The Aberystwith Observer

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. In the HOUSE OF LORDS, June 30, the Duke of Buccleuch and the Marquis of Normanby took the oath and their seats, the former m succession to his late father, and the latter for the first time m this Parlia- mThe report of amendments to the Secretary for Scot- land Bill was agreed to, a further amendment excluding endowed schools from the departments subject to the new secretary, being carried against the Government. Earl Granville, in reply to the Duke of Marlborougn, declined to give piecemeal information as to the pro- posals submitted to the Conference; and added that General Gordon's presence at Khartoum had un- -doubtedly acted as a considerable check on the advance of the Mahdi. The National Debt (Conversion of Stock) Bill was read a third time and passed, and several other bills having been advanced a stage, their lordships rose at five minutes past seven o'clock. THE GARRISONS IN THE SOUDAN. In the HOUSE OF COMMONS Lord E. Fitzmaurice in- formed Mr. Ashmead-Bartlett that a telegram received on the previous day from Consul Baker at Souakim, reported the arrival there of some pilgrims who had left Khartoum on May 23, and Berber on June 7. They stated that those places were safe on the dates men- tioned, that food was plentiful, and the garrisons numerous. SMALLPOX IN LONDON. In answer to Dr. Cameron, Mr. G. Russell said: The number of small-pox patients who have been treated in the hospitals of the Metropolitan Asylums Board since the 1st of January, 1884, is 2628. The number of deaths that have occurred among them is 282. The number of deaths from smallpox that have occurred in London since the same date outside these hospitals is 107. THE CONFERENCE. Replying to Mr. C. Lewis, Mr. Gladstone stated that, in accordance with his undertaking that the whole of the proceedings of the Government in relation to the preliminary agreement with France, and the action which might be taken in the Conference should become entirely subject to the judgment of Parliament, it was his intention to ask an affirmative vote of the House of Commons, which would have the effect of either sus- taining or overthrowing the arrangements of the Government. The Chancellor of the Exchequer added, in reply to Sir H. Wolff, that no date had been fixed for the next meeting of the Conference. THE CREW OB THE NISERO. In answer to Mr. Storey, Lord E. Fitzmaurice an- nounced, with an expression of deep regret, that three -of the crew of the Nisero had died in captivity and that others were ill. The whole question was the subject of -an active interchange of views between her Majesty's Government and the Netherlands Government. THE PROPOSED VOTE OF CENSURE. At the conclusion of question time, Mr. Gladstone, in pursuance of notice, moved that the Orders of the Day be postponed until the conclusion of the Vote of Censure debate. Mr. Forster appealed to Mr. Arnold to withdraw his amendment on the ground that the previous question would be the most fitting method of meeting a motion which he deemed most inopportune. Mr. Arnold declined, and Sir W. Lawson asked the Prime Minister to take some action of the kind. Mr. Gladstone, in reply, expressed the opinion that the debate would be most injurious and inoppor- tune, and that it would be impossible for the Govern- ment to enter into a general defence of their policy. 4fr. Goschen thereupon said that what had happened con firmed him in the opinion that the House would be doing its duty to the public if it refused to postpone the Orders of the Day. No doubt the Government was bound by custom aud usage to find a day when notice was given of a Vote of Censure; but the House was not bound by any such consideration, and by declining to allow the debate to come on, the House would preserve to itself the same liberty of action which had been slaimed by the French Chamber. Sir S. NORTHCOTE reminded the House that when they were told that a Conference was to be held they were assured that its object was purely financial. They now found that an agreement had been made between her Majesty's Government and the Government of France, which laid down principles of the greatest im- portance, and the question was whether that agree- ment ought to be accepted as a basis for any further proceedings, or whether the House ought not to express its disapproval of it at once. The Chancellor of the Exchequer denied that the House had been in any way misled, and pointed out that if no agreement were come te between the Powers in conference the Anglo-French agreement would be at an end; while, on the other hand, if the Powers • should agree together the House would have the fullest opportunity of discussing not only the proceedings of the Conference but the understanding with France. In his opinion, a debate on the present occasion would be most mischievous. Mr. Illingworth and Mr. Heneage supported the course suggested by Mr. Goschen. Baron H. de Worms spoke against it, and Mr. Raikes remarked that people out of doors would conclude that Mr. Goschen was acting in concert with the Government, and that the Liberal party was afraid to face the discussion, to which Sir W. Harcourt replied that Mr. Raikes was the only person in the House capable of making such a suggestion. The House then divided, and the motion to postpone the Orders was negatived by 190 to 148. Mi. Gladstone and all the members of the Treasury bench present voted with the minority; but the announcement of the members was received with loud cheers from the benches behind them. After the division Sir S. Northcote complained that the Prime Minister had now for the first time declared the motion to be mischievous, though he had not dropped a word to this effect when he gave a day for it. To this Mr. Gladstone replied that he had not felt Palled on to make this declaration until the responsi- bility was placed on him by Mr. Forster's appeal. MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS BILL. The House then proceeded to the Orders of the Day, the first of which was the consideration of the Municipal Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Practices) Bill as amended by the Standing Committee. Much objection was raised to taking the bill in the absence of many members interested who had not expected it to 'Come on, and the Irish members especially opposed the extension of the bill to Ireland. Successive motions Were made to adjourn the debate and the House, and, ultimately, after a formal stage had been taken, the discussion of amendments which are to be proposed "Was adjourned. In the course of the discussion it was -stated by the Home Secretary that the London Govern- ment Bill would be taken on Thursday. THE POLICE BILL. Mr. Hibbert next moved the second reading of the Police Bill, the main object of which he explained to be the pensioning of policemen after 25 years' service, but at the minimum age of 55. Mr. Sclater-Booth objected to the proposed interfer- ence