County Observer and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser Abergavenny and Raglan Herald Usk and Pontypool Messenger and Chepstow Argus

THE CHINESE RIOTS. MISSIONARIES SAFB. Authentic details have now been received at Shanghai of the Chinese rioting near Fuchau. The rioters attacked the premises in which the mis- sionaries (who were first erroneously reported dead) were,"and afterwards burned them. The Rev. H. S. Phillipps, and his wife, and Miss Sears, succeeded in making their escape. The district has now become quieter. Mr. Phillipps and his party are now safe at Kienningfoo. The China Mail shows the feeling against missionaries in Wuchow. On May 16 a remarkable placard was posted on a wall in the City of Wuchow. This set forth that the [dead) devils have entered China, and established the Christian Church. The evil devils certainly must be killed without mercy. Their imita- tators should no longer imitate them. Foreign devils had better depart quickly to avoid death, and not daily preach Christianity to deceive the people.

MOTOR OAR COLLISION. DUKE OF ORLEANS AND SECRETARY SHAKEN. I On Tuesday afternoon the Duke of Orleans, and his private secretary, were in a motor car accident at Waterloo Station, in London. The Duke, who had travelled up from Twickenham, where he is at present residing, arrived at the station about a quarter-past two, and entered a private electrical brougham, which was in waiting for him. In descending from the main line platform to the Waterloo-road, a declivity which needs care- ful attention on the part of drivers of vehicles, and will scarcely permit two vehicles to pass each other, the driver of a hansom cab, it is stated, endeavoured to get in front of the brougham, and in the resultant collision the motor was driven against the brick wall and the front of the brougham was smashed. The front panels of glass were broken, the steering gear was disabled, and the tyres were taken out of the wheels. Fortunately the Duke and his secretary escaped serious injury, but sustained a shaking.

KILLED BY LIGHTNING. At Crosby, near Liverpool, on Tuesday afternoon, a gardener at work in the fields was struck dead bv lightning during a thunderstorm.

