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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 300, 3 June 1879, Page 2

The usual monthly meeting of the Akaroa School Committee was held last evening at the schoolroom. PresentMessrs Meech (Chairman), Billens, Mieeen, Dalglish and Wiggins. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairmen reported that he had accepted an.offer of £3 5s for the old fence. A lettor was read from the Board of Education, approving of the appointment of B. Missen as pupil teacher, and stating that the Board had postponed the consideration of the question of the fence, also asking for certain information as to the same. Also, a letter aeking for information os to the number of pupils likely to attend the proposed High School, and tho probable amount of income derivable from fees. The Chairman was instructed to write, asking for further information as to the standards necessary to render pupils eligible for a High School, and the fees which could be charged. An application was received from the Mutual Improvement Society, asking for the use of the schoolroom once a week for their meetings. Permission was granted, subject to certain conditions as to cleaning, &c. The Chairman laid on the table an inventory of school furniture, &c. The Board of Education wrote to say that the next examination would take place in July. A variety of minor matters were attended to, and the Committee adjourned.

The conversazione which is announced to take place this evening at the Oddfellows' Hall promises to be a great success. Great preparations are in progress both for the physical and mental entertaiument of the visitors. We understand that the management of the latter portion of the entertainment is in thoroughly able hands, and that many ladies and gentlemen of well-known ability have promised to assist in the entertainment. Visitors are requested to procure tickets, which may be obtained at any of the stores, before the evening. Proceedings will commence at half-past seven.

Mrs Brown, of the Al Bakery, Akaroai was waited upon at her residence laet Saturday, and presented with her portrait in oil in token of appreciation of hei long and valued services in the Sunday School connected with the Presbyterian Church here. The presentation was made by the Rev. Mr Douglas on behalf of the subscribers. Mrs Brown suitably acknowledged the gift, and said that she was gratified, not so much on account of its value, as because of the kindly feeling it displayed towards her on the part of her fellow teachers of the Sunday School and the members of the Church generally. The portrait, which is an excellent likeness, is by Mr Cambridge, of Christchurch. An important meeting of the Okain's District Boad Board was held on Saturday last. It appears that an error had been made in chaining Mr Kenny's contract in the Okain's Valley road, whereby it was alleged that the contractor had been considerably overpaid. We are in possession of a full report of the proceedings which is, however, unavoidably held over till our next issue. It's funny when you ask a mau to advertise he generally declines with the statement that nobody will see it. But if you advertise some little caper of his in the news columns gratis, he gets indignant over the certainty that everybody will see it. At least that is what a veteran newspaper man says about it. We understand it ia the intention of some of our boating men to form a Model Yacht Club Association, with an annual entrance fee, for the object of building boats of a superior class. Already a large number have signified their intention of joining. It is proposed to have a challenge cup,.value £1010s, to be won three times by the same yacht before becoming the property of her owner. To be raced for as agreed upon. We know of seven yachts in course of construction, some of which are up to five feet, which is the limit as to length. It is intended to send one or two of the fastest to Lyttleton next regatta to compete for the prizes offered there. Paragraphs continue to appear in the newspapers headed " Fatal Effects of Playing at Peace." Six boys, it would appear, have no w been sacrificed at the shrine of morbid, sensational, illustrated "literature." Playing at hanging under any circumstances is a reprehensible practice, but that six boys should have suffered death through the game would appear incredible were it not for the coroner's inquests staring us in the face. Of a truth the schoolmaster is wanted. Let us hope J that no more victims will de claimed by the illustrated penny " dreadfuls." Lord Beaconsfield's diet is described by the Albany Sunday Press, which tells us that the Premier's chief sustenance is champagne -jolly, which he uses three times a day, and each repast of which costs something like three guineas. The restorative qualities of this nutriment are very great, and in a man of the Premier's sad and meditative temperament and feeble physique must be invaluable. If this is true, and the price of this invaluable jelly is as groat as alleged, it costs the Premier M3,M'd 5a per annum to diet himself. ' '

.We are informed that the Board of Education has apponited Mr Alexander Rouieton of Woodstock. Hokitika, master of the German Bay School, as recommended by the Committee, and approved of the appointment of Mra RoulsUn as sewing mistress.