Weekly Mail

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. The Qneen has subscribed X30 to the Aberdeen Evening Express Fund for the relief of the unem- ployed in that. city. It is currently reported at Canterbury that Lord Randolph Churchill will succeed the Duke of Edinburgh as tenant of Eastwall Park. A petition has been lodged against the return of Mr. Stafford Howard, M.P. for the Tnornbury divi- sion of Gloucestershire. At Glasgow on Sunday night Michael Pator., after cutting his own throat with a clasp knife, hung himself by his cravat behind the kitchen door. At Osborne on Saturday General Sir Donald Stewart, G.C.B., was invested by the Queen with the insignia of the Grand Cross of the Star of India, and was also knighted. At Weymouth on Saturday morning; an engine, 3n which no one was standing, broke away and -an at great speed into a lot of empty carriages, nuch damaging itself and them, and injuring one man. William M'Miilan, labourer, aged 22, was appre- landed at Glasgow on Saturday on suspicion of naving caused the death of his wife, Mary, who was found dead in bed with marks of violence all ner face. In consequence of the low prices and genera! depression in agriculture, Nlr. Rictiard Potter, of the Argoed Penalt, near Monmouth, has intimated his intention of returning 25 per cent. to his agri- cultural tenants on the Argoed Kstate for the present year. A shocking tragedy is reported from Marseilles. In the theatre at that town a gentleman seated in the stalls drew a revolver from his pocket and blew out his brains. It transpired that he was in love with an actress, who was performing whiie the deed was committed. A young married woman, named Elizabeth Weedner, of Stourbridge, has committed suicide by taking nitric acid. Her husband tried to pre- vent her and burnt his lingers with the liquid, but she died before assistance arrived. She had pre- viously atteropted suicide. There is no foundation for the rumour that Sir James Hannen, President of the Probate and Divorce Division, is about to resign his seat on the bench. The learned judge is in excellent health and has not the least intenrion of giving up his judicial duties. v The Home Secretary has, on the recommenda- tion of the learned judge, advised her .Majesty to respite the capital sentence in the case of Harry Patrick, owing to the constant recurrence of epileptic fits which have befallen the prisoner since conviction. Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone gave a tea round the Christmas Tree at Hawarden Castle on Saturday to about 500 young people, who much enjoyed the treat. Mr. Gladstone, wiio was accompanied by nis family, attended morning service on Sunday at the Parish Church, and read the lessons. The War Office authorities have conferred a commission, dated Saturday, on Sergeant-Major John Cameron, of the Lancashire Fusiliers, who nas been promoted to the rank of qu;irtermaster of the regiment, in place of Selby, who retires. The following are the names of the gentlemen proposed to represent the Diocese of St. Asaph in Convocation, with the number of votes recorded for each :—Canon Richardson, 122 Canon Thomas, 96; the Rev. D. Williams- 79; and the Rev. E. W. Edwards, 53. The first two were elected. Alderman K:ng, who was thrice mayor of Hull and last year was sheriff of the borough, died very suddenly at his residence in Saturday afternoon. He was ,I well-known sanitary reformer, and the present sanitary position of the town is greatly due to him. Several Northamptonshire farmers having re- duced labourers'w;iges a shilling weekly, serirrus demonstrations have taken place. Sixty men smashed in the windows of a farmer at Catworth. They declare that unless the former wages are paid they will prevent other men working. On Sunday morning Joseph Folly, a ticket-of- leave man, who was arrested at Devonport on Saturday for robbing his fellow-lodger, was found hanging in his cell. He had attached his braces to the iron bars of the windows and twisted them around his neck. Prisoner had expressed his fears of getting penal servitude. At a Board of Trade inquiry held at North Shields on Saturday respecting the stranding of the screw steamer Marseilles, of London, on Hook Sand, the Court found the captain, Abraham Proud Blackburn, in default, and suspended ilis certificate for three months, it being considered that the vessel was improperly navigated. On Saturday Mr James Turpin.of North Shields, received a telegram stating that his steamer, the Chillingham, had been run into bv the mail steamer Malta seven miles east of Cape Passaro, and that in less than 30 minutes afterwards she foundered. The crew were all saved. The Chil- lingham was on a voyage from Catania to Girgenti. An imposing demonstration took place at Cork on Sunday in connection with the funeral of a Fenian and ex-Papal Brigade man named Buckley. The city trades and other societies, carrying banners and attended by bands of music, joined in the procession, which included several members of Parliament. There was no oration at the grave- aide. Adam Waters. a miner, was arrested on Sundav for the attempted murder nf Richard Garrity, at Buckworth, near Prisoner was firing his gun near Garrity's house, when the latter remonstrated with him. Waters thereupon fired a second barrel at Garrity, lodging fourteen small shots in his body. Garrity is in a precarious con- dition. The monition of Lord Penzance in the suit against the Rev. Bell Cox. vicar of St. Margaret's, Princes-road, Liverpool, was on Sunday posted at the doors of the sacred edifice, and alongside was a protest, signed by the churchwardens and sides- men, against the monition, on the ground that it was issued from a wholly secular tribunal. Rather than obey the monition, Mr. Bell Cox states that be will go to prison, which will take effect a fort- night hence. A distressing affair is reported from Sitting- bourne. About six o'clock on Saturday evening a young man named Arthur James Jackson, son of a local auctioneer, retired to his bedroom, locked himself in, and blew out his brains with a revolver. The members of the family, on bursting open the door. found the unfortunate youth lying dead. Ic h stated that, his mind had of late become un- settled. At Callymena on Saturday a farmer named William John Kernaghan, of Moyassett, was com- mitted for trial on the charge of feloniously attempting to shoot the Rev. Alexander Stuart, parish priest, of Oboghill. On Christmas morning, as the latter was driving from mass at Callybacky, he passed the prisoner and two other men, and soon at terwards a gun was fired, the bullet passing close to the rev. gentleman's bead. A dispatch from Montreal states that the. Government has imposed a fine of §10.000 on J. C. Ayer and Co., of Lowell, Mass., a large consign.nent of whose patent medicines was recently seized by the Customs authorities there on a charge of under valuation. Messrs. Ayer were in the habit of send- ing the ingredients separate for the consignees to mix them themselves and entering the same at the Customs as raw materia!, but the Government insisted on the full duty for the manufactured article. On Saturday morning a fire of an alarming nature occurred at the works of the Alliance Gas Company, Dublin. While men were opening the furnace doors of one of the retorts the gas caught fire, and blazed tip to such a height that the whole east end of the city became illuminated, causing much excitement. For about 25 minutes the gas in the retort and the tar which the fire touched fed the flames which then gradually subsided. The fire brigade prevented the flames from spreading to the other portious of the works. At Pembroke Borough Petty Sessions on Saturday Michael Flood, a private in the North Lancashire (81st) Regiment, was sentenced by the magistrates to two months' hard labour for burglariously enter- ing the Ferry House, Pembroke Ferry, the same morning at three o'clock. The landlord, Mr. Stephen Mathias, hearing a noise, went downstairs and caught the fel;ow and detained him until the arrival of the police, who took him into custody, with the result stated. William Sheehyi, who awaits execution in Cork Gaol for the murder of his mother, sister, and brother, states that he killed his brother Thomas in the haggert (haygard) with a griffaun his sister in the stable, and his mother in the dwelling- house, cutting both their throats with a razor. He makes no reference to the presence of Brown, who was acquitted of the murder, nor to Duane, the accomplice. The latter's evidence was that the three were killed with a griffaun. Sheehan will probab!y make a faller confession before execution. On Sunday morning Thomas Crosier, a farmer, residing at Aghmulien, near Newtownbather, shot his wife dead and then attempted suicide. A dis- pute arose between the fa.mily while at breakfast, and the eldest son assaulted his father for calling the mother names. The bov was turned out, and Mrs. Crosier followed. The "husband got his gun and fired at his wife, killing her instantly. He then attempted to cut his throat, but was pre- vented and arrested. Jealousy is supposed to be the motive for the crime. Prisoner was taken before a magistrate and remanded. The Press Association Glasgow correspondent telegraphsOn Saturday night Margaret Cossack, with her infant child, aged nine months, went to visit friends in Hospital-street, Glasgow. She met a woman named Margaret M'Giiiory, witli whom she quarrelled. From words they came to blows. The child was knocked to the ground, ind it is alleged that M'Gillory gave it a kick. The little one died shortly afterwards, and the police surgeon found a severe abrasion on its neck, evi- dently caused by the toe of a boot. Both women were apprehended on Sunday, and charged with jointly causing the death ot the child. A Daily Telegraph telegram from Paris, dated Sunday evening, saysA lamentable accident, almost similar in its circumstances to that which occurred near Plymouth on Christmas Eve, has just taken place in Paris. Mademoiselle Neredn. Sipierre, a youag girl only fourteen years ot age, and belonging to a well-known Parisian family, died last night in horrible suffering from the effects of a burn. The child was to play the prin- cipal rile in a juvenile comedy, which had been planned as part of the family festivities on New Year's Eve. She had placed a candle by her side on the table, and, just as she was busy putting a finishing touch to her toilette, one of her sleeves caught fire, and her dress was immediately enve- loped in flames. Her piercing shrieks resounded iirough the house, and her terrified parents and risnds rushed up from the drawing-room only to Ad her burning to death. Her body presented a Mrful- spectacle, and when the doctors arrived they at once informed the horror-stricken parents OufcVtfrere was co hope. Madame Adelina Patti has agreed to give three concerts at the Eden Theatre, Paris. I An 'Amsterdam company has been formed to