South Wales Daily News

MARGAM POISONING CASE. DEPLORABLE DEATH OF TWO PERSONS. CARBOLIC ACID TAKEN FOR BEER. THE INQUEST. > A MELANCHOLY STORY. On Friday, Mr Howel Cuthbertson. coroner, ield an inquest at Old Park Farm, Margam, on he bodies of William Hussey, farm bailiff, and "bomas Davies, farm labourer, who met tbeir eath by accidental poisoning, as already reported a these columns. Mr Edward Evans was fore- man of the juiry. The following evidence was taken A WIFE'S EVIDENCE. Ann Hussey said: I live at Old Park Farm, Margam. The deceased was my husband. He was 30 years of age. He went to Bridgend on ""uesday last. He returned about five o'clock. I as not present when he drank the acid. I saw m about five minutes afterwards. We some- mes keep beer in the cellar. I was told lie had runk some carbolic acid. He was offered inilk ad water, but he could not take it. He drank he acid at half-past eight. I sent for the doctor ,t half-past nire. He died at five minutes past jne. Dr Davies had been by tbat time. The reason I did not send, for the doctor before was because I did not. think r.he stuff was so poisonous. The deoeaøed sent Philip Davies for the jar. The deceased was not ober when he came home. (U.. <r 1 xhomas Davies, came here with anot ..J om Mr Powell's for butter. I saw them at the door. They did not come in the kitcbeu. HOW THE SAD MISTAKE OCCURRED. Philip Davies said: I am farm boy at Old Park Farm. I was here on Tuesday night. "Hiomas Davies and another boy came here from 50 to?.*5 from Mr Powell's, They came for atter. They went in the back kitchen. The eceased sent me for a jar of beer. He told me t was in the cellar. 1 went to the cellar and brought the jar that I saw there. I did ot look to see if there was any label on the jar. he jar produced is the one I brought up. I did .ot know what the jar contained. When I wrought the jar up Mr Hussey caught hold of took it to the back kitchen. When Mr Hussey »ught hold of it he poured it into a Ju £ ■*ie iut the jug to his month, but did not drink any- tie handed it to Thomas Davies, who drank iome of it. Davies went to the back door and began setting, and told me that there was coal tar in it. I went back to Hussey and told him there was coal tar m it. When I told Limhe hook up the jug and drank some from He did not take auy notice of me. After he had drunk some he went on his knees and old us not to drink it. I should think be drank about a mouthful or two of it. There was an empty jar in the cellar beside the one produced. Davies drank two or three mouth- fuls I had never been sent to the cellar before for anything. Hussey was drunk that night. Davies after he went out, drank some milk, and had it up in the yard. He then went bomA. Hussey brought a jar of beer home with him from Bridgend, but I did not know where it was. What Hussey told me was to go to the cellar. ADDITIONAL WITNESSES. Mary Spears said I am housekeeper at Mr Powell's. I Bissard to Old Park Farm for some butter. He was rather long in coming back. Davies afterwards went to the farm. He was n. farm labourer for Mr Powell. He was 15 years of age in January last. I saw him on Tuesday night after he came home. It was about half-past nine when we met him coming home. He complained of pains in his chest, and said he had been drinking tar. We fcave' him some mustard and water, and then some oil. We sent for the doctor about half-past nine. The boy died about half-past three. Dr Davies had bean there before he died. He had very great pain before he died. William Henry Bissard also gave evidence. MEDICAL TESTIMONY. John Henry Davies said :—I am a physician and surgeon. I was sent for on Tuesday night at 10.10 o'clock. I sent my man for the carriage and left the surgeiy at 10.20, and arrived at Old Park at 10.50, and went upstairs to see Hussey. He was in a semi- comatose state, and his pupils were contracted. Both extremities were cold-in fact, be was in a dying condition. I told him he was sinking. He had been vomiting, and there was a brown mark round his mouth. The mucus membrane of his mouth and forces were contracted. For this reason I did not use the stomach pump, as it was too late. I bad to rely on antidotes. I gave him 6oz. of olive oil. I also gave him a solution of sulphate of soda, a table spoonful of which was to he given every half hour if he was able to take it. He was in a hopeless condition then, and I told him so. I then went to M r Powell's to see Thomas Davies. He was not so comatose, and I had a bed made up for him bear the fire. He was not quite so bad as Hussey. I was with him for three-quarters of an hour. I made a post- mortem examination of Hussey at 4.30 on Thurs., day afternoon. There were no marks of injury on the body. There was great congestion of the lungs, and also of the stomach. There were two perforations there, and several patches of mucus membrane. The cause of his death was coma, due to carbolic acid. The stomachs in both cases were empty. A post-mortem examination was made on Davies's body by Dr Jones. The brain was examined, and the fluid of the ventricles smelt strongly of carbolic acid. The membranes of the brain and the brain substanca were congested. The cause of death was the same in Davies's case. The Coroner, addressing the jury, said there was no doubt that both Hussey and Davies met their death by inadvertently taking poison instead of beer. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence. The bodies of the unfortunate deceased were interred in Margam Churchyard on Friday after- noon, and the impressive service was conducted by the vicar, the Rev Z. P. Williamson.

AN EX-POLICEMAN IN TROUBLE AT CARDIFF. Herbert Evans (29) was charged at Cardiff police- court, yesterday—before Dr. Paine and other .magistrates—with stealing a coat, value35 lid, No. 7, St Mary-street, the property af Henry Samuel, on the 2nd instant. The coat was exposed for sale in the doorway of the prosecutor's shop, and prisoner, after examining it for a few minutes, quietly took it down, rolled it up under his arm, and made off down Quay-street. Mr Samuel and an assistant, who had watched his movements, at once gave those, whereupon prisoner dropped the coat, but id not escape apprehension. It appeared that he had served nine years in the Life Guards, for some time in the Carmarthenshire Police, and Always borne a good character. The Bench, in consideration of this, sent him to gaol for seven days only.

A SAD FATALITY AT PORTHCAWL, A sad accident occurred yesterday morning at Porthcawl. Charles Thomas, son of Mr J, J. Thomas, chemist, whilst getting on board his trrandfather'a pilot boat, slipped and fell a distance of 30 feet. His bead struck against the jide of the vessel before falling into the dock. He was at 'once picked out and placed on deck. Dr Egbert Williams was sent for, but the poor lad expired immediately. Much sympathy is felt for the parentslD their sad bereavement.

