South Wales Echo

AN AMERICAN LINER ASHORE. It H reported in Dungarvan this morning that An American liner has been driven ashore at flelvick Head,county Waterford. Helvick Head is on the passage between Queenstown and Liver- pool, and the coast thereabouts is extremely rocky aDd dangerous, so that much anxiety if felt for the ea,fety of the crew and passengers. There is an efficient lifeboat and coastguard station near the bead.

THE CONDEMNED IRISHMAN. I [SPECIAL TELEGRAM.] ] It is understood to-day that the Lord Lieutenant has decided to allow the law to take its course in the case of Michael Downey, who will be hanged at Galway on the 16th inst. for the murder of a man named Moylan, with whose wife he Was improperly intimate. The murdered man returned from America suddenly, and the guilty pair then treacherously shot him, the woman afterwards giving Queen's evidence.

THE FRENCH IN MADAGASCAR. Great Battle with the Hovas. -I I" STANDAllD" TELEGRAM. j TAMATAVE, December 20th.-The town of Vohemar has been occupied by the French, who fttaoj in conjunction with a force of friendly Sakalavas, surrounded and attacked i the Hovas in their position at Ambranio, orne litUé distance to the south of Vohemar. The French and their allies surrounded the posi- tion on the night unobserved by the Hovas, who kept a careless watch. The assault was made at suonse, and the French report says 250 Hovas were killed and taken prisoners. Two guns were also captured. The total number of Hovas in the entrenchments is not given, but it is probable that all save the few taken prisoners wera shot down. The French loss is reported trifling. The Saka- lavas ,were commanded by the King of Nossi Mitsion on the West Coast. He marched across the country with his following to assist the French.

MR W. E. FORSTER ON GERMAN COLONISATION. Mr W.2S, I'orsfcer writes expressing- the hope that the Governirtftatie now taking into account the new feet with which they have to deal, viz., tile determina, tio-a of Germany not only to form colonies but to take possession of territories before such colonies are formed. It is, he says, still possible for Eng- lish and colonial statesmen, and:for the leaders of public opinion, so to use these colonial aspirations and intentions of Germany as to strengthen the ties between Australia and England. There is a rumour, moreover, that France is on the point of annexing the New Hebrides for the purpose of forming another convict colony. This, says Mr Forster, I cannot believe. I expect that within a few days there will be an official announcement—that this rumour is unfounded. With regard to South Africa a German j settle- ment in Zululand would greatly increase the diffi- culties we have brought on ourselves. First by the conquest of the Zulus, and then by our refusal to acknowledge the responsibilities we thereby incurred but we have also difficulties with the Transvaal Boers, and they would be greatly in- creased if Germany obtained possession of anypart of the Coast of Zululand which would gi ve her con- trol over the outlet from the Transvaal to the sea. This is so evident that we cannot suppose that a practical statesman like Prince Bismarck would complain against our ministry or consider it an unfavourable act if they guard against such a contingency.

MARRIED IN HASTE AT CARDIFF 11 A short time since a domestic servant residing at Cardiff, who had long past her "teens," called at the residence of a Baptist minister, well-known here and nearly all over the principality, and of whose church she was a member, informed him of her intention to get married before the year closed, and wished him to perform the ceremony. The fact that it was leap year, had, amid the multitude of hi" ministerial engagements and domestic duties, escaped his notice, and the acquest at first appeared somewhat strange, as such information is usually imparted by the gwitleman. He, however, recovered himself in a moment, and, of course, expressed his willingness, and waS about to offer her his congratulations, when it occurred to him from her manner that titey might be prematur; but just before the close of the year the lady again called on him, and she now spoke of the approaching marriage with more cOÍlfiaeDce. She produced a licence to save the delay of the usual 21 days' notice. The registrar of marriages for tht; district had been informed, and he would be.at tlie chapel at 11.30 on the following morn- l11g.. There was no time to spare, the last day of the year was at hand. Accordingly, on this day t.h qiljSJ el' appeared in front of his chapel, which is situated at the eastern end of Cardiff. I Theie was the registrar with his book and the ink. tattle in his pocket, but neither bride nor bride- groom w there. In a few minutes the lady appeared, ^eadin- apparently rather reluctantly ayoung inan "ytheUnd, but in her hurry she had forgotten to inform the chapel-keeper, and at li.45 «.m. the doors1 ^ere clnsed) and the wedding party, of bride, bridegroom, minister, and regi^r, remained outside. No- thing daunted, the way, whoSe determination of character everyone will auimre, started off at a brisk run to the house oi,tne, ^P^-keeper for tne keys, leaving her future huso^na m the charge 0f the minister, with a look to indicate that he was not to let the gentleman slip from his custody. In five minutes she returned with t'10 c*lar,e'-keoper ahd the keys. The doors were opened, the registry looked at his watch and exclaimed, It is now 11-50 the register must be signed in less than ten minutes or tto marriage can take place." The poor woman looked to her pastor for sympathy. Were all her efforts to be baulked? Leap year would not come again for another four years. He being a good Christian young man grasped the position the year was on its last stroke. He walked briskly up to the communion rails, and, turning to the ma?» *jid, Wilt thou have this woman for thy V w'^e •" and he replied rather faintly, 4 Yes. He put thfi same question to the woman, i- r?Ver?inff the words wife, etc., to which she replied quickly Yes." 44 Now go and sign the register. This was done, and the registrar closed r.h<! book us the hands pointed to 12. She ,I N-d her hand into her pocket, pulled out some money, which she paid the registrar, the minister, and the chapel-keeper. In taking out use loose Nitver she also drew the ring from her pocket, which she placed on her own finger, and they left thfl chapel man and wife together, but rtparated.immediately afterwards.

