SHIPPING.

Lyttelton, May 10. Arrived, St. Kilda, s.s. from Dunedin.

COMMERCIAL.

Messrs. H. Matson and. Co. report as follows :

Canterbury Horse Market. —Our last Saturday’s sale at Tattersall’s comprised an entry of 110 horses of various descrip tions, of which 31 were unbroken. There was a good average attendance, and for all classes of sound, useful plough horses a better demand exists, and a considerable number are placed every week. The most noticeable alteration in the horse sales of the present time from what they were two years since, is that medium weight horses, from L 25 to L 35, have to a great extent taken the place of the extra heavy, high priced stock then so much in use. Occa sionally we find LOO to L7O being paid for a good brood mare, but the overstocked state of the market generally, and con sequent reduction in price, has. for the time being, put a check on breeding. On Thursday, at Tattersall’s, by order of John Grigg., Esq., we submitted his eighth annual draft of heavy horses from the Longbeach station. It was a general theme of remark, with those who viewed the animals, that a better line of horses for farming purposes has seldom been sub mitted in one line. With a few except tions, they were not of the heaviest class, but useful, sound, active, staunch horses, that would alike do the vendor and pur chaser credit. There was a very large at tendance present during the day, repre senting buyers from different parts, and although biddings at first were not over brisk, Mr. Grigg’s general custom of placing his stock in the market for unre served sale soon had its effect, and every horse of the line (45 in number) were sold at satisfactory prices. Sixteen geldings, varying from 3 yrs. old to aged, made from L2C to L 45, or an average of L 34 each. Twenty-six mares by Lincolnshire Traveller, Sir Colin Campbell, Crecy, Ac., some of which were stinted to Bobby Burns, Waverly, and Lord Beaconsfield, brought from L2l to L 43 each, or an average of about L2B 55., 38 mares and geldings taken together made an average of L 29 10s., and G culls at prices as per description.

Land Sale.

Messrs. H. Matson and Co. on Satur day last held their usual weekly sale of various properties, city and country. The attendance was large. The auction was he’d in the large and commodious wool store at the back of the offices, in conse quence of the sale room being occupied with a large shipment of furniture just landed ex Palala, and for sale on Tues day next. The first property submitted for competition was the farm in occupa tion of Mr. John Hoskyns, at West Mel ton, and placed on the market by order of the trustees. The biddings not reaching anything like a reasonable price, the pro perty was withdrawn at a bid of L 4 ss. per acre. The next property was the town ship of Methven, situated in the Upper Ashburton district, and at the termina tion of the Rakaia and Ashburton Forks Railway. The interest shown by the bid ding, which for the front sections was very brisk, proved that the property was a good investment, and one of consider able importance. Quarter-acre section 35 old for L3G, and quarter-acre section 33 or L 24. Sections 6,8, 10, 25, 26, and 27 realised from Ll 5 to L 24 each ; sec tions 30 to 38, from Ll2 to LI3 each ; sections from 39 to 57 fetched from L 4 to L 7 10s. ; 61 to 63, from Ll2 to Ll 5 ; sec tions from 73 to 111, realised from L 3 10s. to L2l. A farm section contiguous to the township, containing 10a. Or. 13p., was sold at LlO per acre. Several other pro perties, which were to have been offered, were necessarily postponed to the follow ing week in consequence of the lateness of the hour when the sale of the Methven township came to a close.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m. 9. a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 9a. m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Timvalcl, WinsloAv, 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 am. 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 ancl Seafield on Tues days and Fridays at 2.30 p. m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster. Tuesday, May 11. For Otago and Australian Colonies, pe» Ringorooma. Thursday. May 13. For Northern Ports of Ngav Zealand, per Rotorua. The next mail for the United 'Kingdom via San Francisco, will be closed at Christ church on May 22, and Avili be due in London on July 6. The next mail for the United Kingdom via Brindisi (for correspondence specially addressed only), Avili be closed at Christ church on June 3rd, and xvill b« due in London on July 24 th.

SYDNEY J. DICK, Chief Postmaster

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). MONDAY, MAY 10, 1880.

