The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, JULY 1.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 518, 1 July 1881, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, JULY 1.

Mow the Licensing question strikes different p> oplo will be seen from the debate in 'Committee qn the Licensing Bill. Sir William tfox said that he bad been told by a publican, of 10 years experience that a profit of 400 per rent was not uncommon in the business. Mr Lunden s-aid that he was proprietor of «a house in tin outbj ing district, and had to pay a tenant to keep it open.

Tub Asliburlon Guardian of Saturday says:—The cry is. " still they come." The latest addition to the local knights of the ha Minor is Mr Joseph Ivess, the wellknown and enterprising newspaper proprietor, formerly owner of the Asliburton Mail, who notifies that he will commence selling on the Ist July. We wish our old townsman full success in. his new undertaking, and are glad that we are not going to lose so good a citizen.

Wk have received a pamplilot bearing llic tit o of " Land Ho ! " published liy 11. L. Diivis, Lyttelton. It purports to l>o a conversation on the results of the adoption of the. system of nationalizing the land of New Zealand, held between a grandson and his grandfather in the year 1933. one bundled years alter the adoption of the system. The view of the land question taken is that the land is the property of the Hate and that (he rents should be applied to take the place of taxation. The tract is well written and the dialogue fairly sustained.

The person brought up here on a charge of burglary last Tuesday, nnd delighting in the rather high-sounding name of George AugustusSchinidt, is not altogether unknown to the police. He is just out of gaol, having served a sentence of nine months for obtaining , goods under false pretences, and prior to that had the honor of serving Her Majesty for two years in connection with some mistake as to the ownership of property. The accused is a blacksmith by trade, and is well known on the Peninsula, having worked at his trade here some years ago. His idea of seeking the seclusion that a hospit >1 grants was not a bad one. and all but threw the police off the scent.

The following very pertinent remarks were made by the lion Mr Waterbouse, when moving for a return of all females tmined at the National Schools, showing those now teaching and those engaged in other pursuits. He said that every female who became a teacher co it the country £200 for her training. This opens up a question of considerable importance. From the nature of things it cannot be expected that female teachers will remain engaged in Ihe public schools for more than a very few , years after they are qualified, unless ihey become the wives of schoolmasters. It netitis J hardly fair that under such circumstances the country should be called upon to meet the cost of their training.

On Tuesday afternoon a heavy sea commenced breaking on all the beaches round the harbor and wharves—what is locally termed a range. Opinion differs as to the cause of the heavy swell in the harbor • some of the older salts will not hear of any other cause than the result of a heavy gale to the south, which has, as far a 8 the wind part of it goes, blown past the Peninsula, and we now feel the result in the fetch of the sea. Others are of opinion that the unusual motion of the waters is the result ol' earthquake motion) probably from th t of Sunday morning, as the flow of the tides has for the past few days resembled those on the occasion of the Inst tidal wave pome three years ago when Iquique was laid in ruins. We should not be in the least surprised to hear oi some great earthquake disaster in South America, or extraordinary tidal commotions on its western coast, the tesult of exttn. tidal influences in mid Pacific Whatever may be the exciting cause, the local results have been rather inconvenient. The s.s. Pioneer on Tuesday altcruoon was unable to land her passengers at the Wainui wharf, and they huil to find their way home from Teakou's Bay. Whiit might have been a very .-erious accident took place on that nde of the harbor on the sr.rne evening. '[ w>) sons of Mr D Kennedy and a friend started for home in the evening in a whale I oat •, when near the Wainui jetty they saw that landing there was impossible, and consequently tried to reach the s-hore at the island forming part of the Pilot E.'serve. When about two chains off the beach the boat was upset, throwing its occupants into the water. After a severe scramble they succeeded in reaching the shore. One of the Kennedys waa severely cut about the head, at.d the other's arm was severely injured. At iirst it was thought to be broken, hut such turned out not to be the case. All the party.were much exhausted, but after a few days' rest we hear they are now progressing towards recovery. The boat has been completely smashed up. The uuuniial wave moliuii still to some extant continues, but seems gradually abating. {Since writing tho above we hear that the p.s. Titan, about noon on Wednesday lust, while alongside the Pigeon Bay wharf, encountered a tidal wave of from 10 to 12 feet high, which parted her moorings and landed her on the bivmh. As the tide was llowing the steamer was got off without any (Juuwige.

