COMMERCIAL.

(by telegraph.')

Wellington, May 26. Messrs. Laery and Campbell’s report of sales shows no improvement in fruit. Onions, L 5 ; cheese, od. to s|d.; butter, fresh, 9id. to lOd.; salt, 6d.; jams, 6d.; chaff, L 5; oatmeal, 10d.; pollard, L 5 to L 5 10s.; bran, L 3 15s. to L 4 ; flour (100), Ll2; oats, Is. 9d. to Is. lOd.; Poverty Bay maize, 45.; chick-wheat, 2s. 9d. to 35.; rye grass, 4d. per bushel; cocksfoot, 4d. per lb.; peas, 4s. to 4s. 3d.; carrots, 2s. Id. per cwt.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the “ Evening Echo”). THURSDAY, MAY 27, 1880.

Opening of Parliament. —Parliament will be opened to-morrow afternoon, at Wellington. Longbeach Road District. —As will be seen in our advertising columns, the Longbeach Road District is about to be divided into wards. Telegraphic. —The telegraph stations hitherto known as Rangitata North, Grey town, and Blueskin, will in future be called Ealing, Grey town North, and Waitati respectively. The Froliques. —Last night this com pany gave its promised entertainment in the Town Hall. The advertisements an nounced their appearance as by request, but we saw nothing in the entertainment to warrant any one going into ecstacies over it. The singing is good, but not superlatively so. The nigger business is commonplace, and the fun not of the most furious kind. “Zittella ”is very effective in a flag song, and makes some very smart changes of costume, her ap pearance generally being very pleasing. Miss Lottie Elliot is a clever dancer ; she is called an “endurance” dancer, and she deserves the term, for she shows good “ staying power ” in her long spell at the skipping rope ; but another foot of length to her skirts would not have - detracted from her appearance. There was a very fair house.

The Railway Returns. —A Gazette just to hand gives the complete returns of revenue and expenditure on the New Zealand railways for the new financial year ended March last. This covers only a period of nine months, owing to the change in the financial year which used to close formerly in June. The Colonial Treasurer in his Financial State ment estimated the receipts at £675,000, the actual results are £99,412 under that figure, being in the aggregate, £575,588. The working expenses for the same period amounted to £430,284, or equal to 74f per cent, of the whole receipts, thus leaving 25J per cent., or £145,304, to pay in terest on the cost of construction, fully bearing out the Premier’s recent state ment that the Colonial Treasurer had in no way exaggerated, but rather under estimated, the probable deficiency that would face Parliament when it re assembled. The Filibustering Scare. —In Wed nesday’s Press the following telegram appeared from Wellington An extraordinary and startling piece of information has just reached the Govern ment by a special official telegram from the Government of New South Wales. It is that a telegram has been received by Lord Augustus Loftus, Governor of New South Wales, from the Governor of Bom bay, that a steamer named the Genii, fly ing Liberian colors, left Aden on the 24th ultimo, professedly bound for Port Briton, having on board large stores of arms, ammunition, and provisions, and a numerous crew, comprising persons of various nationalities. The object of her mission is not disclosed, but from scraps of information which reached Bombay be fore she left Aden it is suggested that she is bound on a piratical or filibustering ex pedition, and a further suspicion has arisen that her operations were to be car ried on against either some Australian and New Zealand towns and settlements, or else against the Anglo-Colonial shipping trade by intercepting gold ships and other valuable prizes. The information at pre sent to hand is only of a very vague nature, but it was considered of sufficient importance to warrant the Government of Bombay in sending a special warning by cable to the Australian Government with a request that they would pass it on to New Zealand.” The following appears to-day, as a set-off against the sensational message given above : —“ An explanation has been suggested regarding the depar ture of the suspicious vessel from Aden on the 24th ultimo, which has some air of probability. It is thought that the vessel may be the Gervil, instead of Gervie, and may be bound for Port Breton, New Ire land, and be one of the vessels engaged in the New Ireland colonising expeditions. In that case she would have on board stores and arms, ammunition and pro visions, and would also have French, Italians, Belgians, Swiss, and Germans on board. ” How Ted Oughten Was Had. —We have in Ashburton one or two peds that take a lot of licking. Two of these are J. Groves and Ted Oughten. Groves goes in for long spells, and Ted for short flashes. Both went to Timaru to the sports of the Athletic Club of that town, on the Queen’s Birthday. It appears that the Athletic Club has a rule that all com petitors must pay a qualification fee of 10s. Gd. before they can enter—in fact, become members of the Club. This is quite fair and above-board, so long as “’tis so nominated in the bond.” But Groves and Ted aver that no such proviso ap peared in the published programme of the sports, and therefore they consider themselves ill-used. Groves entered for the mile, and got a handicap of 75 yards. He was allowed to strip for the contest, and had toed the line with the others before he heard anything of the half-sov., and then he was told it was time to “ anty-up. ” He remonstrated and paid under protest, but even with this trial to his temper, he ran second, and landed some Timaru money. Ted is a little more fiery, and speaks his mind freely of the Timaruvians. He entered on the ground, but Groves entered on the 14th. Not a whisper did either of them hear of the 10s. 6d. till they were ready to start. Ted’s essay was in the Maiden, and he, too, had stripped and toed the line, when he was asked for his 10s. 6d. Ted isn’t a lamb, and we can easily fancy that he would not look very sweet as he stood in his tights, shivering in the cold air, chaffering with the Secretary for this money. He paid it, however, under protest, and ran. It is quite fair, to be sure, for a club to lay down a rule that all who compete for its prizes shall be members ; but there is a certain amount of civility necessary in enforcing that rule. When no hint of the rule is given in the published programme, and the entries of strangers from a distance are accepted, the least that could be done would to let them know that such a fee will be charged, and surely not defer till the men have stripped and toed the line. Evidently the Timaru Athletic Club want a Secretary who knows his business.

