QUEER QUERIES.--THE LAW AND THE LADY.--Can it really be true that at a place called Onehunga, in New Zealand, they have a lady as Mayor? Surely this is altogether "_ultra vires_," as well as being ultra-virile! My legal knowledge--which is considerable--convinces me that there is a fatal flaw in the so-called election of a woman to the chief post in a municipality, even in New Sheland--I mean New Zealand. It's quite settled law that a _femme sole_ cannot be a Corporation; then how, I should like to know, can she preside over a Corporation? Possibly some legal readers will say if their opinion coincides with mine. BARRISTER (UNCALLED FOR). * * * * * ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT. EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P. _House of Lords, Monday Night, August 6._--MARKISS expected to continue to-night that speech around the Budget he didn't commence on second reading of the Bill. Sat mysteriously quiet on that occasion. Unexpectedly broke out at following sitting, wanting to know what HERSCHELL meant by saying Judicial Committee of Privy Council had arrived at conclusion that Lords had no power to amend a money bill. "Where's your report?" he asked. "Produce it." LORD CHANCELLOR didn't happen to have it in his waistcoat pocket or secreted in wig. MARKISS gave notice that he would to-night formally move for production of report. Flutter of interest in House. Commons flocked in prepared for some fresh "blazing indiscretion." Found the MARKISS sitting on woolsack chatting with LORD CHANCELLOR. Held book between them, as young persons about to marry are wont to do when attending morning or evening service. Vague idea that presently they would rise and sing a hymn. LORD CHANCELLOR quite equal to it, being a big gun at the Bar Musical Society and very fond of the Opera. Nothing however came of it, at least, not in that direction. When hour for public business arrived MARKISS left woolsack carrying the tune book with him. His motion for report of Judicial Committee stood half way down Orders of the Day. When it was reached MARKISS said nothing. Naturally other peers were silent, and whilst commoners accustomed to other ways of transacting business were marvelling as to what had happened, and what would follow, House adjourned, practically for a week. "Well," said SARK for once nonplussed; "certainly if there is a place in the world where 'e don't know where 'e are, it's the House of Lords. When a peer is expected to speak he sits dumb. When arrangements have been made for a quiet sitting, the MARKISS or some other big gun is sure to go off unexpectedly with alarming consequences." _Business done._--Irish Evicted Tenants Bill passed Report Stage in Commons.