take the preparatory steps for draining the Zuyder Zee. A reduction is about to be carried out at Chatham Dockyard by the discharge of a number of the hired hands entered last vear. It is reported that an official holding a i subordinate position in a Government, office has i established his claim to a sum of £ 200,000. The London Gazette announces that the Prince of Wales has been pleased to appoint the Duke of Abercorn to be Groom of the Stole of his Royal Highness. Lord Brougham, brother of Lord Chancellor Brougham, died at Brougham Hall, Westmoreland, on Sunday morning, aged ninety-one. He is suc- ceeded by the Hon. H Brougham The dinner to Mr. Joseph Arch as the first direct, rppresenfat-ive of the agricultural labourers in Parliament is to be held on Saturdav, the 16th inst. Mr. Chamberlain will preside, and all the members of the late Government will be invited. William Piper, a tunneler, who was injured by the recent explosion in the Tarlor Pit, near Wigan, died on Monday night. Several others are in a dangerous condition. The mine is being tilled with water. John Thomas Ridley, recently a clerk in the North Shields County Court Otrice, was on Tues- day remanded by the North Shields magistrates charged with embezzling £ 200, the moneys of his employers. At Ystrad Police Court on Monday Herbert Collins, Hugh Richard, and Price Owen, Gelly- road. Ton, were sentenced to seven days' hard labour, without the option of paying a line, for being drunk and riotous on the highway at Ton, on the night of Saturday week. The Conservatives in the South Division of Edinburgh have unanimously decided to invite the Master of Polwarth tn stand in their interest for the vacancv caused by the death of Sir George Harrison. The invitation has been accepted. The London Gazette of Tufsday announces that the Queen has been pleased to appoint Lord George Francis Hamilton, Vice-Admirals Hood, Hoskins, and Graham, Captain Codrington, R.N., Mr. Ashmington, R.N., and Mr. Ashmead-Bartlett to be Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. Mr. Joseph Dunn, farmer, of Sunderland, died suddenly on Monday whilst entertaining a num- her of friends to a card pai-tv at his home at Roker Farm. He. was aÍJout tf) shift his position at the card-table, when he fell back in his ciiair dead. The deceased was over 70 years of age. Sir Arthur Havelouk, the new Governor of Natal. arrived in London on Tuesday afternoon from Torquay, and wiii leave almost immediately for South Africa. During the past few weeks he has been in constant communication with his pre- decessor, Sir E. Bulwer, who is now in this country. Masters of vessels approaching the coast of Tripoli are warned to beware of an erratic torpedo which has lately broken away from its moorings and is supposed to be wandering wildly over the waters of the Mediterranean. Vessels nearing the port are accordingly signalled to apprise them of the peculiar risk they run in those latitudes. r On Monday afternoon Richard Power, aged 19, of 5, Tisington-court, Well-street, Dowlais, met with a fearful death in the lower yard of the Dow- his Old Works. Deceased was a fireman of a locomotive engine, and in jumping off a wagon he stumbled and fell underneath the wheels, his body being cut in two. At Hertford Quarter Sessions on Mondav Henry Silvester, described as a commission agent, and who. under the name of Captain Silvester, had duped a number of innkeepers in various towns, was sentenced to seven years' penal servi- tude for stealing a cheque-book belonging to William Fletcher, of Bishop's Stortford. The National Line steamer Egypt, from New York, arrived at Queenstown on Monday, two days overdue, and reports having experienced torritic weather in the Atlantic. She lost three lifeboats, her bowsprit was carried away, and she shipped large quantities of water. She had on board 60 passengers. Whilst Mr. Fred Campbeli, son of Sir F. Camp- bell, of Woolwich, was following the West Kent Staghounds at St. Paul's Cray on Tuesday after- noon his horse slipped, and precipitated its rider to the ground, kicking him several times. Three of the gentleman's ribs were broken, and he lies in a precarious condition. A shocking case was investigated by the Lon- donderry magistrates on Monday. Mary Hegartv, a married woman, was knocked down by a boy named Bernard Gelinore John Gelinore, a militia- man, his brother, jumped upon her and bit a piece out of her eyebrow. Another militiaman kicked her. The three ruffians were committed for trial. At Torquay on Monday a bottle was picked up on the sands, containing a paper bearing the words, The barque Nancy, of Liverpool, is sink- ing fast. I hope to get into Thames Haven before we sink, and trust this to the deep sea, in hopes that it will be borne to shore should we not sur- viva—Captain WHITE. December 19, 1835." A prize tight for ;C30 a side occurred on Tuesday morning at Whisker's Hill, Babworth. near Retford, without interruption from the police. The com- batants were Johnny Jonps, Birmingham, and Frank Simpson, London. Each was favourite in turn, and in the 31st round Simpson was knocked out of time, and Jones declared the victor. The body of the undergraduate Tudor Goldstein, a scholar of EXt>1er College, who has been missing, for about a month, was found on Tuesday morn- iog at Tumbling Bay, having drifted a distance of a mile and a half from the spot where the clothes were found. The remains, which were in a very decomposed state, were removed to the Holiybush Inn, where they await an inquest. On Monday morning, at North Shields Police Court, Captain Waller was fined £ 5 and costs for loading his vessel, the Agnes Louise, so as to sub- merge the disc. Captain John Mitchell was fined the same sum for committing a similar offence by submerging the disc of the steamer Civilian. The prosecution was instituted by the Board of Trade. Both defendants were represented by solicitors. At Dublin Police Court on Monday a respectably dressed young man named Fagan, a deaf mute, lithographic artist, was remanded without bail. The police stated that after dark on Sunday night the accused appeared to have acted grossly towards a number of young ladies and servant girls whom he met. Several charges of indecent assault and attempted rape would be preferred against him. A fisherman's buoy has been picked up on the beach at Westray, on the piece of wood stopping the mouth of which is cut—"Sept. 21885.— Please open.—D. M. D., St. Kilda." Inside was a letter, which, however, was so injured by salt water that only one word could be deciphered, the word being barley." The message was probaoly one of several sent afloat from St. Kilda at the time of the recently reported destitution there. At Dorset Quarter Sessions on Wednesday Wiiliam Carter Williams, postmaster, of Cattistock, near Dorchester, was sentenced to four months' hard labour for a series of systematic frauds. Pri- soner was in the habit of removing stamps from parcels and substituting others that had pre- viously passed through the post. He also de- tained parcels of Christmas cards after removing stamps from the covers. A mysterious shooting case was investigated by a coroner's jury at Chiddesden, near Derby, on Wednesday afternoon. The body of a man was found lying near Derby Cemetery gates with a bullet wound in the head. The injury had been done in the night. No clue has been found as to the identity of the man. A companion who was with him in Derby last Saturday cannot be found. An open verdict was returned. A serious warehouse fire took place in Man- chester on Tuesday. Flames were first seen in the second storey of the warehouse of Messrs. Collier, in George-street. Almost before the fire brigade appeared the whole building was enveloped in flames. The roof subsequently fell in, carrying with it what was left of the lower storevs. The warehouse was in the heart of the business part of the city, and great alarm prevailed. At Birmingham on Monday a young man named Henry Rutty, a clerk living at Tottenham-court- road, London, was remanded to London on a charge ofsteatingjElOO. The prisoner two months ago was in the emplovment of Mr. Tolley, a wholesale newsagent, in Lisson-grove, Marylebone, and got -CLOO to take to aiother firm. He absconded with the money, and came to Birmingham. On Satur- day, when he was arrested, he said he had spent it all in gay life there. At Stoke-on-Trent County Court on Monday Judge Jordan gave a verdict for L150 against Earl Granville, owner of Skelton Collieries, in an action brought under the Employers' Liability Act by the widow of George Hall, a collier, who was killed in the mines. His Honour, referring to an action brought by the earl against the plaintiff's only witness for perjury, which is now pending. remarked that he considered the action most indecent. A Worcester telegram states that an inquiry has taken place respecting certain charges formally made against the chief-constable of Worcestershire and some of his subordinates by Mr. Joseph Chamberlain, M.P., of having acted as partisans and contributed to the disturbances at a Liberal demonstration held at Evesham in November last. at which the right hon. gentleman spoke. The County Police Committee reported that the charges were groundless, and the Court of Quarter Sessions on Monday approved and adopted the report. On Monday morning, at an early hour, a serious collision occurred off tiie Tyne. It appears that while the steam-tug Expert, of North Shields, was off Sunderland looking for vessels the screw- steamer Dispatch, from London, ran her down,! striking her a tremendous blow on the bow. She sank almost immediately. Lines were thrown to the crew on the tug, and thev were saved with considerable difficulty, the fireman being in the water twenty minutes. Siie was owned by Messrs. Edward Aitken and Daglish, of Shields. A shocking accident is reported from Castle- blayney. A car containing two men was being driven through the streets when the shafts gave wav, throwing the driver and occupants. The horse galloped off at a furious rate across the main street into a gateway, and came suddenly upon two girls named M'Mahon and Burns, dashing them against the wall, inflicting fearful injuries. The girls were removed to the hospital, where it was found necessary to amputate M'Mahon's right arm. The other aid will not recover, having sus- tained frightful injuries to the head. On Monday morning a prize fight was stubbornly contested at Albrighton, near Northampton. The principals were J. Perkins and T. Smith, both of Oldburv. The combatants commenced hostilities in the presence of a large number of friends, but they were surprised by the arrival of the police, and a stampede took place. Adjourning to a site three miles distant the fight was resumed, and, after 47 rounds, the battle was declared to be drawn. Both combatants were severely punished Smith's jaw was broken, and, Perkins' right arm being disabled, he fought 32 ounds with one hand.

