Peninsula News.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 608, 12 May 1882, Page 2

Peninsula News.

Borough School.—Mr W. L. Edge, the Inspector of Schools, has arrived in Akaroa. Pie will commence the inspection vi the Borough School on Tuesday next, 16th inst.

Akaroa and Wainui Road Board.—-The nomination of a member to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr Shadbolt, took place on Wednesday. Messrs Alexander Wright and William Chatfield were, nominated. The poll will he held at the Koad Board office, Mead of the Bay, on May 23rd.

Fire at Little River.—AJiro happened at Little River on Tuesday last, about eight o'clock in the morning, causing the total destruction of a shed, together with its contents, consisting of a trap and various other articles, belonging to Mr John Sherroelc. It appears that one of his sons, a lad about five years old, got hold of some matches, and lighting one, threw it on to some straw which was housed in the shed. The fire burned so quickly that it was impossible to save anything.

Tiik Exhibition.—The awards in woo', jewellery, and some manufactured goods have been made by tho Exhibition jurors. The only two exhibits of wool from the Peninsula have been successful in gaining orders of merit. Two lambs fleeces, spoken of as v well bred, sound, and of good length," shown by Mr Shadbolt, were awarded a first class order of merit, arid silver medal. A lamb's lleece shown by Messrs Masofield Bros, was awarded a bronze medal and second order of merit.

Farmers' Club.—We remind our readers that an important meeting in connection with the Farmers' Club will be held at the Somerset Hotel, Head or! tho liny, to-inor— row. It is held " For the purpose of considering the best means of forming an Agricultural and Pastoral Society in. connection with this Club, and for the incorporation of both under ' The Agricultural *md Pastoral Societies Act, 1877 ' " ; and therefore every one interested in agricultural and pastoral pursuits (and who i.snot on the Peninsula ?) should he present if they can.

Outside News—An inquest was held on Wednesday on the boy who died under chloroform at Dunedin. Dr Burns who administered the chloroform said he had been in the habit of using it for 26 years and this was the first time he liad had an accident occur. The jury were, not satisfied and the enquiry was adjourned for the evidence of otlur experts. A boy named Hughes, aged 12 years, fell off a dray full of corn on Moidny. at Tuapeka. He fell on a pitchfork which was protruding upwards, it pierced his temple between the car and eye and lie died three hours afler. A three roomed cottage was burnt clown at Prebbleton on Tuesday, and in it a little girl named Bowie. The mother and three children lived in the house and on the evening in question the former went out taking one of them \vilh her. The lire broke out soon ,-Uter and one of the children, a U-y ot five years old, escapi-d through the llauius but ,a little girl of four years was b iinil.

The S.S. Akauoa.—Wo sec by the Christehurch papers that Captain Malloek and pnrty arrived safely in Lyttelton on Tuesday last. The Akaroa returned yesterday afternoon to her anchorage off the town, Captain iVlalloclc bringing an addition to his party in the shape of Mr James Self '■.

Ciikkse roil Home,—Mr Hager, of Robinson's Bay, has shipped some of his cheese in the Brillant for England. lie has personally superintended the stowage. The cheese is carefully packed and is nearly amidships under a ventilator. Wool is stowed all round it and this appears to he considered an advantage, though why we cannot understand.

BoiiOUGii Accounts.—The special meeting for - onfirmirig the Borough accounts which liiis to be held annnally on the second Tuesday in Maw was, as a matter of course, called for last Tuesday. As, howwer. only his Worship and Crs Black and McGregor wete present, there was no quorum and the meeting had to be adjourned till Friday (this) evening at 7.30 p.m., when it is hoped there will be a large attendance.

Borough Council.—At the appointed time for meeting on Wednesday Inst, Cr Bruce was the solo councillor in the Chamber, and as at 8 p.m. not one of his colleagues had put in an appearance, he adjourned the meeting till this evening, at, 8 p.m. His Worship the Mayor did send in an apology, stating he was detained through indisposition, Crs McGregor, and Gutberlet were out of town, hut why the rest neglected to attend, this deponent knoweth not.

