Evening Express

"Spinnaker Boom." Good gracious me! Good gracious me! Dear, dear, dear, dear; dear, dear, dear, dear! Well, well, this is ourions Who would have thought it ? Fancy there being no Morien" Dear, dear, dear, dear I can't understand it at all. It is all so strange, so startling, so utterly and suddenly surprising. But there you are You have only to look in the Mail" of this morning and you will tind a long, two- oolumn article which proves beyond doubt that Morien" never did, and does not now, exist—that "Morien," in fact, is a myth. Then what in the world is the bald-headed little man who comes tearing and puffing and bawling into the office occasionally? Who is he who went down the coal-pit with the Queen of England, and who saved the life and spun yarns to the Queen of Houmania ? Who is he who Stanley wants to find and shoot ? Who is he who stood the staff sixpenny drinks and fourpenny cigars a week ago P Who is he who poses so well in the groap Mr. Long made for us ? And who is he who on Saturday rode about the town with Mr. J. H. Wilson and Sir Charles Dilke. ''Morien," did you say? Nonsense; if you only read the Mail" article you will find that Morien is a myth and only exists in legendary lore-that he is a phantom haunt- ing popular imagination. I am rather sorry. I always thought he was alive, but since he is a xyth there's an end of him. If the man who abolished Morien" has got some more time on hand he will well spend it in proving a lot of other people who are about us to be myths. There are a few town councillors who could be advantageously explained away, and the town would be thankful if one or two school board members were proved to be phantoms of a heated indignation. The same ingenious writer would be of immense service to Sir h. J. Reed if he could persuade that gallant knight that really there is no such being as John Gunn in existence; and I have no doubt Mr. Arthur Williams would properly reward anyone who can convince him Sir Morgan Morgan is a myth, and only exists in the overwrought and fear-stricken minds of the race called Radicals who haunt the wilds of South Glamorgan. But a bigger task than all these would be to prove that the myth which goes by the name of the Cardiff Rate- payers' Association is not a myth, but a living reality. # Judge Owen is ooming to Cardiff much too often. While he visited us once a month we were almost always prepared to give him a weloome when he came, but now that he has taken to holding court once a fortnight we are likely to grow tired of him. We no sooner realise that he has gone than he comes back again. This is not fair. We don't get a chance to forget him, and no one wants to perpetually have a county-court judge on his chest. I am not sure too, but that Judge Owen's frequent attendances may not have a prejudicial effect on the county-court business of the court. We know that a demand will always fetch out a supply, and here is Judge Owen here once a fortnight for county-court cases. He invites them, as it were; and it is not likely people will keep him waiting. If Judge Owen will only keep on as he does at present I can foresee the time when he will take up his quarters at Cardiff altogether. vVe are far too accommodating here. Accom- nodativeness is our great fault Is it possible that Mr. S. T. Evans oan have leen guilty of introducing politics into a oncort ? One would like to think it is not, or Mr. S. T. Evans is one of the very, very mall number of members of the Welsh Par- iamentary party who are a credit to Wales. Jnfortunately, however, Mr. Evans has not Jean embarrassingly temperate of late, and f Golden Rule is correct, the member for »Iid-Glamorganshire has been saying things rhich even he himself will now wish had leen left unsaid. A Conservative who rrites to us to-day states that he went to the icncert in Wood-street last-night, and was istounded and shocked to hear Mr. S. T.Evans alking about politics! I would like to lelieve there must be some mistake, for assuredly no one could be so ill-mannerly as o introduce politics into a concert But our :orrespondent speaks of two Conservatives srho left the chapel in disgust. Here is some- hing for Mr. Evans to reply to or explain 1 way. I find there is a curious state of things at jlantrisant Station. Not that the subject ia lew by any means, but by putting it in this Fay I hoped to make it more startling, as it issuredly deserves. A bridge was built there ome time back with a way out into the road, vhich way was for some time open. Now for ome time it has been closed, but still people may be seen ascending from he up platform to avoid a long tut, and after all finding that the longest fay round is the shortest way home. The vooden gates have been fastened with a lock, wo bolts, and a thick piece of wood nailed tlong the foot—whether for support or to ceep out the draught is not sufficiently mown. • But this is not all. The bridge has a use, ind even this use is not appreciated, and •ightly not. Down passengers going to Cow- bridge had to cross this bridge, get their iicliets, and come back, while the same applies ;0 those from Cowbridge. Now, especially to itratigiirs, the necessary conjunction of the trains is a source of great excitement, and jveu to one who knows there is no ibsolute risk, extremely annoying. Again md again this matter has been exposed, but lot till an apoplectic family from somewhere ill fall down the step* in a fit will anything 33 done. I know there won't. • Things like this, added to the fact that nine excursion trains passed through the station in Whit-Monday without stopping, surely ixplain why the inhabitants of Pontyclown —for Llantrisant is a couple of miles away— lometimes believe themselves fifty years be- hind time. However, things now and then ;rop up to open their eyes a little. For nstance, at a place called Brynsaddler I am :old a donkey was for a long time kept in a ten-coop. Out of this it broke the other lay, and celebrated the occasion by eating, unong other things, two rows of peas, which peas were peacefully growing in a neighbour- ing garden. The aggrieved person, finding out the truth and getting hold of the animal, at 3noe locked him in the pig-stye. The pound" af ancient days is ostensibly unknown in this neighbourhood! it If I were compelled to say something nice ibout the colts' match with the Glamorgan aleven, my task would be easy, for I would have precious little to say. he match was a iismal failure. It brought forth no talent 3V«n of a third-rate class; .nd when we consider all things, we must not give way to wonder. Why did not the committee set about choosing a team in a proper manner, instead of letting the matter slide as they practically did. There wasn't a man in the team good enough to play for the county, and I trust that should unforeseen circumstances again cropup the committee will do the selecting itself. I could not help sympathising with the venerable Cosmos," who saw every ball bowled, but who troubled the atmosphere with his shouts and groans of That's no class and I'm afraid he won't make a bowler." It is all very well agitating to reform the jury system in consequenoe of the conviction of Mr. Wilson, but the people who are at the bottom of this agitation surely cannot know the probable consequences of their action, or they would pause and consider. We are all supposed to have the good of Cardiff and, more than all, the good of the country at heart, yet 1 know for a fact that if this law is altered there is one mau in Cardiff—one of the weightiest men in town—who will positively clear out of the country and go where there is more elbow room and where he can sit comfortably in a jury box without being crushed by trades unionists. What you want," says he, "is to get a man like Wilson tried by sailors and firemen, a councillor by town coun- cillors, a coffee-tavern keeper byooffee-tavern keepers, and rogues by rogues. If that's your la,w I'm going to leave the bally country." If he does go, we'll have lots more room here, for the effect of pulling a big town councillor out of a town would be something like the effeot of the haul made in Llandrindod Lake by our chief-editor, who assured me that when, he pulled out the fish the lake sank two feet. « It is agreeable to find that the tramway people are acting on my advice not to allow drunken men to ride on the trams and 'busses. On more than one oocasion 1. have b sen an eye-witness to some embarrassing annoyances to which a drunken man has subject some of the lady passengers—a state of things which could only be stopped by the speedy ejection of the troublesome man in drink. Conductors ought to be instructed to never allow such people to ride, and yesterday I was glad to see a con- ductor rigidly refusing to allow a drunken man to board the car. True, the car was crowded outside and inside, but it was par- ticularly agreeable to me to find the company had not put out a by-law to the effect that when a drunken man waited to get into a car or 'bus somebody should be turned out to make room for bim. One likes to find his advice acted upon, and 1 congratulate the tramway company.

