Weekly Mail

VLADIVOSTOK SQUADRON OFF WON-SAN, a £ ?5nese. Legation in London on Mon- II. ternoon issued the following:- The Japanese Consul at Won ean Jeports that on the 25th two Russian vessels entered the port. They a small Japanese steamer, the Maru, and immediately left there, he Goyo Maru was built in 1884, and tonnage was 600 gross. Note.—Won-san (or Gen-ean), on the «ast coast of Korea, is 330 miles from Vladivostok. TOKIO, Monday. ^0^.1 reference to the sudden attack on *djtg /j*1, a brief telegram despatched to-day Mils three Russian cruisers had entered and were still there when the Ul^g was sent off. Their arrival had «tat tJle unprotected Japanese colony into tt j* °* consternation. .thought here that the Russian move- been made in the hope of intercept* lot pr°tected Japanese troopships, and it ^Pv^^J^ted that the squadron will remain 0Q-san long. ^•PETERSBURG, Wednesday Evening. ^ttirai06™7 ^dmiral Alexeieff) reports that J'Uisep Jesaen has been at sea with the and torpedo-boats of the Vladivos- to?a °n- On the iath inst. he divided flotilla, part of which went to the v' an £ blew up a merchant Bteamer Arbour, crew of which were put » torpedo-boats then returned to 81*adr0n.

NPANTRY AND ARTILLERY IN ACTION. 4. tel ST. PETERSBURG, Wednesday. th6^1"3,111 ^rom Mukden of to-day's date according to information received Uh?Uebmmt of Japanese troops crossed near the village of Sin-dagu at dawn **rty ^y* It was received by fire from a f onr scouts. By good practice on the artillery a bridge which had *ptth of°wf-actoS8 the river by the Japanese 5*8 effect wae destroyed, but a crossing ^i-ju te^ by means of pontoons couth of P of the infantry which had crossed the 'DO-Q on a battery of artillery advanced *° efreot-* ■pos^ti°n near Tuen-chen, but was repulsed that its battery was OTen able to open fire. ..A. w PARIS, Wednesday, a. atCe m tlle Paiisien states t.r> Ja-Panese force has crossed the of Wi-ju. oonflrmo A a niessage from St. Peters- crossed thl YaIg>ort tkat Japanese ^PANESE DISPERSED BY A HOT FIRE. 811 LIAO-YANG, Thursday Morning. °lent^nE my previous dispatch an- an enffasement on the Yalu on >asTay. the Japanese advance guard, which ^g^then reported to be marching on Turen- (?), encountered a Russian force, and a hot fire from the Russian battery. ••Hi! offered only a slight reiistance, >ill4 ^treated in disorder upon the next whcre the men dispersed, taking ,J>es. 6 n various houses and farm build- ain last there has been no further 118 on the Yalu. ST. PETERSBURG, Thursday. ri ftfcr:rr^la* corresP°ndent of the "Novosti," phing from Liao-yang, under Tuesday's ays that the Japanese seized the *X*r of Samalindu, and having crossed the • Turen-cheng (Kiu-Ien-cheng?), pro- "iht KolI\ direction of Lisaven, on the > On }r'n^ £ °f the Yalu, to the north of Wi-ju. niehta of the 26th and 27th ,the J^ bvt,attempted to take a position oocu- Russian troops near Amean. The j^iroj attack was repulsed. f^r»n aPaneee gunboats made their ap- at the mouth of the Yalu, and A 1t the estuary. battery on the north bank on tie vessels, and after a bom- ^ftHw.nt lasting twelve minutes the two retired. 8Mps have been seen to leave Yon- in the direction of Ta-tung-kau tow- fempty transports.

CltOSSWEJ.JLS BREWERY. (w —— WRITTEN OFF FROM LAST YEAR'S PROFITS. T v«U, ,p "• Walmsley, secretary of the Oross- Brewery Company (Limited), out the following circular to the '^ra of the company:— of the circumstances that transpired affecting the posi- cha.H yoar lat° managing director, Mr. ?lloth capacity as a director of *0f ^v6r company, and as ho was responsible figures inserted from time to time balanoe-6heets as to the value of the ■ the directors decided to have an ^^Ment valuation of the stock at this N < made by Messrs. Alexander, Daniel, ~p-> valuers, at Bristol, and also to books made up to the date of the ^jwj^tion of Mr. Richards, and carefully An by the auditors of the company, result of such valuation and Qati°n, the directors have decided to ''W from the profits brought forward year ended July 4, 1903, the sum 7* in order that the stock account may *1^ np°n what they are advised is a Kva rectore ^ave considered it their duty you this information. t0nr°8swells (Cardiff) Brewery is one of t4'1's ncerns promoted by Showells a few VhValrine over the houses and trade Wales of Showell's Brewery Company. ————

J^OWNERS' LIABILITIES. ^NMENT AND BILL OF T FADING EXEMPTIONS. to parliamentary question, Mr. Pirie SOJM n' asked the Preeidezut of bti.tll\ti rd of Trade if he would initiate similar to the Harter Act in the ^late8. whereby clauses in bills of lCe>e &h-Te ,declared nul1 void which C? oP p^ing companies from liability for ^Keiwtta*0 arisinS from suoh companies' -° in handling goods carried by (Wo Balfour replied that his atten- fej1 iQ ,^n called frequently to the inser- .8 of lading of clauses relieving >Z^ct ln certain cases from liability in carried on board their iuao^T Question of such provisions W!L.*hit»>T^e<* 'n °f lading seemed to be td jnt should be settled between the t In.trodn rested, and be was not prepared ce legislation in the direction sug- 13,

^IDEGROOM'S LOST CLOTHES. me? made a novel attempt to "f t^oio tv» Qlarr!ase of their sister to a man tlle wPjJ. mily disapproved. On the eve ha lng-day they visited the studio „ employed as caretaker, and took eater part of his clothes. The Mace a nU°^BS,fu1, for the marriage duly Pec'v brothers, Robert Peck and JW.Sith.Wj!!™' on Wednesday charged at }l„ ,rn Pohoe-court, London, with • Th^ defendants said

