MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m. 9. a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.15 a.m. daily. For Temuka, Timaru, and South at 6 a.m. and 10.15 a.m. daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a m. For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at 3.15 p.m. daily. For Wakanui, and Seafield, on Tues days and Fridays, at 6 a. m.

Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office—

From Christchurch at 10.35 a.m., 4.55 p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. From Chertsey, Rakaia, &c. at 10.35 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.25 p.m. daily. From Temuka and Timaru at 9.25 a.m. and 5.25 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a. m. daily. From Wakanui and Seafield on Tues days and Fridays at 2.30 p. m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster. Mails close at the Chief Post Offices for the following places (subject to the necessary alterations) as under :

Thursday. May 13,

For Northern Ports of New Zealand, per Rotorua.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the "Evening Echo”). WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 1880.

Off the Rolls. —At the Appeal Court, Wellington, on Tuesday, the famous G. B. Barton, barrister and solicitor, was struck off the rolls of the Supreme Court for misappropriation of moneys belonging to his clients in England, while acting for them under power of attorney.

The Suicide at Auckland. —The un fortunate young woman, Mrs Ward, who jumped down a well in Chapel street, Auckland, while suffering from low fever, died on Monday night. Mrs. Ward was only 22 years of age.

Military Funeral.— The marine of H.M.S. Cormorant, who was recently drowned in the harbor at Auckland, was buried with military honors by the crew of the German warship Nautilus.

Pleuro-Pneumonia. The Waikato settlers are threatening a combination to prevent indiscriminate slaughter of their cattle, which they allege is being in dulged in to prevent the spread of pleuro.

In Bankruptcy. —The first meeting of creditors in the estate of C. B. M. Bran son was held this morning, at the District Courthouse. There was rather a large attendance, and Mr. W. H. Gundry was appointed chairman. The statement showed the liabilities to be LlB9 4s. 2d., and the assets, L 149 13s. In the assets there were vouchers of sums due by the Government amounting to LOB, fees and services, due to the bankrupt ; also a sum of Ll 7 against the Clerk of the Court, for assistance, which Mr. Hurrell said was incorrect. Mr. G. D. Branson, solicitor for bankrupt, stated that when Mr. Hurrell came here he had engaged Mr. C. B. M. Branson to assist him, and bank rupt had only received L 4 for four months’ services. Mr. W. R. Boyle, accountant in bankruptcy, was appointed trustee, and was requested to realise on the estate as soon as possible. Informal Tenders. —After the meeting of the County Council last week, we took occasion to warn contractors against care lessness in putting in their tenders. For a comparatively small work the Borough Council received yesterday quite a num ber of offers, but no less than three of the tenders were informal. A clause in the specification of work laid upon the ten derer the condition of stating in his ten der how many loads per day of shingle he was prepared to lay down. The three in formal tenders had no reply to this con dition, and though two of them at least were below the successful tenderer, for this informality they had to be rejected in justice to the others who had complied with the conditions. Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well, and it is a pity that men who really want work should cut themselves out of any chance of it by gross carelessness of this kind. They have themselves to blame for losing the work, and wily old stagers -who have gone through the tender mill often before, and know every crank in it, walk off with the work. New Infant School for Ashburton. —At the School Committee meeting last night, it was incidentally mentioned that thei’e was every prospect of an infant school being built by the Board of Educa tion in Ashburton almost immediately. The site spoken of was the reserve oppo site the existing school, and though the site did not meet with the approval of the Committee, it was considered advisable, in the present prospects of public finance, to raise no objections, but to allow the erection free course, so as at all hazards and with all expedition to secure the much wanted accommdation that the new building would give. However much parents may wish the new school to be planted in the more populous part of the town on the eastern side of the railway, it is certainly better to have an infant school on any site within the borough than no infant school at all, and if there is any thing in the fears of the committee it is as welljto have no nagging with the Board about the site. Still, ive think, if it were put plainly before the Board that a very large majority of the infants —fully 100 —have to cross the railway line at the most dan gerous times of the day, en route to the present school, and that the site chosen will not relieve this danger, the Board, composed let us hope of sensible men, might re-consider.

