Peninsula News.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 573, 10 January 1882, Page 2

Peninsula News.

St. Pkuer's Church.—The Yon. Archdeacon Hani's preached in the above Church on Sunday evening. The offertory was devoted to tho Maori Mission.

Singular Occurence.—Under this heading Saturday's Press has the following.— '• Shortiy afier the recent earthquake, some men working on the estate of Messrs Wood and Allen, in tho Terewera Valley, Little liiver, noticed a patch of some eight feet square on the hill, from which a column of steam was issuing. This continued for about a fortnight, and up to later, advices, steam was still issuing from tin.) spot." It is needless to point out that old totara or pine stumps will often burn for weeks, peat too has a habit that way, but what the earthquake has to do with it is the really''singular occurrence.''

Little River Railway.—The following correspondence on this subject has been kindly sent to us for publication by Mr Montgomery—" Public Works Office. Wellington, Dec. to, 1881. Sir,—With reference to the letter of tho Acting Minister for Public 'Works, dated Christchurch, Dec. 7, I am now directed to in form you that after fully considering the matter, it is proposed this year to complete the Akaroa lino as far as the foot of Lake Forsyth, and go on with the formation of another small section along the Lake. I have the honor to be, Sir, your obedient servant, JoiiM Knowles. Under Secretary for Public Works. William Montgomery, Esq., -.1.11. li., Christchurch," (Copy fi_ reply.) Qucenstowu, Dec. 31, 1-S'Sl. Sir, —I havo the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 15th inst. iv which you inform me that after fully considering the matter it is proposed this year to complete the Akaroa line as far as iho foot of Lake Forsyth and goon with another small section along tho Lake. I learn with much pleasure that it is tho intention of the Government to proceed with the formation of the line along Hie Lake, and I hope the words ' foot of L .kc Forsyth' mean the point where the mrveyed line lo Little River torn lies the Lake, as carrying a temporary line to the present lauding [dace v/oii.d be of little or no ben-:-ii!, to the resinents in the district, i have the honor to be, Sir, your obedient servant, W. MoyrcoMKUY. -John Knowles, Esq., Under Secretary for Public Works,

Wellimgtou."

Fort 'Victoria Road Board.—Messrs R. R. Bradley and T. 11. Potts have been elected to the two vacant seats on the above Board.

Farmers' Club.—Fanners are reminded of the meeting of this Cub, which takes place on Saturday next at the Head of the Bay.

N.Z.L. and M.A.Co.—This Company announce elsewhere that tbey will hold their opening .ale of wool at their new warehouses, on Wednesday, Jan. 18, Dinner to Mr Williams.—The complimentary dinner to Mr Williams will bo held in the Town Hall on Friday, 20th inst. Notice to Ratepayers.—The Akaroa and Wainui Road Board notify elsewhere that unless an elector has paid all his rates he will not be eligible to vote at the coin' ing el.ction. The Scaly Blight.—Mr S. Hunt announces elsewhere that he has dsscovered a cure for tho scaly blight on apple trees, and will give the information to anyone guaranteeing secresy, for a guinea. Grass Seed.—The cutting of; cocksfoot commenced generally yesterday. There appears to be a very fair crop. Elsewhere Mr Whelsh announces his intention of prosecuting any person taking cocksfoot from the roads, the right to cut which has been let to him by the Akaroa and Wainui Road Board. Levanted.—That promising Photographer, Mr Etienne J. Brocher, lias sought fresh fields and pastures new. He went to Lyttelton to look after a bos and got carried away, somehow, to Sydney. Many here, including ourselves, mourn his departure from our midst for pecuniary reasons. Okain's Bay Road Board.—The election of two members for the Okain's BayRoad Board, iv place of Messrs Moore and T. Oldridge, took place on Saturday last. Messrs J. E. Thacker, T. Oldridge, HElliott, aud E. W. Harris were the candidates. At the close of the poll the returning officer, Mr C. S. F. Moore, declared the result to be as follows :—John E. Thacker GG, Thos , Oldridge 61, Henry Elliott 55, E, W. Harris 28. He therefore declared the two first-named gentlemen duly elected. The annual meeting of ratepayers was held the same day.

German Bay School Committee.— A meeting of this committee was held on Saturday evening at the schoolroom. Present—Messrs Jolly (chairman), Odell, Curry and Chappell. The minutes having been confirmed, it was resolved that the Chairman and master of the main schools he appointed to select prizes for the scholars to suit the different classes, the school to he examined in March, and the prizes to be distributed at the Easier school treat. A long discus.-ion then took place upon the financial po.-itiou of the committee, nnd it was re-olvod that the Board of Education should be asked to place to the committee's credit the amount paid by them out ot their incidental expenses in repairs to both schools, as the allowance made was hardly sufficient to cover the schools firing and cleaning PC-count, A circular was read from the Board of Education, to the effect that Mr W. Montgomery and two other members retired by rotation from the Boaul, hut were elegible for re-election, and that 11 o committee had a right to vote for two candidates. Those present declared that if possible they should prefer plumping for _>Ir Montgomery to nominating two gentlemen. On the accounts being pre-

scnted, there was a. lively discussion, and it was resolved that the Chairman should write to both masters informing them that in the future all stationary and school requisites must be applied for through the committee, or they would not hold themselves responsible. It was resolved that Mr Jacobson should be asked to audit the accounts of the committee iv time for the next meeting to be held on the 23rd of Januaiy. Accounts having been passed to the amount of £8 for school cleaning, firewood and stationary, the committee adjourned till 6 p.m. on the 2_rd inst.