MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows r The outward mails for the United Kingdom via, San Francisco will close at the Ashburton Post Office on Saturday nest, at 9 a.m. Mails for Australia will be despatched per Express train to-morrow (Wednesday) morning, to connect with the llotorua at Port Chalmers.

For Christchurch and North at 6 a. m. 9. a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.15 a.m. daily. For Temuka, Timaru, and South at 6 a.m. and 10.15 a.m. daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somei’s, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a m. For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at 3.15 p.m. daily. For Wakanui, and Seafield, on Tues days and Fridays, at 6 a, m.

Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office—

From Christchurch at 10.35 a.m., 4.55 p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. From Chertsey, Rakaia, &c. at 10.35 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.25 p.m. daily. From Temuka and Timaru at 9. 25 a.m. and 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 next mail for the United Kingdom via Brindisi (for correspondence specially addressed only), will be closed at Christ church on May 6th, and will be due in London on June 26th.

SYDNEY J. DICK, Chief Postmaster.

MARRIAGE

Ashwood —Vaughan. —On the 20th April, at the Wesleyan Church, Ash burton, by the Rev. W. Keall, James Judd Ashwood, to Grace Elizabeth Vaughan. Nelson papers please copy. 341 c

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 1880.

The Borough Council, to use the trite phrase of one of their number, have made a “ ripping good spec ” in the iron pipes they recently imported. They bought about £4OOO of iron pipes for their in tended water scheme, at a time when the value of iron had reached in the Old Country its very lowest ebb. Since that time iron has risen in value about 50 per cent, and some of the ’cutest and keenest calculators in the Council Chamber reckon that a clear profit of £ISOO would be made were the pipes to be shipped off to and sold in England now. The purchase of the pipes at the time it was made was a grand stroke of luck, and the council lars seem anxious to profit by the trans action. Even if they were to sell the pipes and return to the County Council the £SOOO they received for the construction of waterworks, or such portion of the money as had not been expended on waterworks, and the drainage consequent on the introduction of a scheme, they would still be a thousand or two in pocket. The Council last night sat in committee of the whole to consider the question, but de ferred action, with their usual caution, until after next meeting. Just at this mo ment pipes are wanted in Lyttelton, and the Oamaru Waterworks Loan having been floated, there might be a possible market in both these places. But, at any rate, as there is no immediate likelihood of the elaborate scheme of water supply that was so long under our Borough Council’s discussion being carried out, it is a pity that, as the Yankees would say, a “ heap o’ dollars” should lie idle and unproduc tive by the railway line, when they could very easily be put to a good use in some locality wanting them, and prepared to pay current prices for them. The money they would bring in over their original cost could very well be devoted to the re pair of East street and West Tar.cred street, which have their upper coats just now very threadbare. In fact, a week’s wet would render both impassable, as the wheeled traffic has already reached the mud under the shingle surface. Last winter the Council did a world of good by finding work for many unemployed, and they will have to do the same this winter, for harder times than ever seem to us to be looming up this winter, and it would be well to have money in the purse to meet the call. Besides, the Borough bankers have asked the Council to interview them, and a re quest of that kind is always ominous, and comes upon a hard-up man like the visit of a stormy petrel to the seaman.

Rakaia.—The Carandinis appeared last night at the Town Hall, Rakaia, before a large and appreciative audience, and were ably assisted by several local and talented amateurs.

The San Francisco Mail.—The out ward mails for the United Kingdom &c., via San Francisco will close at the Ash burton post-office on Saturday next, at 9 a.m.

Mount Somers.—We understand it is contemplated by the Presbyterian com munity of Mount Somers to hold a tea meeting and entertainment next month in the Mount Somers school-room.

Entertainment at Cambridge. —Our plains friends are to be regaled with what promises to be a very delightful evening’s entertainment to-morrow night. A party of ladies and gentlemen intend to visit the Cambridge School, and amuse their patrons with music and dissolving views.

