Weekly Mail

BISHOP AND VICAR. MR. FHUNGHAM INHIBITED AT BRISTOL. The Bishop of Bristol publishes a correspon- dence which he ha* had with the Rev. R. C. Pillingham, vicar of Hexton. Mr. Ffllmgham was announced to take part in a service at the David Thomas Memorial Congregational Church, Bristol, next Sunday, and the bishop wrote him that while we are all on very pleasant personal terms here "— We have a clear border-line as regards churches and chapem, which we all under- stand. I earnestly ask you not to introduce confusion among us. I see that your subjects are passive resistance and the dangers of priestcraft. It is not the subject, but the day and the place that I beg you to reconsider. To this the Rev. R. C. Fillingham replied: — I have exchanged pulpits with my Non- conformist brethren (1) as a protest against the toleration of illegal ceremonial and Romish doctrines in the Church of England; (2) as a means of drawing together Protes- tants of all denominations to combat this evil; (3) as a visible proof that the Church of England is a Protestant Church, in direct union and communion with the other Protes- tant Churches. Under these circumstances I do not see how I can, without compromising certain well-defined principles, recede from the attitude I have taken up. The bishop's reply was very mild. I beg you seriously to ask of yourself (he wrote) does it not over-pass the bounds we ought all of us to set upon obedience to our own will?" Mr. Fillingham, with equal suavity, replied that he could not break the engagement, and that if it were illegal to preach in a Free Church pulpit, it was illegal to use the vest- ments which are now adopted in several Bristol churches he named. The bishop con- cluded the discission thus:— Dear Mr. Vica.r,-It is with real regret that I find myself compelled to send you the en- closed inhibition and to inform your dio- eeaan of our correspondence and its result.— Yours faithfully, G. F. BRISTOL. MR. FILLINGHAM WILL PREACH. The Rev. Hugh Wallace states that he has received a telegram from the Rev. R. C. Fillingham stating that, in spite of the bishop's inhibition, he will preach at the David Thomas Memorial Chnrch, Bristol, on Sunday.

SLOW STARVATION. THE DYSPEPTIC'S DIET LEAVES NO CHANCE FOR REGAINING STRENGTH. The dyspeptic who starves body and brain because food will not digest has no chance to get strong again, because bodily strength can- not be built up except on food that will digest. That is the mission of Grape-Nuts, which any dyspeptic can digest, and which will begin to build up and nourish at once. A Wisconsin man says:—"For the last seven begin to build up and nourish at once. A Wisconsin man says:—"For the last seven years I have been a greater sufferer with stomach trouble, and for eighteen months I could not eat or drink anything, not even a spoonful of milk, without great suffering. "It seemed I had tried every remedy in the world, and I had given up all hopes of ever getting better, when a friend advised me to eat Grape-Nuts fully-cooked breakfast food. I was almost too much discouraged to do so, for I expected to die, and all my friends expected I would, too. I finally did send for a Bample box, and when it came I was so weak I could not turn over in bed. "Then I began, to take the Grape-Nuts, just a little bit at first, moistened with hot milk, and from this time I began to grow stronger, and before I had finished the fourth package I could eat and drink everything I wanted, and it did not hurt me in the least. So the right food helped me to health after every- thing else had failed. "Experience, actual use. proves absolutely the great power of the scientific food Grape- Nuts." Name given by Grape-Nuts Co., 66, Shoe-lane, London, E.C. For sale in 7d. packets at all dealers. w78

A WOMAN ENGULFED AND KILLED. A serious "crowning-in," being attended with a. fatal result, has taken place at Gornal Wood, Sedgley. The victim of the occurrence, which is peculiar to the mining districts of the Black Country, was Mrs. Emma Webb, 50, widow, licensee of the Forge Inn. Gonial Wood. She and her daughter were returning from Pensnett along a. road by the side of Lord Dudley's private railway, When they were within a short distance of their home, a portion of the road, without any warning, completely subsided, a gap 16ft. deep and about 18ft. in circumference,, being created, engulfing Mrs. Webb. Her daughter, who had a narrow escape from sharing the same fate, ventured to the edge of the chasm after recovering from the fright, and, looking I down, shouted to her mother, whom she could discern at the bottom, receiving the reply, "All right, Edith." Help was at once obtained, and eventually a man named Robert Chandlin, Chapel-street. Pensnett. who was lowered by means of a rope, succeded in bringing the body of Mrs. Webb to the surface. Dr. Norwood was sent for, but could then only pronounce life extinct, Mrs. Webb's neck having been dis- located by the fall. The subsidence was stated to be due to mining operations.

CHARGES AGAINST A CLERIC. The hearing of the charges, under the Clergy Discipline Act, 1902, of immorality and bad language, in the Consistory-court at Oxford, against the Rev. George Moore, vicar of Cowley, was resumed before Sir William Anson, the Chancellor of the Diocese, and five assessors. In cross-examination, the defendant said he regarded the relations with Miss Johnston as those of master and servant throughout. He had formed an opinion as to the reason why this woman had made this charge against him. He believed it was at the suggestion of a cer- tain section of the inhabitants of Cowley, and he was of the same opinion as her mother, that she was mad. He looked upon this as me conspiracy of three farmers, whom he named, one of whom was a ooonty magistrate, to enable this woman to ruin i him and get rid of him. He denied every one of the allegations made against him by Miss Johnscm. Mr. Acland: You say that this is a con-I spiracy headed by a magistrate of this county, two farmers, and a 3olicitor of repute to suborn perjured evidence against you?—I do.! but I believe the solicitor has dene it because he is paid for it. He is not unfriendly to me personally. It was stated that a witness named Mary1 Anne Eustace had disappeared, and, although every effort had been made to ascertain her' whereabouts, the inquiries had not been attended with success. The Chancellor said the disappearance of the witness was a most serious matter, but the Court and the public generally did not! suppose that Mr. Walsh, the solicitor for tbej defendant, had anything to do with it. The case, he said, would not be concluded until the Court was satisfied that every effort had, been made to secure her attendance. Some further effort must be made either to produce the witness or to explain how it was she was not in attendance. The case was adjourned to the 29th inst.

OBSTINATE ROSS MAN. At Ross County-court on Saturday his Honour Judge W 8. Owen again bad before him the action in which Willicent Mognonette Mason, spinster, of Ruardean, sued her uncle, William Mason, haulier, same parish,! for her share (as the only child of her deceased father) of the estate of her grand- father, who died intestate some ten years ago. Administration was granted to the defendant, although he was a younger son, and he had paid out all the shares with the exception of plaintiff's. The original application came before his honour at the February court, plaintiff having just come of age, when he made an order for the administration of personal estate. Defendant had refused to furnish an account, and had been committed to prison in conse- auence. He had been released in order to fur- nish an account, and the registrar had given a certificate that .£38 Is. 2d. was due from him to the plaintiff. Mr. Adams, solicitor for plaintiff, now asked that the judge should confirm the certificate. His Honour said that was not necessary. He would make an order for the payment of the .£38 Is. 2d., with costs, in fourteen days, and if the money was not paid he would commit the defendant to prison again, and keep him there as long as he pleased, for this did not come under the Debtors' Act. It was the case of a trustee stealing the money belonging to this poor girl. Mr. Adams intimated that he hoped to get the money. from defendant's sureties.

