Weekly Mail

AMATEUR LAWYER'S WILL EXPENSIVE LITIGATION OVER MR. HANBURY'S PROPERTY. The will of the late Mr. Banbury, who at the time of his death was Minister of Agri- culture, was the subject of a discussion before the House of Lords on Tuesday. Mr. Hanbury drew up his own will. It was very brief, and free from the technical language employed by lawyers, but. in spite of its apparent simplicity, a question has arisen between the widow a.nd Mr. Hanbury's nieces as to whether under the will there was an absolute gift of his large estate to his wife.' or whether she simply had a life rent. Mr. Hsunbury in his will said that he devised the whole of my real and personal estate absolutely and in full confidence that my wife will make such use of it as I should have made myself, and that at her death she will devise it to such one or more of my nieces as she may think fit." There was aJso a provision that in the event of Mr3. Hanbury dying intestato all Mr. Han- bury's estate and property acquired by ner under the will should at her death be equally divided among his nieces. Mr. Justice Kekcrwioh and the Court of Appeal (Lord Justice Cohens-Hardy dissent- ing) held that there was an absolute gift to Mrs. Hanibury of the whole of the property. The Lord Chancellor, in giving judgment. said it was clear that Mr. Hanbury intended to give his wife a life interest in the property. He moved that the appeal be sustained. This was agreed to, Lord Lindley alone dis- senting. As a resuult the widow of Mr. Hanbury has absolute use of the property during her life- time, but on her death the estate has to be distributed among the seven nieces as she may direct.

"GAMBLING IN LIVES." EMPIRE COLLECTING SOCIETY: HEAVY PENALTIES. Before Mr. Curtis Bennett at Westminster Police-court on Friday the hearing was con- cluded of the summonses issued by the Regis- trar of Friendly Societies against the Empire Co1 looting Society-Mr. Goo. Frederick Green, treasurer; Mr. Charles Sheldrick, trustee; cm,i Mr. Ebenezer S. Diss, the seexe"ry-for breaches of the Friendly Societies Act. Mr. Dudley Barlow prosecuted, and Mr. Thurlow Baker appeared for the defence. The defendant Mr. Green was re-called, and in further cross-examination said that he knew that, as a member of the committee, he could not be a collector of the society. He appointed his son, aged 13. to a collectorahip, thinking there would be a little commission for him. Mr. Barlow: When did you first hear of this "gambling" in lives in Wales before referred to in this inquiry?—Witness: Throughout the insurance world it is well known that there is a gamble in lives in Wales, and you have to be very smart to detect how the gambling is done. Mr. Curtis Bennett said there was nothing fraudulent in the accounts and nothing really omit/bed, but it was quite clear that defen- dants did know, or should have known from their long insurance experience, that certain obligations must be complied with. He fined Messrs. Green and Sheldrick ten guineas and ten guineas costs each. Mr. Barlow said the society itself had no funds, and he withdrew the summons against jit. Mr. Curtis Bennett said he would fine Mr. Dias (MM secretary) 408. and 23e. ooeta.

