The Cardiff Times

FISHED OUT OF THE SEA. A Washerwoman's Find and Its Stern Sequel. An Algerian journal gives the following IaCcouut of a curious discovery and a terrible punishment meted out to an offender at Rabat, on the Moroccan Atlantic coast :— A very exceptional murder took place here a few days ago. A negress who was washing Wool on the sea shore saw a bag in the sea being washed ashore, and thinking it might be a, lucky find, caught it when it came near enough, and found it to contain part of a human body. She immediately left her wool, and went to inform the Kadi. who. on investi- gation, found the bag to contain the trunk ot a boy. The public crier was sent round seek- ing the parents of the missing boy, who Were found and the body identified. The shop of the man with whom he Worked was searched, and the boy's satchel, gelabin, &c., were found. The man him- gelf had bolted, but has since been caught at Dar Bel Larocy. He lias acknowledged the crime, and when asked he did this murder he said he did not know, but it was written.' He told the Kadi where the missing head and limbs had been buried, and they were immedi- ate lv lound. Yesterday the assassin received five hundred strokes, and was also stoned and beaten as he was carried through the streets. This terrible punishment will be repeated to-morrow, which will finish I he man. The town has been almost turned upside down over this horrible crime. It is astonishing how quickly the authorities an trace a murderer when the victim is a nat ve. but when it happens to be a European, It is quite another thing."

RESTRAINT OF TRADE. I The Attorney-General and the Law. The printed aaswers to questions in the fiouse of Commons contain the following Mr Bowerman To ask Mr Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to the remark made by Mr Justice Neville, in the Chancery Divisional Court on the 6th inst., in the case of Henry Leetham and Sons. Limited, v. Johnstone-While, when. in decid- ing in favour of the plaintiff firm and granting an injunction restraining the defendant (a com- mercial traveller) from entering the employ- ment of any firm carrying on a similar busi- ness (corn factors) in any part of the United Kingdom for a period of five years, his Lord- ship remarked on the exceeding pressure placed on the working commercial population by the existing state of the Jaw bearing upon such conlractsof service whereby the interests of employers alone were considered; and whether, in view of the fact that such contracts are against public policy, their enforcement in all probability ent ailing upon the defendant in this and similar cases loss of employment, the opinion expressed by Mr Justice Neville will be duly considered with the view of preventing their enforcemrnt by injunction or otherwise. Sir Lawson Walton I do not consider the Jaw is at fault. The difficulty arises from the spirit in which it is applied. If the contracts re- ferred to are unduly oppressive and in restraint of trade, and for these reasons opposed to public policy, the Court may and should refuse to enforce them.

TALE OF A NECKLACE. Real Pearls for Sham. People are still talking of the curious story of a pearl necklace, says the Gentlewoman." It happened some weeks ago, but even so will bear telling, showing as it does that even Homer, in the shape of a well-known firm, of jewellers, mav sometimes be caught nodding. A lady, it seems, went to a well-known shop not a hundred miles from Regent-street in search of an imitation pearl necklace. She found apparently exactly what, was wanted, paid a few pounds for her purchase and too it away. Wearing the necklace at a dinner party that same night, this lady chanced to sit next to a connoisseur of precious stones, who remarked on the beauty and regularity of his companion's pearls. When told they were imitation he absolutely scouted the idea, examined them critically when dinner was over, and gave, it as his firm opinion that the necklace wis worth mans thousands of pounds. Much startled by this information, but stil' incredulous, the lady re- turned to the jewellers next morning, where she found that great consternai ion had pre- vailed for 24 horn's, as shortly after the depar- ture of their llllknoWi1 customer the previous morning a member of the firm discovered that the almost priceless necklace belonging to a great lady had "old for one of imitation pearls closely resembling it.

SPRINGBOK S DARING FEAT. Cliff Scaling at Land's End. The Penzance correspondent of the Central News states that during the visit of the South African Rugby football team to Land's End on Sunday Marsburg. one of their three-quarters, descended without assistance the precipitous cliffs at this romantic headland and scaled them again successfully. This daring feat has rarely been attempted."

COALING WARSHIPS. Coaling ship is now such an important evolution that the Admiralty would be almost justified in dealing with results in a yearly return, as they do with gunnery. Quito recently some remarkable records have been made. A few years ago an average intake of about 150 tons per hour was thought worthy of being recorded. Now (says the" Pall Mai Gazet-e ") we have ships that coal at double that rate. This big improvement has come about through the modernising of appliances. Designers do not alwavs recognise the neces- sity for making bunkers easily get-at-able. For that reason some vessels coal much slower than others do, and with greater labour to the crew. But in the new ships everything possible is being done to facilitate rapid coaling. Special quick coaling appliances are now being fitted to the Dreadnought. If successful, like appliance* will be included in the equipment of A111

