The Aberystwith Observer

POTATO. There was a fair supply of potatoes on sale. The fe de was steady at the annexed rates: Old—Uac&aA bonuma, 90B to HOe; regents, 90s to 120s; Victorias, 90s to 130s; champions, 80s to 0s per tea. New-Malta round. lis to 13s. Lisbon round, 108 to l2s per cwt.1

IMPEITIAL PAITLIAIAIENT. THE DUKE OF COM NAUGHT SLEAZE. The Lord Chancellor took his seat on the woolsack jj* quarter-past four on May 21st. The other peers were Viscount Cross, the Bishop of Gloucester, t,ie Karl of Kintore, and Earl Waldegrave. On the motion of Lord Cross the Duke of Don- ^ght's Leave Bill and the East India Stock Convex 8ton Bill were, by suspension of Standing; Order 35, P499ed through all their stages. *he House forthwith adjourned. THE ROYAL ASSENT. LA the HOUSE OF LORDS, on May 23rd, the Royal rC8bent was given by Commission to the Duke of o&ntught's Leave Bill, the East Indian Stock (Gon- Bill, the Police Enfranchisement Bill, and u'aet measures. THE PORTE. p. The Marquis of Salisbury stated, in answer to the ?,atl of Rosebery, that an agreement had been come to «ne previous evening which disposed of a good deal of the differences between the Porte and England, though, owing to some confusion m the telegrams from Con' Btantinople, he was at present unable to sav how far the agreement extended. BILLS ADVANCED, The Tithe Rent Chance T?in cussion and it H~ter coQRidcrablo dw* Bypassed ^?yde"park 0or^r (New Streets) HoldCs pm »TbvCOmmittfe'- aDd the Crofters Bill were read a toird tim(e.°Urity °°UrtS 0ou8olidatioD m, ADJOURNMENT. rv> i ilr *or<l8hip8 adjourned at five minutes past nine 0 clock until Thursday, June 9. T NEW MEMBBB. IA ^e HOUSE OF COMMONS Mr. W. M'Arthur took he oath and his seat for the St, Austell Division of ornw&ll, in the room of Mr. Borlase, resigned. THE CHARGES AGAINST THE CORPORATION. Notices were given by Mr. Howell and Mr. Bradlaugh to call attention to the report of the Select Committee On the charges of malversation made against the Oar- juration of London, the junior member for Northamp- ton intimating that he should move a res option de- ling the conduct of Mr. G. Goldney (the Remem- b'ancer), Sir J. Monckton (the Town Clerk), the ^embers of the Special Committee of the Corporation, other members and officials of The Corporation, M Closed in the report, constituted a breaea of the Privilege of the House. AGRARIAN OFFENCES IN IRELAND. Replying to Mr. Gladstone, Mr. A. J. Balfour pro- ved that a return of agrarian offences m Ireland reported during the month of May should be issued ^ing the Whitsuntide recess and added that he was ?We to furnish the satisfactory information that sitce introduction of the Crimes Bill there had been a *rfeed decrease of crime. A.t the instance of Mr. ^^bouchere, Mr. W. H. Smith agreed, should it be the of the House, to move the adjournment for the a°udays at the cloee of that sitting. THE JUBILEE THANKSGIVING SERVICES. A.Select Committee having been appointed, on the motion of the First Lord of the Treasury, to consider arrangements for the attendance of the House at Jubilee Thanksgiving Service in Westminster r.ey> Mr. Smith moved a vote of thanks to the tv8^P °f Ripon foe the sermon preached by him before t^U8e at st' Margaret's Church on Sundav, and SPA J l°rdship be desired to print the same. This was °naed by Mr. Gladstone ard agreed to. rp, THE IRISH CRIMES BILL. miff iben resumed the consideration in Com- of the Criminal Law Amendment (Ireland) Bill, «na Mr. W. H. Smith explained the views of the vernment with respect to the amendments to the B c°hd clauso, of which notice had been given, and ^Pressed a hope that the clause would be agreed to tore progress was seported. rn an amendment by Mr. Merum had been dis- for upwards of half an hour, Mr. W. H Smith oved the application of the closure, which was carried 7 231 to 12i. the amendment being then negatived by (to 126. The closure was r>ext applied, by 212 to 122, r? *U the amendments down to the t'rst of those which he Government considered to be of a substantial character, the words of the clause down to that point ^nB agreed to, on a further division by 190 to 116. amendment, moved by Mr. Sh&w-Lefevre, to exempt from the summary jurisdiction given by Clause Participation in an unlawful assembly having been ^iscussed at considerable length and negatived on a division by 263 to 145, Mr. T. Healy at half-past 12 5?°ved to report progress.—Mr W. H. Smith opposed motion, and expressed the hope that further pro- deel8Would be made with the clause—Mr. T. Healy the clause could not possibly be passed fflof 8I^icg, and after an animated discussion the mo"0? Waa negatived by 263 to 137.—Mr. Chance then ed that the Chairman should leave the chair. AN ALL NrGnT SITTING. Before the close of the sitting which began on Mon- day afternoon, the House of Commons pasfed the second clause of the Coercion Bill, the Government withdrawing a sut-sectioo referring to the Whiteboy Acts and postponing another believed to be directed against the p ess, The House adjourned at about toalf.pagfc five in the mcming. THE WHITSUN RECESS. The HOUSE OF GDMMONS met on May :?4tb, at two clock, and on the motion of the First Lord of the tilWKUry that, at its rising, the House should ad journ 6th of June, a desultory discussion was raised 'elation to a variety of subjects. D p™ CHOFTERS AND OTHER QUESTIONS. the p ]ar^ called attention to the administration of cultnrl? I!LS ^"ct an<^ the condition of Scotch agri- Prison • w Urery' Qiilter to contract work in gSi "?r- Picton to compulsory vaccination and fotinioi to tbe inadequate proportion of Noocon- mi8ta m the Flintshire Magistracy.

