The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

THE MALT TAX. following letter from the Secretary of the Chamber of Air' 'culture recently appeared in the Times and will be interes-.ing to our readers:- S\r.-Prroit me to accept the challenge tbrown out by your I'.i.der referring to our Anti-Malt Tax Deputation. You say A tax on malt might easily be abandoned if a tax on br-r could be substir.uted for il. Any one who proposed to silioiiali the Malt-tax mast be prepared to suggest some I me'h il of keeping the balance (of taxation) true afrer this imp--t tias been repealed. The substitution of a Beer tax for a M lit tax would satisfy this condition, and we believe the: would be no difficulty in eXêlllpting private brewing altogether from the tax. But the possibility of the substitu- tion" oust first of all be demonstrated. Let the farmers sh>w a way of overcoming the difficulty of abolishing th Malt tax consistently with the solvency of *he Exchequer and j. the n;i ntenane'e of an equal pressure of taxation upon all claes. s of tax-payers, and they may expect; a hearmg." W 'I, sir, we have prayed the Oti-ancellor of the Ex- chequer to remit such portions of the malt duty as we b- lieVi • ne revenue will now afford but we have also prayed thar the rpmainder, whatever it may be (or the whole, if no r uii-ision can be granted), may be levied at some point nearer io the consumer, thus setting husbandry free from SOlli least of the restrictions and which now ham er the production of meat and otherwise burden agri- cult u- it industry. Of course, the Inland Revenue Depart- ment may be expected to see innumerable difficulties in the Wav of changicg the present system, which consists in asats-i, g the tax according to the volume of steeped barley as finked in the malthouse.ind I understand thit Lhey wool i raise very great objections to the system, which has been in use for eight years in the United States, of taxing beer i-, stead of malt by the sale of adhesive stamps to be affixed to barrels. But I should like to be informed what vali i eason can be urged against adopting the practice which 'ias now been established for years, with the most sat -<• -ory results, in Bavaria—the great rival of the United Kingdom in the production (It beer. In tvaria. a tax of about 3s. per bushel is assessed upon the <| ia-ititv of ma^t ground or crushed, and since the law pass, u ill the year 1808 this quantity is ascertained and re- gist"f> <i by a self-acting counter which the brewer has affix--d to his mill. The measuring machine, with an index like i ii it of a gas meter, and the mill together are enclosed in o>,« case under Government seal, and accessible only to the Excise officer, who has but to visit the brewery at in- terv of a few weeks to take the quati iues indicated r>y the machine and make out a charge thereupon. The brewer thus pays duty after using the malr, instead of, as in Eng- land, having to pay, in the shape of enhanced price of male, the merest upon the money advanced by the maltter in eariii r payment of the duty. "These dispositions," says M M Nogel of Nuremberg, in his mtle book just pub- lish, on Beer; a Statistical Sketch, '■ have given general satisi" u:t!on to the public, because wewe«, outliers &c are hoc molested by supervision, as they ha, e only t ke p daib accounts of the quantities crusrieu, as liidicited by the t iunter and to the Government, because the super- vision has become a much more simple opeiatiou,^ and cheap r. for the number of officers required by the Bxcie is le., tilaii heretofore. Moreover, the revenue has kept on su-,(jily increasing." In fact, the plan is found t ) work mos, -.ttisfac.orily to all parties, so long as a tax un beer i:us to be levied at all. Ir, a pamphlet before me, lately addressed to Mr Glad. stone by Mr W. H. Baxter, inventor of an automatic wei:h ig as well as measuring machine, which has been inti uiced in Bavaria on-an improvement upon the old 'C\1u,r. I find those proposals for arioptini? the Bavarian System in this country. It is proposed to repeal the present Mai i mty and also the Brewer's Licence Duty, and, in lieu F.! ir reof, to impose a duty of ll-14d. per lb. upon rualt or prr.t i ti. ground or crushed, for the purposes of brewing an:' to render compulsory in all breweries the use of an autom weighing machine, affixed to the mills or rolls in such u, manner that the malt or corn IUlHt pass through the Weighing machine immediately before or atter the grinding cr c u.-hing. The brewer would thus be saved from vexa- tious n.triction upon malting anrt orewing he would be at lincrry to use unmalted barley along with malt; and he Would o.*y the duty after, instead of before, the malt or barl-v WOiS used. Mr Baxter says li-ro is only one point ag-dnst the adoption of this plan, h ch can, I believe, be really urged—namely, that the ciishoiust brewer might get malt. crusned secretly, and mIght. place it in the liiash tub without passing it through the machine. My reply is that the English brewer is not likely t ■ be more dishonest than the Eavariain but, if lie should be, the penalty under the present laws is so high that 15 would be sufficient to deter any man from risking disc'.ver' and, practically, there would be an immense difficulty'in introducing ground corn int. a brewery with- out i lie nour leaving some trace of its presence. Under the p.an now in use for the assessment of the 9s. Gi. duty Up >n ,-ugar consumed in breweries, the Government runs as much riiTk of fraud as it would under my system, i am inclined to think that the removal of restrictions upon man and brewing, and the deferred payment of duty WOuLl be so highly appreciated by the maltsters and brewers that tiiey would feel much indebted to any Government which inaugurated the proposed system and I am also 1Persu.i,!ed that it will ultimately lead to a great saving in the Inland Revenue Department." If private brewing is to be taxed, Mr Baxter would effect this as follows:—He would regard every person as a Pri vate brewer who did not brew more than 10 qrs. of malt I and barley per annum. He would enact that every maltster Shall hive a mill with self registering webbing machine attached the maltster to pay duty on crushed malt s >Ul for privat e brewing; every maltster to keep a record of quanti- ties sold and delivered, with the n iiv of the purchasers and no maltster to send out less than ten quarter ot malt tuigroimd or uucrushed. All this .is to private brewing it, o c°ur,-< open to differences of opinion, ilut why should not brewers and maltsters unite with agriculturists in obtaining a removal of the duty one stage by the adoption of the system now found satisfactory in B*vam? 1 have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant, JOHN CLAKKE. Sau.-bury Hotel, Fleet-street, E.C' March llt.li. If private brewing is to be taxed, Mr Baxter would effect this as follows:-lie would regard every person as a Pri vate brewer who did not brew more than 10 qrs. of malt I and barley per annum. He would enact that every maltster Shall hive a mill with self registering webbing machine attached the maltster to pay duty on erushed malt f>,yld for privat e brewing; every maltster to keep a record of quanti- ties sold and delivered, with the n iiv of the purchasers and no maltster to send out less than ten quarter of malt tuigroimd or uucrushed. All this .is to private brewing it, of c°ur,-< open to differences of opinion, ilut why should not brewers and maltsters unite with agriculturists in obtaining a removal of the duty one stage by the adoption of the system now found satisfactory in B*vam? 1 have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant, JOHN CLAKKE. Sau.-bury Hotel, Fleet-street, E. C., March Iltli.

