Monmouthshire Merlin

BEAUFORT. | j he employes at the Beaufort Collieries (the property j ■,i che Nantyglo and Blaina Company) received seven ■,i the Nantyglo and Blaina Company) received seven iays* notice last Saturday. A great number of hands estimated at between 300 and 400) will thus be thrown out of employ.

BLAENAVON. LOCAL BOARD.—The monthly meeting of the Blaen- avon Local Board was held on Friday evening.—there were present—Messrs. Thomas Hemming (chairman), Wm. Edwards, David Lewis, J. Gill, J. Kay, Abraham Morgan, John Wheeler, Henry C. Steele, and J. Bur- goyne.-Dr. Ball, the medical officer of health, re- ported under (date December 27th) that four deaths had resulted from fever during the month two of these were typhoid cases, the other two were cases of simple fever. No death was recorded from scarlet fever. Diphtheria had caused one death, and bron- chitis five. Seven other deaths had occurred through various causes. The report was considered to be satis- factory on the whole.—A petition numerously and in- fluentially signed, was read, touching the expediency of having new lamps erected on the Trevethin side of the locality. After some discussion, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Wheeler, seconded by the Chair- I man, That this Board pay half the expense of laying the mains from the present lamp by the incline to that part of the road opposite the vicarage, for the purpose of erecting two additional lamps." The Gas Company, it was understood, would defray the other half of the expense incurred. I it TREDEGAR.

POLICE COURT.-TUBSDAT. (Before DR. COATXS.) Rowland Daniels, labourer, Ebbw Vale, through the police sergeant, pleaded guilty to being drunk on the highway, on the 18th December.—Fined 2s 6d and costs. A FEMININE BEABT. -Hannah Mariah Davies was charged by the police superintendent as a vagrant.— Sergeant Milkins said the woman was about the works on Sunday night, in a beastly state of drunkenness, and covered with mad and dirt; she had a husband, but he left her in consequence of her drunken habits. -Committed for 14 days with hard labour [The Rev. Wx. HUGHES took his seat at 11.45.] [ STEALING FENCING. — Elizabeth Williams was charged with stealing part of a fencing, the property of Wm. Williams, agent, at Ebbw Vale, on 21st Dec. —The Bench ordered defendant to pay Is., value of timber stolen, and a tine of 6d and costs, or in default to be imprisoned for 10 days. FURIOUS DRIVING.—John Jenkius, haulier, was charged with driving a horse and trap furiously up Church-street, towards Sirhowy, on the 18th Dec.- The defendant said he had a young horse and it bolted —The Rev. E. Jocea, vicar, deposed that he saw the defendant driving a full gallop under the bridge at Sirhowy, and a woman was nearly knocked down.- The Bench said the public ought to be very grateful to Mr. Jones for bringing the matter before the Court. -The fine for such an offence was j65, but in the present instance it would be reduced?to 20s, and ex- penses, or 21 days in default. OUT OF WORK A GOOD BBGIXJTIITG. — John Evans, puddler, was charged with stealing coal from the Black Prince Iun, on New Year's Day.—The case was proved by P. C. Donnel, and the Bench sentenced defendant to 21 days hard labour. COAL STEALING. —Honorah M'Carthy, and David j Thomas, juveniles, were summoned by Works Sergeant Capper, for stealing coal at Tredegar, on 21st Dec.-Fined 6d. each and costs, as trespassers. I Mary Mahayer was charged with picking coal from the screen near the Globe. Eliza Edwards, a small girl, was charged with stealing a lump weighing 141bs., from a truck at the Glolie pit.—The Bench imposed a penalty of sixpence and costs in each case, or seven days at Usk. STEALING HORSJ: FOOD.—Henry Williams, an old farm labourer in the employ of the Duffryn Coal Co., at New Tredegar, was charged by Mr. Lonie, manager, with stealing oats valued at 12s. the property of his employers.—Defendant pleaded guilty, and was oom- mitted for three weeks hard lard labour at Usk. STEALING A TIN OF FOOD. -Richard Lloyd, labourer out of employment, pleaded guilty to stealing a tin box full of food belonging to a man named Cox, in the works at Tredegar, on the 29th Dscember. -Com. mitted for 14 days. STEALING BUTTER &c. -Mary Ann Price, a respect- ably-attired female, was charged as above by William White, collier, Prospect-place, Tredegar.—Ann White, wife of prosecutor, said the basket produced was her property. She was at the Red Lion on New Year's Day, doing duty for Mrs. Evans, the landlady the basket was placed on a shelf, and in the course of the evening witness met the defendant with the basket on her arm, and at once claimed it, when she said "no." Witness told her it had been missed from behind the bar door defendant said no, it is not your basket, or else where is mine ? Sent for a policeman, and defendant then gave up the basket and asked us to go back to the Red Lion to look for hers went there, but found none.- The defence set up by the accused was, that she took the basket by mistake instead of her own.-The Bench gave defendant the benefit of the doubt thus raised, as it was just possible the baskets being alike might cause a mistake of the kind.—Case dismissed. A BUTCHER IN A Foo.- Edwin Bethel, butcher Brynmawr, was charged by P.C. Jeremiah Evans, with being drunk while driving a horse and trap on the highway at Sirhowy, on the 22nd December. The constable said he found the trap at a door and defendant drunk asleep in the cart, the reins being under the horse's feet. Fined 20s and expenses. ILLEGAL PLEDGING AT BLAINA.—Lord v. Savery.- This was an adjourned case. It will be remembered that the defendant was charged with pledging the goods of prosecutor without his consent, while acting as nurse to his wife, who had since died. James Lord, sworn My wife was ill five years, and died the end of last November. Jane Savery, (defendant) had been attending upon her for the last 15 months. After my wife died, I went to examine the place, but could not find a single article of clothing four boxes were emjty, and one (the fifth) was taken away bodily, and I cai't find it so far. I had no occasion to look for my clothes for months before the death of my wife, as I nev-r changed only my shirt. I gave information to Sergeant Williams, and he advised me to take a summon for illegal pledging- I enquired at the pawnbrokers and found that goods had been pledged by Jane Savery. I have identified some of the goods. TLe club scarf produced by P.C. Crabtree, I know to be mine. William Castleburgh. with whom the goods were pledged, said he asked the woman whose property it was, and she said it was her own.— William LordV There are a lot of articles which we have not yet foulci—some are pledged at other places. Defendant hg has my bed and quilt using now, I wete" obliged to change it to put under the poor woman when she was ill. He had not a cup and saucer to his name, and I had to borrow a fork for him. 1 gave up holse to go to him. —William Lord Last night I was tkeri to the house of Thomas Gibbon, and was shoWl a milpuff bed, which I know to be mine. Defeadaat And where is my bed You turned me out like& dog, and never yet paid my wages, and only because! put you in Court you have done this.—Prosecutor klad it was crossed offi- Defendant No, it is only" put by" till I can find money to pay costs. -Furt.er evidence having been taken, prisoner was comaitted for trial at the Quarter Sessions at Usk. STEALING FowLs. Relben Price, a labourer, was charged with stealing fowls fr% a cot in Carpenter's- yard, Tredegar, the property o'i William Gunter, on I the 31st December.—Jane Guntei aaid she missed the fowls between the hours of two anj eight in the morn- ing of the 31st December. There rere four hens and one cock taken. Information was %t to Mr Fowler, who had since shown her some featiers which corre- sponded to those on her fowls; had n, desire to press the charge, as Price had a wife and (hildren. -Supt. Fowler, sworn, said that on Sunday be made a search, and amongst the ashes under ,he grate P.C. O'Donnell found the fowl bones producet. He asked Price how they came there, and he sal he did not know, unless the dog brought the boneswhere they were found. We next examined the coat Price had worn that day, and in the pocket and on th. coat we found the feathers now produced asked lim how they came there, and he said be could noxteU. I then took him in custody on a charge of steal^g five fowls when 1 charged £ im he said, If 1 w^ COp. victed before I am innocent now. V, j* said it was a suspicious case, but the charge had notbeen sufficiently brought home to justify sending the nan for trial.—Case dismissed. The same prisoner vas then charged as the receiver of a pestle stolen frvm the surgery of Dr. Brown, and William Breeze wg charged as the thief.-David Williams, a servant ii the employ of Dr. Brown, was called as a witness tt identify the pestle, but he could not swear to it, only as resembling one in the surgery.—The prisoners were remanded on bail till next Tuesday. ALLEGED ATTEMPT AT STABBING. — Michael McCowley was charged with attempting to stab James Nicholas, at the coke ovens, at Tytrist, near Tredegar. Defendant said he had a knife in his hand, but did not attempt to stab anyone.—Complainant said he put defendant to do some work at the ovens and he did not do it, but used bad language and after that, on I going to ask him why it was not done, defendant turned round and got his knife out.—The Bench bound defendant over in JE10 for three months, and ordered him to find one surety in £5, and to pay costs.

