POST OFFICE NOTICES.

Mails close at the Chief Post Office, Christchurch, for the following .places (subject to necessary alterations) as under: —

‘ Tuesday, March 2. For Wellington and Northern Ports, per Waitaki, at 3 p.m.; late fee letters till 3.15 p.m.; guard’s van, railway station, 3.55 p.m. train. Wednesday, March 3.

For Australian colonies,, per express train, at 7.30 a.m. (to connect with s.s. Te Anau at Port Chalmers). SYDNEY J. DICK, Chief Postmaster.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows

For Christchurch and North at lo.2oJa.rn. 4.30 p.m., and 8 p.m., daily. For Chertsey at 10.20 a.m daily. For Rakaia at 10.20 a.m and 4.30 p.m daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangilata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.20 a.m, daily. \ For Temulca. Timaru, and South at 10.20 a.m and 3.30 p.m daily. . For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge 011 Tuesdays and Fridays at 10.30 a.m For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at 3.15 p.m. daily. For Wakanui and Seafield, on Mondays and Thursdays, 7.30 p.m. W. St. G. Douglas, ."0 7 Postmaster.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 1880.

Fifteen years ago, or thereby, the rin derpest ravaged many counties in Great Britain, while nearly every one more or less suffered. In some indeed, the cattle plague was so rife and so virulent that it seemed as if another Egyptian murrain of beasts had fallen upon the land. Veteri nary surgeons were put upon their best mettle to cope with the inroads of the pest,- which threw consternation amongst the Scotch farmers to such an extent that they and all living upon their homesteads almost wholly ceased to have communica tion with farms where the rinderpest existed, lest infection should be carried to their own cattle. Farmers, their families, and their laborers, wlio were unfortunate enough to own cattle or to attend cattle suffering from the plague, were avoided both at “ kirk and market,” and many yeomen who valued their stock more than their salvation rigidly abstained from attending kirk at all, lest they should unwittingly make the kirk a means of in fection as well as a means of grace. For some time the rinderpest was bravely wrestled with, but it was not until the extreme measure was adopted of “stamping out” the disease by killing every animal attacked and burying the carcase deeply that the plague was stayed. The local authorities of Aberdeenshire, however, were the first to adopt this idea, and they adopted it at the first, before tlie disease had had time to take any hold upon their herds, and as a result of these prompt if severe precautions the cattle of Aberdeenshire were saved.

Pleuro-pneumonia never reached in the the old country the formidable dimensions that rinderpest did, and never was such a scourge upon the cattle-yards, but it has done serious damage in its time notwith standing, and has caused incalculable mischief on many a farm. It is a foe the farmer has quite sufficient reason to dread, and it is not at all matter for surprise that we find the Auckland farmers rising up in rebellion against the importation of affected cattle from Australia. They are soliciting the Government to incur the cost of buying up all the cattle already imported from Australia, with the object of destroying the beasts, and at the same time putting a stop to the spread of disease. The action of the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association shows that they are fully alive to the danger that threatens, but at the same time it seems to betoken a shortsightedness that ought not to characterise men who fear impend ing ruin. The Aberdonians saw the danger at once, and acted upon the first impulse for safety without appealing to Government at all. They raised money themselves, and indemnified the farmers who lost their cattle under the order of the local authority, and the money was well spent. Long ere the slow moving wheels of the government machin ery can be put in motion to run in the cattle already sold, and probably scattered over the Auckland district, an amount of mischief may bp done that many thousands of pounds would net cover, while a hundred or two spent at the proper time would have stopped at once and for ever the further progress of the disease. The Government of New Zealand has under taken duties and assumed burdens and re sponsibilities just as foreign to its func tions as buying diseased cattle with a view to stamping out disease, and with a Ministry in power made up as is the present one, we need not be surprised to learn that they have consented to buy the cattle, but we would have been far better , satisfied of the patriotism of the Auckland farmers if they had at once set about taking steps themselves for providing funds to defray the cost of the cattle’s purchases. That

pleuro-pneumonia is troubling the sister colonies to some extent is a fict there can be no doubt of, and it ought to be a warn ing to all stock owners to be on the out look. Doubtless an order in Council will be at once issued, closing New Zealand ports against the importation of cattle from any port of Australia, where the dis ease is known to exist. In another column we give some hints regarding pleuro and its treatment that may prove of value should occasion rise for their use.

