The defendant after wards said that she had put variout poisonous mixtures into the food, and particularly on one occasion,when all the family were taken ill. She said she had first tried this thing on hei grandmother, Mrs Eider, at Staffney, with Vhom she arid her mother used to live, She said' that on one occasion Satan tempted her to do it, Mrs Rider said that during the May brick trial the defendant took a deal of interest in it, She and anothei little girl used to play at being Mrf Maybrick, taking it in turns to per sonate that lady. In answer to th( charge in court, the defendant said, " Mrs Eider did tell me to do it-she told me." She was ordered to b( kept in a reformatory for seven years, Miss Hodgkinson has now recoveret fronyhe'ill effects of the poison, Deroopments of the Fedem. Conference. rffiie recent political assemblage ir Melbourne will mark a new,era ir the history of Australia. It is cheer ful to contemplate that forces ar< now at work which instil into us thi elevating-and inspiring picture ofi great united Australia; and if i federal union for the promotion o interests common to us all will become an accomplished fact, .then the delegates of the various colonies, who so calmly and earnestl'ydiscussed the great subjeot, will be entitled to our sincere gratitude. One of the clljef obstacles to federation was always set down to tha discord in the policy of the divers colonies, It resulted from the efforts of politicians who confined their views within the borders of their respective territories,

and who thus rendered approach to Australian unity moro difficult. Now however, that the efforts of the lead ing statesmen of this great continent upon which nature has lavished her choicest gifts, are actively engaged ipibe possible formation of the long cflfted unity, we are impressed with nmaiopeful views as to the organisa- federal union, which is now a step liearer to its goal. The colonies bound together in one league of common defence will form a power and take a place amidst the nations of the earth. 