MAIL NOTICES.

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.

Fr*m 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.

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.

W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 1880. Those By-Laws!

A special meeting was to have been held last night to consider, and, if satisfactory, to adopt the by-laws, a draft of which was advertised in the Herald a fortnight since, but the meeting fell through for want of a quorum. His Worship the Mayor, and Messrs. St. Hill, Friedlander, and Wey mouth .Roberts, with Mr. E. G. Crisp, the Borough Solicitor, were present, and one more Councillor was required to give legality to the proceedings. For this im portant addition to their number, the abovenamed gentlemen waited, but waited in vain. Mr.’ St. Hill was for hunting up Councillor Robinson, but it was hinted as extremely improbable that he would be found at home, so the suggestion was not acted upon. The possibilities of other members rolling up was discussed, but any gleam of hope in this respect soon dis appeared. They came not. The Council lors present, cheered possibly by the in fluences of a glowing fire and the prospect of once more putting off the consideration of those dreary by-laws, waxed merry, and while sundry anathemas were at inter vals poured forth by Mr. St. Hill on the absent ones, the joke, in the absence of the glass, went merrily round. What other influences were at work on the minds of our worthy Councillors we know not, but that wit and humor prevailed to an extent hitherto foreign to the usually dry dis cussions of the Council Chamber is a matter of fact. Sundry conundrums were flung about by the Mayor and Mr. St, Hill, and our unassuming and reticent Borough Solicitor, as he saw the object of his special care being put off for a more convenient season, seemed to have a special inspiration, and from what appeared to be a mine of anecdote and conundrum, contributed to the general merriment. To those of our readers who are partial to this kind of entertainment and those who are blessed with a vein of fun and humor in their composition,. the following riddle given last night by the Borough Solicitor will perhaps pi’ove as difficult to them in the solving as it did to their worthy re presentatives in the Council, and also enjoy as hearty a laugh as they did when made acquainted with the simplicity of it : —“ A man gets married and has two sons, one named Jack, the other named Tom, but Jack says he is no relation to Tom; what is Jack ? ” After patiently waiting for three-quarters of an hour, it was ar ranged that the meeting should stand ad journed until Friday night, but the pro babilities of a quorum being present on that evening were so risky, that two of the gentlemen, who guaranteed their pre sence, so as to conform with the require ments of the law on the matter, arranged to contest a game of chess should their mental faculties not be in requisition for the less serious -work of playing at Borough legislation. We extremely regret that those of our fellow citizens who have been elected by the burgesses of Ashburton to fill • the position of Borough Councillors are not more in earnest to merit the trust and confidence which has been thus reposed in them. It has been hinted that there arc a class of men in our midst who will leave no stone unturned to occupy posi tions in society which will add, perhaps, an extra title to their names, but who are just as anxious to shirk any duty or dr.icl gery which may be associated with such a title. From our acquaintance with the members of the Borough Council, we are assured that every individual member of that body is above such a charge ; but un less more interest is exhibited in matters of detail of Council work, the general pub lic will not hesitate to pronounce a ver dict which will not be flattering to some of the gen’hmen who hold the position of City Fathers. Recently the ordinary meet ingsof the Councilhave been well attended, and the most hyper-critical of our citizens would find it difficult to censure the coun cillors for any lack of duty in regard to the general routine of the Borough’s business, but it is where meetings are called of the Works, Planting, and By-laws, and other Committees that there is room for com plaint ; and it is specially in connection with the Borough’s by-laws that the burgesses of Ashburton will soon make their voices heard, if more energy is not displayed in making them law. The Borough has been in existence now for nearly two years, and during that time many pounds might have been carried to the Council’s credit, as the result of pro secutions under the by-laws had they been in force, as well as contributing very much to the sanitary condition of the township. We understand that all that is requisite now to making them effective is for the Council to hold a meeting approving of the draft already advertised ; a copy is to be transmitted to the Colonial Secretary, and upon his acknowledging the receipt of it, prosecutions under these by-law's can at once be instituted. In the interests of the Borough we would once more urge on the Councillors of taking the bull by the horns, and see to the immediate bringing into force of this necessary acquisition to effective Borough administration.

