MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : The outward mails for the United Kingdom via San Francisco, will close at the Ashburton Post Office, on Saturday, the 22nd inst., at 9 a.m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster. Mails close at r the Chief Post Office, Christchurch, for the following places (subject to necessary alterations) as under: — Thursday, May 20. For Northern Ports of New Zealand and Australian Colonies, via Sydney, per Tararua. The next mail for the United Kingdom via Brindisi (for correspondence specially addressed only), will be closed at Christ church on June 3rd, and will be due in London on July 24th.

SYDNEY J. DICK, Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

Minnis. —On May 16th, at Cameron street, Mrs Minnis, of a son.

AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 1880.

Sir George Grey is in one sense very like the great tenor Sims Reeves. Let Sims get ever so much “ indisposed,” and disappoint his audiences ever so often by by his non-appearance, when he is at last able to shake himself together and sing, the crowd “ cannot choose but hear ” and must perforce listen to his enchanting music. So in a certain dergee with Sir George Grey’s oratory. No matter how effectually his political chimeras are ex ploded, and his effete notions laughed at, when he comes before a great crowd of people he has such a knack of honeying his words, stroking his hearers with the hair, and ringing the changes so cleverly on the standing grievances that have been the stock-in-trade of demagogues since, the time of Jack Cade, that the gaping multi tude, ever ready to be swayed by an able and pleasant speaker, cannot fail to gape and claw the elbow, and “ toss their greasy nightcaps ” in applause of the great man who can so cleverly tickle their weaknesses. And this is just what Sir George did with the populace of Christchurch on Tuesday evening. He poured out column after column of his old grievances against all and sundry who do not agree with him. He was as lavish of his condemnations and as wild in his accusations as ever; and he failed not to administer his bunkum with all the grace and polish of which he is so well-known a master. He extracted from the crowd the usual, shouts of applause that follow his rhapsodies, and if one were to judge of his political by his reception with the Christchurch mob, there is no other man in New Zealand worth hearing, or capable of holding and guiding the destinies of the colony. But Sir George played the same roU two years ago that he is now assuming, and the popular voice, charmed and won to his side by his enticing flow of graceful talk, declared loudly in his favor, and gave him the highest and strongest

position ever Premier held in Parliament. But once in power, it was soon plainly evident that Sir George’s talents existed only from the teeth forward that in reality he was only a sounding brass and a, tinkling cymbal—and that behind all that power of graceful words and honeyed sen tences there was the greatest failure as a statesman that New Zealand has ever been unfortunate enough to place in power. In proof of which we to-day find the great man—great in his one talent—once more on the stump to win back again if he can, by that same talent, the position it once "ained for him, but could not maintain for him without the others he did not pos sess. Sir George’s political sands are run. He has danced out his little day in power, and now he figures before the colony, trading as jjdoes the great tenor, on the power of a melodious voice, aud the memories of a by-gone greatness.

A Drunken Driver. —As Dr. Trevor was coming home, about grey dusk last night, from Alford Forest, he encountered on the road a dray, laden with bar iron. It stood in an awkward position, and seemed to be without a driver, as horse, dray, and loading together obstructed the road. On examination, the docter found the driver lying drunk near the wheel, and certainly in anything but a safe posi tion. Drawing the cart' to one side, so as to prevent anyone being impaled in the dark on the projecting iron that formed the dray’s load, and stowing the drunk man out of harm’s way, the doctor came home, and gave information to the police. A constable was at once sent up to clear the road of the obstruction, and bring down the Jehu, whom .he found lying where the doctor had left him, near Mr. Williamson’s homestead.'.- This morning the man, whose name'is William Madden, was charged before thejMayor with being drunk in chargffijof a horse and dray, and also with obstructing the public road. His Worship sentenced him to eight days in Addington'Gaol in default of paying a fine of three guineas. Diptheria is raging in Dunedin.

Church Lands. —The New South Wales.(Assembly have decided that it is undesirable to. give further grants of land for church-building or religious purposes. The' Missing Manager.—lt;, is tele graphed that the '’' ''Dunedin Building Society will not suffer any loss through the disappearance of the manager, Mr. J. S. Webb.

Sir George Grey.— -Sir George Grey,, who addressed his late constituents in Christchurch "last night, passed through Ashburton to day with the express m route South.

