SHIPPING.

Poet of Lyttelton, May 11.—Arrived, s.s. Ringarooma, from Wellington.

COMMERCIAL.

Alfred Harrison reports holding his usual weekly sale on Saturday last, when the following were disposed of : —Pigs, 6d. to Bd. per lb.; fowls, 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. per pair; ducks, 3s. 6d. to 4s. 6d. per pair ; geese, 10s. to 13s. per pair ; cheese, sd. to s£d. per lb. The demand for horses was very quiet, though one or two were sold at moderate prices : also, two drays, one light cart, harness, a plough, and set of harness. An enormous quantity or furniture and effects were disposed of bringing really good prices.

We extract the following from the New Zealand Load and Mercantile Agency Company’s circular dated London, March 25, 1880 : Corn Market. —The trade in Foreign wheat during the past month has been inactive. For supplies actually arrived holders are asking full rates, under the impression that the existing scarcity and the moderate quantities known to be afloat and due next month will tend to maintain prices at the present level. Speculation is, however, quite dormant, and for cargoes to arrive at later periods there are few buyers, even at a consider able margin on present values. The American stocks continue large, the visible supply being 27 million bushels, while the demand for the Continental markets shows a distinct falling off, and many cargoes are offered for resale by French houses. A sale has been reported of Australian wheat for shipment or on passage at 535. c.i.f. A few parcels for London direct have changed hands at 525. to 545., ac cording to date of Bill of Lading, but for April shipment offers are freely made at 60s. for London without attracting buyers. New Zealand wheat for forward ship ment has been sold at 475. 6d. to 48s. 6d., c. i. f. to London, and there are are buyers for the coast at 48s.

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 liakaia. &c., at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.15 a.m. daily. For Temuka, Timaru, and South at 6 a.m. and 10.15 a.m. daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a m. For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeacli, at 3.15 p.m. daily. For Wakanui, and Seafield, on Tues days and Fridays, at 6 a. m. Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office— From Christchurch at 10.35 a.m., 4.55 p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. From Chertsey, Rakaia, &c. at 10.35 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.25 p.m. daily. From Temuka and Timaru at 9.25 a.m. and 5.25 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.m. daily. From Wakanui and Seafield on Tues days and Fridays at 2.30 p. m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster. Thursday, May 13. For Northern Ports of New Zealand, per Rotorua. The next mail for the United Kingdom via San Francisco, will be closed at Christ church on May 22, and will be due in London on July 6. The next mail for the United Kingdom via Brindisi (for correspondence specially addressed only), will be closed at Christ church on June 3rd, and will be due in London on July 24th. SYDNEY J. DICK, Chief Postmaster.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). TUESDAY, MAY 11, 1880.

Drunk. —There was one solitary drunk disposed of at the Court this morning, and as this individual was brought from Ra kaia, there is good reason to assume that the intemperance of the Ashburton com munity is on the decline.

Agricultural and Pastoral Associa tion. —A meeting of the Committee of this Society is called for next Friday at Shearman’s Hotel, to receive the report of the Yard Committee, and to transact other business.

Road Closed.— The Mount Somers Road Board give notice of a proposal to stop a road from the south-east corner of rural section 23518 to the south-east corner of rural section 19975, and to take in exchange a road from the first-men tioned section to the south-east corner of rural section 24989, joining the Govern ment road at the south-west corner of rural section 25614.

Stacey’s Panorama. Stacey’s pano rama of Australia and New Zealand was shown in the Town Hall last night to a fair house. The pictures are fair, and fairly described, and the ventriloquism of Mr. Corbett is creditable. Good Templar Anniversary. —The anniversary of the Star of the East Lodge of Good Templars is to be cele brated on the 24th inst. by a tea meeting and entertainment. For the latter we believe some excellent music is in prepara tion, by amateurs who have not yet ap peared in Ashburton.

