Local and General.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 452, 19 November 1880, Page 2

Local and General.

A human skull and some bones have been found by some children in an out-of-

lie-way spot a considerable distance up

the Grehan Valley. We have not been able to gather any exact information as to the remains, no one but the children

having visited the spot as yet. They have certainly been exposed for a long time.

Tub nomination for the office of Mayor of Akaroa took place on Tuesday. Unlike former occasions, this one was marked by a total absence of excitement, or even interest. During the forenoon it was known that a requisition had been pre s-ented to Mr J. D. Garwood, and that that gentleman had consented to allow himself to be nominated. The intelligence seemed to 6e generally accepted with satisfaction. No other candidate having been nominated, tliH Returning Officer declared Mr Garwood duly elected. In another column appear some remarks from our correspondent ** Asbestos" on the subject which, although appealing tho day after the fail, we thought it best to let stand. We fancy the "--election made will meet with the approval of most of the burgesses, though it would have been a healthy sign to have, seen a little more interest shown in the

matter.

The following letter from the.Public Works Department to our representative in answer to one in which he has been enquiring as to the progress of the Akaroa railway, has been handed to us for publication :—" Public Works Office, Wellington, N.Z., Nov. 10, 1880.—Sir,—I am directed by the Minister for Public Works to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, and to state that the platelaying contract for the first four miles will be finished in January, and the question as to its extension will not be lost sight of.—l am, etc., J. Knowles, Under-Secretary for Public Works. To W. Montgomery, Esq., M.11.R.. ChristchurL-h."

On Monday evening tho Rev. H Williams, of Trinity Church Christchurch, preached an impressive sermon from St. John iii IG, in the Congregational church, Le B -n's Bay. The church was crowdt-d t and the service was much appreciated. The congregation have proposed to enlarge the present church and replace the shingle roof by an iron one, and effect necessary repairs. The congregation on Monday proved the necessity for the alteration.

In scanning the prize lists of the late Metropolitan Show we find that Mr T. B. Mould, Head of the Baj', Akaroa, has secured a first and second prize in pigs Tho first was for the Berkshire boar under six months, and the second for the best boar of any breed of the same age. hi shorthorn cattle, under tho class "bull of any age," Messrs Hay Bros.' Lord Lovel was commended.

The children attending the Congregational Sunday-school in Akaroa had a treat on Wednesday at Mr Burns'. The good things remaining over from the tea-meet-ing held on tho previous CA*ening were disposed of with astonishing rapidity by the youngsters, avlio also enjoyed themselves by means of various games and sports provided for their amusement, and separated highly delighted with their treat.

TIIE following are the particulars to hand so far of the great boat race between Trickett and Hanlan. The former was heavily backed tnroughout Australia, though Hanlan appears to have been the favorite at home. The race took place on Monday last, and is thus described by telegram :—The race between Edward Hanlan, Toronto, Canada, and Edward Trickett, of Sydney, New South Wales, for £200 aside, the Championship of the World, and the S2)ortsma>i's Challenge Cup, took place to-day on the Thames over the usual course between Putney and Molilalia. Great interest was taken in the r ace, and the attendance of the pub ie was enormous ; croAvds lined the banks of the river along tho course. The betting at the start was greatly in favour of Hanlan, avlio Avaa in splendid form. The two men went off with a good start in smooth water, Hanlan commencing with 28 and Trickett 34 strokes to tho minute ; they kept together for half a mile pulling evenly, but at Crab tree corner Hanlan took the lead and got clean away from Trickett. Avho was unable to recover his lost ground, despite the great efforts Avhich he made. At Hammersmith Hanlan increased his advantage, and thencofonvard dreAV away from Trickett Avhcnever he approached} playing with him in fact for the last three miles, and coming in an easy winner by fully two lengths. Time—26min. Pisces. Hanlan was enthusiastically cheered at the

finish

THE Lynch Family of Bellringers arrived at Christchurch on Wednesday, after-a most successful tour. Unfortunately the bad weather which has prevailed during their trip has totally incapacitated one of the family (Mr William Lynch) from appearing in public for some time, as he has caught cold, which has brought on congestion on the lungs so seriously that the services of Dr McCarthy of Rangiora, have been called in, and the invalid will remain under his roof until

his recovery