SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE

Lyttelton, April 22.—Arrived—Taia roa, s.s., from Wellington ; Te Auau, s.s., from Melbourne, via south.

COMMERCIAL.

' Mr. Alfred Harrison reports holding an extensive sale of horses and farm imple ments at his rooms, Havelock street, yes terday. There was a large attendance of buyers, and the bidding was spirited. The following prices were realised :—Horses, from LlO to L 27 ; cows, from L 5 to L 8 ; foals, LI 10s. to L 1 0; McCormick’s reaper and binder, L 33 ; chaffcutter and intermediate, L2l; drays, LlO and Ll 4 ; double-furrow plough, Ll2 ; single-furrow ploughs,: ,L2 and L 4 ; Samuelson’s reaper, L 6 10s.; harrows, L2 10s. A quantity of wire, posts and rails, harness, grindstone, . swingletrees, saddle, plough chains, and various lots of sundries, all brought good prices.

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. mi and 10.15 a.m. daily. ■ For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount . Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 am. 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 Asliton.. 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.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the "Evening Echo”). THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1880.

The real wealth of New Zealand lies in what she is able to produce, and as every one knows, her staple_productions are wool and grain. A rise in the price of either at once sends a thrill of satisfaction over the colony, and a fall acts in an exactly opposite way, but with the same readiness of response. It is, therefore, with great pleasure that we read in the cable news to day, an. announcement that a material in crease has taken place upon wool prices in the .London market.. ..The clip ..this- year has been fairly goec\, and tlie rise in'price will thus be a material increase of income. If we may judge from the telegram, the market looks very well indeed, the de mand being brisk, and the tone of the market firm,-while- the buyers' at the sales were numerous both on home and foreign account.

Telegraphic. —A telegraph station is now open at Sefton, in the county, of Ashley. " : < v-

Cricket.— The return match with the Mount Somers cricketers 4s to be-.played on the Ashburton ground at an early date. A Bad. Sign. —Owing to the increase of destitution in Christchurch, an additional Inspector has boen put on by the Charit able Aid Board. ..

Meeting at Tinwald. —Our Presby terian friends at Tinwald are _ reminded that a.public-meeting is to be held this evening on the subject of a place of wor ship in that district.

Furniture eor the Hospital. —The tender of Mr. Fuhrman, a Christchurch tradesman, lias been accepted for supply ing the furniture for the County Hospital. Trespass. —Some persons have been in the habit of shooting tame pigeons and ducks upon Mr. Hay T. Smith’s land, and as the thing has become a nuisance to him he announces that persons trespassing on his land with dog and gun will be prose cuted.

Correction. damage occasioned by the storm last •week, we referred to a Corcoran windmill, belonging to Messrs. Jameson and Roberts, as having come to grief through the gale. We have been informed, how ever, that the temporary damage Was sus tained by the .oversight of a workman who had been engaged in its construction. Library at Chertsey. —A public meeting was held at Chertsey on Tuesday evening, Mr. W. A. Brown in the chair, to endeavor to procure a public library for the district. There was a good atten dance and great interest was evinced for its success, over £25 being collected for the purpose in the room. The chairman was requested to make application for a subsidy from the Board of Education from the general grant.

Entertainment at Cambridge. —A fine, moonlight night conduced no doubt to the large attendance at the Cambridge school, where an entertainment of a varied character was given last night by a party of ladies and gentleman connected with the Ashburton Primitive Methodist Church. The programme consisted of a display of dissolving views—historical, foreign, and local—interspersed with music and song, specially suited to the subjects exhibited. Miss Jowsey pre sided at the harmonium in a very effici cient manner. The visitors from Ashbur ton speak in high terms of the courtesy and kindness of Mr. Oape-Williamson, the schoolmaster at Cambridge, who ren dered every assistance possible in the effective carrying out of the arrangements. It is the the intention of the company to give a similar entertainment in Ashbur ton, when we doubt not that a like suc cess will reward their efforts. We may add that all proceeds, after paying a few trifling expenses, are devoted to the funds of the Primitive Methodist Church.

