MAIL NOTICES.

Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office— a . From Christchurch at 10.35 a.m., 4.5*? p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. From Chertsey, 'Rakaia, &c. at lU.oo ■ a.m. daily. n From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.25 p.m. daily. ! Fr»m 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 't-days and Fridays at 2.30 p. m. Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch. and North at 6 a.m. 9. a. m., and sp. m., daily. '~~“For"Chertsey. Rakaia, &c., at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, ,and Geraldine, at 10.15 a. m. daily. 1 •- W. St. G. Douglas, '-i' Postmaster. Mails close at the Chief Post Office, Christchurch, for the following places (subject to necessary alterations) as under Tuesday, June 1. For Otago and Australian Colonies, per Rotomahana.

SYDNEY J. DICK, Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH

Douglas —On Monday, 31st May, at Ashburton, Mrs. W. St. George Douglas, of a son. 516 c

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). MONDAY, MAY 31, 1880. “Black Eyed Susan.”

it is our pleasant duty to compliment the Amateur Dramatic Club on the success of their representation of “ Black-eyed Susan ” on Saturday night, and on the patronage bestowed upon them by the public. The night was happily chosen, as, closing JEtace Day, it afforded an ex cellent chance to many strangers to put in a pleasant evening, and at the same time witness what Ashburton could do in amateur theatricals. It was announced the previous evening that Mrs. Hoskins, who had engaged to sustain the part of “Susan,” would not play, but that her place would be supplied by Mrs. Tippets, and though regular play-goers may have felt disappointed at the absence of the popular professional actress, and deferred their patronage till the night of her ap pearance, the immense crowd that thronged the Hall gave unmistakeable proof of their satisfaction with the sub stitute the Club were fortunate in being able to put forward. We have hitherto only known Mrs. Tippets in light lively parts, in which she showed herself to be the very soul of fun, and we were therefore agreeably surprised to find that her ver satility extended so far as to include the power to present very eommendably in deed the somewhat difficult character of Susan. Her entrances were always re ceived with applause, and her acting throughout the piece met with genei’al and hearty approbation from all parts of a thoroughly crowded house. She was well supported by Mr. J'essop, who played the hero of the piece, as near to perfection as it could be expected. Mr. Jessop is very popular, and receives the applause that his fidelity to the characters he assumes so richly deserves. The part of Dolly May flower was taken by Miss Hardley at very short notice, for Mrs. Hoskins’ absence had compelled a hasty re-casting of the female parts. Miss Hardley, however, got through her part of Dolly very fairly indeed, and required very little aid from the prompter. Of the other characters, most prominent for excellence was that of Gnatbrain (Mix Elston), which was very effective, .and made the most of his part, provoking a smile at every turn, and getting at once on good terms with his audience. Captain Crosstree fell to the lot of Mr. Felton, and was in good hands, as the reception it met with showed, while Mr. Poyntz made a very imposing Admiral, and Mr, Henry a smart Lieu tenant Pike. Jacob Twig was entrusted to Mr. Yaughan, and the parts were ap portioned as follows ; —“ Doggrass,” ef fectively played by Mr. Cullen •; Raker and Hatchet, by Messrs. Rooks and Tip.- pets ; the subordinate characters of sea men &c., by Messrs. Fooks, Cook, Leatham, Leitcli, Hardley, Higgins, Tutty, and others. Contributing largely to the success of the piece was the excellent scenery painted by our local painter, Mr. C. Bourke, whose efforts were rewarded by repeated calls before the curtain as each successive new scene presented itself. His representa

tion of the ileet at anchor in the Downs, was vociferously applauded, as was also a correct picture of East street, Ashburton, which did duty has a drop. Ho contrived, too, tointroducea littlejokeinto his picture of a street in Deal, by placing the name of a local hairdresser over a shop from the door of which projected the inevitable “pole.” Altogether Mr. Bourke is a valuable aid to the Club, who would be tame indeed without the aid of his facile brush.

