The Cardiff Times

PERFEofiov IN KNITTING.—Over 2 dozen pairs of good, substantial ribbed hosiery can be produced daily on the patent JBclipse" knitter. Highest awards wherever exhibited. A. large stock of wash- inz, wringing, mangling; machines, and perambulators te select from. Cash or easy terms Sole agent for Cardiff and disi. 'ct of Bradbury's World-Renowned isewinx Machine —Henry Tbomaa, St. John's Church square, CsrOiff 13194

DISTRICT NEWS. Colliery Fire at twrnaman. — Considerable excitement was caused in Uwmaman, Aberdare, on Saturday evening, about nine o'clock, by a startling rumour, which quickly spread through the place, that Shepherd's Pit was' on fire. The streets were immediately thronged with people hurrying towards the colliery. Happily, however, matters were not so bad as represented. By some unaccountable means a large framing in connection with au apparatus for dividing the coal when tipping was set on fire, the whole being in flames in a short time. Air D. E. Davies and other officials were quickly on the spot, and prompt assistance being rendered by a large number of v lunteers, and a plentiful supply of water, the Barnes were soon extinguished. Serious Accident to a Girl. — A serious accident occutred to a little girl, aged 11, the daughter of a man named Haymond,on Saturday, at Abercarn. She was staudiug ou the footpath near the railway bridge, when a trap (belonglug to Mr Thomas, butcher, of Newbridge, and driven by his man, with whom was a Miss Thomas) came down the road at a terrific pace, and nearly collided with the pillar of the bridge. The little girl was knocked down, and, although not run over, was seriously injured. It is stated that the driver of the trap, after knocking the child duwn, did not trouble to stop, but drove off as if nothing had happened. Two Inquests at Swansea.—Mr E. Strick, the couuiy coroner, has held inquir.es into the circumstances attending the deaths of Michael Stanley, aged 44, and Samuel Morgan, a youth. The body of the former was picked up .11 the Duke's Dock. It was proved that deceased, who was a seaman, had been missing for some timp. He was last seen going towards the dock. A verdict of Accidental death" was returned.—With respect to the death of Morgan, it was found that he was accidentally run over by a wagon. He met with the accident when engaged in shunting, and a subsequent operation at the hospital was followed by death. Riiyjiiney Railway Sick and Accident Fund. — J.lie eleventh aunual llIeetllJK ot cue aoove lund was held at the Rhymney Hotel, Adam-street, Cardiff,on Saturday, a large number ot members attending. The receipts for the year were £267 15s 8d, and the expenditure JS91 13 3d, leaving £1762.. 5d to be divided amu.gst the 242 mem- bers not having received sick or accioent pay during the year. During the eleven years this fund has been established, £1,054 14s 81 has been paid in sickness, deaths, &c., and £882 18s 8i returned m dividends. All the officers were re- elected for the ensuing year. Death oi Mr Daniel Thomas.—By the death ot Mr Dciuiel Thomas, of Ponylan, which took place at his residence at a late hour on Friday, Cardiff has lost one of its oldest aud most respected citizens. Though he had attained the ripe age of 81, he was in the full enjoyment of good health, and his death, wluch was sudden,came as a surprise to his numerous friends. When the Marquis of Bute began the construction of the first Bute Dock, which has given commercial development of the first order to Cardiff, he entrusted Mr Thomas withalargecontractiuthe great enterprise. In 1851 he commenced the Llandough Lime Works, with which bis name was in later years chiefly connected, and these he handed over some time ago to his eldest son, Mr Alfred Thomas, M.P., the well- known representative for East Glamorgan. In addition to Mr Alfred Thomas, M.P., his other children are Mr Joseph W. Thomas (the borough analyst),and three married daugh ters-Mrs F. Priinavesi, Peuylan House Mrs Wass, Par- tridge-road aud Mrs E. Primavesi, Swansea. School for Girls, Summerfield Hail, Maesy ewmiuer.—TUe iiidtriL>u^ioii ut prizes ot the value of £150 at this school took place last Friday, when the Kev John Griffiths, J.P., vicar (Mynyddis- lwyn) presided. They were awarded those pupils who during the year bad gained the highest number of marks at the different public exam.na- tions held at Swansea and Cardiff for the school, and consisted of 5 gold and silver watches, 19 set of gold and silver brooches and earrings, 27 handsome inlaid worktables and desks, gold lock ts set with diamonds, large marble time- pieces, brass table lamps, easy chairs, &c. The lady principal (Mrs Nicholls) stated that the school bad considerably increased during the year. A large dining-room, several bedrooms, dressing-rooms and cloak-room had been added to the premises. The health of the girls had been good, and their conduct exceptionally so, taking the school as a whole, They had worked well, and been very successful atall their examinations. The lady principal further stated that she felt greatly indebted to the parenia of her pupils for their extreme kindness to herself, and for the many grateful letters she had received from them expressing satisfaction with the school, and the way in which it was conducted, and she was glad to have this opportunity of publicly thanking them for the same.—The Rev. Chair- man said he known the school for many years. He bad always heard it well spoken of. Many persons who had daughters in it bad told him they were verv pleased with the improvement in their health and education generally. To see such a number of happy-looking girls, and to bear so good an account of them, gave him great pleasure. He exhorted them to perseverance, industry, to acts of kindness one towards another, and with many pleasing anecdotes showed them the value of these things. The speech, a lengthy one, was enthusiastically received, at the cluse of which the chairman distributed the prizes to M. H unar, Brecon M. Mathias, Newport, Pem.; K. Williams, Cow- bridge; A. Lisle, Sloh; M. Priest, Cardiff; E. Davies and M. Davies, Newport; M. Tauner, Aberdare; M. Jones, Poutypool; E. Meredith, Ferndale; K. Halt, Cardiff P. Price, Newport; A. Rowe and K. Jenkins, Bridgend May Jones, Ebbw Vale Alary B. Price, Llaubethery E. Mathiap, Newport, Pem.; Lorenza Jones, New Quay L. Harris and M. Parsons, Cardiff; B. Williams, Pontypool; J. Thomas, St. Donats; S. Thomas, Cadoxton; A. Thomas, Llanelly B. Powell, Port Talbot S. Williams, Cardiff; E. Jones, Ebbw Vale M. A. Powell, Crynant; B. Harry, Llantrissaut; M. J. Williams and E. A. Williams, Tregaron Katie Lucas, Cardiff Lizzie Evans.Carmarthen; Ada N eath, Pontypool; Maggie Thomas, Porth A. Laratny, Cwmbran G. Jones, Pontypridd A. Murgan, Resolven; A. Waters, Christchurch A. Davies and M. Cule, Pontyptidd S. A. Davies, Cardigan A. Priest, Cardiff R. Jones, Porth S. J., Anthony, Aberdare Mary Evans, New Quay C. Evans, Cardigan Mary Morgan, Newport A. Miles, Blaenavou M. A. Thomas, Pembroke F. Symonds, Cardiff M. H. Phillips, Hebron F. Steele, Whitchurch F, A. Davies, Dowlais; IS. Jenkins, Bridgend; L. Gwilliam, Gloucester; E. Wilding, Hereford G. Watkins, Llandovery; H. Jenkins, Radnor A, Kerr, Llanidloes; L. Davies, Newport; G. Hartshorn, Cwinavon M. Curtis, Treorky; L. Thomas, Presteig-ne; B. Curtis, Rhymney; E. Peters, Nelson; Lucy Jones, Ebbw Vale; M. Davies, Treharris J. Dadds, Monmouth E. Morris, Mountain Ash J. Neath, Pontypool Ethel James, Fleur-de- Lis; E.Fisher,Caidiff; H. Thomas, Fleur-de-Lis; N; Maisey, Abercarne Maria Williams, Maesy- cwminer N. 5feo, Fleur-de-Lis M. Thomas, Caerphilly A. J. Elias, Abercarne ;S. Richards, Maesycwinmer; R. Rosser, Fleur-de-Lis M. Katstone, Hengoed R. Wilhams, Maesycwmmer; P. Treasure and J. Hardy, Btackwoud M. A. Thomas, Fleur-dc-Lis; L. Etias, Ahercarne; A. James, Y nysddu A. James, Heugoed; A. Phillips, Maesycwmmer. The special prize given by Sir Henry V. Goold, president of the Society of Science, Arts, etc., London, for good conduct and regular attendance, was awarded Elizabeth Ann Williams, Tregaron. A vote of thanks was given the rev. vicar tor presiding at the close of the proceedings. An adjournment to the tea room followed, and a generous spread partaken of. The pupils gave an entertainment in the evening, when some capital vocal and instrumental music was giveu, and terminated a very pleasant day. Mra Nicholls, the lady principal, deserves great credit for her praiseworthy efforts. Mysterious Death at Abercarn. On Son- day aiorniug a man's hat was found on the canal side at a point nearly opposite the New Inn, Abercarn, but as it had not been reported that any one was missing, no unportance was attached to the affair at the time. On Tues- day, however, the corpse of a man was found in the canal. It appears to have been dragged for some distance by the canal boat plying between Newport and Crumlin. The belief entertained is that the body must have been in the water since Satnrdaynight. Death of an ex-Swansea Councillor. — Intelligence has just been received at Swausea of the death, from erysipelas, in London, at the age of 69. of Mr Thomas Rees, late of Sketty Hall after an illness of only ten days. Mr Rees com- menced life as a wine and spirit merchant. He retired in 1867 with an ample fortune. For many years he represented the South Ward in the towu council, and he entirely won the confidence of the townspeople by his devotion to their interests and bis advocacy of economy in all public depart- ments He took an active part in advocating the establishment of a university college in Wales, and he was a great patron of the press. He was a staunch Liberal, a Nonconformist, and » Sun- day-school superintendent. He had been married three times, and all his children but one survive him. The remains of the deceased were interred in Bethnal Green Cemetery on Tuesday. Fire near Llanwrda. —Oil Monday two cot- tages uear uiis place, known as Castelliorwg, were burnt down. It seems that some wood around the fireplace at one of the cottages caught fire in the absence of the occupants. The thatched roof was quickly in a blaze, and the flames extended to the adjoin ng cottage. Some of thefurniture was saved. A Liberal Candidate lor Denbighshire.— At au enthusiastic uuetm ur inli ieuu.J Llbral delegates at Denbigh, Mr G. W. Taylor was adopted as candidate for West Denbighshire at the next election, in opposition to Colonel Cornwallis West, the present Liberal Unionist member. Proposed Testimonial to Mr Rolls.—A pri- vate uieeung ot the Moutnouth Corporation was held on Monday,having for its object the considera- tion of a lasting and suitable memorial to Mr John Allan Rolls, of the Hendre, which it is pro- posed to place in the new Town-ball that that gentleman is about to present to the town. It appears to be the general wish of the promoters to obtain a portrait in oils of Mr Rolls. Mr Stephen Against Heme Kulc. ->At a meeting of the impartial Society, Cardiff, held on Monday evening, Mr Stephen, LL.D., a son of Judge Stephen, delivered an address to a fairly large attendance on the land question. Professor Tanner presided, and the speaker, who areued from a paper Unionist point of view,spent the greater portion of the time occupied by him in endeavouring to prove that Home Rule was a mistake, and that on the maintenance of the existing Parlia- ment representation of the four nations constituting the Uuited Kingdom depended the only true solution of the difficulty at present experienced in regard to the conditions under which land is held.—A Vote of thanks was accorded Mr Stephen at the close, a similar com- plimeut being paid the the chairman. Tnysybwl Workmen's Free Library.—At a weei-ing of ,the committee, it was resolved that the library and reading-rooms should ba opened on Monday, January 2nd, 1888. It was also resolved to communicate with Messrs the Glam- organshire Laud, Valleys, Building, and Invest- ment Company, Limited, Cardiff, respecting two cottages situated in Augustus-street, which it is believed, will be a suitable temporary borne for the library and reading-rooms. T Fatality at Louglior.—On Saturday morn. ing a fatal accident befel an • old man named David Jenkins, 58 years of age. Jenkins was following bis employment at the Waun Colliery, Loughor, when he was struck on the head by a heavy fall of stone. Medical aid was immediately summoned, but the poor fellow died before the arrival of Dr Jor-es „ A ,Ac^' hurc,» Pontypridd.—St. Mat- thew s Church, Coedpetiin;»eu, was opened on Tuesday, when a large congregation a..sem- bled. A sermon was preached by the Bishop of Llandaff. The church is a corrusr^d iron building, and will acc mmodate about 300. The cost of its erection was about £250. The liisnop, in the course of his discourse, touched upon the increased activity in church work of late years, and remarked upon what he implied to be additions to church members from the ranks of Nonconformity. ol a Swansea Captain. — Captain Sanson, who for many years wu5 captain of the bindbaa, of Swansea, has just died at Buenos Ayies, in South America. The cause of his death has not yet beeu ascertained, but it is believed to be fever caught on the coast. Deceased was in charge of the Sydenham, of which he was part owner, when his sad and unexpected death closed a promisiug career. J.uison was a native of Sweden, hut a natural ZMI Bi itjsl, subject. Alarming Accidcnt at JtlerUayr. A set of wagons biOen with wi jton ran wild on the Dow ais Incline at Merthyr on Monday. 1 he trucks, four in number, were, it appears, being towed by the stationary engine, when the draw bar broke, and the four wagons ran down with tremendous velocity to the foot of the incline and were thrown off at the catch-points. They continued to travel some distance, however, and collided with other trucks standing in the Great Western vard the result being a smash-up of several of the trucks, and the dispersal of the contents high up in the air. A boy came down on the last wagon, and his escape is regarded as marvellous, the wagons having travelled at Imrnpne speed. Cardiff Liberal Iteiorni Association. — On Wednesday evening, uio annual iiinner of the L Uardifi Reform Association was held at the Philharmonic Restaurant, St. Mary-street. Mr R. Barry (the manager) provided an excellent repast, and it was admirably served. Sir E. J. Reed, M.P., presided, and Mr H. J. Russell occupied the vice chair,

