The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1880.

Our dear friend Mr. St. Hill is so different from most people. He his like the weather of Ashburton—very change able, but chiefly remarkable for hot, gusty nor’-westers. The likeness ends, however, between George’s gusts and those of the clerk of the weather at the harm they do ; for while the elemental gusts sometimes leave the farmer lament ing over shaken crops, th« hearers over whom Geoi’ge’s wind passes are left with shaken sides—from laughter. Mr. St. Hill’s beto noir is “ the evening paper.” We are pleased at this, because being the only paper that can appreciate and notice his amusing vagaries, it shows he has a very grateful and reciprocal apprecia tion of our admiration. His latest notice of us is a kind endeavor to put us right regarding the School Committee members. He fell foul of us for even hinting at the probability of the last Committee having on its lists any man accommodating enough to take office only with the object of euabling business to proceed, and for say ing that occasionally the meetings lapsed for want of attendance. Yet in the same breath he complained that not un frequcntly himself and another had to “ sit by the school-room fire, toasting their toes, and smoking up all their tobacco, killing time in a dreary wait for some member to come in to make up a work ing quorum.” Comment is needless on this, as it is sufficient, along with the Secretary’s statement that two meetings had lapsed (out of the 13 held during the year) for want of a quorum. But rve must say this for Mr. St. Hill,—if all the mem bers attend as regularly as lie has done, they will do very well indeed. But if they all take as large a share in the de bates—and there is not a matter of detail so small that he cannot keep a debate going for an hour upon it—why, then, they must expect to close their meetings perhaps in time to allow tlie children to come in to school to iesunio work. That is, provided the candles last out. Mr. St. Hill is a remarkable man, and his depar ture from- Ashburton would be at any time an irreparable loss. Long may he be spared to adorn the benches of our local institutions.

£350 for a Life.— ln the case of Mel drum v. Proudfoot, heard at Dunedin, an action brought to recover damages by representatives of a man killed on the tramway, the jury returned a verdict for plaintiff for L 350. The jury recom mended that men only, and not boys, should be employed as conductors.

Colonel Soratohley.— Col. Scratchley is expected to arrive in Timaru on Thurs day, when lie will review the Volunteers.

A Laly School Committee Member. —Tlie Nelson householders have elected a lady, named Mrs. Gibbs, a member of the School Committee. The Irish Relief Fund. —Kumar a has forwarded to the Lord Mayor of Dublin a first instalment of Ll5O in aid of the Irish Relief Fund. The Barley Bushel. — The Richmond (Nelson) farmers have fixed the weight of their bushel of barley at s*. fibs., and intend forming a company if the maltsters, etc., do not agree to their figure.

A Good Investment. The annual balance sheet of the Wellington and Hutt Building Society shows a profit of L 1,900 for the last year, equal to a profit of L2 per share. Reduction in Miners’ Wages.— The miners in the Coal Pit Heath mine (Grey) have got notice of a reduction of (id. per ton in the getting out price. The miners consider the present price too low, especi ally as regular work cannot be depended on.

Criminal Assault. —At the Auckland Police Court on Tuesday Wm. Samuel Tidmarsh was charged with assaulting Harriet Shakespeare, with intent to com mit a rape, and remanded. Flo lias been tried at the. Supreme Court before for a similar offence. The police have now ascertained that it was Tidmarsh who at tempted a criminal assault on the Kyber Pass road about a month ago.

Retrenchment. —The Ashburton muni cipality is not the only one in the Colony hampered for funds. At Dunedin the municipal credit account is now reduced to L7OOO, and the Finance Committee of the City Council recommend to that body that the idea of completing the Town Hall be abandoned, that the Works Com mittee be instructed to dispense with all surplus labor now employed, and that the Council abstain strictly from ordering any new works.

A Maori Lady Missionary.— lt is stated, that one of Te Kooti’s wives is at Te Kopua, near Kawakawa, engaged in making converts to Te Kooti’s new religion. She is expected to visit tlie settlement at Waioma, and much interest is taken in her movements. A Turf Trick in the Post Office.— The postman at Obaki has been suspended in consequence of his having dated a letter enclosing an entry for Wellington races as being posted on Jan. 19, when really it was posted on Jan. 20. It is believed that it was so stamped to suit the convenience of the person entering the horse.

