Weekly Mail

tofc. RITCHIE EXPLAINS HIS REASONS. The following is the text of the letter in ttich the Chancellor of the Exchequer con- to the Prime Minister his intention Of retiring from the Cabinet:— „ "September 15, 1903. "IIY dear Balfour.-l am afraid that after "hat occurred at the Cabinet yesterday it is 40t possible for me to remain a member of the Government with any advantage either to "^•elf or it and I have, therefore, to ask fvtt 10 Place my resignation in the hands of *• King. "1 am in entire sympathy with the desire to Quite the Mother Country and the Colonies ore closely, but I know of no method by hich preferential treatment can be <^?(j0rded to the Colonies other than that ^laa been advocated by the Colonial T^cretary, namely, a tax on food, which Qvoivea as a consequence an increase of Nation. To this policy I am opposed. We "'re also asked to abandon the fiscal polioy or the country from which we have derived fjo much advantage, but we are not told {JtIy what the proposal is. I would gladly I Te consideration to any practicable scheme r obtaining better access to foreign ^&rkets, or for meeting the evils of which 6 complain, but we have had no scheme 701aced before tus. I fear that, however unln. any proposal for retaliatory •nrt 8 wou^ inevitably lead to Protection d*T< pro^uce far greater evils than it was to prevent. I cannot tell you how aI feel parting with my old colleagues, especially with yourself, from whom I *Te received so much kindness awl consider- ation, "Yours very truly, "(Signed) C. T. RITCHIE."

LoRD GEORGE HAMILTON'S LETTER. 1Ve have also received the following cor. ndellae for publication:— "Deal Castle, Deal, Sept. 25, 1903. Ear** ^r* Wright,—I am informed that the Central Conservative Council are to to 40 consider my resignation. I enclose *&y°a *or tlle^r information my letter of jwvf0"01* to the Prime Minister (to the *hl v4'011 °' which he has assented), in my reasons for the step I proposed to are clearly stated. My letter will not be ntelligible unless I add that I wrote it on Afternoon of the 15th of September, in *0d>ra'?Oe °* 'Mr' Chamberlain's resignation thTt the consequent elimination of all O* related to preferential tariffs from the testament Programme. The first intima- ^•en receiye(l of the great change that had settled came to me through a morning °' the 18th. That newspaper also the gazette of my resignation. "Believe me to be, yours very truly, "GEORGE BCAMILTON" tvfrorga .Wright. Esq., Chairman Ealing £ »?al Conservative Council." iettZ foUowinz is the text of his lordship's p to the Primb Minister k <-ir "India Office, Sept. 15, 1908. I tha*r*Z22!LP^Monr'r~7*t with great regret I hat I iiw ask youto submit to the King 1 l«e resignation of my office, but after the 1 decent discussion* in the Cabinet and the knowledge I have obtained of the fiscal pro- positions you propose to publicly advocate i have no alternative but to take this course' J'or many years past I have believed that the greatest danger to British industries arises »rom the economical and scientific methods intf^? Ctio° ^kich our foreign rivals are in in the mannfacture of artioles thiJL lu 1we were formerly superior. Any- ofr>~ that tends to raise generally the price ProductiQn in this oonutry is injurious to of tv interference with or a reversal in J"3!07 ot free Sports must operate bra«ru» d.irectlon- I a^mit that certain «howt ?f e«K>rte have in recent years 8e» v a ot development, but I fail to reLv *27 recoarse either to Protection or ti-a^ on oan Vantage our general' export oonsILj 1)6 at of the home "This country has borne with surprising W .r £ eavy load of taxation necessitated en, African War, and it has c from the ordeal with unimpaired re?,, t ftn.d trade. The Board of Trade n, ^1"118 °' the last three years demonstrate £ the springs and resources of our pros- ^ity aad commerce are undiminished and wponsive. I cannot be a. party to the rever- V1!. ?5 these principle# of our fiscal polioy, hniij believe have greatly contributed to «ud up the fabric of this prosperity. 1 As regards India, I am of opinion that a *8tem of preferential trade inside the Em- and of retaliation outside will be detri- both to her commerce and industry. Products that India can with most profit herself grow and most easily export are such a character and volume as to be cyond the normal demands of the British "j^Dire. Free access to foreign markets is ^8ential to India if these branches of her ^amerce are to be developed. Whatever ?ay be the operation of preferential tariffs Jj^de the Empire retaliation outside -would j»d to aggravate and heighten the existing ^*tile tariffs of foreign countries. With the exception of these fiscal and conomic controversies there is no public Reject upon which I am not ready to sup- f?rt you and your Government. Still, I feel Qat I cannot conscientiously embark on an fcterprise such as you are about to lead if do not believe in its efficacy or practica- lity.—Believe me, yours very truly, "GEORGE ILAMMTON."

