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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 243, 15 November 1878, Page 2

We have to apologize for an error which, inadvertently crept into our report of the police case against the man Nixon. Monday not being a regular Court day, our representative was not present in Court, and our information was consequently second hand. It appears that the Rev. Mr Douglas was not concerned in the case at all, even as a witness. The charge was laid by the police, and the abusive language complained of was made use of to the constable. We regret having caused any annoyance to Mr Douglas by introducing his name into the report.

Publicans, as well as other business men, make their share, perhaps more than their share, of bad debts. It is not often, however, that a debtor comes into Court and deliberately repudiates an account for liquors supplied—not denying having had them, but pleading what is known as the " Tippling Act " to gat out of paying for them. Such a case occurred at the sitting of the Akaroa Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday last. The Act in question is so seldom pleaded that many licensed victuallers are disposed to regard it as a dead letter. For their own interest it would be as well for them to remember that in supplying drinks on credit they are trusting entirely to the honor of their customers. It is generally satisfactory to win a law case, but in such a case as that of Haines v. Berland, we imagine it to be more satisfactory to be the loser than the winner. The following letter was received by the Chairman of the Akaroa School Committee) from W. Montgomery, Esq., M.H.R., which speaks for itself: — "Christchureh, 6th Nov., 1878. Chairman of the Akaroa School Committee.—My Dear Sir, — I enclose a cheque for iL'5 3s, which I beg you will receive as a contribution to the fund for providing prizes for the children attending your school.—l remain, yours faithfully, W. Montgomery. We are afraid that municipal matters in Akaroa are drifting into a somewhat unsatisfactory state. We understand that the rates are coming in very slowly, ami the overdraft, on the contrary, is increasing rapidly. The arrangements with the Government and the County Council respecting the maintenance of the Hospital have never been definitely fixed, and it is possible that the Government may be charging the cost of that institution against the subsidies to one or both bodies. The piesent is a most favorable time for the ratepayers to express some opinion on the matter, as there are four vacancies to be filled in the Council, beside the election of Mayor. The latter officer will, no doubt* have considerable influence in the management of municipal affairs, and we would suggest that a public meeting be called, at which the candidates for the office could be invited to express their opinions on the present state of affairs, and as to the best means to be adopted for the future. Farr's bridge is now approaching completion. Some delay has occurred lately in procuring materials for asphalting the arch, which work has at last been authorized, spite of the first decision of the Council against it. The delay, though prolonging a public inconvenience, will have a good effect on the stability of the work, as the exposure of the arch to the weather has given time for the cement to get thoroughly set and hardened. The contractor anticipates having the bridge so far completed as to be fit for traffic in a very short time. The asphalting the arch will be a great improvement to the structure in point of durability; in fact, it is difficult to conceive why such a necessary precaution tvas opposed. Respecting the Mayoral election in Christchureh, a correspondent of a Dunedin paper says :—" It is nearly certain that there will be a contest for the Mayoral chair, but I do think that the spirit of fair play alone will decide the issue in favor of Mr Ick, who has given his time and ability for twelve years to the service of the citizens. With all the necessary qualifications for the office, this feeling a'one will, no doubt, prompt many to vote for him who may not perhaps agree with some of his views, should there be any such." Such what ? Views or voters ?

An ice factory has been started in Christchureh. The freezing is effected by means of a vacuum pump, driven by a five horse-power engine, and occupies about five hours. The selling price varies from 4d to 6d per lb, according to quantity. The projectors appear likely to have an extensive sale for the new commodity.

The nomination of four candidates to fill* the vacancies in the Akaroa Borough Council takes place to-day at noon. As yet we have only heard of one gentleman who has expressed his willingness to come forward. This is a bad sign, for matters

municipal were never in a more critical state since the formation of the Borough. All who have the interest of th-e place at heart should bestir themselves at once to find four suitable men by noon to-day.

