Evening Express

Latest News In the event of any important news arriving when the paper i. going to press it will be found m this YORKSHIRE v. GLAMORGAN. We are officially informed that the Brothers Jamas will play n«x?fe Monday m the Yorkshire v. Glamorgan, xtateb- ?-

3.1<WThe LIVERPOOL TRIAL STEBPLE- Redhill, aged, 10:1101b, Captain Aikm Lepieehauu, aged, iOst 21b, &L Graham St Anthony, aged, list 21b, Captain JEticardo taBe ran.

ELECTION PETITION. RESUMED HEARING OF THE ST. GEORGE'S SUIT. The St. George's election petition trial was fosu.iied on Friday, the fourteenth day of the bearing.—At the request of Mi". Willis, the respondent handed over all documents, &c., relating to payments made to Mr. and Mrs. Silver, the East London Publishing Company, and the Eastern i'ost.'—An undertaker was then called with reference to the alleged 'treat- ing at the Conservative club.—Baron Pollock I suppose, Mr. Willis, we must not assume by your calling the undertaker that the case is at an end? (Laughter.) Mr. Willis made no reply. The witness, whose name is Bradford, stated that at a smoking concert (Proceeding.)

CUPID AND CO. CHARGE AGAINST THE WORLD'S MARRIAGE ASSOCIATION. At she Old Baiiey on Friday Daniel Mor- timer, alias Mortimer Skates; John Skates, alia., Barrington; No; man Hannah, John Abra- hams, and Anthony Maddows were severally indicted for fraud in connection with the World's Great Marriage Association. Mr. Mathews, who prosecuted, stated that tthe company was registered ir. 1892 with a nomi- nal capital of £ 21,000. The two Skates were directors, and Hannah was the secretary, whiL-st- Abrahams and Maddows acted as interviewers. Most of the shares were taken by defendants themselves. The association conducted the business of a matrimonial agency, at 4-0, Lambs Conduit-street-, Holborn, London, and issued the publication, the "Matrimonial Herald." The alleged frauds were perpetrated between May, 1893, and July, 1894.

EXECUTIO^NRFCOB^ICA. DEIBLER THE FRENCH EXECU- TIONER. IN DANGER. A Paris telegram says —Deibler, the execu- tioner, has returned from Corsica, where he ear- ried out the extreme sentence of the law on the bandit, Bonelli. In consequence of well-founded reports that the condemned man's friends meant to ehoot Deibler, extraordinary precautions had been taken for his safety. Deibler expresses himself thankful of escaping from the vengeance of the Corsicans. flWWB————*

ARMENIAN TROUBLES* THE REPORTED RIOILSTG AT ADANA. A Reuter's (telegram from Coaistan t iii op 1 e says :—Later advices from Mersina state that fifteen Armenians were killed and about 40 others wounded in the rioting which occurred at Adaaia on the 23hd inst. The house of the Russian dragoman was pillaged. Several Ar- menians have been arrested in Constantinople on suspicion of having relations with the Ar- menian revolutionary committee.

FRANCE AND BRAZIL. THE DISPUTE AS TO THE GUIANA FRONTIER. The Paris "Rappel" on Friday sta-iee thai Brazil recently asked permission to float a loan in France, but the French Government refused to consent until the dispute regarding • the frontier of Brazil and French Guiana should be settled. M. Berthelot on Thursday informed the Brazilian Minister that he stipulated for the appointment of a committee composed of Frenchmen and Brazilians to administer the contested region until the announcement of the arbitrator's decision. The two countries are agreed to accept an arbitrator appointed by either Spain, Switzerland, or Sweden.

A WOMAN ON EIRE. EXCITING SCENE IN A STREET AT STROUD. The Central News correspondent at Chat- ham telegraphs —Am fexeiting' incident was witnessed at Stroud, near Rochester, shortly after midnight on Thursday. A young woman, named Ellen Godfrey, the wife of a bargeman, ran through the Hiighl-street en- veloped in flames. A policeman extinguished the flames, but the woman was terrible burned, Her clothing ignited whilst sitting before the fire.

A MURDER TRIAL. A. SENSATIONAL CASE IN PARIS. A Daiziel's tele^ratm from Pans rays :—One of the moat sensational murder trials of recent years will be commenced to-day (Friday) before the Northern Aasize Court, when Raoul Tremblie will be charged with the murder at Buenos Ay res, two years ago, of M. Iranoois harbor, a.n inhabitant of Bordeaux. On April 1894, the headless body of an unknown man •>as foundl .in the Rue de Monte Video, at Buenos Ayres, and on M4y 15 of the same year the head was discovered, and, alter much delay and difficulty, was recognised as that of Farbor, who arrived at Buenos AyrelJ on April 20 on boand the French steamer Orinoco. Evidence was forthcoming to sbow that the dead man had been seen in the company of Tremblie, who was arrested shortly afterwards at Dun- kirk, with 5-OOOf. in copper money and 6,000f. in gold in his possession. The money, and especially the possession of so much copper money, will play an important part in the case. It appears Tremblie made considerable profit by exchanging French gold in Buenos Ay res for Brazilian copper money, which he brought to France and put into circulation. He ex- aineci! the system to Farbor, who went to irazil and made over 7,000f. by his trip. He len set out again with a larg." sum of money, rjt disappeared at Buenos Ayres. Tremblie t; accused of murdering him for the sake of foz trJOINy.

THE SPANISH CORTES. IMPORTANT STATEMENT BY GENERAL WEYLERS. A Central News telegram from Madtrid says —The Havannah correspondent of the "Im- „p#.rc"ial" telegraphs that he has had an inter- view on the question of t.he dissolution of the Cortes with General W eyler, who said the lections were for him, after he had prooured the suspension of all idea of politics in ^the idand, a great source of embarrassment. The United States oould, moreover, interpret his negative as indicating the existence of a state ai insurrection, and could revive a hope of being reoognised &t, belligerents in the minds of the insurITents. Besides all tima, the elec- tors might entail great disturbances of the entire nation, and exaiie an inopportune crisis in Spairt. Nevertheless, while he wished to £ int out that the situation in the island every y improved, he loyally accepted the deoision of the Government, as nothing could be placed above the necessities of the Mother Country

PRESIDENT AND CZARE- WITCH. A Dalriel'.s telegram from IPl&ris says: — Haron de Mohrenheim, the Russia.n Ambas- sador, leaves Paris on Saturday for Nice. He is ordered to be uresen* at the interview *ii;jre between the President of the Republic and the 1 Oiarewiteh.