SHIPBUILDING TRUST SCANDAL. Only Mr. Schwab's presence can clear up the muddle into which the examination of the affairs of the bankrupt Shipbuilding Trust has got, and the process-servers have as yet been unable to find the former presi- dent of the Steel Trust. Mr. Schwab, is wanted to tell what he knows about the transfer of the Bethlehem Steel Company to the shipbuilders, and also how it comes that he and his confederates, after taking a big interest in the Shipbuilding Company, dropped into the background as soon as they had disposed of their shares to an unsus- pecting public. The same unsuspecting public wants the receiver of the Bethlehem Company to cancel the £ 2,000,000 second mortgage, which is largely in Mr. Schwab's possession, and threatens to sue Ir- Schwab beside for -oa a! [.

ACTRESS SHOT DEAD. ANOTHER MYSTERIOUS PARIS CRIME. Another tragedy has taken place at the Hotel Regina. Rue de Rivoli, Paris, the hotel in which Sir Hector Macdonald com- mitted suicide. An actress, named Mdlle. Papesco, a Roumanian by birth, was found dead, shot by a revolver, in the room of an art publisher from Switzerland. The latter has been arrested. About a week ago a tall, handsome young man proceeded to the hotel and took a room on the sixth storey. He was very gentle- manly in manners and appearance, and gave his name as Frederick Griengling de Wortz, a native of Geneva, adding that he had an uncle who was a diplomatist. One morning, after his early breakfast, he sallied forth as usual, and about noon returned in company with a lovely girl, who attracted considerable attention. She was of fair hair and complexion, with beautiful eyes and classical features, and her shapely figure was set off by a dainty biack costume. After luncheon the young woman, who had excited much admiration, quitting her companion entered the lift, and made her way to his chamber. He followed her, and after an interval of about ten minutes he was dashing down the staircase, hatless and looking very wild and haggard. She has committed suicide," he cried, as he passed by the office, and a moment later he was speeding to the bureau of the police commissary of the Place Vendome district, where he arrived breathless. As soon as he could speak he exclaimed, I am of Swiss origin, and I came here from Geneva a few days ago. A young woman named Elise Papesco has just blown out her brains in my room at the Hotel Regina. I had only re- cently made her acquaintance. She is only 22 years of age, was studying the dramatic art, and was engaged at the Bucharest Theatre." Mdlle. Elise Papesco 'had been killed with a bullet in the forehead, and at some little dis- tance from her lay a revolver. But the prac- tised eye of the police commissary soon noticed various details which led him to entertain serious doubts as to whether M. Griengling's version of the tragedy was true. The unhappy girl was lying on her back, but, extraordinary to relate, a little file used for the trimming of finger nails was still clutched in her stiff right hand. The fatal bullet had struck her near the right eyebrow, and from the direction which it had taken it seemed impossible that she could have aimed with her left hand. Mdlle. Elise Papesco had only been a little time in Paris. 'She was a Roumanian, and arrived there from Bucharest towards the close of August in company with her sister Gina, who is of another style of beauty, she being a pretty brunette. The grief of Mdlle. Gina when she heard of the awful fate which had befallen Elise was painful to witness. She exclaimed that her sister could not pos- sibly have committed suicide, as she was so happy and hopeful, and later on, when she had somewhat recovered herself, she gave an account of the manner in which Elise had become acquainted with M. Griengling. "My sister," she said, "was aoon to have returned to Bucharest, where oar mother was awaiting her. She met Frederic Griengling the other day, for the first time, at the rehearsal of 'Blanchette' at the Oomedie Francaise. He spoke of marriage, offering to pay £40 to permit her to break her engagement with the Bucharest Theatre." M. Griengling, in the meantime, has puzzled officials and experts by his incoherent, lan- guage, and it is thought that his mind may be deranged. One of their friends, who has been interrogated by the examining magis- trate, states that Mdlle. Elise Papesco said to him that morning, I a.m going to be married. The gentleman to whom I am engaged is 21 years of age, and his name is Frederic Griengling. I am 22. We shall get on very well together. He is coming for me at noon, and this afternoon he will pay in the sum of £400 for me at the Credit Lyonnais."

LLANDAFF TITLE DISPUTE. Over a century ago Francis Mathew, of Thomastown. County Tipperary, WM created Earl of Llandaff, in the Peerage of Ireland. He died in 1806, and in isio the House of Lords recognised his eon, Francis James Mathew, as Earl of Llandaff, and when that not too reputable person died in 1833 the peerage became extinct. So, at least, it was thought, until Mr. Arnold Harris Mathew, who calls himself Earl of Llandaff, came forward to claim the title as grandson of the lawful eldest son of the first Earl of Llandaff. Writing from Chetefield, Kent. Mr. Arnold Harris Mathew, in a statement just issued. asserts that hia grand-uncle, the last earl, was never entitled either to the earldom or to the estates which he squandered in dissipation. He claims that his grandfather, Arnold Nestoitt Mathew, who went out to India. in 1780, served as a military officer for many yean, and died there in 1820, was the true heir to both title and estates. This Arnold Nesbitt Mathew, his descendant asserts, was born in Paris in 1765, but his birth was kept a secret, as it occurred within six months after the marriage of his father and mother. He was educated in England, and went out to India., where he married an Italian lady, and their son, also an officer in India, who died in 1894, was the father of the present claimant. Quite recently a will of the first Lord Llandaff, dated 1806, was discovered in an old chest which was lodged in a private bank in Dublin in 1811, and was neglected for a couple of generations in a disused loft. This will, it is stated, recognised Arnold Nesbitt Mathew as the eldest IIOD. and heir, but regarded him as dead, as correspondence had long ceased. The present claimant has no hope of securing the estates, but declares his confidence in his ability to secure his great-grandfather's title.

CRUEL DESERTION CASE. John Henry George, 47. a draughtsman to the War Office, residing at South Farn- borough. was charged at the South-Western Police-court, London, with deserting his two children, Alfred and Harry George, and leaving them chargeable to the Wandsworth and Clapham Union. Mr. Haggis, for the guardians, said the pri- soner deserted his family after his wife had been stricken with paralysis and rendered speechless. The two boys became chargeable to the rates in May, 1896, Harry remaining in various poor-law establishments till the 25th of August. 1902, and Alfred till the 8th of October, 1898, when his grandfather, Mr. Alfred Leslie, a solicitor, of Putney, took charge of him. The total cost to the rate- payers was close upon £200. Mr. Leslie said his daughter was married to the prisoner in 1894 at New Maiden. Shortly be- fore the desertion the prisoner got into diffi- culties at Colchester, where he was employed by the War Office. He vacated his post, and sent his family to London. Witness inter- viewed him as to provision for their keep, as he (witness) was then hardly in a position to maintain them himself. Accused promised to discuss the matter, but disappeared, witness believed with another woman. In 1898 he wrote from Ne^York that he was going to California, never to return to the wretched life he had led." added that his wife had made his life intolerable, and she had herself to blame. Witness added that there was not a shadow of foundation for the prisoner's allegation. On arrest prisoner had said, "I thought she was dead. I'm living with another woman." He now said that after marriage his wife developed a fierce temper, and made his life a misery. A lady whom he met invited him to America, offering to pay his fare. He jumped at the offer. He failed out there, and re- turned destitute and homeless. A lady with whom he was then living procured him fresh employment with the War Office. Mr. Garrett sentenced the prisoner to three months* hard labour.

