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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 173, 15 March 1878, Page 2

A slight accident happened on the 13th inst,, to one of the men, named Boswell, employed at McLucas and McKay's Onuku Kainga Steam Saw Mills, whiist he was endeavoring to put a bolt on some part of the machinery when it was in motion. From what we learn, it seems that when engaged in the occupation above mentioned the man must have slipped, and one of his legs got caught in the fly wheel. Mr McLucas, who was at the engine, saw the accident and immediately stopped the machinery, so that Boswell escaped with only an injured knee. Jlljfd it not been for Mr McLucas' promptitude doubtless a serious accident would have, happened.

It is officially stated that the cost of the late famine in India, was in the. Bombay Presidency a trifle under £2,000,000, whilst in the Madras Presidency it reached. the vast total of £8.000,000. These figures will show how immense must have been the destitution, and how widely it spread. As showing the wonderful sound-carry-ing powers of the telephone, we see it stated in a contemporary that the sounds of a common musical-box played near Bologne, in France, has been distinctly heard at Dover, in England. This beats the experiments carried on between Akaroa and Christchurch.

At the meeting convened by Mr Scarbrougb, for the purpose of deciding in what manner the surplus of subscriptions from the Indian Famine Eelief Fund should be expended, and which meeting was held in the Town Hall, on the 11th instant, it was determined, on the proposition of Mr Daly, to hand the amount received back from Christchurch to the Literary Institute, as a donation in aid toward liquidating the liabilities owing by the committee of that institution. We congratulate the meeting on this determination, considering, as we do, that the money could not be expended in a better or worthier manner.

In our report of the Lakes Ellesmere and Forsyth Reclamation and Akaroa Railway Trust meeting, which appeared in our last issue, we accidentally omitted to mention that the.next meeting of the Trust will take place at the same place, on Tuesday, 9th April, at 11 o'clock a.m.

Mr Black, the officer appointed by the Government to fix upon the site and otherwise arrange preliminaries for the erection of the lighthouse on the other side of the harbor, arrived in Akaroa by the s.s. Wanaka, on the morning of the 12th inst., and at once entered on his duties by proceeding to the localitiy we mention. We hope now to soon be able to state that the Government are starting the work in right earnest, and that a light for Akaroa Harbor is not the mythical thing which we, in common with many others, have said and thought it would be. " Tis a long lane that has no turning."

Some considerable excitement was caused here yesterday morning by the rumour that a young lady had left the house at which she was then staying, on the previous afternoon, and, though search had been made throughout the night, no further trace of her had been found. On? enquiry, we ascertained the following to be the facts of the case:—ltappears that Miss Bowling, who is resident English Go"serness at Miss de Malmanche's school, left the house at four oclock on Wednesday afternoon, and as she did not return later on in the evening, Miss de Malmanche became aiarmed, fearing that: the unfortunate young lady, who from recent domestic affliction wasinjvery low spirits, had carried out an intention, previously expressed, of committing 1 suicide. A search was at once instituted, but in vain. Early on r J hursday morning, news was brought in lhat a lady answering the description of Miss Bowling had been seen near Mr Keegan's place at the Maori Kainga, and some horsemen immediately rode off in that directiou while a whaleboat was manned and pulled down the harbor to the place indicated. On arrival there, it was found that the young lady must have gone further on, and a search party on foot started at once up the hill, Mr Moore accompanying them. Arriving at Mr Henry Ayhner's place no intelligence could be found about her, but nothing daunted, those in quest iuu.de up the steep ascent, and entered the thick bush, proceeding on their way toward ihe Heads. Here, sitting under a ngaio tree, in an almost inaccessable place for a woman, one would think, Mr Moore, who had come across the track of her footsteps, discovered the unfortunate young lady, who at length allowed herself to be conducted to his residence, where every care and attention was paid her. Miss Bowling returned to Akaroa by boat in the afternoon, we are glad to say but little the worse for her wanderings. We understand, that Miss Bowling has been taken to the Aharoa Hospital until her friends can be communicated with.