THE WILL OF MR. D. J. JENKINS Probate of the will, da: ed November 31,1890, with a codicil made on the 5th of February Ust, f tiie lata Mr. David James Jenkins, of 131, High- bury New Park. and of the firm of Jenkins and Co., owners of the Shire Line of steamships to China and Japan, has been granted to the execu- tors, Mr-. Alice Ann Jenkins, the relict; Ciptain Noble Fleming Jenkins, the fon Mr. Edward Pembn>ke, of 8, Austin Friars, slnpbrokar and Mr. Richard James Mancd, of Malveru, bank manager, by whom the gro^s value of the hte Mr. Jenkins's personal estate has been sworn at £218,138138. 8d., and the net value at JE58,565 14s. lid. Mr. Jenkins, who was born at Haverfordwest in 1824, was during the Crimean War in command of a troopship in the Mediterraueiin, Baltic, and the Black Seas, and from 1874 to 1886 M.P. for Penrhyn and Falmouth. His will is throughout in his own handwriting. He bequeaths to his wife the furniture and household effects at 131, Highbury New Park, and £3,000 a year during her widowhood or £1,000 a year for the remainder of her life if ahe should marry again. Life annuities of £200 each are to be paid to the testator's daughter, Mrs. Mary Evans Montefiore, and to his sons, James, Ebenpzer, Noble, Alfred, and Frank. An annuity of £200 is to be paid to the testator's son, John Howe Jenkins, for three y. ars, at the expiration of ^hich period a sum of £2,000 is to be held in trust for him and his wife and children. The testator's business of Jenkins and Co. is to be carried on by the executors for three years or longer, at their discretion, iind if the profits of the business are not sufficient to pay the above named annuities, recourse may be had to the capital. The executors ate to offer a partnership in the business to t.he testator's son, Nob'e Jenkins, upon such terms as will compensate him for the aban- donment of his commission in the Army. The i eeidue of the lati? Mr. Jenkins's estate is to be in trust, as to one-third for his wife and her two children and as to the remaining two-thirds for the children (other than his said son John Howe Jenkins) of his first marriage..

