NAPIER NOTES.

Hastings Standard, Issue 122, 16 September 1896, Page 2

NAPIER NOTES.

[Fbom Our Own Correspondent.] ' Napieh, September 16. The Eontgen rays are to be exhibited at the next meeting of the H.B. Philosophical Institute. The H.B. reps, did not get away for Gisborne till early this morning and would probably not arrive at that place until mid-day to-day. Considering that the Waihora, by which they return, is fixed to leave at 6 p.m. their stay in Poverty Bay will hardly be a long one. The sea was calm for the trip as far as I know, but some of the redoubtables are sure to have felt a bit queer, and if they happen to lose the match of course excuses will not be lacking. The Harbor Board had a difficulty in getting a quorum yesterday owing to the members being scattered far and wide. The principal business done was the adoption of the Works Committee's report urging the immediate extension of the wave-breaker apron at the breakwater, and that the engineer be instructed to bring up an exhaustive report of the damage done by recent storms, to be considered at a special meeting called for the purpose. The engineer reported that it would cost £2500 to make a cribwork for the protection of certain properties from the encroachment of the sea at Western Spit, consequent on the erection of the Spit moles, which had altered the action of the bides and caused an erosion. This report was referred to the Works Committee.

The Mayor and the Harbor Board engineer were on the special jury which was empanelled to hear the case West v. Dolbel at the Supreme Court yesterday. The claim of plaintiff was for £5lO damages caused by the alleged carelessness of defendant. Mrs West was driving along a road and some sheep alleged to have been defendant's jumpeddown and frightened the horse, which overturned the trap, imprisoning Mrs West underneath causing her such injuries as to practically cripple her for life. The judge summed up in favor of defendant, and the jury gave a coincident verdict, declining to identify the sheep as defendant's on the evidence, and refusing damages accordingly. I regret to say that Mr Saunders, the secretary of the Harbor Board, is in a poor state of health. Mr Cornford who has been seriously ill with influenza is, I am glad to see, convalescent, and is able to get about again. The social given by the non-com-missioned officers of the Napier Garrison to the officers and crew of H.M. ship Ringdove last night was a tremendous success in every way. The sailors were present in large numbers and entered into the spirit of the affair with great gusto. Dancing was the chief item on an attractive programme, but some excellent songs were also given. The refreshments, specially provided by the ladies, were of exceptional quality and in large supply, and the arrangements carried out under the superintendence of Lieut. Thompson of the Rifles were perfect. Captain Bremer took occasion to publicly thank the volunteers for the kindness and attention which had been shown to the crew since they had been in Napier. In no other town that he had visited had such a friendly feeling been shown to the blue-jackets by the volunteers, and he would carry with him very pleasant recollections of his visit to Napier.