Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), Wednesday 2 December 1891, page 4


The Advertiser WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1891.

THE Legislative Council sat yesterday for twenty-five minutes only. Long sittings will, however, soon become the order of the day, unless hon. gentlemen either

the Assembly towards the other branch must be abandoned. Circumstances have cl.anged. The Council is a stronger, more litaral, and more }x>pular House tl.an ever it was before, and if it feels that it has gained in strength as a representative body it will strenuously aud successfully protect against coercion. It would apj ear, however, that the Assembly still cherishes the notion that Bills can be lushed through the Council at the fagend of the session, and, as it were, at the point of the swoid, without any difficulty ivl atever. This idea persists in spite of experience proving it to be an illusion, aiid is acted on in defiance of the ] t'inciples of the constitution and tl.e ordinary rules of fair play.

We take it that Mr. Ward's questions in the Council yesterday regarding the Electoral Bill are to be interpreted simply as a .sign of growing restiveness. A wellinformed legislator in either Chamber would not require to be told that this Bill does not provide for an additional M blister for the Council, or that it had been before the Assembly for some time. Hie enquiries indicate only a feeling that fciieh an important measure should not be delayed for treatment by the Council until the prorogation is nearly at hand. Mr. Baker's questions relative to the Commonwealth Bill also show that a spiiit of impatience is abroad. There has been abundant opportunity for the discussion of this Bill by the Council during tbe session. It has been purposely kept back by the Government, the avowed reason being that the Council was not to get aheadjof the lover Chamber in dealing with its provisions. As a matter of fact, the Assembly has made scarcely any progress with it at all. Ministers even now do not seem to know what course they will take, but the Commissioner of Crown Lands is under a promise to Mr. Baker to finally announce the intentions of the Government to-day. It is barely possible tbat the members of the Assembly might succeed in scampering through the Bill before the Governor comes down to dismiss them to their homes, The Premier appears to think that two days would suffice — an allowance of time which ne are inclined to believe would be found too meagre. Not much value would attach to a verdict thus hurriedly delivered, and in any case, whether the Assembly proceeds with the Bill or not, the Council is most effectually blocked by the congestion of other business. It would assuredly be unfair to entirely ignore the views of members of that Chamber on the federation question, especially as there has been an election since the Convention was held. The decisions of the Council might not carry the same weight as the pronouncements of the Assembly, but an opportunity of givhigthem ought not to be denied. An easy way out of the difficulty would be to refer the Bill to a local Ctiivention to be specially elected for the purpose, but the Government, de.su ing a quiet recess, have no fancy for v scheme of that description. The proposal to hold a special session of Parliament is for the same reason viewed with str< ng disfavor. As the New South Wales Legislature, which ought to be leading the way, has for the time being placed federation on the shelf, it must be acknowledged that there is no great necessity for prompt action in tliis matter. If, however, federation is to be made a ren.aiiet for next session, both Houses should exact from the Government a pledge tlmt the Parliament will be called together for* its L-ist session soaievvhat earlier than usual.

