COMMERCIAL.

Messrs. J. T. Ford and Co. report on the live stock market for the week ending Thursday, the 2Gth inst., as follows : At the Addington market of Wednes day last 5117 sheep, 280 cattle, and 124 pigs were yarded. We report no altera tion in the value of mutton, but a decided improvement in beef was noticeable throughout the sale, equal to 2s. 6d. per 100 lbs. Beef and mutton are selling at ridiculously low prices, and no doubt this state of things will sooner or latter find its remedy in boiling down or preserving. Store sheep are in fair demand, and when the stubbles are cleared we anticipate large sales of ewes for lambing purposes. Cross-bred sheep for turnip feeding are also in good demand, especially four-tooth wethers, but as this class of sheep is a very scarce article buyers will have to content themselves with younger sheep, which are commanding from Gs. Gd. to 7s. 6d. each. The top price for beef may be quoted at not above 20s. per 1001 b., and mutton from to lfu. per lb. Merino ewes are selling from 3s. Gd. to 43. 3d. each ; store merino wethers at from 3s. Gd. to 4s. each. Milch cows at from LG 18s. to L 8 10s. each. Pigs are in excellent de mand, and the supply by no means suffi cient for our requirements. Our entries were on account of Messrs. H. Overton, It. L. Higgins, Greaves, L. Tosswill, W Hartnell, and others, and we succeeded in quitting all our lines at the above quotations. At our wool and skin sale on Thursday we had tho usual attendance of buyers, and biddings throughout were very brisk. Bough fat brought from l§d. to If cl. per lb. Lambskins from Is. 9d. to 2s. 6d. ; cross-bred skins up to 2s. Bd. each to 2s. 10d;~-each. On Saturday last we yarded upwards of 36 horses, and disposed of 19, ex Wallabi, at from Lll to L2B each. Privately dur ing the week we have sold upwards of 150 head of fstore cattle at from Li ss. to L 5 6s. each.

POST OFFICE NOTICES.

Mails close at the Chief Post Office, Christchurch, for the following places (subject to' necessary alterations) as under:—

Tuesday, March 2. For Wellington and Northern Ports, per Waitaki, at 3 p.m. ; late fee letters till 3.15 p.m.; guard’s van, railway station, 3.55 p.m. train. Wednesday, March 3.

For Australian colonies, per express train, at 7.30 a.m. (to connect with s.s. Te Anau at Port Chalmers). SYDNEY J. DICK, Chief Postmaster.

Mails close’at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at io.2cf a.m. 4.30 p.m., and 8 p.m., daily. For Chertsey at 10.20 a.m daily. For Rakaia at 10.20 a.m and 4.30 p.m daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.20 a.m, daily. For Temuka, Timaru, and South at 10.20 a.m and 3.30 p.m daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Tuesdays and. Fridays at 10.30 a.m For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at 3.15 p.m. daily. For Wakanui and Seafiekl, on Mondays and Thursdays, 7.30 p.m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). MONDAY, MARCH 1, 1880.

“Local self-government” is a very attractive election cry, and one which is always brought forward as a stock text by those anxious to make their debut in public life. There is so much to be said in favor of it, and arguments to bo used so patent, that the principles contained in the maxim are such as to make themselves so easily understood, and so popular with the public, that the expositor of the views is usually hailed as a patriot, and all his opponents are set down as conservatives and adherents to old fashioned and obsolete notions.

We may at once state that we are, up to a certain point, in favor of “local self government,” but we are also of opinion that there may be too many sub-divisions of governing power, and much consequent expense in the administration and execu tive of the governing bodies. When Pro vincialism was stamped out, it was because there were nine small Parliaments meeting annually, each of which possessed its staff of officials, and no one has ever questioned their usefulness whilst they held the reins of government. They were not, as a matter of course, bodies who were re markable for possessing Pitts or Gladstones among them, but they did their work, according to their lights, in a manner suited to the times, until the great Jove, Sir Julius Vogel, feeling offended at some remarks in the General Assembly, an nounced the downfall of Provincialism, and the advent of a “ simpler and more effective s} r stem of local self government viz., the County Council system, by which sixty-three new Govern ments were established in lieu of the demoralised provinces. Not all of these countries have undertaken the powers and honors offered to them, but the local self-government idea embodied in the alteration can hardly be called a success, as new staffs of officials have necessarily been organised, whilst the old officials of

