South Wales Echo

EXECUTION AT GALWAY. Michael Downey was executed at Galway gaol, at ten minutes after eight o'clock this morning, for the murder of John Moylan, at Clonboo. He made a statement yesterday, admitting his guilt. During the night he slept badly, and took no breakfast this morning, though he accepted a glass of wine. He bore himself with great calm- ness at the scaffold, and death appeared to be instantaneous. Berry was the executioner, assisted by a man named Chester.

A MISSING DUBLIN AND HOLY- HEAD STEAMER. A Holyhead correspondent telegraphs Anxiety is felt here respecting the safety of the paddle steamer Admiral Moorson, one of the London and North Western Railway Company's fleet. She left Dublin at noon yesterday with a cargo, and was due at Holyhead at haJf-nast six o'clock, but she had not arrived here up 'to nine o'clock this morning, nor had anything been heard of her. Another steamer has left in search.

THE ROYAL PROGRESS IN SPAIN. ik, [CENTRAL NEWS TELEGRAM.] DRID, Friday Morning.—King Alfonso had a JUST yesterday. He left Granada at 8.30, vjsited Archidona, one of the affected towns, hence he proceeded to Romerat, the estate »el°uging: to the Minister of the Interior, where b" had a late breakfast. Afterwards he visited 6 afflicted town of Antequera, where his recep- 011 Wag enthusiastic. He slept at Romerat.

THE ALLEGED CONSPIRACY TO MURDER A CHILD. I The trial of William Jones, Thomas Long, and Gecxrge Fletcher Walker, on the charge of con- sPiracy to murder an infant, was resumed at the Old Bailey to-day. Mr Besley addressed the jury on behalf of Walker, and contended that the hus- band of Mrs Gay might just as well have been charged with the offence as any one of the pri- soners, but argued that there was really not a tittle of evidence to support the charge of conspiracy to murder. All the facts were entirely consistent with the defence which had always been set up, the only object sought to be attained was that the child should be placed in the hands of some person to be taken care of, and that the husband by this means should get rid of it. All that had been proved against Walkar was that he had assisted Jones, who had been his friend from boyhood, to get him out of the scrape. (For Continuation see next edition.)

GREAT FAILURES IN NEW I YORK. [REUTER'S TELEGRAM.] I -NEW YORK, Friday.- Nlessrs John J. Cisco and Son,the bankers, yesterday made an assign- ment of their depositors' two and half million dollars, which it is expected will be paid in full. The firm has no outstanding contracts on the Stock Exchange. The general depression in securities is believed to be the main cause of the stoppage of the bank. The liabilities are estimated at between 3,000,000 and 5,000,000 dollars. Messrs Oliver Brothers and Phillips had 4,000 men in their employ. The cause of their failare is not yet known.

POLITICS IN EAST CORNWALL. E Considerable interest is being excited in the j.^ Cornwall constituencies by the domestic erences of the L'.sfeeard and Boimin Illiberal*, •s insisted by numbers that Mr Leonard Court- "ey s adoption of the proportional representation eme and his so-called desertion of the Govern- tnent, have rendered him most; unpopular and a re-arrangenient of candidates is new suggested, a th'e^e' T^ ou.{°°} to remove Mr Borlase from Willvar e district and to give Mr Brydges vnoJ Present member for Truro, the "Cy ™us created. In the meantime, however, P Leveson Gower, the member for odmin, wnosa name has been mentioned in com- petition with Mr Courtney, has written declining to submit himself to the discretion of the existing executive, on the ground that the new electors must first be consulted. The party throughout the division is considerably disturbed by these delicate rivalries.

EXTRAORDINARY CONDUCT OF A WORKHOUSE MASTER. A. [SPECIAL TELEGRAM, j the meeting of the Ballinasloe Guardians yesterday, it was reported that the master of the workhouse had locked himself up in his bedroom, and refused to produce his books before the bOrd. A committee of guardians then pro- ceeded to the master's bedroom, but the master ftade no response to their knocking at the door. c earing he had committed suicide, the police were sent for, but meantime themaster announced he was alive and well. He, however, would not "l'en the door, ami would not answer questions from the guardians assembled outside. One of „he uardians declared that the master was put to bed that morning, at seven o'clock, drunk, and it was a serious thing to leave him alone in such a condition. He thought the bedroom door should be broken open for humanity's sake at least. It Was finally arranged to leave the master in the care of his brother. The board, however, sus- pended him from his duties, and decided to apply for a sworn Government inquiry, the matron and schoolmaster to take charge in the meantime.

FIRE ON BO ARD A COTTON SHIP. A serious fire out iB the hold of the steamship A^,a'paging to Sunderland, in the channel, on Wednesday night The vessel whichis about 1200 tsns burden, wasboqnd from Galveston to Bremen with a cargo of cottODj conskting of nearly 5,000 bales. The captain, Mr Macaskell, 5tates that they were about fifteen mi]es of the Goodwin Sands, during n gaiCf when it Was discovered that the cargo on gre^ The first indication was noticed in the saloon by the floorcloth suddenly becommg hot and blistering. Suspecting what had happened, the captain immediately had a hole cut in the floor. As soon as this was done. smoke and fire shot up. After the pumps had been at work for some time, it was subdued for several hours, when it suddenly broke out again, and could not be extinguished, the decks becoming so hot that the men could scarcely stand on them. Captain Macaskell steamed to Dover. Pumps were playing on the fire during the whole of yesterday, and last night the fire had not been ex- tinguished. The vessel now lies in the outer harbour. A telegram this morning says :-The pumps worked till midnight on the cotton steamer Acuba on fire in Dover Bay, and apparently extinguished the fire, but this morning the bulk- heads one after another burst through, and the al* *tar':e^ af?a'n very fiercely. Centrifital pumps How being put ia.

TERRIBLE COLLIERY EXPLO- I SION IN FRANCE. 28 Miners Killed. I 20 Others Burled in the Pit. [EEUTER'S TELEGRAM, j PARIS, Thursday.—An explosion of fire-damp occurred this morning in a coal mine at Lievin, Pas de Cala:s. Twenty-eight miners were killed, and the underground galleries of the mine fell in for a distance of 800 yards. [CENTRAL NEWS TELEGRAM. PARIS, Thursday Afternoon. -a -t night a disastrous and fatal explosion occurred at the coal mines of Grison, near Lievin, m the department of the Pas de Calais. A large number of miners were in the pit at the time, who were unable from the suddenness of the shock to make their escape, and great anxiety is felt lest they should have perished. Twenty-eight dead bodies have already been brought up from the mine, but twenty miners are known to be still buried in the pit, and arduous efforts are being made to reach them ;n the hope that some at least may have survived. So violent was the explosion that 800 metres' length of the galleries fell in.