In the Assembly yesterday the Licensed Victuallers Bill was recommitted for the fourth time. The Government opposed further consideration, but were defeated. Mr. Holder succeeded in carrying an amendment of clause 16, so as to provide that if the majority at a local option poll do not vote for a decrease in the number of licenses but a majority vote for an increase new licenses may be issued at the discretion of the bench. The intention of this is to prevent the grant of new licenses unless it is expressly asked for by the people. We are not quite clear whether the desired effect will be gained by tke amendment of clause 16, which does not directly take away any. of the existing powers of the bench, but only indicates what is to happen in a local option district when a poll has been held. Whether the powers of the magistrates under other circumstances will be affected by this negative provision is, to say the least, doubtful. The licensing benches have, however, for some time past shown no disposition to increase the number of public-houses, which are already more numerous than the requirements of the province warrant. Clause 16 as altered certainly makes it quite clear tliat when the popular vote has once been appealed to with the object of limiting the number of licenses there is to be no increase unless the majority expressly desire it, and so far the amendment is an improvement. The third reading of the Bill was carried by 37 rotes to 11. As finally passed the measure is far from being entirely satisfactory, but if the clauses were amended which throw difficulties in the way of securing a poll and make the poll ineffective unless a third of the ratepayers vote, the local option provisions might be accepted as a fair and reasonable compromise. It remains to be seen whether the Council will agree to tackle the Bill in committee or condemn it outright on the second reading. The Progressive Succession Duties Bill also left the Assembly for the Council yesterday. The general principles of this measure have been debated in the Assembly year after year, butthe question is virtually a new one for the Council, and it cannot be expected that the discussion will be purely of a formal cliaracter. At the same time no amendment of the schedule is possible, the Council having no power to do more than suggest alterations. As yet nothing has been said as to the effect the modifications of the Government scheme will have upon the revenue from the death duties, but it is to be presumed that the Treasurer will make a supplementary financial statement on introducing the Appropriation Bill, and take that opportunity of laying revised ways and means before the House. The Roads Bill has been carried by the Assembly, ar.d its fate lias now to be decided by the other branch. This measure is entirely a compromise, the new schedule having been adopted t« Uoe on the understanding that a commission will be appointed to consider alterations and additions, and that an amending Bill will be introduced next session on the basis of their report. Such a method of disposing of legislative difficulties may possess the chaim of novelty, but it lias nothing else to reconiuimend it. If the Bill receives its quietus in the Council, the Government will not be greatly chagrined, and the delay of a year will not, so far as we can see, be particularly injurious to the country.

consent to act merely as a Chamber of record for the Assembly or deliberately refuse to consider important measures which, to be passed at all, must be rushed through all their stages at a hand gallop. If the Council prefers a precipitate slaughter of Bills, some of which are far from being wholly innocent, the prorogation is not far oil". If, on the other hai:d, a disposition is shown to deal with them in a less summary way, t'ae session may be prolonged for several weeks, even although the Council is liaid at work all the time. The notice-paper of the Upper House is assuming robust proportions while that of the Assembly is being rapidly reduced. Among the Bills that now await consideration are three of first-class importance —the Estates Duties Bill, the measure amending the laws relating to licensed victuallers, and that for amendment o Ihe Electoral Act. It seems exceedingly unfair that the Council should be invited to dispose in a few days of Bills which have occupied the attention of the Assembly and been the subject of discussion for months. Nor is it desirable that hon. gentlemen, in a praiseworthy spirit of anxiety to avoid the sacrifice of legislation, should agree to abnegate their supposed functions of revision altogether. *\ hen we have a capable Government and a critical House the Council may have little to do beyond pronouncing on broad questions of principle, bur? this session the two conditions mentioned are conspicuous by thcirabsence. If slovenly work is not put right in the upper Chamber, it will be corrected nowhere. Majorities in the Assembly muddle Bills in a perfectly shocking manner, Ministers raise no objection, and the statute-book will be disgraced with several highly defective measures unless the Council undertakes to go carefully into details. We have <m previous occasions pointed out that the <?ld attitude of

Our London correspondent, writing 0:1 October 30, sayp :—Lord Kintore being senior major of the 3rd battalion Gordon Highlanders (Aberdeen Militia), the command of that regiment would now in ordinary course have passed to him. It was not, however, feasible to promote the Viceroy of South Australia to the position, neither did it seem fair or courteous (he being absent in discharge of official duties) to pass his Excellency over altogether. The difficulty has been got over by promotingtbenobieearl to be supernumerary lieutenant-colonel, whilst the second senior major, who is described as "a good soldier atid thoroughly qualified," succeeds to the active command of the regiment.

The Countess of Galloway, Ijady Dora Carnegie, and Lady Helena Carnegie, arrived frcm England on Tuesday by the R.M S. Oiotavu. They were welcomed at Largs Bay by his Excellency the Governor, who went off to the steamer by a special launch for that purpose. The visitors during their stay in Adelaide will be the guests of Lord and I.idy Rintore at Government House, their u!ti;uate destination being Sydney.

