The Pontypridd Chronicle and Workman's News

CURRENT TOPICS. M. BLONDIN, of Niagara fame, will complete his 70th year on the last day of February next. He is still in excellent health, and lie therefore int^ixls returning to the Crystal Pulace—the scene of his Brsb British triumph—on Boxing DIY next. to repeat during the Christmas holidays some of his < hrittingexptoits, proving lolhe puhlicthai advmic- ing years have in no wise diminished his intrepidity and dexterity. THE Duke of Leinster was the bend of a family blue-blooded enough to satisfy even L'dy Chm-len Beresford, vvlio recently said that only some forty familiall II/ullln inalienable riulit to be r> clouted as in Society." The Duke'sEnrhloni of K»rrvke, dating from 1315, was next 10 the EnMoin of Sai hoi liind, (lacing from 1228, and the E n Mom of Arundel, dat ing from 1155, the oldest in the United Kingdom. It, was created by Edward II. tlieveu after Bannockburn 10 spite Robert 11.1> Buice. Robert himself began his career a* Eml of Kiwryke, nr Cuirick, in the Peerage of Scotland. Afl!'t Baniiookbtmi, he gave the title to his brother, Edward. Edward of England then created an Eat 1 of t he same name in li nland, The Scottish Earldom became extinct in 1319; the Earhlom of Carrick now held by the Priiion of Wales as Duke of Rothesay dates only from 14G9. REPRESENTATIVES of the Marriage Law Reform Association, who waited upon the Lord A"voeate at the Scotch Office, received a gently wonhd but Unmistakable reproof for certain net ion which they have taken in recent times. The object-of the Association is solely to obtain an amendment of ike law in- as io legalist marriage with a deceased wife' Sister. But the association has taken upon itself to advise persons who dof-ire lo contract, such TBftniages, and who have applied to it for counci l. I Mr. T. Paynter Allen, the secretary, informed his Lordship that the association has advispd such per- ilons that, although since the Act of 1835, the law Of England makes these marriagesdistinct ly illegal, there is doubt as to their illegality in Scotland. They say that the Scols law on the subject is I founded on I lie statutes of 1567, which practically textually adopts the language of llie 18ih chapter t)f Leviticus. Their contention is that t hat chapter of Leviticus, while foi bidding consanguineous mar- triages, contains no prohibition within the rela- tions of affinity. As the doctrine that affinity and Consanguinity are to be regarded as equal in refer- once to marriage, has been eo persistent ly preached in the past by the church, the idea had grown up In Scotland that the Confession of Faith, ami not "he statute, was the law of the land. Founding ,then not upon this idea, but upon the statute, the association, as Mr. Allen told the Lord Advocate, has been advising people that they might contiact these marriages in Scotland without incurring, terious risk. They even complained of the action Ðf the Registrar-General in refusing to register tuch marriages, and the offspring of them as legit i- mate, and suggested that I hnL IIfficia1 was open to an action for libel upon such refusal. BEFORE administering his rebuke, the Lord Advocain "howed himself to be in enl i re sympathy _itlt the object of the association. He desires that marriage with a deceased wife's sister shall be tnade lawful, and he informed his interviewers that, as a Member of Parliament, he had seveial times voted for the bill which seeks to effect that alteration of the law. But its the highest law nificer of the Crown in Scotland, he could not Assent to the view they had plucerl before him of 'he exinting law of Scotland on the subject. The authority of all constitutional writers, backed by the decisions of the courts, left no serious doubt that, in Scotland, as in England, these marriages were unlawful, 111111 the offspring thereof illegitimate. The responsibility therefore resting *>n those who gave such advice as the association had given, was very grave, and the action of the Regi^tur General had been perfectly correct. He accordingly counselled the association to confine its action to itM one avowed object, that, namely, tof securing an alt oration of the law. IT is no wonder that the poor, even when utterly destitute, have all insuperable diead of the woik- house. lb was in consequence of a letter received from an inmate of Poplar workhouse ihat the Cormier of the district, Mr. Baxter, held an inquest bit the body of John Armstrong, who was sixty-two years old when he was stricken down by bronchitis, a disease far more fat,al in these days than any other. Beyond all doubt, to bronchitis must, be attributed his death, bub some of the evidence given bad a sad interest. The son of the deceased lilan One day found his father delirious, and though the snffrMer remained in that state for two hours and a half, no one in the workhouse, it is alleged, came near him," save one of the inmates, and the old man died ab the end of that time. John Armstrong had complained that the food "upplied wax not suitable for all invalid but it Was not rendered clear, as it should have been, in the comne of the evidence what- that) food was. Nor was a satisfactory explanation, we think, given a" to why there was so small an infirmary attached to the workhouse that the dying man could not for some hours be removed thither. THE Worshipful Company of Conch makers and Co: • ch-h.k!neHM Makers of London is offering a number of prizes for competition among British t I)j.,ctF- engaged in that) trade and resident in the United Kingdom. Thelll are eight compel it ions, •A which the most interesting to the geneial public i-j that giving a first prize of £ 40 by Mr. O. N. Hooper, and a second of £ 10 by the com- pany, for the two best models of an improved four-wheel dose cab body and a single or double Victoria b'"?y, with an mirier-carriage and wheels litt'ng bott) bodies, easily and rapidly interchange- able, all to be suitable for public use in the Streets of London. The models must be to the acule of two inches to the foot; they are to be accompanied by a working drawing to the name tenle, III,d m'l y be made by one person alone, or by more working jointly, the prize models becoming the property of the company. The competition* for this prize in two previous years havtt not produced the type of design and model that, are quite -a'isft'ntory, anil competitors on this Occasion are recommended to communicate with the donor of the prize (through the clerk to the Company), with a view to I ho at lainment of such Informal.ion as may lend to better results, it being cienily understood that: the pI ize will nob be Awarded unless the beab exhibit reaches a high «bMtid«rd of excellence and fulfils the objects I nought for. It may be added that, the prize-winner in any of the competitions who shows the greatest merit, if not. already free of the company, will bnve the honor >ry freedom conferred upon him thoold his drawing or model, in the opinion of the ^-elgee, deserve it. DURING the previous epidemic of influenza the doctor* gave us hope thab it would be the last appearance of this mysterious and now dreaded malady fur a considerable time to come. Former •xpjrience seemed to justify the belief thab after vwio or three visits the malady disappears as mysteriously a* it comes. But it is among 118 again, aft if In den.on*t rate thab in its coming and going tit is nlniilieiij, to no law. It may be said to be I abroad in the land, for repwrts of an epidemic of influenza come from all parts of the compass. The frymp'om*, turfy too well known to countless hournnd- among us, mark the ret urn of the scourge of pievion- M'uiieiH—the sudden seizure, the violent tMlinll, the fevered pulse, the distressing weakness. Xf the m.'t.dy ha* proved less fat at hitherto than nil previous occasions, it is probably because those fcttncked h'wtj f-ift, it necessary to treat it with all giqoe This is the only wise course, even in I Ihe of < i>e HI i ongest and healthiest. It) is nob obit enemy te he trilled with. It has a bad habit of taking a »oOun advantage of weak syots in the tjpfcuu. B it with t imety care, flip patient, who has bit bet Io enjoyed j>ood health will generally rise mqarior to t,he foe it, a few days. And those who have not ber-n atiacked ought not heedlessly to run ti&ko "f itifect'ou.

