The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1882. THE NEW YEAR.

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

The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1882. THE NEW YEAR.

This is the first issue of the Mail for the year 18S2, and it therefore behoves us to wish the people of the Peninsula a happy and prosperous Now Year. We think w< , , may fairly congratulate our readers on the prospects held forth to thorn by 1882. The commercial depression appears to have passed away, and the prices of our Peninsula produce give promise of being fairly remunerative. Cheese has risen very considerably, and still shows a tendency to advance ; and, thanks principally to the enterprise of Mr P. Cunningham, a new market has been found for cocksfoot grass seed in England. It is evident to us that if we want a really steady market for our produce, that we must try to establish a European trade. Once let us solve the problem of carrying in good condition, and we can always get a fair price from the local consumers. Last year's failure has taught us a lesson, and we have little doubt that 1882 will be the (lute of the first, successful shipment of dairy produce to England on a large scale. The new company established in Christchurch for the purpose of exporting meat and dairy produce by the refrigerating process, will undoubtedly be of immense service to this part of the Colony. Their action is sure not only to result in the ships they use themselves being fitted with refrigerating chambers, but also others, or they will not be able to compete for their share of the trade ; and we again urgently impress on the fanners of the Peninsula the great benefit that would accrue to them if they could induce one English ship to partly load here this very season—a thing, we believe, that could be easily arranged, if there were unanimity of action amongst exporters. If we could only hope that this great step could be taken in 1882, it would indeed be a year for this part of the Colony to look back to with pride.

Another great advancement that 1882 will see -will be the opening of railway communication between Ohristchurch nnd Lake Forsyth. It may be said that this has already been done, but we would point out to those who think so, that all that 1881 has seen, lias been an occasional luggage train, wrung out of the railway authorities by the wants of the settlers along the line, and two or three excursion trains. We hope 1882 will see the establishment of a regular daily passenger and mail traffic, and that the coaches meeting the trains will run to Akaroa daily, arriving in the middle of the day. People here are naturally very anxious for a mid-day mail, and suppose a coacli could arrive here at 1 p.m. and return an hour latter, with tho mail for the evening train for Christchurch —it would bo progress indeed.

We hope also, that 1882 will see the Farmers' Clnb established on a better footing. We do not fur a single moment undervalue their usefulness in the past, when we say that we. think they can do'much more good in the future than they have heretofore. Leading as we before pointed out ? comparatively isolated lives, fortnightly meetings, at which subjects of common interest could be discussed would indeed be of immense value. Without speaking of the great subjects of export, manufacture of produce, and the establishment of an agricultural and pastoral show, there are many other matters of vital importpiice to consider. The causes of the great mortality in stock last winter, is one of absorbing interest to those concerned. There are doubtless many diseases, like the hoose or threadworm in sheep, that are doing their fatal work, and these should be carefully watched and the experience so gained, interchanged, if we want to make the most of our pastures. We hear too of caterpillars that nip off the heads of the grasses, thereby rendering many acres totally unproductive for seeu purposes. Bit in our limited space it >s perfectly impossible to enumerate the many interesting matters that might come under consideration, and all wo can say is, that the farmers are exceedingly unmindful of their own interests if they do not mako arrangements for meeting ami discussing subjects of interest at short intervals during the coming autumn and winter.

We should indeed like to see the manufacture of jam established at Akaroa during the present year. We question if there is any place in the Colony so adapted for the successful working of a jam and fruit preserving establishment as Akaroa. Since we last wrote on the subject, Dunedin and Christchurch liavo both started industries of this description, and vre are astonished that tbo residents in this neighborhood are so blind to "their own interests as not to combine to do something of this sort. If the fruit growers would only meet ami discuss the matter, much might bo accomplished ; but it appears that, though they arc the most concerned, they are the people who take least interest. All agree that there is no other locality where fruit is so easily grown, hut no one seems to care about making its growth a lucrative pursuit, We have been informed by experts that

jam can be made here at from 5d to 5-|d per pound, and that at that price it will be very remunerative. Another of our hopes for 1882 is, that some attention J will be given to this subject. Before the year has far advanced, we also hope to see a secondary school fairly established. The High School Board has been appointed, and it certainly consists of mpii who are zealou? in the cause of education ; bufc they can do little, unless they are well supported by the ; general public. It is true that certain reserves have been allocated to them, but these at present will only bring in a comparatively small annual sum, and the main dependence of the Board will therefore be on the income derived from school fees. It is to be hoped, therefore, that all those who have any regard for the welfare of their children will endeavor to give the institution a good start, and not be too exacting at first. Let them keep the future in view, as well as the present, and understand that by giving present support and encouragement they are laying a foundation for the benefit of the many little ones that are at present not of an age to take advantage of it.

The County Council, too, are about to discuss a matter which is one legitimately within their sphere—the reclaiming of the many thousands of fertile adres at present covered by the waters of Lake Ellesmere. That the time will come when that watery waste will be the site of many a comfortable homestead, we do not for a moment doubt, and if during the present year the Council can mature a plan by which that reclamation can be hastened, they would be fairly entitled to the universal esteem of the Peninsula public.

All our readers have heard that, thanks to the energy of Mr Federli, a number of young silkworms will be sent to those who possess mulberry trees in Akaroa. It appears that there is great difficulty in producing healthy silkworms' eggs, or "grain," as it is technically called, in other countries, and that New Zealand is peculiarly adapted for it. It is to be hoped, therefore, that we of the Peninsula, who possess a peculiarly suitable climate, will take the matter up warmly, and add another exceedingly profitable industry to our list.

JBefiore many months are over, the new Parliament will meet. Our member is most energetic in his endeavors to advance our interests, but we can take action that can strengthen his hands immensely, and we should do so. We should take means to clearly demonstrate the absolute necessity that exists for carrying the railway at least as far as the proposed tunnel, before another year has passed.

But we must stop. Theie are so many objects to be accomplished, that it is impossible to enumerate them all here. Let us sincerely hope that the year 1882 will see the accomplishment of many works of vast benefit to the county May it be our happy duty, when next New Year's Day comes round, to enumerate many improvements ; and, with every hope that the future wll be more prosperous than the past, we wish all in the county

A Happy Nisw Year