Alarming Explosion on the Underground Railway SUSPECTED FENIAN OUTRAGE. Latest Particulars- t «.r.r>hinff this morning. Th6 Central I*ews, teIe|cotIand Yard at five says On inquiry a ascertained, that o'clock this 'norn;elightestclue to the perpe- nothing affordmgtl n tratorsoftheou^ of r-iminal Investi^at'on Department held a consul- 'i.mm.^ t{je early hours of the morning, when tation 1 ts £ rom £ j;e pQ]jce authorities in the locaiity of the explosion were considered. Supt. jjuiitley, of the Y (or Highgate) Division, in whose district the scene of the explosion is situated, ar- rived at Scotland Yard shortly before two a.m., and made his personal report to the acting com- missioner. The police theory is that the explo- sive substance, presumably dynamite, was thrown from a window of the train, which was injured by the explosion, for in no other way can its action be explained. The theory that the explo- sive substance was placed by design in that por- tion of the tunnel where the explosion actually took place, is scouted Sas altogether improbable and unreasonable. In all likelihood the author of the outrage simply waited for an opportunity to find himself in a compartment alone, and where the changes of detection were reduced to a mini; mum. There would be every risk for an indi- vidual "bent on criminal intent to deliberately make his way to any given spot on the line and there place the instrument of his crime, to say nothing of the difficulties he would experience in making his escape after the explosion had occurred. The police are convinced that the explosive agent was thrown from the carriage window in the manner described, and, as a promi- nent official expressed himself, probably by one of those passengers who professed to be most in. jured by its action. There is no doubt that these repeated outrages, whose authors almost invariably go undiscovered and unpunished, are sorely trying the patience of the police, and the opinion is pretty generally expressed by the forces that no amount of pre- cautions can prevent these explosions, and that nothing but a fortunate accident is likely to result in the arrest of their perpetrators. The Central News correspondent visited the Hunter-street police-station shortly before six o'clock this morning, but the officials had no fur- ther information to impart beyond the fact that Colonel Majendie was expected to make his in- spection between eight and nine o'clock. On proceeding to St. Pancras signal box in the Euston-road a policeman was found stationed at the gate, by means of which the speediest entry is obtained to the scene of the explosion. Obtain- j ing admittance, the representative of the Central News descended the steps and proceeded to the spot. There he found Chief Kailway inspector Godsden and a sergeant and constable of the Y division from the station in Platt-street, who, together with the constable at the gate, had been on sentry duty all right. Although further search had been made, no trace of the explosive had been discovered. At 6 o'clock the daily traffic commenced on the line, but the police authorities, after relieving the men who had iten on duty all night, left a sergeant and two constables to guard the line as before, a visit from the Scotland-yard authorities being likely at any moment. Surprise has been expressed in certain quarters that the reward of £ 5,000offered by the corporation of the City of London for the arrest of the authors of the dynamite explosion at London Bridge has not yet been issued. The offer was submitted for the approval of the Home Secre- tary, and whatever may have been his decision, even if he has decided at all, it is perfectly unknown to the police. In connection with this matter it may be opportune to point out that the police authorities have on more than one occasion displayed an unwillingness to offer rewards for the arrest of persons engaged in similar outrages. A notable example may be cited in the memorable occasion of the explosion at Scot- land Yard itself. Still it is pretty generally felt that to issue the magnificent reward offered by the corporation would be to materially strengthen the hands of the police at this moment. Narrative of a Passenger in the Train. Mr William Smith, of Euston-road, has fur- nished the Central News with the following narrative respecting the explosion :-I wag return- ing home from business yesterday evening,, having been detained somewhat later than usual, and caught the Hammersmith train at IVIoorgate- street. There were two or three others in the compartment besides myself, which was a third- class one, and I occupied a corner seat with my face to the engine. We had passed King's Cross without anything unusual happening, and were chatting quietly together, when we were terrified by a fearful crash like thunder, accompanied by an immense sheet of flame, which seemed rto lick the sides of th&-carriage, and for the moment seemed as if the tunnel were on fire. To add to the terror of the situation, both our lamps r-ent out, and wa were left in total darkness. Several of the passengers cried out that they were hurt, and some women, who were in th e next compartment, "•< [screamed loudly. My first impression was that the compound gas stowed in the tanks under the carriages had, by some means or other, ignited, and this for the moment seemed all the more probable, as the true farce of the explosion swayed the car- riages, and I could distinctly feel the wheels of the carriages catch the metals again. As soon as possible the train was brought to a standstill, and a hasty examination made, when we again went on and slowly steamed into Gower-station. We had in the meantime somewhat reassured our- selves, having by means of lighted matches ex- amined each other's injuries. Several of us cut our hands by incautiously placing them upon the seats of the carriages, which were covered with small jagged pieces of glass from the win- dows. On arrival at Gower-street, my station, I got out, and made the best of my way home, declining the offer to proceed to the hospital to have the wounds on my hands seen to. I should add that the force of the concussion threw us all off our seats, and urnbrellw, hats, and papers were mixed up in terrible confusion. (SPECIAL TELEGRAM. I Although the strictest inquiries were set on foot immediately after the explosion had occurred last; evening the authorities have up to the present moment been unable to discover any clue to the perpetrators of the outrage. The opinion gains ground among the officials that the explosion was a planned affair, and that it must be put down to those who are responsible for similar outrages which have taken place recently. From a close inspection of the tunnel in the proximity of the explosion it has been ascertained that comparatively little damage has been done to the fabric, and this is thought to be very singular considering the tremendous force of the concussion. Great astonishment is expressed on all hands that no lives were lost, seeing that the train, going eastward, had every "Window smashed, and it is a cause for cOUlrPatulation that the perpetrators did not select aneariiet hour, when the consequencies might ave be60l disastrous, as the trains oil that part of the system ale crowded by the working-classes between six and nine 0'c]0cki Co one ajendie visited the spot last night in company with the officials; and took notes and nieasuiijmen s at the spot where the explosion occurred. The, col'Ilei has not issued his report yet, but he will VIlt. the scene again to-day. From latest enquiries the lady and two gentle- men who received some slight cuts are progress- ing, satisfactorily, but it is feared;that many of the other passengers, who were severely shaken, will unfortunately bear testimony to the force of the explosion. It 1% iniCHrswod that thecompany intend offering « scbstar.t.