THE NEW ZEALAND CHEAP MONEY BILL.

The Argus scents danger in the New Zealand bill '.* to enable the Government to assist settlers by advancing money to them on mortgage at reasonable rates of interest." It writes: — "The bill, like its Victorian counterpart, has to be subjected to a close scrutiny,' for anything which will have the effect of upholding or giving an artificial value to landed property must in the long run be prolific of disaster. It is provided that as much as £1,500,0.00 may be raised every year for the purposes of the act, bufc the full realisation of this provision would materially, increase the annual burden of New Zealand's indebtedness to England, and this is distinctly to be avoided. It is proposed to lend up to as much as two-thirds of the valuation of freehold land, and to one-half of the valuation of leasehold land. As in the case of the Victorian Credit Foncier Bill, the famous provision of the Credit Foncier of France that the property shall be producing 'a durable and certain revenue' is conspicuous by its absence, and without this condition all valuations must he largely tinctured with quackery and unreality. The New Zealand scheme is too, extravagant and permits of too liberal advances. Yet since 1883 no colony has presented a clearer object-lesson on the subject of the mutability of land values." THE RICHMOND POISONING CASES. Mrs Needle has been found guilty of the poisoning of Louis Juncken and sentenced to death. The prisoner looked very ill and careworn as she was placed in the dock,' and by order of the judge she was accommodated with a cushioned chair in lieu of the hard box-like seat usually allowed. She pleaded "Not guilty "in a low but clear voice, and stood up, leaning for support on the rails, as the jurymen were called. She is an attractive woman, but small and spare, and very pale. Louis Juncken was against her marriage with his brother Otto, and she got rid of him by placing "Rough on Rats" ia bis food. This is the crime she has . been found guilty of, but there is no doubt that she also attempted to poison another brother, Herman, ahd as arsenic was discovered in the bodies of her husband (Needle) and her children" the presumption is that she got them out of the way by the same means. It was the failure of the attempt to poison Hermau Juncken which led to the discovery of her crimes. As the trial progressed the accused looked much stronger physically, but she broke into tears as the remains of her children were being described, and indeed she became so ill as to necessitate her removal from the court for a few minutes to enable her to recover her composure. When she was brought in again some women, who had throughout the morning occupied prominent seats facing the dock, were removed at her request to seats at the rear of the court. The jury were out in the case only about 40 minutes, and Mr Justice Hodges was evidently firmly impressed with her guilt. All he said to her was: "It is not ray intention to keep you one moment in suspense. If conscience is not already doing its work, nothing that I can say will have any effect. It is my duty only to pronounce the sentence of the court." When she heard the verdict she gave a slight gasp, bufc,beyond that showed co. emotion whatever, her colour never evea

changing. Two female warders had, as a precautionary measure, been placed beside her in tho dock, but their services were not required. At the conclusion of the sentence she gave a weary sort of smile, spoke a word to one of the women by her side, and then sat down. There the three women remained, the prisoner apparently the leastjdistnrbed bf them all, till the court, the passages, and tha courtyard had been cleared of the crowd; then the condemned woman stepped from the dock without assistance and walked with firm step to the cab in waiting fco convey her to the gaol. There is very little doubt she will be hanged. MR MARTIN LOUGHLIN. This Well-known racing man died at Ballarat last Sunday night, after a protracted illness. Hii brother Michael Loughlin came out from Ireland a month or two ago to take him Home if possible, but it was nofc possible. He has left property, chiefly realty, valued at from £240,000 to £250,000. Ib comprises the Glengower estate of 18,000 acres, a large interest in the Seven Hills Estate, Kingston, and in Queensland station property, mortgages on land and station property, Melbourne Tramway, bank, and other shares. About £15,000 is to be at once paid in bequests, including £5000 to the deceased's brother,. Michael Loughlin, farmer, Ireland, who is at present in Ballarat; £5000 to the Homan Catholic Bishop of Ballarat for the benefit of the Roman Catholic schools and , other institutions; £500 each to the. Ballarat Hospital, the Ballarat Orphan Asylum, and the Ballarat Benevolent Asylum ; £2000 to distant relatives in New South Wales; and sums ranging from £100 to £300 to his godchildren. ' The residue is to be managed for the benefit 1 of his brother, Michael Loughlin, and the two [ sons of the latter, Michael and Thomas Loughlin. __ '