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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 128, 9 October 1877, Page 2

With our next issue we purpose issuing a supplement. Those useful little messengers, Mr J. H. Wood's carrier pigeons, to whom we have repeatedly been indebted for news, which otherwise would not have reached here for a day or so later, accomplished the distance between Lyttelton and Akaroa, on Saturday morning last, in 28 minutes. The birds were taken up by Mr Hawkins, of Lyttelton, on Friday, and released on Saturday morning, bringing with them the latest war intelligence and English cable news. One of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful sight to be seen, just now at Akaroa, is the orchard of Mr S. WatkinV. This orchard is nearly three acres in extent, and, as all the trees are now laden with luxuriant bloom, it presents a mass of blossom the sight of which will well repay the trouble of a visit. To those of our readers who have not seen this orchard, we would say, do so by all means before the blossoms fall.

We have been requested to notify that a subscription list, in aid of the widow and family of the late Inspector Barsham, is now lying at Mr Daly's store. The purpose for which contributions are solicited, is a charitable and worthy one, the widow and family being left entirely dependent on public sympathy.

At the meeting called for the purpose on Friday evening last, some twenty boys presented themselves as willing to join the Akaroa drum and fife band. Mr H. Bridge, while expressing himself highly pleased at the large attendance, informed the boys that they would be required at the next meeting to sign their names to a set of rules that would be drawn up and read to them, these rules being necessary to ensure the good conduct and discipline of the band, and that they would also be required to sign a declaration to the effect that, except in ca.scs of their removal by parents or guardians, illness, unforeseen circumstances, or dismissal, they would attend the practices of the band for a period of twelve months from date. The practice nights will be on Wednesdays and Fridays, at 7 p.m., in the Town Hall.

It may be remembered that a short time ago a petition was forwarded to his Honor Mr Justice Johnston by the leading business men of this place, praying that, in future, meetings of creditors in the estates of bankrupts, resident on the Peninsula, might bo held here, instead of at Christchurch, etc. The following reply has been handed to us for publication : —" Supreme Court, Christchurch, sth October, 1877.— Gentlemen.—l am directed by his Honor Mr Justice Johnston to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 18th September, respecting the holding of meetings of creditors at Christchurch in cases of bankruptcy of persons residing at Akaroa, in which you state that it is your unanimous opinion that the intention of the Act and the ends of justice are frustrated by the present system ; his Honor desires to remind you that, although the Registrar of the Supreme Court is empowered by the Act to fix tbe place of meeting, and is bound to attend the first meeting and every adjournment thereof, he has other and more important duties to perform, which would lender his er the Deputy-Registrar's presence at Akaroa at all meetings of creditors detrimental to the public service ; and, lhat the inconvenience, to which you allude, might be remedied by the Legislature enabling the Registrar to appoint a local deputy, at times when neither he nor tho DeputyRegistrar could with propriety be absent from the place where their ordinary duties are to be performed, or the amount of the estate would not justify the necessary expense. —I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, your obedient servant, F. de C. Malet, Registrar. James D. Garwood, Esq., and the other Gentlemen signing the Memorial, j Akaroa." '

The second annual meeting of the Banks Peninsula Building and Investment Society, took place, at Wagstaff's Hotel, on the evening of Thursday the 4th instant. The chairman of the society, Mr H. Wagstaff, presided, and there was a' good attendance of shareholders present. The chairman briefly explained the business that was to be brought before the meeting; he congratulated the shareholders on the success which had, so far, been achieved, and concluded his remarks by requesting the Hon. Sec, Mr B. Hughes, to read the balance-sheet, which had been duly audited by Messrs McGregor, and W. H. Wood. This having been done, Mr Hughes read the annual report which was as follows:

—" In presenting their second annual report your committee have great pleasure in congratulating the shareholders, on the very satisfactory progress which has been made in spite of many drawbacks. The profits as in the balance-sheet, are £42 14s, being, in round numbers, 18s per share. The number of shares entitled to interest is fifty. The legitimate interest on these shares, independently of forfeitures, is about 10s per share or per cent, on amount of subscriptions, being at the rate of about 33 per cent, per annum. This encouraging position, should, we think, stimulate the whole of the shareholders to renewed efforts on the society's behalf. (Signed) H. Wagstaff, Chairman.'' The voting of the usual honorariums to the Hon. Sec, and auditors, with a hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman, closed the proceedings. We would draw attention to an advertisement in our columns, giving notice of a special meeting of the Regatta Committee for to-night, at Mr Wagstaff's Hotel. The business to be done, is the drawing up of the programme for this year's regatta ; and we trust that all who may wish to make any suggestions, etc., will put in an appearance.

In the absence of Major Lean, Captain Bridge inspected the Akaroa Battery on Friday evening, the sth inst., Sergt.-Major Morgan being in attendance. Having inspected the arms and accoutrements, Capt. Bridge handed the company over to the Sergt.-Major, who instructed them in the manual and firing exercises. There was but a small muster, those who ware present, however, going through the drill very creditably. We understand the drill night is appointed for Fridays, at 8 p.m. After drill, the Drum and Fife Band had a short practice, the boys, as usual, playing well.