Flintshire Observer Mining Journal and General Advertiser for the Counties of Flint Denbigh

GKEATKIl BRITAIN. ) BIR JC/HN BEANSTON-ia about to vacate the office 01 gal. Assistant Secretary to the Colonial, OfEce, I which he has held for 20 years, The post, which it Noftb C1500 a year, will now be conferred upon Mr. Hugh Bertram Cox. The retiring official has played many parts in life, both at home and in the colonies. His first inclinations were academic and be be- came a Fellow of All. Souls, but he was •mitten with legal ambition, and.j having been sailed to the Bar nearly 40 years ago, went out to Queensland as secretary "to the first Governor. Life tn Queensland was quite to the liking of the young barrister. He went into-politics and became Attorney- Greaeral in the Ministry cf Sir Robert Herbert. From Queensland he went to Hong Kong, where he again became Attorney-General, and, finally, judge, told then, returning to London, rejoined his old friend Sir R6bert Herbert at the Colonial Office as Assistant Under-Secretary. A CORRESPONDENT of the Westminster Gazette Writes: I have had an interview with one who, fror4 his position in India a few years since, could give me tome valuable information from his own ex- perience concerning the methods by which the fron- i tier tribe& contrive to get the supply of Government rIlles with which they are undoubtedly armed. A few Tears ago ah inquiry was ordered into the question, fmg it was then discovered tqt considerable num- ber, of rifles bad been lost or stolen from.the guard rooms of the different regiments, from military depots,and arsenals.. The number was not very Llorio", it ranged from li)0 to 200 rifles on the aver- age every year.. But these returns did not represent ^ojthing like the total number that were i»oiti<Tr ^u» fut>ui o wwvf &s the Afridis apd Orakzaia, Th<we was a regular organisation, which no doubt still exists,, for the pror c«ration of the rifles, And the men who did this dangerops work were, for the most part, Afghan. traders, who during the cold season spread them- selres over the whole of India in furtherance of their bqsipess. They did not of necessity work 'n connection with any particular tribal movement.; thpir object in getting the rifles was purely commer- cial a £ a rule, for they could be sold at an enormous profit, to the tribesmen. At the time this inquiry **as made the frontier police werg put on their guard, an some startling facts were brought to light as the result. Rifles were discovered concealed in the 1 rolla of bedding, clothes, and goods which, trader takes about with him. But if a few of the JttiuggJgrB were caught, many more must have escaped, J°* it was Impossible to keep guard along such a length of frontier. And it was by degrees discovered, that instead of getting out at the main stations, where would be subjected to a search, the w»ly Afghan Jrader would get out at a small wayside station where would attract no attention, and then bolt over the frontier with his contraband rifle. The e«^rne thing 18 going on at present, and the question is, how does the trader pick up his rifles ? It is, of course, illegal for any of the licensed dealers in firearms to have anything to do with military nfles of old or new pat- tern. But there is no doubt that a eoldsidemble tusinesi; is done through these dealers. And they get the rifles by the •aaie underhand dodges which the trade* himself uses. It is easy to imagine how the obsolete rifles find their way into these hands. When the or, esimiforthe'Martinitobe substituted for the Snider or the Lee-Metford for the Martini in its turn, the obsolete rifles were collected at the different arsenals, and were supposed to be rendered useless by being sawn asunder, lock and barrel. Then is the opportunity for the trader or dealer, who offers to bUy tjp a few of them for a sum that the sergeant ,!hose duty it may be to see to the destruction of the tiftdo is sometimes found willing, to take THERB are few researches more interesting than those which touch upon the discovery or manufacture diamonds. An explorer in. the mountains in *Jatal came upon the crater of an extinct volcano. *here was a very sizable lake at the summit, wd an the shore and soundings taken brought up sand which held small diamonds. There ISa good deal of interest manifested as to whether actual' diamond mine is discovered or whether gems were there by accident, being lost or ( thrown into the water. As the mountain's of th<a region are not supposed to be diamond-bearing, it is J *uRgeste<I that voloanlc action may have haasome- thing to do with thci formation of these precious 