POST OFFICE NOTICES.

Mails leave the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at 10.20 a.m. 4 p.rn., and 7.30 p.ni., daily. For Cbertsey at 10.20 a.m oaily. For Rakaia at 10.20 a.m and 4 p.m Gaily. For Dunedin, Timvald Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Chari, Winchester, and Gera ’.dine, at 10.20 a.m, daily. For Temuka. Tirnarn, and South at 10.20 a.m and 3 p.m daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton rorks, -Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10.30 a.m For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at .15 p.m. daily. For Wakanui and Seafield, on Mondays and. Thursdays, 7.30 p.m.

Sydney J. Dick, Chief Postmaster.

Mails close at the Chief Post' Office, Christchurch for the following places (subiect to necessary alterations) as under

; ’ . Friday, Jaw. 9. For Northern ports and Australian colonies, via Sydney, per Rotorua.

v The next mail for the United Kingdom, via Brindisi, will be closed at Christchurch on January 16th, and will be due in London on March 4th. Tire next mail for the United Kingdom via San Francisco will be closed at Christ church, on January 31st, and will be due in London on March 16th.

UNCLAIMED LETTERS. The following is a list of letters from places beyond the colony received at the Ashburton Post Office during the month of November, and remaining unclaimed on Ist January, 1880 Appleton, Geo. Bishop, Jas. Dalton, Thop. Firinerty, John Gibson, Jas. (2) Jackson, Davich Reilly, Jas. Ross, Alexi\ Selby, A. • Sier, William Sturgeon, Mrs. J.

ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST.

MEMORANDA.

MEETINGS, &c. January B—General Meeting Ashburton A. and P. Association. January 19 —Adjourned Meeting Mount Somers Road Board.

DEATH

Page.— On Jan. 7, Maud Ester Matilda, aged 2 years 4 months, eldest daughter of William Charles Page, Moore street, Ashburton.

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

Fire Brigade. —Tlie regular meeting of Ashburton Fire Brigade was held last night, at the Borough offices, Captain Compton in the chair. A report was read from Lieutenat Dolman re the well at Saunders’ buildings, stating that the sup ply was ample. Some routine business having been transacted, it was resolved to have a supper in celebration of the anni versary of the Brigade, on the first Tues day in February, and to,ask the co-opera tion of the Fire Police. Arrangements were made to issue certain tickets of in vitation, the general arrangements being left to the Standing Committee for the month. Presbyterian Meeting at, Mount Somers. —The Presbyterians at Mount Somers held a meeting at the schoolroom on Monday evening to elect a Committee for the ensuing year, and to consider the proposal of the Rev. B. J. Westbrooke to hold monthly services. A Committee was duly elected, to decide on the matter at a meeting to be held on Monday, 19th Inst., to make the necessary arrange ments. Cambridge School Committee. —A meeting of the Cambridge School Com mittee was held at Mr. Megson’s house, on the 7th January. Present —Messrs. J. Megson (Chairman), Watkin, Loyd, Ashton, Margetts, and Dale. The Chair man read the correspondence from the Board of Education re appointment of Mr. Williamson as master of the Cambridge school, and re fencing, painting, &c. It was resolved that the Committee approve of the business done by the Chairman since the last meeting, and that the Chair man, upon receipt of the sanction of the Board for the painting, let the same, and aiso the fencing. Resolved that the schoolmaster’s duties commence on the ; Ist of February, 1880. The master then interviewed the Committee as to books and other matters. Besolved that the Chairman arrange for a supply. After a vote of thanks to the Chairman, the Com mitte adjourned. Cetewayo an M.P. !—The very free and independent voters of Tipperary (writes “Atlas” in the “World”), the men who returned O'Donovan Rossa while he was in prison, and John Mitchel while he was in exile, have an idea of a daring originallity—one which leaves Dr. Keneaiy’s notion of the Orton candidature completely in eclipse. They propose, I am credibly informed, to put up Cetewayo as the man of their choice at the coming general election. His recommendations are fourfold. He is a Home Ruler, he is an enemy to the bloated British Empire, he is a captive, and as hissppeeches in the House would have to be interpreted, sentence by sentence, he would be in valuable as an auxiliary to Mr. Biggarand the Blue Books in a match against time and the Ministry. Sir Julius "Vogel. —A London corres pondent thus writes to a Sydney paper : —The Few Zealand Agent-Gensral, Sir Julius Vogel, is doing his utmost to secure the good will of the electors of Falmouth. 111 the outward-bound emigrant ships to ti is colony now stop there, and the other da be persuaded Mr. William Inman (of the lonian line of ISf.S. packets), to pay kl, e ..town a visit, with a view to seeing whet, ber it would not make an eligible voice f call xor Atlantic, steamers. Fal mouth bas a splendid harbor.

