Peninsula News.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 583, 14 February 1882, Page 2

Peninsula News.

Farmers' Club. —Our readers are reminded that a very important meeting of this club will be held at the Head of the Bay ou Saturday.

U.S.S. Co.—The Penguin left Port Chalmers at 3.30 p.m. yesterday with 20 tons of cargo for Akaroa. She should arrive at about 7 this morning.

The New Licensing Committee. —There is considerable excitement regarding the coming election for the Borough Licen sing Committee. Already several gentlo lrn-n have been nominated, and there is little doubt there will be a contest.

Lyon's Tourists. —Our readers are reminded that this troupe open to-morrow night at the Oddfellows' Hall, They play three nights, and as already stated, are an admirable troupe, and their performance will undoubtedly be a great treat.

Stai-kjient.—Mr Rich informs us that two men working in Lo Bon's Bay told him that tbey saw a vessel off the coast on Thursday last, just before the heavy S-jiiJburly squall ou that day. The spray hid he*' from their sight, and when tho ____________ Mcd shortly alter, the vessel

Tenders.—Tenders are invited for a number of works by tbe Akaroa and Wainui Road Board.

Canterbury. Frozen Meat Co.—The prospectus of this company is published elsewhere.

Mysterious.—-During" the last few days mysterious sounds, like the report of distant- c mnun, hivn been beard in Akaroa. The)* have _;iven rise to quite a variety ot surmises regarding their origin. One gentleman was convinced that it was distant thunder; another, that it was the iron hull of the City of Oishmere beating against the Timaru shingle ; yet another, that it was the tiring of the big guns which had been recently placed in position at Lyttelton harbor for tbe defence of that port. Our idea is that the sounds were of good omen for Akaroa, as we believe that they proceeded from the blasting at the Devil's Knob, where the contractors are now at work, pushing tbe Little River Railway nearer to our harbor. The Zephyr.—We are glad to record that Mr T. S. Baker, of French Farm, bus purchased the yacht Zephyr from MiFrank Oal-ulen, of Dunedin, and that she will arrive here by the Hawea next trip. She will be a great addition to our local craft, as she is undoubtedly the fastest yacht of her tonnage in New Zealand. Her builder was Mr Green, the celebrated Sydney boatbuilder, and her irame is most substantial, the decks and sides being_of douole-planked kauri. Her length is 35ft 9in, beam Gft 9in, and draught of water 3ft Gin. She is sliding gunter rigged, and is 7 tons according to yacht measurement. Her performances have been excellent. In Lyttelton in 1881, in spite of very heavy weather—most unfavorable for so small a craft—she was only beaten by the Dove by a few seconds, in the Champion Yacht Race. She was afterwards sent to Melbourne, where she won tbe Third Class Intercolonial Yacht Race of £100, beating eight others by 23 minutes. Her next race was on the Derwent, at the Hobart Regatta, but here she was unsuccessful, being beaten by a centre-board vessel. Mr Baker has purchased her at tbe exceedingly low price of £105, and we hope that his enterprise will be rewarded, and many rac-js placed to his credit by his smart little craft.

Akaroa High School.—A meeting of the Board of Governors waa held yesterday afternoon at the Borough Council Chambers. Present —Messrs W. B. Tosswill (Chairman), Piper, J. Aylmer, Adams, McGregor, Garwood, and Jacobson. The Chairman read correspondence with Go-

vernment re reserves allocated to the Board, particulars of which have already been published. Letters were also read from Mr F. G. Stedman, Registrar of

Canterbury College, as follows:—I am directed by the Chairman to acknowledge tbe receipt of your letter, and to state that

information asked for would have been supplied to yon before, but was delayed owing to the absence of the head master of tbe Christchurch Boys' High School, whose opinion on the matter would be very valuable. Immediately on his return he was consulted, and he suggests that all pupils before admission should pass the 111 Standard. From Mr Marsbman as under:—"With reference to your letter of the 20th inst., and the setting apart by the School Commissioners of Jic'servcs oituated and set apart for the maintenance of the Akaroa High School, I beg to say, that the scheme of apportionment made by the School Commi-'ioners was forwarded to the

Secretary of X lucation on the 19th inst

There will follow presently a proclamation by the Governor that the Reserves referred to, have been set apart, ami they will therefore vest in the High School Board.