COLLIERY EXPLOSION IN THE OGMORIS VALLEY. TWO MEN BURNT. On Monday night, about eleven o'clock, an ex- plosion occurred at Aber Colliery, Tynewydd, Ogmore Valley, by which two colliers, named William Gibien and Benjamin Stamford, were severely burnt. The colliery is the property of Messrs. Hamilton, Cory. and Co.

THE SENSATIONAL BURGLARY IN CHESHIRE. At Cheshire Quarter StHJions, held at Knutsford on Wednesday, Lydia Bytheli, a married woman, living at Nantwich, was indicted for stealing 4 £ 16 i3s. in silver and £ 2 10 s. in gold, which was! part of a sum of £ 3,000 which disappeared from a box in which it "as kept by Mr. Samuel Blood, fell monger, of S tap ley. near Nmtwich. The prisoner is the sister-in-law of Mrs. Blood, •he prosecutor's wife. The case was fully reported when before the magistrates. Before the conclu- ision of the defence the jury interposed and acquitted the prisoner,

SUSPICIOUS DEATH AT LLANGY- FELACH. FATAL INJURIES TO A GIRL. A case is exciting considerable interest at Llan- gyfelach, near Swansea, just now. Gwenllian Morgan, a domestic servant, has died after five weeks' illness from the effects, according to her own statement, of violence to which she was subjected at the hands of a young man living in the same neighbourhood. A post mortem examina- tion, however, showed that the blows stated to have been given were not the cause of death. At the inquest the Jury returned a verdict of Dealh from natural causes."

ATTEMPT TO WRECK i HE N-i U-IIBLES TRAIN. FORTUNATE ESCAPE. On Tuesday night some mischievous person or persons attempted to damage the train on the Swansea and Mu nbles Railway. As the train proceeded on its down journey from Rutland- street the wheels encountered an obstacle on the line, near the gasworks, and the whole train, as It passed over, gave a violent lurch. It was found, on examination being made, that. a piece of iron had been put on the raiis. It had been partially knocked aside by the guard of the engine No damage was done, as the train was proceeding at its usual slow speed at this part of the line. It is huped the offenders will be speedily detected. I

EARTHQUAKE IN DEVONSHIRE. A severe shook of earthquake was felt. in the clis. trict of South Ham, Devonshire, on Monda, morn. ing at twenty minutes past ten o'clock. it was felt very generally all along tiie route between Dartmouth and King-ibridge, as well as at other places lying more inland. The shock appears to have been most severe at Torcross. The occupants of the Fisherman's Arms, which house stands on the beach, were so frightened that they rushed out of the place,thinking,as they said, that the build- ing was going to fall. At Stoneham, Chihington, and Frogmore there was a unanimous confirmation of the oscillation and shaking experienced. it reached even as far as Kingsbridge, where is was most distinctly felt. At. ail the places mentioned the report of the shock being feit agrees to two or three minutes.

EXTRAORDINARY AFFAIR AT NEWPORT. NARROW ESCAPE FROM BEING BURIED ALIVE. The Newport Telegram publishes an extraordi- nary story, to tiie effect that a man living at Pillywenlly, who is deaf and dumb, and believed j also to be strange in his mind, had a narrow escape a few days ago of being buried alive. It appears that a short time back the poor fellow, who is well known, fell down and injured his back, and after lying in bed several days it was believed he had passed away. Rumour has it that the friends of the man ordered a coffin and made the necessary arrangements for his interment. The "deceased" was placed in a coffin a day or two preceding the intended funeral, and soon after the poor fellow, it was discovered, had "recovered to life." The general belief is that thé inanimate condition of the "deceased" was nothing more than what is now known by the terlll trance. We give the story for what it is worth, but, of course, with ali due reserve, and may add that little reliance is placed in the rumour.

THE HARDSHIPS OF LONDON TAILORS. REMARKABLE DISCLOSURES. A large meeting of East End tailors, mostly foreign Jews, was held at Whitechapel, London, on Saturday evening,and during tiie proceedings some remarkable disclosures were made as to the hardships under which this class of the community have to perform their work.—Mr. Lakeman, inspector of factories, presided, and said it might appear strange that he should take the chair, but, he looked upon himself as a put)lie servant having a public dutyto perform. How these tailors lived in the conditions in which 1 oey were placed he knew not, and until some great, upheaval took place to rescue them from the bondage in whicilthey were pliced lie feared the end would be bad to a great, many of them. If the custom of the trade" was that they should work fourteen hours per day, then it was a bad one, and they should demand that their hours of labour should be regulated according to those in other trades. There was a law for girls in the trade, but the inspectors could not say one word for the men. They must, therefore, combine. Mr. Lakeman stated that many of the rooms lie had entered registered' over 90 degrees, and he read a letter which stated that there were 23 foreign Jews working in one shoo. The fire stoves were enough to choke anyone. In the daytime it made them all ill, working for weeks from seven o'clock in the morning until one o'clock next nJorning. It was shocking to see the sight in those places.—Other speakers bore witness to the long hours and unsanitary condition to which the men were subjected. A suggestion of trades unionism was condemned, but it was re- solved to invite members of the trade to join a society which has recently been established, and. when sufficiently organised, to approach the mas- ters to see if some reform in the hours of labour and surroundings could be effected. It was ad- mitted that the masters also had grievances, and tiiat thorough reform was necessary.

BOARD OF TRADE INQUIRY. EXTRAORDINARY TREATMENT OF THE CAPTAIN OF A CARDIFF-BOUND VESSEL. Before the Local Marine Board r.t Bristol, on Wednesday, the adjourned inquiry into the con- duct of the master of the steamship Edinburgh, while on a voyage from Antwerp to Cardiff, was y proceeded with and concluded. Mr. Inskip acted as legal assessor to the board, Mr. Cochrane represented the Board of Trade, and Mr. Vachell, of Cardiff, defended the captain. The evidence proved that the vessel left Antwerp and while on her voyage to Cardiff got on the Goodwin Sands. It was stated by several of the vessel's crew, who were called as witnesses, that the captain was intoxicated and quite unfit to take charge of the vessel. After being on the sands for about six hours the vessel got off on the fl.)od tide, and it was stated that the chief mate then took command of the vessel, and retused to allow the captain to interfere in her navi- gation. Some time after this an altercation took place between the captain and mate as to who should navigate the vessel, and, on the captain attempting to get on to the vessel's bridge, the mate "harpooned" him in the chest from the bridge with a piece of timber about ten feet long, knocking him down, and then ordered the crew to seize him and put hi:n in the cabin and strap him down in a chair, which was done. This took place at about six o'clock in the evening, and the mate then made for Portsmouth, arriving there the next morning, the captain remaining strapped on to the chair. Here the captain was put on stiore, and the Edinburgh went on to Cardiff in charge of the mate. When the vessel was on the sands some of the witnesses admitted that the captain was on the bridge giving orders; that he ordered an anchor to be run out, on to which they hove; that he re- fused any assistance, although the mate wanted it; and that he said the vessel would float off on the flood tide. It also appeared that when a boat, which was alongside the Edinburgh, made a rope fast to the vessel to tow her off the sands, the captain ran forward and, with his knife, cut the rope. The cnptain and three of the crew of a Rams- gate cutter stated that they were alongside the Edinburgh all the time she was on the sands waiting to see if they could get a job, and that they heard the captain giving orders and were sure he was quite sober, although excited. Tiley stated that the captain refused to let them aL- tempt to get the vessel off, but that the mate wished to employ them, and that in, vessel tioated off.n the flood tide without assistance by means of her engines and heaving un to her anchor. The second mateand ritechief engineer, however,stated that when tne mate took the vessel into Pons- mouth tiie lieutenant and surgeon of H.M.S. Devastation were sent for by the mate, and that iiiey went on board the vessel that the captain idmitted ne had been drinking brandy, and pro- duced a bottle of brandy to the surgeon, who took it away with him. Mr. Vacnell addressed the court, urging that it had been shown that the mate and captain were In very bad term before the vessel left Antwerp, ind it had simply been a conspiracy to get him jut of the ship. li j urged that everything the captain had done alter the ship got aground went lo show he was periectly sober,and contended that it was impossible to believe that a man witil tile aighest testimonials, who had been in one employ for ten years, and who had held a master's certifi- cate for 25 years without ever having had any charge brought against him, could have been guilty of the conduct charged against him. The Court in giving judgment said that the board had come to the conclusion that the charge )f drunkenness had been established, and sus- pended Captain Irvine's certificate for two months.

The liquidators of tiie Munster Bank contem- plate paying a dividend of 10s. in tiie £ in March, rhere will then remain £1,600,000 assets to meet £1,000,000 due to the creditors With the consent of the creditors, the liquidators intend carefully realising these assets as a hasty realisation would resultjn a large loss. They believe no call will be made on the shareholders, and that probably a lurplus will be available for distribution amongst them.

14ATAL ACCIDENT AT THE NEWPORT DOCK. About ten o'clock on Monday night a shocking accident occurred at the Alexandra Dock to a man named Thomas Lawrence, 42 years of age, living in Portland-street. He was engaged at one of the stages where trucks of coal are lifted bodily up and discharged into vessels. One of these trucks had just reached the stage and was in the act of being untipped, when Lawrence missed his footing and was badly crushed in the side and stomach by the truck, which, with its contents- would have been several tons in weight. He was at once con- veyed to the Infirmary, but his injuries were so serious that he died within half-an-hour after ad- mission. •

ELOPEMENT FROM NEWPORT. FLIGHT WITH "THE LODGER." On Saturday evening some excitement was | caused in one of the streets at Pill when it was discovered that, a married woman had eloped with one of her lodgers i*nd, to use the expressive phrase of one of the injured parties," with all she could lay hands on." It appears that the woman is the wife of a labouring man, and, in order to bring in an additional revenue, kept several lodgers. WIth one of these the good lady appeared to be particularly enamoured, indeed so much so that the neighbours soon began to talk. On Saturday evening the woman received her husband's wages, beside a considerable sum from the lodgers, and with this and borrowed money the faithless wife took her departure, accompanied by the lodger. Their destination is not known.

BURNT TO DEATH IN LLANDOUGII LIMEKILN. STRANGE OCCURRENCE. On Tuesday evening a number of men entered the Llandough Limekiln for the purpose of passing the night, and on awaking in the morning they found that one of their number had been burned fo death. The body was lying about eighteen inches from the edge of the kiln, and was charred beyond recognition. It is supposed that he had been rendered unconscious by the sulphur fumes, and while in that condition had rolled into the kiln. An inquest was held on Wednesday after- noon at Llandough, when the jury returned a ver- dict to the effect that the man had been acciden- tally burnt while sleeping on the kiln. The lime- kilns at Llandough have been very much fre- quented by tramps since the cold weather set in, and no fewer than 74 cases have been before the Penarth Police Court during the last twelve months.

