Flintshire Observer Mining Journal and General Advertiser for the Counties of Flint Denbigh

THE DREYFUS AFFAIR. THE PICQUABT COURT-MARTIAL. In the French Chamber of Deputies on Monday Sti y che question of the Picquart Court martial was raised by an interpellation of M. Millerand; but the most noteworthy incident of the sitting was a declaration by M. Poincare, a member of the Dupuy Cabinet of 1894. He said that an effort was being made, without the responsibility of the Government, to prevent certain abuses in the bureaux of the War Office from becoming known. It was strange that for the third time Colonel Picquart should be, prosecuted, and that other more serious acts should unaccountably be allowed to go unpunished. These methods were such as even to make the calmest minds revolt. The Court of Cassation was examining the new facts in connec- tion with the Dreyfus case, and what he asked was that it should be left to examine them in complete independence, all procedure connected with the case being adjourned till later on. M. Cavaignac com- plained that revision had-been decided on before the Chamber was consulted. M. Millerand, in his inter- pellation, contended that the Minister of War might intervene to alter the, date fixed for the Pic- quart court-martial. After some discussion on this point, M, de Freycinet made a statement to the effect that the Dreyfus case was jn the hands of the Court of Cassation, and that the Government would refuse to that Court nothing 1" under the guarantee of the interests of the national deferice." M. Dupny after- wards made a, similar statement. He said the Government would not intervene to alter the date of the court-martial, but if the Court of Cassation demanded the documents in the case, then Govern- ment would provide them. The Chamber ap- proved the declarations of -the Min4«teF§ by 437 votes to 73.

THE CHARGE AGAINST CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS. The charge against Mrs. Athalie Mills, Christian science "healer," and Miss Kate Lyon, of having caused the death of the late Mr. Harold Frederic bv neglecting to provide him with proper- care and medical treatment, was further investigated by the Croydon county justices on Monday. Dr. Frey- berger gave further-evidence as to the improper treatment of the deceased, and Dr. R. Brown, of Eenley, gave'evidence to the same effect. Miss Lottie Sayer, who had been lady-help in the house of the deceased, Mrs. Cora Crane, a personal friend, and other witnesses having been examined, the case was further adjourned.

ri mI———————■ RHODES CUTLETS.-Take from a pound to a pound and a half of neck of mutton, cut it into good cutlets, trim off all the fat and leave about an inch at the end of the bone quite bare. Take equal quantities of breadcrumbs and finely chopped ham, and season with cayenne pepper. Dip the cutlets into beaten eeca and then into the breadcrumbs and ham, being careful to cover them thoroughly with the mixture. Fry in a pan of deep -boiling fat till a. good golden colour, and drain on thick paper before the fire. Rub a hot dish with butter mixed with curry powder, and arrango the., cutlets in a circle \fith 'an edging of lightly rtashed potatoes, green pea# or French beans and serve hot. L« i.. 'ui • 4 w J(f ilp), tioi <

CROMWELL'S BUST AT ST. STEPHEN'S. The bust of Oliver Cromwell recently presented to the House of Commons, which last session occupied a position near the foot of the stairs leading to the Committee Rooms facing the Lobby, is to be mounted on a pedestal of marble, a further gift from the donor of the bust. A plaster model of the pedestal has been prepared and promises well, and it is hoped that the marble will be completed before the opening of Parliament in February. It is intended that it ehall remain in the same position as at present.

FIGHTING ON THE SWAT RIVFR. The Mullah hAs, crossed the Swat River and fitt- ing has occurred. Major Deane. the Political Agent for Dir and Swat, is conferring with Brigadier- General Reid, commanding the Malakand force. A telegram from Malakand states that the mad Fakir having been unsuccessful in stirring up the tribes, has returned from Miandani. The advance of the Sw&' moveable column which had been ordered to proceeA to Chakdara, has now been countermanded. The column will probably make a short tour up the Petii and @hahk9t Pass.

I REMARKABLE FATALITIES. An extraordinary series of fatalities occurred to- day at Miaumont, in the department of the Somunr While the cur6 was waiting at the church door for the arrival of a funeral he was informed that one of the choristers had died suddenly on his way to the church. A. few minutes later when the cure and choir were leaving the church to meet the funeral procession, another of the choristers fell down nori expired, having broken a blood vessel of the heart. While the funeral was in progress a house close b\ caught fire, and the only occupants, two little chil- dren, were burned to death and the house entirely destroyed.

CAPTUREO BY BRIGANDS. Mr. Whittall, a British subject resident at Smyrna who was recently captured by brigands in the neighbourhood of the town was released on Saturda* evening. The Sultan on hearing of his capture immediately sent orders to the Yali of Smyrna. to do all in his power to procifre Mr. Whittall's release and even if necessary to pay the ransom demanded by the brigands.

DARING JEWEL ROBBERY. The Leicester police on Sunday received inform tion of a daring robbery which took place in broad daylight at a lock-up jeweller's shop, owned by Mr Charles Usher, Humberstone-gate, Leicester. Valu- ables estimated to be worth ;ELOOO. have been carried off. Mr. Usher left the shop securely fastened a half-past ten on Sunday morning, but on returning 0, two hours later found the place ransacked. Every- thing portable in the shape of jewellery had disap- peared. The wires of the electric alarm bells wertJ cut, and a burglar's jemmy was found on the floor The thieves apparently gained access by the sky- light.