APPREHENSION OF A CARDIFF MAN. „ £ 200 Found upon Him.. On Wednesday morn.ng ti)e Newport police effected what they beheve to be an important capture. This was nothing less tbanthe arrest of a man with a bag of gold amounting his possession. The man, who gives two names, or rather has two identities, was taken in charge between nine and ten o'clock for being drunk and disorderly. He was rigged out in a new suit of clothes, but appeared to belong to tbe working classes, prcbably, as the police suggest, he is a carpenter, or follows some similar handicraft. When searched a number of pawn tickets were found in bis possession. These were made out in the name of "John Crump, 66, Frederick-street, Cardiff." Mr Crump being noisy and bibulous, was treated as such persons usually are at police-stations that is, he was removed to a Well-warmed cell to sleep off the effects of bis carouse. A few minutes afterwards, however, an individual, who carries on the business of a lodging- house keeper or publican in Griffin-street, oue of the narrow side thoroughfares off High-street, went to the police office, and manifested great interest in the arrested one. "011, he is a good fellow, and has lodged at my house for several days," said the applicant, in offering to become bis surety for a due appearance before the magis- trates. One or two of the answers which were let fall in the course of the interview however, aroused the suspicious of the wide-awake officer in charge at the station, the result of which was that it was determined to search prisoner's effects in Gritlin- street. The most unexpected discovery then was made for a man, that is, having a number of pawn tickets in his possession. This was the bag of gold of £200, or, to be precise, B201 in gold, about 30s in silver, and some coppers. The money was in a bauker's bag, and this again was in the familiar, but, in the light of dynamite scares, portentmua black leather bag. This discovery, of course, was of so grave a nature that all idea of allowing the tnan to be bailed out was at an end. The money might be honestly come by it might be the savings of years but to the intelligence department of a police-office, with tidings of robberies coming to hand every hour, and with the second man engaged in the Llanelly murder still untraced, and the bag of gold unreeovered, the irreconcil- able and incongrous elements in the case were quite.enough to arouse suspicjon and set the telephone and telegraph to wot-k. Towards evening prisoner bad somewhat recovered from his drunken sleep, and to the inspector in charge, who paid him a visit, he said his name was William Jones, blacksmith, of Cardiff and Bir- mingham. When he was asked bow he accouuted for the possession of so large a sum of gold, he discreetly said that he should not reply at present— a diplomatic reply founded upon the idea that he was m serious difficulties. The police have had their suspicions deepened by tbe evidence contained in the black bag. When prisoner went to stay at the IodgiuR-house, be handed the landlady a few sovereigns, and gave her the idea that this sum was all the money he possessed, He also asked her to take charge of the bag, and it was placed on the fl(>or jnsjde the counter, where it might have been picked up 20 times and carried away had anyone been aware of its contents. The bag contains, besides the money, one or two articles 0f under- clothing, which are said to be in a very filthy state. It is hardly con- ceivable that a man with so much ready money wonld keep such mementoes. The in- ference to be drawn is that the owner has sud- denly become rich, and this is borne out by the pawntickets, which are for articles of very small value. It is believed that prisoner was on his way to Bristol, oa perhaps to Liverpool, to get away to America per steamer, but stayed at Newport, and indulged in more than was wise under the circumstances. The Cardiff police describe Crump as tbe associate of bad characters. The Newport police believe that the prisoner's real name is Crump, and they have, it js said obtained evidence of identification on this head' The giving of the name of William Jones shows that prisoner wished to conceal his identIty. Another possible clue to the affair is that the bag which contained the money is labelled Loudon and Provincial Bank." The Cardiff police have made careful inquiries concerning this remarkable case, and have dis- covered that two or three weeks ago a man named Crump lodged at 65. Frederick-street, Cardiff, but that be had lett there and been lost sight of, nothing further being known of him.

NEWPORT GROCERS ARTFULLY TRICKED. William Jones (49), seaman, from the Aber- ystwith district, was charged before the Newport borough police-court on Wednesday with obtaining 2s by false pretences from Thos. Morgan, and 61 and an ounce of tobacco from Albert Miles. The prisoner went to the prosecutors, who are both grocers at Pillgwenlly, and ordered stores for the Lady Mostyn and the James Grove. He also went to Mr Jenkins, rocert Dock-street, and ordered a supply for the Camargo. At Mr Wm. J, Holliugdale's branch shop in Commercial-road he was from the s.s. Eiderwell. At all the shops except Mr Jenkins', where he was known as Jones, he signed the orders as David Da vies. At Hollingdale's he got 2s by a trick but when apprehended wanted to return the money, ashedid not care aboutbeinglockedup Several other trades- men proved too wary for prisoner and would have no dealings with bim.—Prisoner proved of a most ingenious turn of mind, apd declared that he was really one of the crew of the Camargo, which bad since sailed, but his wife wanted bim at tbe last moment to go in a better ship. His professions of innocence did not commend themselves to the bench, Mr D iwkins, manager to Mr Holiingdale, said prisoner was known about the docks as a schemer.—Prisoner: Wait until I get my character from tbe place where I am known ?—The Magistrates' Clerk Well, you have a number of characters from these grocers already.—Sentenced to 28 days' hard labour.

r FATAL PANIC ON A PASSENGER STEAMER. r A Daily Chronicle Smyrna telegram reports terrible accident on' board the Asia Minor Company's steamer Bellona. The vessel, which nad four hundred passengers, mostly Greeks, on hoard, was not long out of Salonica when &n unfounded alarm of fire arose, and the terrified passengers made a rush for the boats. In lowering one of them it overturned, precipitating 47 occupants into the sea, all of whom were drowned, while several persons were crushed to death, in the struggle for the boats. A strong Kale was blowing so that no assistance could be rendered. It would seem that the alarm must have been caused intentionally, as a number of thieves burst open the door of the captain's cabin and stole upwards of £2,000.

