NAPIER NOTES.

Hastings Standard, Issue 85, 4 August 1896, Page 2

NAPIER NOTES.

[Fbom Our Own Correspondent.j

Napier, August 4,

Your readers will have seen that the girl I referred to in my notes of yesterday has been committed to stand her trial for concealment of birth at the next sittings of the Supreme Court here. That fact, of course, prevents me from commenting in anjtwjr on her case, but it does not preraet my making a few general rematks on cases of this kind. Therefore, I propose to look at this matter of illegitimacy in a way that will apply to no particular case and to all and everyone at the same time. Let me say, first of all, then, that it appears to me to be altogether wrong that the woman or girl should have to bear the brunt of these cases. lam credibly informed that even in the case now before the Court the father is known. The law, as it stands, does not know him in the matter. I have always been of the opinion that when a case of concealment of birth is before the Court the whole of the surrounding circumstances should be made known: who the father is, under what conditions the girl has lived, and why she was compelled to secrecy. Instead of this, what have we ? It may be a grown woman, perhaps a mere child, is brought before the Court to answer a charge which may sometimes amount to murder, and the law never even asks how her trouble came upon her. It is shameful.

A story of cruel wrong done to a fellow man has just reached me, but as its publication just now may injure his course, I refrain from placing {it before your readers —at present. When the proper time comes I shall have something to say that will afford your readers another study on the subject of " Man's inhumanity to man."

I never knew of such listessness on the eve of a general election, especially here in Napier, where the fires of party have burned so fiercely in the past. The fact is that there is a gap that will not be easily bridged over. There are those who plump for Carnell for all they are worth, but there are others again who say they cannot support him because of his prohibition proclivities. A new feature has been introduced through the uncertainty that exists as to what Mr Douglas McLean's movements will really be. Some say he will not be a candidate and others that he most certainly will. Longing eyes are cast by many at Mr Coroford, and it is their earnest wish that he should come forward, but Mr Carnell blocks the way. Then there is your own electorate. All is doubt and difficulty concerning it, so far as the opponents of Captain Russell are concerned. Mr T. Tanner's name is mentioned, but as he would not satisfy the Radical wing and would only split the votes with a Radical candidate, they will have none of him. For the East Coast seat the Hon. J. Carroll is a certainty, but I cannot the same with regard to Mr Hall for the Woodville seat. If there were not so many Richmonds in the field it would be easier to "pick it," but even with Hunter, Taylor, and Jensen I am inclined to favor the sitting member. When the numbers go up the Government will be minus a supporter in this provincial area. Guess you who it will be and what his constituency ? There was a meeting of the National Association last night at which there was a fairly large attendance. A gentleman who was present informs me that the proceedings were marked by great dignity and decorum, and that at times you could have heard a pin drop. Mr P. S. McLean made a characteristic speech, and the report of the secretary was adopted.;,' The following office-bearers were appointed for the ensuing term :—President; Mr P. S. M'Lean; vice-presidents, Messrs W. Beilby and F. Logan ; hon. treasurer, Mr W. Buchanan ; hon. secretary, Mr W. Dinwiddie ; council, Messrs J. H. Coleman, W. Dinwinnie, E. Evans, W. Glendinning, John Griffin, W. N. Grinlinton, W. J. Grundy, Lydford, R. D. D. M'Lean, J. 0. M'Vay, G. Rymer, and the Hon. Captain Russell, M.H.R. I desire to convey, to the Stipendiary Magistrate, Mr Turnbull, the thanka of the community for acceding to the very proper and manly request o£ Detective Chrystal to have the. Courts cleared yesterday when the case for concealment of birth was being tried. It is simply shocking that a numbev of men (?) should rush a court wben some poor girl or woman is being frried for an offence, or is a witness in any other action entailing the giving of evidence which is most trying to womankind in the presence of the opposite sex.

There was a capital muster of the Rifles last night, when the men were, exercised by bugle call in view of the work at daylight parades in the summer months. Another Morristube match with the Feilding Rifles will be fired shortly. The Volunteers are about to raise subscriptions to repair the grave of the late SergeantMajor Nelson. Why not tell off go many from each company to keep the grave in good order, also the other graves of soldiers in the cemetery ? Repairs are being effected to the cr!K work at the Western Spit, and the dredge is at work restoring the buoys which were knocked about during the recent gales.

The breakwater looks much dilapidated from the bend outwards, but the damage done has not been so great as was expected. There is ewy appearance now of a spell of calm weather; and when the actual amount of damage is ascertained work of repair will be proceeded with. Detective Chrystal states that many reports have been made concerning the disappearance of the man TuffnelL Some people say it is a case of ckerchcz , lafemme,