A MILLION OF MONEY. I ine descendants of William Gibson, a native of Stockton-on-Tees, who died intestate in India at the beginning of the centunr after amassing a fortune of about 100,000 rupees, have just established a claim to the estate which is now in the custody of the Comptroller-General, Calcutta, and which amounts with compound interest for 92 years to about a million sterling. Eight or nine families resident in Stockton, Middlesbro', Birmingham, Carlisle, and Lancaster, share in the windfall.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS.—JUMB 19. YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS. Lord James of Hereford moved the second read- ing of the Youthful Offenders Bill, and, in explaining its provisions, said its principal object was to enact that when a youthful male offender was convicted of any offence other than homicide, the Court might, in substitution for any other punishment, adjudge that he should be privately whipped with a birch rod Another section provided that children might be sent direct to a reformatory school, so that they would not be contaminated by prison life. When a child or young person, having been convicted of felony, was dis- charged under the Summary Jurisdiction Act, 1879, or was punished with whipping only, the conviction was not to be regarded as a conviction of felony for the purposes of the Industrial Schools Act, 1879, or for any disqualification attaching to felony. Another important provision was that magistrates, on remind- ing or committing for trial any child or young person might, instead of committing him to prison, make an order that he should be placed in the custody of any fit person named in the order who was willing to receive him. Lord Leigh and Lord Norton con- curred in tendering their thanks to the noble lord for introducing a measure which would material!} improve the law relating to juvenile offenders. The bill was then read a second time. THE ROYAL ACADEMY. Lord Stanley of Aidorley asked whether hei Majesty's Government would give effect to certain recommendations of the Select Committee of 183C and of the Royal Commission of 1863 with respect to the Royal Academy. One of these recommenda- tions was that the Academy should rest on a wider and more liberal basis and be viewed as a national institution, and that it should have it charter instead of the instrument of 1768. Lord Salisbury, in reply, said the practical point raised by his noble friend was whether the Government were going to introduce any measure this session to alter the constitution of the Royal Academy. The task of dealing with so thorny and difficult a subject as the reform of our art institutions was not likely to be undertaken in the two months which yet remained of the session. HOUSE OF COMMONS. SHOT BY A BOER POLICEMAN. Mr. Chamberlain, in reply to a question, said that a claim for compensation had been made on behalf of the widow of Mr. Edgar, who was shot dead in his own house by a Boer policeman. GOVERNMENT BUSINESS. Mr. Balfour, in submitting a motion giving Government business precedence on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for the remainder of the Session, re- ferred to the belief which was entertained in some quarters that the Session would come to an end before the close of July. This anticipation he disposed of by saying that there was no reason for thinking that the labours of the House could be brought to an end before the usual time in August. He then enumerated the Government orders with which he hoped substantial progress would be made, excluding from consideration measures which he described as merely depart- mental. The bills he named were the Telegraphs (Telegraphic Communication) Bill, the Board of Education Bill, the Private Legislation Procedure (Scotland) Bill, the Colonial Loans Fund Bill, which, he said, ought to followed by a measure sanctioning loans in particular cases the Parish Churches (Scotland) Bill, the Small Houses (Acquisition of Ownership) Bill, the Sale cf Food ind Drugs Bill, the Agricultural and Technical Instruction (Ireland) Bill, the Tithe Rent-charge (Ireland) Bill, and the Money-Lending Bill. He mentioned the stages which these measures had respectively reached, and then said that additional bills would be introduced—namely, a Military Works Bill, a N&,val Works Bill, a Clerical Tithes Bill, and bill relating to the administration of the Niger Company's territories. There was also a measure for the amendment of our factory legislation. These tvere all measures which it was desirable to pass, but ae was not sanguine enough to hope that they would all become law. Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman admitted that the right hon. gentleman's resolution was in accordance with recent practice and did not oppose it, but in- sisted that the Government ought not to introduce my new contentious measures. If, he said, the aovernment imagined that a controversial bill deal- ing with the subject of clerical tithes could be passed in the few weeks that remained of the session they were quite mistaken. Sir C. Dilke complained of the postponement of the Factories and Workshops Bill to so late a period of the session Mr. Dillon expressed dissatisfaction with the way in which Irish matters were treated by the Govern- ment Mr. Channing, Mr. Labouchere, and Mr. J. Ellis protested against the introduction of the Clerical Tithes Bill, and other members urged the leader of the House to extend the lists of measures which were to be considered. Mr. Balfour, in a brief reply, observed with reference to the Clerical Tithes Bill that the intention of the Government to introduce it had been matter of common knowledge for a long time. After answering comments which had been.made respecting the Secondary Education Bill, the Naval Works Bill, and the Factories Bill, he observed that it was impossible to forsee at present what amount of business it would be possible to get through. On a division the motion was carried by 250 votes against 119. SCOTCH LEGISLATION. The discussion of the Private Legislation Proce- dure (Scotland) Bill was then resumed in Committee, and material alterations were made in the measure for the purpose of enabling Parliament to retain con- trol over the legislation affected by the bill. The second clause, which was under consideration when the debate was adjourned last week, was agreed to with some amendments, the Lord Advocate having said that to meet the wishes of hon. members he would move in a later clause an amend- ment giving the House power to amend any bill that should come before it, whether that bill had been opposed at a local inquiry or not. Upon the next clause, the Lord Advocate explained that the original scheme of the Government was that there should be a panel of 25 persons from whom the commissioners who were to conduct inquiries were to be selected, and that members of Parlia- ment should be qualified for nomination on the panel. This plan, however, had undergone altera- tion, and he should propose subsequently that all members of both Houses should be qualified to serve as commissioners. The panel would be re- tained but the services of members of Parliament would be utilised in preference to those of other people. The clause was added to the bill, as was the next clause, after some amendments had been rejected on divisions. On Clause 5, which provides that the Secretary for Scotland, with the Chairman of the two Houses, shall select the persons who are to conduct inquiries as Commissioners. Sir C. Cameron moved an amendment excluding the Secretary for Scotland from the tribunal charged with the duty of selection, but it was negatived by 157 votes against 82. An amendment moved by Mr. T. Shaw, providing for inquiries by four Commissioners, two from each House, was agreed to, and, after other amendments had been disposed of, the clause was passed, as was also Clause 6. The next clause was under considera- tion when the debate stood adjourned at midnight. The Regulation of Railways Bill was withdrawn. HOUSE OF LORDS. JUKE 20. LONDON GOVERNMENT BILL. The Duke of Devonshire moved the second reading of the London Government Bill, and, after sketching the history of the development of the measure, re- marked that the Government had been unable to accept the main recommendations of the Courtnev Commission as the basis of their eolev because the terms of reference to mission contemplated the merging oi' the Corporation of