I FATAL LIAISON. MARRIED MAN'S FLIRTATION. MURDER AND SUICIDE. On .Monday morninfr at Leyton Dr. Ambrose opened an inquest on the victims of the double tragedy which occurred at Leyton on Thursday last. The names of the deceased are Walter Henry Sudal, of Station-road, Waltham Cross, and Henrietta, Howard, aged 25, a waitress of Moyers-road, Leyton. Sudal was a clerk in the Government Powder Factory at Waltham Cross, and the young woman was employed as a waitress at (he Great Eastern Hotel, Liver- pool-street. Sudal, who was a married man, conceived an attachment for Miss Howard, and on the evening of Thursday had been in her company at her parents' home. It was while he wa.s saying good night to her that shots were heard, and later both were found lying on the ground at the entrance to the house, dead. from the effects of pistol shots. Mr Walter Frederick Cooks, of 7, Moyers- road, identified the woman as his step-daughter, and said she was a waitress at the Abercorn Rooms at the Great Eastern Hotel. Liverpool street Station. She had been living at his home for the past two years. The Coroner Had she been keeping com- pany with this man ?—Yes. When did you first know of it ?—About six months ago He knew her before, but about that time he came to the house visiting her. How often Well, very frequently of late. He used almost regularly to see her. Did he ever speak to you about marrying her ?-No, and she ncverspoke about it. Wit- ness said that beyond the fact that she was keeping company with the man he d.d not know any more. A little before 11 o'clock on Thursday evening he retired to rest with his wife. Soon after he heard the deceased come home. He heard them talking, but not very '° At this stage Mrs Sudal, who was sitting in court. burst into a fit of hysterical weepir.g, and had to be assisted from the court to an ad- juining room. Wituess went on to say that he did not hear any sound of quarrelling, and soon went off to sleep He was awakened by a bang, which he thought was a knock on the door. He got out, and shouted down to the hall. Getting no reply, he went downstairs, and found the front door sligbtlyopened. He pulled it right open, and then found the deceased man and woman lying on the ground. The young woman was in the forecourt, and the man close by. They were evidently shot. He at once summoned assist. aDThe Coroner What had you thought of this man v Well, he seemed very fond of my step- daughter, and we thought him very clever. Witness continued that when he tound the couple shot, the man was not dead. Job William Payne, of No. 1, Moyers-road, Levton, deposed that about 11.45 p m. on Thursdav, while sitting in his kitchen, he heard a revolver shot. He got up. and went to the street door. Just after that he heard another shot. and in the street he found his neighbour, Mr Perry, who said There is murder here He went to the forecourt of No 7, and saw the man and woman lying on the ground of tbe forecourt of the house. it- Cess took a light, and saw the woman was dead with a wound m her head. The ™7n was not dead in fact, he was waggling P,, also was shot. Witness searched to°L re^vS. to** it l»hto4 the U DranHerbert Shepherd, who was called shortly before midnight, said ho f-und the snjruy {ac6i dca(j The man waslyi"g llis back" lV' WaS *01 -ru'"8' but died about five minutes afterwards. The y-.ung woman was shot through the head by pistol shots, and death was due to the wound, which wa= not a self-inflicted one. The police evidence showed that the ma-n and woman were found lying in the forecourt of the house, both apparently dead. Nothing was found on the bedyoi the woman to account .r the tragedy- She had been standing on the doorstep in her stockingea feet. Deceased a Married Man. Herbert John Brooks, of Essex House. Waltham Abbey, said he was with the dead man on the occasion when he firs met the deceased woman in June, 1905. He and Sudal cycled to the Forest Hotel at Chingford, and there at a dance he was introduced to Miss Howard, who was with another you' g woman. Miss Howard at that time did not know that he was a married man. but subsequently Sudal's wife found in address on the dance programme, which led her to cause a letter to be sent to Miss Howard's female friend, informing her that Sudal was married and had one child. The Coroner asked the witness if he knew whether Miss Howard was told this. Witness said he did. He knew that Miss Howard had been told by her friend. Arthur George Sudal, of Titchfleld-road; Enfield Wash. then identified the body of the man as that of his brother, whose age he gave as 29 years. Did you know that he was courting this vcung woman ■—I knew from what his wife told me that ho was carrying on with a young woman, but we could not trace her. During the past two weeks we had been trying to locate her, but could not succeed. Did he know this *'—I think so. because some three or four months ago my sister-in-law and myself watched him. He knew that he was being watched, and he told his wife" that the game was no good that she would be dis- appointed, and that she would tind out nothing. A few nights ago wit ness ascertained that the de- ceased woman's name was Hettie, and On the night beforo the tragedy when Sudal told his wife that he was going to Lonon to a theatre, she said to him, You are going with Bettie, I suppose." This startled him. but he denied it, and persisted in saying that he was not keeping company with any young woman. He also said, You think you have found out some- thing." His wife replied, Yes, and I am coing to find out some more yet." To this he answered, And in the end you will be sadly disappointed" The Coroner He was secretary of a Slate Club was he not ?—Yes the officials have been unable to find any money. None has been found at the house.. Medical evidence in tnis case showed that death was due to a self-inflicted shot wound in The COTonersaid t hat- a gun licence was found on the deceased man. It was dated December 14th and had been taken out at a time when his wife had found out something about him and was pursuing inquiries further. ft was a sad case-the trouble with the young woman pndSlate Club affairs had no doubt made him desperate and had led him to resolve to do what heThe'iury found that Sudal wilfully murdered Miss Howard and that he committed suicide whilst temporarily insane.

WOMEN AND DINK. Liverpool's Experiment. Some time ago the Liverpool Licensing RenS resolved to plaqe under police orv-ision public-house known to the supervL.i Supplying drink to women, poiice f or y deputation of brewer ?nd Sensed victuallers waited on the Bench IJl .in n- of the police methods in reporting C°H llonses The Chairman of the Licensing such bouse • saif] the Bench were de- ( ommittec, feminine drunkenness, terming topuithe takings o[ any particular no ma of encouraging the evil might be. Eventually an afl"rement was arrived at that Eventually an agevijf;nce to be submitted to Should commence from the time of placing suspected houses under supervision.

:=- PATHETIC SUICIDE. Bereaved Husband's Death. tragic storv'of great human interest was unfolded at", an inquest at Blythe on Monday. '<'h« Graham, a platelayer, Wilrt hi S? Who died after a very brief ill- buried his xs If our voung children. Graham ness, leaving ^pressed, crving and sobbing ovorhis Ins'" On Friday night he started off to '■nl distance away to secure a house- teepeTno .lonfrtbo railway. »<! next keeper, -fcated body was found on the metals^there being indications t^t he de- meiais, tnei elf across the mera.ls m such liberally aid b^ inevitably kill »,Vel'Jict ol Suicide during temPor:u'^ insan'

FIRE AT COVENTRY. Motor Works Gutted. A destructive fire took place at Coventry 1 t n Mnnrfiv afternoon, when a consider- able portion of the C oronet Motor Works, belonging to the Humber Cycle Company, was completely guttsd. Qa™;s sPread great rapidity, fanned by a strong breeze, but after hard work the fuemen seemed to have succeeded in confining them to the lower part of the building, is three storeys high. Quite unexpectedly, however, the paint shop on the third storey broke into flame and was soon burning with great fury. The firemen then practically confined themselves to saving a portion of the building adjoining a number of dwelling houses the inmates of which were so alarmed that they hurriedly removed their furniture. The damage done amounts to several thousands of pounds Four hundred men are ordinarily employed at the burnt out works.

TRAMPTND HIS TICKET. James Fay, a tramp, was brought up in cus- tody at the Merthyr Police Court ou Monday on a charge of fraudulently attempting to obta n relief. Defendant went to the Merthyr Police Station on Saturday night when drunk, and asked for a lodging-house ticket, saying he was destitute. Supt. Gill searched him, and found 4Ad in copper in an inside pocket. Defendant was also charged with being drunk in the police station. The Stipendiary said that it was a very serious thing for a man to try and obtain relief when he was not entitled to it, out as defen- dant was drunk he probably did not know what he was doing. He would be fined 5s and costs, or seven days, for the drunkenness, and under the circumstances the other charge would be withdrawn.