Early on Monday morning burglars broke into the residence of Mr. J. F. Warden, proprietor of the Theatre Royal, he'fast, and stole a presentation plate and other valuables, worth about £400.

Our Portrait Gallery.-Mr. Robert Bridcut. Mr. Robert Bridcut is the agent to the Con servative party in Cardiff. He is thirty-four years of age, and comes from Birmingham. It is natural, therefore, to find that he took to politics-of a Conservative hue-almost as soon as he could walk and talk. At eighteen he was vice-chairman of the largest ward in Birmingham, and at twenty-two he was chosen by the party to contest St. Stephen's Ward in opposition to Councillor Wright, son of the late member for Nottingham. A year later Mr. Bridcut fought the biggest municipal fitrht ever fought in Birmingham, when he opposed Councillor, now Alderman, White, who, elected on the first, was made mayor on the ninth. In this fight Mr. Bridcut polled I more votes than had ever been polled by a Conservative candidate in any municipal election. Singularly. Mr. Bridcut was sup- ported by the entire Irish and Catholic vote, and the contest is also memorable for the amount of money it cost both sides, and for two actions for libel brought against Mr. Bridout-one by Mr. Chamberlain and the other by Mr. Powell Williams, M.P. For years the subject of our sketch was closely associated with the late Colonel Fred Burnaby, and was with him. all through the campaign of 1880. After the general election of that year Mr. Bridcut went to South Warwickshire, where he was suc- cessful in winning a notable viotory for the party; then he became agentfor the Hight Ron. James Lowther, and afterwards assisted Mr. Forrest Fulton in winning that great victory which was referred to as the Waterloo of the Metropolitan Borough. On the advice of Sir James Lawyer, president of the Birmingham Conservative Association, Mr. Bridcut came to Cardiff in the spring of 1889. Here he has since been busy making friends and building up the fortunes of the party. His organisation is good, and has already brought forth excellent results. If rumour is correct, Mr. bridcut is now laying odds of six to four on Jonn Gunn for Cardiff."

ADULTERY-JEALOUSY- MURDER. A Gardener Remorselessly Murders His Wifa to Gratify an Illicit Passion. A murder trial which has excited widespread popular interest has just been concluded at RIIUle, A gardener named Formil e, who was at one time in the employment, of the city, was charged with the deliberate murder of his wife under very remarka de circumstances by throwing tier into the River Titier. The prisoner had established a liaison with a young girl named Elvira Francesi, and spent a. considerable portion of his earnings in her company. When dismissed from his situa- tion for insubordination and other misconduct, he suddenly found himself in straitened circum- stances. His mistress then left him, going on a visit to a married sister in Vienna. On her return to Rome some time afterwards Formille desired to renew his criminal relations with her, but the airl refused, declaring that she was furiously jealous of her loverV wife. As she persisted in this resolve Formille determined to make away with his wife. Late iu the cVHniag, he w«nt to the house where she resided, and under various pretexts induced her to go with him to a low-ctusa eating-house, where they had supper. They afterwards went out together, and while cros-ing one of the bridges that span the Tiber he suddenly seized his wife in his arms and threw her into the river, where ehe perished. He then fled, and after wandering about the country districts for some days he succeeded in gaining Switzerland, Wilerd he remained for about three weeks. Being utterly destitute, however, and unable to find employment, he made his way biick to Milan and gUVd himself up to the police. The crime excited the greutest possible indigna- tion in Rome, and the prisoner would have been lynched by the popuiace, but for the precau- tious which were taken by the authorities. The jury tound Formiile guiity, and he was entenced to thirty years' penal servitude. Th«j giil Francesi belongs to the lower middle-class, and is respect- ably connected. Though always elegantly dressed, she hud no means of subsistence other than the support she received from t-ne prisoner, and in the course of the trial a numbari of her letters were read, all of them containing demands for money.

