Evening Express

GREAT FIRE AT QUEENS- TOWN. One of the largest buildings in Queenstown, the Soldiers' Home and Sailors' Rest, was burned to the ground on Thursday morning. At the time of the outbreak numbers of soldiers were asleep in the home, but they were got out in safety with the exception of one, who fell through a roof and was severely injured. The fire. the origin of which is unknown, threatened to destroy the principal buildings in the town, but, fortunately, the firemen and police succeeded in localising it.

MR, CECIL RHODES. The Press Association says:—Mr. Cecil Rhodes, accompanied by three friends, left Charing Cross Station, London, by the boat express at ten o'clock on Wednesday morning, for the Continent. The party took tickets for Brussels, via Dover ad Ostend, and it was stated by one of the number that they were proceeding direct to Egypt, and that Mr. Rhodes would return to England on the completion of his visit before going back to South Africa. Reuter's Agency is informed that Mr. Cecil llhodes and Sir Charles Metcalfe will be back in London in about three weeks' time. On their way out they will make a stay at Brussels, where Mr. Rhodes will have an interview with King Leopold. -_e.

LOSS OF THE LONDON I AN, A Board )f Trade inquiry into the loss of the Londonian was opened at Westminster on Thursday.—Mr. Danckwertz, for the Board of Trade, in his opening statement, said the vessel was acquired in 18% by the Wilson Fur- liess Leyiand Company at the price of £ 78,000. ■She left Boston on November 15 for London with a. mineral cargo. She was insured alto- gether for £60.000. (Proceeding.)

HOOLEY DAY BY day. MOTION TO COMMIT MR. HESS. The Central News says that on Wednesday llv. Justice Ridley, on the application of Messrs. Beyfus and Beyfus, solicitors to Mr. E. T. Hooley, granted a rule nisi calling upon Mr. Henry Hess, of the "Critic," to show cause why he should not he committed for contempt •f ooui U ■ The application was ba&ed on a.1I article appearing in last week's "Critic," headed "The Queen v. Hooley." AN AGGRIEVED GENTLEMAN. In the London Bankruptcy-court on Thurs- day morning Mr. Norman Craig asked leave to make a statement on behalf of a gentleman who felt aggrieved by the Official Receiver's report, which included a charge against him aNd otheus practically amounting to blackmail. Registrar Hope refused to allow any state- ment until the case comes on in April.

THS DOVER; OUTRAGE, In connection with the outrage committed at Dover on Sunday night, resulting in the death of a seaman, it is stated that the police have narrowed their inquiries to the Suffolk Regi ment, and that arrests are probable.

PATTISONS LIMITED. In the Edinburgh Court of Sessions on Thurs- day counsel were heard on various petitions affecting the affairs cf Pattisons (Limited). There were three petitions—two by creditors who wished to have the COmlJany comllUlsorily wound up, and the other at the instance of the shareholder to have the company volun- tarily wound up with a view to re-construction. Counsel for creditors held the re-construction scheme proposed would simply allow the com- pany to go on for a year or two, and then come down again.

GREAT WESTERN DIVIDEND, REDUCTION DUE TO THE COAL STRIKE. The Press Association is officially informed that the Great Western Railway dividend for the past half-year on the consolidated ordinary stock will be at the rate of 5i per cent. per annum, carrying forward a balance of about £43,000. The Press Association adds that this compares with n per cent. for the second half of 1897, the failing off being attributable to the Welsh coal strike.

AN ENGAGED GIRL S DOWRY, At Worship-street Police-court, London, on Wednesday, Morris Simon, cabinet-maker, of Buckle-street, Whitechapel, appeared to an adjourned summons charging him with de- taining two rings, the property of Esther Gold- man., Mr. Robinson, solicitor, appeared for the com- plainant. and Mr. A. Osborn for the defence. The complainant is a girl about 20 years of age, both parties being Polish Jews. They had been engaged to be married, and the rings were given as engagement tokens, but there was also a written contract by which the girl or her parents was to provide the man Simon with £50 before the marriage. The money was not forthcoming, and the defence alleged that the rings were returned by the girl because she could not fulfil her part. The complainant, however, alleged that she on going to visit the defendant at his parents' house. was drugged by some tea, and the rings then forcibly re- moved, and the girl carried to her own home and left. It was alleged, however, that she had gone off to Brighton the day after the rings were returned, and by her conduct had shown there was no truth in the suggestion that she was drugged. A good deal of dispute now arose over the contract, which was in Hebrew. and was said to fix no date for the marriage or the payment of the bond to defendant.—Mr. Corser thought it did not matter. The giving of engagement rings implied engagement, and whether the contract was broken or not the party in possession was usually considered to have the right to the rings.—Two witnesses were called to prove the girl had voluntarily taken off the rings and given them back. Mr. Corser thought the story an extraordinary one, and though there was no doubt a sum of money was to be given as a dower to the man by the lady, it was not a material fact to the issue. Her story of being drugged was most strange, but there was no corroboration of it, and he made no order for delivery, dismissing the summons, but refusing costs.

FALSE FftETENCES AT FERN" DALE. At Porth Police-court on Thursday morning Marie Lawrence, wife of Abraham Lawrence, labourer, residing at Ferndale. was charged with obtaining, by false pretences, two pairs of boots, valued at 12s. 6d., the property of William Morgan, boot and shoe dealer, of Fern. dale. It appeared that on Saturday night last the defendant came to the shop and asked for wo pairs of boots for her husband. Mr. Morgan asked her name and address, and she replied, "Archie Hopkins, 4, Rhunddai-terrace, Fern- dale." The boots were then handed to defen- dant, who did not return the goods. Prosecu- tor made inquiries, and found that a John Jenkins lived at the address given by the defendant.—Defendant was fined 30s.

HISS TERRY S DILEMMA. Mr. Frank Cooper applied at Highgate on Wed- nesday for permission for two children to per- form with Miss Ellen Terry at the Queen's Opera House, Crouch End, London. One was eight years old and the other nine, and they would come on several times and speak seven or eight short sentences. He was guardian to one, and was himself acting in the piece ("Olivia"). The parent of the other was also performing. Inspector Monntifiekl said the Act of Parlia- ment made it compulsory for seven days' notice to be given, but nothing was said until last Saturday, and the inquiries were not com- plete, as the persons they had to see were not to be found at home. Mr. Cooper said the one person referred to was seen by the police the day before. Mr. Glover: I do not see how we can help you. Seven days' notice has not been given. What we may be able to do next week we do not know. Mr. Cooper: The performance is to-night. Mr. Glover: We cannot help you.

IF YOU LOSE YOUR HAT. An interesting point has been decided by Judge Shawl at the Liverpool County-court. A member of the Jun'or RefornrClulJ brought an action to recover 10s 6d.. the price of a new hat, from another member of the club. It appears that the defendant, who had lost his hat, taok plaintiff's from a peg, and after- wards returned it. His Honour, in giving judg- ment for the plaintiff, he'd that, as the defen- dant had taken away the hat of the plaintiff, the latter wa^s thoroughly justified in buying a new one.

FRENCH NAVAL PLANS, A Central News telegram from Rome on Thursday says:—The Corriere Delia Sera" to-day publishes an interview with the French Minister of Marine. M. Lockroy said that the French naval programme included the construc- tion of powerful battleships and cruisers of the largest size, besides a number of destroyers and submarine boats, to be ready." he added, to maintain a war at sea with England, as well as to keep up a great blockade." He expressed the opinion that the naval organisa- tion of England was over-rated. M. Lockroy also stated that France would not be unwilling that Italy should occupy Tripoli.

JUDGE BACON AND "ESQUIRED On Wednesday, at the Bloomsbury County- court (before Judge Bacon), a greengrocer ahd fruiterer named Matthews was sued for the sum of £8. for goods supplied. The amount was not disputed, but for a long time defendant fenced with his honour's questions concerning his means, stating that hj was practically earn- ing nothing. Judge Bacon: How much money do you take to market? Defendant: About £30. The profit is about a quarter. > Judge Bacon: You say you make £7 10s. a week, and by your own admission you pay more than £ 100 a year for house rent, as well as rates and taxes, water, and gas. What do you pay for gas a year? Defendant: I think we had better not discuss that. (Laughter.) Judge Bacon (sternly): You had better not be impertinent, and I intend to know what your profits are. I do not believe that your pronto are only 20 per cent. Don't you see, yoti have been belling me stories? Yours it) a ■precariotis business, but I know the profits are large. An order was made for defendant' tj pay £2 a month. Judge Bacon (looking at the papers): Why is this man de-cribed us "Esquire"? (Laughter.) "II. H, Matthews. Esq."? The man is a fruiterer, and such a description is ridiculous. I

Cory Divorce Case. CHARGES AGAINST RESPON- DENT N OT SUBSTANTIATED, We are informed that the case brought against Mr. Herbert B. Cory, of Druidstone, Custleton, near Cardiff, was heard in camera on Wednesday, when the charges brought by Mrs. Cory against the respondent were not sub- stantiated.