Good Shooting.— On Monday last a pigeon shooting tournament was held near the Spread Eagle, and sportsmen, dogs, and game of various descriptions, breeds, and calibres, were in attendance. We are unable to give a detailed score of the events, but are informed that the quantity of powder and lead fired away was something tremendous. As a criterion of the amount of slaughter, we can state that one resident here sold the pigeon club 54 birds, of which 37 returned home within a day or so of the shooting match. Others are arriving hourly, and he expects the whole of them back by the end of the week. As he sold them at Is. Gd. per pair, he is anxious to know when another similar event is likely to come off. He reckons it beats growing oats into fits.

Tc -Night. —Our readers are reminded that the Froliques give one of their pleasing enterlai: ments to-night at the Town Hall.

“ Telephone’s” Tips.— “ Telephone’s” tips for the Ashburton Steeplechases on Saturday will probably appear in to-mor row’s issue.

The Gas Company.— The meeting of the Gas Company called for to-day fell through for want of a quorum, and was adjourned till Monday, 7th inst., at three o’clock.

Alleged Theft of a Cheque. —Eli Jones and G. E. Best, two lads, escapees from the Burnham Industrial School, were charged to-day with the theft of a cheque for Ll 3 from a tent at Rakaia, and were r emanded till Friday.

Alleged Theft of a Watch and Chain. —A man named Lane was charged to-day before Mr. C. P. Cox with the theft of a watch and chain from John Symons at the Royal Hotel yesterday. He was remanded till Friday. Land Sale.— At Tinwald yesterday Messrs. Acland, Campbell, ■ and Co. put up to auction 186 half and quarter-acre building sections in the township of Chelmsford. . The day was wet, and the attendance was less than certainly would have been the case in better weather, but as it was, a fair business was done. We give below the sales that took place, with number of section, price, and purchaser. The numbers marked with an asterisk are corner sections :

Horticultural Society. —The usual monthly meeting of the Horticultural Society was held last night in Mr. Anstee’s Private-Hotel. After the usual routine business, Mr. Egbert Mayo read a short but interesting paper on “ Windo\v Gar dening,” in the course of which he gave some practical hints as to the making of a neat and ornamental box for outside a cottage window. Discussion followed, in tbe course of which some valuable infor mation on the potting of plants, water ing, Ac., was elicited. It often occurs that amateur gardeners are in doubt as to when cortain plants require water. In addition to the limp appearance that thirsty plants present, Mr. George Smith said a good way to find out whether plants wanted water was to ascertain whether the earthenware pot was sound. If it were sound, a sharp blow administered to it would make it ring if the plant wanted water, because then the soil would be dry and hard, whereas if the soil were moist the sound produced would be dull and heavy. It was ruinous to a plant to place its pot in a saucer, and fill up the saucer with water, as that only made the soil sodden and litor.dly drowned the plant. It was right to use a saucer for cleanliness, but the drainage of the pot should be attended to. It was also far better to give a plant a thorough soak ing at once, than to give it only a very little at a time. A discussion on the best sort of plants to use for the win dows inside also took place. After the discussion on Mr. Mayo’s paper had con cluded, a vote of chunks was passed to that gentleman, and then the draft schedule of prizes for next show, prepared by a sub-committee was discussed, and several alterations made. Mr. Jacobson will read a paper at the next meeting, but the subject was not announced.

Inquest.

The inquest on the body of George Bland, whose death occurred under such melancholy circumstances in the river bed on Sunday last, was held in Baldwin’s Central Hotel, yesterday, before the Coroner, Dr. Trevor, and the following jury, of whom Mr. Joshua Tucker was chosen foreman : —Messrs. R. Murray, Barrett, S. Lucas, John Gardiner, Quinn, P. M‘Lauchlin, Anson, Broadbelt, Everett, Tucker, Johnston, Allison and Trickett. The body was brought in a dray from the house where death took place, and exhibited to the jury in the yard of the hotel. After the jury had been sworn and had had adjourned to view the body, the following evidence was taken on their return :

