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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 211, 26 July 1878, Page 2

i _% withdrawal of the Duke of Edinburgh from the fleet is due to tbe opinions which he holds as much as to his connecti|j!with the Russian Royal family; |He has*t_a_e no secret of his thorough approval of all Russia has done, and has even spoken with the utmost frankness to strangers who have recently visited him. In this case, as during the Franco-German war, his elder brother and himself have openly taken opposite sides. Then the Prince of Wales gave his sympathy to France, while the Duke, as a future German ruler, was warmly in favour of Germany. Now the Prince has not concealed his sympathy with Turkey, while the Duke is not only strongly in favour of Russia, but far from friendly to the policy of his own Country.—London Correspondent of Glasgow Herald.

Last Thursday week Mrs R. Fleming, of Port Levy, gave the children of that Bay a treat at the new schoolroom. About 40, including Maori children f sat down to an excellent tea,. and thoroughly appreciated the kindness shown them by doing ample justice to the good things provided. In the evening a number of capital songs were sung by Messrs Gardiner, Fleming, Field, Radcliffe, and others; and tbe health of Mr and Mrs Fleming was proposed and duly honoured by all present. The day's festivities were brought to a close with a dance, which was kept up with great spirit to an early hour the following morning.

The new Town Hall at Ashburton was formally opened by a Ball on Monday night last, and was largely attended. Dancing commenced at 9.30, and was kept i.up until 5 o'clock on Tuesday morning. The Ashburton Brass Band, under the leadership of Mr Savage, contributed tbe musical portion of the programme in a highly efficient manner. The ceremonies of the Ball were not marred in any way, and at its conclusion* all seemed to be heartily pleased with the arrangements of the stewards. The directors of the Town Hall Company acted as stewards, and deserve great praise for the arrangements made by them for the comfort of those who attended. The Hall will be ready in a few days,.-, for holding meetings, amusements, &c. The directors have made arrangements for seating the Hall with chairs and lighting, &c, after completion of which it will be out of the contractors' hands altogether.

The Press of Wednesday says:—"The 7.30 up train from Rangiora, on Tuesday morning, ran into a mob of cattle, which were being driven over the level crossing near Mr Thome's wool-works. Two were killed and ono seriously wounded. The train was pulled up, but the expedition shewn by the guard (Reynolds) and the engine-driver in removing the obstructing carcases caused only a delay of a few minutes." How the " expedition shewn by the guard," &c, could " cause a delay," ever so short, is a mystery. Perhaps it is an example of the old adage, "The more haste the worse speed."

We perceive by our contemporaries the Times and Press that Mr Coop is having a laid off at Little River. The proposed township covers twenty-five acres. The land is for building purposes, being level, and the streets are to be a chain iti-'ewidth. Its situation is at the foot of the r "hill, where the coach road and the railway will meet, •and it will occupy the wholejof the valley, extending to the saw-mills.'- We hail with pleasure this sign of advancement on the Peninsula, and have no doubt the sites .willAreadily' fi"*4 .purchasers, as Little River possesses at presenl a| considerable local trade, which must greatly increase when the railway is commenced.. It is calculated that there is at least twenty years' supply of timber' on .the hills,' and as these become cleared of course homesteads will increase and multiply, as in fact they are doing at present, so that it is not unlikely that before long the place may become one of the principal centres of population on the Peninsula.

Notwithstanding the severity of the weather of l_tt», lambing has commenced early in the neighborhood of Akaroa. Mr J. Sunckell, jun., has some fine lambs, dropped on his German Bay farm, which are now over a fortnight old, and which appear to be quite healthy and likely to do well.

The services of St. Peter's Church on Sunday, 28th, will be conducted by the Rev. J. Townsendj of Lyttelton. Mr Townsend was for many years Incumbent of Napier, and was examining Chaplain to tho late Bishop of Waiapu. He is to be formally instituted to the cure of Lyttelton on August 4.

We beg to draw the attention of our readers to an advertisement in tbis day's issue, stating that the s.s. "Akaroa" will not arrive here to-day as expected.