South Wales Daily News

LYNCH-LAW IN AMERICA. TWO BROTHERS HANGED. RICHMOND (VIRGINIA), Tuesday.—Two brothers lamed Burgess, who bad been lodged in gaol at tebanon on a charge of murdering a man, named fatherland, recently attempted to escape from Prison. The friends of the murdered ma.n, on being apprised of this, forced their way into the faol, and breaking into the cells in which the Prisoners were confined, led them out, and hanged them handcuffed together on the nearest tree, 4fte wards emptying their revolvers into the sus- fonded bodies. -Reuter.

DISASTROUS FLOODS IN SARDINIA. SARDINIA, Tuesday.—According to a report ^awn up by the municipality of this town 248 Wises were destroyed by the floods at San Sperate. 'rbe official figures of the total number of deaths Occasioned by the catastrophe are not yet known, but the number of persons notified as missing is I 4bout 100.—Rcxder.

-.P A RAILWAY OUTRAGE. 1- fe^tr C. Jones, a member of the Bootle Athletic f°otball Club, is lying seriously ill at his home injuries received on Saturday. He was burning by tram from Kersley on that day Mter playing in a match, when he was attacked y some men in a carriage. To escape therii he *pt out and attempted to walk to another car- P?Re, but one of the men struck him and knocked on the line, where he was afterwards found rSenaible and removed to Liverpool, and thence his home, where he now lies suffering from cussion of the bram.

THE PARIS TRAGEDY. (W^ARIS, Tuesday.—The mystery surrounding the jpiiie revealed by the discovery in the Rue ^?tzaris still remains unsolved. Two young girls, tart e disappearance during the past few days ha ^een notified by their parents to the police, Ve both been found. The police have, however, been informed by a man named Camelot of disappearance of a woman with whom he had living, and this man's statements to be inquired into to-day. The Dix l^vieme Siecle states that on Sunday last of foreign appearance, who gave his name iti ^yroond, and described himself as an jj^srant dealer, went to an hotel m Rue des and after he had been there some time jjted jf there was anything in the papers about a tj ^e in Rue Botzaria. On receiving an affirma- jJe reply the man is said to have turned very J? He at once went up to his room and b% tlg(ld his clothes. He then left the house, and "er came back.-Reuter.

FRENCH IN DAHOMEY. J^ARI8) Tuesday.—The Temps this evening ? a sPec'a^ telegram from Porte ^°y?> ^vj!°Ur>ciiig that the column under Col. Dodds w lVed on October 26th, opposite Carra, after great fatigue and fighting many en- hg,v lents" The Foreign Legion is declared to lv. ? behaved splendidly in the fight on the r» -^■at°- The telegram adds that the ^ht^-p Dah°meyan Army has been utterly routed. tj0. rench Column is now in excellent condi- brtivto D8 the campaign to a rapid and Hlhant conclusion. -Renter.

W-EATtiER 4.30 A.M. TO-DAY'S FORECAST FOR ENGLAND, S.W.. AND i-QJJTR WALES. Northerly winds, moderate or fresh cloudy or dull some rain. GENERAL.-Fair weather may be expected to continue over the east and south of England.

GENERAL FORECASTS H Allowing forecasts were prepared iW night Meteorological Office at eight o'clock :— DISTRICTS— 0. «T Southerly winds; light or T? i moderate fair to dull, and Gotland, OuJ perhaps rain; rather milder. 2. -c. Light variable winds fair *England,N.E. } Jenerally. ?* England, E. Northerly to variable airs. 'V Mid. Counties Same as No. Z 5.1. 0 } Northerly to variable airs; S. (Lon.. f j generally, but local Channel)./ mists* r fogs. •r Scotland, W.i x^pngL, N.W., Same as 0 and 1. & North Wales, V Ireland, N.Southerly winds, moderate Iceland, S?. to fresh; dull; rails at times. ,t"eland. to fresh; dull; rails at times.

f^essor Vircnow, the German pathologist, t t been appointed an honorary member of the 1 'K6r,a' Russian Natural Philosophy Society. 1 W 6 Democratic Club has just elected as mem- 1 well-known London actresses, Miss 1 Brough and Miss Beatrice Laiub.

RE-START OF THE MORRISTON WORKS. IMPORTANT SPEECH BY MR W. WILLIAMS. Four mills at the Upper Forest Tin-plate Works, Morriston, and a like number at the Worcester Works commenced work on Tuesday, and in order that the work may be as equitably divided between the men as possible, the shifts will be made up of six hours each. On Monday, Mr Williams addressed his woftmen in a very kindly manner, and pointed out to them the in- justice of restricting the make in the way it had been done before the stoppage, and the extra cost this bad imposed upon his manufactures. He did not consider that a reduction of wages or concessions would at present help the trade, and he did not ask them for any- thing, but stated that if privileges were obtained by other manufacturers, he should expect his men to put him upon the same competitive footing. The present depression in the tin-plate trade was, in his opinion, due not so much to the effect of the McKmley Tariff, so far as the oxtra tariff was concerned—although, no doubt, the increased duty had been the means of checking and stopping the use of plates, and other goods had been substituted-but the depression was mainly due to over-production. New works and mills had been erected in 1888and 1889 altogether in excess of the increased consumption, and there was such a rush of shipment before the McKinley Bill came into operation that, if it had been possible to find the manufacturing plant, a larger quantity would have been shipped. The ship-nents for the first nine months of this year to America wereabout the same as in the first nine months of 1888.. A reduction of wages of 5 per cent. or 7 per cent., or any reduction at all, would be useless under such circumstances; but he (Mr Williams) was of opinion that the American competition would shortly be so pronounced that in some depart- ments, if we were to attempt to hold our own in this Country, it would mean a reduction in wagf>.s of at least 30 per cent, or 40 per cent., probably more. Whilst he was willing to do all he possibly could to assist his men—workmen whom any em- ployer could be proud of-he was unable to carry on his works at the prices plates had recently been selling at, and tie could, therefore, only book those orders by which he could hope to make both ends meet, or by which to secure a small margin of profit. He had, therefore, decided that he must start a few of the mills conditionally upon the men making as much work as his modern plant and- machinery could produce. This was the only fair and legitimate way of competing. He was not going to start five mills to do the work of four. He would do what he could to start more mills, but he was afraid the work for the tinhouse would be more limited on account of the new conditions of the American trade.

THE NOTICES AT THE BEAUFORT WORKS. With reference to the cause advanced on the part of the men as to the reason they could not meet Mr Davies's requirements by making the full average-viz. that with the plant at the works it is impossible to do better than they had," we are requested to state that this excuse was never raised by the men or their leaders at the various conferences which have been held. The plant at the Beaufort Works is as capable of turning out the lull average as any works in the trade, as is proved by the fact that since the management met the men a^ month ago and explained the necessity of this being done if the works were to be kept going the output for the succeeding fortnight waa fully in accordance with Mr Davies's requirements. And the notices the works were to be kept going the output for the succeeding fortnight was fully in accordance with Mr Davies's requirements. And the notices have since been given solely owing to the men failing to keep their promises to maintain this output in spite of their being cautioned as to the consequences when the make fell off. Thus the onus of stoppage falls not upon the management, but upon the millmen.

TINTERN TIN-PLATE WORKS. The 28 days' notice to the employees at these works expired on Saturday last. Work was, however, continued on Monday morning on weekly contracts for the purpose of finishing up orders in hand.