DEDUCTIONS FROM WAGES. r m RESULT OF THE LOCAL APPEAL CASE, The Court of Appeal, composed of the Mas- ter of the Rolls and Lords Justices Romer and Mathew, gave judgment on Friday in the appeal case brought by Williams and Others against North's Navigation Colliery Company. The plaintiffs, six colliers, had, in breach of their contracts of service with the defendants, absented themselves from work, and on being Rummoned before the magistrates were each ordered to pay damages amounting to 30s., in three instalments. The first instalment of 10s. the defendants deducted from the men's wages, and this action was brought to recover the sums thus deducted, on the ground that the deductions were illegal under the Truck Acts. The present appeal, which was by con- sent treated as the trial of the action, was from an interlocutory injunction granted by Mr. Justice Bucknill restraining the defen- dants from making any further deductions until further order. Mr. J. Eldon Bankee, K.C., Mr. Montague Lush, K.C., and Mr. J. C. Ashton appeared for tha colliery company, the appellants; and Mr. Rufus Isaacs, K.C., Mr. S. T. Evans, K.C., Mr. Bailhache, and Mr. Sankey for the workmen, the respondents. The Master of the Rolls, in giving judgment, said the Question to be decided was whether or not a set-off by the employers insisted upon at the time of paying the wages of the workmen was a violation of the Truck Acts. It was admitted by counsel for the workmen that in any proceeding brought by the work- men against their masters the latter would have been entitled to set off" the amounts which they deducted; but it was said that because they set off the amounts ol pay- ment, this constituted a breach of the Truck Acts. The object of the Truck Acts was to prohibit the payment in certain trades of wages in goods or otherwise than in current coin. Therefore, the Acts provided for the mode of payment, and not for the manner in which the amount payable was to be arrived at. In his judgment, the statute did not make it an offence to adjust the amount of wages due by introducing a legal set-off." In other words, it was not a breach of the main and central provision in the Aet to pay only that which had become the true amount due to the workmen by reason of the judgment of the magistrates in favour of the employers. All the autho- rities cited to the court in the course of the arguments were in accord with this view. That being so, he was unable to make the declaration asked for by the plaintiffs. Lords Justices Romer and Mathew con- curred, and the appeal was accordingly allowed. Mr. Lusih asked that the action be dismissed, with costs there and below. The Master of the Rolls: Yes. Mr. Evans intimated that the case would, probably, be taken to the House of Lords, and their Lordships accordingly ordered that the costs should be paid to the defendants' soli- citors on their personal undertaking to return them in the event of that appeal proving successful.

WHAT TWO WORKMEN SAW. WIFE'S CHASTITY VINDICATED IN THE KING'S BENCH. In the King's Bench on Thursday the hearing was resumed of the case in which Mr. Hugh Frederick Webb claimed a declaration setting aside a deed dated March, 1895, under which he covenanted to pay his wife two annual sums of £52 and JE26 so long as she remained chaste. Defendants were the wife and Mr. William Bayfield and Mr. George Denne, trustees of the deed; and plaintiff's allegation of Mrs. Webb's misconduct with Mr. Bayfield was entirely denied. Plaintiff's case was that when his wife went to live with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Denne, at Sturry, near Canter- bury, Mr. Bayfield regularly spent his week ends with Mrs. Webb, and occupied the same bedroom.—Counsel for the wife said that this was only one of a series of attempts by the husband to get rid of his obligations. He had driven his wife away from him by gross cruelty, and he was now trying to get rid of her and convict her of misconduct on the mere suspicion of two workmen nearly four years ago. Mr. Bayfield, a journalist, was an old friend of Mre. Webb's parents, and had spent his week ends with them long before Mrs. Webb wdnt back to them. The man whom the workmen said they saw in bed alone on. morning was Mrs. Webb's brother who had returned from the war shattered in health, and was now unfortunately dead. Counsel further alleged that the husband had beaten and knocked her down. Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Webb said that she married plaintiff in 1890, wehn she was 23. She had three children. Ever since marriage plaintiff had treated her with great cruelty. There had been no impro- priety or misconduct of any kind between her- self a.nd Mr. Bayfield. Mr. Bayfield having aJso denied the allega- tions of misconduct, The jury intimated that they had heard enough, and returned a verdict for defen- dants.

THE WAR OFFICE, THE STORY OF GENERAL SIR A. TURNER'S RESIGNATION. In a letter to General Sir Alfred Turner with reference to his retirement from the position of Inspector-general ot Auxiliary Forces, Sir Howard Vincent, M.P., asks for em explana- tion of that step. In his reply General Turner says that his retirement would, in the ordinary oouirse, have taken place on March 3, but he was asked by Mr. Arnold-Forster to continue to serve until the report of the Duke of Nor- folk's Royal Commission was published. He agreed, but at the end of last month Part III. of Lord Esher's report was published, whereupon he (General Turner) wae again sent for by Mr. Arnold-Foreter, told that his successor had been appointed, and asked if it would be convenient for him to go. He had already made official engagements up to April 21, and suggested that date. "A day or two later," says the general, "I heard that the Esber report had been put into operation without waiting for the result of the Duke of Norfolk's Commission, which is still sitting. I further received a letter directing me to send all my communications to the Adjutant- general as of yore, instead of to the Army Council, as I had been ordered to the month previous, thus recurring to the old state of things which has produced more than anything else the terrible delay for which the War Office is so notorious, and to which I have always taken strong exception. I begged to be relieved of my office at an earlier date than that settled as the only protest in my power against a course which I am convinced is prejudicial to the well- being and efficiency of the auxiliary forces."

THE LIBERAL PROGRAMME. MR. ASQUITH ENUNCIATES THE PARTY IDEALS. Addressing a Liberal meeting at Boscombe, Bournemouth, on Friday, Mr. Asquith criti- cised the Budget and urged that the increase of taxation and additional national expendi- ture during recent years should convince the country that the time had come not only for a vigorous overhauling of the finance of the nation, but also for a change in the steward- ship. He condemned many of the provisions of the Licensing Bill, and, describing the Government as living on from day to day in an unenviable position, gave an outline of the subjects to which Liberals should devote themselves when they come to succeed the present Administration. First and foremost the Liberal party must put Free Trade; then they would have to fight for a national system of education and for fairness, con- ciliation, and freedom in South Africa. In respect to finance,. they would try to go back to the days of vigilant economy, and in all social matters like temperance and tenure and taxation of land there must be a more complete assertion of the paramount claim of the community, acting in the common good, to override particular interests. Only on these neglected lines would Liberals be able to reach their ideals.

A WRINKLE TO WOMEN. Mrs. Pence, lecturing to a women's literary club in Chicago, told her audience that a man's character and disposition can be learned by listening to his conversation. The quarrelsome man has a deep and sonorous voice, but if his voice is full and abrupt he is strong and impulsive. A coward has a powerful voice, and the irritable man a voice that commences low down but rices sharply. A husky, thin voice denotes that a man is weak and easily led, and the peevish, ill-tempered fellow betrays himself with a thin and shrill voice. Mrs. Pence asserted that there are few exceptions to these rules.