TELEGRAPHIC.

TO-DAY’S CABLEGRAMS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[Reuter's.) London, Jan. 6,

In consequence of the excitement of a tenant, serious riots occurred to-day at ConnQmara, in Ireland. The police fired upon and bayonetted the rioters, who were ultimately dispersed. None were killed, but several were wounded. Beuxjx, Jan. 5. The “North German Gazette” pub lishes an article to-day in which it is stated that Germany warmly supported Sir Henry Layard, the British ambassador at Constantinople, during iiis recent rupture with the Porte. The affair is likely to bring about a closer understanding be tween England and Germany.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

TO-DAY’S TELhXxRAMS.

Auckland, Jan. 7. Government are issuing summonses against land tax defaulters. Sir Wm. Manning, senior judge of New South Wales, arrived in the Zealandia. He makes a tour of this Colony.

The Bank of New Zealand shipped L 20,000 worth of gold to Sydney yester day. Colonel Scratcliley, who arrived from Sydney yesterday, goes South in the Rin garooma to-morrow. By request of Go vernment he will inspect Lyttelton and Dunedin harbors with a view to defence, and return to Auckland. Wellington, Jan. 7.

Fifteen families, principally miners, who landed at Nelson from London re cently, with the intention of proceeding to the West Coast, have refused to go there, and -arrived here this morning en route for Christchurch.

The native lad Toko Mace, convicted of horse stealing, was sentenced to two years in Burnham Reformatory. Mark* Bryott, for forgery, was sentenced to two years.

The Bankruptcy Court certificate of John Owen, formerly of the Melbourne Hotel, was suspended for four months through his neglect to keep books.

Dunedin, Jan. 7

The criminal sessions concluded last night, a Chinaman receiving 18 months for forgery. The telegraph strike is ended here. St. Matthew’s bazaar realised L6OO.

AUSTRALIAN

LAST NIGHT’S CABLEGRAMS,

(Reuter s Telegram.) Melbourne, Jan. 5.

Sailed—Arawata.

A movement is on foot at Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney, for the relief of the Irish distress.

Sydney, Jan 6.

The Executive Council to-day declined to commute the sentence of death passed upon Scott and Rogan, the Wantabadgery bushrangers.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

LAST NIGHT’S TELEGRAMS,

Auckland, Jan. G.

Pastor Chiniquy’s lecture at Otahuhu passed off quietly without disturbance. 100 Orangemen from Auckland, duly equipped, were distributed in the hall, as well as 25 Constabulary under Superin tendent Thompson and Sub-Inspeetoi Pardy. The Constabulary returned to Auckland at midnight by special train. It is believed that these measures effectually dispelled any notion of violence if it ever existed.

The body of Mr. Thomas’ son, two years of age, has been recovered in the Waikato river. He was accidentally drowned on December 21.

His Excellency the Governor returned last night from Waikato, and left Manu kau in the Hinemoa for Wellington this afternoon. It is reported that Sir H. Robinson has offered 500 guineas for Mr. Walters’ colt Libeller. It is not very pro bable that Mr. Walters will sell him, as he is in very light for the Dunedin Cup. At the Supreme Court sessions, Francis Montague Pemberton was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for embezzle ment on Mr. Morris of the “New Zea land Hei’ald,” on three charges, sentence to run concurrently. He w r as recom mended to mercy by the jury on account of his wife and family. King, for unlaw fully wounding, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment. A disgraceful scene took place at the meeting of the Parnell Borough Council, some of the Councillors nearly coming to blows. Councillor Melton got up to speak, and the Mayor and Councillors left the meeting. Grajiamstown, Jan. G. Pastor Chinquy opens here on Jan. 18, and a committee i 3 being formed to pro tect him. Alburnia shares are falling, notwith standing the dividend of 20s. It has been suggested that as there is a difference of opinion as to the speed of coasting steamers, the Auckland Regatta Committe should offer a prize to be con tested for between , imported and locally built steamboats. The sixth annual session of Good Tem plar Grand Lodges of New Zealand com menced its sitting to-day, at the Templar Flail, Thames, when about 30 representa tives from subordinate Lodges situated in different parts of the colony were present. The G. W, C. Templar, the Hon. Sir W. Fox, of Wanganui, is prevented from being present "by serious illness. In his absence, the chair was occupied by Mr. W. Johnson, the G.W. 0. Councillor from Wellington. The programme provides for the Grand Lodge sitting four days, hold ing of public temperance meetings on Wednesday .evening and social meetings of members on Thursday or Friday. Napier, Jan. G. A gentleman who has been all round Flawke’s Bay informs the “ Herald ” that rust is not nearly so common as is gene rally supposed ; only a few fields of wheat and oats here and there been at tacked. Bailey is quite free, and heavy crops are anticipated. It is noticeable that the wheat on the hills has suffered quite as much as that on the flat from rust.