Cheap and Nasty.— The Levels Road Board recently let the valuation of their district by tender. The new valuer was appointed at a saving of LIOO on the re muneration demanded by the former one, but the new valuation has given terrible dissatisfaction, being full of discrepancies, inaccuracies, and omissions. The Board on Tuesday held a special meeting, and decided to appear before the Assessment Court with last year’s valuation rolls, and apply to have the omissions inserted, and all the necessai’y alterations made where the properties have been undervalued.

I. O G.T.—The usual meeting of the Dawn of Peace Lodge was held last Mon day. About 40 members were present. The following officers were elected for the ensuing term, viz. : —Bro. Toyntz, W.C.T. ; Bro. Leitch, W.V.T. ; Bro. Sando, W.S. ; Bro. G. Andrews, W.F.S.; Bro. T. Andrews, W. T. ; Bro. Hardley, W.C. ; Bro. Macdonald, W. M. ; Bro. Mullaney, W.I.G. ; Sister M. A. Andrews, W.R.H.S. ; Sister Poyntz, W. L. H. S. Two new members were ini tiated. The following Committee were appointed to confer with the Star of the East Lodge, on the election of Superin tendent for the Juvenile Temple : viz.— Bros. Stephen Poyntz, G. W. Andrews, A. J. Andrews, and Sando, with Sisters Sando, Hardlejq and M. A. Andrews. A communication was received from the G.W.S., soliciting subscriptions towards a memorial to the 'late G.W.C.T. Bro. Jago. TheD.D. having intimated that he had received a commission to institute a Degree Temple, it wasvesolved—‘‘That the Temple be instituted on Wednesday, February 4th, at 7.30 p.m.”

Floods on the West Coatt. —Tele grams from the West Coast speak of heavy floods having occurred on Monday. At Charleston the’ fearful floods in tlie Nile Yalley submerged one family, and five persons were rescued by boats from Mr. Poole’s farm. At Ross there had been continual heavy rain for two days, and the rivers were flooded. The mail-coach could not leave for Hokitika on account of tlie floods, and the Bishop of Christ church was detained by the same cause. At Hokitika the heaviest flood ever known occurred, and did great damage to tlie land, crops, and public works in Westland. The Arahura bridge, on the main Kuvnara road, was almost destroyed. The north end for 200 ft. was swept away, and it will take about L4OOO to repair the damage done. It is believed that there lias been great destruction in the southern part of the country, as acres of valuable land on the Christchurch road have been carried away. The town of Hokitika was imuidaied on Tuesday, and most of the streets were covered with a sheet of water for several hours. The flood lias now subsided. Mr. Fisher and jiis Constituents. —Mr. J. B. Fisher addressed the Builer electors at the Theatre Royal, Charleston, on Saturday evening. The meeting was well attended, and the reception cordial. Mr. Fisher said there was a Conservative and a Liberal element in New Zealand politics as much as in those of the old country, and that however much Govern ment and their supporters deprecated the charge they were the Conservatives of the country. They had taken up the Liberal measures but only to stultify and defeat them. The Government idea was that such draughts of Liberalism as the coun try insisted upon had better be adminis tered through a Conservative filter. He did not regret the accession to power of the present Government; the country re quired departmental government and re form, and the present Government were essentially men of detail. They had dealt boldly if not wisely with finance and administration, and they were preferable to Sir George Grey and his surroundings. There was a remnant of the Liberal party still true to its principles, and he hoped the utter routing they had suffered would enable them to form now and more effec th ® combinations. Mr. Fisher received a unanimous vote of thanks and con* fidence.

Another Kerosene Accident. —The “ at anchor ” lamp of a barge at Makarau, suspended as usual from the rigging, burst shortly after dusk on Tuesday, and the blazing liquid spread all over the deck. Two sailors from the man-of-war Sandfly extinguished the fire with difficulty after the jib of the barge was partially burnt.