The afterpiece was’the farce of “John Smith,” in 'which Mi’s. Tippets, Miss Hardley, Messrs Poyntz, Jessop, Felton, Fooks, and, of course, Elston, took part. From beginning to end the amusing sii na tions, and comic contretemps “ fetched ” the audience, who left at the close in the highest good humor. Nor, must we, in closing our notice of the' performance, forget to mention how much of its success is due to the painstaking management of Mr. Jacobson, whose prompting .on Satur day was not obtrusive, and his guidance kept the two pieces in the even tenor of their way without the slightest hitch of any kind—barring one, and that was most unfortunate. The gas went out at the close of one of the acts, and for a few minutes the whole building was in dark ness. Some truer hand had better be put in charge of the taps. We would suggest, too, Sergeant Warr ing, or some other lusty armed constable should be stationed in the open of the Hall, with a roving commission to use his riding whip amongst the young larrikins whose loud and unrehearsed “ asides ” were not an enjoyable part of the per formance to respectable people, even if great louts from the country ivho knew no better encouraged the young imps in their larrikinism.

Borough Council. —The usual fort nightly meeting of the Borough Council will be held this evening at 7 o’clock.

The Jewish Synagogue. —At a meet ing of the Jewish congregation in Christ church to-day, to consider the proposal to erect a new synagogue, it was resolved to defer the matter for one month, to allow members io canvass for subscriptions. L 350 lias already been promised, and L 2,000 is the estimated cost of the building.

Dentistry. —Suffei’ers from the excru dating pangs of toothache, and those whose organs of mastication vequire re placing, are advised to give Mr. Arm strong (who has just arrived from Dun edin) a call. This gentleman’s temporary quarters ai’e at Quill’s Commercial Hotel, but once a week Mr. Armstrong intends paying a visit to Rakaia. The “Dress Circle.” —lntending patrons of the dress circle on Friday —when “ Black-eyed Susan,” with Mrs. Hoskins in the title role, wall be produced —are referred to a note at the bottom of the Dramatic Club’s advertisement. The entrance to the dress circle in the gallery is by the outside staircase, at tlie top of which the box-office is situated, so that all necessity is avoided for entering the ower hall to purchase tickets.

The Borough Auditors. —The poll for the election of two auditors for the Borough of Ashburton will be taken to morrow. There are three candidates for the office, Messrs. Gundry, Zuucb, and Poyntz. The two former gentlemen filled the position last year, and seek re-elec tion ; the latter gentleman is a new aspi rant for the office, and as his ability as an accountant is so well known, it is very probable there will be some close running.

Rakaia and Ashburton Forks Rail way.—This line is doing something like business. On Friday last no less than 43 trucks loaded with grain came down, and considering the lateness of season this is a very large quantity of grain. If this line were only extended to Alford Forest a wide country would be opened up, and ample resources of coal, wood, and stone would be developed. The coal lias been used for years in these districts, and the wood of the forest is already well known, while the stone quarry at Mount Somers is highly spoken of, and would be very valuable were it brought nearer the market, but tlie want of a railway makes the cost of carriage very high. As it is, however, the Forks line is said to be pay ing better than the trunk. Licensing Court.— The quarterly sit ting of the Licensing Commissioners for the Mount Somers, Ashburton, and Rakaia districts will be held at 12 o’clock to-morrow, at the Court House, when the following applications will be heard : Applications for renewal—Philip Tisch, Spread Eagle, Hotel, Ashburton Forks ; Robert Little, Hind Hope, the Hinds ; R. Patton, Methven Hotel, Methven ; J. Tisch, Alford Forest Hotel, Alford Forest ; R. W. Shearman, Somerset Hotel, Ash burton ; W. Harris, Railway Hotel, Win slow ; J. Hood, Hood’s Hotel, Mount Somers ; M. Scott, Tinwald Hotel, Tin wald ; G. Willcocks, Wlieatsheaf Hotel, Wheatstone; F. Doherty, Waterton Hotel, Waterton ; D. McFarlane, Barr hill Hotel, Barrhill ; J. McNamara, Rail way Hotel, South Rakaia ; J. F. Butler, Butler’s Hotel, Ashburton ; D. McKenzie, Ashburton Hotel, Ashburton ; T. Quill, Commercial Hotel, Ashburton ; W. Power, Royal Hotel, Ashburton ; J. Baldwin, Central Hotel, Ashburton ; J. Wallace, Chertsey Hotel, Chertsey. Mr. J. W. Francis will also make application for confirmation of the license of the South Rakaia Hotel from Mr. W. H. Partridge to himself, and apply for the renewal of the license for the ensuing year. Strikes in America. —Some suggestive figures regarding strikes in America are given in the report of the Massachusetts Bureau of Statistics and Labor. This re* port is prepared annually by order of tlie Massachusetts Legislature, and embodies the results of the most systematic and painstaking research amid the varied in terests of the Bay State. The report of this year gives some interesting informa tion about strikes and strikers, which is summarised in the following figures, cover ing as far as possible the record of all tlie strikes which have taken place in Massa chusetts :—Causes of strikes— better wages, 118 ; to secure shorter days, 24 ; to enfoi’ce Trade Union rules, 9 ; re sistance to employers’ rules, 6 ; against introduction of machinery, 3. Results of strikes —Unsuccessful, 109 ; successful, JO; compromised, 1.6 ; partly successful, 6 ; results unknown, 9; contest still pending, 1. The conclusion drawn in the report from these figures is “that strikes as a rule are powerless to benefit the laboring classes ”: and certainly the statistics given appear to bear out this view, at least as regards Massachusetts.

