Weekly Mail

————— 1: BOABD IN&UIBY AT i <.S „ ■ CAnD1TF f ^v«3^tUe ffanne board inquiry waa held at the ^'liy Cihaj^iriIle Ofhces, Cardiff, on Wednesday into °f drunkenness against Mr. W. Gibb, J*4? °f the gteainpship G.'oainin'. Mr. W. (srt^ao<i there were also present Mr. T. C nndiar>")' Mr- H- Badcliffe, Mr. J. Tod. 5"^ Vr' and f^^er (secretary). Mr. Eoe (Messrs- ,r. w U>.) appeared for the Board of Tiade ^'fivP^red Rees for the defendant.—The vessel Middlesborough on June 6, 1896, for pJiKi/Vit. round voyage Tasting until the 31st of j*1? 'Jjjl *j0 the evidence of the master, n,, Tp^t, the chief engineer waa the worse J,' Jlo of t« 2Lst of October laet at New York, Lat ianuary at PQint d" Galle, and on the 15th ^whaveri.—Evidence was also given by ?itw? fi^jJ^^borating the captain, but the tes- the eagine-rooni was in the opposite ^iehtw'8 l50*'rd found that the defendant liad %rthe influence erf drink on the ^4 ,8 lii., ,1 but he was not incafiable of dis- ret»ri^^l(j™ty. He was, therefore, cautioned

REPORTED COLLISION OFF THE LIZARD. 4. PALSE RUMOUB. Ort." !-1i morning great excitement was j wansea. Docks by the report that ^v^riveH he French vessel Irira, which had Xv^ilo lnff e South Dock, bad stated that ajvrl • Lizard, saw two steamers j of ^'at the Irma went to the §*8^ a, Ki crews, but failed to find any- <>thP0^ief in which was a coat containing tK >6 Otters. Inquiry of Captain however, showed that W)«rfa.b<??n srreatly exaggerated. On was °ff the Lizard, she I rvf 8 "feboat that was partly sub- V^erving a coat in the boat, he <1, ho UP. but, the stern being thp ^0Und nothing to indicate the lt"l)lt.et "essel she had belonged to. In W,th a. ,c°at, however, was a pocket- Ar>^ber °f entries in English and was lying near, but it W f. tnat it was not worth while k-'y of P- Round about was a large Wl "M* The captain believed v Y.ad. to a couple of small vessels tif.lo jL^ s asent been in collision. ia fk Swansea states that there i ? ik that r6P°rt current on Wednesday been .erlch vessel arrived at Swan- ^olvin of a collision off the Schorr? tbe loss of both vessels. The Viii* n«* Jrnia, at Swansea, passed P1 H.» the r of wreckage about three ^zard, and picked up a boat "boot' ~9^tairing a ooat, in which was the Lme "G. Harvey, 2, Lunekiln-road, Bourne y however, did not ob- IOn.

fclnSJOUs ^AZAWATTEE TEA v fiSHoioua MAZAWATIEE TEA S|H5TSI SI LB

NITRATE SHIP ON FIRE. EXCITING SCENE OFF DEAL. A PATHETIC COINCIDENCE. Our Dover correspondent telegraphs:—An exciting scene was witnessed at Deal and Waimer on Monday, when a nitrate-laden ship, the Microneaea, belonging to Liverpool, was found to be on fire. She is &n iron full-rigged ship of 1,619 tons, having been built at Greenock in 1883. The vessel was bound from Iquique to Oistend with a cargo of nitrate, which is at all times liable to fire by overheating. The Micronesea. was being towed up channel by an Antwerp tug to her port of destination. When passing the Goodwin Sands early on Monday morning, however, some of the crew noticed smoke proceeding from the fore end of the ship, and reported the occurrence to the cap- tain. Mr. Bavier. On examination of the fore- hold it showed that the cargo was very much overheated, a.nd was evidently on fire. The fire spread very quickly, and in a very short time volumes of smoke were rolling along the ship from forward. The tug lay to with the vessel off the Goodwins, from which point she was noticed at about seven o'clock by the light- ship, and an alarm signal gun was fired. In response to this the Walmer lifeboat put off from the shore, as well as some other boats. The nature of the disaster could be discerned from the shore, where the smoke could be seen rising in dense volumes from the ship. The information of the disaster was brought to Dover by the early Ostend boat, which passed quite close to the Micronesea, and ascertained that a tug was in attendance. A further tug was, however, sent out from Dover. By a curious coincidence, a gentleman named Craft, belonging to Liverpool, who had a son on board the burning vessel, was aboard the Ostend boat. He had been to Ostend waiting for the arrival of the vessel in order to see his son. As the vessel's arrival. however, was considerably delayed he could not wait Joner, and was crossing to England on the Ostend boat, when the whole of those on board were naturally much excited on sight ng a large ship afire, and became more so when it was known that one of the passengers had a relative on board. Mr. Craft's feelinsrs were much relieved when it was ascertained that his son and the rest of the crew were safely on board the Antwerp tug which had hold of the ship. The fire continued to burn all day. The vessel was ultimately nun ashore near Sanbown Castle, near Deal.

THE MONMOUTH MYSTERY, 4— CORPORAL STRONG AGAIN BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES. The Militia corporal, William Strong, aged 32, Vi ho had been remanded a. week ago on a charge of wilfully murdering his comrade and fellow-townsman, John Vaughan, also a. cor- poral in the Monmouth Militia, by drowning in the River Monmow in Forge-road on the n ght of Monday, May 31, was brought up in custody at the borough police-court at Monmouth on Thursday, again to answer the charge. The magistrates on the bench were Major Griffin and Messm G. P. Cessans and J. T. Price. Prisoner, "•-hough still showing an anxious, troubled appearance, looked rather better than at the first hearing a week ago. The court- house was well filled with spectators of the pro- ceedings, including a good many Militia com- rades of the prisoner, and some officers. Mr. Horace Lyne, of Newport, appeared to Diosecute on behalf of the Public Prosecutor, and Mr. Herbert Williams, of Monmouth, appeared for the priccrer. Immediately "he prisoner was called upon, Mr. Lyne indicated that he proposed to ask for a further remandTor a. week in order to com- nlete his case He oiJy received his instructions from the Public Prosecutor on Tuesday, and had not yet had time to fully prepare the evi- dence. It Wail, he thought, highly unsatisfac- tory that the case should be presented in piece- meal fashion. Captain Parker, the superinten- dent of the police, had given notice to Mr. Herbert Williams of the intention to apply for a remand, but, Mr. Williams, well within his rights, did not concent. Mr. Herbert Williams, on behalf of the pri- soner, opposed the application, and said Strong was prepared at once to defend himself of the charge; in fact, he courted the fullest inquiry. The matter had already been inquired irto be- fore the coroner, a week had elapsed sinfe te remand, and all the parties concerned lived in the town of Monmouth. were cirevm- stances which induoed him to ask ihat the cilale should no longer be held over the prisoner s Mr. Lyne urged that there had been no undue delay, and that the adjournment was not asked for to suit any personal convenience. The Bench, on Mr. Lyne's assurance that the case would be fully gone into next week, agreed to a further remand. Mr. Williams applied for bail, and stated that he could produce sureties. The Bench declined to grant bail, and pri- soner was remanded in custody. The prosecution, we understand, have quite a. cloud of witneMea to sub- mit for examination, certainly ten or G dozen, but it i. scarcely expected that they will establish the allegation of murder of the first degree. The likelihood seems that it will be shown prisoner was endeavouring to get de- ceased home to his lod-ings. As both were natives of Ebbw Vale and great chums they lodged together. They had been boozing on the month-end balance of their pay. The de- ceased seems to have been the more helpless, and, having got into the Monmow just below the mill weir (by what means is not at all clear) and shouted for help, the prosecution may seek to show that prisoner took no heed of the deceased's appeal and al- lowed him to drown, in which case it is possible that a charge of manslaughter would be laid.

