NAPIER NOTES.

Hastings Standard, Issue 82, 31 July 1896, Page 3

NAPIER NOTES.

«. [From Ova Own C-ctei3spo::»emt.] Nai'l'sk, July 81. A great deal of feeling has been displayed by the managers of the Koyal Comic Opera Company because of the strictures in the Standard concerning the opening piece. It is one of those things which members of the journalistic profession should resent, but instead we find the most of them sympathising with the company and siding with the few who condemn the outspokenness of a critic. The fact is, this company came along with a great flourish of trumpets, and people believed that they were to witness something wonderful. The result has been very disappointing, and the prices are out of all reason. The Theatre, therefore, has not been crowded, only one paper has pumped up any enthusiasm. Now why should this be ? If Press criticism is to be of any value, surely it must bo searching. But why the management should grumble, when it is guaranteed against loss, is just one of those things I fail to understand. It is said the house was sold to a syndicate, and that therein is to be found the cause of the high prices charged for admission. As to that I cannot say. I give you the report for what it is worth. It is believed that the missing man Tuffnell has committed suicide by drowning. His wife still thinks that he is alive, and that he may have gone away in a steamer. The. weather to-day is miserably cold, and rain is falling. At the Magistrate's Court this morning tne further hearing of the cases against Axel Mortensen for permitting unlawful games upon his licensed premises and for selling liquor after hours, was gone on with. A number of witnesses who were absent when the case was called on the origindal date of hearing were present in response to urgent invitations on blue paper issued by Mr Turnbull and their evidence established the cases brought by the police. The Magistrate fined Mortensen £lO and 10s costs. The question of endorsement was left over for further consideration. Mr Humphries, who appeared as counsel for the owners of the property, pointed out that Mortensen bad been removed from the hotel and that Mr A. McCartneyhas been installed. It would therefore be very bard if the endorsements were made as that would have the effect of punishing the present tenant and the landlord, and not the guilty party. Mr Turnbull agreed to hold over consideration of the matter and would give judgement later on.