GERMANY AND EGYPTIAN FINANCE. l The English and French Proposals T" FALL MALL GAZETTE TELEGRAM.] BERLIN, Thursday.—! hear on unimpeacaable ¡ authority that Germany has decide-J to reject the proposals submitted by the English Governmeu for the settlement of Egyptian finance. It is un- derstood that Germany decided yesterday to accept the counter proposals of the French Cabinet. The following were the English proposals 1. A loan of £ 5,000,OOOto be issued at 3> guaran- teed by England, to provide for the floating debt, the irrigation, &c. 2. The Alexandrian indemnities: Four and a half millions to be paid in preference bonris at five per cent. Stock to be issued at £ 100 for every £ 110 nominal. 3. The revenues of the Daira and Domain to be paid into the Bank of England as security for the payment of interest 0.1 tiie guaranteed loan. 4. The administration of the Daira and Domain lands to be controlled by England, the Domain to be added to the Preference, and the Daira to the Unified. 5. The Unified, the Daira, and the Suez Canal interest to be cut down one-half per cent, and the Turkey fand suspended. The French proposals are :— 1. A new loan of nine millions, guaranteed by all the Powers, at 32 per cent. to meet all charges. 2. The Daira and Domain to remain as at present temporarily. 3. The Unified Coupon to be fixed at 5 per cent. 4. The Caisse of the debt to be converted into an international multiple control. The French proposals therefore practically em- bodies the scheme which England rejected at the conference. The Press Association is informed that the British Government have been expecting an answer to the proposals communicated to the powers two months ago for the settlement of Egyptian finance to be delivered by France on Wednesday or Thursday. Frequent telegraphic communications have been passing between Lord Lyons, the British Ambassador in Paris, and the Government upon the subject, and it is believed the reply of the French Government will be of a nature of counter-proposals leaving it to be understood the British proposals, as a whole, do not meet with acceptance. It is no secret that pourparlers on the question have taken place between France and Germany, and that the reply of the first-named power will carry the accord of Germany. The Government has no information, that the French reply has been received at Albert Gate for presentation to Earl Granville, and it is usual that when a note of such importance is presented, the recipient Government should have some cognizance of its purport through their own ambassador before it is formally handed to them through another. Up to Thursday evening the terms of the French proposals had not been communicated to the British Government. Lord Granville, who is at Walmsr Castle, does not intend to visit London this week unless most pressing and important business should necessitate his presence at the Foreign Office. The answer of the French Government, which, according to previous arrangement, should have arrived in London before now, will probably be presented by M. Waddington at the Foreign Office to-day (Friday). At the same time it is anticipated that Count Munster may have some instructions from the German Government on the same matter to communicate. His Excellency has been out of town since Wednesday, but returns to the embassy in London to-day

THE WEST AFRICAN CON- r. FERENCE. [KEUTER'.S TELEGRAM.] 1 BERLIN, Thursday.—The conference met to-day at two o'clock, but owing to Sir Edward Malet and several of the other plenipotentiaries being invited to dine with the Emperor, the sitting was very short. The discussion was limited to the third question to be submitted to the conference proper, namely, the formalities to be ob. served by countries on effecting fresh occupations on the Congo, especially with regard to the Portuguese proposal on the subject already presented. No definite result was arrived at and the conference ultimately adjourned till to-morrow. The general opinion is that no diffi- culties are likely to arise, and that at to-morrow's sitting final resolutions on the subject will be arrived at. Besides Sir Edward Malet, the Italian and Russian plenipotentiaries had to await instructions from their respective Govern- ments on this point. Germany and France, however, drew up their original acts, on which the other powers had no information until the 6th inst. It is stated here that serious representations had lately reached the British Foreign Office from the various chambers of commerce, notably that of Oldham, complaining of the acceptance by England of the French proposal that freedom of commerce and navigation in the Congo Basin should be limited to a period of twenty years. A declaration contained in the fourth clause of the fourth protocol, however, too dis- tinctly states that thepowers reserves to themselves the right to decide at the end of that period whether the principle of freedom of imports (franchise d entree) shall be continued or not, ar.d no inteiition whatever is expressed to carry the limitation beyond that one point, or to make the imposition of differential duties optional after the lapse of the above-named period. No further authentic information has been received 'here regarding negotiations now proceeding in Paris between the French Government and the African Association. It is stated, however, that Portugal is placing considerable difficulties iu the way of settlement. PO

inquest was held at Huddersfield on Thursday i vT6 body of SarahAnn Blackburn, who was shot rT master, Mr Thomas Holmes, on Tuesday i Mr Holmes's son deposed that he house, and, getting up, asked f! prp wprpH1^ Was tbo matter. He replied that the Z i;ev- in and got up. He went d0^fMn, and fired at random into the kitch j v o he deceased, who was there unknown to them buth. The jury unanimously returned a verdict of manslaughter against Holmes, who was admitted to bail. KAY'S COMPOUND, a demulcent anoyine ex pecsorant, for Caxixhs and Colds. Sold by all Chemists Is, Is l^cl, Q..O COAGULI S E. —Cemen. for Broken Articles °6d Is, 2s, postage 2d. Soid everywhere. itay Bros, Stockport. 321 KAY'S COMPOUND OFLINSEED, Aniseed, Senegal Squill, Tola. &c., wifchChlorodyiic. 9.kl, Is lid, 2$9d.' cf Chemists, 213'

