Monmouthshire Merlin

TREDEGAR. POLICE COURT.—TUESDAY.. TRESPASSING ON THE RAILWAY.—A young man, named Wm. Vaughan, was charged by the Western Valleys Railway authorities with trespassing on their I line, near Nantyglo.—Mr. Hill, the active Superin- tendent under the Company, prosecuted, and defen- dant pleading guilty, was fined 5s. and costs. The drunkards were dealt with next, and the Bench intimated that henceforth defendants would be allowed till 12 o'clock, and if not then present, personally or by a proper substitute, appreliension warrants would be issued. WOUNDING CASE.—Daley v. Jones.—Mr. Plews for defendant, who manages the Co-operative Stores at Ebbw Vale -The evidence may be summarised as follows -On the 30th August, some time in the even- ing, Daley entered the stores, and asked for a pipe full of tobacco, which Jones refused to give. Mahoney followed, and begged some matches, and Jones ordered the pair out, and endeavoured to use force, when Mahoney said if you want to fight, step outside." At this juncture a young man, named Lewis, entered and offered tobacco to Daley, and at this point Jone3 aimed a blow at Daley who swore that he saw some brass thing in Jones's hand. Be this as it may, Daley's jaw-bone was fractured, and he had to be put under the care of Dr. Davies, and is now doing very well. Witnesses for the defence attempted to justify the act of Jones, by stating that Daley and Mahoney provoked and struck him. —The Bench fined defen- dant 20s. and eosts. THE GEORGETOWN SKIRMISH. -Mary Ann Hare v. Edmund and Phcebe Hale. — Mr. Plews for complain- ant, and Mr J. A. Shepard for the defendants.—This was a long-winded family squabble at Georgetown.— Mary Ann's mother was hearing a bit of news from Sarah Hale, grandmother to defendant, when Mary Ann called her away from the trash." This led to who's who ?" and Edmund come out to help Phoebe, and amongst them Mary Ann received some rough handling, her hair being pulled and her eye cut. Phillip Phillips, a grocer's assistant, came to the res- cue, and he managed to get Mrs. Hare away, but lost a shirt sleeve and his cap in the attempt, and he was obliged to cut at last, as it grew too warm" for him. -The Bench considered the assault proved, and fined defendants, Edmund 20s., and Phoebe 5s. and costs. AFFILIATION. —Harvey v. J. Morgan.—Mr. Plews for complainant, aud Mr. J. A. Shepard for defendant. —Mr. Shepard mentioned the fact that complainant not having been a resident at Tredegar when the sum- mons was applied for, ousted the jurisdiction of the Bench. -Miss Harvey was asked where she lived, and she replied at Merthyr."—Case dismissed.

CHEPSTOW. LOCAL BOARD.-At an adjourned meeting of this Board, held on Monday there were present Messrs. Thomas Perkins (chairman), Daniel Baker, Henry Gillam, Thomas, Sargent, George Fryer, John Prit- chard, Thomas Stephens, Thomas King, and Robert Parnall. The correspondence between the clerk and Mr. J. F. Marsh, Hardwicke, respecting an encroach- ment upon the highway, caused by the erection of two pillars at the entrance to his park, was laid before the Board, and it was agreed that the Clerk should again write to Mr. Marsh, asking him to meet a committee of the Board on the spot, that an attempt might be made to effect an amicable settlement. SCHOOL BOARD. — The monthly meeting of this Board was held at the offices of the Board on Tuesday, when the members present were Messrs. E. P. King (ohairman). E. Ellis, H. Gillam, R. Parnall, and J. Murphy. Since the last meeting a committee of three members of the Board had met a like number of the managers of the National School, on the sub- ject of the transfer of the school premises to the Board, at which interview it had been agreed that the lease of the premises should, agreeably to the request of the Duke of Beaufort, be unconditionally surrendered to the Board. It was understood, also, that the mana- gers should convey the result of the interview to the Board in writing, but the clerk reported that he had received no commnnication from the managers, at which considerable surprise was expressed. It was agreed that the clerk should write to His Grace's soli- citors as to the terms upon which a new lease of the premises and a small piece of land adjoining, would be granted to the Board. The treasurer's accounts showed a balance at the close of the meeting in favour of the Board of X35 6s 6d. A precept upon the over- seers for the payment of £ 50 to the credit of the Board was signed, and the Board adjourned.

