MAIL NOTICES.

ifcv : Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, s follows: pj||i For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m, am., and 5 p.m., daily. 'M&c Fer Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 9 a.m //•nd 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, p Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, 9;^ and Geraldine, at 10.15 a.m. daily. ; • . For Ternuka, Timaru, and South at j|||9 am. and 10.15 a.m. daily. gj| -For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Meunt Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a in. 'UU For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, jpi {at 3.15 p. m. daily.. For Wakanui, Elgin, and Seafield, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 6 am.

Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post • Office— -ffi: 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 ||Y at 6.25 p.m. daily. pi '. From Ternuka and Timaru at 9.25 a.m. Hf/and 5.25 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet, Ashburton , Forks, :V Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge • on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long ill beach at 10 a.m. daily. From Wakanui, Elgin, and Seafield on ft, Tuesdays and Fridays at 2.30 p.nu

W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). MONDAY, AUGUST 23, 1880. The Borough Water Supply.

The Borough Engineer (Mr. C. E. Fooks) has been at last rewarded for his care and watchfulness of the Borough waterworks, by seeing a foot or more of water in the reservoir at the south corner of the Domain. For the last fortnight the labor gang, by Mr. Fooks’ direction, have been puddling the more -shingly basins with clay, cutting and puddling channels, so that the absorptive nature of the gully bottom may be neutralised in its effect on the scheme as far as possible. The puddling of the basins prevented ab sorption to a great extent, and the channels brought the water down the gully more rapidly than it would have come had only the wide natural, water course been depended upon. For many daj s the stream failed to pass the deep basin just this side the cricket ground, and a most aggravating pecu liarity in regard to this presented itself. Over night the water would recede sometimes a chain or more, while during the day it would make again, rising a good number of inches, only, however, to fall during the night, and go back all the distance it had come the previous day. The recent gale seems, however, to have done good service in wiping away this difficulty. The freshet in the river brought down a large quantity of clay, and the stream now flowing is of a thick, muddy character,, depositing a copious sedi ment that must materially aid the puddling process Mr. Fooks himself initiated. In fact, it is to the clay brought down by the freshet puddling the bottom of the gully rapidly that we attribute the filling of the reservoir. The water is still flowing’ thick and heavy, and in a big stream. All the channels cut by the men are full, and carrying a large volume of clayey water, in marked contrast to the clear but comparatively insignificant trickle of last week. A few more days, and the Borough Council will be able to drink prosperity to the scheme in the Mayor’s champagne, and sing a song of triumph over the success of the works. Already the water has backed up a good way round the knoll in the middle of, the lower gully, which is intended to remain as an ornamental island, and in some of the basins further up stream enthusiastic swimmers will be glad to learn there are from three to five feet of water.

Limelight Exhibition. —Messrs. Bevan and Davies’ panorama of New Zealand will be exhibited this evening in the Town Hall. On Tuesday night the Rakaia folks will have, an opportunity of seeing the panorama, and a visit to Chertsey will also be paid on Wednesday evening. Drunk and Disorderly.— A man was to-day remanded till the usual Court sitting to-morrow on charges of being drunk, using obscene language in the streets, and otherwise misconducting himself. He had been chasing femaleß in the street on Saturday night. “Star Combination.” A “star” combination company gave an entertain ment in the Town Hall on Saturday even ing to thirty people. The show had not been advertised, and nobody knew,any thing about it—hence the miserable ac count of empty benches.

The Cattle Yards Tenders.— The fol lowing tenders have been accepted by the County Council: —Fencing—A. R. Leask, £ls Bs. ; trimming fences—R. Rolston, £1 9s. Fencing Rakaia Gorge Bridge Road—a tender for this work has also been accepted—namely, that of V. Soland, at £72 10s.

Borough Council. The usual fort nightly meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council takes place this evening. The Borough Election.— On the 9th September, the election of three persons will take place to fill the vacancies caused by the retirement by rotation of Messrs.- St. Hill, Roberts, and Orr. These three gentlemen are eligible for re-election. Nominations will be received by the Town Clerk, who is returning officer, up till noon of Tuesday, the 31st inst.