WELSH RAILWAY COMBINE, REPORTED AMALGAMATION NEGOTIATIONS. TAFF, RHYMNEY, AND CARDIFF RAILWAYS. Several times recently we have referred to rumours of an amalgamation being negotiated between the Taff Vale, Rhym- ney, and Cardiff Railway Companies. It is now an open secret thai- negotiations are proceeding between the Taff Vale and Rhymney Companies. with the full knowledge of the Cardiff Railway Com- pany, who would join later. That this is the case seems to be supported by a state- ment that the work in connection with the new lines of the Cardiff Railway Com- pany north of Llanishen will not be pro- ceeded with at present, and the owners of the land have received intimation that their land will not be required for two years. If the company in the meantime come to terms with the proprietors of the other undertakings named, the new lines may not be needed.

IMPENDING CRISIS AT NEW TREDEGAR, THE NOTICE TO THE ENGINE MEN. A serious crisis is threatened at New Trede- gar, in consequence of the action of the Powell Duffryn Company in giving a month's notice to their winding enginemen at the West Elliot Pit, consequent upon their refusing to sign the agreement which the colliery owners of South Wales and Monmouthshire are desirous of enforcing upon enginemen throughout the whole coalfield. This agreement, it may be well to re-call, contains the following condi- tios:—(!). That a fixed wage of 30 per cent upon the standard rate of wages existing in Decem- ber, 1879, paid to enginemen shall be paid as and from the date of signing; (2). no alteration shall bp. made in such rate of wages agreed for a period of five years; and (4) the care of the engines rest on the engineman during his shift. and he shall occupy his time when not handling his engines in cleaning, oiling, packing, and adjusting his engines, and in Assisting in all engineering repairs and alterations necessita- ting the employment of fitters and others. The South Wales and Monmouthshire Enginemen. Stokers, and Outside Fitters' Association at their quarterly meeting held at Cardiff in January passed a. resolution directing that no member should sign the agreement without. the consent of the ag^t and the executive com- mittee. It is, however, complained that strong pressur e is being brought by the owners to bear upon the men to get them to sign. this pressure taking the form, in some cases, of dis- missal, and, as already indicated, at New Tre- degar. the threats have been put into actual execution. Such conduct the men regard as simply tyrannous, and within half an hour of the service of the notices upon the three men on Wednesday, Mr. Hopkins, the agent of the association, who had had some inkling of the "move," handed in to the company 69 notices from all the other men employed at the two pits in the village, which are connected with the branches of work which the association covers. If the company withdraw their HC" 2es the men will follow suit, but if not, a. deadlock seems inevitable.

LADY'S TRIP TO KLONDYE. MISS FLORA SHAW RECOUNTS HER EXPERIENCES. A most interesting paper descriptive of a trip to Kiondyke was read before the Royal Colonial Institute on Tuesday, by Miss Flora. Shaw; Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal pre- siding. Miss Shaw explained that she was no pioneer, being the twenty-seven thousandth person who went over the passes last year; but she was the only woman of the party, and she appeared to cherish the kindest memories of the chivalry shown towards her. "The best that there was was always at my disposal," she said. "Generally I had a tent; but if, sleeping out of doors, one stone was softer than another, it was mine; if food was short there was always a portion for the lady." As for danger, she had not been in the country three days before she realised that a revolver would be about as likely to be useful as it would be in Piccadilly. The walking was rather heavy; sometimes she was ankle deep in swamp and sometimes, after rain, knee deep. At Dawson she felt that it was the absence of home which explained to a great extent the existence of saloons. She was struck bv the contrast between the splendid qualities exercised in acquiring gold, and the utter folly displayed in spending it. On this she reflected that "in the expansion of the Empire, as in other movements, man wins the battle, but woman holds the field." As for gold, nuggets were kept with as little precau- tion as if they were peppermint bull's eyes. They were heaped in tobacco canisters or dis- used fruit tins, or in any other receptacle that was handy. Gold lay about in sacks, thrown generally under the bed or on it, with no protection but its own weight. "As much as £20,000 or £30,000 worth of gold will," said Miss Shaw, be sent down on mule-back from the mines to Dawson in charge of an unknown mule-driver, through twenty miles or so of ccuntry frequented by all the roughest pro- erectors of the fields. Such a thing has never been heard of as gold stolen in the country." But. the living was hard. Before ehe left Yukon she had learned to eat beans, when I ced be, like a horse, quite contentedly, three times a day. In her journey she slept in the open air, and performed her morning toilette at a glacier stream. The journey, however was well worth the trouble, the scenery being "a dream of beauty which can never be for- gotten." As to the prospect before the gold- seeker, Miss Shaw was enthusiastic, holding that the newly-opened fields contain, not only gold, but a great deal of gold. In her opinion, Kiondyke is not a "fizzle." In that region of the world, at least, there are, in her view, all the elements of a great development.

CARDIFF WOMAN S DEATH. On Wednesday evening, shortly after seven o'clock, Police-constable Petherell found Mar- garet Connell. a married woman, residing at 6, Canal Bank, Cardiff, lying on the tow-path of the canal in an unconscious condition. The constable was informed that while in an inebriated condition she had fallen into the water, and that she had been rescued from her perilous position by William Slocombe. who resides in Mary Ann-street. The constable thereupon conveyed the woman home and sent for Dr. Mullins. On arriving at the house that gentleman examined Mrs. Connoll, and ordered her to be put to bed. Later in the evening the woman was taken seriously ill, and died at 10.30 p.m., before medical aid could be pro- cured.

HIRLAS-HORN AT NEWPORT, The magnificent hirlas-horn which the Bight Hon. Lord Tredegar commissioned Mr. Gos- combe John, R.A., to design and construct for presentation to the B, ards of Great Britain is at present being exhibited at the Newport Museum. It derives some associative interest from the fact that it was first exhibited in an unfinished state to the boards at the Gorsedd meeting at Belle Vue Park during the eisedd- fod week of 1397, when the right hon. donor waa himself present, and received the thanks of the venerable Archdnud. "Hwfa Mon." The horn, that of a Cape trex-ox, and its set- ting, from an artistic point of view, has been fully described in these columns, but it may be of interest to recall the historical lact that the house of Tredegar has been closely asso- ciated with the bardic genius of Wales since the fourteenth century when a celebrated eisteddfod was held at Gwen-y-Clepa under the patronage of Ivor Hael. That fact is prettily commemorated by the introduction of the Tredegar motto, "Si Dcus nobiscum ynis contra nos" and the fighting dragons of Maesa- leg (now Bassalleg) recorded In the Mabino- gion. There is also a fine exhibition of water- colours at the museum.

The titles of the peers recently created are officially announced. Lord Cromer, upon being granted the dignity of a viscount, takes the title of Viscount, Cromer, of Cromer, in the County of Norfolk; Sir Philip Currie, on his elevation to the peerage, becomes Baron Currie. of Hawley, in the County of Southampton; Sir Joseph Russell Bailey, Bart., becomes Baron Gla-nntk, of Glanusk Park, in the County of Brecknock; Sir Henry Hawkins becomes Baron 15 ramp Urn, of Brampton, in the County of Huntingdon; and Mr. Robert Thornhaugh Giirdo-.i become* Baron Oranwort.h. of Letton and C ran worth, in the County of Norfolk. .1