FATAL HAIR DYE. The innocent vanity of Gennaro Bava, an ex-equerry of the Italian Royal Family, has cost him his life (says a Rome correspondent). At the ripe age of 40 be married an exceed- ingly pretty girl of seventeen. The union was a very happy one. Still, as far as Gennaro was concerned, there was a fly in his honey-pot. The poor fnan was getting grey, and this he thought was only the begin- ning of other imperfections which would lower him in the esteem of his young wife. The idea pursued him until, one day, he took a fatal resolution. He bought a bottle of hair- dye, and. what is more. he was rash enough to use it. Perhaps he applied it too gene- rously, or, may be, the skin of the scalp was abnormally tender. Boils appeared, and his head swelled alarmingly. Things came at last to such a pass that he travelled from Turin to Rome to put himself under the best Italian specialists in skin diseases. But nothing couM be done; and the poor man is just dead—a victim of blood-poisoning, and a lesson to beaux of riper years.

'1: WILL HAVE VI-COCOA." Your grocer, and every other grocer, too, can ten you of men and women who, week after week, regularly use Dr. Tibhles' Vi-Gocoa, and who, to use a common term, "swear by it" as a nourishing and stimula- ting Food Beverage. Are you a regular drinker of Vi-Ooeoa? If not. why not? Dr. Tibbies' Vi-Coooa, by taking the place of stimulants of an ardent nature, has made happy many a home which otherwise to-day would have been wretched, and the ultimate effects of which it is impossible to foresee. For breakfast, dinner, supper—indeed, at any hour of the twenty-foor—Dr. Tibbies' Vi-Ooooa will be found light and refreshing; it leads the way among all Iwwocagm, emd nothing MNMMVMi ft*

PASSIVE RESISTANCE. ORDER MADE AGAINST A BRECON PROFESSOR. At Brecon Police-court on Monday the Non- conformists assembled in force, when three more passive registers made their appearance before the bench. Professor Thomas Rees was one of the defendants, and to hotiiour him and the cause a large number of the students of the Memorial College attended the court, and also all the Nonconformist ministers of the town and district. When Professor Bees'a name waa called, the passive registers applauded loudly. This out- burst was at once checked by the mayor, who sternly remarked, "If there is any further demonstration I will immediately have the court cleared. I am not going to stand any nonsense. The Assistant Overseer (Mr. Richard Hargest) gave formal evidence, to the effect that the defendant had withheld ÚI. 9d. from the poor rate. The Defendant: If I may be allowed, I will state my reasons for non-payment. The Mayor said that they would allow Pro- fessor Bees to make a brief statement, on the understanding that he spoke for the other two resisters as well. Professor Rees: Very welL My reasons I will briefty state. They are these: I am required to pay an education rate or, rather, a rate, part of which will be spent in preaching doctrines which I consider erro- neous and harmful in half of the schools of the county, and, therefore, whether the pay- ment is legal or not. I feel I am bound to obey a higher law which appeals to my con- science, and to decline to pay a rate for pur- poses which seem to me to be contrary to what is right and true and good and faijthful. The Mayor said that the bench had no alter- native but to make the usual order for pay- ment. Mr. Evan Morgan, Uøk House, and Mr. W. R. Price, Llanfaes, owed 7s. and 18. respee- tively. and the same order was made in their eases. THIRTY-THREE PBOSECKJHONS AT OOLE- FOKD, FOREST OF DEAN. Considerable interest is being oentred In to-morrow's sitting of the Ooleford justices, there being some 33 summonses against pas- sive resisters down for hearing. Two of the justices (Messrs. S. J. Elsom and T. Terrett Taylor) have signified their intention not to adjudicate in passive resistance eases. INTERESTING DISTRAINT QUESTION. At Wandsworth County-court Judge Russell and a, jury found for the defen- dants in an action brought by Mr. Francis Moon, of Palewell Lodge, East Sheen, to re- cover damages from the Mortlake overseers for unlawfully seizing more goods than were reasonably sufficient to satisfy the poor-rate distrained for; for refusing to accept a sum of money tendered to them in part payment, and 80. seising for a larger sum than was necessary; and for allowing the bailiff to remain for a longer period than was necessary to complete the distress upon the plaintiff's premises. In opening the plaintiff's case, Mr. Roberts (Lloyd George and Roberts) said that in the case of a distress for rates the bailiff had to remove th goods as soon as he could. On the day after the issue of the warrant, about five a bailiff visited Mr. Moon's house and told the plaintiff his business. Mr. Moon offered the man JB1 14s. 2d. This was refused, and the bailiff entered the dining-room, where the plaintiff, an old gentleman over 80 years of sige, was having tea with his sister and housekeeper. The bailiif made an inventory of some of the furniture. Mr. Moon toM him that he had a drawing-room and a dining- room clock and several otiber portable and valuable things which he might remove. The bailiff eventually distrained on a mahogany cheffonniere, a dining-table. a rosewood arm- chair m tapestry, and a carpet. When Mr. Moon protested against such heavy goods being distrained the bailiff said. "What I have done I have done, and I will not alter my inventory." His man remained in possession all tha.t night and the following day. The goods were removed at a quarter paat nine and sold for JB5. which was £1 7s. 4d. in excess of the total amount re- quired. The jury found that the defendants did not: act unreasonably. His Honour: I should have thought yo«l would have come to that conclusion long ago. I was going to take a very strong step, and point out that there was no evidence of ua. reasonable conduct. The jury having been discharged, His Henour, on the point as to whether the bailiff should have taken the amount tendered, said be thought it was not arguable. Surely an officer would be neglecting his duty if he took less than the whole. Mr. Roberts did not suggest for a. moment that a bailiff was bound to take the smaller sum in satisfaction of his distress. The Judge: He most get the whole attttm or go on with the whole thing. I say you cannot argue it. Judgment was given for the defendants, with costs on, the scale over £50. TWENTY R SUMMONSES AT CARMARTHEN. About twenty fresh summonses, returnable at next Monday's petty-sessions, have been served upon passive resisters at Carmarthen. The majority of them ■ will be proceeded against for small balances of the rate only, as the proportions due for purposes other than elementary education have been accepted by the rate collector; but in the cases of some of the Nonconformist ministers Nothing has been paid, on the ground that if only a small balance was withheld some anonymous person might again come forward to liquidate the difference, and thus prevent the necessity of destraining upon the goods of the resisters. FORTY DISTRAINT ORDERS ISSUED. Coleford was on Tuesday the scene of excite- ment on the occasion of police-court proceed- ings instituted by the overseers of West Dean against about 40 passive resisters, whose, offer to pay the rate minus a portion for education purposes had been declined by the overseers. It was agreed by the Bench to accept the part of the rate offered and issue distraints for the balance. The balance due in the first case was 3s. 2d. Orders in the other cases for amounts varying from lid. to 3s. were made, all the distraints to be on one warrant.

