NAPIER NOTES.

Hastings Standard, Issue 278, 23 March 1897, Page 3

NAPIER NOTES.

[Fbom oi;r own Cof.respondext.]

Napier, This Day. Business has been shockingly bad since Christmas, and the tradesmen are complaining of the tightness of the money market. lam told that Napier holds more mortgages to the square yard than any town in New Zealand, and the consequent scraping to pay interest thereon is placing more than one big business on the staggering list. The city appears to be dominated by a citqvvi cL'inouev-lenders. and the charges for discounting bills and other little financial transactions would raise the hair off the bead of the average Christian. The •' governing body " is so strong that certain employers of labor are instructed as to whom thf v shall employ, and only men of the " right color " find favor in the eyes of the ring. I notice that during the past few days A COLD-WATER CKI SADE has been started in Ilawke s Bay. The inimitable Crabb is at its head, and it ought to be as successful as most of the other similar crusades have been in the colony during the past few years. The gentleman now at the head of affairs is really entertaining. I don't know whether he was ever in the theatrical profession, but I feel sure that if George Darrell would offer him a big enough fee the " Sorrows of Satan " would not fall as flat as it does. Crabb would be the making of the piece. It was the Psalmist who said " All men are liars,'' bat when Joseph Hocking repeated the statement he might have added, " especially the average Prohibitionist." Of course Ido not mean to include any of the Hawke's Bay brethren ; but from what is gleaned from the sayings and writings of the " ranters " one can draw no other conclusion than that facts are freely distorted to attempt to prove a fallacy. After the week-kneed appeals of your local prime advocate—judging by a debate on Bible history and other items ■which I " endured " here a few months ago—l should imagine thatCrabb would be distinctly entertaining if not convincing. By the way, the Prohibitionists stole a maroh the SIN DAY TRAIN PROPOSAL.

While the Mayors of Hastings and Napier were wondering where the funds were to come from to prepare a petition to Government for trains between the two towns, the cold waterparty were earnestly at work, and in the course of a few days had not only sent down a lengthy petition against the movement hut had received an answer from the Minister of Railways that no trains would be allowed to ran on the Sabbath. The procrastination of our civic fathers robbed us of a pleasure tbat would be appreciated by "hundreds. *

THE UK ART BOWED DOWN. * "While moving within the Inner Circle yesterday I heard that the leaders of the Opposition—Captain Russell, Sir Robert Stout, George Hutchison, Rolleston, Scobie McKenzie, and Felix McGuire—have pricked the card, and as a result the Premier will not appear in the Record Reign procession in June 'next. The .storygoes that the division resulted in a tie —3l for and the same number against. A " recount " was demanded, when it was found that " Tommy" Taylor had been credited with voting with the " Ayes " whereas he had gone into the lobby with the Opposition. The action of the member for Christchurch has settled the matter, and Richard John stayeth within the colony, at which Mulvaney rejoiceth. OENEIiVL ITEMS. The Port School Committee has decided to support the candidature of Mr C. H. F 'it/Roy for a seat on the Education Board. The men Robinson and Fitzgerald, arrested in connection with the Munroe street assault, were beforeMr Turnbull yesterday, and were remanded until next Tuesday, bail being refused. Mcintosh is progressing favorably. Two cyclists were yesterday fined 2s Gd and costs for riding after dark without lights. As this practice is both common and dangerous it is hoped that the example made will have the desired effect. The display of cricket at Wellington by the Ilawke's Bay representatives is, to say the least of it, disappointing. Perhaps the entertainment provided had something to do with the poor stand made against what is said to be a very weak team. Although the weather not at all promising a large number went out to the races, leaving the city quite deserted. At the annual meeting of the H.B. Amateur Athletic Club last evening the following officers were elected : Secretary, C. Cunningham ; treasurer. J. M. Hamilton; committee, Messrs J. 11. Swan, Reid, Fahey, Price, Rudman, Anderson, Bowman, and Welsman. Me>sr R. I>. D. M Lean and G. 11. Swan were app-int' l vice-Presi-dents. Me--r- Forde and Parker wcre-re-appointed handicapped, and W. K. Chapman and S. Riddle were elected auditors. Probasco's circus was well patronised last cyeuin/7 and the Ada I K irov another I hoiw .