James Purchase, sworn, deponed—l am a hairdresser, and reside in Ashburton. On Sunday morning last, the 23rd inst., about half-past nine, I left Ashburton on horse back, in company with the deceased George Bland, whose body the jury have just seen. We had each a double bar relled gun, and were proceeding, in re sponse. to an invitation to spend the night at the house of the deceased’s mother, Mrs. Bland, at Greenstreet. We also proposed to go shooting on the following day (the Queen’s Birthday), and also to take part in a pigeon match. We decided after leaving my shop, to go up the river, and about a mile up from the bridge we loaded, thinking to have a shot. Bland’s gun was found to be foul, and neither cap nor priming would discharge it. We de cided therefore to keep it, loaded as it was, until w,e reached Geoi’ge Bland’s mother’s, where we meant to draw the charge. I gave my gun to George, who was the best shot, and for some distance we went on foot, I leading the horses. We chased two ducks up and down the river for a time. We mounted again, and three miles further up we entered a swamp. Here I went on foot, and George was mounted, leading my horse. A swamp hen rose, and I raised the gun which I was carrying to fire. On account of having to raise the hammers, I was not in time to shoot the swamp hen, and I didn’t fire. Another chance was missed in the same way, and Bland said, “ For God’s sake, put those hammers up, and keep your finger on the trigger, or we shall never get a bird.” At his wish, though very reluctantly, for I had never carried my hammers at full cock before, I followed liis instructions and carried the gun with the hammers raised. Another duck rose, and I fired, but missed. It was then that George Bland asked me to come to him for ammunition, as mine was in the pockets of my great coat, which was strapped on my horse behind the saddle, while he

wore his shot-belt round his body. I went between the horses at deceased’s right side, and he poured the charges from the flask into the right barrel of the gun, which was the one that had been dis charged, and I rammed them home. The left barrel of the gun was still at full cock, as from the time I fired to the time I went to the deceased I had not let down the hammer of the left barrel. I got a cap from deceased, and was raising the gun with my left hand to put the cap on, when the horses came together and threatened to jam me between them. Fearing au accident with the gun, I stepped hack co avoid being crushed be tween the horses, and in doing so I dragged the gun towards me to clear the horses. In stepping back, the left barrel of the gun went off, but whether the trigger caught in my clothes or hit against my arm, I cannot say. The charge lodged in the calf of Geoi’ge’s right leg, who im mediately said, “My God, I am shot!” He then swung round on his horse, and came down, alighting easily on his feet. He then sat down on the tussocks, and meanwhile the horses had bolted, frightened by the discharge of the gun so near them. I asked him if it was his leg that had been shot, as I saw no marks. He replied that it was his leg. I made him as comfortable as I could, but did not bandage his leg in any way, and I at once made for the nearest house for assistance. The nearest house was that of Mr. Harris, about a mile from the place where George lay. The accident must have happened about one o’clock. I found Mr. Harris trying to stop our horses. He came with me, 'bringing some bandages from the house. Others also came. When we reached deceased we found the trousers all saturated with blood, but the blood about the wound was all congealed. The drawers about the wound were very tight, the leg having swollen very much. We cut up the trousers, but did not cut the drawers, thinking it would be unwise to do so until the doctor arrived, as we feared the bleeding would start afresh. We carried deceased on a dray (which had beeu procured) to Mr. Maeonochie’s house, and meanwhile a messenger had brought Dr. Stewart from Ashburton. Dr. Stewart, who arrived perhaps about three o’clock, ordered de ceased’s removal at once to Ashburton. I do not remember that I made a statement to Dr. Stewart of how the accident oc curred, but I think I told Mr. Harris. I scarcely remember how I spent the day after the accident, owing to how I felt in regard to it. Deceased and I were close and intimate friends. I have been used to shooting, but I never carried my ham mers cocked before, and only did so at George’s urgent request. When I loaded the gun beside him, he pouring in the charge while lie sat on his horse, I had quite forgot that the hammer of the left barrell was on full cock. The forget fulness arose from my habit of carrying my gun being different —namely, with the hammers down. While the left barrel was on full cock during the ramming home the charge in the right, my own hand and head were in danger. By the —I saw no blood by deceased when I left him, and I gave him some spirits from the flask we carried to keep him up. I did not know what to do very well, and I thought it was best to gi for assistance.

The Coroner—Did it not strike you that it was necessary to bind up the wound ? Witness—No. I did not think the wound was nearly so serious as it was, and I didn’t know very well what to do ; besides, there did not appear to be so much bleeding as to cause alarm.