DICTATION BEFORE DEATH. "There is work for no one; ask any man. This trouble and worry are too much for me. Good-bye." These tragic sentences were written by a boy of twelve, at the dictation of his father, John William Newman, of Peckham, London. When he had written them the boy returned to his. play in tho garden. Shortly afterwards Newman was found un- conscious and dying as the result of poison he had swallowed, and at the inquest yesterday a verdict of suicide pbil« of; huaoa&d nxmd retorned.

KING'S VISIT TO IRELAND. THE ROYAL PARTY AT HOLYHEAD. His Majesty, with Queen Alexandra and the Princess Victoria and suite, left Enston at one o'clock on Monday for Holyhead, on his way to Ireland, where a. stay of several days will be made. The streets in the vicinity were lined with people, and many distinguished persona were on the departure platform. The Royal train was bright with spring flowers, the brilliant sunshine adding to the wealth of colouring. The King and Queen drove in an open State landau, with postillions, to the station, and were greeted at all points with hearty cheers. The King wore an admiral's undress uniform. The train moved out of the station amid general cheering and waving of handkerchiefs. The day at Holyhead proved bright and breezy. On the Royal train reaching the railway station the engine was changed, and the train was piloted to the pier-head by a new and powerful engine from Crewe. The distance covered was three-quarters of a mile, and all along the route thousands of enthu- siastic spectators witnessed the progress of the train, and caught glimpses of the Royat pair. On the arrival of the Royal party at the Irish mail jetty they were accorded a loyal welcome by the hundreds of privileged ticket-holders. The pier-head was tastefully decorated with beautiful evergreens and flowers, the gift of Lady Stanley of Alderley. Detachments of soldiers and sailors formed a bodyguard. Immediately on their alighting Mr. Robert Roberts presented in his official capacity, as chairman of the urban council, an address to their Majesties, to which the King graciously replied. Bouquets were handed to her Majesty the Queen by Miss G. Burt, of Wrexham, niece of the King's har- bour-master, which her Majesty graciously and smilingly accepted. Miss Hettie Roberts, niece of the chairman of the council, presented another bouquet to Princess Victoria, who looked admiringly at the pretty little Welsh maid, and graciously bowed her acknowledgment. The Royal party then proceeded along the carpeted platform to embark on board the Royal yacht Victoria and Albert, evidently pleased with the reception accorded to them. Later, the Victoria and Albert left the pier for the harbour of refuge, where she came to anchor preparatory to crossing the channel for Kingstown. The train reached Holyhead at eleven minutes to six, and made a splendid run with- out a single stop, covering the distance in 4 hours 42min. PICTURESQUE SCENES AT DUBLIN. The King and Queen had a smooth passage across the Channel from Holyhead to Dublin. At 7.30 the Victoria and Albert, escorted by the cruisers and torpedo-boats, arrived inside the Kish Bank. about five miles from Kingstown. The weather was beautifully fine. Kingstown was gaily decorated in honour of the visit. On the stroke of eleven, just as the sun appeared from behind a black cloud, the King and Queen put off from the Royal yacht in a steam pinnace. As the tiny boat steamed into the harbour the gunboats fired a salute, and the passage of their Majesties to the landing-stage was punctuated by roars of cheering from the vast crowds assembled at every point from which a view could be obtained. Ten minutes later the pinnace glided alongside the wharf, and a minute later the King and Queen had reached the Royal pavilion, where the representatives of various Irish bodies stood ready to greet them. A guard of honour from his Majesty's ship Æolus gave the Royal salute, and the renewed outburst of cheering from the dense crowds was most graciously acknowledged by the King, who smilingly raised his silk hat. His Majesty wore a heavy overcoat over a dark suit. The Queen was attired in a light grey gown, and wore a green cloak trimmed with fur. Bouquets having been presented to the Queen and Princess Victoria by Miss Hynes and Miss Clark respectively, an address was presented on behalf of the Kingstown Urban District Council by the vice-chairman (Mr. Hynes). King Edward spoke his reply in a loud, clear voice, saying: Gentlemen,—I thank you for your cordial welcome, which is very gratifying to the Queen and myself. We are glad to find our- eelves again in Ireland, and amongst Irish- men, from whom we have received on our previous visits so many tokens of respect and goodwill. I am gratified to learn that your council continues its efforts to provide better homes for the working population of this township. I have, as you say, long taken a deep interest in the proper housing of the working classes, because I am con- vinced that whatever tends to the comfort of the labouring population must increase the efficiency of labour and must advance the prosperity of the entire community. The Queen desires me to assnre you of her undiminished interest in the Irish cottage industries, to which you refer. We sincerely hope that the skill and taste of the Irish cottage workers may win still wider recog- nition, and may bring brightness and com- fort in an increasing measure to many a. fireside. You have our best wishes for the prosperity of the communities which you represent, and for the happiness and wel- fare of the Irish people. Following this interesting speech came the presentation of addresses by the Belfast Cor- poration, five Dublin bodies, and from the people of Killarney, who formally presented hie Majesty with a piece of furniture made by Killarney men. In a joint reply King Edward said that he was glad to find in the address the same spirit of hopefulness regard- ing the future, which was so apparent on the occasion of his last visit. In the interval something had been done for the fulfilment of those hopes. An important measure had become law having for its object the peaceful and equitable settlement of the land contro- versy, and as effect was gradually given to the provisions of the measure he confidently looked for a.n improvement in agriculture, industry, and enterprise, and generally for the growth of better feeling throughout the oountry. He appreciated the efforts made in Ireland for the better housing of the work- ing classes. His earnest sympathy attended every endeavour to provide more comfortable homes and larger means of employment for the labouring population. He concurred in the view that in the better education of the people lay our great hope, for the wide diffusion of cultivated intelligence was the surest guarantee of social peace and the most fruitful source of self-reliance. Their Majesties, accompanied by Princess Victoria a.nd attended by a numerous retinue. then left by special train to attend the races at Punchestown. Their progress to the station was marked by great enthusiasm, and the send-off from the terminus was remark- abIe *°r its warmth. Their Majesties reached Naas at half-past twelve o'clock, and drove through the gaily decorated streets of the town to Punchestown Racecourse for the Kildare Hunt Meeting. Ram had fallen in the early forenoon, but the weather cleared. In the hunt enclosure a, large and fashionable assemblage awaited the arrival of the Viceregal procession, and the appearance of the long line of carriages was hailed with continuous acclamation. The Lord Lieutenant, Prinoess Victoria, Queen1 Alexandra, and the King ooonpied the first carriage, and four others followed. The! enclosure was reached at five minutes past one o'clock, ten minutes in advance of the advertised time. The members and servants of the Kildare Hunt acted as an escort. Their Majesties were received by Mr. Percy La Touche, secretary, and other officials of the hunt, and were conducted to their private apartments. New retiring rooms had been constructed and handsomely decorated. Queen Alexandra's apartment was furnished with a suite upholstered in crimson damask. Luncheon was laid for 44 guests of the Lord- Lieutenant. The first race was sensational. Three horses fell, and one had to be destroyed. ANOTHER GREAT WELCOME FOR THE KING. Puncheetown Racecourse was again on Wed- nesday the acene of an enormous gathering on the occasion of the King and Queen's visit to the historic ground. The weather was fine and warm, but rain threatened. Their Majesties, accompanied by a large party from the Vice-regal Lodge, travelled down to Naas in a special train. Crowds assembled both at the terminus in Dublin and at Naas, and gave the King and Queen a most cordial wel- come. Tuesday's racing was somewhat sen- sational, and it transpired that no fewer than three horses were killed, and one of the jockeys, injured in a fall at one of the jumps, —William M'Cormack—died during the night. Another man was later run over by a wagon and killed. The King reached the course at one o'clock. Contrary to the official information, the Queen and Princess Victoria did not accom- pany his Majesty, preferring to remain in Dublin, resting after the busy day's proceed- ings on Tuesday. His Majesty drove in a four-horse brougham with Lord- lieutenant, Lord Kenyon, and Mr. George Wyndham (Chief-Secretary). Following in other carriages were Lord and Lady London- derry, the Duke and Duchess of Connaught. with their two daughters, and the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. As he drove along the course, the King was received with vociferous cheering, which continued in volumes all the way to the Royal stand. Alighting at the entrance gate. his Majesty walked along between two lines of spectators, the majority of whom were ladies. Unfortunately the race for the Downshire Plate waa not brought off without accident. Price, the rider of Bachelor's Boy, was thrown at the hurdles and sustained not only a broken collar-bone, but a severe crushing. He was surgically attended by Sir Thomas Myles. The-Royal-departure for Haas <tni, Bulffia iha&pMt ftn»

