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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 207, 12 July 1878, Page 2

We would remind our readers again that the election of a member to serve on the Akaroa and Wainui Road Board takes place to-morrow at the Road Board Offices. Prior to the election, a meeting of the Board will take place, at which the tenders for the engineering work of the Board will be opened.

An entertainment was held in the Little Akaloa Schoolroom, on Friday evening, July sth 1878, for the object of raising funds to pay off the balance of the debt on the v -church. Mr J. B. Barker was voted to the chair, and, on rising, stated he was glad to see so many there that evening considering the dark night and baft roads. The orignal debt on the church was £17 3s, the entertainment held on May 23,, realised £8 8a 6d, which left a balance of v £Bl4s 6d owing, --"he proceeds of this entertainment would realise about £4, which would reduce this debt, down to a little over £4, and another entertainment would clear it '01 1 al|o|ethfrf ho [t\i&{ tile •church;' would be entirely free from debt. He would not detain them longer, but proceed with the programme which Was a very good one and very well rendered throughout, every one going through their 'respective parts with great credit:—Class, " All among the barley;" song, " Evening bells," Mrs Barker and Mrs T. Mcintosh ; song, " Little Nell," Miss Emily Waghorn ; song, " Little Shamrock," Mr R, Shuttleworth; song, •'Paddy McGee'sdream," Mr E. Turner, song, " Harp of Tara's Halls," Miss Annie Hunter; song, *' Captive's Tear," Mrs Barker ; song, " Silver Threads among the Gpld,' ? Mrs A. Waghorn; song " Tom Bowling," Mr David Waghorn; song, " Mother will comfort me," Miss Moiselle Waghorn; recitation, " Bashful man,'' Mr E. Turner; reading, Mr Hampton ; song," Whip Poor Will," Mr A. Mcintosh ; song, '* Isle of Beauty," Mrs Barker ; song, " Come birdie come," Mrs A. Mcintosh ; class, Evening Song. An interval of fifteen minutes. Little Akaloa Minstrels

Messrs D. Waghorn, jun., A. Mcintosh, Arthur Waghorn, Robert Shuttleworth, and David Waghorn, jun ; song, " Massa in the cold ground," R. Shuttleworth ; song, " Clementina Johnson," Mr A. Waghorn ; song, " Poor Old Joe," Mr D. Waghorn, jun ; song. " Old Jeff," Mr R. Shuttlvvorth ; song, " Dandy Jim from Carolina," Mr D, Waghorn. The whole concluded with a laughable negro farce by the following characters : —Messrs E. Turner, R. Shuttleworth A. Waghorn, and David Waghorn, jun. The National Anthem being sung, brought to a close a very successful entertainment. The seats having been cleared out of the school, dancing commenced, and was kept up with great spirit till the next morning. An impromptu meeting was held on Tuesday morning at Beecher's Hotel to discuss the proposals of the meetings lately held in the Halswell district as to the route of the projected railway to Akaroa. The meeting had been convened by Mr G. R. Joblin, but, as it had not been practicable to give it any publicity, only about half a dozen gentlemen were present. Mr H. G. Watkins was requested to take the chair. After some discussion, the following resolution was agreed to :— " That in view ot the recent meetings in connection with the Akaroa railway, held at Halswell and Tai Tapu, this meeting sympathises with the efforts of those meetings to secure a representation of their views in regard to the Akaroa railway passing through their district, and respectfully recommends that the Trust take into consideration the proposals shewing the merits of the respective lines, without prejudice to the line surveyed by the Trust.'' With our correspondent "Akaroa," whose letter appears in another column, we think it a pity that Mr J. R. Joblin, as one of the of Akaroa on the Trust, did not endeavor to elicit an expression of opinion from a really public meeting. The opinions of a few gentlemen, meeting as above described, though entitled to consideration as individual utterances, cannot carry any collective weight with them.

The football challange emanating from French Earm has been taken up by local representatives, and a good game may be anticipated if the French Farmers are not too heavily weighted. We are aware of a few English Public School players whose sympathies, doubtless, lie with the other side of the harbor, but we hope, in the interest of a good game, that these old hands will be fairly divided between the two teams so as to equalize as far as possible the opposing sides. Mr F. Barker and Mr W. Hughes are getting together the team to represent Akaroa, and the matter could not be left in better hands, or shall we say legs, as, perhaps more intimately connected with football proper. At any rate we trust an enjoyable game may result, with, of course, a victory for " our side."

