Local and General.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 502, 6 May 1881, Page 2

Local and General.

A meeting of the sub-committee appointed for the purpose by the Borough Council was held on Wedneseay evening to consider the tenders for the protective works for the bridges. Five tenders were received, ranging from £29 to £10 10s, at which hitter price the tender of Mr F. Halm was accepted.

The following is a corrected list of the survivors from the wreck of the Tarnrua : —Crew—Robert Lindsay, chief officer ; Peter Maloney, second officer ; Jamca Burnett. A. B. ; Edward Johnson, A. B.; Charles Stewart, A. B. ; Torqiiel Nicholson, A. B.; Franz Danz, A. B.; John Wesfon, A. B.; Thomas Dixon, A. B.; Franz Rohel, fireman ; John Maher, fireman ; Antonio Micallef, chief cook. Passengers—William Hill, steerage ; John Chatterton, steerage ; George Lawrence, steerage ; Henry Deely, steerage ; George Robins, steerage ; Thomas Davis, steerage; John Williams, steuraga ; Gustave Tellien steerage.

A meeting of the Akaroa School Committee was held on Tuesday, the 3rd inst. Present—the Rev. 11. Stocker, Messrs Biuce, Sims, McGregor, Kissel, and Westenra. Correspondence was read from th c Board, stating that J. McGregor had pa-sed his examination in the third order of merit, also confirming Miss Buxton's appointment as mistress, also stating that the Board was prepared to improve the school ground, and requesting information. It was resolved that the Board be requested to erect a new fence, and the Committee arranged to meet on the ground and in spect it. The chairman was instructed to write to the Board and inform them that Mm Nieholls hid been assisting in the school during the absence of a mistress. It was resolved to call tenders for six cords of firewood. The chairman explained that he had taken no steps re compulsory attendance, as he had been unable to obtain a list of children not in attendance. Certain accounts were passed for payment

On Tuesday last the Inspector of Native Schools, Mr J. H. Pope, \isited the Native school at Onuku for the purpose of holding the Annual Inspection. Thirty-two children were presented for examination,* of whom eight were Maoris. At the close of the examination the Inspector declared himself well witiafied with the manner in which the children passed. He promised to recommend the enlargement of the school as the present building is far too small for the nnmber attending.

lleiui Bandhann has apparently not succeeded so well further north as In* did in Dunedm. In Wanganui he lifts appeared in a new character. This is what the local Chronicle has to say about this latest performance :—Yesterday morning Herr Bandmann, the actor, entered the publishing office of the Chronicle in a high state of excitement, and considerably astonished the gentleman in charge by informing him offhand, and without even saying "Good morning," that our critique on Saturday night's performance was a "d d louay article"; that the theatrical advertisement had been placed under Westen's '• d-—d lousy dogs" (Weslon should comb them); that Wangauui waH a " d d lousy town " and a » d d lou-y fraternity." Herr Bandmann, in fact, proceeded to " tear a passion to tatters, to very rags," and was informed that he would be given in charge ii a policeman came in sight. He then left the premises somewhat abruptly. As we said of Herr Bandmann's Hamlet so we say of his foul language : The numerous differences in manner, intonation, and expression between him and other acknowledged masters of the art make it a very difficult matter to form a full judgment on the first performance, and we should have to hear his abuse a second or even a third time before pronouncing a definite opinion as to the full extent of its merits. One point that struck those who heard him in our office was the comparative uieagrenees of his vituperative vocabulary. What he said was both energetic and comprehensive. Westen's dogs and the people of Wanganui were pronounced to be all d d and all infested with vermin, and one or two other powerful ex-

pressions were occasionally thrown in ; but the exhibition on the whole lacked variety, and scarcely equalled the best efforts of a bogged and benighted bul-lock-driver. It must not be forgotten, however, that Herr Bandmann was giving expression to his sentiments in a (to him) foreign language, and his performance in high German—a tongue admirably adapted for the purposes of an infuriated man. and singularly rich in compound invective—might possibly be a more copious and finished production than that to which he kindly treated our publishing clerk. But, though Herr Bandmann labored under the above disadvantage, we can honestly say (again using the words we applied to his Hamlet) that he has evidently made foul language the object of intense and elaborate study, and can give it an artistic expression quite sufficient to lift the actor far above the majority of those who have attmpted the same role. We toler.-vte insolence and blackguardly language from no one, ami at once decline to do any more business with Herr Bandtnann, ami we now decline to criticise any more of his perfoimuices or eccentricities either on the stage or off.