Ai COWARDLY PROSECUTION. At Worcester County Petty Sessions James Groves, butcher, of no fixed abode, was brought up in custody on a warrant charged by Mrs. Louisa Partington, of Norton, with being on her husband's premises for the purpose of doing her bodily harm on June 30. Having just completed a term of imprisonment in default of finding securities for his good behaviour, he made his way to Mr. Partington's house in the early hours of the morning, and when the terrified occupants refused him admission be pushed a paper under the window sash upon which was written: I could not get at you seeing how near your husband was last night. Plenty of time; no threat, only a warning. Revenge is sweet." Prisoner's arrest was affected when he was making another journey to Norton.— Mrs. Partington complained to the Bench that the prisoner terrified herself and family, servants refused to stay with her, and friends were afraid to visit the house after dark because of this man.—Prisoner pleaded that he merely wanted an interview with Mrs. Partington,, and that he had been sent to seek it by his cousin. Mr, Nixon, of Kidder- minster.—He was ordered to be bound over in his own recognisances of £100, and two securities of JB50 each, or in default six months' hard labour.,

VALUABLE MAIL BAG STOLEN. Considerable trouble has been oaused to the postal authorities by the theft of a, mail bag which was being taken from London to Vienna last week. It is believed that several thousand pounds' worth of cheques, notes, and jewellery are missing, but it is difficult at present to estimate the extent of the loss, for only a few complaints ha.ve yet reached the authorities. One gentleman who has lost jewellery worth about £600 has telegraphed particulars to the Viennese police. A firm of bankers say that a cheque for £100 is missing. A third complaint concerns the fact that a considerable sum in notes if) missing, while the fourth loss has been prevented by the stoppage of a cheque for £500.. Up to the present nothing has been discovered as to the identity of the thieves, although the Berlin. German, and Austrian police are actively engaged in trying to discover a cine. All that is known at St. Martin's-le-Grand is that the mail was safely consigned to the Belgian postal authorities by the English officials.

FOOTMAN OR LORD. At Bow-street, London, Harry Woods, 26, engineer, was again charged with forging and ut.tering;.a, cheque for £19,400. and with obtaining £100 by false pretences. It is alleged that the cheque was produced to a Mr Budd by the prisoner, who represented that it was for the amount of a legacy to which he was ■ entitled. Believing this statement, Mr. Badd advanced the prisoner £100, and subsequently discovered that be had been defrauded. Mr. Rowe, for the Treasury, øáid the prisoner, who had masqueraded as an Army officer and Lord Leetheram, was the son of a man who had for many yeare been employed as a ganger at St. Catherine's Docks. He had, it was believed, been employed as a footman, and thus managed to pick up the ways and habits of persons, in a superior position. Prisoner had no claún to a military career. eincept that he had enlisted in the Royal Marine Artillery, and after aix weeks' service was discharged as medioally wnat. Evidence to this effect heme* heen ^i«env SSHOIMB JfSIS fWMMdedt.

OLD-AGE PENSION SCHEME. CONFERENCE OF FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. A special meeting of the National Conference of Friendly Societies was held in the Royal Pavilion at Brighton on Tuesday to determine the action of the Friendly Societies towards the scheme-of old-age pensions drafted by the sub-committee in accordance with the decision of the Manchester Conference. Mr. J. Lister Stead (Southampton) president, was in the chair. The President in his inaugural address said the proposed reform in the fiscal policy of the nation had become too closely allied with the subject of old-age pensions. Mr. Chamberlain's promise of old-age pensions aa the result of his policy was like the old experi- ment of the fancier who tried to feed his dog with its own tail. Mr. Wightman (London, Sons of Temper- ance) moved:- That this conference re-affirms the prin- ciple that old-age pensions should be pro- vided by the State for thrifty persons of both sexes who are unable to work. and are in need of the same on reaching the age of sixty-five and upwards, and that the Govern- ment be urged to promote legislation in this direction. Mr. W. G. Bunn (London, Hearts of Oak) seconded the proposition. He said he cared no more for Mr. Chamberlain, with his many promises, than for Sir Henry Campbell- Bannerman, with hie lack of promises. Mr. Sandford (Portsmouth, Foresters) moved-.— That this meeting is of opinion that the question of providing maintenance of the aged deserving poor is one for the statesmen of the country to deal with, and that no scheme should be proposed by the Friendly Societies asking for class legislation, because all in need who are helpless and deserving must be considered. Mr. T. Hughes (Llanelly, Manchester Unity) said they might have fiscal proposals placed before them in such an alluring way that the public might be content to have their food taxed in order that they should have an old- age pension. They had heard from Mr. Chamber lain before that the question of old- age pensions was simple. It was oruel to suggest to the working classes of this country: "Agree to my policy, and then you shaJl have old-age pensions and good wages." The working-men of this country had been deluded before. He hoped they would not be deluded again. Mr. Hosgood (Cardiff, Foresters) expressed surprise at their discussing an abstract ques- tion. beoause he was there to give his vote on a scheme which was before the country. He did not give way to any man in his sym- pathy with the poor, but that was not the place to advocate old age pensions. The conference had been playing with the question for years, and if they played with it for another ten years they would be no nearer a solution. After further discussion, during which an attack was made on "dukes and earls," Mr. Hosgood (Cardiff) asked: Is this a Friendly Society conference or is it a Socialis- tic meeting? The amendment was defeated by 40 votes to eleven against. Mr. Pembery (Bristol, Foresters) moved as a further amendment: — That this meeting is of opinion that the question of old-age pensions has become more or less a party question, and, there- fore, in order to maintain its strict neutra- lity in party politics, cannot adequately or fully discuss the matter. Mr. Jackson (Plymouth, Foresters) seconded the amendment. He denied the statement that 75 per cent. of the members were in favour of a.n old-age pension. Mr. T. Miles (Chester, Manchester Unity) asked what was Mr. Chamberlain's record? He did not remember an occasion in Mr. Chamberlain's life when he had made a promise and kept it. The amendment was put and defeated by 40 votes to twelve. The resolution was then put and carried by 41 votes to twelve against. The scheme of the committee, which pro- vides for the pension of five shillings per week to the provident poor at 65 was then submitted for consideration and discussed clause by clause.

