Evening Express

THE PHILIPPINES EXCLUSION OF CHINESE.—A PROTEST. A Reuter's telegram from Washington on Tuesday says:—China- through her Minister here, has emphatically protested against General Otis's military order excluding the Chinese from the Philippines. Neither the officials at the State Department nor those at the Chinese Legation will give any informa- tion on the subject, but it has been ascer- tained from trustworthy sources that the pro- test insists that General Otis's action is con- trary to international law, violates existing treaties, and completely disregards considera- tions of friendliness so long as it is main- tained. President M'Kinley's attention has been called to the matter, as the character of the protest gives the subject an international aspect beyond the purely military questions involved. One of the specific points in the protest is understood to be that such an order is a departure from the announoed purpose of the President to maintain the present status in the Philippines until Congress has deter- mined the permanent condition of the islands. The military phases of the situation have been referred to Mr. Root's consideration. The lan- guage of the protest is said to be courteous and dignified, but such as to have no doubt of the deep umbrage felt by China. British Vessels Chased by Yankee Gunboats. Reuter's telegram from Hong Kong on Mon- day says:—On the night of the 13th inst. the British steamer Yuensang, bound rom Manila to Honk Kong, was chased by the American gunboat Pampanga thirty miles off the north coast of Luzon on the suspicion of being a filibustered Three shots were fired by the gunboat, the first two of whioh were disre- garded by the Yuensang, but on the third shell exploding close at hand she stopped. The cap- tain of the gunboat, finding he had made a mistake, apologised. The Brtish steamer Doamante, from Manila for Hong Kong, was also followed by an Ameri- can gunboat, name unknown, near Sabig Bay on the night of the 16th inst. The gunboat sounded her whistle to make the steamer stop, and on her signals being disregarded ran so closely alongside the Diamante that her guns tore her rigging. The passengers were thrown into a state of panic. On learning the identity of the vessel the gunboat sheered off.

YELLOW FEVER IN THE STATES. A Central News telegram from New York on Tuesday eays:—There are still 30 or 40 fresh cases of yellow fever every day at Key West. There are altogether 400 cases in hospital.

BRITISH ASSOCIATION. The British Association meetings were re- sumed at Dover on Tuesday, when a full pro- gramme of papers again occupied the respec- tive sections. In the Economical Soience Department Miss HIwart read a statistical paper illustrative of the increase in local rates in England and Wales from 1891 to 1897, show- ing the various departments chiefly responsible for that increase. Mr. Bourne deplored what he regarded as the extravagance of municipal government in this country. In the Geological Section. Professor Boyd Dawkins discoursed on the geology of the Channel Tunnel; whilst the zoologists were deep in the mysteries of fish culture. Mr. Thorney Croft read a paper in the Mechanical Science Section on recent experiences with steam upon common roads. In the Geography Section Captain Welby gave an account of a journey in King Menelik's dominions. The Anthropological Section re- ceived an interesting report of the committee on the ethnographic survey of Canada.

r EXCITING ADVENTURE OF SHIPWRECKED SAILORS. A remarkable story of privation is told by the fourteen survivors of the steamer Aresia, which foundered while on a voyage from Elba to Glasgow. When the ves3el began to sink the 26 men forming the crew got into two boats—sixteen in a whale-boat, and ten in the other—but so rapidly did the steamer go down that they were scarcely able to get anything in the way of provisions away with them. As night came on those in the whale-boat lost sight of the second boat, and they believe she has been lost in the bad weather experienced in th following days. The whale-boat itself was partially swamped time after time by big seas, and the first mate and one of the crew were carried overboard and drowned, reducing the number in the boat to fourteen. The water they had on board was by the seas which came aboard, and all they had for sustenance was a bag of ship biscuits which had got soaked with sea water. ~^en this provision ran out, with the result that they were without food and water for a day or two. Bailing the boat continually was 8-lso a great strain on their strength. At last, after they had been six days in the boat, they with delight the packet-boat Lju Cettori coming towards them. Although there w:;s a fieavy sea on at the time, and 1hey were utterly exhausted, they were safely got on board this ^▼•ssel, and were landed at Marseille#-

THE BOERS MAY BEGIN WAR. Alarming Report from Capetown. CONFLICTING RUMOURS- REPORTED CONCILIATORY DISPACH. Two telegrams of importance reach us to- day regarding the Boer crisis. They are of a conflicting nature. The first is to the effect that a second dis- patch has been handed to Mr. Conyngham Green by the Boer Government. This docu- ment is thought to be of a more conciliatory nature, and to be a sign that the Boers are weakening as the result of pressure brought to bear upon them by the Orange Free State. The second telegram is of an entirely dif- ferent character. It comes from Cape Town, and announces that the belief is held there that the Boers may commence the war at any hour. Mr. Chamberlain is engaged at the Colonial Office, and Lord Salisbury is expected at his department to-morrow.

To Force an Issue. ALARMING REPORT FROM CAPE TOWN. WAS MAY BEGIN AT ANY HOUR. The "Pall Mall Gazette's" Cape Town cor- respondent on Tuesday stated that the -Boers are expected to commence the war at a.ny hour.

THE TRANSYAAL GOVERN- MENT. REPORTED CONCILIATORY DISPATCH. A Reuter's telegram from Cape Town on Tuesday, at ten a.m., says:—Persistent rumours have been current that the Transvaal Government yesterday handed to Mr. Conyng- ham Greene, the British diplomatic agent at Pretoria, a second dispatch of a more con- ciliatory character, but it is impossible at pre- sent to obtain confirmation of the statement. In some quarters, however, the attitude of the Transvaal is considered to betray evidences of weakening owing to pressure by the Orange Free State.

BRITISH WAR PREPARA- TIONS MORE TROOPS TO LEAVE TO-MORROW. It has now been definitely decided that the staff of the 18th, 62nd, and 75th Royal Field Artillery Batteries shall leave Aldershot on the 26th of September, and the headquarters and sections of the telegraphic battalion Royal Engineers, consisting of four sergeants and 51 rank and file, under the charge of Major Haw- kins, Captain Boys, and Lieutenant Hildebrand, Royal Engineers, shall leave for Natal on Wed- nesday, embarking at Southampton in lithe Jelanga. HORSES FOR SOUTH AFRICA. The whole of the horses of the 38th Company of iue Army Service Corps at Devonport, with a proportion of drivers and wagons, under Lieutenant and Riding-master Riddler, left by special train on Tuesday morning to join the re-mount department at Woolwich preparatory to proceeding to South Africa.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN AT THE COLONIAL OFFICE. Mr. Chamborlain arrived at the Colonial Office shortly after noon on Tuesday. Lord Salisbury is not in town, but will be at the Foreign Office on Wednesday at the latest.

FOR THE FRONT. TWO THOUSAND TROOPS GOING TO KIMBERLEY. The Cape Town correspondent of the "Daily Mail" on Monday evening says:—Two thousand troops, consisting of Artillery, Enginesrs, and of the Lancasliires and Munsters, are being despatched to Kimberley. Five hundred left to-night; the remainder will leave to-morrow. Last night it was understood that there would be no forward movement for a week, it being supposed that the Government did not want to hamper the negotiations. The resolution to send the troops to the front has not been 'arrived at too soon, for the Bechuarala-nd settlers were not aware of these considera- tions, and, being alarmed at Boer demonstra- tions, they were anxiously petitioning for pro- tection. A further week's delay would have had a demoralising effect on our people, who have already suffered terribly through Im- perial hesitancy. A consignment of 250 rifles was detected being smuggled through the colony to the Free State, a Bond agent acting as the forwarding party. INSPIRING SCENE. A Central News telegram from Cape Town on Tuesday says:—A large crowd collected at the station last night to witness the entrain- ing of a number of troops for Kimberley. The authorities had displayed the greatest reticence beforehand as to any troops being sent to the Kimberley border, but the news had leaked out. Four companies of the Lancashire Regiment and a detachment of 90 men of the Royal Artillery were sent off in two special trains. The men wore kharki, and were fully equipped. They had a hearty send-off. The scene at the station was an inspiring one. The prepara- tions for eventualities are prooeeding actively. An almost daily sight here now is the ammuni- tion which is conveyed in wagons from the magazine on Signal Hill to the barracks. COMPOSITION OF THE FORCE. A Central News telegram from Cape Town on Tuesday (later) says: The four companies of the Royal North Lancashire Regiment which left last night for Kimberley were Companies A," B," G," and H." They were under the command of Major W. H. E. Murray. The com- pany of Artillery was No. 23 Company, under Major G. D. Chamier. In addition to these a detachment of the Medical Staff Corps left. In all 600 men were sent away. A second draft, including Companies C," D," E," and F of the Royal North Lancashire Regiment, leaves to-night for Kimberley, making a total of over 1,200 men sent to the spot. The authorities at the Castle have suspended the routine supply of copies of district regimental orders to the press. It is understood that the men going to Kimberley will be entrenched at points along the western border of the Transvaal.

