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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 198, 11 June 1878, Page 2

A special meeting of tho County Council, was held at tho Hill Top yesterday. Present—Messrs Latter (Chairman)* Baker, Gebbie, Daiglish, Bradley, Barker, Priest, and Hay. The Chairman explained that ho had convened the meeting in order that the Council might give au expression of opinion on tbe Sheep aud Fencing Bills, proposed to bo introduced, prior to the conference of County Council represoi!tives, which was to be held in Christchurch on the 20th inst., so that the Council's representative, might be in a position to state the opinious of the Council. This would conclude the business of the special meeting, and, afterwards, ho would suggest if agreeable to the members present that the}'proceed to entertain the ordinary business. Sinco ■their, last meeting he had received a letter from the Solwyn County Council with reference to slaughterhouse license fees, which they (the Selwyn County Council) had fixed at 20s per annum. Eo, (the Chairman), thought that the resolution passed at the last j meeting should be rescinded as it was '

rather anomalous that, as the two counties were divided by a road, those living on one side should have to pay 20s while those living on the other side only paid 10s. This was a matter that would havo to be considered. Witli regard to the Sheep Billit seemed to embody the Canterbury Sheep Ordinance, but the Fencing Bill in Avhich this district is perhaps more interested contains some new clauses which would' require consideration. Mr J. B. Barker proposed, and Mr Baker 'seconded that the Council go into Committee on' the proposed Sheep and Fencing Bills. This being carried, the Council accordingly went into committee upon each and every of the clauses of the Bills mentioned. The Chairman and Mr Hay were requested to attend the "conference on behalf of the Council. The next regular meeting of the Council will take place on July 4.

The polling on the proposal to borrow £3000 for public works within the borough took place yesterday. able interest was manifested in the proceedings," and, from the tirrie the polling commenced, groups might, be seen in the neighborhood of the Council offices eagerly canvassing the and cons of the scheme, and using their best endeaVbrs.to secure doubtful votes. The fact that, out of a total roll of 12£, 102 recorded their votes shows the widespread interest which was felt in the matter. At about half-past six the Mayor announced the number of votes recorded to bo as follows:—For the proposal, 67 ; against it, 70 ; he, therefore, declared the proposal lost. About thirty persons were present to "hear the declaration, after which a general adjournment was made to tlie Criterion, where the whole

question was argued over again from every conceivable point of view. The result appears to have taken both supporters and opponents of the proposal by surprise. The former were pretty confident of victory, but hoped that they would secure more than a barely sufficient majority. It now only remains for both parties to work together to do the best they can for the most urgent needs of the borough with the means at present at our disposal. The onus at present certainly rests on the opponents of the loan to show how this is is to be done out of the income.

We have to call the attention of the local authorities to a dangerous practice that exists of stacking road metal in the middle of a road. On Saturday last two serious accidents Were very near occurring through a heap of shingle which had been placed during the day in the centre of the road on the Akaroa side of the German Bay Bridge. The coach from Christchurch had a narrow escape of being capsized. The driver, not dreaming of any obstruction, was first made aware of it by his leaders swerving, and what with the darkness or tlie night and the steam from tlie horses, was unable then to discover the cause. If tiie horses had not been well in hand, and the ground level, it ia quite possible that- as distressing an accident might have occurred as that 'which lately took place- in 0Y.g0.. Another traveller was not so fortunate. Mr G. Vogan, of the Head of "V; IVy : wa.-- returning home-. ward ou ihe -; ■-, ben his horse stumbled over [hi■■• same hoiip, and the rider was thrown v-'ilh some violence

scratching his head and face severely. Beyond this a rid a pretty severe shaking we are happy to say Mr Vogan sustained no injury. If it is necessary to stack metal in the middle of a frequented road> which we think doubtful, then a warning light should be placed there to indicate the danger. There can be no doubt that, had any injuries to life or limb resulted from either of these accidents, the Road Board (that ii, ibo ratepayers, whose trustees they are) would have been liable to heavy damage.-,

The Good Templars' entertainment takes place at thi Town Kali to-night. An attractive programme has been drawn up, and appears elsewhere. We understand that assiduous practice has taken place on the part of the ladies and gentlemen who have promised to assist. On tho whole, wo think a highly enjoyable evening may be anticipated, and as the weather shows every eign of clearing up, we hope io see a bumper houre. Tn our la si there appeared a report of tbe recent Vestry meeting of St. Peter's, fro.ii which wo guli:orr,d A\xA aon V : ';.:>. of the parish was likely to be brought about, aud the services of two clergymen secured' in place of there beingbi.it one as hitherto. We' have just learnt, however, that the Bishop's Commiasaries have, found it impossible io secure a clergyman for the Bay 1:. -No loss than three clergymen have been in communication with tho proper authorities, but one and all object to taking so onerous a post on a merely tern. porary footing. It is thought that the services of a Deacon Curate may perhaps be secured,.but nothing definite has been done to make an appointment of this kind.

We remind our readers that the salo of stock, hurdles, post and rails, &c, which

was postponed Aow hist Ttnuvday owing to two inclemency of the weather, will bo. held by Mr C-. W. Bridge at tlie Read or

the Bay, on Tiuusday next at the hour mentioned in the, advertisement.

We have to direct'the attention of tho Akaroa and Wainui Road Board to a broken culvert a littlo way down tlie hill, on the Barry's Bay side, from the junction of the Christchurch and Pigeon Bay road.

