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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 123, 21 September 1877, Page 2

"If youwant a thing done, do it yourself," is a well worn aphorism, but, when the doing of the thing yourself must inevitably cost twice as much as if another were to do it, it is very questionable economy. As a case in point:—Some time ago the Government placed a lamp at the end .of the Akaroa jetty. This lamp was intended to serve as a "guiding star" to vessels entering the bay after dark, and was so arranged that, when the white light was visible, it was understood that vessels were clear of the reef at Green's Point, and when the red light was opened out, that they were too close in shore. There can be no doubt as to the utility of the lamp : in fact, as Artemns would say. it is a "sweet boon "to the hardy mariner;, but the same instability that characterises the actions of the Government in after matters, also affected this lamp. In a gale of wind it swayed about like a reed, while all the iron work shook like an aspen leaf. During one of the recent gales here, this precious lamp was broken, and, as the red pane of glass was also fractured, rendered to all intents and purposes useless. The repairs, however, could easily have been effected here, and at very little expense in comparison, but no, the Government, whose policy is retrenchment, order it to be sent up to Wellington ! Subsequently, we understand, it is intimated that a new lamp will be forwarded. This latter information is very satisafactory, but we hope the Government when erecting the new lamp will also place it on a more substantial, well-guyed post, and see that the iron work is strongly and firmly fastened. If this is notdone, the ne-v lamp will soon be nodding like a mandarin, and terminate in a break-up, which will either entail its being sent to Wellington (save the mark!) or another new one supplied. To be v penny-wise and pound-foolish" seems the ruling weakness of a Government, that actually keeps a man to hunt up broken coal-scuttles and worn-out scrubbing brushes 1

We have to remind our readers that the sale of the Rev W. Henry Cooper's furniture, household effects, &c, takes place to-day at 2 p.m. and tomorrow at noon, as advertised in another column. Mr H. E. Alport officiates as auctioneer.

We beg to draw the attention of our readers to Messrs Bridge and BushelPs advertisement in connection with an important sale of horses proposed to be held early in October. This will be a splendid opportunity for those who wish to purchase or sell horses, and we trust the auctioneers will receive a large number of entries. We understand that over fifty are already promised.

The Peninsula Cricket Club held their first meeting on Tuessday evening last at Wagstaff's Hotel. There was but a poor attendance. The President of the club, Mr C. W. Bridge, stated that at the first meeting of the club last year, there wap a debt of £20 to pay off, and that £10 had been subscribed specially for that purpose. The total receipts for last year ■were £21 10s., and the expenditure £19 135., leaving a balance in hand of £1 17s # The outstanding accounts at present amounted to £6 la. 6d. Notwithstanding the size of the place and the number of 3'oung men who should support the club, there were only twelve subscribers on the list. After some discussion with regard to fencing in the French Farm ground, Mr H. Bridge proposed, and Mr C. Barker seconded, " That this meeting be adjourned till Tuesday, 25th instant, at 3 o'clock, to be held at Beecher's Hotel, and tiiat the Secretary write to the members, notifying the adjournment; also, that a sub-committee, consisting of Messrs C. W. Bridge, Barry, and the mover, be appointed, for the-purpose-of ascertaining if there is any available match or practice .ground to be obtained within the town of .Akaroa. , '' The being carried-,-the meeting adjourned to fhe d.ite hventipried, when it is hoped all interested in cricket will attend". ' ■'. v '..■'"■

"Atlas" in The W brWsays :—"That natives are not only acquiring a mastery of correct expression, but of accurate English historical knowledge, is shown by the following extract from an essay on Cromwell, by a Baboo, which appears in the Allahabad Pioneer : ' Oliver Cromwell was a very stern man. Ho destroyed Charles 1. by repeated beheadals. After this he was never seen to smile, but was frequently heaid pensively to murmur, <; If I had only served my God as I have served my King, Hβ would not have deserted me in my old age.' "

In the Oxford Chronicle (English), of July 21st., is published a letter from the Rev Algernon Barrington Simeon, in which he disclaims being a teacher of such a book as the " Prieat in. Absolution," and states, he agrees with the universal condemnation of that work. Q|d, C,ag|erbury residents will )§x Simeon;! as a son of the Sstaaeoni wbo was R.M. at.ChristcHdfeh, <SfidTiyt- ! ' telton, in the earlydays of the' settlement;

The Ashburton Mail of the 18th instant, notifies the death of Mr W. C; Pearce of Clayton Farm Ashbivrton, on Sunday the *16th instant. Maniy of our readers will remember Mr Pearce an a resident of Akaroa for some years, and will Oearn with regret the'tiding* of his untimely decease 7 .

At a meeting of the German Bay School Committee on Wednesday last, Mr Thos. A. Gates, of Pigeon Bay, was appointed schoolmaster, /subject io the 'sanction of* the Board of/Education. A sad accident occurred at Little Kiver on-Wednesday: last; a Child of-"Mr W. Joblin being accidentally burnt to death in some burning bush. An inquest was held yesterday, Mr Coop being foreman of jury, when a verdict of accidentally burnt was returned.

The second anniversary of the Loyal Hand of Friendship Lodge, M.U.,1.0.0.F., Okain'sßßar,j r , was celebrated by a ball, held, in the old School-house, on the evening of the 14th inst. The next evening being the true anniversary of the Lodge, twenty-one brothers assembled in the Lodge-room, where a substantial supper was spread, to which full justice was accorded. After supper the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were given and responded to. The Secretary then read the annual report, which was highly satisfactory, twenty-five members being good on the books, and £77 os. 10£ d. being the balance in hand to the credit of the Lodge. The tables were then cleared, when several brothers enlivened the proceedings with songs, and a most enjoyable evening was spent. Keport says that Mr Morshead of the Christchurch Post Office has been appointed to take charge of the office here in place of Mr Stratton whose health has rendered him unfit for duty. Since Mr Stratton's illness, Mr Jagger has managed the office with every satisfaction to the public, being at all times attentive to his duties, courteous and obliging. The Post Office department no doubt know their own business better than we do, but it seems to us a great pity that Mr Jagger, who has just become acquainted to a certain extent with the.routine of the office, should be removed. Akaroa has suffered a good deal of inconvenience lately from frequent changes in this department.