Evening Express

STOP PRESS LIBEL ACTION AGAINST THE "STW." "Sie jura returned a verdict for the defendant. Applauce in court

DROPPED DEAD. Mr. Tuohy, secretary to the Irish Board 'of Works, dropped dead on Friday at Dalkey, near Dublin.

GUNPOWDER EXPLOSION. TWO WORKMEN INJURED. A Reuter's telegram from Madrid on Friday tays :-An explosion occurred yesterday at a manufactory of gunpowder and other explo- ireei at Murcia. Two workmen were injured.

DECOYED INTO THE BUSH THE SYDNEY MURDER. A Reuter's telegram from Sydney on Friday •ays.—The body discovered on the 20th inst. in the Black Ranges, near Parkes. and which M supposed to be that of one of the alleged 'ictims of the man Butler, is, after all, n/ot hat of Lesagh, and has now been identified as .hat of of a man named Burgess. Lesagh is Jive and well.

INDIAN FAMINE. FIRST CONSIGNMENT OF CORN FROM ODESSA. A Reuter's telegram from St. Petersburg on Friday says:—The Cronstadt newspaper Kotlin announces that the first consignment of corn collected for the relief of the sufferers from the famine in India will leave Odessa for Calcutta on the 13th prox. on board the steamer Saratow, one of the volunteer fleet.

ALARMING FIRE AT THE COATBRIDGE CO-OPERA- TIVE STORES. An alarming fire broke out on Friday morn- ng in the Coatbridge Co-operative Society >toress The tailoring and shoe departments vere completely gutted, and a serious low was aused in the drapery, furniture, and despatch ihoe departments by smoke and -.vatar The damage, which will amount to about JE5,000 8 covered by insurance.

—fjmj_ ? ?f* COLLISION OFF DUNGENESS, The Central News Dover correspondent tele- graphs:—The barque Andreas, of Dago, Wa6 towed into Dover Harbour on Friday morn- ing with serious damage to stem and bow, hav- been in collision with the Monte Rosa, off Dungeness. The latter vessel proceeded on her voyage, the dairikge consequently being un- unknown. One man was injured, and has been brought ashore for medical attendance.

FIRE ON A STEAMER THREE MEN PERISHED AND THREE INJURED. A Reuter's telegram from Rotterdam on Friday says:—While the steamer Teutonia, owned" here, was being caulked on Thursday, a fire broke out on board. Three workmen perished, and three Diners were injv.ied, one eriously.

ILFRACOMBE CENTENARIAN DEATH OF A LADY AT THE AGE OF 101. Mrs. Jane Bray has died at Ilfraoombe at the age of 101. Her mother (Mrs. Richards) was also 101 when she died at Ilfraoombe in 1875. Since 1784 there have been eight cen- tenarians who were born and died at Ilfra- oombe. The whole lie buried in the parish churchyard, the tablets recording their deaths jeing preserved by the church authorities.

NEW CHINESE RAILWAY. RUSSIA'S INTEREST IN THE UNDERTAKING. A Reuter's telegram from Pekin on Thurs- day says:—Hsu Ching Cheng, Chinese Minister to Russia and Gem-any, has telegraphed to Tsung Yameai that the Russo-Chinese Bank will take 1,000 shares in the Mancunian Rail- way, and requesting the Fanperor :o appoint a director. The Tsur.g Li Yaroen has received a tecret edict appointing Hsu Chang Cheng himself. The Minister will continue to hold Iris post at Berlin for six months, afterwards retiming to China. The Chinese oovernment is to receive 20 per cent. of the surplus profits of the Russian Railway across Manchuria, and the line is to become Chinese in thirty years.

DJSATH OF THE OLDEST CENTENARIAN. SMOXED VIGOROUSLY UP TO HER DBA-Ix. Mrs. Sarah Thomas, Burrv Port, died on Fridav, at the age of 109 years. She was an inveterate el ay pipe smoker for 60 years, and latterly preferred her pipe to food. Three veaw ago she leeeived from the Princess of Wales 106 shillings, or a shilling for each natural year. Up to her death she smoked vigorously, and was particularly fond of a drop of "short."

QUEEN'S COMMEMORATION. CAPE MOUNTED RIFLES TO VISIT ENGLAND The Caps Town caricsponclant of the Central [News, telegraphing on Friday, says:—Sir Gordon Sprigg, the Premier, has accepted an invitation to proceed to England to attend the celebrations of the Queen's commemoration. A 11,"o,P of the Care Mounted Rifles will also leave for England to take part in the military pageant. Pcxl iainent will, therefore, meet earlier than usval, namely, about the beginning of April. An Address from Hobart. A Foi:W« teJepfirjn from lIo1'1tl't on Fri- 1<0, says:—The Federal Council adopted unanimously the resolution to present an ddress to the Queen on the icen'cti of the jelebraMon of the sixtieth year of her long and >enefieial reign. 1

THE EMPRESS FREDERICK'S VISIT TO ENGLAND. The Admiralty hap informed the naval autho- rities at Sheerness that if the weather is rough or foggy on Saturday the Royal yacht Victoria and Albert will disembark the Empress Frede- rick of Germany at Queenborough instead of proceeding to the Isle of Wi^iit. Ar-nngo- ments are to be made i- anticipation, of the Empress coming to the Medway, and a special train will be held in readiness.

THE PATENT OFFICE. RETIREMENT OF A LATE COMP- TROLLER-GENERAL. The Press Association understands that Sir Henry Leader, late CbmptroHer-igeneral of the Patent Office, is retiring from his position, after being in the Civil Service for about 40 ye are. The salary of the office is j61,500 a year. I

LILIES, espit') the very inclemenit weather, which is being severely felt in WeSt Cormv ill, the nar- cissus harvest in the Stilly Islandls :s proving aii unusually good one. Ten tons of lilies were exported from the little archipelago in Decem- ber, and so far up to date in January about 50 tons have been brought to Penzance.

The Public should be on their guard against "doctored" cocoas, of which there are many in the market. CADBURY'S Coco*, .being absolutely pure, stands all testa, the Medical profession and Press nutritious food. It should always be borne in mind that Cocoa must be pure And unatfnlternted-like OADBUKY'S—to import the uUn<>et benefit. The Mpdictti Annual" says:—A perfectly pure Qoooa, of the highest quality. The name CADBUIiY on m; packet is a guarantee of purity." e3435—4

Alleged Forgery ABOUT £ 20,000 INVOLVED. I A Scarborough Man Charged on Extradition Warrant. ———. At Bow-street on Friday Latimer Elijah Jones (37), of Scalhey, near Scarborough, described as of no occupation, was charged on a provisional extradition warrant with forgery, within the jurisdiction of the United States. Mr. Arthur Gill appeared for the prisoner.— Chief Inspeotor Jarvis stated that on the 26th inst. he received a warrant for prisoner's arrest, snd about 10.15 p.m. on the following day witness saw prisoner at the FaJsgrove Polioe- station, near Scarborough, where he was de- tained in accordance with the telegraphic re- quest from Scotland Yard. On the warrant being read Jones asked what was the amount of the alleged forgery, and was told the official cable gram gave the sum as 100,000 dollars. To this prisoner said, "Well, whatever it is I am quite ready to face it." ^Witness afterwards brought the prisoner to Loidon. In reply to Mr. Gill, witness said he could not state whether th*: alleged offence was committed ten years ago or not. He had ascertained that the pri- soner had carried on business in Yorkshire as a horse dealer for four or five years.—Mr. Grill applied for bail, stating that half the alleged amount was made good at the time, and that for the last three years the prisoner had been in com in unicaiti on with the prosecutor by letter, remitting him money.—Prisoner was remanded without bail.

MORE LOANS FOR BARRY. lOVER TEN THOUSAND POUNDS FOR PUBLIC WORKS. At a meeting of the Barry District Council Finance Committee, held on Thursday evening, Dr. P. J. O'Donuell, J.P., in the chair, the clerk (Mr. J. Arthur Hughes) was directed to make the necessary arrangements for the following additional loans:— £ 6,500 for a public abattoir, £ 500 for Robbing-lane private improvements, JB1,755 for Barry-road improve- ments, and £1,392 for Buttrills-road improve- ments; total, £ 10,135. P ? .?.? ——"———

THEFT BY A NEWPORT LODGER. At Newport Police-court on Friday a) woman named Maggie Williams, aged 23, was charged with stealing a blanket a.nd a piece of cloth from 33, Llanarth-street, the property of Thomas Williams, at whose house the 'had lodged. She pledged the goods in the name of Margaret Evans, No. 7, North-street, on Wednesday morning, and took a ticket for Cardiff later in the day. Police- consfcable Hairier, however, caught her just before the train was about to move off. She admitted the offence, and said she was sorry. —The Bench ordered her to be locked up for one day longer.