CLOUD-BURST IN FRANCE. A WHOLE V ALLEY FLOODED.— TERRIBLE DEVASTATION. A Reuter's telegram from Grenobl'e on Mon- day says:—The floods at Voiron and along the Valley of Morge have wrought terrible desolation. Late on Saturday night a cloud burst in the highland cantons of Sasserzage and Villard de Laus, and transformed the hill streams into torrents, and at the same time enormous masses of rock slipped down the mountain side, and completely blocked the new roads, forming a barrier 30ft. high and 20ft. thick. Besides this, fallen trees and heaps of debris were washed down by the swollen waters, and at daybreak yesterday morning what had been a smiling valley was transformed into a scene of desolation. At many villages houses fell in, cattle were swept away. and the inhabitants were obliged to flee for their lives, leaving all their property behind them. Of the many factories along the river side, nearly all are practically des- troyed, five hundred workshops being wrecked and washed out. The appearance of the town is lamentable. The bridges of the Place St. Bruno and footbridge have disappeared, together with several adjacent shops. The streets are filled with debris from the flooded warehouses and factories, including bales of cloth, immense drums of spun thread, and rolls of silk. The shops are filled with up- rooted trees, baulks of timber, and huge stones, and the roads both in the town and adjacent country are either destroyed or so torn up by fallen trees as to be impassable. The gas works were flooded out. and the town will be without gas for at least a fortnight. Many merchants and shopkeepers are ruined, and thousands of workpeop e are without work or shelter. The waters rushed in so suddenl- that many people barely escaped with tb" r lives. In some of the cafes and shops the occupants were up to their waists or even their shoulders in water before they knew what had happened. Many cases or self- sacrificing devotion and heroic rescue are reported. The only redeeming feature of the disaster is that there has been little loss of life. It is rumoured that a family of six persons perished, but so far only the bodies of two women have been recovered.

( NEGRO LYNCHING SEVERE PRESS DENUNCIATIONS IN AMERICA. The "Daily Mail" New York correspondent telegraphs —Newspapers all over the country are discussing and strongly denouncing the lynching of Mitchell, the negro criminal, at Urbana. Ohio, last week. The general senti- ment is expressed by the "New York Tri- bti.te," which declares that, instead of two rioters being killed, hundreds should have been mowed down before the officers surrenderad their prisoner to the mob. "Better cut down a who. city," says the "Tribune," "than en- throne mobs to govern the Republic." A strong feeling exists, however, that if negro outrages vere punished with death, and the penalty strictly enforced, there would be fewer lynch- ings. Meanwhile, Urbana has resumed its former quietness, although vindictive threats are made against the Militia who fired on the mob. The sheriff and the militia captain have fled from the town. their lives being threatened. The corpse of the negro is oon- cealed near Urbana, awaiting an inquest before being removed. Relic hunters have cut up the clothing for souvenirs, even shoes, stock- ings, and buttons being taken away.

MACHEN EISTEDDFOD. In our report of the Machen Eisteddfod it is stated tha.t Miss L. Wilkins, of New Tre- degar, won the junior pianoforte prize. This was incorrect. The successful competitor was Miss Lizzie Collings, of the Royal Oak Inn, Whitchurch, pupil of Miss O. R. Hosgood, Cardiff-

