NAPIER NOTES.

Hastings Standard, Issue 7, 4 May 1896, Page 3

NAPIER NOTES.

[From Oik Own Coruespoxdemt.]

N'.vc'kk. This Day. An alarm of fire was given from Mr Mr McDonglas* residence, in Bower street, at about 5.1"> a.iu on Sunday. The Brigade wore on the scene with commendable promptitude and quickly subdued the flames. The origin of the fire is a mystery, and the damage is estimated at £lO. Various contractors are at present in town ascertaining details in connection with the proposed breakwater extension, with a view to tendering. The Board meets on the Gth.

Napier, as far as music is concerned, reminds one of a beautiful garden full of choice flowers and rare plants being allowed to run wild and uncared for. Nowhere is there a climate more suited for vocal mu ;ie, and, though these are at least two musical societies amongst us possessing unimpeachable talent, their efforts In the direction of educating the public taste are, to say the least, spasmodic and undisciplined. The two societies I refer to are the Philharmonic Society and the Local Amateur Operatic Society. The work of the former is mostly confined to music of the higher order, which is out of the reach of the mass of the jxople, who require to be led up to a conception of classical music by easy stages. Consequently, the work of fostering the public taste in this matter falls undoubtedly on the Operatic Society, whose productions of light opera were so eminently successful. The winter ia now within measurable distance, and perhaps this society will consider it advisable to put an opera, say, "Princess Ida" or '-The Pirates," in rehearsal at once. Of ability there is abundance ; we want a strong tactful man to bind it together, and lead the opera to a successful issue. I dropped into the Catholic Church on Sunday. Here one naturally expects to hear good singing ; but I was disappointed. The voices were individually all fresh and good, but the chorus was unbalanced and uneven, and the absence of the baton was painfully evident throughout. This is a pitv. The choir should take the affair in "hand and place matters on a more systematic basis.