Weekly Mail

ALASKA BOUNDARY SETTLEMENT. Decision FOR UNITED STATES. Alaska Boundary Commission held Its sitting at the Foreign Office, London, on day' and judgment was given on Points at issue, the result oeing that the u lms of the United States against Canada *e been substantially upheld- There were Commissioners, three for each country. JT were: — Great Britain—Lord Alverstone (Lord qT*' Justice), Sir Louie Jette (Lieutenant- b^mor of tne Province of Quebec), and the J1- A. B. Aylesworth (Toronto). #?* the United States—Hon. Elihu Boot Ijp^d States Minister for War), Senator Cabot Lodge, and Senator George **Oer. agent for Great Britain was the Hon. l'ford Sifton, K.C. the United States agent the Hon. J. W. Foster. Counsel for h"*at Britain were the Attorney-General (Sir »' Finlay, K.C.), the Solicitor-General (Sir V Carson, K.C.), Mr. S. A. T. Rowlatt, and fjv" J A. Simon (of the English Bar), Mr. t 'ktopher Robinson, K.O., Mr. F. C. Wade, Mr. Geoffrish, K.C., and Mr. Duff, K.C. (of Oanadian Bar). Counsel for the United were the Hon. Jacob M. Dickinson, Mr. ^'r Watson, the Hon. Hannis Taylor, and ij, C. p. Anderson. o Hiakt the award of the Commission clear Q* fbe reader, a brief outline of the history will suffice. Alaska was first visited tygtbe Russians under Behring in 1741. In k,L! the whole country passed under the con- w the Russian-American Oompany. In «1» j a*ter long negotiations, a treaty was oon- between Great Britain and Russia Call a boundary between what is now » Ued British Columbia and Southern Alaska. '• £ n !867 the United States purchased g;a,ia's American territory for £ 1,440,000. the discovery of gold in the Yukon by wbich can be most easily reached (la up tie channel called the Lynn on the Alaskan ooa»t, disputes have v *en about the exact line of boundary. This t»wdary must be settled by interpreting the *t ♦? of 1825- A convention was arrived at Ilrw • beginning of 1903 between Great tain and the United States to settle the by a Joint Commission. tjTf^ording to the contention of Great Britain °f «/°qQdary line should cut a<croes the head •ion Lymi CanaJ' Si^g Great Britain poesae- ha» ^be towns of Skagway and Dyea (which under the rule of the Americans), a^° Kiving her direct acoeas from the the11 to the Pacific. The United States, on tyie ^ber hand, claimed that under the treaty •on °undary,liae would take a more easterly which would deprive Canada from an outlet to the Pacific north of k Oolumbia. This, broadly stated, was t,* contention now upheld by the Oommis- and uider it the gold-diggers In the 11 wil1 be unable to ship e*cspt at a jt ^d States port. t £ «fcd been expected tbAt tfce business of the W^ission on Tuesday would be very short, contrary was the case, owing, it was tay*to the fact that the Canadian represen- tsJe* disapproved of the draft award, that .iecline-d altoge'her to sign it, and that <te\ £ el; y wa« 4m. U? & well-meant attempt lae part of lord Alverstone to shake their w termination, to secure, It possible, yanlmlty of finding. This wa« only partially case. It transpires that the Oana- did, indeed, diAsent from the ^ing, and refused to append their tko a^Bje8 *° ^e awar(i' but, as a majority of members of the tribunal were agreed, the Indian abstention did not affect the validity j. binding character of the award, and could **plaln the delay. The true explanation simple. Clear maps were required to j*Waia and accompany the award* and those spared were found to leave something to be in the matter of clearness. Shortly1 AW two the award was signed by Lord* (j^fstone and the three American Commis- bat two Canadian representatives Q^ned to sign. The agents of the two fcrnments prepared a digest of the award, which the following is taken:— decision of the tribunal is made up of tu^ws to the seven questions contained in of 1903. The answer to the first I "What is intended as the point of ^nicncemant of the line?" is "Cape Muzon." b the seoond question, "What channel is the rtland Channel?" the answer is that the \^tland Channel passes north of Pearse and Islands, and enters the ocean through j Paseage, between Whale and Sitklan feld8" fifth question was, **Was it the inten- and meaning of the convention of 1826 O* there should remain in the exolusive Ju^ssion of Russia a continuous fringe or of coast on the mainland not exceeding WL°iarine leagues in width, separating the tJ,j ^*h possessions from the bays, ports, l>. harbours, and waters of the ocean?" tjK* question is answered in the affirmative. reDly to the seventh question wa«: A ij^3ority of the tribunal have selected for boundary a line of peaks starting at the of the Portland Canal, and running high mountains on the outer edge of the li^ltains shown on the mape of the survey in 1893." There was not sufiCLcieat evi- owing to the absence of a complete to identify the mountains which Vj spond those intended by the treaty, wj* Places the Canadian outpoate on the waters of the Chilkoot River in British fyjfitory, and the mining camps of Porcupine >3 Glacier Creek in American territory, ft Oder "the finding of the Commission, $Ltt&da has an outlet to the Pacific from the lu^laiid Canal and obtains two small •fy £ at the mouth of the Nar Channel, vis.. Island and Pearse Island. Up to the yf^ent these islands have been occupied by United States, and have been used for wfcge and similar purposes. These islands th be of some strategic value to Canada in future, as Canada proposes to make Port cj.^i>son, at the southern entrance to the £ ^hhel, the terminus of the Canadian n^ific Railway, which will "be .extended to fc^jjxrint. lt*FER FUELING AROUSED IN CANADA: Toronto telegram says:—The Alaska ^ndary award l»s ieaused excitement and J comment among the general public. 6 advocates of closer Imperial relations axe *J**med at what they fear may be its con- fluences. The press and leading men the people to be caJm, and to defer their There is a difference of opinion Sto the action of the Canadian Commis* 'Brs in refusing to sign the award.

