case of fire. Visitors here have the opportunity of seeing some specimens'of poultry not to be equalled, or at anyrate surpassed, in the colony. The farm consists of about 1,850 acres, and having been an early selection, contains the pick of the land in this portion of Wakanui. The crop consists of 1,300 acres of wheat, and the estimated yield is on the payable side of 20 bushels per acre. There are 500 acres in grass, and 50 in other crops here. On the opposite side of the Chertsey road, lies the handsome residence of Mr. H. T. Winter, of the firm of Roberts and Winter. There has been a deal of work done on this property during the past year, GOO acres being in wheat, of about the same average as in the neighboring farms ; 50 of oats, which was cut for feed; 100 in grass ; 900 in turnips, and other root crops : and GOO acres broken up for next year. There is also a belt of gums planted all round the block, and a very promising garden lies in close contiguity to the residence. A largo and well de signed stable shows that the owner up

predates the comfort of the good horses he is so well known to keep. Adjoining Mr. Winter is Mr. Rule’s block of some 1400 acres. Mr. Rule has the most carefully tended plantation I have seen, the half-chain belt being cleared from weeds and made fit for an onion bed; and I have no doubt that the incipient forest will duly appreciate the attention. His barley was being stacked on my arrival, and the threshing machine belong ing to the proprietor was already in posi tion to commence operations. Mr. Rule has 400 acres in wheat equal to the general average of his neighbors—2o bushels per acre ; 130 of oats with double that yield ; and 130 of barley, equal to about 20 bushels. There are also 200 acres in grass, 210 br»ken un, and a few acres of root crops. Towards Chevtsey there is another ex tensive holding, belonging to Messrs. Roskrugo 1 Tos., who have a fine field of GOO acres of wheat, calculated at the standard rate of 20 bushels per acre,, but which wili, I think, agreeably disappoint the owners by yielding a bushel or two more when they put the sheaves through the combine. There are 2io acres of oats, (about 30 bushels), and 100 of barley, which will give 20 bushels ; besides 50 acres of pasture, 7 of roots, and 270 broken up for next year. The farm of Mr. George King of Christ church is next- on our route, which has 540 acres of wheat, giving a promise of about 30 bushels, GO of oats, giving about 50 bushels, 500 of turnips, and 40 of oats cut for fodder. The improvements on this farm are of first class quality, the mainstay of plenty of stabling accom modation having been kept in view by the late proprietor, Mr. James Caldwell. Our last visit on this trip was to Mr. William Aifckcn’s farm, near the township of Chert-soy. Mr. Ait-ken was one of the earliest settlers on the plains, and has already succeeded in making his fine farm look like a homely country residence, with its comfortable two-storey house, and ex tensive stabling accommodation. His well is the deepest in the district, having a sheer descent of 230 feet ; but it has, GO feet of water in it at present, and having been sunk to its extreme depth in the driest weather, Mr. Aitken does not .anti cipate its ever going dry. By means of a simple whip, and a 30-gallon tub, enough water can be drawn by one horse in half au-hour or so to supply all the wants of the farm for a week. There are 540 acres of wheat, estimated to yield 35 bushels per acre, on this holding ; GO acres of a grand Hold of oats up. to 50 bushels, and 40 of the same grain cut for chaff; and 500 in turnips, Ac.; besides 800 acres broken up for next year’s crop. Harvest ing is in full swing hero, and Mr. Ait-ken’s near neighborhood to the Chortsey rail way station will make the earning of his large crop an easy matter.

Judgo Not.

In tlio ante-room of Meredith & Son’s great cotton factory Philadelphia, a group of girls were engaged in an animated dis cussion. They were all young, some pretty, all dressed neatly, -though many wore ill-chosen and unbecoming finery. One of. these, who had a mock gold chain and bracelets, and a profusion of jet trim mings noon a heavy silk dress, spoke very emphatically—lt is the stingiest pro ceeding I ever heard of! ” “ What are you all so excited about ? ” asked a pretty little : blonde, coming in from the loom-room. “ Ellen Churchill 1 ” “ Dear mol What has she been doing now ? You are always discussing some dreadful deed of Ellen’s. I like her my self.”

