Local and General.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 511, 7 June 1881, Page 2

Local and General.

A sncciAL, meeting of the Akaroa Borough Council was held last night in connection with the letting of the Council's Ashburton reserves. His Worship the Mayor and all the Councillors, with the exception of Crs Snnckoll and Gutberlet were present. The Council went intn Committee, and after a long discussion on resuming resolved to send Cr Black as a delegate to Ashburton to communicate with the Council's Agent, with a view of submitting them for lease by public tender, as required by the Municipal Corporations Act.

From the Irish Times we learn the Kev_ W. 11, Cooper, formerly of Akaroa, has been lecturing in the Old Ccuntry on Australia, with special reference to mission work. The following is a cop} 7 of the rev. gentleman's announcement: —•'• itev. W. Henry Cooper, F.K.GJS., chaplain and commissary to the Bishop of Grafton and Arinidale, New South Wales, will deliver a lecture on ' The Great Island Continent, with special reference to Mission Work in Australia. The lecturer will exhibit, by means of a dissolving view apparatus and oxy-calciuui light, his magnificent collection of original views of Australian scenery, illustrating his personal experiences of colonial manners and customs, gold mining in the Australian Alps, and life in the Bush ; concluding with viewson the voyage Home i'ro.ii Sydney to London, via Suez Canal, by one of the Orient Company'n steamers. N.B.—lnformati'jn to intending , emigrants will be given at tho close of the lecture. A collection will bo made in aid of the funds of the diocese of GiaJ'k , :; and Armidale."

A correspondent sends us a report Mr Montgomery's meeting at Okain's Bay. The communication partakes now somewhat of the character of what .our northern neighbors , call piper's news. It appears that after the honorable gentleman's address, a sort of discussion ensued about fencing, the Summit road, and the respective merits of County Councils and Road Boards. The meeting concluded with a vote of confidence. Might we suggest to our correspondents that they would greatly enhance the value of their communications by forwarding them promptly. Regarding the population of Australasia the following census returns for the Colonies are published in tho Melbourne Argus: —

In the order of percentage increase the Coloaies are placed thus :—New Zealand, 90 per cent.; South Australia, 49 per cent.; New South Walee, 48 per cent.; Victoria, 17 per cent.; Tasmania, 1G per cent. A lady and gentleman with considerable means and no occupation (says " iEgles," in the Australasian) found a short time ago (or rather the lady did) that their house did not suit them. So they resolved to sell it, and purchase ono better adapted to their wants. As a first step an auctioneer was called in, and the sale of their house was entrusted to him, A few days after Mrs It., looking over the paper, exclaimed with delight that there was an advertisement of a house for sale, the very thing she wanted. So a visit was at once paid to the advertiser, in order to obtain a card to view, and particulars of price and terms. Mrs R. was for the moment taken aback to find that the advertisement related to her own mansion, skilfully elaborated as a Mo.bourne auctioneer can.

Mb Montgomery has been addressing his constituents in different parts of the district. At each place the honorable gentleman has been cordially received and a vote of confidence in him has been passed. He was in Pigeon Bay on Fiiday ever ing last, and the chair was occupied by Mr Jas. Hay. In his speech Mr Montgomery treated upon the points which we have already reported on, though at somewhat greater length. In answer to questions, the speaker said that all salaries had been affected by the tenper cent reduction , that secondary education had been provided for by moans of land reservs in the Province of Otago, Canterbury, and Auckland, ,-md the colleges received nothing from the Government. He wotiid like to see the Bible taught in schools. At pro scut there was nothing to prevent it, though it was not obligator}' on teachers. When teachers were unwilling, surely some men or women could be found to devote half-an-hour to the purpose. It' a Bill were brought in for the ondowment os local bodies, it should have his suppor. He considered the Property Tax a necessity, but was opposed to taxing machinery and farm implements. With reference to the County Council and the Road Boards Mr Montgomery explained that it rusted with the ratepayers whether tho whole work of making and conserving roads should devolve upon the Council or be left in tho hands of the Boards. Mr PiLcaithley moved a vote of confidence in their member which was seconded by Mr LI. Finnston and carried with acclamation. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.

The Court appointed to enquire as to the cause of the wreck of the Turama gave their decision on Friday morning. They found that the wreck was primarily caused through the failure of the Master. Captain Garrard, to ascertain the correct position of his ship ; thai the course being an inshore one was improper ; that the immediate cuise of the wreck was the negligent failure of the A.13. seaman, Western, to keep a proper look-out, for had a proper look-out been kept, the broken water must have been observed some minutes before the vessel struck, probably in sufficient time to avert the danger, that the captain committed an error of judgment in not placing the passengers in the boats directly the vessel struck. That many lives would have been saved if life belts had been available for thr> use of the passengers and crew. That the first officer was to blame for his lack of skill in the management of his boat, the loss of which the Court believed might have be?n avoided. The officers' certificates were returned and the Court expressed its intention to make the following recommendations to the Government:—l. Considering the number of vessels that have been stranded on or near this point (about ten in number), the necessity ot a light in the neighborhood to render navigation safe, is urgent. It should bo made a regulation under the Shipping and Seannans Act, 1877, that passenger vessels trading in New Zealand waters .should cany life belts for the maximum num'"t.'r of passengers and crow tii vt din.-h vessels arc ontilled to carry at sea. A regulation shoud also be made compel ing excrci.se in the management of the boats at stated intervals.

Population. 1871. , 1881. Increase' New South Walesi503,900 New Zealand ... "250,300 Victoria 731,500 South Anstralaia 186,000 Tasmania... ,. 99,300 750.800 246,000 489.500 233,200 855.500 124,000 277,500 1)1,500 115.G0C 16.300