South Wales Daily News

ENTOMBED MINERS. TAPPING ON THE WALLS. WILKESBARRE, PENNSYLVANIA, Monday.—The men who are attempting to reach the miners who were entombed in the Pittston Colliery a week ago owing to a cave in of the roof report that they heard the imprisoned men tapping at the walls of the mine. The sounds seemed to be about 400 feet distant.—lituter.

RAILWAY RATES FOR COAL. MIDLAND COLLIERY OWNERS' IMPORTANT DISPUTE. The Central News is informed that a very large majority of the colliery owners in the Midlands and in Yorkshire have determined not to accept the increased wastage allowance proposed by the railway companies, and still contend that the rates now in force for the carriage of coal should not exceed those charged in 1892. An important case against the Midland Railway Company will be heard by the Railway Comnussioners next week, in which the questions of the large increases in coal rates since 1892, and of the wastage allowance will be dealt with, and the result is expected to have the effect of obtaining a decision upon both matters, which are of the most vital importance to both colliery owners and the railway companies.

EISTEDDFODAU. CONTESTS AT BRIDGEND. STRAIGHT SPEAKING BY DR. TURPIN. WORTHLESSNESS OF TEST PIECES. THE CHIEF CHORAL COMPETITION. The eighth annual Eisteddfod at Bridgend- undoubtedly the most popular of all the attrac- tions held in South Wales on the first Monday lit July-took place on Monday, and like nearly the whole of those which preceded it, it was favoured with weather of the most delightful character. Glorious sunshine reigued throughout the day, but the heat was tempered with delightful breeaes, so that the day was an ideal holiday. The Eisteddfod, as is probably well known, was instituted nine years ago for the purpose of raising the necessary funds for the construction of a Cottage Hospital in the district, and altogether the profits had amounted to about 21,300. Last year the committee decided not to hold the Eisteddfod, fearing that it would clash with the national gathering at Lianelly, and it is the opinion of those best able to judge that the decision was an unwise one, inasmuch as it broke the continuity of the series of Eisteddfodau, making that of 1896 the eighth instead of the ninth. Fortunately some of the tests chosen at Bridgend this year were the same as had already been given at Porth and Brynmawr, and the interest in what is always a delightful gathering was fully maintained. Moreover, the Eisteddfod came just all the close of the great festival at Llandudno, where it may be assumed all the decisions did not give complete satisfaction, and the defeated competitors had hones of meetintf their conquerors of the previous week in the festival in the pretty little town in the Vale of Glamorgan. Thus everything tended to make the Bridgend Eisteddfod of 1396 more popular than any of those which have preceded it, but such an increased measure of success was fully needed, for this year the committee bave had to got along without the powerful assistance of Lord Dunraven, who, when the project was mooted, declared his intention of giving the chief choral prize of £ 100 for seven consecutive years. Snch munificence is not to be met with every day, and when the noble lord's kind offer lapsed nobody was found generous or rich enough to emulate his act of bounteousness, and thus the coi-timittee have bad to provide the whole of the prize money. The hospital, it may be stated, has been erected with. in the last six months, but it has not yet been formally opened, that interesting ceremony having been deferred for a little while, when it is most likely that it will be performed by Lady Dunraven. The Eisteddfod on Monday was held in a splendidly-situated, sloping field, off the Coyty- road, and around the mammoth marquee were fixed a number of smaller tents, in which the preliminary contests were decided, and refresh. ments were provided. The large marquee was prettily, though not profusely, decorated with bunting of every conceivable hue, but huge streamers were conspicuous by their absence. The town, too, was nicely ornamented, and the large influx of excursionists who came by the early morning trains showed what an amount of interest was centred in the Eisteddfod. Pro- j ceedings were commenced between 10 and 11 j o'clock, when • Mr T. G. Smith, the chairman of the Eisteddfod Committee, said that his first duty in j opening the proceedings was to inform the audience that the president for the day, Major Wyndham-Quin, M.P., had wired to them that morning that an unexpected engagement bad n been sprung upon him in connection with his I public duties at the last moment which it was impossible for him to cancel, but he would endeavour to reach Bridgend in the course of the day. The committee had, however, wired back to say that as he was unable to be present at the opening of the proceedings it was hardly worth while for him to make the journey. But if he had to apologise for the absence of the president he had no occasion to apologise for the Bridgend Eisteddfod. He thought he might say without any vanity that it had done a great and beneficent work in the district. (Applause.) THE COMPETITIONS were immediately afterwards taken up and disposed of in the following order Junior Pianoforte Solo.—A prize of 21 Is was offered for the best rendering of Pepinette," by G. H. Ciutsam. There were 18 entries, but only three of the competitors survived the pre- liminary test. The winner was Miss Maria Williams, Maesteg, the little lady who has met with such a phenomenal amount of success at all the local Eisteddfodau. Solo for Boy Sopranos.—Weighty words by Dr. Turpin.—A prize of one guinea was offered 110 the boy soprano who would best sing" Angela ever bright and fair," this being quite a new competition at our Eisteddfodau. Of the six candidates who had sent in their names, only two came forward. Dr. Turpin said he rose to make the award with mingled feelings of pain and pleasure. It was with profound regret that he noted the reckless way m which the voices of the boys of Wales were being ruined. There was no place in the whole world where he heard boys display greater dramatic talent than in Wales, nor where finer voices could be heard, but he could not help feeling sorry for the way in which they were neglected by not being made to sing I the music that snited them. The competitors 1 that morning had displayed great talent, but the prize must go to the first competitor. The winner was Master Theophilus Morris, Mountain Ash. Intermediate Pianoforte Solo.-More plain speaking.—A prize of one guinea was given by Mr J. Walters, The Rhiw, Bridgend, for the best performance of Sidney H. Rees' Taran- tella Chromatique on the pianoforte by com- petitors between 13 and 16 years of age. Of the 25 candidates who had sent in their names, two only were selected to play before the audience. Mr Turpin, in making the award, said that both competitors had played excellently, but he was bound to tell them frankly that the piece selected was altogether inadequate as a gauge of the ability of the various competitors. He was suprised at the poor selectionm often made by Eisteddfod Committees, aud that day they had bad a mere feeble display of fingering. He was against the whole system by whioh those selec- tions was made, and the Welsh people should steadily set their face against making their grand old institution a more market place for the display of good-for-nothing stuff issued from different publishers. Byron had told them that Barabbas was a publisher; and if they really loved the Eisteddfod, they should resist its invasion by those publishers and selecb pieces that were of some real usefulness. (Loud applause.) The prize was awarded to Miss Maggie Jones, Swansea. Cornet Solo.-A prize of El Is given by Messrs Robert Cocks and Co., London, was awarded to Master David William ForJ, Dowlais. Master Ford has from his infancy been regarded as one of the best cornetists in the hills district, and has won several eisteddfodic prizes. Welsh Recitatiou.-A prize of one guinea was ofiered for the best interpretation of the now favourite Welsh recitation description of the Oil- fynydd holocaust. The winner was Miss Sarah Holland, Llanharran. and a special prize was awarded to a little girl, who however was too young to be brought un the stage. Bass bong Competition.—Messrs Robert Oocks and Co., London, gave the prize of two guineas for the best performance of a song called Hue and Cry," by bass scloists. There were 16 competitors, who however were reduced to three in the preliminary test. Mr Turpin again con- demned the selected test piece as being worthless, and awarded the prize to Mr R. G. Jones, Morriston. j Senior Pianoforte Solo.—The last of the three 1 pianoforte solos ou the programme was that for I senior performers, of whom there were 14. Tb* | test, piece was Arthur Godfrey's Tarantella," and the prize of one guinea was given by Messrs Robert Cocks and Co., London. The successful competitor was Mr James Ba.tt, Port Talbot. Soprano Solo, Angelo Mascheroni's florid aria, Un Paradiso (" My Paradise "), was the test piece for soprano vocalists, and as it was not a composition which any kind of a voice would be likely to do justioe, the number of competitors did not exceed a dozen. The winner was Mrs Penfro Rowland?, the wife of the popular conduc-t-or of the Morriston Choir, and a lady who has several times done splendidly on the Eisteddfod platform. The Chair Prize withheld.—A prize of five guineas and a bardic carved chair were offered in the principal literary composition, for a poem on the" North Pole," nob more than 500 lines. Gurnos said that he was never more surprised in ¡ his life than when he found that only one poem had been sent in. And that poem was not good enough in quality to merit the prize that was offered. The prize was accordingly withheld, to the no httl surprise of the audience. Children's Action Song. An extremely in- teresting competition was that in which Messrs Robert Cocks and Company contributed a prisa of two guineas to the class of children who would best sing the action song, "The Sbage Coach." No class was to contain less than 20 children, all I of whom were to be under nine years of age. Choirs from Bridgend, Maeeteg, and Margatn competed aud on the whole the contest was M pleasing as it was novel. Mr J. T. Rees said that the competition vas a very good one as between the three choirs. In the first choir the action was very good the intonation was perfect; the voices were very beautiful and rounded the appearanoe of the children also was very satisfactory; and the young lady who conducted wee very ener- getic the second choir, unlike the first, oonsisted of boys and girls, and their action was very good throughout. Had the competition depended on actions alone the second choir would have won the prize, but other matters had to be taken into account. The intonation was not so good as that of the first ohoir, and the rhythm was motto weM

