Local and General.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 443, 19 October 1880, Page 2

Local and General.

Wβ-observe that a meeting of those interested in getting up a regatta is convened for FrHay evening at Bruce's Hotel We hope to sec a numerous attendance, as there is no time to be lost if Akaroa is not content to let its hitherto successful annual gathering die a natural death.

An infant child named Green died somewhat suddenly at the Head of the Bay on Saturday last. Aβ no medical man was in attendance, it became necessary to hold an inquest, which took place yesterday. A report of the proceedings appears in another column.

By advertisement appearing olsewhero it will be seen that Mr S. Lee, the enterprising proprietor of the line of coaches running between Christchurcli and Akaroa, offers special inducements for excursionists during tlie ensuing summer months. Hβ hits reduced the fares by those conveyances by about one-half. Wβ hope this plucky speculation may result in a large accession of business. If Mr Leo ie reWarded for his enterprise, the increased influx of visitors cannot fail to benefit the community generally, and cause further circulation of the " needful " amongst us.

Wβ hope our readers will not forget the dramatic and musical entertainment which is to take place thig evening at Barry's Bay. In the first place, the object for which it is got up—tho relief of the indigent—is one that should commend itself for support to everyone. Besides this, we feel assured that all present will get their moneys worth in the shape of a good hearty laugh. Wβ have had the privilege of witnessing some of the rehearsals, and can safely say that the pieces chosen are laughable in the extreme—that the actors aro thoroughly familiar with their parts, and that they enter into the spirit of them thoroughly. Some good music, vocal and instrumental, will, we understand, be given botween-whiles, and altogether we hope to ccc a bumper house.

Oun correspondent from Pigeon Bay writea as follows: —A body ef excursionists, brought from Port Lyttelton in two steamers, and consisting, I believe, of workers at tho Kaiapoi Woollen Factory, landed at the jetty about 11 a.m. last Thursday, and marched to the sound of music to the Head of the Bay, where they pitched their tent. Apparently they had laado no provision in the way of securing recreation ground, for they spent the day on the road and foreshore between tho school and the bridge over the creek. I fancied (he}' might have advised some of their friunds in the Bay of their coming and procured a suitable place to enjoy themselves in. However, notwithstanding the light occasional showers which occurred, the excursionists and friends tlipy met here seemed to enjoy themselves, for they tried tho virtue of tripping along on the '• light fantastic toe " as well as what might be in exhibiting their lightness of foot. Several races were run by various classes, young and old, married and single, and then prizes of different values were awarded to the successful competitors. I observed a sprinkling of Good Templars among the visitors, though in spite of the absence of public-houses here I could notswear to their being—all of them—very good Good Templars. About 3 o'clock thf>y struck their tent end marched back to the jetty, while the strains discoursed by a brass band in attendance helped to regulate their step. After the whole company (said to be about 000) had embarked, the s.K., and her consort steamed away, and I trust landed them safely in Port, and that they had a pleasant journey the rest of the way home.

Skvkhal ducklings appear to have met with an untimely end lately. A number of the mortal remains of these little innocents " might have been seen " any time within the past few days, strewing the roadway in Jollie-street. On enquiry we learn that no new epidemic has broken out among poultry, but that the destruction of the birds in question has been brought about through their predatory disposition, and their habit of trespassing in neighbors' gardens. Owners of poultry would do well to take the hint, and keep their chickens at home.

What causes sign-writers to have such a passion for the apostrophe ? Iβ it because,like Traddle's skcletons,it is " easy to draw"? A short time since we saw on a local sign the words "Auctioneer's and Commission Agent's." Happily for the peace of irind of those who would have had to pass it frequently, this was rectified before completion, and ordinary English substituted. The irresistible apostrophe, however, has broken out in a fresh place, and one of our local hostelries ie emblazoned with the legend—" Livery and Bait Stable's." Ordinary mortals are left to puzzle out fer themselves what belongs to the " stable " in question.

During a speech on the question of the education expenditure, the Hon. Mr Waterhouse, M.L.C., referring to the army o£ teachers in the colony, said :—" Wo have 1773 te&chers scattered throughout the country—people of intelligence and weight in the community in which they live. If they were united, they would decide an ejection in the country. Parliament and Government are at their mercy, and there is nothing to counterbalance them in the shape of private institution;,.'

A Southeun contemporary says : —•" The two boye aamed Tozor. who were coinmilted by Mr Beelham the other day for larrikinism to the Burnham Industrial School, managed to effect their escape very soon after their admission to the institution. A hunt for the fugitives took place immediately their absence was known aiH they were captured on Tuesday at Kakaia, from whence they were despatched by the 1 a.m. daily train back to the school." We may state that these are the two ferocious ruffians, aged four and nine respectively,whose father made an exhibition of himself a few weeks ago, and on whose case we commented. Wβ should imagine that if their escape was known the whole country round about must have been in a state of terror till a sufficient force of bearded constables had been set upon their track. Tub Oamaru publicans have now placards in their bars with the words "All spirits sold here adulterated with water." This is a good move in the rigUt direction, and I ("Frank Fudge") quite agree with the remarks of tho NortJi Ofas/o Times on the subject. The paper in question cays: —Nothing could be more honcet than this, more profitable to the publican, and less injurious to the imbiber. Wβ are rapidly drifting in the direction of total abstinence from everything but water. By and bye we may have the pleasure of seeing placards in the hotel bars, bearing the legend, "All water sold here unadulterated with spirits." A pobtkr on the Waikato railway hae been promoted to the post of station master. In the former capacity he had 42s a-week ; in the latter he gets £90 a-year If ever there was " promotion with a vengeance " this is an instance of it