The Good Templars gave an entertainment ya the shape of an Open Lodge on Wednesday evening last, in the Oddfellows' Hall. The room was crowded and a very satisfactory evening's amuse-' ment was provided. Mrs Wood presided at the piano. The following was the programme provided, and the different pieces were very well received .-—lnstrumental duet, Mrs Wood and Miss Hughes; reading, Bro. Harlock; song, •■ Tired," Miss Armstrong; reading, Bro J. Bruco ; song, " Barrin' o' the door," Br Nixon ; song, " White squall," Bro Fyfe ; instrumental duet, Mrs Wood and Mrs Anderson; recitation, Bro R. Newton ; song " Gypsy's Warning," Miss Armstrong ; reading, Bro Harlock ; song, •' Scottish blue bells," Bro Nixon; song, Bro Fyfe; instrumental duet, Mrs Wood and Mrs Anderson ; duet, j " On the blue wave," Mrs Wood and Mr j H. Bridge ; song, " The old Dutch clock," Mr Smith ; and, in response to an encore, J Mr Smith gave a recitation, " The two i stammerers;" song, "Silver threads among ! the gold," Mr H. Bridge.

On Tuesday next, the occasion of the football match between Akaroa and French Farm, an entertainment will be given in. the Schoolroom at the latter bay in aid of the funds for a harmonium for the Church services. We are informed that? great effortsare beihg made to, present ah attractive musical land dramatic programme, in which most of our local amateurs will take part. Mr, E. C, ■Latter will conduct the musical portion, and his name is sufficient guarrantee initself for the success of that part' of the evening's fare. The Dramatic portion will be undertaken by the members of Mr Baker's school, and." ?will 'consist* of.. a charade written by : one of the pupils. Taking into consideration how often Akaroa entertainments have been assisted by those from a distance, we would like to see the launch, which is advertised to run if sufficient inducement offers, crowded with visitors. By advertisement elsewhere it will be seen that tho s.s. Akaroa will leave this port for Lyttelton to-morrow morning at nine o'clock. i ■ A meeting of the Mutual Improvement Association was held in the schoolroom on Tuesday evening, the Bth July, when a discussion ensued as to the desirability of continuing the meetings. of the society. It was mentioned that there was a sum of about £6 to. the credit of the society,, the exact amount could not be ascertained as the Treasurer was not present; a discussion took place as to what should be done with this money if the Society were to be discontinued. One member suggested that it should be given in aid of the Indnstrial Exhibition, and another member that there should be two or more good prizes given ; one for the best essay, and the other for the best original composition, or else for a recitation. It was agreed that another meeting be held shortly; notice of which will be given. Further particulars will appear in a future issue. We hope that the efforts making to resuscitate this useful society may be successful and for this purpose would advise the young men of the place to muster in force at the next meeting, the date of which will be duly notified in our columns.

By advertisement elsewhere, a public meeting is convened for this evening for the purpose of electing a Committee to carry out the necessary steps in connection with the proposed Industrial Exhibition in December next. All who remember the signal successattending** similar exhibition vast year will readily acknowledge the desirability o£„ their annual continuance, notalone for the pleasure afforded by this species cf public entertainment, but also because of, the good that is done by stirring up emulation and competition amongst us in works of utility and Art. The exhibition is open alike to the old and the young, each in their respective classes, so thatthe interest felt in a object of this kind should be general. But more especially does it have that beneficial effect on the young of inciting them to increased efforts in skilled and useful work by competing with One another. We hope the meeting will be well attended by the general public, as an earnest that there is not lacking that desire to, by every means in our power, improve the youth aronnd

It is the intention, we understand, of the Catholic Church Officers to have the .front of the Church grounds, facing on the main road, planted with trees and shrubs which will doubtless have a pretty and pleasing effect, and add considerably to the beauty of the town. With a view to carrying this out, Mr G. W. Nalder selected some choice Pines and Firs from the Christchurch gardens, and these were safely landed here ex Antelope on Tuesday last, so that no, doubt we shall soon have the pleasure of seeing them, let us hope, flourishing in the Catholic grounds.

A meeting of the Akaroa Railway Trust was held at their offices, on Wednesday evening. Mr H. Johnston's final report, an exhaustive and voluminous one, was read, shewing the estimated cost. of ■ the drainage works, and railway. A deputation from Halswell interviewed the Trust, urging upon them an alternative survey of that route. They, however, failed to affect the action of the Trust. A resolution was passed, approving of the plans and report submitted, and directing that they be forwarded to the Governor, also that the balance due on the contract be paid to Mr Johnston. Mr W w . Montgomery, M.H.R., was present at the meeting.