THE RUSSIANS AT WELLINGTON.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1254, 3 June 1886, Page 2

THE RUSSIANS AT WELLINGTON.

[by telegraph.]

Wellington, June 2. Last night and this morning various stories were afloat regarding the Russian man-of-war. It was said she hoisted u black ball on going out, which was the sign of the punishment of death, and rumor had it that two men were to be shot for refusal of duty. This morning there was a further addition to the effect that one had been shot before entering the harbor. What gave color to the story was the fact that none of the men were allowed ashore, during her stay here, and no steamers were allowed to go alongside. Enquiry, however, proves that she had no black signal of any kind hoisted, and the pilot states that when he left her ho had neither heard of the matter nor seen any preparation or signal of any kind. The rumor had this much truth, that two men guilty of desertion wore to bo punished, but all they were likely to get, according to one of the Russian officers, was six weeks’ imprisonment. Tho Vestrix went through the Straits, and will probably sail round Capo to Auckland. One of tho torpedo corps joined her as electrician. Both the Russian and Japanese warships took very large supplies of fresh meat while here, more than twice the amount an English ship is accustomed to take.