PONTNEWYNYDD. THE CHUROH, The following extracts from a letter appears in a Cardiff Contemporary SIR,-As nothing tends more to rectify abuses in the Established Church than the exposure of them to the public gaze, I trust that you will allow me a space in your columns to institute some inquiries respecting the present and somewhat strange position of Pont- newynydd Church. About thirty-five years ago a commodious little church, well adapted to the char- acter of the population, was built in this place. To the disgrace, however, of modern builders, whoever they were, it fell in the short space of thirty years into a most dilapidated state, and required either very extensive repairs or rebuilding altogether. The latter course was adopted, but instead of rebuilding it accord- ing to its former style and dimensions, the incumbent proceeded to build on the same site a much larger and more costly edifice. To this, of course, there could be no objection, provided there was any fair probability of obtaining means adequate to the erection of so fine a building. So the incumbent proceeded to pull down the Church, but before he had rebuilt it up to the plinth, he found that he had no means to go much farther, and, consequently, the Church remains to this day in this wretched state, with very little probability of its being ever re-erected. But the strangest part of the proceeding remains yet to be told, It might have been imagined that the Bishop, on bearing that an in- cumbent in his diocese bad pulled down his Church without first securing the means of rebuilding it, would have censured him, or at least would have urged him to renewed diligence to obtain funds for its re- erection but instead'of this (it will be hardly credited when I inform your readers), the Bishop promoted him to another and a much better living in Glamorgan- shire, and thus to his great comfort removed him far away from the scene of his misadventure, and so left to his successor a parish without a Church. We have heard occasionally of a clergyman being promoted by his Bishop for building a Church, but never before for pulling one down. Under these circumstances, the Rev. John Morgan, who pulled down this Church, and the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Llandaff, who consented to his doing so, are by every principle of honour and justice bound to see that it is rebuilt. I am, &c. JAMES HUGHES.

TY-FARNA-BACH. DEATH THROUGH FALLING ON THE 'FIRE.—An inquiry was held at the King's Head Inn, on Saturday, before Mr. W. Lewis, coroner, and a jury, touching the death of Thomas Evans, aged 74, who died on the previous Wednesday from injuries received by falling on the fire in his own house, on 6th July last. It was not shown that any one was to blame, and the jury recorded a verdict of ''Death from the effect of burns." SUDDEN DEATH.—On the 10th inst., David Herbert, of the Belle Inn, Nantybwch, died suddenly while in bed. An inquest was held by Mr. Lewis, coroner, and the jury returned a verdict of "Death from natural causes." Deceased was in his 66th year.

SIRHOWY. CHAPEL ANNIVERSARY: The English Wesleyan Chapel Anniversary services were held on Sunday last, when sermons were preached by the Rev. T. Hackett, the newly-appointed superintendent of the Tredegar Circuit. The services were well attended, and the collections were in excess of former years. On Monday the usual tea party was held at the upper school-room, when nearly 300 patronised the cup of solace. In the evening a public meeting took place at the Primitive Methodist Chapel, when several addresses, interspersed with music, were listened to by an attentive auditory. Among the singers and speakers were Messrs. Browning, Jenkins, Codrington, Stock, Hancock, Cook, and Rev. J. Train. The chair was occupied by Mr. Elijah Rogers.

RISCA. DEATH BY DROWNING.—A boy named Uriah Giles was drowned in the Ebbw, by the Pontymister Tiu Works, on Friday. While in company with other boys he attempted to pull down the branch of a tree and fell into the water. His companions were very much frightened, and went home, but did notmention what had occurred. As the boy did not return in- formation was given to the police. Police Sergeant Williams questioned the boys, after which he and Police-constable Nicholas and another officer went down to the weir to search for the body, which was discovered about a hundred yards from the spot where the poor lad fell in. FATAL ACClDENT.-On Monday a boy named John Stephens was killed at the new reservoir at Henllis. He was employed in the work, when suddenly a large quantity of earth fell upon him and killed him on the spot. Last week a man from Pontymister was killed in the same place.

EBBW VALE. BENEFIT CONCFRT. -On Saturday evening a largely- attended benefit concert took place in the Hall of the Institute. The entertainment was patronised by Mr. Robert Jordan, mineral surveyor. J. Davies, Esq., M.D., presided. The following soloists took part Mr. John Davies, (Cerdder Ebwy) Mr. Meth Lewis, Ebbw Vale Forge Office; Mr. B. B. Mitchell, from the University College, Wales Mr. David Brown, Steel Works Office Miss Fanny Jones, Newport; Misses Jenkins and Thomas, Ebbw Vale assisted by a select glee party; accompanist, Mr. J. W. Wall, organist of Christ Church. The concert was got up for the benefit of the friends of the late Jenkin Ham- monds, who had, previous to his death, a protracted affliction. The Hall was crowded in every part, and all the performers acquitted themselves admirably. There were frequent manifestations of general ap- proval. The financial results of the concert must be satisfactory, as the performers rendered their services free, and the Committee of the Institute gave the use of the Hall, in order to aid the charitable object. The proceedings terminated with a cordial vote of thanks to the Chairman. I OUR VOLUNTEERS.—Of late fresh life has been im- parted to our Volunteer movement in this valley. On Saturday afternoon the Corps, attired in their new scarlet' uniforms, enjoyed an outing by marching to the Wain Pound Mountain, for drill. The band led, and discoursed a selection of music en route, and in the field. Capts. J. J. Richards and W. H. Powell, with Lieuts. Hilton, Davies, Skinner, and other subor- dinate officers, were present. The military evolutions of the men were executed satisfactorily, and their soldier-like appearance secured general admiration. CRICKET MATCH.—Saturday was an exciting day for the admirers of this he&lthful game—a match having been played on The Duffryn Fields, midway between Ebbw Vale and Victoria, near the Western Valleys Railway. A tent was erected on the ground, and the play began in earnest about mid-day. A number of spectators were on the field during the game, and manifested much interest in the results of the contest, which was conducted in the best possible spirit throughout. The following is the result :— Ebbw Vale, 1st innings, 65 2nd innings, 47 total, 112; Pontymister, 1st innings, 18.