LEAPING FOR LIBERTY. 4 Daring Escape of.Indian Criminals from arl Express Train. Nothing in Dickens's description in "Great Expectations" of the disappearance and pursuit of the convict iu the dreary Char ham Marshes is more striking to the imagination than the narrative of the escape of the seven Indian criminuls from the railway train 00 their way from Nami to Calcutta, where they were to have embarked for the penal settlement in the tetrible Andaman Isles. The convoy numbered in all 62 prisoners, under a guard of 22 constables, but of these only eight were life convicts. These latter were placed in a separate compartment, under tise charge of two constables, which was deemed a sufficient guard, seems that these prisoners were chained and heavily manacled. The attempt was made shortly before daylight, while the train waa traversing a wild and desolate region, vi renewing off the iron bal's I which divided the cowpaitinents, they a) tacked and overpowered the guard, and, although the train was travelling at the rate [of 30 miles an hour, seven of the eight jumped through the window of the carriage. One of the constables succeeded in preventing the escape of the eighth man, while his companion, with desperate courage, followed the Dicoits in their perilous I leap into the darkness. He was found by the search puty severely injured on the line. The fugitives, as will be readily imagined, were also all more or less injured, and their sufferings from this cause were afterwards augumented by semi-starvation among the barren Chunar hills, where for some time they successfully hid them- selves. The taming influences of hunger and thirst, however, at last prevailed. Of the seven wlro got away, one has already paid with his life the penalty of his dariug, four have been re- captured, and two only now remain at large.

FACILIS DECENSUS," <fcc. Drink Reduces a Respectable Tradesman to a Crossing Sweeper. Dr. G. Danford Thoma.s held nn inquest at the Islington Coroner's Court on the body of Thomas Kenning, aged 51. The evidence showed that the duceased had had a boot business at Erith, was in a prosperous way of business, and then became a commercial traveller. He gave way to drink, went, fr >m bad to worse, his wife left him, and his son-in-law, an electrician, stated that he last saw Kenning alive at Christmas last. Meanwhile he had bjen reduced to the position of a cro-sing-swecper, lodging in the vicinity of Leather-!ane, Holborn. The other day he wae standing upon "ome ateps, about 13ft. high, cleaning the brass facia over a shop front. when he ft-11 to the footway on his shoulder, the step* falling with him. He was attended by Dr. Wright, medical officer of the workhouse infirmary, bu! got gradually worse, paralysis supervening con- sequent upon hemorrhage on the brain. Acci- dental death "-this was the jury's verdict.

Mr. Stanley and the King of the Belgians. The King of the Belgians will speud a fortnight in England at the end of the month for the pur- pose of still further discussing certain questions which have arisen in connection with the Congo. He is specially anxious to confer with Mr. Stanley, who, with Mrs. Stanley, will be very shortly the King's guests either at Brussels or Ostend.

Leighton and Millais on Genius. Sir Frederick Leighton expressed himself as follows to a correspondent who wiote to him as so whether tltera was such a thing as genius in art, without, a hard apprenticeship.—" Dear Sir,—In answer to your letter of the 4th inst., I write to say that nothing considerable has yet been done in this world without the bestowal of infinite puiM.—I -im, dear sir, yours faithfully, FRED. LEIGHTON." Replying to a similar inquiry, Sir John E. Millais, R.A., SllYS Dear Sir,—I have no belief in what is called geniub as generally understood. Natur,ti aptitude I do believe in but. it is absolutely worthless without immense ctudy and continuous labour.—Yours faithfully, J. E. MILLAIS."

BRUTAL PRIZE FIGHT, Disgusting Soenes in the Ring.—Fearful Punisnment Infli tea, Lfieds of late has bpcome notorious for prize fights, and, despite the efforts of the police to put a stop to them, they continue to be brought off successfully. Another determined battle was fought on Tui s iay morning at Knostrop, one of the suburbs of the town. The principals were F. Madden, Leeds, son of the well-known bruiser, Martin Madden, and James Moran, also of Leeds, while the stakes were jglO a-side. No less than 27 rounds were fiercely fought. The men, up to the sixth round, displayed equal strength from that time, however. Madden fought desperately, and ultimately proved an easy winner. Thert) were not more than a dozen persons present, the affair having been kept secret. Both men started looking fresh and strong, and for some little time neither got a blow in At length Moran led off on Madden's cheek with a well-directed blow, which caused him to stagger. In the second round Madden, whose blood was thoroughly roused, assumed the offensive in a very spirited style. He hit Moran a severe blow on the left eye, almost shutting it up. Moran tailed to get in a return, and Madden had con- siderably the best of the round. In the third round Madden came up in gallant style, and after some clever sparring caught his opponeot a terrible hit on the left, cheek, which had the wffect of com- plsiely flooring Moran. Although somewhat diized, however, Moran managed to get in a smart blow on Madden's upper lip, cutting it, open. From this point Madden showed himself the bitter man. He landed Moran a severe blow on the right eye, which com- pletely shut that optic. Encouraged by his previous success, Madden followed up his last blow with another on the same spot, Moran's eye- brows being laid open with a nasty cut. After this Madden simply had it all his own way, and hit his opponent about right and left. Moran's ribs assumed a most terrible appearance, iai ge lumps being raised the size of hen's eggs. He, however, kept up gumely, though it was evident to his backets that his chance of winning had gone, and the fight was simply a processicn for Madden. During the ]a*t ten rounds he had Moran at his mercy the whole of the time. At tbe concldsion Moran had to be conveyed home, and was at once put to bed, where it is expected he will be forced to remain fo: some days. The winner was only slightly punished.

