COMMERCIAL.

By Telegraph. , ' . Wellington, , April 24. The New Zealand Loan and: Mercantile Agency report, under date London, 11th 111 Wool sales opened .with spirit on 20th insfc. at an advance bf Id. to on last sales. The opening catalogiie contained 8,500 bales—sales comprise about doO,UUU bales; 30,000 bales have been sent to manufacturing districts. / Buyers are active, but trade in' manufacturing dis tricts is not so good—continental markets are lightly stocked. The following have advanced since close of last sales:—Greasy, Id. per lb.; clothing, washed, Id.; combing washed, 2d.; scoured, 1-Jd ; and crossbreds, superior greasy, and superior combing, - washed, id. to Id.; lambs, market unchanged. Bales will close on June 12th. The next, series will commence on 17th August. Tallow is dull of sale ; best mutton is quoted at 335. per cwt.; best beef 325. Wheat market flat—Adelaide is worth 545. and New Zealand 525. per 4961b5.

(by telegraph.)

Dunedin, April 23.

Prime beef, 255. per lOOlbs.; mutton, 2d. per lb. ■ Good samples wheat, 4s. 3d. to 4s. 6d.; fowls’ wheat, 3s. to 3s. 3d.-, oats, Is. 3d.-to Is. 4d.; barley, 4s. to 4s. 6d.; feed, 2s. 6d. to 35.; potatoes, L2 15s. to L 3 y old hay, L 4 ; new oaten hay, L 3 55.; chaff, L 3 ; straw, L2 ; bran, L 3 ; pollard, L 4 ; flour, LlO 10s. to LlO 15s per ton, 'large sacks ; oatmeal, LlO ; pearl barley, L 22 ; onions, 65.; new cheese, 5d.; bacon, rolled, lOd.; hams, Is.; sides bacon., lid.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m. 9. a.m., and .5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 9 a. m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.15 a.m. daily. For Temuka, Timaru, and South at 6 a.m. and 10.15 a.m. daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 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., 4.65 p.m., and 8.15 x>.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 Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a,m. daily. , From . Wakanui and Seafield on Tues-

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”). SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 1880.

English Mail.— Letters posted by the express to-night will be in time for the outgoing mail via San Francisco.

Sporting. A challenge appears in another column from one of our local “ peds,” which will no doubt be read with interest by our sporting friends.

Missionary Meeting.— We undei'stand it is the intention of the members of the Wesleyan Church to hold a meeting next week for the purpose of bringing the wants of the Missionary cause in foreign parts, muro eapooially that in connection with the South Sea Islands, under the notice of the public, and to solicit their sympathies.

Advanced Price. —At the sale of the Fairfield estate on Thursday last one of the acres offered realised LlO5 and the price was generally remarked as an ex tremely high one, hut yesterday the enter prising purchaser was offered LllO cash for his recent investment. Sections 80 and 81, purchased by Anderson and Scott for L 5 per acre, have been re sold to Mr. T. W. Andrews for Ll 4 per acre, half cash. The land is sown in English grass. The Bridge Approaches. —Our atten tion has been called to the state of the approaches to the Ashburton Bridge. At either end, where the approaches are con siderably below the level of the railway line, large boulders have worked down from the line and lie right in the path. In one instance a horse narrowly escaped severe injury through inadvertently tread ing on one of these boulders ; as it was, the beast was lamed for some days by the twist its leg received. Perhaps the hint thus given will be talceu by those whose duty it is to see to the state of the line.

Treaties with France. — A Gazette just issued states that the duration of the the existing treaties of commerce and navigation with France is prolonged.

Tenders. —The surveyors to the Waka nui Road Board are inviting tenders for several sections of work, particulars of which will be found in our advertising columns. Alterations in the Education Act. —A conference of chairmen of School Committees in South Canterbury is to he held at Timaru to-day, to consider what alterations in the Education Act are ad visable.

