Invention of Bank-Notes.

According to the “Nineteenth Cen tury,” not only did the Chinese possess coins at a very early period, but they were also the inventors of bank-notes. Some writers regard bank-notes to have origin ated about 119 b. c., in the reign of Ou-ti. At this time the Court- was in want of money, and to raise it Klaproth tells us that the Prime Minister hit upon the fol lowing device. When any princes or courtiers entered the imperial presence, it was customary to cover the face with a piece of skin. It was first decreed then, • hat for this purpose the skin of a certain white deer kept in one of the royal parks should alone be permitted, and then these pieces of skin were sold for a high price. But, although they appear to have passed from one noble to another, they do not seem ever to have entered into general circulation. It was therefore very differ ent from The Russian skin money. In this case the notes were ‘‘ used instead of the skins from which they were cut, the skins themselves being too bulky and heavy to be constantly carried backward and forward. Only a small piece was cut off to figure as a token of possession of the whole skin. The ownership was proved when the piece fitted into the hole.” True bank-notes are said to have been invented about 800 a.d. , in the reign of Hian-tsoung, of the -dynasty of Thang, and were called “ feytsien,” or flying money. It is curious, however, though not surprisng, to find that the temptation to over-issue led to the same result in China as in the West. The value of notes fell, until it took 11,000 min, or £3,000, to buy a cake of rice, and the use of notes appears to have been abandoned. . Subse quently this issue was revived, and Te hang-yang (960-990 a.d.,) seems to have been the first private person who issued notes. Somewhat later, under the Em peror Telling tsong (997-1022), this inven tion was largely extended. Sixteen of the richest firms united to form a bank of issue, which emitted paper money in series, some payable every three years.

THE STORY-TELLER.

THE EXPRESS TRAIN.

Two or three of us had lounged out of the club one night, into Stanley’s office, to find out the news coming in by tele graph, which the sleeping town would not hear until the paper would be out to morrow. Stanley was editor of the “Courier.” He was scribbling away at driving speed, his hat on, an unlighted cigar in his mouth. “ You’re at it late, Ben.” “ Accident. Sixty lives lost,” without looking up. We long white slips which lay coiled over the table, and read the despatch. “ Tut, tut !” “ Infamous 1”

“ Nobody te blame, of course.” “ I tell you the officers of a road where such an accident is possible should be tried for murder 1” cried Ferrers.

Stanley gave his copy to the boy, and lighted his cigar. “I. think you’re wrong Ferrers. Instead of being startled at such casuali ties, I never travel on a railway that I am not amazed at the security of them. Just think of it. Thousands of trains running yearly on each, with but a minute to spare between safety and destruction, the safety of these trains depending on conductors, telegraph clerks, brakes-men, men of every grade of intellect, their brains subject to every kinds of moods and disease and tempers. The engineer takes a glass of liquor ; the conductor sets his watch half a minute too fast ; the Bignalman falls asleep, and the train is dashed into ruin ! It is not the accident that is to be wondered at; it is the escape that is miraculous !”

We all had dropped into seats by tin's time. The night was young, and one after another told some story of adventure and danger. Presently Stanley said “There was an accident which occurred on the Banister road a few years ago, which made me feel as I do in the matter. I happened to be an eye-witness to the whole affair.”

“What was it, Ben?” “ It’s rather a long story- ” “No matter. Go on. You can’t go home until your proof comes in.” “ No. Well, to make you understand, about five years ago I had a bad break down—night-work, hack writing, and poor pay. You know how fast it wears out the machine. The doctor talked of diseases of the gray matter of the brain, &c., and prescribed, instead of medicine, absolute rest and change of scene. I would have swallowed all the nostrums in a drug shop rather than have left the office for a week.