BIG CHEQUE CASE. ^SQTJERADXNG AS MHITABY OFFICER. <&rry Wood, described as an engineer, was oJJ^fced, on remand, at Bow-street, London, ^^ednesday, with forging a cheque for £ 00, and with obtaining money by faiee i.. %OQiae Edward Russell Reeves, formerly a q¡aater in Brighton, said that in April last \!let the prisoner at the Grand Hotel, thton. He introduced himself as Lieutt- v t Wood, 9th Lancers, and subsequently he v^d to purchase a pony and trap from wit- for £ 80. Shortly afterwards prisoner "i the stables wearing the uniform of the viLancers, and asked witness to get his belts ^ojworda cleaned, saying he was going to <v ftation to meet his colonel. On another > '•ion he was accompanied by a friend, ta he introduced as Captain Hastings, of ) Intelligence Department. Eventually V gave witness a cheque, written on paper, for ,£40, which was diahonoured. he was told this he saM there was some IIkkel and got witness to give him a blank lo«.fonn. This was -the torm on which ? > cheque produced for' £ 19,400 was drawn. .i^her told witness subsequently U?at he a cheque for £ 100 into hi aocount, be then borrowed from him. This was also dishonoured. •' William Wood, of Rutland-street, a foreman at the docks, said the | t "her was his son. He left home about *'4W ago. He had no wealthy rela- "*• and as far as witness wafi aware there family property. «Wwi«k enismd a further remand.

I PUBLIC MEN ON TARIFF REFORM.-See ,Page 10.

TERRIBLE AFFRAY NEAR CARDIFF. MAN SEVERELY BATTERED AT TONGWYNLAIS. A murderous attack was made on Wednes- day night at Taff'ø Well upon a man named John HerbM't, a. boatman in the employ of the Glamorgan Oanal Company, wui who lives on the oanad bank at Ton- gwynlais. Frolh inquiries which the police have mad3 a man named Hwiry Pickett (batter known as Harry Sawyer) has been arrested. The allegation is that I Pickett, who had a gun, fired it and hit Herbert in the head, and then struck him repeatedly with a poker. The firing of tho gun was heard by several people, one among I IOHN HERBERT. I them being a son of the injured man. He found his father lying unconsoious, and, an ilarm being given. Dr. Riseley was summoned* rhe doctor was surprised to find that Herbert had received from 20 to 30 wounds, which had been caused by some blunt instrument. Police- sergeant Canton and PoUce-constable Jones were aoon on the spot, and from inquiries they made they arrested Pickett, and charged him with attempted murder. In Pickett's house they found a gun and a poker, which, It is alleged, belonged to the injured man. rhe gun is an old muszleloader, in places tied round with cord to keep it intact. The poker, it is said, was covered with blood and biuman hair. The gunshot was heard by a man from Melingriffith Tinworks, and he, with others, hastened to the spot. The police- station is a mile-and-a-half away, and the promptitude with which the QØioers arrived on the scene is to be commended. Although t.he wounds which Herbert received are very nrtous, there is hope of his recovery. POLICE-COURT PROCEEDINGS. The prisoner was brought up at an occa- sional court held at the office of the clerk to the Llandaff magistrates (Mr. C. H. Evans), in Working-street, Cardiff, on Thursday. Mr. David Duncan was the only magistrate in I attendance. Pickett war afelired In the VjrpieaJ clotfctog" of a navvy, via., corduroy trousers and vest, dark serge coat, and with a white muffler tied round the neck. He is strongly built, stands about 6ft. 6in., and has a not unintellectual j face. Police-sergeant Canton, stationed at Taff'fI Well, deposed: About ten o'clock last night I arrested the prisoner in his house on the canal bank, between Tongwynlais and Melin- griffith Works, in the parish of Whitchurch. I told him I was going to arrest him for shooting John Herbert. He said, "I shot at him." Mr. Duncan: You cautioned him, I suppose? Police-sergeant Canton: Not then, sir. I told him I was going to take him into custody. He said, I shot at him to frighten him. He came for me with a poker, and I stopped him. What would you do?" In the corner of the room. proceeded