Evening Express

THE SCRAMBLE FOR CHINA. ee A Reuter's telegram from Yokohama on Tuesday says :-The Russian Government has notified the Japanese Government of the tem- porary occupation of Port Arthur. A large Japanese squadron has left Nagasaki.

FIGHT BETWEEN BElARS MORTAL COMBAT IN A CAGE AT SANGER'S CIRCUS. Early on Tuesday morning Sanger's Circus at Dalston was the scene of a fierce encounter oe- tween two bears-a Polar and a Sloth—which only arrived from Hamburg on Friday week. For some time the efforts of Professor Max and a number of other trainers and keepers, armed with heated iron bars, pitch forks, &c., were un- availing to part the infuriated animals. Ulti- ma Levi Professor Max entered the cage, knocked down the brown bear and rescued the Poiar. which, however, expired in a few minutes. The figlil excited other occupants of the menagerie, and the place for the time being was a perfect pandemonium.

FOOTBALL*, r SPECIALLY SET FOR THE tYENIN6 EXPRESS. OXFORD UNIVERSITY V. CARDIFF. To be played at the Cardiff Arms Park on Wednesday. Gates open at two 'o'clock; kick- off, 2.30. The, following are the te;)m&: —Car- diff Back, V J. Thomas; three-quarter backs, J. Driscoll, W. Jones, E. G. Nicholls, and H. V. P. Huzzey: half-backs, S. Biggs and J. E. Elliot; forwards, G. Dobson, T. Dobson, W. J. Elsey, E. Emery, F. Cornish, R. Jones, D. Evans, and W. Phillips. Oxford University: Back, T. Stone; three-quarter backs, A. R. Smith, G. T. Unwin, Newton, and Nicholas; half-backs, J. W. Stratton and L. Crump, for- wards, W. J. Carey, J. Harpur, J. F. A. Swanton, L. B. Dunn, C. E. Barry, H. Alexan- der, D. Legge, and E. P. Evers. Referee, Mr. A. J. Gould.

INDIAN FRONTIER WAR. BRITISH NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER A PRISONER A Renter's telegram from Calcutta on Monday says:—The reserve brigade at Rawal Pindi is being dispersed. Sergeant Walker, of the Scots Fusiliers, is a prisoner among the Sipah Afridis. Pressure is being brought to bear on the tribes- men with a view to obtaining his release.

SPAIN AND CUBA. MARSHAL BLANCO'S AIDE-DE CAMP KILLED. A Reuter's telegram from Madrid on Mcuday says -Telegrams received front Havannah leave little doubt that Colonel Ruiz, Marshal Blanco's aide-de-camp, has been killed by insurgents, but in what way he met his death is not quite clear. A Reuter's telegram from Washington on Monday says -An official telegram from Havannah states that, by order of the insurgents, Colonel Ruiz has been shot.

FIRES AT CARDIFF. Shortly after ten o'clock on Monday night an alarn. was received at the Roath Police Station, Cardiff, that a fire had broken out oil the premises of Mr. T. S. Bqmasli, outfitter and pawnbroker, 41, Broadway, Cardiff. The hand reel was at once dispatched,' and the engine was sent. fcr. It was afterwards discovered tiat a fire had occurred under the counter of the out- fitter's shop, and before the flames had been subdued the shop was gutted. The upper storey, however, was saved, without the services of the fire-engine. The assistants left the shop apparently secure at a quarter past nine, and Mr. and Miss. Boniash were away from the premises when the outbreak occurred. The damage was considerable, but it is stated to bs covered by insurance.

_0_ EMPLOYERS' LIABILITY ACTION AT SWANSEA. At Swansea County-court on Monday a dock labourer named .James Coleman-sued Mr. William Westlake, contractor, for damages for injuries sustained whilst discharging the steamship Sorata in the Prin-e of Wales Dock on October 1. Mr. V iliiers Meager appeared for the plain- tiff. and Mr. C. H. Glascodine for the defendant. -The plaintiff's case was that a derrick useri for unloading-'copper ore was not suitable for the purpose, inasmuch as it would not swil1g the bags far enough on to the quay. The plain' irT stood on the dock-side to receive and remoyp the hags, and the second lot which was landed was lowered upjn the plaintiff, who had two of his ribs broken, and was twelve weeks iIL.- His Honour found, after hearing evidence, that plaintiff had failed to make out a good case for damages, and gave judgment for defendant.

ENGLISH CRICKETERS IN AUSTRALIA. A Reuter's telegram from Melbourne on Mon- day says:—The English cricketers will start to- morrow for a week's holiday to the Gippsland Lakes. They will play a match at Bendigo on the 27th insl.

MARGATE RELIEF FUND. At a meeting of the Margate Surf boat Disaster Relief Coniiin'l I ee on Monday it wo i th." ■ !ia leliei iun4 amounted. 10 over

SANTA CLAUS. Our Christmas Treat to 2,000 Children. MR. JOHN STUDT'S GENE- ROSITY, ♦— — SPEC/ALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. Thanks to the generosity of Mr. John Studt, die isanta. Claus" Subscription Fund now stands at over £ 200. Mr. Studt a long time ago promised to give us an evening, but he has been doing such good business at Aberdare and other places that it was late before he got to Cardiff. otill, he came in plenty of time for the Christmas season, and he was fortunate in securing a capital site near The Hayes Market. Here he has opened a carnival which should attract hundreds during the Yuletide. He has erected his well- known galloping horses and his witchback rail- way, and, in addition, he has provided numerous side show's, so that every inch of space is profit- ably occupied. On Monday evening Mr. Studt devoted the whole of the takings on his switch- abck and horses to the "Santa Claus" fund, and, although the weather was very sharp and keen, excellent business was done, 'i vuig result that the sum of L5 11s. 7d. was handed over to "Santa Claus." Mr. Studt regrets it is not more, but we are well satisfied, and to Mr. and Mrs. Studt, and to all the assistants "Santa Claus" is deeply grateful. MEETING OF ASSISTANTS. This (Monday) evening a meeting of ladies and gentlemen who have offered to assist at the treats ,:ill be held at the "Western Mail" Offices at seven o'clock. We hope t osee a large atten- dance. LIST OF SUBSCRIPTIONS. Already acknowledged 196 2 01 TO-DAY M SUBSCRIPTIONS. Takings at Mr. John Studt's Christ- mas Carnival, the Hayes 5 11 7 William, Susan, Willie, Carrie, and Bertie Glass. 0 5 0 Spillers Histrionic Society (hon. sec., Mr. B. Brookinan) 110 Total. JE202 17 n