Mr T m THE IEIsn APPEAL COURT. of the o commenting upon the constitution kord Gh»Utt Appeal in Ireland, complained of the noble and*1]06^01 (Ashbourne) sitting upon it. The ^'tter on Jearoed lord, when in that House, was the '^consist °Bent t'tie Act 1881> and it was on oueflt^11'' ^&tbe should eit in a court to adjudicate also tn I,008 under that measure. Mr. Healy ai>d K- E<* UP°N the case of Father Keller's arrest, ainm-18 s.ybsequent release after two months' imprison- > Without any redress. tj. r: Robertson dwelt upon the extraordinary posi- „e which the House stood in reference to the srar<? business of the country, and which was re- ftr,r by the public with disappointment and dis- Pproval. This state of things he ascribed to the ^fortunate policy of the Government. Upon them, therefore, and not upon the Liberal party, rested the 'tssponsibility. The fact was, they had brought the about as a means of disparaging the House of Commons and exalting the House of Lords. THE GOVERNMENT AND THE UNION LIBERALS. Sir W. Lawson also animadverted in a similar strain j?Pon the policy of Ministers, and alluding to the Mber&l contingent, by whom they were kept in power, described them as the most servile stipporters that had ever followed a Government. At the end of the fort- J'ght's adjournment the Radicals would come back re- freshed and reinvigorated like giants with new wine, determined to conticae their opposition to every line Of the unconstitutional and uncalled for Crimes Bill. At a quarter-past six the House adjourned until Thursday, June 6. ATTEMPT TO BLOW UP A POLICE STATION. About one o'clock on Tuesday morning another out- age—the third of the kind within three weeks—was P^fpetrated at Hebburn, Newcastle-on-Tyne. This it was the police station which was the object of attack, and the explosive used appears to have been °" a more powerful type than gunpowder. The Panels of the house door of Inspector Harrison were blown out, the windows of the magistrate's room and the police-court shattered, and other damage was done. Further details go to prove that the attempt was a most determined affair. The explosive used was, apparently, dynamite or gun-cotton, and the quan- tity mast have been considerable. Great damage has been done to the interior of the building, doors and windows having been wrecked, and bolts and locks shattered. A portion of the fuse which was attached to the explosive has been found by the police. A man was arrested on suspicion, but afterwards was released.

FARMING IN FRANCE. Mr. Consul Bonharo, reporting from Boulogne, says that the crops in that part of France last year were generally good, but the farmers complain much of the low prices. The result is that some landowners exp3rience the greatest difficulty in collecting their rents, even after allowing abatements. There is no doubt that land has fallen in value very considerably during the last few years. Mr. Bonham has been assured by one landowner th&t it is no exaggeration to state the fall at 25 per cent. He expresses no opinion as to the probable result of the imposition of a protective duty on foreign corn.

THE IRISH QUESTION. THE PREMIER ON THE SITUATION. Heohine to the toast of "Her Majesty's Minia- Keply g given by the Merchant Taylors Of SToS, W WW, ha™, thankee! hi. hort. for the ° gaid When I was young, and bills were necessary to maintain order in introduced in the morning, TO jawbc>to^ night. So long as that state of th g there was not the least reason why billsshouiano be annual, but the fact that now, m order P bill for restoring order, it is £ B u8 un- whole year to the purpose, naturajly1"^ willing to repeat the process more often than is n sary. What I wish to call your attention i fact that Mr. Gladstone is mast,* of engine, this powerf.>1 ^^rument, this teem whirlwind of obstruction w exhibition of us. It is not a mere ma8te l !n,rR which rides inauimate energy; there is a grea^ gurprig6(j the storm, and which directs it. tremendous that he is proud of the nothi»S tl» machinery, which »i able to Commong> and to boasted power of th? in England a mockery, make attempts at jf he is in posses- Bat I would Zn]V^Tnot tXe it like a giant, sion of a g»°fc "J' [hegresults which must inevitably and to remember carrie(j to the length follow if ob8^r"Cra10jike]y to reach, and the whole ses- which it apja d interfering with and arrest- ■l°nl SnSe bill Of course, it is in his mind to ~5lv and no doubt sincerely, that obstruction is due to the very wicked character of the measure which is being produced; but I have observed that the measures which are produced by a Government are always so in the eyes of an Opposition. To me, on the other hand, the language which is used by him and by others with regard to the bill appears to be the very acme of irrational extravagance. This, I dare say you will observe, is the view Ministers take of the criticisms of the Opposition. (Laughter). The important point to notice is that there is nothing remarkable either for the Opposition to think a measure to be very bad, or for the Government to think it to be very good, but if you once, by practice or by precedent, establish the rule, or introduce the law, that measures may be legitimately defeated by devoting a whole Session to obstruction, there is an end to the working of your Parliamentary machine. (Cheers.) What has been done this year will be done next year, and the year after that, and through a long succession of changes of Ministry, Parliamentary activity will consist of Ministers perpetually trying to bring in one single bill which the Opposition will spend seven months in defeating. Nothing will result from all this activity, the probability being that the people will in the end conclude that it is not necessary that this work should be carried on by animate beings, but that we shall have to provide a steam Irish party, an electrical Ministry, and an automatic Speaker. (Laughter.) These are dangers which—so far as I can abstract myself from mere party or personal feelings in the matter, so far as I can forget that I an: interested in the success of this particular bill-seem to me to out- weigh any possible advantages which the Opposition can expect from the course they are pursuing. This danger seems to me to strike at the very root of Parliamentary government, and that Parliamentary government will not survive if repeated experience convinces the people that it is a farce. In resisting this obstruction we are, therefore, fighting a great battle. You must pardon him if Mr. Smith is absent from your table this evening, for he is a Minister per- forming a duty which even your invitation would not permit him to neglect. You must pardon those who were to have joined me, but who have remained to perform their duty, and that reflection leads me also to the thought that it is not Ministers to whom, in this crisis, you should wish well, and whose action should be the principal centre of your interest. I have heard that it has been said by a great authority -and I believe well said—that on the temper, the endurance, and patience of the Conservative and Unionist members of the House of Commons during the present crisis the future of Par- liamentary Government depends. They have, indeed, to fight a struggle in which they need your sympathy; it is without excitement and without distinction, and yet upon it the most momentous issues depend. I am convinced that when the historian has to write the history of these times he will have to point to this juncture as the parting of the ways, as the time at which renewed life and vitality, and greatness, or the deplorable decay of the English Empire, commenced. (Cheers.) All honour to those whose resolution and determination have upheld them to this time, and woe to us if by any weakness or want of courage, or re- gard for the petty pruderies of political theorists, we are untrue to the great trust which is deposited in our hands. I am sure that from you we shpll receive support and sympathy. It is from you in this City of London, who have been exercised to political thought for so many centuries, who have been inured by constant efforts to political exertion and political sacrifices — it is from you we shall receive support—(cheers)—and, I am convinced, effective support, in leading to victory the struggle which is going on, against the most dangerous, the most deadly, the most insidious power that ever menaced the integrity of our Empire. (The noble Marquis resumed his seat amid loud cheers.)

