MARRIAGE WITH A DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 146, 20 June 1872, Page 2

MARRIAGE WITH A DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER.

1 O 1 In a recent debate on this subject in the House of Commons, the following opinions 1 were advanced pro and con, — *' who shall decide," &c. Mr. T. Chambers, who presented a large ' Dumber of petitions in favor of this bill, moved the second reading of the measure. Mr. J. Talbot, after presenting a large number of petitions against the bill, moved as an amendment that it be read a second 1 time that day six months. , Sir H. S. Ibbetson objected to the bill generally, and especially to its retrospective action. The women of England were almost unanimously against the measure. Mr. Clay contented that the women of the country were in favor of the bill. 1 Mr. G-ilp'n defied that the promoters of the measure wrre those who wished to remove the consequences of their own passions Mr. B. Hope said that the wirepullers in this matter were those who had broken the law. Mr. Serjeant Simon objected to a law founded upon the canons of the Established Church, of which he and a great bulk of the people were not members. Mr. Richard said that there was a preponderance of evidence that the Divine law did not prohibit these marriages, but, on the contrary, did by implication approve of them. Mr. G. Hardy reminded the House that the law made in 1835 was not a novel law, but had existed from the fourth century in Christendom. If a relaxation were made with respect to marriage with a deceased wife's sister, he defied any hon. member to say that it would not have to be extended to the other degrees of affi nity. Mr. Melly contended that this bill was urgently demanded by the country. Mr. Eastwick opposed the bill, on the "round that it involved the question of marrying with a deceased husband's brother. Mr. T. Collins objected to the retrospective clauses of the bill, and maintained that if any alteration was to be made in the marriage it should be uniform, and one which would commend itself to the common sense of the people. Mr. T. Chambers said that as regarded the religious objections to these marriages, > the high authority of the Speaker's commentary put the point beyond all controversy. Lord John Manners submitted that it was an evil example that the House of Commons should be invited, and should consent to make legitimate alliances which had been contracted against the known law. Mr. Maguire did not believe that there was any scriptural or natural prohibition against these marriages. The people of Ireland wholly objected to the bill, and the women of Ireland regarded the privilege 1 which it gave with loathing and detestation ; he had heard the same from Scotland, and he believed that throughout the United Kingdom there was an almost 1 universal feeling against the bill. „ The House divided — for the second reading, 186 ; against il, 138. Majority, 48. „ , ■■;,. ■

Railway Sleepers. — The Resident Minister for the Middle Island has accented the tender of Messrs. George Smith and Co., Dunedin, for the supply of 25,000 totara sleepers for £3,740. A Full Share in Beard's claim, Hawkin's Hill, Tambaroora, New South Wales, has been sold for £10,000. Carroll's dividends are said to have been something like £15,000. The Steamer Phcebe experienced terrific weather on her passage to Manukau last week. One of her large quarter boats, and the davits to which it was hung, were carried away, and some other trifling damage done to the vessel. Ou reaching Manukau Heads, it was found impossible to take the bar owing to the tremendous sea upon it, and the vessel was hove-to outside for fventy-four hours. Native Affairs. — Alexandra letters dated June 14, state that Manuwhiri, the King's Prime Minister, delays coming to Alexandra to meet Mr. M'Lean, wbo refuses to go to Te Kuiti, the King's residence. It is reported that several natives have come to Alexandra and tendered their allegi.mce, and they speak of Te Kooti with the greatest contempt. Tt is thought probable that the Governor will not meet the King. . Splendid Flax Returns. — Messrs Dodson, Fell, and Co. have received returns of sales by the Suez mails of .New Zealand Flax per Halcione, from Marlborougb, as under : — 8.M.8. (Buckman, Mason, and Bythell) 10 bales sold at £36 10s. ; 32 bales at£36 55.; 14 ditto, one damaged, at £35 55.; 1 do. do., at £33 10s.; 1 do., sound, at £34. C.G. (Goulter) 7 bales, sound, at £39 los.; 6 do., damaged, at £39 10s.; 1 do. do,, at £37. It will be noticed that these are the highest prices hitherto known in Marlborough for flax, and are excelled only by one instance, F. W. Nelson, who has obtained £40. — Express. Mb. D. H. Rees writes to tbe Auckland Evening Star to complain of the reckless way in which firearms are used in that city. He says : — As an instance of the danger consequent on such a custom, I may state that on Saturday last, while sitting in the verandah of the house in which I reside, a bullet whizzed passed my ear and struck the side of the house. On examination I found that the course

of the bullet must have been within a distance of less than two incheß from the For remainder of news see fourth, page.

side of my face. The bullet— which I have in my possession — is conical shaped, and of the size.used for revolvers; and as I ascertained that a loaded revolver had just been' fired on the beach, there is no doubt that the bullet I have, proceeded from that revolver.