LONDON LETTER. — -«q». [FROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT.} SPECIALLY WIltED. LONDON, Monday Night. PARLIAMENTARY TIME WASTED. Those old familiar friends, the London- derry Improvement Bill and the Blackrock and Kingstown Drainage Bill, which, with their congeners of Belfast and Athlone, have already occupied so much Parlia- mentary time this Session, again blocked the way this afternoon. The inconvenience of severally debating every instance of the anomalies of the Irish local franchise, and of seeking to rectify piecemeal the exclu- sion of minorities from representation, is so obvious, and involves such inordinate incursions upon public time as almost to incline one to sympathise with Mr Arnold Forster when he objected to treating the municipal franchise in each Irish town as a thing apart, instead of deal- ing with it comprehensively for the whole country. And another deduction from these things, in which Mr Arnold Forster might not so readily concur, is the obvious desir- ability of allowing Ireland to settle these questions for itself, leaving the Imperial Parliament to deal with larger problems. INDIANS IN THE HOUSE. However, the longest lane has its turning, snrl as Mr Knox, after defeats in two divi- sions, was unwilling to court further dis- aster, and as Mr James O'Connor, after being patiently helped by the Speaker to frame an amendment, withdrew it on 5nding Mr J. W. Lowther inexorable, questions were at last reached, an hour and a half after time. A large Infusion of dark faces in the Strangers' Gallery showed that the debate on the Suakim contingent charges has a large attrac- lion for our Indian fellow-subjects. The protracted proceedings on Irish drainage must have given them perplexing ideas on the methods of the Mother of Parliaments. CHARTERED COMPANY INQUIRY. Mr Chamberlain's reply to the question ftbout the Chartered Company inquiry was exceedingly significant, as going far towards lending colour to the suspicion that he has the more readily agreed to the appointment of a Special Committee rather than a Select Commission because of the opportunities this gives for postponement of the investigation. The point put to him was whether, in the event of a Select Committee being the tribunal set up, the Government will initiate legislation enabling it to sit during the recess. The Colonial Secretary was careful, in the first place, to avoid admitting that the Committee form has been decided upon And, in the second, even on the hypothesis that if it were, he did not think it would be either convenient or satisfactory for the Dittings to take place when Parliament is not in Session. He is informed that there Is no precedent for snch a course, and he suspected that it might be difficult to get members to serve on a Committee requiring their attendance during the recess. Mr Swift MacNeill, who has (a keen scent for unearthing forgotten inci- dents, offered to furnish the Colonial Secre- lary with a precedent, but, as this appeared to be a case that had occurred in the House of Lords, Mr Chamberlain raised a laugh by the somewhat contemptuous way in which he admitted that he had not taken the example of the Upper House into account. LORD HUGH CECIL SAT UPON. The emphasis with which Mr Balfour sat impon his dear cousin, Lord Hugh Cecil, was much relished by those, and they are many, who are out of sympathy with the extreme slerical and anti-education views of Lord Salisbury's sons. The ascetic lordling's suggestion was the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire into the general Administration of the London School Board In consequence of allegations of extrava- gance and inefficiency made against it, chiefly by Lord Hugh and his friends. Mr Balfour tlraost brusquely brushed aside this absurd proposal. Even if the Session was not too !ar advanced to justify embarking on such in inquiry, he should deprecate the inter- ference of the House of Commons in local affairs on anything lighter than the compul- sion of absolute necessity. BRITISH TROOPS IN EGYPT. Mr Brodrick does not contemplate the employment of British troops in the Nile Expedition as an impossible contingency. No British regiment has, it is true, been ordered to the front, but the battalions in Egypt are available it the Sirdar should require them, and the North Staffordshire are encamped on the frontier. In the face of an answer like this it will be no surprise to find the Government departing from its origi- nal persistence that the advance is a purely Egyptian affair. Mr Balfour, though unable to give the particulars asked for as to the monthly cost of the expedition and the expenditure already incurred, admitted that the British Government are lending a cer- C, tain number of staff officers free of charge. To Sir Charles Dilke's inquiry whether any vote for these purposes will be submitted to the Bouse, neither Mr Balfour nor the Chancellor of the Exchequer was able to give a reply. IM MORLEY SCORES. It says a great deal for the interest the question of the payment of the Indian troops has aroused that members retained their seats with Spartan determination, notwith- standing the severe strain put upon their attention by the long and somewhat over- laboured speeches of Lord George Hamilton and Mr Morley. The attendance was large, both of membars and visitors, and the vast majority stoically sat out the arguments, though truth compels the admission that the Duke of Devonshire, conspicuously seated above the clock, was not the only auditor seduced by the sultriness of the afternoon and the monotony of the oratory into a very sound and undisguised sleep. Mr John Morley went into the whole matter with exhaustive fulness, citing authorities and documents and precedents and his- tories, and quoting occasionally with great effect strong denunciations of the melan- choly meanness now perpetrated by the H Air^rn ni ATI h' hv thA late Mr Fawcett, Lord Iddesleigh, Mr Hanbury, and others. The real pivot on which the whole controversy turned was whether the expedition consti- tutes an Indian interest. Mr Morley based himself on the tests specified by Lord Cross as to what constitutes this, and one of the most effective compartments of his speech was that in which he showed how completely the present expedition, as shown by the acts of the Government itself, fails to answer to those tests. Lord George Hamilton, in an unwary moment, had tried to make Mr Morley personally responsible for those events in the Soudan in the eighties, of which, he maintained, the present situation is the inevitable legacy. The retort was embarrassing, for Mr Morley, pointing out that he was not even 4n Parliament in 1882, and was not in the Government of 1885. was able to refer his assailant to the real authors of that polioy- Mr Chamberlain, sitting beside him, and the Duke of Devonshire, sleeping in the Peers' Gallery. Mr Morley's speech occu- pied perilously near an hour and a half, and lie was followed from the Ministerial side by Mr Maclean. Vrn HERCULES ROBINSON AND SOUTH AFRICA. There is a new phase in what may be called the Hercules Robinson drama. The fact that her Majesty has sanctioned a pro- Now to confer a peerage on the High Commissioner is generally taken as confirm- ing theimpression, which holds its ground not- withstanding Mr Chamberlain's assertion to the contrary, that South Africa will see Sir Hercules no more. It is only fair, however, to say that Ministerialists maintain that the peerage is not a means of relegating the High Commissioner to the quiet haven of the Upper House, and that if his health be restored he will resume his active position. THE MUDDLE IN PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS, The pretty muddle in which business has got in the House of Commons is likely to be shown when the 20 niolit63 expire which are set apart for the con- sideration of Supply. It seems certain that at least a score of votes will have to pass without a word of discussion. To try and lsssen this scandal the Government, it is reported, have already decided to set aparb three additional days, in addition to the twenty already allotted. FINANCE BILL TO BE BROUGHT IN. Immediately questions are disposed of to- morrow the debate on the Finance Bill will be proceeded with. I hear to-night that Sir Wm. Harcourt intends to take a very active part in the opposition to the measure. TIRED OF TORYISM. In Government circles it is no longer denied that a very important change of feel- ing has taken place in the constituencies. A prominent member who returned from his constituency to-day states that three news- papers in his county which had hitherto been Tory have during the past few weeks taken a strongly anti-Government line. MINISTERIALISTS DIVIDED. The significant thing about to-night's debate has been the manner in which almost with one consent the action of saddling on India the expenses of the Suakim adventure has been denounced from the Ministerial side of the House. The Opposition might almost have left the case against the Government in the hands of the Conserva- tives, since for quite an appreciable period until in fact the Chancellor of the Exchequer rose—the enly break in the monotony of condemnation came from the Unionist mem- ber for Truro.