TO-DAY'S POLICE. I CARDF/F. 4 SMUGGLING.—At the police-court to-day, before Mr It. O. Jones, Thomas Luggit, first mate o; the ss. Mu'g.i ive, from Austerdan, was ordered to forfeit B5 6s Od, thf treble value of S^lbs. of tobacco, said t > be Illegally concealed by him. Henry Richard Taylor, the second mate of the same \essel, was fined £ 2 6s 6; the double value of a quantity of tobacco illegally concealed by him. Frederick Eugene Hapgood, boatswain of the same ship, was also fined £ 1 3s., single value and costs, for concealling some tobacco and perfume. The cases were proved by Messrs, Charles and Mitchell. Custom House Officers. SUSPICIOUS.-—George Palmer, a dock labourer, was remanded till Monday on the charge of having a quantity of beef and pork in his posses- sion supposed to have been stolen. The prisoner was stopped by a dock police-constable on Thursday night with the meat in his possession. No owner has yet been found. DISORDERLY.—Sarah Taylor, a young woman of bad character, who had been 14. times con- victed for disorderly conduct, was sent to prison for one month for behaving in a disorderly manner in St Mary-street on Thursday night.—Lawrence O'Keefe, another old offender, was fined 10s and costs for being drunk and dis- orderly in St Mary-street on Wednesday night. DESTITUTE.—David Owen, a lad 13 years of ;ige, was charged with being found wandering aoout the streets without any visible means of subsistence. Mr F. de Courey Hamilton appeared, and said he knew that by was really in very d-estitute circumstances. His mother was of very drunken habits, and the boy was wandering about the streets without food or shelter. Air Jones suggested that ha shyuld ber sent to toe Union. He could not be sent to the Havannair ship school at present, owing to the ship being- infected witn measles. Tiiis was adopted. SWANSEA. A DiSiioN'E.-sT WASHERWOMAN.—At theSwansea pohce-conrs, 'on Fr.day, before Messrs Cook, atKj Phillips, jun.-Margaret Mclioby, a washerwoman, was charged with steahng a quantity of wearing apparel, the pro- perty of James Jones, from the White Swan Hotel, Swansea. It appeared thai about a. fort nigiit ago, when the clothing was missed, informa- tion was given to the police, and Detective Smith discovered that some o; the articles had been pledged in the town. Prisoner pleaded guilty, and was sentenced u> three montns' hard labour. ALLEGED THEST BY BOYS.—Five boys, named Parry, Evans, ilcmiph, Ausolom, and Murray, wete charged with stealing an overcoat i'r,»m tf:e shop of Mr F. E. Cricker. Prisoners were re- manded. NEWPORT. I LOROUGM POLICK (JOUIIT.—At this court to-day —before Messrs H. Phillips and J. S. Stone, magistrates—Benjamin George, ostler, was charged with being- drunk and incapable in High- street at 1,30 a.m. this morning. The pri- soner was lying asleep on the pavement.— The Magistrates' Cicrk (to prisoner) You ha\e a £ 00d constitution to bear cold like that.—Air Phillips Better not try your constitution in that way again. Jane Briton, married woman, was charged with ai similar offence in Comuier- cuu-road. An orficer fouud her sitting in the doorway of Gower and Company, grocers. She had to be camea part of the way to the station. -prisoner was very indignant at the officer's state- ments, and asserted that she went to look for her husband, who had gone to the meet of the hounds. InoKms Alather, moulder, was charged with » similar offence in High-street, on x'hursuay afternoon. 1 risouer was helplessly drunk, and could not uake care of himself. The magistrate's clerk he is moulding his character in a bud way. —Mr s That is the worst of it, the mould- ing of your character, as Mr Kessick says.— Each prisoner was |fmed 5s.—John Sullivan, an old offender, was fined 19s 6d for bemg drunk in the Sodney Arms, Eower Cross; and John Butcher, hay det ler, 5s, for obstructing Skiuner- strest with a trolly on Sundav night. :w"

THE 8RYNMAWR DIVORCE SUIT Morris v. Morris and Williams. I Decree Nisi Granted. In the High Court of J ustics, Probate and Divorce Division, on Thursday—befora the Right Hon. the President—the case of Morris v. Morris and Williams was heard. This was the petition of William Morris, colliery contractor, who sought a divorce on the ground of his wife's adultery with the co-respondent. The parties were married at Llanelly in August, 1870, and lived together at Brynmawr till 1872, when the petitioner, having obtained a lucrative appointment in llussia, left England,his wifeandchildremamingat Brynmawr. It came to his knowledge that in 1875 his wife had given birth tu an illegitimate child, and in 1876 he came to England to make inquiries on the subject, but could not find her. He went back to Russia without having seen her • and when he subsequently returned he ascerrained that she had been for a considerable time cohabit- ing with a man, named William Williams. Evidence was given in support of the charge, and there being no defence Sir J. Hannen made a decree nisi with costs against the co-respondent.

SUPPOSED SUICIDE OF A SWAN- SEA CAPTAIN IN BRAZIL. Vessel without a Master. I The owners of the barque Antonio Vinent, of Swansea, Messrs Johnson and Burgess, have received a hurried communication fro:n the British Consul at Para, Brazil, under date of Christinas Eve, stating that Capt. Collins, the master of their vessel, had been missing since the previous night; and from the fact that he bad been drinking heavily since* his arrival, and from the contents of a note written to the mate of the vessel, there was every reason to believe he had committed suicide. The vessel had only recently been purchased by her present owners, this being her first voyage since she was sold by Messrs Richardson and Co. Capt. Collins had been in the employ of the latter firm for many years, and had made many successful voyages He had retired from sea for several years, his last command being that of a London steamer in the fruit and cattle trades, and engaged in business ashore as a publican. He has, however, latterly acted as sailing master in short special trips, mostly passenger excursions near home. DesIring to go to sea again, be was successful in his appli- cation for the command of the Antonio Vinent, which, singularly enough, had been under his charge several years before. He was very well known to Mr Burgess, whose brother had sailed with him, and gave him the highest character as a captain. The vessel sailed from Swansea on Oct. 24th, arriving at Para on Dec. 14th. No word had been received by the owners from the captain further than a telegram dated two days after she reached Para, intimating her safe arrival. A private letter written by Captain Collins, which has reached Swansea,confirms the impression that his mind had given way. He complained of the hot weather, and said, what was pearly purely imaginary, that everyone on board was drunk. The owners have wired to the British Consul to detain the vessel at Para until the arrival of a new captain whom they are sending out to take fo command.