THE GWENDRAETH WORKS. A meeting of the workmen employed at the Gwendraeth Tin-plate Works was convened by the manager (Captain Harries) on Monday even- ing last at the Town-hall.—Mr David Bradbury was voted to the chair.—Captain Harries said the object of the nieeting was expl^a fehe mis- understanding arising from reports ptibl is1 • 1, He contended that concessions were made by men at other works but the men denied this, and asked him to name those works where concessions were given. Captain Ha. nes replied that he was willing to write the names on paper and hand them to a disinterested person, who should keep it a secret. But the men objected to this, and wanted it made known. The men declared that they were willing to grant a concession if it was proved to them th^t concessions were granted at other works. 1 I

A SOCIETY SCANDAL. LOSS OF A LADY'S BROOCH. 8, ACTION FOR SLANDER. EXTRAORDINARY ALLEGA- TIONS. CONTEMPT OF COURT BY THE MORNING." EDITOR AND PUBLISHER FINED. In the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice, on Tuesday, before Mr Justice Day and a special jury, the case of Leader v. Siryth was down for hearing, being an action for libel arising out of the loss of a brooch by Mrs Smyth, wife of Major-General J. G. Smyth. Before the case was gone into, and while an- other case was part heard, Mr Lockwood, Q.C., M.P., leading counsel for the plaintiff, alluded to the alleged contempt of court by the newspaper Morning in publishing an article in reference to the case before it was heard. The learned counsel complained that the order of the Court granted on Monday, which was to be served on the publisher, had not been served because it was said he was absent from the office ill, and his private address had been refused. He asserted that the contempt of court complained of on Monday had been repeated. that day, and he said it was clear that the information had been supplied by the defendants :or some person connected with them. The paper published a likeness of the plaintiff, and also what was said to be an accurate representation of the brooch, although the question of the identity of that article was a great fact in dispute. The first article was a gross contempt of court, attempting to draw a I parallel between the plaintiff and Mrs Osborne. Mr Winch, Q.C., appeared for the editor of the paper, and Mr Boyle, for the publisher, said the latter could not attend the court in consequence of illness. The publisher personally knew nothing of the publication of the article, and the real person responsible was Mr Rawe Bennett, the editor, who wished to take all responsibility for the publication of the article. He (Mr Winch) did not attempt to justify what had been done, and on behalf of Mr Bennett he tendered an ample apology for any contempt of court. The paper was not an old one, the present being its I 141st number, and Mr Bennett had only been editor for ten days. He denied that the publica- tion of that day was a further contempt of court. His learned friend had not complained of the likeness of the lady. Mr Lockwood; I have not expressed any opinion on that. Mr Winch said as to the picture of the brooch, that had already appeared in the Police News. (Laughter.) Sir E. Clarke, for the defendant, desired to make a reference to the statement of Mr Lock- wood as to the position of the defendant or her friends in the matter. Mr Justice Day said he could not hear the learned gentleman, as the defendant, Mr Smyth, had nothing to do with this matter. Dealing with the contempt of court, be accepted the ex- planation that the publisher had nothing to do with the appearance of the article. The editor had, however, sought to prejudice a fair trial of a case by publishing the article he had while the case was standing for hearing in his court. Such conduct was not to be tolerated. Not content with the first publication, the editor had aggravated his offence by the vulgar repre- sentations he had given of one of the parties and of the article, the identity of which was in dis- pute. He would not send him to prison-although he richly deserved that punishment-but he directed him to pay a fine of 2100 and the costs of the application. The publishers being legally responsible, must pay a fine of 250 and be jointly responsible for the costs. THE SLANDER ACTION. The case of Leader v. Smyth was not com- menced until at about quarter past twelve o'clock. Mr Lockwood, Q,C., M.P., Mr Hextall, Mr Fitzgerald, and Mr Maryon Wilson were counsel for the plaintiff; SirEdward Clarke, Q.C., M.P., and Mr C. E. Jones represented the defendant. Mr Lockwood, in opening the case, said the plaintiff was Mrs Olivia Claudine Leader, wife of Lieutenant H. P. Leader, of the Suffolk Regiment, and the defendants were Major General J. G. Smyth and Mrs Eleanor Smyth, his wife. The action was for slander, and the defendants had made that slander the mîous because the defendants had said it was true. The: slander was that a brooch which Mrs Smyth saw in a jeweller's shop she said was hers, and that it had been stolen by Mrs Leader. The plaintiff, who was 24- years of age, was the daughter of a retired colonel in the army named Thompson; residing in Argyll-road, Kensington, and she had known the defendant since she was a girl. She was married to Mr Leader, the son of an American gentleman, on the 3rd of December, 1889, Mrs Smyth being one of the guests at the wedding. Soon after the marriage Lieut. Leader went to join his regiment at Cairo, and Mrs Leader followed him later on. Among Mrs Leader's friends was a Captain C'nenevix Trench, of the Indian Army, and he, on hearing of her marriage, sent her a brooch, which was worn by her and shown to her husband. In June, 1890, Mrs Leader came home, and her husband followed her. They, later on, returned to Cairo, but in January, 1891, the Suffolk Regiment being ordered to India, Mrs Leader came home to reside with her parents at 34, Argyll-road. In September, 1891, Mrs Leader was about to go to India to join her husband, and on the 21st of September 9he had in her possession the brooch given her by Captain Trench. It consisted of a small bar, upon which were placed two crescents formed of brilliants or diamonds, and at the ends of the bar and between the crescents were placed small stars, which con- sisted of brilliants. On the 21st of September Mrs Leader took the brooch, which was an in. significant article of jewellery, to the shop of a Mr Stokes, where she was perfectly well known, tr> exchange it for some silver articles which she wanted; or to sell it. Stokes offered her j34 for It, but she did not take the money. She bought a silver pin box and left. The next day, Mrs Leader was driving in a hansom with a gentleman named Captain Hill, and she drove to the shop of a Mr Dibdin, a jeweller in Sloane-street, where she had previously dealt. She gave her name, which was entered in Dibdin s books, and she showed the brooch. Mr Dibdin gave her Li 10s for the brooch and a clock on the face of which was depicted the gate of St. James's Palace. She cave the clock to Captain Hill, and told him he might keep it. On the 23rd Sept. Mrs Leader called on Mrs Smyth, two days after she first offered the brooch for sale. She would swear she did not go to see Mrs Smyth on the 21st inst. He gathered it would be contended for the defendant that she did call on her that day, Mrs Leader said «he went to see Mrs Smyth, at Montpellier sauare, on the 23rd of September, and the next- dav Mrs Smyth called on Mrs Leader and said she had missed a brooch. Mrs Leader said she had previously lost an article of jewellery, and mentioned that she had sold a brooch two days before OnSoptember28 MrsSi-nytb drovewith Mrs Leader to her bank and drew from it B150 for her journey to India, and another lOO. On the VtH, SeDtember she sailed for India and joined her husband. Shortly after 22nd September Mrs Smyth found she had lost a brooch which was very similar to the one MrsLeader had given her j by Captain Trench. But it was not until 3lst October that Mrs Smyth was at the shop of Mr Dibdin and while there she saw the brooch which Mrs Leader had exchanged. She asked how > Dibdin had come by the brooch, and he without difficulty was able to reply from Miss Leader. Mrs Smyth, on hearing this, said Why, she was with me all the time. I missed a brooch, and she has stolen it." He would show that the value of the brooch was £ 9 or £ 10 and many of the same pattern were to be had'in the market. That being so, it would have been thought that Mrs Smyth would have paused before making such a charge against her friend But she chose to make the charge of theft against Mrs Leader. She went to Mrs Dibden's shop again, on November 8th, and produced a photograph of Mrs Leader, saying" This is a photograph of Mrs Leader who has stolen my brooch. If she had ^3^ j^re I would have bad her taken into cus- tody and I will do so." This was all said with- out in any way communicating with Mrs Leader. Mrs Smyth had given notice to the police of the loss of her brooch, and a description was given of it in a paper published for police information. In some particulars the brooch described by j Mm Smvth was not identical with the brooch sold by Mrs Leader, and he I attached much importance to this, as it was clear that Mrs Smyth did not examine the details of the design of the brooch when she claimed ib at Dibdin's as being hers, and he also asked the jury to say if Mrs Smyth's last description given jury to say if Mrs Smyth's last description given of the brooch was thecorrect one. Mr Dibdin was threatened with proceedings by Mrs Smyth's advisers, and he, having regard to the small value of the brooch, would not embark in litigation cn the subject, and gave back the brooch. He refused to pay the costs of Mrs Smyth's solicitors. Nothing had up to this time been written to Mrs Leader, but on tbe 2nd of January of this year Mrs Leader received a letter from Mrs Smyth, dated December 11th, nearly six weeks after Mrs Smyth had made the first charge. The letter, which was not addressed to anyone, although the envelope was directed to Mrs Leader, was as I follows:— On the morning of September 22nd yon were In my bedroom for a hort time. Dibdin, the jeweller, Sloane-street, that mornmg purchased from you a diamond brooch belonging to me, which has since, UirougU my lawyer, been returned to mo. Xbe i matter is now out of my hands and rests with Dibdin to prosecute. To avoid publicity send by return five guineas either to me or Messrs Pierpoint & Co.,Craven- street, Strand, which are costs in this matter, and for which you will receive a proper receipt. Unless these costs are paid I must take further steps.