CATHOLICISM AT BARRY. DEPARTURE OF A PRIEST FOR RISCA. The Rev. Father Em. D'Hullst, for three year* in charge of the Reman Catholic Church at Barry Docks, having just been removed to Risca, a. dinner was held. on Thnrsdaj evening at Barry Docks, which was presided over by I Dr. Kelly, of Barry, and attended by numerous Catholics and other friends in the district, and during the proceedings Father D'Hulst wa? presented with a. gratifyingly-morded iliumi- rated address, together with a. purse of gold, as an expression of appreciation, esteem, and good wishes.

TEMPERANCE DRINKS WHICH CONTAINED TOO MUCH ALCOHOL. Five Persons Fined at Sheffield. Five persons were fined alt Sheffield on Fri- day for manufacturing and gelling herb and ginger beer containing alcohol in excess iof the percentage allowed by law. In one case the beverage contained 10 4-5 per cent, of alcohol, whereas the ordinary London beer only con- tains 9 per cent. Fines of 10s. were imposed. The makers of temperance drinks were advised to use less sugar, and not to allow it to fer- ment so long.

A DIVE FROM TAY BRIDGE. BURNS PLACED IN THE HANDS OF THE POLICE. Tommy Burns successfully dived from the Tay Bridge on Friday. Burns, with a com- panion, left the Tay Bridge Station in a train about eleven o'clock. Burns divested himself of his clothing in the carriage, dlimbed upon the roof, and took a. header into (the river, 100ft. below. He was under the water » minute. Some men on the bridge threw sleepers to him, and he climbed on one. He was taken off and brought to Dundee, where he was placed in the hands of the police.

ALLEGED THEFT AT BARRY. A RUNNER CHARGED WITH STEALING TEN POUNDS. At Barry Ptolioej-court on Friday (before Mr. F. W. G. Gore and Mr. E. Handcock) Arthur Jones, a Barry Dock runner, was placed in the dock charged with stealing a bag con- taining about £10 in silver from the R.A.O.B. Institute, Barry Docks, on the previous after- noon, when, according to the evidence of Mœ. Miller, wife of the steward, the accused was in the bar having a glass of beer. She went out of the bar for about five minutes, and on her return prisoner hurried out, leaving a half- glass of beer on the counter, saying he was going to have his dinner. She heard money being jingled in the bar when she was out, and, on searching, the found the bag of silver missing. Information was given to the police, and Jo.ias was arrested by Police-sergeant Evans, who found 4e. 8 £ d. upon hun, and, in reply to the charge, prisoner said, "I can't say that I a.m not guilty of it: can yt. acquit mv wife?" But. turning to Inspect >r -Villiams, the accused said, "I presume you aie the in- spector in charge. Please write down that I am not guilty."—Mr. F. P. Jones-Lloyd, eolicitor, who appeared for the prosecution, applied for a remand fill Monday, which was granted, Jones being detained in custody.

#ENNY DREADFULS. The Home Secretary has sent the following reply to a correspondent, who asked him whether he could srtop the sale 'of "penny dreadfullis" :—" Sir,—I have often been led to coi-sidier whether anything oould usefully be done to prevent the sale of the kind of litera- ture to which 5 ou refer. But I confess I have not been able to see my way. and am not pre- pared with any proposal.—Yours faithfully, M. W. RIDLEY."

TORPEDO-DESSTROYER IN COLLISION. The Oalecftonian Com(pany's riv<er slteamer Meg Merriless, while on a passage on Friday afternoon from Millpont to Wemyss Bay, col- lided with a torpedo-boa.t destroyer, running her speed trials. Both vessels were seriously damaged, but able to proceed. -?.

SECOND GLAMORGAN ARTILLERY. At the DriV-hall this (Friday) evening the 2nd Glamorgan Volunteer Artillery wiH bold a etnojdug concert, '00.. the occasion of the re- tirement of Sergeant-major T. Atwil, R.A., to which ail the members of the corps are invited.

WHAT A LAUGH COST. At Whiifceohapel County court, on Thursday (before Judge Baoon) a bostermonger, named Cecil was summoned by a house owner, named Bicklev, for non-payment of a debt. of JB50. Cecil: I'm broke to the world, I am. I haven't a shilling ir. the world. I haven't a penny to fly with Judge Baoon: l es, but you owe £50. Cecil: Yes. and I've owed it eleven years. I was in a good position before I became broke to the world. Plaintiff: He promised to pay £ 1 a month. Cecil: Yes, nine years ago. Now, I don't get proper food. Actually, I'm broke to the world, I am. Judge Bacon: Four shillings a month. At this rate it would take defendant 21 years to pay the debt, and he left the court chuckling to himself and laughing at the solicitor. Judge BaconCome back, Cecil. You showed your delight too openly. Cecil: I don't think so. Judge Baoon: I think so. and I think I made a mistake. Ten shillings a month. ) Cecil: Well, I'm blowest- |

En Route for Cannes MR. AND MRS. GLADSTONE LEAYE LONDON FOR THE CONTINENT. Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone left Charing Cross Station by the eleven o'clock train on inaay anorning for Cannes. The venerable statesman reached the station several minutes early, and was at once ushered into a. comfortable saloon which Mr. G. Abbot, station superintendent, had reserved for the party. The ex-Premier looked cheerful and well, a.nd chatted with all his accustomed vivacitJWto his friends. He wore the usual fur-lined coal with a. white bution- hole, and Mrs. Gladstone was also protected from the cold by fur wrappings. Mr. Edward Hall was present, as he invariaibly is on such occasions, bring- ing with him an offering of choicei white flowers, which were placed in the saloon. The occupants of the carriage, in addition to M-r. and Mrs. Gladstone, were Mr, and Mrs. Henry Gladstone, who decided at the last moment to accompany the party to Cannes; Miss Phillimore, who only goes part of the way; Miss Helen Gladstone, and Lord Rendel and Miss Rendel. The departure platform was crowded with the private and political friends of Mr. Gladstone, and a much larger body of the general public vainly sought admittance in order to get a good look at the veteran states- man. Among those near the saloon door were Lord Welby, Mr. G. H. Murray and Mr. Shand (two former private secretaries), Lord Oxen- bridge, Dr. Ginsberg, Sir Algernon West. Mr. Herbert Gladstone, Dr. Habershon, Sir Samuel Montague, and many others, of whom ladies formed1 a considerable proportion. The closer friends of Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone entered the saloon to wish the party God speed, and others shook hands at the carriage door. The moving away of thl train was the signal for general good-byes and wa.ving of hate and handkerchiefs. Somebody also called for a cheer, and there was a hearty response, while one stentorian voice shouted, a you 'both." Mr. Gladstone crossed' the Channel from Dover at one o'clock.

ALLEGED LIBEL. MRS. GRAHAM AND MiR. T. P. O'CONNOR. The hearing of the action, Graham v. O'Connor, for aJIleged libel published in the Sun," was resumed om Friday. Mr. Herbert Cadett, journalist, who had an interview with Dr. Ady and plaintiff and wnate the results for the Sun," gave evidence in support of the statements made by that paper. A Scene. At the conclusion of the evidence of Oakly, the plaintiff's servant, the jury made a com- munication to the judge to the effect that they had heard enough, but (one juryman expressed a wish to hear the last witness cross-examined. Whilst this was proceeding the plaintiff had to be CB.rried1 out of court in .'1, fit of hysteria. Mr. Mathews then intimated that in conse- quence of the communication from the jury he should not call further witnesses or make further observations. Mr. Ward thereupon addresesd the jury.

THE CLYDE STRIKE. ENGINEERS AND CAULKERS RE- SUME WORK. The Press Association's Glasgow correspon- dent. telegraphs —In connection with the dis- pute between engineers and caukers at Clyde- bank, Mr Ferguson, district secretary of the Associated Society of Engineers, attended the yard on Friday for the purpose of reconciling the parties, and after several interviews it was decoded by the engineers to provisionally re- sume work pending a settlement. NANSEN'S VISIT TO LONDON. MAY BE EXPECTED ON TUESDAY OR WEDNESDAY. A Reuter's telegram from OhMlÏania on Fri- day says:—Dr. and Mrs. Nansen wilt leave for England to-morrow or Sunday. They may, consequently, be expected in London on Tues- day or Wednesday next; --?--

REM ARK ABLE DISCOVERY. A Gold Locket a.nd a. Portion of a Chain Found Inside a Pig. A remarkable discovery was made on Fri day in the stomach of a pig that had been killed on the farm premises belonging to Mr. William Harris, of West Smithfield. A mas- sive gold locket, with a portion of a lady's gold neck chain attached, was found inside the animal. The looket, which was in excellent. condition, was beautifully engraved, and on the front of it were several small rubies, forming the letter "B." How the remarkable And got where it was still remains a. mystery.

