MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : The outward mails for the United Kingdom via San Francisco will close at the Ashburton Post Office on Saturday next, at 9 a.m.

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 Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a m. For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at 3.16 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, &e. 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, Ghief Postmaster.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser With which is incorporated the “ Evening Echo”). WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1880.

When the railway by-laws were framed and became law, we presume that the efficient working of the system and the protection of life and limb of the railway servants and the travelling public were what a paternal Government had in view. There is no doubt that without a certain discipline on the lines of railway in the colony, accidents would be more frequent, and a very disorganised state of railway traffic would ensue. But we do not think when the railway by-laws came into existence that their penalties and punish ments, as well as the privileges associated with them, were intended to include a select few to the exclusion of all others. Anything which savours of impartiality, especially where law and good govern ment are concerned, is reprehensible in the extreme. Nor do we think that in the eyes of the law the life of one man should be more valuable than the life of another. If not a great deal better, at any rate, “one man should be as good as another. ” But a very different construction was put upon the by-laws by one of the legal gentlemen in court on Tuesday morning in volunteering his advice to the Bench. Mr. Ireland argued that a constable, being in the service of Government, and on pub lic duty, was perfectly at liberty to jump off the train while the same was in motion, and be guilty of no breach of the by-laws. Under extraordinary circum stances we can imagine such conduct being warranted, and perhaps the end might justify the means ; as, for instance, where the apprehension of a criminal depended upon such a step being taken ; but in the case in point no particular end seemed to be gained by the act, and from what we can gather, no miscarriage of justice would have eventuated had the constable awaited the arrival of the train at the usual stop ping place. Are we to understand, from the law as laid down on Tuesday, that any officer of the Government, no matter in what capacity he is placed, so long as he could plead that he was in the execution of his duty, is at liberty to set at defiance the laws which everyone else must knuckle down to, or be fined severely. From such a line of argument -we are led to conclude that if, in his zeal or thoughtlessness, a Government officer thinks fit to endanger his life by stepping off a train while in motion, the authorities regard his life of so much less value than that of his fellow creatqres as Jo allow him to go unpunished for hxs foolhardiness.' If such is the law there is‘ every probability of the coroners of the colony having a pretty busy time of it in the future. We hardly think, how ever, that the railway by-laws will bear such an interpretation.

Musical. Possessors of pianos and organs out of tune or that require re pairing in any way, will now have an opportunity of having their instruments attended to. Mr. Symons, a gentleman Well known as an adept in this particular business, is now on a visit to Ashburton, and may be communicated with at the Somerset Hotel. Very Pitiful Indeed. —The last number of the New Zealand Tablet com mences as follows: —“ Amidst the general breaking up of Protestantism as a religion, of which we discern clear signs everywhere, it is somewhat pitiful to find that frantic pretences are still being made of extend ing the system by scattering its ‘ mission aries’ broadcast over the world. W \nganui Lunatics. —There have been so many persons with disordered intellects sent from Wanganui to the Wellington asylum, that the Wellington Post thinks Wanganui", must present a deplorably detached appearance. It' also commends the suggestion to the Colonial Treasurer that a special tax should be levied on the Wanganui district for the conveyance and maintenance of their insane population.

