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Western Star, Issue 871, 16 August 1884, Page 3

A Wellington correspondent of the “ Christchurch Press ” says : “The Stout-Yogel Ministerial party claim-55 votes, but the other side say that is a complete miscalculation, and that, in reality, they are in a minority, and will not be able to stand a week. Mr Turnbull and Mr Sutter are counted as supporters of the new Ministry, but with how much truth I cannot »ay. My own belief is that all such calcula tions are very wild at present, and that the relative strength of parties is a matter of conjecture merely. The formation of the Si outVogel Ministry causes unboundel surprise here. The “Evening Post,” which supported Sir J. Yogel before, condemns it as a grave mistake. The insular character of the Ministry causes much comment, and it. is thought that the North Island members will be against it almost to a man.” John Scott, a' well-known and respected settler in the Tuturau district, Mataura, was found dead on Monday, about three miles from his homo. At an inquest hold upon the i body, the medical evidence showed that deceased had suffered from disease of the heart. The unfortunate man leaves a wife and five children to mourn his untimely end. Between Monday night and Tuesday morning (says the “ Timaru Herald ”), the Homan Catholic Church at Geraldine was broken into, and the sacred vessels,consisting of a ciborium, chalice, and paten, all of silver, were stolen. The thieves also took down the tabernacle and broke in the front of the alter, the crucifix being left on the floor. A large part of the wood-work of the tabernacle was also taken away. The back door of the confessional was open. The church was left all right at 7.30 p.tn. on Monday, and the outrage was discovered at 8.15 a.m. yesterday. It is said that an attempt was also made on the same night to enter the Post-office, through the window of the public office, but theburglers were alarmed by Ibc postmaster striking a light. The man or men did not at once leave, but were hanging about for some time. In 40 years Scotland’s population has risen from to 4 millions ; crime in that period has decreased 50 per cent.; educationally it is ahead of England, and the average wealth of each is £277 ns against £262 in England, and £B3 in Ireland.