Flintshire Observer Mining Journal and General Advertiser for the Counties of Flint Denbigh

THE DREAD OF EARTHQUAKES. The cities and towns of Chile, with the exception of Valparaiso, are generally built on the same plan. The most striking peculiarity is that they are divided into squares of equal size, the sides of which ate about 137 English yards in length, and enclose an area of about four acres. Within each of these quadras there are (states the Architect) parallel tows pf broad and well-paved streets, intersecting each other at right angles. The houses are also built tn the form of a square, enclosing one or more courts, into which the various apartments look, and in con- sequence of the continued dread of earthquakes they are massive and spacious. Few are erected with a second story. They are generally built of timber and of large bricks formed of mud mixed with choppecT straw and dried in the sun. The unoccupied spaces are in most cases laid out in gardens, and adorned with fruit-trees and flowers. In the larger cities-con- siderable taste and elegance are displayed in the in- ternal decoration of the houses of the wealthy, espe- cially of the apartments destined for the reception of visitors.. The most splendid public difice in Chile is the mint, which was built of hewn Btone, at a cost of £ 165,000, and contains the apartments of the President of the Republic. In ecclesiastical archi- tecture Chile is greatly inferior to most Roman Catholic countries. The majority of the churches are yeiy plain, and the internal decorations, paintings, and images are for the most part of a very paltry description. The cathedral of Serena is small, but much admired for the slyle of its architecture, which, with the light mbgnesian limestone used in its erec- tion, is wen calculated to resist the dangers arising from the frequency of earthquakes;

BAD YEAR FOR CHARITIES. It. has naturally been impracticable to ascertain the effect of the Jubilee appeals upon each of the thousands of recognised charitable agencies in Lon- don, but inquiry has been made of a selection of the larger and more important institutions, and these may be taken as typical of the whole. In the case of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals the deficit amount. to no less a sum than £ 10,0QP! Writing in September, the secretary stated: "Up to the end of August last year the society had received during the eight months upwards of E25,000, while this year our receipts during the same period have only reached about £ 15,000, notwithstanding the special appeal we have made. This unexpected loss is a very serious one. We have had," he continues, It many letters actually stating that the writers deplore their inability to support the society as in past years, owingto tile necessity pf complying with the Prince of Wales's appeal to the best of their pow6r." From the London City Mission comes an equally slanning report. Twelve months ago the society was indebted to its bankers to the extent of 92000" whereas at the present time a debt of over E7000 has been incurred, while the expenditure had been considerably lessened. In fact, the institution has been so seriously affected that, unless t here is a speedy increase in the funds, it will be absolutely necessary to dismiss some of the 470 missionaries who are doing such valuable work.'

KITES of the Hargrave type were flown at the Blue Hill Observatory on September 20, and reached a height of 10,016ft. This is the highest flight yet made. They carried an aluminium box with self- registering meteorological apparatus. IN an appeal on behalf of theHome of Rest for Horses at Acton, the Duchess of Portland It is sad to reflect that many of the beautiful horses seen djily in London in their prime will In all pro- babil^end their days as humble slavey—too Often, alas! overworked and underfed,. It must surely, therefore, be'a source pf comfort to know that some rach refuge the. Home of Rest is open to theuif. At present the resources of the institution are 'so limited that its usefulness is greatly restricted."