Stamp Collectors’ Magazine. —We are in receipt of the New South Wales Stamp Collectors’ Magazine, an eight page journal of information interesting solely to enthusiasts in philatelic matters. It is five months since the first number of the journal was published, and hence the second issue is the first opportunity that has been afforded for recording the death of Sir Rowland Hill in its columns, an event which transpired last August. Stamp collectors are surely not very eager for the latest news. Officiating Ministers Under the Marriage Act. —The following names of Ministers have been gazetted as such with in the meaning of the Marriage Act : Roman Catholic Church—The Rev. Wil liam Purton. Wesleyan Methodist Society —The Revs. Andrew Caughey, John Dukes, Francis White Martin, Daniel James Murray Murray, Martin Luther Waiti. Church of Christ—The Rev. John Morrison Innes. Can any Good Thing Come out of Nazareth. —Referring to the Ballarat Juvenile Exhibition, the Post says:—A rather unexpected award is made to Miss C. C, Macfarlane, of Jackson’s Bay, in the shape of a first-class certificate for a crochet quilt. The singularity is not that the young lady in question should’ be pre-eminentl in the crochet art, but that she should be a resident in a place that is supposed to be the terra incognita of this colony, where barbarism only is supposed to prevail. Truly, there must be hope for the Jackson’s Bay settlement yet. A Spectre. —lt is said that a Chicago man’s nightmare turned out to be the shadow of his wife’s foot on the bedroom wall, instead of an unearthly monster with five horns. The Ancient Craft. —ln the founda tion of the obelisk now being removed from Egypt to New York Masonic emblems were discovered. It is said that these relics show that Masonry originated with the building of the pyramids, and the discovery may furnish some clue as to the mystery of the structures themselves.

Presbyterian Tea Meeting.

The annual tea meeting of the Presby terian Church, in the Ashburton district,, was held last night and was an unqualified success from beginning to end. “ Tea fights,” to use the language - of the street corner, are to a great many steady going people the very greatest bore on earth. Not that they object to the good things provided by the ladies—a healthy appetite never quarrels with something good to eat —nor to the happy chat that usually goes hopping round the tea table, but the meeting that follows after, when the parsons are let loose upon the crowd, usually acts upon the spirits like a wet blanket, and before one half of the prosers hive finished delivery of their “ sermons out of the pulpit,” and the choir has got through its programme of Root, Bliss, and Sankey, or other very good but scarcely holiday music, the large majority of the crowd are sufferirg a species of martyrdom, and earnestly wishing the whole thing over. The young men, whom, perhaps, the missionary de sires of the church would prefer to remain and to feel interested in church affairs, have of course left long before the meeting has been half got through, and would pro bably be found, if sought for, where more lively scenes are being enacted. Fqr some reason or other the speakers are mostly always clergymen or amateur preachers, and as the cloth does not very readily dissociate itself from its Sunday color, the same color shows sombrely from the soiree after meeting platform. As has been often said there is altogether too much “ preach ” at tea meetings, and in these days it would be well if it were ad ministered, sandwich like, between a fair proportion of monotony - relieving ele ments. The church has in the soiree a most powerful aid, if it would only make it attractive to all and tiresome to none. Presbyterianism has become popular since itslong prosy sermons were shortened, and their tone made more lively ; since the long, drawling notes of the old Scotch minor tunes, led by a cracked-voiced pre centor, gave place to more modern and agreeable melodies, in which the congre gation follow the lead of an instrument aided choir ; and since the metrical atro cities of the old Scotch psalms have been supplemented by a modern hymnal equal, both as to music and matter, to anything known to the English ear or in the English tongue. It is the raciness of the meetings that makes them attractive, so with the Methodists, and hence the crowds they are able to collect; why not, then introduce an element of liveliness into the meetings which are held fer “ congregational festivity.” Last night the Presbyterians followed this plan, and the result as we have said, was that the meeting was an unqualified suc cess. Every speaker, from the chairman along to the last, indulged in genuine bursts of humor or drollery, as a set-off to the more serious portions of his ad dress, and as a consequence the audience were just in the mood to enjoy the gay, while at the same time they .appreciated, and doubtless profited by the grave. The choir, too, were happy in their selections of pieces, and beyond the

“ Grand old puritan Anthem”

as Longfellow styles the 100th Psalm, and the Doxology at parting, all the music was secular, thus making the meeting what it ought to be, more of a holiday outing of the church than a “ service.” The pieces sung by the choir—and sung well, by the way, notwithstanding the difficult charac ter of some of them—were, “March of the men Harlech,” “ Spring’s delights,” “ Hail to the chief,” “ Hark, the lark,” and “ Comrades in arms.”

