COMMERCIAL.

Alfred Harrison reports as follows I C held my weekly sale ,at the Yards on 3 • • Saturday, July 17th, when draughts and \ r hacks were -disposed of from L 5 ss. to Xj29 p| .10a.; pigs sold at fair prices; fowls brought 2s. to 2s'. 6d. per pair; geese, 10s. per p«r ; carrots, 30s. per ton ; potatoes, L2 to L2 10s.; applet, 55.; oranges, 6s. 6d.; ...y barley, Is.; oats, Is., a poor sample ; cheese, 4|d. to s|d. per lb.; lard, Bd. to tY lOd. A consignment of rabbits sold at Is. ■; 'to Is. 9d. per pair. A quantity of f umi ture and sundries sold well. The atten (?:■' dance was good, but bidding for many likes was tardy, yet it was all round a good " ' sale. : ; V; —— m n m —i m i i bhi i jui ;mw»phps3

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With Which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). TUSEDAY, JULY 20, 1880.

The Oriental Exhibition opens to morrow morning, in the upstairs room of the Town Hall.

High School Board. —A meeting of the Governors of the Ashburton High School will take place to-morrow at one o’clock.

Agricultural and Pastoral Associa tion. —Members of the Committee of the above Association are reminded that a meeting is called for to-morrow at three o’clock, at Shearman’s Hotel. \

Train Arrangements. —ln conse quence of the Christchurch Industrial Exhibition remaining open till to-morrow niglit, Mr. Back notifies that single fare tickets issued on July. 19, 20, or 21 will be available for return up to and including July 21. The Borough Vacancy.— I The election of a member to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. E. Saunders, takes place to-morrow, Messrs. Harrison and Quill being the only candidates for the honorable position. Drunk. —At the R.M. Court this morn ing, Edward Donnelly, charged with being drunk and disorderly, had nothing to say in extenuation of his misbehaviour, and was fined 10s. Hob having the requisite cash, Edward was consigned to durance vile for twenty-four hours. Waterton. —At a meetiug of the Waterton Library Committee on Friday last, Mr. Morgan was elected a member of the Committee, vice Mr. F. Doherty, re signed, Messrs. Davies and Taylor were elected trustees, and Mr. Thomas Taylor treasurer.

An Invalid Culprit. —Sergeant Felton explained to his 'Worship this morning *that a man named Maddon had been arrested on a charge of larceny from the person, but in consequence of a serious attack of illness, Maddon was unable to appear. The medical man had reported that the illness was of such a nature as to probably result in Maddon being sent to the hospital. In consequence of the Sergeant’a statement, a remand was granted by the Bench. Entertainment, —The grand optical entertainment, under the auspices of the Ashburton Primitive Methodist Church, takes place this evening in the Town Ball. The programme to be gone through is as attractive as it is lengthy. The views to be presented to the gaze of the audience will be both local and foreign in their character, and the gentlemen who' are to give the descriptive lectures ; —Rev. A. J. Smith and Mr. Puddicombe—have already earned laurels for their entertaining abilities, so that both instruction and pmusementare guaranteed. Messrs. Anderson’s Sale at 'Wheat stone.—The sale yesterday of the Brook land stock, etc., shows that “ breeding tells,” and that really good stock will always fetch its price in the market. Mr. W. J. G. Bluett was the auctioneer,; and had a hard day’s work before him. The ; stock was disposed of at satisfactory prices, the large herd of 50 cows, averag ing L 7 ; 40 calves averaged L2 ; steers and heifers about L 4. Horses brought from L2O to L 35. These figures must be looked upon, considering the times, as very good indeed. Owing to night com ing on, the whole of Mr. W. Anderson’s stock did not pass under Mr. Bluett’s hammer, and part of it was left over for the saleyards. The sale was well at tended, competition was brisk, and as we have said the results were perfectly satis factory. The Carandinis.— Madame Carandini’s Company, composed •of the celebrated cantatrice herself, her accomplished daughter, Miss Marie, Mis 3 Josephine Deakin, and Mr. Walter Sherwin gave a farewell concert in the Town Hall last night, when the appreciation of good music by the Ashburton public was well manifested by a very good audience. Some ballads for which Madame is famous were given by her with no abatement of her well-known power. Miss Oarandini was equally effective in the gems with which she favored her audience, who failed not to accord her the meed of praise she so justly merits. Miss Deakin ap peared more frequently on the stage in this concert than she did in those recently given by the company, and we were glad of the closer acquaintance with her mellbw voice. Mr. Sherwin appears only in the concerted pieces, where he lends yeomanly aid. The accompaniments were played by the younger ladies exquisitely.