Reaper, and Binder Contest.— The trial of the reapers and binders, string and wire, arranged for by the Ashburton A. and P. Association, came oft’ to-day in Mr. H. T. Smith’s paddock. Six machines entered three wire and three string binders—and barring a slight break-down on the part of the Johnston-Harvester, one of the twine-binders, all worked admirably, getting through their work in a manner that called forth the hearty approval of as large a crowd of practical farmers as we have ever seen met in one paddock. We have not time this issue to give more than the names of the machines entered—Wire binders : Osborne, Wood, and M‘Cormack ; String binders : The Wood, the Marsh (with Peering string binder), and the Johnston. The weather was simply perfection, and the crop was all that could be desired for a test of the machines’ capabilities. In to- morrow’s paper we will give full details of the pro ceedings, which had not concluded when we went to press. The Wesleyan Conference at DGn edin. —At the Wesleyan Conference on Tuesday, the Auckland and Rangiora circuits were reported as being required to make provision for receiving a married minister each. Additional ministers have been granted to Waikato, Wairoa, Kawa kawa, Wliangaroa and Wellington. It was decided to form the Upper Thames district into a new circuit, including Ohinemuri, Katikati, Waihou, and Piako. In the afternoon session, the statistics were read by the Secretary, showing the number of members to be 3737, being an increase for the year of 122. The number of members on trial is 202 ; and the number of ministers is 71, being an in crease of six. The lay representatives from several circuits in the colony were present for the first time that morning as follows:—From Auckland, Messrs. F. R. White and R. Wykes ; New Plymouth, J. George ; Wellington, W. Lustin and W. Moxham ; Christchurch, J. Shierlaw ; Springston, H. W. Peryman ; Rangiora, C. Howard ; Timaru, E. Holgate ; Wai mate, J. Manchester ; Dunedin Trinity Church, G. Hindle and (Mornington) P. M‘Lean ; Port Chalmers, J. Lane ; Bal clutha, W. Hope ; Roxburgh, H. Blox ham ; Invercargill, L. Cheyne ; Treasurer of Contingent Fund, W. Harris (Christ church). The Revs. A. Reid (Christ church), Yv r . Keall (Ashburton) and T. Fee (Waimate) also took their seats. The income for the Home and Church Exi eli sion Fund was as follows : —Towards liquidation of debt, L 593 Gs. Gd. ; by way of ordinary income, LBBB 13s. lOd. The income was found to be considerably less than the claims upon the fund, and conse quently the votes had to he reduced. The evening session was occupied with the consideration of estimated income and ex penditure for the next 12 months. Knowledge and timber should not be too much used until they are seasoned.

TELEGRAPHIC.

TO-DAY”S CABLEGRAMS

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

( Renter's Telegrams.) London, Jan 2G Fall in the Frice of Wheat.

Adelaide wheat is declining, and is to day quoted at 575. per 49Glbs ex ware house. Adelaide flour is unchanged at 425. per 2Solbs., ex warehouse. The total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain i5'1,908,000 quarters. {Gge S/erial.) London, Jan. 27. A Caution. Germany has formally warned Italy to refrain from hostile demonstrations against Austria. The Trouble in Afghan- The latest news from Afghanistan states that Ayooub Khan and Mahommed Jan have united, and intend to entrench them selves near Ghuznee until strong enough to attack Cabul. France Acquiring Territory. France has annexed Toil quin. Lord Salisbury. Lord Salisbury is ill.

AUSTRALIAN.

Melbourne, Jan, 28. The Suez Mail.

Tlie Ringarooma leaves to-morrow for New Zealand with the inward (December) Suez mails.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

INTERPROVI NCI AL.

Westport, Jan. 28. The Y/est Coast Floods. The heavy floods in the river on Mon day carried away the Koranui Company’s bridge lately erected. The Perjury Case. The perjury case, Johnston v. O'Connor, in the R. M. Court, was dismissed. Normanby, Jan. 28. Maori Affairs.

Major Gordon and 92 men arrived at Kaikaki from Opunake on Monday after noon, making in all 200 men under Col. Roberts. The camp is cleared and in good order, and the men hard at work at the road. No native visitors are about and the men are exceedingly well conducted.. The camp is much pleasanter since the rain of yesterday morning. Wellington, Jan. 28. Tawhai Resigns His Seat on the Native Royal Commission.

Honi Moliia Tawhai has resigned his appointment as one of the Royal Commis sioners on native affairs. It is understood that his avowed reason for the course he has taken was dissatisfaction at the re stricted functions of the Comma s’oners. That they did not compass all that was required for the satisfactory exposition of the differences that sundered the Maoris and Europeans, and altogether avoided the main issue—confiscation of Maori

territory ; and, moreover, that the Com missioners recognised the legality of the confiscation. Dunedin, Jan. 28. More Immigrants. At the Heads, the ship Wellington, with 400 immigrants. The Volunteers. Seven hundred and fifty Volunteers at tended the inspection by Colonel Scratch ley last night, who distributed prizes won at the Rifle Association’s meetings. Colonel Scratchley and Major Sargood, of Victoria, strongly deprecated drilling men in halls at night. The Tramway Accident-

On dit that the tramway proprietors offered to pay L4OO before the proceedings were taken re the Castle street accident.