A Man-Eater.—The driver of one of Mr. M. Wilson’s threshing machines working at Mr. Field’s farm, Seafield, was severely bitten by a horse on Saturday last. The man being unacquainted with the vicious propensities of the animal, walked within it reach, and was im mediately gripped by the shoulder and held for some time, receiving very painful in juries which will disable him for a con siderable period.

Civil Service Commission. —Yesterday the Civil Service Commission examined Mr. Reston, gaoler at Addington ; Mr. Marshman, Commissioner of Waste Lands; and Mr. A. Smith, locomotive engineer. On Saturday the Commission visited Farnley brickworks, and to-day Addington workshops. Presbyterian Tea Meeting. The annual tea meeting of the Presbyterian Church in the Ashburton District is to be held this evening, in the Town Hall. Ex tensive preparations have been made by the ladies for the entertainment of guests, and several ministers of repute from a dis : tance will be present, while the choir is expected to form no unimportant attrac tion.

St. George’s Day. The Lyttelton Times is somewhat in error over an an nouncement it made this morning that, being St. George’s Day, the banks would be closed. St George’s Day, according to the “ Southern Provinces Almanac,” is on Friday next, and on that day the banks will be closed. The Times paragraph has been written, or at least printed, too soon. Masonic. To-morrow evening the South Rakaia Lodge, S.C., will hold their annual installation of officers in their lodge-room, Rakaia. This Lodge has been established twelve months, and has made, fair progress under the worthy mastership of Bro. Hardy, who is an enthusiastic Mason. The Ashburton Masonic choir are invited to attend the installation. A Dead Horse. —At a recent meeting of the Clutha Borough Council, an ac count for IQs. for the burial of. a dead horse was submitted. A Councillor asked to whom the animal belonged, when the Mayor replied that it was his property, but as it died whilst grazing on the re serve, he considered that the Corporation should pay for its burial. This liberal ,'iew of a Corporation’s duties was, how ever, not shared in by his Worship’s brother councillors, and the account was not passed for payment. New Business. Our enterprising townsman, Mr. Thomas Quill, is about to add a useful branch to his present business in the shape of a wholesale wine and spirit store. The want of such an establish ment has long been felt, where those citizens who do not care to frequent the more public bar, can call as at any other place of business and make their purchases. Mr. Quill, as soon the necessity presented itself, with com mendable promptitude, entered into the necessary arrangements for the completion of the project, and announces the opening of the warehouse for Monday next. New Temperance Hall in Tinwald. — Tinwald is badly off for a public meeting place, and to remedy the evil, a company is in course of formation for the building of a hall somewhat similar to the Ashbur ton Templar Hall. The prospectus calls the proposed hail “The Tinwald Tem perance Hall,” but does not in any way restrict its use to purely temperance meet ings, but rather courts aid in building.it from all classes. The capital is proposed to be L2OO, in 10s. shares, and already half the needful sum is subscribed. A section has been secured for the site near the township, and there is every prospect that the undertaking will take shape at once.

Sack Ripping. During the grain season no small annoyance has been caused now and again by either wantonly mis chievous people, or people who were theft uously inclined, ripping the sides of the sacks of grain stacked in the open air. The loss of the grain carried off from the individual sacks operated upon is not so much the cause of complaint as the fact that a very large quantity of wheat is spilt through the rip, the sack itself (e caves in,” and the stability of the whole pile is threatened, and persons passing a pile of wheat stacks thus, so to speak, undermined, may get an avalanche of “ yield ” upon them that would necessitate the aid of the coroner. We may state that should any delinquent of the kind we refer to be clumsy enough to be found out, he will come to grief that he will have to hide in prison. Toads. —Toads are the friends of gar deners, destroying the injurious insects in large numbers. In the extensive vege table gardens around London and Paris, the toads are looked after with great care, and are even a part of the stock invested in the business. Many of the toads in and around London are brought from France, where they pay as high as six shillings a dozen for them.

Ashburton Borough Council.

