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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 52, 16 January 1877, Page 2

The next meeting of the County Council will be held on Thursday next, at the Court House, Akaroa,at noon,when the discussion on the adoption of the Act in its entirety-will be resumed. On Tuesday, January 9th, the annual distribution of prizes in connection with the Okain's Bay School, took place at the schoolhouse, which was well filled with both parents and friends. The prizes, to the value of £5 10s, were awarded to the holder of the highest number of marks obtained throughout the past year. The following are the Ist, 2nd, and 3rd prizetakers in their respective standards :—6th standard: Ist prize, Catherine James; 2nd) Ellen Hare; 3rd, Alfred Harris. 4th standatd : Ist prize, Emma Mason; 2nd, John Thacker; 3rd, Mary James. 3rd standard: Ist prize, Alfred Coffin; 2nd* Alice Mason; 3rd, Emily Callaghan. 2nd standard : Ist prize, J. Boleyn; 2nd, Henry Mason; 3rd, James. Wells. Ist standard, Ist prize, Lilly Chapman; 2nd Frank Chapman; 3rd, Amanda Jansen. Mary James and Richard Coffin were specially singled out as having given the best attendance. Mr. H. H. Bradley has been elected unopposed as member of the Akaroa County Council for the Hiding of Port Victoria* and will take his seat on Thursday next. Ihe man, M'Mahon, who for some days past has been in a state of delirium tremens, was yesterday removed from the lock-up to the Immigration Barracks, where lie is now being cared for by an attendant. The size of the cell in which he had been confined during his delirium was 6 feet x 9 feet, and it will be easily understood by those possessing a knowledge of how such cases should be treated, that it was simply absurd to pen a man up in such a circumscribed space with any hope of ensuring a speedy return of his reasoning powers. The restraint under which he had been placed, together with the sudden withdrawal of all stimulants, tended to aggravate his hallucinations and render him more obstreperous.

The vagaries of a young - man, named Frank Lewis, in the employ of Mr. Oborn, butcher, created no small amount of amusement on Saturday last. In the absence of other pastime, he plunged the horse he was riding into the bay, and spurring the animal, dashed madly through the water. He had not proceeded far on his voyage before the horse parted company with its navigator, and wisely returned to its stable. The Knight of the Cleaver continued disporting himself, to the apparent amusement of the on-lookers, until struck by a fit of remorse for keeping some unfortunate cook's dinner back, he dived and recovered his basket, and what was to serve as a joint upon somo table. After recovering the horse, which bye-the-bye had shown more discretion than its rider, he again re-mounted and repeated his aquatic exhibition, narrowly escaping another welldeserved ducking.

Mr. Aylmer received a telegram from the Colonial Secretary on Friday last, fixing the first election under the Ellesmere and Forsyth Drainage Act, to take place on Friday, the 9th February. Returning officers for the Borough of Akaroa, Wainui, Little River, and Springs, have just been gazetted. The writs will be issued immediately. We understand that Mr. J. G. Garwood and Mr. H. G. Watkins are candidates for the Borough of Akaroa. The Akaroa Mutual Improvement Association will meet this evening, at half-past 7 o'clock. Mr. M'Gregor is appointed to read a paper on fine arts. At the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, held at Auckland a few days ago, the Rev. W. Elmslie read a paper on the state of religton in New Zealand, in which he referred in terms of censure to the means taken by a certain Church in Canterbury, to procure the money wherewith to make the periodical repairs to the sanctuary. A fancy fair had been advertised to take place, and among the attractions of that fair were a dancing stand, on which some girls could pleasingly disport themselves, a series of entertainments by peripatetic Christy's, and the presence of a game designated swindle. It powerfully struck him that the whole affair was nothing more or less than a swindle. —[From the above remarks, we are reminded that the high-salaried and Rev. Mr. Elmslie has not given up the practice of meddling in matters that do not concern him. We had hoped that the scarifying he has on several occasions undergone, would have had a curative effect. We are painfully disturbed in this impression. Surely this itching to seize everybody by the throat is unsatisfactory to his supporters. We would remind this gentleman that his mission is to preach goodwill to all men, and not indulge in slanderous misinterpretations. —Ed. A.M.]

