Local and General.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume XXIV, Issue 2087, 15 September 1896, Page 2

Local and General.

Akaroa and Wainui Roa>» Board.—This Board meets on Saturday next at usml place and hour. ;

Burglars.—We hare no wi«h to be alarmists, but information,- has been received here that some of these importations, from what is known as ' the other side,' are about to make a spring visit to the Peninsula. These gentlimen haveh-zy about the rights of property, and it is just as, well for settlers to be_on the look out. Capt. MtJrphv Maguire will visit the haunts of sin and sorrow oa October 2nd. An Old Warrior.—The c New Zealand Times ' says:—' Mr Joseph Iyess; better known to fame as the ' rag planter' left by the Tekapp last week, where he will purchase a newspaper plant in view; : of starting the • Ashburt"n Standard. , Tin's done, Mr Ivess will stmd for Parliament' Our strong impression is that Mr Joseph Ivess will not be returned. ;

1.00. F., M.TJ,—An advertisement appears elsewhere, "gi ing intimation of an Oddfel'ows' danije; In case'any misunderstanding should exist as to the 'we ai* authorised to aajt Hssemblyin question is to all persons who are prepared to c 'nforrp to the rules of well conducted d 'nces. ; ■:-■••.-.-.•• Cricket ClUJb.— The mamg*ment of the Cricket Club have airant-ert to put off their annual meeting next, owing to the room being lenga'glS'"for Jn-iday ,'the day originally proposed by tile Ho»tin'g 01ul">.

Charles Torrens will on a 'shooting: expedition on Octobe'2nd- ' .•.■,.;■.

Those Umbrageous; Trees.—A., correspondent writes to us a et'ong let'er in "reference to trees (overhanging the footways in different parts of the town, and loudly calls for the axe to be laid to, if not the root, at least the branches of the offending trees. We must say we are not in sympathy with our correspondent The trees alongside the streets are one of the beauties of Akaroa, and unless actually in anybody's way, should be allowed to shade and adorn the f yotways.

Crayfish.—ilt had been originally arranged that the staff of Messrs Irvine & Co.'s, of Dunedin, crayfish tinning employees, should cease operations here, for a time at least, and go on to Westport by last Sunday's steamer to take up the tinning of white bait there. Owing, however, to the exceptionally fine quality and the increasing numbers of crayfish being caught round the Peninsula, the firm has resolved to continue work here for another four weeks. This new industry has developed into quite important dimensions, and we wish Messrs Irvine & Co. every success in their interesting venture. Mrs Ormsby Dblmaine will decide about her suitors on October 2nd. German Bay Dairy Factory.—This factory started work for the season yesterday morning, under the most favourable auspices. For the opening day of the season, the large quantity of milk delivered was quite gratifying to the management, and this season, we are glad to heir, opens with the best possible prospects—plenty of cows and unlimited feed to ksep them going.

Wai nth Post Office.—Mrs and Miss Orme have been temporarily appointed to take charge of the Post and Telephone Offices at Wainui during the regretable illness of Mr John Wilkinson, the present holder of the office. It is to be hoped that •Old John,';as he is familinly known as in the district, wil' soon be alle to resume his duties; which he, discharges with so much promptitude and zeal. The Lerrons Family meet in the Oddfellows' Hall on October 2nd.

The Akaroa -Boating Club.-From an advertisement in another place it will be noticed that the annual meeting of this Club takes place on Friday evening next in the side-room of the CMdfellows's Hall. A very satisfactory state of affairs will, we understand, be laid before the meeting, and hopes are high for a successful coming season. We understand important additions are necessary to the Club's shed and plant, and with a view to procure the funds for carrying out the objects of the Club, they propose to hold an art union, for which, they have received the requisite legal authority from the Colonial Secretary. The ticket books will be in circulation in a few days, and from the large number of valuable prizes and the very desirable nature of the object in view, we have little doubt the tickets will go off like wild tire.

Personal.—We are sure old Peninsula settlers, and the many friends of Mr H. Piper, Sen., will hear with regret that he is threatened with a serious affection of the eyes. He has consulted the Christcburch specialists on the subject, and goes in a few days to Dunedin to take the advice of Dr. Lindo Ferguson, the eminent oculist; in reference to the failure of his sight.

The Domain. — Complaints frequently reach us of damage done to the trees and shrubs in the Domain here. Such we are sure is more the result- of thouehtlesness than maliciousness, and the picking of flowers by children is-«o doubt the result of not knowing better. It is as Well, however, that those unthinking persons should understand that under the Public Domains Act they are liable to a penalty of nofc less than £20 for their absurd acts, and the parents of children warn them not to pick flowers or branches when sent for a walk in the Domain/ During the recent absurd hocky fever, the yDupgpmata'pges; suffered severely, but now that "this craze is temporarily at an end, it is to be hoped that: what is intended for the benefit and enjoyment of the whole public wUln'6t"be,appropriated by a few.

