SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF LYTTELTON.

Lyttelton. March 16.

Arrived —Arawata, from north, Avith the San Francisco mail ; Taiaroa, from Dunedin.

DEATH

Shearman. —On January 23d, at o, Scolder street, Poplar, London East, Elizabeth Shearman, mother to Robert William and Joseph Lockwood Shear man, of the Somerset Hotel, Ashburton, aged 72 years. Deeply regretted. Sydney and Melbourne papers please copy.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo"). TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 1880.

Our telegrams of to-day and yesterday from Dunedin have given information re garding what appears to be the perpetra tion of as foul a murder as has ever struck horror into the hearts of the people of this colony. Not perhaps since the the atro cious murders on the Maungatapu Moun tain range near Nelson, by Sullivann ana his gang, have we heard of anything so diabolical as the cold blooded manner in which a husband and wife, peacefully sleeping in their bed in the heart of a great city, their infant by their side, and all thought of danger absent, have been at tacked in the dead of night, by the murderous axe of an assassin, and their lives taken before they could utter a cry or offer the faintest resistance. As we read the terrible details given, we feel forced to the conclusion that the murder must have been the act of a maniac. No reason for the deed seems to be available, for no rob bery appeai'3 to have been committed. The valuables that were in the house were left, untouched, and no effort at spolia tion seems to have been made, so we must seek some other motive than theft. The happy lives the victims led precludes all suspicion as to the wounds having been self-inflicted, and besides the surround ing circumstances are against the possibility of°tlie murderer having been one of the victims ; but still a clue to any motive is still absent. We learn that the police have arrested a man at Waikouaiti on sus picion of being the murderer, and that when they approached him he drew a revolver but did not use it. No par ticulars, however, are given of how the police connect this man with the deed, or what clue they have . to his possible connection with it. The whole seems so involved in mystery, and left the police and every one else so com pletely at fault for a trace of the perpe trater that we must be prepared_ to wait for some time before the detectives are able to develope a means for bringing the cowardly murderer to justice, for there seems to be no doubt whatever that the death of Mr. and Mrs. Grant and their child, the latter suffocated by the smoke that arose from the attempt 011 the part of the assassin to fire the house after the committal of his crime, i 3 a murder of the foulest kind that ever darkened the annals of the colony. Meanwhile the people of Dunedin, as well they might, are in a fever of excitement over the terrible affair.

In another column will be found a letter signed “ Ratepayer,” on the subject of the proposed division of the Longbeach district into Wards. We agree with a great deal of what our correspondent states. To begin with, the ratepayers about Waterton and Wheatstone did not elect only their own men until their spending power had come nearly to an end, the great bulk of the large Government grants having by that time been expended. As to “ Ratepayer’s ” complaint of the dry land having to pay for making drains in the Longbeach swamp, there is some modicum of truth in it. The Longbeach swamps cover a very large area of country, the dry lands comparatively little. All the roads necessary for the dry land have long ago been made. There is not a land owner between the the Ashburton and Hinds on the shingly land who has not a well formed road on the frontage to his section ; but there is a tremendous acre age of swamp which is as yet inaccessible. Ratepayer ” appears to consider that the expenditure of the Road Board money in drainage is a misappropriation of funds, but it is far from it. It is, in fact, one of the Boards most important duties to see to the proper drainage of roads. And the dry districts of Longbeach have certainly no right to find fault with their share of the expenditure. The Great South road, a large portion of Graham’s, Ford’s, the Longbeach, Winslow, and other roads, are certainly in the dry district, and have cost a good round sum of money ; and, chain for chain, we do not think the cost in a large number of instances has varied to any considerable extent. So far as our correspondent’s complaint as to the assessment is concerned, we must agree with him ; but as the assessor has had liis roll condemned, and has been ordered to prepare a fresh one, it would be premature to pass a judgment on a document still in embryo ; besides, “Rate payer” lias the Rating Act to guide him as to the proper method of lodging ap peals, if he considers he is charged too much or his neighbor too little. As to the contemplated movement in the direction of still further dividing the district, we have _ already expressed our opinions on the inadvisablencss of that course. The Longbeach Road District as at present constituted is paying a good

'salary for a clerk and surveyor, who, to say the least of it, can have very little to do, seeing that no contiacts are in ex istence. There is no money to spend, and if a split takes place it will only lead to the appointment of another officer to share the duties of the present one, while additional buildings and office expenditure will be required.