EFFECTS OF DRUG TAKING. Yet another instance of the destroying effects of drug-taking came to light in an iinqaest which the Fulham, London, coroner^feeld on the body of James Harward de Rinay, a professor of languages, lately living at Shepherd's Bush. Mr. de Rinzy died in Fulham Infirmary, the medical superintendent of which, Dr. C. T. Parsons, said that he was admitted suffering from the effects of Indian hemp poisoning. When admitted he was restless and trembling, had delusions, and was not responsible for his actions. After a few days he recovered slightly, bo far as to refuse an offer of the drag, but on Saturday he collapsed and died. Except for his back. his body was oovered with minute eeare through the use of a hypo- dermic syringe. Death was due to heart failure, accelerated by the rase of alcohol and the exoessive use of morphine, cocaine, and other drugs. The story of Mr. de Rinzy's years of drug slavery was told by his widow. Formerly, she said, he was a oivil engineer in India Sixteen years ago, in Melbourne, he suffered from gaetralgia, and two Frenoh doctors injected morphia three times a day for two years. When the pain returned they told him he would have to have injections again. although he objected. At one time be gave up the habit, bat returned to it again, and himself injected the drug. He bought powder and mixed it, and sometimes would make five grains last for two days, and sometimes took ten grains of cooainq a day. She begged chemists oot to serve him, and two would not do so. Lately he took Indian hemp, which a chemist recommended, and after it he had hallucinations, became violent, and threatened to kill her. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

EXCITED, NOT DRUNK. At Birmingham Robert Nixon, butcher, 137, Digbeth. was charged with being drunk and diBorderly in Digbeth on Saturday night, and ^also with assaulting police-con-I stable Jones (A 27).—In his evidence Police-con- stable Jones said that on Saturday night he saw a man come out of a butcher's shop and throw a bucket of soapsuds into the carriage way. He went tot get the man's name and address. When he had obtained the name defendant came out of his shop and said to the man, JC Come away; don't mind him; he's nobody." The constable then asked defendant to go away and not interfere with him. Thereupon defendant began shouting. The constable again asked him to go away, but in- stead of doing that defendant pushed him with both hands into the carriage way. This constituted the assault. The officer then arrested defendant, whom he considered drunk, and took him to Moor-street, and charged him with being drunk and disorderly and assaulting him. Defendant replied. "You are a liar, and the other officer with you is a liar."—Witness was subjected to a long cross- examination with a view to showing that de- fendant was not drunk.—For the prosecution a number of witnesses were called, including an inspector, a sergeant, three constables, and a civilian, and they all said that defendant was drunk on Saturday night. Defendant was asked to stand on one leg, but he could not do it. (Laughter.) He was put to some slight tests by a doctor.—For the defence it was urged uiat the defendant was not drunk. He was an excitable man. Mr Nixon had for some fifteen to eighteen years occupied the position of a councillor in the city.—In his evidence, defendant said he was carrying on business in the usual way when he saw a policeman talking to his man. He went and asked the officer what he was charging the man with. He said Go away!" Defendant persisted in his request for information, and the constable said, Go 8-way, you are drunk!" Witness said he was not drunk, and asked the officer's number. Thereupon he was arrested straightway and I marched off, with a constable on each side. ¡ He was quite sober.—Mr. Ward, who carries on a business in Digbeth. said defendant was "perfectly eobet^—Dr. Young, Digbeth, said he saw defendant at 11.20. He was perfectly sober.—After a brief consultation, Sir John Holder said they were satisfied that what the prosecution thought wae drunke ,3S was due to excitement. The case was dismissed.

HUSBAND AND WIFE. Alfred Ernest Dark, 41, a watchmaker, living at Battersea, was charged at South-West London with cutting and wounding Martha Dark, his wife. The prisoner, whose brother is a. Glasgow clergyman and his sister mayoress of Barn- staple. was charged at that court a week ago with the theft of watches, but the magistrate on that occasion acquitted him. The wife stated that on Monday afternoon, they had a. few words about the rent which was owing. He called her an offensive name, and she smacked hia face. I'll cut your throat," he said with an oath, and taking a, knife from the table dug the point into her throat. Her landlady come, and the police were sent for. The Prisoner: I can assure you it was not done intentionally. Dr. Lennane, of Battexsea Park-road, described her injuries. She had an incised wound 11 inch long on the left side of the neck. but not very deep. The wound, he said, bled freely, and was at a dangerous part of the throat. Mr. Garrett committed him for trial.

QWIIJIII Enns' Quinine Bitters is sold everywhere in I bottle* 8a. Id. and 4s. 8d. emeh, or will be sent, carriage QWIIJIII Enns' Quinine Bitters is sold everywhere in I bottle* 8a. td. aad 4s. 8d. emeh, or will be sent, carriage Ibm, oa Mcaipt of stamps, by tbe Sole Proprietors:— QalBtSM Bitten MtiMriieHziag PimsMMC (United), B *»th W«4«s «tt!

I COMMON SERVANT." NEWCASTLE SLATE DEALER'S AMOURS. At Gateshead a young man, named Kirk, and a young woman, named Robinson, were charged with having assaulted Emma Isabella Wilson. Emma Isabella Wilson said that on 24 Margaret Bobinson came to her a lodger. There was no one with her when she took the rooms. She said that she was nurse from London. Later a man-the deten. dant Kirk—came to visit Robinson at' tj16 week-ends. Complainant asked for an nation, and Miss Bobinson showed her a ding-ring, and said that she had been secrete married. On the morning of September 9, about one o'clock, Mr. Kirk and Miss BoblB son arrived at her house. Tliey broke the do^r and rushed into her bedroom. Mr. Kirk saia? "Come out, you two and got hold 0 complainant by the throat in the bedrooØl- She was then put on the floor by Mr. who burst her mouth with his hand. Mr. Sutherland, for the defence, a letter, which Mrs. Wilson admits having written. The letter called Robinson a loose woman, and allege that she had falsely stated certa** things, and added that she had been ? "common servant." The writr also told Kirk, to whom the letter had been sent, Miss Robinson was not true to him, for sbØ had received letters from a man while ing with complainant. The husband of the complainant, Thorn" G. W. Wilson, a foreman joiner, then into the box. He had a bandaged hand. spoke of the assault, and said Miss kicked his wife after Kirk had assaulted het. The defendant Joseph Kirk said that bf was a slate merchant of Newcastle. Pr ing, he said that, in consequence of receiving the letter, he and Miss Robinson went to house of the Wilsons. Defendant prod the letter, and asfeed for an explanation it. Mrs. Wilson then "set about" Bohineon. Mr. Wilson interfered. If blows were struck, they were struck in defence. He had visited Miss Robinson the week-ends. Margaret Robinson denied that the door broken in. She added that Mrs. Wilson about" her and scratched her. Mr. took her part, and, getting between the1Øo separated them. She went to the house the night in question to inform Mrs. Wilson] husband that his wife was "carrying with a. married man. She also went the letter. Mrs. Kirk knew all along wb8* the state of things was.. Alderman Hindmarch said that the Bewc* thought that the assault had been a ser4o^ one, and it was a question with them wfastfr^ the two should not be sent to prison. had, however, decided to impose a fine of on each defendant, that sum to include costs.