Tiie Telegraph. —The telegraph lines destroyed during the recent gale have not yet been all replaced, and telegraphic communication between Christchurch and the north is still interrupted. It is ex pected that the gap will be stopped to morrow, but meanwhile we must depend on the arrival of steamers from Welling ton for such cablegrams as we are able" to supply. Those we give to-day are the ones published in Friday’s Wellington Post.

“ Cranmer and his Times.” —The aboye is the title of a lecture to be de livered in the Town Hall, next Monday evening, by the Rev. Mr. McKee, Pres byterian minister, who is to preach in the Presbyterian Church next Sabbath, anni versary sermons,, the occasion being the induction of the pastor of the Ashburton church. Mr. McKee will also preach at Wakanui. The proceeds of Monday’s lecture will be devoted to the repair' of the church building.

. Accident to the Alford Forest Mail. Mr. Tisch’s coach, ■ running between Methven and the Forest met with a mishap On Saturday m.orning. The approaches to the new bridge over the north branch of the river are not yet finished, and the ford has still to be Utilised ; and when a freshet, is on this is no small matter. On Saturday morning about half-past nine, the river was very high, and when the coach essayed the crossing.the driver found, when a short distance into the stream, that the current was too much for his conveyance, which set sail downwards. A few yards from the bank, the trap upset, breaking the pole, and freeing the horses. The animals reached the opposite side safely, but the vehicle was a wreck, and the mail bags were lost. The driver was thrown into the stream, and only succeeded with great difficulty in laying hold of the walings; of the bridge to which he clung for dear life till the men from the approach camp carr.a and rescued him. The completion of. the bridge approaches—and the sooner that work is done the better—will sive all chance of a recurrence of the sort of accident at this part of the river which we have noted above.

Ashburton Racing Club.—A meeting of those interested in sporting matters was held at Quill’s Hotel on Saturday evening. There was a good attendance, Mr. John Carter being appointed : chair man. The Secretary, Mr. Wilkie,. stated that the meeting had been called to test the feeling of the public on tlie question of holding the usual spring meeting. The committee had not felt themselves Justi fied in undertaking the responsibility of publishing a programme owing to the pro bability of not being backed up by public subscriptions, and he would therefore ask that the meeting would take some steps in the matter. During the first .three years the Committee had expended a large portion of their funds in permanent improvements on the course, and had con sequently to give smaller prizes to be run for. As the cost of the course would not be an element in the present year’s racing, it wa3 therefore evident that a smaller sum would be needed, to give for added money, and as they had had some eighty subscribing members last year, subscriptions and the amount realisable from the outside public and the sale of privileges should, make up a suffi-, cient sum to carry out their usual pro gramme. Mr. T. Quill proposed, and Mr... Hay Smith seconded—“ That the usual spring meeting be held in November.?! The motion was carried. It was further resolved that a meeting be held on Friday, September 3rd, at 1 p.m., at Quill’s Hotel, when the Committee would have a programme to submit- to the public for approval ; and that notices be sent to all members, requesting their attendance. It was decided to call for tenders for leasing the course for a crop of turnips and a grain crop, tenders to be sent in by the 3rd September.’ The meeting then ad journed.

Kyle Concert. —Notwithstanding the unfavorable weather, the Kyle school room was well filled on Friday evening, and everything passed off in a most sucess ful manner. Mr. J. Lambie occupied the chair, and expatiated at some length on the importance of public'libraries. He was of opinion that “Library on the Brain ” was not a dangerous form of in sanity. The several items on the pro gramme were most successfully rendered, the glees and choruses going with great precision and effect. Mr. George Johns was very successful as a reciter, and Mr. G. Parker, who sustained the comic por tion of the entertainment, was repeatedly encored. The real gem of the evening, however, was Mrs. Loudon’s song, “ ’Tis but a little faded flower,” which, received a well merited encore. The instru mental pieces rendered by Miss Rogers and Miss Lambie were likewise very well received. Mr. Thompson sang “ Sad at heart,” and in response to an encore gave that musical gem “The Arab’s farewell to his steed.” Mr. Blackburn’s singing was well appreciated. In the absence of Mr. Winter Mr. Hall gave a reading, Tenny son’s “Northern Farmer,” new style. The style in which Mr. Hall delivered the reading fairly took the audience by storm, and he was voeferously encored, and responded with the “ Northern Farmer,” old style. The National Anthem, and a vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the concert to a close. Dancing was then kept up with great spirit till an early hour.