Tenders. —The Surveyor to the Upper Ashburton Road Board is desirous of re ceiving tenders for several sections of work, particulars of which will be found in our advertising columns. A Thankful Street Preacher. —In Auckland the special pastime to which the youthful rough devotes his precocious in tellect appears to be that of worrying street preachers. We learn from the New Zealand Herald that one preacher, hold ing forth at the Grey street fire bell on Sunday night, seemed to be fully alive to the dangers of his position, and was thankful for small mercies. At the close of his address he said, “ I thank you for your civility ; I thank you for not throw ing stones at us ; I thank you that you are not pasting us with rotten eggs; and I thank you that you have not taken out your knives and let our puddings out!” The crowd, eagerly listening to the latter portion of the address, appeared amused at the novel form of thanks, and were dis persed without difficulty by a few members of the police force.

A Complement from Tasmania. —The Hobart Town Mercury in noticing that the census returns from New Zealand, taken on March 3, 1878, had not been published till February 9, 1880, says “They take things very quiet in New Zealand, and though it is the fashion to speak of Tasmania as a sleepy hollow, official business proceeds in New Zealand with a slow and measured tread that would not be tolerated in Tasmania ; in fact no official in Tasmania would dare procrastinate in a manner that in New Zealand is met by the “ most superficial excuse.” The Mercury also thinks that the Registrar-General must bless the Go vernment Printer for the perfection the latter would appear to have acquired in the art of “hownot to do it.” Sunday Concerts. —The Auckland Herald says : —Sunday evening concerts are becoming somewhat common in Auck land, and we suppose they will be as long as they are well attended. We have no inclination to insist upon a Puritanical ob servance of Sunday, or upon anything ap proaching to that, but we think these Sunday concerts quite unnecessary and open to considerable objection even in a secular point of view. There is no class in this community who are so hard pressed by their hours of labor that they have no opportunity of hearing music or obtaining recreation except 011 Sunday evening, Sunday concerts are the commencement of a lax observance of that day of rest, and if this is left to increase the working classes will be the first to feel the hard ship.

Bare Hoof v. Shoe. —Some time since the London Christian Union called attention to the fact that an experienced farrier of England reported that horses did better without than with shoes. A writer in the London Times has been trying the experiment, and thus reports : —“ When my pony’s shoes were worn out, I had them removed, and gave him a month’s rest at grass, with an occasional drive of a mile or two on the high-road, while his hoofs were hardening. The re sult at first seemed doubtful. The hoof was a thin shell, and kept chipping away until it had worked down beyond the holes of the nails by which the shoes had been fastened. After this the hoof grew thick and hard, quite unlike what it had been before. I now put the pony to full work, and he stands it well. He is more sure-footed ; his tread is almost noiseless ; his hoofs are in no danger from the rough hands of the farrier; and the change altogether has been a clear gain without anything to set-off against it. My pony, I may add, was between four and five yeavs old—rising four, I fancy, is the cor rect phrase. He had been regularly shod up to the-present year.”

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

“TEN SHILLINGS COSTS.”

To the Editor.

Sir, —By a paragraph in your paper of yesterday I am led to understand that another specimen of Ashburton law is to be perpetrated in our celebrated R. M. Court.

The ratepayers who have turned up at the last moment to satisfy the claims upon them, having baulked some legal arrange ment that had existed, are to be mulcted some special item for some individual benefit. If the lawyer was present as a servant of the Borough and he found his services were not required as no dispute had arisen and no difficulty had to be un ravelled, could he not have been content with the wages he was receiving as their servant without trying for perquisites. Are the ratepayers to understand that because he came there on a fools errand that persons who did not even see him are to make an involuntary subscription for him to the extent of 10s. per subscriber ? Would it not have been better if he had cai’ried round his hat and contented him self with what the folks could afford. Is it not “ monstrous ” that those who have a difficulty to scrape together the amount of the rates for the benefit of all should be compelled to impoverish themselves for the benefit of one ? If this state of things is quietly tolerated we shall have smart persons from other townships trying to “ raise the. wind ” and the majority of the people in New Zealand laughing at us for our simplicity. As the last straw broke the camel’s back, so this last bit of law should rouse the men of Ashburton to insist that the higher powers of New Zea land should be acquainted with the doings of our notorious R.M. Court. Hoping that some one more able than myself will take up the matter.—l am, &c., “ Justice.” To the Editor.