PILLING UP THE VACANCIES. The most interesting announcement made Wednesday in connection with the political ration came from Scotland, to the effect j?at, owing to pressing public business, the iMog had decided to leave Balmoral for r°ndon next week, and that in consequence 5e had cancelled his projected visit to Cluny r^tle. This change in his Majesty's personal arrangements does not indicate that the task of re-constructing the Cabinet will be delayed J*|nch beyond the present week, but rather >fat the King has been advised that the premier has made such progress with the "ork that everything will be in readiness for r|& relinquishment and transfer of seals of at a council to be held at Buckingham aJace about the middle of next week. It is 2~*derstood that Lord Milner has received the 7°yal Command to proceed to Balmoral on a. iBit to his Majesty. Another news agency has reason to believe hat Lord Milner has arrived at his decision reference to the offer made to him of a Ca.binet appointment, but the secret is being "ell kept.

URDER OF A BRITON FERRY MAN h> news that a Briton Ferry man been murdered in America has caused Ilsiderable sensation in that district. The CHtim was named William Bliss, and the rime took place on September 12. The ofecfased was employed at the Port Kee plant, of +ue ^eesPort Tin-plate Company. Some the workmen had gone out on strike, and the 12th inst. Bliss, who was walking with a^°ther Welshman named William Davies, they passed some of the strikers said, ,i°u fellows can do as you please, but I a ^a^iiy to keep, and I am going to a rk on Monday." Immediately he received -blow on the neck which struck him heavily t,O the ground, his head coming in contaot bi«v kerbetone. When the deceased was v c*ed up it was discovered that his neck had broken, and over sixteen strikers were of Ssted- 111111 named Groggan wae accused c having struck the fatal blow, and the J^roner's verdict was that of Wilful The deceased left Briton r.ry for Amerioa five years ago, and had at M'Keesport just a few weeks before strike took place, having previously l^*«ed at Clarksburg. Before he emigrated lin88. was as a doubler at the Vil- ra Tin-plate Works, Briton Ferry. He was ^are of age, and a native of Machen, Mon- "ttthshlre, but had lited at'BritaB Ferjt for PIorB. j

