Evening Express

VENEZUELAN TROUBLES. The American Navy and the German Fleet. Washington, Thursday.—The Secretary of the ^axy denies the statement that he had in- *truetodv the North Atlantic Squadron to frvatch the movements of the Germain fleet off <the Venezuelan coast.—Renter. It is reported that preparations are being fcnade for the despatch to the aid of the Vene- zuelan insurgents, and apparently from Eng- land, of a second vessel of the Ban Righ's type, and it it probable that she will start in a few (Peeks' time. Since the vessel left the Thames, it is said, the crew have been changed twice. ¡

I PSTEEL TRUST DISAPPOINTED, The Enormous Income of President Schwab. The United States Steel Corporation (the j !?steel Trust) is calculated to have earned, approximately, £16.000.009 over and above the fixed charges, excepting interest on bonds, during the first nine months of its existence. This means, according to the "Telegraph" cor- respondent, that its earnings for its stock and bond holders have been slightly over £60.000 per diem. It is further computed that the trust, in its first year of existence, will earn a surplus of about £7,669,900. On this surplus President Schwab draws a bonus, which, with his regular salary of £20,Qoo, will make his year's income about £39,000. According to the "Daily Mail's" correspondent the earnings were very disappointing, and this is explained by the Steel Trust managers as due to the close of navigation in December reducing the earnings of the trust's mines in the Lake Supe- rior region. The earnings for the month of December arc the smallest since the first month of the company's history. Mr. Schwab, who is now in Europe, is reported to have said that the English labourer receives on an average less than one-half of what the American receives, year in and year out. The Steel Trust is. he says. going to adopt a new depar- ture in its attitude towards labour. It intends to put every man in charge of a little branch of business, even a department of business; not on a salary, but on a percentage of the profits, which will be paid to him in cash, and ■which he can invest in the securities if he wishes, and in that way get his individual iJfort upon his individual work.

STEEL WHilE YOU WAIT. New Manufacturing Process in Operation. While Americans are talking about what they are going to do in the way of procuring steel from the ore "while yon wait," a plant for doing that kind of thng has been brought nto actual operation by the Frodingham (Lin- colnshire) Iron and Steel Company, who have this week started a Talbot continuation pro- cess furnace, said to be the first of its kind in Europe and practically in the world, there being only a small experimental furnace in Amcrica. The inventor of the furnace is Mr. i Benjamin TMbot. a native of Shropshire, who- received his preliminary training in England before going to the United States. The prin- ciple is a combination of the open Tiearth worked on a continuation process; the bath of molten metal in the furnace being worked up to a certain point, and then a portion of the steel is pojired out, the charge in the furnace being made up to its normal strength by molten iron taken up in ladles from the adjoining blast furnaces and poured into the furnace. The furnace will be tapped, or rather a portion of the steel will be taken from it. at very short periods, probably about every four hours, and this, it will be seen, will constitute a very rapid process of manufacture. The furnace is a Wellman tilting furnace, fitted with a Wellman electric charger. It is splen- didly built, and the whole is worked mechani- cally, There is an electric crane, and even the doors are lifted by hydraulic power. So far the furrtacc is working very satisfactorily.

SUICIDE OF A PORTUGUESE OFFICER. Lisbon, Wednesday Night.—Lieutenant- colonel Musinho Albaquerque, tutor of the Crown Prince Dom Luiz, committed suicide to-night. Colonel Albaquerque had the the honour of being presented at the English Court, and held a high position in Court circles here. His suicide has caused an immense sensation at the Royal Palace and there is much speculation as to the motives lot the act.—Central New.

STOP PRESS L- Latest Telegrams. "UXfTvKyS OiTIOE, H.45 a n. THE AMERICAN MINING, BI5ABTEE. Now York, Thursday.—The officials of the Regaunee Hine announce that only nius deaths have resulted from the fall of earth on Tuesday evening, and not fifteen, all at first' reported.—Reuter. I y. 1

RHONDDA PALMISTRY CASE. INTERESTING PROSECUTION AT PONTYPRIDD. STIPENDIARY WILLIAMS IMPOSES A FINE. Mr. Stipendiary Williams, sitting at Ponty- pridd Police-court on Wednesday, listened to a. case in which Madame Stephani, High-street, Treorky, answered a charge of pretending to tell fortunes by palmistry, to deceive persons. Mr. Fred A. Hyndman, The Temple, London (instructed by Mr. J. Dodson, solicitor to the Occultists' Defence League), defended. The evidence of Police-constable James showed that he paid a visit to Madame Stephani with the object of having his fortune told. He told her he waa a grocer, and she then delineated his hand, and said that he came from a musical and talented family—(laughter)—that he was a. good writer, and that there would be a great change in his life within two years. She also told him he would succeed best as a schoolmaster. She charged him a shilling. Police-constable Brew also deposed to having paid a visit to Madame Stephani. She told him that he came from a farming family, and would prosper well in business. He would make a. good engineer or commercial traveller. He would be disappointed in love affairs, but the fault would not be on his side. He would be married in a few years, and have a heavy family. (Laughter.) The Stipendiary: Are you married now? Witness: I :-m. (Renewed laughter.) Con- tinuing, he said that Madame Stephani told him he would also meet with an accident when he was thirty years of age, but if he were careful he might avoid it. He would possess a lot of money when he was forty, not through death, but by speculation. Witness then paid her, and subsequently called in Police-constable James, and charged her with the offence. She said she had nothing to fear, and that she would get off if she were tried by an English bench of magistrates. Madame Stephani said she had practised paliristry for some yean. She only charged 111. in the Rhondda, as it was a working-clas3 district. She was a member of the Occultists' League, the object of which was to see that I. no member did anything contrary to law. Whenever anybody consulted her the first thing she did was to say that anything she might say could be avoided by care, and that sha- was not telling fortunes. She had no in- ¡ oa, tent to deceive or impose upon anybody. She I believed that the head and hand were eo closely allied that she could tell character from the lines of the hand. Cross-examined: She admitted she had been previously convicted. Further questioned by counsel, she said the police arrested her without a. warrant, and took all her private papers from her, and they had not yet been returned to her. Superintendent Cole: You were merely taken to the police-station. Defendant: Yes, and I was treated with the greatest courtesy by Inspector Williams, who happens to be a gentleman. Superintendent Cole: And you were liberated as soon as you gave him £2 as bail. Defendant: Yes, I was not detained in the station. Mr. Hyndham addressed the bench at some length, and said that the marks on the hand were made by nature, and were far more likely to prove true than marks on the face. He was informed on very high authority that before very long experts would be called into courts of law to examine the hands to show whether their owners had criminal ten- dencies or not. He contended that what his client had done was not illegal, and that the past and present Home Secretaries—both of whom he personally knew-had said that the mere practice of palmistry was not illegal, and that an offence was only committed when there was an intent to impose. There was ¡' nothing in the evidence, to show that she had tried to deceive the ponce. The Stipendiary said that the question was whether defendant believed she had the gift of telling things by means of the hand. Shs had told these two men what was entirely wrong, and had also become prophetic, though he did not suppose that reading the hand would help anyone to prophesy. He did not think she hit the mark once in her divinitions or prophecies, and he could not help thinking that she must know it was an art in which there was no ^c^'taiuty, and that many of the things she said must be untrue. Her story to the men, however, was very innocent, and was not like that of some people wh,), unfortunately, made I a lot of mischief. Defendant would be fined x:2 and costs. Notice of appeal was given.

