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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 131, 19 October 1877, Page 2

, The meeting convened by His Worship the Mayor, for the purpose of considering , the necessity of collecting subscriptions in aid of the Indian Famine Relief Fund, took place at the Town Hall, yesterday evening. In introducing the business of the meeting, the Mayor remarked that he, on the 13th instant, received a communication from the Mayor of Christchurch, stating that the Lord Mayor of London had requested the co-operation of the colonies in the matter of the Relief Fund, and he, the Mayor of Christchurch, asked for the assistance of the Peninsula towards the general fund now being collected in Canterbury for that purpose. With a view to carrying out this request, he had called the present meeting, and any resolution that might be passed would receive his best attention and support. The Rev. P. C. Anderson moved the first resolution to the effect that " steps be taken in Akaroa to assist in relieving the distress in India." He felt somewhat diffident as a comparative stranger m taking a leading part in the proceedings, but, as a clergyman, it was his duty to do all in his power to assist in so charitable an object. There should be no delay in setting about the matter. He had received a request to devote, the offertories in his church next Sunday to the same purpose, -R-hich, after consulting the churchwardens, and other parishioners, he had arranged to do. Mr Waeckerle had much pleasure in seconding the proposition.

The Rev. W. Douglas said he would sugest as a practical way of getting to work that a committee be formed. They had met, not to talk, but to act. The Rev gentleman then quoted from Bishop Heber's travels in India, giving- a graphic description of the sufferings during a famine of which he (Bishop Ileber) was .in eye-witness. All present should take an earnest interest in the matter. He would propose as a committee the following gentlemen—His Worship the Mayor, the lievs Anderson and Douglas, and Messrs Cullen, Latter, Piper, Williams, Daly, Garwood, Meech, Dawber, Waeckerle, Shadbolt, Barnett, Jan., Priest and Mclntosh. Mr Fenton seconded the motion. Messrs McGregor and Harlock ware appointed to act conjointly as secretaries, His Worship the Mayor undertaking the treasurcrship. The Rev P. :G; Anderson moved "That the ladies of Akaroa be requested to form a committee among themselves to aid in obtaining subscriptions." Seconded by Mr Harlock. After some discussion as to the advisability or not of fixing a limit to subscriptions, the question was put to the meeting-, and resulted in favor of subscribers being left to their own choice as to the amount of their donations. A subscription list was opened in the room, over £22 being promised. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings.. The pic-nic of the Kangiora Odd Fellows, and their friends, to Pigeon Bay, on Wednesday last, was a great success. It was estimated that some 450 excursionists visited the Bay by the steamers Akaroa and Titan. Sports were carried on in a paddock belonging to Mr Hay, the impromptu races creating great fun and numerous competition. An excellent band played during the afternoon, the strains of which considerably enlivened the proceedings, and feet of the devotees of Terpsichore present. No contre temps of any sort occurred during the day. The visitors returned in time to catch the special train for their homes.

The many friends on Banks Peninsula of our former representative in the General Assembly, R. H. Rhodes, Esq., will be pleased to hear that that gentleman, with Mrs Rhodes, and family, are on their way out to this colony, by the s.s. Northumberland, via Melbourne. We have heard it rumoured that Mr Rhodes contemplates residing in the Akaroa district. An entertainment takes place to-night, at the Akaroa public school-house, the proceeds of which, as far as we understand) are to assist in defraying the cost of the school prizes. As we have not seen a programme we are unable to say anything with regard to the items to be presented to the audience; but Mr Nicholls' good taste and ability are sufficient guarantee for the excellence of the evening's amusement. We trust a splendid evening may be spent, and that the proceeds may materially assist the object in view. The members of the Presbyterian Church* Pigeon Bay, took the opportunity of Mr Gates' leaving that district, to testify to that gentleman their respect and esteem for his social qualities, and their gratitude for the signal help he has rendered.'to the Church, in presiding so efficiently at the harmonium, and conducting the musical portion of the services, by presenting him with a handsome marble clock. Mr Gates acknowledged the gift in suitable terms, expressing himself as taken by surprise at being the recipient of such a handsome gift, and that he felt that his humble services had been somewhat exaggerated. Still, he would always look back with pleasure to the time he had spent amongst them, of which the clock would be an ever pleasing memento. Though leaving the district, he would be only a comparatively short distance away, and he should be happy to render at any time assistance to them in whatever way might lay in his power. The proceedings then terminated. A special meeting of the Akaroa School Committee was held in the school-room, on Friday evening last, to consider a letter received by the Chairman from the Inspector of Nuisances, complaining of the state of the. closets attached to the Public Schools. Present—Mr William Penlington (chairman), Messrs Missen, Bruce, Dalgleish, and.Sims. The Chairman having, read the letter, the sub-committee informed the meeting that the nuisance complained of arose in a great measure from the closets belonging to the Government offices, being cesspools, and allowed to overflow into the school grounds j that the school closets were kept clean, but that the boys' urinal was faulty in construction, and suggesting certain necessary alterations". The Committee having discussed the proposed plans, it was proposed by Mr Dalgleish, seconded by Mr Bruce— "That the alteration be submitted to"the the Inspector of Nuisances, and, if. approved of, the work be proceeded with as soon as possible." Ihe meeting then adjeurned. --,■,.