1 tones. Reports which have been collected by the British Central Africa Gazette from various firms and planters ençaged in coffee growing in British Central Africa Point to the continued prosperity of the industry. It 18 estimated that for this year the crop will yield Jbont 450 tons, arrd as every year new plantations are 1 heing 0pene(j up> an(l areas planted in previous years 9 Jre coming into bearing, there is every prospect of '• the supply ot coffee from Central Africa assuming large proportions. One of the largest planting J Proas report that although nobody is yet able to I lay down a single rule, we mean a hard-and-fast rule, 9 h less any fixed laws about coffee-planting in 0 this country, for the simple reason that the industry t ø IS too young yet, llDd we are without sufficient data ^tending over a number of years to go on, still from t1 the experience of the last three years we may safely 8 "'1 that Baffee-plan ting in British CentralJAfrica is, or be mad6, a perfectly safe, steady, and paying en- '• ^•"prise/* Experiments are being widely made as to best kind of shade trees for coffee bushes, the Rbbusta and varieties of the FiC-ùs being P apparently the most popular, although th& Almzzia, II also been largely planted. As a praoti Ration of the results of the working a eoffee an British Central Africa Mr. S. Israel, who first 1, ^riVed in the country in June; 1894, has been m- a f^eed to give a balance-sheet of his coffee plantation lt f° the end of last July. He purchased 500 acres of s- f^dj the capital cost of which he puts at £ 175, d "hough in 1894 he was able to buy the land for less lhan the seven shillings an acre it would now cost a u Rj^haser. The whole of his expenditure during the 7^rs, including the erection of buildings of a st jj*Uch more permanent character than are usually, n necessary, amounted to £ 2621 ,17B. 6d-i and 9* Rh« -receipts for the one year during W hih the it 'acres planted with coffee had borne a crop were in *"1460. A valnation of the eBtate showed that it was lfl *^orth £ 4500, though Mr. Israel says that he would V jj°t accept an offer of that artiount for it. For the t0 year Mr. Israel estimates that his returns will be 10 jj^OO, as against an expenditure .of £ 540; aad for r" when there will be 180 acres in bearieg, he 18 pticipatea a revetlue of £ 3000, against-on outlay of 10 ~55o, while the .capital value of the estate will; in have considerably increased, Yery few new in Walters have come into the country during the past '<? but .10 new plantations have been opened up. d absence of new planters is. attributed to the 68 ^^hs of the two Buchanan brothers, whose names bnfk ,s° widely known that the fact of, their death—. 3? in the same year—has given a worse impression )cl p to the unhealthinesB at the climate* of .British n» %tral Africa th^n it, actually deserves. is- amount of "Victorian- gold received at the be g^lbourne, miflt for the ten months of 1897 is to jj*.98?-ounces, against 638,621 ounces for the same re in 1896 and 584,987 ounces in 1895! b- ^cording -R) a correspondent of the British who recently visited Australia and New Zea- tW J 8 work, Margaret Ogilvy," was 't* •abet popular English book in the Cqlonies. '•» ^Tj^wpbuNnLAND having dismissed Sir William w» ii»v teway, Sir James Winter will in a few days take ne 4* premiership with a majority of eight in an To tbe eInbly of 30 members. It is not "asy to determine ry exact causes1 of the change in public feeling to- tI 4tds the, iikati who has long stood for 'Newfoundland the e^ef of1 thtf outside world. Possibly the idla of (> 8itaple>"flsherman that ft gold-laced Privy ha,c^l°r and beribboned GkCiM.G. could not. af g0|*e much', in common with his hai*9 lot1 had gj^^thing vfro do With it. At any rate, 'n of. William ceuld not keep tip the price (}j '^dfish and teep'^down the coBt; of Cana- "r*1 ffotir, and so" he had to go, and the ut party take his place. From them we n" ttot^ Hkely to hear much of the reciprocity of \v,a»g^ment With the United States to which Sir Whiteway hopped to get Mr. Chamberlain' he tatbnt. -it is more ttian probable that they will turn -r" f0n to Canada, in whose present prosperity New- 'and would gladly share. Confederation waa ot iT^aa -issue in the election, but it may come about 1 of future for all that. '•

xs- 91 ^Well, this bates the divil all out. 1 to^^rphrf Fwat dofes ?" Mnrphy ":Dooley s to j. if 1 shmoked a piBfce of glass I'd he awe >iu. the spotB on the sun. Sure, ain't I faijfly kjH r7'n^ to make me pipe draw ?: 'Tis this ^ftyi lnking, that either I haven't the right kind of 1 Or OW Dooley's been fooling mg.