LORD ROSEBERY AT PLYMOUTH. A demonstration has been held at Plymouth to hear an address from the Earl of Rosebery in support of Home Rule. Sir John Phear, the President of the Devon Liberal Federation, occupied the chair, sup- ported by Sir Arthur Hayter, Mr. M'Arthur, M.P., and others. On a resolution being proposed calling for a reversal of the policy hitherto adopted towards Ireland, Lord Rosebery, who was received with much cheering, condemned the policy of offering a pill to Ireland in one hand and jam in the other, and urged that coercion was out of date, and that its supporters were altogether misconceiving their duty. With re- gard to the question of reuniting the Liberal party in relation to any principle of Home Rule, he for one saw that the day was not yet come. He was in a very unfortunate position with regard to this question of reunion, because on the one side he was a Kttle taunted by his own friends for not being sufficiently stern and stubborn as they thought with regard to their principle, and on the other he had been violently abused of late for excluding dogmati- cally and harshly the Unionist Liberals from the party. He did not plead guilty to either charge, but he ventured to say that no man was more devotedly attached to the principle of Home Rule than he was -(cheers); and he should be very glad some day to see the whole of the Liberal party united in that principle, so that they might carry it with ease. They would be willing to receive into their arms the vast mass of their party if they would only come penitent and with halters round their necks (laughter and cheers), singing peccavimus." Although the moment was unpropitious for a reunion, he firmly believed that as time went on thev would gravitate towards one another. But if they did not, the party would arise and say to its leaders that as you both of you profess to be in favour of Home Rule and only to differ &" to the machinery, we decline to see the ancient and historical Liberal Party broken up on that account. Meet at any table you like, round or square or oblong—let it be a turn-table if you like—(laughter)—but we insist on these differences coming to an end, and your finding among yon by whatever means you prefer some method or machinery by which we can work the principle." (Cheers.) It was quite true that the Liberal numbers were less than 200 in the House of Commons, but after all it was a Party so enthusiastic, so devoted to its one leader- (great cheering)-it was united by so great and true a principle, it was based on so firm and so logical a basis, that he for one had never been happier or prouder as a Liberal than he was at that moment. heers.)

MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S VIEWS. In reply to an Edinburgh correspondent, who had asked his views on Liberal Unionist organisation, Mr. Chamberlain writes I cannot understand how there can be any difference of opinion as to the necessity for organisation on the part of Liberal Unionists in the present crisis concerning the Irish question. Our opponents make the fullest use of the old organisa- tion, which has been almost universally captured by them. If we do not take steps to supply its place, we shall certainly be beaten in the struggle. It is useless to cry Peace' where there is no peace, and the issue is of such transcendent importance that no man is justified in standing aside. The first object of organisation will be to promote the discussion of a question which has hitherto been decided on personal and party fgrounds, with very little regard to its intrinsic merits. My own experience convinces me that the great majority of the people are anxious for fuller information, and this can only be supplied by the usual machinery of public meetings and political I literature. I hope that a Unionist or Radical com- mittee will be formed in ever ooastitueucy in Scot- land." MR. JOHN MORLEY, M.P., AT NORWICH. Addressing a meeting held at Norwich, on Wed- nesday, under the auspices of the National Liberal Federation, Mr. J. Morley returning thanks for a resolution which was passed expressive of confidence in Mr. Gladstone, laid they were told that the Tories, besides taking possession, of the land, had also taken up the land question. He could assure them they had neither touched the fringe nor the root of the evil. Lord Salisbury in February was in favour of State-directed colonisaton, in March he was enthusi- astic for settlement of the land question, but the result of the Tory policy was to keep the land in the hands of a few and to minimise its productiveness. Liberals, when their turn of power came again, would indeed have ample work to do in that matter. But nothing could be done in the way of giving people power to own the land until the system of long settlements was swept away. They were prevented advancing with the work because the Liberal party could not agree as to the best plan for the better government of Ireland. The havoc which had been caused in the Liberal party was one of the most de- plorable political phenomona of this century. The dissentient Liberals were supporting when they got a chance the Tory candidate without, so far as recent elections proved, bringing those candidates any great amount of prosperity. Legislation was stopped and evils were growing. Every one desired the union of the Liberal party, and he for one would make any sacrifice short of principle to bring it about. But he agreed with Lord Rosebery that the time had not come when, with regard to plans of Home Rule, they saw daylight, or that the moment for union was propitious. He could understand those who said a measure of ex- ceptional criminal legislation was necessary for Ireland, but he could not understand how professed Liberals could do all they could to make the bill such a one as was now slowly passing through the House of Com- mons. Coming next to the claims of the dissentient Liberals, he said that, in the first place, they required assurances that they would support a full and con- tinuous representation of Ireland at Westminster. That came very strangely from men who were now resisting demands of the present Irish representa- tives, and were fastening upon Ireland a system of government which those representatives protested against, and who asserted that the representatives of Ireland to-day were rebels, criminals, and ruffians. (Cheers.) But the matter will receive careful exami- nation, and so long as it did not mean that the Government to be conferred on Ireland should not be anything short of real and effective Iriih autonomy, it would be conceded, but they could not be expected eagerly to assent to general principles for a future Irish Constitution. It was not for the shattered force of the Liberal Darty to frame a Constitution, and put it up as a target for their opponents to shoot at. It would be pure infatuation for them to do anything of the kind. It was an unfair and crafty demand, but they would not fall into the trap. It was for the Government to frame their policy, and, indeed, they said they had remedial measures in their head but there were sinister signs in the horizon as to the nature of those measures. The Government Irish Land Bill was undergoing all SGrts of transformations, and they did not know what shape it would have as- sumed by the time it reached the House of Commons. The reunion would come in time, and if Lord Hartington when he next spoke would say that he stilladhersd to his former declaration as to an Irish body for dealing with Irish affairs in Dublin, it would bring nearer the day for discussion and interchange of ideas among those at present divided, and the day was perhaps not very re- mote when there would be a breakdown of the coercion policy followed by a change to a better, wiser, and safer policy. (Cheers.) As to the charge of obstruc- tion made against the Opposition, his contention was that there had not been an unusual amount of time wasted by discussion, and he asserted that the official Opposition had several times intervened and suggested the withdrawal of amendments, and that intervention had always been favourably received, so that the front Opposition bench had done all that could be expected of it to further the very bad business in hand. He doubled if ever Parliament presented in its long and august history a more pitiable spectacle than it now did. All their energies were being devoted, all their time was being consumed in framing an enor- mous measure for restricting the liberties of the people of Ireland, not merely for putting down crime, but for restricting their liberties at a moment when Ireland was as quiet as ever it had been. They had now in power a Government which had no policy of its own, and having no policy it fell back upon the old, worn-out, mischievous, and wicked imitation of a policy. It was a hateful position which the Govern- ment had taken up. They were drawing up a damning indictment against themselves, and of one thing they might be sure, and that was that respect for law and loyalty to the Throne, as well as attachment to order, would never thrive und, r the black shadow of coercion. In England there was a vast body of men who sympathised with those who desired to do justice to the Irish people, who were awake at last to the trials and the wrongs which the Irish nation had endured, and who had declared that they would not rest until they had done whatever legislation could do to right that great wrong, and to restore the people of Ireland to those conditions upon which alone a nation could enjoy its own self-respect. (Prolonged cheers.)