Ii NEW LICENSING BILL. GROWING AGITATION: STRONG LANGUAGE. The temperance committee of the Wesleyan Methodist conference on Wednesday passed a resolution protesting against the Licensing Bill, on the ground that it destroys the funda- mental principle of our licensing laws, that the number of licences in a locality is to be determined by the needs of the locality, and that it creates a vested interest in a licence by a form of compensation which converts a. licence into a freehold. The committee calls upon Methodists to resist the proposals to the utmost. The Primitive Methodist Missionary Com- mittee, at a meeting in Surrey Chapel, Lon- don, on Wednesday, passed a resolution pro- testing against the Licensing Bill as a measure introduced in servile compliance to the clamour and pressure of the liquor trade. A memorial to the House of Commons against the Licensing Bill was adopted on Wednesday night at a great meeting at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, presided over by Mr. Geo. White, M.P., ex-president of the Bap- tist Union. Mr. White characterised the Prime Minister's action as scandalous. Dr. M'Laren spoke of the "lone-drawn-out iniquities" of the Bill.- A "joint local manifesto" by the United Kingdom Alliance and the South Wales and Monmouthshire Temperance Association says:—"After a careful perusal of the full text of the Government Licensing Bill, the local joint emergency committee is of the opinion that this is the most retrograde licensing measure ever presented to the British Parlia- ment. The committee propose to organise a determined opposition, and seek the hearty co-operation of all kindred organisations. Three great conferences will be held upon early dates at Pontypridd, Tredegar, and Llanelly, and, if time permit, other large conferences will be convened in populous centres. Local societies are encouraged to organise public meetings and open-air demon- strations forthwith, and to apply to Mr. Morris Morgan or to Mr. Tertius Phillips for speakers. Religious, temperance, and other public bodies at their representative gather- ings are asked to adopt petitions and reso- lutions against the Bill. Forms will be sup- plied upon application. Electors are urged to address telegrams, letters, and post-cards to the Government and local members cf Parliament." Under the auspices of the Free Church Council Temperance Committee a largely- atteovded public meeting on the licensing question was held at the Wesleyan Church, Barry Dock, on Wednesday evening, Mr. David Shepherd, Cardiff presiding. A resolu- tion condemning the Licensing Bill was carried unanimously. I MR. WILL CROOKS, M.P., AND THE PREMIER. The Baptist Union on Thursday enthu- siastically adopted a resolution condemning the licensing proposals of the Government. Mr. Will Crooks, M.P., the mover, said that men, under the influence of Free Church teaching, were beginning to live the life that God intended for them, but this did not suit the brewers, who were always ready with a subterfuge, and had got hold of "Dear Arthur." The Prime Minister must have been a cflfciild to introduce such a Bill. WELSH CONGREGATIONALISTS AND THE BILL. At a meeting of the East Glamorgan Welsh Congregational Union, at Peniel, Bryncethin, on Wednesday, on the motion of the Rev. Ben Evans (Barry), seconded by the Rev. D Hughes (Pontycymmer), a resolution was passed protesting against the Licensing Bill, and the recognition of any legal or moral right to compensation, and against the crea- tion of any vested interest in licences, and the deprivation of local justices of their power of refusing licences which they consi- dered unnecessary. The mover ea-id that it appeared the amount to be raised for the compensation fund would be much too small, as it would mean less than £1.500 for each of the 700 quarter sessions existing in the country. A committee was appointed to promote an agitation. ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY DEMANDS A TIME LIMIT. The Archbishop of Canterbury, presiding over a meeting of the Churoh of England Temperance Society at Lambeth Palace on I Tuesday, referred to the Licensing Bill, and said that a time limit to the compensation scheme was absolutely essential to their acceptance of the Bill. The Government pro- posals for reducing licences were vitiated by the absence of a time limit. Once such a limit was imposed, if even the limit was twenty years, the whole character of the measure would be transformed. ADVERSE PETITIONS. In the House of Commons on Wednesday petitions against the Government Licensing Bill were presented by Sir George Newnel from Port Tennant-road Calvinistic Methodist Chapel, Swansea, and by Mr. J. Lloyd Morgan from a public meeting at Pontyberem, Car- marthen. LICENSED HOUSES AND DEATH- DUTY ASSESSMENTS. Mr. D. A. Thomas has given notice to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether, when the death duty has been paid on the full value of a. licensed house baaed on the expecta- tion, reasonably held, that such licence would be renewed, and this licence has not been renewed, the executors, if they have not already realised the full value, can recover the duty. OPPOSITION BY THE WELSH MEMBERS. The Welsh Liberal members on Tuesday passed a. resolution emphatically condemning the Licensing Bill as a measure dangerously retrograde in character and disastrous, if passed, to the cause of future tempenanoe reform. ACTION BY LIBERAL LEADERS. An informal consultation of the Liberal leaders in both Houses of Parliament was held on Tuesday. There is reason to believe that they are determined to take vigorous action against both the Licensing Bill and the financial proposals of the Government, but tho terms of their intended amendments on these subjects have not yet been drafted. NATIONAL DEFENCE LEAGUE. The Parliamentary Committee of the Licensed Victuallers' National Defence League held a. special meeting in London on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Alder- man E. Morrall (mayor of Bridgnorth) to con- sider the provisions of the Government Licen- sing Bill. The committee passed a resolution hailing the measure as a judicious and honest effort to confirm the moral right of citizens engaged in legitimate trade to pro- tection from injustice. The committee, how. ever, regretted that, owing to the national financial position this year the appropria- tion of the sum annually contributed by the "trade" for the extinction of licences by pur- chase under the Goschen scheme has not been provided for. The committee hopes that when the Bill is in Committee provisions will be amended so as to define the apportionment of compensation as between owner, lcesee, and tenant; also, to prevent additional financial burdens being placed upon licence- holders, and to remove the anomaly and the disqualification of magistrates connected with the licensed trade. LIVERPOOL MAGISTRATES DIS- AGREE. A meeting of Liverpool magistrates was held on Thursday to consider a series of resolutions proposing amendments on the Government Licensing Bill, which had been drafted by the licensing council of the bench. The first of these, which suggested that the Bill ehould be re-drafted and divided into two parts, dealing with county and county boroughs separately, was carried by majority. On the second resolution, which affirmed the princi- pal of retaining administration of the licens- ing laws in the hands of a committee of jus- tices in the county boroughs, the supporters of the Bill, seeing they were in a minority, moved the adjournment of the meeting on the ground that the action of the justices would hamper the Government m dealing with the lioensing question generally. Sir Thomas Hughes, the chairman, described this as sharp practice, and a heated discussion ensued. As the chairman refused .to with- draw the expression the minority left the meeting, which was afterwards adjourned.