Missing Evidence. —At the hearing of criminal cases to-day, after the horse steal ing case was disposed of, the case for stealing a saddle and bridle was Called on, and it was discovered that Mr. Sam Brown, the owner, had decamped with the lot as soon as the first case was disposed of. He was soon brought back, and was informed by the Bench that he ran a very good chance of being charged with stealing his own horse and saddle. Licensing Bench.— There was no quorum of this Court to-day, and the only business competent for the Chairman to undertake was the extension of time to Mr. Potter for the erection of his hotel at Methven.

The Cambridge School. —Owing to harvest operations the preliminary open ing of the Cambridge School has neces sarily been delayed till Monday, March Bth, when our young friends in that quarter of the district will have to exchange the stooking for the school book,

Insurance for Girls. —A novel system of insurance for girls has existed for several generations among the Danish nobility of Copenhagen. A nobleman, upon the birth of a daughter, enrolls her name with the insurance society, paying at the time a fee, and subsequently an annual sum, until she leaches twenty-one. She then becomes entitled to an annual income from the society, and to apartments in the large building of the association, which is surrounded by gardens and a park. Should her father die in her childhood, she may immediately occupy the apartments. Should she die or marry, the income and the right to entail the homo both lapse.

The Irish Relief Fund. —Dr. Lemon has received a cable message from Colonel Glover, Chairman of the Eastern Exten sion Company, forwarding the following message from the Lady Mayoress of Dub lin to the Australian and New Zealand Press : “As daughter of Caroline Chisolm, the emigrants’ friend, I thank Australian people for magnificent subscrip tions to Mansion House Fund for relief of Irish distress. I don’t know what we coukl have done without your aid. It makes me so proud of my old home. L 1,500 per Bank of Australasia ; 'L1,500 per Union Bank of Australia ; LSOO from Launceston ; LI, OOO from Adelaide ; just received. Again thanks. ” A Sea Waif. —The following telegram was received on Saturday evening from Auckland :—A packet found in the har bor to-day comprised a strip of bamboo about a foot long, with corks at each end. Wrapped round .it was a strip of paper, upon which was written the following, in schoolboy handwriting “ Ship Earl Granville wrecked on Crozet Islands on December 22nd, 1879. All saved. Sur vivors of ship Knowsley Hall also here. Three have died since we were wrecked. Captain Andei’son and part crew of the Knowsley Hall drowned. Be quick and send vessel with provisions ; we are nearly out. Crozets Islands, February 2nd, 1830. To Captain Burgees, Auckland Harbor Board. ” On the strip of bamboo was written the following : —“ Earl Gran ville lias been wrecked at the Crozet Islands. Survivors of the Knowsley Hall also here, December 22nd, 1879. Feb ruary 2nd, 1880. ” It is evidently a stupid hoax.

TELEGRAPHIC.

TO-DAY’S CABLEGRAMS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE-

Mahomed Jan Recalcitrant. {A°e Special.)

London, March 1.

Latest news from Afghanistan states that General Roberts’ friendly overtures were unsuccessful. Mahomed Jan is dis satisfied with the proposals, and refuses further conference. The Gothard Railway Tunnel. The boring of the Gothard railway tunnel was completed on Saturday. The Turco-Greek Frontier. Constantinople, Feb. 29. The Commission for the rectification of the Turco-Greek frontier, which has been sitting for some time past, under the pre sidency of Safket Pasha, has failed to come to any understanding. On the frontier question the Greek and Turkish Commission were unable to agree, and the Greek Government has accordingly solicited the mediation of the Great Powers, with a view to the settlement of the Turco-Hellonic frontier. Another Attempted Assassination. Shots were fired to-day at two of the officials attached to the Russian Embassy in this city. One of the officials was rather seriously wounded. The motive of the would-be assassian is unknown. Natal Affairs. Capetown, Feb 6. (Per John Elder.)

