SHIPPING.

Lyttelton, May 7. —Arrived, Rotoma liana, from Melbourne and South.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : Por 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.

The next mail for the United Kingdom via San Francisco, will be closed at Christ church on May 22, and will be due in London on July 6. SYDNEY J. DICK, Chief Postmaster.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). FRIDAY, MAY 7, 1880.

At the Wakanui Road Board’s meeting yesterday, it was decided to pay over to the Borough the sum of £289 25., being the share of accrued land fund coming to the Borough from that Board. From the Longbeach Board a sum of £290 or there by is also due to the Borough, being the proportion of land fund due, so that between the two Boards a contribution of something like £6OO will be added to the Borough’s funds, a most timely acquisi tion. This will enable the Council to pay off their overdraft, and have a good nest egg left over.

We have refrained hitherto from ex pressing opinions, either favorable or ad verse on the administration of justice in our little township, allowing the joublic, however, ample space in our columns to discuss the subject pro and con. It has struck us, notwithstanding, that there must be a screw loose somewhere ; and from the numerous complaints which are made from time to time it is very evi dent that something more than a mere newspaper war in the correspon dence columns is required. We had hoped, and still continue to hope that the Civil Service Commission have looked into the matter ; but from -what we can gather, the evidence taken before that body in Ashburton, was merely from the officers of the Court themselves. In any case, whether the matters of which complaints are so rife were brought to light before the searching investigations of the Commis sioners, it must be some time before their report can go before Government and be acted upon. Meanwhile, to have a fair and impartial view of the case laid before the Cabinet, we would suggest that a public meeting be called by the Mayor, when those whose business brings them into close connection with the Court officials, and who are acquainted with the faults and virtues, and the ability and in capacity of those by whom the law is ad ministered, might be fully discussed, and resolutions, expressing the mind of the public, sent to head-quarters at Welling ton.

Drunkenness. —A first offender pleaded guilty before Mr. F. Guinness this morn ing to being drunk while in charge of a drajr. Sergeant Felton being able to bear testimony to the delinquent’s usual good behaviour and respectability, his Worship leniently let him off with a fine of ss.

A Shoal of Fish. —Recently such a huge swarm of barracouta, kawliai, and other fish was in Wellington harbor, that they could be killed from boats with the oar.

A “Pool ” Check. —A Wellington bil liard marker named Philips, has invented a “marker,” whereby cheating in the game of pool cannot take place. The con trivance is as ingenious as simple, and will bo appreciated by lovers of fair play. Sporting. —The running match for L 5 a-side, between Messrs. Montgomery aud Groves, previously alluded to in these columns, takes place to-morrow afternoon in Mr. Hay T. Smith’s paddock, near the mill, commencing at 3 o’clock. The dis tance is one mile, and an interesting con test may be anticipated. ■ A Cat-a,strophe. —Some Sunday even ings ago, a Scotcli church up North was put in darkness suddenly, the gas going out in a most extraordinary manner. There was some confusion, as ' may be imagined, but on candles being procured, it was. found that an old tom cat, in mak ing a jump, had alighted on the top of the meter, and effectually stopped the light. The Year’s Inquests. —During the year ending April 30 the coroner has held fifteen inquests in Ashburton and three in Rakaia. Of these, 13 in Ashburton were on dead bodies, as were also the three in Rakaia, while the remaining two were on fires. In all the cases concerning the cir cumstances of death, satisfactory verdicts were given, the cause of death having been ascertained in every instance except two —that of Alexander Gordon, who lost his way in the snow storm - while going home to Seafield ; and that of the twins Penny, who were found dead in their bed in November last, the medical men being unable to assign the cause of death. In both these cases the jury returned a ver dict of “Found dead.” Of the 13 in quests held in Ashburton, nine of the bodies were of children under two years of age. 111 four of these cases the medi cal men were able to give the disease which caused death—three being from congestion of the lungs, aud one from diphtheria ; the only cause for an inquest in these cases seemed to have been that the children died somewhat suddenly, and that they were not attended by a medical man. In the other cases, one of the chil dren was scalded by a pot of boiling water ; another drank something from a bottle given her by a brother of five years; a third was accidentally drowned in a tub of water; and the cause of death of the twins Penny was not ascertained definitely. Except in the case of a farmer who met his death in a well by the breaking of tbo rope by which he was drawn up, all the other deaths of males were in connection with horses and vehicles one way or other. There was onfy one female whose death necessitated an inquest, and that, too, was held because of the absence of a medical man. The three inquests at Rakaia were on adults —one was a death from a horse throw, another was from excessive drink ing, and a third was from being run over by the express. The two fire inquiries that were held were —one on a fire that occurred at Tinwald, and the jury brought in a verdict of arson against the owner of the stacks that were burned, but the Grand Jury at the Supreme Court threw out the bill; the second was on the fire in Tailored street, in which tbo L ,..Uvmusnsm, but coula not name the incendiary.

