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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 254, 24 December 1878, Page 2

A meeting of the Race Committee was held at the Somerset Hotel, Head of the Bay, on Saturday evening last. Mr B. Shadholt occupied the chair, and a large number of the members of Committee were present, including Messrs S. Lee, J. Duxbury, J. Wallace, J. Sunckell, jun., S. Johnson, J. Johnson, Geo. Robinson, and the Secretary, Mr Gr. Sadler. The Chairman stated that the chief business of the evening was the declaration of acceptances for the District Hurdle Race, the Wainui Plate, and Trotting Match ; also, receiving nominations for the Maiden Plate, Tradesmen's Handicap, and Sapling Stakes, the official list of which appears elsewhereIt was agreed thai the weights for the Tradesmen's Handicap should not be declared until 7 p.m. of the 26th inst., the first day of the -races. . The Chairman intimated that the handsome sum of £20 19s had resulted from the sale of the Committee's privileges that afternoon. The Secretary reported that after payment of entries and subscriptions, the Committee would have a balance of £114 to distribute as prizes, and as many subscriptions had not yet been paid, and several lists not sent in, he calculated they could afford to give £14 to the rural sports, and put aside, say £80 for stakes. It was afterwards agreed that the £80 should lie appropriated in the following- manner : —-District Hurdles, £lo ; Maiden Plate, £10 ; Waiuui Plate, £20 ; Hack' Race. £5 ; Tradesmen's Handicap, £10 ; Trotting Match, £7 10s; Sapling Stakes, £7 10s ; and Cc (isolation, £5. The Committee, as far as we can learn, have everything in excellent trim, and if the weather is line, two days' capital sport may be expected.

We regret to learn that Mr J. E. Thacker, while on a business visit to little Akuloa, last Saturday \va.s accidentally thrown from his horse, on the road leading along tho Roach. The unfortunate gentleman, after falling, rolled down a steep declivity from the roadway to the sea of about 30 feet. The .accident was fortunately observed by Mr D. Wright, of Le Bon's who at once proceeded to. Mr Thacker's assistance, a>nd found that he was severely bruised and otherwise injured. Mr Thacker was at once conveyed to the Little Akaloa Hotel, where ho now lies, and was seen on Sunday by Dr Guthrie, who pronounced the injuries severe but not serious.

The thermometer in the sun in Akaroa yesterday marked the high temperature of llodegreesFahrenheit.. We find from the official handbook of New Zealand, that the mean summer temperature is G3 degrees, thus allowing 23 degrees, the usual amount between sun and shade the temperature of yesterday was 32 degrees above mean summer heat.

Official information was received by the authorities,here yesterday, that the Police Station at the Head of the Bay is at once to be discontinued, and the quarters given up to the landlord. This step, we understand, has not been taken in consequence of the accident to Constable M'Gonnan, but has been under the consideration of the Department for some time past. > The placing of a constable at the Head of the Bay was originally a-temporary measure during the employment of largo numbers of workmen in the construction of the Little River, and other roads. The district recently has been extremely orderly, giving little trouble to the local guardian of the apart from this we think that a.Police Station at .the Head of the Bay, worked by a mounted constable almost absolutely necessary. ' As tho place in question is the centre of the Peninsula at which the roads from all parts of the district converge, and is naturally a spot where mounted persons must pass, in view of the proposed new Post Office and Telegraph Office at the Head of the Bay and its growing importance, we should think that the continuing of the station only wants representing in the proper quarter to be at once renewed.

Ihc property known as Wagstaff'e Hotel and grounds waa offered for sale in Sir Chas. Clarke's sale-rooms, Chriatchurcb, ou Wednesday last, but was withdrawn, the auctioneer not being able to secure a single bid for any of the lots..

We understand chat the s.g. Akaroa will not run on Wednesday next, Christmas Day, nor on the following Wednesday, N$W Year's Uay, • Bj*,. advertisement else- | \vhcre it wiijf ftc^seeh-tllSt" jthe Akaroa will leay;'e Pigeon-Biiy fo'fliytteltpn on Tuesday, %\\h 131 st ijig^'returning from Lyttelton, flijtirsday 2nd,.-thus giving Peniiieiila resjiponts-an of attentla Pfe&«**s:'-£\ letter from our esteeinea'corrpsptfndent S , Burgess." With the seiitimentsHherejji'expressed we cordially agree. We can all of us find fault wifhj ylnfliS /or pasting theiif " larrikinism;'" &c, bul, as our correspondent very forcibly puts it, what do we do to encourage themin more healthy "sports' and pastime*?,. We hope to see the movement for some good rural sports on New Year's Day taken up cordially. Now that the Regatta Committee have given the .thing a §tart, ihere should be no difficulty experienced in raising sufficient funds to provide some degent prizes, for. competition. The chief difficulty we anticipate will be in gettiug a few gentlemen to give their services in working the thing. Nevertheless, we hope to ace it taken up with a will.

We are glad to find that Christmas time is not to be allowed to pass away in Akaroa without some amusement. In another colnmn appears an announcement of an entertainment to take place at the Town Hall, Akaroa, on Boxing Night. As the entertainment in question is for the benefit of the Library, and a varied and attractive program me is lobe submitted, including dancing, we anticipate a large attendance.

The annual meetings of the ratepayers of the Akaroa and Waiuui and Okain's Road Districts will be held on the 4th proximo at the offices of the respective Road Boards.

On Monday, 16th inst., ihe p.s. Titan arrived at Little Akaloa with 150 excursionists, from Lyttelton. There was a dance in the schoolhouse, which was kept up with great spirit by the excursionists, all seeming thoroughly to enjoy themselves. They left about four o'clock, a large number of the residents of the bay going as far as the jetty to %cc thorn oif, and gave them three hearty cheers, wishing them a "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year." Owing to the absence of Messrs C. W. Bridge, Welshman, and Thomson out of the Eleven chosen to play against the Little River Cricket Club, on Thursday next, in Robinson's Bay, the following have boon* chosen to fill their places, viz., Messrs La Coste, Mtinro, and Ramsay. The team will not be so strong as the one that opposed Little River in the previous match. We would again remind the players to be prepared to leave by the launch not later than 9.30 a.m.