Temperance eor Schools. —The 'tee totallers in Dunedin have succeeded in getting the City School Committee to recommend the adoption of Dr. W. B. Richardson's book on temperance as a class book.

The Manawatu Steamer. —The charges against the purser, captain, and agent of the Manawatu steamer came on for hear ing at Wellington on Tuesday, but were adjourned, owing to the vessel’s absence. They will be called again on the 25th. Railway Theft. —The railway station at Pokeno, in the Waikato district, was broken into on Monday night, and LlO stolen, the station-master having left the key in the safe. A sum of money lying on a chair was not touched. More Railway Agitation. —The settlers of Wangarei, at a meeting, resolved to urge the Government to set aside land in the North Auckland districts for the construction of a trunk railway north. It also decided to frame a memorial from the local bodies to Parliament. The New Rolls. —Notwithstanding the agitation on the subject of an extended franchise, the public generally are display ing great apathj in regard to registration, and some constituencies show a decrease on the new rolls as compared with those previously in force.

Wooden Hotels. —Most of the second rate hotels in Brisbane are built of wood. By a resolution of the Licensing Bench all applications for licenses to buildings of that description will be refused.

Another use for It.—The South Australian Agricultural and Pastoral Asso ciations have decided to request the Orient and P. and O. Companies to pre pare specific compartments in their vessels for the reception of shipments of fruit for the English markets. Wool.—ln Sydney the rise in the price of wool has affected values of woolen goods, and merchants announce an ad vance on blankets, &c., of 20 per cent. In explanation of the recent fall in wool as compared with the opening sales, the Syd ney Morning Herald states that it is due to the decrease in the French demand in consequence of strikes in France. The Shipping in Port.—At present there is a large tonnage at the Lyttelton wharfs, from home, Australian, and costal ports, and the harbor is very busy. The New Zealand Shipping Company alone have at presont ten ships in port, their aggregate registered tonnage being 10,092 tons. This represents a carrying capacity for wheat of quite 14,000 tons, the whole of which is alongside, the vessels being either busy discharging or loading.

Thb Totalisator.—Advices from South Australia, per the Wakatipu, say that the totalisator went wrong last race meeting. One machine the first day registered only seventy pounds received, instead of five hundred. On the second day all the totals were disconnected, and an incorrect dividend was issued, the machine register ing only one hundred and thirty-six pounds for the winner, whereas more than a hundred and seventy-four tickets had been issued. At the Morpethville races the derangement of the instrument caused a mistake costing the club a hundred and fifty pounds. - -

Tk Whiti.—The Government have re ceived very satisfactory telegrams regard ing the Parihaka meeting which took place yesterday. There was a very large attendance at the meeting, and Te Whiti spoke at some length. He denied having said at a former meeting that the roads would never meet, and declared that what he really said was that the roads should “ have no end.” He continued to preach peace and forbid resistance or interference on the part of the natives with the Con stabulary or road making or surveys, and reiterated his assurance that no more trouble (war) should come on the land, and that no more “ water ” (blood) should be spilt. The result is looked on as en tirely satisfactory and favorable to the maintenance of peace.

Raymond’s Dimoraa. —There was a full house at the Town Hall last night, .and the audience, especially the juveniles, who formed no inconsiderable portion of it, gave frequent expressions of their ap proval of the exhibition.

Perjury.— At the Christchurch R.M. Court this morning, Henry Davis, for perjury, and Frank Raner, for horse stealing, were both committed for trial. Walking Match. —A walking match for LIOO a side, between Messrs. Bowley and O’Connor, to take place at Christ church to-morrow, is exciting a great amount of interest in that city. O’Connor arrived there fromTimaru yesterday, and both men are in excellent condition; Bowley is the favorite.

Nearly Poisoned. —A woman named Agnes Hurst, wife of a carpenter, was admitted to the Dunedin hospital on Mon day afternoon. She was suffering from the effects of poison, having taken about three parts of a packet of Battle’s vermin killer with some meat a few minutes before. Emetics were at once supplied, and she was soon pronounced out of danger. Hurst states that his wife had been in a desponding state for the past few days. The parties were married last February, and it is stated that they had not lived happily.

The Mount Somers Railway.