N A FLINTSllIRE SPORTSMAN. The following is from the Sporting Maaazinc for Dec., 1793 0 I SPORT "TilJNTSHIRE SPORTSMAN^ The following is from the Sporting Maaazinc for Dec., 1793 iviward Edwards, a native of Flintshire, was one of the mofct tccei^'nc characters of his day in all Wales be was many years huiu^man to Sir Thomas Apprice, and par- ticularly admired by the Keptlem n of the county for h;s daring spirit iu the chase. "E iw:lv«8 was in possession of a little mountain-bred horse, which he rtaff^ frorn a colt, tuu ;ht it to do sueh things as were a pt>Hrent-ly mar A fox liaviflo °?ie taken througli t'le village of Llau- tioore, fntered the church-yard, and t>ein^ hard drove by the •Jogs, leaped on a stone, and from thence to the roof of the parish churc o fet.David's, which is particularly flat, j-.n l not more than sw eetfr.im the sod ()f the; bu.-ying ground and ttill making what speed io could, entered a bollov.* iu the tower but J^dwarUs ci„se at his bru^h, &nd no way concerned at thesin^. i wri y of the fox's station, by some means mounted, .and reached, on of his little mountaineer tho hidi g p]ace of sl Reynard and keeping his station til: the dogs came Up calling to a bitch named Bonny, sh« wa» W, followed by many others; of lemen of the^un"' they remained for some time, till tht fc astonishment the church-yard, when, to thf-it (.re \i; • f ^«y behi'ld the unparelled scene, i.ir hovve one of the party, frequently requested P his horse, and leave it to its fate, and save, him- i m be: t way he could but swearing by fee. y v0 or J}?V £ r quit his good friend, and that- they would 1 *"e together, he still encouraged the dogs to the Revnard, to the unspeakable satisfaction ot t1P' ^rnerous spectators, dashed from his cover, ran along toe ^°f, and descended like lightning nearly the same wa.Y .aDae, v;ith ilie dogs at his brush, Edwards and his horse re- .u £ tung amidst the shouts and plaudits of the hunter?, A?<jallv nadaunted and unhurt, and never quitting the saddle at the death. his man was famous all the rest of his life for extrava- acquirements, but the last act of Kuwards's snlLed the; ^hoiy 0j.- j-{e £ or having words v/itu a companion over h, ;il°. stabbed him to tha heart, for which he wa.. tried, "'ith ,»,noh difficulty found guilty by the jury and the ^Pthse and dicffiulty of getting hiin executed, will be t ap- th* y following petition presented to the llight Hon. e Commissioners c f His Majesty's Treasury 'Th^ humble petition of Ralph Griffith, deputy to Thomas Griffith, Esq., High Sheriff of the County of Flint, for the present year, concerning the „ e tecution of Edward Edwards: Sheweth— »t your petitioner was at great difficulty and ex- pense, by himself and clerks, and other messengers and 1 agents he employed in journeys to Liverpool and Shrews- burv, to hire an executioner:—the convict being a native of Wales, it was almost impossible to procure any of that country to undertake the execution. # Travelling and other expenses on that occasion, ±15 lus. "A man at Salop engag-d to do this business, gave him in part of the agreement 25 5s. Two men for conducting him, and for their search of him on his deserving from them on the road, and charges for enquiring for anothe1- executioner, £ 4 10s. After much trouble aucl expense, John Babbmgton, a convict in the same prison with E lwards, was, by means of his wife prevailed on to execute his ft llow prisoner; gave to the wife £ 6 63., and to B ibbington £6 6s, Paid for erecting a g illows, materials, and labour (a business ve-y difficult to be done in that country), k4 12s. For the hire of a cart to convey the hoJy, a coffin, and for burial, £ 2 10s.; and for other assistance, trouble, and petty expenses on the occa-ion, at least £ 5 Which humbly hope your Lordships will please to allow y"ur petitioner, who will ever pray, &c -Ralph Griffith." TALLY-HO.

BRISTOL SPRING MEETING. WEDNESDAY. The Tied cliff e Hunters Flat Race—Cornopean 1, Quick March 2, Forestier 3. Four ran. A Sel ing Hunters Flat Race-Cha-sepot 1, Deerhurst 2, Jasmine 3. Seven ran. The Innkeepers Cup-Peter Simple 1, Sparrow 2, Uufmtv 3. Four rJJI. The Knowle Selling Hurdle Race-Sackbut 1, Gascogno 2, Rosehearty 3. Three ran. The Berkeley Hurdle Rice-Palm 1, Duke of Cambridge 2 Whaler 3. Seven ran. 4 „ The A-hton Court Steeplechase-Rcf. ree 1, Fleuriste 2, Morning Star 3. Five ran. „ „ A Hunters Hurdle Race-Leonoro 1, Nancy 2, Jleriy Monk o. Five ran. THURSDAY. The Clifton Cup-Peter Simple 1, Mobille II. 2, Sparrow 3. Three ran. „ c A Selling Steeplechase-Sir Robert 1, David Cuppernelu 2, ."Eoliu 3. Five ran. THE BRISTOL, ROYAL STEEPLECHASE, I Scots Grey Mr G.Moore 1 J. Ilolman 2 Silvermere H. Day 3 Alice Lee J. Page 4 Twenty ran A Hunter's Steeplechase—Cardigan t, Li ly Kil!er 2. Two ran. The Bedminster Handicap Steeplechase- Blue Bonnet 1, On Gu .rd 2, Noyre Tauren 3. Four ran. The Avon Hurdle Race Sir John 1. Parliamentary 2, CorregMor 3 Five ran. A Handicap Hurdio Race Plate -A(iliatitim 1, Altesse 2, Simplon 3. Six ran. RAGING FIXTUilKS Liverpool March 27 Bang.-r April 17 Lichfield April 20 Newmarket Craven April 21 Ludlow April 22 Abergavenny April 2-i Doncaster Spring A i,rit ;)0 Che ter Mav 12

MARKET RSPORT6. .J!<.N AVlilt i n:- for ne week ending Satnrdav, March 21st. The foho wiag }.re the quantities (in quarters) sold, and the prices, this year and lat year QUANTITIES SOLD PRICES. This vear. Las- year. Tiii-i year Last vear. •*v .37.280 45.112 60s 9i 55* 31 BMw', .26.815 27,146 48- Id 39- lid Oar 5,28.5 4,782 28- 3d 23s 61 COtiN, &c< Lii V Kn rUUl, TDESUAI. Tliere was to-day only a thin attendance of millers, and the business in wheat was to a very I iiilited extent, at a further decline of 2d per cental —red descriptions were particularly heavy. American flour was 6J per barrel and Is per sack lower on the week. Beans Gd and peas Is per quarter cheaper. Barley 21 per bushel dearer. Indian corn in moderate demand, at 9d reduction on the week. (last we American vV;i6ai«•••••■•.•«• 11", 81. to >2>. 9a. ^ar iOOlb Su^i -■ 44s. Od. 50 Od. f ibOib En^'is" tf.tr-ey ..6s. Od. hI (}■>. Od. -or OOio Sagiis,. )»• 4 4,. 9 -as 4) 0 42, 0 1. 481),b LONDON, MONDAY.—Last week's arrivals were gen- erally moderate. English wheat 4,4,8 quarters, foreign 19,307 quarters; exports 410 quarters. There was only a very small show of fresh samples this morning from Essex and K.'nt, but it was in very poor condition, and sold slowly at Is dechne. The foreign trade was excessively dull, and fully as much cheaper, indeed to sell red American it was more reduced. Country flour 16,631 acks, foreign 1,0,)2 sacks, 3,092 barrels; exports 630 cwts. Almost nothing was pas.-ing in country sorts, which must have been cheaper to sell, and no progress could be mude in barrels without acceptin easier terms. Maize 1,556 quarters. This grain was steady in price, with a quiet trade. British barley 2 507 quarters, foreign 8,555 quarters. Fine malting main- tained its previous value, aud the smal'iiess of the stocks of foreign kept other qualities at the previous range Male was firm for line sorts, but dull for inferior. English oats 1,980 quarters, Scotch 150 quarters, foreign ol,270 quarters. Though fresh heavy corn sold at previous rates, rough new of all descriptions was 6d lower. Native beans 801 quar- ters, foreign 707 quarters. Excepting tine sorts for seed, this grain was Is lower. English peas 299 quarters, foreign 1,149 quarters. Though business was dull, rates were unaltered. 0UEE3HT PRICES OJ BRITISH GRAIN AND FiODR IN KABS, LaKB. Shillings v .j.. Wheat new, itasex and Kent twixitio), 53 {. 66 Ditio ditto red 55 C 2 Wheat. NO: f i h. ilac, Li, and (roa) i;5 60 Barlc,y olli 5t5 Beans +^ -• •• -• ? f'* Oats,Eng.ued ■. -3 Flour, -'i sack 01 ,J1)lil'to. best t o.vn Mn.iwt.^old 50s.. 57. WAKEFIELD, FEIDAT.—There was a fair attendance at our market, and factors could not sell, although they were willing to accept a slight decline from last week's prices. Barley quiet. Other articles unaltered. LIVE fvPOOL, FRIDAY.