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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 15, Issue 2012, 9 December 1870, Page 2

Ma. Vogei,, last evening in Dunedin, addressed a large assemblage at considerable length. We regret that the message containing the abstract of his address came too late last evening to psrmifc of our printing it in this issue. Picnics. — We understand that the Napier Rifle Volunteers intend having a picnic in town on Boxing Day. We observe from our contemporary of yesterday that the Artillery Volunteers also intend having one on the same day. This is really a very pleasant way of spending a holiday, and we hope to see both picnics well attended. An Important Colonial Industry. — We yesterday had the pleasure of inspecting the new soap works recently erected by Messrs. Neal and Close, and which are now in full operation. The principal boiler — that for soap boiling — is capable of containing five tons ; besides which there are smaller ones for rendering fat, &o. Yesterday forenoon the first boiling of the new manufacture was cast. It consisted, in this case, of four tons only, owing to a deficiency in the number of frames, which, however, will shortly be supplied. The article, so far as one could judge from seeing it in a liquid state, is of good quality, and will, we are satisfied, favorably compete with the imported article. Samples, however, will be ready by Saturday, when the public will have a good opportunity of judging for themselves. Even in the matter of soap, the amount of money that might be kept in the province by usiug an article of home manufacture is enormous ; and, other considerations being equal or approximately so, we are quite sure that the produce of colonial industry will be preferred in all cases by consumers. The Bellbingers. — Napier has had a visit, in succession, from the Gourlay family, the Glassblowers, the Bellringers. Amusements do not pdl upon the good folks of Napier, who, soon after bidding farewell to one set of artists, are quite prepared to give a hearty welcome to another. The latest arrival is one upon which we may safely congratulate our readers ; for the performances of the bellringers constitute a rich treat to any one having the slightest love of sweet sounds. This company have now performed for three nights ; and it would be tedious to enumerate the many pieces of music which, both in and out of the programme — encored as they have been in every instance — they have rendered in their own inimitable style, perfectly accurate in time and tune, and with an amazingly sweet effect. It is difficult, indeed, to understand the facility with which, out of some fifty or sixty bells, they can pick up the identical one that is wanted, and never by any chance make, a mistake. The company had the assistance of the Artillery band, which played very well, while Mr. Collins, the bandmaster contributed some clever instrumental solos. But the music of a brass band, however good, is unpleasingly loud in contrast to the soft, bird-like music produced by the bells. The bellringers, who require an occasional cessation from work, were assisted by " local talent," of which, perhaps, not to be invidious, the less said the better. It will be seen from advertisement that the bellringers will again appear this afternoon and evening— the evening performances to be followed by a ball ; also, at Waipawa on Saturday evening.