Rev. Mr. Keall, in addressing the meeting on the vocation of the church, had some difficulty with the crowd of boys in the gallery, and he hoped the reporters would have a good tale to tell of their be haviour. One reporter at least is sorry to have to relate that before the meeting was over the “ future men ” had to be igno miniously bundled out, their noise hav ing become Corporal punish ment may be a very objectionable thing, but we are Conservative enough to believe that a good cowhide strap would be a use ful article of furniture, in some dwellings. The Rev. Mr. Smith, who is always ef fective, was unusually so last night, and told a few good stories remarkably well. The Rev. Mr. Westbrooke, in the course of his remarks, chatted pleasantly about Scotchmen and their kirk, and in reference to the Scotch psalms, said their peculiarity could scarcely wipe out the following anecdote a worthy Christian, who in honor of the visit of the Bishop to his district gave out as follows : Let us z'ng to the prayze an’ glawry 0’ God dree vusses o’ the hunderd an’ vourteenth zaam, a varzion ’spechly ’daptecl to the ’casion by myself. Fust Vuss. “ Why hop ye zo ye little hills, An’ what var do ’e skip ? Is.it a cas yawn proud to zee His Grace the Lard Biship ? Zecund Vuss. -Why skip ye zo ye little, little hills, And what var do ’e hop ? Is it a ’cas to prach to we Is corn’d the Lard Bishop ? Theerd Vuss. Eeze! lie’se corn’d to prach to we, Then let uz aal stick up, An’ zing a glawrious zong ov praze, An’ bless the Lard Bishup. After the Rev. Mr. Barley, of Oamaru, had shortly spoken,. The Rev. Mr. Cairns, an Irish clergy man, and full of the national humor, who has recently been placed over the Syden ham congregation, addressed the meeting. He dealt with “ soirees” as a subject, and his speech sparkled throughout with fun and story. He was especially taken, he said, with the superiority of the choir work that evening, and while speaking of the cultivation of music he fold a little tale of a knot of choristers who set about improving their abilities in a peculiar way. They wrote verses, and adapted them to the tunes they usually practised. One genius, to the tune “ Martyrdom,” clinked together the following : As I cam to the schule to-night, A ghost sight I did see ; A peerywinkle on a stump, And it threw clods at me.

. Another genius made a fellow chorister the theme of his verse, and to the tune “Bedford” elaborated as follows : Satan entered into the swine, The herd for to destroy ; He left a long-nosed one behind, M’Kinlay, you’re the boy. Rather rough on M’Kinlay. Mr. Cairns kept the meeting in roars of laughter all ohrough the evening, and was vocifeiously applauded.

"We have not given above the best speci mens of liumor that enlivened the meeting, but we have chosen the bi’oadest, simply to show how far the speakers at a tea meeting may go with fun, and yet be able to keep the lessons of Christianity before the people, as was assuredly done on thi3 occasion by all the speakers. The tea meeting was attended by over 200 people, and the hall at the after meet ing was crowded. The tables, which were most sumptuously furnished, were supplied with good things, and attended to by —Mrs. Orr, Mrs. Savage and Mrs. Stephenson, Mrs. Dunn and Mrs. Craig head, Mrs. Baxter and Mrs. Rutherford, Misses Gavin and Miss Stewart, Mrs. Kidd, Miss M‘Laren, and Miss Kidd, Mrs. Hepburn and the Misses Hepburn, Mrs. Houston and the Misses Houston, Mrs. Wiliamson and Miss Williamson, the in dispensable bachelors’ table being cared for by Miss Taylor, Miss Campbell, and Miss Ja-meson.

The choir, whose -efforts were heartily applauded, was under the conduclorship of Mr. Savage, Mr. Stott playing the accompaniments. In the course of the chairman’s remarks at the opening, lie stated that during the few months of his pastorate he had visited over 200 families, and travelled over nearly every foot of ground in the wide district from tlto 'hills to,, the sea, and between the Rakaia and-Rangitata, which large area bad for a time composed his district.

The usual votes of thanks concluded the meeting.

Longbeach Assessment Court.

The Assessment Court for this district held its sittings for the second time this year at the Road- Board offices on Satur day the 17th April, Frank Guinness Esq. , R.M., being the Judge. The Valuator Mr. G. F. P. Leach ap peared in support of the valuation list prepared by him. The Board was repre sented by the chairman John Grigg Esq., and the clerk.

