Peninsula News.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 590, 10 March 1882, Page 2

Peninsula News.

Akaroa Dlsi'riut School Committee.— A meeting of this committee was hold on Tuesday Inst. A circular from the Board of Education was read, stating that the Board has taken space in the Exhibition for the purpose of exhibiting specimens of the handiwork of children attending the public school. The Chairman stated that the average attendance had risen from 76 to over 100. It was resolved that the Chairman direct the attention of the Police to the fact that several families were either not attending school, or not making the number of attendances required by the Act.

Akaroa High School Board.—A meeting of this Board was held on Wednesday afternoon at tlie Borough Council Chambers. Present—Messrs W. B. TosswiU (Chairman), McGregor, Adams, Piper, Garwond, and Jacobson. The minutes of tho prior meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman reported that the replies to the Board's circulars had been few. only 7 boys and 2 girls being promised. It was resolved that in consequence of the few replies to the Board's circulars, the opening of the school be at present deferred. The Chairman was authorised to pay sundry outstai dirg accounts. Replies wer* mad from the Mead masters of tho Christchurch and Tiinaru High Schools, statii.g they were of opinion that a mixed school of boys and girls under one master would not be successful. The Board then adjourned.

Little Rivkk Schooc. — The usual monthly meeting of the Little River District School Committee was held in the schoolroom on Monday evening last, the. 6th inst, Present —Messrs \V. Coop (chairman), W. G. Joltliii, James Reynolds, and M. Fitton. The minutes of the previous meeting were iead and confirmed. The following correspondence wns read : — From the Education Bonn), as u> planting and fence. From same, as to master's house, stating that the work would be put in hand na speedily ns practicable. From twine. UK to New Zeiland Nalional Exhibition. From same, with quarterly return from same, stating that the sum of £16 18s M had beeu paid into the Bank of New South Wales, Ohristchureh, to the credit of the Coinir« i t te'>, for salaries. Ftoiii the mister, requiring stationery, &c. The Chairman was authorised to order the stationery from Messrs Whitcomhe & Co. From same, stating that the attendance had improved, hut some children were not yet attending school. Mr G. W. Jobiin stated that he and Mr Greenland had examined the well at the master's house, and found that it would cost too much to obtain water for the short time it would be required, as the new bonne would shortly be built. Mr Reynolds said there was a place on Mr Allan's land where the master could get \vf).ter, but it wanted cleaning nut. It was resolved —"That Mr Allan's permission be obtained as to water for master's house, and the place cleaned out, Mr Reynolds to have done, what is required, and also to see to the pump and water supply at the school ground. Aβ to the compulsory clause, the matter was to be looked up. With respect tc the letter from the Education Board, as to removing trees and as to fence, it was proposed by Mr W. G.Joblin, and seconded by Mr James Reynolds, "That in conse|uenne of the Education Board refusing to pay for planting trees en school site, and the Board having given permission to thin committee to remove the same, that the trees now growing bo offered to the Cemetery committee, provided it pays the expense this committee has beeu at for planting them." The Chairman said he altogether objected to the tree? being removed, as it would not only be a disgrace

to the Education Board, but to tlie district, to allow such a thing to bo done.

Mr M. Fitton fully agreed with the Chairman's remarks. After some further discussion it was resolved : That the matter be postponed until the next meeting. The following resolutions were passed, vix., That ./is'" to the fence, it being a boundary fence, accounts be sent in to the Education Board for payment as desired by thae body. That the Education lioard l>t npplie'i to for the cost of erecting bell, swing, and rope for same, and repairing gymnastic apparatus. The Chairman .said he would give any timber required ; he ulsu reported that he had given permission to the Lyon's Troupe for the uso ! of the schoolroom on two occasions. The MtUriea were passed,for payment nud the meeting terminated.

Akkival of San Frisco Mail.—This mail arrived in Auckland at 5 p in. yesterday.

Mr CaTTLIN. surgeon dentist, from Christchurch, is now in Aknrna, and may be consulted at Wagtail's HoU'l.—Advt.

ASSKSSMENT COURT.—The noti iicatioti of the holding of Hie various Assessment Courts in the County, appears elsewhere.

