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.ni. daily. For Temuka, Timaru, and South at 6 a.m. and 10.15 a.m. daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.80 am. 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, Rakaia, &c. at 10.35 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.25 p.m. daily.

From Temuka and Timaru at 9.25 a.m. and 6.25 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.

The next mail for the United Kingdom via San Francisco will be closed at Christ church on April 24, and will be due in London on June 8.

The next mail for the United Kingdom via Brindisi (for correspondence specially addressed only), will be closed at Christ church on May 6th, and will be due in London on June 26th.

SYDNEY J. DICK, Chief Postmaster.

MARRIAGE.

Cape-Williamson—Strien. —On April 10th, by the Rev. A. M. Beattie, at the residence of the bride, Burnett street, Ashburton, H. Cape-Williamson, Master of the Cambridge School, to Herrnine Ernsttine, fourth daughter of F. L. Strien, Esq., late of Hokitika. 324 c

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser With which is incorporated the "Evening Echo”). FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 1880.

Take the system as a whole, railway accidents traceable to negligent conduct on the part of servants, bad management, inefficient switches, or defective plant, do not occur frequently on our lines. But it is remarkable that cases of fatal accident, from being “ spilt” from the trains, occur more frequently in New Zealand than they do at home, and the number of ac cidents of this kind, we feel assured, is as great in proportion to the extent of our lines as it is in America. In England, the old fashioned carriage is in vogue still, and probably always will be—the carriage divided up into compartments with two doors to each. The railway companies at Home could never brook the loss of sitting room in their carriages that our platforms at either end entail, and consequently passengers on their trains have to be con tent to perform their journeys without en joying an airing outside, and are literally locked in, thus being protected without choice from tlie sort of accidents that are common here. The absence of platforms from the English carriage thus gels rid of the chance of “spilling” passengers, and so coroner’s inquests on cases from that cause are unknown. In America, again, the platform is in use, but precautions are taken there to prevent accidents—precau tions that might with advantage be adopted here. Our carriages are con structed almost exactly on the American model, but there is one important omission; the strong canvas sheet that extends from one carriage to another, just above the couplings, and prevents anything that may fall from the platform reaching the rails. This canvas sheet, it will at once be seen, is a safeguard against death, from being run over by the wheels, to any un fortunate who may fall between the carriages. If he fall from the side of the carriage, he may just as readily as not get injured by the shock, but almost all pos sibility of being run over is prevented, as he is bound to fall clear of the rails. We do not know whether the Yankees’ idea in this is more to save life than to keep their carriage ’wheels clear, but certain it is fatal “spills” are less frequent in America than they are in this colony. The accident that occurred near Rakaia on Saturday last leads us to make the foregoing lemarks, and though possibly the canvas sheet would not be much of a protection to a drunk man, as Clark was proved to have been, it certainly would be a protection against danger to children who by any unfortunate chance may fall under the rails of the platform, and down between the carriages. It was the want of this sheet, as far as we can gather, that killed the child recently at Burnham station. Well, we are not perhaps strictly in accordance with facts when we say “killed” the child, as the coroner’s jury found the immediate cause of death to be something else ; but she undoubtedly came by her mutilation from falling from the carriage platform, and had the sheet we refer to been a part of the carriage furniture, she would not have fallen before the wheels of the carriage, and con sequently would not have been run over. The authorities are not required to provide protection for drunk passengers, that is— drunk persons are not permitted to travel; and had Clark’s intoxication been observed at Ashburton by the station master the man would probably now have been alive ivell to-day. It is not a pleasant thing for a rail way official to do—to turn out a man from a train for being drunk ; but is a duty that ought to be performed, notwithstanding, as well in the man’s own interest as in the interest of bis fellow passengers; for if it is unpleasant to a chap to get run over, it is equally unpleasant to those who are travelling with him to have to be eye witnesses to the accident. Then a large number of second class passengers have a fondness for sitting on the plat forms with their legs hanging over the side. This practice is most reprehensible, as it encourages young boys to follow the example, and it is a difficult thing to pre vent children fiom following a bad example like this set them by their elders. This habit of sitting on the platforms should be discouraged as far as possible by the authorities, as we feel certain that its extinction would prevent many accidents. We have happily enjoyed a pleasant im munity from collisions on our railway lines, and no smashes of any consequence have yet occurred to harrow our feelings. Wewould fain see those frequent accidents from falling off the trains prevented, and will be glad to see the American “catcher” introduced to our system. It is not an expensive thing, it is easily fitted, and being a successful contrivance for saving life, its adoption is worth con sidering.

