MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. To-Morrow.

By Messrs. Edmiston Bros, and Gundry, at Mr. George Parkin’s Farm, between Dromore and Ashburton Farming Stock, Implements, Horses, &c. Sale at 1 o’clock.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser With which is incorporated the "Evening Echo”). WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1880.

Boroogii Council. — A special meeting of the Borough Council will be held to night to consider the water supply scheme.

Ashburton Rifles. —The certificate of the officers’ election is in course of signature by the men of the Ashburton Rifles, and already over 40 names attest the choice of the following gentlemen for officers : Captain, Thomas Bullock ; Lieutenant, St. George Douglas; Sub- Lieutenant, C. C. Fooks. Back from the Review. —This morn ing the main body of the Southern Volun teers travelled homewards per special train. Their passage through the town on this occasion was in striking contrast with their journey down. This morning they were remarkably quiet, and very few of them left the station. The Ashburton cavalry arrived by the morning train. The Alleged Criminal Assault. The man Skedgewell, alias Plymouth, who is accused of having attempted to commit a criminal assault on a female in Ashburton some months ago, was re manded to Ashburton on Tuesday by the Christchurch R.M., before whom he was brought up. Ashburton Honors. —It is satisfactory to learn that the Ashburton Contingent of the C.Y.C. have been the most successful of any in gaining prizes at the tourna ment. In the “ neck and post ” competi tion Trooper W. B. Compton gained second prize with nine points, while it is not yet certain that the first position does pot belong to him, seeing that the trooped who claims to have won the first prize entered the competition riding a pony of only 14 hands high instead of a charger. The little horse gave the trooper an advantage over all those who rode big troop horses, and if he is disquali fied, then the first prize comes to Trooper Compton. In swordsmanship nobody could come near Sergeant Scott, barring perhaps Trooper Cookson, and the first prize for this has, therefore, been won by the able drill-in structor of the Ashburton Contingent. Sergt. Scott also stands a good show in the competition for the best “ charger and caparisons.” There _is a dispute still pending as to the legality of entering an entire in this competition, and if such an entry is found to be illegal, then Sergt Scott will be first in this also. The prize for swordsmanship is a handsome sword, one of the best that can be manufactured, and it is now on the way out from the old country. The Ashburton men have reason to be proud of their Sergeant and their little troop, for we are given to - q.yiiL v.U...~ A. r.*j-.j'rTcvxt\xitY ifliu smartness they were not to be wiped out by any body of cavalry on the ground.

Man Missing. —A clerk in Wellington, named Kirk, has been amissing since January 26th, He was supposed to be insane.

Attempted Suicide at Timaru. —A married woman attempted to poison her self with laudanum on Monday night, owing to a quarrel with her husband. Medical aid was at once procured, and the remedies used proved successful, though the woman is still very ill. She will be charged by the police with attempted suicide.

The Dunedin Murder. —The prisoner Butler, charged with the murder of the Dewar family, has been further remanded until Saturday. The medical evidence showed that there were blood stains on the coat and trousers found in the bush, and on the shirt and collar worn by prisoner. Prisonor was committed for trial on charges of burglary, and attempt ing to shoot the arresting constable. A Hushed up Accident. —The Welling ton “ Evening Post ” of Tuesday contains particulars of a railway accident on the Clutlia line, near Waihola, last Wednesday evening, which narrowly escaped being very serious. It says the particulars have been kept remarkably quiet in the South. Splendid Yield. —Mr. Perryman, of Tai Tapu, has finished his harvesting, and reports a yield of close upon 6,400 bushels from 86 acres. One paddock of Tartarian oats yielded an average of 93 bushels to the acre, and a small paddock of barley gave an average of 84 bushels to the acre. Accident to Sinking Fund. —Lovers of horse racing will regret to learn that the well-known horse Sinking Fund, while being led into Wellington from the Hutt on Monday, to ship South, took fright at a passing train, broke away from the boy, and raced the train along the road, injuring himself to such an extent that it is feared his racing days are over.