Slate Club Surprises. LONDON SECRETARY MYSTERY. The Press Association says considerable dis- may was occasioned in Upper Tooting, London. on Saturday, among a large number of people by the announcement of the sudden and mys- terious disappearance of MrChas. H. Baker, the honorary manager of the Incorporated Church Institute in \Viseton -road, Upper Tooting, in which position he had control of a slate cl-ib, whose payments were in consequence of his absence suspended. The governors held a meeting at the insti- tute on Sunday afternoon, and after sitt'ng for about three hours issued the following statement to the Press So many state- ments having appeared m the Press which arc inaccurate, the governors of the Church In- stitute, Upper Tooting, des re to say that so far as they are able to state at present there is no evidence of any defalcation by Mr Charles H. Baker, the hon manager and secretary for over 38 years, and joint founder with Mr A. W. Crickmay of the institute. Although the govenors. under legal advice, we.e unable to pay the slate club share-out on Saturday, there is in hand the sum of £2,38! in hard cash, found in Mr Baker's safe, the keys of which he left addressed to one of the governors. Also on Friday night, by Mr Baker's directions, there was paid out to the Batlersea. branch of the slate club upwards of £2.000. It was not until Saturday afternoon that several of the gover- nors, members, and supporters of the institute received lettei s from Mr Baker making them aware that there was a difficulty, and that he felt that in his present condition he was unable to meet the members. The governors fear that Mr Baker's brain has given way under the pressure of the tremendous work of the institute, which is at its height at the end of the year. They are only too anxious to ascertain Mr Baker's whereabouts in order that they may welcome him back." Tbe latter part of this statement, so far as could be ascertained, expresses the feeling of most of the members in regard to Mr Baker, in whom they have placed implicit trust. They have confidence in his bona fides, and make no si ggestion of misappropriation. Up to last evening no trace of Mr baker had been found. The club is one of the largest in the king- dom, and has over 6,000.members, who are arranged in three classes, some paying three- pence. some sixpence, some a shilling a week. Altogether the amount which should be divided is about £10.000. Nothing has yet transpired as to the where- abouts of Mr Charles H Baker, the secretary of the Slate Club in connection with the Church Institute at Tooting, of which he was the founder and hon. manager. Hope is still ex- pressed that he will be found, and notwithstand- ing all that has occurred those who have been intimately associated with him have not abated their confidence in his integrity. As a result of a meeting of the Governors on Monday even- ing it was resolved that. the Slate Club shall be shared out on Saturday next in full." 11 was explained that a guarantee fund had been formed by the governors, and that Sir Wm Lancaster, who, although rfot connected with the institute, has always been a great friend to it, has contributed £1.000 to the fund. All the liabilities in connection with the club will. therefore, be met, and the members will not have suffered in any way beyond the in- convenience of a week's delay In receiving their due. It now transpires that not only the slate club funds were involved, but also the deposits in a savings bank to the extent of over £6,000. The guarantee fund, however, will cover all liabilities in connection with the bank as well as those oflthe slate club. The bank was run by Mr Baker in association with the various other agencies of the institute. The actual amount of shortage in the slate club funds has been ascer- tained to be £1.363. and about 3,000 shares will be paid out on Saturday evening. In reg irdto the savings bank, it is said that one depositor had invested £800 in it. and the interest paid had amounted to 8 per cent. At North London Police Court on Monday Mr Cowper applied to Mr Biron for a warrant for the arrest of an official of a local loan and sharing-out society for stealing JE114. It was an unregistered society popularly known as a slate club." The magistrate granted the warrant. Woman Treasurer's Despair. A verdict of temporary imanitv was returned on Saturdav night at an inquest on Mary- Parker Bygrave, the treasurer of a woman's saving club, who drowned herself on Friday night at Colchester after losing £80 of the club funds. The woman, whose husband was a car- man and who kept a small general shop, could neither read nor write. Her daughter, who acted as secretary, stated in evidence that the money was kept in paper bags in a bedroom, and on Thursday there was £80 missing out of £130. Mrs Bvgrave's sister-in-law stated that after leaving her own house on Thursday she stayed with tho witness. She told witness that she should kill herself, and tried first to get a razor and then some laudanum. Being prevented, she went to her own house, said Good-bye, uad," to her husband, and ran down to the river. The husband followed, but lost her in the dark.—A"constable stated that he found 13s, a few unpaid bills. and the ace of diamonds in her pocket. It The Coroner expressed regret that when so many Friendly Societies and other agencies existed people should invest their money at such risk. The investors are poor people who had saved for clothing and Christmas fare. Charges Against a Secretary. At Bow-street, on Monday. Arthur Oliver Freeman (35). of Calais-road, Camberwell, was charged on remand with stealing money belong- ing to the United Kingdom Benefit Society, Great Ormonde-street. Counsel stated that prisoner had been secretary and manager of the society, which comprised about 2,500 members, chiefly of the working class. The charges which had been preferred against prisoner involved sums of £204 and £270. but other charges would be made. When prisoner made up bis cash-book on October 25th he showed a balance in han lof JE13 odd, but ac ording to the auditors the amount should have been considerably over £2,000. Prisoner was remanded.

Child Genius Found. e ROMANTIC LONDON STORY. Tha Centra News says :—At the last concert at the Queen's Hall, London, at which the famous violinist, Mr Arthur ^Spalding, played. one of his most enthusiastic admirers appeared to be a little girl, who frequently applauded him with great vigour. Ou the following day a letter addressed to Mr Spalding in a childish hand was received at the Queen's Hail, but by that time Mr Spalding had gone to Paris, and he did not receive the missive until he came to London this month to fulfil another engage- ment at the Queen's Hall. In the the writer stated that she was 13 years old, and the daughter of American parents, oucc in affluent circumstances, but now so reduced in fortune that her mother had to give music .essons She had a violin, which had been given to her on trial, and she was afraid she would have to give it back. She had heard that Mr Spalding possessed many violins, and she wondered if he would be so kind as to lend her one. Struck by the pathos and genuineness of this communication, Mr Spalding wrote to his child admirer a kindly letter, stating that when next in London he would let her play on his concert violin, a Domenico Montagnana, dated 1701, and that in the meantime his manager (Mr S. T. Dann) would call and see her and lend her a violin. If, addd the kind-hearted master, she pleased Mr Dann, he would himself give her some lessons. Mr Dann called on the cuild on Monday afternoon and gave her the pro- mised violin- Mr Dann states that she ia a veritable genius, of whom the world would hear a great deal before many years have passed. She speaks four languages, and is a true artiste in everv fibre of her little body. The violin which Mr Spalding sent the child is the one on which he did the most of his work in his student days. It is understood that Mr Spald- ing and Mr Dann will hold themselves respon- sible for the child's artistic training and educa- tion.

WINDOW CRASH AT MAESTEG. Chimney Sweep's Confession. Wm. Croome. chimney sweep, no fixed abode, and James Rowlands, labourer, Maesttg, were charged at Bridgend on Saturday for loitering with intent to commit a felony and for breaking a plate-giass window in the shop of Mr Rhys Williams, Maesteg. P.C. Vaughan said that when on duty in Commercial-street, Maesteg, about 1 a.m. on Friaay he heard a crash of breaking glass, and on going in the direction of Mr Rhys Williams's shop Croome ran into his arms. Witness took him bick to the shop and found Rowlands standing near the broken window.—Croome Bowlands is innocent of the crime, gentlemen but unfortunately I am not. I broke the window to get shelter, as I was cold and destitute.—The charge against Rowlands was dismissed, but Croome, against whom there was a very bad record, was sent to prison for two months.