AN INDIGNANT HUSBAND. HORSEWHIPS CO-RESPON- DENT. The horsewhipping of the co-respondent was one of the 'features of the case of Roden v. Roden and Cox, in which the husband sought a divorce from his wife on the ground of her misconduct with William Henry Cox. Mr. Barnard (instructed by Messrs. Pepper and Co.) appeared for the petitioner; and Mr. Willock (instructed by Messrs. Peacock and Goddard) for the respondent. Mr. Barnard said the petitioner, Alfred George Roden, was a traveller, and was married at Edgbaston in January, 1882. The parties oft-erwaxds lived,at Aston, and there were five children, the youngest being now sixteen. In 1899 petitioner heard that Cox was in the habit of visiting his house in his absence, but his wife said it was untrue. The co-respondent was a dealer in pictures. MR. RODEN. The rumours about Cox were continued, and the petitioner again spoke to his wife, when she admitted that Cox had been there, but she declared that there was nothing wrong. Returning home late one night he found Cox coming out of the gate. ana thrashed him with a horeewhip. In 1901 the respondent gave way to drink, and in 1905 she went to Bournemouth, where she was visited by the co-respondent. They lived in the same house for a fortnight. The co-respondent., who appeared in person, absolutely denied the charges against him, and aaiid the respondent was an innocent lady. Petitioner deposed that before horsewhip- pi.ng the co-respondent he called him a scoundrel, but it did not have any etfoot-he probably kruew he was a scoundrel. (Laughter.) His wife paid Cox was a nice old gentleman, and it was unwise to take liber- ties with him and thrash him. One night petitioner was sitting up late reading a paper, when Cox walked in and hung up his haot in tho hall. Did you ask him what he wanted?—Yes, MR. 001 and he replied, "I do not want you." (Laughter.) He did not pxpeet to find you there?-No. (Laughter.) What did you do?—I cracked him over the I head with a stick, cut his head open, and he was ill for six weeks. Did you call in the police?—Yes, and gave the co-respondent in custody. He said he ca-mo there by the invitation of my wife, and the police would not take him. Cro«s-examined by Mr. Willock: I brought th 2 horsewhip home with me from Manches- ter. I specially prepared for him. (Laughter.) Co-respondent: He damaged my hat, and has not paid for a new one yet. (Laughter.) He pretended he mistook me for a burglar. and gave me in charge as a burglar. Petitioner: I might have called you a burglar. Oo-resTK>ndent: You went to the door and blew a police whistle?—I told the police I had found you on the premite4 for a felonious purpose, and gave you into custody. Why did they not lock me up?—Because you said you had been invited there by my wife. Was it not because I was innocent?—No. Co-respondent: This man tells such un- trut/ha it irritates me. (Laughter.) The petitioner and his wife did not live such lic-ppy arcadian lives as he makes out. (Laughter.) Elizabeth Pyne, the Bournemouth landlady, said thait Mrs. Roden and Mr. Oox were together for a fortnight at her house. Cox paid for everything. He was supposed to be Mrs. Roden's brother. Cross-examined by Mr. Willock: My husband did not turn me out of the house. For stealing money?—It is a lie. I did not come here for that. (Laughter.) How long have you been married to Mr. Pyne?—(Indignantly) That's my business. (Laughtor.) In what name were you married?—That's (Laughtor.) In what name were you mM'ried?-Tha.t's my business. (Laughter.) Did you call yourself Pettit-t or Lucy Wyoitt?—That's my business. (La.ughter.) My name was Anthony, if you want to know. Were you living with a labourer named John Lawrence?—(Emphatically): That's my buianess. Were you not turned out of the house?— It's a lie. I have as much character as they have. I knew this was coming. (Laughter.) William Pyne. husband of the last witness, gave corroborative evidenoe. He thought the respondent a.nd co-respondent were "loving enough." They got on all right, and he doubted if they were brother and sister. (Laughter.) Cross-examined by Mr. Willock: I wanted my wife to give she took some of my woney- The Oo-respondewt: Did you ever see any impropriety between us?—It looked very funouy to see you coming out of other people's rooms. I have seen you pretty close together, too. (Laughter.) Mr. Willock, for the respondent, denied misconduct, aind said he thought he could saitisfy the court on that point. Mrs. Roden, the respondent, said that ehc made the acquaintance of Mr. Cox about six- teen years ago. He was introduced to her by Mr. Roden's ts.is.ter. She did not meet him a great deal. He called a.t the house afterwards about pictures and to see Mr. Roden's sister. When she saw him it was always out of doors. With reference to the occasion on which petitioner thrashed the co-respondent, witness &aid thajt she heard a great row out- side the house, but did not know the begin- ning of the disturbance. She never remem- bered saying that Oox was a nice old man and that it was a shame to thraSh him. Wit- and that it was a shame to thraSh him. Wit- ness denied that there had ever been any familiarity between her and Mr. Cox. Mr. Cox afterwards gave evidence, and denied that he had ever committed himself with f.r3. Roden. Cross-examined He never took any proceed- ings against Mr. Roden for thrashing him. While at Bournemouth for the benefit of his health he met Mrs. Roden. He bad gone to see her at her lodgings. and she came to his lodgings to see him. Mr. Justice Bargreve Deane came to the conclusion that misconduct had been com- mitted, and granted petitioner a decree nisi, with costs.