SPORTING.

ASHBURTON STEEPLECHASES. The Wakanui Stakes, of 20 sovs.; weight for age ; open to all horses. Two miles. Entrance, 1 sov. Mi\ It. Mclvor’s Grey Momus (by Traducer—Patricienne), aged, 12st. 31b. (Owner) ... ... ... ... 1 Mr. J. Lunn’s g g The Fakir, aged, 12st. 31b. (H.,Lunn)... ... ... 2 Mr. J. Dancell’s cli g The Lad, syrs. (Kelly)... ... 3 Stella was disqualified, owing to an error .in the nomination as to her age. Betting—2 to lon the field.

The Lad had the start, and led over the first gorse, where Mr. Mclvor came ahead, and kept well in the van until he reached the fence that separated the ploughed field from the stand paddock. Here The. Lad gained and passed him, keeping front place for a time, but Grey Momus soon recovered his leeway, and again resumed his place in the front. He kopt it over the water jump and up to the last fence, where Fakir, who had ridden a waiting race, made the effort he had been saving for. In a few strides, how ever, be had spent it, and Grey Momus won, with a good handful to spare, The Lad a fair third. This was the best race of the day. Farmers’ Steeplechase, of 15 sovs. ; about l?r miles ; weight for age ; en trance 1 sov. ; for district horses only. Mr. H. Muir’s g g Tam o’Shanter, aged. 12st. 31b (Hedge) ... ... 1 Mr. A. Sturgeon’s bg Lonehand, aged, 12st. 31b. (Owner)... ... 2 Mr. G. Wilcox’s g g Deceiver, 6 yrs., 12st. olbs. (T. Cotton) ... ... 3 Mr. T. Holmes’b c Sir George, 3yr list. (Wood) ... 0 Mr. W. Maugham’s b g Little Tom, aged, 12st. 31b. (S. Osborne) ... 0 Mr. J. Carter’s blk’g Tinwald, aged, 12st. 31b. (Kelly) ... ... ... 0 Jack was scratched. Betting—2 to 1 agst. Jack, 3 to 1 Tam o’Shanter and Lonehand. The lot got away following Tam and Lonehand, Tam hi front, Lonehand next, and Deceiver close up. They kept fairly together till the water jump tried their mettle, and then Tam and Lonehand hav ing overcome the difficulty set out almost alone. Tam got' the last fence in a clumsy way, and his rider came to grief. Lone hand came through safely at the same gap, and looked like landing the money. Hedge, Tam’s rider, was not to be had this way, however, and making a spring into his saddle, made anurgentcall on Tam, to which the game little grey responded with a rush, passed staid old Lonehand, and got first to the post amidst ringing cheers. Tom Cotton brought Deceiver in third, Sir George fourth. Hack Steeplechase, of ssovs.; 1 mile ; catch weights ; entrance, 1 sov.; for district horses only. Mr. Smith’s Merlin (Owner) ... ... 1 Mi’. Corbett’s Maid o’ the Mill (T. Cotton) ... ... ... ... 2 Merlin had it pretty much all his own way, and came in an easy winner. Poor Jack met with a sad-misfortune in the District Handicap. The water jump seemed to be a lion in the path to nearly every horse on the ground, and in taking it, Jack in the District Handicap fell heavily, hurting his back in the fall, aid receiving further injuries from the horse that followed. It was.found that the mis chief he had encountered rendered him worthless for further work, and he was diplomatically done for next day. Raven, too, did not come out of the Ashburton Handicap scatheless, though he won second honors in the contest, and he bid adieu to the course for the day imme diately after. The.totalisator was pretty well patron ised during the day, but not nearly so much as was expected, while the book makers might just as well have stayed at home.