‘ ‘ ‘ I’ll take country board and send in my work,’ I said. “ ‘ No ; you must drop office and woi’k utterly out of your life for a month at least. Talk and think of planting potatoes, or embroidery—anything but newspapers and politics, ’ “ Well, I obeyed. I started on a pedestrian tour. Finally I brought up, footsore and bored beyond bearing, in Stockhunt. While there, I fell into the habit of lounging about the railway station, studying the constructions of the engines, and making friends with the men.

“ The man with whom I always frater nize moßt readily is the skilled mechanic. He has a degree of common sense—a store of certain facts which your young doctor or politicial is apt to lack. “ Besides, he is absolutely sure of his social standing ground, and has a grave self-respect which teaches him to respect you. “ The professional lad just started on his career is uneasy, not sure of his position ; he tries to climb perpetually. “I tell you this to explain my intimacy with many of the officials of the road, especially with an engineer named Blakeley. “ This man attracted me first by his ability to give me the information I wanted in a few direct, sharp words. Like most reticent men, he knew the weight and value of words. I soon be came personally much interested in him. He was about forty, his hair streaked with gray, and with a grave, worn face, which hinted at a youth of great hard ships, and much suffering. “ However, Blakely had found his way to the brighter land at last. Three years before he had married a bright, cheerful woman. They had one child—a boy. He had work and goed wages, and was, I

found, high in the confidence of the com pany. One one occasion, having a Sun day off, he took me up to where liis wife and boy lived. He was an exceptionally silent man, but when with them was garrulous and light-hearted as a boy. “In his eyes Jane was the wisest and fairest of women, and the boy a wonder of intellect. One great source of trouble to him was, as I found, that he was able to go home but once in three weeks. It was necessary for the child’s health to keep them in the country air, and indeed he could not afford to have them else where ; but this separated him from them almost wholly. “Jane was in the habit of coming with Charley down to a certain point of the road every day, that Blakeley might see them as he dashed by. “And when I found out this habit, it occurred to me thut I could give Blakeley a great pleasure. How often have I reproached myself for my meditating kindness since ! “ January 25th was the child’s birth day. I proposed to Mrs. Blakeley that she and Charley should board the train which her husband drove, unknown to him, and run up to Harridge, where he had the night off. “ There was to be a little supper. Charley was to appear in a new suit. Of course the whole affair was at my expense —a mere trifle, but an affair of grandeur and distinction which fairly took Jane’s breath. “She was a most innocent, happy creature ; one of those women who are wives and mothers in the cradle. When Blakeley found her she v r as a thin, pale little tailoress, a machine to turn out badly made shoddy clothes. But three years of marriage and petting of Charley had made her rosy, and plump, and pretty. “ The little Highland suit was bought complete, to the tiny dirk and feather, and very pretty the little fellow looked in it. “ I wrote down to order a supper to be ready at eight. Jane and the boy were to go aboard the train at Shore, a queer little hill village near which they lived. Blakeley ran the train from Stockhunt down to Hedge that day. “ His wife being in the train before he took charge of the engine, of course he would see and know nothing of her until we landed at Harridge at seven. “I had intended to go down in the smoking carriage as usual, but another fancy, suggested I suppose by the origina tor of all evil, seized me. “ No need to laugh. “My fancy, diabolic or not, was to go down on the engine with Blakeley. I hunted up the fireman, and talked to him for an hour. Then I went to the engineer. “‘ Blakeley,” I said, ‘Jones, (the fire man) -wants .to-night off. ’ “‘Off! Oh, no doubt! He’s taking to drink, is Jones. He must have been drinking when he talked of that. It’s impossible. ’ “ I explained to Blakeley that Jones had a sick wife, or a sweetheart, or some thing, and finally owned that I had an un conquerable desire to run down the road on the engine, and that knowing my only chance was to take the fireman’s place, had bribed him to give it to me. The fact was that in my idleness and the over worked state of my brain I craved excite ment as a confirmed drunkard does liquor. “Blakeley, I saw, was angry and ex ceedingly annoyed. [to be continued.]

THE ASHBURTON HERALD.