Wellington, Jhi i. 6. At the Supreme Court to-day Thomas Wisdom, alias Ramsay, was sentenced to nine months' imp l Juonment for larceny; J. G. Lee, alias Webb, alias Smith, con victed of larceny, to two years. j\ Nicholson, for embezzlement, was ac quitted, but another charge will be pre ferred against him. Dennis M‘G rmack, for unlawfully wounding, was found guilty, and remanded for sentence. Wil liam Hales, for dual voting, was found guilty of the offence, but with no wilful intent. His Honor inflicted a fine of L2O; the fine not to be estreated until the opinion of the Appeal Court had been ob tained on several points of law raised by defendant’s counsel.

At the Police Court George W. Beer was charged with concealing portions of his estate from the creditors’ trustee. Accused was committed for trial.

At the Compensation Court to-day the Wellington Corporation was mulcted in damages for injury sustained by several property holders, owing to the Corpora tion lowering Willis street. Nelson, Jan. 6.

A little girl under three years of age, whose parents reside at Toi Toi Valley, before the latter rose, obtained possession of a box of matches, and dressed in her nightgown, was playing with them out side the house, when her night-dress caught fire. The child’s screams caused her father to run out, who got his hands much burned in extinguishing the flames. The child died from the efiects of the burns this morning, although medical aid was procured at once. An inquest will be held to-night. A boy named Hamilton was seriously scalded while sitting on the wharf, fishing, alongside the s.s. Taiaroa. Mr. Lowe, the second pilot, was showing a party of visitors the new windlass, and on starting it, the hoy, who was opposite the steam pipe, was blown back on the wharf, his face, chest, abdomen, and legs all being severely scalded. Remedies were im mediately applied, and the boy was wrapped in a blanket and taken home. Blenheim, J an. 6.

The Borough Council to-night accepted a proposal for establishing gas works in Blenheim, made by Mr. Hutchison, C.E., of Dunedin.

Dunedin, Jan. 11

Anglin has been convicted of perjury, and sentenced to three years’ hard labor. The Rev. Arthur Graves has been con victed of forgery, and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. Ah Foo, charged with forgery, was sentenced to eighteen months’ hard labor. No bills were re turned against the lads Thoms and Stafford, for arson at Otaria. The Grand Jury were then discharged.

Between LI3OO and LI4OO was taken in gate money at the Caledonian gathering. At a full meeting of the Committee of the Dunedin Jockey Club on Monday evening last, the action taken by the Stewards of the late meeting in calling upon the Ilandicapper, Mr. Moore, to re sign, was reported to the Committee and fully discussed. After a number of motions had been discussed, the following were passed :—1 “ That the Committee, while endorsing the action of Stewards of the late meeting in dispensing with the duties of the Handicapper, are of opinion that it was nor within their power to ap point a permanent Handicapper for the Club (2) That Mr. Moore be re-ap pointed Handicapper to the Club until the end of the financial year.” The first motion was carried unanimously, and the second by 7 votes to 4. Mr. Hazlett, Vice-President of the Club, lias resigned in consequence.

Mr. Keith Ramsay was to-day elected Chairman of the Otago Harbor Board.