The Legislative Council only Bat for half an hour on Tuesday, as the Commissioner of Crown Lands did not desire to. proceed with the Administration and Probate BUI until the Succession Duties Bill came up from the House of Assembly. The motion tabled by Mr. Cotton relative to the appointment of a Select Committee to enquire into the best means of protecting the property of the State, the safety of which is jeopardised by the existing difficulty at the Moonta mines, was negatived. After this the House adjourned till to day. In the Legislative Council on Taesday afternoon the Commissioner of Crown Lands gave notice that to-day be will ask the House to agree to resolutions facilitating the passage of Government and other Bills and business coo- ; nected with amendments and messages received from the House of Assembly. j The question whether the Government intend going on with the draft Bill to constitute a Commonwealth of Australia has been greatly exercising the minds of members of the Legislative Council, and on Tuesday afternoon Mr. Baker pointedly interrogated the Commissioner of Crown Lands on the subject On the assurance that the Ministerial representative would endeavor to be prepared to definitely reply to this query to-day the matter was allowed to drop. The Upper House should be busy this afternoon if the amount of matter on a notice-paper may be taken as a criterion. After the Commissioner of Crown Lands has disposed of questions relative to the intention of the Government to enter into explanations regarding the reconstruction of the Ministry likely to be rendered necessary by the retirement of the Chief Secretary, and other matters, Mr. Gordon will move for the dissemination by the Government of the latest information on the subject of consumption, and Stir. Ward will at-k the Hjuse to desire the Government to take the necessary steps to give effect to the resolutions passed on August 12 with reference to the place of Bitting of the Council. The third reading of the Game Act Amendment Bill may be proceeded with, and also the eonsideia'ion of the report of the Standing Orders Committee on the new Council Chamber, while the Commissioner of Crown Lands will more the second readings of the Stamp Act Anier.drr.etit and Electoral Law Amendment Bills. Mr. Holder was informed by the Treasurer in the Assembly on Tuesday that the Loan j Estimates would be brought down to-morrow, ; while on the same day the Minister of Kducation will deliver the Northern Territory budget speech, and if the wishes of the Government are met the Estimates will be disposed of. Mr. Moule was informed that the Audit Commissioners were in error in stating that the Treasurer had only the right to issue Treasury bills to the amount of £3t)3,(Afi as the correct amount was £350,000. It may be explained that the statement attributed to the Commissioners of Audit was not made by them. They point out that the Treasurer has power to issue Treasury bills to produce £349,256 18s. 5d., bnt that there is, exclusive of surplus carried forward last year, £*5,?43 18s. Id. in hand available either for redemption of the £500,000 of Treasury bills now in circulation or for the reduction of the additional bills that may be issued. As tbe biils cuirent have nearly six years to run tbe atcouiit in hand has been entered in the books in reduction of the bills available for issue, which stand in the balance-sheet as ££•3,313. When the Licensed Victuallers BUI was called on the Speaker informed the House that after looking up tbe matter he was contii n ed in his previously expressed opinion that a Bill could not be recommitted after the Chairman had reported, unless on the motion that ti.e import be adopted or that tbe Bill be read a thiid time. In opposition to the Governn exit Mr. Holder secured the recommittal of the treasure and the insertion of an alteration in clause 16 preventing a licensing bench from incittuang tbe number of hotels, except as ihe result of a local option poll, while Mr. At-h obtained the elision from clause 37 of the penalty for assisting deserters from the navy. The standing orders were then suspended and the Bill was taken through all its remaining stages, the third reading being carried, on a division called for by Mr. Gilbert, by 37 votes to 11. Mr. Grainger had taken his place with the Noes, when he recollected that be had pain-d with Mr. EL E. Downer, and ParliamtLtsiy etiquette constrained him to cvots to the opposite side of the House. In consequence of a gimilar lapse of memory lr. Cockburn's vote was counted in tbe division against Mr. Holder's proposed amendment on clause 16 on Thursday. Daring the debate much amusement was caused by tbe solemn expression of sympathy from Me. Kingston with Mr. Gilbert in the attack made on him by a temperance newspaper. Tbe Legislative Council notified their intention to insist on their amendments in the Chinese Immigration BilL while they stated that they had passed the Carriers Bill without amendment A technical alteration having been made j in the Estates Duties Bill it was passed through all its remaining stages, and then a heated dncu?sion ensued on the schedule of the Main Roads BilL Dr. Cockburn began the trouble by moving for the insertion of tbe road from Aldgate to Strathalbyn, and die Treasurer, in reply, stated that against his own opinion be bad adopted Mr. Hargrove's schedule in f uIL Be also incidentally denied the accuracy of tbe reports in both papers concerning his reply to a recent deputation on the subject, although its fidelity was vouched for by Messrs. Cockburn, Landseer, and Caidwell. Mr. Holder suggested that a special session should be held to deal with the Bill, while Sir John Downer pointed out the inconsistency of the Premier in adopting "the opinion of an official with whom he disagreed timply because it was backed up by a majority of the House with which he always agrees. The schedule will get through here, but will it get through there?" added Sir John, vaguely indicating the Council with a wave of his hand. ** I give them credit for the same good «ntt as «c have here," replied tbe Chief Stcretaiy. While Sir John retorted —"They will hare more good sense than we have got here." On whicn Mr. Kingston commented meditatively—"That's the severest thing Raid about us for a long time."' Dr. Cockburn's amendment was negatived by 23 votes to I<J, and every other line suggested was met with equal disfavor, tbe schedule being ultimately ! pased as printed by a determined block vote. Air. Johnson discovered that a promised road frcm Lobethal to Balhannah was not on the map, but the Treasurer undertook to right that error without fail. Sir John Downer waxed very sarcastic on the Government suggestion to appoint a Royal Commission to enquire into the merits of roads struck off tbe form-r schedule. He said it was like hanging a man and then enquiring whether the sentence was just, and in another burst of eloquence he characterised it as ?" monstrous, illogical, and unscientific proposition." Despite many protests, however, the standing orders were suspended, and the Bill was sent up to the Council, many prayers being uttered for its massacre in that chamber. The indufciiious Legislature now attacked the Rational Park Bill, which went back to the Council with but two or three trivial amendments. At Mr. Gillen's request, the nursery to the extent of ten acres was reserved, while SirE. T. Smith secured the alteration of clause 9, so as to allow permits for the sale of liquor being granted subject to tbe approval of the <-on luifsioners. The Chief Secretary spent seven minutes in moving the second reading of the Gap and Electric Lighting Bill, which was advanced to clause 4 in committee and then adjourned until Thursday. The orders of the day relating to the special tax on large estates, the Testamentary L~and Subdivision BUI, and the Public Works Standing Committee Bill were read and discharged, and the third readings of four private measures, one of which had originally come from the Council, were agreed to. The Honfe rose at ll.lt, with a conviction of having done its duty, 11 out of 21 items Laving lxi-n cleared off the notice-paper.