Escape of a Russian Prisoner. —The St. Petersburg correspondent of the “Parlement” writes: “A piece of news from Siberia furnishes a striking instance of the increasing laxity of the Russian Government. Some eight years since a wealthy merchant named Plotyzine, the leader and chief propagandist of the Skoptsi sect, was arrested by the police. Plotyzine and several of his fellow prisoners were condemned to exile in Siberia. A despatch just published in the “ Nowosti ” now announces that M. Ploytzine had been employing his time while under detention in Siberia in build steamships at a yard which he had brought into being. A few days since the first vessel was ready, and the prisoner went on board in full view of the authorities present, as he said, just ‘to try the engines.’ It is scarcely necessary to remark that, once on the open sea, he made sail direct for San Francisco, instead of returning to his late quarters. ”

Truth Stranger than Fiction. Almost every day (remarks a Victorian paper) some incident occurs proving that fact is as strange as, if not stranger than, fiction. About 20 years ago the bride groom of a few weeks went to the far north of Queensland, there to make a home for his young wife, whom he had married on faith and love. By dint of hard toil and perseverance he succeeded in less than 12

months in realising the object in view, and, full of joyful anticipations, he was about to start to this colony on the happy mission of claiming his beloved from her parents and bringing her back to the home he had provided. He had hardly set out on his journey when he received the mournful tidings that she on whom all his hopes were concentrated was dsad. Almost stunned by the cruel and unex pected blow, the bereaved husband set out for Europe, and continued a cheerless wanderer for many years, when he finally settled down in Victoria, and, by the merest chance, met a young lady at the house of a mutual friend, who, to his sur prise and joy, he discovered was his own daughter. The parents of his wife had never told him of the child s birth, dread ing that she might be taken from them.

Cure for Love of Drink. Dr. Duncam, of Chicago, communicates the following, to the Press:—“A man to whom I gave medicine to help him to break off his tobacco habit came in to-day and said, ‘ What -was that medicine you gave me 1 It has taken all my appetite for beer and whiskey. I have no more hankering after beer than I have for milk, and not so much ; and as for whiskey mid alcohol, it i 3 simply disgusting to me. ’ I have known this man for over twenty-five years and have no reason to doubt his word. The remedy is a homoeopathic preparation from nicis v. saach alb. (globe.) 20 3 deg. zji. I hasten to tell you of this fact, for it is something I have been seeking for years for the benefit of the temperance cause. With it we may control the ante-natal, involuntary hanker ing for liquors, especially beer. Under such circumstances it is a disease, and should be, and is, amenable to treatment.” The San Francisco Mail.—Regard ing the mail from San Francisco, which is ° now due by the ordinary time-table, the following memo, to the press is sup plied by the postal authorities : —The s.s. Australia with the February mails arrived at San Francisco on March 23, two days in advance,of the tiine-table date. The s.s. City of Sydney, with London mails to Feb. 26, left San Francisco on March 20, five days late. The very late depar ture of the City of Sydney from San Francisco is exceptional, but is no doubt due to the fact that the steamer caught fire on March 14, the day before she should have sailed for Auckland. It was stated that the fire was speedily extin guished, and but little damage was done. Judging, however, from the repoited very late sailing of the City of Sydney, the damage must have been much more serious than was at first anticipated. The mail should reach Auckland on April 10. The Mataura Paper Mills.—Con siderable improvements have been effected at the Mataura Paper Mill during the past two months. An additional stuff chest has been erected, powerful appliances for lifting rollers, a revolving washer, callender rollers, and a number of other appliances have been added. A set of four bleaching chests have just been finished, so as to enable the company to turn out white paper, which, however, cannot be done at present in consequence of so many orders for “browns” having been received lately. The water supply has also been increased. New flood-gates have been erected, the masonry to which they are attached being cirarfiß is ‘in course of erection. When finished it will prove a wonderful protection to the mill when the river is in flood. The company has had many difficulties to contend with, but they have been faced in a very determined man ner, and we hope success will ultimately crown the undertaking.—“ Mataura En sign.” The Revised Bible. —Dr. Angus, one of the company engaged in the revision of the New Testament, stated the other day, in the course of a lecture delivered in Lon don, that the revised New Testament will in all probability be published at the end of the present year. The revisers, he said, had sat from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for forty days in each year during the last ten years, and had had received no pecuniary reward for their labors.

TELEGRAPHIC.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Drowned in the Waikato.