ALLEGED ILLICIT STILL. At the Thames Police-court, LondoA Charles Jones, a public-house man-ag^ alias William Whittaker, a licensed 'VI'" tnailer, was charged with mannfa.ctnfiM spirits at George the Fourth Cayley-street, Limehonse. Mr. James Blake Davies, Preventive InspeØ" tor of Inland Revenue, said on the 8th in he went to the defendant's house in with Inspector SKland and Mr. Gope. dant said he was the landlord, and his sto«*| book was accidentally burnt in May last, he had not got another book. He also in March last the local officer took away his permits and certificates, and since tb0;. he had received no spirits of any kind to b'J stock. Witness then said, Have you stored some spirits at 1, Cayley-street—a P* vate house?" After some hesitation, he saJ Well, I have removed some there," ana wrote a statement that he had removed s one gallons there. Witness went into tbl, spirit cellar, where he found a bottle of 64 pmeapiple flavouring, which defendant sa he had added to whisky to make rum. was also some cognae flavouring, which accused said he had added to whisky sold it as brandy. In an upstairs room on tJ>* left aide of the landing he saw that the ce*^zf, and walls were practically black with Holes had been cut in the boards, e>?ideflW for the purpose of making space for and there was a hole in the wall, ottts^J which was a tank. Defendant told him had let the room to Mr. Whittaker, a lodg^y who always kept it locked, and he that person, who was his brother-in-law, an electrical engineer. They then went to Cayley-street, and in a room were a of beer casks, one of which contained epi^T A number of bottles also contained Defendant saod it was ram, and came OTfeiirs, of Dublin. It was illicit s mixed with duty-paid spirit. Witness wards went to No. 34, Whitoom Cromei^street, King's Cross, where he saW^ large deal box containing a still and six gallons of spirits. In defendant's sence Mrs. Beckett said he and two caff* delivered the box. Jones admitted that iø' 80. ID a flat at WlnteborBe-street, occnP*^ by defendant, were oBnr portione of » At thiB stage Mr- Mead remanded" defeo^

A WOMAN WITH A RECORD. Sophia Ansae Watson, 38, well-dressed, described as of no occupation, was at W«^j minster, London, charged under the Section of the Prevention of Crimes Act failing to notify her change of address U> police, she being at the time under po* supervision. The prisoner last notified the polioe to and she has alleged that she went to theO0" £ tinent and intimated this to the Home She requested a subpoena for Mr. Akww I**™ £ las, and asserted that the polioe at arrested her after she had made an tion at Bow-street against the Chief sioner for the detention of letters and mentB which had reference to a hreacii promise action against a major-general was chairman ot a. bench of magistrates- (JØo Police-sergeant Barnard, of the convict produced the prisoner's papers, and said tC she had been in Lewes Gaol. ø' The Prisoner: The first woman ever of away under the Debtors' Act to a prison. I wish to hand up a paper—8°^^ thing of Mr. Plowden's experience of wb the police will do.—(Laughter.) b* Mr. Horace Smith: Nothing to do with » case at ail. You will have six months' labour. The Prisoner: But I want to go for tri The Magistrate: I have heard enough, and more than enough, of you bO will give you the opportunity of trying m convince a jury tha.t you are an injured P- son.

THE KIDDERMINSTER The daily inquiries regarding tiie dermmster murder show that the feeling excited by it IRta in no abated. One singular outooire of crime, we are told, is that it has less8^ the number of people from outlying districts who usually come in to Kid minster to do their marketing on SatuTO nights, and who fell off considerably Saturday night last. In fact, it has the walking out at nights in the outskirts^ Kidderminster every night since the occurred. The vague fear which exists timid people has been aggravated by_ foolish threatening letters which have circulated, and to which, it may be saId. polioe attach not the least ÏInportan 06 The police state that they have further information to give, and in quarters the belief is expressed that the C tØ is one which the police will be unable unravel. A detailed description of the f# with which the murder is taken to been committed is given in a new pO tJ notice issued, and in which a Photogr jt it ia reproduced. One feature about ,j» that the rivet holding the blade—it _^Ul/ single bladed pocket knife—has a,ppa,reI1 if been fixed by an unskilled person. f. no maker's name now visible on the iJP" and the blade has been much worn awaY*

HEREFORD CANON'S SUICIDE- An inquest was held at Hove on touching the death of the Rev. Sidney dale Smith (86), rector of Brampton d Market Harborough, and canon-resident* ejr of Hereford Cathedral, who threw from a window into the area below, on last. According to the evidence, the dec* and family had been residing at hoJ!1Ø two months, the deceased being men bad indisposed, but not under restraint. suffered from religious melancholia, an~Ljjidl delusions that he had committed sins» could not be forgiven.—The jury retnri^j verdict of "Suicide while of unsound Canon Smith was a graduate of St. «♦ jtf College, Cambridge, and was Bell's UM*? Scholar in 1837. He graduated B.A- rra0ef optime) in 1840. and M.A. in 1843. In the year he was ordained deacon, and p to the following year. He was chaplain w i Bishop of Hereford from 1873 to 1894. j

WORSHIPPERS IN SHIRT SLKEØ At Carr'e-lane Chapel, Birmingham. Sunday morning the remarkable soene witnessed of a large section of the coDtf~>Tol tion sitting in their shirtsleeves. 500 adult scholars of Clark-street early ing school marched to the church, a babd. but on the way they were <f"'Utbef to the skin. On arrival at the church were accommodated in the side Zg most of them took off their coats an them over a rail at the end of the The Rev. J. H. Jowett, the preacher, cur Ii f¡Ø his sermon in order to allow the ø return hotme and change their took occasion to testify to the eo™ine^^a5r endaranoe at the ewhoians in suffegiPg pteasant an experieooa 4a <»der to- place of-gojahBfe .F

AN ILL-FATED STEAMER. THE MISFORTUNES OF THE STEAM- SHIP TOPAZE. The ateamrihip Topaze, owned by Messrs. Chrirtie ADd Co*, of Cardiff, was probably the victim of more misfortunes during the last few years of her existence than any other steamship trading from the Welsh Metropolis. It is only a coaple of years or so back since she ran ashore near the Lizard, but floated later. Then one foggy night, when proceed- mg to sea. from Cardiff, she ran down a Por- tuguese barque scarcely before she had reached Penarth Head, and two of the crew of the sailing ship were drowned, the Topaze herself having to put back for repairs. The next adventure of the Topaze was her "arrest" by the Venezuelans during the recent trouble in that politically tempestuous part of the world, when her crew were placed in gaol for 27 hours, and as a result of their treat- ment the Venezuelan forts at Porto Cabello were blown up by his Majesty's ship Charybdis and a German warship. The career of the Topase came to an end on the 18th of last month, when she vent ashore during a fog on the coast of Newfoundland and became a total wreck- There was a heavy sea running and it was only with great difficulty the crew escaped in their boats. Mr. F. S. Hamley, the chief officer of the Topaze, has just arrived at his home in Cardiff, but when seen by one of our re- porters courteously declined to furnish any facts as to the foundering of the vessel by reason of the impending inquiry. The master of the ill-fated ship. Captain Davidson, is expected to arrive home at the end of this week. It was a curious coincidence that on her final voyage the Topaze was carrying coals for the Charybdis, the warship which a the Porto Cabello ineult.