[Thursday, March 25, 1880,



Pecjuab. Mortality among Fish.— An Auckland paper of the 9fch says : News from the East Coast informs us that the fish are still being killed in some mys terious way in large numbers, and that the beaches are strewed with dead fish of all kinds. We are informed that dead fish are also found five miles up the creeks and rivers. There are many arguments against this mortality being caused by some vomiting forth of sulphurous stuff near the coast, but no other theory appears to be better, or as good.



Business Notices- M. McCALLUM, ATCHMAKER AND JEWELLER Every description of Jewellery made to order and repaired. Electro-plating and Gilding. Hair plaits and Devices done. Watches and Clocks accurately Repaired. Diamonds and every description of Stones substantially Set. Clocks from 7s. 6d. each. Do., with alarm, 15s. CASHEL STREET, Next Bank of Australasia, Christ church. 221 g REMOVED TO WAKANUI ROAD, Next to Post Office. JOSEPH WARD, FAMILY BUTCHER, BEGS to inform the Public of Ash burton that he will Open as above on Saturday next, and intends selling for cash at a REDUCTION in PRICES. First-class Beef, 3d. to sd. per lb. First-class Mutton, 2d. to 3d. per lb. Legs, 3i>-d per lb. JOSEPH WARD, 892a* Butcher. IS M. NEAL AS, BOOT AND SHOEMAKER, AND IMPORTER, S CLEARING OUT the whole of his Present Stock at REDUCED PRICES, next to Taylor’s Bakery, where he has opened with a Large Stock of Boots of every description. Note the address— M , NEAL AS , EAST STREET. ASHBURTON. 2T9C REDUCTION IN THE PRICE OF BREAD. EDWARD TAYLOR has reduced the Price of his best Bread to sd. Cash at shop, and if delivered by cart, sgd. EDWARD TAYLOR, Saunders’ Buildings, 119 c ASHBURTON.



Edmiston Bros. & G-undry. TURNIP SEEDS, SALE by the undersigned— Green Top Yellow Aberdeen Purple ~ ~ Devonshire Grey Stone Mammoth Purple Top White Stone Stubble Grass and Clover Seeds. White Clover Gorse Red ~ Italian Rye 1 Timothy Cocksfoot Alsike Perennial Lucerne Trefoil &Ct , (fee. j &8. Building Material. 100,000 FEET OF ASSORTED TIMBER White & Black Pine Black Birch T. and G. Flooring Y.D.L. T. and G. Lining Totara Kauri, &c., &c. COALS AND FIREWOOD IN ANY QUANTITY. EDMISTON BROS. & GUNDRY, East Street. Agents for the SOUTH BRITISH FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY. Capital £1,000,000. Risks taken on all kinds of Property, Growing Crops, Grain in Stack, Thresh- | ing Machines. EDMISTON BROS. & GUNDRY, East Street.



FARMS FOR SALE in blocks of 50 to 100 acres. Price from £2 15s. per acre. EDMISTON BROS. & GUNDRY, 106 c East Street. Educational. GOODGER begs to inform the Ladies of Ashburton that she opens a Private School on MONDAY, March 15, at Mr. Jones’, Stationer, Baring square. Teems : English ... ... One Guinea. French ... ... ~ Music ... ... ~ Referees : The Very Revd. Dean of Christchurch, and J. P. Restell, Esq. 124c-5690