Police-sergeant Canton, I found an old muzzle-loading gun. I took poe- session of it, and he said, 'Yes, here's the gun, and here's the poker," at the same time picking up a. poker from near the fire-place. I took the poker from him, and found it was smeared with blood. I then took him to the Taff's Well Police-station, where I cautioned him, and charged him with shooting with intent to kill one John Herbert on the canal bank that night; also with unlawfully cutting and wounding John Herbert by striking him on the head and face witih a poker. Prisoner replied You have accused me wrongfully. I only éot at him to frighten him. He came for me with a poker. There's the poker. —■(and pointed to a. poker on the charge-room table.) He said:— That is the poker. He went into the house and fetched the poker out, and came for me with it. and struck me across the arm. What I don I done in self-defence, and I will stand the law for what I did. I hope I have not hurt him. I am sorry if I have, I went to the house and fetched the gun out. We had a scuffle, and I gave him a couple of welts with the poker. The Clerk: Did you examine the gun? Polioe-sergeant Canton: I did, sir. Mr. Duncan: Did it appear to have been recently &red?—It did appear to have been fired. It showed signs of having been fired, but how long previoualy I could not say. Was it warm?—No, sir, it was not warm. The Clerk: Was it damp? When a. gun has been recently fired it is generally damp. Police-sergeant Canton: By putting my finger in the barrel it came out black on my finger. The Clerk (to the prisoner): Do you want to ask the officer any questions? He has only said what took place between you and himself when he charged you and the replies yon made. You can ask him any questions if you wish, but I should say it would be better if you leave it tiU the police-oourt, and there examine the witnesses you came in contact with. Prisoner: Constable, you have made one mistake. I said I shot at him to frighten him. I did not shoot at him to kill him. The Clerk: No, no. That is not what the constable said. He eays you stated you only shot at "lim to frighten him. Mr. Dqncan: He has confused it with the ebarge. Police sergeant Canton mentioned that Police-constable John Jones was with him when he arrested the accused. The Clerk (to prisoner): Have you any reason to give, why you should not be re- Ula414ed till Monday? Prisoner: Well, sir, it is stopping me from getting any employment. If you cotUd settle it at onoe I should be very pleased. The Clerk: But the other man is stopped from getting employment as well. Mr. Duncan (to prisoner): You are remanded till Monday next at Llandaff Police-court. Prisoner: Can I say anything now, sir? The Glerk: You had better reserve it until Monday, when there will be two magistrates. There is only one now. ivieouor was ti^n .formally remanded until Monday next on the charge cf womjdfiMr witk. intent to inflict grievous bodily harm. This charge may be altered later according to cir- cumssances. SCENE Of THE AITAIB. I

CATTLE MAIMING TRIAL. SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST A SOLICITOR. The trial was began at Staffordshire Quarter Sessions on Tuesday of George Edalji (28), solicitor," of Birmingham, and son of the vicar of Great Wyrley, near Cannock, on a charge of maliciously wounding a horse, belonging to the Great W rrley Colliery Company. Evidence, corroborative of the events lead- ing up to arrest was given by Police-sergeant Parsons, who stated that, after arreet, the pmonerbaid I am not surprised. I have been expecting this. He afterwards said;— This is a bit of the magistratet'-olerk'e work. I will make him tit up before I have done with him. Polioe-oonstable Cooper said, that prisoner said to him it appeared that the man had stopped killing cattle and commenced to write anonymous letters. Witness was cross-examined with a view to showing that the hairs found on the prisoner's clothing were transferred from the clothes of the policeman who had examined the body of the pony. Some letters bearing on the case were read. In a communication