SENILE DECAY. Mr E. B. Reece (coroner) held an inquest at Cardiff on Monday on Edward Webb (79), of Cathays-terrace. whose death took place early that morning. Webb was a. constable in Car- diff 40 years ago, and since then had been em- ployed as a carpenter. On Sunday he fell as be was getting out of bed, and his wife, with assist- ance, put IJÍm back, butj on Mondaymorning she found him dead by her side, having just passed away Dr. Morris, who was called in, said that the old mant had been failing latel v, and had suffered from a dilated heart and dropsy. Death was due to senile decay, prob- ably accelerated by the shock of the fall. The jury returned a verdict accordingly. Thomas William Jenkins, the son of a labourer, Norah street, Cardiff, was taken sud- denly ill on Sundaymorning. His father hurried for a doctor, but before he returned the boy 1 had died. At the inquest on Monday the medical evidence showed that death was due to heart disease resulting from rheumatic fever. The jury returned a verdict accordingly. •

FAMILY CUT OFF BY FLAMES. Exciting Scenes. INMATE FALLSTROM A ROPE. On Sunday morning the Oddfellows' Hal1..St. Mary-street. Brecon, a large four-storey build- ing, was considerably damaged by fire, and the disaster was attended with loss of life and per- sonal injuries. Shortly after 2 am. the screams of the occu- pants attracted attention to the outbreak, and a neighbour, Mr David Price, auctioneer, was in a short time on the scene, and promptly did all he could to give the alarm, and in this was aided by Poiice-conctable D. T Evans. The police, including the ch ef constable, Mr A. S. Williams, Supt. T Fiye. and Police-sergeant Evans the town fire brigade, under the co n- mand of Mr Edwards and the Depot South Wales Borderers with their fire engine, &c., under the command of Major J. Going. com- manding Depot South Wales Borderers, were early on the scene. Lieut. and Quartermaster R. Ö. Harding and Lieut. Barry being also with the Borderers No time was lost in the endeavour to rescue the four occupants of the building. A young girl named Annie Hoddinott was got out at the front window of the second story and with no injury except fright. In the meantime a young man named John Lewis (son of the caretaker Mrs Lewis), who was sleeping on the fourth storey, endeavoured to escape through a window at the back by means of a rope. which he tied to his bedstead in the room. The rope however only reached as far as the third storey on the outside and he jumped to the ground, about 30 feet, escaping with a broken arm and dislocated finger Heroic Rescuers. Every endeavour was now made to rescue the two other inma tes, Mrs Lewis and her grand- daughter Gwladvs May Hoddinott, a child aged 10 years, who were known to be in the burning building. The smoke was so dcLso and the heat so great that it was almost. impossible to effect an entrance. Private C Mo, gan, of the depot. South Wales Borderers, gallantly got in through a window on the third storey at the back or the building, searched the room, and made his way into the passage outside, where he found the dead body of th child Gwladys Hoddinott, the body having been fearfully scorched. He handed the body through the window at the ba-cji to a fireman, and then called for a. volunteer to make further search of the building. Police- Constable D. T Evans at once responded, and with Private Morgan began a search of the rooms for Mrs Lewis. After great difficulty they found her in a bedroom on the fourth storey, the door of which they Uiad to burst open She was lying on the floor in an uncon- scious condition, suffering from asphyxia, j They succeeded in getting her out, and she was at once removed, and conveyed, together with the young man Lewis, to the Brecon Infirmary, j and attended to by the house surgeon (Dr. Philip Jones), ) The body of the child was. upon leaving the building immediately taken to the residence of Mr David Price auctioneer- next door to the Oddfellows' Hall- where it was seen by Dr. G. P. Francis and afterwards conveyed to the mortuary at the Brecon Infirmary. The fire was got under about 6 a.m., when the fire brigade and the military retired. but at 11 o'clock on Sur.dav mornisg it again broke out. and the town fire brigade was recalled and were engaged for several hours in extinguish- ing the tire. Survivors' Statement. The occupants of the premises, Mrs Lewis (caretaker), her son (Mr John Lewis, shoe- maker), and two granddaughters (Annie Hoddi- nott, aged 14, and Gwladys Hoddinott, aged 10) according to the statement of the survivors. retired to bed at 11-30 on Saturday night, John Lewis going to bed in a room on the fourth storey, and Mrs Lewis and the tv o girls in a room on the third storey- The fire in the kitchen grate had been put out and all lights extinguished before they retired. About 2 o'clock in the morning they were awakened by the smell of smoke. They got up in great frigh. and endeavoured to escape, but found their ways barred bv smoke and flames. Annie Hoddinott managed to get down to a lower room and screamed for help through the window. John Lewis endeavoured to escape, as already stat cd. by means of a rope tied to his bedstead, and Mrs Lewis, in her fright, is supposed to have wandered up into his room with the intention of giving him the alarm. and then, on not finding him there, to have shut the door to keep the smoke out. The fire did not actually get into the bed- rooms, but reached very close thereto. The child who lost her life is supposed to have got her nightdress ignited in running about the passage in her fright after getting out of the bedroom. Extensive Damage. The building, which was ft rmerly used as a theological coilege for students of the Congre- gationalists or Independents, is a ver, old sub- stantial structure. It was once the property of the Brecon Lodge of Oddfellows, from whom it was purchased some ears back by Mr W. Powell Price, solicitor, Brecon. On the ground floor are the estate offices of Mr David Evans, J.P.. Ffrwdgrech, the as^embly- oom of the Giris' Friendly Society, and a kitchen, etc., for the caretaker. On the second storey is the reading-room and library of the Brecon Literary Institution, And in the upper storeys are bedrooms and store-rooms. The fire, which originated in the kitchen downstairs from some cause unknown, worked its way up. mainly in the back part of the premises, to the roof. The damage is roughly estimated at considerably over £1,000. The books in the library escaped the flames, but have been strious.y damaged by water. The books in Mr Evans's estate officG were also much damaged by water. The caretaker's kitchen was entirely burnt out, and the fire also took a very firm hold on the upper parts of the building and the roof Adjoining the building, on property belong- ing Lo Captain D Hughes Morgan, are the offices of the Breconshire Conservative Asso- ciation and the- estate offices of the Marquis Camden. At the back of these offices are the stores of Mr John Williams, Mayor of Brecon (Messrs J. WTilliams and Co.. confectioners, &c.), and into one of these storerooms the fire penetrated from the Oddfellows' Hall and destroyed a large quantity of butter, eggs, &c., the water ill,ed in extinguishing it also doing damage to the offices beiow. The child Gwiadys May Hoddinott, whose body was taken to the mortuary at the Infirm- ary, died from shock resulting from burns. The greater part of tha body. face, leg- arms, and chest had been very badly scorched Mrs Lewis and her son were on Sunday even- ing progressing favourably at the Infirmary. Mrs Lewis, whose case Was by far the most serious of the two, was found to be suffering from asphyxiation and slight burns on the legs. She is practically out of danger. John Lewis broke his right arm at the WTist and dislocated his middle finger. He has been suffering for some years from an affected hip joint, and is.in consequence lame. and he also further injured that hip in the fall. The buildings damaged by the fire are, we un- derstand, insured.