A voluminous Government report has reached us containing condensed state ments of the receipts and expenditure of the Road Boards of New Zealand.. From this it appears that there are 325 Road Boards in the colony, and of these only 36 sent in returns. The one which figures the largest is the Ashburton Road Board, which expended during the financial year 1879, £17,173 2s. 2d. : and the smallest is the East Maliurangi Road Board, some where in Auckland, which shows the fol lowing account of its disbursements for the year :—On new roads —Survey and- con struction, £3 3s. ; salaries, £4; sundries, £7 7s.—total, £l4 10s. If this Board holds monthly meetings, they must do a lot of cheeseparing to expend their twenty four shillings and twopence per month. There can’t be any sinecures for Road Board officials in Maliurangi East.

Unfilial Conduct. —Two men, named William and Alfred Hall, were charged at the Christchurch R.M. Court, with neglecting to support their mother. They had been previously remanded for inquiries to be made, and Sub-Inspector O’Donnell said their average earnings were L2 a week. Neither of the brothers were needy men, and each had a horse and dray. They were further remanded till to day, when the former was ordered to pay 4s. a week towards her maintenance, and the latter Ss.

R.M. Court. —There was very little business done at the Resident Magistrate’s Court to-day, only four civil cases having been heard. These were Robinson Rud dick v. F. B. Passmore, a claim of L 33 15s. lOd. The plaintiff did not appear and the case was dismissed with costs, his Worship ordering the sum of L 3 7s. 9d. paid into Court to be refunded. The im migration authorities sued a man named Hodgkinson for L'l6, balance of passage money to this colony. Mr. March ap peared for the Government, and defen dant was ordered to pay LI per month. Mutter v. Ruddiek.—Plaintiff claimed L2O 11s. 4d. on a dishonored acceptance. Judgment was given for plaintiff with costs, defendant not appearing. Fowler v. Harper Claim L 4 6s. 7d. Mr. O’Reilly for plaintiff, Mr. Purnell for de fendant. Defendant paid LI 6s. 7d. into court. John Fowler, plaintiff, deponed to having supplied goods to the defendant and his daughter on the strength of an order from the defendant’s wife. Some of the clothing charged for was for the de fendant’s son-in-law. Mrs. Harper had promised to pay for them. D. Amos proved the delivery of the goods, and to defendant’s wife having said she would send her daughter to exchange them. For the defence Mr. Purnell said that the goods in dispute had been supplied to the son-in-law. Defendant denied ever having had the clothing, but believed his son-in-law had. Mr. Ferriman said he had called at defendant’s for payment of the account, and defendant’s wife acknow ledged the debt, and said she could not pay it then but would pay it off at the rate of 10s. per week. Judgment for plaintiff for full amount with costs.

Death. —The San Francisco Mail brings intelligence of the death of Mrs. Sheav man, the beloved mother of Mr. R. W. Shearman of the Somerset Hotel. The deceased lady died at her residence in Scouler Street, Poplar, London, at the ripe age of 72.

The San Francisco Mail.— The Ara wata arrived at Lyttelton this morning, with the San Francisco mail. The Ash burton portion came up with the express.

Novelty. —ln another column Messrs. Everett Bros, announce their intention of giving a grand concert in the Town Hall on Friday evening next, the proceeds of which are to be given for benevolent pur poses in Ashburton. A number of ladies and gentlemen of known talent have been secured from Christchurch with the object of making the entertainment a signal success.

Wesleyan. —On Sunday next there are to be thanksgiving services held in all the Wesleyan Methodist Churches in the dis trict of Canterbury. The Rev. Mr. Keall, making the announcement on Sunday last from the pulpit, said it would be a fitting opportunity for the congrega tion to give some pecuniary aid to the trust or building fund, and hoped the matter would be very liberally responded to, as help was much required to meet de mands upon the trustees of the Church.

