Peninsula News.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue VI, 27 December 1881, Page 2

Peninsula News.

Accident. —A son of Mr Sunckell's met with a severe accident yesterday morning. It appears that the boy was taking some potatoes to the Criterion Hotel, and was riding- a mare that had previously shown a great disinclination to go into the Criterion yard. In urging the mare on the girth broke and the bo}' got on to the mare's neck, the saddle falling off. Before the boy bad time to to recover bis seat the mare bolted towards home, and threw him near Roderigue's Hotel. The fall was a heavy one, and the boy was rendered insensible. At present Dr Singleton has been unable to discover the exact amount of injury done, but fears that the shoulder blade is fractured. Tbe poor little fellow is much bruised and knocked about, but is bearing the pain very manfully, and is receiving every care and attention, "i that it is hoped he will soon be able to gel about again.

German Bay Side School.—An examination of tbe pupils attending the German Bay Side School, with a view to tho distribution of prizes took place on Thursday. The Rev. Mr Stocker had been asked by the committee to act as examiner, but as his engagements did not permit him to do so, Mr Wiggins undertook the duty, Several members of the committee were present during the examination, which was of a most exhaustive nature, and embraced all the subjects required to be studied for the various standards from I. to V. Mr Wiggins expressed himself as much gratified with the proficiency displayed by the children, and said that in several instances the competition between them was so keen, and their respective merits so nearly balanced, that he had experienced considerable difficulty in awarding their respective positions. In such cases he recommended, that if practicable. a prize should be awarded to each of those who had fairly earned it by their diligence and proficiency. At the conclusion of the examination Mr Jolly, the chairman, expressed the thanks of the committee to Mr Wiggins for his services, Mr Wiggins said that the task had been a pleasing one, owing to tbe evidences of diligence, good order, and interest in their work shown by the pupils. Addressing the latter, he urged them to persevere in the habits of attention'to their studies, which the examination just concluded showed they had forme,cj---The following is the prize lisL-v'—Class V—David Missen, 1; Agnes-Jones, 2. Class lll.—Alice Jones, _>;'■' "Henry Chirppell, 2 ; Alfred Missen, 3. "Lower Division — Jeannie Lelievre, 1. Olass ll.—Emily Jones, 1; William Curry, 2 ; Elizabeth Curry, 3. Class I—Mary Curry, 1 ; Jeannie Lelievre, 2 ; Lizzy Lelievre, 3. Class I.—Edward Curry and Henry Curry, equal, 1 ; Ellen Woodill, 2 ; Henry Wooaill, 3. The examiner reported that all the pupils whom he had placed had, in his opinion, come sufficiently near the maximum number of marks obtainable to entitle them to a prize of some description. For instance in e!ns9 V. David Missen had gained 83 marks, and Agnes Jones 77 out oi a possible 90. Two prizes were also awarded to the most popular boy and girl in the school respectively. The question was settled by the votes of their companions taken by ballot. The result of the voting was by a large majority to fix upon David Missen and Agnes Jones as being entitled to these prizes. I

Election for Okain's Riding.—-The nomination of a member to represent the Okain's Riding in the iikaroa County Council was held at the school house, Little Akaloa, on Saturday last. At tbe hour for receiving nominations very few persons were present. As will be seen from tbe official notice elsewhere Messrs J. B. Barker and J. Boleyn, who were candidates at the last election, were again duly nominated, Mr Hunter at the last moment declining to put in his nomination on this occasion: The friends of both the gentlemen nominated, are-very sanguine of success. Much disappointment is expressed at the fact of only one Polling booth at tha extreme end of the Riding being supplied at the present election. The Returning Officer justifies the arrangement on the grounds that the accommodation is sufficient for 68 electors, none of whom reside more than five miles from the Polling place, and also that when the names of the candidates were declared, the situation of only the one Polling Booth was given.

