Evening Express

HURST PARK. 2.0— 4 ran Ilaguebut I bt AicLia

HIS HEAD SPLIT OPEN. A CARDIFF WORKMAN FOUND DEAD UNDER AN ENGINE. A sad discovery was made early on Saturday Horning at the hydraulic engine shed situate m the east side of the East Bute Dock, Car- diff. It appears that John Clements, a work- ma.n employed under the Bute Company (Limited), while pursuing his ordinary work, came across the body of Robert Wright, •h<- engine driver, at 2.15 a.m., lying underneath bhe engine. Clements summoned the assis- tance of a fellow-workman, nameu George Bush, and together they succeeded in removing )he deceased. It is assumed that while en. Raged in oiling the bearings he was struck with a part of the machinery, as his head was literally split open. The Bute Dock Police were subsequently informed of the accident, and the body was removed by Police-constable Thomas Forst to the mortuary shortly before live o'clock. Wright was a married man, re- ading in Hydemarket-terrace, East Moors.

BLAZE AT CARDIFF. TIIOUGHT GLOWING CINDERS STARTED THE FLAMES. At a few minutes past six o'clock on Satur- day morning Police-constable Grantham dis- covered a fire at No. 2, Patrick-street, Docks, a hou.e tenanted by a man named Flufeo Fuallano. The constable, finding that the wood of the partition between this and the adjoining house was burning, immediately tummoned additional aid. and, Police-constable 115 being soon on the spot, the officers had no difficulty in getting the fire under. Glowing cinders found in the fireplace is the cause ascribed for the outbreak of the fire. The damage was very slight.

JABEZ BALFOUR. THE MYSTERY SURROUNDING HIS LANDING. The mystery surrounding the Tartan Prince increases. Tho owners are still (says the Lon- don correspondent of the "Manchester Courier") in the dark as to why the vessel passed St. Vincent without coaling or signalling. There were at that port sixteen passengers awaiting to embark for this country, and part of the ship's cargo was for St. Vincent. It is the opinion of those with whom I have spoken on the subject that after the ship left the Argentine Republic, Inspector Froest opened eealed orders from the British Govern- ment respecting the course the ship had to taka None of the vessels of the Prince Line have passed St. Vincent before, and the loss to the owners must be considerable. They are t>ur-3 to .rake a claim for compensation against the Government, for they not only lose passen- gers, but will have to return the cargo to the Cape Verde Islands. The owners have been as much surprised as the public by this un- a.uthc.rised alteration in th?) service and route of the Prince Line, and they are considerably annoyed thereby. PREPARING THE DEFENCE. The Treasury have been in communication with the firm of solicitors who are defending Mr. Balfour, and it was gleaned that, on his arrival in London, the prisoner would be taken dirtct to Scotland-yard. The solicitors engaged on behalf of Balfour will be immediately noti- fied of his arrival, and every facility will be {panted them to prepare his defence. Some weeks Lack Mr. Balfour forwarded to some of his friends in this country a draft of his defence Prepared by himself. This has been handed to his solicitors, who have for some time past been busily engaged in going through every detail of it, as well as through the accounts of the Liberator Building Society. It was further stated that a member of this firm of soli- citors would leave London to-day (Saturday) with several officers of the Criminal Investiga- tion Department, and that he would be allowed to travel in the same compartment as that occupied by the prisoner on the journey to the Metropolis. On Friday the solicitors for the defence received a statement from the Treasury with reference to the charges to be preferred against their client. THINKS OF RETURNING TO ARGEN- TINE. Just before departing from Argentina on the return journey to England, Jabez Balfour "^•dpessied the (following letter to the "La Nacion," of Bunnos Ayres:—"Before leav- 1118 the Argentine Republic, I think it my dt ty to think you and 'the whole Argentine PrfRg, ng well as the Argentine people, for the sympathy and courtesy shown me in this ccur.try. My life during my long stay in the province of Salta is very well known. The Inspector-General of Police in that province testified 'to the fact that my conduct has ('n niost exemplary; and I can say for iny- fit 1£ and my family that we have rever heard a single offensive word. The best test of the j-ufture and civilisation of a ntaion is itc be- *'our towards ladies and foreigners; and In this respect a distant province like Salt a %Al Undoubtedly compare favourably with the hl08. enlightened countries in Europe. The l)l'ospe,rity and progress of the Republic have most earnest wisb.es. I beg my Argentine ^-ends not to forget m«, and I start for Ur°pc with the hope of returning to this; lif1 aJ1<^ Pass*n £ here the last days of my T must further publicly thank my lawyer fo Marceliuo Torino, of Salta, wK- professional and friendly servioes 1 lie has rendered me. I salute the editol." The editor, in printing the letter, the following note :—Mr. Balfour last nlght sent us the following letter, which lie y lis>h with pleasure, thanking him for his lund sentiments.

CRIMEAN VETERANS. "No RIGHT IN THE WORKHOUSE" SAYS A GUARDIAN. i« Jntitleci Sin>l>ii«^ ,w'!eH10r a Crimean veteran M«di" to 0,1 Fridav -it 1 J, woikhou.se was raised ^ect vStrv—Mr °f th« Liverpool W waf ^n thf wo?i^eW **ld he believed 'named Lawroi *n °ld Crimean W *"TP^iTv1*?1*' that as hci' it £ h^i 8 behalf.—Mr. Peet asked if .k the Pension.—Mr. Bodger: I m:.vu i £ rWI,aU one-Mr. I'eet: be in the workhouse*1 __e him.- pension is not sufficient to keep encourage" t.i et: 1 tlunl5 lfc 's not right to mentality ?? people. It is maudlin sentj. r e ought not to he encou- **»ing subject dropped without any- g be&u agreed upon.

Swept by a Cyclone I PART OF AN AMERICAN STATE DEVASTATED. Houses Wrecked Land Flooded and a Death-roll of Nearly One Hundred. A Central News telegram from New York says:—A terrible cyclone devastated a large portion of the Sioux County, Ohio, late on Friday evening. The details so far received are only meagre, the telegraph wires having been laid low in all direotions and messages only coming through a circuitous route. The Cyclone was accompanied by rain of excessive violence, falling in such quantities and with such force that much of the land was flooded. The railway tracks were washed out and traffic was stopped. Physicians and relief parties, who were endeavouring to reach the scene of the disaster, werie either prevented from getting to the spot or only got there after the most laborious difficulty. The centre of the dis- turbance seems to have been Sioux, where it is already known twenty residences and the school house have been entirely demolished. Two sehool teachers, three pupils, and two women were killed when the sehoolnouee Was blown down. Thirteen other bodies have also been recovered in the vicinity from amongst '■he wrecked buildings. It is also known that ten persons were killed at Doon, three at Perkins, and five at Sihley, m Osceola County. It is estimated that at least fifty persons have been Killed out- right, and the entire death-roll will certainly not be less than one hundred. A heavy wind and rain prevailed elsewhere in Ohio, as well as in South Dakota » and Kansas. Immense damage to property has been wrought in those districts, but so far no fatalities have been reported beyond those already indicated.

CHINA AND JAPAN. PEACE TREATY TO BE RATI- FIED. The "Times" Shanghai correspondent says: Certain of the Ministers and Princes have addressed a petition to the Throne advocating the paj ment of a vastly-increased indemnity instead of the cession of Manchuria. The 1 u-kien officials have drawn up a memorial protesting against the cession of Formosa and offering to contribute to a redemption fund. Liu Kunyi and General Sung declare that the Emperor intends to fight to tlie'^death sooner than surrender Manchuria. GERMANY AND ENGLAND. The Berlin correspondent of the "Morning lost says:—The attitude towards England of the -German Colonial Party may be in- ferred from two articles on the Far Eastern crisis in the "Deutsches Wochenblatt," the second of whioh is entitled "East Asia and the Relations of Germany to England." The article says that the "Wochenblatt" has for years maintained "that Germany ought to go hand in hand with France in all Colonial questions, but ought to show its teeth (sic) to England, its false friend." The article hopes that, after settling the new Eastern question, the three greatest Powers in Europe will say a word to the Cabinet of St. James, and that word should be "Evacuation of Fsypt." "We can then leave French and Russian diplomats to arrange their own affairs. But German demands must run: — The cession of the Island of Zanzibar and Walfisch Bay; the cession of Witu; Germany to have sole sway in Samoa; freedom for German immigration into South Africa; re- versal of the English Treaty with the Trans- vaal, and the union of that State with Ger- many by a definite form of alliance; the final renunciation by England of all claims to Delagoa Bay. Under these conditions, which permit the unhindered expansion of German Colonial policy, and which above all leave us the only field for emigration which remains open-let the dominant posi- tion with regard to the Suez Usual be left ,by Germany to England."