Dr R.d>-r.n II »>*e, the doctor of the hour, recom- .1. io i ho-e who are ran down" a voyage to 1.1. Gape and bm:k. The diffcai"^ t ravelled by an electric message dur- im< ,.t. Hi-^ .tnl is Muveu times round the earth, or JSG.000 IIlilt, L r I and L"'1 T\ "dv.'tlev and Lord Currington iMveurrivcd at Vvm>li-u« Castle.

THREE CHILDREN DROWNED. Whilst sliding on a pond at Heath House, neat Choadle, Staffordshire, the residence of Mr. John Capel Philips, a well known Manchester merchant. four children were immersed. Hearing their cries. their mother reached the spot) in time to save one and to see the others drowned Unable to get out., she remained in the water until her shouts forhetp were heard by her eldest son, who rescued his mother and brother. The children were all under nine yea) a of age.

THE SCOTCH MINERS'STRIKE. 100,000 WORKMEN IDLE. At a Miifrs' Conference in Glasgow, the chair- man (Mr. Cliisholm Robertson) said there were 100 000 working men 'die in Scotland owing to the present dead-lock. The coalmasteis had refused all ov'ertuies made by the miners, who were not. wavering but were more determined than ever to stand tirm and insist that their wages should be maintained above starvation point. A resolution was unanimously carried that the miners suggest to the foalmasters that an open conference, with- out. prejudice, be held, and that if the coalmasteis refuse in attend, the seventeen thousand miners who have already received the shilling advance bo called upon to join the strike. The Press Association Glasgow correspondent: telegraphing, says :—The masters have declined to meet the miners in open conference. The leaders of the miners will therefore now bring 0111, all the 17,000 men who are woiking at an advance, as well as those who have not received any increase of wages.

DEATH OF AN ESCAPED IMBECILE. The dead body of a man was found on a sand bank in the River Ribble, near Walton-le dale. Ib has been identified us thab of an imbecile panper, named Robert Holl;, who escaped from the waids of Ribchesler Workhouse a fortnight ago. He is supposed to have been drowned whilst wading across the river.

DARING JEWELLERY ROBBERY. AIi Nottingham Quarter Sessions, William Stevens (28), a printer, was indicted for having broken and entered the shop of Alfred Everington, jeweller, of Pelham Street., and stolen therefrom jewellery to the value of £ 2,000, on October 28. Mr. Tinsley Liuriley prosecul ed.- The ehief wilnesA was a man named Alfred Henry Willis, who said that. on the evening of the day in question he was standing looking in Mr. Evei-itigtt)ii's tilini), when the prisoner came and stood beside him. Suddenly the prisoner pulled his hand 0111, of his pockeb and dashed ib ilnough the window. He seized a tray containing diamond rings. He did nob geb far away before he was captured and given into cus- tody. Prisoner's hand was bleeding when lie was arrested.—Mr. Everington said lie vatned the tray and contents at £ 2,000.—Prisoner, asked if he had anything to say, said the window was broken accident ally, anot her man pushing against, him, and in trying Lo save himself he put his hand out and caught, something, but. ho did not, know whal, ib was. The jury found the prisoner guilty, and he was sen- tenced to fifteen months' imprisonment, the Recouler say ing that he pieferreri to look upon this very reckless act as a case of sudden temptation.