Robinson's Bay Suhocl Theat.—Friday last was a thoroughly enjoyable day for the children who attend litis school. The weather was all that could be desired, and nearly 100 children assembled early in the afternoon for a day's amusement. Cricket, rounders, jumping, and games of every discription were indulged in on the school ground and on the flat below, until the tea-bell rang at 3 o'clock, and even at this early hour the child)en were prepared for the attack on the good things provided for them, and did full justice to the meal, the cakes, buns, biscuits, etc., vanishing in that rapid manner which is so generally the case, when juveniles fall to. Though the liberal supply would justify a belief in a considerable surplus, the appreciation shown, and tbe extraordinary demolishing powers of the youngsters went to prove the undeniable fact that the rising generation have immense appetites, and that they know how to wrestle with cakes and buns when they get the chance. Before taking tea the children sang a Christinas anthem with great taste. The tea tables were presided over by Mrs T. 8. Johnson, Miss Annie and Miss Edith Williams, Miss Hannah and Miss Elizabeth Sager, and Miss Eva, and Miss Elizabeth Breitmeyer. all of whom were particularly kind in seeing that the children had all they wanted, an especial mark of thanks being due to Mrs Johnston for having again, as on former occasions, arranged everything so admirably, that the comfort and joviality of the children was ensured. All these 'adies had a busy time, and after tea was over*, Mr Whitfield (chairman of committee), addressed the children and gave away the prizes. Mr Whitfield in his address said, that hitherto the prizes had been liberaliy given to nearly all the children, and though these prizes varied in value, it was a better system to award prizes to those only who had worked hard during the year, and earned them by perseverance. The committee had therefore decided that in future these children who „,_howed the, greatest im provement would be the only ones rewarded, but that though there would be fewer prizes, the prizes would be better ones. This, he hoped, would have the good effect of making them all bestir themselves, and creating a spirit of rivalry which would benefit the whole of them. Three special prizes had kindly been given by Mr Saxton for the highest number of marks in standards II and 111, and for the best sewing ; these prizes had been gained by Jas. Hayward (Standaid II). Geo. Williams (Standard III), and Mary Hayward (sewing). Mr Spurr said that he should like to see more punctuality and regularity in the attendance of the children, and impressed upon the parents tho necessity of this, so that the w«rk might go on smoothly and the children reap the benefit. At the conclusion of the prize distribution the children sang "Auld Lang Syne." Three cheers were given for the ladies, Mr Montgomery, Mr Saxton and the Chairman, and the children re-commenced their open-air amusements. The schoolroom was most tastefully decorated for the occasion by Mr Spurr and his scholars, and the exhibits lately to be seen at the Industrial Exhibition were hung up on the wall. The following is the list of prizes : — This list is made according to Standards as passed by the Inspector on Sept. 12. Those that passed take the highest prizes, and the rest according to the highest number of passes made in the diit'eren't subjects. Standard Vl—George Piper, C. An berry. Standard V—J. McClemont, James Piper. Standard IV—Ernest Spurr, Mary Jane Sager, George Breitmeyer. Standard 11lJohn Martindale, Martha Kingston. Charles Churchill, Albert Shadbolt. Henry Tizzaid. Standard ll—Camilla Noonan. Alfred Shadbolt, Lucy Churchill, France Jaroszewski, James Hayward. In the evening a miscellaneous entertainment was given in the schoolroom. No charge was made for admission. The first part consisted of songs, duets, readings and recitations, with a little instrumental music, all of which were applauded, and some redemanded, but it was impos-

sible to give encores in any case, as tbe programme was such a lengthy one. A court scene followed entitled ''The Trial of Ignorance," and some of the boys taking part in this displayed considerable ability. The piece was very laughable and the audience were well pleased. After an interval of 10 minutes the second portion of the programme was commenced consisting of songs, duets,;dialogues and pianoforte pieces, and- as in the first part, all the contributions were applauded. Three of the boys then enacted " Sixteen Thousand Years Ago," a nigger farce of the usual discription, and their performance ran very well and caused great laughter. The entertainment lasted till 11 p.m. and closed with the company present singing the National Anthem. After the tables and forms had been cleared away dancing was commenced and. kept up till the small hours with great vigor. Mr Williams had ( kindly lent his piano for the evening, and , among other contributions Mr Garwood . had forwarded 10s worth of bon-bons. ] Tbe subscriptions towards tbe whole days ( entertainment had been collected with j very little trouble. Tbe arrangements for , the day were excellent, and there was no ( cessation of fun from the time the treat j commenced to tbe close of the entertain- ( ment in the evenng. When so many ; children gather together they naturally ( provide amusement for themselves, but „ tbere were many ladies and gentlemen t present all the day, ready to give assistance t and keep the fun going, and we may \ c safely say that owing to those who j a exerted themselves the whole treat was a ' thorough success, and afforded the j s youngsters! great pleasure for the day and | plenty to talk about afterwards.

