COMMERCIAL.

POST OFFICE NOTICES.

The next mail for the United Kingdom, via San Francisco, will be closed at Christ church on March 27th, and will be due in London on May 11th. SYDNEY J. DICK, Chief Postmaster.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at 10.20 a.m. 4.30 p.m., and 8 p.m., daily. For Chertsey at 10.20 a.m daily. For Rakaia at 10.20 a.m and 4.30 p.m daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.20 a.m, daily. For Temuka. Timaru, and South at 10.20 a.m and 3.30 p.m daily. Fof Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10.30 a.m For Ashton, Waterloo, and. Longbeach, at 3.15 p.m. daily. For Wakanui and Seafield, on Mondays and Thursdays, 7.30 p.m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SAXE. T o - M o r r o tV .

By Mr. A. Harrison, at his rooms, Have lock street —Book Debts, Mare, Sun dries. By Messrs. Edmiston Bros, and Gun dry, at their Rooms, East street, at 2 o’clock —I,OOO Pot Plants.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 1880.

Tiie . San Francisco Mail.— The Wai taki, with the San Francisco mail, is de layed at Manakau, bar-bound, through stress of weather.

The Libel Case.—The case of alleged

libel, at the instance of Mr. E. G. Crisp, Borough solicitor, against Mr. Joseph Ivess, printer of the “ Ashburton Mail,” is being heard to-day. The case is causing a considerable amount of interest, the Court being quite crowded. Quite a long list of witnesses have been subpoenaed, amongst whom are all the members of the Borough Council. Mr. Branson is con ducting the case for Mr. Crisp, and Mr. Ivess is, as usual, acting as his own lawyer. The case is proceeding while we go to press. Civil Cases. A number of not very important civil cases were heard at the R.M. Court to-day, details of which are held over. Military Fete. —A grand military fete, comprising cavalry tournament, &c., has been arranged to take place at the grounds of the Agricultural and Pastoral Associa tion, Christchurch, on Saturday, March 27th. Arrival of the Mataura. —The New Zealand Shipping Company, Limited, has received cable advice from London of the arrival of the Mataura, all well, after a passage of seventy-nine days from Port Chalmers. Pedestrianism. —Mr. F. Simpkins, at Hagley Parle course on Thursday, ran 440 yards in a minute with two seconds to spare, winning L 5 from a gentleman who backed time. Alleged Gambling.—A charge against Mr. Baldwin, of allowing gambling in his his house on the night of Feb. 28th was dismissed by the R. M. to-day. Drunks. —“jCaptain” Parker West and John Ryan paid the usual penalty to-day for drunkenness. Registration. —For neglecting to regis ter the birth of a child, Jas. Prendergast was to-day fined ss. by the R.M. The Unemployed at Dunedin.— Mr. Stewart, M.H.R., Dunedin, on Thurs day, received the following telegram from the Colonial Secretary : —“ The acting Minister for Works, I am informed, has instructed Mr. Blair to intimate that work on the Hindou section (Otago central railway) is open to men wanting employment, at rates by which ordinary men can earn 28s. per week if married, and 21s. if single. Ten ders will be called for rationing them, so that the Government shall be satisfied that there is a fair surplus for family and other uses. The tools are to be paid for by the men, but the cost will be repaid on their leaving the work, if in good order, de ducting a fair amount for the wear and tear.—(Signed) Thos. Dick.” The Waitaki County Council and the Unemployed. —At a meeting of the County Council on Thursday a resolution was carried to the effect that LIO,OOO of the funds of the Council should be de posited at interest. It was moved, as an amendment, that, in view of the large number of unemployed, the money should bo spent in road-making, but the amend ment was lost.

“Mrs. Brown”. —Arthur Sketchley gave his racy recapitulations of “ Mrs. Brown’s ” doings in the Town Hall last night to a very limited audience, hut the entertainment was much appreciated.