—E. SMYTH. In view of that letter he could not ask the jury to come to any other opinion than that it was because she couldn't get h6r beggarly costs paid by Dibden that Mrs Smyth was in- duced to make this dreadful charge against her friend. Of course, no answer was returned to Mrs Smyth, but Lieutenant Leader directed proceedings to be taken to clear his wife's character. Later on in the case, although Nv Mrs Smyth had said the robbery took place on the 22nd of September, she altered the date, and said it was the 21st, and he said im- plicit confidence could not be put in the word of a person who had altered so material a date, especially when plaintiff would swear that she did not see Mrs Smyth until September 23rd. He suggested that Mrs Smyth had altered the date of the alleged robbery to the 21st of September, because she found that Mrs Leader had been offering the brooch to Stokes on the day before the date on which she originally said the robbery took place. A not unimportant point in the case was that at the time when Mrs Leader was said to have stolen a brooch value £ 9, she had in the bank in her husband's nam. on which she could draw, the sum of JS542. He hoped after the plaintiff had given her evidence Mrs Smyth Blight be advised that it was not necessary to pursue the cruel charge she had made against à wonutn who was once her friend. But if the justification of this slander was persisted in, and was not proved, he did not know what dam- ages would be enough to compensate Mrs Leader and her husband for the injury done them. Mr G. M. Dibden, jeweller, of Sloane-street, was the first witness. He said on the 22nd of September Mrs Leader called at his shop about 11 o'clock. He had seen her before. She offered him a diamond crescent brooch, which he bought for J34. In the result she took away a clock and JB1 15s in money. Witness had previously bought a gold watch of Mrs Leader in June, 1891, when she also gave her name. On October 31st Mrs Smyth came to his shop, and bought some articles from his assortment. Afterwards Mrs Smyth asked him where he had obtained a diamond brooch which she had been looking at, and which she said was hers. He told her of his transaction with Mrs Leader, upon which defen- dant said it was her brooch, and must have been stolen from her, adding She is the thief and must have stolen it," or words to that effect. When he told her the date of the purchase (22ndof Sept.) Mrs SmyihsaidMrs Leader was at her house about that time. Defendant said she would call again the following morning. Mrs Smyth said on the first occasion that she had bought the brooch in the Burlington Arcade for j39. At the end of November Mrs Smyth again came to his shop with a lady and a detective-sergeant. De- fendant showed him a photograph, but he declined to identify the photograph. In the presence of witness defendant said it was the portrait of Mrs Leader; she had stolen her brooch, fnd she would give her into custody if she could get hold of her. Mrs Smyth showed him a photo of herself with a brooch in her dress similar to the one he had bought of Mrs Leader. The brooch produced appeared to be the one ¡ he bought of Mrs Leader. He should describe it as consisting of two crescents and five stars m a bar. It was a brooch of a not uncommon pattern; he had seen others like it. He saw nothing distinctive on the brooch. He consulted his solicitor after Mrs Smyth's statement, and eventually he gave up the brooch to defendant. Before doing so he went to Roods, in the Burlington Arcade, where Mrs Smyth said she bought the brooch. He showed the brooch to a gentleman in the shop, who made a communication to him. The brooch was made by a Mr Jacobs, who resided in Bedford-square, in the neighbourhood. Witness had not in his stock at any time in September, 1891, a brooch of this description, nor would he undertake to say that he had ever sold a brooch of this pattern. He did not ask for Mrs Leader's address when she sold him the brooch. He put the brooch in his window, and while it was there Mrs Smyth saw it and claimed it. The brooch was not cleaned after he bought it and before be put it in the window. He saw a metropolitan police notice to pawnbrokers as to the loss of Mrs Smyth's brooch. There was a picture of the brooch. Mr Justice Day said this picture made the brooch lost have eight points to the stars, whereas the one said to be the defendant's had six points. Mr Lockwood said that was his point with regard to the discrepancy between, the brooch Mrs Sn.yth said she had lost and the one she claimed as hers. Mr Baggally, formerly assistant to the last witness, proved shewing defendant the brooch from the window. Defendant said the brooch was hers; that a friend bad been to see her, and must have taken it from her dressing-table. Two days later defendant called again with a photo- graph with the words Claudine Leader on it, She said that was the lady wh#» called on her,' and she had stolen her br 'ofoch. Witness re- marked, Surely you don't think the ladv stole your brooch ?" She said, I have not the least doubt aboutitthatshestolethebrooch." Defendant added that she would prosecute her, and if there then she would run her in." (Laughter.) Mrs Leader, the plaintiff, then went into the box, and was examined by Mr Lockwood. She said she was 24 years of age, and was married to Lieut. Leader on December 3rd, 1889. She had been engaged to him for nearly a year. She had known Mrs Smyth about eight years, and fre- quently met her before her marriage and occa- sionally since. She knew Captain Chevenix Trench, and made his acquaintance early in 1889. Captain Trench was in a Ghoorka Regiment, and he went back to India soon after she met him. Her husband having gone to Egypt on December 17th, 1889, she followed in a P. and 0. boat on the 10th January follow- ing. Her husband banked at Childs and Co., and they were told to honour any cheque signed by her. While in Cairo with her husband, Capt. Trench sent her a brooch, The one she sold to Mr Dibdin was the one he sent her. She had the case it came in (produced). Her husband was in the room when the brooch arrived. She had had a letter saying the brooch was coming. The letter was destroyed. Capt. Trench explained he had seen the announcement of her marriage; that he had been away on the Black Mountain Expedition and he sent her a present better late I p than never." Later in the year she and her husband came to England and went back again to Cairo. Later on her husband went to India and she came home. On September 21st she went to the shop of Mr Stokes, jeweller, Somerset-terrace, High-street, Kensington. She took the brooch and offered it for sale. Mr Stokes said he would give her 24 for it. She did not sell it, she bought a silver hairpin box. Had you seen the defendant that day 21st of September ?—No. It was after tpa that she went to Stoke's shop. Next day, September 22nd, she went to Dibden's shop with Captain Hill, and sold the brooch and bought the clock. She gave her name, but did not remember being asked her address. On Sept. 23rd, in the morning, between 11 and 12 o'clock, she went to see Mrs Smyth. She was dressing to go out, and witness remained in her bedroom for ten minutes, and they went out together. The next day defendant callcd on her at her mother's house and said she had lost a brooch. Witness said she had lost one the week before at the Savoy Theatre, and she also had sold the one Capt. Trench gave her as a wedding present. She next saw Mrs Smyth on Sept. 28th, when she called for her, and they drove together to Child's Bank, where she (plaintiff) drew out 2250. She had a balance of J6542 at the bank at the time. Captain Trench died in August, 1891. On Septem- ber 30th she sailed for India. Oil January 2nd of this year she first heard of any accusation against her. She at once showed the letter to her hus- band. He communicated with his solicitors and they came to England in March, her husband having effected an exchange. On their arrival proceedings were taken. Is there any truth in the accusation made against you that you stole Mrs Smyth's brooch ? —None whatever. Or that you sold or dealt with it in any way ? None whatever. She had not got Capt. Trench's letter in which he told her he was sending the brooch. She had frequent letters from Capt. Trench, but she had kept none. Capt. Trench was not a friend of her husband's, but he had seen him. Capt. Trench had not visited at her father's house, but he had visited at Mrs Smyth's once. She was not there. She had met Capt. Trench at the Lyric Club. Did you write on Mrs Smyth's letter-paper asking Capt. Trench to call at that house ?-1 think not. Think again.-I forget- I may have done so. letter ? l^ver complain of your writing that Did you write this letter on Mrs Smyth's paper and sign no name to it ?-I do not remember, I wrote Captain Trench a letter. She had no recollection of Mrs Smyth having told her that Captain .Trench came to the house to see a young lady whose name he did not know. Mrs Smyth told her that Captain Trench had called to see her and waited an hour, but she did not come kaCnooo She had known Mrs Smyth very well, and in 1890 she stayed in the house with her and the general, but couldn t say how long. She did not keep a diary, but knew that she went to Mrs Smyth a on September 23rd, 1891, because she was accompanied by a Miss Scott, who had come to stay with her that day in accordance with an invitation sent her in writing. ^'s.s not go into Alontpellier-square with her Witness wnt o the bedroom where Mrs Smyth was dressing to go out. She knew v Smyth on September 28th because ? o out,money from the bank. She stayed V ^droom ten minutes and she and M ? left the room and the house together. She had stayed at Mrs Smvth's some time-on one occasion for ton days, but she could not say if she had ever stayed there for three weeks. When she first went to Egypt a Miss Wheeler went out with her and stayed some time with her. There were no other lady friends staying. Mtss Wheeler left her house in February 8th and Went to Cairo. She used to come to see her sometimes. She had the brooch from Captain Trench shortly aftes her arrival in Egypt. Miss VV heeler was with her when she had several '.i7u6r> Capt. Trench. She did not show Miss Wheeler Captain Trench's letter about; the brooch, and she had no recollection of ahowing her the brooch. Miss Wheetercame home with her from Cairo in June, 1890. Shehadno recollection of ever having shewn Miss Wheeler the brooch. She read parts of Captain Trench's letter to her to Miss Wheeler. And you say that although you read parts of Capt. Trench's letters to Miss Wheeler you have no recollection of shewing her the brooch he sent you ?■—Yes, I do say so. Do you say Captain Trench sent you this brooch from the Puttiaiib ?-No I don't sny so. I say he wrote me from the Punjaub, saying he was sending me a diamond brooch, and some days after the brooch came. Did the brooch come from India 2-1 did not notice whether it came from India. There was nothing in the case to show where it came from. Did you think it was like your friend's, Mrs Smyth's, brooch ? I know nothing of Mrs Smy th's jewellery. Did ziqt, Mrs Smyth lend you this very brooch to wear Never. You sy^ear to it ?-I do.—Her husband sent a description and sketch of her brooch to London when thecharge was madeagainst her. Her husband drew the sketch from his recollection, and she knew part of it was a little wrong. When she took the brooch to Dibden's to sell she was living with her mother. She did not think it necessary to take the brooch in a case. She was wearing the brooch when she went to Stokes on September 21st, Captain Hill, who was with her on September 22ud, was a friend of her husband. She had seen a photograph of Mrs Smyth,, which represented her as weariag a brooch like this one. Witness had one of the photographs with her when she went out to India, but it was accidentally destroyed. Something was spilt over it. What was it ?—I was sea-sick over it. (Laugh- ter.) In answer to the Judge, witness said she had no idea who sent her the brooch when- it came from Capt. Trench—whether he sent it or whether anyone sent it for him. She didn't, remember the handwriting, nor whether the stamps were Indian or English. The Court adjourned until to-day.

