South Wales Echo

THE BECHUANALAND EXPEDITION. An Immediate forwapd Movement. [RKLTEE'S TELEGRAM.] V^AI'E 10WN, Dec. 17th, Via. Plymouth.— iroops continue to arrive for the BechuaRaland expedition, and recruiting is going on at Cape Town and Kimberley. Sir Charles Warren has returned from the Orange River, where he has been to take up the military command. He was accompanied by detachments from various corps. The Orange River will be the base of operations, and CoL Molyneux has been left in charge there. It is expected that the forward movement will take place early in the new year. Great difficulty is being experienced with the transport.' An Argus telegram from Jaungs states that the Boer section in Stellaland, notwithstand- ing their sympathy with the Goshenites, have declared themselves loyal. According to Kaffir reports, Montsioa is reduced to great straits, being short of food and ammunition. News received at Kimberley states that Mr Van Niekerk and the officials express themselves satisfied that the settlement by the Cape Ministers will be confirmed, and that the Freebooters will get all they want. Nevertheless it is reported that recruiting is going on in the Transvaal and in the Free States. The De La Rcy faction is opposed to any settlement with England. The reply of the Imperial Government to the conditions proposed by the Cape Ministers has been made public, and is universally regarded as most conciliatory and satisfactory, leaving no excuse for resistance on the part of the peaceably disposed. It is reported from Zululand that Sir Henry Bulwer, in answer to a request from a Boer deputation asking for the recognition by the Imperial Government of their position, declined to give his assent. The Boers are still casting about for a president, both M. Joubert and the Chief Justice of the Free State having refused the office by post C, J.

GERMANY AND SOUTH AFRICA. I British Protectorate in Pondoland F RENTER'S TELEGRAM.] DURBAN, Tuesday.—The German corvette Gueisenau, with the German Consul-General on board, has been ordered to Zanzibar on a special mission. A British protectorate has 'been pro; claimed over the whole coast of Pondoland. BERLIN, Tuesday.—The North German Gazette or to-day states that the news regarding the terri- t,"Iia,1 acquisitions of Herr Luederitz at St. Lucia ay up to the present received no confirma- ^c>uvn-d]0Xn reports. The semi-official J Co«tinues:—To ensure the validity of fU -fp^ #acqu>siti°n, and in order to effect a transfer of sov,,eigii rights, a treaty with native cniefs would n,,t be stifficient. Such a treaty wo Squire the consent of the Boer ePu 11C» *'hich exercises a protectorate over Zulu an o^e°ver, the relations of Zulu- land with Great Lnta.n would have to be taken into consideration, as the latter country has reserved to herseif the right of confirming any treaties which lvl,y tx- concluded bhe Republic.

At Durham, on Tuesday, Sorgt.-Majorlieffer, nan, 3rd Durham Rifle Volunteers, and Thomas Miller, gunsmith, were each sentenced to two months' hard labour, for stealing Government ammunition from Sunderland armoury.

MONEY MARKET. To-day's Times money article says To-day dividends are payable to the public, and there was no demand for loans. Money till to-morrow was 3 to 31; three months' bills, 3S. The Stock w''Is 3 to 3" a market has rallied from the fall caused by yester- day's alarm. Home Government Securities wera decidedly firmer. Consols, 99i to 991 for money; 99 to 99 for the account. Home Railways were firmer, especially for heavy stocks. North-Western, Midland, Great Western, and North-Eastern Consols advanced i each Metropolitan fell 1. The Foreign market was firmer, the explana- tions respecting the movements of the Channel Fleet having produced some effect on Continental bourses.

TO-DAY'S MARKETS. POTATOES. LONDON, Wednesday.— Supplies continue abundant, and trade is fairly active at the annexed prices Regents at 60s to 80s; Victorias, 60s to 70s; Mag i;ums, 50s to 70s Champions, 45s to 50s per tor. BUTTER. CORK, Tuesday. — Seconds, 135s thirds, 88S; fourths, 50s. Kegs—Thirds, 83s fourths, 48s. Mild cured tirkins—mild, 121s. In market, 179 firkins, 12 ke&s. 1 mild. ke&s. 1 mild. SEED LONPON, Wednesday. Messrs Shaw and Sons, seed merchants, of 37, Mark-lane, report rather more business doing, and an increased inquiry has durms: the last few days shown itself, and some quantity, par- ticularly of red clover seed, has changed hands. Alsike, white, and trefoil are without quotable variation. Nothing doing in grass seeds. Spring tares are dearer. Blue peas and haricot beans, in sympathy wit'h the advance in corn, are firmer. Linseed higher. SUGAR GLASGOW, Wednesday.Fan business done at yester- day's prices. The official report is as follows: Moderate business done at prices showing 3d decline since Saturday. PROVISIONS. LONDON, Wednesday.—Butter—Foreign descriptions meet a steady sale, at about previous quotations. Kiel and Danish, 120s to 144s Friesland, 130s to 126s; K..znandy, 116s to 140s Jersey, 96s to 108s; American and IrLh almost nominal. Bacon-moderate sized lean meat sells at full values. Other kinds dull. Hams rather lower to sell. Lard inactive. Cheese-American quoted 46s to 61s.

TO-DAY'S "SHIPPING. Lloyds' Casualty Telegrams. I The barque Sendemanuer went ashore at Savannah but afterwards floated and is leaky. The Dundreman, for Cardiff, in tow of the tug Ben Nevis, has returned to Falmouth, the tug having broken the. tow rope and hooks. A Gibraltar telegram states that the barque Jane Pardew, of North Shields, struck on a rock 14 miles south of Cape .spartel on the 4th of January, and be- came a total wreck. The crew were picked up by the Austrian barque Caterina B and landed at Gibraltar on Wednesday. The Jane Parctew left Shields on the 20th December for Oran.