Publicans Beware ! —The proprietress of the Queen’s Hotel, Christchurch, was fined L 5 and costs yesterday, for keeping her hotel open for traffic after hours.

The Industrial Exhibition. —lt has been decided by the Committe to keep the Exhibition open until Wednesday next. Up to Saturday night, 13,500 persons had visited the show.

- Bazaar.- Every effort lias been put forth by the bazaar committee of the St. Stephen’s Church to ensure a most success ful result to the bazaar which is to take place to-morrow in the Town Hall ; and if a satisfactory ingathering of funds does not follow the energy and perseverence manifested it will be none the less deserved. Fancy goods, produce, and stock have been contributed from different parts.of the province, an evidence of the willingness of outsiders to help those who manifest any disposition to help them selves.

A Brute. —At the R.M. Court, Christ church, yesterday, Samuel. Dobbinson was charged with stabbing his wife, Emma Jane Dobbinson. ’ The evidence showed that on the night of July 10th, accused went home drunk, dragged his wife out of bed by the hair of her head, kicked her twice in the back, .struck her across the arm with a poker, and stabbed her twice above the right ear, the thickness of the bone alone preventing fatal results. The bed and clothing were completely saturated with.blood. Accused,Who displayed great indifference while in Court, was committed for trial. Entertainment " at Elgin. The promised 'entertainment at Elgin School came offlast night. A company, mostly recruited from Ashburton, contributed a varied programme of songs, readings, &c., and when we state that such well-known favorites as Mr. Harrison, the Gates family, and Mr. Jacobson were the principal Ashburton performers we have said sufficient to leave the inference that the bill of fare, as far as Ashburton is concerned, was anything but inferior. Mr, Harrison was particularly successful with the two songs he sang—“ A father’s love,” and the “ Bell ringer ” —while Mr. Jacobson’s ever fresh recitation of “ The Little Revenge ” was very telling, as indeed was his song “Nil Desperanaum, Miss Gates and Miss Gerty Gates also sang, the former very sweetly “The flower girl,” and latter a little song that made her a favorite with the audience at once. Mr. and Mrs. Proudlock, of the Elgin School-house, proved themselves a most powerful aid to the evening’s enjoy ment both musically as duettists and soloists, and Mr. Proudlock as an elocu tionist. The funny element was sus tained by Mr. Horace Gates, whose comic songs are always well received ; and by Mr. Dunn, who sang a Scotch song or two. We, must not forget to mention that the first and second parts of the progi’amme were wound up by a “spring” on the the bagpipes by Mr. Murdoch Elder, the best piper in the colony, and the “ hurri canes of Highland reels” he played seemed to touch the heels and toes of the Scotch element in the audience most powerfully. At the close, votes of thanks were passed to the strangers who had aided in the programme, to Mr. Moffat for the use of his piano, to the Chairman, etc. The Elgin people are indebted mainly to Mr. Stanley Bruce for the success of the en tertainment. Mr. Bruce was at much pains to make the arrangements complete, and discharged the duties of chairman most effectively. A dance came on after the entertainment.

Oh, Horror ! —Surgeon : Your pulse ;s still very high, my friend ! Did you get those locches all right I sent the day before yesterday ? Patient : Yes, 3ir, I go,t ’em right enough. But mightn’t I have ’em biled next time, sir ?— Punch.

An Irishman adorned, with a blue rib bon went into an apothecary’s shop and said to the clerk, “ If ye plaize, sir, I’m a timperanee man, but if ye have any sodawater of the stringth and quality re sembling whisky, I’ll trouble ye for a little. ” Dr. R was one who could seldom resist telling a good story, even when it turned the laugh against himself. On one occasion a man-servant, whom he had re cently engaged, astonished him by appear ing to wait at breakfast with a swollen face and a pair of unmistakeable black eyes. “-Why, John,” said he “ you seem to have been fighting?” “Yes, sir, I have,” was the reply. “And who may your opponent have been V’ “Why, sir, Dr. M— I —’s man,” naming a rival Aescu lapius. “ And what did you fall out about, pray ?” e< Why, sir, he said as you wasn’t fit to clean his master’s shoes.” “And what did you say 1" “ Well, sir, I said as you was.”— Truth. What We Smoke. —The Journal of Applied Science draws attention to a state ment that has recently been made to the effect that in Thuringia, in Germany, over 1,000 tons of dried beetroot leaves are annually passed off as genuine tobacco. Beetroot, chicory, and cabbage are largely used for a similar purpose in Magdeburg and in the Palatinate. The “Yevey” cigars, which are in such favor in South Germany, contain no tobacco at all, but are entirely composed of cabbage and beet leaves, deprived of their natural smell and taste by a special form of cultivation, and subsequently steeped in tobacco water for a lengthenecLperiod.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE

(Per Beider’s Agency.) Loss of an Australian Liner. London, J uly 1 9.