LETTER FROM LORD R. CHURCHILL. EVACUATION APPROVED OF. Lord R. Churchill has addressed a letter to the Daily Graphic, which will appear in to-day's (Wednesday's) issue on the subject of Uganda. His lordship hazaids the opinion that some amount of practical responsibility attaches to the action of any power appropriating a sphere of influence, and that in the event of the sphere becoming a centre of disturbance specific grounds of com- plaint and claims for redress might be alleged. On the other hand, looking at the Uganda Question from commercial aspects it must be admitted that as a possession it does not attract. This territory possesses no mineral wealth, few agricultural or natural products which could be brought into any market m profitable quantities, and is hopelessly unsuited to Enrolkan residential life, and impossible for European labour. The resources of the country, such as they are, could only be developed on a large scale by some system of forced native labour under costly, and probably inefficient, inspection. Such a territory appears to be hardly of a kind on which the British tax- payer should be invited to incur expenditure even to a limited amount, coupled with the risk of unlimited expenditure becoming urgent at any moment His lordship contrasts with the district described above that of the Mashonoland with mineral resources, no native population to speak of; a highland sub-tropical climate; no slave trade to suppress, and no missionary troubles to appease. But under the best of circumstances it is impossible to see how Uganda and the surrounding territory can become a promising or profitable British possession. Lastly, in this vast district Christian missionary effort has, unfortu- nately, assumed an unlovely and repelling aspect. Least of all nations for many reasons can Great Britam afiord to be involved, even indirectly, in such sectarian strife, especially when such strife assumes the acute form of Maxim gun. For all these reasons, if Parliament should ultimately decide to discontinue, as far as Imperial action is concerned, all interference in Uganda, I could not (says his lordship) cavil at a decision which would certainly be based on grounds of immediate practical advantage, and. indeed, of common sense. Nevertheless, should Parliament conclude to assert again in some other form its authoritative protection over Uganda, I should find it difficult to oppose strongly that resolve, hoping for the best."

BISHOP SMYTHIES ON THE SITUATION. The Bishop of Central Africa was the preacher at the harvest serviceheld at St. Woolos, Churcn, Newport, on Tuesday evening. He founded a discourse on two texts referring to the harvest in St. Luke and St. Matthew's Gospels, and said that the harvest was given a deep spiritual significance by our Lord, who always chose every- day illustrations to brinsr home His meaning. As the risen Saviour looked s')road on the worid from His throne in heaven it must be a sorrow to Him to see that the great harvest was ready, but that there were so few reapers, and that the waste places of the earth were full of wickedness and cruelty. Africa was cursed by wbat Livingstone had called the open sore of the world, the slave trade, and the cure for this, the Bishop assented, was to be found in diminishing as far as possible the Mahometan power in that land. In Uganda, towards which JSO touch attention had of late been directed, there were four parties the English, the French, the Mahometan, and -tl).e heathen. Were English influence to be withdrawn what would take place would be a fusion of the Mahometan and the heathen, with the result that the gross cruelties and murdertt of the heathen would be in. tensified by the more refined barbarities practised in the capture and disposal of Saves. The robber tribes of Africa would not cease to be a terror to the villagers by becom- ing followers of Mahomet; but a very different result would be achieved if these men, who spared neither women or children, could be Christianised. It was doubtful whether French influence would coalesce with the English missionary, and so Uganda would revert to barbarism, all the more intense from its hatred of the light. The Bishop then spoke of the work amongst slave children at Zanzibar, and of the good results achieved by the Mission Schools. Slavery, in its grossest form, was not a thing of the past; since he bad been in England he had received tidings of the capture of slave dhows by English cruisers, and he pleaded for help to carry on the work which so far had been abundantly blessed.—The offertory was in aid of the mission fund. There was a crowded congregation, and the church was decorated with choice flowers, fruit, and grain.

THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN AMERICA. The New York correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, cabling on Monday, says I had interviews to-day with many of the party leaders on both sides upon this and other matters connected with the contest. Mr Harrity, the chairman of the Democratic Committee, said "The Republican contention that President Har- rison is likely to lose electoral votes in some of the far Western States is one of many circum- stances which inspire perfect confidence on the part of the Democratic managers." Speaker Crisp also spoke exceedingly hopefully of the result. I have," he said, been talking among the people. I have addressed large gatherings of the farming class, and have found that Mr Clevelandf is. very strong among them, and that the M'Kmley Act is exceeding un- popular. At the Republican headquarters the secretary, Mr Manley, said We have carefully con- sidered the situation in New York State, and, after fully discussing the registration results, we have telegraphed ourriends that the State will be carried by four foi President Harrison. We have signed our names to the telegram and feel justified in sending the report," Republican managers declare that Mr Harrison is sure of 216 electoral votes and the Democrats of 143. The main efforts of both parties will be directed to carrying the State of New York, The registration of the city is used as the basis upon which both parties are estimating their chances of carrying the State. The Republicans concede a large Democratic majority in New York and Brooklyn, but claim a sufficient balance in the State to overcome the advantage those cities will give to Mr Cleveland. b Democratic managers state that the best pro- mise of success in the State is to be found in the total number of voters given in the registration of the city, which is 309,759, or 24,000 mora than ever before. It is claimed that this is a Demo- cratic-gain to almost the full extent of the increase, the managers alleging that they have followed the registration so carefully that thev know the politics of almost each man. In the admittedly Republican wards the register has fallen off slightly, while in the Democratic wards the list is fully complete. In New York and Brooklyn the register this year shows about 50,000 more voters than did that of 1888. Over two-thirds of the increase is claimed by the Democrats. Mr Cleveland's plurality in 188S in New York and Brooklyn was over 71,000. The Democratic managers now assert that he will have 91,000 next week, while the highest Republican estimate of the majotity in the rest of the State is 85,000, which is the same as in 1888. The; Democrats maintain that Mr Harrison will receive only 70,000 in the State exclusive of New York and Brooklyn. They aro largely basing their prospects of success upon the extent of territory the Republicans must guard. it is ncce^sary^ that the Republicans should work Lard in New England and the West, which they never before foavt) needed to do but now both give un- mist:>kable signs of leaving the party. Colonel M C.ure, a Cabinet Minister under Mr Lincoln, find formerly a Republican, says the Republicans practically coucede the loss of New York,-ana he is responsible for the statement that Senator/Quay, after fully reviewing the situation,, had announced to the Republican managers that New York was hopelessly gune. Col. M'Clureargues that at, the 1883 election the last fortnight of the campaign showed a steady line of breaks from tlieT,Pf"rCrai f^lks Mr Harrison on account of Free Trade. Now he claims that the drift of popular feeling has been reversed The University professors, the working men, the f.irmetv-,and no less than seven Republican ex- Cabinet Ministers, are now supporting Mr Cleve- land—all were formerly conspicuous Republicans.

Monday's Liver Pills act direct upon the Liver- they cmiain no mercury, are suitable for all "KM In i climatesv and without doubt are the best f,f?i bilousness, liver complaints, and indigestion boxes Is, 2s 6d, and 4s 6d, post free bv th A- in J. Munday, Chemist. 1, Hi<h-street. Cardiff

PLUNDERING THE DEAD. IDENTIFICATION OF BODIES. SAD FUNERAL RITES. STATEMENT BY OWNERS OF THE i i STEAMER. PENICHE, Tuesday. The British Consul at Lisbon, Mr Cowper, aod Dr Sandford, Bishop of Gibraltar, arrived Ymcs this morning. The Bishop had come to Lisbon to hold a confirmation at the English Church, and hastened on to Peniche, when he heard of the wreck, in order to identify, if possible, the bodies of his nephew and niece, Lieutenant and Mrs Sandford, who were passengers on board the Roumania. Mr Cowper has come to give assist- ance to the survivors of the wreck, and to see that everything is done to protect the remains of the dead and provide for the security of the property washed ashore. He has already been in consultation with the local authorities on the subject. Artangements are being made to bring the bodies of the Europeans to Peniche, and take them thence to Lisbon, where they will be buried in the English cemetery. The remains of the Asiatics and Africans will be interred in the cemeteries of the coast villages. 11 Formal examinations of the nature of inquests have been held at Caldas da Rainha on the bodies washed ashore near that place. Each body was carefully examined, and every mark scrupulously noted with a view to subsequent identification. The difficulties of communication between this town and the scene.of the wreck and between Peniche and the outlying coast villages are enormous. There are virtually no roads, and the only means of communication are rough bullock- waggon tracks and paths, which, to make matters worse, have been rendered almost impassable by torrents of rain.-Better. [SPECIAL TELEGRAM FROM OUR CORRESPONDEET. 1 I PENICHE, Tuesday. As was anticipated yesterday, the high tides now occurring are rapidly obliterating all traces of the wreck. The sea advanced last night some distance above the line along the shore where the debris of the Roumania and her cargo had been deposited, and when the tide ebbed it was seen that a considerable proportion of those melancholy reminders of the catastrophe had disappeared. There is still a tre- mendous ground swell from the recent storm, and the waves breaking upon the rocks dash with terrific force over the dislocated hull, hardly any portion of which is now visible from the shore. As the breakers roll over the wreck it appears to advance and recede. This seems to point to the conclusion that, lightened of most of her cargo, the Roumania, or rather all that is left of her, has now drifted off the reefs on which she stranded. The violence of the storm in which the vessel was lost may be inferred from the fact that the waves still strike the shore with such a momentum that pieces of wreckage, large and small, are even now cast high and dry upon the beach, several feet beyond the water's edge. The action of the water has also thrown up great banks of sand, under which it is believed many victims of the disaster and a large quantity of wreckage lie buried. This supposition is strengthened by the discovery of portions of the cargo beneath these banks of sand when cleared away at several points along the coast. The task of keeping a lookout for wreckage or human remains is per- formedbythecoastguard.men with great difficulty. This afternoon several of the victims of the disaster were interred in the cemetery here with every possible solemnity. The remains were those of Mr A. H. Rooper, described as a tea merchant in Bombay, two boys aged seven and four respectively, and Miss Catherine Boatflower. In accordance with a request which had been officially made by the British Consul, the interment was carried out under arrangements which will admit of the deceased being exhumed afterwards and transferred to England for final sepulture there shonld their relatives desire it. The coffins were covered with the Portuguese flag, and among those who attended the funeral were the British Consul, Mr Cowper (the agent of the Anchor Line), Mr Morton (the representative of Lloyd's), and several other members of the British colony at Lisbon, who had come here for the special purpose of rendering this last token of respect to the dead. The Portuguesofficial world was represented by Senhor Barruncho, the sub-prefect, the Inspector General of Customs and the chief officials of the Lisbon Custom House, who have come to Peniche for the purpose of superintending the salvage of the wreck; while the military element was represented by the officials of the Peniche garrison, who have already, in so many ways, extended their sympathy and practical aid to the survivors. There was also a considerable attend- ance of the leading citizens of Peniche, and a local band accompanied the mournful procession playing a funeral march. In all over 500 persons were present, and the scene, both along the route and at the cemetery, was a most affecting one, many of the spec- tators being moved to tears. Both Captain Hamilton and Lieutenant Rooke followed the coffins to the grave. The burial service was conducted in the most impressive manner by Dr Sandford, Bishop of Gibraltar. To-day has been observed as a day of general mourning in Peniche. [" TIMES" SECOND EDITION TELEGRAM. 1 LISBON, Tuesday.—On arriving at the scene of the wreck of the Roumania yesterday, Canon Pope decided to have the four bodies of the Europeans mentioned in my telegram of Sunday, namely, those of Mrs Keelev, Miss Dunlop, and a man and woman unknown, placed in coffins and removed to the British Cemetery at Lisbon. This will afford some consolation to the parents, not only to have them buried here where the graves are properly cared for, but that they have been removed from the Obidos district, where the Ad- ministrator has allowed the bodies to be exposed all these days on the beach, and has declined to give any assistance for their removal or for the protection of wreckage, and to my knowledge he has left telegrams requesting to have bodies removed unanswered for several days. The con- duct of this authority deserves the greatest cen- sure. Had he acted with the promptness and humane feeling of his colleague,Senhor Barruncho and of a man called Conclicao at Peniche, whose conduct deserves great praise, the savage acts of the plunderers could have been more effectively ckecked. It would be heartrending to relate all I heard said and all I saw on the beach, but it is of no useful purpose to tell it now. More bodies began to be washed up on the beach near Obidos last night, and as plundering continued, notwithstanding the presence of a few troops there, Senhor Barruncho telegraphed for cavalry. It would require 200 or 300 troops and some cavalry to effectively keep the savage brigands away from the wreckage. I stated the facts to Sir G. Petre yesterday, and he went to see the Prime Minister on the subject.