—There was only a limited de- mand for wheat, and prices were 31 per cental lower all round than on Tuesday last, but there was less depression than there has been in the interval. A few purchases of Oalifornian were made for France. Flour was dull under the influence of auction sale¡t. Oats unaltered. Beans and peas Gd p :r quarter lower. Indian corn was sparingly of- fered, but the demand was slow, and prices were unchanged. LONDON, FRIDAY.—The quietness in the grain trade has been more decided to-day. There has been a thin at- tendance of millers, and business has been much restricted English wheat has been in only moderate supply, but the demand has been inactive, and the tendency of prices has been in favour of buyers. As regards foreign wheat, a fair quantity has been on offer. The trade has been dull, and forced sales have only been concluded on lower terms A moderate supply of barley has beea on offer. Matting pro- duce has been steady in value, with a quiet trade. Other sortg have been unaltered. Malt has sold at ate rates. English oats have been in short supply, but there lit3 been a fair show of foreign. The trade has been quiet as late rates. Maiza has been disposed of at previous cur- rencies. Beans and peas have been quiet. The flour market has been inactive.—-Arrivals British wheat, 1,660 quarters barley, 1,180 quarters malt, 1,080 quarters. Foreign wheat, 19,210 quarters; barley, 8,550 quarters; oats, 30,100 quarters; inaiza, 1,^10 quarters Hour 1,040 sacks. SHREWSBURY, SATURDAY.—The prices at the close of Saturday's market were as follow B. d. 8. d. Whito wheat, per 7olb3 | | to 9 G Red ditto, B->.rley, per88 quarts •' ■> Oats, per 22". lbs f » •' I Peas, por 223 lbs fl Beans, per 235 lbs ~J •> »> 0 CHESTER, SATURDAY.—Wheat, of which there wers small supplies, sold at JJ Gel to 93 9d for white, and 8s 91 to 93 for red, ucr 75 lbs. Malting barley quoted at Gs Gd to Gs 9d per 38 quart*. All other grain unattered in vtILie. PENRHYxNtDEUDRASTH, THURSDAY. Wheaten flour, 52s to 51s per 4i0 lbs barley SKM Od to 22s Od per sack Indian meal, 00* to 23s oats, 23s t j o4s; oaf irtca; OOs Od to Od Od; peas, 0003 Od to 0 ).-> Od pcr sck; po!ato< s, 4.; Gil, to os per cwt; beef, 9d to lOd per lb: mutton, 9 1 to lid; veal, 6d to 8d fresh butter, 22d to 23d per lb • salt ditto, OOd ta OOd per lb; eggs, 6s G 1 per 120. PORTMADOC, FRIDAY. Prices: 00" Od to 00, 0d per 252 Ib; barley, 20s Od to 218 Od per 11 score oats, 26? to 28s per qr.: oatmeal, 3.1s to33; 6 1 per 11 scores- eg<*s' (is to <3s Gd per 120 fowls, 3s Gd to 3& 9 I per couple duck* 4s Od to 5s Od per couple; potatoes, 4s Gi to 5? Od per 112 lbs pot butter lSJ to -01; fresh butter, 23d to 241 per lb; mutton, 3J to lid per lb beef, 7d to lOd per lb; veal, 6d to 9d per lb; pork, 81 to 9d per ib. ABERYSTWYTH, MONDAY.—Wheat. 7s Gl to 8s 6 < per bushel; barley, 5s Od to 5s Gd oats, 3s 9d to 4s 61; eggs, 1G to IS for a shilling; salt butter, 1/ d to 18 1 fresh ditto, 20il to 21d per ib fowls, 3s Od to 31 6d per couple; ducks, 4;1 Gd to 5s 6d per couple; geesj, 4s 0 1 to 53 Gd each; turkeys, 6s Od to 7s 6d each; potatc es, 4 j Od to 4s ÜÙ per cwt., new do., Id per lb, 6s per cwt. PWLLHELI, WEDNESDAY. — Wheat, none offered, barley, 00s 01 to 19s Od per 220 lbs oats, 25s Od to 2(Js Od per sack; oatmeal, 35s per 240 lbs; Indian curu, 22s to 00s £ r»V* eggs" Os Od to 5s Gil per 120; butter, Os OOd to o l'er lb; fowls, 0s Od to 3s Od per couple ducks, 0s 0d c', 1 Pe.r couple geese, 0s Od to Os Od each potatoes 0s to 1l/nnrii° :t; beef, 8d to 101 per lb mutton, 9d to Veal, Gd to 8d per lb pork, Od to 7d per lb; SATOBDAY.-Beef, Od to 001 p v Id MUfo OOd"- ham AlVra1' 04 to0d; l^'rk' 01 t0 0di iaaab> Jo 10d; cheese, Od to 9d; eggs, 0 npr lb • Gd 9 lbs butter, Os 0d to Is bd per lb carrot,, 0a per 8 lbs onions, 21 per lb. ^KLS ^'v^rrM 9(1 to 10s 6d per 83 Ibi; OV, Gs (V Per 4° quarts; oats. 24s Gd to 20s 0-i pai=' r' °.J<1 to 2 Id per lb • e^s 18 io on fcr a shilling fowls, 4s GI to 5S 6,i jao», ib to (is 0d per couple; tnrki^V/to'sTS.; O;WESTRY,. WEDESDAY (Ma:lS¡;h).-The (ollQwin. were the Quotations Wheat, 8^ od to 0s ti l ba-lev r",Vr;n o (j, Od to 7s 0d oats, 4; 3d to 5s 9,i ■ n0ta^ por" measure of 90 lbs, 4ai6-i tc. oi 0d butter,' i3 8"d to Is 91 per lb; egga 'Lb to 1< a ^hi mg fowls, 4s Gd to 5s 01 per coupleducks, 5s Gu t;>to0dper co le gee3j) 0a Od to 0s Od each; tuikej 3, Os Od to 0s 0d each. NEWTOWN, TUESDAY (Mar. 24th).—Wheat, llteOdto 10s 6d barley, 7s Od to 7s 6d oats, 00s to 21s per bag eggs, 18 for a shilling; butter, 18i to 201 per Ih fowls, 4s Od to 4s td per couple ducks, 53 Od to 53 9.-1 pT couple, ueese, 0" 0,1 to 0" Od each turkeys, 0" Od to oos 01 each; potatoes, 7 Ib" for sixpence beef, 9d to 10i per Ib; mutton, 9d to 10id; veal. 81 to 9irl: pork 7d to Si 2 2 CATTLS. LIVElt,i it) i-, aIumdah. -Therb was only a miditiing supply at the market to day, the numbers being 1,704 beasts and 6,022 sheep. There was a fair attendance of buyers, and prices were rather hijher, but nothing quotable; good demand.—Prices: Beasts, nil to 9^1 per lb; sheep, öJ to lOll per lb. MKTROPOLtTAN, AIONDAT —i'he total imports, foreign stock into L'-ndon last week consisted of 7,385 head. In tile co (-responding week last year we rec-e, 7,524: in 1872, 17.859 in 1871, 12.311; and in 1870, 8.187 head. The cattle trade has continued in a very quiet state, and with rather more liberal supplies prices have been barely so firm. From our own grazing districts the receipts of beasts have been t derably good, and have included a fair spri.ikiing of well-conditioned animals. Much quietness has pervaded the market throughout, and the prices realised have been about equal to those current on Monday lasr, the best Scots and crosses selling at 5s 8l to 5s loi per 8 lbs. From Noifolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridge- shire we received about 1,800, from Lincolnshire 67, from other parts of Kngland about 250, and from Scotland 84 head. On the foreign side of tbe market the show has beeu only moderate. The trade has been quiet and without feature, at about previous quotations. There has been a full average fupoly of sheep on olfer, in, generally speaking, good condition. Sales ha'le progressed slowly, at late cur- rencies. The b'st Downs and half breds in the wool have made Û3 6d to 6s Sd, and ditto clipped 53 2d to 53 4d per 8 lbs. Lambs have sold at about 7s lOd to 83 2d per 8 los Piiitie small calves have been in request; otherwise tbe market has been quiet. Pigs have been unaltered. SALl-'Olil-l, TUESDAY. There was a somewhat less supply of beasts at to day's market, but the quality gener- ally was of a seasonably good description- A brisk tra le w.s done in all c.asses at prices slightly in favour of the sellers, the top quotation being 9^1 per lb for choice useful animals. About So Spanish beasts were offered. Theshow of English sheep was considerably larger, and lower rites were taken. About 3,500 foreign sheep were iathe market. Good veal calves bring high prices. —Beef, 6id to 9id per ib; mutton, English, 7d to lOd per lb; ditto, foreign, 8d to 9d per lb veal, 9J to 10id per lb. BIVlMING-fcLA VI, THURSDAY. -Therewas,,t fall averig, supply of beasts on offer to-day the general condition good. The cattle trade continues in a quiet state, late quo tations barely realised, heep a fair tnne-of-year supplyj the general condition fair sales progressed slowly, at about, late rates. Fat pigs only a moderate supply trade steady Beef, 7^1 to 9d per lb; mutton, 8a t- locl per lb; bacon pigs, 10s to lis. 3d. per S3 ore porket ditto, Its 9d. to 12. per score. raiscfiiiLA.iisous. LONDON PROVISION, AIUNDA?.— I'tie arrivals week from Ireland were 27 firkins butter and 3,284 baW bacon, and from foreign ports 26.400 packages butter ami 1,G39 bales 43L boxes bacon. The supplies of foreign buti er a, e increasing, and lower prices takett for some descriptions —best Dutch declined 8s to 10s per cwt. The bacon market. ruled slow no change in the value of finest Waterford, but. for other d scriptions prices were rather in favour of buyers LONDON POTATO, MONDAY.—There were fair aver- age supplies of potatoes on offer to-day, for the bettr qualities of which a steady demand prevailed, at the quota- tions annexed Best Regents. 