WAIPAWA.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3253, 5 December 1881, Page 3

WAIPAWA.

(from our own correspondent"). December 6, 1881. On Saturday last Stephen James Hodd was brought up before A. St. C. Inglis, Esq., J.P., at tbe Court House, charged by his wife, Eachael Hodd, with using threatening language towards her, accompanied with personal violence, whereby Bhe was in bodily fear. She stated that she lived in the Oero Bush, whore she had lived with her husband for seven years. They were continually quarelling in consequence of his conduct towards her, especially when he waa under the

influence of drink, and she was compelled to come before the Court for protection, and required that he should be bound over to keep the peace towards her. She was desirous to leave him, and go to service, but she had four children, ihe eldest being about six years of age. The defendant about two years ago was Sued £10 and coats for cruelty to animal?, haviug stabbed a horse to death in a drunken passion. The Bench ordered the defendant to be bound over to keep the peace io his own recognisance for £20, and two sureties of £10 each. This is the second case recently brought before the Court in which drunkenness had instigated threats by one of the parties, matrimonially united, to sever the connubial bond by unlawful means. In the other instance the wife was bound over to keep the peace towards her bus' band for twelve months. As these criminals bavecontributed considerably towards the public revenue, due allowance ought to be made for threats aud actions which mean murder.

Charitable and Catholic concerts in this electoral district have softened tbe asperities of political antagonism, so that electioneering matters have been conducted in a very creditable manner throughout the recent competition for the suffrages of the Waipawa election. " Napier please copy," as an editor might say when he composes poetical epitaphs. A word about our concerts. The Catholic concert was certainly a success, but " heavy boots" and "savage breasts" considerably rmrred the enjoyment of the peaceful citizens. A little more novelty, too, would be refreshing. Even a Waipawa audience is capable, in course of time, of getting beyond its "A.8.C." The orchestra is improving considerably, especially j in wind instruments. "He who hath ears

to hear let him hear." Also if a master of tbe cremonies occasionally perambulated the body of the hall some enthusitic boys would not be so unceremonious. The nomination day has passed and gone. On Mr Ormond being nominated he came forward and addressed a numerous audience. He observed he had a few additional remarks to make since his address in the hall. He did so as reported in your issue of the 3rd. It is to be regretted that he had not been advised to say in his first address that which he so ably stated on this occasion. So many of the present electors are strangers to the early history of the province of Hawke's Bay that they were quite unaware that the land was once a drug

upon the market, and that a working man with a hundred pounds or so in his pocket could have bought any of the runs which are now worth tens of thousands. Since Mr Ormond has mingled in a free and easy way with his constituents, he has greatly improved, not only in his own manner, but in his prospect's of success. On Mr Ormond concluding his fob?ervations Mr Smith came forward and intimated that he had not intended to give any further address, but, as his opponent had done so, he supposed he must do likewise, although he was not aware he had anything new to bring forward. Perhaps, for his own &ake, it would have been quite as satisfactory if he had let well alone, and appreciated the value of silence. Since Mr Smith's first appearance it is evident tbat time will improve his abilities, and he may yet make an useful politician. But his own admissions and present newness must convince men who are free to think for themselves that if he is satisfied to rest another Parliamentary session before he enters upon tbe onerous duties of an M.H.R. he would then probably receive the support of many who believe that the urgency of the present period needs the experience of a long tried haud to cope with the perplexities of the situation. Whilst Mr Smith has passed through the ordeal very creditably, the general opinion, and even that of many of hig own supporters, accords with this view of the case. Of course, the reservation must be made that, before the expiration of another three years, a better man than either Mr Ormond or Mr Smith may be found to come forward for the representation of the Waipawa electoral district.