STATEMENT BY THE OWNERS. The Liverpool agents of the Roumania, in reference to the allegations reflecting on the seaworthiness of the steamer, assert she was in a perfect state of repair. When leaving the Mersey in April last the Board of Trade held a survey, testing everything, and, being thoroughly satisfied, granted her a new passenger certificate. Messrs Henderson, as is customary, visited the vessel daily before sailing and fully satisfied themselves as to her condition. No one was more surprised and distressed at the catas- trophe than Henderson Bros. How it happened will probably never be known, but it is certain the engines did not break down, otherwise the pas- sengers would not at the time have been in their berths. Mrs Pollard and her two children who lost their lives by the wreck of the Roumania came to England with Captain Pollard six months ago, the latter returning to join his regiment in Bom- bay three months since. Mrs Pollard left Chesterfield a day before the Roumania sailed from Liverpool, having just failed to book a pas. sage in the Algeria.

CONSECRATION OF A NEW CHURCH AT PORTHCAWL. On Tuesday the Bishop of Llandaff consecrated All Saints' Church at Porthcawl, a new iron structure recently erected, and capable of seating about 400. The church is built on a site given by Lord Wimborne, and the total cost will be about JB700. The Bishop was assisted in per- forming the ceremony by about 100 snrpliced clergymen.

THE CHAMPION PUGILIST. NEW YORK, Tuesday.—Jim Corbett says that he will not sign papers for a fight between him- self and Jackson, and, moreover, that he will not tight for a whole year. He will deposit the money next autumn for a match with Mitchell, and adds that if the latter does not recpond he will then give Jackson a ebance.-Ec-utep.

HELP THE IMPORT TRADE OF CARDIFF by buying 1 at Stuarts' fruit sata, 10th Koveubec. 4650

THE LIBERATOR SCANDALS. MEETING OF DEPOSITORS. APPOINTMENT OF A COMMITTEE OF PROTECTION. IPRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM. LONDON, Tuesday Night. A meeting of depositors in the Liberator Building Society was held on Tuesday evening at the Memorial Hall, Farringdon-street, for the purpose of considering and (if deemed advisable) appointing a depositors' committee for the protec- tion of the depositors. The notice calling the meeting stated :— NJB.—To insure the attendance of depositors only, deposit books or certificates showed on admission." The meeting was convened by the depositors' Provisional Committee. Mr G. L. TURNEY, J.P., and a large depositor in the Society, was nominated by the Provisional Committee to act as chairman. He said that meeting was decided upon last Thursday by the Provisional Committee. If at that time they had known what had appeared in the public press to-day, they need not have called the present meeting. It might, however, be desirable to form a committee. Something good might result, but, at any rate, no harm could be done. (Hear, hear.) The present was one of the greatest disasters in which such a Society as theirs could be involved. Their money had been nearly all lent to three bankrupt concerns. (Shame.) It seemed in- credible that any business men—(several voices Not business men," and cnea of Swindlers —there must be something radically wrong some- where when directors could so act. (Cries of Prosecute them.") The shareholders would get nothing, and, as a depositor, he would take ten shillings in the pound for his deposits. (Hear, bear.) They might get five shillings, but not more. Mr BOTCHER, one of the Provisional Commit- tee, moved That a Depositors' Vigilance Committee be forthwith formed, to consist of eight persons, with power to add to their number, only depositors not being share- holders in the Liberator Building Society to be eligible t serve thereon. He said he hoped the law of this country would be sufficiently strong, without the depositors, to put its stamp upon the directors. (Cheers.) He was convinced himself that they were criminally guilty. Could they, after reading the speech of Mr Spencer Balfour at the meeting of the House and Land Investment Trust, come to any other conclusion than that he (Mr Balfour) was a dis- honest man ? (Cheers.) Mr WEBB seconded the resolution. He sug- gested that they should all combine to prosecute the directors as far as the law would allow." (Cheers.) He was prepared to put down a sovereign towards a fund for that purpose. (Cheers.) Mr GEO. HILL asked, in the course of a long Epeech, whether the depositors had any lien on the property of the directors before those gentle- men could part with it to their friends. He added that he was afraid they could do nothing more than could the Official Receiver's committee. The CHAIRMAN did not answer Mr Hill's ques- tion, but he said he agreed that they might be able to do nothing but look on. As he had said, however, no harm could be done, and they might be able to get information in their collective capacity that they could not get as individuals. Several speakers were in favour of the appoint- ment of an independent committee on the ground that the Official Receiver must, to some extent, represent both the shareholders and depositors. He said it was their desire te keep the interests separate. Mr FREEMAN counselled the depositors to get their property developed and to sell it before they went to criminal proceedings. If their property came to the hammer in its present state they would get nothing, whereas if they adopted his suggestion he thought he could see a rift in the cloud. The motion was carried, and the following were elected to serve on the committee :-The Chair- man, Mr Freeman, Mr Lee, Mr Butcher, Mr Nicholson, Mr Hill, Mr Skelton, and Mr King. The following was also carried That it be an instruction to the committee now formed before agreeing t-o any scheme for re-construc- tion to convene another meeting of depositors for the purpose of considering such scheme. It was decided to advertise the next meeting in the public Press.

A CARDIFF DIVORCE SUIT. In the Divorce Division, on Tuesday afternoon —before the President (Sir Francis Jeune)—tbe case of Lewis v. Lewis was heard. This was a petition of Mrs Lavmia Lewis for divorce on the ground of her husband's cruelty and adultery, the respondent, Mr William Lewis, being in employment us a boiler maker at Cardiff. The case was jjadefended.—^The petitioner gave evidence of the various occasions on which she said her husband her struck her. They were married on the 1st December, 1887, at the RegiStrY Office, Cardiff, and their unhappiness began a fortnight afterwards through her husband drinking and through his bad temper. She had had several miscarriages, and she attributed them to her husband's illtreatment. He had given her a black eye and threatened to take her life. Evidence was then given as to adultery on the part of the respondent with a bad woman at Cardiff, and the Judge granted a decree nisi with costs.

BRAWLING IN THE TABER- NACLE. ""At the Lambeth Palace Court on Tuesday, Edward Gilbert Price, an evangelist, and Richard Smith, upholsterer, were charged with creating a disturbance at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, on Monday evening. After hearing the evidence the charge was not proceeded with, defendants under- taking not to renew the disturbance.

WAGES OF CARDIFF SHIP- REPAIRERS. A meeting of the committee of the Cardiff Engineers and Shipbuilders' Association was held at the Park Hotel cn Tuesday night, to consider certain counter proposals which were submitted a week ago to a sub-committee by representatives of the Boilermakers' Society, in response to the demands of the masters for the substantial reduction of 17 per cent. in wages. The deliberations of the committee were of short duration, and the precise outcome of them was not permitted to officially transpire. We under- stand, however, it was decided that in view of the existing condition of the ship-repairing trade in Cardiff, in the presence of the fierce competition which is experienced from other ports, it was impossible for the men's counter-proposals to be entertained.

MYSTERIOUS DROWNING CASE. A mysterious case of drowning was investi- gated on Tuesday evening by the Manchester Coroner. On Thursday a young woman named Elizabeth Hall left home to meet her sweet- heart, and as she failed to return inquiries were made, and on Monday her dead body was found; in the canal with two contused wounds on the head, probably caused by a stick. The doctor stated that the wounds were caused before death. The sweetheart has decamped, and the inquest was adjourned to enable the police to find him.

PANIC ON A FERRY BOAT. An alarming collision, accompanied by a panic among the 300 passengers on board the ferry sbeanwr Crocus, running between Liverpool and Seacombe occurred on the Mersey on Tuesday evening. The ferry-boat collided with the sailing vessel Eurydice, from Vancouver, at anchor. The impact was such that the funnel of the ferry-boat crashed down among the pas- sengers and injured several, one man being taken to the hospital with a fractured leg.

WRECKAGE IN THE ATLANTIC. The Inman LiuerCitv of Paris arrived at Queenstown on Tuesday evening from New York, aud reports having spoken quite a number of steamers in the Atlantic, but nothing was seen of the overdue steamer Lord O'Neill. On the 29th ult. at 4 p.m. in latitude 47'11. longtitude 42'49, the City of Paris passed the wreck of a vessel about 130 feet long, nearly full of water, drifting in the track of steamers and most dangerous to naviga- tion. There was no sign of life on board or in the vicinity.