About forty ratepayers were present, for the purpose of objecting to the valua tions of their properties. The valuation list as prepared, showed a to f al acreage of 92.097 acres 34 poles and a rateable value of L 40,197.

Cuthbert, instructed by the Board, objected to the list as a whole, on the grounds that it was not prepared as required as by the “Rating Act, 1876,” to prove which it was shown that no entry whatever was made in the column “If let, for what term and in what manner,” and that several of the pages of the list were not signed by the valuator. He stated that it was not because these trivial omissions were made that the Board ob jected to the list, but that the list itself was completely wrong from beginning to end, owing no doubt to the fact that Mr. Leach had not visited any property in the district with the exception of the Lowcliffe estate and perhaps one or two more, con sequently the list was not a true and faithful valuation, and the Board not wish ing to have to pay for such work, which was really useless to them as a valuation roll, took the only legal steps in their power to have it set aside. What the decision of the Court on this point would have been is not known, as Mr. Cuthbert further proceeded in terms of the 25th section of the “ Rating Act,” to ask that the valuator be required to produce his “Declaration as Valuator,” which according to the sth section should be made before entering on his duties, and be delivered up to the local body or their clerk. Upon being asked by the Court for his declaration Mr. Leach astonished everyone in the Court (with the exception perhaps of himself) by stating that he had never taken a declaration. The Court decided that, as the tailing of the declaration was the fundamental part of the whole thing, there was positively no legal valuation made. • -

The Board at this stage, by their clerk, then handed in a list of charges, amount ing to L 9 2s. 3d., which they had had to pay for printing and advertising in con nection with the two attempts Mr. Leach had made at producing a legal valuation list, and asked that as Mr. Leach had already received 50 per cent, of the money agreed on as the price of the list, that he (Mr. Leach) should refund this money to the Board.

The Court granted the application, and ordered, at the nomination of the Chair man of the Board, that Hr. William Cuthbert be valuator ; that the valuation list be prepared, and open for inspection on Tuesday,, the Ist day of June ; that Tuesday, the 15th day of June, be the last day for giving notice of objection ; and that the next sitting of the Court to hear objections be on Monday, the 21st day of June. The Court then adjourned.

TELEGRAPHIC.

TO-DAY’S CABLEGRAMS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE (Reuter's.) The New Ministi/. London, April 20. Nothing definite has yet transpired re garding the personnel of the Cabinet which is believed to be in course of formation. Resignation of Beaconfield’s Ministry unconfirmed. No official statement has yet been made in confirmatian of reports that Earl Beaconsfield and his colleagues had tendered their resignation, and that the same had been accepted by her Majesty.

AUSTRALIAN.

The Speakership. Melbourne, April 21,

At a Cabinet meeting held yesterday, it was resolved to support Sir Charles M'Mahon for the speakership. Mr. Lalor is also a candidate.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

INTERPROVINCIAL. The Hon. Mr. Oliver. Auckland, April 21. The Hon. Mr. Oliver returned here from the Thames early this morning. He proceeds south by the Penguin on Friday. J. 0. Young’s Case. The trial of J. 0. Young on another charge is going on to-day.

