Peninsula News.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 601, 18 April 1882, Page 2

Peninsula News.

FuNEUAL of Mr ShaDßOlt. —The almost universal respect and esteem in which the late MrShadbolt was held was testified to on Sunday by an attendance of nearly four hundred people at his funeral. It was not merely the neighbors that were present but friends from neatly all the other bays, and Mr Montgomery, Mr Williams and others came up from Christchurch. The procession left Mr Shad bolt's residence shortly after 3 p.m. and part of the service was performed in the Church, alter which the long string of pedestrians, carriages and horsemen wound up the hill to the Duvauchelle's Bay Cemetery. The funeral service was performed by the Revs Stack and Cruden and very hearty sympathy with the bereaved was shown on the faces of those present at the ceremony.

German Bay Side School.—The picnic and sports in connection with the above school took place on E ister Monday, in Mr Woodill's paddock, Long /Jay road. Despite ttie tieavy rain ot tlie previous days the ground was tolerably dry and in fair condition for running. There was a very good attendance of ladies and children. The male sex were conspicuous by their absence, due in a great measure to counter attractions elsewhere, notably the Christchurch Exhibition, which thinned Akaroa and its immediate vicinity to a considerable extent. The committee who were mainly instrumental in getting up the picnic consisted of Messrs \V. Curry, A. Jones, J. Curry, D. Curry, and T. 11. Giles and these gentlemen were most assiduous in their endeavors io promote the happiness and amusement of all present. In connection wiih the sports Messrs W. Curry and T. H. Giles, ably assisted by Mr Maclintock, undertook the arduous duties of handicapperp, Mr A Jones officiated aa starter, and Messrs J. Curry and VV. Jollie J un., acted as Judges. The creature comforts were presided over and ably dispensed by the following ladies :— Mesdames A. Jones, E. Lelievre, J. Curry, W. Curry, and the Misses M. and J. Jolly. The viands were of the choicest description and reflected the greatest credit upon the caterer, Mr Campbell Brown. The proceedings commenced about 1 p.m. with Boys Kace, 150 yds, handicap, over 12 and under 15; F. Armstrong, 1 ; V. Halm and W. Curry, dead heat. Girls liace, 100 yds, handicap, over 7 and under 12 ; M. Missen, 1; E. Jones, 2. Boys liace, 100 yds, handicap, 7 and under 12 , N. Watkins, 1 ; T. Penlington, 2. Boys Race, 80yds, handicap, under 7, F. Peulington, 1; H. Cany, 2. Girls liace, 80yds, handicap, under 7, V. Lelievre, 1; M. Udell, 2. Bell Contest, Giri3 all ages, L. Munro. Bell Contest, Boys all ages, N. Watkins. 1. Novel Kace, 150 yds ; 50yds backwards, 50yds on all fours, and 50yds straight, IP. Armstrong, 1; W. Curry, 2. Girls Kace, 100 yds, handicap, all ages, P. Jones, 1 ; L. Munro, 2; M. Curry, 6. Boys Kace , 150 yds, handicap, all ages, N. Watkins, 1 ;S. Curry, 2; K. Hammond, 3. Consolation Race, 100 yds, handicap, Girls, no prize winner to be allowed to compete, J. Lelievre, 1 ; M. Jolly, 2 ; M. Munro, 3. Married Ladies liace, 100 yds, handicap, Ist prize, ladies ruuf£ presented by Mr G. Black, 2nd prize, pair of bootees presented by Miss M. j Jolly ; Mrs J. Curry, 1; Mrs E. Lelievre, 2. Tiiis race created great amusement, no fewer than 6 ladies facing the starter. Single Ladies Kace, 100 yds, handicap ; Ist prize, album presented by Mr J. Daly, 2nd prize, writing desk presented by Mr J. Kissel ; Miss A. Jones, 1 ; Miss L. Odell, 2. The jumping and other events on the programme bad to be abandoned owing to the elippery nature of the ground. The usual out-door amusements were freely indulged in and everything went pleasantly. The jthanks of the committee are deservedly due to, Mr Woodill for so kindly placing his paddock at the disposal of the committee, to the. ladies who labored so indefatigably to promote the comforts of all present, and last, though not least, to the following gentlemen who contributed prizes for competition at the sports:—Messrs Gγ. J. Black, H. Billens, J. Daly, J. Kissel, W. Jollie, F. Hahn, and 11, Barker. Had the weathor been more favorable there is little doubt that a much larger assemblage would havo been present, but taking everything into consideration, the committee have reason to congratulate themselves on the success attending the festivities just chronicled.