A Doctor's Secret. THE EXTRAORDINARY WILL SUIT RESUMED. CROSS-EXAMINATION OF MRS, WICKHAM. SENSATIONAL, EVIDENCE, In the Probate Division on Thursday (before Mr. Justice Barnes and a special jury), the case of Wickham and Payne was further heard. The suit had reference to a will dated the 11th of February, 1893, of Dr. Thomas Marchant Tomkin, who had been in practice as a medical man at Witham, Essex, and died on the 26th cf April, 1895, leaving property amounting to £23,000. The plaintiff, Mrs. Mary Marchant Wickham, a widow lady, sister of the testator, asked the court to revoke probate of the will, which had been granted in common form in order to secure an intestacy with regard to the residuary clause, under which the bulk of the property was left to the defendant, Mrs. Alice Payne. Plaintiff alleged that the execu- tion of the will had been obtained by undue influence on the part of Mr. Arthur Payne. husband of the defendant, and a medical man of Witham, the allegation being that he had used his knowledge of Dr. Tomkin having per- formed an illegal operation to coerce him in the making of his will. The plaintiff's allega- tions were denied. Mrs. Wickham, the paintiff, was further crc~i examined by Mr. Deane, Q.C. She said that a friend of hers had assisted her in getting up the evidence. She did not know that she was ejected from Dr. Tomkin's house. Witness was bankrupt in 1894. There was nothing in the particulars she had furnished about her brother's death being suspicious. Her son Herbert had written to Mrs. Payne on the 19th of January, 1897:Why don't you treat lfr". Wickham as you have treated her sister. Mrs. Josselyn H. W. Wickham. Middle Temple." That was sent because she thought Mis. Payne mig-ht help her. Getting no answer she herself then wrote:—As my brother did not leave me what he promised, and I am very much indeed in want of money, I ask you as he gave you everything to make lile suitable remuneration for the trouble and inconvenience I was put to. Do not understand why I was not told of my brother's death or even asked to the funeral." Witness did not give any addresses, and her letters were sent to the common room at the Middle Temple. She did not give her own address because she was moving about at the time. You wrote this friendly letter to Mrs. Payne although yon accused her of having cut you ont cf the will?—Yes. And although you suspected that she and her husband had poisoned your brother?—No answer. Lp to March, 1 93, had you ever suggested any rnsconduct on their part?—No. Witness admitted that she had written a letter to Mrs. Payne, in which she said:—"I >uglit for some time after the death of my late brother you would have considered it only l-ight to have offered me an approximate sum to t"> V? 000 at least which my brother had intended to have left me, but you have not done S0; consequently, I have been preparing for an alternative course; nor did you tell ma of his death, or even- ask me to the funeral, your husband expressly informing me that my brother had left practi- cally nothing, thereby assuring me that you had not profited by his death. but this I now know to be absolutely untrue. I am perfectly cognisant as to how Arthur Josselyn was supplanted iu your affections, the engagement of your husband following on the heels of Arthur Josselyn's dismissal. and from this time a great difference took place. I have excellent advice and legal assistance, and am pretty well prepared to commence a rigorous scrutiny into matters. I really cannot longer endure the deep sense of cru?J injustice that has been perpetrated up ~n me, and allow strangers in blood to take all while near relations are by some cause or other, not naturally, shut out. The reports, too, as to my poor dear brother's end are very painful for a sister to hear, and my unquietude has been consideably streng- thened lately. I am informed that the coroner was an intimate friend of your hus- band's. There are many things I could add, but I am not permitted to do so." Mr. Deane: Your brother died in April, 1895, and it is not until 1898, three years after- wards, that you make the suggestion, when you make an appeal for money. Why did you not make the suggestion before if you believed it? Did you mean by the letter that if Mrs. Payne paid you the money you would not make these charges?—I should not have brought it into this court. Further cross-examined: Witness said that she did not send an elderly gentleman to Wit- ham to see Mrs. Payne and the coroner. An elderly gentleman went. She did not know his name. He did not tell her that he had offered to settle the claim for £5,000. She thought he was a negotiator. His Lordship: This correspondence is very serious. A demand for money is made, and then this letter is written. Have you had this correspondence before you, Mr. Witt? Mr. Witt, Q.C. (for plaintiff): I have not. His Lordship: Some strong language is sure to be used later on after this correspondence. Nothing is done for three years. Then there is a demand for money, and this expression, which is very striking, I thought you would have considered it right to have offered me an approximate sum to the £12,000, but you have not done so; consequently, I have been pre- paring for an alternative course." Mr. Witt: I had not seen these letters until my friend read them. There is one body of persons (the jury) to express an opinion if they choose. Further cross-examined, witness admitted that her litigation with her brother from 1888 to 1893 had greatly annoyed him. Mr. Deane here confronted the witness with a gentleman in court, who was, he said, the father of the young woman, whose name Mrs. Wickham wrote down the previous day as having had an illegal operation performed. The young woman herself was ill. and unable to COlne. Do you suggest (asked Mr. Deane) that this gentleman's daughter is the woman referred to by Dr. Tomkin? Witness: My brother did not mention the name. It is a serious matter. Do you withdraw the name you gave?—My brother did not tell me the name. Do you withdraw the suggestion that she had an illegal operation performed?—I have heard there has been such an operation. I don't know the time. In these proceedings you are vilifying your brother's memory, and is your sole object to get this money?—'My object is to upset the will. and get the money. John Newton Mayhew: a fishmonger, of Witham, said that Dr. Tomkin spoke to him about Mr. Payne after he was married. Wit, ness asked him if Mr. Payne was at home, and Dr. Tomkin replied, "Don't talk to me about that —brute. I know nothing about that brute." After Dr. Payne got to know him there appeared to be a great change in Mr. Tomkin. From being bright and cheerful he had a downcast look. Cross-examined: Witness said he did not attribute the downcast look to the illness of Dr. Tomkin's wife. He believed there was an action pending against him for slander upon Mr. Payne and his wife. Have you suggested to people that you be- lieved Dr. Tomkin had been poisoned by Payne?—No. Witness denied that he had made a statement that the body of Dr. Tomkin looked as if it had been poisoned when he was put in his coffin. He did not say that Dr. Tomkin's will was made out by his adopted daughter. Did you say "The most important thing is that Dr. Payne had no interest in Dr. Tomkin's life, but he had great interest in his death"?— I did not say it. Questioned as to a conversation with a groom, he said that the groom had said in reference to Dr. Tomkin, "The old dead body is buried. The coron&r made that all right, and they cannot interfere." Witness remarked to him that if there had been foul play that could be found out. Jane Mayhew, wife of the previous witness, said she had heard Mr. Payne say that his future wife would be the richest woman in Britain. She once heard him say that Dr. Tomkin was wretched to live with, and was a bear. William Rootkin, living at Witham, said he was coachman to Dr. Tomkin. "We used to chat a good deal, and were like brothers," said witness, and he said, "I don't owe my sister any malice. I forgive her." Witness knew of the law suit, but never heard deceased speak an angry word about Mrs. Wickham. Witness had never heard any orders given by Mr. and Mrs. Payne about Mrs. Wibkham coming to the house. After an adjournment for lunch, Jfr. Witt announced 011 behalf of behalf of the plaintiff that, having had an opportunity of consulting with her, he had her authority to say that she would not proceed further with the case. Neither he nor the solicitor knew of the letters until they were read in court. His Lordship: You have taken a wise course. Mr. Deane then called Mr. and Mrs. Payne, who both denied the allegations made against them. (Proceeding.)

At Biackpili, near Swansea, on Wednesday afternoon an iDquest was opened by Mr. Tal- fourd Strick, deputy-coroner, on the body of Harry Foote, an ex-soldier, who was found dead on the London and North Western Railway near Swansea. already reported. The jury returned an open verdict.

The Trouble in Samoa. R. L, STEVE:NSON'8 HOUSE LOOTED, HIGH HANDElT ACTION OF THE GERMAN CONSUL, A Press Association special telegram from Samoa, dated January 24 (via Auckland, Febru- ary 1), says:—Although there has been no fur- ther pitched battle between the opposing native forces, pillaging continues. Robert Louis Stevenson's house at Vailima has been looted. A party of Mataafa's followers has been routed in the bush by Malietoa's supporters, and further fighting is expected. Mataafa is re-arresting prisoners who had previously been fined and released. The excited Malietoa chiefs were landed at Pago-Pago. the schooner in whi' they were conveyed being unable to pro- ceed to the Manna Islands, owing to adverse winds. The natives of Tutuila welcomed the chiefs, and endeavoured to seize Mataafa's son, who was on board the schooner, but the cap- tain frustrated the attempt by sailing away. Herr Grossmuhl, a German resident at Apia, was arrested for having smashed the windows of the Supreme Court. Chief Justice Cham- bers imposed a line, and sentenced him to imprisonment, but Dr. Raffel. the German President of the Municipality, and the chief of police, released the prisoner. The fine was subsequently increased to 1,009 dollars. The German Consul thereupon wrote to the British and American Consuls protesting against the Chief Justice's action in fining Herr Gross- muhl, as an infringement of the rights of the German Consulate. The two Consuls jointly replied that the proper tribunal having dealt with the matter, the Consuls could not inter- fere, and declined to hold further intercourse with the German Consul or the municipal president, except in writing, or to attend any meeting unless an apology were offered for tin" behaviour of the Germans towards the Chief Justice. The Supreme Court has now summoned the President of tho Municipality for contempt of court in releasing Herr Gross- muhl.