ABERGAVENNY. CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY, &c. The annual meeting of the Monmouthshire District Branch of the Society for Promoting Christian Know- ledge, and the Society for the Propagation of the Gos- pel, was held at Abergavenny, on Thursday, the ninth of this month, under the presidency of the Van. Archdeacon of Monmouth, when the following report was read to the meeting by the Rev. H. Powell Ed- wards, Vicar of Caerleon, hon. sec. to the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge for this Archdea- oonry This being the annual meeting of the Monmouth- shire District Association of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, it devolves upon me, as hon. secretary, to submit to your notice the following brief report of the work done by your Committee during the year now brought to a close. Your Committee have held their quarterly meetings on the second Thursdays in December, March, June, and September, at appointed places, and carefully considered the seve- ral applications made to them for grants, besides transacting the general business of your Association. In this way grants of books to the value of X15 15s., have been made as follows :-Two pounds each to St. Woolos Mission room, Llanelen, Llanvetherine, St. Mark's (Newport), and Blaenavon Sunday schools three pounds to Penmaen Day and Sunday school; one pound to Panteg Sunday school; one pound to Llanvair Parochial Lending Library and fifteen shil lings to Llan-Ystern-Llywern Day school. The Depo- sitories at Abergavenny, Chepstow, Ebbw Vale, Mon- mouth, Newport, Pontypool, and Usk, have been conducted by their respective managers, under the superintendence of the local secretaries, to the satis- faction of your Committee. The management of the Chepstow DepOt has been transferred to Miss Church since the death of her late respected father, Mr. Wm. Church, of whose faithful services during a long series of years your Committee expressed their warm sense and high approval. Payment is made to the ma- nagers at the rate of three shillings in the pound on the sales effected by them, no allowance being made on grants voted by your Committee. The fol- lowing is the aggregate number of books, &c., returned as sold during the past year :—Bibles, 1,168; Testa- ments, 605 Common Prayer Books, 756; other Books and Tracts, 7,139. A grant of forty pounds was voted to the Parent Society out of the balance in hand at the quarterly meeting held last March 11th. To justify this vote we need only point to the excel- lent service done by the Parent Society, both at home and abroad, in supplying well-printed copies of the Holy Scriptures and Book of Common Prayer at less than cost price in disseminating sound, religious, and useful literature in the encouragement of educa- tion rightly so called and in various other works conducive to the well being of this Church and Na- tion. Its benign influence permeates every parish and every household in England and Wales, more or less, and accompanies our emigrants to distant colo- nies, where they find on their arrival their spiritual wants largely anticipated by the energy and fore- thought of this truly Catholic Society, acting in full accord and loving testimony with the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in our colonial and other dependencies. The list of subscribers to our Branch of the Society has been considerably reduced in the past year by deaths and other removals and among the former by that of the late Lord Tredegar, whose zeal and forwardness in the support of our county and other charities, Was well known to us all. I am thankful to add that the vacancies so caused have been more than filled up by new subscribers, and it is to be hoped that a still larger accession may be wel- corned in the year now begun. For there are few objects more deserving of our support, whether we look to our present or eternal welfare, the reading which is thus supplied to rich and poor alike being calculated to make us better subjects and citizens while teaching us our duty as members of the King- dom of God, and raising our thoughts and aspirations to that heavenly city which hath foundation, and to that blessed home which will last for evermore." THE QUESTION OF HOLDING A CATTLE SHOW. The Committee of the Agricultural Association met at the Angel Hotel, on Tuesday last, for the purpose of considering whether, in consequence of the prevalence of the foot and mouth disease, it would be advisable to hold a cattle show this year, or at least on the 30th of September, the day fixed for the cattle and horse show. A.. D. Berrington, Esq., presided. Several of the members present feared that if the sbow were not held they would lose a large number o subscribers. Ultimately Major Herbert proposed that the Com- mittee should call a general meeting of the Associa tion, to meet on Tuesday next, and that the Com- mittee should recommend that in consequence of the prevalence of the disease the cattle show should not be held on the 30th of September, and that subscribers should be respectfully requested not to withold their subscriptions, but pay them up in order that the cattle show might be held later in the season, or that the prizes for cattle might be increased next year. This was unanimously agreed to. LADY RIDERS. The following letter was then read :— 37, High-street, Pimlico, London, Sept. 11th, 1875. "DEAR SIR,-Will you kindly tell me if you engage lady riders for your horse show. If you do, I shall be very glad to offer my services. I have been riding at a good many shows, and have won several jumping prizes this season. Hoping to hear from you soon, I remain, yours truly, M. B. WILLIAMS. James Straker, Esq." The Committee thought the lady would no doubt be an attraction, but it was a matter for the exhibitors to consider—not the Association. This was all the public business. POLICE COURT.—WEDNESDAY. [Before JAMES HUMFRIES, Esq., R. Rees, Esq., and ASH WIN, E3q.] This was also the adjourned annual licensing day, and Mr. Humfries, upon the commencement of the business, siad that in the matter of the adjourned applications for granting spirit licenses, they were all refused. PROHIBITED HOURS.—John Pritchard, landlord of the ilitre Inn, Mardy, was charged by P.C. Pettit, with keeping his honse open during prohibited, hours nam4y, at 10.15 p. Ul. on the night of Saturday last.- Cautioned and ordered to pay costs. CHARGE OF INDECENT ASSAULT.—Charles Bristoe, a disreputable-looking man, was charged with indecently assaulting Elizabeth Margaret Vaughan a little girl about six or seven years of age, living with her grandmother, at Monmouth Cap, on the 31st ult. Front the evidence adduced, it appeared that the childs grandmother keeps a common lodging houst, and the prisoner was lodging there, and vhilst the grandmother turned her back he began to treat the child in an improper manner, and injured her. As the prisoner seemed to be very weak and rather idiotic in his manner, the Bench decided to treat the case as a common assault, and he was sen- tencei to six weeks' hard labour, or for such a period as the gaol surgeon considered he could endure. Another indecent assault was down for hearing, but as tht prisoner was too weak to attend the Court, the case vas adjourned for a fortnight, and the prisoner admitted to bail in his own recognizances. PROHIBITED Houps. —Mary Vaughan, landlady of the lion Hotel, Govilon, was charged by P.C. Gos- well vith the above offence, on Sunday last, at 3.20 p.m.—Mr. Gardner defended.—The defence was that the persons present were, or represented themselves to be, bona-fide travellers, and it was admitted by the police that one of them had come from Hereford, and he was the man who called for the beer. —The case was dismissed with a caution, the Bench remarking that the police were quite right to bring the case for- ward. A TOLL CASE.—Tom Richards, butcher, Flannel- street, was charged by James Henry Smith, lessee of the market tolls, with refusing to pay toll in respect of a cowhide, which was liable to toll.—Mr. Gardner for complainant, and Mr. Farquhar defended.—The evidence of the complainant was that he saw defen- dant taking a cowhide to Mr. Rees' tanyard on Friday last; demanded toll, but defendant refused to pay. He then seized the skin, but it was taken from him by Mr. Rees' men.—The defence was that the skins were sold by a quarterly contract, and not sold or exposed for sale within the meaning of the Act on premises not rated under the Commissioners, upon which ground the Bench dismissed the case.