Church Work Society.— On Sunday last the Rev. W. Harris, Bishop’s Secre tary, preached two sermons in St. Mark’s Church, Rakaia, on the subject of co operation in Church work. He also ex amined the Sunday School in the after noon. On Monday evening a public meet ing of church members was held in St. Mark’s Church for the purpose of enrolling members to form a Parochial Church Work Society. The Rev. W. H. Elton occupied the chair, and after briefly intro ducing Mr. Harris, who, he said, had already introduced himself, called on that gentleman to explain the object of the institution which it was thought desirable to inaugurate. After a somewhat lengthy address from Mr. Harris, setting forth the benefits of co-operation among Church worker’s, and explaining the relations of parochial societies to the Diocesan Society, it was resolved that a Parochial Association of Church Workers be formed in the parish of Rakaia. It was also re solved that the Parochial Association con sist of the Incumbent (Chairman ex officio ) the church officers, the lay readers, the organist, the choir, Sunday school teach ers, district visitors, and the members of the Ladies’ Work Society. A committee was then nominated by the Incumbent, consisting of the following besides himself —Messrs. Chapman, C. H. Maclean, Thompson, C. S. Mackie, and Mrs. C. S. Mackie. Almost all present expressed their wish to join the society.

Tenders. —At the Borough Council meeting to-day the tender of Mr. John Black, for metalling East, Tancred West, and Alford Forest streets at Is. Id. per yard was accepted.

Borough Collncil Meeting. —At a special meeting of the Borough Council to-day, the balance-sheet and auditors re port were adopted. A full report of the meeting will appear to-morrow. The Cab Movement.— The moving of the cabs from the stand they have occupied for some some time by the kerb in front of the Somerset Hotel, to the oppo site side of the road, has had a very salu tary effect, and the footpath has been kept tolei’ably clear of loafers since the new regime advented. We hope the police, to complete the work, will now clear from the corner of the street the clusters of idlers who are not cabmen, but in the evening are just as great a nuisance as the fellows who hung about tl: e hotel door.

Defaulting Ratepayers. —There -were several cases against defaulting ratepayers set down for hearing at the R. M. Court this morning, but in each case, at the last moment, the defendants paid the amounts sued for into Court. Mr. Crisp, who ap peared for the Borough Council, applied for professional costs in each case, on ac count of notice not having been given of the defendants’ intention not to contest their causes. His Worship granted the application of Mr. Crisp, and for their dilatoriness in paying up, several of our fellow-citizens will have to hand over an extra half-guinea or more in addition to their present indebtedness to the Borough Council.

Fire. —A very narrow escape from what would undoubtedly have been a serious loss, occurred on the farm of Mr. Daniel Evans, of Waterton, during midday on Saturday. While the thrashing machine belonging to Mr. Dawson was at work, a fire was seen to originate on the far side of the heap of straw in the rear of the machine. Being, as it happened, blowing a mild nor’-wester at the time, the flames soon spread. The work of' removing the engine, combine, and elevators was car ried out with the utmost alacrity. For tunately Mr. Clark’s machine was at work on the adjoining firm, and as soon as the fire was noticed all hands hurried to the scene, together with some neighbors who were near at hand. We believe about 200 bags of grain had been stacked out from the machine at the rime of the fire, and it is to the praise of the men en gaged, that we state the whole of this pile of bags was drawn out of reach of the fire, and so saved. Even a portion of a wheat stack was kept from the devouring ele ment, but not without a hard struggle. Mr- Evans loses a valuable stack of oat straw which was all tied by hand, and well filled for chaff purposes, but it is cer tainly due to the exertions put forth by all hands that the loss was confined to this item. The efforts of some of the ladies, who collared their bags with a will, and to purpose, are also worthy of mention. No thing has been elicited as to how the fire originated, unless on the assumption that a spark escaped from the engine. The most reprehensible practice of men, work ing about a thrashing machine, smoking uncovered pipes, was, we believe, re proved the day before the fire by Mr. Evans, and it is one every owner of a machine ought to try and abolish, as the farmer is helpless.

Resident Magistrates’ Court.

Tuesday, May 11,

(Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.) MUZZLE THOSE DOGS.

