COMMERCIAL.

[by telegraph.] Dunedin, July 30. Good sample milling wheat, 3s. 9d. to 4a. Id.; fowls’ wheat, 2s. 6d. to3s. ; feed oats. Is. 4d. to Is. 5d.; milling, Is. 6d.; malting barley, 2s. 9d. to 3s. 3d.; feed,, Ib. 9d, to 2s. Gd.; potatoes, L2 ss. to X/2 7s. 6d. per ton; grass hay, L2 10s.; oaten hay, L2; " V chaff hay, L 3; straw, L2; bran, L 3 ss. ; fX pollard, L 4; flour, L 9 10s. to LlO ; IJiloatiheal, L 9; pearl barley, Ll 9; IgS onions, 75. ; cheese, 5d. ; bacon, rolled, ' 9d.; hams, lOd.; sides bacon, 9id.; prime Wf Ashburton retail list.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With Which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). SATURDAY, JULY 31, 1880.

Earthquake. —A slight shock of earth quake was felt in Ashburton last night about nine o’clock.

English Mail. The Ashburton portion of the English mail, via San Fran cisco, arrived per express this morning.

Presbyterian. —The Rev. Mr. Suther land will conduct Divine Service in the Presbyterian Church to-morrow morning and evening, and at Wakanui in the after noon.

Sale of Crown Lands. —The Commis sioner of Crown Lands announces in another column the sale of the old railway reserves in the Ashburton and Rangitata districts, to take place at the Town Hall od the 24th August. New Post Office. —A post office has been established at the Elgin Schoolhouse, under the charge of Mr. Proudlock. This will no doubt be a convenience to a con siderable number of residents in the Elgin district.

Police Changes. —We learn that, fol lowing out the reduction policy, Constable Farmer leaves the police force, Trooper Gaffney removes to Kaiapoi, while Con stable Waring undertakes mounted duty. The district will thus be reduced bjf two men —one in each department. That Cab. —C. Ryle writes to deny J. W. M'Rae’s statement; to deny ever having been accused of brothel keeping ; to accuse M‘Ra.e'of being spiteful ; and to say further that, after hiring the cab to John Newman, his own connection with or control over it ceased for the time. For the Children.— An entertain ment, consisting mainly of dissolving ■views, will be given in the Primitive Methodist Church on Monday evening next. The programme is being prepared specially to interest the juvenile portion of the community. Scenes from “Robinson Crusoe,” “ Who Killed Cock Robin V’ and other literary productions familiar and dear to the youthful mind will be ex hibited ; and there are to be some novel features in connection with the evening’s entertainment, which we are not at liberty to reveal, but which will create intense amusement to all our young friends who attend. It is understood the entertain ment is solely for young people, and hence the moderate sum of threepence is all that will be charged for admission. Tinwald. —The Limelight exhibition recently given in the Town Hall was re peated last night in the Tinwald School room, and although there was not a full house, the promoters were well rewarded for their trip across the bridge by the frequent rounds of applause given by those who were present. Miss Jowsey and Miss Savage assisted in making a very pleasant evening’s entertainment more enjoyable still by rendering very sweetly several songs. The Rev. A. J. Smith and Mr. Puddicombe gave the descriptive lectures, and great praise is also due Mr. f Allsop, the schoolmaster, for for the energetic manner in which he acted to make the affair a success.

Sporting. —As the slack time of the year for racing men is now to the fore, our local sportsmen have gone in for a new, and in our opinion, a good idea. At a meeting held yesterday it was resolved that, should sufficient induce ment offer, a monthly meeting of trotting horses should be held, the terms of the races to be fixed by the Committee on the following basis. All horses entered to start at scratch on the first race, and to be subsequently handicapped by the Com mittee or their nominee ; the stakes to go to the winner ; the Race Committee to be asked for permission to use the racecourse, and the gate and grand-stand money to go to the winning horse. Matches may be made for either saddle or harness, but in all cases the entries must be made to the Secretary of the Racing Club. We are of opinion that the proposed scheme is one likely to lead to the development of a useful style of horses, and if the promoters succeed in carrying out their projected idea they deserve the thanks of that por tion of the public who have occasionally to hire a “screw” from a livery stable, and to travel at the rat© of five miles an hour. Pending future arrangements, we hear that Messrs. Digby, James M‘Rae, and James Wilkie will give further information on this matter.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