SCHOOLMASTER ABROAD As to the Nationality of Homer, but at Home in Scotland. At Croydon Borough Police-court a Mrs. Card, living in Holmesdale-road, Thornton Heath, was summoned for neglecting to send her daughter, aged twelve years, to school. Mr. Barrow Rule, clerk to the Croydon School Board, appeared in support of the summons. —The defendant pleaded that she had been sending the child to an efficient school kept by a. Mr. Davis, in Ely-road, Crovdon.—A school offioer informod the bench that the school- master referred to was only eighteen years of age, and was "not fit to teach a baby." Mr. Davis, who had been sitting at the back of the court, at this juncture came forward and stepped into the witness-vox. Mr. Seale (the chief clerk) What are your Qualifications as a schoolmaster? Davis: What do you mean, sir. Mr. Seale: Are you a teacher and don't understand that plain question? Davis I know everything. (Laughter.) Alderman Rymer: Did you write this circular. Davis Yes, sir. Dr. Strong (another magistrate): Then I am afraid you don't know everything. Alderman Rymer Do you know the difference between the third and the first person ? Davis: I do, sir. Dr. Strong: I am afraid you don't know tra miliar. Davis: I did not correct the printer s proof. The circular read as follows:— 9, EIY-rood, Croydon.—-Notice.—William Davis ilS prepared to take pupils a.t the above Htldresu not under six years of age for instruction from half- past nine to twelve, and from huJf-i>a«t two till four. Subjects: Heading, writing, spelling, Ki'annnar, arithmetic, history, geogmphy, poetry, Latin. Will intending pupils let me know as soon us possible? Fee, one Id. (sic )—I am, you .s obediently, W.D. K veiling classes fro:n ha If-past six till half-past seven. Latin, 3d. estra. Mr. Scale (to Davis); Wliat teaching have you had yourself? Davis I passed the sixth standard in one of the Croydon Board schools. Mr. Seale: W hat did you pass m ? Davis: In everything. Mr. Rule: You teach Latin, I think? Davis Not me, sir I have a lady to teach I~atin, but J have no Latin pupils now, so do not reqmre her. Mr. Rule If you were teaching Latin would you take Hcmer or Virgil? Davis I should take Homer. Mr. Rule I suppose you can give instruction in decimal fractions and vulgar fractions? Davis: Why, yes, sir. Mr. Rule Then if a scholar asked you which was the greater—three-fourths or six-eighths— what would be your answer? Davis: I could not say what would be the correct answer without working it out on a slate. (Laughter.) Mr. Rule Now, with reference to this girl, what is she learning? Davis: Geography, sums in long division, £ s. d., spelling, end writing. Mr. Rule What part of geography ? Davis She is in Scotland now. (Laughter.) Mr. Rule: Oh, you ha.ve not taken her to China vet. (Renewed laughter.) Suppose bite were a girl at a public elementary' school, at her age what ought she to be doing ? Davis Af'er putting her on to pounds, shil- lings, and pence I should work her right through that, and then see what she really can do. Then she* would go on mapping to Aus- tralia, or something like that. Mr. Seale: Bv Australia you mean a place near the Cape of Good Hope. (Laughter.) Davis (smiling) I don't think so. Mr. Rule: If this girl ought to he learning fractions, the law requires you to have the ability to teach her. Mr. Seale: And you are not able to say which is the greater—three-fourths or six- eighths. What is a. third and a half of a third of fourpence? Davis: A farthing. Mr. Seale: Oh, is it • I Mr. Rule I see your fee is a penny. Ha.ve you many scholars? Davis Yes. nine at present. Mr. Rule: Do vou know any Latin? Davis: Yes, what they use at ohureh, and so on. Mr. Rule contended tlw-t he had adduced sufficient evidence of the non-emcieiioy of the school. -1- The Chairman said the Bench were of opinion that the child was not atending a proper elementary school, and they fined the defendant Is. and 2s. costs.

LADY KIMBEELEY DYING. The Central News says:—Lady Kimberley I re-ma-Licd unconscious throughout Friday night. The end, it is feared, is faat approaching.

£250 for a You ng Widow JILTED BY HER JOURNALIST LOVER. His Love-letters Were Many a.nd Sweet, and he Burst in Poetry Once. '1\'[rs. fanny Elizabeth Edeiijborough, a widow, living at Cadogan Lodge, Cadogan- road, Surbiton, brought an action on Friday before the Sheriffs of Surrey against Mr. Lionel Rupert Brocklebank, a journalist, living at Christ Church Vicarage, Cheshatn, for damages for breach of promise of marriage. Mr. Wildey Wright appeared for the plain- tiff, a pre-possessing young widow of ladylike appearance.—The plaintiff, said Mr. Wright, was not yet 27 years of age. She was married when she was seventeen or eighteen, and her husband, who occupied a very good position in the City, died early in 1892, leaving her with two young children, and with an income of £ 150 to £200 a year. In July, 1894, she went to a little village near i'olruan, in Corn- wall, to stay with some friends, and while there she met the defendant. Defendant was very attentive to her, and took her for boating and driving excursions. On September 26 de- fendant came from Polruan to the house of his brother-in-law, now V icaT of Christchurch, Chesham. The following day he visited Mrs. EdenbOTough at Surbiton, and then and there made a formal proposal of marriage. A few days after the engagement he wrote to htr, addressing her as "My own darling Ponte," a name he had given her after a river in Corn- wall, and telling her that he was writing a short tale in "Tit-Bits." He concluded, "With all my love and kisses, my own dearest darling, loved little girl, Irom your ever loving- Rupert." (Laughter.) In another letter which he wrote soon afterwards he asked her to "kiss the kiddies for me, my darling," and concluded in the same endearing language. In the next letter, after writing to her m similar language, lie said:—"My brother-in-law has just gone out to marry a couple. How I wish it were you and I! I will get him to do the job for us soon. What do you think?" (Laughter.) In another letter he said his sister had "pumped" all the news of his engagement out of him, and signed himself as "lour own loving boy." Other letters began in the same way as the former ones, and ended, "My own dearest, truest, darling, loved, treasured, pre- cious pet, from your ever-loving Rupert." (Laughter.) On October 28 the defendant wrote the following letter:- My very own dearest I'onte,—Your darling letter anived, which I was very pleased to receive, dear heart. I am g-Jad you agree wjth my sister in think- ing I will make a good husband. Dearest, I will try, and if 1 don't succeed it won't be mv fault. Yesterday I had a good day's writing. I wrote an article do you tlHnk, to Pro- pose." (Laughter.) I hope "Ansv-ers" will take it. I am sure it's amusing enQugh, if not instructive. I have let out all the secrets of the trade, darling. (Largliter.) In anotlwr letter he said: — I would rather spend one evening with you, my darling little sweetheart, than attend all the balls and amusements I could cram into a month. On November 29 he broke out into poetry: — I (annot work, I cnllnot play, There's nothing left worth while to say, The hcurw ore long, the days are drear, Oh, how I wish my love were near—• My love's away. The time will come, also the day, When I shall :0 down Kingston way, To ospe my darling ouee again. And johi the links of an unbroken chain— With love alway. (Laughter.) Towards the end of December the defendant's letters got cooler. Bafore this, however, de- fendant had told plaintiff that he had previously been engaged to another lady, the daughter of a wealthy lady in Manchester. Owing to the parent's objection, the match was broken off. The defendant a\so bought plaintiff two rings, which the other lady had returned to him, but she indignantly refused to acoept such second-hand goods, and he apologised for offer- ing them to h«r. When plaintiff wrote asking the reason of his coolness, he replied on New Year's Day that he was afraid he had made 3. mistake in engaging himself to her, and his thoughts wery constantly reverting to the other young lady at Manchester. The jury awarded the plaintiff JB250 damages. Judgment accordingly.