STARVATION AT BROMLEY. i\lv-. Wynne E. Baxter held an inquiry at Poplav into i he ciicuinstances attending the death of Maiy Ann Cluhb, aged Cfty.eight years, the widow of a cooper, lately residing at 7, Eastward Street, B'omlev. Thomas Clubb, a waterside labourer, of 250, Devons Road, stated that I he deceased was his mother. One day his sister came to him and said, Mother is dying." Witnet-swenb ab once, and found her unconscious. He fetched Dr. Mitchell, who gave them Gd. with which to buy somebiandy and milk. Witness got somebody to look after thex deceased whilst he went to work, and upon his return found her dead. The Coroner: Has sli6 had suiffcient food ? Witness: My sister and myself have done our best. for her. Witness gave her 6d. now and then, and his sister earned 5J. a week, which she gave to the deceased. A Juryman How much do you earn ? I have not averaged 15- a week for over nine months. 1 have done two or tinea days one week and nothing the next. A Juryman The deceased would have been far better off in the workhouse. The witness: Slio would not apply to the parish. She said site would sooner die in the gutter. The deceased had an ulcerated leg, and had fairly neglected herself. Dr. Alexander Mitchell deposed that, the deceased was dying when he was called in. She was suffer- ing from pneumonia. Witness had made a post- mortem exan,inalion of the body, which was shocking!y emaciated. There was not a (race of any fat on the body. The cause of death was pneumonia, accelerated by want of proper and i-ufficient. food. They were exceedingly poor, and the deceased had really been starved to death. (Sensation.) The coroner and jury commented on the sad nature of the present, case, and a verdict of death from natural causes was returned.

DAMAGES FOR THE LOSS OF A HUSBAND. In the Queen's Bench Division, Mrs. Pritchard was awarded fSOO against the Loudon, Chatham, and Dover Railway for the loss of her husband. h was said the guard sent the train on before the deceased's foot, was off the footboard. The old gen- tleman, who was sixty-nine years of age, was shaken, and was neverwell afterwards. The widow said she had lost the benefit of all annuity of £ 100 a y ear.

THE MISSING SCOTT. It, is believed that. Scott, who is wauled in con- nection with the Aidlamont mystery, recently passed through Londonderry, A hainlie^ser in that city slates that; a man answering Scott's description had his moustache shaved off at, hili establishment,. He seemed to be extremely nervous and uneasy, but, said he was carrying out a joke. He gave the name and address of a friend, who, ho i-aid, resided in the neigbourhood, but both namo and address were found lo be fictitious.

CHARGE OF CRUELTY AGAINST A VICAR. The Rev. George Cockburn-Dickenson, M.A., vicar and patron of Hartford, Huntingdonshire, was charged before the Hunts magistrates, with cruelty to three of his children. The Earl of Sand- wich presided. The charges were made by the Society for Prevention of Crm lt.y to Children, and were to the effect that on November 11 the de- fendant. ill tleated and neglected his eon George, thirteen years of age, and also refused to provide snffi'ienb meat, drink, clothing, and other neces- saries for his two children, Edgell and Evelyn. There wa" a furl her charge of assaulting the Evelyti. The court was crowded. Mr. Hution appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Charles Mathews for the defence. 011 the applica- tion of Mr. Mathews, the Bench agreed to adjourn the case. The defendant on leaving ) he court was hooted, and was protected by a bodyguard of con- stables to his hotel.

LOSS OF LIFE IN THE RECENT GALE. From statistics presented at a meeting of the Shipwrecked Fishermen's and Mariners' Royal Benevolent Society, it, appears that between the 16, It and 29, h of November 298 maritime casualties and losses were reported at Lloyd's. The loss of life is not yet ascertained, but, so far the Board of Trade returns show that 293 lives were lost; during the gale within ten miles of our coasts alone.

The gold medal which the Prince of Wales gives tnnuaUy for competition at the King's Lynn Gram- Sf.I,,), WlOQ prelOenl.etl by hie Royal Hiehuesa to Mr. F. W. Thompson, J

CHILD.MURDER AND SUICIDE. I A case of child-inurder and suicide by a mother is reported from Pontypool, A woman named Harriet Anderson Clark (33), wife of a man eirw ployed as head boots ab an hotel, left her home ab an early hour one morning, taking with her a baby seven months old. Titediaappearanco was reported to the police, and on the water being turned off from a pond near the house of the woman, bn'lI bodies were found embedded in the mud. No reason is assigned for the deed.

