The North Wales Times

(iatbmhtg. If any reader who is in difficulty with reference to his garden, will write direct to the ad. dress given beneath, his queries will be an. swered, free of charge, and by return of post. —EDITOR]. Some correspondents omit to add their names, er merely end with initials. In these cases it is obviously impossible to reply.—E.K.T. THE FLOWER GARDEN IN FEBRUARY. ABUTILONS. These very showy evergreen plants require greenhouse temperature during the winter, but tower freely in the open air in summer. It is not generally known that they are easily 80welfedfrom seed in a single season. Any fairly light potting soil answers, provided it ibe well drained. Sow in a temperature of about 65 degrees, and prick out the seedlings directly they are an inch high. Supp'y abun- dant moisture, and occasionally weak manure water when the plants are growing freely. ANEMONES. Though anemones are usually grown from roots, fcney may be raised from seed in a little over six months. A thoroughly worked, rich, sandy soil, liberally admixed with cow manure, is desirable, though a well broken up, stiffish loam is also suitable. Indeed, most varieties thrive in all ordinary garden soils. If neces- sary, etrench may be opened and filled with Hghb, rich loam, in a sunny spot sheltered from keen winds. Sow now on a sunny border in lines, or in pots or pans under glass, after hav- ing well rubbed and mixed the seeds with sand. Rake in the seeds very lightly, or cover thinly with sandy soil, and keep the beds free from weeds until germination, which is slow, is ac- complished. Thin out the seedlings to six inches apart, carefully transplanting and watering the thinnings as necessary. AURICULAS. Many auriculas are of exquisite beauty, the Alpine varieties being perfectly hardy, while the more delicate show kinds need the protec- tion of a frame through the winter. Prepare a compost consisting of one part turfy loam, one part of leaf mould, and one of well decayed cow-dung and sharp or river sand, with a little charcoal. Press the soil firmly down in pots that are half filled with pot sherds, covered with a mixture of rough loam and charcoal to insure perfect drainage, and sow in a cool frame or greenhouse, placing the seeds half an inch apart. Cover very lightly with fine soil, and lay sheets of glass over the pots until germina- tion be eftecced. Watering must be accom- plished by standing the pots in a vessel of water. The seed germinates very slowly and irregu- larly. Directly the seedlings are large enough to handle, which will be as each attains to three or four leaves, prick them out some two inches apart in pans, whence they must be moved singly to small pots before the leaves touch. Keep the plants as hardy as possible, and supply abundant moisture excepting during winter, when water should be supplied only when the loil isnearly dry. During the summer show varieties may be stood out of doors on a bed of sand or ashes, or on slates or boards. BEGONIAS. The consistency and beauty of fine begonia flowers make them perhaps the most valuable of half-hardy perennials for pots and for bed- ding out. They produce grand effects in large masses, and are not injured by stormy weather. The seeds are very small, and must be carefully handled. Well water the soil before sowing, and scatter the seeds thinly in a uniform tempera- ture of 65 degrees in perfectly drained pots of good, light soil, surfaced with fine sandy loam. Do not cover the seeds, but press them into the surface, and lay sheets of glass over the pots until germination, which is slow and irregular, is completed. Prick of the seedlings as they become big enough to handle into pots or pans in an even temperature. Move the young plants on to larger pots as may be necessary, and as early in June as they become strong .enough, they may be bedded out, to remain un. til the middle of Octot)er, when they must be potted and brought indoors. If some plants are raised and potted in September they will continue to flower for a long time under glass. When stored tubers show signs of growth in February or March, place them singly in small pots of rich loam. Grow on as greenhouse plants, and carefully harden off before planting out during June. CALCEOLARIA, SHRUBBY. Seeds sown now in a frame or greenhouse in moderate itemperature will provide plants for summer flowering. CHRYSANTHEMUMS. Perennial kinds can be raised from present sowings in very gentle heat to flower this year. Supply plenty of water, though the pots must not be allowed to become water-logged, and grow on without any pinching back. Place