Dr. Jameson THE RESUMED MAGISTERIAL PROCEEDINGS. A Curious Offer of Marriage Sent to the Returned Ex- Administrator. It is understood that on the resumed hearing of the charges against Dr. Jameson and his companions at Bow-streert- Police-court on Tues- day, March 10, the Attorney-General (Sir Richard Webster, Q.C.) and Mr. Charles Mathews and Mr. Avory will be present on behalf of the Treasury, while the defendants will be repre- sented by Mr. Gill. Should the defen- dants be committed for trial (probably to the Old Bailey Sessions) and a true bill found against them, their defence would them be jointly undertakoo by Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., M.P., Sir Frank Lockwood, Q.C., M.P., Mr. Carson, Q.C., M.P. Mr. C. F. Gill, and Mr. Howard Spensley; while the Treasury wcwM be represented by the Ait torn ev-Genpral, probably the Solicitor-General, M. Charles Mathews, Mr. H. Sutton, and Mr. Avory. Troopers Enlist. The "Daily Chronicle" understands that fRM? of (the troopers of the Chartered Com- pany's foroes who arived in London last Sun. day have enlisted in the British Army. With reference to the rumours that Dr. Jameson and his offioers may seek to show that some blame is due to the Boer Government for their raid into the Transvaal, a distinguished lawyer in the House of Commons expresses the opinion that this is a question which the Court cf.nnot be expected to try. The issue, says the hon. and learned gentleman, will deai solely with the act committed by it-he prisoners themselves. If they are found guity on this point the responsibility of the Transvaal Government may come into consideration in connection with the character of the sentence, but not otherwise. Major Coventry. It is stated that Major Coventry and Mr. Gocslin, who were wounded in the raid into the Transvaal, will on their arrival in this country, be arraigned along with Dr. Jameson and his associates. The authorities here were disposed to regard their wounds as a sufficient punishment, and not include them in the prose- cution. This would not, however, satisfy President Kruger. He declined to release them unless he received an assurance that they would be brought to trial, '1 he Government, therefore, was obliged to promise that they should be treated in the same way as Jameson, and they will, on their .arrival, be put on their trial. Rhodes Not on the Kantian. It appears that Mr. Rhodes ia no longer on board the German mail steamer Kanzler, which has had such misadventures in the Suez Canal. The Cairo correspondent of the "Times" td!egra|phs :—Mr. Rhodies embarks at Suez on Saturday by the direct Beira stea- mer Orestes, which has been chartered ex- pressly by Messrs. Cook. The Future Mrs. "Jim." About 130 letters, the "Westminster Gazette" iji informed, awaited Dr. Jameson on his arrival at Plymouth, many of them contain- ing offers of marriage. One was of an amus- ing character. It was from a lady of good position, who wrote to the effect that by her friends she was still considered good-looking, but that she also had two marriageable daugh- ters, and the gallant doctor might make his choice of the three. Scene in a Music-hall. A remarkable scene was witnassed at the York Music-hall, Southampton, on Wednes- day night. The audience, noticing one of Dr. Jameson's men in the hall. rose and cheered tumultuously. The man, whose hat had appa- rently been shot through, acknowledged the greeting, and said Erglishmen did not yet understand the whole facts of the case, but when ihey did they would say that Jameson and his men only acted as every Englishman would have done. When the truth was known Jameson, instead of being a prisoner, would be proclaimed a hero. Speech by the Cape Premier. A Central News telegram from Cape Town, dated February 27, says :—At a political meet- ing held to-day at Worcester, Sir Gordon Sprigg, Prime Minister for Cape Colony, de- livered an important speech, in the course of which he took occaosion once more to deny that the Cape Government had any knowledge of Dr. Jameson's intention to invade the Trans- vaal. With the sole exception of Mr. Cecil Rhodes, there was not one member of the Ministry who was aware even of the state of drairs at Johannesburg which was the pretext for Jameson's action. The reported invasion of the Transvaal came as a. complete surprise to t.he Cabinet, and they refused to attach any credence to it until the facta were confirmed beyondl doubt. Continuing, Sir Gordon Sprigg said delicate negotiations were in progress be- tween the Imperial Government and the Government of the South African Republic, and in these circumstances a public discussion of the questions at issue would probably be in- jurious to British and Colonial interests. He certainly did not agree with those who were urging that Parliament should re-assemble at an early date for the express purpose of dis- cussing Dr. Jameson's raid and the questions arising therefrom. There was time enough for such discussion when the House met in the or- dinary way for the transaction of public busi- ness. The German Emperor's Telegram. The Rome correspondent ot the "Pail Mall Gazette says:—A prominent German perso- nage, whO!L8 passing through ivome, speaking with me on the situation in his country, said — "Great excitement reigns in Berlin because the Emperor is more irritated than ever before. He is in a. state of fury with the Cabinet, with the Reichstag—in fact., with everyone. He made all the fuea in the Transvaal merely to have 100,000,000 more marks approved for the augmentation of the Navy, and to bring the German Empire to the rank of a nation having world-wide naval interests; but the Reiclistag, except one small group, would hear nothing of Itis tantastic plans, so that the Cabinet tvaa obliged to back down. It was a difficult task to persuade the Kaiser that the Reiclistag was against a policy of naval expansion, but at last Prince Hoheulohe and Baron Marsehall suc- ceeded. When Baron Marsdhali, at the budget Commission, declared that all the rumours an- nouncing the intention of the Government to :(1lJ d the Navy were false, he was applauded. A few days after took place, at the Opera House, the so-called subscription ball, the only one at which the Emperor appeals- every year, publicly going out anion# the people. This season she monarch nob only remained, in nis box, Lut ostentatiously left jh theatre about eleven o'clock to go to his castle of Hubertusstock. Consequently, the traditional procession of thø Court among the dancers did not take place, which had a damping effect on those present, who like to be seen by the Emperor, and to see him in the gorgeous red uniform of a Hussar of Pot8tlam. Tue anger of Ule young Ka.lt3er. however, was not so easily satisfied, and to show his annoyance further he has suppressed ail the Court baLs; and meanwhile he and his followers have initiated: « great agitation to bring about, at any cost, the naval project. The well-known African explorer, Dr. Karl Peters, has been elected chief of the propaganda. He has been fiercely attacked in the Budget Com- mission because of a large pension which he draws yearly, and for which he does nothing. In his new position, he has begun by overthrow- ing the well-known Prince d'Arenberg as presi- dent of the "Colonial Gesellschaft. The Prince is a Catholic leader, who has known how to make tho Clericals vote in favour of the Government whenever funds for the colonies were asked. Dr. Peters thinks he will be able to do the Mune, and he will turn the "Colonial Gcsellsehatft" into an instrument of agitation in favour of the projects of the Kaiser. High Times for the Troopers. A Gape paper says:—The following state- ment was made by one of Jameson's men a.t I the Point, Durban:—"We shall be paid as as we get on board for the past month. We get 7s. 6d. a day, which comes to about £11 'a, month. Then we arc to be allowed 7s. 6d. I a day and rations during the voyage and if it iMits a month that will mean another £11. On reaching home we shall each be given a month's pay as bonus for active service, and be allowed a month's feave at the full rate of pay. That will come to about JB44. Then the B.B.P.~ that is ,the' corps 1 belong to—defer a shilling a day from the regular pay for a year at a time, so we shall have about JB18 to draw in addition, which means we shall each receive about £ 60 on landing. We are not under any compul- sion to serve longer, but the greater lxtrt of us will go back "before many months, The Char- tered Company have agreed to take back every matt of us At the expiration of the month's leave after landing in England. They will pay our passage out, and if there are no vacancies in the corps will guarantee us civil billets."

A CAIRO RAID. A Daiziel's telegram from Cairo stys: -Early on Friday morning a police raid was made on a private olub located in Gheaireh Hotel. About a dozen persons. including several Englishmen, were discovered playing baocajui.