A Disputed Quarter, Lb. The “ South Canterbury Times ” has the fol lowing A good story reaches us from Aibuxy. Two residents who came into Timaru on New Year’s Day, “just for a little bit of divarshin’, like,” after seeing the spores and enjoying themselves all day in town, returned to their peaceful homes by the afternoon train. In con sequence of imbibing during the day, and also on their arrival in Albury “not wisely, but too well,” our friends got just a little mixed in their ideas. One of them purchased a quartern loaf in Albury, and this loaf, alas ! formed at once .food for argument. The purchaser argued that it weighed 41bs. His friend, ready to deny anything, insisted that its weight was but 31b and f. “ Then let us go and have out the other quarter,” quoth the man with the bread. No sooner said than done. At it they went, each man bent on forcibly convincing his friend of his ignorance of weights and measures. After knocking each other about for some minutes, during which time, to use the graphic expression of a bystander “they knocked fits out of each other,” they got tired of fistcuffs, and shook hands. Those two revellers are the best of friends now, but weights and measuies are never re ferred to by either.

A Maori Abduction.—A curious case of abduction of. a European girl by a Maori is reported from Clive. The girl who is the only daughter of a man named Thakson, and is only eleven years of age, states that about 8 p.m. on New Year’s eve she went down the Pakorahai road in company with another little girl, and as she was returning home she was met by a Maori, who took her under his arm and carried her to a whare, where he fastened her in, but did not in any way assault her. She remained there all night, but be tween 5 and 6 o’clock in the morning she took a knife which she saw in the whare cut the rope which fastened the door, and returned home. The girl’s father having made complaint about the matter at the Clive police station, a constable proceeded on New Year’s day to the Maori pah at Kohup&i. lie was accompanied by the girl, but she was unable to say positively which was the whare she had been kept in. Constable Matley considered that the fright the girl had received prevented her identifying the whare, but he be lieved her story to be true, and that he would be enabled to discover the Maori who committed the abduction.

Prince Bismarck.— The news (says the “Cologne Gazette”) which is received from Varzin respecting the German Chancellor’s state of health, continues without varia tion of an unfavorable character. Prince Bismarck suffers the most acute pains, and the recent death of the Minister Billow, who had been so long and intimately as sociated with the Chancellor, has increased his depression of spirits. Among other utterances of Prince Bismarck ol : late ho is reported to have said that, “ if his pre sent condition should continue, he felt he should soon share Billow’s fate.”

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL

The usual monthly meeting of the County Council whs Jield to day. Pre sent—Messrs. W. C. Walker (Chairman), E. G. Wright, Alfred Saunders John, Grigg, Duncan Cameron, Julian Jackson, andE. S Costor. tUIAIRMAST’s STATEMENT.

I beg to congratulate tlie Council on taking via '.session of their new offices— on taking over the Chambers I insured them in the Union Insurance Company for L 709, the residence has also been in sured for L(j 50. Mr. Murray -Ay usley has signified his willingness to meet the

Council in matter of exchange of land for the road to for the southern approach to the Rakaia Gorge bridge. On receipt of this letter I instructed the Engineer to call for tenders for the work of forming the road, there will be before you to-day ! for your consideration. The Hospital being so near completion, I obtained the

services of a caretaker for that building, so long as he is required until' the matter of forming a staff for working purposes has been arranged for. 1 should ask you to-day to state the office hi which you wish the above to be insured. A report

on the building from the architect will be laid before you. I have entered into an agreement with the owner of the land on the Forks side of the Ashburton for the purchase of the necessary land to form the approach to the bridge at Dig by b. Cheque for the amount agreed on on the certificate of the solicitor will be placed before you to-day for your signature. The Govern ment have gazetted SO acres as Ferry De serve Lower Ilangitata. This acreage contains the ferry house, which will, I presume, be now available for the use of the authorised ferry mad, The County Valuer has delivered duplicate copies of the valuation lists of the different Road Boards in the County, and most of the Road Boards had been supplied with their several copies as there is a difficulty in obtaining copies of “ The Canterbury Trespass of Cattle Ordinance, 1872,” for the use of the poundkeepers and others. I wrote to the Selwyn, Akaroa, and Wai mate County Councils asking them if in conjunction with the Council they would share the expense of printing 500 copies

of that ordinance. The Sehvyn and Akaroa Councils have agreed to the ar rangement, and I think the Waimate Council will also agree to it. Tenders for the erection of the bridge near Pudding Hill and of the pound at South Rakaia will be before you to-day. Several re newal slaughter-house licenses will also be placed before you for your approval or otherwise. The Inspector of slaughter houses just before his serious illness,