EDUCATION I N QUEENSLAND. To Queensland is due the credit of having been the first of the Austra- lian Colonies to introduce free education, the payment of school fees having been discontinued in 1866. In order to show how great was the infiux of children consequent thereon, it may be mentioned that during the first six months of 1870, the average attendance had risen from 6,991 in the preceding year to 10,462, being an increase during that period of 3,471 children. THE BISHOPRIC OF BRISBANE.—The Right Rev. Dr. Hale, Bishop of Perth, Western Australia, has accepted the Bishopric of Brisbane, rendered vacant by the re- signation of the Right Rev. Bishop Tuff nell. Bishop Hale was for many years a beneficed clergyman in the diocese of Gloucester and Bristol. THE HIGHER CHRISTIAN LIFE. — A new weekly paper will shortly be commenced, having for its object the ventilation of all matters relating to Scriptural Holiness, the conventions for tne promotion of which, held at Oxford, Brighton, and elsewhere, have attrac- ted so much attention. The new paper will be entitled "The Banner of Holiness," and will consist of 16 pages demy 4to, price one penny. No. 1 will be issued September 23rd. The publisher is F. E. Longley, 39, Warwick Lane, London. The Mediterranean squadron left Uenoa on Sunday night, and proceeded to the Adriatic and Venice. i The Admiralty have granted double pay to the offi- cers and men of the Valorous while engaged in the Arctic expedition. The directors of the Alexandra Palace Companj have determined to hold an exhibition of cabs and cab horses. Mrs. Herschel, wife of Capt. Herschel, F..R.S. (grandson of i-becelebrate(i Sir William Herschcl), is now enffftgw' on a memoir of Miss Caroline Herschel, sister and assistant of Sir William, compiled from her own journals. Several letters of the great astrono- mer hitherto unpublished, will be included in the volume. A FATAL MISTAKE.—On the 10th inst. an inquest, Was held at Preston, on the body of Mr. James Ander- son, grocer, 43, who died on the previous evening. On the'previous Sm day evening the deceased in mistake drank a small portion of cunmouiafrom a bottle exactly similar to one in which be kept vinegar in the shop. He vomited freely soon afterwards, but inflammation of the gullet, stomach, and right lung set in, and he died as above stated. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death." PRINCE AND PUBLIC.—As evidence of the freedom and politeness which the royal princes evinced to- wards the public, it may be mentioned that the Duke of York, at Lewes races (Aug. 9, 1790), while a boxing match was going on between the heat", permitted any who chose to take the benefit of his lofty phaeton to see the fight, and actually accommodated in, upon, and about it, nearly thirty persons, he himself hold- ing the reins and observing the utmost care that the horses did not move forward."—" The Brighton PavilionBishop- THE LIVERPOOL AND MEDITERRANEAN THADF.Trade competition to a serious extent is now in force in the Liverpool and Mediterranean trade. This trade is mainly in the hands of Messrs F. R. Leyland and Co. and Meters. Burns and Maclver. Some understand- ing, says the Liverpool Mercury, had existed as to the sailings of vessels of these firms but it is alleged that of late the arrangements have been broken through, and the result is a keen competition, resulting in a re- duction of freights for heavy goods to the extent of from 50 to 60 per cent. A SIBERIAN UNIVKKSITY.—The German papers state, on the authority of the Sbwir, that a sum of 25,000 roubles has been granted by the Czar for the foundation of the proposed Siberian University, which will be located at Tomsk, and not, as at first contemplated, at Irkutsch. It is understood that the idea of instituting a university in this remote part of the empire origi- nated with General Kasnakow, who, in the course of a prolonged official inspection of the province, ascer- tained that the whole ot* Siberia only numbered five regularly trained medical practitioners, while in every other profession a correspondingly low state of culture was found to exist. EXPERIMENT WITH CONDENSED MILK,—A sample of condensed milk, weighing about one cwt., was last week exhibited at the rooms of the Society of Arts, and an interesting experiment made thereon. This mammoth piece of solidified fluid was prepared by Hooker's process. It had been exposed to the action of the air for four years and three months, yet its quality was still so excellent that in a few minutes it was resolved, by churning, into good, fresh butter. The trial last week was only one of a series made at the International Exhibition, South Kensington, and elsewhere. In each case the same satisfactory result was obtained. PREHISTORIC RELICS.—A special despatch to the New York Evening Post dated August :21st, states that the Smithsonian Institute has just received the largest I and most interesting collection of prehistoric relics ever gathered in the United States. The collection, which is from the Santa Barbara Island, California, consists of stone implements of every description, and amounts to fifty tons in weight. They were found in vast mounds and excavated from innu- merable graves, the traces of which were almost ob- literated. Parts of this collection will be arranged for exhibition at the Centennial. An old Spanish admiral who visited these islands three hundred years ago reported that he found living there in well: bu;. t houses a race of aborigines advanced in civilisation II far beyond all kindred tribes. "THE VERY BEST" is Taylor's Patent Sewini Machine with the new Improvements, which render it superior to all others for Dressmaking and Family use. It is simple to learn, easy to work, quiet in action, not liable to get out of order. Can be had on easy terms of purchase at a moderate price. Intending purchasers, if unable to obtain Taylor's Patent Sewing Machines from local Dealers, are respectfully requested to send for a prospectus to 97, Cheapside, London, E.C.; Great Driffield, York. shire; or the branch establishments 22, Silver Street, Hull,and 132, Kirkgate, Wakefield. DELICATE CHILDREN.—Weakening Diseases require Tonic Treatment. The condition of the blood in children suffering from General Debility, Rickets, Spinal Disease' Wasting, Paralysis and Consumption; from Spasmodic Croup, Epilepsy, Worms, Weak Eyes and all Eruptions, is one of poverty, requiring a Tonic to enrich it, and clear the system from all impurities. The best Medicine for all the above ailments is STEDMAN-PHILLIPS TONIC DROPS, which will add color to the cheeks and restore the little patients to robust health, and parents should not fail to give them a proper course. Prices 13id, 2s 3d, and 4s 6d -Of all Chemists or a large bottle sent for 5s P.O.O by the Proprietor of Stedman's Teething Powders, the safest remedy of their kind for Infants Teething. Depot —78, East-road, London N. HOLLOWAY'S PILLS—The sudden changes, frequent fogs, and prevading dampness sorely impede the vital functions and conduce to ill health. The remedy for these disasters lies in some purifying medicine, like these Pills, which is competent to grapple with the mischief at its source, and stamp it out without fretting the nerves or weakening the system. Holloway's Pills extract from the blood all noxious matters, regulate the action of every dis- ordered organ, stimulate the liver and kidney, and relax the bowels. In curing chest complaints these Pills are re- markly effective. especially when aided by friction of the Ointment on its walls. This double treatment will ensure a certain, steady, and beneficfent progress, and sound health will soon be re-established.