GIRL AND CLERK. MOONLIGHT STROLLS THAT END IN DAMAGES FOR £125. Miss Miunie, West-more, a Tottenham young lady. asked a jury in Mr. Justice Wills's court on Friday to give-her a handsome solatium for a. broken heart. Mr. David Paisley, who (with- out counsel) defenrled the action. which was for seduction as well :8 for breach, is a clerk employed in some electrio lighting works in the same neighbourhood. Plaintiff, a pale faced little woman, with a. bunch of lilies of the valley pinned to a tiny tonnct of jet beads and black ribbons, entered the witness-box. During her evidence-in- chief defendant, seated next his mother on the solicitors' bench, had been nervously making notes. In answer to his questions Miss We-it- mcre admitted that his mother had slammed the door m her face, but it was not because the witness had told her "some abominable stories" about her family. Defendant then asked her some very plain questions bearing on the dates of their alleged intimaoy and the birth of her child. Mr. Paisley seems to doubt that it ever existed at all, for he told the I iudge that no proof of its birth had been forth- coming. After a good deal of hesitation, wit- ness mentioned a doctor at Ware, who, she said, ) attended her during the confinement. The nromise of marriage was made when they were out for a walk one day. but the lady could not specify the date, nor could she recollect in what form defendant couched his expressions of love. It was her mother who suggested that she should bring this action. Mrs. Westmore, plaintiff's! mother, was next en lied to provp that at her house defendant called her daughter "Minnie," and that Minnie willed the young man "David." Her first suspicious as to her daughter's condition were raised in September, 1894. The child, by the way. is alleged to have been born in the November following. Her daughter i*ib>e- ouentlv confessed her shame, and the next dav witness visited Mr. Paisley at his house. He entered the room with A REVOLVER IN HIS HAND, Denied that he had ruined her daughter, and gave her two minutes in which to leave 'the house. The old lady gave this evidence with dramalt-io emphasis, and her voice shook with suppressed agitation. When the time came for Mr. Paisley to cross-examine, her temper became warmer still, and it was with all the sarcasm at her command tWit the witness pro- ceeded to relate how die had warned the mother of another young lady to whom she had heard that defendant was paving his attentions. This closed plaintiff's case, and Mr. Paisley a'i once put 'himself into the box. His account of the tir-l: meeting with MMs Westmore was certainly a curious one. He was walking in High-road. Tottenham, when plaintiff parsed. She giggled at. him so markedly t*ha»b he was compelled to notice her. As she appeared to be "decenit" he spoke to her, and, at her sug- gestion, walked some distance with her. He had frequently met her since, but NEVER BY APPOINTMENT. Onoei he took her home a.nd she pressed him to go in. He refused at first, but, "0 get rid of her importunity," he consented. He denied, however, point blank that any mis- conduct took place on that or any other occasion. Once, he said, the girl made the suggestion that she was so unha.ppy a.t home they should live tog-ether. He refused '.0 entertain the idea, whereupon she replied that she would tell her mother that they had been married alt a registry office. "From that '.ime," added Mr. Paisley, "I treated the girl most formally." He emphatically repudiated the suggestion that he had ever promised to marry her. In his oross-examination Mr. Paisley Was asked to explain the "revolver' incident. Amid much laughter he replied t'hat Ithe revolver was a figment of Mrs. Westmore's imagination. He produced the weapon, which Mr. Justice Wills inspected, and which turned out to be a-n. inven- tion, of which witness said he was "very proud," to lire off "dynamite or any other explosives." Mr. Pais lev ;wlded that he was engaged in polish- ing his pei toy when Mrs. Westmore called and thalt he certainly did not mean to frighten her with it. Mrs. Paisley, defendants mother, denied that the girl ever mentioned marriage in her pre- sence, and she was positive tiiait no intimacy could have taken place at her house. Defendant then briefly addressed the jury, describing the case as trumped up for th" pur- pose of causing him annoyajioe. The jury "ave the lady B125 damages.

HE SAW THE SAW. CARDIFF LABOWBEB CHARGED WITH THEPT. A labourer, named Thomas Williams, of Cardiff was changed at the offices of Mr. John Morris, clerk to the Penarth magi- strates, on Saturday with stealing a saw, the property .of,. "^mes Maoar^hy, oontractor. from a bm'oing in the course of erection at Cogan-pl^ 0,1 l^'iday. -Police- constable Thomas deposed to arresting Williams at a pawnbroker' shop. a.nd the evidence having l been heard, defendant was remanded to the Penarth Petty Sessions on Monday next.

Only a Piece of Paper. BLOWN BY THE BREEZE TO A DUSTMAN'S HAND. His Mate Told Him to Bring it to the "Express" Office so Down He Camm. A corporation scavenger called at the office last night. He had a. piece of paper in his hand and wanted to see the editor. "Beg pardon, sir," he said, leaning against the desk, "but me and my mate wor einpting the ashboxes behind Newport-road this morning, and when us had a rest to have a bit of bread and cheese a bit of paper blew off the cart and struck agin my face. I threw ilb away, but Jim—that's my partner—he didn't know why, but he picked it up and read it. Jim is quite a scholard—'e can read newspapers. Well, he looked at that bit of paper and 'I'm blowed,' said he. 'Why are you blowed, Jim?'says I, and he said, 'I'm blowed,' again. Then I leI' him alone, for he's not a man to be rushed is Jim. Then he read ill through, fair and solem, and w hen 'e finished 'e. looked at me an' said, 'Mate, wo t box was it you last emptied?' 'Twarn't a box,' I said, 'It wor a bucket.' 'Whose bucket?' asks Jim, who is a reg'lar cross-examiner. I counted up the houses and said, 'l\1r. Bird's.' 'Tho't so,' said Jim, and he put. the paper in his pocket and said no more. To-night he came up to my 'ouse and said as 'ow I had better take the paper to the 'Express' office. 'Mate,' said he, 'You mind that bit of paper that filled your eyes with dust this morniii'?' 'Aye,' I says, 'and mighty long I was a gettin' of it out.' 'Never mind that,' says Jim, 'yer not the fust man wots 'had 'is eyes filled with dust by that bit of paper or sometliin' very close to it. Them 'Express' chaps would be glad to have that paper, and I want you to take it down.' 'But wot's it all about?' says 1. 'Never you mind,' says Jim, 'you don't unil^i it. It's politic, man. Sir Edward Reed, that's our member, leastways he is for a while, sent a 1 letter to Mr. Bird, wot's the president of the Liberal 'Sociation. Allen Upward says that letter was bruked all to pieces by R. N. Hall, and there was holy buckets to play over it. I don't say a thing one way or 'nuther,' says Jim, 'but I've seen in the "Express" as 'ow pieces was cut out of that 'ere letter, and I'm tliinkin' but there it don't matter wot I'm tliinkin'. You tuk this 'ere paper to the "Expre.-s fellows, and don't say where you 'ad it. Just give it in and say nuthin'. They'll be main glad to 'av it.' 'But they'll be asting questions?' I said, 'Don't you mind that,' says Jim, 'you're not the fust man who had nothing to say when as ted awkward ques- tions. So I brung the paper," says Jim, "and I 'ope as 'ow you won't ast me any ques- tions. There's the bit of paper, sir. Good night, sir," and he hurried away as if afraid of bein- cross-exniained. The "bit of paper" he brought was type-written. The matter had neither beginning nor ending, and seemed to be part of a letter. It ran as follows— "But while I most unhesitatingly accord the very fullest measure of praise to the for- bearance and consideration of the great body of intelligent working men electors in my stitueucy. 1 feel that the time has come when, readiness at all times to recognise the political rights of all sections of the con- stituency. I feel that the time has come when in obedience to my duty to the great majority of my Liberal supporters and to the mem- bers of the Thousand in particular, I must point out in the most direct and unmistakable maner that there are individuals, some of whom occupy responsible and prominent posi- tions in the Liberal party in Cardiff, who. for the past two years, have besu con- stantly endeavouring by every means in their Power to discredit my political actions, and to scrape away the foundations on which my con- fidence with this electorate and their ooníideu83 in me have securely rested during the long period I have had the high honour of repre- senting Cardiff in the House of Commons. And I need not conceal the faot that 1 am largely driven to place my intended resignation in the hands of the Thousand by the personal hos- tility of the individuals whose disloyal action I emphatically condemn. For, not content with fostering dissatisfaction with the con- scientious discharge of my important public duties, they have sedulously ignored me in all the arrangements for the visit of the Prime Minister to Cardiff. These arrangements have been made with an utter disregard of my wishes and desires, and of what is due to me as your representative and due also to the predomi- nant party m the greatest constituency in Wales. And. in taking leave of the Liberal electors who have repeatedly honoured me with their confidence, I urge, in the interests of the unity of the party, and for the sake of the Liberal representation of the Cardiff boroughs, that the Thousand should be purged of ail person# whose lirwt desire is to serve personal ends."