TRAFALGAR-SQUARE VICTIMS. T.L 8 The Death of Alfred Linnel!. The inquest on the body of Alfred Linnell, who was alleged died from injuries received on the ult., during a police charge near Trafalgar- uare, was re-opened on Monday at Cbaring-cross, f^ndon.—Dr. Charles Hibbextdeposed to examiu- the body on Friday last. He found the left ;b'gh bone fractured, the fracture extending to knee joint. There was a rounded bruise on left thigh, evidently caused by violence, and a fortnight old. A horse's hoof might have Spne it, but ft was more probably a human foot.— Frederick Hnlme Horley, student, and Henry ~°hglas John, a dresser at the hospital, both Reposed that the deceased stated that he received °ls injuries through falling down. The jury, after absence of forty minutes, returned a verdict that Deceased died from blood poisoning, result- from a fractured thigh, but bow the injury^ JJ(a8 inflicted there was no evidence to show.' "he coroner, on the application of Mr Thomson, Rave an order for burial to the sister of the de- ceased. According to present arrangements the body will be accorded a public funeral on Sunday, the procession starting from Northumber- land-avenue. A Man Sentenced to Hard Labour, the Middlesex sessions, on Monday, Joseph Ellis (26) surrendered to his bail, charged with VounamgPoIice-inspectorLi vingstone and assault- ing him while in the execution of his duty on November 13th. Inspector Livingstone and his men stopped a procession going towards Trafalgar- square on that day, when the accused, it was alleged, struck the inspector a violent blow with a stone wrapped in a handkerchief, and broke his ■Oose, The accused struggled violently when arrested immediately afterwards. The defence as that the accused was not the person who Committed the assault. The jury, however, found bian guilty of inflecting grievous bodily harm, and the assistant judge sentenced him to 8 months | Wd labour.

L THE IMPRISONMENT OF THE I LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN. Lelter from Mrs Sullivan. The following letter from Mrs Sullivan, wife of the Right Hon. T. D. Sullivan, M.P., the im- Prisoned Lord Mayor of Dublin, has been received I by Mr Thomas Wright, of Manchester:- [ Mansion House, Dublin, December 10. | Pear Mr Wright,—I feel that you will not I require any excuse or apology frour. me for not having answered your kindly sympathetic letter before now. I ha ve indeed had a busy and anxious I time since the imprisonment of my husband, and 11 don't even make the attempt to answer a tenth 1 of the many kind letters of condolence, sympathy, j and ehver coming to me from far and near. I, I however, try to say a word or two to many Eng- lish friends, and your letter tells me that you are an old believer in the holy cause for which Mr Sullivan and other noble Irishmen are now suffer- ng, a cause for which every man with Irish blood in his veins is ready to die if need be-Ildeed. are being done to death in Irish gaols at this present moment. It is a great consolation, and repays me for the sufferings which my husband as well as teyself and family are now suffering, when I hear from so many sources that no act this wretched Tory Government has yet perpetrated has given rise to such an outburst of indignation as the con- finement of the Lord Mayor of Dublin to a flagged cell, without a fire or fire-place, in the gaol of Tullamore. He is still in that den, though as a tirst-class misdemeanant be has an absolute right to a room with fire and light, for which he is to Pay himself, of course, as well as for his food. I ask any unprejudiced mmd-Could man suffer in a Wore holy or just cause?—I am, &c., ¡'. Kat8 SptLtVAN.

INSURANCE AND MURDER. Atthe Central Criminal Court, London, on Tues- day, before Mr Justice Stephen, Leon Serne (38), barber, and John Henry Goldfinch, also a baroer, were charged upon two indictments with the wilful murder of Isaac and Leon Serne, sons of the first-named prisoner. Mr Poland, who, with Mr C. Mathews, repre- sented the Public Prosecutor, in opening the case, said the question for the jury to decide would be whether on the morning of September 18th the prisoners wilfully set fire to the shop occupied by them at 274, Strand. On taking the shop Serne appears to have been in monetary difficulties, and heavily sured the furniture and effects. The con- tention of the prosecution was that Serne and Goldfinch, who acted as his assistant, set fire to the house in several places, for the purpose of obtaining the insurance money. Serne, his wife, and two daughters were saved from the leads of the burning building, and Goldfinch was rescued by the fire escape, but the two lads were burned to death. He then detailed other tacts and said a neighbour would depose to having heard a woman in the burning house exclaim, "011, you murderer. Oh, my poor buys," and a man's voice reply, "Shut up." Mr t'routbeck, deputy coroner for Westminster, produced the depositions made by Serne at the inquest, in which he expressed his inability to account for the fire. He said the prisoner Goldfinch was also examined and gave similar evidence to that of Serne. Police-constable Locke said that half-an-hour before the outbreak he saw Seine and another man in the shop, the former smoking a cigar. On an alarm being raised, he proceeded to the spot and saw through the window fires in the left and right corners of the shop. He also heard screams of Oh, my boys." With the assistance of the constables the door was forced, and soon after- wards the prisoner's wife and two children, to- gether with Goldfinch, were rescued. The latter was very excited. The case was then adjourned.

MR BRADLAUGH AND LORD SALISBURY. In reply to Mr Bradlaugh's application to Lo d Salisbury that his lordship, as Prime Minister, should signify his concent to a select committee in the terms of Mr Bradlaugh's letter, published on December 3rd, the following communication has been received :—" Hatfield House. Hatfield, December 10 J), 1887, Sir,—I am directed by the Maiqnisof Salisbury to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th inst. In reply I ain to say that, in re<pect to a purely-personal matter, Lord Salisbury cannot venture to anticipate the decision to which 'he House of Commons may come on any motion whiuii is made, before it.—I am your obedient servant, R. T. GCNTON." Mr Bradlaugh will therefore pbee a notice on tile order-book so soon as Parliament meets for the Appointment of u select with power to call for persons, books, pipers.

GENERAL NEWS. Iseape of Mr pyJt nf.r.-Me Pyae, M.P„ left Lislinny Castle, Ireland, eaf'y on Tuesday morning, notwithstanding that a dozen police kept close watch all night. He drove away oa a car which was waiting The Insurance of letters. We Are in. formed by tho Postmaster-General that oil and after the 15th instant the fee of a penny for insurance up to registered letter will be discontinued. Whether or not the ordinary registration fee covers insurance up to the amount named is not rtated, but presumably it is the intention of the authorities that it should do so. The Death of Head-constable 111telehan.- On Saturday the trial ot the seven men alleged to be implicated in the Ballyvaughan affray, in which Head Constable Whelehan was killed, was resumed at Wicklow. A verdict of guilty was returned against five of the prisoners. Thomas Leary was sentenced to ten penal servitude, and the others to seven years' penal servitude each. Terrible Boiler Explosion, — On Wednes- day afternoon a boiler exploded at one of the pits of the Pelsall Coal and Iron Com- pany, near Walsall, killing the engineer, the fore- man, and one man, and injuring three other men and a boy—some of them so severely that fatal results are anticipated. Considerable damage was done to property, and two horses were killed. Mr Gladstone and the Failing Cause.— Writing to a Midlothian elector, Mr Gladstone says:— I am not surprised to learn the unani- mity of West Calder in rejecting the hopeless policy which, at the expense of much time, good feeling, and good humour, resists the concession of a Home Government to Ireland. It is, however, a little strange that there should be a living man who persuades himself that everywhere the failing cause is advancing in Scotland." Mother and Child Burned to Death.— The wife of a labourer named yuinn and ttieir little child, about two years old, were burned to death on Monday morning in the house in which they were sleeping in the New Lodge-road, Belfast. It is not known how the 6re originated, but a neighbour, hearing screams, rushed into the burning bouse and saved another child, four years of age. The roof and the upper fluot fell in, and when the bodies were recovered two hours after- wards they were unrecognisable. Sudden Death of a Minister. — The Rev. Thomas Addymau, superintendent minister of the Methodist New Connexion churcfies in the Nottingham Circuit, died suddenly on Satnrday night while addressing a special meeting of members of Parliament-street Church, Nottingham. While speaking be put his hand to his head, complained of pain, and a moment later fell back dead. Deceased, who was 46 years old, was well-known in the Methodist circles, having been in the ministry since 1869, and several times been conference secretary. Terrible Explosion at Penistone.—A serious explosion occurred at. the Yorkshire Iron and Steel Works, Penistone, belonging to C. Cam- mell and Co., Sheffield, on Monday. The bottom of the Bessemer steel tank, full of molten metal, fell out and exploded with great force, destroying the buildings close adjoiniug, setting the roof on fire, and seriously burning eight men and a boy. The severely injured are: Alfred Scrivener, John Mills. Allen, Cartwright, Thomas Parker, James Hamer, Thomas Thew,Charles Marsden, and Job Kay. None were killen. The Kev. C. Berry Declines to goto America. —Ou Suuday, the Uougregatumal Cuurch, Wolverhampton, a communication was read from the Rev C. Berry, the pastor, who was tempora- rily absent. He stated that at last bis decision had been taken concerning the offer to succeed the late Rev Henry Ward Beecher. He must remain in England. His present church and the leaders of Congregationalism offered him a national work at home in the questions—religious, theological, ecclesiastical, and political—which were coming up for settlement. Death from Tiglit-lacing.—Mr Carttar, the West Kent coroner, bast investigated a case of death from tight-lacing. Miss Emily Eleanor Woodward, aged 20 years, of Greenwich, went upstairs to dress to go out, and a few minutes afterwards her sister Lavinia called to her. Not receiving an answer she ran upstairs, and found the deceased lying on the floor. Dr Cox was called in. but deceased died immediately on bis arrival.—Dr Cox, who had made a post mortem examination of the body, said the history be had of the case showed that the deceased dressed very hurriedly, and she was very tightly laced round the waist, which combined with over-exertion, accelerated death. The Unemployed in Bristol. — An im. portant meetiuK of the unemployed of Bristol was held on Monday, when resolutions were adopted calling upon the muni- cipal and other authorities to organise the labour of the unemployed upon useful and productive work at fair rates of wages, by carrying out necessary local improvements, such as the construction of baths and wash-houses, bathing-pools, and buildings, without the inter- vention of a contractor; and of artisans'dwel- lioge to be let at the cost of construction and maintenance only. The meeting also called upon the poor-law guardians to relax the severity of outdoor relief for able-bodied men unable to get work.