Sir, —Would you kindly inform me for what purpose the sum of LIOO per annum is paid to the Borough Solicitor out of the Council’s funds ? I presume that amongst other duties he would be required to look after the interests of the Borough Council in any cases that body may have at the R.M. Court. I noticed on perusing your issue of last evening that the Borough Solicitor applied for half a guinea profes sional costs in the cases of the Borough Council against several ratepayers for recovery of rates. If the Borough Solici tor is a paid servant of the Council, and receives a salary for attending to the business, 011 what ground does he claim the half guinea for professional costs out the pockets of the ratepayers ?—I am, &c., Ratepayer, Ashburton, May 12, 1880.

Borough Council.

A special meeting of the Borough Coun cil was held yesterday at three o’clock at the Council Chambers. There were pre sent —His Worship the Mayor (presiding), Messrs. Robinson, Friedlander, Saunders, Orr, and St. Hill.

The Mayor, in opening the business, said the meeting was called under section 133 of the Municipal Corporations Act, to receive the annual balance sheet of the Corporation and the report by the auditors; and also to open and consider tenders for the metalling, etc., of East street, Tancred street west, and part of Alford Forest road. The Clerk read the balance sheet and auditors’ report as under : Statement of Receipts and Expendi ture for Year ending 31st March. RECEIPTS.

Auditors' Report. —ln presenting the Annual Balance Sheet, we have to congra tulate the Borough on the improvement in its financial position on the previous year, there being at the present audit a considerable excess of assets over the lia bilities. We have also to bear testimony to the very satisfactory way in which the books and accounts havejbeen kept.— W. H. Gundry, W. H. Zouch, auditors.— Ashburton, May Ist, 1880. Mr. St. Hill pointed out that the L 5,000 County grant for water supply was not shown in the balance-sheet as an asset. The amount expended for pipes from that grant was shown, but there was no trace of where the money came from, nor what had become of the balance unexpended. His Worship explained that though the L 5,000 belonged to the Borough for pur poses of water supply, it -was not really an asset until the work had been done, and the money paid over by the County, which it could be only by the Chairman of the County and the Mayor of the Borough, and when works within the scope of the purpose for which the money was voted had been undertaken.

Mr. St. Hill moved the adoption of the report, remarking that the financial posi tion of the Borough was pre-emirently satisfactory. Mr. Saunders, in seconding the motion, said it seemed to him that something should be said regarding the happy state of financial affairs now existing. It had been the object of the Council all along to make both ends meet. They had had in the past very great difficulty in doing so, and not infrequently the honor of their cheques had been in danger. They were now not only able to make both ends meet, but they found themselves well in credit. While this flattering state of things existed he could not help bearing testimony to the carefulness and ability displayed by Mr. Braddell, Town Clerk, in his keeping of the books and accounts, the compliment paid to him by the audi tors on this head being no empty one. He had as great pleasure in making these remarks regarding the keeping of the ac counts as he had in possessing the know ledge that there would be now no fear of any threat being given that their cheques would be dishonored. After a few remarks in a similar strain from the Mayor, the report and balance sheet were adopted. TENDERS. Tenders were then opened for the metalling of East street, Tancred street west, and Alford Forest road, as follows : —John Black, Is. lid. per yard ; John Dick. Is. 4id. per yard ; W. J. Silcock, Is. 7d. per yard. There were three in formal tenders :—Patrick Paterson, llid. per yard; John Griffin, Is. ; and Fitz-,

patrick and Giles, Is. 3kl. Tlie informal tenderers neglected to state how much metal per day they would be prepared to put through.

The tender of Mr. Jolin Black was accepted.

School Committee.