THE SEBRIGHT MARRIAGE CASE. In the Divorce Division, on Wednesday, Mr. Justice Butt had before him an application in the case of Sebright (otherwise Scott) v. Sebright." The peti- tion was that of Miss Lena Mary Scott (otherwise Sebright), daughter of Lady Scott, for a decree declaring a pretended ceremony of marriage cele- brated on the 30th of July, 1886, between her and the respondent, Mr. Arthur Edward Sanders Sebright, at the Registry Office, South Audley-street, to be null and void, on the ground that there was not such a consent on the part of the petitioner as the law re- quired for the making of a contract of marriage. The petitioner was entitled to a sum of X26,000 in actual possession and a considerable sum in reversion. The case was heard before Mr. Justice Butt on Nov. 12th, 13th, and 16th last, and in the result the learned judge held that the ceremony before the registrar must be declared null and void. Formal application was made to make the decree nisi then pronounced absolute, which was granted, thus finally dissolving the marriage. Lady Scott was present in Court.

A WOMAN'S ADVENTURE. A remarkable and almost incredible adventure is reported by a Ross-shire correspondent. While Christiana M'lvor, a middle-aged woman, belonging to the parish of Lochbroom, was on her way to Kinlochewe a few days ago, she accidentally stumbled and fell over ona of the many precipices that skirt the margin of Loch Maree. A tree growing from a cleft in the rock miraculously intercepted her fall, and prevented her plunging into the deep waters beneath. To this tree the woman clung with the grip of despair until she had partially recovered from the stunning effects of her dreadful fall. Beneath her was a sheer rock washei by the dark waters of the lake; above, a rock impossible to climb; and to add to the misery of the poor woman's situation, she became painfully sensible of the fear that her right leg was broken below the knee. The place was miles away from the nearest house. In this painful extremity she noticed a projecting ledge close by the tree, and by efforts which can be more easily imagined than described she managed to crawl or drag herself to this place of comparative safety. The pain in the fractured limb, intensified by her efforts, was frightful, and she lay quite exhausted and exposed to the element, having lost her shawl in the fall. In this perilous and exposed condition she re- mained from the Saturday till the following Monday afternoon—three days and two nights-without food or shelter of any kind, slaking her feverish tbirst by water that trickled from the rocks overbehd, and which she caught in her boot. On Monday she noticed a boat passing, and, using her little remaining strength, she managed to attract the attention of its occupants to her dangerous position. By skilful manceuvring on the part of the fishermen, the poor woman was lowered into tht, boat, taken to Poolewe, and thence sent to Ullapool, were she now lies under the care of the parish doctor.

AT an evening meeting held in a church in a suburban town, a member who had an impediment in his speech arose and spoke in touching terms of a brother who several days previously bad committed suicide. Why should he have wished to die ? said he. He had no wife Just here the impedi- ment stopped him, and it was amid the half-sup- pressed tittering of the congregation that he finally finished his sentence by adding-" on the other side to join her."

DUCKING THE BAILIFFS. Six Chester bailiffs who visited Denbigh, acting on behalf of the Ecclesiast:cal Commissioners, have en- countered very rough treatment. When they attempted to levy distresses on the farm of Mr. Owen Williams, BoJfari, secretary of the local branch of the Anti-Tithe League, they were met by a crowd of several hundred person, who prevented them reaching the premises, and ultimately caused them to beat a hurried retreat to Denbigh. Here intelligence spread like wildfire that the bailiffs were in the town, and a crowd of the angriest character surrounded the place where they had obtained temporary shelter. Four of them eventually bolted for the railway station, and two ran down the railway for Ruthin, six miles dis- tant, and were seen no more. The four men in the station were induced to come out, and when they did so were hooted, struck, hustled about, and eventually flung bodily into the dirty water of an adjacent horse pond. They begged for mercy, and on promising never to come into Wales on a similar errand were allowed to leave the town.

