SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1872.

Auckland Star, Volume III, Issue 632, 20 January 1872, Page 2

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1872.

On Wednesday last we published an account of certaiu impositions adroitly effected by a lady resident in the city, through the means of testimonials and subscription schemes for the sick and suffering. For obvious reasons we gave neither name nor address, aa our desire was not to bring any one into trouble, but simply to place the charitable on their guard. We can see how our statement was just of the class to set curiosity to work, and rumour has been making free with various persons and schemes. It is not our purpose to gratify curiosity, but we feel it due to various schemes of benevolence to state that the lady in ques" tion, who is married, and her husband living in the city —shame on him—is rot known t° the public in any form either as identified with, or advocating any public Bcheme of benevolence ; and that we have never seen her name in print, nor are we aware that she haß ever courted the public eye, but in a retiring quiet path of life she belongs to (htib class of people who " do good ly stealth, and blush to find it fame."

We have possessed ourselves of a copy of to-day's issue of the Volunteer Gazette. It was not courteously sent to us, as was done last week, and as is customary. Our young contemporary was probably annoyed with us for the liberty we took, in speaking like unto a father. But then our little sister should remember that we are an "old friend of the family," and as she is but a new arrival among the Volunteers, with whom we have been on the moat cordial and intimate terms for a long time past, we aßssumed the right of an old friend, in boxing her little ears for talking slang, and giving evidence of a liking for low company. We are very glad indeed to see that, although a little sulky with us, she has taken our correction in good part, and so far as we have found uas not in one word offended in her present appearance. All those naßty prize fights, and such characters as " poor old Nat,' 1 are totally ignored ; and instead, our little sister prattles pleasantly about swimming dress, and trotting matches, and torpedoes, and wrestling and rifle matches, and such like. We feel a pleasure to-day in taking our little sister by the hand, and introducing her to our I rave defenders. We are aware they were offended with her last week for her naughty language, but we ask them to forgive her for our sake. It is true she has not much to say to them except what we have already said to them during the week in our Volun* teer Chronicle, or what has been said to them by our two big brothers, the Herald and Cross. Still we like to hear her lisping, and we have no doubt that after a little time this "Daughter of the Eegiment" will become quite a pet among the men. Bless her little curly locks, we liko her greatly, although sho is huffed with us.

During the continuance of the drought, wo fear that no inconsiderable amount of suffering will be felt by tho poorer classes of tho community ; and those who are in possession of

supplies of water will have an opportunity of exercising real Christian charity. Of course for those who are willing to pay for it, Mr. Craig with his water carts will give an abundant supply ; but not only will such purchase bo a serious matter to some, but the necessity of getting tanks or other large vessels to retain such purchase, will effectually prevent a large number from availing themselves of Mr. Craig's services. It would be a real kindness, if those who have wells that are likely to hold out for a time, would intimate that their neighbours may come and have supplies. There are times,and this is one of them, when a "cup of cold water" is a real gift of charity ;-and we B incerely trust that the possessors of wells will be moved by generous impulse in this regard. To our knowledge many who have not much money to spare are at their wits' ends as to where to get some buckets of water ; and it will afford us much pleasure to give a standing advertisement during the continuance of the drought, intimating where there are wells,the owners of which are disposed to " remember the poor."

We hare received the following from a well known and respected citizen :—" I have been in the habit for a long time past of driving with my family out into the country, going out by one turnpike and returning by another. I have not been in the h*bit of obtaining tickets, being well known, and my word being accepted as an assurance in re* turning, that I had driven out of the city. However, on returning yesterday, I was challenged for the first time at the Mount Eden toll-gate by Mr. Galbraitb, and obliged to pay a second time, although I offered to procure the necessary ticket. In a manner unnecessarily peremptory and very abusive, he stated that even if I brought the ticket to him, he would not return the money. I desire to draw public attention to the stringency with which the Mount Eden toll-gate is nowbeing conducted, and to advise persons riding or driving out of the city to not fail to provide themselves with tickets." The toll-keoper xn question is a very cantankerous old follow. His victory yestorday in the Police Court haß probably disturbed him, and travellers through his preserves had better mind the motto, " Cave canem ! "

