The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. la the House of Commons, on Wednesday, on going into committee on the Tests Abolition (Oxford) Bill, Mr. Neate moved that the terms of the royal commission oa oaths, declarations, or subscriptions now required to be ta&en may be extended, so that it may include an inquiry into those taken in the universities either of Oxford or Cambridge, as a condition for admission to the governing bodies of either of such universities, or to the headships or fellowships of any of the colleges thereof, or that another commission msy be appointed to make such inquiry. 1' Sir a. Grey said that it waa not within the scope and in- tention of those who appointed the commission on oaths tion of those who appointed the commission on oaths ai'l declarations to include precisely the_ tests now under 'discussion: but it was, nevertheless, quite competent to inquire into the declarations taken in the universities, but lot with a view to their abolition, for that would be too Jarge a power in regard to a subject which ought to be dealt *ith by legislation. But on the whole he thought it unde- to assent to the amendment. lis was withdrawn. lylr. P. Wyndham, believing that the religious reaching (lIf the university would not be interfered with by the opera- tion (if this bill, should support it. The House then went into committee. Sir W. Heathcote moved an amendment m the hrst clause, the object of which was to assimilate the practice in Oxford to that which exists in Cambridge, namely, that the degree Of master of arts should not necessarily, and without the I'A,oseription of the usual declarations, create eligibility for Membership of the convocation; bat enabling such masters arts to preside over private halls. Sir. Coleridge opposed the amendment. After observations from Mr. B. Hope, The Chancellor of the Exchequer said that the amend- ment which proposed to assimilate the state of things in Oxford to that which existed now in Cambridge, could not be treated as an inconsiderable advance. In regard to inter- venes oil behalf of the proposal by the Government, he was uaabie to speak for the Government; but he would say that h settlement of the question involved was one worthy of elng undertaken by a Government. It was desirable to do this by a comprehensive measure, which should extend to colleges as well as universities, for it was impossible to draw a ^tinction between the religious teaching of colleges and uni- versities. Apart from the desire, in which he participated to ^stendthe benefits ofuui versityeduation as widelyas possible wag indispensable to consider the ° parents o £ England—of that class which send their sons to universi- ties, and which is uniform in its religiousi feeling; and he deprecated the nibbling by Parliament at the principles on ^hich university education is founded. All legislative change regard to universities should be decided,^but also as rare possible. It was said that after giving tne dissenter his gegree, it was invidious to exclude him i-rota convocation; W was it not more invidious, especially looking to the nature of the reward and its emoluments, to exclude km from a fellowship? and this distinc- tion was not touched by the bill. He was of opinion that everything in the way of honour, emolument, and go- vernment should be given to the dissenter, so far as was consistent with the maintenance of the religious teaching Of the university. 0 Mr. G. Duff should have wished to have heard the speech just delivered from the lips of any other person than the leader of the Liberal party. He stated that for some time J>ast a feeling had sprung up in Oxford that it was desirable to remove some of the disabilities which narrowed the Sphere of education in the university, and the present and similar bills had been the result, Sir S. Northcote supported the amendment. Sir S. Northcote supported the amendment. Mr. Evans expressed his disappointment at finding Mr Gladstone opposing this very moderate measure ofuiiiversit7 J3form, though he was not altogether surprised at it. After further debate, Lord J Manners made some vehemenu remarks on the course taken by Mr. Gladstone in temporarily taking the Wednesday leadership from the Home Secretary, in order to make a powertul speech against this bill, and then taking his departure with an intention not to vote at all. Sir G. Grey said that the Home Secretary had no special commission to lead the House on Wednesdays; and, as r-garded the subjects discussed on those days, they were of Jttch a character that members of all political opinions dif- «fed upon th°m. and that difference extended to members °? Government of both parties. He supported the bill. 0 After observations in rsply to the speeches delivered from air W. Heathcote and Mr. Coleridge, On a division the amendment was nega,tived-2.1,5 to 172. i'ae clause was agreed to, as were the others, and the Souse resumed.. Mr. C. Barry moved the second reaamg of the Poor-law Belief (Ireland) Bill, the object of which is to alter the System of rating for the relief of the poor, by substituting Assessment by unions for that by electoral districts. Mr. Gregory moved the rejection of the bill, contending1 that the circumstances of the two countries were 030 alfferet, '"hat it was not politic or expe^ent to apply the s une pan Ciple of rating to Ireland as that which prevailed in Jimg ianLord C. Hamilton was speaking at a quarter to six, "when the debate was perforce adjourned. The other business was disposed of, ana the House ad- journed shortly before six o'clock.