Sir Garnet Wolseley is at Marctizburg, arranging a constitution for Natal. The Legislative Council of Natal is dis cussing the question of the Home Govern ment granting responsible government.

AUSTRALIAN.

International Exhibition. {Reuter's). Sydney, March 2.

The awards by the judges in the classes for jewellery, printing apparatus, and boots, at the International Exhibition, have been published to-day. New Zealand exhibit? ill the classes mentioned rank low, and receiypd up awards.

Sugar at the Mauritius. (Association Special.) Melbourne, March 1. Mauritius telegrams to 17th Feb. state that 750 tons are loading for Melbourne, 400 for Adelaide and 300 for New Zealand. Exchange prices unaltered. The New Victorian Ministry. It is probable Mr. Service will be Premier and Treasurer, Mr Murray, Smith, Chief Secretary, Francis will probably decline office.

LAST NIGHT’S CABLEGRAMS.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE (Reuter's Telegram.) London Markets. London, Feb. 27. Three per cent, consols 97f. Adelaide wheat, per 2961b5., ex ware house, 60s. Best Australian beef tallow, 365. ; best Australian mutton tallow, 375. At the wool sales to-day 11,300 bales were catalogued. There was a firm and active demand with advancing rates for combings. No Confidence passed by the Lords. In the House of Lords a vote of no confidence in the Government has been carried.

The Wool Sales. London, Feb. 28,

At the wool sale to-day 10,400 bales were offered, making a total of 107,900 bales catalogued since the opening sale. The market was firm. Combing wools show' an advance of twopence halfpenny as compared with the last series. Obstructionists Punished. The House of Commons to-day passed the motion of Sir Stafford Northcote, for the punishment of members who obstruct the business of the house by temporarily suspending them from the privilege of sitting in Parliament. The Liberals sup ported the Government on this question, and the debate lasted three days. Party feeling occasionally ran very high. On the Government obstruction reso lutions the Opposition eagerly supported the Government, so as to prevent the latter appealing to the country on the anti-obstruction cry. By the new Standing Order pov'er is given to the Speaker and Chairman of Committees to name offenders, so that the House can vote their suspension for that day without debate. If it occur thrice, the offender may be suspended for one week or longer. Bismarck’s Health. Berlin, Feb. 27. Prince Hohenlohe has been appointed Foreign Secretary in consequence of Prince Bismarck’s state of health, which is reported to be bad. Afghanistan Affairs. Calcutta, Feb. 28.

According to the “ Civil and Military Gazette ” of Lahore, the British Govern ment retains Jellalabad, and places to the south and east of Afghanistan go under the British protectorate, Persia receiving Herat.

(Argus Special.) New Governor of Bombay. London, Feb. 28. Fergusson succeeds Temple as Governor of Bombay. The Reign of Terror in Russia.

Melikoff s dictatorship has checked the panic in St. Petersburg. It is regarded as being resolute but not despotic. Nihilist outrages are of daily occurrence. The theatre was burnt at Sfc. Petersburg, on the anniversary of the accession. Cloudy Outlook on the Continent. An outbreak on the Continent is menac ing. Russian and Italian agents are resisting the Austrian advances on Novi bazar. There is less sympathy between the Russian and Berlin Courts. The Australian Cricketers. Twenty-seven matches are arranged for the Australian cricketers between 17th May and 10th September. There is some soreness at the treatment of the English team in Australia, and it is urged that the Australians come as professionals, taking 75 per cent of the gate money. A Good Legacy. Feb. 29. John Henry Cballis, an old resident of Sydney, died suddenly. He left LIOO,OOO to the University. Wool is firm, at an advance.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Reuter's Telegrams.) Melbourne, Feb. 29. The steamship John Elder arrived from England to-day.

March 1. Arrived—Union Company’s steamship Albion, from New Zealand.

The Election Campaign in Victoria. (By Cable.) (A ssociat ion Special. ) Melbourne, Feb. 29. The election returns show that the Opposition have secured forty-two seats, and the Ministry thirty-four- The Opposition are almost certain to obtain half of the remaining ten seats, and possibly seven of them. Sir B. O’Loglilon was defeated for West Melbourne, Mr. Munro, leader of the counter party, was defeated by Mr. Gar diner, an unknown politician, but popular as captain of the Carlton Football Club. No disturbance occurred.