115s to 135s per ton Second di to 90S to 110,3 Kocks 653 to 9js „ Flukes 120s to 16js „ WORCESTER HOP, SATURDAY. I%Iessrs Piercy Longbottom, and Faram's circular says:-To-day, rather more hops were on offer, and some sales were made at the reduced values, but growers are very unwilling sellers, and will hold over ft-r the present if not obliged to realise. LONDON HOP, MONDAY.—Business is still restricted to a small consumptive traie. Prices are very irregular here and there; bops pressed for sale are sold at lower values Yearlings and olos are in limited demand. Con- tinental markets show no alteration. Mm and ivisi Kent 9,5 1. 112s 130s W-Jald of Kent. 8Js 853 95, ,11,,ex 75s 8Js 9J- FAtnham and Country 100s 1128 125-i Fa nliams ll^s 13J LONDON WOOL, MONDAY. In the English wool market there has been no feature. The business doing has been moderate, but prices have continued bteadv. ijuatoi it icasi. This year. Last ye tr. (Per lb.) s d a. 1. s. il. s. d. FLEECES—-SOAUAOIVA iiojgete. 1 6 to 1 7 1 10 to 1 11 HALF-BRED.I, 1 8 1 8K. 1 11 2 0 •a., at ilrtee.vi 1 8 1 8|lll Si 0 i. l>o«new,n alia ,v3Ui :s 4 4; 1 7J 18 Leiuantar ditto ..18 1 8; 1 11 2 0 SORTS—OXOTAIU^, piesloca 17 i 1 7 18 *"riuia | i 1 4 15 i-'ilolco 3 5 1 8 1 8j :>ul>ar. a 1 -i.. 1 2 1 Hi Joaitu iK, wither m:it. 17 7 1 10 1 0.1 Piealock 51 6 171 7 ,JO,llWi.JÙ 4 1 1 5 l Ö Hog mate sting n. 1 9 1 9\ 2 uj a l aatciiiuij 15. 1 6 i 19 14 1 5 1 1 LONDON PRODUCE, SATURDAY.—Sugar: The mar- ket continued extremely dull. Coffee remained staady. Tea without change. llice very quiet. Cotton market quiet but steady. Jute inactive; only 3,500 bales adver- tised for publie sale next Wednesday. Tallow steady; new, 3Ss on the spot. Oils unchanged.

TRADE INTELLIGENCE. THE CROPS AND THE COHN TRADE. The Mark Lane Express gays-The late frosts appear to have done more good than harm. Spring planting has commenced in e irnest, and the wheat on the ground as yet looks well; but the early and unusual changes in the tem- perature have brought about an equally unusual sensitive- ness in the markets, and the genial atmosphere has checked the upward tendency of prices Without heavy supplies in any locality, they have scarcely kept at their previous ranges, foreign arrivals for the present meeting every want, and keeping millers reserved. Paris notes a decline of four francs in flour, and some concession in wheat; but the provinces continue to show a steady rise. In .Belgium they have been rather dearer; in Holland much the same; in Germany and Hungary decline has predominated; New York has again given wy 18d, and San Francisco 2s. Last week's sales were agda very short—3,451 quarters leas than last year 32,127 below 1871. All this furnishes additional evidence of a very short crop.

SHROPSHIRE ASSIZES. The commissions of assize for the county of Salop were opened on Thursday, March lOdi, at the Guildhall, Shrewsbury, by the llight Hon. Sir John Duke, Baron Coleridge, the Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common. Pleas, and the Honourable Sir Anthony Cleasby, Knight, j one of the Barons of the Court of Exchequer, and the trials of prisoners and civil causes was afterwards adjourned until the following morning. CIIOWN COUllT, FRIDAY.— Before Lord Chief Justice COLERIDGE. His lordship sat at ten o'clock, and the following were empannelled as the Grand Jury:-Sir Charles Kouse Houghton, Bart. (foreman), Sir Vincent Corbet, Bart., Sir Henry George Harnage, Btit., Charles Burton Borough, Esq., Algernon Heber Percy, Esq D. Francis Atcherley, Ksq., Thomas Hugh Sand!ord,Esq Chas. Spencer Lloyd, Eq John Heniker Lovett, Esq., Chas. George Wingfield, Etq., Henry YVhitirore, Esq., Sianley Leightcn, Esq., William Layton Lowndes, Esq., Thomas De Grey Warter Esq., Charles Montgomery Campbell, Esq., Ttog. Heaton Lovett, E,q., George Edwards, Esq., Humphrey Sandfurd Taylcur, Esq., Charles John Man is, E-,(i., Alfred Salway, Esq., William Erne-it Garnett Botfield, Esq. In his charge to the Giaiid Jury, his Lordship said be was happy to say that the calendar of the court presented an appearance not only of crime small in amount, but on the whole trilling in character. The number of prisoners was but twelve, and although there was one instance in Iv, ¡ife had been taken there was scarcely a single case in the caleud, 1Y!I!cll belonged to what might be called the graver aud more de t, class of crimes. From his in- experience as a judge and inac^n^e ot the country, he was not able to say was ordinary state. If it were, he congratulated most heal tily upon it if it were not, lie soill congratulated theiT 1 upon the exceptional state wliicn the county at this moment presented. This beiug si, he rejoiced that gentlemen in their position attended in full numbers on these occasions, having himself for one always thought it would be a very evil day for the public admiuisoration of justice when it should b confincd to professional judges upon the one hand and criminals upon the oher. It was a his view exceedingly important that the whole community should be indirectly if not directly interested in the administration of justice, in the due administration of which, if he rightly understood ic, all classes were equity interested. His Lordship having reviewed the three most important cases in the calendar, dismissed the Grand Jury to their duties STEALING AT SHIFNAL. Reuben Price, 33, labourer, pleaded guilty to stealing at Shifnal, on October (ith, 18o9, a quantity of wearing apparel of the value of £ 1 101. the property of John Powell; also a brown cloth coat, and a pair of shoes of the value of 2L 153" the property of Enoch Whateley, and to a former conviction at Stafford for a similar offence. He was sentenced to bard labour for six calendar months with three years' police supervision afterwards. CONCEALMENT UF BIUTH AT WEST FELTOSt. Mary Jane Edwards, 18, servant, plea led guilty to en- deavouring to conceal the birth of her child by secretly dis- posing of the dead body oil the 11th Oct. 1873, at West FeltoD. Mr Rowland Venables, who appeared for the prisoner, ask d for a lenient sentence on the ground of her youth, of h.r being an orphan, and of her having already been five months in prison, and called her master, Mr Thomas Lloyd, of Sutton, near West Eekon, who said the girl had borne'a good character during the eighteen months she had been with him. His Lordship sentenced the prisoner to one month s imprisonment. ASSAULT AND ROBBERY AT WELLINGTON. Thomas Sumlan, 23, codier, and Thomas Clay, 16, collier, were indicted for unlawfully assaulting and stealing from the person of James Buttery, the sam of 5& on the 17th January, 1874, at Wellington. Mr Warrea prosecuted, and Mr jlotteram defended. The prosecutor, a puddler, living at Hadley, said he was walking from Wellington to Arlston, abuuc a mile distance, with Richaid Morris on the night of January 17th, between eleven and twelve o'clock. L'he two prisoners overtook him, and one of them struck Morris, who ran away. They asked for a" — shilling,'a id said they would knock his brains out if he did not give them ir. He refused, and Clay then knocked him down, and Sumlan kicked him, and took two hai-crowns out of his po,;ket. Richard Morris, a blacksmith, who was in company with tbe prosecutor at the tiuie of the robbery, and ac- knowledged to walking f-»sc away when the attack was made, gave corroborative evidence. P. C. George Meredith, stationed at Wellington, stated 11, 1- that near twelve o'clock on the night of the robbery, the prosecutor came to the station with his dress much dis- ordered and iu consequence of what witness was told, he afterwards apprehended the two prisoners. Mr M itteram for the defence did not attempt to deny that the prisoners were on the spot on the night of January 17th, and Sumian had struck the prosecutor, but said he should prove that it was two other men who came from the nedge who committed the robbery. Thomas Pioken, a collier, said he saw Sumlan strike at Morris, but. no one touched buttery. There were nearly a dozen people ia the turnpike road, out of which the lane where the assault was committed ran. Two men separated themselves from the crowd and went after Buttery, when Alorris ran away and said they would well kiil him," but did not know who they