NAPIER NOTES.

Hastings Standard, Issue 108, 31 August 1896, Page 2

NAPIER NOTES.

[From Ouk Own Correspondent.] Napiek, August 31. The gentle burglar continues to burgle in a mild and comparatively inexpensive way in Napier. Mr A. H. Wilson, ironmonger, had a visit from one of these gentry in the early hours of Saturday morning who removed a casual 12s 6d which happened to be lying in the till. Clothes-line robbery is also fashionable. " Your own" inadvertently left an overcoat out on the clothes-line the other night. It vanished like a beautiful dream, and now this poor scribe has to shelter himself from such execrable- weather as is prevailing here to-day under the mild yet friendly shelter of a borrowed umbrella. Mr W. McKenzie the Scottish vocalist, and Mr Isitt the Trohibition propagandist, were the counter attractions at the rival theatres last night. Both had good audiences, both were in good form, and both gave full value for the silver coin which both asked as the price of admission. Mr Isitt's discourse was " Robbery for burnt Offering," and he laid it down with singular mildness that no clergyman should countenance the trade by accepting of donations from that quarter for Church work. This would seem to the ordinary observer to be a somewhat narrow doctrine. Besides, its fulfilment would lead to the closing of a good many churches, don't you think so Mr Editor ?

The H.B. Plumpton Club has received good entries for the principal events of its September Meeting, as follows: —Ladies' Bracelet.—Bendigo, Password, Fleethind, Bell, Lord Rosebery, Paddy, Harvester, J.F., Mutiny, Pat, Grace Darling, Zaccho, Empress, Pearl Powder, On Trial, Port Alone, Black Feather, Brilliant, Bracelet, Marvel, and Pearl. Grand National Challenge Stakes.—Eonda, Shylock, Bookseller, Balfe, Glitters, Ua, Lillie Langtry, Luck's All, Grace Darling, Lizzie Godfrey, Blackthorn, and Waterbury. It looks as if rifle shooting is going to boom in this district next season. At a meeting of the Napier MartiniHenri Rifle Club a flourishing report and balance-sheet was shown, and the following officers elected for the ensuing year:—Patron, Mr R. D. D. McLean ; President, Mr G. H. Swan ; Vice-presidents, Majors Blythe and Wood, and Messrs Coleman, Vautier, Williams, Cornford, Close, Humphries, Pierce, Moeller, Renouf; Captain, Mr F. W. Williams ; Deputy-captain, Mr C. D. Kennedy ; Secretary, Mr T. P. Halpin; Treasurer, Mr C. W. Cato; Committee, Messrs Brewer, Gleadow, Laing, Pirie, Robson ; Auditor, Mr J. C. Green.

Our popular and respected clergyman, the Rev Dean Howell, has been laid up with an attack of influenza during the past week. lam pleased to say that he was better when your representative made personal inquiries this morning. John Dignan, arrested at Wanganui charged with failing to provide for an illegitimate child of which he is the putative father, appeared at the local S.M. Court on Saturday, and was remanded until to-morrow. The Napier Garrison are to have the assistance of the crew of the H.M.S. Bingdove in a big fund-raising function to be held shortly, and gigantic preparations are in progress in anticipation. I saw a Dovelty to-day, the Evening News of January 9, 1889 printed on brown paper. The football enthusiasts received a severe blow on Saturday when it became known that the match Hawke,s Bay v. Wellington would have to be abandoned owing to the late arrival of the Te Anau. Preparations were well forward, and a big gate was assured, many visitors coming in from Hastings and elsewhere. Our boys ■were in great heart and in rare fettle and would have played a good game. The visiting team came ashore on the vessel's arrival at 5 o'clock and were driven round the town and entertained, leaving by the steamer for home at 9,80 o'clock.