Peninsula News.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 572, 6 January 1882, Page 2

Peninsula News.

Vital Statistics. —The following are the births, deaths, and umrriageß in Akarot? for the year 1881:—Births, 148 ; deaths, 40; marriages, 18.

"Ten Nights is a Bar-room."—Tlh's drama was given by the Banks Peninsula Amateur Dramatic Club, in the Oddfellow*' Hall, on Wednesday.

Bush Fires.—A correspondent writes :— Great bush fires are raging at Little Akaloa ard Decanter Bays, completely distrnying standing crops o>f grass seed' which I am afraid will prove very serious to settlers. A number of houses are burnt at Decanter Bay, and three-quarters nf the run and all the cocksfoot in that bay.

Narrow Escape.—Mr H. Chichester, who has been visiting Little Akaloa during the paßt few days, very nearly came to an untimely end on Tuesday morning. It appears that he was at a ball at Pigeon Bay on Monday, and was returning with some friends to Little Akaloa, wh«n the horse he was riding began to plunge. Not being a good horseman, he came to immediate grief, his horse falling on him, injuring his left leg severely, and stamping on his chest. It is satisfactory to learn that he is progressing favorably.

PRESBYrERIAN SUNDAY SCHOOL.—A tea meeling was given to the children attending the above school on Tuesday night. The Rev. Mr O'Connor, who is at present on a visit to Akaroa, presided. There were a great many of the parents of the children present, tea being on the table at 6 p.m. Th« whole of the refreshments were kindly given by Mrs Brown, and were dispensed by the teachers and some ladies. Tea was much -enjoyed, and at its close a meeting was held- A number of recitations were given by the girls attending ihe school, and some music was also very fairly rendered. Mr Burns read the report of the school, from which it appeared that there was a small debt of 13s 7d. The Rev. Chairman addressed the children at some length in a very impressive way. After the usual vote of thanks the meeting was brought to a close in the ordinary manner. Tho Church waa nicely decorated with ferns, foliage, and I'.oweTft,

Cmcss Club.—An advertisement regarding tbe formation of a Chess Club

wi.'l lie found eNewhere

Board of Edl'Oatlin.— Thin Board announce that the annual meeiings of hniMHliohl'rs in the various School Districts will beheld on Monday, 23rd inst.

Silkworms for Akaroa.—As will be seen by our advertisement columns, owners of mulberry trees are requested to send in written applications for silkworms to Mr

Westenra,

Thk Pigeon Bay Mail.—Rumours were current in Akaroa during the last few days that the Pigeon |Bay mail had been discontinued. There was no foundation whatever for this report, except that on Monday, in consequence of its being Lyttelton Regatta day, tho mail was sent for once to Purau in tbe Mulloch, instead of to Pigeon Bay in the Titan.

Pigeon Bay.—A resident in tlm district writes that the grass seed crop is looking remaikably well, and that it is expected that the harvesting will commence in a few days, Somo persons have already commenced on patches that are exposed to the strong north-westers. One is glad to hear that this district has suffered no loss from tho fires that have been so injurious to settlers in the adjoining bays.

Akaroa Land Sports.—Tne prizes won at the late meeting were distributed at Bruce's Hotel on Tuesday evening. It was resolved, at the almost unanimous wish of both the winners of prizes and others present, that sports should be held on the Queen's Birthday. Hearty votes of thanks were passed to Mr F. Arming and Dr Watkins for the use of paddock and adjoining ground. To the committee, and last, but not least, to the Hon Sec. The prizes given amounted to £22 15s.

Bush Fires.—There have been many fires burning during the week. One great fira on Messrs Lelievre's and Armstrong's properties swept the brow of the hill up to Brazen Nore. and destroyed a good deal of of fencing and it is feared a considerable number of sheep. A good deal of country has been b rnt at Wainui, and it is said Mr A. C. Knight has suffered some loss through fences being destroyed. At Peraki Messrs Snow and Anson have had a gteat fire, and at Waikerakikari Messrs Sandys and Co., Masefield Bros., and Mr Jas. Daly have had great fires.

Okain's Riding Election.—The polling for the election of a member for tbe Okain's Riding in the County Council took place on Wednesday in the public schoolroom, Little Akaloa, and owing to the fact that a previous election has been declared on petition null and void more than usual interest was taken in the proceedings. It will be remembered that at the last election Mr J. B. Barker only obtained the seat by the casting vote of the Returning Officer. Afterwards a petition was lodged against his return, on the ground of his son who was a minor, having voted, and as we have stated the election was upset before the Resident Magistrate. After the decision of the R.M. was made known, arrangements were at once made by the officers of the Council for a fresh election, and on this occasion Mr Hunter the then candidate, chose to stand out, and the contest lay between the other two candidates Messrs J. B. Barker and J. Boleyn. Since the day of nomination when it was known that Mr Hunter declined to stand again, a smart canvass has been going on between the friends of the two rival candidates to secure the friends of Mr Hunter for their respective sides, The complaints against the fact ot no polling booth being in Okain's Bay were very loud and general, but the Returning Officer was firm and declined to hold a poll at any other place than Little Akaloa* the place originally selected by the Council. The result proved the correctness of the position taken up by the Returning Officer, the fact being that almost every possible elector polled from Okain's Bay, and that early in the day Mr Barker's friends worked rather at a disadvantage) owing to the fact that that gentleman was absentin Christchurch on business, but both parties worked during the day with the greatest energy, and succeeded in bringing every possible elector to the poll with the exception of one. Mr C. J. Hubbard acted as scrutineer for Mr Boleyn, and Mr J. B. Barker, junior, for his father, Mr Barker, senior. Sergeant Willis gave the benefit of his presence to tbe scene in the neighborhood of the hotel, where he had a soothing effect on the excited friends of both patties. At a few minutes past siMr McGregor, Returning Officer, announced that Mr Barker had polled 29 votes and Mr Boleyn 42, and declared Mr Boleyn duly elected. Mr Connon of the Little Akaloa hotel thanked the electors for their support to Mr Boleyn, and hoped that now after the contest was over all angry feelings would be buried. Mr Boleyn is new to the Council, but is known to public business as a member of the Okain's Road Board some years ago, and 83 a gentleman of thorough integrity and large reading, no doubt his presence at tbe Council table will have a beneficial effect. After the declaration of the poll a number of gentleman mot at the hotel and drank the newly elected member's health in champagne. The residents in the bay now the present election is over, look forward to the election for members I of tbs Road Board to-morrow, J '

Narrow Escape.—Some boys set fire to the grass in front of Miss Hooman's on Tuesday morning. It burnt furiously and it was a marvel it did not catch the fence, which would undoubtedly have fired the house. Thanks, however, to tho exertions of the lads nnd neighbors the fire was beaten out.

Akaroa School Committee.—A meeting of the School Committee was held last evening. The following correspondence was read :—From W. Montgomery, Esq., en~ From the Board, stating that the police closing a cheque for £3 3s for the prize fund, have been instructed to carry out the compulsory attendance clause ; that the Board could grant no money for prizes ; that the Committee is to nominate the members to fill up vacancies on the Board, The chairman was instructed to write to Mr Montgomery. Mr,' W. Jacobson was appointed to audit the accounts. It was resolved that the sub-committee spend a sum not exceeding 14s in clearing the school ground. The chairman was instructed to have the ladder mended. The Committee adjourned to Saturday, 21stinst.,at 8 p.m*