out of doors the instant doing so is consistent with safety, to keep the plants dwarf and robust, and shift on, potting firmly each time, until eight-inch flowering pots are reached. COCKSCOMBS. These curious and highly decorative plants are tender annuals. A lighr, friable, sandy loam, with some admixture of cow manure and silver sand,, is best. Sow now in well drained Pans of rich, sandy soil on a newly made hot- oed, where a moist atmosphere of from 65 to 70 degrees can be maintained. Allow plenty of light and a little air when the young plants appear, and prick them out early into small 60- sized pots, taking care that the seed leaves are close to the surface of the soil. Shift them on, Potting moderately firm, until seven-inch flow- ering pots are reached, always on a hot-bed. Keep the plants rather dry to induce the forma- tion of combs, and stand them close to the glass of the frame. DAHLIAS. Sow thinly during February or March in pocs or pans of light, good soil. Cover the seeds very lightly, and stand on a hot-bed or in a propagating house. Pot off the seedlings when they are large enough to handle, and place them in heat, being particularly careful with Weakly specimens, which usually eventually Prodnce the best flowers. Stake the young plants when they are about eight inches high, water liberally, and give plenty of air during Wet weather. Carefully harden the plants off at the end of May, and place them under the shelter of a wall or a hedge for a few days, ^here they can be protected with mats at the least sign of frost preparatory to finally plant- ing them out, in early June. DIANTHUS. These brilliant hardy biennials. are fortu- nately reproduced true from seeds. Sow, to flower this year, during February or early March to heat, and prick out the seedlings an inch or an inch and a half apart in pans or boxes as soon as they are large enough to handle, and harden them gradually to cool culture. Pot singly before the plants touch one another, and plant out in May. FUCHSIAS. Fuchsias can be flowered satisfactorily from seeds in six or seven months, and few plants so elegant for training on pillars and walls, where the graceful pendant blossoms show to great perfection. Sow now in heat in pots of J.™ Hffht soil. Prick off the seedlings while r* very small round the edges of thumb pots j*fld pot them on in the cool house as may be Shade the plants after each move, and never permit them to lack moisture, though J water-logged soil is most hurtful. Syringe f reely with clear soft water in the morning and a :rooon. Allow plenty of air under glass, and shade the plants when in flower. GERANIUMS. nrnlr jP,eoP^e are aware how satisfactorily and !*jja?ly these exceedingly popular half-hardy 8tfn«« '« may grown as annuals. A good man *1 seeds may be depended on to 'yield ny striking varieties. Any good potting soil will do for geraniums, but that for seed- pans should be good, light, and slightly coarse. Sow thinly now in pans or boxes, cover with an eiL.,n- ii of an inch of fine soil, and place in a sunny position under glass. Prick out the I seedlings as they appear, and soon after pot them singly in small pots, and keep them on a light snelf in the cool house. Water very care- fully, and keep the house 1ihtand airy/and the atmosphere fairly dry. Flower in four or five-inch pots. GLOXINIAS. There is yet time to secure a fine summer display if sowings be made as advised last month. LOBELIAS. Use somewhat sandy soil for the seed pans, and sow at the end of February or in March in a temperature of about 60 degrees, covering the seeds very lightly indeed on account of their small size. Prick off early into other pots or pans, and keep the plants under glass till nearly bedding out time in May. Rigidly pick off every bud that appears before lobelias are placed in their final positions. MIMULUS. This flower revels in damp and retentive soils in shady situations, but will grow under almost any conditions. To flower this year sow now in heat. The seed, being very small, must be sown on the surface and merely dusted over with tine soil. A little damp moss may be sub- stituted for this covering, but it must be re- moved as soon as germination is accomplished. Thin out the seedlings when they are an inch high, and supply abundant water. MYOSOTIS AZORICA. This, the most lovely of the forget-me-nots, should be grown as a half-hardy annual. Sow under glass during this or next month, prick out an inch apart, and keep under glass till all danger from frost is past. E. KEMP TOOGOOD, F.R.H.S., pro Toogood and Sons, The Royal Seed Establishment, Southampton.