Coin. —On the last trip from Melbourne the Rotomahawa brought 30,000 sove reigns for the Bank of New Zealand in Wellington. A Lucky Trooper. —Michael Simeon, in the Armed Constabulary, stationed at Opunake, has been left a fortune of nearly LSOOO by a relative in the South Island.

The Postal Revenue. The postal revenue for the March quarter in 1880 is L46,G25 18s. For the corresponding quarter in 1879 the amount was L34,G15 13s. Id. The total postal revenue for the financial period from July Ist. 1879, to March 31st, 1880, is L 115,680 14s. 3d.

The Invercargill Shooting Case.— Arthur Cox, the lad charged with shooting a boy on Easter Monday, was on Thurs day committed for trial for murder. The Missing Duck Shooters.—Por tions of the clothing of the young men who went shooting on the Wairarapa Lake have been found, which leaves no doubt but that they were drowned. Sporting. The Wanganui Steeple chases are fixed for June 9. The pro gramme includes a Handicap of 17550v5., a Maiden of 75sovs., a Weight-for-Age of 50sovs., and a Consolation of 30sovs, No minations for the Handicap close on 15th May.

The Mount Somers Cricket Match. This match played yesterday resulted in a victory for the Ashburton team in the first innings, the following being the scores : —Mount Somers, Ist innings, 45, 2nd innings, 119 ; Ashburton, Ist innings, 56, 2nd innings (with seven wickets to fall), 35. Messrs. Anderson and Curtis did good service for Ashburton.

Fruit Wine. —A number of Swiss and Germans have petitioned the Auckland Waste Lands Board to open for selection under the homestead system portions of land at Matapoui and Wliaranake (north of Wanganui)- They desire to engage in fruit wine culture, and they picked out the lands mentioned after a careful inspec tion of the country. It was decided to set apart an area of 26,000 acres for selection. Good News. —We (“Post”) learn from a private telegram received in town, that the Newcastle miners have consented to the reduction in the getting price pro posed by the owners, and that a reduction of 4s. per ton will be made in the price of coal at the pit’s mouth. A reduc tion will be made in Wellington early mext month. It is to be hoped it will also reach as far as Ashburton. A Strange Yow. —A witness caused some surprise in the R.M. Court at Wel lington the other day by refusing to sign her depositions. On being asked if she could not write, she replied that she could, but that fifteen years ago she had taken a vow never again to write her name. The Magistrate asked her if she had any objec tion to affixing a cross. She said she had not, and this method of signature had to be employed. It would be interesting to know what were the reasons which in duced the witness to make such an extra ordinary vow. Pleuro in Auckland.— Messrs M‘Lean and Co. gave notice on Wednesday to the Auckland Cattle Board that their herd of Cheviots were infected with pleuro-pneu monia. Messrs. Runciman and Nader have been sent to the Piako station with instructions to kill all the infected cattle. Pneumonia appears to be spreading in the Waikato, and there is a general feeling of uneasiness. Rangers have been appointed from the Armed Constabulary, and it is expected that orders will be issued con fining all infected cattle to one paddock.

The Dunedin Murder. —When the Court-house doors were thrown open on Thursday there was a greater scramble for seats than was ever seen in the place before. Hundreds were unable to gain admission, and throughout the day the police were hardly able to keep the ap proaches to the front door clear. The Crown Solicitor, Mr. B. C. Haggitt, con ducted the case for the prosecution. The prisoner, Butler, defended himself, the Judge remarking that he was sorry he had determined to do so. Mi*. Haggitt opened the case in an exhaustive speech. A num ber of witnesses were examined, and the Court adjourned till next day.