Riflemen Cricketers. —Eleven Nelson cricketers played twenty-two of the rifle men who attended the prize meeting, and heat them by 60, scoring 108 against the Volunteers’ 48. Found Drowned. —A man named William Bliston, providore of the Coro mandel, was found drowned in the Auck land graving dock on Thursday. It

is believed that the previous night he went down to the steamer, which is in dock, and in attempting to go on board fell off the the planking, struck the masonry, and was stunned and drowned. He leaves a wife and five children. 0 A Rowing Challenge. —White Bros., Auckland, publish a challenge to pull any four men in New Zealand the following three events at three months’ notice : Four-oar outriggers, with cox.: pair out rigger, without cox.; and single scullers’ race ; each event to be for £O6. The Weather. —To-day has been bl’igbt and warm, but last night was cold, wild, and stormy for a time, and a heavy rain fell. A pretty fierce south-west gale blew, which seems to have been experienced very generally o v er the island, though telegraphic reports state that it did little harm. It was severely felt at Lyttelton a telegram in forms us, and precautions were taken for the safety of shipping at the wharves. The vessels in the open harbor had timely warning, and the precautions taken had the effect of preventing any casualty, at least none are reported to-day. “Paddy’s Market.” —Stall-holders in the new “Paddy’s Market,” recently formed in the Christchurch market place have been served with notice from the City Council to-day, that they must sell no thing but fish, meat, farm, garden, and colonial produce.

TELEGRAPHIC.

TO-DAY’S CABLEGRAMS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE

(Reuter's. ) Arrival. London, March 9. Arrived —Ship Famenoth from Auck land (November 19th.)

AUSTRALIAN.

{Renta V.) Governor Weld. Melbourne, March 12. It is stated here that Governor Weld has accepted the Governorship of the Straits Settlements in succession to Sir Wm. Robinson, who has gone to Western Aus tralia. The Claud Hamilton. MacMeckan and Blackwood’s steamship Claud Hamilton lias been purchased by Nipper and See, produce merchants, of Sydney and Melbourne.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

I NTERPROVINOI AL,

Smart Volunteers.

Grahamstown, Feb. 12.

Colonel Leckie inspected the Naval and Scottish Volunteers last night. He said of the former that their proficiency took hint by surprise. He would forward a satisfactory report to Government. He complimented the Scottish on their steadi ness, knowledge of duty, and the lai-ge attendance. Rival Doctors. Two medical doctors have combined to freeze out a new arrival, Dr. Callan, by refusing to consult with him, or attend patients advised by him. A woman named Thomas died yesterday, upon whose body an inquest is to be held to-day, the said enquiry being instituted by Dr. Callan having attended the deceased. Mr. Rolleston. Mr. Rolleston is expected here to-day from Kati Kati. Gold.

New Whau shares are firm at 705., being an advance of 60s. in six months, the greatest advance in price on stock that has ever occurred on the Thames in the same time. Mr. Perry, promoter of the Blue Spur Tailings Company, demon strated here the practicability of the scheme suggested for the Blue Spur by washing the large gravel stones by water pressure.

The Railway Commission. Palmerston North, March 12,

A deputation from the Palmerston Borough Council waited on the Railway Commission this morning, and laid a number of statistics before it regarding the West Coast and Woodville lines. The members have gone by special coach to Bulls, to take evidence regarding the branch line.

LAST NIGHT’S CABLEGRAMS.

AUSTR AL IA IS!.

f Reuter's Telegrams.) £2,000 Solatium for Slander,

Sydney, March 11,

An action for £IO,OOO damages for slander, brought by the Hon. J. Shepherd, M.L.A., against Mr. J. R. Dibbs, mer chant, for uttering an alleged slander charging plaintiff with immoral conduct with Mrs. J. R. Dibbs, for whom he was acting as solicitor in a suit in the Divorce Court, has resulted in a verdict for the plaintiff, with £2OOO damages. The N.S.W. Stamps Bill. The Stamp Duties Bill, which was sent a second time to the Legislative Council, has been again rejected by that Chamber on constitutional points. In consequence of the Legislative Council’s rejection of the Stamp Bill, Sir H. Parlies intends to take action for the purpose of vindicating the privileges of the Assembly. A Projected Meat Freezing Company. Melbourne, Feb. 11.

A most enthusiastic meeting of those interested in pastoral affairs was held to day, for the purpose of promoting a com pany to engage in the meat freezing pro cess. After some discussion, the meeting was adjourned.

ALLEGED LIBEL.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT

ASHBURTON— Friday, March 10.

(Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.)

After the ordinary civil business of the court had been disposed of, the case of alleged libel against Mr. Joseph Ivess, at the instance of Mr. E. G. Crisp, Borough Solicitor of Ashburton, was proceeded with.