"THE MASTER/' AFRAID TO PUNISH, SO ASKS FOR A SUMMONS. Mr. Coward, assistant master of the Ben Johnston-road Board School, applied at 1 names for a. summons against one of his scholars for assaulting him by kicking him on the legs.—Mr Dickinson: How old is the ~?y' 7T. -Applicant: Thirteen. (Laughter.) Mr. Dickinson (evidently amazed): I wonder what things ar ecoming to. It is perfectly absurd for a schoolmaster to come to a police-court on such a matter. Give the boy the thrashing he deserves.—Mr. Coward- I am afraid to punish him. (Renewed Haughtier.)

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL. INTERESTING PARS. ABOUT I*. TERESTING PEOPLE. There is only one policeman in London who is allowed to Wear spectacles. According to Professor Tyndall, if the sun's influence weire entirely withdrawn, universal death wotted issue within a period of three days or less. Explosive shells were used for thn first time in naval warfare at the Battle of Linan, June 7, 1788, when some eleven line of battle-ships and 8,000 men weire destroyed by the great guns. M During one month of the present theatrical season no less than 52 companies were playing "Charley's Aunt" in various parts of the world and in various languages. Brandon Thomas has made a fortune out of the fare# Russian ffirls thus learn their matrimonial prospects:—A number of them take off their rings and conceal them in a basekt of corn; then a hen is brought in and invited to partake of the corn, and the owner of the first ring uncovered will be the first to enter matrimony. The Royal Family of Servia springs from ] the most humble origin of any reigning family of the day. King Alexander is the great grand- son of Yephrem, brother of the heroic Milosh Obrenvioh, the leading spirit in the struggle for Servian independence. Milosh was a herds- man, and Yephrem a keeper of pigs. The Czar has a palace just outside of St. Petersburgh, Vnown as Tsarskoe-Selo, which was built by Catherine the Great, It is of vast extent and plated over with gold. It took nearly £ 20,000 worth of bullion to do the work, and when, owing to of the climate, it began to peel off, Catherine ordered it to be painted iretead. Mr. W. S. Gilbert, who once said) in a. huff that he would not write any more comedies, has happily reconsidered his decision. We under- stand that a new play from his pen may be pro- duced by Mr. Willard, at th* Garricic, a. theatre in whioh Mr. Gilbert has a proprietary inte- rest. Madame Sarah Bernhardt was prosecuted by Mr. Hawes, the Paris horee deaPer, for several thousand francs. She said sln« had paid all that was owing, but she oould not produce any re- oeipte, as she said she was not in the liabit of keeping them. After she had sworn this, she gained her case. As an example of the heavy bulk of postal matter constantly being carried for great dis- tances in British Central Africa, the Consul at Zemba instances a mail which reached Tail- ganviku from Chinde on November 26. 1894, which weighed over 4owt., this having been .1 transported for over 1,000 miles from the. coast, for a Considerable proportion of which it was oarried on the heads qf native carriers.

Bail for Oscar Wilde. BARON POLLOCK FIXES THE SUMS THIS MORNING. Two Securities for £ 1.250 Each and the Accused's Personal Recognisances of £ 2,500. The Central News says :—Baron Pollock this morning decided to admit Oscar Wilde to bail in two securities of £1,250 each and his personal recognisances to the amount of £ 2,500.

Umra Khan a Prisoner, TO BE HANDED OVER TO THE BRITISH. A Central News telegram from Slm!a on Friday says:—The Government has received definite intelligence that Umra Xhan has been made a prisoner by the Afghan authori- ties. Replying to the Government request that this chief be handed over to the British officers, the Afghan Government noti- fies to-day that the request will be acceded to. Umra Khan is expected to reach the British camp within the next few days. A Central News telegram from Dir on Fri- day says —The report is confirmed that LTnira Khan is a prisoner, and that the Afglian commander is prepared to hand him over to the British forces. The Bajauris have accepted their defeat, and are now devoting themselves to agricultural work. Although the main task of the expedition has been accomplished, it is not likely that any con- siderable portion of the British force will be withdrawn before the end of July. The moral effect upon the tribesmen would be lost by any premature withdrawal. The exent to v. hioh our future hold upon the Malakand-Dir-Chitral route is to be kept is causing much discussion in camp. The headquarter staff has moved to Gooja, where Dr. Robertson is shortly expected to confer with General Low. Besides the stores brought into Chitral from Gilgit, General Gataere has been able to send on some neces- saries by native carriers and a small guard. The road is perfectly safe. All is quiet along the line and at the front. IN PRAISE OF HlTRAL HEROES. A Reuter's telegram from Simla on Friday says The diary kept by Dr. Robertson during the defence of Chitral states that the garrison were reduced to eating horseflesh, Dr. Robertson speaks in glowing terms of the gal- lantry displayed by Surgeon-captain Whit- church in carrying into the fort Captain Baird, after the latter had been mortally wounded. He also warmly eulogised the conduct of Captain Townsend and the admirable manner in which Captain Campbell made the reconnaissance on March 3, in which he was wounded, and subse- sequently fought his way back to the fort. UMRA KHAN SENT TO CABUL. A Reuter's telegram from Dir says:—Umra Khan has been sent from Asmar to OabuJ. The news !thalt 'his brother, Mahomed Shah Khan, is with Si par Salar, the Afghan com. mander-in-chief, is eon tinned.

A WIDOWS WILL. PROBATE JUDGE DECIDE RELA- TIVES' DISI»0T £ In the Probalte Division on Saturday the case was fruther heard in which Mrs. Sarah Probert, wife of a railway servant, living at Griffiths- 'own, near Newport, claimed probate of a will dated July 30, 1894, of her aunt, Mrs. ;C'i>a James, widow of a surgical instru ojnt m-j,«. of ft refold, latterly residing it Griffith* \Vlli who riied on the a h of March, 189*. The will W'\8 opposed under circumstances reported « Friday, b\ Blanch Oliver, another relative, who alleged undue influence and that testatrix was not 01 sound mind ait the time of the will and shn asked for probate of a will of the 5th of <in.i:u;uv, 1894. Further evidence was tainT in support of the defendant's plea.—The I res!ue?it came to the conclusion that the testatrix was of sound mind and that there hal been no undue influence. He decided in favour of th»i plaintiff and pronounced for the will of the 30th of January with costs.

MRS. THOMPSON. SHE SWORE .tkT JUDGE CAVE IN HIS rOTiv.T 10 DAY. Mrs. Thompson on Saturday caused an ex- traordinary scene in Justice Cave's Court, when she made an application in regard to a solicitor employed by her, who, she said, communicated secretly with a witness against her in reference to the custody of her children.—Justice Cave living remarked that the Law Society had rightly decided there was no case against the solicitor, she called his lordship a d black- guard. She then used stronger language still, and was removed shrieking from the building.

CHURCH LADS' BRIGADE. ENTERTAINMENT AT LLANDAFF NATIONAL SCHOOLS. A capital entertainment was given on Friday evening at the Llandaff National Schools bv the Canton Minstrels in aid of the Llandaff "City' Company, under the oommand of Ci ptain A. T. Willcox. The programme was of a variety character, the troupe (under the management of Mr. Thomas G. Evans) being assisted by Miss Pike, the Brothers Langdon (comedians), Mr. C. J. Coles (pianist), Mr. Fred Johnson (clarionet soloist), Mr. Hyden (banjoist), and Mr. Weston- The songs, conun- drums, and jokes of the Minstrels were good, and caused much laughter and enjoyment by the crowded audience. The officers present were the Rev. J. R. Buckley (cliaplain of the company), Major John Howe (brigade officer), Captain A. T. Wilcox, Lieutenant Lewis Lougher, and Sergeant-major Fenton. During the interval the company, under the command of their captain, went through a few military movements with their rifles, their smartness. and appearance evoking hearty applause. A vote of thanks to the Canton Minstrels for the kind assistance they had rendered terminated the proceedings.

A CLERGYMAN'S RUSE. HOW HE STOPPED JUS LISTENERS FROM COUGHING, Here is a characteristic anecdote of Pro- bendary Eyton, whose appointment as Canon of Westminster and ex-offiwo Rector of St. Mar- garet's has already been anIHolUlood. On on* r>ocasioii, irritated by a chorus of coughing simona: his congregation, he suddenly paused in his sermon and remaned, "Last night I was dining with the Prince of Wales." The coughing ceased as if by inape. The preacher then continued, "As a matter^ of fact, I was not dining with the Prince of Wales last night, but with my own family- I am glad, how- ever, that I have at last secured your attentioo." ?