James Henderson was charged with suf fering a ferocious dog to be at large on the 4th "May last. Mr Herderson did not deny the charge, and on his consenting to destroy the animal, his Worship inflicted the minimum penalty of 10s. Charles Russell was also charged with allowing a ferocious dog to be at large un muzzled ; there was also an accusation against the dog of biting a son of Mr. A. Orr.” Mr. Dolman, who had charge of the dog, appeared in the place of defendant. As there was no evidence to convict with out putting the lad in the witness-box, and as Mr. Orr objected to the lad being put on oath, on account of bis tender age, his Worship/lismissed the charge. OBSTRUCTING THE THOROUGHFARE. C. C. Fooks did not appear to answer a charge of allowing two horses to be tethered in a public place, to the obstruc tion of traffic, on the 7th May last. Con stable Daly deponed to seeing the horses tethered on Mona square, and impounding the animals. Fined 10s. and costs. DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. James Macintyre pleaded guilty to the above charge, and was fined ss. CIVIL CASES. Sprott v. MeHarvey.—Claim, L 47 ss. 6d. Mr. Branson for plaintiff. Judgment by default for amount and costs, L 4 4s. Hewitt v. Bates and Baldwin.—This summons was enlarged for fourteen days, to allow of the summons being served on Bates, who was supposed to be in Christ church. The Court then adjourned.

Which World I —The following story comes from Auckland On Thursday two Chinamen honored a British magis trate so far as to request him to arbitrate on a matter in dispute. Thomas Quoy, an intelligent young Mongolian, who speaks very good English, consented to act as interpreter, and was sworn upon the Bible. One of the learned counsel engaged in the case took exception to this proceeding, on the ground that there was no proof that Quoy was a believer in Christianity. His Worship put the quietus on that objection by pointing out that the interpreter re joiced in the Christian name of Thomas. The man of law, however, proclaimed him self still as gi’eat a doubter as Thomas Didymus. Quoy was then interrogated as to his belief. He said that if he did what was wrong, all sorts of evil would befall him. “ But in this world or the next ?” inquired the magistrate. “In this world : I know of no other,” answered the China man. The countenance of the irrepressi ble objecting lawyer brightened up ; it was evident that he was sure he had scored a point. But again he was doomed to disappointment. Mr. Laishley carried the day by remarking he was convinced that if the same question were put to half the educated men in England, no satis factory answer would be obtained “that they would not admit their belief in a huge furnace of fire and brimstone await ing the arrival of every human being when he shuffled oft’ this mortal coil.” Finally, the services of Mr. Thomas Quoy ■were thankfully accepted by all parties concerned,

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE

{Per Rente)s' Agency.) Wool. London, May 8. At the wool sale to-day, 8,400 bales were offered, making a total of 172,800 bales catalogued since the opening. There was a fair demand. Another Liberal Triumph. Mr. Herbert Gladstone, son of the Premier, has been elected for Leeds, un opposed. Arrival. The Merchant Shipping and Under writers’ Association report the arrival of the ship Crusader, which left Lyttelton on February 4. Another Door Opening. Washington, May 8. The Select Committee appointed to re vise the tariff of the United States has re commended that the import duties on wool be reduced. Only one left out in the Gold. ■ London, May 10. All the members of the Beaconsfield Ministry, who held seats in the House of Commons, with the exception of Sir Yernon Harcourt, Home Secretary, have now been re-elected to their respective seats.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Reuter's Telegrams.) The Knowsley Hall. Melbourne, May 10. Mr. Service, Premier, has telegraphed to the Imperial Government to enquire whether there was anyone of the name of Webster on board the Knowsley Hall. The reply, it is thought, will give conclu sive evidence as to the truth of the letter found in the bottle at Portland. Fever. Six sailors aboard the barque Zwee Vrienden, from Java, have died of the fever which is raging in the ship. The Melbourne Exchange. Mr. Service formally opened the new Exchange to-day. There were thousands of persons present at the ceremony. The Irish Relief Fund. The Irish Relief Fund has now closed, the total amount subscribed being L 31,675. Russia and China. Cooktown, May 10. The E. and A.M. steamship Somerset, with inward Torres Straits mail, arrived here on Saturday, from Singapore. She brings the following items of English news:—

War is increasingly imminent between Russia and China, both of which are in a disturbed'condition, prejudicial to trade. The Chinese Government is making war like preparations, and pushing forward tkeir armament, whilst Russia has been busily engaged massing an army on the the Kuldja frontier. The English Frozen Meat Company. The Meat Company which has been formed in England, and mentioned in the telegrams yesterday, has been promoted by Messrs. M‘Til wraith, M'Eachern and Co., and Messrs. Sloanes have been ap pointed agents at Melbourne and Sydney respectively. Death of a Patriarch. Moses Rentel, chief of the Hebrews in Melbourne is dead. Adelaide, May 10. Arrived—Orient, from Plymouth. A Suicidal Mania. Adelaide, May 11. During the voyage of the Orient, which arrived here yesterday from Plymouth, three of the passengers committed suicide.

