MISCELLANEOUS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 365, 13 August 1875, Page 4

MISCELLANEOUS.

Cape News. The following items of Cape news are from the Cape Argus of April 24th :—“ Parliament is now in session, and most of the members have arrived. Questions seriously affecting the working classes are under consideration, and if certain restrictive measures are carried the effect on immigration fiom Europe will be most injurious, as most men travelling in search of work will be liable to arrest as criminals. The Bill for removing Langalabelele to the mainland comes on for second reading on the sth May, when it will be strenuously opposed, and it may result in a change of Ministry. Affairs at the Diamond fields are in the most deplorable condition, a portion of the community being in open rebellion. The local government is too weak to enforce the judgments of the courts of law; and Sir Henry Barkly as Governor, and Sir Arthur Cunnynghame as commander of the forces, have shown a vacillation that is to be regretted. Troops were to leave Cape Town to maintain order at the fields, but for some reason, said to be financial, their departure has been countermanded. An Austrian vessel (Jupiter Tessima) from Singapore to New York, has been wrecked near the Keiskama. It is reported that five lives were lost. The captain was saved. The Hon Mr Davidson, late Treasurer-General, has been arrested and subsequently released on bail, for shooting a burglar who was attempting to enter his house at George. The catastrophe, it appears, was quite accidental. The new art gallery has been opened by his Excellency the Governor. The foundationstone of the Houses of Parliament is to be laid on the 12th May. Considerable dissatisfaction is expressed at Mr Froude’s speech in South Africa, his representations being at variance with the ordinary condition of things.”

The Melbourne University.— We take the following paragraph from the report of the council of this University, having reference to Mr Wilson’s gift of £30,000 : •’ It is most gratifying to be able to report that there is no longer any occasion to reiterate the application hitherto unsuccassfully made to different Ministries requesting them to place on the estimates a sum of money to build a hall. The generosity of a gentleman resident in Victoria, Samuel Wilson, of Ercildoun, near Ballarat, has been displayed in favor of the University to an extent which enlitles him to the gratitude of all connected with the University, and all interested in its welfare. He has made a gift of the sum of £30,000 to the council, the sole condition annexed being that it be expended in the erection of a hall. The capital is payable in the month of December, 1877, interest at 6 per cent being paid annually during the interval. Steps have been taken to ascertain what are the materials most suitable for the construction of the building. When that point is determined, and the questions relating to the style, design, proportions, and site shall have been resolved on by the council, instructions will be given to the architect. From the information already received, it is expected that the funds will admit of the erection of a hall 160 ft long and 53ft wide, an apartment calculated to impart due solemnity to the ceremonies which will take place in it from time to time, to prove a conspicuous architectural omament to the rising city, to serve as a lasting monument of the donor’s enlightened public spirit, and an incentive to other wealthy members of the community to emulate in this or in other modes the example of well-directed liberality.” After certainly using to the utmost—we abstain from saying abusing—the forms of the House, the Irish Home-rule Members allowed the Peace Preservation Bill to pass through committee. Sir M. Hicks Beach has greatly gained in character by the tact, good-temper, readiness to concede where he could, and firmness of will to refuse, which he showed in the conduct of the Bill—the last Bill of the kind, we hope, that Parliament may have to pass. There was a little sentimental *■ scene ” at the end between Mr Butt and Mr Disraeli, which, as it appears in type, especially in such close contrast with the Premier’s hectoring airs in the earlier part of the evening, strikes us as somewhat silly. Mr Butt said that the Irish Members had nothing to complain of in the manner in which they had been received either by the Government or by the House, and that would do something to mitigate the feeling with which the measure would be received in Ireland ; whereupon Mr Disraeli was “ on his legs ” in an instant, and said, “ I merely rise, sir, to say that I think this is the best message of peace we have had for a long period.” It need hardly be added that three or four Irish members rose in a hurry to protest that soft words butter no parsnips.

In the Italian Senate the Bill granting 50,000 francs a year in perpetuity to Gaiibaldi, and an annual pension of the same amount for life, has been passed without discussion. Both grants are to date from January Ist of this year. Every five years they will, if not claimed, revert to the Treasury instead of being allowed to accumulate longer. The same provision was r.r de with the annual grant voted for the Pope, of which he has hitherto refused to avail himself,