In the House of Lords, on Thursday, the second rea.di.ng'of the Eight of Dramatising Works of Fiction Bill was nega- tived by 89 to 11. The Ecclesiastical Commission Bill was- taken in com- 1:JÜttee. The Labouring Classes Dwellings (Ireland) Bill and the Piers and Harbours (Ireltmd) Bill passed through committee. „ The Drainage Maintenance (Ireland) Bill was read a thud v>aie and passed. 'She Grand Juries Presentment (Ireland) Bill was read a second time. The House adjourned at five minutes past eight o eioek. In the House of Commons, Lord Proby, Treasurer of the Household, brought up the answer of her Majesty to the voint addresses of bothffouses, praying for commissions to inquire into corrupt practices at elections in certain boroughs—Lancaster, Beigate, Totnes, and Yarmouth— Signifying ber Majesty's assent thereto. In committee on the Reform Bill, the discussion on Mr. Kent's amendment on clause 4, to make the Ell county franchise a rating instead of a rental franchise, was resumed ^Colonel L Lindsay, who argued in favour of the justice ami convenience of a rating franchise, especially ia regard to registration, tha rate-book practically forming the re- UlMry"Qu Cane argued that a rating franchise was a more constitutional suffrage than a rental one wmle <e pay- ment of rates was a guarantee of the respectaeihty of the Mr"Avtnr taunted the Opposition with not confining the propositions before them in.comaattee, but endeavouring to talk out Reform altoget A. tested against the amendment, as an attempt to reve.s the decision to which the House had come adopting » Mr. Goschen said it had been alleged that the new electoral statistics showed that the number of occupiers between B50 and P,14 was much larger tha,n was supposed. Bat the calculation on which the amendment was based was erroneous by 70,000 voters; the occupiers who were also Owners not having been deducted. He also argued that too great a distinction had been taken between what was called the urban county voters living in small towns and the county voters proper, for the feelings and interests of the so-called urban voters were more l-ural than really urban. After some observations from Mr. Henley, the Solicitor- General, and Sir P. Burr ell, On a. division, the amendment was negatived by 280 to -Ii )i, Mr. B. Stanhope moved to omit section 3 of clause 4, which makes the qualifying' premises a house or other build- ing which, either alone or with laud held by the occupier, is of "the value of £ 14, pr ovioea, when the premises consist partly of a house or other building, and partly of land, it must either be the dwelling-house of the occupier, or must itself be of the clear yearly value oi £ 6. He contended that this was an alteration of the cou^y ^^chise s» as to make it] consist in the main of a house, instead ot laud alone being tha qualification. The Chancellor of the Exchequer said the object which was had in view in proposing this portion of the clause was to prevent as in the case of boroughs, notations votes, by ■"asistinsr that any building upon any land which contributed to Sv^f vote sh ould be of an actual annual value Th ough he Jf o Jn^on that there was value i n this part of the clause it aitton which had been ceded. -whipv, Some discussion ensued, m th, c a division Mr. White signified his against the amendment, and he hoped taac me wrewmw would be put into a minority. .,ro4.0ketg by Mr. Osborne counselled the giving up o:t oroi;cnets Dy those who desired to carry the bill, and uiBed division should be taken on the amendment. would Mr. Disraeli said as to preventing fictitious votes ne w f 'illy co-operate with the Governmeht. ,r embers An animated discussion followed, a number speaking very briefly, but with some heat, Mr. Bright ana Mr. Bouverie in particular protesting against the wlth- drawal of the paragraph in dispute. On a division the amendment was carried by 361 to 74. Mr Hunt moved the omission of paragraph 4 of the clause which provides that where the occupier is tenant of the Quaiifyiiig premises, the whole must be held under the sa.me landlord. After discussion the amendment was negatived. Sir S. Northcote moved to add that in any case in which the oCCllpier of any premises has sublet any portion thereof, he shall not be entitled to vote in respect of such premises, unless the portion of them remaining in his own occupation be of the clear yearly value of £ 14. Sir. <t. Grey said that the effect of the proposal woula be to alter the legal deiiuition of. occupation, and disfranchise a large number of voters. The amendment was-not pressed. Clause 4 was then agreed to, and the House resumed. The other business wa gone through, and the House ad- rued at twenty-five minutes to one o'clock.