ABERDARE RUNAWAY TRAIN INQUIRY BY THE BOARD OF TRADE. On Friday morning Colonel Yorlce, on0 of the inspectors of the Beard of Trade, con- ducted an inquiry at Aberdare in reference .to the runaway train on the Great Western: Railway at Aber- dare on the 7th inst. Colonel Yorke, accom- panied by 1Mr. T. W. Allen, superintendent of the line; Mr. Miargau, locomotive superin- tendent, Pontypool, Road; and Inspector Secccmbe, arrived at Aberdare at half-past eleven, and proceeded to Gellytarw, whence the train ran wild on tho oc-casion in question. They then visited the scene of the collision, where some ten wagons and an engine had been completely smashed. A return waa then made to Aberdare Station, where they were met by Mr. J. M. Teague, station-master; Mr. C. Botting, locomotive inspector, and Inspectors Griffiths and Lidster. The inquiry was held in the waiting-roam tin private. A large number of witnesses are to be examined1;

SMOTHERED IN SMALL COAL SHOCKING FATALITY AT DOWLAIS. Shortly before noon on Thursday a terrible accild'e.nst occurred in the new coal-washin,g machine in the upper part of the Old or Lower Works at Dowlais- As the buckets of small coal were being wound up to be ''washed," it was noticed that the movement was somewhat interefred with by the presence of a piece of wood in the bunker. The second foreman, Mr. William Jenkins, (desioended! into this bunker, w'hile the coal was yet whirling around and almost immediately an enormous quantity of small coal which was piled up on both sides to a grea.t height slipped dowp and oom- ,pletely buried the ui. fortunate man beneath some seven tons of small ooal- Some of the men who were working at the place witnessed the slip and at once set aibout the task of rescuing Mr. Jenkins. But 3i:; t'hey had to guard against being .themselves buried in the small coal they had to be extremely careful. Still iJhey got Ma-. Jenkins's head above cover and come members of Dr. Cress well's ambu- lance classes were at once on the spot. As Mr. Jenkins was a very heavy ma.n, he was not finally rescued for some time, and, although artificial respiration was resorted to. it was found that life was exiinct-tlhe unfortunate man had bcesi smothered ir the small coal. The body war conveyed to the residence of the deceased in Plantation-street, Penydarren, to await the holding of a coroner's inquest.

A CLEVER RUSE. A CHEAP MEDICAL EXAMINA- TION. A goodi story has just been told by a family doctor regarding a little ruse adopted by one of his patients who wished to save the expense of consulting him. The patient was a woman of good means, but of frugal disposition. One day she began to feel some alarm regarding her health, and. wishing to avoid a costly proce- dure, made an application to a life insurance company for a policy of a large amount—so large, indeed, that they delegated three medi- cal men to make an exhaustive examination of her before they could accept her &s a risk. In due time she was informed that her life had been accepted. She was tiien in a position to aM- «umt that she was quite well, whereupon siie replied to company tha.t sae had changed her mind, audi did not intend to tftke out a polioy just thea.

WELSH FOOTBALL The Action of the Inter- national Board HOW WILL THE DISPUTE END? IRISH OPINION AGAINST WALES. ARE THE NEWPORT CLUB PROFESSIONALS? SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM THE REV. F. MARSHALL. An "Old Blackheathen" Suggests that They Are-—That is, in the Eyes of the Fossilised Legis- lators, (BY "WEDSH ATHLETE.") Even now that the English papers are cool- ing down there is ne appreciable difference im their remarks anent the recent steps of the International Board. General condemnation emanates from the pens of most of the writers. There are, of course, one or two who, in a weak, va,cil-. ting sort of way, are looking round to find some hole-and-oorner excuse by which the doings of the board may be condoned. Taken on the whole, however, there is no doubt as to the feeling of the general public in Eng- land, Scotland, and Ireland. It is interesting to read the opinions from the West of Eng- land clubs. Undoubtedly, most of them y* ould like to say more than they have done- would like to speak out bluntly, in fact, and declare their appreciation of Welsh fixtures. Their remarks have in most cases been guarded, but to those who read between the lines there —— ————————————————————————— THREE PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLERS. Lord Tredegar. Col. Morgan, M.P. Sir W. Harcourt. "All who subscribe to the Gould Testimonial Fund are professionals."—Vide International Board. can be no mistaking the gladness with which Western Counties clube would welcome an amalgamation with the Welsh Rugby Union. Of course, a Welsh, Western Counties, a.nd Midland Union would be a strong body, and club matches of quite as good a class as thoee we are now playing could be ensured. At the same time, it may be pointed out that Wales herself possesses quite sufficient first-class clubs to stand on her own bottom. It is stated in one of the London sporting papers that a meeting of the Welsh clubs is to be held shortly. Nothing of the kind is likely to take piace at present. A general meeting was mooted in committee on Tuesday night, but it was felt to be quite unnecessary, at any rate at present, and so the matter was allowed to drop. I see by a telegram from our Gloucester correspondent that WMillan, the London Scotsman, wiring to the cathedral city of Gloucester, says that, in his opinion, the Internationail Board a.re the proper tribunal to deal with Gould's case. If I remember aright, a Scotchman used to hold the record for playing in Rugby inter- national matches. Perhaps the nation consi- ders it a pity Gould has beaten that record. If anything, to-day's comments upon the matter are stronger and more pronounced than any that have hitherto appeared. A day or eo ago the "Daily Telegraph" critic objected in the most virtuously indignant tones to Gould having the testimonial and remaining an ama- teur. If one parser above the other should have avoided that line of argument it was the "Telegraph," for they were instrumental in obtaining W. G. Grace £ 5,000, and would naturally be shocked if W. G. were to be called a professional. One of the most sensible let- ters I have seen upon the matter appears in the "Telegraph" from the pen of an "Old Blaokheathan." First of all mentioning the Bromet case he then cites that where Lord TredegaR presented each of the members of the Newport team with a gold watch. If the International Board, he suggests, axe so strong on the amateur status, why did they not de- cide any of these oases to be an act of profes- sionalism? He next compares the case of Grace and Gould, and asks why one should be called a professional more than tihe other? He concludes with giving it as his opinion that the Welsh Union would resent this gratuitous in- sult to one of its best players even to the ex- tent of withdrawing from the International Board. He further regrets the fact that the list was nov extended to England, Ireland, and Scotland, "for," he says, "I ensure that there is not a Rugby football player or sunoorter ;n either of these countries who would not have been delighted to avail himself of the opportu- nity of contributing his mite to the fund." Yesterday we had one amusing, if not alto- gether interesting, Yorkshire opinion. To-day we get another from. my very good friend, teh Rev. F. Marshall. I call it a Yorkshire opinion, although, as a matter of fact, the rev. gentleman has removed from HudderBfield to Derehaim, Norfolk. Possibly his removal to the South has resulted in his catching the con- tagion of the Southern members of the English Union. His message, whidh appears in another column, suggests such to be the case. I have had great pleasure in reading his contributions on many occasions, for they generally contain some point. On the present occasion, how- ever, his message is simply a petulant scream of annoyance at Wales in daring to break awav from the other countries. He said he would uphold the Welsh claim had it been made earlier; but I reailly don't see where the diffe- rence comes in. Moreover, the rev. gentle- man seems to forget that there wae really no necessity for making a claim earlier. Why, too, he can suggest that this is a scream of infantile petulance on the part of the Welsh Union because their favourite Gould cannot II get the testimonial I fail to see. His logic is hopelessly wrong in this case. If Mr. Marshall will pay attention to facts, and carefully read the resolutions, he will and that the Welsh Union committee have said nothing a,bout giving Gould his testimonial. They have, in fact, withdrawn their suppotr from it, but, and it is here that the whole absurdity of the International Board resolutions oomes in, the Welsh committee feel that they cannot bind themetdvee,, to wggeste4 by the boardliv resolu- tion, to compel a private committee of gentle- men, over whom they have no power, to return the funds they have in hand towards the Gould testimonial. I have the honour to be one of that same committee, and if the International Board say we must return that money to the various subscribers, or even if the Welsh Union committee do 80, I should, speaking for my- self, tell them to go hang and mind their own business. When the committee break the exist- ing professional laws of Wales, then the Welsh Union may interfere, but I'm hanged if the International Board have any right to do I so, neither do I think the committee in question will allow the (board to influence them in the slightest degree. — oooo ——

