South Wales Echo

I u Remarkable Eiopement i and Desertion. The Victim of a Sham Marriage. I [SPECIAL TELEGRAM. 1 tBLIS, Friday Morning.—Early last week 1 rt Sentleman arrived in Dublin with a st Y, who passed as his wife, and having civM at an hotel> was shortly employed as a tookn8meerby a city firm. The couple then a few j furnished house in the suburbs, but llJs hack the gentleman was missing, j, then transpired that the lady had been e victim of a sham marriage, and that the Pposed husband had absconded, taking £ 100 of £ lV^°^rri's money an<^ two valuable rings, worth T C" The deserted woman followed him to "«don to find that he had just sailed for fclaide with another wife. The authorities were appealed to, but it was then too late to take £ ePs to arrest the man. Returning to Dublin e lady consulted a firm of solicitors, and endeavoured to arrange for a detention at delaide of her deceiver, but all efforts were in herf Acc01'din^-V la>t e^ing she returned to aion ds in England, minus a husband, £ 100 in Val and a diamond an(i sapphire ring, the a, ue of which has already been stated.

ENGLAND'S JEOLOUSY OF GER- I MAN FOREIGN POLICY. BERLIN, Friday.—The Xational Zeitung states that the United States plenipotentiaries of the Congo Conference explicitly protested against the United States Government becoming respon- sible for the execution of the resolutions of the conference, on account of having taken part in the deliberation. The semi-official JYorth German Gazette, in an an article to-day upon the views recently ex- Pressed by the English press with regard to Greman policy remarks that it is quite unintelli- gible to Englishmen that foreign policy, even where it competes with that of England, Should be the result of German Imperial nterests, because Englishmen know no other fcterests except those of their own. eOuntry, The article continues When Ger- many follonys a policy which does not correspond with English wishes, the cauae of this, according to English ideas, can only be personal hatred oil the part Prince Bismarck to Mr Gladstone. The North German Ga:etie then proceeds to demonstrate the injustice of this view, both in regard to the attitude of Germany in the Rgyp- tian question and concerning her colonial policy. ,°a:eitc expresses satisfaction at the recent attrv!1 f' Chambfir!ein in Birmingham, who « £ ?. !? t0 Prince Bismarck 1uite different tj. ln. 'le c°urt, and remained at their posts, in ce«e?aj0nty °f instance*> throughout the pro- int» ti'n"8' The ladies were prominent in testify- ? ejf approval of Madame Hugues' act. every telling in her favour being received with an ul-subdued murmur of applause. The Presi- ent, M. Beraid des Glajeux, was manifestly annoyed with the spirit displayed, and frequently announced his intention of clearing the court should the manifestations be persisted in. Madame Hugues bore herself with great fortitude and self possession, though to other than Parisian ears, her hardly concealed glorification of her crime could not have failed to be most distasteful. After M. Gatinsau's address for the defence, he was effusively embraced by M. Clovis Hugues, who, while the jury were absent, sougnt to sustain his wife's nerves by en- ^raging gknees. When the jury delivered o'doptti m°' WaS a f0W mmutes be tore two den«? mornin"' but the court was still ^ith ona:ed- The verdict was received the i ?pp*ause' which became frantic after *uar! f WaS Ijronou»ced. A rush was tha L- °Wards ^a(iame Hugues, who, smiling her S' WaS em'3race^ by dozens of the women y her immediate friends. The occasion will a Memorable one in Parisian criminal records. [REUTERS TELEGRAM.! Man 1S' Tiday' a.m.—The court acquitted Cfln/me Hugues of the charge of murder, but fr m(?1r'1,vher t0 pay a til,e of tw<> thousand an<53, together with the costs of the trial.

FIENDISH ATROCITIES ON I CHILDREN. t isoms horrible disclosures just made at Chalons in France, ought to serve to remind those who are jn the habit of bestowing charity on child beggars in the streets that too frequently they are, in point of fact, giving money to and encouraging cl- j^n°us characters, who martyrise the helpless policed Ch ?6ir P°Tr-, The attention of the boy with on WaS y attracted by a little wheeling him £ ?', an? an°ther child' a Cripple> p,oth children a^out m a smal1 woodeQ box- pain-stricken thau^vdfUt;ef-v mise/able and i where they told a sa/ere ^ken tothe station, ^o years ago, it transp^f^f^- About Cousins,aged respectively e5g'ht 'e oys> W'U) are *ith their parents at 1 W?0a^™g school together they were ac™ d f" 'g and V'oinjtn, who cuticed them to tbe station and brought them to Perpig^ a> •^d subsequently at Chalons, one of the made one-armed, the other a cripp^ e limbs it was requisite to suppress being bent and strapped up in the most cruei manner. After a llt«e the little lad, who wheeled himself about 111 the box, was cut about the loins with a knife, corrosive liquid being poured on to his wounds. Ilis legs were further attenuated by ropes tightly Wound round them in short, for upwards of two "lonths the little martyrs were operated upon daily, and success having attended the horrible process, they were sent out to beg in ths streets of wom°S Fi'sach town?- Happily, the man and '( an.. ^'ho tortured them have been arrested, W1 be tried for their inhuman offence.

ladt of his L es* bail oae evening Dupin met a in „ <rau7.1tUaintftuce most ^superficially attired said hp whatCJt lery dieoU6u- "Ah- duchess," wha1- vnu renrp^ nutlful costume May I ask l>l £ d f i,,dv ^Y I am Am,ihitrite,» re- «ea T sap At In yes' tho Kodffess of the ea Isee' Atl°w tide, I suppose?" t

