Peninsula News.

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

Peninsula News.

" Ten Nights in a Bar-koom."—One is informed that the arduo us role of Mrs Morgan in the above drama, played with eminent success by Miss Bessie Bailey in the two previous representations of this piece, will be again sustained by that lady on Wednesday evening nest, at the Oddfellows' Hall, Akaroa. 'There will be a musical interlude, at >vhich some of our 'oad'uig amateurs will assist.

U.S.S. Company;— The time table for January is published in this issue.

Borough Council. — Messrs Christian Jacob Waeckerle and Henry Libeau were the only burgesses nominated for the seat in the Council rendered vacant by Cr Adams's elevation to Mayoral dignities.

1.0. G.T. — The Akaroa Hope Lodge have postponed their usual meeting till Thursday evening, the Oddfellows' Hall being required for other purposes on Wednesday.

Little Akaloa.—One understands that one or two enterprising individuals in the above plaoe, desirous of seeing the Lyttelton Regatta and giving their neighbors a chance, engaged the well-known little steamer Akaroa to make a trip for £15 guaranteed. The courteous master of the vessel (Mr McLean) responded to the call, and accordingly left Lyttelton at 5.30 yesterday morning, arriving at Little Akaloa at 7.15. The venture, ene is glad to say, was a success, as she left at 8.10 with 70 passengers on board. The captain expected to leave Lyttelton for the return passage at 5 p.m. The Cathedral Font.—The late Dean Stanley presented to the Christchurch Cathedral a font in memory of his brother, Captain Owen Stanley, who, it will be remembered hoisted the English flag at Akaioa, and took possession of the South Island in the name of her Majesty shortly before the arrival of the French colonists in Akaroa. It was placed in position on December 23rd, and is made of white stone from the Castle Hill quarries. It bears the following inscription :— " To the memory of Captain Owen Stanley, R.N. By whose enterprise, A.D. 1840, this island was secured to the British Empire This font wae erected A.D. 1881, by hi brother. Arthur Penrbyn Stanley, Dean of Westminster."

" Blest hour in Akaroa Bay, When England's flag first won the way, On these bright shores for British youth To grow in Christian grace and truth. O'er church and home, o'er fell and flood, The fount and origin of good."

1.0.0 F.,M.U.—The 22nd Anniversary of the Akaroa Loyal Good lotent Lodge, No. 4829, was celebrated in the Oddfellows Hall yesterday. There was a fair attendance of members. Proceedings were com menced a little after noon by opening the Lodge and installing the officers for the ensuing term as follows:—P.V. P. K. Borland, Noble Grand ; Bro. H. Liheaiu Vice Grand ; P.G. J. Staples, Lecture Master ; and the following minor officer where then appointed :—Supporters to Noble Grand, Bro. W. Stewart (right), Bro. W. Meech (left) ; supporters to Vice Grand, P.G. E. Staples (right), P.G. CGutberiet (left) ; Worthy Warden, P.G. W. Kedge ; Worthy Guardian, P.G. E. Staples. After a hearty vote of thanks having been passed to the retiring officers the Lodge was closed, and the members proceeded to the back room where an ample luncheon was laid, which reflected great credit on the caterer, Mr C, Gutberiet. The Anniversary Ball, held last night in the Hall, was a great success.

Head of the Bay Racks.—A settling meeting for these races was held on Saturday last, Mr Wallace in the chair. The amounts received in subscriptions came to £46 16s 6d, and money expected to he given £4 lls. Expenses—Races, £28 10s, advertising £8, coach hire £1, race" course £2 10s, honorarium to the secretary, £5. Each winner took £5, less 5 per cent. With regard to the overplus, the committee decided that if the surplus money could be got in by 12 on Monday, it should be given to the Sports Committee) With regard to the first race (Maiden Plate) there was a dispute as to the winner, Mr B. Shadbolt claiming tho prize on the ground that the winner, Mr Condon rode under weight. The Committee were sorry that they could not ttike any notice of the protest as Mr Shadbolt had entered his horse for the Consolation Stakes and won it. Mr Barwick on receiving his honorarium most generously returned one guinea to go towards the funds for prizes for the sports to be held on Monday, Jan. 2nd. A vote of thanks to the Chairman and those who had done the bard work concluded the proceedings.

Okatn's Bay.—The annual school treat was held at Okain's Bay on Tuesday, the 27th Dec. As so many of the children are residing on the hills and at long distances, it was decided to have the sports, etc., in the school-ground, instead of at the beach as usual. About 200 persons, old and young, mustered on the ground, so that it presented for that day quite an animated and festive appearance. Games of all kinds were freely indulged in, and were agreeably interspersed with refreshments. Part of the day's diversion, particularly interesting to the younger children, was the drawing for prizes on a Christinas tree. In the evening the prizes, provided principally by the liberality of Mr Montgomery, M.H.R., were distributed, when Mr Hutt, the master, took advantage of the occasion to say a few words on school-work, and urged the necessity, if any success were to be looked for, of regular attendance on the part of the children. The following is the prize list: —Standard IV—Grace Hutt 1, Owen Priest 2, Ellen Hutt 3. Standard 11lAlice Mason 1, Amy Harris 2. Standard ll—Rose Chapman 1, Ruth Hutt 2, Frank Chapman 3. Standard I—Herbert Hutt 1, Ernest Harris 2, Walter Harris 3.

Midnight Service at St. Peter's. —The advent of 1882 was celebrated by a midnight Service at St. Peter's. The Rev. H. Stocker officiated. At a little before halfpast 11 on Saturday night the hell rang, and at, the half hour the service commenced with hymn No 288, " A few more years shall roll." After prayers, hymn No 289, " Days and moments quickly flying," and the "Dens" were sung. The Rev. 11. Stocker then delivered;' ft brief impressive addresg. At midnight the Church bell rang the hour, and while the old year was passing away the congre/ration joined in silent prayer. A cheerful New Year's hymn, No 72 concluded the service, and the congregation, which was much larger than on former

years, dispersed

Fires.—A correspondent writes :—One is sorry to find that in spite of the damage done-by those who lit fires last year, without regard to who would suffer, or what extent would be their loss, the same reckless game lias commenced even in greater force this year, in all probability causing irremediable ruin to the sufferer. All the names of the losers have not yet come to our knowledge, but of those who have we herewith give account with full particulars, hoping that it will serve as a salutary warning to the unthinking firesftters, and put a stop to any further such actions. Mr W. Ashton of Decanter Bay, has suffered severely, forty acres of cocksfoot, one hundred and fifty acres of rye grass, also one hundred and fifty acres of bush well stocked with timber having been completely destroyed. The damage has not even stopped here, 50 chains of fencing, with the house lately occupied by Mr Ashwin and the outbuildings are totally destroyed, causing a loss of at least £250. Mr Menzies of the same bay has suffered considerably. In Little Akaloa, Messrs Pawson, Barker and Bennet have been considerable losers, fencing to the value of £20 each being burnt to the ground. Large fires have also been seen for the last few days in the vicinity.of Wainui and French Farm. Judging from the wide range over which it waa seen to spread the damage must be very serious, the only authenticated account come to hand at present is, that of Mr C. Bates, who reports of having a twelve acre paddock of richly cropped cocksfoot entirely consumed.