' Drunk. —His Worship the R.M. had a good many drunk cases to dispose of yes terday, no less than five inebriates having been brought up for trial. Robert Hunter was the first, and he was fined LI, with the alternative of 48 hours in limbo.

A charge of vagrancy and begging was also preferred against him. On this he was also convicted, but his Worship used his discretion, and dismissed Hunter on this charge, but laid down a caution that if,

within 24 hours after the expiry of his sentence for drunkenness, prisoner did not honor some other part of the colony with his presence, he would be had up again by the police, and twelve months’ enforced servitude of Her Majesty awaited him in that event. Archibald Macdonald was the next “shocking example” who walked up io the Magistrate’s table. Archie had been drunk at the railway station, and for this he was asked to con tribute LI to the public purse, or take it out in the public hotel, of which Sergeant Felton is the landlord, for 48 hours. Three others —first offenders, and we suppress their names, hoping they will not again

appear—paid a tax of ss. each for the heavy skinfuls they had taken in. Civil Cases. —At the Resident Magis trate’s Court this morning, T. R. Hodder and Company obtained judgment for L 7

Bs. and costs against a man named Bararei for goods supplied, and obtained an order for immediate execution. In the case of Quill v. Herbert Honor, Mr. Purnell appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Crisp for the defendant. This was a claim for L2 10s. for goods supplied, but the evi dence went to show that the summons should have been served on defendant’s brother, who was now living in Oamaru, the defendant stating that at the time the goods were supplied he was not in the dis trict of Canterbury. Plaintiff was there fore nonsuited, with 10s. fid. costs.

A Needless Delay.— Bofore the civil cases were brought on this morning, Mr. O’Reilly drew his Worship’s attention to the case of Weeks and Dixon v. Harris, which had been adjourned a month since, to allow of Mr. Harris’ evidence being taken in Dunedin, and the case had been put down for hearing for that day. He had been informed by the Clerk of the Court that the evidence had not arrived from Dunedin, and hence the case could not be heard. This was a delay which, he thought, required some explanation. His Worship replied that he was helpless in the matter ; the clerk had sent the affi-

davit, and until the evidence was taken in Dunedin and returned to Ashburton, he could not hear the case. Mr. O’Reilly ex pressed his astonishment at the evidence

not being returned, as a month seemed to be abundance of time for that to be done. Between the Court at Dunedin and Ash burton, there seems to us, to be some gross carelessness or inefficiency.

Not a Thousand, Though. Mr. Leadley, of Prebbleton, wants LI,OOO as compensation for alleged damage done to his land by the taking through it of Leadley and Butterick’s drain. He noti fied the Wakanui Road Board of his want, but the Board, to use a common phrase, were “ not on,” seeing that they con sidered the drain a great benefit to Mr. Leadley’s hind, and an enhancement to its value. They would give him LlB if he liked—but not a thousand ! oh dear, no.

Wakanui Rates. —The Board yester day decided to prosecute all defaulters without exception, and without further notice, so that arrears had better be paid up forthwith, to avoid unpleasant conse quences.