The Coroner—There must have been some very great bleeding at some time, for by it the lad lost his life. You went away for someone else, who probably knew as little how to act as you did your self. You should at once have put some sort of a light bandage above the wound — between it and the heart. If you had done so. you would have saved the young man’s life.

By a juror (Mr. Allison) —I have been out shooting with deceased—a fortnight ago I was out shooting with him. I am used to the gun. F. Macbean Stewart, sworn, deponed— I am a duly qualified medical practitioner, and reside in Ashburton. On Sunday last, about two o’clock, a messenger came to me, saying that a young man, named Bland, had been shot, and was lying up in the river bed. We went to the house of Mr. Maconochie, where we found deceased had been removed. On examining the wound, I found that the trousers had been cut, and proceeded to cut the drawers, which hacl been left intact. I found a very extensive lacerated wound —or rather three wounds— about the middle of the calf of the leg, between the knee and the ankle. The tibia or shinbone was com pletely shattered. One of the arteries began to bleed very profusely, but by ex erting pressure upon it I was able to stop it. I made a pad, and tied it very tightly above the knee, so as to prevent further hemorrhage. ' The wound being of so serious a nature, I considered it better to have the young man removed to Ashbur ton. That was done, and he was brought to Mr. Daily’s house, in the Wakanui road, where Dr. Trevor, Dr. Ross, and myself held a consultation. Deceased was in such a weak state that it was considered not advisable to perform any operation until a reaction had set in. A reaction never took place. I left deceased a little after eight o’clock, so that I could go home and make preparations for staying with him over the night. About half-an hour after, John Bland, his brother, came for me, saying that a sudden change had taken place. On going to the house I found that the young man was dead. 1 believe deceased died from loss of blood and from shock to the system.' From the appearance of the body, more blood had been lost than the last witness appeared to think. 1 did not see the place where the lad had been lying while Purchase went for aid. But when I came to deceased first —about three o’clock —the wound was still bleeding. The face of deceased gave the appearance of great loss of blood having been suffered. Deceased v'as quite conscious. I would not expect a man of good and healthy con stitution, such as deceased w T as, to die from simple shock to the system from such a wound without a great loss of blood. Supposing measures, to stop the bleeding, had been taken by tying any thing tight round the leg above the wound, it is quite possible the young man w’ould not have died, always supposing that death did not result from shock to the system. 1 heard the last witness’ evi dence. He made a similar statement, as

to how the accident occurred, in. my pre sence and in the presence of deceased, who was quite conscious. Deceased did not contradict the statement of Purchase in any way. Deceased was quite conscious, bub he gradually became fainter up till the time of his death.

The Coroner, after giving the custo mary explanation of what constitutes manslaughter, said there had evidently been carelessness manifested—or at least great inexperience—both in the use of the gun in this affair, and in the treat ment of the young man after the accident had happened. A double-barrelled gun had been carried about for a considerable distance with both hammers at full cock, and after one barrel had been discharged, it was re-loaded while its fellow still re mained at full cock. The witness, Pur chase, who had carried the gun, had given as a reason for the loading in this condition of the gun that it was a depar ture from his own invariable custom, at the urgent request of his companion, and being a departure from His own custom he 'had forgot for the time that the un fired barrel was at full cock. It would be for the jury to say how much of cul pability there was in this as well as in the neglect to bandage the leg. The Coroner, in referring to the young man’s death, which had evidently taken place from a loss of blood that might have been pre vented by judicious pi’ecautions, saw that fatal results often attended accidents simply from the want of a little useful knowledge. It was as well that people should know how to act when placed in circumstances similar to those in which Purchase found himself last Sunday. When a wound was inflicted on any part of a person’s leg below the knee, a band age, of any kind, tied tightly round the knee would stop the bleeding. Wherc ever the limb was wounded, and exces sive bleeding resulted, a tight bandage put round the limb, between the wound and the heart would stop the bleeding. Even when a bandage could not be well applied, placing the thumb upon the artery in the groin, where the pulsations are felt, and pressing strongly, would stop the bleeding for a time. The same course of bandaging would be successful with the arm ; and where the hand had been in jured, bleeding could be stopped by doub ling the forearm at the elbow, and pass ing the bandage tightly round both fore arm and bicep—the thick part under the shoulder. He hoped the press would take note of these simple instructions, and impress their necessity upon the public. The jury, after a short consultation, re turned a verdict of “ Accidental Death.”

