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Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 23, 28 January 1888, Page 4

A correspondent says with reference to the narrow escape from drowning at Judge's Bay :—" The three little girls were drowning. It was Mrs Sadler who first rushed down the cliff and into the water to their help, but finding it out of her depth and not being a swimmer, had to return. It was through Mr Holdsworth's timely assistance that the little girls were rescued. The women seemed paralysed with fear."

It is to the credit of the Auckland Girls' High School that all the pupils from that institution who presented themselves at the University Entrance Examinations in December last were successful. Four candidates—Miss C. A. Mulgan, Miss E. M. Knight, Miss E. L. Colebrook, and Miss M. M. Gorrie -entered for the Junior University Examination, and succeeded in placing themselves ; while five candidates —Miss C. Brown, Miss E. G. Heighway, Miss H. Harden, Miss A. Hall, and Miss E._ Reidpassed the Matriculation Examination. Though not possessing a building which it can call its own, this achool seems to be doing good work.

It is stated that there are several wells in Auckland filled with filth, and that one in Shortland Crescent has been in use for many years. No wonder that the residents of Forb-street frequently complain of stinks. Like the Thames and London porter, it is oossible that the water of the once famous well in Forb-street is improved in flavour by the contents of the other well above. The Sanitary Inspector will doubtless give attention to wells which are unfit to be used, and will order them to be cleansed or filled up.

The amended regulations for the Civil Service, travelling allowances, and hours of attendance, have been gazetted. All salaried officers are to receive travelling alallowances for personal expenses at the daily rate of ten shillings for officers receiving salaries not exceeding £400 per annum; and 12s 6d for all other officers. Ministers may, however, authorise temporary special amounts to meet special cases. For the first day at sea ordinary allowance may be drawn; after that 28 6d per day. The hours of attendance for officers of the Civil Service will be from nine a.m. to one p.m., and from two p.m. to five p.m., except on Saturdays, when the office hours will be from nine a.m. to 1 p.m. The chief clerk of each department or office is to keep a book in which the hours of arrival and departure of each officer is to be noted, and he will be held responsible for their due attendance, and will furnish periodical reports thereon to the head of the department.

Last week we gave the " straight tip " to Ponsonby taxpayers to pay up overdue rates, and the hint was so generally adopted that fully £30 was saved in the cost of summonses within a few days. Nmw we may add that those who are still in arrears in the western suburb will be most certainly summonsed, and further we would caution ratepayers of Karangahape and South Ward that they are now receiving due attention. One batch of summonses is now in readiness and will be issued very shortly. The Council also meditate a descent upon Queen-street delinquents, so that the advice to "pay up" may be acoeptod by all.

A little boy, 3 years old, named Leslie Wright, whose parents reside in Graf ton Road, was kicked by a horse when playing in the Domain to-day. His forehead was badly cut, and he had to be taken to the Hospital to have his wounds dressed.

We are pleased to notice a very handsome three-storied building erected next door to the Auckland Savings Bank. Some critics may think that the windows on the second floor are just a trifle squat, but the structure looks well for all that, the design being quite out of the usual run. Blaikie's wire plaster is to be used in all the rooms, consequently they will be absolutely fire-proof. With timber-lined bedrooms, so rapidly does a fire progress that folks are in danger of being cremated alive, but with the fire-proof plaster all such danger is avoided, besides being entirely free from vermin. In the room adjoining the newspaper room in the Free Library, the plaster on the ceiling looks very shaky, and the caretaker is afraid that some day it will fall on his head. With the wire plaster, however, there would have been no possibility of its getting detached.

The quarterly communication of the Provincial Grand Lodge, Scottish Constitution, was held last evening in the Freemasons' Hall, Princes - street. The Hon. Sir Frederick Whitaker, R.W.P.G.M., presided. An amount of general business was disposed of, and some rulings were given, after which the election of officers was proceeded with. The P.G.M. announced that he had received the resignation of Bro. P. M. Dewar, G.S.W. This was an office in the appointment of the P.G.M., and he had not yet made up his mind as to how the vacancy was to be filled, so that he would defer the matter for the present. The elections for the year were as follows: —Bro. W. Wilkinson, treasurer; Brc. Hartnell, S.D. ; Bro. Stevenson, J,l>, ; Bro. Cleave, architect; Bro. Kohn, jeweller. Bro. Forrest was elected Grand Director of Ceremonies, and Bro. Crisp I.G. The election of the other officers was postponed until.the quarterly communication of the P.G, Lodge in April.

E. W. P. Matthews, B. Myers, and R. H. Makgill, amongst those who have passed the ordinary matriculation examination of the New Zealand University, are from the Auckland College and Grammar SchooL The last mentioned also passed the preliminary medical examination. A. Morrison and A. Porter had left the school, but had not attended any other.

