A FEW WORDS FROM MELBOURNE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XI, Issue 21, 14 September 1883, Page 13

A FEW WORDS FROM MELBOURNE.

August 31. The new Civil Service Reform Bill has not caused unmixed satisfaction amongst those whose position it most, directly affects. The permission given by Mr. Service (the Premier) to the civil servants to hold private meetings to discuss the provisions of the Bill, can scarcely be considered a favour, as it is only through the publicity that would be given to their proceedings by the members of the Press that their complaints would have the desired effect on public opini n. The most objectionable feature of the Bill lies in the fact that its action will be retrospective, and, in consequence, prejudicial to the civil servants already classified. The subject is, however, being fully discussed in the daily papers, so that it is almost certain that material changes will be made in the measure before it becomes law. The Silvation Army are establishing themselves in our midst. They have taken :he Victoria Theatre, Emerald Hill, on a lease for four years. They held their first meeting at Richmond on Tuesday last, when the proceedings became so riotous that the aid of the police had to be invoked to quell the disturbance. _ The United Branches of the Victorian Catholic Young Men's Society held the Becond of their .Parliamentary debates at

Sw£ HxlI n2f l MoQdav evening last in St. Peter and Paul's addiS^totfc Th « rocm ™*™U filled, there being present, in addition to the ordinary members, a large number of visitors. The S fnfl 8 *n £ vemn & was tfa e second reading of « A Bill to restrict 1 v? 1 ? t0 Victoria -" After a long and interesting ? a vl ' w . hlch . w *s listened to with marked attention, a division wa» takea, when it was found that the Government possessed a larga majority.^ The next of these debates will be on the " immigration yuestion and as the subject is now stirring the public mind, thede* bate is, of course, looked forward to with interest; n^t V addea . death of tbe late Archbishop Yaughan has caused a profound sensation amongst all classes of the community. A solemn Requiem High Mass was sung in St. Patrick's Cathedral yesterday for tne repose of his soul. The city organist has consented to' repeat ms pertormance of sacred music in menwriavi, for the deceased Archbishop. ' mmm^^^^^^^^ T. Shobtgll.