BOER MILITARY ACTIVDTY. A Reuter's telegram from Loui enco Marques on Tuesday says:—The commandant of Lyden- burg, the field cornet of Barberton, and other Boer omcrnh have arrived at Kom ti Poort, and are establishing a. laager on the right bank of the Komati River. A commando of 250 men is expected there shortly.

INDIAN mDOPilTOR THE CAPE. A lienter's telegram from Bombay on Tues- day says:—The 21st Battery Field Artillery, with a section of the British Field Hospital, sailed last night in the Lalpoora for the Cape.

NEW YORKERS WILLING TO VOLUNTEER FOR SERVICE. The New York correspondent of the "Daily Mail" on Monday says:—There is much excite- ment here over the probability of a war between Great Britain and the Transvaal. Already there are indications of a desire on the part of a number of adventurous young Americans to volunteer, as a practical expres- sion of gratitude for English sympathy a year ago. To-day several New Yorkers who were rough-riders in Cuba discussed informally the idea of forming a rough-rider contingent to offer their services to Groat Britain.

LADYSMITH TO BE GARRISONED. The Boer Combined Fighting Strength. The special correspondent of the "Daily Tele- graph" at Pietermaritzburg on Monday says: —:The reply of the Transvaal Government to the British dispatch is universally regarded as end- ing the present stage of the negotiations. Not merely in its veiled rejection of the suzerainty and refusal of a five years' franchise and equal language rights in the Raad, but in its whole spirit, the document is looked upanas hostile. The Uitlanders throughout are treated as enemies. It is stated that the Transvaal has the complete support of the Free State. The "Patriot" estimates the combined forces of the two Republics at 20,000 men. The Dublin Fusiliers go to Ladysmith on Wednesday, and the Manchester Regiment will come here. The Boers are massing their artillery on the bor- der in positions commanding the valley beyond Laing's Nek. The alarm concerning possible border raids felt in Charlestown and Dundee, however, is not shared by the military autho- rities.

THE CAPE SQUADRON. In view of the situation in South Africa the position of the squadron on the Cape station is a matter of- some moment. A week ago the following ships were at Cape Town—the num- bers in brackets give the crews:—Doris (470), Monarch (598\, Magicienne (218), Barrosa (159), and Thrush (76); while the Widgeon (76) and Par- tridge (76) are due there shortly. At Durban was the Tartar (177), at Delagoa Bay the Philo- mel (217), and at Mossamedes the Forte (312). On the West Coast, or up on their way thither, were the Barracouta (159) and the Sparrow (76). All but the last two—which could hardly be spared from the West Coast—could be quickly concentrated at any point, and the squadron could, of course, be very speedily reinforced from other stations. The Powerful, now on her way home and due at Port Said about October 1, could easily be diverted to Delagoa Bay, when her strong complement, about 900, would make her an invaluable auxiliary were a Naval Brigade required. The Eclipse, with 477 men from the East Indian station, and the Flora, with 312 from the South-east Coast of America, could also be quickly called up. The sudden and clever concentration of early 1897 at Delagoa Bay showed how swiftly and noise- lessly a strong British fleet could be assembled at a word from Whitehall.

PARIS PRESS SILENT. A Reuter's telegram from Paris on Tuesday says:—Very few of the newspapers discuss the Transvaal crisis this morning. The majority merely publish without comment the news received through London. AUSTRIAN COMMENTS. A Reuter's telegram from Vienna on Ti^alay says:—The Transvaal's reply to the last British dispatch forms the subject of leading articles in the semi-official papers. The "Fremdeu- blait" says:—For England to recede from the position takiJIl up ia impossible." The journal, Ttlowever, expresses the hope that war will be averted at the last moment. The "Neue Wiener Tagblatt" remarks that England is defellolil a just cause in supporting the Uitlanders, bat expresses the ho that the next Cabinet Coun- cil will once more afford the Transvaal an opportunity of considering the situation. RUSSIA'S OPPORTUNITY. The Sevastopol correspondent of the "Daily Graphic" writes:—The "Rossia," a lately- established and occasionally inspired political organ, which is rapidly acquiring a similar pro- minence to that hitherto uniquely held by the Novoe Vremya," writes with insensate viru- lence against England's robber policy" towards the Transvaal Republic. Overtly, neither this country, her French ally, nor any of the great Continental Powers can justifiably lend. material assistance to the Boers in their righteous resistance to British aggression, nor can they, in the strict sense of the term, accord to the South African Republic their moral support, however much they may be inclined to do so. But, says the Russian journal, as the impending Anglo-Boer struggle is likely to be a protracted one, and must. con- sequently and inevitably, strain the limited and scattered military resources of the British War Office, there is no reason why Russia should not avail herself of this opportunity for adjusting to her own advantage certain outstanding matters with regard to the Central Asian and Indian frontier, questions originally arising out of England's high-handed and aggressive procedure in Baluchistan and Afghanistan. The same opportunity will equally well serve to strengthen, and, possibly, to re-direct on more forward lines, the energetic regime of Vice-Admiral Alexeyeff, the newly- appointed Viceroy of Kwantung, and Corn- man der-in-Chief of the Russian Far Eastern Fleet. France will, doubtless, khow how best to take advantage of the same favourable occa- sion for revising the Fasfaoda- question. The" Novoe Vremya," "Sviet," and "Syr Otetcbestva write on the same subject in a similarly minatory tone, but in less pointedly aggressive terms. The Viedomosti describes England's un- warrantable campaign against the indepen- dence of the Boer Republic as a fitting and worthy postscriptum to her hypocritical pro- fessions at the Hague Congress.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN RETURNS TO LONDON. A FURTHER MEETING OF THE CABINET PROBABLE. [FROM THE PRESS ASSOCIATION.] LONDON, Monday Night. During to-day there was evidence of renewed activity in the Government's departments, particularly at the War Office, the Foreign Office, and the Colonial Office. Messengers were constantly hurrying to and fro with dispatch-boxes, pouches, and letters, and it was obvious that the news from Pretoria was not without its effect in Govern- ment quarters. At five o'clock Mr. Chamber. lain drove in a cab to the Colonial Office, having travelled from Birmingham to London this afternoon, and, after taking tea in his office, was kept fully engaged up to a late hour. There was a good deal of interchange of Foreign Office, Colonial Office, and War Office communications, and a messenger conveyed dispatches to Hatfield. So far as could be ascertained late this evening, no Cabinet summons had been issued, but it is clear there will be an early meeting of the Ministry. The 2nd Battalion of the King's Liverpool Regiment at Derby has been notified that a further draft of 300 men would be required to strengthen the 1st battalion, now at Laing's Nek. [PRESS ASSOCIATION SPECIAL TELEGRAM.] PRETORIA, Monday (12.40 p.m.). The State Secretary has been interviewed regarding the statement that a difference of opinion existed between the mzmbers of the Executive and the Volksraad or that there was an appreciable minority in the Vollisraad in favour of a five years' franchise without restricting conditions. Mr. Eeifcz said such a report was entirely mistaken, and he wished to contradict the statement in the strongest terms. It was, he con- tinued, especially incorrect in connec- tion with President Kruger, the Commandant- general, and Mr. A. D. Wolmarans (member of tl.8 Executive). He thought it neceaaarv to make this declaration, because it was of im- portance that the world should know that the Government, the Volksraad, and the people were unanimous in the attitude they had taken up. Any further decision. Mr. Reitz added, would be come to in conjunction with the Free State. CHARLESTOWN, Monday. I An unusual number of burghers visited VolK-rust yesterday, creating much uneasiness ) among the townspeople here, who have reite- rated their need for an adequate force to defend the town. MAFEKING. Monday. It is stated that the failure of the water supply at Ramathlabama will necessitate the removal of the horses of the force there to the Imperial Reserve near the town. The Boers are encamped eight miles away. It has been ascertained that there are no guns at Zeerust or Lichtenburg, but that there are three at Veutersborg. The town is patrolled nightly, and the arrangements wh'ch the town authori- ties are making for its defence are proceeding rapidly. CAPE TOWN, Monday. The attitude of the Free State at the present I juncture is the subject of universal comment here, which is regarded as impolitic, and bound to have unfavourable results whatever may be tLe solution of the crisis. The present rela- tions of the Free State with the Imperial Government are most friendly. There is reason to slieve, however, there is a want of unani- mity in the Executive, while many of the burghers openly express their desire for neu- trality. A recent private letter received here from the Free State shows that doctors through- out the country are receiving numerous appli- for certificates of inability to bear arms. A telegram from Kimberley states that the mayor has enrolled ninety special constables. KIMBERLEY, Monday. Ninety-eight police-officers and men have arrived, and have been quartered in barracks here, making the total number 160. The various detachments are being supplied with full equipment, despatched from various ports.