? division was insisted 00 joined the noes-On this Mr. Downer challenged the Treasurer* vote, which was transferred to && other aida. lie then claimed the vote of the Minister of Education, who would not admit, however, Xhat he had called "Aye," although uetreraJ mi rubere assured him that such was ths cAse "Oh, very well. 111 leave it to the honorable member 8 own conscience, which is a very shady one," eaid Mr. Dowoer playfully, bat the withdrawal of the Qualification was promptly demanded by the chairman. "Then it isn't a shady one," admitted Mr. Downer, as he went back to his seat. Dr. Cockburn and Mr. Grayson were both prea-nt in the Assembly on Tuesday afternoon, having recovered from recent attacks of influenza. With one exception the municipal elections for the city on Tuesday passed off satisfactorily and without a hitch. In MacDonnell ward, however, a serious difficulty has arisen. It seems that one of the ratepayers was handed a ballot-paper which to his surprise he found had already been filled in, the cross having been placed opposite the name of a certain candidate. The matter was at once reported to the deputy returning-officer, who on looking over the papers found four others similarly marked. How the papers were tampered with remains a mystery. The result of the election was a narrow majority for Mr. Brice, and directly the result became known a protest was lodged against his return on the ground that certain papers handed to electors were marked when received. This morning the town clerk will consult the city solicitors on the point, and the result will doubtless be made known at tbe declaration of the poll, which takes place at the Town Hall at noon today. The ceremony of officially inducting the mayor-elect, Mr. F. W. Bullock, into the civic chair was performed in tbe Adelaide Council Chamber a little before noon on Tuesday. At the same time Councillors J. LeM. F. Roberts (Hindmarsh ward), J. Robertson (Young ward), and Pullin (Gawler ward), who had been returned unopposed for their respective divisions, also took their seats. In consequence of representations mads by residents of Monarto the Commissioner of Crown Lands (Hon. W. Copley) has had a r< port made with regard to the lease of land held by the Monarto Plantation Company. The lease was originally taken out for the cultivation of the castor oil plant, but as this proved a failure applications were made by die company to various Commissioners for permission to sublet portions of the land and to cultivate a part for cereals. These applications were in cost casts granted, and Mr. Copley is doubtful whether, under the circumstances, he has any power to cancel the lease for breach jof conditions. He has referred tbe matter to tha Attorney-General for a legal opinion. Tbe chairman of the New South Walaj Railway Commissioners (Mr. E. M. G. Eddy) and Mrs. Eddy were passengers from London by the R.M.S. Orotava, which reached Largs Bay on Tuesday. He was met on board by his Sydney colleague (Mr. Oliver), the chairman of the South Australian Railway Commissioners (Mr. J. H. Smith), and Sir E. T. Smith. Mr. Eddy, who has been travelling for the benefit of his health, has made a round voyage to London and back by the Orotava. He spank only three weeks in London, the rest of lib absence having been passed at sea. • In conversation with an Advertiser represfmtative he said bis health had been much restored by tbe passages to and from England. His stay there was to short that he bad no time to visit any other city than London, but he was entertained at a dinner given by the London and North-Western Railway Company, with which line he had previously been connected for 25 years. Although not on a business mission, Mr. Eddy did sot miss the opportunity to enquire into the working of the LngJish railways, with the view of adopting any improvement which recommended itself to his judgment. He said no great alterations had been introduced daring his absence, bub there had been revisions in the minor details of management. Mr. Eddy does not favor the tnaiiuf actnre of locomotive engines in tbe colony under existing conditions. He stated that if the colonies were federated it would dies be possible for a large central establishment to ctnttruct locomotives for the whole of Australasia economically and well, but, with a limited output, a foundry oould nob manufacture a machine which would compare with the imported article. Engine - building requires an extensive plant, t>nd a large output, for the work to be properly performed. In Rngianfl the great aim of locomotive engineers is, he said, to nave interchangeabiUty of parts in the engines. This but! been biought to such perfection that now repairs can be effected with great promptitude. While Mr. Eddy was in London the engine attached to the Limited Irish mail, tbe fastest express in England, broke down. A goads engine was standing in the yard dose at hand, fiom which a piece of the mechanism was removed to replace the damaged portion of the expre% engine, and when this had been inserted the train proceeded on its way, having been delayed only the time it took to make the .substitution. Mr. Eddy travelled to town in a special, which left Largs Bay at 12.30 p ni, and was the guest of Me J. EL Smith until the departure of the overland express, by which he proceeded to Sydney. Mrs. Edd) remained on the steamer.