I DECLARATION OF RADICAL POLICY. A PROGRAMME OF KNOTTY POINTS. At the meeting of the General Committee of the National Liberal Federation, to be held at Derby, on December 7, two important circulars will be'con- sidered. The first states concisely what took place at the last meeting, what has since happened, and what will be submitted on the forthcoming occasion. At the last meeting, held in May, /it was reBotved to take the opinion of the affiliated associations upon a proposed declara- tion £ f policy, which pronounced first in favour of registration and electoral reform as the. foremost and immediate object of the Liberal party—including three months' qualification, successive occupation, non-disqualification by receipt of temporary parochial relief, and one man, ond vote; all elections on the same day, payment of official election expenses out of publk- funds, and payment of members. The same set of proposed resolutions reiterated the opinion that the House of Commons should no longer besubjected to the vote of an hereditary, unrepresentative, and irre- sponsible House of Peers. Amendmentsfrom federated associations dealing with woman suffrage and the closing of licensed premises and club., on the polling day, or during the hours of, polling,; were not carried to a vote, but their discussion was adjourned, on the understanding that the executive committee would in due course remit both subjects to the federated associations, and write their expressions and opinions upon them, On June 1 the executive committee issued to the-affiliated associations a circular with a printed form, setting out in separate clauses each section of the Derby motion, and the associations were asked to reply upon this form to all the questions raised. The opinion of the associations was also invited in the two supplementary questions of the Extension of the Franchise to Women, and the' closing of licensed premises on the polling day, or during the hours of polling. The replies received show that, while the affiliated associations are practically unanimous upon most of the subjects submitted to them, there is a wide difference of opinion on a few points. A large majority are opposed to the extension of the hours of polling, and several associations are opposed to the appoint- ment of a public paid registration official, in each Parliamentary division," although there is a great majority in its favour. A considerable number desire that payment of the official expenses of elections should be subject to proper safeguards agaiqat frivo- lous or vexatious- can did stures, and also that tbe pay- ment of members should be either contingent upon or accompaniad by provisions for a second ballot. Thece is, however, no conclusive expression of op nion from the affiliated associations on the subject of the second ballot,as the associations were not specifically asked to express their views thereon. All the executive com- mittee were, instructed to do was to supply the asso- ciations with the fullest possible information as to the working of the second ballot in other countries. This the committee did, but, as here explained, they are not in possession of the opinion upon this question of the affiliated associations as a whole. Subject to these reservations, the motion, as it left the Djrby meeting, is practically agreed to. As to the supple, mentary questions-remitted to the affiliated associa- tions—namely: (a) Thattbe Parliamentary franchise be extended to women; (b) that all licensed premUea and clubs be closed either on the day of polling, or during the hours of polling. The-committee have to report that on both these matters it is clear, from the replies received, that there is a very wide difference of opinion in the associations. The executive com- mittee therefore suggests that. the motion as now sub- mitted should-be adopted, with the omission of the words, that the polling hours be extended."

PALAVER AT BRASS. Consul-General Sir Ralph Moor held a palavef; with the Chiefs of Brass in that river on October 5, at the time the captive King ef Benin was in the river on board the Niger Coast Protectorate steamer Ivy. Sir Ralph particularly warned them against Ju-Ju" celebrations, which meant the sacrifice of human life, and instanced the case of Benin City. Sir Ralph said he had seen no fewer than five large pits in Benin City where human beings had been sacrificed by the King or his, Ju-Ju chiefs. In further instancing the .cape, of the King of Benin he stated that the King, when coming down frOua the_ city during the rains, said the white man didnot know how to stop the rain, but that if he (the King) wanted to stop it he would send down to the river, bring a man from there, and hang him up on the crucifixion tree. The Consul-General explained to the chiefs how wrong and silly such a notion was, and that that would never be allowed by the British. The chiefs, through their interpreter, said they would not sacrifice any human beings. They were subsequently taken on board the Protectorate yacht Ivy and shown the ex-King pt Benin. .d.

BOARD OF TRADE RETURNS. The Board of Trade returns, issued on Saturday, show that the imports for October were 4:38,943,763, against E39,574,890 for the same month last Year, being a decrease of £ 631,127. Exports for last month amounted to 4:19,283,052, compared with £ 20,683,457 in October last year, showing a decrease of £ 1,400,405. Imports for the 10 months ended October 31 were £ 368,786,726, against £ 355,&Q.402 for the corresponding period last year, being an in crease of £ 12,936,324. Exports for the 10 months amounted to £ 195,274,228, compared with £ 201,339,257 for the corresponding period last year, being a decrease of £ 6,065,029. fí'> rr- '1' t

