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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 120, 11 September 1877, Page 2

Through press of local matter, we are reluctantly compelled to hold over reports of the meetings of the Little River, and Akaroa and Wainui Road Boards, the Education Lecture, Narrative, English Summary, Okain's Bay Entertainment, and other interesting matter. We have a library in Akaroa which might well serve as a model to other country librarias. Not only is it well snpplied with literature of all kinds and descriptions, but the excellent order, methodical arrangement and classification, its general tidiness and cleanliness, area standing reproach to some others we have seen' and reflect great credit on the committee. Yet, strange to say, this invaluable institution is not supported as it should be. We were piet'ectly astonished to find, on a reference the other day, to its subsciber's list, that it contains only thirty names. Surely, every thinking member of our community must recognise the benefit of such an institution, and it must, at the same time, be patent to all, that its ex. cellence depends on the public support. Withdraw, or with hold this, and the standard must fall, to the detriment of us all. We sincerely trust that our fellow towns-people will take this matter into their earnest consideration, and assist, for the future, with a liberal patronage this most deserving, and desirable, public institution. What has become of our local Volunteer Corps ? After being nearly four years in existence, and, at one time, a very creditable and well-drilled company, have they tacitly agreed to let the movement dieout ? or have they been drafted off to assist the Turks ? Whatever it is, nothing is now heard, or seen of them. We think that it merely wants a little energy on the part of the officers and non-commissioned, officers to resuscitate the corps. If in the future more interest is fostered in the movement by periodical firing matches, at which prizes will be contested for, which shall be so adjusted by handicapping and otherwise as to give all a fair chance of securing them, a certain fixed attendance at parades being required to qualify a member to take part in the firing, the corps will regain itR strength, and become, what it should be a popular pastime, especially with our young men. An artillery corps is just the thing for the place, and, looking to the future defences of the harbour, which we have a right to expect, if we only push our corps ahead, and go at it with a will to gain a name as an efficient well-drilled local company, the Government will re cognise our endeavours, and in turn help us, when the matter of these defences is taken in hand by ..them. We hope Captain Bridge will call a meeting of the whole corps as early as possible, and that the members, and those who would be willing to join, will respond to the call, so that the matter may be thoroughly discussed and put on a better footing. We understand that the Fire Insurance Association, Christchurch, have agreed to allow an annual sum of £15 towards the funds of the projected Akaroa Fire Brigade. The exporters of Akaroa are truly a patient and much suffering race. By our export list it will be seen that shipments for the north have to be sent via Dunedin, a very backward and forward way of reaching their destination. When will our traders' interests receive that consideration from the Union Company, which they are entitled to ? The performances last night at Barlow's Circus, was well attended, the different acts being greeted with loud applause, alternating with hilarious laughter. It must be some satisfaction to Mr Barlow, to see his endeavours to amuse so well appreciated by the residents of, and around, Akaroa. A performance, specially for children, takes place this afternoon. To those who have not yet seen the circus we say go,by all means and take your families, if j r ou are so blessed, too. The Kumara Times has done us the honour of clipping from our columns a few lines of original poetry. We feei rather flattered at this, of course, but, at the same time, expect the usual courtesy of an acknowledgement to such clippings . The piece of poetry alluded to is that which appeared under the head of " What are the newspapers," and which we received in original M.S. >

Mr Clarke, the energectic agent for .Barlow's, Circus,. has kindly furnished us with the following particulars of their adventurous and difficult journey round from Christchurch ,to this place. They started on Saturday September Ist,playing at the Taitapu the same evening, in spite of a continuous rain, the attendance on that account being but moderate. Resumed their journey again on the Sunday, and with the assitance of a guide managed to successfully traverse some six miles of very bad road between the two hills. The guide then left them with the assurance that they could not go wrong, an assertion that was amply verified after travelling another six milles by breaking the pole of the waggon. This necessitated their taking the horses back to the Taitapu, as it was too 1 ate to mend the pole that day. Started again the next day, made everything right, and proceeded, by the direction of the guide,?who assured them for certain they could not go wrong, if they kept from point to point, through water for a few miles. Once again that guide's talent fer pilotage was exemplified, as in the afternoon they drove into one of the deepest parts iof the Kaituna Creek, nearly losing the four horses, and obliging them to tear all the harness off in order to let them swim out. Mr Coop's teamsters here rendered most kind and opportune assistance in getting the waggon out of the creek, but Mr Barlow suffered severely from the length of time he was in the water, becoming perfectly rigid and convulsed. He was assisted to Mr Wilson's, near the Road Board office, where he received every attention and kindness, and the next morning was all right again. The horses had on this occasion to be taken six miles on to Wascoe's Hotel, returning next day for the waggon and Mr Barlow. Mr Clarke speaks most highly of the hospitable reception received at the Beach Arms, and which they were much in need of after their trying day's journey. From here they proceeded without further accident to Little River, where they were surprised to find no Hotel accomodation, and had real cause to regret that the fine house built by Mr Stanbury was not-open to travelleis as a licensed house. They performed there, arid had a large attendance of both Maoris and Europeans, who were much delighted; with the entertainment. Started again for the Head of the Bay, and, on the same road on which they had been so oft assured " they could not go wrong," broke an axle, which caused further delay. Finally they reached the Head of the Bay iand were rewarded by a bumper house. The next day their luggage was put on board the steam launch for Akaroa, the waggon coming round overland, they gave a performance here on Saturday night to a very large audience, everything passing off in first rate style, everybody seeming to thoroughly enjoy the, to most of them, novel entertainment. An advertisement in our columns gives notice of the further movements of the Circus. The training of both ponies and dogs is excellent, and we advise those who have not seen them, to take advantage of this opportunity, and do so before Mr Barlow leaves the district.