The Christchurch Tramway. Another portion of the branch line tram way to Manchester street, Christchurch, was opened this morning.

The Christchurch Water Loan. —A poll of the citizens, testing their wishes regarding the raising of a loan for the Christchuch water scheme, has been taken, and the result is the rejection of all the propositions. Gift Auction. —Yesterday a gift auction was held in the Town Hall for behoof of the Ashburton Presbyterian Church, when a large quantity of produce, &c., was dis posed of by Mr. Bullock, who kindly acted as auctioneer. The gifts comprised oats, barley, wheat, peas, potatoes, grass seed, onions, carrots, flowers, young trees and shrubs, butter, honey, cheese, roosters, and other farm produce. There were also sold, biscuits (the gift of Mr. Thiele, baker), a clock, jewellery, a work box (which brought 305.), some ladies’ bags, drapery and clothing. Good prices were obtained for everything sold, and not a little amusement was caused by the sale of a calf, which changed hands three times, and each time its price went into the church funds. It was first sold for 155., the buyer sold it again for half-a crovvn, tlie second buyer handed the money over to the Treasurer, and gave the calf in, when it was sold a third time by the auctioneer, fetching 255. A con signment of produce arrived too late, for some reason or other, but it will be sold on Saturday in one of the auction rooms.

Wakanui Road Board.

The usual monthly meeting of the Wakanui Road Board was held yesterday, at the Board’s office, Moore street. Present —Messrs. H. T. Winter (chair man), Joseph Hunt, Hugo Friedlander, James Brown, and G. Earle. The Surveyor’s report on works com pleted and in progress was read and con sidered. CORRESPONDENCE. Messrs. Wilson aud McCleary, Waka nui, wrote, accepting the Board’s offer of LlB per acre for land taken from them for drainage purposes, but demanding a further sum of Ll 5 as compensation for conveying the water from the end of their drain to the big gully. The Clerk was instructed to reply that for the latter claim the Board was not liable. Mr. Thomas Walsh, Wakanui, wrote, asking the Board to place a culvert or drain pipes at the junction of Corbett’s and Leadley’s road, and to widen the lower ditch on the north side of Corbett’s road ; also, to hasten the completion of Leadley and Butterick’s drain, in view of possible danger to land and fences should wet weather set in. Mr. Christopher Robert Leadley, Preb bleton, who owns land in Wakanui, wrote asking LI,OOO compensation for alleged injury done to his land by the construc tion of Leadley and Butterick’s drain. The Board passed a resolution to the effect that they considered the claim —., nnismuen as the land referred to had been improved and its value enhanced by the drain. They were pre pared to offer LlB as compensation, and referred Mr. Leadley to the petition by settlers, in response to which the drain had been made.

The County Council communicated the information that L 2041 6s. had been placed to the Board’s credit, as their share, with interest, of the impounded land fund. The Borough of Ashburton claimed the sum of L 289 2s. as its share of the por tion of land fund accruing to the Board. After a lengthy discussion, the Board de cided to pay the money, on the under standing that, should it be found that the Board is not liable for the amount, the money be refunded.

The County Council wrote in reply to the Board’s letter, re protective works below the bridge, .that, if a petition on the subject were presented, and the settlers interested were prepared to pay a separate rate, the work would be undertaken. The matter was referred to Mr. Brown to arrange.

Messrs. Harper, Harper, and Scott wrote, giving their legal opinion that the valuation roll for the district was not valid, notwithstanding that the Judge had passed it. Theysaid that owing to the absence of the declaration to be made by the valuer, it could not be validated by the Governor under Section 68 of the Rating' Act, and as the roll now stood, any ratepayer could go behind the rate-book and refuse to pay, on the plea that Section 5 of the Act had not been complied with. The solicitors advised requesting the Governor to vali date the omission. It was resolved that the Chairman see the Chairman of the County Council about what course is best to be taken.