DESTROYERS IN COLLISION. At Devonport on Saturday the torpedo-desitroyers Ferret and Decoy were getting under way to proceed into the Channel, whan they collided owing to some mistake with the telegraph connecting the deck and engine-room of the Ferret. The bow cap of the Decoy's torpedo tube was seriously damaged, and the stein of the Ferret was also injured, but fortunately the damage was above the water-line, and the vessel was able to go into the Channel, the spa being calm. The Decoy was not able to proceed, and will be detained nearly a fortnight for repairs,

IT is announced that the new physical STANDARD for candidates for commissions in the army will not take effect before the exatninafions of May and June, 1898 also that the scale contained in the regulations is laid down for the gpeneral guidance of the Medical Board, and not as a standard fiom which a depaiture is on no acoonnt. *o be IIIIowed. v TIIB medical woman is making strides forward in Asia. Following the example of the Ameer of Afghanistan, Li Ilung Chang has chosen a,Chinese female doctor to be chief phjsician in Lishnu^ehold. The- I Iady, whose natiie is Hu King Eog, graduated it, dre df the American universities. A si.urj.B fire,extipguisher can be made at very littlo cost. If 201b. of common salt and 101b. of enl- stbnjoniao, are dissolved in seven gallons of water and the mixture afterwards put into quart bottles of thin, glass, ibe grenades so made will be found to be very efficient for extinguishing small outbreaks of fire. The bottles should be tightly corked and sealed so as to prevent evaporation, and when a fire occurs thev must be thrown in or near the flames so as to break and thus liberate the gas contained, to effect the desired object. SDNDAY-SCHOOL teachers pleading that their ser- vices should be remunerate^ and even going to the length of a strike in consequence of some grievance, is not unknown but Sunday-school teachers providing a new building at a cost of £450. and starting a school, just in order to be independent of the parish church clergy, is surely a new departure. This has been done at'Fisbpool, a village near Bury, ill Lanca- •k're* • T I u- Tub county gentry in Lincolnshire have resohed to present the bishop of the diocese with his portrait, and Lord Heneage said with truth that everyone in the diocese loved Bishop King. Yet in 1885 every- one remembers the outcry against Mr. Gladstone for appointing the dear Principal of Cuddesdon, a "Vice-Principal of which college-Chancellor Davey, of St. David's-is, by the way, Dr. Vaughan's suc- cessor at Llandaff, thereby giving Bishop Owen hia first piece of important. patronage. Tiia Duke and Duchess of Devonshire will enter- tain a succession of shooting parties during the winter at Chatsworth, where they are going to reside until they come to town for the meeting of Parlia- ment. There will be a large party at Chats worth during the week after next for Derby Races, and the Prince of Wales was to have been one of the gbests, but his visit has been given up in consequence, of the death of the Duchen of Teck