TriE following ia the report of the committee of the Akaroa Library, rend at the annual meeting of subscribers held last Monday:—'-In presenting their sixth annual report, the committee have to state that the total receipts for the past year have amounted to £123 3s 7d, while the expensee have amounted to £112 Is 4d, thus leaving a balance in hand of £11 2s 3d. The subscriptions amount to £40 17s, being an inciease of £6 12s on the previous year. This increase is owing to the interest taken by the librarian in his duties, and the thanks of the committee are due to him. The receipts were swelled by the Government grant of £17 13s 4d, and by a sum of £48 9s, the proceeds of entertainments. The committee have been able to add 85 new works to the Library, and also to paint the building, add new book shelves, and improve the approach. The committee have felt the necessity of reducing expenditure, and hare therefore discontinued the World, Otago Witness, SJcetcher, and London Weekly Tines. The committee have to acknowledge the gift of a tin of kerosene from Mr Garwood. During the year Mr Hughes resigned his heat on the committee, and Mr Westonra was elected in his place.

The late Dr Guthrie was once maintaining the proposition that everything in the world had its use and was good in its placeA gentleman present, knowing that the good Doctor was a firm teetotaller, asked him how he would app y that to whisky. ' Why," said he, " there is nothing like whisky for preserving a man when he is dead ; but, on the other hand, it is one of the worst things in the world for preserving a live man. It kills the living and keeps the dead. t The only trouble is that many of the living don't understand this distinction, and use whisky at the wrong time. They should wait till they ore dead." On the subject of Society Journals, the writer of'• Passing Notes" in the Otago Witness says : —The society journal aims at establishing a reign of terror. No one's private life is safe from offensive allusion, nobody can tell whether himself or his wife and daughters may not figure in some impertinent paragraph, and so a fatal curiosity, I suppose, impels every one to buy a paper. Horsewhips and libel actions naturally make a large figure in a society journalist's experiences. The Sydney Bulletin has been cash in damages of £1000, with thumping costs, for one of its pleasant little paragraphs. A few lessons of this kind, together with an occasional I ducking in a horse pond, will perhaps I bring these literary blackguards to reason.)

The French Government has prohibited the importation of American pork, the alleged ground of prohibition being the presence in the meat of a terrible parasite, called the Trichina spiralis. America immediately retorts by prohibiting the introduction of French wines, on the ground that they are unwholesome. You can't lick Brother Jonathan. Not much,

The s.s. Wanaka, which should have arrived here yeste/day en route for Dunedin, has been detained by southerly weather. She is expected to arrive here about three o'clock this afternoon, and will sail for the south shortly afterwards.

An important decision has lately been given on the relations of banker and customer. At the recent sittings of the Supreme Court at Hokitika, before Mr Justice Gillies, an appeal from ex-Judge Weston's charge to the jury in Hislop v. the National Bank of New Zealand, Limited, was heard. The facts upon which the appeal turned were that Hislop received a remittance from Nelson through the defendant's Bank, payable at Reefton ; that, on applying for payment thereof, the Bank induced him to sign a receipt therefor, and thereupon informed him that they siould hold the money—£ls—against an old acceptance of his which had been made payable at another bank, and had long since been dishonored. In an account which the Bank opened Hislop was credited with the draft, and debited with the overdue bill. Hislop disapproving" drew a cheque for the remittance, and, upon payment being refused, action was raised in the District Court at Reefton for £200 damages. Upon the law, as laid down by the presiding Judge, the jury found for the plaintiff, with damages— £50. Upon the Judge's charge an appeal v;as instituted. After hearing counsel on both sides Mr Justice Gillies said : The case presented no difficulty. The question was : Had the Bank a right to appropirate the amount of the .remittance towards a pre-existing debt ? The Bank had no such right, as it received the money on an obligation to pay as directed by the customers. In this case the customer directed the Bank by the cheque, to pay the amount, and gave no authority to the Bank to debit his account with the amount of the dishonored bill. The ordinary principle of set-off does not apply in the case of banker and customer. The duty of a banker, on receipt of his customer's money, is to pay out such money as th) customer directs. The bill had not been made payable at the bank in question, and, therefore, there was no direction to the banker to pay such bill. The learned Judge's direction to the jury was ri»ht, and the appeal must be dismissed, with costs against t'.ie Bank.

H ; Feililing Guardian tells the following yarn of a man in that township who took his watch to be repaired, it having refused duty:—"After a few days the watch was returned by the man of springs and wheels, when the following colloquy took place: 'She's going all right now I suppose.' Watchmaker—' Oh yes.' Resident—'How much?' Watchmaker-Haifa--crown. Resident—' Very reasonable charge indeed. Wliat was wrong with her V (handing over the utu.) Watchmaker—(pocketing the two-and-six) ' Oh, she only wanted winding up.'"