seriously reported to the club that the ladders of slaughter-house licenses were conducting business satisfactorily. engineer's report. Ashburton, 7th January 1880. I have the honor to report on the fol lowing works : I. South Approach to Rakaia Gorge Bridge, I have prepared plans, sections, and specifications for this approach, copies of which have been on view at the Council’s offices here and also at Road Board office. Rakaia, for the use of intending contrac tors, and tenders for the works will be laid before the Council to-day. With

reference to t-lie report of the Committee, laid before the Council at last meeting, suggesting an alteration of a portion of the recent work, about two miles from the ferry, I find the improvement required can be obtained by altering the gradients merely, without any alteration of the line of road. I have proposed sections accord ingly, and tenders for this work will also be placed before you to day. 2. Pound, South Rakaia. In accordance with instructions received from the Council, I have made out plans and specifications for this pound, tenders fur which are also called for to-day. These will include the cost of sub-division fences for eight acres of ground pertaining to the pound. y. The Pound Near Walerton. will be finished about the end of this week. y. Bridge for .North Ashburton River, Near Pudding Hill. Tenders for this bridge will be laid before you to-day. S- Bridge oz’er North Ashburton River, ai Rigby's. Considerable progress lias been made with this structure since the last meeting of Council, although some delays have also taken place during that time, arising partly from the flooded state of the river, but due principally to an insufficient supply of timber for the super-structure. The reason for this assigned by the con tractor being his inability to procure rail way trucks for conveying tbe timber from Oxford. Twenty-four of the piers have been securely driven. I have in hand the preparation of sections, &c., for the approaches to this bridge, and beg to request the Council’s sanction for the calling of tenders for these against their next meeting.

6. Bi idgc over Taylor's Stream. The pile-driving for this bridge has latterly become less difficult as the work has extended into the bed of the stream, and operations are now proceeding satis factorily. Seventeen of the piers are in place, and good progress has been made with the super-structure. 7. Bridge over South Ashburton River , Mount Somers. The contractor has lost no time in get forward the ironbark and other material for this bridge, a large quantity of which lias just been unloaded at Tinwald, ready to be convej'ed to the site of bridge. 8. Forks Protective Works. The recent floods have interfered con siderably with the progress of these works, and have also necessitated some slight modification of th : plans, but I do not anticipate that on the whole any extra ex pense will result from this, so far as the Council are concerned, although some of the contractors must have suffered loss in carrying out the work under circumstances so disadvantageous. The state of the river is now very favorable for continuing the works, and these should be pushed forward to completion without delay. At your request I have, in company with a deputation from the Upper Ash burton .Road Board, examined a few points for river protection not previously re ported on, and which it appears that Board meant to be included in the present scheme. The chief of these is a gap in the Fork Ashburton river, which opens into an old creek below the Winch more Road. It is certainly of small extant, but, as it might Lecom.© dangerous, I arranged to have it shut up at once, Tl-e other portion is on the north bank of the

South Ashburton river, on the upper side of road leading to Mr. Reed’s mill. The property threatened there extends for a mile or so up the river, and is about half a mile in width, but it is situated entirely in the old river bod, and quite on a level with the present channel of the river, .liter fully examining that portion of the river bed which is situated between the present channel and the terrace (which forms the natural boundary of the river) the deputation seemed to think it would be highly impudent to enter on protective works to any considerable ex tent at that place, or in,places similarly situated below the terraces of tiie _river. They wish, however, to secure the road at the entrance to the river, by placing faggots, &c., in some portions of the river bank adjoining the road. The expense of this, and the cutting of a small grip in the river there, should not exceed L3O, and 1 would suggest that the Road Board cany out that protection themselves, even if the Council should think proper to eon tribute half the expense, or Ll 5 towards it. '

g. Drainage Map. I have not been sib].? to devote much time lately to the compilation of a County drainage map, but I have, at intervals, done something towards it, by levelling over several miles in the Wheatstone and and Ashton districts, and fixing bench marks there, more especially with the view of carrying on the details of the scheme lately leported on for that district. I shall continue to prosecute this work every available opportunity, but if the Council determine to have it carme'd through within an early period, and without inter mission, I hope they will consider the propriety of granting me the services of an assistant engineer for a time, or other wise get part of the work done by contract, as the extent is s ueh that one person un aided could not hope to overtake it all satisfactorily in addition to supervising the other works now being undertaken by the Council in the various districts of the County. 10. I have granted certificates of pay ments due to contractors for works executed since last meeting of Council. William Baxter, County Engineer. - PROTECTIVE WORKS.

