The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1883.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 676, 5 January 1883, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1883.

Borougu Improvements.—The oontrio- :- turs for the improvements in Jolie street commenced their work yesterday. The alteration of the level is very considerable at the end near the Mail office. , Akakoa Bokough Council.—At the time for meeting on Wednesday evening only two Councillors, namely, Messrs Penlington and Cullen, were present, His Worship an! three Councillors being absent in Lyttelton, and the others unable to attend. The meeting was therefore adjourned to to-night, at .7.30 p.m. • Too Much foutiie Spkin t gs.—The coach had a heavy load on Wednesday morning mid broke down near Bayley's Hotel. News was soon sent to Mr Lee, but the passengers were of course detained some iiitle time. They arrived at Pigeon Bay, however, in time to meet the steuner and go 10 the opening of the Lyttleton Dock. Rages at Port Levy.—There was a very pleasant little raco meeting at Port L.ivy on December 27th. .It was quite a local affair,* but was very well attended, though the day was> by no means favorable, and the course very slippery. The meeting was held in a puldo-k of Mr Fleming, sen.'s, close to the school. The trotting match wts won by Mr Field, and the hurdle race by Mr Gardiner's Dick, capitally ridden by Mr Ortoi Bradley. Mr G. Fle.ning's Ada wa« a good second, and might have been in it if pushed sooner. The other events were also well contested, but our informant could not give v* full particulars. Larceny. —On Tuesday last, before M'-ssrs Saxton and Adams, J.P.s, a man named James Spun , , who has recently been employed at Mr A C. Knight's, Tekau Bay. was charged by that gentleman with the larceny of a b;ig of sugar and a ag of flour,. Accused soid tho sugar to a man named Jarmony, saying ho had purchased it from Mr Billens of Akaroa. Mr Bi'lens, however, said that he had not sold him the sugar, and that it was of a sort he hid not had in stock, and the boatman who brought some other goo Is over for him declared hw had not brought either flour or sugar. -Accused was therefore sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labor. Sports at Pigeon Bay.—A number of the residents at Pigeon Bay held some sports on New Year's Day, which were very successful. They tock place in a pa Idock kindly lent by Mr G. McKay. There were fully a hundred present, and the sports went off without a single hitch, everyone enjoying themselves must thoroughly. Mr and Mrs McKay wero most hospitable, providing the visitor-" with plenty of refreshment. There were races of all kinds, jumping, and other athletic airtusements, and the day's fun was •finished with a hick r ice, for which eight started. Mr C. White's back was the winner. Mr G. McKay's D.irkie running a good second. We shall give a list of the names of the winners of the various prizes in our next issue. The whole affair was a great success. Mr G. Pettigrew's conveyance was kindly given by that gentleman to tako the party to and fro. There was a well attended dance in the schoolroom in the evening. Branding Stock.—The attention of sheep farmers (says the Press), is particu- ; larly called to the provisions of the Brands and Branding Act, 1880. By virtue of the 7th section all brands duly registered on Ist January, 1881 (when the Act came into operation), shall be in force for two years, a period expiring, therefore., New Year's Day next. By the loth section it is provided that .ill sheep above the age of four months shall be branded with tho registered brand of the owner, and for every sheep not so branded the owner shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding £10. Farmers must therefore be careful to have their lambs bran.led without loss of time, bearing in mind that at least one prosecution has lately been brought under the Act, though a nominal penalty was inflicted. The Registrar of Brands and the Inspector of Sweep no doubt have tho provisions of the Act in their minds. In connecti >n with this matter, we are informed that, in consequence of the Inspector's room at the Supreme Court being required for other purposes, the Government intend to hire an office for him in town. Mr Bowron's Leg purr.—No doubt owing to the very hurried notice, the recent holidays, and the !. usy season, there were only some half dozen present to hear Mr Bowron lecture on Wednesday afternoon. Mr Bowron therefore determined not to deliver his lecture, but to write a sketch of his experiences, and forward it to us for publication. Those present, however, had a-very instructive conversation for ah hour or two, and on all the queries that were made, Mr Bowron has promised to give his opinion in Ids communication. This much we may say broadly, and that is, that Mr Bowron is not an entire disbeliever in the use of sour whey, but thinks it requires most careful using. Me also said that of the cheese be took Home with him last trip, the best by far was that male by Mrs Reed of W.iiiiui, which brought J3d a lb, while Candy's w.vs difficult to &01l at 6d, as also was some other Plains' cheese from Mr Watson's. Mr 3 Reed's cheese, thongh made with sour whey, k.'jpt t)fr.:u f .it' i ii, was of a uniform flavor, and improved with age. The following will be tha leading topics he will treat of in bis ieliyr to us :—Mis recent visit to Eugiaivi, and !iis - return through America. Hirt visit to tho cheese and butter factory of Little Fa Is, and also hid visit to the moat oreserving factories of Chicago. His opinion oC the cheese, bitter, fiuiirs, and , vegetables of Akaroa, with ■suggestions of what may bo done, to con<!u>.-! - ! slruuii of we.ik.'t to Brinks Peninsula.] Ho wili ill so contrast ttie ■n.imifttcture of] British oh0e:;e >vlth ihat of America.