-c*l 1 owawl for tho appro' hension of the perpetrators, but the amount is not mentioned, as the authorities are awaiting- the official reports. Another report says :—Co!. Majendie, ilr Bell, the general manager for the Metropolitan Railway Company, and representatives of the detective force, entered the tunnel this morning, and proceeded to the scene of the ex- plosion for the purpose of making a careful examination of the damage done. It is reported that a passenger in a second-class car- riage of the train leaving Gower-street for King's Cross only a few minutes before the explo- sion occurred, saw a man dressed in a long Lister coat with a fur collar, and wearing a soft wideawake hat, step into the adjoining compartment. He was carrying an apparently weighty parcel, about a foot and a half square, wrapped in American cloth. He did not take particular notice of the man's personal appearance at the time, his attention being attracted by the pecularity of the parcel he carried. Shortly after leaving: Gower-street station the stranger, who had entered an empty compartment, was seen by our informant in the next compartment to let down the window with a loud slam. The suspicious passenger got out of the train at Farringdon-street, and walked away without the parcel. The person in the next compartment, whose interest had been aroused in the movements of his fellow-passengers, says he noticed this, and thinking the parcel had been left by accident in the carriage, looked over the partition, but found that it was not there. He did not think any more of the explosion in this morning's papers. He could not identify the stranger. His movements had only seemed suspicious to him since he heard of the outrage. No damage, has been done to the permanent way, but for a distance of some yards from the seat of the detonation tho brickwork of the tunnel has been more or less pulverised to a depth of several inches. The injury done, how- ever, is such as can be repaired without delaying the traffic, which was not much inter- fered with by the occurrence. Much alarm was occasioned in the immediate vicinity by the shock of the explosion, which seems to have been most forcibly felt in Euston- square and the adjacent streets. It is stated that one gentleman who had just sat down with his family to supper in a street at least a hundred yards from where the explosion took place says that the distnrbance occasioned was sufficient to upset a jug of beer which stood on the table, and to hurl a loaf of bread from the plate on which it stood to the floor. In another house, somewhat nearer the seat of the explosion, the nurse was washing the infant in the bath, and most of the water was spilt, the bath being upset, and the baby being rolled out on the floor. The report was heard along the line to the west as far as Praed-street; but eastward the disturb- ance was not materially felt beyond King's Cross, The officials at Farringdon-street, casting their memory back in the light of subsequent events, remember that a few minutes after nine there was a great rush of air from the direction of the northern tunnel but inasmuch as a considerable stretch of open space intervenes between the tunnel and the station. The lights on the plat- form were not affected, and no importance was attached to the matter at the moment. It is now however believed that the air wave was the result of the concussion, caused by the explosion at a distance of a mile and a half from the station. Shortly after nine o'clock on Friday evening an alarming explosion took place on the Under- ground Railway between Gower street and King's-cross Stations. A train passing at the time experienced the shock, and all the lights in the carriages were extinguished. The inhabitants of that part of Euston-road situate between St. Pancras Church and Judd-street also felt the shock. A crowd of people speedily collected in the vicinity of the ventilating opening of the Underground Railway at the top of Ossulston street, from which a quan- tity of smoke issued at the time of the explosion. A number of porters from both the adjacent stations at once proceeded to the spot with lights and appliances for clearing the line tit any obstruction which might be found, but as yet nothing has been met with to inter- fere with the regular traffic, which was resumed after an inter-val of twenty-five minutes. The railway officials are at present very reticent as to the result of their search, but, so far as can be ascertained, the cause of the explosion remains undiscovered, though inquiries are being actively prosecuted. The residents in the locality are greatly alarmed at the occurrence. Another account says :-About 9.55 p.m. on th! TVT fVenirg an explosion occurred Pnwpr trT0l^an Iiaih™y> between A and King's Cross. So loud was the report, and the concussion so strong that several persons while crossing the Euston-road, in close proximity to the grating, were blown off their feet. while the horses of the omnibusses and vehicles were restrained from running away with great difficulty. At Gower- street Station the whole of the lights were put out with the exception of the Lewis incandescent gas-light, by which the platforms are partly lighted. the ticket collector was thrown out of his box by the concussion as was the engineer of the new gl gas arrangement, who was thrown off his seat on to his face, a distance of three or four feet. The trains that were in the tunnel at the time had their lights put out, and much alarm was Mt by the passengers. Several ladies fainted,' while the Gower-street platform Was literally strewn with prostrate forms. The cause of the explosion is not yet known, but there are many who belIeve dymanite to have been its origin. It will be remembered that a dynamite explosion rwUiT on same bne of railway on the 30th c ober, 1883. On the occasion the explosive was supposed to have been dropped from a car- riage between Praed-street and Edgware-road stations, with the result that a subsequent train was wrecked and a large number of passengers injured. Over 30 were treated at the hospitals, anct five were so seriously hurt that they were detained for treatment for some time, a curious effect of the outrage being that several persons lost their hearing. On the same night, and within a few minutes of the same time, a dynamite explosion occurred on the Metropolitan District Railway, between Charing Cross and Westminster stations. In that case considerable damage was caused, but fortunately there was no injury to the person. A large re- ward was offered on that occasion by the Govern- ment and the railway companies, but no infor- mation has ever been obtained as to the probable authors of the outrage. Since then there have been attempts on the station premises of railway companies at Paddington, Charing Cross, Lud- gate Hill, and Victoria, but in the latter case only with some success. There has, how- ever, been no further attempt until now on the trains passing, over the Metropolitan lines, which may be accounted for by the fact that immediately after the last explosion, extra paecautions were taken to guard the lines. On the present occasion the explosion occurred a short distance, east of that previously mentioned, the stations at Edgeware-road, Baker-street, Portland-road, and Gower-street intervening. Within half an hour after the occurrence Mr Godsden, chief inspector of the Metropolitan Railway, arrived, and was met at Gower-street station, by Superintendent Williamson, from Scot- land-yard, with superintendents and inspectors of the Metropolitan police who had been summoned from the various police-stations in the district. The party at once proceeded down the line to view the scene of the explosion, and it was found that the signal-box east of St. Pancras Church was partially wrecked, the signal wire separated, and that the clock had stopped from the force of the explosion at 9.14. A close inspection of the tunnel showed that the explosive could not have been gunpowder, as the brickwork was not blackened, but was, in all probability, caused by either dyna- mite or guncotton. The part where the explosion took place was about four feet from the ground, with a diameter of four feet, and a depth of from five to six inches, and situate on the north side of the line, midway between Si;. Pancras Church and Charlton-street signal box. The only clue is a few fragments of paper which were strewn about the line.

