NAPIER NOTES.

Hastings Standard, Issue 88, 7 August 1896, Page 2

NAPIER NOTES.

[From Our Own Correspondent.]

Napier, August 7. Mr J. V. Brown has been writing to the Herald to prove that the Theatre Royal is well ventilated, and one of strangest proofs he advances is that he had the ventilation tested by thermometers ! I have yet to learn that thermometers will test the air we have to breathe in a building or anywhere else. The architects (three) have declared to Mr Brown that the Theatre Royal could not possibly be better ventilated. lam not an architect, I am not even an expert in sanitation ; but I have a fairly satisfactory sort of nose. When the Theatre Royal is full, even on a winter's night the atmosphere in the dress circle becomes something closely to rank poison. If someone desires a little fresh air and opens a window then a fearful draught is sent shooting across the auditorium to give someone a cold in the head or bring on rheumatism, or neuralgra. The fact is the ceiling over the dress circle'is too near the people's heads, and there is really no escape for the foul air, no matter what the temperature is like. If the poisonous atmosphere is to be got rid of at all, the ceiling will have to be raised—in fact a dome is necessary. The three architects quoted by Mr Brown notwithstanding, I dare venture the opinion that if nine-tenths of the people who attend the Royal were asked their private opinion, it would exactly coincide with my own. The Labor agent here and Inspector under the Shop Hours and Factories Acts has evidently fallen asleep and forgotten to wake up again. Breaches of the law go on day after day, night after night, and not a word is said, not an attempt of any sort is made to bring the lawbreakers to book. If Mr Tregear does not wish to have it said that this Labor agent was just sent here as a blind and to find him a snug billet, he should wake the agent up. I was sorry to note that at a meeting of the Hawke's Bay Cricket Association it was found impossible to guarantee the necessary £l5O for securing a match with the Australian Eleven on their return from England. The oner of the gross takings on the two days is not likely to attract the manager for the Australians, "so that we may not reckon upon seeing the men who have so splendidly upheld the reputation of Australia in England. Time was, and not very long ago either, when we should have had no difficulty about raising the required amount, even had it been much more than £l5O. Mr Devinish Meares, of Christchurch, was appointed the Association's delegate in the New Zealand Cricket Council in place of Mr Condell, resigned. It was an instruction to Mr Meares to vote in favor of the match Australia v New Zealend being played in Wellington during the Exhibition period. There was a very narrow escape from a serious accident at the breakwater works yesterday, when a young fellow named Bray who was attending to the couplings of some trucks got jambed and had one of his legs rather badly crushed. He is doing as well as can be expected in the hospital. I was indeed sorry to see the announcement in this morning's Herald of the death at Coolgardie of youngHoward. I was personally acquainted with him for many years, and always found him a sterling fellow, quiet, gentlemanlv, and zealous in whatever work he undertook. Great sympathy will be felt for his father, Captain Howard, who is much respected in the Waipawa district. The Golden West appears to be a deadly place for New Zealanders, and I cannot understand our young fellows going there when far better opportunities are offered them in i their own country. If they wish to test their luck or powers of endurance, why not go on to the West Coast of the South Island—where new claims are being pegged out every day—or to Coromandel, the Thames, or other parts of the North Islaud where the precious stone is being successfully mined. At the annual meeting of the parishioners of the Cathedral Parish of St John's, which will be held to-night, the Vestry have a very cheery report to read. The balance-sheet shows that the total liabilities have been reduced from £2,240 Is 8d on 30th June, 1895, %o £1,084 18s 6d. This, of course, was mainly brought about through the special appeal made by the Dean, which was so heartily responded to. Reference is made to the death of Mr H. S. Tiffen, and the many kind and generous things he did for the church are referred to, also the fact that by his will the Cathedral benefited to the extent of £I,OOO, and that this amount, less the probate duty, would be available this fear. The vestry, while rejoicing over the fact that' the total indebtedness is about to be extinguished, refers to the fact that there are many alterations and repairs necessary which have only been held over because of the state of funds. I regret that there is no further reference to th© Dean in the report. Had it not been for his devotion, enthusiasm, and power as a minister there would have been no Cathedral, nor would the parish be as it is at present. The Church is Napier owes much to the Dm*.