Napier News.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXIII, Issue 4232, 25 July 1901, Page 2

Napier News.

[Own Correspondent.] Napier, Yesterday. The news of Mr D. S. Fleming’s death was received here with many expressions of deep regret, the deceased gentleman being widely known here. A private cable received from Sydney indicates that Mr H. P. Cohen’s illness is not so serious as at first thought, and it is believed that a slight operation will remove the source of the trouble. Mr Turnbull, S.M., this morning gave judgment in the civil suit Dr. de Lisle v. the New Zealand Accident Insurance Company, a claim for £93 under one of the company’s policies, as compensation for twelve weeks’ total and fourteen weeks’ partial disablement through an accident. At the hearing Mr Dinwiddie, on behalf of the company, raised the preliminary objection that the action had not been brought within six months after the accident, as required by condition 9of the policy. Mr Lusk for the plaintiff, contended (1) that the condition referred to was ultra vires , and (2) that if it were not so the defendants had waived their rights under it and acquiesced in the delay. Mr Turnbull was of opinion that the company had not waived their claim, and condition 9 therefore held good. Plaintiff was nonsuited with costs £4 13s. A very creditable recital of Mendelsohn’s hymn of praise, the “ Lobgesang ” was given at St. Paul’s Church to-night, when, in spite of extremely unfavorable weather, there was a very large audience. The soloists were Miss Large, Mrs Jones, and Mr Hosking, while the choruses were rendered by a well-trained choir of about 90 voices. The vocalists had the assistance of a capable orchestra. The whole performance reflects the highest credit on Mr Renaud, who has been unsparing in his efforts to ensure success.

There is surely room for very great improvement in the Education Boards Election Aot under which this year’s election has been carried out. It provides that all ballot papers deposited with the returning officer (the secretary of the Board) must be signed by the voter. What becomes of our boasted secrecy of the ballot ? This is a matter that might very well occupy the attention of members of the House for an hour or so during the present session of Parliament.