The first item reported that a formerly dumb woman had recovered the power of speech following years of prayers by her coreligionists at the Christ Church Anglican Church at Brunswick in Melbourne.

"For years this person has been dumb," the paper reported.

"Everybody in the neighbourhood in which she resides knew her to be speechless.

"Now she is declared to have quite regained the faculty of speech and to be able to converse with others naturally and fluently.

"The minister of the church, during divine service on Sunday, was handed the following letter:

"The affected person for whom prayers were offered that her long-lost faculty of speech should be restored now desires to offer praise and thanksgiving for God's mercy vouchsafed to her during the singing of the psalms at the morning service. Her voice, so long silent, was in a moment re-established."

The second story was of a far grimmer character.

It concerned a Christian Scientist, Arthur Lloyd, who had been charged with manslaughter following the death of his two-year-old son at Waverley in Sydney.

It was alleged the boy, whose legs had been severed in a tramway accident, died because he did not receive proper medical care.

"The accused made a statement in which he said that he believed he could cure the child by prayer. He believed the legs would grow again."

The paper reported that Mr Lloyd was found guilty by the jury.

The jurors made a "strong recommendation" for mercy in the sentencing.

Lloyd was sentenced to three months hard labour to be served in Goulburn jail.

The same edition of the paper also reported on drug smuggling into Australia.

"Sydney, Wednesday – Another seizure of opium was made this morning.

"After a diligent search 70 tins were found in the engine room of the collier Taerora Pareora, lying beside a Chinese steamer in Circular Quay.

"Some arrests are expected in connection with the seizure.

"Over 396 tins of opium have been received within the past few days."