said to have been written by the accused to a scholar, mumed Greatorex, the writer said, "I am sure no boys are con- cerned in this wretched business. When the truth is known you win find it is somebody in a very different position." Wilfred Guy Greatorex stated he travelled daily with other boys to Walsall. One morn- ing in June, when two horae. were mutilated, the defendant was in theit carriage and asked whether the animals belonged to Messrs. Blewitt, and one of the boys answered "Yes." None of the letters (produced), signed "Wilfred Greatorex," were in witness's hand- writing, and he had nothing to do with them. Mr. Henry Guerin, handwriting expert, of London, who figured in the Moat Farm case, deposed to having examined the various letters produced. Several of them were clearly in prisoner's ordinary handwriting. Anonymous letters appeared to be in a feigned handwrit- ing, and he came to the conclusion they were by the same hand whioh wrote the letters admitted to be in prisoner's handwriting. I* two anonymous letters received by -the polios since prisoner's arrrest the handwriting was totally different in character to the hand- writing in tke other documents. Replying to the suggestion that persons wish- ing to attach suspicions to the prisoner might copy his peculiarities of handwriting, the expert said in that case he should have ex- pected to find more general similarity In the style of the disguised writing. The letters put in were then read. Some were extraordinary. The case for the prosecution was oo&clmdei}. and ike «»czt adjoamed. ¡

DEAN FOREST TRAGEDY. WOMAN FOUND DROWNED IN A MILL POND. Mr. X. f. Carter, coroner for the Forest of Dean, beld an inquiry at Greenbottom, near Cinder ford, on Wednesday concerning the death of Eunice Ha.il, 29, single, who with another single sister kept their father's house, be being a haulier in very poor cir- cumstances. Evidence was given to show that about 11-30 a..m. on Monday deceased hurriedly left home without hat or shayrl and without saying where she was going. Half-a-mile away is a mill pond, where centuries ago was a foundry where the Government used to cast cannon. A boy of four years stated that he saw deceased rush up to the water's edge and slip In. The body was recovered'an hour later. Deceased's father, a very old man, and her eister gave evidence, stating that deceased through fits frequently lost the power of speech. It was not correct to say that she was deaf. Deoeased, unfortunately, had had two illegitimate children, one of whom was still alive. Police-constable Newport, of Littledean, having given it ae his opinion that deceased was again in trouble, her friends repudiated the suggestion. Th4 jury found that deceased was drowned under circumstances which to them were Un- known.

LITTLE LOAF AND BIG TEAPOT MINERS AND MR, CHAMBERLAIN'S PROPOSALS. The representatives of the miners of Great Britain assembled at the Westminster Palaoe i Hotel, London, on Thursday, and discussed the fiscal proposals ot Mr. Chamberlain. Mr. Piokard, M.P., presided, and strongly criticised Mr. Chamberlain, who, be said, deserted every came add broke up two poli- tical parties. Mr. Edwards (Staffordshire) moved a resolu- tion declaring that any change in our fiscal policy would be detrimental to the general interests of the oountry, and pledging the con- ference to continued adhesion to the prin- ciple of Free Trade. Mr. W. Abraham, M.P., said the minews had Everything to lose and nothing to gain from Protection. Mr. J. Williams described Mr. (Niamber- lainV pwJpos&le as a little loaf and a big teapot: carried unanimously.

PRISONER'S ESCAPE AND CAPTURE. Eight prisoners confined in the Central Pro- vincial Prison at Halle put into execution a daring scheme of escape. They attacked the warders, murdering one, and succeeded in effecting their escape. They were, however, recaptured in the oofti cellar ot a lilte dose to tht prison. I

BABES IN THE WOOD. FIRST KIDDY: What shall U8 do to get out, chaps? SEOOND KIDDY: I know! Let's look for a piahdMnua: that'll help vs. CHORUS: Boo-hoo-hoo, we want a mapdamus!

