Untitled

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 231, 4 October 1878, Page 2

A very sudden death occurred at Wainui on Tuesday last. A man called Henry Jordan, who was working in Mr M'Donald's bush, was found dead at about half-past one in the afternoon. Deceased had complained for the last two or three weeks of great loss of appetite, and had told his employer on the morning of his death that he did not feel very well, and he was therefore set some light work within coo-ey of the house. Deceased was only thirty-three years old, and leaves a widow and three small children to mourn his loss. On Wednesday an inquest was held at the private schoolhouse, Wainui, on the body, before Justin Aylmer, Esq., coroner, and a jury of fourteen, of which Mr James Reid was chosen foreman. The jury returned a verdict on the evidence of the witnesses, and Dr Guthrie, who made a post mortem examination, of " Death from congestion of the brain."

The Municipal Act provides that annually on the last Wednesday in November the burgesses of every borough shall elect their Mayor for the coming year. We have not as yet authoritatively heard whether the gentleman who now occupies the civic chair intends offering his services to the electors again, but the tinie is now drawing near when no uncertain sound should be given on the subject. It is a matter of paramount importance that the chief officer of the Council should be a gentleman possessing at once the confidence and respect, not only of the electors, but of the Council. We do not propose at present to discuss the question whether the system of electing Mayors by the whole of the burgesses, or by the Council, is the better of the two, we only wish to point out that great care and deliberation are required in the selection by whatever body exercises the trust. Another view of the question that strikes us is that the office should not be monopolised for any lengthened period by any one individual, the position being the just reward of Councillors or others who take an interest in and can manage public affairs. In every community there is always a choice of such men, and we should like to see more than one candidate in the field.

The Gazette of 23rd September contains a proclamation by the Governor, dissolving the Borough of Clyde, and merging it in tho County of Vincent, Otago. The burgesses of Clyde have evidently had enough of municipal government. The new regulations for the examination and classification of teachers have also been gazetted. Yesterday morning while a son of Mr W. Johnson's, Bruce's Hotel, was amusing himself on the gymnastic ladder, at the public school, he accidently fell and broke his arm. He was at once conveyed to Dr Guthrie, who set the injured limb. It has often occurred to us that however desirable gymnastic exercise may be, some supervision or control is necessary while children are using the bars and ladders supplied to the public schools. A letter appears elsewhere drawing attention to the apparent delay in the commencement of the erection of the new Court-house buildings. No doubt the Board referred to will give the explanation, which we think the public have an undoubted right to demand, always supposing, of course, that the rumour alluded to by our correspondent is correct. From a recent issue of the Gazette we notice that the following persons have been appointed Registrars of Dogs in their respective districts :—County of Akaroa— Edward Samuel Latter, County Council Office, Barry's Bay; James Wilson, Little River Road Board Office, Kaituna ; David Wright, Okain's Bay Road Board Office; Frederick William Thompson, Pigeon Bay Road Board Office; William Gray, Port Victoria Road Board Office, Governor's Bay. Borough of Akaroa—James Fraser Roberts, Borough Council Offioe, Akaroa. A meeting of the Akaroa School Committee was held in the schoolroom on Monday evening last. The members present were Messrs W. Meech (Chairman), Billens, Bruce, and Barry. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Correspondence was read from the Board in reference to the purchase of Mr Rodrigues' house in Balguerie street, as a master's r sidence ; also, as to the manner in which incidental expenses were to be paid in future, and advising that the sum of £15 2s had been paid to the credit of the Committee for incidental expenses. A' memo, was received from Mr Edge, saying he would inspect the school on the 9th inst. The September salaries were received ; and Mr E. Wells wrote, complaining that his son had been severely punished by the master. In regard to the master's new resideuce, Mr Bruce moved that the Chairman write to the Board, informing them that it will be necessary to spend £80 in fencing the ground and making the house habitable. The motion was seconded by Mr Billens, and agreed to. A sub-committee was appointed to see Mr Nicholls in regard to Mr Wells 1 letter. The Chairman was requested to have the black boards re-painted, and a suggestion having been made that tbe schoolroom windows facing the playground should be covered * with half-inch wire netting, in consequence of the large number of panes of glass that have recently been broken, the Chairman was asked to ascertain the cost and report to the next meeting of the Committee.

A meeting of the Vestry of St. Peter's Church was held at the Parsonage on Tuesday evening last. The Rev P. C. Anderson occupied the chair, there were also present, Churchwarden Nicholls, and Vestrymen Penlington, Worsley, and proceeds of the late concert amounted to Henning. It was reported that the nett £10 19s, and this sum it was agreed to hold in hand until the next entertainment. The arrangements for the gift auction proposed to be held shortly, wero left in the hands of a Committee with a request to report at next meeting. A long discussion took place regarding the finances of the church. It was incidentally mentioned that the Rev. Chairman had arranged with the parish nominators to continue his cure of the parish until after Christmas. After transacting a large amount of routine business, the meeting adjourned until this evening to meet the Acting Archdeacon of Akaroa.

As will be seen by advertisement elsewhere, a meeting of those interested in our Annual Regatta, is convened for this evening, at Bruce's Hotel, at eight o'clock. We trust there will be a good attendance, so that matters may be put in fair train for a successful meeting this -year. / A presentation of an interesting nature took place yesterday at Bruce's Hotel. It will bo remembered that the'wife of pur worthy Mayor lias presented him'with a daughter during his*term of office. It occurred to a few friends of Mr and Mrs Watkins to commemorate the happy event by presenting them with a silver cradle. The idea was promptly acted on, and yesterday the article in question was formally presented to, and accepted by, Mr Watkins. The little ceremony was quite-of a private nature, and being-impromptu, very few of the subscribers to the testimonial were present. Mr C. W. Biidgo in a few appropriate words requested Mr Watkins' acceptance of the souvenir. Mr Watkins in returning thanks, said that he hoped to have the pleasure of assisting at a presentation to Mr Bridge under similar circumstances. The cradle is a very elegant specimen of the silversmith art, the chasing being exceedingly rich and effective, and reflects great credit on the manufacturers, a Dunedin firm. It bears a suitable inscription, recording the circumstances under which it was presented. We have to remind our readers of the sale of cattle, sheep, horses, &c, which takes place to-day at the Head of the Bay sale-yards. Mr C. W. Bridge officiates as auctioneer and, from the present high price of stock, a good sale may be anticipated. Mr Bridge also advertises another sale at Mr Judge's, Ellesmere Arms, Tai Tapu, on Tuesday next, when some 60 head of cattle, and a few fat calves for butchers will be offered. A meeting was held in the schoolroom, Little River, on the evening of Saturday last, with the object of raising funds to enable James Belcher and Peter Sorrenson to obtain legal aid in their pending trial on the charge of killing a cow and calf, the property of Mr G. R. Joblin, and also to express sympathy with the families of the accused. Mr A. D. M. Allan occupied the chair, and those assembled were addressed by Mr Olphert, of the Forsyth Arms. A sum of £17 15s was collected. His Worship the Mayor received a telegram from Mr Montgomery on Wednesday last, referring to the subject of the Akaroa Railway, in which he states that he hopes to get the Government to take t)ie matter up on -the conditions recommended by the Committee of the Legislative Council.