Sir George Grey. —Sir George ad dressed a crowded meeting at Timaru last night. His speech was mainly a repeti tion of those delivered at the other large centres. A vote of thanks was accorded to Sir George Grey for his address. Appointments. —A Gazette just to hand has the following appointments of Licens ing Commissioners : —Ashburton, Ralcaia, and Mount Somers district Mr. F. Guinness, Messrs. J. Ward, C. P. Cox, and H. T. Winter ; Mount Peel and Geraldine Messrs. L. Walker, W. Postlethwaite and W. N. Slack ; Temuka —Messrs. S. D. Barker, A. Cox, jun., and J. A. Gammack. Ashburton A. and P. Association.— It will be remembered that at the last meeting of members of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, it was decided to hold monthly meetings for reading papers and discussing matters of farming interest. The first of these meetings is announced to be held on Tuesday even ing next, in the new upstairs room of the Town Hall, on which occasion Mr. F. Guinness will deliver an introductory ad dress.

Funeral of Mr. George Bland. —To day, at one o’clock, the remains of Mr. George Bland, who met his death by a gun accident on Sunday last, were carried to their last resting place in the old cemetery. The procession, which was an exceptionally large one, numbering about 200 people, left Mr. Daily’s house in the Wakanui Road, at one o’clock, and proceeded to St. Stephen’s, -where service was conducted by the Rev. Mr. Hands and Mr. J. Ward. The service was semi-choral, the 39th Psalm to Tallis being chanted, and hymn 221, “ Ancient and Modern,” was sung at the conclusion of the lesson. The “ Dead March, in Saul,” was played as a volun tary by the organist, Miss Gates, as the cortege left the church. At the grave, when the burial service was concluded, the church choir sang Hymn 225 from “ Hymns Ancient and Modern.” Much sympathy with the friends of the deceased was shown at the grave, and the large number who attended the funeral testified to how much the incident of Mr. Bland’s death has affected the dis trict. At the request of deceased’s mother the service at the gi’ave was read by Mr. J. Ward, whose kindly ministra trations as lay reader in the church has endeared him to many Christians in the Ashburton district. Flags on one or two of the larger establishments in town were hung at half-mast as the procession passed along the street. Ball at the Spread Eagle.— On the Queen’s Birthday a pigeon shooting match took place at the Spread Eagle Hotel, and a good many competitors entered, but the scores made were not extraordinary. In the evening a grand dinner was given in the hotel, and laid out in the handsome style which is characteristic of Host Tisch. After the cloth had been removed and the royal and loyal toasts heartily pledged, the healths of Mr. Tisch and his family were given with all honors. A ball took place afterwards in the large room of the hotel, which was gorgeously decorated for the occasion by the Misses Tisch. The dancing commenced at nine o’clock, and continued till four in the morning, between 30 and 40 couples taking part, amongst whom were many visitors from Ashburton. In the course of the evening the Misses Tisch played several duets on the piano, and contributed much by their amiability to the success of the evening. The dance music was supplied by local violinists, and in the course of the night several songs were sung by gentlemen. Burnham Escapees. —Two lads, one named Eli Jones and another named Best, were charged before Mr. C. P. Cox, J.P., yesterday, with the theft of a cheque from a tent at Rakaia. The theft had been com mitted some time ago—in fact, when the lad Jones on a former occasion had escaped from Burnham, and been recaptured. On that occasion, though he was suspected and searched, no trace of the cheque could be found upon his person. On Monday, however, he again made his appearance in Rakaia, having once more taken French leave from Burnham Industrial School, this time in company with a fellow-inmate of that institution. On that day the two made an attempt to cash the cheque at at Messrs. Mulligan and Co.’s store, but the history of the document was too well known, and the trick was not successful. In answer to inquiries as to how they came by the cheque one of them, away from his companion, said it had been paid to him and his brother as wages for 13 weeks’ work, and said brother was outside waiting. On the “ brother ” being ques tioned, he showed that Master J ones’ ex planation as to how the cheque was come by was quite an extempore speech, for he denied any blood affinity with him. The shopman kept the boys until a constable was brought, and they were then taken into custody. On being searched an “ olio of oddities ” sufficient to stock a broker’s shop was gathered from their pockets— knives, candle ends, pieces of tobacco, and all sorts of little unconsidered trifles, including a catechism that has evidently had little moral effect upon the young rascals. It turns out that when first searched Master J ones had the cheque hid between the leather and the lining of his boots, and so evaded the constable’s scrutiny. Yesterday Mr. Cox remanded the lads till Friday.