LAST NIGHT’S CABLEGRAMS.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

( Reuters),

New York, Jan. 26.

Mr. Parnell, the Irish agitator, made a violent speech to-day, in which he de nounced the formation of Irish relief funds, because they would not afford aid to rent defaulters. The latter, he said, claimed separate nationally, and the land lords must therefore give way. (Argus Special.) London, Jan. 26. Ayoub Khan is advancing on Ghuznee. Bombay troops will replace the Bengal troops at Candahar, the Bengalese returning to Moia via Ghuznee and Cabul. The German Army Bill has created a profound sensation in Russia. Prince Bis marck and the National Liberals have been reconciled.

England, Austria, and France have complained to the Porte of the continued non-fulfilment of the Berlin Treaty re garding Montenegro. Greek and Turkish papers are violently al tacking England on the late Mollah incident.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Reuter's Telegravis.) Melbourne, Jan. 27.

Grainy yellow sugars have advanced LI. Competition is brisk. Wheat and oats are weaker.

WOOL AWARDS AT THE EXHIBI TION.

(by telegraph.) Wellington, Jan. 28. The following is a list of the awards granted to New Zealand wool at the Exhi bition : Division B—Wool (in grease) from any variety of sheep other than merino : Sub-class 26 —Six ram hoggetts’ fleeces, unskirted.—-Commended, D. McNicholl, Auckland. Sub-class 27 —Six ewes, fleeces, un skirted.—First prize, James Wallace, Auckland. Sub-class 28 —Six ewe hoggetts’ fleeces, unskirted.—First prize, Clias. Reid. Supplementary competitive exhibition — Division G —Wool in grease, other breeds: Sub-class 25—Six rams’ fleeces, un skirted.—Highly commended, W. H. Watt and Baker and Allison. Sub-class 26—Six ram hoggetts’ fleeces, unskirted.—Highly commended, W. H. Watt and Owen and Dethridgo. Sub-class 27—Six ewes’ fleeces, un skirted.—Highly commended, W. H. Watt, Sub-class 30—Six ram hoggetts’ fleeces, unskilled.—Highly commended, W. 11. Watt. Sub-class 31—Six ewes’ fleeces, un skirted.—Highly commended, W. H. Watt. Sub-class 32—Six ewe hoggetts’ fleeces, unskirted. —Highly commended, W. H. Watt.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

ASHBURTON— Tuesday, Jan. 27

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

Knight v. Shearman.—Mr Purnell ap plied for a re-hearing in the above case, and would, on account of the distance at which the witness lived, apply for a hear ing next Court day. He said it was a hard case for Mr. Shearman.

His Worship—A very hard case, and the application will he granted. Friedlander Bros. v. M c Avey.—The de fendant is a prisoner in the Lyttelton gaol, and the jailor had refused to allow the summons to be served on defendant. The Magistrate granted house service, so as to deliver the summons on defendant’s present place of abode—i. e. the gaol. Fletcher v. Helson —Claim Ll 6 10s. Mr. Branson for plaintiff, Mr. O’Reilly for defendant. Mr. Branson objected to Mr. O’-Reilly appearing for defendant, as the late firm of O’Reilly and Ireland had previously advised plaintiff ; and as the Court had ruled that he (Mr. Branson) could not appear in Shearman v. Knight, the same argument would apply in the case now before the Court.

Mr. O’Reilly said the case referred to by Mr. Branson was not anything like the present one. Mr. Branson had appeared for Knight, the plaintiff, and was non suited. lie then brought the same action for Shearman, as plaintiff against his for mer client. In the present case the plain tiff had taken advice from Mr. Ireland, and the latter had written to defendant. Then the plaintiff had employed Messrs. Bran son and Purnell to sue. Surely ho (Mr. O’Reilly) had every right to appear for the defendant: if not, a person could by tak ing advice, and paying Gs. Bd. to each solicitor, stop them all from appearing against him. Such a contention was pre posterous. Even supposing the objection a valid one, his Worship had no jurisdic tion. He (Mr. O’Reilly) was an officer of the Supreme Court, and by the 30th section of the R.M. Act, he was entitled to audience in the R.M. Court. His Wor ship had no power to deprive him of his status. Mr. Branson had made an ap plication to Judge Ward under similar circumstances, and I.is Honor had asked Mr. Branson what he required him to do as he had no jurisdiction over offieeis of the Supreme Court. Even Judge John ston had referred such questions to the proper tribunal—the Law Society. He (Mr. O’Reilly) would insist on his right to appeal 1 .

