AKAROA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IV, Issue 160, 28 January 1854, Page 6

AKAROA.

January 24th, 1554. Our harbour has been unusually gay for three weeks past, owing to the presence of two French whalers, the " Nil," and the "Elizabeth," which arrived from Havre direct, with dates to the end of August. The crews of these vessels swarm through the streets of our quiet village, and carry on a brisk traffic, per fas aid nefas, with the inhabitants, English, French, and Maori, in French liquors and goods. Akaroa has therefore seized the opportunity to treat herself to a holiday; and, on Friday last, with boat races, and many true and manly British sports, indulged her composite population. Here is 'the order of the fete, with the results of the contests and the names of the victors: "y 1. Five-oared Whaleboat; 5 sovereigns. Capt. Morel's L'Eclair . . 1 Capt. Le Barte's Charmantirie 2 Akaroa's Sara Heke ... 3 Two other boats started, but fouled and retired. 2. Four-oared Boats : 3 sovereigns. M. Lievere's Ferry-boat . . I Mr. Adams's Petrel ... 2 Mr. Lucas's Victory also started ; but, receiving accidental damage, gave up the contest. 3. Canoe Race; 2 sovereigns. Kahewi's Canoe. . . . .1 Mahora's Canoe 2 The former was impelled by five paddles, and the latter by three. The course for all was from the pier round a boat moored.in the bay, and round the " Nil," home, about a mile and a half. Twice round for the whaleboats, and once for the canoes. Then came a wheelbarrow race, of course blindfold, for £2; four competitors, won by Porter. After that, there was jumping in sacks on the sandy beach, where the same Porter filled the winning sack, beat six Frenchmen and Maoris, and won, besides his laurels, £1 in money. Then there were foot races of boys and men, where disorder was the dominant feature, and not till the following morning was order fully established. One of your eminent Solicitors has paid us a casual visit, and, inter alia, has fired at the head of our R.M. the threats of the law on parchment, if he do not replace on the Electoral Roll the name of Col. Campbell, or show cause to the contrary. There are rumours too of "a threatened further disturbance of our much-vexed land question : but we have learned almost to despise our enemies, though Mr. Hempleman has kindly put himself at their service, and pretends to be very dangerous. No wonder that mischief or anything else ripens under this sun ; for *Sol has been burning us for weeks with unrelenting intensity, to such a pitch that the nights are rendered too short to dissipate the caloric, and are nearly as hot as the days. But we have trees, and creeks, and fruit, and we exult still over Lyttelton and the plains. As to commerce, whatever is affected by tlie want of white labour, maintains a his;h price. Timber is Avorth from 10s. to 12s. per 100 feet: firewood is higher in proportion. Trade with the Maoris in produce, though small, is brisk, the price of fair oats being- from 6s. 6d. to 7s. per bushel ; pigs, and potatoes are cheap ; beef is almost unknown : yood beef ajitl all mutton quite so; house-rent is very cheap, and there are not a few domiciles with gardens to let, well worthy the attention of some of your friend?. The " Nil " is just off to the Arctic seas and the -'Elizabeth" follows immediately.