GENERAL TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12401, 14 October 1903, Page 6

GENERAL TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[by TELEGRAPH.— PRESS association*.] Westport, Tuesday. The Admiralty transport Mercedes was ordered on from Hongkong to Wei-hei-wei with her cargo of coal. The steamer Omba loads here next we for Hongkong.

WaN'GANTJT, Tuesday. At a meeting of the Wanganui Rugby Union Management Committee to-night a full inquiry was held with regard to charges of misconduct against Wanganui players in. the Wanganui match on October 3. After hearing the evidence, it was resolved that the charges were not substantiated. The opinion was expressed that the referee ordered the players off in error. Gisborne, Tuesday. The Borough Council to-night agreed to Mr. Hay's terms for reporting on the watersupply sources. It. was also decided to obtain a report from Mr. Reynolds, who is at present reporting under engagement by the Ratepayers' Association. Wellington*, Tuesday.

John Fowler, for embezzlement, was sentenced to nine mouths' imprisonment. Mr. Justice Cooper, in. passing sentence, said he had consulted olhei judges, and could not grant probation where a series of offences extending over a period of time were committed by a person of mature age and in a position of trust.

Tiitaru, Tuesday. A poll of borough ratepayers to-day sanctioned the raising of two loans—one of £6000, for the permanent grading of hilly streets, by 542 to 62 ; tht, other, of £2500, for improving Caroline Bay bathing resort, by 330 to 77. Little interest was shown, and only 400 of 1800 ratepayers voted.

Wellington-, Tuesday. The Chief Justice to-day granted a decree nisi in the divorce suit of Mary Barker v. Rawiri Rakatau, an aboriginal native of Waitotara. Applicant married respondent when 16 years old, and he lived with her for only a month. Lieutenant Herd, bandmaster of the New Zealand band that toured the United Kingdom,'arrived by the Athenic to-day. On being interviewed he refused to speak on any of the contentious matters that have been raised in connection with the management and affairs of the band. He stated that the tour had been a great "musical success, and they were aIJ sorry it had been a financial failure.