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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 165, 15 February 1878, Page 2

We are informed that Mr Hardy Johnston and the members of the Lakes Reclamation and Railway Trust who were deputed for that purpose, met at Lincoln a few days since to decide upon the best line of country to be taken for the proposed Akaroa railway. We understand that Hudson's road line was the one that was finally agreed upon. It is a matter of congratulation to us to observe how thoroughly in earnest are the members of the Trust, their Chairman, and their Engineer, upon this work, and how they are sparing neither time, trouble, or pains, in endeavors to bring their duties to a successful termination.

Business people in communities sucli as ours have many difficulties to contend with, and innumerable annoyances to bear. Levanting debtors, long-winded payers, swindling borrowers, petty stealers, and promiscuous loafers, are but a tythe of of the evils which tradesmen have to put up with, and suffer from, patiently. There is one especial visitation, however, which is a dreadful tax on the time, worrying to the temper, and fearfully irritating to the nerves, of those unfortunates who have to grin, and bear with it, and that especial calamity is the commercial or bagman element. Book or sample in handj they lay in wait for the innocent whom they have spotted for their next victim protestations as to not requiring their wares are useless, adjectives hurled at them pass harmlessly by, nothing but an order will satisfy them, and, even when they get that, they, like Oliver Twist, ask for more. This being the rule, without any exception, we wonder how our business men have managed during the past week, for during that period, and in this small town, there have been no less than a dozen representatives of commercial houses seeking customers and their orders. '"Tis true, 'tis pity, pity 'tis, 'tis true."

The total value of imports at the port, of Lyttelton for the year 1877 was £1,278,089; in 1876, it was £1,184,963, thus showing a large increase. The exports for 1877 were valued at £1,866,418, against £1,775,405 in the year 1876. These latter figures show a healthy and prosperous condition of things, which are eminently satisfactory.

From a return published in the Government Gazette, of the 7th inst., we observe that 302,977 telegrams were forwarded from the different offices within the colony during the quarter ended December, 1877, being an increase of 23,682 messages over the number sent during the corresponding quarter of 1876. The revenue received was £17,942 14s 4d, showing an increase above that received in the last quarter of 1876 of £1,656 5s 2d.

The total value of the exports of New Zealand produce from the port of Lyttelton for the December quarter of 1877, was £522,730, whilst the gross amount from the whole of the colony for the same time was £1,590,513, against £1,177,715 for the corresponding quarter of 1876. These figures speak for themselves, and, we are of opinion, require no comment from us.

The export of Cocksfoot grass seed of the present season's growth has commenced. We observed that Messrs Checkley and Sons made a large shipment south by the Wanaka, and that Messrs Wood Bros, and Cos. stores are crammed full of sacks of this article ready for shipment. The jetty stote and other buildings have also large quantities stored in them. Taken altogether the crops have been far better than was anticipated during the period when the drought was so bad, and this is more especially observable in the Pigeon Bay district.

The Adelaide Evening Journal of the 15th ult. gives a long description of a valedictory tea and public meeting, held in Flinders-street Baptist Church, in honor of Mr Thomas Spurgeon, a son of the Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, the celebrated Baptist preacher, who, after a stay in Adelaide of eight weeks, was removing to Melbourne. Mr T. Spurgeon is not a clergyman, but during his temporary residence in Adelaide, he had repeatedly preached in the town Hall and other buildings, to crowded congregations. The presentation consisted of a purse of sovereigns, and an Emu's egg inkstand, mounted in silver and suitably inscribed. Mr Spurgeon at some length thanked the donors for their gifts and kindness toward him, and spoke eloquently as to the reception he had met with in Australia.

During the quarter ending December, 1877, there were entered at the port of Lyttelton 47 vessels, of 18 318 tons burthen, manned by 578 men ; in the corresponding quarter of 1876 there were 36 vessels, of 13,567 tons, whose crews numbered 429. Outwards—there were from the same quarter in 1877, 39 vessels, 15,829 tons, and 464 men, whilst during the same period in 187G, 31 vessels, 11,958 tons manned by 357 men, were cleared.

