The Cardiff Times

Queen's Drawing-room. A BRILLIANT SPECTACLE. The second drawing-room of the season was held at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday after- noon by the Queen in person, and the attendance was considerably larger than at ;i similar function which took place about a fortnight since. Three o'clock was the time fixed for the commencement of the ceremouy, and the Palace gates were thrown open for carriages at two o'clock. Vehicles began to take up positions in the Mall and along Buckingham Polfce-roxd soon after noon, and by one o'clock the procession of carriages stretched away beyond Marlborough Yard in the one direction, and to Palace-street in the other. Despite the occasional snatches of bright sunshine the air was somewhat nipping, and practically every vehicle was closed, so that the public, who attended in very large numbers, could get only a very imperfect view of the occupants. Here and there, however, some very effective toilets were to be seen. White, violet, and pink materials seemed be seen. White, violet, and pink materials seemed to be in greatest favour. It was noticed that I lilies of the valley largely predominated over the blooms used for bouquets, and there were some very pretty combinations of these, arranged with pink orchids and roses, and occasionally with violets and maiden- hair fern. Cue .sp'endtd bouquet was oomposed entirely of pink orchids, and others that com- manderijja good deal.of attention were of white lilac and yellow daffodils, cream roses, red azaleas, and white narcissus relieved by yellow daffodils. The flowers worn by coachmen were almost jnvariubly white. The Princess of Wales did not attend the funotiou, but the Duke and Duohess of York were present, attended by the Hon. Derek Keppel and Lady Eva Greville respectively. They drove along the Mall from York House, in the courtyard of which a guard of honour of the Coldstream Guards was stationed. In addition to their Royal Highnesses the following members of the Royal family were present with her Majesty in the reception room :—The Empress Frederick, the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, Prinoe and Princess Henry of Battenberg, and the Duchess of Albany. The chief officers of State and the ladies and gentlemen attached to the Court were also present, and there was a considerable attendance of members of the Diplomatic Corps. The Coldstreams mounted guards of honour in the Palace Quadrangle, and also supplied a full baud, which played selections while the drawing-room was in progress. Two cavalry bands also were in attendance. namely, those of the 1st and 2nd Life Guards. The latter also furnished a guard of honour in the Palace-yard, the Earl of Longford being in com- mand. The 1st Life Guards, under Major Calley, supplied men to assist the police in keep- ing clear the approach to the Palace. By the time all the troops were in position, the crowd along the Mall and in front of the Palace had become very dense, and there was eager crushing for points of vantage from which to witness the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of York. Their Royal Highnesses were cheered all along the route. The Duohess, who looked charming in a dress of light material, frequently acknowledged the cheers and the waving of handkerchiefs which greeted her appearance. The Duke, who was in naval uniform, sat in the opposite window, where an exoellent view of her Majesty was obtained. He, too, responded to the welcome bestowed upon his consort and himself. Punctually at three the Queen commenced to receive the diplomatists and others who, having the right of entry at the Buckingham Palace approach, were first to enter the Drawing-room and the general presentations then began, Princess Christian receiviog after her Majesty had retired. INFLUENZA A TERROR. The influenza epidemic affected theafttendanoein a very marked degree, as a considerable number of ladies who desired to be present were either ill themselves or kept away fr? the illness of near relatives. The Marchioness c Hamilton and the Countess Bathurst, who were to have been presented on their marriages, were absent, and the Countess of Norwich, who was to have been presented on her accession to the title, fell a victim to the prevailing malady. There was, however, no lack of pretty debutantes, and the majority of the toilets worn were very beautiful. Daring combinations of colour were successfully carried off owing to the skill with which they were managed. The embroidery on the gowns was in many cases thick with jewels and gold and silver thread, or executed in delicate stitchery, catching the soft tones of blossom and folingo with happiest effect.

LORD CROSS AND THE CHURCH. A meeting in detence of the Church in Wales was held in Warrington on Monday evening, in tbeOo- operative-hall, there being a large attendance. T.nrd Cross, who presided, said there was no such thing as the Welslh Church. The Church of Eng- land was one undivided and indivisible, and tho?e four dioceses, which existed in Bangor, Llandaff, St. David's, and St. Asaph were exactly in the same position as the dioceses of Chester and Liver- pool. A membsr of the Privy Council had said that the Church in Wales was an alien Church. So for from it bning an alien Church, Wales was the first conntry in which the old Church, founded by the Saviour, and carried on by His Apostles, tock root in these islands—(hear, hear)—and Ib had been m existence there for 1,300 years. 11° annealed to the Nui»eonrorinisfc« throughout tue country that the present was a time to keep under all private disputes, and join hand and soul in aid of everything to propagate Christianity from one end of the country to the other. He appealed on behalf of the poor, the sick, the laule, and the dv'ne of 471 parishes in Wales, where there was nn resident Nonconformist minister.—Mr K. PIerpoint, M.P. for the borough, moved a resolu- tion protesting against Disestablishment, and it was carrie-d.

PREMATURE GUN EXPLOSION. A serious gun accident occurred on a gun practice boat at Devonport on Tuesday. A party of marines were loading a muzzle-loading gun, when a premature explosion occurred. The projectile and loading rammer were discharged, and Privates Mapp and Midjin were thrown violently on the deck. Two of the fingers of the former's left hand were blown off, whilst Mallin and Private Goddard received serious wounds, and burns to their lefb hands, Both Mappand Mallin narrowly escaped a terrible deatb,_asjhejr were standing almost immediately in front ofthw muzzle when the e-mlosion ocwirred.

I LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION. II ProgrMsive" Ma.jority Reduoed. ThePreM Association stys The election of ] 118 members f.,i- thrr-e years to thfjLondon County Council took place on Saturday, and tho results of §3 out of the 58 divisions into which the of 53 out of the 58 divisions into which the I Metropolis is divided were declared late the same night. These show large gains on the side of the Moderates, whereby the previous overwhelming majority of the Progressives has been reduced almost to vanishing point. Thiee years ago the Progressives returned 84 members against 34 Moderates, but at the dissolution the numbers stood 81 to 36, the Moderates having in the interval gained two seats, while one Progressive seat was vacated a few months ago by death. The present contest has been fought on straight political lines, the Moderates (otherwise Unionists) declar- ing their previous defeats had been solely due to their unwillingness to regard the county council as a political body. On the other hand, the Progressives (or Liberals), whilst making active use of their party organisations, maintained that their watchword was Progress," not Politics." For the first time every division was contested, and it is interesting to note that the fight was conducted on the prmoiple of one man one vote. as, although thousands of voters had two or more qualifications, they could vote in only one division. The Progressives expected to lose 12 seats, thus leaving them in a small but still compact majority. Up to the present, however, they have lost 23 seats and gained one, leaving a net loss of 22 seats of the 53 divisions. Known Progressives carried 55 representatives, and the Moderates 51, as against 79 and 27 respectively three years ago. A feature of the election was the defeat of all the Independent, Labour, and Socialist candidates, In every division except Deptford the support given these parties was very small, but suffi- cient to have a serious effect on the Progressives, who lost seats traceable to split votes in Deptford, Greenwich, and Kenning- ton. They might also have won another seat in Easb St. Pancras, They also lost a seat through Dr. Ambrose and Mr Tarling contesting White- chapel as Independent Progressives, and through the Socialist vote they narrowly escaped losing a second seat in Chelsea, the candidate winning by only 17 and in Limehouse the candidature of an Independent Labour representative led to the Progressive's majority being reduced to 20. In consequence of the late severe weather, which interfered with canvassing, there was a smaller aggregate poll than three years ago. All the returns have now been declared. Both parties are represented by 59 members—a tie. Tha Moderates have gained 24 seats and lost one, being a net gain of 23. The two Progressives have been returned for Fulham, but by greatly decreased majorities. There is no change in the representation. Two Moderates have again been returned for the Strand Division, the agregate of their votes being more than double those of the Progressives. In Wandsworth the Moderates gained a seat, Lord Dunraven being elected by nearly a thousand over Mr Dickenson, deputy-chairman ofthecouncil. The re-count for Central Finsbury shows that two Progressive members have been elected, bhere being no change in the representation. Four Moderates have been elected for the City, as at the last election. Progressives Can Make a Majority. The Press Association understands that in view of the equality of parties resulting from Satur- day 3 elections, the Progressives in the London County Council are likely to offer the Moderates the opportunity of electing four aldermen, reserving to themselves the other five vacancies on the aldermanic bench. It is stated that two of the Moderates elected to the board are abroad, and cannot return to London in time for the first meeting, a week hence, of the new council. Mr Longstaafe is said to be at Madeira, and Mr Corbett still further away. The Progressives, on the other hand, declare that all their elected candidates will be able to attend, and that an out- sider may be elected as provisional chairman, in case that be necessary, to preserve Sir John Hutton's free vote as an ordinary member on the question of electing aldermen.

LIVERPOOL MURDER. Several prominent members of the detective force are still diligently working to unravel the Redcroas-street mystery. To make the chain of evidence as perfect as possible a<?ainst the accused man Miller is their object. On the other hand, Mr Quiiliam, the solicitor retained for the de- fence, is leaving no stone unturned to establish Miller's innocence. The injured boy Needham was reported at the Northern Hospital on Mon- day as doing very well. Miller has been engaged during the past two days in writing for bis solicitor's use a lengthy statement of his move- ments and doings since his return from America. Prisoner's behaviour in the cell is characterised with* patience and self-possession, and his con- versations are such as would lead to the supposi- tion that he wasincapableofcommillting the crime with which he is charged. He evinces the greatest anxiety to elucidate any difficulty there may be In tracing his movements during the night of the tragedy. He discusses the matter in a reasonable way, and continues to protest bis innocence. His relatives, both on his own side and that of his wife, think it impossible that he could have been the perpetrator of the murder. We understand that up to the time of bis un- fortunate entanglement with thewoman with whom he went to America he was a most affectionate husband and father. Of course, his elopement gave rise to aome estrangement between himself and his family. Mr Quiiliam has succeeded in finding two persons who bear out some portion of Miller's accounts as to his whereabouts at certain times. On Monday afternoon Mr Qiiilliam had a protracted interview with prisoner's wife and his sister-in-law, and bis clerk had a lengthy conversation, extending over two hours, with Miller in the cell at Dale-street. Little by little the defence is being woven, but the exact nature of it is not likely to be disclosed until Miller takes his trial at the assizes. The prisoner occupies bis time in the cell by reading the selected literature provided for prisoners. In addition, be is permitted to read several weekly journals and magazines which contain no rofer. enceto the murder.