Lord Dunraven RESIGNS MEMBERSHIP OF NEW YORK YACHT CLUB. Members Reply by Carrying a. Resolu- tion Removing His Name from the Books of the Club. A Reuter's telegram from New York, dated Fliday, says:—The New York Yacht Club was crowded with members on Thursday even- ing, but Mr. Revis was the only member of the committee present, Lord Dunraven's letter, laying his resignation before the club, was not read, and it was stated that it had not been received. Air. Ledyard withdrew his resolution to the effect that Lord Dunraven's resignation of his membership was desired by the club, and submitted another resolution in the following terms — "The charges or foul play, of necessity im- plicating the managing owners of the Defender, have been investigated and disproved. It has been found that Lord Duoiraven was not justified in making his charge, which he deemed unquestioned. The rule which regu- lates the course of gentlemen when they are led through a mistake to make an imputation upon character is promptly bo make all repara- tion in their power. Such reparation Lord Dunraven failed to make. Also gentlemen are bound to make a charge at a time when suspicion is excited, and to assume full re- sponsibility or thereafter be silent. Lord Dunraven refrained at the time of the America Cup because he could not prove his charges. It appears that Lord! Dunraven sought to j ustify himself by misrepresenting the facts in print and in public .speeches. Lord Dunraven was re- ceived as die representative of English yachts- men on a footing of mutual confidence. This honour was requited with unfounded impu- tations, and by his refusal to make reparation lie forfeited the high esteem which led to his election. It is, therefore, resolved that his privileges of honorary membership be with- drawn, and that his name be removed. Mr. Ledyard, in offering the above resolu- tion, said the previous motion had in view a request, but that was not such as a member of good standing could expect to find accepted. Lord Dunraven, he declared, was still carping and insisting that he saw with his own eyes what they knew he never did see, as was proved. It is due to the dignity and self respect of the club that its action should leave no room for doubt as to his attitude. Mr. Ledyard's utterances were received with cliets of "BraVij." The yacht-owners only voted upon the resolution, which was carried by 39 votes to one, Mr. Chester Monroe, the owner of the Oriva, being the ,only member who opposed the resolution. Correspondence. The New York newspapers on Thursday i»ublished the following letters from Lord •unraven: — "Norfolk-street, Park-lane, Feb. 8, 1896. To the Hon. Secretary of the Special Com- mittee of the New York Yacht Club. Dear Sir,—I beg to ackuowedge the receipt of a copy of the report and proceedings of the special conuniQbee of inquiry of the club, and trust you will express to the members of the committee my appreciation of the courtesy and patienoe with which the conduct of so diiiicult an inquiry was 'marked.—I am, vours very faithfully, "DUNRAVEN." "Norfolk-street, Park-lane, Feb. 12. "Dear Mr. Phelps,—The attitude of assist- ing the inquiry as a witness, and not prose- cuting, which in the nature of the case I shor ld adopt, and which I have consistently main- tained, prevents me from presuming to accept, Oi reject, or criticise, cither affirmatively or negatively, the committee's report officially. But, in view of the many misunderstandings which have occurred, I have felt myself justi- fied in writing brieffy to you (as I should be sorry if you or the committee mis- understood my science), and in saying a few words to which you may give such publicity as you think fit or necessary. My complaint was made bona. tide on the direct evidence of eyesight, my own and that of competent men, as to effetcta, the cause of which we did not know or attempt to deiine. It would, in my opinion, be impossible to find stron/ger reasons; on which action could ibe taken, or as justification, for a complaint of like nature to that which I most reluctantly made; and I am unable, therefore, to agree that my OOJII- plaint was unreasonably originated. I cannot admit a mistake in observed facts, as is sug- gested by the employment of a diagram given in. evidence. I think I was justified in believ- ing that the owners knew of my complaint at the time thalt, it was made), but I fully accept Mr. Iselin's statement that he was only cog- nisant of it on October 24. I have also written to Mr. Canfield and Mr. Rogers admitting the error of my belief that the vessels were ordered to be marked in deference to my re- quest made to the Cup Committee on the 7th, though neither I nor anyone on the Valkyrie, understood that the yachts were to be maa-ked on the 8th. I fully accept Mr. Can field's and Mi*. Rogers's statement that they believed that they had explained the intentions of the com- mittee to me.—I remain, dear Mr. Phelps, yours very truly, "DUNRAVEN." "27, Norfolk-street, Park-lane, W., February 199 1896. "To the Secretary of the New York Yacht Club, 67, Madison-avenue, New York. "Dear Sir,—In suppieaftent of my cablegram and letter of February 14, I wish to emphasise the fact that my letters to Mr. Rives and Mr. Phelps were written andi despatched betfore I heard of the motion made by Captain Caes Led- yard without) comment and accepted by the committee a.s mathematically proving that we did not see actual objects which we did see. The only time for absolute proof or disproof of my complaint that the Defender did not sail the race on September 7 on her measured; load-water line length, must have been the day of the race. My conduct after the first race, my attitude towards the inquiry when I offered to go to New York, and before the inquiry when 1 was present in New York, all show my belief in that proposition—a proposition, in niy opinion, self-evident— and 1 think admitted in evidence by members of the cup committee. Feeling as I do on this point, I waa unable to adopt towards the judgment of your committee the attitude I should have unhesitatingly taken had the in- quiry been conducted at the proper time, by the authority under which I sailed, to which I made my complaint, and whose decision I was bound to accept. But I fully realise the difficulties of the situation, which have arisen, I think, largely through mutual misunder- standings; and, on the evidence before them, I most willingly accept the main conclusions of your committee, and am only too glad to consider the dispute closed. I have through- out frequently stated that I made no charge against Mr. Iselin and the other owners of the Defender, and I do not agr.ee that. he and his friends and all connected with the vessel must have been aware if the Defender sailed the first raCe deeper than when measured. As thia is a matter personal to them. I have written to these gentlemen to make the point perfectly olear." In Town. The Earl of Dunraven returned to town from Dublin on Thursday night. Refuses to be Interviewed. Tho Press Association representative called on Friday morning upon the Earl of Dun- laven for the purpose of ascertaining whether his lordship desired to make any statement regarding the action of the New York Yacht Club in removing his name from the list of honorary members. Lord Dunraven declined ito be interviewed, or to make any communi- cation to the press on the matter.

ECLIPSE OF THE MOON. PREDICTED FOR THIS EVENING. An Eclipse of the moon is predicted for this evening. True, U is only partial, but, as the part of luna obscyred will be measured by almost nine-tenths 0; the diameter, the apfika- a-an.oe will probaply not differ much from totality. The room in London will ii=e eclipsed—that i9, she will already be in the penumbra thiown by '.he earth when she is seen about half-past five. First contact with the shadow is predicted to happen at oh. 16min., and 'the middle of the eclipse at 7h. 45min. It will be of interest to note the colour assumed by the shadowed part, which ha»s varied considerably in recent phenomena of (this class. In the total eclipse of March 10, 1895, the obscured moon was comparatively bright and of a colour which was variou&lv described, the stated hue ranging from orange to da.rk copper with blue streaks; whereas in other eclipses our satellite has been allto- gether invisible. The reason of this variation is not known with certainty, but it is thought to depend on the condition of that part of the earth's atmosphere though which the solar rays pass o the smaller orb.

SHIPPING CASUALTIES. Lloyd's Telegrams. A Messina telegram says:—The Greek steamer Adelphi is ashore near Brancaleono Calabriai; vessel and cargo totally lost. The British Barquentine Albert the Young, before reported a-slhore and full of water in the entrance to Poole Harbour, has been pumped out and towed off. A Gibraltar telegram pays —The British steamer St. Pierre reports that on February 17, in Latitude 70, N., Longitude 48, W., her boiler shifted and the pumps ohoked; the vessel kept afloat by the crew bailing the water out; the crew landed at Gibraltar. A Hamburg telegram says:—The barque Abyssinia, outward bound, and a three-masted schooner, name unknown, Me aground at Kugel- '-aka.

Beneath Big Ben. I PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSE HOUSE OF LORDS The Salary of the Poet Laureate Discussed in the House of Commons. The Home of Lords held a sitting on Thurs- day of twenty minutes' duration. The Evi- dence in Criminal Cases Bill was read a third time and passed. On the motion of the Earl of Dudley, the House concurred with the Com- mom," resolution in favour of „ re- ferring to a joint committee of both Houses all Provisional Order Bills delating to railway rates, &c. Their lordships adjourned at 4.35. In the Commons. In the House of Commons, Mr. Curzon in- formed Sir A. Rollit that there had been no Russian occupation of Seoul, but Russian sailors had been landed to guard the Russiaa1 legation. Questioned by Mr. Parker Smith, Mr. W. Long said lie did not think the issuing of a muzzling order for the whole of the country was either necessary or feasible. Mr. Darling called at- tention to the outbreak of small-pox at Glour oesteii had the consequent holding of the county assizes at Cheltenham. Mr. Chaplin said he had been in communication with the guardians of the Gloucester Union, and they admitted failure on their part to enforce the Vaccination Acts. They had now issued notices urging the vaccination of unvaccinated children, and there had been more than 2,000 casea of vaccination and re-vaccination since the outbreak. Ques- tioned by Sir E. A. Bartlett, Mr. Curzon said neither Turkey nor any of the great European Powers had recently made proposals to the Government tliat would involve the early evacuation of Egypt by British troops. Mr. Balfour, in reply to sundry questions, said the Government did not think an inquiry into the advisability of erecting State granaries for the storing of at least a year's supply of wheat for the United Kingdom could lead to any useful result. The salary of the Poet Laureate was £ 70 a year. He did not think there was any department of the Government specially qualified to exercise the office of poetical censor. The-Goveirnment were not averse to the appoint- ment of a Select Committee to consider the construction and operation of the current wage clause in Government contracts. The Navy Estimates would be taken on Monday, on which day the First Lord of the Admiralty would make a statement with regaad to the naval policy of the Government. The House, by 307 voteq to 118, agreed to a motion by Mr. Balfour for the suspension of the twelve o'clook rule, in order that the debate on the new rules of procedure might not be interrupted. The House resumed the discussion of Mr. Labou- ohere's amendment to the procedure motion to remove the time Limit on Supply. On a divi- sion it was negatived by 258 votes to 124. Mr. Dalziel moved to entend the limit from twenty to twenty-five days, while the Government offered to entend the time in certain circum- stances to twenty-three days. After some dis- cussion, Mr. Daniel withdrew 'the motion, and the House proceeded to consider other amend- ments. Mr. Goscfaen will explain the naval pro- gramme on Monday night. The Government do not expect any serious opfposition, although fieveral Radicals will probably "register" pro- tests. The Irish party are also likely to make themselves hea-rd unless a goodly share of the expenditure is promised to their country. The Bye-Elections. There have been five constituencies polled during the last few weeks-namely, South St. Paacras, Brixton, Montrose, Southampton, and Lichfield. At the general election they were rep-resented by three Conservatives and three Leberals. They are now represented by two Conservatives and three Liberalise This re- sult has been brought about, noit by any falling off in the Tory vote, but by a very marked rally in the Liberal vote. The following table shows the ngures: — 1895. 1896. L. C. L. C. S St. Pancras 1,223. 2,433 1,375 2,631 Brixton 2,199 4,198 2,131. 4,493 Montrose 3,594 2,462 4,565 2,572 Southampton.. 5,167 •• 5,955 5,555 5,522 Lichfield 3,902 3,858 4,483 3,935 16,085 18,906 18,109 19,173 In the five constituencies taken together, the Conservative poll has increased since the general election by 267, but the Liberal poll by 2,024. In this* connection it may be interesting to re-call that the total majority of Conserva- tive votes which gave the present Government a majority of 152 seats in the House of Com- mons was little more than. 100,000. Three Irish seats a.re vacant, namely, East Kerry (Mr. Michael DaviH having elected to sit for South Mayo), North Kerry (Mr. Thomas Sexton having retired from Parliament), a.nd South Louth, for which My. Daniel Ambrose, who died last December, was member. All three are safe Nationalist seats. Story of Mr. Curzon. An amusing story is going' the rounds of the House of Commons smoking-rooms and lobbies, for the accuracy ot which a. correspondent vouches. On Tuesday afternoon Mr, Curzon was leaving the House of Commons from the entrance- to the Ladies-' Gallery, riding a bioycle constructed on the most approved principles. He emerged from the Speaker's Court into palace-yard, rding some.wliat qu|icklly» He was attired in a cutaway cooit and billycock hat, and sadly unsenatorial in appearanoe. A gentleman somewhat advanced in yearn, but new to the House of Commons, was walking fjrom the members' einitramce. Mrl. Curzon. sounded the alarm bell in vain, and narrowly escaped coming into collision with the member, who, as he rushed past him, exclaimed, "How d;'t,re you appear here on a bicycle? I would think very little of giving yoa in charge. Don't you know, you scoundrel, that this place is reserved for members of Parliament?"