The following circular has been sent by the general secretary of the Agricultural Bureau (Mr. A. Molineux) to 495 fruitgrowers, vinegrowers, and dairymen in the colony:—"It is intended, if possible, to secure a certain amount of epaoe in the ocean steamers for die conveyance to Lgndon of dairy produce, viz., batter, cht*se, &c, in the freezing chambers ; and of horticultural produce, viz, fruit, &c, in the ccol chambers. Before it is possible to make any definite arrangement it is necessary to ascertain approximately what amount of spaoe may be required. Terms, of course, will be made to secure the best advantage to tbe producer, and each participator in tbe space secured will pay no more than the actual expenses incurred. Until arrangements have been concluded with the agents of the ooe?a steamship companies, and deinite and conclusive agreements shall have been made between each producer and the officer to be entrusted with the proper shipping of produce, no liability will be incurred by any person furn.shing answers to this circular." Afoin is appended specifying the information required as to the description of produce which would be shipped, the amount of room required, the date of the first consignment, and other matters.

The forty-first half-yearly meeting of the Queen Permanent Building and Investment Society was held at tbe offices, Melrin Chambers, on Taesday evening. Mr. J. EL Fry (chairman of directors) presided over a good attendance of shareholders. The directors' report stated that the amount to the credit of profit and loss account was £906 4s. Sd., which had been apportioned thus: — Dividend allotted to members, being at the rate of 4s. per share six months old, £666 12*. Id.; amount carried to the reserve fund, £50; balance carried forward, £189 12s. 4d. The reserve fund amounted to £800. Daring tha half-year £2,3 iS had been invested in lows, and 1.":75 paid out on withdrawals. Investing numbers received £2,652 in payment of their matured shares, and a further sum of £3.850 will be payable on the same account in December. The report and balance-sheet were adoj.ted. Mr. J. H. Fry and Mr. J. McKurdy were re-elected directors, and Messrs. J. J\. Taylor and R L. Davidson were appointed auditors for the ensuing year.