A LEVEL-CROSSING ACCIDENT. INQUIRY INTO THE WORLE DISASTER. The inquest was resumed on Wednesday at Worle on the bodies of Martha Biddiscombe and Isabel Hannon, both of Ferndale, who met their deaths as the result of a collision between a wagonette in which they were being driven and an engine on the Clevedon and Weston-super-Mare Light Railway at Worle on August 31. Dr. Craddock was the coroner. Mr. Hart, of Bristol, represented the railway company, and Mr. Robertson, Cardiff, the rela- tives ot the deceased women. Mr. Rogers Ford, Weston-super-Mare, watched the case in the interest of the driver of the wagonette, Smart, and Mr. Guppy, the owner. Mr. Daniell, managing director of the railway company, was also present. The principal interest concentrated in the evidence of three of the persons who 80 narrowly escaped death as occupants of the wagonette, and who have since been inmates of the Weston-super-Mare Hospital. Frederick Pole, who appeared with his head in bandages, said: I am a butler in London. but my home is in Chippenham. On the 31st of August I came to Weston-super-Mare on a day excursion from Chippenham. Having arrived at Weston, I got into a break with other persons for the purpose of going for a drive through the woods. The break was driven by Mr. Smart. There were eix of us in the vehicle- All went well until we got to Worle. We stopped at the New Inn, and partook of re- freshment. I got out and went into the house with Mr. Smart. He had one glass of beer, and I had one myself. This was the first stop we made during the drive. We remained at the inn from five to ten minutes. They were busy in the inn, and it took us some time to get the refreshment. Then we started to drive to Weston. I remember nothing until I beard someone say, "Stop! Stop!" and then I saw that a train was close m>on us. I remember nothing more until 1 git to the hospital, where, I must say, we were very well looked after. When I looked up and saw the train it was quite close. I was sitting with my back to the direction the engine was coming from. I did not hear any whistle. If I did I have forgotten it, as I have been knocked about so. We were all talking at the time, but we were not making a lot of noise. I don't remember seeing a signalman or anything else. I don't think we were driving at more than six or seven miles an hour. Mr. Hart: Did Smart ftsive control of the horse? The Coroner: He has said that they were going from six to seven miles per hour. Witness: I have puzzled my brain to think, but I cannot. I had a piece of my skull driven into my brain. Mary Elizabeth Morgan, who plainly showed where stitches had been put in a long gash across the right eye, said: I have been a domestic servant at 11, George-street, Fern- dale, and on the 31st of August I came to Wes- ton by boat from Cardiff. After I got to Weston I got into a wagonette, where I joined five others for a drive through the woods. I remember getting to Worle. where we stopped for about ten minutes. I remember coming to the place of the accident, but I don't re- member anything about it. I saw the train, and that was all. It was almost on us. I heard someone shouting, but I cant say what it was about. I think there was more than one person shouting. I did not see the signal- man or anyone. I don't remember the colli- sion at all. I don't recollect hearing a railway whistle. I was sitting facing the train, and I should say when I first, saw it that it-was. some ten yards from the wagonette. William Biddiscombe, 96, New-stzeet, Fern- dale, who appeared minus his right hand, said: I am the son of the deceased Martha Biddiscombe. On the 31st of August I came over to Weston from Ferndale by boat vith my mother and others. After we had been in Weston for an hour or so we got into a wagonette, driven by Smart, to go for a drive through the woods. On our way home after we had passed Worle I remember nothing. I do not remember hearing or seeing anything. I remember nothing of the collision or after it had taken place. I was thrown out, and was rendered insensible, but I remember nothing about it. I did not see a train, neither did I bear a whistle, or anyone shout. My mind is a perfect blank on the point. I remember stopping at the inn, but I don't know whether we had more than one glass of beer. IMPORTANT STATEMENT. Richard Jones, engine-driver, who had pre- riously given evidence, was recalled. The Coroner: After the collision with the train did you have any conversation with Smaitp Witness: Yes, I did. What was it?—I said to him "Why did you try and get in front of my engine." Smart replied, "I thought I had time to get by." How long after the accident?—Directly. What else took place?—I said, "You see what you have done," and Smart replied, putting his hands up to the top of his head, This means twelve months' imprisonment for me." I said no more to him. Mr. Ford: Why did you not tell 111 this last time?—I was not asked for it. Did you think it was not of importance?— I was told to say all I was asked for. Ernest T. Fry, market gardener, Tickenham Hill, said:—On August 30 I was a passen- ger in the 1.15 train from Clevedon to Weston. When we came to Bristol-road, Worle, I remember feeling a jar. I looked out of the window at that moment and saw a man in the road with a red flag in his hand. I was sitting on the Worle side of the railway, and the man was on the Worle side of the car. I got out of the train and went back to the crossing after the train had pulled up, I saw Smart. He was walking about. I saw the engine-driver and Smart have a bit of a wrangle. I heard Smart say he thought he had time to pass. I was not very far off. Be was unlacing one of the wounded women's boots at this time. I was not three yards away from Smart and Jones at the time. I am confident I heard these words, but I heard nothing more. j Bertie King, nine years of age, said: I live at Mrs. Fry's, at Twickenham Hill- I re- member travelling on the 31st of August by the 1.15 train from Clevedon to Weston. On ooming to the level-crossing at Worle I re- member an accident happening. I felt a jar. I was looking out of the window towards Worle. I saw by the crossing a man with two flags in his hands. The flags were loose and unrolled. The colours of the flags were red and green. Previous to this I heard the train whistle, but this was when it was some distance from the crossing. I saw two breaks in the road standing atill on the Worle side 1 on the left-hand side of the road. The Coroner summed up at considerable length, minutely reviewing the evidence, and i drew the attention of the jury to the fact that, dealing with the oause of death, two classes of persons were concerned, namely, J the railway company and the driver of the wagonette From the evidence adduced, he 1 must say the general consensus was that the engine-driver had carried out the instructions as insisted on by the Board of Trade by slow- ing up on approaching the crossing and blow- ing the whistle. The signalman had given < evidence in an excited manner, but nearly ] every witness examined, testified that he had also carried out the Board of Trade's requirements by showing the red flag, to prevent vehicles passing the crossing. They must view the case from three points-Arwt, whether the accident was one of those that would occasionally ooour unavoidably; secondly, whether there had been an error in judgment on the part of the wagonette- driver; and, thirdly, whether the accident had been caused by wilful and culpable neglect. Unfortunately, Smart had cut the second point from under their feet by his evidence. Looking at the point from culpable neglect, they should satisfy themselves that Smart did not take sufficient care in pro- viding for the safety of his passengers. None of the evidence called supported Smart's state- ment, that his horse bad become un- manageable, but, romer. the witnesses had testified that the hotee was only proceeding at six or seven miles an hour. In addition to their verdict, he wisihed them to consider the question of the safety of this crossing. To his mind, such a crossing in charge of an old man of seventy was other than safe. THE VEBDICT. The jury, having consulted for nearly half an hour, returned a verdict of manslaughter against Smart, and gave it as their opinion that the Crossing in question should be better I protected. Smart was thereupon committed for trial on the coroner's warrant and admitted to bail, himaelf ja iM aad two sureties of £:$'

TRAGEDY ON THE HIGH SEAS. ijiCENE IN THE STOKEHOLD W A BARRY-LADEN SHIP. At Bristol Police-court on Monday Jean Lewis, a tall, gaunt-looking man, a native of New Orleans, was charged with the murder Of Demetri Zadaki, a Greek Are- man, upon the high seas, both being em- ployed on the steamship Bristol City; also with wounding Manuel Androe, a Turk, with intent to murder. Mr. Wise prosecuted for the Director of Public Prosecutions, and said that prisoner and the dead man Zadaki and the man Andros, who had been assaulted. were all employed on the steamship Bristol City, and while on a voyage for New York, and about 500 miles from the coast of America, it was alleged that prisoner killed Zadaki with a knife. and with the same weapon assaulted Androe. According to his own (prisoner's) account he had some dispute with these men, as they did not do their fair share of work. Thia seemed to have culminated in the quarrel on August 24. Andrianne Johannus Rodey, a Frenchman, said that he was a fireman on the steamship Bristol City, and he was on the steamer on a voyage from Barry to Lae Palmas and then to New York. There was a man on board called Demetri Zadaki, a fireman, who died at sea the day before they reached New York. There was also on board a man named Manuel Andros, a fireman. The prisoner i signed on at Barry Dock, and was employed as a fireman. On August 24, when the vessel was some distance from New York, a quarrel and a fight took place between Zadaki and the prisoner. Androe joined Zadaki, and together they got the prisoner outside. He stayed outside for a couple of minutes, and then returned, and witness heard someone shouting, "Keep that knife away." Prisoner went up to Zadaki. Witness could not see that he had a knife in his hand. Zadaki moaned and went behind the bunk. Andros picked up a broom, but fell down, as his trousers were loose about his legs. Prisoner struck him a. blow, which Andros received on his left arm, and it began to bleed. Prisoner then left the forecastle, and Zadaki crawled out and threw a piece of wood at him. Zadaki went as far as the galley and fell down dead. This closed the witness's evidence, and Mr. Gore asked the accused if he would like to put a few questions to him. The accused replied in the affirmative, and said: In the first place, Rodey wae not in the forecastle all the time.—Witness: Yes; I can swear it. i was in the forecastle when the row commenced. Prisoner: You were wrong when you said that Zadaki looked under the table, and not in his bunk. Witness: No, I am not. Prisoner: Did you see anybody take a knife out of Zadaki's bunk? Witness: I saw him look under the table for something. In answer to Mr. Gore, witnem said that he did not see the cook's knife or any other knife. He did not see the prisoner hit by a kettle or a bucket during the struggle. The ease wu then adjourned until next Monday at two o'clock.

