WELLINGTON ITEMS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11848, 24 July 1893, Page 2

WELLINGTON ITEMS.

The Atkinson Ministry. YFns llon.W- V- Eecves offered v Tortfolio J Sir William Jcrvois Statement Denied. Clever Arrest of Burglars. A Desperate Struggle. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, July 23. With reference to the statement pub • lished in tho colony, accredited to Sir W. Jervois, that the Atkinson Government in 1887 had under consideration the question of offering a portfolio to the Hon. W. P. Reeves, the Hon. W. Mitchelson writes to the press denying it, and says : " I have no hesitation in saying there is no truth in the statement. I was in the late Sir Harry Atkinson's confidence from tho beginning, and among the names of those considered that of Mr Reeves was never mentioned. It is of course possible that Sir William Jervois may have suggested something of the sort to Sir H. Atkinson, but if so it could never have been entortained by him." The arrest of Potter and Clomonts on Saturday for burglary at the suburban hotels was a clever one. They first entered the White Horse Hotel at Ngahauranga at about 2 a.m., but being surprised got clear, having made their retreat snfo by unlocking the doors to the street boforo making the raid. Mr Waddington, the landlord, at once telephoned io town, and Detectives Herbert and Gantley sot out for the village, which is three miles distant. At Kai warra, a mile out, they met Waddington, who had lost trace of the burglars. The trio set out for Ngahauranga, but noticing a light in the Rainbow Hotel, Kaiwarra, the detectives crept up quietly to the hotel, and peeping through the ■windows saw Potter and Clements hard at work inside clearing the shelves of liquor and cigars. Tho burglars soon came out and the detectives attempted an arrest ; but it was no easy matter, as the | accused fought hard, and a desperate struggle resulted. Potter vainly endeavoured to use the jemmy and at; one time Detective Gantley was nearly choked. Eventually the handcuffs were got on and the men were conveyed to Wellington. It is believed the men are concerned in several robberies in the oity. Potter only recently came out of gaol atter serving a sentence for an offence of a similar nature, but go far Clements is unknown to the police.