Roof Robbing. Stealing lead from the roofs of houses is prevalent. The Mail Difficulty at 'Napier. Napier, April 21. At the Harbor Board meeting yester day, the following resolutions were passed:—“That the arrangements made by the pilot for taking off the San Fran cisco mails to the Rotorua on the 24th ultimo were faulty, and showed want of forethought and energy. In future, the Postmaster, if an emergency arises for using the lifeboats, should communicate with the Chairman or Secretary of the Harbor Board. ” Neglected Children. Three children, of ten, seven, and five years, were brought before the R.M. this morning, charged with being neglected children. The father of the children is an old offender, the mother died while the father was in gaol, and the children have been kept by the nuns ever since. They were ordered to be sent to the Nel son Industrial School. Arson. Wellington, April 21. An information has been laid against a butcher named Deveraux for setting fire to his house on Feb. 4th. The cate will be heard on Friday. The Native Commission: Messrs. Bell and Fox, Native Commis sioners, are here, and will remain for a few days, but it is not known whether it is intended to take any evidence. To the Cape Direct. Timaku, April 21. It is announced by advertisement that, if sufficient inducement offers, a first-class vessel will leave Timaru for Cape Town direct, at the end of the month. Within two days over twenty passages have been applied for, chiefly by well-to -do working men. The Lash. Tate, who was sentenced to. two flog gings for indecent assault, received his first punishment at the gaol. The Stolen Kiss. Yesterday the information brought by a married woman named Graff, against Jonathan All press, for kissing her against her will because she could not pay what she owed, was dismissed, as no corrobora tive evidence was produced. An Imprisoned Bankrupt. Surprise and dissatisfaction is generally expressed at the delay that has taken place in connection with the memorial praying for the release of the bankrupt Sims, on the ground that Judge Ward should have accepted the verdict twice re turned by the jury as a verdict of acquit tal. The memorial, which was numerously and influentially signed, was despatched to His Excellency about six weeks ago, and the feeling is prevalent that Sims, who has now completed half his sentence, has been wrongly imprisoned. A Big Seal. A seal 10ft. long was seen sporting about in the water at the end of the break water this morning. Several boats were manned, and went in pursuit, but the stranger escaped. The Dunedin Murder Case. Dunedin, April 21. The minor charges against Butler are to be taken to-morrow. The Athenseum Case.

With regard to Mitton’s case, after the act of incorporation of the Athenaeum, Judge Johnston said as there was no bene cial interest to any person, he did not know why he was brought down to try the case. Mr. Haggitt replied he had urged that view before, but Judge Williams thought otherwise. Supreme Com i Cases.

In the case of Mackenzie v. Smith, a rule for a new trial was made absolute with costs. Notice of appeal was given. In Larnach and others v. Mackenzie, a rule absolute with costs was granted. An Impudent Bankruptcy Case. Invercargill, April 21. Thomas Flynn, a bootmaker, at Gore, filed for L6O. He was afterwards dis covered to have withdrawn L9O from the bank. On being taxed with this he gave up L 76. ’ The bankrupt was brought up at the District Court, and remanded for eight days. The Judge intimated that the creditors, would receive their amount due in full, and the balance go towards expense of prosecution.

LAST NIGHT’S CABLEGRAMS.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE {Reuter's). The Markets. London, April 19. Consols, 98£. Adelaide wheat, 565.; New Zealand wheat, 465., c.i.f., 525. ex ship. Sydney, copra, LlB. Cross Crossed. April 20. The Right Hon. Richard Cross, late Secretary of State for the Home Depart ment, has been decorated with the Grand Cross of the Rath. The French Ministry. Paris, April 81. M. of the Council of Ministers, has issued a circular indi cating their foreign policy. The Ministry are undesirous of changing their policy, but will hasten the strict execution of the Treaty (of Berlin ?), and the peaceful settlement of all difficulties.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Reuter's.) The Victorian Speakership. Melbourne, April 20. Much speculation continues regarding the appointment to the Speakership of the Legislative Assembly. Nothing certain as yet is known on the subject. Diphtheria. Diphtheria continues in a severe form at Hamilton, and the same disease is spread ing in the township of Avenel. Sugar. Sugars continue strong, and a brisk inquiry is expected. Two thousand pockets which were advertised for sale have been withdrawn. The Stock Tax and the Frozen Meat Question. The Directors of the Frozen Meat Ex portation Company waited upon the Com missioner of Customs, urging upon him the abolition of the Stock Tax, declaring that it would be quite impossible other wise to establish the industry. The Com

missioner said he could not hope at present to act in compliance with their request.