The well - known Australian liner, Hydaspes, 2,093 tons, outward bound for Melbourne, came into collision with another vessel off Dungeness yesterday, during a thick fog. The Hydaspes sank shortly after the collision, but all the pas sengers and crew were saved. Corrupt Practices. Mr. J. G. Dodson, President of the Local Government Board, has been un seated, .owing to corrupt practices by an agent. Cabul Evacuated. The correspondent of the Times tele graphs that the evacuation of Cabul ha 3 commenced. A Graeco-Turkish War Impending. Constantinople, July 19. The trouble between Turkey and Greece

over the required cession of territory to the latter for rectification of her frontier continues, and strong warlike feeling is manifesting itself in both countries. Hobart Pasha, Commander of the Turkish Navy, refuses to fight the Greeks. The Porte continues to make warlike prepara tions, and Turkish troops are being des patched in large numbers to the Darda nelles, where fortifications are being strengthened.

LATE CABLEGRAMS.

{Per City, of Nezv York at Sydney).

The Chinese Question. London July 14. The Tall Mall Gazette states that the agitation in Victoria against the Chinese is preposterous, but believes that eventually the Chinese will populate tropical Austra lia, The Missing Ship Knowsley Hall. The report of the Board of Trade in reference to the missing ship Knowsley Hall is to the effect that the vessel was well found and seaworthy, and that there is nothing to account for her loss. But the Board comments on the evidence of Lloyd’s surveyor, who states he was un aware where the load lines were. The Tichborne-ClaimanN . “ Sir Roger ” has applied for permis sion to appeal to the : ’.House of Lords against the recent decision of the Court on the writ of error. The 12 th of July. The 12th of July demonstrations on the part of the Orange Societies passed off quietly.

AUSTRALIAN.

{Per J?outer’s Agency.) Gold.

Sydney, July 20. Very favorable reports have been re ceived from the Tamora goldfields. An Unpopular Ministry. Brisbane, July 20.

A large public meeting held last night carried a resolution condemning the pro posed new direct mail contract between England and Queensland, via Torres Straits, which the Premier srranged for whilst in England. The meeting also passed a vote of want of confidence in the Ministry in consequence of its having opposed a motion recently carried in the Legislative Assembly for the appointment of a committee to enquire into the charges brought against the Premier and Co lonial Secretary in Hammaut’s petition to the House. ■ 0 ,

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association.) TIIO Industrial Home Enquiry. Auckland, July 19

Mis 3 Mary Bickers' was examined and Mrs. Green, Miss Purchase,.and Dr. Pur chase, gave evidence,. In the Industrial Home enquiry to-day. -Rival Contractors. , Mr. Martin Danaker, of Hern, Danaker, and Taylor, railway contractors, was fined LlO, to include costs, for assaulting Thos. Burt, a miner and contractor. Burt was badly beaten. Danaker' was also bound over to keep the peace for three months. Hungry Sailors. John M‘Lean and Murdock M £ Kenzie were sentenced, the former to a week, and the latter to two months!- imprisonment for stealing- provisions from the steamer Waitaki. The provisions had been mys teriously disappearing from the vessel for the past two months. Mysterious Death of an Auctioneer. Auckland, J uly 20. A great sensation has been caused by the sudden death of Mr. Grant, auction eer, who was discovered at Mrs. Skeats’ house, in Vincent street, this morning, by a carpenter, coming to repair the sewing machine, lying across a chair, quite dead. It appears that Grant came there last night intoxicated, and Mrs. Skeats, finding in impossible to get him away, went to bed with her children.

The Te Ante Mission Gold Quartz. Napier, July 20. The scientific examination of the so called quartz from Te Aute shows that it contains no gold. The metallic appear ance is due to the reflection of light through the fractured portions of the surface. The appearance misled old gold diggers, and defied the microscope. Pres sure applied to the fractures disturbed the refraction of light, and disclosed the

true appearance of the stone of the jasper.