THE LIBERAL LEADERSHIP, SIR WM, HARCOURT DROPPING I OUT OF SIGHT. The Press Association states that many members of the House of Commons have already arrived in town preparatory to the work of the coming session, and keenly discuss the prospects of next Monday's party meeting at the Reform Club. Several of them who were anxious to secure, if possible, the return of Sir William Harcourt to the Opposition leadership in the House of Commons are now disposed to abstain from pressing that view to a vote. They recognisB that Sir William's own announcement and his declared intention of proceeding to the Continent for further rest make it undesirable at the last moment to ask him to re-consider hia determination, especially as such a course, if adopted by many of his friends, might pre- vent that practical unanimity which is under- stood to be a condition precedent to the accep- tance of the position by Sir Henry Campbell- Bannerman. Neither Sir William Harcourt nor Mr. John Morley will attend the meeting. There is also reason to doubt whether Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman will attend upon that occasion—at '^ast. not until after the resolution is passed lioiuaiating him for the vaca.nt leader- ship.

INTOXICANTS AT CARDIFF EISTEDDFOD, TEETOTALERS OBJECT TO ANY- BODY ELSE BEING CONSIDERED. At the annual meeting of the West Merioneth monthly meeting, held at Dotgelly on Wednes- day, the following resolution was passed:— "That this meeting learns with sorrow tha.t the local committee of the Cardiff National Eisteddfod contemplates providing for the sell- ing of intoxicants within its premises; that, whilst approving the Eisteddfod as an institu- tion tending to elevate the nation as to cul- ture and morality, we strongly condemn such action on the part of the Cardiff Committee, and trust the association will take the matter up and do all in its power to thwart such purposes."

A PRISONER AT KHARTOUM, The "Egyptian Courier" quotes the following from a shortly forthcoming book by the ex. Consular Agent Cuzzi, relating his experiences during fifteen years' imprisonment in the Soudan During my fifteen years' imprisonment I never saw a, mirror, and gradually all interest in my personal appearance faded completely away. When it became sure that an expedi- tion was on its way to Omdurman, I began to live again. When at last the cannon began to thunder, and the wild cries of the battle penetrated the city, I lair my sword ready, determined, should this last hope be destroyed, to put an end to my life. When finally the noise of the cannon ce&esd, and the victor Kitchener stood before me, congratulating me ou my release, I thought I should suffocate with emotion. 'The next day I made my toi- lette in an officer's tent, and held in my hand th? first looking-glass I had seen for fifteen years. I looked curiously at my reflection m it, and started back. I had gone out into the world a young, active, strong man, and the image which now stared at me was that of a sick, hollow-eyed, wrinkled, broken man. Never did all that I had suffered enter into my mind with such strength as at this moment, and I wep, wept like a child, the first tears in fifteen years! The day after I was made a prisoner I saw my wife die, but my grief was too great for the relief of tears; my child wa-s torn from me and died of starvation far away, and I could not weep; I suffered deprivations and ill-treatment without a sign of weakness; but now, before this small looking-glass, I was overwhelmed. The pain of all that I had lost seemed concentrated in the grief-stricken fea- tures reflected in the mirror. At one glance I saw the story of my sufferings.

GAMBLING SCANDALS IN GERMANY. A Reuter's telegram from Berlin on Wed- nesday says:—In the Budget Committee of the Reichstag to-day there was a discussion upon the recent gambling scandals in Berlin and Hanover, in which officers of the German Army were implicated —The Minister of War expressed his regret at the occurrences, and stated that the Emperor was proceeding un- sparingly against those concerned, in order to root out the evil. As a matter of fact, gambling among officers had decreased, and the expediency was now under consideration of making it the duty of officers to give in- formation to the authorities in the event of offers of money—often of a shameless character, and even coming from abroad- being made to them with the object of indue- ing them to gamble. It was also intended that students of the cadet colleges and mili- tary schools should be seriously enlightened as to the dangers threatening them.

UNDER WHICH KING? A peculiar difficulty has arisen in filling up the vacant post of the chief-constaole of Suffolk. The West Suffolk Standing Joint Com- mittee, being anxious to appoint a separate; chief-constable for the western portion of the county, took counsel's opinion whether they could do so. Counsel held that they could, and they have advertised the appointment accord- j ingly. On the other hand, the joint standing joint committee, which represents the whole county, have been advised that the appoint- j ment rests with them, and they have decided to advertise for an officer for the whole county. Unless one body gives way two persons will be1 appointed to carry out the same duties.

HOT CROSS BUNS, On Wednesday night at a meeting of the central board of the London Master Bakers' Protection Society, held at the Holborn Restaurant. Mr. W. Kriegbaum said the north- western district committee of the society had determined to commence a crusade against hot-cross buns. Those articles were most indi- gestible, their consumption was against the public health, and their manufacture was the cause of much overwork for the journeymen. As the hot-cross bun was symbolic of Chris- tianity it seemed a pity that it should cause indigestion and create ill-feelirg among bakers >

A FIGHT IN COURT. At Saffron Walden on Wednesday, as a. tramp named Kelly was being charged with assaulting the workhouse master, ,the prisoner dashed across the court at the master as he was giving evidence, and struck him on the head, saying, If I did not assault you this morning I will now." It took two constables, the two magis- trates, and the clerk to secure the man. who was eventually sent to gaol for six months.

AN UNWELCOME SUITOR. At Highg-ate on Wednesday a, well-dressed young woman complaiBed that she was being persistently annoyed by a young man who pestered her with his attentions, and wrote her long letters asking her to go out with him. Mr. Cory Wright: Are these letter? of ^uch a nature as to frighten you? Applicant: Yes. Mr Cory Wright: You can have a summons for threats.

CARDIFF TRAMWAYS, THE PROPOSED DOUBLING OF THE LINES. A special meeting of the Cardiff Corporation Tramways Committee was held on Thursday morning, when the question of allowing the tramways company to double certain portions of their lines was considered. Mr. T. Andrews presided.—Mr. Veall, in bringing forward his motion, gave a review of what had been done hitherto. To double the lines now in the places proposed (Cowbridge-road and St. John's-square district) would cost about £4.104, and when the matter came up for arbitratioQ at a later date a reduction for depreciation would be allowed. That was basing the cost upon the rate of £ 6 a yard. If the cost, were higher there would still be a reduction for depreciation. There would be many advantages. The work might be got on in time for meeting the excursion traffic in the summer, and the corporation might take advantage of the work going on to proceed with one or two street improvements. He moved that permission should be given to the tramways company to double their lines in Cowbridge-road, Working-street. &c., on condi- tion that a satisfactory arrangement could be made between the company and the corpora- tion as to the price to be paid, and that the compacnv should give a satisfactory under- taking as to the weight of rails, &e. In the course of further remarks, he advocated better communication between the outlying parts of the town and the docks. One morning he started from King's-road, and walked to the Docks quicker than a tramcar took to perform the journey, although it started at the same time as he did.—Alderman T. W. Jacobs seconded.—Mr. S. Robinson moved as an amendment that the corporation should approach the company with a view to purcahasing the tramways at once.—Mr. Veall said that if his resolution were carried he should be willing to second Mr. Robinson's pro- posal were it put as a substantive resolution.- Alderman Jacobs made a similar statement, but Mr. Robinson asked what good it would be to srive the company all they asked for and then ask them to sell their concern. If his amendment were accepted, and the company agreed, they might at once commence a regu- lar and systematic improvement of the tram- ways in the town.—Messrs. Courtis and Evans upheld the idea of carrying Mr. Veall's motion, and then Mr. Robinson's, but the amendment was not seconded, and Mr. Veall's motion wag carried. Upon this Mr. Robinson said that it was not the time after that to move his pro- posal as a resolution, but he should bring the matter up at the next council meeting.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES ACTS, ADOPTION BY THE MERTHYR DISTRICT COUNCIL. The meeting of the Merthyr District Council on AVednesday was one of exceptional impor- tance by reason of the fact that Mr. Arthur Daniel had a motion down on the agenda in favour of the adoption of the Public Libraries Acts of 1892 and 1893. Three deputations—one representing the Merthyr Chamber of Trade, headed by Mr. C. E. Simons, president; a second representing the Merthyr Subscription Library, headed by Mr. C. Owen, M.A., presi- dent; and the third representing the Merthyr and Dowlais district branch of the National Union of Teachers, on whose behalf Mr. Richard Price, secretary, was the spokesman—attended to urge the council to pass the motion.-It was stated by Mr. Simons that a penny rate in the parish would produce £750 a year, and it was pointed out that, although there were difficul- ties in the way of putting the Act into force, owing to the scattered nature of the district, yet these difficulties might be overcome by having branch reading-rooms in the different ontlying places.—Mr. Owen intimated that if public library were established the subscribers to the existing library in the Church would be prepared to hand over all their property, con- sisting of 5,000 volumes of very excellent litera- ture and a building, of the value of about £ 200 —Mr. Daniel submitted his motion in a cogent speech replete with stubborn facts and convincing arguments, and he found a seconder in Mr. David Davies.—The first note of opposi- tion was sounded, as was to be expected, from a member of one of the outlying wards—Mr. John Roberts, of Merthyr Vale—who moved a8 an amendment that the question be deferred until a properly defined scheme was laid before the council.—This amendment was seconded by Mr. William Lewis, of Treharris.—Mr. John Harpur and Mr. Joseph Owen, voicing the company's interest, also opposed the motion, their opposition being based upon the conten- tion that a Id. rate will not yield sufficient to make the venture a real success.—Other mem- bers gave expression to their sentiments, and when a vote came to be taken there were nine fot" the motion and six for the amendment, the former being, therefore, declared carried amid applause.