INQUEST ON THE VICTIM. Rescuers Complimented. At the Shire Hall, Brecon, on Monday the Coroner (Mi M. F. Thomas) held an inquest touching the death of Gwladys May Hoddinott, in her 10th year, who succumbed to shock from burns at the fire at the Oddfellows' Hall, Brecon, early on Sunday morning. The jury (of whom Mr T. Jones was foreman) viewed the body at the mortuary at the Infirmary and the spot at the scene of conflagration at the Odd- fellows' Hall, where the body was found Annie Hoddinott (the young girl who escaped from the fire) deposed that at 11.30011 Saturday night, after all Jights had been ex- tinguished and the fire in the grate had burnt very low, the four occupants of tl'e house— witness and her grandmother (Mrs Lewis, the caretaker), and Gwladys May Hoddinott (deceased), and John Lewis, uncle of witness and son of the caretaker—retired to rest. Witness went to bed with her grandmother, and deceased sleptin the same room in a separate bed. At about a quarter-past two on Sunday morning she awoke, and finding the room full of smoke she awoke her grandmother and sister and opened the window. They hastily put on their skirts and went downstairs towards the reading-room (the reading-room of the Breon Literary Inst itute) on the second floor. Witness we tit into the roorn, but her grand- mother and her sister (whom she did not see afterwards) did not follow her. Witness went. to the window and shouted Milrder," and Fire," and in a short time Mr David Price, auctioneer, placed a ladder on the outside up to the winnow, and witness got out- Mrs E. Price (wife of Mr David Price, auc- tioneer) deposed that her husband was first on the scene, and she immediately followed him. She rang up on the telephone the police and the military at the barracks. After the girl (Annie Hoddinott)gnt out through the window she informed them that there were three other persons in the burning building. Witness's husband and P.C. D T. Evans tried to get into the building, but failed through being over. wnelmed with the smoke. The Rescue Efforts. P.C. D. T. Evans deposed to being attracted to the building through hearing screams of a ferurJe some distance away. h' Price, auc- tioneer, was there and said, For God's sake come on the house is on fire." Mr Price raised a ladder to the window at which Annie Hod- dinott appeared, and before the girl descended the ladder witness went up and questioned her a.s to who else was in the bouse. Witness tried to cross the room to get to the other inmates, but had to turn back owing to the density of the smoko. Witness then descended to the street, and endeavoured to break the front window with his steff when he WitS aided by Police-Sergeant Joshua Evans and Mr David Price. W itness got in through the window and openelthe front door, and then endeavoured to ascend the stairs but was again overpowered with the smose. They then took the ladder to the back of the budding and effected an en- trance through the back door. They threw buckets of water on the flames, but it had no effect. Witness and Superintendent Flye and another then got up on to the landing, but could go no further through the smoke. About this time John Lewis, one of the occupants of the house, swung himself out of the window at the back and dropped to the ground. The military from the depot also arrived, and about 20 minutes afterwards Private Morgan brought out of the b clilding the body of the deceased. By the Foreman Witness believed be heard sereams in the house after the young girl. Annie Hoddinott, tvas rescued by Private Morgan. Every attempt was made to savo life before the military came on the scene. Fire Escape Not Up. Police-Sergeant Joshua Evans substantiated the evidence of the last witness. Witness asked one of the town fire brigade why the fire escape was not up to the top window, and the reply he received was there was not one there who knew how to put it up. Mr James Thomas (a juror) How many of the town fire brigade were there ? Witness About five. Mr T. A. Davies (a juror) Is it not a. fact that your chief constable, who lives nine miles out of the town, was at the fire at 4 o'clock wh.lst numbers of the town fire brigade living in the t own were not there at all ? Witness Yes. By Private Morgan Was it 20 minutes after the military arrived that information was given that there were some people still in the burning building ? Witness I couldn't say. By the Chief Constable The police were in- side the burning budding workmg as hard as they could, and consequently hadn't time to report to the officer commanding the troops outside. Private Christmas Morgan, Depot South Wales Borderers, reposed that the alarm was sounded by the bugler at the barracks between 2.15 and 2.30 on Sunday morning. The Borderers (under the command of Major Going) reached the fire in a brief space of time. When witness got outside he asked if there was anyone inside, and the people around said there was no one inside. About 20 minutes later a woman told him there were a woman and a child inside the burning building. Witness afterwards ascended a ladder at the back of the premises and got into a room and searched it. The smoke was overpowering and he went to the window to get breath. Afterwards he passed through the room and in the passage at the foot of the stairs ho fou d the deceased (Gwladys May Hoddinott) lying on her back. He brough the child to the window and handed her to Colour- Sergeant Sherwood (Depot S.W.B.), who took her down the ladder. Alter handmg the child out through the window to Colour Sergeant Sherwood he turned to go back to make further search, but feeling too weak he returned to the window and asked for a volunteer. Police- Constable D. T. Evans immediately volunteered and ascending the ladder came into the room. Witness and Evans searched several rooms without effect for Mrs Lewis, the caretaker, till they came to a room ou the fourth storey, the door of which was locked. They burst the door open and on the floor near the bert they found Mrs Lewis lying in an unconscious state, this being the room from which her son had escaped and to wliich she had undoubtedly gone to warn him, but finding the smoke over- powering had shut. and locked the door. Witness put the woman across P.C. Evans's shoulders and he carried her out, and witness then resumed his work with the military in ex- tinguishing- the fire. The Coroner I think that your conduct was most praiseworthy. Colour-Sergeant E. Sherwood, depot S.W.B., substantiated the evidence of the last witness. and also deposed to receiving the body of the child Gwladys May Hoddinott from him through the window and taking it down the ladder and handing it to Dr. Frances. Half the Brigade Absent. John Vaughan. a member of the Brecon Town Fire Brigade, gave evidence, and in reply to the Coroner said there were six (including the captain) out of 12 of the Brecon Fire Brigade present at the fire. Witness did not know why the other firemen were not there. Dr. Frances called him. The Foreman Is it a fact that not one of the Brecon Town Fire Brigade present knew how to raise the fire escape ? Witness When I came there the fire escape was up. Dr G. P. Frances, who was at the scene of the conflagration a few minutes after Mr David Price, gave evidence. His opinion was that deceased died from shock, the effect of exten- sive burns, and possibly through the effects of suffocation. Compliments and Recommendations. The Coroner, in summing up, thought it would be well if each of the members of the Brecon Fire Brigade had an electric bell in his bedroom commun icating with the police station. He thought the jury should express some sense of their appreciation of the invaluable and prompt assistance rendered by Major Going. the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the Depot South Wales Borderers. The military had to good effect displayed the value of discipline, and he felt sure that if it had not been for the military the whole of the Odd- fellows' Hall, and possibly the adjoining block of buildings, would have been burnt. The jury found that deceased died from shock caused by burns and suffocation whilst endeavouring to escape from the burning building. The jury added as a.rider a re- quest to the Coroner to write Major Go'ng, commanding the Depot South Wales Bor- derers, thanking him for the splendid services rendered at the fire by the military, and they (the jury) also desired to heartily thank Pri- vate Morgan, of the Depot S.W B., and P.C. D. T. Evans for the most courageous manner in which they had acted at the fire. They also desired the Coroner to write the Brecon Corpo- ration suggesting that the control of the town fire brigade shouli be placed under the police. The Coroner, on behalf of the jury. compli- mented Private Morgan and P.C. D. T. Evans on their courageous conduct, remarking that he was sure that they had acted nobly at the fire. (Hear. hear.) The vicar of Brecon (Rev. E. L. Bevan, M.A.), in his discourse at St. Mary's Chnrch on Sun- day evening, made very touching reference to the death of the deceased. Fire Breaks Out Again. On Monday afternoon the fire broke out for a third time. The town fire brigade was promptly on the spot, and the tire, which originated in some old woodwork— which had evidently been smouldering—between the hall and the Conservative Club premises adjoinin g, was soon got under and extinguished THE HEROIC RESCUERS. It will be remembered that during the out-' break some courageous work was performed by Private C. Morgan-, of the South Wales Borderers' depot, and Police-constable D. T. Evans, whose photographs we now publish. When it was known that two inmates were still in the burning building, Morgan obtained ad- mission to the premise; througa a window, and notwithstanding the intense heat and the dense smoke made his way to the passage on the third storey, where the dead body of the little girl was found. He then called for a volunteer to assist him in further searching the premises and Evans at once responded. After consider- able difficulty, and at the same time imperilling their own lives, they found Mrs Lewis uncon- scious in a bedroom on the fourth storey. The brave fello .vs succeeded in carrying her out and she was conveyed to the Infirmary. FIRE AT ABERYSTWYTH RAILWAY STATION. On Saturday night a fire occurred in a. goods warehouse at the Cambrian Railway Station. Aberystwyth. but was fortunately extinguished in time. It seems that a gas jet in the corner of the warehouse set fire to leaves of books. The blaze was noticed shortly afterwards, and was put out by station officials with buckets of water before much damage was done.

