NAPIER NEWS-NOTES.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 474, 1 July 1890, Page 2

NAPIER NEWS-NOTES.

[from oub own cobbesfondent | Napieb, June 28. A flooded village. The residents of Clive have not had a particularly lively time of it during the past month or so. The river which runs into the sea is perpetually having its mouth blocked up, with tho result that the low lying lands in the vicinity got flooded. Rain set in last week, and as it fell rath’z heavily, the result was that nearly tho whole of Clive was practically flooded. The paddocks were inundated with water, and one morning there could be no land seen in certain places at all, only the tops of fences showing above the vast sheet of water. Cattle had to swim for it, and the main road of Napier had over two feet of water on it. A boat could be taken up to the hotel with comfort, and in fact it was done by two men who went out on a cruise round the village. It, was thought that if the rain continued tbe traffic bridge (railway) would be seriously endangered, and at the last moment a gang of men were sent out from the Napier station to see what could be done in the way of securing the line. Fortunately tbe rain ceased, and a band of willing workers made a new mouth for tho river, and for a time averted the danger. The pad-locks are still under water at tbe time of writing, but the weather has cleared, and the railway authorities may now breathe more freely. Kailwav communication was stopped a number of years ago through the same cause, and there will always ba danger so long as the authorities are apathetic, and do not spend a few hundred pounds in order to avert a repetition of past experiences.

A CISBORNE HORSE TO THE I SONT. The majority of those who assisted at the Napier Park races last week did not back Oeo for the steeplechase. His win was one of those surprises which come upon ordinary mortals—and particularly racing men—as an earthquake does in a populous village. Very few thought he would win, the remit was that ho paid a dividend of over £lO. Sir Garnet, to whom I pinned my faith, hung oa to Oeo all the way, being in second place, and he was obliged to hang there at the finish also, as Oeo, who did not seem to mind the mud and water in the least, oama away in the straight and made his owner smile as he passed the box with a good lead. Fergus rode him, and rode him well. Oeo is an erstwhile Gisborne hors», and camo out of his shell in a rather remarkable manner. Mr Pitt, of tbe firm of Pict and Maguire, was congratulated very warmly on his success with the little eon of Painter, whom everybody thought as slow as a funeral, but bis victory has had the effect of changing their minds. The rain fell in torrents during the day, and before the meeting commenced, but tho officials decided not to postpone the gay and festive gathering. It was a trifle cold also, and there was a good demand for tbe good old Scotch article in the shape of " whacker." The grandstand was also well patronised, but the second stand, which bad no roof, was not taken advantage of by a single person, the only occupant being a massive Newfoundland dog who gazed pensively at the threatening sky above, then at the sparse crowd beneath, and now and again at tho racing. That dog stuck in the one position all day, and looked as if he bad been selected to look after the stand on behalf of the club. The lawn was very aott, and near the totalisators planks had to be put down, the mud being over tbe boot tops.

THE LABOR QUESTION. It is now intended to form a Laborers’ Union—tho first of the kind that has been attempted in New Zealand. Tho Union will comprise, I believe, men who do any kind of work, and who do not belong to any other trades union. The Federated Wharf Laborer-’ Uuion is getting on splendidly, as also is the Carpenters and Timber Workers’ Association. Tho butehera will probably combine, and I must not forget the shop assistants, a committee of whom have been canvassing tho town at intervals during the past month and have got nearly all the employers to agree to the granting of a half holiday in the middle of the week. They have worked very quietly and in a commendable manner, and I hope to be able to announce to you shortly that every shop in Napier will shut up at one o’clock on Wednesday afternoons in the future, giving employers and employees an opportunity for recreation and amusement which tho vast proportion of them now do not receive. JOTTINGS. Mr Arthur, M.H.R., paid us a visit last Saturday, on his way to Wellington. Mr O. Wilson, formerly of Gisborne, delivered a lecture of an interestiog, instructive, and humorous character, entitled “ Across the Herring Pond, or three months in the States,” by request, at the Pert Mutual Improvement Association’s meeting the other night. There was a capital house. Tbe Pirates second fifteen will play the Turanganui team on August 2nd in the Recreation Ground. There will be do other matcher on that day, and the Pirates have taken the ground from the Rugby Union for tbe occasion, the fee being £4 4s and 15 per cent of the takings. A match can be got on with the second team of the Napier Club it the Gisborne men wish it. There are at present thirty people in tbe Napier hospital. All the private wards are full. Owing to the weather being unsuitable for travelling purposes, there are very tew arrivals here from Taupo now. The Hastings Native Land Court has adjourned to Marton, where the sittings open on July 2nd. The Awanui block is the first to be dealt with. This is tho block the Govcrment are at present endeavoring to acquire. Mr Beamish won Mr Proffitt’s 50 guinea cup at the Hawko’s Bay Gun Club meeting the other day. As he has now won it thrica he claims it for good.