AN American citizen of German origin, named Knaak, has been locked up at Berlin on a charge of lese majesty, in consequence of some "neautiotis criticisms, which he gave vent to at a restaurant. A German sitting near promptly fetched a constable and had him arrested. Silence is golden in Berlin, even though that city can still boast that it contains judges. I

CHARGE OF SHOOTING AT A WIFE. At the NewcaatJe-on-Tyne Pblice-court 011 Monday, William Tinn, 25, a dentist, was charged with having discharged a stick gun at Annie Tinn, his wife, with intent to kill her, on Saturday night. The wife stated that she suddenly saw a flash of light and then found her arm injured. She did not know who fired the gun. The case was remanded, and bail was allowed. ( „ *!S

TO RECOVER SIXPENCE. RAILWAYS AND THB CARRIAGE OF BICYCLES. In the Queen's Bench Division on Monday, before Mr. Justice Channell, sitting without a jury, the case of Britten v. the Great Northern Railway Company, which was an action brought under the articles of the National Cyclists' Union, to recover 6d. paid by plaintiff to the defendants for the carriage of his bicycle between King's-cross and East Finchley, came on for hearing. Mr. Joseph Walton, in opening the case, said that the action raised a question of the greatest im- portance-namely, whether a bicycle is personal lug- gage, and whether the railway company are bound to carry it without charging extra. Plaintiff, on the 23rd October, 1897, was a second class passenger on defendant company's line between King's-cross and East Finchley. and took with him his bicycle, on which he was charged sixpence extra for carriage. The statute dealing with the point in dispute was the Great Northern Railway Company Private Act, 9 and 10 Vic., chap. 71, section 206, in which it was set out that every passenger might take with him luggage, as ordinary luggage, in different weights, according to the class of the passenger. He submitted, therefore, that plaintiff's bicycle clearly came within those words, as it was something which the traveller carried with him for his own personal convenience and use in connection with his journey, and was an. article such as was ordinarily carried for that purpose. There was no distinction in principle, he contended, between a gun-case, or an angler's fishing tackle, or an artist's easel being considered as per- sonal luggage more than a bicycle. What dis- tinction in principle could there be between a man who carried with him a pair of roller skates and the man who carried with him a bicycle ? The definition of personal luggage, as set out in the statute, appeared to him to be limited to what a passenger takes with him for his own personal convenience, either during the journey or at the end of the jour- ney. The protection the railway company had was the limit in weight of such luggage, and that it should be such things as people ordinarily carried about with them. He submitted that a bicycle came within the category, and that therefore the plaintiff was entitled to succeed. Mr. Russell, Q.C., who represented defendants, contended that a bicycle could, not be described as luggage, end could not be said to be a thing which a person ordinarily took about with him. If a bicycle were to be regarded as -ordinary luggage, the railway company would probably have boats belonging to boatmen tendered as personal luggage, and might have to transport skiffs, measuring 40ft., free of charge. Even if a bicycle came within the category to which the definition of ordinary luggage applied, there could be no doubt that bicycles took up a very unusual and excessive amount of space, and required a great deal of care in handling. His lordship, in giving judgment, said he was clearly of opinion that a bicycle could not be con- sidered as ordinary luggage within the meaning of. the definition. Luggage must be for the personal use of the passenger, and it must also be something which was habitually taken by a person when he was travel- ling for use not merely during the actual journey, but for use during the time he was away. In addition to luggage being things of personal use, they must also be of the kind of thing usually denominated as lug- gage. There was sufficient ground in this case -to justify him in holding that a bicycle was not per- sonal luggage, and he therefore gave judgment for defendant company with costs.

ZCIOO REWARD. One hundred pounds is offered for the discovery of Minnie Lauder, aged 19,;the daughter of Archi- bald Lauder, a well-known Glasgow wine merchant. Miss Lauder left her father's house on October 24, to go a message, and absolutely no trace of her has been discovered since, in spite of police and other inquiries. The missing girl is described as tall, hand- some, and domesticated.

> GAS EXPLOSIONS. BBMARKABLB ACCIDENT TO A MANCHESTER PONTOOR. An explosion of an alarming and remarkable cha- racter occurred on Monday at Mode Wheel, which is occupied by the Manchester Ship Canal Pontoon and Dry Docks Co. A workman named Brankes, descended into the interior of the pontoon, and the naked light he carried coming into,contaci with an accumulation "of foul gases causea an explosion, the report of which was heard a considerable distance away. So great was Its force that a Ship Canaf Cowpariy s employe, who was engaged in the. hydraulic tower at Mode Wheel Was knocked off his seat, while two apprentices in a boat by the side of the pontoon were lifted out of the little craft, alighting ppon some adjoining timber. The ex- plosion blew out the end of the pontoon, and Brankes, who was hurled out with it, was found lying ashore some 25 yards away. He was picked up by his fellow workmen and conveyed to the nearest hospital. TIVE PERSONS INJURED. An escape of jgas caused a serious explosion on Monday afternoon at the works of Horrocks, Crewd- son, and Co., cotton manufacturers, Preston. Three rtieh employed in the gas shed and two weavers at work in an adjoining building were injured. Con- iideràblé damage was also done to the buildings and pIanL,