TEACHERS' SALARIES AT SWANSEA. A special meeting of the members of tbe Swansea School Board was called tor Saturday attei^oon, on the requisition of three members, PurP0Se rescinding a resolution passed ui °rdinary meeting by which u con- r* .f ?CUou was niiUle iu the salaries of \V p » ? There were present Messrs Shards (,n the chair), E. Roberts (vice- chairman), O. James, J. Roberts, J. Powell, W. Howell, W. J- Lewis, A. Fraucm, D. L. Owen, J. Rees, and Dd. Harris, the Revs Canons W. son and Richards, E. J. Wolfe, and W. P. Williams, 9 Mr WOLFE formally moved the rescinding of the resolution referred to, and expressed a hope that now the question would be settled once and for all. Mr E. ROBERTS protested against smaller salaries being paid at Swansea than at Cardiff and said that if the scheme were adopted the teachers might luave and go to Cardiff. Mr OWEN, in reply to Canon Wilson, said those who composed the sub-committee were not old teachers, but they had been managers of schools ever since the establishment of board schools • and if the professional educationists on the board'were not on the sub-committee it was because those three gentlemen never helped in any matter in- volving a reduction, but always voted for increase. But the sub-cdmmittee, having no experience of their own, thought they would make use of other people's experience. So they consulted the other school authorities in the kingdom, and found that the teachers at Swansea wata lipint? overpaid. Even Mr Powell and Mr j! Roberts admitted this. There were 21 head mistresses, 10 of whom, according to the new scale, would be iu receipt of less than £ 100 • 11 would be in receipt of more than £100; tile lowest JB76 a year, and the highest £136 a year. There were 12 head masters, and under the new scale six would receive less than £200; six would receive over £200; the lowest J6159, and the highest £224. ltie main object of the scheme was to prevent the salaries from gradually going higher and higher. Mr FRANCIS protested against the redaction of the salaries of the clerk or inspector. Mr HOWELL said if there was anything in Mr E. Roberts's argument that some of the Swansea teachers would go to Cardiff, there were a large number of towns on which they could rely to supply the deficiency. They could go to such towns as Tipton, where the teachers earned 26 per cent. less than those at Swansea to Leicester, to Newport, to Merthyr, to South Shields, to Shrewsbury, to Brighton, to Dublin, to Aberdare, to Southampton, and a lot of other towns where the remuneration was from 16 to 25 per cent. under that of Swansea. He denied that there was anything behind the scheme, or that there was any intention to delude. He bad, he said, 00 end to serve, no friend to serve, no relation to serve. (Laughter.) He simply stood there representing the ratepayers, and he spoke and voted for what become,ed to be their interests. Mr KEES advocated a compromise. Canon RICHARDS said the last time the question was discussed in bis presence he suggested that the scheme should be referred back to committee, and he now repeated that suggestion. The committee recommended that a limit should be fixed. but said they were uotable to agree what the limit should be. Therefore, be thought the sub committee had practically failed in one of the most essential points. He believed some reductions should be made; and. if he had an opportunity of voting for such a reduction as he thought fit, he should do so. He moved that the scheme be referred back to committee for the limit to be fixed. Mr J. ROBERTS suggested that a middle course should be dteered, and the acceptance of the recommendation of the committee so far as to make a reduction on the fixed salary and grant to the extent of 5 per cent. Let tlungs remain as they are till the end of the school year, and then make the reduction he suggested. The CHAIRMAN seconded Canon Richards's motion, and said if they could not meet one another the question would go on ad wfinitum. Eventually it was decided to add tu the iesolu- tion rescinding the motion words to the effect that the scheme be referred back to a committee of the whole board further consideration, Messrs Wolfe, Powell, and Howell alone dissenting.

MR SPURGEON AND THE BAPTIST UNION. The council of the Baptist Union met in London on Tuesday for the purpose of considering what action they should take relative to Mr Spurgnnn's withdrawal from the union. After a long deliber- ation, it was decided to send a deputation from the council to wait upon the rev. gentleman at Meutone (where he is at present staying), with a view, if possible, to induce him to reconsider bis position and rejoin the union. The deputation was appointed, and the members of it will at once leave this country for the S >uth of France in fulfilment of their mission. What- ever uuiy ne the eventual outcome of the exchange of views between Mr Spurgeon and the union, it is not thought in Baptist official circles that any settlement of the matters in dispute can be arrived at for some time. Drs Angus and Under- bill eubmitted a re-affinnatioa of the declaration of faith, but it was postponed. The Rev J. Spurgeon, Mr Spurgeon's brother, indignantly lett the meeting because he understood that bis brother was charged with making untrue state- ments relative to a communication with the secretary, x:

THE ALLEGED DYNAMITARDS. Prisoners to go for Trial. The two men, Callan and Harkins, charged with being connected with the dynamite con- spiracy, were brought up, on remand, on Monday at Bow-street, London, before Sir James Ingham. The van in which the prisoners were conveyed from Holloway prison was strongly guarded as on previous occasions. Mr Poland prosecuted on behalf of the Trea- sury, and Mr Lucius O'Brien defended. The general public were not admitted to the court. At the opening of the proceedings Mr OB'rien Complained that facilities for the prisoners to instruct their solicitor had been denied. Mr Poland read a letter addressed to Mr 0 Brien from the Prison's Commissioner, in which they said the usual consultation room had been provided, but in order to prevent the sem- blance of a grievance in this case one of the iron partitions had been removed. Mr Poland said the warders were out of hear- ing, and there was no difficulty placed in Mr O'Brien's way. Mrs Elizabeth Kges, of 42, Lambeth-road, said that in June last a man named Cohen came to lodge at her house, and remained till his death on the 19th of October. Mr O'Brien said he objected to this evidence in toto. t Witness, continuing, said that during his illness Cohen was visited by the two prisoners. Cross-examined by Mr O'Brien: She had received no money to come and give evidence, nor did she expect any. To Mr Poland A man called Melville passed as Cohen's cousin. His Christian name was Joe," and be called very often during the summer. The letters she saw that came tor Coben were generally from Paris or New York. Ei en Brown, domestic servant, at 42, Lambeth- road, said she remembered a man very much like the prisoner Harkins coming to fetch two tin boxes from Cohen's room. He took them away in It cab. Sue knew the uoxos were heavy. Cross-examined by Mr O'Brien: She could not swear to the man, but he was very much like Harkins. John Mason, coroner's officer for Southwark, depused to taking charge ot the thing- m Cohen's room. There was a portmanteau and J356. In the portmanteau, among other thiugs, were a loaded revolver anti ten ball cartrides. Chief-inspector Littlechild, of the Criminal Investigation Department, deposed to hand- ing a box containing stuff like mortar to Colonel Majendie and Dr. Dupie on November 21st. The letter commencing Dear friend Joe," and saying, Ii They. have got you down tine. They have got your picture in all the papers," was fouud on Callau. Leonard Clarence Brookes, clerk in tLe Bauk of England, said that on the 18th Nov. a man came to the bank and presented notes INos. 850,023 and 181.023. One of the notes was endorsed Thus. Caiian, 24, Baxter-road, North Essex-road, Islington. William Henry Stancomb, also of the Bank of England, produced two notea, Nos. 18,110 and 18,115, which he said he paid over the counter on the 2nd September. Both were endorsed Joseph Cohen, 42, Lambeth-road. George Clapton Weeks, cashier at the Loudon Provincial Stock Bank, Princess- street, produced a draft for £205 6s 9d, drawn by Drexel and Company, Philadelphia, on J. S. Morgan and Company, in favour of Joseph Melville, dated. June 11th, 1887. Witness paid the draft with 39 j65 notes, and the balance in cash. The numbers of notes were 18,101 to 39 inclusive. He also produced a draft for £330 drawn by Cantroni and Co., New York, on the German Bank of London, in favour of the same person. Witness paid the draft with sixty-six j35 Bank of England notes, numbered 84 964 to 79 inclusive, and 85,001 to 50 inclusive. Inspector Horsley, A Division, deposed that on August 5Lh a man sent a card in the name of Mel- ville into the House of Commons for Mr Joseph Nolan. When MrNolan came out the man walked up and spoke to him, and Harkin= also came up and joined them. Melville also visited Mr Nulan at the House on the following day. He had seen Callen at the House of Commons. Colonel Majendie, Chief Inspectorof Explosives, said that on the 20th November be was shown by Inspector Littlechild a wooden box, containing a quantity of brownish white material about 201b. in weight. He satisfied himself that it was a descrip- tion of dynamite. On the following day Dr Dupre and witness made a more complete examination, and found that this dynamite was made of enfusonial earth called Kreselgusa. In America it was customary to dip dynamite cartridges in paraffin. On November 21st witness went to 24, Baxter-road, Islington, aud found in the dust-bin similar dynamite. Dr Dupre corroborated this evidence, and the accused were formally remanded, pending their committal on Monday next.

THE MURDER BY EMERGENCY MEN. Prisoners Acquitted; On Tuesday at the Wicklow Assize?—before Mr Justice O'Brien and a special jury—the trial of the seven emergency men, charged with the shoot- ing of John Kinsella at Coolgreany, County Wexford, in an affray arising out ot the execution of ti distress for rent, was resumed. Witnesses deposed that the people threw no stones, and gave the persons no provocation for firing. A slight conflict of testimony arose as to who fired the first shot, but all agreed that numerous shots were fired. I Constable Duigan deposed that on arriving, after Kinsella had been shot, a man threatened to strike him because be was not there in time. Meeting the emergency men Freeman denied that be had fired. Witness did not examinebis revolver to see whether it had been recently discharged. McCabe's rifle contained eight shots, and Macauley, Crawford, Kingsbury, and Porter also admitted having fired shots. Sergeant Rodgers deposed that he had examined Freeman's revolver, and it had not the appearance of having been recently discharged. McCabe's rifle and revolver also appeared not to have been recently fired. The bullet produced, found in Kinsella's body, could not have been fired from Freemau's revolver. Witness knew Freeman usually carried the revolver he had shown. Stephen Maker, recalled, said he had stated that McCabe tired the fatal shot. Other policemen deposed that they beard shout- ing, and saw sticks with some ot the people. Scott, one of the emergency men, bad a wound on his forehead. Mr Molloy, for the defence, said revolvers were enly too common amongst the people, and the emergency men would not fire without provoca- tion. All the Crown witnesses except one deposed that Freeman fired the fatal shot, but on examina- tion Freeman's revolver had not been discharged. John Johnson, known as Red Johnson, examined for the defence, stated that he was one of the emergency men who went to Kavanagh's Farm. He deposed that the people in the yard threw stones, and fired shots before the emergency men fired. They also cried, Come on if you dare." Witness would not say positively that the shots from the yard killed Kinsella. None of the emergency men exchanged fire arms after the affray. Satnuel Scott corroborated Jobnson s evidence about the 40 people who were in the yard. Witness was knocked senseless with a blow from a stone before any shots were fired. He had a five-chambered revolver, but he was not able to fire. Kinsella made a lunge with a fork at Johnson. They brought away the cattle after the affray. John Johnson, another of the emergency men, corroborated the previous witness. After an hour's consultation the jury returned a verdict of not guilty against the seven prisoners charged with manslaughter, and they were dis- charged. Mr Ryan then announced that the Crown would not proceed with the charge of riot against these and ten other defendants at present. They were accordingly released on their own recogni- zances. _———————-

A GENERAL SENT TO PRISON. His Excellency General Digby Willoughby general officer commanding the Malagasy forces, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to her Majesty Ranavolofta III, Q'lp,en of Mada- gascar, has, says the Pall Mall Gazette, forfeited, the high regard in which he been held. V e understand (says the Pall Mall Gazette) that his relations with his Government had been strained for some time. He had remained in London spending large sums of money beyond the limits of his authorization, and had not been officially received on his return. He allowed some months to elapse before presenting his state- ment of accounts, and now he is under sentence of imprisonment on a charge of embezzlement. It appears that a commission was appointed by the Hova Government, composed of Englishmen as well as of Malagasy officers, to examine into his conduct, and the accused bad English counsel. He was found guilty, the amount which he is charged with embezzling being no less than £12,000. The defence set up was that having lost all his money, accounts, and papers in the wreck of the Castle Line, off the Cape of Good Hope, be was unable to prove his innocence. According to strict Malagasy law he is liable to imprisonment in chains till the sum is refunded and although it was rather expected that the ex general would be let off with banishment, we bear that be has been packed off to one of her Majesty's prisons under a. strong escort of soldIery.