Strong Message from the Rev. F, Marshall WHAT ARE THE OBJECTS OF I THE WELSH INDIGNATION I: "THE SOONER SHE RETURNS TO HER SENSES THE BETTER." Resolutions Passed in a Wave of Anger. Screams of Infantile Petulanoe. We have received the following telegram from the Rev. F. Marshall:—I* Wales indig- nant ait the assumption of power by the Inter- national Board, or anxious to present the tes- timonial and still call Gould an amateur? She should have protested at the commencement, and claimed sovereignty over the Newport Club, and then done as she pleased. Now she makes herself ridiculous by putting in a claim which any intelligent person sees through. It J is a cloak rto hide professionalism m testimo- nials, and not the real point at issue. The sooner Wales comes to her sober senses the ■better. The resolutions have been hurriedly passed in a. hot wave of anger and make retreat very difficult. I should uphold the Welsh claim had it been made earlier; now, it is a red herring- drawn across the trail. I regard it not as zeal for the outraged honour of Wales bullied by other unions, but a scream of infantile petulance because their favourite Gould cannO get the testimonial in the form 'they desire. The Welsh resolutions apparently represent the case as the former, but it won't wash. Had Welsh rights been really infringed, I would unhesitatingly sup- port them in their present contention. I re- gard the present claim as a blind, though not meant as such. I expect Wales will soon acknowledge her mistake. Interview with Members of the Rugrby Union. Our London correspondent, telegraphing on Thursday evening, says —I have been in con- versation to-day with several important mem- bers of the English Rugby Union. With one consent, however, they decline to express any view as to the action which the Welsh Union has taken. They also decline tjo make any more explicit statement of their views than that J contained in their resolution already published, No good, they believe, will be done by the public ventilation of so important a question. Next Meeting of the International Board. The Press Association's Dublin correopon- dent, telegraphing on Thursday night, says: — Mr. M'Allister declined to express any opinion on the situation, but it is probable that a further I. meeting of the International Board delegates will be held at Dublin on February 6 to con- sider the reply of the Welsh Union and the position generally. Gloucester Men Must Stick to the Principality. A prominent Gloucester official remarked our local representative on Thursday: "'I only hope the Welsh Union will stand irm. This re- mark shows at least which way the wind is blowing, and one can easily predict that if tl«* split should occur Wales, I feel certain, could'. rely upon support from Gloucester. The officials here are at present watching the turn of events, and naturally do not wish to commit themselves. They, however, can have no rea- son, to feel grateful for a.ny support from the English Union, and, no doubt, when the time comes will remember the club's suspen- sion three years ago for a most trivial offence I under J. Hanman's captaincy. Mr. W. Taylor, the Gloucester City and County captain, says :—"I quite tMnk that Wales in standing out have done the only thing they coiild do." Mr. Taylor i* of the opinion that, if neither side give in, Wales have clearly only one course open to them, which is to form a. Welsh Union, em- bracing such West and Midland teams as would join. He drew our correspondent's attention to the statement made that a combined South Wales and South of England Union would pos- sibly be formed but this he thought highly illl- probable, as the opposition to Gould's testi- monial had clearly come from the South of England. When asked whether a Welsh Union on the lines indicated would meet with support in the West of England he replied, "Yes; I think Devonport Albion would join"; and, on being further pressed, admitted that he could not see what Gloucester. Bristol, and other West of England clubs as well as Coventry and Leicester could do but follow the Welshmen. He explained that if Wales, like the North, seceded, such clubs as Gloucester and Bristol would really have no one to play if they stuck to the English Union. "In self- defence," he added, "I cam see no oourse open to Gloucester other than that of following Wales." < Scotch Pique. Our Gloucester correspondent wiree that he has just received the following telegram from 1 Mr. R. G. Maomillan, the famous Scottish in- terraibionail captain, and a Middlesex and Lou- don Scottish forward:—"Sympathies with In- ternational Board. Consider them proper body to deal with Gould's ease.—MACMILLAN." J 1 What Bristol Says. ] Mr. W. T. Pearce, hon. secretary of the Bristol Football Club, wires as follows:—"I did not j sav re Gould testimonial dispute that 'we should not be likely to cast ourselves adrift] from the English Union.' I distinctly refused 1 to give an opinion one way or the other. What ¡ ] I said was that both sides would probably be j called together to re-consider the matter, and ( that in my opinion there is bound to be a com- promise. My committee have not met to con- j sider dispute, and we are sanguine that we j shall not have to do so, and that the matter < will terminate satisfactorily to all four ccun- ( tries with a little tact and reason.—WALTER T. PEARCE, hon. secretary Bristol Football < Club." s Irish Union Support the Board. A Dublin correspondent waited on Mr. 1 M'Alister, the hon. secretary of the Inter- i national Board, on Thursday, to obtain that ] gentleman's views regarding the difficulty created by the recent action of that body e<m- cerning the testimonial to A. J. Gould, the Welsh international playfer. Beyond taying that the Irish Union strongly supported the action of the board, Mr. M'Alister declined to express any opinion on the situation, but it is probable that a further meeting of the Inter- national Board delegates will be held at Dublin on February 6 to consider the reply of the Welsh Union and the position generally. Proposed Memorial by English Clubs. The Keeper," writing in the Daily Mail of Friday, makes the following suggestion :— ( It occurs to me that it would not be a bad idea. ( for the leading English olubs, presuming they c have any feeling in the matter, to prepare ] acfne sort of memorial to the Rugby Union j pointing out, in the first place, their disagree- < ment with the oourse taken by the International I Board; and, in the second, the hardship to t themselves if relations with Wales are to be c completely broken off. There is nothing c infra dig. in the presentation of a memorial I by constituents to their legislators where they E OOTxcder the letter require some guidance as to t pv.blic opinion. Public opinion, go far a.s I i have been able to gauge it. is decidedly against 2 the action of the International Board. Even x amongst the truest of al 1 amateurs, members 1 of the London cluoo which have no "gates" < to speak of, is this the case. t 1 Are the Newport Team Professionals? e "An Old Rlaekhentbeii, writing- to the | "Daily Telegraph," says:—A public protest throusrli the columns of an influential papec J like the "Daily Telegraph" should be made j with regard to the extraordinary action of the t International Board with reference to the pro- j posed testimonial to Mr. Arthur Gould, the r renowned Newport three-quarter back. Upon f what grounds his acceptance of the same should t be considered by this body to be an act of pro- feasionaliem I am utterly at a loss to under- stand. Not long since a valuable presentation of plate was made to Mr. W. E. Bromet, ex- j captain of the Richmond Club, and I believe I | am right in stating that at the end of the j season 1891-2 Lord Tredegar presented each c member ot^ the Newport team with a gold f watch in recognition of their holding an un- beaten record for that seaeon. This was sup- plemented by a present of a mackintosh each from a Newport firm, and yet I do not find t that the International Board decided any of these cases to be an act of professionalism. Moreover, through your own initiative, a presentation was made to Dr. W. G. Grace of no lese a sum that JB5,000 in hard cash, and I have yet to learn that the Marylebone Club have for this reason regarded Dr. Grace as a professional. I should, then. sir, like to know why this extraordinary" exception should be made in the case of Mr. Arthur Gould. I hope that the Welsh Rugby Union will resent this gratuitous insult to one of their most popular players, even to the extent, if necessary of withdrawing from the International Board. I regret that the subscription list was not extended to England, Ireland, a.nd Scotland, for I am sure that there is not a Rugby football rlaver or supporter in either of these countries who would not have been delighted to avail himself of the opportunity of contributing his mite to the fund, as Mr. Arthur Gould has, in his way, done as much for Rugby footbaU as Dr. W. G. Graoe for cricket. I hope that many others will follow me in this protest, that the Interna- tional Board may learn the opinion of footballers generally with regard to their ill-advised action. Straining a. Definition. The "Daily Graphic" says:—If a cricketer's admirers wish to present him with a testi- monial as a mark of their esteem, they may give 1 dm a dinner and either a piece of plate, as in the case of Prince Ranjitsinhji, or a cheque for £ 5,000, as in the case of Mr. W. G. Grace. In neither case will his standing as an amateur be endangered. But what is good enough for cricketers is not strict enough for the Inter- national Board which presides over Rugby Football. The board has determined that it will allow the presentation of a piece of plate to Mr. Arthur Gould, the Welsh player, but it will not allow him to receive a furnished house— which is what his admirers want to give him. 'l1b.e board's reason no doubt, mat the proffered house looks a good deal too much like payment for the services whidh Mr. Gould has rendered, and is continuing to render, to his country; but it is stretching its authority in this matter quite as far as it can go—and, perhaps, a little farther. Wales is up in arms about it, and the Wales and Scotland match is postponed. It is a great pity. There is no room for further quarrels about amateurism at Rugby football. Perhaps the International Board had better climb down before there is another schism. MISTAKEN POLICY OF THE INTER- NATIONAL BOARD. Th<||f Autocratic Spirit Highly Objectionable. Tho "Bristol Mercury" has something for the International Board to ponder over. It says:—It is ridiculous that Gould cannot be allowed to have a testimonial without relin- quishing his amateur status, while Grace, who received a much larger sum, was not put under similar disadvantages by the M.C.C. Rather than suffer in his football standing, Gould would refuse the testimonial, but his union does not see why he should. There is no doubt that certain members of the board do not keep pace with the times, and this is fatal in these days of progress. They have an entire disre- gard for the feelings of those clubs which, for various reasons, they have no desire to be in touch with, and consequently deal with mat- ters in an autocratic spirit that is highly objec- tionable. It is to be trusted, for the sake of the sport, that there is not much truth in the Welsh statement that there ÎB, and always has been, a veiled antagonism on the part of the members of the International Board against the Welsh Union. Surely a compromise oould be easily arranged. The Welsh Union is too keen on the game to do anything unsportsmanlike, and no doubt would be only too pleased to oome to terms with the board. If the latter, however, is determined to pursue its mistaken policy and refuses to compromise, the Welsh Union will secede, and in time will probably draw into its folds other clubs in the West. What this would mean to the International Board is apparent to all. SHOULD THE INTERNATIONAL BOARD RETREAT? Welsh Anger only Reasonable- In a leacler in the "Western Daily Press' appears the following: — "The withdrawal of all Welsh cluibe from the Rugby Union is not impossible. That would be a. grave step, but it would be the fault of the lack of good sense and forbearance on the part of excellent persons who cannot learn to temper their zeal fur amateur sport with a little discretion. But if the Welsh olubs with- draw, the results will be more serious for Eng- lish clubs than for the Welsh. There is no secret about it. Newport, Cardiff, Swansea, and Llanelly are the clubs which English crowds like best to see. They play a fast and attractive game, and are wonderfully clever, and if it should result that- all these clubs secede from the Union, every leading English club, and parti- cularly those which, Like Bristol, are geographi- cally allied to South Wales, will be seriously injured. And while such a loss would be coupled with regret if it were felt that the Welshmen were wrong, and that the true inte- rests of the game would be imperilled by a con- cession to their feeling, the opinion of nine Eng- lishmen out of ten will be that the anger of the Welsh players is not unreasonable, and that the crisis was needlessly precipitated by the union officials. What is needed now is a golden bridge by which there can be a retreat From the untenable position. Could not this be found by a resolution reiterating the objections on principle to a testimonial, but setting forth that as this particular testimonial was raised by persons who had no intention of acting contrary to the principles of the union it might be permitted on the understanding that the acceptance of this testimonial should not be re- garded as a precedent? Some such solution is earnestly to be desired in the interests of the noble game." SYMPATHY FROM THE WEST OF ENGLAND. Compelled to Join Hands with Welsh Teams. TIle" Western Daily Press" gives a good idea as to the way the West of England would go. It says :—There is not much doubt as to the direction in which the sympathies of West of England clubs lie. The Welsh clubs have for a long time past furnished the leading olubs with their best matches, and in Bristol, Gloucester, Wellington, and other towns the cancelling of games with Welsh clubs would be a most, serious matter. As far as the Bristol club is ootneerned the officials are wisely teticent on the matter. Mr. Pearce, hon. secretary of the city organisation, contents himself at present by expressing his opinion that he did lint believe the trouble which had arisen was based on a sufficiently crucial sub- jecst to lead to any serious rupture between the ;w') unions. The attitude of both Scotland and Frelfcnd, Mr. Pearce added, seemed, so far as lie could gather, to have been somewhat ex- iggerated, the feeling in thi.se two countries lot being so strong as had been represented. Tha Bristol club have forthcoming engage- ments with Neath, Aberavon, Penarth, and probably Cardiff, and in the event of a rupture between the English and Welsh Rugby Unions: t is probable the English Rugby Union would )rder these to be cancelled. If this turns out no be the case, the Bristol club will ha.ve to tace a question of much moment, for a lot of he success that has been attained by the city irganisation is due to the games with Welsh ?lub«, and the absence of matches with New- »rt, Cardiff. Penarth, Neath. Aberavon, and Swansea would be a loss which the Bristol club wid its manv supporters could ill afford. In Gloucester the feelin? is a:«o with the Welfh ri'iion. and it has been stated that, should Wales do as was expected, the Gloucester club ,vould, in self-defence, be oompeflled to jodn lands with Wel"h teams.