Elgin School. —lt is believed that this School Committee will open the school on Monday next, 26th instant. Mr. Geo. F. South, of Opoho, Dunedin, has been ap pointed master, and is expected to take charge on Thursday, April 22nd. The householders talk rf having a tea meeting and entertainment about 10th May to celebrate the opening. The Fairfield Estate. —To-day Mr. Matson officiated as auctioneer at oiie of the most extensive land sales witnessed in Ashburton since the land craze of 1878. There were between 200 and 300 persons present in the Town Hall during the sale, amongst whom were visitors from all parts of the province. The sale began at 2 o’clock, and at three 54 sections had been ■ disposed of at prices rang ing from LlO per acre to Ll 6. There were 117 sections altogether for sale repre senting an acreage of 2000, and, as con sidering the times, the bidding was astonishingly brisk, there is every pros pect that the close of the afternoon will see the whole change hands.

A Disputed Lien.

Before his Honor Judge. Ward on Tuesday, in the Christchurch District Court, the case of Friedlander Bros. v. Roberts was heard: - The plaintiffs, for whom Mr. Joynt appeared, sought to recover the sum of L 73 4s Id from George Roberts of Christ church, as being due on an agricultural lien. Mr. Loughrey was for the defendant. Mr. Joynt having stated the case, show ing that the lien had been given by one Quigley, on June 13, 1879, specified also ths grounds of defence, which were that the plaintiffs did not bond fide make an advance to Quigley, that the defendants entered into an agreement with Cooper Brothers to lease the land to them under a purchasing clause, their interest being taken up by Quigley ; that defendants had expended in harvesting the crop, and had due to them as rent from Quigley a sum exceeding amount realised by sale of crop, L3l Is Gd ; that Quigley became bank rupt, and that the Trustee did not take over the agreement within the time speci fied by the Act. Hugo Friedlander, identified the docu ment produced as a lien given for goods supplied previously. A bailiff took posses sion of the crop, and Mr. Roberts said to witness he had sold the grain to Mr Turner, but had not been paid. The grain was carted away under protest, Quigley con tinuing after his bankruptcy to occupy the land. Could not say if some of the goods were supplied before Quigley entered on possession of the land. The account com menced on June 4, 1879. Quigley gave a promissory note on demand on June 5, to pay off the old account of L9O. On a question as to the lien, His Honor said that, while the lien might be void so far as other creditors were concerned, it might be right enough between the parties, and the man, in assigning his crop, assigned the right of entry to secure it.

Witness resumed—That when he went to seize the crops, Quigley was in posses sion of the land. After seizure, witness received a letter referring to a claim on the crops.

Charles Branson, assistant clerk to the Bench, Ashburton, deponed that he took possession of a crop for Friedlander Bros. Quigley was living on the land, and did not produce any letter or docu ment.

J. D. Ireland deponed that under in structions he entered on Quigley’s land on March 4th last, and seized the crops. Quigley claimed the crops, saying that he had taken away a certain .quantity, and would persist in the removal. Witness was shown a letter dated Mach 6th, in which Mr. Roberts authorised Quigley to send the the crops away, and he (Mr. Roberts) would hold him harmless. Wit ness protested against the removal, fol lowed the grain to the Cher .sey railway station, and complained to the station master.

In further cross-examination, Hugo Friedlander said he could not swear whether or not he gave Quigley a cheque for L 127 4s. lid. and took it back imme diately. His Honor (to witness) —lt’s pretty clear why you don’t care to produce your account books, if they contain records of such transaction as that.

James Quigley, farmer, deponed, that he held from Mr. Roberts a section in Ash burton. Had dealings with Friedlander Bros, before becoming Mr. Roberts’ ten ant, for two or three years, the account generally running on. At the commence ment of the tenancy witness owed Fried lander Bros. Ll2O odd, and they proposed that he should give them a lien as security for the debt. Witness also gave them an order on the Road Board to cover the past debt. Friedlander gave witness a cheque at the time of the lien being agreed upon. Witness endorsed the cheque as told, and gave it back again. Friedlander had a writ out against witness at the time. Witness saw there was nothing for him to do but to file. Subsequently witness oc cupied the land by direction of Mr. Roberts, and whilst a bankrupt. Witness was to see to the land, and that every thing was right, Roberts telling him that he would give him the land back. Had since received payment for taking care of the place. At the time of giving the lien witness owed money to others. Mr. Joynt would fully admit that the witness was in straightened circumstances. Witness continued—He believed his horses and cattle had been sold under a bill of sale.