the City of London in the London County Council. The Conservative party were almost unanimously pledged against any attack upon the privileges and constitution of the City of London, however veiled or qualified that attack might be. There was, however, nothing in the bill to prevent any future Government from undertaking the reform of the City Corporation. The principle of the bill was to adapt the provisions of the Municipal Cor- porations Act to the different parts of the metropolis, and if that principle were accepted its application was necessarily a matter mainly of detail which could best be considered in Committee. After describing the functions and powers of the new municipal councils, he referred to the fact that the House of Commons had determined that women should be eligible to the office of councillor and of alderman; and he went on to observe that this was no doubt a point which would be raised again before their lord- ships in Committee on the bill. Haying enumerated the chief proposala embodied in the bill, the noble duke expressed his gratification at the circumstance that the measure was not likely to be met here, as it was elsewhere, by a motion for its rejection. Lord Tweedmouth did not think the bill was in any sense a party measure. His desire was to make it as good a measure as possible and to improve its administrative details without attacking the prin- ciples upon which it was founded. It was much to be regretted that the Government had again missed the opportunity of dealing with the Corporation of City of London. Lord Onslow said there was hardly any one in the City of London who asked for the reform of the Corporation, and its continued existence did no injustice to the people in the other parts of the metropolis. He admitted that there was nothing in the bill to prevent Parliament from dealing hereafter with the City Corporation. After a few observations from Lord Monkswell and Lord Farquhar, Lord Kimberley willingly admitted that the bill would in no way obstruct any Government which might think fit to deal with the question of the City. One of the great merits of the bill was that it put an end to the extremely in- convenient distribution of districts in London. He trusted it would be possible to establish some central body charged with the power of com- pelling, in case of default, the new municipalities to perform the duties imposed upon them. This was not, indeed, are heroic measure, but as regards the individual comfort of the inhabitants of our vast metropolis few bills of more importance had been submitted to the consideration of their lordships. Lord Russell thought the bill would lessen, if not destroy, the chance of unifying the government of London. The bill was then read a second time. I HOUSE OF COMMONS. I I AUSTRALASIAN FEDERATION. I Mr. Chamberlain, replying to Mr. Buxton, an- nounced, amid cheers, that he had received a tele- gram from the Prime Minister of New South Wales stating that a vote in favour of Australasian federa- tion had been passed by the constituent Assembly. I SCOTTISH LEGISLATION. I The discussion in Committee of the Private Legis- lation Procedure (Scotland) Bill was resumed upon an amendment to the 7th clause which Mr. T. Shaw had proposed on Monday night, his object being to en- sure that when a local inquiry has been held under the bill there shall not be any subsequent inquiry in London. After some debate the Lord Advocate resisted the amendment on the ground that the opponents of schemes ought not to be deprived of their right of appeal, and he pointed out that at present their might be three inquiries in connection with a pro- visional order. The amendment was negatived on a division by 206 votes against 140. The Lord Advocate, carrying out an undertaking previously given, then moved an amendment providing that no order made by the Secretary for Scotland should have any validity until it had been confirmed by Parliament, and this having been agreed to the clause was added to the bill. The remaining clauses having been disposed of, the bill was reported to the House. I TELEPHONES. I The second reading of the Telegraphs (Telephonic Communication) Bill was moved by Mi. Hanbury, who justified the proposed legislation by saying that at present the telephone system in this country was starved. He recognised that the National Telephone Company had donegood work where it had been able to acquire wayleaves; but, he said, what was wanted was a popular and certain service such as did not now exists. Replying to the contention that the nationalisation of the telephone system would alone afford a real solution of the difficulty, he asked, Why should the Government undertake work which could be performed as well by the people in the localities concerned? Nationalisation meant the immediate purchase of the interests of a company which had a monopoly; but if they waited until 1911 the plum would fall into their lap, and in the circumstances it would be unfair to the taxpayers to buy the concern. Elaborating this argument he showed that, if a policy of purchase were adopted, much useless material would have to be bought. If money was to be spent, he contended that it should be spent in new and serviceable plant, and for the purpose of supplementing rather than replacing the National Telephone Com- pany. The nationalisation of the telephones not being feasible, the Government had turned their at- tention to local municipalities as sources of supply, and in these bodies he proposed to include urban sani- tary districts. Local companies which could obtain way-leaves from eorporations were also to be en- couraged. Upon these new licenses the Government would be able to impose conditions which they could not impose on the National Telephone Company. By these means existing service would be supplemented, and one result of the change would be to stimulate the National Telephone Company to supply a better service. He noticed next the objections which had been taken to the plan embodied in the bill, remark- ing that the objections of tradesmen in a large way of business and of associations of stockbrokers were not difficult to understand. Adverting to the oppo- sition of certain large municipalities he asked why big corporations which were able to hold their own against the Telephone Company should stand in the way of a reform that would benefit smaller municipalities. He spoke in terms of approval of the toll system, and gave illustrations showing what municipal enterprise could do. In conclusion, he claimed to have shown that if the proposals of the Government were accepted the position of the National Telephone Company would be improved, and he urged the House to pass the bill without delay. Sir J. Joicey recognised that the service supplied by the National Telephone Company was inadequate, but did not approve the methods adopted by the Government for the purpose of bringing about an improved state of things. Mr. Griffith-Boscawen, on the other hand, supported the bill which, he said, carried out the recommendations of the Telephone Committee. Sir J. Lubbock doubted whether it could be maintained with justice that the service of the Telephone Company was inefficient. Where it was inadequate the fault was not theirs, but that of the municipalities, which refused to grant way-leaves. Having said that the bill was open to the damaging criticism that it proposed a great extension of muni- cipal trading, he turned to the proposal that the Government should itself institute and work a tele- phone system in London, and mentioned three objec- tions to it-namely, the risk of loss to the taxpayers, the inadvisability of increasing the numbers of Government employes, and the effect of the scheme in checking private enterprise and impeding the pro- gress of applied science. He suggested that the bill should be sent to a Select Committee for considera- tion. Sir J. Woodhouse, who supported the bill because it was likely to lead to an improved and cheapened service, referred to the tremendous efforts which the Telephone Company were making to prevent the measure from becoming law Mr. C. McArthur, who claimed to give expression to the unanimous opinion of Liverpool, opposed the measure; Mr. Faithfull Begg, who spoke amid considerable interruption, advocated the nationalisation of the telephone system; aid Mr. Lawrence, who criticised the bill adversely, continued the discussion until midnight, when the debate stood adjourned.