Ashburton Steeplechases.

The hail dicapper, Mr. H. P. Lance, has declared the following weights in the two handicaps for the Ashburton Steeple chases :

Australian Summary by the Roto mahana at Russell.

Wellington, May 26,

The Rofcomahana arrived at .Russell at 7.30 p.m. yesterday. She brings 81 pas sengers and 641 tons of cargo. She left Sydney on the 21st inst., and brings news up to that date. Sydney, May 21. Considerable discussion ensued yester day in the Council on a Bill to appropri ate church and school lands exclusively for educational purposes. An objection was made that many of the Anglican clergy depended on a proportion of the revenue derived from these lands for decent stipends. The debate was ad journed. In the Assembly, Mr. Brown, on the re-committal of the Electoral Bill, intro duced a clause requiring candidates to make a money order deposit. He con sented to modify his original proposition by the substitution of L4O for LSO, and after an acrimonious debate, this was car ried by 19 to 18.

The Assembly has voted L 385,379 as a temporary supply. All attempts to elicit a statement of the finance policy of Go vernment were successfully resisted by the Treasurer.

Melbourne, May 20,

It is said that the police have surrounded the Kelly’s in an inaccessible position near King river, but that a hundred armed men could’not get at them. The only way is to starve them out. Adelaide, May 20. The telephonic system is about to be introduced into the colony. The receipts from land sales in April were L 82,000.

The Gazette returns show that over 100 Chinese have died in the Northern Terri tory in three months, on whom no inquests were held.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

Bradlaugh’s Difficulty. London, May 24,

In the House of Commons to-day, Sir Henry Drummond Walsh introduced a motion in favor of a refusal being given to Bradlaugh’s claim for exemption from taking the oath. The House negatived the motion, but allowed an amended pro posal to be referred to a Select Com mittee.

NEW ZEALAND.

A Missing Sportsman. Dunedin, May 26.

M'Donald, printer, a resident of Glen, went out rabbit shooting on Mon day morning, and not having been heard of since, it is feared he has been killed by a gun accident. Later. The missing man M'Donald turned up last night. He was much exhausted, and had lost his way in the Silver Peaks.

Corn Exchange and Farmers’ Club, Christchurch.

The ordinary meeting of the Committee of the Corn Exchange and Farmers’ Club was held at the Exchange rooms, Cashel street, on Saturday afternoon last. There were present—Mr. Thomas Bruce (chair man), Captain Willis, Messrs. Peryman, Woodman, Bailey, Henderson, and Gam mack.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

The Chairman stated that before pro ceeding with the business to be considered by the Committee, he would like to men tion, for the information of those members who were not in attendance at the last meeting, that a most exhaustive and studiously written paper, treating of the important subject of Farmers’ Corn Ex changes, and their utilisation by farmers, had been read by Mr. Wm. Batemen. Those who were then present had not only complimented the author, but had also unanimously expressed a wish to have the paper printed, owing to the valuable in formation afforded.

Mr. Peryman hoped that the Com mittee would express its opinion in regard to the valuable nature of Mr. Bateman’s paper, and that the suggestions advanced by that gentleman would be entered in the minute book, as a record and re cognition of the way in which the Ex change had estimated the efforts of Mr. Bateman, and—“ That he be elected an honorary member of the Corn Exchange and Fanners’ Club.”