New Brick Kiln. —The firm of Austin, Kirk and Co, (Limited), have just com pleted at their works (we learn from Christchurch) the largest brick kiln, it is believed, in the* Southern Hemisphere. It is circular, with fourteen chambers, to hold 24,000 bricks each. The shaft is 130 feet high, circular, and seven feet in the clear at the base.

The Old Mew’s Home. —We have re ceived the following note, which, though unsigned, we have no doubt is genuine : —‘‘Sir, —By inserting the following lines in your valuable paper you will oblige tlic humble inmates of this institu tion (the Old Men’s Home). Tlie inmates of this Home beg to express their regret at the resignation of Rev. Mr. Paige ; also their gratitude for ' the favors they have received from him. The rev. gentleman ivas at all times both ready and willing to assist them in any way that lay in his power. Mr. Paige was evidently one of those benevolent gentlemen who believe that the way to live happy is to endeavor to make other people happy. Wherever lie goes he will carry with him that which is more precious than gold a good character. May well be with him, and long_ may he live to administer comfort to his fellow creatures, is the sincere wish of the in mates of this place, who also beg to ex press their gratitude to other parties who kindly attend to their spiritual wants every Sunday—rain or blow —evidently believing that forsaken old age is a pitiful thing.” Christian Charity. —Ho -wonder some of the clergy are perplexed at the terms of the “ prayer in time of war,” when applied, as requested by the Archbishop of Canterbury, to General Roberts and liis Army :—“ We commend to Thy Fatherly Goodness all those wlio are in any way afflicted or disturbed in mind

body, or estate, especially those (General Roberts and his army) for whom our prayers are desired.” The General does not seem to be much afflicted or dis tressed, and his hand is always able to guard his head. The really wretched beings are the Afghans, whose sufferings do not disturb the British General’s diges tion, far less evoke his prayers.—‘‘Echo.” Muffs v. Publicans. —In a match at Christchurch yesterday the muff cricket ers were able to make 103 runs against the men of “ spirit.” Her Little Revenge.— A Danbury young man offended one of the lady clerks in a fancy goods stoie at a party a few evenings ago. A day or two later he went into the store and inquired if she had “gentlemen’s gloves.” She answered, “Yes.” “I want to get a pair,” he said. “ Who are they for ?” she asked, looking him straight in the eyes. “ Why—for — me,” he gasped,-turning scarlet under the insinuation in her inquiry.—“ Danbury News.”

A Hog Scraper. A recently patented hog scraping machine is thought to have a possible capacity of removing the bristles from 6000 swine in ten hours—work hitherto requiring the help of sixty men. According to the “ Cincinnati Inquirer,” it was tried the other day in Chicago, when seven hogs of various sizes were passed through in fifiy-saven seconds, and “ all came out as clean as a whistle.”

TELEGRAPHIC.

TO-DAY’S CABLEGRAMS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE

( Rente / V.) Fire on Board a Mail Steamer.

London, March 15.

Information has been received here this morning from San Francisco that a fire has occurred on board the San Francisco mail steamer City of Sydney, while lying in dock at San Francisco. The extent of damage she has sustained is unknown.

Bad News from Afghanistan.

The Enemy Capture a Village

A Fresh Campaign Inevitable. Bombay, March 15.

A report has been received from Af ghanistan to the effect that the enemy has captured the villhge of Chaikor, near the city of Cabul, and a new Afghan cam paign is considered inevitable.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Renters). A Respite. Brisbane, March 16. Legal points having been raised in con nection with the conviction of the bush ranger Wells, the Governmentlias granted a respite of his death sentence until the 22nd inst.

The Queensland Loan Postponed. The Queensland National Bank re ceived a telegram from London to the effect that the floating of the proposed Queensland Loan has been postponed un til after the forthcoming general election in England, as it is feared the excitement attending the same might endanger the success of the loan.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

INTERPROVINCIAL. Arrival- Auckland, March 16. The s.s Taravua arrived at Russell, hav ing left Sydney on the 11th, at 2 p.m. The Thames Grievances. Mr. Ehrenfried, Mayor of the Thames, and Mr. John Sheehan, M.H.R., waited on Messrs. Hall and Rolleston, and re quested a reimbursement of L 2,300, alleged to have been wrongfully deducted from the sums supplied to the borough during the last three years for charitable purposes. They also requested Govern ment to refund LSOO promised by Mr. Sheehan, when Native Minister, and ex pended by the Thames people on the faith uf a promise. The matter was referred to Mr. Bryce. Judge Fenton. The Government have arranged to re tain the services of Judge Fenton, as Chief Judge of the Native Lands Court, which has given much satisfaction here. The Champion Shot. New Plymouth, March 16.