A MAIL STEAMER IN COLLISION. The Union Company's steamer German, which sailed on Saturday afternoon from Southampton, on her maiden voyage for the Cape, put back to that port on Sunday morning, having been in collision with the barque Savernake at eight o clock on Satur- day night, when about 25 miles outside Hurst Castle. The German sustained a severe slanting blow on the port side, right amidships and over the coal bunkers, the plates being torn and broken in several places, but, fortunately, this damage was not below., tQ water-line. There is also a large bulging of the plates below the water-mark. The full extent of the effects of the collision cannot be ascertained until the ship is placed in dry dock. The Savernake, which belongs to Swansea, and was from Taltal, via Queenstown, for London, arrived at Southampton at three p.m. on Sunday. The 3rd West India Regiment, the newly-formed battalion which recently arrived from Barbadoes en route to St. Helena, and have been temporarily located at Brockhurst, in the Portsmouth military command, left there on Saturday by train for South- ampton and embarked on board the German for conveyance to their .destination. Owing to the col- lision the soldiers on Sunday night returned to their recently vacated quarters to await the provision of further transport.

ATTACKED BY AN ANGRY BUCK. Albert Sayers, proprietor of the San Rafael and Bolinas stage line, has had an encounter with an enraged deer, that almost resulted in the loss of his life. The circumstances of the case are most pecu- liar, remarks the San Francisco Call. About. fiv, in the afternoon Savers was passing down » wooded slope on Bolinas Ridge in a buggy, when an enraged buck bounded out of the brush and ran into a wheel of the vehicle with such force that it was thrown to the ground. Maddened with the pain of the collision, it rose to its feet and ran at the horse, trying to thrust'its horns into the animal's side. Fearing that his horse, a valuable animal, would be disembowelled, Sayers drew a pocket knife and leaped out of the buggv. At the first jab of the knifethe infuriated buck turned on Sayers. who was knocked down by the fierce onslaught. IT,. managed to secure, a hold on one of the antlers and tried to cut the deer's throat, but could not get in an effectual blow. Tbe, struggle was so furious that Shyers was soon winded, and nearly at the mercy of the angry buck, when a lucky opportunity presented itself, and he drove the knife deep into its neck. A l this juncture the deer gave the whistle peculiar to its species, and, with a parting stroke of its hoof that gashed Sayers's hand, broke away and fled into tlu- forest. During the encounter the horse stood per- fectly still, evidently palsied with fright. Its sides were badly torn by the buck's horns, and Sayers him- self suffered numerous cuts and bruises, and had his trousers shredded by the deer's hoofs.

CHINESE AFFAIRS. A telegram from Pekin states that the arrival of M. Giers, the new Russian Minister, foreshadows a milder Russian policy. Mystery reigns as to what is happening at the palace. The Emperor, is alive, but he is described as politically dead." Several sons of Princes are at the palace ready to succeed the Emperor. The Chinese authorities are trying to get the detachments of foreign troops withdrawn from Pekin, but they are not likely to, succeed. The, negotiations about the reception of the ladies of the Diplomatic Body by the Dowager Empress have been re-opened. A telegram from Shanghai says no credence is attached to a report that the British flag had been hoisted on the Chusan Islands.

POISONOUS GERMAN TOYS. Dr. Salmon, Chief of the Bureau of Animal In- dustry for the United States, in a report to jlr. Wilson, Secretary of Agriculture, refers to German imports generally. He states that it had been found ,that German toys and similar coloured goods are poisonous, and that all highly-painted German tovs may be regarded as very dangerous for children, wh i may suck off the paint.

A NEW PLANET. fhe discovery of minor planets, or asteroids, ha* gone on so fast that the observation of a new on causes little remark, especially as there seems to bo no limit to their smallness, and there are probably hundreds more that could be detected with more powerful glasses and more patient observation. But a recent discovery by G. Witt, of the Urania Obser- vatory at Berlin, is worth more attention. The object discovered, though certainly a minor planet, is of a different group from those we have hitherto known, and its discovery will doubtless lead to the know- ledge of others of its family, unless it should prove to be the sole member. Herr Witt made his discovery while searching photographically for asteroids. Says Nature: "On August 14 last Ilw found on the planet he had exposed, in addition to the trail of the minor planet he was hoping to catch, a second trail which indicated the presence of another of these small bodies plovin- round tbp son with a more than usual velocity. Herr Witt was not con- tent, however, to let the matter rest thus, so he under- took a series of eye observations and measure- ments which are necessary for the determination of the elements of the body in question. Herr Berberich undertook the task of investigating its motion from these observations, and the result, so far as is known, is surprisingly interesting. Instead of the object being new or a previouslv observed member of that system of bodies which travels round the sun between Mars and Jupiter, it prove* to be quite an exception, its orbit lyin^ within that of Mars. In other words it travels in a path which is nearer to the earth than that of Mars, It completes its revolution in a period of about 600 days; that is, roughly, æ, davs less than Mars takes; both the eccentricity and inclination of the orbit are considerable. This small body thus becomes our nearest neighbour after the moon, and, although small, will shine when closest to us as a star of the sixth magnitude. No doubt the discovery of this new planet will incite afresh observers of these small, bodies; and who will say that this new object is t11ë only member of itskind that performs its revolutior round the sun in an otfbit between the earth an Mars."

REPORTED DEFEAT OF THE KHALIFA. Rumours have reached Omdurman that about November 18, the Khalifa was severely defeated near gherkela by Mekkumbo, of Geb-el-Daier, and lost a number of men. He is reported to have fled towardl Ig Obeid.