The Earthquakes in Spain I A TERRIBLE PICTURE OF DESOLATION. [CENTRAL NEWS TELEGRAM.] GRANADA, Friday iiiornin .-I hna Wj, LLIR, shock of which I had personal experience on my return from Arenas Del Rey has been even more disastrous in its effects at Malaga an le s r rounding districts than I at first thought. At Torrox there were prolonged "hocks, followed by subterranean rumblings, much resembling the noise of heavy but distant cannon. In the "cS ll .bound -end are numerous gaping fissures cause earthquake, many of them than yawning chasms, and one ha^ J h over «ixty yards. In addition to the terror in over sixvy ya „ continuation of spired by the well-nigh ince^Cdistricts, huge the oscillations in^the down the avalanches oc rocks an treir,endous velocity, sides of the mountains slightest trem- bhng of the ear tances> aiready loosened by and, m tfa come crashing down when former shock, their advent is least expected. F™,qh'eshook» have occurred at Nerfr., and »„ch panic' prevails at Zr°n^ as well as at Torrox and Trigliana. At Malaga the state of affairs is simply awful. The institute and asylum are in ruins, while as many as 241 houses are nothing but a mass of crumbled masonry and broken woodwork. The inhabitants, rather than trust themselves under- ,to un er- neath a roof, sleep in tents pitched in the circus or bull-ring, where before the earthquake brought ruin and desolation, all Malaga was wont to turn out to witness its bull fights. Doctors ar e scarce, medicines are scarcer, and disease is rapidly spreading in the different encampments that have been formed at Malaga, Nerja, and elsewhere. Many have already died, either from neglected wounds caused by falling masonry, or from fever contracted by exposure and want of food. In some cases the dead and the living are huddled together; the people, at no time an energetic race, seeming to lack strength even to bury their dead. [UETJTER'S TELEGRAM.'] MADRID, Thursday -liorning. -Terrible tales of distress are reaching here daily from the dis- tricts affected by the recent earthquake shocks. The inhabitants of the ruined towns are still camped outside the walls, exposed to the bitterly inclement weather. Fresh shocks occurred yester- day at Velez and Werja, causing considerable damage. The inhabitants had previously for- saken their homes. MADRID, Thursday.-King Alfonso, accom- panied by the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of War, will leave here to-inorrow to visit the towns in the provinces of Malaga and Granada which have suffered most from the recent earthquakes. I ICEXTRAL NEWS TELEGRAM.] ARENAS DEL REY (via Granada), Thursday.—I have just arrived here from Granada, passing on my-way terrible evidence of the widespread and destructive character of the earthquake. Every- where I found the people in a state of pitiable panic or a still more heartrending apathy. Work is at a standstill, for the spirit of enterprise seems to have been crushed out of the people, who even refuse to lend a hand in clearing the ruined towns. I noticed that in many villages the buildings still standing were in a very dangerous state, and will have to be blown down with gunpowder before any organised attempts at rebuilding can be safely made. In this small village I find only 30 houses standing out of a total of 406, and most of them are in a dilapidated condition. Previous to Christmas Day the population num- bered 1,360, and Arenas del Rey was a stirring little place in its way. Now ecarcely a dozen persons can be found wandering amongst its silent ruins, beneath which still lie the bodies of most of the 163 persons killed in the chief con- vulsion. In addition to those killed outright it has been officially ascertained that 409 persons were injured, many of them seriously. In the course of a conversation which I have just had with one of the Communal officials, he gave me a graphic description of the terrible scenes which followed the first great shock on Christmas evening. Most of the in- habitants had retired for the night, and very few were in the streets. Suddenly, without the slightest warning, the earth quaked and throbbed, amd in another instant the air resounded with the noise of crashing masonry and the shrieks of the d, people. Those who were not immediately over-whelmed fled in their night clothes to the neighbouring fields, heedless in their mad terror of the cries of the wounded, even of their own household. All night they remained in the open country half-naked and exposed to the bitter cold, weeping and praying for mercy. As soon as day dawned the parish priest endeavoured to calm the people, and called for volunteers to search the ruins and rescue the wounded. Only a few responded to this call, the bulk of the men showing abject cowardice. The work of rescue was further hampered by the fact that one of the first to fly from the place was the alcalde, or mayor. The other officials were wounded or killed, so that the wretched people were left without their natural leaders, with the exception of the heroic priest. It was not until the Sunday afternoon that help arrived from Granada, the wretched people in the meantime, suffering dreadful agonies from hunger and exposure. They are now receiving food, but supplies of clothing, which are almost as urgently needed, have not come to hand. The people are encamped in the outskirts of what was once the town, huddled round huge fires which, however, inadequately impart warmth to their naked bodies. MADRID, Thursday Afternoon.—Fresh earth- quake shocks have occurred to-day at Velez, Malaga, and Nerja, causing further serious damage. According to an official return, 15,000 dwellings have been entirely destroyed in the province of Granada alone. In the two provinces Malaga and Granada it is estimated that over 50,000 people are without employment. GRANADA, Thursday Evening.—Two more shocks of earthquake were experienced here to-day. I was standing near the Cathedral at the moment the first shock occurred, and felt the ground rise and swell, as it were, beneath my feet. It was immediately followed by the deafening crash of falling buildings. Fortunately the vast majority of the population, that is to say the poorer classes, who have not been able to leave the district, were encamped outside the city walls, and thus escaped injury. The shocks' of to-ilay have reduced 500 dwelling-houses to ruins, besides inflicting serious injury, the extent of which I have not yet been able to ascertain, upon the public buildings of the city. Granada may now be said to be virtually deserted. The small proportion of the inhabitants who were dwelling in houses before to-day's visitations have forsaken their habitations for the open spaces and the outside country. I am officially informed thlLt the number of persons living in houses does not now exceed 500.

TIMBER YARD FIRE IN LONDON. v.611°^ last night at the timber yard of Mr Mitch oil, teethaal Green> London_ The yard is extemave and quantifies of timber were stored beneath the arches of the Great Eastern Railway Station, which adjoins. Three arches were much damaged, as well as one wall of the station and and the roof of the down platform but the fire was got under before furteer injury was accomplished. Traffic was not stopped and is proceeding as usual to-day. Tha cause of the fire is unknown. It.