BARRY BYE-LAWS. ALLEGED CONTRAVENTION BY A TRADESMAN. Mr. Edward Hughes, draper, Voce-street, Uadoxton-Barry, appeared at Barry Police- xmrt on Friday morning (before Mr. F. W. Jore and Mr. E. Handcock) to answer a sum- cons charging him with refusing to conform vith the bye-laws of the Barry Urban District 1 Council. Mr. J. Arthur Hughes, solicitor and ■lerk, appeared to prosecute on behalf of the council: and Mr. A. Jackson, solicitor. Barry Dock, defended.—Mr. J. A. Hughes ex- plained that on the 19th of October la*t defen- lant was charged with breach of Bye-law 54, *ljioii related to the amount of open space at he rear of buildings, and a conviction was obtained, Mr. Hughes being fined 2Q, and •oets. Defendant had since repeatedly pro- nised to rectify the matter, but had not done M, and he (Mr. J. A. Hughes), therefora, con- ended that the offence was a continuing one mder Bye-law 156, and defendant WHS liable to i penalty of 4-Os. per day so long as the offouce va« continued.—Evidence was given by Stephen; 3. Andrews, building inspector in the employ >f the council, a.nd Mr. Jackson admitted that he building was in contravention of the bye- awe, but there was still square space of 150ft., t aid that satisfied one section of the bve-laws. 3is client, however, was willing to take down he coal-house and water closet, which wouJd rive additional space of 16ft. between the cullery and the -boundary wall. — Mr. J. A. hughes, on the other hand, urged that a por- ion of the scullery must also be taken down, n order to give the requisite lateral area of 10ft.—The B^<neh adjourned the case for a ortrught, stating that, if the wishes of the dis- trict council were not complied with in the Meantime, defendant would be severely dealt vith.

The Great Western R-ailvay Company inncunce in another column that from Men- lay next a breakfast carriage, for holders of irst-class tickets, will be attached at Bristol </ the 7.50 a.m. train, and that the present uachfon carriage, attached to the 8.50 %.m. Tain from Plymouth, will be discontinued.

Parliament TO-DAY'S PROCEEDING IN THE COMMONS. The Speaker took the chair at five minutes paeL three. Notice had been given of 37 questions. CONGO RAILWAY LABOURERS. Mr. CHAMBERLAIN, replying to Sir Charles Dilke (R., Forett of Dean), said he had satisfied himself that the natives who were re- cruited at the Gambia and at Sierre Leone last year for employment as labourers on the Congo Railway, were well treated. He had just re- ceived a dispatch from Consul Pickersgill, who had been aiong the line, and who had found the men thoroughly contented and happy. COLLISION AT SEA. Mr. RITCHIE (President of the Board of Trade) informed Mr. Gibson Bowles (U., King's Lynu) that the new regulations for preventing collisions at <iea ordered by Order in Council, to oome into operation on the 1st of July next, had been referred to all the Powers repre- sented at the Washington Conference of 1889.. alnd they had all replied except one—Vene- zuela. (Laughter.) He had received certain communications protesting against the enforce- ment of thesS new regulations, as being calcu- lated to lead to disasters, but, having regard to the exhaustive manner in which this ques- tioni had been discussed and considered, he was not prepared to depart in any way from the position "taken up by her Majesl>s Govern- ment in concurrence with the ottier Powers. (Hear ,hear.)