Submarine Volcano. —The people of Napier have been somewhat excited of late by a rumor having gained currency that a volcano under the sea has been dis covered at a place called Blackhead, which is situated nearly 100 miles from that town. The phenomenon is on the coast near Porangahau, and the water is con stantly being thrown at a great height. The earthquakes that have been experi enced of late may no doubt be attributed to this volcano. Should-it be a very active one, earthquakes may occur more frequently in the future than they have done before.

Over 12,000 of the unemployed are ap plying for Government work in Victoria. Sunday closing in Melbourne, has proved a failure, as the hotel-keepers, by the con nivance of 'the police, habitually evade the law.

Fish.— Herrings are stated to be very plentiful on the East Coast just now. Last week a couple of fishing boats with one net caught over 1,500 fish in one haul in Napier harbor, Cray-fish, on the other hand, are remarkably scarce.

Quick Sailing. —The steamer Potosi, recently made the passage from Plymouth to Adelaide in thirty-six days and: one hour, including all stoppages. This is the shortest passage from England to Adelaide on record.

Cheap.— A horse, such as Mark Twain described as a crate covered with hide, was sold from the Pound at Bulls for one shilling. It is said to have been pur chased by a butcher, who, however, re assured his sausage-consuming customers by declaring that he only wanted the hide.

Seamen’s Union. —Mr. George Song ster, a delegate from the Victorian Sea men’s Union, is at present in New Zea land, endeavoring to establish branches of his society in this colony. He has already planted a branch at Port Chal mers, and it numbers 200 members already. Te W hiti's -Great Anni visits ary. — Th e 17th September is tile l2th anniversary of the ra o te talcahanga, the day on which Te Whiti initiated his scheme for thebene fit of the Maori race. Those who are fond of anticipating something sensational from the “ Prophet ” on important anniver saries expect a coup d’etat of an unusual character from him .011 that date.

Saddling the Wrong Horse.— A most ludicrous incident occurred in connection with a recent inquest at Hokitika. The Coroner by mistake made out a warrant for; the burial of the hotelkeeper at whose house the inquest was held, instead of the deceased. Strange to say Boniface did not appreciate the unsought attention, and in defiance of the Coroner’s warrant still remains above ground.

Gathering Up a Fragment. —Some considerable time ago a Wellington con stable named McWilliams, in trying to arrest two “.blue jackets ”, belonging to H.M.S. Sappho, was flung down stairs and injured for life. The officers of H. M. S. Raleigh, now in port at Wellington, in terested themselves on behalf of McWilliams, and got.him placed on the ship’s roll. He left in the Raleigh for England last week. Recent Earthquakes. —The earth quakes on the Ist and sth inst., which it will- be remembered brought the members of the House up all standing in the thick of business and gave some of them an idea that the end of all things had come, were felt at a distance of 150 miles off land, where a marine disturbance was ex perienced, the ..shocks being felt most dis tinctly on board'the Rodeir Bay, in spite of a heavy sea. The Census Act.— The following is the text of the Census Act Amendment Bill introduced by the Government:—The general account or; census provided by The Census Act, 1877, to be taken in the year pile thousand eight lnmdered and eighty-one, in such month and on such day, not being later than the first day of April in such year, as the Governor shall appoint, shall be taken on the third day of April in the said-year. All the pro visions of The Census Act, 1877, shall apply and extend to the account or census to be then taken.

A Would-be Dairyman. —The Tara naki Herald, of the 11th inst., has the following: “There are many ways of appealing for charity, but we imagine the one adopted yesterday by an able-bodied man was quite new and original. The person referred to r , 3it seems, knocked at the ; door of a house! occupied' by- a gentle man in good circumstances in New Ply mouth, and requested to speak to the ‘ good lady’ of the house. When Mrs. appeared, the man produced a paper, and solicited a subscription to go towards the purchase of a cow, by way of encouraging him in his honest endeavours to establish a dairy. He stated that he was a hard-working man, and had succeeded in buying a cow out of his own earnings, and what he now wanted was sufficient funds to enable him to buy another cow in order to set up a dairy. Mrs. —- was 'greatly puzzled at the manner in which the appeal for charity was made, and, after serious reflection declined to become a subscriber. ”