THE ADDITIONAL MEMBER FOR CARDIFF. Action of Llantrisantand Penarth. A meeting the redistribution sub-committee was held to-day at the Town-hall. Mr Alderman Jones presided, and there were present Coun- cillors Saunders, Carey, Warinsr, and Morgan. A letter, dated the 5th instant, was read from the town clerk of Llantrisant, stating that the inhabitants of Llantrisant protested against the proposal of the corporation to dissociate the borough of Llantrisant from the boroughs of Cardiff a.nd Llantrisant. A letter, daled the 6th instant, was read from the clerk of the Penarth Local Board, stating that the board had resolved to take no action with respect to the Redistribution Bill. A letter was also read from Sir E. J. Reed giving the result of a long conference he had had yesterday with the chairman of the Boundary Commission as to the claims of Cardiff. It was resolved that a telegram be sent to Sir Edward asking him to state where a telegram would reach him on Friday and that, under the circum- stances, the committee did not think it requisite for him to attend at Bridgend. The Boundary Commissioners will sit at the County-hall. Bridgend, on Friday next, at 11 o'clock, when those gentlemen who have to sup- port the Cardiff case will be present. The train from Cardiff to meet the above hour is 7.48.

CARDIFF CORPORATION. j Appointments in the Town Clerk's Office. A meeting of the general purposes committee of the Cardiff Corporation was held at the Town- hall on Tuesday, for the purpose of appointing clerks to three vacancies in the Town Clerk's office. Mr R. Bird (ex-mayor) presided, and there were present Aldermen Duncan, M'Connochie, Cory, Elliott, Lewis, and Jones; Councillors Proger, Trounce, Carey, Morgan, Andrews. James, D. Watson, Ramsdale, Hurley, Trayes, E. Jones. Beavan. A. Thomas, Vaughan, Waring, Yorath, Loughor, Rees, and Jaoobs. Some discussion took place on a suggestion of Mr S. Andrews, that an undertaking should be required ifrom the candidate in the event of an engagement, that he would not take up any work other than corporation work-that he would, in short, give his whole services to the town. The suggestion was embodied in a resolution, and can led with two or three dissentients. Four applicants appeared before the committee for the office of assistant town clerk, who was required to be a lawyer, and to have had experience in eonveyancing and advocacy. Ultimately Mr A. Collingwood, of Newport, was appointed at a salary of L200 per annum, with trial of three months, and on satisfaction given an engage- ment for three years. The other appointments were a conveyancing clerk, Mr D. D. Davies, Cardiff, salary J385 per annum, and a shorthand and general clerk to the committee clerk's depart- ment, Mr F. C. Lloyd, Pontypool, salary Lgl per annum. Prior to the special business of the committee being reached, some time was occupied in a dis- cussion raised on a question by Mr Beavan, who demanded to know why a letter written by the Ratepayers' Association, animadverting upon the increase to the official salaries, was not submitted to the last meeting of the council.—The Town Clerk replied in effect that be intended it to have been submitted to the finance committee, inasmuch as that committee had the matter in haud. It bad, however, been cmitted.Ilr Beavan thereupon moved that the letter be brought forward at the next meeting, but on the motion, going to a division it was negatived.

THE UNDERGROUND RAILWAY EXPLOSION. Although large numbers of persons tra- velling by the Hammersmith train have com- municated with the police as desired, no further information has been obtained likely to lead to the identification of the perpe- trators of Friday's explosion on the Metro- politan Railway. Before the necessary repairs arc done to the injured train several photographs will be taken of the carriages which have suffered the most injury. This wou!d have been done yesterday, but the light was unfavourable.

THE MURDER ON THE HIGH SEAS. At Bow-street police court on Tuesday, Ferdinand Koeipen, a German seaman, and Wm. Rauscher, seaman, of Hull, were charged with murdering A. Janssen, on board the American ship, F. J. Chapman, on the high seas. Pending the completion of extradition papers, the prisoners were remanded until Monday.

DIPLOMATIC APPOINTMENTS. The following appointments were gazetted on Tuesday night :-Mr Edwin Corbett, now minis- ter to Brazil, to be minister to Sweden; Colonel Mansfield, now minister resident to Venezuela, to be minister resident and consul general to Peru; Mr Frederick St. John, now minister resi- dent and consul general to Colombia, to be ipinis- ter resident to Venezuela; the Hon. Edmund Monson, now minister to the Argentine Republic, to be minister to Denmark.

IMORE CANNiBALISM IN THE RHONDDA. At Mardy, Femdale, a man has just been arrested for biting part of another man's chin off. It is said that .he took a piece off clean, and I that the teeth marks were vi(jible.

TO-DAY'S SPORTING. MANCHESTER NEWYEAR'S MEETING MANCHESTER, WEDNESDAY. Another severe frost set in last night, and the course was found perfectly impracticable to race on. The re mainder of the programme is therefore, with the con- sent of the stewards, abandoned. A new fixture is arranged for the 30th and 31st of January, particulars of which will appear in the Calendar.

-c THE SEIZURE OF THE LIVER- POOL STEAMER OVERDALE. Alleged Piracy bv the Peruvians. On Tuesday afternoon the owners of the Liver- pool stamer Overdale, which was seized about a fortnight ago still under detention by the Peruvian authorities at Mollendo, received a telegram from the Foreign Office stating that a cablegram had been received from the Bri- tish Charge d'Affaires at Lima. In this latter Lord Granville was asked if the British representative should pay under protest the fine which the Peruvian authorities might impose on the vessel in order to obtain her release. Lord GranYIlle, however not wishing to take the responsibility of such a step, wired to the owners for their decision. in reply, the owners" of the Overdale stated their unwillingness to agree to such a course. They mentioned that they had information of the port of Mollendo being open »t the tune the Overdale arrived, and that the vessel's seizure savoured verv Uluch of piracy. They did not know the amount of the fine which the Peruvians would impose, and the payment of the said fine would, the owners believed, look as if they acknowledged the justice of the seizure and might prejudice them in any claim they must consider it neces- saryto make. The owners also instanced the case of a vessel which was seized in a similar manner by therenjvians g0me four or f;vo yCars ago. The vessel in question was subse- quently stripped, and the claim which her owners put forward is still in abeyance. Very serious consequences have,'the! owners, said so far resulted trom the seizure, and they asked Lord Granville to inform the Peruvian authorities of the fact, and to intimate that they will be held responsible for all losses sustained. The Over- dale, it seems, was about to proceed to carry out some important contracts, and her detention will, it is feared, prevent the accomplishment of the intention, involving serious loss.