ARREST OF BENSON. Benson, who has just been released after a long term of imprisonment for the great turf frauds, and who had absconded from this country, has been arrested in Brussels. He is, it seems, charged with fraud. and a man named Stenning, who was s associated witli him before he was sentenced to i penai servitude, was also arrested with him. It was not stated whether the offence for which the > prisoners were arrested was committed in this i country or abroad. i The Press Association says that little doubt is t entertained at Seotiand-yard that Benson, known in connection with the turf frauds, is one of the Englishmen arrested in Hrussels on the charge of I fraud, and that it is due to investigations made in consequence of information obtained by the English authorities, that immediately after his 1 release Benson and others commenced the organisa- tion of swindles on a gigantic scale, both in Belgium and Switzerland. A recent warning against a circular referring to the issue of gold watches is believed to be connected with one of the many frauds planned by Benson and his associates.

TRADE IN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES. THE YEAR'S FAILURES. Dun's report of the mercantile failures in the, United States during 1335 shows 10,637 failures, with an aggregate liability of £ 24-,844.0d4, against 10,968 failures, with a liability of £ 45,200,000. in the previous year. This report states that a sur- vey of all the existing conditions of trade en- courages a belief that, a better prospect exists for the future now than has prevailed for a long period. The productive forces of the country were never so great, the facilities for transportation were never so perfect, and the strength and safetv of monetary institutions were never so manifest as they are now. The development of vast regions of the country heretofore unoccupied, and the geiiei I belief that political matters wear a more settled aspect than they have exhibited for many years, combine to impart a degree of confi- dence in the future of the country that ought to bring prosperous and profitable business. In Canada the liabilities of the year amounted alto- gether to £ 1,772.122.

A BOY 1J0USEBREAKEIi. A HARDENED RASCAL. At, Larnhpth Police Court,, London, on Friday Nathaniel Rfckwith, 14, living in Westmacott- street, was charged before Mr. Chance with being concerned, with another not in custody, in break- ing and entering the house 153, Beresford-street, Walworth, on December 28 or 29, and stealing six ulsters, a coat, teapot, and other articles, the pro- perty of Richard John Havward.—The prosecucor stated that he left his house locked up, and after- wards, from certain information received, he re- turned and found that it had been broken open, and the property mentioned in the charge stolen.— Detective Thick, of the P division, said he ex- amined the premises, and found that an entry had been effected by the back door being forced off its hinges. He made inquiries, and went to the house where the prisoner was living, in Westmacott- street, Catr.berwel). He told Beckwith he would be charged with breaking into the house and stealing property. He replied, I admit breaking into the house between nine and ten o'clock, but I only stole five ulsters, a teapot, and spoons." Witness asked him what had become of the pro- perty, and prisoner replied, I decline to tell you, or who my pals are. I'd rather be hanged by the neck than 'round' on my pals. At the station he said a man, named Jim, had the property, but he did not know where he iived.—Mr. Chance (to prisoner) Are you willing to give any informa- tion P-Prisoner: No, I don't wish.—Mr. Chance remanded the prisoner.

SINGULAR DISAPPEARANCE. SERIOUS REFLECTIONS UPON A POLICE OFFICER. A respectably-dressed man, who appeared to be deeply distressed, on Friday applied to Mr. Lushington, a Metropolitan magistrate, for advice respecting his daughter, who had been missing since Christmas Eve. He stated his name was Richard Meddin, of 44, Duckett-street, Stepney, and that of his daughter, who was 18 years of age, Charlotte Meddin. On the above-mentioned day his daughter left home for the purpose of visiting a Mrs. Caesar, the wife of Dr. Caesar, of 16, College- square, Hayfield Passage, and intended to spend the Christmas with that lady. As she did not, return home applicant made inquiries and found slie had left Dr. Caesar's on Monday. From that time nothing had been seen or heard of the girl. He had since been told that his daughter had been in the habit of keeping company with a police- constable, who belonged to the division in which the court was situate, and who was usually on the beat in which the appiicant resided. This officer was described as a fair, tall man, but applicant knew nothing about him. He feared some ill had befallen his daughter. Her description was as follows:—Height, about 5ft.; hair, dark brown; complexion, dark eye. blue wore black dress, black jactet, black straw hat, trimmed with black satin, and sidespring boots.—Mr. Lushington advised the applicant to go and see the inspector on duty at the adjoining police-station aud lay the case before him. It

SHOCKING DOUBLE MURDER. A man named John Knocker, 42, an army pen- sioner, who has been working as a labourer in the Hawley Paper Mills for the last two or three years entered the Greyhound Inn, at Sutton, near Dart- ford, on Friday night, where he was lodging, at about eleven o'clock, and immediately attacked a fellow-lodger named Kemp, passing a sharp instru- ment across his throat, nearly severing the head from the body. The murderer then cut the throat of the landlord, aged 60, named Smith. A fearful struggle must have taken place. Later particulars show that the crime was com- mitted without the slightest provocation. Knocker, on entering the Greyhound, found three men sit- ting in the taproom. He instantly passed his arm around Kemp's neck, cutting his throat with a razor, before the man knew what Knocker's object was. The murderer then tried to reach one of the other men, but he escaped. Knocker ran into the bar, where he attacked the landlord, Wm. Smith, an old man, who defended himself vigorously, but was overpowered, and sank to the ground with his throat cut, from ear to ear. Both men died directly. The murderer escaped from the house and ran towards Dartford, but was captured, after a chase of three miles, and taken to Dartford Police Station. The prisoner had been drinking heavily of late, and was in depressed spirits. Knocker was brought up and remanded at the Dartford Police Court on Saturday afternoon, charged with murdering David Smith, landlord of the Greyhound Inn, Sutton at Hone, and a lodger named Alfred Kemp, the previous evening. The prisoner, who was stated by Police-Constable Benge to have said, I want to give myself up for that job at the Greyhound. I am ready to swing in the morning, l would as lief swing as be choked," was remanded. An inquest was held at Sutton-at-Hone, near Dartford, on Monday, on the bodies of David Smith, landlord of the Greyhound beerhouse, and Alfred Kemp, lodger, alleged to have been killed on Friday night by John Knocker, army pen- sioner.—Mrs. Smith, widow of the landlord, deposed that Knocker, who had lodged with them, left on Christmas Eve. He returned on the following Tuesday. On New Year's Day she went to bed early, and during the night heard a noise, and someone tried her door. When she went down- stairs she saw Kemp and her husband lying dead. Witness here fdnted.-Cliarles West said on Friday evening he was drinking with Knocker, who talked strangely about going to a better land.—Superin- tendent Webster produced two parts of a razor handle found near Smith's body.—A verdict of Wilful murder was returned.

Several English pickpockets were arrested in Paris during the New Year's festivities for taking advantage of the unsuspicious character of a French crowd. Four were arrested at the Musee Grevin, and one, named Walker, in the Rue de Rivoli. The police declare that the changes of name on the part of the English thieves who visit Paris make it difficult to identify habitual criminals.

THE ALLEGED INFAMOUS PRAC- TICES AT STONEHOUSE. FURTHER MAGISTERIAL PROCEEDINGS. At Stonehouse, Plymouth, on Monday, the magis- trates were engaged several hours in investigating a charge of murder brought against Charles Bald- win, and of conspiracy to procure abortion on a married woman named Medlen. The latter was also charged with the same offences, and her hus- band and Ellen Osborne were charged as acces- sories before and after the fact. The evidence went to show that Baldwin repeatedly attempted to procure abortion in Mrs. Medlen, but failed in consequence of her advanced condition. He was present, however, when the child was born. It was heard to cry, but no notice was taken of the fact. It was placed in a cloth and put under the washstand. Some hours afterwards it was seen by two young women, who deposed that it was then breathing. Subsequently Baldwin was seen to take up the child and press his hand heavilv upon its chest. HA then handed the parcel to Osborne, giving directions to put a weight upon it to keep away dogs and cats. Mrs. Medien was very ill, and wished, as it was a girl, that this had not happened. Baldwin replied that it could not ,v have lived an hour if he had attended to it. Several instruments, said by Dr. Thomas to have been used for nefarious purposes, were produced. It tran- spired that Baldwin had previously treated Mrs. Medlen with the knowledge of her husband. The prisoners were remanded till Thursday. ADDITIONAL CHARGES AGAINST BALDWIN At Stonehouse, Devon, on Tuesday William Baldwin and Charles Benoy were charged with causing the death of Mrs. Benoy, wife of the latter, and with procuring the abortion of some women in 1884 and 1835. The chief witness for the prose- cution wasa woman named Armstrong, who deposed to Mrs. Benov's condition in 1884, and stated that she saw Baldwin visit Benoy's house. Her sus- picions being aroused, she stole upstairs, and, look- ing through the partly open door, saw prisoner Benoy give his wife some medicine which Baldwin handed to him. Mrs. Benoy immediately afterwards fainted, and Baldwin then used instruments to procure abortion. In June, 1385, Baldwin was again observed to vit Mrs. Benoy, who after- wards became nd (.e-J. Prisoner Benoy subse- quently went -.rtjeerrs- Prynne, wife of the Vicar of St. ro. ^or, and represented that Mrs. Benoy had had a dreadful miscarriage. Mrs. Prynne procured the woman's admission to a convalescent home, and there she died five days afterwards in great agony. SJme women were called, who stated that they had applied to Baldwin to relieve them, and that he had told them he had operated successfully on Mrs. Benoy. Counsel for the prosecution intimated that he had as many as 8J witnesses, and the further hearing of the case was adjourned until Wednesday morning. EVIDENCE FOR THE DEFENCE. The inquiry into the alleged malpractices at Stonehouse (Plymouth) was continued throughout Wednesday. The evidence for the defence had not concluded when the court adjourned. The wit- nesses for the defence were mainly called to prove that as Mrs. ^Armstrong, the principal witness againt the prisoners Baldwin and Benoy had been fined for bad language, her evidence was not entitled to credit, and that the bed on which Mrs. Benoy was lying was in such a position that Mrs. Armstrong could not have witnessed what she described as having taken place. The proceedings will be resumed this (Thursday) morning.