with the discretion of local authorities, and the burden to be imposed upon the rates. Lord Folkestone moved the adjournment of the debate on the ground that members had been taken by ■ surprise, and after an unsuccessful attempt at a count out and some strong observations from Sir William Harcourt on the obstruction with which the bill was met, the motion was negatived by 56 to 18. The debate on the bill was continued by Sir W. Barttelott, who objected to the interference with the ,local authorities. Sir M. Hicks-Beach and Sir M. Lopes also dwelt on the expenses which the bill would throw on the local Sir W. Harcourt denied this, and after some remarks from Sir H. Selwin-Ibbetson and General Alexander, Who supported the bill, it was read a second time. After some other orders had been disposed of, the House was counted ont at half-past one o' clock. In the HOUSE OF LORDS, July 1, there was a very ^rge attendance of peers, especially on the Opposition Slde, the peeresses' galleries were well filled, and the spaces at the foot of the throne and outside the bar were thronged by Privy Councillors, the sons of peers, and members of the House of Commons. THE FRANCHISE BILL. Earl Cairns gave notice that he should move, as an ■^nendment to the motion for the second reading of the Representation of the People Bill, that, while prepared *o concur in a well-considered and complete system for jhe extension of the franchise, the House did not think right to assent to the second reading of a Bill having *°r its object a fundamental change in the constitution the electoral body of the kingdom which was not ^pcompanied by a provision for so apportioning the nght to return members as would insure a full and fair representation of the people, or by any adequate security that the present bill should not come into operation ex- cept as part of an entire scheme. THE VOTE OF CENSURE. The Earl of Carnarvon, referring to the motion of Which he had given notice condemning the Anglo- French Agreement on Egyptian affairs, said he failed to«ee how any mischief could result from a discussion the subject prudently conducted. But the Prime Minister in the other House had taken a course which was absolutely unprecedented in the annals and tradi- tions of Parliament, by granting a day and subse- quently declaring that the discussion would be inoppor- sio tune and injurious to the public interest. If the Foreign Secretary adopted that statement of the JMme Minister the noble earl intimated that he be- lieved he should best consult the feelings of the House by refraining from pressing his motion. Earl Granville denied that what had taken place in the other House on the previous day was in the nature of a party manoeuvre, and read a letter from Mr. Goschen asserting in unqualified terms that no one directly or indirectly connected with the Government had any knowledge of the course which he was about to take. The noble lord added that he entirely agreed with the Prime Minister as to the inexpediency and dis- advantage of a discussion. The Marquis of Salisbury described the circumstances as curious and unprecedented, and remarked that it was strange that Mr. Gladstone's personal influence should not have succeeded in drawing any of his fol- lowers into the same lobby with him, and that the numbers were sufficient to decide against the right hon. gentleman's vote and at the same time give effect to his expressed opinion. Some people said a rebuff had been received at the Conference, but he was rather disposed to think that the Government had ascertained that their prospect of obtaining a majority was proble- matical. After some remarks from the Earl of Kimberley the subject dropped; and the Cruelty to Animals Acts Amendment Bill and the Customs and Inland Revenue Bill were read a third time and passed. Their lordships rose at twenty. minutes past five o'clock. CRUELTIES IN EGYPTIAN PRISONS. Mr. W. E. Forster having asked what steps her Majesty's Government would take to prevent cruel in- justice in Egypt, and especially cruelty in Egyptian prisons and the imprisonment of innocent people, Mr. Gladstone admitted that the effect of the military occu- pation was to impose upon her Majesty's Government a very heavy responsibility, and stated that they would continue to do what they had been doing, and that they had no reason to be dissatisfied up to the present time with its results, especially with regard to the state of Egyptian prisons, though, of course, Egypt was still much behind the condition of Western nations. The abuse of imprisonment had been made a legal offence, entailing liability to prosecution before the Courts. Mr. Chaplin inquired whether the right hon. gentle- man could hold out any hope that the Government would take more effective steps than they had taken for the prevention of the cruelties described by Mr. Clifford Lloyd, the accuracy of whose statements was not disputed by her Majesty's Government. Mr. Gladstone recommended hon. members to with- hold their judgment until they were in possession of fuller information, and that the Government would persevere in the course they had already pursued, the result of which had been, in the opinion of competent authorities, even more favourable than under all the circumstances could have been expected. Mr. Chaplin gave notice that he would take the earliest opportunity of calling attention to the subject, and move a resolution. THE SMALL-POX EPIDEMIC. Dr. Cameron called attention to the smallpox epidemic in London, and dwelt on its alarming increase. I He moved a resolution, which was seconded by Dr. Farquharson, that the Government should at once apply to the metropolis those rational principles of prompt and direct preventive administration, the efficacy of which in circumscribing smallpox epidemics had been demonstrated by the experience of Glasgow and other large towns. Sir C. Dilke said he was not disposed to deny the necessity for more prompt and direct preventive ad- ministration, but he dissented altogether from the applicability of the house-to house visitation system. He believed that the station system was as effective and much cheaper, and he thought the best mode of meeting the resolution was by moving the previous question. Mr. Anderson supported the resolution, and Mr. Hopwood was deprecating alarming statements as likely to create panic, when the House was counted out at five minutes past seven o'clock. THE HOUSE OF LORDS. In the HOUSE OF COMMONS, July 2, Mr. Labouchere gave notice that on Monday he would ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the facts that the House of Lords is composed almost exclusively of large landowners, and that there is, and has been for many years, a permanent Conseivative (in the party sense of the word) majority of peers, and in view of the declared intention of a leading member of that party majority to appeal to it, in order to render nugatory the time which has been devoted by this House during the present session to give