A remark made by the Chairman of the County Council at the last meeting of that body dispels some doubt that has hitherto existed in the minds of some as to the power of the Borough Council to utilise any portion of the County’s grant of £5,000 for purposes of drainage, as well as for purposes of water supply. Mr. Bullock pointed out that, though the in troduction of a water supply to the Borough was an indispensable work, drainage as a means of getting rid of the water after it had fulfilled its mission was equally necessary ; and he asked the Chairman to settle the question, whether any part of the L 5,000 granted by the County to the Borough could be utilised for drainage. The Chairman replied that no doubt of a drainage scheme being part of a water system had ever been entertained by him, and so far as the fund would go in the direction of drainage it would be perfectly right to use it. As our readers are aware, a few days will see the water scheme now under construction, and a stream running down our channels, so that channelling will be a work imperative to be undertaken. Over the cost of the iron pipes now on hand and stored by the Borough, there still remains to the credit of the Water Supply Fund some £SOO, and the answer of the Chairman of the County to Mr. Bullock virtually gives the Borough control of this sum for channelling at once. Doubtless the Borough will set about channelling work immediately, trading upon the funds which have thus become available, and we may hope to see a good many unpleasant gutters sweetened. Besides, though the water scheme now in progress is looked upon as only a tem porary one, there are good reasons for believing that its permanency is not so much a myth as snne believe, and if it should be allowed to continue for a few years, then it might be advisable, after disposing of the iron pipes, to devote the proceeds to the completion of all the channelling necessary in the township. In any case, the better financial position that has recently found the Borough Council holds out a hope that a large portion of much wanted channelling Avorlc will soon be taken in hand.

Drunk. —His Worship, the R.M., to day dismissed a first offender against the laws of sobriety, giving him a lecture against the evil of too much drink. A Nor’-Wester.—Yesterday Ave were treated to a pretty stiff nor’-Avester, one quite strong enough to remind ns of old times. The past summer has been ex ceptionally free from strong nor’ Avest Avinds, and Ave had began to think that a permanent change had taken place upon our climate. Sunday, hoAvever, changed that opinion, for a stiff, hot, dusty blow continued all day and far into the night. Not a great deal of damage has been done, only some outhouses upset.

Travelling Without a Ticket.— John Boyce, Avho Avas slightly elevated on Saturday, started from Christchurch for Chertsey. He had a ticket covering the journey to the latter place, but for some reason or other he Avould’nt “ demit ” at Chertsey, and came on to Ashburton. Here he was asked for the difference of fare, but refused to pay. No amount of persuasion Avould induce him to part, and ultimately Constable Dal) 7 got charge of him. Sergeant Felton explained to the refractory one that the day Avas Satur day, and before he could be tried he Avould have to honor the cells Avith his presence during the sacred hours of Sunday and on to Monday morning. This Avas a view of things John Boyce had not taken, and he Avas quite ready to pay the two shillings Avanted then. But the re pentance came too late, and he Avas shunted off to the lockup. To-day his Worship lectured John, and cautioned him against such obstinacy in the future, fining him LI and the 2s. excess fare.

The By-laws.—To-day we publish a supplement, containing a draft of the long talked-of by-laws.

Neav Grand Stand for Christchurch Racecourse. —At the meeting in Christ church on Saturday of the Canterbury Jockey Club, it was stated that instruc tions had been sent to Sydney for plans of a neAV grand stand to seat 1000 persons, having a sloping lawn in front to accom modate about a similar number. Tho neiv building will comprise luncheon room, weighing house, the Judge’s box, steAvard’s stand, &c. A resolution Avas carried, in structing the newly elected Committee to take immediate steps for the erection of the r stand, if the requisite financial ar rangements can be made. Sporting. —The running match for L 5 a-side, betAveen Messrs. John GroA r es and George Montgomery, took place on Satur day afternoon in Mr. Hay T. Smith’s paddock. The Aveather Avas all that could be desired, and the attendance was very fair, fully one hundred persons having been on the ground. Both com petitors stripped Avell, Groves looking par ticularly fit. The distance, as before mentioned, was one mile, which was five times round a course that had been pegged out. A capital start Avas affected, Groves (who had the inside running) taking the lead, Avhich he maintained throughout. TAVice did Montgovery essay to pass his opponent, but Avithout avail; and finding his chance of first breasiing the tape a poor one, he judiciously withdrew when about half-way round the cuurse the fifth time, thus alloAving Groves to win as he liked. It is generally stated that the dis tance Avas accomplished in smin. 14secs., but Ave have heard doubts throAvn on the accuracy of the record. Montgomery does not seem in any Avay disheartened by his defeat, Avhich may be attributed to A\ r ant of condition. Very little money changed hands on the event. We should not be at all sui’prised to hear of another match at no distant date betAveen Groves and Montgomery.