TRADE DISPUTES. THE COTTOH WOSKBRS. I A meeting of the Executive Committee of the Amalgamation of. Operative SpinneM was held in Manchester on Saturday to consider the offer of the master spinners to, submit their claim to a wage reduction. of five per cent, to, arbitration. The meeting resolved that, "inasmuch as the practice zf operatives and employe. in the cotton trade in asking for reductions and advances in wages lias always been based en the state of the cotton trade at the time when the noticp for such reduction or advance was given, and now that the employers have given a month's notice for a reduction in wages and offered to submit their claims to arbi- tration, this council hereby resolves to recommend the members of the amalgamation, in the special meeting assembled, to accept arbitration for settling the present wages question, but that such arbitration be bated, on the state of the spinning trade on and from November 1, 1897, or any time afterwalds before such notice expiresi" At a large meeting of cotton operatives at Hey- wood on Saturday evening the general secretary of the Weavers' Association said the operatives con- tended that any reduction of wages would not bring about a better state of trade, and, consequently, if the employers persisted in their present demand for 5 per cent. reduction of wages a fierce struggle would ensue. The operatives had been husbanding their resources for some time, and they were now in a strong position. Since the proposal for a reduction was first mooted con- siderable improvement had been noticeable in the market, and the operatives considered that owing to this fact the masters' demand ought to be withdrawn. The operatives claimed that they had done nothing to bring about the alleged depression, and consequently they ought not to be called upon to suffer. The president of the Weavers' Association said the Em- ployers' Federation seemed to be only a wage- reducing federation." If there was stagnation in the trade he thought-the employer* and operatives ought to take concerted actfon to rid themselves of those who fed and fattenedon the industry and who were unnecessary, and then a better state of things would prevail. ENGINEERING STRUGGLE. Speaking on Sunday afternoon at a large meeting held in the Old Meeting House, Stepney, in support of the locked-out engineers, Mr. Steadman, of the London County Council, intimated that the London Trades Council would meet this week, and that they would have under consideration a proposal for taking steps to bring kindred trades into line with the engineers in the present struggle. Mr. Barnes, alluding to tbilt declayation of Mr. Steadman in his subsequent remarks, said. the position of affairs in the cotton trade, brought about by an acceptance of arbitration, would have the effect of releasing trade union funds, and, consequently, the volume of support to the engineers would be greater. As to the next move :regardinjl; which he endorsed what Mr. Steadman had said-it might now be the men's turn to fight all along' the line with the combined forees-of labour. The employers would very likely find before this week was out that they had no longer a mere sectioned movement to contend against, but to meet £ he whole strength of labour, not only in this country, but isi others. As far at be was concerned, be was not going to lay down his arms until eight hours was won, not one for London, but for the pro- vinces. Usk. Brown (secretary to the Joint Com- mittee) said a member of a.Church ofengland Guild had written to the Archbishop of Canterbury asking him to make an appeal on behalf of the. wives and children, of the labourers. thrown idle through the dispute. He held the archbishop's replyin his hand. It was in these terms: Lambeth Palace, November 5, 1897.—My dear Sir,—You were told that I could not take sides in the present dispute between the employers and the workmen. Gladly, indeed, would I do anything tn bring the dispute to an end. But to supply funds to either party would-be to take a side, and that I do not think I am justified in doing. I pray God t3 open the eyes of both, -r- Ypurs faithfully, F. CAKTAUR." He (Mr. Brown) prayed that God would open Dr. Temple's eyes and his purse, too. He had read some- thing of the teaching of the Founder of our religion^ and he preferred the precepts of Christ to those of the apostolic successor. DISTRIBUTION OP 8TRIKR PAT. The 18th distribution of strike pay to the 84,000 ,men locked out and on strike throughout the United Kingdom took plaoe pq Saturday, the total sum dis- bursed being estimated kt close1 upok £ 41,000. The engineers received 15s., with an allowance of 6d. for each child; the allied workers, 12s. t0 15s. 1 non- unionists, 6B. and labourers; 5a. The following are the official figures with respect to the number of meri now idle: Engineers, 36,000; labourers, 30,000! allied workers, 13,000; and non-unionists, 5000; total, 84,000. BOILIttMAKlRS sus PENDED. The executive of the Boilermakers' Society on Saturday suspended the London district delegate fo his contumacy in connection-with the-'revolt of the ship repairers. -He will receiye no more pay from the society's funds. 'IfElf AND -MASTER$ It"LY.* The replies of the Employers' Federation" and the Amalgamated Society of Engineers to the latest sug- gestion of the Board of Trade in regard to the hold- ing of a conference were sent in on Monday. It is" understood that, with one or two modifications, the Engineers,- Soeiety have accepted the amended draft of the terms of reference, but they insist on the appointment of an impartial chairman and on the 1 withdrawal of the Iock-outiioticessimultaneously with the strike notices. Several large engineering wotks at Farnworth, Bolton, and Sheffield have been, oi are immediately about to be, closed in consequence of the posting of lock-out notices, and a large addi- tion will consequently be made to the number of men out of employ. The executive of the Boiler- makers' Society at Newcastle has sent two delegates to London to make a final effort to induce the Strikers at the Thames ship repairing yards to resume work in accordance with the agreement between Mr. Knight, the general secretary of the society, and the employers six weeke ago. THE RAILWAY MU'S DEMANDS. Replies have been received by tbe Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants from 11 railway com- •vnies to the communications conveying the "national programme" of the railway men. The London and N ort4- Western Company intimate that their employes have the right, as tbey. always have had, to approach the. directors through the proper officers, and the directors see no reason for departing from the practice they have hitherto adopted of deal- ing directly with their servants.