CHARGED WITH CRUELTF. A BAMSGATE LAUY ASBS TO BE TRIED BV A JUHT. At the Town-liall, Ramsgate, Grace Doughty, a lady of position, the wIfe of a clergyman residing a.t Rushbourne, on the East Cliff, was chaiigcd, at the instance f ,e Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, with ill- treating and cruelly beating a boy and girl left in her charge.—The girl, who had been known as Marguerite Doughty, Was now said to be the daughter of a lady whose name defendant's solicitor said he was not at hebrty to disclose, and the boy, known as G-eorge Dodson, it was stated, was the Bon of an American actor, resid- ing in New York, whose mother was said to be residing in London. The evidence showed that the children had been cruelly beaten.—Dr. Bowden, who had examined them, deposed that they were covered with bruises, fourteen being found on the girl and fifteen on the boy.—Defen- dant elected to be tried by a jury, and was committed for trial at the next assizes at Sand- wich. Bail was allowed.

DINNER AT CANTON. In connection with the dinner held at the Canton Conservative Club on Friday nighit, the following gentleman contributed to the harmony of the Evening:—Messfls* Elliott, Thistletfh- warte, Cruse, Gale, &c* Mr. L. Evans, was the accompanist. An excellent spread was prepared by the steward. Mr. Cox.

British in Nicaragua MARINES RE-EMBARK ON THE WARSHIPS. Mobs are Rushing About the Streets, and an Outbreak Seems Imminent. A Central News telegram New York 6ays :—The "New lork Herald" publishes a CorintJo tehj^ram on Saturday stating that the majority of the British Marines have re- embarked on board the warships, but that 58 still remain onshore. A Managua telegram to the same paper says:-A settlement has undoubtedly been reached. Mr. Gosling, with Senor Matus, the isioaraguan Minister for Foreign Affairs, are arranging details. The Government are pleased with the result, but the people are extremely dissatisfied. Volun- tter companies are being formed throughout the country, and military activity indicates the approach of a crisis. Mobs are rushing about the streets yelling, "Down with Zelaya." An outbreak appears to be immi- nent. The troops are confined to barracks in readiness for any emergency. Reinforcements are en route from Leon tor Monagua. THE T.i £ RMS OF THE AGREEMENT. The Press Association says:—The following is a copy of an official communication made at the Foreign Office on Friday evening:—"As a result of communications which have taken place between Lord Kimbtrley and the Sal- vadoran Minister her Majesty's Govern- men have agreed that if the ivicaraguan Govern- ment will address a note to the British Ad- miral accepting the terms laid down in the altimatum, and undertaking, under the guarantee of the Republio of Salvador, that the indemnity of J315,500 shall be paid in London within a fortnight, the British squad- ron shall withdraw from Nicaraguan waters." Senor Crisanto Medina, Minister for Salvador in London and Paris, on Friday made the fol- lowing statement on AIr. Barrios' departuro "The Nicaraguan Legation was left in my charge pending his return or the appointment of his successor, and in that capacity 1 have transmitted to the loreigu Office the various proposals of tihe Nicaraguan Government. Lord Kimberley has always been perfectly firm in his attitude, and in my interviews with the Secretary of State, as well as other mem- bers of the Foreign Office, my representations have always been treated with consideration, attention, and courtesy. Lord Kimberley's attitude throughout has been one of anxiety to avoid any conflict with the Central American Republics, but it having been considered neces- sary by her Majesty's Ministers in Council to make a firm stand, all my efforts to move them have been unsuccessful." Senor Medina believes that in a few days at most he will receive a definite reply from Nicaragua to the dispatch he transmitted on Thursday night to Managua after his last interview with Lord Kimberley. He states that the Central Ame- rican Republics have all shown the greatest anxiety to help Nicaragua out of her present difficulty, and considers that the* terms to which the British Government has consented, will meet the views of Nicaragua.

THE DOROUGH FREEDOM. TWO DATES FOR SIR EDWARD REED'S PRESENTATION. On Saturday the Mayor of Cardiff (Alder- man P. W. Ca,rey) convened a meeting of the special committee appointed tjo make the necessary arrungements for the presentation to Sir Edward Reed, .M.J. for Cardiff. The meeting was held in the mayor's parlour, and was of a private character, and met to decide the date on which the presentation shall take place. In order to allow more time for making arrangements, it was decided to name June 8 and 15, and ask Sir Edward which would be the more suitable for him.

A FLEET FOR SWITZERLAND. BUT ONLY SMALL BOATS FOR STOPPING SMUGGLING. A Dalisiel's (telegram from Paris says:—Ac- cording to the "Petite Repubilque," Switzerland is at last going to establish a fleet, though nothing more formidable is contemplated than a flotilla of small torpedo gunboats. The reason for their construction is that owing to the great difficulty in suppressing smuggling along the Itaiiar. frontier by M ay of ithe Swiss lakes, the Italian Government decided to place a number of small gunboats on the lakes in order to stop the practice. Switzerland is not desirous of seeing Italy possess a preventative fleet on the lakes, and lias, therefore, resolved upon the construction of boaitg of her own.

WELSH DISESTABLISHMENT CHURCH DEFENCE MEETINGS AT CARDIGAN. On Thursday two large meetings against tha Disestablishment Bill were held at Cardigan, the first at the Black Lion Hotel Assembly- rooms in the afternoon, and in the evening at a, the National Schoolroom. In the afternoon the chair was taken by Major-general Jenkins, and addresses were delivered by Mr. Tudor Howell. the Unionist candidate for Denbigh Boroughs; Canon Williams, Carmarthen the Rev. J. Williams, vicar of Llansamlet; the Yen. Aroh- rieacon Protheroe, Colonel W. P. Evans, Mr. Colby, Pa.ntyderi, &c. The evening meeting was presided over by Mr. A. P. Saunders- Davies, Pentre (the Unionist candidate for Pem- brokeshire), the speakers being Canon Williams, the Rev. Thomas More (author of "The English- man's Brief"), the chairman. &c.—At bctli meet- inirs strong protests were passed most enthu- siastically against the Disestablishment Bill. DEFENCE MEETINGS AT NEWCASTLE- EMLYN. Two meetings in defence of the Church in Wales, in connection with the three deaneries Df Sub-Ayron. Emlyn, and Kemes, arranged bv Ma jor-general Jenkins (chairman of the com- mittee for those districts), were held in the National Sclu olroom, Newcastle-Emlyn, on* tA' ednesdav, that of the afternoon being pre- sided over by Colonel Lewes, Llysnewydd. The sneakers were Mr. Tudor Howell (barrister-at- law. Unionist candidate for Denbigh at the -text election), the Rev. W. Morgan (curate of Aberystwith), and others. At the evening meeting the chair was taken by Mr. Griffiths Williams. Geilygatti (sub-agent. for the Hawdor Estate), the speakers being the Rev. T. Williams (vicar of Llansamlet). and the Rev. 7 Hanon Williams, Carmarthen. Both meetings were largely and mfluentially attended by the inhabitants of the district and strong resolu- tions protesting against the Government Church Spoliation Bill were unanimously and enthusias- tically passed.

SAT DOWN AND DIED. THE END COMES TO A CLERGYMAN IN A RAILWAY STATION. The Central News Saffron Walden correspon lent telegraphsThe Rev. W. Hamilton, M.A., if Cambridge, was found dead at Barton Rail- way Station near Saffron Walden on Friday night. He had been on a visit to Ashdon, and when returning to the station to catch the Cam- bridge train sank down, and immediately ex pired. Death was undoubtedly due to heart disease.

ELBE-CRATHIE CRASHT~ DATE OF THE BOARD OF TRADE INQUIRY IS FIXED. The Board of Trade inquiry into the circum- stances connected with the collision between the steamships Crathie and Elbe in the North Sea is fixed to take place at Westminster on the 20th inst. THE KAISER SPEAKS. A Dalziel's telegram from Paris says :-A Berlin telegram published here on Saturday says the Emperor William made a speech at a ban- quet of the Alexandra Regiment on Friday night in which he severely criticised the verdict in the Elbe-Crathie collision case.

MR. DIG H T O N J?JL PROTOGRAPHIC ARTIST, 15, CHARLES-STREET, CARDIFF (Two Doors from Congregational CUurch), Begg Respectfully an Inspection of his NEW PREMISES, which are admirably adapted fo* the production of High-class Photography. MR. DIGHTON MAKES A SPECIALITY OF PORTRAITS OF CHILDREN. Every attention given to each Visitor to his Studio.