SKINNING A SHEEP ALIVE. On Monday, at Hanley, two butchers, named Deakin and Bloor, were charged with torturing a sheep by skinuing it while it was alive. The chief witness for the prosecution was a Mrs Jones, the wife of a publican, who said she saw a sheep struggling violently in a barrow while Deakm opened its skin straight down the brea.st,and pro- ceeded to tear it off its side. Deakin subse- quently cut one of its feet, and wrenched it off at the joint. While Deakin was skinning the un- fortunate animal, Bloor noticed that witness was watching, and he told Deakin to stoPi as fools would be meddling. The defence was a total denial of the charge, and witnesses were called who swore that the sheep was dead before it was skiuned.—The Stipendiary, however, considered the charge proved, and sentenced the defendants to six weeks'hard labour. Notice of appeal was given, the defendants being liberated on bail.

FIRE AT A TIN-PLATE WORKS. On Wednesday evening a report was received at the Morriston police-station that a fire had broken out at the Duffryo Tin-plate Works. The hose and reel was immediately despatched to the scene, in charge of Sergeant Coward, and infor- mation was sent by telephone to Swansea, whence the new engine was despatched. It only I occupied 12 miuutes in covering the distance of nearly four miles. On arrival at the works it was found that a house where the bofcks are dried was I in flumes, but there being an abundant supply of water the tire was extinguished in a very short time, and before much damage had been done. The works belonged to Mr Daniel Edwards.

Great Chess Tournament. — On Monday, at the Bught (JIIBSS Club, London, J. Gutisberg and A. Burn commenced playing off their tie for first prize in the masters tournament, promoted by the British Chess Association, the conditions being that one player must win two games. Monday's game ended in a victory for Burn, his opponent resigumg on the fifty-second move. WARNING.—When you ask for Reckitt's Blue, see that you get it. The manufacturers beg to caution the public against imitation squire Blue of very inferior quality. The Paris Blue fasquares is sold in wrappers, bearing their name and Trade Mark. Refuse all othei s. 12;169 HOLLOWAT'S OINTMENT AND PIT.L3.—Coughs, Influenza, — The soothing properties of tliese medicaments render them well worthy of tna.lm aU diseases of the respiratory organs: Lu common colds and influenza the pills, taken internally, and the oint- ment rubbed over the chestand ihroat, are exceedingly efficacious. When influenza is epidemic, this treatment, is the easiest, safest, and surest Hulloway's Pills purify the blood, rem .ve all obstacles to its free circu- lation through the luugs, relieve thepngorged air tui^p and render respiratio free, without reducing tb« strength, irritating the nerves, or depressing the spirits such are the ready means of escaping from su £ L-rin;* whe/l afflicted witlJ colds, coughs bronchitis, and other chest cvmplaint.1, by whic tpe health of so many is seriously and permanently injured in most countries. 1002

Dreadful Fire at Cardiff. LOSS OF FOUR LIVES, A fire which broke out at Roath Cardiff, at an early hours on Wednesday morning, has elicited throughout the town a general ex- proseion of sorrow and sympathy for Mr Francis, who has sustained under the most lamentable circumstances the irreparable loss of his wife and three children. It appears that about a quarter past twelve o'clock on Wednes- day morning information was given at the Roath police-station of an outbreak of fire at No. 44, Planet-street, Roath. The pre- mises were occupied by Mr John Francis and his family, which comprised his wife and eight children. Mr Francis carried on business as a tailor and woollen draper, but he is himself a carpenter, engaged during the day time at Messrs Spiller and Co.'s. Immediately upon receipt of the news of the outbreak Inspector Cox called out all his available men, and himself accompanied by P.C. 13 went at once to the house with the fire reel. So soon as the officers turned into Planet-street, they saw that the fiont part of No. 44 was in flames. Upon arrival at the house the inspector found Sergt. Harling and several constables already on the spot. The inspector's first anxious inquiry was whether the inmates of the house had been aroused and rescued, and he received a reply in the aifirinative-a civilian and a constable assuring him oi that. The He plug was promptly drawn, and a good supply of water being available. the police played upon the burning shop and soon had the satisfaction of seeing that their eSorts to extinguish the fl-itnes were having good effect. Inspector Cox directe the constable who bad told him that the inmates had be>m rescued to go to the back and make himself absolutely certnin of the f;tct. In the meantime water was being copiously poured upon the fire, and it was obvious that it could be speedily extinguished without resorting to the steam fire-engine at the central station, which, had been got in readiness for any emergency. The inspector, however, was horrified at an out- cry that Mrs Francis and two of the children, whom he had been led to believe were safely boused with a neighbour, were missing, and that it was feared they were in the burning building. P.C.'s 70, 72, and Scott were des- patched to the back to ascertain flCENE OF THE FATAL FIRE. 1 1, 1 whether there was any foundation for the alarming rumour. P.C. Scott returned with the informa- tion that he had been to the back bedroom Win- dow, but on looking through could see no one inside. The fire had obtained such a hold upon the building that access from the front was impossible. The stairs and staircase were in flames, and every attempt made to enter the premises had so far proved futile, would be rescuers being driven back by fire and suffocating smoke. When by and by the fire had been some- what further subdued, Inspector Cox pro- cured a ladder and reared it against the front ot the bouse. P.C. Carter ascended the ladder, but tbe smoke was too dense to permit of bis seeing anything beyond an empty bed inside the room, and the fire which was raging precluded the possibility of his entering. Inspector Cox handed him the pricker used in drawing the tire plug, and with that instrument he was enabled to lift the bed clothes, and to discover that the bed was unoccupied. Every effort appears to have been made to discover the whereabouts of Mr Francis' family, and at last P.C. 72 called the inspector to an adjoining house, where he found Mr Francis, who was in a state bordering on derangement. Questioned as to where bis wife and children were, the un- fortunate man was too dazed to make a reply or to give any satisfactory information. At last, after several unsuccessful attempts P.C. 90 and P.C. 70 managed to get into one of the back bedrooms, and there they made the sickening discovery of two children, who, though unconscious, were not at the time believed to be dead. Inspector Cox met the constables carrying the children downstairs. Subsequently Mrs Francis was discovered, and she and her children were promptly removed to the infirmary. The two children had, however, succumbed before their arrival at the infirmary, and their mother died almost immediately after she was admitted to the insti- tution. It having been ascertained that another child had been taken to a neigh- bour's house, Inspector Cox ordered its removal to the Intirmary. It is believed that immediately Mr Francis and his wife found the house was on fire they beat a hasty retreat to the back bedrooms, and thence to a workshop which Mr Francis had erected over the wasb-house. This workshop was provided with a trap-door, and Mr Francis having got through into the wash-house below his wife handed him down five of the children. He then made an attempt to return by means of the trap door, but he fell back, and it is surmised that Mrs Francis, in endeavouring to rescue the remaining children, was overcome by the smoka and thus lost her own life. The fire was eventually extinguished, but the shop, in which was stored a large quantity of articles of wearing apparel and woollen goods was com- pletely gutted, whilst the contents of the sitting- room behind are destroyed, and the premises generally very seriously damaged. The inmates of the house at the time the fire broke out were ten in numlier, viz., John Francis (44), Margaret his wife (36), Alfred John (14), John Evan (11), Margaret jiugene (8), Thomas Arthur (10 wreks), Miry Aun (16), Elizabeth (13), Adeline (6), and William Ber>jninin (2). It is a melancholy tact that it was only on Wednes- day that the family celebrated the birth of one of the children now numbered with the dead, TIZ., John Evan. Four of the children who were rescued alive viz., Mary Ann (16), Elizabeth (13), Adeline (6) and William Benjamin (2), are being cared for at the house of Mr William Francis, of 10, Lead-street, a brother of the occu- pant of the ill-fated shop in Planet- street. Mr William Francis lives within a few hundred yards of his brother, and about one o'clock in tLe morning be was aroused from his slumbers by some one in the street calling out Francis" in a frantic manner. He promptly rose and dressed, and, having ascertained the cause of the alarm, hurried to his brother's shop to render whatever aid he could. It appears that this is the second instance in which a fire has broken out upon these premises. In the mouth of June last thieves broke into the shoo from the back, and had prepared several bundles of goods for removal when they were disturbed. They, however, found time to show their spleen, for they set fire to the bundles of clothes and turned out the gas, which they left escaping. It has transpired that Mr Francis's baby was rescued on Wednesday morn- ing by a man named Sirrell, who lodged on the opposite side of the street. Mr Sirrell pluckily got through the trap door, and having secured the infant took it to his landlady, who, however, was shocked to find that it bad ceased to breathe. Five of the inmates of the ill-fated house were taken to the infirmary, and the bodies of four were there awaiting the coroner's inquiry. The full list is as follows :-John Francis, 'he father, aged 44, not much hurt Margaret Francis (36), his wife, dead Alfred John, 14; John Evan, 11, dead Margaret Eugene, 8, dead and Thomas Arthur, 10 weeks, dead.