A gkntleman , of experience informs us that a never failing receipt for curing smill skins of any kind is to wash them with a solution of one part of spirits of salts to six parts of water.

The A-Mmrton Licensing Bench have refused Robert Little, late of the Tai Tapu Hotel, in tht'is county, a license for the Hindhope Hotel, Hinds. The police objected to the renewal of the license on the ground that bis house was badly conducted, and that he had been twice convicted under the Licensing Act, and bad also been convicted of using abusive language. In the last case it will be remembered Mr Cbichester, late of Little Akaioa, was the prosecutor.

An entertainment of a very successful nature took place in the Kobinson's Bay Schoolroom on Tuesday evening last, Mr Spun , , the teacher of the school, and bis pupils were the principal performers, assisted by Mr 11. Billens, from Akaroa, and J. Barker, of Little Akaloa. The room was full, and the audience much pleased with the performers, and afterwards adjourned for a danco, which was kept up till an early hour.

A meeting of the Akaroa Wharf Committee took place on Wednesday evnieng in the Council Chambers. All the members were present, and His Worship occupied the chair. A tender for lighting the Wharf lamp for twelve months was received from 11. Burke and accepted. The Committee, after transacting a large amount of business, a report of which will bo submitted to the Council at its next meeting, adjourned.

The Gazette of 23rd June contains a notice restricting the shooting of pheasants to the County of Akaroa alone, and fixing the dates during which cock pheas. ants may be taken or killed within the County, to be from the 19th day of May last, to the 30th day of July next," both inclusive, and that licenses for the same will bo issued by the Secretary of the Acclimatisation Society, Clnistchurch, on payment of £1 each.

As indicating the determine tion of our Peninsula landowners to utilise their properties by the rearing of sheep, and the growth of wool, finding this no more profitable than the grazing of cattle, we may mention that the Messrs Masefield Bros, ere having a large and substantial wool-shed erected on their property in Gough's Bay, and we understand it is Mr Daly's intention to build a large shed on liis Waikerakikari estate before next shearing season. A communication has be 'ii from the member for the di. Lrk-t, id.lrecsed to His Worship the Mayor, as chairman c" the joint committees of the County and Borough Councils, on the subject of Hospitals and Chaiitable Institutions. Mr Montgomery says that he quite agrees with the suggested amendments in the Bill, and has given notice of moving in the directions indicated at the proper time. Bnt in the meantime, the letter further states, all Parliamentary business is hung up pending the Government's bringing down their Local Government Bill, and until this is before the House all other Bills are in the shade, the present Government not having a sufficient numerical majority at their back to enable them to insist upon the business of the country being proceeded with promptly and energetically. Both the Times and Frets in their summaries of European news by the last mail gravely inform their readers that " Cardinal. Wiseman is sitting for his portrait to Mr Millais in London.' , Seeing that His Eminence died in 1865, sixteen years ago, and was duly buried with all the pomp and circumstance befitting his exalted rank as a Prince of the Church, it is hardly possible that the " tomb has opened its ponderous marble jaws to cast him up again," and if t-uch were the case his appearance in the studio of England's great portrait painter amongst his fashionable sitters would be the sensation of the season. Little doubt either Cardinal Manning or Newman is the member of the Sacred College that is having his episcopal lineaments transferred to the canvas of the artist that Earl a few days before his death, was pleased to call " Apelles."