DISCOVERY OF THE BODY IN RICHMOND PARK. The mystery of the missing lady doctor hM been solved, after a lapse of over two months, by the discovery of the body of Miss Hickman in a plantation in Richmond Park. There appears to be no doubt tha.t death took place upon the very day of the disappearance (August 15), and tha.t the body has lain in the sequestered spot in which it was found on Sunday evening ever since, exposed to the disintegrating action of sun and rain. On Sunday afternoon, juet after dinner, three little boys living in Richmond, whose names are John Mackenny, ten-and-a-half years of age, eon of a. waterman; James Watkins, and Tom Fennel, set out to gather chestnuts in Richmond Park. They roamed about the grounds for some time, and ultimately, by some curious chance, their footsteps were directed towards an unfrequented planta- tion lying about a quarter of a mile from the id- Richmond *ate bftweast-title •. imjv- hading to the iKfteen g'P.a &»it JiljS^jatton. The plantatiojot, oompfiemg An area of about fifty acres, is enclosed by <t vooden fence, 6ft. 6in. in height. Although this portion of the park is strictly private and closely guarded by vigilant keepers, the youthful trio, bent on chestnut gathering, climbed the high fence, and made their way into the thickly wooded interior of the plantation. What occurred after this may be described in the words of the boy John Mackenny, a bright and intelligent lad, who was imme- diately responsible for the' discovery. simply and frankly he told his story to an interviewer:—"About half-past three on San- day afternoon," he said, "I and two other boys, James Watkins and Tom Fennel, went to Sidmouth Plantation to get chestnuts. We knew we were not allowed to go there, but we got more chestnuts there than anywhere else in the park. We climbed the wooden paling on the lride nearest Richmond Gate, and made our way into the middle of the plantation. We were running about, laughing and whistling, when I suddenly came upon what I thought, at first, was a. bundle of old clothes. I ran away at 0Dce: I was so frightened. Coming up to my two companions, who were some distance away, I told them what I had seen, and we thought we would return and have another look. It was then that I saw a. head, and, looking more closely, I saw among a lot of rotten leaves what I took to be the body of a woman. The body seemed to be oovered with a long black dloth, and the head was lying P. abiort distancs away. We did not stop a. minute; we were so terribly frightened, and, hearing the keepers coming after us, we took to our heels and made for the fence. We ran home as liard as we could. I told my father what I had seen, and he and my uncle later in the evening told the police. That is all I can say about it." Acting upon this story, the police went to the spot indieated by Mackenny, and after a. short search found the body lying at full length in a. marshy spot in the plantation. Thick shrubs almost concealed the body from eight, and deoayed leaves and broken twigs were strewn upon it. APPEARANCE OF THE BODY. Procuring an ambulance from the police- station the officers lifted the body, and placing it on the ambulance conveyed it to the mortuary. This was a difficult and deli- cate operation on account of the condition of the remains, but the body was handled reverently and carefully, and was deposited in the mortuary with the least possible dis- turbance of its general appearance. Dr. Gardner, the divisional surgeon, was imme- diately summoned and made an examination. He expressed the opinion, which is amply borne out by the state of the body itself, that the woman must have been dead at least six weeks. As the body lay on the long I grey slab in the mortuary, it presented what can only be described as a repulsing appear- ance. The head, almost devoid of flesh, had, apparently, been eaten away from the trunk by rats. The features were entirely unrecog- nisable, the brain was gone, and only a bleached skull remained. The body itself was decomposed almost beyond recognition. The clothes hung limply on the bones, from which the flesh had been almost entirely gnawed away. The clothing showed ample signs of the depradations of the wood rate, while! thousands of insects still clung to the bedraggled "skirts and petticoats. The body was fully dressed. The skirt was of blue alpaca material, and covered a dark-coloured petticoat, under a light bodice. Miss Hick- man wore a linen undervest and white linen underclothing. The blue stockings and low- heeled shoes, which, apparently bad been I covered by the skirt during the long expo- sure to the weather, were in a remarkably good state of preservation. There were no corsets on the body, and this fact helped later in the identification, because it was i knovm that Miss Hickman did not wear corsets. Close to the spot where the dis- covery was made the police picked up a black straw hat, with a black ribbon. There was no posket in the skirt of the dress, but a few articles which were important factors in determining the identity of the woman were found clinging to the clothes. These were a silver watch, which had stopped at seven o'clock, a tiny si-r er. chain, a fountain pen, j and a cross of the St. John's Ambulance Association. No letters were found which would elucidate the mystery of her death, and the first hint of the woman's identity was given to the police through the medium of the little ambulance cross which the woman had been wearing. On this was engraved the name Frances Hickman," and the evidence of identification was further strengthened by the finding on the clothing also the name of Frances Hickman." This name waa sewn on every article found on the body. ESTABLISHING IDENTT.T. Mr. Hickman was at once ooi. 1U with by the police, who req. ',f, presence of someone at the moi • y ^,uo could establish beyond doubt the • tv ^r i the body. Early on Monday o Hickman's maids, Bessie Blackv I Biohmond, and positively identiAE as that of her late mistress, i well, who has been in the øerti. Hickman family for many years, was greatly distressed when taken into the mortuary by the keeper and the police, but she recovered herself sufficiently to be able to examine minutely the clothing, and she assured a press representative afterwards that, unfortunately, no doubt was left in her mind that the body was that of Miss Hickman, as although it was impossible to gauge anything from the features, there was no mistaking the attire which her late mistress wore when she had last Been her, and which the knew were included in Miss Hickman's wardrobe.

