The Evening Star. THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1870.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 83, 14 April 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star. THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1870.

|$ is .gratifying that there is at least; oife institution -ia Auckland of which ityis possible to s"peak in strong, terms of praise. We are often tbld|that |h€ atmosphere of Auckland ' has m it something baleful for public'- enterprise, and that the most healthy-' looking plants soon sicken and die; but, as compared with sister institutions, we see no symptoms of impaired vitality in the Young Men's Christian Association. We are not about to speak of the special objects of this institution, or to sound the praises of the high and holy causes with which it allies itself. "We simply look on it as one of the institutions of the city, dependant for success on popular sympathy and support. Nay, more— we look upon it as one having in it the elements of unpopularity, and with a host of popular prejudices to encounter. The very term " Christian" with some, if not hateful, is taken as synonymous with "cant," while the conjunction with it of the term " Young Men" conveys at once to them the idea of a society of milk sops, fitted only for tea meetings. To all such we would recommend a glance into the books of the establishment, the Library, Reading Room, and the various schemes of the Association ; and after such glance, a comparison with the sister institution, our Mechanics' Institute, which, with no such class prejudices to encounter, is supposed to be upbonne by the shoulders of the whole community, and to provide its intellectual pctlvhim. The library of the Young Men's Christian Association, consisting of about two thousand volumes, aims at a high standard, and, as might be expected from the speciality of the institution, contains a large theological department; but, irrespective of this special tendency, instead of ministering to a depraved taste for wishy-washy fiction, the library, by an excellent selection of standard works in philosophy, science, history, and classical literature, is designed to elevate the tastes and develop the intellectual powers of the members. It is needless to draw attention to the various causes identified with which the name of the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association so often appears in the public press: suffice it to say that their hall has never been devoted to the purposes of a low dancing saloon, and while their building, from having been erected in the era of the " three million,'' has a debt on it manifold beyond that of the Mechanics'lnstitute, its usefulness does not seem to be impaired, nor any one of the proper purposes for which it was intended appear to be neglected. Why this contrast ? —and how comes it that

an institution, supported by a. small section of the community can equal the general institute in list of membership; and having in it so many elements repellent to the mass of the people in its semi-religious character, and not even having the zeal of sectarianism to assist it, can compare so very favorably with the local representative of a system so universally popular as that of Mechanics' Institutions ? The secret is only in superior administration. ,

Colonel t-fAEUiNGTON will leave for the South to-morrow by the s.s. Phcebe. The remains of the Jate fciergt. Bains of the Armed Constabulary were interred yesterday with the usual, military honors. .We understand that the Hon. J. Vogel will proceed to Wellington by the s.s. Phcebe to-morrow. Excursion to the Hot Springs.— The treat offerer! to the public to-morrow by the agents of thep.s. Williams is likely to be a great success. The steamer will leave the wharf at 9 o'clock, returning during the evening. It will be of general interest to learn that' the contract for the completion ot one of the last links of telegraphic communication with the other provinces has been, entered into, by the acceptance of the tender of Mr. Mackenzie, for completing the line between Tauranga and Taupo, in three months. „. , The Albert; Barracks presented a lively appearance yesterday afternoon, more so than we have seen since the departure of the troops. 'J here were a large number of cricketers on the ground practising for the forthcoming match .which is to be played on Saturday between .. eleven picked from the Auckland and Legal Profession Clubs combined, against twontytwo others. Wk are glad to learn that a movement has been initialed for the establishment of a "School of Arts," in Auckland. By this we are not to understand what is commonly known by that term throughout the colonies, or to suppose that this is intended as a rival to pur Mechanics' Institute, which is really not to bo lival-

led. The institution contemplated is solely for the cultivation of; the fiile arts, and specially the,encourageirientdfSketching ai>d-rdesigniP "We sincerely ;hope;for it -alMiSudcess, && tliat it ihay not imbibe trorn^ftheWmo^phere of .Auckland the germso(f mortal Aecaji W^ghretglad td see that a Presbyterian^ Churc&is being erected near the Catholic* ChurcK'off'g.ymonds-street. The frame of the building is up, and to all ap^eararice it ...wilt be a fine structure "when finished- . The contractor is Mr. iyCcGaiil, and the arcnitectjs Mr. Wrigley. li£,is 0 being built, we understand, to the Ureter of Key. Dr. Wallis, so well known •for'jiis perseverance in trying to cxl.end and promote the interests of his religious denomination. The building is to be finished by the end of June, and will be a great convenience to the Presbyterians living about that district. We perceive by advertisement that gentlemen desirous of joining the Auckland Garrick Club are requested fo send in their names to the secretary on or before Tuesday next. We are greatly pleased to see that Parnell has added to our local industries in the manufacture on an extensive scale of a very superior tfabin biscuit, svhich has been recently commenced by Mr. JR.. Hale. We have seen and eaten of the first consignment at Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane's, and from the sweetness and general excellence of the article, we are confident it will command an extensive sale. We understand that Mr. Hale has completed preparations for a supply to any extent ; and we trust that his enterprise will receive the retoard of popular favor, which it merits. It is notified that, the offices of the Provincial Government will be closed on Good Friday. On account of the holidays, the p.s. Duke of Edinburgh, will not return to the Thames on Saturday, on her arrival in Auckland, but willleave again on Monday evening, at 6 o'clock. A soiree will be given this evening, at the Mu*ic Hall, in compliment io the Key. D. Bruce, who is about to visit Europe; A. Clark, Ksq., Ivi.Ci.A., will preside, and the musical arrangements will be conducted by ,7. Browne, Esq. There will bo a meeting of the Ragged Schools Committee, this afternoon, at half-past four o'clock, in the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association. The following persons have been declared bankrupts :—Charles Kingford Jeffs, of Opotiki; Samuel Harvey, of Grahamstown; and Sampson Place, of Grahamstown. ■

Me. Ewtngton purposes reading an original paper this evening at the Wesleyan Chapel, Mount Albert, on " Earthquakes and Volcanoes." Tenders are called for by the City Board from persons willing to contract for certain repairs in Wellington-street. Thr annual meeting of the British and and Foreign Bible Society will be held in the Young Men's Christian Association Rooms at 7 o'clock this evening.