Conveyances. THE LONGBEACH COACH ! GEORGE WILLCOCKS respectfully acknowledges the liberal support which he has received during the short time his Coach has been running, and soiicits a continuance of the same. The fares by Willcocks’ coach are exactly 3d. per mile ordinary fares, and lipl. per mile for Saturday return. They are as under— Lougbeach to Ashburton, ordinary 55., return Bs. Waterton to Ashburton, 3s. Gd. ordi nary, Gs. return. Ashton to Ashburton, 3s. ordinary, ss. return. Wheatstone to Ashburton, 2s. Gd. ordinary, 4s. return, SINGLE FARE RETURN ON SATURDAYS. The coach leaves the Booking Office, Quill’s Commercial Hotel, each day at 3.15 ; Post Office, 3.30. 2920 ECOOKSON, Wills Street, runs the , MAIL COACH from Ashburton Railway Station to Green Street, Alford Forest, and Mount Somers, every Tuesday and Friday, returning Wednesday and Saturday at 3 p.m. WANTED, those in search of employ ment, to call and enter their names at Herald Registry Office, on pay ment of Is. WANTED KNOWN—That Money can be' saved by purchasing your Sta tionery and Account Books, for cash, at the “Herald” and “Guardian” Whole sale Stationery Depot, Saunders’ Build ings, near Station. CfERVANTS requiring situations, call L 5 and get your names entered in the HERiLD Registry, Is. WANTED KNOWN, that Envelopes and Notepaper can be obtained wholesale or retail, at unusually low rates at the “Herald” Office, East-street North. G 42 WASTE PAPER for Sale, 3d. per lb. at the Herald Oeeice. Apply early. 59a THE “Herald” is published every evening, thus giving every day’s news. This is better than buying a Six penny weekly.



Auctioneers. MR. JOHN LLOYD CRAWLEY. Auctioneer, Stock, Land, and Commission Agent. Farms, Town and Suburban Sections, for Sale and to Let. J. LLOYD CRAWLEY, AUCTIONEER, Offices, Saunders Buildings, Ashburton. 737 a Business Notices. BREAD!BREAD! Co-operative Bread and Biscuit Factory. Triangle, Wakanui Road, Ashburton. A. THIEL E, | )EGS to inform the public that he is •S ' now in a position to SUPPLY BEST BREAD, Gd. per 41b. loaf, unsur passed. Delivered daily to all parts of the Borough, also, Confectionery, &c. Mixed Biscuits reduced from Is. to Bd. per lb. Wedding Cakes made to Order. 986a-670a TO FARMERS, LIVERY STABLE KEEPERS, SPORTING MEN, AND OTHERS OWNING HORSES. GEORGE KIDD, Moore Street, BEGS to announce the fact that the PRICE for SHOEING hacks and light draught HORSES is now REDUCED to 7s. per set, and that all horses of this description will be specially attended to by himself. Horses liable to cut are shod on a prin ciple of George Kidd’s own invention, which has proved an effectual cure for brushing. All kinds of blacksmith’s work, and repairs to agricultural machinery of any description done on the shortest notice. GEORGE KIDD, Moore street, Ashburton. 75c-526a



ASHBURTON COPPER, ZINC, IRON, & TIN PLATE MANUFACTORY. JOSEPH HYDE (Late Foreman at the Malvern Works England, and tlie Canterbury Works, Christchurch, New Zealand) to thank his friends of Ashbur- F) ton and surrounding districts for the liberal support accorded him during the past two years, and to intimate that he has opened NEW BUSINESS PRE MISES in Moore street (next Mr. Neate’s chemist shop) where he is prepared to execute every description of Plain and Japanned Tinware, Lamps, Gas Reflec tors, Chimney Tops, Portable Washing Boilers, Baths, Cheese Vats, etc. LOCKSMITH, BELLHANGER, GAS FIT TER. Artesian Wells, Beer Engines, Pumps, Ac. Steam Kettles, Hot Closets, made on the premises. Estimates given for Spouting. All work done under J. H.’s personal Superintendence, and guaranteed. J. HYDE, Moore Street Ashburton.



