The South Wales Daily Post

THE MOSCOW CORONATION DISASTER. INQUIRY TO BE DROPPED. A Berlin corrvspondeiit øaye :-Aœording to & tcIe^TfTft from St. Petersbisr? to tho "Frank- hmer Zeitung," the Czar has ordered the in- quiry into the Moscow disaster to be dropped, r-« a i.umber of very high-plaoed personages were neing implicated.

TRIAL OF JAMESON AND HIS OFFICERS. TRUE BILL AGAINST EACH DEFENDANT. The witnesses bound over in the prosecution of Dr. Jaimeson, Colonel Sit- Jchn Willoughby, Colonel Frederick White, Major .Raleigh Grey, Major Robert White, and Major Coventry, in connection with-the Trans- vaal raid, went before the grand jury at the Central Criminal Court on Tuesday. Mr. DI"lIl1.nlond Hay, .sergeants Climming and White, and others gave evidence, and true bills were found against each defendant. The trial will take place in the High Court. PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION POST- PONED. In the Honse of Commons on Tuesday, Sir W. Haroourt (R., Monmouth, W.) had given notice of a question to 1\31< the Secretary of St«/te for 1ilie Colonies wben. the searching inquiry into the origir and circumstances of thu invasion, of the Transvaal by fores undryr the contrCJt ,f the Britj! South Afrea; Com. peuy, promised in the Queen's Speech, would be instituted. On the question being cailled, 3ir W. HARCOURT eaid, at the request of the Secretary of State, he would postpone thia question until Thursday MEETING AT FERNDALE. Mr. J. Davis-A lien, representative of the So; th African Association, London, lectured at the Tudor hall. Ferndale. on Tuesday night on the South Africd.n question. There was a fair attendance, which was presided over 1y Mr. Richards Miaerdy.-—On the motion of Mr. Richards (Ferndale1, seconded by Mr. Thompson, schoolmaster, a jpesoiution was carried expressing syu pashy with the British subjects in their present grievanc s, and urging the upholding of British supremacy in South Africa, with full recognition of Colonial self- gcvemment.

FRAUDS IN STOCK DEALING.. Jcfan Henry Jarman, aged 55, a stock dealer, of Barnsl^r pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey on Tuesday to obtaining by false pre- tenoee from Christopher Albert Moulton s -ip certificates representing stock in the New York. Pennsylvania, and Ohio Railway Com- pany, of the value of nearly JS5.000. sentence 1 ^gp^postponed for the uroduction of evidence

COMPLICATIONS IN CUBA. AMERICAN FILIBUSTERS ATTACKED. TWENTY-THREE KILLED. A Central News telegram from New York says —According to a. dispatch from Kingston (Ja.ma.ica.) an extraordinary scene has just been witnessed at Dryharbcur, whPTe a prominent I Cuban rebel chief has for some time had his quarters. The commander of a Spanish warship resolved to kidnap the Cuban, and to that end actually landed an armed force on British territory. The attempt failed, and is not likely to be renewed, as the vieiruty ]6 now bemg patrolled by British police. VIGOROUS OPERATIONS AGAINST MACEO. A Central Nyws telegram from Madrid on Tuesday gays:—The Havannah correspondent I of the '"Imparcial" telegraphs that three columns, comprising twelve battalions and eight gum, have started to attack Maceo on thf Mant-elito Hills. The rains have deatroved most of the communications, so details of the progress of this movement He likely to be slow in arrivirg. AN AMERICAN EXPEDITION ATTACKED. I A Central News Agency telegram from Madrid on Tuesday says:—According to Havannah advices to the "Imparcial," an ex- pedition of 200 Americans, with some chests of dynamite and Mauser rifles, have landed near Corderias. but have been attacked by "OJ Spanish troops, who harassed it from one posi- tion to another, fighting aJl the time, and causing it a loss of 23 men and 53 horses killed. The Spanish, who captured many rifles, lost fifteen men severely womded. The troops, reinforced, are still following the expedition, and hope to complete its discomfiture.

AMERICAN PRESIDENCY. THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM A Renter's Milwaukee telegram on Tii'sdoy (.ays:—The Democratic State Co-ivcntion h«ro has pronounced in favour of gold.—Tlie Free Silver Democrats of Indianopolis sire confident of securing a large ma-jority at th.e State Con- ven! ion to he held to morrow.-—At the I Democratic COllnntiOll which is to lie I-eld M f.'olumbia (Ohio), the partisans of gold will not make any contest. Cf tMi 700 deh rntcs 600 are Silverites.—The platform of the Demo- cratic State Convention of 1 Ui'ncis will favour cratic State Convention of 11l1'Hci;; will favour tho independent free coinage of silver.—Both ¡ I factions of Texas Democrats have held caucuses. The Silverites agreed to send eight delegates to the Chicago Convention, while the eaix'c* cf tarti.-aas of gold decided to stud a contesting

UNIVERSITY OF WALES. A BRILLIANT ASSEMBLAGE AT ABERYSTWITH. Dr. Isambard Owen left Loi;don by the +en o'clock train on Tuesday evening for Aber- ystwith in order to put the finishing touches on the arrangements for the grand ceremony of Friday next. As was generally anticipated, the function will be graced by a particularlv brilliant assembly. A complete list of the notabilities who will attend cannot yet be obtained, but the names of the majority are included in the following list of ladies and gentlemen who have definitely promised to attend: —Lord Londonderry, Lady Alexandra Beaumont, Lord Herbert and Lord Henry Vane Tempest, Earl Spencer, the Earl of powys, the Earl of Carringocn, the Rigiit Hon. W. E. Gladstone ;nd Mrs. Gladstone, Lord Herschell, Lord Kenyon, Lord and Lady Penrhyn, Lot and Lady Kensington, ijo:A and Lady Abevdare, Lord and Lady Lhn. gattock. the Bishop of St* Asaph and Mrs. Edwards, the Bishop of Bangor and Mrs. Levis Lloyd, the Bishop of Newport, the Hinop 01 Swansea. Mr. Mundella, Sir George Osjorne Morgan, Sir W at kin Wynn, Sir Joseph Bailey, of Breconshire; Sir Charles Philipps, Sir Marteine Llovd, Sir William Thomas Lewis and Lady Lewis. Sir John and Lady Williams, Sir James Hills-Johnes. K.C.B., Mr. Justice Vaughan Williams, Sir James and Lady Sziumper, the Lord-lieutenant of Merioneth, the Lord-lieutenant of Anglesea. Vice-chancellor of Oxford, Warden of Durham, Vice-chancellor .ot the Victoria University. the heads of three of the chief Nonconformist dciiominatione, principals of the theological colleges, Canon and Mrs. Owen, of Lampeter, Sir Charles Hall, and Mr. Reuben Saesoon, who will be staying with Lord Londonderry, Sir J. T. D. Llewelyn, Mr. T. E. Ellis. M.P., Major Pryce-Jones, M.P., Mr. S. T. Evans. M.P.. and other members, also a great many sheriffs, a large number of mayors, chairmen of county councils, town clerks, clerks of county councils, officers of the university and colleges, members of councils and colleges, and of the courts of governors, the chairman of the Cambrian Railway, and Mr. J, W. Maclure, M.P. (.a director), and Mr. Deuniss (manager). Altogether, just 500 are expected to sit down to lunch, and when the chancellor takes his seat in the marquee for this purpose H.M.S. Hermiotie and Bellona will tire a salute. After lunch Mr. Ellis Roberts, of Blatmau Festiniog, for acts of br&veay, will receive from the Prince of Wales the medal of -St. John of Jerusalem, pre- sented by Mr. Wynne, of Peniarth. Tne key of the seal, which the Deputy- Oan> llor will present, has been executed :n solid gold by Messrs. Chubb. It is a beautiful work of art, containing designs of the plumes, the diigon, and other emblems. The deed of appointment has been executed by Messrs. V<vcfier and Sons, of Parliament-street, in the style of the sixteenth oenturv. and is aLso brilliantly illuminated. The s&?.! attached to it is the new saal designed by Sir Edward Burre-Jonos. We ilso learn that the insignia will hfii on show in the college the day before. Prince's robe, as is probably known, has been made by Messrs. Ede and Sons. It is a chancellor'e robe, of black satin damask, heavily embroidered with gold, the Welsh dragon being introduced in no fewer than five places. Her Roy.il High tiers's train will be borne by Master William Gladstone, grana- ¡"oJ.. of the ex-Premier, and son of Mr. W. B, Gladstone. Contrary to anticipation, only four honorary degrees will be conferred. This is in consequence of the inability of the other rvoble lord and gentlemen invited to be in attendance. It w-as expected up to the last moment ihi.t M". Balfour, « Chaucvlior cf the Edinburgh University, would be able to be present, but urgent Parliamentary duties render this impossible. Of the honorary graduates, the Princess of Wales and Mr. Gladel-one will appear in the robes of the degree of the University of Wales, and Lore's Hersohell and Spencer will wear their Chan- cellor's robes, with the hoods of the degrees over them.