{Per Reuter's Agency. ) The Afghan War. Critical Situation. Reinforcements from Great Britain To the Rescue. Not So Bad as Expected. The General and his Officers all Right —How about the Men ? Desultory Fighting with Ayoub’s Tribes. Arrival of Phayre’s Reinforcements at Oharnan. A Gloomy Prospect. London, July 30. In accordance with the decision of the Cabinet, 5,000 troops of all arms have been ordered to proceed to India next month to reinforce the British army in Afghanistan. In the House of Lords Earl Granville made a statement concerning.the disaster at Candahar. -He said that, though further details to hand were reassuring, the defeat of the British troops would most probably prolong the war, and it had been decided to send reinforcements. Calcutta, July 30. According to the latest news from Afghanistan, there is great excitement amongst the tribes in South Candahar at the retreat of the British before Ayoub Khan. Desultory fighting is proceeding at the British outposts with a detached body of the enemy. The troops under General Phayre, who have reached Chaman from the Bolan Pass, 011 their way to Candahar, are unable to advance until strongly reinforced, owing to the disturbed state of the country. Calcutta, July 29. Further details of the engagement betiveen Yakoub’s army and General Burrows’ brigade in Candahar prove that the first accounts of the disaster were greatly exaggerated. General Burrows and the chief officers of his force reached the citadal at Candahar in safety.: No details have yet been received as to the extent of the loss sustained by the British troops. July 30. General Phayre’s reinforcements have reached Chaman. The Markets. London, July 30. Three per cent consols, 9S. There is an active demand for most descriptions of hides. The total reserve in notes and bullion in the Bank of England is L 16,750,000. The wool arrivals to date amount to 3,000,000 bales. The probable quantity for sale will be 320,000 bales. The tone of the market is quiet. Turkey’s Difficulties. Constantinople, July 30.

The Porte now proposes to cede Dul cigro to Montenegro, so as to avoid action on the part of the European Powers. Ser via is busily engaged making warlike pre parations and mobilising her army.

AUSTRALIAN

(Reuter's Telegrams.) The Opera-house Tragedy. • Melbourne, July 31. Greer, who shot at his wife and a Frenchman named So undry, and after wards shot himself, at the Opera-house on Saturday last, has succumbed to his in juries. Mrs. Greer and Soundvy are re covering from their wounds. Victorian Politics. Melbourne, July 30. The negotiations for the formation of a new Ministry, which have taken place be tween Sir. J. O’Shanassy, Mr. Berry, Mr. Wrixon, the member for Portland, and Sir Bryan O’Loghlen, are now broken off, and Mr. Berry has summoned a meeting of Liberals for Monday. Markets. The demand for sugars continues active at further advances. Sydney, July 30. Hennessy’s brandy in bulk, quarters, 10s. to 10s. 3d.; kerosene, diamond, per gallon, Is. 7d. ; Devoe’s kerosene, Is. Bd. per gallon ; candles, D.R.J.’s, per lb., 7d. to 7|d. ; maize, per 601 b., 2s. Id. to 2s. 3d. Adelaide, June 30. Adelaide wheat, 4s. 2d. t® 4s. 3d. per bushel ; market dull. Adelaide flour, L 9 15s. to LlO per ton ; flat, and little doing. Freights are unchanged.

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per-Press Association.) A Healthy Balance Sheet. Auckland, July 30. At the half-yearly meeting of the Working Men’s Club, the report showed receipts, L 936 ; balance over expenditure, Lll3. Reduction in the price of Gas. The Auckland Gas Company declared a 15 per cent, dividend. A further reduc tion in the price of gas will be made shortly. A Would-be Lawyer. Alexander Martin was charged with acting as a conveyancer, he not being a barrister or solicitor of the Supreme Court. Prisoner, who wa3 concerned in the forgery of the said deed of convey ance, but had turned Queen’s evidence, pleaded guilty, and was fined LSO, or in default, one months’ imprisonment, with out hard labor. Mr. Rees. Gisborne, July 31. Mr. W. L. Rees, solicitor, was a pas senger yesterday, per Ringarooma, for Wellington, to attend and give evi dence before the Parliamentary Com mittee relative to the L3OO paid him as a retainer for the Waimate natives last session. He will also endeavor to induce Government to incorporate in the Native Land Sales Bill certain provisions con tained in his East Coast Land Titles Bill, relative to land recently conveyed in trust.