A Miscarriage of Justice. —At the criminal sittings of the District Court at New Plymouth 011 Thursday, the only case on the list was a charge against John Dale for indecent assault upon his daugh ter, ten years of age. Very conclusive evidence was adduced of the crime, after which the solicitor for the prisoner took exception to the indictment, which was not signed by the Crown Prosecutor, and, therefore applied for the discharge of the prisoner. Mr. Standish, the Crown Prosecutor, was not in the place, having left by the steamer on Sunday for Aus tralia, so his Honor discharged the prisoner in consequence of the objection raised, at the same time commenting strongly on what he termed a “miscarriage of justice.” Too Bad. —A man named William Hayward Smith adopted a peculiar method of attempting to frighten his wife (from whom he was separated) at Napier, the other day. The man got very drunk, and went and sat down outside his wife’s gate. He told one of his children to go and fetch his wife, whom he said he wished to see very particularly. On her arrival he took out a paper from his pocket contain ing powder and swallowed it, telling her he had taken poison. She at once sent for the police, who took him to the lock-up. The matter-of-fact police officer in charge, however, refused to send for a doctor until he saw the poison begin to “ work.” This consummation was never reached, and the prisoner was brought in a repent ant state before the Resident Magistrate the next morning, and fined for drunken ness.

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

To the Editor. Sir, —Many letters of complaint as to the existing state of things in the Public Library have appeared in the several newspapers from time to time, without eliciting any reply from the directorate of the Library. I would suggest that all parties interested therein meet in the reading-room of the Library, on Monday, the 19th inst., at 8 p.m., to consider what steps should be taken to alter the present and provide for the future management of that institution.

Heaven helps those who help them selves, and unless some one moves in the matter the present miserable state of things will continue.—l am, &c., J. Young. Ashburton, April 16, 1880.

CHRISTCHURCH CORN EX CHANGE.

Corn Exchange report for the week end ing Friday evening, 16th April, 1880 . The one noticeable feature of the week that has elapsed is the decline in wheat. Latest English advices report a fall of Is. 6d. per quarter. This apparently is at tributable to the reports of very heavy

stocks in America, coupled with the pros pects of a good harvest at Home and abroad. Millers are purchasing sparingly, doubtless from a further anticipated re trogession, while shippers do not evince the same eagerness to purchase. This is the state of things at the present moment and causes the market to be heavy. Wheat—At the beginning of the week prime milling samples were saleable at 4s. f. o. b. Later on when the telegraphic ad vices w T ere received, a decided fall of 2d. per bushel was experienced ; prime mill ing quality cannot be quoted at over 3s. 9d. to 3s. lOd. Chick wheat—Lai’ge quan tities are in the market, and buyers are somewhat fastidious. The prices range from 2s. 6d. to 3s. according to quality. Oats. Large holders are somewhat puzzled to find an outlet for their stocks. Many are stacking to wait a more propi tious season. Others are making trial shipments in the London markets and elsewhere. Large lines are not coming to hand in this market. The local demand is fairly good, and prices remain as before, Is. 4d. to Is. 6d. per bushel. Barley.—Large quantities continue to come forward, the great bulk of which is of second-rate quality. The large quan tity offering has a most depressing influ ence on the market. Malsters and ship pers are exceedingly dainty, and nothing but really prime quality meets with any attention. Prime samples cannot be quoted at over 3s. 9d. to 3s. lOd. per bushel, with a rather sluggish demand. Feed and inferior parcels are in great abundance, and will not command over 2s. 6d. to 2s. 9d. per bushel.