EXCITING SCENES AT A FIRE. Great excitement was caused in Old Kent- road district, London, on Tuesday evening, by an explosion and fire at the oil refinery of Messrs 0 Dussek and Co. in Verney-road. The workmen rushed from the buildings, but one was severely burnt, and another broke his leg in escaping. The families in about 30 houses adjoining hastily removed their furniture. A falling wall com- pletely demolished the roof of an adjacent soap works.

MR CHAMBERLAIN'S DEPARTURE. Mr and Mrs Chamberlain left Victoria Station by the eleven o'clock Continental mail on Tues- day morning. They purpose staying for a time at Modena. The London, Chatham and Dover Railway Company placed a saloon carriage at their disposal.

SIR CHARLES DILKE IN A COAL-PIT. Sir Charles Dilkf, M.P., ou Monday visited Burradon Colliery, Northumberland, and went down the pit under the escort of Mr J. Long- ndge. head manager, and Mr M. Wardle, under- manager, and Mr Walter Glover, miners' secretary. He is inquiring into the conditions and hours of labour f r lads known as putters.

THE GRIEVANCES OF GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD MLN. j Sir U. K. Shuttleworth, replying to Sir Edward Clarke, says that he intends to visit the Govern- ment dockyards, including Devonport, when each class of men having grievances will have the o.wortiuutj? ot seudiQ £ a deputation j

A STEADIER ON FIRE AT NEWPORT. Shortly before eight o'clock on Tuesday evc» mg a fire was discovered on board the s.s. Zarate, one (it Messrs Houlder Bros. River Plate Liners. The steamer brought home a cargo of frozen meaj, which she discharged at Hall, and on Friday came round to New- port for bunkers. preparatory to pro- ceeding to London to take in a general cargo. On Tuesday the carpenters of Messrs Lang and Williamson, ship repairers, Newport, had been engaged in the forehoid renewing the wooden ceiling of the cool chamber, which is capable of holding 8,000 carcases of sheep. The electric light is fitted throughout the steamer, but the workmen used candles during the greater part of the afternoon, and the candles were fixed to the sides of the steamer, and it is supposed that the charcoal lining became ignited. The workmen left the ship at five o'clock, and the fire was not discovered till three hours afterwards. Captain Andrews. the master of the vessel, at once summoned the crew, and with the aid of Captain Parfitt, the dock efficials, and the dock fire engines an effort was made to stay the progress of the fiaraes. After working nearly two hours, and finding that the fire made head- way, the Newport fire brigade was called. The borough brigade at once attended with a, steamer and a manual enging. The steamer was placed on the dock side, and a large quantity of water was forced into the hold of the ship, but, owing to thedifficultvexperienced m gettingto the charcoal lining of the chamber where the tire was, little progress was made in subduing the, flames. Three times the steel plates on the side of the ship became red hot, and the flames and sparks shot up from the forehoid. The brigade. succeeded in localising the fire, and continued to pour water into the hold until the fire had burned itself out. The damage, which is considerable, is covered by insurance. The Zarate is a new steamer, only three or four years old, and is one of the finest of the River Plate Fleet.

-i YESTERDAY'S MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. GENERAL RESULTS. LONDON, Tuesday. The Municipal elections in England and Walefc took place to-day with the following results ACCKINGTON—Liberal gain of one S.o<tt. AsHTON-rNDEU-LyNE—No contest; no change. BRISTOL—Conservative gain of one seat. BAXGOR-Ko contest. BLACKBURN—Conservative gain of one seat. BARNSTAPLE—No contest no change. BIRMINGHAM—Retiring councillors were six Conservatives, seven Liberals, and four Liberal Unionists. There were seven Conservatives, sev-en Liberals, and three Liberal Unionists returned. Contests were avoided by a mutual arrangement, which will shortly transfer a Gladstonian seat in East Birmingham to the Unionists. BIRKESHEAJ>—No contest. Representation un- changed, vfc., 45 Conservatives, 8 L berals, 1 Liberal Unionist, and 2 Labour representatives. BOSTON—Conservatives gain one seat without. contest. Council consists of 20 Liberals and 4 Conservatives. BARROW-IN-FURNESS— Conservative gain of one seat. BATH—Liberal gain of four seats, nine Liberate and five Unionists being returned. BATLEY.—Only one ward contested, and that on non-poiitical grounds. There is a large Liberal majority in the Council. BRADFORD (Yorks)—Gain of one seat to the Independent Labour party. BOLTON-Liberal gain cf three seat?. CARDIFF—Conservative gain of one seat. CARMARTHEN—No contest and no change. CANTERBURY—No contest and no change. CARNARVON—Contest in only one ward. Coun- cil remains as before, viz., 15 Conservatives, seven Liberals, and two Independents. COVENTRY—Conservative gain of one, and Liberal Uln-onist gain of one, but Liberals largely predominate m the Couneil. DARLINGTON.—Liberal Unionist gain of one. Election not fought on political lines. DOVER-A Conservative gain of one seat; con- tests in three wards. DURHAM—Conservative gain of one seat. The Liberals have a majority of four in the Council. DEVIZES-No contest. Three Liberals and three Conservatives returned. DEVONPORT—Liberals lose one seat, which was gained by an Independent. EASTBOURNE—Conservative gain of one seat. The candidates opposing Salvation Army demon- strations were successful. GRAVESEND—Liberal gain of one seat. Con. tests in two wards. GREAT YARMOUTH—Liberal gain of one seat. GRIMSBY—Elections fought on local questions. Labour candidates in four wards were defeated. GRANTHAM—Liberal p:u of two seats. HCDDERSFIELD—Liberal gain of one seat. HERTFORD—No contest. HEREFORD—Libera! gain of three seats. HULL-The Liberals bave gained two seats. Two Independent Labour candidates were un- successful. ILKESTON—Liberal gain of two eeats. KING'S LYNN—Liberal gain of one. KIDDERMUqsTER-Liberat gain of one seat. KINGSTON-ON-THAMES—Liberal gain of one seattl LEEDS—The whole 16 wards were contested. Conservative gain of three seats. LEICESTER—Conservative gain of one seat. Contests in five wards. Council consists of 13 Conservatives, 48 Liberals, and three Liberal Unionists. LINCOLN—Liberal gain of two seat. LIVERPOOL—Contests in 12 wards. Liberal gain of throe seats, which enables the Liberals to elect eight aJdermen and a mayor of their own party. LOWESTOFT—Liberal gain of two seats. LEAMINGTON—Conservative gain of one seat. MIDDLESBROUGH—Liberal gain of one seat. MAIDSTONE—Conservative gain of two sea' NELSON—Contest in only one ward. L re-alected, defeating a Socialist. NORWIcH-Liberal gain of one seat. NEWCASTLE.—Contest in only one Election non-political. NORTHAMPTON—Conservative gain of tw OLDHAM—Conservative gain of one seat. PONTEFRACT—Liberal gain of one seat. PORTSMOUTH—Conservative gain of three t contests in six wards. PitESTO-N-Conservati e gain of one seat. READING—Contest in only oue Ward, the composition of the Council remains t changed, viz.. 20 Liberals, 18 Conservatives, an two Liberal Uuionists. A Socialist who opposec a Liberal was hopelessly defeated. RICHMOND (Surrey)—Liberal gain of two seats. ROCHDALE-Oonsen-atives gained one seat, 'JUt the election turned mainly cn personal and local questions. STALVBRIDGE—Only one ward contested. Two retiring Liberals re-elected. Labour candidates defeat-d. STOCKPORT—Conservative gain of one seat. SHEFFIELD—Conservative gain of one seat. SOUTHPORT—Liberal gain of two seats. ST HELEN'S—Liberal gain of two seats. STOCKTON-ON-TEES—One Conservative and five Liberals returned, but not on political grounds. SCARBOROUGH—Conservative gain of three seats. SOUTHAMPTON—Liberal gain of one seat. SHREWSBURY—Conservative gain of three seats. STAFFORD—Gain of three seats by Conserva. tives and Liberal Unionists. SWANSEA^-Liberal gain of two seats. TYNEMOUTH.—Libeial gain of two seats. WARWICK—No change in the position of the political parties. Nominees of licensed victuallers heavily defeated. WOLVERHAMPTON—Conservative gain of one seat. WELSHPOOL—Two Liberals and 2 Conservatives re-elected. WEST BROMwicH-Cc)ntest only in one ward balance of parties unchanged. WEST HARTLEPOOL-L- berals have gained one seat from the Liberal Unionists. WAKEFIELD—Liberal gain of two seats. WIGAN—Liberal gain of two seats. YORK—Liberal gain of one seat. WIGAN—Liberal gain of two seats. YORK—Liberal gain of one seat. At midnight returns bad been received from 155 boroughs. In 46 of these no contest had occurred, though there were in eight of the 46 some change in the political complexion of the Town Council. Many of the elections even amongst those contested were decided withou any reference to the political views of the candi. dates. Taking no note of cases where there have been interchanging of seats between Conserva- tives and Liberal Unionists, it appears that the Liberals have gained 64 seats, the Conservatives 59, the Liberal Unionists three, and an Inde- ¡ pendent one.