These Reserves are two in

number,

and they are both leased. When the proclamation has been issued the leases and any thing else we may have relating to them will be handed to you." The Chairman said he had written the following letter to Mr Marsbman re reserves :—With reference to your letter of the 24th ultimo,, would you kindly inform us as to the rental of the two reserves, mentioned by you as being set apart for the Akaroa High School ; also, where situated, the acreage, and the terms of the leases. We should also he glad to know if the back rents would accrue to us. The following memo had been received in answer:—Wouldn't it be better to let this matter alone until the proclamation has been issued, investing the High School Board with the title to the land in question. The present rental of the lands is

abo'.t-_IoO a year. The half year's rent

payable Ist Nov. last has not been allocated, aud the School Commissioners pro-

pose to make it collcctub'e by tho High School Board. The Board cannot claim to possess any right or interest in monies received for these lands by the Sohoo Commissioners antieedeutly to the date of its own creation. Moreover, these monies have been for the most part already applied in aid of existing schools as directed by the "Education Reserves Act, 1877." ft was resolved that a sub committee, consisting of the Chairman and .Messrs Garwood, Jacobson and McGregor, be appointed to arrange standing orders lor tiie approval of the Board at next meeting. It was resolved that a High School be established in Akaroa. After discussion, regarding the advisableness of having a mixed school of boys and girls, it was resolved that the Head Masters of the Timaru and Christchurch High School should be written to, asking their opinion on the matter. Resolved "That all pupils before admission to the achool shall pass an examination before the master equal to standard 111, or shall produce their certificates of having passed such standard." it was agreed that the fees to he charged be £10 10s for one, £18 18s for two, and £25 4s for three terms, to be paid in advance each term. It was further resolved " That a circular be prepared embodying the resolutions of this day's meeting, requesting parents to communicate with the Chairman of the Beard, stating what childrou they were likely to send to the High School. Messrs Tosswill and Jacobson j as sub-committee." It was resolved. " That it be an instruction to the sub-committee to state in their circular that the Master of the School will be allowed to take boarders at £40 per annum." Agreed " That the Chairman be requested to communicate with the Government re obtaining the Immigration Barracks for the use of the High School. After authorising the Chairman to obtain all necessary books, stationary, etc., the Board adjourned. Wantkd, fanners and others to send in their orders fur next so,.son's supply of Rennet arid Coloring, which will bo executed at lowest price. See advertisement - 1 '- *■ "'-" --■°* h* ,p '''— Advt.

I.O.G.T.—Owing to the Oddfellows' Hall being engaged by the Lyon's theatrical troupe on Wednesday evening, the usual weekly meeting of the Good Templars' Lodge takes place this evening. A full attendance is requested.

The Primate.—The Bishop of tbe Diocese arrived by Pigeon Bay route last Friday, and after holding service there on that day was driven to Okain's Bay on Saturday. Services were held in tbe Church on Sunday, when the rite of confirmation was conferred on a number of candidates, and his Lordship, in an impressive address, drew the attention of the candidates to the importance of the holy rite. His Lordship arrived in Akaroa last evening from Okain's Bay and is now, the guest of the Rev 11. Stocker, and will meet the vestry to-day.

SERICICULTURE.—Tbe silkworms are progressing favorably, under the peculiar circumstances previously ei plained. A few have already reeched tbe fifth stage, and can be expected to begin to spin their cocoons in about twelve days. The others are of different ages, from the hatching up to the third !*>tage, and all are, so far, perfectly healthy. It is gratifying to note the interest taken in this industry by tbe numbers who have availed themselves of the opportunity of inspecting tbe silkworms and seeking the necessary information for their culture. The general care appears to be how the right kind of mulberry trees can Ire obtained for the next planting season, but it is most likely that the Government will endeavor to make some satisfactory arrangement in this direction by that time.

Duvauchelle's Bay School.— A meeting of the committee of this school was held on Monday evening the 6th inst. Present •—Messrs Barwick (Chairman), Piper, Libeau and Pawson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A circular from the Board of Education was then read, informing them that the following gentlemen had been nominated to fill the vacancies in the Education Board of the district of North Canterbury, viz , Messrs G. Booth. S.C. Farr, W.Montgomery, W. Parker-son, Rev. A. R. D. Tosswill, and J. L. Wilson, and asking that the names of not more than three of the persons so nominated be sent in to the -Secretary of the Board by the 28th inst. On the motion of Mr Piper, seconded by Mr Pawson, tbe following gentlemen were nominated by the committee :—Messrs W. Montgomery, G. Gooth and W. Parkerson. Accounts amounting to £6 13s 6d were passed for payment. The meeting then adjourned till the Ist Monday in March.

Cricket Extraordinary.—The return Intercolonial match between Victoria and New South Wales (says yesterday's Times) has produced some of the highest scoring on record, and may yet take place as the most remarkable game ever plaj'ed. New South Wales went in first, and during the first day scored 350 for the loss of three wickets only. Next day tbey remained at the wickets again all the time, and three more wickets only fell, Murdoch being finally disposed of for the gigantic score of 321. S. Jones, one of the most promising bats in Australia, is still not out for tbe score of 189 (the telegram gives his score as 109, which surely must be a mistake), and Garrett also carried bis bat for 75. The total is 640, for six wickets ; and if New South Wales make 103 more, they will have the satisfaction of knowing that they have made a score never equalled, and not likely to be surpassed, except on tbe superb wickets that the Australian grounds can boast of. The batting in this match augurs well for the success of the new Australian team at Home, and must strike terror into the Englishmen now just about to land in Sydney from New Zealand.