Auckland, March 31,

Charles Ducie, a settler drowned in the Waikato river last night, had towed his horse across and was in the act of re mounting when the horse reared and fell over the bank into the river. The deceased leaves a wife and one child, and has friends in a high position at home. The body has not been recovered.

The Walking Madness. Timaru, March 30.

Hegarty, the long distance walker of Southland, completed the task of walking 112 miles in 21 hours last evening, seven minutes within time. He was fearfully exhausted towards the finish. In the last mile he fell down twice, and brandy had to be dashed over him, his hair pulled, and his ribs poked, to revive him and keep him awake, the crowd in the mean time calling out —“ Go it, old man— don’t give in. ” The exhibition was dis graceful and brutal. A protest has been entered that the mile was 26 yards short, but Hegarty declares that if the distance is disputed he is prepared to walk 115 miles in the same time. The Civil Service Commission. Queenstown, March 31. The Civil Service Commission arrived yesterday and immediately commenced work. They received valuable assistance from Mr. Finn, the member for the dis trict. They examined several Govern ment officials. The Commission will now work gradually northwards.

LAST NIGHT’S CABLEGRAMS.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE ( Reuter's .) Mr. Parnell in Difficulties- Dublin, March 30. Since the arrival of Mr. Parnell in Ireland he has delivered several speeches to uproarious meetings. Last night at Wexford he made a speech which had a bad impression. Wlien explaining his conduct on the Relief Fund question the

platform was rushed, Mr. Parnell being severely maltreated in the disturbance which took place. The Jesuits. Paris, March 30. The official decree for suppressing the Society of Jesuits, and expelling foreign members from the country, has been issued. The Afghan War. Calcutta, March 30. According to the latest news from Cabul, a general rising of hostile tribes around the Khyber Pass is imminent. The Passes are being held, and protective measures are be : ng adopted, by the British Government. The Mails. Suez, March 29.

The Orient Steamship Company’s steamer Lusitania arrived here the day before yesterday, homeward bound.

SPORTING.

THE CHRISTCHURCH AUTUMN MEETING. [by telegraph.) Racecourse, March 31. Champagne Stakes of 15 sovs. each, with 250 sovs. added. Six furlongs. Sir Modred ... ... ... 1 Lure ... ... ... ••• 2 Virginia Water ... ... 3 Noumea and The Governor also started. Betting—Even on Sir Modred; 2 to 1 each against the others. Coming into the straight, ‘ Sir Modred, Virginia Water, and Lure turned the corner in a bunch. The three then raced up the straight, Lure passing the filly at the distance post, but could not catch the winner, who landed the stakes by a length. Time—lmin. 19secs. In the totalisator were LBO-—33 invest ors on the winner.

The weather is beautiful, but the at tendance on the conrse is small, the arriv ing trains bringing very few down. Be fore the first race started a notice was posted that Fishhook was scratched, for all his engagements. There is very little betting in the paddock. For the first event, Autumn Nursery Handicap of 5 sovs. each, with 100 added; for 2-year olds. Five furlongs : Lure 1 The Governor 2 Sir Modred ... ... .... 3. Virginia Water also started. Hilarious was scratched.

Betting—2 to lon Sir Madred, 2to 1 agst others. After three breaks away at first,, in which Sir Modred, Governor, and Virginia’s colors were very prominent, a start was effected, Lure and the Governor having the best of it. These two led into the straight with Sir Modred in attendance, the order being maintained to the winning post, though Sir Modred made a strong effort to catch the other horses, >Lure won by half a length, Modred two lengths behind the second horse. Time not taken before telegraphing. LlB2 were on the totalisator, twenty-six investors on winner.

Easter Handicap, with 5 sovs. each, with Uainbalio ... ... ... 1 Betrayer ... ... ... 2 Foul Play ... ... ... 3 Le Loup was scratched. Betting—2 to 1 on the field.

A splendid start, Camballo, if anything, being a little in the, rear. At the first turn Betrayer and Foul Play were running neck and neck. Turning into the straight, Camballo came up with a tremendous rush, Foul Play’s rider sitting down and whipping. At the distance post Betrayer was leading, Canballo coming up hard, and after a splendid race he forged gradually ahead, winning by three-quarters of a length.

Time —Imin. 46secs. There were Lll3 on the totalisator—23 investors on the winner.