FAILURE OF A CARDIFF PAINTER. A meeting of the creditors of Louis Herbert Coleridge Evans, painter, of 11, Wood-street and 14, G'orge-Sireet, Cardiff. wm« held at. the Official Receiver's Office, Qu. en street, on Tues- dav afternoon.—From the statement of affairs it appeared that the debtor's liabilities amounted to £ 4272a. 7ii.,and the assets to £73 2s. 4d., leav- lug a deficiency to be accounted tor of J63540s 3d The debtor alleged that his causes of failure were want of capital, loss on branch shop at Wood-street, pressure from c'e iiturf, and slackness of trade. The receiving order was made upon the debtor's own petition. He commencd business in September, 1888, with a borrowed capital of JE8, as a jobbing painter. To enable him to carry on his business he borrowed £ 54 from his Iriends at various times, and this sum was inciuded in bis liabilities. In August last he opened a branch shop at Wood-street at a rent of 91 a week, and to this he attributed his iailure.-The Official Receiver stated that the debtor appeared to have contracted debts in a careless manner, ana he had done very little work since November last. The debtor sold a quantity of his stock on the 14th of April to satisfy an execution amounting to £ 18 IS*. 3d. The sale realised jBSt, and a balance of X19 had been placed to the credit of the estate. The remaining stock had realised JE76 lis. 6d. The debtor did noti intend making any offer, and he has been adjudi- cated a bankrupt.—No resolution was passed.

Trousers for Tenpence. *A pair of trousers for tenpence!" Is It possible- ? It is, according to the Warehouseman and Drapers' Trade Journal, and if the W. and D.T J. cannot speak on a question of this sort, who can ? The trousers are such as French workmen wear. "Made or drill of a bluish tinge," says the organ of the wary warehouseman and the debon- nair draper, these trousers, which are of German make, are shipped from a German port to a Colonial market at the price named."

Bishop of Rochester's Malady. Why (asks the Pall Mall Gazette) is so much mystery made as to the illness of the Bishop of Hochester ? The bishop is suffering from a tumour in the stomach. He has been ordered to keep his bed for a period of three months. Light corre- spondence is the only diocesan duty which in the meantime he may be able to discharge. The disease somewhat resembles that which it was believed at one time threatened the life of Dr. Magee.

Rose's 56th Appearance. At Cardiff Police-court this morning (before Major Slopsr and Dr. H. J. Paine) Rose Peterson, 34, and Mary Watson, or Ballard, 29, were charged with being disorderly prostitutes, and causing an obstruction by fighting in St. Mary-street on the 19th in<,taut.—This was the 56th time Rose had appeared in the dock, and Watson's fourth.- Peterson wae sent to prison for one month, and Watson was cautioned and discharged.

Cardiff Free Library Building Committee. A meeting of the Cardiff Free Library Building Committee was held at the Town-hall this morning, when Alderman D. E. Jones presided. There were also present Messrs. W. J. Trounce, O. Shepherd, W. Lewis, Dr. Vachell, J. Munn, J. L. Wheatlev (town-clerk), and J. Ballinger (librariall).-A letter was read from Mr. T. Webber askiug the com- mittee to allow the temporary market to remain, and to let it for the purpose of an artisans' exhi- bilitm in August next. Mr. Gibson, the builder of the wooden structure, had agreed to allow the building to stand providing he was permitted to utilise the outside for advertising purposes.—It was resolved that the committee could not see their way to allow Mr. Gibson to use the tempo- rary market as a bill-Dostina etlltion.-This was all the business.