The Naval Brigade. —At a meeting of the Wellington naval brigade on Thursday last Captain Johnston announced that he had, through the Colonial Government, sent a request to the Imperial authorities to allow the brigade the use of a man-of war from England. Fatal Accident. — An accident, result ing in fatal consequences, took place yes terday at the Christchurch railway station. A shunter, an elderly man, named Thomas Duffey, while engaged in his work, slipped over and fell across the rail, and the engine that was being shunted passed over his body. The man was at one time head porter at the Christchurch railway station, from thence was sent to Addington as signalman. At the time of the accident Duffey was acting as porter at the Adding ton station and as far as can be ascertained was engaged shunting some trucks at the time of the unfortunate occurrence which caused his death. It appears that deceased was one of the oldest servants on the rail way, having been in that employ uuder the old provincial system, and in con sequence of his age, and as a recog nition of long service it had been in tended to remove him from Addington to Christchurch, and give him the office of night watchman, which he was to have assumed at the end of this week. Duffey was a married man, with a large family, two of his sons being engaged on the rail way—one as engine driver on the Mal vern line, and the other as telegraphist in Dunedin. Deceased was a steady man, very generally respected by his superiors, and cordially esteemed by his fellow-work men

Alleged Perjury. —At the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Waimate, on Thursday, a man named William Hoyton was charged with perjury at tke hearing of the Waimate fire cases, at Dunedin, lately. The Bench decided that this case, and also a similar one against T. H. G. Smith, should go no further till a man damus had been obtained from the Su preme Court, Wellington.

Another Fatal Accident. A melan choly accident occurred on Wednesday, about noon, at the residence of Mr. Bu chanan, Little River, whereby a child six years old, the son of Mr. F. J. Butler, in the employment of Mr. Buchanan, lost its life. The mother of the child and Annetta McCiona, an Italian girl, were in Mr. Buchanan’s room, playing with the child, when the latter took up a revolver and presented it at the child’s head. The girl, not knowing that the revolver was loaded, drew the trigger, and the bullet passed through the child’s head. The child died the same evening at seven o'clock. An inquest was held yesterday.

Jack Ashore. —lt is not an uncom mon thing to find individuals of thievish propensities appropriating articles of very little value to themselves, or anyone else except the owner. It is seldom, however, that such an article as a lady’s chemise is so attractive to auy individual as for him to desire to become possessed of it, and we can hardly imagine anyone doing so except as a good joke. However, such a case occurred at the Lyttelton Police Court yesterday. Two men named Charles Scott and William Harris were charged with the larceny of a chemise belonging to Ellen Sheppard. Constable Neil gave evidence of examining the accused’s bed and box on board the Stracathro, and on searching a box in the cook-house he found the garment claimed by the prose cutor. The cook of the vessel testified to the prisoner Harris having left the “shift” in the galley at night. Ellen Sheppard testified to having missed a flannel shirt and drawers, two chemises and a nightdress, from the clothes-line on Wednesday morning. She heard some men in the yard on Tuesday night. The value of the clothes was L2. The chemise produced was identified by the witness as her property. Scott called evidence to show that he was not with the prisoner Harris when the articles were taken. The Bench dismissed the c.ise against Scott, and sentenced Harris to twenty - four hours’ imprisonment, it appearing that the article was not taken with felonious intent.

Masonic. —The South Rakaia Lodge, E.C., held their annual installation of officers on Wednesday evening, in the Town Hall, Rakaia. The ceremony was conducted by the D.D. G.M., Bro. Henry Thomson, from Christchurch, assisted by Bro. Webb, P.M., Bro. Webb, W.M., from Southbridge, and Bro. Hardy, W.M. of the South Rakaia Lodge. There was a good attendance of the members and a good many visiting brethren. The follow ing officers were installed :—Bros. T. A. Winter, W.M. ; J. N. Sharp, S.W. ; A. Makeig, J.W. ; E. Clark, Hon. Sec. ; V. Mangham, S.D. ; G. Rickards, J.D. ; A. Haslett, Tyler. Bro. Weeks conducted the musical ceremony.' After an address by the D.D. Grand. Master on the prin ciples of Freemasonry, the Lodge was duly closed, and the brethren attended a banquet at Bro. Partridge’s. The tables were laid out with the best of everything in first-class style, and those present en joyed themselves thoroughly. After the usual toasts had been proposed, that of the newly installed officers was given, who acknowledged the honor the brethren had conferred upon them in the Lodge, and expressed a hope that all would work together harmoniously during the ensuing year, which, would assist the officers very much in their duties. After a pleasant evening had been spent, the party dis persed at about 12 o’clock.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

GREENAWAY Y. TAYLOR.