Selling Race, 5 sovs each, with 50 sovs added. Mile and a quarter. York 1 Mirielle 2 Middleton ... 3

Blue Ribbon, Albany, and Sludge filly also started. Camballo and Titania were scratched. Frightful bad start, York, Sludge filly, and Mereille had a long way the best of it. Opposite the stand Blue Ribbon came up to the leaders, but soon fell back again. Turn ing into the straight, York was leading by four lengths, with Mireille and Middleton in attendance. York ran in an easy winner by nine lengths, with a good race for second place. Time—2mins. 17 3|secs. Ll7B in ihe totalisator, fifty-two inves tors on the winner.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

THE WATERTON DOG CASE.

To the Editor. Sir, —Will you allow me space through your valuable journal to correct some errors in the report of the “ Ashburton Mail,” on the case of Anderson v. Fleming at the R.M. Court, Ashburton, on the 23rd inst. and also to make clear to the public the justice of my claim. First, my claim was not for harboring my dog, as stated by the “ Mail,” tlie words harboring and impounding are very different. My claim was to recover my dog, which was taken up by defendant, chained at or in his house, and kept under close confine ment for three weeks, lest he might come home ; and when asked for him defendant, with great insult, said he had me now, and refused to give him to me unless I paid him the enormous sum of L2O for imaginary damage, represented to be done by the dog in question. Secondly, I am represented as a wrong-doer in the same report. Now, Sir, was I wrong in applying to a Court of Justice (when all other means failed) to recover my own ? As to the defence raised in the shape of damages, it is very strange the accident should happen to that particular hen and her large family, which was sworn to be worth L 3 10s. My dog has his character, no doubt. He is said to be a wanderer and a sheep worrier ; for in answer to a question, while on oath, the defendant stated that the distance between his and my place was li miles, whereas it is only two chains from his land to mine, and 55 chains from house to house. As for worrying sheep, defendant has only one

pet lamb, and it is alire and well. Flem ing’s witness also stated, while on oath, in answer to a question, that the night of the 3rd March last was moonlight, almost as light as day at nine o’clock. See your almanac, and apply your chain, and test the truth of these statements. I love the truth, and shall stand or fall by it.—l am, &c., Robert Anderson.

“FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE PUBLIC.”

To the Editor. Sir, —The above heading refers to that great boon conferred on the Ashburton people by the railway department, the carriage attached to the 11 a.m. luggage train. This concession was obtained through Mr. Friedlander, who represented that this cereal city of the plains would practically be without communication with Christchurch from 6.10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Of course every one thought what a concession this was, and Ashburton in consequence was inflated with the idea that it possessed influence with the figure heads of the railway department. Now, being part and parcel of Ashburton, I

was jubilant about this, and last Thurs day determined to avail myself of the “ convenience,” feeling it incumbent on me to honor it with my presence. I ob tained a first-class ticket for Christchurch after the express had left, I stood on the platform like Patience on a monument smiling at Grief, waiting for this aforesaid “convenience” to show up, until one of my acquaintances hailed me thusly—“ I say old man, if you are going to Christ church by thi3 train, you'd best look spry. ” Then I heard the station-officials calling Oil the passengers to take their seats lor the north, but I wanted to know where those seats we were to take were located. My friend pointed out to me that they lay over against the goods-shed. I steered carefully across the line, tried to go on the port tack, once or twice missed stays, and finally collided with the “convenience.” I scrambled aboard without loss of life; the bosen’s whistle piped stand by ; and we got fainly under weigh. We reached Dromore in due course, and stayed there 10 minutes. Chertsey was our next port, which we reached at 12.25, and left at 1 p.m. for Rakaia; and so on to Christchurch, which we reached at 4.45. Sharp work this. Put me in mind of the old lady who was walking to Inver cargill, some years ago, from one of the villages on the line of rail from Win ton. The guard of one of the trains asked her if she would not ride to town.. “ No, thank you,” she replied, “ I am in a great hurry to reach Invercargill.” Rather severe this on the trains ; and on Thurs day, if I had been in a hurry, I certainly should have got out and done the re mainder of the journey on “ Shanks, his pony.” But, being a Briton out for a holiday, and time and a pound or two of no consequence, I stayed in the luxurious first-class carriage. Did I say first-class ? I humbly beg its pardon ; I mean a dirty double second-class one, half of it being a cross between a good third and a bad second-class Home carriage ; the cushions abstracted from a superanuated first, and made to do duty in this second, to transmogrify it into a fir sc,, the word “ second” being scrubbed off to make this “first” compartment was in a dis graceful condition, there being a good deal of what Mr. John Stuart Mill said was matter in the wrong place—viz., dirt, —about it, well-seasoned apple cores, dried plum stones, and a few cobwebs thrown in as an inducement for people to travel by this carriage. It was plainly evident to me that the floor had not rubbed noses with a good broom for some time, for it “ 'pears to me,” asTopsy said, that these brown apple cores and dried plum stones hadn’t “ grow’d” 'there, t nor were they seasoned *in an hour.