NEWSPAPERS may soon be used in the Kant-lie Citv public schools as text books. At the regular meeting of the local school board, J. M. Greenwood, super- intendent of schools, instructed the principals to keep up an. interest in current events and to en- courage the reading of good newspapers. I will introduce a system whereby newspapere will be used as text books a little later," said Mr. Greenwood, 1118m getting theteaebers prepared for it now." XiiH pugilistic parson is by no means the rarity he would appear to be, for ever since Charles Kingsley coined the phrase. "Muscular.Christianity," there have been many clerical exponents of the noble art. Of the boxing club established by the Rev. Osborne Jay in the East-end everybody has heard, but it ii not so generally known that the Rev. T. Dalton, vicar of Hickleton, has established a similar club in his parish, concerning which he says, I teach our young men to spar, and find they relish and profit by it. .1 question whether tithe can be spent better, or in more profitable ways, for a parish. NOTWITHSTANDING the favourable conditions made for the coal industry of Germany by the Government, notably the low rate of freight on the railways, the output is far from satisfying the demand. Indeed, the imports of English coal have been constantly increasing of late. Last year no less than 47 millions of marks were paid by Germans to English coalowners, the amount imported being 4,307,403 tons, the greater portion of which was consumed by Hamburg. TUB chancel of the parish church of Bottesford, near Grantham, which contains many beautiful memorials of the Duke of Rutland's family, has just been further enriched by the insertion of another stained-glass window to the memory of the late rector—the Rev. Robert Manners Norman, youngest IOn of the late Canon and Lady Adeliza Norman, and nephew of the present duke—who died in Feb- ruary, 1695.' The window contains three lights, and at its base two small angelic figures hold a Beron; which bears an inscription setting forth the object of its insertion.

MASHONA WITCH DOCTOilt, BKMARKABLl CAREER OF KAGUBE. The Civil Commissioner and Magistrate of SttfhP oury, Mashonaland, who is at present in England, has sent an interesting account of the witch doctor Kagube,. whose capture has been announced.^ Kaqrube has been wanted for some time back, and, now that he is locked up at Salisbury, it is expected that Mashona's troubles will cease. This reiparkable man, who has been the cause of much of the rebellion, is known also by the name of Gumborishumba (Lion's Paw), and formerly carried on the business of medicine man near Chiquaqua's kraal. In this profession he was eminently successful, acquiring a large fortune through its practice. He was a skilful manipulator of the bones, or fortnne-telling sticks; dispensed drugs and charms could ward off the evil eye and remove the spells cast by spirits; was a good ventrilo- quist, and made use of his power to astonish the natives, and in fine was a supernatural person alto- gether. He foretold the rinderpest, the drought, and the locust plague. The advent of the British, how- ever, took off the fine fleur "of his divinity, and interfered with his pursuits by reptessing as far as pos- sible the practice of witchcraft. The Kagube resented, and set to work to foment rebellion. When MitDo, the Matabele war god, was hard pushed, be sent to Kagube to obtain assistance. Kagnbe responded by creating a diversion m Mashonaland. He spread the report that the white Impi which left Salisbury for Buluwayo bad been wiped out and Buluwayo razed to the ground, and called upon the Mashonas to rise, promising those who fought that they would be bullet-proof. He was only too successful. Within five days 100 whites were murdered, and the loot laid before Kagube and his confreres, for the- natives dared not keep it themselves For a time the witch doctors revelled in luxury. It was not to last long. The Masbonas, beaten by the whites, hunted from village to village, began to lose faith. He managed, howeveri to invent'stories to explain the reverses, and by his cunning he kept his sway over the people, and thus prolonged the war. He proved a most elusive enemy. Time and again the British thought they bad entrapped him, but he always found a way of escape. The natives themselves, while willing to tell of his whereabouts, never ventured to accompany the British to to spot, such was their dread of this man. He has now judged it better to throw himself on British clemency rather than risk any longer the chance of being shot. Astute witch doctor!