It was resolved that the means of pay ment for the protective works on the Upper Ashburton be determined prior to the settlement of accounts with the Upper Ashburton Road Board for the con struction of the bridge at Digby’s. the County Hospital.

Mr. J. Stanley Bruce, architect of the County Hospital, reports on the various works in connection with it. On the future extension of the hospital he sug gested the building of a ward with re quisite accessories, corresponding ex ternally to present private and public wards, capable of holding 24 beds, and having a temporary division in tliE centre, so that it could vir ually be utilized as two wards, one beingan accident ward. With perhaps the addition of au isolated lever ward, the hospital would then be surli eieut for the county’s requirements fur a considerable period. If the suggested ex tension should be made, the present public ward would be tiie best to utdize as a ward for females. The architect be iieved the six private wards provided vvoulu be a great boon to the public, and thougut tneir existence should be made widely known throughout the country, as they ohght to be a source of profit to the insituxion. There was no building in the township more requiring to be lighted with gas than the hospital, but the Gas Company was unwilling to go to the cost of Lboo lor laying mains for the sole supply of this building. The architect suggested that the usual course was for the parties interested to pay a fair proportion of the cost of laying mains, so that gas might be introduced. Regarding the work of building, Mr. Bruce complimented the builder, Mr. Oarleton, for the satis factory carrying out of his contract, and in retlard to the Council offices he saw he co uli not ascribe too much praise to Mr. Jbatv d Lusk, and the geutlemen who had acted as Clerk of Works for the manner in which the building had been com pleted. Regarding the gas- mains, it was re solve,! to write to the Gas Company to as certain the cost of laying the mains.

THE RACECOERSE. The members of the Racing Club Com mittee petitioned the County Council for a lease of tlie racecourse, at a nominal rent, for a term of years. They were in formed that it had been vested in the Council, and owing to a mistake in the Land Office the reserve had been gazetted for recreative purposes, and not for racing purposes. The Club had expended L 317 12s. 3d. in improving the reserve, which comprised 1-ifi acres, and they desired a lease so that they might be enabled the more safely to make such further improve ments as may be necessary. Mr. Wright was of opinion that the racecourse should be leased to the Com mittee at a nominal rental, but a condi tion should be laid down that any charges fixed for the admission of the public, Ac., should first receive the sanction of the Council.

It was ultimately decided to lease the gvound for a term of 14 years at ten pounds per annum, that sum to be ex pended annually in planting, and the Council also to reserve the right of re vising the price of admission of the pub lic to the races charged by the Club. HIGH SCHOOL. The Secretary to the Board of Educa tion wrote informing the Council that they would shortly have to exercise their privilege of nominating two members of the Ashburton High School Board in terms of section 3 of the Ashburton High School Act, 1878. Messrs. Wright and Saunders were appointed members of the Board of Directors. rooms. Mr. W. Price, pound keeper, asked for a reduction on the amount of his rent of the Ashburton Pound, seeing that other pounds were being erected in tire district. It was resolved to consider the applica tion after the new pounds were opened. The Mount Hutt Road Board wrote asking that a pound be established in that district. The Clerk was instructed to ascertain where the Board wanted the pound erected, and the acreage required. RIVER PROTECTION CONTRACTS.

Mr. Wiiiiam Sutherland wrote asking the Council to consider the loss he has sustained in completing the contract No. 1 of the River Protection Works at the North branch of the Ashburton, owing to the late floods. He also asked for an ex

tension of time for the completion of No. 3 contract. An l extension of three months was allowed on No. 3 contract, but the Council declined to meet Mr. Sutherland’s refer ence as to damages.

Hamarkiible Discoveries at Pompeii.

