BROUGHT INTO FOCUS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 446, 29 October 1880, Page 2

BROUGHT INTO FOCUS.

(Contributed to the Akaroa Mail.)

The warning note sounded by R. Straw with regard to drainage should be at once responded to by tho Borough Council. R. S. has wired in opportunely, for the season is fast coming upon us when neglect in this matter may do irreparable mischief to the sanitary reputation of Akaroa. Once let typhoid or scarlet fever, diphtheria or dysentery, or any similar outcome of bad sewerage or filth, gain a hold in our midst, and farewell to all hopes of our pretty sea-side settlement being annually recouped by visitors in search of rest and health ; farewell to its ever being, as predicted, the Brighton or Weston-super-Mare of the Middle Island. The reputation of Akaroa as a pleasant, healthy, sea-side summer resort is of infinite value not only to the inhabitants themselves but to numbers outside it. To keep this pure and unsullied by even the breath of suspicion, 0 councillors! is your bounden duty—morally, socinlly, and economically. There are few other channels to look to now for the influx of foreign capital in our midst than that of an annual and ever-increasing visiting population. Remember, none but a very dirty bird befouls its own nest ; and, my sage owls—for you only come out in the night time, you know—keep yours clean, even if you do object to light. I have my doubts, though, about the futility of interring councillors in any drain ; in fact, there are a few of that august body who would positively wither away if debarred from access to one whenever they wished it.

One more word, my B.C.'s. Beware how you saddle yourselves and your burghists with a white elephant, in the shape of the wharves, without mature consideration. An old wharf is something like an old watch, or an nneient boat—it always wants tinkering. Before you take them over, let them at any rate be put in thorough repair. Weigh well the advantages to be presumably gained by their acquisition, with the probably increasing demands for expenditure in their maintenance. I doubt but the latter will be monstrously in excess of the former.

" Love me, love my clog " is an old ' saying. It is also a very absurd one, and positively too much to expect. I have, in my youth, loved with an all-, consuming and temporarily fervent passion quite a number of young persons (female), but I never could raise any corresponding seatiment towards their attendant Flossies or Fidos, or whatever the little beasts were called. The spirit of the saying, however, is inherent in us all, and we are too prone to take offence when we hoar of an insult offered to, say, our thirty-first cousin's mother-in-law's great niece's second cousin, twice removed. The family honour—or what serves for it —has been hurt, and we hunt the offender to justice with remorseless energy. I am driven to these reflections by an incident, before which the Corsican vendetta facks asyay as insignificant and puerile, and the ties oi blood and kindred are shown to be stronger than the least distilled water This is how it came about. The O'Glynahan's daughter having married a young Italian named Patrick Donergan, went to reside with her husband in a small cabin adjoining the estate of one O'Moiragan, and separated therefrom by an old but unused road. Now, there was much trouble among the people just then, on account of the vagaries of sin Individual who was nicknamed " Skower/' from his propensity for " running i:i" cattle, etc., found prazing on the roads ; and Donergan, in order to guard the family pig— o, wedding present from his uncle—from a similar fate, erected a fence across the old road alluded to. No sooner, however, was this clone than the sons of O'Moiragan chopped the fence clown. Donergan put it up again, and the O'Moiragans pulled it down again, 'md so on. It was a kind of European To Whiti and the A.C. comedy over again, and was becoming quite sultry and exciting on both sides. A friend of mine met old O'Moiragan the other day and remonstrated with him, and the old man allowed that he didn't want the road, and that the fencing across it didn't signify a button ; " but," said he, " it's just this, son , : sorra a word have I agen .Donergan, save that he married ould O'Glynahan's girl." My friend looked perplexed, and queried : " Well ? " " Well, don't you see, O'Glynahnn wonst had a bit of a row at the coort wid Bill Funacre." " Yes/ said ivy friend ;

" but what of that ? " " Oh, bedad 1" said old O'Moiragan, "its moighty slow ye are, when its as clear as mud : isn't Bill Fun acre own sister's son to me father's second wife's brother-in-law's second cousin on the mother's side ? Bad luck to yez, do yez see it now, sorr?" And that's how the fence came to be interfered with. Show me the Corsican who can beat that for hereditary feud and vengeance. Ah, " 'tis pity, and pity 'tis, 'tis true !"

So old John Beecher is to the fore again ! Here's luck to him ! He is move in his element there than attending to the worshippers of Lacchus behind a bar. His customers wouldn't be so much offended now if he invites them, in his mm itable way, "to take a backseat" now and then, and he c<m give the " reins to his fancy " when lie pleases without " over-riding" other people. There will be no " rattling of bones " among his well-cared-for steeds, you may depend upon it ; nor need he " shout" for anyone but the hostler. In his management he never will be a " nipper," and the last thing he will do will be to tell his patrons to " clear out." The only " bob in " he will indulge in will be bobbin' around about to see that every thing is spick and span, neat and clean, as why shouldn't it be, when lie will of course have a " private broom " of his own. He will be responsible to no policeman for his '•' hacks," need never be " driven" unless he likes, nor be under a nobbler-gation to any one. N.B.—The thought of his happiness is too much for me ; I fear I have written somewhat incoherently. My head is getting rather hot.

I hear that the Maoris at Ikeraki are inconsolable at the loss of their whale. My informant adds that they held a '•' tangi " on the following day, and it 's S'mewliat comforting to learn that the wail they had on shore was even, greater than the ono which was carried away. I can only suppose that they were determined to have their blubber at all costs. Seriously speaking, I think whaling might be more taken up as a means of occupation than it is at present amongst us, and recommend the idea to the unemployed. The expense would be small, one prize would amply repay, and at any rate it would be better than loafing or living on charity.

It is good news that J. D. Garwood now figures among our Borough magnates. Better late than never, and that gontlonifiii has set an example which, it is to be hoped, others of his stamp and position will follow. We shall then feel that respect for the Council which an Institution of its nature has a right to demand, and shall value the presence among us of such a body as it would be under these altered conditions. No disrespect, mind, is meant to those who are now serving, or have served in it, they have doubtless done their best according to their lights ; but in times,and under the peculiarly exciting circumstances, financial and otherwise, of the Borough of Akaroa, we essentially want tried, practical, business men at the head of affairs. Mr J. D. Garwood's accession to office will be hailed by all with a feeling of gratification, and a renewed sense of security and reliance in our borough management. I can only hope that a few others will mako w:iy, when the time comes, for as good men and true. It is high time that tlio Borough Council should cease to be a mere vestry—an object of scorn and ridicule—and should stand out preeminently as a body worthy of confidence and esteem, an ever-present benefit to the community. With regard to my friend Greacen Blade, if he can but steer the municipal craft as well as he can the " Venture," and show the same sterling qualities as councillor that he does as amateur sailor and honafide .citizen, he'll do. More power to his elbow !

ASBESTOS.