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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 101, 6 July 1877, Page 2

A farce, in which Mr. Stratton, the local postmaster, figured as chief acter, was played opposite the post-office, Akaroa, on Wednesday morning last, much to the inconvenience and annoyance of the passengers who were subjected to the vexatious and unnecessary detention. It appears that Mr. MacFarlane, who acted as driver to the Christchurch coach, pulled up at the post-office for the mail hags, but finding the postmaster not in attendance, after waiting several minutes, proceeded on his journey. Shortly after his departure, the driver of the Pigeon Bay coach (Mr. Westchamberlaln) was met by Mr. Stratton and received peremptory instructions to wait for an hour, and that it was more than likely he would have to order both coaches to proceed to Christchurch. Mr We'stchamberlain sought an explanation to this strange request, which was denied by the excited official. On pulling up at the postoffice, matters became more perplexed. The driver demanded his Pigeon Bay mails, which were point-blank refused by the postmaster till he had received a reply from Christchuroh. Mr. MacFarlane next appeared on the scene, and asked for his mails, explaining that he had just returned from German Bay. . Mr. Stratton interluding his remarks with a few forcible adjectives, to the intense delight of the juveniles, and the crowd which had by this time collected, replied that he could not recognise him as the driver, he having driven past the office. Both coaches were unnecessarily delayed for upwards of three-quarters of an hour, and the bags were not handed to the respective drivers till 10 a.m., when they were allowed by the gentleman, who is vested in a little.brief authority, to proceed. We are strongly of opinion that Mr. Stratton acted most injudiciously in his unwarrantable conduct. If the coachmen were guilty of any irregularity, he.should have handed over the mail, and reported the matter to his chief. It is high time that this state of things should be remedied. We wonder what Mr. Fitzgibboris will have to say in this matter. From the report of the Board of Education, it will be seen that the examination held last week for third class certificates, 20 candidates presented themselves, of whom three, Mr A. S. Baker, Mr J. M'lntyre, and Mr A. Nichols, have passed. Four others (Miss E. Forbes, Miss E. Gundry, Mr. R. Low, and Mr A* Proudlock) acquitted themselves sufficienty well on the subjects, but did not qtiito reach the required.standard in grammar. ■ ) .....

A meeting of the. Akaroa School Committee, was held in the schoolroom last Monday evening. ' The members present, were Messrs. Penlington, *:(Chairman,) Rodrigues, Dalglish, and Annand. The minutes of the last meeting were read and signed. A letter was to hand from the Secretary of tlie Board of Education, in reply to a request for additional teaching power, saying that the school does not admit of an assistant teacher being appointed, but that they were entitled tc another pupil The question of increased playground was brought before the meeting, and a letter was read from the Secretary to the Board, stating that he had applied to the Secretary for lands, asking that the increased space be granted as playground. A number of certificates of the highest order-in general competency and in drawing and geometry, were laid before the meeting in favour of Mr. Nichols. The Committee considered the certificates highly satisfactory. It was reported that the average attendance for the quarter was 103. The Committee then adjourned. We hear that tenders will be called for in a few days for the letting out of Lakes Ellesmere*and Forsyth—not before time, we think. The cases of Regina v. Adams_and Henderson, for perjury, in the Supreme Court* have ended in aa acquittal of the accused. The cases have been fairly tried in the Supreme tribunal of the country, and we express no opinion as to the results. We only hope that what must be a painful and melancholy case to all concerned, will be allowed to go to sleep. The Agent of the Australian Mutual Provident Society, and the medical referee, Dr. Bulmer, visit Le Bon's Bay this evening, when the Agent, Mr Short, will deliver his lecture in the schoolroom. We have no doubt but the residents in Le Bon's, will we are sure, not be slow to avail themselves of the advantages of this excellent institution. What might have been a very serious accident, occurred to the Christchurch coach yesterday, on its. way to Akaroa, fully loaded with passengers. When at one of the awkward points of the road along Lake Forsyth the fore axle suddenly gave way, and the coach tilted over on one side. Mr. Maofarlane, the driver, proceeded to Little River, and procured a coach that was lying there, and returning, took the passengers and mails on. The coach arrived here about three hours late, but beyond the delay, fortunately no other I ill effects resulted from the accident than I the delay and suspense of waiting tlie j arrival of the coach. | The meeting of the church members ad - vertised for Tuesday evening, has been adjourned to Monday next, at 8 o'clock. The Rev. Mr. Cooper, after having taken the chair on Tuesday, was asked if the outgoing churchwarden had made out his accounts for the last quarter, and had them properly audited. The Chairman believed not; he had not received an}' statement of accounts; he had seen that the account books and some papers had been left in the vehtry, but the accounts did not appear to be balanced. Mr. Garwood said, that for his own satisfaction, Mr. Fenton ought to have his accounts audited, but that it was the business of the vestry to see that done. He would move that the meeting be adjourned to next Monday at 8 o'clock. Mr. Taylor having seconded the motion, it was carried. The Chairman , promised in the meantime to communicate with Mr. Fenton as to his accounts, and also to call the attention of the congregation next Sunday evening to the meeting. The usual half yearly meeting of the members of the Loyal and Hand of Friendship Lodge of Oddfellows, M.U., was held at their Lodge room, Okain's Bay, on Wednesday evening last, for the purpose or electing officers for the coming term. Bro. W. Harris, Senr., was elected MG. ; Bro. S. Harris, V.G.; Bro. E, White, Warden ; Bro. G. Fluerty, Guardian ; Bro. C. Moore, Secretary. The W.G. and V.G. were appointed si«k visitors, and Bros. W. Thacker, and E. W. Harris, Auditors. A pair of Mr. J. Wood's carrier pigeons started from the Ashburton yesterday, at \ noon, and brought us the Press Agency telegrams of that date. The birds arrived here about two o'clock. We were thus enabled to have the war news of yesterday in type before the arrival of the mail. The residents in the Wainui part of the Akaroa and Wainui district are, we understand', making an effort to separate that part of the district from the part on the • east side of the harbour. We have not yet learned what the proposed new boundaries are ; no doubt the moves in the matter will be guided to some extent by the boundaries of the Ridings. The weekly meeting of the Forsyth Lodge of I.O.G.T's, Little Biver, was held in the school room, on the evening of 28th tilt. All the members were present, and the business went smoothly—two new members being initiated. ■ We notice that Messrs. Bridge and Bushellholda sale of cattle, at the Head of the Bay, on the 12th inst. Judging from the saleable lines of cattle to be offered, we would recommend cattle buyers to attend. Our Okain's Bay correspondent informs us that Mr. G. Black, of Akaroa, is about to establish a branch of his drapery business amongst the inhabitants of that Bay.

The meeting of the Borough Council was adjourned last Wednesday evening, until this evening, at 7 p.m., on account of no quorum being present.