CARDIFF. The Mayor and Corporation of Cardiff attended Divine service at the Charles-street Wesleyan Chapel on Sunday morning. MAD DOGs.-Dr. Paine, the health officer of the borough, brought under the notice of the Cardiff magistrates on Monday, the fact that an outbreak of rabies had occurred among the dogs in the town and suburbs. In Penarth a placard had been issued by the police authorities, calling upon the owners of dogs to keap them in confinement for a month, and he-asked the magistrates of Cardiff, in order to allay the very natural alarm which existed in the public mind, to issue a similar notice to owners in Cardiff. This, it was understood, would be done. Between one and two o'clock on Saturday morning, Police-sergeant Jenkins was on duty near the corner of Plassey-street, Pen- arth, when he was suddenly attacked by a dog, and he had great difficulty in getting away without being bitten. Jenkins went to Mr. Griffiths, of the Albion, who lent the sergeant his gun, and also proceeded with him to where the dog was. The animal on seeing them rushed towards them, when he was immediately shot dea.d. Both Mr. Griffiths and Sergeant Jenkins believe the animal to have been mad. PRIVATS IMPROVEMENTS. — Several cases were before the Cardiff magistrates on Monday involving claims by the Corporation against house owners for the recovery of the cost incurred in effecting certain private improvements upon their property. The work was done several years ago, and as these proceedings were not taken within the prescribed term of nine months after the notices were served upon the owners of the property, the magistrates held that there was no other course open to them but to dismiss the summonses. AS IMPUDENT THIEF.—At the Cardiff police-court, on Saturday, before the Mayor and ex-Mayor, Thomas George Vaughan, a fashionably-dressed young man, was charged with stealing two waterproof overcoatn from the shops of Mr. Boyle, clothier, Church-street, and Mr. Richards, hatter, High-street. On Friday afternoon he went to the shop of Mr. Boyle, and wanted to see some waterproof overcoats. He had then one on his arm. He was shown several, some of which he fitted on but while the shopman went to the back for others he walked out with a coat on his back and the one he had brought in on his arm. He was followed by one of the shopmen, but he ran off quickly, and after a sharp chase, was overtaken and escorted to the shop, where a police-constable was sent for, and it was then ascertained that the other coat had been taken from the shop of Mr. Richards in a similar manner. Several other articles believed to have been stolen were found on him. The Bench committed him for trial at the Quarter Sessions. NEW MASONIC HALL.—A new Masouic-hall has been erected in Working-street, Cardiff, on a site formerly occupied by two houses. It is superior to any building in the street for architectural purity and simplicity, and is a great addition to the improvements which have made so great a change in the thoroughfare in question. The greater part of the grouad floor will be occupied by the proprietors, Messrs. W. and S. Hern, as their offices. The lodge-room is approached by a spacious and well-lighted staircase, the landing leading into a large waiting and ante-room, out of which the hall is entered. Its dimensions are 38 feet long, by 29 feet wide, and the clear height to the ceil- ing is about 18 feet 6 inches. It is void of any super- fluous ornamentation, but has enough decoration to be pleasing and consistent with the exterior. The room is well lighted and ventilated, and has every requisite for the efficient working of the order. SUDDEN DEATH.—A death under very painful cir- cumstances occurred at Cardiff on Wednesday evening. An entertainment was proceeding at the Longcross Grammar School, and Mr. Henry Fox, a foreman joiner, had undertaken to contribute to it. At about eight o'clock he was in the act of commenoing a read- ing, but had scarcely uttered a word when he placed his hand to his head, and fell, being, however, caught by the Chairman and another gentleman. Medical aid was at once sent for, and Dr. Lougher arrived in I a short time. Mr. Fox, however, never spoke, and died in about four minutes after he was seized. Death is believed to have resulted from disease of the heart. Mrs. Fox and her family were present in the school, and the utmost sympathy with them in their painful affliction was manifested.