NEW ZEALAND.

Dismissed.

Auckland, May 10.

A charge of indecent assault, preferred by Alice McCarthy against George Sydney Hans, was dismissed. New Railway. The fii’st sod has been turned of the ex tension of the Kawakawa railway. Found Drowned. At the inquest on the body of Abel Hetherington, a marine of H.M. S. Cor morant, a verdict of “ found drowned” was returned. He is supposed to have fallen off the wharf while going to meet his boat. The Colonial Industries Comission. Messrs. Burns and Tinne, members of the Colonial Industries Commission, ex amined a number of witnesses to-day, among the principal of which were Wilson, on the sulphur industry, and C. O. Mon trose, on the advisability of establishing a technical school in each of the principal cities of the colony, and a school of agriculture in the North Island. Assault. Mr. Rule, Under-Traffic Manager of the Railway Depart, was assailed at a late hour on the beach road, Mechanics’ Bay, and badly maltreated. The cause of the al leged assault is not yet cleared up. His jaw is fractured, several teeth knocked out, and his face a confused mass of flesh. He was last seen in the evening leaving the Swan Inn. Murder by Natives. By the bi’ig Mei’rilies, from Levuka, intelligence has been received of the mur der of America Johnston, of the firm of Johnston and Chaffin, by natives of the Island of Aota. Wellington, May 10. The Court of Appeal opened this morn ing, when the case of Baglian and Craw bey, an appeal from the Supreme Court at Auckland—was argued. Judgment was reserved. Settlement. At a meeting of persons desirous of set tling upon land, it was resolved that Mr. Evendin should wait on Government, ask ing for facilities for taking up selections near Stratford, and for temporary assis tance to selectors in the way of employ ment on public woi’ks. Inquest. Dunedin, May 11.

At the inquest on the body of Burton, the chemist, a verdict was returned that the deceased committed suicide, ■while in a state of temporary insanity.

Tlie Horse-Whipping Case. For assaulting— Howlett, B. A., “ Kos mos ” has been fined L 3 and costs. Caution to Jurymen. Timaru, May 11. At the District Court to-day two absent jurymen were fined 40s. each. Action for Damages. An action has been brought by Mr. McLeish, stock-dealer, against Messrs. J. and T. Meek, millers, of Oamaru, to re cover L2OO damages for alleged loss in consequence of seizure and removal of sheep bought by Mr. McLeish from J. Scott, formerly partner with the Meeks. The Timaru Building Society. The Timaru Building Society is re ported to have floated five thousand pounds’ worth of debentures in London. The Missing Sealers. Bluff, May 10. Arrived—Stella, from Auckland Islands. The captain reports no trace of the miss sealers ; he repaired the depot, and searched all the islands.

LATEST ENGLISH NEWS.

[Via Australia and the Bluff.] London, April 29. Earl Granville, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, has reassured the Aus trian Ambassador in London of the friendly feeling of the Government towards Austria, with a view to more effectually calming the irritation produced by Mr. Gladstone’s speech. It is currently expected that Mr. Glad stone intends reducing the 3 per cents, to 2i per cent., and that he will propose the abolition of the income tax.

May 3.

The Pall Mall Gazette has changed ownership, and will henceforth appear as a libei-al paper. Mr. Frederick Green wood, the editor, and the whole of the staff have declined to remain under the altered conditions, and intend starting a new organ.

May 1. Earl Cowper, K.G., has been appointed Viceroy of Ireland, and proceeds imme diately to Dublin to enter on his duties. The Royal British Commission in Lon don has undertaken to make all necessary provisions for the representation of British exhibitors to the Melbourne International Exhibition.

Sir Cunliffe Owen, who represented British interests at the Paris Exhibition, has been appointed Executive Com missioner.

Mr. George Collins Levey, secretary of the Melbourne International Exhibition, has left England for Melbourne by the Lusitania.