CARMARTHENSHIRE. These sessions were held yesterday before Lord mlyn: The court was occupied the whole day in trying an indictment against David Thomas, butcher, Cawcda, for stealing a ewe, the property of Benjamin Thomas, farmer, Trans- nant, Pencader, on the 8th November last. Mr Glascodine prosecuted, and Mr Lloyd Morgan, M.P., defended. The jury, after a hearing of about seven hours, took over half-an-bour to con- fer their verdict, and then found the accused bot guilty,—This concluded the business.

CARDIGANSHIRE. At Cardiganshire Epiphany Quarter Sessions, ?'d at Lampeter on Thursday, the resignation the chairman, Mr C. Marshall Griffiths, was with regret, and Mr Willis Bund, vice- COftirman, appointed in his place.

ACCIDENTALLY HANGED. t °n Thursday morning an extraordinary 4 !jy happened at 282, Adderley-road, Saltley, Mr«r\w-rmin'?')aI10' house is kept by a f *Uiams, who has two or three lodgers, one fum being John Bradley, a coachbuilder » 2 Metropolitan Works, Saltley. About brothf i a?° away ou a visit t0 a hp n,; u v'°g Chatham. He left word that A* *VY\J re^urn on Tuesday night; or before, rflfcir^?'Kht' be not having arrived, Mrs Williams retired to bfld> Yesterday morning Bradley, who found lP*ctable yTB ma,n o £ 27 yea™ «>* age, was Lt thn nB'Dg byub,g neckT?n a b« over the gate hid V^ear of tb? h.°Use- 14 was evident that he tJf endeavoured to get over the gate and in je">ng go hi8 clothes had became entangled with *Arrafced top The consequence was that bis u« uWas aKa,nbt the bar above, and be was suffocated. It appears that tho deceased bad been in the habit of entering the jjouse by climbing over the gate, and had never previously met with any accident.

In the United Kingdom 28 criminals were sen- tenced to death during lBa9-i.e.. 19 in England, jonr in Ireland, and five in Scotland. USED IN THB DAIRY.—To keep Churns, Cheese Jo. and Nlilk Pang, beautifully bright and clean use t. ounhght Soap. It has the largest sale. 8480 Papa, dear, the children will be so good If you'll take them to see Red Riding Hood. 150t • OIEDLK BROTHERS, Photographers, Heatbfield- rtreefc, Swansea, for first-class work 1269