TO-DAY'S POLICE. CARDIFF. THE DRI.NK. -At the police-court, to-day, before the Mayor and Alderman Lewis, Mary Jane Croome, an old woman, was fined 5s and costs for being drunk and disorderly in Halkett-street, on the 8th inst., and Mary Jane Waldron, another old woman, was fined 10s and costs for being drunk on the Ely-road, on Thursday. Both defendants had been fpreviously convicted for a imilar offence SHOP ROBBE:P.T. -Thomas Palmer, a man 60 years of age, was charged with stealing a coat, of the value of 9s 6d, from 40, Bridge-street, the property of Alfred Rimmer, an the 8th inst. Prisoner offered the coat in pledge on Thursday evening at the shop of Mr Barnett. The coat had, however, been missed, and the prisoner was followed by an assistant of Mr Rimmer and given into custody. When charged lie replied All right." Prisoner said that he was a seaman in a very destitute condition or he would not have taken the coat. He was at the time in want of food. The bench sent him to prison for 21 days, with hard labour. PAWNBROKER'S OFFENCE.—Mr Solomau Joseph, pawnbroker, St Mary-street, was summoned for refusing to give up a pair of earrings pledged '^ni* for the complainant, A Miss Hoxburn, Penarth, pledged three years ago, a gold albert, a locket, and a pair of earrings for 12s. From time to time the articles were redeemed, and when they were redeemed on the 14th ult. the defendant refused to give up the earrings. The defence was that the earrings were pledged separately, and that the time for them had lapsed, while the locket and chain only were renewed. Several pled tickets were produced. Some had the earnings marked on them. others not, and one on which the earnings were added. Tlie defence attempted to prove that there were two transactions, was only one transaction, and that the same amount of interest M as paid on each occasion when the articles were renewed. On one occasion, when the omission was dis- covered, the ticket was taken back and corrected.—The bench considered the weight of evidence in favour of the complainant, and directed the defendant to give up the earrings and pay the costs of the proceedings ( £ 1 15s).

THE DREDGER DISCOVERY AT SWANSEA. Indentiifcation of the Skull. The partion of a skull, which was a few days ago picked up by the dredger off the Swansea ex- tension pier, has been identified as belonging to a man employed at the Mansell Works, Hafod' named Richard Wood, who has been missing for seven days, and had, it is said, been previously seen in a state of intoxication. The inquest will be held this afternoon at the Centre Hotel.

THE FALSELY CALLED "REIGN OF TERROR" AT CARDIFF. At the police-court to-day-before the Mayor and Alderman Lewis—Elizabeth Jones, a woman 33 years of age, was charged with being a dis- orderly prostitute, and with behaving in a dis- orderly manner in Bute-street, on the 7th instant. The defendant was behaving in a dis- gusting manner in the street, and, when requested to leave by the police, she went to the back lanes, still behaving in an improper manner. As he had not been previously charged with a similar offence, she was cautioned and discharged. —Annie Good, a young woman of bad character, was charged with being disorderly prostitute in Bute-street, on the 8th inst. She had been previously convicted, and her conduct was of a bad description. She was sent to prison for 14 days.—Sarah Ann James (23), Mary Ann Jones (23), and Margaret Barry (25), were charged with being prostitutes, and with wilfully causing an obstruction in Bute-street on the 8th. P.C. Wakefield saw the three defendants in Bute- street. They were using disgusting language. They were also causing an objection, compelling several persons to turn off from the footpavement, and their object was to induce persons to go with them. The defendants had been previous con- victed, and were each sent to prison for seven days' hard labour. Catherine Willis (27) and Elizabeth Widsery (25), were also charged with being dis- orderly prostitutes and with causing an obstruc- tion on the Hayes Bridge on the 8th inst. The behaviour of these girls was most offensive, but the bench only fined them 5s and costs.—Bridget Reynolds was similarly charged, but as it was her first appearance she was cautioned and discharged.

VIOLENT ASSAULT ON THE I POLICE AT CARDIFF. James Hanney and Daniel Cotter, tw» youn^ men, were charged with assaulting P.C.'a King and Mitchell, on the 28th ult. On the evening of the 20th a row occurred in Bute-street near the Rothsay Castle. P.C. King went to separate the crowd, and was compelled to apprehend a man who was the cause cf the dis- turbance. The defendants then came up and demanded that he should be released from custody. The constable told them he should not, and advised them go away. They refused, and told him that unless he did so they would have a go at him. Cotter then took off his belt and struck him a violent blow on the side of the head with it, the buckle striking him on the ear. He fell down, and when on the ground the other defendant kicked him severely. He was compelled to let his prisoner go, draw his staff, and fight his way through the crowd which had assembled, and who were aiding the defendant. P. C. Mitchell came up, and as he made his way through the crowd he found P.C. King on the ground, and saw Cotter beating him with his belt. The other defendant had his belt off, and struck P.C. Hinv a violent blow with it on the eye, filling the eye with blood, which compelled him to go to a chemist's shop and have it dressed. When he came out the defendants had run away, but were eventually apprehended. The bench sent them each to prison for three mouths with hard labour. -=

I THE FRENCH IN CHINA. I A trustworthy Englishman, who has been per- j mitted to inspect the arsenal -IT, Foochow, de- scribes in a letter, dated Dec. 1st, the result of the French bombardment. So far from being ruined, as represented, it is left in fair working order. It is astounding how the French ships have left their destructive task so incomplete. The Chinese, consequently, are by no means impressed with the power or skill of their enemy. The lawless Chinese scldiery did more damage than the French fleet; vast stores of ehot and shall were untouched; the apparent damage was to unimportant points. The secret is that the ships came too close and fired too high. Many pro- jectiles having enormous velocity simply drilled holes through both walls of the building, burying themselves harmlessly behind. The range was under four hundred yards. Chinese engineers are actively strengthening the works, profiting by experience. The Kijifar ports are now very strong. The Chinese believe the French were frightened away, and the soldiery are developing wonderful courage. Both in native and foreign opinion French progress is discredited. England has lately gained great strength in the councils of China.

THE MIGONETTE TRAGEDY. The Home Secretary and the Prisoners. A reply has been sent by the Home Secretary to a numerously signed memorial from Falmouth, asking for the release of Dudley and Stephens, lwte captain tnd mate of the Mignonette, who are under sentence of six months' imprisenment for killing the boy Parker. Sir William Harcourt says he regrets to be unable to advise any further interference with the sentence passed by the judges.

ENGLISH CALVINISTIC METHOD- ISM AT NANTYMOEL. On Wednesday a deputation from the above, 0 connection worshiping at Gilead Chapel, Nanty- moel, waited upon Mr D. Davies, M.P., at his seat, Llandinam Hall, to solicit his aid in clear- ing off the debt of the edifice, which amounts to £900. The denutation (which was most court- eously received and hospitably entertained) succeeded beyond their most sanguine ex- pectations, the hon. member promising to sub. scribe one-third of the whole amount.