RHUDDLAN. SOCIAL TEA MEETING. On Thursday last a very successful social tea meeting was held at the C.M. Chapel in aid of the general funds of the chapel. The provisions were given by the young people, who, when asked, very willingly came forward to help our worthy pastor. The tables were in the charge of the following ladies Miss Jones, Dol Gam; Miss Davies, Bryncwnin; Miss Davies, Tai Ceryg; Misses Jones, Fron Deg; Misses Wil- liams, Parliament Street, assisted by several other young ladies. The meeting was well attended by members of the difterent chapels, and friends from Rhyl. After the tea, a very successful singing competition for a silver medal took place. Seven competitors entered and sung pieces of their own selection. After a keen contest, the adjudicator (Glas Alaw) awarded the medal to Miss Annie Williams, Rhyl, who sang I The Dream of Paradise.' A recitation was also given in a splendid manner by Mr. ProHit, Rhyl, which was received with applause. UNITED TEMPERANCE LITERARY SOCIETY. This society held their monthly meeting on Friday evening last at the C.M. Schoolroom, presided over by Mr. J. Parry, Canolydre. The principal item of the programme was the de- bate on the subject{ Are the visitors a benefit or disadvantage to the town ?' It was opened in the affirmative by Mr. Joseph Roberts, and opposed in the negative by Mr. Robert Evans. Botheides were welt supported by those pre- sent. The arguments in the affirmative were. that the working classes were able to dispose of their garden and poultry produce at profit- able prices, and also that the Ivisitors caused other businesses to be more brisk. On the other side, the arguments went to show that the visitors desecrated the Sabbath day by driving about the country in carriages and waggonettes —many of them behaving in a very unruly manner, which was a bad example to the in- habitants. It was admitted by both sides that there were great advantages to the visitors themselves in coming to this neighbourhood for the benefit of their health. On the vote being taken, the negative had the majority. The meeting was closed with a recitation by Mr. W. Morris, which was given in a creditable manner.