The usual meeting of the Ashburton School Committee was held yesterday evening in the school, Dr. Stewart in the chair. There were also present Messrs. Boyle, Bean, St. Hill, Orr, Andrews, and Jacobsen. The correspondence was read, comprising—Letter from the Board of Education enclosing agreement for signa ture by A. T. Ennis, pupil teacher ; also quarterly returns. Letter from Mr. Underhill, a parent complaining of how his lads had been treated for being too late at school. A sub-committee—consisting of Messrs. Orr, Jacobsen, Boyle, St. Hill, —was appointed to inquire into the mat ter, and meanwhile the Secretary was in structed to apprise Mr. Underhill of what steps the Committee had taken. Mr. Stott wrote, stating that application had been made to him to allow a diorama of Living! one’s travels to be exhibited in the school. The Committee discoun tenanced the use of the school for any such purpose. The head master reported as follows :—“ During the month the ordinary attendance has been very good. Regularity and punctu ality have been insisted on, and, as to have been expected, several com plaints have been made to me. Perhaps more judicious management on the part of the teacher in whose class the com plaints originated would have made matters more pleasant. There is a decided improvement, both in regularity and punctuality, and I expect there will be fewer causes for complaint. To-day’s at tendance —169 boys, 162 girls ; total, 331. Highest attendance for the month, 192 boys, 212 girls ; total, 404. No. on roll, 236 boys, 249 girls; total, 485. The school has been twice visited during the month by Mr. Edge, Inspector. He re commended the new room to be re-seated with four rows of desks, instead of three. It would then accommodate 120. Another pupil teacher is required.” The report also referred to some small repairs that were wanted at the schoolhouse. It was resolved to recommend Blaster B. Stewart to the Board as a pupil teacher ; and that the Chairman and Secretary draw up a report on the subject of alterations in the time for examining the pupil teachers, and also as to the age at which pupil teachers are apprenticed to the work. It was re solved to write to the Board of Education asking that the closets now in use by the boys be removed, seeing that they are very defective, and that new ones, con structed on a proper principle, be erected. The Visiting Committee for the month gave in their report. Mr. St. Hill under took to have a few loads of shingle laid on the footpath. After transacting some further unimportant business, the Com mittee adjourned.

South Rakaia Road Board.

At tlie usual monthly meeting of the above Board, held on Thursday, the 6fch inst., the following members were present :—Messrs. 0. N. Mackie (chair man), Neil Maclean, E. S. Coster, and D. G. Holmes. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, the Clerk’s report was read and received. CORRESPONDENCE. The Ashburton County Council wrote, informing the Board that the sum of L 2,241 18s. 6d. had been paid into its credit with the Bank of New Zealand. At the request of Mr. L. Oxley, the Clerk was instructed to have the footpath extended along the north side of Railway Terrace West. Mr. W. Cox wrote, asking permission to erect a verandah in front of his pre mises in Rolleston street. The Clerk in formed the Board that the verandah in question was already partly erected when the requisition came to hand, and as the work w r as being done in compliance with the expressed views of the Board, he (the Clerk) had given permission for the verandah to be erected. The Board con firmed the permission. On a letter being read from the Inspec tor of Brands, informing the Board that there were no copies of the Brand Book in existence, it was moved by Mr. Holmes, and seconded by Mr. Coster—“ That the attention of the Ashburton County Coun cil be drawn to the fact that there is no published book of brands for sheep and cattle, -and that the Council be requested to take such steps as they may deem neces sary to supply the want, for the informa tion of poundkeepers and others.” The motion was carried.

Correspondence was received from the Mount Hutt Road, in reference to the drainage of Boundary road. On the mo tion of Mr. Coster, seconded by Mr. M‘Lean, it was resolved—“ That in the opinion of this Board the resolution passed by the Mount Hutt Board is not suffi ciently explicit relative to the drainage of Mackie’s Boundary road ; and this Board considers that a meeting of the clerks of each Board is necessary to decide what work should be done.”

Resolved —“ That Denis McLaughlin’s tender for forming Lambie’s road at 6s. per chain, be accepted.” Moved by Mr. Coster, and seconded by Mi\ Holmes—“ That this Board do apply to have the South Rakaia Recrea tion Reserve handed over to the district ; and that the following names be recom mended to the Commissioner of Crown Lands to form a Domain Board, viz.— Messrs. C. IS. Mackie, George Robinson, C. A. C. Hardy, W. Hartnell, J. N. Sharp, James Bruce, and A. Makeig. ” Carried.