Many of our Akaroa readers will remember the Rev. S. D. Green who was for some time a resident here. We have had the pleasure of perusing a letter from that Rev. gentleman, who is at present Incumbent of Colac, Victoria, in which he speaks in kindly terms of his many friends in this colony. Mr Arthur Green, who will be remembered here as a little boy, is shortly to be ordained by the Bishop of Melbourne.

We often hear of taking " time by the forelock," but have seldom read of a happier instance than one which is recorded in the Inangahua Times of the 30th ult, where it is stated that the building committee of the Reefton Catholic Church, intend to hold a bazaar next Christmas in aid of the building fund. This is giving the public plenty of time beforehand with a vengeance.

A public meeting was held in the Library, Little River, on the evening of the 6th inst., with a view of forming a Cricket Club. Mr Warner was nominated to the chair. It was proposed by Degg, seconded, by Mr Fulton, and carried, that the club be called the "Little River Cricket Club. Eighteen members were enrolled. Mr Degg proposed that all members over 14 years of age, pay a subscription of 5s ; under 14, 2s 6d. Seconded by Mr S. Reeves, and carried. It was proposed by Mr S. Reeves, seconded by Mr Bracy, and carried, that a committee, consisting of five members, together with a secretary and treasurer, be appointed - The following gentlemen were then elected :—Messrs W. Joblin, F. Bracy, Joseph Rejmolds, H. Reynolds, and S. Reeves. Mr A. Degg being elected secretary, and Mr G. Sefton treasurer. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.

The public meeting convened to take place at Tai Tapu, for the consideration of tho most suitable route to be taken by the proposed Akaroa lino of railway, took place there on the evening of the 11th instant. Mr Johnston the Engineer, to the Lakes Reclamation and Railway Trust, and the Rev. A. P. O'Callaghan, and Mr J. Murray, two of the members, were present. Mr Ferryman was the-chairman of the meeting. After hearing some remarks from Mr O'Callaghan, and a considerable amount of discussion among those present, it was proposed, seconded, and carrried—" That the Trust be asked to have the line of railroad surveyed along the Drain reserve through Tai Tapu, so as to intersect the Southbridge line at Prebbleton or the Racecourse." Votes of thanks were carried to the members of the Trust present, and to the Chairman.

Domestic servants are often required for peculiar situations, but we have seldom seen one advertised for, to fill a more curious office, than the following, which we take from the advertising columns of the Ashburton Mail of the 9th instant:— " Wanted, a cook, for a thrashing machine, apply, &c." We know a few youths Who would very soon " cook " that thrashing machine ; but we wonder if that style of cooking would please the advertiser. In another column of the same paper, we observe that " a smart boy is wanted to run the Ashburton Mail on the railway." We fancy it would take a smart boy to accomplish that task, and such is, we presume, the proprietor's own opinion, judging from his advertisement.

The balance-sheet of the Okain's Bay School for the past year shows a gross total of receipts amounting to £232 13s 6d, whilst the expenditure for the same period amonnted to £223 19s, leaving a credit balance in hand of £8 14s 6d. These returns were read at the annual election of the School Committee which took place some three weeks since.

We notice at a special meeting of th« Christchurch Presbytery, • held in St. Andrews Church, Christchurch, on Thursday, Feb. 7th, that the Rev. W. McGregor handed in his report as deputy to Wainui, and that the following decision was conic to by the Presbytery:—" That the old building be used by the Rev. Mr Douglas as heretofore, on condition that the family is located elsewhere." The following explanation being given, which we take from the Press of the 13th, inst.:—" The present building where worship was held belonged to both parties, and for the Presbytery to authorise Mr Douglas to hold service in either the Government or private school would be avowed opposition to one of the parties. Farther, the devision among the settlers of Wainui arose and existed through the Government school being built where it is, and not on another site oh which all were agreed. Although one party was satisfied with the school where it is, the other party feeling aggrieved have built a private school, yet neither party is to be blamed as the cause of the division. Further, it did not come within the province of the Presbytery to heal the division. It was a matter that rested between the settlers themselves and the Board of Education. The remedy evidently was that the Government school history of Wainui from the present back to July, 1876, should be deleted, and that the settlers unite as one man to petition the Board of Education to purchase the site, and to remove the school and schoolhouse to the site originally agreed upon by all ; the owner of which, all along, has been willing to sell and convey the same to the Board of Education for a school site."