Every speculator in privileges of the course made money, the Grand Stand was crowded, and the man at the gates carried away a pot of money ; the confectioner sold out, and the publican’s booth was vei’y busy, but withal there was remark ably few drunken men to be seen. Loud complaints were now and again made that cards of the races were not to be obtained, and it was not till the Farmers’ Steeple chase was about to be run that we heard a card boy whisper that he had the official pasteboard to sell. If these indispensable documents are not to be more easily ob tainable at next meeting than they were on Saturday we, would advise the Com mittee to take them into their hands.

CHISPA’S LETTER.

“I am not yet so bald that you can see my brains. ” —Longfellow.

John Hall will have it that the country can’t pay its way —that there is ever so much leeway made, and that all hands will have to put “ shillings in” without any thing to win, and therefore no winner, and .no shout. Taxation’s the word all round, and no getting out of it. Sir George again, doesn’t like to allow that we are in queer street, and stouidy affirms that the Honorable John is out in liig calculations, coming it strong that when everything is totted up it won’t look nearly so bad as Johnny Olfcock and the Major make out. I hope he is right, but I’m afraid that whether he is right or wrong we’ll all have to pay stiffly to keep tire craft Zealandia afloat. I am not a man qf figures. I know, as a geuei’al rule, how much I have to draw when screw time comes round, and I think I am pretty sound on the general arithmetical rule that gives eleven herrings for elevenpence if one and a half can be got for three halfpence, and that modicum of ciphering ability has served to keep me square with my creditors up till now. I find it quite sufficient to keep open my eyes to the fact that when a man is not able to scrape together enough mopuses to pay all he owes, and is running out more than he is getting in, there is something rotten in the state of Denmark. This rottenness is amazing common. It has been gradually eating its way over the private business of New Zealand, and now—if the Premier is to be believed—it has got into the public business as well. This rottenness in private affairs has caused some auctioneering, some advertising under the royal arms, and has trotted out the signature very frequently of “C. CavendishHurrell, Clerk oftheDistrict Court.” So often has the latter gentle man’s name appeared under the royal arms, and in connection with so many names

of good men and true, that it has come to be looked upon now as no disgrace at all to appear above his signature, and under the Royal insignia. And this is just what I want to pcint out to the Honorable Jolm and the aristocratic Sir George. I want to point this out to them as a way for the colony to get out of its financial difficulties. If the bankruptcy laws make it easy for a man to owe everybody around him, and then by a very simple process gone through come out and owe nobody, without at the same time having paid anybody, why don’t the colony take the benefit of the same law, and get whitewashed. If I were the ruling power of this great colony, I know I would make that deficiency nil in a short time by a sweep of the pen, and would wipe out the debt of twenty millions at the same time. Yes, the best thing for the colony to do is to go through the Court, and having come out whitewashed and respectable, paying a dividend of nothing in the £, and hardly that, begin business again with a clean sheet.

“What’s bred in the bone will out in the flesh. ” That’s an old story, and a true one, for no amount of theorising, and planting of Burnham Reformatories has been able to give it the lie. , I heard our worthy R.M. dispose of those two young wretches, Jones and Best, last Court day, and I quite agreed with the course fol lowed by Mr. Guinness—at the time. He wouldn’t try them for felony, because the two waifs were so young,, and it would have been cruel to send the little scamps to prison, so he sent them back to tlie In dustrial School, with strict injunctions that they were to be soundly whipped. He might have added “ at once, and further, as occasion may require. ”. That occasion will be every day for some time, I feel quite sure. Fancy ! Sergeant Felton bad their young Thievishnesses to send back to Burnham, and in the same tiaio he had to despatch, the two Swedes who robbed the drunk wagoner in Shearman’s wash house. The Swedes were committed for a great crime, and before they started on their journey he told them they would re quire to be handcuffed, and escorted by a constable with a loaded revolver. Should they show any undue longing for liberty, and try to gratify that longing, the con stable would be justified in at once adopt ing the powder and lead cure, which he would administer through a revolving spoon. Having delivered himselc of this speech, the Swedes were handcuffed. This job done, up starts little Jones with the air of a man who had done a great action, and with a nonchalance that would have been amusing if it had not indexed a hopeless absence of shame, the young blackguard presented his little hands io be handcuffed ! ! Felton was never more astonished in his life. The two baggages might have been carried in a constable’s saddle-bags, so handcuffing them would have been a farce. But the two were dreadfully affronted because they weren’t, and they walked up town behind the more stalwart prisoners, keeping their inward wrists close together with some thread or other doing duty as a make-believe hand cuff ! If a fair dose of strap is not ad ministered there those lads will have a bright future before them.