“ Yes we all know that,” said the first speaker; “ you will defend anything Ellen docs.” “ But what has she done ? ” “ Refused to sign the subscription list for the .tankard to be presented to Mr. Rodman.” “And Mr. Rodman has been such a good rvic-nd to her ! ” said a third voice. The little blonde, Susy Whiting by by name, looked' rather staggered by the new accusation .against- her friend. Mr. Rodman, manager for Meredith & Son for nearly fifty years, was about to retire on account of the infirmities of age, and the persons engaged in the great factory were collecting money to Jmy a silver tankard to present to him. lie was a kindly old man, and always ready to lend a helping hand to the small army of work-people under his control ; so that the presenta tion was really a gift of love. Ellen Churchill had come to the factory two years previous; to the" date of -the indignation meeting in the ante-room, and had risen to the position of forewoman in one of the loom-rooms. She. was a hand some girl of about twenty when she ap plied for work, and by every action and word betrayed the fact that she had stepped, from a life of refinement to the hard drudgery-.'of a factory hand. Her low, even tone betrayed the lady in its well-chosen words ; and her slim, white hands, bore no trace of toil upon their smooth; skin. She was courteous to all who came into intercourse with her, but intimate with. none. She had nursed Susy' Whiting through a long period of contagious fever, winning the'devotion of that little maiden, and the manager soon put her in positions :of trust till she be came. forewoman. Here her education enabled her to keep the books required in the room, thus doubling her salary; • And here was the great ground of com plaint by her companions. It was well' known that the salary of Ellen Churchill was sufficient to warrant a good stylo of living and dressing. In the great board ing house, whore seventy of the girls had rooms, she could well afford to pay for the best, to contribute to the amusements of the house, and dress well. Instead of all this, she lived in the attic, poorly fur nished, with a tiny stove, where she cooked tlie cheapest of. food. Her dress was of the coarsest description, made by her own hands, and no ornament broke its severe simplicity. She never spent money in pleasure-seeking, nor joined in any of the quiet merriment, in the house. But the crowning enormity was the re fusal to contribute to the silver tankard. The excited group in the ante-room dis persed for the day, walking home in the twilight of the September evening, and still they talked of the young forewoman. “ The question is,” said Mary Leigh, who had been' foremost in the ante-room discussion, “ what does she do with her money ] She never puts any in the fac tory savings bank ; . she certainly spends, nothing on her dress. Whore is it ail then l ”

“ Perhaps she supports her parents?” “ Both dead. I’ve heard her say so.” *• Well, I dare say Mr. Rodman won't think her such a paragon as lie has done, when he misses her name from the sub scription list” -

“And Walter Rodman will probablv ' resent the insult to Irs father. ”

There was an exultation in the last re mark, but ill concealed. Walter.Hodman, the only cuild of the olet manager, mas in counting-house of the factory, with every prospect of soon becoming a partner. A man past 39,-ho had risen in the employ ment of Meredith & Soil, from a lad of 14, and had saved money from a hand some salary,' with the avowed intention of purchasing a place in the firm upon the anticipated retirement of old Mr. Mere dith, who was known to favor the inten tion. Among all the clerks and workmen m the great factory, there was no one so handsome as Walter Hodman,’ none so quieily refined in manner, none so great a favorite with all. But he had gone through 30 years of factory life, fancy free, until Ellen Churchill canto to the factory. There was something in the noble, re fined face of the young girl that .attracted Walter Rodman from the first. That there was some heavy trouble brooding in the sadness of her great dark eyes lie never doubted ; but if ever purity and goodness were pictured in the human countenance, they-wore- in Ellen’s. Frtinl his father lie learnt much of the new corner, of the adaptability she showed foi' work evidently new to her, of the almost masculine brain that fitted her so soon to take control of the loom room, where over a hundred girls were at work. Of her antecedents lie know only that she brought a letter from the clergyman of her parish, in a small town, in. New York State. That she was a woman of culture and refinement they could see for themselves. But Walter Rodman, by nature frank and true, as his heart more and more ac knowledged Ellon for its queen, grieved over the evident mystery of her life. While in her conversation, she advanced noble and generous views, her whole style of living was penurious to an extent rarely seen in women of her age, when living upon a much smaller salary than she com manded. It was not merely economy but saving pushed to extremity.: ,

There was a straggle constantly in the mind of the young clerk—a, struggle be tween his love and his fear of repentance, if he urged his suit. It. was revolting to him to think of his wife conducting his house upon such parsimonious principles, refusing to bestow of bis abundance in charity, dressing meanly, and perhaps in fluence him to the same miserly .habits. And yet, one hour with Ellen drove away all such thoughts. • The low sad voice always tinged by her habitual sadness, conveyed sucli a mirror of a pure tender heart, a cultivated mind, a noble soul,' that Walter forgot the coarse, mean dross, the many stories rife in the factory of Ellen's stinginess, and he knew he loved her as he .had never loved any woman.

But when the silver tankard was pre sented to Mr. Hodman, and Ellen’s name was not upon the list of contributors to the gift, Walter experienced a sharp pang of disappointment. Ho knew that his father’s recommendation had gained Ellen her first place in the factory, that she had found a firm friend in him, and owed her rapid advancement to his influ ence and interest. And yet she had re fused her mite to the gift that testified the good feeling of hex' fellow-workers in the factory ! Father and son had long been confi dential friends ; and on the evening fol lowing the presentation the latter opened his heart and told all his doubts and fears. Mi’. Hodman listened quietly. ££ Yet you love Ellen,” he said. " , ' p ££ I love her,” replied Walter, ££ but:lg could never be happy with a miserly wife.”