Grass seed continues to be dull of sale, and prices have not varied from last week’s quotations. Cocksfoot Small sales are taking place at 2-id. per lb. Potatoes.—Orders are coming to hand rather tardily, and purchasers do not yet appear to have made up their minds as to prices. Nothing definite has as yet been established. Approximate values, there fore, only can be given, being 30s. to 355. per ton, sacks extra. Cheese and Butter.—The state of the market for this class of produce is pre cisely what it was last week, sd. to old. for the former, B|d. to 9d. for the latter.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Friday, April 16.

(Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.) RATES. Longbeach Road Board v. Cairncross. Claim L 29 19s. for rates. Judgment for plaintiff, with costs. scavenger’s fees. Gale v. Trickett. —Claim LI 2s. Bd., for scavengering work done. Defendant said the refuse taken away was only rain wa + er. Judgment for amount with costs —in all LI 18s. 2d. A DISPUTED CONTRACT. Guild v. Kingsbury. (Claim L6O, damages for breach of contract. Mr. Branson, instructed by Mr. Ireland, ap peared for the plaintiff, and Mr. O’Reilly for the defendant. After a long and lively hearing, the details of which we cannot give to-day, judgment was given for plaintiff, with costs, Mr. O’Reilly announcing his intention of appealing to the Supreme Court.

THE NELSON PERJURY CASE.

(by telegraph.) Nelson, April 15. The charge of perjury against Mr. Acton Adams has occupied a Bench of Justices, consisting of Messrs. John Sharp, Hon. N. Edwards, B. Reeves, P. McDonald, T. McCay, for two days. At the close of the case for the prosecution, Mr. Conolly, who appeared for the de fendant, was stopped by the Bench, who said that they wanted to adjourn for a few minutes. At the expiration of the ad journment, they dismissed the case, saying that there was no perjury, and that the defendant, in alluding to the agreement, meant such an agreement as would be binding under the Statute. Mr. Conolly asked the Bench, owing to the position that the defendant held, that they should further state that there was no ground for bringing the charge. The chairman, after consulting with the others, said they had stated already that there was no perjury. At the conclusion of the case a fracas oc curred at the door of the Nelson Club. Mr. Bunny, who was junior counsel for the prosecution, was returning to his chambers, when he was assaulted by Mr. Percy Adams, brother of the defendant, who struck Mr. Bunny with a horse whip over the head. They closed, and blows passed freely, blood streaming from Mr. Adams’ moustache. Mr. Teschemaker and Mr. Langley Adams were then drawn into the fray, which appeared likely to result in a serious breach of the peace, but on the advice of friends the parties entered the club and separated. When Mr. Teschemaker re-appeared in the street he was cheered by a large crowd which had congregated together. Shortly after Mr. Bunny on leaving was vociferously cheered. He addressed the assemblage, claiming that he had done but his duty as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand. He was further cheered, and groans were given for the Bench.

TELEGRAPHIC .

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

The Lincolnshire Delegates. Grahamstown, April 16.

The “ Star ” states that it may not be generally known that the expenses of the Lincolnshire delegates were borne by this colony, and will amount to LI,OOO. The “ Star ” objects. Tukukino’s Territory. The County Council will shortly push the Ohinemutu road through Tukukino’s territory. Fatal Accident. A fatal accident occurred this morning. A man named James Syverett was en gaged packing logs of about three tons, when the support gave way, and he was killed instantaneously. He was working in the Big Pumping Association yards. The Casualty on Lake Wairarapa. Wellington, April IG. The body of Devereaux, one of the young men lost on the Wairarapa Lake, was found to-day, as the boat was found anchored by means of one of the guns getting caught in the chain of the boat.

Sunday Night in London.

Edward King in Boston Journal.