A Boil Over. —The following curious story is’ told by the Parliamentary cor respondent of the Wanganui Herald: — “I have just heard of one of the most extraordinary affairs that has, perhaps, ever occurred in the history of official dom, and I can vouch for every word I am going to relate. An officer of the Go vernment, who is described as a Com missioner, addressed a few days since a telegram to Sir George Grey, in Maori, asking Sir George to take up his case against the Gorernmont, and promising some startling disclosures. Sir George handed the telegram to an interpreter, who translated it as if it had been written by a native, who signed himself an Asses sor. Thinking it referred to one of the Native Assessors who had been dismissed, Sir George showed the telegram to Mr. Bryce, desiring to know the cause of the dismissal. The Native Minister replied that it was only one case out of twenty seven Assessors who had been relieved of office in order to promote retrenchment. Sir George Grey then asked the Minister if he would be good enough to state the reason on the telegram formally, so that he could reply. Mr. Bryce took away the telegram, and handed it to an interpreter, who brought it-back with the startling in formation that it was from a Commissioner, not Assessor, and that the said Com missioner was a well-known Government officer. The Minister duly informed Sir George Grey of the discovery, whereupon Sir George observed that, considering the way the Minister had got the information, he should not take any notice of it ; but the Minister sharply replied that, since it came before him, he xvould notice it. And so the matter stands. It is evident the officer telegraphed in Maori because of some lurking, fear that the Telegraph Office could not retain so great a secret as a high official intriguing against his Ministerial heads. It will be interesting to know the future career of this Com missioner.”

Potato Export. —There is an .opening for our produce in India. Tlio Madras Times of the 2nd May has an advertise ment respecting the anticipated arrival of a trial shipment by the mail steamer of Australian potatoes for table and seed pur poses! The potatoes were packed'in 4cwt. boxes. Should the shipment prove a suc cess, there will doubtless be a considerable demand for potatoes of Australian produc tion, and there is no reason why those grown in New Zealand should not find as good a market. • City of Glasgow Bank.— lt appears that among the assets of the City of Glasgow Bank was a gold reef in the Indian mines, to which public attention has lately been directed, and it now ap pears that this “ claim” has proved very rich ; indeed, it is rumored that its pro duct may possibly be of sufficient value to return a moiety of the Rank’s debts, the payment of which utterly ruined so many well-to-do shareholders. But those, and much the larger number, who have failed or compounded with the liquidators will have no share in this windfall, which will go the very small numbeif who have been rich enough to weather the storm, and retain their position on the roll.

Mr. Gladstone’s. Correspondence The following letter recently appeared in' the London Daily News: —“Sir, —lam reluctant again to trespass on your columns for the purpose of asking the in dulgence of my correspondence,, but for some weeks past the daily arrivals at my door by post have exceeded 100, and I must trust to the kindness'of very many, whose communications might well claim a distinct notice, to believe that they re ceive from me the best attention which circumstances permit me to give.—I have the honor to bo, Sir, your obedient ser vant, W. E. Gladstone.” . Aquatic. —Hanlan (says the Evening Telegram) wilVnot enter a rowing shell fox two months. He is picking up in flesh, and his strained sinews are relaxing.. He said he could have beaten Ross at Provi dence in the recent regatta if he had per servered, but the agony was so great that he was afraid of permanently disabling himself. He says that should such a pain seize him in the race with Trickett in No vember he would row the race out if he were to knew he would be a cripple for life. The. Cape Colony. —Now that the troubles with the Zulus and the Boers are at an end, there is no doubt (says .the, Home News) that the colonisation of South Africa will rapidly progress, especially as great inducements arc held out by the Cape Government to surplus humanity to go to those parts. Any man with a. few pounds can become a farmer there. This is what the Cape Government offers to respectable agriculturalists, married or single, not over 45 years old, desirous of emigrating 'to Cape 'Colony:—A free passage for the settler and family, and land in the finest agricultural and grazing district of the Cape at 10s. per acre ; the payment to be made in ten years, at Is. the acre per year. In some districts, where the poor rates .are heavy, the means of relieving the burden suggests itself to the advantage of all-comers. Perhaps the laborers will, however, want a sprinkling of diamonds in the soil guaranteed.