PARISH COUNCILS. INTHRSSTlNQ QOESTIOK8 AND. AUTHORITATIVE ANSWERS. (From the Cuuncils' Gazette.") Hnclosur^s of Open Space.—In our village there is a large open space, the public having a right of way- over it. This JspaCe is tised by traTeiling *hows," &c., free of charge. Can the Parish Council fake charge of it and 'collect rents from thee sfaowin'^n ? Would the Parish Council have to have permis.-ion- from the Lord of the Manor to collect rault'? T;;e Lord of the Manor lays claim to the space. If the Parish Council wished to enclose this space, could they do it without permission from the Lord of the Manor ? Could t he Lord of the Manor collect" rents for its use? Have the police power t6 remove these shows, if "required to do eo by any (person br persons' objectihg to ti^e said shows lis bMtructioiiis ? Answer -If tHi 6p#n space belongs to the* Lord of the Manor, then the Parish Council' cannot prevent the showmen from using it. We taker this opportunity of pointing out. that the Parish Council are not given the general control of all open spaces, greens, etc. The Lochl Government Act, 1894, transfers to the Parish Council the powers, etc., of Overseers with respect to the holding or management of village greens; but as the Overseers had no power to deal with the pro- perty of the Lord of the Manor, neither have the Parish Council. The Parish Council have clearly no power to enclose the space. Poor Law Officers' Compensation.—An Act was re- cently passed extending the municipal and Poor-law boundary ofthe fiitv of tainclude.a large J*re&-of the present Union of C> This extension will necessi- tate the removal of about 60 per cent, of the indoor poor from the C. Union Workhouse to the B. Union Workhouse. Under these circumstances the Guardians of the C. Union will be over-officered. Some will have to give up their office entirely, others will undoubtedly continue with a decrease of salary. None of these officers can yet claim super- annuation under 1896 Act. (1) Can any officer (not servant) claim conpensation—(a) when they have to give up office entirely; (b) or in respect of any part of their office' in proportion to the salary which t hey lose. (2) "Can a servant—i.e., person appointed by Guardians—though not requiring the sanction of the Local Government Board, in either of the above cases a or b, claim compensation? Answer: It is dangerous to give an opiniod on a single action without seeing the whole of an Act, but we give our opinion on the section before us for what it is worth. By the Local Government Act, 1888, s. 100, the expression "omce "includes any place, situation, or employ- ment, and the expression officer shall be con- strued accordingly. So far as the Act of 1888 is concerned this definition gets rid of any distinction between an officer and a servant," for the pur- poses of compensation. Subject to anything which may be found elsewhere in the special Act, we think that the word "officer" in s. 59 of that' Act is used in the same wide sense in which it is used in the Act of 1888, and therefore includes both an officer" and a servant,' and both are on the same footing. Next we note that s. 120 of the Act of 1888 gives compensation, to an officer who tiDY virtue of this Act, or anything done in pursuance of or in consequence of this Act" Buffers pecuniary loss. But a. 59 of the special Act gives compensation only to an officer who by virtue of this Act" suffers-pecuniary loss. The alteration of language was, perhaps, unintentional, but we think it must be taken to be intentional, and to limit the claim to compensation to cases where the pecuniary loss is due to the direct work- ing of the Act and not to the working of some order or scheme of adjustment made under the Act. At the same time, it may be that the direct working of the Act could create no pecuniary loss to any officer; if so, that would be a reason for holding that compensation was given for loss caused indirectly by the Act. Whether the alteration of the ataffof the workhouses is the direct result of the Act does not appear from the question. If the Act of itself divides the parishes, and necessitates the altera. tion of the officers' duties, then we think the claim for compensation is clearly made out. In any event, we think that officers and servants stand £ n the njma -for "7 ■■ Stamping Rate 'Iteceipts. Rating of Paddock.— (1) la an Assistant Overseer bound to put a stamp on all receipts above £2 when collecting a rate ? (2) There is an empty house at this- place, with a small paddock and garden, and it is put in the rate-book as unrecoverable,, but lately the paddook and garden have been let for about iOs. per year. Ought nob that,to be charged in the rates, and whose duty is it to do it; and now should he proceed? There was formerly land to the house," but it has got put to other houses, but the full amount, E4 rateable value, is intill returned as unrecover- able. Answer: (1) A stamp is necessilryi (2) If the property was unoccupied at the date of the rate, ad during. the currency of the rate" the piaddock and garden came into occupation, the oBcupier is liable to pay a part of the.rate in *woporti<m to the length of his occupation. If the paddook and garden are- not entered in the valuation list separately from the house, then the Over seers most apportion the value for the purposes of the present rate; and they should, as soon as possible, make out a supplemental list showing the house rated separately from the garden and paddock, and also showing the increased value of the other houses to which the rest of the land has been added. Disqualification of District Councillor The Councillor for the Rural District Council for this parish live" with his father, who is a landowner, and the Councillor occupies the farm. He has contracted with the Surveyor of the Highways (who is appointed by the Rural District Council) to supply atones ffom their quarry to repair the roads, and has also contracted with the Surveyor to cart the stones from the quarry to the highways. Does Section 46, sub.-eec, e, or sub.-sub.