FISHING. Septimus Chambers, the South Wales and West of England Fishing Tackle Depot, 21, Cattle-street, Cardiff. Send for Illustrated Catalogue, post free. 7 ARP

TURF TALK. Pithy Pars for Sporting Readers GOSSIP OF TO-DAY'S EVENTS The favourites were quiet on Friday in town for the Derby, for which Float retired to 33 to 1 offered after her failure in the One Thou- sand Guineas. Two new outsiders were ii.cro- duced in Troon and Slow Step. The former is the property of the Duke of Portland, and the later a stable companion of Whittier. Son of a Gun declined on Friday in town to 3 to 1 for the Chester Cup, when the Irish candidate, Rock Dove, was backed down to 4 to 1. Seville was third favourite at 7 to 1. Laodamia on Friday in town was in l>t\"t demand for the Kemptom Jubilee, as 100 to 9 was taken. Fealar was off-colour, wid declined to )00 to 7. The latest scratchings for the Kemptom Park Jubilee Stakes include Sou o' Mine, Sweet Duchess, and Skirpenbeck. Secure was struck out of the Cestrian Handi- cap at Chester immediately her owi er saw the weights. Of all the fillies that ran in the One Thou- sand Guineas on Friday none showed a nioie r::pia improvement in appearance than Gas, who, both at Northampton and Nottingham, looked a miserable creature, but strip] ied on Friday one of the best looking lillies in the Birdcage. The field of fifteen that went to the post for the One Thousand on Friday is the largest that has run for the race since Farewell won in 1885, and in the history of the race that aiuiul>er has only twioe been exceeded. Our friends from over the water were very much impressed by the rate at which the Guineas was run, and from tlwt deduce that the winner is a very smart animal. Ryan seems to have got to the end of his run of luck. After getting steond in the Guineas it was hard lines for him to find his representatives occupying that unenviable position in three races on Friday. It was almost a pity lie did not carry out his original intention of giving Chasseur a rest this week, for though he ran a great horse it was setting him a very tall task to concede 101b and a year to an animal like Jack the Dandy, who was at one time considered to be very near the top of the tree. Mogul will be sent to Hurst Park, where his trainer thinks he can carry his penalty to vic- tory in the St. James's Handicap. W ith Levyuub and Noah's Ark also under orders an interesting race should be seen between the three youngsters. On the principle that which is latest is best, Jnrvis's eoLt is entitled to the preference. It is worth remembering that he rjul a,s well as Kirkconnel for a mile in the City and Suburban, and the Epsom form looks rather smart in the light of later events. One gentleman was present at Newmarket on Wednesday who has secv.i the Two Thousand ran 51 times—so, at least, lie says—the Dei by 57, and the Leger 53. There is no reason to doubt his word, and the curious part of it is that lie has never st-en either the One Thou- sand or the Oaks. The latter events he oharac- ttrises as untrustworthy, and beter left alone. If Fred Archer hadn t seen Braw Lass do a fast spin on the Limekilns whilst at exercise, one morning he would never have won the Middle Park Plate on Minting. These we're his own words after the race, and it is I i-oba-ble that no other jockey would have gained the day but the ever observant one, who used to say, "I win more races by seeing others run than people think. Never let anything that can go a bit get too far away from you." This piece of advice should be followed by those jockeys, who, in the words of Captain Machell, "will be going at a walk presently." Rvant ilie Newmarket trainer, is not an over- sanguine man, chiefly by reason of tlie fact that he ha,6 been so often disappointed—espe- cially m his two year old trials. It is a fact, however, that in talking over the Two Thou- sand Guinea* with a friend he said, "-Now, look here, if Speedwell don't beat Raconteur or anything that beat him last vear, I'll for- feit my existence." I am glad to learn that Rvan is still alive and well. Speedwell's poor show in the Two Thousand Guineas .m Wednesday last has led to his with- drawal from the Newmarket Stakes aud Epsom Derby. Mr. Fairio's Galeottia on Friday won the One Thousand Guineas, run over the Rowley Mile (one mile and eleven yards), in Imin. 47 1-5 sec., according to Benson's chronograph, and credited her owner with £ 4,550. Last year the Duke of Portland's Amiable occupied lmin. 46sec., and the stakes amounted to 23,550, while in 1893 Sir J. Blundell Maple's Siffleuse won in Imin. 53aec., and the stakes were worth £ 3,750. In 1592 the time taken by Baron de Hirsch's La FIeche was Imin. 52 2-5 sec., the stakes being represented by £ 3,650; in 1891 Mr. N. Fen- wick's Mimi occupied Imin. 44 1-5 sec., and the value of the stakes was £ 4,050; in 1890 the Duke of Portland s Semolina covered the course in Imin. 484-5 see., the worth of the race being £ 3,400; in 1889, Mr. R. C. Vyner's Minthe won in Imin. 52seo., the value then being £ 2,700; in 1888, Mf. T). Baird's Briar-root won in Imin. 44 3-5 sec., and the value was £ 3,500; in 1887 the time of the Duke of Beaufort's Reve d'Or was Imin. 47 3-5 sec., and the value of the stakes £ 3,300; while in the previous year, when the Duke cf Hamilton's Miss Junimy was successful, the stakes amounted to £ 2,950, and the time taken was lmin. 52 2-5 sec. We append some previous records :—1885, Duke of West- minster's Farewell, time Imin. 47 4-5 sec., value £ 3,600: 1884, Mr. Abington's Busybody, time Imin. 47sec., value £ 3,000; 1883, Mr. C. J. Lefevre's Hauteur, time Imin. 50 4-5 sec., value £ 2,900 1882, Mr. W. S. Crawfurd's St. Mar- guerite, time Imin. 55 2-5 sec., value £ 2,900; 1881, Mr. W. S. Crawfurd's Thebais, time Imin. 50sec.. value £ 4,750; 1880, Mr. T. E. Walker's Elizabeth, time Imin. 56sec., value £ 3,950. The weight carried was raised from 8st. 101b. to Set. 121b. in 1882. Galeottia, the winner of the One Thousand on Friday, is an own sister to Galeopsis, who in his early days gave much promise. Fred Pratt, who is a nephew of the late Fred Archer, whom he strikingly resembles in per- sonal appearance, rode his first ch'ssic winner on Galeottia on Friday. Rumours to the detriment of Float were freely bandied about in Newmarket on Friday n.oniing, but the filly started favourite and ran well, though doubtless she will slow con- siderable improvement on this form later in the year, for no secret was made of the fac't that she was not herself on Friday. Utica, iq in the Biennial Stakes in the Craven Week, again ran very fast for six furlongs in the One Thousand on Friday, but, coming out of the dip, stopped to nothing, and finished fifth. It is worthy of notice that Lord Roseberv supplied the third both in the Two Thousand Guineas and the One Thousand Guineas. Prince, the Lewes trainer, has fcund in bis string a two-year-old that can make rings round Blue Tint. The Lombard ha? got the streak of grey in his tail which old-fashioned dealers aver is never to be found in a bad one at that age. Laodamia is to be slipped for the Jubilee Stakes. Wadlow, the Stanton trainer, dearly loves to wine a race at Newmarket, and so "rile" the loca talent. Wadlow is one of the old school that delights in tricking a tout. and he has never yet received full credit for the trouble ho has taken in secretly getting his horses off to a meeting. The last thing at night or the earliest time in the morning Wadlow will try to doge the trusty tout who is waiting to wire departures, the idea. being to keep the horses' names out of the pro- phetic columns of our ever-enlarging sporting press. I't is needless to say that nowadays it is a "bit of odds" on the tout. J. Watts has been riding in capital form of late, and his half-dozen successes this week ir.cluded honours ir the first "classic" race of the season. His record shows an excellent •averag"? °f wins, a.nd sixteen in 47 mounts brings him into fourth place behind S. Loa'tos. Mcrnington Cannon still keeps first place in fiont of T. Loates, and with 30 wins he is now six in front of the last-named jockey. Ihose riders rot referred to have made no material additions to their scores.