"A ROYAL DIVORCE." At Liverpool on Thursday William W. Kelly, theatre proprietor at Birkenhead.. Charles Pell, and Isabella Morris, also of Birkenhead, were summoned on the charge of having committed perjury in evidence they gave as witnesses in a case heard at Liverpool Assizes last December in connection with the sale of a play called A Royal Divorce," by Kelly. A dispute arose as to the representations under which the play was purchased. The case was adjourned.

HIRWAIN J.P. SUMMONED. Mr. David Evans, J.P.. of Hirwain, was 1 summoned by the overseers of Penderyn at Oefn Sessions for the non-payment of' 68., poor-rate. The defendant, who is a Pas- sive Resister, objected to Mr. John Rogers sitting upon the case, as he was a member of the Merthyr Board of Guardians and of the Vaynor Council- As only one xnagutraite was present, case was adjourned for a njonth,

ACCIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT. ■ 1 NEWPORT HARRIERS' CAP- TAIN BADLY INJURED. A fearful accident befel Albert Palmer, of Caerleon, the well-known international cross- country runner, and captain of the Newport Harriers, at St. Julian's Brickworks on Thura. day. Palmer was crushed between^ the buffers of a truck and a waJI. Dr. Lloyd Davies was soon on the spot. Palmer suffered terrible internal injuries, and lies in a. most critical condition, being too ill at mid-day to be re- moved to the hospital. He is a married maa with several children. Whilst engaged at his work in the yard Palmer had the misfortune to be caught be- tween a 10-ton truck of bricks and a wall. Before the danger was fully realised he warn carried along for several yards, and was being crushed all the time. Ultimately, when the truck was brought to a standstill it was found necessary to raise it by lifting jack); before the unfortunate man could be extri- cated. When he was conveyed to the board- room of the company, a medical gentleman, who was called in, thought there was no hope of him surviving. His condition was such that it was deemed inadvisable te remove him to the hospital. He was in a semi-conscious condition, and hardly recognised his wife and three children, who live at 28, Victoria-avenue, Maindee. He, however, recognised Mr. Norman Moses, who was one of his oldest fellow-members of the Newport Harriers' Club. Later in the afternoon Palmer was reported to be a little better, and was conveyed in aa ambulance to the hospital. FOOTBALL FATALITY AT WESTON. A fatal accident occurred in an Association football match at Weston-super-Mare on. Saturday between a local team and High- bridge Reserves. Two players were endeavour- ing to head the ball, when their heads collided with great force. Both men became unconscious, and one of them, Beale, of High- bridge, died on Sunday. The other recovered. CAUGHT IN THE MACHINERY. David Richards, Ely Common, who follows the occupation of an oiler at the Ely Paper Mills, was admitted to the Cardiff Infirmary on Thursday, suffering from severe injuries to the legs and bruises over the body. It appeared that he was oiling the machinery when in motion, and by some means was caught in it. At five o'clock on Thursday Richards wtm in a critical condition. PONTYPOOL HAULIER'S DEATH. At the Town-hall, Pontypool, on Saturday an inquest was held by Mr. W. J. Everett touching the death of Joseph James, 60, a haulier, of Coedoae. Pontypool, who died at the Pontypool Hospital on Thursday. Jameø met with an injury to his ankle at Hafod- yrynya, near Crumlin, on the 9th inst., through a horse bolting and throwing him out of his cart. Blood-poisoning supervened, and the jury found accordingly. DEATH FROM INJURIES AT ABER- AMAN. Edward Lever, 47 years of age, and residing at 13, New-street, Aboraman, died on Satur- day from injuries sustained on the 18th met. while following his employment as a collier at the Aberamau Colliery. On the date men- tioned Lever was working in a stall with his son, when a large stone fell from the roof, which caused him severe injuries both on the head and the body. Dr. Moffatt attended Lever up to the time of death. FATAL FALL AT MERTHYR. Mr. R. J. Rees held an inquest at the Ply- mouth Arms Inn, Merthyr, on Tuesday into the circumstances attending the death of Mary Howells, wife of Evan Howells, landlord of the Holly Bush Inn, who died on Sunday from injuries reoeived shortly after midnight by failing downstairs. Howells said his wife went downstairs te fetch him some supper, althoagh he told her he did not want it. On returning she carried a lamp in one hand and a plate in the other, and as she reached the top of the stairs she stumbled and fell to the bottom, where ke found her lying on her back unconscious and bleeding. Fragments of the'plate were found on the staire. Dr. Smart said that on the back of the hoad was a large contused wound, and he attributed death to internal bleeding in the skull, fol- lowing upon concussion of the brain. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death." SCALDED TO DEATH AT MELYN., Mr. Howel Cuthbertson held an inquest at Melyn on Tuesday touching the death of Idris Howells, aged thirteen, of 48, Buie-etreat, Treorky, who for one year and seven months had been an inmate of the reformatory at Ty Segur, Neath. On the 18th deceased was engaged with others in scrubbing sheets. He went on to the top of the boiler, and when pulling out some sheets with a stick slipped, fell in feet first, and when taken out was found to have been badly scalded on the legs and thighs. He succumbed to his injuries oa Monday afternoon. Verdict, "Death due to shock caused by the scalds." COLLIER'S DEATH NEAR SWANSEA. At an inquest held on Wednesday at Swan- sea on the body of David Watkins, a. collier at Rhos Colliery, Pantyffynon, the jury returned a verdict that death was caused by shock to the system, caused by a fractured spine, the Coroner remarking that the acci- dent could only have been averted by the deceased himself propping more closely. SWING FATALITY AT NEWPORT. A distressing swing fatality happened at Newport on Wednesday evening. Gwendoline Wood, aged eight years, the youngest child of a moulder living at 56, Lewis-street, New- port, was playing at the rear of the house of a neighbour, Mr. Jones, living at 51, Lewis- street. with a little girl aged five years, and was invited to go upon the swing. She seemed afraid, and simply leaned forward upon the seat. While doing so the cross-bar fell down and inflicted injuries upon her head. Dr. Williams ordered her removal to the hospital, and there she died. The swing was regarded as substantial, and had been used by grown-up people. ACCIDENT TO LADY WIMBORNE. Lady Wimborne was the victim of an unfor- tunate accident a few days ago. While ridinf in a motor-car with her daughter, the Hon. Mrs. Villiers, in the neighbourhood of Wim- borne. she overtook a cyclist, and in en- deavouring to avoid an accident the oar col- lided with a wall. Lady Wimborne was muck bruised about the head and one of her arma, and with the assistance of a lady who hap- pened to be driving in the same locality the was taleen to a doctor, and subsequently to Canford Manor. The chauffeut had miraculous escape, as the glass screen of the car was completely smashed. Lady Wim- borne is progressing favourably.