ALLEGED FALSE P11ETENCES AT CARDIFF. TRYING TO DODGE A PAWNBROKER. I Catherine Woolf, a young woman, was charged with obtaining 10s by means of false pretences from Solomon Joseph, of 24, St. Mary-street, on the 15th instant. The prisoner went to the shop and wanted to pledge a chain for which, she said, cost her £ 3 10s, and which she had formerly pledged at another place for £143. The money was advanced, but as soon as she left the chain was tested by Mr Josepn and found to be spurious metal. The bench did not consider the case one of false pre- tences, and dismissed it. .r

7or' Samuel Overall, brass worker, was at Birming- ham on.Thursday committed to the assizes for a desperate outrage on a painter, named Regan. The men were in a marionette show in Miiton- street, when, after a quarrel, prisoner dashed a brick at prosecutor's head, deeply fracturing and causing a depression of the skull and other in- juries, which, according to the medical evidence, are of a highly dangerous character.

TO-DAY'S SPORTING, I "I Wye. Meeting. WYE (KENT), FRIDAY. ARRIVALS.—Belgrade, Blanche, Brigllari, Chance, Claret, Coramotian, Condor 11., first Choice, Fop, Fri- cai.dsau tilly, Froggart, Ke*-paway, Laddie. Leo. Madame Nevuda, Nethereoie, Eappel, Smiramis, and Who Can Te l. Others expected. ORDER OF IWXXIXG. Hunters' Hurdle Race, 1.0; OlanteigU Tower Hurdle Race, 1.30; Hunters' Flat Race, 2,0 Maiclen Hunters' Qualifying Steeplechase, 2 30 The Selling Hurdle Plate, 3.0 Hunter's Stee. plechase, 3.30.

SPORTINGITEM-S. I The objection to Entraneur, winner of the Grand Prix de Monaco, at Nice, has been over- ruled. Lord Lonsdale was a rather extensive prize winner with fox-terriers at the Kennel Club bhow. The dispute between the Chester Town Council and tÎle iiaceeourse Company is not, it appears, yet settled. 1 Spark, Valjean, and Apple Blossom, the pro- perty of Mr Abingdon, are under orders to leave becKhampton for Newmarket. Now that Cook has once more returned to form it is expected that he will contesc J. Roberts, junr. s ciaini to the billiard championship. Prince Christian will entertain the Prince of Wales and other guests this week at Cumberland Lodge for a few days' shooting: in Windsor Park. Lowiand Chief, aged, bv Lowlander out o: BatnLue, not run again, and will shortly be sent to iuarden Deer where he will stand next season. Mr H. G. Miller will rnn Alanager for the Champion ooakas ac K.empton Mr E. Davey will run either dipped or Deierrei and Mr T. S. riosrord will start Quicklime The special general meeting of the Football Asoc;atioa, ten* to.e discussion of profesc-ionujisra, 's_ U), held at the .freemasons' Tavern on Monday next, ix Vorpeoo, L-iie orocuer to Snntover, who cost the Duke °t 1 oruland 75Q^ui;ie:is faIe oi the iaie Lord \v iiton s stud, is in training again, and iaie Lord \v iiton s stud, is in training again, and is believed to oe a smart horse. Coc:k ami litcheli brought their billiard match of 5,000 up, spot barre.i, to a close at the West- minster Aquarium on \Vednesday night, Cook, wh > concejeci 500 poaus to his opponent, winning by 562. Although the £ 1,000 plates to be decided at the NewmarKet Craven Meeting have not secured siieir stipulated number of entries, it is behaved tliat the stewards will not reduce their value. During tne present week flocks of teal widgeon, and wild uucivs have located on the lakes and water in various parts of Surrey, and many large fights passed over the county "towards the south coast.^ A flight en wijd geese in serried ranks, pas-ed over Pans from north to south on Wednesday afternoon, snortly before the fail of snow set in. A flight of wijd geese in serried ranks, pas-ed over Pans from north to south Oil Wednesday afternoon, snortly before the fail of snow set m. The bircis were flying at a height of nearly two thousand five nundied feet in a compact body nearly two nnies long. In repiy to a telegram congratulating him upon attaining his twenty-first birthday addressed to Prince Alpert Victor by Mr H. Etheringfon, editor ot keeling, on behalf of the wheelmen" ot Grea„ Britain, the Prince expressed his hearty thanks. xhe late Lord Aylesford's career on the Turf was exceeùingIy chequered. Though he lavished large sum» on norseracuig, he was singularly unfor- tunate, nis oniy noteworthy success being with Vauderdecken, who won the Liverpool Cup in 1373. It must not be imagined that the new Queen's Plate legations are to pass unchallenged, and B^ral compjaints have been addressed to the Master or tne horse at the withdrawal of these Imperial grants from meetings that have long en- joyed this privilege. -D -,aH.^Knnlileeini'en ^ave paper chases in the ls, u i An average rider is sent off 1IS1 nir^h;' W ^Ve or ten munutes' start, T1,! hounds1** by dropping pieces of paper, ivip hoii i provided each with a soft ll they can get up or near the fcy the b»u. t>" 'iwi 'Abraham Bond, a native of ? 'nl for a Ten Miles Go-as-you- P)6'1^, .^esterfield. Bond went to Ju^eriy o i to take train for Chesterfield, but the tram, was gone nothing daunted, he walked to eaten a train at Alfreton, which was just leaving the stalon as he arrived. He then started to walk_ o Chesterfield, and arrived just half an hour beiore the race commenced. Bond made the race tor the other competitors, and on the return home to the goal he kept the lead all the way apd won easily by fiaif a mile.

LOCAL LAW CASES. Action against Radnorshire Rail- way Directors. In the High Court of Justice, Queen's Bench Division, on, Thursday (before Mr Justice Mathew,. witnout a jury), the case of Cheese v Green Price an others, which was commenced on Wednesday vas again resumed. The plain- tiff, Mr Ar Cneese, a solicitor, formerly of Hay, in Breconsh.ro, b(lt now prac'tising afc-y40j Caancery-lant, onuon, brought his action against Mr H °^ert Dansey Green Price, of ref°rdshire Mr Samuel Charles Evans 01 Abernant, near Builth Mr Cecil Alfred Tufton Otway, of Presteigu» tiorshire, as directors of the rsmivr* a Aberystwith Junction Railway 1 1. v y, and against Gertrude Louisa Williams, ot ou ■bieoheim-creacent, Notting-hill, London, executiix 0f Edward Williams, formerly a director of the company. The plaintiff alleged that whi acting as solicitor of the com- pany- v&rious joint and several bills W1S1 „ i ^.lrectors to secure loans in connectio the proposed construction of a railway from J- Radnor to Rhayader, a bill of whicn was introduced in Parliament in 1874. He signed these i ae said, as surety, and for the accommodation the directors and having had to pay a tittn part ot the amount, £ 1,000 odd, he now claimed to recover that sum from the uu'e t is, jjatj sjcrned the bills. The defendants eniecj that the plaintiff became a parry to tne i 8 as surety, or for the accom- modation of tne o tier makers, and alleged that the plaintiff signed the bills as principal, and re- ceived full consideration tor the yame. The fiwt. named defendant, iir Green Price, who was also a solicitor, counterclairried for defendant £ 95, which he said was due to him from the plaintiff with regard to a K'mt account for services ren- dered by them bo to the company. In regard to this, the planit'tt atleg^ that it had formed part of the matter in dispute in an arbitration case, and had been decided against the defendant. He also denied ttia^ any joint account was as alleged sent uij or that there was any balance due to the defendant from the company, or that he received the amount of the alleged joint account. n Mr Tindal Atkinson appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Cramp for the defendants. His Lordship reserved judgment.