To-day's Racing. The meeting at Hurst Park this afternoon will, no doubt, be well patronised, as the pro- gramme put forth is a good on*. The arrival list is fully up to the average, and will be augmented in the morning. Selections Welter Handicap- HAGUEBUT, Palace Plate—COKINIA FILL, St. James's Handicap—MOTIUL or WHER. WELL. Hampton Court Plate—Miss MUFFKT. Teddington Plate-DITTON, Bankside Plate-LE DAUPHIN or UGLY. VENATOR. OLD SAM'S TIPS. HURST PARK SPRING MEETING. An attractive programme has been issued for the one day meeting at Hurst Park. The St. James s Handicap, which is the piece de re- sistance of the card, should attract about a dozen runners. Levybuk, Wherwell, and Mogul are the pick of the handicap, and from the infor- mation which I have received I must unhesita- tingly plump for WHERWELL, who should be followed home by LEVTBUB. 2.0—HAGU KBUT* 2.35—(JOBINIA FILLY. 3.50—Miss MUFFETT* 4.25—DISAPPOINTMENT FILLT. 5.0—UGLT*

HUWST PARK MEETING. 2.0—The WELiEU PLATE HAN'mCAl' of 200 sovs winuera extra. One mile and a cjfcarter. Mr Dawson's Ha.guebut, 5vrs, 7st OIL).. Altaopp 1 Mr Smith's St. Murk, 4yrs, let 111b T Jxiates 2 ir Jennings's, jun., Arouv*, 4yin, Bat 21b Bradford 3 Mr Kaweett's 1'111 10 logy, 4yre, 8st 71b Older 0 Winner trained by owner. Betting—6 to 4 ugst St. Mark, 13 to 8 ugst Haguebut, 5 to 1 .,st Arouya, and 7 to 1 agst Tluloloyy. OFFICIAL SC'iiATClilMJS. The ''Siiortsnuu" ha* btea officially informed b5 Mffers. Weatlierby of the following semtetungs — Chester Cup—Golden Drop aid Master Muudeu. Sell nj; i jndicap, Cheater—ire. Ci.ester ei.jfaifenieiita—T Hay # Firelight, Full of Fashion, Jack Sni|>e, and all owr John fliuisby horses. All har.dicaiw where weights have appeared-Pep. percorn ynd Urand Duke. All en>{»Ki'nu nts—Saucy. The scratching of Qu'esitium for the Chester Cup, published ill last 11 rjrsday's calendar, should read at 9.50 p.m. on April 30.

HURST PARK SPRING MEETING. PROGRAMME FOR THIS DAY. Horses marked a have arrived. 3. 50-The HAMPTON COURT PLATE of 500 sovs. Five furlongs. Sir R Afileck's Harp Or, gst Lord Alington's Piety, 9st Air J Harrow's Strand, 9st Mr 11 E Beddington's Royal Arms, 9st Mr T Cannon's C'hekoa, 9st Mr T Corus's Findon, est Mr R C'roker's Montauk, 9st Mr Dartmoor's Prophet, 9st Mr Dartmoor's Leonatus, 9st Lord Durham's xoverino, 9st Sir H Farquhar's East Sheen, 9st Mr G F 1'awcett's Netherby, 9st Mr J M Hanbury's Petros, Mr W Hodgkinson's Belle of Setton colt, 9st aC apt a in J G R Homfray's Hampton Light, tst Mr T Jenning. jun. 's, Macgriar, 9st aMr T Jennings jun.'s Enthusiasm, 9,1 aMr J Jewitt's Riiodon, 9st Sir J B Maple's Rossinghain, 9". Mr C J Merry's Golden Fleece eolt, 'st Mr A B Sadler's Auratus, 9st Mr T Sherwood's Wise King, 9Sb Mr S Smith's Harry Monmouth, 9s1 Mr T Ste veus's Manning, 9st, I Mr C F Dung's Knight of Kinfauns, 9st Mr A Cristo's Mine d Or, 8st 111b Mr J Dawson's Braw Lassie, 8st lllb Mr Ellis's Lok and Key, 8st 111b Mr Ellis's Lina Hacket fillv, 8st 111b Captain II T Fenwick's Kettering, 8st lllb Mr J Gubbins's Kendal Belle, 8st lllb Mr J Hammond's Slap, 8st llib Mr J Hammond's Mis" Morris 8st lllb Mr H Heasman's Blue Tint, 8st lllb aBaron de Hirsch's Miss Muffet, 8st lllb Mr F R Hunt's Symbrcio. 8st 111b a*^r Jollitfe's Norah nllv. 8st 111b aMr W Lawson's Florisand. 8st 111b Lord Lonsdale's Trilby. 8st lllb Mr H M'Calmout's Fernhill, 8st 111b Mr W Marshall's Bonnie Lena. 8st lllb Colonel Percv's Lottie Hampton. 8st lllb Mr W de la Rue's Tow-rope, 8st lllb Mr A J Schwabe's .uvpso, 8st lllb ™ lSt''llwal^s Regimardu, 8st 111b Mr R Sherwood's The Dowager, 8st lilt, Duke of Westminster's Attainment, 8st lllb TriaK—Funny Boat beat Harp Or, Ruwen- avour Royal, Tyrannical. Helen Mac-Uregor filly, and Devil-a-Bit filly, five fur- kngs. Raker filly beat Lesbos, Meli Melo, Piety, Mar Lodge, and Queen Fortune. Portu- Stii beat Roxalana, DniluiniiG, Coiffure, X udine Lady Peregrine filly, and Strand, five furlongs.' Watchful beat Petros, Despondent, and Double Sorrow, five furlongs. MacBriar beat Enthu- siasm, five furlongs. Brown Princess beat Astana, Dcvil-may-Care, Rhodon, and Bread Sauce, five furlongs. Rudder beat Dame Quickly. Rossinghani, and Marton, five fur- longs. Golden R.vn beat Knight of Kinfauns and rountains Abbey, five furlongs. Meilekh beat Braw Lassie, five furlongs. Grip Fast filly beat Lina Hacket filly, Sister Louise geld- ing, and Lock and Key, five furlongs. Llap beat Badge and Miss Morris, five furlongs. Leydcn beat Rags, Pakington, Full Blown, Miss Muffet, Missive, and Courtier, five fur- longs. Regimarda beat Partition filly. Spider King, Robespierr Bla=k Oats, and Flaxen filly. seven furlongs. Dowager beat Goldseek- ing Gal. Umberufen, Leading Gal, Theophila, and la ntlie filly, five furlongs. 4.25—The TEDDINGTON PLATE of 100 sovs. One mile. aMr T Sherwood's May Rose, 5yrs, 10st 31b aMr R Williamson's Alfieri, 4yrs, lOst aMr C Hibbert's Concrete, 5yrs, lOst aMr J Collins's Black Leg, 4yrs, 9st 111b aMr Hvams's Sir John Broad, 4yrs, 9st lllb aMr A Day's Ditton, 3yrs, 8st illb aMr S Nesbitt's Fitzgeorge, 3yrs, 8s«t 111b aMr S Piatt's Cough Lozenge, 3yrs, 8st Illb aGereral O. Williams's Kilogram, 3yrs, 8st lllb aMr Harris's Disappointment filly, 3yrs, Bst 81b aMr Jennings, jun.'s, Proud Masie, 3vrs, 8st 81b 8st 81b 5.0—The BANKSIDE PLATE of 103 sovs. Five furlongs. aDuke of Hamilton's Ugly, 3yrs, 9st 81b Sir J Miller's Millennium, 3yrs, 9st 81b (71b ex.) aMr Smith's Le Dauphin, 3yrs, 9st 81b (71b ex) Mr II T Birdsey's Margra, 3vrs, 9st 51b Mr A D Cochrane's Loveridge, 3yrs, 9st lib Sir J Duke's The Corsioan, 3yrs. 9st lib Lord Dunraven's Banknote, 3yrs, 9st lib Lord Durham's Soliman, 3yrs, 9st lib Mr C J Merry's Porto, 3yrs, 9st lib Sir J Miller's Champs d'Or. 3vrs, 9st lib Mr T Phillips's Auditor, 3yrs, 9st lib Mr A Taylor's Expel, 3vrs, 9st lib Mr R A Brice's Hamiltrude, 3yrs, 8st 121b Mr T Canon's Deep Sea, 3yrs, 8st 121b Mr Ellis's Lady Marie, 3yrs, 8st 121b Mr J Gretton's Lesbos, 3yrs, 8st 121b aMr Jennings, jun.'s Proud Maisie, 3vrs,8st 121b General Mn<renis's Ballvoastle, 3yrs. 8st 121b Mr J A Miller's Saucy. 3yrs, 8st 121b Cant. J Orr-Ewing's Douoement, 3yrs, 8st 121b Mr R Williamson's Little Flo, 3yrs. 8st 121b Mr Banlces's King Carnival, 2yrs, 7st Trials.—Rudder beat Ogly, Levden, and Snvill Mint, five furlonsns. Drogo beat Millennium. Champs d'Or, Paris Blue, and Orphan Agnes colt, one mile. Le Dauphin beat Wheatfield, St Svmphorien colt, Quackery. Komanesca colt. Silver Bell colt Outcry filly, and Bonnibel gelding, five fur- wngs. Black Oad beat Telesinus, Banknote, Rabicano, and Toreador, one mile. Plu- tocrat beat Soliman and Leader, one mile. Phidon beat La Sagesse and Champs \.1'01', one mile. Chrvstoleum beat Auditor, five furlongs. R-iker filly beat Lesbos, Meli Melo, Piety. Mar Lodge, and Queen For- tune. Adderley beat Powiek. Proud Maisie, and Sacristy, six furlongs. Lost Soent beat Ballvoastle. Madame cardinal colt, Spoonbait and Fochabers, five furlongs.