the provincial system have nearly all been absorbed by the Central Government in Wellington. The truth really is that the administrative power is now entirely in the hands of the heads of departments in the Empire City ; and on important mat ters requiring immediate attention the so called local self-governing bodies cannot stir hand or foot without voluminous and vexatious correspondence with the central poiver. To descend in the grade of the various public bodies, we find the same eagerness for the division of governing powor, and an instance is just at present brought

under our notice in which it is intended by the residents on the north bank of the Bangitata to have their district severed from the Upper Ashburton and Mount Somers districts, and to create a new one by the partition. We do not for one moment doubt tho fact that the Bangitata ratepayers have a grievance, or that a due proportion of the large revenues of the boards by whom their roads, &c. are con trolled, has not been expended in their part of the district, or that thoir rating power has not had its due amount of representation in the Board. There are matters which, with the growth of the district, the requirements of some portions of it for works of immediate necessity, the inadvisability ©f rushing on a lai'ge number of contracts simultane ously all over the district, and more than all, the supineness shown by the far distant ratepayers to the proceedings of the Board, have all combined to cause dissatisfaction now that funds are running low.

During the past year or two, three divisions of local bodies have taken place —viz., Ist. The Municipality, of Ashbur ton from the Ashburton Boad Board ; 2nd., the division of the same Boad Board into two new bodies, the Wakanui and Longbeach Boards; and 3rd, the dissolution of partnei ship in the South Rakaia district by which the Mount Hutt Road Board began its existence. There were in all three cases some cause for the multiplication of bodies and their neces sary extra expenditure, and we have no doubt tho causes were sufficient, other wise the ratepayers would not have con sented to the alterations. It is, however, probable that the ratepayers did not give much thought to the matter in any shape or form since the only outcome up to the present has been a multiplication in the number of officials, and a corresponding increase in the office expenses. The large subsidies from the land fund are virtually at an end, and the only revenues are those derivable from rates. It is, therefore, impossible for so large a staff of officials to be so necessary now as they were two years ago, when some of the Boards were spending L 2,000 and more a month, whilst now, the largest items in some bodies is the monthly payments for the officials.

The newly-contemplated Board have, however, some very strong grounds on which to base their claim for the constitu tion of a new district, and we have felt surprised at the uncomplaining passive ness with which they have allowed other wards in the district to spend both their own and their neighbors’ funds in some specially-favored localities. And this ward system, as it has been carried out in most Boad Boards, has been utterly use less for the object it was intended to ac complish. The old Canterbury Roads Ordinance, 1872, defines the ward system to be one by wliieli five wards shall be formed in each district, each having a member elected by the ratepayers having an interest in that ward, that the revenues and proportionate share of subsidies and grants shall be spent in that ward, that separate books and accounts shall be kept for each ward, and a “ general account” of the common account of all five wards be also kept. Had this system been rigidly ad hered to, we imagine we would not have heard of any splitting up of large and influential bodies into small and unimportant ones. Those Boards which have, so to speak, played at wards, have elected their members from the whole body of the ratepayers, have kept one general account, and where the ex penditure has absorbed the funds in one ward it has been the custom to borrow from the credit balance of the other and less favored wards to prosecute their works. This was all very well whilst the bank balances were large, but now that funds are low, the districts which are called upon to pay heavy taxes, and have had no works executed to show for them, are naturally crying out at the injustice of the business, and are anxious to follow up the advice of J. Stuart Mills’ dictum that “ Taxation without representation is tyranny. ” Hence the intended partition of the county between the Hinds and Rangi tata from its present partnership.

The Court.— The usual sitting of the R.M. Court will be held to-moraow, the police cases include the hors stealing case against Ryan, a gambling transretion, in whice a distinguished civil servant occu pies a prominent part. The Immigrants in Quarantine. — The immigrant vessels Westland and Waimate were to be admitted to pratique to-day. There are no new cases of illness on the quarantine stations, and the invalids are doing well. Thanksgiving Service. —On Sunday next a thanks-giving service for the abun dant harvest will be held at St. Stephen’s Church ; and the farmers’ gratitude for the blessings of the season may be suit ably shown by donations in the shape of produce ; the proceeds of which will be given to the Old Mens' Home.