MOTOR-CYCLE ACCIDENT. ELECTRICAL ENGINEER TO PAY DAMAGES. On Thursday, at the Cardiff Ckmnty- oourt (before his Honoor'Judge Owen). George Minnie, 8, Station-terraee, boot repairer, (brought an action against Arthur Ellis, electrical engineer to the Cardiff Corporation, for damages in respect to injuries to hirwaif and the wreckage of his bicycle, alleged to have been caused by defendant's negligence in running into him with hia motor-cycle in Queen-street on the evening May 19 last.—Mr. John Bankey (instructed by Mr. Sydney Jenkina) appeared for the plaintiff; Mr. Lewis Morgan defended.— Plaintiff claimed E14, to cover the loss of work, to defray the cost of extra nourishment, aa well as the damages to the bicycle. Plain- tiff's story was that on the night in question he was riding on his bicycle at a walking pace from Taff VaJe Station-terrace in the direction of Dumfries-place, and he had just got over the first line of rails in Queen-street when Mr. Ellis, riding homewards on his motor-cycle, "smashed" into him and knocked him off his machine. Plaintiff pro- duced one of the wheels of his bicycle, which was twisted out of shape, and said he not only sustained injuries to his left leg and hand, but suffered internally, and was also giddy in the head for some time. Defendant denied that his pace at the; time waa twelve or fifteen miles an hour, and said it was not more than six miles, he having slackened at Windsor-place. Plaintiff shot out from behind a tramcar, and he had seen only the front wheel of the bioycle before he collided with it. Mr. Sankey: You are fond of going fast?— I do in the country. I can't go very fast. How long have you had this motor?—Seven months. What is its speed?—I have not tested the full speed. I have not gone more than 25 miles an hour. Wh?ut is the horse-power ?—Two amd three- quarters. Have you had any accident before P-Only a slight one, which did not came to anything, in Newport-road. Somebody elee's fault?—Yes. Not maah damage, f<)rtuneAely?-No. What was your speed?—Slow—from six to eight miles an hoar. For the defenoe several witnesses were called, who said that if Mr. Ellis had not run into the bicycle he could not have avoided knocking down a pedeetriaju, the street being crowded. His Honour remarked that plaintiff had as mooh right as anybody else to cross the road, a.nd where one man could not see another he must act wtth caution. Why should plaintiff liave made a great curve to avoid the possi- bility of ca-releaeneas ? Judgment for pontiff for the amiount claimed.

STARVED TO DEATH, INDIAN MERCHANT'S SAD END. Two pathetio stories of death from starva- ion in London came to light on Wednesday. One of the victims was Francis Tiefen- breker, who was onoe a rich merchant in [ndia. He lost all his money, and has lately been lodging in Bayawater, subsisting chiefly in 5s. a week sent him by a lady friend at Kensington Palace-gardens. He had wealthy relatives in Hamburg, but he would not write io aak them for money. Observing that- his lodger had no food, and appeared weak, riefenbreker's landlord recently sent for the parish doctor, who gave him an order for admission to the infirmary. Tiefenbreker ieclined to go. As he owed three weeks' rent, lie was told by the landlord that he must leave. Next day, accordingly, the ininfirtit. nate lodger, who was 60 years old, was dressed by two men and placed with his luggage in the street. He was too feeble to walk, and the police conveyed him to the workhouse. The doctor there saw that the man was dying of starvation. An attempt was made to feed Tiefenbreker, but he successfully resisted it, and within 24 hours had expired. He had not eaten anything for three days. Unlike the ex-merchant, the second victim, Alec Schwartz, had always been a poor man. He was one of that numerous claes of un- wanted indigent aliens who come to this country -in the hope of bettering their wretched condition. Two years ago Schwartz, a tailor's machinist of 23 years, arrived in London. He was a, bad workman, and could, it is said, earn only 8s. a week. Out of that he paid 2s. for a lodging near Oxford-street. He starved to death gradually. For the last six months he had been out of work. In each case a jury returned a verdict of Death from starvation."