Powder and Shot.. SPECIALLY AEr FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. By the time the scheme for the extension of the Cardiff borough boundaries actually comes before Parliament, the parishioners of Llandaff will have had the time and opportunity to sit down and thoughtfully consider what the little city is likely to gain or lose from a practical standpoint. The most striking feature of the parish meeting held last night at Llandaff was the lemarkably impractical nature of the argu- ments advanced against inclusion in the borough. The Rev. J. R. Buckley set the tune by his opening speech, and his fellow-opponents followed with a rush of sentiment that went very well until the speakers attempted to back it up with reasoning. When that unhappy point was reached they contradicted them- selves. The chairman's address was upon the principle, "Get all you can for nothing," but that was its most apparent weakness. The chairman excused in one breath all that Llandaff had obtained on the shadowy pretxet that "somebody subscribed to vhose institutions." In the next breath he recounted the principal improvements necessary in the parish, and left the question of "Who will pay" as a subject hardly worth the consideration of the meeting. The vicar said he "would like to know what the new rating would be, supposing they were included in the borough. The ave- rage in Cardiff for the years 1895—189/ was 5s. lid. in the E. In Llandaff for the same 4 period it Was only 3s. 5d., and this year it was only 3s. 2d." Contending that when Llandaff became part and parcel of Carditt it would have no greater advantages, but,on the contrary, would be saddled with K i extra rate, the chair- man mentioned a few things Llandaff would be compelled to get, either through incorporation or-, "on its own." Llaiir ft endeavoured to find a site for an imectious hospital of its. own, as against the sanatorium advantages promised by the seheme of incorporation. The city must in the id get better draining and lighting. A private .irm had already offered to supply the district with electric light. The urgent need of improvements such as these were not emphasised. But how, upon a three-and- twopenny rate is Llandjii going to effect its im- provements? Neither the chairman nor anyone else attempted to indicate an answer. The diffe- rence between the rates of Llandaff and Cardiff vas, as usual, harped Upon, and everything else that should corns into the argument touched as lightly and delicately as possible—or never touched at all. The suggestion thrown out that. the corporation would be likely to effect a com- promise on the rating until the value of added lates was received in improvements was never mentioned. The self-contradiction of the speaker's arguments can be easily seen by run- ning over a few of the principal improvements needed, and comparing the consequent rates spread over a small number of latepayers such as Llandaff, with the trivial burden this expendi- ture would be, borne by Cardiff Borough. Llan- daff exists now on the cl cap and nasty principle. Its meagre gas-lamp are extinguished before mid- night—at the hour when the biirglar is most likely to prowl and the highway blackguard to bs afoot. Its drainage and sanitation are of the primitive kind, inaii'ective in .these modern days. It has no public institutions, except the public-house. It has not tasted the benefits of the Public Libraries' Act. Its growth is ham- pered by such disaclvenlages as these. It has no growth worth speaking of, in fact. Cardiff, existing under similar conditions would find less than a 3s 2d. rate meet all the bills. By the time the city, bearing its own burdens, works even the few improvements indicated as neces- sary by last night's speakers, the rates must be increased considerably above the Cardiff aveiage, of which some of Llandaff's short-sighted public men make thoughtless, but easy oirftorical capi- tal. "Live to-day and take no thought of the morrow" is not the motto of a prosperous career. An enterprising firm has ottered) to light Llan- daff and Lianishen witu electricity. The news has brought a shock already to some of the deep thinkers of those villages. The rural dis- trict, council has been expecting a great deal from the comets due to appear next year, and afe likely to put olf the lighting for twelve months in hopes of being able to anchor a respectable comet on the hill. This is eiiter- prue indeed. There will be 118 pages of delightful local literature in circulation soon. It has been pre- pared by the cown-clerk to support the case for the extension of the ( ardiff noundaries. Who says we have no J. Barrie in the Welsh scliool of tiction P It is suggested that the town- clerk's work be issued" to the rural district councils in words of two syllables and entitled "explorations on the frontier." < This of the Office IJeet; who did the Grand last night:- Sweet Lavender, with all your grace Of manner, and your charm of tace,— Much grief and scrrow are your lot. But. you through all forget him not. And lie your lover, too, is true, And vxrthy, sweetest maid, of you. At after rain the sun shines, bright, As alter darkness comes the light. As after pain 'tis sweet to rest, So in the end you two are blest, And grief no more your heart shall stir, And dim your eyes, Sweet Lavender!" *■ ♦ » The clergy of St. Asaph seem to be really hearty and artistic apologisers. The bishop since his speech at Wrexham has been inundated with the epistles of the disciples. There was a rush to be the first illustrator of apology as a fine art. That was a happy bon mot of Mr. Lascelles Carr at the Penarth Conservative Club last night, when he observed that "clubs were a protest against the tyranny of the times." Clubs are trumps in this deal, too.

BISHOP OF ST. ASAPII AND HIS CLERGY, The Bishop of St. Asaph desires to thank those Churchmen from England and Wales who hav, so kindly written to him about the meeting at Wrexham on December 16, and regrets that, owing to the number of letters, he is unable to auavtbi Jiem individually.

Welsh County Schools. PRIZE DAY AT PORT TALBOT. On Monday afternoon Miss Talbot, of Margam, presented the successful students at Port Talbot Intermediate School with prizes. Mr. Edward Knox, J.P., presided over a large audience assembled at the school drill-hall, Port Talbot, to witness the presentation. The headmaster's report showed that the school had been eminently successful, both in the number of pupils and in the result of the recent examinations held under the auspices of the Central Welsh Board, as in the higher forms some of the scholars had obtained 90 per cent, of marks.—Mr. Barry strongly advocated the addition of manual training to the curriculum of the school, so that lads should have a taste for technical science.—Miss Talbot then presented the prizes. The Chairman said the results achieved by the governors and the pupils had been remarkable. Miss Talbot had generonsly given them a site for the school, and also a handsome subscription —(cheers)—and, with the aid of others, they had a school second to none in the county. In their headmaster they had been fortunate, as Mr. Barry had, together with Miss Oakley (head- mistress) and the staff, laboured assiduously for the success of the school. He was pleased to be enabled to state that it was probable that in a short time they would have a gymnasium added to the present school. (Cheers.) A vote of thanks was accorded to Miss Talbot, on the motion of the Vicar of Aberavon, seconded by Mr. Hilton Yates. During the pro- ceedings the scholars sang several part-songs, under the direction of Mr. Hees, and Miss Itodda and Miss Rena James played a piano and violin solo respectively. PRIZE DISTRIBUTION AT SWANSEA The second annual prize day of the Swansea Intermediate and Technical School for Boys occurred on Monday, when'a crowded gathering assembled in the afternoon to hear addresses from the mayor and Sir John Llewelyn, M.P., and to see the prizes distributed to the pupils at this successful young school. The Mayor. in opening the proceedings, said he considered that the most important event which had as yet occurred during his mayoralty. He considered the town of Swansea had special reason to be proud that they had such a school for their boys. The Mayoress then presented the prizes to the successful students. Sir John Llewelyn expressed his great pleasure at being present, and at seeing, not only the brightness of the boys, but also the deep interest evidently taken in that function by the parents of the pupils. The work done by Dr. Turpin and his admirable staff was, he felt, fully recognised by the people of Swansea, and nothing was more calculated to help the children forward. He felt it was a perfectly fair prophecy to make that they would find posterity looking back, upon the introduction of technical and intermediate schools in Wales as the time that science and art had made the greatest step forward in this century. They were as well aware as he was what great progress other nations were making in those matters. They were perfectly well aware that they must not be left behind in the race, and they must see on looking abroad that other nations were pressing forward with that technical education which was going to be one of the great educa- tional characteristics of the future. In conclu- sion, Sir John emphasised the necessity for a little more physical education being attached to the admirable intermediate education which they were there to promote that day, and he was encouraged in doing so by the report of the Central Welsh Board to the Charity Commis- sioners. Votes of thanks to the mavor and mayoress and to Sir Jolin terminated the proceedings,) which were of quite an enthusiastic nature. PONTYPRIDD COUNTY SCHOOL. The annual distribution of prizes of Ponty- pridd Countv School took place at the new Tcwn-hall, Pontypridd, on Monday evening. There was an exceedingly large attendance of tha public. The chair was occupied by Coun- cillor James Roberts, J.P., chairman of the beard of governors, of which body there were also present Alderman W. H. Morgan, Coun- cillor H. S. Davies, Messrs. W. Jones, James Richards, and Edward Jones. the Rev. T. Richards, •ml the clerk (Mr. John Phillips), r. Alfred Thomas, M.P., Miss E. P. Hughes, of Cambridge Training College Alderman and Mrs Walter Morgan, Mr. Rhys Morgan, M.A. (head- master), Dr. Goetz, Mr. Rees, B.Sc.. Mr. English, Miss Evans (headmistress), Alderman Jolin (Cowbridge). and c: hers. The Chairman, iij his opening remarks, said the inspector had found 110 fault with the Fchool. Miss E. P. Hughes, principal of the Cambridge Training College for Secondary Teachers, gave an excellent address, and congratulated the school upon its success. Speaking of the edu- cation of women, site ",aid the education of boys and girls should be identical. Mr. Rhys Morgan, M. the principal, sub- mitted his report, and seated that 90 students at the schools held scho'arsliips. (Applause.) He pointed to the remarkable progress made 1y the pupils, and to the extension of the curri- culum. Mr. Alfred Thomas, M P., who was the next speaker, said the Intermediate Education Act would mean a source of wealth to Wales, and the children of working men could now work their way to the colleges with the help of the county schools. (Applause.) He felt proud that he had formed a few clauses in this Act. (Hear, hear.) The hon. member, Miss Hughes, and a Japa- nese lady who accompanied her, and who had been sent to England to study the scheme of education in this country; Mrs. Morgan, and Mrs. Lewis then proceeded to present the fol- lowing students with prizes — GIRLS. Form IV.* English, Olwen Evans; French. Olwen Evans and Morfydd Williams (bracketed equal); drawing. Morfydd Williams. Form III.: Form prixe, Gladys Ross; English. Gladys Ross; French. ICatie Scudamore; mathematics, Winnie Howard (given bv Miss Millard). Form IL; Form prize. Owen Lewis; English, Ethel Julian; French, Maggie Higgins; drawing. Tilly ,Terrer.1'. Form L: Form prize, Minnie Parfitt; English. Minnie Parfitt; French, Cassie Wil- liams; drawing, Elisa Hooper. Head- mistress's prize for general efficiency Olwen Evans. Prize for highest mnrks in College of Preceptors' examination; Third class. Katie Scudamore; junior. Mabel Houghton. Music prize (given by Miss Richards): Anna Charles. BOYS. Mathematics: Class I., H. C. Bevan: Class II.. W. H. James; Class III., R. Scudamore. Geography and history: ClasS I.. Evan Evans; Class II., D. Edwards; Class III., D. J. Grif- fiths. Book-keening: Class I., Matthew Wil- hams; Class II., F. Haden. French: Class I.. T. K Jones; Class II., D. Seaton; Claiss III., H. Bevan; Class IV., C. Powell. German: W. L. Beard. Latin: Clafis I., J. W. Lewis; Class II., Edgar Coole; Class III., F. W. Beech. Chemis- try: J. W. Lewie. Shorthand; Class L. K M. Hopkin; Class II, F. W. Beech. Drawing. Class 1.. P. Sprague; Class II., D. Seaton; class III., Edward JODes, Manual instruction: First prize, Evan Evans; second prize, P. Sprague (given ùv Mr. R. A. Lewis). Prize for exemplary conduct: E. M. Hopkin (given by the head- master). Music: Sidney Bryant (given by the headmaster) The following were mentioned by the examiners of the Central Board as worthy of distinction for their work in the higher papers (those marked with an asterisk are recipients of. prizes given jointly by the governors): Eng- lish grammajr, Thomas Gabriel; English com- position, "Gwilym Gower; geography, *W. Bayliss, *F. W. Batt, Evan Evans, and J. W. Lewis; arithmetic, J. Bedford Davies. Thomas Gabriel, and *W. Watkins; mechanics, Thomas Gabriel; bool,-keeping, Thomas Ernest Jones and Matthew Williams. PRIZE DAY AT BARRY. Ilie first annual prize distribution in connec- tion with Barry Intermediate School took p!ac.3 oil Monday evening at the Roniilly-Ji.il!, Barry, when Alderman the Rev. Aaron Davies, Pout- lottvn, the chairman of the Glamorgan County Technical Instruc1 ion Committee, presided, and deli' ered an able and enc;^iragmg address on the development and advantages of intermediate education in Wales. Speeches were also. de- livered by Mr. J. Lowdon, J.P., chairman of the Barry Intermediate School Governors and School; Alderman J. C. Megeitt. J.P., Captain R. Davies. and others, and Mr. H. R. Norris, M.A., read a highly gratifying report, giving the results of llie examinations held bv the Science audi Art Department and the Welsh Central Board.

