NAPIER.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 407, 6 September 1876, Page 2

NAPIER.

(from our own correspondent ) Napier has been of late, in every respect, but trade (unfortunately), m a somewhat bustling condition. As to trade, the complaints of dullness arc general on all hands. Whether it be that this is a temporary depression ; or that the opera companies who have favored Napier with a visit have taken away too much of the Province’s available cssh ; or that this is but the lull before the outbreak of business which must ensue upon the extensive harbor works commencing, it would be difficult to say. At any rate complaints of want of employment, of reduced w ages, and of dissatisfaction at the coming importation of Government immigrants, are not unfrequent. Crime, too. is just now more prevalent than is quite satisfactory. You will have heard by telegram of the alleged murder of Mrs Langliau, by her husband. The circumstances were specially revolting, and though, (owing to the Coroner’s mismanagi'ment.) the case was not satisfactorily presented to his jury, the Resident Magistrate, after hearing the result of Dr .Spencer's post mortem examination, found no difficulty in committing the husband for trial for murder at the sittings of tho. i Supreme Court, in December next. Tho wretched affair, solely attributable to * strong drink, has created a marked sensation in Napier. It is satisfactory toj < know that, the parties being Cat holies,'! owing to the exertions of the Very Rev.Father Forest and his people, all tbb deceased’s children have been privately adopted or otherwise disposed of. Tlicin we have had an assault on a female in >i railway carriage, which, however, was very trivial, and not at all of the character at first attributed to it. A robbery of t cheques from Messrs Dransfield’s store at Port Ahuriri ; and a barefaced robltery of a cash box, containing money and deoils from the Provincial Hotel. Not to speak of minor matters, Mr Inspector Scully I can hardly give a favorable account jusL now of the district. But everything else in the town has just been thrown into the shade by a singular “ row ” in the Church of Eng. land. It seem that the Rev. F. Towum«4| who has been many years here and much* respected, and the Rev. S. Robinson hits curate (a recent importation), have not been able to agree. Whether it was from difference of flews, mutual jealousy,

jj-female squabbles between the parsonesses, ’ or otherwise, it is sufficient to say that a pretty quarrel has arisen, the flames of discord being admirably fanned by the Rev. Mr D’Arcy Irvine and others, who should have known better. The result was that a public meeting was held in the Council Chamber, presided over by the Mayor, at which Archdeacon Williams and other influential people were present, many singular and inflammatory speeches were delivered, and the Church’s “ dirty linen ” was most effectually washed abroad. It culminated in Mr Townsend hastily resigning, hurrying off with the s«Rev. P. C. Anderson of Taradale to Christchurch to “ interview ” the there, and as he had taken . ’i him, and Mr Robinson ha&S-prtri'fously resigned, the instructive spectacle of a closed Church was witnessed on Sunday last. Public sympathy seemed to be in favor of Mr Robinson, but circumstances being disclosed, with reference particularly to the source whence Mr Robinson derived his sermons, (which as the productions of a young man were much admired), and there is a revulsion of I feeling in favor of Mr Townsend, and a | prevalent idea that he has not altogether been treated well. A pretty story, and a commentary upon the impolicy of settling questions of Church Government at a public meeting open to Christian, Jew, Turk, and Infidel alike ! The De Murska Company finished a highly successful season, and then gave three extra nights, over which the promoters or guarantors must have lost much money. Second seasons seldom do in Napier. Madame and her assistants hare gone fora short season to Wanganui. They afforded Napier a musical treat, the like of which they will have to wait a long time for. I have already spoken of the state of trade. In public affairs —I do not allude to politics about which Napier troubles itself little—there is some activity. The waler pipes are being laid down in the town, at a rate, which, for Napier, must be considered quick. Soon, therefore, our worthy engineer, Mr Pcppercorne, will see his pet water supply in active operation. Another scheme of his, public baths and a skating rink combined, has been mooted, but the dullness ,of trade accounts for the idea falling flat. The Agricultural Society of Hawke’s Bay is stirring itself, and raising a handsome prize fund, headed by Mr James Watt ' with £lOO. Altera'ions have been made in the executive, and the Society may look forward to a prosperous season. So also,' one hopes, with the Jockey Club, where re-organisation is sadly needed. Cricket and Rowing Clubs are also bestirring themselves, and the boats of the latter are already afloat. The Municipal Corporation have been busy of late, and have produced a marvellously long (and in some cast s eccentric) list of byelaws. Three of the Councillors retire next month, and there is a prospect of a contest; Mr Lee, who is a member of the about-to-be-defunct Provincial Council, and who is one of our oldest and most esteemed solicitors, well known in Auckland and Poverty Bay, is coming forward as a new candidate. I will conclude by saying that your candid and ably written articles upon Hawke's, Bay, its history, and institutions, have been favorably received and appreciated in Napier.