THE WORLD'S NEWS. {BY SPECIAL CABLEGRAMS THROUGH DALZIEL'S, REUTER'S, AND CEN1RAL NEWS AGENCIES.) THE RULING PASSION. Six Young Men Fight for a Lady- Three Mor ally Wounded. STACKHOUSE (N.C.), Wednesday (Dalziel).— A terrible fight took place here yesterday about a girl. Jjix young men enamoured of a young lady fought with pistols. Shot guns and razors were also used. Three of the young men were mortally wounded. FRENCH ORDNANCE. General Dupan Denies Placing Contracts Abroad. PARIS, Wednesday {Renter).—A representa- tive of the Eclair has bad an interview with General Dupan, bireotor of the artillery at the Ministry of War, with reference to the question raised by M. Greville Reache about the alleged purchase of Krupp and Armstrong guns for the French Navy. The general said be believed the hon. deputy was the victim of a hoax. The Ministry of Marine had merely ordered a few pieces of ordnance of Messrs. Armstrong, Mitchell, and Company, but had never placed any important contracts abroad, nor had the Government ever sent the smallest quantity of smokeless powder out of the country. Moreover, the tasting of cannons ordered from abroad would take place in France. The same journal has interviewed a naval officer, who, on the other hand, main- tained that the French Government had sent 2,000 kilogrammes to England. M. Sohneider, director of the Creuzot W orks, stated that ha was aware the Government bad ordered some Armstrong guns, and added that he was con- vinced that foreign powers had long since been in possession of the smokeless powder used in the French Army. He strongly deprecated the action of the Government in the matter. M. Menard Dorian, director of the Acieries de la Loire, and Colonel Bange also expressed their dissatisfaction with the course adopted by the Government. They argued that the Armstrong guns were absolutely useless, French guns being v/sry much superior to them. STRIKE RIOTS IN AMERICA, Two Deputy-Sheriffs Maltreated-Scat- tering the Mob With a Hcsa. NEW YORK, Wednesday (Reuter). — At a convention of miners held at Scottdale yes- terday it was decided to continue the strike. At the oonclusion of the conference serious rioting occurred. The first disturbance was caused by a negro who threatened to shoot a labour leader named Wise, and was conse- quently chased by the mob. The police, however, interfered, and succeeded in resouing him from the people after a hard fight. Subsequently another deserter hooted the strikers, and was forced to take refuge in an hotel by a mob numberiifg fully a thousand men, who were finally despersed by having an enormous hose turned upon them. A little later two deputy- sheriffs tried to exert their autho- rity, but a rush was made for them, whereupon one deputy fired a revolver, wound- ing a man in the shoulder. This enraged the mob, which immediately closed round both officials, who were trampled upon and only rescued from death by the opportune arrival of a party of police. At the same time a perfect deluge of water was poured upon the crowd by the fire brigade, causing the rioters to disperse a second time. Shortly afterwards, however, the mob made another rush, and again, captured the depu- ties, whom they struck and kioked. The. unfortunate men begged for mercy, and the strikers, on the advice of their leaders, finally allowed them to be taken away. Sad Suicide at St. Petersburg, PARIS, Wednesday (Dalziel).—Tbe Gaulois announced yesterday in a mysterious manner the suicide at St. Petersburg of the son of a well-known finanoier. who had been overwhelmed in troubles. The Echo de Parts subsequently published the name of the suicide as Robert Hentsch, son of a former president of the Comptoir d'hscompte. The family of the unfortunate young man attri- bute the rash act to religious mania, compli- cated by fever. The Gaulois, in announcing the death of M. Hentsch yesterday, said that his mind had been unhinged by the misfor- tunes of his father. Death of a French Writer. PARIS, Wednesday (Dalziel).—One of the greatest French writers of the day, J. J. Weiss, for many years one of the chief writers in the Journal des Debats, died shortly after midnight to-day at Fontainbleau, where he was librarian of the Palace under the Empire. He strongly opposed some of Napoleon lll.'s Ministers, including Emilie Ollivier. He was appointed genera! secretary to the Ministry of Fine Arts and Councillor of State. After the fall of the Empire M. Weiss returned to journalism. New Zealand's Population, WELLINGTON, Wednesday {Reuter).—The census returns show that the population of New Zealand, exclusive of Maories, number 619,000, an increase of 40,000 since 1886. Bowen v. Myers. NEW ORLEANS, Wednesday (Dalziel).—The flgbt between Andy Bowen and Billy Myers was awarded to Bowen in the twenty- third round on a foul, though Myers was in the best condition at that time.

Strange "first Night" Perfor- mance. A strange experience (says the Daily Telegraph Paris correspondent) "on Tuesday evening fell to the lot, of the theatre-goers who never mtss a "fiisr, night. The announcement of a new ballet," Le Cceur deSita," in three acts, in which music was to play a part as well as dancing, bad attracted to the Eden Theatre a large audience, which with exemplary patience sat through various variety entertainments. At last at about half-past ten o'clock, after a long wait, the curtain rose, but only to permit of the appear- ance of a gentleman, who explained that in conse- quence of an accident to the machinery the ballet could not be given. The audience, however, was requested to keep their places, and consider what was going to be performed us merely a rehearsal. So at about eleven o'clock the so-called trial began, and at a late hour on Wednesday morning it was still going on.