DREADFUL ACCIDENT TO A NEW- PORT MASON. On Saturday night, after traffic was stopped, a gang of workmen were repairing the Wye Valley Railway Bridge, which crosses the Wye at Red- brook, near Monmouth, under Mr. Walkely, ganger of the district. About nine p.m. they went up the line to a hut, which is about 40 yards on the Mon- mouth side of the bridge which crosses the road near the Bush Inn, Redbrook. At this place the men had supper, among them being Mr. Snook, foreman mason, who lives at Newport. The night was very dark, and before ten o'clock Mr. Snook walked out with the ganger, speaking of some suggested improvement, when Mr. Snook suddenly disappeared into the darkness. Search was made, and Mr. Snook was found on the high road below, a depth of about 18ft. He had evidently caught his feet in the signal wire and was precipitated to the road, falling on his head, he then being bleeding from the eyes, ears, nose. and mouth. Mr. Arthur Butghan, of Redbrook, with most praiseworthy promptitude, rode into Monmouth for the purpose of obtaining medical aid, and in the meantime the unfortunate man was conveyed to Mr. Jones's, Bush Inn. Dr. Woollett, of Monmouth, was soon in attendance, and whilst he was examining the injured man Mr. Burghan had a horse put into his carriage, in which the unfortunate man was removed to Mon- mouth Hospital in an unconscious state. His friends were communicated with, and several of them drove to Monmouth on Sunday. On Sunday night the poor feilow slightly regained conscious- ness, a.nd on Monday morning there was a slight improvement. Although he is in a most critical condition, the case is not quite hopeless. He has a wife and seven children.

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN THE YSTRADYFODWG BOARD SCHOOLS. ALLEGED ILL-TREATMENT OF CHILDREN. At the monthly meeting of the Ystradyfodwg School Board on Monday (Mr. D. Evans presiding) the Chairman said he wished to draw attention to the board's rules regarding corporal punishment in the schools. It was laid down in Rules 24 and 25 that Head teachers must, exercise the utmost caution in inflicting corporal punishment, so as never to strike a child on any part of the head, either with the hand or with any instrument, whatsoever assistant teachers and pupil teachers are absolutely prohibited from inflicting such punishment. The head teacher alone is held directly responsible for every punishment of the kind." They had, he said, had several complaints of tne ill-treatment of children, especially by pupil teachers, and they must take strong measures to make them comply with the regula- tions, and if the press took notice of the mention of the matter that might do good.

STRANGE SEQUEL TO A MARRIAGE. MARRYING THE WRONG WOMAN. A singular story was related to the magistrate at Worship-street Police Court, London, on Tuesday morning. A well-dressed lady said that her hus- band. to whom she was married at Christmas, sudjenly left her during the honeymoon at Brighton, telling her he had married the wrong woman, and had never intended marrying her at all. In subsequent correspondence he had alleged tha, she drugged him the day of the wedding, and got him to marry her when he was in a semi- conscious state, which was untrue. He had also threatened her with violence if she persisted in making him live with her. The only comfort the Court could give the lady, who seemed cheerful under the circumstances, was to get the relieving officer to take action, the first step towards which (ths only course provided by law) being for her to go to the parish workhouse.

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GREAT SNOWSTORMS IN ENG- LAND AND WALES. DESTRUCTION OF TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE WIRES. COMMUNICATION INTERRUPTED. The change in the temperature which set in on Monday night has continued, and on Wednesday the Metropolis and various parts of the Midlands and South Wales were visited by snowstorms of unusual severity, in many places the snow lying to the depth of many inches. With the high wind which had prevailed at the time drifts were formed in many districts, causing great inconvenience to traffic generally. In addition to this, the weight of the snow has broken telegraph and telephone wires, rendering communication between Loudon and the provinces very irregular. Cardiff, as well as other parts of South Wales and Monmouthshire, experienced the same extraordinary snowstorm. In the former town during the greater portion of Wednesday snow fell heavily, but, owing to the wet state of the streets, did not settle. At night frost set in, rendering the roads as hard as iron. LONDON. The most severe snowstorm that has been expe- rienced in London and the neighbourhood since January, 1881, visited the Metropolis and the South and West of England on Wednesday. From the hour of five or six in the morning snow fell con- tinuously over the whole of the Metropolis until one o'clock in the afternoon, and before traffic had commenced there was a thick layer of snow on the ground. The morning trains on the suburban lines and the tramway cars of the systems on both sides of the Thames began to run as usual, but the services could not be sustained with any regularity in consequence of the quantity of snow which clogged the rails. Additional horses were em- ployed in many districts, but even then the cars could only run slowly and at irregular intervals. On the railways there were also long delays, chiefly caused by accumulations of snow on the telegraph wires connected with the signalling apparatus. The whole of the permanent way staffs of the principal termini were called out to assist in arrangements for the safe working of the traffic, and hundreds of men out of employment found work in clearing the rails in the vicinity of railway stations of snow. The principal damage done was to the wires of the telephone exchanges and the overhead wires of the Post-office, which were broken in all directions by the weight of the snow, some of the streets of the City and West-end presenting an extraordinary aspect from the quantity of broken and tangled wires that de- pended from the roofs of the houses across the streets, the broken ends, in some cases, swaying about in mid-air, and constituting a lively source of danger to both foot passengers and riders on omnibuses. The principal inconvenience was caused by the breakages to the telephone exchanges, as most of the London District Post-office wires are underground. Those in the suburbs and many long-distance wires, however, suffered conside- rably, and communication was delayed between London and the South, South-East, South-West, and West of England and South Wales. The high roads leading to London at Feltham, Hounslow, and Twickenham were rendered almost impassable by snowdrifts several feet deep, and market gardeners' wagons were for hours snowed up. THE MIDLANDS. After a week of warm, spring-like weather, with the thermometer ranging between 40deg. and 50deg., a spell of frost set in in Birmingham and the district on Monday evening, and about ten o'clock on Tuesday morning a heavy fall of snow commenced, and was still falling in a thick shower at mid-dav. KENT. In Kent the fall was deep in the neighbourhood of Faversham and Sittingbourne, while at Wool- wich and Dartford also there was a heavy fall. The telegraph wires between London and Wool- wich were broken, and communication was en- tirelv suspended. GLOUCESTERSHIRE. In Gloucestershire the fall was so heavy as to put almost an entire stop to traffic, and interfered with ordinary business pursuits. DEVONSHIRE. The storm did not reach Devonshire until the afternoon, when a storm of rain, hail, and, finaly, snow descended for a time, when a thaw set in. THE MIDLANDS. At heavy snowstorm prevails throughout the Midland and Southern Counties. WARWICK. At Warwick snow lies to the depth of several inches, but a thaw has now set in. OXFORD. At Oxford one foot of snow fell on Wednesday. The tramcars have been unable to run. ALDERSHOT. A tremendous snowstorm raged over the camp and town of Aldershot on Wednesday. The snow is six inches in depth, and the storm appears likely to continue. CARDIFF The town of Cardiff and the surrounding dis- trict were visited by a severe snowstorm on Wed- nesday morning, which lasted for a considerable time. About mid-day, however, the atmosphere became clear and a cold, north-east wind set it. VAYNOR. The weather on Tuesday night was extremely cold and severe, and on Wednesday morning the wholecounti-y was covered with snow. At the time of writing there are nine inches of snow on the ground, all the trains are late, and heavy traffic on the country roads is impossible. At nine o'clock the snow was still coming down. Oes un a wyr lis lonavvr, Pit ryw 111 sy'n poeri 'lawr? MONMOUTH. During Tuesday night and Wednesday morning a tremendous snowstorm took place in this district, and continued up to noon. The hills around the town are covered to the depth of 2ft. and over, the drifts in places being very deep. The streets are so covered that traffic and business are nearly sus- pended. The morning mail was over two hours late. BRYNMAWR. A heavy fall of snow has taken place, but the roads, &c., between this town and Abergavenny in one direction and Merthyr in the other are in a fair condition. RHYMNEY VALLEY. The weather throughout Tuesday was dirty and squally, with occasional showers of sleet and hail- stones. Towards evening it became considerably calmer, and the air was quite frosty at night, the wind having veered round to the north. Early on Wednesday morning a thick fall of snow set in, which soon covered the grotind. The storm became stronger towards nine o'clock, and lasted for some three hours, the wind driving the "fleecy element" with blinding force in all directions, while a cold, piercing wind blew from the Dorth, and at one time there was every indication of the snow drifting, as the north wind was strong. Towards mid-day the snowstorm, however, abated. As evening set in the wind continued to blow with great force at times, and there is every appearance of a sharp frost. Snow to the depth of several inches is lying on the ground, and in the upper part of the valley there is a consider- able depth in many places. Notwithstanding the storm, the trains on the local railways have worked throughout the whole day tolerably regularly. Out of door work in most cases had to be suspended early in the morning. TAFF BARGOED. Early on Wednesday morning it commenced to snow in this valley, and the storm lasted for some time, and the wind drifted the fleecy element in all directions. The cold was bitter, a sharp north wind blowing the greater part of the day, and as the evening set in the air was frosty. ABERGAVENNY. Snow commenced falling on Wednesday between two and three a.m., and by noon about nine inches lay on the ground. In the afternoon a sharp frost set in. MERTHYR. The downfall of snow at Merthyr occasioned considerable inconvenience, inasmuch as vehicles were unable to proceed to Dowlais. In the even- ing a frost set in, and some of the footways were so slippery that pedestrians had to exercise great care to prevent themselves from falling. NEWPORT AND DISTRICT. Snow fell heavily at Newport and in the surrounding country on Wednesday up to about noon. In the town it did not lie long, but thawed and rendered the streets most uncomfortable. In the country, however, the ground was covered to a considerable depth. From Newport in the direction of Usk the snow was half a foot deep. TREDEGAR. On Tuesday night a heavy snowstorm com- menced, which raged over the town and district up to mid-day on Wednesday, causing a great depth of snow to accumulate in the streets. CARDIGAN. A heavy snowstorm occurred at Cardigan on Wednesday, with the wind blowing a complete gale from the north-east. Snow lay several inches deep on the ground, and the telegraph wire from Cardigan to St. Dogmael's was broken by the force of the storm. NORTH WALES. Snow and sleet, accompanied by severe gales of wind, prevailed over North Wales throughout Tuesday. The mountain ranges are covered with snow for many miles.