were or what became of them. Mary Picken, wife of the last witness, gave a slightly different account, but also exculpa;ed the prisoner from the robber)7, and laid the blam. on two other persons. Witnesses to character iiaving been heard, His Lordship hummed up, and the jury having returned a verdief. of Guilty," the prisoners were sentenced to eighteen months' mprisonment each. POACHING AND ASSAULTING KEEPERS AT TONG. John Stienton, 41, labourer, aad Thomas Many, 33, jollier, were indicted for on the night of Nov. 22nd, 1873, it the parish of Tong, being armed with offensive weapons, aaving witli other persons unknown, to the number of three or more, entered certain enclosed land for the purpose if taking game, and wiLh unlawfully and violently as- saulting Tlioma-s Baker and George Bucknall with intent 10 resist their lawful apprehension, on the morning of Nov. 23rd, at the parish of fong. Mr Henry Matthews, Q C., and Mr Underhill prosecuted, aud Mr Motteram defended. George Baker, a gaiB.ekeeper in the employment of Lord Bradford, said that on the night in qurscion he and two other keepers were watching at the Wutling-street road, while another N. rty of watchers were out uuder Bucknall. He saw two men cros3 the road and heard the noise of stones s'-iitviQg together. Witness went to the cross roa Is and wlvu his party came witluu twenty yards of the men the latter began to throw stones, and one keeper w-M knocked down by thc-m. Witness and his áSSistants advanced with walking-sticks, but when he got hold of one of the men h got entangled in a net and fell oown. Three men began to hit him on the head with sticks, but inspite of this w.tuess kept hold of his prisoner. The other keepers who were in the tield on the north side of VVatlmg-road now came uo and the wen went away towards the tollbar. The keepers followed, leaving witness aud the mau who struggled together a quarter of an hour, during which time there w: an opportunity of seeing his face, and he proved to be Suenton. Other men came up, however, and one of them thrusr at him with a sort of spear, which pierced the two coats he wore and wounded him. The others beat witness about the head w,th sticks. As he was managing to get away witness heard a gun fired, and a cry> Allcock's hit." The watchers and men then went off, one of the former helping witness away. While struggling with Shentoa witness took a blu Igeoti froui his pocket and felt that there were pegs ia it.— ros- ex trained: There were twelve men out that night preserving ihe game. Witness had a stick and moat of the others had sticks, and they had a. night-dog rather savage, which belonged to the Earl of Bradford. Believed it had its muzzle on. Siruck at Shen- ton with a bludgeon, but did not know whether he hit him or not, an,t,tid not care. The night, was dark, but not 80 dark that he could not recognise tho face of Shenton. Believed bills had been posted about Stufna.) offering a re- ward for the apprehension of the pwaohers, and it might be that in them they were described to have had blackened faces, but never said they were bla-jked himself. G<,ûre Williams, a watcher, said he was watching with Baker on the night in question. Saw two men cross and recross the road, and, having seen them stooping down, Baker and be went towards them, when they cried out, Come on, you Witness in advancing to them got entangled in the net, which was stretched in the place they had seen the men cross and recross. When he got loose he fallowed Baker, who had got a man. Witness looked at the man, saw it was Shenton, and pulled a handful of net pegs out of his pocket. The poachers afterwards re- turned and rescued the men, and witness heard some one say Let's kill the —— A gun was tired, and there was a cry that AUcock was shot. On the following day wit- ness compared a boot with the footmarks of one of the poachers, aud found they corresponded with the exception of two nails, which appeared fresher than the other. George Bucknall, gamekeeper for Lord Bradford, who was out on the night in question with seven men watching, and who was staobad on the right arm aud in the stomach with a kind of sptar, gave corroborative evidence. Wdliam Gee and Henry Smith, witchert3, John Allcock, a groom, who was shot with slugs, John Dawson, head- keeper (who sa.id the dog had seven wounds on it, and W is never allowed to go out but with a muzzle on) gave con- firmatory evidence,but could not positively identify Shenton. Lucy Harlshorne, a widow living at Lawley Bank, recollected hearing of the iiffiay, and Mrs Shenton coming to her house one Sunday, a baskt t bein left in the house, which was afterwards taken away. Shenton and his wife were afterwards brought to the house by a policeman to see if she were the woman wh brought the basket. P.C. Christie, stationed at Newport, said that accom- panied by Sergeant Barrett he went to a field at Weston on Nov. 24th, and examined a number of foot and peg marks. Witness apprehended Shenton on the 28rh, and charged him with the offence for which he was indicted. He re- plied he did not do it, and was taken with his wife t) the house of the last witness, where Mrs Hartshorne iden- tified the wife as the woman who had left the basket. John Beeston, master shoemaker, s tid the boot produced Was of a kind worn by colliers near Wellington, and the nails in it appeared to have been worn a fortnight or three weeks. P.S. Merrox said that after questioning Murry he con- fronted him with Bucknall and Gee, and they identified him as one of the poachers concerned in the affray. Wit- ness afterwards apprehended him and found pegs and nets in his house. The boot produced, and which corresponded with the footmarks, was his. Cioas examiaed: Expected to find wounds or bruises on Murry's head, but could not I discern any. Wm L. Meyer, surgeon, described the wounds of Smith, Baker, Bucknall, and Allcock. Mr Mathews having addressed the jury for the prosecu- tion, Mr Motteram replied. He did not call any witnesses, but argued for Shenton that on a d-irk November night the positive identific ition of the features, of even a friend, was difficult; how then could the wi nesses be certain that Shenton was the man who was captured by Baker when they never had an oppo.tunity of examining him with a light; on behalf of Murry he contended that the evidence of footmarks was now considered almost valueless In courts of law on account of the hundreds fad thousands of ex- actlv the same pattern of boot which were ,turned out at Stafford, Leicester, and other places, and any of which would correspond with footmarks male by any other of the same class and size of boot. His Lordship, in su m ming up, said that tliP juryoughtnotto allow any opinions they might have with regard to the game laws to influence their decision. It was to be regretted that so much money should be paid and so much bio 3d spilt for what was after all the protection of the pleasures of but a few, but with this they had nothing to do. The men who had been assaulted were simply performing the duty which they were paid to perform and ought as little to be attacked as the dog which followed its instinct of flying at whoever «et uf,on(Us ?laster- However much, therefore, one mi«ht fwT against the people who filled our ga,)Is for their pleasures this feeling ought not t have any influence ^here the law had been broken, aud the jury ought to con- themselves to considering from the evidence they had heard whether the prisoners at the bar were the guilty parties. The jury returned a verdict of "Not Guilty." t NISI PKIUS COURT, FRIDAY.Before Mr Baron j CLEASBY. SAVIN AND COMPANY LIMITED V. WALKER. This was an undefended action for £37 3s. 10J. for goods sold and delivered. Mr J. O. Griffiths, who appeared for the paintiff", called Mr Dunford, the secretary of the plaintiffs, who said that the defendant was supplied with a quantity of lime by the company. Letters were read from defendant declaring that pi,u.Aiffs ought to have a'- loweXj some drawback, but plaintiffs said this bad been done, the tir; oL1 having been much larger than the one now presented, tu* Lordship having informed the jury that there was no defence, ai(-t that the sale and delivery of the goods had been proved X21 that the verdict must be for the amount claimed, the jury rct.:v;'e'! a verdict for the plai-utiffj for the amount claimed according.r.. DAVIES V. JARVIS. I This action was brought to recover R44 lGs. 4d. Mr s Jelf was for the plaintiff; the defendant was not repre- sented. Mr Davies, jun., said bii father, a land surveyor living at West Bromwich, was engaged by the defendant to make calculations for some works at Stourbridge as to the making of a quantity of fire bricks, and now asked for the amount claimed -1-3 a reasonable remuneration for his ser- vices for which the defendant refused to pay. In accord- ance with the drection of his Lordship the jury returned a verdict for the amount claimed. CilOWN COURT, FEIDAT.