COMMITTEE ON FAIR WAGES OPERATION IN DOCKYARDS. i The Select Committee appointed by the House of Commons to inquire into the opera- tion of the "fair wages" resolution in relation to Government contracts met again cn Tuesday, the Home Secretary in the chair. —Mr. J. Williamson, director of dockyards, Was further examined by Mr. Sydney Buxton as to the practice of inquiry adopted by the Admiralty when complaints were made from a Traces Union that x particular contractor was not paying the recognised rate of wages under a Government contract. Witness had held his present position for five years and a half, and during the whole time, since flte passing of the "fair wages" re»olutiou, there naci been only seventeen or eighteen corn- plaints. There had never been any difficulty arising out of the system of getting the met. fo state their complaints in writing. He fotnd that the men were very well ab -'e to state their case. The practice had worked very well, and he did not think the present system led to undue delay. By Mr. Michael Davitt: The Admiralty would not necessarily adopt the Trades Union ra*e of wages as the current rate. neither would they go to an association of employers. 7 hey would rather ask the Labour Department oi the Board of Trade to get the fullest infor- mation on the subject. They looked upon that department as having been founded in order to assist other public departments in obtaining trustworthy information as to the rate of wages 13v Mr. Maclean: By the system of com- petition now adopted by the. A dmiralty it was ■his opinion tha.t the public interest was pro- tected and fa-ir WR?,'eS were ensured to the men.

ST. WINEFRIDES WELL. A MONSTRE PROCESSION OF PTI/JRIMS. On Monday the Feast of St. Winefride at Holywell was productive of elaborate cere- monies, which attracted vast liumbf-rs of pil- grims to the town. At eleven o'clock there was Pontifical High Mass in the churuh, sung by Dr. Mortyn, the Vicar Aixietolic of W Ves, who was assisted by his secretary, :M onsignor Slaughter, of Wrexham. At the close of the Ma*.?' the Bishop sprinkled and blessed a new banner, bearing a representation of tne saint worked in silks and gold and silver thread, and encrusted with jewels, the burner being the gift of a ladv admirer of the Welsh saint, and having hetm worked at the Dcminloan Convent at Stone. The banner, with a large r-tmbor of others, was then in a proces- sion up High-street, which was gaily deco- rated, while some of the bouse*, the abodes of local Catbcliofe, had in front of thein impro- vised altars, hearing figiues of Our Lady sur- rounded bv flowers and 1> oh ted candle*. The Vicar Apostolic walked in tbe procession, which also included bis elder brother, Sir Pvers Mostyn, Bart., of Ti.Ip/T". I

GLAMORGANSHIRE ASSIZES. LIST OF CAUSES. BEFORE A JURY. Plaintiff's Defendant's 0 Solicitor. Plaintiff. Defend'nt Solicitor. {23 Div 4 1 Q.B S. D. S Owen Leaker r. Copp Viner Leed^r and Morris. 2 Q.B S. J. H Jones Brett v. Fisher & iLeitch, Another] Dockt. Brain well, and Bell. and Bell. Brain well, and Bell. -'jQ.B^C. M John v.Evans T.J.Hughes 4jQ.BC. ,t Reiss v. Morel Uowning A Handcock SiQ.B C. Rees v. Treharne. T.H.Belch'r fyQ.BS. J. R. Sims v. British Templer, Richards Natural Dawn, and Preni Pro- Miller, videiit As- sociation (Limited) 7 Q.B C. W. Howell Newmark Daries l>d. Rmidell v aud Co. S Q-B c. M Griffiths V Browne R. M. Thomas. Q-B C.jI Dd. Lewis i Baylej v. Price jHarCryousins. I Cousins. *0 Q-B S.iCoPiuBamljPeel v IGOlIgh iR. and C. B. Wood; Jenkins. 11 Q.Bc.jViner jDavies v.jMaciu- Leitch, Jcc. Leederand tyre Bros. Morris and Co. 12 Pro c.iW Beddoe Williams Williams Jones and v.fcAuotheri Bcddoe it Q-B S. D. T..Tones acdiXeath Cuthberts'n Jeffreys Others T,| Rural land Poweli. District Council. J Q.B s. Vaebell iThomas &,> Will cocks! luce, Colt, and Co.i Others v and Co. and luce. 15|Q-BS.! „ 16 Q.B C. W. R. Williams Glam. R. W. V7il- i>a vies v.i Times." liams. Q.B C. W. R. Williams jLlantri- jwreiitijiore Da vies v.iaant and Sons. School Board and; Ystin'iy- i I'odwg Schl. Brd.j Selil. Brd 18 B C, Davies and Morgan Hedley & W P. Pl" j. Ingram Others! 19 C. Ilwleùew Cardiff W. IT. H. and Sons Steam Thomas Belcher. Coal Col-j and Co. lieries v.i I J WITHOUT A JURY. Plaintiff's Defendant's c' Div Solicitor. Plaintiff. Defend1 nt Solicitor. f 20!q.B Scale and Price "v.iThe Vale Downing- and David. jo f Gla- Handcock. ni o r sran | Railway. <-1 Q.B S.H. Stock- M'Gaul v. (p Downing and wood.. Handcock. 22Q.B Cuthbert- Webber*. Doel and ;R. ,T. Lloyd, son and Wife, Powell. 23,Cha.J. H. Jones G-ould v. Brown, Hy. Cousins, I 24 Q.Bj „ Beaeham Bailey. Is. H. Stock- v. wood. 25Q.B;J. R. Moxham Powell & D, W. Bees. j Richards v. Others. 26 Q.B|Georg« is. W. Jam!Marsh. T.H.Stephens David andaud Mar-I Evans.malade Evans.malade Co. v.j 27 Q.B'R. G. Ed- jBull v.iLealiy. iViner Leeder ward s <St Co and Morris. 28 Q.BjDowning- & Lyddon & Beer. G. David and Hnndcock Co. v. Evans. 29 Q.BJ. "W. George vJAmos. J.H.Janes. 29 Q Eli. W. George vJAmos. J. H. J oil Evans 30 Q.BiB. Thomas DaTid v. Evans, IE van 8 and & francis, Thomas. 31 Q.B R D. Gil- Brown v. Wall. Eaton Evans bertson aud Williams. 32 Q.B Vachell Donald- Tucker. Hier Jacob. and Co. son v. and Co. sonv. 33 Q.B T. W. Rees v. Thomas A J. G. Coker. James -■ Others,

TRADE REPORTS. I SW ANSEA. I EXCHANGE, Tuesday- There Vv-a,s a large attendance oa 'Chang* day, inoluding some tin-plate buyers. pig iron marked shows a reduction in Pn^ during the week of abou* 9d pea- ton in Scot«^ 6d pec tou in Cleveland, and 7d per hematite, which, no doubt, is the effect the continuous adding to the st-odes. 1 production is evidently greater tlian the sumption, which is the cause of the market, especially as at tihis season of the th« shipments to all countries are when, if anything, a reduction in shocks be expected. In th« finished iron and 8 „ trade there is a considerable strain capacity of the Bessemer works, and. with heavy rail orders that are being pressed shipment, the deliveries of ten-plate bars delayed, and the lesser production arising the wai t of water is beginning to tell the market, while there is no other justiiio&^J for the advance that has been asked for semer steel bars. This does not affeot T price of S:emt-ns so much, and which unaltered. There is a falling off in the iMinta of tin-pla-tee, and an inorf-a.s» J'1 f stocks is records' There is a fair for the restricted make, but there 18 ■very slight upward movement in the price- Pig Iron.—Glasgow warranta, 46s °~l. buyers. Middlesborou^h No. 3. 37s prouip^ other numbers m proportion. Hematit-e^v rants, 46s IGd for mixed numbers, f.o.b. j, bcrland, actwding to brand. Middlesbcr hematite, 45s. Welsh Bare, £ 5 10s to £ 5 12s 6d aD^ &c., at u^ual extras, f.o.t. at works. j-g. Iron Plates, £ 6 to £ 6 17s 6d f.o.t. *7^ Ste.>l Eailfj.—Heavy sections, £ 4 7s 6d £ 4 10s bgfit ditto. £ 5 10s to £ 5 12s 6d sleepers, angles, cha;mel«, &c., according section and sppcincation.J Steel Plates. jEo to £ 6 17s 6d, with 1!noe! u!' extras for the higher gauges Bessemer Steel.—Tin-plate bar?, £ 4 „ Siemens Tin-plate Bars—Best, £ 4 2s m^e^verecl in the district net CWIL xin-pla-tes.—Makers' quotations for Be; steel coke, 9s 3d to 9s 6d Siemens (coke n' UQ 9s od to 10s ternex, per double box, 28 j C, 16a 9d, 17s, 18s 6d. to 21?; best <aXCn({ 13s to 13s 9d, according to finish of r??eg. wasters, 6d to Is per box les3 than {$. Odd sizes, usual extras. All delivered g Prince of Wales Dock. Swansea; oash, 3 and 1 per cent. tj. Ccpper.—Chili bars, £ 49 10s to £ 49 Block Tir>„ £ 50 15s to £ 60 17- 6d. spelter, £ ]8 5s to £ 18 7s 6d per telegram ce-ived on '(tiamre. •-». Englifch, £ 11 to £ 11 2s od. £ 1° 18s 9d" la^ed Anthracitol Coal.—Best biff vein, for malting- purpose,, lis to lis 3d; quality ditto, 9s to 10s; orcHnarr itrg craltil ing to quality and selection, 8s to 8s Sa: rudlily onlm, per ton. 4s to 4s fcu—vef f.o.b. Swansea, cash in, 30. days, lesS cent. Steam OoaU.—Large-, 9* to ]0s: qx ality ditto. 8-; 3d to 9s bunker*. bd to quality. 7s 9d to- 9s sn-all. 4", 3d j per ton—delivered f.o.b. cash 3U lees 2A per cent debt, Bituminous Coals.-Large No. 3 Rho'' dcll- to 10s; through CVWIIH, 3S to 8s 9d: L' óJ 6s 3d in 6s 6d: large No. 2 Rhonda. to 9s 6d through ditto, 6s 6d to 6s 9d; } 0.b. ditto, 5s to 5s 3d' wr ton—delievered r, fe^vansea, cash 30 Jays, !es3 24 por ^oke P.est foundrv, 16s to 17^: h 30 l^s to 12s 6d per ton f.o.b. Swansea. 'a doys, less 2,1 per cent. Patent Fuel, 9s 9d to 10« 3d.. 1 itwood. irM (3d to 16s 9d p^r ton into net. cash 30 days.