The Flower Show. —ln the interests of horticulture we would remind our readers that the first show of the Ashburton Hor ticultural Society will take place at the Town Hall on Saturday next. We are requested to draw attention to the fact that entries must be made with the hon. secretary not later than noon on "Wednes day, in order to ensure each exhibitor the requisite amount of space. All who take an interest in this young society are par ticularly invited to send exhibits, either for competition, or for exhibition only. Those for exhibition only are admitted free. All members’ exhibits are free, and hon. members will have to pay an entrance fee of one shilling for each exhibit. W r e are in hopes, even at this advanced period of the season, to see a goodly array of fruit and vegetables, but we are afraid the weather has militated somewhat against a successful show of flowers, and we must therefore look more for quantity than quality. Still, as everything must have a beginning, we sincerely hope that the coming show may be a precursor of many, each, increasing in merit from its pre decessor. Vital Statistics. —The Registrar’s return of births, deaths, and marriages in Christchurch and district for the month of February is as follows : Births : city 45, district 104 ; marriages : city 30, district 10 ; deaths : city 50, dis trict 54. Mr. Parkerson appends the following note —“104 deaths in twenty eight days is the highest number of deaths registered in my district in any one month.” During February, 1870, the number of deaths was —city 49, district 42.

The Cable. Cable communication between England and New Zealand is in terrupted, the hitch being with the calbe at Rangorn. Borough Water Supply.—A special meeting of the Borough Council will be held this evening at 7 p.m., to consider two plans for temporarily furnishing a supply of water for tho township, one scheme being supplied by his Worship, and the other by Councillor Saunders.

The Weather. —Sou’-west rain set in about 2 p.m. yesterday and continued through the night The day has been drizzly and warm, with the wind all round the compass, but very light. The weather is close and muggy, and considerable care will have to be exercised by those having grain in stook or in the ground, other wise sprouting will very soon ensue should the temperature continue high, and we fear many of the badly built, and nn thatched stacks will have to be pulled down and fresh topped to save the grain from germinating.

The Royal Commission on Native Af fairs.—We learn from Hawera that the Royal Commission has finished its inquiry so far as concerns the country between the Patea and Kaupokonui Rivers. The Com mission left for New Plymouth on Satur day. A Lucky Lady. —Mrs. Fisher, who drew Foul Play in a sweep on the Wel lington Cup, drew the same horse in Stapleton’s sweep on the Dunedin Cup, thus winning LIOOO within a month.

Foul Drains. —Ashburton is not alone in its misery regarding foul drains, as witness the following from the “ Press ” regarding the Lyttelton drains : —The foul ness of the atmosphere arising from the sewers in Lyttelton was last Saturday un bearable. The weather was unusually hot, a circumstance which no doubt in creased the oftensiveness of the noxious exhalations from tne drains, but in the ab sence of periodical and effectual flushing of the sewers it would certainly seem to be the duty of the local authorities to have stench traps put in wherever the sewer is open to the streets. The imperative ne cessity there exists for some action in this direction, was strongly apparent to every person who traversed the streets much on Saturday. Police. —Mr. Sub-Inspector O’Donnell, lately in charge of tho Clyde district, takes charge of the Christchurch sub district in the place of Mr. Inspector Hickson, removed to Clyde.

Maori Strength on the West Coast. —ln consequence of a disquietning state ment made by a correspondent of the “ New Zealand Herald,” that the Maoris on the West Coast could raise 3000 fight ing men in 48 hours, Captain G. W. Woon, of the New. Zealand Militia, has written to contradict the statement. He says that twenty years ago, when a combined move ment of the tribes was made against New Plymouth, the natives could only raise a total of 1210 men, and these comprised all who could carry a musket or raise a toma hawk. He feels sure that 500 men would he an exceedingly difficult number to bring together.

A Brave Boy. —The following instance o”f pluck deserves to be recorded : —On Friday evening two boys, named Mathews and Oldham, while bathing in the Wai makariri, would have been drowned but for the plucky conduct of Herbert H. Johnston, aged 13, son of the post master. Johnston, who was dressing, seeing the lads in trouble, made for Mathews, who was farthest out in the stream, and was sinking for the second time. Johnston dived and brought the drowning youth by the hair to the surface. A young man named Hay man, attracted by Johnston’s calls, swam out for Oldham, but after seizing him lost hold. Johnston then grasped him also, and held him up till Hay man could relieve him. When brought to land Matliews and Oldham were quite exhausted, and it was some time before they recovered. But for Johnston’s action both would certainly have beeen drowned, and his pluck is well worthy of recognition.