Attend my muse, and with thee bring Thy most ha-.monious fiddles-r'ng ; For I intend this night to sing— The By-laws !

Assist me all ye Council Nine, To celebrate the theme divine, But first a quorum bring to lime— l or the By-laws,

Hail, all hail, the townslfip’s spot, And fun of many a spiced repo'. A twelvemonth’s folly you are, in shorty— Ye By-laws. The biggest Act that e’er was framed, Most potent law that e’er was nr. md, Took less time passing than the -e b'avned Old By-laws. S : x-bob Crisp toiled with nvght and ma : n,j And Br.'.ddell, clerk, took share of pair, In making Nine men scarcely sane AVI eh By-laws. O’er you the Mayor has wagged his pate, St. Hill amended soon and lata, And Rudolf with you linked his fate— Oh ! By- T aws.

foe Ivess shared the bickering, While Weymouth did some snickering, The Saiut they’ll drive to liquoring— These By-laws. The Saint at times they’ve sadly huffed, The Council’s candle almost snuffed Fiom Mayor to Robinson—those “swufr” Made By-laws. The job was tackled in ’7B And nightly the Committee sat, But only able yet to *‘drat” Those By-laws. They’ve broken Bullock’s loyal heart, And Williamson whh shame does smart, While Andrew Orr plays wisdom’s past — Oh, By-laws— And leaves the Counci’, legislators To become self-aggi a valors, And tear their padence all to tatters — O’er By-laws. Old Parkin keeps a quiet aloof, Ted Saunders gives a mild reprof, The web is rotten —warp and woof, Of the By-laws. Why do you fail to get a quorum ? Why don't the Mayoral cockylorum, To help the passing, shout a jorum? Then the By-laws

Will pass in spite of absentees, In spite of conduct not the cheese | Oh, let us, Councillors, if you please, Have By-laws. Has the work so badly teased you, That chicken-hearted funk has seized you ; Or has old Chispa’s words displeased you— On the By-laws. If the had hoy has been so naughty, He humbly begs your pardon haughty, And henceforth he renounces Ate—

But pass By-laws. Farewell, ye Councillors Municipal, Your legislation’s halt and cripple, Then here’s to chess and riddle's ripple— Vice By-laws. Chi,spa.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

{Per Reuter's Agency. ) The Markets. London, May 28. The total quantity of wheat aiio.it for Great Britain is 1,770,000 quartets. Leather is b quoted at 11-Id. At the wool sales to-day, 8500 bales were offered, making a total of 309,200 catalogued since the opening. The tone of the sales showed a firm and active demand. Three per cent, consols 99£. New Zea land securities, 5 per cent.“ 10.40 loan 103 ; 5 per cent. 1889 loan 106 ; 4£ per ceni. 1879 to 1904 loan, 93. New Zea land wheat, ex ship, 495. ; Adelaide wheat, ex warehouse, 51s. ; Adelaide flour, ex warehouse, 375. ; Australian tallow, best beef, 335. ; best mutton, 355. 6d. The Australians. The match between the Australian cricketers and eighteen of Rochdale, Lan cashire, was resumed to-day. There was only a moderate attendance of the public, but the weather was fine throughout the day. The Home team, who at the close of the first day’s play had eight wickets down for 45 runs, resumed their innings, and were soon all disposed of for 92. Boyle, for the Australians, bowled splen didly, and took ten of the Rochdale wickets. The Australians then went in, and when the stumps were drawn for the day had seven wickets down for 194 runs. McDonnell had contributed 99 towards this score when he was given out leg before wicket. His innings was a very fine one. j

The Order of St. Michael and St. George. London, May 29. The following promotions have been made in the Order of St. Michael and St. George :—Major George Cumine Strahan, Governor of Tasmania, to be Commander ; Charles Domett, Esq., of New Zealand ; John Bates Thurston, Esq., Colonial Secretary of Fiji, to be Companions. A European Conference.

A European Conference will be held at Berlin next month. At present the questions to be discussed will be limited to those connected with the Greek fron tier. It is, however, uncertain whether the discussion will be extended to other questions. The Special Ambassador.