legislative effect to the pledges given by them to their constituents, and to which they owe it that they were returned as members of this House, by passing a bill bringing within the pale of the franchise about two million taxpayers who are now without votes; this House and the country may indulge in the hope that he will advise her Majesty to create such a number of peers of approved Liberal and Radical opinions (loud laughter), and selected from all classes of the com- munity, as will redress the balance of parties in the House of Lords; render it more difficult than it is at present for that House to throw out or to emasculate measures introduced into this House by Liberal Ministries and passed in this House by large majorities; and to secure to the Liberals and Radicals of the United Kingdom a voice in the deliberations and decisions of the Upper House of the Legislature proportionate to their num- bers and whether this House and the country may also indulge in the hope that he will submit to the appre- ciation of the House and the country a measure which will insure that in future important bills which have received the assent of the representatives of the people, will become law without unnecessary delay. POOR LAW GUARDIANS IN IRELAND. Mr. Gray moved the second reading of the Poor-law Guardians (Ireland) Bill, which proposed to apply the ballot to Poor-law elections, to reduce the proportion of ex-officio members of boards of guardians to one third, to fix six as the maximum number of votes which any elector might give, and to abolish the property qualifi- cation for membership of a board of guardians, and the right of voting by proxy. Mr. M'Coan, in supporting the bill, accused the Na- tionalist members of having prevented it passing last year ior their own purposes, and Mr. Healy and Mr. J. H. M'Carthy also spoke in its favour. Colonel King-Harman and Mr. Macartney, though disapproving of some of the details, did not object to the second reading, and Mr. Trevelyan, after going through the clauses, said that on the whole the Govern- ment would support it as an interim measure, which would be very useful until a General Local Government Bill could be passed for Ireland. After this the bill was read a second time. HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE (PROVINCIAL SITTINGS) BILL. Mr. Whitley moved the second reading of the High Court of Justice (Provincial Sittings) Bill, which pro- vides that the judges shall hold continuous sittings at Manchester, Liverpool, and Birmingham. Mr. M. Lloyd moved the rejection of the bill, and Mr. West maintained that the recent re-arrangements of the circuits were utterly inadequate for the require- ments of Lancashire. Mr. C. Russell was of the same opinion, but thought the bill failed, inasmuch as it did not require an in- crease in the number of Judges. Mr. Gregory, Mr. Tomlinson, and Mr. Muntz spoke, and Sir R. Cross cordially supported the bill, which he hoped would be pressed to a division. The Solicitor-General took exception to the bill on various grounds—that it did not provide for the require- ments of Yorkshire, that it would increase the cost of litigation, and that there would not be sufficient work for continuous sittings; but he promised that the Government would carefully watch the new system and would be anxious to supply any deficiencies which experience might reveal. Lord C. Hamilton and Mr. Davey recommended the withdrawal of the measure, but Mr. Whitley insisted on going to a division. The second reading was carried by 87 to 64. The House adjourned at ten minutes to six o'clock.

MONDAY NIGHT'S DIVISION. The scene in the Lobby of the House of Commons on Monday evening during the division on the Prime Minister's motion to postpone the orders of the day was scarcely less exciting than that within the House. More than twenty members arrived just in time to find the door closed in their face, and the number was momentarily increased. Mr. Gladstone and all his Ministerial colleagues voted for the motion to postpone the Orders of the -4 Day, and were thus in the same lobby with the Con- servative party. Mr. Summers, Mr. Storey, and Mr. O'Connor Power were the only other Liberals who voted in that lobby. Mr. Biggar, by exception, voted with the Government, the rest of the Irish members going with the Liberal party. No precedent can be recalled in Parliamentary history for the course taken by the majority of the House in voting against a proposal made by Ministers to set aside a day for debate on a vote of censure on Ministers of the Crown.

A child, while walking through an art gallery with her mother, was attracted by a statue of Minerva. "Who is that?" said she. "My child, that is Minerva, the goddess of wisdom." Why didn't they make her husband, too ? Because she had none, my child." That was because she was wise, wasn't it, mamma ? was the artless reply. A LONGHEADED LAWYER.—A celebrated lawyer was having his head measured at a fashionable hat store the other day. The man remarked: "Why, how long your head is, sir" Yes," said the lawyer, "we lawyers must have long heads." The man went on with his measuring, and remarked next, And it is as i thick as it is long, sir."

NORTH WARWICKSHIRE ELECTION. The declaration of the poll for North Warwickshire took place on Tuesday at Coleshill. The polling closed on the previous evening at five o'clock, and by nine o'clock all the ballot-boxes were in; but the counting did not begin until ten o'clock on Tuesday morning. At ten minutes to two the numbers were announced as follows, amid loud cheering from the Conservatives present: Muntz 5282 Corbett 3538 Majority 1744 1 There were 8875 ballot papers, of which fifty-five were rejected. Although the result of the election had been generally foreseen, neither party was pre- pared to find Mr. Muutz returned by so large a majority. At the last contested election in 1874, the numbers were: Newdegate (C.), 4672; Bromley Davenport (C), 4322; Muntz, G. F. (L.), 3189, show- ing a majority for the highest Conservative candi- date of 1483, or 46 per cent. This time the majority amounts to 49 per cent., and nearly 9000 polled out of not quite 12,000 on the register. Mr. Philip Albert Muntz, of Dunsmore, near Rugby, who has been elected in the Conservative interest in the place of the late Colonel Bromley- Davenport, is the youngest son of the late Mr. George Frederick Muntz, of Umberslade, Warwickshire, who sat for some years as M.P. for Birmingham in the advanced Liberal interest, and was born in the year 1839. Mr. Muntz, who was educated by private tutors, is a magistrate for Warwickshire, and married, in 1859, Rosalie, daughter of Mr. Philip Henry Muntz, M.P., of Edstone-hall, Warwickshire. He now enters Parliament for the first time, and is the 112th new member returned to St. Stephens since the last general election. His return on the present occasion leaves the balance of parties in the House of Commons unaltered, the late member having also been a Conservative.