A SANCTUARY FOR WILD BIRDS. The Guildford Natural History Society have been considering the question of the preservation of Wolmer Forest, which is only 15 miles froth that town, and have decided to present a petition to the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, praying that Wolmer Forest may be reserved as at sanc- tuary for wild birds, in which they, their nests, and eggs may remain unmolested throughout the year; that it may not be let at any time for game preserving, or for any purpose inimical <p bird life; and that it may remain in perpetuity; as a national memorial to the greatest out-door nattiralist England has produced—Gilbert White, of Selborne. Such a recognition, the society urge, would show that the admiration of Gilbert White in the 19th century was not verbiage merely, but that it took so practical a shape as to be of value to the naturalist and the English-speaking race for all succeeding time. The society have no wish to attempt to interfere with the use of the forest by the War Office for the purposes of military manoeuvres.

PRINCESS ELVIRA'S ACTION. The elopement of the Princess Elvira, the daughter of Don Carlos, with Folchi, the artist, was a nine days' wonder; but interest will be revived )n the affair, as the Princess has instituted an action against her father. The action is to recover her shareof her mother's fortune, the interest of which now goes to Don Carlos. The trial will take place in Italy. ('' I

BULUWAYO RAILWAY. STTKKINQ SPEECHES AT Tnii INAUGURAL BANQUET. Responding to the toast of the Cape Railways at the Buluwayo inagural banquet the other night, Sir James Sivewright, Minister for Public Works, laid that that day witnessed the triumph of engineers over almost insuperable difficulties. The railway to Buluwayo meant every- thing to Rhodesia, as it was impossible to develop a new country without transport. Regarding those determined to see nothing in it, he feared that the wish was father to the thought. He had never wavered in his belief in Rhodesia, and repudiated scornfully the idea that the numbers of fine young Englishmen who were present would be parties to so gigantic a fraud as their enemies insinuated. Con- tinuing, the speaker said that the realsignificabce of that day's proceedings Jay in the fact that every man there was striving, each in his own way, to extend the name and fame of England. Sir James Sivewright read the following message received from Mr. Rhodes; "I have made up my mind to extend the railway to Zambesia without delay. The magnificent coalfields between here and there mean much to us. Let us see the work accomplished during our lifetime." In con- clusion, the speaker dwelt upon the solidarity of interests between the Cape and Rhodesia, and aid that he was sure that Cape Colony would always stand by them whatever Go- vernment might be in office. Responding to the toast of the Bechuanaland Railway Company, proposed by Sir A. Milner, Mr. Lawley, the Adminis- trator, paid a tribute to Mr. Rhodes, whose master- mind had conceived the magnificent project; and said that it was not the present intention of the Government to extend the railway to Mashonaland, but that a survey was now being made towards Victoria Falls, on the Zambesi, for the purpose of tapping the immense resources of the forests and coalfields of the North. After acknow-, ledging the immense assistance rendered by the Cape Government. Mr. Lawley concluded by declaring that what Cambyses and Napoleon had failed to do had been accomplished by one English- man, whose aim was to extend Imperial srpremacy in Africa and diminish the force of human suffering and human sin. Sir Alfred Milner has laid the foundation stone of the new public library of Buluwayo, and afterwards visited the Exchange, where an exhibition of Rhodesian products is being held. The Cape Government will take over the new railway on November 15.

MINISTER ASSASSINATED. Cable despatones b»vo been received at the Brazilian Legation in London announcing that an attack was made upon the life of the President at Rio de Janeiro on Friday of last week and that the Minister of War, in attempting to shield the Presi- dent, was fatally stabbed, and died shortly after- wards. The murderer, who is a soldier, was promptly arrested. The President's nephew was also slightly, The Brazilian legation have received a message that the funeral took place on Saturday, in the presence of 20,000 people. The President, who escorted the cortege, received an ovation from the crowds.