THE TITHE AGITATION. ABORTIVE SALES AT LLANGELER. THE HISTORIC BOB ON THE RAMPAGE. A RIDICULOUS FIASCO. [FROM OUR CARMARTHEN BKPOKTER.J STAR CoTrAGR, LLANGELER, Friday. The future historian of the present phase of the struggle for complete religious and political liberty and equality will note that in the neigh- bourhood whence this is sent has been carried out, calmly, and without violence, one of the most effective protests against the import called tithes which has been made throughout the campaign. The Rev W. E. Jeffreys and his cob Bob had before to-day achieved fame in being chief actors in the first public sale by auction for tithes in South Wales. This took place three years ago exactly. It is true that a sale was made at Ffynondavolog prior to that at the Star, but that sale was of a private character, and not by auction. To-day Mr Jeffreys and his Bob had still greater distinc- tion thrust upon them in being the first to be put up for second sale in the whole of Wales. Toe tithes for which the distraint was made are levied on Saron Independent Chapel and its land, which property was acquired freehold from Mr D. Pugh, M.P., about live years ago. Thenmount claimed is the magnificent total of 2 Of 1 per annum, which is divided into thirds, two of which go to the principal of St. David's College, and the remaining»tbird to the vicar of Llangeler. Three years are unpaid, but the claim can on!y be for two years so the whole machinery of the law of distraint and public sale was put in operation to recover 2-s 5 i and is 8d, and in the doing of it a bill of expenses amounting, exclusive of tithes, to £2 lis Id was run up. It cannot be that the amount of the tithe at stake led the owners to select Saron Chapel and its pastor out of the numbers who have not paid in that neighbourhood. The sum of i 2i 0|1 per annum could scarcely be an object even to the Bishop of St. Asaph's starving clergy, let alone the wealthy corporation of St. David s College and the portly vicar of Llangeler. Coming to the parish 13 years ago, Mr Jeffreys, the victim of the present sale, has ever been a champion of political and social liberty, and has successively led the Liberals of the district to victory and the working men of the neighbourhood to the achievement of their just demands, Llaugeler is almost altogether owned by the great landlords, the people are mostly under the thumb of the landowners, the land is not let on lease, and, as a general rule, no Non- conformists need apply. Liberalism in action must therefore find its exponents amongst the small freeholders, the weavers of the Velindra and Drefach Mills, and the working men of the neighbourhood. Oa the countryside, however, there is an increasing abhorrence of the tithe im. post, though there is none of the excitement which found vent at Penbryn last year. Llan- geler takes matters more quietly, for the reasons already indicated, but the conviction that the system is an appropriation of national property for the benefit of a sect is none the less steadily gaining ground. As already intimated, a large number in the locality have not paid tithes for some year or two, and are not likely to do so except under compulsion. To come to the proceedings of to-day. Two sales were announced, one at Star Cottage, and the other at Tynewydd, Closygraig, tenanted by Mr David at each of which a cub horse had been seized, in the one case for4s ld and in The sale at the Star Cottage wa? announced for one o'clock precisely, but it was rather after that hour when John Wes- ton, the bailiff of Cardigan, drove up from New- castle Emlyn, accompanied by Police-wrgoant Williams and Police-constable Jones (No. 21). Weston is an old man, aged about 70, and ho came to the gate entirely unaccompanied by any clerk or other companion be- yond the escort of two policemen. He appeared to be on thoroughly good terms with himself, and to wish to be so with everyone else. He made himself quite at home in Star Cottage, and fell to the dinner which was offered him with a great deal of zest. Mrs Jeffreys hospitably offered dinner to the blue-coated gentlemen, but they, stern guardians of the law, unlike their "bail-fellow-well-mot" companion, declined with thanks. Meanwhile, Weston was enjoying himself, and opined, between mouthfuls, that it was not particular to begin the sale for a half-hour or so." Replying to a jocular query as to whether it was not dangerous for him to eat food in the house of the enemy, Weston declared that be was anlatI "without fear"—fear was a word not in his dictionary. After dinner Weston desired an interview before witnesses with the Rev W. E. Jeffreys, and, this being granted, he proceeded to relate his experiences in the collection of tithes—how he began at Elwys- wrw how he was superseded by Stephens,and how that process being found too expensivejtba owners had again bad recourse to him (Weston), but he could only charge half-a-crown a day. Having finished his narration, which he requested our reporter to publish, adding many other particulars about the place of his birth, his family history, &c., Weston suggested that Mr Jeffreys might settle the little matter by paying him in the house. Mr Jeffreys declined, and said he wished the auction carried out, and he would buy in Bob. Weston agreed, and, referring in affectionate terms to Bob, said ha would fetch £100 if stuffed for exhibition. On being chal- lenged by the Rev R. H. Jones, Pencader, Weston produced his bill of execution, which, on the warrant for the 2i 5!d, amounted, including the tithe, to £1 8a 2d, and Raid bis total demand on the two warrants was £2 15 2^<J. Having once more unsuccessfully tried to obtain a settlement without an auction, Weston went on to the stables, and presently appeared, leading Bob to the grass plot in frout of Star Cottage. Bob was decked out with blue ribbons and appeared rather lively, particularly when the crowd, numbering about two hundred persons, hooted and groaned at Weston. Arrived at the front of the house, the man who was" without fear appeared timidly holding on to the head of a mild-looking horse. A clod or two was thrown—one struck the railings, and Weston afterwards said that another struck him in the back. Be that as it may, Weston suddenly dropped the bridle and bolted into Star Cottage, while Bob showed a clean pair of heels and dis- appeared down the Newcastle Emlyn-road. [Query: Did Bob commit pound breach?] Weston being fetched out of the bouse, attempted to address the crowd, but was met with a howl, which made him hesitate. Here Mr Jeffreys ap- pealed for quietness, and that the sale be allowed to proceed. (A Voice, "Where's the pony?") P.S. Williams added that if they could not have quietness to carry on the sale he was going home, and they would come again with a larger force. Rev R. H. JoxEs: Where's the horse! Weston himsRlf let him go. Weston Yes. P.S. Williams But what was the reason ? WESTON I don't want to molest poor old Bob. Three cheers for poor old Bob. What have I to do with the Church ? Dr Davies: You do this from conscientious motives, don't you ? Weston: No, I do it for a living; I have no conscience about it. I do it for a living—bread and cheese. I have nothing to do with bishops or clerks. Three cheers for old Bob. (Turning to our reporter.) Put it all down. P.S. Williams announced that as there wag no sale he was going home. Weston agreed and bowed himself out with "I wish you good after- noon, gentlemen, and many of them." Outside Weston said that he would make no H.«r° attTif8 to se". He clambered into the trap followed by the pol.cemen, and an- nounced to the crowd, "You shall never see me any more here as long as I live," to which the people returned sarcastic shouts of "Oh lam so sorry. After the trap started, Mr Jeffreys went after it, and had another parley with Weston attempting to persuade him to return and sell, offering to send to look for the pony. To all par suasions Weston, beaming benevolently on the crowd, said, You can t control those young spirits. Let it die, damn it, let it die I won't sell under any circumstances with my present force." With these words Weston drove off from the scene at a rapid pace. Afterwards'an open-airmeeting was beld outside Star Cottage. Dr EnochJDavies presided.and read one of the odes to Peggy Lewis. Mr Morgan Evans, J.P., in a calm speech, contended that the tithes were bad in principle, and be believed it was a sin to pay them. It was said that tithes were levied according to law, and they must obey the law; but the greatest and best men who ever lived bad refused to obey bad laws. The object of those sales was for the law to take its course. The tithes were unjust, and it was robbery to collect them. Let the thieves do their own work, and fetch the money of which they robbed the people. (Applause.) Rev A i II. Jones, Mr J. Davies, C.E., Ffynondavolog; Rev YJ Phillips, Llandyssil; and Rev W. E.. Jeffreys also spoke; and the proceedings terminated. While the Rev R. H. Jones was sp g, "ob" was brought back to his stable, and was received with loud shouts of greeting.

A BISHOP OKTITHES. The Bishop of Carlisle in his Christmas pastoral expresses tbe hope that in the coming session Parliament will deal promptly and effectually with the tithes question, whiob has been too long delayed. It is, he says, difficult to understand what reAl benefit could accrue from the Dises. tablishment of the Church in Wales, and holds that it is the duty of the clergy to resist any f separation between the principality and England as a retrograde step injurious to them all. His lordship refers to the prosecution of the Bishop of Lincoln, and says be cannot but feel that the trial of a ritual case before the Archbishop of Canterbury will let light and fresh air into a chamber which was growing very dark, and the: atmosphere of which waa rl, becoming very unwholesome,

EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYED. UNSOLICITED ^ADVANCE AT CARDIFF. We are requested by the employee of Messrs R. Bird and Son, oil merchants, Cardiff, to permit them to acknowledge publicly the gener- osity of their employers in making unsolicited an advance in wages of five per cent., taking effect with the first week in the new year. A like advance was made by Messrs Bird and Son three months ago.

A GENEROUS NEWSPAPER PROPRIETOR. Mr J. Passmore Edwards, proprietor of the Weekly Time$and, Echo, the Echo, the Building News, and the English Mechanic, on New Year's Day sent a cheque for £1,000 to be divided among the members of the staffs of the different papers. The money was distributed on Thursday and yesterday.

