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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 183, 18 April 1878, Page 2

' The Government steamer, s.s. Stella, called in at this port on Tuesday last, having on board some three boat loads of tools, etc., for the preliminary work at the lighthouse. The weather being southerly it was found impracticable to land the material at the Heads, the Stella accordingly coming on to Akaroa, where she fay till yesterday morning, starting again with Mr Black, and his men for the scene of operations about half-past ten o'clock. The steamer, after landing the material, proceeded south with the keepers, and their families, appointed to take charge of the lighthouses at Moeraki, and elsewhere. We cannot compliment the Government in the cleanliness of their navy, but that the vessel is not allowed to remain idle may be gathered from the Captain's statement, that his fires have not been out for sixty days, and that he has never during that period been twenty-four hours in the same port.

The following peculiar notice of birth appears in the Auckland Evening Star of the Ist inst:—" Bach.—On the 30th March, at our residence, Somerset place, Road. Unto us a son is given, and his name shall be Cyrus.—Alfred and Sarah Ann Bach." The inference wo draw is that there bad been a family muss as to the expected littie stranger's future name, and hence the vehement declaration that his handle " shall be Cyrus." Well, why shouldn't it? Another theory is that the fond parent on first seeing his son and heir, exclaimed " Scissors!," which has been corrupted by the nurse into " Cyrus." and caused some trouble, ending by the solemn asseveration, contained in the notice, on the part of the parents, wlio with a knowledge of the origin of the infants pet name intend to stick to it, being of opinion that as it was derived from " scissors " it must be a " clipper." If these theories are not correct, we give it up.

The following advertisement appears in the Ashburton Mail of the 13th inst :—" A lecture will shortly take place at the Libraiy Hall, in the event of an eminent man kindly consenting to take the chair. The subject will be British Parliamentary Parties and Journals in connection with British and European Political Affairs." The above opens up a flood of tender thoughts and recollections of one who is now no more among us, having sidled off to pastures new, and perhaps more verdant near Ashburton. We need hardly say we allude to the eminent local option lecturer who convulsed a select and appreciative audience on two occasions in our Town Hall. It is a matter for conjecture who the '• eminent man " is who is evidently thinking seriously about taking the chair, we should ].<_ to know his name, and be able to say " good-bye '■ to him, for in all probability, if our surmises be correct, his days are numbered should he accept the honor. The more we look at the advertisement, the more convinced are we that it must refer to " Jimmy." If it is—Oh! Jimmy, won't it be the proudest momoMt of your life—and probably the last—when you address the Ashburton folk on European affairs !

We are informed that Sir J. Coode made his intended inspection of the Lakes' Drainage and Akaroa Railway Trust work on Tuesday last, accompained by Mr Blackett, C. E. Sir J. Coode and party were conveyed by special f ain to Southbridge, and from there drove along the spit to Wascoe's Hotel, where they were met by Mr Millett's drag and so taken on to Christchurch. Although an official report is declined at present, we understand the inspection has been sufficient for the purpose. Sir J. Coode took copious notes during the course of his inspection, and other necessary data are to be forwarded to him. We trust that the report when delivered may be favorable to the scheme, and supply such valuable suggestions as may lead to a successful carrying out of the work.

Tbe heavy tie-beams, 38ft long, the procuring of which has caused no inconsiderable delay in proceeding with the building of the New Oddfellow's Hall in Jollie Street, are, we have been informed, at Barry's Bay, ready for tranmission to Akaroa. We hope that the building may now proceed without further hitch or hindrance.

A special meeting of the Financial Committee of the Presbyterian Church, Akaroa, was held last Monday evening. The members of the new Coininitteel were all present. Mr. Dalglish was re-elected Chairman; Mr Mi .sen, Secretary; and Mr Billens, Treasurer. Mr; Missen read the minutes of'last'meeting,'which were con.firmed. It was, stated that the'year was begun with a debit balance of 12s Bd. It was also reported that the proceeds of the tea meeting and subscriptions for the same amounted to £14 10s 6d. Several items of expense and share of rent for Manse ground for half-year were passed for payment. These reduced the credit balance accruing from the tea meeting to a small sum. A conversation ensued as to the backwardness of the outlying districts in supporting the Church. In was the universal opinion that, even considering the few services, these places did not take a fair share of the financial burden upon them. They entailed a great expenditure of time and labour, and it was disheartening to see them take such little interest in the support of the Gospel. Mr Douglas I said that he doubted whether services could be continued in these places unless more interest were shown, because they interfered with the attention that ought to be bestowed on those places that really put their shoulder to the wheel and helped. He mentioned that he gave up services in Robinson's Bay very much for this reason* What was really wanted was a Missionary, and he hoped the outlying districts, containing several well-to-do Presbyterians, would club together, and help to get one. Notice was taken of the admirable manner in which Mr Missen had kept the booksSuggestions were made with regard to the draughtiness of the church, which will no doubt take practical shape as soon as iunds sufficient are in hand. The town was divided into districts, and each member had his district assigned him A conversation ensued as to the recent grants to the cemeteries, and the trustees for the Dissenters* Cemetery were requested by Mr Dalglish to apply in due form for the sum granted them. The meeting then closed.