Wellington, J uly 20.

The following is the division list on the Maori Prisoners Bill -Ayes (30)—All wright, Atkinson, Bain (teller), Ballance, Beetham, Bowen, Bryce, Dick, Gisborne, Hall, Hirst, Hurst, Hursthouse,: John ston, Kelly, Kenny, McCaughan, McLean, Murray, Pitt, Rolleston, Russell (teller), Seymour, Shanks, Sheehan, Stevens, Sutton, Swanson, Trimble, and Whitaker. Noes (14)—De Lantour, Fisher, J. T. George, Grey, Harris (teller), Hutchison (teller), Lundon, Montgomery, Seddon, Tawhai, Te Wheoro, Tole, Tomoana, and Turnbull.

Sporting. Dunedin, July 20.

At the Jockey Club’s annual meeting it stated that the year’s receipts were over L 6,500. A balance was carried forward of L 1,900. Foul Play is scratched for the Sydney Metropolitan. A Hopeless Protest.

A large meeting of railway employees carried a resolution protesting against the reduction of pay.

THE NATIVES AT IT AGAIN.

More Arrests

New Plymouth, July 19.

On Saturday the natives mustered in force, and began fencing across the road which the Constabulary are making near Parihaka. They are headed by a well known fighting chief known as Te Whetu. Colonel Roberts remonstrated with them, when the na fives replied that they in tended to fence, and if the Constabulary pulled down the fence the Maoris would retaliate by pulling down the telegraph poles. Colonel Roberts telegraphed to Wellington to ascertain if he should take the Maoris prisoners ; the Government has replied, and a mounted messenger was

sent on to the camp early this morning with a telegram. The contents are not known, but it is thought that the natives will‘be arrested.

Wellington, July 19. Te Whetu, and about half-a-dozen natives who were engaged in,erecting fences across the road line near Parihaka, have been arrested and sent on to New Plymouth.

(Times Special.) Te Whetu is a powerful and violent man whom Te Wliiti has' hitherto had great difficulty in keeping in order. Mr. Shee han is of opinion that things are now just in the balance on the West Coast, and the greatest precautions are necessary to avert war. Hi 3 expression to me is that it is “ Touch and go.” 10.15 p.m. Government have just received a tele gram announcing the arrest of Te Whetu (not Te Wliiti) and several other natives. Te Whetu was violent and abusive, but he and his companions ware secured and - are now in custody, charged with obstructing the Constabulary and threatening to des troy telegraph poles. Tho position is decidedly critical, and is naturally giving the Government anxiety.

Resident Magistrate’s Court.

Tuesday, July 20.

(Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.) civil cases.

Land Tax Commissioner v. B. Martin. —Claim, LI ss. 7d., unpaid rates. Judg ment by default for amount and costs, L2 Gs. Id. Same v. Aitken. —Claim, L 5 ss. 4d. Judgment by default for amount and costs, L2 , Same v. T. Quill. —Claim, L 5 4s. 7d. Mr. Quill admitted the liability, with tho exception of one item, where he was rated for 132 acres. This property had been out of his hands for the last two years. The formal objection required to be sent in by the Act not having been forwarded to the Commissioner, hi 3 Worship said he had no alternative but to enter up judgment for the whole amount claimed, but with out costs. Same v. R. Rippendale.—Claim, L 3 3s. Judgment for amount and costs. Same v. Calder.—Claim, L2 15s. lOd. Judgment for amount claimed and costs, L2 os. 6d. Same v. Jas. Scott.—Mr. Branson ap peared for defendant. Adjourned for one month, by consent of both parties. In each of the above cases, Mr. Izard appeared, for plaintiff. ' Markham and Co. v. Litgertwood.— Claim L 25, amount of a dishonored promissoi’y note. Mr. Crisp for plaintiff. Judgment for amount claimed and costs, LI lOs. Immediate execution granted.

Sturgeon v. Caldicott.—Claim L4O 6s. 7d. Mr. Branson for defendant. Plaintiff nonsuited with costs L2 25., partnership matters being involved in the case, and consequently his Worship had no jurisdiction. A. Orr, trustee in Stephens’ estate v. Simpson.—Claim L 6 Bd. 9d. Mr. Branson for plaintiff; Mr. Crisp for defendant. From the evidence it appeared that the defendant ffiad paid the amount claimed to a party named Mcßae, from' whom. de fendant held a receipt. Mcßae, also, who gave evidence, put in an order which he had received from Stephens, authorising witness to collect accounts. He had paid over the amount sued for to Stephens, on the day the latter was arrested for larceny, and hence tho money had not been accounted for. Judgment for the amount claimed with cost 3.