PRETORIA "SHOUTING FOR WAR." FLIGHT OF AN ENGLISH JOURNALIST. A Central News telegram from Cape Town in Monday afternoon says:—Mr. Keet, cor- respondent at Pretoria for the "Cape Argus" and "Star," has been compelled to fly from the Transvaal. His dispatches and known views upon the present troubles greatly exasperated the Boers, and his life was repeatedly threa- tened. Mr. Keet is now safe in Natal. He states that the Boer Government officials at Pretoria "are shouting for war."

LIVELY SITTING OF THE CAPE ASSEMBLY. A Central News telegram from Cape Town on Monday says:—There was a lively sitting of the Cape Assembly to-day. The Opposition leaders accused the Ministry of being respon- sible for the intense racial antagonism at present unhappily prevailing in the Colony. Ministers retorted that the evil was actually created by the other side. An exciting passage- of-arms followed, but nothing definite resulted.

ROYALTY IN BANGER The Press Association Perth correspondent telegraphs:—Early on Tuesday morning a rail- way accident, in which the Prince and Princess of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, who were on their way from London to Balmoral, had a miracu- lous escape, occurred at Perth General Station, through an incoming train running into the Scotch express from London. In the rear of the express was a luggage van, which under- mined the saloon in which the distinguished travellers were making their journey. One- half of the saloon, which consisted principally of a compartment in which the luggage had been placed, was completely smashed. The Prince and Princess, who are the son-in-law and daughter respectively of "the Duke and Duchess of Saxe-Coburg, left Euston on Mon. day evening on a visit to the Queen at Bal- moral. It is not stated that they received any injury. ANOTHER ACCOUNT. The Central News Perth correspondent tele- graphs —A serious railway accident occurred here about six o'clock on Tuesday morning, in which the Hereditary Prince and Princess of Hohenlohe, who were on their way to visit the Queen at Balmoral, had a narrow escape. The Prince and Princess travelled by the train due at Perth at 5.20. While the train was waiting on the down line the Glasgow mail train ran into the station, and, the driver being unable to pull up in time, it dashed into the rear of the stationary train. The last yan was driven into the Prince's saloon, but, though a considerable quantity of luggage was destroyed, the Prince and Princess were at the further end of the saloon, and escaped injury. They at once got in another carriage, and proceeded to Balmoral. The down line was blocked for several hours.

LATER DERAILS. • THE PRINCESS BURIED BENEATH THE LUGGAGE A Press Association later message states that a number of passengers for Aberdeen and the North were in the Scotch express, but no one was injured, and all were able to proceed to their destinations. The collision was of a very violent character, but, although Prince and Princess Hohenlohe were severely shaken, they were otherwise uninjured. They' were thrown on the Borr of the carriage, and their luggage was piled on top of them. It is said that the Princess was with difficulty extri- cated. They had a miraculous escape, but both their Royal Highnesses, and especially the Princess, bore the shock bravely. They travelled northward to Aberdeen in an ordi- nary sleeping saloon, and walked from the station to the Palace Hotel, where breakfast was served, and at ten they left for Ballater. The Prince and Princess Charles of Denmark also passed through Aberdeen to-day on their way to Ballater.

BURNED TO A CINDER. A shocking story of how a poor little mite lost its life by fire was told at a. coroner's inquest held on Monday at Tipton. A child, six years old, named Florence Louise Wigley, went to her aunt's on Saturday to have break- fast, and afterwards pleaded to be allowed to remain and look after the house whilst her aunt went out, adding, "I won't play with the fire, auntie." The aunt went out, and returned in a few minutes, horrified to find the house full of fire and smoke. She screamed the child's name, but there came no answer. Pre- sently she was able to discern the prostrate form of poor Florence on the floor in flames. She dragged her into the yard, but the child was quite dead. The screams of the aunt brought the mother on the scene, and she had the horrifying spectacle of seeing her child smouldering on the floor. "She was burnt to a cinder," the sorrow-stricken mother said, and "there was nothing of the shape of a child as she lay on the floor." The poor woman had to be literally dragged from so frightful a sight. —A verdict of "Accidentally burned" was re- turned.

-r- A smoking concert was held by the postmen of Cardiff at the Grand Hotel on Monday even- ing. Mr. presided. The meet- mg was addressed by Mr. Wm. Thomas, presi- dent, and Mr. Fisher, secretary, of the Cardiff Trades Council, both speakers extending a hearty invitation tj the Postmen's Federation to join the Trades Council. A trotting match took place on the Cadoxton- road, near' Bridgend, on Monday afternoon between Mr. J. Davies's "Lady Condymere," Llanelly, and Mr. B. Feycock's black pony, of Taibach, for £20 aside, the distance being one mile. The first-named received 25 yards start. A good match ensued, and the black pony won ou the marie.

POSITION OF AFFAIRS AT CARDIFF For some days past announcements have been made that the seamen's strike has quite collapsed, but one of our representatives found upon visiting the vicinity of the Cardiff Ship- ping Office on Tuesday that the Seamen's Union were still making big efforts to achieve their ends. The officials admit that they don't get all they a-sk, but state that when there is more shipping they will stand a better chance. Even now the shipowners, they say, have had to concede some advance, and the only manner in which they can get crews at low rates is by the assistance of boarding- house masters and the Board of Trade officials, who materially help the shipowner by going to the vessels to sign on the crews. Fur- ther, it is stated that of the crew of a vessel which "signed on" on Monday at 30s. per week not one could speak English. In this case the officers know Spanish, and, as most of the men are of that nationality, this British vessel will be worked b means of the Spanish language. The Union officials remain hopeful, and on Tuesday morning a telegram was re- ceived from Mr. J. H. Wilson. M.P., stating that at the whole of the North-east ports ad- vances of wnges have been conceded, and that the strike there is practically over for this reason. At the local office of the federation our representative was informed that it was true that an advance of wages had been con- ceded on the Tyne, but that this had only been granted pending the arrival of some foreigners and with the vi-ew of upsetting the picketting arrangements of the Union. Two tugs have, it is stated, been engaged to brings Dutch and German sailors to the Tyne, and a depot ship has been established there to receive them. ATTITUDE OF BOARD OF TRADE OFFICIALS. Reply of the Board. It will be remembered that a short time ago Mr. Leslie Johnson sent a letter to the Board of Trade complaining that the method by which crews were being signed on on board was illegal, and that the -officials by doing so were practically helping the shipowners to defeat the just demands of the men. The following reply ha.s been received:- Sir,—I am directed by the Board of Trade to reply to your letter of the 8th inst. in respect to the action of their officers with regard to the engagement of crews of certain vessels at Newport and Cardiff during the shipping dispute prevailing at those ports. The Board has caused careful inquiries to be made, and they are satisfied that their officers at these ports have acted with strict impar- tiality, in accordance with their usual practice, and in compliance with the requirements of the Merchant Shipping Act, and of their instructions. The Board, therefore, sees no reason to take exception to their action. With regard to your statement as to the means by which crews were obtained for certain vessels, I'am to inform you that the Board are at present unable to obtain evidence tending to show that the crews were suppTied in contra- vention of the Merchant Shipping Act, but that full inquiry will be made on the return of the vessels to the United Kingdom.—I am, Ac., P. H. W. PELHAM. Mr. T. Carey, the district secretary of the Seamen's Union, has sent the following letter in reply:- W. J. Howell, Esq., Assistant Secretary, Marine Department Board of Trade. Sir,—I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter whicT2 has been handed over to me by Mr. L. M. Johnson, and note with regard to your statement that no par- tiality is being shown by your officials at Cardiff and Newport in the present wages dispute between shipowners and seamen. I would remind you that it is a most unusual practice to sign crews on board ships in this district except in times of dispute. Since Sep- tember 4, with but very few exceptions, all vessels requiring crews have engaged your officials during and after official hours signing on crews on board the ships. This is a practice of the gravest importance when disputes arise, and defeats the object of bona-fide men are seeking the employment at the Mercantile Marine Office, and as recently as yesterday, the 18th inst., the ss. City and the as. Topaz signed their crews on board, although hundreds of sailors and firement were seeking employ- ment at the Mercantile Marine Office, and two noted low boarding-house keepers were on board the ships supplying them with crews in the presence of your offiials. This is taking sides with emplyers against the seamen, and I must respetfully beg to suggest that your Board discountenance these practices, and instruct your officers to sign crews on board ship only in very exceptional cases. I would also beg to remind you that this would not in any way interfere with the privileges of the shipowner, and we have the right to demand the intervention of the Board of Trade when such customs are being prostituted to the serious detriment of our Seamen: Trusting that your Board will give this matter their seriofis attention,-T am, &c., "THOMAS CAREY, District Secretary."