MONEY MARKET. I To-day's Times money article says: The demand for money has again been very limited. Several leading houses quote 3i to;3 for three months' 4 8 paper; but business was done below the lower figure. Rates for short loans were nominal. The funds were exceptionally firm but some railway stocks were dull. Foreign Bonds were mostly lower in the day. American Railway Securities showed some recovery after opening dull. Home Government Securities advanced about k. Consols were 99& for money, and 99| to 9913-16 for the account. Home Railways were not quite so firm. Brighton Deferred closed at a fall of i South Western fell £ Metropolitan District, §.

TO-DAY'S MARKETS. oJ: SIXrAR. GLASGOW, Friday.Large business done in all kinds f generally at 3d dearer. The official report states- Active market, and large business done at stiffer prices to 3d advance. PROVISIONS. LONDOX, Friday. Butter Market remains steady for most descriptionsof foreign, Friesland quoted 120s; to 125s; Kiel and Z Danish,! 120s to 144s Normandy, 116s to 140s American and] Irish extremely quiec. business at about previous values. Hams meet a slow Ralc, Lard continues very quiet. Cheese unaltered in value.

RHONDDA VALLEY CHAMBER OF TRADE. The usual monthly meeting was held on Thurs- day evening, at the Bailey's Arias, Pentre, under the presidency of Mr E. fi. Davies. The Chair- man, in opening the meeting, stated that he was present at tha last meeting of the Treherbert Chamber of Trade, in order to submit to them the resolutions passed at the quarterly meeting in reference to the question of-gas. The Treherbert Chamber had not thoroughly discussed the ques- tion, consequently without mature delibera- tion they could not give a definite reply- A special meeting would, therefore, be convened by them on the 14th inst., for the purpose of publicly considering the- matter.—Mr W. G. Herbert, Penvgraig, intimated that the Ithondda Valley Chamber should, regardless of the action of the Treherbert Chamber, discon- tinue the use of gas on the 15th instant.—Mr Lloyd, Trealaw, proposed, That this chamber receives the resolution of the Treherbert Chamber with regret, but, at the same time, we earnestly hope that on the 14th instant they will sea their way to join us in discontinuing the use of gas."— This was seconded by Mr Lorrie, and -ried unanimously. A communication was read from the post- master at Ynyshir with regard to the great incon- venience which exists in consequence of numerous streets having no names, almost every house being without a number. He earnestly requested the chamber to take the matter into considera- ti°u-r Jones, relieving officer, Tonypandy, stated that a similar grievance existed at Pgny- graig, Tylorstown, Maendy, and Ferndale. It was agreed that the secretary should write to the local board in reference to the matter.—The Chairman intimated to the council that they would ha ve to consider at one of their next meetings a very important subject-the question of a parlia- mentary candidate for the Rhondda VIlley.Nir Lorrie reminded the chairman that the rules of the chamber excluded from their consideration all subjects relative to religion and politics.—Mr pardtt. corroborated Mr Lorrie.—Afcer a brief discussion, the chairman apologised for his over- sight.

THE INDISPOSITION OF MR GLADSTONE. I A tMedical Opinion. The Lancet this week says We are glad to be able to give a satisfactory account of the health ofMrGladsuone. The disorder of his health consisting cnietly Gf slight catarrh and lumbago, with sleeplessness, is onjy too easijy explained by the late prevalence of east windSt following the exhausting work of the summer holidays and the autumn session, and coinciding with an anxious and complicated state of public affairs. Happily Mr Gladstone's ailments have already promptly yielded to apt remedies, and to comparative rest, and there is a fair Prospect that, without public inconvenience, his health may be soon fully re- stored. According to our latest accounts his sleep has returned, and this means almost everything that can be wished. Our Hawarden correspondent telegraphs Mrs Gladstone, being mdi.spoge(j) did not leave her bed on Thursday.. .lr Gladstone, however, took his customary drive in company with his daughter, Mrs Wickhain. Ua their return they alighted at Hawardon ana walked through the yard to the Castle. premier walked briskly and firmly, and altogether the improvement in his health is most marked-

A SERVANT ATTEMPTING TO I POISON HER MISTRESS. Extraordinary Case at Bristol. Att the Bristol police-court, on Thursday, Ann Mulhus, aged 17, a domestic servant, was charged witti ac|untu(5-tei-{ng poison to her mistress, Mr? Aldn or Bedminster, and two others. The evidence was to the effect that the prisoner came from a convent in October to Mrs Aldritt as servant an being incompetent, she was found fau h by her mistress, and became very sulky in consequence of not being allowed to see some friends from the convent. On Monday last her mistress, expecting visitors, made tea,and left the teapot In the breakfast-room. The company came, the prisoner brought up the tea, which was served Out,: but was not drunk in con sequence of its »^ty taste. It was taken to the city analyst, who found that furniture polish, composed of oil, turpentine, and acetic acid had been mixed with the tea. This mixture would have produced nausea, but not hava endangered a person's life, the nasty taste being suiffcient to prevent a large dose being swallowed. The girl, on being charged, said she knew nothing about it and then said she had let fall into the tea-pot a piece of rag, which had furniture polish on it. The charge was altered to administering certain noxious things with intent to anuoy, and on this the prisoner was committed for trial.

RESCUE BY A WESLH VESSEL. Recognition by the Japanese I Government. The Board of irade have received an intima- tion vhrough the Foreign Office that the Japanese Government have awarded a red riband, medal, and a bronze vase to Captain Williams, and also a similar vase to Mr Sincock, master and chief officer respsctively of the Merionethshire, in ap- preciation of the humanity and gallantry shown by them in rescuing the crew of a shipwrecked junk from imminent per.il during a typhoon on the 15th September last.

THE MURDER ON THE HIGH SEAS, i William Ranscher and Ferdinand Koelpin were charged on remand, at Bow-street, on Thursday, with causing the death of A. Jansen, by lashing him to the topsail of the American ship J. F. Chapman, Nvhile,on a voyage from San Francisco to Ijivei'P00.1- Sit Jamea Ingham intimated that he had received intimation that a requisition had been made by the United States Government for S4. the extradition of the prisoner, and further re- manded the accused pending the decision of the Secretary of State.

