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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 235, 18 October 1878, Page 2

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Akaroa Borough Council took place on Wednesday evening. A special meeting which was to have been held the same evening to confirm the resolutions arrived at regarding the Ashburton Reserves lapsed for want of a quorum. Want of space compels us to hold over our report of the proceedings till next issue.

The otber day we were favored with the sight of what is alleged to be the egg of a very rare bird, but of what species we have as yet been unable to determine. The gentleman who brought over this valuable specimen informed us that it had been found by a shepherd on the Piraki range, lying beside some moss at the root of a tree. We had no sooner glanced at it than, with that universal knowledge for which we are so celebrated, and in saying which we have no intention of being egotistical, we had at once an ink-ling of the state of affairs, and immediately proclaimed it to be the egg of a moa-pork, or some even woa-antique bird than that. The specimen now lies in Mr T. B. Chadwick's Dispensary, where anyone can examine it, and we shall be only too h&ppy to receive henny further information on the subject.

A most welcome fall o£ rain took place yesterday, cheering the hearts of the settlers who were beginning to look very blue at the long continuance of dry weather which we have had lately. The rain commenced about noon, and contimied with brief intermissions till evening. The only regret we heard expressed was that it was not twice as heavy a downpour. However, up to the time of our going to press, appearances gave reason to hopo that there might be more. We often hear of the necessity of law reform, and any unfortunate who has been compelled to resort to the Supreme Court for the assertion of his rights, can bear testimony to the crying evils that exist in and surround that institution. In theory the Supreme Court is open to all for the redress of grievances. What is the case in fact, only those who have tried it as a remedy can testify. Here is a glaring case in point, instanced by Mr Barton in a speech in the House of Eepresentatives. Mr Barton said:—" At present the ends of justice were defeated by these continual appeals, wearing out the poor client and driving him into the Bankruptcy Court. He instanced the case of Gillon v. Macdonald and Others, where the plaintiff, after repeated trials and appeals, obtained a decree which would have put between £2000 and £3000 in his pockets, besides £700 costs. He was made a bankrupt the same morning on a suit for £50 costs, of an interlocutory summons, and deprived of the fruits of his verdict, as his only creditors were the defendants, and of course they did not enforce the decree against themselves."

A writer in a contemporary says:—'• I have heard of a great many strange reasons for " stopping my paper," but the most singular came under my notice during the present week, when a subscriber to a Wellington journal gave notice of discontinuance because the printer in striking off his address had neglected to put Esq. to the end of his name. Of course on the omission being made known, the printer was killed instantaneously. An ample apology was tendered, and an offer made in future to put Mr at one end of the subscriber's patronymic, and Esq. at the other. But all conciliatory measures proved unavailing—the/..justly incensed gentleman withdrew." :| ; .' . ''Autolicus " in the New Zealander (Wellington) is responsible for the following :-- ---" There was a terrible rush to the barracks on Thursday inornintf to secure domestic helps, per Rakaia, and in the short space of one hour and thirty minutes the new arrivals—bar one—were engaged, at wages that must have seemed astonishing to girls used to five pounds per annum, and no perquisites or followeis allowed. I have said ail save one were satisfactorily disposed of. The solitary exception was a young lady of stalwart limb and passable figure, who was for the time being the object of,an active competition between Mrs A. of TeAro, and Mrs B. of Thomdon

—"Fifteen shillings a week," said the former, " and two nights out." " Sixteen," said Mrs 8., " and a hot supper for your sweetheart when he comes to see yon.' " Seventeen, and an occasional drive in the carriage," was the rival bid. " Eighteen, and every Sunday to j-ourself," followed from the opposition. •' Nineteen, and your master to take you out for a walk sometimes," shrieked Mrs A. " A pound, and your master to tnke you to the theatre whenever there is anything worth seeing," yelled Mrs 8., and then the ladies paused, exhausted, and glared at each other. The " young person " wanted was equal to the occasion. Smiling sweetly on the aspirants for the honor of employing her, she said, " Really I cannot conclude at present; send me photographs of your huKbnn/l«, cri'l I %vi!! '•?;. jvn know my decision in a da} , or two. , ' I have not yet learned the name of the winner."

By advertisement in another column it will be seen that Mr John Ollivier, the District Auditor, has been authorized by the Government to hold an enquiry into the claims for compensation against the late Provincial Government existing on the Peninsula. Ihis is decidedly the proper course to be pursued under the circumstances; The local bodies have no means of getting at satisfactory evidence on the subject such as would enable them to come to a decision on the matter. Mr Ollivier, from his long connection with the late Provincial Government is no doubt eminently qualified to enquire into the whole matter. We observe that the enquiry is to be held on Thursday next, the 24th inst. at the Road Board office, Duvauchelle's Bay. Claimants are requested to produce any documentary evidence in their possession in support of their claims.

A telegram from the Agent General was read in the House of Representatives on Wednesday evening, by the Hon. J. Macandrew, in which the following passage occurs :—" English papers have telegrams htating that sis missionaries have been eaten by Natives in New Zealand. Have denied it; wire facts." The reading of this message was received with loud laughter by the House, but, although we may laugh at the absurdity of the thing, these ridiculous canards do a great deal of harm. No report about these colonies is too absurd to be swallowed in the old country, and our interests by every such report suffer, however unfounded. It is well we have such an energetic representative at the Antipodes, so prompt to contradict any slander cast upon his adopted country.