INDECENT ASSAULT AT NEWPORT, At the borough police-court, On Wednesday, Charles Anderson, a Swede, was charged with indecently assaulting Emily Wilcox, a girl 17 years of age and Emmanuel Siliber, a coloured man, was charged witb assaulting the same girl. It was alleged that on Tuesday evening, as com- plainant, in company with a friend, was walking past the Elliot Home for Seamen, Siliber caught hold of her and put his arms around her. Eventually, however, he let her go. After this Auderson followed her, put his arms around her neck, and took liberties with her. Complainant's companion ran for a policeman, and found P.C. Harper in Commercial-road. For the defence it was stated that prisoners had been at the Seamen's Home for about a fortnight, and had conducted themselves very well. A witness named Alfred Thompson, who is also staying at the Home, said that a fortnight last Friday night the twirls were dancing with prisoners and others, who had an accordion, at the top of Temple-street. Anderson was fined lO, or seven days. The West Indian was discharged.

The Crofter Difficulty. It ia artnoTMeed that Mr Alexander Morrison, of Stornoway, a leader in the Laud Law Reform move- ment in the island of Lewis, has been asked by the Government to proceed to British Columbia to report upon its suitability as a colony for the settlement of a portion of the crofter population of Lewis. The Central News has reason to believe that this is one of the outcomes of Mr Chamkwr- lain's visit to the Hebrides last April. During his stay in the islaud Mr Chamberlain lost no opportunity of impressing upon the half-starved crofters and others the advantages of emigration.

LOCAL POLICE NEWS. Bad Boys at Whitchurch. — At the Llan. datf police-court ou Mou<lay — before Messrs C. H. Williams, H. Lewis, R. Rickurds, Colonels Page and Wood-two lads named Frank Stone (15) and George Croft (15), both of Whit- church, were charged with assaulting Lily and Helen Russel respectively. Mr Morgao Rees prose- cuted, while Mr J. H. Jones defended. Lily Rus- sel stated that on the night of Sunday, November 13 th, about six o'clock, she was proceeding to chapel with her sister and another girl, Florence Redwood, along the Caerphilly-road, when they were followed by a gang of 25. boys, amongst whom were the defendants, who indulged in obscene language. It was quite dark. The prisoner Stone crept up behind her, and behaved indecently towards her She raised no alarm, but ran on with the two girls to chapel.—Helen ltussel corrobo- rated. Florence Redwood stated that the prosecutor raised no alarm and did not seem at all "put out." Prosecutor had, on a previous occasion, gone nutting with a number of boys.- The prisoner Stone, who bore a very bad charac- ter, was sentenced to two weeks'imprisonment. The case of Croft, who was charged with assaulting Helen Russel, was adjourned fur a week for the production of further evidence. Assaulting a Railway Porter.-At. Newport on Mouaay, Jas. \\1. liich, a (iiiijiuutive inan, who made his bow to their worships attired in a black frock coat, was charged with being drunk and disorderly at tbe Great Western Railway Station and also with assaulting Walter Rich, porter. 011 Saturday afternoon, at about four o'clock, the prisoner had an altercation with Morgan, the doorman, at the booking office, and when Fry went to his assistance he found the two rolling on the floor. Fry was kicked savagely in the brealit, and, although he had given him every chance of getting away, the prisoner renewed the assault at the back of the Town-hall, where he kicked Fry in a tender part of the body.—Prisoner was now profuse in his apologies, and explained that he had got the sack" through taking drink.—Fined 20s, or 14 d; ys' imprisonment. The Magistrate Tenders Corroborative Evidence.—At the Newport pUlice-court on Monuay, Lydia Price, a middle aged woman, who spoke with a nasal twang, was charged with soliciting in Pentonville on Saturday evening. A plain-clothes officer named DiX proved the offence. P.C. ALtwuod said lie had previously cautioned prisoner the same evening.—Prisoner becams indignant at the recital of her dis- graceiul behaviour made by Dix, which she denied in round terms.—Mr H. J. Parnall, who was one of the magistrates present, told prisoner that he saw her near his own garden gate on the prior Saturday evening, and followed her for a quarter of an hour in the hope of seeing a policeman. It was at his suggestion, added Mr Parnall, that a plain clothes officer was put on to detect ber.— Sentenced to 28 days' bard labour.—Prisoner Thank vou. Snaring Harrs an Ely Racecourse. At Llandaff police-court, on Monday—oeiore Messrs C. H. Williams (H-ftth Couit), Henry Lewis, and Cols, Page and Wood-Henry Melhuish; Oanton, was charged with using snares for the purpose of taking game, without a licence, on the Ely Race Course ou the 1st inst.—George Danks, a game- keeper, deposed that he found the prisoner in the act of laying a number of steel traps. He also had in his possession six wires, and there were traces of a number of hares having been snared. He admitted that he had indulged in the pastime on previous occasions.—Prisoner, who had been for 20 years in the employ of Mr Treseder, florist, and who bore a good character, was fined JS2 and costs, in default 21 days' imprisonment. Assault on a Lofter.-At the Penarth police- court, on itidwin Bennett was charged with assaulting William Beckett, who lodged in defendant's house.Prosecut.or said that ou the 5th instant, not feeling very well, he stayed at home nad went to bed. Defendant pulied him out of bed and dropped him down stairs.-For the defence it was stated that complainant was druuk, and defendant pulied him out of bed, objecting to a drunken man in the house.-Tiie bench inaicted a tine of B2 and costs. Assaulting the Police. At the Penartb police-c-iurt, on Mouoay, Edward Keene was charged with assault ug the police and refusing to quit the Windsor Hotel when requested. Evidence having beeu given, the bench said there had been ten cases against the defendant since 1882, and he would now have to go to gaol for one mouth with hard labour. Fowl-stealin: at "doxton.-At Penarth on on JYlouú;.tY-U"Iul .\lt1",r J. S. Corbett, James Ware, and V. Trayes—two youths, named William Price and John Price, were charged witb stealing a couple of fowls of the property of Mrs Deau, of the Gilbert farm-house, near Cadoxton. It appeared that the prosecutrix had lost a large number of fowls, and that about three weeks ago a dog which she keeps to protect the house In her absence was poisoned. Site was in the habit of locking up her house and spending Saturday and Suuday with a relative at Cardiff, and du ing her absence on one of these visits, on the night of Saturday week, &ome one broke into her towl house and stole four fowls. Ou the same evenillg the two prisoners were seen coming from the premises by a police- constable, whilst a pair of fowls wer& afterwards picked up near them, the birds being dead. On being charged with tbe theft the prisoners simply replied "You did not find them on us." Taty now pleaded uot guilty, but the bench considered the case proved, and they were sentenced to two monthb' imprisonment with bard labour. Theft of a Carriage Lamp.—At the Ystrad poiice-court, on Monday, Joseph Palmer was charged with stealing a carriage-lamp belonging to Mr John, wine and spirit merchant, Pentre. On November 26tb, 1886, prosecutor drove from Pentre to Ferndale, and stabled the horse for a few hours at the rear of the Commercial Hotel. Subsequently prosecutor's driver missed one of the carriage-lamps.-Prisouer now said he had picked up the lamp on the road, and, failing to get a clue as to its owner, took it home. Recently prisoner tried to pledge tbe article at a pawn- broker's. He was tnie i J62. A Violent Prisoner.—James Keaton, of Dowlais, a iabourer, was charged on Monday at the Merthyr police-court-before Mr W. M. North (titipendiary)-with being drunk and disorderly in High-street, Dowlais, and with doing damage to the police cell to tbe extent ot JB1 on tbe previous Saturday. A short time after prisoner was put in the cell Inspector Rodman heard a smash. He looked in through a small aperture, and saw that a plate had been thrown against the wall. Prisoner, seeing him, made a violent kick at the door acd broke it. He was ordered to pay a fine of 5s, JB1 damages, aud the C'sts in default, 14 days' imprisonment with hard labour. An Incorrigible Thief.—At Merthyr police- court 011 Mom-iay, Maig-uet Roberts, 22 years of age, of Penydarren, was charged with 6Lealing a shirt, the property of Thomas John. Alr.3 John deposed that on Friday, the 9ch instant, she placed the shirt on a line in front of the house, and a few hours afterwards she missed it from there. On the following day the prisoner attempted to pledge the shirt at Mr Freedman's, Dowlais, and was arrested.—Mr North said prisoner must be a confirmed thief. This was the third theft of a similar nature of which she had been convicted during this year. He sen- tenced her to be imprisoned for two months with hard labour. Salmon Poaching Affray at B"eon. Early ou Sunday moruing a gaug 01 sannon poachers, to the number of about^a dozen, armed with gaffs and lights, were pounced upon ou the Cafanol Brook at Talybont, naar Brecon, by two river keepers and a police-constable. For some time the poachers kept tbe officers away by pelting them with stones, but ultimate!y the keepers made a dash and secured two of the poachers after a severe struggle. The others made off. In all 26 salmon were captured by the keepers. The two men captured (William Martin and Arthur Rogers, of Merthyr) were remanded at the county police court on Monday until Friday next, the bench agreeing to take sub- stantial bai 1-(Iefen(i ants in J3100 each, and two sureties each in 250. Alleged Theft at Breeen.-At Brecon police- court, ou Mouday, iVi iiy tiuinton was committed for trial to the quarter sessions on a charge of stealing a boa, of the value of 6s, the property of Mary Price, Pendie, Brecon; Defendant, Was admitted to bail. A Llansamlet Right of Way. At the Swan", a poi.ce-couri, uii lolJday-uerore Messrs J. G. Fowler and J. G. liall-iu the case of a large number of persons who were summoned for trespass on the railway at Llansamlet, and whose cases had been adjourned from time to time so as to enable an arrangement to be made between the Midland and the Great Western Railway Companies, Mr Young, trom the office of Messrs Beale and Co., of Birmingham, aid he would ai-k only for small fiueti in each case by consent of Mr W. R. Smith, who appeared for the Great Western Company, and Mr Laurence Richards for the parties concerned.—Accordingly fines of 5s each were imposed.—Mr Fowler said he was speakiug some time ago to the Midland manager at Derby as to the necessity of erecting a bridge at Llausamlet.—Mr Young said the company had long felt it to be a necessity, as there was no adequate accommodation for tbe public. An Unfortunate Promises to Reform.—At Swansea 011 Muuday, tor attempting to rescue from the police on Saturday night a prostitute named Martha Thomas, who was arrested in Castle-street, for drunken and disorderly conduct, John Jones, a labourer, was fined JB3, including costs. Defendant said the woman was his wife. He pushed the constable about, and his conduct allogather was very violent.-Tije woman, Thomas, was committed for a month. Subse- quently, on tbe intercession of Mrs Ebentzer Davies and Capt. Colquhoun, the sentence was remitted, it being stated that she wss quite re- solved to change her life, and enter the retuge. Petty Thefts at Brynmawr.—Of late, several petty tbetts have occurred at the confec- tionery and fruit shop of Miss Neeklin, in Beaufort-street. On Friday night the window of the lower end of the shop was broken, and a quantity of sweets stolen. Again, early on Sunday morning, the window of the fruit depart- ment was found to have been broken, and a quantity of oranges and other fruit stolen. This is the eleventh occasion, within a short time, that such depredations have been committed. Information has been given to the police. Wilful Damage at Neath.-At Neath police court on Mouday, James and Arthur Thomas were charged with being drunk and disorderly, and also with wiltully breaking a pane of glass in the Queen's Arms on Saturday night. P.C. Price stated that he was called to the Queen's Arms on the night in question, and saw the defendants fighting together Witness took them to the station, and they became very abusive. They were each fined 10* and costs, and ordered to pay the damage done, in default 14 days' imprisonment Cab-drivers at Variance. — John Longford, ¡ Neath, was chatged at fchn Neath police-court I on Monday, with assaulting James Gale on the 6th inllt. Complainant and defendant are cab. drivers, and a dispute arose as to whose turn it was to take out a cab. In the course of the dispute defendant struck complainant on the neck. In rlefence it was stated that it was defendant's turn to take the cab, and that com- plainant tried to get it. The bench fined defendant 10s and costs, and told him not to take the law into his own hands again. Aberdare Temperance-hall Licence. At the Aberdare police-court, on Tuesday—before Mr North, Mr Rhys, Mr James Lewis, and Mr D. P. Ddvies-Mr Phillips renewed his applica- tion for a theatrical license for the Temperauce- ball, and produced an amended plan of alterations. Mr Griffiths, surveyor and architect, said the hall was generally calculated to seat 1,000 persons. There were three doors available for exit. Ordin- arily the haU would be emptied in about two-and- a-half minutes, and in a crush in about five minutes.—The magistrates were not satisfied j with the alterations proposed, and said that I additional means of exit were required. The application was adjourned for a fortnight. Loose Powder in a Nine. -At Pontypool on S iturday, Rich ird Jones, a collier, charged with carrying loose powder underground at one of the Abersychan Collieries, was fined 20s including costs, or 14 days. Riding Above his Class.—At the Pontypool police-court ou Saturday, William Williams, charged with riding in a second-class carriage on the Great Western Railway with a third- class ticket, was fined 20., including costs. He had entered the carriage, he said, in a hurry, and did notjuotice it was "c' ,nd-class. Unjust Weights at Mainilee.-At Newport on Saturday, three small tradespeople at Maindee weresummoued for having unjust weights in their possession. In the first case, against Emily Elford, grocer, two weights, a lib and ill), were short Si drachms and li drachms respectively; in the second, a widow named Lucia Williamq, Oxford-street, had an lb weight 851 drachms or half an ounce agaimt the purclia-r.-]Di*vid Payne, grocer, Glebe-street, who had three unjust weights, was fined 5<, and the two other trades- people 2-1 61 each and the costs. A Blind Stan's Spree.—At Swansea police-court on Wudne-day—before Mr J. Trevilian Jenkin (in the chair), Mr J G. Hall, and inir J. O. Richardson—John Morgan, a blind man, who, when before the bench on a recent occasion, promised amendment of his life on being ]ett off, was charged with being helplessly drunk at Cwm- bwrla, near Swansea, on the previous day. Pri- soner had in his possession the Gospel of St. John, printed in embossed characters, and a letter full of extremely pious sentiments.—Mr Hall re- minded him of his promise to amend his life.- Prisoner said he knew he had broken the pro- mise, but asked for another chance.—Mr Hall said the bench could not rely on his prounises. -Fined 5.; and costs in default, seven days' hard labour. —Prisoner I can't do any bard labour.-The fine was paid.