The eighteenth hundredth anniversary of the destruction of Pompeii has been celebrated by 'a great gathering from all parts of Europe, and after some introduc tory speeches men were set to work to open up several parts of the buried city. A correspondent of the “ Times” says it is impossible to describe the intense ex pectation on every" face as the first picks struck the ground, or the scene around .. each place to be excavated. Crowds were’ pressing round every opening ; people were perched all along the tops of the broken walls to the imminent peril of their limbs, and groups were thickly gathered along the higher unexcavated fevel and on every other point of vantage. Each room to be excavated had been cleared of the upper falling-in, leaving about 4ft. to be removed. The indica tions given by the preparatory work in one of the larger rooms having been par ticularly favorable, :* I took my station there, and witnessed in the course of three hours, as the various objects peeped , forth from the scoriae one by one and were taken up, such a revelation as I shall never forget. For the first five minutes there was a breathless silence as the men. worked ; then, as the scoriae fell away, part of a green object became visible. In a moment the workmen’s, hands had cleared the space around it, and amid deafening cheers a small bronze horse, nine inches in length, was held aloft. Then a large amphora appeared ; .then two bronze vases, one with handles ; then a large iron key, and as each in turn was lifted high for all to see, “ Bene, bene !” burst in a chorus of hearty satisfaction from the people. A list, with the briefest description of the things which then fol lowed in rapid succession, would fill a column. There were at least a dozen bronze vases of different shapes, sizes, and uses, with or without handles, and in one a number of bronze coins oxydised together, and many other coins were found at intervals during the excavation. There were many handsome bronze fibulae, several bronze bracelets, a number of rings, many terracotta vases, tazze, and amphorae, and a remarkable number of little terra-cotta water cups for bird cages, various kitchen utensils, a spit, forks and knives of iron, a bronze bottle, a number of little bronze bells, a dagger with ivory handle, a bronze casserole, and a terra cotta money-box. After these and many more objects, of which trayful after tray ful was carried away, had been taken out, a mass of black material appeared, which, falling to pieces, proved on examination to be beans ; then a quantity of millet and hemp seeds, with considerable remains of the sacks which had contained them, the carbonised wood of grain bins and of a barrel with iron hoops, and great masses of the beams of the upper floor, suffi ciently- solid, but entirely carbonised like charcoal. Among these remains a splen did candelabrum was come upon, but its tall, slender, fluted stem was broken. In short, from noon till three o’clock a con tinued succession of objects were revealed, almost more rapidly than I could note them down. The mere names and briefest memoranda filled sixteen pages in a large note book. Some of the rooms revealed nothing, others a few bronze and terra cotta vessels ; bnt in one room a skeleton was found, and in the smallest chamber opened, four were discovered huddled to- . getlier.

Rcssian Cruisers. —No one can sup pose (remarks the “ Pall Mall Budget ”) that the steady increase of the Russian squadron of swift cruisers in the Pacific Ocean has been affected with a view to peace, in those waters. Russia ha 3no commerce thereabouts worth speaking of, and before the despatch of the vessels recently sent thither she was quite strong enough not only to protect her own in terests but to inflict considerable injury upon any antagonist. Neither Afghani stan nor Austro-German arrangements ought to divert public attention in this country from the far East. Whether the powerful Russian squadron has been rein forced with a view to the misunderstand ing between China and Japan, or whether this lias been done in order to act promptly in the event of European com plications, it equally behoves our Govern ment not to be taken unawares. Ordinary prudence would counsel the immediate strengthening of our altogether insuffi cient squadron in the Pacific.

The Totalisator. — The following is a copy of the Act recently passed in South Australia, and assented to by the Governor, Sir William F. Drummond Jervois, legalising of the use of the total isator : “An Act to Remedy Some of the Evils Arising from Betting at Races, —(Assented to 25th' October, 1879.) — Whereas great evils have resulted from rash and indiscriminate betting at races, and young men and others are often tempted bv reason of uncertainty of losing, and the chance of winning, to make bets which, if lost, are wholly be yond their means to pay, and in order to pay the same resort to criminal means of obtaining money ; And whereas the use of the totalisator would tend to diminish betting by giving young men and others a pecuniary interest in raceß without the evils incident to indiscrimin ate betting : Be it therefore enacted by the Governor of the province of Soqt]j Australia, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and House of Assembly of the said province, in this present Parliament assembled, as follows: —1. From and after tlie passing of this Act the instrument or cqrffrivanpp for wagering or betting known as the totalisator, or any other machine or in strument of a like nature, and conducted upon the same principles, shall, when used uder the auspices of, and with the permission of, any duly recognised rac ing chib, upon any public racecourse, be exempted from the provisions of the Lot tery and Gaming Act, 1875, and no house, office, room, or place on any race course used for the purposes aforesaid shall be held to be within the provisions of the Act : Provided that not more than one such totalisator, machine, or in strument shall be authorised or used upon such racecourse at any one time. In the name and on behalf of Her Majesty, I hereby assent to tliis Bill.”