To Mr. Joynt—Mr. Friedlander had obtained judgment against witness. There was no house on the land at the time, and witness had never formally given up possession, though he had understood that on filing he had lost all claim to the land. It was about a month after his bank ruptcy that witness was told by Mr. Roberts to see to the fences, &c. Had commenced to cut, thresh, and deliver, and when the bailiff came witness went and told Mr. Roberts, who gave witness an order to go on with his work, and agreed to hold him harmless. Had re ceived things from Mr. Roberts to put upon the land, and these things were what he meant by receiving compensation for looking after the place. Had, in point of fact, gone on working the land. To Mr. Loughrey—Mr. Roberts paid the expense. Mr. Roberts deposed that he was the proprietor of the land lately occupied by Quigley. On the bankruptcy of Quigley, the trustee did not give the required notice. Witness understood that the land was really in nobody’s pessession. Witness put Quigley in possession some time between Oct. 12 and 30.

To His Honor—T. B. Craig was trustee in Quigley’s estate. To Mr. Loughrey—Witness was still in the same possession of the land as in October. The agreement between witness and Cooper Bros, was now produced (document put in). Rent was paid once or twice during its currency, but its terms had not been carried into effect. Witness paid all the expenses connected with the harvesting of the crop. Knew of the lien given by Quigley through conversa tion with Friedlander. Witness had been away for six months previous to October. To Mr. Joynt—-Quigley was in a sense—a servant with wages, no other arangement having since been come to. The sum of LIBO still remained in Mr. Turner’s hands. T. B. Craig deposed that he accepted the trusteeship in Quigley’s estate, against which Friedlander had a claim (proof put in). There was no dividend. Witness explained why as trustee he did not undertake the risk of harvesting the crop, there being amongst other items liens to Messrs. Friedlander Bros, and Saunders, and rent due to Roberts. Counsel having addressed the Court, His Honor reserved judgment.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Per Reuter's Agency. ) The Markets- London, April 20. Consols remain at 93f. New Zealand securities are without change. Adelaide breadstuff's have further de clined—wheat, per 4961b5., ex warehouse, being no w 555.; and flour, per 4801b5., ex warehouse, 395. 6d.; New Zealand wheat is unchanged. Beef tallow remains at 325. 6d., while best mutton tallow has declined 6d. per cwt., and is now quoted at 345. Shipping. London, April 20. The steamship Norfolk has left Ply mouth. Arrived—Waipa, from Port Chalmers, Jan. 19 ; Jeßsie Readman, from Bluff, Jan. 18. The New Cabinet, April 21. There has been nothing definitely con cluded regarding the new Cabinet. It is expected that the Queen will summon the Marquis of Hartington. Lord Cranbrook has received the decor ation of the Grand Cross of the Star of India. Terrible Hurricane in America-—A Town destroyed and 100 Lives Lost. Sx. Louis, April 21. A most destructive hurricane has taken place in the Western States of America. The town of Missouri has been demolished, and 100 persons killed. Rise in the Price of Wool. London, April 20. The new scries of colonial wool auctions was opened to to-day. The quantity was 85,000 bales. The tone of the sales was strong, with animated demand. Greasy is a Id. higher ; washed and scoured lid. There was a large attendance of Home and foreign buyers. The auctions close on June 12.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Per Rcutets' Agency.) No Confidence Threatened.

Sydney, April 22. In the Legislative Assembly last night, Mr. Fitzpatrick, leader of the Opposition, gave notice of a motion which is tanta mount to a vote of want of confidence in the Government, in consequence of the latter’3 refusal to initiate legislation on the question of mining on private pro perty. The Mutual Provident. At the meeting of the Australian Mu tual Provident Society yesterday, the motion to amend the by-law relating to proxies was rejected by a large majority. The Arawata. Sailed, yesterday, the Arawata, for New Zealand. ThelVictorian Speakership. Melbourne, April 22. At a Cabinet meeting held yesterday it was resolved to support Charles Macmahon for the Speakership. Mr. P. Lalor is also a candidate.