PIT ACCIDENT AT VOCHRIW. CAGE FALLS THE BOTTOM OF THE SHAFT. A startling accident occurred at No. 1 Pit, Vochriw. owned by Messrs. Guest, Keen, and Co., on Wednesday. A double-decker cage had been drawn to the surface, and one tramvitef coal had been taken (ut of the cage and an empty tram re-placed, when a portion of the gear failed, and the cage fell to the bottom of' the shaft, a distance of between 400 and 500 yards. It is reported that a considerable amount of damage was done to the shaft and also to the cage. None of the workmen were injured, but the men were compelled to leave by the No. 2 Shaft, and there will be no work at No. 1 Pit for some days. —

BOXING EXHIBITIONS AT TRE- DEGAR. Considerable agitation has arisen in Tre. degar in consequence of an exhibition of boxing given at the Temperance-hall on Wed- nesday evening by Kid M'Coy and Charlie Mitchell. A meeting of the trustees of the hall met on Tuesday evening to receive an j explanation from the hall manager as to howij the ball was let for the performance. The manager (Mr. T. L. Davies) stated that he was informed by the proprietor that he was bringing a variety company, but made no mention of the exhibitions of boxing. An effort had been made to cancel the engage- ment, but had failed. The manager was exonerated from blame, and a bye-law was passed to the effect that in future the hall shall not be let for boxing, sparring, or prize. fights. The hall was besieged on Wednesday evening, large numbers failing to gain admis- sion to witness the exhibitions.

THE MURDER OF A SHEPHERD'S BUSH FISHMONGER. At West London Police-court on Wednesday Frederick Charles Meikcr, 23, fishmonger's assistant, was committed for trial on a charge of wilfully murdering Edward Girling by stabbing him through the heart on the night of December 23 with a fishmonger's knife, at a fkihshop ilt Goldhawk-road, Shepherd's Bush, where lie was formerly employed with deceased.

MONTE CARLO PLAY. Lord Rossiyn is winning steadily at the tables at Monte Carlo, at the rate of about £ 1C0 daily. Much interest is being taken by habitues in the Coben Syndicate. Its members lost £ 3,000 at trente-et-quarante on Tuesday, but they won £ 6,00} on Wednesday, and the hank had to be replenished twice. Central JSew*; • I

[THE CHILDREN'S ACT. Publicans Prosecuted at llanelly. TWO SUMMONSES HEARD: BOTH CASES DISMISSED. At LIi?neily Police-court yesterday Beatrice Ather, of the Rolling Mill, was charged with selling intoxicants to a child under the age of fourteen years. Mr. Martin Richards appeared for the defence. Police-constable Peter Jones deposed that he saw a child enter the house and come out with a cup containing brandy. Witness took the child back to the house, and informed defendant, who said ehe thought the child waa old. From inquiries made he found the age of the child was only twelve years. Defendant pleaded guilty. Mr. Richards suggested that as this was the first case the bench should let defendant off. Mr. Hughes remarked tha.t the bench would deal leniently with defendant in this instance. and dismiss the case on payment of coatc, amounting to 8s. Margaret John, Pemberton-street, mother of the child supplied, was charged with sending her child under fourteen years for intoxicant*. Defendant was let off with a caution. Cases in Liverpool. The first case in Liverpool under the new licensing law for the protection of children was heard before the stipendiary magistrate on Wednesday. Mary A. Critchley was summoned for sending her daughter, who is under four- teen, for a jng of beer to a public-house. A policeman saw the child coming out of the public-bouse on the 3rd inst., but she had not been Berved.—The Magistrate expressed his intention to firmly enforce the new Act, and fined the woman 40s. and coste.

Interesting Brevities, j 0. Madrid, Thursday.—The Minister of the Interior has, it is stated, decided to resign.— Renter. Madrid. Thursday.—Two trains came into collision yesterday at Pontevsdra, nea.r Porteta. One person was killed, and five were injured.—Renter. Paris. Thursday.—The "Auto Velo" states that the motor-car race from Bordeaux to Paris is definitely fixed for May 24 to 25.— Router. Winnipeg, Wednesday.—The Manitoba Government announces that it will submit to referendum the question of the enforcement of the Liquor Prohibition Act.—Renter. The Pope on Wednesday gave an audience to Lcrd Edmund Talbot, with whom his Holi- ness had a long conversation. Lord Edmund afterwards praeente-i seye^l members of his family.—Central News.

WALTHAMSTOW TRAGEDY. Man Murders His Child and Hangs Himself. Yesterday at the Lome Arms, Queen's road, Walthamstow, the inquest was opened on tha bodies of William Henry Downes, a music- stool maker, of 109. Forest-road. Walthamstow, and his infant daughter, Alice' Lucy. aged seventeen months. The little girl was suffo- cated and the man was found hanged. Suaaupaa Downes. the widow, said that her hiv»b^|&-fead slipped and fractured his right anklfe,E^^as for some weeks in St. Giles's Hospital. his return home he had suffered great pain. At ten a.m. on Monday witness left the house, after taking the child downstairs and leaving it in the care of Mrs. Wakefield, who occupied the lower part of the house. Witness received a telegram in the afternoon, telling her that her husband was dead. She subsequently found the following letter in the house:- Dear Sue,—Forgive me for what I have dun. I have dun it for the best. Ask Jack to do the best he can for you. With love.—W. H. DOWNES." t The deceased did not get up that morning, saying that he did not feel well enough to go to business. lie used to be the worse for drink occasionally, and when she left there was standing on the table a half bottle of brandy, which was empty when she returned. Annie Wakefield, who lived in the same I house, said that Mrs. Downes left the deceased child in her care, saying that her imsband would come and fetch it. At a quarter-past eleven o'clock the deceased came down for the child, and took her upstairs with him. The witness did not notice anything strange in his manner at the time. The other little gil(1, Annie, went to schoo). and on her return, at a quarter to twelve, witness sent her upstairs to ask her father if he wanted any dinner. Annie came back and told the witness that she could not open the bedroom door as it was fastened. Witness obtained the assistance of a neighbour and got the door open. Witness obtained the assistance of a neighbour and, got the door open. Witness had never heard Downes threaten to take his life. Police-constable Yaxley said that inside the door he found the deceased hanging by the neck from a rope. He was dead. On ths bed witness found the child lying with its fa.ce covcred with a pillow. It seemed as if the pillow had been pressed down on to the child. Dr. Horner said the man had di.ed from strangfJation, and the child had died from suffocation. The Coroner said the case was a very ead one, and the jury returned a verdict that the deceased killed the child and hanged himself in a state of unsound mind. —————————

THE RETURN OF THE CHINESE COURT. Power of the Empress. All testimony (says a Press Association mes- sage from Peking) goes to show that the Emperor ir more completely under the domi- nation of the Dowager-Empress than before the court's exile. Several high officials were received in audience to-day, and the Emperor merely played the part of a figure-head. The Dowager Empress sat on his left, and con- ducted the conversation. According to the accounts of two officials who were received, the Dowager ignored the Emperor, and he did not attempt to engage in business, but sat melancholy and listless. Her Majesty proposes to confer decorations on Colonel Craster, Lieutenant Cowie, R.E.. and Mr. Foley for their management of the train, and on the Ameri- can and Japanese officers who protected the Imperial paJacfe during the absence of the court..

CORONATION OF THE KING We are in a position to give authentic details of many of the extensive arrangements to be made in Westminster Abbey for the Coron:1-- tion Servicc. The whole of the seats will be removed immediately after Easter, and galleries of heavy timber will rise from the floor of the north and south transepts. The galleries above the aisles will also be filled with seats, and altogether there will be accom- modation for 3,000 people at the public service. The crowning ceremony will be performed in the sanctuary. From the top of the steps load- ing to the sanctuary a wide platform will extend westwards, and on this platform the King will receive the obeisance of the nobles, who will walk in single file up the platform steps en one side, pass before their Majesties, and descend by the step* on the other side.