'■ X- THB largest swannery in the British Isles is at Abbotsbury, a charming little village a few miles from Weymouth. The swannery belongs to Lord Hchester, and consists of 11,000 swans, a wonderful sight indeed, especially when all the birds take to the water, making the river one glistening expanse of white. In the gro-,inds-.tbore is always a decoy for wild birds, as many as 200 being captured at one time, Is a Sussex church there is said to be one of the most remarkable echoes known, while in a Hertford- shire church the tick of a watch may be heard from one end of the building to the other. It is also stated that in the Cathedral of Girgenti, in Sicily, the slightest whisper is borne with perfect, distinctness from the great western door to the cornice behind the altar, a distance of about 150ft. GRENOBLE is the place where most of the kid gloves come from. At this, place alone 1,200,000 dozen pairs of gloves are manufactured annually. This represents a value of EI,400,000 to £1,450,000, and gives employment to 25,000. workpeople of both eexes. There are 4000 men and 21,000 wemen re- 18 siding within a radius of 38 miles round Grenoble who live bv this work.

A FATAL FIRST-LOVE. karie Vrolandj 20 years of age, of Rosendael, has just shot herself in the head after drinking- a pint of brandy to strengthen her resolution. Hers was a story that Longfellow might have painted in one of his striking word-pictures. At 15 years of age she loved and was loved by a rich young farmer, whose parents opposed obstinate resistance to their mar- riage, because of incongruity of fortune. The young man to whom she was about to bear a child mado a last vain effort to move these proud people, and then drowned himself. Two years later Marie's child died, and since then she has not spoken excepting with a Yea or a Nay and has done her work mechanically. She resisted several very good offers of marriage made to her, for she was young, beauti- ful, and full of life, but the memory of her lost sweetheart ruled them all out.

SEVEN MILLION CARTRIDGES ORDERED. Within the last few days the War Office have dis- tributed large orders for cartridge-cases amongst Birmingham manufacturers. The contracts have been marked urgent, and, in order to ensure prompt de- livery, the help of several firms has been enlisted. The King's Norton Metal Company have undertaken to supply two and a half million, but the total number required is seven millions.

A FAMILY WEAKNESS FOR SUICIDE. About a year ago, at Charleroi, Belgium, a young woman named Dahlia Moll, 18 years of age, took a strong dose of strychnine that she had procured under the pretence of desiring to kill her cat. The motive for her act was disappointed love. Some months later one of her cousins threw herself into the Sambre, saying that life had become to her un- bearable. She was 20 years of age, and left a letter enjoining parents not to educate their daughters in laziness, else they would read nothing but novels, and thus have false dreams of life: to suffer a rude awakening soon afterwards. Before com- mitting the fearful act, this woman had visited her father's tomb, in company with her old grandmother, and as they parted she embraced the old woman ten- derly, just before leaving for the river in which she drowned herself. On the way she had met two children, unknown to her. She embraced them affec- tionately. On November 13 the old grandmother re- ferred to was taken, dead, out of the self-same river. It is only a fortnight ago that, having heard of her grand-daughter's suicide, she had expressed her astonishment that the child had had the courage to take her own life; but the example of youth, as we have seen, was early followed by old age.

AMERICA'S NAVY. Captain Crowninshield, Chief of the United States Bureau of Navigation, in his annual report recom- mends that the enlisted force of the navy shall be in- creased to 20,000 men and 2500 apprentices. For the last few years the bureau has been en- gaged in a constant struggle to make the established quota suffice for the needs of the service. The re- serve on the receiving ships has practically ceased to exist, so that now, when a vacancy occurs, it has to be filled by a transfer. from some other cruising ship, thus breaking up the organisation of the latter, and forming a serious detriment to her efficiency. He points out that with the increase asked for this great evil will be avoided. He suggests the passage of the bill a:lteady introdueed for increasing the number of officers. He praises the volunteer officers who served during the war, and say& that the naval militia was a great help to the Government, but the officers and men lacked that sea Experience which is absolutely neces- sary to greatest-eiffciency. He recommends that pro- vision shall be made for the National Naval Reserve, where it be entirely under thexontrol of the Govern- ment, each member being subject to a limited enlist- ment, which .would compel him to serve in war times and having to report himself once a year for drill, &c. Referring to promotions of officers, which he says can only be given at the expense of other officers, he urges Congress to enact legislation which should provide a suitable reward such as a medal of honour, which could be given to an officer without working to the detriment of others who, while they may have had no opportunity of distinguishing themselves, never- theless performed faithful and valuable duty and should not jbe .compelled to lose rank and pay by becoming stepping-etpnes for, others,. He treats somewhat lengthily of the war, which says has been another demonstration of the im- portance to the nation of sea power, and in- timates that the navy should have charge of the transportation of troops. He pays a high tribute to the gunnery of the navy,,and says it is the purpose of the Bureau to continue tratning gun- captains on a vessel specially assigned for this duty. It had been the endeavour of the bureaur during the year preceding the war to increase the rate of fire at target practice. When all the circumstances of the war are considered it will be found that the hits per gun per minute have been remarkably high. Guns and gunners were so effective that before the range was or could be reduced the Spanish ships were either seriously crippled or the crews demoralised. The estimates submitted for the maintenance of the Office of Naval Intelligence, which has for years performed duties of great importance, also recom- mend the establishment of a permanent coast signal service.