HAVERFORDWEST MAN. MASSACRED BY NEGRO INSUR- GENTS. Investigation, following a report which appeared in the "Evening Express" of December 27 of the massacre of German colonists by negro insurgents in German South-West Africa, has led to the discovery that a native of Haverfordwest is amongst the victims. He is the eldest son of Mr. David Harris, formerly a groefcr, but now of Merlin Honse, Neyland, with "whom the greatest sympathy will be felt on account of the sad intelligence he has received. Our evening contemporary stated that in the official list of victims published l: £ st Decem- ber appeared the name of one Englishman, a farmer, named Harris, of Keizabbis. The name naturally came under the notice of Mr. David Harris, whose eldest son, who had some time ago emigrated to the Cape, was in the vicinity referred to. Unfortunately, the details that were communicated to this country gave no more than the surname of Harris Anxious to ascertain if the victim of Witboi treachery was his son, Mr. David Harris wrote to the "Evening Express" for farther information. The German Embassy in London, in reuly to our inquiries, could give no further information, but we placed Mr. Harris in communication with the British Embassy :n Berlin. The British Ambassador in the German capital very kindly undertook to investigate the matter, and to let Mr. Harris know. A few days ago Mr. Harris received the Ambas- sador's reply, with a description of the man whose death was recorded. This cleared away all doubt, for the British subject who had been murdered was, undoubtedly, the eldest son of Mr. David Harris, namely, as the Ger- man Colonial Department described ir m after making inquiries, "John Ellictt Harris, born on August 27. 1869. at Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, South Wales, a British sub- ject who had a short time ago emigrated from Cape Colony to German territory." The manner in which Mr. Harris met his death is not detailed, but there is no doubt that he was the victim of one of the many mass acres which have thrown German South- West Africa into a state of terror. The Wit- bois' rebellion has not only been a source of terror to the whdte Oolonists, but the German Government have spent a great deal of time and enormous sums of money in trying to suppress it. When Mr. Harris was murdered the reign of terror was at its height, and terrible stories are told of Witboi brutality. All the German men and male children, according to one fugitive, were being systematically killed by the rebel- lious Wit hois, whilst the women and female children were left unmolested. Male babies were torn from their mothers' arms and brutally murdered. One German and his wife brutally murdered. One German and his wife and son and daughter had set out in the hope of reaching the British frontier when the Witbois overtook them. The woman and the daughter were ordered to get into the I wagon, but her husband and seven-yearold | son were shot. Stories are frequent of hus- bands murdered in front of their wives, who were afterwards refused permission to bury I' the bodies, because, they brutally replied. the vultures must also be supplied with food." There is little doubt that the late Mr. J. E. Harris, who was only 35 years of age, was a, victim to one of these terrible scenes..

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PORTH BABY MYSTERY CLEAEED UP AT THE INQUEST. Mr. R. J. Rhys, coroner, conducted aa inquiry on Wednesday at Porth Police- station into the circumstances attending the death of a female child, whose body was found on Sunday morning last in the back- yard of 12, Argyle-etreet, Cymmer. The mother is a. girl, aged only thirteen-Mid-th- half years, who resides with her grand- parents at 1, Argyle-street, Cymmer, Porth. Mr. A. Thomas James (from the office of Messrs. Walter Morgan, Bruce, and Nicho- las), Pontypridd, appeared to represent Percy Trethery, a collier, the alleged farther of the child. Hannah Andrews, 12, Argyle-etreet, said that on going to the backyard on Sunday morning she found the body of a newly-born child at the foot of the garden wail, which was about 4ft. high. She immediately gave informa.tion to the police. The body was not in the yard on Saturday afternoon. Police-inspector Gill said he went to 12, Argyle-street, and saw the body lying at the foot of the wall separating No. 11 and No. 12. It looked as if it had been dropped down over the wall from No. 11. He visited No. 11, IoD4 there saw Violet Vallender, the mother ot the child.- Ellen Vallender, grandmother of Violet Val- lender, said the girl was an orphan, and would be fourteen years of age next Septem- ber. She had not noticed anything pecu- liar in the girl's condition up to Friday, and Violet was about doing her house- hold duties as usual. She lay in bed on Saturday until 7.30 in the evening, and when witness went out she was away from the house about three-quarters of an hour. When she returned the girl was sitting at the table in the kitchen, with a cup of tea before her. The Ooroner: Had she been out?—I don't know. Would anyone know?—No, sir. Witness added that the girl's grandfather was in the room at the time, but he was asleep, and would not have noticed the girl going out if she had done so. The girl went bock to bed, and she got up on Sunday, when she was examined by Dr. Cochrane. MEDICAL EVIDENCE. Dr. Cochrane paid he saw the body of the child on Sunday morning about 11.30 in the yard at the back of No. 12 Argyle-etreet. The body appeared to be that of a fully-developed female child. There were no braises or any sign of violence on the body. The lungs had not been inflated at all, and when tested they were not completely buoyant. The Coroner: How was the heart? Was it in its proper place?—Yes. Do you think the child had had an ind-opea. dent existence?—No; I don't think so. In reply to further questions the witness said he examined the girl on Sunday, and she then had the appearance of having given birth to a child about twelve or eighteen hours previously.. The Coroner: You say eighteen, houza Would that, be the maximum? Witness: Yes. The Ooroner, in summing up, said that so far as the jury was concerned there was an end to the ease. This child, according to Dr. Cochrane'e evidence, had no independent exit. tence. If the medical evidence had been dif- ferent and the child had drawn one breath, the case would have been a very gra.ve one indeed. However, he would say one thing and that was he sincerely hoped that the man. whoever he might be, who .was responsible for this, would be found out. It did seem to be a. monstrous thing that in a country like ours a little child, not yet four- teen years of age. should be brought into this condition. The man. if it could be brought home tW him, deserved the severest punishment which the law could inflict. The Foreman: It is a most eerious thing. The Coroner: Yes. I know, but we have nothing to do with that. The jury returned a, verdict in accordance with the medical evidenoe. The* Foreman added that the jury fully concurred with the remarks made by the ooroner. COLLIER IN CUSTODY. At Porth Polioe-court on Thursday Percy Trethewy, a collier, of Bedw-street, Cymmer, was brought up in custody amd charged under the Criminal Law Amendment Act with aa offence against Violet Vallender, 11. Argyll street, Cymmer, a grrl thirteen and a haJf years of age. Mr. W. P. Nicholas appeared for the defen- dant. Inspector Gill said that from information 11, received he arrested the prisoner 011 Tuesday Dgh at the Cymmer Colliery Yard. He was brought to the police-station and charged with knowing the girl Vallender be- tween April and May, 1904, she then being about twelve years old. Witness informed prisoner that t,he girl had said that he was the father. Defendant replied, I have heard something about it." and went on to say- I don't know exactly whether it was April or May J came from there; perhaps my old Landlady will tell you. She (the girl) did not think about others she has been talk- ing to when she said it was me, as I was lodging there. Superintc-ndent Cole: I ask for a remand in this case. The girl is unable to attend. Mr. Nicholas: I offer no objection, but there is no evidence against- the prisoner. The Stipendiary: He does not deny it., lvhat he practically says is that there were ethers concerned. Mr. Bachelor: I will be prepared to analyse that statement. The Stipendiary: Is it not necessary. Mr. Nicholas: The evidence is of a most slender character, and I ask that this man be liberated on bail. He is only a working man. Superintendent Cole: He is a single man, and I ask for substantial bail. Mr. Nicholas: Defendant is only a working man, and any heavy bail would be practi- cally prohibitive. A remand was granted for a week. and after consultation with the other magistrates the Stipendiary fixed bail at two sureties of L30 each and the defendant in L60. It is understood that the case will not be further gone into next week, and that another adjournment will be applied for.