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL ON THE FRANCHISE BILL. Sir Henry James, the Attorney-General, presided at the last of the present season's series of house dinners at the National Liberal Club on Wednesday evening. In responding for the toast of Her Majesty's Government," which was proposed by Mr. Theodore Fry, M.P., the Attorney-General first alluded to the exceptional difficulties which the present Government has been obliged to encounter. In referring especially to the Franchise Bill, he said they had now before them the serious task of endeavouring to do justice to the claims of two millions of qualified citizens, and at the same time by moderation and firmness to preserve one of our institutions which Tory peers, in spite of all ap- peals, seemed willing at this grave crisis to endanger by their conduct. After the Conservative legislation of 1867, it was impossible to leave the franchise where it stood, and the Conservatives must bear their full share of responsibility for the legislation which the House of Commons had now so unmistakably ap- proved. The power of the press and of popular edu- cation had made marked progress since 1867, and the Liberal party would have failed to fulfil the terms upon which they obtained power and office if they had longer delayed the act of justice which the House of Lords now threatened to defeat. The Government had carefully endeavoured to perform their duty in that matter with the least possible hostility to_the vested interests, and even to the prejudices of the Tories; indeed, scarcely any member of the Opposition in the House of Commons had ventured to declare himself adverse to the just- ness of the claims of the householders in counties. Practical politicians on the Conservative side had admitted that it would take nearly six months to pass a Redistribution Bill; and considering the time that it had already taken to get a third reading of the Franchise Bill, it was obviously impossible that both measures could be passed in one session. The Go- vernment had, however, deferred the operation of the Franchise Bill, so that it might come into force concurrently with the Redistribution, to which they had distinctly promised to devote next session. Although the House of Lords was not subject to popular election, its members should recollect that they were trustees for the people, and therefore ought to pay due regard to the just and reason- able demands of the people. Their lordships must be made aware of the fact that there was a decided and irresistible popular demand for equal electoral rights in counties and boroughs. It was to be hoped that something might occur either this session or in some shortly coming session which would prevent that collision between one branch of the Legislature and the great mass of the people of which the Conservative peers seemed ready to provoke. No one seemed so well qualified as Mr. Gladstone to deal with the question of redistribution, and it was to be hoped that that illustrious statesman might be allowed to crown his great career by that measure and by the enfranchisement of two millions of people.

THE DISASTROUS FLOODS IN POLAND. The Czar has just sent 200,000 silver roubles to Warsaw to help to alleviate the distress caused by the disastrous inundations. His Majesty has ordered his aide-de-camp to repair at once to the Polish capital to distribute the gift, and to report to the Czar the extent of the calamity. It is certain that amongst the farmers and labour- ing portion of the country population the floods have caused the most poignant and widespread distress. As to the actual damage done to the crops and other property, no adequate estimate can yet be formed, but it cannot be less than from ten to twenty millions of roubles. The losses in Prussian Poland (Posen) and Aus- trian Poland (Galicia) are hardly inferior to those suffered in the Polish parts of Russia. In one dis- trict of Posen alone sixty thousand acres are under water, and the crops have all been more or less com- pletely destroyed.

POISONED IN A SEWER. On Wednesday forenoon six men employed by the Liverpool Corporation, named Jacob Hatfield, 29, Thomas Holding, 32, Robert Parry, 18, Thomas Yonds, 24, William M'Neill, 27, and Robert Ball, 26, were taken to the Stanley Hospital in that city suffer- ing from poisoning by carbonic acid gas inhaled in a sewer. The boundary sewer has been undergoing re- pairs, and the men, with others, had gone down that morning about a quarter-past nine. Mr. Peters, sewage inspector, noticed a strong odour coming up the sewer, and sent down to see what was the matter. The men were found in a semi-conscious condition. Mr. Peters ordered all the men out of the .sewer, and the six men were carried up the ladder. A doctor was sent for, and in the meantime Police-constable 1033, a member of the St. John Ambulance Corps, and Mr. Peters rendered every assistance to the men. At the hospital all were found to be acutely suffering from poison. It has been suggested that the gas may have got into the sewer from a match manufactory. The mouth of the sewer has been covered with wet sacks to prevent the effluvia rising into the street.

ACCIDENT AT THE HEALTH EXHIBITION. On Wednesday a serious accident occurred in the machinery department of the Health Exhibition. A man named John Sycamore, aged forty-eight, em- ployed at one of the ventilating apparatus exhibits, was at work in a railed-off portion of the exhibition of the Blackman air-propeller. This apparatus revolves at great speed, causing a strong current of air to rush into a room behind, which is open for visitors. The man appears to have been stooping under the air- propeller for some purpose, and to have forgotten its presence, for he rose suddenly, and the sharp edge of the revolving flange caught his head, inflicting a terrible wound. Uttering a shriek, the man threw up his left arm, and this also got caught, and a portion of it was torn away. The man sunk down in an un- conscious condition to the floor, and was immediately removed to the hospital. The injuries will probably prove fatal.