May 3,

Genei’al Sir Donald Stewart having completed his arrangements for the security of the British position at Ghuznee, has proceeded to Cabul. On arrival there, he is senior to General Sir F. S. Roberts, and, acting in accordance with [instructions from the Viceroy, he assumes the supreme command of the operations in Afghanistan, superseding General Roberts.

Disquieting intelligence has been re ceived concerning the fidelity of the Maharajah of Cashmere. Grave suspi cion has been aroused by the discovery of facts which indicate that attempts have been made by Russian emissaries to tamper with this ruler, and there is reason to believe that the Maharajah has been to some extent implicated in Russian in trigue.

April 28,

The Duke of Marlborough, Viceroy of Ireland, has vacated his office in due course, owing to the change of Govern ment. His Grace and the Duchess, liis wife, having rendered themselves ex tremely popular with the Irish people, were accorded an enthusiastic ovation on the occasion of their taking their depar ture from Dublin. They were presented with addresses by the city corporation and the representatives of the principal public institutions, expressive of the deepest gratitude and esteem, more especially in connection with the steps taken by the Duchess of Marlborough for the relief of the famine stricken peasantry in the western districts of Ireland.

A general meeting of the Orient Stea s Company was lielcl to-day, when a sati factory report was submitted, and the usual dividend declared. The chairman congratulated the shareholders on the success of the operations of the company for the year, and considered that their trade with the Australian colonies showed every sign of increasing with the im proved prospects of business. It was in tended to double the capital of the com pany, thus raising the amount to L 7,000,000, and also tit up their steamers with the necessary machinery for convey ing from the colony to the Home market cargoes of animals preserved by the freezing process. Intelligence has been received from India of another defeat of the hostile Afghans. The British troops, under the command of General Ross, were attacked by a large body of Afghans, near the vil lage of Sydabad. The fight lasted several hours, but the superior arms and discipline of the British soldiers prevailed. The enemy was repulsed and compelled to re tire, leaving over 1200 dead on the field. Abclulrahman has opened negotiations with General Roberts, with a view of bringing about amicable relations. He has promised to submit, and repudiates having any sympathies with Russia. His overtures have been received with caution, and it is proposed he shall afford some proof of his sincerity before he submits.

A Lengthened Imposition.

An extraordinary case of imposition has been brought to light at Chelmsford. At the celebration of the termination of the Crimean war, in 1854, a woman fell down in the street. She was carried home, and has pretended ever since to be suffering from pax-alysis, and to be unable to leave her bed without help. During all this time she has lived on the charity of the benevolent, and the prayers of the Church have frequently been requested in her behalf. Lately persons entering her house at unexpected times have found her dressed and downstairs, and one discovered her making a very hearty meal. She has confessed her imposture, and for the present has been taken charge of by the Guardians.

Valuation.