Joseph Ivess was charged with having published in the “ Ashburton Mail” of 25th Feb. ult. an article in which Mr. E. G. Crisp, Borough Solicitor of Ashburton, was accused of having misused his official powers by charging six shillings costs for writing a letter to a rate defaulter, and with being “ pavticep3 criminis” with the rate collector in extorting money.

Mr. Branson, of Messrs. Branson and Purnell, appeared for the complainant., and the defendant conducted his own case.

Mr. Branson, in opening the case, said that his firm had written to Mr. Ivess, asking him, to save expense, to admit being the publisher of the “ Ashburton Mail,” which Mr. Ivess had refused to do, and they had written to the registrar to send a certificated copy of the registra tion of the paper, but none had been sent.

Mr. H. B. Johnstone said he had been subptened. He did not know why ; but he certainly would ask for his expenses. Mr. Ivess said he would guarantee the expenses of Mr. Johnstone, and he would waive any legal points in the case on the matter of publication, admitting being publisher, proprietor, and printer of the paper, so as to facilitate the hearing of the case.

Mr. Branson then went into the case, and said a gross and unjustifiable libel had been committed on Mr. Crisp. He read the article., in question published in the “Mail” of February 25th. All through the article, lie . said, Mr. Crisp was accused of extorting money from ratepayers, and was charged with having misused his official powers. Mr. Branson called the attention of the Bench to clause 103 of the Municipal Corporations Act, by. which any officer of the Council was liable for a penalty of LIOO for any breach of this clause. Mr. Crisp was in the article charged with being “ particeps crim inis,” in a case of attempting to extort money from the ratepayers. All through the article there were the grossest libels, put in the most objectionable way. The pith of the article was an accusation against the rate collector of attempting to extort money from the ratepayers, and the Borough Solicitor was held to have been guilty of aiding and abetting him in the attempted extortions. Mr. Ivess admitted the publication of all papers hearing his imprint, and raised an objection to any other matter subse quent to the alleged libel being brought into the case, and quoted authorities on the subject. Mr. Branson quoted the law of libel to show that the libelous statement having been reiterated, such reiteration was taken as evidence of malice.

After argument, his Worship ruled that the subsequent issues of the paper could be put in. Mr. Branson then went on to say that no plea of justification could be put in. The offence was laid under an Imperial statute, and it was only for a jury to de termine whether the plea of justification could be heard and determined on. It was only competent for the Magistrate to say whether there was a prima facie case or not ; and he quoted authorities showing that Magistrates had no power in the matter, and were bound to commit. Mr. Ivess had a legal point to raise, but was stopped by Mr. Branson, and the defendant’s argument was not allowed to be heard at this period of the case. W. H. Zouch, sworn, said—l am a com mission agent resident in Ashburton. I have read the article headed “ Six Shil lings Costs” in-the “Mail” of Feb. 26th. It is a criticism on the action of Mr. Crisp and the Borough Rate Collector. I should think the article meant that the Borough Solicitor had aided and abetted the collector in extorting money from ratepayers. I should say the public would be led to believe by the publication of that article that Mr. Crisp had acted in a criminal manner, and I think the public, on reading the article in question would look upon Mr Crisp’s action as an unjust one. After reading the article, had I been a stranger, I would not have employed Mr. Crisp as my legal adviser. By Mr. Ivess—-I would not have em ployed Mr. Crisp after having read the article in question if the article were true. I am not in a position to say if the public have expressed approval or disapproval of the article. I take the definition of “ ex tortion ” to mean the obtaining of money the extortionists are not entitled to. The translation I put on the words “ particeps criminis ” that they mean a participator in the crime. Ido so from the context of the paragraph, the crime being the extor tion of money from ratepayers. Mr. Branson said lie would not call any further e\idence, as the article spoke for itself.

The Magistrate said Judge Johnson had laid down the rule to be that the accused could only address the Bench as to the insufficiency of evidence, and Mr. Ivess would have to confine his statements to that point. The Bench could not hear evidence as to the truth or otherwise of the statement.

