WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4214, 4 July 1882, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

Yesterday.

The Supreme Court Criminal Sessions commenced this morning, before Judge Richmond. His Honor iv charging the Grand Jury said there were only six cases on the present list, and he would be able to congratulate them on the shortness of the calendar. But unfortunately it contained one charge of a brutal offence, with the class which we weie only to? familiar in this group of colonies, and to which he need not further allude. The Legislature of this colony had seen fit to increase the severity of the punishment awarded to this class of offences! beyond that which was in use in England, though we had not as yet resorted to that in vogue in New South Wales, where it was punishable with death. He wished he could say that he thought the increase in the severity of the law had been attended by diminution in frequency of the crime. He could not say that this was so,■■however, foe; the offence continued far too frequent. His Honor added that these first days of criminal sessions, be must confess, seemed to him like days of sackcloth and ashes, in which they usually had to deplore prevalence of crime, and also, he might say, the impotence of mere law to suppress it. The Italian residents here are forming a Garibaldi Club on the model of the Working Men's Club. A Society for the Promotion of Fine Arts is also in course of formation.

The residence of Mr Boardman, manager of the South British Insurance Company, was found to be on fire yesterday, the curtains of one of tbe bedrooms having caught. Through its timely discovery, and having water and hose handy, only trifling damage was done. This day.

The following telegram lias been received by the Secretary of Customs :— "Government schooner Kekeno, which sailed some time ago to the islands lying to the southward of New Zealand to search for castaways, and also for the purpose of protectingjseal fisheries, has returned to Stewart's Island. Captain Greig reports no important Dews." At the Supreme Court, B. Ellis, for rape, was sentenced to 12 years penal servitude, and two floggings of 30 lashes each. The judge said it was one of the worst crimes he bad ever heard of. It was the crime of a brute, and he should be treated as a brute.

A gas explosion occurred in the Custom House this morning. The messenger named Walters, on opening the office, smelt gas. He at once proceeded to open the windows and doors, and, after a short time, struck a match to light the fire, when an explosion occurred, smashing one door and melting the indiarubber casing of the bellwires. Walters was burnt about the head rather severely.