CONFERENCE AT CARDIFF. THE INCORPORATED SOCIETY OF MUSICIANS. A special meeting of the South Wales section of the Incorporated Society of Musicians was held at the Town-hall, Cardiff, on Thursday afternoon, to prepare for receiving the annual general conference to be held at Cardiff in December next. Air. Walter Scott presided. On the motion of Mr. W. Scott (solicitor) it, was proposed that the following compose the Social Committee for the conference:—The Mayor of Cardiff (Lord Windsor), Messrs. Alfred Thomas, M.P., W. A. Morgan, T. Evans, E. W. Waite, Edward Corbett, W. Scott, Herbert Cory, Hacquoil, Cook, Powl- son, Jenkins (registrar University College), Frederick Smith, Rev. A. G. Russell, Seaward, John Duncan, Lascelles Carr, Beale (organist of Llandaff), Alderman Cary, W. J. Symonds, S. A. Brain, Alderman Jones, B. Newman, Mc'xey, Canon and Mrs Thompson, and the lady members of the South Wales section. Subse- quently it wa.3 decided to leave the re- modelling Off this committee to the Cardiff members of the section. A proposal to starts a guara.ntee fund at once was deferred until the programme had been further drafted.—It- was resolved that the committed be composed of the South Walles Sectional Oouncl, together with Mr. Westlake Morgan (organist of Bangor Cathedral), and 11.1'. C. Morton Bailey, who wll represent the North Wales section.—The programme committee is to consist of the Car- diff miembara of the council, (together with M r». Morris, Mrs. Powlsotn, Mrs. Righton- I Trice, Miss Bemtsan, and Miss Rogers.—The Chairman having asked the repesentatives of the Cardiff Musical at-id Orchestral Society, and Mr Aylward, on behalf of the Musical Society, said thait no daubt both societies, if asked, would be very pleased to give any assistance that lay in their power. I

BORBETT AND FITZSIMMONS CORBETT OFFERS TO BOX FITZ- SIMMONS FO¡R A PURSE. A Central News telegram from New York states tilia,b the pugilist, Corbett, according to his friends is consumed with anxiety to fight Fitzsinmions, and the more the latter seems to thirk the meeting the more the former presses him with tempting offers. The latest pro- posal by Corbett has filled the sporting world on this side of the Atlantic with respectful I admiration of the great fighter. Rumour had attributed Fitzsimmons's reluctance to accept the offer of the London Boliiigbroke Club to a feeling that it is not generous enough for the man who bad just knocked out such a. formid- able antagonist as Peter Maher. Thereupon Ccrbett, through his newspaper organ, said if the Boiingbroke's purse off 8,000 dollars was not Lig enough for Fivzsimmon.s, he (Corbett) was perfectly willing to supplement it, laying him 10.000 dollars to 1,000 dollars, tl us providing Fitzsimmonis with a stake worthy of his position in the pugilistic world, supposing, oif course, that he suc- ceeded in beating the challenger. The otfer is considered a most generous and tempting one, and there is great curiosity to learn whether Fitzsimnions will oooept it. Corhett has very wealthy backers, stud there is ,;o particular reason to suppose that his offer is not a genuine,

Romance and Reality I ECHOES OF THE POLICE- COURT. Our Police-court Reporter Finds That Truth is Stranger 4 Than Fiction. Loquacious Prisoners. Loquacity seemed to be the order of the day at Cardiff Police-oourt this morning. Every prisoner had something to say, from the old lady who, with an introductory lernark to the effect tihat her husband wa,3 "63 to-day," went on bo address the learned stipendiary (Mr. T. W. Lewis) in a speech in which the phrases "signed the pledge" and "will never touch the drink" occurred at pretty regular intervals, to a daughter of Erin, who with much energy, kept alternately adjuring the witnesses to tell the truth, and wondering that they did not drop dead. The lady who thus expressed herself was Ellen Steward, whose figure would have rendered her a fit opponent for Tom Cannon or any other noted wrestler. She was charged with illegally pawning a blanket, value 8is., the property of Mary Donovan, with whom she lodged, and also with assaulting her landlady at the Docks Police- station on February 27th. Both charges were proved, and justice was satisfied by her forfeit- ing Is., the value of the blanket, 38.; and 5s. for the assault, with an alternative term of imprisonment for each of- fence. —On the pronunciation of these sentences Ellen completely los* her ■temper. In loud tones she vowed "that she would teke it out of Mrs. Donovan when she came out. Mrs. D was recognised as a- good Catholic, but she would show her up. She'd make it hot for her," and, as she des- cended to the cells in a fighting attitude, she looked quite capable of doing it, too. Two £50 Fines. Two well-known shebeeners then appeared. Thiey Nviere Bessie R-oaqh, aged 36, of 8, Stanley-street, and Martha Millward, aged, 79, of 12, Buzzard-street, who were charged with -Ipmniiitting breaches (of the Wekih 0 Sunday Closing Act for the fourth and fifth time re- spectively. The previous convictions were proved, and Police-constables Wootton and D. Thomas gave evidence in support of the pre- sent charges, with the lesult that both women (who pleaded guilty) were fined £5; and costs each, or three months' imprisonment.

MISSOURI ON FIRE. TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF THE VESSEL THREATENED. At half-past four on Friday morning a serious fire broke out on board the Atlantic liner Missouri, which, as announced in Friday morn- ing's "Wes-tem Mail," arrived in tha East Dock, Swansea, on Thursday. Whilst the crew were unloading bales of jute from the No. 3 hold one of them was found to be in fla.m. s, and those who were unloading- iound it impos- sible to put it out. It was then discovered that a large quantity of the rest of the cargo was also aLight, and in a short time the smoke arising from the heterogenous cargo became simply blinding, and the erew were utterly unable to cope with the renewed outbreak. The Swansea Fire Brigade were at once sent for, and arrived on the spot and rendered valuable assistance. All the pumps of the vessel were put into action, and tubs of water were raised from the docks and poured down into the hold. The fire. however, continued to burn, and the terrible smoke which arose impeded operations considerably. It was deadened down for a time, but the fire brigade were again called back, and at the time of wiring the smoke seemed as bad as ever, and grave fears were entertained for the safety of this fine vessel. It was feared she^tfould have to be scuttled, it w,ll be remembered that the fire broke out at sea, and that the crew, after noble efforts to grapple with it, put into Falmouth. where as" fiance was obtained from the shore and from her Ma- jesty's ship Ganges, and tihe Vessejl, which was getting a. list, was subsequently beached. The following day the vessel was pumped and floated and a. quantity of her burning cargo discharged. On Tuesday it was decided to send the Missouri on to Swansea for the dis- charge of the remaining 1,500 tons of her cargo, :vnd to repair her, under the supervision of Mr. Couch, the Swansea agent of the A t- lantic transport line, which owned the vessel, and of the Swansea officials of the trust. The discharge of the rest of the cargo was com- menced on Thursday. The fire had been con- fined to No. 1 hold, which is in the after- part of the vessel, but during the unloading, which took place during the whole of Thurs- day night at Swansea, a quantity of the cargo in No. 3 hold was also discovered to be on fire, and, as above stated, this is the danger which now threatens the vessel.