KANMI" AND THE LADIES. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. Lord Hampden, speaking at a banquet ;^]ven by the trustees of 1 he Sydney Cricket Ground .on i htir arrival in Sydney, said :!—"One of the most extraordinary characteristics of your cricket in Australia is that, go where you will, women are always there. (Laughter.) In our country the women come, and they generally come to the Eton and Harrow, or the Oxford and Cambridge matches, to see their brothers play. (Laughter.) But here women put on their hest frock'5 and their gayest colours, and grace every Australian match of the first class. (Laughter and applause.) Now, I hope the Australian ladies will excuso me if I say they are a little inclined. to be imp'tlsive—very im- pulsive and enthusiastic-sometimes, about indi- viduals. I mean men, not their own sex. (Laughter.) I noticed m Melbourne the other day that they paid marked and very embaras- sing attention to Prince Ranjitsinhji. ("Oh" and laughter.) There seemed to be a sort of pleasurable excitement amongst them whenever the ball came near him, and, do what he would, they cheered him. I think a word of warning to the ladies would be well said-and it 1S this -that it is not in monal man always to com- mand success, and even a prince may fail to score or hold a catch. (Applause and laugh- ter.) And to him I would offer this consolation —the consolation of the old saying, that there is some safety in the number of his admirers."

THANKS FROM THE CZAR. The Emperor. of Russia has conveyed to the Commander-in-Chief at Plymouth, AdmiralL^Sir E. Freniantle. his deeo aporeciation of the Jsind and considerate treatment extended to the sea- man wÍlo was landed at Plymouth from the Jitiosian crui««r Hue tl'Edinbo" in October.

Late Sir Frank Lockwood PERSONAL ANECDOTES OF THE EMINENT Q.C. Stories in Proof of His Wit and His Appreciation of Humour Which Told Against Himself. SPECIALLY SET FOR IHE EVENING EXPRESS. The following are a few stories that are told of the late Sir Frank Lockwood. Sir Frank was fond of telling funny stories against himself. "I was defending a man at York once who was accused of stealing cattle— 'beasts' they call them up there. I said to a witness: 'Now, my man, you say you saw so- and-so; how far can you see a beast to know it?-' 'Just as far off as I am from you,' he replied instantly, amidst roars of laughter all over the court." Once he went to a religious meeting at which Judge Waddy, a circuit friend, was speaking. Mr. Waddy thought the visitor look. cynical, and turned the tables by saying, "Now, my dear friends, Brothar Lockwood will lead us in a hymn." He naid that no woman knew how deeply she was wronged until her examination-m-chief by Mr. Inderwick. There are two stories about Mr. BUI dler, his colleague, although on the other sidt, in the representation of York. In one fight Sir Frank had asked, "Who is this Mr. Burner-" When Mr. Butcher v.as returned attheheadof the pell lie gave the answer. "1 will tell Mr. Lockwood who Mr. Butcher is," he said. "He is the senior member for York Onanother occasion Mr. Butcher's horse cannoned against. Mrs. Lockwood's in the park. "Look here, Butcher," said Sir Frank, "do you want to unseat the whole family ?" In a breach of promise case at Leeds: "Gentlemen, do you really think that this charming young lady's life is blighted, and that her prospects of getting married are at all prejudiced ? I don't suppose you do. 1>er;lap3, there is not one of vou who would be averse to form the acquaintance, of so admirable a compamol1. Why, look 110W, she is acLually smiling at me, but I must at once inform her that I am 110t in the matrimonial market." After successfully defending a prisoner in the Criminal Court, who had put forward 3. very satisfactory alibi, Sir Frank went for a walk in the circuit town, and, during his perambula- tions, he met the judge who had presided. Addressing him, the learned judge said, "Well, Lockwood, that was a very good alibi." "Yes, my lord," was the answer, "1 had three offered me, and I think I selected the best." A happy hit was made by Sir Frank at Sheffield two years ago. He was ex-recorder of the town. "1 hope, said he, "that during the ten years I was connected with this city I have given satis- faction." (Here the company broke into a loud cheer.) ."I was about to add," continued Sir Frank Lockwood, gravely, "to these gentlemen who came before me in my judicial capacity. I did not realise till I heard the applause that there were so many present here to-night." He used to relate that on one occasion a man was had up for stealing a spade. The magis- trate before whom the case was tried was stupid, but as well-meaning and conscientious an 01d [cllow as ever lived He carefuJ1.y consulted his Archbold to find a precedent on which he could convict and punish the man. But he was unable to do so. "I can't find anything under the word spade," said lie, "although I see that a man was convicted and severely punished for stealing a shove). You have had a very narrow escape, but you may go this time." Some eighteen months ago he accompanied the Lord Chief Justice to the United States. When Sir Frank was questioned by the interviewer as to his plans, Sir Frank Lockwood said: "After leaving Saratoga I intend to go to a place called Ni-Ni-Niagara, I think the place is called. At any rate, it's a village at which they have some kind of waterworks, I believe. Niagara is the name, is it not?" Sir Frank was solemnly assured by the reporter thtt there was such a place in America, and that it possessed SOIlJe sort of a primitive waterfall--al1 assurance with which he expressed himself highly satisfied. Frank Lockwood's first brief, it has often been stated, was obtained by the personal influence of Miss Madge Robertson, now Mrs. Kendal, and throughout the long years that have intervened Mr. and Mrs. Kendal and Sir Frank and Lady Lockwood have been close personal friends. It is not so generally known that the solicitor from whom that first brief was obtained was Sir Albert Rollit, then mayor of Hull, and now the member for South Islington. Sir Frank was an inveterate first nighter." Very few plays of any importance have been pro- duced during the last twenty years unwelcomed by the lively presence and hearty applause of the member for York. Even in the long vacation he would run up from the country to be present at the first night performance of some important piece put on the stage by hit friends—Irving, Hare, or Kendal.