EPITOME OF NEWS. BRITISH AND FOREIGN. On Tuesday the Duke and Duchess of Oonnaught left Bombay f r England, in order to be present at the celebration of the Queen's Jubilee. At the Central Criminal Court on Tuesday, Meshar-h Lee, a gipsy, was found guilty of a felonious assauft upon « girl eight years of age, and Mr. Justice Hawkins sentenced him to penal servitude for life. James Lambkin, blacksmith and local preacher, was charged at Canterbury, on Tuesday, with stealing a watch and chain belonging to his employer, and was remanded. v T • The Princess of Wales, with Princesses Louise, Victoria and Maud, were present, on Tuesday after- noon, at the exhibition of the Donegal work at Spencer ^The" third annual meeting of the Ladies' Grand Council of the Primrose League was held on Tuesday afternoon in London, Lord Harris presiding, and was attended by a numerous and distinguished company. The Duchess of Marlborough proposed a Jubilee address to the Queen, which was unanimously adopted. The report of the Executive Committee, which was adopted gave a highly satisfactory account of the pro- gress of the League during the past year. On Tuesday afternoon the Countess of Rosebery, in the presence of a numerous and representative com- pany. opened an exhibition of East London industries in the grounds of the People's Palace in the Mile-end road. In Cairo it is thought that England and Turkey will propose a European Conference to modify the capitu- lations under the new Convention A working man presented himself before Mr. Biron, at Lambeth, on Tuesday, and paid back half a crown which the magistrate had given him some months ago to enable him to buy a shovel and so go to work. Mr. Biron invited him on to the bench, shook him by the hand, and told him it gave him great pleasure to see a man acting'in such a manner. Lord Randolph Churchill will be proposed by the Government as Chairman of the Committee on the Army and Navy Estimates. Mrs. Morgan, the respondent in a recent Indian divorce case, attended at the High Court of Calcutta, and produced her little girl, eight years of age, who, by the terms of the decree in the suit, is to be made over" to the custody of the father, Captain Morgan. The child protested that she would not live with her father, nd had to be separated from her mother by the officers of the court. Councillor Seekings, of Gloucester, has defied the Income-Tax Commissioners. The councillor asserted that they had charged him on 40 per cent. above his income-and as be would not pay the sum, they seized and sold a boiler. The councillor then addressed an enthusuftic meeting of sympathisers, who cheered his denunciations of oppression. Attempts have been made to induce the miilraen of Formosa to adopt machinery for sugar-cane crushing. but without avail. They adhere obstinately to the old rough and expensive Method—two millstones and a Water-buffalo—doubtless fearing that the introduction of foreign machinery would deprive them of employ. ment; and prove of more benefit to the foreigner than ^Numeroiis "robberies have taken place in Poona of late-and they have been traced to British soldiers. A private, named Bell turned informer, and immediately after Private Egan was sentenced to three months' imprisonment, and a number of silver spoons, silver box ivory box, and brilliants were found in Private Roath's kit. The circumvented gang, who belong to the Dublin Fusiliers, had been the terror of Poona. The Government will, when the House of Commons reassembles on June 6 try to secure the passage of the Crimes Bill through the Commons before the end of that month. The members will be asked to hold all- night sittings, should that be thought necessary, and unremitting efforts will be made to get the measure dis- posed of as quickly as possible. With respect to the change of venue to London clause, it is understood that the Government will propose to substitute in place thereof an amendment giving power to a com- mission of judges to try certain cases. It was stated in the Gazette" that between the 1st April and the 21st inst., the Exchequer receipts were £ 12,341,461, as againat JE12,645,811 in the corresponding period of the last financial year; and the expenditn, e £12,163,243, as compared with £11,993,753. On Satur- day last the Treasury balances amounted to £ 3,484,716, and on May 21st, 1886, to £ 5,758,082. Two old offenders were convicted at the Middlesex Sessions on Tuesday of attempted burglary, and were sentenced to terms of penal servitude. The judge ordered rewards to be given to the police officers who had been concerned in the case. The strike in the Northumberland coal trade, which has lasted seventeen weeks and thrown 14,000 men out of employment, has at length terminated. The con- ference between the Wage Committee of the miners and the Strike Committee of the owners, began on Saturday, concluded on Tuesday evening, and as a result of the negotiations the miners agreed to accept A reduction of 12-Ig per cent. in the case of steam-coal collieries at 6i in house-coal collieries. The original demand was for 15 and 7h respectively. At the East Cheshire "Petty Sessions on Tuesday, a farmer's daughter, named Hooknel, of Chelford, was fined L5 10s. for having, on four occasions, filled up milk consignment notes with a less amount than the quantity actually sent. The police constables who went to Rochdale with a view of identifying a man who is in custody as a par. ticipator in the Kentish-town murder have returned to London unsuccessful. The Maharajah of Vizianagram is an accomplished horseman. Mounting a Burman pony in the compound of his Nungumbaukum residence, he rode it through the house, up a zigzag staircase, on to the roof of the bungalow. Then came a drop of a couple of feet on to the roof of the porch over the entrance to the bun- galow. In that position his Highness and steed were photographed. The so-called civilisation of the aborigines of Formosa does not make much progress. There have been several encounters between them and the Chinese troops; but generally to the disadvantage of the latter. In the extreme South the Chinese appear to gain ground, but by more peaceful means. As trade comes lD, the savage goes out; he is no match for the China- man at barter, whatever he may be in bush-fighting. The Governors of the North Wales University College have condemned the intermediary education system of payment by results applied to elementary schools, and recommended payments for general excel- lence of a school. Australia is losing one affliction, but only to receive another. Rabbits are decreasing, but wild dogs are increasing. On one station alone all the lambs from 200 stud ews have been killed by these animals, styled in the vernacular dingoes." The London Hospital possesses a distinctive feafnre in a Jewish ward. The importance of such special accommodation is evident, when it is mentioned that the vearly average of Hebrew patients treated in this special ward amounts to nearly 700. Lord Bute has given nearly 100 acres to Cardiff as a site for a public park. As a return Cardiff means to confer on the noble lord the freedom of the borough. It is said that Sir West Ridgeway will shortly leave St. Petersburg for London, in order to inform the Government verbally as to the state of the Afghan Boundary negotiations. Mr. Parnell's hea'th is improving—so much so that it is expected he will resume Parliamentary duties on the reassembling of Parliament. The hon. member will spend the recess at the seaside. The Crown Prince and Princess of Germany will be conveyed to England-for the Jubilee celebrations-in the Victoria and Albert. The Osborne has been set apart for the other Royal and distinguished visitors. At the usual meeting of the Croydon Board of Guardians on Tuesday, it was resolved, on the motion of the chairman, Mr. R. J. Cheesewright, to forward to Sir S. F. Ponsonby, for presentation to the Queen, an address of congratulation to her Majesty on the completion of her 50 years' reign. The Board also decided to provide the inmates of the workhouse and infirmary on June 21st with Christmas fare, and enter- tainments in the evening. It was stated that on the 20th the corporation anticipate feeding and amusing nearly 10,000 children out of the Jubilee fund, the place of meeting being the Woodside race-course. The scheme for the purchase of the old Archiepiscopal Palace at Croydon has been abandoned as impractic- I