Owing to e misunderstanding the report of a meeting, which, had our arrangements not miscarried, should have reached us on Monday at least, did not arrive at our office till Tuesday evening, and we are therefore only able to publish it now. It was held in the Mount Somers schoolroom, on Saturday evening, and was called by advertisement to express the indignation of the inhabitants of the district through which the proposed Mount Somers rail way line ought to pass, at the conduct of Government in altering the course of the line.

There was not a very large attendance at the meeting, but considering the dis trict, the meeting may be said to have been a fairly representative one. The Chairman of the County Council sent a letter of apology for his absence on ac count of having to attend pressing busi ness, and Mr. Isaac Taylor also sent an apology. Mr. E. A. Peache was Chairman, and read the advertisement calling the meet ing, as also the address, on the subject of the line and this meeting in connection with its alteration, of Mr. E. G. Wright, which appeared in the papers of that morning. Mr. Wright’s address ran as follows:—“To Residents of Mount Somers. —The section of Railway now advertised does not extend beyond the neutral point at which the Railway may be turned across the Ashburton to the North Bank and through the Mount Somers Township. This is the route which was advocated when the line was first marked off by the County Council, and I shall endeavor to see it carried out. The deviation you de sire can be made in the next section, whereas any agitation on the question now will greatly retard the entire work.— Edward G. Wright.” The Chairman further stated that the Road Board felt deeply interested in the question of the railway, and had been moving in the matter, and it was felt by those calling the meeting that an expression of the resi dents’ minds on the subject would afford the Board material support in any proceed ings they might take. Regarding Mr. Wright’s address as published, he wished those present to compare it with a letter sent by the Resident Engineer to the Road Board in reply to one they had written to him. The letter ran as fol lows :—“ It is not intended that the ex tension of the Mount Somers line shall cross the Ashburton River. The last two or three miles of Mr. Triphook’s survey has been abandoned, and the line pegged out for contract is a little to the south of his line. —(Signed) A. D. Austin, Resi dent Engineer.” The Chairman said that the desire of the residents was to have the original line adhered to, and the railway carried out in accordance with it. Mr. Wright’s address did not throw any light whatever on the question of why the line had been altei’ed from the line of Mr. Triphook’s survey, and it was the line as he surveyed it that was wanted by the people most interested in the railway’s construction. Mr. Triphook’s line was far less costly than that proposed by the altered route. He was not aware whether any recommendation on the subject of the deviation had been made by the Railway Commission, and when the first inkling of the change had been obtained the Road Board wrote to Mr. Austin, asking for in formation.

Mr. McFarlane went back to Mr. Wright’s first solicitation of the suffrages of Mount Somers electors, and [said that on that occasion Mr. Wright had ex pressed himself as favorable to the Trip hook line, and had pledged his support to it. Now, here he was, a member of the Railway Commission, and he must know that the alteration is meditated, and that to carry out the altered line will be ad verse to the interests of both Alford Forest and Mount Somers. The course for that meeting to follow now ought to be to at once memorialise Government not to deviate from the line originally surveyed by Mr. Triphook. Mr. Edson counselled the preparation of a requisition bearing the signatures of as many ratepayers as possible, to be for warded to the member for the district, asking him to adhere to the promises he had made to them to look after their in terests in this matter, and see that they obtained what they desired. If he re fused, and played fast and loose with them, he should be asked to vacate the seat he held as their representative. With out any reason being given for the devia tion, they found that the line was to be altered from the course they all under stood it was to take when they bought their land, and the value of that land would be seriously affected by the change. Mr. Daniel Henderson said the pro posed alteration would just bring the rail way to the land of Mr. E. G. Wright, and it would go no further, but he (Mr. Henderson) and many others had bought their land in the assui’ance that the line would be taken on to Mount Somers. Mr. Wright had made much of the bridge difficulty with the Oxford and Temuka line, remarking that if the line were taken along the other side of the river the same bridge would do for both lines, whereas if the original line were followed it would be necessary to build two bridges —one for each line, and that would en tail an extra cost of perhaps LIO,OOO.