NEW ZEALAND.

The Case of (Embezzling Government Money. Auckland, April 22. It is reported the cost of the Crown prosecution in the case of J. C. Young, will amount to L 2,500, owing to the ex pense of summoning distant witneses. : The Cattle Disease Spreading.

Two more veterinary surgeon inspectors have been appointed at Waikato, where pleuro pneumonia is spreading. At the meeting of the South Auckland Cattle Board, the veterinary inspector, Mr. Naven, reported severe disease in the Cambridge district. One speaker said the Piako Swamp Company had a great number of cattle running in the bush, and a rigid scrutiny of the company’s cattle should be made. Attempted Suicide. Wellington, April 22. A woman named McLaggan atttempted suicide to-day at noon, by throwing her self off the breastwork. She was arrested by a constable and taken to the police station. A Dishonest Grazier. Palmerston North, April 22. Alexander Cameron, settler, Ngawararu, well known ir this district, was this morn ing committed for trial for selling bullocks given to him to graze. Another charge, of embezzling money belonging to the same prosecutor, M'Conevey, Turukina, will be heard this afternoon. Acclimatisation. Invercargill, April 22. At the annual meeting of the Acclima tisation Society it was resolved to increase the bonus for killing shags from three pence to a shilling , to petition Parlia ment for a general shooting license in the colony ; to impose a gun tax of ten shil lings ; and also, on account of the rabbit pest, to recommend and encourage the introduction of weasels, foxes, and stoats —the last resolution to be fully ventilated by the Committee before giving effect to it.

Important Coal Discovery. Auckland, April 21. Coal deposits have been discovered at Mahurangi. Messrs. Whitaker and Palmer are endeavoring to induce the settlers owning the land to join, and have the de posits worked by a strong Joint Stock Company, paying a royalty to owners of land in which the seams may be "worked. Training College. A new training college for junior teachers, has just been completed in Wel lesley street, at a cost of L 3,890. Another Fire. A fire at Coromandel destroyed Leon’s Hotel. Nothing was saved. It is sup posed the fire was accidental. Home for a Holiday. ... Wellington, April 21. The Colonial Treasurer leaves for Tara naki to-night for a short holiday. The Colonial Secretary returned from the south to-day. The Dunedin Murder Case. Dunedin, April 21. When the second charge of murder against Butler comes on he will apply for a change of venu to Christchurch. No Dividend. At a meeting of Guthrie and Lamach’s Woodware Factory - Company, LlO,lOl 11s. lOd. were voted to stand to the credit of the profit and loss account, but the directors did not recommend a dividend. The report, was adopted.

THE DUNEDIN MURDER.

Butler Found Guilty of Stamper’s Burglary.

[by telegraph. J

Dunedin, April 22. This morning Butler pleaded guilty to the charge of burglary at Stamper’s house, hut not guilty to that of stealing books from the Catholic Church. The jury, without leaving the box, found him guilty. At the suggestion of the Bench, the Crown Prosecutor entered a nolle prosequi in respect of the attempt to shoot the constables.

The prisoner, in answer to the usual challenge, said nothing. The Judge, in passing sentence, said— “lt is evident, during the whole of your life, you have committed crime. From your earliest childhood you have been a persistent enemy to society. Where a Court has to deal with such habitual criminals as you, it is absolutely neces sary such punishment should be meted out as will prevent danger to society, which must necessarily ensue if such characters as yourself are at large. The sentence I am about to pass, you will dis tinctly understand, is not measured in any degree by what took place recently. On that charge you were acquitted, but such verdict by no means exonerates you from grave suspicions in respect to that charge. I concur in that verdict, not because I am convinced of your inno cence, but because, in my opinion, the evidence brought against you was not suf ficient to. justify the verdict of guilty. I particularly wish ydu ”td the suspicion which must weigh on the mind of everybody in respect of that transaction does not affect in the least the sentence lam going to pronounce. The sentence I pronounce is based on your previous career, and on the circumstance that, immediately after you were let out of gaol, you commenced again a career of crime—larceny and burglary, the latter accompanied, in all probability, though that it is not brought against you, by arson. The sentence of the Court is that in respect of the burglary you be kept in penal servitude for 18 years ; for larceny, after the previous conviction, 10 years — the sentences to run concurrently.” This is practically 13 years. Mr. Haggitt intimated that he would consult with the Attorney-General as to whether the other indictment for murder should be proceeded with.

