PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 477, 8 April 1909, Page 9

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

(fltOM OUll SPECIAL COnnEBPO.\"DF.NT!(.)

MASTEHTON. At tlio Masterton Polico Court yesterday, William Reeves, a grey-haired man, was sentenced to three months' imprisonment in Wellington Gaol on a charge of indecency. On Tuesday evening, whilo Sergeant Miller was arresting a man for drunkenness, a crowd of about a hundred people gathered in Queen Street, loud hooting being indulged in. As a result of the disturbance, a young man named Arthur Jones was arrested' yesterday morning on a chargo of inciting the prisoner to resist the jralico in the execution of duty. Tho Court was crowded during the hearing of the caso, and the presiding Justices of Peacefined accused >405., in default 14 days' imprisonment. Walter Edward Beerc, who was arrested at Timaru and remanded to Mastorton, on a chargo of obtaining board and lodging, valued £10 95.," from James Iteid under false pretences, was also before tho Court. Tho amount was amended to £5 in order that the Bench (consisting of Justices of the Peace) could deal with it. Tho caso was dismissed. CAttTEETON. Tho Carterton Police Court returns show that during the year, ended March 31, a total of 88 persons were taken into custody. Of that number, eight were discharged, through'want of evidence, 17 cases were dismissed on their merits, 71 were summarily convicted, 4!) were fined, seven were sentenced to imprisonment, three were convicted and discharged, and 13 were released under tho- Virst Offenders' Probation Act. On tho civil side, 224 plaints were entered, and 85 cases were tried. Tho aggregate amount suod for was £2309 12s. 5d., and of that amount £1530 3s. 9d. was recovered. The Rovs. E. W. Pittondreigh, and W. G. Maslin, who are to take up Methodist work in this district, are expected hero on Saturday week. FEATHERSTOS. A barefaced robbery was reported in Featherston on Monday evening, when tho till from tho local Chinaman's shop was removed, and the contents taken. At nino in the evening tho Chinaman, Ah Tom, informed tho police of tho circumstances, and Constablo Baker immediately got to work. There was nothing to go upon, tho owner of the shop not having any knowledge of tho theft till he went into tho shop to servo a customer. On Tuesday morning the constablo found two strangers in tho town. Ho questioned theso very carefully and decided that they were not tho ones ho wanted. Ho theu went out to the Tauherenikau Hotel, and learned that two strangers wcro there from Masterton. He entered their room and examined a locked portmanteau. By prizing one end he managed to got his hand in, and the first thing ho got hold of was a handful of coppers. There woro fifteen shillings in coppers in the till when tho owner used it last, so ho thought tho owner of tho bag would be able to give some information. Ho waited downstairs till they camo in, and accused them of the theft. They denied all knowledge of it till the bag was produced. Then thoy admitted everything. In their possession were also articles that woro missed in a recent theft in Masterton. They wcro brought into l''eatherston and placed in the lockup. Tho heavy rains of the last few days havo taken eil'ect on the streams here. They are all swollen, and tho lake is n good deal highw tbun it has becu ;Eor_somc time past,