“ Poor Ellon, how little she deserves that reproach'S ” said Mr.'Rodman. “I shall violate a confidence reposed in me, Walter, when I toll you how you mis judge her, but I think I can trust you.” “ Has she told you her secret ? T - vy ; y fi'hEo. I„ heard•'the 'story- froui the ' clergyman of Lenwood, her native village, :who wrote to mo before she came here. He is an old friend of mine and knew he : could confide in me. I-will tell you what ho wrote to me. Six years ago Ellen’s . mother died, leaving in her care a sickly step-brother, then eleven years old. Her own father had left Ellen a pretty cottage, and she had a small income from the fruit and poultry on the place, while she made a; sufficient living by teaching music and playing the organ in the church. When lier mother died, leaving Stephen Grady, her step-brother an orphan and penniless (for her step-father before his death had . squandered all her mother’s little fortune), Ellon promised to care for the boy. Ile member she was but sixteen herself, though early care had matured her far beyond her actual years. The boy grew like his father, reckless of expenditure, loose in principle, yet ten der to his sister-mother, and one of those loving scapegraces who always win some good "woman’s devotion. He won Ellon’s. She thought herself bound by her promise to her mother to make every sacrifice for Stephen, and she faithfully..tried, to.-lead : - him away from the companions and evil influences that .were ruining -his life. Three years ago, a friend of Mrs. Grady’s took Stephen into his counting-house. Here he was to' learn book-keeping, and for a time lie worked steadily.. Then the bad company that had ruined his boy- : hood, again exerted its evil influence, and lie learned to gamble. Remember, Wal ter he was but fourteen, and Ellen but five years older. One' of Iris accomplishments was the power of imitating handwriting, and by the persuasion of some older -heads, he forged a cheque for two thousand.dollars on the firm he was with The cheque passed the bank undetected,: for the cashier was in the habit of paying over large sums to Grady: But when, it was returned to the firm, the 'forgery l "vtas dis covered and traced to Stephen. Then the truth came out that he had gambled. away the entire am bunt, and the two men 'JN, ■who had urged the crime and pocketed the money, had fled, leaving the lad to r bear the consequences. He was arrested, and repentance came when he saw the full consequence of his acts. It was then that Ellen proved herself the noble woman I believe her to lie. She was suffering already for . her brother’s crime, having lost her place as organist, and most of her music pupils having left her. Despite all this she went to the firm apcl pleadel for the lad. .Her elo-

THE ASHBURTON HERALD.

Tuesday, February 3, 1880.]



New Advertisements. Y. *«, « «e? <5 R. LICENSING ACT, 1873, AND LICENS ING ACT, 1573, AMENDMENT ACT, 1874. IVTOTICE is hereby given that, in pur _l3J' snance of the above Acts, the Quarterly Meeting of the Licensing Com missioners for the Districts of Ashburton, Rakaia, and Mount Somers, will be held on TUESDAY, the 2nd day of March, 1880, at the hour of 12 noon, in the Resi dent Magistrate’s Court, Ashburton, for the purpose of considering applications under the said Acts. C. CAVENDISH lIURRELL, Clerk to the Licensing Court. Resident Magistrate's Court, Ashburton, 30th January, 1880. 459g—8c PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH, WILLS STREET. THE Public TEA MEETING intended to welcome the Rev. A. J Smith, postponed from 2Gth January, will be held in the above church, THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING 3rd FEBRUARY, 1880. Tea on the Tables at 5 '3O p. m. Immediately after the Tea Meeting a Public Meeting will be held, when ad dresses will be • delivered by several ministers and friends. 0c mO LET—TWO OFFICES in East JL street, central, rent low. Apply to Branson & Purnell, solicitors. 071 a mo LET—A TWO-ROOMED COT JL TAGE, with quarter-acre ground, in Burnett street. Apply Ashburton Hotel. . ASHBURTON PERMANENT BUILD ING AND INVESTMENT SOCIETY. THE Monthly Meeting of the above Society will be held in Mr. Bullock’s office THIS (Tuesday) EVENING, from G. 30 to 8.30. Subscriptions will be received at the Secretary’s office, Burnett street, between the hours of 9 o’clock and 4 p.m. this clay, Mr, Bullock’s office, from G. 30 to 8.30 this evening. J. WARD, 7c Secretary. NEW TAILORING ESTABLISH MENT. CRAIGHEAD & Co., MERCHANT TAILORS, HAVE opened those premises situated , in Tailored street adjoining Messrs. Orr and Co’s General Store. A SPLENDID ASSORTMENT OF TWEEDS, FANCY GOODS, &c., &c., JUST ARRIVED. Mr. Craighead’s experience as Head Cutter in connection with First Class Tailoring Establishments in Edinburgh and San Francisco has extended over a period of ten years, and from the immense success which lias always attended his efforts to please, he is prepared to guarantee a perfect fit in every case. TANC Ii E D STREET, (Next Orr and Ci.’s.) CRAIGHEAD & CO. 982 a finHE friends of J., .E. Buchanan, Esq., 8 • are respectfully informed that the FUNERAL of his late wife will leave his residence, CoX street, TO-MORROW, WEDNESDAY - , 2 p.m. f THOS. A. GATES, 9c Undertaker.