MISS M'INTYRE WILL NOT SING. A number of the delegates have arrived at Berlin for the Wagner festivities. The dissatisfaction felt in the musical world at the methods of the Wagner Committee finds expression in the press, and, it would seem, with reason. Mim Mlntyre has now deoliaed to tint or to take any. part in the festivities: HIS MASTER'S VOICE. THE PUP: Really, I do wish he would speak! I Orikey! But not talk of that kind!

SHOCKING LONDON TRAGEDIES. YOUNG WOMAN STABBED TO DEATH. DEATH. At Stepney, London, Mr. Baxter resumed his inquiry into the circumstances sur- rounding the death of Martha Jane Hard- wick, aged 20 years, a barmaid, who was stabbed to death at the uord Nelson Putlic. houae shortly after midnight on Wednesday last. A man, named Charles Jeremiah Slowe, aged 28, desoribed as a dock labourer, stands charged with the crime. He arrived at the oourt in a cb from Brixton Prison, and en- THE FBISONBB. tered the room smiling. Prisoner had a short conversation with the coroner, in consequence of which the coroner said prisoner wished it publicly contradicted that he expressed a wish to see the body on the last occasion. Mrs. Starkey, recalled, said she was aware deceased had a sweetheart up to Easter last. He lived at Yeadon, near Leeds, and they were corresponding, but it ceased. The young man had been in London, and had met pri- soner. Witness, continuing, said the young man's name was Harry Murgatroyd. Last year he was invited to the house, and came on a visit at Easter time. He saw the pri- soner, &nd they had drinks together. The connection between deceased and the young man was broken off by the former just before Christmas. The Coroner: And the reason? Witness: He was going out with another young lady. Witufts, had never heard the deceased say that prisoner had threatened to knife her. Robert Christopher Musgrave, who was em- ployed at the Lord Nelson, and was present on the fatal night, described the scene in the bar. The Coroner asked witness whether he had ever heard a threat by the prisoner. Mr. Armstrong objected that this was a leading question. The Coroner replied shortly that there was no suoh thing as a leading question there. Witness, continuing, said he had heard the prisoner seven months ago say regarding deceaaed that he would put her light out." He saw no reason for this threat. William Smith, a slaughterer, employed at Messrs. Harrison and .Barber's place in Whitechapel, identified a knife produced aa one belonging to him. He was using it on the night of the 23rd. He went out to drink at the Grave Maurice with other slaughterers, and left the knife. A man named Vincent was left in charge. When he came back the knife was gone. There waB a most painful scene in court when the next witness was called, Lily Cheeseman, who had to be led into the witness-box. She sobbed bitterly, and kept exclaiming, "Oh no; I can't, I can't." She eventually became calm, and sajd that she was the wife of a porter, living at 5, Florida- terrace, Bethnal Green-road. Her father's name was Slowe, but the prisoner was no relation to her, being the eon of her stejn mother by a former marriage. Prisoner lived at home until a year ago, when her parents went into the Bethnal Green Infirmary. Wit- ness was in the Lord Nelson with the prisoner onoe, when a tall, faiy, and slim girl, whom the prisoner called "Jenny," served them, and she heard him say to her, You are my little girl, Jenny, aren't you?" The girl made no reply, but laughed and walked away. At this point the witness again became very hysterical, and her evidence was heard with difficulty. She said he told her that he hadn't a girl, and never would have one, as he was not born in wedlock. For the first time throughout the inquiry the prisoner seemed to feel his position, aad buried his head in his hands, whilst the witness proceeded with her «*v'deaoe. On leaving the witness-box the witness dad to pass in front of the prisoner. She stopped, and, bursting into renewed tears, placed her hand on the prisoner's bowed head, and ex. claimed in a choking voice, Oh why did you do this? Why did yo* do it, after I had been so good to you, too ? Police-constable Bowden, 416 H, proved stopping the prisoner in Oxford-street. The prisoner said, "Catch hold of me tight; I have stabbed a woman." Prisoner was taken back to the Lord Nelson and then to the I Bethnal Green Police-station. On going through Cambridge Heath-road, prisoner said, Is she dead? Witness replied that he did not know; but Police-constable Broom, who was with him, said she was. Prisoner made no reply. He did not appear in any way excited, and was sober. The inquest was adjourned.

