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Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3624, 7 August 1880, Page 3

The honorable the member for the Dunstan, Mr Vincent Pyke, had a very narrow escape from coming to grief on a recent Sunday afternoon (says the New Zealand Times). He was sitting in the library of the House talking to Colonel Whitmore, the burden of their song being politics, when the distinguished author of "Wild Will Enderby" and clever impersonator, of Sir Joseph Porter, X.C.8., expressed an opinion that the subject might be changed with advantage, as he was bored enough all the week with politics, without having them thrust down his throat on the Sabbath. And, with a view to giring effect to his wishes, he quitted the library to solace himself with a pipe outside. He had hardly left the chamber when a heavy sheet of glass from the skylight above, fell on to his lately-occupied chair, and was smashed into a thousand fragments. Had it fallen a few moments earlier, in all probability the Dnnstan would have required a new represents tire. Wecongratulate Mr Pyke on his fortunate escape, and do not doubt that he will for ever eschew politics in the House on Sunday. In the new Cemeteries Bill introduced by the Government, the following clause appears:—"lt shall be lawful for any person, by will or deed duly executed, to direct that bis or her body shall, after death, be disposed of by burning the same to ashes instead of by burial in earth and it shall be lawful for the executor or executors of such persons to carry into effect such direction, provided that such burning shall b« conducted in a manner which shall not create any public or private nuisance." :