Bank Holiday.—The Bank will be closed on Tuesday next, the 2nd January.

Presentation. — The Sunday School children attending St Peter's presented the Rev. H. Stocker, on Sunday last, with a handsome gold pencil and a silver match box, with his initials engraved on and also presented Mrs Stocker with an excellent work-bag. 4

Duvauchelle's Bay School.—A committee meeting was held on Saturday. Present Messrs. Pawson (Chairman), Libeau, Vogan, Wallace and Barwick. Correspondence was read from Mr Montgomery enclosing cheque for £3 3s in aid of funds for procuring prizes to be given at the annual examination. The Chairman was requested to convey the thanks of tho committee to Mr Montgomery for his very liberal gift. From Board of education, in answer to a letter from the committee asking the appointment of a mistress for the school, informing them that before a mistress could be appointed there must be an averago ot 35 pupils. From same forwarding circulars for annual returns the same to be forwarded by the 31st Jan., also enclosing copy voucher for the master's salary. Five applications from masters asking for appointment as teacher in the school were opened. After considerable discussion Mr Wallace moved that Mr McLintock's services as master be accepted, subject to the approval of the Board of Education, the Chairman to put himself in communication with Mr McLintock, informing him of his appointment, and asking him to put himself in communication with the Board for the confirmation of same. This was seconded by Mr Libeau and carried. The meeting then adjourned.

Christmas Serv:ces at St. Peters.— The decorations at this Church were very tastefully designed, and well arranged, and though it was found necessary to leave the work of decorating till the latest possible hour, on account of the extreme heat, and consequent destruction of the evergreens, the ladies and gentle - men who took the matter in hand by their skill and careful arrangement of flowers, ferns, holly, and evergreens, pioduced a very pleasing result, the Church looking very prstty. Mrs Stocker, Mrs Watkins, Mrs Funnel, and Miss Parsons, with Mr Westenra, Mr Meech, and Mr Watkins worked very late on Christmas eve, and under the superintendance of our respected Incumbent, did not work in vain, as the happy result showed. At 8 a.m. on the morning of Christmas day communion was celebrated, and at 11 a.m., a choral morning service followed by a celebration of the communion, was held by the Rev. 11. Stocker. The hymns sung were Nos, 60 and 61, ancient and medern, and the anthem chosen was " Let us now go even into Bethlehem," by the celebrated composer and organist E. J. Hopkins, of the Temple church, London. In the evening the service was semi-choral nnd the hymns sung were Nos. 62, 60, 59 and 27, ancient 'and modern. At each service effective arid appropriate sermons were preached by the Incumbent, and tbere was' a very large attendance on each occasion.

Christmas in Akaroa.—On Christmas Eve the town looked quite lively, and the storekeepers were very busy supplying the demands for Christmas presents, fit-lure books, cards, balls, waxen and' wooden images in the shape of dolls, and toys of every description, were temptingly displayed in the windows ; and what mother could resist this most plaintive appeal, and forego the pleasure of gladdening the hearts of the little ones at home. There were a good many visitors about, two coaches fu 1 having arrived on Saturday, and a general inilux having taken place since Regatta oLy, the favorite hotels for visitors were well patronised. Mr Garwood's store was illuminated with Chinese lanterns al! along the verandah, which bad quite a gay and pretty effect. Bruce's Hotel was decorated nicely with ferns, flowers, and evergreens, and Mr Grange burnt several blue and red fires during the evening. Wagstaff's was also very nicely decorated, the entrance hall being hung with flowers and ferns in a very tasteful manner. Mr Sunckell had some prime meat on show. The town had quite a deserted appearance yesterday. The Bank, Post Office, and places of business all were closed, and but few people were seen about the streets, nearly every one having gone to the races at the Head of the Bay. Last night Mr Chamberlain, assisted by Mr McGregor and Captain Foster, let off some capital fireworks in the grounds attached to Wagstaff's Hotel. A great many persons were present, and the effeot was very good, Chinese lautems among the trees adding to the beauty of the spectacle.