HEAVY COMPENSATION AWARD. In the King's Bcenôh Division on Monday a youth, named Havelock, was awarded .£1.000 damages against the King's Norton Metal Company, Birmingham. He was employed, it 9s. a week. to destroy percussion caps, and by the explosic i of swtne of the oaps he lost the sight of b h ty«s> Mail had IU8 left in destroyed.

1X iVXIJ fJJl THE INCREASED TEA DUTY. DEMAND FOR REDUCTION IN EXPENDITURE. In the House of Commons on Wednesday, On the report stage of the resolution authorising the increase of the tea duty to 8d., the debate on Mr. Lough's amendment proposing that the duty should be maintained at 6d. was continued. Mr. COGHILL (U., Stoke-on-Trent) was unable to understand why the country should be called upon to make heavy sacrifices in time of peace. The Government ought to do as any ordinary person did, namely, reduce their expenditure to correspond with their income. Announcing his intention to vote for the amendment, he said he could go into the Opposition lobby regardless of consequences, because on the opposite side of the House there were nineteen gentlemen with warm, compassionate hearts who would go to the assistance of the Government if any emergency arose. (Hear, hear.) Sir ROBERT REID (R., Dumfries Burghs) said the tax was a cruel one. Mr. WYLIE (U., Dumbarton) thought tea ought to be regarded as a somewhat dan- gerous luxury, which in its component parts, closely resembled strychnine. He supported the increase of the tax. Mr. J. WILSON (R., Mid-Durham) said that in recent years, in spite of the greater con- sumption of tea, the average duration of human life had increased. He himself had lived longer than ever he did before. (Much laughter.) The man who was called upon to pay income-tax at least had his dinner every day, but that was not the case with those who would feel the pinch of the tea duty. Mr. BLACK (R., Banff) was astonished at the ignorance of the Chancellor of the Exchequer as to people's incomes. The right hon. gentle- man must think the minimum wage in this country was £2,000 a year. (Laughter.) Some people had to live upon sixteen shillings or a pound a week. Sir HENRY CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN said it was a remarkable circumstance that so many members from all parte of the three kingdoms had, from their own personal know- ledge, given such strong testimony as to the evil effects the proposed duty would have. (Hear, hear.) Sir JOHN GORST (U., Cambridge University) reluctantly and regretfully admitted the necessity of this tax. This tax on food should be a lesson to the people to have a defined policy that would make such taxes impossible. (Delighted cheers from the Radical benches.) Sir H. FOWLER said that every shilling of this tax would have to come out of the pockets of the consumers in this country. The Chancellor of the Exchequer oontemplated a surplus of nearly three-quirters of a million. That was a large sum to take from the people, if not absolutely necessary. (Hear, hear.) He doubted the necessity of this tax in time of peace and when money was being wasted. (Great Opposition cheering.) Mr. BALFOUR: On what? Sir HENRY FOWLER: On every department of public expenditure. I make no exception -wasted all round; wasted in some of those very departments in which it is said reduc- tion is impossible. (Delighted cheers from the Opposition.) If the Chancellor of the Exchequer had proposed in times of peace to put 3d. on the income-tax the Government would not be in office 24 hours. (Opposition cheers.) Mr. R. M'KENNA (R., Monmouth, N.) wondered that Mr. Chamberlain's supporters had not insisted upon withdrawing the tea tax, and going back to that corn duty which they had proved to their own satisfaction was paid altogether by the American shipping companies (Opposition laughter and cheers.) Our working classes were taxed in the matter of tea more heavily than almost any other country in Europe. The House divided on Mr. Lough's a.moAntt-rn..nt, on/1 t), • — For the sixpenny duty. 202 Against 239 Government majority 37 The Opposition cheered loudly on hearing the smallness of the Government majority. The House again divided on the resolution, there voting:- For an eig-htpency duty 236 Against. 192 Government majority 44 A POSSIBLE GOVERNMENT DEFEAT. The twenty Liberal members who voted on Tuesday night in the Government majority of 38 on the report of the income-tax resolution state that they voted on the merits of the question, but several of them add that as a matter merely of party tactics all of them, probably, would have voted in the Opposition lobby, and so defeated the Government, if they had been made to understand in time that there was not a muster of Ministerialists adequate to carry the resolution.