RESCUING A NEWPORT CREW. Presentation to an Italian Captain The Board of Trade have awarded a piece of plate to Captain Domenico Romeo, of the Italian brig Marietta, of Naples, in acknowledgment of his humanity and kindness to the shipwrecked crew of the William Jones, of Newport, which was abandoned at sea on the 9th of December, 1883, while on a voyage from Puerto Cabello to Liverpool. The crew of the William Jones were 48 days on board the Marietta, during which they were treated with the greatest kindness, the rnaster and owner declining to receive anything for their maintenance.

A coroner's jury on Tuesday returned a verdict of wilful murder against Arthur Kavanagh, James McNamara, and John Tagnart, who attacked a Norwegian seaman named Jonson, and beat him to death in a low part of Liverpool on New Year's night.

TO-DAY'S POLICE. I CARDIFF. NEGLECTING TO MAINTAIN A WIFE AND FAMILY.—At the police-court this morning—be- fore Aldermen Lewis, Cory, and Dr. Paine— Henry Morgan, labourer, was brought up on a warrant charged with neglecting to maintain his wife and three children. Mr Pritchard, of the union, stated that prisoner's wife and three chil- dren had been in the workhouse since the 8th December. The family were admitted also in May last, subsequent to which he promised to take them out and maintain them. He had not, however, done so, and his parents had paid the expenses to the guardians instead of him. In July of the same year the wife came into the workhouse, and a child died there. The bench considered that prisoner was determined not to pay, and sent him to gaol for a month's hard labour. RAILWAY TRESPASS. Joseph Rolson was charged with trespassing on the Taff Vale Rail- way on the 21st December.—Mr Ingleden, who represented the company, said the prisoner had been repeatedly warned against crossing the line which he had done several times. The company were entrusted with very valuable property passing over the line for which they were responsible.-An official stationed at Penarth harbour on the line worked by the company said about noon on the day named he saw prisoner coming over the fence near the old iron works on to tha railway. He reported him. —Prisoner, a young man, who began to blubber at his position, was fined 5s and costs, or five days. Prisoner: I'll d* the five days. JUVENILE OFFENCE.—John Edwards, William John Garside, and Frederick Jones, boys, were charged with damaging a door to the extent of 2s, in Lady Margaret-street, on the 26th December. —Henry Thomas, agent for the Cardiff Workmen's Cottage Company, proved that the boys had got a stick under the door of the house, and in their efforts to get it out broke open the door.—Defen- dants were fined for the damage 8d each with eosts. LEAVING VEHICLES UNATTENDED. Henry Martin, cab-driver, was charged with leaving his horse and cab standing ten minutes unattended, in Westgate-street, on the 5th inst. Mr Price appeared for the defendant, and sought to prove that he had merely gone round to St. Mary- street, with which the cab-stand in Westgate- street is temporarily connected, to see if any vacancy was there for his cab.-The officer stated that the defendant came from a different dlree- tion. Defendant having offended four times before, was fined in the fu" penalty of 10s and costs.—Arthur Creese, who neglected the pony and trap of his father in Tril. ity-street, on the 27th December, was fined Is and costs. A BOXING NIGHT'S DrvER;'N-Katc Kelly was charged with threatening an;! damaging the property of Sarah Kelly, her meiher-in-law, an old lady of 70, who keep a small sv. eet shop in Davis-street. -Corr pi,,Iill a. t safd that about 11 p.m. on Boxing night when she was asleep in bed defendant roused her up by smashing the shutter and windows of the shop. According to an esti- mate she had had made the damage was 24s. She had been frequently annoyed by defendant, who had threatened her lfe.-Defendani; was ordered to pay a Is fine and the damages within six weeks, and cautioned as to her demeanour to the prosecutor. weeks, and cautioned as to her demeanour to the prosecutor. NEWPORT. AN IMPUEENT BEGGAR-At the borough police- court to-day—before Messrs Woollett, Cullnm, and Stevens—Chnrles Thomas, shoemaker, was charged with begging- at several shops in Com- mercial-street, and ii-ir7 violent language when he was refused alms. Fined 5s, or seven days. ROBBING A MASTER.—Sarah Ann Bowen, a yonny woman, was charged with stealing several articles of dress, the property of Michael Chapman, on the 7th of October. Prose- cutor is an outfitter in Commercial-road. The prisoner, who is from Cwmp, near Ebbw Vale, has been in his service for a month. At the date in question she left, and a number of articles were missed. She was appre- hended in Newport on Monday afternoon last, when a pawn ticket was found upon her, showing that prisoner pledged several articles belonging to Mrs Dipman at Mr Freedman's. At the police-station prisoner said her home was at'Ebbw Vale, and on Mrs Lipman going to the address given, there was no such person to be found. Afterwards prisoner said her home was at Cwm, and this led to a communication with the police, stating that the prisoner had robbed her mother also that she was known by the name of Mary Powell. Tim prisoner denied, but it was not a little sing-ular that she gave the name of Mary Powell when she pawned the articles. Prisoner now pleaded guilty. Two months' hard labour.