SELLING UP. PARTING WITH THE EXHIBITION BUILDINGS. The demolition of the Exhibition is approach- ing completion, and Cat-hays Park looks very bare just now with most of the out-buildings razed to the ground, and little left standing save the main hall, robbed of its principal annexes, the Roeebery-ha.ll and the cycle track. On Fri- day afternoon Mr. D. T. Alexander, of Messrs. Stenheneon and Alexander, put up much of this property to public auction. The most im- portant lot was the large conc«rfe-hall, formerly the Rosebery-hall, erected at Canton, on the occasion of the visit of Lord Rosebery, and afterwards removed to the Exhibition by- Messrs. Humphries (Limi'ted), Knightsbridge. The building is of corrugated iron, and measures 146ft. by 24ft. to eaves, and is said to accommo- date 10,000 persons. It is lined with timber, and went, with desk, battens, and flooring, lights, doors, and other appliances. Bidding was not brisk. Someone started it in humourous fashion at £10, but the first accepted bid wae £100, and the offers slowly mounted up to £300, when the building was knocked down to Mr. Baird, of London. The cycle track went more easily. There is about 18.000ft run of match boarding, with about 22,000ft. run of scantlings. The track is five laps to the mile, and built upon the latest principles. Mr. Alexander announced, before selling, that Lord Bute would allow the track to remain standing until September, pro- vided that a hoarding was put round, and entrance could be effected by the front gate. The bidding started at £150 and went UT) to £350, when Mr. G. Blackburn was the pur- chaser. The track, it should be said, co-t £2.000 tc erect. The model dairy-, which cost nearly JB500 did not find a higher bid than £39, when it was knocked down to the auctioneer. A corrugated committee-room, adjoining the Rosebery-hall, 30ft. bv 12ft by 7ft. to eaves. found a purchaser in Mr. Williams, of Tin tern, who gave JB25 for the lot. A great many lots of timber wene also sold.

TEMPERANCE QUESTION. CONFERENCE IN CARDIFF. Sunday Closing Act. The annual meeting of the Llandaff Diocesan Council of the Church of England Temperance Society was held on Friday afternoon in the estry hall, St. Mary-street, Cardiff. The Rev. Canon Roberts toccupied the chair ir the abeence of the Lord Bishop of the diooese. There were about twenty ciiergy present and several Ladies.—The Chairman, in opening the meetdng, said the prospects of temperance work were brighter a.t the beginning of this year than they had been lately. They began the last year heavily in debt, but that had nee-rly aJl been wiped away, and they were now in a position to consider the desirability of appointing a clerical secretary. He was glad aiso to find that aggressive temperance work was coning more and more home to the clergy. Only last week there was a. discussion in the House of Commons on the Sunday Closing Act Perhaps, all the provisions of that measure might not commend themselves to their judgment, but ciscusaion would keep the subject before the country, and the more it was ventilated the better it wouRS lit" for the nation. The Welsh Sunday Closing Act, per- haps, needed a few amendments, but ne thought he might say that that Act, subject to certain amendments, ft ad oome to stay. Arplause.) Wales could not now go back — (aopkuse)— and, in the meantime, it was "heir duty to tducate public opinion as much as possible. (Applause.) An Act of Parliament could not do very much unless it was backed by a strong and vigorous public opinion. xApplause.) lIe knew that the Sunday Closing .iseif had been an educational power in Wales. It had done a great deal of good in thmt way. it had not done all its friends expected from it that, perhaps, had been owing partly to the facfc that it had gone a little in advance of a section of English opir.ion. But everything was in tf.eir favour, and they must go ( n and try to elevate public opinion as much as possible, to bring the principles of the society before the country. (Hear. hear). The speaker here explained the objects and principles of the society, and its dual basis, by which members may either be total abstainers or moderate drinkers, and said their quarrel was not with the ,drink, but with drunkenness. (Hear, hear). Their object was not the abolition, but the reformation, of public liceces. If every- one only drank moderately and never went to excess, and if every publiohouse was so con- ducted that no good religious man could re- ceive harm by frequenting it, then the work of the society, as a temperance organisation, would oome to an end. Their society put the matter exactly where the Bible put it, a-nd if I they wanted to make that as clear as possible to the people at large.—The Revr J. R. Buckley (as hon. secretary) submitted a state- ment, showing that the debt of B129 14-s. 7d. had been reduced to £10 16s. 2d.-The Rev. Daniel Lewis (Caerphilly) moved a resolu- tion adopting the report, and also endorsing the recommendation with reference to the ap- pointment of a paid clerical secretary.—The proposition was seconded and carried.—The Rev. J. P. Hughes, in view of the suggested appointment of pa.id secretary, proposed that an earnest appeal be made for offertories from the various churches on Quinquagesima or some other Sunday, or that some equivalent contribution be forwarded for the work.—The Rev. E. F. Daniell seconded, and this was also carried.—The vice-presidents and officers were re-elected.—Subsequently a conference followed, when an address was given by Mr. F. Eardlev Wilmot, R.N., general secretary of the society, on the best means of promoting the work of the Church of Tng- land Temperance Society. The speaker main- tained that successful progress in temperance work was only to be found in loyalty to the dual basis of the society. Much harm, he pointed out, was done by the injudicious ad- vocacy of t^ti1 abstainers. Hie experience all over tin country wias that the best work was done by both secftiens cooperatively, and refraining fro-i hard words, or waving a red flag, at one another. He also objected to the dignified and solid work of temperance re- form degenerating into comic songs and read- ings, which could do no good to drunkards, who wanted sympathy and hope. In the speeches following, opinions somewhat diffe- rent were expressed, one of the speakers ask- ing how far the secular element was permis- sible?—Mr. Wilmot took exception (in reply) to efforts at "drawing" people—which should be done by the workers—but he was in favour of bright, hearty meetings, a.nd specially favoured a servloo of song, witih some pathetic story introduced.—At the close the usual votes of thanks were passed.

TO-DAY'S MARKETS. OORN. Ixindon, Friday.—There WIoS It ncor attendance M ark-lane this eftemoon, and there appeaus to be no trade in wheat, the opening decline of J s failing to attract buyere. Flour is also dull; Iron Dukes &re now 25s. Maize is cheaper; mixed American, new crop. sold at 138 ex ship; Rachova, 17s 9d asked. Barley quiet, 16s asked for Black Sea. Oats dull; arrivals heavy; white clipped America,a, Tls 9d; Russians, 12s. Liverpool, Friday—A limited spot trade has been concluded in wheat at 2d per cental decline since Tuerday last Qslifornian, 6s lOd; Kansas. 6s 5d Manitoba. 6* 7Ad per cental. Maizp met a slow Bale at as 9d for new and 2s lOd per c,ental for old mixed. Flour Is per sack lower to sell, buyers showing little disposition to operate. Beans, peas, and barley unchanged. PRODUCE London, Friday.—Sugar*. Horn? refined quiet; white crystals 3d lower; euhes and vellow crystallised eteady foreign refined slow, ready granulated sold at lis Hd. beet quiet- FebtUM-v sold at 3s l £ d, and June 9i: 4id; cane sales c •inprisel 310 tons, about one third sold, at a shade easier prices. Coffee: In aii'-tionp good qualities tpaJissd full prices, futures quiet. Tea: Private market steady. Rice weak. Jute dull, with scarcely amy inquiry. Hemp: Manilla, slow oi sale. PROVISIONS. London. Friday.—Butter Demand fairly good, especially foi finer qualities. Quotations: —Fries- land, 106s to 110s. Normantjy, 300s to 124s; Danish, 102s to 116s; Australian and New Zealand, 906 to 106?. Cheese: Market stron", Oheddar, 64s to /fis; Canadian, 56P to 60s, Dutch Edam. 546 to 58,; ¡ Dutch Gondii, 46s bo 55s, New Zealand, none on spot, sales to arrive, 54s to 56s Bacon: Lear to foil demand, fat neglected; Irish, 46s to 56e.

