WANGANUI NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 261, 13 November 1901, Page 2

WANGANUI NEWS.

ALLEGED FRAUD. [By Telegraph—Press Association.] Wanganui, last night. A man named McAinch, purporting to be an opal merchant, of Wellington, recently arrived here. He endeavored to pass some rings sot with opals through the customs. The official questioned the invoiced value, aud had the rings examined. It is understood they were found to be of considerably more value than stated. Tho rings were impounded, and proceedings instituted against McAinch. The case was to have been heard at the Court to-day, but tho man oluded service of the summons, and is believed to have skipped from the colony. REV. T. J. WILLS. The Rev. T. J. Wills, of Ormondvillc, well known as the literary champion of the prohibition cause in New Zealand, and a writer of several well-known books on the temperance question, underwent a serious operation at a private hospital here to-day. The Rev. Mr Wills broke down at the end of the 1899 campaign, and has ever since been in failing health. Tho operation to-day was performed more with the object of affording tho patient relief than in the hope of obtaining a permanent cure. The patient is progressing as well as can bo expected. His illness is a source of sincere regret to temperance workers throughout the colony.