Severe Shock of Earthquake

The severest shock of earthquake felt for years was experienced about 1.30 a. m. this , morning, lasting for thirty seconds, and travelling from a southerly to north erly direction. Another shock, less severe, occurred fifteen minutes after wards. No damage was done. An old Wellington resident, on a visit here, says it was the severest shock he has felt for twenty years. Just before dusk the pre,. ceding evening a most brilliant meteor was observed. V .- ■ - - v , Cheap Gas. New Plymouth, July 30. The Ga 3 Company held a meeting yes terday, w r hen the chairman stated that the Company had been in. operation four months. There were eighty-four con sumers, and the gas sold during-the four months realised L 263. The price charged was 15s. per 1,000 ft., cash; which was a lower price than any Company in Now Zealand had started with. Cutting Down, Wellington, July 30. The Education Board passed a resolution to : the'effect that the salaries of teachers would be reduced, in consequence of the capitation allowance being reduced. Committed for Trial- WELLINGTON,^" uly 31. At the R.M. Court this morning, John Doren was committed fef atrial- on a charge of stabbing another, man, named Campbell. Melbourne Exhibition. Three hundred and twenty-five exhibits have been received for the Melbourne Exhibition. Dr. Hector leaves for Mel bourne in a fortnight. The Exhibition opens on the Ist October. The Men in Blue. The police reductions commence to day. Several of the police stations in the country districts are to be done away with. Questionable Oonduc t. Timaru, July 31. For asking the time and running off with a watch, Charles Williams has been com mitted for trial. Fatal Results. The child which a fortnight ago wa s bitten severely by a pig, died in the hos' pital last night from blood-poisoning. Washed Overboard. Oamaru, July 30. _ Captain Stevens, of the schooner Lizzie Grey, states that his mate was washed Overboard and drowned off Hokitika, on the 22nd inst., during a gale. A Dangerous Plaything. Dunedin, July 30. A woman named Elizabeth Martin has been received into the hospital, suffering from a gunshot wound. Her son, ten years of age, was playing with a loaded gun, and accidentally discharged it into the lower portion of her back.. Rumored Explosion. It is rumored that an explosion has occurred at Mullocky Gully, by which one man was killed and another seriously injured. Insurances.;:'. The steamer Ino, which was wrecked at Port Molyneux, was insured as follows : Hull, LSOO in the South British, L 450 in the Victoria. Cargo, L 250 in the South British. Opening of the Waimea Railway. The Waimea Railway was opened to day. An excursion train, conveying 100 invites,, left Dunedin this morning. At Gore, Mr. Bastings declared the line for mally opened. Hatched, Matched, and Despatched. The vital statistics for July give— Births, 163 ; deaths, 53 ; marriages, 39.

Revenue. The revenue for J uly is L 28,771

CHISPA'S LETTER

“ I am not yet so bald that you can see my brains. ” —Longfellow.

Looking over an Oamaru paper I ran against the information that a Mormon blockhead named Batfe was running his rigs upon the good people of that ilk, and was doing his best to make converts to his —well, he calls it “faith.” I don’t know whether he means, to carry his mis sion northwards or southwards. If he takes the former direction he may pro bably have a “ bat ” at our moral princi ples, and attempt to proselytise some of our people. If he succeeds, I shall rejoice greatly. Don’t be alarmed. I have no wish to see the doctrines of the Latter Day Saints rampant in this good town ; but still I say I shall rejoice if lie succeeds. “ Where the carrion is there will the eagles.be gathered together,” and if Mor mon Batt succeeds in working round any of our people we shall know that they were not the clearest minded to begin with, and that they were just the sort of people we want to be free from. If the .tendency to wallow in .the moral gutter is .exiiibited under the teaching of this mis guided man, it is'better that wallowing should be done in Utah than in Ashburton. I saw a letter from Utah recently, written by a Gentile. He didn’t appear to think the saints formed the happiest family under the sun since the Gentiles came amongst them, and said that—whatever Elders may say about the fondness of the Mormon ladies for the state of polj’-gamy—the young Mor monesses have a lively fondness for the young male Gentiles, and are quite willing to be wooed by a Gentile husband. Why '? Because they know that a husband all to one’s self is five times better than the fifth part of one, to be shared in common in a household of five missuses.

