NAPIER NOTES.

Hastings Standard, Issue 148, 17 October 1896, Page 2

NAPIER NOTES.

[From Our Own Correspondent.]

Napier, October 17. A curious incident has occurred in connection with the sinking of an artesian pipe in this town. The pipe was being driven by a contractor for Messrs liobjohns and Co., and water was reached at about 400 feet. It was, however, decided to go deeper, and, if possible, get a better supply. The pipe was driven 700 feet but without result, and then some sapient person advised discharging a quantity of dynamite at the bottom of the pipe, for what reason is not clear. The dynamite—a considerable quantity—got jambed in the pipe about 200 feet down and discharged there, with the immediate result that all the town wells which are in the vicinity immediately ceased to flow and have refused to supply any water since. The Board staff is strenously endeavoring to obtain a flow by driving one of the pipes deeper, but so far without success. It is thought that the explosion has caused a collapse of the water-bearing strata in the vicinity, and in that case the obtaining of a fresh flow is likely to be an important process. The result of a recent examination by Mr C. Critchley of the Napier Shorthand Writers' Association is as follows:—Juniors : E. T. Baker 1, F. T. C'olledge 2. Seniors : C'. Avery 1, W. W. Lynch 2. Speed examinations are to be held shortly. A largely attended meeting, presided over by Mr H. P. Cohen, was held in the Gaiety Theatre last night for the purposes of considering matters in connection with the strike at the breakwater. Speeches were made by the Chairman, Messrs T. Murphy, Freeman and Higgins, Rev. Father Grogan, and Dean Hovell. Eventually Mr M. Murphy, one of the strikers, moved —" That this meeting of breakwater employes would respectually ask Mr Saundersto allow them to resume their work in a body, fully recognising his right to dismiss any man or men who, after a fair trial, may be found to be incompetent," and the motion was carried unanimously. The Pollards had another good house last night, and staged " Nell Gwynne "in their usual style. They farewell tonight. William Higgins and John Walsh, arrested yesterday after offering a considerable resistance were remanded by Mr Turnbull for a week on charges of stealing a quantity of jewellery, the property of Moses Ca -sin. Samuel Cousins received three months extra for escaping from custoty