March 1. The “ Argus ” to-day states that the Opposition have a majority of ten. The “ Age” publishes a return showing a majority of twelve for the Opposition. The iatter journal, in a leading article in this morning’s issue, referring to the election, blames Mr. Berry for the defeat of the Liberal party in Victoria. Later.

The Berry Ministry will resign on Tues day. They undertake to make no more appointments. Mr. Berry recommends the Governor to send for Mr. Service to form a new Ministry. It is generally believed that the Opposi tion will obtain at least a majority of twelve.

LAST NIGHT’S TELEGRAMS.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Wellington, March 1. It is currently reported that the vacant portfolio in the Ministry has been offered to Mr. Thos. Dick, M.H.R., for Dunedin, and accepted by him. Another 75 of the unemployed leave for Waimato Plains this evening for the purpose of taking part in road making there.

At the inquest to-day, on the body of a man named Alex. Brown, killed at the corporation works on Saturday, the jury returned a verdict of “ Accidental death.”

To-day the Banks announce a further reduction of a half per| cent, in deposit

rates. These now are—Three months, 4 per cent. ; six months, 5 per cent. ; twelve months, 5|- per cent. j: ; V Dunedin, March 1.

Goodman purchased Titania, and C. Turnbull purchased Londhand, but the prices are reserved. Hay purchased the Revoke colt for 250 guineas. All horses engaged at the meeting were sent North to-day, except Tera, Titania, Chancellor, and York which are engaged for South land. They leave to-morrow.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

ASHBURTON — Tuesday, March 2. (Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.) NEGLECTING TO REGISTER A BIRTH. John Doak, of Wakanui, was charged with having neglected to register the birth of a child contrary to section 16 of the Act. Accused pleaded ignorance of the Act. Ho was fined ss. Thomas Greenaway for a similar neg lect pleaded forgetfulness, and was also mulcted in the sum of ss. / if His Worship desired to call public at tention to section 142 of the J.P, Act, by which no Government official was allowed to charge fees in cases of convictions of this nature, therefore no costs would be awarded. FURIOUS RIDING. J. Quinton and Charles Smithel were charged with furious riding in Burnet street; both the accused pleaded “Not guilty.” James Purchas, hairdresser—Saw the accused on Feb. 4th. Quinton turned up Burnett street, some distance ahead of Smithel, who aftenvards galloped up to Quinton and then both ■went at top speed; heard just afterwards that Smithel was thrown. W. H. Zouch, recollected seeing Smithel and Quinton start from the Somerset Hotel and whip their horses into a gallop up Burnett street. Saw Smithel fall, and thought he was killed. They were going at a dangerous pace. By accused, Smithel—l saw you both cross the railway together; you were racing. - - By Quinton —I don’t think you had a whip. Smithel pleaded that his herse was obstinate and shied, and he was only trying to keep it straight with a stick. The Magistrate said it was evident; that both accused had been racing, and he would fine them L 5 each. HORSE STEALING. The adjourned case against John O’Brien for horse stealing was then heard. Donald Gunn, station master at Hinds, sworn —I saw prisoner at the Hinds station about three weeks ago. He came to the station about half-past nine, and bought a ticket for Ashburton. He told me he had sold his horse and saddle for LB. By the Bench—l have no doubt as to prisoner being the person who purchased a ticket. At prisoner’s request Mr. Little was re called, and in answer to questions by prL soner, said :—I gave you LlB, and de ducted 9s. for what you owed. My groom was not present when the money was paid. His Worship cautioned prisoner that the questions he was putting only tended to criminate him. Prisoner replied he wished to show that he had only received L 8 for the horse. Prisoner was then committed for trial. Bail would be allowed—himself in L2OO, and two sureties of LIOO each. LARCENY OF A SADDLE. John O’Brien, the same prisoner, was charged with having stolen a saddle value L 5. Prisoner said he considered the saddle ought to go with the horse, and pleaded not guilty. His Worship after hearing the evidence said he could not see why two separate charges had been laid, and he would dis miss this second case and incorporate it with the horse stealing case.

LICENSING BENCH.