Ashburton Gas Company.

The annual meeting of the shareholders of the Ashburton Gas Company was held in the Library Hall yesterday afternoon. There were only about a dozen share holders present, and Mr. T. Bullock occupied the chair. Mr. J. Ward, the Secretary, read the advertisement calling the meeting; also, the minutes of the meeting held in October, 1878, which were adopted. The Secretary then read the report and balance-sheet for the year ending 30th September, 1879. The report was as follows : REPOST. Your directors have much pleasure in meeting the shareholders, after many vexatious delays, at this their first annual meeting af'er the commencement of the company’s operations in the manufacture of gas. Shortly after the meeting held on the 21st of October 1878, at which your directors were appointed, active steps were taken to commence the erection of works 011 the site previously 'selected for the purpose. The works were pushed on with considerable energy, with the view of being ready to supply the town with gas at the commencement of the winter of 1879, but a series of delays and accidents occurred, which prevented gas being sup plied before the 15th August, the winter being then, of course, nearly over. Some of the delays took place in consequence of the large concrete tank made for receiving ■the gas-holder being found to leak when filled with water. When this leakage had been remedied and the tank again filled the pressure caused it to split from top to bottom. This caused another delay and very considerable extra expense to repair and again fill. Mains have been laid through the principal thoroughfares of the town, about two and a half miles in length. These works, including retort house, manager’s house, etc., were com pleted at a cost of over L 6,000, and may now be said to be in full operation. Your directors, after due deliberation, decided to charge the net price of 19s. 4d. per 1,000 cubic feet, a price similar to that charged by the several ga3 companies in this Provincial District at the commence ment of their operations, notwithstanding that building material and coal cost con siderably more than at other places con- ■ sequent upon the distance from a seaport. The works commenced with supplying thirteen consumers, and at the end of the financial year, namely, the 30fch Septem ber, these had increased to forty-five. As the works have only been in opera tion six weeks, of course no dividend can be declared. Four directors have to be elected to fill the vacancies on the Board, namely, Messrs. E. G. Wright and A. Orr, who retire by lot, but who are eligible for re election, and two in place of Messrs.. Ivess and Doherty.

Messrs. E. G. Wright, A. Orr, R. W. Shearman, add F. T. Mayo are the only candidates nominated for the vacancies‘i

It will be necessary to elect auditors in place of Messrs. W. H. Zouch and G. Jameson, who retire, but are eligible for re-election. Thomas Bullock,' Chairman. BALANCE-SHEET. The balance-sheet returns the gross liabilities as L 7,995 Is. 9d., including L 4,498 10s. of capital called up debts and bills payable, L 1,852 18s. 7d.; and bank overdraft, L 1,642 18s. Id. jlhe corresponding assets are made up by free hold land, L 792 10s.; plant, building, and cost of mains, L 5,836 18s. 10a.; metres, L 543 11s. 3d.; preliminary ex penses, L 240 16s. 9d.; office furniture, Lll 10s. 6d.; and debts due to the Com pany, L 569 14s. sd. Total, L 7,995 Ib. 9d. The profit and loss account shows the gross revenue for the period under notice to have been L 173 7s. Od., and the expenditure, L 172 12s. sd. The capital account exhibits the nominal capital a 3 LIO,OOO ; of which 4,498 10s. is paid-up, and L5Ol 10s. is due from unpaid calls. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report ancl balance-sheet, said that nine months of the year had elapsed since the date on which the annual meeting should have been held, the delay having occurred through inability to obtain the necessary numbers of shareholders re quired to be present for the election of directors and auditors under the pro visions of the Joint Stock Company’s Act, under which 'they 'had,' until a few months since, been working. However, they were now working under articles of asseciation, and by the. new arrangement they required only eight shareholders to form a quorum, whereas, under the Act, sixteen were necessary. The present meeting had been called immediately suffi cient time had elapsed required by the articles of association. It would be seen from the report that several miles of mains had been laid through the town. At the commencement of the undertaking they only had thirteen consumers— when the report was compiled this number had in creased to forty-five, and he (the Chair man) 'was in a position to stale that the present number of consumers was seventy five, so there had been a steady increase in the Company’s business since opera tions were commenced. The charge made for gas was the same as the Christchurch, Lyttelton, and Oamaru Companies had charged in their infancy ; and considering the distance which Ashburton was from any seaport town, and the consequent increase in freight charges, etc., the shareholders would, no doubt, bo of opinion that a fair price had been charged. Nevertheless, the directors were about to reduce the price, which would probably result in an increase of consumers. It would be necessary to hold the next annual meeting as soon after the 30fch September next as possible, when the directors hoped to be able to declare a dividend. Consider ing the very scattered nature of the town, it would, no doubt, explain the large amount expended in plant, some of the pipes being laid in streets were there were very few consumers. Had it not been for the depression setting in immediately after the company came into existence, Mr. Bullock believed the number of con sumers instead of being seventy-live would have number over 100. However, he be lieved that in a year or two’s time, the concern would be as great a success as was anticipated gwhen it was inagurated. As seen by the report it would be necessary to elect directors and auditors, and would conclude his remarks by moving the adop tion of the report and balance-sheet. Mr. Mayo seconded.