Steamer.—Tlie Penguin is expected this morning at 9 a.m.

Gekman Bay Steeplechases. — All interested are reminded that entries for these races close on Thursday next, April 20, not later than 8 p.m. A. meeting of the committee is called for the following evening at the Madeira Hotel.

Thk Crisis.—Sir George Grey telegraphed to Lyttelton Times as follows :— " You have been misled by statement regarding telegram to Clnistchurch, about formation of Ministry. I have sent no telegram whatever to Christchureh •, or, of the purport stated, to any part of the Colony."

Pigeon Match.—The shooting off for 2nd prize between the gentlemen who tied on Easter Monday took pi nee yesterday. The firing was for two birds each with the following result:—Parsons, 0; Pi'lgeon, 1 ; Hay lock, 2; Barker, 0; Edmondsnn, 1 ; lioderigues, 0- Ilaylock therefore took the second prize. Pidgeon and Edmondson dividing the 3rd prize. A private match afterwards took place between Parsons and Pidgeon for £2 a side, one bird each. Both killed their bird but as it had been arranged that the hit on the firing for the second prize was to count and Pidgf-on had killed his bird in that and Parsons made no score. Pidgeon won. Another private match for £1 a side took place between Parsons and Barker which was won by the former, Barker's gun missing fire. Another "private match for 5s each between Parsons and Pidgeon resulted in a tie, both killing their bird, this match being also only one bird eacli.

Accident to Mr Wright, Sen., of Wainui.—Mr and Mrs Wright left Akaroa for Christchurch on Wednesday, sth April, intending to come home on Good Friday. While ■in Christchurch they stopped at Mrs Lucas's in the Ferry road, and that lady lent them a spring trap to drive over to Opawa station to catch the 8 a.m. train on Good Friday. They managed to reach the Opawa bridge just as the train was crossing; over (the road in this place runs under the bridge). The hor.se in the trap shied at the train and backed into the river. Mrs Wright had the presence of mind to jump out on the bank, but Mr Wright was unfortunately sitting in the back part of the trap at the tipe, and consequently couldn't do the same. The part of the river at its centre is some 12ft deep, and the horse backed into about 9ft of water and plunged about so much that it was impossible for Mr Wright to get out of the trap. The water was up to his neck, and no doubt he was wise in stnnding still, till he received assistance from the shore. As Mr Wright cannot swim he would have had little chance of reaching the shore, especially as the horse might li3ve plunged on him. He was compelled to remain in this unpleasant position tliree-qiiarters.of an hour, though all the assistance that could be procured, at the time was rendered. The train was stopped, and two of the railway hands came to the rescue, one of whom stripped and swain on to the horse's back and tried to unhook the harness, but finding this impossible he cut it away and freed the horse. The people on shore therktiVd a.rail on to a rope and threw it to Mr Wright, who man aired to catch hold and by this means was pulled to shore. Afterwards soino laeklo was procured' and the trap hauled out of the river. A carpet bag was lost, which was probably trampled in the mud by the horse. The people in the neighborhood were especially kind and did all they could to extricate Mr Wright from his unenviable position. Our readers* will be glad to hear that Mr Wright has very nearly recovered from the effects of bis accident, though be has suffered a good deal from rheumatism in consequence.