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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 189, 10 May 1878, Page 2

A meeting of the Akaroa Railway Trust was held on Wednesday evening at Lewis' Buildings, Hereford-street, Christchurch. We have received a report of the same from our special reporter, which is unavoidably held over till our next issue. The Engineer's report was read, in which it was stated that the survey of the line to Barry's Bay would be completed in eight days. It was decided to leave the question of a terminus on the Akaroa side of the range to the decision of a commission.

The share of the sum of £1068 17s, less an amount deducted for printing and advertising, destributable under " The Public Libraries Subsidies Act, 1877," and accruing to the Akaroa Literary Institute amounts to £34 6s sd. This sum has been duly received by the committee, and may be said to be, in the language of Artemus Ward, " a sweet boon," as the funds of our local library are always at the lowest ebb.

The open lodge meeting in connection with the Akaroa Hope Lodge, 1.0. G.T., took place on Wednesday evening last, and was again highly successful as an entertainment. The Oddfellows' Hall was crowded, but we have occasion once more to regret the absence of male adult visitors. The majority of those present consisted of ladies and juveniles, with a sprinkling of young men, besides, of course, the members of the lodge. We say it is a matter for regret that the men of this place do not avail themselves of these entertainments, because the programme presented is not only amusing, interesting, and instructive, but essentially of that high tone, which it is so desirable the public mind should be educated to ally with these kinds of amusements, and because their absence only tends the further to endorse the general, impression, that all that savours of healthy excitement is distasteful to them. However, the Good Templars, by persisting in their laudable efforts, may work a gradual change in this as in other things. Bro* Harlock opened the programme by an appropriate address on Temperance, which was well delivered, followed by a pianoforte duet by Miss Connell and Master L. Watkins. Bro. H. Watkins then gave a reading, entitled " The False Merchant," the next on the list being a song, by Bro. Nixon, "The Bonnie Wee Window," for which, however, the singer was obliged, as he failed to remember the words, to substitute "The Sailor's Grave." Though singing without any accompaniment, Mr Nixon did ample justice to the song, and we shall be glad to hear him again. Then followed a .reading by Bro. Billens; song, " Won't you Buy my Pretty Flowers, Bro. Robertshaw ; reading, " The Burial of Sir John Moore," Bro, Bruce ; pianofore solo, Miss Connell; recitation, " They Left Him Alone in bis Glory, Bro. Newton ; song, " As the old Cock Crows," Mr Gates, which being encored, was succeeded by " Robinson Crusoe," in first-rate style ; reading, '* The Drunkard's Wife," Bro. Harlock; song, Bro Billens; recitation, Sister Gatherede ; song and chorus, Miss Connell, Messrs Billens, Gates, and H. Bridge ; reading from Mark Twain, " The Story of the Good Little Boy," the Rev. P. C. Anderson ; comic song, Bro. Robertshaw ; reading and address, Bro. Yewen. God Save the Queen. At the close of the entertainment, the ordinary business of the lodge was proceeded wiih, two new members being initiated. It was decided to hold an entertainment four weeks hence at the Town Hall, when the local talent will be invited to assist. A nominal charge will be made for admission, the sum so accruing to be devoted to paying off the balance of the debt on the lodge piano. In conclusion, we must compliment the Good Templars on their zeal and energy, but we would suggest that readings and recitatons of a more lively character would tend to render their entertainments more popular. r X'he tragic element is, save in very rare instances, and when very well pourtrayed, better omitted from amateur, or even professional programmes. The darkest side of nature can never be edifying or amusing, besides, there is a time for all things. There are plenty of instructive readings and recitations to be obtained without descending to the annals of crime and wretchedness, which may be all very well as matter for statistics or private research, but are out of place in public entertainments.

A correspondent of an American paper writes :—" Any one who had his money in stock this year, might, on account of the extreme dry season, as well have had it in one of our banks, for he would have lost it in either case." Rough on " our banks!"

An entertainment of a very pleasing nature, took place in the schoolroom, Akaroa, on Tuesday evening last. Mr C. L. Wiggi-us, who was down here on a visit for a few days, kindly consented to give an exhibition of his "Sciopticon," a new kind of magic lantern, as a treat to the Sunday school children of the place. The " Colarado's " were asked to assist; and the " Beetles" at once responded to the call, and agreed to add to the gay and festive character of the evening by acting in a manner totally opposite to that recommended to good little boys, viz., by being " heard and not seen." Soon after seven o'clock the schoolroom was packed with a throng of youngsters eager for amusement, accompanied, in many cases, by parents, or adult friends. We should imagine that not only were the various Sunday schools fully represented, but that every boy or girl who had a brother that had once looked in at the window of such a place, considered him or herself eligible for admission. The exhibition of itself was far superior+o the general run of such " shows.'' A beautiful series of views of various interesting localities in Europe were first shewn. They were all, or nearly all. of them photographs, and therefore true to nature, besides possessing a sharpness of outline which cannot be attained in hand-painted pictures, however tastily' executed. The exhibition of the views was interspersed with some excellent singing hy the beforementioned *' Beetles." The part singing in the chorusses was really capital, and we hope that they will soon give us an opportunity of listening to them again under more favorable circumstances. Mr Gates, of German Bay, accompanied on the piano and harmonium, besides playing selections during the exhibition of the views. Some comic pictures were shewn towards the conclusion, for the special delectation of the youngsters, who testified their delight in a most emphatic manner. The Rev. P. C. Anderson asked those present to express their thanks to Mr Wiggins, and to Mr Billens, who had worked most energetically in getting the affair up, and to the gentlemen who had so kindly contributed the musical portion of the entertainment. The invitation was most heartily responded to, and the audience separated, evidently highly delighted. The impromptu nature of this entertainment, and its evident success, show how easy it would be to get up a series of amusements for the winter evenings, which would afford pleasure to all concerned, and we hope that now the ball has been started, "it may be kept rolling. - ■'■ ... .\.r

In another column tenders are invited for the erection of offices for the Ashburton Mail.

Journalists are supposed to possess special facilities for "pitching into" obnoxious individuals ; but they get it hot themselves sometimes. A few. At an election meeting lately held, one of the candidates designated the editor of tha " Rip-and-tearer Rag" as a "hired libeller," intimated that he ought lo be in prison, though he was not, aud finally stated that "he believed he was some marriage connection of Mr Shingles," the opposite candidate. Mr Shingles, instead of defending his reputed kinsman, averred most emphatically, that '• the writer was a man he would not speak to at a dog-fight."

Mr C. L. Wiggins gave the children attending the German Bay school an exhibition of magic lantern views, on Monday evening last. It is needless to say that they were greatly pleased. As the exhibition was practically the same as that given in Akaroa on the following,eveningj and described elsewhere, it does not call for comment. We cannot, however, pass over in silence the singing of the children. They sang three pieces during tho evening, in a manner which reflects the greatest credit both on themselves and their teacher. As will be seen by advertisement elsewhere, Mr C. Walker, photographer, is again on a visit to Akaroa, where he intends staying but a short time, so that persons desirous of obtaining his services for portraits, groups, views, &c, must make up their minds.speedily, or it will be too late. We have been favoured with a view of some of Mr Walker's photographs of the principal Maori Chiefs in the North Island, which would make a valuable addition to collections of that description, and we are also given to understand that he has lately taken some excellent views of this place. • Mr Walker also purposes visiting Wainui and the Head of the Bay before leavihg the Peninsula.