A TERRIBLE CRIME. I: A sensational crime has just been discovered at St. Etienne. A pastry cook, named Tan- tale. after a quarrel with his wife, due to jealousy, shot her dead with a revolver. He ttMu thrust her body into the oven, and lighted a large fire. Afterwards he committed filicide. Only the calcined remains of the woman were found in tha oven.—Reuter.

SHIPPING DISASTER. Steamer Founders in British Columbia. CAPTAIN AND SIX MEN DROWNED. Victoria, (British Columbia), Wadncsday.— The steamship Bristol foundered in Dixon entrance, Northern Bolumbia, on January 2. Captain M'Intyre, Pilot Roberts, and five of the crew were drowned. Twenty-one were saved.—Renter.

ANOTHER TUNNEL DISASTER. RAILWAY COLLISION IN NEW YORK. MANY PASSENGERS KILLED AND INJURED. A collision of a. serious character took place in New York on Wednesday morning in a tunnel at the New York Central Railway at Fifty-sixth-street and Park-avenue, a. number of people being killed and injured. Twelve people are reported to have been killed.— Renter. The trains which collided were a slow train of the New York, Newhaven, and Hartford Line, from Norwalk, and a local train of the New York and Harlem Branch of the Central Railway. The last car of the slow train was run into by the Harlem train and telescoped. The wreck caught fire after the collision.— Reuter. A telegram of 10.45 a.m. saya:—Ten bodies have been recovered from the train wreckage in the tunnel, and sixteen are lying dead in the Ibospitals. Two paseenge*are visible, whom it has not yet been possible to extricate. The total number of persona killed now reaches 28.—Reuter. 11.15 a.m.—The train which ran into the Nor- walk train was known as the White Plains local. It completely wrecked two cars of the other train, which consisted of five cars, and was crowded. The Norwalk train was stopped in the tunnel at Fifty-gisth-atreet by the sig- nal, and had been standing but a few minutes when the big engine of the White Plains local crashed into it, splitting the last car and driving portions of it into the next one. The steam from the engine scalded persons in the wrecked cars. Hundreds of residents in the neighbourhood heard the crash, while clouds of steam rose through the airholes in the tunnel, making the work of rescue very difficult. Finally, the injured were lifted out by ropes, or carried through the tunnel to its mouth just below Fifty-aixth-street. All the bodies are so badly disfigured as to be nearly unrecognisable.— Reuter. 11.45 a.m.—According to the latest news, the number of killed is not eo large as at first reported. At eleven o'clock the railroad officials placed the number of dead at fifteen, including one woman. Noon.—The railway officials now estimate the number of injured at twenty or more.— Reuter. Four p.m.—Seventeen persons are now etated to (have been .Jollied and 40 injured, twelve seriously. It W&3 very dp.rk in the tunnel, which was soon filled with smoke and steam, thus adding to tho horror of the situation. A number of persons were rescued by means of ladders through air-holes. Those who were uninjured or only slightly hurt- in many instances rendered splendid assistance, while others, bewildered by shock and darkness, groped their way along the walls in order to make their way out at the mouth of the tunnel. Bodies of dead, as well as many of the injured, were hoisted through the air-holes. The tunnel extends from Fifty- fifth-street for a distance of about two miles, and there is an air-hole at every block. After the accident the manager of the Harlem division of the Central Railway said:—"The engine-driver of the White Plains local, so far as I have been able to learn, is respon- sible for the accident. The Norwalk local was doe at the depot at 8.15 and the White Plains train at 8.17. The Norwalk train was stopped by a danger signal, and a flagman got out with a lantern and torpedoes, which he put on the rail. The engine-driver of the White Plains train failed to recognise the signal, and did not respond to it, and the collision was the result." This is the third accident in the tunnel. The first was in November, 1882, when twenty were killed, and the second in February. 1391, when six were killed and many were injured. The wrecked train, it is now stated, did not take fire. The engine-driver and fire- men of the rear train and the signalman have been arrested.—Reuter. V

POST OFfiCE YARNS. Humorous Tales af a Government Department. Many humorous stories of happenings at the General Post Office have been told. "St. Martin's-le-Grand" this month presents several new talcs to its reader*. A telegraph mes- senger was assaulted while on duty, and was laid up in consequence. The following is taken from his letter of explanation: "One of them threw the core of an apple at me, which iliit me in the ear; I took no notice of that, and walked on. and they then threw their hats at me. I turned round, and was about to say, 'Who are you throwing at?' when I took my own part and hit him back, and a crowd gathered. I stopped to pick up my hat, when he kicked me, which proved fatal, and ran away." But the end is. happily, not yet, as the boy concludes, "I hope it will not last long." The lofcs of a savings bank book was reported and shortly afterwards, the following letter wai received in the department: "The bank b<K>k has been found. It seams that the book had been placed between the lid and a box of stationery case, the position of lid and box having been reversed; that is, the box was put into the lid instead of the lid being put on the box. Mrs. —— had searched through the contents of this box many times, and. curiousiy enough, she states that the secret was revealed to her in a dream." A travelling post-office sorter was reported for an erroneous entry of a registered letter, and his explanation has literary merits which make it worthy of a place in these pages. "The explanation of this psychological blunder lies, no doubt, in the fact that when eeparating the registered letters for St port from those from So port, the importance of the distinction occupied the field of conscious- ness to the exclusion of everything else. On no other hypothesis can I actionaliy explain uiis inverted advisal, which I regret." We can imagine the expression on the official's face while tMs explanation was being read without, perhaps, being understood. One letter shows that some widows, at least, have a full appreciation of the decaitfulness of man. The other day the Savings Bank Department received the following: "Will you be kind enough to let me know if Mr. John Smith has get a. hundred pounds in the Savings' Bank, and if so will you kindiy let me know, as he has been paying his address to me for some time. Has I am only a widow woman and do not wish to be taken in by him." Tales are printed indicating the perseve- rance and intelligence of officials in elucidat- ing quaint addresses. One letter was addressed simply, "Z5th March, Clifton." To Postman Wade must go the credit of having correctly surmised that this letter was in- tended for Lady Day, the wife of the Judge of Assize, Mr. Justice Day, then staying in Clifton, XJUHJ J. < TJ jQL

COL. JUSTICE DEAD. '• •_ Chief Agent to Tredegar Estates Dead. EXPIRES SUDDENLY THIS MORNING. We regret to record the death of Colonel FTederick Justice, chief agent to Lord Trede, gar, which appears to have taken place suddenly this morning at his residence, Graig- yr-Heol, Castleton. Colonel Justice was found dead in bed when a call was made at his bed- room. He had been unwell for some time past, apparently suffering from dyspepsia. White attending the rent audit at Cardiff on Tuesday he complained of feeling pcorly. and said he thought he should have to withdraw from the proceedings. He went, however, to to the dinner, but before it was concluded he told some of his friends that he felt very unwell, and left and went home.

THE NICE MURDER. Prisoner Makes Confession of Three Other Crimes. Paris, Thursday.—A despatch from Nice statea that Henry Vid.il, whose trial for the alleged murder of hi; sweetheart in a train at Eze, is pending, has made a complete confes- sion with rega-rd to three other crimes. He lias confessed to murdering a girl, named Antonio, Van BrTMsen, at Tamarij, and a girl named Marie Arnoux at Marseilles, and also to the attempted murder of Louise Guiraard^t Mar- seilles.—Central News.