Along the embankment between Black friars and Westminster the student of social science may on Sunday evening ob serve the most remarkable spectacle in Europe. There is not a city on the Con tinent, not even Vienna, in which any thing like it can be seen. Under the gleam of the electric lights thousands upon thousands of men and women are strolling, and it is easy to see that all of them belong to the humblest walks of life. It is no exaggeration to say that thousands of young girls may be seen wandering unprotected by any male escort, and laughing, jeering, pushing, dancing, shouting, sometimes behaving in what the French would term an “unquali fiable manner.” These are the work-girls of London. Heaven help them ! and they are so little conscious of their degra dation that they take a positive delight in it. “Do you suppose they are happy?” I asked an old Londoner. “Happy? They’re as pleased as Punch with what they call a lark ! Law bless you, they don’t think they’re doing anything wrong. They’re not brought up in a way to know much about finer feelings, I can tell you.” They see imorality all around them, and never know anything else themselves. If one of them remains reasonably pure, it is considered a great stroke of chance. They are as ignorant as savages of ten thousand things which they ought to know for their own protection. They wander here by the river, talking some times in language that pen may not re cord. It is easy to see that many of them have been visiting the public-houses, and by the time they reach the parental roof’s protecting shadow - some of them are oblivious to external circumstances. Large gangs of men and boys of all grades—from the coarse and dangerous villain in hobnailed boots to the small city clerk with his too tightly fitting clothes and hill jargon of the counting house—parade the broad sidewalks, now engaging in an amateur dance with some

merry party of girls, now talking to other groups in language that would be insult ing, if they chose to consider it so ; and now getting into a sound encounter at fisticuffs. A fight among the girls is nob at all uncommon. And these are the future mothers of the working classes ; these the creatures that must be in toe shop and market at sunrise and reread i there until sunset every day except Sun day. And what a use they make of their Sunday ! Of course the fathers and mothers, careless and callous as the ma jority of them are, still would feel a certain compunction about allowing their daughters to wander through the streets alone long after midnight, if it were net a custom which has become time honored. What per cent, of the working girls of London are thus exposed to every danger of the great metropolis I do not know, but it must be very great. Judging from the language which one hears from these Sunday promenaders on the embankment, they have been touched by no moral in fluence whatever, nor any esthetical one, except that procured by a view of the paper on the public house walls, and the row of lights around Cleopatra’s Needle.

MILK—WHAT IS IT?

The natural food for the young of all mammals is milk—a rather complex fluid, the physical properties of which it is not necessary to describe. The principal con stituents are water, sugar, caseine, albu min, fat, and several salts. The sugar, when separated, looks much like the or dinary kind from the cane, but is much less sweet. Caseine is one of the leading constituents, and is the part which, when removed from the milk, becomes the cheese. The caseine exists in small par ticles in the milk, and is contracted or gathered into large masses by the action of acids or rennet. The albumin remains in solution after the caseine is removed, and separated by boiling, when it appears as white curds, somewhat resembling the white of eggs in appearance, as it does also in composition. The fat is not dissolved in the milk, but suspended as little globules with thin coverings. In the pro cess of churning, these globules are broken, and the fat collects in lumps of various sizes. The fat, when worked, etc., is the butter of the market and table. The ash is but a small part of the milk, and consists of a number of substances, which are left behind when the milk is dried down and burned. There are many things to influence the percentage of these various ingredients of milk. It is far from the same in different species, and among cows, the breed, feed, general treatment, age of animals, etc., all have a m o difying influence.

Trial of Gang Ploughs.

(From the Press. )

Messrs. G. King and Co., agents for Carr and Hobson’s gang ploughs (which completely upset all preconceived ideas of celerity in breaking up the soil), exhibited them on Thursday at work at the farm of Mr. John Overton, of Prebbleton. In these ploughs the handles are entirely dis pensed with ; the mould boards are firmly attached to a moveable or side swinging gang of two or three beams (if double or treble furrow); it has a powerful lever, by means of which the mould boards are shifted from a working to a travelling posi tion, or by the same means lowered again for work. When about to turn corners a slight upward jerk on the lever unlocks the joint, whilst a forward motion brings the ploughshares to the surface, and at the commencement of new furrows the lever is thrown down, and the ploughshares enter the soil. The double furrow plough is drawn by two horses, and the treble furrow plough by three horses, driven from an elevated perch exactly similar to that on the well-known reapers and binders. The depth of work is regulated by a simple device at the forward end of the beams, and as the draught is direct from the work, the carriage receives no strain. It has a single straight axle—the off-wheel running on the top of the first furrow, and is always in a level position, either in work or transit. Both ploughs were tried in a stubble field, where at least a foot of stubble and a dense undergrowth of clover and weeds had to be contended with, but each plough did its work well. The double furrow, with two horses, turned over a width of 2ft., whilst the treble furrow, with three horses, turned over a width of 2ft. Bin. Several of the neighboring farmers -were present, and at their request the ploughs were altered from skim ploughing at 2in. depth to a depth of 9in., and they answered the demands made

