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. „ T . , TT . j For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Oran, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.15 a.m. daily. For Temuka, Timaru, and bouth at 6 a.m. and 10.15 a.m. daily. For Greenstreet,, Ashburton forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a m. For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeacli, 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., 4.05 p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. •t 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 5.25 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a. m. daily. From Wakanui and Seafield on Tues days and Fridays at 2.30 p. m.

W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo). MONDAY, JUNE 28, 1880. The Wolf at the Door.

Sentimentalists, with a fullstomach and a knowledge of how they can always find the means to keep it so, talk very prettily of the dignity of labor, and roll out high sounding sentences about the horny- J handed sons of toil, who are their country’s 1 backbone and its pride. Oh yes ! there is much dignity about labor —every “ horny- | handed son of toil ” will tell you that; but he will at the same time be perfectly ready to inform you that it is not the dignity of the labor he cares a rap for, it’s the money he wants. He can do without the dignity—it brings no bread and butter; but he can’t do without the money —it stocks the cupboard. At the present moment there is a scarcity of employment, and when that occurs there must of necessity be a scarcity of both the dignity admired and lauded by the poet and the sentamentalist, and the money wages so earnestly desired by the worker. Because the worker is unable to live without wages, and cannot exist on dignity, he very naturally casts about to find some means of stocking his cupboard. He cannot find work. Tramping a weary round he is met with a regretful shake of the head here, a scowl there, a commiserating word at the next place, perhaps a good round curse at the next, while a day’s work at a low figure is a god-send. This is the ex perience of too many working men in New Zealand at this moment. Private employers cannot supply work. Public works have ceased, and whatever the future may be, the present is very, very dreary. Is it to be wondered at that bodies of men, who often rise in the morning not knowing Avhere their next meal is to be procured join together to raise a cry for work, and besiege Govern ment with their clamor ? There is nothing to be surprised at in it at all. But it is surprising that because they do so they should be classed as ne’er-do-wells —idle persons who will not work when the chance is. There are men who deserve to be branded as such—too many, we dare say —but we have no right to brand the whole lot in that way, for it cannot be denied that there are hundreds, ay thousands, in this colony to whom life at this moment is a wearv struggle for bread. The will is there to earn it, if the opportunity were not lacking. They have not been trained to tell a smooth story, and can only speak in the tones they heard at Nature’s knee. These tones are rough may be, but they are natural, and they are as true as natural —“ We have no bread.” But tlie unemployed are blamed for this outcry by some who ought to know better. They are blamed for appealing to Government, and it is pointed out to them that Govern ment is not responsible for the absence of work. Government, to be sure, cannot compel private employers to em handsj and with an empty treasury works. But it was Government who brought the main body of workers here— it was agents in Government pay who painted New Zealand in the roseate hues that attracted so many “ horny-handed ones” to the colony, and, therefore, some responsibility must rest with Government for placing more labor on the colonial market than the market can absorb. The men are perfectly justified in appealing to Government, and Government by doing what they can to relieve the “ jam” are only doing their duty ; for the men who now seek work, many of them, have tramped over the country, in good times and bad ; have shown their grit by toiling at hard work in the day and sleeping in a comfortless tent at night, enduring hard ships that the man at Home is never called upon to face, and would shrink from encountering. By all means let the worthless men be denounced, but let us be careful that they only receive censure, and that the willing and honest but suffer ing toiler be not included in the general condemnation. It is more often the worthless but glib-tongued loafer who obtains such work as is a-goiug than the deserving man, who quails before the humiliating ordeal of begging—literally begging —his “ brother worm to give him leave to toil.”

Fire. —Mr. Pyke’s slaughter house, near the racecourse, was burnt down on Sunday night.

The Property Assessment Act. —Mr. Sperry announces the extension to 2nd August of the time for sending in the re turns required under this Act.

The San Francisco Mails. —The Zea landia, Avith the Son Francisco mail, is expected to arrive at Auckland on Mon day next. The Wellington and Southern mails will be brought on by the Wanaka, which Avill call only at NeAV Plymouth.

Sad Accident. —On Saturday afternoon not long after the charge of obtaining money on false representations, laid against W. H. Watson, bad been dis missed by his Worship, Watson received a telegram fiom Christchurch announcing that his eldest child had been drowned in the Avon. The little girl, who Avas only eight years old, had been playing on the river bank, fell in, and Avas drowned before aid could reach her.