I LOVE AND REVENGE. VITRIOL THROWN OVER A SWEET- HEART'S FACE. All the elements of a melodramatic romance of leve and revenge were to be found in the story told at the Southwaifk. Police-court, London. In the dock ttood the sailor lover, Frederick Henry Robinson, a. naval stoker in the witness-box the heroine, Beatrice Powell, with her face bandaged. There is now no danger of the sight of one of her eyes being lost. but the vitriol which her lover had thrown over her face has scarred her for life. Although only twenty yea.rs of age, she had been engaged to Robinson for four years. But while he was away on foreign service last August she wrote to him breaking off their engagement. He appealed to her by letter, and in person on his return lii December, but in vain. She told him that she was walking out" with the man in whose charge he had iett her. Frank Casey, lknd he stabbed the latter'a portra.it with a 'pair of scissors. Then one evening, when they were in the Dun Cow, lie went out And came back with a white jar or bottle. Taking off the metal top, he eaid: You have net had any scent lately," and threw a burning fluid on her face. Robinson said she became madly jealous when she told him of Casey, whom he referred to as that snake in the grass." and he had obtained the vitriol to burn oat her poro:;u-f tattooed on his arm. He express ed hie regret, and was oommitted far trial.

RECORD DIVORCE DAMAGES CASE. In the Divorce Court on Monday a.n applicatical was made to the President (Sir Gorell Barnes) for a stay of execution of the judgment of Sir Francis J«O0« r>n the 5th of December last. in the ease of Con- stantdnjdi T. Oonstantinidi and Lance, a suit in which petitioner, Mr. Deanetrios Sophocles Constantinidi, had obtained a divorce from the respondent, who was a daughter of the late Stephen Ralli. The circumstances of the case have been iully reported. It will be remembered that the jury awarded petitioner £ 25,000 damages against the co-respondent. Mr. Barnard, who made the application said thiat the matter before the then presi- dent last December was as to a variation of the marriage settlement, and Sir Francis Jeune directed the trustees to pa.y certain large sums to the husband. There was an appeal against the decision now pending. Sir Gorell Barnes granted a stay of execu- tion accordingly.