MDME. BERNHARDT'S YACHT. It seems very doubtful after all (observes the Daily Chronicle) whether Pierre Loti will consent to act a skipper on board Mdrne. Sarah Bernhardt s yacht when that energetic lady goes forth to add India to her conquests. He has a; novel in hand, and ilopee to finish it this winter. There is yet another reason for staying just now within reach of Paris. Some months ago Admiral Besnard, then Minister of Marine, for reasons unknown, cut short his naval career by putting Lieutenant Julien Viand on the re- tired list. But the nautical academician is fond of his profession, and has appealed against this arbitrary step. It is probable that the case will not come before the Council of State just yet, and Pierre Loti may spend the interval in a tripto Asia Minor and Persia, pushing on as far as the Afghan frontier.

WORLD-WIDE METHODISM. The following general statistics of world-wide Methodism, the latest and most reliable, will be of interest to many. The Wesleyan Methodist Church and affiliated Conferences, according to the Calendar for now to be issued, possesses 3070 ministers, 24,300 local preachers, 682,768 Church members, 9513 Sunday Schools, with 142,991 officers and teachers, and a total of 1,119,555 Sunday scholars. The churches number 11,235. The Methodist Church that ranks next in point of numbers is the Primitive Methodist, with 1088 ministers, 16,617 local preachers. 197,182 Church members, 4303 Sun- day schools, 61,000 officers and teachers, 465,089 Sunday Scholars, and 4567 churches. Then comes the United Methodist Free Churches, with 438 ministers, 3489 local preachers, 91,42-3 Church members, 1361 Sunday Schools, 25,051 officers and teachers, 201,467 Sunday scholars, and 1580 churches. The Bible Christians stand forth, with 288 ministers, 1900 local preachers, 34,826 Church members, 600 Sunday Schools, 9132 officers and teachers, 56,917 Sunday rscholars, and 959 chui-dies. The Methodist New Connection has 206 ministers 1203 local preachers, 39,674 Church members, 493 Sunday Schools, 11,020 officers and teachers, 84,369 Sunday scholars, and 575 chsircncs. The Methodism of the United States, of which the Methodist Episcopal Church takes the lead, together with the Canadian and Australasian Methodism, greatly swells the totals, so that at the present time the general statistics of Methodism throughout the world are as follows: 43,400' ministers 101,643 local preachers, 7,100,001 members 76,821 churches, 77,627 Sunday Schools, 788,060 officers and teachers, and 6,185,790 sclio'arg.

ALTHOUGH we have in England a torpedo-boat ho- Turbinia, which has travelled at the high speed of over 35 miles an hour, Gray-ion, the well-known American engineer and architect,' has proposed a steam turbine driven battleship which will have a nominal speed of 35 knots, or nearly 40 miles an hour, and 3H knots for, cruisers, which means con- siderably over 40 miles an hour. On a torpedo-boat which is to rival our Turbinia he proposes fixing lo Dropellers instead of the usual two.

THE LOSS OF THE MOHEGAN. In the Wreck Inquiry Court, on Saturday, Mr. B. H. Marsham gave judgment with respect to the losa of the. Mohegan. Answering the various questions submitted by the Board of Trade, the Court held that the vessel was in good and seaworthy condition when she left the Thames that her compasses were suffi- cient, and could not have been affected by the electric current from her dynamos; that she was adequately supplied with boats, which were ready for use, though the Court. was of opinion that a lifeboat should be swung out on each side of a passenger vessel when navigating the Channel. The Court also found that the vessel was supplied with lamps independently of the electric lamps; that she was efficiently officered and manned and that her master was in good health at the time of the wreck. The Eddystone Lighthouse was passed at a distance not greater than three miles, and the course subsequently steered was west by north. A proper look-out was set, but the Court was not prepared to say that it was kept. The Court was of opinion that the cause of the wreck was that a wrong course was steered after the vessel passed the Eddy- stone. The Court dealt with other questions with respect to the launching of the boats, the assistance rendered by boats from the shore, and other matters, and found that every possible effort was made by the master, officers, and crew to save life, and that good discipline was maintained after the casualty.