CLEVER CAPTURE IN LiVEr-POOL. The other afternoon the Liverpool police made a clever capture of two men on suspicion of being concerned in the robbery of *'225 m bank notes from an office lad. Detective Holmes recoil-c:.eri seeing a man fiequenb a public-house in the E\ei- ton district who bad been convicted of a similar from an office lad. Detective Holmes recoil-c:.eri seeing a man ftequent) a public-house in the E% ei ton district who had been convicted of a similar robbery. The police went there, mid in the kitchen arrested a man named McIIai vie, after- wards finding concealed about; a table at which he WIIS sitting one of the missing bundled pouiiii I notes. Another man who gave the name of Edwards, was followed from the kitchen to an om. aide wash-house and there ai tested w hiie concealed about the roof the police found am tlior hurntn-d pounds note and three five pound notes. The men were secured after a violenb struggle. They had in their possession a number of fl.isli n ei an I bogus cheques. The police have aseei a! ned ] thab Edwards's real name is Wharmby, alias ]),< who is wanted by ihe Manchester police for sUa. ing £2.000 worth of jewellery from a enmmercod traveller two years ago, the loss of winch led the man to COllllllit. suicide. Atterwanis Whaimly wenti to New York. Nothing is bo fur known of McHarvie.

SINGULAR DISCOVERY INIBATTERSEA. The other day a ghastly discovery «as made in Bat tersea. The London ami South-Western mil- way riiiii over a bridge at the j im;i mm of L feh- mere and Poyntz Roads, and some of the inhabi- tllnts of that dialrict were lioniiied to see seveial lads playing with human skulls on a waste pi> ce of land which adjoins the archway. Upon mquity the boys, who appeared to be quite unconscious of the real nature of their playthings, declared thab they had unearthed the skiills-of which there are saitt to be hundreds—in the waste land. The discovery created quite a sensation in the neigh- bourhood. It) is supposed that the bones have been removed for d ieE-ectillg or other purposes fioiu a neighbouring cemetery.

THE ATTEMPTED DYNAMITE OUTRAGE IN MONTREAL. The preliminary trial of Mercier Pellaud and Da Marligny, the young men who were recently anested for attempting to blow up Nelson's Monu- ment in this city, commenced befme Judge Des- novers, the Hon. H. Mercier, ex-Premier of Quebec, and father of the tirsb-named piisoner, conducting the case for the defence. The detect ive Lafontaine described how the art-eat: of the accused was effected, and in the course of his evidence stated that the prisoners appeared to treah the whole matter as a joke. An expert from the Hamilton Powder Works testified that the bomb or cartridge carried by the prisoners would probably have only nartially destroyed the monument. The policeman who assistfd in the arrest of the prisoners was next examined, and stated thab they appeared to be ignorant of the consequellces which would i c-till, from the explosion. The case was eventually further adjourned. It trangpiredthab the son of the chief of police in this city was also arrested ill connection with the attempt, bub was afterwards released.

LEICESTER AND THE UNEMPLOYED. It was announced in Leicester the other day that Mr. Fowler, the President of the Local Government Board, had sanctioned a loan of £ 2,000 to the High. nay and Sewerage Committee, with I he view of starting certain local improvements in order to pro- vide labour for the unemployed, who have now been registered to the number of about) 1,600. It; was decided to engage 120 to commence the making of certain causeways aI, 4d. an hour Another gioup aie employed at the sewage works, a tbird in the pmks, and a fourth in connection with the exten- sion of the water supply. In addition, the Mayor bus opened a relief fund with £100.

A MYSTERIOUS SHOOTING CASE. An extraordinary case, resulting in grave injo) iea to Catherine Cross, a nurse, aged I went y-fonr, and the apprehension of William Smith, ntachinift, on charge of attempted murder, took place at) Not tingham. Cross is engaged at the Hospital for Women at, Liverpool, and was on a visit, to her friends at Nottingham. She called at the house of prisoner's mother to give the latter an order for a dress, and there made the casual acquaintance of accused. He gave her an invitation, which she accepted, to visit a factory to see a lace machine, for which, he stated, he intended tailing out a patent). The woman remained in the building for a cPlIsiderable tillle listening to the explanations of the prisoner. It; is alleged when about, to leave he produced a revolver, and fired at, her, the bullet: lodging in her eliesit,. She then ran away, and it i* stated that he fired two other shots after her. As fat- 118 can be gal herell there had been no previ- ous quarrel. The prisoner declares the discharge of the revolver was due to an accident. The woman is in a dangerous condition, undherdepuat. tions have been taken.

ANOTHER MYSTERIOUS DEATH AT HULL. The sensation created by the melancholy death of the Rev. T. Lester, Incumbent of St. Luke's, Hull, at the Grosvenor Hotel, in that, town, has I hardly passed awaywitenanotherdeath hasoccurred 1 at, the same hotel. between seven and eight o'clock the other morning, Annie llorslield, married, under-lanndress at the Grosvenor, was found lying face downwards on the stairs near the luggage-room. She was dressed for going out, and had an umbrella and a newapaper in her hand. The scullery-maid, who found her, directed the manager's attention to the poor woman, and she was lifted up, but was found to be quite dead. From inquiries, it appeared that, she lefu the hotel shortly before nine o'clock on the previous nighft, and WHS not, seen to return. The luggage entrance door, which is close to where she wa" found, wm locked. The hotel was closed ab 11.15, but, do- ceased was not seen near the stairs at that time.

