The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, JULY 2.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 204, 2 July 1878, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, JULY 2.

By advertisement in another column, it will be seen that the rate-book for the Borough of Akaroa is open for inspection at the offices of the Town Clerk. Any person objecting to any portion thereof should make his objection at once, as provided in section 42 of the Eating Act.

The usual monthly meeting of the Banks Peninsula Building Society will be held on Thursday evening next, at the store of Messrs Garwood and Co.

The following report was adopted by the Akaroa and Wainui Road Board at its last eitting :—" Duvauchelle's Bay, Akaroa, June 21st, 1878. To the members of the Akaroa and Wainui Road Board.— Gentlemen,— Re French Farm Road Diversion—We have, in accordance with a resolution of the Road Board, visited the locality, and now beg te lay before yog the result. At present /there is no practicable road to any of the sections behind the French Farm property, the present road running through section 100 nearly at right angles to the S.W. corner, thence along back of same, crossing two very bad gullies to Mr Hunt's. At the same time there is no outlet to .the beach excepting a very bad line, being the boundary between section 100 and Mr Dickens 50 acres. We would recommend that the proposal of the French Farm Trustees bo accepted under the following conditions :—That they .survey and convey the desired diversion to the Road Board free of cost, and also those portions of the old road that are to be given in exchange. The road over the hill from Barry's Bay, although an impassable one, must be kept open and joined to the diversien somewhsre in front of the old house. The diversion will give a splendid road to all the settlers of the back lands, and will also reduce the cost of formation at Hunt's bridge, about one half. The road between section 100 and Mr Dickens will still exist as another branch of the French Farm Summit road. The roads to be given to the Trustees consist of that portion running through section 100 after joining the Barry's Bay road with the diversion, the road at the back of same section, and a piece of about 3 chains along Hunt's frontage. The road the Board will receive is one through the French Farm Estate running up the flat, a branch thence to join the French Farm Saddle road, another to Mr Hunt's, and also another to join the Barry's Bay road. We would also suggest, should the Board adopt the diversions, that the Chief Surveyor be written to so that a good gradient be continued up the gully through the unsurveyed sections. ' We have the honor to be, Gentlemen, your obedient servants, H. Piper, B. Shadbolt."

Among the interesting exhibits at the late poultry show in Christchurch, the Lyttelton Times thus refers to ons which appears to have come from the neighborhood of Akaroa : —" On the platform, and occupying a conspicuous position, was a splendid specimen of the tui or parson bird. This specimen was caught in the Akaroa bush by Mr Macfarlane, driver of the Akcroa coach, and was tamed by him ; and is now the property of Mr Robert Macfarlane, grocer. It is possessed of wonderful conversational powers, and must have considerably, startled some of the visitors. One gentleman was gazing very intently into the cage, when the bird suddenly exclaimed " I'm off to Hokitika, straight." It volunteered the information that it had lost its horse and was going to fetch him, emphasising the declaration with the final " I say so, I do." At another visitor the bird gazed solemn!}' for a moment, and then as solemnly said—" I smell you."

After the following experience of what can be done in the way of taking a locomotive down steep gradients, there can be no further doubt as to the absence of all engineering obstacles in the formation of the proposed railway to Akaroa. The New Zcalander of Monday says : —There have been many prognostications as to the probable result of the engine climbing necessary in the ascent of the Rimutaka, but generally speaking the safe descent of the engine down a face of 1 in 15 has been designated impossible, or if possible, not practicable for ordinary work. Actual experience, however, has settled the whole matter in favor of tho experiment. On Saturday last a trial trip was made with the engine " Mount Cook " and one carriage. Those who risked their necks in the cause of experimental engineering and science were the Engineer-in-Chief (Mr Carruthers), the Assistant Engineer-in-Chief (Mr Blackest), two District Engineers (Messrs Maxwell and Hales), the Resident Engineer (Mr Mason), the Inspector (Mr Brooks)) and the General Manager (Mr Stone). Why the usual invitations to the Press were not issued we are not aware. The descent of 1 in 15 extends for 2£ rnilesi and down this " face " the engine and ca r were safely piloted, there being no unsteadiness onthe part of the iron horse in performing its somewhat risky run. The ascent was quite as satisfactorily performed, the engineers expressing themselves perfectly satisfied with the work performed.

Regarding the question of Sunday steamers, referred to by a correspondent a few weeks ago, it appears that collectors of customs throughout the colony have received instructions not to clear any steamers on Sunday, except in cases where they are conveying an English Mail.

The following report has been received by the Board of Health from the medical officer. It is satisfactory to find that the danger of epidemic disease appears to have passed away. —" Akaroa, 27th June, 1878. I have much pleasure in stating that the danger of fresh cases of diphtheria arising in the Borough is now slight. No other infectious disease exists and the health of the town would be good, but for the prevalence of chest affections. I have the honor to be, dear Sir, yours very truly, John Guthrie, M.D., Surgeon Local Board of Health, Akaroa."