la the House of Lords, on Friday, the Capital Punishmen Bill was taken in couimibtee. Lord St. Leonards moved the omission of the clause caus- iti executions to be conducted within the walls of prisons. amendment was opposed by thaDuke of Sichtnond, tti'3 Lord Chancellor, and tIle Bighelp, of Oxford. Eventually the clause was retained by 75 to 25. The bill passed through committee. The House adjourned at half-past seven o'clock. In the House of Commons, Mr. Grant asked whether, if the Bank of England were to reduce their rate of discount below 10 per cent. per annum, the power granted to them by the Government letter of issuing a larger amount of notes than fixed by law would cease. j The Chancellor of the Exchequer said that no power, j strictly so called, was conveyed by the letter; it was only I an engagement to make a certain application to Parliament j in certain circumstances. It was plain' that the letter I applied only to operations which were carried on when the J rate of interest was not below 10 per cent.; and if the Bank I reduced their rate before thiti the engagement in the letter I would determine. J Sir G. Bowyer asked whether her Majesty's Government j were prepared to cause an inquiry to be made, with a view J to affording adequate accommodation to members ip the j House, and prevent thereby the serious inconvenience which j members have suffered, especially during: this session, for | want of a sufficient number of seats, there being only ac- I commodation for 400 out of 658 members. In fact, it was a I misnomer to say that a member had a seat ia the House of 1 Commons. I | After some discussion, The Chancellor of the Exchequer said the subject was dis- I cussed on a former evening, and there was no objection to have it discussed, so that it was brought on formally, and I without all irregular interference with other business. The 1 right hon. gentleman then stated that mornrng sittmgs | would begin on Tuesday next. | On going into committee of supply, Mr. Barclay called attention to the effect of the differen- i tial duties on sugar; contending that the classification now in existence had prevented the free importation of first quality sugarsprom the colonies, and tended to keep that quality from general use amongst the less wealthy in this country. The Chancellor of the Exchequer said the difficulties of a uniform duty on sugar were such that it was not easy to deal with them. There being so great a variety of qualities of sugar, it had been thought best by the legislature to classify the duties, with a view to adjust them to those different qualities; nor was fehis to be taken as inconsistent with free trade. The right hon. gentleman then entered at length into the whole history of the sugar duties, bringing it up to its present position, and stating that a series of ex- periments were being made internationally by repre- sentatives of sugar-producing countries, with a view here- after to adjust the duties internationally; and when the result was obtained it would be the duty of the Government to come to a decision, and to ask the opinion of the House upon it. Mr. Bright thought the best solution of the difficulty of the sugar duty would be to took forward at no distant day —by increase of revenue from other sources, reduction of expenditure, and letting the national debt aloue-to the abolition of the impost, and this might be done by a reduc- tion of a million a year until it was extinguished. Mr. Ewart moved an address to her Majesty, praying that she will be pleased to cause to be placed within the precincts of the house a bust, offered by his widow, of the late Joseph Hume, who for nearly forty years ably, laboriously, and disinterestedly served his country in the House of Commons. f j Colonel Sykes, Mr. M'Laren, and Mr, Kinnaird having eulogised the late Mr. Hu: le, and Mr. D. Griffith having suggested that it was desirable not to create a precedent for j accepting memorials to members of the House from their own families, The Chancellor of the Exchequer said that the acceptance of a memorial of this kind ought not to pass as a matter of course; but this was perhaps an exceptional case, and he, on the part of the Government, gave a cheerful assent to the proposition. The right hon. gentleman passed a high eulogium on the character and public conduct of Mr. Hume. The motion was a,greed to. Mr. Bynan called attention to the treatment of prisoners in the gaol of Limerick under the Habeas Corpus Suspension (Ireland) Act, and moved that that treatment has been un- necessarily severe, and that it is the duty of the Government to prevent the continuance of the same. Mr. Blake seconded the motion. I Mr. C. Fortescue stated that the Irish Government were not responsible for any acts done by any superintending authorities of particular gaols; but inquiry had been made into the case now in question by the executive in Ireland, and the facts as stated by Mr. Synan being found to be sub- stantially correct, directions were given to modify the treatment of the prisoners. Mr. Maguire urged that a similar treatment was adopted towards prisoners in other gaols in Ireland, in Belfast especially, and demanded the interference of the Govern- ment. The Attorney-General said that intimation Iiad been given to the authorities of every gaol in Ireland for the mitigation of the treatment of the prisoners; and that not one of those prisoners would be detained a moment longer than was necessary for the public safety. The House was counted out at ten minutes to eight o'clock.