MRS. SHAW'S DIA- MONDS. On Friday nieht (it was tie benefit of the freat actress) Mrs. Shaw went into town with a pu-ty of friends, for the theatre, dressed out in her very best. 8he looked uncommonly well; her hair was frizzed and rolled and curled she wore a corded, wine-coloured silk, beautifully trimmed; an opera cloak of white cloth with facings of white silk, quilted in flowers; just the prettiest little trifle for a hood, which set on the top of her frizzed hair as though a breeze would set it a-going; and to cap all this fin?ry, her diamonds —a brooch at hè!' throat, burning just like a. star brace- lets, a. continual sparkle, and earrings nodding back and forth like lirea blazing in the wind Al! around it. it was a pretty iar*e outfit, and 1 mnst, say that I Kit utile grand oyer it myieU. Mrs. Shaw's friends were coming home with her to stay the night—two gentlemen and three ladies—and we were to have an oyster supper ready for them on their return from the theatre. Now, with the mistress, an oyster supper didn t mean oysters with little eise beside. It meant salads, sandwiches, boned turkey, chick?n &nd ham; all kinds of cakes and jellies, cream and comfits, with fruits, wine and coffee — everything, in fact, that we could think of or conjure up. It always kept the servants busy a day or two beforehand, sometimes longer; for although Mrs. Shaw could teil well enoogh what she wanted, she had no knack in helping, no matter how hard- pushed we were. We had just put the finishing touch to the tabie. when the party came home. They Vere in wonderful spirits, and hungry enough to satisfy me, who, having the oversight of everything, felt a little anxious. "0 my, didn't your diamonds blaze, Mrs. Shaw ?" said one or the young ladies, taking a sixth sandwich as she spoke. "I never saw anything half so splendid. Now, if it is not an imprudent question, let me ask how much they CQ6t!" "We know how moch they cost us whispered John in my ear. Mrs, Shaw shook her head, looking pleased. "Indeed, I can t tell. Miss Bailey. My husband never gratified my curiousity npon tile subject." "Wonderful!" exclaimed one of the gentle- men, choking an He spoke, I wm really alarmed, but the house-girl said, in 4 low tone; "No fear, Hannah; boned turkey." 1 stood at the sideboard pouring coffee, and So had a chanoe to laugh without being seen. "See that lady in black; she just throws the sandwiches over h"r shoulder the girl aaid, giving me jt. pinch that nearly caused me to upset a cup of coffee. The company sat and talked a long time, until I thought that I could not hold up much longer. It seemed that Mrs. Shaw's diamonds had attracted a. great deal of atten- tion, and that opera-glasses had been levelled ta their direction the whole evening. TJhg mistress took it all as a compliment to herself, and had she been a beauty of eighteen could &ot have been more elated at what she thought iter own attractions. "There'll be somebody after thoso diamonds to-night, Hannah, or I an* no judge," Jchn Mid, as they left the supper-room. "You don'tf say so I" I answered, for some reason believing every ward that he said. "Hope they will. She's no business to tempt folks/' the house-girl said, her mouth foil of cake. foil of cake. I tnought so myself, but feeing tired and wteepy, cared more for roy own rest than for the diamonds. John felt the same way. in a abort time the guests were in their roams, and the whole houae was dark and quteu Tired as I was I could not sleep iaitbongh th", house-girl was snoring beside We three minutes after she touched the bed. 1 heard the dock strike two, and soon after the moon went down, end for a wonder I began to tremble with fear. Pretty soon someone tapped softly at my door, and I knew that it was John. I "Dress yourself, Haanah, and be as still M you can. There's somebody around the I house." I dressed myself as quickly as I coold and followed him downstairs. *You go to Mrs. Shaw s door and listen," he said, "and I'll watch here by the sideboard, waere the silver is. rm r^ady to pepper a dozen honse-breakers; if they'll only give me baif a chance." The mistress's room was on the first floor. aed I had not far to go. I was positive that I I heard her moving about, and so ran back I &0 ten John and ask him what to do. We were in the dark. and I expected every minute I •to run against somebody. But John was not in the dining-room, aad I stood quite still, "not daring to stir for fear that I should rouse the whole house. I kaew that John was watching somewhere else and could not be far fc £ F, but still I was terribly scared. Just then there was an awful racket in the region of the kitcLon stairs, and I knew in a minui^ of the kitcLon stairs, and I knew in a min¡¡t4> it was the house-girl tumbling down This I was a signal for a general rising, although tach person seemed intent on keeping as quiet tts possible. I went to Marv. who was sitting ion the bottom stair a.i still as a mouse. "I heard somebody around and started downstairs,' ah- said, in a whisper. "Come pretty fast, too. What is it?" I didn't answer, for at that moment the fcali dour. leading to the back porch, was opened softly and I heard the mistress speak- ing to somebody. I thought at once that John was out there watching, and began to feel I lafe again. Kighfc in the face of this a pistol was fired, crack! era,ck! and such a screaming and crackling I never heard ay came from it. One would have supposed naturally, that every WOT;, IN in the house was shot. Pretty soon WOT;, IN in the house was shot. Pretty soon the-, all came scudding downstairs to the parlour, the gentlemen following, leisurely, a few minutes after. A whiter-iooking lot I have never set eyes OD, "Who fired? who fired?—what was it?" they all began at once. t guess it was John," the mistress said. "He was on the back porch a moment before." John c*mt to the parlour door while she was •peaking, looking all cool as a cucumber. "Did you hit him John?"1 Mr. Stuart asked. "I hit something, sir, for it grofaed and cleared the fence at a single bound. There was a general clapping of hands by Waj uf applause. John took it very quietly. "Now, my diamondsP' Mrs. Shaw said, Sgoimg up to him a.nd laying her hand on his II *m. m a way which I didn't think was be- Basung. even if he was her servant. "Ma'am ?" "My diamonds — did you take them? 'I JWiwe "I didn't take t krn at all, Mrs. Sha-w. I kaven't seen 'em He ;ook?d at her in a puzzled way. which I fftite exasperated the lady. cu know very weii that I gave you my J~c!5 when you stood upon the back porch." '"I —[—haven't been on the br"k po'ch to- 1 was at the shed window when I ".lohti, you don't mean mean what I say, ma im you must have t.hem to someone else, for I wasn't the™. S"n» ~?s»Tvced imploringly from face to face — -n.rt a person had been outside of the house *#Wi.p.g the uprnar. "<*rood heavens — good heavens!" shu i •s.*6>.wed, as loud as ever she could, and went No a deithiy faint. 8111'! 'iad given her diamonds to thp very Be'-s'n! who was trying to set intn the honse 4o r-hern, and she never saw them alter-