An entertainment was given on Friday last, at the Public Library, Little Biver, by the Good Templars there, to celebrate the anniversary of the installation of their lodge. The programme was not a particularly attractive one, but the attendance evidenced strong sympathy with the Templars and their and the greatest good humor and frierally feeling was displayed. The evening;'as far as the state of the weather was concerned, could not well have been worse. The roads were dirty, the night very dark, and a drizzling rain prevailed, to which there was no cessation ; but the room, notwithstanding these drawbacks, was quite filled, and sitting room , was not, -readily obtainable. Tea was provided at 5 o'clock, and at 7 the tables were cleared, and Mr t G. E. Joblin was called to the chair, In taking the chair, he stated the object of the entertainment, and said that the programme was not so desirable a one as the Templars wished it to be. With this the state of the weather had something to do, as it prevented the attendance of friends who lived at a distance, and some who had promised to attend were absent, but he did not deem this a matter really to be regretted, as it would show the necessity of the Templars developing and cultivating their own powers. This done, external aid could be welcomed, if found, or be dispensed with, without inconvenience. With reference to his taking the chair, he would say that he ' was not a Templar, but he entirely concurred in the desirability of the work that the Templars proposed to effect, which was to preserve the reputation of their village for sobriety. To aid in such a work would give him the greatest pleasure. The originating of the Templar movement here had been ascribed to his influence, but this was incorrect. Little Biver had always been free from the taint of drunkenness during the fifteen years that he had resided in it. During all these years there were not two men in the place who were habitually addicted to drunkenness. This was due in a large measure to the absence of a licensed house in the place ; but recently a licensed house had been opened here, though such a proceeding' had been strongly opposed by the large majority of the settlers, and by all the real friends of the working man. But unfortunately the power to license a house rested in the hands of those who did not live in the place, and who had never at any time displayed the slightest interest in the mental,material, or moral well-beingof its inhabitants. These persons, under the plea that such.a house was required by the travelling public, thrust it upon the inhabitants. To protect themselves and others from the pernicious influences that attach to such establishments, several respectable young men determined to form a Templars' lodge. And he was very much pleased at their success, and hoped they would form an effective antidote to all the evil that might be apprehended. Drunkenness was destructive to the deep affection that should characterise Iho lives of husband and wife, and impaired the respect that it was natural children should entertain for their parents. These results would bo deplored by all worthy men and women, and he trusted that all present would aid the Templars to produce a more desirable state of things. After this Mr Westropp gave a reading, " Almost consoled ;" then Mr Bracey sang a song, and some tunes were played on the concertina. Mr G. B. Joblin then read Mackay's " Death of the Sea King." After this Mr Bankin sang and Mr Le Fleming followed. Mr Westropp then gave a second reading as a sequel to the first. The proceedings terminated at about 10 o'clock.

The following notice has been left at our office and is published for general information:—Delayed Telegrams will now be received at every Telegraph Station throughout the Colony for transmission, final delivery to the address given being effected by post. The rates chargeable on all such messages will bo as follows, viz.:_ Sixpence (6d.) for the first 10 words (exclusive of address and signature up to 10 words), ciiid half-penny Q-d.) for every additional word. Fractions of a penny in computing charges will not be allowed. Senders of delayed telegrams are requested to give as full address as possible, and are also requested to write, in " instructions " on the message, the word " delayed." In addition to the rates above mentioned, postage will be charged as follows: If the delivery is within the postal district of any town, ono penny (Id.) ; outside the postal district, two pence (2d.). In dealing with these telegrams, the Department undertakes to telegraph them to their destination on the day of their receipt, and to post them the same evening. By order of the Teiegraph Commissioner, C. Lemon» General Manager.

Wo learn that the sale of Government lands in the Provincial District of Canterbury for the last 12 months (from July 1, 1877, to June 30, 1878), realised the enormous amount of £1,123,823 8s 3d exclusive of pasturage rents for the year, which amounted to £32,085 15s 4d.

We observe that the Temiilca Leader, the latest journal started by the indefatigable Joseph Ivess, has ceased publication. The paper had been disposed of some few months ago by Mr Ivess.

The number of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, registered in the District of Akaroa during the period ending June 30, was as follows :—Births 46, Deaths 8, Marriages 9. Our death rate, it will be

seen, still keeps exceptionally low.

Tho following letter has been handed to us for publication. It arrived by yesterday's mail, and is, as our readers will perceive, an official communication to the Parishioners' Churchwarden :•—" The Parsonage, Glen Innes, New South Wales, Bth June, 1878,—My dear Mr WagstafE,— As the people's churchwarden of the Parish of Akaroa, I have to inform you that I have sent my resignation of the incumbency to the Bishop's Commissary. I have been led to take this step in consequence of the very great improvement in my health since I came to New South Wales, and the opinion of my medical adviser that a return to New Zealand would induce a "return of my previous illness. In taking leave of the Parish of Akaroa, I would express my deep sense of gratitude for the many kindnesses I received from so many of my late parishioners, the remembrance of which I shall retain to the latest hour of my existence. With my best wishes for the prosperity of the Church in Akaroa, and an assurance of my constant interest in the welfare of those amongst whom I spent so many years, I remain, my dear Mr Wagstaff, yours most sincerely, W. Henry Cooper. H. WagstafE, Esq., Churchwarden, Akaroa." By the above, our readers will perceive that the Church of England authorities are virtually called upon to fill Mr Cooper's place permanently, and we presume that at the vestry meeting this evening, the matter will be duly discussed, and a meeting of the Parochial Nominators convened.

A special meeting of the Akaroa Borough Council was held on Saturday evening last. The object of the meeting was to come to some decision on the question of Charitable Aid. After some discussion* during which nothing new was elicited, Cr Penlington moved "That this Council take over the Charitable Aid temporarily. , ' On a division the votes were—For the motion, Crs Penlington, Waeckerle, Bridge, and the Mayor ; against it—Crs Meech, Sunckell, Cullen, and O'Reilly. The Mayor gave his casting vote in favor of the motion, whioh was accordingly carried. On the motion of Cr Waeckerle, seconded by Cr Cullen. the resolution passed on the 3rd June striking a rate for the current year, was confirmed. Particulars appear elsewhere. The meeting then adjourned.