Moved by Mr. McLean, and seconded by Mr. Holmes —“ That the Mount Hutt Road Board be written to, requesting them to forward a cheque for the amount due to this Board on account of payments made on contracts in the Mount Hutt Road District since the division of the districts, according to arrangement.” Carried. The Boaixl then adjourned.

Very Important.— ln a recent debt case before the Resident Magistrate at Greytown, the amount sued for was Is. sd. The Magistrate would not under take the responsibility of deciding the case off-hand, and adjourned it to a future sitting.

HORRIBLE DEATH BY FIRE.

[by TELEGRAPH.]

Blenheim, May 12. Particulars are just to hand of a shock ing death by burning at Queen Charlotte’s Sound. On Sunday last, Mr. Isaac Landed, of Yellerton Run, Tory Channel, left home, accompanied by his two daughters. They proceeded in a boat to Oyster Bay, where they landed, and were then joined by a young man named Flood. After a while the party commenced setting fire to the scrub, the two girls being a short distance from Landed and Flood. After firing for a short time, tha father called to the girls to come where he was, as the wind was blowing very strong at the time, and the scrub was burning fiercely. In response to the summons, the eldest daughter only came, but the other was caught in the flames before she could effect her escape, and was burned to death. The father and Flood, seeing the danger the girl was in, rushed to her assistance, but when they reached her she was quite dead, the flesh being blackened and hard. Great sympathy is felt for Mr. Landed in his painful bereavement.

OPENING OF THE VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT.

The Governor’s Speech.

{By Cable to Reuter's Agency.)

Melbourne, Blay 12. Parliament has been opened by the Governor, who, in his speech on the occa sion, said :—The defences of the colony are being proceeded with. The Inter national Exhibition, to be opened in Oc tober, is estimated to cost £320,000, and the receipts are expected to bring in £70,000. A Board has been appointed to report on the question of water supply. Further extension of railways in the colony will be undertaken. A new Judi cature Bid is now under consideration. The depressed state of trade is passing away, and the harvest prospects being favorable, a return of the prosperity of the colony was anticipated. The new measures to be brought forward for the consideration of Parliament will include Bids for the occupation of unalienated lands; for economical railway manage ment ; for the civil service ; for water conservation ; for mining property ; for the suppression of the rabbit nuisance ; and for making better provision for the public health.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

{Per Reuters' Agency.) Wheat.

London, Blay 9. Adelaide wheat, per 496 lbs., ex ware house, 525. ; flour, per 280 lbs. ex ware house, 375. 6d. Wool. At the wool sales to-day 12,100 bales were offered making a total of 184,900 bales catalogued since the opening. The tone of market was firmer. Locks and pieces are in fair demand. Mr. Gladstone and Austria. Mr. Gladstone has written a letter to Count Karolyi, the Austrian Ambassador in London, expressing deep regret for his (Blr. Gladstone’s) censure on the foreign policy of Austria, which was uttered in default of the assurance now received that Austria has no desire to extend her rule to the Balkans. The Exchange. London, Blay 10. Consuls remain unchanged at 99f ; New Zealand Securities are at last quotations— viz., Five per Cent. 10-40 scrip, 103 i-; Five per Cent. Loan, 1880, 107 ; Four and-a-half per Cent. Loan, 1879, 1904, 99 k Wheat. New Zealand is quoted at 425., c.f.i. ; Australian tallow is without quotable change.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Per Renter’s Agency.) The Victorian Parliament.

Melbourne, May 11. Parliament -was opened to-day by Com mission. Sir. C. M‘Mahon was elected Speaker. Forty-four members were pre sent. Five new members were sworn. The Miners’ Strike.

Great scarcity of coal exists at present in Melbourne, almost reaching a famine, owing to the strike of miners at New castle.

The Tararua. Melbourne, May 12. Sailed—Tararua, for the Bluff. The New South Wales Parliament. Sydney, May 12. In the Legislative Assembly last night, a resolution adverse to granting land for church sites was carried against the -Go vernment.

NEW ZEALAND.

Sly Grog Selling. Wellington, May 12. Gleich, alias Fisher, proprietor of the Te Aro Club, has been summoned on six charges of sly grog selling. The cases were only partially heard to-day, and ad journed till Saturday. Heavy Rainfall.

There was a downpour of rain last night and this morning, which has caused some slight damage to the roads and drains.