MUNICIPAL ELECTION PETITION. On Tuesday the Petition promoted by Mr. Owen Davies, one of the unsuccessful candidates in the recent municipal election for the Roath Ward, Cardiff, to unseat Mr. Blessley and Dr. Lougher, the sitting members, on the ground of bribery, treating, and undue influence came before Mr. Prentice, Q.C., the commissioner appointed to try the uaae. THe evidence for the promoter, on whose behalf several witnesses were examined, was intended to show that the suc- cessful candidates, through their solicitor, Mr. J. H. Evans, and others, supplied beer to a number of working men at various meetings, as well as in the committee room on the day of the election, with the object of influencing their votes. Testimony as to j the amount of drunkenness prevailing during the election was also adduced, and witnesses were also called, through whom it was sought to be proved that the respondents employed a number of cabs to convey voters to the poll. The inquiry was resumed, after adjournment, on Wednesday, when further evidence as to the supply of beer to the voters was adduced, and several inkeepers were called to give testimony as to having received orders to supply drink. The Com. missioner gave his decision on the point of alleged undue influence by fraudulent instructions on the ballot papers. He considered that these papers were drawn up without any fraudulent intent on the part of the respondents or their agents. The case for the petitioner was concluded, and the Commissioner expressed his opinion that there was no evidence in support of the alleged corrupt practices on the part of Dr. Lougher. There being some evidence in the other case, Mr. Blessley was put in the box and examined. The Commissioner gave his decision yesterday against the respondents, who are consequently unseated and condemned in costs. The Commissioner stated that there was no case against either of the respon- dents to show that they had been personally guilty of corrupt treating.

DOWLAIS. EXPLOSION OF FIRE DAMP.—About nine o'clock on Monday morning, an explosion of fire damp took place at Dowlais, by which six men and bo^s were more or less injured, but, happily, no lives were lost. The scene of the explosion was the Long Work Coal Pit, Cwmbargoed, in the parish of Gelligaer, Merthyr, belonging to the Dowlais Iron Company. A collier named John Lloyd went into a heading with a naked light, which came in contact with an escape of gas. All the injured men were speedily removed to their homes, where medical aid was provided for them.

BRECON. AN EXTRAORDINNRY MISTAKE.—An extraordinary mistake was rectified in the Bristol Sessions Court on Tuesday. Three days before a man named Lewis formerly a relieving officer at Brecon, was tried, con- victed, and sentenced to twelve months' hard labour for stealing books. On Tuesday it was discovered that the grand jury had ignored the bill against him. Lewis was accordingly brought up from gaol and dis- charged. He threatened an action for damages against the clerk of the peace for defamation. He had been cropped and prepared for gaol life.