The usual fortnightly meeting of this Council was held last evening in the Borough Council Chambers. Present— His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Messrs. St. Hill, Robinson, Friedlander, Orr, and Saunders. The minutes of the previous meeting were read, also the minutes of a special meeting held re build ing bye-laws. chairman’s statement. His | Worship the Mayor summarised the business of the evening, special Refer ence being made to the overdraft at the Bank of New Zealand, which it was neces sary should have immediate attention. Among other matters, a letter had been read from E. G. Wright, Esq., M. H. R., stating that the Railway Commission would arrive at Ashburton about the 24th, and adding that if the Council had any matters to bring before the Commission, the exact time of arrival would be wired. The Mayor said he had replied to the letter, stating that there were which it would be necessary for the Com misssion to consider. With reference to the impounded land fund, the Mayor said he understood there was still a sum to come from that source, in fact a very large 'sum, if their claim could be estab lished. CORRESPONDENCE. From Saunders Bros., intimating that the draft grant of easement drawn by the Council had been forwarded to their solici tor for approval. From E. G. Wright Esq., in reference to the visit to Ashburton of the Railway Commissioners. The Mayor said he had telegraphed to Mr. E. G. Wright con cerning the matter. Mr. Saunders moved that Mr. Wright be thanked for his courtesy, and that a committee, consisting of the Mayor, Messrs. Williamson, St. Hill, and Orr, be appointed to decide what matters to lay before the Commission.

Mr. Orr seconded the motion, and on Mr. Saunders consenting to allow his name to be added to the committee, the motion wa3 carried.

From Messrs. Edmiston Bros, and Gundry, forwarding accounts for adver tising the sale of the Borough Resei’ves, and stating that they had been unable to dispose of the property. Resolved that the amount be paid. From eighteen ratepayers in Cox street, drawing attention to the drainage in that street, and requesting that at least a portion of the rates which they pay might be expended in the immediate vicinity. Ordered to be ackowledged, and would be attended to in due course.

From the Committee of the Fire Brigade, requesting payment of the L 25 subsidy by the Council,,on the strength of which promise the Brigade had ordered uniforms from England and elsewhere, and by so doing their funds had been exhausted. On the motion of Mr. St. Hill, seconded by Mr. Friedlander, it was resolved that the Fire Brigade be informed that L 25 would be paid at. once, and that they.be referred to a resolution-respecting the pro curing of uniforms. hospital and charitable aid. The Mayor stated that nothing had been done in this matter through the diffi culty of getting members of the committee 'together. The Christchurch City Council had passed a very wise resolution recom mending that the maintenance of charit able aid institutions should be paid out of the consolidated reyeime of the colony. Jg| Mr. : Saunders agreed with what had fallen from the Mayor regarding the reso lution of the Christchurch City Council. The maintenance of such institutions should be a first charge on any Govern ment, and it was not fair to saddle the community with their support, seeing that the recipients of such charity came from all parts of the colony. He would move —“ That this Council wishes to endorse the resolution of the Christchurch City Coun cil re charitable aid, and trusts that the Government will adopt the resolution in dealing with the Act.” Mr. Robinson seconded the motion, and it was carried. public works. Mr. St. Hill reported that nothing had been done by the Works Committee. The very existence of the Committee was a farce, and when matters were referred to it from the Council it simply meant that they were going to be shelved, as it was impossible to get a meeting of the Com mittee. He thought that if the work was to be dono at all it would be best for them to do it in that chamber, when the attend ance of members could be relied on. East street was in a deplorable state, and something ought to be done to it at once. Councillor Saunders suggested that all committee meetings should be held at the conclusion of the Council’s meetings, and matters arising out of the Council’s dis cussions, necessary to be dealt with, might thon be brought under their notice. It was resolved that the members of committees meet at the conclusion of the meetings of the Council in future. THE SUBSIDIES. Mr. Saunders stated that with respect to the land fund he and Mr. Friedlander had taken the matter up, and had done all they could to get it, but they found they had to take just what was given. Regarding the sale, of the land, they were doubtless entitled to their share, but it really seemed,' from the 'present financial state of the country, that subsidies were a thing of the past. Of course, if there was any more to come, the Council had a fair claim to a share of of it.