TELEGRAPHIC.

TO-DAY’S CABLEGRAMS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE

Herat and Merv. {Age Special .) London. Feb, 28.

It Is intended that Peisia takes immedi ate porsession of Herat, Seistan, and dis tinct suarounding. Merv will be erected into a State, jointly protected by Britain and Persia. The States of Khel and Cashmere haAe received additions. The Cape. The South African colonies’ delegates assembled at Capetown to discuss Sir M. Hicks Beach’s confederation proposal. It is absolutely necessary that the British only should only garrison Capetown. The Boers desire a distinct constitution for the Transvaal.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Renter's Telegrams.) The Star of Berryism Set. Melbourne, Feb. 28.

In the elections, Sir Bryan G’Loglilen and Munro have .been defeated. Mr. Berry tops the poll for Geelong with a small majority. Mr. Service has been elected for Maldon. The Opposition gained all the seats for Melbourne suburbs. Feb. 29. Seventy-five returns have been received. The Opposition so far claim a majority of nine. Pearson and all the other Mini sters, except O’Loghlen, have been elected. Casey, L. L. Smith, and Dick son have been defeated. (.Association Special. ) Melbourne, March 1.

The “ Age ” admits a serious defeat, and recommends the immediate resignation of the Ministry. The Oppositon are sure of 48 or 49.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

I N TER PROVINCIAL. More Immigrants. Auckland, March I. The barque Sti’acathso arrived to-day from London, after a passage of 92 days. Mrs. Mason died from diarrhoea, and one seaman fell from the mizzen masthead and broke his leg and a wrist. The vessel brings 100 passengers.

A Defaulter. TaukA>' GA, March 1

The cane of J. C. Young came on for hearing on Saturday, and lasted all day. On the charge of stealing LSO prisoner was committed for trial at Auckland. Two other charges were withdrawn. Bail was accepted—Young in a LIOOO, and two sureties of L3OO each.

Hawera, March. 1. En Route to Parihaka. A number of natives, en route for Patea, Mokoro, and Manutahi, passed through yesterday on their way to Pari haka. They had five drays loaded with flour, tea, and sugar, and shark for the great half yearly meeting. The Unemployed in Camp. Captain Taylor, with 40 men has left the camp at Otako for Oco, where they are to meet the unemployed from Welling* ton, and escort them into camp. Death of an Old Maori. Nelson, March 1. An old Maori died at Wakapuaka, said to he one hundred and 10 years old. It is reported he was the original chief of the district, but lost possession by the conquest of another chief. The Irish Relief Fund. Dunedin, March 1. Vincent County subscribed L3OO to the Irish Belief Fund, and the Lakes L 149. The Steamboat Costal Service—Laying Up of the Union Company’s Boats. The “ Times ” says, in connection with the statement that the Union Steam Ship ping Co. intended laying up some of their boats during the winter, the following are the proposed new arrangements : —The Hawea, Wanaka, and Penguin, are to be withdrawn from the East Coast trade. The two first named will be placed on the West Coast service in room of the Taiaroa and Waitaki. The Melbourne steamei’3 continue to run up the Erst Coast as far as Russell. Tho Penguin and Ladybird will be laid up. The Taiaroa will probably be placed on the Dunedin and Timaru trade during the grain season. The Waitaki is to be placed between Tauranga, Auckland, Whangarei, and Russell, making weekly trips. The running of the steamers will be so regulated that the present service between Lyttelton and “Wellington will be maintained. Pastor Chiniquy In Dunedin. Pastor Chiniquy preached twice yester day to crowded audiences. The col lections amounted L7B. Lady Robinson Lays a Church Founda tion. Lady Robinson laid the foundation stone of the Episcopal Church, Roslyn, be fore leaving. The Totalisator. Over LSOOO were pat through tho totalisator on Saturday, completely para lysing betting. Fire. A fire occurred in the upper room of one of Hoffman’s stores, King street. The loss is fully insured in the South British LIOO ; National, LI4OO. The Governor. The Governor left to-day for the North.