—Before Baron CLEASBY. ALLEGKD POACHING AT STOWE. Humphrey Speake, 39,labourer. was indicted for, on the night of the 2nd January, 1872. entering, armed with a gun, and with two other persons, a certain close of land at the parish of Stowe, for the purpose of taking game. The jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty." MANSLAUGHTER AT STIHCHLRY. John Evason, 13, labourer, surrendered to his bail, and was indicted for the manslaughter of Benjamin Elliott, on September 6th, 1873, at the parish of Stircbley. The prisoner pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment. Before Lord Chief Justice COLERIDGE. THE BURCOT SHOOTIXG CASE. John liowll Kobins, on bail, surrendered to take his trial for unlawfully and maliciously wounding P.O. George Meredith and P.C. William Cumpstoue, cu the 21th July 1873, at Wreckwardine. Mr Boughey was for the prose- cution, and Mr Motteram for the defence. The prisoner, having pleaded not guilty, Mr Boughey announced that after reading the deposi- tions, and giving the case his best consideration, he had come to the conclusion that there was not the slightest coance ot a verdict unfav mrable to the prisoner bei. g re- turned. Under these circumstances he would ask if tie might, on the part of the prosecution, be allowed to with- draw the charge. His Lordship sail he had looked over the depositions himseif, and though the act was one of great carelessness, and one which might have been followed by most Serious consequences—and was followed by painful—he hit not the slightest doubt t ie prisoner at the bar did not iatend to do any harm. If, therefore, the counsel f..r the prosecu- tion was of opinion that legal guilt c u d not be proved against him, for of moral guJt there was very slight, it any.-vi lence—the course proposed might be adopted. Mr Motteram, for the defence, suggested that the biMt way wouli be to take a verdic- of Not Guilty." Tne Jury, no evidence being offered against the prisoner, by the direction of his Lordship, returned a ve-, of ac- qaittal accordingly. ALLEGED FSVODULENT BANKRUPTCY. Thomas trough, oa ball, was indicted for committing offences in contravention of subsections 1, 4, G. 10, and 12. of the 11th section of the Fraudulent Debtor's Act, 1SG9 Mr Pi-itchard prosecuted, and Mr Motteram deiended. l'he prisoner pleaded not guilty, and owing to the absence of a material wuness, the Registrar of the Leominster County Court, the case was postponed until nex: asSiZ-g. FELOSY AT BBIDGSOKTH. George Page, 61, labourer, was indicted fur feloniously assaulting and ralli-Lillig Grace WarringtoLi, a gid under the age of ten years, oil August 1st, IS/3, within the borough 6f Bridgnorth. Mr Underhill prosecatel, aud the prisoner was undefended. Evidence having been given by tlie prosecutrix, aad several witnesses, the jury returned a ver dot of "Guilty," and the prisoner tfas sentenced to fifteen years' penal servitude. Before Baron CLEASBY. CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER AT SHREWSBURY. Henry Jones, on bail, surrendered to take his trial for the manslaughter ot Jaue Cash on October 11th, 1373, at Shrewsbury. Mr Boughey prosecuted, and Mr Motteram appeared fur the prisoner, who pleaded not guilty. VViliiam Fenn. New House Pulverbach, said met Jones iu Shrewsbury on October lltb. I siartedto go home with him in a dogcart. His wife was with hnu, and he drove. e went turough Coleham, I desired him to let me dnve, as I was a better driver than he was. W lien near Nobold his hat came off The wind blew it ff. I borrowed a lantern and looked for the hat, but could noõ find it. W e came back to Shrewsbury, near to the Swan Inn, and I gut our. Jones bad had beer, but I did not consider him incapable.—Cross-eximined I should think we were going ab >ut six miles an hour. The night was very dark and wiady vVillism Browne, a solicitor's clerk, Shrewsbury, said— On the night in question 1 was between the two bridges. I ,alV a trap Stan liug ou the right hand side of the rea-i going trom Shrewsbury. There was a man with a lantern standing by the trap. I saw Mr Jones in the trap. He drove along the road, and made one or two stoppages before he reached the Coleham bridge. He passed me, and 1 walked as fast a-s 1 couid rouud the corner to Sec if he got afely round. I heard a scream, and bavi ,ig gone opposite the Wool Pack door, 1 suddenly saw au old woman lying on the ground. Jones wai driving a"„ abrat six cr s«veu miles an hour. He was leaning a kittle forward witti the reins loose. — Cross-examined: I believe he was drunk; the fact of his beirg with out his hat aud his mode of sitting I led me to think he wasiruuk. James Edwards, a carpenter, living at Longden, Cole- ham, said he saw the prisoner drivin, along there. He wa. going at a moderate pace as witness thought, although he was not a judge of the pace oi a horse. The deceased was crossing the nad trorj the Wool Pack, and was just step- ping off ,he kerbstone when he first sav her. Wlien wit- ness saw Jones coming as if likely to get into collision with her, witness sho uted Look up." When the woman was knocked down, witness assisted to get her into the hou-e Cross-examined Had known her for twenty years. She was not a drunkard, but was rather fond of her beer. Prisoner was ou h,s right driving side when the accident took plice. W .en deceased was crossing the road she had a jug in her hand, but witness did not Know whether it contained beer or milk. He shouted to her, but she did not pa.y any attention. She was iutirm and a little hard of hearing. The contusion of the Wool Pack light, the light fiom the baker's shop, and the street lamp intersecting, caused people coming up the street to be unable to see plainly, but did not know that an accident ba1 since arisen lioni this confusion. Deceased would be visible to Jones, as he was 1m t,h, d"rk side and she was on the light. James Matthews, coal deler, saw Mrs Gash cro-s the street on the evening of the accident. The deceased was in the sir 'ng light from tlle Wool Pack, and the prisoner au peared coming out from the dark. Cross-examined: Wit- ness was close to Jones, and did not see anything out of the way with him. Believed the place to be a dangerous on-, and had heard of an accident there since. P.C. Jone.s saw the deceased step ..ff from the Woolpack TO go to her own door before the accident. She had a jti in her hand, and was in the light of the Wool Pack. Wit- ness turned round and saw a trap coming, but before tie had time to call out th* deceased was knocked down and run over by it. Prisoner was driving at the rate of seven or eight miles an hour. The reins were rather Û3ck, and the driver did not appear to have his horse well in band. Witness described taking the prisoner into custody, and charging him, and said he was then drunk, indeed witness had to clltch hold of his arm when getting him out of the gig and led him to the office. The driving pa't of the road was thirty-eight feet broai, and there was a footpath be- sides.