Half-a-dozen of the sailors and marines from the war vessels now in port made things: pretty lively for the police yesterday, shortly after 3 o'clock. They were arrested in an hotel near the wharf, and most of them came along to the station quietly. One jolly marine wanted to shout for Sergeant Kiely when they reached the Commercial, but the offer was politely declined —probably the officer does not drink. Constable Abrams had a rougher time of it. His man declined to go past Nathan's gateway in High-street. A tussle ensued, the marine trying to throw the constable Both came to the ground, but the father of the faithful was on top. A crowd soon gathered in which the criminal instinct was apparent. One individual tried to raise a disturbance by telling the constable to handle the man gently, and not kick. As Abrams was exhioiting great patience with his troublesome prisoner, this attempt had no effect. The only thing to be regretted is that another constable was not at hand to run in this meddlesome person, as such actions tend to create disturbance andcause the prisoners to resist under the impression that having the sympathy of the crowd, assistance would be forthcoming. The arrival of Sergeant Pratt and Constable Foreman soon set matters at rest, and the troublesome prisoners was safely landed in the lock up. Shortly afterwards a few more men were run in, and in a little while the crowd outside the station were amused by hearing a good roaring chorus coming from the cells. Information was sent to the ship that the men were arrested, but the officers wisely decided to let the men cool down in the cells until this morning, when they were taken aboard.

The City Council offices will be closedpn Monday next. Anniversary Day,

It is satisfactory to noto that a special meeting of the Harbour Board is called for Wednesday next, Ist February, "to consider matters in reference to the opening of Calliope Dock." A concert and lime-light entertainment took place in St. Matthew's Sunday-school room last night. The proceeds, are to be devoted towards the funds of the school treat, which takes place next Monday. There was a fair attendance, the Rev. W. Tebbs presiding. The first part of the evening was set apart for a concert, when a really good programme was gone through in a creditable manner by various teachers and scholars. Piano duets were played by Miss and Master Hooper and Miss and Mr W. Crowther; Miss Doonin also performed a solo upon the pianoforte. A humorous dialogue was rendered by the Misses Smith and Barrett, and a recitation was also given by Miss L. Mitcham. Mr Fox recited a piece entitled "Time," and Miss Lilla Campbell delivered another recitation, "The Two Blacksmiths," in a pleasing manner. The Misses Coombes sang- a duet, and "Miss F ; Hulme rendered a song in a manner which evoked applause. "The Trysting Tree" was nicely sang by Miss M. Morrin, and the same might also be said of the song, "Fiddle and I," which was sung by Miss Coombes. Mr W. Stebbings received considerable applause for the manner in which he rendered the old favourite song, "The Old Brigade." After an interval the lights "were turned out, and the Rev. J. S. Hill exhibited a number of limelight views, which were explained by the chairman. The first lot was scenes in the life of Gordon; then followed "Rich London, as shown in its buildings, contrasted with Poor London, or Sights in the Slums and Abodes of Vice." The final set illustrated "Jessica's First Prayer." A few humourous slides were put in to please the little ones, after which the Chairman pronounced the Benediction, and terminated an enjoyable evening's entertainment.

The Mississippi Minstrels open to-night in the Opera House. The ' troupe consists of 17 performers. A good programme is promised, amongst which some novelties will be introduced, including stump speeches, farces, dances, songs, and comic sketches. On Monday night an entirely new programme will be presented.

A formal meeting of the shareholders in the New Zealand Smelting Company was held yesterday afternoon at the Chamber of Commerce in order to receive the liquidators' report and statement of accounts. The proceedings were purely of a formal character.

It has been arranged that Mr Josiah Martin will personally attend the grocers' picnic on Monday for the purpose of faking photos of the steamer, band, committee, prize-winners, etc.

The Legal Committee of the City CounciJ has resolved to recommend' the Counci 1 to have an endorsation of licenses granted to public buildings and places of amusement in order to prevent pugilistic exhibitions, glove fights, etc

Councillor Crowther has given notice to move at the next meeting of the City Council, "That the Finance Committee consider and report at the next meeting of Council what portion of the last loan can be spared to pay off the overdraft."

The Golden Jubilee of the planting of the Roman Catholic faith in New Zealand. is to be celebrated by special services; at St.' Patrick's Cathedral to-morrow, of which particulars are given in another column. There is also to be a grand organ recital by Herr Tutschka, with sacred concert, on Monday evening. Our readers of the Roman Catholic communion and their many friends and sympathisers willlargely attend' these meetings and add eclat to the celebration of such a memorable occasion. ■.

Those of our readers who purpose attending the grocers' picnic on Monday are reminded that in order to land the excursionists at the wharf, the steamer, will leave punctually as advertised. It is probable that the Osprey will take the place of the Eagle, and that the steamer will remain at Motuihi, co that the return trip will bs made at six o'clock, enabling passengers to reach town in good time. A course has been prepared for the running matches; which, by reason of the valuable prizes offered, are likely to be warmly contested. We are requested to state that no money will be taken at the steamer's gangway until about ten minutes before the time of starting, aa faith must be kept with the holders of tickets. •

A meeting of creditors in J. P. Lennard's estate was convened for 11 a. in. to-day. As, however, Mr Lennard's stock was being sold at Mr Buckland's, the creditors decided to adjourn the meeting until Tuesday next, in order to enable Mr Lennard to attend the sale.

Robert Patrick Purcell, of the Thames, labourer, and John Melican, boarding-house keeper, of Newmarket, filed petitions of insolvency to-day.