Constantinople, May 24. The Right Hon. G. J. Goschen has arrived. He will temporarily act as Special \ Ambassador for Great Britain to Lie Porte. Wool. London, May 29. At the wool sales to-day, 8,900 bales were offered, making a total of 318,600 since the opening. The tone of the sale was firm. Cricket. The match between the Australian cricketers and eighteen of Rochdale was concluded to-day. The Australians won the match by one innings, with 26 runs, and thus scored their fourth victory. The Garonne. The Orient Co.’s steamship Garonne sailed from Plymouth to-day for Australia.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Reuter's Pelegrams.)

The Intercolonial Sculling Champion ship. Melbourne, May 31. The race for the professional interco lonial sculling championship took place on the Lower Yarra on Saturday, and was won by E. Laycock, of Sydney, by two lengths.

NEW ZEALAND.

Timaru, May 31

Rape. Frank Fowler, a Malay, has been com mitted for trial for rape on a girl of §ix teen at Temuka. A Rowdy Invalid. For tripping a constable and rescuing a drunken man, Edward Phillips was sen tenced to forty-eight hours/ without the option of a fine. Phillips excused him self by saying he had just been discharged from the Hospital, and drink took a strong effect on him. Selling Drink to a Drunken Man. Invercargill, May 31.

At the Police Court, Joseph "Wevels, licensee of the Edendale Hotel, was fined L 5, the full penalty, and L2 15s. costs, for supplying a rabbitter named Reid with drink while intoxicated, the Magistrate remarking it was a bad case.

Suspicious Affair in Dunedin.

['3Y ielegraph.] Dunedin, May 31. The circumstances in connection with the death of the woman named Lockhart, living off Walker street, are of such a sus picious character as to lead the police to take charge of the house in which she died. From the statements of a neighbor, it appears that on Thursday night last Lock; hart and his wife had a quarrel. Lock hart struck her—how or with what has not yet transpired. The only other oc cupant of the house is the youngest son, a lad of about eleven years old. He refuses to give any account of what took place, the only statement that can be got from himbeingtliat his mother fell justout.- side the door, and there hurt herself. The eldest son is twenty years old. He states that on Thursday night he was living in another house, as he had left hj§ father’s house some time before. On that evening he heard that something had happened to his mother, and that she was badly hurt. He went home to see what was the matter, and found her lying on the floor unable to speak. He watched her until Friday morning, when, finding that she got no better, he went for Dr. Brown. She died without returning to consciousness. On Saturday afternoon three doctors made a post mortem examina tion. They state death has resulted from violence. The inquest is now proceeding.

Old Age.—No octogenarians died dur ing April, but four septuagenarians passed away, viz., one, aged 78, at Dunedin; two, aged respectively 76 and 72, at Wel lington. and one, aged 70, at Auckland.

Painted Feet.

Among the strange freaks of the last Viennese Carnival has been the adoption by several of the Kaiserstadt’s leading beauties of imitation feet and sandals, as accessories to mythological or classical costumes. Having procured flesh-colored maillots provided with thin soles, these ladies committed their delicate extremi ties to the manipulation of skilled artists, who deftly painted thereupon counterfeit presentments of toes, sandals, and laces, all complete. It appears that the pretty wife of an eminent Vienesse historical painter had chosen the dress, or rather undress, of a water-sprite, wherein to attend the ec G’schnas Ball,” and solicited her talented husband’s aid to “ make up” her feet in the manner above indicated. He consented, but, being of a jealous dis position, prompting him to be chary of enhancing his wife’s natural charms by adventitious means, he put off the foot painting operation until the last moment. When, however, the carriage was at the door and the water-sprite’s scanty toilette completed in all respects but one; he seized brush and palette, and addressed himself, seemingly in feverish haste, to his task, hurrying his wife off to the ball as soon as her mimic feet were ready, without giving her time to inspect them. On entering the gaily-lighted ball-room the lady cast a hurried glance at her husband’s artistic achievements. Her horror may be better imagined than de scribed when she perceived that the pink silk tights in which her dainty feet were imprisoned had been admirably illumi minated by his master-hand with horrible representations of chilblains, bunions, and inveterate corns, only too true to nature. That night she danced not, but sat sadly in a corner, hiding her travestied feet under her chair as best she might.

L Wonderful Doctor With, a Roman tic History.