The banquet given to Sergeant Okey last night, was a great success. Over 200 attended. Sir Dillion Bell was present, and proposed the toast “ Prosperity to Taranaki. ” Major Stapp wa3 in the chair, Colonel Trimble in the vice chair. The Lincolnshire Delegates. The Lincolnshire delegates arrived from Hawera last night. Mr. Grant is suffer ing from a severe attack of sciatica, and can scarcely walk. They are the guests of Mr. Caverhill. It is supposed they will leave for Auckland to-day, in the steamer Rangatira, which will he detained so as to enable Mr. Foster to see something of the district.

The Local Industries Commission. Wellington, March 16.

At a meeting of the Local Industries Commission, Mr. Wakefield was ap pointed chairman. It was resolved to send circulars to the various Chambers of Commerce, asking them to make any sug gestions they considered necessary to aid industries already in existence, and for the development of the new ones. Death of an Old Settler. John Wallace, an old settler, died this morning. He was in his 93rd year. Rise in the Price of Wool.

The Loan and Mercantile Agency re port under date, London, March 13, The wool sales closed firmly at an average im provement of lid. to 2d. per lb. ; we ex pect the next stiles to open at present quotations. Superior greasy has advanced lid. to 2d. : scoured, 2d. to 3d. ; superior combings, washed, Id. to lid. ; combing, washed, 2d. ; clothing, washed, Id. Since the close of last sale of cross-breds, greasy combings, washed and scoured, have each advanced 3d. per lb. Up to date, 189,000 bales have been sold, 1000 taken for ex port. The leather market continues flat. Best sides are worth Ilf d. Tallow, a dull sale, best mutton being worth L 36 10s., and best beef L 35 10s. per ton. Tixaaru Sheep Stealing Case. Timaru, March 10.

The case of larceny of 800 sheep, against George Orr, representing the firm of Meek, millers, Oainaru, has been dismissed after occupying the Bench two days. The sheep had been sold by Scott, formerly partner with Meek, and tlie latter, believ ing the sale to be fraudulent, instructed

Orr to seize them, pending the appoint ment by the Supreme Court of a person :o receive the disputed partnership pro perty.

LAST NIGHT’S CABLEGRAMS.

AUSTR ALIAN.

( Reuter's Tel eg r a ms.) The French at Tonquin. Sydney, March 15,

The steamship Normanby arrived from Co ok town on Saturday. Great excite ment exists at Saigon, Cochin-China, relative to the French occupation of Ton quin. A Japaii333 Parliam3iiv. The Japanese Executive are considering the necessity for the establishment of a National Assembly. On the Wallaby. The King of Siam is about to visit all the capitals in Europe. A Costly Collision. Melbourne, March 15.

The owners of the Claud Hamilton have been mulcted in L 1,073 damages for the collision with the steamship Adela in January last.

LAST NIGHT’S TELEGRAMS.

Auckland, March 15.

IT.M.S. Cormorant, on her passage from Wellington, had one boat carried away and two stove in during a gale off the East Cape. An inquest on the body of Herbert Hines has been held, and a verdict of found drowned returned. He was of intemperate habits. Thomas Hanson, clerk in the Railway ofiice, and Frank Foxton, teller of the Bank of New South Wales, have been arrested on a charge of embezzlement, and remanded for a week until an in vestigation can be made of the accounts. The remains of the late Mr. Birch, are to be forwarded to Dunedin for inter ment there. The Auckland and Thames champion representatives were welcomed here on their arrival. The carbine champion, Sergeant Thomas, was placed in an open carriage, and, with band playing, was marched to the drill shed. A banquet is being given to-night. Colonel Leckie has left by the Penguin for Wellington. Plymouth, March 15.