Mr. F. G. Steelman, College Estates Department, wrote asking 3d. per yard for shingle taken from the College reserve 739, unless it could be shown that shingle had been obtained in the locality for-a lower figure. The; Clerk was in structed to reply that the Board do not pay more than lid. for metal. The Secretary to the Treasurer wrote forwarding the usual form for information required under Section 32 of the Financial Arrangements Act, 1876, and stating that the Government subsidies would be dis continued from the end of the financial period. The manager of the Bank of New Zea land notified receipt of the Board’s share of the land fund from the County Council —making the credit balance 12712 lfis. Id. The manager wished to know whether any portion of the money would be placed upon fixed deposit, as interest was allowed on current accounts. It was resolved to place L 1250 on fixed deposit account for six months at 5 per cent, and L 750 for three months at 4 per cent. The Longbeach Road Board forwarded a statement of accounts between that body and the Wakanui Board. The matter was referred to Mr. Friedlander and the Sur veyor to adjust. tenders. Mr. St. Hill’s tender for repairs, addi tions, etc., to cottages, was accepted at L 175 4s. No. 18. Forming Beach road full width—Mr. IL Anderson, at 2s. 1 Id. a chain. No. 29, metalling do.—Mr. Charles Hill, at Is. 4d, per yard. No. 20, metalling suburban roads—Mr. John Black, Is. 3d. per yard. No, 22, concrete j falls on Leadley and Butterick’s drain- ' Mi’. Crum, L 74. The Surveyor was in- ,

structed to inform Mr. Black that his con. tracts must be completed at once.

BATES. It was resolved that the rate collector use every endeavor to collect the out standing rates, and that he still continue issuing summonses. FOOTPATHS AT BEACH BOAT'. The Surveyor was instructed to have the footpaths from the Town Bolt to Tre vor’s road formed, and also to call for ten ders for draining and altering Seafield road by the Fairfield estate. RETIRING MEMBERS. Messrs. Brown, Earle, and Hunt, cast lots as to who should retire—and the lot fell on Mr. Hunt. AN OBSTRUCTION. The Surveyor was instructed to have the penalty of LlO per day enforced against Mr. H. Beckett, he having re fused to remove a house belonging to him, which is standing upon a public road. The Surveyor was further instructed to place the matter in the hands of Messrs. Bran sou and Purnell, solicitors.

The Valuation Roll for Wakanui Road District.

On the subject of the validity of the Wakanui Rate Roll for 1880, the follow ing letter has been received by the Sur veyors to the Road Board : “ Christchurch, May 3, 1880.

“ Dear Sirs, —In reply to your letter of the 27th ult., we have to state that we are of opinion that the valuation list for 1880 is not valid. It does not appear to have been made in accordance with the pro visions of the Rating Act, 1876, Section V. not having been complied with. The declai’ation to be made by valuer docs not seem to us to be a ‘ matter of form,’ and therefore the absence of such a declara tion could not be validated by the Go vernor under Section 6S. The Road Board run the risk of having the validity of any l'ate to be hereafter made tested upon the ground that the same has not been made in accordance with the provisions of the Act (see Section 44). Section 31 and Section 44 would not prevent any person from going behind the rate book or valua tion roll, and showing that Section 5 had not been complied with. It is somewhat difficult to advise the Board what course to pursue under the circumstances, \vith a view to the preparation of a new valuation roll. The judge has signed the roll, and it is, as it wei'e, discharged from his office, and we do not see how he can re-open the matter, or how it can be brought before him for that purpose. We do not see how Section 68 will help the Board, as we do not think that such an important matter as the declaration prescribed by Section 5 would be considered matter of form. The Board, therefore, are, we think, in the position of being unable to make and levy rates, unless they choose to risk doing so. This risk, we however suggest to the Board, might be lessened, although not taken away, by requesting the Governor (should he be so advised to do) to validate the omission, and if vali dated, we doubt whether ratepayers could oppose a rate. —We are Ac., * ‘ Harper, Harper, & Scott.

Assaulting a Bailiff.