In the House of Lords, on Monday, the Bishop of London j presented a petition from Miss Burdett Coutts in reference to the foundation of certain bishoprics in the colonies, which stated that she had contributed £ 17,500 towards a bishopric at Cape Town, P,17,500 for one at Adelaide, Aus- tralia, and L15,000 towards one in British Columbia, for which letters patent were granted, and a kind of guarantee given by the State that these bishoprics should be main- tained in connection with the Church of England; but the funds contributed had been diverted from the object to which they were devoted. The right rev. prelate pointed out that the case of Dr. Colenso had caused so much con- fusion in the status of colonial bishops, that legislation was required. After a discussion, The Archbishop of York gave notice that on Thursday he should move for a select committee to inquire into the con-' nection between the colonial church and the church at home. Several bills were advanced a stage, and the House ad- journed. In the House of Commons, on going into committee on ■the Reform Bill, on clause 5, which proposes a >£7 rental franchise in boroughs, Lord Dunkellin moved as an amendment, to substitute a "rating for a "rental" franchise in boroughs. He advo- cated a rating franchise as an easy and convenient one, the ratebook being the registry; nor did he propose to inter- fere with the figure at which the franchise should be fixed, though his own opinion was, that if the rating test was adopted-which had worked so well in Irelaud-a lower figure than £7 might be fixed. One of the greatest merits of this plan was, that it opposed an insurmountable barrier to universal suffrage. Mr. S. Cave seconded the amendment. The Chancellor of the Exchequer stated that the propo- sition of the clause was a £7 rental franchise, which would enfranchise 214-1,000 persons, while £ 60,000 more would be enfranchised by the combined operation of the abolition of the rate-paying clauses and the arrangements as to com- pound householders, and to that the Government was resolved to adhere without reservation, to stand or fall by it. The amendment would operate not only to make votes depend on rateable value only, but would oust the juris- diction of the revising barrister altogether. He argued elaborately against transferring registration from the re- vising barrister to local rating authorities. The discussion was continued by Mr. Henley, Sir. P. Goldsmid, Mr. Goldney, Sir W. Jolliffe, Mr. Greene, Mr. Hibbert and Mr. P. Scrope. Mr. M. Torrens having- at length stated his ideas on the extension of the franchise, which were based on household suffrage, and denying that he was a party to a compact that this measure wa.s a compromise in the sature of a final settlement of the question, objected and argued against a rating' and in favour of a rental franchise. Mr. Powell having spoken, The Solicitor-General pointed out the very serious nature of the alteration in the law which was proposed by the amendment, by which, for the first time ia the history of the country, the right of a man was to be determined by the fact of his being placed on the rate-book by the local autho- rities. Lord E. Montagu followed, for the amendment. Mr. W. E. Forster said that what was being aimed at was to get the best possibly defined occupation franchise; and he contended that all argument was on the side of the rental suffrage; for it was on the gross estimated, value that the rateable value was based.. After some observations from Sir R. Peel, Mr. Bright said the real object of the amendment was, that it met the proposition of the Government to give the suffrage to all householders in boroughs of £7 occupation by a proposition to increase that franchise to 49. He argued that if rateable value was applied to any figure fixed for the franchise the effect would be to limit the suffrage, and that the arguments which had been put forward in favour of a rental franchise were irrefragable. If Lord Dunkellin was in ravour of the extension of the franchise he should have in- tunated that if his amendment were carried he should move I that £5 should be inserted in the clause instead of R7, and defeat ^5^ were done the main object of the bill would be Sir Ii, C-iras having spoken, .l. O"borne said before such a franchise could be adopted ™ ont« h.?f be an entire change made in the arrange- tiWp nf rating must be established in the diverse system. He denounced the r^Tv's, ^fd^support the amendment, if its pro- poae.s PP ters would make It a condition that a uni- form valuation should be made. Mr. VmLers contended that the opposition to the mea- sure was .ouftded on objection to all Reform, and all that begn done li,,td but one purpose, that of defeating the bit! aI1f ,E a?lo:a of t]le suffrage. The Chancellor of the Exchequer explained that he had not, as stated by air H. Cairns, affirmed that the Govern- I" meat wobld not yieid one particle of their measure, but had only asserted that Lheymasi, stand by the principle of the extension or the iranctuse, Met this was threatened by the amendment. On a division the amendment was carried by 315 to 30 k I Progress was then lepor^et, a.nd the House resumed. J The other business was disposed of, and the House | adjourned at about two o'clock.