The Wateravorks. —All day yesterday a big stream was running into the Domain; more water was coming doAvn than the pipes through the belt Avould take, and the surplus Avater found its way down the road towards Mr. Bullock’s residence. It Avas hoped that by running all night a good show of Avater would be made in tlie Domain this morning, but those most interested in the matter Avere disapointed in finding the gully quite dry, and upon investigating the cause it Avas discovered that some person had shut doAvn the trap door at the intake, thus cutting off all the Avater at the head of the Avorks. Pending Appeal.— At the R.M. Court on Saturday last, the Bench, on the ap plication of Mr. Branson, permitted tlie man Ryal (who had the previous day been sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labor) to deposit LSO as bail, or enter into recognizances himself in a bond of L2OO and two sureties of LIOO each, pending the decision of the higher Court, for an appeal to which Mr. Branson had asked the Magistrates to state a case. As Ryal had been unable to obtain the neces sary sureties, the only alternative Avliich he had to secure his liberty was to deposit the LSO, a course which he seemed most able and desirous to adopt.

Civil Cases. —The following civil cases came on at the R. M. Court on Saturday : —Orr and Co. v. Canavan ; claim, L 7 55.; judgment for amount and costs, L2 ss. Porter v. Burgess ; claim on a promissory note for Ll 5 ; Mr. Branson for plaintiff ; judgment for amount and costs, LI 16s. Hayes v. Aitken ; claim, Ll 3 ; no appear ance. Weeks and Dixon v. Harris and Ireland ; claim, L 6 3s. 4|-d. Mr. Ireland, who appeared for the defendants, asked for an adjournment till Friday next, to allow him to obtain a copy of Mr. Harris’ evidence from the Clerk of the Court, the said evidence -having been taken in Dunedin. His Warship granted the ap plication on payment of costs, L2 12s. 6d. In the case against Mr. Harris, the same request was granted, on similar terms. Bryant v. Willcocks ; claim, L 4 10s.; Mr. Ireland for defendant; plaintiff non suited, with costs, 10s. 6d.

The Luxury of Law. —A case was j heard at the Resident Magistrate’s Court on Saturday last, in which Mrs. Haynes, a monthly nurse, sued Mrs. Bryant for L 6 10s. for services rendered. The case had been adjourned from a previous sitting to allow Mr. Branson, who appeared for the plaintiff, to bring evidence rebutting cer tain statements made by the defendant to the effect that Mrs. Haynes on one occa sion had been at the Hinds Hotel for four hours at a stretch, returning to her patient in a state of intoxication, and having the neck of a bottle protruding from her pocket. Neither the defendant nor her witnesses knew what this bottle contained, but from the action of defendant’s hus band, they did not think it was free from alcoholic qualities. The evidence of Mr. Little, and two other witnesses, who were in company with the plaintiff when the alleged drinking took place, entirely upset both the charge of intoxication and the presence of the suspicious bottle, and after Mr. Branson had addressed the Bench in a most eloquent speech, in which his ex periences as a family man were made good use of, his Worship gave judgment for the amount claimed (less the charge for the two days which plaintiff admitted being in Ashburton), and costs, the whole amount making a total of Ll 3 4s. Costly immi gration this! Accidents. —On Saturday evening Mr. Peter Maskrey, on a visit to Mr. Andrew Dawson, at Waterton, while returning to Ashburton with a dray load of coals for Mr. Dawson’s farm, slipped off the shaft on which he was riding, and fractured his thigh. The accident occurred about midway between Tinwald and Wheatstone, and the injured man was immediately brought back to Ashburton for medical attendance, by a young man who was on the dray with him. At Ashburton Dr. Ross attended him, but recommended the sufferer’s removal to tlie Hospital at Christchurch for which place lie left this morning. The fracture we believe is a very bad one.—About half past seven on Saturday evening, Mr. W. De B. Comp ton, road overseer, at Metliven, had his attention called by his little boy to a burning tent at a short distance from Mr. Compton’s house. At once making for the tent, Mr. Compton succeeded in pulling out of it a man who was in a sort of right hand and face were badly burned, and he was brought into town tc the Old Men’s Home, where Dr. Ross attended him. This man was also sent to Christ church this morning. It appeal’s that the tent in which the accident occurred belonged to four men, three of whom were absent at the time. The remaining man, had lain down to read and had fallen asleep leaving his candle burning, and the tent had thus caught fire. Everything in it was destroyed.

