NAPIER.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 415, 30 September 1876, Page 2

NAPIER.

(FROM OUR OWN COBBESPONDENT.) September 26. My telegrams will have briefly apprised you of the state of affairs in onr good town, and there is little to add. The English church squabble, which has been a nine days’ wonder here, has culminated in a Diocesan Synod being called for to-morrow, at which all the clergy of the Diocese, including six or seven Maori “ clergymen,” will assemble, and in all probability will uphold the view which Archdeacon Williams and his übiquitous family have taken of the matter, by inducing the Rev. Mr. Townsend to withdraw his resignation, take possession again of St. John’s Church, and leave the Rev. S. Robinson either to take his place again as Curate, or open an “ opposition shop,” pending the building of a new church (already contemplated), to which he would probably be inducted. Mr. Robinson has published, at the Herald office, the sermon which he was reported to have preached on Trinity Sunday, and upon which was founded a charge of heresy. It is simply a collection of extracts from Broad Church and Unitarian writers, and amounts to an elaborate attempt to harmonise a materialistic view of the Trinity with the articles of the Church of England. The skating rink opened here in the Oddfellows’ Hall has proved a success, if success is to be measured by a large attendance of persons, at present entirely of the male sex, whose falls, contortions, and gestures of agony, are painfully amusing to witness. As the ladies have hitherto been deprived of the last named blessings there is a proposal on foot to establish a private “Rinkomania” club. Scott’s bowling saloon, in the White Road, is, I suppose, a success, but such places in small towns, generally degenerate, and become institutions fit only for larrikins — tho’ this one may prove an exception. Our town was greatly enlivened on Friday last by Mrs. Neill's concert.

Everyone knows Mrs Neill’s great musical abilities, sound vocal powers, excellent judgment, and attractive qualities, and her concert was of course a success. There was a large attendance, and everything performed was good. Mrs Neill and Miss Raconteur divided the honours, (if the latter, from gallant motives, could be possibly placed on a level with the former) and Mr. Jones, our best local amateur, was in excellent voice and ably supported the ladies. There were one or two “first appearances,” but none worthy of even a passing remark. The programme consisted chiefly of operatic selections. The Napier Musical Society give a concert on Wednesday next. Our Amateur Musical Societies, and our Dramatic Club (soon to the fore) have a fair field now that the professional companies have sought “ fresh fields and pastures new.” Trade remains here still dull. The harbor works have scarcely commenced, but rumours of them have supplemented our over supply of emigrants by bringing here from Auckland and elsewhere, a a large number of practically destitute laborers, devoid, as are the emigrants, of special qualities, aud fit only to act as “ hewers of wood and drawers of water.” There must be some destitution to relieve, but all will come right in the end. Trouble of a serious kind is anticipated at Mr Sutton’s land at Omaranui. After long litigation the Supreme Court decided in his favor, and in a few days he will be in a position to eject natives, who occupy illegally his land, and number, (I ani to-day credibly informed) about 300. If they are “ cantankerous,” the Sheriff and his staff here can of course do nothing to eject them (except politely requesting them to go,) and then of course it will be a serious question for the Government what they shall do in the matter. If the Maories (ever anxious to appeal to the law) are to have all the privileges and none of the obligations of the settlers, then the Government will do nothing—if otherwise, then serious trouble may be apprehended.