M.P.SS LIBEL SUIT. THE CLAIM AGAINST THE "RAI!4- WAY TIMES." The Lord Chieit Justioo resumed his address to the jury on. Friday in Mr. Forwood's libel action gainst the "Railway Times." Having laid down for their guidance that tl e question for them to decide was not whether Sir A. For- wood had done wisely in undertaking the duties of the two positions, which were likely to clash, his Londship said they would probably be of opinion that ho made a grievous mistake in doing so. But! the alleged libel was that, having undertaken these two positions, he neg- lected his duty to the shareholders of the Costa Rica Railway Company, and used his position as director to promote his own private interestg, which conflicted witn the interests of the com- pany. His lordship then proceeded to examine the evidence in great detail. (Proceeding.)

SILK WEAVERS' STRIKE. Ai LEVY OF SIXPENCE ON MAC- C'LESFIELD MEN. The Macclesfield silk weavers have decided to make a levy of 6d. each to support the silk dyers on strike. This action is regarded as very important, and it is believed the strike will soon terminate. The men are behaving in an exemplary manner, and imported haaids from Manchester are gradually leaving. At a meeting in the Town-hall. Maccle-neld, on Thursday night, addresses were delivered by Mr ad ford delegates and also by local Trades Union leaders. It was decided to continue the struggle.

OWNERSHIP OF AN ORGAN. THOMPSON AND SHACKELL, LIMITED, V. VEALE. On Thursday, in the Court of Appeal, the Master of the Rolls and Lords Justices Lopes a.nd Rigby had before them the appeal of the defendants from the judgment of Mr. Justice Lawrance, at a trial without a jury at Cardiff. The action, was brought by the plaintiffs, who c&nry on business in W estgate-street, Cardiff, to recover from the defendiant, the proprietor of the Bristol Loan Office, Lower Castle-street, Bristol, a walnut organ or its value, and damages for its detention. It appeared that the plaintiffs agreed to sell to Samuel Wat-kins the organ on easy terms, and he pledged it to the defendant before all the instalments were paid. The plaintiffs claimed that they were entitled to ro.-over the organ or its value on the ground that it was not the property of Watkins to pledge. In defence it was stated that the defendant did not know that there vac a lien on, or a.ny other right to, the organ when it was pledged, and, therefore), undjw Section 9 of the Factors' Act of 1889, the plain- tiffs were not entitled to judgment. Mr. Jus- tice lawra.nce found for the plaintiffs, and gave judgment for jB18 with costs op. the High Court scale. Hence the present a.ppea!. Mr. Marsha,rn>, Q.C., appeared for the appel- lant, arid Mr. Evans for the respondents. The case had not concluded' when the court rose. -?- -?--

CAMBRIDGE LOCAL. PASS LIST FOR THE RECENT EXAMINATION. The Cambridge University local examination class lists were published on Friday. There were 9,051 senior and junior students, and 6,619 were successful. Of 525 senior beys, 366 passed; of 4,696 junior boys, 3,421 passed; of 1,242 senior girls, 872 passed, and of 2,588 junior girls, 1,960 passed.

THE WHOLE WORLD A PARADOX. Ths is the opinion of the chairman of the Stratford justices, expressed on Saturday, when hearing a batch of summonses arising from the neglect of persons to comply with the recent order relating to the muzzling of dogs. In every case a fine of 5s. was imposed. AIDlUsement was caused by several of the defences; some said the dogs pulled the muzzles off; others that the dogs ran out when the door was opened to a tradesman. In one case the defendant said he lived in East Ham, and the other side of the road was West Ham, where the or<fsy was not in force, nd until now he didinot ktpr the boundary."— Mr. Tabrum (chairman); -j^e all have to pay for our experience. Y<? .-uliftad the whole world is <k g^dox.

The New Inspector 6 HIS PATHETIC STORY OF MISPLACED ZEAL. Curiosity on Cardiff's Cholera. Drains, and Careless Builders Causes his Banishment. "Two days ago I was a drain inspector. What am I now? All! "All my life I have inspected drains—for 40 years. My father and my grandfather before me were inspectors. A maternal ancestor died in a drain. It is hereditary. Four of my aunts in '86 married five drain inspectors—that is, one of them in her enthusiasm married two. I could go on for ever—our family is a large one—enumerating near and dear relatives who have died in Cardiff, if not in, at least through our drains. It is accepted by usi as a noble martyrdom. "I have said enough, I think, to prove my credentials as a an inspeD- tor cf the enthusiastic sort—of hereditary, if not) God-given, genius. Had I to say more I should mention ihat at the age of two I speni Fitvef Days in a Drain. I was not missed until my dear father com- plained the pipes were choked, and brought me forth with a wire hook. He was sur- prised to see me; hei had omitted to count, the family, and had not missed me, but he was overjoyed to find I had such marked hereditary tendencies. Shall I ever forget the dear old fellow's words? 'My son,' he said, 'there is a future before you in Cardiff. Some time your history will get into print through drains." The time haa come. Long years I spent drain-inspecting the great Metropolis. Then came the nswts that Cardiff needed a master mind to solve her drainage problem. Two days ago Icame here as an expert Now, when this history is written, I go hence again, no longer as an expert, but an export. Y OH shall hear. "I was engaged by seven officials. "You know the influence upon our builders' minds of 'the pending ec'Jipee of the moon?" was the technical question addressed me. I did. lie passed me to another department. Wliat is the difference between a Cardiff drain and a,n organ pipe?" was asked me. One makes you sick; the other ma.kes music—merely a.n m," I answered, instantly. Wrong! I lost caste at once. Just a dash difference-—to the first you sing D— flat; to the second one D iia-t," I hazarded. This is serious ignorance," said the offi0ial. "Any technical difference, such as aromatic and chromatic?" I queried. The whole department gasped. "One's in a dam organ the other in Glamorgan?" Worse and worse! I confessed my training was neglect ad so far. "No difference at all; you haven't seen either," answered the department. I thought I had the idea. Both necessary to the 'Dead March'—I see now," said I. Not at all! Both equa.lly sweet-, you idiot." My Examination Was a. Failure. It is useless to- deliver the whole list of mishaps as I went through each department. But in I the end I got down to the drains. I promised to learn the lines iin Cardiff if I lived. "These drains have been re-laid, explained the householder, picking a. bacillus typi as large as a, beetle from the wall and placing it negli- gently in his wa'iistcoat pocket. "Pretty fair specimen," I remarked, alluding to the baodlus. "Not so large as my neighbour's. We're quite used to them. My only difficulty is to prevent them playing with the children. My drains have only been down again a few hours. The bacilli (have not burrowed their way cut so frequently of laite. Our builder says he has expended £4-0 in stopping up the burrows." "Ah. yes. I have turned up opportHjeiy befcre the pipes are covered over. What does this little sh-b of elate limply ?" "Covers s. pick-hole in the sewer-pipe. The bu'iidar exvs it tokos bacteria years to bore through alate. Just then a fl nely-cleveJoped !Dyit>litiieria Germ Lifted ihe slab up from below and' peeped into the sunlight. Any allowance made for lifting powers?" I ssked, astonished. Even in the great Metro- polis I'd never seen such things before. "My God! No!" said the householder, "be never thought of that. And he will never go to tha expense of a heavier piece of slate. My poor little ones, you are doomed! J, a st.rong man. rise in my wight and might and squash bacteria with a fire-shovel, but alag, they are too active; they breed too well in Cardiff drains. Mv hair is grey with the strain and anguish of continual watching and fighting. I havn one hope-my children will rot- be devoured before me." 1 was touched by the poor man's evident agony. "I will go for the builder," I said. "If he fails me, i. will appeal to the corpora- tion; I will get him hung. Am I rot sn in- spector to see into these things:^ The householder regarded me with interest. I have often heard of an inspector," he sighed. "I classed him with "TTae Two-head°u ('(',b:o:? of mythology. Strange, that i-c declining years I have come face to face wi'th. one. Arrf you a vision, sir, or do I d-rim—dram—dream?" Poor fellow, he was wandering. I sought the builder, with a full pressure of indignation on my heart. "Inspector—ah!" he said. "I've heard of you. You are the man I u-auaiiy send 48 hours' notice to. Good morning. Pleaded to have met you." "Stop," I cried. "I am an inspector by birth, not. only by salary. My hjeart- is is the dear, dank drain!" That last appeal was poesy. It is the motto of my ancestors. I hoped that it might touch him. "Never heard of such a specimen," he answered coldly. "I'll have it changed," I cried, and the poor tenamfc cut his wau face half through with the pleased smile he could not conceal. "I dare you to," replied the builder. "Is is not troable enough to send your fellows notice? Must you come nosing round when all the work is passed and done, a clean, my bank-book with your frivolous altera-i ions ? Thank heaven, a beneficent law is kind to the poor builder; ossified officials are still kinder. Between them YOAIr monstrous comes to nothing. Go, go back bo your cor- pcration. Tell them I said so, and never let me see your face again. 1 have met an in- spector once, may heaven delay a second meet- ing." "Obey your own conscience, man," I pleaded. "Conscience! You, an inspector, and do not know that conscience is akin to other com- plaints, in that it is ithe mere work of bacteria. Go to Pasteur, thou prowling pride!" I went—not oto Pasteur, but back to my department. I related my morning's work. I pleaded that the builder be indicted. "Your ignorance is too pronounced for us," they said. To-day I return to the Metropolis, but not before is made public.