MAPS FOR PRESENT USE. Mr John Bartholomew, whose fame as a con. I structor and printer of maps is a guarantee of the oxcellence or the Work done, has forwarded some of his recencly-pu Jiished productions. Prominent among them is the" Special large scale map cf the approaches to Khartoum," published by Menzies, &dinourg^b, one of the most complete maps of the We have ever seen, stretching iiom 40 or 50 miles south of Khartoum, away north to Berber and Abu Ahmed. For those who wish to follow the movements of the Nile expedi- tion, a better companion could not be had. It is rich in the names of places, and clearly printed on the scale lo mnes to the inch. On the same sheet is a plan of the environs of Khartoum on the scale of 12. mife to the inch, on whieh special details are turzlishej, asmall map of the Soudan occupying another corner. Another map of similar character to the former, bearing the title of "Central Africa," and showing Stanley's Geographical and Commercial Basin of c the Congo, as approved by the Congo Conference at Berlin, Dacember 1884, must be very serviceable to many in tie present state of affairs. A strong recommendation to both maps is their extremely low price. Mr Bartholomew has also just issued a map shewing the present distribution and the proposed redistribution of Parliamentary seats 1884-85, with descriptive letterpress from the text of the Bill, and another showing the proposed new Metropolitan Boroughs, with description, area, and population. These will be kept up to date, and serve to show at a glance the political divisions of the country. the country.

TO-DAY'S MARKETS. SUGAR. I CLYDE, Friday. — Market dull, prices somewhat irregular, but generally 3d under yesterday's. The official report is as follows Market weak, and only a small business done at about 3d decline official report is as follows Market weak, and only a small business done at about 3d decline PROVISIONS. LONDON', Friday.—Butter market remains generally dull. Kiel and Damsll quoted at 110s to 140s i-'riesland, 108s to 124s; Normandy, 110s to 140s; I Jersey, 903 to lOSs. IrLh and American continue extremely quiet. Bacon without material change, and business somewhat limited. Hams remain quiet. CL, c Lard inactive. Cheese unaltered in value.

AGRICULTURAL NOTES. [BY A SOUTH WALES AGri .1 < ULTXJKXST. ] I The letter of Sir John B. Lawes in the Times, upon the effect of sewage on ti-v production of fish in the sea, is important, not on), to towns but to rural populations. Sir John s t nnmary is- There has been a very prevalent opinion that the sewage of London has been wasted. The evi- dence which I have brought forward will, I ven- ture to hope, not only do away with thtt impres- sion, but will also establish the fact that it has a decided influence on the production of fish. The absolute amount of this influence, however, is a ouestion on which every one can form his own opinion. We have as a fact that the sewage of the Thames resfcoies to the sea much more than the whole of some and the greater portion of other important manure ingredients, which are annually taken out of it by our fishermen." Pro- fessor Hnxiey speaks of an acre of good land pro- ducing one ton of com. This, Sir John says, he has produced for 40 years at K-othamsted on the same field, but the professor speaks of an acre of the best fishery ground v-ielding one ton of fish every week Sir John points out instances of lakes with a bare supply of fish, and also pure fresh water brooks and streams that have few and very small trout; in similar streams in the same district, receiving trainage, the trout grow to pounds weight instead of ounces, and qnoted the instance of the Ver or Colne, in Hert- fordshire, where trout grow to four and five pounds in weight. The scream is celebrated for its watercresses, which are manured with super- phosphate of lime. If the theory be correct, what a great pecuniary boon it confers upon towns on the sea coast or adjacent thereto, instead of puzzling th3ir sanitary boards with plans and counter- plans, each incurring enormous expense on the ratepayers, for improving the sanitarv condi- tion of the towns, and utilising, at the same time, a main drain to the sea, and the thing is done, and fishery ground established. We hear, it is true, that sewage allowed to run into rivers and brooks kill the fish, but the reason is that it s too sirong, and requires dilution. The sewage question is somewhat like Ginx's Baby," they don't know what to do with it. In rural dis- tricts no costly system ought to be incur- red in the face of the depreciation of land. The rural districts have constantly had thrown in their teeth the decrease of the population by absorption into towns yet that fact has been ignored under the Education and Sanitary Acts, and thus many rural parishes have incurred a heavy debt for the future for buildings and schemes in excess of their future wants. It behoves our local authorities to bear this fact in mind when cairying out plans for the future not that we advocate the pollution of brooks or rivers, but the letter throws fresh and valuable light on sanitary science, and means, if it is correct, smaller rates to obtain a given end. Mr Moreton Frewen, U.S., has been advocat- ing at the Newcastle Farmers' Club the importa- tion of store stock instead of fat from America. We can get any number from the Western States, where 44 million cattle exist, and he calculates we should require 1,100,000 head perannum,that being equivalent to the amount of dead meat we import. The supply of this number would not in his opinion create any perceptible rise of price in the Western States. He thinks they cftuld be sold here at about 213 per head for store cattle of 1,000 Ibs. live weight, and England could thus profitably graze them. He states that in 1873 it cost L12 to send an animal to England, but now it can be done for £ 5. Mr Frewen, of course, advocates this course, with a view to his own interest as an importer, ignoring too much the question of disease imported into the United Kingdom and spread throughout its area. Another point is that if England depended for its supply of store animals from abroad, should disease, either as cattle plague or in any other dire form, break out there, and decimate the herds, what would become of the supply to the British farmer ? Our true interests are to breed as much stock as we possibly can. Freights may go up and enhance the value, and we cannot in one or two years make up the sup ply of home-bred cattle. He admits that live fat stock cannot be imported profitably, as the risks are great, and depreciation of value from the voyage so heavy. The weather is remarkably fine, and this fine dry frost will be of immense good to the soil, thoroughly disintegrating it, and effectually disposing of insect life. Our hunting friends will have a little check, though that will prove of benefit to horse flesh, as with the fine, open season so far they have had plenty of work, and rest will put their legs right, and fetch up their condition. Foxes are plentiful, and taking tithe of poultry, though perhaps they get credit for more than they deserve. We recolleco hearing of a fox that took the fattest duck every Saturday night for five or six weeks running, to intense astonishment of the owner, who con- cluded lie must be a very old, astute member of the Vulpine, race, whether possessed of two legs or more. We are glad to chronicle a slight improvement in the wheat trade since the commencement of the new year. An advance in price will stimu- late the markets, which have been devoid of life. Best malting barley shows a slight improvement, but the demand is excessively dull, and a good deal still remains in the grower's hands. Straw is being rapidly consumed, and will require careful husbanding to enable it to hold out till the spring. There have been a great many complaints of late as to the failure of the sainfoin plant during the last two or three years. Probably it has been caused by the wet, mild winters of late, fostering the growth of the crown of the plant, and thus rendering it more liable to injury from insects, wood pigeons, &c., and also from even slight at- tacks of frost. This wholosome frosty weather may prove the solution of the question, as the permanence of this important forage plant is a serious one at the present time, when it will play a still more important part in laying down land to pasture.