Half-yearly Meeting of the Bank of New Zealand.

[by telegraph.]

Auckland, April 22.

The thirty-seventh half-yearly meeting of the Bank of New Zealand was held at noon to-day. The directors report as fol lows :—The net profit on 31st March, after having duly provided for all bad or doubt ful dependencies, and for usual reduction in bank premises and furniture accounts, amounts to L 74,101175. 4d., to which has been added the premium obtained on the sale of the balance of new shares, L 17,193, and the balance from half-year ending 30th September, 1879, L 5890 6s. 5d., making a total available for division of L 97,185 3s. 9d., which it is recommended to be appropriated as follows : —Payment of dividend at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum, L 50,000; bonus of ss. per share, equal to 5 per cent, per annum, L 25,000 ; balance carriod to profit and loss new ac counts, L 22,185 3s. 9d.; total, L 97,185 3s. 9d. The dividend and bonus will be pay able at the head office, Auckland, on Saturday, 24th April, and at the branch offices on receipt of advice.

Ashburton Railway Grievances.

In view of the proposed sitting of the Railway Commission in Ashburton, it would be as well, perhaps, that our public men should look up some of the railway grievances that still continue to afflict us. Not many months ago the Borough Councillors were frequently re minded by the then Mayor, Mr. Bullock, of the danger to which the residents, and especially children, were continually ex posed by the unfenced state of the rail way, and the open crossings. It was a subject which the energetic Mayor never ceased to agitate until even his zeal flagged, and his importunity was worn out by the “ hope deferred that maketh the heart sick. ” He kept pegging away at the authorities, and always met a gracious reception ; a sweet smile met his interviews, and a polite note replied to his correspondence on the subject; but the practical answer he did want and ardently wished for has never been given, and he failed to extract out of the powers that be anything more than the sweet smiles and polite notes above mentioned. Even the almost immolation of one of our most valuable Councillors, and, in their place, equally valuable horse and dray, failed to melt the official

heart. It was thought that when the mighty engine barely escaped running over a line, gory with the blood of a revered and invaluable citizen like Councillor St. Hill, with his steed thrown in to magnify the sacrifice, something would be done regarding the crossings. But no. Councillor St. Hill was not killed, and his brave heart refused even to be frightened ; so, in revenge, ive sup pose, upon the undauntedness of his heart, the railway authorities, finding they could not mangle his body, nor rack his soul with fear, chose to pay him out by keep ing up a continual screech from the throat of the Yankee engine from its debouch from the bridge, to its final halt at the station: Doubtless all this noise was very annoying to the Coun cillor, but it was equally annoying to his constituents, and so, in the end, even this poor substitute for a fence —this railway scarecrow —was discontinued. The agita tors for a protected line were very persis tent and importunate for a time, believing that constant dropping wears away stones; but in the end they found that the official heart was adamantine, and impervious to the most persistent memorandumiad. With the Railway Commission the matter may have some weight. A crying grievance, too, is the railway station itself. The patchwork affair was first stuck up to suit the re quirements of a small and unimportant roadside halting place. With the growth of the town the thing has been added to, and pieced out, until its original would blush to have his name associated with it. It is more than high time we had a new station—one that -would give more room and better accommodation ; that -would afford a waiting room wider than the deck of a cod lugger, for a retreat to which ladies could re tire ; that would provide some more civilised sort of place at which tickets could be sold, and so avoid the abominable scramble when more than half a score of passengers wish to travel ; and that would leave more space between the wall and the train, so that there would be some chance of moving along the platform without being knocked about by every burly man [who makes energetic way to the drinking bar. Then a spurt may be given, possibly, to the Mount Somers extension line. As that railway at present exists it is virtually useless, and will only serve to bring down a few sacks of wheat from the country through which it passes ; that done, its work for the season is over, and the rails so carefully laid by John Fraser and Co. will be idle for a year. Its extension to Mount Somers will make it of at least some service, besides employing somebody on the work. The surveys, we know, are complete, and only despatch is wanted in preparing the details and getting out the contract. With Mr. Wright upon the Commission we have a friend in court, and any real and remediable grievance we suffer under will be at once seen, if in fluence of his can do it. But he ought to have our wants placed before him, so that he may know how to act, and we notice that his Worship the Mayor is quite alive to the advantage of our position.