Present—F. Guinness, R.M., Chairman, and John Grigg, Esq.

Mr. R. Patten applied for an extension of time to enable him to finish his house at Methven, as he had been unable to ob tain timber in time. Extension granted for fourteen day. The Licensing Bench was then adjourned till Saturday week at 12 o’clock.

THE FARMER’S 500.

The following poem was picked up near the Town Hall after a recent meeting, and sent to us for publication : 8 per cent., 10 per cent., 12 per cent, upward. 4-11 in a trade going Steadily backward. f( Forward ” was still his cpy. “ Hard work is ajl ipy eye, 11 I’ll hare a wheedling try. “ To nibble 500, “ Come now,” —he softly said, To the quiet farming lad— “ All your long toiling years “ Have only been squandered.” “ Green is your solemn eye “ But if a trick so fly “ You’d like to have a try “ Fork out 500.” Farming lad, undismayed,— Caught by the plot bo laid, Thinking a saint so pure Never had blundered— Paid out without a sigh— Ne’er asked the reason why— Jumped at the trick so fly— And in his greeness he Was fleeced of 500. Duns came to right of them, Duns came to left of them, Duns in the front of them, Bellowed and thundered. Sworn at with oaths so well— The storm was too fierce to quell— Into the Bankrupt Court, Head-over-heels pell-mell, Was dragged the 500. Out flashed the proofs of debt, Flashed ’cos they weren’t met ; Pinned the stout sliicer there —- Hinting at thieving, while The oily ppe wondered. Plunged in fhe Bankrupt Qouft Now is he all “ stone-broke, ’’ Pepper and mustard Go to the hammer-stroke, “Slaughtered ” and squandered. But —will come back or not The farmer’s 500 1

Growling to right of them, Howling to left of them, Bowling behind them, With a lone hundred. Stormed at with curses fell, By those who’d trusted well; Stout party out did shell, Out from the jaw’s of death— Out from his till’s deep well— An old election loan

The “Member’s” half hundred. When can the glory fade, Oh the wild plunge then made —- Ashburton wondered, ‘‘v Cursed was the plunge he made, And the foul havoc played With the farmer’s 500.

Pleuro-Pneumonia.

Pleuro-pneumonia is prevalent in Aus tralia, and Mr. C. J. Valentino, Chief In spector of Sheep for South Australia, gives the following directions for inoculating cattle as a preventative to their becoming infected with pleuro-pneumonia,; a system which is worthy of attention in this colony: —“ Inoculation has been practiced with success in the colonies, in South Africa, and other places. Care being taken in obtaining the virus or lymph, and also in the operation, it will be found a preventa tive to the spread of pleuro-pneumonia amongst healthy animals. It must be thoroughly understood that inoculation will not cure diseased animals. Medical treatment is useless, and the disease can only be successfully eradicated by the adoption of stringent preventative measures, early isolation ef suspected animals, destroying and burning the car cases of diseased ones, and inoculating all animals exposed to contagion. Animals once attacked are liable to relapse, acting as centres of contagion, and perpetuating the disease. Modes of Operating.—At present cattle ai'e usually inoculated on the outside of the tail, about one to one and a half inches from the tip, in one of the two following ways :—l. With a lancet or knife dipped into the lymph. 2. With a needle like an elongated speying one, and a thread saturated with lymph. A portion of the thread may be left in the wound to ensure retention of the lymph. Care must be taken not to wound the nerves and muscles of the tail, as it is apt to cause an unfavorable swelling. If all goes well the inoculation ought to take well before the week is out. Unfavorable symptoms set in sometimes between the fifteenth and twentieth day after inocula tion, and show a swelling spreading from the wound up the tail in the body ; the glands at either side of the root swelling up and stopping the passages —the beast either dies from that or from maggots in the sore. As soon as you see the swelling cut and scarify just above it, avoiding the artery that runs down the middle of the tail; this will stop it. Some use oint ment, but it is not generally found neces sary. How to obtain inoculating lymph. —Having selected an animal suffering from pleuro, slaughter in the usual way. The carcase being properly bled, open the chest, and if the disease has reached the proper stage (second stage) the lymph will be found round the consolidated lung, frequently enclosed in cells like a hpneyr comb of coagulated fibrine. Lymph may also occasionally be obtained from the substance of the lung—in that portion only of a salmon colour. The proper in oculating lymph is recognised by being of a sherry wine colour. It coagulates, on cooling, into a transparent jelly, has no offensive smell, and feels sticky when rubbed between the finger and thumb. Mistakes are frequently made by using the watery effusion pp serum found in the chest and substance of the lung, and the efficacy of inoculation is frequently con demned in consequence. Such mistakes must therefore be carefully avoided, as the success of ti e operation depends upon using the proper lymph, Avhich should be strained before beirg used, and a supply for future use be placed in small phials and preserved by adding an eighth part of pure glycerine, and kept in a cool place or underground. ;