That last Council meeting was a terror. The atmosphere seemed so awfully sulphurry that I felt quite sorry for poor Councillor Harrison at having to take “ the oaths and his seat,” as they say in Parliament, on a night when every symptom was given that a volcano was about to burst. Poor man. The carters took advantage of him and made him “carry” their little grievance into the heart of the Council, and nobly lie prayed their prayer. But the Councillors knew that other matters was looming ahead, and they would have none of the carters’ impudence even filtered through the gentle language of Councillor Harrison. Things moved Avith comparative quiet and smoothness till the end of the meeting—

Councillors Friedlander and Parkin only having an occasional skirmish—then the important time came. Councillor St. Hill stood up to his guns, and in face of the whole assembly of the City Fathers he loaded those guns Avith heavy shot. But of course he didn’t fire just then. He is allowed.a full fortnight to take aim, and AAdien he finally pulls the lanyard, if the shot strikes, all our civic fabric will be bloAvn to. atoms. Old-thing' will pass away and a nery order of things will reign. Farewell Town Clerk, Toavia Engineer, and Toayti Labor Gang. A king has arisen.who knows not Joseph, and a one horse man. is to be advertised for in the great cities of the colony who will be able, - for -nine twonty-nves a year, to carry the whole thing on his back. The shot xv 111 be fired next meeting night— may I be there to see.

The by-laAvs dream is over —day has daAvned —Ave have awakened —and the nightmare has been removed. The gentle Crisp has completed his task. It is fair to suppose he will be willing to back his work j believing in its stability. The Council fancy so at least, and they are done with him. Ho will never, of course, attack those by-laws in Court, and they are safe from him. Messrs. Branson and Purnell have become the Council’s law agents. They can’t attack, bub must de fend- the 'local: statutes. There are, there fore, only the other two remaining— “ Ireland ” and the “ Irish Bard.” But then they are heavy metal.' ; We do not as yet knowwhat is to be evolved from that neAV laAvyer’s office built in Burnett str.eet—and until the time comes Avhen the light of the greatest legal poAver of modern Asliburton will shine upon us, we must not trust too much to those by-laws, even though they may be safe from the at tacks of their own maker, and their greatest foes hoav made firm friends. Ye are wise, ye Councillors ; but before your laAvs are safe, ye must get Joe back in your midst.

Christchurch Councillor Cass has sold property because he believes the time draws nigh when the Second Advent is at hand, and property Avill be useless. I like a man Avith the courage of his npinions. The great Dr. Cumming, Avho prophesied with so much assurance that 1868 would see the ultimate end of all things, pub lished his prophecy, and then took a ninety-nine years’ lease of a house. He was quite prepared to die for his faith in the general burning up, but like a wise gambler he was not above “ hedging ” his bets, and it was just there the ninety nine years’ lease came in handy. Mr. Cass believes there are no eternal punish ments. How many thousands of his fellow men do so earnestly Avish his belief Avere A\ r ell-founded. But they have got so accustomed to the eternal brimstone idea that it is difficult to get rid of it. Chisfa.

Entertainment at Wakanui

Last night an entertainment Avas given in the Wakanui Schoolroom, in aid of the local Library, and Ave are gla d to say fcha the effort made to replenish the exchequer was highly successful, a very handsome sum having been realised. The Chair man of the School Committee—Mr. A. G. Earle—had been very active in re cruiting friends to take part in tlie the entertainment, and when the opening hour arrived he had marshalled a very fair company. A piano was kindly lent by Mrs. Gibson, and Mr. Davison played the overture, after Avhich Mi\ Alfred Harrison sang in that pleasing way of his “ The Village Blacksmith,” receiving the applause he always merits. Two local gentlemen, whose names we did not catch, then tickled the audi ence Avith comic songs, the Irish items being particularly droll. Mrs. Kelly followed Avith “ Thy voice is near me,” being very happy in the rendering of the song. Then Mr. Jame 3 Brown' read, in the purest Scotch, the story of how Habby and Janet, a “boosing” couple, raised the Avind, and he succeeded in raising much laughter. Mr. and Mrs. Craighead con tributed songs- each very effectively— “ Mary 0’ Argyle ” being a great favorite ; and Mrs. Dunn sang tyro Scotch songs Avith effect. Miss Stewart. naively detailed the “ Stairhead Battle,” and was a fund of amusement; then Mr. H. A. Gates took the house by storm Avith several comic songs, having to respond to repeated encores. A violin solo by Mr. Nettleton was no unimportant feature in the pro gramme, and the bagpipes of Mr. Elder must not be forgotten. Several duets, etc., were also sung, the accompaniments to these and to the songs being played by Miss Gates in her usual style; and it Avas far past ten o’clock before the programme Avas got through, When’it was finished votes of thanks were given to the visitors, to Mrs. Gibson for the loan of her piano, and to the chairman. Mr. Ginney, the school master, kindly entertained the visitors at the school-house, and Miss Ginney was par ticularly attentive to them. After the concert Avas over a dance took place in the school, at which G. F. Scott was M. C., the music being supplied by Messrs. Nettleton, Elder, and others.

