MISCELLANEOUS.

Inangahua Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1271, 16 July 1883, Page 2

MISCELLANEOUS.

" Frank Fudge," in Public Opinion says : — Mr Holmes, the member for Christchurch South, spoke with more candour than prudence at the recent meeting held by the leader of the Opposition. He said that he might be called a "firebrand," "an obstructionist," or a "blatant fool," a statement which the meeting appeared to endorse. It is always dangerous to express what a person supposes other people think of him, as the public are very apt to give a person credit for thinking the host of himself. Mr Holmes did not do himself justice by making a statement which will be seized on by his enemies as verifying an opinion which they had previously formed.

With reference to the new criminal code drawn up l>y the Statutes Eevision Commission and just circulated while it is quite impractible to attempt a telegraphic summary of so vast a measure (extruding over 454 clauses with copious scheduler as important as the body of the Bill) I may mention that inter alia it provides the following novelties in criminal proceedings ; — (1) The abolition of the old distinction between felony and misdemeanour, aU crimes being simply te.-med offences ; (2) The simplification of the definitions of degrees of homicide, and of thet!t, fraud, &c, getting rid of " constructive malice " ; Permitting accused persons to give evidence, also husband and wife for and against one another, but stich evidence not compilable ; (4) Establishing the right of appeal to a full Court in all criminal cases (not merely in capital cases). It also empowers the Governor in Council to order a new trial if there is reason to doubt the justice of the conviction. Among the grounds of appeal is that the "verdict was against the weight of evidence," which, the Commissioneers remark, "is a great innovation (in criminal procedure) and would be of doubtful propriety but for the proposal to make the right subject to leave being granted by the Judge who tried the case and to the discretion of Appeal as to ordering a new trial." The Commissioners remark : — " It seems doubtful whether the right (of demanding new trial) ought not to be gran table to the prosecutor as well, which is not proposed in the English draft code."

The late Captain Standish was apparently resolved that the revenue should profit as little as possible by his decease. His will has been proved, the property devised being sworn at under £570. It consists of his personal effects, the'furniture of his room at the Melbourne Club, his pictures and his two horses. All these goodsand chatties he has left to his man-servant. He took the precaution of sending Home his savings and winnings at whist — the deceased gentleman was an accomplished card-player — to an elder brother in England. Onditt\mt £9000 was the amount so disposed of, a goodly sum for a Government official, living at the Club, to be able to put

Referring to the revised roll of justices of the peace, the " Oamaru Mail " says : — The roll is well worth studying for many reasons. Glancing down it we find there the names of nearly all the members of the Ministry, and the majority of their supporters, the most noticeable exception in the former case being poor Mr Dick, the absence of whose name, seeing that he is essentially a man of " peace," is certainly unaccountable. On the other hand, we find the names of two only of the Grey Ministry present, while only a small minority of the Opposition are entrusted with the commission of the peace. Again, we find nearly the whole of the former members of the Ministeral party on the roll, and it is especially worthy of remark that, with one solitary exception, all the members, of Parliament, past and present, who have " ratted " in favor of the Ministry have their names enscrolled upon the roll. One other point that is worthy of passing remark is that the roll bristles with the names of proproprietors, editors, and managers of Ministerial journals, who have in this manner been rewarded for the many great services they have rendered the party.

Don't die ix the house.—" Hough on lints " clears out rats, mice, beetles, roaches, bed-bugs, flies, ants, insects, moles, jack-rabbits, gophers. 7j.<i. Moses, ivioss & Co., Sydney, Gam-rul Awnt.

Te Whiti's opinion of Newspapers is not very <;oniplimentry to the Fourth Estate. In Mr Ward's book of " Wanderings with the Prophets ' he makes Te Whiti say — "Do you think tho newspapers tell the truth when any great event happens ? No fear : they dare not. The Government tell them what co say, and they say it. If any particular paper does not publish what the Government want the people to read, that paper is supp '.-eased, and another one which will do as the Goverment wishes is sold to the people. The Government are not fools."

On no previous occasion in many years' experience have I ever seen, such thin galleries on a Budget night as those which greeted Major Atkinson's Financial Statement last evening. Only three Legislative Councillors patronised the particular gallery consecrated to them for their especial use. The ladies' gallery was half empty until the Treasurer was well through his speech, when it slo wly filled-AiPf ; but there was nothing ait Weoll^rea with the rush we are accoußtoinecl to see on such occasions. The apparent lick of public interest was to some extent reflected in the House, which, although pretty full, was tftnre, dull, and listless to a degree. There was only faint Ministeiial applause on Major Atkinson rising ; and with the exception of a few scattered " hears" when the Treasurer announced that the whole expense of Constabulary had been paid out of revenue and not out of loan, there was not the slightest attempt at cheering during the first hour and a quarter of the delivery of the Statement. It must be confessed that the Statement, while undoubtedly an able essay on polical economy and finance, was exceedingly tedious. Evei-ybody seemed half asleep, and altogether the scene was the flattest I evoi yet saw on so important an occasion. Major Atkinson's delivery, too, was not nearly so clear and fluent as usual, while he often dropped into rather lengthy sermonising, which was not so cordially appreciated as it deserved to be. As you will notice, he announced a surplus of £35,000, which you will doubtless recollect agreed very closely with my forecast telegraphed some weeks ago. Some laughter and applause was elicted by the Treasurer's mention of national insurance, which was greatly increased when he statedheintended only tointroduce and circulate a bill embodying that proposal but not to ask that it should be read a second time. There was> also applause when he referred to the reorgnisation of the Civil Service, the increase of a farthing in the property tax, and the necessity of" living within our means," both publicly and privately. — Otago Times.

The execution of Joe Brady the first convicted of the Phoenix Park murders, took place on Monday, May 14th. A vast concourse of people gatered outside the prison yard, where a strong force of cavalry, infantry and police was posted to preserve order. No attempt at disturbance was, however, made. The Liverpool Irishmen sent a wreath of flowers, with a card of commiseration attached. Brady was silent, both to the Goal Governor and the chaplain. One of the last things he did was to write to his mother. He carried a prayer-book in his Land to the scaffold, and appeared thoroughly resigned and firm. His body fell nine feet, and death was instantaneous. The crowd outside the gaol was estimated at 10,000, a greater throng than ever collected when executions were public. When the black flagAvas seen over the gaol, there was a cry of " hats off" and every head was uncovered. The crowd dispersed quickly.

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