At the R.M. Court on Thursday, His Worship heard a charge against Henry Redfern, woolscourer, Tinwald, of assault ing A. W. Pearson, bailiff of the Court, while said bailiff was in the execution of his duty. Redfern was also accused of assaulting James Leonard, assistant bailiff, but this charge was departed from. Ser geant Felton conducted the prosecution, and Mr Crisp appeared for the accused. A. W. Pearson, bailiff of Court, sworn, said he went the previous evening to execute a warrant at the house of prisoner. Mr. Crisp objected to this warrant, in asmuch as it did not sufficiently describe the party against whom it was issued. The party was only described as “ Redfern,” and that description might apply to any one who happened to be called “Red fern.” It was necessary to individualise the party, and he submitted that the full Christian and surnames were required, as also his occupation, which latter did not appear on the warrant either. He further objected that the warrant did

not follow the summons, and that the cer tificate to the R. M. prior to issue of sum mons was not such as was required by the R. M. Act.

After considerable argument, his Wor i ship over-ruled these objections, and the case proceeded. A. W. Pearson said that on the sth May he went to Redfern’s house at Tinwald, to execute a warrant. Prisoner was at home, and witness read the warrant to him very loudly, having been informed by prisoner’s wife that he was very hard of hearing. Redfern fully understood what wars read to him, and that it was a warrant to seize his goods for a debt due to Samuel Hard ley.. When the warrant was read prisoner called witness, and his assistant Leonard who was with him, two imposters, and “brigands.” He then became violent, and tried to eject witness and his assis tant. He kicked Leonard on the behind twice, and also , assaulted witness and struggled with him. Prisoner was drunk. Took him in custody, and brought him to Ashburton. He struggled violently, but was ultimately brought to the lock-up, and handed over to Sergeant Felton’s custody. By Mr. Crisp—Have been at Redfern’s three times ; went the first time with a distress warrant, and left a man there. He remained in possession till 11 p.m. on Tuesday night, when he left. “The prisoner was mad, you know, and the man couldn’t stop.” Put another man in pos session yesterday. Read the warrant out quite loud. Was told to go out before any struggle took place. Arrested prisoner in his own house on the authority which I possess as a constable sworn in at this Court. The man was wet when he came to the lock-up. You (to Mr. Crisp), would have been wet, too, had you been out in such a night. Sergeant Felton here gave witness to understand he was answer and not to argue. James Leonard, assistant bailiff, mainly corroborated the bailiff’s evidence. Red fern might not have been drunk, but he seemed to have a mad fit. Pearson went for a cab, leaving prisoner in witness’s charge. If it had not been for the wife keeping prisoner back, he would have . “ devoured ” Pearson.

Sergeant Felton said he had made in quiries as to Redfern’s character. He was drunk when brought to the station, but his neighbors spoke well of him, and one

who had no interest in him whatever had bailed him out, and would have advanced money to pay the debt had he known of the case. Should say prisoner was a respectable man. When brought to the lock-up the police changed prisoner’s wet clothes, and gave him plenty of blankets. Henry Redfern, sworn, said the claim out of which this prosecution arose had been left in Mr. Crisp’s hands to arrange. Understood Mr. Hardley, tinsmith, had accepted an arrangement to be paid L2 down and L2 a month until the debt was cleared. Thought the case was settled, until the bailiffs came and wanted to seize his chattels. The first bailiff was not in terfered .with,’ and he left of his own accord. Pearson apprehended prisoner, and took the following plan to take him to the lock-up :—He threw prisoner down, tied a rope round his body, his hands behind his back, and attaching the rope to a horse, dragged him along. Mr. Crisp explained that he himself had made the arrangements with Hardley re garding the settlement of the claim, and Redfern was perfectly justified in believ ing that the matter was all settled, seeing that he had been told so by his solicitor, and in that belief his resistance to the bailiff had been made. The bailiff had taken out the warrant after the case had been settled by the solicitor. His Worship, in addressing prisoner, .aid he had no right to take the law into his own hands, but the officers of the Court must be protected in the execution of their duty. All the circumstances con sidered, he would only inflict a nominal line of ss. upon prisoner, with no costs of court, beyond 7s. fid. for the hire of the cab in which he had been taken to the station.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[Per Reuter's Agency.) Acquitted. London, May 5. The directors of the West of England Bank, who were charged with issuing a false balance-sheet, have been acquitted. The Australian Cricketers. The Australian cricketers are now in London, and are engaged in practising at Mitcham. The Ambassador to Turkey. May 6. The Right Hon. G. J. Goschen pro ceeds to Constantinople as Special Ambas sador, during the absence of Sir Henry Layard, who has been granted leave of absence.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Reuter's Telegrams.) The Cup. Melbourne, May 6. Rivalry is the favorite for the Cup at 5 to 2. The First Trial. A telegram has been received from London, which states that the Australian cricketers play their first match against Hampshire on May 18. The Meat Export Company. May 7. L 50.000 having been subscribed, the Meat Freezing Company will immediately commence operations. Obituary. Mr. J. Orr, ex-member for Moira, is dead. ;,

