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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 59, 9 February 1877, Page 2

Another sea monster was observed one day last week between Little Akaloa heads by Captain Bell of the ketch Southern Queen. In this instance, little more than the monster's head was seen, slowly, but mj'steriously moving , about, as sea monsters are frequently wont to do. The redoubtable captain with his man put off in the dingy, and after reconnoitring for some time, they slowly approached and and succeeded by means of ropes, &c., in capturing the beast, which instead of lashing the waves into fury with its enormous tail, and capsizing the boat, suffered itself to be quietly towed to the ship. When the hauling aboard commenced, instead of the interminable tail usual in sea monsters causing any trouble, it was discovered that the animal was what other sea monsters might have turned out to be if examined as closely—a good sized hog. It is probable that the animal was making an excursion from one head to the other, and when captured was somewhat exhausted, or it may have escaped from some passing steamer.

Last Wednesday, being the first session in the new quarter of the Akaroa Good Templar Lodge, the installation of officers for the ensuing term took place. Bro. Harlock, G-.D.W.C.T. conducted the interesting ceremony. The officers installed were—Bro. Bruce, "W.C.T.; Bro. Morey, W.V.T.; Bro. Eobertshaw, W.S.; Sister Newton, W.A.S.; Bro. Newton, W.F.S.; Bro. J. Checkley, W.T.; Sister Hoist, W.C.; Bro. Harris, W.M.; Bro. Sunnon, W.D.M.; Bro. Brocheau, 1.G.; Bro.Yewen, O.G. Sister Bruce had been appointed E.H.S., and Sister Penlington L.H.S., but were unable to attend lodge for installation. Bro. Billens was elected "W.V.T. but was also absent, Bro. Morey was installed V.T. A special installation will be held to install the above-mentioned absent officers. A degree meeting was held earlier in the evening, at which two sisters and five brothers received second degrees # The lodge appears to be in a most flour, ishing condition, several sisters having been initiated during the past quarter, which is regarded as a very favourable omen for the welfare of the good cause, Bro. Harlock has presented the lodge with a very handsome bible, and a lady wellwisher has made a present of a very beautiful altar, both very handsome additions to the lodge furniture. The Financial Committee's report is most favourable, shewing a considerable balance to the credit of the lodge. An open lodge will be held shortly, which will enable outsiders to judge for themselves of the progress of Good Templarism in this district.

Tenders are invited in our advertising columns for the erection of a Presbyterian Manse, the site situated being in Balgueriestreet. We understand that the proposed structure is to be of no mean pretensions, and when completed will serve to set off our rising town. Tenders will close on Friday, the 2nd March.

At a meeting of the Okain's Road Board held on Saturday last, Mr. F. Priest tendered his resignation as a member of the Board. This gentleman's retirement . will be a loss to the district, for during the three years he had been a member he had always done his duty, and the advancement of the welfare of the district appeared to be his sole aim. The election of members to serve on the Trust Board for the Borough of Akaroa, Wainui, and Little River districts, takes place to-day. The poll opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m. There appears to have been little or no activity manifested in the event among the respective candidates, but possibly the result of the poll this evening may cause the rejected to regret their supineness. The late rains have rendered the Pigeon Bay road heavy for coach traffic, the parts unmetalled causing a difficulty to horses ascending the hill to retain a firm footing in consequence of the "greasy" nature .of the soil. We trust that the Pigeon Bay and Wainui Road Boards will lose no time in metalling this road. For some time we have been singularly devoid of entertainments in Akaroa. We have therefore much pleasure in calling attention to the programme that appears in our advertising columns of an entertainment that will be given by Mr. Newell Phillips in the Town Hall, on next Tuesday evening. The entertainment has been given with great success at Pigeon Bay, and the various impersonations given by Mr. Phillips, some of which are in character, are very entertaining. There will no doubt be a large attendance. Two involuntary passengers who boarded the B.S. Taranaki to wish hon voyage to a parting friend, were conveyed by that steamer from this port to Dunedin on the occasion of her last visit. It appears that Messrs A. Wright and W. Kenny were in the cabin, shewing their regret for their friend's departure in the usual manner, when the steamer moved off from the wharf. As soon as they felt the motion of the vessel, they appeared on deck, seeking the assistance of a boat from shore. Messrs Glutberlet and Staples put off to their aid, but the steamer proceeded on her voyage quite unconcerned.