HIGHWAY ROBBERY WITH VIOLENCE AT CARDIFF. At the Cardiff police-court, to-day-before Mr R. O. J ones-J ohn Harrington (20) and Benjamin Pear (29), both men well known to the police, were charged with stealing with violence from the person of George Blake, a purse, containing JS9, and a silver watch, in Tressilian-terrace, on Wed- nesday night. Complainant is a seaman, and belongs to the s.s. Penzance. On Wednesday he was paid oft, and at night was proceeding to the Great Western Railway Station, intending to return home. On his way from from Bute road he called into the Bristol and South Wales Hotel, Peuarth-road, to have a glass of ale. While he was there the prisoner Harrington came in and said, One of your comrades is looking for you." He went outside, where Pear was standing and another man. Harrington said "Come here," and ho followed him about 300 or 400 yards down a roadway which was dark. When he (complainant) did not see anyone he turned back to find his way acain to the hotel. The two men then came UP, Harrington laid hold of him by the collar pushed him down on his knees, and threat- ened to do for him if he made the least noise. Harrington then rifled his pockets, took away his watch, gave him a kick, and told him to make off. All of them then left, and he made his way back to the liotel.-As one of the men was at large, the bench remanded the prisoners till Wednesday.

TO-DAY'S SHIPPING. I Lloyds' Casualty Telegrams. The fire in the after hold of the steamer Acuba, of Sunderland, from Galveston for Bremen, at Dover, still continues, and the vessel has been placed aground. The engine room bulkhead has given way. and a steam pump is being placed aboard to assist in filling the vessel. The British steamer Mardy grounded in entering ODorto, but floated without assistance. The Norwegian barque Formica, from Phillipeville for Shields, has been towed into Grimsby with loss of bulwarks, sranchions, etc. The steamer Rose, from Dundee, in ballast, has sunk on North Sands, Amble. Crew saved. THE WEATHER AND NAVIGATION. A telegram from Lloyd's agent at Sulina states that I very bad weather prevails there, It is blowing a terrific gale and snowing. I

THE CHARGE OF SHOOTING A I MAN IN CARDIFF. At the police-court, to-day, Elias May appeared on a remind charged with shooting and wounding James Barry with a revolver in West Church- street, on the 9th inst. The Head-constable said that the injured man was unable to attend, as the shot had not been abstracted. Dr O'Donnell said that the injured man was unable to attend, and would be for a week. The arm was sup- purating, and the bullet would, no doubt, come out in the lower part of the arm. There was no danger to life. Mr Belcher re- newed his application for bail, to which no objection was raised by the bead-constable, but Mr Heming- way said that from what he could hear of the family of the injured man the prisoner would be safer in gaol. They would be bound to protect him.—Mr Jones did not consider this a ground for refusing bail, and the application was acceded to, the case being adjourned for a week, prisoner being admitted to bail, himself in £100, and one surety £100.

INFANTILE DEPRAVITY IN I LONDON. A Promising Ohild Thief. I Yesterday Selby King, said to be ten years of age, but looking much younger, residing with her mothes at 61, Star-street, Edgware-road, was charged at Maryleboie police-court with stealing from the person a purse, containing 8d, the money of Maria Spooner, a married woman, of 18, Cambridge-place, Paddington. The child, who cried bitterly during the hearing of the case, was respectably dressed, and was so small that, instead of being put into thp. dock, she was placed within the enclosure reserved for solicitors.—The prosecutrix deposed that she went to the Fountain Abbey public-house, Praed-street, on Wednesday evening to fetch some beer, and while waiting in front of the bar to be served the child pushed against her. Thinking that the little thing wanted to go up to the counter, she stepped on one side, and then the child asked if she could tell her the correct time. She did as requested, and the child left the house, Immediately afterwards prosecutriv left, and on reaching her house, which was opposite, she missed her purse. She saw the clhid going along the street, and went after her, and asked her if she had taken her purse. The child gave an emphatic negative answer to her question, and at once showed the contents of her pocket in the most candid man- ner. Prosecutrix pressed her question, and then the child threw open her jacket, and with ex- tended arms politely, but with the great confi- dence, said, "There, ma'am, you can search me if you like. 1 have not got anything belonging to you. Prosecutrix accepted the challenge, and at the bottom of the child's dress in the lining found her purse with its con- tents.—Thomas Pearce, 112 B, said he was in plain clothes in Praed-street on Wednesday night, and hearing the prosecutrix accuse the prisoner of having stolen her purse, lie paid attention to the conversation, and saw Mrs Spooner find the purse secreted in the child's skirt. When he took her into custody she said she had been sent out for some buttons by her mother, and gave three different addresses, which were all found to he false. While going to the station she saie that if she was locked up her mother would kill her, and added that she had been to Madame Tussaud's Exhibition (meaning for the purpofe of pickin pockets).—The mother of the child entered the wituess-box, and, in reply to the magistrate, said her daughter was a very good girl, and always did as she was told.—Mr Cooke (warmiy) I naver before heard of such a case as this before me—a mere child found picking pockets in this artful way. I cannot believe that a child of this age could possibly do such a thing without having been previously thoroughly trained and instructed. I remand the case. Let the child go to the workhouse, and the police had better make full inquiries about the parties.