The Ly Helton Times is responsible for the following, which that journal very correctly calls plain speaking. Previous to the commencement of business at the last meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, one of the members—Mr W. T. L. Travers—treated his auditors to a little story at the expense of his own profession. He said thnt, in the course of some conversation the other day with an eminent German scientist, at present on a visit to Wellington, the man of learning remarked that what struck him most in connection with (his Colony was not its climate, its resources, or natural productions, its magnificent scenery, or its expensive buildings, but—but the huge number of lawyers, who were as thick as mushrooms, and ''appeared to be doing devilish well." Knquintu:; how such a i large number of lawyers managed to make their money, Mr Travel , * replied,

11 By a systematic course of robbery— legal robbery, of course," and tJiis teemed to satisfy {he savant. It, Mr Travels' our will re<iioi!>h<;.i, s!;rri:k:d the legal world a iVv.-. in.y'.ii;-. \-y W\* ''igOl'OUl Ult;!ck Oil Mil.-: Oi.VjM.S.

The following changes are reported in the personal of the officers of the Supreme Court. Mr Bloxam, tho present Deputy Registrar, succeeds Mr Malet as Registrar, and Mr W. 11. Eyes, who has for some years been clerk to the Bench at Lyttelton becomes Deputy Registrar. He will, it is said, be succeeded by Capt. F. D. Gibson, who was Harbor Master at Port under the Provincial Government.

CoriES of the Revised New Testament arrived by the last mail steamer. The Auckland Herald says:—"The edition before us emanates from the Oxford University Press, and is clearly printed, neatly got up, in Royal 16mo, in a volume of 420 pages. The text is not divided into versus, but into paragraphs, with, however, the old arrangements of chapters and verses indicated at the side for the s ake of convenience.

Reports reach us from, all quarters of the general improvement in the price of land. Mr C. Clark at his rooms on Saturday last, sold a section of 20 acres of land at Leeston for £700 without improvements, and Mr John Matson, of the firm of Matson and Co., on the same day, sold in the estate of the late J. C. Aitken 47ft frontage to Colombo street by 80ft to Lichfield street, at the rate of £73 per foot a frontage to Lichfield street; at £42 per foot by 155 ft deep, and another in Colombo street at £55 per foot, with a depth of 120 ft. The whole sale realised £14,0G4 ss—not bo bad for the hard times we hear so much of. Judging from a recent transaction in land that came under our notice, values are also well sustained in the Peninsula. Mr Frank Hart has, we hear, purchased Mr H. H. Fenton's grazing farm in German Bay, part of the Taka Mutua estate, at the rate of £10 10s per acre. This is the same price as was originally paid for the property by Mr Fenton about three years ago during the land fever. Tne property has since, however, been improved by fencing. We were rather sorry the other day when we read that the CoJonial Secretary, replying to a question inthe House, stated that it was not the intention of the Government to make any alteration in the present Education Act. This is especially the case in matters with which Committees have to deal. The powers of Committees are at present so vague and uncertain that they are sometimes led into all sorts of extravagances. We have just heard of a Committee on the Peninsula who have dismissed the teacher for the heinous fault of writingletters to the journals. It is no part of our business to say whether the charge is f rue or false ; but it must surely be evident to till that when a gentleman of education gets the position of a school-masti-r he does not forfeit his position as a citizen, and therefore need not keep sileut on all questions affecting either himself or hit- fellow colonist!*. We simply point out the case as a new d'pirture in the action of fc-'chool Committees, who with all their eucentricici -s , , can hardly be in earnest in this case in laying their charge before tie B.mrd <.>f Education, which we presume they intend to do.

