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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3133, 13 July 1881, Page 2

Patrick Ready and John Spencer, Corporation laborers, were discharged at noon to-day by the r. ad overseer on the ground that they had informed the editor of 'his paper that there were eleven inches of silt in the storm water drain which was being clenned out yesterday. Mr Black called at the Daily Telegeaph office this morninjr, and asked where we had got our information from concerning the state of the drain. Our reply was that we looked into the drain and ascertained its condition for ourselves, at the time making the observation that the drain was quite choked. One of the men working in the silt-trap corrected our remark by saying " no, sir, there are not more than ten inches of silt." For this these two men, ho they inform us, have been discharged! Ifc seems a most unwarrantably tyrannical proceeding. If there is any justification to be offered it is probably that everything in connection with the drains is such a blunder that the Corporation is frightened by anything leaking out concerning them, and that those who might give information concerning them are silenced by fear of dismissal. Ifc is not the dismissal of two laborers, or for that matter of tho road overseer and the engineer to boot that will silence us, but if innocent men are to be discharged for opening their mouths ifc may bo well if the ratepayers sco that others are sent about their business for keeping silence. Officially we have learned tbat Ready and Spencer were discharged for " disobedience of orders," but although there are of course two sides to every story, it is a strange coincidence that in the morning the rood overseer wanted to know whether we had spoken to the men in the drain, and that by noon those two men were discharged. We tbink the matter can now be left in tho bands of tho6e Councillors who are not over-awed by red-tape, or the stupendous importance of the road overseer.

There are no cases set down for hearing at the ordinary sitting of the District Court to-morrow.

A meeting of the Napier School Committee was held last evening, but there was no business of importance transacted.

We notice by advertisement that a concert is to be held at Hastings on Thursday evening next, and from the known ability of the amateurs who are going to sing we may eafrly predict a pleasant evening's amusement.

In another column will be found a programme for a grand concert, which, it is suggested by a correspondent, should be given by the " Railway Minstrels " at an early date for the benefit of a deserving family.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, before E. Lyndon, Esq., J. p., James McHugh was charged with drunkenness, and fined 5s and costs or 24 hours. William Mack was charged with the same offence, but the police appeared to be under the impression that he had only lost his reckoning-, and did not press the charge. He was discharged.

The case of Robertson v. Smyth, which was heard before the Re--ident Magistrate after our report left yesterday, was an action for the recovery of £10, the value of a mare alleged to have been sold to defendant. After hearing the evidence, which wag lengthy, His Worship eaid tbat Jones appeared to have Hl-en upon himself to net for both parties. Judgment would be for defendant with costs and counsel's fee.

The concert which took place afc Havelock last night brought a very good house, and all comers were well rewarded by a musical treat such as has been rarely experienced in the little village. Messrs Kdwards and Gilpin rendered their songs "The Maid of Athens" and "The wave that is bearing us home " in an excellent way, which gained well-merited encores, but their singing of "Madaleine" and " The Midshipmite " were undoubtedly the gems of the evening. Misp Knight's sonfr " My Spirit King " was loudly applauded, as also was Miss Lascelles' pianoforte solo. An amusing reading from " Pickwick" and a humorous recitation varied the musical programme. The Misses Kelly and Percy, kind helpers from Hastings, added to the enjoyment of the evening, a 8 also Mr Leigh in his comic songs. The choruses could have been improved by a little more practice. The accompaniments were well played by various ladies. " G-od Save the Queen" brought a most enjoyable concert to a close.

By the proposed Redistribution of Seats Bill we understand that the County of Wairoa is to be tacked on to so much of the County of Cook as shall include the towns of Gisborne and Ormond. Wairoa has long been dissatisfied with the position it has held in connection with the Napier electorate, and, perhaps, the proposed chan_e will have all the charm of an untried novelty. fchould the chanare be carried out, however, we imagine Wairoa will soon discover that it has less community of interest with Poverty Bay than it had with Hawke's Bay. It will find that, while in the past the political opinion ot Wairoa was largely shared by the electors of Napier, in the future there will be nothing in common between Gisborne and Wairoa. The Wairoa vote will be swamped by Poverty Bay at any general election, and there being - no community of feeling it will be found that Wairoa will hold a less important position than it ever did before.

The committee for the erection of an English Church afc Ormondville foiward the following second list of subscriptions : —The Bishop of Waiapu, £5; J. D. Ormond, M.H.R , £5 ; C. Smith, J.P., £2 2s ; H. R. Russell, £1 Is; Neai and Close, £ 1 Is; W. Rathbone, J.P., church site; Mr Scarrot, £l 2s; Mr Stevens, £1 Is, Mr Brig-rs, £1 Is ; Mrs W. W. Gundrie, £1 Is; Mr John Daly, £1 ; Mr Job Packer, £1 ; Mr M'Kenzie, £1; Mr J. Bell, £1 ; Mr J. Palmer, 10s; Mr Laurenson, 10s; Mr Crowther, 10s; Mr Skinner, 10s; Mr Jarman, 10s; Mr Cantwell, 10s; total, £°6 9s. The committee hope soon to be able to forward another list, and will endeavor to commence active operations as soon as possible. Tbey will, therefore, be thankful to receive subscriptions already promised at an early date. They can be forwarded to the secretary, or paid into the bank. Ifc is intended to call for tenders in a few days, and the Rev. E. Robertshaw intends to let tbe church remain unconsecrated as longas possible, in order that it may be used by any denomination when not in use by his congregation. The committee accord hearty thanks to the public for their liberality, and hope to be able to'ereefc a building tbat will be a useful ornament to the township, as well as a link to join the residents and others of different creeds in a united and sympathetic brotherhood. All money will be paid into the Union Bank of Australia, Napier, and any one wishing to pay subscriptions direct into the bank will be supplied with duplicate slips. The committee hope that intending subscribers will be very careful to state Ormondville English Church, and not Ormondville Church, in order to prevent mistakes. A tea meeting and concert will be held afc the Presbyterian Church, Meanee, this evening at 5.30. The bazaar in connection with St. Josepb's Monastery opens to-morrow in the Theatre H oval. Messrs Kennedy and Gillman will sell tomorrow trees shrubs, and plants ■ also, on the 22nd instant, tweeds, &c. Mr E. Lyndon will sell to-morrow the furniture and effects of the Havelock Hotel afc 11 a.m. ; also, on the 26th instant, country and suburban sections. A concert will be given in the Hastings school-room to-morrow evening. Messrs Monteith and Co., will hold a sale of thoroughbred racing stock on the 23rd instant. A number of new advertisements will be found in our " Wanted" column.