DEATH OF A RURAL DRUDGE IN DEAN FOREST. .a?. Mr M, F. Carter, coroner for the Dean Forest Division, attended at the police-station, St. Briavels, on Monday evening, to hold an inquiry touching the death of an agricultural lat>ourer named John Hughes. The circumstances breught to light were of a distressing character. It appears that the deceased, who was about 50 years of age, and was single, bad, for a number of years, made a common outhouse his home. The accommodation was of the rudest character. There was but a single compartment, and the earth floor was covered to some extent with dirty straw. He slept in a corner of the room. He did not undress, but covered himself as well as he could with a few old rags. He had been in bad health for a long time, and spent some years in the Ohepstow Union Work- house. Getting tired of the confinement, be returned to St. Briavel's Common, and got per- mission of Mr William Kear, owner of the barn, to inhabit it. Latterly, owing to ill-health, he was for days together unable to leave the shed. Nor did he get much attention from neighbours. The evidence of a woman named Sarah Ann Wrington was to the effect that she, with another woman named Morgan, not having heard of deceased for several days, went to the barn, and, finding the old man was worse than n"u.d, returned home, and prepared some rice and tea which they brought him. He took the te; but could not eat the rice. Deceased had lived in the shed for ten years, and paid the landlord'. Os per annum rent for it. Witness again saw him on the 7ib inst., and there was no change in his con- dition. Next morning, in consequence of in- formation given at the police-station, P.S. Bowley proceeded to the shed, where the man was found lying dead and cold in the cnrner.-Dr Carleton, Newnham, deposed to having made a post-mortem examination of the body, which he found to be fairly well-nourished. Death was caused by syn- cope, the result of exposure to the cold. A verdict in accordance with this was returned.

A CARDifF LAD'S ADVENTURE. At Newport borough police-court, on Monday, Thomas Taylor, 15 years of age, son of a moulder, living at 52, Tyndall-street, Cardiff, was charged withconcealinghimself m thpKing's Arms, Commercial-road, and stealing 5s O i in coppers, 211 in silver, a bottle of whisky, and two cigars.-About 11 o'clock last (Sunday) night P.S. Evans stated that he met the prisoner pro- ceeding along Portland-street smoking a cigar. The sergeant stopped and akej prisoner where he got it from. The lad replied that a sailor had given it to him. Seeing that his pockets were bulky, the sergeant searched him, and found the whisky and money in his possession. Tbe bottle bore the label of the King's Arms upon it, and be went to the bouse and found the front door open. Prisoner after- wards made a statement to the effect thit he went into the house and concealed himself under the settle until the landlady (Mrs Osborne) went up- stairs. Whilst the piano was playing in the drawing-room, he got into the bar and took the money, whisky, and cigars.—Mrs Osborne tola the bench that she ordered prisoner out of the kitchen about nine o'clock. The prisoner and other match boys were constantly creeping into the kitchen and going to sleep near the fire.- The bench decided to remand the boy for a week that his father might attend from Cardiff. On Wednesday the bench ordered the prisoner to receive 12 strokes with a birch rod and to be afterwards hauded over to the father. They alsojcomphmented P.S. Evans on his smartness in effecting the capture and fiuding the owner of the stolen property.

SAD FATALITY AT A MERTHYR COLLIERY. • An acident occurred in tbe South Pit,Pentrebacb, Attinday afteriioon, whereby Benjamin Griffiths (57), labourer, 36, Cardiff-street, Troedyrbiw, lost his life. The deceased and John Davies were leaving work, and when at the bottom of an incline they followed the journey of the trams, although cautioned not to da so, as it was against the rules of the colliery. The journey had gone about twenty yards when some couplings gave way, and six of tbe trams broke loose. Griffiths jumped off, but one of the trams got off the rails and went over him. When he was extricated he saw his son and told him not to cry, but to go home and tell his mother he was all right. Deceased was removed home, but before he ar- rived there he died. His wife, who is in ill- health, and who lost a son two or three years ago in an accident at Merthyr Vale, was very much shocked by the news of the fatality. Deceased, who was well-known and esteemed in Trdey- rbiw, was a deacon of the Welsh Baptist Church at that place. At the inquest on the body on Wednesday a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

SEQUEL TO AN ASSAULT AT BRIDGEND. At "the Bridgend county court—before Jodge Gwiiym Wiliams-on Wednesday, Llewellyn Richards, an itinerant watch repairer, sued Benjamin E lwards. of the Bryncethin Hotel, near Bridgend, for LIO, damages for an assault alleged to have beeu committed. Mr T. J. Hughes was for the plaintiff, and Mr Reudali for the defendant. The matter arose out of a dispute which took place at the defendant's hotel, After an assault, the outcome of that dis- pute, defendant took proceedings in the police-court., but plaintiff settled the matter by the payment of 22, and costs were also to be paid. In the evening of the "settling" day defendant met plaintiff, and invited him to take a glass of beer. A further quarrel ensued, and defendant threw down the two sovereigns he had received, doing so, as he allege,i, through fear. Defendant picked up the money and pocketed it. The action was now brought for the larger sum, but the judge non-suited plaintiff, as be said he could not sue for money which he had voluntarily given up.

ACCIDENT TO THE SPEAKER. The Speaker, the Right Hon. Arthur Peel, who is staying at the Lodge, S mdy, his Bedfordshire sest, has burst one of the blooii vessels of the eve, and is being treated by a,well-known oculist. No dangerous results are so far anticipated. The eye is t lightly bloodshot, but beyond some little inflammation he is not incommoded by the rupture. Mr Peel states that the affection will not prevent him from going out, and be hopes to be rid of it altogether in a day or two.