Owing to the steamer being delayed till Sunday, the arrangements made for the reception of Sergeant Okey, the winner of the Championship, were abandoned, but a church parade of the Volunteers was ordered for 10 o’clock yesterday, which was well attended. It was expected the steamer Wellington would have been here during the morning, but she did not show up till 3 o’clock, when the Volunteers were again mustered by bugle call, and were marched to the beach, where they were drawn up to receive the representa tives. In the meantime, a deputation went on board the steamer, and invited the Auckland and Thames representatives on shore. The invitation was accepted, and they came. On the boat reaching the landing place, four of Sergeant Okey’s comrades advanced with a chair, on which they seated the Champion, and then, lifting him on their shoulders, carried him through the town to the Oddfellows’ Hall, the band playing, “ See the conquering hero comes.” As the steamer left at 5 o’clock, the visitors had only time to have some slight refreshments at the Odd fellows’ Hall, which had been prepared for them, before they had to go on board the steamer again. A public banquet will be given this evening to Sergeant Okey, which bids fair to be a great success. Nelson, March 15.

Major Stack, well known throughout tlie colony as commanding officer of Volunteers, died here on Saturday even ing. He will be buried this afternoon, with military honors. Christchurch. March 15.

At the Police Court to-day a man named James Brown nas charged with cruelty to animals. It was proved that he had left a couple of horses harnessed to a cart stand ing out all night in a storm of rain, and as it was not the first time he had done this kind of thing,, the magistrate sent him to gaol for a fortnight, without the option of a fine.

The Native Lands Commission is still sitting at Akoroa. Mr. Clark presented an urgent petition from , 30 natives of Aparima, Southland, asking the Commis sioners to hold a sitting there, in order that they may be heard in connection with the purchase of the Murihoku block. The Commissioners decided to proceed to Aparima after finishing the investigation at Akaroa.

SHOCKING TRAGEDY IN DUNEDIN.

❖ MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR, [BY TELEGRAPH, YESTERDAY.] Dunedin, March 15.

There is every reason to believe that yesterday’s affair was the result of a brutal murder, that the sleeping, unconscious man had been killed by one stroke, and that a deliberate attempt was made to conceal all evidence of the crime by burn ing down the house in which the deed was done. The last thing known of any mem ber of the family on Saturday night is that Grant travelled by tram-car from South Dunedin to the corner of St. David street, whence, no doubt, he pro ceeded home. The next thing we hear in connection with the family is that about four o’clock on Sunday morning a neigh bor named Henry Haydon, who happened to be up for a few moments, saw a light in one of the front rooms of the house. This was the sitting room. From this till close upon 7 o’clock nothing is known, Shortly before 7 o’clock Mr. Robb, sen., who lives in Lambeth place, opposite, noticed smoke issuing from the residence of the Grants, and his son being a member of the Fire Brigade, the father naturally aroused him, after satisfying himself that the smoke was really proceeding from the house. Robb, jun., donned his uniform and ran across the street. He called to the inmates, but got no answer, then tried the front door, but found it locked, and ran round at once to the back. At this time he was certain that the house was on fire, as smoke was issuing from underneath the eaves, from the window, etc. He found the back door open, and rushing in, he went up the pas sage and into the bedroom, hearing, as he did, a. gurgling noise. In the room he found the smoke was so thick as to prevent his seeing anything, and he had to go

