GENERAL TELEGRAPHIC NEWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11619, 5 April 1901, Page 5

GENERAL TELEGRAPHIC NEWS

[BY TELEGRAPH. ~PRESS ASSOCIATION] Wellington, Thursday. - 'J'nr, Wellington Volunteer Battalion bit to-night for their Easter military manoeuvres at Wairarapa. .■ "

Mr. Hornsby has been addressing- his constituents in the Wairarapa electorate, arid receiving votes of confidence.

Trooper Casey, of the Second Contingent, was convicted at the Magistrate's Court today on a charge of grave assault on a Chinaman, but in view of his excellent fighting record he was let off with a fine of £2 and £3 10s costs.

Dt'NEDix, Thursday. The Fortification Railway and the Coal Company's railway from Milton to the Company's mine was practically opened, yesterday, when the directors, coal merchants, and others interested took a run over the line. The railway, including sidings, is six miles in length. The coal is superior lignite, and it is claimed that 1000 tons per day can be turned out if demand warrants.

Mr. Forsyth is likely to be the only Otago representative at the Chess Congress at Christchurch.

A heavy shock of earthquake occurred at Arrowtown las'- night. GisBORNE, Thursday. A Mormon Convention opened here today, .and is being attended by some hundreds of natives. Mormonism has a strong hold on the natives in some parts oi this district,

I\ t VEitcAEGiLr,, Thursday. A singular case came before the Court today. James Lee, aged 16, was charged with indecently assaulting a girl of 13 in June last. Both are half-castes. The girl gave birth to a child, and the youth admitted paternity. He was then charged with a criminal offence, but while on remand the parties married with the parents' consent, Sergeant O'Neill pointed out that Judge Williams had held under similar circumstances, that the wife was not a competent witness against the husband. He therefore offered no evidence, and the case was dismissed..