BIG NUGGETS OF GOLD.—The luckiest find ever made ill California was made by a man named Finney, who" tumed up a solid luuip of gold itear Dowuievilie in 1836. that weighed Are thousand ounces, worih £ 18,900. This was Liie largest nugget of pure gold ever dis overed, Heretofore the Australian nugget lound in thi Ballarat gold tields has been considered the largest. I; was value ai £ 15,000. Jhis man Fin- ney, or "O,d Virginia.' ashe was called, went to Washoe, and there ne made the great silver discoveries, where the Comstock iolie was located, &A whero Virg.uia City, which was named after iiiin, stands. He died in great poverty. He was celebrated for his wonderful head of hail, wh;ch was of a rich dark brown in color, which fell in heavy curls over his stalwart shoulders. I He was very proud of his head covering, and always carried in his outfit" a brush, comb, aud sinah hand mirror, and/rhenever lie made his "cararr," while pros- pecting would com i and dress his hair with great care. I When m sfortuue overtook him, and he continued playing in bad lack"-as he term-d it-he began to neglect his hair, and it became frowsy, began to turn grey, and fall out, so that a few years before he died he was nearly bald, and his few remaining hairs were quite white. Had he added to his outfit" Mri S. A. Allen's World's Hair itestooer, he inigot have retaiued his hair as long as he lived, for it never fails to strengthen and invigorate the hair, restore its color and render it soft, glossy, >lnd strong. It can be found at auv- chemist's or perfatuefs in the world. 6122 14*87

--w_=- --=-=-=- THE SAVAGE ASSAULT AT 4 ABERAMAN. Prisoners Sent for EliPSWr Prothero and John Mdes were again brought up before the magistrates, at Aberdare, on Tuesday, charged with wounding John Davies at Aberaman, on October 3lst. M r T. Ph llipa was for the prosecutor, and Mr C. Kensole for the prisoners. Prosecutor was assisted into court, bat Mr Phillips explained that his memory was almost a blank. On being sworn, be said be was a collier, and resided at 50, Regent-street, Aber- aman. On the Di¡t in question he remembered talking to John Wiliiams. He oniy beard what had happened to him a month after the occurrence when be regained consciousness. In cross-exami- nation, witness said he had been to Aberdare on the day of the occurrence, but he had not beea drinking. He had a discussion with John WiJ. liams about singing, but did not quarrel with him. He received an injury to his head at Cwmneol Coiliery about two years ago.—John William^, grocer's assistant, Aberaman, said ba recollected seeing prosecutor near the turnpike Rate, Aberaman, on the date of the assault. Wit- ness had a discussion with Davies about singing. Witness had been drinking a little. When near the junction of Lewis-street and Cardiff-road he stopped tocontinue the discission. Ti\6n a gang came up and surrounded them. He saw two persons take off tkeir coats. He afterwards ran towards home. He met P.C King 25 varda from the po'ut where he left D -vies.—W. Jenkins, Collier, said that while the prosecutor Williams and himself were talkmsr near tbe Plough, a gang1 of persons came up. Subsequently he saw two of the men in the gang take their coats jff, and one of them knocked John Divies déJwo. Witness was behind Davies, and fell with him. As witness was trying to assist Davies to his feet he was struck over the eye. He then saw the tailer of the two men kicking John Davies. Wituess then saw Davies lying down bleeding. His assailants thereupon decamped. P.C. King, Aberaman, seated that at half-past U o'clock on the uigbt of the occurrence he heard of what had taken place. He saw prosecutor lying on the middle of the Cardiff-road. On November 3 he arrested Protbero, who said, "Idid strike him over, and he fell to tbe ground, and I didn't cfo any more. For what Prothero said witness subsequsntly arrested Miles. Mih said: "I was there, but I did'nt do ary-hingr. 1 know who did it," When he charged them both together at the police-station, Miles turned to Prothero, and said, "It was you struck bim, Prothero, and you bad your coat off too." Prothero replied, "You were the last with him. because you brought my hat with you, and you had your coat off too."—Dr James Bowen Jampa said that when be saw prosecutor on the night of the assault, he was quite unconscious. The mac remained in an unconscious state until November 4-. He had been delirious for the best part of three weeks. Now his memory was very detective his sense of hearing was greatly 1m- paired; and the sight of the right eye was also affected. For a long time his life was in danger. —Prisoners were committed for trial to quarter sessions. They were admitted to bait each in their own recognizances of j350, and twe sureties of £25 each,

THE MORRISTON SHOOTING OASE. At the Swansea police-cotrrt on Sato# day William John Dart, a youth of about 18 years, was charged with shooting Griffiths at the Morriston Tin Works on the 3rd inst.—David Griffiths said he was a doubler at the tin works, and residing at LI mgytelach. He was in the tin works on the 3rd December engaged at the shears, when be felt that he was shot in the back. He heard a report in the first instance, and after turning round to see what it was, he felt that be had some craina in his back. He threw away his tongs at which be was working, and took off his coat. He did not know who shot him, Some little time after Dart came to witness and said he did not mean to do it, but that he did not know Griffiths was there. Iu answec to the defendant, wituess said he was not burt much, and was not obliged to discontinue work. He did not believe that the defendant could have seea him when be fired.—El ward Tynan, a shearer at the tin .vorks, said On the 3rd December be saw the defendant with a pistol. Two girls and a man had some joke in the mill. Defendant was walking towards them when he fired a pistol towards the ground. How the shots rebounded he could not explain. He did not know then tbat Dart had wouuded. anybooy. He heard it a few initiates afterwards. Defendant said he was very sorry, and be seemed frightened at what he bad done.—li:chard WiLiains, superintendent of the works, said when he beard of tbe occurrence he went to the defendant and asked him for tbe pistol, which he gave bim. He said he was sorry it happened. Major Wright said the bench looked upon it as an accident, still he was to blame for carrying the pis„ol about, especially a loaded pistol. It was quite proper for the police to prosecute, bat be thought tbey might discharge him with a caution.

STRANGE ACCIDENT AT t ABERCARNE. Miraculous Escape of 82 Miners; On Saturday night au accident occurred at the Pnnce of Wales Colliery, Abercarn, which might have resulted in serious loss of life. It appears that at this colliery the engine used for hauling the trams on the main road underground, unlike that at other collieries, is at the top of the abaft. The hauUmf-rope works through the up-cast, and it was in connection with this rope that a number of men narrowly escaped losing their lives. At the time of the accident the work of raising tbt: men was being proceeded with. At a time when the cage contained thirty-two men, and had ascended to about bait-way up the shaft, the hauling rope by some means became ravelled, and got entangled in a descending cage, which brought both cages to an abrupt atop. The men, of course, were quite ignorant of the cause of this. S >me little time was occupied in taking steps to communicate with tbe meu in the cages. After the lapse of three hours and a half, two men were lowered into the shaft by means of a bucket worked by a crab, aud these were successful in extricating the cage from its position, and the men were safely brought to bank little the worse for the unwelcome experience that had befallen them. The affair caused quite a sensation in tbe neighbourhood.

ALARMING ACCIDENT AT BRYNMAWI1. On Monday night a serious carriage accident oc- curred atBlacK Rock,near Bryumawr, A brougham and pair of horses belonging to Mr R. Wain, of the Griffin Hotel, was returning from Llanelly Church. Tlie evening, although it was only aoout half-past five o'clock, was exceptionally dark. 011 coming to Black Rock the occupants of the brougham got out to waik up the hill, leaving only the driver, Herttert, and the undertaker, Mr W. H. Morgan, on the box. When about half- way up toe lull, fancying tbey were off the road, both got down, the driver going to the horses' heads. Quite suddenly both horses fell over an embankment, drawing the driver, and also the brougham over with them, falling a distance of about 15 feet. Assistance was immediately obtained. Herbert was soon got up, ¡ happily not injured beyond having received a severe shaking. The horses were also rescued, but are injured. The brougham is much damaged.

FIRE AT NEWPORT. Shortly after midnight on Sunday mnmin, a goods guard in the employ of the Great Western I Railway was passing aioug Tredegar-piace, when he noticed an unusual light behind the shutters of the shop of Mr Pell, confectioner. He went to P.C. Drewett, on duty at the bottom of Show- bill, and gave an alarm. The electrIC apparatus at the Town-bail was at once utilzd, and the members of the fire brig-ade summoned. Drewett, with another officer, removed tne shutters, and the firemen piayed on the interior of the 8bop which was a mass of flame. The mischief ap- peared to have arisen beneath the counter, which was on fire. The entire contents of the shop were from their nature destroyed, anrt the woodwork consumed. The shop is a lock up one, and the first floor consists of unlet offices. Mr Pell I himself turned off the gas and shut up the shop aD. hour before the discovery, and cannot account for the fire, the origin of which is unknown. Mr Pel*, will re a heavy loser, and he was not insured.

SERIOUS ASSAULT AT BRIDGEND. A hawker na.med Cook, living at BrTSg-antJ^ was 1' on Satur'i;ty, at the Brirlgend pOlIce -cour,, brought up on remand on the charge ot wounding Wm. H. Brooke, surveyor, of Church-street. Tne prose- cutor was represented by Mr K. Scale (Scale and David).and thedefendant by Mr T.J. Hughes. The I case had been adj lurned for a fortnight owing to the prosecutor beiug unable to attend. He had j suffered much from loss of blood, and appeared m I court with his head bandaged. He now gave evidence to ths effect th^t the defendant disputed bis right to pass a certain way which he (prose- eutol) had permission to travel over for conveni- ence. On the day of the assault the accused, attacked him with a piece of iron bar, and inflicted a severe would on his head. The nature of the I, injuries having been descnoed, the bench com- mitted Cook for trial at the quarter sessions,

;-A THE LLANELLY MURDER. Up to the present tlie police have no due to the I supposed second cnlprit. The opinion i however, general—and it is shared by the authontles- that some parties know more than they care to tell. The spot where the murder was committed is in full ew of the Dafen railroad, which, like the Ca pel-road, is much frequented. It is little ta the credit of those who couid speak if they would that hesitation to be mixed up iu so terribie u case should debar them frcm speaking out and bringing to justice the doers of the deed. On the other band, stories which seethed at first to have something in them on examination prove to be mere hallucinations and nothing more. Extra precautions are now takeu in the case of all per- sons carrying large sums of money to and from the works..

THE POPTLAB BEVERAGE for Breakfast, Ttitt cbeon, lea, and Supper, in all seasons, is Cadbury* Cocoa.— Comforting, strengthening, nourishing—lor oid and young, robust and feefci* *«war» of imita- tions, tlMi