The numerous Oddfellows who are readers of this journal will be sorry to hear of the death of P.P.C.S. Bro. T. Abrahams, who expired at Christchurch, on the 11th hist, at the ripe age of 74. The deceased gentleman, who was the founder of Oddi'ellowship, under the Manchester Unity, in Canterbury, arrived at Lyttelton in the pioneer ship Charlotte Jane, and has ever since resided within the late province, first at Lyttelton, and more recently at Christchurch. Mr Abrahams brought out with him, from England, the dispensation under which the Loyal City of Norwich Lodge of Lyttelton was constituted, and was, we believe, a member of that lodge from its foundation until the time of his death. As long as his health permitted the deceased officer took a lively interest and part in all ■matters connected with Oddfellowship, ahd nothing was more gratifying to him than to witness the spread of its useful and beneficent principles. For the past few years Mr Abrahams had suffered from continuous ill health, so that his demise was not unexpected. The decaased gentleman leaves a widow and daughter, the latter of whom is married to Mr H. Savvtell, of Christchurch. A capital likeness of Mr Abrahams adorns the Odd Fellows Hall in Christchurch.

We wish to draw the attention of our readers to the notice, which will be found elsewhere, referring to the Presbyterian social gathering that is to take place in the Town Hall, on the evening of the 20th inst. As will be seen, the public generally are invited, and this should have the effect of bringing together a goodly number of friends and neighbours, irrespective of creed and class, The Eev. Mr Douglas, the respected pastor of the Presbyterian Church here, has now laboured among us for some considerable time, and we hope the attendance at this gathering will be such as to prove to him that he has earned the esteem and good will of a majority outside of his own people. We have been shown some photographic views taken by Mr Teague, and we must congratulate that gentleman upon the excellent manner in which they are done. Some carte de visile likenesses, taken by the same gentleman, appear to us to be superior specimens of the photographer's art. As Mr Teague's visit; here is but for a short time, we would impress upon those who may wish to " secure the shadow ere the substance fails," to take advantage of this opportunity, and, "on business thoughts intent," pay the studio a visit.

The so-oalled practice of " doctoring '> seeds, both for home use and exportation, seems to be carried on extensively in the United Kingdom, judging by what we read in the home papers of the prosecutions of parties engaged in this nefarious prectice. Clover seed seems one of the favorite kinds that is practiced upon as we lately read of the prosecution of two parties for " killing " this particular kind of seed, and more recently we observe that three persons were arraigned at the Southwark Police Court " for doctoring by means of sulphur fumes, certain parcels of white clover seed." There is an act in force in England which makes th c tampering with seeds an indictable offence, but as with other things so with that, the trouble is to bring the matter home to the delinquents.

A Wellington telegram informs us that the estimated amount which will have to be paid as probate duty on the property of the late Hon. W. B. Rhodes, is estimated to amount to over £20,000.

We have been informed that during the night of Friday, the Bth inst., a horse belonging to Mr C. .Alger. of Akaroa, was removed, without preraission, from the paddock in which it is usually kept, and evidently ridden in the most brutal manner, being returned to the paddock again, it is presumed, before daylight. When Mr Alger went on Sunday last to get his horse for the purpose of taking a short ride, be found that there was a large raw place on its back, and that the off shoulder was regularly torn lo bits and ploughed up by the rowels of the spur, plainly proving that the person committing the offence was no rider, and that only one spur was worn by him. No trace can be found of the offender, which is a matter for regret, as such dastardly conduct deserves punishing to the full extent of the law.

The sales of waste lands within the provincial district of Canterbury during last month, realised £74,688.

In the Lyttelton Times of the 13th inst., we observe that William Clements, laborer, of Akaroa, and William Hill, contractor, of the Head of the Bay, Akaroa, have both filed statements, in the Bankruptcy Court, that they are unable to meet their engagements with their creditors. Both first both meetings of creditors are appointed to be held at the Supreme Courthouse,' Christchurch, on Tuesday the I9th, inst. These are two more instances in which the Akaroa creditors are virtually shut out from either taking a part in, or appearing, to oppose It cannot be expected that a tradesman will leave his business, expend money in journeying to and from Christchurch, and waste valuable time over these matters. The calling of these meetings at Christchurch is, we consider, an injustice to the creditors here, and we hope a renewed agitation will be commenced, by those interested, to endeavor to remove the cause of this wrong to a large section of our community. The adjourned Licensing Meeting took place on Tuesday, the 12th instant, and was further adjourned to Tuesday, the 19th instant, there not being a quorum of commissioners present. Adding Akaroa to the number, there are now thirty-seven counties within the colony, which have adopted the Counties Act in its entirety.