To the Editor.

Sir, —In justice to the defendant, we beg to correct the statement made by Messrs. Branson and Purnell —in the R.M. Court yesterday—viz., “since judg ment was given defendant had given a hill-of-sale over his furniture for the pur pose of stopping the execution.” The true state of the case is this : Judgment in case, Greenaway v. Taylor, was given in the Ashburton Court on March 12th. The bill-of-sale was given on Fob. 27th and registered on March 4th. The above firm could have found out these dates by applying at the R.M. Court here, and the Registrar’s office in Christchurch. As regards Messrs. Branson and Purnell’s insinuations to our firm, we, acting under instructions from Mr. Greenaway, have been endeavouring to get the amount from him, but finding this hill-of-sale to he executed, we did the next best thing in his interest—viz., to accept a hill at short date, endorsed by a respectable firm in Christchurch, which bill we hold now. It was, therefore, anything tut right for Mr. Greenaway to have allowed his solicitors to issue a judgment summons before finding out from us (after putting it in our hands), whether it was settled or not.

As regai'ds our firm issuing summons’, &c., we are not aware we have done any thing illegal, but if wc have inadvertently trod on the above firm’s toes, we are sorry, and shall be happy at any time to answer for same—at the right time and in the right place.—We are, &c., Poyntz & Co.

CHISPA’S LETTER.

“I am not yet so bald that you can see my brains. ” — Long fellow.

The land fever has again set in, and it is gratifying to Chispa to notice that some of our most noteworthy residents, who have been in the habit of crying down what is termed “ light land” have gone in a docker for the lightest of it at a toler ably heavy figure. I thought the late hard times would have led to very cautious dealings in fee simple, and I do not say for one moment that the purchasers have not been cautious, as they are about the knowingest of our local land specculators, and have a very clear idea as to how much any acre of land in the County is worth as a spec. At the same time I can’t see how Fairfield land is going to give a grand re turn at the prices it was sold at. A pur chaser of, say an acre block has to pay say L3s—and a lot of them paid that figure, or

gave paper as an equivalent—then he liSa to fence it, another LlO ; and he can’t live on it without water, which in that locality means L3O for a well; so that without any provision for a house his acre costs him L 75, and after obtaining it what will he do with it ! I have asked myself the question several times since that sale, and 1 have not as yet solved the problem. The land won’t grow cabbages. One acre isn’t much account as a sheep run, and dairy farming is out of the question. One advantage in connection with the acre lots is their continguity to the cemetery ;.and as a consequence burial expenses will be reduced to a minimum. But it is to be hoped the occupants of these acre lots will not attempt to defraud the Cemetery Board by digging their own graves on their own sections ; for, if they do, they will on some of the sections have a long job before them to excavate a grave deep enough to bury all the anathemas they will utter as to the nature of their pur chases.

I beg to offer a hint, in connection with the above sale, to the Ashburton Borough Council, and I give the advise gratis. Let our City Fathers hire John Matson to blow about our rising township and its prospects. Hoist a few Union Jacks once a week ; send Bullock’s cart and bell and another Union Jack around, and get John on the spout, and he would be cheap at a thousand a year, and my very dear friend, Mr. Thomas, could do the business in such small villages as Leeston, Rangiora, or Christchurch, in the interests of the firm. “ There’s no mistake about it, gentlemen” (a favorite expression of J.M.’s). This auctioneer can wheedle bids out of folks who attend auction sales just to watch and see who are going to make fools of themselves, and who are going to buy things they don’t want. At the wind-up of the sale these watchers have to dive into the lowest depths of their own tr -s pockets to pay up for listening to John Matson. I always reckoned him a smart man, but his sale of Fairfield surpasses all his previous efforts.