I LADY SOMNAMBULIST. I Considerable excitement was caused in Fielden. street, in the West-end of London, about eight o'clock on Saturday morning by the appearance of a young woman, clad only in her night-gown, who was seen to be walking along the parapet, 45ft. high, in front of the house. She was recognised by the neighbours as Miss Amy Wade, of 2, Fielden-street, a young woman subject to fits of somnambulism,and who is never allowed to sleep alone, but who on this occasion had outwitted her attendant. As the sleeper walked along the parapet it was seen that she was approaching a ladder reared against one of the houses for use by painters, two of whom ran up the ladder and waited for her to reach them. When she did so, however, they were too hasty in the attempt to seize her, and she awoke, and then, losing her balance, fell. One of the painters, Richard Maxse, stretched out his arm and caught her by the arm sufficiently to throw her into the arms of his mate, by whom she was carried down the ladder and restored to her friends.

FRANK SLAVIN, the Australian pugilist, once reported dead, is now said to be on his way from Klondyke to London. THE Bishop of Rochester gave a garden party at Kennington on Saturday to the members of the Labour co-partnership workshops in the diocese. THE memorial service of the 85th anniversary of the battle of Waterloo was celebrated on Sunday at St. George's Chapel, Albemarle-street, London. THE annual inspection of the boys of the War- spite training ship of the Marine Society took place on Saturday. Prizes were distributed by Lady Knutsford. A STRIKE of 16 doctors has taken place at Enfield. Two THOUSAND Manchester Ship Canal dock labourers have struck. HOXTON Recreation Ground was thrown open to the public on Saturday afternoon. THE Italian dancer, Cavalieri, has married Prince Bariatinski, a Russian millionaire. THE Automobile Club Exhibition opened on Satur- day at Richmond. Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar was present. FivE HUNDRED men employed at Bilbao, Spain, have struck work in consequence of the dismissal of three comrades.

THE idea of a federation of free libraries is mooted hy a chief librarian from Cheshire. He proposes that borrowers from one library should be permitted to take out books from any other library on the de- posit of a nominal fee. The idea is undoubtedly a good one, and a conference of library committees has been proposed to arrange details.