-see. 2a, enable a Coun- icxllor to pontract as aboye, oi; is he disqualified by, SQ dojng ?,, The contracts, were not advertised fbr, Answer: The contract with the Surveyor is equivalent' to a contract with the District Council, and, therefore, sec. 46 (l),(e) applies, and the Coun- eillor is disqualified, unless he can bring himself within sec. 46 (2) (a), by showing that the carting of atones is "for the repair of roads or bridges in his iown immediate neighbourhood," and thatthestonee are supplied from land of which he is owner or .occupier..If the quarry belongs to, the father, and the Suryeypp contracted with him, and not with his son, for the supply .of the stones, .then, of oourBe. he son is not disqualified by his father's contract. Our Parish Council have got permission from the Highway Committee, sq far as concerns the Rural District Council, to cleanse and enlarge an old pond situate in the parish chalk pit. Do you consider that the powers given to Parish Councils under section 8, Local Government Act, 1894,. are sufficient for the above purpose P Answer: Yes.. Inspector of Accounts and of Minutes of U.D.Or— Hag a ratepayer (a person ".interested") in an Urban District the right to inspect the accounts of the U.D.C. at any time other than daring the seven clear days before the audit thereof, as provided by Sec. 247 (1) of the Public Health, Act, 1875, or is the seven days referred to the only time dur- h»g which such accounts are open to inspection ? (2/ A180 has ratepayer any right to .inspect the minute& c f the proceedings of the U.D.C., or pf any of its Committees at any time ? Was not a decision given a short time since in which this point was raised, the local authority in this case being the Corporation of one of-the towns in the North of England? Answer: (1) There appears to be no general right of inspection. (2) We think the rate- payers have no right to inspect the minutes, except in the case of a borough. It is, of course; impos- able to say with certainty that there has been no case I recently decided on the point, but if there has been such a case it has escaped our notice. In a borough the mintites of proceedings of the Council are open to the inspection of any burgess on payment of a fee of one shilling, and a burgess may make a copy, or take. an extract; but apparently theminutesof committees are not open to inspection.

LADY GEORGIWA CUBZOW is a celebrated "whip," and drives four-in-hamd in a masterly manner both in London and the country and Lady Colebrooke also drives four-in-hand. The Duchess of Hamilton's fondness for., hunting and country sports keeps her out of L^ndon^ne^ly-. a^l tbp year; tho Duchess of Newca^Jfi^ftJso.», grq^ huat^ss, ék d^oted to dogs, always having a gread number of boar-hounds at Clumber.

F A REFORMING SOCIETY. 1 KTHKME FOB FKISOKS AKD PRIS0KBR8. Mr. C. H. Hopwood, Q.C., so well known as the Recorder of Liverpool, has conceived the, idea of, establishing a society, the immediate purpose of which will be to review the laws in force for the repression and punishment of criibeii.-mindenieasoumand offences of every kind. It is proposed to call it the JBomiHy Society, and -the learned gentleman explains that the title has been adopted because to Sir Samuel Romilly belongs the merit of being the most distinguished and the earl iest of those who advocated a more merciful criminal law than that which previously existed." i Mr. Hopwood's theory of short sentences will per- meate the new undertaking. One great object to be kept in view," he says, "would be to make the association a powerful means of calm investigation and amendment. The society would in no respect disregard public security, nor would it aim at pampering or unduly favouring the convict," hut it would seek to prove that the public safety iB best secured by wise, considerate, and humane treatment qf the criminal." To effect this the society would, under the guidance of Mr. Hopwood, set itself to procure among other things. 7^e creation of a Minister of Justice. "f A Court of Appeal in criminal cases. Reform of the system of penal servitude. Reform of prison regulations. A general reduction of sentences. The abolition of capital punishment. Amendment of the law of." constructive murder. Special treatment siad,improvement of thelaw and guniahment of iofantiaide. Provision for the defence of the accused. Compensation of the, innocent oonvicted: and wrongly accused. The^need of a Minister and Department of Justice is specially emphasised. It is generally, but erro- neously, supposed that the Home Secretary at pre? sent performs these duties. He does what he is able tp do under a vast burden of Ministerial duty, with the aid of the Permanent Under-Secretary, and a clerk in the department in cases brought specially to his notice. But these form a small proportion of the whole. The action is timid, imperfect, and official." Therefore, Mr. Hopwood considers that a substi- tute for a Minister jaded and overworked," is desir- able. But the list, of is, it is carefully pointed out, only intended as specimens of the work which the society would undertake." In fact, it is Cnot intended to limit its action in. any ccgnant matters it may choose to entertain."

LADIES OF RANK RUINED. Every half-year the National Anti-Gambling League publishes a record which it calls the Bulletin. It contains a record of most of the, crimes, the sins, and the misfortunes, attributed or attribu- table to betting, which have been recorded during the preceding six months. They make a sufficiently ugly indictment against gambling in all conscience, but the Anti-Gambling League is not satisfied with these cases, and adds many other not altogether corroborated stories. Here is an instance: "A rumour is current that three well-known ladies of rank (one of them titled) have been gambling so' heavily on the Stock Exchange that they are all very nearly ruined. They have at length been forced to make a clean breast of it to their husbands, and there have been very violent scenes. These three gentle- men have put their heads together, and intend, as it is said, to prosecute some parties who have been ipixed up in this matter in a more or less shady fashion. One of the ladies is said to have lost all her i'ewels, and some of them being heirlooms,, there is pkely to be a pretty row about them."