Unexpected Result of a Religious Drama.

—The attempt to combine the Sunday school and ttie tneatre is always a duubt ful experiment. The New Yorce Times of the 6th inst. says : —“ Great things’ were anticipated, unreasonably of coarse, by the congregation of the Williston Congre gational Church, in regard to the repre sentation of the Scriptural play of “ Elisha ” last Monday night. The play was written by the Sunday school superin tendent’s wife, who was a clever woman of no little literary skill, and the pastor and members of the Prudential Com mittee, whe heard it read, were greatly impressed with its merits. The lecture room, with a temporary stage and a red drop curtain, made a neat little theatre, which was crowded half an hour before the performance began. The curtain rose upon a scene representing a shady valley, with a high hill in the background, up which a practicable and very steep road ran. On each side of the stage was a dense forest of ten or twelve trees, and a country tavern, with the sign ‘ Railway Hotel,’ stood on the left side. In front of the tavern 42 children—who constitute nearly the whole strength of the Sunday school—were engaged in various games. Some of them were pitching quoits, others pitching pennies, and others were playing marbles. All were quarrelling fiercely, and from their appearance were children of the very worst moral character and most curiously ragged clothes. To them presently entered from the right lower en trance the Prophet Elisha, carrying his hat in his hand, in order to display his total lack of hair. He was a large pro phet, with a.lsng white beard and walk ing stick of great size, but there is no doubt that he would have looked better had he been provided with a little hair. As he passed the ‘ Railway Hotel ’ he stopped to ask the way to the nearest post-office, but it is painful to relate that the boys refused to give him a civil answer. In fact, they chaffed the prophet, and made allusions to his lack of hair which were both personal and rude. The good man betrayed no anger, but he told them that they disgraced their parents by their conduct, to which they with oiie ac cord triumphantly answered that they 1 hadn’t got none,’ and that they were ‘ orphants. ’ Greatly disgusted by this re partee, the prophet shook his stick sadly but kindly at them, and proceeded on his way. The wicked children continued to yell after him,, ad vising him to buy a wig, or to try somebody’s hair restorer, and in other ways expressing their wicked want of respect. Endurance having ceased to be a virtue, Elisha paused and whisled loudly. Whereupon two frightful bears issued from the forest, and falling upon the children, began to tear them in pieces. All would perhaps have gone well had not one of the wicked boys refused to be torn. The others had promptly fallen flat on the ground the moment the bears arrived, in stead of climbing trees or seeking refuge in the Railway Hotel; but this 'particular boy, who, as it subsequently appeared, had been borrowed at the last moment from the Methodist Sunday school, and who had not attended the • rehearsal, showed fight. He caught up a stick which happened to be at hand, and hit the first bear a resounding whack over the head, drawing from that astonished animal the exclamation, ‘ By go3h !’ Leaving the 41 prostrate children, the incensed bear rose on his hind legs and hit the borrowed boy a beautiful blow straight from the shoulder. The two then rushed together and fought all over the stage, while the

other bear, yielding to the excitement of the moment, encouraged his associate brute by loudly requesting him to ‘go in,’ and by offering to bet 10 cents on his suc cess with anyone who might be willing to put up the money. The prophet, in view of the uproar, turned back, and belabored both bears and borrowed boy with his stick with great impartiality, until all three cried for quarter. It was while he was engaged in this praiseworthy work that he accidentally knocked down the chandelier with his stick, and thereby created an alarm of five, which speedily emptied the house, and brought the en tertainment to a close. The fathers of botn bears have since sued the prophet for assault and battery, and the whole congregation is divided over the question whether the prophet had any right to thrash other people’s bears in public, no matter if the latter had yielded to strong temptation to infuse an unexpected realism into the dram. However this may be decided, there is no doubt that the play was a failure, and it is to be hoped that it will have some little influence in inducing Sunday school superintendents to abstain from complicating religious in struction with amateur theatricals.”- -

HEROINE OF PHILANTHROPY.