down on his knees. He had not made his way for more than a moment or two in this way before he felt a body on the floor. Catching hold of it, he dragged it out, and placed it in half-way in the sitting room. As he moved it in he heard a groan, which convinced him the person was alive, and when he gob the body out he found it was that of a woman. Then he obtained assistance, and quenched the tire. During this time Robb found Grant himself lying on the bed, but, seeing he was dead, and having got the fire under, he did not move the body. At the head of the bed was an ordinary American axe, which belonged to the house. Grant had a severe blow on the head, inflicted by this instrument, for it was covered with blood. Blood was also on the pillow and over the bed, spattered over the wall. The wound had been made, not by the sharp blade of the axe, but by the butt. Dr. Brown states that there can be no question that the blow was given while Grant was sleeping and that it caused death im mediately. Mrs. Grant had three wounds inflicted, also by a portion of the axe other than the sharp edge, and they had undoubtedly been inflicted while the woman was in bed, for she has burns about her body and legs, and her nightdress is also burned. Thus, apparently, she must have had conscious intervals after receiv ing the blows, and made an abortive at tempt to get from the room. The baby had no blow upon it Underneath the bed, after the blows had been struck, and the axe placed at the head of the bed, a lighted candle had been placed. The bedclothes were partly burned, and the mattress was burned pretty well through, and a hole made in the floor. A strange thing was that none of the neigh bors heard any noise. The parents of the deceased, who are living immediately in the rear of the house, saw nothing of any of the family after between 3 and 4 o clock on Saturday afternoon. There was not the slightest sign about the house after wards of any disturbance or struggle. There was not the slightest reason to be lieve that any robbery was committed. Mrs. Grant’s jewellery remained un touched on the chest of drawers in the bedroom, and the house was perfectly in order. Mrs. Grant died at the hospital this morning at 12.30. Dr. Brown, when she was was admitted, at once treated her wounds, and, as the result of this, during the afternoon she breathed more easily, and slight hopes were then entertained of her possibly recovering consciousness. 8 p.m. Nothing new regarding the Cumberland street tragedy has been elicited. Mrs. Grant died from the effects of her injuries soon after midnight, not having regained consciousness. No arrests have yet been made, and no clue as yet has been ob tained as to the perpetrator of the crime. Dunedin, March 16.

The police at Waikouaiti have arrested o man named Butler, alias Donnelly, charged with the murder of Grant, his wife and child. When arrested he drew a revolver, but did not use it. He had recently been discharged from gaol, after serving a sentence for burglary at Bishop Moran’s residence. He left Blueskin at ten o’clock, and will be brought to Dunedin to-night.

THE IVESS LIBEL CASE.

From this Morning's Guardian .

For a week past the chief topic of talk in every coterie in the county has been the charge of libel preferred by Mr. E. G. Crisp, solicitor, against Mr. Joseph Ivess, proprietor of the “ Ashburton Mail. ” While the case was pending, of course, it was not our place to make any remark one way or other on the subject. The case is decided so far as the. Resident Magistrate is concerned, and will probably now go before a higher Court. We are not surprised at this result, nor will we he surprised to learn, when the case comes before the Supreme Court, that the judg ment is adverse to the defendant. Still, to a great extent Mr. Ivess is entitled to public sympathy. According to his lights, he pounced upon what he believed to be a great wrong to the public, and, as out of the fullness of the heart the mouth speaketh, so we may measure the depths of Mr. Ivess’ feeling by the strength of his language. Possibly the strength of his feelings caused the promptness with which he moved in the matter of Miss Callaghan’s letter, but it is never safe to utter judg ment against a man until a fair chance has been given to the supposed offender to clear himself, and the full facts of the case are available. In Mr. Crisp’s case, at the first blush, and supposing that the £IOO salary he received covered all costs, there was an apparent reason for any defaulting ratepayer feeling indignant when a charge for a letter making the demand was made in addition to the rates he owed. We confess to having ourselves thought there was something out of joint when we first heard of the charge, for the understanding around the Council table seemed to be that the salary paid to their solicitor covered all costs. But then we knew Mr. Crisp, and believed him to be a gentleman, and so waited until he should explain his conduct to the Council before we delivered ourselves upon it. We had the same chance to attack Mr. Crisp that the “Mail” had, and the same reason for that matter, but chose to bo more cautious and more just, and gave the Borough Solicitor that fair play which every man is entitled to. The “ Mail” did not do so, and the result is a charge of libel. The evidence given in the case goes to show that Mr. Crisp was only acting as any other solicitor would have acted under the circumstances, and the blame lies less with him, if any lies with him at all, than with the Borough Council, the terms of whose contract were not clear enough as to what charges were to be made by the solicitor they engaged. We pass over the fact elicited in Court that "Mr. Ivess helped to stir up the ques tion by injudicious meddling, in concoct ing Miss Callaghan’s letter to the Council, and he thus, to a certain extent, laid him self open to a charge of hunting up an opportunity to make the attack out of which all the proceedings have arisen. We only hope this little escapade will be a lesson to him that it is a difficult thing to combine the position of $ fair journalist and a consistent public man. To be a journalist worthy of the name a man re quires unflinching pluck, and the courage of his own opinions, but to these he must <idd, if he would command the respect rf his constituents, prudence and caution and a kind toleration of those who honestly differ from him in opinion. When he has a wrong to redress--provided he has found out that a real wrong exists —