THE INQUEST. The coroner's inquiry into the mysterious deatli of Miss Hickman was opened on Thurs- day at Richmond by Dr. Taylor, the Mm HICKMAX. I ooroner for the district. As waa. perhaps, I natural, under the ciroumatances, the keenest interest was evinced, and the attendance both of friends and relatives of the deceased and of the general public, many of whom journeyed down from London in order to be present, was unusually large. In anticipation of this, the coroner had obt&ined permission to use the sessions-house for the purpose of the inquiry, but even that building was unable to accommodate all who olamoured for ad- mission. Mr. Hickman, the father, who occupied a seat near the coroner, watched the case with the greatest interest. EVIDENCE OF IDENTIFICATION. The first witness called was Bessie Black- well, the servant of the late lady, who said she had been in Mr. Hickman's em- ployment for six years. She was summoned to Richmond Mortuary on Monday morning, and was there shown some clothing and other property. Did you identify the property and clothing as belonging to Miss Sophia Frances Hiclt. man?" asked the Coroner. ( Tee, sir," responded witness. Whan did you see Miss Hickman left?--On the 14th of August. That would be Friday. Did she leave home on that day?—Yes, sir; at a quarter-past eight in the morning. Where was she going to?—She was going to the Royal Free Hospital. Did she leave home early in the morning for the hospital?—Yes, sir; about a. quarter- past nine. Did she have breakfast usually before she left home?—Oh, yes, sir; always. Why did she leave home on Friday at 8.15, and on the other days at 9.15?—Because she I PLAN OF RICHMOND PABK SHOWING 8IDMOUTH WOOD. The cross marks the spot when the body was found. took on duty on that day for some other lady who was going on holidays. How long did she take on duty for?—For one week. Did she seem to be well and cheerful?- Yes, sir. Said "Good morning," as usual?—Yes. Did she intend returning that night?—No, sir. When did she tell you she would see you acain P-Bhe said she might come back on the Sunday night. The family were away at the time?—Yes, air. The family were away in Kent, and Miss Hickman said she might go down to see them on Sunday. Miss Hickman thought if she did not go to Kent she might go to Putney, to see some of her friends there. Answering a juryman, witness said Miss Hickman was very cheerful when she was going to the hospital. FINDING THE BODY. John Montgomery Mackenny was next called. Answering the coroner, he said he was ten years of age, and his father was a waterman, living at 10. Prospect-plaoe, Red Lion-street. Last Sunday he went up to the park with some other boys to gather chestnuts. He described how be searched for the chestnuts under the trees, and came across a. body, with a. head lying about a foot away from the trunk. Other boys also gave evidence. IMPORTANT POLICE EVIDENCE. Sub-divisional Inspector Cleve, of Richmond.. stated that at nine o'clock on Sunday even- ing he received information that a dead body had been found in Richmond Park. With two station-sergeants and the two boys Wat- kins and Mackenny, he proceeded to Sid- mouth Plantation. The boys were unable to point out the exact position, and witness 1 searched the bushes of the plantation, and found the very much decomposed body of a woman, with maggots crawling all over it. The body was about twelve yards from the iron fence, which was about 5ft. Zin. high, with wire netting 4ft. high. The body was on its left side, continued witness, partly facing towards the fence, and the feet were in nearly a direct line away from the fence. r The left arm was out straight, and the right arm was across the breast, with the hand close under. The legs were slightly drawn up, the right 4 resting on the left. The Coroner; In an easy position. as if lying down to sleep?—Quite so. ] The skull, with a little skin and hair, wit- ness continued, was detached from the body, and lying a few inches away, possibly about 4 six. -the under-jaw was separate, and lying between the body aad the skull. The skull ] had apparently rolled over to the right away from the body. The hat and hair were lying in a position as though it had fallen from the head. The clothing was in no way dis- arranged. and the body lay as though it had trgwhljd- tbe boshes and laid quietly down. How was the under-jaw lying ?—Witness; Aa thocgh it had fallen away from the body. ] Dr. Gardiner, the divisional sergeon. was 1 sent for, and nothing was touched until h& J arrived. He made an examination, after which the body was placed on an ambulance and removed to the mortuary. The clothing J was there examined in witness's presence. A ] silver keyless watch, with a small chain attached, and a Swan fountain pen were found in the clothing. Answering the coroner, witness said that the body was found at a quarter past ten, and it was removed to the mortuary at midnight. There was coneiderale difficulty in getting the body out. Station-sergeant Rodwell gave similar evidence. THE MEDICAL EXAMINATION. Dr. Gardiner, who made the post-mortem examination, stated that he first examined the body in the plantation. The right arm, lying across the chest, was tacked in below the left breast. The clothes were in no way disarranged. The doctor's general deacrip. tion coincided with that of Inspector Oleve. The head and face, he added, were denuded of 1 all soft parts, with the exception of a little j soft covering over the back of the head. The jaw was almost detached, and 1 several of the teeth had dropped away. I Suoh examination as witness was then able to make showed no signs of violence. The i position of the body was as if the woman t had lain down naturally to sleep or rest. The bushes formed a thick screen around her. The body appeared to be well nourished I and that of a large and powerful woman. < As a result of the post-mortem examination I of sections of the body, performed with the assistance of Dr. Seward amd in tke presence l of Professor Pepper, no part of the body 4 exhibited marks of violence, such aa frac- 1 tures of bones, bullet wounds, or cuts. The j body was much decomposed. The skin in 1 many places had been gnawed away. The vertebrae was all detached. The skull was denuded of all soft parts, and exhibited ifc) fractures and no wounds, bullet or other- wise. The brain was gone. The hair was coarse I brown in colour, tied high up behind with 1 tape. and