AN EX-NOTTS CRICKETER SENTENCED TO DEATH. At Notts Assizes on Tuesday night, Edmund Kesteven, 39, framework knitter and professiona cricketer, was sentenced to death by Mr Justioe Hawkins for murdering Sarah Oldham at Sutton- m-Ashfield. Deceased, whose husband was in C America, had cohabited with prisoner for four ■ years. About 12 months ago he threatened her, 1 but since then they had seemingly lived on com- I fortable terms. On Christmas Eve she went out j with her sisters, who lived near her, and returned 1 shortly before 11. Kesteven was at home and sober, and nothing was heard to attract J attention. Soon' after midmght, however, Oldham, in her nightdress, ran into her sister's 1 houso with blood flowing from her throat, in ( which there was a deep gash. She died in a few minutes. Kesteven was found at home, and confessed he had done it, a razor being found on the bedroom noor. His statement indicated jealousy as the motive. Temporary insanity was unavailingly set up as the defence. As prisoner, t who had maintained a stolid demeanour, was leaving the dock, recognising the presence of well- i known Notts countyoricketerB, hoahen^e^, Good t benefit to ye, Flowers." } j

I Influenza pairs" are now a recognised iuatitu- tion in the House of Commons. This must be very pleasant for the man who has the lightest J attack, for as members are presumably paired as I longasettheronoot the pair is ill, the one who I gets over his attack first can enjoy a pleasant j little holiday till his adversary is fib for service ( again. F WK SPEAK THK TROTH ONLY when we say ( that Budden's Balsam of Horehound and Coltsfoot" < is in ntoat cases a Positive Cure' for Coughs, Colds,. Asthma, Bronchitis, and all diseases of the Ghost and uQD, IS l%d and 2s 9d a bottle. Dont stitttte. AD Chemtats and firng Stores -Juondon.1 ? ^hohfwJe Houses all Stock 1W' 1335 1 ^hohfwJe Houses all Stock 1W' XS35 ]

•DEATH OF PROFESSOR BLACKIE A Press Association telegram from Edinburgh states that Professor John Stuart Blackie died there on Saturday at a quarter to 10. Professor Blackie died in the presence of his- wife, nephew, and sister. He bade his family farewell on Friday, as he felt his end was approaching. He passed away peacefully. Professor Blackie passed away just half an hour after being visited by the consulting physician. Previous to last spring the professor could boast that he had never suffered from illness, but he then overtaxed his strength by an arduous lecturing touf and weakness of the heart developing, his medical attendants ordered a. three months' stay all Pitlochry, where he met Mr Gladstone, whose friendship he had enjoyed for years. After his return to Edinburgh he only once left the house to attend one of the opening lectures of Edin- burgh University Winter Session. On this occasion he took n. chill and gradually failed in health, but he retained his faculties almost to the last, dictnting an article on Erasmus" as recently as last week. G-rvae symptoms de- veloped on Wednesday, and bis medioal aotendants then realised that the end, which came to-day, was rapidly approaching. Professor Blackie, who celebrated his golden wedding three years ago, when he received tokens of esteem from various private individuals and public bodies, leaves no family. It is understood he has lefb jB2,500 towards the foundation of a travelling schularship for ths study of modern Greek in connection with the Edinburgh Univer- sity. PROFEssor. BLACKIE. Professor Blackie was one of the best known, really popuhu-, and ripest scholars which this century has produced. He was born in Glasgow in 1809, and his father, soon afterwards becoming a bank agent at Aberdeen, sent his son to Marischal College, and after going through the oourse with signal success he was entered at Edinburgh University. There, too, young Blackie distinguished him- self above his peers, and after attending at Gottmgen and Berlin Universities he abandoned his intention of entering the Church and took up the study of law. In 1834 he qualified as an advocate but, after a few years' practice, this profession proved uncongenial, And he devoted himself to further study and literary pur- suits. Then, after 11 years in the Chair of Humanity in his old college at Aberdeen, he was appointed Greek professor at Edinburgh, a post which ho has adorned from 1852 to the time of his death. Professor Blackie was a true patriot, and was worshipped by his students. He was a prolific writer, and as a classical scholar has been known the world over during the past 40 years. His first published work was a translation of Fausb," which appeared when he was but 25 years old, and be was numbered among the earlier contributors to the Quarterly Review, the Weftminster, and Tait, his contributions dealing mostly with German subjects. Between the years 1850-1857 he pub- lished many classical works, the principal being a translation of EAcliylus, Lyrical Dramas," and the Lays and Legends of Ancient Greece. In 1850 he wrote Beauty the Theory of ^Esthetics," and in 1860 he gave to the world a volume of lyrical poem?. The largest of his works was written m 1886; it was a translation of Homer, with commentary, and occupied four volumes. He was a Liberal in politics, but (says the Bioffraph and Review) he belonged to no party. A hater of bigotry and narrow-minded orthodoxy, ho has often spoken very freely of those who exhibit such traits of theological sectarianism. He was passionately fond of the old language of his countrymen, and by his persistent solicita- tion succeeded in four years in raising £12,000 as a fund for the endowment of the Celtic Chair in Edinburgh. Among Professor Blackie's friends were nearly all the great men of the last quarter- century, including Mr Gladstone, Mr John Morley, Professor Max MiiUer, and Principal John Rhys. He was one of the foremost philologists in the comparatively small number of really great language scholars. The remains of the late Professor Blackie were laid to res ton Wednesday in Dean Cemetery, Edin- burgh. An impressive religious service was con- ducted in St. Giles' Cathedral by Doctors Cameron, Lees, Flint, and Macgregor, of the Established Church, and Dr. Walter Smith, of the Free Church. The cathedral was crowded, the congregation including representatives of the corporation, the University, the Royat Scottish Academy, tho courts of justice, and the various legal, scientific, and public bodies. The coffin was covered with a plaid presented by the women of Skye.

WILL OF THE LATE LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL. Probate of the will, which bears date July 25th, 1883, of the Right Hon. Randolph Henry Spencer Churchill, commonly called Lord Randolph Henry Spencer Churchill, of 50 Gtosveuor-aquare, LL.D., M.P.. who died on the 14th January last, aged nearly 46 years, Oil of the seventh Duke of Marlborough, has been granted to his wife, the Hon. Jennie Spencer Churchill, commonly called Lady Randolph Spencer Churchill (daughter of the fate Leonard Jerome, of New York), and the Hon. George Richard Penn, commonly called Viscouut Curzon. The testator bequeathed to his wtfeJ6500, his horses and carriages, plate, pictures china, books, furniture, and other household effects and the income during her life of all the residue of his property, which, subject to her life interest, is to be in trust in equal shares for all his children, to pay the income of each child's share to such child for life, with power of appointment thereof in favour of all or any one or more of his or her children, Jor, in default of appointment, for all the children equally, or, on failure of this trust, to pay the trust fund to the trustees of the Blenheim settled estates. The gross value of the late Lord Randolph Churchill's personal estate has been entered in the Probate Registry at j375,971 3t 3d, but, by a new rule, the net or actual value, after deducting liabilities and the rate of duty paid under the new Act, are not entered. By a codicil to his will made the 22nd September, 1888, ijord Randolph bequeathed all his private papers, letters, aud docu- ments to Viscount Curzon and jy{r Louis John Jennings, MP., in trust to publish, retain, or destroy all or any of them as they, in their absolute discretion, might think proper. The late Miss Charlotte Rosa Raine, of St. Margaret's Lodge, Woodstock, who died'on the 19th June, 1894. hft hsr lands and heredita- ments in the parish of Wolvercot, Oxfordshire, to Lord Randolph Churchill, in recognition of his commanding political genius, and also in acknow- ledgment to the Marlborough family of the favours and benefits derived from the Marl. borough estates by her late father, who had the honour of acting as receiver of those estates under the Court of Chancery.