Industrial Exhibition. —The total en tries for the Industrial exhibition, to be held at Christchurch, amount to 150. Grain. —During last week there Avere 14,685 bags of grain carried 011 the Christ church section of raihvay.

Kerosene. —A Dunedin firm has re ceived a cablegram advising them of a rise of from 15 to 20 per cent, in the price of kerosene. The Land Tax.— No feAver than 400 summonses haA'e been issued in South land against persons who have not paid the Land Tax.

Railway Collision— A collision hap pened on the line beteen Invercargill and Clinton on Saturday, through the driver of one of the trains mistaking tlie position of a light. Only the engines and one truck left the rails, but no further injury Avas done. Df.oavned While Drunk. —A man named Andrew Cornfoot was lost from the cutter Kent at Ruapuke on Thursday last, having fallen overboard while intoxicated. Ropes were thrown to him, but lieAvas un able to catch them, and being unable to swim lie soon disappeared.

The Christchurch Unemployed.— The delegates from Christchurch unem ployed have returned from Wellington, and report that Government have pro mised the following pay at the Weka Pass raihvay, Avet or fine : —Married men, 28s. per AA’eek ; single men, 21s. per week. Provisions will be supplied at Is. 3d. each per day ; firewood, lid. per day. Go vernment also promised to commence an other section at Albury. Persons with a strong “ turn ” for music—Organ grinders.

Here is a bit of fashionable intelligence from the Kansas City Times: daughter of Mr. Proddy, of Twelfth street, has returned to her father’s house from a visit East, and O how niany fond and foolish boys rejoice over that Proddy gal’s return.”

A rural paper observed, with great facility of expression : —“ These moon light nights ! Ah, by lioav many a vine embowered gate soft eyes that speak again, and the pressure of a tiny hand in a masculine paiv wakes to ecstacy the living liar.”

Two Germans fresh from Cincinnati visited New York, and one, well acquainted Avitli the city, invited his friend to Del monico’s, where a dinner for two and a bottle of Avine Avas ordered. The place and fare were praised until the bill of 11 dol. Ayas presented. This they considered an extortion. They paid, however, and while walking down BroadAvay the excited German commenced to swear at the sup posed extortion. His friend then said, “Do not sliAvear, Yacob. It is Avicked to shwear. Heaven lias punished dot man Dehnonico.” “Hoav?” “I have mine pocket full mit spoons.”

Boat Accident.—A fishing boat cap sized in the surf at Port Chalmers on Saturday night, and two men—Brown and Johnson—were drowned. A third, named Remer, clung to the boat and was rescued. Pedestrianism.— Scott, the pedestrian, succeeded in walking over 113 miles in 23;hoiU’s 55; minutes on Saturday at Dune din, doing his last mile in less than ten minutes.

The Tables Turned. —A public meet ing was held at Masterton on Saturday night to denounce the Property Tax. The following amendment was, however, carried by an overwhelming majority— “ That this meeting considers the Pro perty Tax to be a just and equitable mea sure, as falling on that section of the com munity who are best able to bear it, and have received the greatest benefit from loans to pay interest on which we are now being taxed.” The Maoris. —There seems to have been a sort of Donnybrook Fair at Cam bridge on Saturday, after the sittings of the Native Lands Court. Several of the Constabulary were somewhat roughly handled, but succeeded in quelling the disturbance in Court. The street, how ever, was the scene of one row after another up to dusk. The hotels were closed on Sunday, and quietude reigned.

An Item About the Doctors.— Dr. Johnston, when giving evidence in a civil case at the Feilding R.M. Court, on Friday last, tendered a bit of information which may prove of interest to the ailing public. In the course of his remarks he said ; —“ It is generally understood by our profession that the person who calls and gives the order for us to attend anyone makes himself responsible for the fees.” Wonderful Officialism. —The N. _ Z. census returns are made up in a comical manner. Billiard-table keepers and markers are classed with actors; so are bootmakers! A man whose occupation is unsavory but necessai’y, is catalogued as “ dealing in clay, earthenware, and glass;” a cemetery keeper comes under the head of ‘ ‘ others connected Avith religion ; ” and a Turkish bath keeper is, according to the Registrar- General, one of “ others engaged in board and lodging !” Inconsistency.—A correspondent of the Napier Daily Telegraph Avrites. as fol loavs :— “ All Avho have been in the habit of perusing the daily papers may perhaps remember that about a year ago a certain Maori named Hiroki Avas charged at Napier Avitli having placed an obstruction on the railway line somev here near Taka pau, and on being tried for the offence he Avas acquitted on the ground of his ignor ance, with a gentle reminder that if repeated he Avould be severely punished. A European for tlie same crime has been sentenced to fifteen years’ penal servi tude. ”

