The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, JULY 22.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 314, 22 July 1879, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, JULY 22.

We give some additional particulars as to certificated teachers from a recent) Gazette : J. Victor, Robinson's Bay, E. 3 ; W. H. Harris, E 3 ; T. Gates, E 3 ; M. Slieard, Duvauchelle'e Bay, E 4 ; Miss Roberts, E 4 ; A. Dunnet, E 4 ; A. Roulston, German Bay, E5. The Gazette shows that, including teachers of Normal and High Schools, but excluding pupil teachers, rhere are about eight hundred teachers in the pay of the New Zealand Government. It may be useful for our readers to know that, in the classification of a teacher, the letter indicates the examination passed, A being highest; and the number shows the training, experience skill, and success as a teacher, 1 being highest. Though a large number of teachers are University men, M.As., and B.A's. being plentiful among them, there is not a single A 1, only six B 1, and only twelve Cl. Twelve in 82, including Mr Wykesmith, are reckoned equal to C 1.

The burgesses of Ashburton have had a poll on the proposal .to raise a loan of £15,000 for drainage and waterworks. The following was the result of the voting/ For the proposal, 97 ; against it, 32 Majority, 65.

A meeting of the Churchwardens and j Vestry of St. Peter's was held in the Vestry last Friday evening for the purpose of [meeting the Rev. J. W. Stack, who was on a visitation as Acting-archdeacon of the Archdeaconry of Akaroa. The Rev. H. Stocker was also present. The articles of enquiry, as required by the Synod Regulations to be answered by the Churchwardens and Vestrymen were'read over by the Archdeacon and answered seriatim by the church officers. Certain matters in reference to the property of th parish of St. Peter's were, by special direction of the Bishop of the Diocese, brought under the notice of the Vestry and an assurance was given the Archdeacon that his Lordship's wishes would be attended to. Mr Fenton was anxious, as a member of the Vestry, that the Incumbent's stipend should be increased, and it was pointed out that the amount guaranteed was the minimum sum, and that there could be no objections to any increase. A conversation took place as to the great desirability of bringing the size of the parish into something like workable bounds. A suggestion was made that Little River might be included under the charge of the Incumbent of Akaroa, with a curate to assist him in the outlying parts of the parish. The Archdeacon promised to bring the subject under the notice of the Bishop.

Some excitement was caused in Akaroa on Saturday, by the fact that uo less than three whales were to be seen disporting themselves in the harbor. These gay and festive creatures were bent on having a little innocent amusement, and were evidently delighted with the quarter they had discovered. They had hardly arrived at years ot discretion, and were apparently quite unaware of the fearful risk they ran in venturing among so many deadly enemies. Two or three boats started in pursuit, but as they were not furnished with any aggressive appliances, they were somewhat chary of venturing too near to the quarry. In fact, so great was the caution exercised, that at times it was doubtful whether the boats were chasing the whales, or the whales were going for the boats. At length a bright idea struck some of the party, which was to send one of their number out to the Heads to watch that the whales did not escape from the harbor, while a messenger was dispatched for an expert in these matters, who would soon put them through. Accordingly the experienced stock-driver started with his dog, fully prepared to turn the monsters should they endeavor to clear out to sea. At this stage of the proceedings our informant left, so that we are unable to report the ultimate result, but we fear the amount of oil in stock has not been increased by this unexpected visit.