As soon as the Royal children arrive at a cycling age they are one and all taught to ride the wheel, and It is said, remarks Woman, that quite a pretty rivalry exists among the children of the Duchess of Albany, the Duchees of Connaught, and Princess Beatrice. The best rider is Princess Margaret of Connaught, who has a graceful, erect seat, and causes no small astonishment among her small cousins by her courage and clever little tricks. Princess Ena of Battenberg was particularly quick in mastering the cycle, and in less than a fortnight conld ride more than fairly well. Her brother, Prince Alexander, and her cousin, the young Duke of Albany, are great enthusiasms of the wheel. MANY ladies from Royalty downwards are success- ful salmon fishers. The Princess of Wales, Princess Charles of Denmark, and the Duchess of Fife are adepts, as are Lady Alington and Lady Katberine Scott, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Buc- cleuch. Lady Londonderry and Mrs. Oliphant sail and steer a boat to perfection, and the ladieff Match at Cowes is now a recognised feature of the yachting week. Lady Londonderry boats a good dea on the lough near Mount Stew-art, °me11 Ireland, and has a small iIoilt.lor,benelf caned the Metwenda. Metnenda is the first word of the family motto.

N!!iiIPQó. -IT -4 r TYPHOIB. SflDlMIC AT MAIDSfOiW. Wianj add,tion of 14 to the total of typhoid at Maidstone. Eleven fresh Uses were reported on Saturday, increasing the ^Sregate to 1806, and on Sunday morning tho medical officer of health reported the receipt of three additional notifications, making 1809 altogether. The official returns for last week, taken as a whole show a distinct improvement compared with those for the preceding seven weels; the reduction being equal to one and a fraction per dibm. The new case* during the week numbered 34 as compared with 42 in the previous week. The rate of mortality keeps comparatively low, the deathir frmn typhoid registered within the borough amounting up to date to 123. The local relief fund has been is- creased to £ 17,800. A donation of 50 guineas from the general funds of the Skinners' Company was the chief contribution received by the Mayor on Saturday. From Sir Frederick Seager Hunt, M.P. for the borough, a further gift in kind, in the shape of a 30-gallon cask of brandy, has been received at the central relief stores. It is calculated that relief in kind is being distributed from these stores to the value of from JE150 to E200 per day. Several batches of convalescent patients were sent away by the Relief Committee last week. A party of about 70 arrived at Sandgate on Saturday afti)rnoon, adults and children. They are located at Beach Rocb, the London Samaritan Society's Convalescent Home, a building on the sea front. They travelled in through carriages placed at the disposal of the Relief Committee by the South-Eastern Railway Company, and special provision had been made for their recep- tion at Sandgate Station, from whence the omnibus of the home took them to their destination. AT LYNN. There was a still further reduction in the number of notifications on Saturday at Lynn, when only seven fresh cases were reported, making a total of 348, and two more deaths, making the number 17. Marbam water, drawn from the Wisbech Waterworks Company's mains, is now being sold in the streets of Lynn. CLIFTON CLEAR. **A Clifton Physician writes to say that it is a mistake to suppose there is an epidemic of typhoid fever in Clifton. There are many cases of fever of the influenza type with severe gastro-intestinal dis- turbance, but none of these cases present the ordi- nary features of typhoid fever. No direct typhoid infection has been traced to milk, and no particular farm has been shown to be infected by typhoid fever excretions."

MR CHAMBERLAIN AT GLASGOW. Mr. Chamberlain was on Monday presented with the freedom of the city of Glasgow. The ceremony took place in St. Andrew's-hall. The piesentatijn was made by the Lord Provost Richmond. In acknowledging the honour, Mr. Chamberlain referred with satisfaction to the proofs which were being given every day that the colonies were becoming more closely united to ourselves. The idea of a united Empire, which had been regarded as a dream of theorists, had come within a measurable distance of practical realisation. Let us hold fast to it, and the future would have for us in store a greatness of which our ancestors had never dreamt. The right hon. gentleman proceeded to dwell on the great develop- ment of municipal institutions, which he was disposed to think the most remarkable of the beneficent reforms illustrating the present reign. He contrasted tbe Glasgow of 1833, before the date of municipal reform, which the Glasgow of to- day, laying special stress on the fact that since the new popular municipalities were inaugurated there had scarcely been even the suspicion of anything in the nature of pecuniary corruption in any one of the reformed corporations. He believed that the improvement in the present social conditions of the working classes was more largely due to municipal government than to any other source. Mr. Chamberlain was afterwards entertained to luncheon at the city chambers, and, in acknowledging the toast of his health, contrasted the working of municipal institutions in Great Britain and in the United States. He thought the explana- tion of the success of our system and the compara- tive failure of the American was to be found in the way in which officials were selected and treated. We must have the best officials, selected without regard to their political opinions, and must pay them the market price for their services.