His Worship decided that he was hound by his former ruling under similar circum stances. - -

Mr. O’Reilly submitted that they were entirely different circumstances.

His Worship decided that Mr. O’Reilly could not appear. Mr. O’Reilly applied for an adjourn ment, so that he might take further- steps in the matter. Mr. Branson objected to Mr. O’Reilly appearing in any way in connection with tillG enso. His Worship ruled that Mr. O’Reilly could not- .apply for an adjournment. Mr. O’Reilly then handed his papers to his client, who applied for an. adjourn ment. Mr. Branson objected to defendant looking at tlie papers, as some were in Mr. O’Reilly’s writing. This was overruled. His Worship said he would grant costs against the defendant, who then elected to go on with the case, if he had to pay costs. James Fletcher, carrier, deponed that he agreed with Nelson to cart three or four loads of timber from Ashburton to Methven, at 3s. 6d. per 100 feet. The contract was made on a Monday, and I carted the first load on the following Thursday. I could not get it before, as the defendant did not have it ready till then. , I went on the Monday for a second load, and Nelson told me it had all gone away on the railway. I said there must be some allowance, and he said nothing, but went away. I could have taken 6000 feet in four days with my eight horses. My costs vfluid be L 3 ss. 6d. for the two trips, and the freight would amount to LlO 10s. I calculate my net loss at L 7. By defendant—l did not promise to come on any particular day. You were not there on the Thursday when I came for the first load. There was an under standing that I was to cart timber which came from Christchurch by the Methven line. I don’t know that the stuff I carted Horn the Methven line was from Ashbur ton. I saw a lot more stuff on the Meth ven line. I came back because I could not work for the wet weather. I would have made more money by carting the timber from Methven than from Ash burton.

W. Collins, timber merchant, proved the delivery of 3000 feet on the 27th Nov. to Fletcher. Nelson’s contract used up about 10,000 feet. The timber was ordered on the previous Saturday. Fletcher could have had ?. load on the Monday. I don’t recollect seeing him till Thursday. Nelson’s men were working at the timber up till Friday. S. B. Nelson, swown—l agreed with Fletcher on 22nd November to cart timber to Methven at 3s. 6d. per 100, and he was to start on the following Tuesday, and could have had a load that day, hut as he did not come I went to Rakaia and arranged with the Methven Railway to carry it, and the timber had gone by rail before Fletcher came. I told him he had not kept his word. He said, “As lam here you might give me a load,” and I gave him one on condition that he would cart all the stuff from the Methven line. He agreed, and I sent hands to help him to load. He carted one load, when he left, on account of the weather.

John Cox proved the fact that timber was ready for Fletcher to cart away on the Tuesday, and that a second agree ment was made to cart it from the Methven line.

After argument by counsel for plaintiff, and by defendant, the latter conducting his own case very commendably, judg ment was given for plaintiff, with costs. Saunders Bros. v. Proctor Bros.— Claim, L4l 18s. 9d. Mr. O’Reilly for plaintiffs. Arthur Smith, clerk for plaintiffs, proved the debt. Judgment for amount due and costs, his Worship allowing expenses of one witness, who had been subpoenaed. Wood v. Ladbrook.—Claim, L 7 13s. 3 udgment for amount claimed and costs, to be paid in a month. Edmiston Bros, and Gundry v. John ston.—Claim, L2B 11s. 9d Mr Ireland, for defendant, pointed out that the law required in such cases ten days’ notice to appear before the Court, and applied for the case to be dismissed with costs. The Court allowed L2 2s. costs.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