A COUNTY MAGISTRATE KILLED An inquest was held on Thursday, at Charing Cross iwgpital, on the body of Mr Robt. Augus- tus Aspill-sll, Wed 77, a Middlesex county magi strate. On December 15th the deceased had just left the Carlton Club, in Pall Mall, and was cross- ing the road, when he was run over by a four wheeled (Ab- He died in the hospital on Monday last from his injuries. A verdict of Accidental death was returned.

A petition was filed in the Liverpool Bankruptcy Court, on Thursday, by Messrs John S. de Wolff and Co., shipowners and merchants. The liabili- ties and assets are not stated, but tbe failure is attributed to serious depreciation and to heavy losses in shipping, and also serious losges on produce, more especially rice and wheat. The firm has a large amount of capital in mines .and other investments at present unavailable.

SPORTING ITEMS. I The death is announced of SavilleSykes, a well- known Yorkshire cricketer. The efforts of the Gaelic Athletic Association to revive the once famous game of hurling is commanding support. At a meeting held in Manchester on Wednes- day night, it was resolved to hold the National Cross-Country Union Championship over the Manchester Racecourse on Saturday, March 7th. The Nice Races promise to be fairly interesting, although the big handicaps do not present that aspect of international spor which they formerly did. A gentleman suggests the holding of '), great northern rifle meeting, on the same lines as Wimbledon, either at Leeds or York. Many who have business at race meetings will learn with regret of the death of Mr Thomas Bradfield, for many years clerk to Mr W. J. Ford, the well-known racing judge. On Wednesday night Waiter Gregory, the well-known Nottingham sportsman, entertained, as is his annual custom, ail the aged people in the Nottingham Workhouse, some 700, to a sumptuous meat tea, a concert following. A complimentary assault-at-arms and presenta- tion to Mr G. W. Renshaw (amateur champion gymnast of England), previous to his departure for New Zealand, took place on Wednesday evening in the Lecture Hall of the Manchester Athenaeum, in the presence of a large and enthu- siastic company of his friends and admirers. There is an abundance of foxes in Kent, and the Old Surrey Foxhounds, which draw the coverts in the western section, have had tremendous long runs since Christmas. Rabbits are scarce, and now that the lambing season has commenced farmers keep up a vigorous watch against the intrusion of foxes on the sheep flocks. All the stakes advertised for the Haydock Coursing Meeting, to be held to-morrow, are full, and in consequence of the great demand for nominations it has been decided to add two more eight-dog stakes to the card. Mr Elkan, Berlin, has this week had consigned to him the following thorough-breds, shipped at Harwich, to Berlin:—Lioness, by King of the Forest; Catamaran, by Indian Ocean; Milkmaid, by Greenback Semiramis, by Cecrops; chesnut colt by Martyrdom; and a bay filly by Kisber. The ring profited largely over the principal three-year-old races last season, and this should net as a caution to those who are inclined to accept a short urice about prominent candidates for this year's classic races. Keen's water cycle, which John Keen, the ex- champion bicyclist, has now patented, has received one or two improvements since it was first brought to notice. A private trial was made with the cycle on the Thames, on Tuesday after- noon, between Hampton Court and Kingston Bridges, a ^distance of a few yards over three miles, and Keen accomplished this in 26 minutes. It appears to be perfectly safe, and anyone that can ride an ordinary bicycle can ride it. Keen proposes to show it on the Thames daiiy between Westminster and London bridges, in connection with the Stanley Exhibition, which commences on the 26th inst. The weight of the machine was only 201bs. 11 The Royal Artillery Steeple-chases will take place on Plumstead Marshes, on Friday, April 10. Little Duchess (5 yrs), by Cucumber-Duchess of Malfi, has joined S. tiaunder's team at Heanes ford. The dark brother to Althotas was introduced into the Guineas market on Wednesday at 20 to 1. The colt is the property of Lord Ilchester, and is trained by M. Dawson. Yesterday a large and influential towns- meeting at Shrewsbury, presided over by the mayor, was held, to consider the desirability of carrying on the Shrewsbury races. The Mayor s ated that the Shrewsbury Meeting was one of great antiquity, the earliest account of the Meeting being 1752. Mr Alderman Groves moved, and Mr Councillor Robins seconded, "That steps be taken to continue the meeting. L An amendment was moved, but only 12 voted ior it, and the original motion was carried. Of the English sires out in New Zealand, the defunct Traducer scored most at the recent Can- terbury Races. Leolinus, Pcrkin Warbeck, Cadog.in, and Musket also figureas winning sires, Aprernont, a brother to Chamant, who was im- ported into the colony by Mr Stead, seems to meet with plenty of patronage indeed, in an im- portant stake just closed with 40 subs., he figures as the sire of no less than 15 of the entries. Musket, in the same stake, tands as the sire of ten youngsters, while Cadogan has five,

