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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 2990, 25 January 1881, Page 2

The street traffic of Napier is increasing There are now no lesa than forty-two licensed publio vehicles plying for hire, and forty-three carts.

We understand that Mr J. R. Davis has got the contract for building the wooden bridge over the Turuheru river at Gisborne. M r Davis intends taking all the timber necessary for this contract from Hawke's Bay.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, before Captain Preece, R.M., William Gill and William Maynard were charged with drunkeness, and each 5s and costs, or 48 hours imprisonment with hard labor.

It must be getting on for about a month since, in reply to the petition praying that the Meanee race-course reserve might be rested in the Corporation, that the Undersecretary stated that the matter had been referred to the Crown Lands Department. Does the Government think that the matter will be allowed to rest there ?

At the Masonic Hotel last evening the settling on the Racing Club's annual meeting took place, and the following amounts were paid over :—Mr C. C. Murray, £211 17s; Mr W.Walters, £96 18s; MrJ.Lyon, £52; Mr M'Douglas, £46 10s; Mr M'Farley, £38; Mr G. Heslop, £33; Mr H. Powdrell, £28 10s; Mr K. Wheeler, £28 10s; Mr W. Edwards, £14 6.

In the Town Clerk's office there is a liet of names made out of defaulting ratepayers, the whole of whom will be summoned at the eailiest opportunity. All who may be under the impression that they have not settled their little accounts with the Corporation had better pay a visib to the Municipal offices and ascertain whether they are down in the black list.

In reference to the Council meeting that was held on the day of the election of Mr H. Wall in the room of Mr McVay, resigned, at •which the last-named gentleman took his seat, we are informed that six lawyers in Napier bear out the opinion of the Municipal Solicitor that Mr McVay had no right to fit as a Councillor on that.occasion. This coincides with the opinion of Mr Travera, of Wellington. It will be remembered that when certain Councillors called the Mayor's attention to Mr McVay , s presence, His Worship said he did not want any legal opinion on the subject, he being perfectly satisfied with his ' own ruling. Mr McVay also said that he was willing to take the responsibility of any illegal action of which he might be guilty.

The first of the senes of Shakepeare recitals was given yesterday evening in St.. John's school-room to a small but appreciation audience. As many of our readers iniiy not understand what is meant by the term recital, we may explain that it consisted of a lecture interspersed with reading or recitation of portions of the leading scenes in the play. Mr Morrison opened with a brief reference to the recognised pre-eminence of Shakspeare as a dramatic writer, and then proceeded to the subject of the evening , , " The Merchant of Venice." He gave some amuning passages from medieval stories, showing the tiourcesfrom which Shakspeare borrowed his plot. He then entered upon an analytical review the play, scene by scene, with occasional digressions suggested by the story. His explanation of the causes of the popular feeling against the Jews in Shakspear's time, and of the views held regarding the taking of interest, were specially interesting. But it was obvious that the chief attraction in this series of recitals will be the reading, or rather acting, of the more important scenes. Mr Morrison's Shylock, ably supported by the characters left to Mr Eawlins, was a masterly rendering of a character full of the most intense dramatic interest. _ We understand that the performance will be repeated at an early date, and those who have not already seen it should not miss the opportunity thus afforded of becoming better acquainted with Shakspeare'a great drama.

Writing on <he subject of the Native Minister's resignation, and as to his probable successor, the Wanganui Chronicle ca y S ;—" Why should not the portfolio remain in Mr Kolleston's hands P He is well acquainted with Maori questions, and served as Under-Secretary of Native Affairs. He has plenty of talent and industry, has a much larger mental grasp than Mr Bryce and is every bit as honent. He was somewhat blamed for the escape of the Maori prisoners from the Chatham Islands during the time of his Under-Seoretrryship, but we never could understand why; and no question of politics was involved in the matter. Mr Eolleston, like Mr Bryce, declared for an attempted pacific solution of this West Coast difficulty, and, unlike the latter, is prepared to act logically in carrying out that policy. Should the necessity arise, he would be found able and willing to act quiet as decisively and sternly as his predecessor. Lastly, he is personally

liked and respected by tbe Native race. He will not, like Mr Sheeban, be found squatting in their whams, wrapped in a blanket, and blowing a cloud of smoke from a black pipe, nor will he be quite so anxious as Mr Bryce to cut their throats ; but he will certainly endeavour to be just, and will put up with no nonsense. If Te Wbiti attempts aggressive action, or oounsels bloodshed, or even illegal interference, Mr Kolleston will not improbably send the constabulary to Parihaka. But Te Whiti is safe, co long as he contents himself with preaching the doctrines of peace and forbearance."

The licensed victuallers hold a meeting tonight at the Provincial Hotel at 7.30. The Lydia Howard Company play " Nemesis'" to-nighfc at the Theutre Boyal at 8 o'clock.

The Napier Club general meeting, that was tc have been held this evening, has been postponed until Friday next at 8 p.ra The sixth annual meeting of the Hawke's Bay Permanent Building Society will be held on February 4th. H. Monteith and Co. sell mixed cattle at the Shamrock yards to-morrow. Neils Jensen has a quarter-acre section and cottage at Waipukurau for sale. W. A. Beocroft, Hastings, has unthrashed old hay for sale. The Northern Investment Company are pi-epared to make advances on freehold and leasehold securities. Kennedy and Gillman 'will sell at the Ram Fair selected rams, and on Friday, 28th instant, at their store, household furniture, bacon, cheese, potatoes, &c. JS' cal and Close advertise the Royal Hotel to let. A block of land at Pakowhai is advertised for sale by public auction on February 17th, by Mr M*. E. Miller.