able. Colonel Kiog-Harman's Bill relating to the police arrangements of Belfast is expected to provide for the establishment of a Watch Committee, an increase of the local constabulary force, and for making a change with regard to the jurisd'ctio.i of the borough magis- tracy. As the 3rd Battalion (Militia) Royal Welsh Fusiliers were about to be paid off at Wrexham on Saturday, after a month's training, one of the officers' servants, it is alleged, absconded with £120. It is stated that he sent a note to the officers' mess for the money, as the men were waiting, and by an accident he obtained the sum and got clear away with it. By the Queen's command a Levee was held in St. James's Palace on Saturday, the Prince of Wales acting on behalf of her Majesty. In the name of the Queen, Princess Mary Adelaide Duchess of Teck, on Saturday afternoon, opened the grounds attached to Buccleuch House, recently ac- quired by the Richmond Vestry as a place of public recreation. On Saturday, at the Constitutional Club, Northum- berland-avenue, London, a life size statue of the Marquis of Abergavenny, the founder of the club, was berland-avenue, London, a life size statue of the Marquis of Abergavenny, the founder of the club, was unveiled in the presence of a large company by the Prime Minister, who impressed on his audience the necessity of extending and strengthening their party organisation. On Saturday Dr. Morell Mackenzie, a Berlin cor- respondent announces, performed a slight but satis- factory operation on the German Crown Prince's throat. The general health of his Imperial Highness is good, and he returned to Potsdam after the operation, whither Dr. Mackenzie was summoned. Dr. Mackenzie has held another consultation with the leading Bedin physicians. Professor Virchow's opinion, after microscopic examina- tion of the Crown Prince's throat, is that the malady affecting it is not of a serious nature. M. Tisza, the Hungarian Premier, furnished the Chamber at Pesth on Saturday with detailed explana- tions concerning the Austro-Russian Convention of 1877 having relation to the occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Prince and Princess of Wales, accompanied by their three daughters and the Crown Prince of Den- mark, visited the East-end of London on Saturday, and opened the Nursing Home and new Library in con- nection with the London Hospital. Acknowledging an address which was presented by the Duke of Cam- bridge, president of the hospital, the Prince set forth the manifold claims irhich this institution has on the support of the public. A Berlin correspondent announces that the operation performed last Saturday by Dr. Morell Mackenzie on the German Crown Prince's throat has enabled Pro- fessor Virchow to ascertain that the growth from which his Imperial Highness has long been suffering is not of a malignant character, and can be later on removed by the forceps or extirpated by cautery. On Sunday the Egyptian Convention was signed at Constantinople after a conference of 10 hours' duration between Sir H. D. Wolff and the Ottoman Commis- sioners. A Circular Note has been despatched by the Porte to its representatives at the Courts of the Great Powers, recommending the proposition by these latter of one or two candidates for the Bulgarian throne. According to intelligence received at Simla from Afghanis an, the Ameer's general, Gholam Haider Khan, has joined Sikander Khan near Maruf, and an engagement with the Ghilzais is expected shortly. It is reported that from five to 12 persons were killed and 20 injured by the recent collision between the White Star steam-packets Celtic and Britannic. The Celtic entered New York Harbour on Monday morning. Thirteen thousand Belgian colliers are now on strike in the Burinage coal district. All peers of the United Kingdom and of Scotland and Ireland, as well as peeresses in their own right, have been informed by the Select Committee of the Home of Lords appointed to arrange the admission of peers to the Jubilee Service in Westminster Abbey, that applications must reach the committee clerk not later than the 4th of next month. A great Are is reported from Lake Rinden, a town in Michigan, causing the destruction of over two hundred buildings. The loss is estimated at 1,500,000 dols. Mr. Registrar Giffard, sitting in the Bankruptcy Court on Monday, made a receiving order in the peti. tion against Lord Colin Campbell. The petitioning creditor is the Duke of Marlborough, whose claim con- sists of the amouit of his taxed Cjsts as one of the co- respondents in the recent divorce suit. A man. calling himself John Joces, who refused his address, and George Smith, were at Rochdale on Monday charged with intent to commit a felony in th t town on the 13th inst. After stating the ante- ced nts of the men, the Chief Constable said he had learned from Scotland-yard that Jones was identified as a thief called David, and that Smith was also identi- fied. Three £ 5 notes and some gold had been found on the prisoner Jones, secreted in pockets on the inner side of his braces. Witness had communicated with Scotland-yard as to the notes, and they had tele- graphed that a remand for a week should be asked for. There was a most serious charge, which he was not allowed to make public, against one of the men. Inspector Charles Dodds, of the Criminal Investigation Department, identified the prisoners, and Jones was remanded for a week. Another telegrem states that the charge referred to is in connection with the Kentish Town murder. Two women, named Lily Fairhurst and Mary Bannister, have been charged before the Manchester stipendiary with conspiring to defraud. It appeared that the prisoners some time ago set up a Servants' Registry Office in that city, and inserted several very tempting advertisements in the local newspapers, offer- ing high wages to young women as general and other servants. It was proved in evidence that, although in the case of five advertisements there were really vacant situations, yet the prisoners accepted fees on account of these alone from nearly 40 applicants. When the pri- soners first came before the magistrates the precincts of the Court was crowded by women who declared they had been victimised. The prisoners were oommitted for trial. At a committee meeting of Governors of the North Wales University College, held at Chester, a resolution was passed condemning the intermediate education system of payment by results applied to elementary schools and recommending payment for general excel- lence of a school. It was also resolved that an essential feature of the Welsh Intermediate Education Bill should be the appointment of an academy board to regulate the examination and supervision of schools, and of a representative board charged with the distri- bution of funds, such board to be for the whole of Wales and Monmout shire, and to be composed of representatives of the th'ee national colleges. Ann Hughes, a farmer's daughter, living near Pen- maecmawr, has been charged before the Conway magistrates with having poisoned her sister by giving her a dose of rat poison in tea. The two sisters were on bad terms, and the charge against the accused, who had been nearly a fortnight in custody, was based upon a statement made by the deceased, who died after a three days illness. The coroner's jury had returned an open verdict. On Monday the police reported that as the county analyst had failed to discover any trace of poison in the viscera, it was useless to proceed with the case. The prisoner was, therefore discharged. Private Kelly, of the 3rd Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who decamped on Saturday with JE120, the pay money of the regiment, was apprehended some few miles from Wrexham the same evening. Another man named Davies, who was in league with Kelly, was also caught and locked up. Both men were brought before the Wrexham Borough Bench, and sentenced to six months' hard labour each. Only £ 5) of the money has been recovered. At Staines parish church on Sunday morning some excitement was caused immediately after the publica- tion of banns of marriage by the Rev. J. H. Armstrong, vicar, by a man standing up and saying in a loud voice, I forbid the banns." At the conclusion of the service he saw the vicar in the vestry, and it then appeared that he objected to his daughter's marriage on the ground that she was under age. The whole of the farmers on the Earl of Dudley's estate, North