SUDDEN DEATH OF LORD JUSTICE CHITTY. AN INTERESTING CAREER. The English Bench has lost one of its most dis- tinguished members in the person of Lord Justice Chitty, who died at his London residence in Queen's- gate-gardens, S.W., on the afternoon of the 15th inst. after an illness lasting only three days. On Friday of last week his lordship was performing his usual duties in court, apparently in the best of health, but on the following day, feeling that he had a slight chill, he remained at his residence, and was engaged for the greater part of the day in writing four judgments. In the evening Sir Joseph retired to rest somewhat early, and no more alarm- ing symptoms had developed then than a slight attack of influenza. On Sunday morning, however, it became evident that his lordship's condition was more serious than had been anticipated, and Dr. Aikin, the family doctor, was in frequent attendance. Throughout Monday there was no great change in the patient's health, and on Tuesday there was a distinct sign of improvement. But this, unfor- tunately, was not maintained, and it was thought advisable to have a consultation of doctors. Sir Douglas Powell was accordingly summoned, and he, together with Dr. Aikin, spent some considerable time with the patient. During Tuesday and Wed- nesday two of the sons and the only daughter of de- ceased remained with their father alternately, but, although his position was now regarded as dan- gerous, it was not thought that the final issue was so close at hand. When, therefore, the death took place, as it did about half-past three on Wednesday afternoon, the tidings came as a thunder clap. Failure of the heart's action, following upon the prostra- tion naturally caused by an attack of influenza, was declared to be the cause of death. The patient's age-he being in his 71st year—was natur- ally greatly against him. Lady Chitty and her family can scarcely realise that Sir Joseph, who five days since was on the Bench, and, as all supposed, in good health, has passed away. One of his sons informed a representative that Sir Joseph had invariably, for many years, enjoyed excellent health. His illness was surprising to them all, and the death had seemed almost incredible to those who had been around him during the last few days of his life. The late judge came of a legal stock, his father having been a barrister of the Inner Temple. He was born in London 71 years ago, and received his education at Eton and at Balliol College, Oxford. He took his B.A. degree in 1851, became a Fellow of Exeter College in the following year, and in 1854 proceeded to his M.A. For three years he stroked the Dark Blue craft in the University Boat Race, and his continued interest in rowing was evidenced by the fact that for some years he acted as umpire in the annual contest on the Thames > between the two Universities. He entered himself at Lincoln's-inn, and in 1856 was called to the Bar, taking silk 18 years later, and being made a Bencher of his Inn in 1875, and treasurer only four years ago. As a barrister he enjoyed a very extensive and lucrative practice in the Rolls Court, of which for some years he was the leader, and in his leisure time actively supported the volun- teer movement by accepting a commission in the Inns of Court Rifles. At the general election of 1880 Mr. Chitty, as he then was, stood for Oxford City in the Liberal interest in company with Sir William Harcourt, and secured the second seat-the city at that time returned two members—by the narrow majority of 10 over the single Conservative candidate, Mr. A. W. Hall. The late judge did not remain very long in the House of Commons, as in 1881 he was appointed a judge of the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice, in place of Sir George Jessell, the Master of the Rolls., In 1897 Justice Chitty was made a Lord Justice, and sworn of the Privy Council. The late judge married, in 1858, Clara Jessie, sixth daughter of the late Sir Frederick Pollock, the first baronet,, who was Lord Chief Baron of the old Court of Exchequer, and he leaves four sons and a daughter.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—PUBOTIAEV 15. Mr. Field continued the debate upon Mr. Swift MacNeill's amendment to the Address, censuring the practice among ministers of the Crown of holding directorships in joint stock companies. Both Mr. Field and Mr. Jeffreys supported the amendment; but Sir J. Brunner somewhat modified the tenour of their speeches by expressly pointing out, from Mr. MacNeill's side of the House, that the occasion was merely to be regarded as a warning, and not as an attempt to pass a vote of censure upon the Government. Colonel Lockwood thought the dis- ability, if adopted, should not be confined to Minis- ters, but should be extended to all members alike. Mr. Buxton supported the amendment from the front Opposition Bench. After further discussion, one of the speakers in support of the proposition being Mr. Labouchere, Mr. Balfour commented upon the anxiety which, he said, all the speakers had shown to make no attack upon the personal honour of any member of the Government, and the universal desire that in every respect the purity of English public life should be maintained at its traditional high standard. He went on to examine the principal cases instanced by Mr. MacNeill on Tuesday night of directorships held by members of the present Cabinet. The Duke of Devonshire held three directorships, but the undertakings were as much private concerns as the duke's estate at Chatsworth. Why, how- ever, had the tenure of a directorship been objected to, whilst the possession of shares to any amount was passed over ? He understood that Lord Tweedmouth had conformed to the rule laid down by Mr. Gladstone in regard to his ministerial colleagues, and had resigned his director- ship in Meux's Brewery when he accepted office. But Lord Tweedmouth did not give up his immense interest in that ancient brewery, had not been asked to give it up, and ought; not to be asked. The pre- sent leader of the Opposition musbhave his assets in- vested, whatever they may be, in such a manner as to expose his interests to fluctuation under much of the legislation in that House and, although formerly it was said that no one should take part in public life who had not a stake in the country," in course of time, observed the First Lord, eliciting loud laughter from all parts of tha House, that steak had been very much overdone." He concluded that the danger lay in connection with public con- tracts and Stock Exchange speculations. He trusted that the House would not pass a narrow rule which could not constitute any gain for us, and could not secure the honour and integrity that had formed the great glory of our country. Mr. Asquith having urged that the positions of shareholder and director were totally distinct, the amendment was negatived by 247 against 143. Prior to the adjournment of the House, Mr. Bousfield obtained the first reading of abill to enable county councils to grant a limited number of old-age pensions. The amendment, with the first place on the paper, for to-day's sitting of the House is that of Mr. Seton-Karr, asking for an inquiry into the present large and incresing dependence of the United Kingdom on foreign imports for the necessaries of life," Mr. Kearley comes next with an amendment expressing regret that British trade interests, particularly in Madagascar, have not been safeguarded as they ought to have been by the Secre- tary of State for Foreign Affairs."