_4. -C. NARROW ESCAPE OF SIR R. TEMPLE. A Times of India telegram says that Sir R. Tem- ple's horse slipped down a precipice at Darjeeling. Sir Richard had a narrow escape, just managing to throw himself off before the horse fell. I

EXTRAORDINARY OUTRAGE IN A FARMER'S HOUSE. On Sunday night Mr. Hare, of BaswickFarm, Stafford, was aroused by a man knocking at his door, who said men were following him, and on being admitted he stabbed two men servants. Mr. Hare fired over the man's head and at his legs, when he was secured, but died shortly after. He is believed to have been suffer- ing from delirium tremens.

SERIOUS COLLIERY ACCIDENT NEAR DUDLEY. A correspondent writes — About midnight on Sunday a fire broke out in the No. 25 pit, Wallow's Colliery, belonging to Lord Dudley. A vast amount of damage was done to the coal, the plant, and the live stock down the pit. The fire was so fierce that the conductors were burned put of the pit, and the shafters badly damaged. Eight horses, valued at £300, were burned to death.

WANTON VITRIOL THROWING. At Hanley police-court, on Monday morning, JOSEJ?^ McDermott was remanded on a charge of throwing vitriol into the faces of four persons. On Saturday there was a large crowd, and the prisoner, pulling out a bottle, threw the consents indiscriminately among them, apparently without any motive. A man named Burn had the sight of one eye destroyed, a girl of 13 had her face severely burned, and two others were tnuch injured.