Disappearance of the Manager of a Building Society. Dunedin, May 11. J. S. Webb, Secretary of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, and General Manager of the Permanent Building Society, has departed from Dunedin in consequence of financial difficulties, and apparently has no intention of returning. He left Dunedin some days ago, on “ urgent business,” but has not been heard of since the San Francisco mail steamer left Auckland. This unlooked for exit has caused no little surprise and discussion in commercial circles. Many rumors are afloat, but it is understood that Webb’s difficulties had their origin in speculation. A careful audit is now being

made of the books of the Building Society, of which he was manager. Fatal Mining Accident. Dunedin, May 12. At Drybread, on Saturday, a miner named Smith, and another, while work ing in a claim, were smothered by a fall of earth. Smith immediately expired after being extricated, his neck having been broken. The other man had his leg broken.

Latest Cable News.

[By Telegraph.] London, Blay 4. The Daily Telegraph, referring to the Russian navy in the Pacific, and the pos sible consequent danger to the Australian Colonies, suggests that a strong British squadron should be stationed there, the colonies paying a portion of the cost. Great excitement exists in Hamburg owing to the German Government asking that port and city to be included in the Zollverein. The Government also intends to include Bremen and Liibeck. The Pall Mall Gazette is under the im pression that the late wars have eradicated the opinion that England is caieless of her connection with the colonies, and that now all are unanimous in appreciating the fact that during the depression the colonial trade compensated England for losses incurred elsewhere. The question of Imperial and colonial defence should now be settled, and it would be a triumph to the Liberals to accomplish this. The Gazette believes that the recent application to the Home Government for advice in Legislative Council affairs indicates the removal of the old jealousy of the Colonial Office, and thinks that now is a favorable time, during the discussion of commercial treaties with Foreign Powers, to impress upon the colonies favoring protection the advantage of an understanding on the subject of tariffs. Sir Garnet Wolseley will shortly pro ceed to India, and succeed General Sir Frederick Haines.

The Next European War.

A strange little pamphlet has just made its appearance in Berlin, written in the ingeniously prophetic style of the his torian who described the Battle of Dork ing. The author, who evidently com bines the special information of the soldier with the culture of the man of let ters, entitles his sketch “ The Campaign of Germany against Russia and France in the year 1880-1, written in 1931, on the 50th anniversary af the Battle of Warsaw.” In June of the year 1880, begins the chronic ler, political complications had gone so far that, on the 10th of that month, declara tions of war on the part of Russia and France were delivered at the Courts of Vienna and Berlin. With inimitable.-ap pearance of reality and mastery of geogra phical and strategical details, the writer then describes the course of hostilities on the Russo-German frontier, the interven tion of Italy in favor of the Franco-Rus sian alliance, the campaign in Alsace-Lor raine, the espousal by England of the cause of Germany and Austria, the fight ing, the counter marching, and the final overthrow of the triple offensive eolation, causing in France the deposition of the Dictator, Gambetta, and the election of Prince Napoleon as President of the Re public. The latter, with the consent of the Chambers, enters into peace negotia tions with Germany, France declares him self again willing to sanction the cession of Alsace-Lorraine, and promises to pay an indemnity of 12 milliards, as well as agree to a general European disarmament. — Times.

Fight with a Grizzly.

A contest of an exciting character has just taken place in California. A man named Alfred Ross backed himself against a grizzly for 3000 dollars. Thousands of people assembled to witness the fight, a dollar a piece being charged for admission. Odds were freely laid on the grizzly. The description of what ensued is quite romantic. Wrapping a shawl around his arm till it was swathed to the shoulder, Ross went into the crowd and asked a young and pretty girl to tie it for him. She gladly did so, using her own hand some scarf for the purpose. Ross, in re turn, took a diamond ring from his finger, and, “ bowing with exquisite gallantry,” presented it to his fair patroness. Kissing his hand to her, the bold Ross drew his bowie, a terrible weapon, weighing four pounds and a half, and sharp as a razor, tightened his belt, and leaped into the arena. A muffled shriek of horrow rose from the crowd as they saw the grizzly rush at Ross. But Bruin was not in it. One quick upward blow, and the bear’s under jaw dropped, cut in two. One more quick descending blow behind the shoulder, and Bruin rolled over with his heart cloven in twain. Amid a storm of “ Vivas,” Ross wiped his bloody bowie on the grizzly’s hide, and walked off without a scratch.