"THE DEVIL S BOOKS." That card-playing is slill a popular pastime -n this country is ihown by the fact that during the -ast financial year the stamp duty of :5d. was paid on no fewtor than 1,952,456 packs made for iiale or use in the United Kingdom. From this source the Exchequer received iP24,405 14s., which was supplemented by a, sum of Z5,346, representing the Custcms duty of 35. d. per dozen packs on playing-cards im- ported from abroad. Add to these figures f34 paid as licence duty by makers, and we have a total revenue of £ 29,795 14s. derived by the State from the devil's books."

i 1 ■ ■■ SHOT HIS WIFE AND SON. William Cheshire, 51, of Redbourn, was re- mandedat St. Alban's on Tuesday charged with firing a gun at his wife and son. Accord- ing to the evidence, Cheshire, who had not lived on good terms with his family, returned home on Monday night with a muzzle-loading gun in his hand, and, seeing his wife and son outside the door, fired at them, wounding his wife badly in the shoulder, and also injuring his son in the forearm. Accused told the bench that he had no intention of shooting his wife, and that he did not even know she was there, but he thought his son was coming at him. It was also stated that the gun was not at the shoulder when fired. The woman is said to be in a somewhat precarious condition.

FOOTBALL ENTHUSIASTS. At Hanley on Monday seven miners were fined 20s. each for going, contrary to instruc- tions, through certain parts of the colliery workings reserved for -moments of emergency. In consequence of the breaking of the signal wire connected with the ordinary shaft the men, who were anxious to attend a footba-ll match at Stoke, went to the forbidding open- ing and ordered the cage to be sent to them. In his desire to ascend one man fell from the cage and was killed.

TO DAY'S MARKETS. SUGAR. Glasgow, Tuesday.—The official reportsays:- Market flat, a-nd, although the supply is lighter, refiners have accepted lid to 3d reduction on Saturday's prices. and a mod-erate business was done. The private report says:-—Market quiet, and prices again easier. FISH. Grimsby, Tuesdoy.-Some 32 steamers and two smacks arrived with moderate c-atohes; brisk demand. Quotations:—Soles, Is 5d to Is 8d; turbots, Is 6d; brills, Is to Is 2d per lb; plaice, 4s to 68; lemon soles, 6s to 7s; whitohes, 6s; live halibut, 6s to 7s; dead, 4s I. to 5s per stone; live ling, 3s to 4s; dead, 2s to 3s; live cod, 4s to 6s; dead, 3s to 4s; live skate, 2s to 3s; dead, Is to 2s each; kit had- docks, 12s to 15s; gibbed, 178 to 20s per box. BUTTER. Cork, Tuagday.-Fir-ts, 93a per cwt; seconds, 91s; thirds, 79s; fourths, 72s; superfine firkins, 97s; fine mild ditto, 91s; choicest boxes, 101s; choice ditto, 90s. Number of firkins, 430. WOOL. London, Tuesday.-The fifth series of Colonial wool sales commenced here to-day. Messrs. Buxton, and Ronald offered 4,163 bales, Messrs. Jacomb 3,897 bales, and Messrs. Balme 4,203 bales. CATTLE. Salford, Tuesday.—At market: 2.8M cattle, 11,873 sheep, 147 calves, and 82 pigs. Quota. tions: Cattle. 5d to 6id; sheep. 54d to 8d; calves, 5d to 6Jd per lb.; pigs, 7s 8d to 8s 2d per 201bs. There were more cat-ble and fewer sheep than la-st week, prices being lower and trade dull. CORN. Liverpool, Tuesday.—There has been a mode- rate spot trade in wheat at about the values of last market day—hard Kansas. bs 8d to 6s Id per cental. Maize moved quietly at 3s d for prime parcels of mixed American. Flour: A retail demand at former rates. Beajw and peas met a retail inquiry, and, with other articles, remained unchanged. HAY AND STRAW. London, Tuesday.—There were moderate sup- plies, and trade wae steady at late rates. Quo- tations:—Best clover, 709 to 1008; inferior. 60s to 10. specially picked hay. 87s 6d; good ditto, 70s to 32s 6d; inferior, 45s to 60s: mixture and sanfoin, 50s to 85s: straw. 25s to 36s per load. POTATOES. London, Tuesday.—There were good supplies, but trade ruled slow and prices easy. Quota- tions:—Essex and Kent Beauty of Hebrons. 60s to 75s; ditto Early Purits-na. 6tte to 75s; ditto Snowdrops. 60s to 75s; Lincoln Reading Giants and Up-to-Dates, 60s to 75s; Blackland ditto, 526 6d to 62s 6d per ton.