Old Age. —No octogenarians died dur ing April, but four septuagenarians passed away, viz., one, aged 7S, at Dunedin ; two, aged respectively 76 and 72, at Wel lington, and one, aged 70, at Auckland.

Violent Deaths. The “ violent deaths ” in New Zealand last month com prised four in Wellington (onefromacciden tal burning, one from drowning, and two recorded simply as “ otherwise ”), two in Dunedin (one from “ injury to head from a fall,” and one from fracture of the skull), and one in Christchurch, the cause of which last is not specified ; total seven. Curious Adventure. —The jPod, says : —The Pencarrow lightkeeper, while out duck shooting on the Saltwater Lake, met with a rather curious adventure. He was up to his middle in water after a duck, when he observed a formidable looking animal coming towards him. He imme diately took aim and discharged the con tents of his gun, which, being only duck shot, took no effect, with the exception of making the animal more fierce. The keeper, being in close quarters, gave the animal two or three heavy blows with the butt end of his musket, and succeeded in killing what he afterwards found to be a seal, measuring quite twelve feet in length.”

Sunday Trading. —The case against the man Marks—“ Wicked Marks”—the fruiterer, in Christchurch, was heard to day before Mr. Mellish. Mr. Joynt de fended, and judgment was deferred until to-morrow.

Girls’ High School for Christ church. —The Board of Governors of the Canterbury College have accepted the tender of Messrs. Greig and Hunter for the erection of the new Girls’ High School, at a cost of L 4,569 Bs. 9d.

A Prolific Grain of Wheat. —The Secretary to the Agricultural and Pasto ral Association has in his possession, at the Society’s offices, a crown containing 70 stalks grown from one grain of Hunter’s white wheat, by Mr J. Snow den, on his farm, at Dunsandel. Each head yielded the average of 56 plump grains of excellent wheat, or a total of 3,920 grains from a single seed. In the same paddock there were several crowns containing over 50 stalks.— Times.

The Canterbury Jockey Club. —At the last meeting of the C.J.C., held in Christchurch on Tuesday, the Club de cided to have a totalisator of its own on the racecourse at the Club’s meetings, leaving details of the management of the instrument with tie Committee. It was also decided to start building the proposed new grand stand as soon as the plans were obtained and one adopted. The stand will cost L 3,000, and individual members of the Club will give a guarantee to the Union Bank for the money. Christchurch Hour Kitchen. —The Mayor of Christchurch has obtained the use of the old Christchurch Post office for the establishment of a soup kitchen, and will appeal to butchers, bakers, Ac., to send thither such surplus provisions as they may have. At the meeting of the City Council on Tuesday evening, he stated that the soup kitchen movement had been warmly supported by leading gentlemen in the city, and the Charitable Aid Board knew only too well how much the relief aimed at being given would be wanted during the winter. During a dis cussion on the subject Councillor Hulbert said there was as much food wasted in the city as might keep all the people requiring aid.

