AKAROA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XIII, Issue 753, 25 January 1860, Page 4

AKAROA.

We have some interesting items of intollif,,,,, from Akaroa. °' Cc

On Monday, the 19th instant, Mr. R onr , Close launched in .Robinson's Bay a fine era'ii built on the centre board or sliding keel princiiV which has of late been generally adopted by iv coasting trade of this province, and is likely <"' become universal on the coasts of 'these idati/' wherever at least bar harbours and shallow estuari*' prevail. Our correspondent claim* particular attei* tion to this vessel, a* a thorough good specimen cf a faithfully built, well designed,useful coaster, li| {S! |' to possess in an eminent degree the three rr) on l getting features of • light draft, large carrying powers and good sea-going qualities. Her dimeu! toons are—6l feet on the keel, and 7o feet ovo all, with a depth of 6 feet 5 inches and brwlth of 16 foet 6 inches; which will give about 75 to,, builders' measurement. Her frames are well selected crooks of black pine, with which U m ( jer she is planked in 3-iuch and lined in- 2{. I tl( ] cc( ] as her keel, kelson, stem and stern posts are all of that matei ial, and only her decks of white pi ne she may be called an entire edition of that useful timber. While her main hatchway is 12 feet W 8 feet, she is also constructed with a timber port forward to enable her to carry balk stuff. J{ er combings are also of a much greater height than is general, an improvement that will be recognized at a glance. Her iron work, from Mr. Kirby'., forge; is very creditable—and superior to that of most bush built craft; she is fastened with iron and a profusion of Kowai treenails and' knees inserted wherever the cunning of tlie craft could lodge or hang those uneful sup. ports. She is to be schooner rigged, with a short standing bowsprit; her sails are from U r , Heed's loft in Lyttelton. Her launching draft waj 2 feet 6 inches, giving promise of a load draft under 6 feet; she will stow easily two tier 3of wool bales and of market cut timber some 38,000 feet. Great care has been displayed in the construction of th? case for the centre boarc[ or sliding keel, to ensure against the bare possibility of leakage. Our correspondent further goes on to state that it may bfervently hoped that this vessel will satisfy the most fastidious among our cognoscenti that there is no occasion to send money out of this province to purchase vessels which may quite as well be built on our own shores, and receive their baptism in our own waters. Mr. Close, having given " hostages to fortune," called his maiden effort "Mary Elizabeth," after certain olive branches, whom, with their mother, he hopes soon to welcome by an early ship to the land in which he has made such a successful debut as builder.

On Monday the Rev. Mr. Frazer opened the new Scotch Church at Akaroa, which is nearly completed, with an evening service. During his lecture h» expressed with great warmth the pleasure he felt in being at last in a position to strengthen the hands of the resident Church of England minister, alluding feelingly to the many accounts of revivals in various parts, such as the United States, Ireland, Scotland and Wales ; and the duty of all uniting in prayer that the sun of Righteousness may in very deed arise on this land with healing on his wings. In conclusion he gave something more than a glance at the many signs with which the times are pregnant, that we are arrived "at the times of the end." '

The committee appointed at Akaroa by the Bishop of Christchurch, held their first meeting- ot Tuesday ; to consider the question of affording by means of a new building increased accommodation to members of the Church of England. We have been requested through the medium of our columns to inform the numerous absentee proprietors of laud in the Akaroa district, that Captain Greaves has been appointed Secretary to the Committee, aud that they are earnestly solicited to lend their aid by liberal subscriptions towards the consummation of so desirable an object as the erection of a fitting edifice for the worship of God. We are requested by Captain Greaves, the subCollector of Customs at Akaroa, to lend him a hand by our columns, in impressing on the inhabitants of that district the monstrous and suicidal folly shown in aiding and abetting runaways from whalers. Having received letters from the United States and France from owners and masters speaking of intended departures, all of which have been either instructed or advised to make Akaroa their Southern rendezvous, and keeping up as lie does a considerable and active correspondence with a view of fostering this great resource and ready money market, in which he can have neither direct nor indirect interest,it seemsto him and really is most incomprehensible that a whole district should submit to have such exertions paralysed and negatived by silently countenancing the half-dozen vagabonds, who seem to enjoy the secreting of deserters better than the payment of their own debts. To show the worthless character of some of the runaways, and their spendthrift ways, it is a fact that during the late depression in the timber trade, they were crawling about craving humble permission to b? allowed to take the pit-end of the saw, to earn, it haply they could, their grub. If the ordinary arguments reach home, let all who have either from morbid sympathy, thoughtlessness or pure mischief, in any way, however indirect, countenanced desertion, reflect that it is sheer nonsense to import men women and children with the country's treasure —and then encourage competition—and such competition—against it.