CARDIFF. (Before Mr. T. W. LEWIS, stipendiary.) Youthful Jack Shepparls. Henry Jannette, 16, and Harold Brogden, 16, were charged on remand wih having, between the 14th and 15th of September, entered the shop of Mr. Fred Morgan, Mill-lane, and stolen 38s. 4d. and a cheque. Jannette was further charged with breaking iuto warehouse, in the occupation of John E. Marsh, and stealing a penny, on the 1st of September. Prisoners were arrested at Newport by Detective Stephens. Brogden again appeared witb his jaws tied up, aaid his face very pale. This was the result of a revolver-wound accidentally self-inflicted.—An additional witne-e was George Morgan, a tent-maker, and son of the prose- cutor. who said he worked at 10, Mill-lane. On the 14th witness was' the last to leave the premises. The windows were then secure, but the back door was not thoroughly bolted. Two drawers in the deak had been force: He missed from them the money in question, and also the cheque, and close at hand were two chisels, belonging to witness, with which the desk had, apparently, been broken open. Jannette was employed there, and helped to lock up on the 14th.—William Price, office boy, in Mr. Mor- gan's employ, deposed that on the 14th Jannette asked him if he thought there was as much as £2 in the two drawers. Witness said it was useless to ask him, a-s he did not know. Then Jannette said he did not think the was £10 in the place altogether. Witness again remarked, "Don't ask me." Jannette, still in- terested, inquired if Mr. Morgan had a key, as if he had not he should get one, because as things then were it was dangerous. The other prisoner passed several times, and the two entered into conversation.-Prisoners were' bound over to the quarter sessions, and the Stipendiary accepted bail for their appearance, In the second case, in which Jannette alone is implicated, the prosecutor is a provision merchant away from Cardiff at present. The drawers in the office upstairs were l it locked, but the next morning one of the drawers was found broken open, and its contents, including j two halfpennies, were strewn on the desk and about the floor. Some two years and six months ago prisoner was in Mr. Marsh's employ. Entry was supposed to have been effected throu¡:h a cellar trap nót properly secured.- Police-constable George Jones produced an iron gouge." which he found on the doorstep next door.—An elderly labourer, named Dunscombe. living in Tred-egar-street, identified the "gouge" as -his property. Prisoner lived with him.— Detective Stephens proved that prisoner, cap- tured on the first charge, said, when taxed with the second, Yes, and a lot I had from ther two 'halfpennies." The gouge," he said, belonged to his grandfather, and he didn't open the desk with that one, but with one he had in his pocket. He admitted entering the cellar by way of the opening, which was not bolted. Witness found upon him the chisel produced.—Prisoner pleaded guilty to both charges. The flaps were in such a state that they could be easily raised from the outside.— Prisoner, who made no defence, was committed upon this charge also- Breaches of the Factory Act. Her Majesty's Inspectors of Factories (Messrs. Augustus Lewis and Edwards) appeared with reference to information they had laid under the Factories and Workshops Act. In the first the defendants were Messrs. Thomas Owen and Co.. proprietors of the Ely Paper Works. Mr. Lewis said the charge was that on the night of the 25th of August defendants employed two young persons during the night shift between eleven and twelve o'clock. This was one of the industries for which special exemption. had been granted, authorising the employment during the night of male persons over fourteen years of age. There were, however, important conditions attached to this relaxation of the law, and defendants had infringed the pro- vision which stipulated that youth? employed the preceding day should not also be employed in the following night time. The boys in this case 'worked during .the day shift and con- tinued to work in the succeeding night shift. Only industries in the country were granted the exemption to which he referred; but it was only fair to say that this was defendants' first breach of the law, and that the works they occupied had been subject to stringent super- vision. Defendants' foreman pleaded guilty of the offence, which, he said, was committed without his knowledge, and steps would be taken to prevent its recurrence. The Stipendiary accepted this assurance. The responsibility was a technical one, and there was no moral responsibility. He was bound to mark his sense of his technical responsiblty, as it was important, in the interest of these youths, that all the salutary provisions should be strictly observed. Defendants womd be fined 10s. and costs in respect of each lad so employed. The Dangers of Bottling. Eridget Mahoney and Hannah Millin, girls, employed at Elliott's Aerated -,Vater Works, werf summoned for rot taking the prescribed regulations for their personal safety while engaged m bottling. Mahoney was charged witll neglecting to wear a. face guard, whilst Millin was charged with wearing a full length gauntlet on one arm instead of two.—Mr. Lewis- Morgan urged that the iron framework were inconvenient to wear and interfered with the amount of work the girls were able to turn out, and that sufficient protection was pro- vided without them. They had also been employed at the same works for many years, and had never been injured.—The Stipendiary: They must not set up their opinion against the opinion of the Legislature which has ordained that these rules shall be framed. They yat themselves in the position of miners who use naked light until some hideous catastrophe occurs. — Mr. Augustus Lewis, controvert- ing Mr. Morgan's instructions, pointed ou4 that when the bottles were carried away from the machine the worker was unprotected, and then it was that accidents happened. A fort- night before a girl was seriously injured at the factory, and ten days after another girl had her arm badly lacerated. These girls were asked to protect themselves, and on the second visit they dared the inspector. The Stipendiary said there must be sub- stantial penalties as a warning to defendants and others that they must not injuriously ex- pose themselves to danger, and also it was necessary to let them know that the rules made for their protection must be properly observed. Defendants would be each fined 10s. and costs, or fourteen days. A month was given for payment.

AN ADVANCE IN COAL. A meeting of the Cannock Chase Coalowners' Association was held at Walsall on Monday afternoon to consider the question of winter prices in view of the increase of miners' wages. An advance on the summer rates was considered necessary, and it was accordingly resolved to advance prices a shilling a ton on coal, and sixpence on slack from the 1st of October. The Leicester coalowners, who raised prices a. shilling per ton on the 1st inst., have declared a further advance of sixpence per ton.

SPORT OF THE DAY. The amateur selection for to-day is Christmas Gift colt. The general opinion prevails that Major Kenny's patent starting-gate will be adopted by the Jockey Club. It is said that Jeddah will oppose Flying Fox in the Jockey Club Stakes at the Newmarket First October meeting. Queen Fairy and Feddal, both of whom ran at Ayr, remain there in view of their engage- ments at Edinburgh next week. It was the gentleman who manages Mr. Seymour's horses during the latter's' absence from England who ordered the objection to be laid against Scimitar on Saturday. J. Day's Perthshire easily defeated Decora- tion colt (Daltoj) at five furlongs in a trial gallop at Newmarket, Perthshire is engaged in the September Plate at Birmingham, run this afternoon. Chesney, the Australian three-year-old which escaped under such perilous conditions from the wreck of the Thermopylae, is all right and doing well at Cape Town, a cable to that effect having been received from the man in charge of him. The other horse, Kiora, who escaped along with Chesney, is the property of Captain Scott. In another two or three weeks something will in all likelihood be heard as to what the National Hunt Committee intend to do in the matter of fresh legislation for the government of point-to-point steeplechases, which, origi- nally organised for the amusement of hunting men, have now outgrown their first intention, so the time has arrived for placing them on a more satisfactory footing. A telegram from Nashville, Illinois, states that Iroquois, the winner of the English Derby and St. Leger in 1881. is dead. Iroquois was bu', a poor stamp of Derby winner, and was not within 10lb. of his fellow-countryman Fox- hall, who won the Cestarewitch and Cambridge- shire of the same year. The Yankees found us with a shocking lot of three-year-olds in 1881, and had Iroquois come on the scene a. year earlier he woulli have been pulverised by either Bend Or or Robert the Devil. The Yankee Derby-winner did not run as a four-year-old, but as a five he was easily beaten by Tristan in the Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot, after which, nominated by the Prince of Wales, he beat Scobell and Magician for the Stcckbrklge Cup, which terminated hi, career in this country,

DECISION OF THE CABINET COUNCIL A Reuter's telegram from Paris on Tuesday I says:—The Cabinet r.t to-day's count-H decided in principle upon the granting of a y«mk>n to Captain Dreyfus in a few days hence. Cap- tain Dreyfus will njt maint-ain his aypeal for a revision of his serrlenct. A Central News telegram from Paris on Tues- day says:—There appears to be no doubt that a pardon for Dreyfus has been definitely decided on, and that only the necessary for- malities remain to be carried out. It is stated to-day that Dreyfus will be sent abroad before the official announcement is made in order to avoid any demonstration. Paris Press and the Pardon. A Reuter's telegram from Paris on Tuesday says:—The Revisionist newspapers again press President Loubet to sign Dreyfus's pardon, which they say is demanded by France and the whole world. The Figaro states that the Duke of Orleans has altered his arrangements and his letters are being sent to a place in Hungary.

THE HYDE PARK MEETING. PROPOSED COUNTER-BOYCOTT. The Paris correspondent of the "Daily News" on Monday night says:—The Intransigea-nt," which is greatly read in wealthy houses, proposes a counter-boycott of English goods. It especially recommends its readers to withdraw thtlir custom from the shops in the neighbourhood of the Opera-house. Should this French boycott succeed in thus re- taliating on the Hyde Park meeting it will be the ruin of the tradesmen the Rue Anber; they are nearly all English. Th? chief busi- ness there is tailoring for gentlemen and ladies, and it is a flourishing one. The person who proposes the boycott of British merohan- di. is M Adolphe Possien. He calls upon France in these words:—"If the Ministry of Treason do not- require satisfaction for the insult offered to France at the Hyde Park m£eting, she SllOUld hri!elf punish the too numerous British within her borders." The telegraphic account of how the French, at that meeting, were hustled and otherwise rudely treated was kept back last night; it was only delivered when most of the papers had gone to press.

