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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 212, 30 July 1878, Page 2

A public meeting of the ratepayers in the Akaroa and Wainui Road District was held in the office, Akaroa, on Saturday 27th inst., at noon. The object of the meeting was to consider the adoption of " The Regulations of Local Elections Act, 187G," in the district. A considerable number of those interested were present, and Mr J. Duxbury, the Chairman of the Board, occupied the chair, and explained the objects of the meeting and the bearings of the Act, showing that the ballot was no curtailing of a man's privileges as a citizen, but only an additional safeguard. It was also proper that electors should know who the candidates were as required by the Act, instead of the matter of nomination being left to the last moment. Mr J. F. Roberts moved the following resolution:—"That this meeting of ratepayers adopt the ' Regulation of Local Elections Act, 1876,' and request the Board to forward the necessary authority to the Government, in terms of clause 3 of the Act." The motion was seconded by Mr J. C. Waeckerle, and carried unanimously. Mr T. S. Johnson moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which terminated the proceedings. During the meeting of the Board in the afternoon, the requisite petition to the Governor in regard to bringing the Act into force was signed by two-thirds of the Board.

The Melbourne Argus gives tbe follow, ing particulars of a case that has been mentioned in an intercolonial telegram lately:—"About three years ago, Dr W. A. Bradford, who was then a medical practitioner at Warrnambool, and was previously a house surgeon at'the Mel. bourne Hospital, eloped to New Zealand with Miss Elizabeth M. Ware, whom he married. The young lady was about 19 years of age, and was a ward of the Supreme Court. She was a daughter of the late Mr J. G. Ware; a squatter in the Western district, who died intestate, and she was entitled when she came of age to some £10,000 out of the estate. When Mr Justice Molesworth. heard of the marriage, he called upon the young lady's guardians for an explanation why they had not prevented this occurrence. After hearing what was to be said on the he directed an attachment to be issued against Dr Bradford. Of course, so long as that gentleman remained out of the Colony, this writ could not be enforced. But on July 8 Dr Bradford and Mrs Bradford returning to the Colony, with the view of submitting to any order the Court might make, and yesterday morning Dr Bradford appeared before Mr Justice Molesworth in Court, when Mr Holroyd, on his behalf, said that Dr Bradford was prepared to surrender to the jurisdiction of the Court; at the proper time he should be prepared to say something in extenuation of the contempt of the Court that- had been committed. His Honor replied that nothing could be said at present, except to commit Dr Bradford to the Melbourne Gaol. Dr Bradford was then taken**away in the custody of the deputy-sheriff. During his detention in the gaol he will be kept in a part of the prison specially reserved for persons who are committed for contempt, as distinguished from those guilty of criminal offences. There was no intimation given as to how long the period of incarceration was to last."

A meeting of members of various friendly societies was held in Christchnrch, on Thursday evening last, to take steps to establish a Temperance Hotel and Working Men's Club. Considerable discussion took place as to whether the latter institution should be conducted on total abstinence principles. Professor Bickerton made some very forcible remarks in favor of such clubs, and that the members should iuanage them themselves, and make any rules they liked. He said the only clubs which were a real success were those in which intoxicating liquors were sold. He had scarcely hoped that in the establishment of a Club of this kind they -would get the support of the Good Templars. But he would point out that most men resorted to a public house for company, and they kept the glass of beer before them for tbe good of the house. He referred to a Club which he had been the means of establishing, at Southampton, containing 3CO members, saying that there was hardly any beer sold there, and that during the 2£ years he was there not a case of drunkenness occurred in the He had worked for that Club solely for the encouragement of temperance principles, and the Club, carried out by men who had self restraint, made many amusements harmless which, under other associations, were injurious. He hoped the time would come when there would be more associations among working men, which would lead them to the establishment of such a Club as his mind was set upon, a Club where men of all classes could meet, and in which men could find that there were many different opinions about the world which could be held without men being shocked ; the several classes would then be found not to be so bad as people of other classes had painted them.

