A PREACHER'S OFFENCES.

Evening Post, Volume LXI, Issue 85, 12 April 1901, Page 6

A PREACHER'S OFFENCES.

John Haughton, who had previously pleaded Guilty to eight charges of theit from Wesleyan churchmen and church bodies, was this morning brought before Dr. M'Arthur, S.M., on nine separate charges of forgery, one' of which, however, was withdrawn. The allegation was that accused had attached to orders the names of the Rev.v H. L. Blamires (twice), James Anderson), W. B. Martin (twice), C. A. Thompson, and Win. Burton. After the depositions had been taken in the forgery cases for use in the Supreme Court, accused, through Mr. Wilford, pleaded Guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. It is within the jurisdiction of the Magistrate to inflict sentences in the theft cases, but noVin the forgery cases, and as an effort will be imtcto to get Mr. Justice Cooper to fix the imprisonment for the eight forgeries on Wednesday, Dr. M' Arthur, 8.M., decided to defer sentence on the eight thefts titi Thursday, or after the Jtidge has detiftwith the foxgeries. In announcing this intention, his Worship said that w&ttevei; • motive might be behind t-he mind of the unfortunate accused, tho charges were all connected, and should be dealt with as a whole. Counsel pointed out that accused had not attempted to dispose of the articles. His Worship ordered that the stolen goods be restored to their owners. The value of the articles stolen is set down at £13 10s. r Siey include clothing, two umbrellas, two table-cldths, and a number of books, chiefly Bibles and'< books of religion. Fourteen hooks, mostly theological, were stolen from, tho public library. Mr. Wifford described' the offences as a craze, and one witness stated that accused hadl conducted services and appeared to be an earnest worker and worshipper in the Wesleyan body. Among otler possessions, he has a cork leg, and Chief Detective M'Grath, who arrested Him, produced some skeleton keys that were found on accused, but suggested no inference.

His Excellency the Governor, who did not leave town eai-lier in the week, as then reported, will go South by to-mor-row's steamer. After spending two days in Christchurch he will go on to Dunedin. Captain Alexander will accompany His Excellency. The Premier, accompanied by' several of his colleagues, spent some time to-day in going over proposed routes in connection with the Royal, visit,* also in inspecting the points suggested for the reception of their Royal Highnesses. Ministers have also been in conference with the Governor on the subject, Inspector Pender has received information from the Picton police that Mr. C. J. Radcliffe's house at Otanerua Bay, Queen Charlotte Sound, was burned down some time between the 4th and 11th inst. There was no insurance. The owner was absent in Picton, and his loss is estimated at over £200. Enquiries, are being made. Mr. H. S. Whitehorn, formerly a master of the Clyde-quay School, who went to South Africa with one of tho Queensland Contingents, recently returned to that colony invalided. Ho was made a lieutenant on the 19th March, and was frequently left in charge of the Lytton camp. On the sailing of the s.s. Victoria with more troops, Lieutenant Whitehorn was given the rank pf Captain, with the command of No. 2 Company. New Zealand's next and only other contribution towards the prosecution of j the war in South Africa will (according to the Christchurch Press) probably . be a shipment of horses. A correspondent sends us the following :—A very large gathering of residents of Pahautanui, Horokiwi, and Judgeford assembled in NkoPs Hall, Pahautanui, on Wednesdiay evening at a farewell "social" given to Mr. and Mrs. W. Gardner, on the eve of their '(.parturo from tho district to take up land at ! Kaponga, Taranaki. During an interval I in the dancing, which formed tho staple of the evening's entertainment, Mr. Stuart, on behalf of the residents, made a presentation to Mr. Gardner, and spoke of tho esteem in which Mr. Gardner had been held during his long residence in the tlistiict, and the valuable service he had rendered in very many local matters. Tho guests of the evening were toasted with musical honours. Mr. Gardner, who has been one of tho best known residents in the Pahautanui district for over thirty years, leaves with the heartiest good wishes of every man, woman, and child in the place. Mr. J. J. Taylor, of Courtenay-place, 18 about to leave for the Old Country, and received a presentation from his late employees last night, including nn illuminated hddress-