MANSLAUGHTER OF A BRADFORD MAN. At the Derbyshire Assizes, before Mr. Justice Charles and a jury, Robert; Watkin, alias Johnson (69), rag-gatherer, described as of Bradford, w,<s indicted for the manslaughter of William Shenff, who also hailell from Bradford* at Ripley, on Sep- tember 23rd. Mr. Hextall prosecuted, and pri- soner was undefended. The men were travelling scissor-grinders, and quarrelled in a lodging-house —Dr. Allen, who was called in all the time, said death was due to apoplexy, caused by the nipt me of a blood-vesssl on the brain, which was un- doubtedly due to a blow from a man's fist.—Pii- soner told the jury he was sorry for whan had occurred, but when he struck the blow he had no desire to injure the deceased.—A sentence of twelve months hard labour was imposed.

A NEW CONNECTING LINK, An important addition to the facilities for trade between Russia and Central Asia was inaugurate I the other day, when a goods train, carrying a quantity of Turkestan cotton, started for Moscow from Petrovslc, a port, on the Caspian Sea, which is connected with the Old Russia railway sysiem. The cotton came from Khokaud, by way of Usun-adu, the western terminuaof the Transcaspian Railway, whence it was shipped to Petrovsk. The new route which has thus been opened for the tiansport of Central Asian cotton to the interior of European Russia is considerably shorter than any ron'o hit herto available, and can be used at all seasons ut the year.

A Berlin telegram states that, although the acceptance by the Governmeuti of the motion abrogating the Anti-Jesuit law is not to be reckoned upon, the proposal will, il> is expected, receive important support in the Bundesrath. Ivanoff, the man arrested on the charge of con- t spiracy against Prince Ferdinand and M. Siam- bouloff, is said to have admitted that he intended to take the Prince's life.

Elanwonno School Board and the Couoty Council. At a meeting of the Technical Instruction Com- mittee of the County Council held at Cardiff on Tuesday a letter was read from the Science and Art Department enclosing an application to them by the Llanwonno School Board praying that their scheme for the better teaching of pupil teachers might be recognised by the technical instruction committee of the Glamorgan County Council. The Board had spent JE655 under the belief that they would be recognised by the technical instruction committee. Councillor Morris moved that the committee recognise pupil teachers' centres as far as they taught science and art, but the resolution found no seconder.

A Barber 'On the Spree.' Edward Edwards, a barber, of Cardiff, was brought up before the Ystrad magistrates on Monday chargedwith stealing £ 1, the property of Roderick Evans, tobacconist, Ferndale. The defendant went into Evans' shop on Friday morning and offered his services to the prosecutor who wanted an assistant in the hairdressing and shaving department. Prosecutor was inex- perienced in the art and said he was somewhat short of razors at the time and gave the defendant £1 to purchase some cheap at Cardiff. Defen- f dant went to Cardiff, where he spent the greatest part of the day "on the spree," and was subse- quently arrested in a hairdresser's shop, at Llan- trisant, while in the act of shaving a customer. Prisoner told the bench "he had had a blooming spree" at Cardiff and hoped they would deal lenieatly with "him. He was fined 30s, or in default, sent to prison for 21 days.

Pontypridd Local Board. Mr David Leyshon presided over the fort- nightly meeting of the Pontypridd Local Board, the other members present boing: Messrs James Roberts, P. Gowan, H. M. Rowland, R. T. Richards, T. O. Brown, H. Bramwell, Tom Taylor, W. Seaton, L. G. Lenox, H. LI. Grover (clerk), E. Rees (surveyor) and W. Parry (collec- tor).' The Chairman said he had arranged with Mr T. Evans, Temple of Fashion, to have the pave- ment given free to the pubiic. The members expressed great satisfaction at the result of the interview, and on the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr Roberts, the clerk was instructed to write to Mr Evans, thanking him for his generosity. Mr R. T. Richards stated that he had received a letter from f ol. Lyne, pointing out that, in order to help local authorities with public im- provements and works, owners of land should not claim compensation except in cases where loss and damage hadbeen occasioned. A hearty vote of thanks was passed Col. Lyne and to Mr Ricnards, on the motion of Mr Roberts, seconded by Mr Gowan. On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr Roberts, the seal of the Board was affixed to a new rate of Is 3d in the £ for the ensuing half year. Mr E. Lewis, one of the gentlemen who had refusted to pay his portion of the cost of private improvements on Graigwen appeared before the Board. It appears that the sum apportioned to Mr Lewis amounted to JE12, and that the interest on that was about 30s, whereas the Board had incurred legal expenses in endoavouring to get Mr Lewis to pay. That gentleman asked that tha whole amount be reduced to jElO.and he'would pay on the spot. After a long discussion it was re- solved that he should pay the JE12 apportionment and the legaf expenses which amounted to over JE2, but that he should not be pressed for the interest due. This, after some conversation, Mr Lewis agreed to pay. Mr Roberts reported that the amount of rate collected during the last month was f5 15s 8d, and the total uncollected of the old rate was E5 4s lOd. The Board had an overdraft at the bank of £7,20119s 5d, but it should be understood that a deal of this money had been spent for the slaughter-house and other works, so that when the lean came in the would have a large credit at the bank. A letter was read from the agent of Mr Craw- shay agreeing to give a piece of land free of charge to approach the new Berw Bridge on con- dition that they would construct a carriage bridge on that spot, in preference to any other spot or site on the river. 1 A long conversation took place, with regard to the question, the surveyor pointing out that the foundation was not quite secure. Several mem- ) bers considered that another spot would be more suitable for the erection of the bridge, and even- tually it was agreed to wait until the surveyor could give a report as to the estimated cost of the bridge anc! the most suitable site. The surveyors report having been dealt with, the proceedings terminated.

