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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 179, 20 July 1876, Page 4

The Wellington correspondent of the Lytlelton Times writes : — One curious feature in the present position of parties is the feeling which exists on both sides of the House to a large extent against Mr Stafford. A great many of the most rabid Oppositionists eay openly that they would rather vote to keep the present Government in than do anything which could lead to Mr Stafford's return to office, while a very large section of the Government supporters take no care to conceal their distrust of the member forTimaru, and say they think that be is trying to play again the part he played with Mr Weld. Ido not think there is a word of truth in this idea, and I believe his support of the Ministry is a thoroughly loyal one, but some of his personal followers may, and probably do, entertain viewß with which he is credited, although he really has do personal sympathy wiih them. Mr Wakefield's adhesion does not increase Mr Stafford's popularity in the House. " What do you do in Australia with your young murderers?" asks the writer of " London Town Talk" id the Arqus. "A youth of 12 has just been legally convicted of manslaughter, but morally of two most diabolical murders, of boys younger than himaelf. He has been awarded 12 years' penal servitude, about which, however, the judge promises ' to consult the Hoae Secretary, on account of the culprit's tender age.' During the same week, a nursery-maid in France, aged 13, murders the two children entrusted to her care by suffocating them with a pocket handkerchief, because they were ' a trouble to her,' and a court of justice sentences her to seclusion in a penitentiary till she is 21. But when the young gentleman reappears in society at four and twenty, and the young lady 'comes out' when she attains her majority, what will they do then? It may ba very unsentimental, but my sympathies are with the four little murdered children rather than with their mur-

derers, and I would put a stop to the career of these interesting young persons now and for ever. My opinions are also precisely the same with respect to that large and increasing claßs of the community called (by doctors) Homicidal Maniacs. They may possess all the virtues for what I know, but I would take care that they should be exercised for the future in another sphere." The following incident has been related to us (Riverina Herald) a8 of recent occurrence :— A tradesman of the town was walking anJ conversing with a friend one evening up and down the footpath of one of the principal streets, when he saw something glisten on the ground, and picking it up, he found it to b8 a sovereign. Going on a little further he picked up another one, and the same gratifying process was repeated, until five gold coins had been netted. Delighted with their good fortune, the lucky ones imbibed a refresher or two and divided the spoil. The next morning the tradesman's feelings were not enviable when he discovered that the coins were his own, he having inadvertently placed them in one of his pockets of his unmentionables, from which they had dropped as he traversed the footpath. On applying to bis companion of the previous night for a refund, he received the pleasing reply " that he was not to be had in that way— that little game would not do for him," and the rightful owner of the money was fain to depart in anything hut a rejoicing frame of mind. A Dawlish paper reports the death, at that place, at the age of SI , of Commander William Pye. He was a midshipman in the Buttle of Trafalger, and he took part in the fighting. He was promoted from the lieutenant's list under order in Council of the 30th of January, 1866, and to the rank of oomuaander December 2, 1862