MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.

Inangahua Times, Volume III, Issue 79, 19 February 1877, Page 2

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.

An unusual occurrence took place at the Duuedin Gaol last week. The Star says : " Some four months ago a prisoner waited on tbe chairman of the Visiting Justices, and made application to be allowed to form a Mutual Improvement and Debating Society among tbe prisoners, he representing that ia his opinion, it would probably prove a means of elevating the moral tone of the place. Permission was granted on the recommendation of tbe Governor of the gaol, and upon the applicant pledging himself for the good behaviour of the members. The society was then formed, and conducted in a similar manner, to kindred institutions in the city. Papers on various subjects have been brought forward and discussed, and altogether the class has proved a decided success. On a recent evening a special meeting was held in consequence of its founder being, about to leave the following day, and the mem* bers wishing him to carry with him an earnest of their gratitude and esteem for his efforts on their behalf. A testimonial, nicely engrossed on parchment, was got up and signed by all the members and the chaplain (Mr. Torrance) who was present. Various speeches were made wishing the recipient of the testimonial every success in the future, and Mr. Torrance earnestly hoped that the proceedings of that evening would have a lasting effect on all minds as showing that a kindly spirit can, be exhibited under trying circumstances." An interesting glimpse of old Dunedin was afforded by an action in tbe Supreme Court yesterday (says the Goardian). According to the evidence, a section of land at the Taieri was in 1355 worthless, because it was inaccessible. Payments were then chiefly made in produce, and at that time the nearst way from Auek* land to Port Chalmers was via Melbourne. Mr. Macandrew, in order to come direct from Auckland at that time, was obliged to purchase a vessel for that purpose. When compared with our present tegular, rapid, and pleasant mods of communication with the several ports of the Colony, the commercial position of the city, and the manner in which the country is now ! traversed by railways, roads, bridges, and telegraphs, the statements reveal an amount of progress truly remarkable, and respecting which few people have anything like an adequate conception. The Thames County Council ba3 roted salaries at the rate of £940 per annum, o( j which the Chairman is to get £200. If all the Counties, including the six named in the second schedule as exempted from the operation of the Act, were to vote salaries at a similar rate, the sum for tbe whole Colony, would be £53,580 for County officers, and that for chairmen, surveyors, secretaries, treasurers, and Takers only. The Lyttelton Times says:— "The Bible Christ: ans, formerly known a&Bryanits, have began a mission in Christchurch. For many years past members of this religious body have settled in different parts of this Colony, but this is the first attempt to organise a Society in connection with this branch of the great Methodist family in this City. The great results which have followed their labors in England, and the Colonies of North America and Australia were probably never anticipated by the late Venerable Founders, the Ec?. W. O'Bryan, and the Rev. James Thorne, by whose devoted labors the connection was established in the Western Counties of England some sixty years ago." It has been stated that in consequence of the criminal Curtin, having conveyed his property to his sister prior to his sentence, the property is exempt from forfeiture. This is a misconception, as by "The Convicts' Forfeiture Act, 1871," the

system of confiscation was abolished. By clause 18 of that Act, it is provided that on the completion of a convict's sentence, or on his pardon, or death, his property is to revert to him or his representatives. Meanwhile, that is to say, while he is still under sentence, the property is to vest in administrators to be appointed by the Governor, who have power to pay therefrom the costs of prosecution, the debts, and compensation for the criminal acts of the convict, and also to make allowances out of the pro* perty for the support of his family.