=-=-== SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST A CARDIFF COMMISSION AGENT. Before Aldermen Lewis and Cory and Dr. Paine, at the Cardiff police-court this morn- ing, David Thomas, a respectably dressed man, lodging at Devonshire place, Can- ton, Cardiff, was charged on a warrant with obtaining two tons of patent manure and two ftons of superphosphate, from Messrs John Williams and Co., manure manufac- turers, Mount-pleasant, Liverpool. — Mr Belcher appeared to prosecute. — William Roberts, in the employ of the firm, residing at Liverpool, said prisoner was a commission agent in the Cardiff district, and had occupied the position from February of last year. It was his duty to receive orders, and to trans- mit them, but not to receive accounts. In the course of the transactions an order for two tons of manure was received from prisoner,1 which wasjaccordingly despatched to the person named, a John Williams, of the Elephant and Castle, Carmarthen. Witness went to the place to obtain payment, but the landlady, a Mrs Wade, denied knowledge of such person. He next proceeded to hunt up the prisoner, whom he could not find, and at last at the address above given, he showed prisoner the order, and asked him if the alleged customer had paid him. Pri- soner said he had not, but was going to the customer was safe. Witness had prisoner taken into custody.—Mr Belcher, in applying for remand, said he had information that "prisoner had had the manure and disposed of it to an auctioneer considerably below its; value in one case, manure value L20 for £<¡.-Prisoner was re- manded till Monday.