Burge v. Connolly INTERNATIONAL GLOVE FIGHT DESPERATE CONTEST AT BIR- MINGHAM Stopped by the Police. The Contest. The special correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" describes the contest ae follows: — Connolly looked quite as well as his opponent, and his extraordinary length of reach was very apparent. From the very outset the fighting wag fast and fierce. During the weighing it was noticed theife was a good deal of feeling between the men, and both went for the knock- out. Burge showed marked cleverness, snd Connolly rushing in was slashed repeatedly full in the mouth. The American would not be denied, however, and returning to the attack he fairly brought Burge to the ropes. The small ring was all against the Englishman, but his cleverness served him in good stead. Thus early it was seen the fight would be of the most vicious character. Half-way through the second round Burge timed his man splendidly, and Connolly dropped to the floor from the effect^ of a right-handed blow on the jaw. The American was on the six seconds, and, though Burge hustled him all round the ring, he stayed 'until the call of time. To the sur- he stayed 'until the call of time. To the sur- prise of all present, Connolly took the middle for the third time quite as strong ae his oppo- nent, and a tremendous round was the result. Up and down the men fought all over the square, and the excitement was internse when Connolly began to hold his own. The fourth round was battled out on the same desperate lines. Firpt one man and then the other would go weak, but if anything Connolly appeared tc have the most strength as they went to theii corners, and at the start of the fifth round, the betting was even. Connolly now changed his tactics and went for the body. A stinging hit on the ribs made Burge wince again, but the Newcastle man drew a capacious stream from his rival's mouth in return. In the sixth round Burge again seemed to have victory in his grasp, as, getting a smashing right-handei home on his head, he sent Connolly reeling tc the ropes. The American rented on one kne* for five seconds, an dthen rising he staggerec Burge with a thump on the head. The Eng lishman made splendid use of the left hand, but Connolly was seen to be holding his own in th4! last ten seconds. Amid tremendous excite- ment the men stood up for the seventh time. Connolly had appeared a beaten man a minut. before, but he pulled himself together, and fought toe-to-toe with his rival, and slowly but surely Burge gave way before the vigorous on- slaught of his opponent, and "Connolly for a hundred" was heard as the gong sounded. From this stage to the end it was blow foi blow, with no flinching. In the eighth round the men fell three times to the floor from sheer exhaustion. Both were dead beaten, and erie* of "Stop it" were heard on all sides. The management hampered the referee, who waf repeatedly asked to put an end to the battle. Meanwhile, the men reeled all over the ring from sheer weakness, and it was anybody < fight. At the end of the ninth round, as they came up again, Mr. Barnes, the manager, told the referee, Mr. G. T. Dunning, that the con- test could not go any longer, and. with no other course left, that official was compelled to out an end to the proceedings and call the fight a draw. So far as points went Burge had the best of it, though one man was quite as weak as the other at the finish.

Sporting Intelligence NEWMARKET TRAINING NOTES. NEWMARKET, Friday Morning. The frost during the night was very severe, so that only the usual few teams of horses came out and took healthy exerosie. On the Bury Side, R. Chaloner's Diploma- tic, Mississippi, Royal Musketeer, Flower of Dunblane filly, Fairy Isle, Fifth Problem, and another trotted. Jewitt's Devil-may-Care, Poklad, Freak, and the two year olds did healthy work. Gurry's Full Gallop. Betty Wise, and others were similarly employed. Ryan's Laveno, Coylton, Chass' jt, Spook, Eager, Aerolite, Rapallo, Gallinco, Punches- town, and others did healthy trotting work, Leader's Peppercorn, Tyranny, Seaport, Her- barium, and Dick Whittington were restricted to healthv exercise. Goidaig's Commoner, Wishard, Bach, Marius II., Kopeley, Gribou, Javelin, Golden Age, Zina, Perseat, and Simola did a long bout of trotting work. Man- ser"> Stronaclachar, Gar-rick, Orontes colt, and Ha,rrv Pet TOP trotted and hack cantered. Can- non's St. Antoine, Petty Theft, Diameter, Knife Boy. Son of Mine, White Frost, Gold- fish, Bow Window, and Barcalwliev galloped slowly two miles on the Bedford Lodge straw bed. Sadler's San Lucar, Jezebel, Kilkerran. Portia Dura., Rose Mervyn, Tithonus, Dynamo, and La Biche underwent healthy trotting work. Other teams not mentioned were exercised on their respective straw beds.

TO-DAY'S LONDON BETTIITG. Pending the acceji+ances there was only a little speculation at the chief London resorts to-day. Torkec and P.rideg'-oom were installed favourites for the Lincolnshire, whilst Alpheus and Stratocracy were the most prominejft of the Grand National candidates. In the Derby Vesuvian was supported at 500 to 75. Trices: LI>"COLNSHIBE HANDICAP. (Run Tuesday. March 23 Distance, one wile.) 14 to 1 agst Yorker, 4yre, 7st 61b, t 14 to 1 — Bridegrootn. 4yrs, 7st, o 16 to 1 — Prose. 4yrs, 6st, t 20 to 1 — Imposition.—4yr*. 7st 61b, t 20 lo 1 — Mareo, 5yrs. Set 75b, t 20 to 1 Court Bail, 6vrs, 78t 31b. t 33 to 1 — Lady Tertius, 5yrs. 6st 71b, t GRAND NATIONAL. (Hun Friday, March 26. Distance, about four miles and 856 yards.) lo to 1 8f!St Alpheus. 6vrs, list 41b. t & o 16 to 1 Stratocracy. 5yrs. 10l!t 61b, o 20 to 1 — Nepeote. 6yrs, list 5lb, t 20 to 1 — Barcalwhey. aged, lOet lib. t 25 to 1 — Daimio. aged. 12w: 61b. t LATEST LONDON BETTING. rHE DERBY. 100 to 15 agst Vesuvian, t

HEREFORDSHIRE HUNT STEEPLECHASES, 1897 Monday, April 19. The Hereford Eclipse Steeplechase of tOO sovs; the second to receive 60 sovs. and the third 40 sow. from the stake for four year oHe and upwards weight for age; inwes and geldings allowed 31b. winners extra About two mil"3 and three furlongs. Mr H Bagoc's North Ootswokl, fcvrs Mr W B Bingham's b g Uoland Gneme. 6yrs Mr E 0 Bleacklev's Cric Crac, 5yrs Mr W Burton's eh g Sknggy. by Esterling— Vicugna (h.b.)—bred by owner, 6yrs Mr T Cannon's br g Bed Coral, by Melanicn—Coralie, 4yrs Misg Editti L Clay's Jubilee, aged Mr A Coats's ch <; Bellinter. aged Lord Coventry's ch g Mediator (h.b.), aged Lor.) Coventry's br g Euniskeri-y. t.y Atheling—Water- fall. by A:bitrator (bought of Mr J Daly). 4yw M- H T Coventry's br g The Slug, by Petronel—Noee- gay. 4yrs Mi Kobert Craig's Whitewash. 4yrs Mr F Greswolde-Williams's (late Mr Adderlev'f) Quod Dixi, brrs Mr E Griffiths, jun'c Chippo. aged Mr H Heasman's Vicar If.. 5-.n; Mr E T Heaven's Norton, by Ciievronel—Belgrade, aged <M. F W Boklen's Hedgehog, aged Mr J Hoi-too's r" m Musketoon, by Don Juan- Musketry, by Musket, aged tMr Jiohnes's (late Mr Hornby's) b h Emiliue, by Pentor.—Queen Bess. Mr A Johnson's Lady Gucdpede. aged Mr W C Keeping's (late Captain Beatty's) b.g. Peter Melville. 6yrs Captain M Lindsay's (late Mr W Lindsay's) Popinjay, aged Mr M A Maher's Detonator, aged Captain Maher's b m Sallyport-, by Torpedo—Salani, aged Mr H Mart-in'e b g High wood, by Vibration-Wood- rield, oyrs Mr Mupland's Jobation. 5yre Mr G Parker's Gay Minstrel, aged Mr C 0 Pemherton's Golden Cross, aged Capljiiu Powell's The Midehipmite, aged Mr W B Pur«c.y'e Mobled Queen, 4yrs Mr C S W Reeve's De Beers, aged Lord Eossmore'd Ballyalbanv, cyrs Mr G M Scott's (late Mr H Y Scott's) Queen of Clubs, aged Mr H Sidney's Cunning Boy, aged Mr R W Stephens's br f Lady Fitztraver. by Fite- haver-Lady WaWord, by Gambado (purchased of Mr Anthony, Kidwelly), bred by Mi' W B Partridge, Llaafoist., Abergavenny, 4y;-¡; Mr E J Thomewill's b g Merry Chanter, by Privateer —.Squall, aged Mr T Traoton's No. 5yrs Mr Reid Walker's Horseplay, Eyrs Mr Reid Walker's Burnett.. 5yrs Mr Reginald Ward's Harold, aged Mr Reginald Ward's Benediction, aged Mr Henry Westbury's Lord William, aged Mr White's Santa Rosa, cged Mr John Widger's b or br m Mayflower (b. h.), aged Mr John Widger's (late Mr T J Hartipa-n's b c bv Glenvatinoii—Buda) b g Glengariff, by Glenvannon- Buda. 4yrs on- Mr JohT: Widger's ch m Lena Dacre, bv Bacchus— Wasp, 6ym Mr C E W WoodFs gr g The Pope, bv Grev Palmer— nosy. No. 451, Vol. nr., H I Stud hook (bred by General Jago. Trelawnev Liacard. Cornwall), agrd SLI- vv W Wynn's Gipsy-, aged Entered by telegram, and n,}t yet confirmed. t Corrected under Rule 80. -?. -?-?-