SOUTH RAKAIA. The annual meeting of householders in the Educational District of South Rakaia was held in the school-room, Rakaia, on Monday evening. There was a very good attendance, notwithstanding the very un favorable state of the weather. The Chair man's report and balance sheet, which were very inaudibly read, were adopted as read. On the motion of Mr. Sharp, seconded by Mr. Hartnall, Mr. C. Tucker was elected chairman of the meeting to elect a new Committee. The following twelve names were duly proposed and seconded :—Messrs Hart nail, Cox, Sharp, Shellock, Welsh, Tucker, Makeig, Murphy, Bruce, Rev. Elton, Carson, and Byrne. Messrs. Bruce and Carson withdrew their names, and Mr. Hardy withdrew Mr. Elton’s name, although he had Mr. Elton’s written per mission for his name to be proposed. The ballot was then proceeded with, resulting in the election of Messrs. Hartnall, Sharp, Shellock, Welsh, Tucker and Makeig. For some mysterious reason the number of votes obtained by each candidate was withheld by the scrutineers, causing some little discussion on the subject; but one gentleman, who seemed the personification of law and precedent, objected to the numbers being read out, and lie carried his point and burnt all the papers. This meeting was far more orderly than that held in January last, but still the disorderly element was not wanting, one or two individuals in particular endeavor ing to show the extent of their ignorance, and the coarseness of their wit.

The new committee subsequently met, when Mr. C. Tucker was elected Chair man. The minutes of a former meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. N. Welsh proposed that the schoolmaster be elected Secretary to the Committee, but the Chair man thought he could do the work him self, and the other members of the Com mittee spoke strongly against the school master acting as Secretary. The motion was not seconded.

Mi’. N. Welsh proposed that tenders he invited for cleaning the school for a year. This gave rise to a discussion as to the necessity for inviting tenders for the work, but ultimately the motion was agreed to. It was resolved that the next meeting

of the Committee be held on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at half-past seven p. m. ELGIN. The first meeting of the new school dis trict of Elgin was held on Monday even ing, January 26th, at Mr. J. Stanley Bruce’s house. There was a good at tendance of the householders of the dis trict (notwithstanding the wet evening) which may perhaps be accounted for from the fact that it was the meeting to initiate the business of the district. Mr. J. Stanley Bruce was elected chair man, and read the advertisement con vening the meeting, also the clauses of the Act bearing on the election of a com mittee, and called upon the householders to nominate candidates. The following were then duly proposed and seconded : Mr. Thomas Greenway, Mr. H. Moffat, Mr. P. Innes, Mr. J. Stanley Bruce, Mr. John Cochi’ane, Mr. Thomas Holmes, Mr. S. Scott, Mr. John Gair, and Mr. Hoat ten. Messrs. II oatten and Holmes withdrew their names. The Chairman therefore declared Messrs Green way, Moffat, P. Innes, J. S. Bruce, John Cochrane, S. Scott, and John Gair members of the Elgin School Committee for the year ending on the 4th Monday in January, 1880. Immediately after the public meeting the Committee held a meeting at which all the members were present, and Mr. J. Stanley Bruce was unanimously elected Chairman and Treasurer, and it was re solved that all cheques be signed by the Treasurer and Mr. H. Moffat. The Bank of New Zealand was appointed the bankers of the Committee. The future meetings of the Committee were appointed to be held on the first Wednesday in every month at 7 p. m.

It was resolved to write to the Board of Education for their sanction to adver tise for a schoolmaster at once, also to request the Board to grant a sum for planting the school site in the autumn, and to permit a gymnasium to be erected. The meeting then adjourned.

New Discovery In Butter Making.

(From the Times.)

Dairying is the one branch of agricul tural industry which, by common consent, is to be a mainstay of British farmers against foreign competition. New ap paratus, new processes, new systems are being introduced in the cream-raising, butter-making, and cheese-making, of onr dairies; and where novel methods are not deemed indispensable, attention of a new and important kind— namely, that of the master of the farm—is being devoted to the more perfect carrying out of the methods now in use. It has been found out that English dairymaids need to be instructed, especially in the art of making butter. They do not always churn sweet cream ; they do not churn at the right temperature ; they do nob stop the action of the churn at that particular point when the butter has just com j in little nuggets like rough marbles ; ihey do not withdraw the buttermilk and then wash the butter in the churn with re peated doses of salt water, until the water runs out clear ; they do not refrain from mixing in powdered salt after this ; and they do not work out work every drop of buttermilk by fluted wood roller, instead of squeezing and rubbing the butter by hand. The improved practice is being extended, and so awakened are the public becoming to the importance of keeping at home the many millions of money now spent in foreign < airy produce that even gentlemen by no means dependent upon farming are starting herds of dairy cows. You hear of baronets and men of lesser note building cow-houses at their country seats and entering upon the milk trade with their 50, 100, or 150 milch cows. Now, a discovery has been lately made which brings a new element into the cal culation of the future of the trade in butter. On the 24th July, Mr. G. M. Allender put a churning of butter to the test, treating it in accordance with a new patent brought before him. The butter, iu a muslin cloth, was placed in a firkin, without a particle of salt, and every pre caution taken to insure that there could be no tampering with the experiment. The firkin remained on the premises at St. Petersburg Place, Bayswater, for three months, and, when examined on Oct. 24, it was as sound and sweet as when first put in. Practically this butter was ex posed to the atmosphere during the whole time, seeing that air found free admit tance into the firkin. Without treatment the butter would have gone completely putrid ; but on smelling and tasting it on Friday ve found it perfectly sweet, firm, and so excellent in flavour that we could not toll it from butter made the day before. Experts in the business, both in this country and in Ireland, have had samples, and pronounce the preservation wonderful ; the only difference they find being that newly-made butter (and this first-rate of its kind) has a peculiar aroma not quite equalled in the preserved butter ; while the latter is considered a little “ dead,” so that just a trace of salt in it would be an improvement.