GLAMORGANSHIRE QUARTER I SESSIONS. Trials of Prisoners. I The trials of prisoners at the Epiphany Sessions I for the county of Glamorgan were resumed at the Town Hall, Cardiff, on Thursday. NEW MAGISTRATE. Mr John G. G. Homfray was sworn in as a magistrate at these sessions. magIstrate at the;:¡e seSSIOns, FIRST COURT. I (Before Mr R. 0. JOXES and Mr DAVID DUNCAX.1 BRUTAL ASSAULT AT POXTAKDU, ihomas Conolly (39), naulier, John Done van (22), puddler, Henry Coombs (48), puddler, and John Francis (21), haulier, were indicted for maliciously causing errevions bodily harm to Robert Hutchings at Pontardu on the 25th Dec. —Mr Abel Thomas prosecuted, and prisoners were undefended.—Tbe evidence of the prosecutor was^to the effect that on Christmas night, about 12 o'clock, he was singing opposite the house of a man named Robert Blyth, when Conolly came up and asked him something about a row which he (prosecutor) was having with Henry Coombs. He replied that he had never had any row with Coombs, whereupon Conolly struck him on the side of the head with an iron hook which was attached to his right arm in the place of a lost hand. He was knocked down, and when he was upon the ground the other prisoners came up and kicked him all over the body. The jury found all the prisoners guilty, and Conolly and Francis were sentenced to 12 months', and Donovan and Coombs to nine months' im- prisonment, with hard labour. WOUNDING AT BKYNCETHIX. David Evans, on bail, was indicted for wound- ing Morgan Jenkins, at Bryncethin, on the 12th October. Mr Jeffreys prosecuted, and Mr Abel Thomas defended.—The prosecutor, it appeared, lived at Cwmpark, and had a sister who resided at Bryncethin, named Jeanette Morgan. Pre- viously to the month of October there had been a dispute between the prosecutor and the prisoner with respect to the relations of the latter with Jeanette. At half-past three on the day named prosecutor went to his sister's house, where the prisoner lodged, and some words passed amongst them, resulting in a, fight between the prosecutor and the prisoner. The prosecutor struck the first blow, and at the outset apparently had the better of the fight. They fell on the ground together, and while they werethus prostrate Jeanette Morgan and a neighbour named Wm. John arrived on the scene, and the two men were separated. Later on, however, they met again, and then the prisoner struck the prosecutor a violent blow on the head with a piece if iion, which was usually used for keeping open a door. The jury retired for a few minutes, and on return- ing into court found the prison not guilty. He was at once discharged. THE STABBING BY A BOY AT ERTHYR, In the case of Ephraim John Jv.nes, acquitted on the previous day upon a charge < wounding a boy named John Johns, at Merthyr, the prisoner was defended by Mr Joseph at the chairman's boy named John Johns, at Merthyr, the prisoner was defended by Mr Joseph at the chairman's I request. SECOND COURT. I {Before Mr O. H. JONES.) I I NO PROSECUTOR. I Ellen Riley, 23, prostitute, was charged with I having stolen fS from Alexander Young' -it Cardiff on the 29th December. Prosecutor, a faring man, did r.ot appear, and the woman was accordingly discharged. I ALLEGED EURGLAET. Richard Henry Roberts was charged with breaking into the house of Samuel Lawrence at Bryncethin, between the 29th of November and the 2nd of December, and stealing therefrom a knife and a spoon. Mr Arthur Lewis appeared for the prosecution, and Mr David Lewis for the defence.—The jury fouud a verdict of "Not guilty." I FELONY. Johu Mason, alias David Thomas (40), tailor, j was charged with attempting to steal certain goods and moneys froni the persons of Evan Thomas and Thomas Attwood, at Bridgend. on the 17th Dec. —Mr David Lewis appeared for the prosecution, and Mr Arthur Lewis for the defence. The jury deliberated for a short time, and announced that they were unable to agree, but on further consultation they found the prisoner guilty, and three previous convictions having been proved against him, he was sentenced to nine mouths' imprisonment. This concluded the business of the sessions.

j THE CHANNEL SQUADRON. A gale, accompanied with driving rains, has compelled the Portsmouth division of the Channel squadron to anchor again at Spithead, where they remain until the weather moderates.