Gaol Education. —It cannot be said (remarks the New Zealand Times) that the authorities at the Wellington Gaol neglect the prisoners so far as education is con cerned. The space between tea and bed time is turned to good account by keeping school. Those prisoners who can be im proved in this way are taught by masters, themselves prisoners, whose ability and good conduct have warranted their ap pointment to such a responsible |position, and some of the pupils show not a little aptitude, the copybooks of the majority being most creditable. If education tends to prevent crime, then Mr. Read ought certainly to be congratulated upon the fact that he is adopting the best means at his disposal for reforming those whose conduct has caused them to be placed under his care. A Freak of Nature. —An extraordi nary freak of nature is recorded by the Manawatv, Times. A butcher was dres sing a sheep, -when he was astonished to feel a hard substance embedded in layers of fat upon the left side of the animal. Bringing his knife into operation the adipose matter was quickly cut away, when a young lamb in a perfect state of ossification was taken from its resting place. The object, which was thoroughly formed—the eyes alone being wanting— was about twelve inches long by seven inches broad, and was in a sitting position, with its legs doubled underneath it, after the manner of such animals when taking rest. The mass was as hard as a stone, and when weighed turned the scale at six pounds. The opinion of the medical men who have seen this lusus natures is, that it has been embedded in the side of the sheep—which was a six-tooth one—for the past two years, and the most singular part of the affair is that the mother has since been lambing.

Telephonic Communications. —ln one thing Melbourne appears to be behind the age, (remarks a Melbourne contemporary). The telephone exchange is in ordinary use in other places as a medium of busi ness communication, and is found to be convenient and an economiser of time, of which the equivalent is money. A man of business in Liverpool thus writes of it to his brother in Melbourne :—“ Writing of new discoveries, &c., we have now been using the telephone at our office for some little time, and as most of the mem bers of the trade have them, the saving in trouble and time is often very great. We talk to one another, pass offers, and make contracts, &c., without ever going out of the office. The company we have to do with supplies the Edison loud-talking machine, and I think it is the best. We pay Ll2 a year, and the company supples everything. We intend shortly to have a wire in communication with our ware house, which will be very useful, and for this we' shall have to pay L 6 per annum extra. ” It is stated that Mr. Russell, the manager of the new Melbourne Exchange, intends shortly organising a general tele phone system in connection with that es tablishment, which, for the first time, will afford adequate commercial advantages to the mercantile community.

Extraordinary Capture of a Shark. —On Sunday morning last Messrs. D. White and H. Talbot went for a pull to the bank beyond the Motueka harbor, Nel son, and on arriving there the children who accompanied them took off their boots and socks for the purpose of wading in the tide, which at the time was making. Just after the children had left the water a large shark was observed beating about very near them, and Messrs. Talbot and White at once made up their minds to secure him if possible. Mr. shark approached to within a few feet of them, and upon find ing the water too shallow for him to get nearer, he turned to go back, but as he was in the act of doing so, Mr. White with great pluck rushed into the water, and seized his tail for the purpose of dragging him ashore, which feat he accomplished. The shark turned upon him several times whilst he was in the act of doing so, but each time White gave him a sudden jerk, and so prevented him from reaching his arm with his mouth. After landing him upon the bank, they half killed him by battering his head with a huge stick, and afterwards towed him across the harbour and landed him at the Retreat Inn at the rear of which he could be seen all day on Sunday. It was a blue shark, and about eight feet long from tip to tip ; he lived about two hours after arrival at the inn. The water where White seized him was about two feet deep.

SPORTING.

THE ENGLISH DERBY.

(By Cable.) London, May 26. The race for the Derby was run to-day, and resulted as follows : Bender ... 1 Robert the Devil ... ... 2 Mask 3

The Adelaide Cup. Adelaide, May 25. The race for the Adelaide Birthday Cup took place yesterday, with the follow ing result:— Banter ... ... ... 1 Harry ... ... ... 2 Savanaka ... ... ... 3 A protest was received, which was de cided in favor of Banter.

Ashburton Steeplechases. The following is a complete list of the acceptances and nominations for Satur day's meeting : Ashburton Handicap.