NOTES FROM THE METROPOLIS. Ftf<: LONDON, Tuesday. A Lesson Learnt. Mr Balfour's shaje in the responsibility foi the failure of the ixhieation Bill is not to be denied, for, ad leader of the House, he ji bound to Hxadra arrangements for the passing 01 such measures as the Government may introduce. At the wme tune, it is not sufficiently appre- ciated that his policy with regard to this Bill jins been a failure only so far as he has been depending on the reasonable respect for the dignity of Parliament on the part of tne Opposition. Mr. Balfour has tried an experi- ment—a chivalrous and generous experiment. Out of his deep respect for the dignity and traditions of the House of Commons, he tried to abandon the regime of coercion, in the hepe ot inducing the Opposition to co-operate with him in restoring tae lost. or, rather, aban- doned, dignity of the House. If he has failed in tiiis it is because the Opposition, led bv Sir WIllIam Haicourt, persisted in treating his generosity as a lnæcs of helping them in obstruction It i* established that we cannot, earry on business without the co-operation of the leader of the Opposition. Y on mar tAke it, therefore, that Mr. Balfour has erne out of the ordeal with his heart hardened, that thare will he no more foolish generosity towards the Opposition, a.nd that in future the Government will insist on some progress being made with public business. Future Intentions. You mav assume that some time before next session reforms in procedure will be instituted which will prevent a recurrence of the policy of obstruction that has beer, for the moment successful. If the Government were introducing the Education Bill afresh the attitude they would adopt would be something like this :—To come down to the House an.1 declare their intention of passing the Bill, j stating that they would allow so many days for the first and second readings, and that they would allo w not more than three days for each clause, a-Tid would closure the clause at the end of that time With eotre such understanding as this faithfully adhered to the House would I have been able to pass the Bill into law with comparative ease. Lord Dutrerin. A hope expressed by Sir Edward Blount last night when presenting a -testimonial to Lord Ihifferin at Piris, that his retirement from the Embassy did not portend his final retirement from public life, m not likely to be gratified. It is true that, us Sir Edward suggested, the country will enjoy the benefit of Lord Dufferiris accumulated wisdom and sage counsel in the House of Lords. But I gather it is extremely improbable that his lord- ship will be induced to take any public parr either in the government of the country or otherwise. It uas all along been felt that, if need arose, he would have made an admirabk Foreign Secretary in succession to Lord Salisbury. But the time for that is past. Lord Dufferin is, I am sorry to say, feeling the inroads of time and the need for rest. Had he felt that he was still in the enjoyment of his full vigour he would not be leaving the Paris Embassy at so critical a. moment, when there is absolutely no one to fill the unique position he has created for himself. It is true that his time is up, but means would have been found for prolonging his tenure of the office if he had leit himself equal to the task. Sir Augustus Harris. We have been so accustomed to look upon Sir Augustus Harris m QIM of the men who go on for ever that the news of his death test mght from overwork has ooroe upon us with all the effect of sudden shock. It was known Kir Augustus was ill, and the evening papers yesterday stated seriously. But people did aot realise how close death was to kun. Sir Augustus WAS one of those remarkable men who work at express speed, and yet, appa- rently, are never in a hurry. The eecret of it was that he was never idle. Even when, with a genial smile, he wM apparently in the swing of full leisure, receiving guests in the beauti- ful grounds or handsome rooms of his house at Regent's Park, he was busy all the time, and while he grasped your hand and asked how you did ht w- probably working out. the production of an opera or thinking over the invention of new scenes and enecte. Every- thing that Sir Augustus touched succeeded, and the secret of this was hte sagacity, itis alertness in capturing and carrying out new ideas, his keen inventive skill, and his invete- rate habit of personal supervision.. Every- thing went through his hands, and he saw to everything himself. Moreover he put on his stage everything; of the best. Toat is the! reason why he has been the first to make Italian opera pay in London, why he has snatched apparently hopeless undertakings out of the fire, and why we have never heard of such a thing as a play withdrawn from Drury Lane because of bare benches. Druriolanug." It W38 in connection with Drury Lane that Sir Augustus Harris first leaped into fame, and he was known among his intimates by the name of "Druriolanus," which was bestowed upon him by a well-known writeT who mted to be responsible for this letter. Besides the opera at Oovent Garden and Drury Lace theatre. Sir Augustas had in hand two or three other London theatres, including the Opera Comique and the Avenue. In fact, he generally had two or three London theatres besides hit; own occupied in playing the over- flow of his Drury Lane successes, and ho was also interested in companies on tour. One remarkable thing in Sir Augustus's career which may not occur to everyone is that, although he had succeeded m. almost every form of theatrical enterprise, from grand opera to pantomime, he had not. as far as I can gather, attempted the production of comedy. Innovation at Paddington. A large black board, carefully ruled, and with the times of arrival of the different trains and the number of the platform on which they will enter, baa just been erected at Paddington Station. This board is a great convenience to the numerous friends of people who are coming to town, and, in addition, saves the officials much unnecessary question- ing. All that is now required to make the arrival platform perfect is a few more garden seats. On the long length of platform only or.e small seat is placed, and that at the ex- treme top. and, therefore, useless. It is qnte painful to see delicate ladies walking up and down. looking vainly for a rest of some kind. I feel convinced that the officials have only to have the Trsattw brought before their notice to remedy it. How to Get Through a Crowd. We have ali heard of the politician who made a safe, but inglorious, exit from a poli- tical iseeting where the temperature and pres- sure were too hot for his constitution by ejacu- lating some unfriendly observations, but the r waiters and groundsmen at Lord's have dis- covered a much more effective method. In-I stead of a "By your leave" or' If you please," phrases, generally delivered in a. commanding tone, which fail to achieve their object, the men at Lord's start their journey with a polite note of warning "Mind the grease, ladies and gentlemen: mind the grease, if you please. I Nothing more polite could be imagined, and no phrase so effective haa been coined. The well-dressed crowd seem to part asnnder as though with a knife. The man caimlv con- tinues his journey. All the grease, needless to say. that can be observed is in the culiness of his utterance "On the March." The new musical comedy whvoh was pro- duced at the Prince of bales' Theatre last night failed to pleas-" a first-night audience. It is the work of six gentlemen, a.nd through- out it bears evidence of a patchwork character. The gentlemen in question seem* to have had the successful career of "A Pantomime ReDeareal" before them, and endeavoured tc produce a plav on all fours with this success- ful faroe. What tbev have done is to coni^ pose a fearful burlwiue of Gounod's "Faust," the humours of which do not extend over the first two acts. An exceptionally strong cast has been engaged, and it may be that thev will obtain something like order o"Lt cf the non- serj*:cal travastv. A considerable quantity of blue oeti-.il will'have to be used if this desired result as to be achieved.

MASSACRES NEAR BULUWAYO. FIVE WHITE MEN FOUND KILLED, EVIDENCE OF A TERRIBLE STRUGGLE. A Renter's telegram from Buluwayo, d*t«d Monday, says:—Colonel Srpreckley'S column found the dead bodies of four white men at Inyati. Tbev were identified ae Mr Graham, rsiiive commissioner, Mr. Hurford, inspector, Mr. Cook, storekeeper, and Trooper Case, a Matabeleland mounted policexna.n The body tf Insptc-for Handley IVM sub- sequently found near nis hut. The ground arcind hore evidence of a. despe- rate stTl.1gg,e Numbers of cartridge eases werj I scattered about, and trunks of trees near were gsislhod with bullet marks. Handley's head liad been battered in from behind with a battle- axe. The bodies were buried in Inya/ti Mis- sionary Cemetery, the funeral service being conducted by the Rev. Mr. Rees. Colonel Spreckley's colum.n is expected to arrive "back in Buluwayo to-morrow. I-s has had no fight- ing, but has captured 394 head of cattle and 365 sheep, and burnt 60 kraais, which were fi'il of grain. At Invarti information has been re oeived that gome of the rebels are in doubu how to act, and others have again consulted Olimo, ] who tells them to fight harder and they will succeed. The mission station on the Inkwnk. wise River has been entirely destroyed, tne churches bein» mined. j A Daiziel 3 telegram, from Buluwayo, dated <XUT>6 SAYS --Colonel Spi ecklev's column has returned to Buluwayo During the in Koh I 60 kraals were burned and a quantity of grain I and 500 head of cattle captured No natures were seen. The London Missionary Soox-tv'a station at Inyati has been completely destroyed, and the natives have fallen back 20 miles north I of Inyati. The patrol discovered the bodies of Carke, Graham, Handeley. and Hurford. The piaofi was strewn with empty cartrldsre oases which showed that a temble strung-' e must have taken place before the ten whites had been, massacred. FRIENDLY NATIVES DEFEAT MATABJiLE. A Renter's telegram from Buluwayo on Tuesday says:—An impi of friendly natives, under Chief Saseves. has engaged and I defeated the Maiabele on Mizan River, cap- turing a number of their cattle and sheep. The losses on the British side are six killed- and four wounded. Mr. Beale reports from Fort Victoria that the natives in that district are wavering-, and that in order to prevent them frœu joinmg the rel/cls he is going out with 50 volunteers and a machine gun.

