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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 79, 20 April 1877, Page 2

Owing to an unusual pressure upon our space, occasioned by the publication of the Bye-laws of the Borough of Akaroa, we are compelled to hold over Sundowner's contribution, and a quantity of reading matter till our next issue.

We learn from a gentleman who arrived from Le Bon's last evening, that nothing has yet been heard of the fate of the schooner " Edward," Captain Dalmer. She left Lyttelton for Le Bon's Bay on April 4th, and was seen on the 7th inst., driving off the land, and is now supposed to have been lost in the gale that night. It is believed that there were two or three Danish women on board. Another rifle match is on the tapis to be fired on the Queen's Birthday, and, as an incentive to secure good competition, we hear that Mr. James Wright, jun., has promised a silver cup, valued £10. Such praiseworthy liberality is worthy of imitation. We again bog to remind the electors of the County of Akaroa that a meeting will be held to-morrow, at the Town Hall, at 11 a.m., to determine in what way the Government shall be asked to expend the special grants for this district, now lying to the credit of a trust account in the local bank. A special meeting of the Akaroa Borough Council was held on Wednesday evening last, to consider an offer submitted by the Oddfellows, to sell a triangular piece of ground for road purposes for the sum of £40. The Council, after fully discussing the matter, resolved not to entertain the question. It was contended that the price asked was far in excess of the value of land. The annual meeting of the members of the Okain's Library was held in the read-ing-room on Monday evening last. The statement of accounts and report for past year were read, and unanimously adopted. The librarian reported that there were 35 members on the books, and that 550 volumes had been circulated during the year. The receipts for the year amounted to £27 16s lid, leaving a balance of £5 17s Id. The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year :—President, Mr. A. Coffin ; auditor and librarian, Mr. E. W. Harris; secretary and treasurer, Mr. C. Moore ; committee, Messrs James, Vicary, Mason, Wells, Ware, and Sefton.

The ordinary meeting of the Akaroa Mutual Improvement Association was held last Tuesday evening. There was a good muster of members, and besides a very large attendance of the publiethe room being quite full. We estimate there must have been fully 100 present, many of these ladies. The large attendance was no doubt owing to the general invitation given to the public, and also to the peculiarly interesting subject of debate, viz., the comparative advantages of married and single life. The debate was carried on in the best taste, and brought out a very creditable amount of speaking and debating power. Where all did so well, it would be invidious to particularise. But we may be allowed to express our great regret that Mr. Richard Black will not be able to prolong his stay in Akaroa. He would doubtlessly have been a tower of strength to the society, being enthusiastic in the cause, and possessed of superior debating power. The Society has yet good members left, and we hope as they grow in numbers, they shall draw more of the young talent of our township. We observed a good few joining the ranks of the society at the close of the meeting. We trust they will persevere in giving regular attendance. It only requires enthusiasm and perseverance to make this society second to none in Canterbury. We may be allowed to state that a stranger who heard our debate and those of a society in Christchurch, said that we excelled the Christchurch one, and that by a long way. We don't repeafc this to crow over it, but to encourage our members to persevere. The next subject will also be a debate on "Trial by Judge or Jury." The season for monster productions has not yet unhappily terminated. A potatoe, one of a giant family of ten, obtained from one stalk, and grown by Mr. Harry M'lntosh, of Little Akaloa, was deposited at our office yesterday. The stalk yielded 10 potatoes, weighing 36£lbs., five of which averaged 2£lbs. each, four 2Jlbs each, and one 31bs.

The Steamer Wellington, appointed to leave this port on Monday evening last, steamed past the Heads, notwithstanding her having a number o£ passengers and a quantity of cargo on board for Akaroa. The reason, we understand, for not calling in was, in consequence of the weather being thick, and every indication of a severe gale, the captain resolved not to risk detention, fearing that he would not be able to reach Dunedin in time. The non-arrival of the steamer has given rise to much dissatisfaction, as intending passengers have been subjected to inconvenience and serious loss of time. The proposed Bye-laws of the Borough of Akaroa are advertised in to-day's issue, and will be considered, prior to adoption, at a special meeting of the Council convened for Friday evening next. We would therefore advise a careful perusal of these laws by all interested. A high musical treat is in store for the public of Akaroa. We learn that a complimentary benefit is about to be tendered by some of our influential residents to Mr. and Mrs. Baker. These talented artistes during their brief stay have become favourites with the amusement-going public, and we have it on the best authority that the Orchestral Society have kindly placed their services at Mr. Baker's disposal upon this occasion, together with some prominent members of our local talent. We need scarcely add that the music, both vocal and instrumental, partly sacred and partly secular, will be wel* sustained. It will indeed be a treat to hear Mr. and Mrs. Bakerin some selections from the Elijah, Messiah, and Creation. We wish the entertainment every success, and hope to see a bumper house. The meeting convened for Monday evening last, at the Criterion Hotel, to arrange preliminaries for holding athletic sports on Her Majesty's Birthda} r , lapsed for want of a quorum. The meeting was postponed till Monday evening next, when it is to hoped that all members will be in attendance. The All-England Eleven were to leave Melbourne for Adelaide this week, and then proceed home by the mail steamer. An " Executive committee" has been appointed by the Westland County Council to act with the county chairman when the Council is not in session. A report has been spread about that Mr. Cumming, publisher of the Waitangi Tribune, was about to settle the case out of Court by paying £200 and giving an apology. The Otago Guardian,\howeYer states that nothing of the kind will be done, but that the matter will be pushed to the utmost extreme. i