The Arawata. Sydney, April 20. The Union Company’s steamer Ara wata arrived from New Zealand yester day. The Mutual Provident. A delegate holding 1000 Melbourne proxies has arrived here to oppose the abolition of proxy voting, which will be proposed at the Mutual Provident Society’s meeting to-morrow. Newcastle Coal Mines. The Newcastle masters offer 3s 6d for hewing, [and when coal is at 10s a ton, a rise or fall of 2d or 3d, in the shilling, according to the selling price. The miners’ lodges consent to consider the offer, but it, is unlikely will agree to accept it. The Exhibition. The International Exhibition, which has been open for seven months, was formally closed to-day by the Governor, Lord Augustus Loftus, in accordance with the programme which was issued, and in the presence of a large number of people. The Executive Commissioners’ address to his Excellency, which was' read at the closing ceremony, stated that the exhibits had numbered 14,000, to which 7070 awards had been given, including 2753 first , class and 2082 second class. The admissions during the seven months had reached a total of 1,022,000. The re ceipts had been under L 50,000, but it was hoped that the sum would pay working expenses. A New Cable. Brisbane, April 20. It is understood that the Government have received an offer from an English company to lay a cable from Ceylon to Poiut Parker, in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Lost His Mother-in-Law.

The other day, over at Alameda baths, a timid and retiring-looking man waited until the superintendent was disengaged, and then said to him :

‘‘ I do hate to give any one trouble, but have you a long stick or pole of any kind you could lend me 2” “No, sir ; I told you so ten minutes' ago,” snapped the overdrived official. “So you did,” replied the. man ; “but I thought I’d just ask once more. I guess, now, I’ve done my duty in the matter. Don’t you think so 2”

“What matter 2 What on earth are you talking about 2” “ Why you see, my mother-in-law dived off down there at the deep end about half an hour ago, and as she hasn’t come up yet I thought I’d like to tell my wife that I had sorter jabbed round on the bottom for her awhile anyway, but if I can’t, why, I suppose I can’t; that all.”. And pensively writing her address on a tag to be tied to the old lady when she came up, the conscientious man treated the pro prietor to beer, and then walked thought fully away.—American Paper.

Raid of Fifteen Ladies on two Bar keepers.

Everybody knows that the ladies of the United States are full of resource, which fact was, perhaps, never better exempli fied than when some of them shut up the liquor stores in various towns by the in genious process af assembling in the street and praying both the publican and his customers out of all countenance. This, however, seems to have been a very slow and uncertain method, quite unworthy of the ardor of the ladies of Fredericktown, Ohio. Little did the two bar-keepers of Fredericktown imagine what an experi ence was imminent when on a recent evening, the bell of the Baptist Church began to ring at an umyonted hour. But t was a signal, and “fifteen women, iarmed with hatchets, responded quickly. ” Prompt action ensued. Moving in a body to one of the bar-rooms, they found that the prudent proprietor had locked his door and fled. His locks, bolts, and bars also flew, at the instigation of the hatchets, and in a trice every cask was staved, and every bottle broken. The conquering band, then moved upon the other estab lishment, the proprietor of which re mained to treat with the enemy, and managed to save his casks on condition that they were sent off by the next train. His bottles, however, perished, and after seeing their contents drain safely into the gutter, the ladies warned a couple of sus pected druggists to look well to their ways, gave three cheers, for themselves, and went home to put the babies to bed.

FARMING NOTES.

New Zealand Agriculture as Compared with English.

(by a plains farmer.

It is not my intention to give a histori cal account of agriculture, or to trace the stages of progress through which it has passed during many centuries, but to con fine my remarks to a few of its leading features at the present time.