NEWS IN BRIEF. Mr F, W. Maclean, Q.C., has been appointed Chief Justice of the High Court at Calcutta. According to official returns published on Mon- day, the crop prospects in Russia are excellent, particularly in the southern and central districts and in Northern Caucasus. In Italian diplomatic circles it is reaffirmed that Kassala will be ceded to Egypt in October, and that a now Convention will be concluded defining the spheres of influence with the Eastern Sondau. No great amount of work was done at Henley yesterday, Yale contenting themselves with starts which were not good ones. Leander had a spin with the Eton eight, which is a good one, aud New College bad one with Ridley. Wililat taking a cargo of boats for Henley Regatta a bargeman named Collins yesterday fell into the river near Windsor Bridge as, it is believed, from sunstroke, and notwithstanding the exertions of Eton College buys was drowned. Among those who attended the concluding Levee of the season held by the Prince of Wales yesterday were Lord Salisbury, Mr Chamberlain, Lord Cadogan, Lord Halsbury, and other members of the Cabinet. The Duke of York also attended. Mr Chamberlain has received the following telegram from Sir Walter Sendall, High Com- missioner for Cyprus:—" We are having incessant earthquake shocks for- over a week, causing great alarm and interruption of business, but not as yet serious damage." The Durham Coal Trade Conciliation Board met yesterday in Newcastle on-Tyne, under the presidency of Lord Davey, the arbitrator between the parties on a question affecting colliery winding enginemen's wages. Lord Davey inti- mated that he would announce his decision in due course. A Massowah telegram states that Father Wersowitz, who was on his way to the Negus to treat with him on behalf of the Pope respecting the liberation of the Italian prisoners, has succumbed to an attack of sunstroke at Djibatio. A companion also died from the excessive heat. At Torpoint, Plymouth, yesterday Gunner Cummins, a native of Longton, Staffordshire, was brought before a magistrate charged with causing the death of Gunner Patrick Cox, of Durham, in a fight which took place in the 2nd Durham Militia camp on Saturday, and was formally remanded. The resignation of General Ricottis, the Italian Minister of Way, is not yet officially confirmed, but it is practically certain that he will retire unless the Premier consents to the discussion in the Chamber of the Army reorganisation scheme during the present Session. It is hoped that the King's influence will prevent a Ministerial crisis. All Davonport yesterday the second-class cruiser Phseton, after uudergoing an extensive refit at the cost of £ 32.832, was inspected by Captain W. Lang, of the port guardship Devasta- tion, and passed into the fleet reserve in readi- ness for commissioning on Wednesday morning by Captain C. J. Norcock to take part in the naval manoeuvres. A coroner's jury at Newnham last night on the body of Sergeant-Instructor Onion, 1st Gloucester- shire Artillery Volunteers, returned a verdict of "Accidental death." Evidence showed the deceased acted with gross carelessness while handling a carbine. He had been reported for unfitness for his duties, and his case was fixed for consideration the same afternoon as the accident, happened. Tha Duke of Cambridge desires it to be known that he was roisreported in those accounts of his evidence last Friday before the Select Committee on the Royal Patriotic Fund, which represented him as having stated, in reply to Mr Kearley, that he was in favour of the Soldiers' Effects Fund being administered by the War Depart. ment. His Royal Highness holds a strong opinion to the contrary.

TO-DAY'S WEATHER, 4.30 A.M. TO-DARS FO ECAST. FOR JiNGLANit, S.W., AND SOUTH WALES. Variable light breezes weather cliangtytble thunder showers at times colder. GENERAL.-Altbough the weather is still very fair over England, the general appearance is much less fair than it was on Sunday, and local thunderstorms are probable in many parts of the kingdom.

WEATHER ON THE CONTINENT.— DAILY REPORT. Dalziel's Agency reports as follows as to the weather at the more important Continental resorts yesterday L _.11.. -1. CALAIS.-Fine some clouds; ligrit, WIUU tlWUU"U sea.; thermometer, 67. PARIS.—Warm sunshine thermometer, 64, MARSEILLES.—Lovely morning thermometer, 69, CANNM.-Blue sky thermometer. li. • Nicp-Bltie sky thermometer, 73. MONK CARLO.—Very fine thermometer, 71. BADEN BADEN.-Cleaf sky thermometer, 06. INTERIAKEN.—Fine; some clouds; thermometer, as. QUEEN BOROUGH.—Clear sky; warm; fair passage thermometer. 61. DOVER.—Wind south-west; sea smooth; weatner 1 clear probable passage good.' French mail, Victoria ■ midday, JJoyei; English mail, Calais T/

THE SOUDAN EXPEDITION. EMPLOYMENT OF BRITISH TROOPS. QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT. In the House of Commons on Monday, Mr BBODRICK informed Mr Dalziel that no British regiment had received orders to take part in the advance to Dongola. Battalions which composed the British force in Egypt were available should the Sirdar require their services. One battalion of the North Staffordshire Regi- menb was encamped on the frontier. COST OF THE CAMPAIGN. Mr DALZIKL asked the First Lord of the Treasury to state the monthly cost of the expedition to Dongola and the total amount of expenditure already incurred. Mr BALFOUR: I find on inquiry the informa- tion asked for is not yet at the disposal of the Government, as the Egyptian Government are responsible for the conduct of the campaign, and details of expenditure had not hitherto been asked for. Communications are now being made to Lord Cromer on the subject. I should add, in order to give necessary qualification to an observation that fell from me on Friday last, that, as was stated by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the second reading of the Finance Bill, the British Government are lending a certain number of staff officers free to the Egyptian Government, and are also bearing the cost of the transport of British troops fron Cairo to Dongola. Sir CHABLKS DILKE Will any vote jbe pro- posed ? Sir M. HICKS-BEACH I cannot answer at present.

