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South Canterbury Times, Issue 2583, 1 July 1881, Page 3

It will be seen by a telegram from Melbourne that the Berry Ministry had a narrow escape on the no-confidence motion. The voting was, equal, and the Ministry retain office on the casting vothe of the Speaker, Mr Peter Lalor. The Speaker was formerly a colleague of Mr Berry’s. , Five long sentence prisoners convicted at the last sitting af the Supreme Court here left by the early train lor Lyttelton gaol this morning. Ministers, intend shelving Captain Hume’s report for the present at any rate. In the House yesterday afternoon the Hon J. Halt said it was not the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill this session dealing with sentences, remissions, powers of gaolers, punishments, &c., and other general prison reform. It is now definitely decided that Major Atkinson will, deliver his Financial Statement on Tuesday next, July 5, and bring down hia local government finance proposals on , the following Wednesday. Sir G. Grey will, meanwhile, hold over his promised Bill, and wait to see whether he cannot over trump the Government cards. The correspondent of the “Lyttelton Times” wires'from Wellington that Mr Wakefield’s name is again mentioned in connection with the vacant portfolio, and I hear from one of the leading Government supporters that the /most moderate men of the party are getting very .impatient at the delay in filling the vacancy, They complain that in consequence of being taken up with Departmental details. Ministers ■ cannot devote - sufficient time to questions of policy After the officials of Kansas town had vainly endeavored to disperse a mob a minister mounted a box and made the simple announcement “A collection will now,be taken up.” The result can easily be guessed. ■ 7