The effect will he to drive all salt butter out of the market. In order to make it keep, the Irish and all imported butter is now mixed with 5 or G per cent, of salt. Under the new system 1 per cent, of salt will be ample for the purpose, and the cost of the preservative will not exceed half-a-crown for a sGlb. firkin, or little more than a halfpenny per pound. The difference in value between a very mildly salted and a coarse and strongly-pickled butter is at least 4d. per pound, and hence it appears possible that fortunes may be made by substituting preserved for salted butter, alike in the immense quantity shipped from Ireland in that brought from foreign countries. It is not possible to estimate the gain of being able to displace from our tables and from our cookeries the objectionable salt butter, the change being especially grateful to voyagers on ship-board and to countries, such as Brazil, which import the whole their butter. One great feature of the trade in future will be the purchase and storage of butter in summer, when prices are low, for sale in winter, when prices rule higher—with considerable effect towards equalising the two seasoned prices to consumers. Pre served butter, of course, will not he able to compel e with the choicest new fresh butter ; but, nevertheless, the result of displacing salted butters must be immense. The butter, worked with a trilling quantity of the patent material (alleged to be per fectly harmless) directly after churning, keeps good ancl sweet for months without any particular packing or any care be stowed upon its situation or temperaturej

Wednesday, January 28, ISBO.I

THE ASHBURTON HERALD.



New Advertisements. LABOR MARKET. REGISTRY OFFICE FOR MASTERS AND SERVANTS, AT THE ‘ EVENING HERALD ” OFFICE. TOARMERS REQUIRING HANDS _jj can engage men through the “ Evening Herald ” Registry for 1/- each, prepaid. LABORERS REQUIRING SITUA TIONS can engage through the “ Herald ” Registry Office by paying 1/-. SERVANTS REQUIRING SITUA TIONS can get them by applying at the “Herald” Registry Office, and paying 1/- ENGAGEMENTS will be POSTED UP every day at 12 noon and 4 p.m., by numbers given to the .applicants, who will learn the address on enquiring. SPECIAL or URGENT WANTS will be inserted in the “ Evening Herald ” in the registry column on payment of Six pence additional in advance, for each issue. Further Particulars on application at the “EVENING HERALD” REGISTRY OFFICE. SAUNDERS’ BUILDINGS, EAST ST., ASHBURTON. TIT ANTED, those in search of employ- VV ment, to call and either enter their names at Herald Registry Office, on pay ment of Is. LABOURERS requiring work can secure first opening by applying early at Herald Registry Office, on pay ment of Is. SERVANTS requiring situations, call and get your names entered in the Herald Registry, Is. EMPLOYERS requiring any kind of laborers can engage through Herald Registry Office, on payment of Is. in ad vance. NEW KAWAKAWA RAILWAY. TAUMARERE CONTRACT—FORMA TION ONLY. LENGTH ABOUT ONE MILE.