AFFAIRS IN SOUTH AFRICA. GOVERNMENT AND THE CHAR- TERED COMPANY. THE PROPOSED PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY. In the House of Commons on Monday, Mr MCNEILL asked the Colonial Secretary whether in the event of the appointment of a Select Committee of the House of Commons to investigate the affairs of the South African Chartered Company, the Government, with the view of expediting investigation, will initiate legislation for the purpose of enabling the Com- mittee to sit during the recess and prorogation of Parliament. Mr CHAMBERLAIN, in reply to the hypothetical question of the hon. member I do not think the course proposed would be convenient or satisfac, tory. There is. I am informed, absolutely no precedent for such legislation, and I think that it might be difficult to get members of the House to serve on a Committee which would be required to sit during the recess for the purpose of this inquiry. Mr MCNEILL: Is the right hon. gentleman aware that there is a precedent in the ctse. of a Committee of the House of Lords which can sit during prorogation or evan dissolution ? They can both toil and spin. Mr CHAMBEHTJAIN I have not inquired into the precedents of the House of Lords. (Laughter and cheers,)

REBELLION IN CHINA. POSITION SERIOUS. SEVERAL TOWNS BESIEGED. SHANGHAI, Monday.—The rebellion in Northern Kiangsu is assuming a very grave character. Several towns are being besiegad by the insurgents, The Mandarins are unable to cope with the movement, and the Imperial troops everywhere retreat into the walled town?. A large number of Christians have been captured by the rebels, who treat them as hostages. Thousands of natives converted by the French Mission are homeless, and many mission houses have been destroyed, the priests only escaping with their lives.—DaJziel.

SIR HERCULES ROBINSON A PEER. The Queen has been pleased to confer a peerage of the United Kingdom upon the Right Hon. Hercules Robinson, Bart., K.C.M.G. Governor of the Cape Colony and High Commissioner to South Africa. In some well-informed circles this honour is said to indicate that though Sir Hercules Robin- son will unquestionably return to the Cape about the middle of August—probably the 15th-he will not retain for long his present position. Sir John Gorst's name is again currently mentioned in connection with the succession to the Gover- norship.

CUBAN INSURRECTION. A STERN CHASE AT SEA. SPANISH CRUISER AFTER A FILIBUSTERED KRY WEST (FLORIDA), Monday.—The schooner Three Friends passed here at 9 o'clock this morn- ing, hotly pursued by the Spanish first-class cruiser Alfonso Twelfth, ten miles astern. Both were going full steam, cutting the three mile limit very closely, the warship endeavouring to head off the alleged 'filibusterer from the coast line. Witnesses stated that the Alfonso XII. fired upon the Three Friends. It is rumoured that the United States cruiser Mainne and several Government cutters are getting up steam prepara- tory to intercepting the vessels. -Beuter.

CRUELTY AND ADULTERY. A BARRISTER'S WIFE GETS A DECREE. Sir Francis Jeune on Monday granted a decree nisi to Mrs Madeline Lee, on the ground of the cruelty and adultery of her husband, Mr Daniel Wm. Lee, a barrister, whom she married at Brighton. There was no defence. The evidence showed that respondent had beat petitioner with a brush whilst she was dressing, and it was alleged that he had committed adultery with a Miss Cleminson.

CASE OF AN ILFRACOMBE BARMAID. ALLEGED EMBEZZLEMENT. At the Ilfracombe Sessions on Monday, in the case of Miss Clara Jane Monford, lady help and assistant barmaid at the Victoria Hotel, who was charged on remand with stealing a cash box and contents, it was stated that sufficient evidence was not forthcoming to ensure a conviction, and the case fell through.

A ROW AT ILFRACOMBE. CARDIFF PILOTS FINED. George Henry Evans and Edward Davies, two Cardiff pilots, were fined 10s and coisto each at Ilfracombe Sessions on Monday, the former for being drunk and disorderly and the latter for obstructing the police.

SHOOTING AFFRAY. THREE MEN INJURED. Aboutt 7 a.m. on Monday the night watch- man employed at Messrs Dirk and Barber's lead works, Robherhibbe-streeb, Rotherhifche, shot and seriously wounded two workmen named Crus- terton and Derbyshire, and subsequently at- tempted to commit suicide. All three men were conveyed to Guy's Hospital. A later telegram says :—James Derbyshire, one of the victims of the Rotherhithe tragedy, died at Guy's Hospital at 12 o'ctook. His murderer, William Corcoran, is an Army pensioner. No motive can be assigned for his attack upon Derbyshire. He had, however, quarrelled with Gusterson, the other man wounded, who was day watohman. and who had threatened to report him. The crime was com- mitted with a revolver. The two men now in the Hospital are in uo immediate danger.

SMALLPOX AT GLOUCESTER, AVERSION TO VACCINATION. At Gloucester on Monday two men named Phillips and Jenkins were summoned for failing to have theirjchildren vaccinated. Both said they did not believe in vaccination, and Jenkins, who is a poor blind man, said he would rather see the children die at his feet than allow them to be vaccinated. He did not wish to see them in the same condition as himself. Orders for vaccination were made and costs imposed.