EPITOME OF NEWS. BRITISH AND FOREIGN. In the cricket match between the Players of England and the Australians, at Sheffield, the latter were vic- torious by six wickets. In Dumfriesshire numerous complaints are heard about the ravages of rabbits. Scarlet fever has broken out on board some of the ships of the Channel Squadron. The Dundee jute spinners and manufacturers have resolved to reduce the wages of their workers by 5 per cent., in consequence of the unprofitable state of trade, and also to put their mills on short time, so as to lessen the production of material. The workers in two of the largest lineu manufacturers in Brechin have struck work beeause of a reduction of 5 per cent. in their wages. The one hundred and tenth anniversary of the birth of General Hoche has just been celebrated at Versailles, the place and statue of the Republican hero being decked out with flags during the day, and illuminated at night, on the occasion. I Lord Kinnaird has intimated his intention of re- ducing the rents on his Rossie estates 15 per cent. in consideration of the depressed state of agricultural affairs. A Parliamentary Paper issued on Tuesday shows that the number of human corpses found in the Regent's Canal within the metropolitan district during the years 1882 and 1883 was in the former year forty- four, and in the latter forty-three. The coroners' juries returned verdicts of accidental death in twenty- one cases, of wilful murder in two cases, of suicide in eighteen cases, and forty-six open verdicts. Both Houses of Convocation of the Province of Can- terbury met again on Wednesday. In the Upper House the debate on the constitution of the Final Court of Appeal was resumed and concluded. In the Lower House the subject discussed was the Reform of Convocation. A representative deputation of miners waited upon the Home Secretary on Wednesday, at the House of Commons, to present a memorial praying for an increase in the number of inspectors of coal mines. Sir W. Harcourt expressed himself as being by no means un- favourable to the views of the deputation, and promised to consult with Mr. Burt, M.P., on the matter. Mr. Muntz, the newly-elected member for North Warwickshire, was in attendance on Wednesday at the House of Commons, desiring to take his seat. But the writ of his return had gone astray. It had not reached the proper authorities in the office of the Lord Chan- cellor, and nothing could be traced with respect to it beyond the fact that it was duly posted on Tuesday. The Times says: It is not likely that the debate on the Franchise Bill in the House of Lords will extend beyond two nights. The division, therefore, is expected on Tuesday night, and on Thursday Mr. Gladstone will, after consultation with his colleages, announce the action which the Government will take. The division is expected to be one of the largest ever taken in the House of Lords, and the whips sent out are of the most urgent nature. The New York Castle Garden authorities report that 192,171 emigrants arrived there during the past half- year, as against 226,305 in the first half of 1883. The Emperor of Germany has made the Prince of Wales an honorary Knight of the Samaritan Order of St. John. A Philadelphia correspondent states that Allan Pin- kerton, a famous detective and chief of the leading American detective bureau, died at Chicago on Tues- day, aged 64. He was a native of Glasgow. The Cunard steamer Oregon arrived at Queenstown at 5.15 a.m. on Wednesday, having made the passage from New York in 6 days 15 hours and 30 minutes mean time, including a stoppage of three hours off the Fastnet during a dense fog. If the steamer had not been detained this passage would, it is stated, have been the fastest on record. A five-storey warehouse at Stannary, Halifax, occupied by G. B. Smith, brassfounder, and W Helliwell, tin trunk maker, was burnt out on Wednes- day. The damage is estimated at £ 6000. A wall fell on a row of houses, completely ruining six and partly destroying two others. The Congregational church and schools, built at a cost of some £ 20,000,- had a narrow escape, the tower taking fire. The Mail steamer Chyebassa left Gravesend on Wed- nesday for Queensland, having on board 94 single men, 95 single women, and married couples and children, equal to 99 adults-total 329 souls, or 288 statute adults. It is stated that the exact loss sustained by the French troops in the attack made upon them by the Chinese soldiers at Lang Son was 22 killed and 53 wounded. The Paris says that the French Govern- ment will demand from China an indemnity of 500 000,000 francs for the violation of the Treaty. In London, on Wednesday, Princess Louise opened a new wing of St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington, which will contain 70 beds, and which has been built out of a legacy left by the late Mr. J. F. Standford in memory of his mother. It will be called the Mary Standford Wing. It was stated that about JB3000 yearly will be required to keep it in working order. A conference of representatives of the Conservative Associations of the Midland Coumties was held on Wednesday at Birmingham, when Colonel Burnaby said that Lord Randolph Churchill was suffeiing from overwork. A resolution was carried urging that a re- distribution of seats should accompany the measure for the extension of the franchise. On Wednesday evening the Lord Mayor of London entertained the Archbishop of Canterbury and the bishops at the Mansion House. A numerous and dis- tinguished company was present to meet the prelates. On Wednesday Mr. Mundella, M.P., in opening a new institute at Banbury for the promotion of litera- ture, science, and art, announced that her Majesty had been pleased to confer a baronetcy upon Mr. Bernhard Samuelson, M.P. At the Surrey Sessions, on Wednesday, Emma Short, 32, laundress, was indicted for maliciously wounding Mary Ann Dixon by biting off a piece of her nose. The prisoner and prosecutrix lived together in a lodging house in Mint-street, Borough. A quarrel having arisen between them they fought and rolled together on the floor. On their being separated, it was found that the prisoner had bitten off the tip of the prosecutor's nose. The jury found her Guilty," &nd she was sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour. Intelligence from Marseilles, dated June 30, states the Sostaerk, Norwegian vessel, from Point-a-Pitre for Marseilles, with a full cargo of water, was sunk on the night of the 29th in the Gulf of Lyons by the French transport Garonne. The captain arrived at Marseilles on the 30th. The vessel and cargo were totally lost, and one man was drowned. On Wednesday, whilst the builders were at work in constructing the 7 new Angerrack Viaduct at Hayle, Cornwall, on the Great Western Railway, a scaffold gave way, and two men were precipitated to the ground eighty feet below and instantaneously killed. At the Wiltshire Quarter Sessions, on Wednesday, a young man named Walter Baker, of Birmingham, who had been several times convicted, was charged with maliciously smashing tomb-stones and monuments in the parish church of Oaksey, doing damage to the extent of £ 60. The prisoner, it appeared from the evi- dence, was a man of drunken habits, and committed the damage whila under the influence of drink. He was sentenced to six months' hard labour. In London, on Wednesday, at the Marlborough-street Police court, George H. Hatchard, plumber, of Crown- street, Soho, was charged on remand with causing the death of his daughter, seven years of age, by striking her on the head with a broomstick and fracturing her skull. He was committed for trial. Prince George of Wales has been promoted from the midshipman list to the rank of sub-lieutenant, Royal Navy, having been successful in taking a first-class certificate in seamanship. Earl Nelson presided in London on Wednesday at the 21st meeting of the St. Andrew's Waterside Church Mission, which works among sailors, emigrants, and fishermen. Canon Scarfe, the