NAPIER.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 233, 23 December 1874, Page 2

NAPIER.

(from our own correspondent.) December 16. The Sittings of the Supreme Court began to-day, in the Provincial Buildings, the internal arrangements of the Mew Court, not being sufficiently advanced towards completion, to perinitof its occupancy. His Honor, Judge Johnston, congratulated the jury upon the lightness of the calendar. He expressed his gratification, that notwithstanding the policy which is being pursued by the colony with regard to increasing the population, there is withal, an ebb in the commission of crime.

William Blackman of Poverty Bay charged with stealing ahorse the property of his employer, Mr. Alexander Blrir; pleaded guilty. The evidence was conclusive, and he was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment with hard labor. A native named Pititi, who was charged with stealing a horse from Mr. Swan, the brewer, was discharged, the Grand Jury finding no evidence of felonious intent. William Little was charged with forging and uttering a cheque for £2O purporting to be signed by Messrs. Neal and Close. The only distinctive peculiarity in this case from ordinary cases of forgery, was the utter imbecility displayed in the commission of the crime. Mr. Inspector Scully bore witness to the excellence of the prisoner’s previous character. Pound guilty, but recommended to mercy. Sentenced ,to 18 months’ imprisonment with hard labor.

Robert Morton alias Leonard was charged with forging and uttering a cheque for £l4los. Mr. Inspector Scully gave the prisoner an unfavorable character. He was found guilty of uttering. Sentenced to three years’ hard labor. The civil cases, ’viz., Sutton v. Maney and Tucker v. Cooper, were allowed to stand over for six months.

The termination of the present sittings of the Supreme Court, bring to a conclusion the judicial relationship existing between His Honor Judge Johnston and this province. Nothing really definite is known as to whom the honor will devolve upon. On the evening of the 17th His Honor was entertained at a farewell dinner given at the Club by his friends and members of the legal fraternity. The Daily Telegraph gives expansion to a rumour that another morning paper is to be started in Napier shortly. The Herald playfully observes something wil b regard to another evening paper. Your correspondent is afraid, that the way the times look, he will, ere long, have to herald forth journalistic obsequies. About the 14th century, the game of cricket was instituted in England. Since that period, it has been played occasionally in Hawke’s Bay. It is believed that a game will fake place in this district, on or about the 31st December A.D. 1874, between the willow bearers of Napier and Wellington. The approaching event being of such importance, of course no small excitement exists, in cricketing circles, as to whether the match proposed will be interprovincial, or merely between the local clubs of the respective places. Were I a member of the Napier Club, I would vote for the match being iriterprovincial, because it would have greater interest for the general public. Another reason is, that when posterity, wading through New Zealand’s history, comes to the volumes on Hawke’s Bay, let us not forget with what feelings of glowing pride and ’wilderment in its upheaving bosom, it will .lay down the perused volume describing that interprovincial match, and will wonder at the strange, strange, episode. Madame Goddard, the Queen of Pianists has visited Napier, and gave two of her grand concerts. The weather was as unfavorable as it could possibly be. The nett proceeds accruing from her performances here, were somewhere about £l7O. To mention those concerts is synonymous with saying they were received with all possible appreciation. Apropos of Madame Goddard’s concerts, I may tell you that the grand piano, which she has played upon during her colonial tour, will, on her arrival in Auckland, be most likely disposed of to Mr. Ellis, Masonic Hotel Napier, for £250. Messrs. Kinross and Co., are having another large concrete building constructed at Port Ahuriri. There are several settlers in the district who contemplate having private residences, built out of similar material. Without doubt, before long, concrete, as adapted to house building purposes, will become generally in vogue.

Some little while back, I alluded to the Captain of the emigrant ship Bebington, having had charges alleging cruelty, brought against him, by one of the immigrants—Lydia Phillips. A private enquiry was held subsequently thereto, a civil action was entered against the Caplain and Doctor, damages being laid at £5OO. The case was arranged for hearing this session. Now, however, the defendants and Mrs. Lydia Phillips bare comprised the matter for £3O. The' whole proceedings have been so enveloped in mystery that one hardly knows, whether or not, the Captain and Doctor have done a good tiling out of ifc Cl It is rumored here that the Poverty Bay grass seed is affected with ergot. Of course no one could, for an instant imagine that such a report, would be circulated by parties interested in its currency. In these days of hairy-handed honesty, such han idea would be absurd. Messrs. Kinross and Co., in a letter to the Herald contradicted the rumour. Rye grass stands well to fetch a good price this season. In Hawke’s Bay district the yield is far from prolific, this is owing in a great measure to the caterpillar pest. Speaking of cereals generally, one may Isay that the crops are uncommonly light this season. We still disdain to move in matters “horsey”—Marquis, owned, last season by Major Pitt, continues to be in the hands of his native owners. He is undergoing probation, for the preliminary [training. | The festive season rapidly approaches. |l must beg to state, although the observation lias hardly the merit of originality, that Christmas festivities are never so much enjoyed as in one’s boyhood. How vividly the panorama arises before my mind ; of preparing for the vacation ; the respite from the delectus, and a fortnight in the country at my aunt's. Such, indeed, are oft the halcyon memories of one’s juvenility in good old England. In good old Napier there is not the slightest prospect of any public amusements wliat-