PETER JACKSON AT CARDIFF So prominent a personage in the pugilistic world as Mr Charles Mitchell once delivered him- self of the opinion that Cardiff was a good town for boxing displays. Judging from the fact that all the modern heroes of the P.R. have invariably taken care not to pass the Welsh metropolis by when engaged in starring tours, Mr Mitchell s opinion would appear to rest on a good and solid foundation. If there is any money about, trust one of tbe so-called champions of the fistic art who have within the last year or two been so prominently before the puhc, to secure fully an adequate-most peop^ will think more than adequate-share of it. Did Cardiff fail to be "good" in this direction, its inhabitants would have seen less of Mr Mltell and Co and probably never would have seen at all Mr Peter Jackson, "the coloured weight cha-pion of the world," who is the latest pugilist c celebrity to visit the town in searc o a Jackson, whose glove fight with Jem Smith, the self styled and now happily exploded "champion of England," occurred so re- cently that it will be remembered fcy all, commenced at the Circus, VVestgate st ee on Friday evening, a two nights engagement. The building was well filled, though not by any means crowded. Indeed, public interest, m pugilism, even in so II ood a town as CardIff, would seem to be on the wane. Jackson appeared at the close of the ordinary entertainment, bemg introduced by his manager, a gentleman known to fame as Parson Davies. With the champion there stepped into the arena J em c J cribed as the list 61bs champion of Jjinglana, and the two sparred three rounds, compared with which the tapping exhibitions oullivan and Ashton or Mitchell and KilrfolO used to give, were heavy slogging matches. The audience, of course, expected uo more than a light d'splay, but they were not prepared for the burlesque of the It noble art" dished up for their entertain- ment. Accordingly a mixed reception was accorded the gladiators on their retirement,

COLLISION WITH AN ATLANTIC LINER. The vessel sank off tbe Mersey no Thursday niRht by collision with the White Star steamer Kritannic was the brigantine Czarowitz, from Fowey, Cornwall, to Runcorn. The nama of the captain who was drowned was John PenceUy, who, like all the survivors except the mate, was a West of England man. He leaves a widow and five or six children. The survivors state that the steamer struck the brigantine abaft the mainmast, and cut the afterpart ™.an ^way, the blow being a terrible one. When ^be impact occurred, the captain was beard to say, ahe a done now," and was not seen after- wards. ibe crew took refuge in the topmasts, r CM„rem,aline(1 ab°ve the water. It was terribly cold, and even in the short time which K0t\ tha r08°ue the men suffered Britannic, an°datheWmeenqwekly l9Unc.he(* fr.om with wroaJ n were rescued and treated the hoer, whlcb

THE TIN PLA.TE TRADE. TYRCANOL DISPUTE. This dispute, having been settled thl returned to work. During the week they have, however, only been able to wo!k tw^ daya owing to the difficulty lagging the machinery to work immediately after „o lL » stoppage. It is expected that the works will be in full swing next week.

THE LONGTON COLLIERY DISASTER. At one o'clock yesterday afternoon the body of Job Bull, junior, was recovered from the Moss- field Colliery, and was then identified by the deceased's mother. The body of this yonng man's .father was recovered early yesterday morning. The total number of bodies sent to bank is now 69, The explorers are still at work, ana hope to recover the remainder of the bodies shortly.

The Local Government Board for Ireland has decided that poor persons bitten by mad dogs may be sent to the Pasteur Institute for treatment at the Cost of the ratepayers. Oh, mamma, darling 1 Isn't it prime To see tbe fioyal Paatoi^iroe }

