NAPIER NOTES.

Hastings Standard, Issue 65, 11 July 1896, Page 3

NAPIER NOTES.

1 Y' .m Ocb Own Cobp.esponi>ent.] Napier, July 11. The conversation of the man in the ;b * i- not complimentary to those who • i Parliament have voted t »gn'-><-t admitting the reporters to the banking ir<ju'i\. It is not for me to i< ■> an opinion. lam supposed to chronicle passing events, and i mention the fact because it is a common topic of conv r-ation —and sometimes very heated at that. 1 >ut this morning men who h \l brfore upheld the Opposition partv m its endeavor to resist the pro- ] > i of the Ministerialists, shake their heads doubtingly, and express tneir surprise mat anything should be done to prevent all the circumstances from becoming known.

One prominent fellow townsman, whose sympathies are undoubtedly with the Opposition, declared to me, as he came down to his ofliee, fresh from his toast and coffee, that the votes vesierday in the House had done no end of harm to the opponents of Government. He put it this way : '■ If the gentlemen in the House have nothing they wish to be hidden, either to protect themselves or their personal fnc 1- wliv do they force the public in o i b< lief that there is .something th« \ da id being printed in the news--1 jll It is a bad. bad. business, and it makes me disgusted with the whole of them." By them, I presume he meant his Opposition friends.

The late storm is the common topic of coovi i t nil Fortunately the wind dur ght veered round to the nord \ i n.'l as it blew very strongly ftoi i th u direction this morning the force of the easterly rollers was consider; I .lily lessened. The breakwater has stood the test bravely. This morning, from the wild rumors afloat, ytiur coire-pondi i.t iv> cU d to find a cr a ip'.t d ruin in the place where our triumph of tine,'' once stood. The rao-payers of Hawkes' Buy will be m-atitied" to learn that the damage done to the bnvku.m r i-not anything like it was reported, to be. One monolith from the extreme end of the renovated structure, a huge chunk has been forced out of the lee side, the seaward side being almost intact. The last monolith to the north of this seems to be considerably shaken, the buttress which supports it showing signs of severe handling. One good sign is that the end of the breakwater has not depressed, proving that the foundation has found its level. No other damage is discernible from the wharf to the naked eye, but tin it i- it,i-on to believe.' that the -*ruc: tie is broken in places on the seav.ard -ide. Kails have been torn oil up to within 10 yards of the wharf. There is every proof that the wavebreaker apron has saved the break water immense damage. The broken part at the extreme end was not so well protected in this respect, hence the break.

The Garrison Band holds an occasional social on the principle that "one good turn deserves another." A section of the public has been very helpful to the Band, and these have their reward in being invited to some very enjoyable socials (luring the winter evenings. Last night, despite the gloomy weather and the risk of a wetting, many responses were made to the invitations sent out, and the Drill Hall looked bright and cheerful when the guests had assembled and dancing was in full swing. There was ample provision for refreshments, and the intervals were occasionally filliM by songs and recit iti The Garrison Band, I may add i-, deservedly popular, and the membtiN are doing all they can to maintain that popularity. In this connection I may state that the band intend to go South to play in a competition, and with 110 small hope of success, as much progress has been made under the present able tuition. A pleasant function which seems to have escaped notice in your direction was brought under my notice to-day by one who was present." I refer to the welcome home give to Mr and Mrs F. Nugent, of Maraekakaho. Your readers are doubtless aware that some time ago Mr and Mrs Nugent went on a holiday trip to Australia, partly on pleasure bent_ and partly to have advice from a specialistas to* Mrs Nugenfs eyes. The result has been beneficial. As soon as it was known to their friends that they would arrive back on Saturday last, it was unanimously ivsolved that some mark of the respect and esteem in which Mr and Mrs Nugent are held by the folk on the station and by those in their employ, should be manifested at the home-coming. Accordingly, on their arrival at their house, a party of friends met and after the most hearty of receptions, presentations were made to Mr and Mrs Nugent of a neat little address accompanied by a handsome dinner service, a set of carvers, and a silver butter cooler. lioth of the reeipientr- i expend to the very kind remarks of their many well-wishers, and thanked them most warmly for the touching expression of their good feel-

nit.'. A Foresters" Court of women members is now an established fact in Mapier. Will Hastings follow so good an example"? One of the nK-.-t successful of our institutions is the Napier Land, Buildin <», and Investment Society, Permanent. The report submitted last night to the shareholders was satisfactory, it being shown that out of a total applied for by way of loans during the year of £6923, £327-5 were declined and £3BOO granted, thus ensuring safe investment. A bonus of 10s per share was decided upon, and a balance of £6i 19s 6d carried to next year's account. Messrs J. V. Brown and G. Faulknor were re-elected as directors, and every confidence was expressed as to the manner in which the affairs of the society are carried on. Later. A closer inspection of the breakwater shows that it has sustained

serious damage, the gi'atcr part being effected during last night. Thoro arc two ge.ps at thft cn<i, tho shoreward Loing- nearly through tho structure. The intervening portions and part in the immediate vicinity of the first- gap is mwc-I'. cracked and broken, ami tlis portion .-.tanning at the extreme 1 end has fallen a, couple of fe- ;. This is tho mo-t extensive damage. Further short ward a large piece is taken out of the seaward side, and several smaller pieces on the same side. This damage ie not noticeable from the wharf. The wave-breaker apron has fallen considerably. The sea is still high, and it will probably be some months before the repairs can be completed.