Many years ago a young lady—an dr phan of good family and an heiress to boot —began to have grave doubts whether' life was not a more serious -matter than the traditions of her class had hitherto led her to suppose. Now, just when she was beginning to be haunted by a vague longing to make her life noble and useful, came the well remembered cholera plague, and the opportunity she desired presented itself. She left her luxurious home, volunteered as an amateur nurse, and tended the sick and dying through all the horrors of the loathsome malady. One might have thought that her bitter experi ences in the cholera wards would, have made her long for her former luxurious life. But, no. She now determined to take up the study of medicine, and had already passed her preliminary examina tions, when she met, loved, and married" Mr. Nathaniel Heckford, a young medi cal man. The husband and wife, both equally full of philanthropic enthusiasm, then resolved to establish a hospital where one was sorely needed— in the east of London. Mrs. Heckford cheerfully dej voted a great part of her fortune to the purpose, and the hospital sprang into being without the public finding a six pence. It went through the usual vicissi tudes which attend institutions of this sort; but after Charles Dickens wrote that brilliant account of it called “ The Star of the East” its prosperity was secured. To make a long story short, the connection between the Heckfords and the hospital came to an end, Mr. Heck ford died, and his wife went to Naples. There she helped to promote a society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and moreover wrote a novel called ‘ ‘ Ex celsior. ” Then she went in for adven turous travels, going through Arabia, and the wildest parts of India, often accom panied merely by one guide. She tried to practise medicine among the women of the Zenanda, but, finding it impossible to overcome native prejudices, abandoned t.b® idea. Since then she has disappeared from civilised ken, the latest news re ceived of her, being, that she is with a party of colonists in. Africa, busily en gaged in learning ostrich-farming which she fondly imagines will furnish some of our redundant female population with a means of earning their livelihood.-

Thursday, April 22, 1880.]

THE ASHBURTON HERALD



ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST.



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New Advertisements. "tITANTED, a strong BOY, accustomed V V • to horses, and to be generally Useful. Apply Herald Office. 666g-253c M ( of money ready for investment at current rates. F. P. O’Reilly, Solicitor, Tancred street, Ashburton. 263c-684g ARCHERY MATERIAL.—Bows from /V ss. each. Arrows from ss. doz. H. M. JONES, Stationer, Baring Square. *F OST—Last week, between Ashburton § 1 and Rakaia, a Gold LOCKET. Finder will be rewarded on leaving same at this office. ' 320 c mO LET—A TWO-ROOMED COT -1? • TAGE on the East Town Belt. Rent Bs. per week. Apply, • • D. M'KENZIE, 323 c Ashburton Hotel. NOTICE. ACCOUNTS. A LL Accounts due to me up to 31st of jljL December, 1879, if not paid on or before 24th inst., will be SUED FOR without further notice. ‘V JOHN FOWLER, 317 c Ashburton. TT PIANOFORTE TUNER, R- SYMONS wishes to inform the L 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 ...r,. • FINE ARTS. ,k. : A RT .UNION. riv SPLENDID Collection of OIL /~\ PAINTINGS and Water Color DRAWINGS, by Mr. Clarke, of Rakaia, are to be disposed of by Art Union. The pictures are on view at the shop next to Mr. Street’s, Saddler, Rakaia. I; I Tickets, 10s each, can be obtained at Mr. Street’s Saddler, Rakaia, and of THOS. A. GATES, Picture Frame Maker. g4Be Ashburton. ’ NOTICE. NY’ Person found trespassing with Dog or Gun on my property will be PROSECUTED according to law. 753g-349c HAY T. SMITH.



