The disappearance of the Nelson Relics from the Painted Hall of Greenwich in 1900 is no doubt fresh in many people's memories. The story has been revived by a lotter received by. the Curator of the British Museum, which bore the address of the Melbourne Sailors' Home. Thewriter who signed himself " Eucalyptus" informed the curator that in his possession were an antique watch and a small gold ring and seal, which ho obtained from an intoxicated sailor he had met in Flinders Street.
The writer wanted £120 for the return of the articles, but added if the police wore informed he would destroy the articles.
Acting on this letter a Criminal Investigation officer arrested a sailor aged twenty-two, residing in Victoria Dock Road, Canning Town, London, The prisoner admitted writing the letter, but stuck to the- story as to how: he came into possession of the relics:
A search of his rooms resulted in nothing being found. The -prisoner Carter asserted that the gold snuff-box, which was amongst the missing relics, is now} in the possession of a Melbourne "fence" who had once befriended him, and he declined to give him away.
Carter stated that he had been in Australia since 1899, and intimated that if the charge was pressed homo to him, the relies would never be found; if on the other hand ho was allowed to go free, he would produce them, Naval Notes, The second-class cruiser Challenger has arrived. on the station, and after calling at Fremantle and Melbourne proceeded to Sydney. Her detention there was short, for, after coaling and refitting, she proceeded in company with the flagship Euryalus on a cruise to the Fiji Islands, There is trouble in the ranks of the local Naval Brigade. Some time ago new regulations wore drafted by the Defence Department for the control of the Brigade. To some of these regulations mostly relating to drills and the annual, grant much objection has been expressed by the men. Representations to the Minister proving useless, about half of their number have intimated their intention of resigning. Capt. Tickell whois in command states that ho anticipates no, difficulty in filling their places with recruits, who' are willing to join under the altered conditions of service,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.