NAPIER NOTES.

Hastings Standard, Issue 80, 29 July 1896, Page 3

NAPIER NOTES.

[Fkom Ouk Own Corresfoxdemt.] Napiee, July 29. Opinions are very much divided as to the performance of the Royal Comic Opera Company, some people going as far as to say that it is positively vulgar. I cannot say, I was not there, the visual courtesy ha-ing been denied to your representative. One thing I can say, however, as I have it from someone who visited the performance, that the situations and the language are not fit for refined ears. The whole thing is based on the vilest conduct of men and women. I)r Milne-Thomson has raised a question that should be carefully gone into and fully discussed. It is not only quite reasonable to suppose that there is a great deal of truth in what he has written to a paper here, but I know that the drainage into the sewers from the water closets has not been quite effectual. Before the arrangement goes any further—that is before any more houses or other places are connected with the water system—full enqniry should be made into the danger which threatens the community. Napier has has had its fever epidemics and is now fairly free from the dread typhoid, bat if these water close la

are to prove, as Dr. Thomson says, veritable death traps, then we should awaken to the dauber which will make itself felt at a later stage and when we are powerless to cope with it. lam aware that there are those who pooh-pooh the doctor's ideas. It will be too late to be sorry for the pooh-poohing when fever, diphtheria and other filth diseases are ravaging., the place. St Augustine's—to use a remark made by one who was present—broke ont in another place last night, when the novel method of making the annual meeting of the congregation quite a social and enjoyable function was carried out. The church is in a flourishing condition, and is out of debt. The mode of procedure last night was to do the formal business as quickly as possible, and then to get to a pleasurable stage of games, music, and refreshments. Quite a novel idea for the close of the church meeting, but decidedly one which recommends itself. The Volunteers are hoping that the report is true that Colonel Fox is about to go to Japan, but I think I can put that matter right by stating that he intends shortly, in the South Island, to cultivate the harmless but necessary mutton. In other words, he has bought a sheep station. I have it on reliable authority that a dissolution is in the wind. Some of those who ought to know say that there are unmistakable signs of a restlessness on the part of some members. They want to get away from an atmosphere that has become anything but pleasant, and that before any further crucial divisions are taken theyjwould fain be before their constituents. But Captain Russell has prevented any escape from the position as it at present is, and members must now vote for or against the Government on a motion which traverses the whole of their policy. We shall see some strange developements shortly, and your readers need not be at all surprised if Parliament is dissolved before any more of the policy bills get a chance of going through. There is no sign of Mr Tuffnell, who was reported missing. It appears that he retired to bed on Sunday night at the usual hour, and shortly after complained of a pain in the stomach. He got out of bed and has not been seen since.