A Turquoise Mine.— For the first time in two hundred years the old turquoise mine in Chalehuti Mountain, New Mexico, has been re-opened. In 1(380 work was suspended on the mine, the cause being the caving in of one of the shafts, and the subsequent death of some ICO Indians, who were bard at work below. An attempt made by the Spanish to force the Indians to begin again and re-open the shaft led to a rebellion, and probably was one of the causes which forced the Indians to an uprising, and the subsequent exclu sion of their rulers from the country. The extent to which these mines have been worked may be conjectured by the vast amount of debris lying around the old shaft, covering no less than fifteen acres' of ground. The mine is the only turquoise mine on the continent, and, as the gem has always a market value, it will ere long be one of the recognised sources of wealth of New Mexico. A Romance..— An incident which would suffice to supply Ouida with the ground work of a novel romantic as “Idalia,” oc curred in the neighborhood of Marion a short time since, if we may believe the local paper. Two young equestriennes were travelling late in the evening near an out station, and lost their.way. . After some weary riding, they espied a light and made towards it, and were met at the gate by a homely looking lady, who proved to be the housekeeper. Upon inquiry, they found themselves at the station of two young gentlemen who were reputedly very rich—and bachelors ! There was no alter native but to accept tlie proffered hospi tality, which they did with seeming re luctance. Need we say that they and their kind young hosts enjoyed a sociable evening in the erstwhile dull home of the bachelors ? In. the morning, they were not only shown the road, but escorted to their destination, when formal introduc tions led to—well, a dual marriage is said to he on the tapis.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE

(Reuter's Telegrams, per the Wanaka, at Lyt telton, from IV:lling ton.) Do they Require Shooting ? London, Aug. 19. It now transpires that Mr. Forster, the Chief Secretary for Ireland, has gone to that country with the object of enquiring whether coercive measures are necessai’y for the suppression of the disorder now prevalent there. - For a Change of Air. It is announced that Mr. Gladstone will proceed to Italy or Madeira in a fort night’s time, for a change of air. Floods in Prussia. Berlin, Aug. 19.

Serious storms and floods in Prussia have caused great damage to, and to a

large extent destroyed, the growing crops. Ayoub Khan. Calcutta, Aug. 19. A report comes to hand that Ayoub Khan sent a strong force to attack the Sherpur Gate of the citadel at Candahar, and heavy firing between the British troops and the enemy was maintained from morning to evening. The British loss is said to have been trifling.

AUSTRALIAN

(Per Reuter's Agency.) Reinstated. Melbourne, Aug. 20. Captain Payne, the Harbor Master, who was recently suspended, has been rein stated. The Albion. . ■ Sydney, Aug. 20. The Albion sailed yesterday for Auck land. Railway to the Gulf of Carpentaria. Brisbane, Aug 20. In the Legislative Assembly last night the Colonial Treasurer announced that the Government intend this session to intro duce a Bill to authorise the construction of a trans-continental railway to the Gulf of Carpentaria on the principle of payment by land-grants. The John Elder. Adelaide, Aug 20. The Orient Company’s steamship John Elder, which left Plymouth on July 9th, has arrived, here. .

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association.) Found.

Dunedin, Aug. 23.

The cutter Fawn has turned up at the Heads, ancLa boat, supposed to belong to Bifrell, was picked up this morning.

The Kyebbura Murder.

Dunedin, Aug. 20. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Naseby, yesterday, Ah Lee and Lee Guy were charged with the murder of Mary 'Young, at Kyeburn diggings, on the 4th inst. Inspector Hickson asked for a re mand until next Thursday. He stated that the whole aspect of the case had been changed, and that lie would be pre pared to go on with the trial on that date. The remand was granted. In con nection with this mysterious case it appears that since the arrest of Ah Lee against whom suspicion seemed strong at the inquiry before the Coroner, he has either confessed or led the police to believe that Lee Guy, who first gave the alarm of the murder having been committed, was implicated in some way with the perpetra tor of the deed. Le Guy was arrested yesterday. It is believed that the police ave now on the right track, but of course they are very reticent. The charge was interpreted to the prisoners this morning in Chinese, but it did not perceptibly effect them.