BRITISH AND FRENCH IN AFRICA. MAJOR LUGARD'S EXPEDITION. The Central News says —The date of Major Lugard's departure for the West African hinterland is not ^*et known, but he is busily occupied with the organisation of Ifhe expedition which is to :jroccr>d thither under his personal command, Mid for which the preparations are being oushed forward with all possible vigour. Large quantities of stores and ammunition are being got ready for despatch to Liver- pool, where they will be shippedl. It will be remembered that several contingents have already gone out, under Captains Northcott and Macdonald. Major Lu^ard on his arrival will assume supreme com- mand of the hinterland region. FIGHT BETWEEN FRENCH AND BRITISH NATIVES. The steamer Laguna, which arrived at Liverpool on Monday from the West Coast of Africa, reports an affray in the New Calabar River between French S0UE>- galese and British Sierra Leoneans, and when, probably, a serious loss of iife was only prevented by the brave action of the commander of the steamer and Irs officers. When the Laguna was at Bonny fifty Senegalese were transferred to her from another steamer, for conveyance to the French port of Goree, in the New Calabar River. A quarrel ?rose bef^en some Sierra Leoneans 011 boprd the vessel and the Senegalese, uin:g AViueh one of the latter was struck with a piece or iron and had his head cut open. There werr* about 30 Sierra Leoneans on board, and they were fiercely attacked by the Senega- lese. The vessel was at anchor at tiie time, and the Sierra Leone na^i :s jumped over the side as quickly as possio'>i after a sight resistance. The Senegalese were armed with knives, machetes, tomahawk-, and other native wea^is, and had not the Sierra Leoneans sought safety in flight there would have been A serious loss cf life. The Senegalese werj in a state of great excitement, clamour 11;1; for the biood of the Sierra Leone men. Captain CIIW- thorne, with his officars au i engineers,, bravely went in among the Senega Uvse. and, by securing the ringleaders, tapped what threatened to be a serious affray. The recent collision on the Congo is thought to have been the cause of the quarrel.

ENGLAND AND GERMANY. A FRENCH VIEW. A Reuter's telegram from. Paris on Monday says;—The "Gaulois" this morning says: "Much water will flow beneath the bridges of. the Spree and the Thames before the <> hour comes, if it ever comes, when the maritime development and commercial expansion of Ger- many will cause Great Britain's fall from the premier place which she occupies in the world as a nava' and colonising power."

TRANSFER OF KASSALA. A Central News telegram from Rome on Mon- day says —A telegram received here states that Colonel Parsons, with the troops which will re- place the Italia.n garrison, has arrived at I^assala. ..i v ■

IN MEMORY OF 1798. A Central News telegram from New York on Monday says: —It is announced that Mr. John Redmond will shortly pay a visit to the States to deliver a series of seeches on the Irish Rebellion of 1798. His object is to arouse the enthusiasm J of Irishmen in the United States in view of the proposed centenary celTijtaUons in Ireland next j car.

The Nobleman Tramp- AT HOME IN HUT, HOTEL, OR PALACE. Has Travelled the World and Been in More Prisons Than Any Other Man Living. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING tXPRESS. -,o' A tramp with noble blood in his veins is Count Rocco Dianovich of Austria, who has for 34 years been a globe-trotter, and whose provsd boast is that he has been an inmate of more gaols and penitentiaries throughout the world than any other man living. He is in-Chicago from San Francisco, en route to New York, by way of Texas. He will, arrive, a New York paper sa) s, in New York in the spring, which indicates that his stay in the gaob of lhe south-west and south will not be long. He makes a speciality of gaols and penitentiaries, and says the latter in the United States are the cleanest, best kept, most sanitary, and regulated in the most humane way of any in the universe. His experiences he will put into a book, and he thinks he will have a volume ready to be printed when he gets to New York, but he is not sure. He has beeir keeping a note-book for more than thirty years, but not a single page of manuscript has he- as yet turned out. me Count is not talkative as regards anything but his experiences. Of himself lie has little to say. For many years he has disguised his title under the garb of a genuine hobo, and so far as appearances are concerned he is one. He has a limitary air, carries himself erect, has a good strong face adorned with a moustache and side whiskers, speaks seven languages, and has never had any trouble, save of his own making, any- where on earth. When he got into trouble it was for the purpose of getting into prison, and as a rule he paid his fine and got out when ilie thought he had seen all he desired. The count is at home everywhere. He has slept in almshouses, lodging-houses, and palaces, and is as contented in a hut or hovel as in the finest house in the land. According to his story, attested by signed documents, he always carries with him, he has been entertained in high circles in Turkey, Egypt, India, China. Japan, Alaska, almost every city in Europe, and many cities in the United States. He says he took the trail over the Klondyke region long before the discovery of gold there; was in Cuba many years ago, and has visited the Arctic territory. He has walked over most of the earth, he says, not having money enough to always ride when going from one country to another, and as a rule, he prefers that method of getting around. This traveller has but one means of protection. His weapon is an old bayonet mounted on a stick as a cane. This has been the cause of his arrest in many cities on the charge of carrying a deadly weapon. He sets great store by the cane, for the bayonet on the top of it was formerly affixed to the gun he carried while serving in the Turkish Army. From what 1 hear," he says, "Chicago is a pretty bad place and has plenty of robbers, but I am not afraid of them, so long as the police allow me to carry my cane. I have had experiences with robbers in various countries, but never in Chicago. I propose to explore the town thoroughly, and hope nothing will happen to me. "When I say that I have seen the inside of more prisons and gaols than any ftlier man who ever lived, I simply speak the truth. Sometimes I was a prisoner—indeed, most of the times—and then again I was merely a spectator. I preferred being a prisoner, for the reason that I thus had a better opportunity of testing the merits of the institution. I haye made a study of the goals of the world, and no man is more competent than, so competent, I may say, as, myself to speak of them. "It is not hard to geL into gaol in mod places. It is liaMer to get into the penitentiaries, and harder, also, to get out. When I wished :;0 go to gaol Iliad simply to pretend that I was drunk, which I wasn't, though, as I rarely drink any- thmg, and was never intoxicated in my life. "My experiences have been varied and unique, but as I propose to embody them in a book I cannot mor., than refer to them now. It was in Liverpool that I was first sent to gaol, this being on the change of drunkenness, but I only stayed in the gaol sk days. That was enough. It was horribly dirty and ill-smelling there, so I paid my line and got out. After that I was sent to prison in another town in England— what you would call the workhouse here—and did my turn on the treadmill. It was not easy work by any means, I can assure you, and I "oon had enough of it. "In one of the principal cities of Peru I swept the streets in a chain gang, and it was not easy work, for we were treated like convicts, and soldiers were put over us as guards. They would as soon shoot a man as not. In Western India I wa sput in solitary confinement; and they put a mask over my face that-fitted me so tightly that I was almost smothered and could not utter a word. I thought I would surely die. I will treat of that extensively in my book. The tor- ture was unspeakable, and I would not go through it again for the world."

POSTMEN'S CHRISTMAS BOXES. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. A correspondent, who addressed a letter to the Duke of Norfolk on the subject of the post- man's Christmas box, has just received the follow- I ing reply: —"General Post Office, London, December, 1897. Sir,—With reference to your letter of the 8th inst., in which you say that postmen are 'forbidden to solicit Christmas boxes, and that compensation- in some form ought to be made to the men who had the pros-I pect of receiving them,' I am directed by the Postmaster-Genetat to explain that this matter was very carefully considered by Lord Tweed- mouth's Committee last year, and that com- mittee reported that the payment which they proposed was in itself, under the conditions con- temp. lated. an adequate remuneration for a post- man's labour, an opinion in which the Post- master-General concurred and they would have been glad to see the receipt of Christmas boxes prohibited, were it not for the insurmountable difficulties of carrying out such a prohibition. The Government did not prohibit the receipt of Christmas boxes bv postmen, but an undue im- portunity or solicitation on their part is pro- hibited, and" they are warned that the gift of Christmas boxes is an act of grace on the part of the public, and that no member of the public is under any obligation of any kind whatever to give anything to a servant of the department.—I am, &c., "S. WALPOLE."