The State of Trade. I [SPECIAL REPORTS FROM OUR TRADK CORRESPON- DENTS AND EXCLUSIVE SOURCES, DEXT: AXD EXCLUSIVE SOL'RCES. CARDIFF TRADE REPORT. (SPKCIAL REPORT BY OUTT- OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CARDIFF, Thursday Night.—There is a brisker tone in business at the docks this week than has been for some time as the shipments, which are fairly good, will show, our shippers have been busy. The entries outwards are, however, somewhat lower than the figures given last week. There is nevertheless every reason for exptcting a continuance of the improvement, as the aggre- gate carrying capacity of the vessels which have newly entered the port may be estimated at about 14C,000 ton.?. The weather has during the week been on the whole favourable to the move- ments of shipping, the easterly and north-easterly winds being especially advantageous to tonnage leaving the pore. There is no evidence of any exceptional pressure here just now, the supply of coal being more than equal to the demand. Under these circumstances prices have remained unchanged. In the freight market there has been no material alteration since the date of my last re. port. Orders are fairly plentiful, and there being a good supply of tonnage offering for employment, the amount of local chartering done has been satisfactory. Outward quotations are still un- changed, both for French and Spanish ports, and the same may be said or the homeward rates of freight with iron ore from Bilbao and the Mediterranean ports in that trade. The demand for tonnage for the Italian coal freights continues to be steady, as does also that for Malta, Gibraltar, and Port Said. Tuere is also a fairly good demand for the higher Mediterranean and Black Sea coal freights the frozen state of the ports in the homeward grain trade from the latter quarter has, however, prevented business in that line. A weaker tendency is to be noticed this week in outward rates of freight to the East Indies. There is, however, a slight improvement in the homeward freights thence. Baltic coal freights are steady. The '\Ve3t Indian rates outwards continue steady, but there i^ nothing in homeward freights thence. There is no alteration in the South American coal Tfttes of freight. One or two transactions are reported this week in Transatlantic steam chartering for coals, namely, Cape Verds at 9s, and Madeira at 7s 9 i. There is nothing doing in the outward iron carrying trade to the United States, and homeward rates thence are easier. Exports for the week :-Coii, 125,767 tons iron, nil patent fuel, 4,650 tons coke, 271 tons. Imports for the week :—Iron ore, 14,161 tons pitwood, 8,913 loads. I SWANSEA TRADE REPORT. fSPECIAL REPORT FROII aLït OWN CORRESPONDENT.] SWANSEA, Thursday Ni;, it.—Ihe trade here ¡ during the past week, the first of the new year, has been highly satisfactory. Shippers nave had a far better supply of ton- nage for some time past, and have made the best use of it, the shipments of coals and patent fuel reaching higher figures than in any week since that ending Nov. 26rh last. The import trade consists of 6,372 tons of mintral ores and pig iron, and 3,013 tons of sun- dries. For New York the shipments of tin-plates, &c., have been 1,9JO tons. The tin plate trade has been quiet during the week, buyers and makers seeming inclined to wait the resnlt of the quarterly meeting. Some makers who are compelled to sell have had tj accept less than 14s per box for common cokes the majority of makers, however, have made a dead stand at 14s, and so matters remain. Imports Coastwise.—Oats, 163 tons flour, 61 tons; copper ore, 709 tons blende, 281 tons gas oals, 316 tons; timber, G60 loads bricks, 424 tons steel bars., 200 tons floor plates, 24 tons pig iron, 1,870 tons. imports.—Foreign — France Pitwuod, 1,000 tons copper ore, 80 tons flour, 318 tons pota- toes, 62 tons. Oporto Mineral ore, 165 tons. Bilbao Iron ore, 2,200 tons. Huelva Copper ore, 84-3 tons. Exports.—.lb oreign—r ranee: lx>ais, tons patent fuel, 1,550 tons. Aarhus Coals, 1,140 j tons. Copenhagen: Coals, 960 tons. Hamburg: Coals, 540 tons; general, 150 tons. Catania: Coals, 1,630 tons patent tuel, 800 general, 50 tous. Lisbon Coals, 1,200 tons. Valencia Patent fuel, 550 tons; coals, 70 tons. Naples: Patent fuel, 1,400 tous coals, 260 tons. Venice: Coals, 350 tons. Genoa General, 360 tons patent fuel, 450 tons; coals, 150 tons. Algiers: Parent fuel, 1,100 tons; coals, 430 tons. Port Said Coals, 1,500 tous. Beyrout Patent fuel, 680 tons. Havamia: Coals, 613 tons. Cape Town: Coals, 520 tons. New York: Tin-plates &c., 1,900 tons coal, 1,250 tons. Bahia Coals, 725 tons. Kingston (Jamaica) Coals, 590 tons. Pernambuco Coals, 520 tons. Rio Grande de Sul Patent fuel, 195 tons. Port Nolloth Coals, 1,500 tons genera!, 640 tuns. Forte de France Coals, 273 tons. Batavia Coals, 545 tons Curacoa, 390 tons. Freights on offer.—Sail—Lisbon, 6s 6d Vule, 118 Copenhagen. 6s Algiers, lljfrs Bona, 13frs Castellamare, lis Catama, 118 61 Gette, ISgfrs Genoa, 10s 6d Marseilles, lSgfrs Messina, 10s Naples, 10s fed Phillip- ville, 13frs Savona, 10s Trieste, 10s 6:1 Tunis, lls 6d Cadiz, 9s; Gibraltar, 6s 6d; Faroe, 10i; Algoa Bay, 25s; Brass River, 24s; Capetown, 19i 6:1; Cape Verds, 9s 3d Dakar, 9s Madeira, 8s 6u Sierra Leone, 15s 6d Praya, lis 6d St. Louis, 16s Aspenwall, 13s Deinerara, 14s Jamaica, 9s 9d Port an Prince, lis 6d St. Thomas, 9s 6d Fort de France, 9s Port Louis, 10s St. Aun, lis St. Kitts, 14s 6d Surinam, 16s Bahia, 16s 6d Buenos Ay res, 225 6d Cam- pana. 26s Frey Benfcos, 25s 6J Ensenada, 23s 6d Monte Video, 19s 6.1 Para, 15s Pernambuco, 16s 6d Rio Jane.ro, 20s Rio Grande de Sul, 42s 61 Santos, 20s 6d San Francisco, 19s Valparaiso, 23s 6d Singapore, 20s Reunion, 26s. NEWPORT TRADE REPORT. J [SPECIAL REPORT FROM OUR 0',1:\ CORRESPONDENT.] I NEWPORT, Thursday Night.—The shipments of coal during the week amount to 26,496 tons. This is less than the average quantity, but the huliday, that have supervened have, no doubt, affected clearances. It is to be expedited that the present week will show a return to the state of things that existed previous to the commencement of the holidays. Coal is more easily obtainable at the present time than for some time past, but prices keep up very well, and if the new order. that come into the market usually with the turn of the year arrive in the next fortnight or so, it is more than probable that firmness will be tho prevailing feature, In addi- tion to the coal exported to foreign countries, the coasting shipments have come up to the average, whilst the quantity exported for the bunkers has included some shipments by steamers bound across the Atlantic. The house-coal trade is quiet,and freights coast- wise are scarce and low. I The iron and tin-plate trades at the works are fairly good, but no shipments have taken place. One steamer is loading for Santos. The freight market is without material altera- tion. The better tone prevalent in the Brazil and Plate chartering has induced owners of sailing tonnage to fix their vessel* more freely, and there is, consequently, again a slight decrease in the demand. West India quotations continue low, whilst in other directions there is very little chaugf. Bilbao rates are quiet, as well as those from the other ore port-. Exports of coal for tho week ending 7th January, 1885 :—East Indies, 2,600 ton* Guadaloupe, 1,636; Egypt, 2.600 Greece, 1,500; Italy, 1,640 Gibraltar, 4,480 Portugal, 900 Spain ports), 1,900 France (bay ports), 8,550 Frmlce (northern ports), 640 total, 26.496 tons. I' The import of ore during the week is more than an average one, and prices have in no degree altered. Whilst on one hand the sale outside of contracts is limited, on the other hand very little I is coining on, except what is ro iuired for sales already made, and consequently prices remain without alteration. Of pitwood a larger quantity than usual has arrived, hut as most of the cargoes have been long expccted there is not ft great deal unsold, and, therefore, the already too low prices have not materially altered for tiie worse. Other imports include two cargoes of sleepers from Riga.

THE PENISTON ACCIDENT. The Government enquiry into the cause of the Penistone accident was resinned at Manchester on Thursday, before Major Marindin. Several wit- nesses were called, the principalbeing Mr Thomas Parker, chief superintendent of the wagon and ear- riage department at Gorton, who stated that he had carefully and minutelyexaininedthedaraaged wagons nn the day of the collision, and as a prac- tical wagon builder he could see nothing about them which v.d have induced him to stop them running. Ti.o woodwork was sound and not decayed, although some v[ the wagons had seen good service. They belonged to the Shire Oaks Colliery, and their construction and msterial were of fair average quality. There was a slight flaw on the side of the axle, and this wa the cause of its failure. Evei. !>y cleaning and scraping, however, this flaw could not have heen detected. The wagons were subject to road examination, and special examination by the com- pany's inspector. The enquiry then concluded.

