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Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1735, 6 September 1875, Page 2

We are exceedingly pleased to see that a " Spelling Bee" is announced; and that this eminently Yankee notion is to be incorporated among our institutions for public amusement. That the first attempt may be successful in the highest degree we sincere]v wish ; and in order to render assistance to the promoters, and guidance to competitors and the public, we publish the following Rules observed at a grand " Bee," held in the Music Hall, Philadelphia, a few months ago. There were 4000 people present. There were SO competitors, 40 ladies and 40 gentlemen, and there were six prizes. The object was the building fund of the Young Men's Christian Association and there were musical and literary selections as an introduction. The most intense excitement reigned, the audience at times disputing the ruling with great vehemence. We have before us a list of all the words propounded, and which thinned the competitors down to one - a lady ; and we without hesitation say that among the whole of the words there is not one which ought to have puzzled any ono of average aptness in orthography. The following were the rules observed :—l. Tha class will be composed of an equal number of ladies and gentlemen, who will occupy opposite sides of the stage. 2. Webster's Unabridged Dictionary will be the standard. 3. The spelling will be oral. 4. Words spelt moro than one way by Webster will be omitted. 5. No word will bo used conseoutively. 6. One word mis-spelled rules the mis-speller _ out. 7. Any competitor misunderstanding a word may ask one repetition, if no attempt at spelling the word has previously been made.

We do not wish to speak harshly of any one fulfilling the duties of the special sphere allotted to him, nor perhaps ought we to greatly blame the operations engaged in by our contemporary the Cross. In maligning the fiends of the people, and in defending the acts of the Government in all circumstanoes and at all coat— even the cost of exciting the intense hatred and dißgust of the people arrifcrlg which it lives—the Cross is doing its duty and engages in a Herculean task. Bat .there is a length to which matters may go and be tolerated. And really the insulting manner in which the special correspondence of that paper speaks of Mr Reader Wood today, one of the finest speakers that have ever appeared in that House, and just now a person fighting a battle that is very dear to nine-tenths of our people, is becoming intolerable. We are surprised that such a course is continued for it is causing unquestionable irritation and disgust.

We observe that in the correspondence columns of a morning contemporary, some one of the attaches of the land robber and public swindling gang refers to our revelations about the state of things in Hawke's Bay as "grossly calumnious statements." That state of things is pretty notorious throughout the colony, and anyone defending it may be regarded as giving his own certificate of character. We can quite believe how residence in the putrid atmosphere of corruption can lead to obliquity of the moral vision, and how in such circumstances a man could come to regard as honorable and respectable and proper, what other people regard as low and disgraceful and detestable. The writer, " Colonist," has evidently sniffed carrion.

The concert and " Spelling Bee " entertainment, in favour of a lady in pecuniary need will be held under the direction of Mr. Brown, on the 9th inst., in the large room of the Young Men's Christian Association. There will be two chairmen on this occasion, the Revs. E. S. Hassard and Wm, Calder. Mr. Brown will be glad to receive the names of persons who may be willing to enter on this competition for the sake of benefiting a cause of charity.

The Rev. P. P. Agnew will deliver his first lectere this evening, in the City Hall, on " The Early Convict Life of New South Wales," to which we called special attention on Saturday last. The subject of this, the first lecture of the series of six, will be divided under the following heads: "James II and transportation—The Floating Hell — Botany Bay—The Reign of Terror—The British Slave Market—Paddy Eooney's journey to China, and Australian Sunshine." It will be seen therefore, that the subject is full of variety, from grave to gay, from lively to severe. We hope therefore, that Mr. Agnew will meet with that generous reception which his talents as an orator so eminently deserve. Thh subjects moreover should command a large and influential audience.

The reduction of freight on coal conveyed over the Mercer and Auckland railway to , 7s. 2d. per ton (saya the Waikato Times) will doubtless be a boon, not only to consumers in Auckland, but to the producers, whsso enterprise has hitherto been cramped by the high price of earri&ga, rendering it impossible to compete with foreign rivals.

A successful attempt has been made to supply the pier refreshment room at Cleethorpes with fresh, water from the bed of the sea. Men have been employed under the pierhead, 400 yards from high-water mark, boring through to the rock, with which they came in contact 72 feet from the surface; and, having penetrated through this chalk stratum 21 feet, a copious flow of pure fresh water was obtained, yielding 100 gallons per minute through a 2J-inch pipe ; and forcing it 16 feet above the ground.

The new Museum and Auckland Institute building will be commenced at once by Mr. Dixon, who has signed the contract for £3377. The structure i« to be completed in seven months.

The Hon. AJexander Mackenzie, Premier and Minister of Public Works for the Dominion of Canada (which has a revenue of £4,027,715, and a population of 3,788,618) receives £1,200 a-year ; the Colonial Secretary of South Australia receives £1,300, and of Queensland £800, while Mr Vogel received ordinarily a salary of £1,700 besides the immense allowances, on a scale which finds no parallel in any other British colony.