A MILITARY DIVORCE SUIT. In the Divorce Division on Tuesday Mrs Emily Lathom Curling, daughter of Lady Forsyth, sued for divorce, on the ground of cruelty and adultery of her husband, Capt. Curling, of the Durham Light Infantry. The parties were married in 1871. Six years later differences arose, and Mrs Curling instituted divorce proceedings, but the suit was withdrawn. They subsequently lived apart, and a witness deposed to seeing Captain Curling accompanying a woman to a house at Chelsea. A decret nisi was granted.

THE CONDEMNED MAN NEILL. DATE OF EXECUTION. On Tuesday a Press Association's representative called on Mr Kynaston Metcalfe, the Under. Sheriff for the county of London, who stated that the execution of Thomas Neill, alias Cream, had now been definitely fixed to take place in Newgate i on Tuesday, the 8th inst., at nine o'clock in the morning. Mr Metcalfe further stated that when he personally informed the convict of the date and hour be maintained a dogged silence; and when he asked "Have you anything to say, Neill?" he curtly answered, "No." Billington will be the executioner. The Press will not be admitted.

A BABY ACCIDENTALLY POISONED. Mr Yates, coroner, held an inquest on Monday touching the death of Albert Geiler, the infant son of a Manchester merchant, resident at Sale. The medical man attending prescribed for both the baby and a nurse, the medicine containing morphia. The nurse was called away hurriedly, leaving her medicine on the wash-hand stand. Half a teaspoonful was given the baby by mistake, and it died early the following morning from the effects.—A verdict of I)tatbLiroui toisai vent& was returned

THE UNEMPLOYED. DISTRIBUTION OF BREAD. At a meeting of the unemployed on Tower ttill on Tuesday, it was announced that a letter had been received from chief clerk at Scotland Yard, stating the Commissioner of Police would be glad co-operate with the committee in making ,the necessary arrangements for a meeting flf the unemployed in Trafalgar-square on Saturday next, and that the Commissioner IbN,ites the organisers to make the neces- arrangements. Mr Lewis Lyons announced tbat at a meeting of the Jewish Unem- ployed Committee on Monday, it was decided have a three days' march, bare-footed, through 'he streets of London. Mr Buckert \>1\S addressing the meeting, when an extra- ^dinary scene occurred. A small trap, on which a large black box, was driven up, and the j^iver, alighting, informed those around him fhat it contained bread and cheese, which 6 had been instructed to distribute j^Qong those who really needed food. The *iver was at once surrounded,'and the first piece bread and cheese was handed to one of the Rarest, when immediately dozens of the men en- deavoured to get on to the trap from every Mailable point and help themselves. In this emer- seney the driver at once conin.enced, to throw the Provision indicriininately among the crowd. In this way about 50 loaves, cut up into Jtoartera, were rapidly distributed, but a Entity of the bread fell to the ground waa afterwards trodden under foot, j^hen the supply was exhausted the trap waa J^iven quickly away. Mr O'Keefe, leader of the ^her section of the unemployed, then fainted the parapet and said he was reamed to see the men fighting for i^d like wolves. The crowd was then addressed a number of O'Keefe's supporters. A proces- »{°&, numbering between 400 and 500 persons, was [hen formed, with the intention of seeking an in- terview with members of the St. George's Vestry.

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY IN IRELAND. — '♦ A CONSTABLE'S HORRIBTE DEED. SLAUGHTER OF A FAMILY. SUICIDE OF THE MURDERER. A terrible tragedy occurred on Tuesday morn- ing at Ballinadrina Barracks, county Kildare. It was at first reported that the barracks had been attacked, but a telegram received later in the afternoon by the Press Association from the Irish Chief Secretary's office states that Sergeant Rogan, his wife, and two children were murdered last night by Constable Pilkington, who, after killing the four persons named, committed suicide. A Ballandrina correspondent, telegraphing on Tuesday afternoon, states that the only occupants of the barracks were the sergeant, his wife and children, and Pilkington. It is believed that Pil- kington was insane when he committed the deed. He had previously shown in a marked degree that he had not his proper mental balance. The barracks being in an isolated part of the county it is difficult to ascertain how the victims were murdered. A Press Association representative saw Sir Andrew Reed on Tuesday evening at the Castle, Dnblin. The latest telegram received was from Enfield, county Kildare, and was as follows "Sergeant Regan, his wife, and three children murdered last night by Constable Pilkington of the same station, who afterwards shot himself, after attempting to set fire to the barracks in several places. Four other children in dangerous condition, having been batoned by the constable. One is not expected to survive. No other man at the station except the sergeant aud the constable." The station at which the tragedy took place is situate at Ballinadrumna, on the borders of Meath and Kildare, about two miles from Moyrally and close also to Enfield. Sergt. Rogan had been stationed at the place for some time, and he and his wife and seven chil- dren lived in the barracks. ihere were also stationed in the place three constables, and it is surmised that two of them were on patrol duty and that Pilkington was acting as barracks orderly when the murders took place. The sergeant had been 22 years in the place, and Constable Pilk- ington had served for 10 years, and was un- married. Both bore excellent characters, especially Pilkington, against whom no unfavourable report bad ever been recorded. What were his motives for committing the crime it is impossible at present to say, but the impres- sion in official circles is that be was suffering from a sudden fit of insanity. The news reached the constabulary office at 11 o'clock, and by the next available train for Moyrally Assistant Inspector-General Whelan, accompanied by Mr Harley, private secretary to the Inspector- General, and Dr Gordon, principal surgeon to the constabulary force, started for the scene. The Divisional Commissioner (Cap- tain Stokes), with County Inspector Locke and District Inspector Supple, also at once repaired to the place, as did also District Inspectors Robert- son and Tyake from other stations. The inquiries which were immediately instituted showed that there was no foundation for the suggestion at first made that the inhabitants of the place attacked the barracks and committed the I murders. The result of the inquiries was at once communicated to the Constabulary Department. The Central News correspondent, telegraphing at midnight, says that Elizabeth Regan, the eldest daughter, has made a statement to the effect that in the middle of the night she saw Constable Pilkington enter the room where her fftfrhw, mother, and sisters and brothers were sleeping. She saw Pilkington present a revolver at her parents and shoot them dead. Both shots took effect in the eyes, one bullet penetrating the right eye of the father, and the other the left eye of the mother. The children ran from the room screaming, and Pilkipgton struck Elizabeth on the head, and beat two of them on their heads till th-y died. The unfortunate constable is now generally believed to be insane, several incidents tending to this conclusion being mentioned. The terrible list now stands thus Sergt. Regan, aged 38, dead. Mrs Regan, aged 28, dead. Elizabeth, aged 127. likely to recover. Rebecca, aged 10%. dead. George, aged 9, no hope of his recovery. Lena, aged 7, likely to recover. Louis, aged 5, dead. Jamee, aged 3%, no hope of recovery.