GLAMORGAN YEOMANRY. MEN TO COMMENCE DRILL NEST SATURDAY. Sergeant-major Giddea, formerly of the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers, who has been appointed sergeant-major of the Cardiff aanactron of the Glamorgan Imperial 1 eo- ns anry. will cammence drilling the men who have been attested next Saturday. For the present the Volunteer drill-hall will be used, and it is hoped that all the men whom Colonel Wyndham-Quin has attested so far will be able to attend the inaugural drill. A further riding test took place at the Barracks "er on Wednesday for the purpose of filling up the gun section, and three more men were attested, making the section complete, namely, 32. Captain Quin, (brother of Colonel Wyndham-Quin, D.S.O.. M.P.), who is to command the gun section, was present at the test. The battery will consist of two gallop. ing Maxims. Out of the 148 men required for the Cardiff squadron between 40 and 50 have now been sworn in.

COLLIERY FATALITIES. TWO MEN KILLED BY A FALL AT MERTHYR VALE, MERTHYR LABOURER STRUCK ON THE HEAD. John Rees Thomas, aged 17, a labourer, of No. 6, Yew street, Troedyrhiw, died on Wednesday morning from injuries sustained on Saturday in the No. 2 South Pit. Plymouth. The deceased was at the bottom of the pit in the act of getting on the ca-ge to ascend to the surface after finishing work, when a small lump of coal fcil down the shaft and struck him on the head. lie was rendered unconscious, and remained so until death. RUN OVER BY A TRAM. Henry John Price, a haulier employed at the Ferndalc Collieries, was run over by a tram underground on Tuesday and killed. He was about 35 years of age, end single. A CWMTILLEEY ACCIDENT. Mr. Lyndon Moore held an inquest at the Newport Town-hall on Wednesday upon the body of Guiseppe Caraccitta. an Italian, aged 19. who met with a fatal accident at Biaina on the 27th of December. Caraccitti was employed as a labourer at the Cwmtiliery Colliery, and was knocked down by a truck and run over, one leg being crushed. He was conveyed to the Newport Infirmary and the limb was amputated. The man subse- quently died at "the institution. Dr. Falconer Hayden, house surgeon at the Newport Hospital, stated that the man Was brought to the institution on the evening of the 27th of December. The left leg had to be amputated. Blood poisoning set in, and the patient died on the 3rd of January. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, and added that there was not sufficient evidence to show how the accident occurred.

BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY. MR. CHAMBERLAIN APPEALS FOR MORE MONEY. INVITATION TO A GREAT MIL- LIONAIRE. The annnal court of the University of Bir- mingham waa held on Wednesday, with the Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, M.P., wear- ing his robes as chancellor of the university, in the chair, and surrounded by all the staff of the university, also in official robes. The Chancellor said he had on previous occasions dealt sufficiently with the aims and aspirations of the university, and confined his observations almost entirely to the matter of the several reports submitted, all showing progress. He appealed for more money, but deprecated a huge endowment, believing that each generation should do its own work, and because independence of public support often led to independence of public criticism. The total of subscriptions was now £ 420,000, but at least a million was needed to erect and equip the new university buildings, and the governors proposed to build at once three of the ten blocks contemplated to house tha faculties most pressing for accommodation. Towards a special fund of £10,000 for tem- porary extensions £6,OOJ had been raised, and several valuable gifts of machinery had been made. The city council had promised a con- tribution of £ 5,500 per annum, and the county councils of Warwick, Worcester, Stafford, and Shropshire had also offered help. Mr. Chamberlain warmly commended the action of the donors of machinery to other manufacturers as the best possible advertise- ment of their beat work, and declared that the council could safely trust to the continued ,support of the public to realise their perfect ideal. He invited some great millionaire to follow the example of Mr. Carnegie, and enable them to achieve it at once.

THE PAN-AMERICAN CONFERENCE. New York, Thursday .-—dispatches from Mexico City state that the Pan-American Conference yesterday adopted an extradition treaty for the various States represented. The treaty provides that there shall be no extradi- tion for political offences, fia-ye for acts which the Legislatures shal classify as Anarchistical. —Central News.

ELECTION INTELLIGENCE. The Hon. Rupert Guinness, eldest son of Lord Iveagh, has expressed his readiness to come forward, if desired, as Unionist candidate for Hampstead, to fill the vacancy caused by the impending retirement of Mr. Brodie Hoare, M.P., through ill-health. Mr. Guinness, who is a famous oarsman and yachtsman, has a residence in the constituency. The names of Lord Charles Beresford and Mr. Milvain, K.C.. chairman of the Undesirables Commis- sion, are also mentioned as possible candi- dates on the Unionist side. Mr. G. F. Rowe haa expressed willingness to stand in the Liberal interest.

FROM LOWER TO THE QUARTER- DECK. An imposing naval funeral Was that at Southsea of the gallant lieutenant James Webber. commander of the special service vessel Magnet, who won his way from the lower to the quarter-deck. At the conclusion of a brief religious service at the family residence, the coffin, covered with the Union Jack, on which rested the deceased man's cocked hat and sword, was carried to the hearse by the petty officers of the Magnet. A strong escort of officers and Bluejackets from ships in the harbour marched the two miles to the ceme- tery, the band, of the Excellent playing funereal music. Every department of the naval service was well represented. Flag-cap- tain Jones attended on behalf of Admiral Hotham, the commander-in-chief. The ensign on all commissioned ships in port was draped half-mast high, and three rifle volleys were fired over the open graven ■LI KJ n IV JL CF9 -t Q