The letter of Messrs. Harper, Harper, and Scott, to the Wakanui Roacl Board is anything but a pleasant pill for that Board to swallow, inasmuch as it cuts the ground from under their feet in the matter of recovering the rates that ought to be levied on the abortion of a roll prepared by the blundering valuator whom the County Council chose for the district. Mr. Leach, the valuator who was unfortunate enough, both for himself and the County, to be the successful tenderer for the work of assessing property in the Ashburton, has not in any way graced the position he at tained, and his work is not by any means a testimony to the wisdom of our County . Councillors. True, the best of men may make a mistake, and doubtless the County Councillors very much regret the blunder they made in appointing Mr. Leach. His low-priced tender may have been tempting —it was tempting—and had he been com petent for the position he aimed at, he would have been a grand catch indeed. But he was not competent, as the result has only too sadly proved, and the County, in selecting him, fell into the error of choosing an article because it was cheap, and not making themselves certain at the same time that it was not also nasty. Mr. Leach’s appointment was a mistake, and the .County is a loser by it. But it will be a good lesson. In the futui’e choice of men for difficult positions we (shall cer tainly see more care exorcised, and a closer scrutiny made of their alleged quali fications. The valuation fiasco, too, will have the effect of sending home the truth that the lowest tender is not always the cheapest, and that where skill is required the cheapest man is he who, able for his work, is willing to do it at a reasonable figure. Poor Mr. Leach now occupies a most humiliating positions. He has most signally failed to produce a roll that is any good in any district, and in some instances what was intended by his appointment to be avoided has again been resorted to, —viz., other valuators have been chosen to do the work. And now we find the blunder ing and incompetent roll maker coming whining to his employers to be paid for work he has tried to do and failed, and which must be done over again by some better qualified men, if the rolls are ever to be of any service to the district. The idea of the County Council, tohave only one valuator for the whole of the shire —was ail excellent one in its way, and at its first suggestion it commended itself to every one. It held out a prospect of uniformity and fairness, as the work being one of some magnitude was likely to attract ten ders from men of experience, ability, and sound judgment. The work did attract such tenders, no doubt, and ive know one or two men who tendered who had the ability, the experience, the energy, and the will to do the work well and satisfactorily. But their pi'ice was high compared with the tender of Mr. Leach. He seems to have formed no conception whatever of the extent of the work he took on hand ; his sad muddling shows that he had very little notion even of the nature of it ; and from the fact that scarcely a dozen settlers in the district knew the man “ by head-mark,” it is evi dent he has not put himself to any trouble by actual personal judgment to ascertain the value of the property on which he placed his prices. The tender of such a man for the position of County Valuator was far more an impertinence than it xvas a farce, and, instead of being paid for what he may dignity with the title of roll making, he would only get his deserts if he were mulct in all the costs the loss and trouble represent that the country has been put to by his imprudent application for a position for which the present dead lock with the Wakanui Road Board shows him to have been in no way fitted. In deed, actions for expenses against him are spoken of, and it will be no matter for surprise if some of the landowners who have been put to trouble through his blundering seek to indemnify themselves at his expense in a Court of law. But the whole blame does not lie with Mr. Leach, upon whom it is useless to be too severe. He applied for a position that was put up to public tender, and he got it. The system is surely faulty that makes it possible for such as he has turned out to be, to obtain a position to which so much responsibility attached as to that of valuer for the County. Speaking generally, and without reference to any one in particular who applies for a valuer’s position, any fool who fancies himself, in his cwn conceit, equal to the task of valuing property may tender, and if _ he can prevail upon kind-hearted friends to furnish testimonials—and every one knows how easy some men can secure these gushing documents now-a days—and manages to tender low enough, he may succeed in casting dust in the eyes of a few country gentlemen, who. with no personal knowledge of the ten derer, have only his gushing testimonials to guide them. Trusting to the testi monials, and allured by the low figure, they may be induced, quite innocently, to let their work to the veriest failure that ever picked up a shabby genteel living by occasional clerkly drudgery in a lawyer’s office, or periodical employment at a shoemaker’s books, or when a Road Board Clerk had more to do than he was equal to or cared to. The testimonials, however acquired, will sway those who sit in judgment on the tenders, if they are backed up by a sufficiently modest figure of remuneration, and the result is—an incompetent man is employed who muddles his work. A certain amount of blame for muddles of this kind lies with the body who makes the appointment. But more, we contend, lies with their constituents, or rather the noisy portion of them who are ever on the howl against extravagance, and are con stantly ready to raise a cry about favorit ism or wild expenditure if the very lowest tender is not accepted—whether the man putting it in be or be not the veriest duffer that ever essayed a work, and a man of straw, who, just clear of the Bankuptcy Court, borrows his deposit, and would have to give an order on the Board to his merchant for the material he requires to execute the work were he successful in obtaining it. The _ valuation roll for Wakanui, even after its items have passed through the not very effective filter, the Assessment Court,—and the Judges of Assessment Courts are not alwavs possessed of qualifications for that posi tion equal even to those possessed by Mr. Leach, —is a mockery and a snare ; and from the legal opinion of the lawyers consulted it is evident that some trouble will have to be experienced before

it becomes workable. That it will be made workable we have little doubt. But does not the huge humbug that has fol lowed the valuation of the County point to the wisdom of Government taking the whole system of valuation into its own hands ? Now that extensive machinery is at work for the assessment of property under the Property Tax, does it not seem to be wise that competent men should make one general valuation for all pur poses ? An objection has been raised to this suggestion that in the hands of a Government official the valuations would be excessive, with a view to getting the best return to the general revenue. Granted that the possibility of that con tingency exists, the Assessment Appeal Court would always remain, and for local rating a lower rate could easily be struck if the Government valuation was felt to be higher than that of the locally ap pointed man. One end at least would be gained by the adoption of a general sys tem —the men who undertook the duty would be skilled valuers, working under a uniform system and standard of value, and their valuations, whether high or low as compared with those of the amateurs who have hitherto done the work, would at least be uniform. We never yet met the man who was wholly satisfied with the value set upon his property for rating purposes. It is always too high, too high. But when the same property appears in the market to let or sell the value seems to have become amazingly enhanced.

