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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 169, 1 March 1878, Page 2

By the kindness of Mrs Dixon, matron and nurse to the Hospital, we were permitted an examination of that building, and, though on the whole expressing ourselves pleased with the general effect, and the architecture, we desire to mention one or two notably glaring errors, which should be rectified as soon as possible. On entering, we were shown into the kitchen, which is indisputably too small for the requirements of an institution such as a Hospital, where a considerable amount of cooking has, at all times, to be done. We next visited the male ward, in which we noticed, particularly, the splendidly made operating table, manufactured, as, indeed, is all the furniture of the Hospital, by Mr Davis, of this town. We cannot give too much credit to Mr Davis for the excellent workmanship displayed in the manufacture of the various articles and fittings appertaining to the Hospital. We next visited the female ward, which, together with the former one, are well built, plastered on ever}' side, and a perfect system of ventilation established by means of a carved wooden grating in the ceiling. We, naturally, then asked to be shown thecon-

suiting, or operating room, and were much astonished to find that no arrangements existed for privacy in any case of consultation or surgical operation, that might be required. We desire to draw attention to this very necessary required addition to the building as also to the absurdity of having a verandah round two sides of the house whiie that side, on which has been placed the principal entrance, is left devoid of such accommodation, and through which, either entrance or exit is certainly bj- no means a pleasant or easy matter to a visitor, much less an invalid. Tho state, too, of the grounds around require looking to, and a proper path formed and metalled from the gateway to the chief entrance, and the whole of the enclosure properly levelled and planted. We trust that these several matters will bo brought under the notice of the Government, by Mr March.

A severe bush ffre was burning in Barry's Bay during the early part of this week, the flames from which caught one of the wooden culverts crossing the Christchurch road partly burning it out, and thus rendering the road dangerous for wheeled traffic. On hearing of this, Mr S. Lee sent up Mr J. McFarlane and some other men no the 20th ult to assist in getting the coach past this spot, which they succeeded in accomplishing with but little delay. On the previous day, on the Little River side of the hill, a burning tree bad fallen across the road, which delayed the passage of the coach until such time as it couid be cleared away. Just now there seems to be an epidemic in the way of bush fires as we see smoke in all directions. This wholesale destruction of so much valuable timber, and picturesque bush, is a matter much to be regretted.

There are at present lying in the Immigration Barracks three invalids, Mr Walter Prime, of Barry's Bay, who is suffering from some internal rupture, Mr Rodger Russell, of Okain's Bay, who, in jumping from a trolly while in motion, broke his ankle, and Mr Fred. Gutberlet, who has been suffering from some kind of fever. There can be little doubt that the want of proper hospital appliances, in spite of the excellent musing of Mrs

Dixon, must retard the recovery of the patients, and we merely draw attention to the matter so as to urge on the completion of the hospital as soon as possible, so that those unfortunate people who may require, through accident or illness, proper care and nursing, may receive the same.

About two months since Mr Grcsson advertised, in this journal, his dinghy as being lost and offered a reward for her recovery. As the boat could not be heard of and no trace whatever was to be found of her, it was concluded by her owner that she had been stolen, but bow that could be managed so successfully was a great puzzle to him. Tuemising boat has, howver, been found. When the steam launch was going into Robinson's Bay, on the 27th ult-., Mr Wight saw something just awash off what is known as Denny's point. On proceeding there he found it to be the stern of a boat and further research found that the ■missing property of Mr Grcsson was lying there under water. After some little trouble the boat was recovered and towed to Akaroa. One side of her is stove in, and the opposite side, which had been lying on the bottom, is considerably chafed and damaged. An accident, fortunately not of a serious character, took place at Mr Coop's, Spring Vale mills, Little River, on the 25th ult. From what we learn it appears that on the day in question a man named Sydney Harris, was using a crowbar in assisting to place a log upon the vertical saw bench, when by some means, the log slipped and caused the crowbar to spring out of his hands, and strike him a heavy blow on the mouth and jaw, thereby causing a painfully severe contusion. The sufferer came to Akaroa for medical aid and under Dr Guthrie's treatment is progressing satisfactorily.