But it was the common belief that before the Oxford and Temuka line was con structed the bridge required for the Mount Somers line would be worn out. The. Chairman said that for Govern ment to alter the railway to a line to the Anama Downs was to take a liberty with a vote of Parliament, who had set aside a large sum for a line to be constructed on Mr. Triphook’s survey. Mr. Henderson urged the preparation, and signature of a petition to the Public Works Minister asking him, from the in justice of the alteration,’'to revert to the original course in the line’s construction. A copy of the petition should also be sent to Mr. Wright, asking him to support it, as he had promised to do when he sought their votes. Mr. M'Farlanc then moved a resolution to the effect that a petition protesting against the alteration because of its injus tice to Alford Forest and Mount Somers should be prepared, signed by the ratepayers, and forwarded to the Minister for Public Works ; and a copy also sent to Mr. E. G. Wright, along with an urgent request to him to use his influence to carry out the line as surveyed by Mr. Triphoolc, in fulfilment of the pre mise Mr. Wright had made to the electors at his meeting in Mount Somers school room.

The motion was seconded and unani mously carried. A petition was then prepared by the Chairman, which all those present signed. The petition ran :—“We, the undersigned residents and landowners of the Mount Somers District, representing acres, beg to protest against the proposed altera tion in the line from Tinwald to Mount Somers and Alford Forest, whereby very great injustice will be done to us.” A resolution to forward a copy of the petition to the County Council was also carried. On the suggestion of Mr. McFarlane Mr. Cookson, Clerk to the Road Board, was requested to fill in after each signa ture the number of acres the name repre sented, so that the power of those memo rialising the Government would be at once and accurately shown. The proceedings then terminated.

Resident Magistrates’ Court.

Tuesday, May 18.

(Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.) THE BAILIFF CASE AGAIN. Mr. O’Reilly applied for a re-hearing in the case of Meehan v. Friedlander, on the ground that the verdict was against the weight of evidence.. His Worship agreed to hear the argu ments for such a course being taken on Friday next. A CASE OF DAMAGES. J. Ward v. Orr and Co.—Claim L 5, for damages sustained by the collision of defendant’s spring cart with the plaintiff’s buggy on the Ashburton Bridge. Mr. Crisp for plaintiff; Mr. Purnell for de fendant. James Ward said he remembered driv ing a double-seated buggy across the rail way bridge on the 24th April last. My buggy was being driven Gn the near side of the bridge. I followed the train across the bridge, and at the south end, directly the train passed, there was a great rush of people to get on the bridge. I pulled up as close to the near side as I could, which brought the off side wheel on the near side rail. Could not get any closer. I pulled up my horse when I saw the rush of horsemen, passengers, aud vehicles, among the latter being defendant’s spring cart, driven by Messrs. Orr and Co. ’s man. On the collision occurring the driver said he was very sorry, it could not be helped, but that Mr. Orr would have to pay for the damage. Mr. Orr’s horse shied, and the spring cart struck my hind wheel. The horse swerved in such a way as to lead me to conclude that the animal was not under the control of the driver. There was plenty of room for the vehicle to pass. There was at least 2 feet 6 inches clear between the two conveyances if the driver of the spring cart had kept close to the other side. My buggy was damaged and I had to hire another to take my family home to Waterton. I have lost two days over the affair. The cause of the accident, in my opinion, was through the driver of the spring cart not having the horse under his control. The axle and one wheel of my buggy were broken. By Mr. Purnell—l have never sent in a bill to Orr and Co. for the damages claimed. Have never demanded the money. Never had any conversation with the defendants with respect to the damages. Ido not know what the width of the bridge is, but should think it was 20 feet. The width of my buggy would be about 4 feet, and the spring cart about the same. When we met, the driver of the spring cart was about 2 feet 6 inches off my buggy. I may have had one or two glasses of beer during the day, but no spirits. The horse of Orr and Co. may have shied from the commotion caused by the rush of vehicles and horsemen coming on the bridge. I have seen Orr’s man driving before, and consider him to be a