Alford Forest.

(From our own Correspondent.) The ne>v bridge near Pudding Hill is fast approaching completion, and is cer tainly one of the best built and most im posing structures of the kind in the county. Its length is 960 ft., and, being built throughout of well-seasoned iron bark, the contractors, Messrs. Thomas and Hill, Avould guarantee its strength to carry any Aveight required, even for rail- Avay purposes. It is generally regretted that the one over the South Ashburton was not built of similar material, as it cannot be expected to last for any length of time, the wood used being throughout black birch, and quite green. Judges competent to form correct opinions are unanimous in deploring the “ penny-wise and pound-foolish” carrying out of this work, and the great vraste ’ of public money. The bridge is undoubtedly of great service, but will soon slioay the effect of Avear, mostly, as sailors term it, “ between Avind and water. ” The North Ashburton Bridge Avill be a credit to all concerned, and a lasting monument of money wisely spent, Avhile reflecting special credit upon the contractors,

Messrs. Thomas ancl Hill. The ap proaches, to be of service, should have a decided outward inclination, allowing sheep, etc., to be driven conveniently along it. This could be done at very little additional expense. Exhibits of Alford Forest timber and stone, for almost all purposes, were shown in the late Christchurch Exhibition, by Mr. James Henderson, among the latter being good building stone and limestone, and also coal; and we trust the new bridge will be the means of carrying many of the natural products of this neighbor hood to Metliven, the nearest railway station. We yet hope to see the railway continued to Mount Somers.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

To the Editor. Sir,— Heading your article of July 28, upon local industries, I was much amused at the naive way in which you wind up your article about giving advice in the matter, and “it is, of course, an easy tiling to write in the strain we have done,” etc.; but if you come to sober facts, it will soon be apparent that Ash burton is not the place a manufacturer would select to commence a business, and I will now proceed to show you why. The manufacturer sets out with the following rule : —First, what produce can I buy on the spot, its first'cost, cost of wages inits manufacture, what markets ? I will take your first article —woollen factory : There are already two in the field, and their pro ductions will suffice. for the wants of blew Zealand some time, and I question if you wanted a continu ous supply of wool it could be obtained unless you went to Christchurch to pur chase. Leather : What quantity of hides could you get from your local butchers ; and where do you get your bark ? Im port it, do you say ? Yes, but that means extra cost—and, then, your market ? Soap : You might get about one ton of rough fat per week from your local butchers. If that was made into soap, where would you sell it ? Add to cost of fat the charge for caustic soda, coals, etc., and how much profit would it leave? Oatmeal, again : Y/here are your con sumers ? It cannot be exported for long distances. Ashburton lias the disad vantage of high railway freight, dear labor, and absence of markets. It may do very well as a depot for agricultural produce, and keep jogging a few middle men and publicans, but as a manufactur ing locale it is quite out of the question. Does it not seem monstrous to charge old. per bushel for wheat to Lyttelton, and Id. more to ship it, or 13s. lOd. per ton—- equal to one-third of the freight to the United Kingdom, and more than the freight charged from New York to Eng land. Coals—your first prime mover in all industries : 12s. Id. per ton is charged from Lyttelton to Ashburton. Again, timber is charged 2s. per 1,000 ft., or about 20 per cent, on its first cost. General goods are charged from los. to 40s. per ton. Then, again—labor : You must not come to Ashburton to get it, or you will have to pay some 12% per cent, dearer than in Christchurch. If you want to purchase a ton of potatoes, you have to pay from L2 ss. to L2 10s. here ; you can purchase the same in Christ church for LI ss. to LI 10s., clearly a saving of LI per ton on first cost. This is only as an example of your market. It is all very well to set out upon paper —and paper has done much for Ashbur ton —what could or" should be done ; but the practical man knows that be cannot get a sufficient quantity of any goods. The first cost .is as dear as in Christ church. Add to this the exorbitant cost of carriage per railway, and the manu facturer is completely shut out from the local markets ; and it is only to the farm ing portion that Ashburton can look for support. If some of your capitalists would form a syndicate and purchase land ; divide it into medium-sized farms, of: from, say, 200 acres upwards ; build upon the same decent residences and outhouses, and sell the same upon deferred payments to practical farmers, not “ scrapers,” they will thus encourage the only possible or payable industry, and in the dim future some, small local industry may crop up, which is the sincere wish of yours, etc.,