ho must attack that wrong and the perpe trators of it, fearing not a man because of his position and influence, but boldly de fending the right, and if he admits of any respect of persons at all, his leaning ought to be to the side of the weak. He ought to show due respect for constituted authority, but when constituted authority makes a palpable error, or is guilty of a wilful wrong, his pen should know no stint com patible with the language of a gentleman, and his denunciation should be as vigorous as fair and square criticism will allow. The press is perhaps the greatest power in modern civilisation, and while its free dom is assured the liberty of the subject will be well conserved; but while its liberty makes it an all-potent power for good, that liberty run mad and degenerat ing into license will change it into unequally potent agency of evil. It is well that all liberty is bounded by the law that keeps it within the region of liberty, and out of that of license, otherwise we should soon have reason to wish for less liberty. This law of libel which has just been put in operation against Mr. Ivoss is the barrier civilisation has put between the liberty of the press and the license of the press—and we never hear that law attacked until it has been put in motion. But the man who knows he is right, and knows it be cause he has left no means of proof untried, will seldom have cause to fear the law of libel, it he attacks a wrong-doer courage ously, yet honorably and temperately, after due search for and elicitation of the truth.

In our issue of this morning Mr. Ivess tenders an apology to Mr. Harry Friedlander for • the charges he brought against him in the article out of which the libel case now pending arose. The apology is full and unreserved, and doubtless will be satisfactory to Mr. Fried lander. Surely the case between Mr. Crisp and Mr. Ivess might be settled in the same way, for there is no necessity whatever that the aid of the Supreme Court should be called in to settle the case. The glorious, uncertainties of law may perhaps clear Mr. Ivess before the higher Court, while the same uncertain ties may commit him to prison. Under any circumstances both he and Mr. Crisp have been put to much trouble, and will be put to more should the case goon, while a host of witnesses, heartily sick of the case already, will be required to waste still more time over it. And we think all could be sa w ed, and no honor lost to Mr. Ivess, could he and Mr. Crisp settle the case as between them in the way it has been settled as between Mr. Ivess and Mr. Friedlander. Mr. Crisp is not the good hearted man we have always known him if he refuses to be content with an apology now that the case has been heard before the R.M.

A Rowing Challenge. —White 8r05.,. Auckland, publish a challenge to pull any four men in New Zea’and 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 £SO. The Elgin Sc:ioo t , —We are informed that Mr. G. F. South, late of the Opoho district, Otago Province, has been ap pointed master of the newly established school at Elgin. He will assume his duties and commence work in three weeks or so-

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

ABOLITION OF THE BANKRUPTCY LAWS.

To the Editor.

Sir, —A friend gave me a paper of your issue, dated February 25th, 1880, com paring or flattering me with the trickish Montague Mosley as a lecturer. I never was given to speechifying, but I think you do me too much honour by comparing me with Mr. Mosley. I think there is much more importance in the abolition of the bankruptcy laws than a dozen of Mr. Mosley’s lectures. If a committee is formed to carry out the necessary arrange ments for me to address a meeting, I will do so on the above subject, and although not much of a lecturer I will do my best to enlighten my hearers on a subject that is more to their advantage than listening to every migrate minister, lecturer, or player, that chooses to post play-bills all over the town, and at the same time ex tracting all the ready money that is in ihe place. As Mr. E. G. Wright will shortly address his constituents here, per haps it may be as well to prepare for him our thoughts upon this subject before he goes to Parliament next session.—l am, &c.,

George Cates, Ashburton, March 15th, 1880.

THE LONGBEACH ROAD DISTRICT.

To the Editor.