—Cross-examined Had said before the coroner that the prisoner was driving at the rate of eight or ten miles an hour, but was no judge of pace. Saw no other Vehicle. Police-Sergeant Russell recollected the last witness bringing the prisoner to the station, and making a charge against him of drunkenness and furious driving. Prisoner was drunk at the time. Alfred EJdowes, houge surgeon at the In firma, S,irews- bury, said he was sent for to the deceased after her acci- dent. Her left thigh was broken, the left knee was bruised and apparently broken, and several ribs were broken. De- c -tse(i was then breathing with great difficulty. She was removed to the infirmary that night and died about half- past four the following morning. Made a pjst mortem ex- amination and found it confirmed his external ex- amination. The injuries were the came of death, and might have been caused by a wheel passing over her. Cross-examined Had said that deceased had the softest bones he had ever known under similar circumstances.a id that she would have been very liable to have them broken by accident. Mr Motteram, in addressing the jury for the defence, ridiculed the idea that because a luan lost his hat on a windy night, sat fortvard in his gig and held th.e reins with one hand he must needs be drunk, and contended that the I evidence had not established the culpable negligence which I would be necessary to constitute manslaughter. I The Jury were unable to agree, and the foreman bav- iug, after an hour and a balf's d-batdeclared that there was no chance of unanimity, His Lordship, in considera.- tion of the stitp of the prisoner who was lame and under- going gi eat suffering, discharged them, In,i the prisoner renewed his recognisances to take his trial afresh at next assizes. NISI PRI US COURT, SATURDAY.—Before Mr. Baron CLEASBY and a special Jury. v. CHAPMAN- V. THE GKEAT-WESTERS RAILWAY COMPANY. This was an action for compensation fur w juries received whilst travelling from Shrewsbury to Pontesbury, on the Minsterley line, ou the 24th December, 1872. Mr Staveley Hill, Q,C.,and Mr J. O. Gritfits appeared for the plaintiff' .nd Mr Powell,Q.C.,and Mr Jelf for defendants. The plead- ing3 having been opened, Mr Staveley Hill stated the case to the jary, referring to the principal circumstances detailed in evidence. He said that every eff,)rt bad been made by the plaintiff to have the matter settled without recourse to that court, a number of letters had been written by Mr Kough on behalf of the plaiutiff, but the defendants repudiated all liability. Mr Townsend, civil engineer, produced a plan of the platform at Pontesbury drawn to scale, showing the length of the patforru, and number of lamps in length it was only sufficient^to accommodate four or five carriages, and on the night in Question there were eleven or twelve in the tram. Mrs Martha Chapman said she was travelling from Shrews- bury to Pontesbury, where she resided, on the 24th Dec., 1872. Her husband was a butcher and dealer, and was away from hom* a good deal buying c;ttle she attended train arrived at Pontesbury, the forward carriages, in one of to the shop business. Oil the night in question, when the which she was sitting, went far past the pjatfo.nn, and in getting out Lackwaras, which she always did from a train, she stepped out. expecting to reach the platform, instead of which he fell from the carriage to the ground, several feet below. She received such injuries as not to be able to leave the house for four months, three of which she was in bed she had not been in a good state of health since, and could not attend to the business as shr; had done before. John Chapman, the husband of the la,t witness, said his wife had not been able to leave her rcom for several months, which was a great loss to him, as he was obliged to obtain the assistance of a person to attend to the shop in her place. Sarah Gittins, a daughter of of Mrs Ch ,pman, said that on 24th December, 1872, she travelled from Shrewsbury to Pontesbury with her mother. At the latter station she got out of the carriage when the train stopped, she jumped jot, and having a great deal further to jump than she in- spected "he "early fell, the night was very dark, and she could not see where she was jumping to. She saw her mother upon the and someone picked her up and took her home. Thorns Lskelin, postman, waS OIl the platform when the train arrived it was a long train, and th? i-rst part of it went past the platform a considerable distance, ^'her. the train stopped some one called out the name of the station, aud a great many people got out of the train. He heard some one call out for help, and going to the spot he saw Mrs Chapman on the ground. Joseph Lakelin said the train came in rather fst he saw Mrs Chapman fall with her feet between the. wheels aad she was stunned by the fall. Mrs Chapman would have two feet more to descend where she got out than if she had got out at the platform. Mrs Shone, a nurse, attended Mrs Chapman for a fort- ni and she charged one guinea per week. Charlotte Gil), another nurse, said she attended eighteen weeks and her charge was £ 1 per week. Mr Ediowes, su^eon of Pontesbury, said he saw Mrs Chapman immediately after the accident, and visited her 122 times altogether • she ha l been suffering from shocu and consequent debility ■ his L charge was y Dr Edwyn Andrew, of Shrewsbury, bad v.s.ted Mrs Onapman, aal had two consultation, his charge was six guineas. Mr P°"A'011' fyr the defence, contended that Mrs Chap-, ma.i ii.'ia.iyner own conduct contributed tithe accident, ana tiiat if the company was in any way liable the damages claimed were ex.toitionate. The Jury after a short consultation ga.' a verdict fo £125, i; t.Vie bu^intss of the ns-izes.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT -r_ HOUSE OF LORDS.—FBIDAT The M lrquis of SALISBUKV made a statement relative to the Bersg il tamire. He defended and eulogised the policy pursued by the Viceroy, and asserted that the numb,cr flf ycatr.s from famine had been exaggerated. I'here had in jact been but few cases of m rtaiity from positive famine, though there wis much distress and c -ns quent disease. 1 ne larq>us estimated that the expenditure of the Govern- ment tu leueve the distress would not exceed £ 5.000,000; hnt mi!"d.:d to ask for authority to apj.-ropri.ite £ lO,OOQ,oA, in order to be prepared for a'.y tínrgeDcy. — Ihe I.-dian -ECRETART addtd fhar., a view to pre veil 5 tne recurrence of such fatuint-s, uiej-sarts would tie adop-A' t-j estnol^h cheap.-r railways and *o extend the irri; at ion wnr*s.—Immediately after the the Marquis "f Sali-bary ia I concluded bis statement, tl,e House ad- journed. IiOr.SE OF COMMONS —FRIDAY. After the epu-ode with regard io Mr Whalk-y (reportid in another column) Mr DISRAELI made a statement a to the arrangements for business. He said that the House would have to meet on the morrow to pass the excess vote for 187-3, the supplementary estimates, and a credit vote for the Ashantee expedition. During the ensuing week they would he very busy with matters relating to supply. On the olst the Hou-e would arij >urn far the Kasier holidays, resuming on the 13th April, and on the 16'h the Chancellor ,f ttie Exch.qier would make his financial statenient.-On the r p rt on the address being brougnt up and read, Mr BUTI i>.oved an amen-ime.it to the effect that serious discontent prevails in Ireland; t t,e Irish people do not enjoy the full benefits of the Constitution or the jree principles of the lax and that it will h- the duty of Parliament io consider on the earliest opportunity the origin of that dissatisfaction, with a view to the removal of all just causes of the discontent. He ma e this a foundation for an exposition of the views and wishes vi the home rulers, stating that his own and bis frieno^ c>,vm wa< that the Iris people should !e^isiate for their own aha rs, leaving the supreme authority to the Imp-rial Pi rli.iment.^ A long discussion follow--d, in the course oi whica idr Gladstone announced his deurmined hosU.iTy to the amendment.—Ultimately, on a divi-ion, the amenditieni was rejected by 314 votes against 50- wiaj ri tv 261. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—SATURDAY. The Hoo.se met for the purpos- maoily of voting Mipply. On t e House going into committee of Mipply, Mr DISJEUELX i,i..ve i that Mr llaikes take the cbhir, which was ag.eed to A -u.'ple-r.entary vote of £ 260,000 for exces-; expemiitr m t;;>- p -.st office and the customs departments led' /re general protest against these excess votes. It W,S hat. they had anything to do wi-h the p tst<>ffice se" £ •a-t y. a*. The vote was agreed to.