A Mild Season. —The gardens around Bulls are manifestations of the congenial mildness of the season, so far as flori culturists are interested. In Mr. Maclean’s, for instance, the display is ex ceptional for this time of the year, and during our brief visit a feiv days ago, we Avere enabled to note down as in blossom the folloAving lengthy list'-:—Cactus, wi colvin fuchsia, fern-leaA r ed primula, blue plum Dago, vrojei, iu— (different varieties), verbena, scarlet and lilac, scai’let and other geraniums, pen stemons, forget-me-nots, mesembrianthe mums, antirrhinum, stocks, gaznonas, solan urn jasminoides, heartsease, prim roses, honeysuckle, ericas, picotees, koro miko, petunia, phlox, silene alba, arbuti lons, and scarlet flax. —-Itangitikei Advo cate.

The Property Tax. —The following is from the Thames letter of tlie -Free Lance : —“Sir George Grey’s opposition to the Property Tax ought to open your eyes to his real character. After all his lioAvling about taxing the rich, as soon as the tax is put on he is the first to move and get the burden taken off his kmcknacks and put upon the poor man’s beer ; and I believe he AA-ill never rest till he forces the re-ini position of the tea and sugar duties. Grey has certainly slipped up his poor man this time, and yet thousands of poor men join in the stupid cry “ Repeali the Property Tax. ” I can understand people who have it to pay crying to get out of it, but to hear people AA r lio are as free of property as I am, getting into an excited state about it, seems to me .the height of utter insanity. lam quite content to let those possessed of five hundred pounds Avorth of property pay the tax. ” Served Him Right. —The deposed Fijian King, Cakobau, Avas recently annoyed by a drunken man in an hotel at Levuka. Old Cakobau, Avithout move ado, caught tlie Avliite man a swinging back hander on the mouth, which knocked him over ; and then the old king stood quite still, and didn’t speak a word till the pros trate votary of Bacchus had got up and Avalked away, Avliich he did Avithout a murmur, even of delight at the honor of having been smitten by the ex-king of the Cannibal Islands.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

To the Editor,

Sir, —When I bought a section in this township some two years ago, I did so because I saAV that a large recreation reserA T e of seventy-two acres was laid out in the township ; and lof course at once considered that this block of land would be available for all sorts of recreation. I subsequently joined the cricket club, and a grant of LSO Avas made to that body by the County Council for tlie purpose of improving the six or seven acres set apart for them ; and on the strength of that grant I paid my 15s. like a man to the Club. During the cricket season I noticed that various other games, such as lawn tennis, croquet, &c., Avere indulged in by tlie upper-ten of the district, under the direction of an individual styled a “ Lady Paramount.” I have no objections to their playing any game, but I think if they require to dig pits for the pursuance of their sport, they might go elseivliere than on the cricket ground. lam also in formed that the Fire Brigade, not being among the select class, will not be allowed to practice on the domain. I think, Sir, that it is high time that the gmrsonnel of the Domain Board ivas altered, as it seems to me to have too autocratic a flavor about it at ptesent. I and many others Avould feel glad if you would point put liow we could have this public estate controlled by an elected and hot a nominated body,—l am, &c., A Ratepayer,

Thanks. —An Irishman at the im mediate risk of his life, stopped a runaivay horse a few days ago. The owner came up after a while, and quietly remarked— “ Tiiank you, sir.” “ An’ faith, an’ lioav are ye goin’ to divide that bet wain two of us 1 ” replied Pat. Murder.— The New York Herald re marks that, “The spring opening in the murder line is decidedly lively,” and nobody would (says Truth) be disposed to cavil at the statement after reading a single day’s tragedies. In a southern town several rowdies entered a bar and assaulted a policeman, Avho shot one dead and wounded another. At St. Nicholas a waiter shot dead a commercial traveller who found fault with the quality of the eggs supplied for his breakfast. At Sjaughterville, Kentucky, the marshal h avlng been threatened with death by a citizen, who considered himself wronged by that official, Avent to the house of his enemy and shot him dead ; and the same fate befel a man engaged in a strike ; Avhile a colored boy of fourteen cut tlie throat of a colored girl because she refused to get up to find him a pen. Pretty well this for one..day !

