Mr Richardson was in Court, and said the boys were both good lads. His own son yave his namo ab once, and apologised. When he came home he gave the catapult to his mother, and promised never to use Had Mr Costcllo spoken to him he would have paid forauy damage, and he considered that it would have beon better than to make boys attend the Court and hear such language as they had that morn ing. He asked was it right that boye should be brought there for such childish nonsense.
The Bench remarked that they did not consider it childish nonsense using cata pults. A fine ot 10s and costs was in flicted, one guinea being allowed the soli citor.
Mr Mahony asked if that was a sign of the retrenchment policy of the time, as it was usual to allow a guinea in each case. This was allowed by the Bench, making the total cost to each boy £1 17s.
GALE AT RUSSELL

HON. R. SEDDON DETAINED,

{r.Y TELEGRAPH.—I'RESS ASSOCIATION.)

Russell, this day. The gale from the eastward last night wu one of the heaviest experienced for a lom> time. Fences and old sheds suffered in consequence. Cope's fishing boat acd Scudder's oyster-cutter broko adrift, and are nos likely to bo recovered. The'ferry steamer Ida is moored under Moturoa, beintr unable co cross the bay, and consequents there has been no communication since yej. terday morning with Kawaiiawa, and the Hon. Mr Seddon is unable to get down to Russell. Ie is still blowing hard from the north-east, with rain.
TRADES CONFERENCE.