ATHLETIC GOSSIP. Saturday's International Tussle. BIG CROP OF ENGLISH THEORIES, [By "FORWARD."] There is but one topic now—Saturday's international. The English critics, as I pre- dicted yesterday, have now got into their full stride, and, if a national prize had been offered for the cleverest display in the art of prophecy, the competition among football journalists could not have been keener Each has a theory of his own. and after reading them all one feels tliat he is in a maze of botca-potjch which easily surpasses Satur- day night's result of the deliberations of the English Union Selection Committee. Judging from the number of pressmen who were at Exeter, I risk nothing in saying that not 1 per cent. of those who write most saw the trial match at all, and fewer still have had any tangible means of forming any opinion with the least claim to value in regard to the strength of Wales. Thus it is that so many theories are being foisted upon a credulous public. There is much virtue in an if," and Heaven knows the little conjunction has been made to fortify a multitude of forecasts during the past two days. If the English forwards can rush the Welsh," If the half-backs show any initia- tive," "If the three-quarters play up to their reputation." and "If Gamlin does not get one of his off-days are specimens of the safety- Talrps in this mass of theory, and, did it all I not afford a. little amusement, one would wish that the fateful day had come and gone, and that the critics were let loose on ground which they would feel safe in treading, viz., that ol commenting on a past and not a coming event. And after the international! What will the critics do then, poor tIIings: Oh, begin chirp, ing to another tune. There are other coimtrie3 I to be met than ours, and all within the space of a couple of months or so. Why, then. despair? The only people who are likely to derive satisfaction from all thees prognosti- cations and what not are these of Gloucester, for the pivot of the general lament in Saxondon is tha, the cheese county should be so grossly ignored by the selection committee. One writer ask?, and with a good show of sound sense, If the Gloucestershire team can defea,t with ease either a Devon team built round Albion men, or a Devon team such as that which on Saturday beat the Rest of England—as on Albion'a form with Newport the Devon team should do-does it not strike one as strange that there should not be a single Gloucestershire man in either last Saturday's Rest team (save Eberle. whose • association is rather with Oxford University). or in tho team which the committee have chosen to represent England?" This i.i a question which might easily be answered, and with some effect, by those who have an interest in the football affairs of Gloucestershire. Bristol and Gloucester are, surely, good enough to have one representa- tive in the English team, while the Leicester and Northampton clubs are not eo badly off that they, too, could not aid their country with another. There is talk of a dearth of good custodians in England this season. What has happened to George Romans? I have not seen him play this season, but last season he wae quite on a level with Gamlin, taken through and through. No one, at least I, never saw Romans give such a poor display of full-back playas Gamlin did at Cardiff on October 12. I have no reason to believe that Romans has fallen off so terribly ae to be un- worthy of a place in either of the two teams which played in the preliminary trial match at Manchester. Then Fester, the Bristol half-back, is in a street all his own as compared with Oughtr-ed, and, in the sense that I am anxious for the success of Wales, I am pleased that he will not be one of the two operating at the heels of the English forwards. Oughtred is said to have been chosen mainly for his spoiling tactics. All I can say is that he did not demonstrate his ability in that direction at Exeter, and Duffin, who played with Payne for Devonshire, seemed able to do just what he liked as far as Mr. Oughtred was concerned. Much will depend on the Welsh forwards in looking forward to little Dicky Owen's success against him at Blackheath. While hoping that he and Dick Jones will have all the opportunities they wish for of keeping their baclis active on the attack. I cannot emphasise too strongly the importance of our forwards scrimmaging for all they are worth, and not allowing themselves, in their anxiety to heel out. to be pushed off the ball by the English eight. This is a phase of the tactics in international games which has been, and is still, apt to be overlooked. It does seem a little outside my province to plead for the recognition of Gloucestershire or any other English county, but I have been tempted into doing it by the excess of puerility which isso striking a feature in some of the football criticism across the border. Mr. "Oval," of the Morning Leader," is one who does not eeem to know his book, and I can quite endorse the following remarks which be penned for yesterday's paper in regard to the halves:—"The halves are where we shall fail. We ihave to stick to Kendal and Oughtred, and I can't think them nearly the equals of any pair Wales are likely to put in the field. There are probably in the Principality, as the Douglas boasted. 500 (metaphorically) as good as they. I should have preferred Walton and Duffin or a Gloucestershire half." So would I if I were going up to shout for England. We have yet a couple of days to wait for the consummation of the great event, and it will be all the better to wait patiently and quietly until we have seen what we have seen. I am content with repeating the humble request to every man of our forwards to make np his mind that the succeea of his side depends upon his hard, honest scrimmaging. If he does this all will be well, in spite of all the theories, prophecies, forecasts, prognosti- cations. and all sorts of silly things. So far as I know at present, jevery one of the chosen Welsh niteen will turn out.

WELSH FOOTBALL UNION.-Ir.t.ernal ioual Match. Scotland v. Wahy, at Cardiff, on-Satur- day. February 1st, 1902. Grand Stajid Tickets (Reserved and Numbered), Centre Portion 5a. each, F/nd Portioms 4s. each, may be obtained from Mr. C. S. Arthur. 53. Queen-street, Cardiff; Mr. T. 0. Graham. Cambrip-n-cb ambers. New- port; Mr. Tom Williams, Hillside, Llwynypia; and from Walter E. Rces, Secretary, Welsh Football Union, Neath. e9559

THE CANTON CASE. To the Editor of the "Evening ExpreM." Sir,—In your paper of last evening was an erroneous statement that my daughter drank 2; pints of port wine, which should have been glasses. Kindly correct this statement.—I am. &o., J. P. ROWE. 87, Hamilton-street. Canton, Jan. 8.

SHIPOWNERS AND BOARDING MASTERS. A meeting of the executive qommittee of the Bristol Channel Licensed Boarding-masters' Protective Association was held on Wednesday night at the Bute Duck Hotel, Cardiff, Mr. Piddell in the chair.—A resolution was passed instructing the secretary to write to the Cardiff Shipowners' Association with a view of getting them to name a date on which to receive a deputation from the association to discuss the advance-note system as at present in vogue. The advance-note is not a legal document, and is not negotiable, but it is the only means by which the boarding-master can be paid by the seamen who owe him money. If a man chips, and does not go to sea, the boarding- master loses. The object of the boarding- masters was to have some alteration agreed upon between the shipowners and the asso- ciation. by which the note will be treated something like a bill of exchange. In Cardiff there is accommodation in licensed boarding- houses for 1,800 men, most of whom live on credit, and the boarding master is left in the lurch if the men do not go to sea* -o

FOOTBALL. e m *■ MAESTEG V. MOUNTAIN ASH. The Crop of Bruised Bodies. INSURANCE COMPANY WANT AN EXPLANATION. To the Editor or the "Evening Express." Sir,-In reply to the letter written by Mr. Hale, of Mountain Ash. rejecting the report of the above match, I have only to say again that it was the roughest match ever played on the Maesteg football ground, which is l proved, without applying to Mr. Tom England, the referee, by the following facta:- E 1. S. Hopkins was butted in the ribs by a j Mountain Ash player, and had to retire through the injury, and is still unable to play. 2. D. Harm was carried off the fieid, receiving a serious injury on the arm through a Moun. tain Ash forward deliberately falling on that player after he had scored. 3. T. R'inkin had to temporarily retire. 4. W. Hopkins sustained an ugly gash over the eye, and was severely bruised, and has at present a-n appearance which points to his being a fighting man. and not a football player. 5. The players mentioned above bad to be medically attended. 6. A letter has been received by the secre- tary of the Maesteg team from the company in which the Maesteg team has been insured demanding an explanation why so many of the Maesteg team were on the injured list and drawing pay. Also, the insurance company mention that they have not before experienced such a. large number in receipt of pay from the same team. Now. what explanation can be given but that the brutal play of the Mountain Ash team was responsible? From the above it can be seen that my report of the match in qaestion was -not overdrawn, and did not in the least show the annoyance that Mr. Hale mentions in his letter of the failure of Maesteg to defeat the Mountain Ash team.—I am, Ac., J. H. DAVIES. 2, Alma-road, Maesteg. Jam. 8. ENGLAND V. WALES. Many Excursions for S. Wales Enthusiasts. Several excursions arc announced from South Wales in connection with the inter- national match at Blackheath on Saturday. On the Great Western system special trains wiil leave New Milford at 9.15 p.m. to-morrow, Carmarthen at 10.55 p.m., Llandilo at 10.40 p.m., and Cardiff at 1.45 on Saturday morn- ing, and Newport at 2.15 a.m. Another special will leave Hirwain at 11.50 p.m. to-morrow. Aberdare at 12.0 midnight, and Mountain Ash at 12.10 a.m. On the Taff Vale ;ine excursions will start from Treherbert and Maerdy at 11.5 p.m. to-morrow. On Saturday, January 18. there will be a fast excursion from Paddington at 7.30 a.m. to Newport and Cardiff in connec- tion with the Cardiff v. Blackheatli match.

A RAILWAY BLOCK. Caused Through a Goods Train Breaking in Two. A goods train from Fawkham divided near Farningham-road Station, on the Chatham and South Eastern line, last. night, and the rear portion afterwards dashed into the front part, throwing several wagens off the road and blocking both lines. No personal injury was sustained. The midnight passenger train for Chatham had to return to London and go via thi South Eastern route. One line is now clear.