[ELUMANS ? ?n\?? ?-<?. ?? fr £ aml \V^ | | ELUMAN>%& £ yp' -JU SLOUGH EWCLANN -ELLIMAN?C?SMJY.j CHESTER CUP, KEMPTON PARK JUBILEE, 2,000 GUINEAS. DERBY etc Mr. ALFRED ('BOOK. OSTENDFl Alfred Crook will forward, free, on receipt, of addreai "CROOK'S PRICE RECORD Containing Entries and Latent Market Moveemnt, on aboTe. Letters pouted by the Nurht Mail arrive in Oetende the following dav, and answered b- re- turn of post. Letters niU6t be preimid. ^Address — ALFRED CROOK, Oitende. Postage, 2?, Accounts settled at Tattersall's, of which Mr Crook is one of the oldest members. e3995 HA HI) A WAY AND TOPPING, Flu: l.ing, Holland. Lincoln Handicap, Grand National, Derbv &c. Price List, eontrniing latest market movements, forwarded free on receipt of address. Ihe oWfet-established Ann ir the world.

The Duchess of York, accompanied by th ?- I Duke, on Friday opened a. sale of Irish cottag industries at the residence of the Earl of Fitz William, in Grosvenor-square, London, the object of the sale, which was arranged by Lady Duncannon, being to promote the development f Irish industries. f Irish industries.

Mummers versus Press. HOW THE PENCILLERS WERE SLASHED. 'Christopher Columbus' Can do othM Things Bssides Discovering New Worlds. Theatrical cricket has somehow or another a considerable attraction for the willow-wielder The why or the wherefore I do not pretend to explain, but en passant 1 may mention that theatrical cl'bs only exist in comic opera musical extravaganza, or burlesque companies. Eh Yes. quite so. The inference is natural No The ladies don't play. They look on, it ia true, and. of course. as you would suggest, it iq their soul-inspiring presence that doubtless at- tracts the aforesaid "willow-wielder." The Little Christopher Columbus" Com- pany threw out an urgent challenge to the press men of Cardiff. We have in this office a reporter, who is a most enthusiastic cricketer. Added to this he comes of a Warwickshire race, and, like the famous Guy, Earl of Warwick, he brooks no rival, throwing down the gage, without a promp acceptance. Again, has not Warwickshire been elevated to the list of first-class counties ? Só the Midland blood boiled within him, and he was early on the warpath in selecting his team to meet the theatricals. As to the team that did really turn out the less said the better. I think there were three pressmen in it. Assistance was received from one or two of the mechanical and commercial departments, the Cardiff Club, the Electric Club, and an old enthusiastic cricketer who presided over the destinies of a well-known Cardiff hotel. I would not be hard either on the Theatrical or Press team—not for the world. They did their best, and no man can do more. I do object, however, to the barefaced manner in which the proceedings were carried on. One o'clock was the time set for the commencement of the match. At that time there Wa.s one pressman on the ground. The" Christopher" Company, in full war paint, were waiting for the fray. The press. man naturally suggested an adjournment pend- ing the arrival of the other portion of his team. The Grand was the venue-wltisky was the object. This sort of thing went on at intervals until about three o'clock. Then some sort of A team was got together, and the fray com- menced. The Press having won the toss, the redor.bt 1 able "Bob," who is responsible for the ma- chinery portion of the paper, and a noted wielde; of the blue pencil, went to the wickets. The first ball sent down was to the last-mentioned gentle- man. He cocked his toe, planted his heel in the turf, shut his eyes, and slashed at it. For the j moment I began to sing Sailing merrily home." The ball soared aloft but, unfortunately, a 1 theatrical man was standing under it, and so ended the first chapter ot the press innings. As Dan Leno would have said had he been present, to cut a long story thick," the above-men- tioned incident may be taken as aptly illustrat- ing how matters went with the Press for the rest of the innings. They closed for 43, and between you and I and the gatepost, I think they were a bit lucky at that. True, the theatricals did not look like doing much better. I am not quite sure, for the simple reason that the scorer got a bit mixed, but I believe five wickets went down for four runs. Matters were loooking desperate. Mr. Lonnen went over for his "navvy dress," and Mr. Steyne was seriously thinking of donning the "Second Mrs. Block's" dress, with the obieet, presumably, of blocking the bowiing. All doubt was done away with, however, when fri(nd Yates, c-f the baggage department, went to the wickets. He lifted the Press bowlers for a few six's over the park wall, and enthu- siasm reached a terrific pitch. One little lady, with a green coat, got up off one end of the form and let every one down at the, other. That doubled the excitement. Then, when the Theatricals found they were winning, they nlucked up courage and began to tell us outre cricket stories. Occa- sioually these were interrupted by such observations as, "Well, 'Rooky's' done very well. He's added one to the score and run three men out." Anyhov. the Theatricals were winning, so the discontinuance of the outre cricket stories was very brief. But, all this, by the way. I would like to mention that tho Cardiff cricket pitch is in better condition than I ever remember to have seen it before. No doubt a great deal is owing to the fact that it was railed olf during the foot- liall season. At the same time, Lowe and "he Cardiff groundman have been most assiduous in their attentions to the turf. It appeared to me that there wo not a square inch of it, but that wa* good enough for a first-class county pitch. Of course, the usual exigencies of weather, tricky turf, &c., must be taken in. At the same time, I feel safe in predicting tint the Cardiff Club have never had a better pitch than the one provided for th jTU for the ensuing season Speaking of cricket naturally leads oae oe to the lawn tennis court. What Lowe and the ground man have done for the cricket club Bn-ker has done for the tennis court. To me it appeared as level and true as a billiard table. I see by the notice in the club buildings that for tho past week it has been a trifle spongy. That has been the fault of the weather, not Baker, and the last-mentioned is to be decidedly con- gratulated in having at the outset of the season his courts in such perfect condition. From the tennis court to the football ground is not a big jump. The rb-turfing and draining process is now in full swing, and the old "Slough of Despond" as the Cardiff football field has been aptly termed, ought to be an entirely different sort of ground next yew. True, not before 'twas wanted. For of all the sloppiest, boggiest, put-my-foot-in-and-can't- pull-it-out sort of grounds that ever I've seen. Cardiff was tho best—or worst. I would sug- gest, however, that when the drainage and relaying of the turf are complete, the ground should have a good watering and rolling, else it will be found that here and there a sink of four or Jive inches has occurred. To-day (Saturday) will witness the opening of the cricket season at Swansea, when the Fir.*t Eleven will meet a representative team of the District League. The team has not yet got into harness, for it has not yet even ap- pointed its captain. It is expected that the annual meeting will be held on Thursday next. Mr. S. P. Long and Mr. Edgar Reid are gen- tlemen whose names are mentioned for tin appointment. Apparently, cricket is not likely to be much more of a. "jumping sac- cess'" down West than on previous seasons. Fault is found there with Mr. Brian for fixing four county matches at Cardiff and only one at Swansea—but really the gates at Swansea are so bad, and seem to improve so little, that I am not much surprised at the fixtures being disposed thus. The race amongst the Swansea Harriers for Abbott's challenge cup took place at tile Vic- toria Park on Thursday evening. Ernest Poole, who has held the cup for two years pasta, was unable from scratch ho overhaul Osborne (on the 23 yards mark), and so, for the sake of a couple of yards, had to give up the cup to the new man. Sheppard was third, coming in next after Poole. There is every prospect of the Neath and Briton 1'Vrv Rowing Club having a successful season. A great deal of interest is being mani- fested, and already 40 gentlemen have signified their intention of joining. The hewdquartens of the olub will be at Briton Ferry, but a boat will be kept at Neath for the convenience of the Aeatn members. The preliminary arrangements have oe-en placed in the hands of the following" gentlemen :-Neath Messrs. Walter Rees, F. H. Kompthorne. and P D. Thomas; Briton rerry: Messrs. Eocle«s, Morgan, and A. Wil- hanis. Mr. W. H. P. Jenkins has been elected president. Mr. T. D. Thorns secretary, and Mr. H. Himter treasurer. WELSH ATHLETE.

CRICKET. Septimus Chambers, the South Wales and West of England -^uleue Outfitter, 21. Castle-street, Cardiff. Send for Illustrated Catalogue, post free. 1488