WEIGHING TEA WITH PAPER. IMPORTANT MAGISTERIAL DECISION. At the Worship-street Police-court, in London, a series of summonses against Lipton (Limited) have been heard before Mr. Cluer. There were five summonses, three of which, taken out on the information of Charles Chatteris and William David Mercer, on behalf of Brooke, Bond, and Co. (Limited), alleged that on May 26 the de- fendants did, at 203, Old-street, London, unlawfully sell goods, to wit, tea, to which a false trade descrip- tion or statement as to the weight of the said goods was applied, contrary to Section 2 of the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887. The remaining two summonses were taken out by J. A. Hutchins, on behalf of the London County Council, charging Messrs. Lipton and Co. (Limited) with having on the date named had pos- session for use for trade (1) a weight which was not of the denomination of seme Board of Trade stan- dard, and (2) certain weights which were not stamped as required by Section 29 of the Weights and Measures Act, 1898. Mr. Avory and Mr. Grant appeared to prosecute; Mr. E. Carson, Q.C., and Mr. Charles Mathews defended. Mr. Avory said the summonses had been taken out with a view to test the validity of weighing paper with tea. The defendants, who sold tea in packets, pur- sued the practice of weighing the paper in which it was wrapped with the tea, and he believed it would not be contested that that was their custom. If it was, he should show that the result of weighing the test packets purchased was that the actual weight of tea was deficient. The contention was that the trade description of the packets was false. The result of their system was that the company increased their profits by E16,000 or E17,000 per annum. The prosecutors, Brooke, Bond, and Co., sold tea at full weight, and if they adopted the practice of the de- fendants they would increase their profits by £ 11,000. Counsel then dealt with the Merchandise Marks Act on the case, and said he thought that if the trade description as to the weight of the several packets should be found to be false, an offence under the Act had been committed. Mr. Carson, replying to the magistrate, said that the defendants would elect to be dealt with by this court. Mr. Mercer, managing clerk to Radcliffe and Franklin, solicitors, of Chancery-lane, said he went on May 26 to one of the shops of the defendant company, and bought three packets of tea, in lib., tlb., and 2oz. (produced), and the same day took the packets to the London County Council Office of Weights and Measures in Rosebery-avenue, where the inspector there weighed the packets in bulk and otherwise. Cross-examined by Mr. Carson, the witness said he was instructed by his principals, and knew it was for the purpose of prosecution. The witness said he bought tea at 37 other shops. Witness was asked if he observed the labels on the packets, and the learned counsel, laying stress on the word packet," showed that he drew a distinction between asking for a quarter of a pound of tea or a quarter of a pound packet. The witness said he asked for a quarter-pound of tea. He said he knew the packets and labels, and had bought for home; but as to knowing whether the ordinary practice of Lipton's was to weigh in the paper, he said he had heard so, and perhaps believed from his own knowledge that the paper was included in the weight of the packet. Of course, he added, he had information as to the fact for the purposes of this prosecution, but as to accept- ing the paper as part of the weight, his wife had dropped buying tea from Lipton's for that reason. Mr. Carson: No doubt she has gone to Brooke, Bond, and Co. Charles Benday, Inspector of Weights and Measures for the London County Council, proved receiving the packets of tea from the witness and weighing them. The Jib. sample was ldr. 11 grains, and the lib. sample 2oz. 24 grains deficient in weight of tea. Mr. Carson, for the defence, said that Lipton (Limited) had so far pursued a univeral practice of the trade, they had done it deliberately, and would claim a right to do it until told they were wrong. The charge was not one of fraud, and there was no suggestion of intention to cheat. The charge was made by a rival in trade, partly because he was a rival, and partly for self advertisement. He would prove, however, that the defendants had done no more than was the habit of the trade, and he con- tended that in the sale of the packets" what was sold was the tea and the paper in which it was wrapped. He contended that the labels were no false trade description, and that there was no misrepresentation. Messrs. Lipton had taken all possible precaution, and when, in 1892, the case of "Allwood v. Harris" was decided on ap- peal by the High Court, which quashed a conviction of a magistrate for weighing paper with sugar, Lipton's submitted a case for opinion to the Attorney- General of the day (now the Lord Chief Justice), and that opinion was in favour of Lipton. Mr. Cluer said he was not bound by the opinion of the Attorney-General, though, of course, it was valuable. Mr. Carson desired to read it, but Mr. Cluer de- clined to admit. Counsel then said what was done was within the law. He proposed to call evidence as to trade custom. Mr Avory objectedbut Mr. Cluer decided to ad- mit such evidence. Evidence of the managers of various tea companies was then given as to the practice of weighing the paper wrapper in with the tea, all agreeing that it was the universal practice, and one going so far as to say that it had been the custom from time immemorial." Mr. Cluer, in giving judgment, said he had come distinctly to the conclusion that the defendant com- pany was liable to be convicted on these summonses. The answer to the complaint that it was said to be a universal custom was not satisfactorily carried out by the evidence. Even had it been proved, he (Mr. Cluer) would hold it was a custom contrary to public policy, and against the Act of Parliament. There was no onus on the prosecution to show the description was false to the knowledge of the defendants, who not only admitted but gloried in it, and claimed a right to weigh o ,t paper with the tea; because, defendant's counsel suggested, the practice was so well known there could be no false trade de- scription, and because it was well known that they had acted innocently. The defendant company had clearly made a certain amount of money which they ought not to have made, and the public had lost a certain amount of tea which it ought to have had for its money. It was satisfactory that this case would not rest here, but would doubtless be carried to the High Court. He imposed a fine of £ 10, and 15 gu i neas costs. Mr. Carson asked if a case would be granted. Mr. Cluer: Certainly. The summonses against the same company by the London County Council were then proceeded with, Mr. Seager Berry prosecuting. An inspector of the Council proved visiting the company's premises and finding that to weigh the tea the girls employed were using a makeshift weight, which was below the standard in the lib., lIb., and 2oz. It was said by Mr. Carson that it was done for convenience, as the weight was made for the quanti- ties of tea required less the weight of paper, which made up the gross bulk. Mr. Cluer suggested that the Council should be satisfied with the practice being stopped, and Mr. Berry assenting, The summonses were withdrawn on payment of 21s. costs.