NEWPORT CREDITORS APPEAR BEFORE THE REGISTRAR TO-DAY. At the Newport Bankruptcy-court on Thurs- day (before the Registrar, Mr. H. J. Davis), James Cornford. late draper, < £ c.. High-street, Newbridge, and Bridge-street, Abercarn, ap- peared to a resumed examination respecting an amended cash account. After a dec1a.ra.tion from Mrs. Cornford, stating that the household furniture belonged to her. was received, the examination was closed. George France Davies, builder, Harrow-road, Newport, was also examined. His deficiency of £416 lis. was assignable to losses on building contracts, every one of which turned out badly. He admitted he was over-eager to secure the contracts, but much of it was due to the late carpenters' strike. Fuller particulars have been already published.—The examination was closed. The Deputy Official Receiver. Mr. Clarke, reported that Robert Biddle, Alvingdon Glen, Lydney, Gloucester, "n absconding debtor, had not been traced, and he asked for an adjourn- ment until next court. Should he not be found in the interim, the Official Receiver would ask for an adjournment sine die.

MAINDEE CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY, At the annual meeting of ths Mumdee (New- port) Chrysanthemum Society, at, which Mr. Charles Pearoe presided, the committee, in their report, spoka of th>? flourishing condition of the society in evexy way. They appealed for continued support, so that they might be able to effc-r prizes Which would induce growers ai a distance to exhibit, thereby making the society second to none in the country. Mr. H. D. M'Daniel was re-elected chairman of the eoinmn4.ee. Mr. P T. Halford hon. treasurer, and Messrs. H. J. U. Fussell and J. Long hon. seeretarivs.

A Naughty Little Girl. DISCLOSURES AT CARDIFF POLICE-COURT, ORDERED CABS AND PATRO- NISED WORKMEN, Had Uncle Joe" been in the first police- court on Thursday his hair would have turned whiter than it is, and he would have shed bitter tears. An application was made casting serious reflection upon the character of an innocent and demure-looking and well-dressed little girl. the diary of whose doings, could it be written in full, would afford unprecedented ^revelations in the annals of juvenile eccentri- city. Let the facts speak. The little culprit's name was Edith Mary Clarke, aged eleven, and her father. Mr. John Samuel Clarke. living at 54, Morelaiid-road, applied for his daughter to be sent to an industrial school, under Section 16 of the Industrial Schools Act. Mr. Clarke said his daughter had given him a good deal of trouble. She was an incorrigible truant. and ordered goods from tradesmen with- out authority. She was eleven years old on the 6th of January last. It would be the salvation of the girl could she be sent away, but as to the amount he could contribute towards her support, hi" means, he explained, were nothing to speak of. The Clerk: She is beyond your control?—Yes, and her mother is an invalid, unfortunately. What does she do?—She gives orders to tradespeople without warrant, and the bills ar8 sent to me. What does she do with the goods?—We send them back, but what she appropriates herself we have been in the habit of paying for. She appropriates these goods?—Yes, and takes them to pawnshops. Inspector Durston explained that the girl's conduct had been extraordinary. On one occa- sion she ordered a cab for a wedding party on the occasion of a marriage, but it turned out that no such ceremony as a wedding had been contemplated in the house at which the expec- tant cabby drew up. On other occasions she ordered, four pairs of boots, and went to the Argyll Stares, where she obtained a quantity of groceries, of which she appropriated a part, and sent the rest to her parents. The Bench asked: Is the girl "right in her head "? Witness: I have taken her to a doctor, who said there was nothing wrong. She has, he pointed out, rather a large brain, but nothing more. Alderman R. Cory: Very wrong. No doubt she ought to know better. The father went on to say that he once took the offender to Moorland-road Police-station to try and frighten her. She was lodged in a cell for five minutes, and then went on her knees and begged pardon, and said she would never do it again. The next day she again played truant. Detective-inspector SccKt gave evidence affording confirmation of Inspector Durston's statement. Mr. Scott, said the police had received numerous complaints about the con- duct of the girl, and. in consequence of those complaints, witness sent for her father, and told h;m that unless something wao" done they would be compelled to set the c; mi-val Jaw in motion. After that, she went on Friday last to a shop in Castle-road, and purchased four pairs of boots, which <ere despatched to her mother. She and another girl pawned one of the pairs in a shop at I>o:-dwa.v, and the other three pairslhey gave away. Comi/ s to the cab inci- dent and the hoax re the wedding party, wit- ness said the budding adventuress three weeks ago ordered the cab for her aunt, who, she represented, waa about to get married, and wanted a carriage and pair for the auspicious occasion. On the following morning Jehu was on the spot with his carriage and pair. He waited nearly an hour and then found on inquiry that the order was fictitious, and drove away, a wiser and a sadder man. She ordered from the Argyll Stores 24s. worth of goods, including a nine-gallon cask of beer. Pater- familias returned the things, and then she went and stole her father's coat and pawned it for 4s. 6d. The Clerk: How long has this been going on? —About six months. Mr. Edward Thomas in giving the magis- trates' decision, said it was plain that this was a very bad girl, and they w^ald net make her I position more serious by scolding her. Every- thing that could be done for her had been done, and she would be sent to an industrial school until she was fourteen years of age. If she behaved and turned out to be a good girl her period of time might be reduced. If she did not behave she might be detained until she was sixteen. This was just such a case the Act of Parliament was, intended to meet. They were sorry and pained to make such an order, but were in duty bound to do so.. I Miss Clarke received her fate with marked composure and indifference, and, ertainly. she did not look the minx she was depicted to be.

THE DREYFUS CASE, ESTERHAZY LEAVES PARIS. GIVEN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS TO QUIT. A Reuter's telegram from Paris on Wednes- day says:—At six o'clock yesterday evening a letter from M. Lebret to the Public Prosecutor was communicated to Esterhazy. The Minister of Justice stated that the Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation had concluded its examination of Esterhazy on January 30, and requested hJmto inform Esterhazy immediately that, his evidence having teen taken, the pro- ceedings institut-ed against him by M. Christian Esterhazy would follow their usual course afur an interval of 24 hours. Esterhazy accordingly left Paris, but his destination is unknown. According to the "Petite Republique" he was driven to the Gare du Nord. Writing in the "Echo de Paris," M. Quesnay de Beaurepaire demands that disciplinary pro- ceedings shall be taken against certain mem- bers of the Criminal Chamber who have clearly failed in their professional dignity. That such proceedings should not be taken. he adds, would be contrary to the law. The "Temps" gives a long account of the evidence given before the Criminal Section of the Court of Cassation by M. Charavey, hand- writing expert, who in 1894 declared the bor- derau was in Dreyfus's handwriting. M. Charavey now has doubts on the subject, and stated he would require to make a freah exami- nation to enable him either to confirm or to reject his original conclusions. M. Lebret, Minister of Justice, had an inter- view with M. Dupuy, Premier, this morning at the Ministry of the Interior. The Criipinal Section of the Court of Cassa- tion this afternoon heard the evidence of Major Hartmann, of the Artillery. THREATENING LETTERS TO CASSATION JUDGES. A Reuter's telegram from Paris on Wednes- day evening says: —It was persistently rumoured in the lobbies of the Palais Bourbon to-day that the results of the inquiry into the Bard-Picquart-De Beaurepaire incidents were of a very inconclusive character, and that the dossier contained 1!tatements of fact that were incorrect, and even letters eulogising the Criminal Section of the Court of Cassation written by M. Mayeau's own colleagues. It was also stated to contain a letter from M. Loew declaring that the members of the Criminal Section had received large numbers of letters full of insults, or even threatening them with death, and that that was why he had appointed an unmarried man to report on the charges brought against the judges, so that if the threats made were carried out a whole family should not be plunged into mourning. The Inquiry Commission is said to have decided that M. De Beaurepaire's allegations were un- founded. M. De Beaurepaire will, it is announced, deliver a public lecture on the 10th inst. ESTERHAZY'S DESTINATION. A Reuter's telegram from Rotterdam on Wednesday says:—Major Esterhazy arrived here' this morning from Paris. He was met at the station by a detective-inspector. At eleven o'clock Major Esterhazy left for The Hague.