Wales, with one exception, who were distrained on for tithes by the Ecclesiastical Com- missioners, on Monday, paid their tithes in full, the entire cost of the distraint being borne by the land- lord. The trustees of Lord Dudley refused to have any sales on their estates, and stated they would pay tithes and readjust the rents if the farmers refused. Isaac Wood, a weaver, of Thornton, near Bradford, was, late on Sunday night, beaten to death by Jonas Drake, a collier belonging to Bradehaw, a village near Halifax. It is asserted that Wood was caught by Drake in company with the wife of the latter under suspicious circumstances, and Drake immediately fell upon him with such fury as to cause fatal injuries. Drake has been arrested. At a meeting of the Dublin Corporation on Monday, the Lord Mayor, Mr. T. D. Sullivan, M.P., presiding, the Town Clerk read a letter from the Lord Chamber- lain inviting representatives of the Corporation to attend the Jubilee thanksgiving service in West- minster Abbey. The Corporation, by a large majority, declined to attend the ceremony; but Mr. Alderman Moyers stated that the Conservative members of the Corporation were anxious to attend, and would gladly avail themselves of the tickets placed at the disposal of the Lord Mayor. The Board of Trade have received, through the Foreign Office, two gold watches and chains, which have been respectively awarded by the President of the United States to Captain George Ritchie, of the British barque Batchelors, in recognition of his ser- vices in saving life from the American ship, Saragossa, on the 23rd March last, and to Captain George W. Freeman, of the British barque William Bickett, in recognition of his services in saving life from the American brig Ada L. White, on the 1st February, 1866. A Reuter's telegram from St. Petersburg states that the Emperor and Empress and the Czarewitch and Grand Duke George returned to Gatsehina on Sunday from their tour in the Don Cossack country. A good service pension has been conferred upon Colonel H. Shaw, V.C Royal Irish Regiment. Colonel Shaw gained the Victoria Cioss for conspicuous gallantry in the New Zealand War. Major-General A. 0. Johnson, R.A., has been Ireland f°r command ot tbe Royal Artillery in The Lord Chancellor has issued an order authorising the closing of the County Court: offices on June 21. The British Dairy Farmers' Association held a Con- ference and Exhibition of Cattle and Modern Dairy Machmery and Appliances at Kerry Castle on Satur- day. The weather was very cold. The Merthyr Guardians on Saturday resolved to give a dinner to the lomates of the workhouse and indus- trial schools on Jubilee day, and to the outdoor per. manent adult paupers one shilling each, and all children sixpence each. The crew of the ketch William and Mary, of Goole which foundered during a gale, 12 miles off Whitby was landed at Dundee on Saturday night by the Dundee steamer White Sea. The William and Mary was laden with ore, and was on a passage from Boston to Newcastle, when she sprung a leak. The crew worked at the pumps for some time, but the gear sud- denly gave way and the vessel was fast sinking when White Sea hove in sight, and Capt. Youag, in response to signals of distress, took the crew off. Shortly after the men (three in number) left their vessel sank. On Saturday the sheriff bailiff and a force of 40 police proceeded to several townlands in the neigh- bourhood of Ballyhanis on the Taaffe Estate to make seizures for rent, bu the tenants, in anticipation, had everything removed, the only animal seized being a goat. 6 The Kilrush police have been ordered to hold them- selves in readiness to proceed with a sheriff to carry out evictions in West Clare. An inquest was held at Bedford on Saturday on the body of a man found drowned in the Ouse. The condi- tion of the body when found showed that it had been in the water some time. Nothing having transpired as to the identification of the deceased, the investigation was adjourned for a week. William George Thompson, a butler, was charged at Marylebone Police court on Monday with fraudu- lently obtaining E30 from a young woman named Moden, a parlourmaid,whom, recording to the evidence of the prosecutrix, he had wronged under promise of marriage. The accused was remanded. In the presence of a number of clergymen and a large congregation the Bishop of Oxford has consecrated the new piece of ground added to the churchyard at Steeple Clay don, and given by Sir Harry Yerny. Bart., to the parish. The service was delayed by a heavy thunder- storm, which broke over the village, and which was accompanied by a heavy fall of hail. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs nas been informed that, by the courtesy of the Customs authorities at Trieste, special facilities are given to travellers landing at that port, and that their-luggage is not examined if they notify to the official who boards the ship that it is their intention to pass through Austrian territory without stopping. Travellers, by making this declaration, can secure the same advan- tage, even if they remain some days at Trieste. On Saturday morning, shortly after midnight, Mr. George Hardy, assistant overseer for the Hebburn district, was awakened by a loud explosion, and, upon examination, found a window shattered. He gave information to the police, with the result that portions of a three-gill bottle, which had evidently been filled with gunpowder and placed on the window-sill, were discovered. An alarming statement was made on Saturday in the Free Church Atsembly at Edinburgh. Dr. Wilson, senior clerk of the House, in calling attention to the applications for grants from the Infirm Ministers' Fund, said he was afraid none could be given this year, as the committee was S2000 in debt. It was assumed, he said, that a minister's occupation was a healthy one, but in the Free Church the reverse seemed the case, as every ninth minister was on the fund, and the proportion was yearly increasing. A special committee was appointed to consider the matter. On Saturday the Crofters Commission in Skye gave decisions in 113 cases in the Braes and Eyre district of Lord Macdonald's estate and 98 cases 01 Colonel Fraser's estate at Kilmuir. In the Brees district of Lord Macd nald's estate there is a slight increase in a few cases, but on the whole there is a reduction of about 26 per cent. The total rent of the 113 appli- cants was JE751, but the new rent is to be JE565. The arrears amounted to JE1825, of which the commis- sioners have cancelled £666. In the 98 cases in which awards have been given on the Kilmuir estate the pre- sent rent amounts to £669, but it has been reduced to £ 415, equal to a reduction of 33J per cent. The arrears amounted to £1958. of which 2 there is ordered to be paid £ 6L0, the amount cancelled being 21348. The result of the vote by ballot of the Northu-uber. land miners, made known on Saturday afternoon, shows that a larre majority of the men are in favour of empowering the wages committee to make the best possible terms with the employers. It is stated that the wages committee and the masters' committee will have an interview on Monday. The official authority for the release of the Rev. James Bell Cox did not reach Walton Gaol until 11 o'clock on Saturday morning, by which time the rev. gentleman's friends, who had assembled at an early hour, had dispersed. Mr. Cox at once left the gaol, and drove home unaccompanied A very large con- gregation assembled at St. Margaret's, Liverpool, on Sunday morning in anticipation of the appearance of ( Mr. Cox. The rev. gentleman attended the morning service, but beyond announcing the hymns took no part in the service except that before the sermon a brief request was made by him to return hearty thanks to God Almighty for His great mercy vouch- safed to us." The remains of Lord John Thynne, second son of the Marquis of Bath, who died at York from injuries sustained by being thrown from his horse, were re- moved from York Hospital on Saturday with military honours, and were forwarded to Frome for interment. The c ffin was conveyed to the station on a gun- carriage and was followed by the officers of the garrison, General Daniell and staff. The bands of the 9th Lancers (the regiment of the deceased officer) and the Leicester Regiment played funeral marches en route. Lord Weymouth, brother of the deceased, accompanied the remains to their destination.