Duck shooting is the most fashionable form of diversion now a days, but from my experience of the business I think the more correct way of stating the case would be “shooting at ducks.” St. George’s Day is a holiday served to all patriots, and it was resolved by a party of gunnists to slaughter ducks in honor of the patron Saint of our beloved father land. Six dogs, six guns, six sportsmen, and one unfortunate horse, with a trap containing the before mentioned, went out to battle against anything with wings, and the result was a complete success, from a sportsman’s point of view' —that is, all hands got wet through. After voiding in the river for some nine hours, the six sportsmen, each with a gun, a dog, a flask, and other impedimenta, succeeded in bringing home—item, one grey duck ; item, four swamp hens, one being in an advanced state of decomposition ; item, one rat, very ancient, and intended for presentation to Dr. Haast for the Museum ; item, six shocking bad colds, with the corresponding consequences of rum hot and butter on arrival at home. This is what my acquaintances describe as a “grand day out, my boy;” but I always notice they start with a promise to bring me home a present of a couple of paradise ducks, and return with a glovfing account of the long shots they tried, and the way they made the feathers fly and how very hard the ducks were to kill— and, all sorts of excuses, except ducks. The only bag I have heard of in this neighbourhood was made one day by an amateur who tried the Wakanui creek near Hay Smith’s. He made a very decent record, not only of ducks, but pigeons as well. Hay Smith’s poultry didn’t muster very well that night; and as he is afraid that the new chum will, on his next visit, mistake the southdown rams for x’ed-deer, he has let the bull dog loose in anticipation and laid torpedoes about the farm ; that is what Hay Smith told me, but I don’t want the new chum to believe it.

When I first thought of leaving the roast beef of Old England to attack the like dish of this colony, I was given to understand that I should find on my arrival that every man was an amateur at the profession he followed. My very dear friend Fitzroy, as he wiped a tear of farewell from his squinting left eye, told me that not a single man from the Premier of the Colony down to the most ordinary loafer, had been bred to the avocation he made the business of his life. New Zealand people, said Fitz., were not particular as to how their work was done, nor as to who did it, so long as they were able to get along With it “ some how.” Julius Vogel was an old news paper man, and as hard up as editors usually are, and Fitz., with a wink slyly introduced between bis weeps, gently hinted that editors in public matters were a failure, away from the genial if some what narcotic atmosphere of their sanc tums. Fitz. assured me it was a fact lie had found undergraduates of Cambridge tending sheep, chopping wood, digging gold, working as carpenters, doing house painting, and all sorts of things by turns —one down, ’tother come on—just as necessity demanded. An old college chum he knew had taken to house paint ing, and he was such a don at it that he could cover more space in a day than the best painter that ever wielded a brush, but then this chum of his brought common sense to his aid, and as he worked by contract, and not by the day, he used a wliitedwash brush instead of the trifling thing commonly slung about by our local artists, Chapman and Savage. If a man had cheek enough and gab enough he could shine as a lecturer ; if he had drunk whisky with a member of Parliament he could become a Resident Magistrate ; if was not afraid of poison ing anybody he would succeed as a doctor —a few good strong smelling things being all that was wanted for his pharmacopia ; if he possessed more assurance and a bet ter muscle than the Magistrate he could go in and win as a lawyer. I fancied Fitz was pitching me a yarn, but as I knew that squint eye of his had winked in many lands, I was constrained to take in the statements of my much travelled friend, and believe that I had found Utopia at lost. When i had been a fort night in the colony I found out my mjsr take. They didn’t paint with whitewash brushes, and every man didn’t do his own horse-shoeing. There w r ere men to be sure bolding positions for which their only qualification was tlie fact that they had got the job, and there were merchants who had got be hind the counter, by some inscrutable'

