The Akaroa Mail TUESDAY, JANUARY 27.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 367, 27 January 1880, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail TUESDAY, JANUARY 27.

A letter appears in another column, to which we desire to call tbe special attention of our readers. It refers to the Irish famine, and the necessity of our taking some immediate steps to contribute our quota towards its relief. Unless we would be eternally disgraced in the eyes.of the civilized world, it is necessary for us at once to bo up and doing something in a cause which is enlisting the co-operation of our fellow-countrymen everywhere. Wo obsere that in one of the churches in Christchurch no less than £200 was contributed for this purpose last Sunday.

From all quarters we hear of the crop of grass seed being exceptionally good, both in quantity and quality. Prices as yet are difficult to quote, but we believe that they are hardening. Some splendid yields are reported. Among others, we hear of a small patch, an acre and a quarter in extent, yielding no less than 20 bags.

Pursuant to public notice the annual meeting of householders of the Akaroa School District, for the purpose of electing a School Committee for the ensuing year, was held last evening in the schoolhouse. Mr Justin Ayliner was voted to the chair. Tho Chairman explained the object of the meeting and read the section of the Education Act bearing on the subject. Mr W. Meech, Chairman of the outgoing Committee, read the report of the Committee for tho past year, including the balancesheet, as follows :—Receipts, £5G3 5s 4d. Expenditure—Salaries, £392 7s lOd ; incidentals, £.70 Gs ; building, £91 ; balance, £9 lis Gd. Mr M'Gregor thought the particulars supplied of expenditure insufficient. He should like to see tho manner in which the incidental fund had been expended set forth. Considerable discussion ensued between Mr M'Gregor and Mr Meech, the latter maintaining that all the information had been furnished which wan required by the Act. At the same time, if the meeting desired it, he would send for the detailed statement, which had to be forwarded to the Board of Education. It wan proposed by Mr Checkley, and seconded by Mr Westenra. that the accounts as read be received. Mr M'Gregor proposed an amendment to the effect that the accounts did not furnish sufficient information. Mr Sims seconded tha amendment. The resolution was carried. On the motion of Mr Sims, a vote of thanks was accorded to the outgoing Committee. The meeting then proceeded to ballot for a fresh Committee, with the result that the following gentlemen were elected, the votes recorded being as follows :—Messrs Meech, 28; Checkley, 1 27; Missen, 16; Biliens, 14; Westenra. 13; Wiggins, 8; Sims, 8. This concluded the business of the public meeting. Immediately after-1 wards, the new Committee held a meeting, at which Mr Checkley proposed Mr West enni as Chairman. That gentleman declining to act, Mr Missel) pre;v.wjd Mr Meech for the ofli ■>, who was accordingly elect"!. The Committee adjourned till the j K!(.ond Me;-lay in February. '

A ii'eeling oi; (lie Caii<w!i". v... :'■■ ' was held immediately after Mass on Sunday last, the Rev. Father Donovan in the chair. The following members of the congregation were elected aa a coiv.miitee for the management of the general business of ■ the parish during the ensuing year:" —Messrs P. Callaghan, M. Silva, Jules Lelievre, J. Cullen, and E. Brochor. At a subsequent meeting of the Committee Mr Cullen was elected Secretary and Treasurer.