THEATRE ROYAL, CARDIFF. There was a crowded house at the Theatre Royal, Cardiff, on Monday night to welcome Mr. Gilbert Tate's special company in that most popular of musical comedies, "A Trip to Chinatown." The company on its previous visits has always been heartily received, hence the large attendance on Monday night, and hence, also, the three hours of incessant laughter which had been rightly anticipated from this piece, so full of life and movement to the tune of pretty and sprightly music, accompanid by touches of whiillsical humour and grotesque situations. Mr. Harry Fischer as "Ben Gay" was exuberantly funny. and Mr. Waiter E. Shine, as "Welland Strong." was irre- sistible in the comic situations in which he posed as a dying man with a great stock of vitality. Miss Edith Vane, as "Mrs. the heroine of the piece, played with charming effect as the bewitching widow with two strings to her bow. Miss Vane was suffer- ing somewhat from indisposition, and for that reason her acting was all the more praiseworthy. Another artiste one easily recognised was Miss Nellie Sheffield, the little lady who a couple of years ago was so markedly successful as "Topsy" in the Theatre R-oyal pantomime. Mr. Tom John Morton was a born waiter, while Mr. F. Bousfield in his old-time character of "Ben Gay's" faithful ser- vitor gave a very clever representation. Miss Ettie Carlisle, as "Flirt," infused much life into her acting, while the crowning success was achieved by Mr. 0. E. Lennon in his original character of a Chinese serving-man. The first night's popular verdict augurs well for this week at the Royal.

GRANT) THEATRE, CARDIFF. "One of the Bra .est," after an absence of some years, made a welcome re-appearance at the Grand Theatre on JI[()nday night, and was produced by Mr. Chas. M'Carthy and an excel- lent company of artistes, including Mr. W. Cronin, who is described as the prince of female impersonators. The drama is a sensational one, and at the same time provides endless amusement. The story relates how "John Heath" (Mr. Thos. Herbert), a prosperous mer- chant, is murdered by "Rufus Ward," his partner, over a love affair, and the misery of the widow because she refused to marry "Rufus." "Larry Howard," the fireman, who repeatedly comes to the rescue of "Mrs. Heath" (a character ably undertaken by Miss Florence Chase), was sustained in a manly manner by Mr. M'Carthy, who had full scope to display his talents, and well did he avail himself of it. The comedy characters brought forth peals of laughter, and the villain was equally well received with indignant hisses. Little "Mary Heath" (Baby Florence), a very pretty little girl, did exceedingly well, her acting, singing, and dancing being one of the features of the evening. Mr. M'Narney gave an able and per- fect portrait of "Tiger," who is fond of "thing? exciting," and who did all the dirty work for "Rufus Ward." The remainder of the cast is filled by capable and well-chosen actors and actresses, and the drama ought to attract large audiences during the week.

THE EMPIRES. CARDIFF. The Bicycle Polo Team from the London Empire introduce a good spectacular show at the Cardiff house this week. They are four in number, two on each side, and they play a game which is more like Association football than polo. At two opposite corners of the stage are miniature goals, covered with wire netting, and into these the ball must be sent in order to score. The ball is propelled or passed by the wheels of the bicycles, the front one being often turned round in a circle to secure a good shot. The game is certainly an exciting one, but could oniy be indulged in by expert bicyclists, and then on a very even surface. The match on Monday between the blues and reds created a good deal of interest. Messrs. Bunth, Rudd, and Barnard, whose "make-up" is sufficient to cause any amount of laughter, gave a varied entertainment, ill which grotesque dancing, bone duets, and old- fashioned conjuring tricks (all of which were exposed at the end) played a prominent part. They possess a dog which is a trained klepto- maniac, and his numerous and barefaced departures from the ordinary code of honesty evoked continuous laughter from the crowded house. Miss Millie Hylton still personates the male thing caled man, and, although her three songs were well received, there was not one of them which was new. The Sisters Jessie and Joeie Preston sing a couple of interesting duets, and the Three Albions, as well being able to produce good music out of anything that appears handy, such as a stool, or a table, or a walking-stick, are clever aerobats. Miss Lillie Williams gave a classical turn to the entertainment with a couple of songs which she sang, the second, "I dreamt that I dwelt in marble halls," being exceedingly well received. The Sisters Slater are a trio of bright artistes, and Mr. Fred Hallam is an exceedingly comic vocalist. NEWPORT. The bright, particular star of the Uskside hall this week is Miss Minnie Cunningham, who sings pretty, pleasing ditties in a light and dainty method of her own, which straightway goes to the core of all hearts. Mr. J. H. Mil- burn has an old fame of high standing, bat his oomedianism has all the freshness and purity of truest art, increasing in youthful charm with repetition. As an actor-vocalist he wins ready applause. The Bros. Dare are American gymnasts who introduce not a few novelties from tha.t resourceful continent, and Mark Melford's Company, ir. a sketch called Desperation." also have several novel items to display. The high-class music of St. John and Dwigiit has been heard before, and is as good as ever, while Miss Nelly Martell's turn of song and dance and Drew and Alder's ver- satility are equally attractive. SWANSEA; The Swansea hall is this week favoured by the appearance of such popular artistes as Bonnie Kate Harvey, Cora Caselli, Fred I Lincoln, and others. The programme is strong, and one which the patrons of the Empire will appreciate. Monday night's per- formance was a success, and the public will do well to attend this week.

GRAND THEATRE, SWANSEA. On Monday night Swansea playgoers were favoured with a re-visit from "The Roya: Divorce" Company. This celebrated drama, dealing with the domestic fortunes of the first Napoleon, was never more adequately repre- sented. Mr. Fredk. Moyes as the "Emperor" and Miss Laura Hansen as the unfortunate "Josephine" could, we should say. hardly be impr{)v-2d upon. The stirring action, the pathos, and at times the comedy of the scenes were all as heartily enjoyed as they were strikingly presented.

THE LYCEUM, NEWPORT. Mr. Wm. Bourne's company give a praise- worthv presentation of The Yoioes of Lon- don at the Lyceum. The piece has many intrinsic merits, but, perhaps, one of the best features of the production is the vast amount of scenic skill fhown in the mounting. There are thirteen scenes all told, and each ia care- fully thought out and arranged-

WEDDING GFESTS WHO SEARCHED EACH OTHERS POCKETS. There was nothing mean about the cere- monies or entertainments that marked the marriage of Mrs. Alice Martin. The guests we numerous, and at the house in Hilling- don-street, Walworth, where the wedding fes- tivities prolonged themselves into Sunday night, all was merry and harmonious. But suddenly a jarring note was struck—the bridp had missed her gold watch and chain. Guest looked at guest, dark suspicion in every eye. Who could the guilty wretch be? The bridegroom, being a man of nerve and resource, immediately decided to answer the question. The ladies were polit-cly invited to leave the room. Mr. Martin then addressed the male guests and appealed to them to allow themselves to be searched. All readily assented. a gentleman named John Hefferman being one of the first to accede to the suggestion. The search, how- ever, revealed nothing. Mr. Martin, still undaunted, then suggested that all the guests should .submit themselves to a further test by stripping. This proposal was just as readily assented to as the first, and the men proceeded to divest themselves of their garments. When it came to the turn of John Hefferman the watch, according to the evidence at Lam- beth Police-court on Monday, was found in his sock. In his cross-examination of the witnesses Mr. Conway suggested that there might have been some practical joking. The witnesses, however, agreed that while the party was a merry one, as wedding parties usually are, there was nothing approaching "practical joking." The prisoner, who pleaded not guilty, was committed for trial on bail at the South Lon- don Sessions.

