Wellington Items.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 30, 5 February 1901, Page 2

Wellington Items.

SUPREME COURT —FIVE SHOCKING CASES.

[By Telegraph—Press Association.] Wellington, last night. At the Supreme Court true Bills were returned in the following cases: —Edward Arney, indecent assault; Charles Vincent, indecent assault; Albert Banfield, alias Goddard, uttering: Richard John Humber, theft; Rainit Keirooz, arson ; Louis Ferdinand Tegener, theft: William Budd, indecent asrault. John McCarthy, charged with theft, was placed upon probation for four months. Mintin Nanana, for forgery, was admitted to six months’ probation. Walter Phillips was remanded for sentence, on a charge of defrauding the Imperial Insurance Company. Three forgery prisoners had pleaded guilty in the Court below, and had been sent direct for sentence. Charles Arney and Charles Vincent Cherry were found guilty of indecent assault, and remanded for sentence. Albert Bonfield pleaded guilty to forgery and uttering, and was also remanded for sentence. CLERGY CN TOUR, . Archbishop Redwood and a party of visiting clergy left to-day for Westport. They intend journeying overland to Christchurch. QUEEN’S STATUE. The total amount raised by lady canvassers at the funeral demonstration on Saturday, in aid of the Queen’s Statue Fund, was L'llo 13s 6d. This brings the total amount subscribed up to L 643 18s 3d. MIDLAND RAILWAY. The Midland Railway Commission held another meeting to-day. After a short discussion it was decided to adjourn until Wednesday, when the Commissioners will announce what points they desire to take evidence upou. IMPERIAL TROOPS.—BILLETING OBJECTED TO. At a meeting of citizens, to-day, for the purpose of arranging a reception for the Imperial troops, it transpired that the suggestion of billeting the men had been very coldly received by the citizens. Only eighty-four offers had been received to provide accommodation, and with each was a stipulation that only officers and non-commissioned officers would be received. Colonel Porter, who attended by request, stated that he had been in consultation with Messrs Hall-Jones and Carroll, who were adverse to the idea of billeting .troops amongst the residents. He himself thought it would be objectionable in many ways, and it would be far the better if the men were to sleep aboard the transport. It was eventually decided to abandon the billeting idea altogether, and it was resolved to recommend the Government that the men be kept aboard the Brittanic at night. It was further decided that the Imperial men and volunterrs be entertained at a monster tea, a committee being set up to make arrangements.

FURTHER ARRANGEMENTS. In accordance with the resolution of the Reception Committee, the ladies of Wellington are being invited to provide a tea for the Imperial contingent and volunteers, to be held on the Basin Reserve, or, if the weather is unfavorable, in the Drillshed and Skating Rink. There will bo 1500 visiting volunteers in the city on Saturday. Contingents are coming from the West Coast of this Island, Taranaki, Wairarapa, Nelson and Marlborough. The Imperial men, with the volunteers, will probably be reviewed on Saturday afternoon, and on Sunday a monster church parade will be held. As far as can be ascertained the visitors will not go to Wanganui. INCREASING BIRTH RATE.

The birth rate in Wellington for January was the highest for that month during the last four years. There were 151 births during the month in question.