founder of an hospital and church at Port Said, remarked on the recent great extension of the work, and said the church and hospital would be built as soon as the funds were obtained. Resolutions in support of the mission were adopted. An official despatch from Maderia reports an elec- toral disturbance, attended by bloodshed, at Ribeira Brava, Cape Verde Islands. A riotous party of electors was attaoked by the soldiers, and several were killed and wounded, The despatch adds that order has been restored, and that the Ministerial candidates triumphed at the elections. I The Princess Louise, who was accompanied by the Marquis of Lome, presided on Tuesday at the formal opening of the old cemetery of St. George's, Blooms- bury, London, and which, by the efforts of the Kyrle Society, has been laid out and preserved as a public garden. According to a Dundee paper, on the occasion of a recent Sunday School trip, a minister committed the amazing indiscretion of marrying three couples in fun, and some of them are now dreadfully afraid that by the law of Scotland they are wedded in earnest. On Monday afternoon, while Allan Mackenzie, a gardener, was standing on a low seat arranging some flowers in a garden at Hawick, he lost his balance and fell to the ground. In falling, one of his eyes came in contact with a slight iron rod, which supported a grow- ing plant. The rod pierced the eye and entered the forehead of Mackenzie to a depth of six inches. He died in a few minutes. A telegram, dated Victoria, Vancouver's Island, July 1, states that an explosion occurred on Monday in the Wellington Colliery at Nanaimo. Twenty-four persons were killed and many injured. In London last week 2691 births and 1471 deaths were registered. Allowing for increase of population, the I births were 99, and the deaths 1 above, the average numbers in the corresponding weeks of the last ten years. The annual death-rate from all causes, which had steadily declined in the four previous weeks from 19-2 17-8 per 1000, rose again by 19-1. The deaths in- cluded 29 from small-pox. The cutting of grey peas in the Isle of Thanet has commenced. Owing to the drought they are short in quantity and poor in quality. The number of bills of sale published in England and Wales for the week ending June 28 was 240. The number in the corresponding week of last year was 244, showing a decrease of four, being a net decrease in 1844, to date, of 426. The number pub- lished in Ireland for the same week was 19. The nnmber in the corresponding week of last year was 33, showing a decrease of 14, being a net decrease, in 1884, to date, of 482. Thomas Kennedy, one of the prisoners charged with the murder of a bailiff at Ballyforan, near Ballinasloe, and who last week turned approver, committed suicide in his cell on Tuesday morning by hanging himself to a hook from which his hammock was swung. In the University cricket match at Lord's, which was concluded on Tuesday, Oxford won by seven wickets. At Cheltenham the Philadelphians beat the Gentlemen of Gloucestershire by 168 runs. A death from a singular cause occurred at Raystone on Monday morning. A boy, aged four years, who was left in bed on Sunday morning after his parents had gone downstairs, took from a box in the room a bottle containing brandy, of which, it is supposed, he drank about half a gill. He was afterwards found in bed with the cork of the bottle in his hand, and sleeping so heavily that he could not be roused. Medical assistance was called in, but he died next morning. Crop reports from the Canadian North-west continue to be very gratifying. The we&ther has been propitious, with ample rainfall, and, should present expectations be fulfilled, the crop will be a very large one. The area under cultivation is, moreover, largely in excess of last year. The land returns of the Canadian Pacific Rail- way alone show that, to the end of April in this year, the sales to settlers reached the figure of no less than 53,375 acres, as against only 8000 in the same period of last year. A curious discovery was made near Kanturk on Saturday. Two cannons were found in a meadow near Cullen, on the property of the Earl of Egmont. The pieces were 5ft. long and weighed about 3cwt. They were taken possession of by the constabulary. At. Kennington Oval on Saturday the Australian team continued their second innings in the cricket match with the Gentlemen of England, and were finally dis- missed for 219. This left to the Gentlemen the task of getting 188 to win, but they were dismissed for 141, leaving the colonists victors by 47 runs. The National Cyclists' Union five miles' amateur championship was decided on Saturday at Cardiff. R. Chambers, Speedwell B.C., won very easily, in 15min. 36 4-5 sec. Samuel Lazell, a platelayer employed on the Great Eastern Railway, and living at Brentwood, was knocked down by a train at Chadwell-heath, on Saturday even- ing, and was instantly killed, his head being severed from his body. The deceased had been at work on a piece of garden ground by the side of the line, and it is supposed he was walking down the line with a view of catching a train for Brentwood at the Chadwell- heath station when he met his death. Two small boats capsised on Saturday in a rough sea at the mouth of the Columbia river, Oregon, and seven men on board, who were from Astoria, were drowned. On Monday the revenue returns for the year, as well as for the quarter ending June 30, were issued. The national receipts for the past three months have been £19,942,403, a nett decrease of £854,335 as compared with the corresponding period of 1883. On the revenue for the year there was a net decrease of JE3,4 73,589. A fire took place on Monday afternoon at the exten- sive works of the Kirkcaldy Linoleum Company (Limited), situated in close proximity to the Sinclair- town Railway Station, Kirkcaldy. Owing, however, to the activity of the fire brigade the conflagration was con- fined to Cork Mill, which was entirely destroyed, along with the valuable machinery it contained. The damage is estimated at several thousand pounds. On Monday Joseph Bartholomew surrendered to take his trial at the Central Criminal Court on the charge of stealing sixty-eight gallons of gin from Messrs. Wright and Co., distillers. The Jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty, and the Common Serjeant said the defendant would leave the Court without a stain on his character. A landscape occurred on Monday at the new works which the South-Western Railway Company are con- structing at Exeter, by which one man was killed and another so severely injured that he is not expected to recover, and a third had his thigh and ribs broken. The men were working at the head of a gullet, when the earth came away without the least warning. The election of a mayor for the city of Cork took place on Monday. Mr. Sheehan, a Liberal, was elected by a majority of two votes over the nominee of the Nationalists; a coalition of the Whig and Conservative members having defeated the Nationalist party. A woman who was arrested on a