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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 115, 24 August 1877, Page 2

The difficulties and discomfort attending a journey to Akaroa from Christchurch and its surrounding districts, have been, and still are, a considerable obstacle to its general and frequent use as a wateringplace by those who would otherwise be only too glad to resort to its genial climate, picturesque scenery, and that rest and quietness which are its main characteristics. It is true we have frequent communication by coach and steamer ; but the former is tedious, and entails a whole day's travelling, whether we go direct to Christchurch or via Pigeon Bay, while the latter, though possessing the advantage of a quicker transit, is uncertain, and, owing to the sea voyage, with its disagreeable effects, unpopular. The early hour at which it is necessary for travellers to rise in order to be in time for either the coach, or train, is in itself a great inconvenience where families fire concerned, and, in the case of intending visitors from the Northern or Southern districts, a cause of additional expense by compel ling them to pass ft night in Clm'slclmrch before resuming

their journey. The suggestion we now

lay before our readers will reduce the actual travelling time from .Christchurch or Port to half a day, and afford opportunity for visitors from those districts connected by railway with Christchurch to complete their journey through to Akaroa in one day, at the same time including advantages to the inhabitants of the Head of the Bay and the intermediate bays, with no inconsiderable profit to Akaroa itself. We propose, then, that a coach should leave the Head of the Bay for Akaroa on Saturdays at nine oclock, picking up such passengers on the way as may avail themselves of the opportunity thus afforded them of spending two hours in Akaroa, the coach starting again from Akaroa for Pigeon Bay at twelve o'clock to meet the s.s. Akaroa from Lyttelton. On the arrival of the steamer, the coach would return to Akaroa, arriving there about sis o'clock. By thia arrangement, a traveller could leave, say Oxford, by the first train in the morning, and be in Akaroa on the same evening. A like advantage would accrue to those from the South by a simple alteration in the railway table, by which a train would leave Christchurch for Port at half-past twelve, an alteration which would also enable business men in Christchurch to avail themselves of the trip,and rundown from Saturday till Monday without any great sacrifice of their valuable time. Our plan would benefit all parties, the travelling public, the proprietors of both coach and steamer, the bays, and Akaroa. We are ourselves confident of the advantages to be derived from it, and having mooted the idea, earnestly recommend it to the notice of our readars, with the hope that the matter may receive their immediate attention. In our next issue will appear in narrative form, a most interesting account of voyage of the first direct English settlers in Canterbury from their embarkation to their lariding in Akaroa, some twentyseven years:.ago. We have also made arrangements towards obtaining a history of the Peninsula from the earliest days of settlement. Both these narratives will be its replete with interest, and instruction, and, written, as they are, by men of well-known literary ability, should prove very acceptable to our numerous readers. We are informed that the latest copy of the Home News has been abtracted from the Library table, presumably on Sunday last, in spite of the rule, that no papers are to be taken out of that building by either subscribers, or by the public generally, who are admitted free of subscription for access to the papers only. We trust that our drawing attention to this wanton infringement of the regulations, and selfish disregard of others convenience, will suffice without further comment. A meeting of ratepayers was held at the French Farm schoolhouse on Monday, August 20th, for the purpose of considering what steps it would be desirable to take with regard to the proposed separation of the Road Board districts. After some discussion it was finally decided that a deputation consisting of Messrs. Mackay, Bell, Knight, and Dicken be appointed to wait on the Road Board at its next meeting, to urge the claims of the district. And that, in the event of those claims being , recognised, the proposed separation should not be proceeded with. But should their claims be dis-regarded, that the petition be 'forwarded in due course, there being a majority of signatures in favour of the said separation. The Christchurch coach had a narrow eecape one clay last week from what might have proved a serious accident. It appears that some logs had been left on the road just at the run down on to the flat on the Little River side of the hill, and that the leaders, frightened by them, made a sudden swerve to one side, a passenger on the box-seat, with commendable promptitude, jumped down, and seized the rein close to the off leader's head, thus arresting any further movement on the part of the horses, and thereby averting the danger to the coach. The action of those who left the logsin this position cannot be too strongly condemned, and we are informed that it is by no means the first time that it has been done. The blame of this falls on the Road Board, as without their authority, the police can take no steps in the matter, Like many another evil, we presume this will only be rectified when some fatal accident has resulted, causing extra pressure to be brought to bear'on it, and when it will be too late for those who have fallen victims to the carelessness.

During the unloading of some corrugated iron, to the consignment of Mr. Davis, from the s.s. Hawea, on Sunday morning last, the end of one of the cases, while still in tke slings, gave way, and precipitated the contents on to the. wharf. The falling sheeting grazed the mate so closely as to tear his coat. A very little alteration in the direction of the falling iron, and we should have had the painful duty of recording a fatal accident. One of our lady friends, who likes large words, informed us that the poor man's clothes were fearfully " excornigated." Our numerous Oddfellow readers will learn with regret the news of the death, at his residence, Manchester, of Mr. H. Radcliffe, Corresponding Secretary to the M.U. Order, for the past 26 years. His name will be long remembered in the Society, in connection with his establishing the tables on which the success of the Order is based, and which are known by his name. Mr. Schofield has been tein-. porarily .appointed as his successor.

The usual weekly meeting of the Mutual Improvement Association was held in the public schoolroom last Tuesday evening. Readings arid Recitations were given, in accordance with the programme advertised, each item receiving the usual amount .of criticism from tho members present. The Committee appointed to draw up a programme for the proposed entertainment will meet on Monday evening next in the schoolroom, when it is hoped there will be a full attendance. A football match took place on Monday last between French Farm and Akaroa, resulting in an easy victory for the former, the score at the finish standing at 11 goals against 2. The French Farm team was by far the stronger, and much too heavy for their opponents.. The play of Messrs. Baker, Knight, and Snow for French Farm, and of Messrs Watkins, Rhodes, Narby, and Lelievre Bros, for Akaroa, was worthy of special mention. We would advise our local footballists to practise more, without which they cannot expect to be successful. "I It will be seen by an advertisement in our columns that Mr. Andrews proposes delivering a lecture at the Town Hall, Akaroa, this evening, in the course of which he will expound his views on the "Local Option Bill." Mr. Andrews has acquired a reputation as a public speaker, and as the question he proposes to discuss is at present occupying the attention of the collective wisdom of the colony in Parliament assembled at Wellington, no doubt his views will help to throw some light on the measure before them. We hope he may have a large and appreciative audience.

A meeting of the committee of the proposed Hook and Ladder Fire Brigade was held at theß.M.'s private room, on Wednesday last, Mr. J. Aylmer in the chair. A letter having been read by the Secretary from the Liverpool, London and Globe Insurance Co. (Christchurch Agency), and received, it was proposed by the Chairman, and seconded by Mr. Morey that the Secretary be requested to communicate with the President of the Assurance Association as to the extent to which they will be prepared to assist us, the estimated cost of apparatius, &c, being £50 or thereabouts. Mr. R. Noonan then proposed that an advertisement be inserted in the next issue of the Akaroa Mail, calling a meeting of the inhabitants of the Borough in order to enrole members and appoint officers for the Brigade. Seconded by W. Adams and carried. Mr. Morey proposed that the order for ladders &c, be executed in the Borough, but it was decided that the material was not available, and moreover, Mr. Harris, Superintendent of the Christchurch Fire Brigade, having volunteered his services and experience in superintending the manufacture of the apparatus, it was thought best to leave all to his discretion. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings.