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INQUEST UPON THE VICTIMS. At the Garth Hotel on Monday Mr. Howel Cuthbertson, coroner for the Neath district, opened the inqueat touching the deaths of the nine persons who were killed in the sad disaster ot Friday evening last at Maesteg. The pro- ceedings naturally created great interest, and quite a crowd of people assembled in the vicinity of the place of inquiry The Garth M^rthyr Company, who own the pit in which the accident took place, were repre- sented by Mr. J. Barrow, J.P., managing part. ner; Mr. W. W. Hood, consulting engineer, Llwynypia; and Mr. T. B. Boucher, secretary to the company. Mr. D. Beynon, miners' agent, and Mr. John Watts, checkweigher, attended on behalf of the men; and Mr. ftobeon, her Majesty's Inspector of Mines, was also present. The names of the jury sworn were as follow: -Edward Davies (foreman), Thomas Davies, Castle-street; H. Thomaa, Castle-street; Frank Wiliiams, Castle-street; Rees Williams, Com- mercial-street; William Henry Brown, Com- mercial-street; Robert Williams, Garth; John Jenkins, Garth; John Williams, White Hart; Lewis Jones, John James, John Owen Lewis, John Bevan, Samuel Williams, and Moses Madox. The Coroner, before commencing the inquiry, said he should like to express his heartfelt sym- pathy with the relatives of the deceased men who lost their lives in this terrible disaster, and in doin? so he was quite satisfied he was expressing also the feelings of the jury. It was something terrible to think of that these men were hurried into eternity in the way in which they were, and in a moment they were sent to their doom. He could not help saying that. as usual, the representatives of the press could not be quiet. They must go about and interview persons con- nected with the oollieries. Here was one thing that se saw in the "Western Mail":—A question was put by some- one (he did not know who or to whom): "Does any blame attach to anyone?" That was a question put by a representative of the press. It was a most improper question to put. The answer was more improper still: It was an accident." The jury anj3 himself were there to inquire if it were an aocident, what wss the cautw of it, aud whather anybody was respon- sible for it. He did not tihink this kind of thing ought to be done by the press. The jury and himself were there to ascertain whether it was an accident or whether anybody was to blame. r. James Barrow said that as managing partner of the colliery he wished to say that he endorsed every word that the coroner had said, endorsed every word that the coroner had said, and that he and his partner had the deepest sympathy with the relatives in their ternble affliction. The Coroner said he was glad to see Mr. Barrow, whom he had known for a good many years, and he was sure he would give them every assistance on the present occasion, as he had always done in regard to any trivial accident that had taken place. The Coroner and jury then proceeded to view some of the bodies and also the colliery. On their return Griffith Lewis, James Guest, David Evans, John Howells, Thomas Davies, Thomas Akerman, and David Rees guve evidence of identification. Dr. W. H. Thomas (Maesteg) said the imme- diate cause of death in all the cases was injury to the brain. Witness thought that it would be just as well that the details should not appear in the press qs they were of a very harrowing nature. No doubt each man was dead before he arrived at the bottom of the pit. Rees Phillips, Pit-street, Garth, said he was hitching on Friday last at the bottom of the pit when the accident happened. Three cages had gone up safely, but the fourth came bacL In that cage there were nine men. By Mr. Robson: The reason why there were only nine men in the cage was that there was a bit of a dispute at the bottom, when the cage started on the upward journey. lie thought that it had its proper complement. The right signal was given by him. When the empty cage which was uninjured came to the bottom quieter than usual he saw that something was wrong. Witness gave the alarm "Keep back, boys," he shouted, "the cage has gone to the sheaves." They had just managed to get back when the cage containing his ill-fated companions crashed against the bottom with terrible f, e. There were from twelve to eighteen yards of slack rope I when the empty cage came to the bottom. By Mr. Barrow: Had the bridle of the ascending cage not been slack the men would have got into that as usual—in fact, witness had his hand on the knocker. By Mr. Beynon: He had been hitching all day. John Thomas, banksman, said he came on duty at five o'clock that evening. About ten minutes later the fatal cage came to the surface. Witness corroborated Phillips in regard to the signals. When the fourth cage came up it struck the gate more violently than usual. Thomas was holding the fa.n lever at the time. He could not say what happened after, for he sought safety in flight. By a Juryman The fans were not self-acting He received his instructions from the old banks- man, and had only been at the colliery a week. If the fans were kept open he could not say as to whether the accident would have been avoided. By Mr. Beynon: He had been banksman off and on for about nine years. He had never had a copy of the regulations. Mr. Jonah Davis, manager (interpolating) said that a copy of the rules was posted at the top of the pit. William Lewis, Maesteg, engine driver, on the day shift, stated that he left at five p.m.. when Thomas ihomas came on duty. The machinery was in good working order during the day. I When the accident happened at 5.15 witness was on his way home. It was not true that he was in the engine-house talking to Thomas Thomas when the cage fell. The latter seemed to be in good health and spirits, and was quite sober. Witness went back when he heard of the acci- dent. When witness got back to the pit he spoke to Thomas Thomas, who said it was an awful thing, and he did not know in the world how it happened. By a juryman: Witness had never had any difficulty in stopping the cage at the right moment and place. moment and place. By another juryanan: The engine had been worked since the accident, and everything had gone right. By Mr. Barrow: Nothing had been done to the engine in the way of repairs ginoo the I catastrophe. Thomas Thomas said he had been employed as engine-driver at the Garth-Merthyr Pit for twenty-three years. The Coroner then pointed out that he was j not bound to answer any questions which might incriminate him, and this was rendered to him I in Welsh. In answer to Mr. Beynon, Thomas, who w. painfully agitated, stated that he raisod three cages safely, but as to the fourth, when the I accident happened, he could not reeollect any- I thing oonnected with the winding of that cage. To use his own wards, "I lost sight of every- tiling. Something caime over me, and the first tiling I remember now is seeing Thomas Hcrpkin in the engine-house after the accident. I did not see the oa^e going up into the sheaves. There was nothing wrong with the machinery, I dn't give any account as to how the accident happened." I By Mr. Barrow: I had my usual rest, and was not feeling unwell when I went to work. Thomas Hopkins tmoch/uue) stated he saw tho cage go up into the sheaves and fall. (V went to the engine-house and said, "WelL Thomas, how did this happen?" Thomas, who seemed in a wild and excited state, replied "1 don't know." In witness's (opinion, the machinery had nothing whatever to do with it. He examined the rope, and found it had been pulled out of the cap by the cage striking the sheaves. By a Juryman: There was no provision made to hold the cage in case of an accident. If the fans were closed the cage would have pone down just the same, for they would have given way. Themas Thomas, re-called, said Samuel Evans, carpenter, came into the engine-house just after he went on duty, and asked him to stop the cage level with the collar board. Evans wanted to put a plank on top of the carriage. Witness, wh,) had not up to this time wound any men, referred Evans to the banksman. When the accident happened Evans was not in the engine- house. By Mr. Beynon: Evans's request was not granted. The plank was not material, because it was to keep the gate up, and had nothing to do with the cage itself. John Thomas, banksman, re-called, said that Samuel Evans came to him on Friday before tho accident and told him he wanted to put a board on the carriage. Mr. Barrow: What was it for?—I don't know. Was it for the gate?—Yes, I think it was. Mr. Barrow: Well, then, say so. Mr. Beynon: Mr. Barrow, that is a leading question. Mr. Barrow (to witness): Did you stop the c-cge for him?—No. By Mr. Robson: The fourth cage then came up, and the accident happened. When the accident happened he was outside the engine- hfu86 You were not talking to Thomas Thomas At the time?—No. By Mr. Beynon: Witness was not going out of the house when the accident occurred. He did not wish to repair the cage to wtrch the accident happened when it was coming to the surface the next time. but later on. Samuel Evans, carpenter, was called, at the request of Mr. Beynon. He said he entered the engine-house at five o'clock, and told Thos. Thomas that he wanted to put a plank on top of the cage to raise the gate properly. Wit- ness intended to do this aft?r the men had all been raised. He wps not in the engine-house for more than a couple of minutes. Mr. Thomas Dsvies, a juryman, suggested that it would be better if two enginemen were present when the men were being wound. This was thought to be undesirable, the Coroner making the rather inappropriate remark. "Too many cooks spoil the broth." 9- The Coroner, in Bumming-up, pointed out tint if Thomas Thomas were guilty of neglect thev must bring in a verdict of manslaughter. But it was very probable that Thomas in the circumstances would not be sentenced to any siderible term of imprisonment. The iury. he directed, should give Thomas the benefit of anv reasonable doubt. Mr. Robson, replying to a juryman, said that there were no specific regulations for the work- ing of fans. The matter was left entirelv to the discretion of the banksmen. The evidence went to show that the company had done evervthiner possible for the safe and proper working of the pit. They had nrovidnd xarood machinerv and a steady and careful engineman. Something which they all regretted had hap- pened, but no official rule had been broken. If the fans were open the cage would have gone to the bottom jngt the same. Mr. Robson, continuing, said he preferred good machinery and workmen to the so-called safety catches. He had known de- techinjj hooks to act and fail, and it would be impossible to say what would have h^ppe-'od if they had bo¥m used in this case. In conclu- sion. Mr. Ribson expressed him"eIf perfert'y satisfied with the company, which had provided both good machinery and men. THE VERDICT. After a short deliberation the iury returned a. verdict of "Accidental death." They did not think that Thomas Thomis was wholly to blame for the simple reason "that he lost him- self." They, however, added a recommenda- tion that the use of self-acting fangs be m-do compulsory by Act of Parliament (especially in the ease of winding men), and of sufficient strength to meet emergencies of this kind. I THE :E1ÏN&ltAlS. u The funerals of ortunate men and boys took plaoe on Monday. As is usual in such sad affairs, thousands of sympathisers attended to pay their last public tribute of respect to the memory of those who had lived and worked in their midst. The body of John H. Howells was interred at the Bethania Church- yard, the Rev. Iorwertih Jones performing the ceremony in a most impressive manner. The remains of David Lewis were buried in the ground attached to the Chapel-at-Ease at Tai- bach, which was deceased's home. In the Maesteg Cemetery two interments took place, the bodies of J. Ackerman and John Thomas being laid to rest there. The remains of Edgar Howells. John Davies, Lewis Guest, and Thomas Rees and his son John, were buried at Llangynwyd Churchyard. MESSAGE FROM SIR W. T. LEWIS. On Saturday morning a teltegram was received from Sir W. T. Lewis, Bart., and Mr. Evan Owen, J.P., at the oollierv offices, of which the following is a copy: "Sir William Thomas Lewis and myself, on behalf of the Miners' Provident Fund Society, desire to express our sincereet sympathy and condolence with the relatives of the unfortunate members who were killed by the overwinding accident, and to request you to do everything possible to console and help the widows and orphans. "EVAN OWEN." SYMPATHY FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE. Mr. J. T. Robson, the Inspector of Mines, has received the following tetegram: — "Secretary of State hears of sad accident at Garth Pit with deep regret, and desires that his sympathy may be conveyed to relatives of svfferers. "UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE." SYMPATHY WITH THE ENGINE- DRIVER. Itle greatest sympathy is felt throughout the valley for Thomas Thomas, the engineman. He is said to be a man of exemplary character, and has been quite prostrate ev !r ince the disastrous event. In the southern part of Maesteg there is no one better known and more highly i >spected than "Tom yr Engineer." The pit is in the estate of Majcv Trcharne, Coytrahene, and was worked for many years by the firm of John Brogden and Sons. Alderman James Borrow. J.P., has had connection with the pit almost fro n its start, and to him the people of the Llynvi Valley are indebted that the colliery is this day going concern. SYMPATHY OF TREHARRIS COLLIERS. At a meeting of the Treharris colliery work- men, held on Saturday afternoon, a vote of condolence with the families of the men who lost their lives at the Garth-Merthyr Pit, Maesteg, was passed, unon the motion of Mr. William Jones, seconded bv Mr. Lewis Morris, all present rising to their feet. VOTE OF CONDOLENCE FROM MINERS' REPRESENTATIVES. At a meeting of the workmen's representatives on the sliding-scalo committee held at Cardiff on Saturday, Mr. John Thomas (Garw Valley) proposed, and Mr. Evan Thomas (Rhymney) seconded, a vote of condolence with the reilatives of the workmen who on Friday lost their lives in the Garth. Merthyr Colliery disaster through over-winding, The motion was carried by the members stand- ingf up in silence, THE PROPOSED COMPENSATION BILL. Mr. Barrow. J.P., one of the proprietors of the Garth-Merthyr Colliery, stated on Monday that if the proposed Compensation Bill had been in operation the accident on Friday last would have cost the company £3.000; "and this," he added, "through no fault of our own."

LOVE-LORN LOVEB A NUISANCE. Mr. Rudolph Aokermpn, of Regent-street, is the gentleman of whom Mr. John Robert Stevens, of adbroke-grove, Notting-hill, oom. plained at the West London Police-court, saying that Mr. Ackerman pestered his daughter with unwelcome attentions. Mr. Ackerman appeared at the West London Police-court on Tuesday summored for unlaw, fully knocking at Mr. Stevens's door. Mr. Rufus Isaacs, who appeared for the do. fendant, said his client was willing without going into the case to be bound over to keep the peace. Mr. Haynest on behalf of the complainant, asked the magistrate to order the defendant to find a surety on the "round that pending the hearing of the summons he followed the voung lady saying, "Won't you forgive me? Won't you promise to marry me?" Her life was being made miserable. Mr. Lane: His devotion is gathering daily. (Laughter.) The defendant was bound over for twelve months and ordered to >B.y two guineas oosts, the magistrate observing that he would deall severely with him if there was mux repetition of his eoa&uofc.

BARNEY BARNATO'S END. FATAL LEAP EROM A CAPE LINERW GALLANT ATTEMPT AT RESCUE. A STRANGE LIFE STORY. I BARNEY BARNATO. A Reuter's telegram from Funchal on Tues- day •—Mr. B. Bamato committed suicide on Monday afternoon by leaping overboard from the Scot. in which he was travelling to England. He was in very indifferent health when he left Cape Town, but seemed better alter the vessel sailed. Mr. Barnato, however, was never left alone, and someone always kept him under close observation. Yesterday after luncheon he seemed in very good spirits, and between two and three o'clock was walking about, leaning on a fellow-passenger's aim. Mr. Barnato asked what the time was. and then. before getting a reply, wrenched His arm awfiv and jumped clean overboard. The fourth officer immediately plunged after him but did not succeed in saving his life. Heavy seIlS, were running, and the Scot was steaming at the rate of seventeen knots. A boat was quickly lowered, and picked up the officer, who was greatly exhausted. Afterwards Air. Barnato's dead body was recovered. It was found float- ing head downwards. The oorpse was embalmed, and taken on to England by the Scot. Funchal is the port in Madeira at which the South African mail boats stop on their passage to Europe, and it would be the first port from which news of the tragio death of Mr. Barnato could be telegraphed. Mr. Barnato, while in South Africa, had been taken seriously ill. and some anxiety bad been expressed as to his mental condition. When he saded for -England, however, it was stated that be hid fiillv rpcovanpd hi" health, and expected good -Its from the Mi that he would obtain on the We imported on the 31st of May last that Mr. KarjNtto would sail for Cape Town on the o nion lifttr Scot, and a later tele- gram announced his MtUng as arranged. The Soot pft Caw the 2nd of June, and would be due about tHhi^resent ti at Madeira. i?inato was accWhapanied 011 the Scot bv Mrs. Barnato and theif two children, as well as by Mr. Solly Joel. ;Tbe latter, it is under- stood, really_ tame with Mr. Barnato to look after him, his mental condition havinsr given rise to considerable anxiety, The Soot put into Funchal at eleven v 'dock.on Mlindav night to coal, and left s 1 tls» -o'eloel; on Tuesday morning, The, fir9t, wlwipilin -:i|f the affair that reached Mr. Bnrsiatb's relatives and friends was that contained in the morning papeis, and. as no cable had been rer-eived from Mr. Sollv Joel. who would have had the same opportunitv as the representative of the News Agency to send one. the statement was regarded bv them as a canard, until confirmation was forwarded by the agent of the Un; 'n Steamship Com- pany. MR. BARNATO'S HEALTH LONG FAILING. The Central News says :-The news of the death of Mr. Barney Barnato, which was an- nounced on Tuesday morning, came as a great surprise in tho city. It was not so much the fact of that distinguished financier's death as the tragic cir- cumstances which surrounded it that came as a shock to both his friends and mere business acquaintances. For several monihs it had been well known that Mr. Barnato was suffering from great mental depression, consequent upon ..nWU8 labour which had fallen upon him since last December, when he suddenly made up his mind to leave England, and himself conduct the affairs of Messrs. Banlarto Bros. at Johannes- burig. The critical condition of affairs in the Transvaal, together with the failure of certain negotiations which it is understood he was carry- ing on with the Transvaal Government, weighed considerably upon him, and at the advioa of his friends and medical attenda-nts he left Johannes- burg in the middle of April for a holiday in Cape Town. The change, however, produced only slightly beneficial results as, after three weeks' sojourn, during which time he rarely failed to take daily drives, his health again broke down completely. On Sunday, May 23, Mr. Barnato experienced a most alarming seizure—in fact, the attack of delirium from which he then suffered necessitated his being placed under surveillance to ensure his doing no injury to himself. Mr. Solly Joel, his nephew and business manager in Johannesburg, was tele- graphed for, and arrived in Cape Town on Wed- nesday. the 26th ult., but meanwhile Mr. Bar- nato had recovered considerably, and was again ablo to take outdoor exercise. It was. how- ever, considered necessary to relieve him from all business worry, and steps were taken so that all responsibility should be vested in Mr. Joel. Mr. Barnato had made arrangements to leave Cape Town previous to the 2nd of June, his actual date of departure, but owing to his illness the journey had to be postponed. Always a man of energy and accustomed to work at high pressure, Mr. Barnato, as soon as he was able to get about again, determined to fulfil his duty to his constituents at Kirnberley and take his sea,t in the House of Assembly. His long absence in England and his stay at J ohannea- burg had entailed an almost total neglect of Cape politics, but to the complaints of h^g con- stituents he had always replied that as soon as he had succeeded in bringing about a better state of things in the Transvaal he would once more take up Cape politics in earnest. -iro- barley," he was fond of saying, 18 settled and certain, but everything is possible on the Rand." However, lie was present in the House of Assembly throughout the debate on Mr. Innes' motion to contribute a sum In support of the Imperial Navy. Subsequently he addressed the House and appeared to have almost entirelv re- covered his health and spirits. He left tape Town on June 2. and embarked with his wife on board the Scot. Sir Gordon Sprigg, the Cape Premier, and Sir J. de Villiers, the Chief Justice, were passengers on board the same steamer. In South Africa Mr. Barnato always enjoyed considerable popularity. As a politician, he never succeeded in- gaining fame, because he only took to politics in order to better oarrv on and consolidate his nume- rous business schemes. He was the senior member for Kimberley, which town he represented continuously since 1888. As a governor of the De Beers Company, he thought it right to oppose the agitation for voting by ballot in the State elec- tions at Kimberley, but when he re- cognised the determination of the majority of his constituents he gracefully surrendered, and Kimberlev had the honour of being the first town in South Africa to enjoy the privilege of secret voting. His action in opposing the measure somewhat jeopardised his position as a member of Parliament, and his majority was consideraiWy reduced. With the Dutch he was always popular, and. though he was so closely connected with Mr. Rhodes and the Cape Parliament, he was even able to approach President Kruger. and this notwith- standing his opposition to J. B. Robinson, the millionaire who has had the greatest financial influence in relations with the Transvaal Govern. ment. On his last return to Johanneabtjrir Mr. Barnato at once repaired to Pretoria, and ex- pressed his determination to the President to work for the peaceful development of the country, and to give his support to the Govern- ment. Mr. Barnato, besides his enormous busi- ness ramifications in South Africa. recently turned his attention to British Columbia, which is the latest goldfield to attract the public attention. A representative of Messrs. Barnato Bros. was despatched to that country some months back, and, on the strength of his re- ports, prospecting parties were arranged to thoroughly explore the large tracts of country and peg out claims and make purchases of land wherever suitable. REMARKABLE RISE TO JtAME. The career of., Mr. Barnett 1. Barnato, com- monly known as Barney Barnato, who has just come to so sad an end, was of the most extra- ordnt^ry character, and forms one of the strangest gf the romances ot modern million- aire^ Hev was a Londoner by birth, and many an inhabitant of Whitechapel at the present tims'-will tell you tales of "Barney's" 'cuteness in days when he served in his father's shop. One df the most aniiab.e traits in his character was his attachment to his "old folk," though not all of them cared to journey westward with him. From the humble beginnings we have indicated, Barnato rose to possess many mil- lions, to live in Spencer House, and to build a palace in Park-iane. He went out to South Africa in 1873 as a public entertainer, and joined in the rush to the Diamond Fields. In a curious page of autobiography, Mr. Barnato described the other day "how he became a millionaire" It is just 23 years ago since I, considered then a good-looking boy, landed at Cape Town, after a tedious journey of twenty-seven and a half days, the greater part of which time I had spent b«J)lding castles in the air, and dreaming of the possibilities of the new world which I was approaching. FulA of hope and confidence, I walked to the Masonic Hotel, and on the vernndah was met by a gentleman, whose name I will ask you to allow me to withhold, but who, as I afterwards learnt, held the position of presi- dent of the Diamond Diggings. 1 was startied by the brii-iancy of his shirt-front, on which there blazed three enormous diamond studs, one only of which would have made Ponv Mooro shed tears. As these only formed part of his .jewelled adornments, I thought he must be a walking diamond mine. He spoke to me very kind.y. though with rather a patronising air. asking me my name and destination. I told him my name was Barney Barnato, and that I was going up to the D.amond i' :eids to join my brother, and, as I hoped, to make my fortune. A look of sympathy, ajnost of pity, suffused his face, as, placing his hand in a fatherly manner on my shoulder, he said "Go home again, mv boy, for I have cleared that country of all the gems it contains," and, looking at the sparkling brilliants which shone out from every possible part of him, I was almost convinced that his statement was true. I was too proud to let the tears of disappoint- ment fall, and stood wondering what would be said to me if I returned home to admit I had been on a wild goose chase • this was sufficient to make me adhere to my original intention, whatever the result might be, so I determined to go and book my seat on the orach which was leaving the next morning, lest anything else should occur to make me waver. This year-23 years rcter my interview with him—I met in the Market-square at Johannes- burg this same gentleman, who had cleared the country of all the gems it contained, and on mv reminding him of the incident, he asked: How did you discover the De Beers Diamond Mines and become a life governor of the com- pany?" I replied: "By not taking vour advice to go home again." At the Diamond Fields Barnato obtained command of the rich Kimberley Mine. The other principal group, which controlled the De Beers Mine, was headed by Mr. Rhodes, and for some time it seemed doubtful which group would swallow the other. Ultimately the Rhod,-s group gained the ascendancy, and a huge amalgi- mation was effected. An interesting account has been given of the final scene: It was the evening of a day nearlv ten year-, ago when three men who held the chief interest in the diamond mines at Kimberley sat down together to arrange the terms of the projected amal^mation. The three were Mr. Cecil Rhodes. Mr. Alfred Beit. and Mr. B. Bir. nato. of the Kimberley Mine. Each one had a concession he required from the others, but the requirements of the first two are of no public in. terest. The concession Mr. Rhodes requir -d was entirely different. It was this: "I wnt the power to go to the north to carry out the expansion there, and I think the company might assist me in the work. I believe everything they give will be returned; but even if it were lost, it is a very fair cose for the doctri IA of ransom." In other words. Mr. Rhodes insist* d on getting the power to use the profits of the De Beers mine for the acquisition of the unoccupied regions of the north. Kir. ieit said little, but supported Mr. Rhodes, but the notion of using the diamond mines to create an Empire did not recommend itself as good business to Mr. Bar- nato, even when it was backed by Mr. Rhodes. Mr. Barnato was amused at this proposal, and armied against it for a long time. But Mr. Rhodes was determined to have his way, and insisted on their agreeing to his condition, as he had agreed to theirs. He sat there with them all night, and till four o'clock in the morning. At last the other two give way, Mr. Barnato ob.-ervincr, "Some people have a fancy for this thin7. some for that thing, but you have a fancy for making an Empire. Well, I suppose WH must give it to you." A fac-simile of the cheque for upwards of five- and-a-half millions paid by the De Beers Com- pany as the purchase price of the assets -f the principal owners of the Kimberley Mine is ftill sold in Kimberley as a photographic curiosity. Mr. Barnato was for some years a member of the Divisional Council of Kimberley. In 1888 he was elected member for Kimberley at the head of the .1, after a. contest, the fierceness of which had never been excelled in South Africa, and again in 18o4. From diamonds he turned to gold, and became one of the principal capita- lists of Johannesburg. The companies connec- ted with his name—the Barnato "Bank," the Barnato "Consols," and so forth-will be fresh in the reader's recollection. Alderman Renais, when Lord Mavor. entertained Mr. Barney Bar- nato at the Mansion House, and invited many persons to meet him who are not usually seen at the civic board. The affair occasioned much comment "lld it was undoubtedly one eanRe of the refusal of the Court of Common Council to pass the customary vote of thanks to the alder- man on his retirement from the mayoralty. Lord Mayor Renal's invitation stated that he was anxious to lelicitate Mr. B. 1. Barnato upon his recent courageous, honourable, and successful efforts to avert what threatened to be a serious financial crisis. The Lord Mayor's testimonial to Mr. Barnato in the toast of the evening in- cluded this sketch of his early life in the Trans- vaal. "There Mr. Bamato had lived, not eighteen months but twenty-two years. In 1888, during the fierce struggle for the representation of the people, Mr. Barnato was returned at the head of the poll by a majority of three-fourths of the votes of Kimberley. Moreover, he carried with him three men who had declared for his policy. That meant a great deal, for Kimberley was the only constituency except Cape Town that re- turned four members. At the next election in 1893, after spending some time in England, Mr. Barnato again went back to the real home of his life, and was again returned as the people's representative on the same lines as in 1888. Travelling three hundred miles further and coming to the Transvaal, they found Mr. Bar- nato the parent of some of the most successful enterprises that had helped honourably and honestly to enrich this old country of ours. Mr. Barnato was one of the few Englishmen—he meant Englishmen by birth, and not by legal adoption or choice—who had contributed in a superlative degree to the great prosperity of one 1. "I":1test Colon;es." Mr. Barnato thoroughly enjoyed his millions, and the excitement of his life. Am oner other things he aspired to control theatres and write plays. But he was transplanted, rather than fundamentally changed, by his change of for- tune. nnd the Barnato menage fit a luxurious West End hotel was not essentially- different from many a domestic interior in Whitechapcl or Houndsditch. HIS UNFINISHED HOUSE. The passion for building houses seems to have seized Mr. Barnato as it has seized many a millionaire before him. A palace is nearing completion in Park-lane, which he will never occupy; he was building a mansion for himself at Johannesburg, and was also erecting a big house on his Transvaal estate. Apropos of his Park-lane house, it is said that the ground land- lord. a noble duke, fearing that the dignity of Park-lane might be outraged by the erection of a small and shabby structure, ordered his agent to insert a clause in the deed stipulating that at least £20.000 should be pent on the house. "Tell the duke," said Mr. Barnato, "that I intend to spend that amount upon the stables." The buildine of the house was looked askance at in the Citv. for it is a tradition there that house-building is unlucky. Baron Grant's colossal plaoo, Colonel North's house at Eltham. and now Mr. Barnato's Park-lane mansion seem to lend some colour to the theory. THE "BARNEY" COMPANIES. It is practically impossible to say at present what effect the death of Mr. Barnato will have upon the City, or, rather, perhaps that part of it almost this predominating partner in—the "House," namely, the so-os lied "Kaffir" market, or "Circus," as it was once termed. It will lose. for a time, at all events, some of its vivacity, some of the old-time spirit of adven- ture, of dash and go, which seemed to be on the point of returning; but there is no reason to apprehend that values will immediately be affected to a serious extent. There can he. we imagine, little doubt that the ir,rer-jsts of bin estate, which now devolve upon Mn narrato and her children, will be care;tilly cnuservrd by Mr. Woolf Joel, who has for some year* been his henchman, and his relation, "Solly." both of whom are men of the shrewdest busi- ness capacity. It would obviously he unwise to proceed with whatever liquidation that iray be desirable other than sdowly, and on that point we expect no difficulty. At the finne time it would be foolish to ignore the fact that there are some undertakings of which "Bar- ney" was not only the creator, but so entirely their leading spirit, that it is difficult to con- ceive (»f their prosperity in the future apart from his individuality. We refer, of course, to eucb. ventures as the so-called Barnato Con- solidated Mines, which was formed with a capital of £ 1,250.000 to acquire a number of somewhat doubtful mining properties on the Rand, and even the Johannesburg Consolidated Investment Company, which has a capital of £ 2,750,000. and would, no doubt, occupy a much stronger position if it had not absorbed the so- called Barnato Bank. Also, we have the London-Paris Financial and Mining Corpora- tion with its million of capital. Some of the mining enterprises, too, with which Mr. Bar- nato has been connected may also suffer, for they are not all by any means enjoying a very healthy existence. THE MILLIONAIRE AND HIS OLD SCHOOLMASTER. One pretty little story is told of Mr. Barnato ir connection with his old schoolmaster. As a boy Mr Barnato went to the London Jews' Free School, which has produced so many lead- ing Jews of the day. When he left, his teacher, who was much attached to him, gave him a penny and his blessing. The years rolled by. the friendless youth had made his wonderful career in South Africa, and the little Barney had become a personage. About the time when half London and Paris were going crazy over the flotation of the Barnato Bank, Barney" was seized with a fancy to visit his o'd schoolmaster. With trreat difficulty he manafired to hunt up the old man. "Do you recollect," said he when they met, "do you recollect trivinsr your little Barney a penny when he left school thirty years ago? Here it is back again, and with compound interest," and therewith he handed the poor schoolmaster a cheque for £ 105. THE RUMOURS OF FINANCIAL WORRY. The family representatives of Mr. Barney Barnato state there is not the slightest founda- tion for any suggestion that financial worry could have had anything whatever to do with his death. They also state that the business of Mpssrs. Bam.ito Bros. will be conducted as hitherto, and that there will be no necessity for realisation of any large interests. The "Evening Standard" correspondent at New York telegraphs:—Mrs. Blackman, of Cleveland, Ohio, who claims to be a daughter of Mr. Barnarto by his first wife, who was a Miss Ann Esther, declares that she is about to proceed to London with her husband to claim her chare in the paternal estate.

