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Lyttelton Times, Volume VII, Issue 484, 24 June 1857, Page 7

What is supposed to be the most perfect specimen yet discovered of the plesiosaurus has been excavated from the blue lias quarries of Mr. Crees, at Street in Somersetshire. It is seven feet nine inches in length. The beautiful swanlike neck is turned gracefully backward, and the tail is bent upwards in a curve. In journalism an entirly new feature is presented to our notice by a circular from the proprioters of the( Times' and the' Despatch/ in Adelaide. It is their intention to distribute the papers without charge, and to depend exclusively upon the income derivable from advertising. Mr. J. S. Lefevre, who for eighteen years has worthily fulfilled the duties of Speaker, announced to the House on the 9th of March his intention to retire from the duties of his office at the close of the Parliament. He was complimented by Lord Palmerston and Mr. Disraeli on the efficiency which he had displayed in conducting the deliberations of the House, and the Premier, the following day, moved an address to Her Majesty praying her to confer some signal mark of Royal favour upon the right hon. gentleman. A pension of £4,000 a-year, with a peerage, is to be the well merited reward of his services. At the election of a Lord Rector for Maris* chal College and University of Aberdeen recently, two nations voted for. Mr. Layard and two for Lord Elgin. The vote being equal, and the choice falling to the Senatus, that body have agreed to leave it to Mr. Layard himself. Some changes in the higher offices of the War Department •will, probably take place next week, with the ■view of bringing the organization of the office to a state calculated to render the course of business more simple and expeditions. The office of Deputy-Secretary will, like that of Secretary at War, be abolished; and Sir Benjamin Hawes, who has most efficiently discharged the duties of the office for nearly six years, will now become permanent Under-Secretary of State: Mr. Peel retaining the Parliamentary Under-Secretaryship, and Colonel Blnndy obtaining a military command. The office of Secretary to the Ordnance will also be abolished, as the Ordnance branch is now amalgamated with the army generally. We understand that Mr. Godley, now Director-General of Stores, will be Assistant Under.Secretary to the department under the new organization.—' Globe,' Jan. 23.