I Wk have had our attention called to tli state of the ioad over the bridge leadin to William street. It certainly 13 in very bad state, and a few barrow-loads c gravel or shingle would be of great ust nnd would not cost much. We commen the matter to the atention of the Ministe of Public Works in the Borough Council. On Monday morning, at the R.M. Couri Christchurch, before Mr Whiteford, R.M and Messrs Ollivier, Intnan, Leo, am Parker. J.P.s, the adjourned case agains George Hobbs and William Goodwin wa heard. They were charged with gamblini on the racecourse by means of a machin known as tho " Total isator." The infor niation had been laid by Alfred Drake, ; well-known bookmaker, and the actioi was sought to be brought within the mean ing of the Vagrant Act, 1866, sec. 4, whicl lays clown that any one playing at anj game of chance for money in any oper or public place shall be liable to imprison menr, with hard labor, for a period no: exceeding twelve months. Mr Strinqfei appeared for the prosecution ; Mr Joynl for defendants. After the evidence had been heard, the counsel addressed the Court, and Mr Joynt wound up by asking the Bench first to decide whether the machine belonging to Messrs Hobbs and Goodwin had been shown by the evidence to have been worked at all or worked for gambling purposes, and secondly, if the} 7 thought it had been so used, whether the racecourse was an "open or public place " within the meaning of the Vagrant Act. The Benoh reserved judgment till Wednesday, when Mr Whitefoord said that the majority of the Magistrates on the Bench were agreed :—First, that the racecourse is an open or public place withing tho meaning of the Vagrant Act ; but second» that the tobilisator is practically a large open betting book, used voluntarily by the public, is wore of a recording than a gambling machine, and on the present occasion was not used for the purposes of a game of chance, Re fnrt.hor hoped that the complainant won id appeal. The case i was then dismissed. Air Stiinge: , gave notice or his intention to appeal, on the point whether or not the machine had been used for gambling.

Another accident occurred on the Roslyn tramway on Tuesday morning. The sand boxes would not .icr, and the carriage came down at a terrific pace, but the brake lifted the wheels of the car off the rails. Munro, the conductor, and one engineer were slightly hurt.

The deed read at a me ting of the Senatus Academicus of Edinburgh University shows that tie testamentary dispositions of the grand Seer who has just passed away are fully in accord with his life and teachings. Carlyle has bequeathed the estate of Craigenputtock, which came to him through his " late dear magnanimous, much loving, and inestimable wife," to found ten bursaries in his own University. The bursaries are to be open to free com petition of all students at Edinburgh who have not belonged to any other University,' and are to be given "on solemn, strict, and faithful trial to the worthiest." It the claim of two are equal, then preference is to be given to " the more unrecommended and unfriended." Thus the dead hand reaches out help to the poor struggling student, the very class to which Carlyle himself once belonged. The Home paper from which we have clipped the foregoing asks, What can be more beautiful than the closing words of the bequest ?—" And so may a little trace of help to the young heroic soul struggling for what is highest spring from this poor arrangement and bequest. May it run for ever, if it can, as a thread of pure water from the Scottish rock trickling into its little basin by the thirsty wayside for those to whom it veritably belongs. Amen."

The U.S. Postal Guide (according to the N. 2. Times) is quite a curiosity in its way. It contains a list of upwards of 470 advertising firms, to whom payments of money orders and the delivery of registered letters have been prohibited by order of the Postmaster General under authority conferred by statute. Some of these, such as " Professor John Buchanan, M.D.," who trades under four sounding aliases, and confers degrees (?) on aspirants to medical honors are of world-wide notoiiety ; while others, such as the Texan Gift Concert Association, are, as tho Guide naively remarks, " believed to have discontinued business," and so will soon bo forgotton, even by their dupes.

TilE "Intelligent compositor" has a great deal t > answer for, besidos what is put upon his shoulders by unprincipled reporters and sub-editors. Here are a conple of instances where the printer may inadvertently have told more of the truth than it would be prudent for a newspaper to give :—A spurting reporter, describing a race meeting, wrote that *' on tho lawn were several hundred ladiep." Judge of his horror when he found that the '' intelligent" had transmogrified this innocent statement into a libel by describing the fair visitants as several hardened ladies." Again, in the report of a Road Board meeting, the stereotyped phrase " the minutes of the previous meeting," etc., came into the proof-re.ider'rf hands as " the pernicious meeting." The sub-editor thereupon exclftimed :—" Well, I suppose It won't do but the meeting couldn't have been better described."

Wβ have been favored bj' the secretary to the Akaroa Library with the following statement of the number of books in that institution in each departintMit of literature, together with the number taken out in the different classes during the p ist year :— No. of Works Taken out

, Some time ago a case was brought before [ the Akaroa Bench under the compulsory clauses of the Education Act. For the defence it was contended Ih&t the Act only required attendance during half the period during which the school is open, and that this " period "is the school year. Consequently that no offence was proved unless the child had been kept away from school for six consecutive months of the } T ear. However contrary this interpretation may be to the presumed intention of the framers of the ict, we are inclined to think it the only tenable one. The Resident Magistrate of the Maimwatu District has, however, given a contrary decision. In a case brought before him in which the point was raised, he said that, " interpreting clause 89 by 93, he held that the period was a week and not a year."

in Library. Biography ... 62 History ... 60 Science ... 77 Travel ... 139 Poetry ... 35 Fiction ... 710 Miscellaneous . 148 d luring year. 34 49 15 122 20 1959 103 1231 2302