In tlie early part of last week an accident occurred in Muter street to Mr Lardner's horse and dray, which was en doavoring to ascend the somewhat steep pinch there. The load consisted of merely a bag of potatoes, so that the weight had nothing whatever to do with the mishap, and tlie bad state of the road alone is to be blamed. It appears that the horse was unable to keep its feet on the slippery clay 'surface; and, falling down, had to be removed from the shafts of the cart, fortunately with no farther injury than a slight strain in the hind legs. It is high time that both this road, and that known as Shark Alley, should be put into a proper state of repair, and that the ratepayers having property adjoining them should receive due return for their money. - More accidents have happened in these localities than in any other part of the Borough, and all have been caused solely by the dangerous condition of these roads in wet weather.. . Under date, Wellington, June 7, we learn that it is stated that in all cases where tho acceptance, of tenders for the construction of sections of railway and other public works was postponed, pending advice from London as to the floating of the loan, the Government have resolved to let the contracts.

It appears that Judge Ward is spoken of as being likely to be appointed to the District Judgeship about to be created in Wellington and to replace Mr Cranford. An incorrigible friend of ours says that he considers this appointment a striking instance of virtue and Wellington being re-Ward-ed.

We hear of an exceptionally fat sheep bred by Mr 11. Haylock. The animal was a two-tooth merino wether and weighed when killed no less than 150 lbs. In spite of the very dry summer we have had, it appears therefore that some parts of the Peninsula have not been destitute of feed.

A meeting of the Little River Road Board was held on Thursday, June 6. Present —Messrs T. H. Parkinson (Chairman), John Gebbie, and W. Coop. Two letters were received from the Treasury) Wellington, intimating that the sum of £162 14s and the sum of £159 8s respec" tively had been placed at the Union Bank to the credit of the District Fund account, the former sum being from funds to the credit of the County of Akaroa, and the latter sum being 20 per cent of the land fund for the month of March. From the Manager of the Union Bank acknowledging the' receipt thereof. From the Chairman of the County Council, in reply to the Board's application for the sum of £900 special grant, for the road from the the top of tho range to the lowerend of Lake Forsyth, or such part of the above sum as tho district will be entitled to, and stating tbat the matter would be deferred until a report had been furnished by tho Council's Engineer upon the lino of road. From Messrs Snow and Anson, asking the Board to re-consider their decision relative to a road up Peraki Valley, and stating that they had l«t a contract for clearing the bush half a chain wide from the bay to the range. From the Insurance Office, informing the Board that the policy of insurance on office and stable would I expire on June 28. Messrs Snow and •Anson were informed that when it is intimated.to the Board that the track is completed and mapped, they will contribute half cost, the work to be subject to the approval of tlie Board. The Clerk was ordered to attend to the insurance and also got the four Government cottages insured. It was also decided to write to the Government relative to the money granted for improvements to the cemetery at Little River. Tenders wore opened for- forming No. 4 portion of the Almriri road diversion also for 800 yards of road metal ; also for claying and shingling a portion of tlie main road near the Beach Hotel, and a tender was accepted in each case. The Board adjourned'until July 1. I

It would appear that tramways in Wellington will shortly become an accomplished fact. When first projected, great difference of opinion .existed as to whether

horses-or steam engines ..should be .used as tho motive power. Steam, however, carried the. day, and we learn from the Petit that five locomotives may shortly be expected lo arrive in Wellington. These engines are especially constructed for tramways on ordinary roads and are thus described by our contemporary :—" The whole machinery is enclosed within a " cab," resembling one of the ordinary tramway cars, so that none of tlie working parts or machinery will bo visible externally, and as the steam is condensed and the smoke consumed, while the fire is carefully protected, there can be no escape of steam, smoke, or hot cinders, or any appearance of fire to startle horses. The " cab " is liberally provided with windows, and tho lower part is handsomely panelled externally in claret and gold. Tho regulator, reversing levers:, valve, &c, aue ■placed so that the driver has at all times perfect and simultaneous control of all, a" most important matter in crowded tuvfoughi'ares. Tbe engine at the trial ran with perfect quietness and smoothness traversing a very sharp curve with the utmost ease, and being both started and stopped at smart speeds with remarkable promptness." Tho promoters of the Christchurch tramways will thus havo an opportunity of witnessing the result of this experiment in Wellington, before deciding as to what motive power to employ on their fines.

The police here received a telegram on Saturday morning last, fiom tho Christchurch depot to the effect that tho man McGregor, who, it will be remembered, was lately committed here for lunacy,, had escaped from the Asylum, and was supposed to be making his way back to tho Peninsula. Sergeant Ramsay started away immediately on the receipt of the intelligence to intercept McGregor, and it js to be hoped he may prove successful, as it is anything but a pleasant idea to to have a lunatic wandering about, wreaking his own sweet will on whomsoever and whatsoever his erratic fancy may incline him. Since writing the above we learn that M'Gregor has been captured and re-conveyed to Sunnyside. He was discovered in the neighborhood of Christchurch, A gentleman who has recently travelled over the Purau line of road between here and Lyttleton, informs us that for the want of the expenditure of a very-few pounds, this road is almost impassable and highly dangerous. " In several places trees have fallen across the track, and the horseman has to make his way round through the bush the best way he can. It is not every horse that will struggle through the bush, and consequently great" difficulty may ensue. Another drawback is to be found in the defective culverts, which are described as " regular mantraps." Considering . the importance to the Peninsula generally of keepiug this line open, it being the quickest route, on an emergency, to Lyttleton or Christchurch, we hope that the local body in charge of the road will see its way to expend the few pounds necessary to render it passable.