In the House of Lords, on Tuesday, a £ t@x some pro forma business had been gone through, Earl Bnssell intimated to their LoatdsMps that in, conse- quence of the decision arrived at in the House of Commons the previous night a Cabinet; Council had been!held, at which certain, asogosais had been made, chichi would be B'zbmvfted to the Queen, and he moved that the House stand adjourned until Monday, to allow time to receive her Majesty's reply. At the afternoon sitting in the House of Commons, a similar motion, was brought forward by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who stated that under existing circum- stances it would take three or four days to receive her Majesty's answer. He moved, therefore, that the House be adjourned, with the customary power being granted of private committees to be allowed to sit.

MANIFESTO OF THE EMPEROB OF AUSTRIA. The following ara the most important passages of an Imperial manifesto to the Austrian people, issued on Sunday last:— "On the northern and southern frontiers of the empire are arrayed the armies of two allied enemies of Austria, with the intention of shaking the foun- dation of her position as an European Power. To neither of them has Austria given any cause for war. The preservation of the blessings of peace to the people of Austria has always been regarded by me as one of the first and most sacred of my duties as Sovereign, and one I have always considered myself bound faithfully to fulfil. But one of the hostile Powers deems no pretext necessary to justify its lust for the plunder of a portion of the Austrian Monarchy. In the eyes of that Power a favourable opportunity is sufficient cause for war. Two years ago wo were allied with Prussia, and a. part of my beloved Austrian army was drawn to the coast of the North Sea, in company with the Prussian troops (against whom we are now arrayed as enemies) to preserve rights accorded by treaty, to protect a threatened German nationality, to confine the misery of an un- avoidable war to its narrowest limits, and to obtain a lasting guarantee of peace necessary for the welfare of Austria, Germany, and Earope. Austria sought no conquests and bears no part of the blame for the sad list of unhappy complications which, had Prussia's intentions been equally disinterested, weuld never have arisen, and which have been brought about for the accomplishment of selfish objects, and are there- fore not susceptible of a peaceful solution by my Government." The manifesto then mentions the course of the ne- gotiations for the preservation of peace, which were carried on first wit a Prussia and subsequently with the other great Powers, and then enumerates the acts of violence committed by Prussia-viz., the entry of her troops into Holstein, the dissolution of the Estates convoked by the Imperial Governor of the Duchy, and the movement by which the Prussian troops, ten times superior in numbers, forced the Austrians to retire. It further declares that Prussia tore asunder the band of German unity by declaring her secession from the Confederation, and by proceeding with military force against the Sovereigns who re- mained true to the Bund. The manifesto then proceeds:— Therefore, the most fatal of wars, a war of Ger- mans against Germans, has become unavoidable. For all the misery which it will entail upon families, dis- tricts, and countries I make those who have provoked it answerable before the tribunal of posterity and of the Almighty and Eternal God. I advance to the conflict with that confidence which is afforded by a just cause, with the consciousness of the power which exists in » great empire where prince and people are penetrated with but one and the same thought—namely, the rights of Austria—asd with fresh and uifailing cour- age at the sight of my armed and valiant soldiers, who form a against which the power of Austria's enemies will be shattered, as well as at tfca sight cf my faithful peoples, who look up;to we, united, self- saeriSeiBg, and resolved. The prints and peoples of Germany are award of the dagger which threatens their liberty and indspe^enee, and nøi¡ only ourselves bat also out-German^brethren of the Confederation are l ia arms, f the of those objeefea whiíih all. | nations are bound to defend. We have been absolutely forced to take up arms. Since, then, in the midst of the work of peace which I had undertaken, with the view to lay the basis of a Constitution which should consolidate the unity of the whole empire and its posi- tion as a great Power, my Sovereign duties have com- pelled me to place the entire army upon a war foot- ing, we have taken up arms, and now we must not and will not lay them down until we have secured Austria and our Confederate German States their free internal development and their rightful position ia Europe."