The Big Money. —lt is a curious fact, remarks an exchange, to be remembered by those who advocate giving “big” money at race meetings, that the most important races in England have not a single shilling of added money attached to them. The Two Thousand Guineas, Oaks, Derby, and St. Leger are all sweep stakes. The first race is not so called because tAvo thousand guineas are added to the stakes, but simply we believe, from the fact that the value of the race used to be about that sum. It now usually amounts to between three and four thousand guineas.

Worth Knowing.—A French neAvs paper states that if a little chloride of lime be placed on the soil, rats, and we pre sume, rabbits, mice, and insects will at once desert the place. Plants may be easily protected from insect plagues by simply brushing over their stems Avith a weak solution of chloride of lime, and it has often been noticed that the patch which has been treated in this way re mains free from grubs, while the unpro tected beds around are literally deAras tated. Fruit trees may be guarded from their attacks by attaching to the stems pieces of toAv smeared with a mixture of chloride of lime, and ants and grubs then in possession will rapidly vacate their quarters. Diphtheria.—The following recipe for the treatment of diphtheria is Avorth knoAving :—“Put a tea-spoonful of sul phur into a wineglass of wafer, and stir it with a finger instead of a spoon, as the sulphur does not readily amalgamate Avith the water. When the sulphur is Avell mixed it is to be given to the patient to gai’gle, and after gargling to swallow it, and in ten minutes the patient will be out of danger. When the fungus is too nearly closing to allow the ‘gargling, the flour of brimstone should be bloAvn through a quill into the throat, and after the fungus has shrunk to allow of it, them the gargling. If the patient cannot gargle, take a live coal and sprinkle a teaspoonful o e of: Brimstone on it, let the sufferer inha e it by holding the iieaa ovex shovel, and the fungus will die. Brim stone kills every species of fungus in man, beast, and plant in a few minutes. An Ominous Name. —lt has been pointed out by “a picker-up of uncom sidered trifles,” that all the revolutions in France have occurred during the Pontifi cate of a Pius. Louis XVI. Avas guil lotioned during the Pontificate of Pius VI., General Bonaparte overturned the Republic during that of Pius VII., that Pontiff witnessing the twice enacted doivn fall of the first Empire. While Pius VIII. AA’ore the mitre, Charles X. and Louis Philippe were dethroned by successive re volutions ; and the Emperor Napoleon 111. Avas dethroned during the Pontificate of Pius IX. The lovers of tranquillity may therefore indulge in tlie wish that the successor to the present incumbent of St. Peter’s may choose some other name than “ Pius ” as his Papal cognomen.

THE KELLYS.

CAPTURE OF NED.

THE REST IN THE TOILS. Melbourne, June 26. The Kelly gang shot a man dead at Sebastopol to-day, and kept a number of police prisoners for twelve hours. Melbourne, June 28. Ned Kelly lias been captured by the police. The others of the party, since their appearance at Sebastopol, have bailed up several publicliouses in the neighborhood, and their capture is expected to be made during the day.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(By cable from- Reuter's Agency. ) Sir Roger Remains in Gaol. London, June 25. The writ of error in the Tichborne case by which it was proposed to set aside the verdict, on the ground that it wrong fully ordered two cumulative sentences for the same offence, has been heard before the Court of Appeal. The Court has dis charged the writ, aud the claimant there fore remains in piison. The Markets. Best Australian beef tallow, 375. Ade laide wheat, ex warehouse, 495. Best sides Australian leather, llgd. The total quantity of wheat afloat for" Great Britain is 1,750,000 quarters. The Mails. The homeward mails, via Suez and Brindisi, with New Zealand dates to May 7th, were delivered in London to-day. The Cricketers. The cricket match Australians v. Eighteen of Northampton, was resumed to-day. The weather continued showery, and the wicket was again very dead. The home team closed their first innings with BG. The Australians then went in, and also scored BG. When the stumps were drawn the home team had lost four wicket§ for 8 runs in thejr §econd innings.