Wakanui Stakes. Weight for age. Mr. M‘lvor’s Grey Morans Mr. Butler’s Stella Mr. Lunn’s Fakir Mr. Dancell’s The Lad Farmebs’ Steeplechase. Weight for age. Mr. Holmes’ Sir George, 3 yrs. Mr. Prinuner’s Jack, aged Mr. Willcock’s Deceiver, 6 yrs. Mr. Muir’s Tam 0’ Shanter, aged Mr. Sturgeon’s Lonehand, aged Mr. W. Mangham’s Little Tom, aged Mr. John Carter’s Tinwald, aged Mr. Husband’s Raven, aged

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

{Per Reuter's Agency.) The Markets. London, May 24. Five per cent. New Zealand 10.40 loan, 103 ; 5 pir cent. New Zealand loan, 1889, 104 L The wheat market is dull ; tallow firm. At the wool sales to-day, 10,600 bales were offered, making a total of 272,500 bales catalogued since the opening. At to-day’s auction prices were firmly main tained. Wool Sales. London, May 25. At the wool sales to-day, 9300 bales have been offered, making a total of 281,800 catalogued since the opening. The tone of the sale was rather weaker. At Last. Sir William Vernon Harcourt, who was appointed Home Secretary in the new Ministry, but was defeated in seeking re election for Oxford, has been elected for Derby in place of Mr. Samuel Plimsoll, resigned. The Albanian Difficulty. May 26. With a view to bring about a settle ment of the territorial claims of Monte negro, under the Treaty of Berlin, the Austrian Government has made a proposal to the Great Powers that a blockade of Scutari on the Albanian Coast, should be forthwith proclaimed, so as to prevent the Albanians from obtaining reinforce ments.

AUSTRALIAN.

[By cable from Reuter's Agency.) A Filibustering Expedition. Sydney, May 25. Official information has been received here by Government that a vessel sailed from Aden on April 24 for New Britain, laden with arms and ammutioii—it is con jectured on a filibustering expedition. Sydney, May 26. Lewis Sampson, one of the witnesses in the Shepherd v. Dibbs slander case, has been sentenced to three years imprison ment for perjury.

No Concessions. A conference having been held with the delegates from the miners who struck, all hopes are now dispelled as regards a speedy settlement of the strike, they having determined to persist until their own terms have been obtained. A New Steamer.

Melbourne, May 26. A new steamer for the intercolonial trade has arrived from England. The Cotopaxi. Adelaide, May 26. The Orient Steam Navigation Com pany’s steamer Cotopaxi has arrived from Plymouth. The Suez Mail. Albany, May 27. The P. and O. Company’s steamship Bangalore, with the inward Suez mails, dated London, April 23, arrived in King George’s Sound.

NEW ZEALAND.

A Smash

Auckland, May 25. _ The City of Sydney sailed for San Fran cisco at sp. m. In hauling alongside the wharf, at three o’clock this morning, in charge of the pilot, she struck the main pier, near the centre. The woodwork structure where the steamer struck was crushed like an eggshell. The platform for a distance of 50 feet was completely carried away, and damaged for a further distance of 100 feet. Ten piles were smashed off, and others strained to such an extent as t® require removal. It is estimated that the repairs will cost over L§oo.

Too Rough. A son of Dr. Goldsboro, aged 16, died yesterday, it is believed, from injuries re ceived in a rough and tumble game at the Church of England Grammar School, Par nell, of which he was a pupil. A Meddlesome Individual.. Some unauthorised person has under taken to investigate the contents of the mail bags placed on board the Thames steamer Rotomahana. The police are in vestigating the affair. A Nasty Fall. Auckland. May 26. A man named Robert Thomson fell through a glass window at the Albert Hotel this morning, sustaining several in juries. Committed for Trial. Frederick Oram, charged with forging and uttering a cheque for L 7, was com mitted for trial. A Sign of the Times.

For a clerkship of LIOO a year, for the Education Board office, ninety-one appli cations were put in. Duty Calls.

The Hinemoa left Manukau this fore noon with Mr. O’Rorke, Speaker, and a number of members of the Assembly. Some, who were unable to go will leave on Sunday next. Careless Handling of Firearms.

At the inquest on the body of Richard Selby, Cambridge, Waikato, a verdict of accidental death was returned. Selby is supposed to have been shot while trailing his gun in the scrub. A New Society.