LAST NIGHT’S CABLEGRAMS.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE {Renter's.) London, Feb. 26. Three per cent. Consols, 97§. Adelaide wheat and flour are un changed. The total reserve in notes and bullion in the Bank of England is L 17,082,500. At the wool sales to-day, 10,800 hales were offered, making a total of 84,300 bales catalogued since the opening sa’es. The increased prices were firmly main tained. Washington,’ Feb. 26. General Grant is generally accepted in the coining election for President of the United States. St. Petersburg. Feb. 26. An Imperial ukase has been published, appointing General Melikoff head of the Supreme Commission for the repression of disorder in the city. He has been in vested with unlimited power for the punishment of offenders.

AUSTRALIAN.

( Reuter's Telegrams.) Sydney, Feb. 28. The total subscriptions obtained in this Colony towards the Irish Relief Fund amount to L 20,000. {Special.) Melbourne, Feb. 28. The following exhibitors at the Mel bourne Juvenile Exhibition have been awarded silver medals :—A. P. M‘Carthy, Joseph Bentley, F. Ange, Fred. M‘Carthy, Maggie Armstrong, Eleanor C. Sperry, residents of Dunedin ; Edward N. Barraud, Wanganui ; Henry J. Bilton, H. M. Dobson, Christchurch ; Dennis O’Brien, Wellington. The New Zealand exhibitors have also been awarded 10 first class certificates, 5 second, and 8 third.

THE NELSON PRIZE FIRING.

[by telegraph.] Rifle Camp, Brightwater.

The members of the Rifle Assciation, together with all the local companies mustered for church parade yesterday, and attended the Episcopalian Church this morning. All the members arrived in camp at about 10 o'clock, and the morn ing has been occupied by the men getting into quarters. At 2 o’clock there will be parade ; at 3.30 first match will be com menced. The arrangements for firing are completed, th© ranges being almost the same as last year, but it is probable longer time will be taken in marking the shots on account of altering the butts, with a view to increasing the protection for the markers. Colonel Packe is is command, Major Lean camp adjutant, whilst Capt. Webb is acting as secretary, Mr Stevens being unable to attend.

The Farmer’s Vegetable Garden.

ADVICE FROM AMERICA. (San Francisco Bulletin.)

We have frequently advised farmers to give up the old system of planting veget gbles in beds cultivated by hand, and to adopt in its place the system of long rows, mainly taken care of by horse powey, We think no one who gives the latter method a thorough trial will ever return to the old plan.

After selecting the best piece of ground attainable, and ploughing in once or twice or even three times, harrowing after each ploughing, the plan of the garden is in order. Strike off furrows two and one-half feet apart. Suppose we begin with pota toes, that being a staple. Then, starting at one side of the vegetable garden, plant as many rows of early potatoes as are thought to be sufficient for the family use. Plant them one foot apart in the rows, and cover with a one-horse plough throwing two furrows on each row : next, take peas, and plant several rows, covering them by dragging with the single plough. This will bo more rapid than hand covering, and is quite as satisfactory. Plant, for an ordinary family, one quart of early peas, and two quarts each of Marrowfats, Champion of England, and Yorkshire Hero, or of Blue Peter, Wrinkled Sugar, or some other late pea.

Now w*e come to the more delicate work. Throw two furrows together where the next row comes, and with a hand rako, level and mellow the surface until it is fit t® receive small seeds. Draw a mark in the centre, and plant a long row of blood turnip beets, the.early Egyptian preferred. Prepare another row in the same w r ay and sow it with carrots. Plant a third to parsnips, a fourth to salsify. Scatter a few radish seeds along these rows, mingled with the beets, carrots, parsnips, etc. It is much better than to give a separate row to this evanescent vegetable. When serving these fine seeds be careful that you press the soil firmly above them. That is one of the secrets of successful germination. The next two or three rows may be devoted to early cabbages, lettuce, and onions, started in smaller beds and transplanted. Mingle the lettuce with the cabbage, so as to save space. A row of turnips may come next. There must be room left for late vege tables, such as beans, melons, squashes, cucumbers and tomatoes. None of these are to be planted till the frost is out of the ground. One of the best snap beans is the Black Wax, and it deserves to be widely known. Bush beans, potatoes, etc., may be planted wlierever there is room, and some late peas ought to be sowed at the same time.

