The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, MARCH 5.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 378, 5 March 1880, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, MARCH 5.

His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by Lady Robinson and the Private Secretary, arrived in Akaroa on Tuesday morning in the Hinemoa. The visit was entirely unofficial, and no demonstration of any kind was made. Justin Aylmer Esq., P.M., went on Board tho Hinemoa, and accompanied the Vice-regal party ashore. His Worship tho Mayor mot His Excellency on the Wharf and briefly bid him welcome to the place, with the appearance of which Sir Hercules expressed himself very much pleased. The Governor and party took a walk round the town, inspecting the various public buildings, and left again at two o'clock for Wellington.

The District Court opened at Timaru on Monday last, before his Honor Judge Ward. Mr T. S. Duncan appeared to prosecute for the Crown, and stated that he should not take the riot cases till next day. On the following day (Tuesday) the Court was densely crowded, and nine prisoners were placed at the bar and charged with riotously assembling- in a public place on December 26th last, and with assaulting and beating one John Read. Mr Stout defended the prisoners. Mr Stout made fourteen challenges on behalf of the prisoners, and tlie Crown made four challenges, before a jury was panelled - 'l he examination of witnesses for the prosecution and defence respectively occupied tlie whole of the day, and at the adjournment of (he Court prisoners were liberated on bail. On Wednesday, Counsel on either side addressed tho jury, and his Honor summed up. The jury retired to consider their verdict, and after an absence of two hours, returned into Court with a verdict of "Not guilt _ '' against three of tho prisoner*, and ''guilty 1 ' against the remaining .si:;. Mr stout intimated to his Honor that he would move for a new tri;d to-morrow morning in O'Diiscull'.s case, on tho ground of misdirection >>y the Judge with regard to the letter o'Dm'-_'u!J had written to Moj'nahan. The prisoner;-: "/vie all remanded for sentence.

We learn that the Jury of the District Court, Timaru, in tho case of F. A. Sims, trading as Sims and Co., auctioneers of that town, returned a verdict of "Guilty" to the crime of larceny with which he was charged by the Union Bank of Australasia, at the same time coupling the verdict with a strong recommendation to mercy. His Honor said the recommendation of the jury would have full consideration at his hands. Sentence was deferred.

By a Taranaki friend we are informed that the residents there. are favored with lectures from a Mr Donovan, who travels on the "Life Assurance line." He has chosen for the subject of a lecture to be delivered at an early date—"The wrongs of Ireland, and who is responsible for them." Tho Catholics are indignant at the lecturer, but no disturbance is anticipated. On Thursday last a most successful entertainment was given by the Good Templars of Little Akaioa, Mr J. B. Barker presiding, to liquidate a small outstanding debt on the lodge. A choice selection of songs was given to an appreciative audience, commencing with the " Canadian boat song," by Messrs Reed and Mrs Barker, and Miss Waghorn. The brothers J. B. and T. Barker contributed to the success of the evening by singing respectively " Ellen Bayne " and " Silver threads amongst the gold." Mrs Barker effectively rendered two pretty songs, tho "Letter" and the "Captive Tear," while Miss Waghorn's rendering of " Polly "and "Far away " was rapturously received. Mrs Green sweetly sang the " Greenwood " and " Uncle Tom," as did also Miss Hunter in " Won't you buy my pretty flowerß." Mr Robt. Shuttleworth was quite at home in "My grandfather's clock," while Mr Thos. Coyne's "Gentle Annie " and Mr Waghorn's " Nancy Lee " met with considerable success. A tragic reading (the name of which we were not able to , catch) was well given by Mr M'Nicoll. Mr Hunter caused some merriment with his " Billy Bowling," while Mr Chichester brought down the house with "What an afternoon," which having been encored, he substituted for it "The Irishman." The latter gentlemen ably presided at the piano] during the evening, and also treated the company to an admirable selection of the latest dance tunes from England at the conclusion of the entertainment. The company did not disperse until daylight had made its appearance, and after having spent a most enjoyable evening.