On the Stock Exchange. 1.30 p.m. Call Money is easy at pbout 2 per cent.. but discount- races are firm at 3 9-16 to 3. Bombay transfers 16 3-32x1.. Calcutta 16Jd. Business on the Stock Exchange is very quiet, but a better tone prevails, and prices are higher than at the opening. Consols now only show a decline of 1-16 for the Account. In Home Rails Great Northern "A" and Chatham Preferences a-re i down, but Be-rwicks, British Preferences, and Great Central "A" axe i to i up. Americans have recovered 1 to I in most in- stances. while Union Preferences are li up, and Atchfson Preferences 1. but Baltimore are 1 down. and Missouri Norfolk Preferences, and Readings ê. Canadian Pacifies are i up. Trunks I to I Foreign Stocks very quiet. Chilian. Chinese, and Arzentine lower. In Mines Westralians are quoted higher. Africa n" are also steadier. MINING <AU8TRAI, Asso. Gold W.A. 11% Broken Hill Pro. 42/6 Burbuks B'tlirt'y Iii Chaffers 1710 Champion Reef. 5ii Glden HrseSlioe 15% Do. l.inks 2?i (ireai 38,6 Do. P's've'nce 14^ Hampton Plains Ii; Haunnn'sH. Hill U'u Hannaii's Oroya 3i\- [vnaboe 16 Kalmu'ii 11% Do. North Lady Slienton 2 r.nlte View Oou. 21fj> j Ldn. & Glhe Fin. 28 0 I fAN AND INDIAN). [Mount Malcoin. 15> Market Trust. 6 0 j Mysore 5% Northern Tritrr ij Nimdydroog 3% Ooregmx Ord. Do. l'ref 4% Peakbill Goldfls 61. W. A*is. 2$ Do. Joint Stl; 6s liio Tinto. 46 10ft Mfml 1,yell Nth. 3% Bi-ston Copper.. I Ep Copper King 1% Utah 8 Le Jtoi 6j| MINING (SOUTH AFRICAN). Angelo 6% Apex 4 I'arnato Consols J Ifí Bantjes 1% Bu'Velsdoom.. British S. frica (Chartered) 2% C:tv& Snhud)IUl 5 I comet 2% j Consd Griaflds of 'S. Africa Def 6^- Crown Beef 15 De Beers 25% D'rban R'odep't 54 East Rand 5& Ferreira 21 Geelonsr 3 Geldenbnis. 6 Do. Deep 9ft Gleneairn 1% Hend'rs'n Trsvl Henry Nourse 7& Heriot 6'& Jas-ersfontein 13 Jolmnesbrg.Iuvt J Jubilee Bfe Jumpeis 4% Itflemfontein Sfc Kmgbt L&ng-laagfce 3 Luip'nls Vi'Nw I MashmaM Agcy 1% May MeyoAChortn 5% iUoiulerfonleii. 9 New Primrose 3-% Nigel 2J1í Ooeaua ('ou¡;;d. KRiiiifoutein Rftud Mines 32% Reitfontein m Robinson 9 KoseDeep 9 Salisbury 2% she,ig I imlller&J"'ck 5.J¡ S. Afric Gold Tst 4% TatiConcession.. 1 Trans va»l Gold.. 1% VanRyii 3% I Village Mainreef 8 Wemmer 12 Wolhtit>ar 3%

THE ROYALIST PLOT. OPENING OF THE TRIAL. A Oentral News telegram from Paris on Monday evening says:—The Senate met to- day as a High Court of Justice for the trial of the prisoners charged with sedition. The call of the roll showed that there were 265 Senators present. After some preliminary skirmishing be- tween the various groups, the Public Prosecutor was admitted, and proceeded to read the indict- ment, which was a very violent attack upon the prisoners for their plotting with the Monar- chists against the Republic. It vehemently denounced three Republican Senators—Mes- sieurs Buffet, Sourires, and Marquois—for their intrigues with the Due d'Orleans. Thereupon M. Halgan, a Conservative Senator, loudly pro- tested, and asked the Senate not to allow these reflections upon the honour of absent col- leagues. It transpired that of the forty or fifty men against whom proceedings were origi- nally taken by the Public Prosecutor only about twenty will be actually indicted before the Senate, amongst them M. Paul Deroulede and M. Gu-erin. At the conclusion of the Public Prosecutor's address the Senate, by 234 votes to 32, sent the dossier of the case to a Commission of Instruction of the High Court, and reserved the question of competence. On the application of counsel for the prisoners, it was decided to throw open the proceedings to the public. At eight o'clock the Senate sat in open court, and, after some diecuseion, a deoree was approved appointing a Commission to consider the procedure to be followed in the trial.

AN ELY CHILD S DEATH. THE MOTHER CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER, Agnes Hayes, 30, who. it will be remem- bered, was committed on the coroner's warrant for the manslaughter of her child on the 7th of; September, was on Monday brought up a' LI an da ff Police-court. At the outset it was stated that only sufficient evidence would be taken to justify a remand. Inspector Ntw watched the case on behalf of the Nat.nal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Chil- dren.—After evidence of arrest had been given, Dr. Charles Campbell Jenkins, resi ,nrt medi- cal officer at the Cardiff Union V >rkhouse, said that the child was brought to h m on the evening of the 13th of July. It was about five and three-quarter months old, and weighed 7ib. 2oz.. some 51b. less than it should have weighed at that age. It was very -emaciated and dirty. The usual treatment was applied, and it seemed for a time to rally, but about a week afterwards it fell into a state of coma, in which it remained till its dea.t.h on the 7th inst. He was of opinion that death was due to inanition.—Prisoner interrupted several times during the evidence, declaring, "I will have the rights of the law, though I am poor." and "You killed my child between you.At this stage a remand till next Monday was granted.

CARMARTHENSHIRE RIFLE ASSOCIATION. The thirty-first annual report of the council of the Carmarthenshire Rifle Association has juet been issued, and shows that there is now an adverse balance of LB 15s. 10d.. whilst last year, for the first time for about twenty years, the association, although not having any money to its credit, was yet out of debt. During the year R,49 16s. 6d. was received in subscrip- tions, £70 13s. 6d. in money prizes, and CZ7 14s. in entrance fees. whilst the chief payment was £ 97 Ids. 6d. in prizes. The object of the associa- tion, of which the Lord-lieutenant of Carmar- thenshire (Sir James Drummond, Bart.) is the president, is to promote rifle practice by the Volunteers of the county, and this has been attained to a degree that merits increased financial suoport. by the public. No mention of the work of the association is complete with- out a word of praise and encouragement to the .secretary (Lieutenant James John, Carmar- then), for his indomitable perseverance in his efforts on behalf of the society. This year's meeting will take place on the Danyrallt Range on October 3. 4. and 5. The annual meeting of the Carmarthen detachment (H and I Com- panies) of the let Volunteer Battalion Welsh Regiment will, take place on the same range on the 28th inst.

DRAINAGE OF DINAS POWIS. A conferenoe took place on Monday evening at the urban district council offices, Barry Dock, between a deputation of the Llandaff and Dinas Powis Sural District Council and the Barry Public Works Committee with referenee to the scheme for tho drainage of Dinas Powis. The proceedings were conducted in private, but we understand that after a lengthy con- sultation a satisfactory understanding was arrived at with reference to the outfall sewer and other points of dimculty. The carrying out of the scheme will involve aa outlay of about £ 4,000.

SHOCKING DISCOVERY NEAR CHEPSTOW. A CARDIFF EXPRESS MYSTERY. The body of a well-dressed man. supposed to be a Londoner, was found on the line near Chepstow on Tuesday morning. The supposi- tion is he fell from the Cardiff to London express. The body was found near Woolaston Station. It is supposed to have been that of a passenger by the London excursion train, which left Chepstow about midnignt. The man was respectably dressed. An address on a slip of paper was found in his pocket, and to this communication has been sent.

—————— A NORTH IT ALES MYSTERY. GIRL'S BODY FOUND IN A CANAL. Early on Tuesday morning while two boat- men, named William Humphreys and John Owea, were on the canal near Chirk. North Wales, they saw the body of a young woman floating on the water. On 1-aking her out it was discovered that she wa-s Agnes Davies, aged seventeen, and had lived at Ty Rivid, Chirk. How she got into the water is a mystery.

SOUTH WALES LABOUR TROUBLES. THE MANNESMANN TUBE WORI8 DISPUTE. As announced this morning, a further effort was made to-day to effect an arrange- ment with the Mannesmann Tube workmen at a joint meeting of the management and the dissatisfied workmen. The dispute was settled, the former agreeing to pay W per ton for stretching tubes as agamrt- 9d. demanded by the men and 8d. originally offered by the management.