At a meeting of the " Okain's Bay Recreation Ground Committee," held on Saturday evening, the 13th inst., Messrs R. Gilbert and G. N. Sefton were appointed trustees. A letter was read from the Chairman of the Akaroa County Council, stating that £57 2s lOd had been voted for recreation ground. It was resolved that tenders be invited for the sale of 3 acres of land, suitable for a recreation ground. At a subsequent meeting on the 17th inst., a tender from Mr Sefton for the sale of 3 acres for the sum of £50, was accepted. That much talked-'of, and most necessary article, the new jetty lamp, has arrived! It was honored by a passage in the Government steamer, 5... Stella, and is already put in position. We should very much like, a la Jeremy Diddler, " merely for curiosity," to know what that lamp has cost, including, of course, red tape, stationery, brain power of officials, &c. From its appearance, we should imagine it has been procured at the bankrupt sale of some Wellington publican. Far be it from us to assert that there is a publichouse in that flatulent city which carried so miserable a contrivance ; we merely should suppose that was where an article) such as the lamp in question, might have been picked up. There is a decided Government character about it—for, like a good many of their other acts, it is doubtful whether it will work, and even if it does, we shall be almost as much in the dark as before.. After all the delay iv getting this beautiful model, the making of which with such deliberation and care was so kindly undertaken by the Wellington tinkers, &c, we cannot but feel highly grateful to a retrenching and paternal Government that the work has been done at the lowest cost (?) with ihe least possible effect. The whole affair could have been done much cheaper, and more satisfactory, by local talent of course, but then, should we have thought so much of it? Should we not have forgotten the existence of this kind, fostering, Government which' looks such a long way after the good of the people in the security wo should have felt in the possession of a reall3 r good locally-made lamp which would never have gone out, or burnt dimly, but always shed a bright, clear, steady and powerful light? Now, however, we shall probably have cause to remember the Government every night, and to —well, bless it.

A meeting of those interested in collecting subscriptions forthe relief of the widow and orphans of the late John Bunny took place on Wednesday last, his Worship the Mayor, Mr H. G. Watkins, occupying the chair. Mr Watkins stated that the amount of subscriptions deposited in the Savings Bank to date represented £50 16s, to this were to be added donations from Mr Dawber, i"l 7s, and from Mr Montgomery £5 ss, making a total of £57 Bs. From this a sum of £8 10s for funeral expenses would have.to be deducted, leaving a total of £48 lOs, to be expended for tho widow and orphans. It was resolved that Mr Watkins should see Mr Nalder with reference to the conveyance of the section of land in Aylmerton lately occupied by the deceased to his children, Mr William Wright agreeing to act as trustee. The meeting also authorised Mr Watkins, acting trustee, to draw out of the Savings Bank, all money deposited, for the purpose of paying the Rev W. Ayhner for the said section on the completion of the con-, veyance. The meeting then terminated.

. The Akaroa Borough Council met at their offices on Wednesday evening, all the members being 'present. After the minutes of the previous meeting had been read and confirmed, Gr Meech'' moved the suspension of the standing orders to allow of Cr O'Reilly's, motionto raise a £3000 loan being freely * and. £ uljy discussed. This was carried, Cr 'o'Re.lls"?. proceeding to speak to his motion, and explain his propositions with regard to raising the sum required, and the manner of its expenditure. This was done most clearly and exhaustively shewing that tbe mover had spared neither time nor trouble in procuring estimates, information, an. advice bearing on his subject. The motion was finally, after considerable discussion, passed by. the Council, only three, the Mayor, Crs Wagstaff and Annand, voting against it. The matter will thus have to be now referred to the ratepayers at a public meeting, after which a poll will be taken, notice of each being duly advertised. A full report of the proceedings of the Council will be published as usual in our next issue. We notice by advertisement elsewhere that the timber ex Jane Hannah, which was consigned to Mr R. M. Taylor, has been purchased from that gentleman by Mr J. D. Davis, who is now offering the material for sale. We understand that the Akaroa Domain Board have made application for the ,£SOO, voted them by the County Council, and also that they have already made arrangements with Mr W. Jollie to undertake the planting of trees and shrubs which it is proposed to raise.