AUSTRALIAN MARRIAGES SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. The New South Wales census taken on April 5, 1891, showed at that date there were in the coiony 141,656 married couples living together. The majority of the marriages had been con- (ratted by persons between the ages of twenty to 34, but in 80m", cases there was a great disparity hetween the ages of the contracting parties, and the figures rlso disclose not a few very youthful unions. For instance a child of fourteen years was married to a man over 21 years of age; two girls of fifteen to men over 30 years of age and two girls of sixteen to men over 40 years of age. In three cases of wives aged seventeen yerrs still greater disparities were observable; in two of the cases the husband being over 50 of age, a woman under 30 to a man over years, and in the third case-over 70 years of age while it was also disclosed- that three girls of nineteen were married to men over 50 years years of age, a woman lalder 30 to a 011'111 over 8.), and a woman under 40 to a man over 85 years old. On the other hand, in several cases, fIT 3 wife was a great deal older than the husband. Thus; two women over 75 years of age were mated with men under 45; a woman over 70 was man-ied to a man under 40; and another, over 65, to a man not yet 30 year, of ago. Three husbands were set down as over 100 years of age, and there were five wives over 95 years of age. f The youngest husbands were three so en- teen years, each of whom was married to a «rirl slightly old'^r than himself; in fact, tue united ges'of the three couples only amounted to 108 The youngest wife was fourteen years, there 'I were twelve wives of fifteen year., of age, and 92 of sixteen years of age. The average age of husbands was 41:50 years, and that of wives 37:00 years, showing it difference of four years and a half in favour of ihe wives. The average age of widows was 55 years. There were eight widows under twenty years of age. 4,091 between twenty and 40 years of age, 11,417 between 40 and.60 years of age, 10,227 over 60 years of age, and 56 whose ages were not stated.

THRONES FOR SALE. SPECIALLY SET FOR. THE EVENING EXPRESS. The last traces of the Hawaiian Monarchy are I about tp be dispersed by auction at Honolulu. The catalogue of the sale includes, besides two thrones, "warranted to be of fine gold," the regalia of the Hawaiian Sovereigns from the time of Kamehameha the Great down to the ex-Qne^n Liliuokalani, among the lots being the famous green Sevres dinner service of 6,000 pieces, pre- sented by Napoleon HI. to King Kalakaua on the occasion of his visit to Paris. The Royal furniture and effects were seized by the Repub- lican Government during the last revolution, and have been carefully preserved ever since, although collectors of curios have made very t2mpting offers. The CrOW,1 Princess Kaialani, who rc- turned to the island last month, is saiel to have lesolv2d on marrying )fro George Davies, a proe- ■••"oas si.i £ -ir-i>lanl«Krf IfjIcl retirin" into private hte.

Some Stories About Rats I BY ONE WHO LIVES AMONG THEM, Showing That the Rat is Not so Bad as He is Painted, Though He Sinks to the Sin of Suicide. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. A pressman has been intervie.ving an official at Millwall Docks, from whom he has obtained the following rat stories. They may be regarded as somewhat tall (says he), especially during the unhealthly weather which is knocking about just now in samples making everybody more or less cross and sceptical. I was, however, assured that they were true, and that I might see simi- lar incidents myself any night I chose to-spend in the docks. Not being over-anxious to indulge in such a pleasant night out, wiih rats running over my toes sniffing my boots for dubbing, 1' am quite 'prepared to accept the gentleman's word, and I know of no reason why you should not do so, too. I expected there would be a good many rats Mi residence at the docks. As everybody knows -at any rate, so everybody says-rats always leave ships which are going to sink, and as it would not be much use for them to quit in mid- ocean they take fresh lodgings. I suppose, winle fehe vessel is in dock. But I was rather sur- prised to hear of them in such great numbers. 1 assure you," said my informant, that they prowl about literally in swarms. In dry weather they are much put to for water. You see there is no water here except in the docks, and they cannot get at that without being drowned, for it is nearly always some feet below the top of the wall. They often do get a drink out of the docks, but that is only by means of a hawser or rope, which happens to hang from the quay or a ship into the water. It is nearly always water they are searching for when they are prowling round in swarms. I have seen thousands of them together running along the quay. It is one of the strangest sights imaginable. The effect is exactly as if the earth itself WM-e moving. It is quite a common occurrence for a police-constable marching round his beat at night to find himself suddenly in the midst of a swarm. They sweep by him in thousands, running over his feet and taking no notice of him at all. But he has to take notice of them, for he has to stand still till they have passed. It is impossible to continue walking, at least with safety. If he lifted his foot off the ground and tried to put it down again the rush of rats under it would bring him down on his back among them nine times out of ten. "I have seen a swarm like that came to a rope- rtangmg across to a ship and the next moment the whole of the vessel seemed alive. The entire army of rats nip along the rope and then spread themselves round and round and over every part of the deck looking for water. Eventually they come back to the quay, and off they go again. If they find a rope hanging down into the water they form a slow procession down the rope to the water's edge. It is wonderful how quiet they wait. They are as patient over it as the queue outside a theatre. And when the bottom one has taken his drink back he comes over the top cf the otners. There is no waste of time. When very hard pushed I have seen them mount the chains of the high cranes and get at the oil in the cogs at the top. "They are extremely bold, and many are as big almost as cats. They are ail very fat. A police- man standing on duty at night often has them trip out over his toes, look cheekily up at him, and go on never minding. You see, ffiere is any quantity of stulf they can eat. The destruction they do is enormous, and they cost the Docks' Company thousands a year in meeting claims for damage. Fourleen have been caught in one bajt of nuts. It is nothing to catch half a dozen in a box of fruit. And eggs! the remains and shells around a crate next morning would make you think a whole box of eggs had been smashed On the floor. "They are able to feed so well that, though every known species of traps has been tried, and hundreds are set everywhere, there is no bait which has any attraction for them. Very few are ever trapped. Now and again a toasted herring may attract a few whose palates are jaded with luxuries, but that is about the only thing that ever allures them. • "The company has something like 200 cats, and cannot get enough. The company's' cat's meat man brings in a of the primest cuts for each cat every day, and can increase the number of his customers by as many kittens as he is able to obtain. There are scores and scores of wild cats, too. But the wiicf cats, like the wild dogs, take 110 notice of the rats. "I have seen a rat and a cat running from opposite directions go full tilt, into .one another^, each knocking the other over, and then both get up and go on with their respective journeys with- out a word. "The Docks' rat is an artful dodger. I verily believe that they know how to commit suicide. Twice I have come upon an old rat sitting by the railway metals with his head on the line. If they were not watting for a train to come along and end their misery I don't know what's what. I scuffled my feet. They took no heed of me. I knocked tliem over with my stick. The first I found suffering from a fearful gangrene wbund just behind the shoulder. The other for want of water was done up. Doesn't that look as if they were deliberately committing suicide ?" Who can tell P

Christmas Kisses. THE CULT OF THE MISTLE TOE HYING OUT: SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. It is to be feared that Christmas is losing that romantic quality which once distinguished it. Statistics show that the consumption of beef and turkey is going up every year, but that the distribution of seasonable kisses beneath the mistletoe bow is going down. There are no absolute figures on this: .latter point, but it is enough to know that every recurring Christmas witnesses a lessening demand for the yellow bc-rry sacred to the pretty game of kissing. Now, of course, without mistletoe this most delightful of all Christmas pastimes must fail into abeyance. The sacred berry warranted Caliban in approaching Miranda with a legiti- mate title to a kiss, nor according to the ia w could Miranda refuse. It was the one chance of the year for despised and rejected men, and old maids withering in the stalk also shared in the unaccustomed delight of frequent oscula- tion. This annual treat to elderly women is perhaps the one aspect of the pleasing scene upon which the charitable soul will most delight to dwell. A London pressman, who has already been to fou: Christmas .parties, at none of which was the beautjful old custom of the mistletoe bough observed, went out on Saturday to inquire into this decay of Christmas kissing. His first visit was to Covent Garden Market. It occurred to him that, perhaps, the supply of mistletoe was falling off —a fact which would explain much—and he called upon a well-known mistletoe merchant for infor- mation on that point. No, said the merchant, the gracious berry still bloomed in enormous quantities. Enough could be imported from Cherbourg and St. Malo to inspire all the Queen's subjects with the most generous sentiments, and giva rise to a national orgie of kissing. He was sorry to say that the demand for mistletoe was falling off. v The trade was not what it once was. And those more prosaic emblems of Christmas- tide—holly and Christmas treesr-were also falling ou: of favour. r People did not observe Chri"tJn<1s in the old fashion. Why, they seemed ashamed nowadays to hang up a bit of mistletoe, and really it was only comparatively poor people who "spent a bit of money in keeping up Christmas in the tradi- tional fashjon, Whence it would apppar that there is a lOC- action against that possibly extravagant obser- vance of Christmas which Charles Dickens may be said to have revived. But that young people and elderly barhelqrs and old maids should ever have consented to the superannuation of that handy bit of mistletoe ovet. the (1001' or jl1St hanging down from the haIl-lamp-this assuredly passeth understanding.