How Charity is Dispensed. —There is reason to fear, from what appears in the Wellington press, that the benevolent institution of, that city is, by its indiscreet system of relief, creating as well as reliev- ' ing pauperism. One member of the com mittee has got so disgusted at last at the misuse of public money on unworthy objects of charity that he ceased to attend its sittings, and sent a note explaining his reasons. In the first case he mentions a Mrs. H , who was living in adultery, yet was continuing to receive rations, rent, and meanwhile living an immoral life. Another case was that of a woman in whose apartments, on being visited, were found odours of spirits, which were satisfac torily accounted for “ owing to the doctor having ordered her a diet of biscuits steeped in brandy !” A third case was that of a notorious loafer getting rations for self and family. The rations were at last stopped when the woman tried to get jams, etc., in lieu of bread and beef. In a fourth case, a woman was receiving help while her daughter was receiving music., lessons. Another instance adduced was that of a professional prostitute being helped until the police interfered. He concludes his letter thus :—“ I am constanlt-y told that unworthy persons are being helped, and in the face of the grow ing demands on the City Treasurer made by the benevolent committee, I fear nothing but the criticism of the press will check the growing evil. ” If the instances given above are a fair sample of the distribution of charity at Wellington, it is not to be wondered at that LIOO a-week is needed to relieve the “dis tressed, ”

Wednesday, May 12, 1880/

THE ASHBURTON HERALD.



£ s. d. £ s. d. Balance in Bank at xst April 1879 ••• Ashburton County Council re- 169 11 7 fund Water Supp'y Ashburton Road 4357 19 4 Board—Ren ts and Rates 621 9 6 Rates, 1877-1878 per J. E. Buchanan 1916 0 Do. 1879, 5s., less commission, £ i7 7s. 3d- 7i9 17 9 Do. do., 193., less commis- sion j£i2 15s. iod. 336 3 2 Do., 1880 507 5 6 2204 11 11 Licenses, Carriages, Drivers, and Dogs ... 150 384 18 6 Do., per Collector of Customs... 15 0 Rents Wakanui Road Board, half 86 18 3 subsidy... Refund from Road Board on for- 19 9 5 mation ... 176 17 2 Do., Ashburton County Council Planting Associated Insurance Companies, IOI 10 7 Fire 1 rigade ... 40 15 0 Culverts ... Sundry Receipts, Scavengering, 47 12 6 Sale Gf Earth, &c. 32 1 9 Bank overdraft, this date 257 18 3 19 3 EXPENDITURE. £ s. d. £ s. d. Formation 2530 2 10 Water Supply Office charges— 4280 10 10 .Salaries ... ... 372 14 2 Printing and Ad- vertising ... 166 3 7 Petty Cash ... 17 19 5 Charges ... ... 205 7 4 Rent of Offices 14 0 0 Office Furniture 14 16 3 Insurance ... 1 5 3 Bye-Laws ... 21 0 0 813 Fire Prevention 95 0 6 Lighting ... 160 18 7 Nuisances Valuation of Borough 90 0 0 Other Expenses, Sundries... ... 36 2 7 24 i7 u 126 2 7 19 3 Statement oe Assets and Liabilities, 31st March. ASSETS. £ s. d. Borough Rate (general) 18S0 ... 616 0 3 Do. do. do. 1879 ••• 46 3 0 Subsidy Longbeach Road Board 40 0 0 Half do., Wakanui do. Water Pipes on hand ... 19 9 5 4250 0 0 Arrears on Earth sold ... 4 13 0 Do. Culverts 16 10 0 Do. Rent of Cottages... 63 0 0 Do. Sale of Cottage ... 2 0 0 £S°S7 15 8 LIABILITIES. £ s. d. Bank Overdraft ... 257 18 3 Fire Brigade Balance Assets in excess of Lia- 25 0 0 bill ties ... 4774 17 5 £S057 15 8