MDLLE. TREBELLI AND HER MOTHER'S JEWELS. Allegri Ceiitempt of Ctuet. In the Probate Division on Saturday application was made to commit Mdlle. Antoinette Trebelli- Bettini for contempt of court for alleged dis- obedience of an order of the court in reference to the property of her mother, the late Madakne Trebelii, the well-known operatic singer. The court some time ago decided that the Royal Academy of Music was entitled to Madame Trebelli's property, and ordered that the French jewels should not be disposed of. It was alleged that a portion of the jewels had been sold, and that Mdlle, Bettini was about to leave the country for South Africa to fulfil an engagement. After hearing counsel, the President said it would take a great deal to persuade him that Mdlle. Bettini did not know that the jewels were in dispute, and that Bhedidnot know her former advisllrs bad liven an undertaking that the jewels should be plRoed in the Paris Bank. His Lordship then direoted that an order should be made for the attachment )f Mdlle. Bettini, who had not attended the court. Mr Prestou, solicitor, said he told Mdlle. Bettini So be at the court at a quarter-past 10 this morn- ng, and he had fully bspected she would be jhere. A witness was called who said he had attended at the Midland Hotel last night to serve ;he order, and he found that Mdlle. Bettini bad ¡he- order, and he found that Mdlle. Bettini bad eft. He saw her maid. After further discussion ;he President, in delivering judgment, said it jvas clear to him that the Court had been dis- obeyed. I

LOCAL SHIPPING CASUALTIES. The Austrian barque Blaudina P., of Fiume, irrived in the Bock*Cardiff, onMondfiy from Villia Garcia, Spain, with her rudderhead broken in<J damaged bulwarks, having experienced ierribly rough weather on passage. The rudder was rondered perfectly useless until it was secured i jy poles, which were run out from each quarter >f the ship, and in this manner she complete^} her passage. < The s.s. W. T. Radcliffe, of Cardiff, arrived at I Antwerp from Ergasteria, Greece, on March 2nd ifter encountering a fearfully heavy gate in which < ler cargo shifted, rendering it necessary to put nto Corcnbian to trim afresh. When having c Uorcubian Bay she got .ashore in avoiding another ( iteainer, but flouted again without apparent) lamage. The ateamcr also sustained damage to1 ieck fittings and machinery. Tb» sjs. Ackworth arrived -uns Penarth Roads 1 m Tuesday, and thfe captain reported having 1 ieen aground off Odessa.^ 13he ^wilIVcou,wcrtl»« ( Penarth Gridiron foriww.Tr* <

Welsh Disestablishment. I DETAILS OF THE IILL. The Established Church (Wales) Bill was de. posited in printed form on Monday. Broadly, it differs little from the first measure introduced by Mr Asquitb lasts Session, except in the matter of I the allocation of tithe, which it ia now proposed to vest in the county councils. Section 6 provides that, subject to the charges and incumbrances and interests served by the Act, t the Welsh Commissioners shall, save as other- wise provided, vest the property transferred to them as follows fa) They shall, on the request of the representative body, vest in that body all' churches, not being cathedral churches, aud all parsonage houses; (b) They shall vest the burial ground and glebe of any ecclesiastical parish- (i.) in the case of a rural parish in the parish council of the parish, or if there is no parish council in the chairman and overseers of the pariah and—f i.i.J in any other case in the counoil of any county borough or urban district comprising the parish, provided that ^where the ecclesiastical parish comprises parts of more than one pariah for civil purposes the property shall be vested, as the Welsh Commissiouers may direct, in some one or more of the said councils or bodies, or in trustees on behalf of those councils and bodies jointly (c) they shall vest any tithe rent-charge m the county council of the oounty in which the land cut of which the tithe rent-charge issues is situate. (2) Every church, parsonage house, burial ground, and glebe vested under this section shall be held subject to all existing public and private rights with respect thereto. Under Seotion 7 the Welsh Commissioners shall, out of moneys In their hands, maintain and keep in proper repair and condition all cathe- dral churches, and all such ohurches shall continue to be subject to all exieting public and private rights with respect thereto, and shall, if and as long as the represen. tative body so request, continue to be used for the same purposes as heretofore. By Section 9 the Welsh Commissioners shall apply the property transferred to them by this Act as follows — (a) Where the property it attached to a pnrochia.1 beuerice they shall provido for it* application to some one or more of the purposes mentioned in the first schedule, in accordance with a soheirm to be maoe with llheil" approval by the county council. This schedule specifics the election or J-up port of cottage or ether hospitals, or dispensaries, or convalescent homes the provision of trained nurses for the siok poor the foundation and maintenance of public parish or district halls, institutes, and libraries the provision of labourers' dwellings, to be lot at reasonable rents, and allotments technical and higher education, including the establishment and maintenance of a library, museum, or academy of art for Wales and any other pubho purpose of local or general utility for which provision is not made by statute out of public rates. By sub-section (b) of section 9, the Welsh Commissioners shall apply all other property in the first instance towards the pay- ment of the expense of carrying tho Act into execution, and, subject thereto, to some one or more of the purposes mentioned in the first schedule in accordance with schemes to be made by them. So, however, that not less than two-thirds of such other property shall be applied towards the promotion of techni- cal and higher education, including the establish- ment and maintenance of a library, museum, or academy of arts for Wales; and for that purpose any part of the property may be vested in. or appropriated to the use of the University of Wales, or any joint committee of county councils in Wales and Monmouthshire. In the application of property under the Act, due regard shall be had to the wants and circumstances of the parish in which the property is situate, or from which it is, or has been, derived, and generally to the circumstances of each particular case. By section 16 every county council in whom any lithe rent- charge is vested shall pay to the Welsh Commis- sioners the annual nmounb according to the septennial average, of the said tithe rent-charge (after deducting the sum allowed by the commis- sioners for cost of collection, rates, and other outgoings other than income tax), or such less amouut as may be required by the Welsh Com- missioners for the payments to be made by them in pursuance of the Act. The Act provides power to exchange vested interest for compensa- tion annuity, for compensation to lay patrons, and lay holders of freehold offices. The opening of the debate on the second read. ing of the Welsh Disestablishment Bill is fixed officially for next Thursday (March Itth). That a protracted and acrimonious discussion will take place before the division is reached is certain, as the Church party are mustering all their forces in Opposition, and there are rumours of numer- ous amendments in addition to those already announced.

THE CLERICAL DISESTABLISH- MENT BILL. The PiadS Association has been furnished with a printed copy of the draft Bill for disestablish- ment, without disendowment, m Wales, which has been issued by the Warden of the Diocesan School of Divinity, Bangor, the Vicar of Bangor, the Vicar of Welshpool, the Vicar of Danidtdaa, and other Churchmen in the Princi- pality. It is accompanied by a memorandum setting forth that the scheme has been drawn up "with a view of suggesting a possible compromise, and terminating the present intoler- able situation." The signatories add, We venture to think it expresses the wishes of a large number of Churchmen as well as Nonconformists. If in any degree it should help our fellow countrymen to put an end to the disastrous conflict which is at present destroying our national unity and impairing our spiritual life we shall be thankful. The main features of the scheme are Disestablishment without Disendcw- mant, the better and more equitable distribution of our existing endowments, the abolition of the evils which often accompany lay patronage, a greater share in Church manage- ment to the laity, a thorough reform, as time aUows,of the present antiquated cathedral system, the constitution of the ancient British Church into a separate province under its own arch- bishop, and the consequent restoration to our beloved Church of its national character."

LORD ROSEBERY'S OFFICIAL BIRTHDAY. MaBy Happy Returns to Lord Rosebery (says the Westminster Gazette) It was twelve months on Monday since he kissed hands on his appointment by her Majesty as Prime Minister. Nobody supposes that he has found hi* office a bed of roses. It would probably be a good deal nearer the truth to say that it has proved a rack. But the diiffcultieaand the discomforts of the duty-which oan hardly be realised by anybody not aotually behind the lloones-are the measure of the success with which Lord Rosebery has discharged it, and of the services which he has rendered to his party and his country. They should be the measure, also, of the grateful recognition which he receives. The most remarkable proof of the sucoesi of Lord Rosebery is the fact that his Administration—or rather the Administration which he took over from Mr Gladstone-slall sur- vives. When he came into office on March 5,1894, very few Liberals, and probably no Unionists, would have given his Government a year's term of grace. But they have had it, and the end is not yet. The difficulties have cerbainlyfnot proved less than were anticipated. Yet the Administra- tion has endured. It has done so because the Prime Minister has endured also. The debt which the Liberal party owes to his tact, his skill, and his patience is very great. It is a piece of special ill-fortune that Lord Roiebery's otfioial birthday has found him still a victim to the influenza.

■ » i THE WELSH GOLD MINES, I i At the works of the British Gjldfields, 1 Limited, near Dolgelly, Merionethshire, a meeting was held on Tuesday night, Mr Dunning, chairman of the company, presided, and stated that during the half-year just ended 4,132ozs. of gold, worth about £50,000, had been produced from 7,727 tons of ore crushed. AH the machinery, including the forty stamp mill, < were driven by water power, effecting consider- i able saving on working expanses. The large profits at present, derived from the mine < would for the present be speut In sink- ) ing, driving, and otherwise extending operations. Rapid developments were being make in the mine, and extensive prospecting was in progress over the 5,000 acres held bv tho com- pany. The lode from which the gold was now bemg produced was discovered about a year ago, and was quite distinct from the reefs which bad been previously worked. The company at present employed nearly 200 men, and the desire 1 of the directors was to establish on active, I prosperous, and lasting industry in the district, s which was otherwise totally unproductive. It is contemplated increasing the milling power, which will give employment to a far larger number of men,

NARROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH E AT NEWPORT. J c RoLerl Chant, a native of the island of Jersey, V left Uek Prison, after a month's sojourn, on v Saturday morning last, and on Monday he } p Appeared in the dook at Newport Borough Police* t pourt. Chant was found on Sunday morning sleep 1 ing in an oven at Spittle's foundry. Prisoner was I then cautioned, but late on Sunday he again I resorted to the same sleeping place, and lie was e therefore lodged in the police colls. The place I where Chant was sleeping Was. full of smoke and I inlphur, and prisoner, Officer Packer declared, c had a narrow escape from being suffocated, v It was stated that Chan k, whose mother still resides fi in Jersey, had some unpleasantness with his wife" tome time ago, and for the last twelve months he a fiad been sleeping about the dooks at night and I begging food from the workmen. Prisoner, the r ( magistrates said, seemed to be mentally affected. ? rho magistrates' olerk suggested that Chant l' ?hould be sent home to his mother at Jersey. Ultimately the Belich, decided to adjourn the 2ase, in order that Head Constable Sinclair might jomrnuuicHfe with the prisoner's relatives. — 1

