Mr Yogel, for the present, has declined to give a favorable answer, on the ground that it would have the effect of doing away with the gold duty, though we do not see why it should, as the gold would be retained in the shape of coin, and would have the duty deducted before it was returned to \its rightful owner; but doubtless the question will bear fruit before long, and Mr Vyke is entitled to the thanks of the mining community tor his attempt. The Post considers that the law should step in to prevent betting on elections, and suggests that it would be well to add to the questions which can now be asked of an elector before he votes such an one as thi3 : — ■ Have you m/ide any bets which will be de termined by the result of jj/his election, or have you any pecuniary interest in the re turn of any candidate ? If unable to answer this question satisfactorily, tne vote should not be received. The following miraculous escape of two children from violent deaths is recorded in the Southland News : — " It seems that two children, ignorant of the risk they ran. walked deliberately across the line as .one train was leaving and another entering -the station. Owing to the warning cries of some spectators near, the little ones, fortunately for themselves, remained transfixed with terror midway between the two lines of railSj while a train passed on each side within a few feet of them " Iri the New Zealand Gazette of 18th Sept. a statement showing the number and amount of post and telegraph money orders issued at the chief and accounting post offices in the Colony during the quarter ending 30th June, is furnished for general information. The total number was 12,591, and their value L 53.292 10s 10 i ; as asa nst. for the corres ponding q uarter of 1872, 1 1,173, value L4B. 69] 33 Id. Out of these, there were issued in New Zealand 1507 telegraphic money orders, valued at L 7414 0s lOd, as against 995, valuek at L 4874 18s 2d issued during the corresponding quarter of the previous year, The number of orders paid in the Colon j during the June, quarter was 9077, valuec at L 38.325 17s sd, as against 7705, valued. 