A MAIL STEAMER ASHORE. A Lloyds' Jamaica telegram says the Royal mail steamer Shannon has gone ashore on Pedro Bank. Her Majesty's ships Dryad and Heron were assisting. The Dryad brought passengers, mails, and specie, The Shannon was bound for the Isthmus of Panama, and the accident happened on approaching Jamaica from Colon. It was on the morning of the 8th inst. No further particulars have been received.

ANOTHER STEAMSHIP SUNK BY COLLISION. The crew and wife of the captain of the steamer Aquila, Gf)4 tons, of and for London, with coals from Sunderland, arrived at the Sailors' Home, Hull, on Sun- day, and reported that their ship had been run down and sunk in the North Sea by a sailing vessel, name unknown. Early on Sunday morning the Aquila was 22 miles from Spurn Head, where the sailing vessel was seen. She is supposed to have been a fishing smack belonging to Grimsby, and struck the steamer on the port bow, making a hole three feet wide and ten feet long. The Aquila began to fill rapidly, but the strange ship did not stand by to render assistance, but sailed away to the north-east. On getting clear the crew took to the boats and saw her sink in an hour. They were afterwards picked up by the steamer Northum- bria, of Hull, and landed at Grimsby.

THE SHOCKING PIT FATALITY IN SHROPSHIRE. The inquest on the eleven colliers suffocated in one of the pits of the Lilleshall Company, Shropshire, was opened on Monday, before Mr. Neville, coroner. Mr. Thomas Wynne, Government inspector, and Mr. S. B. Gilroy, assistant inspector, represented the Govern- ment. The company were represented by Mr. Lloyd, manager, and Mr. Green and Mr. Maurice, mi' e managers. The Coroner complained of the illegality of the bodies having been distributed amongst the friends of the deceased, and not carried to one place. He said the Government inspectors had been into the pit, and had made a partial investigation, but were driven back by the fire and gases. There was naturally some sus- picion amongst the deceased's relatives, which must be cleared up. All this requires that there should be an adjournment after the bodies had been identified. Mr. Lloyds said the distribution arose out of the urgent appeal of the women to have their dead at home. After evidence of identification the inquest was ad- journed for a week. A partial inspection leaves the inference that a crack in the roof, or a fall, led to the spontaneous combustion which fired the pit.

SHOCKING CATASTROPHE IN INDIA. TWO HUXDRED PILGRIMS DROWNED. A correspondent writes as follows from Madura, August 8, to the Madras Mail:—Intelligence has been received at this station of a frightful catastrophe which befell a party of pilgrims to the Mahalingam shrine, on the Tmnevelly frontier, on the evening of Sunday last. If we are to believe the reports of re- turned pilgrims, more than two hundred persons were drowned. Thirty-three of theMadura pilgrims have been either carried away by the mountain torrent or are miss- ing and it is frightful to think how many more, from Tinnevelly or other parts, may have shared the same fate. The shrine "in question stands on the summit of one of the Saduragiri hills (literally four hills), which form a portion of the Saptoor estate, though included in the Tinnevelly district. The direction from Madura is south-southwest, and the distance nearly fifty miles. Thousands of people from all parts of the country flock in this part of the year to this shrine, to get cured of fancied or real evils, and, if possible, to lay by a store of blessings for themselves and their children. On the evening of Sunday last there was the same spec- tacle as used to be in former ye lrs-thousands of men, women, and children were talking, or eating, or dancing; hundreds of sheep and fowls, brought up to be sacrificed, stood in mournful groups, each waiting its turn some pilgrims, more religious I than the rest, were rolling in front of the shrine or performing other equally curious evolutions- in fact, everything went on without a hitch. At five p.m. there was a tremendous shower of rain ten ¡ minutes later, the hitherto dry bed of the mountain torrent was full, and the water rushed down headlong, carrying those who could not force their way through I the crowd, and the general confusion was rendered still more dreadful by the darkness. Many dead bodies, intercepted by roots and bushes, were picked up in the bed; a good many were seen floating on towards the Waptrap tank some were found jammed between stones, and only a very few of the ill-starred lot saved themselves by catching hold of some friendly bough.

THE PRINCE'S VISIT TO INDIA. The Times of India publishes an official communica- tion from the Chief Secretary to Government to the vice-chairman of the executive committee for the recep- tion of the Prince of Wales. The communication is in reply to one from Colonel Hancock submitting the pro- posals of the executive committee regarding the illumi- nations, decorations, ind reception of his Highness. Government generally concur with the committee's proposals, and it is not anticipated that they will meet with any objection from the Prince. It is now settled THA1 his Royal Highness will spend four or five days in the mofussil of this Presidency, most ¡' likely at Poona and Ahmedabad. In the opinion of Government the dockyard will be a more convenient place for the Prince to land at than the Appollo Bunder. Arrangements similar to those made on the occasion of Lord Northbrook's visit in 1872 will be carried out. The address of the Corporation is to be presented to his Royal Highness immediately on landing' The illuminations will take place on the evening of the 9th. It is proposed that the Prince and suite should leave Government House, Parell, at half- I past six p.m., and after driving through the streets, which are to be illuminated, return there at nine o'clock. The Prince is to be invited to visit Ele- phanta as the guest of his Excellency the Governor. Altogether, his Royal Highness will spend five or six of the eleven days allotted to this Presidency in the City of Bombay. Lord Northbrook will not remain here for more than a week. His lordship will arrive about the 4th of November, and will most probably hold a durbar before the arrival of the Serapis. He will receive the Prince at the dockyard on the daj' of his arrival, and will leave for Calcutta on the 9th or 10th. It was originally arranged, we believe, that Lord Northbrook should accompany his Royal Highness to Ceylon and Madras, but this proposal having been deemed impracticable for various State reasons, has been abandoned, and the Viceroy will return to Cal- cutta as soon after the Prince's arrival here as possible, and receive him there in December next. Maharajahs Holkar and Scindiah will travel to Bom- bay in company, arriving here a few days before the Prince. General Daly, Governor-General's Agent for Central India, will come with them. As the Gaekwar is also to visit Bombay, the Prince will be enabled to meet at least three of the chief Indian Princes soon after his arrival; the visits which will be exchanged are to be private, as we understand it has been de- finitely settled that the Prince will hold no durbar here.

