THE CHARGE AGAINST MR. C. E. HAUGHTON.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 111, 29 August 1876, Page 2

THE CHARGE AGAINST MR. C. E. HAUGHTON.

Under to-cTav's date tlie Press Agency has forwarded us this evening the following telegram regarding the charge against the Under-Secretary for Gold Fields : "Dunedin—C. E. Haughton was on the jioint of entering the Railway Station to go to the Port, when Inspector Mallard, in accordance with telegraphic instructions, arrested him at four o'clock. Haughton was brought before Mr. Mercer, J.P., and charged with having, at Wellington, within the last six months, attempted to commit an unnatural offence. On the application of the Police, a remand till to-morrow was granted, bail being fixed in the accused's surety of £2OO, and two of £IOO each."

We would just point out to the Agency, that the above information, almost verbatim, had been "wired" to the morning journals last night, and consequently is stale news to us : and still further, the message is both worded and dated as if the occurrence took place to-day instead of yesterday. It is really too bad that, when matters of interest crop up, they should be so sadly bungled by the carelessness or stupidity of the officials. From Our Own Special Correspondent we learn that Mr. Haughton was brought before the Bench this morning, and remancied to Wellington, where he is to

appear on tliis day week. Judging from the fact that the amount of bail required has been doubled that of yesterday, it would appeal- as if there were good prima fade evidence of the charge being substantiated. The sureties now are—himself in £4OO, and two sureties of £2OO each, but the bail was immediately forthcoming. The person by whom the infonnation lias been sworn is William Wilson. A "special" from Wellington to the Dingo Daily Times, dated yesterday, states that the information against Mr. C. E. lianghton was laid by express order from the Government. He had obtained six months' leave to visit England on urgent private affairs, but after his departure strange rumors were circulated, and some members of the Legislative Council went to Ministers and accused them of conniving at his escape, threatening to bring the matter before the Council if they did not order his arrest. The most extraordinary rumors and great astonishment prevail here on the subject. I