ABERCARN. SHOCKING DEATH OF A WOMAN.-At Abercarn, on Friday afternoon, a report prevailed that a woman, the wife of George Watkins, had mysteriously dis- appeared. Watkins is a timber-man at the Abercarn Colliery, and the nature of his employment necessi- tates his regularly working by night. On Thursday night the wife left home for Pantyresk Inn, a house midway between Abercarn and Mynyddislwyn Parish Church. From some reason or other Watkins did not work that night, and as it was getting late, determined to go to Pautyresk for his wife. He started, but on his way he came across his wife, who was in the com- pany of a young man named William Marsh, whose parents live next door to Watkins. This caused the husband to doubt the wife's fidelity, and he commenced beating her, Marsh having decamped. Shortly after Watkins left for home and aroused the elder Marsh and his wife, who, after being informed of what had taken place, started to seek for Mrs. Watkins, whom, the husband said, he had left on the spot where he came across her with her companion. Y oung Marsh had by this time come home, and was in bed when Watkins called. In the afternoon .it was reported that the body of a woman, who had been identified as Mrs. Watkins, had been thrown up by the river near North Risca. Later in the day a hat, some money, and other articles, were found tied up in a shawl by he side of the Sirhowy River at Pontllanfraith. These "ere recognised as the property of the missing woman, ^rshdenies that any improprieties took place between hia and deceased.—Watkins and deceased-who was onl: 26 years of age--had been married nearly ten yeai, and to all appearance lived very happily togetier. There are four children, and much sym- pathyis feltior them and their father, who is a very respeuVible man. On Monday, before Mr. W. H. Brewersnd a jury, an inquest was held on the body of Mrs. Watkins. The evidence was of a most painful kature. An open verdict. Found dead," was returned.

PANIC IN A MANCHESTER THEATRE. At the afternoon performance, on Tuesday, at the Prince's Theatre, Manchester, a panic arose Hiaonc: the audience, which might have had serious trtects. U appears that the chimney of a house opposite o the theatre caught fire, and that the smouldering BOOL W&i blown by the wind into the theatre and gradual>y permeated the whole building, creatingsuch a percep- tible smell of fire that an alarm WAS raised ?roin the back of the pit by some thoughtless indi- vidual. Hearing the cry of fire and per-eivLig the smell, the audience almost en masse rose »o thfcir feet, but for the most part, preserved a compo.re which was higbly creditable. We regret to say LM among the occupants of the stalls, from whom pre- sence of mind and calmness of demeanour would ;,e naturally expected, there were a number who sc entirely lost their self-control as to commence a scramble into the orchestra, thus rendering the general alarm far worse than it would otherwise have baen. Fortunately their reprehensible conduct only resulted in the destruction of musical instruments and scores. Very great credit is due to the* professionals engaged and to the management, who had the curtain raised fo display the whole of the stage, which was then seen display the whole of the stage, which was then seen by the audience to be perfectly free from fire and crowded with the personnel of the theatre, who showed no signs of fear. But for this admirable conduct and the general good behavi, ur of the audience we might have had to record a serious disaster. After an ex- planation of the circumstances had been given order was restored and the performance resumed.

MR. SPURGEON ON STRANGE SCENES. Mr. Spurgeon, President of the Pastors' College, pre- sided on Tuesday evening at the annual meeting of its supporters, held in the Metropolitan Tabernacle, and delivered an address, copiously illustrated with dis- solving views, upon "Strange Scenes." The college, the chairman said, had been founded IP years, and at the present time there were 380 young men engaged in the Christian ministry who had been educated in it. Last year £ 198G was collected for its support. In the course of his lecture, he said he had chosen the subject" Strange Scenes" becausei, would include almost anything. Inthis world to have nothing to do was a very flat principle of business. Without an aim fn life there could be no real pleasure. They who wanted adventure need not goto the Polar regions among the bears neither for freshness was it necessary to journey into Central Africa, or for pleasure to seek out places of amusement, as all three might be found in abund- ance in working amongst the depraved and fallen. It might be shocking to those who slept In kid gloves- (laughter)-to hear of these things, but outside of idle life, fashionable life, it was impossible to do everything with propriety. Had they ever seen a judge with his wig o" ? (Laughter.) What a wontter of grace and wisdom he was. (Renewed laughter.) It was enough to repress the pride in one to look up to a man thus be-wigged. Then in the picture representing a judge bitten by a dog, how it seemed to bring him from the heaven in which he appeared to dwell! (Laughter.) All things were not proper in real life and in It they had to lay aside much of their dignity. The earnest worker for Christ looked almost as ridiculous as the judge bitten by the dog. Strange scenes had oc- curred amongst preachers. What strange acts of heroism might be repeated! He should have liked to have witnessed Arnold defying the Pope, Luther nailing his thesis to the gates, of the Vatican, Calvin's defence of the sacramental elements, or some of the deeds done by John Knox and others. These scenes had been rendered strange because of the places jn which they had happened, or incidents connected with them. In what strange situations had people preaehed, and how he wished that open-air preaching in all sorts of places were far more common. The worst scenes, however, which could be witnessed was to see half a congregation half asleep, and the preacher snoring eloquently. Mr. Spurgeon created consider- able amusement by relating numerous anecdotes of celebrated preachers, and incidents connected with his own mints:erial work. The proceedings closed with singing and prayer.

