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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 114, 21 August 1877, Page 2

In a few weeks time, the boating season will have thoroughly set in, so that it is not premature at the present time to say a few words on the subject. Hitherto, the term " boating season," as applied to Akaroa, has signified nothing more than that the weather .has become sufficiently warm and settled to allow of the various owners of boats taking a mild cruise, or having a still milder paddle, about the harbour. But in 'the season that is now approaching, can we not inaugurate the first of a series of •' boating seasons," which shall mean in the full acceptation of the term the same as it is understood to mean in other places, not merely a season for pottering about in boats as the whim may seize one, but a season of real downright practice and'instruction in a healthy recreation for the youth' of our town ? Sailing boats come rather under the head of yachting, and it is to boating proper— that is "rowing" or "pulling," that we more directly refer. Is it not possible to make a start now' and form a " Rowing Club," so that it may be in working order by the time the line weather has set in ? There is not another harbor in tho colony, thatpossesses such advantages, or in which such favourable conditions are obtainable for this kind of sport, as. Akaroa harbour affords ; and, without any rear of tho imputation of "blowing," we assert that a very little practica and reaching would produce from amongst our young men, a crew that .'could hold their own against all comers. So much impressed was one of the leading boating men of Canterbury, by the favourable conditions afforded by the Akaroa water, that he unhesitatingly gave it as his opinion, and it was the opinion of a man thoroughly acquainted with his subject, and who had seen the other harbours and waters of the colony, that this harbor was the place par excellence for the Interpiovincial pulling match, the only drawback being the difficulty of getting the outriggers down —a difficulty which the present size and accommodation of the new coastal steamers has done away with. If then you am possessed of these natural advantages, why not use them? Let us wake up, and let Akaroa take that position amongst the boatiug t world that she can, and ought to hold. Get up a well-notified meeting at once, for the purpose of forming a " Rowing Club," which shall include all the little bays in the harbor. As a mere suggestion, we would say, let each bay that pays a certain amount towards the funds, have a boat of its own, and, of course a crew of its own, and instead of having but one regatta day in the year, get up plenty of pulling matches for the long summer evenings. In this way a healthy rivalry, and an incentive to better training and style, will be effected, and we feel sure the attempt will be a success. If the idea is well taken up, a club formed, and its officers judiciously selected, Aye have little doubt of public support being obtained towards setting it afloat. It is Worth the ,trial ; will not some of our boating men take it in hand ?

We regret to say that a system of petty pilfering has been steadily gaining ground in our midst. Formerly, anything left, sayon the wharf or in one's boat, was as safe as if under lock and key. Now, however, it is hazardous to leave the most insignificant trifle lying about for even a short time. The latest act of this kind brought under our notice is the robbery by some scoundrel or scoundrels of the greater portion of the rope used as a "fall" to the davits on which the government boat is swung. This is a senseless, dastardly act of mischief, and a " rope's end " of a different sort would be a fitting punishment for the perpetrators, could they be discovered.

At a special meeting of the Akaroa Borough Council, held last evening, to consider a letter from Mr. Montgomery re the site for proposed new public buildings, it was moved by Cr Watkins, seconded by Cr Chadwick —" That this Council are of opinion that, to meet the wishes of all burgesses, the Council recommend putting the new buildings in the' centre of the town, as shown by the Borough map.'' The motion was carried, Cr Waeckerle being the only dissentient. A full report will appear in our. next issue.

An accident, which might have been of a serious nature, happened in Pigeon Bay on the 17th instant. It appears that Miss Marshall had, on tho day in question, driven down to the s.s. Akaroa, to meet a sister, with whom she returned for home ; they had. however, not proceeded far from tho wharf, before the horse commenced kicking, bolting off the road, the buggy coming in contact with a stump, upset, and in so doing one of tho Miss Marshalls was thrown into a Ngaio tree, where she had to remain until extricated, receiving some injuries. The other Miss Marshall escaped uninjured. The buggy was considerably damaged, but the horse received only a few scratches.

We have received from the local agent, a copy of the annual report of the Directors of the-Liyerpool, and London, and Globe for the year ending,' 23rd February, 1877. The statement sho\ys.a nuist satisfactory financial position for the company, notwithstanding severe commercial depression, and reduction of rates. Subject to the approbation of the'proprietors, it is.proposed to pay-a dividend for. the year, of 8s per share, together with a bonus of 4s per share. The Marlborough Express of the 7th inst.in'describing the arrival of tlie s.s. Napier, on her maiden trip from Wellington to Blenheim, states: —That although the vessel's " carrying capacity is seventy tons," yet she entered the Wairau river, with " thirty tons of cargo and her draught was six inches." A most" miraculous diaught" indeed!