WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4057, 30 December 1881, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

This day.

The lioduey writ was* received by the Clerk of Writs by the mail this morning. The delay will be put right by an Order in Council, and the irregularity in regard to the Waiktuiti writ will also be corrected -in_. the .same .manner, Jmt._ it.Js.jloubtful whether the Act will enable the Governor in Council to direct a return for Hokitika under the circumstances. A deputation, headed by the Mayor, waited on the Minister of Justice this morning, bringing under his notice resolutions (previously telegraphed) passed at a public meeting relating to the imposition of a heavy tine on several Chinamen for playing fan-tan. A petition to His Excellency was also presented, praying that the .fine be remitted. The deputation urged that the defendants were strangers to the country, and were not aware of our customs or laws, and further, that they were not playing for gain. Mr Dick, in reply, said the police had on several occasions warned the keoper of the .house of the penalties he would incur if gambling was allowed to go on. However, he would be bappy to forward the petition for His Excellency's favorable consideration. A report would be obtained from the Magistrates who convicted the Chinaman as to whether the

fins was too severe, and the case would then be fully considered; He mentioned that a fine having been paid, it would be rather difficult to have it refunded.

It is the writ for Waikouaiti that is missing, not the Eodney one.