Some little amusement was caused on Saturday last, at Okain's Bay, by the apparent greenness shown by our reporter after having let his horse run loose in the paddock with four or five others, not being able to know it again. There happened, however, to be two bay mares somewhat alike in the same paddock, so, after having used his best judgment in the matter, he caught one, saddled and bridled it, and then politely asked tho owner of the other one to examine the one he had to see if things were all right. Amidst much laughter tho old gentleman came forward, enquiring whether our man was not a bit of a new chum, evidently considering himself a decided veteran in the colonies ; he looked at the mare, and a puzzled look coming over his countenonce, the other members turned the laughter slightly on him ; but he was not long in doubt, for he soon declared, aye, even as Peter did, thrice, that the mare was not his, his would never stand so quiet. Our reporter started on his road, feeling safe and happy in having caught the mare entrusted to his care, but could not help thinking the paces of the beast were slower and less graceful than when going the journey, but he thought that perhaps she might be reluctant to depart from the luxuriant herbage she had been treated to in the eighth of an acre paddock next the Okain's Church. He had not proceeded far when his attention was arrested by several loud coo-ees from the rear, and on retracing his steps found, amongst the laughter of all present, that the old veteran had, after all, been mistaken, and not able to tell his own animal.

At 6 o'clock on the morning of Tuesday, March 2nd, the Tramway officials ran two single engines along the line from the Cathedral Square terminus to the railway station and back. A second trip was made with one carriage coupled to each engine ) followed by a trial with two cars. All the trials were very satisfactory. The engines made very little noise, and several horses in butchers'carts met in the street at that early hour seemed to tako but trifling notico of the silent train us it passed along. Tho engines and cars moved smoothly along tho rails, and tho only alteration found necessary was a slight one at tho Col umbo street curve to give the wheels a little mere play. This alteration was made during the day, and it is expected that tho official inspection by tho Government Engineer will be made earJy in the week. Tho quarterly sitting of the Licensing Court for Akaroa and the surrounding districts was held on Tuesday last in the R. M. Court, Akaroa. Tho commissioners present were Messrs J. Aylmer, R. M., 11. 11. Fenton and G. H. Saxton. Tho only business which camo before the Court was an application for a transfer of the license for the Little Akaioa Hotel from Henry to Alexander M'lntosh. This was granted. The various houses throughout the district were favorably reported on.

The vacaut portfolio in the cabinet has been offered to and accepted by Mr Thos. Dick, Jone of tho members for the city of Dunedin. Referring to this appointment the Herald, (Dunedin) says:— "Mr Dick's accession to office gives great satisfaction not only to Otago but to the Colony at large. He is well known to be an honest man, who has earned that distinction by a long career as a provincial Colonial politician, and no doubt but-that he will retain his integrity in the position upon which he now enters. This will be all the easier for him, seeing that he has honourable men for colleagues, and that his reputation for plain dealing is so well established that few will care to undertake the task of endeavouring to entice him from the straight road."

The annual race meeting of the Tai Tapu district took place on Tuesday last, in Mr Murray's paddock, about a mile from the township. Tho weather was all that could be desired for racing, and the attendance was good. Tho following events were contested : —Hurdle race, I_miles ; 20 soys ; Mr Piper's Venture, lOst 71b, 1; Mr Shadbolt, Eclat, list 21b, 2. Tawera and Swindler also ran. Venture made all the running, and won easily. The Maiden Plate was taken by Mr Judge's Brown Boy, 3yrs, 7st 121b, winning in a canter. The Tai Tapu Cup, value 20 soys, 1_- miles, fell to JMr Sheenan's Tawera, carrying 9st 111b, beating Venture with list 111b, and Blue Ribbon, who had Bst 51b to carry. Brown Boy, tho winner of the Maiden, scored another win by carrying off the Farmer's Plate of 5 soys, and the County race of 20 soys, 1£ miles, was collared by Tawera, beating Eclat and Brown Boy. A hack race terminated the day's proceedings.

Rather an important question has been decided by the Resident Magistrate, Christchurch. Tho Lyttelton Times thus reports the case :—The question of the necessity of stamping receipts for wages was decided at the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday upon the hearing of two informations against Joseph Farro for having given two receipts for wages without duly stamping them. Mr C. E.Salter appeared for the defendant, and contended that by virtue of section 11 of the " Stamp Act Amendment Act, 187G," which exempts from duty all instruments relating to tbe services of apprentices, clerks, arid' servants, the receipts in question were not liable to the stamp duty. Mr Spackman argued contra. The Bench, after consideration, decided that tho point raised by Mr Salter was good, and dismissed the informations.