Bradlaugh. June 26. In the House of Commons, Mr. Glad stone, the Premier, in answer to a question, said that the Government would reconsider the position in Mr. Bradlaugh s case. Sunday Trading. The resolution in favor .of Sunday trading, which was discussed in the House of Commons to-day, was strongly op posed by Sir William Vernon Harcourt, Home Secretary. The motion was, how ever agreed to by the House. The Chimborazo. The Orient Co.’s s.s. Chimborazo sailed from Plymouth to-day for Australia. Another Victory. The cricket match, Australians against Eighteen of Northampton concluded to day, and resulted in another (tenth) vic tory for the Australians by eight wickets. The Eighteen, in their second innings were all disposed of for 48. Palmer took nine and Spofforqh seven wickets in this innings. The Australians then required only 49 runs to win, and these they made with the loss of only two wickets. lbs Annual Fate. In the House of Lords, the Deceased Wife’s Sister’s Marriage Bill, after dis cussion, was finally thrown out. Rebellion. Buenos Ayres, June 26. Peace negotiations were opened to-day between the authorities and the insurg ents, with a view to the settlement of the difficulties which brought about the re bellion. June 27. The peace negotiations have failed, and fighting between the insurgents and the National Guard was resumed to-day. The Conference. Berlin, June 26.

The European Conference have agreed to the rectification of the Greek frontier, including the towns of Janina, Metzovo, and portion of the district of Zafar. Turkey on its Diguity. Berlin, June 27.

It has been announced that the Porte has sent a circular note to the Great Powers stating that the European Con ference now assembled here has only the right to mediate for settlement of the dispute between Albania and Montenegro and for adjusting the Turkish Greek frontier question, but. has no right to decide what course Turkey should pursue towards the settlement of those diffi culties.

The Albanians and 1 Montenegrins. Constantinople, June 25.

The efforts at mediation between the Albanians and Montenegrins, which the British have been making, have proved unsuccessful. The Albanians decline to agree to the proposals made them, and have commenced re-arming their troops, with a view to again dispute any further attempt on the part of the Montenegrins to obtain the territory required to be ceded them in accordance with the Berlin treaty. The Democrats. The Democratic Convention have chosen Mr. Br.gKok - candidate in the forthcoming election for Vice-president ot America. A Row. Buenos Ayres, June 25. A serious encounter has taken place between an armed force of civilians and a body of Argentine provincial troops, who are in open rebellion, and were besieging the city. After heavy fighting the troops were completely routed by the civib'ans.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Reuter's Telegrams.) A Dissolution. Melbourne, June 26. The Ministry having recommended a dissolution of Parliament, his Excellency has consented, and in the meantime Par liament stands prorogued.

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association.) A Cruel Mother. lunedin, June 28. At the City Court this morning, the Bench ordered a criminal prosecution for exposure of a child, against Mrs. Ferguson, who figured in recent divorce cases. She left her infant on a door-step of a house in which Ferguson had placed his ow r n children.

A Farmer’s Notes.

I am perhaps the last person in the world to set up as an instructor of my fel low-farmers, and 1 do not do so. But some time ago you said in your paper that if we men who could speak on farming matters from practical experience sent our experience to you, no matter how roughly we put it down you would put it in shape and publish it. I can’t write papers for the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, though I would like to. I am no speaker, so I cannot take part in the discussions, and must remain a listener. Your offer to do up our rough letters gives us a chance to have a sajr even if we are not speakers or writers. Mr. Guinness de livered a very sensible address to the As sociation a month ago. I quite agree with all he said, and perhaps, I like his off hand speaking better than I would have liked a prepared paper. Things come natural like to a man when he speaks straight out to his hearers without writ ing. He spoke of seed, and the kind we should plant. Most of us, I think, are not careful enough in choosing seed wheat. Wheat is a thing that will degenerate very quickly. Every farmer should make it his study to choose the very best seed he can get, and that kind that has grown the greatest number of bushels to the acre, with a good sample. I have been used to both light and heavy soils, and my father before me. We always changed our seed every year if possible. For light land we took the corn from heavy soil, and for heavy land from light soil, paying great attention to cleanliness and class cf seed. Farmers here, I think, do not pay enough attention to this, but look more to price than to quality. I would not sow a single seed that had been grown on land where the slightest touch of rust or blight had been apparent in the crop. I am° afraid, considering that there was a bit of rust about last year, that some tainted seed will fee got into the ground this year. That 1

shouldn’t be. The farmer should study what corns will best suit his land.