A CYNICAL SUICIDE. The following extraordinary totter was read at the inquest held by the Westminster coroner on Cecil Leigh, aged 22 years, who committed suicide by shooting himself with a revolver at a private hotel in Gilliog- toam-street, Pimlioo:— My dearest Mother,—Things have come to a, atinMLx. I have been prepared for it since the beginning of the season. I think I have worked things splendidly, considering the amall firm. In all, I have enjoyed about 6:J9J of Mr. Tompson's and the neW firm's money. I wonder how Tompson and King will settle it between them. I should thinfe they will thank me for leaving a statement of accounts behind me. You will find en- closed a lot of bills-aome paid, some unpaid. The Provident bond is fully paid up, and should realise JB8. This and the money owing to me ought to pay all my debts. I help laughing at the way I have fooled the Margate people. Fancy thinking of getting married. A good joke, and I enjoyed it immensely. Yon have no need to inquire; there is no lady at Putney or anywhere near. The friends you heard me speak of eame from Windsor, and I have not heard of them since they stayed down here. Well, good-bye, my darling mater, I am going to enjoy myself this evening for the last time. Don't let them bring in a wrong verdict. I am absolutely rational.—I am, your affec- tionate son, CECIL LEIGH. Leieh's mother stated that her son came from Margate to London, where he said he had secured an appointment. He was of a sociable disposition, and being of a prepos- Bessing appearance "was made & great fuss of by women, especially in a place like Margate." One young woman, with whom he had corre- sponded for twelve months, had given him a 4ia.møDd ring. The jury returned a verdict of "Suicide teiflg temporary insanity."

CLERKENWELL SHOOTING AFFRAY. 8erudo Cappuceitto, alias Felomena Ceronne (17), an artist's model, was charged on Mimand at ClerrkenrweH Police-court, London, with the murder of Felice Ruggieri at Back- loll, GLerkemweil, and also with attempting to murder Pietro Buonainto It was alleged that Buonainto was annoyed by a yovng woman with whom he had kept com- pany, but who had transferred her affections to the prisoner. Buonainto smacked her lace, whereupon Cappuccatto produced a revolver, and fired three shots. One of the shots killed Buggieri, who was passing by at the time, and a seoond shot wounded Buo- nainto. He lost consciousness, and was conveyed with the dead man to the Royal Aee Hospital. Buonainto was now able to attend the court, and said he had known Felamena Oeronne, the girl in question, for twelve months. The objection to their marriage came from both families, the con- tention being that they ought to marry persons from their own towns in Italy. On the night of September 27 he met Felomena near Warner-street, and she exclaimed, "All yon Neapolitans are a dirty lot." He smacked her face, and almost immediately afterwards was shot. The man who fired ran off, but was arrested by the police. It was the man he knew as Felomena's lover. Mr. Bros committed the prisoner for trial. The inquest on the dead man was resumed at St. Pancras, and, after the evidence given above had been repeated, the jury gave their verdict as follows:—"We find the prisoner guilty of wilful murder, but 8trongiy recommend him. to mercy on account ef his youth and the provocation he received."

JULGE ON HORSE DEALING CASE. it the Southwark County-court, London, Judge Addison, K.C., and a jury tried an action brought by William Blackmail, a Borough Market salesman, to recover from a South Tottenham fruiterer, named 17s. 9d. damages for breach of warranty of a brown mare. The evidence was of the usual contradictory nature, the animal being variously described as straightforward, a goer, a bit couragey, a hit collar proud, a bit nappy, a jibber, a beauty, and a lame *un. Judge Addison observed that it was said there was no more useful or noble animal than the horse, but, unfortunately, he seemed to corrupt every human being that came in contact with him. In no causes' which were before the courts was the evidence more con- tradictory, and amusingly so. than in horse eases, and if the pious hope of the defendant, that he should not leave the court if he had tøld a lie, was carried out in every such case, those courts would be strewn with corpses to coeh a.n extent that Macedonia would be out of the question altogether. (Laughter.) The jury found for the plaintiff for the full TriT"* claimed.

A DIVORCE—AND AFTER. Leaving the Opera, Paris, by the stage door with a young and pretty woman on his arm on Monday night, a man in evening 4reea was about to help his companion into a motor brougham which was waiting at the earner of the Boulevard Haussmann when a tall blonde, no longer in her first youth, but still handsome, walked rapidly towards the eouple. drew a revolver, and aimed it at them. Luckily, two policemen in plain clothes were by, a-nd in the nick of time knocked the weapon out of her hand before she could fire. She was arrested and taken to the police station, where she gave her name. The com- missary at once remembered it as that of the petitioner in a sensational divorce case which was the talk of Paris some years ago. The man at whom the blonde lady had meant to Are was her former husband. and is a well-known member of the Italian colony in Paris. In the divorce suit in question the charges and counter-charges brought by both husband and wife against each other were proven, and the judgment annulling the marriage entrusted the care of the ehild, a girl now ten years of age at school at Verona, to both parents jointly. The mother, who was born in Ireland, of Irish < parents, but retains the Italian name of her former husband, alleges that the latter, ] contrary to the judgment of the Court, I' prevents her seeing her child. That is why < she intended to kill him, and she intends to ] try a. second time, she hopes with better 1 aaeeeea, as soon as she is set at liberty. ]

■ 1 THREATENING LETTERS. 1 Several letters threatening outrages similar to thoee of Great Wyrley and Kidderminster have been received during the last few days by residents in the Sedgley district, including < the daughter of a well-known publican. These eases differ from that reported at Tipton a few days ago. inasmuch as the letters were delivered through the post office, and bear the local postmark. The police do not attach any importance to the letters, but are hope- ful of being able to detect the culprit. The 1 Kidderminster and Cannock outrages appear, < also, to have influenced the minds of many nervous people in the Dudley district, where numerous absurd rumours, arising from quite ordinary circumstances, have been cir- culated, causing a considerable amount of alarm amongst women who are compelled lID lonely spots at night.