GLAMORGANSHIRE QUARTER SESSIONS. Trials of Prisoners. The trials cf prisoners at the Epiphany sessions for the County of Glamorgal1 commenced at the Town-hall, Cardiff, on Tuesday. FIRST COURT. A LICENSING APPEAL FROM MERTHYR. in this case Mr James Isaacs appealed against a refusal of the licensing justices to renew the licence of the Canal public-house, Dynevor-street, Mer- thyr.—Mr B. F. Williams was for the appellant, and Mr Abel Thomas for the respondents, the Merthyr magistrates.—Mr Williams said that the whole matter turned upon the 2nd subsection of the 42nd section of the Licensing Act, 1872. What took place was this—the licensing meeting was fixed for the 6th September. Before that day no written or other notice had been given of objection to the renewal of the licence to the present appellant. Before the parties entered the court on the 6th Superintendent Thomas went into their private room and laid before them -Mr Thomas (interposing): My friend is now stating facts which I don't admit.—Mr Williams continued that as a result cf what took place in the justices' room, the magistrates came into court and announced that all the licences would be renewed, excepting those ncluded in a list then read out, the licence of the present appellant being upon that list. The bench said that with regard to those whose names were on the list, the meeting would be adjourned until the 27th September. Before that day, he (Mr Williams) thought on the 12th, a written notice of objection was served on the appellant, signed by Supt. Thomas, notifying his intention of opposing the renewal of the licence at the adjourned meeting, on the ground that the present appellant had been convicted of offences under the Licensing Act, that his house was not structurally or otherwise adapted for a licence, and that it was not required in the district. Really the point was this—under the 2nd sub-section referred to it was stated that the justices shall not entertain any objection to the renewal of such licence, or take any evidence with respect to the renewal, unless a written notice of an inten- tion to oppose has been served on the owner not less than 7 days before the commencement of the general annual licensing meeting, providing the licensing justices may, notwithstanding that no notice has been given of an objection being made, adjourn the granting of the licence to a future day." The whole thing, said the learned counsel, turned upon what was the meaning of the words on an objection being made." The question was, did what took place .amount to an objection.—The chairman was understood to say that what took place in the magistrates' private room could not be evidence.— Mr Williams said that other magistrates had de- cided in -similar cases that no objection having been made in court the proviso did not apply.— The appeal was allowed with costs. THEFT AT CARDIFF. Frederick Loveridge (62), hawker, plea.deri guilty to having stolen a coat, the property of Daniel Davies, at Cardiff, on the 27th December, and upon two previous convictions being proved against him, he was sentenced to nine months with hard labour. CANNIBALISM AT TNYSHIR. I William Smith (25), haulier, was indicted for I maliciously wounding Wm. John, at Ynyshir, on the 29th November.—The evidence of the prose- cutor, who appeared in the box with a bandage around his head, was to the effect that upon leaving the Butchers' Arms on the night of Satur- day, the 29th November, he saw the prisoner and another man fighting. He (prosecutor) told pri- soner to let the man alone, whereupon he (prose- cutor) was tripped, and when he fell prisoner got on top of him. Prisoner seized prosecutor's right ear with his teeth, and bit a piece out of it. Prisoner, it was alleged, then exclaimed, "I have got his ear right enough," and added that he would eat the prosecutor and his clothes too.—After some evi- dence had been given on behalf of the case for the prosecution, prisoner called several witnesses, whose testimony went to Rhow that he acted in self defence. These witnesses deposed that they heard prosecutor say that he would murder the prisoner, and they also stated that they saw him attempt to strangle the prisoner in an affray on the road, when they were on the ground together.—The jury found prisoner guilty, and he was sentenced to six month's hard labour,—Mr B. F. Williams pro- secuted. ROBBING A WATCHMAKER AT POXTYPRIDD. Caroline Hopkinf;(2-1-), dressmaker, and Thos. Thomas (32), labourer, were indicted, the former for stealing a silver watch cf the value of JS5 5s, the property of Mrlsid r Kuner, atPontypridd, on the 27th Nov., 1881-, and the latterfor receiving the watch at Llantrissant on the 29th November, knowing it to have been stolen,—Mr Abel Thomas prosecuted, and prisoners were undefended.—It appeared that on the day named the female prisoner entered the shop of the prosecutor, in Taff street, Pontypridd, and asked whether he had any cheap watches for sale. Prosecutor showed her some, and then left the shop in charge of his daughter (a child). The female prisoner still being there. He subsequently missed the watch, and give information to the police, who searched the house in which the male prisoner lived, at Llantrissant, and in a drawer in his bedroom found the missing watch. Upon Thomas baing- lop' apprehended and taken to the police-station he made a statement implicating the woman. The chairman remarked that there was no case against Thomas, and directed his acquittal. The jury foundthe woman guilty, after which' she admitted a previous conviction for felony at Pontypridd, and was now sentenced to three months' imprisonment with hard labour. WOUNDING AT ABERDARE. Richard Nicholas (on bail) was indicted for maliciously wounding Henry Morgan Phillips at Aberdare on the 8th of December, 1884. The evidence adduced was to the effect that the prisoner lodged with the prisoner at Incline-row, Cwmamman, Aberdare, and that upon his entering the house on the day named, with the object of removing his furniture, the prisoner rushed at him with a knife. He (prose- cutor) pushed away the hand which held the knife, and then rrceived a wound over the right eye. This wound penetrated to the bone, and was about two inciics in length. Prisoner now denied having stabbed the prosecutor, and said that he only acted in defence of himself, as the prosecutor smashed his door open, and behaved like a madman. The jury found prisoner guilty of a common assault, and he was sentenced to a month's hard labour. FRAUDULENT COLLIERS AT ABESNANT. Lodwick Sake (16), collier, and Evan Richards (16), collier, were indicted for falsely pretending that coal in certain trams had been cut and worked by them, by means of which they attempted to obtain from Evan Lewis and others certain money with intent to defraud, on the 14th November. Mr David Lewis I)roscented. Richards pleaded guilty, and Sake not guilty.- Both prisoners were employed at the River Level Pit, Abernant, and although they worked only one tram load of coal within a certain time, they so marked other trams with their number as to represent that they had cut the contents of live trams. The fraud was discovered, however, before the prisoners had been paid for the work which they claimed to have done.—The jury found Sake guilty, and recommended him and the other, who had plsaded guilty, to mercy on account of their youth.—They were each sen- tenced to two months' imprisonment. AN OLD OFFENDER. James Williams, alias Henry Toland, alias James Davies (41), blacksmith, pleaded guilty tj stealing a purse and Is from Sarah Hooper, at Cardiff, on the 8th November. Prisoner said he took the purse as he was in want of food. A Bristol police-constable proved a long list of pre- vious convictions against the prisoner, who, it appeared, had gone under various aliases. He was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, with hard labour. FALSE PRETENCES BY A EOY. William Slater (15), collier, pleaded guilty to having by false pretences obtained from Thomas Riches and others the sum of £ 3 10-, at Ystrady- fodwg, on the 29th November. He was sentenced to two months' imprisonment, with hard labour, the Chairman expressing a hope that at the ex- piration of his term of imprisonment something would lie done for the boy by the Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society. The court then adjourned till 10 this (Wednes- day) morning. THIS DAY. Tiie trials of prisoners at the Epiphany sessions for the countyof Glamorgan were resumed at the Town-hall, Cardiff, to-day. FIRST COURT. (Before Mr R. O. Jo,, Es and Colonel LEE.) WOUNDING BY A BOY. EphraimOwen Jones, a boy, on bail, was indicted for maliciously wounding George John, at Merthyr Tydvil, on the 27th December.—Mr David Lewis prosecuted.—It appeared from the opening of the learned counsel that on the day named pro- secutor a boy, witnessed a quarrel outside of the Royal Oak public-house, George town, Merthyr, between prisoner and a boy who had only one arm. Prisoner pushed this lad about, whereupon prosecutor struck at the prisoner, who retaliated by drawing a knife and stabbing the prosecutor upon tiie arm. It transpired that the prisoner and several other boys had been drinking together in a public-house prior to this occurrence. On being charged with the offence by the police prisoner admitted that he cut the prosecutor, and said that he did so because the latter kicked him.