Mr. R. Friedlander said he could per fectly endorse the remarks of Mr. Saun ders, and would move that the Finance Committee interview the Wakanui and Longbeach Road Board re the allocated land fund which has now been paid over to them.

Mr. Orr seconded the motion, and it was carried. Mr. Saunders would ask the Council to resolve itself into a committee of the whole at the conclusion of the meeting for the purpose of considering the ad visableness of disposing of the iron water pipes in the possession of the Council. He thought that every member held strong views on the question, or if they did not they ought to do, and he felt that by dis posing of the water pipes they would be able to enter upon works which demanded their immediate attention.

The motion was seconded by Mr. St. Hill, and carried. It ivas resolved that a time sheet, stating how the men had been em ployed, should be laid on the table of the Council at its usual meeting. it was also decided to hold the special meeting re quired by the Act for the purpose of signing the burgess list and hearing objec tions, on Thursday, the 29th inst., at noon.

Several accounts were passed for pay ment, and the Council went into commit tee of the whole.

Public Meeting at Tinwald.

Proposed Division of the Road Board.

A meeting of the ratepayers in the Winslow-Tinwald portion of the Long beach Road. District was held in the Tin wald Hotel ; yesterday ‘ to r consider the ad visableness of'separating from the Long beach Road District. The meeting was called by advertisement, and Mr. J. R. C. C. Graham occupied the chair. There was a fair attendance, considering the in clement state of the weather, some 22 ratepayers being present. Mr. Graham, in opening the business, said the meeting was called with a view to consider the advisableness of separating from the Lmgbeach Road District. Five years ago he had wished a separation, but others did not see the thing in the same light. There was a large amount of money to be spent then, and he had always feared that the upper districts would not get their fair share. They had not, as they saw, got their fair share. He would point to Graham’s road as an in stance. It was made live years ago, and during its existence not a single penny piece had been spent upon it. It was in exactly the same state that day that it was when it was formed. The district of Tin wald especially was but poorly represented at .the Longbeach Board, seeing that, beyond Mr. Joseph Clark, there was not a* single member of the Board who had any interest in Tinwald. An objection had been raised in the newspapers that expense attended the institution of a new road board in the creation of additional officials. But he did not see that any great expense was necessary. It was not needful that any officers should be ap pointed, and any clerical or engineering service could be procured as it was re quired. Ten years ago he (the Chairman)

had been a member of the Ashburton Board, and then the chairman did all the clerical work. The roads in this district were now all formed, and only the cost of maintenance would require to be incurred. It wa3 quite apparent that a large road district that had the greater proportion of it made up of swamp land would direct the most of its expenditure to the swamp district, and, as a consequence, the lighter lands, through which roads could be easily and inexpensively made, had to contribute in an undue proportion to the aggrandisement of the swamp land. He had prepared a resolution for some gen tleman to move on. the subject, to con sider which the meeting had assembled, and he hoped, if it met the views of those present, it would be carried. He would also read the following reasons he had drawn up why the district should separate from the Longbeach Road District. The Chairman then read the following “We desire separation for the following reasons : —(1.) Although our land is of a poorer and lighter quality than the Long beach swamps, yet, because it is nearer the railway, we are assessed at higher rates than said swamps. This we consider unfair, as we derive no proportionate ad vantage for the higher assessment. (2) The Longbeach Road Board has con stantly refused to form the so-called boundary road, although repeatedly peti tioned to do so. They have also declined to attend to the wants of Tinwald as re gards roads, etc. (3.) We consider an undue amount of money, has been spent in making roads through swamps. As such roads require much drainage, large and expensive bridges and culverts, we are of opinion that at least a portion of their cost should be defrayed by a special rate levied on the landowners, and not that the whole body of ratepayers should bear this exceptional outlay.” Mr. Carter moved the following reso lution—“ That this meeting approves of separation from the Longbeach Road Dis trict, and requests Messrs. Carter, Graham, and E. G. Wright, to present a petition to the County Council, requesting a new road district to be constituted, to be called the Tinwald-Winslow Road District, and to comprise all that block of land lying between the boundary road and the railway line, as per map produced. ”

