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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 281, 28 March 1879, Page 2

In another column appears a letter asking certain information regarding' the High School which it is proposed to establish iv Akaroa. We have no doubt that the promoters of the scheme will be willing to afford " Common Sense " the information he asks for. As to the subjects proposed to be taught, we think the circular is sufficiently explicit on that point. As to our correspondent's suggestion of calling a public meeting, no doubt the School Committee know the great difficulty of getting a meeting together in Akaroa, and besides a great many persons who might be expected to take an interest in the scheme reside at a distance from the town. No doubt there will be difficulties in the way of the establishment of such a school, and no doubt also it is well that the matter should be looked at in every point of view, but, speaking broadly, we certainly think that such a school is eminently needed on the Peninsula, that it would do a great deal of good, and therefore that it would be more desirable to make some united effort to overcome the difficulties than to endeavor to terrify by magnifying them. Messrs Bridge and Co. had announced their usual perodical cattle sale to take place at the Head of the Bay on Friday naxt. As, however, the Little River Races have been fixed for that day, the auctioneers have postponed their sale till Monday, 7th

April. Friends of the Congregational Church, Le Bon's Bay, have great reasoti to congratulate themselves on the success of their tenth anniversary tea meeting, which took place on Friday last. The tea took place in the church, and it was found that, very soon after the meeting had begun, the church would in no way accommodate the people for the public meeting afterwards. The Government schoolroom was kindly placed at the disposal of the churchi and in a short time a suitable platform was erected, when, with plenty of willing hands, the harmonium and a number of the seats were removed from the church to the schoolroom. There was a large attendance at the public meeting, presided over by Mr W. Barnett, when very stirring addresses were delivered by the Revs. E. Walker and Tout, and Messrs Recce and Kirkby. By the financial statement we learn that the church is now free from debt, and the friends are about to take steps for the enlargement of the building. The Evangelistic Services held during the week were well attended, and at the service oh Sunday evening benches were procured from the schoolroom to fill up the aisle of the church.

The Akaroa Borough Council invite tenders for the formation of Balguerie street, which must be sent in by noon on Monday next.

At the tea meeting of the Congretionalists in Akaroa on Monday evening the following financial statement was read :— The total cost of the site and the temporary church (formerly the Oddfellows' Hall), including legal and other expenses, was £217 14s sd. Of this amount £53 16s Gd has been raised by subscriptions and offerings, leaving a balance of £163' 17s lid still to be obtained/. The general expenses of the Mission since its commencement have amounted to £24 13s Bd, and the income for the same to £26 Os 7d, leaving;a balance- in the hands of the treasurer of £1 6s lid. It was reported that some of the friends at Trinity Church, Christchurch, had sent over a contribution of £3 10s toward the expenses of the tea, the'profits of which will.go to the build-, ing fund. It was stated that Mr Barnett intends taking up his residence in Akaroa to carry on the work of the church more thoroughly until such time as a minister may be obtained to take the permanent oversight. A resolution passed recently at Timaru by a meeting of Ministers and friends connected with the New Zealand South Congregational Mission was read, expressing appreciation of the untiring zeal of Mr Barnett in the Mission at Le Bon's Bay and Akaroa, and according him a hearty recognition of the service he is about to render, particularly in his devoting himself more especially to the immediate needs of the mission in Akaroa. The hall was very tastefully decorated, the attendance at the tea and meeting was large, and the occasion an encouragement in every way to those immediately concerned.

A very interesting service took place last Friday at the Congregational Church, Le Bon's Bay, on the occasion of the marriage of Mr G. Fluerty, of Okain's, to Miss Condon, of Le Bon's Bay. A very beautiful Arch of evergreens and flowers was erected over the gateway of the church, and the walk was strewn with flowers. Although the ceremony was to have taken place at a somewhat early hour (half-past nine), on the arrival of the weddingparty the church was filled in every availpart with a very attentive congregation. After singing a hymn, prayer was offered by Mr Barnett. The Rev. R. Tout conducted the ceremony, when at the close Mr Barnett, on behalf of the congregation, presented the bride with a very handsome clasp Bible as a token of the respect and good wishes of her friends of the church.

We have much pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of £7 10s, which has been forwarded to our office, as a donation to the Kaitangata Relief Fund from the committee of the Pig-eon Bay annual excursion. Finding that they had a surplus in hand thesej gentlemen with praiseworthy liberalitvkletermined to devote it to the above excellent object. We are afraid that the subscriptions for this purpose are not coming in very rapidly in Akaroa. What are our ladies and gentlemen of musical and histrionic talent about? We should imagine it ought to be a matter of no great diffito get up an entertainment which would fill the new Oddfellows' Hall, and prove a great assistance in a good cause.

The Akaroa County Council hold their next meeting to-morrow at the usual place. The tenders for the new offices will be taken into consideration. The funds allotted to the various Road Boards in the County will also be paid over. The Council have also to take into consideration the question of the pollution of streams which was brought before that body by two memorials received at the last meeting. According to notice given on that occasion, Mr Latter is expected to tender his resignation of the chairmanship. It is probable that nothing will be done towards electing his successor till a future meet-

In another column will be found a notification of the annual social gatherings which are to be held next week in connection with the Presbyterian Church which has its head-quarters in Akaroa. That in Le Bon's Bay is to take place on Tuesday, the Ist April; that in Akaroa on Wednesday, and that in Pigeon Bay on ThursdayThe general public is freely invited to attend, and we have no doubt will cordially respond to the invitation. We have a vivid recollection of the one that was held last year in the Town Hal], Akaroa, and can testify that a very enjoyable evening was spent by all who attended it. There was a hearty tone about it, not always to be found in such gatherings, and altogether the affair was a decided success. We anticipate a like success for those at present announced.

What might have been a very serious accident took place on the Little River road on Saturday last. It appears that two of Mr eoep's--ek-l)orse teams, one loaded and the other empty, met at a place where it was impossible for them to pass one another. The driver of the empty waggon took four of his horses out and endeavored to back his waggon out of the way. In doing so, however, he failed to effect his object, and instead backed his waggon over the hill. By great good fortune no serious damage was done, although, of course, considerable dejay took place. There ia no doubt that this main arterial road requires widening and improving in various particulars in view of the increasing traffic which may be expected on it once the construction of the railway is commenced. As the, majority of the County Council have decided against undertaking the charge of any roads, but have preferred to leave them in charge of the various Road Boards, these latter bodies should see to this most necessary work without delay. '