Christchurch Corn Exchange.

The following is the report, of the Christchurch Corn Exchange 'for the week ending Friday evening, the 20th inst.:—

Confirmatory reports from various dis tricts are to hand with respect to the sea sonable weather for farming operations. The unumally mild winter has eriabled the farmers to carry- out sowing under the most favored circumstances. The rainfall from the beginning of the year in many parts is stated to be below tbe average. At Christchurch Meteorological Observatory, the recorded rainfall from'first of January to the end of last month has only been 10.93 inches, the general average for the same period being 15.92 inches since the beginning of 1866. Up to the present date the measured rainfall much resembles that of the year 1878, which for the first seven months was only 9.50 inches. The grain market is in a languid state. The farmers do not seem disposed to realise upon their wheat, even at the ad vanced rates which have recently taken place. At the present prices there is no opening for the buyers operating for the Home markets. The local millers will have no difficulty in purchasing for their requirements, and it is probable that rates may then recede, unless the harvest pros pects in the United Kingdom become unfavorable. The intercolonial wheat markets are easier. Advices from Adelaide up to' 6th instant report that 212,528 tons of cereals have been shipped, and that there is a balance of 87,607, yet avail able for export out of last year’s crop. The market value for the best wheat is re ported at 4s. 2d. to 4s. 4d. per bushel, and these values have been asked for cargoes. Freights are now procurable there at 50s. per ton for export to the United Kingdom. The season in South Australia has been very favorable, and the crops in consequence promise well. Wheat.—The wheat market is in short supply of good milling wheat. The local millers are still operating freely. Sales have been effected during the week at full rates for average size parcels for milling purposes. Farmers in easy circumstances are not anxious to sell. Wheat in urime milling order is worth 4s. to 4a. 2d. per bushel. There are several enquiries for seed wheat, which is saleable at 4s. 3d. to 4s. 9d. according to quality. Chick feed is in demand at 2s. to 2s. 6d. per busliel. Oats. —The demand has improved. The price has not altered during the week. First-class bright milling are obtainable at Is. 6d. to Is. 7d. per bushel. Feeding kinds are in free supply at Is. 3d. to Is. 4d., and inferior kinds - do. not command over Is. to Is. 2d.

Barley.—There are enquires for first class' malting barley at 33. to 3s. 3d., second class at 2s. to 2s, 3d., feed at Is. 6d. to Is. Bd. per bushel. The supply of inferior qualities is in excess of the demand.

Potatoes—There i 3 a total absence on the part of the trade to do business. The stocks held by the farmers are heavy. There is no inducement to ship to the Sydney market. As the season advances there will be a slacker demand, and con sequently the present rates are not likely to be maintained. Since last week’s re port the price has fallen. For potatoes in prime condition values cannot be quoted at over LI to Ll 2s. 6d. per ton. Goss Seed—For u ryo grass there has been a fair demand. Well cleaned samples are'offered at from 2s. 9d. to 35., medium to inferior at 2s. 6d. to Is. 6d. per bushel. Cheese and Butter—The former is offered freely from 4d. to 4£d. per lb. Butter is in good supply at Bd. to 9d. per lb., with a slack inquiry. Hay —sos. to 565. per ton, delivered in town.

A Tax for Idlers.

It is all very well to laugh at M. Giraud, who has brought in a bill for taxing all idle folks in France. Those who do so— and their name legion if counted on the Boulevards alone—are mostly under the delusion that the idea is original; but M. Franck]ue Sarcey combats this impression and makes, out that the real author of the suggestion was Alexander Dumas. In his “ Question d £ Argent,” the novelist intro duces a political economist sighing for the time when there will be establised a “ civil conscription.” When wars have vanished from the scene, and industrial arts have taken their place, all that society will re quire of her children will be, as this theorist declares, “ the tribute of their intellectual capacities. ” As soon as a man is twenty-one, the State will ask him, “ What profession have you chosen 1” and if it finds that he neither has one nor intends to do any work, it will impose upon him the necessity of finding a substi tute ; that is to say, will exact from him a tax or fine for his idleness. In return for this payment he will be furnished with an “idler’s certificate,” the production of which will enable him to pass freely about the country. The idea will not perhaps seem quite absurd to a business man. in England who happens to walk down the “ ladies’ mile” at about one o’clock on any of those May days. But before it could be adopted there -would be a decided diffi culty in defining the term “ idleness,” and some curious problems would present themselves in deciding who was and who was not a working man. Such a person as Mr. Arch, who does a good deal of talking, and is in one sense by no means idle, would not a little puzzle the inspectors of idle ness, while there might be considerable' doubts as to the position of a statesman out of office, a landowner engaged in im proving his own estates, a director of rotten companies, a workman out on strike. It would, perhaps, be as well in the first place to tax persons who are ac tually obuoxious to their fellow-creatures before proceeding to lay a burden upon those who are merely harmless and unpro- : fi table.