On the proposed Free Library a correspondent writes : Sir, —A very great deal has been said and written respecting the penny rate for the establishment and support of "a free public Library. Now, Sir, I think the matter can be very easily arranged without any additional taxation being imposed. If the City Council would simply leave the Insurance Company to support their own Fire Brigade. It seems to me Mr. Editor, monstrous that the poor oppressed ratepayers should be taxed to assist Insurance Companies to swell their profits at the ratepayers expense ; companies who are at present paying at the rate of 20 per cent to their fortunate shareholders. Now the £GOO or £700 which is paid yearly in this direction might be very much better spent in the establishment of the free public library and thus save the additional taxation proposed.—Another Eatbpaveii that don't draw 400 pounds per year,

An old letter of Lord Byron's mentions a few of his swimming feats: "I was three hours in swimming across the Tagus, which is much more hazardous, being two hours longer than the Hellespont. Of what may be done in swimming, I will mention one one more instance. In 1818 the Chevalier Men^aldo (a gentleman of Bassano), a good swimmer, wished to swim with my friend, Mr. Alexander Scott, and myself. As he seemed particularly anxious on the subject we indulged him. -We all three started from the Island the Lido and swam to Venice. At the entrance of the Grand Canal, Scott and I were a good way ahead, and we saw no more of our foreign friend, which, however, was of no consequence, as there was a gondola to hold his clothes and pick him up. Scott swam on till pass the Eialto, where he got out, less from fatigue than from chill, having been four hours in the water without rest or stay, except what is to be obiained by floating on one's back—this being the condition of our performance. 1 continued my course on to Santa Chiara, comprising the whole of the Grand Canal (beside the distance from the Lido), and got out where the Laguna once more opens to Fusina. I had been in the water, by my watch, without help or rest, and never touching ground or boat, four hours and twenty minutes. I crossed the Hellespont in one hour and ten minutes only. I am now ten years older in time and twenty in constitution than 1 wan when I passed the Dardennelles, and yet two years ago I was capable of swimming four hours and twenty minutes ; and I am sure that I could have continued two hours longer, though I had on a pair of trousers, an accoutrement which by no means assists the performance. My two companions were also four hours in the water. Mengaldo might be about thirty years of age ; Scott about six-and-twenty."

On the Derby Day in England many persons make a very good harvest by standing along the sides of the road and collecting the money that may be scattered among them by the passers-by. On the last Derby Day the poor children at the South Metropolitan district schools at Sutton had thrown to them by persons going to and from Epsom coins amounting to no less than £25 among which were sovereigns and a large proportion of silver. The managers of schools have dirocted that the money shall bo employed in giving the elder children a day at the Crystal Palace, and some suitable entertainment to the younger ones at some other time and place.

A circumstances happened on a recent Saturday night at the Haymarket, Sydney, which might have caused a serious breach of the peace. Some " enterprising" individuals erected a small tent at the Haymarket Reserve, anoT&n payment admission was granted to the public. When about twenty persons had been enticed inside, and had waited for some time, an explanation was demanded of what was to be seen. Getting no satisfaction, the crowd proceeded to upset everything. The tent was broken down and the tent-pole smashed.

The subject of the following letter demands immediate attention: "Sir,—l would call your attention to the disgraceful conduct of the nightmen. Last night, about half-past twelve, No. 2G cart came up to Wall's building, Grey-street, and took the contents of the box, but, instead of conveying it away, the nightman emptied it into the creek, about five yards from the closet. I watched him do it, and took the number of the cart. The boxes are never properly emptied, and the stench is fearful in the neighbourhood, so much so that I had gone out to ask the man to clear the stuff right away, when I saw the proceeding just related. These are the facts, and we shall see if the Inspector will do his duty. — C. J. Hill."

Several persons were misled this morning thinking the District Court sitting was today. We may mention, therefore, for. the information of those to whom it may concern that the District Court is only held on the second and fourth Mondays in each month.

We acknowledge with pleasure receipt from the Deutsche Verrin Society £2 in aid of the widow, of the Captain of the cutter Bertha.

A spirited football match was played on Saturday afternoon in the Domain between the members of the Union Jack and College Clubs. The Union Jack men won the goal. The touch down was got by Nichol, and R. Neill made a splendid place kick.

A fearful suicide occurred in Paris the other day. Gerald Anthoine called his little boy, aged six, to him and said : " Little one, you have often wished to play with this pistol," showing the child an old pistol. " Oh, yes, papa." " Well, we will play with it now," and loading the weapon the father handed it to the boy. " Now look," he said, " I will get down on my knees before you ; you will point at me right between the eyes acd pull the trigger; you'll see how funny it is I" and he knelt down. " Aim well, in the head, between the eyes," he said again ; " but first embrace me." The poor child embraced his father, then pointed the pistol as told, and fired. G-erard fell back dead, and the boy seeing the terrible result, ran out of the room sobbing.

