Local and General.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 535, 30 August 1881, Page 2

Local and General.

Mil Richards, the local agent of the National Mutual Assurance Association, gave a lecture on the subject of Life Assurance, specially connected with his office, in the Town Hall yesterday eveningHis Worshipjthe Mayor occupied the chair . The audience, which was an uncommonly small one, listened to the remarks of the lecturer with evident attention. The lecturer explained the specialities of his office and intimated that an opportunity will be given to the public to h 'avail";themselves of its advantages.

A CORRESPONDENT of a southern journal writes as follows:—I think " women's lights " should be settled now. The Honorable Mr Reynolds has spoken on the subject. He says :—lt waa quite right that women should be subject to their husbands. It was the law of God, and it was far better they should be. Here is a threefold reason, and like a cord of that make, not easily broken. Women should be subject to their husbands because (1) it was right; (2) it was the law of God ; (3) it was £nr better they should be Strange that the law of God should take second place. I suppose Mr Reynolds was referring to an utterance of Paul. The best commentary on Mr Reynolds' decision was that by Captain Fraber. He interjected "They will not." But Mr Reynolds had his reply, " If they will not, than it is the men's fault. Notwithstanding Mr Reynolds' opposition, the Married Women's Property Piotcction Bill passed the Legislative Council.

Whatever be the cause or series of causes which have brought about such a change, it seems certain that a certain notorious'" Society " journal publishing in Christchurch, has been brought down to see the error of its .ways, and announces its intention for the .future to '■ forswear sack and live cleanly." Here is o»r contemporary's recantation : — With the prosent issue of this journal ir may be said— so to speak—to have commenced a new era in its existence. Reorganised and under fresh management, it will in future be a thoroughly Society Organ, replete with interesting matter of a nature to cause neither annoyance or offence. That public opinion has of late been at variance with us on one particular point,—if we take public opinion as a fair reflex of the public mind—we cannot but admit. Although, however, candidly avowing that we may have exceeded the bounds of journalistic prudence in allowing our columns to be made the channel of certain items of personal reference, we do not for one minute intend that matters of general import shall escape notice. As heretofore, all subjects will receive fearless and outspoken comment at our hands. Our policy, so far, has been to expose all transactions of a doubtful or shady character, and in this caiiso we shall unhesitatingly and persistently continue. Our endeavor in the future will be to present to our readers a publication that, while proving interesting and amusing, will '•nothing extenuate or down in malice."

We clip the following from the Dunedin Echo. Whatever may be thought of our contemporary's comments, there can be no doubt about his facts :— A majority of the Legislative Council lias decided that.orthodox Protestantism shal] be taught at the State expense. A majority of the same sapient Chamber has thrown out the provision of the Licensing Dili which made it punishable to sell alcohol to youths. And a majority of the same body has vetoed in the Gambling Bill a provision to put down betting. This does not surprise us. The Bible and beer have before now been closely allied. It is rare, however, there should have been three 13's brought together, but the Legislative Council has voted for the Bibio> Beer, and Bookmakers. This in the Council's method of promoting , moralitySomu of iho most stremious advocated for Bible-reading voted to allow youths of both sexes tinder sixteen to drink alcohol in public bars ; and some who were in favor of the schoolmaster being forewl to read the Bible, voted for the bookmakers being allowed to ruin youths by inviting them to bet The Affirmation Bill they rejected, the Distress Bill thc-.y vetoed, and the Law Practitioners Bill the;/ would not even consider. What hopo is there of them ? None. Tho best the colony can do is to abolish the Second Chamber. We do not need it. It is the home of Tory reactionists and obstructionists, and neither clasa is needed by (.his colony.

Some gay and festive youths have been amusing themselves by removing the gratings which protect the mouths jof the drains near Mr Sunekcll's and the lloman Catholic Church property. No doubt their proceedings have been productive of much fun to themselves, but the consequences might prove anything but funny. pedestrian stumbled into one of tliewe openings and broke his leg some one would probably bo held responsible, and some of the aforesaid larrikins would very likely find themselves i:i an awkward predicament. We understand that the police have a strong suspicion as to the authors oli the mischievous act, and we hope they may able to drop upon them.

The British Parliament was prorogued on Saturday. The speech from tho throne commenced by stating that England*; relations with ali foreign powers were of a cordial nature . Referring to the Irish Land Act, the Speech expressed a hope that it would prove a benefit equal with the c<l ro bestowed upon its consideration by both Government and Parliament. At the same time regret is expressed at. the absence of various measures from tho work of the session. In conclusion, it hopes that the condition of Ireland may improve, and enable the Government to dispense with, or abate, the spocial provisions which had been made for the suppression of disorder in that country. In our report of the Alraroa and Wninui Road Board, it will be seen that Mr F. W. Williams has resigned his seat on tho. Board, in consequence of his approaching departure from tho district. Mr Williams has also announced that he will not be a candidate for the County Council at the next election. Mr Williams has taken a prominent part in local politics for some time past, and has been widt#!y known as a painstaking member of lecal bodies. We observe that the Chairman of the Road Board has convened a meeting of those interested for the purpose of. arranging for some recognition of his public service. By permission of His Worship the Mayor the meeting will,be held at the Boiough Council office, on Saturday next, at half-past-seven.

Particulars are to hand by the mail just arrived of ; the arrest of VV. VV. Chnrters, tho absconding building society defaulter, He left Lyttelton, as was known at the time, by tho Orari, the name vessel which took Home the trial shipment of Peninsula cheese. Constable Brooks was despatched via San Francisco with a w.itrant for his arrest, and arrived in Kngland before hu quarry. The constablo on his arrival reported himself at Scotland Yard, and then ,wenl down to Gravesend quietly to await tho arrival of his man. Tiio latter however, did not rush into the arms which were bo wide open to receive him, but landed at a small fishing port caUe.l Kingsweiir, and proceeded thence to Bristol. Before Brooks could recli Bristol Charters hid cike.'i ilight to Liverpool. Tne coiiKtible folio ved him to tho latter place, only to find tuat lie was agai-i on the wing, linpnt lenUy, however, ho went back to B/istol, and to his old quarters, where, owing to the description left of him by the constable, he was ar rested. According t , ) the report of Constable Erooks, tho Bristol police appear to have '• mulled " the affair considerably, and he sayi he has to thank an hotel waiter for the arrest. It is stated that a sum of £1500 was found on the prisoner at the time of his arrest. The prisoner was to leave England on July 22nd, if the extradition warrants were ready by that ffuic.