THE BIRMINGHAM CATTLE SHOW. PRIZES WON BY TUB QUEEN. The annual show promoted by the Birmingham Agricultural Exhibition Society opened on Saturday, when the judges performed their duties. This is tbe jubilee year of the society. The Queen had eight entries of cattle, six of which won eight prizes between them, while the Prince of Wales, who had two entries each of cattle and sheep, took one first and one second. The classes for Here- fords, Shorthorns, Devons, and Scotch cattle were not so well filled as those for crossbreeds and miscellaneous stock. The Herefords numbered 21, and a steer from the Flemish farm at Windsor was placed first in his class, the prizes for three-year-old steers and heifers being taken by Captain Townshend and the Earl of Coventry. When the three beasts were judged for the £ 50 prize given to the best Hereford the award was given in her Majesty's favour. There were only 16 shorthorns in the three classes. Here, again, the Queen was successful, her three-year-old heifer Margaret being first in her class, and taking the 00 special prize as best of the breed, beating Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild's Cameronian and a beast belonging to Sir John Swinburne. In the Devon classes the Queen was even more successful, gaining the two first awards and the special prize for the best of the breed, the other first prize going to Lord Portman. The Scotch classes followed, and four of these were for the Aberdeen- Angus breed. The Earl of Strathmore was first with a beautiful specimen of the breed, reared at Glamis Castle. Sir William Gordon Cumming was second in the three-year-old steer class, being beaten by Captain Townshend, and Lord Strathmore's heifer won the £ 50 prize for the best of the Scottish breed* The four classes for cross-bred cattle had 2| entries, aud the highest honours were awarded to Mr. J. J. Colman's executors for a steer of Scotch breed- ing. Sir William Gordon Cumming was second in this class, and in the class for younger steers. In the small entry of Kerry cattle the Duchess of New- castle secured a first and Sir Walter Gilbey two second prizes. In the class for butchers' beasts of any breed or age, there were 31 entries, compris- ing the heaviest beast in the hall, Mr. Hunt's shortern steer, which scaled 21cwt. lqr. 201b. Nine of the entries were commended. In the follow- ing class the Prince of Wales was given first prize for a steer from Sandringham. The principal winners were then brought out into the ring to try for the Champion prizes, which consisted of a £50 cup, given by the Queen, to commemorate the Jubilee Show of a cup of £ 25, given by the President; and of three challenge cups of 100 guineas each, offered by Messrs. Elkington, Messrs. Thorley, and Messrs. Webb. The two first-named prizes became the absolute property of the winner, but it is necessary to win the other three twice in succession, or in three different years before they can be retained. The judges quickly put back the Queen's Devon and Hertford, and the crossbred from Mr. Colman's homestead, this leaving her Majesty's shorthorn and. Lord Strathmore's polled heifer only in opposition. The decision was eventually m favour of Lord Strathmore, who thus won outright two silver cups of £ 75, two money prizes of £ 65, jnd holding three challenge cups of 100guineas each, which he has only to win once more to be entitled to keep. Among the sheep the Southdown classes included some choice a inials in the peris of the Prince of Wales, Sir Humphrey de Trafford, and Mrs. Monte- fiore. The best breeds of sheep in the show, bow- ever, were the Oxfordshire and Hampshire Downs, Baron Ferdinaud de Rothschild being first and second with the former* and Lord Rothschild first with a pen of Oxfordshires, to which the judges awarded the Cooper Challenge Cup as the best she ep in the show.

ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO WRECK A TRAIN. An attempt was made on Sunday night to wreck the Great Western passenger train running on a branch line from Launceston to Plymouth, in the vicinity of Bickleigh Station, about seven miles from Plymouth. Large stones were placed on the metals, but the train, which was well filled with people, fortunately did not leave the permanent way. On arrival at Plymouth the driver reported the incident, and an examination of the engine showed that the guard was bent and the sand-pipe broken, while the brake gear was damaged.

A YORKSHIRE TOWN SUBMERGED. The river Dearne, which runs through South York- shire, overflowed its banks on Saturday, and, a por- tion of the banks also collapsing, the town of Wath, near Barnsley, was in part submerged. The fields adjacent to the Five Arches and the approach to Wath Main Colliery were all flooded. The same dis- aster befell the Great Central station oil the Midland line, the traffic being considerably impeded. On some parts of the line the water was several feet deep. Railway passengers were conveyed to and from the station in a wagonette. The neighbouring farmers were in great fear as to the safety of their cattle, but in the course of the day, by the cutting of trenches and other methpds, the difficulty of the situation was overcome. 'The "disaster was attributable to the recent jtetrrj »t»ow8torm "which swept over Yorkshire.

IT is stated from high military quarters that the building of a war port near Danzig is in contempla- tion and that the Government has already secured land near Gedingen. A torpedo-boat atation is also contemplated near Plehnendorf. LoRD JAMES OF HEREFORD has consented to act as arbitrator into the inquiry into the allegations against the North Metropolitan Tramways Company of breaches of their^ lease from the London County Council in the matter of wages and hours of labour.