The suggestion and resolution, after being seconded by Mr. G. B. Woodman, were carried nem. con. The Chairman then called attention to a letter written by Mr. E. B, Bishop, under the heading of encouragement to the farmers, and which appeared in Friday’s issue of the Lyttelton Times. Mr. Bishop, he might say, was well and favor ably known, both as a gentleman of long standing in Canterbury, and as one who bad on many occasions interested himself in the promotion of objects dealing with the welfare of the community. In the present instance he had, at his own ex pense, circulated copies letter re ferred to. He (Mr. Bruce) could thoroughly endorse the views put forth by Mr. Bishop, and would like to see them carried into effect. One result would be that the people would have “good beer and in order to accomplish this desideratum, there must be unity of action, as one individual could not act singlehanded in such a laudable cause, which was a philanthrophic one, and tended to advance the interests of both agriculturalists and consumers. Mr. Bishop’s sole object was, evidently, the production of a wholesome and palatable beverage : free from sugar. The Chair man then expiated upon the properties of “ good” beer and supported his arguments by a reference to the certificates of eminent State analytic chemists and medical authorities. It is an universal and acknowledged fact that, if too much sugar is employed in the manufacture of beer it becomes highly injurious as a beverage. He thought that if the members present should resolve to interest themselves in the movement emanating from Mr. Bishop, it might be for them to com municate with other kindred societies. Farmers’ Clubs, and Agricultural Associa tions, asking their co-operation. Mr. Peryman, with the Chairman’s permission, would like to make a few remarks before any motion was submitted to the members of the Committee, with respect to the matter before them. While concurring, to a certain extent, with the remarks of the Chairman with reference to the manufacturing of a good alcholic commodity, yet it struck him that there might be a principle involved, and upon which he wished to invite discussion, as to how it would affect the brewers. Might it not be said that they (tlxe members) were involving themselves in this matter of principle as it affected others ? For instance, might not the bi'ewers justly consider that they had a right to interfere with the interests of the farmers with regard to the kind of implements used, or to the seeds they might sow ? It is a question dealing with a complication of interests, which had in part to be con sidered, and was one which affected not only the brewers, but the farmers too as growers of barley ; the more barley used by the brewers the better for the farmers. Captain Willis had listened to Mr. Peryman with considerable attention, but could come to no other conclusion than that his premises were bad. Perhaps that gentleman had overlooked the fact of the existence of an Act dealing with the adul teration of food, and, therefore, the mat ter of principle referred to did not arise. He, for one, “ liked a drop of good beer and they no doubt all remembered the good old saying, “ there’s nothing like malt and hops for good beer.” He then referred to the effects produced by Colonial beer, in regard to the sugar it contained, and said that instead of its being a thirst quencher, it was generally admitted to be an inveterate thirst maker and stomach deranger. He asserted that it possessed all essential ingredients for the maker of bad vinegar ; and they were all aware of the injurious effects of such. Colonial beer was equally injurious when sugar had been largely introduced into it. He was of opinion that the Adulteration of Food Act was a sufficient reply to this matter of principle ; and to his mind, there was no principle involved at all. Under the circumstances of the case, he considered they would be doing their duty if they applied to the Government to pass an Act to prevent public brewers using sugar as a substitute for good malt. If good beer could be had the working class would not be tlie victims of that vile com pound designated “ Scotch whisky,” the inferior kinds of which were as highly im pregnated with that deleterious thing fnsial oil. There was a fine liquid known as “negative spirit,” and from which was manufactured all kinds of spurious liquors. Captain Willis averred himself a Pro tectionist, and considered it was the duty of the committee to give every possible encouragement to those who did produce such food and beverages. Mr. Bailey saw no objection to support ing the views of the Chairman, provided they did not injuriously effect the brewers interests by bringing into the market cheaper and inferior beer. Mr. Henderson stated that although he was a thorough free trader, yet lie believed in good food and beverages.

Aftera little further desultory conversa tion, it was resolved “That the Com mittee of the Corn Exchange, Christ church, approve of the suggestion of urging the passing of an Act for prohibit ing the use of sugar in the manufacture of beer by the public brewers of this colony, and compelling the use of malted barley in lieu thereof “ That the Pre sident of the Exchange be requested to communicate with kindred associations with a view of further co-operation in the above matter. ”

Mr. Peryman suggested that lists be printed, with the name and address of each subscriber of the Corn Exchange, to gether with the rates, and that the same be circulated for the information of those directly interested. The suggestion was favorably received, and the subject postponed for further con sideration. After the usual vote of thanks to the Chairman, the meeting terminated.

The Liberal Triumph at Home.