TWO MURDERS FOLLOWED BY SUICIDE. A shocking tragedy was enacted at Cregg's- road, Leabridge-road, Walthamstow, early on Sunday morning. Shortly before seven o'clock the neighbours heard screams proceeding from a howe in which Clarence Marshall, aged 28, his wife, Ellen, of about 1he same age, and their eleven-months-oki child, Elsie, resided. The front room on the ground floor was seen to be in fiaznes, aad the neighbours. oiz breaking in the street door found the wife in the passage with her throat cut and bleeding flrom several stabs about the body. The woman was taken to a house new by, where she suooumbed. The firemen having overcome the outbreak, an entrance was effected to Marshall's room, where on the floor waa found the dead body of the child, with her throat cut. and a broken doll by her side, and on the bed, clad only in trousers and socks, lay the body of Clarence Marshall, with the head almost severed. Marshall, it is stated, was a steady and reserved man, and was a regular attendant at a place of worship in the neighbourhood He had been out of employment for some time, and had endea- voured to earn a livelihood by selling boot- laces. His inability to obtain employment is thought to have preyed on his mind. It ia oonjectured that in the etruggle between hus- band and wife the oil lamp was overturned, setting the room alight. An inquest was held at Walthamstow on Tuesday on Clarence John Marshall and his wife and little daughter. Marshall's father, Joseph Marshall, said the couple lived unhappily, and that one of his (witness's) sons was in an asylum. The jury found that Clarence Marshall wilfully murdered his wife and child, and afterwards committed suicide while suffering from temporary insanity. A DOUBLE LIFE AND A PREVIOUS MUftDEB. An extraordinary story has been told by the father of the deceased man. He said to a pressman:—"It is nearly nineteen years ago stnoe I had a similar trouble to this with my son Frederick. He fell in love with a young- liuty, and for, some time they walked out together. One Sunday night, while walk- log through Greenwich Park, he proposed to her, and when she accepted him it was arranged tthOit they should, get married in the following spring. Fred was a good lad, and was then about 22, but we noticed that if be didn't get his own way he flew into a passion, became excited, and threatened to do all sorts of wicked things to those who thwarted him. Now, my son's sweetheart used to walk from Greenwich to Woolwich on the way to meet my boy, and be heard that she had been speaking to another young man, who my son knew was very much in love with her. In a violent fit of temper, Fred accused the girl of infidelity, but, although she stoutly denied there was any causet for the allegation, the quarrel led to their parting. Two or three weeks later Fred heard that the girl was keeping company with another man, and he began to harbour very wicked thoughts. Almost every Sunday he would devote to trying to track down the lovers. At last, after he had been waiting eight or nine weeks, he met the girl face to face, and he plunged a knife into her breast and she fell dead at his feet. He was arrested, and after- wards sent to Broadmoor Lunatic Asylum, where he died some six months ago. Frederick stabbed his young woman exactly the same as poor Clarence stabbed his wife." But to return to Marshall. Although he posed as a strict teetotaler, the man very frequently got drunk, and in order that he should not be seen he would go to other neighbourhoods. When he kept a little sweet- stuff shop at Plumsteod there were frequent quarrels between husband and wife, owing to his very loose morality. He cleared the till and spent two or three pounds in a drinking bout with a number of women, and it was in order to get him away from several objec- tionable female acquaintances that Mrs. Mar- shall decided to move to Walthamstow. His father more than once complained that his son's apparent deep religious tendencies were a mere mockery that would one day be found out, whereupon Clarence replied that, while it brought in plenty of good food and didn't cause him very much trouble, he should continue to pose as a religious man. As late as Friday he was receiving help from certain kindly-disposed persons who believed in his fervent protestations of religion, and that accounted for the abun- dance of food that the police found when they examined the rooms he occupied. With three ducks in the larder, several loaves, a couple of tins of milk, two or three pounds of nur- sery biscuits, bacon, tea, plenty of sugar, Ac., he actually continued his life of deception by writing in the missing letter which he left on tie kitchen table that he had "no food." What became of this letter is a mys- tery, but beyond all doubt it was written early on/Sunday morning, after Marshall had planned the crime he was about to commit.

MYSTERY OF THE THAMES. GRUESOME DISCOVERY BY THE POLICE. A gruesome discovery was made on Wednes- day morning by the river police on duty near Waterloo Bridge, London. They found in the I river the body of a woman, nude, except for a pair of soaks and a pair of shoes. The woman was apparently about 45 or 60 years of age, with golden hair falling in profusion over her shoulders. The body, which was that of a tall, stoutly-built, and handsome woman, had been in the water a week or ten days. The throat had been cut, and long deep cuts ran down the outside of each leg. There were also several bruises. The body was later identified as that of Mrs. Kate Eliza Bale, aged 43, of Holmes- road, Kentish Town. Deceased's husband, who identified the body, last saw her alive on Saturday, the 19th lilt. They had lived together in Kentish Town for many years, and he can assign no reason for her disappear- ance or for her death. From inquiries the police do not attach much importance to the theory of foul play. The injuries on the body might have been caused by the river craft.