THE OVERDUE STEAMER ECOMBRERA. FEARS AS TO HER FATE. I Nothing has yet bean heard of the steamship Ecombrera,which we some time ago announced as being overdue. She is now twenty days overdue, and it is feared she was lost in the gale which raged during the latter part of December. She had a crew of twenty hands, most of whom were Frenchmen. One of the engineers, however, belongs to Swansea, and is the son of Mrs Wil- liams, of the Talbot Hotel. Messrs Poingdestre and Mesnier, of Swansea and Havre, are the owners of the steamship.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT MERTHYR. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. I Between six and seven o'clock on Thursday morning the pattern makers' shop at the Ply- mouth Works was found to be in flames. As there was no supply of water at hand, the fire was allowed to continue its course unchecked, and the whole of ths contents of thebuilding, con. sisting of timber, patterns, and tonls.were entirely destroyed, the structure -itself being reduced to ruins. The damage amounts to same hundreds of pounds, some of the patterns being of very great value. The origin of the conflagration is unknown.

= THE MASKELYNE V. BISHOP LIBEL CASE. jC10,000 DAMAGES. At the Sheriff's Court, Red Lion-square, London, on Thursday, before Mr Birchall, under sheiiff, the libel case of Maskelyne v. Bishop was called on. Judgment having gone by default, the action was referred to the sheriff to assess damages, which were laid at 210,000. Mr Murphy, Q.C., and Mr Le Breton appeared for plaintiff, and defendant was not represented. The libel was as follows In London this dastardly plot, which for ever will cover John Neville Maskelyne and Henry Labouchere with infamy, was being watched with the slow but bure precision of the automatic Zoe.' The plot was as simple as its villainy to bring the well- known and highly respectable gentleman, Wm. Ladyman—to whom I am deeply grateful, and for whose blameless life I hare the utmost ad- miration—to ruin. The scheme was worthy of the gigantic brains of Iago, the plate-spinner, the waxwork man, and the delirious vaga- bond who, no doubt, began to entertain visions of unlimited gratuitous refresh- ment. Now let John Neville Maskelyne,. whom I unqualifiedly stigmatised as a man devoid of honourable instincts, bring forth the proof to which he alludes in his letter with the gorgeous crest. Let him bring it before any court of justice, with Iago waddling in his tram, and I will make them groan for the day they meddled in my affairs. By the best advice procurable, at the highest bar, I am assured that with the proofs of infamv in my possession I can hold John Neville Maskelyne criminally liable, and make justice punish him heavily for his villainous con- duct. On the odium of public opinion I do crucify this villainous brace of scoundrels.' Mr John Neville Maskelyne was then called, and said he had never seen defendant's performance, but had seen him at the Egyptian Hall. There was no pretension whatever for saying that he had entered intooa conspiracy to injure the defendant.—John Cook having deposed that ten thousand copies of Truth had been printed containing the libel, the jury awarded plaintiff £ 10,000 damages.

"Yes," said an American professor to his I class, pro and con signify opposite things, as may be seen in the words progress' and Con- gress,'