upon them admirably. Immediately, with his usual courtesy, Mr. Overton placed h grass paddock he intends break ing up this season at Messi’s. King and Co. ’s service. The machines were at once removed to the grass land, and here they excelled their previous performance, the various gradations from skim ploughing to full depth work being again gone through, and to the entire satisfaction of all the agriculturists present. One retired farmer remarked—“lf these ploughs had been invented before I sold my farm, I’d have stuck to it.” It is intended to give a further public trial of these ploughs near Leeston, of which due notice will be given.

Extraordinary Revelations About the Tay Bridge.

One of the most interesting items of intelligence by the San Francisco mail is that in regard to the famous Tay Bridge, the terrible collapse of which, on the 28th December, horrified the whole civilised world. It is now proved in evidence that the wonderful bridge in appearance, a triumph of engineering and mechanical skill, was really a sham, a delusion, and a snare —a gigantic death-trap, and that so far from its being at all surprising that the bridge gave way when it did, the only wonder is that it did not go long before. It is proved that one of the immence columns which supported the high girders was actually cracked from top to bottom, and held together by iron hoops ; that, there were flaws In the castings ; defects in the iron filled with putty and painted over ; that some of the hollow iron piers were filled with loose sand instead of solid concrete ; that there were rivets without heads, nuts unscrewed, empty bolts, loose bars, &c. There must have been scandal ous rascality somewhere, and ic will be a national disgrace if the whole affair be not thoroughly exposed and the guilty persons visited with condign punishment.

New Presbytrian Church at Tin wald. —The Presbyterian cause in Tin wald has been particularly healthy of late, a week night service having been held every Thursday since the commencement of the Rev. Mr. Beattie’s pastorate. It has now been decided to take definite steps for securing a building to worship in, and this will be all the more easy seeing that the Church already possesses an acre of ground in the township. On Thursday evening, 22nd inst., a meeting is to be held in the schoolroom at Tinwald to set on foot a movement for raising funds to defray the cost of a building, and from the strength of the Presbyterians in the district, this should not be difficult.

Wages at Home. —According to. news papers by last mail, the wages of farm laborers and women servants in England —consequent upon the agricultural de pression still prevailing—had suffered a considerable diminution. At the North of England hiring fairs, held in the month of November last, at most of the towns large numbers attended ; but employers were not willing to give the wages gene rally asked. At Kendal, for example, wages were considerably lower. Excep tionally good and known men commanded from Lls]to LIT ; best men, Ll 3 to Ll 4 ; second class, L 9 to Ll 3 ; lads and young men, from L 4 to LB. Best women, L 9 to Lll 10s. ; second class, L 6 to L 8 ; girls, L3to L 5. At Penrith a vast number at tended. After a stubborn resistance, ser vants found they had to give way, and a brisk business resulted at a reductiod of L4to L 5 from last Martimas. Best men could be had at Ll 3 to Ll 4 ; second class, L 9 to LlO ; third class, L 7 to L 8 10s. ; boys, L 5 to L 5 ; women’s wages ranged from L 5 to L 9 ; girls, L 3 to L 5. These rates were for the half year, and included board and lodging.