It is probable that the interview between the Premier ond the Hutt Borough Council regauling the site of the proposed new bridge, will not take place until after the municipal elections. Lieutenant'Colonc'. Newall, who has resumed the command of the Wellington volunteer district, will make an inspection of each rifle corps next week. FOl somo time past the Postal Department has been considering the desirability of erecting a Post Office in Cuba-street. The reason given for building is that tho needs of the district call for a separate establishment. The postal and telegraph business of Cuba-street has been carried on for the past eighteen years by Messrs. Baillio, in connection with their bookselling business. Several properties in or adjacent lo Cuba-street have been offered to the department as suitable sites foi a post office, and it was reporled this morning that Messrs. Nees's business place, on the corner of Marionstreet and Ghuznee-street had been purchased. We learn on enquiry that the owners of this property have had no intimation to that effect. Another report has it that it is a site on the corner of and Ghuznee-streets (opposite Nees's) that has been secured. It is said that J the prices asked for the 1 corner sites offered in Cuba-sttreet are too high to suit the Department. • A lawn tennis match, Brougham Hill v. Newtown, will be played to-morrow on the Brougham Hill courts. The teams will be: — Brougham Hill — Harden, Bell, Amies, Marriner, Howe, Falconer, Hurley, Misses Hutchens, Ward, Ritchie, Hurley, and Mrs. Goldie. Newtown — Redward, Ellis, Wilson, Lindsay, Will, and Brailsford, Misses Clark, Robinson, Youmans, and Mrs. Grady. Members of tho Wellington Hockey Club are notified in our advertising columns that a practice game will bo played on tho club s ground at Miramar at 3 p.m. Steamer loaves at 2.15. Mr. F. J. Oalces, boot importer, 24, Inges-tre-street, quotes a few lines in our advertising columns, and notifies the arrival of new season goods. The Dresden Piano Co. advertises in this isstro pianos by famous manufacturers. Messrs. W. H. Mo'rrah and Co. advertise a sale of all classes of horses, including four thoroughbred geldings, one good draught, several serviceable harness horses and hacks, phaeton, tfaps, etc., to-morrow morning, nt tho Horse Bazaar, Harrisstreet, at 11 a.m. Messrs. Jolly and Co. report the sale by privato treaty of the freehold No. 9, Princos-stroGfc, off Roxburgh-street, land 40 x 95ft, with the five-roomed villa thereon of one story. The firm has been instructed to dispose of a number of freehold investments at low prices to prompt buyers. Particulars appear in. our advertising columns. It is also notified that the firm makes prompt sales by private treaty of real estate, and also collects rents and manages properties when required. Tho Wellington Property Record is published by the firm, and copies will be sent free to any address. Messrs. A. R. Meeoh and Co. advertise salo of furniture and effects, crockery, etc., at their rooms to-morrow at 2 p.m. Further entriea are being received for this sale. Mr. Joh. E. Lindberg, tho Cheap Draper, right side of Cuba-street, an'liounces special value in drapery, etc., with cash bonus, to-morrow. The Ferry Company will run steamers to Day's Bay to-morrow and Sunday mornings and afternoons at the usual hours, also to Miramar to-morrow morning and afternoon as advertised. Messrs. Turnbwll, Watkins and Williams havo been. inßtebcted by the trustees of the GBtate of the late J. S. Manning, of '"Seafield, P&one, to soil by auction on Friday, 26th instant, all the unsold por* lion of, tho "estate, as they aro compelled .to finish tho work of distribution to tho beneficiaries. Tho lots comprise (1) property with frontagos io Jneksoh-&treet, Petone-avemio, and Victoria-street ; (2) two • sections in Jacfcsoiystreet } (5) the homestead block of an aero and a-half, with 128 ft frontage to Petone-avenuo and tenroomed dwelling and outbuildings; (4) section 29, Fitzherbert-street, and fiveroomed house ; (5) five five-roomed houses in Sydney-street, on land 250 x 100; (6) new shop and " dwelling at the corner of Jaokson and Sydney streets, on land 30 x 100, «t present leased to Mr. Inglis ond Messrs. Kirk, Atkinson and Wilson at a venial of £78 per annum. Complete details will be published in future issuos. Meanwhilo investors will be welcomed at the offices of the solicnwa to the eatato, Messrs. Kirk, Atkinson and Wilson, or the auctioneers, 3, Panama-street.