ALLEGED FORGERY AT CARDIFF. Before Mr C. H. Evans and Mr F. J. Beavan, at Cardiff Police-court on Tuesday, George- Evans (28), a tea traveller, was again placed in the dock charged with forging and uttering a cheque for j310 10s on the Capital and Counties Bank, Limited, Edgware-road, London branch, purporting to be drawn by one G. S. Evans, of Hohnwood Lodge, Kingston-hill, on or about the 8th of February; also with obtaining dBlO 10s by means of a worth- less cheque on the same bank from Edgar Bibby Sims, at Cardiff, between the 3th and 12th February while he was further charged with stealing a cheque for jBlO 10s on the Metropolitan Bank of England, Limited, Merthyr branch, purporting to be drawn by Evans and Miers, and a letter from Gilbert Wood Davies, of Merthyr, to E. B. Sims, and telegram and letter from himself to E. B. Sims, all of which were in the possession and were the property of the latter, on the 18th of February. Mr Arthur Heres conducted the prosecution on bahalf of Mr E. B. Sims. In opening the case, Mr Arthur Roes said there were several charges against the prisoner. He was chaiged with forgiug and uttering two cheques, chaining money by false pretences, and there was also a case of larceny against him. Mr Beavan desired to know whether anyone represented prisoner. Mr Rees said that Mr T. H. Beloh&r appeared for prisoner first of all, but he understood that he had withdrawn from tho case. His (Mr Rees's) instructions were that on the 8th of Febru- ary prisoner, who was well known to Mr Sana, a stock and sharcbroker at tho Docks, went to his office and asked him for the loan of L2 or L3 on a cheque of JE10 10s, which he produced to Mr Sims. The cheque was purported to have been drawn on the Capital and Counties Bank, Limited, and payable to Wm. Evans, the prisoner, and signed by G. S. Evaus. Mc Sims asked him who the latter was, and he said that iir was his uncle. Believing the cheque to be genuine, Mr Sims gave him £2. On the 11th of February the prisoner again called at Mr Sires's office and asked for £ 3 10s, which was given to him. On the 12th he again called at the office, and at that time the cheque, which had previously been cashed by Mr Sims, had been returned marked 1 No account." Mr Sims apk?d for an explanation, but he could not give one. He then produced a. blank cheque on the Metropolitan Bank, tilled it up. nndb)nn"d it Evans and Miors, for £ 10 10?. Mr Sims askod him who was Evans, and he replied his father, stating fcbafc Miers was his father's partner. Mr Suns, being of opinion that the cheque was all right and knowiug prisoner and his father very well, gave him the money and handed him back the first cheque. Prisoner then told Mr Sims that he v/as going to London and would give him his address. On the 14th of February Mr Sitns wrote to him telling him that the cheque had been returned from Merthyr marked No Recount," and that no such people as Evans and Miers were known there. Mr Sims received a wire on the 16th from the prisoner at Stroud asking him to meet him at his office. Mr Rees called several witnesses who spoke to the cashing of the cheques at Cardiff, and their receipt and dishonourmenb at the Merthvr branch of the Metropolitan Bank and the Edgware-road branch of the Capital and Counties Bank. Mr Rees said that .there was a. further charge against prisoner for stealing the cheque, letter, and telegram, and was proceeding to call evi- dence when the Clerk interposed, stating that the case must stand or fall on the first indictment. The magistrates agreed, and the charge of larceny was not therefore proceeded with. Prisoner, who pleaded not guilty, was com- mitted to take his trial at the next assizes to be held at Swansea, bail being allowed, himself in £100 and two sureties of £ 50 each.

RHONDDA ASSISTANT- OVERSEERSHIP. At Pontypridd Guardians on Wednesday, Mr Godfrey Clark presiding, Mr Jeffrey moved :— That this body having heard that the Urban District of Ystradyfodwg have applied to the Local Government Board for an order to confer upon that council the power to appoint overseers for the said parish, do resolve that in the opinion of this :board there will be no advantage in conferring such powers upon the distriot council, and they consider that the appointment of overseers should be retained by the vestry." — Mr Thomas Jouee, J.P., seconded, contending that assistant overseers were to all intents and purposes servants of the guardians. The resolution was carried, and Dr. Ivor Ajax Lewis moved, and Mr Alfred Jones seconded, that application be made to the Local Government Board authorising the guardians to elect an assistant overseer for the Rhondda. This was supported by Mr J, P. Williams and adopted. A committee was appointed to consider the burial arrangements throughoutithe union, the clerk (MrSpickett) being instructed to give a month'sjnotice terminating aU burial contracts now existing throughout the anion.

THE COMING 'VARSITY RACE. The University crews are in -full tiaining, and the Cambridge Eight will be on the Thames in their new Clasper almost before these lines are in print. The two famous coaches, Muttlebury and Lehmann, are each sanguine as to the result of the struggle, but public opinion strongly fancir .s bhe DArk Blue crew. It is vf,ry interesting in this jonnection to ascertain the view of a practiced old lumd like Mr Lehmann as to the relative merits TTTW fAMocs 'VARSITY COACHES. I of the various crews he remembers amoug those taking part in the gr&at national race. He believes that during the past 20 years the best eight seen on the river was that sent down from the Isis in 1892, next to which he brackets as equal the Light Blue eights of 1876 ami 1888, and j the Oxford of 1878, The worst, he avers, was the j Cambridge crew of 18S2, which he rP £ p\rd* as j simply deplorable.

CARDIFF MUSICAL FESTIVAL. Visit of Sir Joseph Barnbv. A meeting of the executive committee of the Cardiff Triennial Musical Festival was held at the Park Hotel on Tuesday evening. Mr H. M. Thompson presiding. There were also present the Rev. Canon Downing, Dr. Treasure, Pro- fessor Tanner, Messrs E. Lloyd, F. J. Smith J. Radley, J. W. Morris, W. P. James, W, Ronnfeldt, and E. W. Waite, hon. secretary. The meeting was called for the purpo:e of dis- cussing the question of artistes and programme. With regard to the former the recommendations of the mtisicul committee ..¡"ra adopted, and a definite list of artistes was decided upon. It was also arranged that the programme should include "St. Fraucis," by Edgar Tine! a Wagner's selection St. Paul Hear my .Prayer Verdi's Requiem Stanford'* The Bc.td Faust; "The Last Judgment" (Spohr); Sul- !| livan's Light of the World David Jenkins's "Psalm of Life:" a "Suite," by German; Mozart's Symphony and n choral symphony, A letter was read frotr. Sir Joseph Barn by ex- pressing his intention of visiting Cardiff for the purppse of .rehearsing the chorus at E&ater. t. I

That IIDe faU ci clothee, so pgrfeotlynliB r' Matchless Cleanser's "been used, chat Is evdtv igeen. 1