A STUBBURMLY-CONTESTED PRIZE FIGHT. A prize fight took place on Sunday morning at the Folly, near Framwellgate Moor, Durham, between two miners, James Davey and John M'Vay, who fought a well-contested battle, made up on the previous night in Durham, for £10. About 100 partisans were present, but the betting was even, and there was nothing to choose between the men, who are old opponents, but have not been able to bring off more than an extempore rough-and-tumble hitherto, thanks to police vigilance. Properly equipped, the men stepped into the ring, which was pitched in a secluded spot, as soon as it was light, and commenced a rattling slogging mill. M'Vay forced the fight- ing, and, with a slight superiority of reach, he scored first blood in the second round, and had a bit the best of matters. Davey carried less lum- ber than his opponent (who scaled just list.), and had to thank his hard condition for his recovery from the punishment of which he got the lion's share. Even betting at the outset wore round to 2 to 1 on M'Vay. About the ninth round Davey began to show superior strength, knocking his opponent clean off his legs in the fourteenth round, and, scoring the second event, he became favourite. It was evident M'Vay was falling weak, but he came up in the gamest possible manner until the twentieth round, when the favourite sent him to earth, and the sponge was then thrown up, Davey being hailed winner of a bard-contested fighk

SHIPPING DISASTERS. A SWANSEA BOUND VESSEL WRECKED. The British barque Rosalee has been sunk on a voyage from Bremerhaven to the Mumbles, and nine lives lost.

FOUNDERING OF A VESSEL IN THE BRISTOL CHANNEL. SUPPOSED LOSS OF ALL HANDS. There are very grave reasons to fear that a homeward-bound vessel, laden with West India produce, has gone to pieces in the Bristol Channel with the loss of all hands. The barque Mabel, of and for Bristol, 454 tons net register, with a valuable cargo of rum, spirits, coker nuts, oranges, &c., from the West Indies, was known to be due in the Bristol Channel, and pilots from Bristol were on the look out for her. It is also known that she passed Lundy Island on Sunday, and soon after took a pilot on board. The vessel would in due course have anchored in Kingroad on the follow- ing day, as she had a fair wind up Channel but up to the time of going to press no tidings of her arrival have been received by her owners. The cutter, however, from which the-pilot boarded the barque has arrived at Bristol. Three Cardiff pilots arrived in CarJitf on Tues- day, and they mention having passed conside- rable quantities of wreckage on their way up Channel. One of them, Mr. Wm. Jones (No. 53), states that about half an hour before dark on Mon- day night, coming up from the southward, about a mile and a half off the Nash, wind W.N.W. weather fine, he saw a large quantity of wreckage, consisting of hogsheads and barrels of spirits, coker nuts, oranges, and pieces of a vessel floating with the tide. He picked up a piece of bulwark. painted black outside and white in. The pro- bability is that, the ill-fated vessel was driven on the Nash Sands during the gale on Sunday night, and soon went to pieces, taking with her the pilot and all the crew. Inquiries have been made at all the ports on the north side of the Channel, but, no tidings of any of the crew have been received. Up to a late hour on Wednesday night no precise information reached Cardiff as to the name of the ship reported to have foundered off the Nash on Sunday night or early on Monday morning. Little doubt is, however, entertained tiiat the ill-fated vessel will prove to be the barque Mabel, of Bristol, bound to that port from Jamaica with a cargo of coker nuts, rum, oranges, &cc. At mid-day, when off Lundy, she was signalled by a Bristol pilot boat named the James and Sarah (No. 15), which was on the look-out for her. The Mabel soon afterwards took on board William Wray,oneof the oldest and most experienced pilots of that port. The cutter then returned to Bristol. On. Tuesday night the steamtug Hartland, a couple of miles off the Wash, ran through a quantity of broken spars and other wreckage, some of which got entangled in the paddle wheels and slightly injured a couple of the irons. A quantity of cokernms have been picked up at Barry Island, and the coastguard authorities at Aberthaw and Breaksea have telegraphed that a quantity of oranges and cokernuts had been washed ashore during Tuesday night. At the latter port two casks of rum were also picked up. The Advance, a Cardiff tug, reports passing on Puesday afternoon a large quantity of floating wreckage between the Nash and Breaksea, con- risting of cabin skylight, gratings, a long chair, such as is used on deck in warm weather, and a lot of cabin fittings. &c. The crew of the vessel were shipped at Bristol According to Lloyd's Register the Mabel was a wooden barque of 454 tons net. register, built )v Messrs. Charles Hill and Sons, Bristol, in 1873, tnd was owned there by Messrs. S. Daniel and Sons. Our Bristol correspondent, writing on Wednes- day, says :-The gravest fears are now entertained as to the safety of the Mabel, of Bristol, which was supposed to have gone down off the ash, in the Bristol Channel, on Monday evening. The Mabel was returning home with a cargo of sugar, rum, spirits, &c., and took on board a pilot-Mr. Win. Ray, one of the senior and best pilots in the Channel-off Lundy on Sunday evening. Since then the barque has not been heard of, nor have any tidings been received from any neighbouring port. The fact that a large quantity of wreckage corresponding with the cargo of the Mabel has been passed near the place adds to the anxiety of the friends and relatives of the crew. Her gross register was 465 tons. She was built by Messrs. Hill and Sons, Bristol, in 1873, and was subse- quently sold to Messrs. T. Daniel and Sons, her present owners. She was commanded by Captain Thomas Jones, of Bristol, who has had charge of her ever since she was launched. The following is a list of the other officers and crew on board:— Mate, W. Oatwav, Bristol boatswain and second mate, E. Perkins, landlord of the Goat and Armour on the Quay, Bristol; carpenter, L. Smith, Bristol; steward, W. Olpin, Bedininster, Bristol; seamen, W. Spencer, a German, who was only recently wrecked in the Mary Wycliffe; W. Minchin. E. H.Cathcart, R. Muller, T. Scott, W. Clarke, A. Essery, R. II. Fowler, T. Sandele, and G. Newcombe. A rumour was current on Wednesday morning in the Bristol Com- mercial Rooms that a body had been picked up near the Nash, but at the time of writing the report had not been verified. The owners are of opinion that she sank in collision wich an ont- ward-bound vessel, and, if so, the crew may have been saved. A considerable quantity of wreckage was picked up at Jersey on Wednesday consisting of teak door3, deck planks, mouldings in newly-laid gilt, &c., leading to the supposition that during the heavy squalls of the previous night some passenger vessel had been wrecked off the island.

VESSEL ASHORE AT SUNDERLAND. Shortly after six o'clock on Wednesday the schooner Maggie, of Banff, was driven ashore at Sunderland. The vessel left Sunderland for Banff, coal laden, on Tuesday, and got as far as the Faroe Islands, when the weather became so stormy that Captain Lyell was compelled to put back. Soon after the vessel struck rockets were fired over her, and by means of the apparatus the crew, six in number, were brought ashore. They had suimred greatly from cold.

A ROUGH ATLANTIC PASSAGE. LOSS OF 160 CATTLE. The Allan Line steamer Norwegian, which arrived off Greenock on Tuesday from Philadelphia with cattle andageneral cargo, experienced very- heavy weather in the Atlantic. The passage occu- pied fifteen days. Out of 260 cattle on board no less than 160 were killed during the passage in consequence of the heavy rolling of the steamer in the storms. The Norwegian proceeded to Glasgow.

LOSS OF A CARDIFF STEAMSHIP. BOARD OF TRADE INQUIRY AT CARDIFF. A Board of Trade inquiry was held at the Cardiff Town-hall on Tuesday (before Alderman M'Connochie and Major Sloper, magistrates; assisted by Captains Ward and 'Vaughan as nautical assessors) into the stranding and subse- quent loss of the British steamship Alster off the coast of Cornwall, on the lr7th of December last.- Mr. Waldron appeared on behalf of the Board of Trade, and Mr. Percy Ingledew (Ingledew and Vachell) represented the captain, Thomas Tre- gartha. The Alster was a British steamship, built in the year 1867, and was owned by Messrs. Jackson, of Cardiff. She left Swansea on the 16th of December last with a cargo of coals, bound for St. Nazaire. The weather was very thick. When the vessel got down Channel a light was seen on the starboard side. but the crew could not tell whether it was the Trevose light or that of a ship. Shortly afterwards land was re- ported ahead, and the engines were at once reversed. The vessel then struck upon some rocks. The crew took to the boats, and the ship was seen to founder about an hour afterwards. A number of witnesses were called, and the Court found that, although a proper look-out was kept, the vessel was not navigated in a proper and seamanlike manner. The captain's certificate was, therefore, suspended for three calendar months.

THE WIGAN EXPLOSION. INQUEST ON ONE OF THE KILLED. The coroner's inquest on the body of the man William Piper, killed at the Taylor Pit, Wigan, concluded on Wednesday. The jury exonerated the officials of the colliery from all blame. The seventeen injured men are progressing favourably, but the fire which caused the explosion is still raging..

