A Town Clerk Court-Martialled.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3136, 22 February 1889, Page 3

A Town Clerk Court-Martialled.

Mr Gelling, the Town Clerk of s Hamilton, returned by tho Richmond. ■W He states that, on arriving at Apia he went to see Mataafa's camp and fortifications. While there be was introduced to Mataafa and held some conversation with him, and told him the press and people of Now Zealand were in entire sympathy with him, and it would be a good idea if ho sent a memorial to Sir George Grey, who took a great interest in the welfare of the Natives of the South Pacific. Mataafa said he and his chiefs would consider the proposal, Mataafa afterwards told him to tell the'people of New Zealand that he was thankful for their sympathy, and he would stop lighting to-morrow if Tamasese were removed. At the close of the

interview Mr Gelling returned.to the Bichmond. Noxt morning, while he jiwas iu his bathroom, a German ■fl^ifficei'aui boat's crew came onboard and told him that a quarter of an hour would be given him to get dressed, and ho went to tho gadgway and there protested against being taken from a British ship and from under the British flag without being permitted to see the Consul. He says:—l was taken on board the • Adler and met by Dr Knapp. After

being interrogated as to my visit to Ilataafa's camp, I was taken into the * cabin and my deposition taken down in the presence of Captain Fritz and another officer. The deposition was read oyer to me, and I was called upon to sign it which I did. I was then informed that I would be tried by court-martial later-in the day, and was told to send an order for mv luggage to the Richmond. In doing so I appealed to Captain Hutton to communicate with the English Consul. This letter was up, and I was told to confine to writing an order for my luggage, I was placed on the quarter ■ deck, and a sentry set over me with a drawn cuta. The court-martial then sat, consisting of three German officers. Afterwards, Captain Hand, of the Boyalist, and Captain JJidling of the' Nipsic, came on board and expostulated against the terms of the German proclamation of a state of siege, and asked for my release, which was refused. They then went ashore about mid-clay. Captain Fritz, . sent for me down to his cabin, and read to me the finding of the courtmartial, nhich was to the effect that although found guilty of a breach of martial law, were of opinion

that I had no sinister motive in f visiting the "rebels " camp, Captain Tjjt Fritz said ho would release me, and r hoped the circumstances would bo a caution to other British subjects not ,to meddle with Samoan affairs, The Germans sent me iu a boat to the Eichmond. On board the Ailler I did not receive any harsh treatment from the officers and men when carrying out their instructions.

"The Baby in Cloth ot Gold Marked -J.'"

A writer in the Morning Post tells a strange tale of "ancient Holyrood," which, be says, should be at onco contradicted or confirmed, Some visitors who lately went through the Queen of Scots' apartments tbero were shown by the guide, who seemed to have spoken a little boyond bis commission, n certain passage and large jutting stone like a step, and the following curious statement was let fall, A short time ago

when somo repairs were being raado in the Queen of Scots' room,a stone--1 mason struck the jufcting-out stone abovo mentioned, which rang hallow. He had the curiosity to turn it up,

and discovered the remains of a baby *feftrapped in cloth of gold, narked "J" ( l,w, it is well known that Mary Stuart gave birth to Jarnos I. of England aud the YI. of Scotland, in the adjoining worn, and that ioi- , mediately aftei'jfclie birth the child was removedjffd- brought up elsowhero, the Queen showing interest in her offspring. Now supposing the real child, the real James, is the infant wrapped in cloth of gold, lying under that stoue, who was tho other child who afterwards roignod as James I of England, and YI oi Scotland, Did this question ever occur to the authorities 1 This will be best, answered by asking how they are said to have treated the discovery, They telegraphed at once to the high .personage in London whose business it is to control Holyrood Palace. What did he 1 He sent back word "to make no fuss about it," but to replace the baby in cloth of gold; marked "J" under tho stone, and presumably there he still lie 3. But the question remains to- bo answered'; If that is Mary Stuart's baby, and the Rightful heir, who was that other 1 and why, when the supposed original turned up in cloth of gold, was there no fuss to be, made? If '.this is all. a mate's nest, it is high ': / • time that people wl]Q go over to ' Holyrqod should knovv it, let alone ■■■■{ those whom, it may cqncorn evou