Mr. Ede seconded. Mr Carter said that in reference to the question, he had had a conversation with Mr Grigg, who did not seem to have any objection to the separation. Mr Grigg was also in favor of allowing the engineer of the Road Board to do the new Board’s work, if they could agree to arrange it. It might be mentioned that the Longbeach Board had entered into a twelve months’ en gagement with their engineer. Mr Carter would be very happy to do all he could for the movement they were initiating. Mr Lewis said that in regard to the new district there might be some difficulty in apportioning the amount of liability that ought to be borne by it, inasmuch as it was contained in the Longbeach Ward. A heavy debt lay on that ward, though the debt on the ward had not been incurred by expenditure on the Tinwald district.

The Chairman said that in reference to the Engineer, it would be a question for the new board to consider whether they should want the services of Mr Cuthbert or not.

The resolution was unanimously carried, and after a vote of thanks to the Chairman the meeting separated.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

WATERTON DOG CASE.

To the Editor. Sir, —Would you allow me space in your journal for a few lines concerning the above case. It is the second and last I shall trouble you with. I see in your correspondence of the Bth inst., a letter signed “ William Fleming,” in Which he attempts to make the statements of my first letter false. He flatly denies my claiming the dog previous to sending him a bill and summons. I would ask Mr. Fleming can he deny my letter (which was produced in Court and published in the Ashburton papers), which I sent to him on the 3rd March last, demanding my dog. That was eight days before he got the summons. I question the sanity of the man who flatly denies a statement that bears such an undeniable proof. As to the statements made in my first letter and contradicted by him, I again main tain every word true, and if called on can prove the same, and I defy him in truth to contradict me. —I am, &c.,

Robert Anderson.

[This correspondence is of no interest to any one but the correspondents them selves, and must now cease.—Ed. A.IT.]

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Tuesday, April 20. . (Before Mr. F. Guinness, 8.M.) DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. ( ' John Connor was charged with being drunk and disorderly, using obscene lan guage, and violently resisting the arresting constable. Constable Beaumont stated he arrested the prisoner on Saturday night near the Post-office, in the vicinity of which he had been creating a disturbance. The pri soner used most offensive language, and his conduct was so violent that assistance had to be procured to handcuff him. Connor said that he considered he was too drunk on the occasion to have caused all the annoyance detailed by the con stable. For being drunk and disorderly a fine of 40s. was inflicted, or 48 hours’ imprisonment ; for using obscene lan guage a like penalty was inflicted ] and for resisting the constable, prisoner was committed for one month with hard labor. John Howard, for being drunk and dis orderly, pleaded guilty, and was fined 10s. or 48 hours imprisonment. John Kirk, “believed he was toight,” and was strengthened in that conviction on having to contribute 10s. to the colonial exchequer, or resign his liberty for the usual 48 hours. BREACH OP THE RAILWAY BY-LAWS. Constable Bouse was charged with an offence against the railway by-laws, inas much as he quitted a railway carriage while the same was in motion. William Bachelor, railway guard, gave evidence to the effect that the constable had jumped off the train near Dunsandel, while the same was going at the rate of

about twelve miles an hour. Another gentleman had jumped off the train at the same time, but the railway authorities had laid no information against the latter party. Constable Rouse, in defence, said he thought the train was nearing Selwyn in stead of Dunsandei, and as he had duties to perform there, and was not certain whether the train would stop there or not, he had jumped off. The party who had got off the train at the same time had complained to Mr. Back that he (the witness) had induced him to do so, but such w T as not the case.

Mr. Ireland, speaking as an amicus curice submitted the constable being an officer of the Government and on public duty, was at perfect liberty to jump off the train at any time when the necessity arose in the same way as a guard or other railway officer did.