A Good Servant.—A steel rail is on exhibition in France that has been in use 18 years, and over Avhich 256,000 trains have passed.

On the Rocics. —One of the Avaifs of Sydney is a brother to a Governor of South Australia. A man about toAvn slept with him in a sixpenny beer establishment re cently. A Big Order. —Messrs. Stephen and Sons, one of the principal shipbuilding firms on the Clyde, have received an order from an Italian house for ten steamships, each of 3,000 tons burden.

Volunteering at Home. —The official return of the British Volunteer force for the past year show the total number of men enrolled has risen from 203,201 in 18G8 to 206,250, Avhile the “ efficients” have increased from 194,191 to 197,485. A Costly Funeral. —Thirty thousand pounds is no mean sum to spend on a funeral, yet this is said to have been ac tually expended on the obsequies of the Maharrjah Bardwan. The greater por tion of the three lakhs Avas gi\ r en aAA r ay in charity.

A Funeral Sensation.- —A sensation occurred at the funeral of Miss Ada Bruin, daughter of Councillor Bruin, at Leceister. Just as the procession left the chapel in the cemetery, Mr. Joseph Block ley one of the bearers, dropped down dead. Miss Bruin Avas droAvned Avhile skating on the ice.

“'Out op the Fryingpan,” Ac. —Two yeai’s ago the farmers in Hancock County, Kentucky, “ posted ” their lands so as to prevent sportsmen shooting upon them. In the interval, squirrels have so multiplied, that a large part of the co n crops in the been destroyed.

John Bright on Religious Educa tion. —John Bright, speaking at Birming ham, contrasted the eight generations educated in accordance Avith Puritan tra ditions in America Avith the same genera tions in England, Avhere they had been scaudously neglected, and allowed to grow up without State help towards knowledge.

Jeavel Robbery —The Crown Princess of Denmark Avas robbed during her recent journey to England of ornaments Avorth GO,OOO or 70,000 crowns. A sailor named Weiss on board the Skoldmon had been detected as the culprit. He stole the articles from the saloon in Avhich the Prin cess, like the other passengers, had left her property. A Rich Man.—Mr. J. B. Watson, the Sandhurst milloAvner, made his fortune out of the Kent claim, Garden Gully. For several years he kept twelve batteries going on his OAvn quartz, and got so much gold that the small difference between the mint and bank prices enabled him to net thousands by selling direct to GoA7ern ment. He has L 500,000 invested in Mel bourne property, and has large interests in Sydney, Avhere he has a brother. He has seven unmarried daughters. A Queer Result. — One of the most remarkable cases of restoration to speech on record is from Huntsvilia, Georgia. A Mrs. Martin had been partially para lysed for nearly a year, and had lost the power of speech. One day she acci dentally struck a loaded revolver lying upon the table in such a way that the ball Avas discharged into the knee of her paralysed leg. A severe wound Avas pro duced ; but, strange to say, the woman began to talk, and has been able to do so ever since.

A Handicapper for New Zealand.— At the Canterbury Jockey Club meeting, in Christchurch, on Saturday, a notice of motion was given for discussion at the next general meeting, favoring the ap pointment of a handicapper, with the co operation of the leading New Zealand Clubs, who would be willing to engage his services. The gentleman is to receive a substantial salary, and attend the various race meetings held in the colony, but to neither own, back, or be in any way in terested in the running of horses. Let Off. —The tendency of colonial juries is to let offenders off, but here is a sample of an English jury which appears to hare erred quite as much the other way. Justice Maule once addressed a prisoner thus : —“ Prisoner at the bar, your counsel thinks you innocent; the counsel for the prosecution thinks you innocent; I think you innocent; but a jury of your country, in the exercise of such common sense as they possess, which does not seem to be much, have found you ‘ guilty,’ and it remains that I should pass upon you the sentence of the law. That sentence is that you be kept in imprisonment for one day ; and as that day was yesterday, you may now go about your business.”

Pleuro. —The settlers at Waikato are greatly incensed at the slaughter of cattle suspected of pieuro-pneumonia, but Avhich on examination in several cases, have proved healthy. Body Found. —The body of a man be longing to H.M.S. Cormorant has been found floating in Auckland harbor. He has been missing some time, and Avas supposed to have deserted. Totara. —Some totara telegraph poles that had been in the ground in the North Island for over ten years, Avhen lifted last Aveek showed not a sign of decay, but Avere as fresh and sound as Avhen put in.