FOOT AMPUTATED. ACCIDENT TO A YOUTH AT CAU- DIFF DOCKS. Early on Friday morning George Harrison, aged 16, of Clive-street, Grangetowci, WES re- ceived into the Cardiff Infirmary, suffering from a compound, fracture of the right foot, which it was found necessary to smputajte. The injured lad met with the accident w"i;Ie attempting to jump on a locomct1:ive engine in motion. ? ?-

GUN COTTON EXPLOSION. BOARD OF 'TRADE OFFICIAL'S REPORT. The official report of Colonel A. Ford on the explosion of gun cotton, which occurred in one of the drying houses of the factory of Messrs. G. Kynock and Co. at Arklow on the 4th of October, 1895, was issued on Friday morning. By t.his accident one man wa« killed and one woman slightly injured. The explo- sion was caused by malice, a diabolical arrange- ment having heen made by some person un- known to cause the explosion of the gun cotton when the trays were being removed, or acci- dentally by deceased when he was removing the trays. Colonel Ford says the wage agita- tion in Arklow at least supports the VKMV that the explosion may ha.ve been intentionally brought about. In the ahsenee of direct evi- dence, the more probable explanation is, per- haps, the accidental one. but there are at least- very good grounds for suspicion that it was not accidental.

BAZAAR AT PENARTH. The bazaar held in conneotion with the Sfcan- well-road Baptist Chapel was brought to a close on Thursday night by a concert and cantata, which passed off splendidly. The bazaar has been a great success, the total sum obtained being about £230.

THE IRISH SECRETARY. Mr. Gerald Balfour, Chief Secretary for Ireland, has appointed Lord- Balcarres to be cne of hi« private secretaries, unpaid.

The National Union of Teachers is expected in number 35,000 members by the time the annual conference of that body is held in Swoi-sea in Easter, 1897.,

Ireland v. Wales COMMENTS ON THE SE- LECTED WELSH TEAM. Some Peculiar Statements Made by tl*e Brothers Jain.8S in the Bert 'Taylor ase. The general feeling in the eaist en Thursday night was that the team selected to do duty against Ireland was a. fairly representative one, and one that would give pretty much as good account of itself against Ireland as the Welsh team did against Scotland. For my own part, I don t think there is a lot of fault to find with the teem. The only point I am in doubt about is as to whether the alterations in the forwards have strengthened the team or weakened it. Barry Davies, who has been left out, was, to my way of thinking, very nearly the best for- ward on the field against Scot-lard., Always a good, sound player in club matches, he sur- passed himself on thait- occasion. It was ad- mitted by one or two membes of the Welsh committee that he was very nearly the best forward on the field, yet, when the team is ohosen against Ireland, we find him, not only left out, but a long way down on the reserves' list. Hutchinson's being left out was whit I hs-d expected, but in the oatse of Cope^ again, no one will deny but that he played a sound game against the Soots. The r.ew men are Mills, Miller, and Boucher. The first mentioned everyon.e expected to see in. He is unques- tionably one of the most brilliant forwards wo have in Wales. He can scrimmage if he is v.ar'ted to do so, whilst in the open he is a perfect dribbler and pretty well as faai as a three-quarter. Boucher is a mm very much after the Mills style, a stone or so lighter, perhaps, but clever to a decree. Personally, however, I think there are better forwrds in tho Newport pack than he. Miller, of Mountain Ash, has been playing Rugby football only some couple of seasons. Two years ago, at any rate, he was playing Association. From what I can make out he is a brilliant man, in the loose, but what his scrimmaging abilities are I cannot say. He is reported to have been the best forward on the Glamorgan side against Lancashire a week or two back, but still, that is not saying much, for the forwards on that occasion were not by any means what might be termed a "classy" lot. I am somewhat afraid that the committee have been a trifle too anxious to pick forwards to try and beat Ire- land at their own game—that if, loose forward play. This I consider a big mistake—how big was shown against England. For my own part, I would sooner see eight honest serim- magers that would force the Irish forwards to put th.eir heads down. As it is, I consider the Welsh pack hardly strong enough to get the ball often enough to give their backs the opportunities they require. The hope of the Welshmen, so far zz I can see. lies with the half-backs, who, we must hope, will prove as smart at stopping the wheels and rushes of the Irish pack as they were against Scotland. The three-quarters no one can grumble at, for the quartette gave a fine exhibition against Scotland, and one of given opportunities will, I think, come off quite as well against Ireland. Bancroft is again chosen over Joe Davies. Well, the custodian will have need of all his resource and triekmess for he has little chance of stopping in ? fair tackle the burly Irishmen. In conclusion, I will hope for the best, but my own opinion just now is that Ireland will just manage to pull off the game. The other business that created some little interest Ú Thursday's meeting was tho matter of Mi*. Taylor, who, when referee at Swansea on Saturday last ordered one of the LiMielly forwards from the field. The committee had Mr. Taylor before them, And duly considered his evidence, at least, ): suppose i'0. Anyhow, thty came to the conclusion that to a certain extent thev must uphold their officials, so they accept-ed H". Taylor's report, but there they stopped, and neither oansured the player nor exonerated him. A more unsatisfactory ver- dict could not have been given. So fcr as I can see, tho whole thing has been cooked up down west. There was published on the Mon- day morning a series of what were alleged to be statements by Western officials, and players. Cr.-e case is tho brothers James, who, accor- ding to the Western scribes, made st statement after the match on Saturday, which they de- liberately oantradicted in a letter sent to :Mr. Wilkins, and which was read at the committee meeting. I give below those two letters just to show that someone has elight-ly departed from the truth: — On Saturday the Brothers James arc alleged to havf1 given the following statement to a Western reporter '"How did that Llanally man come to get ordered off the field?" tlie reporter asked oÍ the Brothers James. "For rough piay" said both to- gether. "He kicked me," said Evan. "So he did me." added Dai; "aDd aJso another man, and it was right under the nose of the referee, teo. Jackson said he beard him use some ir-ce language tD the referee." "I didn't hear him," replied Evan, "but I heard the referee warn him before he was ordered off." The Brothers James send the fonawing letter to the Welsh Union secretary:—"Dear Sir,—I don't think the referee was justified in Fending Thomae off, the field last Saturday, as my brother and 1 consider that '1' were onlv taCkled falrh-, slid wtiioufc unuecesssu-y rougbness. I did not hear him say anything to the referee, and think it hard lineR for the team that he shouJd have been ordered off. It is reported in a Swansea paper that we upheld the referee's action, which ig quite untrue. We think it only right to make this statement in fairness to the player.—Yours respectfully, I)..TAMES. 13, Rilvev- atreet, St Thomas, February 25, 1396. I consider the whole matter is .It disgraceful one. There has evidently been a, lot of hum- bug in. the statements alleged to have been made in the numerous interviews itha-t have atppef^recL The Wcfeh Committee on their part, I consider, have shown a lamentable weakness, and I for one should he glad to see the matter looked up by the general body of the Welsh Rugby Union. True to its traditions fo? "Triads," Wales at present boasts of three pairs of brothers who have made themselves notorious in the South Wales Rugby football world. On the same day as the brothers dames re appeared for Swansea against Cardiff, the brothers Jones disappeared from the Bridgend team, and then the brothers Biggs left Cardi ffin (the lurch at Newport. In connection with the Blackheath Club's visi^ to Cardiff a special cheap excursion has been arranged by the Great Western Railway, Starting from Paddington on Saturday morn- ing at 8.30, the train will call at Stroud, Gloucester, Cirencester, C'hippeuhafrn, a<ud Newport on route. ?.? The Yorkshire team and officials leave Leeds at 9.30 p.m. (L. and N.W.R.) on Satur- day, Eariving at Cardiff at 5.30 a.m. on Sun- day. They stay at the Queen's Hotel, and leave for Swansea (Royal Hotel) at 5.50 p.m. on Sunday, arriving at Swansea at eight. WELSH ATHLETE.