ACCIDENTS. SHOCKING DEATH NEAR ABERYST- WITH. A sad fatal accident occurred on Saturday afternoon on the Hafan and Henfwlch Rail- way, a narrow gauge line in course of con- struction between Llanfihangel Station, on tha Cambrian Railway, and the mining dis- tricts in the vicinity of Plynlimmon. While one of the locomotives, with a few trolleys attached, was travelling through a cutting below Glanfread Farm, in the direction of Han- fihangel, a trolley attached to the front part of the engine left the metals. Appreciating their perilous position, the three workmen who were riding on the trodley immediately jumped off. Two of them got clear of the train, but, unfortunately, the other, Richard Owen Roberts, in the excitement of the moment slipped, and fell across the line in front of the engine, which passed over him. The body was fearfully mutilated, and death must have been instantaneous. The deceased was a, single man, 28 yeais of age, and a native of Talybont, CAB OVERTURNED IN LONDON. At about half-past cine an Sunday night a horse attached to a four-wheeled cab sud- denly took fright in Baker-street, London, and bolted, causing the rab to swerve against the kerbstone so violently that the vehicle waa overturned and the occupants were thrown out. The cabman saved himself by jumping from the boXj but the occupants of the cab were severely bruised and shaken. One of them, Mr. G. R. Sims, the well-known author, was immediately conveyed to has house at Clarence-terrace, Regent's Park. Mr. Kennedy Jones, editor of the "Daily Mail," was also in the cab. FATAL RESULT OF A CARDIFF STREET ACCIDENT. At the inquest upon the body of Elizabeth Jones (48), wife of Mr. Richard Jones, Rhym- ney Hotel, Cardiff, who died on Friday even- ing from shock, consequent on injuries received about a fortnight ago. it seems that the trap in which the deceased was riding collided near the Rompney Castle Hotel with another vehicle. The trap was upset, and the occupants thrown to the ground. Mrs. Jones received severe injuries.—-A verdict of "Accidental death" was returned. SWINGING BOAT FATALITY AT CARDIFF. A fatal accident occurred on Wed. nesday night at the pleasure fair, conducted by Mr. Jacob Studt, at the rear of Andrews's Aroade, Queen-street; Cardiff. In the absence, for the day, of Mr. and Mrs. Studt, the management of the boats was entrusted to a youth of seventeen, named Charles Burt, who lives at 18, Daniel-street, Cathays. The deceased, John Regan (18;, of 56, Milton-street, Roath, and Peter M'Kay (20), took seats in No. 2 swing, and had a most sportive time, until, when the swing had reached its highest altitude, Regan was thrown out and very badly hurt. Behind the row of swings is a. high wall, and between the swings and the wall there is a couple of iron girders. Upon one of these, it is said, the unfortunate Regan alighted and fractured his head. He was taken to the surgery of Dr. S. Wallace, in Charles-street. The doctor described the case as hopeless, and liis diag- nosis was soon afterwards confirmed by the death of the victim on his way to the infirmary. TRAP ACCIDENT AT CARDIFF. A trap accident, which might easily have been more serious, occurred on Tuesday after- noon in Cowbridge-road, Cardiff. Mrs. Eliza- beth Turner, of Wenvoe, drove into town with her little girl, aged eight, nnd a party or friends—four ladies and one gentleman. Oppo- site the Albion Hotel both the shafts broke, and T-he occupants of tha conveyance werw thrown violently into the road. Fortunately, all escaped with a severe shaking, except the little girl, who was treated in his shop by Mr. J. Greaves, chemist. FATAL COLLIERY ACCIDENT AT MERTHYR. On Wednesday morning a. fatal accident befel Samuel Thomas, better known as "Sam Becker," who resided at Plymouth-street, Mer- thyr. The deceased, whose age was 47, was a contractor, working the No. 1 Level, belonging to Hill's Plymouth Company, at Penvard. Upon going to work he found that his haulier had not turned up, and he accordingly took his plac6. About nine o'clock he was seated on the first of two loaded wagons which were beme drawn by a horse, and whilst forcing the horse up a bit of a rise the animal struck out its hind legs and kicked him. He fell, and the two front wheels of the foremost wagon w £ nt over his body. His son, John Thomas, who happened to be near by, went to see what had occurred, and he found his father had been killed. FATAL F ALL AT NEWPORT. A fatal accident occurred a* Messrs. Mordey and Carney's dry dock, Newport, on Wednes. day afternoon. A man named Edward Mahoney was carrying a truss of hav along a plank, when he overbalanced himself and fell. He was killed by the hav falling upon him. The fall was witnessed by the son of the deceased. A MARVELLOUS ESCAPE. A guard, named Heifer in the service of the Ixmdon, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Company, was admitted into the Croydon General Hospital on Saturday suffering from a fractured collar-bone, contusions of the head and chest, and shock to the system. About half an hour before he had had a remarkable escape from death at Epsom Town Station. He had arrived with the 12.15 p.m. train from London Bridge, and as it was being shunted Heffer walked by the side of it in the six-foot way. It is supposed that the noise made bv his own train prevented him from hearing another which was coming on the up-line. for the buffer of the engine struck him on his left side and knocked him down. The wheel of the locomotive tore off the sole of one of his boots, and the step took a piece clean out of his trousers. Mr. Gardner, the stationmaster, gave the injured man some brandy, and he went in his own brake-van to West Croydon. Heffer is pro- pressing favourably. ACCIDENTS AT A CYCLING SPORTS. At the Whitsuntide Cycling Sports at Ply- mouth on Monday the finish of the five miles amateur scratch race was marred by a serious accident, W. H. Rosbatch, of the Putney Club, fouling with W. R. Matthews, a mem- ber of a local club. The former sustained a severe fracture of the left collar-bone. P. W. Brown, the well-known cyclist, was bruised about the head and body through a railing collapsing, owing to a collision. A boy, named Pike, fell with other spectators who were leaning against the railings, and sustained concussion of the braaxi. George Woolfe, employed at the Nuneaton Wool Spinning Mills, was on Friday crushed to death by the machinery. On Saturday as a little girl naffied Delve, of Norton, was running across the road she was knocked down by a cart, with the result that one of hr legs was severely crushed. While a Belfast labourer named Murphy was assisting on Monday night to discharge a coal- laden steamer, an iron bucket fell upon him killing him almost instantly. A Ramsey correspondent telegraphs that while Alice Quayle. aged about 22, was milk- ing some cows for her master, Mr. Quavie, of Itegaby Andreas, near Ramsey. on Friday night, she was kicked in the stomach by one of the animals. She ina-naged to walk a distance of 200 yards, but died shortly afterwards. The body of Arthur Twirrell, skipper of the Lowestoft smaok Vigilant, was discovered Oil Monday morning at the foot cf Castle Park Cliff. Kiiwa't> Harbour. It is believed that he mistook the road to the beach on Sunday night, f<,11 (Fer- t,1, ("iff The Whitsuntide holidays at Bradford were msrred by a shocking f»tality Mr. James Webster, a retired gentleman, of Lowtnoor, was attempting to enter the train at the Exchange Station fit ten ("cl, when he missed his footing, and slipped between the carriages. Both lojfs were cut off, and, despite all med.cf» assistance, he died before reaching the inflnn ry. A serious bicycle aocident occurred at Ferryside on Whit-Monday. Mr. Johnston, belonging to the Montague Cycling Club (Marylebone), who .vas on a tour from Lon- don, lost control of his machine in conrng down a steep hill. and was hurled with great force against the comer of the White Lion Hotel. He was picked up unconscious, but was slightly better in the evening. A horse and trap bolted at Abertillerv on Monday afternoon, and several persons were injured. One lad had his arm broken hewies receiving other injuries. Near the Bush Hill, the horse swerved, and a l-ad named Blacker got jammed between the trap and the iron- work of the bridge, sustaining severe internal injuries. Near the station approach a man named Thomas Parsons, of Blaenau Grwent, brought the runaw ay tp a standstill, but sus- tained severe injuries.

THE SNAEFELL DISASTER. The twentieth victim of the Snaefell mining disaster, Robert Kelly, was brought to the surface on Monday evening. The body, which had been in the workings exactly a month, was lying at the 130ft. level. The cause of the calamity has not been ascertained. A pathetic incident in Kelly's case was the fact that the day before he went down the mine he played the "Dead March" in connection with the Ramsey fishing-boat disaster.

