Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 02.djvu/271

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AUCH.
233
AUCTION.

active trade in woolen and cotton goods, fruits, wine and brandy. Population, in 1896, 9300. In ancient times it was called Elimberrum; at a somewhat later period it took its name from the Ausci, whose chief town it was. In the Eighth Century it became the capital of Gascony.


AUCHENIA, .s-kS'ni-i, AUCHENIDÆ, .i-ken'i-dc. See Lama.


AUCHMUTY, Ok'mu-tf, Samuel (1722-77). An American clergyman. He was born in Boston, graduated at Harvard (1742), and studied theology in England. He became assistant rector of Trinity Parish, New York City, in 1763, and rector, with full charge of all the Episcopal churches in the city, in 1764. An ardent Royalist, he persisted in reading prayers for the King after the occupation of the city by Continental troops, and when forced to desist, locked the churches, left the city, and remained away until the British had gained possession in September, 1776. He died from exposure endured in passing the American lines.


AUCHMUTY, Sir Samuel 1756-1822). A British general, son of Rev. Dr. Samuel Auchmuty. He graduated at King's (Columbia) College in 1775, and entered the British Army the next year. He was in the battles of Brooklyn and White Plains, and served in three campaigns. He served in India (from 1783 to 1796), in Egypt (1800), and in South America, where, in February, 1807, he took by assault the fort and city of Montevideo, for which Parliament voted him thanks. He was advanced to the rank of major-general in 1808, and two years afterwards was appointed commander-in-chief at Madras. The next year he reduced the Java Settlements, and was again voted thanks. In 1833 he was made a lieutenant-general, and was for a time commander-in-chief in Ireland, where he died.


AUCHTERARDER, ouK'ter-iir'der. A village in Perthshire. Scotland, about 15 miles southwest of Perth (Map: Scotland, E 3). Population (police burgh) in 1901, 2276, chiefly employed in cotton-weaving. The village was involved in the events leading to the disruption of the Church of Scotland and the formation of the Free Church, in 1843. Consult The Auchterarder Case (Edinburgh, 1842).


AUCKLAND, jik'U/nd. The northern provincial district of New Zealand (q.v.).


AUCKLAND. The capital of the Province of Auckland, on the North Island of New Zealand, and an important seaport, picturesquely situated on a peninsula projecting into the Hauraki Gulf, in latitude 36° 50' S., and longitude 174° 50' E. (Map: New Zealand, E 2). In addition to its splendid harbor at Waitemata, it possesses a second at Manukau, 6 miles distant, both well equipped with graving docks, wharves, and accommodation fur the largest vessels. Auckland is distant 1315 miles from Sydney, 1650 from Melbourne, and 5440 from San Francisco, with which cities it has periodical steam communication. Its chief industries comprise ship-building, sawmills, rope-making, sugar refineries, glass-works, boot factories. It is connected by rail with the principal places throughout the island. Auckland contains some fine public buildings, government house, custom house, post-office, barracks, churches, a university college, two public libraries, parks, and a botanical garden. It is the see of an Episcopal bishopric and cathedral establishment. The United States is represented by a consul. It has a favorable climate, with an annual mean temperature of 59.3° F.; January 66.6°, July 51.9°. Founded in 1840, it became a burgh in 1851, and was the capital of New Zealand until 1865, when the seat of government was transferred to Wellington, as being more central. Population, in 1891, 28,773; in 1901, 34,216.


AUCKLAND, George Eden, Earl of (1784-1849). An English statesman, son of William Eden, Baron Auckland. He was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, and Lincoln's Inn. On the death of his elder brother in 1810, he entered Parliament. He was President of the Board of Trade from 1830 to 1834, and First Lord of the Admiralty in 1834 and 1835. In the latter year he was appointed Governor-General of India. He was created Earl of Auckland in 1839, because of his part in the successful Afghan expedition.


AUCKLAND, William Eden, Baron (1744-1814). An English diplomat. He was educated at Oxford, and called to the bar in 1768. In 1772 he was appointed Under Secretary of State, and afterwards filled the posts of a lord of trade, a commissioner to treat with the insurgent colonies of North America (1778). and Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland. Pitt sent him as a special commissioner to France to conclude a commercial treaty with that country (1786). Afterwards he served as plenipotentiary in Spain, ambassador to Holland and postmaster-general. In 1793 he was enrolled in the British peerage. He was the author of the Principles of Penal Law (1772); Remarks on the Apparent Circumstances of the War (1795); and several pamphlets. See The Journal and Correspondence of William, Lord Auckland, edited bv his son, the Bishop of Bath and Wells, 4 vols." (1860-62).


AUCKLAND ISLANDS. A group of islands to the south of New Zealand, in latitude 50° 3' S. (Map: World, Western Hemisphere, P 2). It consists of the large island of Auckland (330 square miles), and a few smaller ones. They were discovered in 1806, and settled by the British in 1849; but are uninhabited at present. The New Zealand Government maintains a station on Auckland Island for the relief of shipwrecked sailors.


AUCTION (Lat. auctio, increase, public sale by increased bids, from augere, increase). A public sale of property to the highest bidder. Ordinarily, the property offered for sale is described, and the conditions in accordance with which it will be sold are announced, before bids are invited. Each bid is an offer, the auctioneer's acceptance of which is indicated by his knocking down the property to the bidder. Until the bid is thus accepted it may be withdrawn: but when thus accepted a contract is formed between the seller and the buyer, containing as a part of its terms all statements and conditions publicly made to the bidders on the seller's behalf. An auction should be fairly conducted on both sides. There should be no puffing, or bidding by dummies, in the interest of the seller,