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WHO SHALL PAY THE COST ? DEBATE IN THE COMMONS, TORY POLICY CONDEMNED. AMENDMENT BY MR MORLEY. SLASHING ATTACK ON THE GOVERNMENT, MEMBER FOR CARDIFF SECONDS THE AMENDMENT, In the House of Commons on Monday, Lord GEORGE HAMILTON moved: That her Majesty having directed a military expedition of her native forces charged upon the revenues of India to be despatched to Africa in aid of the Egyptian troops, this House consents that the .y ordinary pay of any troops so despatched as paid as the ordinary charges of any vassels belonging to the Government of India that may be employed in this expedition which; would have been charged upon the resources of India if such troops or vessels had remained in that country or seas adjacent, shall continue to be so chargeable, provided that if it shall become necessary to replace the troops or vessels so withdrawn by other vessels Cl" native forces, then the expenses of raising, i maintaining, and providing such vessels and forces shall, in so far as may not be otherwise provided, be repaid out of any money which may be provided by Parliament for the purposes of the expedition." The ordinary pay and allowances of the Indian troops sent to the Soudan amounted to about 25.000 per month, and the Council of India had consented to bear that charge to the close ot the present year. it the troops remained longer than that the position would have to be considered. The extraordinary expenditure connected with the movement independently of transport would amount to about £ 140,000, and that would be defrayed not by the Indian revenue but from the Treasury chest. It bad been urged against the proposed arrangement that there was a risk in taking such a number of troops from the Indiau establishment, and that the charge proposed to be put upon the Indian revenue was not a fair one. He quite agreed that the greatest caution was necessary to prevent India from being drawn upon unduly foe military emergencies occurring in Africa, but the present demand would absorb a smaller proportion of the Indian Army than had been the case in any previous expedition. I But the more serious allegation was that this proposal was unjust to the Indian revenue, and any representation of that kind from the Indian Government was worthy of most careful con- sideration, (Cheers,) Needless to say her Majesty's Government had given to it a very exhaustive examination, The contention of the Indian Government) amounted to this, that since the neutralisation of the Suez Canal India had no special interest in Egypt over and above the other portions of the Empire, but he challenged that contention. India always had been and still had a special interest in Egypt. It her Majesty's Government bad assented to the contention that India had no special interest in Egypt, it would be difficult to mention any interest outside India in which she could be said to be interested. Looking at the question from a broad Imperial point of view, her Majesty's Government came to the conclusion that the proposition was nob one to which they could assent. Mr JOHN MOBLEY, who on rising was received I with Opposition cheers, moved "That this inexpedient that any portion of the charges of the I Indian force that is being despatched to Africa in aid of the Egyptian troops, whether ordinary charges or extraordinary, should be imposed upon the revenues of India." The noble Lord bad said lie had permitted himself to use strodg language in connection with this expenditure, and he proposed to expend that strong language in the presence of the noble Lord—(cheers)—and he did not suppose that so important a debate was ever entered upon by a Government under such discouraging circum- stances, for there was not a single organ of the party in power that did not condemn the proposal, and the only cheer the noble Lord got was when he diverged into complete irrelevance. The Marquis of Harrington laid down the constitutional doctrine that according to the spirit of Section 55 of the Act of 1888 no Indian troops could be employed outside the frontier of Indiawithouttheconsen!; of Parliament whether a charge was or was not imposed upon the Indian revenue. (Hear, hear.) We were in an era of enterprises in Africa. The temptation to use Indian troops there would be great, and Parliament should bo careful in determining whether they could be employed out of India without the consent of Parliament. (Hear, hear.) There was a school of politicians who argued that East Africa was to become an annex of the Indian Empire, and in view of the apprehension which the present condition of affairs awakened, he hoped there were many in that House who, irrespective of party, would feel that there could be no subject more delicate or more important with regard to present circumstances or future contingencies than the relations between the Indian Army and Parliament. (Cheers.) In 1867 the present Prime Minister used language in which he was content to found the whole of his argument against the resolution of the Govern- ment. When it was proposed to take Indian troops to Abyssinia, Mr Fawcett objected to any of the charge being imposed upon India, and the noble Marquis, then Lord Cranbourne, agreeing with him, said he did not like India being looked upon as an English barrack in the Oriental seas, from which we could draw troops without paying for them, (Cheers.) The real crux of the discussion was the question of Indian interest, and that had been dealt with rather rapidly and perfunctorially by the noble Lord. The House was being asked as was said of the Abyssinian expedition to perform an act of melancholy meanness. (Cheers.) There was very little fault to find 10 the three principles the noble Lord had laid down in his despatch of the 30th of June. but the question was whether in this case there was such an Indian interest as would constitute a justification for a charge upon the Indian revenue. For that justification India must have a special interest beyond that which was common to the rest of the Empire, and he questioned whether the Government were thinking for one instant of the interest of India when they entered upon their expedition to relievo the Italians from their embarrassment at Kassala. (Hear, hear.) Lord Salisbury a few days ago said in another place that we were under a moral obligation to restore Khartoum to Egypt. If this was a I moral obligation binding upon England, it could not by any stretch of argument be said to attach to India, In 1B38 Lord Salisbury said he accepted the policy of the evacuation of the Soudan. How ceuld he have said that if. in his opinion, at that time the retention of the Soudan by Egypt was an indispensable condition of the English evacuation of Egypt! (Hear, hear.) On another occasion Lord Salisbury had asserted that India had no interest in Suakim, and he (Mr Morley) was assured on the most competent authority that the Suez Canal had never been in more danger from the Dervishes than the City of London. (Hear, hear.) The noble Lord had spoken of this employment of Indian troops as temporary but if they passed that resolution these troops might be used for an un- limited time. (Hear, hear.) According to the neble Lord, the whole sum at stake was only abonb £ 5,000 a month, so that the glory of the Empire was to be tarnished for 1;35,000. (Hear, hear.) Why, the most debased Little Englander of his acquaintance might be ashamed of such a transaction. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) What did the House think would be the effect of these proceedings upon the credit and the moral authority of the Government of India over those under their rule ? It was impossible that the slight thus cast upon the Government of India should not have a very serious effect. (Hear, bear.) Mr MAOLEAN said lie rose to second the amend- ment of the right bon. gentleman who bad just sat down, and in doing so he did not intend in the remarks that he had'to make to enter into the controversy between the two Front Benches as to the policy of the expedition into the Soudan, His object was to confine himself to the issue before the House, and :he had put down his amendment on the paper because he wished to stand up on principie on behalf of the Indian people in this matter. It was with the deepest regret that he saw that the Government had I undertaken to bring the resolution before the House. (Hear, hear.) He bad not the slightest doubt that if lefb to its independent judgment the Government would not find themselves supported by more than a score of members—(hear, hear)— but Conservative party discipline would prevail and override the considerations to be plaoed before the House. He thought it would be admitted that the Secretary of State for India, in proposing the resolution, bad not his heart in the matter. It was not proposed that India should pay for the regiments she had sent to Mombassa, and the troops sent to Suakim should not be paid for by her either, because the case in support of her paying was weaker than even in the case of Mombassa. He was afraid that Lord George Hamilton had allowed himself to be over- ridden by the Lords of the Treasury. In his despatch the Seoretary for India had stated that the Indian Government ought not to receive any money because their troops were sent to Suakim. but the English Government would sava M,000 byfheir lniag- UfKXJjt IAO pJQOt (Hear, hear.) If the Indian troops had not been siiut we should have bad to send British troops and if a little war arose elsewhere we shculd, through the sending of the Indian troops, be in a position to allow those troops to be set free for dealing with that conflict. (Hear, hear.) A great deal had been said about the precedents in the case. He thought it was time that they set up a new precedent. India had now many more friends in that House than formerly. {Hear, bear.) The Conservatives had a far cleaner record on their side than the other party, (Hear, hear.) Quotations had been read from the speeches by Lord Salisbury, Lord Cross and others, and they had all been to the same effect, showing a great anxiety not to make use of the available military strength of India except on payment of a fair