Remarkable Model. —The Welling ton “Evening Chronicle” says:—“lf anyone will pay a visit to the Government Buildings at the present time they will see one of the most remarkable models which have ever been exhibited in Wel lington. It represents a railway station, with double line of rails, a siding, level crossing with wicket gates, and last, but not least, a most remarkable apparatus for unlocking the points, regulating the signals, and shutting the gates, the whole operation being simultaneously performed from the platform or from the usual signal cabin. We will not attempt to explain the machinery by which all this is accom plished, but will simply say that it is the perfection of railway engineering, and that under it the risk of a collision, of a train being shunted on the wrong line, or of any obstruction to the traffic whatever, is entirely obviated. The model itself is a very beautiful and valuable one, and the system will commend itself at once to the judgment of practical men. The patent is the property of Messrs. McKenzie and Holland, of Worcester, the well-known railway engineers, and William Griffiths, C.E., a partner in the firm, is at present introducing it to the notice of the New Zealand Government and public. Already have the Victorian, New South Wales, and Queensland Governments adopted the system, and Mr. Griffiths’ object is to induce the New Zealand Government to also introduce it upon its railways.

“There is no Fear op a Surplus.” —Such is the heading of a paragraph in an American farmers’ paper, and what follows shows how shrewdly the Yankees can look at things as they are :—“ The world’s markets are at our feet. The fear that we can produce more than can be disposed of is a bug-bear and a phantom. It has been conclusively shown that at a certain price we can control all the Euro pean markets, and that this price, while it pays us fairly, is too small for a profit to the European farmers, who have to pay large rents, heavy taxes, employ expensive labor, and use costly fertilisers. Think for a moment ! There are seven millions of soldiers in Europe, who are non-pro ducers, and expensive consumers ; two or three millions of army horses, all eating, and not working ; emperors, kings, princes, and titled persons of all kinds, who are supported in the greatest luxury out of the revenues ; and “ the farmer pays for all. ” We need not fear to compete with farmers so burdened ; our prosperity consists in lessening the cost of our produce, and selling it to those nations who thus hamper themselves with burdens too grievous to be borne ; be coming, in fact, the food producers for a large portion of the population of the world, nearly one-half living without labor.”

Friday, April 16, 1880.]

THE ASHBURTON HERALD.



NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.



All orders for insertion of advertise ments must be written legibly on the face of the advertisement. When no order is given the advertisement will be inserted until countermanded, and charged accord ingly. All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good faith. All advertisements and business letters to be addressed The Manager ; literary communications should be addressed to The Editor.



ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST.



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New Advertisements. a strong BOY, accustomed W to horses, and to be generally useful. Apply Herald Office. 666g-253c TT7ANTED to buy—Turkeys, Geese, ■ » Ducks, and Fowls in any quantity. —Quill’s Hotel. 308 c WANTED —By an experienced mac COOK, a situation in an Hotel or Boardinghouse. Good references. Ad dress “F.A.F,” care of R. Lancaster, Ashburton. WASTE PAPER for Sale, 3d. per lb. at the Herald Office. Apply early. 59a MONEY TO LEND. —Several sums of money ready for investment at current rates. F. P. O’Reilly, Solicitor, Tancred street, Ashburton. 263c-684g WANTED, those in search of employ ment, to call and enter their names at Herald Registry Office, on pay ment of Is.” TALE. —The Herald publishes a por tion of a readable story ever Even ing. Read it. LOST —This morning, between Ash burton and Rakaia, a Gold LOCKET. Finder will be rewarded on leaving same at this office. 320 c PATRONISED BY ALL CLASSES. THE GREATEST DISCOVERY OF THE AGE. ninee’s trade El MARK. PURE EXTRACT of KEROSINE WILL NOT IGNITE IF LAMP IS UPSET. Burns in any Kerosine Lamp ; gives a brighter light, lasts longer, is free from smell and free from danger. Sold by all respectable grocers and storekeepers throughout the colony. The next time you want Oil for your Lamp try a tin of “ Niner’s Extract.” Sold in pints, quarts, half-gallon and one-gallon tins. Wholesale and Retail Agents for the Ashburton District— OUR AND CO., Ashburton and Rakaia. 31Gc-735g TENDERS. TO BE LET BY TENDER, the FEED ING off 50 ACRES of SPLENDID TURNIPS, situated on Mr. William Liddle’s farm, Hinds, the Turnips to be fed off by the Ist JULY next. H. MOFFAT, Wakanui Mills, 304c-724a Ashburton.