A Would-be Makueagtuber. July 29, 1880.

PLAINS FARMING.

To the Editor,

Sir, — I have read with interest and care Mr. Silcoek’s paper on the above subject, as published in your issue of the 27 th instant.

I fully agree with Mr. Silcock: that “ plains farming ” is not the forlorn hope that many represent it to be, and that plains farmers are not on their last legs, for I fully believe that for the persevering plains farmer, “ there’s a better day coming on,” But still I think Mr. Silcock’s estimates and figures will scarcely stand muster, and that his system of work ing his thousand acre farm will be found (if anyone adopts it) to be somewhat ex pensive. In the first place I must take exception to his estimate for rent. He is going to rent his thousand acres, all sub divided, all necessary buildings erected thereon, for the yearly rental of four shillings per acre. How, I ask, where is ho going to. get such a farm at such a rental ? It is scarcely possible to obtain such a block of land as that at the Govern ment price. So 1 will take the lowest price at which I have known land to have been bought second hand in the Ashbur ton district —viz., L 3 an acre. How, to get such a farm into form would necessi tate the outlay of another L 1,300 at least, which sum I make up as follows : Fencing—lf the farm were a four square, in one section or block, and divided into hundred acre paddocks, together with small paddocks about the homestead for rams, calves, foals, etc. (and two or three small paddocks are a necessity on every farm), and with the fencing in of garden, house grounds, farm yard, rick yard, plantations, etc., I estimate that altogether there would be required little less than 1,000 chains of fencing, which, to bo made “ a good and sufficient fence,” would need two wires, and a stake every five yards, and then planted or sown with gorse. Such a fence would cost 6s. per chain. A similar fence to the one I suggest, erected not far from here last winter, cost 75., without the gorse planting. But for the sake of keeping down the expenses

I will estimate the fencing on an imagin ary farm at 6a. per chain. Well, I esti mate the cost of fencing, breaking up, and erection of necessary buildings as follows:

i And it leaves a total of j/4300 o o A. Now,-1 should much doubt the possi bility of obtaining such a farm at the annual rental of 4s. per acre, and here I think Mr. Silcock errs in the first in-, stance. Then, with respect to. the catalogue of .. stock and implements required, I think there are one or two errors or omissions in j it.- I find one item is four horses at L 25, LK)O. Now, I doubt the ability of four ... horseß to perform the work necessary for a 1000 acre farm, especially when I find that he intends to grow 200 acres of wheat ; and from 200 to 250 acres of rape . and grass to be put in every year; and also 200 acres of turnips, "which-make' 650 - '- acres of land to be cultivated every year. And my experience of horses and horse -

power leads me to believe that it would be • a sheer impossibility for any. four horses - in New Zealand, or any other land for that matter, to do it. I should say it would take six good horses, with, two doiible-furrow ploughs, and two men, or one man and a good strong lad, to do that amount of tillage. Then, in addition to the cultivation and ordinary field work, | there is a great amount of extra horse • work, such as carting out manure, carting in bedding for stable, and stock yards, journeys to town, and innumerable little .-.-2' petty jobs where a horse is wanted which - would not pay to stop a team to 00, and which would, therefore, necessitate the provision of an extra horse, which would swell the number to seven instead of four. . And with the addition of another team - there would he renuired—

Would make... ... ... - o o added to the plant required, to say nothing of the need of single-furrow plough swingletreea, extra set of harrows, or chain harrows —implements which every farmer needs.