-Tlie jury took a merciful view of the case, and acquitted the prisoner. A MOUNTAIN ASH WOUNDING CASE. John Davies and Daniel Bowen. on bail, were charged with maliciously wounding Evan Davies, at Mountain Ash, on the 9th ^November.—Mi- Abel Thomas prosecuted, and Mr B. F. Williams defended.—It appeared that on the day named the prosecutor left the house of some friends at Penygrfig, and proceeded to his home, at Moun- tain Ash, having in his pocket a bottle of brandy, the top of which protruded so that it could be seen. When nearing Mountain Ash, and upon taking a short cut to his house, he inec the prisoners, who asked for a ÔrJlá: of brandy. Prosecutor declined to give them any of the spirit*, and endeavoured to escape, when one of tiie men picked up a stone and threw it st him, the missile striking him on the head, and inflicting a wound which bled pro- fusely. Prosecutor eventually s ought refuge in a farm house, and gave information to the police. It appeared that the stor.o was thrown by Bowen. and that Davies kicked the prosecutor. The jury found both prisoner-! guilty. and they were sen- tenced tonme months' imprisonment with hard labour. WOUNDING AT SWANSEA—A BOY SHOT. Samuel Norman was indicted for maliciously wounding and inflicting grievious bodily h;.rm upon John C!"ment Francis, at Swansea, on the 26th of .December. Mr Brvnmor Jones prosecuted, and prisoner was undefended.— The prosecutor was a little boy, who appeared in the witness box with his head covered with bandages, and who said that he lived at 16, Little Madoc-street, Swansea. Between seven and eight o'clock on the evening of Boxing- (J,y the prosecutor was standing upon is stone looking through a window-pane into the circus, when the prisoner, reafly dressed for a performance, appeared with a gun in his hand, and pointed it at the boy. He then, os prosecutor and a witness alleged, put down the gun and took something out of a bag with which he loaded tbe weapon. He again raised tne gnn and fired, and at the same time the boy, who received the charge full m his face, fell to the ground insensible. The evidence of persons employed at the circus went to show that the gun was simply loaded with blank cartridge, and prisoner asserted that he took nothing out of the bag to put in the gun. it appeared that the weapon was given to him with which to play his part in apiece called "The Soudan War." From the evidence of Mr Jones, the house- surgeon at Swansea Hospital, it seemed that on the boy's admission to that institution his cheeks and nose were stained with gun- powder, and that three days afterwards glass was found under the upper lip. The doctor expressed a fear that the boy would lose the use of his right eye.—Prisoner now stated that he did not know that the gun was loaded, and he only meant to frighten the boy.- The jury found prisoner guilty, and sentence was deferred. Later in the day prisoner was sen- tenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour. WOUNDING AT SWANSEA. William Williams (28), labourer, on bail, was indicted for maliciously cutting and wounding John Rees, at Swansea, on the 25th December. Mr Benson prosecuted, and Mr B. F. Williams defended. It seemed that the prosecutor is the chief inspector of the Swansea Tramway Com- pany, and that it is his duty to collect tickets on the trams at certain times. Prisoner had not a ticket, and was therefore told that he must pay his fare. After some words had passed between prisoner and the inspector the former produced a shilling, and the inspector proceeded to give him change. As prisoner was receiving the change he struck prosecutor a violent blow on the head with a stone which he had in his hand. Prosecu- tor was knocked down, and prisoner ran away, but prosecutor pursued him, and he was eventually given into custody.—The jury found prisoner guilty, and he was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment with hard labour. Mary Ann Peake, 22, married, was charged with maliciously cutting and wounding William Davies, at Swansea, on the 11th December.—Mr J. Jones prosecuted, and the prisoner was un- defended.—It appeared that the man and woman were in the Engineers' Arms, on the Strand, on the day named, and that the woman threw a glass in his face, inflicting threw wounds.—The prisoner alleged that she had only acted in self- defence, the prosecutor having taken hold of her and insulted her. She admitted that she had formerly led an improper life, bnt that she was now a different woman," and that the prosecutor was quite a stranger to her. While giving way to tears she •xpressed her sorrow for what she had done, and # pleaded great provocation.—Tiie jury found pri- soner guilty, and recommended her to mercy. She was ordered to undergo two months'imprisonment with hard labour, upon hearing which^ sentenc she wept bitterly as she was led to the cells. NO BILL. The grand jury threw out a bill in which Jane Meylin (46), charwoman, was indicted for stealing: a purse, contoing £ 4, from Carl Frederick Lewer- dowig, at Swansea, on the 27th December. SECOND COURT. (Before Mr J. C. FOWLER and Mr H. JONES.) CUTTING AND WOUNDING AT CARDIFF. Padlas Kavadaaras, a Greek sailor, was indicted for unlawfully and maliciously cutting, stabbing, and wounding Thomas Stephens at Cardiff, on tile 8th Novemher last' Mr Gibbons appeared for the prosecution. On the night of the Sell November there was a row among- some Spanish and Greek sailors in Custom house-street, the complainant interfered, and it was alleged by tiie prisoner that he was knocked down and kicked by some of the roughs. He was on the ground with Stephens under him. Prisoner was then seen to draw a knife from his pocket and stab complainant in two places. He immediately got up and ra.n away, and endeavoured to conceal the knife under a door-Ftep. A boy saw him, and handed the nife to the police. It was thencovered with blood. The prisoner alleged that he had no knife, and that the stabbing was done by two Spaniards. The jury found him guilty, but recommended him to mercy in consequence of the provocation. The court considered that there was not sufficient ju^tiiication for him to draw a knife. As 1.e had, however, been imprisoned for two months lie would only be further impri- soned for two months with hard labaur.-Antonio Toza, a seaman, was indicted for unlawfully and maliciously stabbing and wounding George Den- nison, on the 11th Nov. last. Mr G. C. Thompson prosecuted, and Mr Abel Thomas defended the prisoner. On that night there was a disturbance in Sophia-street, and a number of seamen left a boarding-house armed with pokers, sticks, and other weapons. They struck and hit at every one in the street. Prisoner weut over to the place where the complainant was stand- ing looking on. Prisoner was armed with a knife, and complainant, on seeing the prisoner rushed at him, struck the prisoner a blow on the mouth. Dennison was then knocked down, the prisoner falling on him. When on the ground the prisoner stabned the complainant ia back. The defence was that Dennison and his companionJêwere "bullies," and that tney were frequently in the habit of quarrelling with foreign seamen. They on that evening were in reality the attacking party. The prisoner was violently assaulted, and thrown down by the prosecutor. He was injured, but some other person standing by stabbed the prosecutor. The wife of a boarding-house keeper also swore that some per- son, not prisoner, entered her nouse, immediately after the row, and washed his hands. The jury found the prisoner guilty, and he was sentenced to eight months' hard labour. SHOP ROBBERY AT CARDIFF. Mary Hayes (37), a maraied woman, was indicted for stealing three coats from the shop of Mr Colman Follick, pawnbroker and outfitter, Bridge-treet, on the 17th November. The coats were missed from the doorway, and the prisoner was in a few minutes stopped by the prosecutor s assistant with the coat under her apron. She was found guilty. Several previous convictions were proued, and she wa sentenced to nine months' hard labour, the lenient sentence being given in consequence of her liaving an mtant in her arms. ANOTHER SHOP ROBBERY. Robert Graham (28), labourer, and Edward Wilson (IS), sailor, was indicted fur stealing three pairs of stockings from the shop of Mr Coleman Follick, pawnbroker and outfitter, Bridge-street, on the 13th November, 1883. Mr Gibbons pro- secuted. The prisoner Wilson was offering the stockings in pledge at the shop of Mr Barnetc, He was detained while a police-coustabie was sent for. On the constable leaving ths shop ^Graham came up and said, I gave them to Wilson to pledge. I stole them from Mr Follick's shop but he also said, We made it up "—one to steal and the other to pawn them. They were found guilty, and sent to prison, each for one month with hard labour. STEALING A WATCH. William Henry Fox, a sailor, was indicted for stealing a watch and chain from the person of William Creech at Cardiff on the 7th November. He was also indicted for receiving the watch. Mr Jeffries prosecuted. Complainant was in the Rose and Crown on the night in question. He had then his watch and chain. He left, but on arriving at Blaok-weir lie missed his watch and chain. How it was taken he did not know, as he was much the worse for drink at the time. The prisoner said that a sailor took tiie watch from the prosecutor and gave it to him to pledge.—He waS found guilty and sentenced to six months' hard labour. (For Continuation see next edition.)