BETRAYED BY HIS FRIEND Taylor v. Taylor and Fleischer was an un. defended divorce cose, heard in London, in which the husband alleged misconduct against hie wife with the co-respondent. Mr. Bayford said the petitioner was Mr. James Lushkngfon Taylor, who was con- neoted with the railways in India, and he married the respondent, Sophia Emily Tay- lor, at Bangalore, in December, 1884. They Idtvfed together ad various plaoes in India oomling home to England from time to time On returning to India in 1898 there was trouble in consequence of the wife's conduct with a. gentleman, resulting in an agreement to separate for five years. The wife was to go to England to educate the three children. In 1903 the potltioner discovered that his wife was living i.n the same house as the co- respondent, William Fleischer, at Bedford. Her brother suggested to hM- husband thatt t.he oo-respondent was willing to ma.rry Dolly" if an amicable divorce could be arranged. He also said that the respondent, did not intend to live with the petitioner agswin. Petitioner staled that he was now living at Tnnbridge Wells. He had known the co- respondent for twenty years, Mr. Fleischer ha.ving constantly stayed at his house in India.. The co-respond eat was now in England. Corroborative evidence wias given, and a landlady proved mieoonduot. Asked what tihe respo-ndemt, called Mr. Fleischer, tliela-nd- lady replied, "Slhe always addressed him a.s dear. (Laughter.) The President granted the petitioner a decree nisi and custody of the children, with costs against the co-respondent.

LODGER AS CO-RESPONDENT, The defended divorce petition of Robert Skeet, seeds salesman, of Manchester, for dis- solution of his marriage on the ground of the alleged mii^conduct of his wife with Bertram Smith, a lodger and postman, and afterwards an assistant. in the petitioner's business, again came before Mr. Justice Ba-rgrave Deane, without a jury. Mr. Grazebrook and Middleton appeared for the petitioner; and Mr. Barniard for tlhe respondent and co-respondent. Mr. Barnard contended that the only evidence of misconduct against the respon- dent was that of her little son, aged twelve; but the boy could not be believed, as he had sworn that his father and mother did not live together after the respondent went to Blackpool, which liad been proved to be incorrect. He admitted that the respondent and co-respondant had been unwise and indis- creet, but they were partnere in the boa,rd- ing-house at Blackpool, and naturally they lived there and were often seen together. Mr. Grazebrook denied connivancc, and said that the petitioner's suspicions were not aroused until he found that the co-respon- dent's wife had left him and the boarding- house. The respondent had had a child of which the petitioner said he was not the father. Mr. Justice Deane had not the slightest doubt of the guilt of the restpondenit and co- respondent, and he pronounced a decree nisi, wi-th costs, and custody of the children. The usual order as to the wife's costs was made. —

ADRIFT FOR 26 DAYS. PITIABLE PLIGHT OF A BRITISH CREW. The crew of the British schooner Earl of Beaconsfleld, who were landed at Dun- kirk on Tuesday by the barque Austra- lian, had a terrible experience during the recent Atlantic gales. She left Oporto for Newfoundland on November 18. and suffered oovere damage in the storm of December 19. Her boats were carried away, steering became impossible, and she, drifted for twr,,nt,.ci. days. Seven vessels passed without seeing the schooner, whose deck was level with the water. At last the Australian rescued the crew, who were in a pitiable oondition. Their vessel, which constituted a dangerous derelict, was sun k.—Central News. SECOND THOUGHTS. I THE BEAVER: All right, old ohap, don't hoot; I am coming downl

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i J TRAVELLER'S SAD DEATH AT HAVERFORDWEST. It-r. Price, county coroner, held an inquest lot Haverfordwest on Wednesday evening on Jhe body of William Rees, aged 31, traveller for J. and J. P. Reynolds, grocers, Haver- fordwest, whose death, caused considerable Sensation in the town. Mrs. Rees, wife of deceased, said her hus- band came home last Friday morning, and, saying his heart was very bad, he went Upstairs to his bedroom. Soon afterwards she heard a, scream, and rushed upstairs. Her husband said, "Oh, Phoebe, what have I taken?" He was then lying across the bed. He had been at work that morning, and when he came home, said he was very ill. He said nothing about being in trouble. As Soon as she saw her husband's state she sent for Dr. Williams, who came in a. few toiiiutefi. By the Foreman: There were a good many bottles about the room, soda. water bottles, whisky, &c., but she did not notice any par- ticular bottle. Mrs. Harrison, a neighbour, said the last Witness came to her house and said she thought her husband was dead. Witness Went upstairs, and found deceased on his hands and knees on the bed. She asked him what he had done, but he seemed in too treat pain to answer. She saw a bottle on the washstand, and this she put in her Pocket for the doctor to see. Witness sent for help, and they gave deceased emetics. She stayed with him until his death. When- ever she asked him what he had done he always said he did not know. He never made any other statement to her except about his health. William Harris Rees, chemist, Haverford- west, said last Friday morning deceased came into his shop, and he supplied him with threopennyworth of spirits of salts. He said his wife had been recommended it for cleaning braes. Witness gave him a little over *joz., oaationing him that it would burn. Deceased said he knew that, and they would MDPIY it with a rag. He seemed quite ciheer- tul and chatty. Spirits of salts was not a scheduled poison. John Simpson, father-in-law, was with deceased at the time of his death, but he Sever gave any explanation as to why he had take a poison. Witness did not know if anything troubled him. Dr. Williams, Haverfordwest, Faid when he -tV deceased on Friday he was in a stiato of and seemed to be dying. Witness asked for an explanation, and was given a bottle of Bpirite of salts (hydrochloric acid). Deceased died on Tuesday of exhaustion and shock, following the swallowing of an irritant Poison. A drachm of hydrochloric acid would produce death, and deceased had swallowed nearly two ounces. It was poe Bible to mistake the poison for whisky, as it was nearly the same colour, and, if taken rapidly, it might. he swallowed in mistake f^.r whisky. It would, however, burn the lips, tongue, palate, a.nd afterwards the stomach and no emetics could save a. person. The Coroner, summing up, said no evi- dence had been given of the motive why deceased took the poison. They had the doctor's evidence that it might be taken by mistake, and such ogses had occurred. The jury, after a private consultation, found a verdict that death had resulted from taking an irritant poison, but how it had been taken there was no evidence to show.