A most alarming machinery accident occurred at Bradford on Friday morning, when a large engine fly-wheel in Riley's Mill, weighing from twenty to thirty tons, flew to pieces. Whilst in revolution, one piece weighing several hundredweights ascended through the engine- house and carried away the gable end of the mill. The engine-house itself was demolished, but fortunately there was no loss of life. Many work- people will be thrown out of employment. P

The Earthquakes in Spai-n CONTINUATION OF THE SHOCKS Terrible Distress. GRANADA, Friday.-Granada is in a state of complete panic, the repeated earthquake shocks having convinced the populace that their great city may at any moment be laid in ruins. Every man, woman, and child who can get get away is doing so, and the exodus is indeed assuming even terrifying proportions. The railways are par- tially blocked, but every departing train is crowded to suffocation with well-to-do fugitives Those left behind are parading the streets headed by the clergy, carrying sacred images and crosses, and crying aloud to God and the Virgin for mercy and protection. Dreadful news is reach- ing us almost hourly of the state of affairs at Alhama, 24 miles from this city. Frequent shocks were exptrienced there all through yes- terday and during the night, completing the ruin of the town.. Scores, if not hundreds, of bodies lie beneath the ruins, and the survivors have fled panic-stricken. MADRID, Friday, 1 p.m.—A Cabinet Council was held this morning, under the presidence of King Alfonso, at which decrees were signed for the opening of a national subscription in aid of the sufferers by the earthquake, authorizing the Minister of Finance to apply to the Cortes to vote a credit of £ 5,000, in order to augment the National Calamity Fund, and remitting the land and property tax in the case of the buildings destroyed. The decrees, which will appear in to-morrow's official gazette, were read in to-day's sitting of the Chamber of Deputies, and met with general approval. A motion was unanimously agreed to, declaring that the Chamber had heard with deep regret of the great calamity in the southern provinces, and would co-operate with the Government in all measures which it might adopt for affording aid to the sufferers. [REUTER'S TELEGRAM.] I MADRID, Friday, 10.45 a.m.—Fresh shocks of earthquake were felt yesterday evening at Nerja, Algarrooo, and Malaga. The panic continues. A number of towns and villages are completely destroyed and deserted. The population are en- camped in the fields, and at some places sleep in railway carriages. A royal decree directing the opening of a national subscription in aid of the sufferers from the earthquake is expected to be signed to-day. It is stated that foreign subscrip- tion lists will probably be opened by the Spanish ambassadors and consuls abroad. The amount of one day's pay, which all public employes will be invited to contribute to the national subscription fund, is estimated to produce about £ 40,000.

A TOWN ATTAGKED BY THE ASHANTEES, 40 Besiegers Killed. I [REUTER'S TEEEGRAH.] I CAPE COAST ICASTLK, December 9, via. Liver- pool.—On the 12th of November Prince Boarku and his son, with a strong party of Ashantees, attacked Mansu, a town of some importance, lying ncrth of Coomassie.. They were defeated, with theiloss of forty killed and'many prisoners, among the latter being Boarkieand his son QuasieKarsah. The King- of Mansu is now awaiting the arrival of a commissioner from Governor Young to enquire into the cause of this attack of the Ashantees; and unless this is satisfactorily accomplished, there is little doubt that Boarkie and the other prisoners will be put to death. Boarkie is the Ambassador who was sent to the late Governor, Sir Samuel Rowe, by the late King Mensah. He bears a bad reputation. It is rumoured that a new king is to be placed on the throne of Ashantee early in the New Year. He is a son-of the lateQueeti ofDjuabin, who was some Years back a political prisoner at Christiansborg, where she ultimately died. Should the monarchy be changed, it is ex- pected that good results will follow, the new king belonging to the direct royal line, and the Djua- bin people generally being good traders and far more peaceftWy inclined than the Ashantees.

THE CONSPIRACY TO :MURDER A CHILD. Prisoners Committed for Trial. Thomas Long, aged 42, painter, W, Jones (28), jbbmttSter; both of Brixton, and Geo. Walker (27), land agen,t»^amfaerwell, again appeared onFriday beforeMrGhance,'at Lambeth police-court, charged with conspiring to murder an illegitimate female child, of which Jones is said to be the father. Madeline Gay, a married woman, living at Tottenham, said her husband left England two years ago, and returned last June. She became acquainted with Jones six months after her husband had left, and tho acquaintance- ship continued all the time her husband was away. In April she discovered she was in the family way by Jones. Alany letters passed between them. The one produced was receivad from Jones after she told him her condi- tion. In it he said, I hope by this time you are out of your trouble. At all events, I will bring some stuff for you.' Her husband on returning to England, discovered her condition. She wrote to Jones saying he was awfullv mad, but she believed for her sake the matter would be arranged if he would see her husband. The latter vowel the child should not stay in his house. Accord- ingly Jones met her husband with reference to its being taken away after birth, and given for adoption to some person. There was some delay in the arrangement, and she wrote urging Jones to be expeditious. The child was born on the 9th 101 December, and taken away on tbe 11th. Cross-examined: She said she knew nothing about tha prisoner Walker. She never had any intention or notion that the child was to be harmed in any way- Another witness proved several letters to be in Jones's handwriting. The constable produced a plan of Lewisham Waterworks. Detective Inspector Moore deposed to finding several letters in Jones's room on arresting him. Another constable found a letter from Mrs Gay saying, The child is born and alive, and must be removed at once. This closed the case .for the prosecution. Long reserved his defence. Mr Washington (for Walker) submitted that there was no evidence against him. He had always believed the child was to be adopted by a woman for a moiiey payment. Mr Montagu Williams1 (for Jones) maintained that no jury would convict, and asked for his dis- charge: A witness recalled t-aid he had heard Walker tell Jones he had found a woman to take the child. A barmaid out of a situation said Walker had opokeii to her about taking a child until a woman could be found to adopt it. She agreed to meet, him on December 11th, but failed to see him. 1,1. The^mother of the last witness corroborated. The wnagistrate said he must commit prisoners for trial, though he was not sure that the evidence would satisfy the jury, and bail was accepted. Subsequently Jones was charged with supplying Mrs Gay with a noxious drug for the purpose of procuring abortion. Two Jotters were read, in which he wrote to her t,hat he had procured some stuff that would remove her trouble, and either kilt or cure." He, however, never spoke to her on the subject. He sent her some stuff," but she threw it away. As witness would say nothing further than this,the Treasury abandoned this cbàré.