The Auckland Smuggling Case. —Mrs. Sarah Bostock, Avho Avas fined LIOO for breach of the Customs’ Regulations, Avas unable to pay the fine, and Avas removed to Mount Eden Gaol to undergo the alter native of six Aveeks’ imprisonment. Waste. Recently the Government printer shipped from Wellington for Eng land 34 tons of Avaste paper. A Welling ton critic says : —What a mournful record of abortive legislation and good intentions does that Qg.rgo contain.” The Civil Service Commission. —A telegram from Auckland of May 8 says : —The Civil Service Commission have examined the heads of all important de partments, and leave for Nelson on Tues day by the Haw ea. They will remain at Nelson until the following Monday, then they go to Blenheim, Avhere they remain three days, and then proceed to Welling ton.

Government Aid. The length to which some people go in depending upon the Government of the day to do every thing is well illustrated by the following story, Avhich conies from Victoria : —A lecturer on surgery at the Melbourne University, Avhilst lately summing up the results of the season’s lectures, is said to have deplored the scarcity of dead bodies. “But now,” he added, “as there has been a change of Ministry, Ave may hope for better things !” A poor compliment, indeed, to Mr. Service. An Audience. —The correspondent at IngleAvood of the Taranaki Herald goes into figures over the audience that listened recently to Colonel Trimble, M.H.R. His statistics are as follows :—There were present about 150 men, 10 bull-dogs, 5 cattle dogs, and 200 fleas, the latter get ting admitted in a surreptitious kind of Avay, concealed in the coats of the dogs, and, as soon as admitted, quitting thos« animals and disti’ibuting themselves amongst the assembly.

Polite Literature. The Wanganui Herald, the Hon. John Ballance’s paper, says of Major Willis, AA r liose seat for Rangitikei is uoav under contest, that his course of labor in the House would not have taxed the strength of a “ diabetic” patient. The Chronicle, published in Wanganui, gives the credit of the very refined expression to the Hon. John, and adds that it is the custom of the said Hon. John to umnistakeably point out the op ponent he assails in his columns, and then bespatter him AA r ith the filth of a spiteful and illiterate Yahoo.

Native Affairs. —People are ac customed to* the alarmist telegrams of the Lyttelton Times penny-a-line at “ the front,” and Avon’t feel very much shaken when they read his last telegram :—There is noting neAV on the Plains. The Con stabulary having abandoned the road that ended in the swamp, and advanced by the beach track, are now engaged pushing forward Avith a dray track. As they ad vance the natives continue to occupy the land the rear and build whares. The local Government organs say that the next feAv days will test the issue of peace or Avar. Mr. Bryce lias said that any rebel lion can be stamped out in three Aveeks. Who’d Have Thought It. Our big brother at the Cathedral city appears to transgress the rules of newspaper etiquette with the same impunity as other journals of the colony Avho do not claim to occupy such an exalted position as the journal in question. The Wellington Evening Post devotes the following local for the benefit of the Lyttelton Times :—“ There has been rather a paucity of neAvs in the South lately 7, and the Lyttelton Times has been driven to quoting largely from the Wellington journals principally the Evening Post. No one can of course object to this, but our contemporary might have the honesty to acknowledge the source from Avhich it gets its information. In one issue recently, no feAver than three extracts Avere thus taken from us Avithout acknoAvledgment, and on the Monday 7 the Times cooly appropriated a sub-leader on the loss of the Vingorla. We certainly expected better things from a paper of the standing of the Lyttelton Times. ” A Female Fight in San Francisco. —Miss Wise and Miss Doivning are tAvo young women who unhappily loved one man, by name Mr. Young. The rivalry led to frequent ebulitions of anger and jealousy between the two, Avho even came to bloAvs in the presence of the favoured swain. He, it appears, did not fully realise which he was the most partial to, but temporising, he convinced each that she alone enslaved his heart. One even ing in a ball room, Avhile dancing Avith Miss Wise, Miss DoAvning Avalked up to the couple and insisted upon her rival gmng up her partner ; this Miss Wise re fused to do, Avhereupon Miss Downing shrieked and fell in a fit on the floor. The next day Miss Downing Avrote and asked Miss Wise to visit her, Avhich the latter did, and upon entering the house Miss DoAvning took up a club and fleAv upon her rival, who, retreating to the yard, picked up a pitchfork, and returned the salute. Bloavs on the head and shoulders from the club, and gashes on the hands and breast from the pitchfork, folloAved with terrible rapidity, until the two belli gerents fell insensible. So they Avere found and picked up, but it is feared that neither Avili recover. Each calls for the delinquent Young, Avho has Avisely made himself scarce in the vicinity, and left for parts unknoAvn. The whole neighbour hood is excited over the affair. ITolloavay’s Pills. —A certain cure fo. Headaches, Bile, Loss of Appetite, and Low- 1 ness of Spirit.—These Pills can be taken withr out danger from wet or cold, and require no interruption from business or pleasure. They act mildly on the bowels, strengthen the stomach, and promote a healthy action of the liver, whereby they purify the blood, cleanse the skin, brace the nerves, and invigorate the whole system. They effect a ftruly wonderful change I- in a debilitated constitution, as they create a healthy appetite, correct indigestion, remove bile, giddiness, headache, and palpita tion of the heart. Plain directions for the use of this medicine, at once so mild and efficacious, er affixed to each box.