A CAERPHILLY VISITOR'S STRANGE SUICIDE. Mr. E. B. oe, coroner, held an inquest 8Jt the Cardiff Town-hall on Friday, touching the death of R. J. E. Williams, a clerk, who was found shot in a bedroom at Eliiott's Hotel, St. Mary-street, early on Friday morn- ing. Mr. C. Thomas. Oak field House, Caer- philly, brother-in-law of the deceased, said th2t Williams was 23, and was a clerk, but had been out of employment for eome time. He had come home from Aus- tralia in July last. where he had gone for his health. Since then he lived with witness alt Caerphilly. Ho suffered from depression ever since he came back from Australia. He left Oakfield House on Thursday, and did not. come home in the evening. Dr. Buist deposed that he saw Williams ftbout nine o'clock. LO was alive, but unoon- scious. There were two wounds in the right lgide of the head--one near the eoar and the other about Zin. higher up--and three wounds also in the left side and,the chest-two in the heart area and one lower down. They were Ion bullet wounds. The Coroner: All bullet wounds? Why, he 18 supposed to have fired only two shots. Dr. Buist: Yes, I know; but the wounds are ltll of the same nature, and I am sure they a.re all bullet wounds. Death was due to bullet wounds, which were, in the doetaer, opinion, self-inflicted. The jury returned a verdict of Suicide Whilst temporarily insane."

CARDIFF WOMAN'S FATE. The Cardiff Coroner (Mr. E. B. Reece) held th j adjourned Inquest on Thursday on the body of Mrs. Mary Ellen DriscoJl, of Helen- street, Broadway, at the town-ha-ll. Dr. Wil- liams had been unable to certify the cause of death even after a post-mortem examinft- tion, and the inquiry had been adjourned for an analysis of the contents of the stomach. The deceased, a young woman, had appeared quite strong, but feeling unwell after dinner OIlC day she took a liquorice powder. Severe laxity followed and during the night her hus- ba.nd. who in case of emergency had laid down in his clothes, found his wife dead. Edwin Pool, a chemist, of Broadway, for whom a former witness had stated that deceased purchased a packet of liquorice Powder, stated that if the whole of one of these packets, which contained about four taspoonfuls, was taken it would be a very Severe aperient. Mr. Hughes, borough analyst, said that in the stomach there was a good deal of liquo- rice, but no poison whatever. Dr. Williams said the post-mortem 'exami- nation revaled no organic disease. There Was, however, inflammation of the intestines, and he thought this pointed to irritant Poisoning, but, having heard Mr. Hughes's evidence, he had concluded that that opinion was incorrect. He now attributed dea.th to inflammation of the intestines, camsed by oonstipa.tion and accelerated by shook, the result of an overdose of aperient medicine. The jury returned a verdict in accordance With the medical evidenoe, and the Coroner ra,ther jocularly remarked that" Mr. Pool's liquorice powder was exonerated from all bla.me." PEMBROKESHIRE MOLE-CATCHER'S SAD END. Mr. Price, coroner, held a.n inquest on Tuesday on the body of Thomas Jones, mole. catcher, Haverfordwest, found dead near Picton Wood. A boy named George Bowen Was the last to see the deceased alive on January 23. As he did not return home, he was believed to have gone into the workhouse. The polioe, after three days' search, found the deceased lying on his back in some mud. He was 75, and very feeble. Dr. Wilson gave it as his opinion he had eunk down exhausted, and death from exposure resulted. Verdict accordingly. ATTEMPTED SUICIDE AT CARDIFF. William Welch, the young man who attempted suicide by taking poison a.t Broa-d- Way, Cardiff, on January 25, was again before \the Cardiff benoh on Thursday. x He said, It was being out of work so long that made me do it. I was out of work eleven Months out of thirteen, but I've got a job How if I get off." Mr. J. W. Courtis gave him a good leoture, :n-1 then djeah&Mied him.