means, and if they did not make money they made a very respectable “ smash,” and never required to tackle hard v'ork again. I fancied I could find a certain moiety of truth, to be sure, in old Fitz’s yarn, but iu the main he was certainly wrong. True, every second man you meet, has “ been a journalist myself, you know, and know all about it, you know.” We have an aristocracy of lawyers, Go vernment officials, bank clerks, editors, auctioneers, commission agent, and others who live on the finger-lickings that are to be had, as the Irishman says, between “getting and giving.” As soon as one chap makes headway at one thing he finds he has a rival or two to fight, and so the list of tweed-coat-men is increased, yet all seem to get along somehow, and to do well and prosper. The only profession that won’t brook amateur professors of it is the bar. I should say we had plenty of legal men in the colony without intro ducing amateurs, but everybody doesn’t seem to think so, and as a consequence we are to have a great ado over the poaching of a firm of commission agents on the pre serves of the legal profession. . I’ll bet you two hats the amateurs beat the pro fessionals in this struggle. Chispa.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Per Reuter's Agency.) The Markets —Decline in Wheat. London, April 21. Adelaide breadstuffs have suffered a further decline. Wheat is at 545. per 4961b5, ex warehouse ; and flour, per 2801bs, ex warehouse, 395. New Zea land wheat, ex snip, is quoted to-day at 515., being a decline of Is. on last quota tions. Consols, New Zealand securities, and tallow unchanged. At the wool sales to-day 1000 bales were offered, making 15,500 catalogued since the opening. There was a good demand at to-day’s auction, and cross breds were firmer. Mr. Gladstone to be Premier. April 22. The Beaconsfield Ministry has tendered its resignation to the Queen. It is stated that Her Majesty accepted it and sum moned Lord Hartington to form a new Ministry, but he declined in favor of Mr. Gladstone. A New Peer. Mr. Montagu Corry, C. 8., Private Sec retary to the Earl of Beaconsfield when Prime Minister, has been raised to the Peerage. Gavan Duffy Sir Charles Gavan Duffy, late Speaker of the Victorian Assembly, has been in vited to stand for an Irish borough in the Home Rule interest. The Bank of England. The total reserve in notes and bullion in the Bank of England is L 16,250,000, being a quarter of a million more than last week. The Wool and Wheat Markets. At the wool auction to-day, 11,100 bales were offered, making a total of 296,000 bales catalogued since the open ing. To-day’s sale is firm, and an active demand continues. The market for Australian wheat and tallow is dull.

AUSTRALIAN.

(By cable from Reuter's ncy. ) Water.

Melbourne, April 23. Mr. Gordon, C.E., has been re-employed by Government as chief engineer of the Water Supply Department.

Pig Iron. Pig iron is in good demand. Their Bristles Up.

A deputation of w'orkmen was received to-day by the Hon. James Service, when threatening language was used and re munerative employment demanded. They declined to accept stone-breaking. Mr. Service replied, stating that everything qiossible had been done, and he was unable to do more. Shipping. A vessel named the George Arkle, bound for the colonies, w r ent ashore near Sourabaya, but afterwads floated unas sisted. Arrived—Rotomahana from Bluff. Sailed —Ringarooma for the Bluff on Wednesday. An Interesting Appointment. Melbourne, April 24. Thompson Moore, the member for Man clurang, has accepted the position of Go vernment “ whip ” in the Assembly. Settling Down to Work. A prospectus has been issued of a Freezing Company, under the dry air pro cess, with a capital of LIOO,OOO ; the sum of L 40,000 has already been subscribed, and tlie company will commence opera tions as soon as subscriptions amount to L 50,000. Meat. Sydney, April 23. An influential meeting was held tc-day, at which it was resolved to form a meat export company. Wheat.

Adelaide, April 23. Adelaide wheat, 4s. 2d. to 4s. 3d. per bushel ; Adelaide flour, LIO 10s. per ton, market depressed. Freights from Ade to London, 40s. to 425. Gd. depressed.

NEW ZEALAND.

The German War Ship Bismabk. Auckland, April 23. The German warship Bismarck has re ceived telegraphic instructions to sail for Valparaiso, to protect the German interests. She takes with her a quantity of Bay of Islands coals as an experiment. Two totalisators were seized on the racecourse to-day, and six men arrested who were engaged in working them.