Referring to a case which came before R.M. Cuurt ou Tuesday last, under The Cruelty to animals Act of last session, we reproduce the general terms of the Act in question, as we feel -sure many .persons are guilty of gross cruelty to animals without having the least idea that they arc committing any breach of the laws of the land, As the access of the general public to the Acts of Parliament is only through either their lawyer or the R.M. Court, both of which courses cost money, and after the stiong remarks from the Bench in the case refened to, we think it a duty to inform our readers on the subject. The Act of last session repeals the Cruelty to Animals Act of 1878, and is a short but sharp statute of 15 sections in all. The first defines animals as any beast or bird of any species whatever whether wild or domestic, and whether wild or imported. The third section declares that any person ill-treating or causing to be ill-treated any ani.ual shall be guilty of an oflieuce, and liabe to a penalty of not less than £20. Sections i to 9 deal with the offences of slaughtering animals improperly and fighting or baiting of any animal, and persons assisting, or in any way encouraging the same are to be guilty of an offence for which they are liable to a penalty of £5 for each occasion. Section 10, provides that fdr I any offence against the provisions of the Act any constable, or any other person complaining to him, may take any offender into custody, and Avithont any warrant charge him before a Justice of Peace, Section 10, provides that aiiijials and vehicles may be detained and deposited in some place -of safety as a security for the payment of any penalty that the person in charge or owner may be liable for and may bo sold in default of payment of the penalty. Under section 12, complaints must be mad a within one month of tor tho cau.se shall arise and m.vy be heard by any one Justice in summary way, without any in - formation in writing. Any Justice may by section 1./5, without any previous summons -ssi! , -: a ivarranl for ihu ;.un>iehenaiou i.if any po.raon charged undot tho Act. And the concluding >jijctk>ti oi! the Act provides Ihat impri-uiimonL wiuKmL the option ox a fine may bo oiik'i'ed '.viieti !;ho caw is h&u-d bet'n/o ;':. llciiduia itagis- j tr;U.ij or ftny i.\-'O .hifticcs, will or without j hum W::.yy. i'or any Mn-A i;k ..■i.cfjJii].' !

What in Akaroa Harbor is rather scarce—a frost fish—was w.ishe lup last Tuesday in Childrens' Bay below Mrs Howe's property. This fish,, which is esteemed one of the most delicate of New Zealand fishes, only makes its appearance in frosty weather, anil on smooth sandy beaches. The want of the latter probably makes it a rarer visitor here than it would otherwise be. The one referred to above was a fine specimen of its kind, measuring fully five feet in length.

The Akaroa Hope Lodge gave an entertainment in the Oddfellows' Hall last evening, The programme consisted of piano selections, singing, readings, a stump speech, and concluded with a negro farce. The audience was large and from the great amount of applause and encores seemed to much enjoy the different items on the programme. Mr Chas. Martin's song with local hits, and Mr Black's stump speech were much enjoyed by the audience. From the late hour at which the entertainment terminated our report is necessarily short, but nest issue we hope to refer to it more fully. The Lodge is much to be commended for supplying a cheap aihu<semeut during the long winter evenings, and we hope to see more of them and often. Gentlemen who are seized with' a sudden idea of improving themselves by travel and extending their knowledge of what are called the Sister Colonies, will not have so good a time of it by and by, in the event of. their omitting to provide for their wives and olive branches during their absence. This duty has hitherto fallen either upon the wives themselves or an already overtaxed public, owing to legal difficulties in the way of compelling those roving gentlemen to return to the bosoms of their families, It will be seen, however, from our Parliamentary summary that in replying to a question on Tuesday evening, the Minister of Justice said that the Imperial Government would be asked to confer the requisite powers on the Colonies. It is to be hoped that in the face of this information no very suddeu exodus takes place. It: so the Bill might be made retrospective.

Wjg cull the following statistical infor mation from the Gazette of the 16th ult., showing the population of the County of Akaroa on 3rd April last as being 2241 males and 1779 females, total 4020; of the Borough of Aknroa, 298 males and.3ls females, total Gl3. The following figures in connection with the amount of land in cultivation and agiicultiiral produce in the county are also gathered from the same source :—Total number of holdings over one acre in extent, 419. of which 28G are freehold. There are 301 acres broken up and not under crop ; 1202 acres are laid down in wheat, estimated to produce 34,010 bushels. There are. 213 acres of o.its intended for green feed or hay, and 180 for grain, estimated to produce 1378 bushels ; 210 acres in barley, and 93 acres i:i potatoes, cdculutcd to yiuld 5t6 tons; and 113 acres in turnips. Jn sown grasses ihcpj are 350 iiL-r.'d in hay, 5771 acres in grass after having been broken up, and G5,l Ifj acres of grass-sown lands not pre vioii.sly ploughed. Ln this last item the County of Akuroa is at the head of the list for the Middle Island, and second for the Colon} , , the County of Cook being first vrith 90,000 acres.