Gwilym Evaas' Quinine Bitten is purely vegetable, aad is equally suitable to young and old, at all seasons of the year. Sold ia bottles, 2s. 9d. and 4s. 6d. each. Avoid imibasnonsj »16V/

DROWNING ACCIDENTS. SAD DEATH OF TWO ABERDARE COLLIERS On Wednesday night two colliers, named James Lewis, Blaenantygroes, and Herbert Hughes, 2, Daniel-street, both of Cwmbran, Aberdare, each about 24- years of age, were pro- ceeding homewards from the Farmers' Inn, when they espied a small canoe outside the residence of Dr. French. This they conveyed to an adja- cent sheet of water called Pwllbach. and then entered the frail craft. Dr. French was awakened just before midnight by the sound of the splashing of water, and on going to the pond found the canoe floating bottom upward. Information was conveyed to the police and the pool dragged. Lewis's body was discovered shortly after one o'clock, and that of Hughes about nine on Thursday morning. So far as can yet be ascertained, there was no person with the deceased when they started on their unfor- tunate frolic.. BATHING FATALITY ATPONTYPRIDD A young man, nineteen years of age, the son of Mr. Clarke, a. baker, living at Coedpenmaen, Pontypridd, was drowned whilst bathing in the River Taff on Monday. His brother and a friend were in the pool beneath the Berw Bridge. The brother went to deceased's aia, but the drowning man caught hold of him by the neck, and they both sank. The friend proceeded to their rescue, and released the two, and the elder brother then disappeared from sight. The river was subsequently dragged, but the body had not been found up to Tuesday night FOUND DROWNED AT CARDIFF. Yet another victim has fallen into the death- trap known as the Glamorganshire Canal at Cardiff. The floating bodv was found by Dock- constable Westcott on Wednesday afternoon, and appeared to have been in the water three or four days., The deexsription given by the Docce of the man is that he is about 5ft. 8in. in height, has a, fair complexion, and had dark- brown hair. He was wearing a light-brown suit and Oxford shoes. He had a watch and chain upon his person, but no money. In- auiries are being made as to his identity. BOJJY FOUND OFF PENARTH. About six o'clock on Saturday evening the decomposed body of a. man was found floating off Pen-arth by a. boatman named Alfred Ser. geant. It is supposed to be the body of John Jeremiah, a seaman, 30 years of age, who was seen to jump overboard from the steamship Heathfield on the 29th of May last. BOY DROWNED AT NEWPORT, The deputv-coroner held an inquest on Saturday at Newport on the body of the boy Win. Hart, which was taken out of the Alex- andra Dock on Friday night, and a very ex- citing episode took place between the boy's father, Frederick Hart, a coal-trimmer, of 57, George-street, Newport, and the coroner.—Hart gave his testimony with great clearness until he was asked whether the boy was insured. "Why ask. that?" he retorted. The deputy-coroner ex- plained to him the mraning of the interrogation, and he (Hart) became very excited, and pro- tested being asked such a question on an occa- sion like that. "But you must answer it," saiu the coroner. "It is a usual question." Hart replied that he would appeal to the press. He would not answer the question. He would have the matter out.—Captain Lodge, the foreman of the jury, inquired how much the child was insured for. — U won't answer," said Hart.—Another jury- man asked how long had the boy been insured.—"I don't know," replied Hart. "He was nine years of age, but he had not been in- sured from his birth. When the insurance company," he continued, "came round to my wife, pressing her to get the child insured, she did so. I he deputy-coroner, who uad shown great forbearance throughout' then threatened to commit Hart for contempt of court.—"I do not know anything about it," was Hart's reply. —The foreman of jury then suggested that it would be better to adjourn the inquest, in order to get the presence of the boy's mother, as the father did not know anything. —The witness then wanted to make some remarks, but the coroner interrupted and said that he had been asked a proper ques- tion, and he must give a proper answer. The coroner further stated that not only would he adjourn the inquest if he'did not get proper answers, but he would commit Hart for con- tempt of court. Eventualiv, however, Hart calmed down, and stated that the boy was in- sured with the Prudential Insurance Company at the rate cf one penny per week. When he wa? asked to sign his name to the evidence he had given, another scene took place. Ha said, "This is like signing a death warrant," a re- mark which drew from the jury the opinion that the coroner should not allow such observa- tions to be made.—Further evidence was given to show that the boy had been fishing for minnows and fell into the dock. A Norwegian sailor attempted to rescue him, and he was com. plimented by the jurv for his plucky behaviour, i —A verdict of "Accidentally drowned" was re-1 turned, and the jury endorsed the remarks of t'n. coroner ir condemning the demeanour of the father in the witness-box. His expenses were disallowed. SAD AFFAIR AT SWANSEA. On Tuesday a. little boy named D. Emry. Davies, aged two years and four monUw, son of Mr. Daniel Davies, Gorse-inon, aorfaentally fell into a tub of water about seven inches deep, and when taken out by his sister was found to be dead. DRO.«NED AT SEA. The master of the steam trawler Cygnet, which arrived at Yarmouth on Saturday morn- ing, reported that William Gibbs, the fourth hand, was drowned on Friday. Gibbs was larking with the rest of the crew, and, having jumped over the mizzen boom. attempted in a. spirit of bravado to walk the taffrail. The motion of the vessel threw hun into the sea, and though a boat at once went to his assistance he was drowned. BOATING FATALITY ON THE SEVERN. While boating on the Severn at Stourport1 Robert Henry Martin, a married man, of Prince's End, caused the beat to rock, upsetting it, and was drowned. BATHING FATALITY AT HYTHE. Two boys, named Stephens, aged eleven years, got out of their depth white bathing in Soutia-mptoa Water, off Hythe, on Friday, and weae drowned in sight of tueir com- panions. On Monday afternoon three children were playing on uie graas by the Bivcr TaJl in Tudor-street. One of the children by some roefcus fell into the brick- pond, and would have b^en arowijed but for the pn niptifcude of Mr. T. Stacey, 75, Saltmead-road, who, attracted by the screams, rail up, and, jumping into the wa.t,.j", rescued the little one, who waS brought round with difficulty, xhe child i* aged about six, and is the daughter of Mr. Parsons, Park-street.

