BRIEF MENTION.

Evening Star, Issue 8530, 1 June 1891, Page 4

BRIEF MENTION.

The Queensland Government propose to make bills of sale illegal. The reduction of the oable tariff was immediately followed by good results in Victoria. There was an inorease of fully per cent in the number of words transmitted from Melbourne alone.

Chancellor Goaohen states that since the introduction of the 2|d rate of postage within the Empire letters have increased 14 per oent., and the cost 48 per cent. Sir Frederick Sargood says that federa* tion will receive a hearty welcome from both Houses of tbe Viotorian Parliament.

The Queensland pastoralists consider that they have already won the fight, as all the shearing required is being well done, and further labor is available. Hundreds of free laborers are now at work in the Baroaldine distriot, where the unionist leaders said no free laborer would handle shears.

The benefit for the Majeronis got np by the theatrioal profession in Sydney realised L4OO.

The sister-in-law of a pauper widow in Stirling (Sootland) died recently and left L 14.000 to the Free North Church of Stirling. An application (says the • Scotsman ') has been made for some provision for a Mrs Shaw, the poor sister-in-law, whioh the deacons' court refused to entertain. Any attorney (adds the 'Scotsman') with half an eye would see that the church was justified in refusing to give Mrs Shaw a halfEenny, but at the same time any person, who as read one or two ohapters of tbe New Testament would be inclined to say that that volume had never been introduced to the notice of the Free North Churoh Deacons' Court. The new Earl of Granville, who is within a few months of attaining his majority, was once the subjeot of a good joke on the part of Lord Rosebery. When performing some conjuring tricks at a obaritable entertainment Lord LevesonGower swallowed half a orown, and shortly afterwards Lord Rosebery, meeting his father, inquired of him how the young man was getting on. "Very nicely," replied Earl Granville; "he has gained 111b in weight since that time." "Ah I" said Lord Rosebery, "then that represents a total gain of Lll 2s 6d." A daring trick was played by the M'Carthyites during the progress of the North Sligo election. Some of Mr Parnell's enemies rang the firebell at the town hall of Sligo, and. laying hold, Q,f the fire escape, rushed ofjf wifh, jf tft sfre hotel where Mr. Parnell was staying, and seoured the machine against the window of the room on whioh he was addressing a small gathering of his supporters. This graatly amused the crowd, but very nearly led to the map in charge of the fire escape being half murdered by Mr Parnell's friends. The Baptist Union hope to despatch this year the Rev. Pr Clifford on a mission to the colonies, He is an ex-preßident of the Union. In 1855 he entered the General Baptist College. During his third year at the college he accepted an invitation from the Praed street Churoh, Paddlngton, where bis growing success led to the erection of Westbourne Park Chapel, whioh was opened in September, 1877- <""J Wh ere Pr Clifford still continues to minister. Hie works inplude *{s Life Worth Living,' ' The Dawn of Manhood,' and ' Starting is Life.'

The latest addition to the Viotorian National Art Gallery is the last picture painted by the late Fred Walker Ara, for which 1,200 guineas were paid. The South Dorset eleotion was won by Mr Crymer (Tory), whose majority was only 4f). Chief justice Way, of South Australia, had a sevefe attapk" of influenza while In London.

4.n unsuccessful attempt has been made to steal Barnmn's body, President Harrison will pot seek re?elep : tiop.

The Admiralty is negotiating with the Orient Steamship Company for manning and working Indian troopships. By the death of the Earl of Clanoarty Lord Dunlo, of oonoert ball notoriety, succeeds to tbe title, and Belle BUton becomes a countess.

Premier Macdonald is suffering from paralysis. The Canadian Ministry will probably be reconstructed by Sir J. Thompson, Minister of Justice. Thirty thousand tjews have been ordered to leave \yareay. ' ' ilr Valentine, M.H, R., has been privately entertained by bis supporters at Lawrence, aud is to be banqueted at the close of the session.

Aocording to the Greymouth • Star' negotiations are afoot for opening the Blackball coal mine, and if they are completed ',' we shall poop sep another powerful fleet of steamers dividing th*e tradefyttb the 'U&ip'n Company, and forcing the ooaj trade in markets beyond the colony." Mr Gerald Baldwin has won the Pollock scholarship for physiology at St. George's Hospital (London), The Ringarooma and Tauranga have left Malts for the colonial station. The Katoomba has arrived at Malta. The • Presbyterian' hears with great satisfaction that a member of the Young Women's Christian Association, Moray place, Dunedin, has offered to provide the salary of a second Bible woman in oonneotion with the institution.