competent driver. James Mullaney, bridge keeper, said— On the day in question he saw Mr. Orr’s man drive on to the bridge, at the rate of about four miles an hour. Mr. Ward was also on the bridge, on his own side, and I do not think lie could have done more than he did to prevent the occur rence. The affair, in my opinion, was purely an accident. The buggy was smashed and two men were employed to remove it. The driver of the spring cart was standing up at the time the mishap took place. By Mr. Purnell—The man was ap parently driving with care. It is not easy for a vehicle to travel between the near rail and the side of the bridge. Cates was quite close to the side of the bridge when he went on. George Cates .deponed that he was in the employ of Orr and Co., and on the day in question was driving a spring cart over the bridge. Kept as close to the side as possible. If Mr. Ward had exer cised a fair amount of care the mishap might have been avoided. It was on account of the noise caused by Mr. Ward’s horse troting that made my horse shy, which is, as a rule, very quiet. I have been accustomed to driving for the last ten years. By Mr. Crisp—The wheel of Mr. Ward’s buggy was on the inside of the rail. My horse did not exactly shy, but gave a slight baulk—a mere swerve of the head. I was driving at a dog-trot, about four miles an hour. By Mr. Purn«ll—lt is quite customary

to stand up while driving, and a driver has more control over his horse than if sitting down. Thomas Scott, sworn—l was in the cart with Cates at the time the accident occurred. The gate was closed on account of the train going over, and Cates being near the gate got on first when the train had passed. He kept close to his own side, and his wheel was within the track. I believe Cates was driving very carefully, and I attribute the affair only to an accident.

By Mr. Crisp—The reason I was in the trap was because Mr. Cares had kindly offered me a ride from Tinwald.

Andrew Orr deponed to Cates being in their employ for two years, and said that during that time the firm had never found fault with his driving. His Worship thought that the -evidence proved there had been no careless driving, and the affair occurred through a pure accident, and he should give judgment for the defendants, but without costs. AN UNSTAMPED DOCUMENT. Roheits v. Hellens.—Mr. o‘Reilly for plaintiff. This was an action to obtain possession of property held bjr the defen dant, but on account of a deed being put in which was insufficiently stamped, the Bench ordered the case to be adjourned for a fortnight to allow time to get the document properly stamped. The Court then adjourned.

Down among the Dead.

When to the silence and loneliness of ocean or river depths are added the black ness of darkness and the dread presence of death, the diver must needs have courage who boldly descends. In the operations not yet concluded at the Tay Bridge, the experienced divers were by some suspected of succumbing to the terrors of the situation. If there were any human bodies there they were im prisoned in a double prison of carriages and cage-like girders. It was impossible for any diver to quickly clutch at the body, and ere he had time to think of his ghastly work, to procure by signal the instant withdrawal of himself and solemn burden to the surface. The work in volved patient and deliberate handling of the dead in the dark and silent deep, and few who suspected the diver from shrinking from this task felt brave enough themselves to blame them seriously for it. The suspicion after all had probably but small foundation ; at least two of the divers strongly declared that no “ eerie feeling ” would prevent them from doing their duty, and said that if necessary they would be glad to bring up the dead even in their arms. Still, the way in which these men talk of this sub ject seems to show that below water they cannot face the dead with the callousness of men who are brought into contact with bodies on shore ; that, in fact, they have to reason with themselves against a natural timidity. “My duty,” said one diver at the Tay, “is to the living. When I am going down to find the dead, I feel that I am going down to do what I can for the people they belong to, and that it is not the dead that I have to be frightened of. I think of the friends to whom the bodies are to be restored, and nothing would give me greater pleasure than to igive them their only satisfaction.” If death and darkness do inspire timidity even in these hardy men, it is sometimes more difficult for the diver to go among the dead in the light of day. “I he horrible conceit of death and night ” is matched by the reality, as seen, for example, by the divers of the Princess Alice, when they met the cold stare of the group of cabin passengers who clung together in agony as the ship went down, or as ex perienced by certain divers who refused to recover wrecked treasure at the Faroe Islands, because they saw dead sailors in the rigging, and could not bear the sight. London News.

A Singular Case.