OMNIBUS ACCIDENT IN LONDON Four Persons Seriously injured. Shortly before nine o'clock on .Friday morning an omnibus plying between Barnshury and Newing- ton, London, was turning ini Q Liveipoot-road when the wheels caught thekerbsto ne and the vehicle .overturned. The outside passengers were thrown off the omnibus, and as the horsey struggled violently fears were for some time entertained for the safety of the inside travellers. The.e were eventually extricated, and the injured removed to thehospital. One young man (name unknown) was severely injured, and three others weire less seri- ously hurt, 4

MONEY MARKET. I -4- To-day's Times money article -says The value of money has fallen away more decidedly to-day. The large Banks have reduced the charge for loans until to-morrow to 4g per cent., while elsewhere money could be obtained at 4. Three months' bills are also easier, transactions having been effected at a shade over 4. Home Government Securities opened un- changed, but subsequently prices advanced about 1-16. Consols closed at 99g for money 99k to 99j for the 5th inst. and 99 to 99 for Feb- ruary 3rd. The Colonial Market opened dull, but New Zealand recovered before the close. Home Railways were irregular. Brighton De- ferred fell 7

TO-DAY'S MARKETS. SUGAR. GLASGOW, Saturday. -Ala-k et opens quietly. Qnly a moderate business done, at the closing prices of last year. The official report statesMarket opens quietly, and at previous prices. Any business trans- acted is small to sell any quantity less money would require to be taken. DEAD MEAT. LONDON. Saturday.—The market is still well supplied with meat, and trade very dull, pork being particularly bad. The following are the quotations :—Beef, 3s to 4s lOd prime Scotch do., 4s lOd to 5s. Mutton, 38 4d to 5s 4d. Veal, 4s to 5S 2d. Large pork, 2s 8d to SsSd small do., 3s 8d to 4, per 8 lbs.

ANNUAL BANQUET OF THE SWANSEA TELEGRAPHISTS. Speech by Sir J. J. Jenkins, M.P. At the Castle Hotel, Swansea, on Friday even- ing, was held the annual dinner of the tele- graphists of Swansea and district. The Mayor (Councillor Williams)presided, and was supported by Sir J. Jones Jenkins, M.P., Councillors Chap- man and Rees, Messrs A. W. Holden, E. Deberaux. S. P. Wills, J. D. Davidson, Z. Evans (PostmasterofPontardawe), andV.Challenger. Mr P. Smith (senior clerk of the first class) occupied the vice-chain The table having been cleared the usual loyal toasts were given by the MAYOR, after which his Worship gave The Army, Navy, and Reserve Forces." It had, he said, been stated that the navy was not in an efficient state. Whatever its condition might be, he was glad to find the Government had decided on making additions to its strength, and soon, no doubt, itwould be equal to any emergency. (Hear, hear.) Captain JOHN LEWIS responded. Mr NARBETT, in felicitous terms, proposed the toast of the Houses of Parliament," coupling with it the name of Sir John Jenkins. The toast having been heartily drunk, Sir JOHN JONES JENKINS, M.P., who was en- thusiastically received, congratulated Mr Nar- bett on the very happy way in which he had proposed the toast, and then proceeded :—" The staff you belong to undoubtedly is one, of the most important in the kingdom. I can't call to mind during the many years I have had a com- mercial interest in Swansea, that there was a single mistake made in all the messages I have had occasion to send off. It is very important to have correctness in the transmission of messages. The vast importance of the commercial industries is what forms the basis of the country, and if we don't carry that on in a firm and substantial manner, the stability of our country will soon dwindle. (Hear, hear.) Perhaps in no branch of science has such progress been made as in the electrical. Before electricity had arrived at the perfection it nowhas, very primitive means had to be resorted too for obtaining news nf what was going on in distant countries. To obtain the glorious result of the battle cf Waterloo in lf:15, the lapse of a great deal of time was necessary, but now looking at even yesterday's papers, we a able to see in the leading papers in the world, two columns of impo-ftant events which took place on the day before ir. a place so far away as Melbourne. Then in each day's paper we can see exactly what is being done by our general in the Soudan. General Wolseiey has undoubtedly a very difficult task to perform, but we have confidence in his judgment, a confi- dence greatly enhanced by the very important work he has hitherto performed. (Applause.) We have also to tliank the very great strides which have been made in telegraphic science, and the enterprise of the Press for supplying us with the news we have on our breakfast tables of all that is going on all around us. Some are anxious to know what is going on in literature, the drama, science, and commerce, and all this infor- mation, through the aid of the telegraph, can be readiiy and expeditiously obtained. (Hear, hear.) While news is given to us by means of the tele- graph of a very appalling nature, yet we have sometimes news which we are very anxious to receive. We received information yesterday, through the locaf morning papers, of an honour that has been conferred on our eminent country- man Lord Aberdare. (Applause). This has given us great satisfaction, because no nobleman, either in: England or Wales, has done greater or more beneficial service to his country than Lord Aberdare—(cheers)—and we all feel proud that he has received well-deserved honour at the hands of her Majesty. (Cheers.) The mayor'had alluded to the state of the navy. The condition of the navy ought not to be a party question, because it is a question that concerns the whole community. Possibly there may have been some laxity in making proper preparation for improvements in the navy, but I cannot allow myself to believe all that has appeared in the undoubtedly able letters which have been pub- lished in the Poll Mall Gazette. I am unable to help feeling that the writer has a great deal of prejudice, for I can't find in looking at the state of the navy that he has just cause for creating the panic lie is at present attempting to create. I don't know whether you have read the letters written by my friend, Mr Henry Richard. He shews the enormous sum spent on the navy within the last thirty years. The annual estimate is between ten and eleven millions, and in the last thirty years the navy has cost three hundred millions yet we are told to-day it is not fit to go to sea—(laughter)—or fight the fleets of foreign nations, and that we must at once spend an indefinite amount to compete with other nations. People who write in this strain always think we must go to war with some- one, or be challenging them in our naval prepara- tions. I look forward with great interest to the voice of our people, as we shall undoubtedly have it on the extension of the franchise and when the Redistribution of Seats Bill comes into operation. (Hear, hear.) I don't think that the country will be as ready then to enter into exceptional navy or military expenditure as heretofore—(applause)— because I think it will be found that as the people have to suffer, the people will entertain stronger views on the Government of the country, and those at the head of affairs will then have a greater desire to main- tain peace than in the past. (Applause.) Mr HOWELLS gave the toast of The Mayor and Corporation," and shewed that in a few years the telegraph staff of Swansea had in- creased four-fold; that it was the youngest in the country for its size, and did its work most expe- ditiously. The MAYOR, in response, spoke of the efficiency with which the Swansea telegraphists did their work. Councillors REES and CHAPMAN also responded. "The Postmaster of Swansea," "The Sub- postmasters," The Town and Trade, and other toasts, followed, and songs were rendered at inter- vals by Messrs Davies, Rees, Perry, Richards, and Ho wells.

