NAPIER NOTES.

Hastings Standard, Issue 68, 15 July 1896, Page 3

NAPIER NOTES.

[Fbum OUK OWN Corbesfoxdextv Napier, July 15. You will panlon me, perhaps, if I say that you are much mistaken as to the tearing of the resolutions passed at a meeting of the farmers of Southland in support of Mr J. G. Ward. I may be further pardoned if I say that you have clearly not understood Mr Justice Williams's reference to those whom he believed to be guilty of fraud in connection with the Ward Fanners' Association. He certainly never applied to Mr Ward the remarks you have quoted in your issue of yesterday, and I desire to say that you have hardly been fair ill your criticism. It "13 not for me to discuss the political bearing of this question in your columns, and I shall not do so, but I may refer to the commercial and social aspect. Mr Ward has and I feel sure it will be admitted by all who are aware of the circumstances —been regarded always in Southland as a friend to the farmers and business men generally. He has grown with its growth, and his misfortunes have awakened just that spmyathy which it was expected from people who know and realise his' worth. Mr and Mrs Ward have claims upon Southland, and those who know the people of the South—as you you so If do —are well aware that they are no mere fineweather friends. In the day of a man's adversity his friends are put to the test. The people here in Napier—men you evidently do no not suspect of having sympathy with Mr Ward —are prepared to subscribe to the fund, and they regard your remarks as harsh and quite unmerited. It is admitted on all hands that as Colonial Treasurer and PostmasterGeneral he did invaluable work for the colony and for the service The mercantile community do not forget these services. Bast) ingratitude is such a detestible thing that I feel pleased to be able to testify to the fact that it does not occur here. There is every reason to believe that within the next few months the Volunteers will not only have an improved drillsbed, bat that the arrangements for the delectation of each corps will be very complete. A new day has dawned for our citizen soldiers, and I hear on very good authority that on arrival of the new Commandent from England; the status of the different corps will be further improved, whilst the weapons with which they will be armed will be distinctly more modem. The F Battery is booked, I may say, fcr the newest order of field gun, as it is now without doubt the smartest tottery of field artillery in the colony. It is further statad by who to know that

Navals will bo convert'-d into a rifle company, and I trust that, for the Hike < 1 ir own reputation they will l! m,. 1 « it plain that the present; ff.va.-yoH please order of things will 11 ot be tolerated. As I have before said, it is impossible to have smart men without discipline is maintained. The gentleman who has done duty on the Evening News for some years past as reporter is about to sever his connection with that journal. Mr J. Cowan has been an unobtrusive man, but a most useful member of the community, and a very smart pressman. Ho goes north in the Flora to-day, and will take charge of the Coromandel News. Last night, I understand, his old companions in the office met at the Criterion and drank his health, while the editor- made him a small present as a token of his own esteem and regard.

Inspector Emerson, I regret to say, is unable to leave his house. He has been suffering much of l<ite from influenza. A returned New Zealander, who came ashore from the steamer Flora this morning, tells me has just returned from Western Australia, where New Zealanders are dying every day. They cannot stand the heat and succumb more readily than any other colonists. Mv friend alleges that not half the prosperity is visible i-n mines there which people h. re are led to believe. and he is ylad to back again in New Zealand.