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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 184, 23 April 1878, Page 2

The outgoing San Francisco Mail closes here to-morrow at 7.30 a.m.

A fair start has at length been made in the preparations necessary for the construction of the Akaroa lighthouse. As our readers are aware, this building is to be erected on what is called tho North Head, though, perhaps, East Head would be the more correct appellation. The point selected has an elevation of 247 feet above the sea level. The spot is quite inaccessible for the transport of any heavy articles, such as building materials. The first thingnecessary to be done, therefore, is to construct a road. This work is now beingcommenced. To tbe north-east of the Head, on Mr Haylock's run, is a little bay, as yet unknown to fame, and unblest, as far as we can learn, with a name. From this bay the proposed road will start. The land is very precipitous and rocky, and most of the road will have to be blasted out of the solid rock. Mr Black, tho Engineer in charge of the work, proposes to form a platform in the rock at an elevation of about 35 feet above tbe water's edge, to which materials to be landed will be lifted from the boats by means of a derrick. The road will then wind round the side of the rock and tbe edges of a gully till it reaches its destination. The gradient will be about one in seven. Tbe Stella went round to the' spot on Wednesday last, and landed tents for the men to be employed on the work, the necessary tools, including a portable forge, some coal, timber, &c. The landing was accomplished with safety, though not without difficulty, Mr C. Haylock rendering valuable assistance. Mr Black purposes personally superintending the work as it pro. gresses, and has appointed Mr J. Wood ill foreman. Mr Woodill's experience in road making on the Peninsula warrants us in supposing that the work will be diligently and faithfully pushed forward.

Among the passengers on board tlie Stella, which called in here a few days ago, were some goats, brought, we presume, for the purpose of supplying tbe families of the lighthouse keepers with milk. Whoever bad put the poor animals on board had neglected to provide a sufficiency of provender for them, and they were in a .starving condition. One frisky kid was observed making a substantial, though eomewhat indigestible, meal off a packet of shingle nails which " chips " had inadvertently left in its way.

On Saturday afternoon last a dray, laden with timber, belonging to Mr Johnston of Robinson's Bay, was standing in Churchstreet near Mr J- D. Davis' warehouse when the horses took flight, and, in spite of the efforts made to restrain them dashed off with their load at runaway pace up Church-street, then down Jolliestreet, turning sharp round tho Mail Office corner, and so on to the Beach-road where they v/ere stopped. Fortunately no damage was done, but considering tbe number of children generally playing about these streets, and particularly at the corners, it is wonderful that some serious accident did not result. It should be a warning, however, to those in charge of drays, &c. not to leave the horses' heads when in the thoroughfares of the town. It is by no means an uncommon thing to see here a cart and horse standing in the road to all intents and purposes without an}* person in charge of them. At such a time, what is to prevent the horse from running away with the vehicle, and who is responsible for what may then occur? In the interests of women and children, at least, the police should be very strict in enforcing the rule that drivers of vehicles shall not leave their horses when in the precincts of the town.

A man named William Woods, residing at Okain's Bay, fell off his horse yesterday, and, coming in contact with some stacked timber, sustained a severe rupture. He was at once brought into the Hospital, and placed under Dr Guthrie's care. We are glad to learn that Mr Dicken has sufficiently recovered to allow of his removal from the Hospital, where there are now only three patients.

An incident occurred here the other day to a gentleman well known in certain sporting circles, which is not without its moral. The gentleman in question effects the long style of shooting coat with numerous fearfully and- wonderfully contrived pockets of all sizes, from that sufficient to contain a few gun caps to one large enough if necessary to carry a bag of grass seed. This gentleman, though a bold and hardy sportsman, is somewhat bashful, arid prefers carrying his gun by instalments in the various receptacles about his person. The stock fits beautifully into a side pocket, the barrel disappears gracefully down at the back of his neck, and adds a martial bearing to the sportsman's general deportment. Now, tbe bulkiness of this gentleman's coat when returning from his wonted constitutiorials over spur and gully to the bosom of his family had on one or two occasions attracted the attention of a certain person in blue, and, not to put too fine a point on it, had roused suspicions as to the contents of these manifold pockets. Watching his opportunity, the man in blue waited till the appearance of tbe coat was more than ordinarily dropsical, and then accosted the wearer, demanding in the name of the law an inspection of what lie had concealed about him. It was in vain that the astonished sportsman assured the blue individual that he had nothing but a large sized pockethandkercbief, a pocketknife, brush and comb, and a few other simple and ordinary articles commonly to be found in the pockets of gentlemen having a regard for their personal appearance. The cerulean man was not to be put off iw this way. for he had visions of slaughtered pheasants without the due license, and strong suspicions that a gamy smell pervaded that coat, so he presisted in his intention to search in its inmost recesses. Pocket after pocket was made to reveal its contents, but without producing anything illegal or contraband* till but one receptacle more remained to be searched. Now this pocket was fat, there was no doubt about it, it positively bulged out with tlie importance of its contents, and the eagle eye of the azure person glistened with triumph as he inserted a limb of the law and felt— feathers ! There was a certain trepidation, of course, on the part of tbe sportsman, as the blue man proceeded to extract his prize. Bit by bit it glided from that pocket, and who shall descride the cerulean party's feelings as he drew forth a fine plump specimen of the— '■ domestic fowl! Let us draw a veil over the rest of the scene! The moral is—whenever you carry your dinner home, especially if you have a sportsman's reputation, carry it openly in your hand, not in your pocket; it leads to misconstruction.

Telegraphic advices from Australia on the ISth inst., announce that cable communication is interrupted on the Port Darwin line at Charlotte Waters, 800 miles from Adelaide.

We notice by advertisement elsewhere, that Cr Wagstaff has resigned his seat in the Borough Council. An extraordinary vacancy thus occurs to which the ratepayers will be soon called upon to elect a member in bis place. We regret that Cr Wagstaff should feel it nee,:... aiy to resign his position, as his conduct in tho Council has been such as to deserve public confidence, and his undoubted financial ability cannot fail to be of great assistance in that body. We want good men there, and we consider Cr Wagstaff the right man in the right place. There is too much indifference shewn, as a rule, in tbe representation of the Borough. There are many who should come forward, but for some reason they hang, back, and it is not exaggeration to state that the Borough suffers for their apathy. We trust the burgesses will elect a worthy successor to Cr Wagstaff. and one who shall be equally deserving of public confidence.

We have to remind our readers of the sale, wliieh takes place to-day at German Bay, of tho balance of tbe Taka Matua Estate, the property of W. G.lnman. Esq., who i-. leaving the colony. The property is so well and favorably known, and the land of such a valuable nature for agricultural and pastoral purposes, that there is every reason 10 anticipate a numerous attendance r.ud keen competition. Such an opportunity of acquiring first-rate properties i.-i but _.e!.Jom afforded, as in the sale of this estate which has been subdivided into suitable blocks for building sites, &c, within easy distance from Akaroa, the band is perhaps as valuable a property as any on the Peninsula, and Mr C. W. Bridge, who conducts the sale, should not want for bidders. After the sale of the land, the household furniture and effects, together with station and fanning inplement;., will be sold, thus offering inducements for the i attendance of purchasers of such kind of goods. Altogether, the sale should be a good one for all concerned.

A little girl, daughter of Mr Robert Dawber of German Bay, died very suddenly on the morning of the 19th inst. The cause

of death is somewhat peculiar, being the result of a French bean, which the child had swallowed, remaining fixed in the

wind pipe, ancl, gradually swelling with

the moisture so as to cause suffocation. A

full account of the inquest held yesterday

appears elsewhere. We deeply .sympathise with the parents in their affliction.