CLERKENWELL SHOOTING AFFRAY. At St. Pancraa Coroner's Court, London, Dr. Danford Thomafi opened the inquest on the body of Felice Emggieri, aged 22. a vendor of ice-cream, who on Sunday was shot with a revolver at Back-hill, Clerkenwell. Gerardo Caippmecitto, seventeen years of age, stands remanded on the charge of murdering Ruggieri and of attempting to murder another young Italian, Pietro Bonito. Just before ten o'clock on Sunday evening the prisoner and a young woman were walking along Back-hiU, when they met Pietro, with whom th3 girl had previously kept company. Some wordf passed between them. and Pietro smacked her on the face. Then Genutdo drew revolver from his pookøt. and.,it wae sta444 V fired at Pietro, wounding him in the neck. Unfortunately, Ruggieri, who was passing at the time, received two of the bulleta, one of them in the heart, and died within a very few minutes. Francesco Robina., a carpenter, said the prisoner and his sweetheart were passing along the street, when they met Pietro, who exclaimed, "Why do you keep on tantaJising me so? I have had enough insults from your family." The girl replied, "Mind your own business." Then Pietro rushed at her and struck her on the face. The prisoner stepped back a few p and drew a. revolver from his pooket, saying to Pietro, "Draw your revolver." Before Pietro crmld do anything, however, the prisoner fw-d three shots in rapid succession. With thel:ftrut shot he hit Pietro. The witness ran away when he saw Pietro stagger. The Prisoner asked the witness if Pietro did not strike the girl three times, but the reply nm PEMONIM was in the negative. Pietro did not take out a revolver after he struck the girl. Filiomina Oerrore, the young woman referred to, said Pietro struck her several times, and said to the prisoner, who was the witness's cousin, "If your blood gets heated because I am to take away your cousin 1 shall kill you first and your cousin after- wards." Pietro then took out a revolver, a.nd when she heard shots she fainted. The Prisoner said he had never sees the deceased man. The inquest was then adjourned for a fort- night, to allow Pietro, the injured tMna, to give evidence.

WOMAN'S HEAD BATTERED IN. At Bootle on Monday James M'Guirk, marine fireman, 25, and Elizabeth Watson, 22, a widow, were charged with causing the death of Margaret Donoghue. The evidence was that there had been a long-standing feud between the families of M'Guirk and the deceased, and on several occasions assault cases arising out of this had been before the court. On Saturday night the prisoner Watson met the deceased and induced her to go to a cellar-dwelling where M'Guirk and his family live. Shortly afterwards screams were heard, and M'Guirk was seen running out of the place. The police were called in, and on entering the cellar they found evidenoe of a struggle, and deceased was lying on a sofa, with her head frightfully battered. She died without re-gaining consciousness. The prisoners were remanded. Timothy Cohen was also remanded for stabbing a man named Sixe in connection with the same affair. '3

STOPPAGE AT GWAUN-CAB- GURWEN. The men employed at the above collieries, who brought out their tools last might owing to the existence in their midst of a number of non-Federationists, seem to have made up their minds not to approach the latter in order to bring them within the pale of the Union, and, apparently, they are as determined as ever to refrain from work pending the advancement of overtures on the part of the non-Unionists. On the other hand. we are given to understand that the non- Unionists exhibit the same independent atti- tude, so that everything points to the con- clusion that, in the absence of a more con- ciliatory spirit on either aide, operations are not likely to be resumed, at least for the present.

LORD BUTE'S ABERDARE COL- LIERIES STOPPED. The notices given by the management ts terminate contracts with the workmen at Lord Bute's Aberdare collieries at the end of September expired on Wednesday. We are given to understand that the pits (which givs employment to about 1,500 men) have for some considerable time been worked at a substan- tial loss. and that they were really kept going for the benefit of the workmen and the district. So far as we have been able to ascer- tain, no arrangement has been made for a renewal of contracts.

NON-UNIONISTS At DOWLAB3. In accordance with the decision of the exe- cutive oommittee of the Dowlais distriot of miners, the whole of the Federationiste em- ployed at the local oollieriee of Messrs. Guest. Keen. and Nettlefolds (Limited), numbering about 3,300 men, handed in notices ion Thura. day to terminate contracts a month hence. This step, which has been threatened for some i time, was determined upon in consequence of the large number of non-Unionists working at the several pits, and owing to a section of the members having failed to pay up their arrears, and so put themselves in compliance, after having received due warning. Unless some understanding is come to in the meanwhile, it is feared that matters will result in a com- plete cessation of work on November 1.

NOTICES TENDERED AT BLAEN- GARW. Every effort has been made by the mintre leaders at Blaengarw to try and induce the non-Unionists to join, but all of no avail, and, in accordance with the resolution passed at the last monthly meeting of the miners, notices were tendered at the Ocean, International, Ffaldan, South Rhondda, and Oefn Slip yes- terday. About 4,000 workmen are affected.

STOPPAGE AT PENTRE. Over 600 men employed at the Tynybedw Colliery, Pentre (Messrs. Cory Bros), were idle on Thursday in consequence of non-Unioniam. There are fourteen persons at the pit who are not clear on the Federation books. Many of these, however, have not brought their trans- fers from other lodges, and there are only three men who have never been members of the Federation. Efforts are being made to- day to induce the men to pay up. and some of the lodge officials are not without hope that work will be resumed- to-morrow.