NEW ZEALAND.

Satisfactory Business. Dunedin, May 7. The mining in the Cromwell and Nevis districts is healthy. The Cromwell Com pany crushed lOSounces from 163 tons from Radford’s claim, and from Carrick’s claim, 120 ounces from 100 tons. The Last Chance claim crushed 180 tons for 140 ounces.

Sir George. Auckland, May 6. Sir George Grey proceeds South in the Te Anau about May 12th, and will pro bably address meetings at Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill. Mr. Seymour George was a passenger by the Ringa room for the South to-day, and will visit Canterbury and Dunedin before the ses sion. Death at a Religious Service. At the evangelistic service to-night of the Young Men’s Christian Association, while singing a hymn, a man named John Metcalfe dropped down dead. He is be lieved to have died from heart disease. He had no friends in Auckland, and had been in straitened circumstance and out of em ployment for some time. Indecent Assault. To-night, while passing the Wellesley street east public school, a girl of 16 was seized by a man whom she saw following her, dragged to a vacant allotment, and an indecent assault committed on her. Her cries were heard by Constable Kelly, who was on duty in Abercrombie street, but on his arrival the villian had de camped. Through terror the girl could only give a scanty description of the man for whom the police are searching. Smuggling.

From in forma don received by the police to-day, detectives went to the residence of a Mrs. Rostock, in the suburbs, who re cently arrived from England by the ship Ben Nevis, and seized a quantity of gold and silver watches, tea and coffee services, also a large quantity of boots, shoes, drapery, and other dutiable goods. No satisfactory explanation being forth coming, Mrs. Bostock was arrested. She has a large family. How the goods were landed and the vigilance of the customs officer evaded, is a profound mystery. May 7. At the Police Court, Sarah Bostock, for smuggling jewellery, was fined a hundred pounds, with the alternative of six months’ imprisonment The Bench hoped the personal effects would be returned, but Mr. Brookfield, Crown Prosecutor, replied that everytning was forfeited. No doubt the clothing and necessaries would be re turned. The goods smuggled consisted of twenty gold watches, lockets, rings, pins, brooches, tea services, buttons, two cases jewellry, shoes, and clothing.

Attempted Murder. Auckland, May 6. An attempted murder took place last night, at Wangarei. Between eight and nine o’clock, Mr, Washer came into the

township and reported to Constable Ham mond that James Smith had attempted to murder him and his wife by firing two rounds of ball cartridge at them from a six - barrelled revolver. On Constable Hammond visiting the scene of the out rage, lie found a revolver on the floor with two chambers empty and four loaded. One of the balls was found lodged in the leather of Washer’s braces, at the back. After the shots were fired, the two men,closed, and a sheath knife dropped from the would-be assassin’s coat. Mean time, Mrs. Washer, who was present at the time, had succeded in making her escape to a neighbour’s house, where she gave the alarm. No reason can as yet be assigned for the outrage. Before the constable had arrived, Smith had suc ceeded in making his escape. Constable Hammond was in search of him the whole night, but without success. In the mean time, the search still continues. Smith is supposed to be concealed somewhere in the bush.