POLITICAL ITEMS. Writing to a correspondent with regard to the existing agricultural depression, Sir J. Lubbock, Bart., M.P., expresses sympathy with the state of things. "At the same time," adds Sir John, I am disposed to doubt whether the adoption of free trade generally by America could benefit our manufacturers, as it would enable them to com- pete with us in other markets, which they cannot now do effectively." Mr. Parnell, M.P., writing to a correspondent, expresses the opinion that powers should be given to some local elective authority to purchase land compulsorily, for the enlargement of hold- ings of tenants who are situated as the Scotch crofters. Mr Somerville, the Conservative candidate for Glasgow, replying to Mr Bright's letter of Wed- nesday, reiterating his criticism of the former utterances concerning himself, says he merely stated facts. He considered it right that as the corn-law agitation was conducted upon philan- thropic motives, that the fact that it affected Mr Bright should be known. He did not say Mr Bright did his best to ruin British farmers, but he maintained- that the legislation in which Mr Bright took a prominent part had ruined the British farmer. At a Conservative meeting at Derby, on Friday, the Hon. George Curzon, eldest son of Lord Scarsdalc, was srlected to contest the Repton di vision of Derbyshire. Mr F. C. Ark- wright will shortly be selected for one of the Northern constituencies.

SPORTING ITEMS. Deepdale, 4 yrs, by Glendale-Saritaiia, has joined Atkinson's team at Beverley. There are 54 clubs affiliated with the National Amateur Lacrosse Association of Canada. The association was reorganised on May 4, 1876. Indians are now reckoned as professionals. At a meeting held at the Albert Club, on Thurs- day evening, the sum of £ t>75 2s 8d was handed over to the widow of Captain Webb, the unfor- tunate swimmer, that amount being the result of a public subscription raised for the support of herself and children, together with the interest which had accrued since the money had been invested. The lease of Shrewsbury racecourse from the Racecourse Company to Messrs Frail expires in February, and as there is a prospect of the meet- ing being discontinued, a memorial, signed by a large number of the inhabitants, has been sent to the mavor, requesting him to call a public meeting for the purpose of taking such steps in the matter as may be desirable. The meeting is fixed for Thursday next. King Archibong has been privately disposed of, and has left Jones's team, at Epsom, for Golding's, at Newmarket. There was a severe frost at Newmarket on Thursday. A similar state of things prevailed at Epsom, Chilton, Lewes, and Middleham. The Aston Villa team travelled north and bearded the famous Queen's Park in their own den at Glasgow on Thursday. The home team won by four goals to three. The Hackney Stud Book Society will hold its first annual show at the Royal Agricultural Hall on March 3rd and 4th, for hackney, cob, and pony stallions and mares. It is rumoured that Mr Waring has been asked by the agent of an American breeder to put a price on Robert the Devil, but it is said that be has declined to do so. Fulmen, that disappointing horse, has com- menced walking exercise, and it is probable that he will in a short time go in for more active work in view of the spring handicaps.. The death is announced of Mr A. H. Baily, the proprietor of the popular sporting magaaine which owes its title to his name. Mr Baily died at his residence on Wednesday evening. The National Skating Association has issued an official bulletin. Should the frost hold, there will be skating at Zingy Fen, Grantchester, in a few days, where the championship contest will be the first fixture. On Tuesday the Duke of Roxburghe, Sir G. Waldie Griffith, Bart., of Hendersyde-park; the Ron. E. Ma joribanks, M.P. Captain Hot- ham, and Mr James Moffat shot over the Floors Castle policy, and killed 437 head of game. The New York Yacht Club have received challenges from Sir Richard Sutton, Bart., and from Lieut. W. Henn to defend the trophy won some time ago by the yacht America. Sir R. Sutton will compete with the Genesta, 'and Lieut. Henn with the Galatea. There is talk in New York of getting up a pugilists' organisation, which will have for its object the protection of boxers' interests. Those who have taken up the project will endeavour to get boxing matches recognised as a legitimate branch of athletic sports. '1' A sporting correspondent writes :—" Turf imbroglios seem to be cropping up nowadays with painful frequency. If I am notsadly misinformed, there is one on the tapis now that may involve serious complications to the person or persons who will be called upon for an explanation of a matter which, in the eyes of the supreme powers, to re- quired to be cleared up." At the commencement of proceeding at Thurs- day's town council meeting at Brighton the Mayor referrd to the proposed purchase of the countv cricket ground at Hove. His Worship remarked that he was probably not going beyond his province in saying that there was an appeal to the town of Brighton to obtain in this district a county cricket ground. He thought the com- mittee had hardly done so much as other men might have done in making the case known to the inhabitants. But he took this opportunity of calling the attention of householders to the fact that if they wished to retain the county cricket ground in Brighton now was the time to send in their gifts.