An accident of a serious nature happened to Mr. \V. G. Kendall, of Prospect, and his son. on Monday morning. The unfortunate gc-ntlenian was driving a horse attached to a buggy into the city, and shortly after leaving his hoiu-e one of the wheels of die conveyance becwtue tangled in the tramline. In endeavorirg to get clear of the rails the off side shaft was wrenched from the clamp, which bolts it to the buggy. As soon as the horse felt the shaft strike him on the hocks he began to plunge madly, and the boy was thrown uuder the near eide wheel, which passed over his neck and mouth, besides breaking his nose into a pulp. Mr. Kendall retained his Miat, but the wheels of the ttap bt-came locked a few seconds later and he. was thrown with jfreat force on the Bide of his face, which will probably retain the marks of the injuries received for tha itst of his life. The boy was picked up unconscious and conveyed to Vr. tlphicks house, where hi.- wounds were dressed. Later in the day both were taken home in a very weak condition. We are informed by Mr. Henry Wright, of the Gawler Lime and Product) Con>i«any, that there is very little alteration tor the better in either of the patient?, who are confined to their beds.

When the National Park Bill was unJer cliEtustion in the Assembly on Tuesday evening Mr. Stock caused some merriment by an attack on certain northern members, whom he accused of entertaining cheeseparing, huckstering, and petty parochial views with regard to tve lights and claims of the city. They were willing, he said, to give farmers land, to pay them for going on to it, and to supply lh> m with seed wheat when they gut there, but directly the people of Adelaide wanted anything there wasablock vote agaiust it. Here Mr. (•lawger uttered a mild protest, and as a result was iliformed that the only thing that interested him was the erection of another ward U- the Varkside Asylum for the aocomiuojaticn of harmless idiots. "To put you in";"' a>k(d Mr. Grainger. "Oh, no; specially for tlie mtnilx-r for Wallaroo," answered Mr. Bto(k, who subsequently said—" I do not wi.-=h to oast any reflection on Mr. Grainger." " Itfs a lefketiun on the asj luni," interpolated Sir .'ohn Bit.v with decMon. Mr. Gilos, who was the innocent cause of thw verbij cataclysm, protested that the lawyers would net I* able to live without the money raised by the producing classes, while Mr. (jillen s-stid Mr. Stock was jtist the wrong man to talk of considering public matters in a retail manner. Hie mind was only broad enough to tBke in the Unity police-station, while the ot.lv article he went in for in wholesale quantities was abuse. It was amusing, added the fanners' champion, for Mr. Stock, who spent about an hour a day in the house, and slept during half of that time, to lecture men who from assembly to adjournment were working hard at the business of the country. Mr. Gillen was proceeding to comment on Mr. Stock's fondness for advertising the Parkside Lunatic Asylum when Mr. Hague objected to the interchange of personalities, and Mr. Kingston, who after the dinner hour did the chairman's work, called the speaker back to the matter under discussion, which referred to a proposed reduction of the area of the park from 2.000 to 1,000 acres, Mr. Dowser tried to clap the closure on the talk just afterward?, and the Ministry gave their voices with him, but when

In the draughts match between Messrs. A. W. Walkley and C Cordt two games were played at the Democratic Club on Tuesday evening, Mr. Walkley winning one ani the other being drawn. Mr. Walkley is now two games ahead, five games having been play el since the beginning o! the match.

The board of management of the .Vlelaids Hospital aie inviting fresh tenders for th? supply of milk required for the year ending-December 3U 1392. They will be received u<> till noon on Thursday, December 10.