THE CALIFORNIAN WIND. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. When the Colifornian tells you that he has seen the wind blow so hard that it blew the grass cut of the ground you will smile in spite of yourself, it is so perfectly ridiculous. And yet it is true (says one who has resided in the county. 1 once planted a lawn in March, sowing Kentucky blue grass. It came up beautifully, and nourished until May. which is the month in which the nor- ther is prevalent. I think it was in the middle of the month, and the grass was about 3in. higii when the norther came along. In two days I had no 11Iure lawn; the grass had been blown. out of the ground. As previously mentioned, "he norther is a dedicating wind, and it. dried the loose soil about the grass roots until it was I reduced to a powder, and thus unable to resist the wind, which dispersed il. The roots, having no further hold in the ground, gave way, and the wind carried off the grass. This is how the wind blew the grass out of the ground. It is a (\11;. foruiau yarn, but simple euousit when explained. I

IN THE OOUJRT8 NOTES AND NOTIONS FROM THE SEAMY SIDE. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. A PITIFUL CASE. Margaret Davies. 42, appeared before the Cardiff magistrates on Tuesday morning, charged with behaving in a disorderly manner in Buto- sLrcet, earlv the. same morning. —Inspector Dur- stot said that I he wom;>n had been before the court over ïú times, and her appearances before the Cardiff. Newport, Usk, and other benches totalled to over 200. On the lltli inst the bcnch decided to allow her lo go to her home at Mcrthyr. Her fare was paid out of the poor box, and a few coppers were given to her. But she got out of the train at Pontypridd, went into the town, got drunk, wras locked up. and afterwards sent to Cardiff prison. When she came out, she was disorderly again.—The woman appealed to ihe bench to send her somewhere fo" a year's safe confinement. She was not capable to taking care of herself. There was something wrong with her head. She Was willing to work if the bench would send her somewhere where she would be taken care of.- Inspector Durst on said that the woman had been to an asylum three times.—Prisoner said that that was untrue. She was so bad now that she could not sleep at night.—The bench remanded her for a week.

Life in West Africa. AN ENGLISHMAN AMONG THE SAVAGES. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. In a letter read at a concert of the Harlesden Constitutional Club Mr. W. E.B. Copland-Craw- ford, whose brother, Major Crawford, was mur- dered at Benin, and who is attached to the puni- tive expedition, and to Her Majesty's Vice-Con- sulate at Warri, says —" I am writing this to you right away from Warri-right up in the Sobo country. They are a wild, rough lot, and require very careful handling. I am doing a little ex- ploring. Two or three days ago I had to get to a village to examine some murder case. The wet season is not quite over yet, so I had to be carried on the shoulders of a stalwart black, and then my legs were dangling well in the water. Some of the places I have visited have not, I believe. been seen by any white man before, so it is rathr interesting. Preceded by the good old Union Jack, I march into the towns, the bugle playing meantime. I then get the people around me, with their chiefs, and harangue them. Then I give them prizes for wrestling, etc., and in the evening they generally honour me with a native dance. It is funny how soon you feel at home, even though far from any other white man. Then I sleep in mud huts, which are usually ptetty clean, but. oh! the rats and mosqui- toes! I like my life out here very well; it is full of novelties. with some excitement at times. When I received your letter I was right up country. It wa.- a beautiful moonlight night, and four or five hundred blacks were around me having a native play. It was quite a treat to hear from the old country under such weird and quaint conditions. Our Jubilee celebrations went off splendidly, but I must tell you all about them on my return. I had a bit of excitement a fortnight ago before leaving Warri. One of our black soldiers got infuiiated about some- thing. loaded his rifle, and'was threatening to shoot everyone I went up to him on the-mat- ter being reported, when he pointed the gun at me. I went for him. He ran, and, fearing he might damage someone with a loaded rifle, I gave chase. I ian him hard for about 200 yards. Then he took to the bush, which was very thick. I followed, and we stumbled on for another 200 yards or so, much to the damgae of our clothing and flesh. Then I tripped him, but came down myself too. We got up igain and re-started merrily. Then he stopped and pointed the gun bang at me at about four yards, threatening to shoot, which was kind of him. I went straight for him. and knocked him down with my fist, and got the gun from him. Then the rest of the black community, who had kept gallantly in the background, came up, and my friend was taken home a wiser and a sadder man."

CARDIFF FINANCES. TOLLS ON IMPORTED SLATES PTSCUSSED A meeting of the finance committee of the Cardiff Corporation was held on Monday, when the. vice-chairman (Mr. T. Morel) presided.- The Chairman stated that at the last meeting of the chamber of commerce one of the jngpi- bers of the imports section brought forward the question of tolls charged by the corporation upon slates. It was urged that if the corporation would agree to forego the toll the effect would be to increase the imports of slates from America. It appeared that the corporation had power to charge a certain toll on slates and milling stones, but the latter had now given way to rollers, which were used in modern mills. He had written to the borough treasurer asking him to prepare a statement showing what revenue was received from the dues on slates. The borough treasurer stated that the total amount received from harbour dues last year was £ 1,580. The diues on slates produced £ 36 18s. 2d. in 1895; £ £ 0 7s. in 1896; and jB33 10s. 5d. in 1897. The opinion of the collector was that the imports of slates would greatly develop.?—Mr. Meyrick asked why there was a toll on slates and milling stones, and not on other imports.—Mr. Illtyd Thomas stated that the 3s. per 10,000 slates, which was charged, worked out at oiy-hundredth part of a penny per ton.—The Chairman said lie was not in favour of making any concessions to America to the detriment of our own industries. It appeared that the American slates were smaller than Welsh, and, therefore, the toll being charged on the number it told against American slates.—The Town-clerk subsequently attended the meeting, and stated that the corporation had the power to charge tolls under a local charter. The proper body to deal with tli^question was the property and markets commiwe. BOROUGH TREASURER'S ACCOUNTS. Mr. Symonds asked how the borough treasurer arrived at the assets in regard to the remunera- tive and unremunerative amounts. For instance, the assets in connection with the money invested in the Severn Navigation scheme were put down at £ 5,036. The odd £36 consisted of ex- penses which could not be an asset .-Mr. Lewis (the deputy treasurer) stated that there had been a deduction from that amount, and the asset really appeared at considerably under £ 5,000.— Mr. Evans explained that in cases in which the wc-rks were unremunerative they entered us an asset the actual amount expended. How could th3 committee say, for instance, what was the value of the parks. The only thing they could do was to pt.Ît down what.they cost the town.- Mr. Symcr.ds thought it would be a very good thing if a summary of the accounts were pub- lished in the local newspapers, the same as the annual statements of banking companies—The Chairman thought the suggestion a good one, but no resolution was passed.—A long discussion took placc in reference to the estimates of the various committees being exceeded, and the borough treasurer was instructed to provide a book showing the total rmount allotted to such departm nt and the amount expended.

ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE MINING (AUSIRALIAT< AND INDIAN Aluddin fjsmp. 1-}J- |Mysort> 5' Asso. Uolrl. W. A. [Mvsore Goldfi'ds 14 6 Do. Sontliera -} £ .North Boulder J&- Broken Hill Pro 2 jNmidydroog 4'6- Burma Ruby 9s -d Con,Is Central Boulder I Oovejuin Ort) Za- Oliain]>ion Keel' 5 Do. Vref 3% (ildenHr*e Sboe 7,% Wentw'tli, (;old. 'g Great Boulder. 24, J W'tli of Nations Hampton Pining 1 ;\V. Aus. Old lids 2,'» Hanutin's B. Hill 6% Do. Joint Stk ;¡' Invanho.e 6. Rio Tint'). 25 l Kalgurli (>•% AUllColldia Lalie View Con. 11% MINING (SOurH AFRICAN). Afrikander jKlemfontein 2-h Ang-elo 5 -■ IKIerksdorp 6.3 Apex 5% IKiiisrht 4i Barnato Consols 2 j Lansliuurte 4 Bantjfts ILisbon Berlvn. 3830. Bechiia unltiiid jLondon &, Paris KuflVlsdoorn [buij/rds Vlei Nw 11'8 British S. Africa M-'sliomild Ag-ey 2 h. (Chartered) 2% .May 2,V City & ssubitrbsin 6,« iMeyer & Charlta 4% Comet Modderfonteiu 2j^ Colisd GIdfids of New Primrose 1 S. Africa Def 5 !\iaret 2% Croesus '<r Oceana onsd g Crown Reef 12'k Pi. neer 9'^ De Beers Potchefstmom. 60 Durban Rood<yVt I-7v Randfoiiteiu 2 KastRand 4-;& K'atid Mines 3oii Ferreira 23' Reitfonteiu 2-& Geldenlmis 4% "Robinson 8# D'>. Deep b7x .Salisbury 3Js Glencnirn 2& Shelw 2% Gwldfields Deep 10 Simmer .Tack Grxskoi, 2s9d |S Afrie.GoldTst 5,V Henderson Trsvl 1% Spes Rona & ti Concession. 1-% Heriot 1% iTrau8v,u,1 Gold.. 41io 8114 Van Kyn lg Jobaiit sbre.Iuvt 2.. Village Mainreef '6 Do. Water l?fc Weinmer 9% Jubilee 8% Wottiuter 61i Jubilee 8% Wottiuter 61i Jumx era Zambesi Kxplta.

TO-DAY'S TURF TALK GOSSIP AND CHATTER Of THE COUnSE AND HELD. SPtCIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. The amateur selection for to-day is Fossicker. Ballvalbanv runs for the big steeplechase at Birmingham, and should atone for the Lmglleld fiasco. Mr. John Beasley. who has been fo sar'ouslv ill that his friends were almost s 'nug uo l.cpe, is much better. Ben Alder and Lord Key are to i ry their luck at the jumping business, and ;11 ft;' are will he trained by Hussellat Stockbridge. The Jenny Howlet colt. who !.as been on the sick list for some time, has taken a changc for the better, and is now almost out oi danger. At present the best of the recruits over hurdles seem to be Up Guards an dPompous, and there should be no diiticulty in educating the iV.ni.er to jump fences. R. Woodland, the well-known cross-country jockey, who broke his collar-bme at Aldeishut Oil November 16 last, will, orooibly, be seen in the saddle again next week. Detonator, who has twice jf late been success- fui in France, is engaged in the New Year's Handicap Hurdle Race at iaina is-r, on r'< w Year's Day, his handicapped weight bsiug list 51b. In response to the challenge of A. R. Downer to run anyone in the world. H. Hutchens (who is going oil for tiftv years of age) offers to take seven yards inside loO yards for £ 25 a-side or upwards. Stratocracy, Lord Cadogaivs five-year-old jumper, will, it is said, probably be sent over to run at Leopardstown on Boxing Day, and A. Nightingall will have the mount. He is said to have improved vastly this year. J. Cannon, who knows as well as any man living how to make a jumper—as, indeed, he should, considering his great practical expe- rience-has been busy with several of his lot lately, foremost amongst them being Contract, who has had plenty of schooling during the past week, both over hurdles and fences, and to all appearances he looks like doing better at his new vocation than he did on the flat, where he was rather a disappointment. Yesterday afteinoon W. Plimmer. the weIr- known Birmingham boxer. and Patsey Haley, of Buffalo. U.S.A.. were matched at the "Mid- land Sporting News" Office to box twenty rounds at 8st. 51b. for JE200 aside and the best purse offered, on a date between the 14th and 17th of February next year, to be fixed before January 8. Mr. B. Dormer, of Boston. covered the £5u lodged by Plimmer last Thursday. A Birmingham syndicate has offered a purse of £ 200 for the match. The "New York Herald" of December 11 con- tained the news that Mr. Charles Fleischmann, the Cincinnati millionaire sportsman, had died the previous afternoon from a paralytic stroke. Mr*. -Fleise,iiiianii. who was the principal patron of "Tod" Sloan, was greatly interested in racing, and his Kentucky stables were among the best in the country. He sent some fine trotters to Vienna, and did much to popularise trotting in that and other cities of Austria-Hungary. Presumably Mr. Fleischmann's death will place Sloan at liberty to make what contracts he likes in 1898. Charles (Kid) M'Coy is twenty-four years of age.. He was born in Rush County, Indiana, on Oetobr 17, 1873. He stends-5ft. ilin., and can get Jo list. 41b. He first started as a pugilist in 1291. and since that time he has taken part in no less than 44 contests. Of this number he has won 33, and seven were draws; oil two occa- sions no decision was rendered, and one of these events was a four-round go with Joe Choynski. has suffered two defeats. One was at the hands of Billy Steffers in one round at Cleveland, Ohio. May 10. 1894. and the other defeat by Ted. White, at the National Sporting Club, in November, 1895. Very important stakes are amongst those advertised to close on Tuesday, January 4. One of them is the Criterion Stakes of 1898. To few contests for two-year-olds belongs a more inte- resting history.. The most recent victor, Batt, is a horse likely to be heard of to advantage next season, and amongst his predecessors that success- fully strode up the trying course finishing at "the ton of the town," where Ormonde and Melton, whilst at an earlier period of its existence the Cri- terion" fell to the well-remembered celebrities, Rosicrucian, Achievement, Lord Lyon, and Thor- manby. Great races in the Ascot programme of 1898 that close on the date mentioned above are the Coventry Stakes, the Alexandra Plate,. and the Gold Cup. Tempting, indeed, is the piomise of that renowned trophy, as, besides the cup, value £1,000, there is, in addition, £3,000, specie, of which the owners of the second and third horses receive JE700 and JE300 respectively. Very few battles of modern days have furnished greateh upset to public form than that between Creedon and M'Coy. Every sporting man in this country recognised the fact that Kid M'Coy was a clever boxer, but in his meeting with Ted White he disappointed everyone by the showing that-lie made. He was generally voted an over- rated boxer, despite the fact that he had once made a stand off with the redoubtable Joe Choyn- ski. There is only one way to account for the in-and-out form displayed by the American, -ind that is climatic influence. That he has come on a great deal is undeniable., and his asking for a trial at the hands of the champion of the world (Fitzsimmons) is not nearly as nonsensical as some people will try to make it appear. Fitzsimmons himself was only a middle-weight when he threw down the gauntlet to Corbett. The latter was practically forced into mailing a match with the big Cornishman. He, in turn, will now find himself in the same position as the erst- while bank clerk was. Fitzsimmons will have to accept M'Coy's challengfe if it is backed up by money. In the meantime Corbett will be elbowed out of sight. It will be truly a case of the survival of the fittest.

TO-DAY'S RACING SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRtSS. MRMINGHAS MEETING. Handicapper: Mr. R. K. Mainwarlng. Judge: Mr W. J. Ford. Starter: Mr. A. Coventry. Clerk of the Scales: Mr. H. Ford. Secretary and Auctioneer: Mr. John Ford. Clerks of the Course and Stakeholders: Messrs. W. and H. Ford. 1 t I —Tlle NORTON HANDICAP STEEPLE- A • vJ CHASE of 80 sovs; winners extra. About three miles. No, 1; Lambton II., 2; Norton, 3. 8 ran.

OLD SAM'S FINALS. BIRMINGHAM MEETING. 1.0—NORTON. 1.30—Ei. JJING TIDE (nap). 2.0—GREENMOUNT. 2.30—MELTON PRIOR. 3.0-MERRY CARLISLE (nap;. 3.30—BOLT. TREBLE EVENT- MERRY CARLISLE, EBBING TIDH raid BOLT. PADDOCK FINALS- IDALUS, PROUD CHIEFTAIN, PICKLED BERRY, and SAM.