Mr. Bovver was of opinion that if a re duction in the price of gas were made* it would encourage the increase of con sumers. . !

Mr. Cookson gave expression to the same opinion.

In reply to Mr. Chapman, the Chair man said there would certainly be no further calls made until after the next meeting. In any case, due notice would be given when the directors thought such a course necessary.

The report and balance-sheet were then adopted. Mr. Power proposed, and Mr. Cookson seconded —“That Messrs. E. G. Andrew Orr, R. W. Shearman, and F. T. Mayo be elected directors for the ensuing twelve months.” Carried.

Mr. T. Quill proposed, Mr. Causey seconded, and it was unanimously carried —“That Messrs. Jameson and Zouch be re-elected auditors of the Company.” Mr. R. Friedlander, in moving a vote of thanks to Mr. Ward for his services as secretary, referred in highly eulogistic terms to the very satisfactory manner in which the duties pertaining to the office of secretary had been coonducted. Mr. T. Quill seconded the motion, re marking it was not only for the manner in which Mr. Ward had done his work that he deserved thanks, but also. to his courtesy and kindness in placing his office at the service of the directors whenever required for holding a meeting. After the Chairman had spoken in a similar strain, the motion was carried unanimously.' 1 Votes of thanks having been accorded to the directors: and to the manager of the Company, Mr. Causey, several share holders bearing testimony to that gentle man’s* ability, the meeting terminated.

Opening of St. James’ Church, Chertsey.

The new Church of St. James’, Chertsey, was opened by the most Rev. the Primate at 11 a.m. on Sunday last. The church was quite full long before the hour of service, and. though constructed to seat fifty persons, quite eighty were within the walls. The prayers were read by the rev. incumbent, and the lessons by a licensed lay reader; the Bishop being celebrant and preacher. Two young persons were confirmed who were unable to attend the confirmation service at Rakaia Parish Church a few Sundays ago. The singing, which was unaccompanied, was led by the incumbent, assisted by several members of the Parish Church and Kyle, and was heartily sustained by the congregation. We have never heard a service without an accompaniment so well sustained by the choir as was the case on the present occasion. There were twenty-five communicants. The collec tion, which was in aid of the building fund, amounted to Ll 3 Is. 2d. The church was built from a plan by Mr. Mounlfort, of Christchurch, and is the fifth of six churches proposed to be built in the parish of Rakaia. It lias been arranged to hold divine service in the church every Sunday afternoon at three

o’clock—twice in the month by the incumbent, and twice by a lay reader. • The Chertsey people have come forward > V very liberally with subscriptions to meet the grant from the church property trustees, and it is' understood tnat the church has been opened free of debt. The altar, lecturn, prayer desk, handsome Brussels carpet for the sacrarium, set of seats, chair, and matting for the aisle, have all been presented by members of the church and friends. In the evening the Bishop preached at the Parisli Church to a very good congregation.

Victorian Elections.

The Victorian elections are now over, and the Berry party have a majority of nine out of the members of pronounced party leanings. The . remaining nine, however, required to make up the number of the House, are .written off as “ doubt ful,” but it appears that in any case the Berry side is triumphant.

Propped Up.