REMARKABLE SCENE. SERVANT DRAGS LADY BY HAlB OF HEAD. A tall and powerfully-buijt woman, sarmed Isabella Horn, aged 42, was charged at Mary- lebone, London, on Thursday with assaulting her mistress, Anna Mary Tanqueray, residing at No. 1 Flat, 126, Portsdown-mansions, Maida vale. The prisoner was employed as a general ser- vant. The previous day she was allowed to go out about twelve o'clock, and on returning at seven o'clock in the evening Mrs. Tanqueray had oocacion to speak to her about a coal- scuttle. She objected that that was not the proper time of the day to be corrected, and remarked that she had served princes and prinoesses before she came there. Mrs. Tau- queray, seeing the state of mind she was in. said she would speak to her again about the matter in the morning, whereupon the pri. soner took hold of her by the shoulders and pushed her into her bedroom and on to the bed. On recovering herself, Mrs. Tanqueray begged her to calm helself, but without more ado the prisoner seized her by the hair aDd dragged her from the bedroom, up the stairs, and down the steps into the street, where her cries for help brought to her assistance a, man named Hinton, who, with the aid of his wife and a cabman, released her from the prisoner's clutches. Aooordine. to the man Hinton, she was then in a fainting condition. The prisoner, when arrested by Poli. stable Fisher (27 S R). said she slapped Mrs. Tanqueray's face, and Mrs. Tanqueray slapped hers. The prisoner said that what they really fell dut about was as to whether or not Prince Dhuleep Singh was a friend of Mrs. Tan- queray's. She (the prisoner) maintained that he was not, seeing that he was a very high- caste Hindoo, while she was aa old Scotch parson's daughter. (Laughter.) People like the prince (she said) were very particular with whom they associated. And that was the cause of the quarrel-not the ooal-scuttle. Mr. Curtis-Bennett remanded the prisoner in custody to quiet her down," and for the police to make inquiries.

ENTERIC EPIDEMIC AT MERTHYB. At meeting of the health committee of the Merthyr Urban District Council OIL Wednesday, Mr. T. E. Morgan (chairman* presiding, Dr. Thomas, the medical oincer. reported that there were 66 patients ander treatment in the isolation hospitals at Pant and in the Brecon-road.—The Chairman remarked that they were now at the end of the scare of the epidemic of enteriofever caused through the eating of cockles. Owing to pressure of work upon the medical offioer, it was decided to provide him with an assistant for a month.—A bill amounting to £1 5s. for cockles purchased by Dr. Thomas to prevent their sale to the public was presented to the oommittee Hd ordered to bt S"

bth- >j&rSu fl r5S £ v tat*» to f., ^fijl Illustrated \^» 1| Vft Hon [PriceList totheX \r Q Al JOTIL LY r"^™ Y&W Factory, < /!W\ BristaL i g«P^<,Oj^ Home Principal Vu/vO»n«l drapers. ^S^VTEEP Abroad. F R -WPUREI- X§G|P^ Not a stimulant merely for the moment, but a Permanent and Agreeable Form of Nourishment.

ALLEGED MURDER OF A YOUNG WOMAN. A shocking tragedy occurred in the East End of London late on Monday night. Rose M'Carthy, aged 19, was talking with her sweet- heart, Dennis M'Carthy, and was seen to stagger. Blood was gushing from the throat. She was conveyed to London Hospital and life was pronounced extinct. McCarthy was apprehended. At the Thames Police-court, London, on Tuesday Dennis M'Carthy (20), labourer, was remanded charged with the murder of Rose M'Carthy.—The police stated that on Monday night the prisoner confessed that be stabbed the woman when in a fit of temper. He had seen her drink- ing with other womem. She was not related to him.

ALLEGED MURDER OF A SON WITH AN AXE. Daniel Docherty was remanded at Glasgow on Monday in connection with the death of his son, Daniel, aged 21 years, whose body was found on Sunday in an unoocupied house. A medical man certified that death was due to a fractured skull. It is alleged that the deceased, who was a cripple, interfered to protect his mother, and that he was felled with an axe.

MURDER AND SUICIDE AT STOKE. A well-known and respected working colliery engineer, named John Burdren, 40, of Dil- horne, Stoke on Trent, strangled his wife and then shot himself. The parties had lived most amicably together, and the only reason that can be assigned for the tragedy is that the man was temporarily demented.

THE "JONES" FORTUNE. What is known as the Jones Fortune Com- mission held an informal sitting on Mon- day at Liverpool, and was adjourned to Octo- ber 26. The commissioners said they had received a cable from, Melbourne informing them that a supplemental inquiry had been ordered on new claims received, and this made an adjournment neoewaay.

5,000 MINERS CEASE WORK IN ABERDARE VALLEY. Five thousand miners in the Aberdare Valley, ceased work on Wednesday night, in an effort to induce a number of non-Unionists to join the Miners' Federation. On the 1st instant, notices were tendered at Messrs. the Nixon's Navigation collieries at Mountain Ash, at which about 4,500 men are employed, to terminate contraots at the end of September because there were 87 workmen employed who did not belong tie the Miners' Federation. In the meantime the number of non-Unionista had been reduced to 45. A ballot was taken on Tues- day for the purpoee of ascertaining the views of all the workmen as to whether work should be ceased or not at the expira- tion of the notices, and a majority of 645 voted in favour of that course. The same position prevails at Lord Bute's colliery, at Hirwain. where 400 men are em- ployed, of whom 30 are outside the pals of the Miners' Federation. Owing to a number of non-Unionists being employed at the Tower and Aberdare Merthyr Collieries, Hirwain, the workmen gave notice a month ago to terminate contracts. The notices expired on Wednesday, and at a meet- ing held on Tuesday it was decided that unless the non-Unionists paid before Wednesday tools were to be brought out. This decision was carried out, and the collieries are. tilmo. fore, stopped.