NEWS IN BRIEF. Influenza is credited with another death in a City printing-office, in which two deaths from the same caus&had already occurred. Mr Hugh Tennant, of Dunalastain, Perthshire, the well known proprietor of Wellpark Brewery, Glasgow, died yesterday. Four hundred thousand sacks of Cour went to the United Kingdom in the third week of De- cember frwm the four principal American points of shipment. Miss Sophie Larkin, the actress, was robbed of a valuable bracelet whilst entering a train, at Charing Gross Station, on Thursday evening. Legal :gbssip says that the brief for Lord Euston which was banded to Sir Charles Russell was market with a retaining fee of a thousand, guineas. put gossip sometimes exaggerates. The gallantry and death of Hugo Greve, at the age of 16,4s worthy of record. The boy rescued four comPanions who had fallen through some ice at Hamburg, but was himself drowsed. This week an order was issued from the War Office whiph directs that in future volunteer colonels Who are appointed aides-de-camp to the Queen will bold the distinction for 10 years only. At a meeting of the Manchester Board of Guar- dians it was stated that the county of Lancaster had the smallest percentage of paupers of any county. Owing to the number of smuggling escapades which take place between Deal and Sandwich, where the coast is very lonely and open to the Downs, a new coastguard-station is to be estab- lished there. All the Admirers of Miss Florence St John— and they are legion-will hav* been glad to hear of her great success in New York. *Mr Gladstone is said to be engaged on no less than half-a-dezen important magazine articles. Not the laast interesting of these is a critical re- view of Lord Tennyson's poem?. Judge Bristowe has so far recovered from the effects of the bullet wound inflicted by the Berlin dentist Arnemann as to be able to leave the General Hospital, Nottingham, and return to his home in Derbyshire. The Institution of Civil Engineers, which was founded on the 2nd of January, 1818, has now on its roll 1,673 members, 2,693 associate members. 19 honorary memberp. 436 assoei:«t«s, and 978 students, together 5,804, agaiust 5,616 at the same date last year. The Elflof Rosebery and Admiral Mayne, C.B., M.P., havA joined the committee formed ] by Mr Howard Vincent, M.P., fur raising a fund in recognition of the late Chief-Constable Williamson's services. Messrs Cox and Company Cbarmg Cross, will receive subscriptions. On Thursday morning a serious machinery accident happened on the Dore and Chinley Railway, near Sheffield. A number of men were proceeding with the tunnelling at the Dore end of the new line, when some of the machinery gave way and four of the workmen were badly injured. Intelligence from Bulgaria states thnt M. Stambouioff recently sustained a severe "mctiou by the death of his only son. On hearing of the occurrence, Prince Ferdinand paid M. Stam- bouloff a visit of condolence. The Premier's son died on a Monday, and on the following Wednes- day Madame Stambouloff presented her husband with another son. Mr Isaac Pitman, in addition to beiufc a staunch teetotaler and vegetarian, is the inventor of phonography, is in first-rate health, and was 77 years old yesterday. Over half a century ago, in 1837, he produced his first treatise on shorthand, entitled "Phonographic Shorthand." A gallant attempt at rescue from drowning was made at Doffcockers LodKe, near Bolton, when a boy named Taylor fell through the ice, and was drowned before he could be rescued. Mr John William Cuuliffe, M.A., a Bolton journalist, did his best to rescue the lad, and had himself to be dragged out of the water by ropes. SlThe New Year opens well for the National Liberal Club. At the meeting of the committee to be held next week about eighty new candidates will come up for election, more than half of whom are town residents. If the National Liberal goes on increasing at this rate, the largest ciub-house in London will soon not be large enough to accommodate the members. Elaborate preparations are being made at Chester in view of Mr Gladstone's visit to that city on Wednesday, the 22nd inst. The right hon. gentleman is to speak in the music-hall, which will, it is said, provide accommodation for 5,000 persons. A limited number of seats in the body of the building have been reserved, at charges of a guinea and half-a-gutnea respectively. An exciting incident has occurred on the River Medway at Rochester. Two river constables, Jennings and Smith, noticed in the darkness that the vessel Aid, of Hull, was very low in the water, and on boarding her they found the water was pouring over the deck into the cabin, in which the master and two others were asleep. The sleepers being aroused came on deck, when it was discovered that the vessel was embedded in the mui. With the assistance of some work- men, who, by hauling ropes, caused the vessel to sway to aud iro, she was eveutually released from the mud. Cardinal Manning, who lias received a letter from a Catholic workmen's club in Vienna, con- gratulating him upon the results of his inter- vention iu 'the recent dock strike, has, it is re- ported, stdtfressed a reply to his correspondents in which he says :—"I have always before my mind the words of the Lord, • I have pity npon the people,' for nowhere on earth is there such un- limited wealth and sucbx extreme poverty to be found as in our England. But, thanks to Pro- vidence, our workmen are gifted with prudence and patience, and are inclined to hear the voice of moderation and counsel." Mrs Fenwick Miller was lately asked by a correspondent whether she really thought that women could, if they liked, do all that men can do. She replied as follows Speaking tor myself, there is at least one thing that many men have done and now do which I know I should never have the courage to do. I have studied medicine, contested elections, written political leaders-all 'like a man'—but though I have never yet in my life worn on my head a tress of hair which had not grewn there, I am sure I never, never should have the courage to go about with a bald head." Wherever capital can be profitably employed English money is always to be found. There are no fire risks in any country which English offices are not prepared to undertake. One need not, there- fore, be surprised to bear of their serious responsibilities. As a rule they are met with singular promptitude. In the recent great Ameri- can fires a vast amount of property was insured in England. It is said that the burnt treasures of Laekin were largely covered by English policies. The open mathematical scholarship at Trinity College, Cambridge, has, as we have before stated, been gained by the Hon. Bertram Russell, youngest son of the late Lord Amberley, and grandson of the late Earl Russell. Mr Russell is only 16, and he is an illustration of the fact that hard reading and long hours are not always necessary to ensure success, as he has only worked for six hours a day. This performance is a very good one, for the scholarship has never been won by any boy from the great public schools, and is generally not competed for till a lad is 19. One of the first men to put an effective check on diamond stealing in the South African mines was, it is said, Mr Bernard Shaw, who was sent out as Commissioner of the Police at Capetown. Mr Shaw proved in one respect a remarkable official; he thought himself too well paid, and offered to resign, declaring that, instead of paying him L600 a year, the Government might easily find a man to do the work for £ 250and ultimately his offer of resignation was accepted. Mr Shaw is the son of Captain Shaw, the Chief of the Metropoli- tan Fire Brigade. In his speech at Leamington Sir Michael Hicks-Beach spok^Jiopefuliy of a peaceful settle- ment of our differiices with Portugal, and with regard to Ireland said that if Mr Parnell was in earnest in stating that the only motive of Home Rule was to secure the development of the material prosperity of Ireland, then let him make his proposals to the Government. There was noth- ing that could be done by a Home Rule Parlia. ment that could not be equally well performed by the Imperial Parliament. Two constables found that they had rather a difficult mission to perform in Southwark. They were sent to arrest a man named Cooper, who had failed to pay a fine inflicted for not sending his child to school. Police-officers Fowler and Moffatt knocked at the door of Mr Cooper's bouse in Marigold-street, Jamaica-road, Bermond. sev, and asked if that gentleman was m. Both officers went into the house, and explained that they bad come to arrest Mr Cooper. Ob, have yott? said the wife you had better come this way then," and picking up a candle she led them to an inner room, and pushing open the door said, "There be is, in there; take him.1t Casting their eyes around the room they espied a coffin with the lid off, and Mr Cooper lying inside. He was not disturbed by their presence, and they made no effort to execute their warrant. The malady of King Otto of Bavaria has now taken the form of stupor; but there are still occasional outbreaks of violence. There is no prospect of recovery, or even of improvement, although his merely animal existence may con- tinue A long time. He occupies a suite of apar ments on the ground floor, tbe doors of which, as well as tfte outside door leading into tbe garden, are alway> left open in the daytime, as a^ closed door lmrtiediately excites bis rage. Xue n. ag seems suspicious of restraint, and his hide as xriuch as possible all Q authority over his movements. Once be D all the frorft windows of bis apartment, and since then the glass has been protected by Wlle; but otherwise there is nothing to ideate that a lunatic inhabits the premises. The rooms are handsomely furnished, and everything tbat can, amuse tb, patient is promptly supplied.

AN AVALANCHE IN THE TYROL. if A ve»yi; sad accident happened on the 29th oft December, not far from • iu the "Tjfrol. Tbe young doctor of a P'^0 in tbi^nianntains, who had joat married, and on bis way home » 8 r^v,cZ,!?^Tt^r» wishing to get home before two servants, and two horses Jaw ?hl^?redii' On the road tbe travellers th« a-va'anc'ie had begun to move on whiZffi*L8i20' bn« Lehman hoped by Tbe fafLfej. 88 to pass before it fell# in a however, was npon them and occuDan^n?re?Lpitatioa' eledRe> horses, men were working on tha Vail^y'i Happ'^ 8ome tbe catastrophe As?hl close by» and 8aW they succeeded in extrirL Work immediately wife from the snow wUh h^k 1°Ctor and his ribly bruised, but ali»e l6" and ter- scarcely hurt, but the nfh». coachman was could not be found, and murtbav* the horses ivnder the debris, hava bee° suffocated