t SOUTH WALES NEWS. CARDIFF. ACCIDKNT.—George Hargreaves, aged 21, a' labourer, while following his occupation at the Wernddu Coal and Brick Company, had one of his hands severely orushed between some rollers. He was taken to the Infirmary, where ib was found necessary to amputate it. THE UNEMPLOYED FOND.-The students at the University College of South Wales and Mon- mouthshire at Cardiff have collated and sent to the Mayor's Fund the sum of £ 7 lis 7d. TRI DONATIONS BY THE MAYOH OF CARDIFF.— The Mayor of Cardiff (Alderman P. W. Carey) has sent £ 10 to the Charity Organisation Society, £ 5 to Dr. T. Garrett Hordcr for the waifs and II strays of Cardiff, and 4_5 to Mr G. Percy Thomas. for distribution among the necessitous poor. I I NEWPORT. GYMNASTIC COMPETITION.—The annual com- petition for the bronze shield offered by I Alderman T. Jones for competition among teams composed of boys from the various elementary schools of Newport, took place at the Baths Assenibly-rootiis on Monday night. The re- ¡ sult was declared as follows :—National School, Commercial-street, 309 points, 1st; Bolt-street School, 257 points, 2nd Alexandra-road School, 161 points, 3rd. Each member of thewianing team also received a bronze medal. SWANSEA. SAVAGE ATTACK ON A SEBGEANT OF POLICE.— Information has only just leaked out that on I Friday night P.S. Earnest, one of the oldest f members of the borough force, was, while walking I home to St. Thomas at 11.20 p.m., savagely .set ou by four men, overpowered, and brutally ill. treated. The scene was near the Cuba Hotel. The cowardty assattants kicked and beat the officer most unmercifully, and only desisted when two Midland Railway men came up, when they decamped. Burnett, who was unconscious, was taken to Dr Morgan's surgery in Adelaide-street, whore he was attended to. He is said to be now progressing favourably, but he suffered terribly from his severe injuries. j CARMARTHEN I THE LAST OP THE HATTERS.—The last of the ) Carmarthen hat manufacturers has passed away in the person of Mr Thomas Lynch. This retired tradesman, who once did a flourishing business and provided work for many handp, died on Monday morning. BIRCHGRQVE. EVJCNING SCHOOL CONCEKT.— A grand concert in connection with the evening continuation school was given on Saturday evening at the board schools. Mr Daniel Donne ably presided, being supported by Mr Richard Rees (chairman of tho school board), Mr B. Wheeler, Rev. M. G. Dawkins, Councillors D. J. Morris, D. John, D. Gregory, etc. The concert was a decided success. The Chairman and Messrs Rees and Wheeler took occasion to refer to the excellent work done by this evening school. by this evening school. SAUNDERSFOOT. COOKERY CLASSES. — The course of lessons given by Miss Priced lasted six weoks, and terminated on Saturday. Thirty-eight school- children have attended, and all but four earned the Government grant for regularity. The attendance at the high-class numbered 14, and pUin 38. The committee marked their apprecia- tion of Miss Price's valuable services by presenting, through Mr Vickerman, a copy of the complete works of Shakespeare as a souvenir of her visit. Miss Mathias, hon. secretary and treasurer, was at the same time presented with a copy of Tennyson's works in recognition of her services. That Stowing comprised the manage- ment —Mrs Stradling, Mrs Jones, Mrs M. Phillips, Mr Turl, Mr Stewart, Mr C. H. Vickerman, and Mr T. David. ABERDARE. EISTEDDFOD.—^On Monday, at the Temperance- hall, under the auspices of the Telyn Cymru Lodge of Loyal Alfreds. an eisteddfod was held at the Mount Pleasant, Cwmaman. The Rev. B. Evans (Telynfab), Gadlys, presided. The musical part was entrusted to Mr Rees Thomas, F.T.S.C., Ystradgynlais; poetry, Mr T. Howells (Hywel Cynon); Mrs T. J. Morgans, Cwmaman, being accompanist. PORTH. HALF-YEARLY MEETINGS. — On Sunday and Monday the Tabernacle English Baptist Church held its half-yearly preaching services, when the Revs. J. O. Jenkins, of RisCa. and W. Rees, of Rhondda. Chapel, Pontypridd, officiated. On Monday Mrs Cordelia Edwards-Rees, U.C.W., sang several sacred solos. accompanied by her daughters, which were much enjoyed. BRITON FERRY. DEATH OF Mits Jo-iies. -We liave,to announce, the death of Mrs Beatrice Jones, aged 73, widow of the late Mr John Sheldon Jones, who was for many years postmaster of this town (1870 to 1882). Since his death the post-office duties have been successfully carried on by Mrs Jones, assisted by her son (Mr Oswald Jones) and her daughters. Mrs Jones passed away on Monday mornins; after a short illness. BLAENAVON, MUSICAL FICSTIVAU-The second annual festival of the choirs of the Wesleyan Methodist churches in the Pontypool olrcuit was held on Monday at the Workman's Institute. There was a large attendance. The singing was under the direction of the Rev. S. J. P. Dunman, Bristol Mrs J. Williams, Bryngwyn, Pontypool, and an efficient orchestral band (under the leadership of Mr W. Sutton, Pontnewydd, accompanying the choirs and playing appropriate selections. MERTHYR. THK SCDDEN DEATH OF MR RICHARD THOMAS. —On Monday Mr Ceroner R. J. Rhys held an inquest upon the body of the late Mr Richard Thomas, landlord of the Royal Oak Inn, who died on the 3rd iust. very suddenly.—The jury found a verdict of Death from natural causes." NEW MAGISTRATF. — Mr Matthew Truran, Chairman of the Gelligaer Rural District Council, took his seat as a magistrate on the Merthyr Bench for the first time on Monday. CREDITORS' MEETINGS—On Tuesday, at the office of Mr W. L. Daniel, official receiver, a meeting was held of the creditors of Thomas Mordeca:, quarryman, 2, Coedpenmaen-road, Pontypridd. The gross liabilities were estimated at J3268 17s 9d. and the deficiency at j3256 12s 9d. -The debtor alleged the cause of his failure to be Bad debts contracted whilst in the lime trade, bad trade owing to stoppage of works, and depression in the district." BARRY DOCK. THK WKLSH NATIONAL FEDERATION. — On Tuesday evening a crowded public meeting was held at the Tabernacle Welsh Independent Chapel Schoolroom, Captain Davies (dockmaster) presiding.—A resolution, proposed by the Rev. J. Daniel, seconded*by the Rov. T. Tibbot,i calling upon the school board to provide facilities? for the teaching ot Welsh in the schools, were uaaunnously adopted.—Mr Beriali G. Evans delivered an address on Welsh nationalism, after which the Rov. Mr Powell moved, and Mr J. E. Rees (Higher Grade School) seconded, a resolu- tion formally establishing a branch of the Welsh National Federation "as the organisation best fitted to secure for Wales her national rights" was enthusiastically adopted.—The usual vote of thanks terminated the proceedings.—Steps will be immediately taken to elect representatives to the national convention at Aberystwyth. The branch at Cadoxton has nominated Mr T. W. Lewis, the secretary of the Cymru Fydd, as its delegate to the convention. IABERAMAN. TRMPBRANCR.—The ttniperance party here are on the alert, and to supplement the Rechabites, Welch and English Lodges of Good Templars, a Temple of Juvenile I.O.G.T., has been founded with 38 members, and is expected to increase rapidly. It has been named "The Father Mathew Lifeboat Juvenile Temple." CYMRU FYDD.—At a meeting held ab Libanus Vestry, it was resolved that the Rev. H. P. Jenkins, Saron, be president; Mr John Roes, Ty'rh«ol, treasurer Mr Morgan Parr, Inn. sec. and Mr D. Rees, assistant secretary. A number of local gentlemen were enrolled as executive, and it is intended to hold a general publio meeting at Saron-hall, when Mr Berrah Gwynfe Evans is expected to attend. ST. DOGMELL'S. BLAKNYWAUN CHAPEL.-—On Monday and Tues- day last the Baptist Church of Blaenywaun, St. Dogmell's, near Cardigan, held its tricentenary meetings, which were very numerously attended. The present pastor of the church is the Rev. Hugh .Jones, who is very active in connection with every svcial movement.—On Tuesday, a meeting was held at Blaenywaun, under the presidency of the Rev, J. Jenkins. Newport, Pem., when addresses were delivered by Mr B Rees, J.P., Granant, Mr Thomas Griffiths, and Mr John Griffiths.—In the afternoon, at Beth- saida Chapel, St. Dogmell's, the third meeting was held, presided over by Mr John Rees, J.P.. Hendre, when addresstjs were given by brethren from other churches.—In the evening, at Beth- naida Chapel, the fourth meeting was held, the shnirmnn being the Rni,. Hugh Jones, pastor. LLANDRINDOD WELLS. PBOFOSJKD SCHOOL BOARD.—On Monday even- ng a very large public meeting was held in the Assembly.rooms to consider a resolution to form 6 school board for the parish of Cefnllys Urban. -Alderman W. Bowen-Davies (chairman of the lrban district council) presided, and a resolution n favour of the formation of a board was noved iv Councillor E. Bufi;or and seconded by Coun- cillor Duggan. — Mr it. P. Cole moved a dire ct legative, and a number of speeches were deli- vered, it being generally admitted that the nanagement of thb present school was far from ( )tttMactory.—A vote WM taken, when tho resohi. ton was lost by 58 votes to 44, but a poll was iemRnded by the minority. NEWBRIDGE. FORMATION OF A NEW BAPTIST CHURCH — 3n Sunday and Monday last, ape-jial services v. re held to celebrate the formation of a new Baptist Church at Chapt-l-of-Ease, near Nev- iridge. On Sunday, the Rev. DT*. Edwards Jarditf, preached three sermons. The servicos vere continued on Monday afternoon, when the :W. T. Thomas (R:sca) and W. Evans (Cross Key*) delivered sermons. The incorporation lervice was held on Monday evening, when there .vas a crowded congregation.—Tho Rev J M lone, (paator of the mother church) spoke on •The ivabure of U,e Christian Church," while ihe Ke'V. Ij. Aubrey delivered vho charge to the iew deacons.—1 he Revs. J. Nicholas (Crumlin) ma o. iv. Williams (Abercarn) also offered, ipecial prayers.—The services throughout, were, wll afetondtdf and- liberal collections "were* •ealised.

THE POLICE COURTS, 1: Tielded to Temptation, At Newport on Monday, Wm. Pioton, Jatnet Price, and Arthur Hetherington were charged with stealing 2cwt. lqr. and 20ibs. of brass from the s.s. Hatfield, which is lying in the Alexandra Dock. Mr Hornhy, solicitor, who appeared to prosecute, withdrew the charge against Picton and Price, who were therefore discharged. It appeared that the s s. Hatfield was undergoing repairs, and the only men on board were the captain and Hetherington, who is a. donkeyman. On Wednesday evening lasb Picton went on board the steamer and purchased from Hetherington the quantity of brass stated, and together with Price he removed it next morning and sold it tor B3 83. Hetherington pleaded that it was his first offence, that when the other men went on board and offered to purchase the bras. he yielded to the temptation. He now declared that be was guilty of a very foolish action. At the time, however, he did not think it was a serious wrong, because the engineers of vessels were generaHy allowed to sell the old stores. The magistrates fined defendant J32, or one month's imprisonment; and the Court directed that facilities should be given to Hetherington to pay the fine. Breach of Colliery Rules. At the Ystrad Police-court on Monday—before Mr Iguatius Williams and Mr T. P. Jenkins- Daniel Thomas, collier, employed in the Mardy Colliery, Rhondda Fa-ch, was summoned for a breach of the Mines Regulation Act.—Mr J. Phillips, Pontypridd, appeared for the company, and Mr Maclor Evans, Pentre (instructed by Mr W. Evans, agent of the Cambrian Association of Miners), represented the defendant.—The management had offered to settle the matter out of court if the defendant agreed to pay a fine of £ 1. The defendant, however, refused, urging that he had not committed an offence.—-The Bench, after hearing evidence, considered that a breach of the rules had been committed, imposed a fine of 1003 and costs. Infringements of the Margarine Aet. At Cardiff Police-couru on Tuesday, James Llewellyn, of 132, Paget-street, was summoued for unlawfully exposing for sale by retail a parcel of margarine to which there was no* attached in such a manner as to be clearly visible to the purchaser a label marked in printed capital letters, not less than one and a half inches square, Margarine." Henry Thomas was also summoned for a like offence. In impos- ing a. penalty of 5s and coats, or seven (iayle imprisonment, Mr F. J. Beavan, one of the magistrates, wished it to be generally understood in Cardiff that very great care should be taken to freely exhibit the margarine labels so thas people might know what they were purchasing. There should be no concealment at all. Serious Charge Against a Llaneliy Tradesman. At thehlanelly Police-oourt on Wednesday, David Lewis was charged with obtaining the sum of JB27 from Mr John Aurehus, Penarth, without having previously informed Mr Aurelins that he was an undischarged bankrupt. Mr W. Howell represented defendant, and Mr Stead appeared to prosecute. On the application-of Mr Stead the case was adjourned for a week. Alleged Theft of Traveller's Samplos. A man named David Evans or Edwards was'on Wednesday, at the Cardiff Police-court, charged with stealing six singlets, seven pairs of pants, and six pairs of stockings—traveller's samples to the value of JB3 3s 6d-from the Great Western Railway Station on the 5fch iust. A station porter named Llewellyn stated that, observing prisoner with the parcel, he asked him where he was going, and not being satisfied with the man's account, he detained him, and the prisoner was subsequently given in custody by the station- master, Mr Richards. At this stage the polio), applied for a remand until Monday for the purpose of prosecuting further inquiries, and M this the Bench agreed. An Alleged Wharf Prowler. At) Cardiff Police-court on Wednesday, Charle*. Buckley, or Parks, a man of abouc 47, waa charged with being iu the forecastle of the s.s. Minioxa, lying in the East Bute Docks, and stealing a watch and albert chain, valued at 15s, belonging to Andrena Jaoobus de Koning, on the previous day. Prosecutor stated that seeing prisoner on the boat, where he had no business, and missing his watch, he sent for the police. Bute Dooks-oonstable Keats deposed to finding the watch in question near where the prisoner waa sitting, and Buckley, who has been in trouble before, was committed to take his trial at th" boreugh quarter sessions. Vagraney at Newport. The greater proportion of the cases to bedisposed of at the Newport Police-court on Wednesday were charges under the Vagrancy Act. The first to appear in the dock was Win. Davies, who told the Court that he was a painter, and on Tuesday he walked from Chepstow to Newport; be had not had anything to eat that day, and he was begging some food when he was arrested. In answer to the magistrates' clerk Davies said that he was homeless, and the Clerk said, Oh, you are a citizen of the world." Davies promised to leave the town, and the Bench decided to give him an opportunity, and the Magistrates' Clerk waved himfout of the dock, t saying Go to Cardiff or anywhere else." William James Dunn, a young man of 22 years, has realised the truth of the proverb about eiving the dog a bad name. Dunn has twioe joined the Army, but each time he has been dis- charged when his history became known to the military authorities. Each time the young fellow has returned to Newport, and periodically he appears before the Court. Dunn was taken in by his father recently on promising to reform, but after a couple of days' experience of home life he took advantage of bis stepmother's absence to appro- priate 16s, a gold ring, and other of his father'c property, and then decamped to Brecon, where he again joined the Army. On Tuesday the younf, fellow was found sleeping in a hut at the Alexandra Docks, and was without money ot food. The Magistrates, in sentencing prisoner to a month's imprisonment for vagrancy, advised him to determine upon a fresh start. George Dowle, who was arrested whilst the j Court was sitting, was the last to appear. He also was caught begging, and told the Court that | he could not get work. The magistrat -s' olerk | evidently took a lenient view of the matter, tot he remarked that owing to the weather there fI! were a number of people in abject misery, :md bl, 1 thought that many were driven to beg. Dowl. also said that he would leave the town, and tli< Bench again gave him the option, and the Magistrates'Cierk, as Dowle was leaving the dock, said, Go down to Cardiff."