Mr., Silcock’s estimate for the purchase of clover and grass seeds is also, in my opinion, somewhat low, as I do not think 200 acres can be properly laid down for LSO. I recollect a paddock on my father's farm costing, a few years ago, more than 16s. per acre for clover and grass seed, when laying it down. His estimate, too, for horse feed is also very low—Ls for each horse, and he does not give the riding horse any. Now, horses working regularly, as those would; ( have to do, would require at least half a bushel of crushed oats per day, for, I was going to say 300 days in the year, but I believe they would want it 365 days iii the year, which would be bushels for each horse. This multiplied by seven (for I only reckon half quantity for the riding horse and the “ rouse about ”) would tot up to 1177£ bushels of oats for feed. Valued at Is. 6d. per bushel (for I hope sincerely I may never again live to V see the day when oats will be Is.), would make over LBB. This added to the addi tional horses and implements, which I have shown would bo required, -would make a total of L 238 to beaded to the stock and implement fund. And then, if .7 we have another team —and I think practi cal men will see the necessity of one—we shall want another driver, which will add another LSO to the annual expense account. Then, Mr. Silcock, what would you have us do with our gorse fences ? Shall we let them run wild, or shall we cut them once a year ; and, if so, how shall it be done ? shall wo let them by ; tender or shall we buy a gorse cutting machine of Wood, Shand and Go., for L 75 ? If we choose the latter it will help to swell our implement account “ a few.” Moreover, in the annual expense account I see no provision for shearing, though 1 see there are 700 fleeces to be got rid of somehow. Or do shearing and gorse trimming come under the head of inci dentals?

There appears to be a slight mistake m annual returns also. I find Mr. Silcock paying for the threshing of 4250 bushels of grain, but lie only sells 1250 bushels. Where are those other 3000 ? Echo answers where 1

He counted them at break of day, But when the sun set where weie they? I don’t object to the prices at which Mr. Silcock chooses to sell his produce from his imaginary farm ; but I should very much object to selling produce from a real farm at that rate, viz. —Wool at Od.; per pound, and wheat at 2s. 6d. per bushel. If such prices are to rule, I’ll quit farming and try something else, such prices don’t agree with the constitu tion of a

Yoekshirebite.

Parliamentary Notes.

[by TELEQRAPH.j

(From our own Correspondent.)

Wellington, July 30. The afternoon was spent in talking over the Maori Prisoners Bill, which was passed through all its stages. It simply epfiblgs the Government to trgat the Maori 7 prisoners lately taken, or any others that may be taken, as they were already authorised, and to retain those previously in custody. Throughout the rgssionna more mischievous speeches hav@ been made, or speeches that more clearlyshowed how little some of the members care what may become of the peace of the country, so long as they can obstruct the present Government. Such members, however, are in a small minority,. ' and the good sense of the House may be ; said to be unanimously with the Govern ment in this question. Mr. Bryce did not speak very confidently of the present situation with the Maoris, and condemned, in'the strongest manner, the language that Sir George Grey had used, and the wicked ness of treating such a subject as a party question,.

ASHBURTON HERALD, SATURDAY, JULY 31, 1880.



>_ . . . . s. d: s. d. Butter, inferior to best ij? Ib I 0 to I 3 Eggs, $ dozen 1 0 to I 2 Cheese, prime quality, & lb 0 6 to 0 8 .Bacon, prime smoked, 1? ib 0 10 to I 0 g : Hams in cloth, # lb I 2 to 0 0 - Flour in bags, 1? loolb 13 0 to 0 0 Oatmeal. $ 251b 4 6 to 0 0 Lard, lb - ■ - 0 7 to 0 0



£ s. d. Fencing icoo : chains at 6s. per chain ... ... ... ... 300 0 0 Brea! ing up zooo acres at 7s. per . acre ... ; • ... 350 0 0 Fanner’s house ... ... 350 0 0 Stable and chaff-house ... ... 100 0 0 Barn ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 Stock yard and sheep yard, to- getlier with implements shed, milking shed, fowl house, pig- genes 75 0 0 Plantation and .orchard ... ... 25 0 0 1300 0 0 Add to the above, purchase of land ... / ... ... ... 3000 0, 0



Another plough, costing say ... £ s. d. is 0 0, Another dray ... .... 20 0 0 Other harness ... 15 0 0 Which, with 3 horses at each 75 0 0