SWANSEA. THE HOSPITAL.—An anstract of the resident medical officer's report to the weekly board from Dec. 26th. 1889, to Jan. 2nd, 1890 :—In-door patiente-Rexuained by last report, 76 admitted since, 10—86 discharged cured and relieved, 8 died, 1-9 remaining, 77. Out-door patients—Re- mained by last report, 376; admitted since, 53- 429 discharged cured and relieved, 54 died, 0— 54 remaining, 375. Medical officers for the week :—Physician, Dr D. A. Davies: surgeon, Mr H. A. Latimer. Horatio E. Rawimgs, L.K.Q.C.P. 1.. M. R. C.S.,Resident Med ical Officer. Jan. 2nd, 1890.-John W. Morris, Secretary. N.B.—Presents of books, prints.. flowers, old linen or calico, old battles, and any useful articles will be most thankfully received by the matron. FOUND DROWNED AT MORBISTON. —The body of a man nllnred David Davies, who lived Ilt Vicarage-road, Morriston, and was about 35 years of age, has been found in a fishpond at Clasebont, near Morriston. As a few hours before be was last seen alive he attempted to hang himself in the stable, it is supposed that he committed suicide. He was last seen alive on New Year's Eve at about 8.30. MEMORIAL CHAPEL BAZAAR. A bazaar, opened by the mayor, was held on Thursday and Friday, for the purpose of raising funds to clear off the debt on the Memorial Chapel. The stall- holders were Misses Davies, Lloyd, Duncan, Jenkins, D. Davies, Rees, J. Jenkins, Laundler, Palmer, C. Rees, Polly Jenkins, P. Gwyn, Mrs Davies, and Messrs J. Davies, D. Jenkins, and D. Davies. Mr J. H. Rogers acted as secretary.

NEATH. FATAL ACCIDENT.—A young lad named John John, a son of Stephen John, collier, Skewen, was knocked down and run over by a coal cart on Thursday evening. He was taken home and died a few hours afterwards. The driver of the cart was not aware of the accident until after- wards. An inquest will be held to-day (Saturday). HONOUR FOR AN ENGLISH ORGANIST.—Mr W. T. Best, of Liverpool, has just been appointed by the Municipal Council of Sydney, New South Wales, to give a series of opening performances on an immense organ now in course of erection there Mr Best has been selected out of a number of candidate who form the cream not only of Eng- lish, but also of French and German organists. Mr Best expects to leave early in February. He is due at Neath to give an organ recital in the Gwyn Hall on the night of the 28th of this month.

CARDIGAN. DEATH or MR THOMAS DAVIES.—The remains of Mr Thomas Davies, Gloucester House, who for many years carried on business in this town, were interred at the cemetery on Thursday last, the vicar officiating. Mr Davies was much res- pected, as the very large funeral manifested.

ABERAMMAN. FATALITT.-An Abernant Company's gas stoker, named William Davies, of Brook-street, Aberamman. died at midday on Friday from the effects of burns received by falling beneath the boiler fires while in a fit on the previous day.

LLANDOVERY. CANTATA PERFORMANCE.—A cantata, entiUed "The Village Chiidreu," was excellently. per- formed at the British School on Thursday even- ing last in character, and was in every respect a great success. The building was crammed.

BRECON. SERIOUS ACCIDENT,—Ou the morning of the 3rd inst. Mr Lewis, Llwynmarched, met with a serious accident whilst engaged in chaffing at his farm by horse power. By some means Mr Lewis's fingers were caught by the rollers, and his band dragged under and fearfully smashed. Dr White subsequently found it necessary to amputate the arm just above the wrist. Mr Lewis, who is about 70 years of age, is doing well. SEASONABLE CHARITY. -At the guardians meet- ing on Friday, it was reported that, in accord- ance with her usual custom, Mrs Dickson, of St. Alban's, bad (through her agent) distributed tea and sugar tc 40 poor families in the Devynnock district.—It was unanimously resolved that the thanks of the board be communicated to Mrs Dickson, and also to Mrs Evans, of Ffrwdgrech who kindly asked for permission to give the in mates of the workhouse a treat on Monday next-

CLYDACH (BRECON). COMPETITIVE MEETING.—On New Year's even- ing a tea and competitive meeting, together with a German tree, was held atEhenezer Calvinistic Methodist Chapel. Pnzes were given to the scholars proving most efficient in reading and reciting. Mr D. Thomas, Ciydach Villa, occupied the chair, while Mr Gran; ably discharged the duties of adjudicator. At the close each scholar received a New Year's present.

TALGARTH. SCHOOL BOARD NOMINATIONS.—-The following nominations were rpceived on Thursday at the office of Mr C. Griffiths, clerk to the Board of Guardians of the Hay Union, for the triennial election of the school board for the parish of Talgarth Thomas Price, Cross House, farmer and butcher John Phillips, West View-terrace, retired sculptor David Griffiths, College Farm Arthur Jacob, Pontithel, manager of chemical works David Evans, Cwmffrwd, Fforest, farmer Rev W. Howard Price, Brouiiys, Congregational minister; Richard Davenport, Talgarth, coal merchant, EvanPowell, Pendre, Talgarth, farmer. Withdrawals have to be in by Monday, and the election takes place on the 13th inst.

LLANTRISSANT. SCHOOL BOARD.—At the monthly meeting of this hoard, held at the vestry otheas.Li antrissant, on Friday last, Mr E. Cooke in the clair, Miss M. A. John, of Llantrisant, was elected out of fifteen candidates as head mistress of the girls' department of the Williamstown Board School.

MERTHYR. SCHOOL BOARD.—The fortnightly meeting was held on Friday, Mr T. Williams presiding. A letter was read from Dr Dyke thanking the board for their condolence with him in his sad bereave- ment at the loss of his wife.—The use of a room in the Cedraw Schools was granted to the secretary of the East Glamorgan Baptist Sunday School to hold a Scriptural examination on Wednesday, the 15th inst.—The Clerk reported that be had received a letter from the master of the Abercanaid School on Monday last stating that the epidemic of measles was severer than ever, and that 254 children had absented themselves from the schools, which they bad attempted to open on that day. He bad communicated with the chairman, and it was arranged that the schools should be closed throughout the week. The board, considering that it would not be desirable to open the schools during next week, gave directions to that effect.—The following ap- pointments were made, to be in force until the examination :—Miss M. A. James, to be assistant at Troeayrhiw Senior School; Mr John James, to be assistant at the Merthyr Vale Mixed School Mr R. Price, to be assistant at George- town Buys' School and Mr John Evans, to act as assistant at Twynyrodyn Senior School.- With regard to the question of th* truants' school, the board decided to guarantee IS children in case the school were fouuded. CREDITORS' MEETINGS.—A meeting of the croditors of John Henry Albert Brooks, green- grocer and general dealer, 13, St. James-street, Eubw Vale, was held before Mr Daniel, official receiver, at Merthyr, on Friday. His statement of affairs showed the gross liabilities as J6179 13) lOd, and assets L7 33 6J. The causes of failures were a flood, which cost the debtor L60 damage; loss in garden during the extreme beat of Jubilee summer, and illness and death in family.—The meeting of the creditors of Thomas Thomas, engine-driver,of 6, Oak-street, Aberdare, was also held. The gross liabilities, as they ap- peared in the debtor's statement of affairs, were j6118 Os 6J, and the assets B5. The reason given by the debtor for his failure was bis wife runninp into debt without his knowledge,