THE GREAT EASTERN AND THE ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH. As the time draws near for the departure of the Great Eastern the utmost activity is observable on board in order that the great ship may be ready to leave her moorings in the Medway, at the latest, on Saturday, the 30th. With this view relays of work- men are employed, almost without intermission, both by day and night. Up to Saturday evening at the hour for the hands discontinuing work there only remained a length of cable of a little over 400 miles to be received on board, and by extra exertions the re- maining length will be shipped by the end of the present week. The whole of the 1,660 knots of new cable has been completed, and in the course of the present week the two Government vessels the Ame- thyst and Iris, lent by the Admiralty, and employed from the commencement in transporting the cable from the works to the Great Eastern, will receive on board their last freights for conveyance round to the Medway. The weight of the new cable is about 38cwt. per mile, which is almost doable the weight of the original Atlantic cable. The total quantity of cable to be taken out will exceed 2,700 milss. The steamer Medway, 1,900 tons, belonging to the company, will aceompany the Great Eastern, and will convey about 400 mileEl of the cable on board. The tanks for the stowage of this quantity of cable have been fitted on board that vessel, and by the time the Great Eastern is ready to take her departure everything will be in readiness on board the Medway. The paddle-wheel steamer Terrible will again accompany the Great Eastern; but it would seem that the Admiralty have intimated that a second vessel of war cannot be spared this year. The screw steamer Albany, a vessel of 1,500 tons, will accompany the expedition to render assistance, and to carry stores and sup- plies, besides which the screw steamer William Corry is also being fitted to proceed to sea with the other vessels. After completing her coaling the great ship will proceed direct to Valeatia, and commence the work of laying the cable about the 7th or 8 th of July. No doubt whatever is entertained by Captain Anderson of his being able to place the Great Ea.stern as near as possible over the spot at which the lost end of the cable lies, notwithstanding that the buoys which were left to mark the locality are swept away. Sup- posing the exact spot to be reached, the work of grappling for and, when found, hauling in the lost cable will be commenced, to accomplish which new machinery of enormous strength has been constructed and fitted on board. Twenty miles' length of wire grappling ropes have been manufactured at the com- pany's works, and some idea of the enormous strength of this rope may be formed when it is stated that it is nearly eight inches in circumference, and is manu- factured of the toughest possible steel wire. Daring the brief interval which will elapse before the Great Eastern takes her departure from the Med- way there is still a considerable amount of work remaining to be completed on board. Chief among this is the fitting up the enormous crinoline" guard, weighing upwards of 17 tons, over the screw, the object of which is to prevent the cable while being paid out coming in contact with the propeller- Some improvements suggested by the experience of last year, have also been made in tne maohinery of the Great Eastern, among other things the padulewheels are being fitted with disconnecting gear. Everything is now completed aloft, new wire rigging replacing that which was found to be unsound, masts and rigging entirely painted down, and funnels repaired. The decks are still crowded with machinery, workshops, and gear for coiling the cable, but much of this will be cleared away durmg the present week. The three tanks in which the cable is deposited, have been repaired and painted, and are again water-tight, while extra precautions have been taken in the way of additional supports to resist the enormous pressure during the possible rolling of the great ship in a beam sea. The work of coaling will be carried on up to the moment of the vessel leaving Chatham, and even then an additional quantity will have to be taken in at Bearhaven.