Sir, —I observe that several ratepayers of this district have sent in a petition to the Board, requesting it to be divided into Wards, in order that the good people about Waterton and Wheatstone may not have it in their power to elect only their own men.

This plan may answer for that portion of the district lying between tie Hinds and Rangitata; but if the ratepayers living on the dry land between the Ash burton and Hinds think that by having the old Wards confirmed they will at all improve, their position, they will, I am afraid meet with disappointment. In the first place, every one knows that it is move expensive to make roads among swamps than it is on dry land ; now tlip old Road Board very astutely made the different Wards to consist of about equal quantities of dry arid wet land. Thus the dry land has to assist in paying for the drainage, under the guise of road-making, of the Longbeach swamps. Why, sir, if the dry land in this district had fair play with their rates and subsi dies, there would have been money to their credit in the Bank, instead of which, the Board being composed of men from the swemps, it has always been in debt, and yet the rates are double those of the upper Board. But even supposing the district were fairly divided into Wards, composed for the greater part of one kind of land, wet or dry ; so long as both remained a por tion of one Board, any outside creditor, would, I think have a claim against the whole Board, and the division into Wards would not be a sufficient plea in law, to exonerate the dry Wards from paying the

T u esday, M arch i 6, 1880.1

THE ASHBURTON HERALD



New Advertisements. BIS DAT, QUI CITO DAT, OR SMALL PROFITS A¥D QUICK RETURNS Is the motto of Everett bros., & co., HAVELOCK STREET. We will give a GRAND CONCERT in the Town Hall, on FRIDAY, MARCH 19. The whole of the proceeds to be given for the purpose of Charitable Aid in Ashburton. 617g-182c* £2 REWARD. LOST —From Miles, Hassell’s & Go., Chertsey, on Saturday night, the 13th inst., Three HORSES. 1 HeavyfDraught Horse, bay, branded C on near shoulder. 1 Small Bay Mare (pony) branded C conjoined, and C above on CD near shoulder. 1 Chestnut Trap Horse ' Apply GEORGE JAMES, Company’s Estate, Chertsey. Or E. ROSKRUGE. Chertsey. Anyone detaining them after this date will be prosecuted. 183 c SATURDAY, MARCH 13. OPENING NEW STORE, East Street, Near Bullock, & Co’s. JAMES CLARK Begs to inform the Public of Ashbur ton and Surrounding Districts that he is commencing business a 3 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 ASHBURTON GAS, COAL, & COKE COMPANY, LIMITED. FRESH TENDERS are invited for the OPENING and FILLING IN of 28 chains, (more or less), of Trenches for Mains in Tancred street, at per chain. To be left at the office of the Secretary not later than 4 o’clock on WEDNESDAY, the 17th March. A deposit of £5 is required with each tender. The lowest or any tender not neces sarily accepted. By order, J. WARD, 184c* Secretary. A 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 a 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,’’ “Ashburton Herald,’, “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 then copies at the ’above Establishment. *l2lc 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 T WEEDS, 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 lus 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 WANTED KNOWN— That Money can W be saved by purchasing your bta tionery and Account Books, for casi 7 a the “Herald” and “Guardian Whole sale Stationery Dep6t, Saunders J3ui *■ ings, near Station.



WASTE PAPER for Sale, 3d. per lb. at the Herald Office. Apply early. • 7"ANTED, a good strong BOY for y the kitchen, about 14 years. Ap ply, J. G. Anstee, Boarding-house. 180 c Ashburton, 15th March, 1880, To Mr. Harry Friedlander, Ashburton. SIR,— At your request I beg to retract, without qualification, the assertions made concerning you, either in your capacity as Rate Collector for the Borough of Ashburton or otherwise, in a leading article headed “ Six Shillings Costs,” which appeared, with my knowledge and consent, in the “ Ashburton Mail” news paner, of which I am the proprietor, of the 20th February last. I regret that the statements concerning you were ever pub lished, and now apologise to you for their publication, which apology I trust you will see fit to accept. You will perhaps permit me to explain that the assertions in question were made under a misapprehension of the facts of the case. 1 am, yours faithfully, Glß*-183c* JOSEPH IYESS.