His Worship said he could not under stand the action of the railway authorities in not proceeding against the other culprit who had jumped off the train at the same time as the constable, but as the latter admitted the offence, he would merely inflict the nominal fine of Is. ’ CIVIL CASES. Mr. Purnell drew the attention of the Court to the great inconvenience oc casioned to himself and clients by the absence of the officers of the Court. He did not blame the officials themselves, but certainly thought some better arrange-' ments should be made for the proper transaction of the business of the Court. His Worship said the arrangements were made by Government, and no matter how anxious he might be to get through the business, he was unable to do so, in consequence of the clerk and bailiff being absent on other duties. Mr. Purnell drew attention to one case in which both plaintiff and defendant were present, and as the parties had come from a long distance, he requested his Worship to proceed with the case. On his Wor ship observing that there seemed nothing to interfere with the particular case being entered into, it was at once proceeded with.

Jenkins and another v. Cameron.— Claim L4B for wages. Mr. Purnell for plaintiffs ; Mr. O’Reilly for defendant. In this case the plaintiffs sued for work done at 7s. per day, but the defendant ob jected to the amount, arguing that the work had been agreed to be done by con tract. A question of arbitration had been entered upon, but ithadcometo no satisfac tory conclusion, and hence the action. His Worship gave judgment for the amount claimed and costs, amounting in all to L 54 10s.

Assessment Court.

The Longbeach Yaluation Roll was thrown out by the Judge of the Assess ment Court, on the plea that the Valuer had omitted to make the statutory declara tion.

THE NELSON PERJURY CASE.

[BY TELEGRAPH.J

Nelson, April 19,

The charges' against Messrs. Bunny, Teschemaker, Percy Boland Adams, and Langley Adams, for conduct likely to provoke a breach of the peace, which charges arose out of the horse-whipping case that followed the conclusion of the case for perjury against Mr. Acton Adams, M.H.R., were heard this afternoon. Re garding the charges made against Mr. Teschemaker, the Bench said he acted in a manner becoming a gentleman and a magistrate in endeavoring to keep the peace and prevent assault. His case was dismissed. On the charge against Mr. Bunny, the Magistrate said he acted simply in self-defence, and dismissed his case. On the charge against Langley Adams, the defendant stated that, seeing Mr. Teschemaker holding his brother, he remonstrated on the ground of fair play. The Bench failed to understand how. he could have been so greatly mistaken, but believed his statement, and fined him 20s. and costs. Percy Boland Adams was bound over to keep the peace for six months—himself in LSO, and two sureties of L 25 each.

TELEGRAPHIC.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

I N.T ERPROVINCIAL.

Broke Down.

Auckland, April 20.

At the Supreme Court to-day, the charge of embezzlement against J. C. Young of LSO belonging to the Govern ment broke down, owing to two Maori witnesses getting into a fog over some accounts that were placed before them, and each contradictidg the other. The Crowm Prosecutor said that after the evi dence of these witnesses he could not see how the jury could convict. His Honor remarked that the evidence was not such as they could convict a man upon, and directed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty. The prisoner was admitted to bail of LSOO to appear to-morrow to answ'er another indictment. A Would-Be M.H.R. Gone Wrong. Hamer, April 20. Mr. K. D. Maney, who contested the last election for Napier, has filed his schedule, with liabilities amounting to L 22,021, and assets of L 20,420. L 17,400 are secured by mortgage. His creditors at their meeting l’esolved to withdraw' the bankruptcy, and granted Mr. Maney 12 months to collect debts owing to him. Revival Services. Bevival services of a sensational charac ter are being conducted by the Bev. Mr. Pym, but they are not very successful. Earthquake. Wellington, April 20. A sharp shock of earthpuake was felt here at 12.42 this morning. The direction was north to south. The Wellington Tramway in Court. . At the Supreme Court this morning the case of Lockie and others v. McDonald and others, the original directors of the Wel lington Tramway Company was com menced. The action is fo set aside the sale of the undertaking by the Company on the ground tiiat the provisional direc tors of the Company had become person ally interested in the undertaking with the original promoters. The case is most likely to occupy two or three days.

LAST NIGHT’S CABLEGRAMS.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE (Reuter's.) Another Asiatic Trouble; Calcutta, April 19. Trustworthy intelligence has been re ceived that a force of Pathans had mas sacred a party; of British at Quettah, in cluding ope officer, and blocked the road between Quettah and Candahar. A detachment of troops has been ordered from Candahar to Quettah to operate against the Pathans.

