25 YEARS AGO

A TIDAL wave of inflationary pay claims by more than 2,000,000 workers may force the Government to think again about imposing an incomes policy. Mr Heath now faces the dilemma of controlling an unprecedented wages surge this winter following the 18 per cent breakthrough by local council workers. Demands ranging from 15 to 60 per cent are in the pipeline from nurses, teachers, firemen, seamen, civil servants, BOAC pilots, university lecturers, and electricity, gas, water, Post Office and "white collar" workers. 50 YEARS AGO

DR Cyril Garbett, Archbishop of York, today declared: "The drift from the Christian conception of marriage has been so great and general that it is impossible for the officiating minister to be certain that those whom he is asked to marry are really aware of the life-long character of the vow they will be asked to make. I am of the opinion that before long, it may be necessary for all marriages to be taken at a registrar's office, and the Church to give its blessing only to those who accept its teaching or ask for its blessing." 125 YEARS AGO

THE siege of Paris has been the means of introducing into that capital a rough and ready way of administering justice. A correspondent of the Daily News informs us that when any dispute arises in the streets, the sergeants-de-ville immediately withdraw, in order not to prejudice the question by their presence. A sort of informal jury is impanelled, each disputant states his case, and the one who is thought by the tribunal to be in fault is either taken off to prison or cuffed on the spot.

One day a man was bullying a child, and a crowd gathered round him, and after a brief trial a gentleman wearing a sugar-loaf hat, to which great deference appeared to be paid, suggested kicking as a punishment. The culprit was immediately writhing under the boots of two sturdy executioners, amid the applause of the spectators. It is clear, therefore, from this incident, that kicking is understood in France as well as in Lancashire.

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