THE MARKETS. MARK-LANE. The sales of home-grown wheat in the leading markets of England and Wales during the first 38 weeks of the season were 1,823,439 qrs. against 2,370/52 qrs last searoc. the average being 32s Ed, against 80s 6d per qr. The sales of barley we-e 2,-1.1,S5S qrs, against 2,783,172 qrs, at an average of 26s against 29s and of oats, 328,219 qrs against 345,382 qrs, the average be;ng 17s against 19s per qr. English whoat about 6d dearer, with a moderate demand. Faieign wheat met a firm sale at iull prices to an advance of 6d per qr. Flour changed hands quietly, but was firm in value, ruling 6d dearer. Parley met with a moderate amount of attention, 2nd both malting and grinding was about the same in value, Oats were dull, and rather weaker. Maize soli quietly, but steadily. Beans and peas were quiet, without change. METROPOLITAN CATTLE. The cattle trade has been quist, but not without seme show of steadiness Supplies offering were about the average. The receipts of Engli-h beasts were tolerably good, both in point of number and conditio^. Sales pro- gressed quietly but with more steadiness, and choice breeds were tm in vohie The best Scots and crosses sold at 4s 2d to 4s 4d per SIbs. Foreign beasts were in fair supply and great request at ab-iut late rates. The sheep pens were well filled, the quality being about the average. The'e was a quiet trade at previous quo^tions. The best Downs and half-breds solei at 4s 6d to 4s Sd per 81b. Lambs were quoted at 6s 6d to 7s 2d per 81bs. Calves and pigs were quiet at previous prices. Coarse and inferior beasts, 3s Od to 3s 6d; second quality ditto, 3s 6d to 4s Cd; prime I:rge oxen, 4s Od to 4s ?d ditto ''cots, &c., 48 2d to 4s 4d; coarse aud inferior sheep, 3s 6d to 3s lOd; second quality ditto, 3s lOd to 4s Od; prime coarse- woolled ditto, 4s 4d to 4s 6d prime Southdown ditto, 4s 6d to 4s 8d; lambs, 6s 6d to 7s 2d large coarse calves, 3s 8d to 4s 8d; prime small ditto, 4s 10d to 5s 4d large hogs, 2s 4d to 3s 4d and neat small porkers, 3s 6d to 411 4d per SIb to sink the offal. METROPOLITAN MEAT MARKET. The suppy on offer was large. The trade was slow for middling and inferior qualities, but for prime descrintions there was a fair demand and quotations were fully main- tained. Inferio-beef, 2s Od to 2s 6d; middline ditto, 28 8d to 3s 4d prime ditto, 3s 6d to 3s lOd Scotch ditto, 3s 6d to 3s F d American, Liverpool killed, 3s 4d to 3s Sd; ditto tilled, hind quarters, Ss Sd ti 4s Od ditto ditto, fore quarters, 2s Od to 2s 2d; English veal, 3.8d to 4s 4d Dutch ditto, 2s 8d to 4s; inferior mutton, 2s Sd to 3s 4d; middling ditto, 3s 4d to 48 Od prime ditto, 4s 4d to 4s Sd; Scotch ditto, 4s 10d to 5s 2d New Zealand ditto, 2s Sd to 2s lOd lamb, 6s Od to 68 8d; large pork, 38 Od to 3s 6d j small ditto, 4s Od to 4s 8d per 81b by the carcase. FISH. A good supply, with a fair demand. Prices, wholesale Salmon, I§ 4d to Is 6d per lb; soles, 60s to 70s per box; turbot, 6s per stone brill. 5s per stor-e lemon soles, 10s per dozen halibut, 10s to 15s each; skate, 3s to 5s each cod, 3s to 4s each plaice, 18s per box fresh haddocks, 6s to Ss per box whiting, 7s to 8s per box; mackerel; 128 per box; live eels, 20s per draft; dead ditto, 158 per draft; lobsters, 12s to 25s per score crabs, 26« per pad bloaters. 2s ed per box kippers, 4s per round prawns, 8s per lb; shrimps, Is to 2s 6d per gallon. Retail- Salmon, Is 6d to Is 8d per lb; soles, Is to 1 s 2d per lb turbot, 10d per lb brill. Sd per lb lemon solef. 7d to 8d per lb; halibut, 6d to 9d per Ib; skate, 3d to ¡ d per lb; cod, 3d per lb fresh haddocks, 2d to cd per lb plaice, 6d to Is Sd each; whiting, 4d to 61 each mackerel, 2d to 4d each; lobsters, 9d to 2s 6d each; cr-bs 6d to 3s each bloaters, 9d to Is per dozen; kippers, Is to Is 3d per dozen prawns, la to Is 6d per dozen oysters, 6d to 2s 6d per dozen.