Akaroa Hope Lodge, I.O.G.T.—The quarterly meeting of the above lodge was held on Wednesday evening last. The chief business was the installation of officers for the ensuing quarter. The following officers were elected, and duly installed by D.D.G.W.C.T. Bro. G. Aimstrong, assisted by Bro. J. R. Newton :— Bro. T. H. Giles, W.C.T.; Bro. W. Jolly, jun., W.V.T.; Bro. J. K. Newton, W.S.; Sister Newton, W.F.S.; Bro. G. Armstrong, W.T.; Sister Kearney, W.C.; Bro. D. Fyfe, W.M.; Bro. H. Haylock, VV.I.G. Bro. 11. Burke passes to the chair of P.W.C.T. x\ committee was formed for the purpose of arranging for open lodge meetings during the winter months.

The Vesthy.—There was to have been a meeting of the Vestry of St Peter's Church on Tuesday evening but no quorum being present a postponement took place. Those present however talked over matters and it was agreed that a guarantee from the Vestry of £230, instead of £200 as formerly, should be given to Mr Stocker if those absent would sign. It was also stated that some of the piles supporting the Church were much decayed and required immediate removal and it was agreed to get an estimate to place before the next Vestry meeting. The painting of the Church and fence was also spoken of and it was also determined to procure information as to the cost, the work being much required and the want of funds alone having dehiyed its performance.

Death by Chloroform at Dunedin.—A son of Captain Russell, marine surveyor, died on Tuesday afternoon while having some teeth extracted by Mr J. P. Armstrong. The chloroform was administered by Dr. Burns. Twenty drops were put on a handkerchief. The cliild was about ten years old, ami had been taken to Mr Armstrong's place for the purpose of having four decayed teeth drawn, and these were extracted, but the deceased did not recover consciousucr-s, it being that the cliild died during the operation from the action of the heart ceasing. Dry. Alexar.dur nnd Stenhouse were called in, but their services were of no avail, anil the deceased died about half an honr alter the chloroform had been administered. An inquest will probably be held before Mr Watt in the course of a day or two. Death was occasioned by paraly-is of the heart. Life was extinct within ten minutes after the chloroform had been administered.

J.P.—The department of justice have advised the Borough Council as follows: —" Department of Justice, Wellington, May 4, 1882. Sir, —I have the honor, by direction of tho Hon. Minister of Justice, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th ultimo., recommending the appointment of James Daniul G-arwood, Esq., to the commission of the peace, and, in reply, to inform you thac your recommendation shall receive the consideration of the Government.—Yours, etc., C. J. A. Ha-elden, for the Under Secretary." We may tlieiufore hope for speedy relief for those who require justices signatures, and for poor wandering strangers detained in the lockup. The appointment will be a great benefit, for as we before pointed out, the Resident Magistrate is often forced to lie absent through his duties, and His Worship the Mayor being the only other justice at present resident in the town, much inconvenience has been experienced in the past. May Mr Garwood be speedily appointed to the post he is so well fitted to fid.

The New Scale of Wharfage.—The Borough Council have received the following letter :—" Marine Department, Wellington, 2nd May, 1882. Sir,—! huvo the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th ultimo, forwarding proposed scale of wharfage and storage dues for the use of the Akaroa wharves, in order that the same may be lixed by the Governor in Council ; and with reference thereto to state that it is not quite clear from the language used in the scale, whether the proposed dues are to be charged both on imports and exports, as it is provided that the produce of the Akaroa and Wainui districts, if for export only, may be landed free of charge, while dues are to

be charged on timber, merchandise, etc., which may be the produce of th«se districts. With regard, however, to the proposed exemption of the produce of these districts, this department is advised that the proposal would infringe the provisions of sub-section 5 of spction 112 of " The Harbor's Act, 1878," and that therefore it cannot be legally included in the Order in Council prescribing the dues. If the Borough Council desire the Order without tho exemption it will be prepared for submission to the Governor in Council so soon as you let me know.—Yours, etc., William Seed." It will be seen by this that the authorities state that it will be illegal to land the produce of the Akaroa and Waintii districts, if for export, free of charge. This does not seem to us a very terious matter, as we suppose there are few persons who would mind paying a shilling or two per ton for grass seed and cheese for the convenience of having a good wharf to ship them at.

Whirlwind.—A whirlwind at Westport has caused devastation at Oramatis road. The verandah of Gibson's Hotel was carried over the building and deposited 100 yds away. Tie roofing of the front rooms was also removed. The entire roof of Mr Emsted's private house was lifted bodily and smashed up against the outbuildings. A portion of the material can be seen twisted amongst the branches of the trees 400 yds distant. Fences, windows and chimneys were smashed ; gate posts 2t't through drawn out of the ground, large trees uprooted. There was no lossof life.