A BULLET Oli A RING. The Sequel to the Love Affair of a Clapham Girl. At Newington Sessions, London, yesterday, Decimus Smith, 25, shopman, was brought up for sentence on the charge of sending a letter to Miss Evelyn K,6.el Esther Palmer, dress- maker, of South-side. Clapham-common, in which he threatened to murder her. ¡ The parties became engaged four years ago. Two years later be broke off the engagement on the pretence that he could not afford to marry. Subsequently he pleaded very hard with her to renew it, and she consented. One evening, by his request, she met him on Kingston-hill. "ff you don't marry me," he said, "you won't marry anybody else. See this (producing a revolver). It is no good your looking round, because there is nobody near. I shall shoot you where you are if you don't promise to marry me." She was frightened, and promised. } Acting on the advice of her mother, she wrote breaking off the engagement. He then wrote the following letter to her:- "As you didn't meet me on Sunday evening, I take it for granted that you intend to defy me. You are playing a dangerous game, and a.re greatly mistaken in me if you think you can turn me from my purpose so easily. I would have done a great deal to please you when I believed that you were in love with me. but, now you have admitted with your own lipa that you never had any intention to marry me. I will stop at nothing to hae my revenge on you. You will have to chocso between a wedding-ring on your finger and a bullet through your head. He was arrested. A revolver, loaded in seven chambers, and 43 cartridges were found at his house. Prisoner had been seven weeks in prison, and the chairman, on his promise not to molest the girl and to join his brother in Buckinghamshire, allowed him out on bail, to come up for judgment if called upon.

SERIOUS FIRE AT LANDORE. TIN-STAMPING WORKS BURNT DOWN. ALARMING ACCIDENT TO THE FIRE BRIGADE. A serious fire broke out on Wednesday morning at the tin-stamping works at -Lan- dore belonging to Messrs. Hart and Son, and speedily attained considerable proportions. The fire brigade was immediately notified at Swansea, and started for the scene, a number of the men riding upon the manual engine, which was driven rapidly to the fire. On passing Burlais-crescent, down the Nant, towards Hafod, the hind part of the engine swerved as it was bowling along, and one of the back wheels collapsed, precipitating the whole of the fire brigade into the street. Three of the men received slight injuries, which necessitated their being taken to their homes, instead of to the fire. The deputy- chief-constable and Police-constables Bowen (38) and Howard (44) were medically treated. The fire became a serions one, and before it was finally extinguished the works were prac- tically gutted. The final extinction did not take place until eight o'clock, when the fire brigade returned to Swansea. Messrs. Hart and Co. are a Birmingham firm, who took the premises on lease from the Mannesman Company about six years ago. and have been carrying on a tin-stamping works, manufacturing dishes, tin pans, Ac. The manager'states that there was nothing inflam- mable on the premises, and the premises were left safe on the previous night. It is expected that the damage will run up to nearly £ 5,000.

AN ABSCONDING SOLICITOR- CHARGED WITH MISAPPROPRIAT- ING J6700. At Birmingham on Wednesday John William Phillips, solicitor, was remanded for a week charged with misappropriating £ "00 trust money. Accused, who disappeared from the city about eighteen moutho ago, was arrested in London on Tuesday. It was stated that there were other charges to be preferred, and the Official Receiver applied for access to the prieoner, against whom, he said, there were zzveral charges under the Bankruptcy Act.

TRADE AND SHIPPING Local Charterings. CARDIFF. EXCHANGE, Wednesday. The position of the steam coal market to- day was practically unchanged. The large quantity of tonnage taken up since Monday has given a fillip to the demand for prompt and early shipment, but prices have not improved. and although stems for January are now filling up satisfactorily, there is still a limited inquiry for future shipment. There was an increased demand for Monmouthshire semi-bituminous large. For shipment at Cardiff best Western Valleys ranged from 14s 6d to 14s 9d, and Eastern Valleys 14s per ton. House coals were in good request, and there was an active demand for No. 2 Rhondda. principally for bunkering purposes. Patent fuel, coke, and pitwood quotations were unchanged. The following were the closing prices:—Best steam coal 15s 6d to 15s 9d. seconds 14s 6d to 15s, drys 15s 6d to 16s; best steam small 9s to 9s 3d, seconds 8s 6d to 08, and inferior sorts from 8s; best Monmouthshire large 14s 6d to 14s 9d, seconds 14s to Ms 3d; best house coal 16s 6d to 17s 6d: No. 3 Rhondda large 15s 9d^to 16s. brush 13s to 13s 3d, small 10^ to 10s 6d; No. 2 Rhondda large 13s 6d to 13s 9d. through and through 11s to Us 3d, and small 8s 5d; patent fuel 14s 6d to 15s; special foundry coke 25s. good foundry 22s to 23s. and furnace lSs to 19s 6d per ton; pitwood 15s 9d per ton, ex ship; iron ore-best Rubio 14s 3d, Tafna 15s to 15s 6d. and Almeria 14s 6d per ton, Cardiff or Newport. Outward chartering was again active, and a considerable business was transacted. Rates for Italy and Egypt were maintained. Islands, Plate, and South American quotations con- tinued steady, while Baltic, Bay, and coasting rates underwent no quotable alteration. The I following comprise the day's operations:- OUTW ARD-STEAMERS. Cardiff to Port Said, 5s (Duart). Trieste, 5s, 4.703 tons (Zova). Messina, 5s 9d (Buesorah1. n Torre Annunziata, CiviJa Veochia, or Leghorn, 5s 6d, 500 delivery (Eugenie!. Lisbon, 4s 9d (Rapid). „ Palermo, 58 6d (Wileyaike). Marseilles, 6f 75c (Charles T. Jones). „ Marseilles. 61 75c, 3,900 tons. „ Monte Video, option Buenos Ayres or La Plata, 9s 9d (Cycle or sub- stitute). », Genoa, option Savona, 58 41d (Rowena*. m Genoa, Savona. Naples, Torre Annunziata, or Leghorn, 58 6d (LekeitiO). m Genoa, option Savona, Naples, or Leghorn, 5A 6d (Suez). „ Genoa, option Savona, 58 6d (Erika). Dieppe, 4s 3d (Emilie), Brindisi, 58 4Jd. 3,000 tons. „ Syra, option Pirasus, 4s 9d, 4,000 tons. Las Palmas, option Teneriffe, 6s (Italia). „ Algiers, 6f 50c coal, 7f 50c fuel (Barry). „ Holyhead, 3s lOid, free discharge (Ouse). „ Caen, 4s 6d (Clonlee). Pantry. 4s 9d (Race Fisher). Swansea to Guernsey, 5s (Augusta). „ Barcelona, 7s (Alf). Foreign Fixtures LONDON, Wednesday. Danube and Black Sea were steady; River Plate and India quiet Ore steady, but in- active. Fixtures: — Kurrachee (s), 5.200 tons. January, Novoros- sisk and Odessa, 9s 6d, Weser. Mercliiston (e), 3,100 tons. March-April, Danube basis. 12 4Jd, new charter or any. Trevethoe (s). 2,700 ton3, prompt, Bulgaria, 10s 6d, new charter. Nellie (s). 14.000 quarters. 10 per cent, prompt, Novorossisk, 106, new charter, barley cargo. J. M. Smith (8). January, Huelva to Dunkirk, 7s 3d. Sverre (s*. January, Garrucha to Rotterdam, 8s M. Dargai (s), 5,200 ions, Hamburg to London, 4s 6d. sugar- Celtic Princess (s), January, New York to South Africa, 16s.' Movements of Local Steamers Sindbad left Portsmouth for Barry 7th. Dunmail left Rouen for Port Talbot 6th. Bernard left Savona for Alexandria 7th. Cyril left Gibraltar for London 7tb. Red Jacket passed Gibraltar for Plvmouth 3th. White Jacket passed Gibraltar for Hamburg 7th. Pomaron left Aarhuus for Cardiff 7th. Tredegar arrived Swansea 7tli. Gwentland arrived Newport 7th. Clonlee left Havre for Barry Roads 7th. Rochefort arrived Rouen 7th. Hurworth arrived Kustendje 6th. a Jeannie left Bona for Sfax 7th. Silurian left Madeira for Caeablance 7th. South Wales Tide Table. !n 2 +* S £ 5 £ £ I £ £ o E I H 0. 5 £ « k _• £ £ ( 'lhurs-. Morni'g 5 57 5 49 5 51 6 56 6 56 a*y. > veiling 6 17 6 9 6 11 7 11 7 15 Jan. 9 Height 31 10 28 11 31 10 31 9 31 6 Fri- t Marni'j 6 36 6 29 I 6 31 7 35 7 33 d*.v, 4 Evening 6 54 6 47 6 50 7 47 7 51 Jan. 10 ( Height 32 6 29 10 l 32 4 33 1 32 8 Satur- i j oml C 7 11 7 5 7 8 8 10T 8~8 day, J KreViis 7 38 1 22 7 25 8 21 8 25 Jan. 11 f eight 33 0 30 7 33 1 34 2 j 33 6 Jan. 11 f eight 33 0 30 7 33 1 34 2 33 6 Sun- i Morn'ig 7 46 7 40 7 42 8 44 8 42 day. ICreaiag 8 4 7 68 8 0 8 53 9 0 Jau.I2 ( Kciyht I 33 3 oO 11 133 5 31 9 34 3 *M. Dock Sill. Mtasasdia Dock. tBoatfa Basin. Shipping Casualities. [Lloyd's Telegrams.] ) Wednesday. Willow Branch, British steamer, put into Rio de Janeiro 7th inst.. furnace seams and starboard boiler given out. Wilcannia.—Melbourne telegraphs Steamer Wilcannia, previously reported with fire in bunkers, has discharged coal in fired bunker, and steamer sails on Monday. Thyra.-Singapore telegraphs: The steamer Thyra is ashore on Pulo Sarnbu. Torbay, British steamer. Helsingfors for Sun- derland. has put into Fredikshavn with damage to tanks. Glerarm. Berwick telegraphs: Steamer Glenarm. previously reported ashore, is holed and full of water. Norma. Danish schooner. Hamburg for Para, put back to Cuxhaven leaky. Cliftcn.—C.-ew of British schooner Clifton, pre- viously reported abandoned on fire, were saved bv the steamer Exeter City, bonnd to New YOTk. Triumph.-The following vessel, previously re- ported overdue, was to-day posted at Llcyd's as missing:—Triumph, of Goole (Pearson master), which left London for Leith, with a cargo of hearthstones and fuller's earih, on the 10th of November, and has not since been heard of.