Pontypridd Board of I Guardians. MAKING THEIR OWN COFFINS. NO BEER THIS YEAR A.t the ordinary meeting of the Pontypridd Board of Guardians held at tht Union Work- house on Wednesday last, Mr L. Godfrey Clarke, J.P., presiding, there were also present: Messrs Evan John, J.P., A: Cule and E. H. Davies (vice- chairmen), T. Jones, D. Bryant, S. Evans, W. Jones, James Richards, A. Lewis, E. Jeffreys, J. P. Williarhs, T. Jones. Taff's Well, Evan Evans, Edward Edwards, J.P,, and W. Spickett, assis- tant clerk. The Local Board surveyor submitted plans for the improvement of Court House Street, and the erection of a urinal therein, which, subject to certain alterations, were adopted on the motion of Mr Evans. The Clerk read a letter from the Local Boari, stating that they would request the Guardians to provide a. manhole in the street at the place where their drain joined the sewer. Mr Thomas Jones, Nelson, believed it would be better for them to agree to do it and moved that the work be done. Mr J. P. Williams proposei that a committee be appointed to discuss tke matter with the Local Board. Mr E. H. Davies, seconded. Mr James Richards then seconded the resolu- tion moved by Mr Jones, but the amendment was carried by 11 to 3 the chairman and Mr Cule being appointed the committee. Mr Jeffreys, Treherbert. in accordance with a previous notice, moved that in future the coffins for the paupers be made in the Workhouse. He found that they had been paying a guinea for each coffin made, whereas, if they obtained the materials and gave out the work to the paupers they could have it done for about 7/6. He pro- posed that they make their own coffins. (Laugh- ter.) Mr Evan Evans seconded. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr Cule moved thet the usual allowance be granted to the paupers in the House and at the Cottage Homes at Christmastime, and that Is extra to each adult and 6d extra to each child of out-door permanent paupers. This was carried unanimously. Mr S. Evans asked if they would not give the poor people a drop of beer at Christmas time. Mr E. H. Davies: Taw son, fachgen. The question was, however, dropped.

SUMMER DRINK, SUMMER DRINK.—Mason Lewis and Haion Fluid Herbs, 6d bottle for 4id., Is lAd bottle fot IOtd. Lime Jnice Cordial, Is per bottle. Pater ona unfermented Fruit Wines, Is per bottle may be had at Harris, 75, Taff Street, Pontypridd. "{)"

THE ALLEGED WOUNDING AT DIMAS. At the Cymmer Police-court on Thursday- before Mr Ignatius Williams andMrDunn—Heze- kiah Powell and Griffith Davies, about 25 years of age, were brought up in custody charged with wounding Wm. Israel, about 30 years of age, residing in the locality, on Monday week last. Mr Phillips, Pontypridd, defended. The evidence of the prosecutor showed that on the evening in question he met the prisoners on the road near a public-house at Dinas, and they afterwards proceeded together to a neighbouring hotel, where they had some drink. After leaving the public-house Powell called him a double-faced man, and then raised his knee against the prose- cutor and struck him down, kicking him violently while on the ground several times. The other prisoner was standing close by, looking on, and before the prosecutor had time to get up he jumped upon his breast. The prosecutor became unconscious, and could not therefore render an account of the conduct of the prisoner afterwards. He was most brutally ill-treated, and for several I days afterwards he suffered from concussion of the brain. The prosecutor stated that the prisoners were perfect strangers to him. In cross-examination, the prosecutor admitted that he had been in gaol five times for various offences. The case was adjourned in order to obtain witnesses.

