PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2563, 21 November 1884, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

♦_ —. [united press association.] Wellington, November 20. The following dates of the sittings of the Supreme Court, Westland district have been gazetted :—For the trial of criminal and civil cases and of cases under " The Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act, 1867," commencing at 10 a.m., on Monday, 16th March, and Monday, 14th September. Business in Chambers may be despatched of in course of these sittings at such days and hours as the Judge may appoint. If any of the days above appointed for sittings should be a public holiday, the sittings will commence on the day after the day appointed.

It is rumored that certain arrests made last -week in this city on nominal charges of vagrancy, are not entirely unconnected with the recent bank note forgeries, and that suspicion is entertained that the forged notes recently circulated on the Christennrch racecourse were specimens of Wellington art and industry. During the visit of inspection to the Mount View Asylum, the Hon. Colonial Secretary had an interview with the girl, Fanny Boddington, recently tried at Blenheim for the murder of her infant child, but was committed to the asylum on the ground of insanity, and ordered to be confined during the pleasure of the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. The girl is now apparently quite strong, and Dr. Grabham has reported that although rather silly, there is no evidence of insanity. It is understood that as soon as Dr. GrabhanVs final report regarding her has been received, she will be set free. Auckland, November 19.

From information received from Kaipara the police authorities to-night arrested the Rev. Mr Abraham Ridings, late Congregational Minister at Maunganroto, Kaipara, on board the steamer Tarawera, just as she was starting for Sydney, on a charge of indecent assault on a boy named William Chad win, on the 3rd November. Tbe accused had a steerage passage, and had only some trifling change of clothing with him and some hooks, his luggage having arrived too late from Kalpara for the steamer. He was much affected on being arrested, and requested permission to take his Bible to the cell with him. He had resigned his charge. November 20. The Rev. Abraham Ridings, charged with indecent assault on a boy, was remanded for eight days. Bail was allowed. Superintendent Thomson said he intended to make au investigation ,

iuto the charges at Waingatorota. Three young lads had made an admission tending to criminate the prisoner.