A Mysterious Shipwreck and a Brave Captain.

(From the Wellington Evening Post.)

The wreck of the Boinbay-India Steam Navigation Company’s s.s. Vingorla, briefly reported in our cable news, appears to have been one of the most mysterious on record, and certainly not one of the least exciting. As already reported, it resulted in the drowning of the com mander (Captain Stuart), Mr. J. Byrne (chief engineer), Mr. C. Knight (third engineer), Mr. G. Mowbray (clerk), and 59 native passengers. Among those on board, but who fortunately escaped, was Mr. H. Cloete, civil engineer, husband of a lady living at the Hutt, and an interest ing narrative of the occurrence furnished by that gentleman appears in the Times of India. From the account in this journal, it appears that the vessel was only built in 1875, and had been overhauled only two months previous to the wreck. She started from Bombay for Kurrachee on Saturday, 29tli February, with eight first class, eight second-class, and 95 deck passengers on board. The weather was exceptionally fine, and all went well until about half-past 10 o’clock, when the officer on watch noticed that she did not obey her rudder. It was then discovered, on opening the main hatch that the water was within five feet of the main deck. There had been no shock and no collision, and how this happened will probably always remain a mystery, the nautical court of inquiry being unable to throw any light on the matter. Boats were lowered as soon as possible. The ladies and some of the male passengers, including Mr. Cloete, were placed in the mail boat. Although the captain’s wife was among the lady passengers, with her child, the brave officer never left his post, but bidding her a hurried farewell placed her in charge of a junior officer. One of the other boats was “ rushed ” by a number of native passengers, as it hung in the davits, and broke in two, all the passengers except one dropping into the sea. A number of other natives, helpless with terror, lay on the deck and could not be persuaded to move. Captain Stuart ordered a quantity of loose timber to be thrown overboard so as to give them a chance of safety, and then seeing the peril in which the ship was placed, and determined not to quit her so long as there was a soul on board, shouted to the boat in which his wife and child were to stand off, the others being already free of the vessel. They last saw him on the gangway burning a blue light. “ The last thing I saw,” says Mrs. Stuart, in her affecting narrative of the occurrence, “ was his hand holding out the rocket. I only saw the hand, and could not see the face. I don’t think the vessel was one minute going down. The bow dipped, with the screw out of the water; there was a loud hissing sound, and it seemed that in less than a minute she was gone, and I saw nothing more.” Other spectators say that in addition there was a ‘ ‘ low moan” from the native passengers as the vessel plunged head-first into the water. As the Times of India justly observes, the picture of the heroic captain standing at his post to the last is as grand as any thing in the history of the merchant navy. With the captain, as we ha ,r e said, perished the clerk and the three engineers, who remained working below in the engine room till the last. Four only of those on the vessel when she went down were saved, though of these the men in the

boats knew nothing. The chief officer and two native passengers, after drifting about on spars till twilight on Sunday, were rescued by a passing steamer, and returned to their sorrowing friends like men from the grave. A third native actually floated till Sunday midnight, and startled another passing steamer by his cries through the gloom, and was rescued. The passengers in the boats suffered great hardships from the broiling sun, but were rescued after about 16 hours at sea by a passing steamer. Altogether, the narra tive which the survivors had to tell was one of the most thrilling in the annals of shipwrecks, and there is not an English man in any part of the world but will feel his pulse stirred as he reads of the heroism of Captain Stuart, of the steamer Vin gorla.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