A concert in aid of the funds of the Anglican and Presbyterian Churches of Pigeon Bay, was held in the schoolroom on Thursday evening last. In consequence of so many of the inhabitants being engaged in cutting grass seed, the attendance was rather limited, which is the more to be regretted,as the programme was exceptionally good. The opening piece was a pianoforte duet, very spiritedly played by the Misses Stout and Paterson, which was followed by songs, trios, and vocal duetts, by Mesdames S. 0. Hay, Guthrie, Schmidt, M'Kay, Stout) and Paterson; Messrs. Schmidt, Gates, and Nairne. The fine old duet, " Alls Well," by Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt, a comic song by Mr. Gates, also one by Mr. Nairne, were encored. A word of praise is due to the ladies who decorated the room with flowers, &c, and to all those who contributed to render the affair the success it unquestionably was. We direct attention to Mr. Nevell Phillips' advertisement in another column. The drawing room entertainment, including character impersonations and readings from Dickens and other celebrated authors has been very highly spoken of by the Christchurch papers. He intends giving it at various places on the Peninsula, and we advise any of our readers whose locality he may visit to hear him, as they maybe sure of spending a pleasant hour.

A meeting of gentlemen favourable to the formation of a Benevolent Society in Akaroa, is announced to be held on Thursday evening next, at Beecher's Hotel.

Mr. B. Teague, of the London Portrait Gallery Lyttelton, is at present on a professional tour through this district, and as will be seen by advertisement, he opens at Little Akaloa to-morrow, and will next visit Okain's and Le Bon's.

At the Kesident Magistrate's Court, yesterday, John Stuart was brought up on remand, and on the application of Sergeant Ramsay, the Bench further remanded prisoner till this morning for the attendance of Mrs. Ashwin, who is the principal witness in the case.

As will be seen by an advertisement in another column, a meeting of the Good Templars is convened for Wednesday evening, 24th inst. The business is, we understand, to elect a District Deputy, and the consideration of other matter in reference to the separation of the district.

A committee meeting of the Pastoral Association is announced to be held at the Somerset Hotel, Head of the Bay, on Thursday next, at 2 p.m., to award prizes and to pass accounts.

A fatal accident occurred on Friday evening (says the Press) at Papanui, to a man named Richard Brice, better known as Happy Jack, which resulted fatally. Deceased resided near the Papanui road, and has lately been travelling a draught entire horse around the district. Shortly after 6 o'clock yesterday he harnessed this horse in a dray for the first time, and a little time afterwards went to the wrong side of the animal, nearly in front of him, when the horse started off, knocked the man down, one wheel passing over his jaw and the other over his hip. He was immediately picked up and brought to the hospital, when it was found that the top and bottom jaw were broken, and the hip badly injured. Dr. Guthrie, at once attended to the unfortunate man, who was in great agony, but perfectly conscious all the time, and lingered until a quarter-past ten o'clock, when he expired. An inquest will be held to-day. Moody and Saukey'a Chicago building for worship, will accommodate 10,000. It will be converted into stores after the revival is over.

The late Sir. Donald McLean was a widower, liis wife being a sister of the deceased Mr. Strange, at one time Registrar of the Supreme Court at Wellington. Sir Donald, who has several brothers and sisters in the colony, leaves an only son, who is about thirty years of age, and will we understand, inherit the bulk of his property, the amount of which, although much exaggerated,is very considerable,including two, if not three extensive and valuable freehold . estates in the Hawke's Bay and Wellington districts. We believe we are correct in stating that not a single acre of these had been acquired from the Natives, either directly or indirectly by the late Native Minister. A tract of country 40 miles in length is being worked as a goldfield entirely by the Chinese at the Palmer, Queensland. Gambling and rowdyism are rampant. Mrs. Fairchild, wife of the captain of the Hjnemoa, has been presented by the Government with a very handsome diamond set of earings and locket to match, for the services rendered by Captain Fairchild in recovering the broken end of the Cook's Straits Cable. Captain Fairchild refused remuneration on his own behalf.