amount by this country. But there was a pre- cedent that ought to be cited, and that was the precedent when Lord Beacocsfield sent Indian troops to Malta.jWhat did he do on that occasion ? He took care that the Government of India should not be charged a single rupee, and that the whole of the expense, ordinary and extraordinary, should be paid by the British Government. (Hear, hear.) They bad lately been told that Lord Beaconsfield was dead. That is true, and the pity was that it was true. But there were men iu that House and outside the House who honoured his name, and would be guided by his action when he first brought Indian troops to Malta. That high-minded and far. seeing statesman was too great a man to cavil about the paltry cost of the Indian troops. He wanted to show the Powers of Europe that we had got resources in the army of India ready to come and help us in the day of European necessity, and so long as be did that he cared very little about the money spent in the enterprise. (Hear, hear.) It had been contended that India bad not had a ereab interest in Egypt. When the first expedition was sent to Egypt at I the beginning of this century Lord Wellesley-then Governor-General of India—said he was glad to send that expedition because he had come to the conclusion that to expel the French from Egypt was indispensably necessary for the future security of the British Empire in India: That statement of policy held good now as it did at the beginning of the century. (Hear, hear.) The strategical importance of Egypt was as great as ever. Both Napoleon and Nelson were agreed that whatever Power could destroy thejIsthmus of Suez and command the Valley of the Nile would necessarily become master of India and he be- lieved that was perfectly true at the present day. (Hear.) But there were many hon. gentlemen now I' who held the opposite doctrine, and who con- sidered that we ought to abandon the Medi- terranean and that tha Caps of Good Hope was the real route that we ought to guard to India. I (Hear, hear.) But look how that set out the path for the possible employment of Indian troops. We might have Indian troops called upon to servo in every part of Africa for the purpose of protecting the communications between England and India. In fact, an hon. friend of his the other day was very anxious that a force of Indian troops should be immediately sent to Soubh Africa to aid us in our present difficulties there. Suppose this precedent were established which they were asked to confirm that day, would that not open the way for unlimited abuse by any Government? India at the present moment bore more than her fair proportion of Imperial burdens. Before we put any fresh charge on her revenues we ought to examine this question as a whole. and see that all the component parts of the Empire share in the charges of Imperial administration according to their fair capacity. (Hear, hear.) What was the actual condition of things at the present moment? Did the House realise what the burdens were that fell on India at he present moment ? India pityS 24Y2 millions out of the sum of 70 millions of total expenditure on the armaments of the whole British Empire. That was to say, India paid more than one-third of the total charge of the arma- ments of the immense British Empire, while the self-governing Colonies only contributed an insignificant fraction of the whole expenditure. The Chancellor of the Exchequer lately showed that the Army and Navy charge in England bad risen from 30 millions m 18856 to 38 millions in 1895-6, or an increase of 20 per cent. in 10 years. He had compared these figures with a return relating to India, and found that the military charge on India rose from 17 milhons in 1884-5 to 24% millions in 1894 5, or an increase of about 44 per cent, in 10 years. They must remember, too, that the burden of responsibility now laid on the Indian Government was immensely heavier than It was in former times. During the last 12 years, since the annexation of Upper Burmah, they had added immenso unproductive territories to the area of British India, they bad increased her army by 30,000 to 35,000 men, and they had compelled her practically to subsidise or to pay blackmail to the whole population of Central India from the Indian frontier up to the Russian frontier. Look at the enotmous extent of the territory India now has to defend. She had to maintain an army of 225,000 men, because they had given her a frontier cf something like 1,500 miles to defend agamst Russia, and now to improve the matter they bad given, her a frontier down the south-eastern side of India to defend against France. In addition to that, look at the charges with which they saddled her. Not only did she pay the expense of every British soldier who was sent to garrison India from the moment he left these shores, but India had also to pay a vety large sum for tho training of these soldiers in the United Kingdom. The sum of £ 600,000 a year was paid by India for tho purpose. It had been said that night as a set-off against: that i,liat India paid nothing for the British Navy, That was not the case. India paid £106,000 as an appropriation in aid of the expenditure of the British Navv. Admiral FIELD Only this year. Mr MACLEAN, concluding;, said he opposed the motion on the ground that it was being pressed against the wishes of the Government and the people of India. It Was bding pressed against the public opinion of thiscountry also. (Laughter.) The Government had no supporter in the Press who said that this was a fair charge for them to make, and he was astounded at the perversity of a Government which, after throwing over with a light heart the most important legislative measure of the Session, now came forward and obstinately persisted in layingthischargeon the people of India. He had risen to second the amendment because he believed that the claim of India in this matter was founded on reason and justice, and was supported by authority, and above all, that ill appealed with with an irresistible force to the sense of honour of the English people. (Cheers.) Mr VICCARY GIBBS supported the amendment. Mr BLOWNAGGREK opposed the motion. He believed the British taxpayer would recoil from the idea of being relieved from charge at the CfJat of a poor country like India. (Hear, hear.) The passing of the resolution under consideration would creato an amount of discontent in India which few members present could gauge. (Hear, hear.) Sir W. WEDDERBURN supported the amend- ment. The CHANCELLOB of the EXCHEQUER said what was now proposed was no more than what was proposed in 1885, and this was coupled with a statement as to the policy to be pursued in future, which was more favourable to India than had ever before been made by any previous Govern- ment. In 1867 Me Gladstone strongly supported the proposition that India should con- tribute to the Abyssinian expedition, in which she had only a very remote interest. The point really was whether this was a matter by which Indian interests were af- fected. Of course, the Indian Govern- ment disputed the view taken by the English Government, and maintained, as they did in 1882 Hnd 1885, that Egyptian affairs were rather of Imperial than of Indian concern, that the Suez Canal was an Imperial and not an Indian interest, and that India ought therefore not to be called upon to bear any share of the cost of their defence. That. too, was apparently the view of the right hon. gentleman oppo- site, but he never knew a narrower view put forward by a responsible statesman. He protested against any change being made in tho practice hitherto pursued, and against the Government of India being placed in the position of an almost independent authority, to whioh he contended they had no claim. (Cheers.) Sir H. FOWLER said this expedition was far more to serve Italiau and Egyptian interests than Indian interests, and ib was not just that the Indian revenue should Drovide the Dav of any portion of the force engaged in it. Mr BALFOUR said that he believed he should consult the wishes of the House if be went at once to the root and kernel and what he believed to be the central principle of the Opposition to the proposals of the Government. It was believed, erroneously he thought, by the opponents of the resolution that the action of the British Govern. ment was a mean one. It was thought that they were usmg our power as the dominant partner to squeeze out of India money which India does nob owe us. If the Government shared those views they would he the last person.9 to make such proposals. (Cheers.) The very smallness of the sum to be paid by India had been used as proof of a patty and huckstering spirit on the part of the Government, but surely that showed that they had not been actuated by a desire to relieve the English taxpayer, but by a sincere belief that the spirit embodied in the resolution was whole. some for India, for England, and for the Empire. (Hear, hear.) India, as far as he was aware, contributed not one sixpence to the great military reserve which we had accumulated in this country. not for the needs of this country alone but of the entire Empire. (Hear, hear.) The cost of the British Navy was 22 millions a year, and the contribution of India to- wards the Imperial Navy was £ 100,000, Whoever paid this L35,000 it was an insigniticant item in the national account, bub if the House decided that India bad so slight a connection with this Empire, and was drawn to us by bonds so slender that she could not send 2,000 men to Suakim. they would be eduoating nob only the Indian public but the British public in false notions of what they all owed to a common Empire, and in the name of that common Empire he asked the House to assent to this resolution. (Loud cheers.) THE DIVISION. The House then divided when there were— For Mr Morley's amendment 190 Against 275 Government majority. 85 I The announcement of the numbers was received by ths minorjtv with J*)"d. obeers. A division was also challenged on the resolu- tioD, with the following result:— lor the resolution 252 Against 105 Majority 146 The resolution was therefore carried. The announcement of the numbers was hailed with Ministerial cheers and laughter.