SADDEN DEATHS, The Rev. Peter Prescott, chaplain of the City of London Union Infirmary, attended service on day evening at St. Paul's Church Old Ford, London, for the purposa of preach- ing a sermon. He had only just taken hie place, however, when he was seen to fall back and on being picked up was found to be dead The service was immediately suspended. A painful sensation was caused at Christ Church, Copse Hill, Wimbledon, on Sunday evening by the sudden death, at the conclusion of evensong, of the organist, Mr. Sumner. The choir were about to sing the anthem, "Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace," and the organist had struck the keynote, when he suddenly fell dead. Mr. Sumner had been organist for 24 years, and this was the last occasion on which he was to officiate. The death occurred suddenly at Barry on Monday of Mrs. Treharne, of Belle Vue- terrace, Cadoxton-Barry, the wife of County and District Councillor Dr. E. Treharne. J.P., chairman of the Barry and Cadoxton Conser- vative Association. The deceased lady had been in a weak state of health for the past two months, but a fatal termination was not anticipated. Deceased was up for some time on Monday morning, and was cheerful as usual during the day- In the evening she was taken seriously Ill, d expired suddenly. On Whit Monday evening Richard Rees, The Limes, Cowbridge, met hM death in an excep- tionally sudden manner. It appears that he was engaged as a roadman, and had been at work between Cowbridge and Aburthm all day. On returning near the intermediate schools he was seen by some passengers on the platform of the Cow bridge Station to fall. They at once proceeded to the spot, but found that he was dead. Dr. Watson, assistant to Dr. Mellor, was sent for. but he also stated that life was extinct. The deceased waa an old inhabitant of the town. and was about 76 years of age. About mid-day on Wednesday the body of Miss Minnie Phillips was discovered dead in bed at her residence in Charles-street, Miliord Haven. It appears that the young lady since the death of her father last year had resided alone, and for some tune had enjoyed very indifferent health. Not having heard or seen anvthing of the deceased for some days, the neighbours became alarmed, and on Wedneeday ex-olice-constable Phillips, who resides next door procured a ladder, and by this means climbed to the bedroom window, from which position he could see the body lying on the bed.

APPEAL FOB A LIFE SENTENCE. An extraordinary scene was witnessed on Wednesday at Wells Assizes, when James Henry Marsh (26). convicted of stealing two Bristol mail bags at Bath Station, was sen- tenced to twelve years' penal servitude. The prisoner appealed to the judge to give him a life sentence, saying unless he did 80 he would be in a court of justice soon on trial for his life. The warders closed around the prisoner and removed him after an exciting struggle.

Gwilym Quinine Bitters, The Tonic of the Age. Sold in bottles, 2s. 9d. and 4a. 6d. each. It is the be»t remedy for weakness, nervousness, indiges- tion, sleeplessness, and loss of appetite, cheet alfec-1 H,8 4161?

PROGRESS OF THE PEACE NEGOTIATES. WORK OF THE EXPEBTS BEGUN. The Constantinople correspondent of the "Morning Post," telegrapxiUig on Tuesday, says:—Xne results of me three sittings of the Uonierence do not appear to tend to a general peace. the determination of tne Powers to resist unreservedly tne demands of luritey only increases Mussulman animosity. The Ottoman Government is regarded as being in a cnucai position. Snouia Turkey submit to the pro- posal for the evacuation of inessaly, it may lead to grave consequences. it is generally believed that the situation may develop into universal disturbances, estab.1S.wng an ugly precedent to the Balkan States, which may result in a general offensive movement, with a prospect of obtaining for Greece an easy escape from the distressing consequences of her unfor- tunate campaign. The special correspondent of the "Daily Tele- graph," telegraphing from Athens on Tuesday night, says —information from one ut the European capitals has reached the Government to the effect that certain of the Ambassadors in Constantinople, apprehensive of divergencies of opinion among themselves, are endeavouring to obtain a verbal declaration from the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs that he wili enter into direct negotiations with Greece for the conclusion of peace on the basis of conditions laid down by the Great Powers. In case he agrees, then plenipotentiaries would be ap- pointed by both parties, but the conclusion of peace would be inevitably retarded. The Government has reason to believe that the Great Powers intend to lay peculiar stress upon the financial question, and contemplate the establishment of international control. A Renter's telegram from Constantinople on Wednesday (8.35 p.m.) says:—The next meet- ing of the Ambassadors and Tewfik Pasha has been postponed until Saturday, in order to allow time for the different commissions of experts to prepare their reports. The dragomans of the Embassies met to-day to discuss the capitulations question. The deliberations on the indemnity will begin as soon as Mr. Law arrives from Athene. He is expected every day.