The Templar entertainment on Saturday evening last at the Wellesley-street Young Men's Rooms, was particularly interesting. Mr John Edwards, of Bradford, was called to the chair, and in a good speech shewed that Good Templary was slowly but surely permeating the masses and homes of the people, and despite the sad revelations of the press in respect of drunkenness, Templary waa doing a great amouat of good, and tending to the physical and moral regeneration of mankind. He advised every friend of humanity to put his or her shoulder to the wheel of human progress until the white banner of temperance shall wave over the grim ruins of the last hotel. (Cheers). Several excellent songs and recitations were given during the evening, and several musical selections on the pianoforte by a gentleman of the order. The room was crowded. We would advise the committee to prepare the programme of the evening previously, if possible, in order to prevent delay.

A general meeting of the members of the Auckland Poultry Society is being held in Mr Percival's offices, Insurance Buildings, for the purpose of electing officers and confirming the proceedings of the committee; but owing to the late hour of the meeting, we are unable to give a report of the same in this evening's issue. The poultry show will take place on, Friday and Saturday next. Entries for the same close on Wednesday.

During the month ending August, 1875, there were eighteen deaths registered within the city of Auckland. The number during the corresponding month of 1874 were fourteen deaths. For 1875: Under 5 years, 8 deaths ; do. 20 years, 2 deaths ; do. 50 years, 5 deaths ; over 50 years, 3 deaths. Total, 18. For 1874 : Under 5 years, 6 deaths; do. 20 years, 1 death ; do. 50 years, 4 deaths ; over 50 years, 3 deaths. Total, 14.—Giso. Goldie, Inspector of Nuisances, &c.

The long proposed anniversary torchlight procession and sapper in connection with the Auckland Volunteer Fire Brigade will be held this evening in the engine house, Albert-street. Ihe procession will be re markable, and something new to streetfolk and worth seeing. Illuminated and roman candles and other illustrations have been provided to five eclat to the scene which will ho hended by the merry of the H'.'bsons and Templars. The memberswill muster ah the engine house at half-past seven and the march will commence at eight o'clock, taking the route of Hobson and Pitt-streets and Karangahape road, turned down Upper and Lower Queen-street to the Waitemata Hotel, then wheeling to the left by the Star Hotel to the engine house where a splendid supper will await their return. We learn that His Worship the Mayor, Mr Inspector Broham, and the heads of the different Insurance Companiep have been invited to take part in the festive scene which will be of an imposing character.

The wisdom and economy of the Government Immigration Department receives striking illustration in the Napier telegram in another column, relative to the Friedborg's immigrants, We learn that Dr Featherston has succeeded in adding to the population no less than thirteen young immigrants without paying their passages. A very considerable sum has been saved the colony from time to time by this mode of carrying on immigration. One good lady in Waterloo Quadrant has had five interesting cases under her care lately, the most recent one being fine twins, who own as their father, a wealthy young gentleman in England, who found emigration an admirable specific for his troubles. The mother came by the Alumbagh. Several benevolent ladies in Auckland have interested themEelves in these cases, or the immigrants so unfortunately situated, on arrival in a strarge land might have suffered great hardships.

By supplying an answer to the following you will greatly oblige an enquirer. A bets B that he will not break a sheet of glass in three blows. B takes him up, and at tho first blow breaks the glass to pieces. A claims the bet, as B broke it in one blow. Would you kindly decide.— [Decidedly B has won. The third blow would be open to the same objection as the first, being only one blow in itself. A bet put in the form stated above unquestionably implies that three distinct blows are allowed to accomplish the task, and the quibble involved in A's claim will not avail.—Ed. E.S.]

Mrs Ogilvie, a member of the Society of Friends, and the foundress of a girls' home at Ipswich, is about to place the sum of £30,000 at the disposal of that society for benevolent purposes.

Wo have much pleasure in giving insertion to the following :—To the Editor : Sir.— Allow me through your columns to tender my most sincere and heartfelt thanks to those kind friends who have so nobly and generously come to my assistance in my deep trouble and distress. Their generous acts have greatly lessened my sufferings, and that God may repay them in this world and the one to come, for their help to myself and my fatherless children, is the prayer of—Yours hatefully, Mrs. Davis.

The monthly communication of the Lodge Ara will take place this evening at the usual place of meeting, at the usual hour.

The match between 12 of the Auckland football club and 16 of the Graf ton club including Nolan and Burgess came off according to announcement, on Saturday afternoon, and after a good tussle, resulted in Graf ton with Nolan and Burgess being credited with the victory by one goal kicked by Whewell, from a touch down obtained after a capital run by Ring. In congratulating the winners wo are obliged to to express again our well known objeotion to North Shore men playing for such far-off district clubs as Grafton. Play at odds say we as long as you like, but keep as nearly as possible to your own men. The Graffcon Club have some of the best "kicks" in Auckland in their ranks and hrve little need to introduce foreign aid. It was time Auckland met with a defeat, for their play has been lately getting rather loose.

The Globe Parcel Delivery Express is a most useful organisation. Through its agency, parcels too large for post, and too small for transit in the ordinary way, may be forwarded to all parts of Europe. Mr. T. Jenkins, jun., announces through our columns that he is prepared to receive parcels for transmission in this way. The Globe Express has a well-established reputation for expedition ond security. On more than one occasion its parcels by the Suez Mail have been delivered in Auckland before the mail itself has arrived here, owing to the custom of sending the mail via the South. The charges are also very moderate.