By telegram from Wellington we learn of the death, in that city on the 11th inst., of W. B. Rhodes, Esq., an elder brother of our late member, in the House of Representatives, R. H. Rhodes Esq. Old settlers, on the Peninsula, will remember the deceased gentleman through his connection with, in former years, the Red House, Flea Bay, Long Bay, and other properties, as also through his being the reported first hoister of the British flag in this harbor just prior to the arrival of the French settlers in the ship "Count de Paris," an action which, it is said, saved this island to the British Empire. Mr Rhodes was in his seventieth year at the time of his demise.

In another column will be found an advertisement in reference to the Little River Steeplechases which come off on March 2nd next. From the liberal programme provided we anticipate that this meeting will be extensively patronised by the sporting men Of this and adjoining districts.

We have recently been favored with a view of a portrait of the late Mayor, Mr Geo. Scarbrough, painted for the corporation. We understand that it is the custom of municipal councils to have the portraits of their Mayors painted. The portrait of the ex-Mayor, Mr Scarbrough, is from the pencil of Mr Cambridge, of Christchurch, and, as a work of art, is of very high merit indeed. The colouring is evidently the result of careful and painstaking study-. As a likeness, the effort of the artist is firstclass, delineating not only the features of the original, but, with this, giving much of the character of the sitter. The flesh tints are rendered with feeling and delicacy, and the draperies and background manages so as to give the fullest possible relief to the head. Indeed, until we saw the portrait, we had no idea that any New Zealand artist could furnish so faithful a transcript of the " human face divine." Mr Cambridge may be fairly congratulated on his effort, which is at once pleasing, artistic, and calculated to bring the artist into deserved notice.

The annual meeting of householders in Okain's Bay for the election of school committee for the ensuing year, was held in the schoolroom, on January 28, when the following gentlemen were duly elected :— Messrs. Welis, Ware, Moore, Sefton, Priest, Harris, and James. Mr Wells was reelected chairman.

A final meeting of the Indian Famine Relief Committee for the Provincial District of Canterbury, was held on Wednesday last, in the Council Chambers, Christchurch, to consider the question of the disposition of the sum of £270 which remained on hand. After considerable discussion, it was resolved that the money be apportioned in the following way:— Christchurch, £150; Ashburton, £35; Timaru, £40 ; Akaroa, £15 ; Kaiapoi, £10; Waimate, £20, leaving a balance of £8 16s 7d to pay outstanding accounts. The Treasurer, Mr J. Ollivier, stated that he intended shortly visiting Akaroa, when he would submit the proposed scheme of apportionment to the Committee at that place.

The colonies are not to be beaten in the sea serpent line. From the Sydney Morning Herald, of the 31st ult., it will be seen that a near relative of the marine monster, so often chronicled and so seldom believed in, has been paying the beauties of Sydney harbor what may, perhaps, only be a flying visit:—" Early on Saturday morning, January 26th, four gentlemen were fishing in a small boat off Shark Point, about 100 yards from the shore, when one of them, who was leaning over the gunwale, suddenly ovserved close to his hand a large sea snake. The reptile caused some consternation to those in the boat; but two gentlemen, with great

presence of mind, each seized an oar and attacked the monster, who did not seem to relish the reception, but only moved some two yards from the boat, when the occupants, thinking discretion the better part of valour, pulled away. The reptile was evidently some ten or twelve feet in length, but only six or seven feet were seen out of water. One of the gentlemen was playing a concertina; perhaps the music attracted the monster."