{Per Reuter's Agency.') Wheat. London, May 8. The total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain is 1,950,000 qrs. , Tallow. Best Australian beef tallow, 325. Od.; best mutton tallow, 345.; copra, Ll 7. Wool. At the wool sales yesterday, 8,500 bales were offered, making a total of 164,400 bales catalogued since the opening. The tone of the market has a slightly improved tendency. Hides had a fair demand for most descriptions. Trade. The Board of Trade return of exports and imports for the last month show a de cided improvement. A Fresh Meat Company. Meat importation is seriously occupy ing public attention. A prospectus has been issued for the establishment of a Colonial Fresh Meat Company, with a capital of L 200,000, half of which has already been issued. It is expected that the Company will commence operations immediately. Sir Vernon Harcourt. Sir William Vernon Harcourt has been defeated in his second election contest, which took place at Oxford. Death Sentence. Constantinople, May 7. The assassion of Colonel Commeroft, late attache to the Russian Embassy, lias’ been sentenced to death.

AUSTRALIAN.

The Australia.

Sydney, May 9. The Pacific mail steamship Australia arrived from Auckland yesterday. The Cliandernagore. The barque Chandernagore has been seized for debt. Coal Prices.

Some of the mines at Newcastle are charging 14s. and others 10s. per ton for 00131.

Fever. Melbourne, May 8. The barque Zvvee Broeders, which ar rived from Java with several cases of fever on board, has been placed in quarantine. The Tararua- Arrived—Tararua, s. s., from New Zea land.

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association.) A Deposed R.M. Napier, May 10. Great satisfaction is expressed by the Wairoa settlers at the removal of Ebnezeer Baker, 11. M. A petition for his reinstate ment has been but poorly signed. A Spill. As Mx\ Seymour Tancred, son of Sir Thomas Tancred, was driving a buggy and pair into town on Saturday morning, he was run into by a Maori on horseback. The collision broke the carriage pole, and the horses bolted, one of them breaking his leg, and had to be shot. The occu pants of the carriage were uninjured. Pleuro Pneumonia. Wellington, May 8. A deputation from Wanganui waited on the Colonial Secretary in reference to an application made by certain districts in the South Island to the effect that the whole of the North Island might be pro claimed an infected cattle district, and that the removal of the cattle from the north to the south island be wholly pro hibited on account of the outbreak of pleuro pneumonia in Auckland. The de putation represented the hardship and unfairness of the course which Govern ment had been urged to take, and its effect upon Wanganui, which was fully 300 miles distant from the locality where the disease had appeared. Moreover, they had a large trade in stock with the West Coast of the South Island, which would be destroyed by the prohibition asked for. Mr. Dick said the Govern ment had no power to take such an ex treme course as that against which the deputation protested, and certainly had no idea of adopting any measures of so oppressive a nature. Wreck. Private advices received yesterday state that the barque Whittington, which left Philadelphia for England on December 8, had been lost with all hands. She was loaded with grain, and it is conjectured was caught in a hurricane and foundered, owing to the cargo shifting. Captain Webster, who had command of her, was, during the period 1872 to 1876, in the employ of Messrs. John Brogden and Sons, of this city. The Wellington R.M. Wellington May 10.