Let us look at some of the advantages in connection with English agriculture. The very superior practical experience which has been handed down from gener ations past, is of very great value in refer ence to the general management of the soil, the breeds of cattle, the utility of im plements, and so on. I think it was Dean Swift who advised every farmer, at least once a year, to take his horse and ride 'over the country, and thoroughly improve and increase his own knowledge and experience from seeing what other people where doing. Then science has offered great help in various ways. Scien tific men, like Professors Way and Leibig, have rendered good service by analyzing and discovering the difference between the component parts of rich and barren soils, and enabling the farmer to supply the latter’s deficiencies by the aid , of chemistry and artificial manures. Literature, too, is not among the least of the advantages, as its contributions of useful books enable us to derive much valuable information when sitting by the fireside. Then come institu tions, such as model farms, farmer’s clubs, and agricultural societies, with their attendant exhibitions. These are calculated to take the prejudice and the conceit out of a man, and put him in possession of practical know ledge. Another advantage is found in the convenience and economy of good farm buildings that enable one man to do as much work as three would in buildings that are scattered and ill-contrived. I know an instance where one man did everything for over 100 head of cattle, all stall fed. The English agriculturist has a further advantage in the abundance and cheapness of implements for every descrip tion of work, and a still further advantage in tlie low price of labor and the suitable ness of the laborers to their work. But, to crown all, he has the best market in the world, for nearly every rural district con sumes its own produce, while the great centres of population are supplied by foreigners. Meat, vegetables, and dairy produce cannot be so easily imported as breadstuff’s, therefore the former are much dearer. What may be developed out of the recent Strathleven experiment, we cannot yet speak of definitely, though the success of the first trial points to one advantage less that the English farmer will sooner or later enjoy. • Let us now look at some of the disad vantages agriculture in England labors under. There has hitherto been a great competition Tor farms, and this demand left little chance for any but those who had large capital, or whose fathers had the farm before them, tlie majority of farms being held on lease. Rents, rates, and taxes are high, and though a great deal of money is made from the produce of an English farm, yet it has all to be paid away again, and last year there were too many instances in which the farmer had to pay more than all.. Disease among cattle, sheep, and horses is very prevalent and fatal. The land, having been generally so long under cultivation, nothing can be got out of it without expensive manure. Many of the farmers calculate their manure bill as being equal to their rent. Then the climate —the long and severe winter requires so much preparation to be made for it, in providing shelter and food for all kinds of live stock ; and the labor and expense in raising green crops are enormous, while a considerable loss of time is suffered in consequence of the severity of the weather. Now, let us look at New Zealand agri culture by way of comparison with that of England. The practical experience of those en gaged in agriculture here will not bear comparison with that possessed by the English farmer. In the ranks of agricul ture here, we find representatives of all the different trades and professions, who have adopted farming as a means of live lihood. This is so in every young coun try, because in every young country the first thing to be attended to is the culti vation of the soil. We cannot, therefore, expect that carpenters, blacksmiths, shoe makers, tailors, or even clergymen should turn out as good fanners as those who have been engaged in farming all their days. Neither has science done much as yet for agriculture in New Zealand : the attention of scientific men has been directed more to mineral and geological discoveries. But a few of our mechanics have done good service in making improvements upon imported implements and machinery by way of adapting them to the require ments of this country. As to literature, nothing has yet been done adapted to the wants of the colony. Of all the books published in England and elsewhere none of them are suitable for this colony. Even those treating of the management, breed, or diseases of animals are very little use here—-the treatment in all three cases hav ing to be very different. Then, as to in* stitutions. Most of those we have are yet elementary, but they are steps in the right direction, seeing that the efficiency in the higher class institutions will very much depend on the nature of the elemen tary. I should very much like to see— and I hope the time will very soon come when I shall see—schools instituted particularly adapted for preparing the youth for that kind of industry for which he is intended: such as model farms for those who are intended to become ' farmers, and the same kind of provision for all kinds of mechanics and merchants. Then, as to farm buildings. Considerable improvements have been made in this respect from the old sod whare in the corner of the paddock, with a stock-yard and shed just in front of it. Now we have respectable and well-built farm bouses, with tlie stock-* yards and stables in the rear— as they should be, for tlie sake of health and con venience, as well as for appearance—and the garden well sheltered with trees, which could be raised with very little

Wednesday, April 21, 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.