DESPERATE POACHiNG AFFRAYS At the Berkshire quartet-sessiuns at Reading, on Tuesday, Jonathan Sharp, a poacher, was sen- tenced to 15 months' hard labour for a murderous assault upon P.C. Winch, near Maidenhead, early in the morning of the 31st ult. A desperate poaching affray took place near Broxbourne, on Tuesday morning, between three poachers and several gamekeepers. Two keepers and one poacher were seriously injured. Two poachers were arrested.

RHONDDA DISTRICT GF MIN-ERB LABOUR REPRESENTATION The monthly meeting of the Rhondda District cf Miners-was held on Monday, under the presi- dency of one of the delegate. The principal business transacted had reference to the question of labour representation. The matter had been remitted to the collieries for separate reports upon the expediency cf this course next election-after redistribution. The reports were not received from a great number of the collieries they were, so far as they went, favourable to the proposal, and those which had llrot reported, or had only partially considered the matter, were urgently requested to send delegates to a conference in- tended to represent the miners oi theRlumd da Steam coal district and the Ocean and Femdale Collieries, to be held at Ton on the 19th inst. Soni", of the delegates remarked that Mabon, the agent, could, if sent to Parliament, continue to hold that position as well as that of member. Mabon was requested to attend the forthcoming industrial conference on behalf of the Rhondda.

WRECK OF A BARQUE NEAR GIBRALTAR. A Lloyd's telegrroln from Gibraltar this morning ^jys: "The bar.que Jane Parden, of North Shields, struck ovi the rocks 14 miles south of the CapeSpartel, January 4th, at 7 p.m., and became a total wreck. The crew were picked up by the Catterina B, of Fiume, and landed at Gibraltar.

THE FUNERAL OF THE BISHOP OF LONDON. I The funecral of the late Bishop^ackson> which takes place at Fulham on SsJdrday at noon, will be strictly private, and the ceremony will be con- ducted by the vicar, W110 13 a son-in-law of the deceased. Many lers and telegrams expressing condolence have ^en received, and most of the family have *»«w arrived.

SPANISH ANNEXATION IN WEST I AFRICA. ^?:VTKAL NEWS TELEGSAM.1 nient has' 6 nesc*a5'- The Spanish Govern- annouucino. ^hl^ n°te t0 the Powers eyt..nc. a Spain has taken possession of inerritories in West Africa, and describ- IDg the terntories.

BANDIT ATTACK ON A TRAIN. A -L. [CENTRAL NEWS TELEGRAM.] conflict took place on Monday ernoon at the railway station of Villaverde hT a S^0rt distance from Madrid. A gang of banditti planned an attack upon a train, which "alil stopped, but the railway officials resisted them, and after half an hour's struggle, put them to flight, one bandit beiner killed, and another wounded.

FATAL KICKFROMA HORSE. [SPECIAL TELEGRAM] A sad death is to-day reported from Clare Ctetle. A man named €orryby had just pur- chased a horse. The former owner was describing h. temper of the animal, when a lad placed his an on the back of the horse. The animal at once displayed one of its proclivities by suddenly vhrowiag up his hind legs, striking the unfor- tunate purchaser in |the Abdomen and causing ■inmost instantaneous death.'

FALL OF A STREET INTO A PIT SHAFT. [SPECIAL TELEGRAM.] A,mew street is being formed at Hollingwood, near Oldham, over an old coal-pit shaft, and early this DCorning the inhabitants of the neighbouring houses were alarmed by a rumbling noise, and rushed out to find that the earth had subsided, carrymg the workmen's tools and wheelbarrows into disused shaft. No person was injured.

LOUISE MICHEL AND THE FRENCH ANARCHISTS. [CEXTRAL KEWS TELRGJtAlf. I- PAR19, Wednesday Morninpt.-The advanced PWCiGgmw%-Un agitated by the continued im- prisonment of Louise Michel, whose release was xpected after her mother's death. She was however, compeUed to return to prison on leaving the deathbed. The Anarchists are now pre- paring a r-trong demonstration to be made before the Palais Grevy on Sunday next, unless an amnesty is extended to Louise before that day.

BOARD OF TRADE RETURNS. The Board of Trade returns, issued to-day, ■PTxmx^&t t'1G *mPor^s f°r December were a65,073,970, as compared with £ 33,371,131 in the ™°nth last year, this being a decrease of -.rtTWk'*e exPorts for the month were ±47,840,103, compared with £ 18,971,102 last year, this being a decrease of £ 1,130,999. For the whole year the imports were £389,774,549, com- pared with £ 425,603,932 in 1883, this being a de- crease of £ 35,829,383; while the exports were £ 232,927,575, against £ 239.799,473.

.=-=-==-=-=- THE POWERS OF THE BOUNDARY COMMISSIONERS. A correspondence is published to-day which has ,P'Me between the <Jla»Row Municipal o i es and the Boundary Commissioners. The former had asked that the Parliamentary borough of Glasgow should be so extended as to Include surrounding urban communities. jThe Coin- missionars reply that the proposals are largely in excess oi the scope of their instructions, and can- not be entertained, as they would have the effect of nullifying the distribution of representation as contemplated by the bill.