Now, about the weather. Mr. Guin ness was very nice on that subject. . A farmer ought to get at the rainfall and moisture'on his farm. lam sorry that no practical farmer has as yet set about col lecting figures as to the quantity of rain that falls in the district. I believe some careful man would undertake the duty of “ clerk of the weather ” if the Association found the appliances. Then, the time of planting ought to be seen to and studied. I find by experience that the best months for sowing are June and July. Wheat sown in last May gave no returns—about 4 bushels—and was blighty; that planted in August had the rust, but June sown gave on the plains about 22 bushels, clean, and a good sample for the mill, and July . sown gave as good wheat and 20 bushels.. These are “facts” I have witnessed myself, and the conditions were in each case the same —light land, good ploughing, and general tillage by practical men, only the different dates of sowing, but the same seed*

Then as to ploughing—l find too many farmers give more value to quantity than to quality. Every ploughman should look to his plough, for the sake of his horses as well as for the land. The land should be well ploughed—well turned and packed, with a fair depth, say to to 5 inches deep, and 10 inches wide—not turned too flat. Many plough too wide, and do not move all the land under the furrow. The land is not pulverised, and the root has a hard bed to grow in. lam sorry that the ploughing match seems to have gone out of date, as it had its advantages in making Tom, Dick, and Harry try to keep up in good ploughing with Harry, Dick, and Tom. I see lots of land very far from being properly harrowed. New land should be harrowed twice with the furrow, and once across. Mr. Guinness must have had his eyes open when he said that all the tillage round about was not of the best. I harrowed a piece of land when the corn was in the blade. It was thin, but the harrowing improved it very much, and the growth thickened and came away very well. My experience of light land is that if it is pressed with a Cambridge roller before sowing, and when in the blade harrowed instead of rolled, the crop would be bene fited. The soil would be loosened at the root of the blade (I am speaking of wheat) by the harrowing, and the rolling would close the soil for the corn to root in, and keep in the moisture. When the soil is rolled in dry weather it bakes, no damp can enter, and if any does it is soon drawn awaj by the sun. I do not set myself up as an authority, but I daresay there is something in what I have written that farmers will agree with, and something that they won’t. If you publish this, farmers will see that your columns are free to them to express their opinions, and they ought to write. They cannot do it any more roughly than I have done this, I am sure, but I know you will make it readable. I would like if of some of my fellow-farmers would give a few “ facts ” —say as to their experience about the depth and width they plough, and the re sults—what returns they get. There are many that such information would benefit. ’1 will not “say thank you for the space until I see what like a job you have made of my epistle. Swingle-Tree. [We have seen many with greater pre tensions make a worse appearance than “ Swingle-Tree.” His letter wanted some “ doing up,” as he calls it in his “ letter of instruction,” but we are very willing to do that for him, as far as our ability allows us. The sentence marked with a*, however, we will not stand sponsor for, but it is the best we can make of it. — Ed. ]

THE STORY-TELLER.

A NARROW ESCAPE. chapter V— continued. “ Give me your promise, before I say another word. Swear that if Thursfield is freed, you will become my wife ! ” “Never,” she cried, “ a thousand times never. I would rather die with him, and rest in a dishonored grave, than link my name with yours. No, Richard Ellerton, your device is too shallow. You may deceive yourself, you cannot deceive me. Go ! ” —she pointed towards the door— “Go! life at your hands and with you would be the greatest misery that could befall a human creature. ”

With a curse and a movement as if he would have struck her, Richard Ellerton quitted the room, and the house. From an upper window she watched him, wildly beating the air, stagger through the gar den, then down the pathway to the beach, and so along the bay, turning at each few yards, to note if he were followed or observed.