IMPORTANT CABINET COUNCIL. The German Colonial Policy Discussed. The Cabinet Council, which met on Friday at four o'clock, sat for two hours and three-quarters. All the Ministers were present except Earl Spencer and Sir Charles Dilke, the latter of whom had not arrived from the continent. Another meeting of the Cabinet will be held this (Satur- day) afternoon. During the day there were quite an unusual number of preliminary meetings and conversa- tions. Lord Granville, who arrived at noon direct from Walmer Castle, first want to the Foreign Office, and after a short stay there pro- ceeded to Downing-street, where he had a brief interview with the Prime Minister. About three o'clock his lordship had another and more pro- longed conference with Mr Gladstone, which lasted to within a quarter of an hour of the assembling of Ministers for the Cabinet Council. Lord Derby arrived in town during the morning, bat did not proceed to the Colonial Office, where he had been expected. A Colonial Office messenger, however, was sent to St. James's-square with a box full of despatches for his lordship's perusal. At three o'clock Lord Northbrook went to Downing-street, and remained until the close of the Cabinst Council, taking part in the con- ference with Lord Granville and Mr Gladstone. Just before four o'clock Mr Trevelyan arrived, and he was followed almost immediately by Mr Childer?, Lord Selborne, Lord Carlingto'rd, Mr Chamberlain and Lord Kimberley, and Sir William Harcourt, the last Minister to arrive liging Lord Hartington, who strolled into Downing-street in his usual leisurely manner about ten minutes past four. Sir Charles Dilke, who has betm taking a short rest at Antibes, on the Gulf of Genoa, was not advised of the summoning of the council until Thursday, and could not, therefore, arrive in time to attend, but he will be inj town to-day (Saturday). Lord Spencer, who was the only other Minister absent, was detained in Dublin by pressing business. The circumstances under which the Cabinet Council was summoned, and the lengthy delibera- tions of the Ministers, have caused considerable stir in political circles. It is assumed as a matter of course that the latest development of German colonizing energy in the Western Pacific formed one of the chief topics under consideration, and it is certain that Lord Derby coirrmunicaten to his colleagues the substance of the strongly worded dispatches which he has received within the last week or so from nearly every Australian Government. The fact that the Premier thought it necessary to have preliminary consultations with Lord Northbrook and Lord Granville is con- sidered of great significance, and there is a general belief in well-informed Circles that another con- ference on Egyptian questions is not at all im- probable.

DR. PRICE'S CREMATION CASE. The notorious Welsh Druid, Dr. Price, is ap- parently as enthusiastic as ever for the cause of cremation. His latest performance has been to cremate a favourite tull, called by the pet name of Morgan Apis. The whole ceremony lasted nine hours it caused the greatest excitement throughout the neighbourhood, and the field in which the sacrifice was performed was crowded with spectators, many having come several miles to witness so peculiar an event. The pro- ceedings appear to have passed off quietly, though they Were necessarily of a somewhat revolting character. Dr, Price has done some good service to the cause of cremation—notably by furnishing the occasion for a judicial declaration of its legality but in future he would do well to carry out his experiments under shelter, and apart from the gaze of the profane -multitude. -Pall Mall Gazette..

THE PRtZE FIGHT NEAR HERT- FORD. The men who were arrested at the intercepted prize fight near Broxburne, Herts, on Thursday, were on Friday morning brought up at Cheshunt I-olice-coiwt before Mr N. Evans. William Good, fish porter, of Crescent-place, H-ackney road, one o f the principals, stood his ground when the police broke into the ring, and was arrested on the spot ■with four others. Several were arrested subse- quently, but Parry, the other principal, after- wards managed to escape. The prisoners brought qp to-day were William Good, Maurice Murphy, provision dealer, Leather-lane William Allen, fish curer, Lisle-street, Shoreditoh Richard Swift, fruiterer, Liverpool-road, Islington and James Good, dog doctor, Wardour-street. They were remanded on bail until the 14tlj iust. The articles left on the ground were taken possession of by the police.

Mr L. H. Phillips, a member of the Common Council of the City of London, will contest the new Tower Hamlets borough in the Conservative interest^"

TO-DAY'S POLICE. NON-MAINTENANCE.—At the police-court to-day, before Alderman Jones, David Sherwood, a col- lier, was charged by Mr Pritchard, the warrant officer of the Cardiff Guardians, with leaving his wife and family chargeable to the Cardiff Union. As the defendant promised to provide for his family in the future the case was adjourned for a fortnight to enable him to carry out his inten- tion. THii FALSELY-CALLED REIGN OF TamoR.- Mary Ann Kemp, a young woman 18 years of age, was charged with being a disorderly prosti- tute in Bute-terrace on the 2nd inst. P.C. Waters saw the defendant about nine o'clock on Friday night in Bute-terrace. She was dancing, cursing, and swearing. A large crowd had assembled to witness her performance. He asked her togo away several times, but she refused, and said that shewould rather be locked up than go. He then took her into custody.—Defendant baidher father resided at Canton, and it appeared that she was thehberof a respectable man. She believed her father would receive her back, although she had been living in houses in Peel-street and other places of repute for 18 months.—The bench directed that she should be sent back to her parents.-In,cousequence of four robberies having been committed in brothels in Homfray-street -dating the past week, the Head-constable has issued a special order to the -police, with a view of bringing some of the occupiers of these houses before the magistratiis. VIOLENT ASSAULTS.—Mary Shea, a woman against whom there ar3 several previous convic- tions, was charged on a warrant with assaulting and wounding an old man named Daniel Murray, on the 15th June.—Complainant stated that he lived in Halkett-street. On the morning of the 15th June the defendant and others broke open the door of his house, wounding him in four or five places.—As only one magistrate was on the bench prisoner was remanded till Montiay.

SWANSEA. CHILDREN'S ENTEBTAINMENT.—Our readers will see by advertisement that there will be a Christmas tree and sale of work at the Albert- hall on Monday, and an entertainment will be given by the children. The proceeds will be de- voted to the Holy Trinity Schc- Luildiij,- fund. SU P-DE-N DEATH AT THE MUMBLF -,— On Friday morning, "Mr Kelliser, watc.i:iKtsi, of t; c Mumbles, died suddenly from he^r. dissa^e, tue result of an attempt to catch a train. Jieir.g iatí, he ran to the Mumbles Station, and, missmsf the train, he went into the waiting-it)am, where he fell down dead. NEW YEAR'S TREAT TO POOR CHILDREN.—At the Albert-hall, on Friday afternoon, about a thousand poor children were, through the kind benevolence of several ladies and gentlemen in the town, entertained at a substantial repast. The children seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves, arid before separating testified by their cheers the appreciation of the kind efforts of their entertainers, Thanks are particu- larly due. to Mr Nichol, who acted as hon. secre- tary, the Mayor (Councillor Williams), Coun- cillor and Mrs Chapman, Mesdames Mason, Dowle-Jones, Joseph Hall, Bray, Meager, Bei- lingham, Fbenezer Davies, Misses Dowle-Jones, Hall and Cawker, and Messrs J. P. Morgan, Meager, and E. Fish, who, with ethers, assisted in making the children happy. It was announced that on Monday next, and until further notice, penny dinners can be obtained by poor children at the Back-street schoolroom.