It is proposed to erect a statue of the Queen at Perth. The season at Nice is now in full swing, and the hotels are well filled. Small-pox is raging at Hyderabad 100 persons have dipd out of 1222 attacked. Mrs. Brassey, wife of the late Mr. Thomas Brassey, died at St. Leonards on Wednesday. The State pay of the inferior clergy in France amounts to only 900f., or about X40 per year. At Hunrerford, on Wednesday, a committee was formed to raise funds for the families of the two murdered police officers. The Thunderer, double turret-ship, underwent a satisfactory preliminary trial of her machinery in the Solent on Tuesday. The bearings answered admirably. The Civilian Bays the Midland Company has refused to pay the passenger duty now due, on the ground that the law has not been impartially administered by the Board of Inland Revenue. The Times having erroneously announced in the obituary for 1W6 the name of Lieut.-General Sir Edward Holdich, the gallant baronet writes to that journal to say that he Is still in existence, and in good health. At Lingdale, near Gubborough, the other day, a bullock, belonging to Messrs. Watson and Sons, was slaughtered, and in its stomach were found a pocket knife and the heel-plateof a boot, the latter being quite bright. Daring the recent gales the Black Prince, with the Channel squadron, lost her jibboom, sprung her fore- topmast, and had part of her figurehead carried away by s heavy sea which struck her. None of the other ships suffered any severe damage. A report on the Kidderminster carpet trade says that among th? latest consumers of Kidderminster fabrics are the Chinese, for whom small squares of caipets on which to say h-ir praters have been made In considerat e quantities in that town. Mr. Mitchell Henry, M.P., in a letter to the Irish papers, calls for a conference of the Home Rule mem- ber) in Publin, before the meeting of Parliament, on the'and and education questions, declaring the party to be still united. In future all recruits at Aldershot, on completion of their oourse of musketry, will be put through a course of cooking in the field. They are also to be in- structed in the methods of pitching and striking marquees and bell-tents. A man named Cassidy has been committed by Mr. Rafe8, at Liverpool, for trial at the assizes, for com- mitting a burglary in a house in Erskine street. The prisoner stated, when taken to the bridewell, that he entered the house through the coal grid. There were 71 deaths from violence in London last week. Sixty were the result of negligence or accident, including 11 from fractures and contusions, 13 from hurras and scalds, 3 from drowning, and 22 of infants unoer one year of age from suff. cation. Two deaths were caused by horses or vehicles in the streets. THE GREAT TVKK SWINDLE.—At Marlborough street Police Court, Jan. "ro., lly. Stenniug was remanded on the charge of attempting to rescue Kerr, one of the men charged with the great turf swindle, from cus- tody, and also with endeavouring to assist bh escape by handing him while under examination a plan of the police station with the position of his cell marked. On Saturday afternoon a young woman, named Teggitt, threw herself on the line near the Ashford station of th-) South-Western Railway. A labouring man pulled her off the metals. She watt taken to the Stones polie -statyop.

CHARGE OF CONSPIRACY. At the Bow street Police-court, London, on Tuesday, before Mr. Vaughan, Sir Edward Cunynghame, Mr! Nathan Weatherall, carrying on business as a wine mer- chant at Burleigh street, Strand, and Mr. de Ohaste- laine were charged, on remand, with conspiring to de- fraud Mr, W. C. Hunt Doyle by inducing him under false pretences to sign a deed of partnership under which he promised to advance JMOO. Mr. Louis Frederick Oottam said he was formerly in partnership with Mr. Weatherall, as wine merohants, In Burleigh street. Witness took jE250 into the business in March, 1876, and on another occasion he put JE10 into the business. Mr. Weatherall put some capital into the business. but he did not know how much. Witness inquired what capital was put in by Mr. Weatherall, and in June or July last j6300 was received in the busi- ness from Spain. Witness dissolved partnership with Mr. Weatherall on 27th November. A profit was made. but he could not say what amount. He drew d6140 during the time, which he thought came out of the pronto. He had made a statement to the solicitor for the prosecution to the effect that on the dissolution of the partnership he was to receive JB120 in addition to the J6140 be had previously drawn. A bond was entered into by Weatherall to pay the sum of E120 by instalments within three months from the date of the deed of dissolution, viz., November 27, 1876. He bad received £ 12. 10s. only of that sum. He h:id applied frequently for payment of further amounts, but he had received only a portion of the first instalment. When he entered into partnership with Weatherall there were no articles of partnership entered into. The stock in trade when witness left the basiness was worth, in his opinion, from £ 250 to £ 300. It consisted principally of sherry and claret in cask. There was no clerk, and I. cellerman was engaged occasionally. A boy was I paid 5s. a week The cellarman was engaged about one day a week.-By Mr. Digby Seymour: The olarets came from Bordeaux. The firm dealt also in champagne— Moet and Chandon. The business they did was, in his opinion, an honest and improving business. The reason of his dissolution of partnership was on account of a personal misunderstanding with Mr. Weatherall. He be- lieved that at the time Mr. Doyle visited the premises the stocir amounted to between JB200 and JE30C. The firm kept no banking aeoouot. I After some further evidence, the magistrate committed the defendants for trial.