Akaisoa Schjml Committee.—Tliis commitioe met in t!*e schoolroom yesterday evening, the members present heing Messrs Sims, Ponlington, Cheekly, Bruce, and McGregor. Owing to the indisposition of Mr Westenrn, the chairman, Mr Sims was voted to the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were confirmed, and correspondence of a circular nature from the Board was read and considered. , and also the last annual report. Mr Henning moved that the teachers of the school be congratulated on the result of the examination. A request from the master,for certain repiirs to the master's house was left over for the new committee to deal with. Messrs Westenra, Sims, and Henning were elected a subcommittee to draft the annual report and submit the same to the committee prior to the annual meeting , . Mr Hirgreaves was requested to nudit tie annual accounts and the committee then adjourned. Outside News. —The Cbristchurch New Year's! Eace Meeting was well attended. Messrs Mason and Vallance's Bundoora won the Cup.—The United Australian team won the match against Ivo Bligh's English eleven, by nine wickets. —The great French statesman, M. Leon Gambetta, died on New Year's Day from the effects of a wound which caused erysipelas and pycemii. The German Press loot on his death as a guarantee of peace. He is to receive a national burial. The political and diplomatic circles in France, find the trading , cl tsses. are ptofoundly affected by Gambetta's death, but the artisans and laboring classes appear careless, and the usual round of Now Year's gnietiss in Paris is going on unchecked. On the Garman and Austrian Bourse his death is regarded as an additional guarantee for the peace of Europe. The Press of England and the Continent generally eulogises the patriotism of the deceased statesman, and deplores his loss as one of the pillars of the Republic. It is reported that it was a lady who originally inflicted the wounds in the head - and side which were the primary cause of his death. — The Melbourne papers agree that the Englishmen's display of cricket in (heir recent in itch was disappointing, ;md all express the opinion that the team was beaten on its merits. Fifty thousand persons paid for admission during the three clays' play.—Mr Biggar, M.P. for Cavan, has been committed for trial on a charge of vilifying the Viceroy of Ireland. Biil has been accepted.—Mr Edmond Young has issued a- circular expressing his opinion that the increased expedition in the transport of Australian wool to the English market requires that the dates of the sales should be changed. Pie invites colonial wool importers to form a committee to discuss the propriety of commencing next year's series on January Bth. March llth.Vtine 17th and September 23rd, which would secure the advantages of an even market throughout the year, and ensure the old clip bei ig sold before tho arrival of the new one. Ho also considers it would be advisable to alter the dates of the third and fourth series this year, so as to terminate the auction sales early in November.

