HEAD OF THE BAY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 186, 30 April 1878, Page 2

HEAD OF THE BAY.

A meeting was held at the Head of the Bay on Friday last, to devise means for securing the establishment of a Telegraph office in that locality. The time advertised for the meeting was two o'clock, but it was past three before proceedings commenced. The attendance, we are sorry to say. was but small—a fact which does not argue want of interest in the subject, but which simply proceeds, we believe, from the very common practice of leaving to a few the work necessary to be done to achieve any public good. On the motion of Mr Williams, seconded by Mr Shadbolt, Mr Piper took the chair. The Chairman commenced by reading the advertisement convening the meeting which he had inserted in the Aeakoa Mail. The matter had been first mooted at a meeting of the Road Board, whose office would shortly be situated at the Head of the Bay, and who felt the necessity of telegraphic communication. They were all aware of the difficulty that had lately been experienced in the matter of the Post-office ; in fact, for want of a suitable place, it had very nearly been removed to Barry's Bay. In an interview with the Chief Postmaster, Christchurch, he had pointed out the central position of this locality. He was sorry not to see any persons from the Bays. The establishment of a Post and Telegraph office there would be of great advantage to Okain's Bay and Little Akaloa. If a man wanted a doctor, he would save at least twelve miles. Again, a Money Order office and Savings Bank would be a great convenience to these Bays. After his interview with MiDick, he wrote to Mr Montgomery, M.H.R. He would read them the correspondence that ensued:—

" Christchurch, 2nd April, 1878.

" My Dear Sir, —lam in receipt of your letter, of the Ist instant, in which yon ask me what steps are necessary to be taken to obtain the establishment of a telegraph station at Duvauchelle's Bay. ; ' In reply, I have to state that after my interview with you and Mr Shadbolt, I waited on the Postmaster-General, and brought the matter under his notice. He held out hopes that the matter would, lie favourably considered by lr:n, and he requested me to furnish him with some particulars in writing. " I therefore wrote to him on the 25th ultimo, and now furnish you with a copy of my letter. " Pending his reply, I do net know what steps you can take, but I will gladly receive any suggestions from you, and do all in my power tc further the matter. " Believe me, " Yours faithful I} , , " W. Montgomery. " Henry Piper, Esq., Duvauchelle's Bay." [Copy.] " Christchurch, 25th March, 1878. " Sir, —Referring to the interview I had with you, I have now the honor to state some of the reasons why it would be expedient to establish a telegraph station at Duvauchelle's Bay, at the head of! Akaroa Harbour. " There is a considerable population in the locality, and as iris a central position towards which , the roads from Pigeon Bay, Little Akaloa, Oknin's Bay, and Wainui converge, a telegraph station would not only be a convenience to great numbers of residents on Banks Peninsula, but it would in all probability, be highly remunerative. Mr Piper is willing to give one-eighth of .an acre of Land, or would sell an acre at a reasonable price, on which to build the office. He and another would guarantee that the receipts would amount to £70 per annum, or they would pay the difference. The telegraph wire passes the site of the proposed station.

"The telegraphist could act as . postmaster. The post-office had to be shifted lately to Barry's Bay because a suitable office was not obtainable in Duvauchelle's Bay, and it is, therefore, especially necessary some building - should be erected at the latter place.

" I may also mention that the station would bo of service to the police, as a constable is stationed-there.

" For these reasons, I hope you will favourably consider this matter.

'• 1 have the honor to be, Sir, " Your übedient servant, " (Signed) W.- Montgomerx. " The Honorable-the Postmaster-General, Wellington."

" Christchurch. 11th April, 1878. "Sir.—l have the honor to forward herewith copy of a letter dated the sth instant, which I received to-day from Mr Lemon, General Manager of Telegraphs in New Zealand.

" You will observe that the terms offered by the Government are on a different basis as compared with those you offered. " I shall reply to this effect, and will be glad to receive any communication on the subject from you. ; " I suggest that you give the matter early consideration. " I have the honor to be, Sir, " Your obedient servant. " W. Montgomery. " Henry Piper, Esq., Duvanchelle's Bay." [Cory.] " New Zealand Telegraph, " Head office, "Wellington, sth April, 1878. " Sir, —I am directed by the Hon. the, Telegraph Commissioner to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th March ult., respecting the establishment of telegraph stations at Duvaiichelle's Bay and Little River, and in reply to inform you that your request will be complied with upon the following conditions:— " 1. That, in each case, a guarantee indemnifying the Government against loss to any amount not exceeding (£6O) sixty pounds per annum, bo given by six residents of each locality, such guarantee to remain in'force for three years.

'■ 2. That a site at each place of not less than one-quarter of a:i acre in extent, be conveyed to the Crown, free of cost to the Government, for the erection of offices.