—Mr S. >< moved for £ 800.000 on account of trie A.-hantee cx .e. ntion —Sir J. MAY moved the reduction of the vot (^* the am. unt pgia for the Dr^m.da.y, .c the rito I fhere was some discuss- a. • () ttJe real merits to<> vessel, bu Nir WARD HUNT d rrc ted a division, 1 th'lt- it VTrAlid hl8 utlty t() wha. tht*r sh>j sh iuld be retained in the n lV — Amongst the mis- oell--tn~ us votes was £ 44.' >00 for lClW ,.n -s arismg in con- sequence <>f the trial of the 1 lchbo ije -,e"ore tne House adjourned on Fr;Iay nigh: J -ord HAMILTOS moved a resolution autboiiaing a Bill to enable the Govern- of India to raise E10,000 000 on Van. fcr th" relief of the sufferers by the faiiin". a -h ,L dl-is,,ion the Iliotion was agreed to,-A number of idds were lead a ti^t time, including Mr AlundeaaV uieasjre to amend the F.ictory Acts, Mr Trevelyan's Hill to ext-nd household suffrage to counties, Mr Forsyth's Bd to remove the elec- toral disabilities of women, kir Bliniroll's shipping survey Bill, and others. HOUSE OF LORDS.—MO.VDAY. The Larl of LAUDF-RDALE caiie.i alt, nion to the slat6 of I the navy, the efficiency of which, he maintained, had been crippled by the parsimony of the late Government. The noble Lord complained that wmie we had been inactive other Powers had been strengthening their ironclad navy. Tie of CAMPERDOwx dedesi ied t e late Administra- tion. The Duke <f SOMERSET aske; lor a retnr.t givin» a lift of our ironclad navy, with the .Lte of the completion^ each ship, anI the repairs she ii- Li undergone. Tne Karl of JuAlmksbchy said he would consult wi\b the Y, irst Lord as to whether the returns could be granted. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—Monday. Lord Ll-. SOIIERSET-, as Defuty-Oontn.ller of the House- hold, brought down her Majesty's reidy to the Addresa. Among the notices of motion given w,, one by Mr Mcn- DELLA Lr more elKcieutly utili-ingr onr national museums for instruction in science and art.; and another, on b-half of Mr Samuelson, for a Commission to enquire and report upon tne adequacy of our railway system. Un the motion for gomg into Committee of Supply, Mr SASDFORD moved for su expression of opinion by the Honss that incomes not exceeding £ 500 a year should be exempt from pavmeut of income tax. It was strongly urged that the present was an inopportune time to require any pledges from the Government, aud eventually the motion was with ;rawn. ^ome votes were taken ia Supply and the House aJi .arned at tr-iii. J HOUSE OF LORD?.-TUESDAY. The house met at five o'clock. rh-Ear1 of BELMOREmoved for further papersrespectin,T on-rages on natives of the South Sea Isl mds, and enquired wnat was the exact nature of the instructions to Commo- dore Goodenough and ^Jr Consul Layard, as cotimii-sioners to the Fiji group.—The Earl of CAKXAUVOS had uo objec- to the production cf the papers. There was C' of the continuance of the detestable trafic, but the Act of two years ago had, upon the whole, be.-n productive of good, and the Australian Col-.nies had shown the greatest readiness to assist in enforcing i:.s v>r 'visions.— Earl De LA- WARR presented ajpetition from the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, praying their lordships to take measures for remedying the evils to which the frequency of railwav casualties was attributable. The evils particularly referred to were^want of discipline, including disregard of regula- tions, tne long and uncertain hours of labour of rai'wav seivants, facilities of railway servants obtaining int ixicat in;r liqujrs, irregularities of arrival aud departure of trains, and in some cises excessive speed.—The E t. of DUXMOES declined on this occasion to g j into the wide question of tlis causes of railway accidents, but promised to iav on the table the circular of the late President of the Board of Trade, ani the correspondence betw. en the Board of Trade and the Lancashire and Yorkshire R .ilway Com- pany. with reference to legal proceedings in const quence of default of return of accidents,- On motion of Lord ABEEDES;V, a return was ordered of the uu^b-r «>f persons emp'oyed on <a;h of the railways of £ (. v/it j Kmgdoai, Their lordships ro^e at half-past six. rm o HOUSE or COMMONS. Trrcn, ne Speaker t >ok the chnir at four o'clock tr postooned to the 21st April his io? 7, Ir HolmS tration of the Gold Coast, and !Si" Joii/Vr!^ ad'nini3" the same day his motion'on our ir-LCWd t0 RENS gave notice for next Monday p-m V > °H" and amend the law relating to p-oH i°-C0 u1ate E. SMITH gave notice of & ™ ^'eues.-Mr calling attention to IL ui^S?the of APriI' Marine Department of the Eoa-.l^} Wie °P °f thS l\Iarine Departlllrnt 0f the Boa.r<l of 'j ra;l.ó>Mr GOLD2\EY t-V,Q A,.i ue Udy ne wou u cad attention to cWrto" i*e employment of women and cux.dre.i m agriculture, and Sir Wjli-HJD LAW- gavs notice that he would move the redu"- v°n o r ^rs'; vo^e on t^le Army estimates by 10 000 nier.—In answer to Mr Heygate, the of the EXCHEQUER stated that 1113 out, of 3-12 who had been communicated with n tn^ subj c~ 1 pressed themselves/avourable to the issue both' of half-crowns, a re-i*sue of the last-na'-ru d or,:„, >' DS ordered, and some would be ready r.C\t month -en DELLA. in reply to Mr Walpole. sW-d ♦ ,"lr,r-Nr- brin* on his motion as to \st vu lbat he shoul.t not middle of May.tr D fotV 'Li til)abf5«t tha a P.i'I Afo/ L iay]or obtained leave to brii in 'nfl i-T315 givea, t0 llnnf? in the fob,,wing whica were reaa a nrst time—to Mr Mundeila to repeal the Criminal Law Amendment Act to Mr Norwood ■ or tbe registration of certain firm? in the Un-'ted Kio<»- aom to Lord Crichton to alter shooting season 'Jr.-and for grouse, icc to Mr >ewdegate for a Royal Commi.-sion on Monastic, L-c., Institutions. A select committee was ordered t > inquire into the Irish ju-y system -The H.mse adjj-arn'-d at 7-5. HOCSE OF COMMONS.—^Vednesdiy. Sir C. DILKE moved the second reading of the Pirli" rnentary Elections (Polling) Bill, the object of which wa- to extend tbe hours of polling from four to eight <clock* Ho quoted the polling for school boards as a j.r> c 'ert He was willing to limit the bill to the metropolis thnnJ* the evil was felt in all Lirga towns. Mr GOLDVFY ,v that the bill be r.-a 1 that day six month-, and Sjl; i had been no complaint sufficient to warrant the c1 .i!1"6 An increase in the number of polling places vm't..#1'"6' The debate vas vigorously sustained bv bo*v, 5.U"-Clent. CROSS said the government couid^not' .Mr its present shape, and protested against, i U iu to them on the ground of there }iei:] ■„ aPpfa s made Government, who out of gratitude ro* "ii,? ^°,Lpei"'v'atiye should accept the Lid. He c ,uld see -o V" ^0Tn'ms mea induce, the House to revers0 ifs "f arguments to FORSTER said it |»-gs imr.ossible to^ ?'mer JVisions. Mr largely prevailed. The Goverm,^ cuat a grievance be'sen-ihle of the facts -nd ti,V aP0eare-7 hardly to On a division, tbe Bill v'a« itnpoitanci f the case. 126. The other busiuesJ'y -0"6 b7 201 vote? against adjourned at three o'elo'l- US unimP°«taa;, aud the House

rece^e(^ 011 Saturday a memorial signed by se>en.y Irish members, requesting him receive! depu- -p ,n /'?T, subject of the release of the military and Ungluh |r emans. He has replied appointing K-i ay nexi. for the reception of the deputation. Air Butt, fl- uent ot the Irish Amnesty Association, will state itso* • xlg and will be supported by Mr A. M. Sulli van, Mr P>ar' Mr Kenelm Digby, ISfr H. H. O'SuIhyar, idryan' Mr Eoneyrie. Mr John Martin, and some Kn^Iish members' A strong hone is expressed by the requisiti-»,* m Disraeli will accede to the request. THE GLYX VALLKT TBAMWAT COMPANY. _THA OR<}. general meeting of the anarcholdrTS of ;l_e ii;v» Valley Tramway Company wasLeiJ at the oliiees of the c -irnanv in Upper Bmok-stree„, O^'testrv, on T'lpjriof ft March 24th, Colonel Jatr.es Bourne in the chair '"rhere was a fair attendance of shareholders Tv ''alf-veariv accounts were presented and passed, and if was decided to enforce payment of alllLp id calls. The r.-iiri.-g director and auditors were re-ele:ted. The proceedings were of a formal character.