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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 163, 8 February 1878, Page 2

A meeting of the Lakes Ellesmere and Forsyth Beelamation, arid Akaroa Railway Trust, was held at Wascoe's Hotel, Lake Ellesmere, on the sth inst., Present— Messrs Dalglish, Joblin, E. C. Latter, Bell, Parkinson, Gebbie, Murray, O'Callaghan, Marshall. The monthly report of the engineer was submitted to the Trust, and considered. Mr Johnstone being called in to explain the feasibility or otherwise, of the scheme proposed. Mr Johnston stated that he had not the slighest doubt as to the practicability of draining the Lake and that the survey, of the line of railway would be surveyed in a day or two. We regret that owing to press of matter, we are compelled to hold over the full report, which will appear, however, in our next issue. We hear that a subscription list is being circulated for the maintenance of the priest attending the Catholic Church at Akaroa. We are informed that over £57 has been promised for that purpose. At the meeting of the Akaroa School Committee, held on Monday, 4th February, there were present—Messrs Meech (chairman), Billens, Barry, Dalglish, Alissen, Annand, and Bruce. It was decided to nominate Messrs Montgomery and Ivess as members-to serve on the new Board of Education. After a few matters of a I purely routine character had been gone through, the Committee adjourned. I

By a notice in our advertising columns, His Worship the Mayor of Akaroa, Mr H. G. Watkins, invites the attendance at a meeting to be held at WagstafE's Hotel tomorrow night, .of all those interested in obtaining subscriptions toward the support of the widow and family of the late John Bunny. We understand that the question of the wharves coming under the control of the Borough Council is now occupying the attention of that body. We trust that very careful investigation into the expenses attached to wharf management may be made before anything is finally settled.

The quarterly installation of officers of the Akaroa Hope Lodge, 1.0. G.T., took place at the Hall, on Wednesday evening last. There was a very good attendance of members present considering the inclement state of the weather. After the ordinary business had been transacted, the following officers were duly installed in their respective offices : — Bro. Bi - uco W.C.T.; Bro. Morgan, W.V.T.; Bro. Keee' WIS.; Bro. Scott, jun.. W.A.S.; Sister E] Kearney, W.F.S.; Bro. Slater, W.T.; Sister Gathercole, W.C.; Bro. D. Fyfe, jun., W.M.; Bro. Maunders, W.D.M.; Bro. Newtoni

W.1.G.; Bro. Robertsliaw, W.0.G.; Sister GutberJet, W.R.S.; Sister J. Houghton, W.L.S.;

On more than one occasion we have drawn attention to the size of the metal placed on a few of the roads in the Borough. Are the affairs of the Council in such an impecunious state that they cannot employ a man, to break these boulders which, to say nothing of their being excessively dangerous, are far more fitted for the beach than a public thoroughfare.

We are informed that the yacht Winona, which left here on the 29th Jan., arrived at Dunedin on the following Monday, thus making a remarkably good passage, whilst the ketch Anna, which, as our readers will remember, left the harbour more than a week before her departure, arrived about the same time, having experienced nothing but contrary winds, and on one occasion was driven, during a strong south-west gale, to within twelve miles of Akaroa Heads. At the meeting of the Borough Council on Wednesday evening last, there were two applications for the office of Town Clerk, that of Mr A. I. M'Giegor being accepted. The guano trade has once more been started in Akaroa. Some years ago the project of obtaining guano from the numerous caves in, and just outside, this harbour was entertained, and, as far as we remember, with good paying results ; but the decrease of market value, and the length of time occupied, owing to the constant swell which prevails, and the difficulty in obtaining the material, caused those who were engaged in the work to give it up. Now, however, the trade has been again commenced, and, we hope, with profit to the promoters of this new local source of revenue.

An accident, which might have been attended with serious results, occurred on the oth instant, to Mr Veat, of Barry's Bay. It appears that, in company with his wife and two children, Mr Veat started from Akaroa with the intention of rowingback to Barry's Bay in a light skiff, which he had brought over in the morning, and that when half-way between the Government Wharf and the Red Point, the southerly puff caught him, causing the boat to be driven against the rocks. By this time the boat was full of water, and with great difficulty Mrs Veat and the children were landed on terra β-nna. The steam launch, happening to pass close by shortly afterwards, picked up the bout, and, of course, would have also taken on board its former occupants, but Mr Veat declined, saying that .they would walk the remainder of thejr journey. Some time, however, after the launch had returned to Akaroa, shouts and coocys were heard from, the direction taken by them and on the launch going across again, they were only too glad to accept of her assistance in getting back to Akaroa.

We desire to draw attention to the necessity for metalling the Cemetery road. Even the little rain t that has fallen has made it in a very slippery and muddy condition, and it can easily be understood that this road -would be positively impassable in winter. We trust the Borough Council and the Road Board will attend to this matter forthwith.