DOWLAIS MALE VOICE PARTY It has been determined to constitute on a permanent basis the Dowlais Workmen s Male Voice Pary, whose singing gave so much pleasure to Lord and Lady Wimborne and family during their visit to Dowlais, under the conductorship 01 Mr. Harry Evans. F.R.C.O., and the handsome donation of fifteen guineas given by Lord Wimborne will form the nucleus of the funds of the party.

AN ALDER MANIC CIIICELB. Befoie Alderman Lewis and other justices. at Cardiff Police-court on Thursday. William Hopkins, 60, a white-haired man, was charged with being drunk and disorderly at Stac-ey- terrace on the 1st inst., and also with assault- ing Police-constable 13 B in the execution of his duty.—The evidence was to the effect that prisoner kicked the constable and otherwise knocked him about, and behaved generally "like a madman."—Inspector Durston said prisoner was a most violent man. He had been up for manslaughter, and for cutting and wounding had undergone sentences of six months, three months, 21 days, and fourteen days.—Alderman Lewis (shocked): Dear me! Tut .tu). tut —Alderman R, Cory (reflectively): It is a- very bad reaord. (To prisoner.) You are noi bound to drink. Why tii you driAkr— Prisoner scratched his head, and tiiouglit ä. good deal, but said no}hing\— Alderman Cory: Be like me—a total ebsainer.— Alderman Lerri? ;vviio has always "taken o Jiltle." and has control of the mayor's paiiour; wa3 mors human than the other alderman. At sny rate, be laughed a hearty au t all' ah!—The prisoner aw-u- pnt d'jwii for a luuuth..

Domestic Tragedy, I r i DOUBLE MURDER AND I SUICIDE AT LEEDS, > During the early hour of Thursday morning a double murder and suicide occurred in the Quarry Hill district of Leeis. a man residing in Clarkson's Yard cutting the throat of his two children, and also taking his own life in a similar manner. All three were quite dead when the police arrived on the scene. The man's name has not yet transpired. Telegraphimg later, the Central News corre- spondent says:—A woman, named Wilson, pass- ing down Quarry-hill on her way to the works, kicked against the body of a boy in the gutter. Finding the boy was dead, the woman reported the matter to the police, and Inspector Love- day found the boy in a pool of blood. Inside tho house, No. 10, Clarkson's-yard, a horrible scene was presented. In on4 of the bedrooms the oificer found the dead body of a man and his girl victim, both with their t-hroats cut and quite dead. The body of the man lay across that of the girl, and a blood-stained penknife was close by. The children's he-Cs had been almost severed from their bodies, and the man's throat was cut from ear to ear. A later telegram says:—The man. it appears, is not the father of the murdered children. His name is Charles Henry Smith Fotherby, 28, and he was a plasterer by traue. The children are those of a Mrs. Large, a married woman, with whom Fotherby had been cohabiting. The murdered children are George Edward Large, nine years of age, and his sister, Annie Large, aged seven. The mother of the children left home to go to work at six o'clock, and the crime was committed during her absence.

BISHOP 01 BANGOR, CONSECRATION AT WESTMINSTER AEBE i". The consecration of the Bishops of Bangor and Osaka took place at Westminster Abbey on Thursday, in the presence of a large con- gregation. The Archbishop of Canterbury officiated, and was assisted by the Bishops of London, Winchester, Chichester. Llandaff. St. Alban s, St. Asaph. St. David's, and Bishop Johnson, late of Calcutta. The sermon wa; preached by the Rev. Henry Lewis Thompson, vicar of St. Mary the Virgin, Oxford, who said bishops should secure the obedience of the clergy not by compulsion, but by fostering their reverence and love.

RlOYALTY IN WALES. DUCHESS OF YORK TO VISIT PEKBSOO. The Cartain-superintendent of Pembroke Dockyard has been officially informe- that the Duchess of York has consented to launch the new Royal yacht from the dockyard on the 9th of May next. Her Royal Highness will be accompanied by her family, and steps wii" be tnk.m by the local municipal authorities and other public bodies to publicly welcome the OJitiiiguislied visitors en their arrival. I i —

To-day's Money Market BANK RATE. The Bank rate of discount has been reduced from to 3 per cent. 1.30 p.m. Contrary t -j expectations in some quarters, the directors of the Baak of England reduced their rate of uiscoon „ to 5 per cent. Outside rates are easier, but the market has hardly settled down yet. Call loans are li. pnd Three Months' Bills 2A, Bombay and Calcutta Ex- changes come 16 5-32d., and Valparaiso 12 13-16d. On the Stock Exchange p good feeling "l-as been produced bv the decline in the value of money, and Consols are 3-16 up for Money and tile Account. In Home Rails the tone is firm, except for Doras and Great Northern Deferred. The feature is the firmness of Disuicts, wh.jh ae I up, and Preference 5, a. 119. The Great Wes- tern dMdend at the rate of 5: per ct.it.. with £ 43.000 carried forward, has caused a rise of i in the Stock. Americans have hardened u^ since the open- ing. Df«nvers show the most advance, but. with the exception of Baltimore, New York Ct-ntral. and Erie. there is a general rise of g to t. Foreigners quiet, but firm. M ies i^acti^e, but steady. MINING (AUSTRALIAN AND INDIAN). 41addinTi&mp & 'I.d«. 4 Gibe Pin. 17/6 Asso. Gold W.A. 6.,} iMimosa 50 Broken Hill Pro. 2% 2% (Market Trust 10s Od Burbanks L-irtlid'y 2 l j-j Mysore S1"¡¡ Clialfcrs 8s0d iMvaoreGoldfi'd*. 7/5 Champion Reef. 5 'NorthernTeritry. 1& GidenHrseShoe 20% |Nundydroog 3rk Great Boulder. 233 10oregum 3% 5ft Hainault 1ft Do. Pref. 4% 4i,; Hannau'sB. Hid. 8-& 85-: W. Aus. Gldiids 1% Hannan's Oroya 2 Do. Joint Stk 10 0 Ivaohoe 7% |Bio Tinto 39 i 39 j Kalgurli 7% Anaconda 9 £ Do. North Mount LyeU Nth. 5?i Lady Shenton 2% Ashanti GoMfis loi, Lake View Cod. 9,-0 9 £ Do. Part Paid *9-& Do South. i MINING (SOUTH AFRICAN). Augelo 75 Jumpers 6-i 6 Apex 54s Klemfontein 3io 3 Barnato Consols 2<V 2% Klerksdorp. 5sed Bantjes Ig Knight 6& 6& Bechuaualand. 1% lLanglaasrte liuflelsdoora !6s5d Luip'rdsViei Nw 1% British S.Africa H.nshonald A gey 2{i 2#g (Chartered). 3% jg JHav 4 £ City <fc Suburban M.eyer&Chit.rlt.n 6& 6% Comer .Moliderfouteiu 8i& Consd Gldiidsof New Primrose. 5'k S. Africa Def 8-g 83,1 Nigel 3% Z'k Crown Reef 14% OceauR «'onF:;d. I De Beers 30% 30% Band £ ont,ein 3% Durbaji Rooaep't. 6% Baud Mines 41-Jg 41-J EastBand 7^ 8J/g Eeitfontein 13, Feneira 25ft Kobiu=or 10% 11 Geeiong 2g Rose Deep 10S GeJdenhuis 7% 7-s iSaiisbury 3-jg Do. Lleep, 12-h 12% Rheba "h. 744 Glencairn 2 £ 2 J Simmer &: J:« 6,«- 6-jfc Goldfields Deep — jS.Afric.Gold'ia- 7-s HendersonTrsvl 1 £ |Tnti Concession. Henry bourse. c< £ j 'Transvaal Gold.. 2 2-& Heriot 7 £ |Van Eyn 3^ Jagersfontein 12% 13 Village llainreef 8 8jg JobanBsbrg.Invt 2' Weinmer 12% Jubilee 6% "VVolhuter 5% 5% .Prem.