PiOßlNSon's Bay.—One of the most enjoyable of the social gatherings held annually in this Bay took place on Wednesday las?. At about two o'clock the children began to assemble in full force. After them came the elders, who immediately began to make prepara" ions for the refreshment of . the inner man. At:three the children were assembled for tea, before partaking of which, however, they sing a well known Christmas anthem, Notwithstanding the scarcity of flowers, the room was tastefully decorated. One end was a'so covered with exhibits, the work of the children, s: i ven of which were marked with prize tickets received the day before from the Akaroa Industrial Exhibition. The following ladies kindly presided at the tables and patiently waited on young and old until all were satisfied :—Misses Brietmeyer, Misses Sa<ar, Mrs T. S. Johnson, Miss Stewart. Mrs S. Johnson, and Mrs Wilson. Each of the ladies vied with the other in their endeavors to contribute to the enjoyment of those around them, and the thanks which were heartily accorded to t'lem were richly deserved. After tea the Chairman, MrS. Curry, introduced the Rev. J. W. Stack, who very kindly addressed the children as to their duties in school, congratulated them on their success, and presented the. prizes. Three cheers each were then given for the Rev. Mr Stack, Rev. Mr David on, Mr Curry, and MrSpurr. The Rev. Mr Davidson then kindly came forward and amused the children with somo very laughable views, and to see the faces of the young ones was quite a treat The company then adjourned to the Valley road, where the children contested in running and jumping for a very choice and select lot of toys, generously sent to them by Mr GarwooJ, to whom they gave three hearty ringing cheers for his kindness. At 8 o'clock nil met in the school room again, where MrSpurr (the teacher) had assembled his little Hock to take their part in a rather lengthy programme of songs, farces, and recitations. The first to put in an appearance ou the stage wera our never-fail-ing friends Messrs Hartley and Johnson, with their clarionet and concertina, who nlayed several lively airs in their best stylo. Hearty thanks are certainly due to these two gentlemen, who are always to the fore where they find their services will conduce to give children any pleasuie. The children's recitations, were well delivered, especially those of John Martindale and George Breitmeyer, who were greeted with loud and co tinued applause. The greater part of the singing was very fair, but not all ; probably the quantity of cheering they had indulged in previously had rendered the young: vocalists not up to the mark. The three farces, " The Intelligence Office," '' Glycerine Oil," and '' Tlvj Troublesome Servant." performed by the Sptirr family were fairly done, and applauded by the audience. At the close Mr Hpurr tba.t'ked thoso present for the kind m•inner in which they had received, 'hit! scholars' attempts to amuse them, and hoped that next j*oar they would be able to do something better still. In reply, Mr Dtixbuty said he thought Mr Suv.vv was worthy of th ir sincere thanks, for the great pains he had taken to bring forth what they had iieord nnd cesn (hat night. And called upon tho.se present to emlcr c his opinion,' which they accordingly did by vociferous Whilst the mom svas being-citjared for the incvitablo dance, which always follows tho:<e uff.-urs, old mid young were enunlaineu by a uisjday of liri-works, very kindly presented by Mr i <'-\e\n-'. t who was also cheered. Taken altogether, we are hippy to say tint the whyii' affair wan a decided ■success, and will long he remembered aa such by a!l J who took a part iv it.

