CURRENT TOPICS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 10105, 2 August 1893, Page 5

CURRENT TOPICS.

A highly interesting exhibit of the JOBsibilities of modern journalism in these days of telegraphs, fast presses and advanced mechanical devices was afforded by the simultaneous publication on May 2 in New York and Chicago of the World newspaper, whose permanent headquarters are in the former city. The two editions ware identical, containing a mass of descriptive matter, illustrations, &c., pertaining to tho fair, together with a full account of the opening ceremonies, leading articles on general topics, commercial news, cables from all parts of the world, &0. A great amount of the matter had necessarily to be telegraphed between the two cities, lying nearly one thousand miles apart, and the feat not merely marks a distinct epoch in journalism, but opens up curious reflections as to what will ultimately be the possibilities in the department of newspaper production.

A strike of a somewhat extraordinary nature is reported by the Wairarapa Btaftr dard’s correspondent at Kaiwaiwai, Wairarapa South. The Rev MrjLymburn, Presbyterian clergyman of that place, had held services in the schoolroom for some time past, but since the public hall was opened,, the School Committee decided that the service should no longer be held in the school. The hall was, however, placed at the disposal of the reverend gentleman, and he waa invited to hold service there. The congregation duly assembled, but was greatly surprised when the clergyman intimated that he would not preach, and further stated that he intended to Wait until a church was built for him. Expostulations were in vain, and Mr Lymburn left the congregation to carry on the service themselves.

An English Parliamentary paper show# that during the years 1884-92, inclusive,' two hundred and fifty-aix persona ward sentenced to death for murder in England and Wales. Of these one hundred and forty-five were executed; one was pardoned ; in ninety-five cases the sentence was commuted to one of penal servitude for life; eight were removed to Broadmoor, having been certified to be insane; and seven prisoners were let off with minor terms of penal servitude, or hard labour or imprisonment. Thirty of the marderer# were of or under the age of twenty-one years. In forty-nine cases the victim# were children under the age of twelve. There were twenty-two oases in which young women murdered their illegitimate children.

Of “ Captain Cook’s Journal Daring his First Voyage Bound the World,” made in H.M. barque Endeavour, 1768-71, one copy is in the possession of the Queen, another in that of the Admiralty, and the remaining copy, a duplicate sent Home from Batavia, aud apparently appropriated by the then Secretary for the Admiralty, was purchased, in 1890, by Mr Corner, and it has now been issued, with notes and introduction, by Captain W. J. L. Wharton, 8.N., F.E.S., Hydrographer of the Admiralty. (Elliot Stock.) Tha results of the voyage included the exploration and mapping of the Society Islands immediately to the westward of Tahiti, never previously visited, the discovery of one of the Austral Group, the circumnavigation and mapping of the islands of New Zealand, the exploration and mapping of the east coast of Australia, and the finding of Torres fetrait. This edition contains a reproduction of Cook’s chart of New Zealand, and a reduction of his “ Original Chart of Bast Australian Coast Line, 1770,” the latter accompanied for purposes of comparison by the coast line determined by recent surveys to 1890. The proceeds of the volume are to be devoted to the restoration of Hinderwell Church, the parish church of Staithea, whence Cook ran away to eea.