Duels.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 571, 3 January 1882, Page 2

Duels.

Mr Waeckerle informs the writer that his informant was wrong in stating that the first duel in Akaroa was that between Mr C. B. Robinson and Captain Muter. It appears that the first duel was really fought in the present Lavaud street* Akaroa, in the end of 1845 or beginning of 1846. The combatants were the Commissioner and Dr Renaut, the doctor-in-chief of the French mnn-of-warLe Rhine, \ijjhich Commodore Berard commanded. The people on shore were of opinion that something most extraordinary must be going on, for the combatants, accompanied by their friends, went round the place early on the morning of the duel, fjischarging every litt'e liability due to the townspeople. The duel was fought on the sandy beach opposite where Mrs Scott's shop at present stands. The distance (25 paces) was carefully and solemnly measured by the seconds in the presence of a gronp of officers, and the weapons, which were pistols, were carefully loaded and presented to the duellists. Lots were then drawn for the first fire, and the commissioner won, Taking a steady aim he fired, but the cap was defective and did not ignite the priming. Dr Renaut then raised his pistol and aimed low. The bullet cut the trousers and grazed the right thigh of the commissioner, but did no further damage. No doubt irritated by his narrow escape, the commissioner called out angrily to reload, but the seconds declared that wounded honor was fully satisfied and refused to allow the combat to proceed further. There was another circumstance which also tended to stop further hostilities. The Commodore wasof course as well aware of what was going to take place as any officer in the La Rhine but etiquette forced him to appear unconscious. During the time the preparations for the duel were being made, he was pacing in front of the old Roman Catholic Church at the back of the site of Mr O'Reilly's stables, but before they fired he stepped behind bo as not to see the duel. Directly ho heard the sh6t, however, he hastened to the scene of the combat, and of course the mere fact of his presence prevented its being carried further. The causes leading to the duel are not known, but are believed to have arisen from a trivial disagreement.