POULETT PEERAGE. Earl Poulett has returned to London from South- sea. He is still receiving letters of congratulations. A gentleman in Massachusetts has offered to supply him with money to further his claim, if necessary, and epistles have also reached him from Montreal, Ontario, and other parts of the American continent. The other morning he received a communication is Russian from St. Petersburg.

COTTON MASTERS AND MEN. "Making-up day" in the Lancashire cotton trade next week will be the crisis in the present strained relations between masters and men. If the men per- sist in their demard for an increase of wages, and the masters maintain their unyielding attitude, a month's general notice, it is expected, will be ten- dered by the men in all the districts governed by the Maeters'Federation. According to the provisions of the Brooklands agreement, these notices will expire in six weeks from last Saturday. The masters are willing to join a conciliation board, but the men's leaders disapprove, relying on the Brooklands agree- ment. Meanwhile the workpeople will ballot on the question of giving notice.

THE MILITARY MANCEUVRES. A committee consisting of the Duke of Connaught, Sir Redvers Buller, and others, appointed by the War Office, to consider the improvements which may be made in the conduct of future manoeuvres from the experience of those of last year, has, presented a report containing a long series of suggestions and recommendations dealing especially with the ques- tions of supply, the framing of schemes and manoeuvres, and the principal considerations that should guide umpires in their decisions.

THE PHILIPPINES. Matters are again reported quiet in the neighbour- hood of Manila. According to a Spanish prisoner from Caloocan, the wretched Filipinos are discon- tented, unpaid, badly-fed, and disillusioned their talismanic wafers have proved useless, and their only encouragement lies in the harangues of the egregious Aguinaldo, who boldly told them the other day that they had slain 2300 Americans. Business in Manila is resuming its normal activity,

BLACK EYES IN CHAPEL. Extraordinary scenes were witnessed in Inchimite Chapel, Cotton Tree, Colne, on Sunday. For some time the congregation has been at variance-one por- tion desired musical instruments for the service, while others were anxious to adhere to the old mode of worship. As a consequence, one section held a service in the school, whilst the elder people used the chapel. On Sunday, however, the former at- tempted to also use the chapel. This led to a scene of great disorder, in which the rival parties came to blows. The tumult continuing, police were sent for, but before they arrived the contestants had sepa- rated, one or two having received black eyes.

STREET SCENES IN NEW YORK. The snowfall in New York ceased at midnight on Monday. But the gale continued during the fore- noon, filling the air with flakes from the drifts as fine as powdered glass. They glistened like diamond crystals in the sunshine that supervened, and melted only in sheltered spots. The snowdrifts in the streets resemble great fortifications. After the great snow- storm of 1888 the streets were like rivers, and tele- graph-poles and wires broke and fell under the weight of the wet and clinging snow. No consider- able interruption of the telegraph service has occurred on this occasion, the snow, because of the extreme cold. falling from the wires and poles as quickly as if it had been the driest sand. Altogether, a little under 16in. of snow fell during the bl izzard, making the total for February 28in., and 49in. for the winter. In the great storm of 11 years ago over 20in. fell, but the minimum temperature then was as much above zero as it has now been below. The chief distinction between tha two storms is in the severity of the latest one in the south. Snow has fallen even as far down the Con- tinent as Florida. At Washington the record in inches surpasses those of the past 65 years. At New Orleans the temperature was six or more degrees below the lowest recorded. Altogether, in the language of the Weather Bureau, thisjjhas been the greatest storm in the history of the Atlantic States, and most, remarkable for the perfect combination of adverse meteorological and other conditions. Certain journals have been filled with highly- coloured accounts of the distress in New York; but the public lodging-houses were not filled, and the militia armouries, which were thrown open to receive an alleged army of destitute and half-frozen people, received only one applicant for shelter. The response of private charity to the necessities of the poor has been so ample that there is some danger of the creation of an undeserving class of recipients. There are remarkably few cases of extreme suffering among the people, but there is no lack of minor annoyances, such as stopped gas pipes or burst water-pipes. One Gas Company received no fewer than 35,000 complaints of stopped pipes. The blizzard ceased on Tuesday, and the weather became clear and milder, though still cold. Presi- dent M'Kinley has given lOOdol. to the fund in aid of the sufferers at Washington, to which the British members of the Anglo-American Commission have also made liberal contributions.