THE CRETAN OUTBREAK. POWERS TO INTERVENE FOR PEACE. The Athens It&uan Consul at Canea his re- ceived orders to hold himself in readiness to co- operate with the othfT Consuls of Powers and intervene for thr. re6torM.ion of peace. It is reported from Smyrna that Takir Pa^ha. who was anT>ounc"-d on Monday as going to Crete, has been directed to c-o to Beirut instead with four battalions. Two thousand four hundred soldiers are to go to Crete from Smyrna and 2,000 to Salondea from the interior. Fresh troops are also to be sent to Smyrna. FRENCH OFFICERS INSULTED. Renter's Agency telegraphed from Athens on Mciiday:—At midnight some of the officers of the French warship Neptune wfule walk- ing on the quay at Canea to-uay were insulted by Turks, who went so far as to threaten to attack them. The French Consul has addressed a strong remonstrance to the Porte.

MAJOR LOTHAIRE'S TRIAL. THE BRITISH APPEAL. The Brussels correspondent of the "Daily Chronicle" writes:—In sprite of official con- tradictions, the rumour is persistently ciicu- lated here that England's appeal against the Acquittal of Major Lothaire has been defi- nitely lodged with the Congo a cthorities. It is further stated that England objects to the superior Court at Brussels as predispo-ed in Lothaire's favour, and demands a mixed tri- bunal of representatives of the European fixates interested.

A PARISIAN MURDER LEAGUE. The Paris corre*pond/?nt of the "Daily CSuronjcle" says The arrests of alleged accom. plices in the murder of the Baroness de Valley have led to the discovery oi a gang of young m.er. who, unlike ordinary criminals, avowedly murder in theor burglaries.It is oalenlatod th"t no less ttfia.n 25 of them knew of the crime in the Rue de Pent'mevre. The young men pretend to bp students in the Latin quarter, and some of thean belong to highly respeota'oI e famil i es.

CAPTURE OF A PRIEST. A LARGE RANSOM DEMANDED A Da.Izi>r« telegram from Naples says: — A daring act of brigandage was committed on Monday niílht un We GibUcanao Estate, for- merly a Royaii domain, situated in a canton, of Bicacquino. The priest living OIl the estate, named An+cnio Compagno. who oM the reputa- tion of being a wealthy man. had retired for t-l e night when five aimed men entered the house and forcibly abducteS him. Francesco Cammsrata. a foreat ifuard. who oipi-arently slept on the premi..e., insisted on accompanying Father Oompagno, was ai»o n'rde a prisoner, but, after having been detained for six hours by 'he br gauds, he was released and ordered to go back, A piteolJ" Ie-Her has been received from the priest stating th&b hi3 captors demand a large rn:1S0ill for hl8 if!lp;\8e, bllt. In., where abouts have not bean revealed. The police are making strenuous effQrtg to trace the miscreants and obtain cue release of the unfortunate priest without pavintr the ransom.

ENGLAND AND VENEZUELA. ARREST OF A BRITISH SUBJECT. FEELING OF INDIGNATION. Reuter's Agency iearns that the arrest of Mr. Harrison, although it ha.3 given rise to the greatest iEd';giia,taon. is not altogether a matter of st-ipnae, as the Venezuelans liave all along declared that they would stop Brisiah read- miking. It is pointed out. however, that the district in which Mr. Harrison was working is well within the Sehomburgk line, and not eTeti in the dcruibtful- territory with regard to which Great Britain has expressed her willing- ness to arbitrate. In no ca»o ha*; a British official crossed the Scnomburgk line except for the purpose of paying cLsits to the Vene- zualans or rentlering thecm assistance; and according to the latest advices from the frontier district the greatest good feeling exisxed between the British and t>1II) Vene an elans. Mr. Harrison, who is O11e of the Crown surveyors of British Guiana, has been in the north-west district for eight or irine months. He left Georgetown in Octoiber la»t for ths purpose of making a rocul to join the Banirs and Barama rivers. He took with hiin 100 native road- makere. After completing the Ba-Tima-Barama.- road a Survey was in progress to continue the road along the left bank of the fiuvuin as far as Acarabisci. and thence to Uruan. As far M is known, Mr Harri-on v.as engisged on this survey of the extension at the time of his arrest. The stories which have reached England, via the United States, of serious armed conflict are United States, of serious armed conflict are regarded in well-informed quarters as ridi- culous. In addition to the party of men under Mr. Harrison, there a.re a number of other British subjects scattcer! throughout tn. district. The British forue. however, ifi limited to a few po'lee at the C iVJAH oatpoot, under Inspectors Henderson and Alexander, The Vwnezuelana have a considerably larger force on their eide of the river, spread over tihe various outposts from El Dorado downwards. They are all armed, and Outnumber the British by 30 to on?. A P. outer's telegram from New York on Tuesday says:—The 'Herald" publiohes the foHowing dispatch from Caracas —A news- ptsper published in Grenada, West Indies, iaya that on the 13th in.it. a Venezuelan fcrcc crossed over to the British side of the Acar- abisci Rrver, and. proceeding towards Yur- uari gold territory, inter "e red with the mining operations vf British colonists. It is reported that the Venezuelans sought to reach the mouth of the TJruan. Tbe Venezuelan Government believes this may explain the! conflict first reported at the mou-th of the Barima. Kiver by the Venezuelan Consul at Trusidad. THE COMMISSION. A DalaseVe telegram from Washington on Tuesday savs —The Venezuelan Government have forwarded to the Venezuelan Oümmi's- sion, now in session here, a second volume containing extracts from the Spanish Govern- ment archives relating to the bounda.ry dispute between Great Britain and Venezuela. A third and Ixat voliune of these extracts 1S expected in a few days. Each of these con- siate of about 300 pages. The commission are expecting further documentary evidence from Holland and from Rome, and have decided to wait three months for them before making their report-

GALLANT FIGHTING IN MASHONALAND, THE RESCUE Of THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN. OFFICIAL TELEGRAM. Reuter's Agency (h«3 reeejved the following I communication in a. private telegram from Fort Victoria, Mashonaland, dated the 22nd inst., three p.m. :—"Still all right. No danger." GALLANT FIGHTING AT CLOSE QUARTERS. The PrESs Association learns that Mf. Cha,m- berlain on Tuesday received the follovung telegram from Lieutenant-general Good- enough., Acting High Commissioner at the Cape.—June 23rd. Following received from Cairmgton :—Begiiw. News from Salisbury of a. gallant action says that a patrol of 23 men had arrived, bringing ill women and children from Mazoe- 11l armoured mule wagon through the rebels. Desperate iigftirg for a day and I night, the rebels getting up to within six yards of the wagon, and shooting well, and seven men-—131ake«t3n, Routledge, C. Mageer, Fa' Jacobs, Von Steaden. and Dickinson—-were killed, and four wounded. Fourteen horses and all the mulec were al"3o killed. Towards Umtali the ccuntry is unsufe, and the native police, apparently unfaithful hnv" advised the peotpie at Marendel'a, Laatfer if they cannot get tne large stock of ammunition now there to go for safetvto Headland's ia.ager. Two hundred rifles and ammunition on the road from Chimoyo to Urn tab. Have advised strong escort for it. About Ciinrtered natives' report rising. Reply ing to your telegram of 20th of June. At present not necessary to mount. Tli" reserve Mounted Infantry, Spreckley's column, arrived at Bembezi. Uueen's Kraal, after a very successful foray, without loss. Prisoners report main rebel impi massing nt Mambo Kopjej, 60 miles north-e?.st of Bulu- wayo Have despatched ep.es to confirm, Meanwhile Macfarlane's column i.? coming on patrol, via Inen^a River, collecting small amount of Cattle and grain. Ends. ONE OF THE KILLED The telegraphist. John Lionel Blakiston. one lof the seven men killed, was a fon of thp Rev. D. 1-. Blakiston. vicar of Fast Grinstead He would have been 29 years ci :1 g'- io-day (Wed- riesdny), a.nd had been in the service of the Chartered Compuny for nbont three years. Thi., is the third son of the Vicar of EIl"t Grineteiad who lias been killed within a few ytars. jl

KOIAL STATE CONCERT AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE. LOCAL INVITATIONS. By command of the Queen, a state ennoert was yiven on Mondnv evening at Bucking- ham Palace, arid anionest those invit-:d were the following:- The Duke of T*■ -;t11 ft^1, the Marquees of Abergavennv, the Earl and Coun- tess of Denbigh, the Earl and Countess of Dunraven. Ladies Kachfl and Aileen Wynd- ham-Quin. the Earl and Countess of Jersey, the Earl and Countess of Pembroke, thq Earl and Countess of Powis, the Earl and Countess and Countess of Powis, the Earl and Countess of Radnor, the Diwager Countess of Carnar- von, Viscount and Viscountess Emlvn, the i IT<n. Misses Campbell (two). V,<cnunt T/lan- chff, Lord and Lady Penrhyn. Lord and I.adv Windsor, tho Ladies Villiers (two), Sir •-r. O. Morgan, and GVneral Hugh Rowlands. ^<ady Rachel and Lady Aileen Wyndbam-Qnin wore I fiatin dresses of a deep, clear, and very be- coming shade of pink. The hem wni over- laid. with a full tulle ruche. Tulle, with chains of crystals, was also used for the '-leeves and to soften the neak. The crystal# showed in a pretty design on the waist and edged fhe j satin—cut open at. intervals on the .jodice