Resignation of Disraeli. London, April 19. It is unofficially understood that Earl Beaconsfield has tendered his resignation, which was accepted, on Saturday. The Standard publishes a paragraph in confirm tion of the same. The Times publishes a paragraph discussing the. new Ministry, and states that Mr. John' Bright will in all likelihood accept a portfolio in it. London, April 18. The Queen has returned to Windsor Castle, and it is expected that Earl Beaconsfield will t'o-morrow tender to her Majesty the resignation of himself and his colleagues. - -

Constantinople, April 17. Said Pasha, the Grand Vizier, has advised the Sultan to summon a Turkish Parliament, but it is not- yet - known--«-j whether the advice has been complied with.

LAST NIGHT’S TELEGRAMS.

Thames, April 19. A fire occurred in a cottage in McKay street, Thames, lately occupied by Mrs Brien, formerly of the Bendigo Hotel. It was insured for LSO in the National Office. An enquiry wall be held. New Plymouth, April 19. A volcanic eruption is taking place on the Sugar Loaves, near the harbor works. A strong sulphurous smell prevails for a considerable distance off. Steam is ob served coming from a fissure in the rock. The fissure from which the steam comes is 18 inches long by 12 inches deep. Nelson, April 19. The tender of the owners of the Anchor Line of steamers for the mail service of the West Coast of the Middle Island, which wa3 formerly performed by the Union Co.’s steamer Maori, has been ac cepted. Balclutha. April 19. A fire occurred at Mr Wood’s farm, Waitepeka, on Saturday afternoon, when 1000 bushels of threshed oats, one stack containing 2000 bushels, and a barn, were consumed. There is no insurance, and the origin of the fire is unknown. No suspicion of arson is entertained.

District Valuers.

After the experience of the various Road Boards in the Ashburton County during the recent sittings of the Assessment Courts, at which the valuations of property made by the officer appointed for that purpose gave no satisfaction, it will no doubt be a source of gratification to rate payers to learn that it is probable this unsatisfactory state of things will shortly, be discontinued. The Wellington “Post’* refers to the subject as simply a rumor, but our acquaintance with the above jour nal is such as to lead us to infer that rumors of the kind mentioned are gener ally the outcome of a pretty broad hint from a reliable quarter. The “ Post ” says :—“We hear that the new plan is likely to be for the Government to employ valuers throughout the colony and for the valuers to furnish the various Municipali ties with their valuations for rating pur poses at a small fixed charge. It is cal culated that a material saving in expense would thus be effected, while the valua tions would probably be more satisfactory, especially in respect to uniformity. We give this rumor simply as it has reached us, and without being in possession of any absolute official information on the subject. ” If this plan were adopted, and sufficient care taken to appoint competent valuers, we have no hesitation in saying that it would be a great improvement upon the existing system. Our local bodies have too frequently, with a laudable desire to practice economy, defeated their own ob ject by accepting as valuer the lowest ten derer, almost without making any inquiry as to the competency of the gentleman as piring to this very important office. It is always advisable to view tenders for any work with a discriminating eye, and most particularly those for such work as the compiling of a rate roll, where a dishonest or careless man can by only half perform ing the duties, well afford to take half the payment which would only fairly re munerate a conscientious and able worker. We do not think, if the proposed plan were actually adopted, that the direct saving in expense would be very material, as, to render it thoroughly effective, able men must be induced to accept the offices of valuers, and such men qan always com mand a fair salary ; but. the annoyance and indirect expenditure which arise out of rolls similar to those we have recently had occasion to notice would be avoided.

The character of the present Govern ment assures us that the details of any change will be -well considered, and the practical know'ledge of Ministers will de velope a workable system, but- before dividing the districts for allotment to valuers, care should be taken to ascertain with all possible accuracy ho w much work is to be done in each ; and in our own county, at least, owing to the imperfect records we at present have, this informa tion will not be readily obtained. If the work is to be done in the thorough manner w r e hope it will be, the Ashburton County should receive the undivided at tention of one valuer, and, although Mr. Leach undertook to compile* a roll of this county in a few weeks, we think if the authorities insist upon all they should, a permanent officer will find his duties suffi ciently extensive.