In the same piece of ground, near the fence, and planted in row’s of the same width, two and one-half feet, there should be, as a permanent garden investment, strawberries, currants, gooseberries, as paragus and rhubarb. A row of artichokes may be added for those who like the large prickly heads of the favorite garden vege table, and there should be a corner left for trying any desired experiment with uew r and promising vegetables. Every farmer should each year add to his list of vegetables a few of the newer kinds, and should publish his experience for the benefit of his neighbor farmers and of the public generally. There is a real pleasure about comparing the modes of growth and different qualities of varieties of the same vegetable. In watermelons, for instance, one may have the white fleshed, the yellow fleshed, or the scarlet fleshed ; he may grow the small apple-seeded melon or the large green ice-cream, or the striped Joe Johnston, or the curious Orange variety’’, which peels like a veri table orange. All our garden vegetables exhibit quite as great a variety as do the melons, and are as well worth study.

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

(Times Coi respondent. ) Hawera, Feb. 29. The move towards Parihaka in view of the Maori meeting lias already commenced. Last night some 40 or 50 of the Ngatihani from the Upper Patea river encamped on the northern bank of the Atakio stream, about a mile from our camp, and left again this morning for Parihaka. They had with them five carts laden with dried shark, flour and sugar. In addition to the significance to be attached to this early move towards Parihaka, it is to be remem bered that the chief of this hapu, Tamarua, although formerly a rebel, has lately pre tended to be deeply loyal to the Govern ment. Too much importance cannot be attached to this early move to Parihaka, from what may be considered a remote portion of the district over which Te Whiti’s immediate influence is extended.

The detachment of unemployed reached Opunake yesterday morning, and w r erc to day sw’orn in under the military regula tions by Colonel Roberts. They have no officers with them. Something almost approaching to consternation has been caused by the arrival of these men. Apart from the difficulties likely to arise through the employment of tw r o bodies of men—Constabulary and unemployed—at the same work and at unduly different rates of w\ages,the news that has been re ceived respecting the character of the latter is most discouraging. In a private letter, fromareliahlesource, they arespoken of as the sweepings of the gaols, and danger is to be apprehended from their arrival in a disturbed district, in which at any moment trouble may arise through an act of indiscretion on the part of an in dividual. Not a single charge of improper behaviour towards the natives has been brought against the Constabulary, but it is feared that these men, not being so much amenable to discipline, may commit offences against the natives, the result of which it w T ould be impossible to predict. Daily the relationship between the races is becoming restricted, and the utmost caution is required to prevent the occur rence of anything that might be seized upon as an excuse for a breach of the peace. Titokowaru still keeps himself in hiding, and without doubt is in close com munication with To Whiti.

The Commissioners have for the present closed their sitting at Hawera. Great efforts have been made to have it appear that their mission to some extent lias been successful, but it is notorious that not a single native who acknowledges the supre macy of Te Whiti has appreached the Commissioners, while those outsiders w T ho have attended, after gravely advancing preposterous claims, have joined the crowd of Maoris outside, and made the enquiry a subject of ridicule and laughter. Apart from the objections to the personnel of the Commissioners, principally as regards Sir W. Fox, the native mind cannot grasp the idea of a non-executive body enquiring into their claims.

The first serious offence amongst the Constabulary occurred yesterday, when at an early hour of the mprning a sentry was found asleep at his post near the roadway. Strange to say when he was found asleep sovevaj. natives wife seen loitering iq the vicinity, Under the circumstances the offender will probable be dealt with by a Board of Officers.

THE STORY-TELLER.

Jud Brownin’s Account of Rubenstein’s

Playing,

“ Jud, they say you heard Rubenstein play when you were in. New York ? ”

“ I did in the cool.” “ Well, tell us all about it.” “ What! me % I might’s well tell you about Die creation of the world.”

“ Come, now; no mock modesty* Go ahead.”

• “ Well, sir, he had the blamedest, big gest, catty-cornerdest pianner you ever laid eyes on ; somethin’ like a distracted billiard table on three legs. The lid was heisted, and mighty well it was. If it hadn’t been, he’d a tore the intire insides clean out, and scattered ’em to the four winds of heaven.”