POST OFFICE ROBBERY. Between two and three o'clock on Sunday morning the stables of the post office mailman at Wolverton were broken into. The horse was harnessed to the Newport Pagnel mail-cart, and the vehicle, contain- ing a number of mail-bags, driven off. Several hours later it was found abandoned on the road in Gayhurst Park, and the horse was discovered feed- ing. Some of the mail-bags are stated to have been extracted, but the authorities are very reticent. The Bucks police have the matter in band. The same night St. James's Church, Stantonbury, in the same district, was entered, presumably by the same band, and the offertory-box stolen.

MAN KILLED BY A SENTINEL. On Monday afternoon several men were in a drinking saloon at LHle in the company of a woman near the Valenciennes gate. Suddenly a dispute arose between them, and the woman suffered some ill- treatment. A police officer intervened, but the men fell upon him and disarmed him, and one of them, taking possession of his sword, fled in the direction of the ramparts. A sentinel called out to him to stop, and as the summons was not obeyed, fired and killed the fugitive on the spot.

THOUSANDS OF PEASANTS NEAR STARVATION. The protocol dealing with the reinstatement of the Thessalian refugees in their homes has been signed at Athens. In addition to the conditions already known it provides for a tax of 60 paras on sheep. Disbanded reservists are prohibited from re- entering the country. The Greek Commissioner has signed these conditions under reservation, and the Greek Government will appeal to the Powers. More than 16,000 refugees have already returned to Thessaly. The Queen has left Athens for Euboea to give succour to the destitute Thes- uliàns there. Sir E. Egerton, the British Minister, accompanied by Lady Egerton, Consul Maxse, and Mr. Atkin, returned to the Piraeus on Monday on board H.M. cruiser Gibraltar, after distributing blankets, shoes, and warm clothing to the destitute Thessalians ia Euboea and Boeotia. It has been decideo to make an appeal to Euro- pean and American charity for £ 20,000, as the poor peasants are in terrible distress, and additional soup kitchens most be opened in order to save life. The Press Association on Monday received the following message, dated Athens, November 8, from Mr. Atkin, secretary to the Refugees' Fund: "V cry urgent necessity liberal support for relief Thessalian refugees. Extended operations essential, otherwise great mortality among 30,000 destitute."

BURGLARY AT A PALACE. According to mail advices received at Marseilles from Siam, it is reported that murders and cases of robbery with violence are becoming more and more frequent. The lunatic asylum at Bangkok was recently attacked by a band of armed brigands, who decamped with a considerable sum of money after murder- ing the superintendent and woUnding two attendants. The journal VIndependence du Tonkin mentions a number of crimes, tbe authors of which have gone unpunished. "Revolver shots," the journal says, are frequently exchanged in the streets of Bangkok, and the tramway cars and other public conveyances are guarded by police armed with Joaded carbines. The Palace of the King is not even safe against the invasion of thieves, a large quantity of gold and jewellery having recently been carried off from its precincts." fj

IN response to several inquiries by American firms, the United States Consul at Stuttgart has sent home a report that Germany, next to Great Britain, is the largest consumer of eggs in Europe. The net annual imports approximate 125 million dozen. The reason i why Germany cannot produce sufficient eggs for home consumption is excessive dampness of the climate, which causes a great mortality among chickens. The eggs are imported chiefly from I Russia, Austria, Italy, and Holland. The Consul fancies that there is in the country an excellent chance for trade in American imported egge. I II