Two days since, ono of our guardians of the public peace, whose duty it is to lodge safely any who may become obstreperous from having taken just " one drop too much," was brought in the prosecution of hii offioial duty, into professsional relations with a Maori woman, who waa supposed to becomplotelyi ntoxicated. She had been lending hor patronage to the landlords of sevoral hotels in the vicinity of Wakefield street, Barrack street, &c. She became all once very rowdy, and a policeman cast his eye upon her, which, for the moment, had a beneficial effect in causing her unruly member to suspend its functions. A second outburst brought the man on duty into close effort to securo his prize, which he meant to take at any risk ; for, as he thought, in the twinkling of an eye, laid his heavy hand upon her, and -was making for the vicinity of High street. All went well for a time, barring a few stoppages on the way, as she had now and then to adjust her petticoats, hair, gloyesi &c, which she was allowed to do through the kindness of her captor. No resistance was offered ; but just as they were wending their way past the junction of Queen and Wakefield streets, with a spring,anda dash forward, and with an agility resembling some of those feat 3 that her uncle Te Kooti is said to havo performed, she ran across Queen street, turning up Grey street, and in a few moments she was quietly seated in one of thoie Maori huts which abound there. She Btrained erory nervo and muscle, and looked more like an antelope, for the time, than a human being, as she quickly left behind her him who would fain hare pmented her in the presonce of Capt. Beckham. The policeman admitted that in all his professional career he had not been so completely sold.

We regret that the telegram as received by us yesterday was misread. The actual words received were, " Otago 10 tons 3ozs. 16dwts. lowest tribute tookey 611bs. 350z5., Sec." This should have been read. " The Otago from 10 tons crushing gave 3ozs. 16dwts. Lowe's tribute in Tookey' from 611bs. gave 350za," &o. We greatly regret the orror into which we were led.

A great annoyance is occasioned in the Su-» preme Court by tha perpetual running about of people. It would be all very well if these restless individuals would tread lightly, but with beetle»orushing proolivities nine out of ten bring their hoofa down on the floor with crashes that reverberate through the whole building. The timid speaking of witne/jaeg is nothing to it in regard to the annoyance of all having business in the Court. Then, the rushing of frantic people over the gallery to, wards the offices above, is at times equally annoying. Surely something may be done towards alleviating the latter nuisance at all events, if even it be found necessarj to sheet the stairs and gallery with lead. At present all the doors of the Ccurt room are of necessity kept open on account of the heat and bad ventilation, and the external sounds reverberating about the internal wallg of that peculiar structure, ronder it frequently impossible to catch the sense, —much less the words, of what is going on.

Mr. O. E. Cholmondeley Smith ia about to open a private collegiate school in Fort Britomart. The course of instruction will comprise a sound English education, fitting pupils for commercial life or otherwise, according to the desire of parents or guardians, The principal has had fourteen years' experience in tuition, and is highly recommended as a successful and effioient instructor. The terms are moderate, and scholastic duties will commence on Thursday next.

A fire broke out at an early hour this morning in Messrs. T. and S. Morrin's back store in Durham street. Smoke was discovered issuing from tho roof by Sergeant Walker, who at once gave tho alarm. It "was soon extinguished with a few buckets of water.

A grand panoranu of the Franco-Prussian War has arrived in Auckland, -by the Nebraska, and will shotly be exhibited to the public. We undertand that it has been executed with artisti. skill. The panorama is accompanied by a firt-class lecturer, who will explain the various hcidents in the war. A challenge made jy P. Skelly to run 0. H. Low a fire-mile ace for £10 a side has been accepted, and tb race will come off on Regatta Day. Skellyagrees to give Low 150 yards start.