I SINKING OF A GREAT LINER THE DRUMMOND CASTLE TO BE j BLOWN UP. FURTHER RECOVERY OF BODIES. THE RELIEF FUND. HER MAJESTY SENDS ONE HUNDRED POUNDS. A Dalziel's telegram from Brest on Tuesday says :—Relatives of ihe victims of the Drum- mond Ca.stle disaster continue to arrive, with a view to identifying any of the bodies which may be recovered. Some of them are anxious to transport the remains already interred, and which they claim aber having seen the clothes and read the descriptions taken of the bodies. In cases where the corpses wpre buried without coffins, as at Molene, and simply wrapped in winding sheets, this will be extremely difficult, 33 rapid decomposition has aheady set m. In one or two cases chloride of lime was throw a into the g-rave. The remains of Mr. Wilson, Mr. Fred Whipp, and Mr. Stevens have, hew- ever, been disinterred, and the Prefect of Finisterre has given consent to their immediate removal to England, together with those of Mr. Walter Whipp. whose body was left in the lifeboat-house at L'-hant, at the request of the relatives, when the funeral of others took pi fee. The exact spot where the Drummond Castle sa-nk has not yet been discovered. The search for it is being actively pursued at the instance of re-oreaeTif1. rives of the Donald Ourrie Line. who have offered a handsome reward to tne person who may find the vessel. They pro- pose to attempt, to blow up the wreck, ,o that the bodies in the cabin may be released. The operation will, however, be a very difficult one. as the dspt.h of the channel in which she sank varies from 109ft. to 150ft. TELEGRAMS TO SIR DONALD. The Press Association states that the fol- lowing telegrams from Brest were received by Sir Donald Curna and Co. on Tuesday:- From Mr. Wisely, the company's representa- tive— "Intimate that photographs of the various funerals have b2en sent- to you by to-day's post, together with official description, so far as could be ascertained, ot all the bodies found." Nfr, Wisely adds: — "You can inform friends that when you re- ceive above you will be in as full possession of all particulars as we are here." From the British Consul, Brest:- "Another body has been recovered and buried at Camaret. The sock bears mark 'P.' From Mr. Wisely: — "Following description answers that of the chief-engineer: Man -t5, fair hair, two jjoid stripes, brass buttons, black trousers, shirt marked 'H. Eyre.' Buried Ploudal-Mezeau." I THE QUEEN SENDS JE100. n-ici following telegram was received en Tuesday afternoon by Sir Donald Currie from Sir Fleetwood Edwards, private secretary to the Queen "Buckingham Palace, Tuesday.—The Queen command.0 me to express her Majesty's wish to subscribe one hundred pounds to the fund being raised for the relief iof the sufferers by the Drummond Castle.—(Signed). FLEET WOOD EDWARDS." Sir Donald Currie despatched the following reply: -— "I beg you will convey to her Majesty the grateful thanks of all concerned for the gracious message just received and made public and my own gratitude for her Majesty's sym- patliy." In addition to £ 8.591 previously announced, and the donation from the Queen, a consider rable number of subscriptions to the relief fund were received on Tueedav, iucludirig £ "'00 from Mr. G. ArmusV-ad, £ 25 from Sir John Cowan, and Miss Edith Mackie, of Wakefield: £ 50; Messrs Thomas Cook and Co.. £ 50; and Messrs. King and Co., £ 150. QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT. GRATITUDE TO THE FRENCH GOVERN- MENT. In the House of Commons on Tu^sdav Mr. BYRON REED (U„ Bradford; E.) asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it was practicablo for her Majesty's Government to convey in terms cf aspecifll "ourtesy and commendarioji to the Government of the French Republic the wide- spread appreciation and Rratitudo of ithe LngJish people for the maiked sympathy which had been disnlav-ed by the inhabitants of the Usnant coasts to the survivors and victims of disaster to the Drummond Castle. Mr CURZON (Under Foreign Searetarv): I T; SecrE-tary of SÍGltIe haf; already requested the French Ambassador to convey a. message of the character suggested to the President of the .fren^h Republic, and a dispatch on the subieot will also be addressed to her Majestv'a Ala-) bassador at Paris. (Cheers.) At conclusion of questions Mr. Curzon read a ummumcation which the Secretarv of State had recaived from the Board of Trade, and which, he said, would be made the basis of the communication which it was intended to adaress to the French Government from the Foreign Office. In the course of the cOln- nitityication reference was msde to the great hmx anity. generosity, and kindness shown by all classes of the community in the vicinity of the disaster.^ The Board of Trade also state •tlhat they think it would be unbecoming ait the present moment) to select the names of any I individual for special mention. TIiov are grateful to all alike for what has been dtsae, and trust later on to justify their appreciation of what had been done in a tangible wav (Hear, hear.) PROTESTANT ARCHBISHOP AND CATHOLIC CLERGY. The Archbishop of Cant^rburv has written to Al. Le Abbe le Jeune at Molene, expresKinsr tha-Tiks for the tender solicitude with which he and his parishioners rendered the last office of religion to the victims of the Drummond Castle disaster. Ho adds that charitable acts so fervbntly done maioe national hearts tender I towards each other. I CRITICISMS OF THE OFFICERS' CONDUv'T.. ¡Ai-r. C. E. Kelway, writing to the "Times" on Monn.ay. says:—Whatever the use or causes of the ill-fated Drummond Castle be-mg out ot her reckoning, there is one fact which stands out prominently, viz.. that had Mr. Ohappell, first officer of tho; Werfa, been able to communicate his certain knowledge of the dangerous course on which the Drummond Ga,stle was running, the letter vessel would in all probability now be lying safely in dock ■instead of at the bottom of the sea. The o!fioer called the captain on deck, and told him that, unless the pas- senger boa.t changed her course, she would be on tho rocks in half-an-hour. If he had tb" monns to warn the Drummond Castle his failure to do so is deserving of the highest censure—to put it mildly. On the other hand, he should be absolved from blame if, as ap- pears to mo to be the case, he. was helpless in the matter. I venture, sir, to suggest that great public benefit is likely to accrue if you would allow a revival in your columns of the subject of signalling at sea generally, and particularly in relation to the apnlication of signalling for prevention of losses by stranding or collisions between ships. It may be interest- ing tc note that the founder of the Castle Line ha.s lieen particularly associated with one ph*?o of signalling at sea.. Sir Donald Currie s letter in your i^i ue of January 17, 1395, is letter in your M.-np of January 17, 1395. is before m.j as I write, together with its en- closure from Mr. Adolph Woerirajin. chair- man of the Hamburg Shipowners' Assooiaiinn, protesting against the ndoptipn of the com- plicated and dangerous code of sound signals and the side-'ight screening proposed by the Board of Trade. In the same column you did me the honour to insert a letter on the subject, in which I stated that, if nt nisbt, when vessels could see cach other, each or either of the approaching vessels had a simple means of readily exchang- ing their actual bearings to each other and the intended alteration of course, doubts would btconip certainties and collisions the exception. Hero we strike directly upon the question of efficient night signalling, which, in the mer- cnr.tde rnnrinc. to say nothing of the Navy, admittedly onllg for immediate improvement." I subsequently addressed the President of the Bo^rd of Trade, directing his attention to mv A.B.C. signals, by the use of which signals con be -osilv m-ule H m>ht. and in dull weather in the daytime, nd be read by ob. servers 'tjuorant of the P..Ytv similar code Hiey aire worked by simple pressure I 0r, Ifoyg like a typewriter, the ietK-rs 'hr,n- SPives t.pilljl shonoi in tit", air—in the Rovnan rf.nv^cter. The'kevbnnrd being placed on tj.» bridire, in evs-s where time is all important, a.s n that of the W^rfn-Di'immond Castle meet in?. f'?'18h enn be aommencod in a few s»conos, and e^rrie-l on ra.pullv with little trouble; a.nd the knowledge -if the ocvan traini* may thus at tim<M be made as valmMp to tc^ era ok liner Ae that of t11", latter would (Tori11 v !>• t-i> craft r*f al] lciprlq mnkinj^ land under nnfavonr»W« cor<litvm«. not her <yvre-?TH>ndent writing to the Tmum" on the 2ilth -f June, savs:—The officer of the watch on board th" Cardif ?U-r.m»T saw Ihe Dnimmond Castle rushing to !.M- doom. Did it not occur to him that some signa,. vay }. rockot, mirrht be ariven, whir-h would hpve aUracted the after.0f the wa^ch 01 thf dl-fated vessel, and miyht have led to her prestation by mittinsr the two steamer into communication ? Without wfeh- mg to impute any special blame in this in- stsr.ee, surelv tho crew of one ship ought not to wn tho crew of another gioing to destnutfion ,T' without <ome ntten.pt lo a'ou«e anrl gave th^m. a.V.'THJVK OKIMFF VICTIM. • r •- feared that the "H. Cohen" in the list I of passengers who went, down in the Drum- mond Castle is LNfr. Harry Cohen, once resi- dent in Cardiff, and very well known in the neighbourhood. Mr. Harry Cohen was a Jew, and is spoken of as a genial and enterprising man. He was in business at the Docks, and is said to have been the originator of the Castle Arcade. Mr. Cohen sold his interest in that. undertaking, and with the money he thus received he went to South Africa, where, it is reported, he amassed a fortune of between £ .60.000 and £ 70.000. He came back to Eng- land about twelve months ago, but returned again to the Cape.