OFFICIAL SCRATCHINGS. The "Sportsman" has been officially is- formed by Messrs. Weatherby of the following 6cratchings. Stretford Welter. Manchester—Scale. Newby Nursery, Pontefract—Tizzy. Manchester engagements—Guppy. All Mr Irish's horses-Mortlake. Selling Nursery, Hurst Park-Lesboo ooftt. All engagements in Mr Oa-kfey's name-Tw minal. All engagements in 1899-Linstock. All handicaps for which the weighte have ap- peared-Innellan and Granae.

ADDITIONAL ARRIVALS AT PONTEFRACT. Adolph, Zoar, Jeanni. Hazy Dream, Crow Not, Ardbeg. Heiress, Peephole. Acquaintance. Redress, Ea.rl of Leicester, and Black Bread.

rpOPPIXG AND SPINDLER (HARD-' AWAY and TOPPING), Flushing. Holland. DUKE OF YORK STAKES. CESAREWITCH. CAMBRIDGESHIRE, Ac. Double and Treble Events. 8.P. Accumulators. &c. The Continental Sportanum, published twioe daily during the season, containing Latest Market Movements on a.bove and all Important Races, free on ivsceipt of address. The Oldest- established ajid Most Extensive Agency of ita kind in the World. All letters to be addressed- TOPPING and SPINDLER. Flushing, Aalia"

ACCIDENT AT BARRY DOCK. A man named John Griffiths, of 66, Oantlo- iand-street. Barry Docks, wa-s employed by the Barry Railway Company at repairing work, on No. 20 Tip, at Barry Docks, on Tuesday morning, when he accidentally fell a depth of 20ft. or 30ft. Fortunately. Griffit-hss escape from serious injury was miraculous. He was conveyed to his home, where he is progressing favourably.

BIKMISGHAM MEETING. 2f\ —The AVON SELLING NURSERY • v/ PLATE thandicap) of 150 sovs; win- ners ertra. Five furlongs. Mr J a Miller- Dolefal. 7st 121b Sloan 1 Mr Wadlow'u Lady Hugo, 6st 71b .Purkiss 2 Mr W Stevens s The Sunbeam colt, 7st lib Heapy 3 Mr Seymour's Shanghai, tot T iloates0 Mr Stone's Down ton, 7st 91b Hunt 0 Capt Forester's Jjady M-archington, 7st 71b Chapman 0 Mr Rhodes's Portobello, 7st 61b Allsopp 0 Mr lawman's Secret Sign. 7st 51b .Madden 0 Mr Percy's Moria-na gelding. 7et 41b Segrott 0 Mr Barclay's Chirrup, 7st 31b Dunn 0 Major Edwards's Sir Hubert. 7st Dalton 0 Mr Courage's Half Caste, 66t 81b M'aH 0 Winner trained by Halsey. Betting-9 to 4 agst Doleful, 4 to 1 agst Half Caste, 5 to 1 agst Lady Hugo. 8 to 1 agst Chir- rup. and 10 to 1 agst any other. Won in a canter by about three lengths; the same distance between the second aad third. Dolefu Iwas sold to Mr E Robson for 230gs. (Race started at 2.8). O Q -The HINDLIP PLATE of 200 eov»; £ • OU winners extra. One mile and five furlongs. Mr Seymour's Squire Jack, 4yre, 8st S Loates 1 Mr J Miller's Birpham, 3yrs, 7st 21b .Sloan 2 Captain Whitaker's White Frost, 6yrs, 8st 101b Rickaby 3 Mr ]l'G<tlmont's Hougoumont, 3yrs. 8st 121b M Cannon 0 Mr W Elsey's Forced Miarch. 4yrs, 8&t 51b Yarnell 0 Mr Inglis's Philop-ena. 3yrs. 7st 31b Madden 0 Mr Coliins's Delivery. 3yre, 7st 21b .C5?Tiham 0 Mr Dewar's Lord Provost, 4yrs. 7st .Dalton 0 Winner trained by R Sherrard. Betting-Evem on Birpham, 3 to 1 agst Squire Jack, 8 to 1 each agst Hougoumont and White Frost. 10 to 1 agst Philopena, and 100 to 8 agst any other. Won a desperate race by a head. (Race started at 2,36). —The ESTATES SELLING PLATE of • \J 106 so vs. About six furlongs. Fair Penitent oolt. 1; Mohegan, 2; Bayonne gelding, 3. Ten ran. Also ran: Melanyl, Till, R.A., Donna Peginj6 Charles Edward n., Wanton, and Pelopuk. Betting-2 to 1 agst the winner.

PONTEf'RACT MEETIXG. Q A —The LEEDS HANDICAP PLATE of p V/ 100 sovs; winners extra. Five fur- longs. Mr Oolley's Hwyl-ake. 3yrs, 8st 51b J HMartin 1 Mr Barker's Miss Primrose, 5yrs, 9st 31b H Luke 2 Mr Norton's Zoar, 3yr6. 7st 111b .Finlay 3 Mr Eccles's Mincio. 5yrs. 8st 61b .T Weldon 0 Mr Earnshaw's Adolph. 3m, 7st 121b S Chandley 0 Mr Steelg Pretence colt. 3yrs, 7Bt Clive 0 Winner trained by Burbidge. Betting—11 to 8 agst Boy lake, 5 to 2 agst Miucio. 4 to 1 ags Miss Primrose, 5 to 1 agst Adolph, and 6 to 1 agst Zoar. Won by two lengths; a neck between the second and third. o Q —The YORKSHIRE WELTER SELL- 4 • O O ING HANDICAP PLATE of 100 SOTS winners extra. One mile and a furlong. Mr Osborne's Rummage, 3yrs, Set .Osborne 1 Mr Robeon's Dorian, 3yrs. 8st 21b .Walters 2 Lord Penrhyn's Manacle. 3yrs, 8st 121b Morgan 3 Mr W Elsey's Hartsholme, 3vts, get 31b „ T Weldon 0 Mr M'Guigan's Lantwit, 6yrs, 9st 21b Kennedy 0 Mr Huntington's White Blind, 4yrs, tot 101b OaAey 0 Mr Tod's Earl afield, 3yre, 8st 31b .Fag&n 0 Mr Binme's Jeanne filly, 3yrs, 8st lib S Chandley 0 Winner trained by owner. Bet,ling—5 to 4 agst Manacle, 7 to 2 agvt Hartehoime, 7 to 1 each agst Lantwit, Dorian, and Jeanne filly, and 10 to 1 agst any other. 8 1 n —The FRYSTON NURSERY HANDI- • -• CAP PLATE of 200 govs, for two- year-c7 !?; winners extra. Seven furlongs ar.r; m yards. Crow Not, 7st 81b Heppell 1 Cartwright's Cherry Stalk, 6st 91b „ W eatherell 2 Mr Connor s Peephole colts 7et lib ™ Conaor, jun 3 Mr Wilkinson 6 The Lady filly, 9st .BLack 0 Mr Sharpe's Insulator, 8st 51b Weldon 0 Mr Clayton's Hazy Dream, 7st 111b H Luke 0 Mr Osborne's Minuend, 7st 7Ib Osborne 0 Mr Glty" Time Bell filly, 7st 6!b .Chandley 0 Mr Gurry's Anxious Moments, 7st 61b Finlay 0 Mr Aston's Ardbeg. 7st 51b Bell 0 Mr I'Anson's Royal Heiress. 7st 21b ..YIand 0 Mr Platt's My Pretty Jane. 7et lib Vaaey 0 Mr Ridley's Royton, 7st lib Piatt 0 Mr Earnshaw's Old Acquaintance, fist lllb M'Call d Winner trained by Peacock.

"SPORTSMAN" AUTHENTIC STARTTNe PRICES. BIRMINGHAM MEETING. Horse. Jockey. Sportmi AVON SELLING (12). Doleful (Sloan) 9 to 4 ac HINDLIP PLATE (8). Squire Jack (S Loates) 3 to 1 ac PONTEFRACT MEETING. Horse. Jockey- Sport*™ «n LEEDS HANDICAP (6). Hoylake (J H Martin) 11 to 8 ac YORKSHIRE WELTER (8). Rummage (Osborne) 10 to 1 ac The above prices are identical wjth those pub- lished in the "Racing Calendar."