AN AGEiD CYCLISJL. ISSUES A CHALLENGE TO THE WORLD. An interesting case whioh came before the Ringston-o-n-jrhames magistrates on Thursday was the sequel to an exoiting incident which 100k place m that district a day or two ago. A gentleman of mature years, who is wedl- know in sporting circles, issued a challenge to the world for a bicycle race, the only con- ditio-n being that any competitor should Le of his own age. The challenge was accepted, and the race came off, victory resting wllth the original challenger. Unfortunately, the polioe came on the seme, and proceedings were taken against Sir Claude Champion de Cieispigny, who was present on the occasion. —A police-inspector said that at Walton on the 24t-h inst. ho saw Sir Claude and a Mr. T. A. Smith, of Cobhaan, on a. tandem bicycle, (riding down a hi'U at the rate of twenty miles an hour. A fine of £ 1 8s. 6d" including costs, was imposed.

This Day's Racing "SPORTSMAN" AND "SPORTING LIFE" AUTHENTIC STARTING PRICES. SANDOWN PARK MEETING. Winners and Jockeys. Sport/sman. Life. WAINFLEET SELLING (10). Lambton (Hewitt) 100 to 14 ag 100 to 14 ag WARREN FLAT (3). Demetrius (Mr Widger).. 3 to 1 ag 3 to 1 ag The above prices are identical with thtee published in the "Racing Calendar."

SANDOWN PARK MEETING. 2.0 The WATNTLEET SELLING HANDICAP 11 Si'EEPLEC'HASE of 100 sov,s; winner to be sold for 50 govs. Two mik-s. Mr Cox's Lambton., aged, list 7Jb Hewitt 1 Mr Nig-htingail's Briarwood, tyre, list 31b T Doiuiellv 2 Mr Gore, s Inigo, aged, list 51-b Owner 3 Air Batehelor's Bouncing Boy, aged, 12fet Mr Rica.«Io 0 Mr Moore's Bouc-hal-na-Slieve, aged, list lllb 17 Williamson 0 Mr Hale s Chip, aged, list 9ih \ores 0 Mr Craig's Free Tip, Rged, lift 71b Driscdll C Mr Headmgton's Lord York II, aged. list d „ „ Mr P Tippier 0 Br Beckfls S.vlvia, aged, list Owner 0 MGr Guthrie's Itosoian, aged, lOs-i. 12]b W Brown 0 Winner trained bv Swatton. _Bettiug—2 to 1 agist Bouncing Boy. 5 to 1 agst Free Tip, 100 to 14 agwfc Lambton, 8 to-" 1 agst Bouhal-na- Slieve, 100 to 12 agst Chip, 10 to 1 each 8.g-st Inigo and Briarwood, and 100 to 8 each &got Lord York fl, Sylvia, said Roscian. Lard York II made the running from Bouncing Boy. CSiip, and Free Tip, to the fence heilow the stand, where Free Tip, jumping to the right, brought down Bouncing Boy. Free Tip then drew out clear of Lord York II and Briarwood, and led till three fences from home, when Lambton assumed the com. mand, faEowed by Briarwood, and won by a length six lengths separated the second and third. Free Tip waa fourth. BouchaJ-na-Siieve fifth, Koecia-n next, and Chip lost. 2-35—rhe WARREN FLAT RACE of 100 sove, for four year olds and upwards weight for age win- ner to be sold for B100. Two m tes. Mr M Widger's Demetrius, 5vrs, list ioib Mr J Widger 1 Count Zech'e Unionist, aged, 12st .Mr R Gore 2 Air Stevens's Swa&lowfield, aged, 12st Mr Bewicke 3 Mr Ward's Stone Brok-, aged, 12st .Owner 0 W inner trained bv Roser. I Betting—6 to 4 on Swaliowfield, 3 10 1 agst De.me- trius, 9 to 2 agst Unionist, and 20 to 1 agst Stone Broke. Stone Broke led for a little more thou half the ioumey, and then gave way to Demetrius, who made the remainder of the runpjug-, aodwon by, three lengths; a. bad third.

A deal of unnecessary alarm was occasioned on Thursday to the friends of Arthur Nightiiiga.Il, by a Central News telegram, recklessly despatched from Warwick, stating that the popular jockey had broken an ann. The mishap was no moire serious than a slightly wrenched shoulder, and he hopes to be in the saddle again shortly.

-?- [Bottles *<1* Jars- 11 ?y?- ??????-??S????i vt,#Ax to uaca J ? ] £ JjmL*gfe C»T ?? ? Ewsums 'tf- SMOKJ6 "FIRST X^VOURITE." CIGARETTES. (Guaranteed Pure Virginia.) ONE PENNY. PACKETS of 6. ONE PENNY. Wholesale: MASON AND SON, Chesterfield. ?'" jl LINCOLN HANDICAP, LIVERPOOL NATIONAL, DERBY, iic. i £ r. ALFRED CROOK, OSTENDE. Alfred Crook wili forward, free, on recsiB||of address, "CROOK'S PRICE LLCORDm Containing Fairies and Latest Market ^kvemcnts 00 &bc.\e. Letters floated by the Night Mail arrive in Octfude the following day, and answered by, re- turn of post. Letters must be prepaid. Address :—ALFRED CROOlC Oaten de. Postage, "Bell's Life," 1850, says: "You wiU be quite gafe in the haads of Mr. Crook." HARD AW AY and TOPPING, Slushing, Holland — Price List, containing latest market movements, for- warded free on receipt of address. Lincoln t'&ndicap, Grand National, Oity and Suburban, ana Derby. The Oldest Established Firm in the World. ehjOl LINCOLN, LINCOLN, LINCOLN. Don't fail to send 2s. for the Lincoln Handicap for the absolute winner. Another Euclid, which will romp home iike last year, which I stood ali my clients.—Address, S. WHIXEHOUSE, 7, Hill's-terrace, Cardiff.

r MORE DETAILS. THE SENSATIONAL BREACH OF PROMISE ACTION. The "Sun" publishes some further details in. respect to the statement of claim ailleged to have been entered in an action for 910,000 damages for breach of promise of marriage brought by Miss Sophia Ella. Cheeshire against Mr Arthur Strauss, Liberal Unionist member of Parliament for Cambourre, Cornwall. The plaintiff is the daughter of a farmer in Worces- tershire, and has been employed as a olerk and book-keeper in London. She alleges in her statement that she first met the defendant in 1879, andi that in 1880, under promise of mar- rage, the defendant seduced her. She gave birth to one child in 1882, and another in 1834, both of whom she says are the children of defendant'. In 1893 she received an offer of iiaih'iaga from a certain, other person, which she told defendafnt of, and he then renewed Ms promise, which she believed until 1895. when defendant married another woman. The defendant has not yet answered the statement of claim. Mr. Strauss, M.P., is close on 50 years of <)g'e, and is a member of the firm of A. Strauss and Co., 16, Rood-lane, E.G., tin and copper merchants, and is director of several tin mines. He was defeated for the Cam- bourne division in 1892, but elected in 1895. Sir E. Clarke, Q.C., Mr. William Willis, Q.U., and Mr. Riokingham Gill will represent the plaintiff.

THE HOZIER JEWELS. JEWELLER SENT TO PENAL SERVITUDE. At the Central Criminal Court on Thursday James Saunders was found guilty of burglary at the residence of Lady Hozier in Cornwall- gardens, and carrying away property to the value of JE80. and Thomas Iledfcrii, a jeweller ht the I.agware-road, was' found guilty of receiving some of the stolen property. Por- tions of the proceeds of six burglaries, in- cluding a silver kettle stolen from Lady Hozrh1 s, were found on Redfem's premises. Saund«r, who is now undergoing a sentence for burglary, was sentenced to four years', arid Redfern to three years', penal servitude.

AN ANGEL'S FALL. UNHAPPY INCIDENT AT A THEATRE. During the cour-e of the opera "Faust"' at the Royal Court Theatre. Liverpool, a elight accident happened, interrupting for once the dignified ascent of the soui of "Marguerite'' to Beaven. At the close of the final act, where the spirit of the fa.mous character is supposed to go, in company with a host of angels, to the "realms above," the rope attached to the basket conveying the "celestial" party snapped, and the ladies oaine back to the "earthly world," or the boards. The fail would be about 8ft. Fortunately none of the ladies were more than slightly shaken, and among the audience the incident did not seem to be noticed by many, and by some wa.s, perhaps, interpreted as a new version of the story, in which "Mephistopheles" got the soul as well as the body of "Marguerite."