TO-DAY S MARKETS. CATTLE. Dublin, Thursday.—Marketed: 1.713 beasts and 4,280 sheep. Cattle of tip-top class was dearer others steadier, but unchanged. Sheep trade very slow, notwithstanding a shorter supply, which did not altogether clear. Quotations: — Beef. 425 to 58s: mutton, 5d to 7d; pigs, 34s to 40s per cwt., being a rise of 2, MEAT. London, Tuesday.—Beef: In quiet. demand- Scotch| long sides. 3s 8d to cs lOd; short sides. 4s to 4s 2d: English sides, os 8d to os lOd; United States Eides, Liverpool and Deptford kited, 3s 5d to 38 Sd; American hindquarters. 38 2d to 4s; forequarters. 2s 2d to 2s 6d. Mutton Trade quiet. but steady-Sootch, 4s to 4s 4d; English wethers, 3s 8d to 4«; ewes, 2s ed to 2" lOd; New Zealand, 2s 2d to 2s 8d; Sydney, Is lid to 2s. FISH. Grimsby, Thursday.-Thirty-six steamers and a dozen smacks brought in moderate supplies. for which there was a good demand. Quota- tions:—Soles. Is 3d to Is 7d; turbot. Is 2d: brills, Is per lb; plaice, 6s to 7s; lemon soles. 8s 6d; whitches, 6s: live halibut, 8s to 9s; dead, 75 to 7s 6d per stone; conger eels, 3-!II 6d; live line, 5s to 4s; dead, 2. to 5o; five cod, 4s to 6s; dead, 3s to 5s; skate, 3s 6d to 4s; dead 2s to 3" each; kit haddocks. 15s; gib bed. 18s per box. Huli, Thursday.—There was, a good supply and a good demand. Quotations:—Soles, 23s; turbot, 11s 6d; brills. 6s 3d; lemon sales. 4s 6d halibut, 5s: plaice, 4s 2d; whitches, 2s lOd; dabs, 3s; cod. is 6d: gurnet. 18: fiimies, 3s 6d; whitings. Is 6d; large haddocks, 2s; middle ditto, 2s; Small ditto, Is 9d. BUTTER, Cork, Thursday.—Seconds 104s per cwt.; thirds, 88s; fourths. 63s; fine mild. 105;; choice boxes. 97s. Number of firkins, 28. ST CAS. Glasgow, Thursday.—The official report says —The market continues steady, and a good business has been done at yesterday's prices. The private repoH says: —Market steady, and a good business was done. London. Thursday.—Sugar: Home refined un- changed, and moderate business doing: foreign cubes firm, and 3d dearer; German granulated firm. February done at 11s 3d net; beet firm, May sold at 9s 9Ad, October-DecembeT 9s 4|d to 9s 5d: cane slow. Coffee: Sales steady: sup- plies only moderate; futures quiet. Coco., firm. Tea: Small Indian sales went irregularly for tredium qualities. Rice firm. Jute stea/iy for spot parcels, but distant slow. Hemp slow. Shellac quiet. POTATOES. London. Thur&day.—There wc-e moderate supplies on offer, bnt the demand WJS very ->w. Quotations:—Abunda nce, 65s to 70s White Hebrons, 65s: Early Recent- 60s to 65s; Read- ing Giants. 55s to 70s- Magnums, 55s to 65. Bruce, 55s to 70s; Up-to-Dates. 60s to 75s; Black- lands, 558 to 60s; German. 55s per ton. HAY AND STPAW. London Thursday.—Full scppl-fs, but the demand ruled very slow, and trade was dull. Quotations:—Best clover. 70s to 109s; inferior, 60s to 70s: specially picked hay 82s: best ditto, 67" to 77s: inferior, 4C» to 60s; mixture and sain- foin, S0a to Sis, si raw. 30s ÎÁI otss per 1-oad. METALS Glasgow, 'Thursday —Opening: SeoKlt strong; a good business was done at 55s Ijd. 55s li S5s 6d, and 55s 5*d eash and 65? 4Jd, 55s Sid, and 55s 8d month; buyers, 55s cash and 55s "6*d month; tellers, id more. Cleveland strong; a moderate business was done at 42s "1 cash and 48; 6d and 420 7*d month; buyers. 4S-. 5d cash and 48s get month; sellers, Id nioie. Cum- I}('rlanci strong: a moderate business was dOne at 60s and 60s 5d cash and 60s 4ri month: buyer?. 60? €d cash and 60? <10 month; sellers. lti more. MiddlesbcroUtxtj irile.

The Queen's Speech. ♦ -41 TO BE SIGNED BY HE & MAJESTY TO-DAY, The Duke of Devonshire, Lord Cross, sund tk. Earl of Kintcre left London on Thursday morn- ing for Osborne to attend the Privy Council, at which her Majesty will formally approve and sign the Speech with which she will, by coiu- mision. open Parliament on Tuesday next. The Ministers were attended by Mr. Almeric Fitzroy; 'Clerk to the Council). The Duke of Marl- borough also proceeded by the same train. en route for Osborne, w kiss hands on his appoint- ment. as Paymaster-General, and Sir Charles Hall iRecorder of London;. Colonel Saunder- son. M.P., and Mr. William Kenrick, M.P., went: down to be sworn members of the Privjrj Council. Irish Amendment. At a meet ing in Dublin on Wednesday of the Irish Independent Parliamentary party, it was resolved to mo e amendments to the Address in the House of Commons, including one ia favour of Home Rule. and another for aa amnesty of Irish political prisoners.

To-day's Racing. CARMARTHEN. Wednesday Night. The prospects for Thursday's meeting are ex4 eeptionally good, the overnight events having filled beyond all expectations, and the atmos- pheric conditions auguring a repetition of to- day's weather. Mv selections are:- Samau Steeplechase-PETER CLARKE or TERPSICHORE II. Stewards' Selling-ROSE GARLAND IL OC MARY STUART. Karkforward Hnrclle-BOGIE MAID. (1 anna rthenshire Hurd'e--RUPEE. LI a nelly Steeplechase—GAIETY GIRL. OLD SAM S FINALS. CARMAETHENSHIRE MEETING. 1.10—PETER CLARKE mapl. 1.50— HAWICK. 2.40—BOGIE MAID map). 3.20—TERPSICHORE II. i!,C-SF'Q"CAH. TREBLE EVENT-PETER CLARKE. BOGll] MAID aid TERPSICHORE II.

Topping and spindles 1 (HARD AW AY AND TOPPINC). S.P. ALL RACES DURING THE WINTK. The "Cenzine-ital f'nort«man." published twict daily elnrine the Huon. containing I>a.t««t> Market Movements on all Import-ant E^ent*. fre- crs re-ceip-, of addres*. The Oldest Established and Moat Ixt Firm cf it* kind in the orid. All i. tr. te be addressed — FLUSHING. HOLLAND. »7J«F

CHILDliiEiV AND THE POOR," LA". INFLUENTIAL MEETING AT PENRHYN CASTLE. A numerously attended meeting of guar- dians and other;, interested in Poor-iaw as affecting children, and in the Church of Ei-s:2and Society for the Care cf Waifs and Strays, was held on Wednesday at Penrhyn Castle, by invitation of berd and Lady Perirhyn. The chair was occupied by Lord Per.rhyn, as the president of the Waifs and Strays Society in the Bang or diocese. He said he gratified with the progress of the society in >t. Asaph and Bangor dioceses, and, felt proud of the growing interest taken in the society by Nonconiormists He maintained it to be the dmy of the guardians to afford brilliant children under their care opportuni- ties of developing their talent. and he had good authority for stating that the LocaJ. Government Boa-rd would gladly sanction suclt an expenditure. a Lady Frederick Cavendish made an eloquent! appeal to the guardians to provide the board- ing-out system for mothers and homes for c. jhaned and neglected children, and she was delighted that small homes were so prevalent. in North Wales As a Welshwoman on her- mother's side, she rejoiced to hear that Welsh: mothers were famous as good foster-mothers, owing to their warm hearts and affectionate nature. Addresses were also delivered by Sir Robert Cunliffe, the Hop. Lawrence Brodrick, the Rev* Brooke Lambert (vicar of Greenwich), and )(r4 Harry Clegg.