At Little Kiver, on Saturday evening last, some of the inhabitants residing near the police depot, were somewhat surprised on hearing a loud thumping noise, and cries of "Polly, come and let us out," which evidently proceeded from the lockup, and on making enquiries, were much amused to hear that the inmates were Sergeant Ramsay and Constable Lamb. It appears that these officials, having some business to transact, occupied one of the cells as a temporary office, and when about to leave, they were much astonished to find that thedoor had been closed upon them> and they were prisoners, and doubtless would have been so all night, had not Mrs Lamb (whose attention was attracted by the noise) gone to their rescue.

Mr. W. Carruthers, F. 8.5., keeper of the Botanical department of the British Museum, and president of the Geological Association, delivered an address to the above named Society, in which he shews that the facts of fossil botany do not support Darwin's theory of evolution. His chief argument, illustrated by a multitude of instances, is that the • amount of traceable change exhibited in plant life upon the globe has been within vast periods, so minute that it is absolutely inconceivable that so long a period should have elapsed in the history of life on our planet as would render the development of existing plants at the rate indicated from preceding plants possible. Sir Charles Lyell reckons the time which has elapsed J since the end of the cretaceous period at about eighty million years. If you cannot mark change in a period like that, argues Mr. Carruthers, the time required for your evolution is inconceivable. A curious example of how Scotchmen wander, and generally manage to push their way to the front, is the fact that the heads of the four principal religious communities in England are from the little country north of the Tweed. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Tait, is a Scotchman, one of the foremost men among the Congregationalists; Dr. Raleigh is a Scotchman, the President of the Baptist Union ; Dr. Landels is a Scotchman, and the President of the Wesleyan Body ; Mr. Macauley is also a Scotchman. A bogus requisition to come forward as a candidate for the vacant seat for Napier having been presented to Mr. H. C. Wilson, he retaliated with the following reply :— " To Messrs Peppercorn, Campbell, Cornford, and the remaining gentlemen who signed the above requisition—Gentlemen, —Fully aware of the many qualifications I possess to adequately represent you in the General Assembly, I regret being unable to comply with a request that could only have emanated from you under the influence of a copious supply of Hennessy, Wolfe, and Kinahan. Trusting that your votes will be given to a softer man than myself, I beg to remain, yours not to be done, Henry 0. Wilson." The following regarding the late Sir Donald M'Lean is taken from the Ancldand Star, and is presumed to have been penned by a gentleman who accompanied Sir Donald as a reporter on his last visit to the Maori King:—" He was an assiduous reader of the newspapers, and received them regularly from all parts of the colony. He was peculiarly sensitive to attacks in the Press, and was angry at the misstatements which sometimes appeared. He was accustomed to have every paragraph relating to his department culled from the papers and pasted in a scrap-book, and a few years ago some unfavourable comment was excited by the appearance on the estimates of an item of £50 for a " culler of native items from newspapers." This sum was paid as a bonus to a clerk who was supposed to do the work after the regular office hours. Towards the end of his official career, Sir Donald exhibited a remaikable indifference to the attacks made upon his department in Parliament and the Press. During last session, when urged by some of his friends to reply to some bitter strictures by a young and not very sapient member of the House, he spoke in terms of contempt of the attack, and said he did not consider it worthy of a reply, that his character was too well known to need vindication, and that he could afford to treat hostile comments from that quarter with contemptuous indifference." Some special nobodies at Reefton, says the Westport Times, recently got up a bachelor's picnic, and in sending out invitations to lady guests they decided to draw the line at barmaids. The indignation thus aroused among the fair Hebes may be thus imagined. Considering that three-fourths of the wives and matrons on the Coast have graduated in bars, and are none the less good and respectable helpmates to their husbands, the Reefton bachelors decidedly ventured on dangerous ground. ,