THE STORY-TELLER.

THE DISRUPTION: A TALE OS’ TRYING TIMES.

CHAPTER Xl— continued.

“ Saxteen ! that’s a gude pickle I think. But I reckon there’s no muckle difference aboot them. At least for my part I dinna see what’s the use o’ sae mony odds and ends aboot a body’s head. But what’s next ? ” “ Destructiveness. This is above the average size.” . .. “ Weel, what mak’ ye pot o’ that ” “ A strong feeling of resentment, and a disposition to crush opposition. Even something of cruelty will, arise, from this, unless it be checked by great benevolence.” “ Fegs I ha’e plenty o’ that; but as for cruelty, it ne’er was laid to my charge, except when I was maybe a thocht owre keen to get tryin’ my hand at'bluidin’horses, stickin’ swelled kye, or killin’ swine. But what mair?” “ Your very large destructiveness, with rather a small development of love of life, might make you apt in a desponding moment to commit sui cide.” - “ Me ! I wadna commit suicide oh' a doug. Na, na, mistress, ye’re clean wrang there. But what bit are ye at noo ?•” . .. . “ Combativeness. Very large. You may say 18, Thomas.” “ Aye what is combativeness for ? ” “It inspires courage, and is the quality that makes men capable of fighting.” “Weel, I was thinkin’sae. But I jalouse* gude fechtin’ depends mair on big nerves and braid shouthers than on onything aboot the head. To be sure, if a body was a tup it would be differ ent. Tups have desperate power in the head. Ane Dr. Snapperdudgeon, I ken, could gi’e his affidavy to that.” “Dr. Snapperdudgeon! There’s a gentleman of that name to call here about this time to get his developments examined. You may perhaps see him before you go away.” “To ca’ here ! No, mistress, I ha’e nae time to wait ony langer. Ye needna mind aboot the rest o’ my head, for I reckon the sack is like the sample in phronology as weel as in. meal deal : ing; and I’ve heard aboot as muckle . as I can carry awa' at ance. Just say then, what I’m in your dett, and I’ll be steppin’ “ One shilling is the charge.”

“ Ay, the full charge for spaein’ a' the head. But ye ken ye’ve hardly been abune the lugs wi’ me and ye maun just charge accordingly. There’s a sixpence in the mean time, and when I come back to get you to examine the rest o’ my. head, anither sixpence will clear scores betwix us. But mind, for ony sake say naething to Dr. Snapper dudgeon aboot me or the tup at Whin ny side.” CHAPTER XII. The laird o’ Cockpen he’s proud and he’s great, His mind is ta’en up wi’ th’ affairs o’ the State, SCOTT. None of Mr. Duncanson’s efforts to obtain pupils or a private tutorship suc ceeded. He was . hard run for . the means of living, and again and again was obliged to resort to the old book dealers to raise small sums of money by the sale of books he could ill afford to part with. Pie perused the advertising columns of the newspapers with avidity, in the hope of meeting with some an nouncement which might hold out to him the prospect of employment; but for a long period nothing of the kind appeared. When at length he did observe one which seemed to promise something suitable for him, and applied for the shuation, he received no ans\ver, so that he was reduced almost. to the brink of despair. He, however, still continued to watch the advertisements

THE ASHBURTON HERALD, MONDAY, AUGUST 23, 1880.



V : NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS. [y * All orders for insertion of advertise ments must be written legibly on the face H 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 ■;S: communications should be addressed to The Editor.