The scene in the House of Representa tives on Friday 7 evening was an extraordi nary one, but the colony has come to this now, that it is not surprised at any extra ordinary result if Sir George Grey has been an agent in bringing it about. Sir George rose to address the House, and.. A' finding that his rival,, the Hon. John 7 Hall, was not giving all the attention to. the address that the speaker desired, Sir George suddenly cut the flow of his ora tory, and refused to proceed until the Premier, having finished reading, a Han sard proof of his own speech, was prepared to give a whole-souled attention to what the gallant knight was pleased to say. For an hour Sir George remained in this 1 “ haft’,” and only proceeded when the Premier had finished reading his proof. Sir George poses as the leader of the Opposition—so does Mr. Macandrew- ” and the two do not seem to pull exactly'in the same direction : but, whichever of them is the real leader of the Opposition, it is palpable that Sir George considers himself as holding that position, and, full of that belief, he could not bear the idea of speaking in the House when the Premier was able to give such words of wisdom as might fall from the leader’s Oppo sition lips only a divided attention. “I am Sir Oracle,” says Sir George ; “ when I ope’ my mouth let no dog bark. ” Dozens of men have spoken in the House to less attentive ears than were the Premier’s on Friday evening, and it is quite probable that Sir George, whose oratory is now familiar, even to contempt, in the House, . because of the one string on which he plays, may go too far, and find that he will have to be content with speaking not only to unwilling ears, but to as limited a number-of them as safety from a count out -will admit. The measure he was discussing at' the time he was guilty of the childish ebullition of feeling we refer to was the Maori Prisoners Trial Bill, a' measure which seems to us, in view of the native difficulty, to be : a very expedient one. It empowers Government to keep the natives who committed the ploughing \' outrages in the North Island some months.:, i longer in prison before bringing them to j trial, or to r liberate them in small batches from time to time as may seem desirable^ The native difficulty has been a difficulty indeed, and while it is not completely settled, there will be a danger of trouble arising. . The natives now in prison are - men of more or less importance amongst their several tribes, and their conduct in defying Government and going on with their ploughing in face of the knowledge of certain imprisonment, and perhaps worse v following, is sufficient index that they are of a character not to be trifled with. It does not require a very vivid imagina tion to picture what might result from suddenly letting these men once more loose amongst their kindred, and the members of Government who have most . to do with native affairs, and therefore ought to know most about them, distinctly say that they will refuse the responsibility of the situation if they are not put in such a position as will enable them Go control the movements of these prisoners for the next half year or so. This Bill puts such control into the hands of Government. ' Such “ human race ” arguments as Sir George Grey is in the habit of using are very beautiful, very sentimental, and doubtless would bo a credit to the goodness of his heart, could we separate from our minds the belief that they are only diplo matic. But when we come to weigh these beautiful sentiments against the fact that Government in this Bill are dealing with natives .more loyal to a hare-brained visionary chief than they are to the con stituted authority of the colony—even with Friend Grey as its representative—it is quite time for the Europeans to consider safety before sentiment, and keep’ a dangerous article under lock and key. This is what Government desire to do. They have no wish to grind down the Maoris—they have no wish to act cruelly to any one of them. But when they fear ' that the liberation of the prisoners at this juncture, or the bringing of them to trial, would precipitate another row, it seems to • us wisdom that they should pass such a Bill as the one now before the House, and in the discussion of which Sir George Grey wanted to be propped up to his chair to sustain the effort of standing while lie held his tongue.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(per press association),

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES.

Monday, July 19. The House met at 2.30. THE LAW OF LIBEL. Mr. Reid gave notice that he would ask if Government proposed to bring in a Bill amending the law of newspaper libel this session 1 QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, it was stated that Government had under its considera tion the propriety of remittingthe duty on chaff. Replying to a question from Sir George Grey, Mr. Bryce stated that Tawhai, on coming to Wellington to join the West Coast Commission, applied for an advance of money towards his expenses, such as paying for a survey and buying a watch, which had been refused. Before making that application, he was perfectly aware of the names of the two other members appointed on the Commission,

THE ASHBURTON HERALD, TUESDAY, JULY 20, 1880.



