WELLINGTON ITEMS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12429, 19 February 1901, Page 5

WELLINGTON ITEMS.

[Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Feb. 18. A man named Albert Hugo Kouth was committed for trial this morning on a charge of passing a valueless cheque," and George Sutcliffe, the manager of an accommodation house at Titahi Bay, was fined £2O and costs for sly grog-selling. A statement is in circulation, based on a rumour current at Mangaweka, that the foundation of one of the piers of the Makohine viaduct has slipped, which will necessitate a further delay in the completion of the work. The Minister of Public Works, however, has received no information on the subject, and considers the rumour unfounded. Four firemen belonging to the steamer Waikato -were charged at the Magistrate’s Court to-day with having combined to disobey the lawful commands of tho Master, and to impede the progress of the voyage shortly after the vessel left Wellington for London on Saturday. The defence was that the vessel sailed without having a sufficient number of qualified firemen. Dr M’Arthur, S.M., dismissed the informations. He said there was no doubt in bis,mind 1 that the defendants were given to understand that other competent firemen would be engaged. The Magistrate also said ho had come to the conclusion that the defendants made their complaints in good time.