KIDNAPPING CASK Jane Hitching, or Kitchener a hsiwker, was, at Hampstead Police-court on Wednesday, charged, on remand, with kidnapping a boy, oighr years of age, on the 30th of July last. It was stilted that, after a school treat on Hampstead-heath the boy was missed by his parents, and that towards the end of September he and the woman were, one cold and foggy night, found asleep in a doorway at Totten- ham. The woman was taken into custody and charged with exposing the boy, but she was dis- charged. She now gave her version of the matter, maintaining that she had treated him kindly. She was remanded.

SKILLED LABOUR. The monthly memorandum prepared by the Labour Department of the Board of Trade states that in January the state of employment underwent little change, and remained good in all the principal trades. The proportions of unemployed in the trade unions making returns was, at the end of January, three per cent., compared with 2'9 per cent. at the end of December, and five per cent. in January, 1898.

SINKING OF THE GERMANIC. For 24 hours up to Tuesday morning not a single vessel passed Sandy Hook in either direction. Since New York became a large port this has happened only once before. During Tuesday the Paris, Etruria, and Spaarndam went in in procession. The Germanic, topheavy from the weight of ice, listed until she was swamped by water through the coal shutes. It was, however, found easy to bed hor and prevent her from being entirely submerged but she cannot be pumped out in time for her regular sailing. The damage sus- tained by such an accident could not be less than in the case of this vessel. The Germanic sank at her pier, owing to the com- bined weight of the ice coating on her and of the coal which was being taken on board. The Germanic, of the White Star Line, is a vessel of 5000 tons, and was built in 1874 at Harland and Wolff's Belfast. Yard. From a cable received by the White Star Company, it appears that, the accident to the Germanic occurred through a port-hole being left open. The vessel was knocked about at her moorings, and during the storm she was impinged against the wharf wall. It was then found impossible to close the port-hole, and the water poured in. The bunkers being pretty well full, the weight of the water increased the vessel's list. There was really no sinking. Immediate steps will be taken to pump out the water.

(SCOTCH EXPRESS OFF THE LINE. On Tuesday afternoon the two o'clock Caledonian corridor express from Glasgow (Central) met with an accident near Uddingston. The train had just passed Newton-junction, running at the rate of about 40 miles an hour, when the trailing wheels of the lead- ing engine left the rails, tearing up the permauent- way for a distance of 200 yards. On the train being brought to a standstill it was found that the second engine and all the carriages had kept, the rails. The train was at once backed to Newton-junction, and single-line working introduced, and the corridor, with one engine, proceeded on its way South about 30 minutes behind time. No one was injured.

THE PRINCE OF WALES. Sir W. MacCormac, President of the Royal College of Surgeons, on Tuesday delivered the Hunterian Oration in the theatre of the college in London in presence of the Prince of Wales and a large and distinguished company. He rapidly reviewed the events of Hunter's life, enumerated his chief con- tributions to biological and surgical science, described his methods in research and in instruction, and paid a warm tribute to the astonishing range of his in- vestigations, the magnitude of his actual achieve- ment, and he far-reaching influence he had exercised on the subsequent development of surgery.