Akaroa and Wain or Road Board.—A meeting of this Board will be held tomorrow, at the Road Board Office, Head of the Bay. FAR.VIEUB , Club.- A meeting of this Cub, to arrange matters in connection with the late Exhibition, will be held tomorrow, at the Road Board Office, Head of the Bay. The meeting. was to have been held in Akaroa, but as there is a Road Board meeting, it was thought better to have both gatherings at the same place. The Dock Opening.—The new graving dock at Lyttelton was opened on Wednesday by His Excellency the Acting - Goveivor, Sir James Prendergast. There was a very large attendance of visitors. TheN.Z. Shipping Company's ship Hurunui was the first to enter the dock, and a presentation commemorative of the event was made to the captain. After the ceremony a luncheon was held, which was attended by over 750 guests. It is the largest dock in Australasia except one in Victoria, and there are only eleven larger in the world. The ceremony was most imposing, and Sir J. Vogel's. amongst many excellent speeches, was the best. Our member, as leader of the opposition, spoke very well. The arrangements were excellent, and the visitors enjoyed themselves most thoroughly. The Trip of the Chance.—Mr Black arrived last evening in the Chance, and sends us the following account of bis trip : Left Akaroa on December 29th, 8 p.m., wind light N.E. Got a westerly wind at Heads, which carried her as far as the Pillar. Beat up to Laverick's Bay, when a fresh easterly breeze came. Set topsail and spinnaker and squared away before it. Passed the Look-out at 12 noon, and anchored inside breakwater at 2.30. Left Lyttelton at 4.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 3rd inst.; stiff S.W.; double-reefed mainsail, the Wellington yacht Tiielis left an hour before us. The wind increased as we got towards the Heads to a hard gale. The Thetis ran into Little Port Cooper ; the Chance ran into Camp Bay. Lay here for the night, two anchors down, blowing very squally. Under weigh at 4.30, light air from S.W. Passed the Heads at six. Passed the Manipouri at seven off Beacon Rock. The brig Rio Loge, from China, was anchored here. The captain came on board for some papers, wiih which we supplied him. The wind shifted to N.N.W., which carried us to Le Bon's. Set spinaker and squared away. The breeze freshening, carried away the jaws of the gaff ; took spinaker and topsail in. Reached Akaroa Heads at three, and beat up against strong ebb tide, and anchored at seven, 13 hours from Lyttelton Heads. While lying in Lyttelton we had a 40-fathom kedgp line and a bucket stolen from the yacht, but we understand that it is qaite a common occurrence up there robbing vessels of their gear. Little River School.—The annual treat and distribution of prizes to the children attending the Little River District School was held on the 30th December last, on the cricket ground, kindly lent for the occasion by 11. D. Buchanan, Esq, Shortly af.er the arrival <>f the children on the ground sports commenced, and were carried on with spirit until live o'clock, when the children returned to the schoolroom, which had been very prettily decorated for the occasion, and there s it down to, and thoroughly enjoyed, a very liberal tea which had been provided for them. After tea Mr Coop, the Chairman of the School Committee, briefly addressed the children and parents. The mister (Mr Proudlock) then read the Inspector'a report, viz.:—" Little River Srhool, examined Sept. 28th, 1882. Attendance—Number on the roll, 81 ; average last quarter, 53 : present at examination, 61. Teachers, Mr and Mrs Proudlock. Results of examination in Standards—Presented in Standard V., 1; do IV., 3 ; do 111., 3 ; do. 11., 5 ; do 1., 8 ; total, 20. Passed in Standard V., 1 ; do IV., 2 ; do 111.. 3 ; do 11., 4 ; do 1.. 8. Average age—Standard V., 14.9 ;'IV., 12.11; 111., 12.9; 11., 12 ; 1., 11.3. Percentage, 90. Percentage of number presented in standards to number present.at examination 32. General remarks —The present teachers, who have had charge of this school during the last nine months have produced good results, in spite of the very backward state of the attainments of the children when they entered on their duties, and the irregular attendance. The proportion of pupils presented in standards is still very small when compared with the number on the roll. There can be little doubt abau'" the success of the school, provided the parents second the efforts of the teachers by-sending their children.—W. L. Edge, Inspector. Nov. 1882." The prizes were distributed as under ;—Sewing prizes—Carry Greenland, 1 ; Lizzie Fitton, 2 ; Janet Tyson, 3. Standard V.—Ernest Reynolds, 1. Standard IV.—Carry Greenland, 1 ; M. Reynolds, 2. Standard lll.—Eva Reynolds, 1 ; 11. Munro, 2 ; Sarah Moodie, 3. Standard ll.—Sina Sorenson, 1 ; E. Phillips, 2; Edith Giles, 3. Standard I—Edward Coop, 1 ; John Holt, 2 ; Alice Mcßeth, 3. A special prize was, on the recommendation of the master, given to Alice Tyson, n'ho was unable through sickness to attend the Inspector's examination. The presents from the Christmas tree were now given out, all the children present getting one. Cheers were then given for the committee, the master and mibt'-essf, and ,'those ladies who had kindly decorated the schoolroom. The room was thon cleared, and dancing kept on wiih spirit until 12 o'clock. .