fixed in with ordinary hairpins. I The skin had been gnawed away in front of the chest to the bottom of the breastbone. The skin and soft tissues on the neck and shoulders were completely gone, and. the ribe < were exposed. The soft tissue of the left hand and wrist were gnawed away, and the fingers were missing, with the exception of part of the middle finger. The skin and muscular tissue were gnawed away round the ankles. The toe-nails were detached and nearly all the soles gone. The greater part of the intestines were entirely gone. The stomach was just discernible, the only con- tents being a reddish-brown layer adhering to the walls. Witness's conclusions were as J follows:—"I am of opinion that Miss Hickman has been dead quite two months, and that there is no evidence that death was due to c external violenoe of any description." ( The doctor, continuing, said:—"I am of 1 opinion that Miss Hickman entered the plan- tation alive and lay down on the spot; where the body was found. I cannot give the cause. The result of post-mortem dis- ] section is entirely negative as to cause." The Coroner: Do you think there will be ] any result of analysis? Witness: Personally, I don't. I would estimate deceased's height at 5ft. 9in. Witness, continuing, said he had not the slightest doubt that the detachment of the head was due to some animal agency and t natural dissolution. He did not think the E detaching of the head was due to any vio- f lence of any kind. Dr. Pepper said ne could add nothing to j Dr. Gardiner's report of the post-mortem, and h* agreed with Dr. Gardiner's conclusions. In reply to a query whether he thought any J good purpose could be served by a further examination of the p&rts of the organs pre- served, Professor Pepper said that whatever < was consumed by the deceased could not, in ] all probability, be traced, owing to the < exceedingly advanced state of decomposition < of the body. ] At seven o'clock, after a sitting lasting t three hours and a half. it was decided to adjourn the inquiry till Thursday, Novem- ber 5. DISTTINGUISHEDl ACADEMIC CAREER. Miss Hickman received her medical educa- tion at the London (Royal Free Hoepi tal) School of Medicine for Women, and gained in 1897, honours, materia medica; 1898, honours, physics and chemistry, with prizes; 1898, honours, anatomy and histology; 1899, honours, physiology and anatomy.; 1900, honours, midwifery; 1901, honours, medicine, with prize; 1901, honours, surgery and opera- tive midwifery; 1902, honours, midwifery with prize; 1902, honours, pathology; 1902, first-class honours, M.D. degree (Brux.). In 1902 she was appointed junior resident medical ocffier of the Battersea branch of the Clap- ham Maternity Hospital. MESSAGE FROM THE QUEEN. Her Majesty the Qmm JaM sent a message of condolence to Mr. and Itra. Hickman on 1 their painful bereavement. f

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INDUCED TO LEAVE HOME FOR AMERICA. Mr. William Abraham ("Mabon"), M.P., made an important announcement at the Rhondda Miners' meeting on Monday morning in reference to the emigration of colliers to America. He said that some time ago adver- tisementz appeared in the local papers asking for men to go to America. He read the fol- lowing :Miners, 3.000 good practical colliery workmen, coalhewers, timbermen, engineers, hauliers, Ac., for Aonerica; wages 16s. to 25e. per day. Miners earn £ 20 to JSB5 pex month; good homes in beautiful new town in America; call and see full particulars." "Miners, good prospect for miners in Pennsyl- vania; wages, loaders, 80 to 120 dollars; machine cutters, 116 dollars monthly. For further particulars, apply "Mabon" afterwards read a cablegram he had received on Sunday morning from Mr. W. B. Wilson, national secretary and treasurer of the United Mine Workers of America. It was as followsIndianapolis, Indiana.. William Abraham, Ton, Pentre, Rhondda Valley, Glamorgan. Welsh miners being deceived by advertisement for miners at Elsworth, Penn- sylvania; statement in advertisement false; Government official investigating; probability is that miners who have come may be deported; warn miners, letter following." Continuing, Mabon" said he had made inquiries, and found that from near his own door a big batch of men had been allured away, and from the valley a large number of men had gone. In this district it ought to be well-known that since he had been to America they were in close communication with the miners' leaders of America, and would have been the first to know if men were required. He was, therefore, astounded to find that these men had gone weeks ago. It was on landing in America and going to the place where they thought there was work ready that the men found out that they had been enticed to go there under false pretences. They had gone on a kind of semi- contract. They knew what they were going to do; what wages they would receive; they were to pay their own passage to New York; each of them had a closed letter which they were to deliver to a certain person whom they should meet in New York;and if anyone should ask them whether they were engaged or not they were to say no. He ("Mabon") had obtained this information from the parents of some of those who had emigrated and from the wives of ethers. This was the understanding, so that these men must have known that they were inducing men from the district to go out upon terms which they dare not make public. Moreover, they were conniving to deceive the American Government, because it was well-known that under the alien labour laws of America no man who had contracted to do work waa allowed to land. He was sorry that the people of South Wales should lend themselves to such deception. The probability was that every man would be sent back as a bad penny. It feemed to him that these men had been induced to go to America as blacklegs. It had become his duty to warn all miners not to go to America at all for a time, and he asked for the meeting's consent to cable to the officials to say that these meu. had bean induced fender false pretenoee to go there, and that they should deal with them as mercifully as possible, because the men that had gone were Unionists, and would not have gone if they had known the true state of affairs. A delegate bore testimony that the men who' had gone were thoroughly good work- men and Unionists. Mr. Abraham's application was granted, and he was thanked for the action he had taken.