THE ALLEGED CASE OF MURDER, AT BLACKHEATH. On Tuesday, at the Greenwich Police-court, Joseph Richards, aged 22, carpenter and j oiner, of 1, Albert- place, Tottenham-road, Kingsland, was charged before Mr. Maude with causing the death of William John James Buchan, aged 23, engineer, by assaulting him and fracturing his jaw. Mr. Warner Sleigh appeared to prosecute on behalf of the friends of the deceased, and Mr. Brookes, solicitor, appeared for the prisoner. Charles Worth, butcher, of Deptford, said Between six and seven on the evening of Whit-Tuesday, the deceased passed me near the railway arches. He was tipsy and singing. A short time afterwards I saw some boys wrangling with deceased. I went towards them and there saw the prisoner. The pri- soner said to deceased, "If you hit the boys I will hit you." The prisoner called the deceased an offen- sive name, and the deceased retorted, and took off his hat and asked me to hold it for him. I did not take the hat, and he put it on his head. Then he got; exas- perated and knocked a cigar out of the prisoner's mouth. The prisoner then struck deceased four blows in the face, and deceased struck him. In turning round prisoner struck deceased on tbe head, causing him to reel and fall; and while falling, the prisoner struck him right and left with his fists under the jaw. I put my hand on the prisoner, and said it was not fair. The deceased was then lying on his side, with blood oozing from his mouth, and quite insensible. I afterwards lifted deceased, and placed his head between my kneee, and bathed him with water and vinegar. An inspector of police and a constable came up in about half an hour, and they took deceased to the top of the arches and laid him down, and then took him to the station. After the occurrence the prisoner remained a quarter of an hour and then went away, saying he couid not stop any longer. I told the police that the deceased had been knocked aboafc. By Mr. Brookes: There were four boys there. I did not see either of them throw stones. The deceased struck the prisoner about four times, but not enough to knock a fly off, as ha was too drunk. The pri- soner was not knocked down by any blow from the deceased. Mr. Brookes said no one regretted the occurrence more than the prisoner, who had been led to the use of violence through the deceased having knocked his cigar out of his mouth, and asked that he might be admitted to bail. Mr. Maude said the prisoner would be committed for trial on a charge of manslaughter, with bail in two sureties of .£100 each, with 48 hours' notice to be given of such proposed bail. The prisoner, who had been apprehended at the Green Dragon Tavern, Half Moon-street, City, waa then removed in custody. ♦—

Arrival of Troops.—The chartered fcrcop-ship Orwell arrived at Gravesend on Saturday, from Sydney, bringing detachments of Royal Artillery and troops from the 1st battalion of the 12th Regiment, who have completed their period of service. The Colliery Explosion at Dukir-field.-The number of widows and orphans left destitute by this deplorable catastrophe has naturally aroused the sympathy or the benevolent, and Mr. J. P. Kynder, at the instance of several influential gentlemen, had intended to call a meeting to consider the best means of rendering assistance to the poor people; but Mr. Astley has liberally expressed illS. intention of taking the entire responsibility upon himself. On Friday, Mr. Little, the deputy chief constable, Hyde, caused a visit to be made, with a view to ascertain the exact condition of the families. About 40 children have lost their fathers by the explosion, and some 18 women are left to mourn the loss of their husbands. One of these unfortunate widows lost, a child within an hour after herhusband was brought home dead. Mr. Foulkes, the surgeon to the pit, states that all the men under his care are fast recovering, except Patrick M'Cce and Joseph Wild, who are in a dangerous state. Joseph Wild, who are in a dangerous state.