charge of murdering her child at Calais has been sentenced at St. Omer to eight years' imprisonment. The child, which was about twelve months old, had been strangled, and was found in a drainage pipe in the fortifications. Five miners from Springside, Dreghorn, went bathing on Sunday afternoon at Irvine. John Rodger, aged 28, the only one of the number who could swim, swam out about 30 yards. Being missed, two of his com- panion* waded out, and found him floating on the sur- face of the water with face downwards. He was brought ashore, and means taken to restore animation, while a doctor was sent for, but the latter on arrival pronounced life to be extinct. The deceased was a native of Airdrie. At Glasgow, on Friday evening in last week, whilst two boys, named respectively Davidson, aged 13 years, and McKinlay, aged 14, were amusing themselves on a raft in a clay-hole, one of the planks separated, and both boys were thrown into the water. A signalman on an adjoining railway jumped into the water to save them, but both lads had disappeared. The bodies were recovered two hours afterwards. A New York telegram states that the visible supply of wheat on June 27 was 14,900,000 bushels, as against 15,800,000 bushels the previous week. Visible supply of Indian corn, 8,500,000 bushels, as against 8,500,000 bushels the previous week. The export clearances of wheat for Europe during last week amounted to 610,000 bushels; the export clearances of Indian corn for Europe during the week amounted to 980.000 bushels. A Reuter's telegram from Breslau, dated June 27, states: Forty-two miners who have been entombed for a week in a pit near Schwientochlowitz have been rescued." Paris advices state that business in the corn trade has not been more active than hitherto, and that wheat quotations have remained at about their former level. No important transactions have taken place in wheat in the French ports. Last week's receipts of cotton at all United States ports were 6000 bales; since 1st September, 4,780,000 bales. Week's exports to Great Britain, 16,000 bales; ditto to Continent, 3,000. Total since 1st September, 3,658,000 bales; stock at all ports, 346,000 bales; ditto interior ports, 31,000 bales. A Calcutta telegram says a man ran amuck in a small village occupied by railway workmen. He was caught, sent to Thai, and confined in a guard room. Suddenly breaking away, he snatched a sentry's bayonet and stabbed him severely, but before he could attack any other persons he was shot and his body was after- wards burnt. The additions to the Zoological Society's Gardens Regent's-park, London, during last week included two Macaque monkeys from India, presented respectively by Mr. Howard Lane and Madam Kettner; two white- fronted capuchins from South America, presented by Mr. Messum; a coypu from South America, presented by Mrs. Constance Keely; a harpy eagle from South America, a red-billed tree duck from America, presented by Captain H. King; a white-tailed buzzard from America, presented by Mr. Lewis; a wedge-tailed eagle from Queensland, presented by Mr. Henry Ling Roth two choughs, British, presented by Mr. J. Oompton Lees; a grey-breasted parrakeet, from Monte Video, presented by Mrs. Moore; two Cape crowned cranes, from South Africa, presented by Mr. J. R. Chapman; a white stork, European, presented by Mr. Hubert D. Astley; a partridge, British, presented by Mr. George Rubie; a. blue and yellow macaw, from South Amenca, I deposited; a brush-tailed kangaroo, from New South Wales, four white storks, three European land tor- toiseo, European, a common boa, from South America, purchased; a blaek-necked swan, from Antarctic America, received in exchange. I The Municipal authorities at Calais have decided tC7 demolish a large block of buildings erected for the pur- poses of a museum, school of art, &c., at a cost of nearly £ 500,000, owing to the foundation being defective. They have only been erected two or three years. Precautions are being taken throughout Canada against arrivals from France, in consequence of the outbreak of cholera in that country. At an adjourned inquest held on Saturday, on the body of Thomas Gallemore, waggoner, Brewood, the jury found that death was caused by a blow on the head inflicted by Charles Clarkson, of Wolverhampton, but that the blow was given in self-defence, and their verdict was Justifiable homicide." Three spurious B50 Bank of England notes have been received by a New York Bank from out-town branch. An individual has been arrested at Milwaukie while attempting to negotiate similar notes. The number of visitors to the International Health Exhibition for the week ending 28th June was 159,132. Total since the opening, 871,213. Fourteen British and foreign actual shipwrecks wete reported last week, of which nine were British owned, making the total for the present year 794, against 992 for the corresponding period of last year. Only one vessel (British) was reported lost with all hands. Three (Spanish, American, and British owned) were destroyed by fire, one being struck by lightning. The number of live stock and the quantity of fresh meat landed at Liverpool during last week from the United States and Canada amounted to 1262 cattle, 6200 quarters of beef, and 791 carcases of mutton, showing, when compared with the arrivals of the pre- ceding week, a decrease in the imports of live stock, but an increase in that of fresh meat. The members of the Madagascar Committee of France have agreed, with one exception, to a vote of l,851,000f. for the blockade of all commercial ports in the island, and another of l,781,000f. for the permanent occupation of Tamatave, Wohemar, Majunka, St. Augustine's Bay and Fort Dauphin. On Saturday the Russian Emperor's yacht Czarevna, flying the Imperial standard, and accompanied by two other Imperial yachts from Peterhof, sailed past Cron- stadt out to sea. The Imperial party, composed of the Emperor and Empress and the Duchess of Edinburgh, intend visiting the islands on the coast of Finland. The steamer Wieland, which arrived at Plymouth on Sunday from New York, reports that on the 22rd inst., in lat. 43.20 N., long. 47'55 W., she sighted an iceberg at least 150ft. high. A steam boiler in use at a village near Dayton, Ohio, in a flour mill exploded on Friday night in last week, wrecking the mill. Of 40 persons who were working there, 27 were buried in the ruins, seven being killed and others injured-three of them fatally. A telegram from St. John's, Newfoundland, states that the trial of the persons charged with the murder of five Orangemen during the riots at Harbour Grace on December 26 last, took place on Saturday, and resulted in the acquittal of 19 of the prisoners. Hopeful reports are received regarding the potato crop in Scotland, which, although it may be a little late, gives promise of being heavy in bulk. In consequence of the social revolution created by the opening of the American through railway communi- cation in Mexico, a considerable change has taken place in the United States. On the Californian coast the