AKAROA REGATTA AND OTHER MATTERS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 336, 7 October 1879, Page 2

AKAROA REGATTA AND OTHER MATTERS.

To tlie Editor of the Akaroa Mail.

Sir, —Your correspondent "Bow Oar" displays moat lamentable ignorance as to the manners and customs of the inhabitants of Akaroa. To think for a moment that anything in the shape of amusement could be arranged for until the last minute is a presumption that Akaroa cannot be charged with. In fact, the non-success of the regattas for the last three or four years is due entirely to the want of energy on the part of the committee, added to the fact of the committee not being appointed

at an earlier date, and not giving the affair proper publicity.

But not only in regatta matters are the Akaroa folk very lachrymose. Nearly every kind of amusement that takes place here is only thought of at the last moment, and the corisequence is, most invariably, only a partial success. I could mention several instances of the kind, but will refrain. Besides, there are numerous instances where entertainments are meditated for the benefit of some charitable object; the affair is duly advertised, but after that nothing more is known of it— the entertainment never takes place. Subscription .lists for the same object suffer in the same ratio. Instance the stir that was made over the the Kaitangata Colliery Disaster about eight months ago. Subscription lists were duly printed and distributed, and a considerable sum appeared to have been subscribed, but the lists were never called in nor the amounts collected. In the'meantime the fund has closed, and not a penny from Akaroa as far as public subscriptions are concerned, has gone to the relief of the widow and the fatherless. I supposo it was nobody's duty to collect the lists, so everybody left it to everybody else to do. I think, however, that our worthy Mayor might have undertaken the onerous duty seeing that he had plenty of time at his disposal. Then there was that grand Muff Cricket Match that was to have been played for the benefit of the same humane object. It was thought of on Thursday-evening, duly advertised to take place on the Monday following, but Monday happened to be wet, and nothing more was heard of the match. Numerous other instances might be quoted, but the two I. have mentioned will suffice to show into what a comatose state we have drifted. In fact we have been taught the lesson of " how not to do it," and have learnt it thoroughly.

Another matter that is very behind hand this year is the Industrial Exhibition. I think that the schedule of works for competition might have been distributed ere this, as there is very little time to spare if the exhibition is to be a success, and to be held on the same date as former years. Hitherto the Akaroa Industrial Exhibition has been a fair success, but unless a move be made in the matter shortly it is sure to deteriorate.

In conclusion, I would advise that gentlemen interested both in the Regatta and Exhibition should " take time by the forelock," and not (as I once seen it put), by the " fetlock," for by that means only can they be made a success. By kindly inserting the above, you will oblige, Yours, &c, M.G. p.g.—By reference to your local columns I notice that the model yacht race is to be held on Sunday, November 9 (Prince of Wales' Birthday). I would advise the Committee not to hold it until after Morning Service. If they do, the churches are almost sure to be empty, and the cause of religion consequently suffer. I do not think, however, that they could hit upon a better day as far as the public are concerned, and "better the day better the deed." M. G.