WITH THE NEWPORT MOUN- TAIN BATTERY IN CRETE. [FROM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Candia, Crete, May 23. Bairam, a cheerful Moihammedan festival, enlivened by promiscuous rifle-firing, had just commenced when I wrote to you last week. It has passed without any serious disturbance. All that Wednesday night we were disturbed by men in the town firing off their rifles at, or, rather, just over the ramparts, and the margin they allowed above the parapet was small. How- ever, I faoicy some complaint must have been made to the Turkish Governor, for on Thurs- day, when the "Times" correspondent went down to bathe on the beach, half a mile outside the town, he found hundreds of Mohammedan gentry sitting on the recks firing off rifles, seawards, at bottles or tins or stones set up as targets on the beach. Like everybody else here, the "Times" correspondent had his armed escort with him, really to watch his clothes while he bathed, and so, although the Moslems vere firing at an empty oil tin only 30 yards from the place where he went in. they dared not fire near enough to him to cause him any appre- hension, so eour did his escort look, standing by his clothes Whether the escort was a bare. legged Highlander, a brawny gunner, or a dapper little fusilier, I do not know, but, whichever he was, he would, I am sure, have "let fly" on the smallest provocation. How. ever, after Thursday we had no more bother about the promiscuous firing. I think the ammunition of the town must have given out. There has been no fighting at all round Candia these last few days—hardly a shot has been fired. But I hear that the insurgents propose to celebrate the Queen's Birthday by a big fight all round the outpost line, presumably while we are engaged in the usual ceremonial parade on the ramparts. If they are as good 'is their wcrd Monday ought to be an amusing day for tis all. We can but hope for the best. While nothing exciting has occurred in Candia Lately, at Canea they are better off. I hear that two days ago an officer of the Royal Murines, belonging to one of the ships there— the Anson. I think-was waylaid and robbed by the insurgents while walking on the road to Fort Izzedin, and that unless all apology, accom- panied by the rnibsing articles, is forthcoming by to-morrow, the insurgents are to be given lesson in morals and manners forthwith. They want one badly. But, although we have had no fighting of ate, there has been a heap of cantankerous correspondence between the in- surgents, ourselves, and our friends. On Wed- nesday laat a letter arrived here—though whether addressed to the admirals or not I cannot say for the international authorities. It was dated from the "Headquarters of the Greek Provisional Government in Crete," and emanated from a place called "Daphne," which is some way east of Candia, and in the neigh- bourhood of Spmalonga. This strange docu- ment, which was headed "Protest," accused the international officers of bad faith in respect- ing the neutral zone round Candia—i.e., that belt of country nominally separating the Turkish and the insurgent outposts-and it emphasised the determination of the Cretan Christians to stick to annexation to Greece, even although they well knew that Greece had, for the time at a-H events, renounced all idea. of absorbing or annexing this island. Throughout this document evinced surprising, not to say wilful, ignorance both as regards European politics, and also of local matters. That Greece has dropped Crete is now ancient history; that the neutral zone has been far more seriously and far more often violated by the insurgents than by the Turks is a matter of common knowledge. The insurgent mani- festo wound up by a bombastic threat that the Christian Cretans would new attack Candia, and that the Great Powers could only retain the fortress "over the bonecs of their fellow- Christians." As I have had occasion to tel' you before to-day, there seems little to choose between Moslem and Christian Cretans—no such blackguards unhung exist outside of this fair island; yet I do think, from careful and prolonged observation, that the neutral zone is a far greater protection to the insurgents than to us, and I feel confident that if it be done away with—as it may now be any day that the admirals, advised by Colonel Cherm- side, please—the only people disagreeably affected will be our friends the enemy! How- ever. that is as it may be: I can omy give you my unbiassed opinion. But I should be pleased to be one of the force that will at once —if the neutral zone is dispensed with—go to the head of the water suppiy of the town. Blood is supposed to be thicker than water, and I am sure that the water will not be so thin or so scarce as usual that day. While I am on this subject of acrimonious correspondence—as opposed to actual fightin- I ought to tell you of another letter also received in Candia last Wednesday. The head of the local museum-a Cretan Christian, whose name I forget, if 1 ever knew it—is a renowned archaeologist, and a man of the world, as well as an authority on worlds or ages ion? since passed away. This man is now at Syra—an ;sland chiefly occupied by the Eastern Tele- graph Company as their principal exenaage for vaojng-aud from there he has dt iv. red him- self of a homily to his fellow-countrymen and co-religionists, which I trust may be of some vue to them. But I fear it will not. In his epist.e he recommends them to treat the repre sentatives of the Powers politeness, if HOt cordiality he advises them to jump at the offer of autonomy, coupled (and he greatly emphasises this) with the withdrawal of the Turkish garrison, and he points out that in time, as Greece recovers from the effects of the present war. annexation or absorption will probably come. On the withdrawal of the Tur- kish troops he lays the utmost stress: granted I that, and if no further fricuon should arise between the insurgents and the Powers, he is confident that in the fulness of tame annexa- tion will and must come. And he is nght: but, alas the very fact that he writes irom Syra (and not from Candia) shows that he has as little con- fidence in his own valour as in his country- men's discretion. 1 greatly fear that his advice will be quite wasted upon the insurgents until such time as they have learned a lesson, coached in less kindly terms, from even a more candid, not to say drastic, friend. That kind of friend sits, not at Syra, but in the Interriationa. Bastion, and his advice is very far-reaching. It reaches quite as far a", the outpotts, and may soon reach much further. I don't know if I told you of it before, how in this island there are no courts, civil or criminal. Perhaps it is owing to this sad state of affairs (which causes us all preat glee) that yesterday, by authority of the officer command- ing the British forces in Crete, the troops here and their various followers were declared to be on active service. This materially alters the status of our sutlers and camp followers generally, as it makes them all subject to the Army Act. It ako, of course, visits us all with the severer penalties for various offences which "active ser- vice as a legal term implies and carries with it. Whether or not officers or men will get any more pay on account of this alteration I can- not say; but I fear not. No doubt, however, when the occupation is over some kind of com- pensation will be given to all ranks to make good the universal damage to kit and clothing caused by this very lively climate. Why, one dav of this sirocco (or south wind from the African desert) is enough to ruin a thousand pound's worth of uniform; and the north wind which blows when this one drops is almost as bad! Touching the ma.tter of the proclamation of active service, I ought to have said that, as it has been so proclaimed, the occupation of Crete must now rank as a war service, and must, therefore, in future be registered as such in the Army List against the names of the officers who took rart, in it: nay. more. to such as have not v ( already obtained it it will carry the distinction of "crossed swords" against each officer's name in the official Army List. All this may seem rather ridiculous, but I have seen medals showered on men who have done and borne less than the British soldiers in Crete have done, even up to now! It is not medals that we want, though; what we want is a grant of "bitta," or extra. pay. No doubt, the senior officers of the troops of the Great Powers will all be decorated by their own and by each other's Sovereigns, so that Crete will be a per- fect mine of Orders both for British and Con- tinental officers; but what is to be done for the rank and file? Ask them. and you will find that with one accord they will answer, "Batta." The Austrian Lloyd steamer from Smyrna for Corfu has been detained at the former port bv the Turkish Government, and impressed to carry supplies thence to the Ottoman troops in Thessaly: so the mail this week—if, indeed, it goes to England at all—will go in some inter- mediate boat picked up anyhow by the Aus- trian Lloyd Company. I do not know, there- fore, when—if ever—you may get this letter; probably not until the Beginning of June.

SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS. LAYING THE FOUNDATION-STONE OF THE NEW LAW COURTS. PRESIDENT XBTJGEB AND THE JUDGES. A Central News telegram from Cape Town on Wednesday afternoon says:—At Pretoria yesterday President Kruger laid the foundation of the new law courts, and took advantage of the occasion to deliver a quaint oration which was generally understood to be directed at the judges with whom he has been at loggerheads. The President quoted from the Scriptural story of Cain, his brother Abel and Moses the law- giver, and found something in the life of each applicable to Transvaal matters in general and the administration of the law in particular. He then dilaited upon the difference between man and beast, and finally expressed the fervent hope that the judges would be guided to judge aright. The President's manner as well as his words is regarded as peculiarly significant just now, and as confirming the general belief that a renewal of the quarrel between the judges and the Executive Government is imminent. A Reuter's telegram from Pretorilli on Wed- nesday says: —Tenders have been invited for the construction of the Vrvbeid Railway. REPORTED AGREEMENT. A COMPACT OF PEAOE. The London "Echo" says :—We have gratify- ing leasoa for believing, as well as for announc- ing, that a settlement has been reached between the Governments of the Transvaal and of Great Britain. It is, indeed, just "on the cards" that the newest of her Majesty's pro-Consuls, our special envoy at Pretoria, will be back, it he be not back already, to emphasise the settle- ment on the first day of the Queen's week. At all events, our information justifies the announce- ment that, the reservations imposed by diplo- matic etiquette apart, the settlement ie un fait accompli. We shall not minimise either Mr. Chamberlain's shrewdness or Mr. Kruger's sagacity by even hinting that a. disturbance of the peace between the Transvaal and Great Britain was likely. The compact of peace over- rides the gayest of optimism. MR RHODES TO REDEEM HIS PLEDGES. A Central News telegram from Cape Town on Wednesday says:—Mr. Cecil Rhodes left for Buluwayo vesterdav. It is authoritatively announced that the objects of his journey is to redeem the pledges which he gave to the Mata- chiefs at the famous council in the Matoppo Hills, that he would personally supervise the carrying out of the settlement then agreed upon. BANQUET TO THE OPPOSITION LEADER. A Central News telegram from Cape Town on Wednesday evening says:—Mr. innes, the late leader of the Opposition in the Cape Par- liament, who sailed for England this evening, was entertained at noon to-day at a faiewell public banquet, at which a large number of prominent people were present. Replying to the toast of his health, Mr. Innes said, as pre- sident of a political association, he had been considered a sort of wet blanket upon certain phases of South African politics. But he n'aintained that The course which he had fol- lowed was perfectly justifiable, and it was due to the fact that he had accustomed himself to lcoking at both sides of a question. In regard to the future, he believed that the battle of Cape politics would ba dependent upon regis- tration, and in this connection he urged the importance of a re-distribution of seats, a reform which had been frequently promised, but had never carried out. Redistribu- tion was not a party measure, for only b" its means could the real opinion of the country be properly and favourably voiced. It was not a question of men in Cape politics, but of roeasurUl.

