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Colonist, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4122, 25 April 1885, Page 3

An Unruly Force.—Grime is a foe with which society has to wage sleepless war, and the police are the soldiers of society in that war. It was a most serious thing when the servants of themselves "become lawless; when the soldiers of society join, even temporarily, the ranks of its enemies. Yet such, we regret to say, is the jsase with the police. " Official records show that, during the past three months, the Superintendent in charge of the City of Melbonrne has investigated 39 charges against constables, and. punished them by fine, or reprimanded or cautioned them." When the numbers of the police are taken fato account, the ugly fact becomes 'clear that the crime rate within the pranks of the police is, if anything; a little higher than that for the population at large! The present crime rate of the force, it should be added, is quite exceptional. In the whole history of the force there is no other period which shows a record so disquieting as the present. It is quite plain that there are some evil causes just now at work, affecting, in the j most mischievous way, the efficiency and morale of the force; and in the interest of society no paum should be spared to detect and remedy these malign influences.-—Melbourne (Telegraph.' ',-.-• Bussian Torpedoes.— A considerable number of torpedo boats have been built by... Messrs Thornycroft for the Bussian Government. One boat, the Wrizn* which was built in 1879 at St. Petersburg, is of larger dimensions than most vessels of/this, class, being no less than 120, feet long and 16 feet beam, the speed being 17 knots. Messrs Yarrow have also built a large boat for the Bussian Go- j Ivernment,, 100 feet long and 12| feet ibea,m, and carrying an effective armaj merit of six Whitehead torpedoes. ; In this boat, as in some others of recent ■design,-the tube used for firing the torpedoes are built into the vessel, and covered by a turtle-back, which slopes ; up to the conning tower. The steering gear for the torpedoes are concentrated in the tower. The whole of the men engaged in the service are by this arrangement under cover, and are.thus; protected from rifle bullets. The speed of this vessel is 22 knots. A gentleman wishes to know which is proper to say on leaving a young lady friend after a late call—good night or good evening ? Never tell a lie, young man; say good morning. :'■ How are you finding business, doctor ?' was asked of a physician. \ Capital,' he replied; * I haveallthat I can attend to.' ' I didn't understand that there was very much sickness about?' 'No, there isn't; but we physicians do not depend upon sickness for an income. Oh, my, no ; most of our money is made from people who have nothing the matter with them.' The gambling mania in Paris is causing much harm, for, although the authorities have shut up may gambling hells, the evil is only partially ichecked. The latest scandal in relation' to gambling is the absconding of 'a clerk employed in a large mercantile house, after embezzling nearly twelve thousand"pounds. It is stated that the two brothers Bothschild at JFrankfort-on-the-Main have recently .declared their incomes for the purpose of taxation. The elder Baron Mayer Karl, has set down'his revenue at 4,560,000 millions of pounds, and that of the younger brother, Baron Willy, is pui at 4,758,000 millions. ♦ Are you going to Missanfeather's party ?' asked a young lady of a friend as they met on' the street; '"' No,' was the response. ' And why not, pray ?' 'It is to be very swell.' 'Yes, ] know ; but" riaaven't "anything #tc • Oh, you don't need anything much'; it's to. be full' dresi, yoi know 1'