DRESSES SEIZED FOR DEBT. A striking instance of the scandal in society arising out of the refusal or neglect of ladies 1 to pay their Court dressmakers' bills comes. from Christchurch, Hampshire, where the Coort costumes of a bwiy of title, the wife of a member of Parliament are to be sold under an execution from the sheriff for a dress- maker's bill. The mostly apparel" men- tioned in the anctionee^ bill include a black tilk velvet evening drew, a green velvet prin- cess gown with pipings taffeta and braiding itmi deep chinchilla collar, a batiste tea-gown, a gmm doth bolero and skirt, an evening juwu in Mack crepe de Chine and lace, and < > black bearer hat witfr green wgtiicfa. feather aadtar triinawng*, <

DRUNK IN A HURRICANE. PERIL OF A CARDIFF-LADEN SHIP. Hugh Riley, Thomas Gallagher, John M'Shane, William Waring, and. Eliaa Hannan, all belonging to Liverpool, were charged at the Thames (London) Police-court "that while on the high seas on the 6th inst. they did, by reason of drunkenness, omit to do certain lawful acts proper and requisite to be done for preserving the steamship Riverton from Iocs, destruction, or damage." Captain G. Higginbottom. the master, stated that after the ship sailed from Cardiff the chief engineer called him into the fo'castle, where he saw defendants, who were strongly under the influence of drink. He told them to go and clear the stoke-hole of ashes, and they said they would, but they refused to work for some hours. There was danger of the ashes getting into the bilge, choking the Pomps, and rendering the ship unmanageable by causing the engines to stop. A gale was raging at the time, and be had to get sailors to do defendants' work. When off Londy there was a. hurricane, during which the accused men were incapable of work from drink, and when off Hartland Point the ship was hardly moving through the water, there being only 1051b. steam, instead of 1801b. At the time land was close on the port side, and had it not been high water the ship would have gone ashore. William Laidler, the chief engineer, corrobo- rated. Mr. Mead said it was most pitiable that five men in respectable employment should come and acknowledge they were in a beastly state of drunkenness when they joined the ship. That was not allowed on railway trains. Through their neglect the ship was in danger, and it was his duty to make an example of < them. They vroold each have to go to prison 1br 21 days with hard labour.

ALLEGED BOGUS MUSIC COLLEGE. At Aston Manor Henry Lewis was charged with obtaining money by false pretences.—The prisoner in July became the occupant of 83, Frederick-road, Aston, and issued circulars headed London and County College of Music,46, Regent-street, London, and bearing the name of Henry Lewis as local manager., The circular set forth that a certain number of pupils would be taught free, and that the college had branches in all the important towns of Great Britain. The prisoner, having obtained assent for the attendance of pupils, requested that they would purchase an instruction book for 7s. 6d., which the prosecution alleged was not worth that sum.—Detective-sergeant Brookes, of the Metropolitan Police, proved that there was no such institution in the Metropolis. The address 46, Regent-street, was that of the Cafe Monico.—In the witness-box prisoner denied that there was any intention to defraud. He had been a teacher of the piano- forte and violin for several years.—Asked if he could play on either instrument now if given the opportunity prisoner said he could not; he was too much upset. He could not explain why, he gave a London address.—Mr. Rowlands (magistrates' clerk): You stated in the circular that the college had branches in all the principal towns in Great Britain? —Prisoner: That was a matter of business.— Mr. Rowland: You mean it was a, busi- ness lie?—Yes, sir.—Cross-examined prisoner admitted that his real nanw was Henry Lewis Barnard Desser, and that he was a native of Austria-,—He was committed to the next quarter sessions.

ALLEGED MURDER BY A FATHER Before Me. Haden Corser, at Worship-street, London, Joseph Alfred Pellotio was charged on remand with the wilful murder of his son, Joseph, a boy fourteen years of age, on Octo- ber 2, a.t Finsbury. OIl September 26 the prisoner was staying at High Wycombe with his mother-in-law. While there it was known that he was in pos- session of a revolver, and on Thursday, I OccCoer 11, on the eve of his return to London, he showed the revolver to his mother- in-law. He returned home, and on Friday morning, the 2nd, he shot his son with this revolver, having first tied a handkerchiet round the boy's face and knotted it. He then went oat to three public-houses, where he had some brandy, and then went up to a police- sergeant, and said he wanted him to go home with him. He produced a revolver. An inspector went to the house and found the dead body. Mrs. Mary Ann Boyles, of 36, Cardigan- cottages, Upper Green-street, High Wyoombe. said the prisoner was her son-in-law. He had been staying with her for a few days. He told her that he would leave hie wife and allow her 15s. per week and take two of their four ohildren away with him. He gave as a reason tha.t they did not get on very com- fortably together. Prisoner, who reserved his defence, was com- mitted for trial. <

A GAMBLING RAID. At Stroud James Freebury, a. painter, was charged with having, on Septem- ber 5, October 6, and other dates, kept a certain dwelling-house in the London- road, Stroud, for the purpose of betting and gaming. Elizabeth Freebury, his wife, together with John William Gardner, porter, and Charles Nash. billiard-marker at the Stroud Liberal Club, was charged with having assisted in the conduct of the house. Free- bury and his wife pleaded guilty, but Gardner and Nash denied the offence. The evidence of several witnesses was to the effect that young fellows were met by Free- bury in the street, and were asked to come and gamble. When the place was raided the polioe found 171 slips of paper on which were names of horses. There was a back kitchen and an upstairs room, into which young men were invited on Sundays, and here they found cards, dice, and tables, all arranged for the purpose of carrying on a system of gambling. The police found three dice upon Nash, which only had fives and sixes upon them. Mrs. Freebury, upon the arrival of the police, immediately seized a book and threw it upon the fire. This was secured by an officer, who discovered that it contained a record of betting transactions. When arrested, Freebury said, The game is up." In addition to other money, a bag containing £9 in gold was found upon the floor near the spot where Freebury had been sitting. Freebury was fined £100 and JE7 10s. 6d. costs; Mrs. Freebury was fined £2 inclusive; and the charges against Gardner and Nash were dismissed, but they were directed to appear at the court next Friday to be bound over not to again frequent such places. Freebury was allowed 24 hours in which to pay, the alternative being three months' hard labour.

"WARDER EVANS" DEAD. The death is reported of ex-Chief Warder Brown, of Winson Green Prison, Birming- ham. For over 42 years he was a warder at the gaol, but retired a few years ago. He I was the original Warder Evans in Charles Reade's 'It's Never Too Late to Mend." The novel was based upon the te-rible cruelties inflicted upon prisoners under a governor who had seen service in the Norfolk Island Convict Station. Warder Brown was the last survivor of those who were connected with the prison of that day. Mr Brown was a humani- tarian. and had a most remarkable control of the prisoners. He was personally known to Charles Reade, and was often offered good terms to appear as "Warder Evans" in stage productions of It's Never Too Late to Mend."

BIG FIRE AT CHELTENHAM. A serious fire broke out in the stores of the Cheltenham Light Rail- way Company's depot, near the Mid- land Station. The workshop, offices, and stores, containing valuable electrical and 3ther articles used on the lines of the com- pany. were ablaze on the arrival of the brigade, who got to work with hose pipes, which were attached to a private and public hydrant near. The cause of the fire is not known, and the damage is estimated at a little under £1,000.

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