PUBLIC NOTICE. BOOTS! BOOTS! T. CHAMBERS WHILE THANKING tho public of Ashburton and surrour ding dis tricts for past favors, begs to infi rn them that he has received, and to arrive ; at his place of business, East-street, a WELL-ASSORTED STOCK Of LADIES’, GENTLEMEN’S, AND CHIL DREN’S BOOTS AND SHOES Of all descriptions. T. C. also calls special attentn i to the Measure Dei j artment, and incites the gentlemen of Ashburton to inspect the superior class of Sewn Boots and Shoes he is now making. Riding Boots, Shooting Boots, Walking Boots and Shoes, Cricketing Boots and Shoes, and Running Shoes. WORKMANSHIP UNSURPASSED. A PERFECT FIT GUARANTEED T. CHAMBERS, PROSPECT BUILDINGS, Next to Montgomery’s, East-street. MEDICINE. ASTRINGENT, a certain cure for Diarrhoea in Children or Adults, Is. 6d. and 2s. Gd a Bottle. CAMBRIDGE’S BLACK CUR RANT COUGH ELIXIR, Is. Gd. and 2s Gd. a Bottle. CAMBRIDGE’S ORANGE QUIN INE TONIC WINE, 2s. Gd. and 4s. Gd. a Bottle. CAMBRIDGE’S EXTRACT OF BARK, CURES SORE, TENDER, and CRACKED NIPPLES. CAMBRIDGE’S ESSENCE of RENNET, 3 Drops will turn a pint of milk into delicious sweet curds, Is. and 2s. Gd. a Bottle. J. M. CAMBRIDGE, Chemist, MEDICAL HALL. N.B.- —Teeth carefully Extracted. 2s. 6d.



Business Notices. TINWALD BOOT AND SHOE SHOP. BOOTS! BOOTS ! ! THE Undersigned begs to draw the at tention of the public to his well as sorted stock of Ladies’, Gents’, and Chil dren’s Boots, which he has just received, and will dispose of CHEAP. Motto— “ Small profits and quick returns.” All kinds of Boots made and repaired on the the shortest possible notice. 3820 C. HAWKINS, Bootmaker. C. PERCY COX, L AND AND ESTATE AGENT ANT VALUATOR, ASHBURTON. MONEY TO.LEND . ON APPROVED FREEHOLD SECURITY Agent for Union Insurance COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. 717



ANSTEE’S DINING ROOMS, TANCRED STREET, ASHBURTON. THE Proprietor begs to inform visitors to Ashburton, and the travelling publiG generally, that the best accommo dation for Boarclers in Ashburton is to be had at the above establishment. A LIBERAL TABLE & MODERATE CHARGES. MEALS AT ALL HOURS ... Is. BEDS ... ... ... ... Is. BOARD & LODGING ... 18s. & 20s. PRIVATE REFRESHMENT ROOMS FOR LADIES. PROPRIETOR, J. G. ANSTEE. 985 a PAPERHANGING WAREHOUSE, TANCRED STREET, Ashburton. J. R. CHAPMAN PAINTER, PAPERHANGEP SIGN-WRITER, Etc., Has much pleasure in stating that, owing to the large increase of Business, he is now Importing from the Manufacturers- • PAPER HANGINGS, WHITE LEAD LINSEED OIL, WINDOW GLASS, BRUSHWAPB, And all the necessaries of the Trade, and is therefore in a position to compete with any house in Canterbury for price and quality. Every description of work in the trade executed under personal superin tendence. Competent workmen sent to all parts of the country.



ESTIMATES GIVEN. 41a T* Bullock. THE undersigned has the following PROPERTIES to LET with a pur chasing clause, or FOR SALE on liberal terms of payment— -1 &A ACRES good WHEAT LAND, JLsJ'U' all ploughed and ready for cross ploughing for wheat ; situated about three miles from the township. ACRES, near the above ; also good WHEAT LAND, ploughed once and ready for cross-ploughing. ACRES, partly improved, near Wins low. This will be sold very cheap, and on very liberal terms. TOWN PROPERTIES. ■\7ALUABLE BUSINESS SITE in Bur- V nett Street, being T.S. 177, next the “ Mail” office. PART of T.S. 139, Peter Street. This will be sold cheap, and on liberal terms. mO Railway Employes, Mechanics, and -A Others.—FOß SALE, cheap, Lot 78, situated on East Town Belt. Terms, £5 cash ; balance by monthly or quarterly payments. T. BULLOCK. Drawing paper, ail sizes, just opened at WEEKS AND DIXON, East street. Ball programme cards in very neat styles, with Pencils and Ribbons, printed at the Heealo Office, East street, near Railway Station,