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New Advertisements. "fTTANTED, a strong BOY, accustomed W to horses, and to be generally useful. Apply Herald Office. GG6g-253c TTTANTED—A good general SER 1 V VANT for the country. Apply a once, “ Herald” and “Guardian” Offices. 328 c WANTED, a GENERAL SERVANT for the country. Apply at once, office of this paper. 340 c THE “Herald” is published every evening, thus giving every day’s - news. This is better than buying a Six penny -weekly. __i_ MONEY TO LEND.—Several sums of money ready for investment at current rates. F. 3?. O’Reilly, Solicitor, Tancred street, Ashburton. 263e-6840 A RCHERY MATERIAL.—Bows from ss. each. Arrows from ss. doz. H. M. JONES, Stationer, Baring Square. OST—Last week, between Ashburton 1 J and Rakaia, a Gold LOCKET. Finder will be rewarded on leaving same at this office. 320 c TO LET—A TWO-ROOMED COT TAGE on the East Town Belt, r Apply, D. M'KENZIE, 323 c Ashburton Hotel. TENDERS. mO BE LET BY TENDER, the FEED- J- ING off 50 ACRES of SPLENDID TTJRNI PS, situated on Mr. William 5. Liddle’s farm, Hinds, the Turnips to be fed off by the Ist JULY next. V H. MOFFAT, Wakanui Mills, 304c-724a Ashburton. * NOTICE. ACCOUNTS. LL Accounts due to me up to 31st @f December, 1879, if not paid on or before 24th inst., will be SUED FOR without further notice. JOHN FOWLER, 317 c Ashburton. life PIANOFORTE TUNER. "R. SYMONS wishes to inform the < _ it _ inhabitants of Ashburton and sur rounding distrcits that he is prepared to tune and repair Pianos and Organs. Early application necessary, as his stay in Ash . burton is limited. Orders addressed to Mr. Symons, Somerset Hotel, will be ? punctually attended to. 345 c ASHBURTON GAS, COAL, AND COKE COMPANY, LIMITED. TVTOTICE is hereby given that an EX ' TRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING of SHAREHOLDERS in the above Company will be held in the Library Hall, Tancred street, on MONDAY, the 26th day of April, at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. Business : To adopt articles of Asso ciation, and appoint an auditor c~ Kuditors. By order. J. WARD, 344 c Secretary.



THISTLE MASONIC LODGE, S.C., 627. A LODGE OF INSTRUCTION will be held THIS (Wednesday) EVENING, at 7.30 sharp, in the Somerset New Masonic Hall, Tancred street. By order of the R.W.M. 339 c



An Affectionate Wife. —Mrs. W. E. Gladstone never once left the side of her distinguished husband all through the Scotch campaign, and, being near him, she never takes her eyes off him. She wraps him up when he leaves the room, places a chair for him when he enters, and is as careful of him, in short, as if he were her only son still in petticoats. Odd Names. —ln examples of curious Christian names (says a correspondent of Notes and Queries) there is probably no district richer than tlie West Riding of Yorkshire. Every out-of-the-way Scrip ture name is to be found. Levi and Moses are great favourites. Marquis, Duke, Earl, Lord and Squire are common, and children are actually baptized Little Ten der, Little Scribbler, etc., from the branch of the woolen manufacture carried on by their parents. I have met with al boy named Washington christened General George, a girl named Togotubuline, and still more extraordinary a boy called Wonderful Counsellor (Isaiah ix., 6.) Nicknames are quite common, Tom, Ben, Bill, Jerry being conferred at baptism instead of the full name. In some of the rougher villages I should add that sur names are still dispensed with or unknown. Tom’s Bill means Tom’s son Bill. Tom o’Bills is the same, while Tom’s Bill o’ Jack’s means that Bill is the son of Tom, the son of Jack.



Hollow ay’s Pills. —A certain cure for Headaches, Bile, Loss of Appetite, and Low ness of Spirit. —These Pills can be taken withr out danger from wet or cold, and require no interruption from business or pleasure. They act mildly on the bowels, strengthen the stomach, and promote a healthy action of the liver, whereby they purify the blood, cleanse the skin, brace the nerves, and invigorate the whole system. They effect a [truly wonderful change in a debilitated constitution, as they create a healthy appetite, correct indigestion, remove bile, giddiness, headache, and palpita tion ot the heart. Plain directions for the use of this medicine, at once so mild and efficacious, a re affixed to each box.