UNIVERSITY IN DISTRESS. Mr. Chawner, master of Emmanuel College, has dlrawn public attention once more to the financial condition of the University of Cambridge, which is at present in pressing need of pecuniary assistance. A representative of the Daily Mail called upon Mr. Chawner and elicited from him some interesting in- formation- ..■ *■ „ ■•-Our pecuniary ileffelaiicies," U -a* 't!ai% Ulft- doubtedly tfueto the large expenditure incurred upon the medical and scientific schools. Nevertheless, itis no use starving these departments, and some of them --for example, the Botany School, which is wretchedly housed-calls for a more generous provision. Our financial straits are not due in any great degree to a diminution in entrances, As compared with eight years ago our numbers have slightly decreased, bnt theh the capitation tax has been increased from 17s. to E2. Nor are they due largely to depreciation in the value of land, from which the individual colleges are suffering so greatly. Our net receipt from landed property is not more,than-F,8W per annum. The university income consists almost entirely in receipts from its members. The medical and scien- tific schools charge considerable fees, but these only cover the expenses of apparatus and demonstration. Nothing is left for building purposes. Several new sites for building extension have recently been acquired. It was necessary to acquire them now, or the opportunity would be finally lost. The money to erect the buildings is, however, not forthcoming. What I propose is that members of the university should tax themselves to form an endowment or sus- tentatiori fund. What we want is capital for building purposed. have received already one £ 100 and a pro'miie of another. Is there no possibility" of a Government grant ? "Such a grant would involve Government- control, vfhich would be distasteful tfo the university, and it vfroiild mean the diversion of-public money from some other purpose. I calculate that the-university could Easily and profitably absorb at the present nfomeht half a million of money. Many institutions are being really starved. The, expenditure on the university library ii inadequate, the purchase of foreign books having to be stinted, A large number of lectureships and readerships are left unfilled, and mimyothers are insufficiently paid. Several professorships have to "Be withheld." gut cannot the col leges subscribe to the common' purseT' "The colleges already contribute 10| per cent, of their taxable revenues to the university, under the Universities Act of 1877. This contribution will furnish for the current year a sum of £ 22,612. We .can only, hope that the Statement of our necessities wilt result in a generous response from old members of the university." i Mr. R. F. Scott, Bursar of St. John's, and a mem- ber of the financial board, expressed opinions Some- what differing from Mr. Ch'awner's. He said: "There, is plehty of money in the university if it was properly used. We are trying-ta do too many things at onde. The development of the scientific and medical depart- ments has gone on at too rapid a rate. A classical or mathematical man wants nothing but a pen and a few: sheets of paper, while the scientific man requires a very expensive apparatus. The engineering department i somewhat out of place in the" university^ It i's too technical, and might well have been left for other localities to provide. What I complain of is the enthusiastic expenditure—I won't call it -extrava- gance—'of the university during recent years. We havte been going too fast. The impoverishmentiof theloolleges is.& very serious matter, i {Jaieens, for instance, has had to go outside its own members for a muster, aaj the revenue of the office* has sUnk. to £ 240 a year. WE shall have to retrench in our fellow ships if we are to face the new pecuniary con-, ditions.. And the university must go more slowly, and tdbderat-e for the present its laudable ambitions.

'I'; }?R0|PES§0R SAJCBB^OF the BerlinjTechnicil C<>!le~P., hafl; effected considerable improvement in Marconi p telegraphic apparatus, and .hjw;«nc« £ eded in SENDING ME'S^HGES without wires,from stations 13 MILES apart. A DEE it FOBHST, Vanity Fair says, is now in COURSE of cohstruction on the estate of A^DNAMURCHARI. which has been recently purchafed by Mr. RJ:dd. A large tract of land hitherto under sheep is being cleared for the purpose. NEGOTIATIONS have been entered into with a view to the. opening of trade in Australian timber. A Hamburg merchant is inspecting timbers-with the idesi of making purchases for the German market.— Iiettter.. 1 Sm HE!n:Y VAVABOUlt, whose- life tenancy of THE fajmSly estates in Yorkshire'haVfe'not beeft an tin- mixed benefit to 'him, is ketmly INTERRED in f LEI- tricity, and hásrhimøelf -taken otitz pateritpl-; ,W.' Mie-. sgo. aijd HAS a b, famijy of sons and daughtterri $J fior.ee of the wind in <tli&UNITED strongest on, IW Giiim;)iaw..and nt- occasion the Highland train, while CROSSING ibis ridge, has been brought to a standstill by the forco of the wind.