COMPROMISING LETTERS FROM A LADY. The beginnings of a remarkable divorce case were told to Sir J. Gorell Barnes, the new president, in Divorce Court I. on Friday. No jury was empanelled. What happened was just the taJe-a strangely-moving tale-of one woman. Her name was Rose Fanny Frowd, and her hus- band, Mr. Herbert Haddon Frowd, of East- bourne, is seeking a divorce from her, alleg- ing misconduct wd.th a. boy, named Emeet William Eldridge. Mrs. Frowd is sailing for abroad in a week, and it was because of this that she went into the witness-box to give her evidence of denial in advance. She made a striking figure, and the story she told might have come from behind the footlights for tihe intensity of it. She spoke for the most part in eloquent defence of "the boy." He bad confessed his wrong3, and his confession was in writing. But Mrs. Frowd waved that aside. That con- fession she cried, with the tears welling up in her dark eyes, was a bogus one—dragged from the frightened boy by shameless people who were doing their mightiest to ruin her life. She was married, she said, in 1896. Six years la.ter she separated from her husband and went to live at Brighton. Here she met the boy "-a tall, well-looking youtdi under 21. They both had musical tastes. He went homo with her one Sunday night after an organ recita.l at St. James's Church. On their way home the talk turned to Tanntbauser," and they discussed the first act of that tragic love story. In the wake of the Venusbnrg music followed two detectives. The boy" raw the lady home. Together they eat down to the piano, and she played to him tome of the music of the o-pem. 11 It was the first act," she said. Did you not invite him up to your bed- room?" asked Mr. Barnard, the cross-exam- in-ing counsel. It is a dreadful lie! answered the lady. It was after this thia-t she heard Mr- Eldridge had confessed. I went to see him," she said. and told him what a coward he was, and he replied, If you only knew how sorry I am you would forgive me. I have been forced and frightened into it.' I aek«a him if be would tell just the truth, for father's sake, and he said he dare not, if ing that three other men besides himsei had signed confessions—Mr. T., Mr. S., and Mr. P." Mrs. Frowd admitted that she had 171 the Divorce Court before—but the 3 ry acquitted her. Did you have any affeoticn for biarwige. asked counsel. In a friendly way, yes- think very highly of him." Have you ever kissed him? "Yes, once—or, at least, he kissed me, after a dance." "You wrote letters to him. Only two." Mr. Barnard read extract: — Dear E,-Don't come near me! Frowd is on the warpath. Why did you say that if there was nothing wrong in your intimacy with him? Why should I let them bring every inno- cent boy into trouble with me, and turn everything I do into wrong? she replied. Thank God, dear boy, you are safe," quoted counsel. Isn't that something to thank God for? retorted Mis. Frowd. And you told him to say that he never m'et you by appointment! That was untrue? It was untrue. I was frightened for him —frightened art. fmeryth-ing-frigbtened at my own shadow nearly. When you know people aire dogging you. and trying to make wrong out of everythin.g you do, it makes a woman frightened. I was even frightened that we might be seen at the Opera together—Tann- hauser and Faust.! Swear blind they are all lies. Don't ever admit having kissed me. What do you mean by tbait-frightened?" Yes—I was very frightened when he kissed me that day. I feared it would tell very much against him." The letter went on: I shall keep out of your way and live as quietly as possible. Go to church as usual. Sometimes I shall come, and may speak to you for a. minute outside. We must not let itfhem think we are afraid of each other, or tha.t we a-re not still friends. You oa.n write to me with safety. I will be true. Keep dark. Say as little as possible. The lady also referred to the great love she had for her little son, Whom She was rarely allowed to see. Did you also have great love for the co- respondent?" asked Mr. Barnard. Only friendly love. He has been more tflian kind to me. Many times I ha.ve been absolutely lonely, with no one to cheer me. a.nd no one to speak to. Then he was kind to me. And what wrong is there in that?" The second letter to "the boy" ran as foa- lows: Dear Old Ernie,—I am going blind-blind through so much worry and so much cry- ing. You will be sorry, I know dear. The world will be dark then, won't it, dear? It is dark enough when I am away from you and the boy; and, oh. what will it be if some day I' shall never be able to see your dear face It is true—it is true," sobbed the woman in the witness-box. I am going blind-" Mr. Barnard read on: If, dear, I should go to "rest in the way you know-I cap not answer for myself; I really cannot. I will send you a ring of mine, and have it made into a tie-pin. Always keep it in remembrance of me, for I love you dearly. Good night, my dear lad. God bless you always! Yours now, and always the same. ROSE. "What do you mean by the phrase the world will be dark, then, won't it, dear? It is dark enough when I am away from you?" And my boy," broke in the witness. I have had no one to speak to me," she added. If you wera lonely, sir, and had got no friends, would not the world be dark to you? He has been very kind to me! You must have had groat affection for him! In that way I have-^as I told you!" A few more sentences, and the lady had finished her evidence, and that was all. The rest, of the oa.se-the other side of the story- will be told when she is far away from the Divorce Court.