NEWPORT. AcciDVT.-A seaman named Haslem, work- ing tan board the s.s. Joseph Fisher, was admitted into the infirmary on Friday, and detained, suffering from fracture of the ribs, occasioned by falling out of the riggiag on to the deck, a distance of about 20 feet. CHARGE AOAINST AN EX-VOLTJNTEER,— At Newport County Police Offiee on Friday, George Harrison, until recently a member of the Rise a Batceries of the 1st Worcestershire Artillery Volunteers, was charged with stealing a musical "instrument, "Value £4-, the property of; the batteries. The accused, -who was apprehended at Bicester, in the midlands, was remanded until to- day. HOLIDAY DRTJNKENNKSS. —The an y business dealt with at the borough police-court onFriday (MrH. Phillips presiding) consisted of five cases of drunkenness, in all of which fines of 5s were imposed. Onema-Í1 named William Thomas had been following the waits on New Year's morning, and amused himself by kicking at doors of houses as he went along. P.C. Bristowe, a newly- made officer, confronted defendant, but be told him he didn't care for -a young hand like bim. Another case was against Annie Roberts, of res- pectable parentage, who-has been in the Females Home for some time, but who has relapsed again into vicious.habits.. i A man named Charles Ball was endeavouring, as he alleged, to take her home. Police-constable Carter, one of the oldest officers in the force, described both as making a disgraceful exhibition of them- selves. He had heard a good deal of bad language, but the woman's exceeded the worst. At the close of the cases, which occupied only 15 minutes, Mr Phillips remarked that such a short list was very good for Christmas -time. -Supt. Sinclair: There are five cases of drunkenness.— The Magistrates' Clerk On Monday the bench sat until nearly three o'elock in the afternoon, a period of four hours.

I CARDIFF. -ACCIDBNT TO A BRAKESMAN.—J«hn -Grimes (22), single, residing in Cobnrn-road, Cathays, brakesmän on the Taff Vale R!l.i'¡-y,was on Friday shunting at the West Bute Dock, when, having to cross from one side of the line to the other, be came in tbe way of one of the trucks, a wheel of wbich passed over his right arm. Token to the infirmary, it was found necessary to ampu- tate the limll. LLANDAFF C.ITRIDDBAL.-2nd Sunday after -Ch,ristmag.-T,i residence the Very "Ttc- the; Dean -and the Rev. Chancellor Woods. Ho y Communion, 8-a.xn. Morning, 11 a. m.z -Er,-Aabef. the Rev. tbeChaucellor Tours in F; Litem hymns, 175, 73, awd 259. Afternoon, 3.30 Preacher, Very Rev. the Dean Tour, in F antbem, "O grve tlm-oks," FIN-ey hymns, 179 and 165. -Collections Ln behalf of -tht Chureu ]:,agtoral,Aict isociaty. EST Sfsxatssms, 81.;(": centor. DIXNER TO DESTITUTE SIJAMEN-Ia a special manner by the efforts of Dr La 1-U, bA v aided throughout by Mr J. J. '"AmiM, Air W Burrow, ana the Rev. J. R. Phiftrps> l?v more or less needy seamen, ineludisg a few persons of nondescript occupations, were'On -.Friday the partakers of an excejlent New Year's dinner on board the mission ship Thisbe. The tickets had been distributed mostly on the previous da7> and it is worthy of honourable mention-that not a few of the men deemed to be proper objects tor the bounty either declined the tickets or took one for the -purpose of a giftto some poorer comrade rather -than seem to touch upon the benevolent aims of the givers. By this self denial, the TTO eventually brought justified thoroughly "tile "exertionfe "fiftade for their entertainment. It may aiso be-noted that work being vidr-y slack -just at present at the docks, made the dinner doubly aceaptabk. The tables were laid out in the Thisbe's re"hg-room, the caterer being Mr Chalk, and the repast consisted of roagt beef, boiled mutton, vegetables, and plani-pnddkng. At its conclusion, and the clotlt being penwted, the diriefrs indulged in smoking, while some vocal or other entertainment went on. TAPF VALE CRICKET ULCB.—TTIE annual general meeting of the Taff Vale Cricket :Club was held at the company's offices, Crockherbtown, on Fri- day evebing, wherra fair-rchtaberof members were present. Mr W-. J. Befcaett, in the absence of the president, occupied the chair. The report of the secretary (Mr L. J5; Clark) stated that the club was in a very satisfactory condition finan- cially. Mr W. T. Lee, non. as*istatit-efecretary, .sent- -in --his resignation, and received a vote of tlia-nks-for his services during the Jasttwo years. The fallowing officers were eiected for the ensuing seasonPresident, Mr H. Qi Fisher; captain, Mr W. W. F. Pullen; vice-captain, Mr W. J. Shep- pard; treasurer, Mr John Edwards lion, secre- tary, Mr 'L. S. Cfarki commtttee, Messrs C. V. Allgeod, W. J. -Bfebaett, W. 35reedon, J. T. Edwards, E. L Hopkins I W. T, i»ee, H. C. J. Horser, H. L. Simpson, and H. Sadler. A vote of thanks was also accorded to the secretary, Mr L. S Clark for bis set vides during the season.

Mr Augustus Rivers Thompson, Lieutenant- Governor of BeDgal, and Mr Charles Grant, Secretary to "the Government of India in the Foreign Department, ezetted Knights Corn manders of the Ordertif the Star of India, and Mr Henry William Primrose, late private secre- tary to the Marquis of Ripon, is gazetted com- panion of the same order. 18 consequence of the great success that has attended the visit of Mr Lonsdale to Cardiff, he has decided to stay a short time. Judging from the testin-wnials that from time to time appear in our advertisement columns, his appliances are equal to what Mr -Lonsdale claims them tu be, and doubtless further and substantial support will be given to him.