A new Society, distinct from the Ship wrights’ Protection Society, object to supply men to non-society employers, and work in union with the Shipowners’ As sociation. Another Wreck. The ketch Fanny Thornton has gone ashore at the Hokianga Heads. She is owned by Beverley, of Bolmain, N.S.W., and insured with Metcalfe and Co., Syd ney, and LI2OO worth of cargo for L 270 in the Colonial. The wreck is to be sold. Captain Mcßurney’s certificate, after the investigation, was returned, as there was no blame attaching to him. Two Men Drowned. Two men, unknown, were drowned in the Wairarapa lake on Saturday. They were endeavoring to drive a mob of cattle over the mouth of the lake, when the boat which they were in capsized. The body of one was washed up on the beach, the other has not yet been re covered. Inquest. At the inquest to-day on the body of William Kemp, who was killed on the railway on Saturday, a verdict of “ Acci dental death” was returned. Is She Pirate ?

The Government have received an official telegram from Bombay, stating that a steamer named the Genia, flying Liberian colors, left Aden on April 24 for Port Breton, and that she has on board arms and ammunition and a number of persons of various nationalities, supposed to be on a filibustering expedition. Eager for the Fray. Auckland, May 27.

The Auckland members intend to make a combined attack on the Government early in the session regarding the stoppage of the railway reclamation works. A notice of motion will be tabled this day week. The Waimate County Council. The Waimate County Council have been notified by Mr. Whitaker that L4OOO will be appropriated out of L 65,000 voted for North Auckland, on the undertaking by the Chairman that the money will be expended only on the works contemplated by the vote. Discovery of Coal. The reported discovery of coal at Mahurangi proves a very valuable and deep deposit. Electric Fire Alarm. The City Council last evening decided to send to England for twelve sets of electric fire alarms, with telephone. . Farewell. Sergt.-Major Mason was entertained at a farewell banquet last night, prior to leaving for Christchurch. More Wind. Mr. Harrison, M.H.R., received a vote of confidence at Howick. In reply to a question, he said he would oppose Sir George Grey’s motion for an elective Go vernor. The Subsidies. The City Council last night resolved to co-operate with other municipal bodies to bring pressure on the Government to se cure a continuance of the subsidies. Missing. Napier, May 26. Some of the clothing of Mr. McDougall, who has been missing now for ten days, has been found near the edge of a preci pice, 100 feet high, in the Patea country. It is supposed that he fell from the preci pice into the river below, and there met his death. Search is still being made for the body. Interesting to Sporting Men. Napier, May 27. In the District Court case, Ellis against Laurenson, claim L 55, judgment was given for defendant. This is an interest ing case to sporting men. Laurenson drew Grand Duchess in a Derby sweep on the Tradesman’s Handicap, last Hawke’s Bay Races, and Ellis agreed to buy Laurenson’s ticket for L 55. The agree ment was drawn out and signed by both parties, and a stamped ticket also endorsed to the same effect. Grand Duchess proving to be the only other starter, entitled the holder of the ticket to LIOO. Laurenson then instructed the holder of the sweep money not to pay Ellis, and Laurenson received it himself, hence the action. The judgment caused considerable surprise. Poor Jim. Y7ellington, May 26. One .of the men drowned in the Waira rapa Lake on Saturday was known as “ Jim the Bushman.” The body of the other man has not yet been recovered. Robbing the Mail. The following has been received by the Secretary of the Post Office in connection with the alleged tampering with the mails on board the steamer Rotomahana The string fastening the mail bag for the Thames, shipped on board the ''Rotoma hana on the evening of the 24th was cut by one of the crew while in a state of in

toxication, but the mail was not otherwise tampered with. The bag was returned to this office before the steamer left, and was refastenod, • the contents being found coiTect and undisturbed. The supposed culprit has been apprehended, and will be charged wirh the offence. The press have unnecessarily magnified the occurence. Sly Grog-selling. At the R.M. Court to-day, Gleich, alias Fisher, on six charges of sly grog-selling, was, on two of the charges, fined L2O each. The other charges were dismissed. Mr. Wakefield’s Address to his Con stituents. Timaru, May 17. Mr. Edward Wakefield, member for Geraldine, has issued an address to the electors, which occupies two columns of the Herald. He pleads inability to meet his constituents, owing to shortness of the recess and demands made on his time by public and private business. He claims having carried out his promise to assist in substituting an honest, steady, and economical Government for reckless and profligate maladministration, and he con tends that Mr. Hall and his colleagues have succeeded in their difficult and thankless labor ; and contrasts the finan cial chaos that prevailed when they took office with the peace and tranquillity which the public mindnow enjoys. Hesays the Ministry may be slow-going, but what the colony wants now is to put on the brake after going at headlong speed for ten reckless years. The Electoral Bill and Triennial Parliaments Bill had to be forced down the throats of the ‘’'Liberals the Registration of Electors Bill would purify the rolls and disfranchise the dead men and Maori women and children, who for years had been polled at the Northern elections. In conclusion he defends the Royal Commissions, on the ground that they were appointed with the sanction of Parliament.