THE MAORI AND THE MOA.

(By Mr. C. IV. Purnell, Ashburton, in the

“ Victorian jßevnw."

Modern investigations into the origin and affinities of living races of men have proved of a more fruitful character than most of the antiquarian researches of the last twenty years, which, claiming to have virtually solved man’s genesis, have really added little to our knowledge of that subject, beyond the fact that man has been an inhabitant of the earth for a much longer period than was formerly supposed. Even where living races are concerned, when the thick rind of hypo thesis is stripped off, the kernel of fact is extremely small, while in many cases chaos is introduced where order erstwhile reigned. The subject of this article is a case in point. The old notion was that the Maoris came to New Zealand from Hawaihi—interpreted to mean Hawaii, ope of fhe Sapd-vyich Jslapds—in seven capqes, pb.qpt |QQ years pgp ; that they found the country Uninhabited by ipan } and the moa occupying it in great num bers ; that they were accustomed to use this bird as an article of food ; that the moa became extinct, if it were extinct, but a short time before the arrival of Europeans; and that, briefly, it was probable a few specimens of the moa would still be found alive in remote parts of the interior. The theory was simple and easy to be understood; and being so, the philoso phers promptly demolished it. An active enquiry has been going on in the colony for some years past relative to the origin of the Maoris, and the date of the extinction of the moa. As to to the first branch of the enquiry, the net result is that the Sandwich Islands are no longer regarded as the point from which the Maoris emigrated to New Zealand. A variety of reasons can be urged against this view, but I do not think a better summary of them could be made than has begn given by Mr. W. Colenso, F. L. S., who contributed an exce]lept essay on the Maoris to the first volume of the f< Trans actions of the New Zealand Institute.” His summary against the Sandwich Island theory is this :—(1) The utter impossi bility of the Maoris having come such a distance 65 ° of latitude) against the pre vailing winds in their frail open canoes ; and (2) The irreconcilable differences which exist in the habits, customs, manu filpfpreSj traditions' ap.d I’eligion of the Sandwich Islandevs apd 'fjip Maprig. ’ “ By way of illustration, the following may b'q briefly mentioned (bearing in jpind, that the New Zealanders, like most other uncivilised people, most pertinaciously ad'