Saturday last, the 23rd ult., will be a day long to be remembered in Akaroa. From an early hour well dressed people were to be seen rushing about busily engaged in preparing decorations, &c, for the approaching nuptials of Miss Agnes Roberts and Mr F. Anson, which was to take place at eleven o'clock in the forenoon ot that day. Long before tint time, St. Peter's Church was filled with an attentive and crowded congregation who were intent on witnessing the solemnly interesting ceremony performed. One of the most interesting sights in the church was the presence of the Sunday School scholars of St, Peter's, of which school, Miss Roberts was a teacher. The officiating clergymen were the .Revs. Ayhner and Anderson, the former of whom had christened the bride, in her infancy. After the wedding service, and the usual declarations had been signed, tbe bride and bridegroom, were driven from church to the residence of the father of the bride, Mr J. F. Roberts, by Mr J. Macfarlane, who handled bis team of four greys in splendid style. Shortly after arrival at Mr Roberts' house, the following addresses from the scholars and teachers of St. Peter's Sunday School were presented, and acknowledged by Mrs Anson and her husband :—" Mrs Anson, Dear Madam,—On behalf of the teachers of St. Peter's Church of England Sunday School. Akaroa, I have been requested to offer you, on the occasion of your marriage, their sincere congratulations. The pleasure of congratulating you on so auspicious an event is, however, mixed witli feelings of regret. We are sorry that the tie is now severed which has for so long a time bound us together as teachers and religious instructors of the young. Heartily and sincerely we wish you every joy and happiness this world can afford, and trust wherever you may go, you will always have us in kindly remembrance. Signed A. K. Haklocki Superintendent St. Peter's Sunday SchoolAkaroa, Feb. 23, 1878." "To Mrs. Anson' Dear Madam, —We, tho scholars attending St. Peter's Sunday School, desire to place on record our gratitude to you for the interest you have taken in our welfare, and our regret at parting from you. At the same time, we feel much pleasure in congratulating you on your marriage, and we join, one and all, in wishing you, earnestly and affectionately, every blessing that God can bless you with. Much as we regret losing you, and often as we shall bear you kindly iv remembrance, we console ourselves by hoping and believing that our loss will l>« your gain. That it may be so both eternally and -temporally, is the sincere wish of your faithful friends and well-wishers, the scholars of St. Peter's Sunday School, Signed Wm. Pknlington, junior, on behalf of the scholars. Akaroa, February 23, 1878." "To Miss Agnes Roberts. —We, the pupils attending St. Peter's Church of England Sunday School, Akaroa, respectfully request your acceptation of the accompanying volume of the 'Christian year,' as a slight token of the respect, regard, and esteem, we hold you

in. We also desire, through our superintendent, to convey to you our sincere wishes for your future happiness and welfare, hero and hereafter. Signed A. K. llaiilock, Superintendent, on behalf of the scholars attending St. Peter's Church of England Sunday School, Akaroa. February 23, 1878." About 12.30, amid a shower of rice and slippers, and innumerable wishes for happiness, &c, the happy pair started for Pigeon Bay, en route to Sumner, where the honeymoon is to be passed. It is stated in the columns of a contemporary that the gross value of the estates of the late W. B. Rhodes, Esq. exceeds £1.000,000 sterling iv value. As far as we remember this is the largest valuation of properties in this colony belonging to a single individual. A good proportion of the landed estate is. we believe, situated iv the Canterbury provincial district. As showing bow Christchurch has increased m size aer! how property within it has risen in value during the past few years, wo have been informed that the recent assessment of its rateabletproperties, for the ci'y pioper, amounted-to £170,000, Of couise, this is irrespective of Sydenham. Waltham, Newtown, Phillipstown, and the other suburbs of the city. In 1870 the values were not much above one third of the above sum. We are informed by an Akaroa tradesman of a peculiarly mean cheese-paring kind of economy practiced in one of the departments of Government. Our informant states that a few fathoms of rope are required for some Government purpose or other, and, before it can be purchased bore, the officer in whose department it has to be used is instructed by letter to go round to the storekeepers, and get from each of them the price of the article required. Should the figure quoted suit our governing powers, then is instructions issued, from head quarters, to make the necessary purchase ; but in the event of the price exceeding the ideas entertained by the presiding genius of red tape, then has this small quantity of rope to be sent here from tho stores in Wellington. If this piece of rope is sent from Wellington, we shall feel curious to know how much extra it has cost in freight and charges, and what amount is saved to the colony. What strikes us as the worst feature of this contemptible meanness is the humiliating position* forced on the officer who j has to go round and do the pricing. '

The publicity given to acts of thieving from about .the wharf, and bouts moored out, does not seem to act as a check upon those who are guilty of appropriating the property of others to their own use. The owner of the cutter Misletoe.has informed us that thirty-six fathoms of'new Manilla rope has been stolen, during this week, from that vessel, which rope lie purchased about two or, three weeks since from Messrs Garwood and Co. These depre dations are getting far too common. As we said of the fruit thieves, so we say of these, we hope that one will be caught in the act.