FOUND DROWNED AT SWANSEA. Suspicious Death of a Watchet Skipper. On Friday afternoon there was buried at Watchet Mr W. H. Norman, a brother of the harbour master, who was found drowned at Swansea the previous Satur- day. The deceased was master of the ketch Aurora, well-known in the Bristol Channel, and jast weekend he unloaded a cargo in the North Dock at Swansea. On the Friday evening he received a visit from Mr G. Strong, master of the ketch Spright y, which like the Aurora, belonged to the deceased's father, and about six o'clock the two men went ashore, Norman accompanying Strong to the railway station to see him in the train for Neath, where the Sprightly was lying. Whiie they were to- gether Strong asked the deceased for a sub," which was given him. Mr Norman paying him from a purse which contained a considerable sum in gold. Mr Strong duly reached Neath. but the deceased's subsequent movements were wrat ped in mystery. Havi ng been a constant visitor to Swansea since he was a lad. the decoased was well known to dock officials and local traders, but no one appears to have seen seen him. The following morning his body was found in the South Dock. upwards of three- quarters of a mile away from the dock where his vessel was lying. He was first noticed by a seaman named Anderson. who on going to in- vestigate found Mr Norman with an arm stretched across a roper moored to a buoy, against which his body was partially supported, 'I here were no bruises on the body to indicate foul play. but a suspicious circumstance was that the only monty found on the deceased was 5fd, and the purse in which he was known to have had a considerat le sum in gold was missing- At the inquest an open verdict was returned.

ECHO OF MONTAGU'S WRECK. In an order just issued from Whitehall there is an echo of the wreck of the Montagu. When that unfortunate vessel got upon the rocks, some of her boats could not be lowered, because the capstans were damaged. It is easv to con- ceivo circumstances in which this inability to launch a ship's boats might an appalling loss of life. Apparently the Admiralty arc alive to the danger, for they announce that in future ships arrangements are to be made so that the boats can be lowered independent of the capstans. Further, as ships now in com- mission pass into dockyard hands for repair, the question of fitting them with a similar appliance is to be considered. When these appliances have been given to a ship, says the Pall Mall Gazette," the Admiralty direct that the crew are to be exercised in the use of them at least once every quarter.

Exciting Fire Scenes. o RESCUES IN THE NICK OF TIME. Between 3 and 4 o clock on Sunday morning a family named liasley narrowly escaped being burned to death in their beds at their house in Orange-street, Bcthnal Green road, E. The alarm was not raised until the whole of the ground floor was thoroughly alight, and when the inmates attempted to get downstairs they found it impossible. Mr Easley gathered his wife and children together close to the first floor window, and with the aid of a man named Boulton. who promptly procured a ladder, was able to convey them into the street, but not before one of his sons, Charles Easley. aged 11 had received such severe burns that he had to be taken to the London Hospital, where fears are entertained that he will not recover. The others were partly overcome by smoke, and being scantily dressed, suffered somewhat, severely from their exposure to the bitterly cold nght air. The house was gutted, and the family lost all their belongings. Exciting rescues from fire were also witnessed a few minutes after 5 o'clock on Sunday morn- ing at the pastrycook's shop kept by Charles Lebrun at 17, Peckham Park-road, Peckham. The sleeping inmates were aroused by the crackling of burning wood, and on rising to dis- cover the ciuse, were horrified to find the stairs well alight in the upper part of th house. The tenants on the first floor were abie, only partly clothed, to make a hasty escape and raised the alarm, but the proprietor of the shop and his family found retreat impossible by the stairs. They clustered together in a front room on the upper floor, closing the door behind them to shut out the stifling smoke, and waited in terrible suspense for the arrival of the firemen knowing that the fire might at any moment find its way into the room and burn them to death. Their anxiety was at length relieved by the ringing of a fire engine bell, sounding clear and distinct in the frosty morning air. With- out a moment's delay the firemen raised their escape to the window, and a few seconds later Mr Lebrun, his wife, and two daughters were safe in the street, suffering a little from shock and suffocation, but otherwise unhurt. They had an exceedingly narrow escape from death. Fires at M.P.'s Houses. A serious fire broke out on Saturdav night at the residence of Mr D E. Waterlow. M.P., 38, Cornwall -gardens, Glouccster-foad. Kensington. The house is one of 18 rooms, and the fire. which was caused by some linen which was airing taking fire, involved the front and middle rooms in the basement. Mr Waterlow was at home at the time, and in making early efforts to extinguish the fire was ba-dy burned about the tare. The firemen overcame the fire with a hydrant, but not until the lower part of the house had been seriously damaged- On inquiry on Sunday night it was ascer- tam2 that Mr Wateriow's injuries were not se rious, and that he was going on satisfac- torily. <> In his official report of London fires on Saturday Captain Hamilton gives details of a tire at the iesidence of another member of Parliament, Sir F. A. Charming, Bart., at 40. Eaton-pl-«ce, Pimlico. There, as the result of an accident with a mineral oilla.mp, the draw- ing-room on the first floor took tire, and was very seriously damaged. The entire residence had a very narrow escape from destruction.