DCNSTABLB Housk.—Messrs Ballantyne and Co. announce the arrival of their large shipment of new Autumn and Winter Drapery.

Little River Licensing District. — Messrs J. Gebbie, J. Wilson, G. W. Joblin, W. Birdiing, and A. P. O'Callaghan were the gentlemen elected aa Licensing Commissioners for the above district.

Secretaryship of the Farriers' Club.— The sub-committee appointed received a great many applications for the Secretaryship of the Farmers' Club. It was determined to relegate the whole matter to the general committee which holds their meeting at Bayley's Hotel to-tnorrow.

School Committees.— The householders in the Educational Districts of Pigeon Bay, Port Levy, and Robinson's Bay having failed to elect school committees on January 23rd last, the Secretary of the Board of Education announces that the adjourned annual meetings for that purpose will be held on the 23rd of this month.

German Bay Steeplechase,—A meeting of the general committee is called for Tuesday evening next, for the consideration of argent business. We desire to emphatically contradict nn absurd report to the effect that some of the fences on the course are sft 6in high. It is only an ordinary steeplechase course, and horses will have no greater difficulties to contend with than at other places.

The Commercial Hotel.—As will be seen by advertisement, our old friend Mr Warner has re-occupied the Commercial Hotel, which he has fitted up in magnificent style. No doubt from its splendid position and excellent accomodation, it will be deservedly well patronised during the coming Exhibition ; and one thing we are sure of, and that is, that the genial host and hostess will spare no pains to make their guests comfortable.

Farmers' Club. —On Saturday last tho sub-committee appointed to endeavor to obtain offers of ft suitable site for the Agricultural and Pastoral Show ground, visited the localities indicated by the committee. They received offers from Messrs Latter, Barwick, Saxton, Shadbolt, and Birdling; and Mr Piper, on behalf of the committee, will bring up a written report on the subject at Saturday's meeting of the club, which we remind our readers takes place on that day at Bayley's Hotel, Akaroa.

Another Use for the Mulberry Tree. —Mr Federli. knowing that mulberry wood was much used in Italy for coopering purposes, for which it is peculiarly adapted (especially for wine procured the etump of a tree standing in the Chinamen's gardens, and took it to Mr D. Holding, the cooper, who is making a cask of it, and also polishing two blocks, in order that they may be shown at the forthcoming Exhibition. It svill thus be seen that, in addition to tho leaves, the mulberry tree grows a very valuable timber, equal in many respects to English oak. and much superior to it in tho making of casks for holding wine. It is to be hoped that farmers will lose no time in applying for the number of trees they want to Mr Federli.

The Property Tax.—We commend to the notice of Mr Sperry, the fact that the collection of the property tax is not by any means made as easy as if. might be. We know of one property holder to whom no notice of payment was sent at all. lie applied to the postmaster asking for the amount he had to pay, and waa told no particulars whatever had been furnished. The result was that the unfortunate man had to pay for a telegram, and was also mulcted in the additional 10 per cent line through the negligence of. the Government. Another unfortunate lost his notice and had to pay for a telegram, and also the 10 per cent fine in consequence. This state of things should certainly be altered. In imposing the tax parliament never meant that difficulties should be placed in the way of payment, or unjust lines inflicted. The least that could be done woidd be to send to each postmaster or other person appointed to receive the tax, a list of alt the people residing in the district, wko were liable, and also the amount of their liabilities. The course pursued here has been as follows :—On the 31et of January one notice was inserted in this journal, stating when the instalments of the Property Tax were to be paid, not a word being said about any tines. On the 28th February the first intimation of a penalty occurs, a notice being sent, stating that a fine of 2s in the £ will be inflicted on all not paying their first instalments of the tax, due on Feb. 15, by the Ist of March i.e. the following day. Sharp practice this indeed, looking as if the Government were anxious, not so much to collect the tax, as to inflict the fines. By the judicious withholding of the advertisement till the last day ! Most of the inhabitants of the bays never could have seen it at all till the extra 10 per cent had become due. Let us hope some means will be taken to collect tbia portion of the revenue in a rather milder manner on future occasions.