NAPIER NOTES.

Hastings Standard, Issue 29, 30 May 1896, Page 3

NAPIER NOTES.

[Fiioii Our Own Cei:kespondent.) Napikk, This Day. The Caledonian Society held their second animal ball in the Garrison flull last night, nh-v.;t fifty couple boirg prc.nUt. Alt!..!::gh the English Irish were represented, the Scotch element was overpoweringly dominant, as evidenced by the waiving tartans of the various clans and the drone and swirl of the pipes. The hall was beautifully decorated with flowers and evergreens, the Standard of Scotland forming a sort of awning over the s-age, with the flags of other nationalities grouped artistically around the room ; and, if one were to judge; by the beaming faces of the girls and the exultant whoops of the sturdy Highlanders, the fun was fast and furious, 'i he supper room was a picture, and tilt* eaU-ring was conducted in Mr (J lassford's usual tip-top stylo. Messrs W. P. Stuart, 11. McKenzie, J. Macleod, ]). Maclean, J. P. Thompson, ts lid James Le Queone acted as M.C'.'s, and they took care that all present enjoyed themselves thoroughly. Durir.g the evening the secretary, Jlr V.\ Eraser, made a speech, congratulating the society on the success of the ball, and welcoming those present who were not members of the society. Newbold's band supplied the music. The breakwater contract, which was taken over last Wednesday, is bitterlydiscussed here. The wages given are : laborers 7s and tradesmen 10s per day, insuad of Ks and 12s, which was paid under the Ilarbor Board. Over fifty men have been discharged, twentyfive of whom have wives and families to support, and the prospect for these poor fellows is black indeed. The contractor, who has to see to his interests, cannot be blamed, but, the winter is fairly upon us, and if employment of some sort cannot bo provided for these men a grave responsibility rests upon the shoulders of those who voted away the bread of women and children to enrich a stranger with his team of hangers on. who will take the money out of the district, perhaps out of the town as was done before, leaving the town the poorer and the contract at least no better finished.

The s;ile of unclaimed property at tliu railway station on Thursday caused considerable amusement and not a little rivalry amongst tho-e present. In putting up bulging portmanteaux bags, satchels, and purses, the wily auctioneer dwelt on the probable illimitable value of their contents with such a persuasive use of the English language, that the bidding for the various articles was spirited—.sometimes bitter. Alas, in every instance the moral pointed out by the old saw which condoms the practice of Buying a Pig in a Poke " was brought home to the purchasers by bitter experience, and the use of the English expletives was painand free. The (Jreenmeadows 1 lotel is in process of removal from Taradale to the Marine Para.de. During the night a steam traction engine plies between here and Taradale bringing the building in sections, and by its tlmndrous vibrations and heavy laborious panting causes terror to the unrighteous and to those who have not the good fortune to " sleep in the middle." At the S.M. Court yesterday morning, before the Mayor, a woman named Francis Middleton, a quondam inmate of the Refuge, which she left voluntarily, and against whom twelve previous convictions were registered for vagrancy and drunkenness, was charged with being drunk and incapable on the Marine Parade. She pleaded " rheumatics," but Mr Swan fined her £:3, or seven days in Napier Gaol. A daring attempt to rob the Star Hotel was frustrated by the courage ond promptitude of Constable Bradley. At 2 o'clock yesterday nioraiug a, man, supposed to be a Maori, had broken one of the windows and was effecting an entrance when he was surprised by the constable and lied. In the pursuit which followed the constable drew his revolver and threatened to shoot, but the man, paying 110 attention, continued his flight, and unfortunately escaped.