THE MANJVINQ Of SHIPS. EV1DKNCK BEFORE THE COMMJTTEE. REPORT TO THE BOARD OF TRADE. Air. Joseph Hoult, steamship owner, Liver- pool, has. iu compliance with the minute ot die Board of Trade 011 the 2net oi April iasl, sent his report upon the character and value cf'the evidence ^iveu t.efore the Manning Committee, and Ivs reasons for considering the necessity tor the inquiry groundless, and tli.ii no legislation on the question is uec^sary. Ht first, refers to the exwaordirianiy lengthy manner in which tile eviueuct was urawn out, and the utier woxtiik-ssness ol a great deal ol it, coupled with its misleading character to a non-practical nmvd. Ihe evidence was made up cniefiy on the views of seamen and firemen on the uutics which tliey had had to perform on board vessels, and not, one l-t theso men gave an instance, in which he had been exposed 10 danger Lhrough being on board a vessel undermanned. Then he says — "The evidence wruch would have been of weight the Committee have failed to get. namely, tiiat of masters and officers in active I service oonversant with present da.v require- ments and practice. The lack of tb.s evidence is most important. If there be undermanning tb's evidence would have been forthcoming voluntarily, and, if this evidence existed,, the Committee have failed in Uieir duty in not -0 getting it. The evidene.- of masters and officers sli-mld have been obtained from those actively engaged in all the trades of lmpor- tance, namely, the coasting trade, short Con Uneiiial and ore tt ndec, the Mediterranean and Black Sea trades. Eastern and South American trades, and Atlantic trades, and, in each trade, for both cargo and passenger services; this would have shown if there was under- manning, and where it was. What is the use of evidence of retired shipmasters and such iike, of which there is plenty, when it only shows what, in the judgment, of the witness, was the practice under entirely different condi- tions long ago ?" Everyone must admit, he says, that the proper manning of ships is of the highest iw- portance to the shipowner. It is not true economy to un.Wman, and the chief superin- tendent of Mercantile Marine a.t. Cardiff, after t.hirty years' experience, had stated ti'at he had never known a case of undermanning. The principal Board of Trade officer for the North-Eastem District of E rig land said that the majority of ships were fairly manned, and that it was to the interest of the ship- owners to put the prop n" number of men on board. The of the Engineers' Union, numbering 11,000 members, said that there were very few complaints as regarded man- ning. The principal Board of Trade officer for the Wesb Coast of Scotland had had no complaints of any -kind relating to under- manning, This evidence was not denied, and. therefore, no esse had been made out against the shipowners, and no legislation was required. There was no evidence to show that a manning scale was necessary, there being no proved cases of undermanning. Bux, even if it had been proved that in small minority of cases undermanning did exist, it would still 1,t;: most undesirable that Parliamentary sanction should be given to any scale, as it was rwrfectly obvious that it was impossible, for reasons well I known, to frame a scale which would not create a state of affairs legalising under- manning, on the one hand.or taxing shipping by overmanning, on the other. Moreover, any by overmanning, on the other. Moreover, any m-rnmng scale agreed to now would be obso- lete almost immediately, unless all improve- ments in sailing and navigating ceased, which would be the probable result of a manning scale, because the inducement to save labour would no longer exist. There was, however, one fact which was patent to all, that the shipping industry for the la* fifteen yefcrs had been altogether un- profitable. No industry was in such a deplo- rable state. Twenty years ago (shipping was a favourite investment. Now the capitalist and small investor shunned shipping. Shares in ships not more than five or six years old were being sold at a depreciation of fully 40 to 50 oer cent., and it seemed to him a. strange policy that foreign vessels could come to this country and compete with the English vessels on terms so much more favourable to them, in eonsequence of English laws not being appli- cable to them, and he gave an instance in which he sold a vosscl to a German company at a heavy depreciation, and this vessel now competed aeainst others that he held, as she was allowed to carry 275 tons more under the German flag than under the British, and, in addition, carried a. smaller crew at lower wages. Last year German tonnage increased 40 per cent., Dutch 53 per cent., and Nor- wegian 86 per cent., while British tonnage onlv increased 24 per cent. He concludes his report by saying :—"Generally, British ship- ping is on t:be wane. Other countries are making rapid advances, and it behoves Par- liament, instead of listening to alleged grievances from self-styled trade representa- tives, faddists, and sentimentalists, to take immediate steps for the nrotoction of the shipping industry against the unfair competi- Hon of foreign shinning, and try to foster the industrv which in times of peace is the most vital Ihe country has. and in the event of war that on whioh the very existence of tbe country would depend."

WARSHIPS IN CARDIGAN BAY, BRILLIANT DISPLAY OF SEARCH- LIGHTS. On Monday night, the Castle grounds and Marine Promenade at Aberystwith, aF weil M other spots where the wouderful spectacle cou'd be seen to ad- antage. were crowded with people anxious to view a display of the search- lights by the Channel Squadron, which had been promised by Vice-Admiral Lord Wslttr Kc-IT, of her Majesty's ship Majestic. At ten o'clock, the hour mentioned by the vice- admiral, the lights were turned on, ar.d astonished all who had not witnessed the mar- vellous invention before. The t-n boats, viz., the Majestic, Magnificent. Royal ftovo- reIgn, Repulse, Blake, Emprtss of India, Resolution, Hermoine, loaa, Halcyon, arid Speedy, lying in the bay, played their part in the display, and the sight was- beyond. description, and will not be forgotten by the thousands who witnessed it. The fleet steamed out of the bay for I Portland at ten o'clock on Tuesday morning, "the departure being witnessed by ecawds of people. The gunboats Hermione and Bellona remain anchored in the bay, and will not sail until after the Royal visit.

,,¿Jl! AMERICAN MERT IN~H YDE PARK The second annual American meet will be held in Hvde Park on July 4.

COLLIERY EXPLOSIONS. THE RECENT GOVERNMENT REPORT. The "Colliery 'AIarjage.r," referring to the Articles which have been appearing recently in the "Daily Chronicle'' on the subject of col- liery explosions, and more especially the one which was published coincidon kly with the issue of the recent Government re-port, says it feels sorry that Dr. Haldane's rejiorfc was given to a. journal that has evidently done it injustice. .The hysterical writing in the previous articles 'Daily Chronicle' haa somewhat diminished; but, like all in search of sensa- tionalism, they ha.v« been, carried away captive I by the recapitulation of many facts that ha.ve been known to colliery managers for many decades, and, knowing nothing of the literature of the subject they write upon, they proceed to magnify these facts and proclaim them to be an important discovery. What is the effect of this last article?' asks the "Colliery Manager." "The writer seems to forget the mision he first announced, that lie would show how colliery explosions could be prevented. That interest- ing inforrnat ,n hay not yet- appeared. But now he farrier the attention of his readers off at a tangent, promising to tell them an impor- tant discovery of what the poor men die from in explosions. This battledore-and-shuttlecook play upon a eerioug question will only shook thoughtful men, and hinder the progress of the question." Referring to the report itself, the "Colliery Manager" save t,hat Dr. Haldane has done good service by drawing- special attention to the effects of oarbon monoxide upon the human system, and promoting- a. method of treating lilie men rescued after explosions which will have good results if the men cstti be reached in time for its stpplfoaitioii. The questions of rap.dly restoring the ven+ilatioin of the mine after an explosion and the mode of construct- ing air arcs-istinigs and doore are, however, "quite beyond Dr- Huilirinie's jud.<^ment. Thev have been the lifelong study of the colltifry ma ringer, 8.nrl Dr. Haldame has certa/inly not had the ti-aim.np or the experience to iutjitruot them upon such maitters. The "Colliery Manager," in oonolusion, wttrns colliery officials not to have their attention dirawn aside from the much more important question of pre- venting the explosions by the report of t'hP causes of death, whneh, after all, is onJy of acpdamic interest as compared with the cala- mity itself and its causes; and we hope that Uhf, the most gerious pairt of the subject, will not lose amy of its urgency in the view of the Home Office by a diversion of attention tu the interesting report of Dr. Haldane upon the subsidiary ques" i-on of whot malady the poor men who have been overwhelmed by an explo- sion succumb to. We need only peoeat the well-warn maxim, is better than oure.'