,-j'r •: '+ ;.X Ay . Amusements . i To-Night! |OWN HALL, ASHBURTON. TO-NIGHT (MONDAY), AUGUST 23rd MONSTER PANORAMA OF NEW ZEALAND. Limelight Exhibition, amazing brilliancy and beauty. The Principal and most Charming Sceneries of the Colony. Cities, Towns, Buildings, Gorges, Waterfalls, Rocks, Landscapes, Harbors, Bays, Bridges, Rivers, Monuments, Hot springs, Boiling Lakes, Gold Mines. First land discovered by Captain Cook. Scene where Cook first unfurled the British flag and claimed New Zealand. Panorama of Christchurch in six views, Ac., Ac. SPECIAL SCENERIES OF AUSTRALIA. Vocal Music—Special attractions. See Posters. Admission—Dress Circle, 25.; Body of Hall, Is.; Children half price. Commence at 8 sharp in order to get through the lengthy programme. Descriptive Lecture ... Mr. R. Bevan Manager Mr. T. Davies 774 c Christchurch. Miscellaneous. PIANOFORTE FOR SALE. GOOD Strong Cottage Pianoforte for Sale, second hand, price L 35 cash. Apply office of this paper. 641 c ■ < BY ORDER OF THE R.M. COURT. rjlO BE SOLD by PUBLIC AUCTION, on TUESDAY, the 24th of AUGUST at Mutch and M'Kenzie’s Hotel— A .First-class HACK SADDLE and BRIDLE Sale at 12 o’clock sharp. 783 c A. M. PEARSON, Bailiff R.M. Court. ri...-; ASHBURTON HIGH SCHOOL. TENDERS are invited for the EREC TION of a BRICK BUILDING, being part of the intended High School. Also alternative for a TIMBER BUILDING. Plans and specifications may be seen at our offices on and after MON DAY, the 23rd inst., and sealed tenders indorsed ‘ ‘ Tender for High School ” to be delivered on or before noon, Wed nesday, September Ist. FOOKS & SON, 130g-777c , Architects. ASHBURTON RACING CLUB. THE ANNUAL MEETING will be held at Quill’s Hotel on FRIDAY, September 3rd'at 1 p.m. s§> • Business : To receive Committee’s Report and - elect new Officers for the ensuing year. By order M 788 c JAMES WILKIE, Hon. Sec. AVE you Lost Anything ? —Tell the py r l finder through the Herald for a -', Shilling. If he is honest he will bring it !> to-you without a reward, but you can bait a finder of shaky morals by a tempting id-.: offer of remuneration for his trouble. AT ij- wr.a Shilling cash. . I /<. TT ABOURERS requiring work can • secure first opening by applying ' «arly at Herald Registry Office, on pay figment of Is.



Miscellaneous. WANTED— An Experienced General SERVANT. Apply at once to Mr. A. Orr, Tancred Street. 773 c 4*l 0 OftO T 9, I END, in cV-*-"ji"v/v/ suit borrowers, rate of interest. Ashburton. sums to # at lowest F. P. O’Reilly, Solicitor, ■ v • -424c-835g :■ :■ PROPPING. TENDERS are invited for LEASING the Racecourse for one crop of Turnip* and one of Grain. About 125 acres will be available for ploughing. Conditions can be ascertained on appli cation to Mr. C. C. Fooks, or the under signed. . ~ , Tenders to be sent in addressed tc Secretary Race Club, Quill’s Hotel,” on or before FRIDAY, September 3rd, at noon. 787c^ JAMES WILKIE, Hon. Sec. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. ANNIVERSARY SERVICES OF THE INDUCTION OF THE REV. A. M. BEATTIE. ON SABBATH NEXT the REV. D. M‘KEE, of Christchurch, will Preach in the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ASHBURTON. Morning at 11 o’clock. Evening at 6.30. and at Wakantji at 3 o’clock. Special Collections on each occasion. LECTURE. The REV. D. M‘KEE will deliver a LECTURE on MONDAY EVENING, 30th AUGUST, in the TOWN HALL, Subject: “CRANMER AND HIS TIMES.” Chair to be taken at 7 o’clock. The Choir will discourse some appro priate Mu*ic. Proceeds to be devoted to repair of the Church. 789 c