A LIVERPOOL SWIKDLER CAUGHT IS JAMAICA.—! obedience to a cable telegram from Liverpool, a Mr. Barry was arrested at Falmouth, Jamaica, just pre- vious to the departure from the island of the man steamer Tagus, which arrived in Plymouth on Sun- day. He is charged with having absconded from Liver- pool with money belonging to his employers. Since his arrival he had suooeeded in obtaining an important post in a mercantile house in Falmouth.

GENERAL E NY S. On Sunday nicbt 1>.IY:U P-»ri, a North pilot, be-' longing to Dunde*, died ftu'denly on board the Spanish screw steamer Gijou, in the Tyne Docks, South Shieidii, PKOPOSKD KXTKN-ION or SOUTMPOKT.—This month a great extension w.,s mace to the borough of South- port, by the incorporation with :'t of the outlying dis- tricts at the nor .hend of the town, comprising Church- town, Marshside, Crosser.s but now a more important addition is in contemplation, for at an influential meet- ing of the clergy and leading inhabitants of Birkdale the following resolution was adopted: That in the opinion of this meeting it is highly desirable that Par- liamentary powers should forthwith be obtained to extend the municipal limits of Southport so as to in- clude the whole district of Birkdale." A deputation was also nominated to wait on the Birkdale Local Board and the Corporation of Southport. A proposal to merge Birkdale into Southport has been previously mooted, and now there seems every prospect of its being carried out. A CLERGYMAN IN A FIX.—A curious case of halluci- nation came before the Holborn Union at their last meeting. A clergyman lining at Islington—the Rev. H. Pankridge, who is a member of the board-applied for advice under the following circumstances:—He said that a lunatic woman, whose whereabouts and name he did not know, was constantly coming in front of his house and making manifestations there, being, as it appeared, under the hallucination that he (Mr. Pankridge) intended to marry her. More than this, she had walked along Upper street, shouting out at the top of her voice that she was St. John the Baptist. In this supposition she came, followed by a crowd, before his house, and made renewed manifestations, nearly frightening the life out of his sister-in-law and servant. It was pointed out to the rev. gentleman that the woman, if she annoyed him, could be given into cus- tody. The woman alluded to has since been brought before a magistrate at the Clerkenwell Police-court. She gave her name as Caroline Austin, aged 30, and was described as a needlewoman. She was remanded to the House of Detention for a week. Bail would be accepted, one surety in £10. The commitment was marked, so that the attention of the medical gentleman might be called to her. SAD BATHING ACCIDENT AT TYNEMOUTII.—A melan- choly case of drowning took place at Tynemouth about eight o clock on Sunday morning. A voungman named Joseph Robson, belonging to Morpeth, who had been staying for the last fortnight with his mother at lodgings in Percy street, went down to the Long Sands to bathe. He engaged one of Coates's machines, and as there was a considerable swell on, Coaifs told him he had better be careful and keep near the machine. He had bathed nearly every morning at the same place since he came to Tynemouth, and being a swimmer, he remarked that there was no fear, and it would be all right. Unfortunately, he had not been long in the water when he swam for some distance. There were several gentlemen bathing near him, but as he showed no signs of distress they did not think he was in any danger. Presently he dis- appeared, and on the alarm being given two boats were put off, and efforts were made to find him, but without success. On Sunday afternoon, however, some men procured trawls from Cullercoats, and trawled the coast in a boat. In the evening, the body of poor Robson was caught in them, and brought ashore. It was sub- sequently removed to his lodgings. The deceased, who was about 19 years of age, had just been out of his apprenticeship a short time, having been a plumber with Mr. Henderson, Morpeth. FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE.—The foot and mouth disease still continues to spread alarmingly in War- wickshire. The returns for the past week show there are now 8047 affected animals—an increase of 2108 on the returns for the previous week, when the number was 5939. The increase during the last five weeks has been 6292, exclusive of animals which have been at- tacked and have recovered. The returns show a slight decrease at Coleshill, where the disease has been very virulent, but in nearly every other petty sessional divi- sion the returns are very unsatisfactory, especially as the disease is reappearing in districts where it had re- cently begun to decline. The most seriously affected localities are Coleshill, 1993 cases; Brailes, 1G32; Atherstone, 872; Warwick, 729; Southam, 581; Kirby, [,59; Kenilworth, 4y0 Kineton, 411; pnd Solihull, 292. The County Executive Committee are extremely anxious that the markets and fairs, which have been the means of spreading the disease extensively, should be temporarily suspended in districts where the disease is prevalent. They, however, do not possess the power to close markets and fairs, but have instructed the Clerk of the Peace to represent to the Privy Council the desirableness of issuing an order to have this effect. The disease continues to spread in the Western Divi- sion of Berkshire, and prevails also to a serious extent in different parts of the adjoining county of Wilts. A GOOD CHARACTER FORFEITED FOR TWOPENCE.