TAFF VALE LITIGATION. MR. JAMES HOLMES SEPARATES HIS DEFENCE. We understand from Mr. James Holmes, local secretary to the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, that he considers it advisable, in his own interests, to separate his defence from that of the society he represents in the action pending between the Taff Vale Railway Company and the society. He has, therefore, instructed Mr. Harley Downs, solicitor, Cardiff, to take r.ll the necessary steps with this object in view.

COLONIAL LOYALTY. WELLINGTON (New Zealand), Wednesday. About 5,000 applications have been received for enrolment in the New Zealand contingent of a thousand men,-Reuter, MONTREAL, Wednesday. The selection of a. small body of men required as bearers and drivers for the field hospital corps which is to proceed to South Africa with the Canadian Mounted Rifles again attests to the abundance of material ready at hand which can be drawn upon in Canada. The number of applicants for enrol- ment is ten times in excess of the require- ment.-Reuter.

MR. RUDYARD KIPLING AT CAPE TOWN. CAPE TOWN, Wednesday. Mr. Kipling has arrived here on board the Kinfauns Caslle.-R.enu-r.

LOCAL WILL. MR. JOSEPH OWEN. TROEDYRHIW. The estate has been valued at £ 2,233 14s. 7d.. of which £ 1,458 3s. 9d. is net personalty, of Mr. Joseph Owen, of Plasycoed, Troedyrhiw, oil merchant, chairman of the urban district council in 1819-90. and during that year high- constable, who died on November 12, aged 70. The executors are his so'i, Mr. Robert Henry Owen, of the York Hotel, Bridgend, and Mr. Vincent Ardover Wills, of 2, Nautygwenith- g etreet, Merthyr, cheraist,