Mr. Mansford, R.M., who has been seriously indisposed for some time past, is about to leave Wellington. Arrangements have been concluded for an exchange with Mr. Shaw, present District Judge and Resident Magistrate at New Plymouth, and Mr. Shaw is expected to be in Wel lington in a fortnight’s time. The ex change between Mr. Mansford and Mr. Shaw is for three or four months, at the end of which time it is probable that other arrangements will be made. Death of an Old Settler. Mr. J. M. Taylor, well known com mission agent and settler, died on Satur day at the age of 63. Tne Nor’-Wester. A strong N. W. gale has been, blowing. No damage is reported beyond one or two yachts driven ashore. •Sir W. Fox Returned. Marton, May 8. The following is the result of the Jttangi tikei election :—Sir William Fox, 232 ; Mr. D. Fraser, 123 ; Mr. Lyon, 69. Fire. Christchurch, May, 10. Last night a fire occurred in Mair and Co.’s flour mills, Southbrook, resulting in considerable damage. The exertions of the Fire Brigade prevented its total de struction. The fire originated in the faulty construction of the kiln, the wooden beams above the iron floor igniting. The damage is covered by insurance in the Liverpool, London and Globe. Wheat Fire. Temuica, May 8. Three wheat stacks belonging to Mr. Mathews have been burned to the ground. The origin of the fire is at present un known. Mr. Mathews and he wife were both away at the time, and they have not yet returned. The stacks were insured for. L 250 in the New Zealand Company. Suicide. Dunedin, May 10. Walter J. H. Burton, photographer, George street, committed suicide this morning hy taking chemicals. He had been drinking heavily of late. Obituary. News has been received of Mr. James Macassey’s death, Adelaide. Gold. Blenheim, May 8. The workings on the new diggings, at Wahau Valley, are at present confined to the bed of the creek. There are about 60 men working there, all of whom have taken up claims, but they are much troubed with large boulders in the creek of such size that they cannot be removed. About five claims are paying well, one of them obtained 14oz. in the course of a mornino about a fortnight ago. On the other hand there are a great many more claims in which the men are barely making a living. Morgan, who prospected the creek, has been out prospecting between here and Wakamarina for the last month, and re turned last week without having been able to find any payable ground in his travels A Grievance.

Dunedin, May 10. The Railway Porters Deputation have met Mr. Stewart, bringing under his no tice the grievance of being compelled to work nine hours a day. A Cricketer in Trouble.

At the City Court to-day, Mr. Conway, the cricketer, was charged with assaulting the police. Fitzclarence Roberts, a squatter, was also charged with attempt ing to rescue him. The case against the former was dismissed, and Roberts fined L 5.

A St. Petersburgh Adventure.

One evening Maria Ascharowna, the wife of a distinguished State official, was driving homewards from a party through the dimly-lighted Ssarotnaj street, in St. Petersburgh, when she suddenly felt her self grasped from behind, and, turning round, beheld with horror Satan himself, “ in his habit as he lived,” perched at the back of the sledge, gnashing his teeth ferociously, and glaring at her with his gleaming eyes. Screaming to the saints for protection, she clutched her isvostchick round the waist and clung desperately to him, while the Evil One climbed into her place in the sledge, and drew her towards him with such irresistible force that, after a brief struggle, she found her self, to her inconceivable consternation, actually seated in the Enemy of Man kind’s lap. Fortunately at this moment a policeman hove in sight, whereupon the ivsostchik, scarcely less frightened than his mistress, pulled up, and the gorodovoi promptly conveyed Lucifer to the lock up. It is painful to relate that the in fernal potentate was found to be so drunk that he was unable to explain his extra ordinary conduct, or to give any satisfac tory account of himself. Next morning, however, sobered by a night’s repose in the watch-house, he confessed himself to be one Mr. Michael Spilantieff, the son of a wealthy Petersburg merchant, and stated that, having assumed the garb of Satan, with a view to attending a masque rade, he had dined with some joyous com panions, indulged in too copious libations, and sallied forth into the public streets. Further his remembrance extended not. It is to be hoped the especial patron of the forger’s guild did not defraud Russian justice by paying his fine in spurious notes.

Leap-year in San Francisco.— “ Silverpen," writing to the Herald, says: —This being leap-year the ladies of San Francisco have the blessed privilege of doing exactly as they think fit with the other sex. Should a lady propose this year, as is the regulation, and the gentle man declines the honor, he sends her a scarlet petticoat as a sop for her dis appointment. Just think of it, a red petti coat in lieu of a live husband. Then, the ladies give parties to which they invite gentlemen only, calling for their respec tive beaux in a carriage, filling their pro grammes, and attending to them just as they are used to be waited on. The rule 3 of the leap-year ball are that “ each lady shall consider herself a gentleman for that night, attend to their partners, protecting them from draughts, fanning them, taking them across the floor,” etc., and these rules are printed on the programmes. No gentleman dare to cross the floor with out an escort. I have seen some funny scenes at these gatherings. For instance, some poor man, who had been invited by a girl who only gave him one dance, has been chained to his seat for the rest of the night, no one taking the least.notice of him, until the poor wretch has begged some passing fairy to take him to the cloak room, when he has thankfully escaped, with a suppressed blessing (?) levied on all leap-year balls.

THE STORY-TELLER.

A LOVE STORY.