BELGIUM OFFICIAL CLOCKS VAN IITMOVATION. In Pelgium the Government iiave decoded, in spite of tOO vigorous protests of the com- mercial world against the innovation, that ou Monday :.ext, the 1st of February, all the official clocks and watches shall be altered so as to show the 'hoors from one to twenty-four, instead of from oae to twelve. This style is at present ID uee in Italy and most pairbs of Cen- tral Europe. It remains to be seen whether it will make greafcarprogress in lielgium than it has dote in the United KiQjrdwm

Turkish Troubles HOSTILE ATTITUDE OF TJU MUSSULMANS TWO SJRESH MTIEDEES COX- MITTED. A Reuter's telegram from Constantinople en Thursday says :-Aocording to intelligent* from several of the pwovinoee largely inhabited by Armenians. great anxiety prevails among the Christians owing to the hostile attitude of Mussulmans. At Urfa, for example, the withdrawal of tOO troops from the town has caused the Christians much uneasiness^ givmg rise to feaw of the renewal of disorders in Armenian villages. The Patriax. ohaite has called the attention of the Porte to .1 the matter. In reply to a recent irade pur- porting to grant a demand made by the Armenian Patriarchate, the latter has merely addressed a letter to the Minister of Public Worship, expressing gratitude for the Sultau'f good intentions in the matter of the Patriaj" chate's demand. Artin Pasha continues hi efforts at the Palace to render the concession It made most efficacious, and to secure the re moval of the restrictions which the irad imposes. A Oanea dispatch of Thui»day' date states that a panic prevails in the town o HeiaMion owing to the influx of Mussulman from outside, and that two fresh murder have been perpetrated in the immediate vicinity. The Ambaasadorsxheld another meet ing to-day.

On the Stock Exchange 2.50 p.m. Money —Account 3-16. Rupee unchangedL Consols firmer. Home Rails fteaav —Ri*e Great Northern "A" 4, Deferred 21. Hull and B&mslcy i. Chatham i FW1: > North Eastern 2, Great- We-^tern ie. l Americans irregular: —Rise: Northern Pacific Old 1, New J, Illinois and Canadian Pacific 5. Louisville, Mexican Central, New York Central, and Heading i. Fall: Denver Preference, Wabash, and Southern Preference ±, Atchison Preference. Pennsylvania, Srie, and Southern 4 Silver, 2Sld, Trunks and Mexican Rails unchanged. ? Foreigners dull :-Rise: Italian §. Fall: Weet Minas and Uruguay J, Chilian 1895 4, Brazil 1889 and j 1895, Mexican, and ditto Internal i, Peru and Tur- kish Threes 4. Mines irregular: —Rise Angelo §, Kleinfontein and 1 I/Miglaogte i. Geldeahuie and Anglo-French Bantjes, Gold Fields Deferred, Gold Fieids Deep, Great Boulder, Ladv Loch. Ooregum Preference. Bar. nato Consols, and Ooeana 1-16. Fall: Rand Mine 2, Simmer and Jack and Wemmer i. City and Subur- ban, Durban Roodepoorte, Knights, Modder, and Vogels l- Block "B," Eastleigh. East Rail, Nigel, Associated Gold, West Australia, Mainland Consols, and Mozambique 1-16. Guinness 2i up; Costs Ordinary and PrefenoBoe down. MINING (AUSTRALIAN AND INDIAN). Aladdin Lamp it Broken Hill Proprietary 51/ • Burma Buby £ Champion Beef Clark's Consolidated Great Boulder Hampton Plains 24 Hannan's Brown Hill Kalgurli 2 Lady Loch Londonderry 2/6 Mawson's Reward g Menzie's Mining Menzie's Reef n-rysore. 9 Kvsore Goldfields lgf6 v North Boulder Nundydroog- 3*± "] Paddington Consols Ooregum Ordinary 3 £ Do. Pref. 4 & Went worth Gold A & Wealth of Nations White Feather 1% ° West Australian Finance 4A 4i Do Goldfields 4$ Bia Tinto 27& MINING (SOUTH AFRICAN). I Afrikander lit Angelo 3r .?. Barnato Consols 1* 1* Bancjes 24 Bechuanaland 1* Bufieisdoorn 1% British S. Africa (Chartered) 2ft City and Suburban 4* 4 Comet ljjf COD. Grldfieids. S. Africa Def 94J 9& Consort Coasol ? Croesus Crown Reef lfr'^j De Beers 2Qit Durban Roodepoort ? 6% iuxst Rand 44 4 Ferreua 19 17J* Geldenlmis 3% Do. Deep 4 Gleucairxi 2% Graskop 3/3 HenderS4111 Transvaal is Henry bourse 6t 61" Heriot 7% 7 £ Jagersl'ontein 9% Johannesburg Invest 2-fc Jjo. Water 1% Jubilee 7 Jumpers 4$ Xleinfoptien 2ft 3$ Xierksdorp J/fl Lnight 4^ 4% Langlaagte 4-% 4& Lisbon Berlyn 5/Q Louden and Paris Luipaards Vlei New It Lydenburg Estates 1 Mashonaiand Agency 2 May 21k Meyer and Charlton 51t Modderfontein 3^ JJJ New Primrose 3^ Nigel 1% i* do. Deep Ooeana Censolidated l- £ rii Pioneer 10 •Petehefstroom 7/6 jj/0 Saadfeatein 24 Eand Mines 24* 34* Kietfentem 1,1 Babiasen Salisbury 2\ Sheba 26-32 Simmer and Jack 4 £ 4^ Kauth African Gaid Trust 7 Spes Bona Tati Concession 1A jfe Tramsvaai iald 4% Van Kyn Village Mainreef 4 £ Vegelstruis Wesaaaer 71 itt Welhuter 4% Zaai aesi Er*)oratioa 1* I Ex dir. I =====

| BIVEKSIDE CONSERVATIVE CLUB. SMOKING COKCBBT. A successful smoking concert (the first of a series, to be held fortnightly) was held at the Riverside Conservative Club, 2. Brook-street, undr th prsidncy of Councillor F. J. Veall (iu the unavoidable abeefioe of Councillor J. H. Hallett). He was supported by Councillor Lewis Morgan, J. W. Johnson, F. A. Davidit, C. H. Daiby, C. W. Melhuish, T. J. Evans, and jthaqe. The following contributed towards the harmony of the evening:—MMRI. Charles Evans, M. Jones, Gus Williams. R. W. Jarrett, — Mather, E. Squdres, Jaok Da vies (banjo), — Sargent, Councillor L. Morgan, C. W. Mel. I huish — Stoker, F. Dingle, Hodden, Brown, 10 Young, and Smiths. The chief item of the evening was the brilliant playing of Mr. W. H. Holder, who contributed violin solos. Master Wheeler ably presided at the piano. The singing of the National Anthem terminated j. the proceedings.

? TOO LATE TO CLASSIFY. ANTED FOR THE ROYAL ENGINE-ROOM ARTIFICERS—POTTERS. COPPa- SMjTHS, BOILEBMAKERS, ud ENGINE-SMITHS. Age. 21 to 28. Pay, S100 7s. 6d. to £136 17s. fed. a year, with FREE PROVISIONS. PENSIONS for LIFE on completion of Service, and other advantages. For Further Information, apply to any Marine liecrolting Officer, or to the Admiralty Becrulting Department, 22, Spring-gardens, London, 8.W., be letter. e5837 ._?-? Skeletoa Skates, la 34. asstsfe, 4^4. extn.— Baraett an Sen, 6 and 7, C*r*liM-«treet, and 49, Bute-street, 0ard e9614iS3 BLAIBEBG'S AJRCADE. BLAIBERG'S ARCADE. BLAIRERGS ARCADE. BLAIBEBG'S ARCADE BLAIBERG'S ARCADE. PLAIBEIfTS ARCADE. PLAIEERG'S ARCADE. BLAJBEBSS ARCADE. BLAIBERG'S ARCADE PIJtlBERC'S ARCADE BLAIBERG'S AMADE. '?' BI,AIISDCI'S AMADB. I'J.AI KERB'S ARCADE. FLAIBERBS ARCADE ? BLAIBERG'S ARCADE. ——— BIAIBERG'S ARCADE ? BLAIBERG'S ARCADE BLAIBEBG'S ARCADE. BLAIBKRtt'S ARCADE. BXxAlBERS'S ARCADE.