The Christmas season is again approaching. a fact of which all who pass the windows of Messrs. E. S. Wigg & Son's establishment in. Bundle-street must be made aware by tha beautiful display of Christmas and New-Year's cards in the window. For several years past every device of art aided by ingenuity has been lavished on tbU chus of production, until as each festive period comes round one imagines that it is impossible for any further novelties to be invented. A very short visit to Messrs. Wigg'semporium will dyiaipfcte this idea and will prove that thoae who wis> to exchange pictorial greetings with their friends have tcsources of infinite variety oo?

which to draw. The most modest means will find plenty of pretty cards to eelect from, while those who wish to astonish as well as delight their friends will be able to do co. For those of a sporting turn there are miniature cricket bats, which open and display verses of greeting inside, Japanese umbrellas serve the same purpose. Many of the cards can be extend*] bo as to show a double soone— a family looking out of the window of a cosy room into the snowy landscape or a child asleep in its cradle with angel faces looking down upon the cot There is a very handsome assortment of fringed cards and of hand-painted celluloid plaqnes having the appearance of ivory and mounted on plush. Some of the scenes represent South Australian views, and will, therefore, be appropriate for sending to distant friends. One ingenious toy is a model of a mail steamer, which can be folded Tip so as to be sent through the poat. Same of the celluloid plaques are embossed with beautiful classic designs. Among the comic characters is a typical Louuon "b>bby" hying down the law with uplifted forefinger, and the Old English Father Christmas, angels, and fairies are present in profusion. Besides these there are a number of cards showing religious incidents suitable to the s?cre4 season. Some of the cards are admirable copies in outward appearance of the " Charld3 Dickens" series, whileothersarerealistic imitations of the cigar case, w ire basket, &c. Tne jewelled cards are very pretty, the letters appearing in frost and gold on a background of pure white. So also are the autograph cards and the animal series, wliich are evoellentJy drawn and wry laughable. Amongthese will be noticed the figures of dogs and monkeys in evening drew, which by a mechanical arrangement wag their heads at the spectator. A more tasteful or varied selection it would be hard to find.

There are on view at Mr. Parr's offir-e, Kiag William-street, three water-color drawings that are well worth inspection, particularly a email figure piece by Mr. H. J. Johnson, entitled, " The Lass who Loves a Sailor." The las?, who is decidedly favored in the matter of good looks, leans against a rock and razes intently across the sea. The color is excellent, and the drawing, with the exception of a ebght error in the right foot, is masterly. "The Sea Birds' Home" on the Caithness coast, and the "Old Man of Hoy," at the entrance to the Pentlaud Frith, by Mr. W. J. Renny, are fairly good representations of the wild scenery they represent. The chief f eatnn 8 in the pictures are gloomy precipitoa3 rocks, but these have been robbed of mush of their roggedness by the artist, and throughout there is a formality not in keeping with nature.

Messrs. E. S. Wigg ft Son have sent na the Christmas numbers of the (fraphic and the Illuttratei Sporting and Dramatic If eat. Both are good, and the latter is issued in a charming cover. The Graphic number opens with Hood's " Sally Brown and Ben the Carpenter," illustrated in colors by Mr. W. Ralston in a most humorous way, and similar illustrations, which are characteristic of the Graphic, are given throughout the issue, as weu as others in the ordinary style. All are excellent, many specially so. The oolor plate picture is taken from the famous series painted by the first artists of the day, and entitled "The Graphic Gallery of Shakespeare's Heroines." The one selected forreproduction is " Ophelia," painted by Mr. Marcos Stone, R.A-, and an admirable picture it makes. The reading matter is also very good. The chief contributors are John Strange Winter, Mr. Archibald Forbes, and Mis. Atherton. "Holly Leaves, 11 which ie the title of this special issue of the Jlhxttrated Sporting and Vramolic Neu*, is an extraordinarily good number. The stories are varied and interesting, and the Qlustratkms add zest to the letterpress. "Little Dame Dnrden," the colored «xtra picture, is simply exquisite.

Elcewhere iir. Alfred Kiicbanff announces hlmsel' as a licensed land broker, land and estate agent, Ac A muscil social in connection with the Tonic Sol Fa JubUee wffl be held at the Victoria Hall this evening. The quarterly social win be held in the Franklinstreet Bible Chriatiaii Ctmrcfa this evenine, when an adorns is to be presented to Mr. J. Blatchiord on bis 63rd birthday. We bare received Vtndin'a Philatelic Monthly, a Sjdney publication, which «nit?in? much matter of interest to stamp collector!.