RHONDDA VALLEY. DEATH OF MR DAVID JOHN. About four o'clock on Thursday afternoon Mr David John, formerly landlord and proprietor of the Pentre Hotel, and a member of the Pontypridd Board of Guardians, who had been ailing for a few months past, breathed his last at bis residence, Caercady, near Cowbridge. The deceased gentleman was well known in the Rhondda, and very highly respected among a large circle of acquaintances and friends.

TREDEGAR. THE RATING QUESTION AT TRIDIGAR.-At the inquiry held by Mr Berrington at Tredegar, on Monday last, it was said that no public enquiry bad been held when the boundaries of the several local board districts were originally fixed. This was (writes a correspondent) an eiror, A public enquiry was held at the Temper- ance-ball, Tredegar, on March ISth, 1874, when Colonel Ponsonby Cox attended for the Local Government Board, and the two following days he spent in perambulating the boundaries,

BARRY. ACCIDENT.-The s.s. Famine, bound to Barry Dock, when coming down the Bristol river on Thursday evening, during a dense fog, collided with a steam barge. The Famine has one plate damaged; damage to barge unknown.

NEWPORT. THE WEATHER.—On Friday evening, the thoroughfares about Newport were in an especially dangerous condition, owing to the thaw. The suburban roads were as slippery as glass, whilst the side walks and pavements were even more dangerous. Men with carts, laden with sand and ashes, made desperate bnt Parting- tonian efforts to provide a comparatively safe track. Skating over the roads on the higher parts of the borough formed a favourite amusement. NEWPORT SCHOOL BOARD.—There are over 30 appiicatious for the position of clerk to the above board, vacant hy the death of the late Mr Geo. Batchelor. Several of these are from local solicitors, and fulfil the sine qua non of five years standing demanded by tbe board, or at least that section of them who have taken the matter in hand A committee will winnow the applicants down to three, in time for the monthly meeting "VDNKBAL OF DB READT.—The funeral of the above surgeon, which took p'ace on Friday, was bv a requiem mass in St. Maries nvfman Catholic Church, of which the deceased member. Father Knight was celebrant, W>h TTather Cavalli deacon and Father Richard- W a„b-deacon, Besides the relatives of the 8Jon 8" Adjutant Downes and Sergeant-Major 'of the 2nd Battalion South Wales Prevost, flSeDte(j that regiment, in which d^ewed was surgeon-major. Tbe cortege con- deceasea w and {out mourning coacheB. sisted of n attended the funeral were Alfred Blake., Mr Biggs, Mr C. Steele, etc. The coffin, of polished oak, was laden with wreaths, and bore on the lid, the inscription John Wm. Markham Raady, born Dec. 3, 1838, died 31st Dec., 1889."

CARDIFF. INQUEST.—At the Town Hall, on Thursday evening, Mr E. B. Reece presided at the inquest on the body of Oscar Olsen (21), a Norweigan sailor, who lost his life by falling down from the top-sail yardarm of the bark Likefield, while she was lying off Lundy Island, on the 1st inst. The Jury returned a verdict of accidental death. SUNDAY AFTERNOON SICRVIC&s,-The Rev John Pugh will deliver the address to-morrow after- noon at the Park-hall, other portions of the service being conducted by the Rev Arthur R. Ezard. The choir will render the anthem "Awake, awake," and the beaatiful solo "The Lord is my Shepherd will be sung by a lady member of the choir. The proceedings will com- mence at 3 o'clock. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH LITERARY AND DEBA- TING SOCIETY.—At the usual weekly meeting a discussion on the question, Is Theatre-going Prejudicial to Society' took place, and was decided in the affirmative. The chair was occu- pied by Mr John I errussan, and the speakers were Mr Samuel Puesson, J. Maccalum, J. G. Grant, J. Marshall, Corfield, and Davies. SATURDAY CONCERT.-Anothw of the series of popular concerts will be given in the Park Hall this evening. Mr Jacob Davies has prepared an excellent programme for the occasion. MERCIFUL SOCIETY.—The anniversary services in connection with the above society will be held at Wesley Chapel, Charles-street. Cardiff, to. morrow (Sunday), when the Rev David Young will preach in the morning and the Rev E. Dodd., in the evening. This is the oldest institution of the kind in the town. Its object is to relieve thE sick poor, without any distinction of sect or party, at their own dwellings. During the past year 808 visits have been made, and the sum of £ 61 8s 6d has been distributed. The committee regret that the funds of the society are completely exhausted, but they assure themselves that the public wiA come forward to support an institution that has relieved so many distressed persons in their afflic- tions.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE. r NEATH. AsSAULT,-On Friday—before Mr J. H. Rowland (chairman) and Mesllrs W. Hunter, J. B. Paddon, and T. Powell-Catherine Lewis, ol Glyncorrwg, summoned by Rachel Jonas for assault, was fined 15s, including costs. STEALING WOOD.—Catherine Miles, a married woman, living at Neath, was charged by William Nisbett, agent for Mr C. Evan-Thomas, J.P., with stealing a quantity of wood, value Is, from the Gnoll estate.—The bench let defendant off on payment of the costs, amounting to 21 5 31. AFFILIATION.—In the casb of Elizabeth Griffiths, of Skewen, against John Rees, of Alltwen, Mr Edward Powell, on behalf of the complainant, put in a certificate showing that she would be confined to her house for some time, and upon that ground he applied for an adjournment aine die. The application was granted.