Of course, it could never for one mo ment be imagined that the people of Great Britain could become weary of A Conservative Government because of its doings. Such, a possibility could never arise. So apparently thinks Earl Beacons fiekl. When he gathered his friends around him on Thursday last to bemoan the most emphatic “dishing” his party has ever sustained at the hands of their opponents, he glossed over the whipping with a very tame explaining away, to the effect that the change had been brought about simply by a desire for change that had suddenly come upon the country. Yes, the electors are very capricious, no doubt, and they give about their votes in a strange and unaccountably inconsistent fashion sometimes. But one wants more than the reason given by Benjamin Dis raeli when one seeks for the cause of the Conservative collapse. Had Mr. Disraeli returned from the constituencies just slightly in the minority, with a few seats lost amongst the boroughs, whose fidelity to either side cannot always be relied upon, we could have accepted his explana tion of implied caprice. But Conser vatism has been dethroned in its strong holds—in the counties where many-acred squires, who represented constituencies of yeomanry bound to Conservatism by all the interests and instincts and traditions of landlord and tenant, have been un seated, in some instances by men of pro nounced and even advanced Liberal views. The Liberal gains have been enormous, and Mr. Gladstone’s following is a solid and a powerful one : it is recruited, not to be sure from the Conservative ranks, but from Conservative constituencies that have most emphatically become Liberal. And why ? Hot from the caprice that Mr. Disraeli hints at. Hot because the people were idle and frivolous, and wanted a change for change’s sake. But because there never has been more cogent reason amongst the the farmers of Britain for a change of Ministry than existed just at the time agricultural constituencies brought that change about. During the last three years the whole population of Great Britaiu have been under a wave of adversity. First manufactures came to a standstill and thousands of toilers verged on starvation. That was the time when, our readers will remember, Sir George Grey’s loyalty to his parent land impelled him to offer room amongst the almost equally distressed Hew Zealand working men for 6000 of the English un employed. The manufacturing dullness was felt in every corner of the land, and scenes of want were visible in every centre of population that have not been heard of in their intensity and frequency within this generation. Then agriculture suffered, and suffered as it never did before within the memory of living man. Hundreds of farmers have been ruined, and hundreds more are only kept upon the land by large concessions on the part of the landlords. In almost every county farms can at this moment be rented at a figure far less than the most far seeing could have prophesied. The competition of American wheat kept the price low of what little grain was raised, and our own Southern contribu tions thrown into the scale kept the balance even for the English consumers, and pre vented the British farmer from benefiting in price by the scarcity. In Ireland there was literally a famine that the heart of every Briton throughout the world was appealed to to relieve ; but we have no need to recapitulate the sufferings of that unfortunate people. While this distress and poverty were riot ing at home, Disraeli’s Government were carrying on wars in Afghanistan and at the Cape, and troubling themselves about the affairs of the east—spending money and lives, and intensifying the suf fering. Against these wars Mr. Glad stone never ceased to declaim. The Com mons of the last Parliament supported Mr Disraeli in his foreign policy, “ spirited ” in the extreme, if not always in the right, and readers of the Commons debates and divisions must have fancied that the foreign policy Conservatives was the policy of the people if tlie House of Com mons was any criterion. But the elections just closed have shown, and shown con clusively that the last Parliament did not represent the people, whose opinions had changed as they felt the grinding power of adversity. It is all very well to talk of patriotism, to sound out warlike phrases about the honor of the flag, and the dignity of our country’s name ; but with hunger gnawing the very vitals of the nation, and famine stalking with gaunt front over the land, and a voice like W. E. Gladstone’s sounding condemnation of the wars at every opportunity, it is not difficult to understand why the people should desire the cessation of hostilities, and oppose at the polling booths the party that was continually flaunting the war flag, and sounding the martial trump. Had the Conservative policy been more peaceful it would have been more popu lar, and the multitude would have borne with it better. But the real loss Conserva tism has suffered is in the yeomanry, who are now beginning to see that their in-

terests will be best fostered under a Government led by Mr. Gladstone, and liis Liberalfcolleagues, than under a Ministry' drawn from the squirocracy party of the land. Mr. Gladstone has begun early, for we find in a cablegram of May 22, from Calcutta, that the Viceroy, in accordance with the views of the Liberal party, has been officially in structed to close the campaign in Afghan istan as soon as possible. Its end is, however, considered doubtful, owing to hostile tribes still continuing fighting, although not of a very serious nature.

THE ASHBURTON HERALD, WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 1880.