THE GAS QUESTION AT TENBY. MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL The Tenby Town Council ro-ec espe- eially on Monday to consider motions by Mr. Egerton Allen advising the town council to take po?set>sion, of the gasworks on the 24th of June by de- manding pos-peesion from those in diarge. awl, if refused, to take proceedings to recover same, 'inhere B-IM a full attendance of mem- bers, and a resolution, moved by Alderman Roger. was carried by e-igfit votes to .sevoi, the mayor not vot ing, that the corporation do not proceed to take possession.—The Mayor then proposed, and was seconded by Sir. Alderman Farley, that a lease be granted to the Tenby G-as Consumers' Company, with a cca.1 clause regulating tho price of gas for 32 years, the normil price of gas to be 3s, 6rb, and the price never to exceed 4s. bd. 'ihe resolution was r.ied by nillEl votes to seven. The meeting, which at times was very stormy, lasted nearly three hours.

FATALITY AT ILFRACOMBE. Mr Bromhead held an inquest at Ilfracombe Hospital on Tuesday afternoon on the body .}f Ora^«e IT«rris. who was ,,eve,, years of age last Thursday, and who fell off the rocks it Wil- deomouth Beach on Saturday afternoon, she dying on the following Sunday from her inin. ries. Deceased was playing with other chil- dren and ran up the rocks, disappearing as she reached the top. Some people found her on the beach with a fearful wound in her head. Tho jury returned a verdiot of "Accidental de*t/

SHIPPING NEWS. '41C SIGNALLED OFF THE LIZARD. June 23.—Passed Eaet: Goatfe!l, from Iqu'que ,t4} Falmouth Framno*, c4 Tinina Grousvaer, of Griffl- <tad: Dona Dolores, from Lagiina for Hamburg; Loch AWt;, from Iquique; Christian IX.. from FairooutB (Jamaica): Auguste. from Jamaica; Leetoli. from Lagrina—la^t four for Falmouth; Amphitrite, froJ8 Caleta Bueim for Hamburg Francisco Oiamiia. frcn* Queenatown, in tow; steamers Olive Branch, from Norfolk for Rotterdam; Cl<x h, of Penzance Jost' Bickett, of Louùon, City of Oporto, of Dublin: Ken", of !.oixlon Teetie, of Cardiff; Havel, tiom >'ew Yorlt for Southampton; Forest Hoime, from Montreal r I AMI Jon Scandia., from New Yorfc for Han.burjf; Manitoba. from New Tori for London; Aire, of Gooie; British Crown, from Boston for London: Sha^brook. frcfi Cardiff for Havre Swiftsure, of Simdej;an<l. Paseea West: Nelson, from London for Timaru; I'teamerll VV tiilefleid. of West Hartlepool; Mardy, of Jfe>vp°rt. Sbf-ldr.-k- of Cork, Daybreak, of West Hartle-pool, Orpbeut;. of Liverpool Trewidden, of St. Ives; CHJ1 of Lri.-iL'l. of Dublin; Oiio, of Bristol; MereuwO, Of JVn/ance Sprightly, or JSunderland Ville do T>ou«» of C'ai;vis; Balrurl, of Liver)wxt City of Cadiz, of Dublin; Lady Wolseley, of Dublin: ittellinsr, of Len" don: White Po-e, of Liverpool.-Wind, W. lIght.. weattier, overcast eea, smooth; bar., 30"15, fal ingf. SIGNALLED OFF THE MUMBLES HEAD, June 23 — Wind. W.S.W., fresh; weather, squailyj sea, moderate.—lleeeived orders for .Swansea Steamer Creadon, of Wat«rford. Parsed East: Stonmer st, J-'eeumati«, of Uardilf; steam yacht, Al-eona; schooners .lui:a, of lanca-srer; Ann Humphries, of Whiteli^en% Mareai-et. of St. Ives lietebw Aim and Bessie, of Jersey. Amelia, of Bridgwater; Telegraph, of Bridg- water; timbe--hd> n barcoue.

SWANSEA. —ARRIVALS. NORTH POCK. June 22—Margaret, 63. Bideford. yravel. Magnet, tJ6. Btdeford. gi-avel. June 23,Jenny Liud, 48, Wexford, rd, Honor. 42, Abertbaw, limestone. SOUTH DOCK. June 22. Co-er, e, 113. ilfracomtje, general. Brighton, p a, 229, Ilfracombe, pas>,en¡¡:e; Jur.3 23.-Creaden, s. 2?3, Limerick, nil. PRINCE OF WALES DOCK June 22.—Boston City, e, 1.133. Kev Yovt, via Bristol, jreneral. Montana, s. 1,812, "Loudon nil. Kth«l. II, 55. Newport, tin-plates. H^ilainsliire. 80 873, put I)ack, general. June 23 -Emity Bumyeat, 93. Belfsr-t, scrap iron. SAIT,I\TGa NORTH DOCK, June 22.—Mai o-aret Bllen (Thomas). Newport (Pern-)- JIargaret, L' wLs (Jones), Absrayrwi. Alpha" s (LUIWB), d June 23,Julieu Marie tie Bait). Mortagne. Dun- darg (Trelour), Iwestoft. SOUTH DOCK. •Tune 22- Brighton, p s (Reid), Ilfracoral>e. June 23.—Sam Weller (Loveiidge), Guernsey. St. D'eumana, s (Gilbert). Avonmouth. PRINCE OF WALES DOCK, June 22.0ty of Oporio, s CMurphv). Hamburg. Laju, s (Grigs), Sttyona. Lady Arthur Hill, s (Fer- gnison."), Puttdrum. June 23. Ethel, a (Mil^s), Br'stoi. KNXEKEO OUTWAKI^.—June 23 Battinwre. Monhmit, 6, B, Watkirs. 1 812 William* Torrey Feild Dieppe: Thistle. B. Lewis, 100, Randell ft Co. Caen. s, B. Condon, <03, Sheohord it Cv- New Orleans, Cuban, e, B. Ber^e, 2 TZS, Tcrrey fc Keiid Algiers, Loyal Briton, 13, Gibte, 1.361, Wed lake, Towers vfe Oo. CLEARED-June 23. Dieppe. Thirtle, B. 190 eoal Caen. Creadon F. R. 500 pca: New Orleans, Cub>ir, s, H, 350 generrtl IMPORTS COASTWISE.—.Tune 23. Bideford, Magnet, 100 tons gravel, Shepherd & 0? Aberthaw, Honor, 74 torw lini^atone, Silurian fillo Couipany Belfast, Emily, Burnyeat, 199 tone scrap iron, Vfc f!tlbert.;on Liverpool, Sunlight, s, general, John Bacon Bristol, Collie-, a, general «■ Newport., Ethel, s, 82 tons tin-plates Wiiiiame, Torrey* and Feild EXPORTS 23. Sclly, Agnes, 50 coal, Williams & Co. Aberporth, Albe;tros«, 38 c-ial, S. & J. Hill London, Gulf of Papua, s, 150 ooal. W. Pereh ft C°* Liverp< ol, Sunlight, s, general, J. Bacon (Limited) Lynmouth, Herbert, 10 coal, 40 cement, and 4 timbef- Dixon Bros. Bristol, Collier, a, general Ramsey, Samh Blanche, g, 230 coal. J. B. Davie* NEATH AND BRITON FERRY- SAILINGS. June 23.—Olivia, » (Ooruiefct), Portreath- Sot*w King, s (Btown), Workiug+ou Count d'Aspremoo*. (Ttrc»mas), Own. ENTERED OUTWARDS. —Juu.I 23. Lamuoo. Jittery. Jeune. 70, W. G. M. JeftreJJI CLEARED.—June 22 and 23. Fecamp, Henry Fteher, e, B, ooal Caen, Oouut d'Aepremont, s, B, coal IMPORTS.—Juno 20 and 22. Bilbao, "Raglan, e, iron ore, Briton Fer/y Inwwc**1 Company I.'Orient. Seine, e, pit-props and scrap iroa, Mouchel

rT1 elt SIX OF THE CREW DEAD vN V OTHERS ILL. The N.'rvveoi'ir. '.ir.-ue Lady ^aW' She from Java, has at Qwenstov n- ri. is flyin-r a yellow j 1 ^at. the forrfop- tfce Ports that, six of her cre'.r voyage, and six others are incapacI duty throi>gli sickness.

MISSING MAIL STEAMkR '{Ve^a^ A Reuter's Suakim te'.egram says:—The Egyptian m>aiil wfii^h left here on Sunday for she was due vesterday movuing. '-1 (1f > ,-irrived. Captain Count Gleichei'- Grerwdier Guards, is ou board j\\oinX has been orrlered to leave t<wnorr<~> f i)f>cf5r to search for her, and render as«iftaTlC\'ilJ(7 «""e s-ary. Her Majesty's sloop Meli^ i" • orders xo >'ai, if required. ^■WMnwnsmwi _»im» mi ■■"iwifir 1>1 Prir.ted and Published for the ^2^, of DAVIU DAVIES. at the "Sowth Wale« Daily Poat, 2.1** Wwnnmit,