From the official announcement re specting this “ convenience,” I was under the impression that a first class carriage was to be attached to the luggage train, and only first class tickets issued ; yet on Thursday I saw second class tickets issued, and for more passengers than the second class compartment could hold, and in conse quence some of these to be put in the first class (save the mark) compartment. This is scarcely right, not that I object to rub shoulders with people who travel second class, but I object to pay for fm.t class accommodation when second class fare would apparently have done. It seems disgraceful that people who pay for the luxury, if such it can ba called, of first class, should be stuck in a dirty bastard first class carriage, and be kept on the road for nearly five hours, and then landed just anywhere in the Christchurch station, in a perfect sea of wagons, to the imminent danger of one’s life ; and it Beems preposterous that this train should travel so slowly that a pas senger should be able to jump off safely at one of the crossings near Addington. I am, &c., Dot.

The Mound Builders.

Important archaeological discoveries, (says the London “Times,”) have been made within the last few weeks in the United States among the mounds of the Little Miami Yalley, in the State of Ohio. Near the Town of Madisonville an extensive aboriginal cemetery has been explored, which has disclosed many in teresting facts in relation to the pre-liis toric mound-building race of that section. Thus far the excavations have extended only over a limited portion of the burial ground. Two hundred skeletons have been taken from the graves already opened, of which number, however, not more than forty or fifty crania could be preserved sufficiently well for measure* rnent. There appeared to be no constant orientation of the bodies, though many of them were laid in a horizontal position, with the heads directed toward the eats or south-east. Some of the skeletons were found lying at right angles to these, but it is worthy of note that all the remains which were associated with the finer vases, pipes, and other choice objects had their heads placed toward the east with slight variations. An examination of the human bones revealed traces of rachitis and syphilis. One bone had imbedded in it a small triangular stone arrow-head, which had evidently occasioned death. Accompanying many of the remains of children, various toys or ornaments of perforated bone and shell and diminutive earthen vessels were found. A large number of the latter were exhumed, vary ing in capacity from a gill to over a gallon.

This ware is, in some instances, elaborately ■ ; ornamented with scroll-work, handles in ] the form of lizards, human heads, etc., < and is almost invariably provided with : four handles, placed at equal distances : around the circumference. One interest- : ing specimen is furnished _ with eight hail dies arrayed in two horizontal rows, the vessel being two storied, or formed of two separate pots placed one above the other with the bottom of the upper one re moved. The number of these vessels thus far discovered is upwards of 90, the majority of them being found with valves of unio or fresh water mussel, in them, which had evidenty served as spoons. The vases were usually placed around or near the heads of the bodies. Over the surface of the ground vast quantities of broken pottery occurred, indicating the immense amount of earthenware which had been originally buried with the occupants of the graves. In addition to these objects large numbers of stone discs, axes, chisels, flint knives, arrow-heads, ornaments and implements of bone, 12 stone tobacco pipes and two tubes of rolled copper were exhumed. One of the most interesting and unique features brought to light by these excavations is the existence of large numbers of deposits which may be desig nated ashpits. Of these more than 50 have been opened, averaging 3ft. to 4ft. in diameter and 4ft to 6ft, in depth. They are composed of layers of leaf mould and sandy clay, burnt earth and charcoal, white ashes, sand and unio shells. Throughout the deposits were scattered fragments of pottery, stone implements, ornaments of shell and stone, and bones of wild animals. That these graves date

back to a remote antiquity may be proved by the fact that no objects of European introduction have been found in them. In some instances the skeletons were

found directly beneath large trees and occasionally imbedded in a network of roots. One oak tree, whose roots had penetrated the skull of one of the skele tons, measured 6ft. 2in. in diameter, and other giants which belong to the original forest that still covers the site of the cemetery measure 151>ft, and 12ft. in circumference. It will be difficult to determine to what particular race or time the people of these graves belonged until further investigations shall have been prosecuted. Excavations are still being made, and not more than a quarter of the cemetery has as yet been examined.