THE NEW RIFLE. EXPECTED TO BRING DOWN BISLEY JUST AS IT BEGINS TO PROSPER. For the first time since 1877 the doings of the National Rifle Association resulted last year in a balance on the right side. Congratulating the members on the fact on Thursday after- noon. Earl Wa-ldegrave said' the council be- lieved the association had now commenced a prosperous career at Bisiey. In the course of the subsequent discussion Mr. Lowe said he believed the new ::ifle would be the death-blow to the National Rifle Association. Improve- ments were being made in the American Navy rifle which was simpler than the Le.Mitford, and had a range of two and a half miles. That kind of rifle was the weapon of the future, I and the GovernmSlit should bear it in mind in I providing ran gee. I

On the Stock Exchange YESTERDAY'S QUOTATIONS I FROM LONDON. MINING (AUSTRALIAN AND INDIAN). Aladdin Lamp 1{. Big Blow X Broken Hill Proprietary 2§ Burma Ruby Champion Reef 6^ M1 Golconda Great Boulder Hampton Plains ,M Hannan's BrAwn Hill.. 6§ Kalgurli lj Lady Loch 2? Londonderry 8/ Mawson's Seward -fc M Menzie's Mining ljto Menzie's Beef 1% Mysore 5jfc .n I Mysore Goldfields 22*6 North Queensland 1 ,tl Nundydroog 3% m Ooregxun Ordinary Do. Pref. 3|| Wentworth Gold life Wealth of Nations l £ White Feather 2-fe West Australian Expln 3% Do Goldfields 6% Bio Tinto i. jjiij. MINING (SOUTH AFRICAN). Afrikander M, Barnato Consols 3% Beohaanaland Bufielsdoom 3i British S. Africa (Chtd.) 6\ Champ d'Or 2 £ City and Suburban 5{ Con. Gldfids. S. Africa Def 13J Croesus 1% Crown Reef JOt De Beers 28 Durban Roodepoort 6& East Rand 6jf Feneira 18 .J; Geldenhuis 44 Do. Deep 6 £ Gencairn 31 .„ Graskop 6/8 v Hfidelburjr Gold Ut m j#' Henderson Transv 2! •i>: Henry Nourse 6J Heriot 9# Jagersfontein ]A', £ Johannesburg Invest 3^ Do. Water 2| Jubilee — 3f >M Jumpers 7t Kleinfontein 4| Kleinfontein 4| Klerksdorp 16/0 Knight 74 Langlaagte 5j Lisbon Berlyn 7/3 London and Paris l'*t Luipaards Vlei li J Lydenburg Estates Mainreef liir Mashonaland Agency 2Z May 31 Mever and Charlton 5i Modderfontein 11i New Primrose 6| Nigel *| Oceana Land 21. Pioneer 9 Potchefstoom -S Randfontein 2§ Rand Rhodesia — «. Rand Mines 28| Rietfontein Robinson 94 Salisbury 4 Sheba 2t>, giuimer and Jack 21 South African Gold Trust 8|* Spes Bona li Sutherland Reef — 7/0 Tati Concession 2% Transvaal Gold 6J Van Rya Village Mainreef 61 Wemmer 10i Wolhuter 8J Zambesi Exploration 3

TODAY'S MARKETS. CORN. Liverpool, Friday.—There has been a mode- rate consumptive trade irn wheait at Tuesday's prices to C £ d better, California^ closing at 5s 9d to 5s 91d, and American Red at 5s Bid ito 5s 9d per cent-ail. Maize met a fair inquiry, pew mixed American declining to 3s per cen- tal. Flour steady, with quiet retail demand. Beans and peas firm, and with other articles expcrienoo a slow inquiry. BUTTER. Cork, Friday.—Ordinary: Seconds, 100s per cwt.; Thirds, 88s Fourths, 76e. Mild Cured Firkins: Fine, 102s; mild, 90s. In market: 54 firkins, 1 keg, and 16 mild. METALS. Glasgow, Friday.—Opening: Sooksh steady;j a fair business done at 47s 3d and 47s 3td cash. and 47s 5gd month; buyers, 47s 3id cash, and 47s 5id month: sellers, 02d more. Cleveland firm a moderate business done at 38s 3id and 38s 4d cash; buyers, 38e 4d cash and 38s 6d. month; sellers, Ojtd more. Cumberland firm email business done at 48s 9d cash: buyera, 48s 9d cash and 48s ]l £ d month; sellers, Old more. Middltsborough idle; buyers, 468 lid cash and 46s 4d month: øellers Id moca. ■■MM—————— ("

A TERRIBLE VOYAGE. BRISTOL STEAMER STRUCK BY A METEORITE. A Queeastown correspondent telegmphe that mail dispatches received on Thursday from New York contain partioulaxe of the arrival there of the Brisitil steamer Brooklyn City after a most eventful and protracted passage of twenty days across the Atlantic, during which she experienced a violent hurricane. The Brooklyn City, under Captain Watkiiw, sailed from Swansea on the 28th ulfc. for New York, and from the outset hald to batMp. against strong westerly galas and high head seas, which retarded her greatly. A perfect hurricane, was, however, experienced on the 12th in la.t. 41.11 north, long. 59 west, ia which the steamer laboured considerably, and not answering the helm fell into the jtrough of the sea, causing enormous waves to break aboard and ftood the decks. Owing to the ir.tense cold the decks, deck-houeee, and rigging became covered with ice, and the crew suffered intensely, half a dozen of the men having frostbitten fingere. The hurricane lasted into the morning of the 13th, and while at its height rvbout three o'clock, with lightning flanhea surrounding the ship, a huge ball of fire, six feet in circumference, struck the foretopmast head with great force, splintering it for a distance of 24 feet in length, by five^taches in width. It also completely smashed the fora truck and parted the signal halyards, and then descended to the deck, where it burst with a terrific report into a thousand brilliant frag- ments. The hurricane eoon after moderated.

BILLIARDS. J. ROBERTS V. C. DAWSON. Further good play took place by these pro- fessionals in their match of 24,0dfc) up (Dawson 8,000 start), at the Egyptian Hall, on Thursday. The overnight scores were:—DawBOn 11,180, Rcbarts 5,8ol. On Thursday Dawson made 112, 120, 233, 243, 175, and 202, against the champion's 375, 119, 522, 278, 144, 123, 131, and 198 (unfinished). Closing scores: —Daw- son 12,534, Roberts 8,001. ? "? m.. m,. n.i (— tj I.

GOLF. THE GLAMORGANSHIRE LADIES' CLUB. The monthly medal of the Giamorgaashir* Ladies' Golf Club was played for on Thursday* last Score: Miss Young 59 lees 11-48 Miss E. Young 59 9-50 Miss 1 narle.de w 69 10-59 Miss Beasley SI „ 25-66 Mrs. Flint 78 „. 9-69 Mrs. P. Evens. 94 16-78 Mrs. Hern 107 25-82 Mrs. Arnold, Miss Jayne, and the Misses Strawson retired. MHMHniMMBHWMHBHIIBHHi

TOO LATE TO CLASSIFY. BLACKHEATH V. CARDIFF. PROVIDING CARDIFF WINS THE MATCH BLAIBERG'S ARCADE I WIrL SELL AS A MEMENTO 15ct. REAL DIAMOND PINS at 4s. 6d. The Pins are Stamped and Warranted 15ct. QoW by the Brittah Government Mention this Advertisement Spoons and Forks, white throughout; table, 3s. ód. Dessert, 3s. 3d. the half-dozen. Coat and Vest, black worsted, lite. 6d.—Bl&iberg't Arcade. Mole or Cord Pants to order, 8s. 6d. Inspect cloth, large stock.—BJa-ibarg's Arcade. Specs ngbt shop.—Blaiberg's Arcade. Diamond Ring. £ 20; ladies' or gents'; approval.— Biaiberg'n Arcade. Lady's Gold Lever, 706. Blaiberg's Arcade. 18et. Gold Hall-marked. Keeper, gold; wide good value, 5s. 6d.—Biaibery'a Arcade. Red Band Shirt, 2s. 6d Welsh Drawers, la 10id. Dungaree pants, Is. lid.—Blaiberg's Arcade Suit, 15s. lid; hundreds sold.—Blaiberg's Aroade. IvorY Table Knives, warranted; maker. Heywood, Sheffield; 6 for 13s. 6d.; dessert, lie.—Blwberg'a Al-eade, Sharp Table Knives. Heywood, Sheiffeld, 8s. 6d. tha half-dozen dessert, 2e.—Blaiberg's Arcade. 18ct. Ladies' Engagement Rings, 10a—BJalberg'a Arcade. Wedding RiXg, 22ot. 3 £ dwt, 1%. By asking for i £ with above ring you wifi get a Gold Collar Stud.— 25s. Silver Lever; maker, a Worid-renowned maaa- fapturer.—Btadbere'B Arcade- oaSt