A RHONDDA 'JACK THE RIPPER.' JEALOUS OF A LODGER. AMUSING CASE FROM PENYGUAIG. At the Cymmer Police-court—before Mr Ignatius. Williams'andMr Dunn—Richard Booth, collier, residing in Upper Williamstown, Peny- graig, was summoned for assaulting his wife, Margaret. Mr Phillips, Pontypridd, represented the complainant. Complainant deposed that on Thursday last, about four o'clock, her husband came home. He appeared irritated, and was somewhat snappish, and seated himself by the fire. There he re- mained for a -few minutes talking to himself. Finding his conduct very strange she went out to the back of the house, and he got up and followed her up the garden, still talking to himself. Then, abruptly he went up to her, shaking his fist before her face. She screamed, and he threw her upon the stairs, placed his knee upon her chest, and grasped her by the throat. She begged of him imploringly not to further ill-treat her, whereupon he pulled her towards the table in the kitchen, and extended his hand towards a knife. She exclaimed, "Oh, Richard, don't kill me The defendant then gripped her by the hair at the back of her head, and she, having shaken herself free, escaped into a neighbour's house. He pursued Tier, shouting that he would "put all the furniture on the fire," and that he would "do better with you than 'Jack the Ripper' did." The defendant cross-examined his wife, inquir- ing whether he did not frequently complain that she had not pnt his food out when he arrived home from work. Then he asked, "Have I not told yon many times that I was not willing for you to play with your mother's lodger ?" Complainant (sharply): No. Defendant rejoined that he had on several occasions, and then followed a good deal of Ihackl- ing between the parties regarding the matter, one denving the other affirming vehemently. "Don't you remember," broke forth the defen- dant, angrily, "the Sunday I went to Penrhiwfer, and when I got home that evening your hair was all down your back, and you were sitting beside your mother's lodger, your knees touching each other's. Don't you remember that ?" Complainant: My mother's lodger is my nephew. Defendant: He is your sister's son by your sister's uncle. Complainant: No, not by my sister's uncle. Defendant then turned towards the bench, and, addressing the learned stipendiary particularly, ¡ he exclaimed, "I only wants a little fair play, ¡ your Honour. That's all I want." Then facing his wife, he said, "You promised me on Friday night that you would let everything drop, and I asked you to live with me in peace." The Stipendiary: You should not have abused your wife. Defendant: I only wanted her to keep away from her mother's lodger. She and her mother and her mother's lodger have robbed my house of the furniture while I was at work. "Robbed your house," exclaimed the wife in- dignantly, "I only took away what belonged to me." Defendant You have robbed my house of the furniture, and left all the bills for me to pay. The Stipendiary; You have left your husband then ?" Complainant: I was afraid to live with him, and I'm not going to live with him. He has threatened to rip me open with a knife like "Jack the Ripper." Defendant: No. your Worship I only threatened to punch her. The Stipendiary: How many children have you ? Complainant: Only one, sir. The Stipendiary By you ? Yes. sir. k Mr Phillips: Did he tell you seriously that he would do better with you than "Jack the Ripper" did ? Complainant: Yes, sir. Defendant: I did'nt say that. "Jack the Ripper" was a clever man. I have threatened to punch her I wanted my housework done as I wished, but instead of that I'm badly treated. I'm ashamed to see my shirts, because they are full of holes, and I could not get my food on returning heme from work, and had to wait many times for over an hour before I could get water to wash myself. The Stipendiary Do you mean to say that she neglected her house work. Defendant: Yes, sir, she goes jaunting about with someone else. I can't say what she is doing besides when I'm at work. The Stipendiary: It is quite clear you can't expect your wife to live with you when you abuse her in this way. There is no doubt that this is a very aggravated assault, and you must pay 10s per week towards her support, and we bind you over to keep the peace as well. Defendant: I can't pay it, sir, and I don't want her to keep the child Mr Phillips: She is entitled to the child. The complainant remarked that she and her child had resided since she deserted her husband at her mother's house, where it appeared her nephew also lives.

YNYSHIR. DEATH.-We have this week to record the I death of Mr John Jones, of Ynyshir, brother to Mr Thomas Jones, of Maindy. The sad event occurred on Tuesday and the funeral which took place on Saturday to Trealaw Cemetery, was a large one. Much sympathy is felt in the district with the relatiues and friends in their bereave- ment. TONYPANDY CONCERT.—The inaugural concert of the Mid Rhondda Orchestral Society was held on Thurs- day evening last. There was a good attendance and the society is to be complimented upon the very excellent performance given. In addition to the vocal artistes, who gave every satisfaction, the orchestral band played selections from "The Bohemian Girl," and Mr J. Fullalive gave a good carnet oendering of "The Lost Chord," with orchestral accompsniment. PENYGRAIGI; LECTURE.—On Tuesday evening last, the Rev J. Gowmer Dewis, D. D., of Swansea, delivered his popular lectnre on "The World's Fair," at Zoar Chapel, Ffrwdamws. The chair was occupied by Mr W. Davies, Tonypandy, and there was a large and appreciative audience present. 11 I'll

FOREIGN NEWS. A CIRCUS SCANDAL AND ITS RESULT. PAKIS, The trial of Bnron de Raliden for the murder of Lieutenanh de Kastenkjold, a Danish officer, í ook place at) Riora. The circumstances surrounding thia sensational tragedy are well remembered. Lieutenant) de Kastenkjold made himself con- spicuous by his admiration of the Baroness, who in her profession as a circns rider of t he haute ecole,, allowed him to follow her from town to town. The jealousy of the Baron was excited, and a duel between the husband and the lieutenant took place ab Copenhagen. In this the Baron was wounded. A eort of reconoiliafcion followed. De Kastenkjold presented De Rahden with his sword, and tho Baron gave his adversary his wife's portrait. Unfortunately this ftiendly adjustment did not! prove durable. On the night of Aug. 24 lash, this trio were at Cloruionb Ferrand. A few momenta before the Baroness was to have begun her per. formance, an altercation took place between the- two men. The Baron fired a revolver at) De Kastenkjold, who fell. The next day he died ab the hospital. The Baroness maintained that her husband's victim was never her lover, although she blamed herself for her levity. The accused is a tall, dark man of martial bear- ing, with a scar across his forehead. At the opening of the proceedings thepresidingjud geafter recalling the facb that the priaoner was addicted 10 drink and treated his wife with great brutality, subjected him to a searching examination as to the circum- stances under which he had met Kastenskjold. De~ Rahden explained how, when his wife was perforin* ing ali Copenhagen, Kastenskjold became intiinato ab his house. He suspected the relations bet ween the officer and his wife and foughb a duel with tho lieutenant. The judge then interrogated the accused regard- ing the murder ab Clermont Ferrand. The pri- soner declared that he was provoked and struck by Kastenskjold, and had only then drawn his revolver and fired. The Baroness de Rahden was then called upon to give evidence, and her appearance in conrb aroused great curiosity and interesb. In her evidence she admitted thab her husband' had cause for jealousy, and displayed no resenb- inenb against him. Counsel for the defence in an able speech went through all the circumstances of the case, dwelling especially on the persistence with which Lieutenant Kastenskjold had followed the Baroness, and on the extreme provocation under which the fatal shob had been fired. He concluded by confidently appealing to the Court) to acquib his client. The jury deliberated for five minutes only, and then returned a verdicb of nob guilty. The Courb consequently acquitted the- prisoner. BarondeRahden haviugbeen formally discharged wenb up to his counsel and embraced him warmly, while the .people in Courb cheered vociferously. The Baron then accompanied by his wife and his counsel drove to a hotel where they dined in a private apartment. Ab half-past nine the parby, together with M. David Weiss, the baron's father- in-law, etarted for Paris by the night express.