The Colony’s Credit.

Recent advices from England t ell us that it was a fortunate thing for New Zea land that the five million loan was floated before Major Atkinson’s budget was laid before the House of Representatives. He announced an alarming deficit, and had British capitalists been in possession of the figures he supplied before they con tributed the £5.000,000 loan to the colony, it is very questionable if, at this date, we would have been able to rejoice over the continuance of our ability to get into debt. The capitalists were taken by surprise by the Major’s statement of the colony’s finance, and very naturally they were curious to know how it came that a Premier before his Parliament, and pos sessing, as at least he ought to have pos sessed, a full knowledge of the state of the colony’s money chest, could rush into me money mamet, witii glowing accounts of New Zealand’s financial position, while at the same time he knew that his Esti mates of the previous year had not been realised by nearly £400,000. The capital ists, trusting to the colony’s previous good name, put their names to its paper in ignorance of the fact that the then Premier had already disposed of a lai-ge share of the loan in anticipation. Having lent their money, so to speak, under false pretences, there was a considerable amount of growling done by those who for a time felt themselves taken in ; but the same statement which had caused them so much anxiety contained also what was needful to allay their fears. The Major came forward before the colony with a courageous statement of the facts that his predecessors had concealed—viz., that a deficit existed, and was likely to increase. He pointed out that there had been extravagance in the administration of his predecessors, and for the colony to redeem itself there was only the one course open, that of increasing the revenue by the unwelcome means of taxation. An announcement of this kind is scarcely what would be expected from a new Go vernment, and one with only a small majority—a government who, to live, might be expected to court popularity in every way. But duplicity was not one of the cards the Hall Government relied on. They chose the honest and straightfor ward course of letting the country know the exact position of affairs, and though the knowledge was not of a palatable kind, and was howled at by the Opposi tion as calculated to ruin the colony’s credit in the Home money market, yet the course followed by Major Atkinson has had the effect, not of ruining, but of establishing the credit of New Zealand at Home. The capitalists there, after calmly looking at the state of affairs and consi dering Major Atkinson’s proposals for meeting the deficiencyfhe had announced, had their confidence restored, and there can be no doubt that, learning the fate of the Grey Government had much to do with the restitution of the colony’s credit, the removal from office of the team who had pulled g 0 unevenly, so blunderingly, and with such costliness to the waggon of state, was a source of satisfaction and com fort, and we may safely say that the know ledge of the true financial situation, and who are now the masters of it, has done more to strengthen confidence in the colony than can be well calculated. The opinion held of our resources, of the fertility of our soil, of our genial cli mate, and the untapped riches that yet lie in the bosom of our mines, is still as high, and with the strengthening belief that the colonies are the only safe and sure investment ground for the surplus wealth of England, we need not fear for the future so far as tho popularity of the colony at Home is concerned, either with the laborer, the capitalist settler, or the money-lender.

Licensed Plays.

The amateur players who are to favor us on Friday and Saturday evening with a representation, with georgeous scenic effects, of Hazlewood’spiece “Ashore and Afloat ” have scared up an agent of the Dramatic Authors’ Society, who makes a demand upon the local company of 15s. as a fee for liberty to play the piece, and that sum must be paid before “ Ashore

and Afloat ” can be enacted, under a penalty of 40s. to the agent, or at his option the entire proceeds of the perfor mance, together with double costs of the suit in a court of law. Up to the pas sing of the Fine Arts Copyright Act Amendment Act last year, local and even professional players could reproduce the dramatic works in the catalogue of the Dramatic Authors’ Society almost without question, and certainly with impunity so far as the law was concerned ; but the passing of this Act has changed all this, and now it is exceedingly dangerous to attempt amateur dramatic performances without first ascertaining whether the pieces to be represented are or are not in the catalogue of works for the per formance of which a fee -is charge able. It was only a fortnight ago that Mr. E. T. Gillon, of Wellington, the accredited agent of the English Dra matic -Authors’ Society, recovered the minimum penalty of 40s. from the Inver cargill Garrick Club for the production by that Club without leave of the farce, “ Hunting a Turtle,” and the costs in the case were something solid. It will hence forth be wise on the part of amateur players, before they advertise a copyright piece to pay the toll that is now de manded by the agent, otherwise conse quences may ensue far more disastrous than being hissed from the platform by an audience of a dozen. We are glad to notice that “Ashore and Afloat” has been licensed, and that there is ‘every prospect of the two representations of it being suc cessful in the highest degree.