During the heavy nor'-west gale of Sunday morning last, Mr A. C. Knight's whaleboat, the Swallow, had a narrow escape'f rom|destruction by drifting on to the rocks at Wainui. Fortunately, she was observed in time from the Akaroa wharf and, though it was blowing very hard, Mr Stewart and his brother put off in their dinghey and rescued her. The Swallow is* admirably fitted up, and her loss would, doubtless, have, been a serious matter to her owner.

On dit. —ln connection with the " cabbage " case, an account of which appears elsewhere in our Court report, an unusual and somewhat comic contre temps is said to have taken place. It appears that the sergeant and the constable had - evidently resolved to keep watch in John Chinaman's garden on the same night, but unbeknown to one another. The sergeant was the first to scent the quarry, and with stealthy steps was advancing on his prey, when the constable, seeing a form quietly stealing along, and evidently seeking to avoid observation, followed as stealthily behind) then made a sudden spring and . downed his superior officer. For a few moments -there issued a strong edition of official literature, bound in blue cloth, then the mistake was discovered, and the officers separated to make the clever capture already detailed.

A meeting was held in Le Bon's Bay, on the 24th inst., at which the following gentlemen were elected to serve as Trusttees for the Le Bon's Bay Domain and Recreaticn Ground :—Messrs Dalglish Bailey, and Crotty. A piece of ground on the beach, 10 acres, more or less, of Crown land was selected for the above

At an adjourned meeting of the Borough Council held last evening for the purpose of considering the appointment of a Town Clerk, four applications were received, of which that of Mr J. F. Roberts was accepted. A full report of the proceedings will appear in our next issue.

A correspondent informs us that some Maoris from tne Onuku Kainga, while fishing lately outside the Heads, captured a large shark under somewhat peculiar circumstances. It appears that one of them having hooked a groper, was in the act of hauling the fish up, when a shark over sixteen feet in length came up in pursuit, and dashed its head against the boat. As the shark was stunned by the blow, the Maoris had time to fasten the painter to the harpoon, and thrust it home into the monster's side. This aroused the shark so effectually, that, having first taken a bite out of the gunwale by way of refreshment, it struck out for some distant land with the boat in tow. It soon tired of this, however, and succumbing to its wound, was easily hauled on board, when its dying struggles were so violent as to threaten the destruction of the boat, and its occupants. As the boat was making too much water, the shark was thrown overboard, having first been deprived of its liver, which is considered a great delicacy by the natives. It is asserted that this is the largest fish of this description that has been captured here. For a shark yarn it is not a bad one, but it sounds " very like a whale."

A few of the Southern Members of the House of Representatives were passengers, en route to Wellington, by the s.s. Taupo, which called in here on Sunday last. Mr 11. Watkins, who was acquainted with one of these gentlemen, obtained an introduction to the others, and seized upon the opportunity thus afforded of explaining the circumstances in connection with the proposed railway, and enlarging upon the usefulness and practiability of the undertaking. As far as could be gathered from but a brief discussion, we are given to understand that the Members seemed interested in the scheme, and fully alive to its importance, and in general terms promised their support.

We heve received a circular, in which it is proposed to form a society to " watch all matters affecting the interests of the Peninsula. The Association proposed to bo formed will have for its objects the forming and guiding of a healthy public opinion on all matters relating to the district ; the watching the progress of Bills through Parliament; the keeping of the advantages of Akaroa as a harbor before the colony, and generally to advance the welfare of the locality. The object and aim of the Association will be entirely nonpolitical." We cordially commend the objects sought to be attained by such a movement, and hope the matter will be warmly taken up. Old settlers on the Peninsula have lived so long out of the track of that progress which the rest of the Colony has been making, that they aro apt to forget that they form part of a whole, and that no public action can be taken which does not affect them. Since the abolition of Provincial institutions, it it is more than ever necessary for each district- to form an intelligent public opinion on all matters of a public nature. We observe tbat Messrs H. Piper, and F. W. Williams are Inter and will be happy to receive communications and suggestions from all interested. It is proposed to hold a public meeting at an early date.