MR. Josimeii WALTON, Q.C., has been elected Chair- man, Mr. C. M. Warmington, Q.C., Vice-Chairman, and Mr. E. P. Wolstenholme Hon. Treasurer of the General Council of the Bar for the ensuing year. Now that Crete seems to have once more entered upon a period of tranquillity, a serious effort is to be made to undertake further archaeological explora- tions in an island which has already yielded such splendid results, and has given evidence of a very ancient intercourse with Egypt. It has been decided to form a Cretan Exploration Fund in co-opera- tion with the British School at Athens, in order to carry out a series of comprehensive excavations, and Prince George of Greece, High Commissioner of the Powers in Crete, has consented to become patron of the fund. THROUGH cholera and other diseases, the Moham- medan pilgrimage to Mecca this year cost the lives of more than 30,000 people in the space of 12 days. Mediaeval pilgrimages to Jerusalem were probably the cause of not a few plague epidemics. It is a healthy sign to find a Mussulman doctor and employe of the Egyptian Government, in a treatise on the pilgrimage, demanding, if not its total atip- pression, at least a considerable modification.

I OUTRAGES IN INDIA. I RIOTERS CUT OFF EARS OF THEIR VICTIMS. The South Indian riots have spread to Travanpore, where the police were severely beaten and fo reed to retire. Two constables were injured. Some guns and a quantity of ammunition were seized by the rioters. The latter are committing outrages, cutting off people's ears in order to obtain the earings ex- peditiously. Four hundred and fifty houses have been burned at Samboovadagaria. The Maravars are burning the houses of the Shanars, who are in » pitiable plight. The disturbed parts are now being patrolled by the military troops. A number of Waziris raided cattle in the Lower Kurram on Sunday. They fired on a pursuing party, which included the Chapri Kurrum Militia, wounding one man and also two villagers. In consequence of the persistent raid on the Pun- jaub Frontier villages by bands of armed Waziris, the civil authorities recommend renewed punitive operations.