The Calypso’s Cargo. Dunedin, May 26. Telegrams from London state that the cargo of the Calypso will be all saved, but in such a damaged state as to lessen its value 50 per cent. The vessel has been towed up the river and beached at Graves end.

DISGRACEFUL CONDUCT OF TWO POLICEMEN.

[By Telegraph.]

Auckland, May 26. At the Police Court to-day, Bloom, a respectable storekeeper, was charged with obstructing the police in the execution of their duty. Inspector Pardy said ihe constables had used unnecessary violence, and withdrew the charges. Bloom laid a charge of assault against Constables Ross and Igoe, but withdrew it on a promise being made that the men would be punished under the police regulations, and pay Lll expenses. The particulars are these : Bloom was standing in front of his own shop door. He was told to “ move on,” but refused, on which the two constables knocked him down, knelt on him, handcuffed and dragged him to the station, where they put him in a cell with two drunkards, and refused bail, until Mr. Cosgrave, a J.P., procured his release. The case has caused much pub lic indignation. Ross is a young member of the force.

Roasting a Maori.

(by telegraph.)

Napier, May 26. A curious case of one Maori roasting another came before the Resident Magis trate’s Court to-day. Herika, a follower of Te Whiti, and a sort of minor prophet and missionary combined, was charged with assaulting one Heriona, an old, blind, and weak-minded Maori. The evidence showed that the old man was ill, and the prisoner, who was Consulted as a kind of medicine man, declared that he was possessed of a devil. To cure him he had a Maori copper made and heated, and lined with green leaves in the most ap proved fashion, and then laid Heriona on the copper. The old gentleman tried to wriggle away, when Herika tied his hands and feet. As this was not satisfactory he sat on the poor man to keep him well down on the stones. Naturally the old fellow cried out, when Herika declared that that was the devil trying to get out of his body. At last the by-standers interfered, and rescued Heriona, but not before he had been dreadfully burnt. The case was remanded to allow the old man to be examined by a medical man.

Further News by the Rotomahana.

{Special to the Sydney Herald.) London, May 26. It is known that the Home Government would approve of reform in Yictoria, if the constituents were based on the pro posals mentioned in Mr. Service’s election speeches. Also a similar scheme could settle the difficulty between the two branches of Legislature in New South Wales. Mr. Childers, Secretary of State for the War Department, will, it is expected, re sign his position on the Commission now sitting with reference to the question of Colonial Defence. The despatch of the Fine Arts collection for the Melbourne Exhibition is at a standstill owing to the absence of a de finite reply from the Melbourne Commis sion as to the return of the Sydney col lection. Sir Gavan Duffy declined overtures t© offer himself for a seat in Parliament, until he has published his history.

Cambridge School Committee. — A meeting of the Cambridge School Com mittee was held on Monday evening, 24th inst. Present—Messrs. Megson (chair man), Lloyd, Lill, Greyburn, and Mar getts. Correspondence was read from the Board of Education, authorizing the ap pointment of a sewing mistress for the school. Mrs. Cape-Williamson was ap pointed to fill the position, and to com mence duties on the Ist June, subject to the approval of the Board. As a number of letters intended for persons resident in the school district of Cambridge have found their way to Cambridge, Waikato, the Chairman was requested to communi cate with the Board of Education, re questing that body to change the name of the school district to Newlands. After passing several accounts, the Committee adjourned until Monday, the sth July.