CURRENT SPORT. ,be -meeting between Queen's Park, Glasgow, and the Corinthians* at. the Association Football game always arouses keen interest, as it is a test between I the strength of English and Scottish amateur foot- ball. This season the Corinthians have had few op- portunities of playing together, owing to the difficulty experienced in arranging fixtures with the League teams; and their form so far has beep, below that of last season. Queen's Park, on the other hand, have proved themselves a very strong side, as might have been gathered from their victory over the Rangers in the final of the Glasgow Cup. Last season, at Queen's Club, the Corinthians gained an easy victory by five goals to one but on Saturday Queen's Park, although not quite at full strength, reversed the deci- sion and won by three goals to two. This success they thoroughly deserved, for they played the better football. Their fonvards showed much better combi- nation and they were smarter on the ball; the three inside men; D. Berry, R.H'Coll, and I). Wilson, jun., combined well, and their short passing was a great ■source of trouble to the Corinthian defence. Their halves also played a sturdy game and prevented their opponents from getting properly together. In the first half Queen's Park had much the better of the play, and their goalkeeper had little to do; but the Corinthian halves gave their forwards little support with the ex- ception of B. Middleditch, and he had a very dangerous wing to look after in R. A. Lambie and D. Berry. Berry opened the score for Queen's Park after 15 minutes' football, while a quarter of an hour later M'Coll added a second goal. Before half time G. O. Smith kicked a goal for the" Corinthians. Afterwards the Corinthian halves shdwed 'improved form, with the result that the forwards combined much better, and G. O. Smith equalised; but before the -finish M'Coll again put his side ahead, and, although the Corinthians on several"; occasions had good opportunities, they were lost through weakness in front of goal. Saturday was a day of surprises in the Associa- tion Football League championship competition, and there was no more remarkable result than the defeat of Aston Villa by Sheffield Wednesday. The Villa's long sequence of successes1 was thus broken but their place at the head of the clubs is still strong, and their near opponents on Saturday were associated with them in misfortune, for most of the leading sides lost. Everton's defeat on their own ground by Bury was the next most startling end to a great game. Generally the weather and the heavy .going were against good football Results: i Sheffield Wednesday beat Aston Villa (3-1), at Sheffield. Owing to the bad light the game was stopped before the regulation hour and a half and the ten minutes: of which the game was short will, according to precedent, be contested when the sides meet in the return match in the spring. Meanwhile the game has been counted as a loss to Aston Villa. Sunderland beat Stoke (2-0), at Sunderland. Wolverhampton Wanderers beat Notts County (J—0), at Wolverhampton; ■■ Derby County beat Newcastle United (3-1), at B Liverpool beat Notts (3-0), at Nottingham. Burnley beat Blackburn Rovers (2—0),- at Burnley. Bolton Wanderers drew with Preston North End (2 all), at Solton. „ TT West Bromwich Albion beat Sheffield United (3—0), at West Bromwich. Bury beat Everton (1—0), at Liverpool. (<.C"- Other Association results were Cambridge Urm versity beat Old Westminsters (4-1) at the Crystal Palace: Clapton beat Great Marlow 3London Caledonians beat London Welsh (6-0) Westm ns er Sdhool drew with Magdalen College, Oxford (1 all), Old Carthusians beatOldBr.ghtonians (4—2) South- ampton beat Millwall Athletic (4-,1), Tottenhani Hotspur beat Royal Artillery, Portsmouth (3.-2), Bristol City beat Reading (1-0), and Luton beat Blackpool (3—2). Blackheath v. Richmond on Saturday, under Rugby Union rules, on the Richmond Athletic Ground, was, as the match has usually been, mostly concerned with the forwards; but in the few instances of the play opening Blackheath easily demonstrated their better skill, and it was just this fine work of Livesay and Unwin at half and 6f the three-quarter line that turned the game and enabled Blackheath to win by a goal and a try to nothing.' Richmond neglected their chances in the first 20 minutes, and "All thsir powerful work forward was thrown aw»y by blunders out- side the scrummage. It was observed by one of the finest judges of Rugby football that Richmond finished badly, and this it was that very likely cost them the game, for they failed to make the most of their opportunities at a critical period. Richmond possessed a splendid pack in weight and pace, but there was just wanting with them that fine art in for- ward play—namely, the control of th& ball, eothat the Blackheathmen although often pushed about, patticu- larly in the first half, were able to make up some of their lost grouiiid .by theirs suburb footwork. They broke up quickly and were .always on .the ball. But Richmond; were an unlueky side; and, with absolutely tfeeii^. two ^st forwards ^pub out nfthe fight. in the last quarter of, art; hour thev were deserving of sympathy. F. Jacobs twisted ankle is likely to keep him away ,from football for some time, while a badly bruised hip also caused Dudgeon, the International to retire from the field. The drizzle, which made tue bali greasy, and the heavy turf accounted for the mis- haps in aiparticuJarly keen match. ROH.Livesay, the Blackheath half, who was a little .diffident of playing owing to a weak knee was injured late m the second half, but wentoii w.th his game and hift footKl had more to do with the Blackheath victory- than anything else. The.quickness with which he was on tfhe ball and the great pace whicli he at once developed in running led up to many strong attacks, while both he and Urnm were very ieen m de- fence The Blackheath. three-quarter line which comprised Royds, Latter RobihsOn, and Taylor wag strcng alike in, defence and attack, whi Russell, the full back, never playted a ^under ga.^ than on this occasion. He never missed 11 his kicking was very skilful. Richmond, & often carrying the scrummages, were const _y losing the ball, and their three-quarters were largely responsible for the defeat, Rotherham and Schwarz did much good work at half, but had fewer oppo tunities than Lfvesay and Unwin while Lee the full back, kicked well. Blackheath obtained!then; goal in the first half, when it was placed by Cs8ell from a try by Unwin. In the Sid period a fine piece of ninning and passing between Royds and Robinson ended K a 4 by the last-named. There was a large com- Anv preset; airmail body of spectators upfront of the stand showed a noisy hostility to the referee s decisions and to the Blackheath player*. The Rich- mond executive might see that ih future-the enjoy- ment at the friends of football is pndisturbed by the mere handful ofmQisposed persons who manage to get into the Richmond Athletic Ground.. r. In theRugbyconnty championship competition at^ Bristol, Gloucestershire beat Somerset by% dropped1 opal arid a< try to. a try. "Ifcwas aoplendfelly fought Sme. The Somerset forwards were very good, and no scoring occurred until the last quarter of an hour.. Percy Stout, the international three-quarter, was in great form, and it was his dropped goal near the finish that enablftdJiis side to win. Gloucestershire h^e nawa strong ehance of securing the divisional championship honours, but everything-depends upon the course of Somerset v. Devon which is fixed for December. 