“ Played well, did he ? ” “ You bet he did ; but don’t interrupt me. When he first sat down he ’peared to keel* mighty little ’bout playin’, and wish’t he hadn’t come.. He tweedle eedled a little on the trible, twoodle oodled some on the bass —just foolin’ and boxin’ the thing’s jaws for bein’ in his way. And I says to the man settin’ next tome, s’l, ‘What sort of fool playin’is that ? ’ And he says, ‘ Hush ! ’ But presently his hands began chasin’ one ’nother up and down the keys, like a passel of rats scamperin through a garret very swift. Parts of it was sweet, though, and reminded me of a sugar squirrel turnin’ the wheel of a candy cage. “ ‘ Now,’ I says to my neighbor, ‘lie’s a showin’ off. He thinks he’s a doin’ of it, but he. ain’t got no ide, no plan of nothin’. If he’d play a tune of some kind or other I’d—

“But my neighbor says ‘ Heigh,’ very impatient. “I was just about to git up and go hpme, bein’ tired of that foolishness, when I heard a little bird waking up away off in the woods, and callin’ sleepy like to his mate, I looked up and I see that Rubin was beginnin’ to take some interest in his business, and I set down agin. It was the peep of day. The light came faint from the east, the breeze blowed gentle and fresh, some birds waked up in the orchard, and then some more in the trees, near the house, and all begun singin’ together. People began to stir, and the gal opened the shutters. Just then the first beam of the sun fell upon the blossoms a leetle more, and it touched the roses on the bushes, and the next thing it was the broad day ; the sun fairly blazed, the birds sang like they’d split their throats ; all the leaves was movin’ and flashin’ diamonds of dew, and the whole wide world was bright and happy as a king. Seemed to me like there was a good breakfast in every house in the land, and not a sick child or woman anywhere. It was a fine mornin’. “And I says to my neighbor, ‘That’s music, that is. ’ ” “ But he glanced at me like he’d like to cut my throat. “ Presently the wind turned ; and it began to thicken up and a kind of thick grey mist came over things; I got low spirited directly. Then a silver rain began to fall. I could see the drops touch the ground, some flashed up like long pearl ear-rings, and the rest rolled away like rubies. It was pretty but melan choly. Then the pearls gathered them selves into long strands and necklaces, and then they melted into thin silver streams running between golden gravel, and then the streams joined each other at the bottom of the hill, and made a brook that flowed silent, except that you could kinder see music, especially when the bushes on the bank moved as the music went along down the valley. I could smell the flowers in the meadow. But the sun didn’t shine, nor the birds sing ; it was a foggy day, but not cold. The most curious thing was a little white angel boy ; like you see in pictures, that run ahead of the music brook, and led it on and on, away out of the world, where no man ever was —I never was, certain. I could see the boy just as plain as I see you. Then the moonlight came, without any sunset, and shone on the graveyards, where some few ghosts lifted tlieir hands and went over the wall, and between the black sharp-top trees splendid marble houses rose up, with fine ladies in the lift-up windows, and men that loved ’em, but never got a-nigli ’em, and played on guitars under the trees, and made me that miserable that I could a-cried, because I wanted to love somebody, I don’t know who, better than the men with the guitars did. Then the sun went down, it got dark, the wind moaned and wept like a lost child for its dead mother, and I could a-got up there and then and preached a better sermon than any I ever listened to, there wasn’t a thing in the world left to live for, not a blame thing, and yet I didn’t want the music to stop one bit. It was happier to be a miserable than to be be happy without being miserable. I couldn’t understand it, I hung my head and pulled out my liankerchief, and blowed my nose well to keep from cryin’. My eyes is weak anyway ; I didn’t want anybody to be a gazin’ at me a snivlin’ and it’s nobody’s business what I do with my nose. It’s mine. But some several glared at me as mad as Tucker. Then, all of a sudden, old Ruben changed his tune. He rip’d and rar’d, ho tip’d and tar’d, and he charged like the grand entry into a circus. ’Peared to me that all the gas in the house was turned on at once, things got so bright, and I hilt up my head, ready to look any man in the face, and not afear’d of nothin’. It was a circus, and a brass band, and a big ball, all goin’ on at the same time. He lit into them keys like a thousand of bricks, he gave ’em no rest, day or night ; he set every livin’ joint in me a-goin’, and not bein’ able to stand it no longer, I jumpt up on my seat, and jest hollered— “ Go it my Rube !” “Every blamed man, woman, and child in the house riz on me, and shouted, * Put him out ! Put him out !” “ ‘Put your great grandmother’s grizzly grey greenish cat into the middle of next month !’ I says, ‘ Tech me, if you dare ! I paid my money, and you jest come a nigh me. ’ ” With that several policemen ran up, and I had to simmer down. But I would a’ fit any fool that laid hands on me, for I was bound to hear Rube out or die.