mauket NEWS. f LONDON MATROFOMT** CAwLs.Tmde has been quiet. A fair supply of beasts was on offer as re-i gards number. but the- general quality was poor, the majority consisting of- second quality ruttto end shorthorns. The unfavourable weather had -a" depressing effect upon the trade, wlich, opened aud continued dull and heavy, with a downward tendency in price. specially middlitlg descriptions. Fat butchering cows and toilgh cattle were difficult to move. Fat -bulla, were steady. The best Scotch made 4a 6d; -HerefordLa, 1 4a 4d; runts, 4a ,2d; shorthorns, 3s 10d -tw^s; Irish, 3s lOd to 4s and t'at cows, 3s 4d, per j81b, -The be&t 7q to 8-stone Downs made 5s Odp 10'stone, 5s 2d to 5s 4d.; 10- stone half-breds, 58 to 5a 2d; 12-stone Lincoln*, 4s lOd; 10-stone Irish, 49.8d to 4s 10d; and 10- stone Down ewe., 4s; to s;2d. per 81b. Calves were a reodersto market. Milch COwtl; £16 to E20 esefi. The following-, were the quotations; Coarse" and inferior boasts, 2s 4d to 3s second quality ditto, 3s to 3s lOd; prime large oxen, 4s to 4s 4d; ditto Scots, &c., 4s ,4d to 4s 6d; coacse and inferior sheep, 3s 4d to 4s Od second quality ditt 4s 2d to 4a 10d; prime coarse-woolled-: ditto, 6s Od to 5s 4d; prime Southdown ditto, 5s 4d to 5s 6d large hog?; 3s 2d to 3s IOd neat smalt porkers, 4s to 4s.8d per 81b. to sink the offal. SJIITIIFIELD MEAT.—The elupplywasgood. Trade was slow at the annexed prices: Beef car- cases, 38 4d to 33 8d; hindquarters, 3s lOd to 4s 2d; roastings, 4s lOd to 5s 2d; sheep, ewe, 3:1 to 38 Ad wether, 4a 2d to 4s 6d hind-quarters, ewe, 4s to 48.1 4d; hindquarters, wether, 5e 2d to 5a 6d; veal,- 38Sdto 4s 8d pork, large, 3s 8d to 4sj and small, 4»4d to 4s 8d per 81b. I GAMB V AIM POULTRY.—.Cock capercailzie, 4J to 4s 3d "hen ditto,' 2s-to 2st6d;, large English hurep, 3s 9d to 48 4d; medium ditto, -2a 6d to 3s; wild aucki, is oato 28 2d; pintailsi-Is 6d to Is lOd; large Surrey fowle, 2s 9d to 3s 3d Sussex ditto, 2» 6d to 2s lOd; Boston ditto, 2s to 2s^4d: fcish ditto, Is 6d to ls lOd; large English duckp, -s 6d to -s 9d Irish ditto, poults, 3s 6d to 5s; large geese, 5s to 5s 6d and fat quails, bAd to Is 9d each pheasants* 3s 6d to 58 9d; partridges, 3s to 3s 6d; old ditto, Is 6d to Is 9d young grouse, 5s 6d to 6s old ditto, 2s .to 2s 6d and black game, 38 3d to4s4d per brace; wild rabbits, 9a to 10s 6d per dozen. BILLINGSGATE Fism. Prices: Turbot, 6s. to 8s; brill, 5s; lemon-soles, 5s; halibut, 6a plaice, 3s to 4s per stone soles, lid to la 3d slips, 6d to Sd; red mullets, 2s; John Dorys, 2d per lb.; English smelts, 8s to 108 per 100; Dutch ditto, Is to 2a per basket; mackerel, 15s; cod, 14s to 20s hake, 14s; gurnet, 8s catfish, 5s; coaifish, 8s; sea bream, 5s; whiting, 3s to 4s; roker, 8s; skate, lOsto 12s fresh herrings, 7s per box fresh haddocks, 6s to 9s per trunk ditto, 12s per turn; live eels, 19s; dead eels, 14s per draft; conger eel, 30s; stilted herrings, 18s to 22s 6d per barrel; whitebait, Is per quart; crabs, 14s to 165 per hamper; lobsters, 20s to 40s; ,crawfish, 30s per eoore; native oysters, 15s; Dutch, 8s; French, 6s per 100; shrimps, 14s; winkles, 5e to 8s per bushel; mussels, 3s to 68 per bag; bloaters, 2s to 38 6d; kippers, 2s to 3s per box; dried haddocks, 38 6d to 6f 6dper dozen. VVu.TECII.AREL HAY AND STRAW. — Best hay, 60s to 86s; inferior 50B to 60s; mixture and sain- foin, 50s to 85s; best clover, 70a to 97s; inferior, 50s to 68s straw, 32s to 39s per load. BOROUGH AND SPITALFIELDS POTATo.