Tuesday, April 20, 1880.]

THE ASHBURTON HERALD.



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



ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST.



s. d. Butter, inferior to : best lb 010 to Eggs, $ dozen - - i 6 to Cheese, prime quality, 1? lb o 7 to Bacon, prime smoked, flb o o to Hams in cloth, slb - o o to Flour in bags, ioolb 14 6 to Oatmeal, 25ft - 5 o to Lard, lb - - - o 9 to . d. 1 o o o o 10 o o o o o o o o o o



New Advertisements. "ITT ANTED, a Btrorig BOY, accustomed VV to horses, and to be generally useful. Apply Herald Office. 666a-253c WANTED— A good general SER C YANT for the country. Apply a once, “ Herald” and “Guardian” Offices* 328 c 'TYTANTED, a GENERAL SERVANT VV for the country. Apply at once, office of this paper. 349 c MONEY TO LEND.—Several sums of money ready for investment at current rates. E. P. O’Reilly, Solicitor, Tancred street, Ashburton. 263c-684g ROHERY MATERIAL.—Bows from ss. each. Arrows from ss. doz. H. M. J ONES, Stationer, Baring Square. T OST—Last week, between Ashburton i J and Rakaia, a Gold LOCKET. Einder will be rewarded on leaving same at this office. 320 c TO LET—A TWO-ROOMED COT TAGE on the East Town Belt. Apply, , . D. M'KENZIE, 323 c Ashburton Hotel. TENDERS. TO BE LET BY TENDER, the FEED ING off 50 ACRES of SPLENDID TURNIPS, situated on Mr. William Liddle’s farm, Hinds, the Turnips to be fed off by the Ist JULY next. H. MOFFAT, Wakanui Mills, 304c-724g Ashburton. JpRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. THE ANNUAL SOIREE In connection with the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Will be held in the * T OWN HALL u THIS EVENING. Tea on the tables at 6 p. m. Several ministers and others are ex pected to address the meeting. Music by the choir will be rendered at intervals during the evening. JL # tC THISTLE MASONIC LODGE, S.C., 627. LODGE OF INSTRUCTION will be xjl - .held TO-MORROW (Wednesday) EVENING, at 7.30 sharp, in the Somer set New Masonic Hall, Tancred street. By order of the R. W. M. 339 c



Y R In the District Court of Christchurch, Holden at Ashrurton. IN THE MATTER OF The Debtors and Creditors Act,. 1876, and the several Acts amending the same, and of the Bankruptcy of PATRICK SULLIVAN, of Winslow, in the County of Ashburton, laborer, a debtor. T HEREBY SUMMON a GENERAL x MEETING of the Creditors of the above named debtor to be held at the office of E. G. Crisp, Solicitor, Montgomery’s Buildings, Ash burton, on Monday, the 26th day of April, instant, at the hour of 11 o’clock in the fore noon, to consider an application by the debtor for his discharge. Dated this 20th day of April, 1880. F. PAVITT, Trustee. E. G. Crisp, Solicitor for said Debtor. 343° V. R. In the District Court of Christ church, Holden at Ashrurton. IN THE MATTER OF The Debtors and Creditors Act, 1876, and the several Acts amending the same, and of the Bankruptcy of WILLIAM FORD, of Westerfield, in the County of Ashburton, Dairyman, a debtor. T HEREBY SUMMON a GENERAL -L MEETING of the Creditors of the above named debtor to be held at the office of E. G. Crisp, Solicitor, Montgomery’s Buildings, Ashburton, on Monday, the 26th day of April, at the hour of 12 o'clock noon, to consider an application by the debtor for his discharge. Dated this 20th day of April, 1880. JOSHUA TUCKER, Trustee. E. G. Crisp, Solicitor for said Debtor. 34 2 c



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