AMERICA. NEW YORK. The Brothers Bidwell, the Bank of England forgers, are delivering addresses to large audieticea in the principal churches of Philadelphia. Their theme is In the world of crime, success is failure." The United States Revenue cutter Cot win is under Special orders for a long voyage. Her destination, ib is said, is Honolulu, and on board her will sail a special commissioner from the Government with a secret mission. Mr. Gresham has been greatly occupied of late with the despatches which the Corwiu will take.

ASHANTEE. ACCRA. The Brit ish force under Colonel Sir Francis Scotb. which left here early in October to repel an intended incursion by the King of Ashantee, is still ab Atebifi, the capital of Quarhoo, situated on the- frontier of the Atisubu protectorate, which in now. no longer threatened. Two thousand prisoners were taken by the Aslmntees in their late engage- ment with tho Curanz-is, and human sacrificos are since said to have been frequent) at Coomassie. All thab appears necessary is an extension of the protectorate over the frontier tribes, and it is thought that Coomassie must; also inevitably come under British protection. The withdrawal of Sir Francis Scotb would enable the Coomassie tribes to triumph over their weaker enemies, and lead to, a sanguinary war.

HUSBAND MURDER IN FRANCE. PARIS. Another crime of the kind described by Zola in Ie La Terre" has been committed in the pretty village of Champvallon, near Joigny. A married couple named Cathelin were known to be living on bail teim?. Isidor Cathelin, the husband, walt suffering from hemiplegia, and was unabte to work. A day or two ago, a dispute arose about a triBing sum of money. Madame Caljheliu deliberately pushed her husband into the fire, and when he resisted struck him with a stick. She then went to bed. Shortly afterwards their son returned. Noticing thab the room wns full of smoke, and horrified by the smell of charred flesh he rushed to the fireplace. His father died shortly afterwards. Madame Cathelin acknowledges the murder, giving as her motive the fact that her husband was a useless encumbrance. In a similar instance which occurred in 1884 the murderess was sentenced to \<eath and guillotined at Romorantin.

DEATH OF THE GOVERNOR OF NBW BRUNSWICK. FREDERICTON. The Hon. John Boyd, Liantenunb-Govenlor of New Brunswick, has died suddenly. The deceased, who was appointed only two months ago, WM very popular among all classes of the population.

THE GERMAN EMPEROR AND THE VIGILANT. NEW YORK. The German Emperor is reported to be negotiat- ing for the purchase of the American yachb Vigi- lant, and should it be effected the Vigilanb will; compete at Cowes next season.

FRANCO-ITALIAN FRONTIER. ALARMIST RUMOUR. ROME. The Riforma publishes a letter, signed Bellif" in which the writer affirms most positively that 40,000 French troops are at presenb echelonned bet-ween Niceaud Baicelonnefcte, with advance- posbs within a few yards of the Italian frontier. Along the same line, and distributed over a breadth of country 150 kilometres in extent, the French forces are being gradually pushed forward towards the neighbouring frontier. They have immense quantities of war material ah their disposal, and appear to be prepared to make a sudden attack. The writer concludes by calling the at tention of the Ministers of War and Foreign Affairs to the situation he describes.

GERMANY. BERLIN. Members of various Parliamentary groups in the Reichstag hold daily meetings to discuss their re- spective positions in regard to the financial measures of the Government, the passing of which are doubtful. It is thought the projected wine-tax will be rejected, while the tobacco-tax proposals will have to undergo important modifications in order to secure a majority. The increased tax on Bourse transactions has, however, been more favourably received. To judge from the present) feeling of part ies, it; lioes not) seem probable thab the amount which will be granted by the Reichstag will go much beyolldt lie sum actually required for covering the expenditure involved by the Army Bill.

THE D UKE OF COBURG. COBURO. I The Coburqtr Zeitung announces thah the Duke of Coburg has resigned his membership of the British Privy Council.

j Mr. Will iatit Faiiiii iig, a dealer i it lpicbtires, curiosi- tiea, and works of art, and who was well known in Paris and Lorniou, has died iu Chicago of aethuuu- '.<I¡