I RAID ON BETTING HOUSES. At the Guildhall Police Court, London Jan 3rd Robert Davey, proprietor of Sport in,, Opinion, Dorset ctreat Fleet street, surrendered to his ball before Sir Robert Carden to answer a charge of keeping a L.Miee for betting purposes. Mr. Poland and Mr F Mead prrwf cured Mr Douglas Straight defended Mr. DoagUs Straight said he had had an opportunity of examining the document* seized by the police at the dcf<'E<!stu s premises, and having regard to thair nat-.re. a. d the «jvi-ience given by the police, it would --lie for iitfn to attempt to resist a conviction. The defendant proposed fc.; ,ad guilty, volantariiy on his part, a'jc withou: vjj co* .;10') from him. This was tbe second e investigated t this court, and he was well aware that on th» former Mr. Davey was fined £ 100. Cn,j..¡ ordinary drourastanccs, no J."ubt, the court would cousidii- that a fine- «f £ 100 aavitig been intlioted. there vas- U1 other aiternstiv« Vi* prisonment, but he u that a stjcond fn? iJf jEKX) should be Inflicted, -^1 that the defen«'»: should find two sureties for hU good le^avi.ror j for twelve months. He was not 4 hero u: eomol? i of the action of the law in respect "i people wtio betted in a small way, whilst no doubt at t.he oi^r end of London a very large establishment was allowed to exist where evidently the same offence morally, if not technically, was committed. Mr. Davey was 52 years of age, and six months ago was seized with para- lysis, and was at any moment liable to a recurrence of similar attacks. The learned magistrate allowed the case ,to be postponed because of the illness of Mrs. Davey, who died two hours afterwards. Thus all tbe defendant's troubles had come upon him at once, and he was now in a very delicate state of health. His medical attendant would state that imprisonment would be dangerous to his life. He concluded with a strong appeal that a fine should be inflicted instead of im- prisonment. Mr. Poland, on the part of the Treaeusy, said that the documentary evidence proved beyond the shadow of doubt that the illegal business alleged had been carried on by the defendant on his premises. On the former occasion the defendant was fined £ 100, and his son, who was then apprehended with them, was let off without a fine. It was necessary that persons should know what the law was in such cases. They should understand that it was not intended to apply to persons who went to raoe-cour8es and made bets, but to persons who allowed deposits to be made on their premises in refer- ence to raoing events, and made it a place of resort where moneys could be received or laid on the event. Under all the circumstances, he would leave the case in the hands of the magistrate. Sir Robert Carden said that since the last examina- tion he had received several letters showing that young persons who had visited the defendant had been utterly ruined, and several had been tried at the Old Bailey for otfeooes arising out of theie betting propensities. It not more than 12 months ago that Davey was fined £ 1< >0 for a similar offence, but that did not prevent him pursuing the same illicit and immoral trade. He (Sk Robert) felt for the man who bad lost his wife, and he also felt for a man who had suffered as the medical evidence showed that the defendant had, but he (the magistrate > doubted whether a little time spent in the prison infirmary would not be beneficial to him ( rathe; than otherwise. In view, however, of the medics ,1 the melancholy circum- stanot *■ case v and ri behav defeni would prisoi that f tho tit of no two a1 A sf the Is queue was r Busscr and t poetp Th gale, At decide memo berlal to car On to def. time I husbe vicini place Af the 8 polnl whief some sniaii cone! plate Ai Roof at tb the first year the ItraIt those His ( these that misfc they wortl Su, Mr. Gilbertson, coroner, held an inquest at tae 1 Chorley Police Station on the body of Henry Pil- kington, a collier, aged 3<> years. The deceased Juarrelled with his wife about ten o'clock on the ^'h )ecember, being then very drunk, and he left the house in a passion. At midnight she heard him making a graat noise in the back passage of the house, which is In Queen street, and at daybreak next morning he was found lying on the ground in the yard, with his hands in his pockets and his face in a small pool of water not more than an inch deep. He was quite dead. The medical cer- tificate of death staged that it was caused by suffo- ¡' cation, and the jury returned a verdict to that effect. RUFFIANISM AT WARRINGTON.—At the Warrington Police-court, on Tuesday, before Alderman Holmes and Dr. Smithi a man named M'Caffrey was charged with assaulting Joseph Inglefleld, an engineer living at Run- corn. The prosecutor, who had to be carried into » court to give evidence, and whose head and body bore indications of brutal treatment, said he bad come to I' Warrington to see a friend, and when he was in the Bull's Head public-house, Bridge street, the prisoner requested him to pay for some drink, which he refused to do. The prisoner struck him, and was ejected from I the house by the landlord. On going out he told the prosecutor that he would either kill him or lame him. When prosecutor went out the prisoner ran at him and knocked him down, and was seen by a witness to give him three swinging kicks about the head. In try- ing to escape the prisoner ran into the arms of a ?olicem»n, who locked him up. He was quite sober, he prosecutor was conveyed almost in an insensible condition to the dispensary, where his wounds were dressed. The prisoner had nothing to say. The Bench committed him to gaol for two months with ( hr.rd labour.