here to the plans, patterns, and sort of things made by their ancestors) : (a) all the various kinds : of the New Zealand canoes are very differently made from those of the Sandwich Islands ; (b) they have no outrigger ; (c) the New Zea landers never use the kawa root (notwithstanding a very closely al lied specie of the piper grows throughout New Zealand); (d) nor the bow and arrow;, (e) tlie New Zealanders invariably cany their burdens on their backs, the Sandwich Islanders on a balance-pole over the shoulders; (f) the New Zealander has no words for swearing, oath or vow ; (g) the New Zealander never practiced circumcision ; (li) nor had any temples for religious worship; (i) nor idols; (j) nor king ;- (k) names of the numerous chief gods of the Sandwich islands ; (1) their oid : customs respecting their chiefs, &c., do not-agree?}* (m) their tattooing is,different; ,(n) they., had no ‘ refuge cities (a most able custom, only found afc.the Saiidwich Islands. ”) There is (3) further no Vestige of any of their several emigrations from * Hawaihi and of the Avars, &c. , which ‘ i occasion them (as ‘ related by the New Zealanders) to he found In the Wncient history of the people of the Sand wich I - Islands, whose traditions are much more ancient and clear than those of the New Zealanders. : : ;v The Sandwich Islands being inadmiss able, opinion now inclines to Savaii, the principal island of the Samoan group,;as the Maori Hawaihi. But it should he noted that other Polynesian people besides the Maories look to ah island Hawaihi— the name being spelt in a variety of ways, so as to suit local dialects—as the place whence they emigrated to their present abodes. The learned fancy of; dissolving all historical traditions into myths has been at play here, as elsewhere, and the mythologists have made up their mind 3 that “ Hawaihi ” is a Polynesian Garden of Eden, the allegorical birthplace .of the race. It is an easy , way of saving the trouble of investiga tion ; but the Maori accounts of the > navigation from Hawaihi are for too cir cumstantial to permit us to adopt the myth theory, and are, moreover, corroborated ; by facts which testify to their accuracy. The names of the canoes which bore the South Sea argonauts, the names of. the chiefs who led the ~ expedition, and some of the incidents which t occurred upon its arrival at New" Zealand, are all preserved in Maori lore. It has been handed down from > father, to son that the immigrants brought with them some of the dogs which they had been accustomed to use for food, and it is admitted by zoologists both that the Maori dog, now extinct, was identical in breed with the South Sea Island dog, and also that it was not indigenous to Newv Zealand. So ti’adition affirms that the cargo of one of the canoes, called the Aotea, included sweet potatoes, live edible, rats in boxes, and tame green parrots. Of another canoe, the Arawa, it is related that when the voyagers approached the shores of New Zealand they were struck with the beauty of the rata blossom, and one of them, named Taminihi, “ threw away his kura”—which was a head-dress made of red feathers, described by Cook as worn by the South Sea Islanders—think ing to get a new and better one from the rata flowers. This kura drifted ashore, and it was afterwards picked up by a person named Mahina, who refused to re store it when asked ; hence the proverb still commonly in use, “ Kura-pae-a Mahina,” signifying a waif or godsend. If the rata was in bloom whan the Arawa arrived, it must have been about thei month of February, Many other little , incidents might be quoted_to show the cir cumstantial nature of- the account given by tlie Maoris of their coming to New Zea land, and ef the extreme improbability of Hawaihi being a mythical locality. More over, there are traditions extant of return 1 visits made to Hawaihi both by the first emigrants and their successors. It is re lated by one of the former, named Nga bori-i-rangi, that, being carried by a favor able wind he reached Hawaihi hi seven days and nights after leaving New Zea land- Apiece of detail showing the dia= tanoe which the natives imagined Hawaihi to be from New Zealand.

(xo be continued.)

THE NELSON PRIZE FIRING.

[by telbobaph.] Rifle Camp, Bbightwater, March 1,

There was a parade at Brightwater between two and three, when 161 members were present. At half past two Colonel Packe came on the ground, and shortly after the meeting was opened by Mrs. Pitt, wife of Major Pitt, firing the first shot, which was scored as a bull’s eye. The lady having been cheered and the men divided into 12 squads, actual business commenced. Prior to this, however, the markers had expressed some dissatisfac tion, alleging that the butts did not suffi ciently protect them. Upon this some alterations were made, but shortly after Ijring cqnimencedj qne q£ the markers} received a nasty Gut on the arm by a splinter off the target. Shortly after firing commenced, a fire occurred in the camp. It appears the occupants of a tent, com posed of Wellington and Napier- men* under the command of Lieut. Bennett, had been smoking their sights at a candle which they left burning. This immedi ately communicated with the bedding, which, in. addition to trunks containing private effects, and dress uniforms, were destroyed. The tent, however, was saved, as also some hundred rounds of ammuni tion. The scores made at the 200 yards

Tuesday, March 2, 1880.]

