NAPIER NEWS.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XX, Issue 3548, 14 January 1897, Page 3

NAPIER NEWS.

(OWB OOBBS6PONDINT.) Yesterday. This afternoon a graes fire broke out on tbe hills beyond Pokelapu, in olose prox imitv to Mr J Bennett’s property At '"/own a stiff nor’ west breeae sprang up and thia carried the flaroee along with .real rapidity, the glare from the fire fighting P np lbe enrronnding hills for 'flee This is the first grass fire of any oonseqnence which has taken place in this diatrict during the present season, but if the dry weather continues it is not likely to bo tbe last. _ , To town during the last few days several outbreaks on a small scalo have occurred This afternoon the erase in the paddock adjoining Mr W. Coleneoe residence was observed to bo tn flames, and only the prompt attendance of the brigade prevented the fire reaching the boose There iB always a oertain amount of mystery abont these fires, but in nine esses oot of ton the mischievous boy with a box of matches aboold easily account for the disturbance. It is to be hoped tbst if the police encoeod in bringing a charge home to any of these youthful bomoorists tbe Magistrate will deal with them adequately. . The principal topic of conversation in town today waa the altogether nnex pected development in regard to a change in tbe ownership of Messrs Neal and Close's business. A few weeks ago it was announced that Messrs Neal and Close had sold oot the whole of their business to Messrs Kirkcaldie and Staius of Wellington. Thia was confirmed at a later etage, and a moaster clearing sale ar ranged for by the purchasers. Then it was annoonced that Messrs Neal and Cloee would retain the grocery depart ment, and on January 2od, the date Messrs Kirkcaldie and Stains were to open, it wee notified that do ebaoge whatever in the management would take place. Meeere Neal and Oloee having re. considered their decieion to Bell. And now, just when people were settling down to the old order of things, comes the announcement that negotiations for tbe sale of the drapery business to Messrs Kirkcaldie end Stains have been com pleted. This eeriee of obenges ie attributable to Mr Close's health, and it ia only on the strength of a most emphatic state moot from his medical adviser that he has been induced to retire. It has been a rather expensive 11 deal” for Messrs Neal and Close, aB it cost them £3,500 to with draw from tbeir bond. Mr Maxwell’s report on the breakwater has been pretty freely diecossod eince its publication. The concensus of opinion is undoubtedly favourable ; indeed, it could hardly be otherwise, for he has shown very clearly how far we can hope the structure to be carried with the money now in band. When that is exhausted —well, it's pretty plain that another loan will be necessary of, say, £IOO.OOO. Tbe report will be fully discussed at tbe Board’s meeting next Tuesday. Matters are sbapiDg well for a heavy criminal calendar at the February sittings of tbe Supreme Court, there being already ten caees set down for trial. (BY TELEGRAPH.) This Day The fire on the Puketapu hills last night swept over an area of fuLy 1000 acres. It is principally confined to Tiffen’s estate. All tbe sheep were tamed on to tbe roads and no loss of stock has been reported Tbe fire is still horning beyond Puketapu