Local and General.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 447, 2 November 1880, Page 2

Local and General.

In ano.tl)er cnlnnin appears the programme of the rirumatic entertainment to

lie given by our local amateurs on Friday evening. We think our readers will agree with us that a very attractive bill of fare

has been provided. As will be seen,several of the performers will make their first bow to an Akaroa audience on this occasion Rehearsing has been going on most indus-

iously, and we have every confidence

that the performance will go off smoothly. An original dramatic sketch will be given. Very little has been allowed to transpire as to the nature of this piece, but from what has leaked out we should be inclined to imagine that it will prove intensely provocative of laughteK The musical portion ot' the entertainment will be provided for by Mr J. M. Wood and his usual coadjutors ; but their services will be supple-

nented by two gentlemen new to Akaroa,

Mr G. Martin, professor of muoic from Dunedin, now on a visit to Akaroa, has

kindly consented to assist. He will play on the saxipljone, a new instrument of great power and sweetness, His son, Mr C. Martin, will also assist with the cornet.

Altogether, we anticipate a trent of a high order for those who attend,and hope to see a crowded house. As on previous occasion, the procoeds will be devoted to the Akaroa Library. There will bo moonlight till about eleven o'clock.

An entertainment was given by the A.O.F. lodge in Little Akaloa on Thursday last, and although tne weather was propitious not many took advantage of it.

The dancing was kept up till morning am altogether the affair might be considcrei a success. The catering of Mr Mclntos! gave every satisfaction.

Br advertisement which appears elsewhere it will be seen that the U.iS.S. Company announce an excursion trip from Akaroa to Cliristchurch on the occasion of the cattle show and racea. A steamer will leave here early on (he morning of the 9th November, returning on the following Thursday, the 11th. lleturn tickets'will be issued nt an exceedingly low rate, which appears in the advertisement. The Okain's Road Board are on the Avar path. They have resolved to summons a due portion of defaulting ratepayers in each of the bays under their jurisdiction. A plan was formerly in existence of choosing these victims by lot, but on this occasion the first five names on the roll for each district are to be chosen. Aa the roll is alphabetically arranged, it is evident that the lucky men .vhose namee begin with X, V, Z, can feel guile e«sy, while the unfortunate A, B, C's will have to mind their P's and Q's, tor the collector will no doubt be quite D. E. F. to appeal from any person who, in answer to an enquiry about his name, can at least answer M or N. Messrs Wood and Co. announce thai they will hold a cattle sale at Mr Shadbolt's yards, Head of the Bay, on Thursday nexi Nov. 4. The Akaroa nnd Wainui Eoad Board announce their intention «f striking a rate for the year ending 31st March next. The meeting at which the rate is to be strueli will be held on Nov. 24, and the ratebook is open for inspection at the lioad Board office. After two days' trial Ned Kelly has been found guilty of the charges made againet him, and sentence of death has been paesod. There was no witness foi the defence. From Sydney we learn that Mr Simonsen starts for New Zealand with his new English and Italian Opera Company in about two months, after playing in Melbourne. The company will be half Italian and half English, so as to appear on alternate nights. The two best tenors in Australia — l'uhmdini for Italian and Branchi for English—have been engaged ac principals. All the leading people will bo good, and tlio chorus small, but lirst-class. The company start from the Bind', an.-J work their way northwards.

Mr J. S. Willcox, one of the oldest and most respected residents in Lyttelton, was found sitting in a chair in liis office at seven o'clock on Friday evening dead Death ia supposed to have been caused by disease of the heart.

A meeting of the Okain's Bay School Committee was field on Wednesday evening the 27th ult. Present—Messrs Moore (Chairman), E. W. Harris, J. B. James, \V. Pkobinson. F. Priest, and J. Moore. The minutes and accounts of the previous meeting having been confirmed, a letter was read from the Secretary to the Board of Education, re the letting of schoolroom for other than school purposes ; also one from Mr Montgomery, M.H.R., enclosing cheque for three to be used for the purchase of school prizes. It was proposed by Mr Harris, and seconded by Mr Robinson, that the Secretary write to Mr Montgomery, thanking him fur hi;* kindness in forwarding cheque. Tl.is motion was unanimously agreed to. It

was resolved to forthwith invite tende for the keeping of the school premises order; also to stud the school clock

Town for repairs

Wi! learn that Air P. Callajrh.in,while on his way to attend a meeting of the Okain's Road Board last Saturday, was throvn from his horse. The animal was a young one, and shied on passing a goat-cart. Failing to release his foot from the stirrup, Mr Callaglinn was dragged some yards, and received two kicks. Fortunate'y though severely bruised, Mr Callaghan did not sustain any serious injury. Ho was carried into Mr Ware's house.

Ie undertaking ever} , success

The Little Akaloa School Committee held another meeting on Saturday. Correspondence from the Board of Education was read, informing the Committee Mint the election of Mr Barker was null and void, and that at the meetings at which he had been present the proceedings were inoperative. The Board distinctly stated that a new member must be elected, and after that proceeding the resignation of Mr Bennett as Chairman should be discussed ; the Board was also of opinion that under the circumstances Mr Bennett should be allowed to withdraw his resign:. - nation. Three of the members and the Secretary refused to allow Mr Bennett to vote in the election of a new member, and appointed another Chairman before the discussion of Mr Bennett's resignation had taken place. Mr G. Bennett was elected Chairman, and the vacancy on the Committee filled by Mr Barker. Previous to this proceeding, however, three members voted for, and three against, the slection of Mr G. Bennett to the chair, the Secretary giving a casting vote. (Tho Secretary is not a member of the Committee, but its paid servant.) The members of this committee then proceeded to discuss Mr J. W. Bennett's resignation which they accepted, that gentleman being entirely ignored and not being allowed during the Avhole evening to vote either as a chairman or committee man. Some school business was then ventilated and among other things two new brooms were ordered to be procured for the cleaning of the school. A letter was read from the schoolmaster asking the Committee to forward to the Board .in application from him to permit the House provided for his use to be inhabited by Mr J. W. Bennett, and asking the Board for their sanction. Tho question waa referred to the Board and the Secretary instructed to request Mr J. W. Bennett to 'cave the house or apologise to the Committee for inhabiting it without t!io sanction of the Committee. Some ordinary routine business was also transacted and the meeting adjourned at 11.30 p.m.

The Me< h uiies' Institute, Tiinaiu, valued at £3000 was totally destroyed by fire on Friday night. The iiro broke out shortly after 10 o'clock ; in a few minute? the whole building was in flames, and by H o'clock it was destroyed. Part of it was of old dry wood. All tlie books and furniture were saved. The church of England bazaar nuthorites bad luc'iy cleared all the balance of their goods out, except about £20 worth. There is no clue as to the origin of the fire, which broke out in the back, or stage part, which was locked up at 7 p.m. Several adjoining buildings were in great danger for some time, but the Court-hous-o next doer, being of concrete did not suffer.

To-mokkow the burgesses will once more he called upon to nominate some one to fill the long standing vacancy in the Borough Council. As we have pointed out in another column some most important questions must be decided shortly, and it behoves the ratepayers to shake off their apathy, and find somo " good man and true" to watch over their interests in the

Council

Wk understand that a inuvt-luciiL is on foot to resuscitate the drum and fife band which Akaroa once boasted of. If suecesefnl, it is intended then to go further and inaugurate a brass band. Wo wish