Tn connection with the Horticultural Society's proposed show, it has been suggested to us that increased support might be obtained from the. public, if prizes were offered for exhibitions in other things, besides those appertaining to the garden. In the country towns of Victoria, where societies such as ours exist, they include in their prize schedules prizes for the best needlework of different kinds, darning, crocheting, tatting, flower-making, patchwork, &c, besides others for honey, beeswax,poultry,butter,dairy utensils, and other articles of utility used in connection with the dairy, farm, poultry yard, garden, &c. The gentleman with whom we have conversed on this subject, is an old Victorian, and he states that the kind of shows as suggested here, have great success and popularity in that colony, and he thinks their model might be advantageously copied in Akaroa. We leave this matter to the Committee of the Horticultural Society, With the hope that they may see their way toward carrying out this, to us, new and novel idea.

As will be seen by an advertisement in another column, our suggestion with regard to a weekly service on Saturdays, via Pigeon Bay, between Christchurch, Lyttelton, Akaroa, and the Bays, has been adopted. The enterprising and energetic proprietors of the coach and steamer notify that the service will commence working on Saturday, the 21st instant, to be continued regularly on ever}' following Saturday. The advantages, which this extra communication with the chief Port, and chief city, of the Province, will afford to residents on the Peninsula, and business men in particular, are numerous, and cannot fail to render it attractive and popular to all classes of our community. It will be found, on many occasions, a valuable accommodation to be able to leave the Peninsula on a Friday and return the next day, having had, even in so short a time, ample leisure to transact any ordinary business; again, the facility will now be given to those, who have friends or relations in Lyttelton or Christchurch, of running up on the Saturday to visit them, returning, if they wish, on the Monday, with the least possible sacrifice of time. The same advantages, of course, accrue to residents in Lyttelton, Christchurch, and the Plains, but in a greater degree ; while, the trip itself to Pigeon Bay may be considered, during the summer months, as a pleasant weekly excursion, and, as such, will, we feel assured, be patronised by many people. In conclusion, we heartily wish the proprietors every success in their venture.

There was no meeting of the 'Borough I Council, on Wednesday evening, owing to I not sufficient members attending to form the necessary quorum. We are requested to notify that the Good Templar entertainment, as advertisedj is to take place at the Head of the Bay this evening, and, further, to inform our readers that the steam launch will run up to the Head of the Bay from Akaroa with intending visitors, and remain there until the close of the entertainment. The entertainment in aid of the funds of the Akaroa Public Library, took place on Wednesday evening last, as advertised. Owing to the unaccountably small attendance it was, financially speaking, a failure, only £6 4s. 6d. being taken at the doors, while from the sa.ne cause, there was a lack of spirit and " go " in the whole performance, that was rather depressing to both audience and performers. The various items of the programme were well rendered and received, encores beingdeinanded of Mr Rice for his excellent singing of " The Sexton," and, again, of " The Bellringer," also from Master L. Watkins, who sang "The Murmur of the Shell" in a manner that promises great things in a little while, when ho will possess greater confidence, and a bettor knowledge of how to use to the best advantage the really fine voice with which he is gifted. Some glees by Messrs 11. Bridge, Meech and Billens were fairly rendered, and Mr White's stump speech, with local hits, created roars of laughter. Mr W. Sims reading from the " Candle Lectures " was decidedly one of the best items of the evening. The entertainment concluded with an Amateur Ethiopian Farce, in which both Messrs White and Grey were exceedingly good, fairly convulsing the audience with laughter, and we hope" to see them soon again in some more of their burnt-cork comicalities.