AMERICANS AMBUSHED. DESPERATE FIGHTING. Further desperate fighting in the Philippines is reported. The most sensational incident of the encounter was the narrow escape that the 1st Batta- lion of the 4th Regiment had from total annihilation. This battalion had advanced six miles beyond its sup- port, when the officers discovered that the enemy were paralleling the road for a long distance on both sidesofthem. The Americans opened fire, and then the insurgents closed round, practically surrounding the battalion. A heavy fire was kept up for four hours, and only a desperate charge of the American troops kept the insurgents at bay. General Wheaton then arrived with reinforcements, and succeeded in rout- ing the Filipinos. A quarter of an hour more of fighting, and, it is believed, not one man of the battalion would have been left alive, as their ammunition had almost gone. This is declared to have been the most determined and best planned resistance that the Filipinos have yet made. The American loss was six killed and 20 wounded. On the Filipino side 93 dead bodies were found on the field. Two Americans, who were wounded in yesterday's engagement and were left on the roadside, were found later dead, with their bodies mutilated. General Wheaten has advanced with his whole force and occupied Marinas. The movement was attended with severe fighting. The soldiers were in a savage mood because of the mutilation of the bodies of their comrades, and gave the natives severe punishment.

SOUTH EDINBURGH ELECTION. Polling took place on Monday in this constituency to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Robert Cox, Liberal Unionist member of Parliament. The candidates were Major-General Wauchope (Conser- vative) and Mr. Arthur Dewar (Liberal). The result, which was declared early on Tuesday morning, was as follows: Mr. Dewar (L.) 5820 Major-General Wauchope (C.) 4989 Liberal majority 831 This represents a gain to the Opposition of a seat. Recent elections in the division have resulted as follows: 1885. Sir G. Harrison (L.) 4273 T. Raleigh (L.) 2874 Majority 1399 1886. Right Hon. H. C. E. Childers (L.). 3778 R. Purvis (L.U.) 2191 Majority 1387 BYE-ELECTION, JANUARY, 1886. Right Hon. H. C. E. Childers (L.). 4029 Master of Polwarth (C.) 1730 Majority 2299 February, 1886. Right Hon. H. C. E. Childers. Returned unopposed. 1892. H. W. Paul (L.) 4692' L. McIver (L.U.) 4261 Majority 431 1895. R. Cox (L.U). 4802 H. W. Paul (L.) 4705 Majority 97 Mr. Arthur Dewar, M.A., who enters Parliament for the first time, is connected with the firm of Messrs. Dewar, whisky distillers. He was admitted a member of the Faculty of Advocates in Edinburgh in 1885. 6

THREE PERSONS SHOT. Shortly after midnight on Saturday, at Camber- well, a man named Floyd shot his wife and two children, who are now in Guy's Hospital in a some- what critical condition. So far as can be ascer- tained, the crime was the result of jealousy, Floyd being under the mistaken impression that his wife had been unduly familiar with a man living in the locality. Owing to this suspicion on the part of the husband the couple had not lived happily for some time, and their numerous quarrels culminated on Saturday. Floyd, his wife, and four children lived in the basement of a small tenement in Odell-street, a little thoroughfare leading off Albany- street, Old Kent-road. The man had been drinking during Saturday, and made his way home from a public-house in the neighbourhood a few minutes after twelve o'clock. The night being fine, his wife and the two children were outside their dwelling, and Floyd, who had a pot of beer—which it is alleged contained poison—offered his wife some to drink. She refused, and thereupon he produced a six-chambered revolver, and fired. The shot entered Mrs. Floyd's neck, a second one grazing the front of her forehead. Floyd next shot his daughters Rose and Lily, aged respectively twelve and nine years. Both received wounds in the head, the bullet entering the skull of Lily, the younger, and on Sunday her condition gave cause for the gravest apprehension. Floyd fired a fifth time, the last bullet penetrating the door of a house on the opposite side of the street. The victims were attended at the surgery of Mr. Jones and subse- quently conveyed to the hospital. The reports of firearms and the screams of Mrs. Floyd and the children brought to the scene of the tragedy a sailor who promply seized Floyd, and held him until the arrival of the police, by whom he was conveyed to the Rodney-street station. Before the arrival of the police, however, Floyd was subjected to rough usage by the indignant crowd, and when he arrived at the station his face and hands were covered with blood. Two younger boys of the prisoner, who were in the road, narrowly escaped, their father making for them with the revolver when caught hold of by the sailor. At the station it was found that one of the six chambers was still loaded, and on searching the accused some dozens of cart- ridges were found in his possession. Floyd is a portmanteau-maker and able to earn good wages, but lately he has been drinking somewhat heavily. He has also threatened his wife, who last week expressed her determination to leave him altogether. In order to watch her and prevent her from doing so, Floyd stayed away from his employment and scarcely left his house for several days.