Lady-Lowerijy Creamley and her pious friend Mr Aminadat Sleek will exchange their experiences on October 2nd. .

OuTStDE — A/halfpenny evening paper is to be published ii) Wellington. It will be called ' The Echo,' and will make its appearance on Saturday, September 19th;— The Rev. E. It. Otway, curate of Lincoln, died at. the Parsonage, Lincoln, on Wednesday evening!

The Drafting Yards at Little River Station.—Farmers oh the eastern side of the Peninsula, who use the railway as a means of get'ing their sheep to Addington market, are still considerably exercised at the delay on the part of the Railway Department ,in not providing reasonable drafting accommodation. The £25 promised by the Government'some-' time ago for the purpose would, we understand, be quite ample to secure the fitting up of all that is required, and settlers are considerably annoyed and angry at the cause of the delay. Instances have been reported to us in which it was impossible to separate the sheep of two different owners in the trucking* and they had to be disposed of as one lot, and the price divided : an arrangement hardly satisfactory to the owner of the prime line. Our representative, Mr W. H. Montgomery, in.the kindest manner possible places bis yards, not a great distance from the Railway Station, at the disposal,of farmers ; but there can be no good reason' why the public should trespass ou the goodnature of an individual in a matter which it is the business of the State to provide.

Horse Parade.-Mr J. Bell offers one, guin°a for the b-st two-year-old colt or filly by Prijice Imperial. The Representation Commission.—The* Commiasione-a held a meeHngiriClmsichurch yesterday, for the purpose of hearing the objeciions to the alterations in :the boundaries of the electoral districts in the South Island. Three cti"ns have been lodged, one by Mr Buick to„ tie change in the boundaries of the Wair-m district; another made with the object of having Eyreton inc'uded in the Ka'apoi electorate ; and another, made by the Lin wood Borough Council against the addition of a potion o£ Lin wood to Christchurch city. No objection has bten takeu to the amended boundaries of the EUesmere electoral district. The Gentle Eve will alter her opinions of how to live on October 2nd. The French Farm School Prize Concert. —This School CommitVe intends to adop' the method of raising funds lor the prizes by holding a socia' and concert. The gathering will beheld at the schoolroom, Fiench Farm, on Friday 18th inst., and the launch, Piraki, has been chartered to carry those invited to be present. Several singers from this side have given their services and given a fine night with the moon in its present stage, a most enjoyable evening should be spent if the weather is fine: Wβ have not been favoured with the programme, but we believe the non receipt of the same is not a question of modesty and consequently in the cause of education we draw attention to the meeting.

The Dreaded Thistle.—A , specimen of the Californian thistle has just been handed us by a professional gardner, who has been turning over an old section in the heart of Akaroa. The piece of ground in question has not been under crop for some ye-irs and hence probably the existence of the weed in question. It is difficult to believe the way in which this weed spreads and the rapidity,' with which it .throws out branch plants. A 'specimen may be seen at.our.office, and pie cm .at once gather from the specimen in question % how quickly and extensively the weed will cover a large area .of ground* Outside of Clutha Mackenzie every one should be at once on his guard to exterminate the pest as if it once gets a hold the cost of eradication is more than the value of the land. Groans and Laughter, hyprocrisy and jollity, humbug and sincerity, pride and prejudice, on October 2nd. Tax on Stallions.—The Committee of the Otago A. and P. Association forwarded the following resolution to the Christchurch A. and P. Association :—(1). That legislation in the direction of imposing an annual license fee on stallions would benefit breeders and tend to improve horse stock, &c. (2). That an annual fee of £15 should be imposed on all entires used for stud purposes, and that no stallion be allowed to travel; stand or parade unless inspected by a qualified veterinary surgeon, and a certificate obtained by the owner that the animal is free from hereditary unsoundness. (3) That the amount so raised, after deducting the cost of the veterinary examination, should be appropriated for giving prizes to horses and their progeny at ag'icullural shows ; that the Mioister of Agriculture should be asked to give these matters careful consideration. The matter was referred to the Horse Show Committee to be reported on at next meeting of the Association.

The Pahiatua Outrage. — The man O'G-orman was drinking at Pahiatua on Wednesday afternoon. He was returning borne to Manrfatainoko when he was waylaid and the greater part of hie ears lopped off He found hia way to the house, and was discovered there by his mate yesterday morning covered with blood and helpless. Kenny, the man who has been arrested on suspicion, was brought up at the local Polce Court on Friday, and was defended by Mr Tosswill. The police applied for a remand for eight days, and objected strongly to bail being allowed. The bench granted a remand, but allowed, bail, The police are very reticent. O'Gorman was unable to appear in Court; The man Timothy O'Gorman, who was robbed of a gold watch valued at £25, and had both his ears sliced off close to the head, is an old resident of German Bay, and many residents will remember the Bro3. O'Gorman as hard working and industrious settlers. Joseph Kenny, licensee of the Empire Hotel, Pahiatua, has been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the outrage. The Collection in ad of the benighted Choktongs of Passamoquody will then be made.