STOCK EXCHANGE. 1 Local Finance. CARDIFF, Wednesday (4.30 p.m.). The disposition of the local Stock Market has been very strong again to-day, and quo- tations in all departments are firm. South Wales Railway Stocks have received a con- siderable amount of attention, and Colliery Shares have been well supported. In the Mining section business has been centred in Chartereds, which have been dealt in a.. high as 83s. 9d. All mining quotations are very k firm. I BU^NESS DONE—OFFICIAL MARKINGS:; GOVERNMENT STOCKS. Local Loans Stock, 100 11-16. I I RAILWAYS. Barry Deferred, 100, 99J. Taff Vale Ordinary, 74J, 74J, 75. Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul, lWi. COAL AND IRON. Guest-Keen Debentures, 1034. Locketts Ordinary, 14. Bhymney Iron New, 34s. MISCELLANEOUS. Ben Evans Ordinary, 20s. 6d. MINES. Ac. Chartereds. 4 (four times'. 4 1-32 (twice), lis., 81s. 6d.. 82s. 6d., 83s. (three times). 82s. M.. 83s.. 82s. 6d., 838. lid., 82s. 6d., 831, 3d.. 831. «L, 83s. 9d. Gedulds, 6 7-32. Hendersons, 29s. 3d.. 28s. 6d., 28s. 6d., 28.. We Mozambiques, 33s. 6d. (twice). Oceano Consolidated, 468.. Tati Concessions, 25s. lOJd. (three times). FLUCTUATIONS OF QUOTATIONS—ACTUAL: RISE. Barry Undivided, 200—5 to 202—7. Barry Preferred, 104-6 to 107-1. Barry Deferred, 97-9 to 99-101. Midland Preferred, 74J—5i to 75-6. Midland Deferred. 66J—7J to 67—8. Albion Colliery Ordinary, 9i4 to 91-1. Guest-Keen Debentures, 103-4 to 103$—4{ xd. Sharpnees Docks Debentures, 8&-8 to 86—9. Cardiff Ice, 12i-13i to 134—3- Spillers and Bakers Ordinary, 12-1 to 12j—i. FALL. London and North-Western. 168i—9J to 18-9. Taff Vale Ordinary, 74?—5 to 74J—i. LONDON FINANCE. LONDON. Wedneeday (1.30 p.m.). Money has been wanted in places, and the rate for can loans and fixtures is 2j; discount rales are firmer at 3 1-16. Bombay and Cal- cutta transfers, 16 1.32d., Valparaiso 14 3-16d. Gold premium. 136.90. On the Stock Exchange the tendency is less firm, and prices show a duiler tendency. CcesoIs arc 5-16 down for Money and the Account. In Home Rails there is not much doing, but the Metropolitan Stock, Great Eastern. North Eastern. Grext Northern issues, and Cale- donian Deferred are 4 to i down. Americans are distinctly weak on realisa- tions, and prices are below New York parities. Milwaukees and Steel Common are 21 down. New York Central 2; other sorts i to 1i. Trunks, 1-16 to i easier. Iu Foreigners, Argeiiijuc-A, Chilian, and Por- tuguese better. Spanish dull. Mines irregular. Chartered touched 4i. 2.30 p.m. Mocey and Account 7-16. Rupee Paper un- charged Consols weak. Heme Rails dull. Fall: Lancashire and Yorkshire 1. Great Northern "A." Metropoli- tan, Great Western, and Midland Deferred 1. Great Eastern. District, North Eastern, and Brighton "A" i. Chatham À. Americans fiat. Fall: Milwaukee 21, Steels 2i, Pref, Louisville, and Baltimore H. Union Paciflo 1i, New York Central Is. Erie Pref. Ontario, Norfolk Common, and Southern Pacific 11. Denver, Wabash Prefe. Canadian Pacific, Erie, and Union Pacific Pref 1, Den- ver and Southern & Pref, Atchison Pref. Illinois, and Kansas and Texas J, Reading 11, Pennsylvania J. Trunks dull. Fall: Ordinary 1-16, Seconds 3, Thirds J. Mexican Rails firm. Rise: Ordinary j. Firsts 3, and Seconds 1. Foreigners steady. Rise: Chilian 1892 1. Chinese Silver, Ceduias "A," "B," "E," "F," Argentine 1896, and Water J. 1889, 1897, 1899, and Rescission à. Portuguese a. Chinese, aChr- tered, Spanish J, Peru Debenture i. Mines irregular. Rise: Chartereds 3-116. Jagers, Robinson, East Rand, Horse Shoe, and Tharsis J. Modder, Nigel. Van Ryn. Wolhuter. Ra-ndfontein, and Wassau 1-16. Fall: Fingall J, Ivanhoe 5-16. Tinto i. Apex, Geduld, Jubilee. and Knights A. City, Ginsberg, Perseverance. Brownhill, Kalgurli, Lake View, and Anaconda. 1-16. Welsbach and ditto Pref have risen 1. Allsopps J, Lyons J. Silver. 253. AUSTRALIAN. INBUN, A*. „ Op. Cl Op. ct As&e. G«ld W.A. 2% Nundydreeg 1 £ Broken Hill Pro. 1% Oereruat Ord. 2,i Brilliant St. Gee. 1& Do, Pref 2g Chaapjon Beef 5$. ParingsCoaseis 2/t Slden Hors Shoe 11 llPeakbill Goldfls 2i l)o Links S Sons of Gwalia Great Finjral 1s:tí W.Aua.&MMa.. 1. Sreat Boulder 20 9 Rio Tiato 39jfe Do. P's've'nee. 10,' Rossis** Gt. W. 1% Do Maiareef ..Amxcotdt. iir Hannam's B, Hill 3t. Mouat I/yell Itlt, Raumm's Orkva. 2% Do. North lft [viahoe 7% Itostoa Copper. 4 Kalgurli 4 Copper King Do South 2-S Utah 4^ lrooteDIIY LfI Boi. Lake View Con. 6& Do_Ho. 2 2ft Lon.k Globe Fin. — TharsW Mtr Mason»ni Barry 3% Strattens ,• Mysore Sir WeihiGoM. 5A • ix. SOTJTH AND WMT AFRICAN. a- O*. CI. Aagele 7% .Jumpers Apex .Knight. S& >shanti 18 'Laaglaagte 4-jfc Barnato Consols 2% .1 Do Block B I L, Bibiani 2% jMashonoland Ag 2% Bonanza May 4ft British S. Africa Mat'1>el»Geld K. > (Chartered 4 £ JMejer A Charlt'n 6 Britisk GoM C't. 2-% Mo iderfontein 13,V City A Suburban 1'48 .Mozambique lrk Claudes Ashanti 1 ,V New Primrose. Cons'tl G'ldfi'ds Nigel 3*- CofS. AfricaDef 85V Do Deep ]% k Crown Keef 16% .Ocean Conseli'd. ?.^ De Beers 42% Kandfentein 3& Dunraron .Run* Mines 11% Durban Eosd'p't 6% Rhodesia Ltd 14k East Rand IRobinson 10-&, Fanti Consols 1 £ jRese Deep 9% Ferreira J2% .Salisbury j Geelong .„ .jSelukwe 2% Geldenhuis 7^- .Sinamer t Jack.. 7% Do Deep. 11 .IS. Afri. Gold Tr. 7% Globe k fhtenix. 5* Transvaal GoM.. 2% Gold Coa^t Amal 9 Do. Derelepat 1% Heriot V .jUnited Rhodesia Jagersfontein .24% Maisreof 9% Johannesburg In 2^ Wassau 5% Jubiles 6& .WilloughbyCo.. 1 £

T raffics. Ehymney Railway.— £ 399 131. Sd. decrease. Cambrian.— £ 25 decrease. Caledonian.— £ 6,951 increase. North British.— £ 5,518 increase. HTUDOm TIOJtNLIY • ITOCK AND snit. BROKBK. 29, WEST BUTE-STITEET. CARDIFF. Telegraphis Address: Centaago," Cardiff. Telephones: Natl., 1,294; P.O.. 117. Special Business ia Mining and Miscellanea** Shares and in Unquoted Securities. Quotations and Reliable Iaferaiatiea en application. c94M

TO-DAY'S MARKETS. FISH. Cardiff. Tnureday.—The fish offered for sale this morning consisted of about half a ton of headless whitings and small plaice. A fair number of buyers were present, and price* realised were —Whiting Is 2d to Is 6d. and plaice 3s 4d per stone. About 300 Welsh rabbits were offered, and fetched 9s 6d per dosen.

TOO LATE TO CLASSIFY. TWO Unfurnished Ronms to I,ot, 33, Oranbrook- stre^t, Cathay*, f'at.liff rear town. *143il5 Q3 Weekly!—Genuine Evening Employment every- ze where ullered anybody able to write. For proof iend addressed euelbpe Manager (Dept. 84 B), Kim J.cp, Souiha)!, near London. HAKTZ Mountain Holler Canaries; *iDgin £ day and s:asliEht; every iiinl *Brraut?d rook; 6s. 6d. and 7s. 6d. eaoh. I{nsMRii Cock (ioldlinibey 4.. 6d. px<b — J'rampton, 92, Alfred-Mreet, Hoath. Cardiff. 149111 ITTOOTD. Collie Doc, browih head, white feet, whit* JC round neck; if not claimed in three days will !'<" sold —Stitionnwtor, ltadyr. l^ill rrUYO Comfortably Fnrnkhed Rooms! bath; milt J. lady or gentleman; convenient to trams.—76, Rii'hardMerrac*. Roath, Cardiff. 146ill MILITARY Clothinp.—Good, larfre, dsrk crey or bluo Waterproof Cloth Overcoats for Sale; put out of service for other patterns; either, carriage paid, for 7". 6< name sn? required; large Capes, 6aam material, 2" 6d. each.—H. J. Gaseon, Government Con- tractor. Rye. 144> 18 ARMY Bluchers! Army Bluchers!!—4X100 Pain of new sewu Bluchers; rery best leather aoles; will fend or)? pair, any aize, post free for 5s. 6d cask returned if uot aporoved of.—H. J. Gassou, Govern- ment Contractor, Rve. el"5i2 £ < MART Lad Wanted; good wages.—sSTHRny-roa* Curdifi.