NAPIER NOTES.

Hastings Standard, Issue 118, 11 September 1896, Page 2

NAPIER NOTES.

[Fkqm Our Own Correspondent.] Napier, September 11. Of course the football match is the leading topic here just now, and great disappointment is felt at the display made by the Hawke's Bay representatives yesterday. The match is describable in a few words. The fresh lusty Hawke's Bay forwards overran their travel-worn opponents for the first twenty minutes. The latter then got their land legs, and the locals were out of it for the rest of the game. The visitors out-generalled Hawke's Bay at all points of the game, and if they had arrived on Wednesday instead of Thursday the colors would not have scored a point. Of course the local men were greatly wanting in form, but that is no excuse, rather the reverse. A rather sensational escapade in connection with the visit of the Ringdove has leaked out. Among those aboard are so many prisoners charged with offences against discipline. One of these managed to borrow a boat and make his escape on Wednesday ilight, and nothing has been seen or heard of him since although a special squad of bluejackets has been told off to try and effect his capture. The probabilities are that he has got away into the country. An amusing instance of Maori cuteness was evinced in connection with a matter affecting a case which came before the Supreme Court. It will be remembered that a young Maori named Meihana was convicted of stealing money from a store at Wairoa, and admitted to probation for six months. Yesterday an ancient chief attended to enter sureties for his good conduct during that period, but he stipulated that Meihana must come and live at his pah so that he could keep eye on him. Meihana intimated that he would like to go to Nuhaka for a short time, whereupon the old boy refused to sign, for as he observed "you short time might mean tiki months." However, he was assured that Meihana only wanted to get-possession of his wife and other household property and would then go to live with his surety with pleasure. So the matter was arranged and Tamuera gave his signature and departed evidently well pleased. His Worship the Mayor, Mr G. H. Swan, had a bit of hard luck yester- j day. His piebald pony bolted with the familiar dog-cart, and after travelling along several thoroughfares it. brought the vehicle into collision with a telegraph pole and reduced it to matchwood. There were several narrow escapes from collision en ivute, but luckily so one was hint,