There is now in Paris a physician, by birth a Dutchman, whose miraculous cures are attracting the attention of all classes. His name is Schmitt. It was at first believed that he was a humbug, but it is now generally acknowledged that by his discovery of a medical plant previously unknown to Europeans, he has rendered a g ’eat service to medical science. His life reads like a fairy tale. While still ve y young, he entered the navy of his country, and made a voyage to Borneo as assistant physician in a man-of-war. Wounded in a sea fight between the Dutch fleet and a tribe of Javanese, he lay for a long time in the hospital at Java sur rounded by native physicians, who fre quently spoke in his hearing of the wonder ful healing properties of certain tropical plants directly or indirectly to dangerous wounds. At first he resisted the ap plication of these remedies in his own case, but, gangrene having set in, all remedies proving powerless against its advance, he finally consented to sub ject himself to the treatment of the native physicians. Under their hands he shortly recovered. Then he decided to resign his naval commission and devote all his energies to the study of the recipes of the Javanese physicians, who are also the priests of Brahma. But this was no easy task ; these priests are all jealous of their secrets as were, the old magi of the East. After three years of continual study, and after colouring the skin with the juice of v'arious plants in order to pass for an Indian he presented himself to one of the leading members ef the priesthood. He had the good fortune to please the latter, whose slave he became. For seven years he lived in this condition, and, as a matter of course, was present at all the ceremonies and sacrifices of his adopted religion. Amid these scenes the learned doctor pursued his scientific re searches in the forest, seeking to wrest from the mysterious Indian vegetation all its secrets in order to introduce them into Europe. His experiments turned particularly toward a certain plant called guaco, which was valued in Java as an antidote against the bite of poisonous snakes. From various ap plications of this plant he discovered that it could be most effectually employed in curing all kinds of sores and other diseases of the skin and the blood. At last the slave physician and priest grey tired of Brahma arid his worshippers, and one fine morning ran away from his temple and made his way to a ship about to sail for Europe. As soon as the ship had reached the high seas, remorse seized him, and he feared him that he had not learned enough of the science to which he had sacrificed everything. He longed to return. His ship was wrecked and went to the bottom a few miles from Hongs Kong. After drifting almost for two day at sea, he was taken up by a Japanes vessel and carried to the Engligh colqnig in India, where he made new studies discoveries. The ex-priest of Brahm has followed a variety of callings. Afte° wandering through all the principal citie of Europe he has at last settled in Paris in the faubourgs of which he. intends to build a private hospital where he will con tinue his marvellous cures with guaco. Among the valuable qualities of this medicine is its effects in the treatment of hydrophobia, a use to which it has been applied by Dr. Schmitt. His experiments thus far seem to have been most success ful, and permit the hope that: a radical cure has been found for rabies,

Colonial Ploughmen. —Cricketers and boatmen from the colonies have visited England, and showed their superiority over their British brethren with the willow and the oar, and now it is proposed to send home a team of colonial ploughmen with colonial made ploughs for the purpose of contesting in the matches which will take place in the fall of this year. The Geelong Advertiser says :—“The promoter of the movements is Mr. John Dailey, of Ballairne, an intelligent man, who has for upwards of twenty years been engaged ii] agricultural pursuits kero, and who ka§ taken numerous prizes, including champion medals for his skill has a ploughman. Some two or three years ago he went Home and from what he saw then in the rural districts of England, Scotland, and Ire land, he has no doubt that such a team as he will select, with such colonial made im plements as they will take with them, will travel through the three kingdoms with an eclat equal to that which attended our riflemen and cricketers in the Old Country.” The team is expected to leave Melboui’ne about July, and as no doubt the ploughmen chosen to visit England will be very skilful workmen, even if they do not win any matches, it will tend to show the British public that the colonies are not behind them in agricultural pursuits.

THE ASHBURTON HERALD, MONDAY, MAY 31, 1880.