Auction Sales. THE GREAT Fairfield Estate. CLOSE TO THE TOWN OF ASHBURTON. THE GRANARY AND STOCK DEPOT OF CANTERBURY. TOWN SECTIONS, DAIRY FARMS, AND FARMS. SPLENDID POSITION. MARKETS CLOSE AT HAND. CERTAIN INCREASING VALUE. THURSDAY, APRIL 22, TWO O’CLOCK. Messrs, h. matson & co. have received instructions from the Free holders (in conjunction with MESSRS. ACLAND, CAMPBELL & CO.), TO SELL BY PUBLIC AUCTION, AT THE TOWN HALL, ASHBURTON, ON THURSDAY, 22ND APRIL, 1880. At 2 o’clock p.m., ALL THAT PORTION OF THE FAIRFIELD ESTATE, Situated in the immediate neighborhood of the Town of Ashburton, COMPRISING



2000 ACRES 2000 Subdivided into— -Ist—CONVENIENT ASHBURTON SU BURBAN SECTION FOR BUILD ING PURPOSES, VILLA RESI DENCES, &c., &c. 2nd— PROFITABLE DAIRY FARMS FROM FIVE TO TEN ACRES. 3rd—BEAUTIFUL FARMS OF FROM FORTY ACRES UPWARDS, Thus bringing this highly favoured dis trict within the reach of all classes of purchasers. The enormous yield of grain from lands in this immediate neighborhood, and its favourable |position, gives this property an unusual high-class value. The Ashburton is rapidly becoming the great central depot for grain and stock, and a large active population is settled there. Buildings, warehouses, and gra naries and erected, and extending in all directions. Any special water supply adapted for the Town of Ashourton could easily be applied to this estate, and an abundant supply can readily be obtained from sink ing wells at a very small depth. This property is situated in close con tiguity to the Town of Ashburton, and very near to the Great Southern Railway. The soil is rich alluvial. It has, there fore, the immense advantages of certain increasing value, markets for its produce close at hand, with railway facilities for taking advantage of every market, home or foreign. It is expected that the return of the Lincolnshire Delegates to England will have the effect of sending large numbers of settlers with means to this province and district. A large Government reserve has been made adjoining this property, for Govern ment railway workshops, which will neces sitate, when established, a large working population being settled there. Arrangements will be made for the con veyance of intending purchasers by rail way at greatly reduced rates, upon the day of sale. The terms are made easy to suit all classes. TITLE : CROWN GRANT. APRIL 22. 2 o’clock. Luncheon at 1 o’clock. For further particulars, plans, &c., apply to C. PERCY COX, Agent for Auctioneers, Ashburton, and MESSRS. MILES, HASSAL&CO.; And MESSRS. ACLAND & CAMPBELL, 6440 Christchurch. TINWALD—WINSLOW ROAD DIS TRICT. A MEETING of RATEPAYERS in this District will be held on MON DAY, the 19th instant, 2 o’clock p.m., at Scott’s Hotel, Tinwald, for the purpose of considering a petition to the County Council, requesting separation from the Longbeach District. 292 c J. R, C. GRAHAM. Archery material.—bows from ss. each. Arrows from ss. doz. H. M. JONES, Stationer, Baring Square.



NOTICE. ACCOUNTS. ALL Accounts due to me up to 31st of December, 1879, if not paid on or before 24th inst., will be SUED FOR without further notice. JOHN FOWLER, 817 c Ashburton. TO LET—A TWO-ROOMED COT TAGE on the East Town Belt. Apply, D. M'KENZIE, 323 c Ashburton Hotel.