A DIVORCE RESCINDED. PETITIONER'S BELATED CANDOUR: A CLUB INCIDENT. The remarkable action in which a mys- terious lady named Eva—her surname has not been given—is one of the principal witnesses was concluded before Mr. Justice Bigham. Seme time ago Mr. Charles de Gallo, other- wise Charles Davies, who formerly carried on business in Fleet-street, and resided at Heath-villas, Hampatead, obtained a divorce on the ground of his wife's misconduct with a music teacher named Johneon. The King's Proctor now intervened. Next door to Heath-villas is an Anglo-Ger- man club, of which both Davies and a man named Johnson, who were named as GO respondents, were members. The King's Proctor's case is that at a ball at the club Davies met Eva, who was a music pupil of Johnson's, and that la-ter both John- son and Davies committed misconduct with her. It was then that Mrs. Davies discovered the following letter in her husband's ooo.t:- My Dear Charley,—Do you know I left by gTeat mistake my side-oombs on the table ia your bedroom? Did Mrs. Davies find ) them? And what did she say about them? If she has not said anything a,bout it. all right/but if EO, write and tell- me what you said. Of course, if she asked me how they came there I shall say I tore my skirt, and went to pin it up by your per- mission Benjamin Frederick Johnson told his etory in the witness-box on Thursday. At one time i he wp" «- wmfawrianaJ oomoort sinim. respondent aa well as with Eva, and added I that Davies and Eva went out from the club one night, and came back together. What did you say when they returned?—I asked was it all right with Eva, and he replied, Yes, Ben, old boy." Petitioner then gave witness the key of his house, which was next door to the club. Petitioner gave his version of his meeting with Eva. When asked by the judge whether h. would deny on oath misconduct with her, ha hesitated, and remarked, I feel almost inclined to let the King's Prootor rescind the decree. It's no use to me." The Judge: I don't understand what you mean. Petitioner: I think I would rather let it go than fight it out, I feel so confused about th3 case, and I have able counsel against me. The Judge: That does not matter. We want the truth. Petitioner: With your permission, my lord, I will withdraw my case; I am not pre- pared to deny it on oath. The Judge: That is sufficient for me. I think, if I may say so, Mr. De Gallo is a very wise man. The decree will be rescinded.

HUSBAND'S SHAMEFUL CON- DUCT. The unhappy matrimonial of a stockbroker's wife were related in the Divorce Court, London, by Airs. Lucia, Eliza Harvey, who claimed a dissolution of her marriage with Thomas Harvey, in consequence of his alleged cruelty and misconduct. The case was not defended. Mr. Barnard (instructed by Messrs. Pater- son and Co.) stated that, the parties were married at St. Saviour's, Brixton-hill, in Sep- tember, 1886, and there was one child, now aged seventeen. Shortly after the wedding the respondent gave way to drink and ill-treated Ins wafe. He used to turn her out of the house at night, and she had to go to her mother's. In 1900, on the pressure of his family, he underwent a "drink cure, and after that he kept sober for about ten months. However, he broke out again, w ^olence to his wife. In JSS* lh<:y were at a flat in Richmond-gardens, the wife si« a. tale- EgS6hrSrb £ >,hCr hU6b £ Uld G«rt^de Lily, °°me to ftat. When she band refused tLTlTow^e The auow the petitioner to enter. w2kl 7 r0mam6d iu A** f°r Jf^ner depoBed tha't her husband neg- „ „ ,F on honeymoon, leaving her rin2t+J; day] He drank heavily and repeatedly assaulted her. He also punished by frequently turning her ont of the nouse with her daughter. The last tame they were sent out into the street in their night- uresses and dressing-gowns at three o'clock in the morning. She intercepted the tele- gram to Gertrude, and on speaking to her husband about it he said that a better woman than she was was coming art three o clock. From that time they bad lived apart, and she had maintained herself as a stewardess. Corroborative evidence was given.. The President pronounced a decree lllisL with cosrts against the respondent and custody of the child.