''Upon learning from you that these terms are acceptable to the residents, and upon your informing me of the names and occupation of the gentlemen who will become in each case the guarantors, and upon the conveyance of the sites being effected, the Commissioner will cause the usual bond to be prepared and forwarded for completion, and will also place a sum sufficient upon the Estimates for the forthcoming 3'ear, to carry out the work.

" I have the honor to be, Sir, " Your obedient servant, " (Signed) C. Lemon, " General Manager. "W. Montgomery, Esq., M.H.R., Akaroa." " Duvauchelle's Bay, Akaroa, " April 16, 1878. " Sir, —I have the honor to acknowlenge receipt of your favor of the 11th instant, enclosing letter from the General Manager of Telegraphs.

11 Referring to the conditions contained in Mr Lemon's letter, I think there will be no difficulty in complying with them, except " The first condition is to guarantee the Government against £60 loss per annum. I take it that all messages will be credited against it, and should they fall short of £60. the balance to be paid by the guarantors. i( 2nd Clause. That a quarter acre be conveyed to the Government free of cost. This presents a difficulty, as there is no certified surveyor in the district, and also to survey and convey a small piece of land would entail considerable trouble and expense. This could be prevented, if the Government would instruct one of their surveyors stationed here, to survey the the section, and also their solicitor to convey it.

"If the Government would meet us in this. I believe the whole business will be settled at a meeting called for the 25th instant, after which, I would furnish the Government with the guarantors' names. " Apologising for troubling you so much, '■ I have the honor to be, Sir, lk Your obedient servant, •' H. Pipee. " To William Montgomery, Esq." "Christchurch. 20th April, 1878. " Dear Sir, —I duly received your letter of the lGth instant, and now enclose copy of a letter I wrote this day to the Telegraph Commissioner, requesting him to comply with your wishes respecting matters relating to the establishment of a telegraph station at your bay. '•I will write you when I receive reply. " I remain, yours very truly, uW. Montgomery. " Henry Piper, Esq., Duvauchelle's Bay." [Copy.] " Sir, —I have the honor to state that on receipt of your letter of the sth instant, respecting the establishment of telegraph stations at Little River and Duvauchelle's Bay, I forwarded copies to the parties who have taken the initiative in the matter.

" I now enclose cop} , of a letter dated the 16th instant, which I received from Mr Piper, of Duvauchelle's Bay. '• You will observe that Mr Piper understands that the amount to he received for all messages transmitted through the station will be credited to guarantors as against the guarantee of £60; so that they will only have to pay the deficiency, should the receipts from messages not reach the amount guaranteed.

" I trust you will agree to this, and also to the request for a surveyor, and that the deed conveying the land may be made out by the Grown Solicitor.

" I have the honor to he, Sir, "Your obedient servant, " W. Montgomery. t; The Honorable the Telegraph Commissioner, Wellington."

With regard to the land, he was willing to give the quarter-acre required ; he had at first offered an eighth of an acre, but would make it up to a quarter. If they let this chance pass, it might he a long time before they got another. Sites fronting on the road were not going begging. Ho \va3 sure of four guarantors; He would like to see some of the people from the other Bays come forward ; they had as great an interest in the matter as the Head of the Bay.

Mr Williams coincided in the remarks of the Chairman. The chief difficulty he saw in the way was the iact that while only six guarantors would be answerable for any deficiency, the whole district would be gainers by tire establishment of the office. The Chairman said that could easily be arranged ; ten could join together to give a guarantee, only one name appearing. He thought each of the Bays should furnish one guarantor, he getting some of his neighbours to join in the guarantee. It was proposed by Mr Williams,..seconded' by Mr Noonan, and carried—"That this meeting, being of opinion that a Telegraph- office, at the Head of the Bay is a necessity, a Committee be appointed to , take steps't'o procure the requisite guarantee, the.committee to consist of the following gentlemen : — Messrs Latter,

Hay,- Baker, Barker, A. C. Knight, Piper,! and the mover."

Ii was mentioned that Messrs Shadbolt,, Lee, and Cossarhad already signified their willingness to become guarantors."

On the motion of Mr Noonan, seconded by Mr Shadbolt, Mr Williams here took the chair, and the meeting proceeded tothe election or! Trustees for a and Recreation Ground.

• The Chairman explained that unless Trustees were elected and the money voted applied for within six months, the votes would lapse.

Mr Noonan proposed—" That Messrs Vogan, Pawson, Mould, Brooks, and Cossar be Trustees for the Cemetery and Recreation Ground."

The motion was seconded by Mr Piper, and carried.

Mr Williams undertook to forward the names of the gentlemen elected to the Government.

The meeting then adjourned. The newly elected Trustees then held a meeting, at which Mr Brooks was elected Chairman, and authorize*to negotiate with Messrs Shad bolt, Birdling, and Jones, as to the purchase of a site suitable fora Cemetery. '