COLONIAL NAVAL DEFENCE. LETTEm FROM LORD CHARLES BERESFORD. Lord Charles Beresford has addressed the following reply to a correspondent who asked his opinion on the proposal recently madte in the Cape Parliament to contribute towards the maintenance of the Imperial Navy: "2 Lower Berkeley-street, Portman-square, "June 5, 1897. "Dear Sir,—In answer to your questions, I think that the Cape's new departure with regard to a contribution to the fund for pur- poses of naval defence is one that will delight all patriotic Britons, for two reasons—can that the allegations as to disloyalty at the Cape are absolutely false, and the mother is that it shows that the Colonists at the Cape itecognise that it is one of the most important strategical naval bases in the Empire. In the event of Great Britain going to war Gibraltar and the Cape would be the most important places in any plan of campaign. The lead which the Cape has given in this direction, and the action which the Australian Colonies long ago took, must give the most lively satisfaction to all those who have at heart the federation of the Colonies with the mother country for purposes of mutual defence and protection, In answer to your question whether the Colonies, as a whole, ought to contribute a certain proportion to our naval defence fund, it certainly would help Imperial defence if the Colonies did subscribe some portion of tho money necessary to secure adequate material defence, but I think that all such proposals should emanate from the Colonies in the first instanete. I have always been of opinion that the sentiment which should exist between Great Britain and her Colonies should be based, so far as Great Britain is concerned, on the generous-minded idea that the Colonies are of more importance to us than Great Britain is to the Colonics.—Yours faithfully, "(Signed) CHARLES BERESFORD."

BENIN MASSACRES. FORTY PRISONERS AWAITING TRIAL. A Reuter's special telegram from Liverpool on Tuesday says —The Royal Mail steamer Bonny, of the British and African Line, has arrived here from the West Coast of Africa. and the Canary Islands. Dr. Ponsonbv Hill, of the Niger Coast Protectorate, had come down to Foroados from Benin City just before the Bonny left on the 14th of May. The doctor reports that there were about forty prisoners at Benin City when he eft awaiting their trial for the massacre of the British Expedition. Most of the prisoners were chiefs. The where- abouts of the King of Benin were known, but his capture had not been effected up to latest reports. There was a rumour at Sierra Leone that the English were about to establish as King of Kumasi the Chief Arthibondo. a cousin of the ex-King Prempeh, who is a political prisoner at Sierra Leone. Kinjy Pranpsh is said to take his exile very complacently. He is a regular attendant a.t the English Church in Free Town.

ACTION AGAINST A SCHOOL- MASTER- At Newnham County-court on Wednes- day (before the deputy-judge, Mr. Morton Brown) an action was heard in which Mr. Loenezer Brown, the National schoolmaster at Lonsrhope, was sued by John Hendrv, labourer, of that place, on behalf of William Hendry, nine years of age. his son. to rooover .5 damages for assault in March last. Mr. John Robin- son was for the plaintiff, and Mr. Frank Trea- sure defended, on behalf of the National Union of Elementary Teachers.—The plaintiff's case was that three months ago the defendant beat the boy on the back of the hand with a | pointer because he could not spell "language." Ihe consequence was that blood flowed, the bone was injured, and inflammation supervened. The boy was in great pain for several weeks, and was under the care of Dr. Abel, who said the great danger was blood-poisoning. During the period the child was under the doctor the mother took it thirteen times to the surgery, sometimes wheeling him all the way there and back, the distance bfJÍn four miles. Alto- gether she travelled 52 miles.—The defence was that the boy was stupid and dull. Defendant admitted that he was irritated in consequence of the plaintiff being urable to spell, and won- sidered the punishment necessary to maintain the discipline of the school.—The Judge gave a veidiet for the amount claimed, with costs.

DELICIOUS MAZAWATTEE TEA MEMCiOUS M ASS A WATTEE TEA DELICIOUS MAZAWATTEB TEA DEr/OIOUS MAZAWATTEE TEA DELICIOUS MAZAWATTEE TEA The Most Luscious Tea in the World. U546

GLAMORGANSHIRE COUNCIL. MEETING OF THE LOCAL GOVEBBTw ME NT COMMITTEE. The quarterly moog if the local government committee of the Glamorganshire County Council was held on Thursday at the county offices, Cardiff. Mr. O. H. Jones presided. APPOINTMENT OF PUBLIC AND DIS- TRICT AGRICULTURAL ANALYST. This appointment being held temporarily by Mr. Clarence A. Seyler, according to the stand- ing orders, it became necesssary to advertise the poot. Consequently, a sub-committee was appointed, and now presented their report as to the terms upon which the new pubnc analyst should hold his office, and the steps that should be taken with the view of making a permanent appointment. The committee recommended that after the first 200 samples of drugs the analyst be paid 15s. for each additional sample, and after the first 200 samples of spirits 7s. 6d. They also advised that the same person be ap- pointed as district agricultural analyst, and all analyses to be personally bonducted by him. The report also stipulated that the analyst be required to make quarterly reports, and special reports, when necessary, a fee of ten guinea. a year to be the remuneration for such work. The committee further advised that the analyst attend the quarterly meetings, and that fox each attendance, or attendance in oourt, he be allowed one guinea and second-class railway fare.—The committee adopted the report, and also resolved to continue the present analyst temporarily in offioe, and to recommend the council to insert an advertisement in the papers. URBAN DISTRICT ELECTIONS. ALTERATION IN HOURS OF VOTING, Alderman J. C. Meggitt, in pursuance o notioe, moved that the hours during which the poll in rnrban districts shall be open be from eight, as at present. The alderman said that in districts with which he was acquainted many voters were now practically disenfranchised. They left their homes before ten and returned late in the evening. In Parliamentary and county elections the poll was open from eight until eight, but in district oouncil elections the poll was not opened until ten. all the regulation, now stood.—Mr. Morgan Williams (Perth) seconded the motion. He said the regulation was found to be a great inconvenience in the Rhondda durin8'-the last urban district council elections.—Mr. Hughes (Bridgend), as returning officer, mentioned that at the last elections many complained bitterly of losing their votes through the present hours of voting in urban district*. i-The resolution was carried.