Sheep Breeding.

In dealing with the above subject, I am quite aware that I shall be going over controverted ground, and shall have to contend with a large amount of prejudice. It is not my intention, however, to show any favor to one particular breed more than to another ; but to point out their peculiarities, and where best adopted. There are six different breeds propagated in this colony, and each one of these branches off into different shades of type. I will commence with the merino, as these are by far the largest in number, and, taking into consideration the land they occupy, they are no doubt the most valu able. After seeing those exhibited at Christchurch last November, I confess a great deal of my prejudice as to their quality and value was taken away ; for if, by careful breeding and good management, that kind of breed can be got to such per fection as what we saw exhibited, then it is a question whether or not they would not compete favorably with any of the long wools, on good paddock land, especi ally after such fearful mistakes as are made in crossing. The next I would mention is the Lincoln. There has been a great rage for this kind, arising no doubt from their great size and heavy fleece ; but unless this kind of breed is kept on good heavy land, neither the mutton nor the v 00l will beheavierper acre than what might be produced by some other breeds, if so great. Early maturity is not one of their characteristics, but if they are kept on rich heavy land they will make heavy returns. The next is the Leicester, and for general stock purposes on dry land paddocks, I have no doubt the English Leicester, with a good fleece, will give as good returns as any. Their peculiarities are aptitude to fatten and early maturity. I remember hearing a noted breeder of Leicesters say that he liked the sheep that would stock so thick that one would have to hold up its foot for another to get a bite. This would meet the objection that Leicesters get too fat. Then there is the Romney Marsh. The two leading features in this breed are that it is not so apt to get foot rot as any other, and will carry more flesh in propor tion to the fat than any other breed. But so far as my observation has gone, it is more apt to degenerate, both in size and symmetry, than any other breed. There is also the Cotswolcl breed. Although not so numerous as any others in this colony, yet in England they are very much in favor, and I have known them carry off the prize for the lest sheep at the Bath and West of England Show. Their leading features are great size and strong constitution, but they are very apt to get close on their wool. Then there is the Downs breed, with many varieties. The South and Shropshire are the two leading ones. The former variety is celebrated for quality of mutton and early lambs, but very deficient in wool. The latter variety seems to be getting into favor with some of our leading sheep breeders, and from what I see in the English papers, they are growing in faver there also. They are larger, and grow much more and better wool than the Southdown, and the mutton is very suit able for this climate. Now I come to what is the most numerous of all —the cross-breed ; and I might say, respecting cross-breeding, that it has been carried on to such an extent, and in such a careless manner, that the majority of sheep brought to market cannot be placed in any other class than nondescripts. Cross ing different breeds of sheep will require a good deal of careful judgment and ex perience to be successful. It is laid down as a rule by most authors on the subject, that in all cases crossing different breeds — should be done gradually, and not go to the opposite extreme, which is too fre quently done. I will give an instance from my own experience : In England I kept a- flock of Leicesters, and being care ful to select the best rams from the best breeders, I drifted too far into what may be called * ‘high breeding. ” The result was that, although I got high quality, yet the ewes were diffident in wool and con stitution, and attending the Bath and West of England Exhibition at Exeter, I was so taken up with the splendid Cots wolds that I bought a Cotswold ram to go with my high-bred Leicester ewes. The result was that the first cross was every thing I could wish for profit, great size, and heavy wool. After that I bought the highest bred Leicester ram 1 could get, to go with the young cross-bred ewes ; but, alas, the result was ruinous. It com pletely destroyed uniformity of character, which is of the greatest importance in keeping a good flock of sheep. Now, I will give another result of my experience in this colony. Like most other farmers I began sheep-breeding with Merino ewes, and was fortunate in getting one of the best English Leicester rams that has been in Canterbury, which I procured from M'Lean’s flock, which was then the truest to character of any I met with, carrying a heavy fleece, with a strong con stitution and high proof. The first cross was very good (as might be expected