10 at Weston-super-Mare. Anything but the success of Devon would mean the championship of the West Country for Gloucestershire but if Devon win then must Gloucestershire and Devon replay their recent drawn game. The Cambridge University Ragby fifteen did badly at Cambridge against the London Scottish, by whom they were beaten by a goal and three tries to nothing. Such a result does not improve their pro- spects tor the big match at the Queen's Club next month. Cambridge have, in fact, this season been a very disappointing side. W. N. Pilkington, who was hurt at Blackheath, was again absent from the Uni- versity on Saturday. In a public school match at Marlborough the .issue wae decided by a try which Wellington scored against Marlborough in the second half. The game was ulTi-iost entirely with the forwards. Among Rughy club matches the following were played Coopers-hill beat Pogbfyn-park, Monkstown beat Harlequins, Old Leysians beat St. Thomas's Hospital, .:i Marlborough Nonaads beat Royal *• v. V* .V.VW j Engineers, Guy's Hospital beat Old Merchant Taylors, Kensington drew with Wickh&h-park, Bedford beat St. Bartholomew's Hospital^ Croydon beat Lennox, Leicester drewwithLansdowne,-Cardiff beat Newport, Swansea beat, Devonport Albion, Gloucester beat Bath, Northampton beat Coventry, Streatham beat United Services, and Ealing beat London Irish. Mr. E. H. Miles, the holder of the M.C.C. gold tennis prize, on Saturday beat Punch Fairs, at Prince's Club, by three sets to none. Although the Cambridge University Hare and Hounds Club had not the assistance of their captain (A. Hunter, president, C.U.A.C.), they easily defeated the Blackheath Harriers' contingent over the Gogma- gog course on Saturday afternoon. The conditions were very bad, rain falling heavily throughout the run. and the pace was influenced proportionately Each side ran seven men. The visitors were able to claim the first man home in E. Ratcliff, but, as the University provided numbrjrji 2* 3, 4^0, ,7, they won by 22 points to 83. Birlinc Manor, near Maidstone, was the scene of the opentng meet of the West Kent Hunt on Satin-- day. After the usual breakfast, the Hon. R. P. Nevill who resides at the Manor, was presented with 'his portrait painted m oils, subscribed by the farmers and others connected with the hunt. Besides being the actual donor of the nresent pack, Mr. Nevill has taken the greatest interest in the welfare of the hunt during its past 40 years, and was for several years its Master. This position is now filled by Lord George Nevill, who was present at the ceremony. The meet was one of the largest on record in the county, although the damp and dull weather must have kept many away. The Marquis of Abergavenny, the Masters of nearly every pack in Kent, and many prominent followers were, however, among the gathering. Rain fell in torrents and with but little intermis- sion in the Shires on the closing day of last week, the country profiting considerably thereby. The Belvoir Hounds met at Piper Hole, proceedings in this dis- trict being somewhat interrupted by fog. Only a few got well away with hounds from Clawson Thorns, a not over-bold fox being eventually killed at Piper Hole Gorse. The Cottesmore on the same day were in the Ridlington district, and found quite a bouqjiet. of foxes in Ayston Spinney, hounds running a ring by Preston and Uppingham and back through the Quaker's Spinney, eventually marking their fox to ground near Belt on. At a later period hounds ran from Wardley Woods out towards Lyddington, and again at a great pace from the same covert across to Stockerston. The Earl of Harrington's hounds also scored a good day's sport from Farndon Hall, an outlying fox leading his pursuers over a sporting line of country towards Shelton, but, getting clear away near the New Covert. Hounds found again and ran to Elston, where pursued and pursuers were all in a garden together. Reynard saved his brush by getting to ground in Syerston-park, The thousand or so people who went to North. umberland-park on Monday afternoon to see the United League play the Thames and Medway Com- bination at Association football saw a bright game. A keen air put the players on their mettle, and though there was no question of club reputation at stake the game was keenly contested, and in the most friendly spirit a victory for the representa- tives of the United League by four goals to two was the result, but, it was only in the last quarter of an. hotir that the win- ners showed any superiority. Although the lighter team, the Combination had most of the play in. the first half,, showing great pace and dash, while their opponents were occasionally at fault. Still, for the most part, the play was even until a brilliant left foot Ishot by Garfield gave the Combination the first goal. McKay soon equalised, but before change of ends Yates again gave the Com- bination the lead. So far the weather had kept fine, but rain began to fall in the second half, and with a strong wind- assisting them the League were con- siderably favoured. The play continued even for some time, however, until from a goal kick Joyce re- ceived the ball and equalised with a smart shot. -e Then the League proved much the better side, and after McKay had placed them in a winning position. Joyca shot afoprth goal. fi( "T The West of Scotland Rugby fifteen appeared at Cambridge on Monday, and after a hard game drew with the University, nothing being scored. The weather was of a wretched description, rain falling in torrents. In the first half the Light Blues had the beat of the game, and nearly scored on three or four occasions. The play in the second half was fairly even, both sidee • jn tawn being dangerous. Cyril Thomson, of the Scottish, was unluckily kicked on the head, and was compelled to retire. -ra The two young jicullers, T. Green, jun., and C. Gibson, jun., who hail from >Banres and Putney re- spectively, on Monday, rowed a match in1 Best and Best. boats, over the championship course on the Thames for £ 50 a-side. There was at head wind from Putney, to :Ham.mersniith, and the water was rough, so that the Middlesex station man had a great advantage. Green won the toss, chose it,, and show- ing superior watermanship, drew away from the very start, and won easily by fifteen lengths. Time, 2Qmip.,J5aec. ,<