Mr. Ivess said his intention was to call evidence in justification, and to prove that no malice was proved. If evidence were not permitted he would not have an op portunity of defending himself. He quoted from a recent case in which the Court of Queen’s Bench had .ruled that evidence could he given before a resident magistrate for defence in a libel case. If a prima facie case of pub lishing a libel were made out, it was then the duty of the sitting magistrate to com mit the accused for trial. He wished to call witnesses to prove the article was not a libel. Mr. Ivess then asked permission to address the Bench subsequent to hear ing the evidence for the defence. The Magistrate would allow any re marks to be made before calling his wit nesses, hut it was not the custom to per mit accused persons to comment on the evidence after it had been taken.. Mr. Ivess then addressed the Bench, and denied any malice in the article. He was prepared to prove that Mr. Crisp never had authority to make the charges he had done to ratepayers. His action in demanding these moneys had been dis

approved of by his employers, the Borough Council. The article was written in the interests of the public, and he went on to quote the opinions of Lord Campbell, which were to the effect that malice must be shown before an action could lie. This had not been done in this case. The article was a fair comment on the action of a public man. A larger amount of latitude was now allowed to the press than was permitted fifty years ago, and if a writer can prove that his criticisms are true, he has a perfect right to use liis privilege even if he should be proved to have written his comments in error. ‘ He would prove to the Court that Mr. Crisp, holding as he did the position of Borough Council Solicitor was open to the criticism in the article in the “Mail.” No parallel case could be cited in which a borough solicitor, drawing a stated salary, had charged for writing letters, and he would prove that. the exaction of the Gs. was an illegal action. The words “ official coercion ”in the article were justified by tlie fact that the Council had condemned tlie action of its officer in taking the money. The charge of “misusinghis power” was warranted from the fact that any ratepayer having a de mand made for rates would be under the impression that the letter would be written by Mr. Crisp as Borough Solicitor, aud not as a private lawyer. No doubt there had been a mistake made by the solicitor and the collector that the writing of these letters to the ratepayers was the cheapest method of collecting rates. The law was very clear on the matter. Mr. Crisp drew a salary of LIOO a year as Borough Solici tor, and had no right to charge rate payers for work paid for by the Council. Mr. Ivess then went on to refer to the speeches made by Councillors on the sub ject, but was not allowed to give the ex tracts as published. The definition of ‘ ‘ particeps criminis was ‘ ‘ participation in something improper.” He quoted from a dictionary, which stated the w ords meant an ‘ ‘ accomplice. ” He trusted he had suc ceeded in putting a different appearance on the case to that laid down by the counsel for the prosecution. The in formation charged him with having com mitted a false, defamatory, and malicious libel. Malice might be assumed, but Mr. Crisp had an opportnity of bringing a civil suit. He did not bring his charge civilly, as his intentions were to compel the Crown to undertake the costs of the prosecution. Mr. Branson pointed out that the Crown could order the whole costs of the case to be paid by Mr. Crisp.

Mr. Ivess continued—He would cite a few more brief authorities on the law of libel. He would rely entirely for bis de fence upon the fact that his criticism was in the interests of tlie public, purely and simply. He had been all along on the best terms with Mr. Crisp, and malice was the one thing furtlicrest from his mind.

Mr. Ivess, in answer to the caution read by the Magistrate, said—l wish to state that the article in question was written in the interests of the public good, free from either animus or prejudice, and it was framed on the action of a public man ; such comments being believed by me to be true and justified. Edward Haughton, sworn, said—l am editor of the “ Ashburton Mail,” and am a journalist of about 20 years’ standing. 1 have been on the ‘ ‘ Mail ” about three weeks/ and have literary charge of that paper. I wrote the article complained of by Mr. Crisp. At that time I had never seen nor heard of Mr. Crisp. By Mr. Ivess—You saw the article be fore publication. You had been out of town, and on your return I showed you a proof copy of the article, and, having read it, you made an alteration. I attended a meeting of the Borough Council, and reported a discussion on Miss Callaghan’s case.