n., BILIOUSNESS. Theiiver, the largest secreting organ, is onet^ he most important motors of the human system. If healthy, it extracts th bile from the blood; which is necessary to promote digestiop, anft which is Nature's cathartic. A TORPID, SMOOlSIt INACTIVE, and DISEASED LIVER is known i y *iw ness ot the stomach, frequent headaches, tlatip ienoy, indigestion, feehng's of pressure in pit of th* stomach, giddiness, pain iu back or undik shoulder-blades, and yellow condition of UiseSMw. It is unwise to ignore these seaming? warnings, when a shorb use of Warner's Safe Cure and Pills will cure. SUFFERED FROM CHILDHOOD. "15, C.iri rec^, W. Hartlepool. I suffered from i,uiousness and liver com- plaint from childhood, and I have tried severe Kinds of medicines, but they gave me very relief, until I was persuaded to try Warner's 'Safe' Cure, and I can truly' say "•elief-from the first few doses. G.

CONFLICT WITH BRIGANDS. ROMK, Saturday Morning.—Despatches received uere tbia morning from Cagliari, Sardinia, report fight between the brigana chief Sanna and his 'ollowers and a force of gendarmes near that Gity. The fight was of a sanguinary character, Md was not finished until Sanna himself was killed. The lieutenant in charge of the gendarmes "as mortally wounded, and several others were injured on both sides.—Central News.

UNITED STATES CONGRESS. WASHINGTON, Monday.—Both the House of Representatives and the Senate are still in ses- sion. The latter has passed the Naval Bill, with we amendment that two new warships snail ce constructed instead of three. A general agref. oaent was arrived at to rejeot the Hawaian Cable ]Jill. At midnight the General Deficiency Snppiy Bill was passed, the amendment regarding t' fclfciins in connection with the Behring Sea awar l>eing withdrawn. The Senate has also passed ill the Appropriation Bills, which are now sub- aoieted to the President for approval. A 1 Mecutiveare now in session, and are deba. i tf Ihe question of a monetary conference. The tiouse »as unanimous in requesting Mr Crisp to aj^poi himself delegate to the conference.—Central news. WASHINGTON, Monday.—Mr Crisp, Speaker of )he House of Representatives, has been c j ine of the United States delegates to the proposea International monetary conference. ° few withdrawn the amendment to the D'plo ftBrsa: ssuszlttto ff-ss ihe cruisers San Francisco and Barblehead to fepreMnt the United States at the opening oi tbe worth Sea and Baltic CanalRenter.

POLISH PLOT IN RUSSIA. TAMAML, O.L., Monday.-The trial com. JQenoed here to-day, before a jury, ot you K laen, most of whom are students at th r inary, on charges of high treason. bruc ed Jhe publio peace, and conspiracy. The Pfer8on8 iogs are expected to last eight days, 2 P naving been summoned to give that one dictment,which covers 18 sheetss, setjf t itudent, named Kogufinski, n>ade^^ statement >o his father confessor concerning va by renoes at the establishment, and WAS advised Dy the priest to bring the matter the authorities of the seminary, wi »bab a disciplinary investigation .was 'nto the circumstances. The inquiry sl owed that »be students Bienicke,Krzyworaczka,Ch^inami Zulieaewski, as well as two pupils of fa,named Szelag and Pfcietzner,were membera ot secret associatfon. According to the »»«wc"P4 found*upon Szelag, the object of the society was to form a secret conspiracy and organisation for •he re-establishment of the mde^ndence of Poland M a State, a resort to amis bemg recom srasrci S3& liation were to adopt the the Irredentist party. The agitation was chiefly *o be oarried on among the rural popiijation and lhe working classes,on the ground that these con- ttitutod the principal factors in a revo- lution. The operations of the sooiety included the town of Lemberg, and there were district branches at Puzemyal and Tarnopol. An attempt was to have been made opon the life of M. Librawski, a teacher at 3&rnopol Seminary, at whose instanos criminal proceedings were instituted; and two students who withdrew from the secret association were usaultcd and maltreated by masked men irhile the preliminary inquiry was in progress.

THE REVOLT IN CUBA. NEW YOBE, Monday.—The Herald publishes t despatch stating that private advices from Cuba report that the insurgents have repulsed the regulars at Sevilla with heavy losses. They Also captured a position in the vicinity of Santiago, and it is further reported that they have captured the entire Spanish garrison at San Miguel, near Goantenano.—Central News.

TERRIBLE BOILER EXPLOSION, VONNA, Sunday.—A frightful accident is reported from Itzkany, Roumania. The boiler in a distillery blew up, and shattered the ceiling &f the boiler-house, with the reauttthat a number of workmen who were sleeping in the room above lell through the flooring into the boiling spmll. Twelve were killed and several others injured,— Renter,

DR. NANSEN'S EXPEDITION. HAMMKEI-KST, Monday.—A letter received bere from Kjollefiord, dated February 24th, contains the intelligence that the inspector of the tele- graph station in the mountains between Lebesby and Langfjord reports having seen a balloon at no great height travelling in a south-easterly direc- tion. It is thought possible that this balloon may have been bearing despatches from Nansen, as the explorer is known to have intended to avail himself of such means of sending news. No further intelligence has been received, and the balloon has not been found.—Renter.

BANCA ROMANA SCANDALS. ROME, Monday Afternoon.-8ignor Giolitti attended before the examining judge and made an important declaration respecting tho Banca Romana scandal, in the course of which among other sensational revelations he disclosed tho names of three persons from whom he received th* purloined documents. It it generally believed that the ex-Premier will remain in Rome and face all charges that may be brought against him, but by way of precaution his house is watched day I and night, and two detectives constantly shadow him.—Central News.

DEPLORABLE BOATING ACCIDENT. PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA, Sunday.—By a boating accident which occurred here to-day four gentlemen, well-known in mining circles, Messrs Darlot, Driffield, Haiding, and Fox were drowned. Mr Florence O'Driscoll, M.P. for South Monaghan, who was a mumcer of the party, had a narrow escape. He saved hiimc'f by swimming a mile and a half.—Renter.

SOCIALISM IN PARIS. PARIS, Tuesday.—A Socialist meeting was held here yesterday evening. Several Socialist deputies, who were among the speakers, advo- cated an alliance among all the Socialist groups with a view to common action for the organisa- tion of a general strike. The meeting passed a resolution in favour of a general strike, and decided that the different Socialist factions, while maintaining their autonomy, should unite to obtain a final victory. An Anarchist named Duprat, who arrived here yesterday morning from London, has been arrested. He had been sen. tanced by default to 20 years' penal eervitndp,—• Neuter.

THE REVOLT IN OMAN, CALCUTTA, Monday.—The passengers by the steamer Kilwa, who have arrived at Kurrachet, state thaUthe disorders at Muscat ooubiuue. 'f lie rebels, numbering 350, hold She town, while the Suitan's force of about 2,500 men occupies the ?rts. The rebels are armod with Martini-Henry nfles, procured from Zanzibar, and are excellent Marksmen, while the weapons of the Sultan's troops are obsolete. A number of dead bodies are to be seen in the town, and persons attempt-- •»g to move them are fired upon, and therefore j^e bodies are left. The rebels are behaving well towards the citizens. The British inhabitants have been summoned to the Presidency, where a number of them are accommodated in a large ooalshed. Others have sought refuge on board the vessels or in the oountry. The property of he Euglish missionary, who proceeded to the ■Presidency, was looted in his absence from his A surgeon, while using a boat flying ne Union Jack, was also fired at. H.M. ships Phinx and Bramble have arrived at Mu«cat.— Jteutcr.