Almost Buried Alive.

A strange story came to the ears of a Sentinel reporter recently, which had been related to a group of men at one of our hotels. The gentleman who related the narrative was immediately hunted up and asked to repeat it. He seemed willing to do this ; but on learning that it was for publication, he requested that it be not given to the public, assigning a reason therefor. On account of the fact that it might possioly injui’e his business, and that he might be embarrassed by strangers calling on him who would read the incident, we omit his name, as well as the place where he is stopping. He said that in 1877, when the first yellow fever ap peared in the city of Memphis, he was there on business. He had been there for several weeks, and then first experienced a drowsy sensation. This was followed in a week or ten days by the fever in all its fury, which rendered him unconscious. He lay for some time in this condition, his life being in a precarious state. After a time he seemed to be overcome by the disease, and gradually grew weaker, until at last all pulsation had stopped and the breathing was no longer apparent. At that time it was the custom to hurry the corpse to the graveyard without any cere mony. He was placed in a rude box and hurried away to the cemetery, followed by a single friend. On the way to the grave, however, this friend felt a conviction that he was not dead, and ordered the little procession to stop. The box was taken back to the place of start ing, and his body again placed on a cot. After a few hours of patient watching, a slight movement of the face and upper portions of the body was observed. An examination was made of the pulse, which was found to be faintly beating, while respiration was apparent. It a few hours more the gentleman was aroused, and in less than thirty-six hours he was sitting up. He recovered rapidly, and in the course of a few days was able to get up and move around. Meanwhile the Associ ated Press dispatches had contained an account of his death from the fever, and his family in New York City, and one son, working on the Bee Line Road, had mourned for him as one gone from the face of the earth. After his recovery he went to Texas, and from thence he crossed over into Mexico. He was gone on this trip about two months, diu'ing which time he wrote to his rela tives. He soon afterwards came North, as the quarantine against Southern traffic and travel was raised, and eventu ally landed in this city, where he met his son, who was as much rejoiced at the meeting as if his father had been raised from the dead. It was learned that his letters had been miscarried, and he wrote at once to J> ew York, again announcing his recovery. The gentleman who told this strange story is a man of powerful frame. His weight used to be 215 pounds but it will not now exceed 197, which leaves him yet a very hearty, robust man. He has had several very narrow escapes, one of which was an accident to a runaway wagon at which time he suffered the breaking of an arm, leg and several ribs. The doctors said he would always be a lame man, but that was where they were mistaken. He is about fifty years of age, talks in a beautifully modulated tone, and is a very intelligent and pleasant person age in social relations. He said he was satisfied that numbers of persons were not dead who were buried in the yellow fever districts of the South, but had con tinued until interment in a comatose state. And the moral of this may be : Be sure you are right, then go ahead, especially in the matter of human burials.—lndiano polis Sentinel.

New Diving Machine

The invention of Mr. Fleuss bids fair to be of astounding interest. He is now ex hibiting at the Royal Polytechnic Institu tion, London. Mr. Fleuss puts on a hel met covering the entire head, and shuts off all communication with the outer air. He then decends into the water, in which he remains immersed for an hour or more. During this time he is seen to move, pick up coins, and assume a partially recum bent posture. Ho bubbles of air are given off from the apparatus, and no com munication is made with the surface. On emerging from his submersion, Mr. Fleuss is slightly pale, but otherwise not seriously disturbed. Mr. Fleuss is an Englishman, formerly an officer in the P. O. Steamship Company, and he has been a year in com pleting his l’emarkable experiments. His invention is at present a profound mystery, but he says nothing is more curious than its simplicity.

Tuesday, May ii, 1880.]

THE ASHBURTON HERALD.