Mr. Branson objected to any evidence being given as to any proceedings of the Borough Council, as Mr. Crisp was not present at that meeting. Mr. Ivess contended his right to call evidence to show that there were good grounds for bringing forward the reports of the proceedings of the Borough Council, and quoted a number of authori ties at length. His Worship decided he could not hear irrelevant evidence. He would gladly allow any evidence favorable to Mr. Ivess to be adduced ; but he could not permit any to be given which was not permissible by law. Mr. Haugliton continued—l consider the article in question would have had the effect of letting the public know the true state of the case. I should say that the word “ extortion” means taking money by a process not duly authorised. I should define the phrase “ particeps criminis” by a reference to the facts in connection with which it occurred, which were that Mr. Crisp, as Borough Solicitor, had partici pated with the rate collector, in the same borough, in exacting from ratepayers cer tain costs for doing work for which he already received a salary from the Borough Council. His Worship gave the legal definition of the term to be a “ participator in crime.” Mr. Branson—Would you call the ob taining money, if due, by any other than a duly authorised fashion, an extortion. Witness—l would not call that “ extor tion,” but I should call it a name more ap propriate. Mr. Branson—Do you still adhere to your former definition ? Witness—l say if the money is not due, and is obtained by an improper process, it amounts to extortion. In this case the money was obtained by a process, in con nection with the facts of the case, which I consider was extortion. I mean that in the article extortion was the best word to use in connection with the case. The words in the article, “ the collector was extorting money ” meant that he had been getting money from ratepayers which was not legally due by them. In reference to the solicitor having aided and abetted the collector, I meant that the Borough Solicitor had been assisting in a wrongful action, and was in that sense a party to the crime so far as it was a crime. I have read parts of the Municipal Corporations Act. I have read clause 103, by which the solicitor was liable to be fined £IOO for taking fees illegally. I knew at the time the article was written that the Rate Collector could be proceeded against for extortion. My opinion of the solicitor, as one of tlie outside public, would be that he had misbehaved himself. I should look with contempt upon a man who would charge twice for the same work. I should look upon a solicitor wjio did the things he js charged

with in the article with pity. I meant in referring to him as an officer that he was misapplying his powers as Borough Soli citor. My impression was that lie had confused his office as Borough Solicitor with his position as a private solicitor. Left sitting.

The County's Crop.

The agricultural returns for this county as well as for some other in Canterbury have been published, and from them we note that a largo increase has taken place in the acreage under cultivation as well as in the yield of produce. Most people were aware that the acreage tilled this year had considerably increased over that of last year, but they were only aware of the general fact: the statistics now published give us the figures. But every man, who took any notice of the weather and the fields,, was bound to be satisfied that, as compared with the dry season of 1379 — troubled as the farmers were with strong and incessant north-west winds, that parched the land and robbed ic of its moisture, checking the growth of the grain, and reducing the yield—the very favorable growing season of 18S0 would tell a satisfactory tale upon the harvest. The figures relating to this county are as follow : —ln 1379 there were 64,880 acres of land under wheat, yielding 1,139,025 bushels ; in 1880 there wore 73,502 acres under wheat, yielding 1,974,401 bushels —an increase of 8622 acres, and 835,376 bushels. In oats there were 23,470 acres under crop, yielding 515,204 bushels in 1579; and in 1880, 34,911 acres, producing I, bushels—an acreage increase of 11, and an increase of oat yield of 759,360 bushels. Under barley, 1879 had 5930 acres, from which 122,783 bushels were gathered ; and in 1380 the acreage under barley crop was 15,159. from which 397,668 bushels were reaped—an increase of 9279 acres and 274,839 bushels. In addition to these the statistics give 231 acres under potatoes in 1879, producing 1244 tons : in 1880, the acreage rose to 370, and the yield to 1961 tons. The yield per acre shows the difference be tween the harvests of tlie two years, as far as the unsatisfactory way Government has of taking these returns will allow any ac curacy to be obtained. In 1579, the re turn of wheat per acre was over 171 bushels; in 1880, over 251. In 1879”, oats to the average of 21|-~ bushels per acre were secured ; in 1880, they have yielded nearly 34 bushels to the aero. Barley gave about 21|- bushels per acre in 1879 ; and 33f bushels in 1880. The yield of potatoes in 1879 was 4 tons 14 cwts per acre; and in 1880 5 tonsGcwts. We say Government has a very unsatisfactory mode of collecting this information ; or rather, the mode is right enough, but the time at which the collection is made is wrong. In some parts of this country— not many, to be sure, but still some parts —grain is still standing, while a very large quantity is still unthrashed. Those statis tics are compiled while the grain is in many cases still green, and the return of bushels to the acre given by the farmer is a haphazard guess—under or over, accord ing to his judgment, or possibly, accord ing as he desires hi 3 creditors to believe. At best it is difficult to obtain more than a rough approximation to the yield, but there is a possibility of having that approximation a good deal closer to the truth, and far more reliable than it is now. A.nd that could easily be brought about by waiting until the grain has passed through the thrashing machine, when the actual number of husliels l’aised on a farm could easily be given by tlie farmer, and the figures would then be results, and not simply a guess. In one case we know of l.tst year—and we have no doubt that case was only one of many—the farmer gave his farm’s yield at 12 bushels to tlie acre, and expressed his sorrow at the miserable disappointment he had sustained, for he had hoped to reap 25 bushels from his land. His disappointment was a good deal intensified when he brought the machine to his holding, and from that crop he fancied was going to yield him 12 bushels to the acre he was only able to thrash out an average of five. Similar cases have occurred this year, and not seldom the machines have thrashed out a far heavier yield than that given to the collector of official statistics. Last year was a poor year, and we are afraid that the machines too often disappointed the far mer’s hopes ; and though this harvest has been a very good one, we are inclined to believe there will be a considerable differ ence in many cases between the estimated yield while the crops were green, and the actual per acreage thrashed out. Butthough errors may be made regarding the result of the crop when the ear is green, there can be no mistake about the acreage. He is a very fire-eating farmer indeed who works so fast that he takes no note of the number of new acres he breaks up, so the return of new land is sure to be correct, and over the land in crop last year, 1880 shows an increase of 29,451 acres. An examination of these figures shows as well as anything does the pro gress the county is making in agriculture, and gives proof of the firm belief the farmers have ill the land they till, and their determination to stick to it, Steadily, year by year, and at no snail's pace, the tussocks—the distinguishing feature of the virgin soil of the plains—are disappearing, and soon they will be as scarce as even yet they are plentiful. It is no very great stretch of memory—it seems but yesterday —to call to mind the vast sea of tussocks those plains were when the railway first ran through them. But to-day the traveller, as the train rushes over the plains, has his eye caught by innumerable portly stacks of grain that are visible on either side of the line as far as the eye cap repeli, and the picture covers the ground along many, many miles of coun try. The smoke wreaths of the thrashing engines are to be seen all the way between the rivers, and homesteads are steadily in creasing. Nor are the farmer’s prospects dull. In all likelihood he will obtain for his produce this year a satisfactory return, the only disadvantage being that the pru dent farmer who this year grew a fair per centage of oats will not do so well as he had hoped ; but take the year all round, it must be a good one, and cannot fail to tell upon the agriculturist’s condition, lie garding oats, it is worthy of remark that by far the largest increase is upon that cereal, the difference between the two years being no less than 759,360 bushels, and tin's is quite sufficient to account for the low price they are now bringing, and the v ise course many farmers are adopt ing—viz. , stacking their oat crops till the market is less burdened, and buyers are more willing to trade at a good figure.