STARTLING TRIALS OF AN ENGINEER The Liverpool Daily tost publishes the following thrilling account of the experience of a Cunard Steamship Company's engineer, and for the accu- racy of which it vouches. Mr. William Buchanan, one of the oldest engineers of Liverpool, had been 24 years in the ^Pvice of this company, and resides at 8, St. John s-roild, Kirkdale, Liverpool. Two years ago he was suddenly attacked with most excruciating pains, and had to be conveyed home from church. Then followed twelve months of such indescribable agony that he had to resign his position, incapacitated tor work by an acute rheumatic and neuralgic affection. Meoical opinion differed as to what his malady was all agreed it would lead to softening of the brain six of the most eminent physicians of Liverpool attended him, but afforded hini no relief, as his case was regarded by them as incurable. He could neither see nor hear for days. Often he became uncon- scious from pain. His cries of agony were heard by the neighbours. It required two or three strong men to hold him when the paroxysm came on, and physicians held consultations without avail. His family were in despair and his house was pointed out as one of a man dying. He came so near death that three physicians and two clergymen were at his bedside. Just then his wife's attention was called to a new remedy, then being introduced, which claimed to be a cure fer rheumatism and neuralgia. She procured a bottle and applied the contents to his head. It was a dying man's chance, a last hope. The remedy acted like magic. It saved his life, and he feels sure, and his family and friends feet sure, that had he not used it lie would be dead. He is alive and hearty, and in perfect, health. Wonderful to relate, he has never had the slightest return of pain since he was cured. He re-entered his old position, and in giving the foregoing facts he repeats that St. Jacobs Oil—which is the remedy referred to-saved his life. His case is no secret; his friends and neighbours are familiar with his former terrible sufferings and hopeless condition. His cure was considered so marvellous he has received over 200 visits and letters. The Post adds:—Such startling facts as these must con- vince all that this Ceinedy marks a most decided advance in the scionce of cure. Its powers seem truly magical. St. Jacobs Oil is sold by Chemists at 2s. 6d. a bottle, or by post 2s. 9d., from the Charles A. Vogele, Compa&f, Sole Proprietors, 45, Farringdon-road Lond^j 8358c

THE EXPLOSION AT MARDY COLLIERY. RESUMPTION OF WORK. FURTHER DONATIONS. [BY OUR OWN REPORTERS.] The work of clearing the falls at the Mardy Colliery was carried on busily on Saturday, and coal was brought up from the north and south- east headings in the downcast pit on Friday. Some of the horses were brought up also. It was stated on Saturday by Mr. Griffith Thomas, the resident manager, that in three days they expected to clear all the falls. The examiners appointed by the Workmen's Committee continued their inspection of the workings on Saturday, and there was a meeting of the men held in the afternoon to receive their report. It was understood that after receiving the examiners' final report the men would all resume work. There is one sad case which has not yet been mentioned in the newspapers among the conse- quences of the explosion. A lad named Lewis Davies, who was in the pit, sustained no particular outward and visible injury, but the shock was such that he has not yet recovered, and his head seems baoly affected. He is said to wander about aim- lessly and every now and then to start, lift his hands to his head, and act as if he were going through the horrors of the explosion again. Work was virtually resumed on Monday at Mardy Colliery. All the men went in to look at their working places, and some remained to go on with their duties Others worked a short time, while many were content, with a glance at the places, so that they can begin their work on Tuesday. Mr. W. Galloway, of Penarth, visited the colliery on Monday.

EXAMINATION OF THE PIT. We have been requested to publish the follow- tng:- I We, the undersigned, being the persons ap- pointed by the workmen of the above collieries to examine the workings, beg to state that we did so, and found the same in good working order, and with no accumulation of gas in any part of the collieries. ,"Fliis was annouced in a general meeting of the workmen over 700 in number. It was put to the vote and unanimously carried that, all resume work on Monday morning with perfect confidence. Dated 2nd January, 1836. Evan Evans, chairman of the meeting; John Davies, William Thomas, Daniel Howells, John Davies, John Richards, Morgan Davies, Ertward Powell, Joseph Jenkins, Evan Evans, William Evans, William Jones, and Daniel Thomas, exa- mining colliers."

RELIEF MEASURES. The Secretary of the Permanent Relief Fund (Mr. E. Owen) visited Mardy on Tuesday with €500 in his possession to meet all present claims upon his society. The Bishop of Llandaff has forwarded to the ev. IV. Lewis, vicar of Ystradyfodwg, L10 towards the relief of the Mardy sufferers- Mr. Hermann's Uncle Tom's Cabin Company, now appearing at the Merthyr Drill-hall, propose to give a special performance to-day (Tuesday) in aid of the sufferers, and half the gross receipts at the Merthyr Circus to-morrow (Wednesday) evening is to be devoted to the same object. At an Eisteddfod held at the English Baptist Chapel, Abercarn, on Christmas Day, a vote of sympathy with the bereaved families at Mardv was moved by Dr. F. J. Davies, and seconded by the Rev. E. E. Probert, and passed. This was supplemented by a collection in aid of the Mardy Explosion Relief Fund, when upwards of Y,4 was realised. At. St. John's Parish Church, Cardiff, on Sunday evening the vicar, the Rev. C. J. Thompson. M.A., preached an eloquent and impressive sermon on the aim and purpose of life, and at the close made a touching reference to the widows and orphans rendered desolate by the sad disaster at the Mardy Colliery. Collections were made both morning and evening, the total amount realised at both services being f27 17s. 3d., out of which Y,4 5s. was collected in coppers. MEETING OF THE RELIEF COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Relief Committee was held at the Mardy Hotel, Mardy, on Saturday. Amongst others there were present—Sir Wm. Thomas Lewis (chairman), Mr. W. Abraham, M.P., (vice-chair- man); Messrs. J. T. D. Llewelyn, Louis Tylor, W. Thomas, M. Dyer, W. Simons, A. J. Lusty, T. Thomas, Dr. Parry, G. Thomas, J. Davies, E. Owen, G. L. Campbell, W. Edwards (secretary), and a large number of representatives of the workmen. The CHAIRMAN thanked the committee for the honour they had done him by electing him to pre- side over their deliberations, and said he should be goitd to do all he could to promote the interests of the fund. The minutes of the meeting held on the previous Saturday inaugurating the fund and appointing tile committee, were read. and, on the motion of Mr. ABHAHAM, M.P., were confirmed. The lisrs of sufferers were gone through, and also the lists of subscriptions promised and paid. Mr. ABRAHAM reported that, in accordance with the resolution passed at the previous meeting, relief had been distributed among the widows and injured men out of the funds placed at their dis- posal by Mr. Ellis Lever and others, and that he considered the immediate distress had so far been covered. It was ordered that a further appeal for funds be made by the chairman, and the subscriptions advertised. Mr. J. T. D. LLEWELYN, in seconding a resolu- tion,said that as president of the Monmouthshire and South Wales Miners'Permanent Provident Society, lie had felt it his duty to comply with the request that he would join the committee. There were, he had felt, two great interests to be considered in relation to this disaster-first, the direct interest of the sufferers, and secondly the interests of the Permanent Society. Desirous of expressing his sense of the calamity he had sent a subscription of £100 to the Permanent Society, but he now rather regretted having done so. The minutes adopted last Saturday, and the proceed- ings so far of the present meeting, had convinced him that by that committee both the interests he had named would be fully considered and pro- tected and, if it could be done conveniently, he should be perfectly willing to have his subscrip- tion transferred from the funds of the society to the supplementary or special fund in charge of that committee. (Hear, hear.) It could not be too widely known that any surplus remaining would be transferred to the funds of the Permanent Society, and so the work of that committee was not only covering the distress immediately arising, but also helping an institution of which already they had great reason to be proud. (Hear, hear.) The time was not far distant, lie believed, when the Permanent Society would cover all accidents and when that period arrived they must not expect such aid from the public as they were now receiving. The result of this disaster should be to give a great impetus to the Permanent Society, and he trusted all persons in- terested in the coal trade would subscribe to its funds. Special efforts should be made, he thought, to interest the lessors of mines in the movement in which they were peculiarly interested, and un- questionably it is calculated to do an enormous amount of good in South Wales. (Hear hear.) Mr. DYKR said he trusted the effect of the opera- tions of the committee would be to encourage men to make provision for themselves; and then, should help be needed, it would be more readily afforded by the public. The CHAIRMAN expressed his satisfaction at see- ing so Jarge a body of representative workmen on the committee, and said he trusted that without delay the whole of the men employed at Mardy Colliery would join the society. This would be a good example to other places, and would have its effect throughout the district of the society. It was stated that the subscription list amounted to over £1,800, and Mr. TYLOft pointed out that many of tiie important donations were from per- sons who were contributors to the Permanent Society, and who were evidently desirous that those who were not entitled to the benefits of its funds should not be excluded from public sym- pathy. Arrangements having been made for continuing the temporary provision for dealing with the dis- tress until the next meeting of the committee, Mr. W. Thomas proposed a vote of thanks to the chair- man and the other gentlemen who had come from a distance to render assistance.—This was seconded by Mr. Abraham, M.P., and acknowledged by Sir YVilliam T. Lewis; and the proceedings were adjourned. FURTHER CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY MR. W. ABRAHAM, M.P. Mr. W. Abraham, M.P., Pentre, has received among further donations to the Mardv Relief Fund, a cheque for 10 guineas from Mr, W. H. Morgan, solicitor, Pontypridd, and a cheque for 110 from the Rev. W. Bruce, Brvnderwen, lj",k. A gentleSian named Howard, of Swansea, sends a donation concerning which he makes the interest- ing statement that he was the chairman of an entertainment at Southport on Christmas night, and in the course of the proceedings he appealed to the audience to make a Christmas collection in aid of the sufferers by the explosion at Mardy Colliery, adding that he would be pleased to double the amount the audience made up. The offer was accepted, and he now sent Mr. Abraham a cheque for X7 9s. DONATION FROM MESSRS. BASS AND SON. Messrs. Bass and Company (Limited), the eminent brewers, of Burton-on-Trent, have for- warded to Messrs. W. Yorath and Son, Cambrian Brewery, Newport, their agents for Cardiff and Newport, a cheque for ten guineas as a donation to the above fund. IMPORTANT ACTION BY LOCAL WORKS. The employes of the following firms at Cwm- avon, viz., The Cwmavon Works Proprietors, the Copper Miners' Tin-plate Company, and the Rio Tinto Company, as well as the tradesmen of the place, are making contributions, which will pro- bably amount in the aggregate to a handsome sum, in aid of the widows and orphans at Mardy. This intimation may possibly animate other works to go and do likewise. THE MAYOR OF CARDIFF'S FUND. The Mayor of Cardiff (Dr. Jones) acknowledges the receipt of the following sums:— S. Allsopp and Sons £ 10 10 0 Alderman Daniel Jones, Cardiff 1 1 Mr. Christopher James, Swansea 5 5