Miscellaneous TXT ANTED A General SERVANT. \ V Apply at this office. G6lc GOOD PIANO on hire, by the evening. Jones, H. M. Stationery and Fancy Goods Depot, East Street and Baring Square. u : A D VERTISEMENTSinerted under l\ the Shilling rate, must be prepaid. Booked, ls.»6d. will be charged. 625 c r ANTED KNOWN—That C. Haw kins, The Tihwald Bootmaker, has REMOVED to premises. • Opposite the' Tinwald Post Office, where he is still open to Sell first-class' Boots and Shoes at his usual Cheap Rates. All kinds of Boots Made and Repaired. Sosg—4l7c /COMPOSITION Dolls, China Dolls, Wooden Dolls, Rag Dolls, Toys, China Mugs, Balls, &c. H. M. Jones, Stationery and Fancy Goods Depot, East Street and Bai’ing Square.,. ....... •ANTED KNOWN, that Envelope, and Notepaper can be obtained, wholesale or retail, at unusually low rates at the “ Herald ” Office, East-street North. , d4c PIANOFORTE FOR SALE. ' A GOOD Strong Cottage Pianoforte v.' /A for Sale, second, hand, price L 35 ' cash. Apply office of this paper. 641 c TO CONTRACT PLOUGHMEN. T&7ANTED, Immediately, several VV TEAMS for Stubble and other / Ploughing. For particulars, apply to K GOULD & CAMERON. tl Springfield, 16th July. 670c-52g FINAL NOTICE. A CCOUNTS Outstanding DUE to the r\ Business of E. Taylor, Baker, Saunders’ Buildings, will now be SUED for, without further notice. W. WHITE, Authorised Collector. Ashburton, 15th July, 1880. 665 TO CONTRACTORS. TENDERS are invited for Forming an EMBANKMENT at' Mr. Homersham’s Wool - scouring Works. Plans and specifications may be seen at our Office, and Tenders, enclosing a guarantee, deposit of Five Pounds, are to be delivered not later than 4 p.m. on FRIDAY, July 23. 36g-678c FOOKS AND SON., ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. Applications for aii licenses required under the Borough Bye- Laws, will be received at the Town Clerk’s office, -till NOON on MONDAY, 26th inst. CHARLES BRADDELL, Town Clerk. Borough Council Office, 16th July, 1880. 673 c ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. '•\ v . TENDERS are invited for Erection of Is", CattkjYards; 2nd, Sheep Yards ; 3rd/ ,(Jaretakers’s. House;, and 4th, Shingling ; separately, or for the whole -work. Plans and specifications can be seen at the Council’s office. > Tenders addressed to the Chairman will be received up to 11 a.m. on WEDNES DAY, the 4th dav of August next. ' By order „ F. MAIN WARING. : L. ‘ . ■ Clerk. Ashburton, July 20, 1880. 679 c TO A. HARRISON, Esq., Dear Sir— !, the undersigned Burgesses of Ash burton, respectfully' request you to allow yourself to be nominated for the seat in the Borough Council, vacated by E. Saunders, Esq., and in the event of your complying with our request, we pledge ourselves to use our best endeavors to .secure your return. Yours faithfully, George St. Hill J. M. Cambridge J. Tucker Wm. Anderson O. Digby -v Andrew Orr T. Chambers W. T. Davison JohnW. Baker Thomas Taylor J. R. Chapman John Orr William Sparrow E. A. Garnett James Bradley . BeCker and Brown: And 25 others. Havelock street, July 29th, 1880. Gentlemen — : vTf)ERMIT me to thank you for the X above kind expression of your wishes, in answer to which I simply say —PUT ME IN—and.l will endeavor to act .to the best of my ability for our Borough. • ' And believe me, faithfully yours, 611c' . ALFRED HARRISON. Amusements. f mOWN HALL ASSEMBLY ROOM 1 . (Upstairs.) PRESENTS TO EVERY VISITOR. m. '. (.The Greatest Success in New Zealand for the last twelve months. THE ORIENTAL EXHIBITION M Will OPEN on WEDNESDAY, July 21, ; at 10 a.m., and will continue for a n •' Y short season. Admission—One Shilling, and a Present \ * to Every Visitor. KAURT AND ALI, % 669 c Proprietors.



TO-NIGHT. TOWN HALL, ’ ASHBURTON. PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH. GRAND OPTICAL Entertainment, CONSISTING of a large number of in teresting and DISSOLVING VIEWS, by LIMELIGHT, both LOCAL ' and FOREIGN, ’ ; On the 20th JULY, 1880, In Aid of the • Church Funds. ' ' See'Hand Bills for Programme. Prices of Admission —Dress Circle, 23.; Body of Hall, Front Scats, Is. 6d.; Back Sears, Is. ■ Children Half-price to all parts of the House. Doors open at 7.30 p.m.j commence at 8 prompt. 643c-27g