Greek ladies are said to !iave had 137 different "fcyles of dressing the hair. w.?AB«ts ought to be fat, thiu babies are seldom *ou can make your babv fat and healthy by £ <«» Scotfs Emulsion. This*is a preparation that *j"~a8y on the stomach and most effective as a nourish- "is invaluable wa cure for wasting diseases 4 cMHren. JOftSu

SIR HERCULES nOBINSON. There are a great many people in this country who are not a little alarmed for the future of South Africa. The Boers have shown so much insolence and overbearing to our countrymen out there (says a correspondent) that there is always fear of a collision, especially as the numbers of THE RIGHT HON. SIR HUR0ULB8 ROBINSON, G.O.M.G., P.O. tile xjngnsu sec- tier are out of all proportion that the lords of the land, some- [thing like seven | to four, and the seven have no voice in the con- trol of political or munioipal affairs. Just now the Swazi ques- tion is reaohing an acute stage kwhichitishighly .possible that the tough develop- ments which may be brought about through the French con- quest and occu- pation of Mada- gascar will tend to accentuate the present uneasy feeling. It is therefore most satisfactory to note that Sir Hercules Robin- son has been selected as Sir Henry Lochs successor, as lie is a strong man who knows his South Africa perfectly, having been High Commissioner and Governor before for nine years. His services to the Crown date back from 184-6, as although he first .altered the Army as » subaltern in the 87th, he was at 22 aoting on the Civil Service Staff in Ireland. He has held high offices in every plrt of tha world on behalf of the Empire, and is a diplomab of the first water. He is certainly wanted just now in our growing colony, for thvsre are strong wills and imperious men to be found in the Cape Parliament, and it is only diplomacy of the very highest quality that can cop* successfully with the impetuous spirits in the Cape Assembly. Thllre are many who apprehend that South Africa is drifting from us, and that w> shall wake one momini to faoe a United South African Republic. There would ba no objection to thi« if our children wers strong enough to run alone, bub once independent and th By might be successfully invaded by a nation with a strong fleet, which wouli? mean the mother having to come to the resouo of her too bumptious offspring—An eventuality far from desirable.

I———^——— ALLEGED CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD. A special court has just been held at Mitchels- town, Cork, by Mr Joseph Kilbride, R.M., before which two men of respectable appearance named John R. Davis and James Connor, alias Gean, were formally charged with having, at Swansea, wilfully conspired to defraud certain creamery companies and private persons in the South of Ireland. One of them (Davis) will be further charged with having engaged in trade without having passed his final examination in the court of bankruptcy. The prisoners were arrested at Swansea by the local police on information sworn at Mitchels- town by Mr Thomas L. Carroll, J.P., proprietor Af uHcheon Vale Creamery, Co. Cork; and Mr H. T. Linden, manager of the creamery. «■ 'e matter had baen closely investigated by Head Constable O'Sullivau, of Mitchelstown, who ascertained that the prisoners had dealings with rv« creamery companies. Head Constable U Sullivan, accompanied by Sergeant Carroll, proceeded to Swansea on last Thursday morning to bring the prisouers to Mitohelstown. Heascer- tained that Connor was a greengrocer, having a at St. Helen's-road, and was well-known in Swansea. Davis had also a good position, Head Constable O'Sullivau took charge iwv, the books and correspondence of both j men. The piisoners arrived in custody of the police at Mitchelstown on baturday last. On being brought before the resident magistrate, District Inspoctor Fassetfc, who prosecuted, applied for a remand of the P5!f?neea ^or a week. He said he intended to produce several witnesses from Swansea, including bankers and traders, and some Irish witnesses, with, whom prisoners had dealings.—The sworn informations of Mr Thos. L. Carroll, J.P., were ^sad, and therein deponent stated that, from inquiries he had made, he was led to believe that he had been defrauded by the prisoners of butter which ha had sent them from Mitchelstown Creamery. The butter was valued at £ 24.—The informations of Mr Harry T. Linden stated that in 3393 he sent throe packages of butter to the prisoners from Mitchelstown Creamery, of which he was manager. He got payment for tho first parcel, but he got no reply to bis communi. cations to the prisoners with reference to the others.—Head Constable O'Sullivan said that they « i t^le 8wora information of Mr O'Sullivan, of the Creamery at Clonakilty.—The iirisonera were then remanded for a week.

DoNvrfcLB'S OLD btSH WBISKY is recommended c sy the medical profession in preference to French Brands. They hold the iargestatock of Whisky lzr^he o world. Supplied inca&sand caees for hone use and II exportation. Quotations on application. to Dttn^lle p k CI<*»,J<iraitedrKoyal Jriah Distilleries, Belf»j»V

TRAGIC DfATH AT SWANSEA., On Tuesday morning Mr D. A. Harris, of Mansel-strect and Ffynone-terraoe, Swansea, died suddenly. He was a well-known teacher of navigation. The deceased, who was president of the Hebrew community in the town, had been suffering from whooping-cough, but up to Mon- day night he had been able to attend to his professional duties. On reaching home he com- plained of dizziness, and, having had tea, lay down reading a newspaper. After an hour a fall was heard, and on the room being entered he was found JYlDg on the floor in a faint. Every effort to restore him was resorted to, but without success, for though the deceased somewhat revived, it was only sufficiently to mutter that his end had come, to ask for his prayer-book, and recite the death-bed liturgy. At the Tenby Hotel, Swansea, on Wednesday Mr Edward Strick, the borough coroner, held an inquest into tho circumstances attending the death of Mr David Harris, of Mansel-street and Ffynone-terrace, Swansea, who died under circumstances already reported. The inquest was due to a doubt on the part of doctors as to the cause of death, which led to the circulation of an unfounded rumour that death was due to mis- adventure. Mr David Seline. solicitor, watched the case on behalf of the family. Mr Isaac Seline, the father-in-law of the deceased, detailed tho circumstances* attending the death, after which Dr. Hopkins said he had attended the deceased for whooping-cough, of which he had a bad attack. About seven weeks ago he ordered him uwav for change of aii, and he went. Last Monday he met deceased in the street, and hi said he was all right, but at 8.15 in tho evening he was seut for and found deceased lying on the floor and suffering as though he had taken an overdose of strychnine. He asked deceased what he had taken, and he said, "Only your medi- cine," but on being pressed he said he had taken a tonio another doctor had prescribed. At 10.30 he died. He had since made a post-mortem examination, and found that he died from congestion of the lungs and inflammation of the brain, duo to natural causes. Dr. Lancaster, who assisted at the posb-mortem, agl eed as to the cause of death, aud a verdict of death from Natural causes was returned.

SUDDEN DEATH OF INSPECTOR WMMILL, NEWPORT. IuspeoLor Wuuuiii, the depaty chief constable I ofth«» Newport Borough police force, died with awful snddftansss at Lis realdeueo, 5, Victoria j crescent, Newport, about seven o'clock on Satur- day morning. The deceased was on duty up to 8.30 on Friday night. The deceased officer, who was a native of Caerleon, had put in 38 years' service, having joined the force in March, 1857. He was appointed inspector in 1885, in suc- cession to the late Inspector Wilcox, and he was subsequently appointed as deputy chief constable. The deceased had acted as police-court inspector for several years, and he was in charge of the polioe-court on Friday, in the absence of the head constable, and he continued on duty up to 8,30 on Friday iiitlit. that being his usual hour for going off duty. De- ceased, who was a stalwart and powerfully built man, had complained of a pain in his chest for the past few day?. Shortly before seven a.m. on Saturday the deceased was heard walking bis room. and Miss Winmill went in and found her father partly dressed. He complained of great pain in the chant and of a numbed feeling in his hands. Miss Winmill went down- stairs to get a hot drink, but on returning she was horrified to find her father lying upon the bed dead. Deceased, who waa just over 60 years of age, was a widower, his wife having died in November last. Deceased's daughter has also been seriously ill, and the trouble which he had passed through had considerably preyed upon his mind. The officer leaves four children, two sons and two daughters, all of whom are grown up. At the Newport Town-hall on Monday, Mr Lyndon Moore, borough coroner, held an inquest on the body of George Frederick Winmill, aged 59, who was an inspector in the Newport Borough Police Force, and deputy chief constable. Dr. Benjamin Davies. police medioal officer, said that in his opinion the deceased died from angina pectoris, an affection of the heart.—The Coroner expressed his sympathy with the relatives at the sudden and somewhat untimely death of the deceased, and said that the town had lost a good servant through the death of the inspector. -The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony, and re-echoed the sentiments of the coroner with regard to deceased. The remains of the late Inspector Winmill, Deputy-Chief Constable of the Newport Borough police foroe, were interred at the Nowport Cemetery on Tuesday afternoon. In the' funeral procession weie 50 members of thopolico force,under Head Constable Sinclair. Six sergeants acted as bearers. Rev. W. D. Jones, vicar of Llanellen, officiated at the graveside. At the opening of Newport Borough Police- court on Monday, Alderman J. Moses referred to the painfully suddan death of the late Inspector Winmill, who for a number of years had occupied the position of polioe-court inspector, and had discharged his duties in an able and conscientious manner. Alderman Davis added his testimony, and Mr Lyndon Moore, on behalf of the solicitors, also paid a tribute to the deceased. Head-constable Sinclair said that no officer could be more assiduous in the discharge of his duties than the late inspector was. The magis- trates* clerk was then directed to convey the sym- pathy of the Court to the late officers relatives,