PLAYING A DOUBLE GAME. A DISCARDED LOVER CUTS HIS THROAT. At Hammersmith, London, an inquiry has been held with reference to the death of John Beaumont, aged 52, a decorator, who com- mitted suicide. He had been worried by want of work, and had been strange. He had remarked to Mary Freeman, ilis landlord's daughter, that he was passionately fond of a young lady, and could not live without her. He was very jealous, and had spoken about another man being with the lady. On Saturday abe sent him a message not to come and see her again. This upset him, and the next night be cleared out his desk and tore up a quantity of cor- respondence. On Monday morning he was found in the lavatory with his throat cut from ear to ear, and a razor in his right hand. He died the same day. In his room were found two letters, one of which re&d :— Dear Mary (the landlord's daughter),—I have done this through I cannot stand him taking Sally from me. Since he came back she has not kept her appointments, and I feel it very much. He has been doing this in a sneaking, underhanded way now for some time. She has been playing a double game, which cannot last. I must say that I am very fond of her, and she knows it. She means to tell —— that she has not seen me since he has been away. I cannot help it if I love her. Do forgive me, Mary; I cannot help it. —— and Sally are the cause of this.—J. Beaumont. The second letter read Dear Sally,—I met Gertie on Saturday night, and she said I was not to speak to her or meet her again. I ca-nnot stand that after what we have been together, so I have put myself out of the way. With best love. I hope you will be happy now. I enclose ticket of my ring, if you like to get it out. It wiM be a koopsake.-Yours. Jack. Miss Sarah Williams said she had known Beaumont for two years. They were not engaged to be married. He was jealous because he knew that she loved somebody else. She had told him not to see her again, as she did not want him. He had told her that he loved her. As to the ring, when he was at the gold- fields he found a diamond, which was set in a ring. He had had sunstroke. The jury then returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst temporarily insane."

NEW GUINEA NATIVES. ATTACK ON A GOVERNMENT STEAMER. News has reached Sydney that while Mr. Robinson, Acting Administrator of British New Guinea, was on the 3rd ult. endeavour- ing to induce the chiefs to hand over the murderers of the missionary, the Rev. Mr Chalmers, the Government steamer Merrie England was attacked by 100 canoes. The natives were repulsed with much loss. There were some white casualties.—Renter. The natives of New Guinea are cannibals.

BEYOND PARENTAL CONTROL. At Cardiff Police-court on Thraday (before Dr. James Mullin and Mr. Henry White) two lads were charged with pilfering books, of trifling value, exposed for sale after the manner of purveyors of dfeeap literature. In the first case Alfred Payne, sixteen, a boy with a police-court career, was charged with stealing four books, value 4d., the property of William Buston and others, trading as the Weeleya-n Methodist General Book and Stationery Company, from outside the shop, No. 8, Castle Arcade, on the 27th inst.—Mr. Buston, secretary of the oampawiy, and an errand boy in the company's employ gave evidence as to the similarity of the books produced with those exhibited for sale, and which had been found inissing.-Police-con- stable Powell arrested prisoner, in the com- pa,ny of Albert Parker, seventeen, who was charged in the next case. The charge at first was based uppn suspicion only; but at the police-station pri- soner admitted to Powell that he had taken the books. — The magistrates sent him to a reformatory, there to be detained until he is nineteen.—Parker was then charged with stealing a book, value 2d., from James George, outside of his shop, 33, Queen- street' Arcade.—Accused pleaded guilty, and alleged that he felt sorry.-His mother gave him a very poor record. She said he had got quite beyond parental con- trol, and refused to work. He had also stolen 28. out of one of the bedrooms. Every morn- ing he went away after breakfast, and was not seen for the rest of the day, and six weeks ago, was the last time she saw any of his earning.—The Bench held that the book- sellers now partially to blame, but they ftaed jprieoo«r2O8^0od «aBts> OTiOOTteen<iBiy«. It

THE BUDGET AND TOBACCO. THE CHANCELLOR RECEIVES A DEPUTATION, The Chancellor of the Exchequer received at the Treasury on Wednesday a deputation from the tobacco section of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, who urged reasons in favour of some modification in the proposed differential duty upon tobacco strips, in order tc meet the case of importers, who appre- hended serious loss on account of the large stocks at present in hand. The speakers stated that such tobacco as they imported in very large quantities was practically a raw material, and that hitherto they had always been justified in relying upon uniformity in the duty on tobacco strips and leaf tobacco. Their trade was almost entirely in the hands of twenty or thirty firms, some of which might be nearly ruined if they were penalised to the extent proposed in the Budget. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in reply- ing, promised full consideration to the views urged, but he excused himslf from at present making any detailed reply or definite promise. He had to receive other similar deputations, and there seemed to be consider- able differences of opinion in their trade on the subject. He was anxious not to injure any trade, but believed that the effect of the duty he proposed would, probably, prove less serious than they anticipated. RE-ARRANGEMENT OF CARDIFF TOBACCO PRICES. The retail tobacconists of Cardiff have held a meeting to determine upon the prices of tobacco as a consequence of the increased duty. For the present there will be no in- crease in the prices of sweetened tobaccos, such as the "Pioneer" and "Traveller" brands, but tobaccos which were before sold at 4d., 4;d.. and 5d per oz., have been increased a halfpenny for the single ounce, but on the two-ounce packages there will only be an increase of id. per oz. It was decided not to increase the prices of shag tobacco, partly for the reason that grocers sell this particular brand, and they would be unlikely to raise their prices. On the smaller packages of cigarettes there is to be no increase, but packets of fifty and upwards have been advanced a halfpenny and a penny, according to the brand. TOBACCONISTS' GRIEVANCES AGAIN DISCUSSED. A well-attended meeting of retailers engaged in the tobacco trade was held on Tuesday afternoon in the Memorial-hall, London, to protest against the increased duty of three- penoo a pound on tobacco. Mr. Parry, of Liverpool, presided. The proposals in the Budget, so far as they affected tobacco, were denounced, and a resolution was passed expressing the opinion that the threepence increase on stripped tobacco was a serious blow to the retailers, and could not be adequately shared by the public. It suggested that the Chancellor of the Exchequer should withdraw the impost, and, as an alternative, that the duty upon imported cigars should be raised from sixpence to two shillings per pound, and on imported cigarettes from one shilling to two shillings. In the course of the discussion it was urged that even a higher tax would have been more advantageous to retailers, because then they could have raised the prices. CALCUTTA'S PROTEST. A large public meeting was held at Calcutta on Saturday, at which a reso- lution was unanimously passed, protest- ing against the increase of the tea duty, on the ground that the industry was aJready overtaxed. A telergram was sent to the Vice- roy requesting him to support the protest of the meeting.—Pouter.