UNIONISTS VOTE WITH THE OPPOSITION. At least 20 Unionists voted shortly after mid- night with the Opposition in favour of Mr Morley's amendment on the Soudan expedition question, and several others abstained from voting. The tellers for the minority were Mr Buchanan (Liberal) and Mr J. M. Maclean (Con- servative). Among the ordinary supporters of the Government who voted for the Opposition amendment were the following Conservatives Sir A. Scoble, Mr Bliownaggree, Sir H. S. King, Mr E. Beckett, Mr Radcliffe Cooke, Mr Vicary Gibbs, Mr Kenyou, Mr Henniker Heaton, Mr Gibson Bowles, Mr Bartley, Mr H. S. Foster, Mr L. Hardy, Mr Hulse, Mr Fardell, and Mr Ban- bury and the following Liberal Unionists :—Mr Walter Morrison, Mr Cuthbert Quilter, Sir Lewis Mclver, and Mr Fison. When a second division was demanded many who had votedfortheamend- ment indicated their dissent from the expediency of taking a further division by walking out with- out voting. This and some change of votes increased the Government majority to 146.

THE SHOCKING DISCOVERY AT NEWPORT. TRAGIC DEATH OF A CRIMEAN SURVIVOR. CAUSED BY AN APOPLECTIC FIT. The inquest on the body of Captain James Pendery, late of the South Staffordshire Regiment, was held at Newport Town Hall on Monday afternoon before Mr Lyndon Moore, borough coroner. Mr E. Ll. Davies, one of the deceased's brother officers in the Second Volunteer Battalion of the South Wales :Borderers, was present to represent the widow and family of the deceased. The first witness called was Sergeant-Major English, of the Volunteer battalion, who spoke as to identification. Henry Lester, Acting Armoury Sergeant and caretaker at the Drill Hall, said he last saw the deceased alive at 11.30 on Saturday nighb. Witness went to the door uf the officers' mess upstairs in the Drill Hall, and deceased came to the door and said he would put out the lights and fasten the door. At 7 o'clock next morning he was called to the hall and saw a woman in the balcony of the hall. She called to him to lot her out. She appeared to be under the influence of drink. Witness next noticed the deceased on the floor of the hall, and seeing that he appeared to be dead he ran out to get help. I He went to Dr. McGinn's surgery, which is near, and got him to return. If the woman had chosen to get out of the hall she could have done so, as the swing door was open. The woman appeared to be in great distress, and as if she wished to get out. He said, All right; I'll let you out in a minute." She afterwards said that a gentleman in gray clothes had brought her there, andhadgonefor a cab. By Captain E. LI. Davies The deceased was lying prone, while his hat was on one side and his stick on the other. He appeared as if he had been preparing to go out. Police-Sergeant Willcox said he was called to the hall, and saw the body. He afterwards saw the woman Sarah Barnard, in a very excited state. She said that some tall gentleman dressed in grey clothes had brought her there. Witness told bar she would have to go to the Police Office to make a statement, and as she passed the spot where the body lay ahe exclaimed, "Oh dear, who is that?" From what transpired afterwards, witness said he had convinced himself that the woman had nothing to do with the cause of death. By a Juryman There were no signs of any struggle having taken place in the messroom, nor were there any drugs about. All he saw were four empby soda-water bottles and a decanter containing brandy. Sarah Barnard, wife of a circular sawyer, 32, Nelson-street, said she saw the deceased in High- street, near the King's Head Hotel, about 10 o'clock on Saturday nighb. She noticed that be had been drinking. He puked her to como to have a glass of brandy at the Drill Hall, and she did so. She had bad a glass with him at Dobell's several times before, but had never previously gone to the Drill Hall. She went to the hall, and upstairs to the messroom, but after she had been there a few minutes she felt uneasy, and said she wished to go home. He told her that he had the run of the place, but that if she felt uneasy he would fetch her a cab. He left for that purpose, and did not return. She sat down in a basket chair and went to sleep. When she awoke it was getting light, and sho tried one of the doors, but could not get out.—The Coroner Why didn't you go out by the swing door, which the previous witness has said was open t—Witness r 1 did not think of it. I tried the two doors at the end, and they would not open. — The Coroner How long elapsed between the time you met t he deceased and when he went for a cab ?-I saw him at 10 o'clock, because I looked at the clock, and it could not have been more than half-pasb 10 when he went out to get a cab. He did not complain of feeling ill.—By a Juryman I did not hear the armourer- sergeant come to the door to speak to the deceased. I did not see him at all. I was at the other end of the room looking at some cards. Witness was recalled by Mr Davies and asked whether any impropriety took place between them. She replied that no impropriety or suggestion of impropriety occurred.—By a Juror She was positive she was sober when she wenb to the Drill Hall. The captain was not sober. A document was here handed by the Coroner to the jury, which he said rebutted the evidence of the woman. Ho did not know whether the jury would wish the witness to be called.—The Foreman The jury do not wish the witness to be called, but at the same time they do not think the evidence given by the woman was satisfactory or to be trusted altogether.—The Coroner You are the best judges of that. Dr. McGinn was then called. He said that in his opinion death was duo to apoplexy. There were no marks of violence on the body except a contusion on the nose due to the fall. 1 Life had been extinct about eight hours. There was a little water and blood trickling from the nose and mouth, which he considered to be due to the fall, the nose being pushed on one side and the mouth distorted.—By a Juror The odour was offensive, but he could not say that there was any smell of drink, which would naturally evaporate.—By a Juror The body was prone, and had only fallen its length. If it had fallen from the balcony _there would have been a tremendous bruise at the point of contact. In his opinion death was sudden and painless. Mrs O'Niel, wife of a plasterer living in Stow, hill, near the Hall. was called to speak as to Barnard's cries at the windows to get oub, but she was not sworn. The Coroner, in summing up. said it was regrettable that a mau who had done such valiant service for his country should have met with such a sudden end. The woman's statement that there was no impropriety between them was consistent with the fact that they appeared to have been in each other's company only a btief interval, and her uneasiness when she found herself in the hall naturally arose from her position as a respectable married woman. The jury returned a verdict of Death from a fit of apoplexy."

ROBBERY AT CARDIFF. B500 WORTH OF JEWELLERY STOLEN The local police are investigating an apparently during case of robbery from the look-up shop of Mr Michaelson, pawnbroker and jeweller, in James-street, Docks. The premises were safely locked up on Saturday night, but on Monday morning they were found to have been broken into aud nearly £ 300 worth of mis. cellaneous jewellery was missed. Mr Michaelson has been the victim of previous robberies, and it was this shop which was razed to the ground a couple of years ago.

ON FIRE IN BUTE DOCKS. Late last night fire, which might have proved serious, was discovered on board the as. Activity, lying at No. 6 Tip, East Bute Dock, Cardiff. One of the crow found the casing of the boilers well alight, but by prompt use of the appliances on board the flames were speedily extinguished before mucb damage could be done. The Bute Dooks Fire Brigade were summoned, but on arrival found little call for their services.

DEATH OF THE REV. D. MATHIAS C WRTYD.") The Rev. D. Mathias (" Wrtyd "), the pastor of Carinel Baptist Church, Sirhowy, was seised with an attack of inflammation, followed by a couple of strokes, from which death ensued on Monday morning. He assumed charge of the church about two years ago, and during his pastorate won the love and esteem of his flock, who deeply deplore his demise. The deceased gentleman was a poet of no mean order, and a very sucoessful preaoher.