-There was a moderate supply of potatoes on sale. The trade was steady at the following rates: Magnum botrums, 70s to 80s; hebrons, 80s to 100s; snowdrops, 75a to 85s; Imperators, 758 to 80s Regents, 70s to 75s; and main crops,7Qs to 75a per ton. SEED TRADE.—Grass and cloverseeds are just now neglected. English winter tares being very cheap attract attention for holding over. Koenigsberg vet-ches are prohibitirely dear. Canaryseed ia quietly steady. Hempseed dull. Peas and haricots un- changed. Fine new scarlet runners offer at tempting rates. Mustard, rape, and litaseed firm. COVENT-FLARDBN.—FRUIT AND, Vies-irrABLM.-Applep, 48 to 12s 6d per bushel; pears, 4s to 6s per bushel; gropes, Is 6d to 2s 6d per lb.; cobnute, 25s to 35s per 1001bi; walnuts, 3s 6d to 4s 6d pert half-seive tomatoes, 4d to 6d per lb.; onions, 4s 6d to 59 6d per cwt. piekling ditto, 3s to 4s per bag celery, 12s to 180 per <1oxen rolls fcabbage., 4s to So 6d beetroot, 2s to 3d per tally; artichokes, to 2s 6cl; cucumbers, 2s to 3s caulifloweraj la to 2m per dozen garrets, 3a to 4s; turnips, 2a 6d to 3s.6d; parsley, la 6d to 2s; I leeks, Is 6d to 2a per dozen bunches; seakate, 128 to 18s per dozen punnets; horseradish, 12a to 18s psr dozen, bundles; mushrooms, 5s to 7s eschalots, Is 9d to 2s 3d; garlic, 3s to 4s per 121b.; cos lettuce, 2s to 2a Gd per score potatoes, -408 to 85s ppr-ton. CAMBRIDGE CATTLB.—Not BO many fat beasts to band, but laBt week's-prMee weret-lulily maintained. A large liJumbtrof store beasts were shown, and nearly all cleared. A good show of fat sheep; prices qmite "P to last week. A few, lots of store, sheep, and all were dieposed of. A short supply of fat pigs prices .better. A- ir trade for bay, straw, and roots. Prices: Begf, 6sto 7s3d ;.mutton, 4s,Ùd to 5s %}; pork, 6s to 7s 6d. r BEADING CATTLE.—r^he quantity of beef on offer was shorten tw.n tU..uald>ut trade was dull, at. 4s to 48 4d for best, and 4d to 3a 84, for inferior Mutton was fairly plentiful, and^ tr^de proved slow: best 5s to 5s 6d per Btone, and secondary 4s to 4s 8d. Short supply made the, veal trade brisk, and best qualities sold at 58,54 6d per stone, secondary 4s 6d to 4s 8d. CORK BETTER—Primest.,808 perewt.; prime, us; thirds, 64e; fourths, 52s. Mild-cured: C.hoicept, 91s; choice, §ls; superfine, 90s fine, 81s; mild, 71s. Choicest boxes, 91s. GRHISBY FISH,—Supply and demandi good. Brills, 7d to 8d per lb.; cod, live, 2s 6d to 5s dead, 2s to 4s each; salt, 10s to lls per cwt,;epalfish, 10s to*30s per score; codlings, 10s to 15s..per box; catfish, Ips to 40a per spore; gurnete, 5B to 8s per box; halibut, live,, 6s, to 7s; dead, 5a to 6s ,pef stone; had- docks, 40s to 48s per kit; round, 10s to 16a per box; finnan, 3s to 3s 3d per stone; hake, 2s to 5s each ltchetsJ to 10s per box; ling, live, 2s 3d to 4s 6d dead, Is 9d to 3s 6d each American oysters, 48 6d; Dutch, 8s; English, 7B Heligoland, 6s 6d pe IOQ; plaice, 2s pd to 4a Od per stone soles, Is 2d to Is 5d per lb.; lemon, 7s to 8s per stone skate, live, 2s 6d to 5s 6d; dead, 2s to 4s each whitings, dead, 3s to 4s; whitches, 4s 6d to 5s 6d per stone; whelks, aD 6d per wash ice, Is 6d perrcwt.