< ■ IT NEEDED 10 CONSTABLES. 1 George Edward Horsfield (32). clerk, William Josiah Murphy (38), canvasser- and Thomas Efford (35). commercial traveller, were charged at Lambeth on Saturday with being concerned together in stealing from the billiard-room of the Sun and Doves, Coldharbour-lane, Camber- Well- three pewter pots, value 28s o, the pro- perty of Alfred .Tames Bailey, the licensee of the premises. Horsfield and Murphy were further charged with assaulting the police. On Friday evening the three prisoners were in the billiard-room of the Sua and Doves. Their conduct excited the suspicion of the billiard-marker, who made a communication to his employer. In his evidence Mr Bailev stated that upon the billiard-marker speaking "to him he went into the lavatory attached to the billiard-room, and there found Horsfield. He put his hand over Horsfield's clothing, and found that he had three pewter tankards in his pockets. The policc were then sent for. Police Constable Hulks said he was called to the house, aud attempted to arrest Horsfield, who, however, resisted so violently that he had to send for help. Inspector Lane said he assisted the last witness to convey Horsfield to the station. Horsfield behaved like a lunatic, and kicked him several t-mes. It eventually required ten constables to secure Horsfield. The Clerk; Ten ? Inspector Lane Ten officers, sir, and the ambulance. He was the worst prisoner I ever apprehended. He was so violent at the police station that he had to be handcuffed. Police-constable Ratcliffe, who also assisted in the arrest of Horsfield, assarted that that man kicked him violently on the leg Pohce- sergeant Ward said Murphy was very v olent, and struggled and kicked the whole way to the station. It took three officer-, to get him there Inspector Lane mentioned that Efiford walked down to the station and was arrested just out- side. Mr Francis remanded all three prisoners for a week, but offered to accept bail for Efford.

DRUNK AT THE WEDDING." CURIOUS SCOTCH DIVORCE. At Edinburgh on Saturday Lord Dundas granted decree of divorce in the case in which desertion was proved against the wife of James Chalmers, an Aberdeenshire shepherd, of Long- side. Pursuer said he was married in 1894, and in 1899 he r eturned after having been away on business, to find that both his wife and the furniture had gone from the house. He after- wards discovered that defender was in a situa- tion as a housekeeper, and she refused to go back to him. When the summons was served defender wrote that she never claimed the pursuer as her husband. She stated :— It was arranged for our marriage to take place on 24th August, 1894, the hour ap- pointed being 6 o'clock. He turned up at about 8 o'clock in a state of intoxication, scarcely able to walk, not capable of putting the ring on my finger, which he never did, and as such marriages are never lawful where either the bride or bridegroom is intoxicate 1, I never lived with him as his wife. I lived with my parents, and several times he assaulted me, and he never gave me a shil. ling to maintain myself. She added that she never changed her name from Agnes Finnic. Puisuer denied the state- ment, and said that for a time he and his wife lived happily together.

IN FLAMES, BUT KEPT QUIET. Blaengarw Girl Fatally Injured. On Monday afternoon Mr S H. Stockwood, Bridgend, held an inquest at the Institute, Blaeng-frw, on the body of Lucy Annie May Ball, ged 10 years. Edward Ball her father, said that he waS a night workman, and had just retired to rest about 9.30 on Saturday morning, when he was called downstairs by Mrs Taylor, who resided in apartments in the house. The child was standing in the kitchen wrapped up in a canvas apron. She informed him liter in the day that she was in the act of pulling the boiling ketlle off the fire when a cinder feli against her pinafore, and ignited Jt. She never screamed, but attempted to remove her pinaf ore, but was overcome by the flames and shock, and fell on the floor. Mrs Taylor, who had been outside about her domestic duties, opened the kitchen door, uot knowing of the accident, and found deceased in a sitting posture with her legs under the couch, her clothes and hair being in flames. She at once wrapped her canvas apron over the child and extinguished the flames. The child, who was eight years of age, died late the same even. ing. Dr. McCutcheon said that death was due to shock caused by burns, and a verdict was passed accordingly.

STRANGE IN HER MANNER. Cardiff Woman and the Duck. A plucked and dressed duck was a conspicuous object on the table at Cardiff Police Court on Monday. It was the subject of a charge of theft preferred against Frances O'Brien (35) by Elizabeth illiams, who has a poultry stall m Cardiff Market. Detective-Inspector Davev said that while Mrs Williams was busy serving customers prisoner went, up to the stall, p it a corner of her shawl over the duck, pick it up. and walk away. He stopped her. Prisoner said she bad onlr turned round, and was going to ask Mrs Williams the price of the duck. In reply to the Bench, Inspector Davcy said the prisoner had wTalked away four or five yards. Prisoner denied this, and repeated she had no intention of steallrg the duck. Prisoner's husband in a voice broken with emotion, said his wife, since the birth of a still- born baby four months ago, had acted strangely. He was a dock labourer, and had been 15 years in the town, and never m a Police Court. It was not for the want of money his wife did it. The Bench bound her over as a first offender.

STEALING PUBLIC LAMPS. Owing to the increase in the price of copper there has been during the past few weeks quite a raid upon publ.c lamps situate in lonely spots in the districts surrounding Cardiff, i he frames of these lamps are made of copper, and it is believed that the thief or thieves take out the glass and roll up the copper, which is after- wards sold for a couple of shillings. In the early hours of Monday, and after the hgh bad been put out at midnight, two lamps near Gaballa Church, the property of the District Council, were stolen. Last week others dis- appeared at Whitchurch, and previous to that at Taff's Well and Penarth. and though the Cardiff Gas Company and the District Councils concerned have offered substantial rewards for the discovery of the thieves, up to the present only one arrest has been made, but while this man was in custody other lamps were stolen, and it is evident that the thefts are the work of an organised gang. The value of each lamp stolen is about 25s, but the copper taken from them and sold as wuste only realises two or three shilling?.