Business Notices, YALUE EXTRAORDINARY. THE Great Bargains OF THE SEASON. GREAT CLEARANCE SALE FOR THIRTY DAYS. ORR AJSTD CO. HAVING resolved to clear out the Balance of the Bankrupt Stocks purchased by.them during the Season (amounting to over ten thousand pounds) regardless of cost so that they may commence the Autumn Season with en tirely a new Stock, ORR AND CO. Will also offer several cheap lots pur chased by them during the late depression. Special Bargains. 90 Pair Twilled Kaiapoi Blankets at 4s. under the usual price. Kaiapoi Flannel at Is. 4d., Is. 6d. to 2s. English Flannel at Is., Is. 2d., Is. 6d., to Is. 9d. Prints at sd. and 6d., worth 9d. Brown Hollands, 7d. to Is. COSTUMES, 56 Costumes at 215., worth 355. 6d., a Bargain. 61 Print Costumes at 7s. 6d. to 12s. 6d., •worth 20s. 1700 yards Dress Goods, Alpaccas, at Sd., lOd., and Is. MILLINERY. Trimmed and Untrimmed Hats at half price. 2 Boxes Flowers, sold at 6d. per spray. Ladies’ Underclothing at very much under usual prices. 20 Dozen Stays at 3s. 6d., 45., 4s. 9d., to ss. Cd. CLOTHING. Men’s Suits at 15s. under usual prices. Boys’ Suits at 15s. 6d. to 355. Youth’s Suits at a little over half-price. Braces, Ties, Collars, Socks, and Shirts, unusually cheap. 20 Dozen Harvest Shirts at Is. 6d. t« 2s. 6d. BOOTS Men’s Boots still sold at Bankrupt prices. Youth’s Boots in great variety. Ladies’ Kid Boots at old prices. 1 Case Children’s Boots at Is. and Is. 6d., a bargain.



TAILORING DEARTMENT. WE HAVE MUCH PLEASURE IN ANNOUNCING TO THE PUBLIC THAT A Tailoring Branch HAS BEEN OPENED IN CON NECTION WITH OUR CLOTHING DEPARTMENT, HAVING MADE ARRANGEMENTS WITH MESSRS. CRAIGHEAD AND CO. (LATE OF EDINBURGH AND SAN FRANCISCO), PRACTICAL TAILORS, TO MAKE UP ALL ORDERS EN TRUSTED TO US IN THE VERY BEST STYLE. A PERFECT FIT GUARANTEED. SCOTCH, ENGLISH, and COLONIAL TWEEDS IN GREAT VARIETY. THE CELEBRATED BLARNEY TWEED (CORK) KEPT IN STOCK. FANCY COATINGS IN GREAT VARIETY. SUITS from M 4s. DRESSMAKING DEPARTMENT. Dresses, Costumes, and Jackets made up to order, under the superintendence of a first-class Dressmaker. WEDDING & MOURNING ORDERS PUNCTUALLY ATTENDED TO. ORE AND CO. IMPORTERS i ASHBURTON AND R.AKAIA,



Commercial Printers. JUST ARRIVED— SECOND SHIPMENT OF jgTATIONERY, STATIONERY, DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTORY. Now Opening Up. A CHOICE ASSORTMENT OF Commercial AND Household STATIONERY. THE Largest and Finest Lot ever opened up in Ashburton, AND



Equal to 'any exhibited in the Colony. WEEKS & DIXON, Printers, Publishers, and * COMMERCIAL, LAW, AND - General Stationers, Guardian Officb, EAST STREET ASHBTRTON.