study of French has been in a great measure abandoned in favour of Spanish, which is also being taken up in Chicago, one of the cities foremost in the new Mexican venture. The open Natural Science Prize at Corpus College, Oxford, has been awarded to Mr. Frank Pullinger, from Manchester Grammar School. Mrs. Robbins, aged 43, the wife of Police-constable Robbins, 119 H, who resides at Peabody-buildings, Spitalfields, London, has just presented her husband with three fine little boys, all cf whom, including the mother, are at present doing well. The Liverpool Corporation has offered a reward of £ 20 for the apprehension of the person who has stolen 15 or 16 valuable works from the Free Public Library. The works are nearly all on art topics, and are freely stamped with the corporate seal. James Adams was fishing from a small boat in the Clyde, off Greenock, when his craft was run down and smashed by a tug-steamer, Adams being drowned. The Chief of Kiantung is negotiating with the King of Siam to place Kiantung-which is being harrassed by the Burmese-under Siamese protection. The Siamese border will thus be carried on west of Cam- bodia to within 70 miles of the Chinese frontier. The Secretary of State for War has approved of the attendance of about 1200 Artillery Volunteers at Devonport in July to drill with the regular troops of that arm there. The corps selected to send provisional brigades are the 1st Cornwall, 1st and 2nd Devon, 1st Gloucestershire, and 1st Glamorganshire. Lady Ripon has offered 1000 Rs. to the prize fund in connection with the High School which it is proposed to establish in the Deccan for the education of native girls in English and Sanscrit as well as in the ver- nacular languages. Sir William Wedderburn is ready to contribute 10,000 Rs. as an endowment in memory of his brother, the late Sir David Wedderburn. Some native gentlemen also intend to found a few scholar- ships in memory of H.R.H. the late Duke of Albany. The Duke of Newcastle has again returned his tenants 20 per cent. of their rents. The reduction applies to the past half-year. The Franchise Bill was read a first time in the House of Lords on Friday night in last week; and the Second. Reading will be taken on Monday, the 7th of July Lord Granville's time and attention being now greatly occupied with the business of the Conference the Earl of Kimberley will take charge of the bill. The total number of periodicals printed in Polish amounts to 230, of which 106 are published in Austria, 81 in Russia (including Poland proper), 35 in Prussia, 5 in America, 2 in Switzerland, and 1 at Paris. Two boys, named James Bruce and James Smith, the former aged ten, were playing on the bank of the Clyde at the end of Well-street, Glasgow, when Smith fell into the river. His playmate stripped, and gallantly jumped into the water to rescue him, but unfortunately he was himself drowned. Smith was saved by some by- standers. The body of Bruce was recovered. In London, the other day, at Aldridge's Repository, 85 valuable dogs were disposed of. A pointer, The Fop, from the kennel of Mr. Abbott, of Walton, Surrey, fetched 40 guineas, and Brave Bijou 50 guineas and a brace of setters, Baron and Blue, 39 guineas. From Mr. A. P. Heywood, Lonsdale, a brace of pointers, Mica and Spangle, realised 431. guineas; and Nellie, another pointer, was purchased for 33 guineas. The remaining lots also fetched good prices. A despatch from Bingiargia, in Sardinia, announces that a girl, ten years of age, has been brutally out- raged and murdered at that place. The assassin was arrested. The total number of beasts entered for consumption at the Metropolitan Cattle Market for the week ending Saturday last was 3220 head; the corresponding period of 1883, 2930; 1882, 3160; 1881, 3860; 1880, 3480 1879, 4550; 1878, 4290; 1877, 3750; 1876, 4980; and 1875,4260. THE MARKETS. MARK-LANE At Mark-lane on Monday English wheat was small, but there was no improvement in value, and in foreign wheats, of which arrivals were not heavy, the tendency of prices was weak. Flour met a very dull sale at barely steady rates. Barley was firm in all positions. Beats, with fuller supplies, declined Is. Lentils were depressed to the fame extent. Maize showed fully 6d decline on the week, and was dull at the reduction. Oats did not sell so well as on Friday, and closed quiet at last Monday's rates. The noa-t ng c irgo trade continues du'l, but some busiuess has been done in wheat at about previous rates. Barley quiet, maize dull. METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET. Peast supplies have been fair in extent and a very suita- ble'selection. The trade op ned rather film, and rather more was obtained, exceptionally in some of the eirly sales, but not to establish any quotable advance. The assortment comprised 1000 Norfolk and Suffolk and 1100 other English cattle. From abroad there were 200, chiefly Danish, which sold at 4s 6d to 5s 4d. The sheep and lamb supplies included but few of real desirable weights, though mo-t were prime. Choice small steep upheld their value, and tended rather against the buyers, but the heavy sorts were irregular in p-ice and occasionally cheaper. Calves were very unsaleable aud depressed. Best No-folks and Herefords, 5s 8d; prime shorthorns, 5s 41 to 5s 6d; second quality beasts, 5s to 5s 2d; inferior, 4s to 4s 8d; best Downs and halfbreds, 5s Sd to 6s Od; best long wools, 5s 6d to 5s 8d second qualities and ewes, 48 lOd to 5s 4d lambs, 6s 8d to 7s 4d. Total supplies—2360 beasts, 9880 sheep and lambs; 140 calves. METROPOLITAN MEAT MARKET. Trade opened rather more cheerful, but afterwards slacked off, and finished at about steady rates. Quotations Beef. first quality, 4s 8d to 5s Od middling, 4s Od to4s 4d; inferior, 3s Od to 3s 8d. Mutton, first quality, 5s 8d to 6s Od middling, 4s 8d to 5s 0d, inferior, 3s Od to 4s Od Lamb, 5s 8d to 6s 4d; foreign, 5s 8d to 6s. Veal, first quality, 5s 4d to 5s 8a middling, 4s 4d to 4s 8a; in- ferior, 3s Od to 3s 8d. Pork, first quality, 3s 10a to 4s; middling, 3s 4d to 3s 6d; inferior, 2s 8d to 3s per 81b. FISH. Good supplies and moderate demand. Salmon, soles, grilse, and plaice cheaper Quotations Turbot, 2s od to lis Od • brill, 2s to 5s Od; cod, Is 6d to 2s 6d; gurnet. Is 6d to 2s red mullet, 2s Od each salmon, Scotch and Irish, Is to Is Id; grilse, 91(1 to lftd; trout, Is; sturgeon, 6d; soles, Is 4d per lb; eels, 16s per draft; mackerel, 5s to 10s per three score; haddocks, 7s; whiting, 10s plaice, 14s per box; lobsters, Is to 2&!6d; crabs, Is to 2a 6d each. POULTRY AND GAME. Capons, 6s to 89 6d pullets, 3s 6d to 4e; chickens, Is 6d to 2s 3d; pigeons, 6d to 8d; Bordeaux ditto, Is to Is 3d Aylesbury ducklings, 3s to 5s goslings, 6s to 7s 6d turkey poults, 5s to 6s fat quails, Is 9d to 2s 3d haunches of venison, 60s to 70a each; and forequarters of ditto, 8d to 9td per Ib. POTATOES. There was a good supply of potatoes: on salj, Thi demand was quiet at the annexed rates: Jersey, new, 6a to 7s; Cherbourg, 6s Od to 7s; Malta, is 6d to 5s 6d Lisbon, 4a Od to 5s Od per cwt.