AN interesting development of tiie modern girl is the early age at which young ladies act as hostesses and head the establishments of their unmarried brothers or widower fathers. For some years Lady Anne Lambton has helped to do the honours at Lambton for her brother, Lord Durham, and Lady Mary Lygon has assisted her brother, Lord Beau- champ, in the same manner. Lord Durham i8. in poipt of fact, not a widower, but Lady Durham, owing to ill-health, has been absent from Lambton .for many years. Lady Sybil Primrose has lately begun to act as hostess for her father, Lord Rose- bery, and last summer Miss Astor took the head of the table for Mr. Astor at Cliveden and in London. Lady Helen Stewart has for several years taken her mother's place at Wynyard during Lady Londonderry's frequent illnesses. THE oldest' peeress alive at the present date is Jane, L»dy Carew, grandmother of the present lord. She as daughter of Majoir" Anthony Cliffe, of New Cross, Iceland, was born in 1798, and in 1816 married the first Lord"Carew. She is in good health and the full possession of her faculties, can converse* agreeably, and still enjoy a game of bezique, and if her life is prolonged until next year she will join the steadily increasing army of centenarians. THE jonrney round the world may now be per- formed, if coincidence of train .and steamer fit, within 60 days. When the Trans-Siberian Railway 11'1 open the time' will be reduced Taking 12 dayeto 'he Eastern Coast of Asia, 11 days crossing the Pacific, four days from San Francisco to New zor and1 seven days (a large allowance nowadajs) trom New York to London, the traveller will want 34 days to accomplish the going-round process. TII Commander-in-Chief has inlomed the. Coii&eil of the National Artillery Association that he considers the official report on-the last meeting very ea -iafaetory." His lordship. ispiewpl to. note that umch improvement was visible.in fire clisciplino and and declares that m every way the meeting shoWed an.advauce 00 that oflastyeai. IT is said that the. Princess of Wales is becoming extremely sensitive to the effects of music, and that there is- oneair, from an oratorio, to which shp can aever listen without shedding tears. As a young,g,i.d.. the Princess used to practise the piiano a great deal, and could spend many happy hours alone with the instrument.

ICAMAGE, for Cycles, Cycle Accessories, &c. LEADING THE WAY AS USUAL. CHEAPEST AND BEST HOUSE. Write or call for comprehensive Catalogue for the Season, Post Free to £ ny Address. — the "GAMAGE" cycles stand, the racket. — Write or call for comprehensive Catalogue for the Season, Post Free to any Address. — THE GAMAGE CYCLES stand, THF, RAC-KET. — -v- .A.- The CauMpede to Gnq. 19-;6d. The Special Gamago 1 õ Om. IAIzh Grade, Smart, Up-to-datel High ûrade, Smart, Up-ta-datel 12 Mouths' Warranty. Roàgh Roads will not Wreck them. I The" Lucissime "Lamp. Post Free. BSL t Burns if A • Post Free. Paniffin Odourless and Non- | W9P explosive. Ni&ke1-. f tlated. The 'Gamspedc' Lady's tl Gns The I CamaLge 1 13 Gns. T" Tried and True I 12 Months' Warranty. Honest Workmanship in every part. Tbe'Gamage'Watch Holder Very noatil I Glass f5a.ee, perfectly du*t« Spring; clip pre- vents vibration, Mlfs1 Locke on the Bar. ^Wm. 1 Price 3/6; with Watch tompUtc X2/9 ZaAfa and Gent's size. Spring; clip pre- vents vibration, Mlfs1 Locke on the Bar. ^Wm. 1 Price 3/6; with POST Fimm. :POST P'BBs. ZaAfa and Gent's size. Gamage's Famous Bells. (AS ILLUSTRATION.) 1}4, 2/3, 2/9, 3/3, 3/8, 3/9. Postagt, 3d., Loud and clear toned. Marvellous value. A k «V T IV k m m k i THE 'SYKL' FOOT PUMP. VERY POWERFUL Can be carried in the Pocket. No StoQping. Pumping up a Pleasure. No Battling on the Machine. 2/9 F<sa"se THE ONLY BRAKES HOLDER. %I-. -i; I 3/- Pottage td. Holds Brake to any tension. Locks Machine to prevent Theft. Attachable to any Cycle. ""8 .1. Doctors do not differ In their opinions o Gamage's SADDLE, And why? Because it is at onee hygienic, anatomically cor- NJfcf rect, and pressure upon the perineum is avoided. No saddle soreness even after the hardest and most 'continuous riding. POST FREE. 21/- POST FREE. Suitable for Ladies or Gentlemen. JEattiy adaptable to any Machine. E.C. o,d,"Tr«0s-CT"SC

¡;) T JMR- WEINMAN, the American journalist and explorer, intends, to sail fcpta Bergen in a steamer on June 13 for Franz Joeep.h Land, where be will establish a supply Btation. at Qape, Flora, and hop94- to reach Cape Fligely before winter sets in. Tbs following summer, 1899, he will attempt to gain the Pole, 550 mi'es distant, with sledges.