THE PORT OF SWANSEA. THE CHARGES FOR TRIMMING COAL. In the King's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice, London, on Thursday, the caee of Evans and Reid v. Johnstone and Co. same before the Lord Chief Justice and Justices Wil- liams and Kennedy, sitting as a Divi- sional Court. It was an appeal from a deci- sion of the county-court judge sitting at Swansea in December last, in which he held that defendants, the owners of the Johnstone line of steamers, of Liverpool, were liable to pay CS Os. 4d. charges for trimming coal put on board the steamship Lochmore, according to the custom of the port of Swansea. The plaintiffs said they bad paid the charge be- cause it was a. custom, and they knew that the ship would have been delayed, and the coal, probably, not have been put on board at all, as the Coaltrimmere' and the Railway Workers' Union were practically the same, and the workmen would have refused to tip the coal.—After some discussion the Court said they could not deal with such an im- portant case without having the evidence and the reasons of the judge's decision stated more fully than in the judge's notes, and the case would go back, not for a new trial, but that the judge should state the evidence, and whether his decision was upon the ground that trimming must be paid for when the work was not done.

ALLEGED POCKET-PICKING. LONDON BOY CHARGED AT NEATH POLICE-COURT. Abra,ha-m Sugesman, aged sixteen, who gavo his address as Dyfatty-etreet, Swansea, via brought up in custody at Neath Borough Police-oourt on Thursday, and charged (before Messrs. Hopkin Jones and B. W. Davies) with picking the pocket of Mrs. Janet Griffiths, who resides near Craig-y-nos, at the Neath Market on Wednesday. The Head-constable said the lad was appr& handed on Wednesday, at noon. He would give but few particulars of himself, and was very untruthful. In tho interests of the lad himself and of justice he intended asking for a remand until Monday next, so that he migut have an opportunity of communicating with Scotland Yard. He had already done so with Swansea. Prisoner said he resided at Leman- street, Whitechapel, where his parents kept a tobacconist's shop. The purae which he alleged the prisoner took on Wednesday con- tained £1 ICe. 2d. The lad had also stated that he had come down from Paddington on Tuesday to join his brother, who sold jewel- lery in the market. Evidence of arrest was then given by Police- oonstable Ben Davies. In reply to the oharge the lad said:—"I shall reply to the charge at the police-court. The woman did not see me stealing the purse." Asked why he should not be remanded, prisoner said:—" I have done nothing to be remanded." The Head-oonetable-said that a woman from Water-street oame to the station and com- plained that she had lost eight shillings from her pocket on Wednesday. The coins coin- cided with those found in one boy's possession when he was arrested. It might merely be a coincidence, and he did not want to preju- dice their worships' minds. Prisoner was then remanded in custody until Monday.

TREBANOG LANLORD FINED. At Porth Police-court on Thursday William Rees, landlord of the Rickards Inn, Trebanog, wa-a proceeded agairst by the police on a charge of allowing drunkenness on the pre- mises. Considerable evidence of a detailed charao- ter was given. It was admitted that a man named Palmer was found drunk at tihe house; but it was argued by Mr. C. Matthews, who defended, that the man had not been sup- plied with any intoxicants there on the day in question. The Stipendiary said that the bench were satisfied that the man was not supplied with any drink by Mr. Rees, but the latter ought to have turned the man out of the premises immediately he saw he was in a. drunken state. A fine of JBl, including costs, was imposed.

PENTRE COLLIERS' REPAST. At Porth Police-court on Thursday two col- liers, named Benjamin Ayres and Barnabas Edwards, residing at Gelli, pleaded guilty to exploring a fowls' cot at Stable House, Gelli, and taking therefrom a fowl apiece, to er.able them then to enjoy a sumptuous breakfast the following m irning. It appeared that Ayres lodged with Edwards, and the latter's mother, quite unaware of the illicit way in which the fowls had been obtained, cooked them, and all that the police were able to discover were the remains of the stolen quarry. A penalty of EZ 10s. was imposed on Ayres, and CZ on Edwards, with the usual alterna- tives.

LIGHT RAILWAY FROM ST. CLEARS A public meeting was held in the Town-hall. Laugharne, on Tuesday night, convened by the portreeve, for the purpose of testing the feeling of the inhabitants on the question of a proposed light railway from St. Clears, through Llanddowror and Langharne, to Pen- dine. The meeting was presided over by the portreeve.-A resolution warmly approving of the proposed railway and asking the chair- man to communicate with the several land- lords on the route, so M to got their opinion and co-operation, it possible, wow carried HMEBfcBOTWljC.

SNATCHED FROM DEATH. At Highgate Police-court on Wednesday James Appleton, 39, gardener, an ex-soldier, was charged, on remand, with attempting to commit suicide by placing himself on the metals in front of an approaching train on the Great Northern Railway. Police-constable Jordan, 283, Y. said that shortly after seven o'clock on Thursday morniug the prisoner went up to him in the Muswell hill road, and asked, Where can I buy some poison?" Before the witness could answer the prisoner ran off, climbed the fence of the Gravel-pit Wood. and disappeared in the wood. The witness followed him to the other side of the wood, and saw him get over the fence and run down the railway embankment just as a train was approaching from the tunnel. The prisoner knelt down between the metals in front of the train, and the witness rushed up to him. and, after a struggle, succeeded in dragging him into safety at the side of the line. During the remand the prisoner had been under the observation of Dr. James Scott, who now reported—" I have observed and examined the above named (James Appleton) and do not consider him to be insane. At the time ho committed his offence he seems to have been worried about money troubles and to have been suffering from the effecta of drink, though not actually intoxicated." The prisoner was again remanded in order that his friends might be communicated with.

A MYSTERIOUS BABY. An inquest was held on Wednesday at Hackney, London, on a ten months' old son of a young Frenchwoman from Paris.—Dr. Westcott, the coroner, said that the French certificate of birth merelv gave the child's name as "Henri," without either the father's or mother's name.—The mother, a dark and pretty woman, stylishly dressed, stated (i. French) that she had consented to the child being sent to London, a month ago, but when she went to see it she found that it had gone. The father was a diamond merchant, and she was going to join him at Lisbon.—It appeared that the child bad been well cared for at Clapton, but had died as the result of whoop- ing cough.—A verd ct in accordance with the medical evidence returned.