Local and General.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 435, 21 September 1880, Page 2

Local and General.

Elsewhere will be found particulars of several Educational Reserves on the Peninsula, tenders for leasing whloh are invited by the School Commissioners. Tenders will be received up to the 18th of October next.

The first meeting of those interested in racing matters was hold at Mr Brooke's Somerset Hotel, Head of the Bay, on Saturday evening last. A goodly number was in attendance, and a Committee was formed for the purpose of supervising the nest races, to be held at the Head of the Bay. We understand that a second and somewhat more important meeting will be held in about a month's time.

We perceive that the second meeting of creditors in the estate of William Kearney is to he held in the Resident Magistrate's Courthouse to-morrow at 11 a.m. This is the first meeting of the kind held in Akaroa, and although we should in one way much like to think it were to be the last, still we trust in any future cases of local bankrupts the trustees appointed will follow Mr Meech'e example, and cal' it in the locality in which the debts have been contracted, as it must be obvious to all that not only is the convenience of tho creditors consulted by such a step, but moreover a greater restriction is placed upon tho action of the bankrupt.

We are informed on good authority that some persons have lately been turning , rabbits loose on the Penin-ula. Surely such persons must be igtiorent of the fearful destruction which they may be

tho moans of causing. In the southern half of this Island, and in some portions of the North Island, large tracts of country which formerly carried tens of thousands of sheep, have been reduced to a condition of utter barrenness by these pests' which may fairly be compared with the Colorado beetle, or tho Phylloxera. But if pereons disposed to assist in establish-! ing such a nuisance, have no regard for their neighbours' welfare, they probably may have some consideration for their own hide. If so let them be aware that by the Rabbit Nuisance'Act—Any peisona wilfully liberating a rabbit in any part of the colony is liable to six months imprisonment, with or without hard labor, or a penalty of £50. This ought to bo sufficient to moderate the ardor of the most enthusiastic rabbit fancier.

A meeting of tho Little Alcaloft School Committee wa3 held on Saturday the 18th inst. in order to consider the resignation of the Chairman, Mr W. J. Bennett who withdrew it, as it was not sent in in accordance with the Art G9 of the Education Act and also on the grounds that the last meeting was illegal. Ho then proceeded to inform the Committee that Mr Barker was not legally a member of the Committee and had consequently no "'locus stand" as Art 64 of the Education- Act provides that any vacancy caused in a Committee shall be filled by the remaining members of the Committee. He then requestod Mr Barker to withdraw. That gentleman thereupon rose and called the attention of the mooting to the report which recently appeared in the Akakoa Mail about the meeting hold on Sept. 6th. He stated that the reporter had acted in anything but an impartial manner and termed the whole report " a pack of lies." reporter asked to be allowed to reply but tin's vvaj refused. Mr Barker here began a series of recriminiations [in which nearly all the members indulged, but as they were of so personal a character must refrain from reporting them. A scene of confusion lasted for a considerable time and finally Mr 11. Bennett proposed and Mr H. Mclntosh seconded :—" That this meeting adjourn till the advice of the Board could be ascertained on this subject The motion was carried, there being throe against, and three for it, tho Chairman giving his vote in its favor. No notice was taken of Mr Barker's informal vote. Tho meeting here adjourned and Mr Barker and his friends remainod for some time longer in the school after the adjournment, During the month of July, 1880, three deaths of octogenarians occurred in New ZeaLvrid, all of which are accredited to Wellington, namely, a male aged B'd, and another 85, also a woman aged 80. This speaks well for Wellington's favorable influence on longevity. Five septuagenarians died during tho month, one in Wollington, oue in Clnistchurch, and two in Auckland. At a fancy dress ball at Napier the other di\y a civil servant appeared in evening dros?, with patches on knees and elbows, an empty wallet labelled " tan per cent reduction" at his siilo, and placards bearing the woeful legends "economy" ''hard times," at front and rear ; but over his heart was the inspiriting motto " Nil Disperandum !"