Section, . Price per Sec. Purchaser. l-acres £. s. d. 167* 6 5 0 R. N ealan 168-170 4 0 0 R. Nealan 171* 9 10 0 R. Nealan 172 6 15 0 R. N ealan 173* 10 15 0 J. Cole 174* 8 0 0 — Ford 195 8 0 0 — Fox’d 176-180 5 0 0 — Ford •^--acres. “181-2 8 5 0 — Patterson 183-4 4 5 o 185 4 15 0 — Cole 186* 11 10 0 — Housten



Ashburton Handicap. st. lb. Grey Mom us ... ... 12 7 Loch Lomond ... ... 11 10 Magic ... ... ... 10 7 Fakir 10 7 Stella ... ... ... 10 0 The Lad 10 0 Raven ... ... ... 10 0 Mickey Free ... ... 10. 0 District Handicap. st. lb. Jack 12 7 Deceiver ... ... ... 12 7 Raven ... ... ... 12 7 Tam o’ Shanter ... ... 12 7 The Lad 12 2 Sir George ... ... 11 2



Lost— 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 rK AAA TO LEND, in sums to suit borrowers, at lowest rate of interest. F. P. O’Reilly, Solicitor, Ashburton. 424c-835a COMFORTABLE BOARD and RESI DENCE, or Two good Rooms in a Private House, can be had by applying in the first instance at Mr. Savage’s Fruit Shop, East street. 483 c Ci CHOOL Requisites and Artist M vto jTV rials. H. M. JONES, Statioier, Baring Square. » TTT ANTED KNOWN—That C. Haw- VV kins, The Tinwald Bootmaker, has REMOVED to premises Opposite the Tinwald Post Office, where he is still open to Sell first-class Boots and Shoes at his usual Cheap Rates. All kinds of Boots Made and Repaired. 805g—417c WANTED— TENDERS for CROP PING 25 acres, adjoining Chertsey Railway Station. Tenders close FRIDAY, May 28th. Specifications on application to 479 c JAS. BORTHWICK. TTT ANTED TRADESMEN’S or other W Books or Writing to do by contract or otherwise as evening employment. For particulars of competency and experience, address “ Nib,” Post Office. 484 c CHINIQUY’S LECTURES.—Just Ar rived, New Edition H. M. Jones, aring Square. FUNERAL NOTICE. THE Friends of the late GEORGE BLAND are respectfully informed that his funeral will leave the residence of Mr. H. Dally, Wakanui road at 1 p.m. on THURSDAY, May 27th. 498 c GEORGE PARKIN. WANTED, a SITUATION as V V PLOUHMAN. Can work Single or Double Furrow; thoroughly under stands the work of a Ploughman, and is a good General Farm Hand. Apply at Herald and Guardian Offices. 494 c OFFICE and Pocket Diaries for 1880 H. M. Jones, Stationer, Baring Square. WANTED— A General SERVANT, about 14 or 15 years old. Apply Herald Registry. 489 c CHRISTMAS Number Young Ladies Journal, London Journal, Family Herald, Family Reader, Boys’ Standard, &c. Just arrived. H M. Jones, Sta tioner, Baring Square. WANTED, a General SERVANT. Apply at once to Guardian office or to Mrs. M'Kellar Wix, St. Leonards, Sea field. 470c-865g JUST ARRIVED —Young Ladies’ Journals for APRIL, and other Magazines. H. M. JONES, Stationer, 360 c East Street and Baring Square. TO LET. SIX-ROOMED COTTAGE, with half acre Garden, East Belt. Apply, 441 c ORR & CO. ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. TENDERS are invited for the following WORKS : 1. Main Drain —Tinwald. 2. Drainage Extension near Wheeler’s Creek. Plans and specifications can be seen at Council Offices, and tenders, accompanied with marked cheques, to te sent in ad dressed to the Chairman not later than 11 o’clock a. m. WEDNESDAY, 2nd June next. By order WILLIAM BAXTER, 91c County Engineer. All Hot I All Hot l i Hot Pies, Hot Tea, Hot Coffee, AT ALL HOURS, mHOMAS rjIAYLOR ’S, eastJstreet. 492 c



NOTICE. ACCOUNTS BE WESTERFIELD. ITAYING disposed of the Wester- J_ field Estate, ALL against the Estate must be sent in by the 31st day of MAY, for settlement, otherwise they will not be recognised. Addressed to 0 . Davison, Westerfield. F. 0 REED. May 4th, 1880. 416c-5250