Why Smith Changed His Name.— A singular reason was mentioned in the Supreme Court of Victoria recently, says the Melbourne Argus, for abandoning the name of " Smith" and adopting another. An ap plication was made to prove the "willof a wbman. named Amelia Smith, otherwise Steeth. Her husband, who was one of the executors of the will, made an affidavit that he had come to this colony in the year 1851, and was called Berridge Smith. In 185;$ lie desired to enter the Government service an a mounted-constable, but was told that they had already too many persons beariDg the name of Smith in their employment, and that they would take no more having that patronymic. 'In consequence of this 'We changed his name to Steetb, and under that designation was married to his late wife. The Court graated. probate of the will,

The Defence of Te Whiti. — The Oamaru J Mail sajs:— " The rumor that Mr Stout, who passed through here on his way north en Tuesday, was proceeding thither to defend Te Whiti, is, we learn from Mr Stout himself, not correct. We, however, think it not un likely that Mr Stout's services may be secured in the interests of the imprisoned chief, with whom he has already publicly expressed the strongest sympathy." Lecture. — The second lecture of the season, under the auspices o! the Young Men's Christian Association, will be delivered to-night, in Hanan's Hall, by Mr George Johnstone. His subjact, " God's Chrono meter," will be illustrated with diagrams. After the lecture a series of first-class views of New Zealand scenery will be exhibited, with the aid of the lime light. The pictures include a number of Invercargill views, and several very beautiful scenes from lake Te Anau and other romantic localities. Cramming. — The Home News says of the " effects of cramming" : — " There havo been several distressing deaths lately amongst young people who had been crammed to a fatal extent that they might pass examina tions. If they had iiyed and bad succeeded passing these examinations they would have injured themselves for life, but they have died. They are the victims of ambitious p.i rents, and of professors who imagine that parent knowledge is wi-dom. 