BRISTOL EYE HOSPITAL Admission Days—Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from Half-past Eleven to One. Suiyeoa—DR. BAJRTLKVT

j FOREIGN TELEGRA FRANCE. P ARTS, Dec. 30.-There is no foundat report that M. Gavard, first secretary of Embassy in London, has been appoin Minister to Brazil. PARIS, Dec. 30.—Count Germiny. who was last week before the Correctional Police Tr publicly immoral conduct and of resistant police, has now been sentenced to two moi prisonment and two hundred francs fine. C an accomplice, is sentenced to fifteen days' in; ment. Count Germiny was not present to sentence. PARIS. Dec. 31 (Morning).—M. Bonadona, mayoi Cavillon; M. Donat, deputy mayor; and M. mayor of Manbee, who took a prominent part in. election contest between MM. Du Demaine and Gi betta, at Vaucluse, have been dismissed from their p by a. decree of the President. VERSAILLES, Dec. SO.—To-day the Senate met forma, and the session was declared closed. Ai some discussion on the Railway Bills, the Chamber Deputies likewise was prorogued. Both the Cham" will re-assemble on the 9th January. ITALY. ROME, Dec. 29.—Tbe Osservatore Romano publisi a reply made by the Pope to an address presented him by the Roman Patriciate. His Holiness firstsp of a certain nobleman who someyears ago said evil thit of him because he frequented society in his youngt days. If he did, it was because he found exarnpl there to admire, but at the same time he did not neal" the poor nor the society of their helpless children am neglected families. He then, referring to a questioi now often put—Why did he not go out of the Vatican ¡ comparing himself to Christ, said, My hour has not yet come." Like Jesus, he would not walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to slay him. The place where he found himself was a little Galilee, the limits o< which he ought not to pass. It was not given to him to put his foot beyond the boundaries of the Vatican, propter metum Judaorum, ROME, Dec. 29 (Night).-A great pilgrimage is organising in the United States for the purpose of visiting Rome next June, and congratulating the Pope on his episcopal jubilee. Meanwhile Monsignor Bayley, Archbishop of Baltimore, accompanied by Monsignor Car-igan, Bishop of Newark, will shortl) be here on a special mission. Monsignor MacCloskey the Bishop of Louisville, is also expected. ROME, Dec. 30.—This morning Captain Teellng anc Monsignor Storor presented the Pope, in the name os the Irish Catholic Union, with a magnificent volume adorned with precious stones, containing the Bull ot the Immaculate Conception. The bull is written ir Gothic character, and richly ornamented with minia- tures. ¡ tures. GERMANY AND PORTUGAL. BERLIN, Dec. 30.—Count de Riboas, the Portugues. Envoy, had a special audience yesterday afternoon o the Crown Prince, to invest the eldest son of his Im- perial Highness with the Order of the Tower and Sword, which has been conferred on him by the King ,)f Portugal. Afterwards a grand dinner was giver in tiy; Palace in honour of the occasion. Count d Riboas "to.; Invited, as well as several Ministers an othe^ d'*8ti*ijfi-ish«d personages. THE EMPEROR WILLIAM. if J-sa. l.-To-d t), being the seventieth anni of tiue curoaienceuient of the Emperor Wil liar's iaiHtsry career, his Majesty he'rl a reception o all the com-.nand.ug <>&3ers<»C Lhe G c -nan army. Th Crown Prmci:, coucrs. the Emperor on th occasion, addressee him i.. a speoca in whc.1J ie scribed his Majesty afc the type of aii sol-iieriT virtue SERIOUS STRIKE OF RAILWAY ENGINEERS IN CANADA TORONTO, Dec. 31.—A serious atr 'n- if all the engineers on the Grand Trunk Railway is c. ^r>\rxg on. The military has been called out at Belleville t,> assist the civil power. TWEED AND HIS ACCOMPLICES. NEW YORK, Dec. 31.-Woodward, who. as I an- nounced on the 10th, turned States evidence against Tweed, was released yesterday. Tweed's release will follow soon. It is to be conditional on the exposure of his confederates, still high in office in this State. Sweeney will return for trial. Restitution by Connolly has been agreed on.—Correspondent of Daily News. THE APPALLING RAILWAY DISASTER IN AMERICA. Philadelphia, Jan. I.—At the scene of the Ash- tabula disaster 3d couple1* corpses, wits fragments :,f some others, have been recovered. Oniy eighteen of the corpses are supposed to be racognised. More than half of the dead are belie7ed to have been totally Or almost wholly consumed. THE MEXICAN CIVIL WAR. Nsw YORK, Dec. 30.—A Ma'aia'jroi telegram, dated the 29th IdsU, says Preside it L'!rdo de Ejada and Escobodo arrived at Mazac'ian, Porfirio Diaz to stated to occupy Queretaro. Iarlesia-i Is withdrawing bis forces In the direoU^n vi Gaanajato. THE DELHI ASSEMBLAGE. DELHI, Jan. 2.—Scmdia and orher c t-ta have sen* a congratulatory message to her Majesty. Fifteen fchou- .«-*M4Lgood conduct prisoners have been liberated. AMERICA. w Yo ate, Jan. 3.—Mr. Drew, Democrat, wss y Inaugurated in the office nf Governor of Florida, CANADA i0ST0, Jan. 3.—The strike of the employes of rand Trunk Railway has terminated. 3ECUT10N OF JEWS TN IiOUMANLA. (iJail;¡ Betas telegram.) Tn, Jan, 2 (Night).—A telegram from Bucharest that hundreds of Jewish tamiiioa ariive there 4 in great distress from the barbarous treatment < they have received in the Baslui d airiet. Implore the authorities Us ailow them cimV ly to remove their goods a ad chattels, but eir entreaties are in vain, as it is said they sfused in all cases. Many instances are quoted ises broken into, and wholesale plunder has beest on to a large extent. The Bucharest correspon- ,)f the Pester Lloyd, who has telegraphed this, hat it is quite heartrending tc behold the utterly )!lS state in which these poor ¡.¡.eople arrive there, e ministry no one will lister to them, but the -ian consul is doing all in his pemar to ^liaviate suffering. Many of the families tMf AusfEao cts.