The Auckland Star says that a curious incident occurred at the sitting of the Grand Lodge, 1.0. G.T., the other day. A brother was warm and glowing in the middle of a philosophic speech, when a lad was admitted with a telegraphic message from the Thames. As the chairman glanced at the telegram, his eyes seemed to glow with new delight, and, turning to the Council he said : " Brothers and sisters, have just received the pleasing message by telegram that my dear wife has been safely delivered of a son and heir." A general shout of exultation followed, and a score of voices uttered, "We wish you many happy returns of the day."

An unusual occurrence took place at the Dunedin Gaol last week. The Star says : " Some four months ago a prisoner waited on the chairman of the Visiting Justices, and made application to be allowed to form a Mutual Improvement and Debating Society among the prisoners, he representing that, in his opinion, it would probably prove a means of elevating the moral tone of the place. Permission was granted on the recommendation of the Governor of the gaol, and upon the applicant pledging himself for the good behaviour of the members. The society was then formed, and conducted in a similar manner to kindred institutions in the city. Papers on various subjects have been brought forward and discussed, and altogether the class has proved a decided success. On a recent evening a special meeting was held in consequence of its founder being about to leave the following day, and the members wishing him to carry with him an earnest of their gratitude and esteem for his efforts on their behalf. A testimonial nicely engrossed on parchment, was got up and signed by all the members and the chaplain (Mr. Torrance), who was presentVarious speeches were made wishing the recipient of the testimonial every success in the future, and Mr. Torrance earnestly hoped that the proceedings of that evening would have a lasting effect on all minds as showing that a kindly spirit can be exhibited under trying circumstances."

An interesting glimpse of old Dunedin was afforded by an action in the Supreme Court yesterday (says the Guardian). According to the evidence, a section of land at the Taieri was in 1855 worthless, because it was inaccessible. Payments were then chiefly made in produce, and at that time the nearest way from Auckland to PortJChalmers was via MelbourneMr. Macandrew, in order to come direct from Auckland at that time, was obliged to purchase a vessel for that purpose. When compared with our present regular, rapid, and pleasant mode of communication with the several ports of the Colony, the commercial position of the city, and the manner in which the country is now traversed by railways, roads, bridges, and telegraphs, the statements reveal an amount of progress truly remarkable, and respecting which few people have anything like an adequate conception.

Frank Messiter, formerly Postmaster at the Eakai, was brought up at Christchurch before the Kesident Magistrate on Tuesday morning, charged with having stolen a number of letters, and on the application of inspector Feast was remanded to Ashburton. The reason for this was that most of the witnesses reside in Timaru, and would therefore be more convenient to them for the case to be heard at Ashburton than Christchurch. The alleged theft was discovered purely by accident. Messiter was removed from the Rakaia to Timaru, and, on his leaving the latter town some months ago, the landlord of the hotel where he resided detained his box for debt. Some weeks after Messiter's departure the box was removed, when it came open and a large number of letters fell out These were addressed to various parts of the Colony and Great Britain, and some of them had been registered. Messiter was traced to Wellington, and arrested there a few days ago. — Times. The Taupo correspondent of the Bay of Plenty Times writes:—"A German with his wife and five children, the eldest of whom is hardly fourteen years old, passed through Taupo yesterday, having walked from Auckland via Waikato, to try to get work at Napier." The pasturage on the Mataura Plains, Southland, is said to be up to the knees of the cattle. The paddocks now carry twenty-five long-wooled sheep to the acre. The Maoris living at Wilthshire Bay, Clutha, Otago, spend their leisure hours in the cultivation of music and playing croquet. They are proficient in singing Sankey's hymns, and others of the same class. An unmarried woman, named Christina Clark, twenty-seven years of age, has been committed from Havelock to Dunedin gaol, waiting her trial on a charge of murdering her infant offspring. The presumption is that while washing the child she held its head under water until it was drowned.