— At the Westminster Police Court, on Saturday, George Pratt, a porter in the employ of the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway Company, was charged with steal- ing eight pears value twopence, the property of the company.—William Eldridge, inspector of police on the line, said at 12.15 the previous night he was in a fruit train from Herne hill to Victoria; the train stopped at Grosvenor road by signal, and the prisoner went up to one of the trucks, and took out eight pears from a sieve. Witness went up to him. and told him he must come to Victoria and was there charged, as these larcenies of fruit were so frequent.—Mr. Arnold said he supposed the prisoner would be dismissed from the railway.—Mr. William Harris, the superintendent of the police on the line, said he certainly would be. He bore a good character, and had been two years in the service.—Mr. Arnold thought that if the prisoner had been discharged at once there would have been an end of the matter, but as the charge had been preferred he must deal with it.—Prisoner pleaded guilty.—Mr. Lankenow, station master at Grosvenor road, gave the prisoner the highest character for honesty and in- tegrity be had trusted him with very valuable pro- perties.—Mr. Arnold said he could quite believe that the prisoner would have refrained from touching anything of more value, and it was a pity that for so paltry a theft he should lose character and everything. Lament- able as it was, the law must be vindicated, and, taking the character of the prisoner into consideration, he should only pass a light sentence, viz., seven days' hard labour. STRANGE GAME NEAR LONDON.—The Observer says: In Isaac Walton's time you could meet otter hunters with their hounds at Amwell Hill, and in the neigh- bourhood afterwards known as Sadler's Wells. We doubt, however, if for fifty years past at least the lutra vulgaris has been seen as near London as he is at pre- sent During the last week, we are informed, a couple of otters have been seen more than onc° on the Cran, at Twickenhm Common, and the fact says a good deal for the increase of fish under the regime of the Thames Conservancy. We are told that the brutes have afforded some sport to men with dogs. and it is to be hoped that a proper pack of otter hounds may be brought up before the newcomers are shot by some Cockney pot-hunter, with no soul for real sport. Meantime we may observe that no dog can hold its own with an otter but a trained otter hound, and that even these occasionally suffer severely. Should any attempt be made at trapping or netting, the sports- men will do well to bear in mind the significant and conspicuous warning exhibited in the Regent's Park, Beware the otter bites:" Indeed, there is not in England, now that the wild cat is extinct, a more terrible wild fowl alive" than your otter, whose mouth would make an admirable model for a trap, and who, when he bites, may be trusted to take out the piece. We may add tha', in spite of all sympathy to the con- trary, the new visitors cannot be too soon got rid of, or the Twickenham fishing will be wor h uncommonly little. A weazel in an aviarv is not more mischievous than an otter in a well-stocked river, and a single otter, unsuspected, has often before now emptied an entire preser-ve. FREAK OF A "BLUR-NosED MAN.—At the Thames Police-court London, on Saturday, IX 1: j'llt1 Murphy, a seaman, was brought before Mr. Paset charged with obtaining £ 4. 10s. from James Pearce, an engineer, or 7, Ellethorpe street, Poplar, by means of a fictitious cheque.- The prosecutor said that on the previous night he we.it with his wife to see a. Mrs Scott, a boarding-house keeper, of 3, East Ferry road, MiHwall. On arriving there they saw Mrs. Scott, her servan gir the prisoner, and two or three others. asked him if he would change a note for him. Witnesssaid he would have nothing to do with him, as he was a, blue-nosed man, meaning a lankee^ Ihe prisoner showed him a piece of paper, and sala it was a t5 Bank of England note. Ultima:,eh witness agreed to cash the note, and tendered the defendant £ 4. 10s., undertaking to pay the remaining 10s. on the following day. received the note produced, and on looking at it the following morning he found it was good for nothing. He went back to Scott's and saw the prisoner, who jumped out of the window. He g-ave information to the police, and the prisoner was apprehended. James Sandy, a policemau, said he was called to take the prisoner into custody, and on search- ing him he found i.1 in gold and 9s. (id. in silver. On charging him with passing a fictitious cheque to the prosecutor, he said he knew nothing about it. The note in question was to the following effect: The Bank of Economy.—On demand we promise to supply the bearer with £ 5 or less worth of excellent boots and shoes, warranted to wear well and give satisfaction, or a pair of our celebrated gents' side-spring boots at 10s. t'>d., or ladies' elegances at 5s. 9d., any pattern blue boot over door. The prisoner said he had been staying at Scott's, and on the night in question all were the worse for liquor. Some person gave him the note in the street.—Mr. Paget comukitted him for trial,