Wednesday, March 31, iSBo.I

THE ASHBURTON HERALD



pw Advertisements. ~\TT ANTED A BOY accustomed to VV Farm work. Apply to T. Bullock. ;\ r 4 231 c VYT ANTED, a strong BOY, accustomed W to horses, and to he generally useful. Apply Herald Office. 666g-253c WANTED, a good COOK ; one who can bake bread preferred. Apply Mrs E. G. Wbight, Windermere, Wins low. 2GOc LOST, between Mount Somers and Yaletta Station, on Saturday last, a PURSE containing two one pound notes, 15s. in silver, and a cheque, No. D 7061, on the Union Bank of Australia for £9 2s. 6d., drawn by J. Hood in favor of Mrs. Cox, dated 27th March, payment of which has been stopped. Anyone bring ing the same to Mr. Hood, Mount Somers, or° Mr. Gavin, Ashburton, will be re warded. 667g-254c 7T\O LET—A TWO-ROOMED COT- I TAGE on the East Town Belt. If Apply, D. M‘KENZIE, 658g-246c Ashburton Hotel. A SHOP TO LET. Good Stand. Apply to Everett Bros. & Co., Havelock stroet. JZ57c SALE, Cheap, Dwelling-house of Jj 7 rooms, situated on the East Belt, near the Parsonage—For particulars apply to T. Bullock. 206 c TR. HODDER AND COMPANY’S # GREA.T CLEARING SALE of Drapery, Clothing, Millinery, Boots, &c., at the LIBERAL DISCOUNT of TWO SHILLINGS and SIXPENCE in the POUND, continues until SATURDAY, March 27th. 198 c MR. D. DAVIDSON’S Private School for Boys. The next quarter will commence on THURSDAY, the Ist of April. 2 55 c ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. ■'VJ'OTICE is hereby given, that, in ac | \ cordance with clause 42 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1876, the Burgess List for 1880-81, and Defaulters List, are now open for inspection at the Town Clerk’s Office, during office hours, till the 15th day of April, 1880. All objections thereto must be in writing, in the form of the 6th schedule of the Act, addressed to me, and delivered to me at my office, on or before the 15th day of April, 1880. CHARLES BRADDELL, Town Clerk. Borough Council Office, Ashburton, 31st March, 1880. 259c-32 DISSOLUTION OF PARTNERSHIP. "VTOTICE is hereby given that the Partnership hitherto carried on by the undersigned, as contractors and far mers, Geraldine and Ashburton, has this way been dissolved by mutual consent, and all moneys owing by the Firm will be (Signed) j JOHN pye. Witness to the signatures of Charles and John Pye, H. J. WEEKS, Ashburton. Ashburton, March 29th, 1880. 256 c TO BUILDERS. TENDERS are invited for the erection of Two SCHOOL-HOUSES. Plans and specifications can be seen at Messrs. Fooks and Sons’ office up till SATURDAY, April 3rd, on which date tenders must be sent in to my office, before noon. The lowest or any tender not necessarily ac cepted. B. W. MOUNTFORT, Architect. Cathedral Square, Christchurch, March 22, 1880. 223 c TOWN HALL. OUT ! LOOK OUT! 1 FOR ASHORE AND AFLOAT. MAGNIFICENT SCENERY, Covering 500 Yards of Canvass. 203 c



NEW TAILORING ESTABLISH MENT. CRAIGHEAD & Co., MERCHANT TAILORS, HAVE opened those premises situated in Tancred street adjoining Messrs. Orr and Co’s General Store. A SPLENDID ASSORTMENT OP TWEEDS, FANCY GOODS, &c., &c., JUST ARRIVED. Mr. Craighead’s experience as Head Cotter in connection *Vrith First Class Tailoring Establishments in Edinburgh and San Francisco has extended over a period of ten years, and from the immense success which has always attended his efforts to please, he is prepared to guarantee perfect fit in every case. TANCRED STREET, (Next Orr and Cl ’s. CRAIGHEAD & CO. 982 a