At a committee.meeting of the Akaroa C. C, held at Btsecher's hotel, on Tuesday, the 12th inst., the following members were chosen to play in the eleven against Little Kiver, on Saturday next, the 16th, at Little Kiver:—Messrs Wood, Masefield, Worsley, H. Bridge, Welchman, -C. W. Bridge, Eamsay,,' Bar,ry, Thomson, W.. hughes, and F. Barker; \ emergency—La Cos'te >nd M. Smith. The team staft for Little River to night and propose staying at Olphertjs the night, play commencing at. 10 a.m. to\ morrow morning.

The County Council elections are now over and , have resulted in the return- of

the following gentlemen for the various ridings : — Berard, F. W. Williams; Wainui, E. C. Latter ; Little River, W. Coop ; Tai Tapu, J. Qebbie ; Pigeon Bay, J. Hay ; Okain's Bay, J. B. Barker ; Port Levy, G. S. Fleming; Port Victoria, R. R. Bradley; Le Bon's Bay, J. Dalglish. In the latter election, Mr Barnett retired, and the contest therefore lay between the late member and Mr Thacker. It will be seen that the members- of the old Council who retire are Messrs T. S. Baker and Priest, and the new mcml srs are Messrs Williams and Coop. A correspondent informs us that considerable interest was manifested in the election ; for Tai Tapu, almost every available vote being polled. At the declaration of the poll three cheers were given for the successful candidate, and a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer, proposed by Mr Gebbie and seconded by Mr Ilerrick, terminated, the proceedings. On Monday evening last a somewhat singular visitor arrived at the Head of the Bay, and some of the inhabitants of that locality, like Dick Turpin, " perwailed on him to stop." The creature was a young sperm whale, which, no doubt through despising maternal counsels, ventured too far inshore and consequently got stranded. It measures 9ft Gin in length and 4ft 'Jin in girth. Some doubts have been expressed as to its being a true whale, but the balance of evidence is in favor of its being one. At any rate it is a cetacean and '' very like a whale." We understand that the skin has been considerably damaged in the process of capture, but the skeleton will be preserved. Mr C. W. Bridge holds one of his perodical cattle sales at the Head of the Buy this day at noon. The stock to be offered consists of one and two year old steers and heifers in good condition, springing heifers, stores and fat stock. As a great variety of stock is to be offered we anticipate a good attendance and keen competition. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was to have been held on Wednesday evening last.,. At the appointed hour, Crs Bridge, Culleii, Meech, and the Mayor were in attendance. These not being sufficient to form a quorum, after waiting about a quarter of an hour, the meeting was adjourned pro forma till tomorrow evening. The report of the inspector on the Akaroa School has just been forwarded to the Committee. The document is a lengthy one, and the state of the school is minutely gone into. It appears that the school has not been previously inspected for a period of sixteen months. This is decidedly too long, and one of the results is thus commented on by the inspector :—

" .... the head master naturally enough presented the majority of the children to pass two standards at once. This, judging from the general inaccuracy of the papers and the result of the oral examination, was an error of judgment on his part." The statistics of the school are as follows : —Number on roll, 168 ; average attendance, 122 ; present at examination, 143. Presented for examination in standard I, 39; 11, 30; 111, 16; IV, 15 ;V, 7 ; VI, 5 ; total, 112. Passed standard I, 27 ; 11, 12 ; 111, 5 ; IV, 1 ; V, 0; VI, 0 ; total, 45. The inspector further says : —" With th"i exception of the defective classification, the school is conducted in a very satisfactory manner, and there are abundant proofs that the teachers perform their duties conscientiously and efficiently. The government is firm and effective, and the discipline, order, and moral tone are commendable. The Inspector remarks on the urgent need of a room for the infants, and a better supply of maps, diagrams, &c. He also calls attention to a verj r serious drawback on the efiiciency of the school, viz., that " there are a great many children who attend school very irregularly." This last remark is amply borne out by the returns of attendance. While the highest number of attendances credited to one pupil is 679, we find the following numbers against the names of others who have been resident in Akaroa since last examination :—176, 132, 10G, 89, 82, 71, 60, 55, 48, 27, and 21. While, parents allow their children to be absent to such an extent, how can they expect their progress to be satisfactory ?