T'HAMES AND SEYEBiN, EE-OPENING OJ. THE GREAT WATERWAY. It is interesting to note that the great water- way across England from the Thames to the Severn has recentlv been re-opened after several years' disuse. The canal which joins the Thames and Severn is 37 miles long. It leaves the Thames above Leehlade and a few miles above the late William Morris's seat at, Kelmscott. The most notable engineering performance aiong its course is the well-known Sappertott Tunnel, which goes nght through a hill, and is three miles long. In consequence of the advent of railways, the canal had fallen into ar urmavigable condition, and it hae cosb £ 20.000 to put it in order. In connection with the new works various improvements have been made in the upper course of the Thames. A new lock has been built at Northmoor, and several of the curves in that tortuous piece of the river above Pinkhill Lock have been filled in + and a new and straighter channel has been cut.

THEFTS FROM PENYGRAIG, At Porth Police-conrt on Thursday Thomas btevens. labourer. Pe nvgraig. was charged with stealing coal and timber to the value of L3 from the Nantgwyn Colliery .-Police-ser- gsant Mo-com be deposed that on Wednesday; he saw the defendant carrying coal from Nantgwyn Colliery to his garden. He went t-o the garden and there found four tons of coal ar,d a quantity of timber all belonging to the Naval Colliery Company. The defendant said he had bought the timber, and afterwards said he had carried it home in the morning, vvlien charged with stealing the coal he made no reply.—The defendant was fined £5.

Los ^atr w-tNTED, Qiial,fed Assistant to ¥? PiacTue; fur:; light: very pretty ixunti-T- W»l«j» preferred, not essential.—Apply G 25, Western Mail, {'"f' ",f W E*/nergetic Touu? Mai, a? CndeT- v hardener Address, gjvir^ ^iu'deiiiritr eiperiene-^ reTtrenee?. and aire. Hurfi Waddle, Llanellv. 820119 \^TEJD. Situation as Gjoofj under Coaebniaii or f T Otherwise: 'frood reference: pinu-ie: ride atid driv« weii — D. ,1 ones. Glaa Kbbw. Victoria Waunlwvri. ),6 I T £ 7"ANTF,i\ Situation Farm B»illi_orT>Taw~ o€ tT Trust; married: life experiem-e m farming;. ieavinp through present master giving up El!.« Tyfcrthur Far.. Owmtiliery. M(. 821o6 T*7"A.NTED. Situation a« Groom ,ir Groo«n-CVa.h. t m single or pair,—JKite, Cai. t ai; Brecouslnre. g2op9 TO Let, Villa near Ohepstov, with good garden amf field; near churcil and post.—Apply .B., •^Adieifixer Office," Chepstow. 8]9t)9 ANTED, sober, single, Man, Abie to Look Afi-r f rSheep: up in all Farm Work.—Thomas, BlaenlVeehau Farm, Ferndale. 817p9 ANTED, an Assistant AccuRt-omed to a Mixed T » Country '1'rade.Jolle. Chemist, MOtllltain A hi,. ()OD Cook-General Wanted; housemaid and nan 1" kept: all found except beer: four in family; £ 18.—Apply, by letter, Onslow House, 141, Castelnau, Barnes, Surrey. 822pb "fc/IHLLJKERY—Wanted. First Week of Mar<-]i, thoroughly experienced Milliner for good eiwi tradp.-Stit.tf full pajtieulars on first letter, Et-esf Draper, Idandiio. 62588 DRAPERY.—VS anted, respectable Yonnc l.ady Apprentice elsh. A iso Improvers and Appreu« nee? to the Millinery.—Bees. Draper. Llandilo 62387 OPANIEL Bitch for Rale; second season.—Apply; > Williams, Tir-y-Pent-re. Llandovery. 825p9 MTJtf KKYAXT, Purchaser uf all kinds Left-ofl Clothing, 65. Castle-road, Cardiff. 825p9 ANTED at onoe, House- Parloorauui.—Mrs. ANTED at onoe, House- Parloorauui.—Mrs. V V Howell, inn.. 3. Richmond-crescent. OarlifE. 823pt» 'I ILANBRABACH — Ttro Houses in High-street; bes. J porition.—Apply Beechlield. Maesycvmmpv. p6 ~T ANTED, good Life Assurance Canvasser fof W Shipping at Barry Dock: liberal connmmioa terms.—<i 9' Western Mail, Cardiff. 831!i3 FURNISHED Fiont Apartmenw. suil lady find F gentleman:—2/. tit. John'o-cresceLt, Canton, diff 850;9 OFFICE Bov Wanted in Engineering Work?: gooj writer.—Stptc tigp. wages, it., 6 T, Western Caiditf. 833p6 WANTED, a Junior Invoice Clerk; yuick cor- rect at figures: goxl references.—Address O 23, Western Mail, Cardiff. 837p9 FOR immediate Disposal, an Old-established Pawn- broking Business; Cow bridge-road: satisfactory rt mout fnr ret.rm¡:E. Griffiths, 31, Tudor-road. Car. diff. 836p9 GOOD General Servants Wanted.—Apply Registry Office, Albany Bazaai, 7, Albanr-rovd. Cardiff. pS ) WORRELL 1 as the Largest and Best Stick i • Cycles f-ir Hire n Cardiff. Repairs promptly f.rtended !.c.-Dppab; Cottn>il.nad, UichnioiKl-road» J"'jMitc,ir-«tr,ict. • 835p9 PROVISION Trade —Wameu. an experienced Sales- man. good references nidispeusabie — Apply T.ipu.ni iiiS ited, High-stree:, Cardiff. 8SSp9 PICii'KE Frames at Moderate Char.jes: large ar.tf ohr-iC'i stock of monldings to select fiom — Albirtiif 3'r.assr, 7, AlbaiiT-ioad, Cardiff 839pl6 fJPPING Forest Gipsies, it D'Arc <- Waswnrks. ifou. j day Next. T F-IR-T (,,p!z, tif T)'Are Wa;:yorks, Monday NpÁt CViXSt'LT the Lppiiig Fore~t (upsr at TTAre'i A LL should Visi* the jBjwiiig Foisel iiipsy a< D'AreV 1%. W HJ* ,,rliP. y«xt. 4UM

STOP PRESS. this iPACE 18 reserved for news r» II CEITED AFTER WE HAVE GOXI TO PRB88. I

THE RYT-URN OF DR. LEYDS. A Renter's telegram from Pretoria on Thurs- day says--Dr. Leyds has had several inter- views with the President of the Executive since his return. The Government expressed satis- faction at the good work which he has accom- plished *1 Europe. Dr. Leyds brings no loan offers as has been reported. He returns to Europe in a month. The conference between delegates of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State, with the object of assimilating the con- stitutions of both Republics, assembled to-day. The Government is calling for tenders for the purchase of the Bewaarplartsen, reserved mining ground at Witwaitersrand. It is said 13 be valued at several millions.

GOLDFIELDS TRAGEDY. The fo lowing cable has been received by the "Standard and Diggers' News Johannes- burg, Wednesday.—Mr. Elliot, secretary to Mr. Birkenruth, of the Consolidated Goldfields, was found dead this morning on the veldt, near the village-compound, with a bullet through his heart. The gold-buying gang is suspected, Mr. Elliott having frequently given evidence in cases of this nature.

THE TRANSPORT DUNERA. The transport Dunera, from Bombay, arrived at Southampton on Wednesday night, and landed her troops on Thursday morning.

A PRINCESS'S FUNERAL- A Reuter's telegram from Sofia on Thursday say:The obsequies of the late Princess of Bulgaria will take place on Tuesday next.

INDIAN PLAGUE, A Renter a telegram from Bombay on Thurs- day says: —There is a recrudescence of the plague at Kerachi, and the natives are fleeing.

BOMBAY'S CHIEF JUSTICE. A Reuter's telegram from Bombay- on Thurs- day says:—Sir L. A. Kershaw, Chief Justice of Bombay, is dangerously ill. He is suffering from heart disease with complications. )

FATAL EXPLOSION. A blasting accident occurred on Wednesday ivening at a new colliery shaft which is being muk by Messrs. Andrew Knowles and Sons, of Pendlebury, near Manchester. Some workmen n-ere engaged in charging and stemming a hole when an explosion occurred. Masses of debris were blown in all directions, and two men were severely injured and removed to the hospital. One of them died on Thursday morning. Three others were less seriously hurt.

MINERS DEMAND AN IN- CRSEA.&E INi WAGES4 POSITION OF THE WAGES BOARD. The South Staffordshire and East Worcester- shire coal miners, numbering 16,000, have, through their secretary on the Wages Board, given notice for an advance of n per cent. in wages. They also seek the elimination of the sliding-scale from the rules governing the board. The board, as at present constituted, 'Was formed eleven years ago, and has proved a valuable preventive of strikes. Its existence is now thought to be seriously imperilled.