THE IRISH RAILWAY ROBBERY. HOW THE IIOIm EY WAS LOST AND FOUND. Further details of the extraordinary robbery of JB5,000 at Limerick Junction Station are supplied by the Irian papers. The "Independent states that the unfoituuate baiut Cierk, Mr. White, who has been for nearly a dozen years in the service of the National Bank, left Limerick on Wednesday morning by tne eleven o'clock train for the junction. He was bound for Thurles, and was in charge of an offioial bank bag containing £ 4,400 in notes and L600 in gold. This money was to be lodged in the branch at Thurles, which is the distri- buting centre for the Irish Mid-and counties. When Mr. White got to the junction shortly after midday he was obliged to remain for some time awaiting the up train from Cork, and placed the bag containing the money on a seat by his side. When the Cork train steamed into the station he casually Looked at it for the purpose of ascertaining if some brother officials were on it. and whilst he v.as thus engaged for a moment the bag was taken from his side. Mr. White, who acted with great coolness, reported the matter to Polioe-sergeant Brett, of the police at Limerick Junction, and vigorous searches were at once made. The traips to Limerick and Waterford were ransacked from end to end, but no clue could be discovered, and in the meantime the trains for Dublin and Cork had left the platform. Mr. White gave a description of a lady and gentleman whom his imagination led him to believe he saw watching him in Georges-street. Limerick, when he was taking his seat on a car outside the bank door. These parties he subsequently saw at Limerick ter- minus, and both of them travelled with him in the same compartment to the junction, and later on he observed them standing adjacent to him on the platform. At the latter station they were attired in most respectable garb, the lady wearing a Diamond Jubilee brooch and a silk plaid necktie. The stationmaster at Limerick Junction, Mr. Fitzgerald, was im- mediately made aware of the affair, and warned all the train men and companies' officials to keep their eyes open. He just had time to post the men on the train for Dubiin as it drew out of the station. Wires were rr ttled off along the four railway routes—to Cork, Waterford, Limerick, and Dublin—advising all the stationnnsters and officials of the occurrence. This resulted in police-con- stables turning up at every station, where they remained keenly on the watch, while the rail- way officials were also on the qui vive. The guard of the train to Dublin. Thomas Murphy. made the most of the hurried warning received hv him nt the Junction, and supplemented this by whatever could be gathered from the diffe- rent telegrams which were continually being clicked into the stations at which his train Kto-ntWr He ouietlv marked off the carriages into which people had entered at the Junction, and as opportunity offered at the stopping- places made a thorough inspection ef every por- tion of the train, systematically going through its length. At Sailing Station Guard Murphy entered a third-class compartment and "hefted" a bag c -vered with white canvas. Two ladies and II voung gentleman were in the compart- ment. the gentleman and one of the ladies hav- ing jointed the train fit the Junction. The bag was not claimed as the property of any of the persons in the compartment. it was cpen to anv- body's view, and the lndv who joined at the Junction was unconcerned in manner, while the gentleman was also quite composed. The ladv wore a Jubilee brooch, which was mentioned in the rtoliofi wires, and Police-constables Brsdv and M'Gurk, who were on duty at the station, decided that they would '•n her and the gentleman, whose description was also included in their wires. The hacr was untouched, and a little examination showed it to contain a number of paokfls-es wrapped in brown rwner.

ACCUSED AGAIN BEFCXKE THE MAGISTRATES. It Press Association telegram says: —At Tip- perary on Wednesday Birdie Butler and Henry Odea, a student of Trinity College, Dublin, were chaiged on remand with stealing from an official of the National Bank of Ireland, at Limerick, 011 June 9. the sum of £ 5.000.—Further evidence as to finding the money with the accused having been given, defendants wtre. on the applica- tion of the Crown, remanded for a week, bail b6ing accepted. I

MAULED BY A TIGRESS. We learn with regret from our Khandwa, correspondent (states t-he "Juppulpore Times ) that Lieutenant Charles Herbert Marshall, of the Devonshire Regiment, pro- bationer Staff Corps, attached to the 24th Bengal (Punjaub) Regiment, met with an un- timely death while out shooting last Sunday. May 16. The particulars are these: —It appears Lieutenant Marshall, having heard of a "kill." nroceeded to the forest near Khir- kian, G.I.P. Railway Station, about 44 miles from Khandwa. Last Sunday morning, about ten o'clock. Mr. Marshal', having spotted stripes with two cubs, fired and rolled the mother over, waited for a short time. and then proceeded towards the tigress, thinking it was dead the two cubs boated. The wounded tigress immediately sprang on her foe when he was near her hiding place and mauled him very severely. The wounded officer was brought on » charpoy to Bir Railwav Station, and thence 21 miles by train to Khandwa. Immediatelv Marshall arrived he was conveyed to the dak bungalow, and soon after Surgeon- Maior W. A. Quavle, M.D., civil surgeon, arrived. All medical ski'l proved futile, the wounds being mortal. Blood poisoning set in, and after suffering for about 32 hours he expired last Tuesday, thi 18th of May, about 10 a.m. The late Lieutenant Marshall joined the Armv on the 4th of March, 1891. and was appointed to the Staff Corps as a probationer of July S.J896,