BIRMINGHAM MEETING. SPORTSMAN -"VIGILANT." 1.0-Tavora or Ardcarn. I 1.30—Herbarium or Ebbing Tide. 2 .<3—Souvaroff or Runnels tone. 2.30-Sam or Fossicker. 3.0—Merry Carlisle. 3.30—M'Mahon 11. "MAN ON THE SPOT." 1.0-Ardcarll. 1.30—Ebbing Tide. 2.0—Missionary. 2.30-Morganne. 3.0—Merry Carlisle. 3.30—Bellwether. SPORTING LIFE-"AUGUR." 1.0—Sheriff Hutton or No. 1.30—Proud Chieftain or Herbarium. 2.0-Misslonary or Greenmount. 2.30—Sam or Melton Prior. 3.0-Merry Carlisle. 3,3(),Bolt. "MAN ON THE SPOT." 1.0—Lady Gundrede or Norton. 1.30-,=Ebbing Tide or Herbarium. 2.0—Missionary. 2.30—Sam. 3.0-Blue Ribbon. 3.30-Bolt. SPORTING CHRONICLE-" KETTLEDRUM." 1.0-Idalus or Ardcarn. 1.30—Ebbing Tide or Herbarium. 2.C—Missionary (if absent, Greenmount). 2.30"—Sam* S.O-Merrv Carlisle. 3.30—Enniskerry (if absent. M'Mahon U). SPECIALS. MIDDLEHAM OPINION. 2.0—Souvaroff* 2.30—Melton Prior* 3.50-Enniskerry. LICENSED VICTUALLERS' MIRROR. 1.0—Norton. 2.0—Missionary* 2,30-Melton Prior. 3.30-Bellwether. THE JOCKEY SPECIAL. 1.0-Tavora. 2.0-Pickled Berry. 2.30-Sam* 3.30—Enniskerrv. MANCHESTER SPORTSMAN SPECIAL. 1.0—Idalus. 2.0-Pickled Berry* 2.30—Melton Prior. 3.30-M'Mahon II. RACING WORLD. 1.0-Westmeath. 2.0-Runnelstone. 2.30—I.O.U. 3.30—rB ell we ther.

Blackheath v. Cardiff RECORD TRAVELLING o-J} THE SOUTH EASTERN. North v. South and the Players that May be Chosen to Form th" Eng. lish Team to Meet Wales, SPECIALLY SET FOR lifE EVENING EXPRtSS. I have always heard of the South-Eastern Rail- way as a most respectable, staid sort of company. Since an experience I had on that line on Satur- day last I can quite, understand the company's, staidness. but by no means am I willing to ad* mit their respectability. No line can be respec- table, for example, that necessitates so fre- quently as the South-Eastern does the expres- sion of choice ecclesiastical language in all the anthemas of heaven upon the heads of the company's chairman and directors, traffic mana- gers, engine-drivers, guards, porters, signalmen, &c. How can a line that necessitates anything of that sort be respectable? Besides, there was other language than mine used on Saturday, language that was not half so flatteringly polite as even mine. You would have thought that the quantity of it hurled at the engine-driver would have caused him to dare all and make a dash through the fog. Or, again, its quality—I am not speaking of the fog, mark you-would have caused those terrible red signal lamps that so monotonously barred our way to Blackheath turn biueoralightgreen. Between Charing Cross and Cannon-street things were not so bad-that is, viewed in t\e light of after events. There were about, a dozen signals, I should say, each about 100 yards apart, and we put in good time at each of them. Often people got out of their carriages and went to pay calls on friends in carriages lower down. Once the train moved on, and left half- a-dozen standing on the side of the track. No one worried about that, however, for there was a certain stoppage in less than a hundred yards. So it went on all the way, with longer and more tantalising stoppages as we got on to New Cross, Lewisham, and, finally. Blackheath. The jour- ney back was quite as bad, if not worse. it was certainly a trifle more tantalising, for, right on the bridge, a few yards outside Charing Cross, they kept us for a good solid hour. There were half-a-dozen trains there at the same time. each dodging, manceuvering. and whistling to get in first. Then an express came up and kept liS company for a little while, but eventually, with a man walking in front of the engine, to which he seemed to have a piece of string attached, the express was led into Charing Cross, and we were left on the bridge. We got in at last, however, and, quite overcome wit h indigna tion, passed the barriers without remonstrating with the ticket- collectors. Words on such an occasion failed us. On Wednesday the Dark Blues visit Cardiff. and. with the holidays so close at hand, considerable interest is likely to be taken in the match. Not so much. however, as would have been the case had Oxford made anything like a respectable show against the Newportonians. The 'Varsity men have played two games on tour now, and lost. them both. In each case their victors have been defeated by Cardiff, so it hardly seems hkely the visitors can have much of a chance with the Welsh Metropolitans on Wednesday. Still, it will not do for Cardiflians to look upon the game in too soft a fashion. Touring Enghsh clubs generally make a big effort to upset. Cardiff's applecart, and more than once we have seen teams badly beaten by Newport come to Cardiff a day or two later and gain a handsome victory over the blue and blacks. The telegram sent out by a Llanelly corres- pondent to a number of papers on Saturday morning still needs verification. What I have been assured of is that the two Welsh delegates, Messrs. Lyne and Wilkins, were invited to attend a proposed meeting at Carlisle. The illness of Mr. M'Allister put a stop to that, however, and the matter was left in practically the same position as before. What no one seem- to be quite sure about is whether there were any of the Scotch officials at Carlisle on the occasion of the trial match. If there were, I shall have some hopes of a settlement being arrived at, for I say now, as I have said all along, that Scotland have been at the bottom of this trouble all the way through. For obvious reasons, the reported "death of "Choppy" Warburton was received with a certain degree of distrust. On more than one previous occasion "Choppy's" demise had been* prema- turely announced, and it will be in the recollec- tion of those who closely follow the sport that not many years have elapsed since his decease was most circumstantially described and a lengthy biography of his doings was published. However, it seems to be all too true this time. To "Choppy" one credit is due. He was about the finest and most accurate judge, at a cursory glance, of whether or not a man was designed by nature as an exponent of the active part of athletic or cycling sport. There are champions to-day in whom Warburton was the first to see signs of future excellence. 4 With the chances of international game, seemingly so remote. it hardly seems necessary te- discuss the strength of the Englishmen as shown by their display in the North v. South match at Carlisle. Forward I should think England are as strong as ever. and. remembering that on Satur- day the Northern forwards proved equal to the Southern eight, I should say that the English Rugby Union Committee ought to have no diffi- culty in choosing a strong, clever front division. Behind the scrimmagie matters may be different. Jacob, of Blackheath, is said to be quite as smart as his clubmate, Unwin. I have not seen either of them play this season, but I remember Jacob a season or two ago as a smart, nippy half-back; but nothing extraordinary. Neither Byrne nor Poole seem to have pleased the critics. Indeed, looking around, it seems as if, beyond Byrne—who is not in the best of form just now-England quite lack a really first-class custodian. At three-quarter a fairly good line ought to be made up-not a line, however, any- thing like what England have been able to put on the field in years past. We must not forget, however, that Wales, too. will suffer in this respect, for if we except Pearson and Nuhclls. who should, undoubtedly, be the T'airon the right wing, there is no one stands out <f hi!f--i-do«*en players to make his inclusion on the Welsh left wing certain, as it practically is in the case of the right wing pair. Returning to the North and South game. the Northern backs seem to have b8cn ill very indiffe- rent lot, and it is hardly likely that consideration of their merits will trouble the English Commit- tee very much. The exception may be Robin- «on, who is said to be playing a rar# good game for Blackheath at present. In tlie Southern lot Mackie and Bunting are a couple of smart centres, and it would not surprise me if they both get their places. They are strong, tricky in- dividual players, and the Welsh three-quarters opposed to them will have their hands full. The choice of wing men will, pro- bably, be between Robinson (Blackheath), Fcokes (Yorkshire), Stout (Gloucestershire) and Pilkington (Cambridge). The merits of the four are about *on a par. I should say. Auy- how. a couple of the aboœ; with Bunting and Mackie in the centre, ought, with a decent pair of halves in rront of them, to make it warm for the Welsh defence if we chance to meet England. The Dcvonport Albion Club must be getting rather tired at being kept so long in suspense by the English Itugby Union. Their case c.ame up for consideration by the English Oomnuttee a ( Carlisle on Saturday, but, it' appebra that no decision was arrived at. By the way, it would seem as if the Eng- lish Committee have at last found out how fragile is the thread of loyalty that binds the few remaining North Country clubs to them. Lancashire and Yorkshire intimated pretty plainly II, few weeks ago tha t. if the English Com- mittee did not take into consideration Cdie excep- tional circumstances attending the request by their clubs for reinstating professional players, the counties in question might take it into their heads to do the business themselves. and not trouble the English Union over it. Thti lmion, fighting desperately to avert the danger that threatens them all round, have arrangeu s. compromise as it were by agreeing to appoint a sub-committee to discuss the affair. Ther Sf ill preserve their dignity, however, by adding '*to report to us on the case." Good old E. R. U. WELSH ATHLETE.

PENCOED FOOTBALL CLlB Want Home Match 011 Boxing Day. Half (Jate Given Griffiths, Secretary, Penylau, Pencoed. uai