MR GLADSTONE ON WILLIAM PITT. Mr E. Walford having forwarded an advance copy of his new" Life of Pitt as a birthday present to Mr Gladstone, has receivpd the follow- ing reply, dated Hawarden Castle, January 1 :— My dear Slr,-1 thank you for your volume, and 1 entirely sympathise with its purpose. Toe much praise cannot be given to the wisdom and liberality of Mr Pitt'd views in the early part of his life. This is a problem, and the solution mainly lies, as you say, in Mr Goldwin Smith's declaration that there were two Pitte, the onf before 1793 and the other afterwards.—Faithfully yours, W. E. GLADSTONE."—The book, which will bi published next week by Messrs Chatto and Windus, is dedicated to Mr Gladstone in Latin, in the following terms. Viro Honora. tissimo Gulielmo E. Gladstone, vero, si quis aliut nostiae aeatis, publicolse, qui ipse per se ostendit opiniones adolescenti adhibitas multos post annor salvo honore posse mntari, hunc libellum veaera- tionis ergo D.D.D. Edvardus Walford."

A MURDERERS LETTER. THREAT TO HAUNT HIS MOTHER IN-LAW. Robert West, a travelling showman, whe murdered his wife on account of her alleged intimacy with a man known as Leicester Jack, and was banged on Tuesday at Leeds, has left z. letter. It is not signed, and is decidedly illiterate in spelling and composition. It is dated Satur. Jay. After stating that he bad his wife buried" is nice and respectable as anybody could be, and bad paid j320 odd to pay for her funeral and a stone at the bead of her grave, he states he hae heard a lot about people being haunted. If he could be would haunt bis wife's mother anc Leicester Jack as long as they live, and he hoped something would happen to her before long for what she bad brought him and his wife to. His wife would have been aliv6 now if it had uot been for her old witchcrafting thing of a mother."

THE JUBILEE PLUNGER. -7- MEETING OF CREDITORS. The first meeting of the creditors, under the petition presented against Mr ErnestBenzon, was held at the London Bankruptcy Court yesterday. The debtor has not surrendered nor has be filed any accounts. The solicitor for the petitioning creditors asked where Mr Benzon was. A creditor said be was given to understand ht was at Monte Carlo. The Chairman said it appeared the debtor had treated tbe whole proceedings with the utmost ccntempt. A warrant would be applied for for his apprehension. Mr Hammond said he appeared for Mr Benson, but bad no instructions as to the course be in- tended to pursue. One of the proofs admitted for voting was for B4,421, balance of £ 10,0C0 advanced 011 security of certain race horses. The Chairman decided that as there was no offer before the; meeting, there would be a resolution to wind up the estate in bankruptcy. Mr Hasluck, accoun tant, Holborn Viaduct, was appointed trustee of the estate with a committee of inspection. Mr Hammond said be would communicate with Mr Benzon, and he had no doubt som< offer would be forthcoming hereafter. The pro ceedings then terminated.

FIRE AT A TRAINING COLLEGE. A fire broke out at 2.30 a m. yesterday at St John's Training College, York. The tire brigade were quickly on the spot, but tbp flame were not subdued before the housekeeper's room and other apartments were burnt out. and a quantity of property destroyed. The fire origi- nated in the housekeeper's room, where a fire had been lighted in expectation ot her return. The students were absent on holiday.

FATALITY ON THE ICE. A sad ice accident occurred near Swindon, Wilts, yesterday afternoon. A boy named Franklin was shding on a pond, when the ice gave way, and be fell through. Another lad, Thomas Lucas, aged 10, who went to his rescue, was also immersed, and both perished.

COMMAND OF THE IRISH- FORCES. The Dublin Express says it is currently reported that Lord Wolseley will succeed Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar as commander of the forces in Ireland.

AN APOLLO IN KNICKERBOCKERS. A correspondent of a German paper, published in New York, relates that tbe president of a lIterary society in the remote town- ship of Ada, in Ohio. recently Bent an order to New York for a copy of the statue of Apollo Belvedere to ornament the rooms of the society. Upon the day appointed for the arrival of the statue the rooms were crowded with members, anxious to see the long ooked for piece of sculpture, towards which they bad one and all contributed. Strangely enough, not one of them bad the faintest idea df what the figure would represent, their only knowledge of it arising from having come across the name in their literary researches. With the exception of the President, who was looked upon by the other members as an encyclopselia of knowledge, their ignorance w&s freely expressed. Their head, however, kept a discreet silence on the subject, urging them to wait and judge for themselves. The statue was unpacked, amid breathless silence. When: the final wrappings were removed, and the Apollo stood forth in its classic nndity, a tremor of righteous horror ran through the assembly, and all eyes were turned reproachfully on the President for knowingly introducing such impropriety into their midst. A terrible silence, lasting for some minutes, fell upon the company, which was finally broken by the town tailor, who waa a man of action, throwing himself into the breach by stepping to the front and offering to measure the Apollo for a pair of knee breeches. This way out of the difficulty was bailed with de- light, and now in the rooms of the Literary Society of Ada may be seen the unusual spectacle of the statue of Apollo Belvedere arrayed in knickerbockers of black velvet, bearing a sm-all inscription on one foot to the effect that the ku?3 breeches were kindly presented by the tailor in deference to the feelings of his fellow memben.

But for a good Pantomime and an artistic treat. Take me to the Grand in Westgate-street. 1300 L FKNNKLL for Sardines.—Newport and Cardiff 1222 £ FKNNELL for Sausages. -NewPort and Cardiff.- 1222 HOLLOWAY s OINTMENT AND PILLS.-Rbeuma- tism and Gout.—These purifying and soothing rem*. dies demand the earnest attention of all personr liable to gout, sciatica, or other painful affections of the muscles, nerves, or joints. The Ointment should be applied after the affected parts have been patiently fomented with warm water, when the unguent should be diligently rubbed upon the adjacent skin, unless the friction should cause pain. Holloway's Pills should he rimultaneously taken to reduce inflamma- tion and to purify the blood. This treatment abatea the violence and lessens the frequency of gout, rheu- matism. and all spasmodic diseases which spring from hereditary predisposition, or from any accidental weak- ness of constitution. This Ointment checks the local mischief. The Pills restore the vital powex*.