SUNDAY CLOSING IN WALES. A Bill has beeu prepared and brought into Parliament by Messrs Herbert Roberts, Lloyd George, Alfred Thomas, Herbert Lewie, and Albert Spicer to amend the Sunday.ctosing (Wales) Aot of 1881, the reason given for its introduction being that the Royal Commission, whioh was appointed to inquire into the working of the Aot, having reported that it was advisable to amend its provisions with referenco to travellers, clubs, shebeens, the wholesale trade, and other minor details. TRAVELLERS, With regard to proceedings taken against a licensed person for infringing the Act in the case of travellers, it is proposed that if the defendant believed the purchaser was a traveller, and that he took all reasonable precautions to ascertain if he were such, the magistrates should dismiss the case but if they thought that the purchaser falsely represented himself to be a traveller, the magistrates should direct proceedings to be taken against hiun. No occupier of licensed premises can either receive travellers or supply intoxicants to them on Sunday unless he is the holder of a Sunday licence which will be granted for the purpose; and a Sunday licence will not be granted to any person if his premises are under the annual rataole value of £ 25. The person to whom a Sunday licence is granted will be required to enter in a book the name and address of every traveller or any other man who enters his house, with the date and time at which he was admitted and any constable, for preventing on detecting a violation of these provisions, can inspect the book. If the holder of a Sunday licence has been convicted under the Sunday- closing Act or the Licensing Act, or of any offence which is punishable by imprisonment with hard labour without the option of a fine, and the conviction is not appealed against, his Sunday licence will be forfeited as soon as the time for 1 giving notice of appeal has expired. 1 ILLEGAL ASSOCIATIONS. ] Any association of ten or more persons, which ts for the purpose of supplying intoxicants to its members. or an association which is pro- < moted for the same purpose under a disguise, will be pronounced illegal, and every member of such an association will be liable, upon summary sonviction, to a fine not exceeding JBS, or, in default, to imprisonment for three months. SHEBKKN3. First offenders for shebeemng will be liable to a penalty of £10, or two months' imprisonment; ind for the second off once £20, or four months' impiiMonnient and, further, will be disqualified "or a term not exceeding five years from holding a licence to sell intoxicants. For a third or subse- luent offence the defendant will be liable to a fine )f jE20, or a term of six months' imprisonment, md will be disqualified for ever from holding a licence. "Frequenters "make themselves liable to a £5 fine, or a month's imprisonment. WHOLBSAXK BEER TRADE. Wholesale dealers will not be allowed to ieltver on Sunday beer for the purpose of a retail ;rade, except on board ships which are bound for v foreign port and ready for sea and any person jonvioted under this section will be liable to a ine of 95, or three months' imprisonment. LOW KATE BKKRHOOSES. Section 45 of the Licensing Act, 1872, will be bunujled, and a licenoe will not be granted or •enewed to a person whose premises are leas than 812 annual ratable value. RAlLWAY STATIONS. Section 4 of the Welsh Sunday Closing Act of .881 will also be repealed, and no intoxicating f iquor will be sold on' Sunday at 4 railway f tation. J

EISTEDDFOD AT CILFYNVDD. On Monday a very t?uccessfuleisteddfod wn-s held t the Workmen'a-hall, Cilfynydd, near Ponby- .ridd, under the presidency of Mr Philip Jones, aanager of the Albion Colliery. The Rev. W. ronee, curate of St. Luke's Church, acted as onductor. In the ohief choral competition tor a irize of JB10 offered to choirs of not under 50 oices for the beat rendering of an anthem com- ,os«d by Mr T. D. Edwards, L C.M., Hopkin-- own, there was only one entry, namely, the .onyreran Choir, which war, awarded the prize, if the competition for children's choirs on "Storm he Fort of Sin (W. T. Samuel), the successful hoir was that of ronyrefail Tabernacle Band of Pontypridd, conducted by Mr T. D. Edwards. A male voice party from Oilfvnydd, onductod by Mr Edward Wrexham Jones, was iotorious in another competition and a prize jr an assay on "The history of Pontypridd" was. fon by Mr Richard Richards, Cilfynydd The djudicators were Music, Mr J. If. M. Harris, A-M., London, and Mr Obediah Edwards, r.T.S.C. literature, Mr T. Williams (Brynfab). fr T. D. Edwards was the accompanist, and Mr 'lorgun Dyer made a very offioient secretary.

The Chenab irrigation ciajial in Northern India sjud to be the widest canal in the world. It is 10 foet broad, auu will be 200 it-at broad when ompieted, with a length of 450 miles. To THK DM.Mt.—A.eenblBtUttn who curedhimsalf 1 deafness ana noises fu the head after fourteen years' otfmng- wtn gladly send fall particular* of thoremedy 10811 free.—Address 3. CHfton. Albant-bnildfnra, 19, rictOJÍINtreet. Westminster. London, S.W. 15592

A BREEZE AT THE CARDIFF BURIAL BOARD. The monthly meeting of the burial board of the Cardiff Corporation was held at the offices of the clerk (Mr Greenhill) on Tuesday, under the chairmanship of the ex-Mayor (Councillor Trounce).—Councillor E. Beavan raised the question of closing as a recreation ground the piece of land at the top of Crwya-road. Councillor Beavan said on October 2nd last the committee decided to allow the land to remain as a recrea- tion ground for 12 months, but at the last meet- ing the committee decided to close the ground and attach it to the cemetery and this decision was oonfirmed by the council at their last meeting. -Counoillor White, who had pro- posed the closing of the field so that it might be attached to the ceme- tery had previously seconded a resolution that it should remain open for twelve months.- The Chairman Reasons must have arisen in the intervaL—CounciUor White said he took the attitude he did because of the strong representa- tions made to him by undertakers of the necessity of allowing funeral corteges to use that road.- Councillor Comley And. as Mr Alderman Cory pointed out, it would never do for funerals to go that way when it was used as a recreation ground. —Councillor Beavan It is no good talk- ing about what Alderman Cory said. It is ridiculous coming here to work and subsequently undoing it.—The Mayor It is a little foggy.— Councillor Beavan It is as clear as mud. It looks very much to me as if they were designing it.—Councilor White I must really protest against such remarks at this board. -Councillor Beavan I say and I maintain it, it looks very I much as if there was something behind it.—Coun- oillor White I throw back the baee imputation in Councillor Beavan's face.—CouaoiMor Comley I was at the meeting, and I know nothing about it.—The Chairman Nor doe" anyone else.—It was pointed out that the matter was out of order, and the incident terminated.

ACTION AGAINST A SWANSTA SOLICITOR. 1 AtSwausca County-court on Wednesday tbert 7 was opened—before his Honour Judge Gwilytr Williams-an action in which much inteiest u j manifested. The plaintiff is Mr Trevor Gift* j brook Richards, a tin-plate manufacturer, and the defendaut Mr K. T. Leyson, a well-known lociii solicitor. The ground of action is a claim for damages amounting to £ 50 for an alleged breach i of agreement, £258;; of the amount representing costs incurred in annulling proceedings in bank. < ruptcy taken by the defendant. The case wat originally tried in the December court before hit Honour, when judgment was given for plaintiff. Subsequently a newtrial was grantedon the ground that more evidence was forthcoming, and it was this trial which came off on Wednesday before o jury. Mr Francis Williams, Q C., and Mr -J Ginscodine (instructed by Messrs Davies and Ingram) were far the plaintiff, and Mr Bowen Rowlands, Q.C., M.P., and Mr Villiers Maagei ] for the defendant. The case for the plaintiff was that while plaintiff was in partnership with Mr Frederick Richardson, defendant acted as their sohoitor, and in May last vear there was a balance of costs due to defendant from the partnership, and from the plaintift personally, tor which defendant issuedawrib, and judgment was obtained. Defendant then threatened to file a bankruptcy petition against plaintiff, but as at that time plaintiff was floating the Foxhole Tin-pUta Works into a company, plaintiff saw defendant, and asked him to hold over the pefitton till his partner returned from Yorkshire. ThHqiefendatlt wis alleged to have consented to do far « week for j62, and this arrangement re- • newed for the three following weeks. At the end of the month Mr Richardson had not returned, and defendant was alleged to have V consented to a further delay for ten days if he wort, paid Lb. A cheque for this amount was. given on the understanding that it was not to be presented till the following Tuesday. On that afternoon plaintiff went to the bank and found the cheque had been presented the previous day, and as he had made no arrangement to meet it it was dishonoured. Plaintiff went at once to see defendant, and was mes with the threat that he would be served wit!: a bankruptcy notioe, but it was, after some discussion, agreed, according to plaintiff, that if plaintiff would bring in au allowed" cheque by 4.30 the bankruptcy petL. tion should be held over. He went to get the cheque, and aiieged that though he returned before t.he appointed time, directly he entered tht bankruptcy notice wsks presented to him. Tlio claim now made was for damages. The plaintiff and a Jai^o number of witueesw having examined on points bearing on this case, ;id especially with respect to his move. nllmL on the day in question, to show that he called on defendant m the afternoon and not in the morning, as v/as alleged by defendant at the previous hearing, was adjourned till to-day. when the case for the defence will be taken.

RAILWAY DISASTERS IN AMERICA. Maxico, Friday Night.—Full details have now benn received here of the wrecking of an excursion tram upon the Inter-Ooean Railway. The train was crowded with pilgrims returning from a relIgIOUS festival, where all had partaken of the aaorament. The engine left the metals at a. sharp curve in the line, and went right over the embank- ment. The ten coaches succeeding it also fell over the embankment the leading ones being smashed to splinters. The latest authentic give sixty-five people as having been Killed outright and forty others are severely wjuwd many of whom will die.—Central News. Naw YORK, Saturday.—A passenger express belonging to the Heading Company collided with a tram of empty coal trucks at Bayonne, in New Jersey, last night. The engine was wrecked, the boiler haying explodedjjvvhen the collision occurred, lhe driver and fireman were killed. Fortunately, •he heavy coaches did nob leave the metals, and three passengers were severely hurt. Gen■ News.