A Peculiar Election Bet.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 340, 6 February 1889, Page 6

A Peculiar Election Bet.

The most peculiar election bet that was aver made in Oakland was paid recently by Fred Becker, one of the most prominent of Democrats. Mr Becker was a firm believer in the success o* Cleveland, and on the strength of that he made a beb with Councilman Pierce, who is a staunch Republican, each agreeing: that if his candidate for President was defeated he Avould roast peanuts on the public streets of Oakland for a whole day. Mr Becker lost and speedily he paid his bet. At his own expense he erected a stand on the south-west corner of Broadway and Ninth street, with a counter, a seat for the roaster, and a place for the band that was to accompany the peanut roasting. A ton of peanuts was procured, and at 1 o'clock in the afternoon Mr Becker mounted the stand and began his labours, which he did not close until 10 o'clock in the evening. Mr Becker roasted the nuts, while several lady clerks disposed of them, so great was the demand. Everybody in Oakland ate peanuts that day, and the street around the stand was fairly paved with peanut 3hells. Some of the first lob of peanut shells roasted by Mr Becker were rather underdone, but as the day advanced he became more expert., and the nuts soon equalled those that were to be obtained from the Italian vendors. The proceeds of the sale will all go to charity, and Mr Becker will have to pay all the expenses, exceptthatof alicense,whichCouncilman Pierce obtained for him free. For this reason no change was given, and when a man laid down a quarter or a half, or even a dollar, he got his peanuts and that was all. Many were caught by this, except a few who had been given the ' tip ' beforehand. During the day Mr Becker was the recipient of many sarcastic remarks thrown at him by the small boys on the sidewalk, and all day a shouting laughing crowd surrounded the stand. The sum collected was quite considerable, and will be divided among the charitable institutions of Oakland by Councilman Pierce, who won the bet. The first bagful brought $20 and A. C. Heney, the city cleric of Oakland, paid $20 for another bag. It is estimated that $1,200 was raised.

With regard to the big Exhibition race meeting proposed to bo held by the Dunedin Jockey Club next November, a friend advises me that it will probably be a three days' meeting and the principal handicap will bo],2oosovs; there will be a mile and three quarters (probably) on the second day of 750 or l,ooosovs ; and a sixfurlonp- race on the last day.