Auckland, May 7. Smith, the Frenchman, who attempted to shoot the woman Washer, and her hus band, at Wangharei, has been arrested. A. further telegram shows that Smith mg.de an improper proposal to Washer’s wife, which she rejected. Biscuit Theft. The boys concerned in stealing biscuits from a case on the wharf, were discharged, except two, who were sentenced to forty eight hours’ and a whipping. Insolvent. Dunedin, May 7. Among this week’s insolvencies is Henry Haughton, ship owner. Liabilities, L 15,462 ; assets, L 18,970. Supreme Court. New Plymouth, May 6. In the Supreme Court this morning, before Judge Richmond, the Grand Jury returned no bill against Douglas for at tempted suicide at Hawera, and true bills against John Dale for indecent assault on his own child, aged twelve years, and William Cole for larceny. John Dale was then arraigned on the charge. His child who had given conclusive evidence against her father at the Police Court and Dis trict Court, when the case fell through owing to the indictment not being signed by the Crown prosecutor, denied that the evidence she had given was true. Judge Richmond asked the child that if she meant that what she said on those occa sions -was not true, and she replied that none of it was true. After hearing one or two witnesses the judge directed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty. W. Cole, for stealing a rug from the Kate marea Hotel, was arraigned and the case adjourned till to-morrow. Mr. Ballance Popular again. Wanganui, May 6.

Four speakers spoke against Mr. Bal lance- The burden of their speeches was that if the constituency passed a vote of confidence in Mr. Ballance it implied a vote of censure on Mr. Bryce, and this new championship of Mr. Bryce by the opposite party to him at the last election caused considerable comment. Mr. Bal lance replied to liis critics and carried the audience with him. An amendment of no confidence was rejected by 500 or more to about 20, and a vote of confidence was carried almost unanimously, three cheers being given for Mr. Ballance at the close of the meeting, which lasted till long after midnight.

A Falling-off. Wellington, May 6. The following are the returns of the telegrams forwarded and revenue received during the quarter ending March 31st : Forwarded, 342,862 ; cash revenue re ceived, L 18,300 2s. 7d. During the cor responding quarter in 1879, the telegrams forwarded were 391,487, and the cash revenue L 21,993 6s. 6d. The value of Government telegrams transmitted during the quarter ending March, 1880, was L 6,168 375. 9d., and for the corresponding quarter in 1879, L 7,195 14s. 7d. A Straight Tip from the Goldfields. Hokitika, May 6. A small party of miners writing from Big Bay, under date 20th April, state that they are earning about 355. a week each. They add, “As there is any quantity of fish and game, we can live for about 7s. or Bs. a week. It is a wonder some of the unemployed do not come down here in place of hanging about the towns. They might put in the winter here very com fortably.”

A miner working on his own account at Okarilo Forks is reported to have ex tracted gold to the value of L 256 in eleven weeks. He sold the gold to a bank in Ross, and has returned to his work. The recent rush to the Forks is not so well reported of, the ground being very patchy, and only one or two claims are as yet payable. /

