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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 118, 7 September 1877, Page 2

The brilliantly clever (?) literary Zany, who, under the norn de plume of " Needle Gun," "slings ink and wastes copy " for the Lyttelton Times, has been straining his gigantic intellect in an insane endeavor to be funny at the expense of this journal. The following is the mighty effort of genius we allude to : "Truly a modest print is the A haroa Mail. The last number contains this advertisement: " For Sale—A quantity of waste paper. Apply* at the office of this paper." The. Akaroa Mail" may perhaps be '' waste paper," but it is not often one meets an editor conscientious enough to say so of his own paper. I have heard of an American paper which headed its correspondence column with the words: "Rubbish may be shot here;' but that is mild .compared to the honest self-depreciation of the Akaroa MailWhat a sad and terrible affliction is softening of tho brain, and far more deplorable it must be when the sufferer is unaware of the fearful disease with which he is afflicted. Until now the necessity for the establishment of an asylum for the safe-keeping of idiotic newspaper hacks had not entered our thoughts, but, after this, who can doubt its being an institution greatly needed.

We are glad to see that Akaroa is keep" ing up electioneering times in the good old spirit Probably she has never before been dressed out in such a variety of colored " posters," setting forth, inj unmistakeahle type, the intended line of action of the candidates, whose name figures above, and which ranges from " Reclamation" to " Square Dealing." This is going to work in the proper style, and we hope to see a well-contested election.

A public meeting took place at Little River on Friday August, 31st, for the purpose of nominating members to serve as a managing committee for the Little River Cemetery Reserve. After considerable discussion, it was decided that the committee should consist of five members, the following gentlemen being appointed— Messrs. R. Powrie, James Reynold, W. Coop, G. R. Joblin, and W. A fuller report will appear in our nest.

The nomination of candidates for election to the Borough Council took place at at 12 o'clock yesterday. The following gentlemen being duly nominated : —W. Meech, H. Wagstaff, J. S. Annand, J Sunckell, W. Penlington, J. Beecher, W. Adams, J. Cullen, H. Billens, J. Waeckerle, P. O'Reilly, T. B. Chadwick, H. G. Watkins, and A. K. Harlock. In consequence of Mr Morey's absence in Christchurch, his nomination fell through, and, we understand, that Mr Leprou proved to be ineligible for election. At the last moment, yielding to the earnest solicitations of some of the burgesses, Mr Harlock came forward as a candidate for municipal honours, carrying out the good old axiom of " better late than never." As the number of candidates is in excess of the number of offices to be filled, the poll will take place on Thursday, September 13, as advertised in another column.

By a notice in yesterday's Lyttelton Times, it is announced that Edward Win. Moroy, of Akaioa, stonemason, has filed a declaration that he is unable to meet his engagements with his creditors. The first meeting of creditors is to be held at the Supreme Court-house, Christchurch, on Wednesday, the 12th day of September, 1877. A letter in to-day's issue, signed '' 20s in the £," very justly calls attention to the inconvenience and expense which is hereby entailed on the creditors, and we think that this is a matter that calls for immediate action on the part of those concerned. A hair Seal 12 feet long was killed by the Messrs. Rhodes at Flea Bay on Wednesday last, which fought- well but was eventualy secured. It is described as being the largest captured on the Peninsula.

Mr Clark, agent for [Barlow's Cirous, informs us that they propose playing in Akaroa to-morrow evening for certain. The delay has been caused by difficulties and accidents encountered on their way round. On Tuesday, last, they played at Little River, where the Maori and European inhabitants thoroughly enjoyed the performance. We hope Mr Barlow will meet with the support that he deserves for his enterprise in visiting, at so much risk and trouble, our out-of-the-way town, and its surrounding districts.

The much looked for and much wanted shipment of new books for the Library has arrived, and subscribers can now avail themselves of the welcome addition, and select from the new works whatever suits their taste and fancy. We do not know who drew up the list, but whoever it was, he has evidently had a good opinion of the reading powers of the members The mental mechanism necessary to even in a slight degree digest the pabulum afforded in some of the new books would, we should say, be strong enough to " square the circle," find " the missing link," or represent horse-power sufficient to drive the Great Eastern. There should be a limit to abstrusity and profundity in mere country libraries.

The Akaroa Library Exchange Bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Mr Montgomery, on the 4th inst.

The monthly meeting of the Akaroa School Committee was held on Monday evening last. Present:—Mr William Penlington (chairman), Messrs. Bruce, Dalglish, Annand, Missen, Rodrigues, Sims and Hemmingway. The minutes of the last meeting were read and?confirmed. The Chairman informed the''committee that-?.Mr John Hemmiiigway bad been elected as v committeeman, in the place of Mi- Allott, resigned. The Chairman read a list of requirements for the school, and, after some discussion, it was proposed by Mr Missen, seconded by MrDalglish,and carried, that the requirements as suggested by the master be furnished, subject to the approval of the Board. The meeting then adjourned.

The usual weekly meeting of the Mutual Improvement' Association was held las, Tuesday evening. There was a large at. tendance. The subject for debate —" Napoleon, versus Wellington, as a General," was resumed by Mr McGregor, who spoke at length in favour of Napoleon, and maintained, that for Generalship, ho was far superior to Wellington. Messrs. Andrews Bruce, Douglas, and Nichols spoke in favour of Wellington as a General, the latter giving a most able speech, in which he pointed out the qualities that a General ought to possess, and saying that Wellington had these qualities, but that Napoleon was the greater genius. Mr Brocher and C. E. Watkins spoke in favour of Napoleon, and maintained that any person carefully studying the career of both Generals, would be in favour of Napoleon. It was put to the vote, which resulted in favour of Wellington. The night of meeting is altered to Monday.