CADBXJEY'S COCOA is both a stimulating and lefresbiug drink and a nutritious food, probably more nourishing than any other beverage. It is absolutely pnre, containing no foreign admixture 1170-b THE most marvellous pennyworth of news and fiction published is to be found in the Cardiff Times and South Wales Weekly News. All the best and fore. most novelists of the day have contributed to its columns Order a copy at once MABON, Maelgwyn, Cadrawd, Dafydd Mor ganwg,Ap Idanfryn.ail write for the Cardiff Times and South Wales Weekly News, which is a magazine and a newspaper in one. The best and brightest pennyworth of fiction, gossip, news, and special articles dealing with Welsh subjects published- Order a copy to-da and read the oprning chapters of Miss Braddon's last new story A complete, novelette,.eftch weekly a favourite novelist.

SIR WM, HARCOURT ON POLITICS. SCATHING CRITICISM OF THE GOVERNMENT. SMASH-UP OF THE RECORD MAJORITY. TRUE CAUSE OF THE WRECK. PUBLIC JUDGMENT ON UNJUST BILLS. Sir William Harcourt was ou Monday night the principal speaker at the annual meeting of the North Islington Liberal and Radical Association. Sir WILLIAM HARCOURT said it was a refreshing thing, however, to find himself for once in the presence of a majority—(laughter), not but that there were some consolation to a minority when it got its own way. (Hear, hear.) There were symptoms that the Government were already beginning to shake in their shoes. Great majorities bad a knack of tumbling to pieces, and the bigger they were the heaviest they fell. The catastrophe in the present case had come sooner thanheexpected,andthecalamitythat had overtaken the Government was the natural reaction after a debauch of ill-deserved success. Governments, according to his observation, much more often destroyed themselves than they were destroyed by others. Just look at the Education Bill-(cheors)-the principal measure of the Session, on which they bad staked their reputa- tion at the General Election. They said they wanted to help the Voluntary schools. That was a simple thing to do. bub they set to work to revolutionise the established system ot education in this country, set up a crusade against School Boards, and set fire to the petroleum barrel of religious difficulty. Could stupidity exceed that It was so unnecessary, so foolish, and so destructive. It was defeated because it was a thoroughly bad Bill, and because it was repugnant both to the Nonconformist Unionists and to many Emembers of the Church party. To talk of abandoning the principal Bill of the Session after five days' debate because of the obstruction of the Opposition was a most pusillanimous proceeding. (Cheers.) Why in 1894 one clause of the Local Govern- ment Bill was discussed for seven days, but the Liberal Government did not; run away. That Bill took 40 days and 40 nights, when they wandered in the wilderness of Tory obstruc- tion. Yes; but they came to the promised Hnd at last. (Cheers.) That Bill was 22 days in Committee. Then there was the Budget Bill, which took 37 days, 22 of which were in Committee. The Liberal Government did not run away, although they had a very small majority, but they put that majority to the purpose for which it was intended. The Liberal Government carried those Bills because they were good Bills, and they had the opinion of the country behind them. The attempt on the part of the Government first to cripple and then to absorb the School Boards was an attempt which had ignomiuiously failed, and it would not be repeated. There remained a good sound basis of common sense m this nation, and it was that common sense, and not the obstruc- tion of any party, which bad destroyed the Education Bill of 1896. (Hear, hear.) The Agricultural Rating Bill was introduced as a simple measure for the relief of agricultuml distress. That was a thing that appealed to every- body's sympathy, buo it. turned out not to be a Bill at all for the relief of those people. It was a clumsy and unjust devica to get hold of public money for the purposes of a single class, and was an impudent act of spoliation of one class for the benefit of another. The Opposition endeavoured to discuss the Bill in the House of Commons, and the Government called it obstruction. He did not think the dwellers in the towns would condemn that obstruction. Not only had the towns been lefb out in the cold but the clerical class had been left out in the cold also, and consequently there was a clerical insurrection against her Majesty's Government. The Bill had to go to the judgment of the people, and he had little doubt what. would be the result of that appeal when the Bill was understood, as Liberals would take care that it should be understood. (Cheers.) A resolution of thanks having been passed, Sir WILLIAM, in reply, said he was reminded by the crack of Mr Causton's whip that they had to go to resist, he thought, as great an act of injustice as any of which he had spoken, that was to say, to call upon the people of India to pay for what ho considered the entirely wanton, unprovoked, and unjustifiable expedition which we were making into the Soudan. He was going to give a very hearty vote against that proposal. (Cheers.)

CANCER IN THE COMMERCIAL SYSTEM. CORRUPT DEALING DENOUNCED BY A JUDGE. In the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice on Monday, in the case of Oetzmann and Co. v. Long and Co., the Jury found that the defendants, by Mr Alexander Biggin, made a corrupt bargain with the plaintiffs' buyer, Woods, totheprejudice of the plaintiffs. The Lord Chief Justice characterised the case as the most important that had come before the courts this sitting, and said that the system of corrupt bargains was a malignant cancer in our com- mercial system, dishonest to the fair trader and the fair employer, and breaking down the principle of morality, which ought to be observed amongst all men who desired to cultivate and to deserve fair treatment.

MR STANLEY'S ILLNESS, THE QUEEN'S SOLICITUDE. Mr Stanley, after showing some slight improve- ment onSunday, on Monday morning had another relapse, and Dr. Barlow, his medical attendant, has issued the following bulletin Mr Stanley is not so well to-day." Mrs Stanley has received a telegram from Sir Arthur Bigge stating that her Majesty the Queen is anxious to hear of Mr Stanley's progress, and she will accordingly be regularly informed of the patient's condition. A Iste telegram last night stated :—Mr Stanley's condition is unchanged. He has had, however, two hours sleep.

POETRY IN HYMNS. MR GLADSTONE'S OPINION. A correspondence has taken place between Mr Gladstone and the author of The Laird and His Friends in regard to religious poetry, the latter expressing the view that leading English hymn- writers have not had sufficient literary recogni- tion,. due, to some extent, to Dr. Johnson's erroneous declaration on religious poetry. Charles Wesley was cited as a conspicuous instance of neglecb. Mr Gladstone, replying on the 4th instant, says :—"I think with you that a detailed and real searching examination of the question raised by Dr Johnson's summary anathema would be labour well laid out. The queetion whether and how far a good hymn must be good poetry (like the closing lines of Heber's missionary hymn), is of itself a very arduous one. Certainly, Charles Wesley produced real poetry—whether much of it I cannot be sure."

A WAKEFIELD MYSTERY. SUSPECTED CHILD MURDER. The Central News Wakefield correspondent telegraphs:—The body ot a male child, de- composed and unknown, and supposed to be about two mouths old, has been found in a pond in Bretton Park, near Wakefield. A rope about four yards long was wound round the neck, and the head WM entirely covered with a piece of white calioo, which was wrapped around it several times. The police are engaged in investigating the affair.

I A telegram from Rio de Janeiro states that a dynamite bomb was exploded yesterday outside a gambling house, and was immediately followeci by au attack on the building by a band of armed men. A number of persons were killed and wounded. MABON, MaeYgwyn, Cndrawd, Dafydd Mor- ganwg, Mynyddwr, all write for the Cardiff Times and South Wales Weekly News, which is a magazine and a newspaper in one. The best and brightest pennyworth of fiction, gossip, news, and special articles dealing with Welsh subjects published. Order a copy to-day and read the opening chapters of Miss Braddon's last new story. A complete novelette, each week by a favourite novelist