Miscellaneous £IO,OOO rate of interest. Ashburton. TO LEND, in sums to suit borrowers, at lowest F. P. O’Reilly, Solicitor, 424c-835g Cl CROOL Requisites and Artist M \te lo rials. - H. M. JONES, Statin ler, Baring Sauare. 5 WANTED KNOWN—That 0. Haw 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 eHINIQUY’S LECTURES. —Just Ar rived, New Edition H. M. Jones, Baring Square. / \FFICE and Pocket Diaries for 1880 H. M. Jones, Stationer, Baring Square. XTTANTED—A General SERVANT, ' ’ about 14 or 15 years old. Apply Herald Registry. 489 c Number Young Ladies \j Journal, London Journal, Family Herald, Family Reader, Boys’ Standard, &c. Just arrived. H M. Jones, Sta tioner, Baring Square. TO LET. QIX-ROOMED COTTAGE, with half, acre Garden, East Belt. Apply, 441 c ORR & CO. TO THE BURGESSES OF THE BOROUGH OF ASHBURTON. /"N ENTLEMEN—I have to announce that I am a Candidate for the office of Auditor of the town of Ashburton for the ensuing year. I have to solicit your votes and trust that you will place me at the head of the Poll, which takes place on TUESDAY, June Ist, at the Borough Council Chambers. I am, Gentlemen, Yours faithfully, 508 c S. E. POYNTZ. ASHBURTON PERMANENT BUILD ING AND INVESTMENT SOCIETY. THE Monthly Meeting of the above Society will be held in Mr. Bullock’s office TO-MORROW (Tuesday) EVEN ING, from 6.30 to 8.30. Subscriptions will be received at the Secretary’s office, Burnett street, between the hours of 9 o’clock and 4 p.m. to morrow, and at Mr. Bullock’s office, from 6.30 to 8.30 to-morrow evening. J. WARD, 414 c Secretary. ASfiBURTON TOWN HALL COM PANY. fTIHE DIRECTORS of the above Com g pany are now prepared to LET the LARGE ROOM over the Shops in the Town Hall for Meetings and other pur poses, and to entertain proposals from Societies and other bodies for the periodi cal use of the same on most reasonable terms. Apply to 1 THE SECRETARY, 502 c At the Town Hall. CENTRAL BUTCHERY, (Baring Square, Ashburton). J WARD, Family Butcher, IN thanking the public for their very liberal support, and in consequence of having so large a patronage, is now in a position to supply the best meat that can-be procured at the following reduced prices for cash : BEEF ... ... 2d., 3d.,and 4d. LEGS MUTTON, PRIME, ... 3d. FORE-QUARTERS, ... lf d J Customer's can be supplied at the prices -either from the shop or cart. " 3 * •' = ' ' J. WARD, ,, Butcher. TREVORTON BUTCHERY, BEACH ROAD. T T A 53 K E R , begs to thank his Customers for their support since commencing business as above, and begs to state that he is prepared to Supply Meat of his usual quality, which requires no comment, as cheap as any other Butcher in Ashburton, for Cash. J. TASKER, &15c Butcher,



Miscellaneous. NOTICE. ACCOUNTS RE WESTERFIELD. HAYING disposed of the Wester field Estate, ALL CLAIMS against the Estate must be sent in by the 31st day of MAY, for settlement, otherwise they will not be recognised. Addressed to J. Davison, Westerfield. F. 0 REED. May 4th, 1880. 416c-8250 JUST ARRIVED Young Ladies’ Journals for APRIL, and other Magazines. H. M. JONES, Stationer, 360 c East Street and Baring Square. DENTISTRY. R. J. P. ARMST RO N G SIJEGEON AND MECHANICAL DENTIST. (From Dunedin) Can be "consulted, for the present, at Quill’s Commercial Hotel. Mr. Arm strong will meet Patients at the Rakaia Hotel every THURSDAY until further notice. • 513 c



OWN HALL FRIDAY, 4TH JUNE. GREAT ENTHUSIASM! CROWDED HOUSES ! THE AMATEUR DRAMATIC COMPANY Will perform that splendid drama of Black-Eyed Susan, WHEN MISS FLORENCE COLVILLE (MRS. HOSKINS) Will appear in the title role, supported by the FULL STRENGTH OF THE COMPANY. The whole to conclude with the screaming farce of John Smith. Prices of Admission : s. d. Dress Circle (up-stairs).. 3 0 Front Seats ... ... 2 6 Back Seats 2 0 Stalls... 1 0 BOX OFFICE for Dress Circle up outside staircase. 517 c



A Very Sad Accident.—A sad accident befel a reverend gentleman, or rather, we should say, the fair organist, in a kirk in our district lately (says the Rangitikei Advocate). The minister, carried away with the fervor of his own discourse, over stepped the bounds of the platform which did duty as a pulpit, and fell upon the lady, to their mutual discomfiture. The only damage done was that which occurred to the even tenor or the reverend gentle man’s discourse ; though the lady might well be pardoned if, in overstepping the bounds of the platform, she considered that the divine had overstepped the limits of propriety' algo.