Stage Dancing at Private Parties. Stage dancing is becoming a popular feature at a large number of evening parties. Private theatri- culs sent many aristocratic young ladies to the theatrical dancing masters, and some of the pupiis have acquired so much proficiency as to make hostesses eager to secure their services. The dances are not always confined to the stately figurcs of the minuet, but extend to many of the Gaiety movements. At some houses professional dancers have been engagod.

Marriage Extraordinary. A venerable couple whose joint ages makeup a total of 164 years, have just been united in the bonds of wedlock by the mayor of Ivry. Their "witnesses" attained amongst them the respec- table figure for 249 years; but, they were regarded almost as juveniles by the bride and bridegroom, who went through the ceremony with the utmost aplomb, and played their part vigorously at the marriage feast which followed.

The Mayor and the Editor. On Tuesday morning a. man in a very excited condition burst into the offices of a local news- paper, called the Lutte, published iu Montmartre, France. The effervescing person was the mayor of the district—a M. WiggisbofI-and he de- manded in imperious tones to see the writer of certain articles which had been printed in the paper criticising him in very severe terms. The editor was seated in his sanctum at the time, and on beholding the iras- cible mayor, coolly fired two shots from a revolver at the unwelcome visitor. M. Wiggisboff recoiled untouched, but bad a heavy fall downstairs, aud hurt his head seriously. The mayor was con- veyed to a chemist's shop, were bis injuries were attended to. and be was afterwards sent home in a cab.

CARDIFF DAY BY DAY. The South Ward Conservative dinner wiilbaheltf to-night. The shipments at Penarth on Tuesday were 8,336 tons, and at Barry 14,587 tons. The English Congregational Sunday School, Llandaff-road, has for some time been incon- veniently crowded, and a movement is on foot to e-ect a new building, which will accommodate a much larger number of scholars. A large majority of penmen are now taking the parchment ticket of the Shipping Federation (for which they are charged one shilling) in preference to the free paper ticket. The parchment will give them the first claim under the insurance schema I which the federation is formulating. Mr. F. R. Greenhill, the Cardiff borough trea- surer, has practically recovered from his recent attack of influenza, but he has not altogether regained his wontad strength and vigour. Mr. F C. Lloyd, the deputy town-clerk, is still an invalid. He is, however, gradually recovering. Mr. Gunn is losing no time in making tiTfffser known to the Conservative working men. The first of a series of ward meetings which Mr. Gunn will address will be held in the large ball of the working men's club in the premier ward on Friday night next. Councillor Parker is announced to preside, and it is expected there will be a large and enthusiastic gathering to welcome the Unionist champion. When the commercial men of Cardiff make up their minds to obtain better facilities for carrying on their trade, a first check does not dishearten them. The Board of Trade refused at first to sanction the formation of a Local Marine Board at Cardiff.but the Shipowners'Association, supported by other local bodies' kept agitating until they overcame the scruples of Sir Michael Hicks-Beach. The ceamber of commerce is now agitating for belter postal facilities. Mr. Raikes has replied that the department cannot afford the expense. This has rather whetted the appetite of the chamber for another s-trugyle with omcialdom, and unless the Postmaster-General concedes the very modest demands of the members, his life will cot be worth living for the next few months.

THE AFFAIRS OF A CARDIFF FURNITURE DEALER. A meeting of the creditors of William Hodson, cf 27, The Hayes, Cardiff, furniture dealer, was held this morning at the offices of the Official Receiver in Queen s reet.—The Official Receiver (Mr. T. H. Stephens) represented ci editors for £127 18s. 6d.; Mr. Puckeridge, solicitor, represented Mr. D. R. Ambrose, a creditor, for £U¡2 14s. 7d.— The siatement of affairs showed that there were unsecured creditors for j61,074 10s 7d. A* against this sum there were good uook-uebts, £9 3, and surplus from securities in the hands of-creditors fully secured (per contra), £40. Deficiency (ex- plained in statement), JE1,025 7s. 7d. The Official Receiver rep. a-ted as followsThe receiving order was made upon a creditor's petition, the act of bankruptcy being the debtor's failure to comply with a bankruptcy notice. The debtor states he commenced business at Cardiff in April, 1839, with a borrowed capital of J6120, in jaitnership with his brothev-m law, and traded as The Cambrian Furnishing Company.' This part- nership was di«s-'lved on the 30th of January, 1890. the debtor pay iag his partner £280 by bills and ca*h, and undertaking to pay off the liabi- lities of the firm. The outssanding liabilities of the Slid partnership now amount to abiut £60. The debtor continued the business, which was principally seling' furniture on the hire system. In October. 1890. the debtor transferred the whole of his business to a limited company, called 'The Cambrian Furnishing Company, Limited,' the consideration being that he w »s to have ordinary tsharej to the amount of £2,990, and be emploved as manager to the company, at a sal-try ot JE250 per annum and commission. A charging order was obtained by a creditor for j645 against these shares in March last, and on the 13, h of April, 1891, the debtor instructed an auctioneer to sell his interest in thtse share. This was done, and they were transferred for a sum of £ 10. The deb or does not intend making any offer for a composition, but states he is prepared to set aside a part of his sahr, until the whole of the debt-i are paid in full. His busi- ness transactions will require strict investigation. He bus been adjudicated a bankrupt upon my application. He has no assets of any kind, his household effects were sold umier au execution in October last, and the furniture now at his hous^i he States is on the hire system from the said company. He has kept, no books of account which show his financial position." In reply to questions put by th,1 Official Receiver the defendant stated that he NilS prepared to offer his creditors a charge of £2 per week upon the salary he recei .,od from he company. As to the Sale of his 2,990 share- which he had Hftimared would realise j62,000, he expl lined that at the sale by auction they were sold for JE10 to a mau whom he did not then koow, out who lie had since learned was ihe auctioneer's clerk.—The offer of £2 per week was put to the mett- ing, but no one pr>>p >sed its acceptance.— Debto. applied to the Ofhcitl Receiver for a o rti- ficate so tllat he might obtain his discharge from his creditors.—Mr. Stephens: You must wait. Your public examination has not. takeu placa y<at.—The meeting wus then adjourned. Subsequently at the Registrar's Court,Town-hall, the debtor was publicly examined by the Official Receiver.—Mr. Geo. David aud Mr. Puckeridge appeared for creditors.—In t:;e course of the examination, the debtor stated that he knew nothing of the furnishing business before h« started in it, and he went into it on the advice of Ins brother-in-law, who understood n. He (the debtor) found £100 in cadi and £20 worth of goods, but, the capital was borrowed. There was no partner- ship deed, and they dissolved partnership after- wards, because, he supposed, they were both bad tempered and could not agree. — The Official Receiver supplied for an order that the debtor should supply accounts of his transactions, and the examination was adjourned so that the debtor might comply with the order of the court.

LOCAL REPRESENTATION ON LLOYD'S COMMITTEE. Mr. John Gunn, the only Candidate, Ejected. A special meeting of the Cardiff Chambor of Commerce was held to-day, under the presidency of Mr. Llewellyn Wood, for the purpose of electing a representative on Lloyd's Committee,—The Secre- tnry (Mr. Hawkins) stated that the only candidate nominated was Mr. John Gunn, whose proposers and seconders were Messrs. Edmund Handcock. senior, G. H. Wills, J. H. Wilson, J. H. Ferrier, William Aouing, C. E. Stallybrass, Rees Jones, Ll Wood, and E. R. Moxey. The CHAiBMaN stated that as there was no other candidate nominated he had great pleasure in declaring Mr. John Gunn elected. (Applause.) The chamber had in Mr. Gunn a representative who would be a credit, not only to the chamber, but to the committee which he joined. There were not a few members of the chamber who w )uld have been extremely pleased to All the office, but as soon as it became known that Mr. Gunn was at liberty to represent them on Lloyd's Committee all "ther intended nominations were abandoned. (Applauas.) Mr. GUNN thanked the chamber for the compli- ment they had paid him. They had conferred upm him the highest honour which was at their disposal, and he appreciated it as such. He had hoped that one of the leading merchants would have been selected for the position, but it was found that there was no merchant pure and simplu who WitS prepared to accept it. At the requost of several merchants be allowed himself to be put in nomination, aud, having been elected, be would do his utmost to serve the chamber and the port. (Applause.) When Lloyd's Committee visited Cardiff about two years ago he ventured to point out that Cardiff was not repre-ieuti-d as the importance of the port demanded, and one of the members of tile eom. mittee admitted there was considerable force in the arguments which he (Mr. Gunn) used. It was at the time also a matter of constant complaint that the staff of Lloyd's was noo sufficient to carry on the work of supervision with such despatch as was required in these days to keep ships going. Owners had frequently to wait for days for a representative of Lloyd's to certify that the work had been properly dona. That, ho was glad to say, had been remedied to a large extent, and for whatever was lacking they had the assurance of the committee a remedy would be forthcoming, and that any reaeonaole demand. would be complied with. On the same occasion he ventured to submit to the committee thafe Cardiff was entitled to representatives of its own, instead of with other Bristol Channel ports return- ing one member to Lloyd's Committee. This wag pooh-poohed by some people in high authority, but the committee had in their wisdom thought it right two allocate two ruemberf to the port, ona directly representing tt>e shipowners and the other directly representing the chamber 01 [ commerce. (AppUuse.)