THE ASHBURTON HERALD, THURSDAY, MAY 27, 1880.



st. lb. Mr. M‘Ivor’s Grey Momns ... Mr. Hawldns’ Magic... 12 7 10 7 Mr. J. H. Lunn’s Fakir ... 10 7 Mr. P. Butler’s Stella 10 0 Mr. Husband’s Raven 10 0 Mr. Dillon’s Mickey Free ... Mr. Dancell’s The Lad 10 0 10 0 District Handicap. st. lb Mr. Plummer’s Jack ... 12 7 Mr. Willcock’s Deceiver 12 7 Mr. Husband’s Raven 12 7- Mr. Muir’s Tam o’ Shanter... 12 7 Mr. Dancell’s The Lad 12 2 Mr. Holme’s Sir George 11 2



Miscellaneous Ol A AAA TO LEND, in sums to su it borrowers, at lowest rate of interest. F. P. O’Reilly, Solicitor, Ashburton. 424e-835a FOUND —A new peak CAP. Owner can have the same, on giving de scription, and paying for this advertise ment. Herald Office. 500 c COMFORTABLE BOARD and RESI DENCE, or Two good Rooms in a Private House, can be had by applying in the first instance at Mr. Savage’s Fruit Shop, East street. 483 c SCHOOL Requisites and Artist M Je rials. H. M. JONES, Statio ler, Baring Snuare. » XTTANTED KNOWN—-That C. Haw- W kins, The Tinwald Bootmaker, has REMOVED to premises Opposite the Tinwald Post Office, where he is still open to Sell first-class Boots and Shoes at his usual Cheap Rates. All kinds of Boots Made and Repaired. 805g—417c WANTED— TENDERS for CROP PING 25 acres, adjoining Chertsey Railway Station. Tenders close FRIDAY, May 28th. Specifications on application to 479 c JAS. BORTHWICK. WANTED TRADESMEN’S or other Books or Writing to do by contract or otherwise as evening employment. For particulars of competency and experience, address “ Nib,” Post Office. 484 c CHINIQUY’S LECTURES. —Just Ar rivedj New Edition H. M. Jones, Baring Square. OFFICE and Pocket Diaries for 1880 ;• H. M. Jones, Stationer, Baring Square. TX/ANTED— A General SERVANT, " about 14 or 15 years old. Apply Herald Registry. 489 c /"CHRISTMAS Number Young Ladies Journal, London Journal, Family Herald, Family Reader, Boys’ Standard, &c. Just arrived. H M. Jones, Sta tioner, Baring Square. WANTED, a General SERVANT. Apply at once to Guardian office or to Mrs. M'Kellar Wix, St. Leonards, Sea field. 470c-865g JUST ARRIVED Young Ladies’ Journals for APRIL, and other Magazines. H. M. JONES, Stationer, 360 c East Street and Baring Square. TO LET. QIX-ROOMED COTTAGE, with half jo acre Garden, East Belt. Apply, 441 c ORR & CO.



In the District Court of Christ church, Holden at Ashburton. IN THE MATTER of the Debtors and Creditors Act, 1876, and of the Acts amending the same, and of the Bankruptcy of GEORGE RICK ARD, of Chertsey, Farmer, a Debtor. THIS IS TO NOTIFY that at the first meeting of the Creditors of the abovenamed debtor held this day at the District Courthouse, Ashburton, Frederick Pavitt, of Ashburton, accountant, was duly elected Creditors’ Trustee of the estate of the said debtor, and that the said Frederick Pavitt has this day signified, to me, in writing, his acceptance of the said office. Dated this 27th day of May, 1880. C. CAVENDISH HURRELL, Clerk of the District Court. I HEREBY SUMMON a meeting of the Creditors of the said Debtor to be held at the offices of Messrs Branson and Purnell, Solici tors, in East street, Ashburton, on MONDAY, the 31st day of May instant, at eleven o’clock in the forenoon, to consider the debtor’s in tended application for an order of discharge. Dated this 27 th day of May, 18S0. FREDK. PAVITT, Trustee. Branson and Purnell, Solicitors for the Debtor. 501 c ASHBURTON TOWN HALL CO. NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS. THE Shares recently forfeited in the above Company are now open to the present Shareholders, at par, up till 15th June next, after which date, if not all taken up, they will be offered to the pub lic, but as they will be allotted as applied for, and as there is now little doubt but that a handsome Dividend will gbe pay able for the current year, and as 35 out of 59 are already applied for, Shareholders desirous of obtaining same Shares are re quested to apply without delay to THE SECRETARY, At the Town Hall. Ashburton, 27th May, 1880. 503 c ASHBURTON TOWN HALL COM PANY. THE DIRECTORS of the above Com pany are now prepared to LET the LARGE ROOM over the Shops in the j Town Hall for Meetings and other pur poses, and to entertain proposals from Societies and other bodies for the periodi cal use of the same on most reasonable terms. Apply to ; THE SECRETARY, 502 c At the Town Hall.