Peninsula News.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 649, 3 October 1882, Page 2

Peninsula News.

Vital Statistics—For the quarter ending September 30, 1882, them have been 31 births in Akaroa and 7 deaths, but not a single marriage.

Weather Warnings.—Captain Edwin has sent an answer to the Town Clerk, stating in reply to the request to send weather warnings from the Wellington observatory, that he will do so regular y as requested. Captain Edwin telegraphs yesterday that there were indications of a no r lherly gale and that the glass was falling.

Tub llalswell Diversion.—At the Springs. ltoud Board Meeting on Tuesday last, Mr Herrick brought under the notice of the Board that it was the desire of the neighboring Boards as well as of a number of ratepayers in the district, to make an effort to improve the drainage purposes of the Halswoll river, and after discussion, it was resolved—"That the clerk he directed to write to the Lincoln, Little River, and Halswell Boards, to the efEe,-t that this Board is quite willing to bear an equitable share of the necessary preliminary expenses in obtaining a qualified engineer's report as to levels, the best method of improving the drainage functions of the river, preparing plans, and giving the estimate of the cost of such method." It will 'thus be seen that this Board is not disinclined to spend at any rate a part of the £25 granted to it by the Selwyn Council in this useful work.

Okain's Road Board.—The monthly meeting of the Olefin's Road Board was held on Soptember 30- Present—Messrs J. E. Tliacker (in the chair;, W. Tliacker, T. Oldridge, J. B. Barker, and H. Bennett. The minutes and accounts of (lie previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was read from Mr R. James, asking the Board to define a road he required to use on the Little hill, as in his opinion the line of rond ws now obs ructed !>y a fence. Mr Barker moved >md Mr Oldridge seconded : 'Tliat Mr James be authorised to remove nny obstruction there may ho on the road in question." Tiie Chairman stated that he had received a tender from Wright «nd Harris for repairs to Big Hill road, viz., £18, but considered it excessive and could not entertain it. The following accounts were passed for payment :— J. Cairns, Lo Bonn Valley road, £12 16s; H. Wnghom, New Cow road, on account. £10 ; T. Mctntosh. balance on contra t Little Akcvloi, £8 IO.H ; G Bennett, day work, £bbs ; J. Rix, do £2 19a Gd.

Draining Lake Ei.lgsmerk.—For Rome few years pnst («iys the Ashburton Mr.il) Mr W. B. Complon has been engaged pieparing a model for the purpose of draining lake Ellesmere. The design was shown to us last night, and its simplii-ity and apparent suitability for the object in view are very striking. Competent engineers are of opinion that the idea is an excellent one, and very feasible, and the mode' shown us and an explanation of same, make it appear that with a small outlay the lakes of F-.'rsyth and EHesmero can easily he drained, and peruvinently reclaimed. Mr Coinpton intends bringing his scheme under the notice of the proper authorities. For the present we shall not give a den'jripiion <>t" the plan Mr Compton. has ro tenacious!} , triid to car/}* irito effect, but wo are pleased to say that he has», after the lapse of nit'.ny } ears, succeeded in bringing his sylicme to completion. He is fully con iident that the model, if practically followed out, in making the works it repreasnts, the lakes can bn drained in a lem.irkaldy short space of time and at a small cost. Mr W. B. Compton is the surveyor of the Mount Ilutt Ro:td Board.

Ak'aroa Crickict Club.—This club is now in full working'; order. The consist of the following gentlemen : — Patron Mr Montgomery, President Mr J. Ayhuer, Vice presidents Messrs W. B. Tosswill and J. D. Garwood. Captain Mr P. E. Granger, Sub captain Mr W. Piusons, Hon. Treasurer Mr V. Masefield, Hon. Secretary Mr P. E Granger. Committee—Messrs W. Mastoid, A. G. Hamilton, J. Unywtud T 11. Hilys. A. Munro, Joseph Simekell. and J. JVL-Gregor, AU officers are to be ex officio members of the committee. At a general meeting held on Saturday last, the rules prepared by the committee were passed, and copies of the same may be seen after Wednesday week at Pu'.iio Library or in the clut>'s room"at Waockerle's IJotel. The rime for enrolling members without ba lotng has been extended to Satnrd-iy next, 7th iust.. on which day tiio opening match will lie, played, and persons paying the amount of entrance !wj and subscription (7s Gd) to liio {Secretary or Treasurer on or before that day will be deemed members of the club. The ground was thrown open for practice yesterdiy, and we trust members will roll up as often as possible. Mr Bayley having kindly consented to act as care-taker, members desirous of nsing the club's property apply to him for same.

Formation of Jollie Street.—The Borough Council invite tenders for the formation of that part of Jollie street between Goodwill's forge iind Britain

street

The Proposed Frozen Meat Company. —Our subscribers are reminded that the public meeting to hear the report of the Committee as to the practicability o , ' establishing a Frozen Me.it Company will be held on FnMay nex!,»t2 p.m.

MHETLNGs.—The • Regatta committee meet at the Mail efftve to-night, at half past seven, and the Bormigh Srhool Com mitteo hold their monthly meeting in tho school. The snb-committre appointed to preparo tho prizu for the Farmers' club, meet at the- Mail office to-day.

Outside Ni£\V--i.—Some of the IVhtnnra's mutton only bro iglit 5d per lb. The s-heep are pronounced by judges to be too fat.—The Australian Cricketers, who are declared by some of the English papers to be the strongest team ever got together, β-ti ed OM Saturday for New York.— The public meeting to arrange for the Lyttelton Regatta wan held iast evening, at the Colonists' Hill,

Sericicultuke.—Mγ Federli is paying us another visit. He arrived by the coach iast night, an I brought some silkworm grain tor distribution to those persons who have applied for it. He has visited several o£ those who have planted the mulberry tree this yeir, and says the trees are all Poking well. The tries are of tie moat delicate kind of the morus alba. Some of them have actually been making wood in the winter, a thing never known in Europe, and he anticipates that, like the weeping willow, they will almost cease to be deciduous, and becomo evergreen in the course of years. Some of the grain from silkworms reared by Mr Cullen last year is already hatching, and the young worms are doing well. Mr Federli suggests tlmt it is better not to pick the mulberry leaves from the young trees planted this season for the sake of a few silkworms, as it is most important they should become w<4l established before being stripped of their foliage. One is pleased to hear such a favorable report from Mr Federli, and we now really look forward with confidence to the time when sericiculture shall become one of the established industries of the Peninsula. Mr Federli hopes some efforts will be made to get a good.nupply of trees to plant this winter, as the great thing now is to provide sufficient food for the silkworms.