WedU3&SJH< J ANUAKV f-, . _*u_. . T!~

THE ASHBURTON HERALD,



Butter, inferior to best -1? ft> s. 1 d. 0 to J. 0 d. 9 $ dozen - 1 3 to 0 0 Cheese, prime quality, 1? lb 0 9 to I 0 Bacon, prime smoked, lb 0 9 to I 0 Hams ip cloth, 1? lb - 1 0 to I 4 Flour in bags, $ ioolb 14 6 to 0 0 Oatmeal. $ 25th - 6 6 to 0 0 Lard, H? tb - - 0 Q to 0 0



'New Advertisements. JF you want a CBEAP SUIT OF CLOTHES go to G. J. lb LUBLOW, T A I L O E I S' (I DEPOT. Triangle, Ashburton, Between Post Office ami Baldwin’s Central Hotel. G. J. F. Lublow, importing bis own goods, is enabled t hereby to make as Cheap a,Suit of Clot! les as any tailor in Hew Zealand, and a First-class FIT is Guaranteed. Terms—Strictly Cash. 5 per cent. Discoirat off all Orders Paid IN ADVANCE. 813 a Y. im\ b. X . IN BANRRUPTCY. 'TVTOTTCE —T'ne ‘ ‘ Ass burton Herald ’ IN is a Gazette for all » otxces under the Debtors and Creditors A ets. •AH HBU ,R TDK H ERAL D, Publishe d Ds ily. QI RBSCIIIBERS are rec guested to make known any irregularit y .711 the delivery, whether in Town or C< »unt ty, which shall be immediately remedies L Country Sub ■ bribers along the Wak; inili Road to the '• *' V . . • • school, thence to SeafieL 1, Cam bridge, and Nhwiand, are supplied by tht ! mail-cart every Tuesday und Frid mEAGHEES can ob‘ jaia the A. tULTI JL PLICATION T A2 BLEB, prin ted on •gummed' paper, in an; y quantity ."d the Herald Oib.ce, East street, ne;n the Hallway Station. npHE Cheap Advertis< ,>r-— the Ashburv on J. Herald with its 2 ; )-words tariff. N T js only a Penny, I S b where in Town, : linp,\a!jd of t-'A Count] yyo USEMAI DS L • Housemaid for • IJ s to be got every thing the Railway y Agents. The Herald asks rou in *2O words for f3 POMISSO R Y Not ;e Forms, in Books jj ■or 20, uustampc id, for sale at the H eba'i.iV Ofac'e. Price, (id. -each.



New Advertisements. FRUIT, CONFECTIONERY, &c., &c. NOW OPEN. F. FURNESS OEGS to inform the public of Ash -13 burton that he has just opened a NEW STOCK OF FRUIT AND CONFECTIONERY IN THE SHOP NEXT TO HODDER & CO.’S, Saunders’ New Buildings, EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. Oranges, Lemons, Apples, Dates, Nuts, Almonds, Confectionery, Biscuits, &c., &c., &o. 678 a IF you want anything known, put it in the “ Herald ” —Twenty Words for a S hilling. TENDERS.



rjpENDERS will be received up to MONDAY, the 12th JANUARY, for STOOKING 900 acres of WHEAT at Sherwood. F. B. PASSMORE, 907 a Rakaia P. O. rnHE PARTNERSHIP hitherto exist- X mg between the undersigned as Barristers and Solicitors is this day DIS SOLVED by mutual consent. Ashburton, January 6th, 1880. F. P. O’REILLY, 906 a C. W. IRELAND. T7STANTED—A First- class Cook. Apply » * at once, to Butler’s Family Hotel, Ashburton. 905 a WANTED— COOK and NURSE MAID. Apply to Mrs. Bran soy, Ait ken street, Ashburton. 890 a mO TAILORS WANTED, JOUR -1 NEYMEN, also a Good COAT HAND. Apply to Mr. Ruxton, T. R. Holder and Company. 880 a WANTED, a good strong BOY, to Milk, and make himself useful at Westerfield. Apply Herald office. 898 a