FATAL BOXING. Danger of Overtraining, INQUEST TITLONDON. Mr J. Troutbeck held an inquest at Batter- sea on Monday on the body of Cham- bers, gcd 23, of VV eston-street, Bertnondsev, who died at Bolingbroke Hospital from injuries alleged to have been received whiist engaged in a boxing contest at the Battersea Baths. The affair has already formed the subject of a Police Court charge against some of the men who are staged to have been prominent at the contest, namely, Albert Wilmot, of Bermond- sey, who is alleged to have been boxing with the deceased Reuben Warnes, of Jamaica-road, Bermondsey, the referee; Joseph Cohen, of B lack f r i ars road, one of the judges; William Lovett, of Cabul-road, and Thomas Slatterv, of Upper Ground Close, Battersea, the seconds.' Mr J B Matthews appeared on behaif of these men and uf the boxing club under whose auspices the contest took place; while Mr Cord well appeared for the Battersea Borough Council. A brother of the deceased said the latter had entered to the boxing competition under the name of Harwoo i. Witness did Dot know that be had boxed professionally. but he knew de- ceased had a great ambition for it. Deceased was a single man, bub was to have been mar- ried on Christmas Eve. He was a healthy and strong man and had not long left the Army. Edward Hulin. a tailor and secretary of the Athletic and Boxing Club under whose auspices the competition had been arranged to take place on December 19th. was next ("led. The Coroner (reading from a programme of the meeting); I see the deceased is placed in the 9st. 41b novices' competition—prize a gold. watch. He was No. 9 in the fifth round. Witness explained that the man against whom the deceased was first drawn failed to appear. and he had to contest against a man named Wilmot, who made a late entry. There were to be two rouIld of two minutes each with an interval of a minute bet reen and one round of three minutes. The judges tvere Joseph Cohen and Richard Kenneth Dunn, Reuben Charles Warnes being the referee. The seconds were William Lovett aud Thomas Slatterv. The Coroner mentioned that the programme specified that marks for attack should be awarded for direct ciean hits with the knuckle part of the glove on any part of the sides of the bead or body above the belt." Witness went on to say that the Battersea Club was now in its 20th year They had had their recent contests in the baths. The ring was pitched on an ordinary wooden floor and was a ?4ft. ring The supports were protected by gloves." Witness heard about five minutes after the bout that deceased hurt He found him looking rather limp and a doctor was sent for. The Coroner Is it ascertained in any way what is the physical condition of these men before they undertake these contests ?—Xo, sir. You know that it is done sometimes Yes. sir. It is done by some amateur clubs. It was done by the National Sporting Club ? —Yes. Don't you think that is rather important ?— Yes. I begin to think it is now. I have not thought so before this season. The gloves were produced in court, and handed to the jury. They were described as'' full size standard eight ounce gloces. In answer to Mr Matthews, the witness said that one of the rules specified that if a man was out-classed or showed signs of weakness the referee was empowered to stop the bout. The Coroner What was the object of these gloves r Were they worn to protect the Taan who was bit, or were they worn to make the muscles last longer ?—To protect the man who was hit. Sub-Divisional Inspector Hodges, who witnessed the competition, in accordance with the order of the. Commissioner*, said that be cautioned all the principals, the seconds, the judges, the time-keeper, and the referee that they would be held responsible for any dis- order. illegal betting, damage, or personal injury that might occur. The deceased boxed his first two rounds in a vigorous manner, and appeared to be all right. The Coroner Did you see if there was any- thing unequal in the contest ?—No, sir. The deceased was much the taller of the two, and he appeared to bo all right. He seemed to have rather the better of it. In the third round, the witness continued, they w<'re boxing in Wilmot's corner, and deceased was rather back on the ropes. He appeared dazed and staggered, and the referee signalled to Wilmot to stand off. Wilmot did so and was announced to be the winner, whilst the deceased was assisted to a chair and afterwards into the dressing room. There in a few minutes he became un- conscious. Deceased did not fall, and witness did not detect any particular blow to account for his condition, though he had received blows on the head. Wilmot s b10.vs all appeared to be fairly delivered with the knuckle part of the giove. In witness's opinion the arrangements of the competition were carried out in a proper manner, and there was no exhibition of temper. Detectwe-sergeant Heximer gave similar evidence. Albert Wilmot, o? Kennington, with whom the deceased was boxing, said that this was hia first season of boxing. He did not know vho he was going to box with, and had not seen Chambers before. He thougift himself beaten in the first round, but made a better show in the second round. In the third round witness got home" on the r ght cheek on several occasions. Witness had never read the ules under which the contest was carried on. Bv a Juror: He did not find his opponent d ing away before the finish. Alfred Woodward, a turf accountant, who was acting as tVI. C.- said he thought it was a very even contest. He saw no doubtful blows struck. Reuben Charles Warr.es,the referee, said the contest in the first round was so even that he awarded the men five maiks each- In the second round he gave Wilmot one more than deceased. In the last round Wilmot waa gettiug a trifle the better of it." They drew close together, and the deceased appeared to stagger. Witness immediately s'opped the contest, but dirl not think deceased was hurt until he was told the man was unconscious. Dr. Bouck. who was called to the deceased after he became unconscious, ssid he found him in a state of coma with a feeble pulse. Theie were no bruises or redness on the chest wall. face, or head. Witness diagnosed cerebral hemorrhage and superintended the man's re- moval to the hospital. the police were verv prompt in conveying him there, and everything was provide.) by the Borough Council iu case of accident for the patient's comfort. The Coroner What was your oninion of the man's general physique r—Weii, I have done some boxing in my time. and I think he was over-trained. He a muscular man. Dr. Hugh ?s, of the Bolingbroke Hospital, sai the post-mortem examination reveal-dan extensive clot of blood upon the brain, that was probably due to a laceration of one of the blood vessels. This laceration wouJ:1 probablv be caused by a blow. and as deceased was a, healthy man the cause was probably external In answer to Mr Matthews, witness did not think violent exercise could cause such bruis- ing. Could it not be caused by rowing, football, or some such exercise apart from boxing? The Coroner I know something about row- ing, and I do not know anything in it which can cause this unless anybociv catches a, "crab." (Laughter. > Dr. Trevor said that the skull cap was a little thinner on the right than on the left side. There was a large blood clot in the head. Ho was unable to find any one definite mirk in the blood vessels which he could point to as having been ruptured, but there v. as a ruiall vessel in the back of the head which had that appear. ancc. The cause, of death was compression of the brain and coma from the hemorrhage due to rupture of some blood vessel or vessels in the coverings of the brain, the rupture being produced by some sort of violence. The Coroner in summing up said that the law on the subject of boxing competitions was that provided they were carried out carefully and according to reasonable rules they were per- fectly lawful. The case was one of verv con- siderable difficulty frnn the meaical po nt of view, but it wa's clear that there was nothing to show unusual violence. In all manlv sports those deaths occurred. It might be that the blow was an unlucky one. Such risks as that apparently attended every kind of sport that they could imagine It would not bo reason- able to condemn a sport simply because after certain conditions it involved some such risk. The risk was of course part of the sport. There could be no doubt about that. The evidence showed that these contests rould not have been carried out with greater care except in one par- ticular-that meoical examination was not carried out previously. On the jury returning a verdict of Acci- dental dea h the Coroner -.ided I think it is a perfectly clear case of acci^rital death."

THREE CENTENARIANS. Henry Johnson, of James-street, Granth who boasts that he is the oldest acrobat in England, attains his 100th birthday to-dav. Though naturally rather infirm, the old man "ift still able to walk about the streets, but he has fallen on evil days, inasmuch as he has to rely on par sh relief and the gifts of charitable friends for his support Johnson has had a very adventurous career, going as far afield as China with a circus. In his palmy days he was associated in partnership with Mullaba, the Chinese juggler, and he had the honour of performing"before King Wrilliatn IV., Queen ictoria, and our present King when Prince of Wales. The inmates of Elhain Workhouse, neai Folkestone, were entertaired by Mrs Eves, thfo wife of the rector 01 the parish on the occas.oa of the 106th birthday of George Kent. one of their number. last week. A feature of the enter, tainment was an iced birthday cake bearing tin words. George Kent, 106 yetrs." At Parkham (Devon) Mrs Mary Glover, a cent tenarian, who achieved the curious distinction of having cut a third set of eeth, has just die4

BRITISH STEAMER SEIZED. Sequel to Channel Crash. Hamburg, Monday.—The British steamy Arlington, which collided with the Belgian steamer Cap Juby iu the English Channel, been seized by order of the judicial authority —Reuter.