In the autumn of 1860, among the visitors at the pretty watering place, Clevedown, on the south coast, was Arthur Golding, a good-looking, stalwart young fellow of nine-and-twenty, who had run his yacht into Clevedown Bay at the earnest solicitatation of Mr. Burnet, the father of a college chum. It was the holiday season, when most Lon doners were at the sea-side or in Scot land ; and Golding, tired of law, was glad of the opportunity of a quiet cruise round the coast of Sussex and Hampshire, with an occasional look in at the Isle of Wight. Arthur was tired of another estate besides that of law, and his young friend Frederick Burnet, also a young barrister had set about seriously to look for a wife for him.

“ I tell you what, old fellow,” said Frederick at last in chambers ; “ you can’t do better than marry Miss Wrax all. ” “And who,” languidly asked Arthur Golding, filliping the ash from his cigar, as they looked over the London leads at the London sparrows, “is Miss Wraxall 1 It’s a hideous name.” “ Yes, isn’t it ? Golding’s a better : make it Golding. At all events, come to Clevedown, where my father is going this season, and where I am to join him and the family, and where Miss Wraxall is to be as well. She’s a splendid girl. ” So it was arranged that Golding should moor his yacht in Clevedown Bay, and try his fortune with the desirable Miss Wraxall. Frederick wrote to his father, and procured a warm invitation for Arthur; and when the London season terminated, the two young men looked cheerily forward to their next meeting by the sea. In September Arthur Golding arrived at Clevedown. Mr Burnet had rented fer the autumn a roomy house on a down overlooking the English Channel, whose breakers tumbled incessantly against the foot of the cliff near the summit of which the house stood. To the right of this residence, facing the sea, were various other villas scattered around the coast. To the left was the"" coast-guard station, and further on, a lofty headland over hanging the Channel, known as Cleve Cliff. The cliff sloped concavely towards the sea, whose waves had hollowed out a cavern in its rocky sides. At the summit, approached with difficulty even from the land side, and from the sea quite inac cessible, an old and time-eaten railing of wood afforded hazardous protection against falling into the ocean. Behind these rickety rails was a seat, from which the view was magnificent. When Arthur Golding ran his yacht

ashore farther down the coast where there was landing, he found the house pretty full, and among the visitors the desirable Miss Wraxall. Assuredly his friend had not exaggerated her attractions. Tall, dark, of majestic figure, and a southern type of beauty, almost startling in the suddenness with which it fascinated the beholder, hers was the loveliness most splendid when at its dawn, but apt to wane as soon as maturity is reached.

The black bands and coils of her hair roofed a brow singularly white for so brune a beauty ; but the chief expression lay in the eyes—dark eyes that blazed father

Monday, Ma\ 10, 1880.]

THE ASHBURTON HERALD



EORMS PRINTED “To Let” and “ For Sale ’’—can be obtained at the Hekaxd Office.



Miscellaneous PLOUGHMEN. Wanted, SITUA TIONS for a few Good Ploughmen. Apply Herald Registry. 421 c Qi OHOOL Requisites and Artist M vte n rials. H. M. JONES, Statin ier, Baring Square. « WANTED KNOWN—That 0. Haw kins, The Tinwald Bootmaker, has REMOVED to pi'emises 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 LOST —Between Saunders’ Buildings and Mill Bridge, a CARRIAGE WHIP. Apply, Office this paper. 426 c WANTED— Smart ERRAND BOY.— Apply OFFICE and Pocket Diaries for 1880 H. M. Jones, Stationer, Baring Square. WANTED Known, the “Ashburton Herald ” circulates throughout the Provincial District of Canterbury. HINIQUY’S LECTURES.—Just Ar rived, New Edition H. M. Jones, aring Square. -£i o lino TO . lend > in su i ns to o&J-'Uj’U'U'U' suit borrowers, at lowest rate of interest. F. P. O’Reilly, Solicitor, Ashburton. 424c-S3sg CHRISTMAS Number Young Ladies, Journal, London Journal, Family Herald, Family Reader, Boys’ Standard, &c. Just arrived. H. M. Jones, Sta tioner, Baring Square. ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. finENDERS are invited for the supply of 1000 yards of SHINGLE, to be delivered in East and Tancred streets. Specifications may be seen at the Borough Council Offices, and the tenders, enclosing a guarantee deposit of five pounds (£5) to be delivered at the Town Clerk’s office, on or before noon of TUESDAY, May 11th. The lowest or any tender will not necessarily be accepted, FOOKS & SON, Borough Engineers. 829g-437c