THROAT IRRITATION AND COUGH.—Soreness and dryness, tickling aud irrh.tion, Inducing cough and affecting the voice. For these symptoms use Epps's Glycerine Jujubes. In contact with the glands at the moment they are excited by the act of sucking, the Glycerine In these agreeable con- fections becomes aotively healing. Sold only in boxes, Hd., tins Is. lid., labelled "JAMES Epps and Co., Homoeopathic Chemists, London." Dr. George Moore, in his work on Nose and Tiuoat Diseases," says" The Glycerine Jujubes prepared by James Epps and Co., are of undoubted ser- vice as a curative or palliative agent"; while Dr. Gordon Holmes, Senior Physician to the Municipal Throat and Ear Infirmary, writes:—"After an extended trial, I have found your Glycerine Jujubes of considerable benefit in almost all forms of throat disease." 66691etc

1 THE STRIKE IN NORTH WALES. WORKMEN PROTECTED BY THE MILITARY. The masters have beaten the men in the blockade continuously maintained against the introduction of foreign workmen into the Llandulas Lime Works for the past six weeks. How the strike originated is an old story. The men agreed to the masters' reduced terms, with the saving clause that they declined to sign articles for twelve months ahead. Upon this point the entire dispute turned. The men declared that if they signed the fresh agreement they would be abandonmg themselves to a new form of slavery, and all appeals and all arguments addressed to them with a view of shaking or altering the delusion were perfectly fruitless. Since the strike the men have picketed the neigh. bourhood and done their utmost to strengthen their organisation. The arrivals and departures 01 trains at the little station at Llandulas have beec carefully watched seaward the men commanded the beach, and the mountains at the back pre. vented any approach from that quarter. The masters, however, were determined to introduce stokers in sufficient numbers to keep the fires alight in the kilns, but when the men were put down at the station they were stoned so vigo- rously that they had to beat a hasty retreat within the station walls. Tllen olessrs. liayner and Messrs. Kneeshaw, Lufton, and Co., the proprietors of the works at which the strikes have taken place, resolved to call in the aid of the police. Again, the resoiute attitude of the men and the determined disposition of the women prevented the approach of the relief men. A short and desperate fight ensued with stones, and the police for whom every respect was shown, were obliged to protect their human convoy off again by rail. Then the military were sum- moned from Chester, but from some confusion tin the orders the relief men did not arrive by the same train, and the soldiers returned to Chester Castle. The arrangements on Monday were more complete, and were entirely successful, In order to keep the strikers in ignorance of the proceedings to be adopted, a squad of soldiers from the 88th Regiment, in barracks at Manchesi ter, was requisitioned. The police, in numbers, had been on the spot for some days. The relief men from btrkenhead and Liverpool and the soldiers from Manchester joined at Chester, and went forward together. Some indications of the state of matters in pro- gress must have reached the strikers from the pre- parations made by the police in Llandulas. As the train drew in the men on strike were observed in large numbers just outside the station. But when the military got out and formed up on both sides of the relief men and marched out with fixed bayonets the strikers were completely and thoroughly cowed. Not a stone was thrown. There were some hisses, and opprobrious epithets were thrown at the rats, but the military successfully escorted a dozen men into Messrs. Kayner's works, and the remainder into those belonging to Messrs. Kneeshaw, Lufton, and Co. The soldiers came down with tents packed and arrangements made. if necessary, for a protracted stay at Llanduias. The men see the futility of iurther opposition, and, while no dis- turbance is expected with such a commanding force at hand at the masters' call, the strike will only be protracted by the infusion of the new element of discord introduced. Mr. Hazeldine. a Carnarvonshire magistrate, was present at the proceedings to, if necessary, read the Riot Act. Everything had passed off quietly, however, up to seven o'clock, wnen our message was despatched. A telegram from Llandulas says:—Everything was quiet at the quarries on Tuesday morning, the strikers being engaged in peaceably discussing the probability of the relief men from Liverpool holding out for a week. One company of the military had to be quartered on Monday night at Abergele, there not being sufficient accommoda- tion at Llanduias. At a meeting of the strikers on the previous evening the leaders impressed strongly upon their hearers the necessity for preserving order.

TIIE A ME I SIC AN STEEL RAIL TRADE. ANTICIPATED INCREASED DEMAND. WILL ENGLAND GET THE ORDERS? In writing upon the prospects in the steel rail trade for the present year the Cincinnati Pricd Current says:—Tne evidence accumulates that the consumption of iron for the ensuing year will be materially increased. The rolling mills agreed- we think it was in July bst-to limit the produc- tion of steel rails to 700,000 tons for one year This was when the price was down to about $27 00 per ton, at which there was claimed to bi no protit; the price has since advanced to$33 00, and now $35 00 is asked. It is now an- nounced that the whole amount of 700,00( tons has already been placed, before tht tirst half of the year has expired, so that probably the limit will be raised, there being no necessity for restricting production when satis- factory pnces can be obtained. A purchase of 10,000 tons of steel rails in Great-Britain for this country has been paraded over there as showing the superiority of British over American rails, as the price paid for the former is X2 10s. per ton more delivered in New York, and the British are assuming that they will secure much of the trade resulting from the increased consump- tion of railroad Iron in this country. Hut tlia transaction referred to, it seems, was exceptional in its nature, it being made to test the com- parative merits of British and American rails and does not warrant the inference drawn. The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad con- tracted for the 10,000 tons of rails alluded to, pay- ing 10s. per ton over the current regulation price of the Steel Rail Makers' Association, for the purpose of securing a special rail made mainly of Swedish charcoal iron and hammered blooms, and, we understand, made a contract with an American mill for a similar amount, paying an extra price to secure a superior article. It remains to be demon- strated whether the rails made of the best materials procurable in Great. Britain are more durable than those of American production made of the best materials here, and this is the test, as we j understand it, that is to serve as a guide in buying | rails for certain sections of that road in the future. The English claim that the average British rail is superior to that of the American make, but even if this be true, which is questionable, it is not probable that American raiiroaas will pay a high premium for them so that if the revival of the iron trade in Great Britain depends upon the demand from the United States for steel rails it is not likely to occur in the early future.

CONDITION Ol TRADE IN THE UNITED STATES. THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED WORKMEN The New York Commercial Agency has prepared some tables with regard to the condition of thi workmen out of employment in 21 of the States, and from these it appears that, while in 1880 the number of workmen employed in the different factories, &c., was 2,450,479, it is now 350,000 less, despite the great increase which has since taken place in the population of the country. The agency has received replies to its inquiries from 272 cotton factories, of which 36 are closed, and from 187 woollen factories, of which 55 are now closed. The woollen factories of New England have discharged 21.000 workmen, and in Lowell county, Massachusetts, there are 2,300 fewer workmen employed than in 1884. In the textile industry most manufactories are only working three- quarter-time and in the State of New York alone there are 14,000 hands out of employment. Wages have fallen 20 and even 25 per cent. and, according to a circular of the Fall River (Massa- chusetts) weavers, the price for a piece of cloth 25 yards long, which was 30c, in 1873, is now only 18c. In Canada, out of 1,417 manufactories.in the province of Ontario 72 are either closed or work. ing short time, and 3,089 workmen have been discharged, while 2,470 are working half-time. In the province of Quebec wages in the wool ant cotton factories have fallen 10 per cent,

A DISPUTED POLICE REWARD. A singular point was mentioned at the Essex Quarter Sessions at Chelmsford on Tuesday in con- nection with the payment of a reward of J6100 which was offered by the chief-constable of the county for the apprehension of the murderer of the late Police-Inspector Simmons at Romford a year ago. It will be remembered that a man named James Lee, alias Manson, who fired the fatal shot, entered the shop of Mr. Baxter, pawnbroker, in the Euston-road, London, early one morning with a revolver which he offered to pledge. The assistant's suspicions were roused from informa- tion lie had received from the police. Baxter offered Lee a paper to read while he, in the mean- time, sent to the police-station and obtained assistance, with the result that Lee was appre- hended after a violent struggle. He was after- U, wards convicted and executed. Mr. Baxter sent in a claim for the Y,100 reward, while a similar claim was made by others who had given impor- tant evidence in the case. Counsel's opinion was taken and a decision arrived at against Mr. Baxter's claim. The Court issued instructions that an attempt should be made to settle the case among the persons concerned; but Baxter decided to stand by his claim, and the clerk of the peace reported that he had accepted a writ on behalf of the justices, and the case will shortly be heard in open court.

THE CONFESSION OF THE STOKE, j NEWINGTON MURDER. AN IMPROBABLE STORY. The "Press Association" Grimsby correspon- dent states that the police of that place do not attach the slightest credence to the "confession" of the young man Thackeray, or King (the latter is his proper surname), of participation in the Stoke Newington murder. His story is believed to be merely a trumped up and very inaccurate version of the facts of the case picked up at the time and on the spot, for he states that he was amongst the many thousands of people who visited the reser- voir. The scepticism of the local police is shared by the Metropolitan police. The explanation 01 the whole matter is probably furnished by the prisoner's mother, who writes of her son to the superintendent of police thus:—" Poor fellow, he is much to be pitied, as at times he is not accountable for his actions. I hear he has confessed to being concerned in that murder in London. I know that it is altogether false, as can be proved." i = [

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