Amusements. PRIMITIVE METHODIST ' CHURCH, ASHBURTON. A GRAND OPTICAL E ii t er t a i lime n t, Consisting of a large number of • : • interesting and DISSOLVING VIEWS, by LIMELIGHT, Both LOCAL and FOREIGN, will be given on TUESDAY, AUGUST 3RD, 1880. Tn aid of the Primitive Methodist Church Funds, Ashburton. For the first time : The Eastern Spend thrift, Syria and Palestine, etc., etc. Vocal and Instrumental Music. See Handbills for Programme Pricks of Admission — Adults, Is.; Children under 12, 6d. each. Doors open at 7.30 p.m.; commence at 8 prompt. 703 c On MONDAY EVENING NEXT, at 7. o’clock, a Special Entertainment for Sunday School Children, will be given in the above Church. Splendid Programme, Entirely New. All are invited. Admission 3d. each. Miscellaneous CHAFF ! CHAFF ! ! CHAFF ! ! ! TURST CLASS CHAFF can now be _L obtained at 9d. per bag, by applying to B. C. SMITH, Carrier, 70Gc Moore street. NEW. INDUSTRY. ASPHALTING. TAMES BRADLEY is prepared to take J orders for ASPHALTING at very moderate rates. All orders to be left at the_ Works, Park srreet. - • All work kept in repair for twelve months. 695 c PIANOFORTE FOR SALE. GOOD Strong Cottage Pianoforte for Sale, second hand, price L 35 cash. . Apply office of this paper. 641 c TINWALD. WANTED KNOWN— C. HAWKINS and CO., have opened a Large and Varied Stock of Boots and Shoes, and having engaged a PROPER BOOT and SHOE MAKER, can guarantee Good Fit and Workmanship. Men’s Strong Water tights 14s. 6d. per pair. No connection with any other shop. Note Address: Next door to S. Stephens, Saddler. 693 c TTTANTED KNOWN—That C. Haw- VV kins, The Tinwald Bootmaker, has REMOVED to premises Opposite the rinwald Post Office, where lie is still open bo Sell first-class Boots and Shoes at his usual Cheap Rates. All kinds of Boots Made and Repaired. 805g—417c LET. —A Four-roomed COTTAGE I in Peter street. Apply to John Olsen, on the premises. 716 c WANTED, those in search of employ ment, to call and enter their names at Herald Registry Office, on pay ment of Is. TTT ANTED, a BOARDER, in a VV respectable family. Firstclass ac commodation, with use of Sitting and Bedroom. Apply, office of this paper. 711 ASHBURTON HORTICULTURAL - SOCIETY. -TIHE MONTHLY MEETING ofMem _L hers of the above Society will be leld.at Mr. Jacobsen’s office on TUES DAY, August 3rd, on which occasion Mr. Broomfield will read a paper, vSubject : “ Cucumbers, their Growth and Cultivation.” S. E. POYNTZ, ri2c Hon. Sec.



Miscellaneous. GASH RECEIPTS, in Books of 103 eacli, on SALE at the “Herald and Guardian ” office. 8 npHE PENNY,made the postal system of England a success. So has it made the Herald. Everybody buys the He*,A ld HAVE you Lost Anything ?—Tell the finder through the Herald for a Shilling. If he is honest he will bring it to you without a reward, but you can bait, a finder of shaky morals by a tempting offer of remuneration for his trouble. A 1 or a Shilling cash. MUSIC Folios, with Spring Backs, Concertinas, 20 Keys, from 65., Mouth Organs, &c. H. M. Jones, Stationery and. Fancy Goods Depot, East Street and Baring Square. ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. PAINTING FERRY HOUSE, EALING. TENDERS are invited for PAINTING the above-named FERRY HOUSE. Particulars on view at the Council Cham bers. Tenders, endorsed “ Painting Ferry House, Ealing,” addressed to the Chair man, will be received up to 11 a. m. on WEDNESDAY, the 4tli August next. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. By order, F. MAIN WARING. Clerk. Ashburton, July 31, 1880. 711 c ANTED, A STRONG BOY, about 14 years of age, to deliver papers. Apply at this office. 713 e PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.—The Rev. Mr. Sutherland, of Otago, will preach in the Ashburton Presbyterian Church 10-MORROW, morning and evening. 78u-715c