On the spot quotations are as follow :— Per 4961bs. Australian wheat, ex granary ... 58s. to 60s. New Zealand, do. 56s. to 59s. Per 28olbs. Australian flour 38s. to 42s. New Zealand do 36s. to 39s. The following are the arrivals for the month :— Wheat. Flour - . Oats. Norfolk, s.s., Port Philip 2200 50 Mermerus, do. 1711 Old Kensington, do. 1291 250 Melbourne, do. 1499 Invercargill, Pt. Chalmers 1974 1283 Mataura, do. 3960



Miscellaneous PLOUGHMEN. Wanted, SITUA TIONS for a few Good Ploughmen. Apply Herald Registry. 421 c OCHOOL Requisites and Artist M ite rials. H. •M. JONES, Statio ler, Baring So uare. • ’ ITT ANTED KNOWN—That O. Haw VV kins, The Tinwald Bootmaker, has REMOVED to premises Opposite the Tinwald Post Office, where he is still open to Sell first-class Boots and Shoes at his usual Cheap Rates. All kinds of Boots Made and Repaired. 805g —417c OFFICE and Pocket Diaries for 1880 H. M. Jones, Stationer, Baring Square. "TTTANTED. —The Herald tells you* Wants in 20 words, for 1/-. 8 in Ashburton ANTED Known, the “Ashburton Herald ” circulates throughout the Provincial District of Canterbury. lIINIQUY'S LECTURES.—Just Ar rived, New Edition H. M. Jones, aring Square. CHRISTMAS- Number Young Ladies, Journal, London Journal, Family Herald, Family Reader, Boys’ Standard, &c. Just arrived. H. M. J ONES, Sta tioner, Baring Square.



£IO,OOO rate of interest. Ashburton. TO LEND, in sums to suit borrowers, at lowest F. P. O’Reilly, Solicitor, 424c-835g PRIVATE BOARD and LODGING for two Gentlemen ; 20s. per week, washing included. Apply, John Olsen, Peter Street. 438 c LOST— A Brown RETRIEVER DOG, answers to the name of “Dizzie.” The finder returning same to the Bank of New Zealand, Ashburton, will be re warded. 444 c TENDERS. WANTED— Tenders for PLOUGH ING 200 acres of Tussock Land near Dromore, 3 inches deep, by 12 inches wide. Tenders to be sent in to JAMESON & ROBERTS, 445 c Ashburton. TO LET. SIX-ROOMED COTTAGE, with half acre Garden, East Belt. Apply, 441 c ORR & CO. JUST ARRIVED —Young Ladies’ Journals for APRIL, and other IVXciffcizin gs » H. M. JONES, Stationer, 360 c East Street and Baring Square. IN BANKRUPTCY. EE WM. MUNRO’S ESTATE. A MEETING of the Creditors in the above-named Estate is appointed to take place at the office of the undersigned, at 11.30 a.m. on THURSDAY, the 13th inst. FREDK. PAVITT, 442 c Trustee. FUNERAL NOTICE. THE Friend of the late MISS PER MAIN are respectfully invited to attend her funeral, which will leave her father’s residence at 1.30, MAY 12, for the Church, and then proceed to the New Cemetery. JOHN TREZISE, 443 c Undertaker. V. R. In the District Court of Christ church, Holden at Ashburton. IN THE MATTER of the Debtors and Creditors Act, 1876, of Acts amending the same, and of the bank ruptcy of JAMES BAYLISS, of Sea field, Farmer, a Debtor. Notice is hereby given that at a meeting of the creditors of the above named debtor, Mr. Frederick Pavitt, Com mission Agent, of Ashburton, was elected Creditors’ Trustee; and the said Frederick Pavitt has notified to me in writing his accept ance of such Trusteeship. Dated at Ashburton this tenth day of May, 1880. C. CAVENDISH HURRELL, Clerk to the Court. 440 c



Holloway’s Pills. —These celebrated Pills are essentially useful in purifying the blood, cleansing the stomach, gently stimulating the kidneys, and acting as mild aperients. A few doses of this purifying medicine set the foulest stomach right, remove all bilious symptoms, steady the circulation, give strength to thef muscles and composure to the brain and nerves. The Pills are so innoxious that they may be taken by persons in the most delicate state of health, and with marvellous effect. When the system has been enervated by over-indulgence, or exhausted by mercurial preparations, these Pills are excellent restoratives, they expel the poison and enrich the blood, —Advt,