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THE COLLISION ON THE TAFF YALE RAILWAY. TWO COLLIERS CHARGED WITH A SHRIOUS OFFENCE. At Pontypridd Petty-sessions on Wednes. day (before Mr. Stipendiary Williams, Alder- men W. H. Mathias and Williams, and Dr. R. C. Hunter) John Harris and Henry Hopkins, colliers, of Llantriaant, were brought up in custody and charged with committing a breach of Section 36 of the Malicious Injury to Pro- perty Act, 1861, in having by an unlawful act obstructed the Taff Vale Railway. Ihe section reads as under:—"Whosoever by an unlawful act or by any wilful omission or neglect shall obstruct, or cause to be obstructed, any engine or carriage using any railway, or shall aid or assist therein, shall be guilty of a misdemeanour, and being convicted thereof iU.all be liable, at the discretion of the court, to be imprisoned for any term not exceeding two years, with or with- out hard labour."—Mr. Sankey, barri.ter-at-iaw, Cardiff, prosecuted on behalf of the Taff Vale Railway Company. The prisoners were not legally represented Mr. Sankey. having read the above section, opened the case, and said thaa it seemed that the two defendants had worked at the Glyn Colliery on Sunday last,"which is at the end of the Ely branch of the Taff Vde Railway. He would be able to prove that they left work at 9.30 on Sunday night, and proceeded to the siding of the colliery. Having opened the gates and turned the points of the siding, they set a truck in motion. Thev got it on the main line, and, being tired and wet, got into the truck, which they allowed to run down the line to within 300 yards of the house of Hopkins. Mr. Sankey pointed out the danger of leaving an empty truck on the main line, and it was on! a merciful interposition of Providence, he said, which prevented an acci. dent taking place on the following morning. A colliers' train ran into the truck on the fol. lowing morning, doing considerable damage to the truck and to the company's line. It was certainly a merciful interposition of Providence, for, had the train been going at a greater speed, there was not the slightest doubt but what a serious accident would have taken place, with the result that a number of valuable lives would have been lost. It was in the interest of the public that the company took those proceedings. William Whitney, guard, emploved bv the Taff Vale Railway Company, said he delivered a number of trucks at the Glyn Colliery last Saturday. He left, amongst others, the truck 1,170, which belonged to Messrs. Phillips, Earle, and Co. He left it in the siding secure. Edward Jones, engine driver, stated that on Monday morning he was in charge of a oolliers' train proceeding from jjlantrisant to Tony- refail. They ran into an empty coal wagon, numbered 1,170. Much damage was done to the wagon. They were going around a curve, and at a rate of about seven miles an hour. George Israel, rider, said he was working at the Glyn Colliery on Sunday last. The two defendants were also working there, and they left at 9.30 in the evening. He did not know where they lived, and, therefore, could not say if the railroad would be their nearest wav homo. Richard Ponston, inspector on the Tuff" ale Railway, said he knew the Taff Vale Railway. There was a considerable gradient on the line from Tonvrefail to LIantrisant. In order to get the wagons en to the main line it was necessary to turn two sets of points. The gate of the siding would also have to be opened to tret out the truck. Police-conrrtablp Parker said that on Tuesday he went to Harris's house, which is at Gellvnog, near Llantrisant. The prisoner was in bed at the time, and he was called down bv his father. Witness took him to the other man's house, who said that Harris suggested ttVincr the truck so as to have a ride home. Having charged them at the Llantrisant Police- station with the offence, the two defendants admitted it. but said they had no intention of doW harm. The Rench committed the two defendants to take thpir trial at the next assizes, bail being allowed, themselves in £4-0, and two sureties of jE20 each.

"TIE FATAL AFFRAY AT LLANELLYY. MAGISTERIAL PROCEEDINGS. There was a crowded attendance at Llanellv Polioe-court on Wednesday when John Thomas, the young tin-plater concerned in the fatal affray in Athenaeum-square, was brought up in custody. Last week, it will be remembered, he was arrested on the charge of doing grievous bodily Ilarm to Daniel Price. Since then, however. Price has died, and now Thomas stands charged with causing his death, Mr. T. R. Ludfcrd prosecuted, the accused being represented by Mr. D. R. Williams. Evidence was given by Elizabeth Davies, living at Pwll, who was passing near the Athenaeum at the time of the affray. Sha saw four nun come up to Price, but could not identify one of them. They had some words, and she saw Price knocked down by "a short man." He picked himself up, only to be knocked down again and again. The last time he fell his bead came into violent con- tact with the ground, and he did not gfet up. The four men then left him there. Dr. D. J. Williams said that, in conjunction with Dr. Samuel, he made a post mortem examination. In his opinion, the cause of death was inflammation of the brain. following the fracture of the base of the skull. The deceased could not make any depositions on account of his mental derangement. Cross-examinied by Mr. Williams, the doctor admitted that when he saw the deceased after the affray he appeared to have befen drinking heavily. The fracture at the base of the skull could not have been causfed by a blow. Ultimately the accused was remanded, bail being refused.

CHILD'S STRANGE DEATH AT NEWPORT. The somewhat complicated death of a child of seven months old, the eon of Catherine. Fisher, Gaiuey's-oourt, Newport, which took place on Monday morning last at the work- house infirmary, was inquired into by the deputy-coroner (Mr. Digby Powell) on Wed- nesday., The woman was previously brought before the borough bench on a charge of neglect, but. owing to the serious aspect the case had assumed, the magisterial inquiry \\as adjourned for a weiek to enable the in- quest to be held.-The motlier, Catherine Fisher, who was brought up in custody, stated that she did not see the infant for a fortnight, and when, at the end of that time, she left the workhouse she returned several times. saying she could not rest leaving the child there.—Among other witnesses called was Dr. T. D. M'Cormack, who stated that the child when admitted enly weighed 81b. 8oz., the normal weight of a child of that age being from 131b. to 141b. The post mortem examina- tion showed death to be the result of inauiti-m. -After retirement for consideration, the jury returned a verdict that the child died from exhaustion, or inanition, and asked the deputy- coroner to censure the mother for neglect.

REMARKABLE DIVORCE. A decree nisi was on Wednesday granted to Mr. Henry Symons, a cider merchant, of Tuckenhay, ne&r Totnes, because of his wife's adultery with Mr. Frederick Charles Heard, a cab proprietor. The case was undefended. It was stated that respondent, who had money of her own, took to drink and bebaved vio- lently towards her husband, and once damped the sheets of his bed when he was ill. The husband eventually went to live next door, and after this co-respondent lived with Mrs. Svmons. Moreover, they signed an agreement to live together as man and wife for the remainder of their lives, Mrs. Symous making over to Heard, who was a married man, the house in which she was living. Heard also, in a letter to his aon, said: "I must tell you I am living with Mrs. Symons. She has made her estate over to Ii.1e, and it is worth £ 7.000."