THE ASHBURTON HERALD



range of the first match were : — Okey, Taranaki ... 27 Paynter, Stoke ... 27 Crossman, Nelson 26 Rogers, Blenheim 26 Aclieson, Riverton 26 Capt. Kelly, Thames 26 McKenzie, Blenheim ... 26 Fenton, Thames 26 Morris, Oamaru ... ... 26 . Coventry, Dunedin .25 * Smith, Dunedin an De Farges, Marton 25 Purnell, Wanganui 25 D. MTntosh, Wanganui... ... 25 Moore, Nelson ... 25 Armstrong, TJiames 25 Bennett, Nelson ... ... 2q Clouston, Nelson... 25 Quarter-MastarFox, Christchurch 25 Lieut. Bennett, Wellington 29 Lieut. Sqrneryille, Wanganui 2q Beach, Stoke ,»« ... 35 Milne, Wanganui... ; ; ... 25" Weir, Thames ... ... ... 25



New Advertisements. NOTICE. all accounts THREE MONTHS OVERDUE unpaid after the 31st March 10 per cent, interest will be added. ..... WEEKS & DIXON, Herald and Guardian. March 1, 1880. VT7ANTED KNOWN, that Mrs. Man- VV hire cuts out and fits LADIES’ ROBES at 3s. each. Address, next Mrs. Turton’s, N.E. Belt. 110 c WANTED KNOWN.— MessrsPoyntz and Co. have several BARGAINS in HOUSEHOLD PROPERTIES in Ashburton. LOST.— SIDE SADDLE, off a cart in Peter street. Reward on return ing same to Herald office. 113 c A LMANAC for 1880, printed on a /\ neat card, with Ashburton Direc tory, Postal and Railway Guide, can be obtained gratuitously at the <c Guardian ” Office. . WANTED —A BOY ; one accustomed to Drapery.— Apply, Everett Bros. & Co., Havelock street. 116 c m LADY can meet with a comfortable /\ and respectable HOME in a small family, at moderate charges, .or can have a nice room in a central position by apply ing to “ 5.,” Guardian office. 117 c AGRICULTURAL PAPERS.



fJpHE PUBLISHERS have much pleasure in intimating to the Farmers of the Couuty of Ashburton, that they have„issued a reprint in pamphlet form of a selection of AGRICULTURAL PAPERS Read before the Lincoln Farmers’ Club, compiled by J. Stanley Bruce, Esq.. Price One Shilling. Orders for the above pamphlet, ac companied by thirteen stamps, should be addresssed to WEEKS & DIXON, Publishers, East Street. P O lei ±BB O . The press almanac And Diary Can be obtained from the undersigned. Price —One Shilling. WEEKS AND DIXON, Herald Office, Near Railway Station. HAVE you Found Anything that don’t belong to you, and wish to act on the square I —Bring a Shilling to the Herald’s Advertising Clerk. He’ll pul your qualms of conscience at rest, and find the owner through the Twenty-Words fo* a-Shilling-Column, cash. WANTED KNOWN, that Envelopes and Notepaper can be obtained* wholesale or retail, at unusually low rates at the “Herald” Office, East-street North. THE “Herald” is published every evening, thus giving every day’s news. This is better than buying a Six penny weekly. THE PENNY made the postal system of England a success. So has it made the Herald. Everybody buys the Herald HAVE you Lost Anything ? —Tell the finder through the Herald for a Shilling. If he is honest he will bring it to you without a reward., but you can bait a finder of shaky morals by a tempting offer of remuneration for his trouble. +1 for a Shilling cash.



New Advertisements. REDUCTION IN THE PRICE OF BREAD. / EDWARD TAYLOR, has reduced the Price of his best Bread to sd. Cash at shop, and if delivered by cart, skl. ■EDWARD TAYLOR, SIV N ».E RS ’ BU I I DINGS, 119 c ? 1 ASHBURTON. 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, &e., Ac., JUST ARRIVED. Mr. Craighead’s experience as Head Cotter 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 Cl’s.) CRAIGHEAD & CO. 982 a FOR SALE. TOWN SECTION No. 30G, Burnett . street, on easy terms. Apply to G. M. ROBINSON, 90c* Care of P. Cunningham and Co. NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS. All orders for insertion of advertise ments must be written legibly on the face of the advertisement. When no order is given the advertisement will be inserted until countermanded, and charged accord ingly. Orders ter withdraw or replace advertisements must be sent in in writing not later than 9 a. m. each day. All notices of Births,- Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good faith. All advertisements and business letters to be addressed The Manager ; literary communications should be addressed to The Editor.