A very singular case of total loss of memory, caused by a shock, has lately occurred in the United States. The Rev. Marcus Ormond, D. D., a prominent clergy man of Pennsylvania, and a leading lecturer on temperance, was, on the 6th March, 1878, informed that his house was on fire. Upon reaching the spot, from which he was when he heard the news a few miles distant, he found his house entirely destroyed. The same day he heard that a friend for whom he was security had failed. The next morning he was found unconscious in bed. He re mained in a comatose state for six weeks. When he regained consciousness, it was weeks before he could speak intelligibly. Then it was found that he had lost all knowledge of reading and writing, and that although he seemed to recognise some of his old friends, he could not call any of them by name. By persistent efforts Dr. Ormond’s wife succeeded in teaching her husband the alphabet, and after, some months he could read short sentences of small words. She also taught him to write his name, which he did mechanically, copying the characters she made without having any impression of them on his mind. Although he could read Ja little he could not spell the simplest words. As he improved in health the names of his children and of some of his friends returned to him, but he could not tell to whom the names belonged. He has since improved in many respects, but his inability to read, write, and spell, and his power of using only a limited number of words in talking, still remains. Dr. Ormond’s memory has also greatly improved. In business affairs he is as shrewd as ever. The case is a very singular one, although by no means with out precedent, and had it been adduced in court on the occasion of a great trial as to identity a few years since, it would have added a serious difficulty to the case. The fact that while accurately remember ing certain circumstances, the Claimant had absolutely forgotten others, and that while a shrewd man in many respects, his memory as to all matters learnt at school, and especially as to the French language, had entirely gone, was one of the most fatal defects in his case, but such a pre cedent as that mentioned above would have deprived the anomaly of much of its significance.

Apparitions of the Virgin Mary.

The Dublin Nation newspaper having sent a reporter to Knock, county of Mayo, where apparations of the Virgin Mary are said to have appeared, and where pilgrims

are now in large numbers congregating, gives an account of his inquiry and its result. The witness on whose testimony he relies, said :—“He and the other persons who were with him saw a large space of soft white light on the gable of Knock Chapel, the rest of the gable being quite dark at the time. In the midst of this light, which was not exactly in the centre, but towards the left hand side of the gable (as he stood facing it), he saw three figures; to his left, in a bending attitude, with hands clasped, was a figure of St. Joseph; in the middle a figure of the Virgin, her eyes raised, her hands raised to about to the level of her 'shoulders, and their palms turned outwards ; to his (the wit ness’s) right, a figure of a bishop, which the people said was St. John, holding in his left hand an open book, which he ap peared to be reading, his right hand ele vated, the thumb placed on the third and and fourth fingers, the first and second standing erect. Further on to his (witness’s) right appeared an altar with a lamb on it as represented in Catholic pic tures, and a cross standing on the altar. All about the group were twinkling or flashing lights, like stars ; they were not steady ; they seemed as if they used to com e nearer and then retire again, or to go in and out through the gable.” The Nation supplies a woodcut of the chapel to show where the vision became apparent, and adds:—“ At present the wall as high as the hand can reach is denuded of its coat ing of cement, and even the mortar from between the stones has been scraped out by visitors to the scene who wish to carry away with them some relics of that por tion of the building. A number of sharp stones which had been used by the people in hammering off the mortar and cement were lying about the ground at the time of our visit. Against that part of the wall on which the vision of the Virgin was seen a little wooden tablet has been set up and a small shelf, on which are placed two candles in candlesticks, and two statuettes ; under these is a box with a slit for offerings, and around it a rough wooden paling, within which are placed the crutches and sticks of persons who have there being cured of their ailments. A number of sticks and one pair of crutches were within this enclosure at the time of our visit. On the tablet I have just mentioned the following inscription is painted— ‘ It is important that any mira culous cures wrought here would be made known to the parish priest.’ When I visited the place ten or twelve, including some well-dressed women, were outside praying before the scene of the appari tion ; two or three, bareheaded in the cold winter wind, were walking round the church, praying as they went, some one having told them three c rounds ’ of this sort ought to be performed ; and one poor cripple performing those penitential cii'cuits, toiled his way painfully on hands and knees.”

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Reuter's Telegrains.) The Australian Cricketers in England. London, May 17. The Autsralians commenced their second match to-day, at Derby, where they met an eleven of Derbyshire. The Australians went first to the wickets, and scored 129 in their innings. Bannerman made the top score of 32. The English team then went in, and the Austi’alians succeeded in getting them all out for 45 runs. In this innings Spofforth and Palmer each took five wickets. The Derbyshire men then followed their innings, and when the stumps were drawn for the day they had made 21 runs with the loss of one wicket. The weather during the whole day’s play was fine, and the ground lively and suited to the Australians. A Special Turkish Ambassador. London, May 18. The Right Hon. G. J Goschen has started for the purpose of acting as Special Ambassador at Constantinople. The New Home Rule Leader. Mr. Charles Stewart Purnell, member for Meath, has succeed Mr. William Shaw, member for Cork, as leader of the Home Rule Party in the House of Commons. Turkey and Her Reforms. It is understood that communications been exchanged between the Great Powers regarding those portions of the treaty of Berlin having reference to the internal reforms of Turkey, which have not yet been accomplished according to the terms of the treaty. Nothing definite has transpired as to the result of the in terchange of views by the Great Powers, but it is stated that the Porte will be re quired to accept a European Commission, which will undertake the proper adminis tration of Turkish finance. Constantinople, May 18. It has been announced that the Sultan has made a proposal to the Great Powers that a European Commission should be formed to inquire into the recent conflict between the Montenegrins and the Albanians, which arose through the former taking steps to occupy territory ceded to them under the Treaty of Berlin.