Then the strange glad light came once more into Ettie’s eyes, and her form di lated with an indescribable air ffof triumph. “ Yes,” she cried, half dreaming, half aloud. “ George may be saved, but not by a sacrifice worse than death ” CHAPTER VI IT GROWS LIGHTER. Lawyer Burroughs came, and had a long interview with his client ; but could promise little hope, at least immediately. The case was full of mystery; baffling even his keenness. From the prison he went up to Stanton Holm, and saw Ettie, bidding her prepare for the committal of her lover. The assizes he said would not be held for three months, and between now and then some clue to the mystery might be discovered. But for the present he saw no chance of help. “He must never be committed for trial,” Ettie said. “ Indeed he shall not.”

The keen old lawyer glanced at her with alarmed surprise, believing her brain to be affected ; but struck with her tone and look, he dismissed his first impression, and bade her speak to him with unre serve. Then Ettie told him something that had passed through her mind, at which the lawyer smiled faintly, and shook his head as if in doubt. Next, he listened with quickening belief, and at last yielding full credence to her views, he put full confidence in her plans. The result of the conference, which will appear hereafter, was that Lawyer Bur roughs sent off two special messengers, with instructions to ride as if life and death depended on their speed. By nightfall, strolling on the beach, the lawyer chatted quite pleasantly to three or four strangers, whq civilly wished him, “ good eyening; ” arid before turning

THE ASHBURTON HERALD, MONDAY, JUNE 28, 1880.



Miscellaneous YX7ANTED —A good GENERAL SER- Y\ VANT. Apply at once, personally to Mr. Willcocks, YVheatsheaf Hotel, Wheatstone. 559 c A GOOD PIANO on hire, by the evening. H. M. Jones, Stationery and Fancy Goods Depot, East Street and Baring Square. WANTED KNOWN—That C. Haw 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 ~Y\T ANTED to buy Old Zinc 4s. 6d. » » nwt. Lead ss. per cwt. A per cwt., Lead ss. per cwt. Apply to the Chef de Cuisine, Commercial Hotel. 596 c XyTTANTED—A Good NURSEGIRL. ** Apply at the Tinwald Hotel. 591 c WANTED KNOWN—That H. Hooper, jun., having purchased the horse and dray from R. Cullen, has commenced business as General Carrier. 592 c WANTED— A ..Good Useful MAN rs general hand for an hotel. For particulars apply Herald Registry. 600 c 'W7 r ANTED—BOARD and LODGING Private Family. Apply S erald Jffi ceT. 697 c ROBERTS Y. ROBBINS. Under Distraint for Rent. 10 BE SOLD by Public AUCTION, ON WEDNESDAY, THE 30th JUNE, On the Premises of Mr. Robbins, Cam bridge— -9 Stacks Wheat 3 Stacks Oats. T At 12 o’clock sharp. A. M. PEARSON, Bailiff to R.M. Court. Ashburton, June 28, 1880. 601 c V. R. THE PROPERTY ASSESSMENT 1. ACT, 1879. EXTENSION OF TIME FOR SEND ING IN STATEMENT. ‘'VTOTICE is hereby given that the time 1 \ for sending in the statement of pro perty required by the above Act as fixed for the 30th day of June, 1880, has now been EXTENDED to the 2nd August, 1880. JOHN SPERRY, Commissioner. - Property Tax Department, Wellington, 25th June, 1880. 598 c Y. R. In the District Court of Christ church, Holden at Ashburton. IN THE MATTER OF The Debtors and Creditors Act, 1876, of the Acts amending the same, and of the bank ruptcy -of. JOHN STEPHENS, of Ashburton, Blacksmith, a debtor. Notice is hereby given that at the first .meeting of the creditors of the above-named debtor, Frederick Pavitt, of Ashburton, Commission Agent, was elect'd Creditors’ Trustee, and that the said Frederick Pavitt has notified to me in writing his accept ance of such Trusteeship. Dated this 28th day of June, 1880. C. CAVENDISH HURRELL, '599c ’ Clerk of the District Court. - - L'O. O. F. ,M. U. LOYAL ASHBURTON LODGE, . 7 ;r No. 6003, WILL Celebrate their Seventh Anni versary by a Grand Ball . >C( ) l To be held in the TOWN HALL, T> a "' p Ashburton, on FRIDAY, JULY 2nd, 1880. Tickets —Double, 15s ; for Gentleman only, 10s.; for Lady only, 7s. 6d.; with refreshments provided. To he had of any member of the Committee, or c o - THOMAS WILLIAMS 660 c Hon. Secretary.