‘ 1 He had changed his tune again. H© hopt-light ladies, and tip-toed fino from eened to eened of the keyboard. He played soft, and low, and solemn I heard the church bells over the hills. The candles in Heaveq were lit one by one ; I saw the stars rise. The great organ of ei ernity began to play from the world's

Monday, March i, 1880.1

THE ASHBURTON HERALD.



Hew Advertisements. WHEAT FREIGHT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM. HE undersigned, having completed their charters for the ensuing grain season, will regularly despatch first class iron ships to various ports in the United Kingdom. Several other equally high class iron vessels are also chartered, and will follow. For freight, apply to P. CUNNINGHAM & CO. ; Or to ROYSE, STEAD, & CO., 488g* Christchurch. ENGLISH WHEAT SHIPMENTS. nnHE Undersigned are prepared to ship § wheat to London or any other Port in the United Kingdom for farmers or others, making liberal CASH ADVANCES against same on favorable terms. °Farmers placing their Wheat in our hands for shipment can rely upon the ENGLISH CHARGES being REDUCED to a minimum, and upon receiving PROMPT ACCOUNT SALES. Intending shippers wishing to avail themselves of the present opportunity of testing the London and other English wheat markets, are recommended to make IMMEDIATE APPLICATION for space. ROYSE, STEAD, & CO., 4g9 G * Christchurch. ALL PROGRAMME CARDS in very neat styles, with Pencils and Ribbons, printed at the Herald Office, East street, near Railway Station, of Reading Matter is the Herald Jj every Evening.



New Advertisements. ASHBURTON PERMANENT BUILD ING AND INVESTMENT SOCIETY. THE Monthly Meeting of the above Society will be held in Mr. Bullock’s office TO-MORROW (Tuesday) EVEN ING, from 6.30 to 8.30. Subscriptions will be received at the Secretary’s office, Burnett street, between the hours of 9 o’clock and 4 p.m. to morrow, and at Mr. Bullock’s office, from 6.30 to 8.30 to-morrow evening. J. WARD, il2c . Secretary. ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. TENDERS are invited for the follow ing WORKS : 1. Approaches to North Ashburton River Bridge, near Digby’s. 2. Main Drain near Wheatstone. 3. Main Drain near Dawson’s and Bell’s Roads. Plans and specifications to be seen at Council’s offices, and tenders addressed to the Chairman to be sent not later than 11 o’clock, a.m. on WEDNESDAY, 3rd MARCH next. By order, WILLIAM BAXTER, County Engineer. Ashburton, 23rd February, 1880. 536g-92c VX7ANTED, a good SMART BOY for v V I.hft shoo. Apply Herald and the shop. Guardian office. VV7ANTED KNOWN, that Mrs. Man » » hire cuts out and fits LADIES’ ROBES at 3s. each. Address, next Mrs. Turton’s, N.E. Belt. 110 c WANTED KNO WN. —Messrs Poyntz and Co. have several BARGAINS in HOUSEHOLD PROPERTIES in Ashburton. 95c LOST.— SIDE SADDLE, off a cart in Peter street. Reward on return ing same to Herald office. 113 c LOST. FROM Ashburton, a Riding SADDLE. Finder will please return same to Mr. Hill, Barman, Quill’s Hotel, or to Wm. Dalgetv, Graham’s Road, Tinwald. 114c—556g 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 OF TWEEDS, FANCY GOODS, &c., &e., JUST ARRIVED. Mr. Craighead’s experience as Head Cutter in connection with 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 a perfect fit in every case. TANCRED STREET, (Next Orr and Cx’s.) CRAIGHEAD & CO. 982 a FOR SALE. TOWN SECTION No. 300, Burnett street, on easy terms. Apply to G. M. ROBINSON, 90c* Care of P. Cunningham and Co.