Miscellaneous UPPER ASHBURTON ROAD BOARD TENDERS. TENDERS are invited for the following Works : No. 59. —Forming six miles, more or less* of road at Dromor e Railway Station. No. 60.—Supply of Shingle, at per yard ’ for portions of same road. No. 61.—Forming three miles, more or less, of road at Winslow, to meet M‘Lean’s Swamp road. No. 62.—Supply cf Metal, at per yard, for portions of same road. No. 63.—Re-forming portions of Alford Forest road. No. 64.—Clearing ditches, etc., Hind 3 Swamp roads. Tenders, addressee! to the Chairman’ must be sent in not later than noon o* Monday, the 17th instant. For specifications, etc., apply to ROBT. D. PULLAR. 452 c Clerk. PLOUGHMEN. Wanted, SITUA TIONS for a few Good Ploughmen. Apply Herald Registry. 421 c SCHOOL Requisites and Artist M de rials. H. M. JONES, Statio ler, Baring Souare. * WANTED KNOWN—That C. Haw kins, The Tinwald Bootmaker, has REMOVED to premises Opposite the Tinwald Post Office, where lie is still open to Sell first-class Boots and Shoes at his usual Cheap Rates. All kinds of Boots Made and Repaired. 805g —417c OFFICE and Pocket Diaries for 1880 H. M. Jones, Stationer, Baring Square. ANTED—NURSE GIRL, for 7 miles in country. Age 13 or 14. Apply, office of this paper. 446 c CHINIQUY’S LECTURES.—Just Ar rived, New Edition H. M. Jones, aring Square. CHRISTMAS Number Young Ladies, Journal, London Journal, Family Herald, Family Reader, Boys’ Standard, &c. Just arrived. H. M. Jones, Sta tioner, Baring Square. Ol A AAA TO LEND, in sums to su it borrowers, at lowest rate of interest. F. P. O’Reilly, Solicitor, Ashburton. 424c-835g PRIVATE BOARD and LODGING for two Gentlemen ; 203. per week, ■washing included. Apply, John Olsen, Peter Street. 438 c LOST— A Brown RETRIEVER DOG, answers to the name of “ Dizzie. ” The finder returning same to the Bank of Neiv Zealand, Ashburton, will be re warded. 444 c OST— TEN YOUNG PIGS, just weaned. Anyone giving R. Lan caster their whereabouts will be re warded. Anyone detaining the same after this notice will be prosecuted. 451 c ~ TO LET. Ci IX-ROOMED COTTAGE, with half acre Garden, East Belt. Apply, 441 c ORR & CO. NOTICE. ACCOUNTS BE WESTERFIELD. HAVING disposed of the Wester _ field Estate, ALL CLAIMS against ihe*Estate must be sent in by the 31st day >f MAY, for settlement, otherwise they vill not be recognised. Addressed to J. Davison, Westerfield. F. C REED. May 4th, 1880. 416c-8260 C O OTT O N HORSE CLIPPERS, 24 Years’ Colonial Experience. )RSES BROKEN IN TO SADDLE AND HARNESS. Moderate Charges, Baldwin’s tel, or Brighton Boarding House, ’ 842g-450c



JUST ARRIVED —Young Ladies’ Journals for APRIL, and other Magazines. H. M. JONES, Stationer, 360 c East Street and Baring Square. IN BANKRUPTCY. BE WM. MUNRO’S ESTATE. MEETING of the Creditors in the above-named Estate is appointed to take place at the office of the undersigned, at 11.30 a.m. on THURSDAY, the 13th inst. FREDK. PAVITT, 442 c Trustee. R. V. In the District Court of Christ church, Holden at Ashburton. IN THE MATTER OF The Debtors and Creditors Act, 1876, and the several Acts amending the same, and of the bankruptcy of HENRY REDFERN, of Tinwald, tanner, a debtor. Notice is hereby ginen, that at the first meeting of creditors of the above named debtor, held this day, George St. Hill, of .Ashburton, builder, was appointed creditors’ trustee of the estate of the above named debtor. And, further, that the said George St. Hill has signified in writing, filed with me, his acceptance of the above office. Dated at Ashburton this 12th day of May, 1880. C. CAVENDISH HURRELL, Clerk of above Court. E. G. Crisp, Solicitor for Debtor. 447 c