Fire in Wellington. Wellington, April 23. A destructive fire occurred at Burnham Water last night, a house owned by Mr. J. F. Wright being totally destroyed. The furniture, valued at LBOO, belonging to Mr. D. P, Davis, who occupied - the build

ing, was also destroyed. The origin of the fire is unknown. The house was in sured in the London and Globe office for L2OO, and the furniture for LSOO in the New Zealand office.

The tramway case now occupying the Supreme Court is not likely to conclude before to-morrow night. The Wellington Tramway Case. Wellington, April 24. At 12-30 this morning the jury gave a verdict in the tramway case, which was substantially fer the plaintiffs. Upon the verdict the Court will have to make an award. Fire Inquiry. The police are investigating the circum stances connected with the Burnham Water. Longhurst gets his Whipping. Longhurst, sentenced at last session of the Supremo Court to ten years and two whippings, received the first 25 lashes this morning. He bore it unflinchingly, but suffered severely. The report of the medical examination denies < hat the prisoner suffers from heart disease. A Broken Down Steamer. The steamer Manawatu, which broke down on her trip from Wanganui, was towed into port this morning, The injury done is that the crown of her boiler has fallen in. It is stated that a strict inquiry will be held as to tlie circumstances con nected with the damage. ' " -

THE MELBOURNE EXHIBITION.

The Exhibition just closed at Sydney has been a pecuniary loss to New South Wales, if we reckon up the actual financial results of the Show itself. It was not in tended that the gain to the colony should be calculated by the “ money taken at the . doors.” The New South Wales Govern ment had no idea of simply going in for an extensive entertainment to the Aus tralasian public ;to afford them-an oppor tunity to gape and claw the elbbw at-the \ sight of the great strides the world has made in science, and the wonders of skill displayed by the world’s workmen. It was not to gratify an idle curiosity that the great spectacle was laid out, but to teach a lesson ; to show how far the Southern Hemisphere has yet to advance before it comes abreast of the Northern, and if possible to give impetus to that progress by bringing specimens of the Northern triumphs to the Southern soil, an d to display them there side by side for the Australasian worker to look upon,andlearn from, so that he may emulate. The lesson thus taught will-have its value, and these colonies will have the benefit of its teach ing—imperceptibly, it may be, for a time, but years hence, perhaps, we shall see in the improvement of our manufactures, and their wider extension, that the Syd- . ney Exhibition has: not been barren of uses. But besides teaching the artificers of the South lessons of value ; besides breaking down the barriers that have kept their ideas within a circumscribed limit, and enabling them to take a wider grasp of things as they are, the Exhibition has not been without its' lessons to men of trade and commerce at Home. It has shown them the resources of Australia in a way that nothing else could have done. It brought contributions of our natural wealth from every part of the Australian compass, and laid them at their feet. A walk through the Courts of the Sydney Exhibition could not fail to disabuse the English, American, and European visitors of any crude or small notions they may have entertained of the Australian colo nies, and- doubtless they learned much regarding the “new lands” that will be beneficial to themselves to know, and advantageous to us that they should know. We can imagine nothing more likely to influence the minds of the European manufacturers regarding the capabilities and resources of our colonies, than the opportunity that the Exhibition gave them of making themselves most thoroughly acquainted with their real worth and power. • The influence of the great show upon all concerned in it cannot fail to be felt for good for many years to come, /and by each colony the benefit will be reaped just in the proportion in which it took advantage of the Exhibition to display itself. And this brings us to the question of how far New Zealand availed itself of the opportunity presented. In no sense can it be said that she appeared in Sydney in her very best garments, or that she showed there all that she might. EspecL ally was Canterbury behindhand, and those who visited Sydney from other countries, and went back again without taking a look at our colony, could form no conception from the appearance we put in at the Exhibition of what our grand pro vince was like, or what its merits really were. There are many reasons, doubtless, that could be assigned for this apathy on the part of our settlers, but perhaps the' chief reason was the disturbed state of financial affairs last year, which preoccupied the' minds of most of those who might in better times have turned their ati ention to the Exhibition. Men had quite enough to do at home, perhaps, to look after their interests abroad, and so the Exhibition, and the part we ought to ba-e played in it, was neglected. It is not too late, even yet, to recover, in part,'at least, the ground we lost last year, by taking advantage of the opportunity about to be afforded by the Melbourne Exhibi tion of ISBO, which is to be opened on the Ist of October of this year, and closed on the 31st of March following. The Exhi bition will be one of the “arts, manufac tures, and agricultural and industrial products of all nations,” and surely in the agricultural products at least we ought to be able to show what thq soil of our colony can produce. Whatever New Zea land as a wliole may do, we ought not as a county to let the opportunity pass again of giving the world some glimpse of our grow ing powers. Only 8000 square feet of space has been allotted in the Exhibition for New Zealand, and it would be well if ' every intending exhibitor applied at once for a share of the space through the local committees, who will supply the necessary printed forms, We are glad to see that the committee in Christchurch is making strenuous efforts tp have Canterbury fairly represented, and we hope their efforts will be efficiently aided from this district. The articles we ought to be able to exhibit are, we think,. amongst th§ following Grain, pulse, grass seed, flour, pieal, wool, coal (sections of seams), stone, bricks, cheese, potted butter. But there are many other directions in which we may look for contributions, and it is to be hoped applications for space- will be forth coming before the loth of May.