« the Middlesex Sessions the judge askec an XyUh »man, When d'd you last see yo; r sister ? The .sman replied, "The last time. I saw her, my lojd, tboui- eight mouths ago, when sh>: called at aif 1. and I was oat." Here the court broke out into ,r of laughter. The judge rallied to the charge by g, "Then you did not set- her on that occasion ? j thless pause till the Irishman answered, No, my I wasn't there. ■E'SEKVATION op A FAVOVKIVK MrnsTER.— A ter WHS called in to see a man who was very d), • » finishing his \isit. as he was leaving the House, ud to the man's wife, My good woman, cb yOIi to to an\ church at all ?J' "Oh yes, sir. we gang <e Barony Kirk. "Then why in tho worl3 d'd send foi me? W' dJdu't you send for ,leod.? Na._ ns sir, deed no; we wadna /if* Do ye no ken it's a dangerous case o' typhus' ohn Rush, aged 17. a barber's apprentice), .ood in the neck in the course of a quarrel op li in High street. Edinburgh, and died a short t ;,r. The person who is supposed to have fata, gutted Rush was captured in a lodging-hous| Grass Market. He gives his name as George balonging to Belfast, but had only lately cot m Glasgow. A pair of scissors stained with bloou -a found in his possession. He says that the assault committed in self-defence. Volunteering has b<"T) opened in several of the rf.:i- is, ts on the home establishment to obtain men for the let. battalion of the 12th Regiment, a strong drought of which, numbering 300 inei, will. embark for Inuliain the course of a føW weeks. A detachment of the b^rd (Duke of Wellington's) Regiment will also leave Chhtt g trtiscu, and embark for India, At the same rime, upwards of fifty men have been Lrnnsferred rrom the 4t;tb Brigade Depot to the nOth (Queen's OWl>, Regiment, in Ireland, to which they have proceeded. James Gallagher, who is charged at Liverpool with seriously stabbing- Joseph Dunn in Richmond row, was brought before Mr. Raffles on Monday, and remanded. Tee poiieeman wJl() arrested Gallagher mentioned that the prisoner used uncivil language to him, and that ne replied by knocking him down. He explained, in answer to a question from the bench, that "he thought" Gallagher bad a knife in his hand, and he was afraid he would stab him alao, Mr. Raffles did not think that the circumstance«8 warranted the summary pro- ceedings adopted by the officer. PiiEC inGif Dissipation,— An extraordinary case of precocious dissipation, attended with fatal results, n. reported from tbe Commune of 0bupelleaux-Bols.near iipinal. Three youngsters bought two quart bottles of brandy at the fair, and drank the whole between them in the sjtace of an hour, by V.,hich time they became insensible. The youngest, Duprut, aged J3, 1# died on being taken home, Another, Jules Bessor nged If' eiuired a few hours later. The third, Pell- c. n Bliquez, aged 17, recovered, and attended the mnerfd of his two comrades. viewport, Friday, Ja-n uuru 5fK 1(?77. Printed and Published a( the Monmojttis^ikb Mkiuj* General Printing OlTuv, Cormucr<MaY-$trc»t. >'< ^rport, in tha Dowujrb Newport. the omntv ;or M Iwr-ij WILLIAM CH R1STOPHEJUS widing at HoM T<in the Jteri&h St- W'uios, .\vwi ort, •

— m RAILWAY DISASTER IN DENMARK. J FOURTEEN KILLED: THIRTY INJURED. A Copenhagen correspondent of the Pall Mall Ga- zette, writing on the 27th ult., says:—The long immu- nity which the railways in Denmark have enjoyed from serious accidents has at last been broken. Atrain convey- some hundred labourers engaged to clear the line from snow between Horsens and Aarhuus, two towns in Judand, yesterday evening suddenly left the rails, and the consequence was that nine persons, including the inspector of the line, the driver and the stoker, were instantly killed, and thirty persons were severely in- jured, of whom five more have since died from their wounds. This is the first railway accident in Den- mark which has cost any human lives. The sufferings of the injured men were greatly increased by the diffi- culty of ge:ting medical assistance, the communica- tions being almost totally interrupted, as well as by the terrible cold.

EXTRAORDINARY HIGH TIDE AT WICK- L 'W: THE TOWN FLOODED. A SCHOONER LOST, WITH ALL HANDS. An extraordinary rising of the sea took place at Wicklow on Wednesday. Nearly the whole borough was submerged, the waves breaking over some of the houses. One house was completely levelled, and its furniture was carried away. Timber was floating about in all directions, and swept out to sea. One merchant lost sixty pounds worth. Several breaches occurred In the railway line. Near Newcastle no train could get put. The two train from Dublin was stopped at Kilcoal, and all the up trains remained at Wicklow. Such a rising of the sea has never occurred before. Heavy floods occurred at Bray and the neighbourhood, the inhabitants of several coast villages leaving their houses in boats. The Kingstown and Holyhead mail steamers experienced terrific weather, and were de- tained several hours. A schooner was seen to go down with all hands.