OUR MELBOURNE LETTER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 256, 8 May 1880, Page 2

OUR MELBOURNE LETTER.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Melbourne, April 24. Melbourne is anxious about diphtheria. Is it on the increase ? gls it dying out? These are ugly questions, and will; make many a reader turn from this column in search of more agreeable Society shudders at .the bare mention of it Diphtheria has become a topic of patnful and absorbing interest, and every matter relating to it, its victims, and their treatment, commands attention. Diphtheria is not only a malady which effects the poor but it enters the houses of the weabhy and opulent, as was seen in the case of the Yen Archdeacon Lines, who fell a victim to this fearful disease .such a short time ago As is generally the case in epidemics, preventive measures are not taken till the disease breaks out in full force. Then there is great excitement Members of the various Boards of Health wake up to the fact that a deadly disease is in their midst, meetings are called, and a lot of useless and absurd rules passed and ordered to be carried out. Why not take preventive measures in time, and ward off instead of fighting. Last Thursday, Captain Standish unveiled the monument which has been erected in honor of the three brave fellows who were killed by the Kelly gang. Several members of Parliament were present including the Hon Mr Service, The ceremony was performed before a large number of persons, who had assembled from; all parts of the country. Messrs Gordon and Black, two wellknown and capable gentlemen, have ! been appointed by the Cabinet, to inquire into and report on the water conservation in the country district. A welcome concession has been granted by the Hon Mr Service, namely, the reduction on the postage of intercolonial newspapers. In future the rote of postage will be The Commissioners of the Sydney Exhibition have awarded the first prize for oatmeal and groats to Messrs Benefort and Co., manufacturers, of Little Collins street. The above form are deserving of all praise which can he bestowed on them. I learn that Mr Meara, Mayor •of Melbourne, has offered a prize of L2OO for the best essay on Underground Drainage for Melbourne. Three engineers are to determine to whom the prize shall be given I trust this liberal offer will be the means of some practical result. Deep drainage is becoming of the greatest importance to us,and deserves the utmost consideration. A young man was charged yesterday with committing a burglary in Launceston in 1876. The charge being proved,he was remanded to Tasmania