DISTRICT NEWS. CARDIFF. PUBLIC WORKS.— A special meeting of tM public works committee of the Cardiff Corporation was held at the Town-hall on Thursday, when it was resoived that the suggestions containe: n the borough engineer's report of the various bills in Parliament referred to this committee be adopted. WATCH COMMITTEE.—At the meeting of the watch committe on Wednesday, on the recom- mendation of the head constable, Chief Inspector Price, was raised to the position cf superinten- dent, and his salary increased from J6140 to 2200 a year. Mr Price has been in the Cardiff police force nearly 30 years, and the committee desired thus to express their appreciation of his services. WESLEYAN CHAPEL, CHARLrs-STREET.- Thd, second half of the session of the Mutual Improve- ment Association was opened on Wednesday evening with a lecture, The Influence of the Bible on Literature," by Mr W. Johnston, of Tynemouth, the chair being occupied by Mr G. Carpenter. BETHEL WESLEYAN CHAPEL, UNION-STREET.— The second of a series of entertainments in con- nection with the Sunday School of the above place of worship was held in the chapel on Wed- nesday evening. The Rev. David Young, chair- man of the South Wales district, occupied the chair. ACCIDENT AT THE DOCKS.As a German sea- man named Johannin Vasmer was at work on board the ship Heinrich, lying in the East Dock, on Thursday morning, he fell overboard into the water. In falling one of his legs came into con- tact with the quay wall, with the result that it was fractured. The injured man was promptly conveyed to the Hamadryad Hospital Ship, where he received attention at the bands of the medical superintendent, Dr Hughes. RICHMOND ROAD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.— The first public tea of the scholars and teachers of the Sunday school connected with this church., took place last evening. About 250 scholars were present, with a large number of teachers, parents, and church members. A Christmas tree, decked with presents of all kinds was a prominent feature of the entertainment, and after tea the distribution of the articles from the tree was the occasion for much amusement. great excitement. The tea was given at the sole. expense of Mr Phillips, father-in-law of Coun- cillor D. E. Jones. The Christmas tree was the result of a collection among the teachers and church members. ROATH-ROAD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.-The' annual social meeting of the members and their friends took place on Wednesday evening, com- mencing with tea at six o'clock,and ending with a miscellaneous musical and literary entertainment, under the presidency of the pastor, the Rev. J. Lloyd Williams, B.A. The secretary's report showed that very satisfactory progress had been made during the past two years, 71 members having been admitted during that time, whilst the debt had been reduced by the sum of:8200, and the building improved at a cost of nearly £30. The New Year's thank-offering just received amounted to E52 Is 9d. PROPOSED HARRIERS' CLUB.—A meeting in connection with an open harriers' club pro- posed to be formed in Cardiff took place at the Blue Anchor, Wharton-street, on Thursday night. The attendance was fairly numerous. Mr T. Cook occupied the chair, and the following were elected officers :-Captain, Mr Cliff; vice do., Mr A. Thomas; secretary, Mr D. Sullivan treasurer, Mr T. Cook. A committee of eight was also chosen, these being Messrs J. T. Hinton. J. B. Coe, Kedzlie, A. J. Stewart, W. Stadden, J. Williams, Bowers, and Cross. INFIRMARY CONCERT.—An evening concert in aid of the children's ward of the Cardiff Infirmary was given in the Town-hall Assembly-rooms on Thursday evening, but, notwithstanding the worthy object in view, the attendance was, unfortunately, very small. The pro- gramme was, nevertheless, carried out in a manner which deserved far better patronage. The glee, "Strike the Lyre," by the Llandaff Orpheus Union, was capitally rendered, as also was The Young Musicians." Miss George and Mr Gibbons gave a harp and pianoforte duet, "Bid me discourse," and were well received. Miss Lucy Clarke, one of Cardiff's most promising vocalists, The Better Land," Tit for Tat," "Ill wait for Jack;' (the latter in response to a persistenten- core), and When Ally and I were sweethearts,' her singing being much appreciated. Mr R. Addams-Williams sang "Non piu andrai," which created much amusement, and "The Devout Lover" (M. Valerie White). Mrs Righton-Trice gave the pianoforte solo, Where the Bee sucks," in her well-known excellent style, whilst Miss George gave Mr John Thomas's harp solo, "Winter," iu a way that proved her knowledge of the instrument. Mr Radley, of the Llandaff Orpheus Union, showed his voice to advantage in "O, Fair Dove.' Mr C. T: Whitmell read The Defence of Luck- now very impressively and with much effect. Tile Anthem" concluded a capital concert, which merited much better patronage than it met with. INSTITUTE FOR THE BLI.ND.-The annual treat given by the committee to the blind workmen and apprentices took place on Wednesday, the new assembly-room of the institute, Glossop-road, being nearly filled with the inmates and friends. After high tea, which was well served by Mrs G. F. Webb, the Misses Bird, of Charles-street, and the Misses Pritchard, of Richmond-road, an entertainment was proceeded with. The musical class of the blind rendered The Redoross Knight and The Coming of the King with good effect. Miss C. Bird ably recited The Execution of Mary Queen of Scots.' The songs selected by the Rev E' Morgan and Mr J. P. Taylor were well ren. dered. Mrs Thompson, Mrs Harrison, and Mis- Stephenson presided at the pianoforte. Inter- apersed with the foregoing, some telling-addresses were given by the Vicar of St. John's on Com- pensation," Alderman Cory, Dr. Fiddian, Mr John Moore, the honorary secretaiy, and the manager. At 9.30 a large quantity oi wearing apparel and linen drapery was distributed to the j blind, each of whom received a good parcel, and < returned home with grateful hearts. j THE CORPORATION OF LONDON having required the premises of the ilanUrnpo Ageacy Association, 29, Ludgrlte-hill, E.C., for city improvements, the Alliance Clothing Company, 33, St. -»lary-strtet, Leg most re. spectfuliy to inform the inhabitants of Cardiff and neighbourhood that they have taken over the whole of the above company's stock, comprising Hobson and Co.'s stock of clothing, «seorge Oliver's stock of hosiery and ties, and Strauss Bros.' stock of fancy g-jojis for immediate sale at a trifle over one-half the originaliu- voice cost. Sale now proceeuingat ttie Alliance Cloth- ing Company, 33, Mary-street, Cardiff. 2W EXPERIENCED VETERINARY SMITH (Jo-eph Peare) shoes every class of horse at the Cardiff Horse Exchange,near the Custom House. Atrial solicited.232K AT 79, ST. MARY'S-STREET, CARDIFF, for the next few days, good woollen or merino socks may be bad at is 2d per pair, three ;pairs for 3s. Sewing and knitting machines as usual. 211 SWANSEA. DISCHARGE OF BANKRUPTS. — His Honour, Judge Williams, on Thursday, granted the dis- charge of Mr Pegler and of Mr Haddon. REPAIRING A VESSEL.—At the County-court on Thursday, before his Honour, Judge Williams, was heard the case of the Central Engineering Works against Mr Trevellick. This was a new trial, the defendant maintaining that he was not the party liable to pay. Mr Evans, the late manager of the Central Engineering Company, said he was ordered to do some work to the vessel Carolina by Mr Trevellick. Mr T. B. Richards appeared for the owners of the vessel Mr W. R. Smith ior the com- pany, and Mr D. Lewis, barrister, for Mr Trevellick. Mr Morgan, foreman of the Central Engineering Works, said that when the bargain was made the alterations were to cost jB5 to P,4, but there were extras done. On behalf pf Mr Trevellick, Mr Lewis contended that his client was only manager of the Carolina, the vessel being owned by a company. Mr Trevellick said that he had agreed with Mr Evans to fully repair the vessel for £ 4. All the extras were in theoriginal contra.c. At that time he was re- gistered owner. Mr Richards admitted the Carolina Company indebted to 94. His Honour gave judgment for the plaintiff for L7 zad costs against the defendant as registered owner. THH BANKRCPTCT COURT.—At the bankruptcy court, on Thursdav-before I%fr Registrar Home, the adjourned public examination of Dd. Thomas, builder, was proceeded with. The Official Re ceiver (Mr Rosser) conducted the examination, and Mr Robinson Smith appeared for the bank- rupt. The bankrupt said his liabilities were £4,690, and he had unsecured creditors to the extent of JS996, and creditors fully secured to the amount of £ 333, the securities being estimated to produce £ 3,703. After a lengthy hearing the examination was closed.—Mrs Ann Davis, aged 87, who kept a grocery shop at Morriston, was next examined. It appeared that she owed £1,300, and that her assets were L555. She said she pave the business iuto the charge of her graud-daugbter's husband. The bankrupt ap- peared unable to give an account of her affairs, and the court allowed her to pass. Mr V. Simons appeared for the bankrupt.

T. Broderick, the Irish traiuer, has bean appointed trainer to Mr J. A. Cassidy. KAY'S Tie PILLS, a specific in Neuralgia, Face- ache, etc., 9d, Is lid; postage Id Sold by Cbemigte Kay Bros., Stockport so