The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 459, 14 December 1880, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14.

The Rev. Father Don'ovant will visit Akaroa in time for next S Hid iy. This is a week before bin ustul lime, but the alteration is caused by the necessity for his remaining in Lyttelton for the festival of Christmis.

A MUKTi.vtJ <>C the Akaro.i U'gattu d>lll mittee was held at lint V.s lintel on I , ri" day evening. Present,—Messrs W. Tosswill (in the chair). Cotton, (ininge G. Wright. C Brown, IJlai-k, Kissef Roberts, McXieol, find D- Gulluio. The mill 11 tea of the previom meeting wore read and confirmed. Mi Grange handed in tlio following subscriptions :—S. Manning and Co, Hi Is ; J. Mating and Co, £1 Is ; Mr J. Coop £1 Is; Mr James Hay, 10s. In reply to a letter from Mr B. L. Owen it was decided to inform him that centre-board boats would he allowed to compote in the yacht race, the centre j board to be sealed either np or down j that the time allowance was twenty-five seconds to the ton, and that partly decked boats would not be eligible lo compete, in the open bout race. Mr Roberts an treasurer reported the progiess of the canvass for subscriptions, which appeared to be going on satisfactorily. Mr Roberts moved the addition of a four oared race to the programme, the prizes to l>e .£8 and £4. Mr Kissel seconded the motion, which was negatived. On the motion of Mr Cotton, it was decided that a. game of 'water polo be added to the programme. ', It was resolved to invite tenders for one 1 publican's booth, and three refreshment stalls. Several matters of detail were 1 arranged, and the meeting adjourned. We have received another comninnica- ' tion from John Sundowner, who it appears '. is at present in the neighbourhood of I Waikouaiti. He is not unmindful of the forthcoming Exhibition, and sends us instructions to procure a prize ami hand it to the secretary on his accoMtit. We need scarcely say that we have hastened I to comply with tbo request of our eccentric friend and ex-contributor, and tin; " Sundowner's prize " will still be an object of interest and competition at the J'orth.coming anniversary. A CIIRISTCHUBCIT correspondent writes as follows : —The Mayoral election being over and the theatrical troupes having departed, wo should be at a loss for new-; were it not for the arrival of Cole's Circus from the North, where it has been reaping a golden harvest. This exhibition arrived in town on Tuesday last, and occupies a prominent position in Knivutt's paddock, opposite " Coker's." On Wednesday it paraded the principal streets, which were thronged with curiosity seekers. Preceded by an excellent band, it started at 10 o'clock, and special interest was shown in the cage of linns with their master. Mr Conklin Colly, seated in their midst. The elephants and dromedaries also drew much attention. The circus, which con tains a great variety of talent is lit up of a night with the electric light; the first, I believe, exhibited in Christchurch. In the well-stocked menagerie may be specially mentioned, the performing lion- , , who are under the control of Mr Conklin who exhibits great temerity in facing these brutes, one of whom recently killed his former master during a .performance in Philadelphia. Among other feats he put his head into the mouth of this same king of tho forest. There are also other Hops, tigers, leopards, snakes, monkeys, and a baboon jockey, who makes his appearance in the ring next week. The rarest animals are the two horned rhinoceros, a yak, from whose hair " yak lace" is made, and an Albino deer. The performances in the ring are of a high character, and the equestrianism of Messrs Hooke, Barclay, and Dale, an-.l the acrobat exerci.se of the company, deserve commendation. Some highly trained stallions exhibited by Mr Organ show a great degree of intellect on their part, and careful training on that of their trainer; and the performing animals under the management of Mr Cooklin show what skill and patience will accomplish. In addition to this entertainment is a side show, consisting of an exhibition of the phonograph, tribe of North American Indians, living skeletons, prestidigitnteur, Lilliputians etc., etc. Altogether Mr Cole is to be congratulated on his wonderful'collection of talent, and I should certainly advise Peninsula friends who can afford the time to see this addition to Chris.mas novelties. The show leaves Christ-church on Thursday or Friday next. Over 4000 persons attended the evening on eac 1 occasion. The new Dog Registration Act comes into force on the first of January nest. Its provisions as to damages oocasioned by dogs are pretty severe, and it will be well for owners of dogs of unani'able dispositions to keep a sharp look-out for their favorites, or the latter may come to grief. Section 1G runs as follows :—'.' If any dog shall on any highway or unenclosed space rush at, attack, or startle any person or a>l3 , horse, catt'e or other animal, whereby the life or limb of any person shall be endangered, or any property be injured or endangered such dog shall be liable to be immediately killed ; and the 1 owner of such dog shall, on convirtini). forfeit and pay a petia'ty nr sum <>f not , more than £b for e\:ry such offence . ' over find above the amount of any damage which such dog shall have occasioned." 1

This annual meeting of the Akaroa Borough Council will be held, pursuant to the Act, to-morrow at noon at the Council offices. The principal business to be transacted will be the Mayor elect (Mr J. D. Garwood) taking his seat.

Tine privileges connected with the Regatta were sold by auction yesteiday by Messrs W. IT. Wood and Co. on the ground.. Three sites for publicans' booths fetched ii'l each, aiul one refreshment stall went for £I. One site was withdrawn. We. observe that a final committee meet-

ing v convened for to-morrow evening, where entries for tiie various events will be received up to 9..'50 p.m. We are glad to learn (hat two yachts, the Dove and thi! Fleetv.i iir are coming from Lyttclion to contest the yacht race. Given fine weather, of which at present there is every prospect, and we anticipate a highly successful gathering.

AsroTUHK brutal murder has been committed in New Zealand. The scene of the crimo this time is the Chathams. The schooner Omaha, which arrived in Lyltelton on Friday,'brought the news of the crime and the murderer. The tragedy occurred on November 19. The mane of the murderer is Wi Wliurupa or Wi.ripa, a well-to-do Native, and one of the chief householders in tb? island, residing at Wnitangi. The victim was his wife, a young white woman. From the account published in the Lytlelton Times we extract (lie following :—" Wi Whar.ip.i's wife was a native of Lyttelton, and her maiden name was Susan Snoswell, niece of Mr Thomas Snoswell, of lI.M. Customs. She went to the Chathams about three years ago'is a domestic servant to one of th« squatters' families, and married Wi Wliarapa about eighteen months ago. She was about twenty years of age ; Wi Wliarapa is about twenty ami was one of the principal men on the island, and very well off. lie was always of a quiet disposition. Jealousy is supposed to be the cause of the crime. From the traces left in the kitchen where the murder was committed, it seems that Wi Wliarapa must have struck his wife on the head several times with a billet of wood, and then taken the (ire-tongs and beaten her head to pieces. Since bis commit.il it is said that be made a confession of the crime in Maori. lie appeared at first to 1)0 in a state of melancholy madness?, but latterly has become quife calm. Since bis confession of. the crime he has been silent about it a'togellier.