THE STORY-TELLER.

A B3AUDI 50 HOUSE IDYLL

By Miss Bu.vddon',

“ You know you must wear glasses, Mr. Smith ; me and Edie and Count Edie, what’s the Count’s name again ? Hush, my dear ; not so loud. Something to do with fighting, did you say ? Oh, yes, Bully. Well, you m ist really excuse me, Mr. Smith— old people’s mem cry’s so bad ; but you did cut us most ’orrid —didn’t he, Edie ? ” But Edie was too much engaged with the Count to make airy answer. Of course, there was a great deal of clatter at the tabic, and plenty of opportunity for conversation with the Count in an under tone, which, I am bound to say, Mis 3 Edie did not neglect. The two pious ladies had put by their prayer-books, and were secular over their wine ; the gentle men boarders, being well mixed up with the lady boarders, could only steal furtive glances in our direction ; and so, as I made a point of not interfering and Mrs, Bowser was too muck engrossed with the cares of carving, and Mrs. Twistleton in the cares of eating, to do so, Miss Edie and the Count enjoyed a tete-a-tete, interrupted only by the exigencies of the dinner.

The individual who appeared to regard this scene with the greatest interest was Charles, Mrs. Bowser’s butler, footman, and factotum, the marshaller of her troupe of waiting women, their young men in ordinary, and the guard and shield of the establishment. He was of a pokey style of architecture, the head protruding from below the collar in a turtle-like fashion. It was commonly said he had grown into this shape from the habit of perpetually poking his head over people's shoulder to ask them what they would have next. A man of this construction has necessarily a vacuum between the chest and the waistcoat, and in the case of Charles this pouch was the receptacle for potatoes, and other things that fell off the dishes as he scuttled along. A collision with the back of a chair or of a protruding head often transferred the contents of a plate into this hiding-place. In fact, Charles was troubled with general deter mination of dinner to the waistcoat. This iittle failing was deplored by Charles and his mistress ; but what was to be done, so long as waistcoats formed tempt ing little cacbette3 for the reception of flying vegetables ? On this particular evening, there being a large influx of visitors, Mrs. Bowser’s factotum was running about rather more wildly than usual. The magenta footmen aired themselves loftily at the sideboard. On Charles and his cohort of maids deponded the distribution of meats. “What will you have, sir? Boast beef ? Rather underdone to-day, Bir. Roast fowl and Bath chap— very well sir.”