Public Works Office, Wellington, 15th January, 1880. WRITTEN TENDERS will be received at this office, until NOON on WEDNESDAY the 25th February, 1880, for the above contract. They must be addressed to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington, and marked outside “ Tender for Taumarere Contract.” Plans and specifications may be seen at the Public Works Offices, Wellington, after the 21st instant, and at Auckland, Grahamstown, KawaKawa, Christchurch, and Dunedin on arrival of first mail after that date. Telegraphic tenders, similarly addressed and marked, will be received if presented at any telegraph office by NOON of the same date, pro vided that written tenders in due form are lodged at a District or Resident Engineer’s Office by the same hour, and accompanied by a cheque on some bank in the town where the tender is lodged ; such cheque to be specially marked by a banker as good for twenty-one days, and to be in favor of the Receiver-General’s Deposit Account only, and not to bearer or order. The lowest or any tender will not necessarily be accepted. By command, JOHN BLACKETT, 439 g Engineer in Charge, North Island. TOTARA ! TOTARA ! ! TOTARA ! ! f NOTICE. To "members of County Councils, Road Boards, Contractors, and others. THE undersigned desires to notify that he is prepared to supply SAWN TOTARA (or Black Pine) for Bridges, Culverts, Slabbing wells, or other purposes, of any dimensions, and in large or small quanti ties to suit customers. ALPHEUS HAYES, Timber Merchant, East street, Ashburton. N.B.—Building Timber, Firewood, Stakes, &c., now on sale ,at the yards, East street, near Railway station, at lowest current rates, or can be delivered at any station along the line direct from the mills. Firewood by the truck-load at greatly reduced prices. 967a # —413 g NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. Capital £1,000,000. Paid up £50,000. Reserve Fund'£Ss,ooo. A LOCAL INSTITUTION. FIRE Department. —City, Suburban, and Country properties, Flour Mills, Mills, Breweries, Barns, Stables, &c., insured on the most favorable terms. Grain in Stook or Stack. Steam Thresh ing Machines, in yard or at work, insured at the lowest rates. MARINE RISKS cf all kinds effected at current rates. |A. GARRICK, Manager, HEREFORD STREET, CHRIST CHURCH. This Company covers risk of explosion of gas. 975 a TINWALD BOOT AND SHOE SHOP. C. HAWKINS. CH. begs to inform the inhabitants of Tinwald and surrounding districts that he has taken the Boot and Shoe Shop adjoining Mr. S. Stephens, saddler, and hopes by strict attention to business to obtain a share of public patronage. 742 g •37a



New Advertisements. lOST— PENDANT of a hair Albert J guard with gold locket, containing photos, attached. Finder will oblige by leaving same at Herald Office. 981 a mO LET—TWO OFFICES in East I street, central, rent low. Apply to Branson & Purnell, solicitors. 971 a WANT ED, a RESPECTABLE YOUNG MAN who has a know ledge of Bookkeeping. Salary, LBQ for first year, advance according to merit. Apply “ Books,’’Box 42, Ashburton. 944 a WANTED. —APPRENTICES and IMPROVERS to the Dressmak ing.—Apply to Mi’s. Robertson, Tancred street, Ashburton. 991 a "TATANTED. —A Young GIRL, to assist ’ ’ in General House Work.—Apply to Mr. Alfred Curtis, East Town Belt. 990 a WANTED. —A Good thorough SER VANT, for the Country. Refer ences required. Apply at the Herald office at 2 o’clock p. m. on Friday, the 30th inst. 989 a BUTLER’S FAMILY HOTEL, ' ASHBURTON. J. F. BUTLER (Late of Arahura, West Coast) JgEGS to inform his friends and the public generally that he has opened the above large and commodious hotel, which is situated at the CORNER OF CASS AND HAVELOCK STREETS, And is convenient to the Railway Station. Excellent accommodation for travellers, families, and boarders. All wines and spirits of the best brands. One of A Dock’s best billiard tables. 905 a WOOD’S REAPERS AND BINDERS. rgIHE undersigned is prepared to RE JL CEIVE ORDERS for the above. F. PAVITT, Ashburton. Agent for John Anderson, 9S3a Canterbury Foundry. NEW TAILORING ESTABLISH MENT. CRAIGHEAD & Co., MERCHANT TAILORS, HAVE opened those premises situated in Tancred street adjoining Messrs. Orr and Co’s General Store. A SPLENDID ASSORTMENT OF TWEEDS, FANCY GOODS, &c., &c., JUST ARRIVED. Mi\ Craighead’s experience as Head Cutter in connection with First Class Tailoring Establishments in Edinburgh and San Francisco has extended over a period of ten years, and from the immense success which has always attended his efforts to please, he is prepared to guarantee a perfect fit in every case. TANCRED STREET, (Next Orr and Cj.’s.) CRAIGHEAD & CO. 982 a