MR. BENNETT, M.P.'S ESCAPE. At the Albion Hotel, Woking, on Tuesday, Mr. G. F. Rournieu, the West Surrey coroner, conducted an inquiry into the circumstances of the peculiar accident at Woking on Wednesday night of last week, when Thomas Leach, a fly driver, of Banbury, lost his life through driving into the river. The carriage at the time contained Mr. Leigh Bennett, M.P., and his agent, Mr. Fyler, and these gentle- men, together with a lad on the box with Leach, experienced very narrow escapes from drowning. Alfred Benham, of Chobham, the lad in ques- tion, said that at Woking village deceased asked witness if he knew the way, and witness replied that he was not quite sure. There should have been a lamp as they branched off to Ripley, but a. juror mentioned that the light had probably been extin- guished by the wind. Witness, continuing, said that after turning to the right they could not see where they were going, and the horses soon entered some water. The coaehman then said, This is a pretty place that we have got in," evidently thinking he had come across a swollen stream. The horses began plunging, and deceased told witness to jump down and hold the head of one of the animals. Wit- ness got down, and then found that the horses and carriage were in the river. Witness saw nothing further of deceased, and could not remember how he recovered his position. Deceased was quite sober. When witness jumped off he was almost under water. Mr. H. C. Leigh Bennett, M.P. for the Chertsey Division of Surrey, supplemented the boy's evidence, giving a graphic story of his own miraculous escape. Witness looked out of the window, and seeing the church tower outlined against the sky, felt sure that they had gone too far. He therefore put his head out of the window and told deceased that he had overshot the turning. Deceased backed the horses, turned them, and then drove past the church. The horses," continued Mr. Leigh Bennett, did not stop until we got to the water, and the first thing I realised was the coachman pulling up and saying Iwo wo r to the horses. I was then conscious of water.. There was next a slight jerk from the horses, or else the deceased allowed them to go on a step, with the result that the water began coming into the carriage. There was a lurch, and we went what seemed a yard, this bringing the water up to the bottom of the window. Realising our position, Mr. Fyler opened the downstream window and we jumped out. The water was up to our waist, and we had difficulty in getting to dry land. The boy had struck out, and he held on to my coat-tails. I pulled as hard as I could. Just before reaching dry ground he released my coat. He, however, turned up after a short interval. I looked around to call to the coachman, but the carriage had com- pletely disappeared. Not seeing the carriage, witness went to a cottage. With a lantern they looked out over the river, but could see nothing of the unfortu- nate coachman and his charge. An impromptu search party was formed, and with lanterns they walked into the flooded meadows bordering the river. Then 50 yards below the scene of the accident, they saw the horses and carriage, the water running over the carriage and concealing all but the animals' heads. The horses struggled towards the lanterns, and when near enough were lassoed and safely brought ashore. Deceased had been washed away. Frances William Gale, blacksmith, of Woking, proved finding the body of the deceased on Sunday. It was 100 yarda below the scene of the accident. The jury returned a verdict of Accidentally drowned," adding a rider to the effect that something should be done at the scene of the fatality to prevent further accidents of a like nature.

SiR FRANCIS TRESS BARRY, M.P. for Windsor, on Monday received the freedom of the borough, and in the evening was entertained at a banquet, in appre- ciation of the honour of a baronetcy conferred upon him by the Queen. LEONORA FLORENCE ROBINSON, of 2, Duke-street, Watford, domestic servant, was, at Watford police- court, on Monday, charged with administering poison to the family of Mr. Henry Crawley, of Queen's-road. It is alleged that the girl put some atropine, which had been prescribed for her master as a lotion, into a rice pudding, when the whole family were seized with violent illness after eating some of the pudding. Formal evidence of arrest having been given, the accused, who made no answer to the charge, was re- manded. A SERIOUS hunting accident occurred on Monday with the Albrighton Hounds, Shropshire, Mr. James Kirkby, of The Grange, Prescott, near W olverhamp- ton, was taking a fence in a crowd when both horse and rider fell. Mr. Kirkby received a terrible blow from the horse's hoof fracturing the skull, and was conveyed to the Shifnal Hospital, where on Monday night he was reported to be dead. Directly Captain Foster heard of the occurrence the order was given for the hounds to go home.