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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 395, 18 May 1880, Page 2

Since our last issue another stage has been reached in the state of municipal matters in Akaroa. His Worship the Mayor has resigned his position, and the burgesses are called upon to elect a successor. In bidding adieu to Mr Waeckerle, as the occupant of the Mayoral chair, we may conscientiously (and we use the word advisedly) say that he has, as far as his abilities permitted, acted fairly and honorably towards the Borough and those who placed him in office. We are well aware that many gross errors—many faults both of commission and omission —have been committed during his period of service, yet we believe that these errors are to be attributed rather to a want of capacity than to any censurable motives.

In exculpation of any shortcomings which may be laid to his charge, it must be remembered that he has never enjoyed the loyal support of the Council, some of whom have frequently shown a spirit of factious opposition and insubordination, which a far more experienced man would have found it very difficult to restrain. In addition to this, it is matter of notoriety that the duties, for the performance of which a paid officer was responsible, have been shamefully neglected. Several may be disposed to blame the late Mayor for resigning at this juncture, and leaving the Council as it were in the lurch ; but we consider his explanation on this head satisfactory. It is, that his advancing years, and the state of his health render him unfit for the duties of the office. He is perfectly willing to admit that in the past he has by no means followed the most judicious conduct, and fears, no doubt rightly, that should he remain longer at the helm, the ship which he is attempting to guide may get into an even more dangerous position than at present. Under these circumstances, he retires to enable a more skilful pilot to take charge.

A great deal of our future welfare or otherwise depends upon the manner in which the burgesses exercise the choice which they are now called upon to make. One or two names have been mentioned as probable candidates, but the rumors have as yet not assumed any consistency. We hope that the burgesses will be fully impressed 1 with the importance of the responsibility cast upon them, and, casting aside all personal predilections, will determine to place a man of ability, integrity, experience, and energy at the head of affairs.

We perceive that yesterday being WhitMonday the Bank of New Zealand hero was closed for a holiday. . We quite agree with tho system of hankers and their clerks having a holiday as well as any other bodies, and are aware that set holidays are observed by the various Banks throughout the Colony ; but we fail to see why this particular Bank, unlike all others, should fail to notify the fact of their remaining closed to the public through the medium of the Press. Our attention might not have been directed to this omission had it not been that two parties, each from different bays, and a long way off, came into town yesterday, knowing nothing about the holiday, to make deposits ; they complained to us about the matter, although, of course, we had nothing to do with it. The s.s. Taiaroa on her passage here from Lyttelton last time experienced one of the strongest southerly gales that has been encountered for. some time, and her running, instead of as is usually the case taking four hours, occupied ten and a half. She laid alongside the wharf here the whole day on Friday, leaving- for Dunedin at a late hour in the afternoon, by which time the gale had moderated and the sea become somewhat smoother. '

Our attention has been directed to an unfair monopoly of the Wainui jetly usurped by one or two of tlra Wainui settlers. The wharf, or jetty, is, of course, intended for the use of the public, and although those engaged irt cutting and shipping firewood are compelled to deliver it to the crafts from the wharf, yet they should endeavor so to arrange matters as to avoid the wood being stacked on the jetty from week's end to week's end. Another nuisance they cause, which with a little forethought might easily be remedied, is the mooring of their several boats at the jetty's head, rendering it exceedingly difficult for any other craft or boat to come alongside. We should bo glad to find an improvement in both of these respects. The Annual Meeting of the subscribers to the Akaroa Institute, adjourned from May 10, was held in the Institute last evening. There were present Justin Aylmer, Esq. (chairman), Rev. H. Stacker, Dr. Guthrie, Messrs W. H. Henning, Harris, Bruce, and Hughes. The Rev. H. Stocker read the balance sheet for the last year, showing the receipts to have been £77 Us 2d, and the- expenditure £71 Us,leaving a credit balance of £6 8s 3d, of which £3 11s 3d had been remitted to England for the new volumes of the Encyclopedia. The Committee for the ensuing year was then elected, as follows :— Justin Aylmer, Esq., President ; Dr. Guthrie, Vice-President; Rev. H. Stocker, Messrs Tosswill, Henning, Bruce, Hughes, and Wilkin, committee. Tenders were opened for the post of Librarian, and that of Mr W. Sims, at £20 per annum, was accepted. Votes of thanks were passed to the late librarian for his having gratuitously undertaken the duties ef librarian from the expiration of his term to the present date ; to the outgoing Committe ; and to the Rev. 11. Stocker for the great interest he had shown during the past year in the welfare of the Institute. After some discussion as to the advisableness of the step, it was resolved that Justin Aylmer, Esq., Rev. H. Stocker, and Dr. Guthrie be appointed a sub-committee to draw up a list of books, and be authorised to send the amount of £17 to a firm in Melbourne for the purpose, as it was considered that promptitudo in obtaining a supply of new books was of even greater importance than the price. The Mormon elders have met with some success in Christchurch. In the case of ono family (who are all more or less troubled with ill-health) a notion has taken root that polygamy is good for their several and varied complaints; so they have taken wing for the Salt Lake City. We are not in a position to say how papa and mamma came to an amiable understanding on the subject, or how the venerable, but 6eductive, polygamist succeeded with the younger branches of the famil}', but the facts, as we have related them, are perfectly true. It is now, we learn, a settled fact that Mr Ollivier (the " genial") intends to stand as a candidate for the office of Mayor of the City of Christchurch. Mr Ick, we believe, has determined to retire from active public life at the expiration of his term of office.

Sir George Grey is expected to address the electors of Christchurcli on Saturdaynext, and the event is looked forward to with considerable curiosity, the near approach of the session of Pariiament having revived the interest in politics, which rather flagged after the great party conflict that placed the Hall Ministry in power. The throne of the- Czar is still trembling in the balance I The Wellington Wesleyan Mutual Society addressed themselves at a recent meeting, to settle the question " Should the Czar of Kussia abdicate the throne ?" It turned out, however, that the members were equally divided in opinion, so that the unhappy Czar is still left in suspense as to his fate. — Post.