Saturday? April 24, 1880.]

THE ASHBURTON HERALD.



Mew Advertisements. "ITT ANTED, a strong BOY, accustomed YV to horses, and to be generally useful. Apply Herald Office. 666g-253c "ANTED—By a very respectable young woman, situation as NURSE or HOUSEMAID. Apply at once, Herald and Gtjardiatst Registry. MONEY TO LEND.—Several sums of money ready for investment at current rates. F. P. O’Reilly, Solicitor, Tancred street, Ashburton. 263c-684g Archery material.—Bows from ss. each. Arrows from ss. doz. H. M. JONES, Stationer, Baring Square. TENDERS required for CARTING about 1,300 bushels wheat from McKenzie’s Farm, situate on the Anama Run, near Mount Somers, to Ashburton. Tenders to be sent to the undersigned by MONDAY, 26th inst., at 4p. m. 356c-769g T. BULLOCK. TO LET—A TWO-ROOMED COT TAGE on the East Town Belt. Rent 8s. f per-Week. Apply, D. M'KENZIE, 323 c Ashburton Hotel. LOST —Last week, between Ashburton ' ‘ arid Rakaia, a Gold LOCKET. Finder will be rewarded on leaving same at .this office. 320 c T OST—One Bay COLT, dark points, I J front shoes on, 4yrs. old, small hair scratch on chest. Reward paid on return to THOS. BROADBELT, 752g-350c Temperance Hotel. PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH Wills Street. —Divine Service will bj conducted in the above Church to morrow Morning and Evening. 363 c TUST ARRIVED Young Ladies’ Journal, London Journal, Family Herald, Family Reader, Boys of England, Boys’ Standard, Our Girls’ Own Paper, ISt'c. , &c. - H. M. JONES, ' V ~ Stationer, 360 c East Street and Baring Square. CHALLENGE. —Hearing that Mr. J. Groves is willing to run me for one lile, I hereby give notice that I am wili ng 1 to meet him at Cookson’s Stables, at .30 This Evening, to arrange for the ace. 62c GEORGE MONTGOMERY. T-TTANTED KNOWN —That Visiting VV Cards, plain or mourning, can be obtained printed in various styles, at the Herald ” and “ Guardianoffices, near the Rai way- Station



FINE ARTS. ART UNION. A 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. Tickets, 10s each, can be obtained at Mr. Street's Saddler, Rakaia, and of THOS.’ A. GATES,. ~ Picture Frame Maker*. 348 c Ashburton.



rp OWN HALL,: ASHBURTON. WEDNESDAY, 2 8th APRIL-. ONCE MORE!! ASHORE & AFLOAT. FOR THE LAST TIME ! Prices of Admission —Front seats, 2s ; back seats, Is. 6d. ; gallery, Is. 354c-771<?