“Here, Lucy, wipe the handle of that knife for Mrs. Blachington, will yer ? ” “There you go again! You’ll have Miss Noodlem’s liair right horf, if you don’t look out. ”

I am extremely pleased to say that the Count was a sufferer under these circum stances. His head came into collision with a plate which Charles was conveying, at a run, to a distant part of the room. There was a most audible crack on the Count’s skull, and the gravy shot into Miss Edie’s lap, the plate fell to the floor, and the elbow of a fowl’s wing appearing out of a well-known crevice showed where it had gone. Mrs. Bowser’s severe “Charles, dinner on your waistcoat!” (her usual form of reproof,) drove poor Charles out of the door to repair damages; and the Count was too much disconcerted to give Miss Edie all the sympathy she demanded.

It was on a dress-changing expedition, necessitated by this disaster, that I inter cepted Miss Edie and brought her to book on the subject of the Count. “ Who is he ? Does Mrs. Bowser know anything about him ? Does Mrs. Twistleton know him! ” (An old bachelor is a privileged inquisitor). “ Now, don’t be tiresome ! I’m sure lie’s a very nice man, though he isn’t an Englishman : and he’s much handsomer than you are, and he came to Mrs. Bowser with the highest introduction—he told me so himself. If that isn’t enough for you, stupid old thing, I’ll tell you something more.” “ Does Mr. Twistleton know him ? ”

“ Well, yes—no —not exactly, at least. I looked this morning—. But you won’t tell mamma, or any one ? She’d be so angry.” I bound myself to secrecy.

“ Well his clothes—l think it was liis trousers, I’m not sure —were put out to be brushed, and I could not help seeing, though I didn’t look that way at all, 1 Twistleton, Harlow Street,’ on the buttons. Don’t tell anyone, for I didn’t mean to look.” This was a warrant of the Count’s respectability which I could not gainsay. Sunday evening concerts were a great feature at the Cholmondeley. Then the dowagers, 100 and whist be'ng denied them, collected around the piano and chattei'ed an accompaniment to the devout songs of Mendelssohn and Handel. No doubt their gossip was Sunday gossip, as their gowns were Sunday gowns, and their applauses were very encouraging to the performers.

I arrived that evening in time for the closing song, Miss Edie’s. The Count -was turning over the leaves fer her, and making a great fuss about it, much to the wrath of several young gentlemen gnaw ing their fingers in distant corners of the room, and to the evident discontent of the young ladies pining in neglect. One female, in particular—l won’t call her young—who was hugging her lean arm with an aggrieved expression of counten ance, muttered in my hearing, 11 that she didn’t know when she had seen an uglier man than the Count, and that she had never known anything so disgraceful as Miss Edie’s conduct, never !”

The song over, Mrs. Twistleton ex pressed a hope that dear Mr. Lambkin (the amateur tenor of the party, who like wise played fantasias and made himself useful in accompaniments) would play the “Dead March in Saul.” Mrs, Twistle ton’s wish was the wish of the whole room, and Mr. Lambkin, taking off his rings, and playfully twirling himself round on the music stool till it was the right height, commenced operations. Mrs. Twistleton beat time with her fan ; the other ladies followed her example. r J he young gentle men took the opportunity to close up round the piano with countenances ex pressive of admiration for Handel, and a

Friday, March 12, 1880.1

THE ASHBURTON HERALD



ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST. s. d. s. d. Butter, inferior to best 1? lb 0 10 to I 0 Eetrs, V? dozen I X to I 3 Cheese, prime quality, I? lb 0 7 "to 0 10 Bacon, prime smoked, $ lb 0 10 to I 0 Hams in cloth, 1? lb I 2 : to : 1 3 Flour in bags, 1? ioolb H 6 to 0 0 Oatmeal, # 25th 5 6 to 0 0 Lard, $ lb - 0 9 to 0 0