THE TRIAL OF MADAME CLOVIS HUGUES. [CENTRAL NEW TELEGRAM.1 PARIS, wennesdvy.- The trial of Madame CIOTIS Hugues comes on to-morrow before the Cour d'Assises. In legal circles it is thought that she cannot escape conviction, and the mini Hum sentence which can be passed, allowing for the plea of extenuating circumstances, will be five years' imprisonment. The president of the court wishes the trial to conclude at one sitting, should the court sit all night. He is anxious the jurors should not be influenced by the £ p«r comments which may happen if the prose^J^onrned- There are 26 witnesses'for the Madame^' and only three for the defence, and haa ^Hugues is now very depressed, Thousands confidence in her acquittal. to ths court P^Ca^ons fw tickets of admission Justice. A partiti P?luinff into t!le d enlarge the reporter pu,Ied dowu to en"

™E HEAL$0|7mr GLAD- Our Chester correspondent tele#^ from Kawarden this warning:—r Grladstone he present at the Cabinet Council to be held this 0Qn. The hon. gentleman had not risen by nine o'elook, and will not travel to-day, no special *ail*ay arrangements having been ordered as .^d have had to be the case if he purposed pro- to London. teay" wys ifi is Possible that Mr Gladstone theHiviera in a fewdays and start from croi,8* or 80m8 neighbouring place, for a short yacht Mediterranean in Sir Donald Currie's week fQwn?ara» leaves Southampton this The Castla th" ra" bulletin was issued at Hawardcn being -M* Gladstone's sleepns ^atisfactorjT y restored' and wecan g»ve a very Lcounk h'3 improvement.

«%NEottleA ^GH"BIC CCAT AND A MIGHTV «mmi7h"d gen^F1 THEY'LL WANT !-A dis- •^Pecting the Second .Alder5,hot' m *>is report *t Windsor in July 1Army Corps ofilV olunteers that'«aoCh corps shmfi J ,exPresses the opinion U d hav« a «reat coat and

Ghastly Discovery at Swansea. '8 I A MAN'S HEAD PICKED UP BY THE DREDGER. While the No. 1 dredger was at work last night off the Swansea extension pIer it was observed that in one of the buckets was what seemed to be human flesh. On exaniination this appeared to be one half of a human skull, on which were grey whiskers. 1!'rom its condition it could not have been in the water lung. The skull was placed in a small bucket, and removed to the police-station, where it awaits a medical examination. The police have no infor- mation which will lead them to identify the body to which the skull belonged.

The Earthquakesin Spain I FURTHER SHOCKS AT MOTTRIL. A Church and 40 Houses Destroyed. I ICENTRAL NEWS TELEGRAMS, J GRANDA, Wednesday -Iforning.-A great pro cession was organised here last night, the priests heading it, and carrying an image of the Virgin. It is estimated that over 12,000 persons followed in the procession, which had a most weird and impressive appearance. The priests wore their robes of office, and both they and the majority of the people carried flaming torches or other lights. Chants were sung- as the procession moved through the town, and fervent prayers were offered for preeervation from any further earth- quake visitations. The projected visit of the King to the stricken district has broached a ray of comfort to the poor people, who look eagerly on all sides for help in their trouble. The distress is terrible, and the most that can be done will not relieve one half of the suffering. [" CENTRAL NEWS" TELEGBAM.] MADRID, Tuesday moming.-Tiie shocks were severe yestersay again in some parts of Granada but no great danger has been reported, except from Motril, where a church, a convent, and about fifty houses were ceetroyed. The town, which contains about 2,500 homes, had suffered severely in previous shocks, and the frequent recurrence of the oscillations has induced all the inhabitants to leave their houses, so that no loss of life is believed to have occurred yesterday. [CENTKAL NEWS TELEGRAM.] MADRID, Tuesday.—The King has decided to visit the different scenes of the late earthquake, or at any rate, those which have suffered most severely. As arranged at present his Royal Highness will, when he gets within the district of the earthquake, make the journey from place to place on horseback, personally inspecting not only the condition of the sufferers, but the measures that have been undertaken for their relief. It is more than probable that he will be accompanied by one or two of his Ministers, but beyond the bare fact that the King will go, nothing yet has been decided. In his absence the Royal Consort the Queen remains in the capital, where she will preside over the National Ladies' Committee which has been formed to collect fund?, clothing, &c., in aid of the poor sufferers. The King has given £ 5,000 to the national subscription, while Don Carlo and Dona Marguerita send 15,000 pesetas. With such generous gifts as these the fund will soon mount Up. [KECTER'S TELEGRAM.'} MADRID, Tuesday.—A severe shock of earth quake was felt in Granada yesterday evening at six o'clock. The population were seized with panic, and the prisoners, being greatly alarmed, endeavoured to effect their escape, but were pre- vented by the Civil Guards. Shocks causing some damage also occurred at Loja and Motril. MADRID, Tuesday Night.-No recurrence of the earthquake has been recorded since I last telegraphed, but the accounts of the distress pre- vailing in the afflicted d istricts are of a very heartrending character. His Majesty has finally decided to start on Friday for Granada and Malaga. He will be accompanied by a large number of senators and deputies, together with the Minister of the Interior and, possibly, the Minister of Public Works. The king will take with him a sum of £ 2,000 from his private pucse for distribution among the sufferers.

MONMOUTHSHIRE QUARTER SESSIONS Trials This Day. At Monmouthshire Quarter Sessions to-day, George Croston pleaded guilty to wounding Edward Soper in the head, face, and thigh with a knife at Newport, on the 22ad of November. Prisoner w a* prosecutor's brotlier-in-law, and went home in drink ap- parently for the express purpose of quarrelling with him. He called him downstairs, and used his pocket knife on him at once. The wound in the thigh was most serious. Prisoner bears a bad name, having previously beer, punishedfor using a knife.