Entertainment Consisting of PANORAMIC VIEWS WITH DESCRIPTIVE ADDRESSES Interspersed with VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC, Will be given in THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH. ON MONDAY NEXT, APRIL 26th, At 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 '3O. Admission —Front seats, 2s. ; bock seats, Is. For particulars, see large Posters. 358c-772g



BEST NEWCASTLE 3 COALS c LAMBTON COLLIERY. 50s. PER TON. PER CENT. DISCOUNT for CASH. SPRINGFIELD COALS 40s. PER TON. 10 Per Cent. Discount for Cash. To be delivered in my yard. Acconnts to be paid monthly. 359C-773G C. PERCY-COX. Y. R. NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS. MAIN LINE TO UPPER ASH BURTON. ASHBURTON BRANCH EXTENSION CONTRACT. FORMATION AND PERMANENT WAY. WRITTEN TENDERS will be re ceived at this Office till Noon on SATURDAY, May 22nd, 1880, for the above Contract. They are to be marked on the outside, “ Tender for Ashburton Branch Extension Contract,” and ad dressed to the Hon. the Minister for Pub lic Works. Telegraphic tenders, similarly addressed and marked, will be received if presented at any telegraph office by noon of the above-mentioned date, provided that written tenders in due form are at the same hour lodged in any District or Resident Engineer’s Office. Plans, specifications, and general con ditions may be seen at this office, and at the Public Works Offices at Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland. The lowest or any tender not neces- 1 sarily accepted. By command, W. N. BLAIR, Engineer in Charge Middle Island. Public Works Office, Dunedin, April 21st, 1880. WAKANUI ROAD BOARD. TENDERS are invited for the following Works : No. 18. Beach Road, Forming to full width from Finger Post to Wakanui School, about 200 Chains. No. 19. Beach Road, Metalling above, 15 yards to the chain. No. 20. Suburban Roads near South East Belt, Metalling about 50 chains. No. 21. Additions and Repairs to eight immigrants’ cottages in district. No. 22. Leadley andßutterick’sDrain, Miking three concrete falls. Specifications, etc., can be seen at the Board’s office, Moore street, where tenders will be received till 10 a.m. on THURS DAY, MAY 6th, addressed to the Chair man, endorsed: with No. of contract, and accompanied with 5 per cent, (marked cheque) on the value of the work tendered for. FOOKS & SON, 757g-365c Surveyors’ to the Board.



NEW SHOP. JUST OPENED, TO MEET REQUIRE MENTS. AUSTENS & 0 TOBACCONISTS, Fancy Goods and Stationery Dedot, PROSPECT BUILDINGS, East street, Shop formerly occupied by Weston. Good Stock of Cigars, Tobacco, and Pipes of every description. HAIR - CUTTING, SHAVING, AND SHAMPOOING on the premises. Licensed to sell Postage Stamps. 76Gg-3G6c ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. HEREBY GIVE NOTICE that in accordance with clause 45 of the Municipal Corporation Act, 187 G, the Council will hold a meeting on THURS DAY NEXT, the 29tli day of April, at 12 o’clock noon, to hear and determine all claims and objections against the Burgess List. HUGO FRIEDLANDER, Mayor. Borough Council Office, Ashburton, 24th April, 1880. 3Glc-34 ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. NOTIFICATION OF ELECTORAL ROLLS. -VTOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, in accordance with Clause 4G of the Counties Act, 1876, copies of the Electo ral Rolls of the following Ridings will be open for inspection from the 20th instant to the 15th| May, at the undermentioned places, and copies of such Rolls will be also, on view at the Council Chambers during the above period Upper Ashburton Riding Road Board Office, Westerheld Mount Hutt Riding—Road Board Office, Methven South Rakaia RicFng—Road Board Office, South Rakaia. By order, F. MAIN WARING, Clerk. Ashburton, April 14, 1880. 72Gg-329c