LOST —One Bay- COLT, dark points, front shoes on, 4yrs. old, small hair scratch on chest. Reward paid on return to THOS. BROADBELr, 7520-3500 Temperance Hotel. FURNITURE ! FURNITURE ! ! Made to Order by P):H ARLES JgRADER, 'PRACTICAL CABINETMAKER, FURNITURE DEALER, Ac. Chests of Drawers, 3ft. Gin. x 3ft. Gin., with five drawers, Price 70s. Scotch Chest of Drawers, with six ' drawers, Price £5 10s. Kitchen Cupboard, from 30s. Do. with Dresser, from 40s. Venetian and other Blinds, Curtain Poles, Oxford and other Picture Frames made to order. Furniture repaired and renovated. GREAT SOUTH ROAD, TINWALD, Beyond Clark’s Grain Stores. For Sale, a Light Waggon, nearly new, in good order, Price £22. A good chance for anyone requiring a useful conveyance cheap. 34Gc R. In the District Court of Christ* ''church, ■ Holden at. Ashburton. IN THE MATTER OF The Debtors and Creditors Act, 1876, and the several Acts amending the same, and of the bankruptcy of JAMES GARDINER, of Ashburton, Con tractor, a debtor. Notice is hereby given, that the above-named debtor has this day filed in the above Court a declaration of his inability to meet his engagements with his creditors. The first meeting of creditors will be held at the District Court, Ashburton, on WEDNES DAY, the 28th day of April instant, at 12 o’clock in the forenoon.... Dated, this 22nd day of April, .1880. C. CAVENDISH HURRELL, Clerk of the Court. E. G. Crisp, Solicitor for the Debtor. 35 1 C V.



Another Filial Commentator. Father, who is always trying to teach his son how to act while at table : “ Well, John, you see that- when I have finished eating I always leave the table.” “ Yes, sir ; and that is all you do leave.”



The Disproportion of Women to Men in criminal records is sirikingly ex emplified by some statistics published by the Italian Government. During the past year the Court sentenced 41,555 persons, of whom 37,999 were men and only 3556 women, and the police assizes condemned 7,544 men and only 383 women.



The Power of Imagination.—The “ Lancet” is often very good reading, says an exchange, even to the folks who have nothing the matter with them, and are not looking for a “ parallel case. ” The last number describes a gentleman who swal lowed his false teeth, and felt them in the pharynx. A doctor was sent for, who in troduced a probang, which touched the teeth, so the patient said, but he was afraid to proceed to extremities with that instrument, because they were described to him as “a complete set of molars.” He then “bent a 10-inch military silver probe, and tried to hook the teeth up,” but the spasms of the larynx were too severe, and the secretions from the pharynx so excessive, that these dredging operations had to be suspended. The patient began to get in extremis : so pre sently another doctor was telegraphed for, who found the missing teeth on the top cf a chest of drawers. This gentlqrqan, re? porting on the matter, very justly observes that this curious effect of imagination upon a strong and healthy man throws light on many a case of supposed hydro phobia.



A Deaf Mute used the new audiphone. “fCan you pay me that five dollars?”— these were the first words he heard, - “ J prefer to remain in my original condi? tion,” he said, and sternly threw the audiphone out of the window. A Warm Reception.— A man who was seen coming out of a Texas newspaper office with a crushed hat and a damaged nose explained to a policeman that he entered the office simply to inquire if the editor was in. “And he was in,” the victim added mournfully. Another Height.— it is pointed out that the real height of poiiteness is pa_s§- ing round upon the opposite side of a lady, while while walking with her in order not to step upon her shadow. Holloway’s Pills.—lmportant for the Delicate.—lt is difficult to determine which is lie more trying to the human constitution—the damp, cold days of the autumn and winter, or the keen, dry, easterly winds of springs Throughout the seasons good health may be maintained by occasional doses of Holloway’s Pills, which purify the blood and act as whole some stimulants to the skin, stomach, liver, bowels, and kidneys. This celebrated medicine needs but a fair trial to‘ convince the ailing and desponding that it will restore and cheer them without danger, pain, or inconvenience, as by a timely recourse to them tlie first erring func tion may be reclaimed, suffering may be spared and life saved. —Advt.