AUSTRALIAN.

{Per Reuters' Agency.) The Sculling Championship. Melbourne, May 18. It is stated that a match has been arranged between Trickett and Hanlan for the sculling championship of the world, to come off in October next.

The Debate on the Address in Reply Melbourne, May 19. The debate in the Legislative Assembly on the Address in reply to the Governor’s Speech closed last night. The Address was agreed to without a division. Victorian Politics.

The action of Sir John O’Shannassey and Messrs. Gaunson and Graves, who have hitherto ranked as Ministerilists, but who are now among the chief critics of the Government, will it is expected, influence the fate of Mr. Service’s reform scheme. The present state of political affairs is being much discussed. A Precocious Youth.

Sydney, May 19. A youth named Ball has been arrested under warrant, and has been committed for trial, on a charge of offering Sir Henry Parkes, the Premier and Coloni a

Secretary, a sum of LSO, as consideration for the Premier to secure him an appoint ment in the Civil Service.

Arrival.

Sydney, May 18. Arrived—Rotomahana, from New Zea land.

Wreck of a Labor Schooner—Critical Position of the Kanaka Passengers.

A labor schooner from Noumea has been wrecked on Saumarez reef. The captain and four of the crew in a boat have been picked up. They state that the Govern ment Agent and 99 Kanakas were left on a reef without provisions. A steamer has started from Rockhampton to rescue them. It is now four days since the wreck took place. t

NEW ZEALAND.

The Fifteen Gem Puzzle.

Auckland, May 19.

The mania for.the fifteen gem puzzle re cently introduced from America is spread ing in Auckland, and a large number have been sold. The Bishop of Melanesia. The Bishop of Melanesia leaves on Friday for Norfolk Island. Auckland as a Coaling Depot for the South Pacific. The Harbor Board yesterday resolved to communicate with the Hon. Mr. Brassey, President of the Board of Trade, with a dew to urging the facilities Auck land could afford as a coaling station and depot for the South Pacific ; and also to forward Dr. Hector’s report on the coal deposits in the North. The Board re duced the wharf charges on sulphur one shilling per ton. Unmated. Wellington, May 19. At the Divorce Court this morning, de cree absolute was made in the following cases : —Cooper v. Cooper, Wellingion ; Reynolds v. Reynolds and Wilson ; Joynt v. Joynt. . Gold Discovery in the North Island. Napier, May 19. , Thompson Brothers have discovered gold bearing reefs in Tarawera County, twenty miles north-west of Napier, and have secured a protection order from Go vernment over a claim 400 yards by 200. Recess Addresses. Dunedin, May 19. Mr. George M‘Lean addressed the electors at Waikouaiti, -the Mayor in the chair. He dealt principally with Sir George Grey’s speeches, and with finance, comparing our loan with that of South Australia, and said we were L 65,000 to the bad. He commended Government for endeavoring to economise, and hoped the constituencies would extract a pledge from their representatives that they must support fa Government that honestly endeavors to bring our expenditure within our income. He defended the property tax as fairer to all than the land tax, whilst the latter was actually doubled. He was afraid that if any attempt were made to meddle with the Education Act that there would be no saying where it would lead to, but if it came to a vote on the imposition of school fees he should certainly support such a proposition. v A special vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. M c Lean for his action in obtaining restitution of the impounded land fund, and votes of thanks and confidence were also carried. The Civil Service Commission. Blenheim, May 19.