INCORPORATION OF STERTHY H G £ »AJT OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED SCHEME. Evidently opposition to the proposed incor- poration of Merthyr will be strong. At Thursday's meeting of the Local Government Committee of the Glamorgan County Council the following letter, which speaks for itself, was read by the Clerk (Mr. Mansel Franklen) who stated that it was addressed to Mr. J. Blandy Jenkins (chairman of the county council) by Messrs. Linton and Kensole, solicitors for several large companies, who contend that their interests would be pre- judically affected if the proposal were carried into effect:—"We are opposing for the Dow-, lais Iron Co., Messrs. Crawshay Bros. the Ocean Colliery Co., Nixon's Navigation Co and Hills Plymouth Co., and we are instructed by our clients to draw your attention to the matter as chairman of the county council. Of course, it must be seriously detrimental to the county to have an area of 17,000 acres taken away from the County of Glamorgan and formed into a separate county for all practical purposes; besides being itself so detrimental to the county, it will establish a precedent which in our opinion would be likely to lead to a similar movement on the part of l stradyfodwg, Pontypridd, Aber- dare, and it might be other populous parts of the county. We shaU present a petition again&t, to the Privy Council, before the 23rd of June, with a. view of inducing the Privy Council to dismiss the petition for the incor- poration without putting the various parties to the expense of a local inquiry, and our client* desire us to suggest that "you should consider whether you might not adopt some similar course with a view to bringing about the same result. Au inquiry will, of course, be attended with considerable expense, and as there was an inquiry upon the subject some years ago, and the circumstances have not rinœ altered, in favour of incorporation, we are hopeful that the Privy Council will dispense with a local inquiry."—The scheme for in- corporation, it was stated, did not include parts of Merthyr district proper, and Mr. Rhys (Aberdare) proposed, and Captain M. Lindsay seoonded, a resolution recommending the council to petition against the proposed in- corporation. and advising that the drafting of the petition be left to a committee con- sisting of the chairman of the council, and the chairman of the standing committees. The motion was briefly discussed and adopted.

LANCERS AT CARDIFF. BREAKING THE JOURNEY FROM COBK TO ALDERSHOT. For the second time this weak, the arrival of a contingent of military into Cardiff has caused a flutter of excitement, and evoked the interest of the populace. On Tuesday a detachment of the 12tn Lancers passed through Cardiff, and on Thursday a seoond detachment also arrived and had a somewhat longer stay in the town. Thev de-trained about 1.45, and this company lik« the first, proceeded to Elliott's Hotel fcir the refreshments of which they stood much in need after their long and tedious journey from Bailin- oolly, near Cork. The journey was commenced at seven o'clock on Wednesday night, the desti- nation being Alderahot, anr it is proposed that some 150 of the men shall be present at the mili- tary mancEuvres m celebration of the Diamond r fw ,lhe as they marched from the Great Western Railway Station, presented a not- over dean appearance, being in "undress" or fatigue uniform, and each man having chosen the attire that suited his fancy, there was not that appearance of smart spick-and-span uniformity which is looked for in I a crack regiment. But, then, the uniform1 these men wore was only one degree better than the stable dress. "Not equal to the volun- teers,„ was the verdict of the uninitiated crowd. ''Ah," said a vetran, "you should see the 12th Lancers in full dress, and at drill—it is the finest sight on earth." Had vetrans been all along the route to explain things, the public estimation of the 12th Lancers would have gone up wonderfully. The soldiers marched direct to Elliott's Hotel. The arrangements made for their reception by Mr. F. L. Short, and Mrs. Short, wereperfect and complete. There was, of course, a great raid upon the cuisine depart- ment, but Elliott's, and the ex- councillor who "bosses" the show, were equal to the occasion. They then assembled in the spacious dining-hall, and attacked the viands with great vigour. They were also served with beer—"one man one pint"—and after that modest limit had been reached they were not permitted to eat or im- bibe any more, or to leave the premises, the doors being guarded by pickets. The officers in command were Major Ralli, Captain East- wood, Captain Hodges, Captain Power, Lieu- tenants Hobson. Tristam, and M'Naughten. The regiment left Cardiff for Aldershot at 3.45, and had an enthusiastic send-off by the crowd assembled on the platform.

BARRY ISLAND FORT. In reply to a communication forwarded re- cently by Major Wyndlmm -Quinn, M.P. for South Glamorgan, to the Wa" Office, inquiring the reason of the long delay in proceeding with the work of erection of the intended fort on Barry Island, the following letter has just been received by the hon. and ga.!lant gentleman. "War Offioe, SW., June 3, 1897. "My dear Wyndham-Quinn.—In reply to your note of the 27th ult. about the Barry fort I find the matter is being pressed on as much as possible, and that the difficultv about firing rights has now been got over. The conveyance from Lord Windsor to the War Department has been settled by the solicitors, and is now before the Barrv Co-mpanv.—Youre very trulv, J. POWELL WILLIAMS."

VALE OF GLAMORGAN RAIL- WAY. The engineer's report, presented by Sir J. W. Szlumper to the directors of the Vale of Glamor- gun Railway at their last meeting, was, wa believe, of a highly satisfactory nature. Tha contract is rapidly approaching completion, the viaduct in Porthkerry Park now receiving what may be regarded as its finishing touches. It is confidently expected, therefore, that the line will be opened next month, and that by August Bank Holiday regular passenger trains will be running over the new system between Bridgend and Barry, constituting a line of railway running through one of the most lovely vales in the kingdom

TER&x.bLE FALL OF AN EOG- COLLECTOR. The Press Association Llandudno correspon- dent telegraphs that at about eleven o'clock on Wednesday night Edward Winstanley fell from the Great Ornie's Head into the sea, a distance of about 200 fed. It is stated that Winstaiiley and two others were searching for gulls' eggs amongst the ro<fks. The body has not been recovered. Winstanley leaves a widow and two children. The .body was found near the pier a.t Llandudno on Thursday morning. t Vrlift :i'Ç''i;l:i.