American Railways. —During the past year the increase of mileage of new rail ways in America was greater than in any year since 1873. The new lines con structed in 1878 were 2,916 ; but this was largely exceeded in 1879, in which 4,430 miles were built, which makes the total mileage of the States 86,263, nearly one half of the entire mileage of the world. Of the last year’s extensions, 923 miles, or less than 21 per cent., were of narrow gauge, while in the preceding year 30 per cent, were built on this gauge. The tide of railway activity is almost entirely turning west of the Mississippi. The Eastern States have covered their districts with networks of lines, and with the ex ception of short feeders and connexions between old-established systems there is no railway construction going on worth notice, and, indeed, there is scarcely room for it. Jln the whole of New Eng land the new , mileage during 1879 was only 42, and the same may be said of Ohio and the adjoining States. But it was very different in the group of States lying in the north-west and in the basin of the Mississippi, where great railway activity has been shown. In Kansas alone 544 miles were constructed last year, in lowa 472, in Minnesota, 451', in Nebraska 285 ; while Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Dakota ran up the total to 3,187 out of the 4,430 miles. There were 1,243 miles built in the States east of the Mississippi in 1879, against 3,187 west of that river, and the cost of rail way construction advanced nearly 30 per cent, during the year, with prices still tending upwards. Among the principal lines now in progress are the Sioux City and Nebraska, making a through route between Omaha and St. Paul; the Vicks-: burg, Shreveport, and Pacific, in the State of Louisiana; and the Atchispn (Kansas) and Nebraska line,

Friday, May 7, 1880.~]

THE ASHBURTON HERALD.



New Advertisements.



HORSE BREAKING. THE undersigned is now prepared to Undertake the BREAKING of HORSES to double and single harness, also to saddle. Mr. Willcocks has had a very consider able experience in Australia, and his success there as a Trainer is sufficient guarantee as to his ability. All orders to be left at the Coach Office, Commercial Hotel, Ashburton, or the Wheatsheaf Hotel, Wheatstone. 403c-816g GEO. WILLCOCKS. NOTICE TO HORSE BREEDERS IN THE ASHBURTON AND SUR ROUNDING DISTRICTS. WE, the undersigned, Trustees .in the Estate of W. Bennison, of Ashbur ton, hereby certify that the said estate has NO CLAIM on the different fees due from the service of the ENTIRE HORSE iC Sir Julius Vogel,” the property of W. Holley, which travelled the Ashburton and surrounding districts the season of 1878. B. EDE. JOSEPH CLARK. In reference to the above, I, the under signed, beg to state that after having waited until after harvest, at the request of different persons who have not paid for the service of the abovementioned horse, I must now ask for payment of all moneys due respecting the same. Payment to be made to W. Holley, Tuam Street East, Christchurch, or legal proceedings will be taken to recover the same without further notice. Ist May, 1880. 410c-818a



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 Tinvrald, in the County of Ashbutoh, Farmer, a debtor. Notice is hereby given that the above-named debtor has this day filed, in the above Court, a declaration of his inability to meet his engagements with his creditors. The first meeting of creditors will be held at the District Court-house, Ash burton, on WEDNESDAY, the 12th day of May, 1880, at twelve o’clock in the forenoon. Dated this seventh day of May, 1880. C. CAVENDISH lIURRELL, Clerk of the Court. E. G. Crisp, Solicitor for the Debtor. 429 c CENTRAL TEMPERANCE HOTEL, Baring Square (Near Town Hall). T> E-OPENING of the above comrno- Jhu dious and centrally situated Pri vate and Commercial Hotel. T. BROAD BELT, PROPRIETOR, Is prepared to give Superior Accommoda tion to Boarders and the Travelling Public on REASONABLE TERMS. Weekly Board and Lodging ... £1 Weekly Board ... ... ... 14s. MEALS AT ALL HOURS. Dinner on Saturday from 11.30. Beds (single), Is. 6d. Private Room for Ladies. 153—624 a



PRACTICAL WATCH & CLOCK MAKER, JEWELLER, &c. BOBT. MUEEAY, MOORE STREET, BEACH ROAD, ASHBURTON, HAYING had over thirty years’ ex perience in some of the leading establishments in England and Scotland, trusts by good workmanship and atten tion to business to merit a share of the patronage of the inhabitants of Ashburton and County. A well-assorted stock of Watches, Clocks, - Watch Glasses and Keys, of best quality, fitted. All Watch and Clock Work and Jewel lery repairs executed on the Premises. Specimens of Workmanship by R.M. shown in the window, AT MOORE STREET (Next Door to the Road Board Office), BEACH ROAD, A SHBURTON. 824g-429c