New Advertisements. NEWS AND MAGAZINE AGENCY, STATIONERY AND FANCY GOODS DEPOT. RE-OPENING. HM. JONES begs to inform his . customers and the public generally that he has re-opened part of the premises lately occupied by A. Weston and K. Sando and Co. for the sale of Newspapers, Magazinse, Stationery, Fancy goods, Toys, &c. English and Colonial papers. Periodicals, &c., by each mail. Licensed to sell Stamps. Lowest prices—Terms cash. Agent for “Ashburton Guardian,” ‘‘AshburtonHerald, \ “Ashburton Mail,” “Lyttelton Times,” “Canterbury Times,” Daily “Press,” “Weekly Press,” “Otago Witness,” “Australasian,” “Town and County Journal.” Subscribers to “ Canterbury Times” and “ Weekly Press” can obtain their copies at the above Establishment. *l2lc



ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. \ PPLICATIONS are invited for a ±X. MARRIED COUPLE, without encumbrance, to take charge of the Ash burton County Hospital, to act as Nurses, and to make themselves generally useful. Salary £l5O per annum, with board and lodging. , Applications, with references as to character, &c., duly endorsed as such, and addressed to the Chairman, Ashbur ton County Council, will be received at the Council’s Offices, Ashburton, up to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, the 7th of April next. By order, ,F. MAINWARING, Clerk. Ashburton, March sth, 1880. 000 g HORSE FOUND. EOUND, opposite Wakanui Mill, a HORSE, with saddle and bridle. Owner can have same on application to the undersigned, and paying expenses. H. Moffatt, Wakanui. 146c-583g LOST— A White and Red GREY HOUND PUP, yesterday, in Ash burton. Any person bringing the same to E. Cookson’s Stable will be rewarded, and any person detaining the same will be prosecuted. 165 c \ PRIVATE and Superior Ladies’ . School for DISPOSAL. Can be taken with or without the Plant. Terms Moderate. Ladies about to commence scholastic duties would do exceedingly well by an early attention. Address— Guardian office, Ashburton. 154 c 592 g SATURDAY, MARCH 13. OPENING NEW STORE, East Street, Near Bullock, & Co’s. y A ME S CLARK Begs t.o inform the Public of Ashbur ton and Surrounding Districts that he is commencing business as GENERAL STOREKEEPER, FRUIT ERER, BAKER, &c., And trusts by supplying good quality articles at moderate prices, to share public support. Note the Address— TAMES CLARK, PROSPECT BUILDINGS, East Street, Near Bullock & Co’s., Ashburton. 163 c V. wm R. jy^OTICE —The “ Ashburton Herald’, s a Gazette for all notices under the Debtors and Creditors Arts THE ASHBURTON HERALD. AND Borough and County Advertiser. rHE following are AGENTS for the Sale of the “Ashburton Herald” a Town: — I. M.* Jones, Stationer, Baring square. I. A. Garnett, Perfumer, Hairdresser, Etc., Montgomery’s Buildings. L . J. Smith. 105 c 'O FRUITERERS, CONFECTIONERS, AND OTHERS. lANCY Show Cards, neatly printed-- “ Finest Lemonade and Cordials ” on Sale at the Herald Office.



New Advertisements. TIT ANTED, a smart LAD VV for Grocery Store. Apply. T.|R. Hodder and Company. 167 c WASTE PAPER for Sale, 3d. per lb. at the Herald Office. Apply early. 50a NEW TAILORING ESTABLISH MENT. CRAIGHEAD & Co., MERCHANT TAILORS, HAVE opened those premises situated in Tancred street adjoining Messrs Orr and Co’s General Store. A SPLENDID ASSORTMENT OF TWEEDS, FANCY GOODS, &c., &c., JUST ARRIVED. Mr. Craighead’s experience as Head Cotter in connection with First Class Tailoring Establishments in Edinburgh and San Francisco has extended over a period of ten years, and from the immense success which has. always attended his efforts to please, he is prepared to guarantee a perfect fit in every case. TANCRED STREET, (Next Orr and Ox’s. CRAIGHEAD & CO. 982 a



NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS. All orders for insertion of advertise ments must be written legibly on the face of the advertisement. When no order is given the advertisement Avill be inserted until countermanded, and charged accord ingly. Orders to withdraw or replace advertisements must be sent in in whiting not later than 9 a.m. each day. All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good faith. All advertisements and business letters to be addressed The Manager ; literary communications should be addressed to The Editor.



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