AGRICULTURAL NOTES. [LY A SOUTH WALES AGRICULTURIST.] We gather from the Mark Lane Express that according to the tenor of reports received from 26 English counties, a reduction of from 5 to 50 per cent, in the area under wheat this autumn has taken place, and the conclusion is drawn that a decrease of 10 to 15 per cent. for England and Wales will be the case this year in the are?, of wheat planted. In the four great wheat-growing counties of Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire the decrease has been considerable. The low price of course is the cause, for the season for autumn planting was exceptionally good, and even should the price of wheat; improve, and that tempt cultivators to plant more spring wheat, that cannot be expected on the average of seasons to turn out either the quantity per acre or quality that autumn-planted would do. This will cause a serious falling off in the supply of wheat produced, and we doubt whether; any- thing like the area will be sown in America, as it cannot be imported here at its present price to leave a profit for the producer. We are inclined, therefore,to recommend our agricultural friends to plant their usual are?-, and if not upon suitable soil, a little .more. Reed for thatching purposes is scarce, and will be scarcer, and this coupled with the demand for wheat straw amongst the towns and manufacturing districts, will help out the wheat return per acre. North Essex, from the report, seems to be iu a deplorable con dition. In one parish neary 1,000 acres lay, un- cultivated up to January 1st, and now some 600 acres are just being ploughed. This is heavy wheat and bean soil, uusuited to any other cereal crops. Our numerous friends and advisers are full of recommendations. One doctor says grow market garden produce! One man did so, and sent 500 savoys up to London a fortnight ago, and had back, after paying expenses, &c., 5s 8d only. Another doctor says grow fruit; another, grow timber, but they don't tell us where the capital is to come from to plant and prepare the land, and how the owner and occupier are to live whilst the trees are growing! They forget the old provero that while the grass is growing the steed isstarving." One Essex correspondent states that some land is let in his district at a very low rent, or none at all, so that that can't stand in the way. How capital is to be attracted to land is the question but we fear that heavy wheat lands are doomed, and I must be laid down in pasture. The heavy returns promised us (on paper) by the agricultural doctors will not induce capitalists to invest. I Meantime landlord and tenant must meet each other, and discuss the best course in the interesta of both. Th3 Argentine Republic have about 80,000,000 sheep, which, it is said, can be sold in London at 4-gd per lb and it is reported tthat the Govern- 2 ment of the Republic intend to recommend Con- 11 -te gress to grant a bounty on the export of frozen meat. A considerable quantity has been received during the past year, but the quality is said to be inferior to that which -we get from New Zealand and Australia. If this be so, Argentine mutton must be sold at less than 41d to compete with New Zealand at 5d per lb. The British farmer may take courage. The quality of English beef and mutton is unapproachable by foreign productions, and being slaughtered when wanted, fresh, will always make « difference in its value as compared with frozen meat, how- ever carefully the resources of scienee may be utilised. The root crop is proving a good and, from the quality, a nutritious one; and fat cattle and sheep are making satisfactory progress. Mr Mitchell, of Fife, N.B., in summarising the experiments conducted by Mr Jamieson, for the Aberdeen Agricultural Association, stated that 1,644 experi- ments had been mad3 in Scotland and 123 in '17 England with different cheinica.l manures. Phosphates did not prove so efficacious in England as in Scotland, but when nitrogen was applied with phosphates, a large crop resulted. MrJamies.n says these experi- ments have demonstrated (1) that the turnip plant I can no more grow without phosphorus than with- ¡ out air and water (2) that it must have the phosphorus given in an unhurtful form-i.e., neutralized by oxygen and lime, or a substance -imilar to lime. This triple compound is termed a phosphate (3) a full crop or turnips (say 30 tons, equal to 67,200 lbs.) contains only about 1 301bs cf phosphorus (4) bone is an effective manure, mainly on account of the phosphorus it contains; (5) the more thorough the pulverisation by the earlier the action on the plant; (6) undissolved phosphate, in finely ground coprolite, acts almost identically with the phosphate in crushed bone, that is to say, the action is slow, but lasting, and the crop is healthy; (7) dissolved phosphate acts more quickly than undissolved, and gives usually a rather heavier crop, but a less hes.Ithy one (8) too quick action, resulting in rapid early growth, tends to produce e disease in the plant; (9) steam bone ii v.r possesses nearly the fine rapid action as the dis- solved manures, combined with the healthy and lasting action of the undissolved manures, and produces heavier crops than either. Allowing for its nitrogen, each pound of phosphorus or steamed bone flour can be got for about 6J. Further, it was found on observa- tion that the diseased roots, when utilised manures were used, were three times the quantity per acre than where no vitnolised manuies had been used, but only finely ground or steamed bones. These data are very important, as they tend to demonstrate that the use of vitriol in dis- solving bones for making phosphate of lime is a mistake. It was also found that the use of nitro- zen with phosphates, although promoting a rapid growth of roots, did not improve the quality. As turnips contained about 90 per cent, of water on an average, nitrogen would appear to ha've reduced the sojids about G'87, which would be equal to two tons per acre less solid matter on a 20-ton per acre crop. Hence the Scotch experiments have an important bearing on our root crops, and cannot be too well weighed and discussed, as the root crop is the most expensive one grown on the farm, the cost being very little, if any, under £ 7 per acre, when rent, occ., cultivation and manures are taken into consideration. We have often lieari many successiul cattle and sheep feeders say they did not approve of large roots, considering a mode-rite size root more nutri- tious. Large roots have ia many instances been forced with heavy supplies or phosphate manures and nitrogen—hence the rapid growth. On the other hand, a moderate supply uf nitrogen in a cold and backward season, would be an invalu- able stimulus t) apply to the crop in order to start it, and if not given in excess would not injure the crop by its deficiency in solids more than would be counter- balanced by the ecuring a good start for the j slant, which is all important. Climate as well as soil has an important oearicg on all experiments made, and it should be home in mind that tne results, ce. fore heing received as conclusive, require careful testing and trial through a series of yeM's. Aberdeen, the great cattle-feeding county, alpe-irs to possess a soil and climate peculiarly suited to produce sound and highly nutritious root", judging from the quality or the beef pro- duced there, and the mode of feeding adopted. Of course, much depends also upon the system of management pursued, Mr Jamieson s experiments under the auspices cf the association are developing valuable results bearing upon our most expensive crop, and show the necessity of experimental farms througa the kingdom for carrying nut scientific trials for a series of years, tne results of which, when tabulated, would form a valuable reference for agriculturists.

Mrs Palmer, wife of the landlord of ths White Hart, Paradise-street, who, together with Mrs Steward, wRs hut on licensed pre- mises by the man Kimberley, died^ at the Queen's Hospital, Bumingiiam, shortly after three o'clock on Thursday afternoon, iviiaberiey will now be charged with wilful murder.