The Civil Service Commissioners left Nelson yesterday afternoon, after sitting five days, and examining 18 witnesses. They commenced sitting in Blenheim this morning and examined the Land Com missioner and traffic manager.

THE WRITING TELEGRAPH.

New South Wales is fortunate in pos-, sessing a telegraph department which loses sight of no improvement or invention connected with its operations which may be recorded in any part of the world. This is evidenced in the very complete display of all instruments and appliances connected with telegraphy in the Inter national Exhibition, under the direct supervision of Mr. M'Guire, electrician to the department. But at the dinner on board the Orient liner John Elder, a few nights since, Mr. Cracknell, Superinten dent of the Telegraphs, in replying to a toast, indicated that this colony would in. a few months be termed the most advanced of sending telegraphic messages known in the world. That is a method by which a person can write his message at one office, and as he writes his very writing will be reproduced without other intervention than that afforded by the electric current at some distant office. We have no doubt that Mr. Cracknell alluded to what is called “ The Writing Telegraph,” a pretty full description of which appeared in the Illustrated London News some six months since, This has been invented by Mr. E. A. Cowper, a gentleman distinguished in the scientific world, and the instrument constructed by him enables anyone to write at a distant telegraph station many miles away in just the same manner as if he were present at that station. This is accomplished in the following man ner : —The stylus, or the pencil, held by the writer is in connection with two wires, which give to a pencil at the station he is communicating with, a horizontal and a vertical motion—or, in other words, en ables a pencil 50 miles away to follow every movement of a pencil in a writer’s hand. By an automatic attachmep t the paper written on at each end passes from right to left as written on, and the mes sages as received have merely to be cut off, wound round a pie.ee of card, or sent to their destination and despatched. Of course for rapidity of transmission the new invention does not equal the duplex, and, equally of course, cannot come up. co the quadruplex system under which two or four currents, each containing a separate message, may be sent along one wire simultaneously ; but, on the other hand, it has the advantage of requiring no re ceiving clerk to transcribe a message, and in many ways may be made practically useful at present. But beyond this there is the ' consideration that the invention is only in its infancy, and that whilst in action now it requies the undivided services of two wires, and is limited to some 50 or 60 miles of distance on land, the time may be expected to arrive when it will work with 8 out these hindrances to its universal adoption. It will be easily understood that the delicate writing recessary for telegraphic cables would prevent its use on any of them.

Wednesday, Ma\ 19, iBBo,l

THE ASHBURTON HERALD



Miscellaneous TO LET. QIX-ROOMED COTTAGE, with half- acre Garden, East Belt. Apply, 441 c ORB & CO. CHRISTMAS Humber Young Journal, London Journal, Family Herald, Family Reader, Boys’ Standard, &c. Just arrived. H. M. Jones, Sta tioner, Baring Square. - T OST—TEN YOTJHG PIGS, just § J weaned. Anyone giving R. Lan caster their whereabouts will be re warded. Anyone detaining the same after this notice will be prosecuted. 451 c Ql CHOOL Requisites and Artist M ite .rials. H. M. JOHES, Statio ler, Baring Square. TO LEND, in sums to suit borrowers, at lowest F. P. O’Reilly, Solicitor, 424c-835g £IO,OOO rate of interest. Ashburton. WANTED KNOWN—That C. Haw kins, The Tinwald 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. 805g— 417c HINIQUY’S LECTURES.—Just Ar rived, New Edition H. M. Jones, aring Square. WANTED, a General SERVANT. Apply at once to Guardian office or to Mrs. M‘Kellar Wix, St. Leonards, Sea field. 470c-865g i \FFICE and Pocket Diaries for 1880 H. M. Jones, Stationer, Baring Square. ASHBURTON TOWN HALL COM PANY. TENDERS are invited for LEASING TWO SHOPS in the Town Hall. For particulars apply at the office of the undersigned. Tenders to be sent to the Secretary of the Town Hall Company, not later than 12 noon on TUESDAY, the 25th inst. The highest or any tender not neces sarily accepted. 462 c C. PERCY COX. NOTICE. ACCOUNTS BE WESTERFIELD. HAVING disposed of the Wester field Estate, ALL CLAIMS against the Estate must be sent in by the 31st day of MAY, for settlement, otherwise they will not be recognised. Addressed to J. Davison, Westerfield. F. C REED. 416c-825g May 4th, 1880.