HOW THEY WERE INDUCED TO LEAVE HOME. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] PHILADELPHIA, Wednesday. The case of the deceived Welsh miners has caused a great stir throughout the Union, and there is a general demand for the exemp- lary punishment of all concerned in decoying the unfortunate men to this country. Power- ful influences are at work to prevent the matter from coming before the courts, bat. they will not succeed, thanks to the publicity given to the facte by the newspapers. The locai authorities, after making a preliminary investigation, have forwarded a report upon the facts to Mr. KJtox, the Attorney-General, at Washington, aiid it is expected and demanded that he will take action without avoidable delay. There have been consulta- tions as to what shall be done with the Welsh- men now under detention under the provi- sions of the Contract Labour Law. Orders were, in the first instance, issued for their deportation on Saturday next, and most of the men would be only too glad to get away from this inhospitable country, but it is not improbable that they may; be detained at the expense of the State, in order that they may give evi- dence against the Ellsworth Coal Company, for whom they were to have worked, and against whoa proceedings are being taken under the Contract Labour Law. There are altogether 27 Welshmen detained here. Several of them, interviewed to-day, denounced in bitter terms the metkuxte which they state were employed in ordej to ihduce them to come to this country. Thomas. Jones showed the clipping from a Welsh which read as follows:- Wanted, three thousand miners for America, fetate of Pennsylvania, as timber- men, fillers, machinists, and hauliers. Wages 16e. to 25s. a day. Apply to Pontypridd, South Wales. Another man said: "We were cleverly deceived by the Ane assurances given to us as to the manner in which we would be treated here. We believed everything that was tQld- us. We knew nothing about the law prCibfbJW ing the importation of foreign labour. SottM of us sold our household goods and effects in order to scrape together the money wherewith to p^y our passage? across the Atlantic. Perhaps we ought to have had some suspicions, because we were warned particularly to say nothing about having come here to work for any particular firm. We mean to say some- thing, however. We mean to tell all that we know, and then start fot home as «oon as we can possibly get away. We are only sorry that we ever came here. We must, we, suppose, stand the loss of the money which we have paid for our passages here." The immigration inspectors who were sent to Ellsworth to investigate matters on the spot found several Welsh miners there. Some of them produced cards which Pitir- ported to guarantee thev constant smploy* ment at best rates. INTERVIEW WITH PONTYPRIDD EMIGRATION AGENTS. Called upon by our representative on Tues- day afternoon, Mr. Owen Thomas, manager to Messrs. Thomas and Sons, emigration agent's, Coedpenmaen, Pontypridd, stated that he courted every investigation, so far as he and his Arm were concerned. The facta wers simple. He said:- We received a letter, dated September 12, from Ellsworth, Pa., America, pointing out the advantages of residence and the high wages to be earned by miners in that dis- trict, giving as a reference the name of an agent at Southampton. We made in- quiries, and the good outlook was confirmed from that source, with the remark that living waa as reasonable as in England, and adding, as a postscript, that only non- Unionists were employed." An advertisement appeared in a Cardiff newspaper, and a large number of appli- cations were reoeived; but our suspicions were aroused by the non-unionist difficulty, and we advised applicants not to proceed to the States until we had fall details of employment. We had at least iCO intending emigrants asking for information, either personally or by letter. We did not advise a passage, nor booked a single man out. Messrs. Jones Bros., Pontypridd. declined to make a statement one way or MØWMr for the present.