South Wales Echo

TOPICS OF THE DAY. -a. The Bishop of London has almost literally died in harness. On Sunday evening he addressed a great congregation at St. Paul's, and yesterday the great bell of the Metropolitan Cathedral was tolling for his death. Dr. Jack- son, who spent some years of his earlier life in London, at first as incumbent of a church at Muswell-hill, and afterwards as rector of St. James's, Piccadilly, was hardly a dis- tinguished ornament of the Church. There are prelates cn the Episcopal Bench who were his superiors in learning, in oratory, and even in organising ability, but Dr. Jack- isi I I son's loss will be widely lamented by men of all parties in the Church. Considering that Bishops of London are not usually appointed until they are past the prime of life, and that the ordinary work of the see is very heavy, it is surprising that there have been only six bishops of London during the last hundred years, two of these being translated to Canterbury. Formerly the diocese comprised Hertford and that portion of Essex which now constitutes the diocese of St Alban's. According to tradi- tion the see was formed about the year 179. ———————————————— Whilst our Navy is reported to be gone tu the dogs, and the national industries are supposed to be following the navy, it must fill every well-conditioned Briton's heart with delight and pride to learn from the papers that the repairing and refitting of the Royal yachts are just complete. The bill i3 only £ 50,000 sterling. "The yacht has i been fitted with electric bells throughout, 1.nd a newly-devised system of extinguishing fire has been adopted. The new stove in the Royal breakfast room is a most artistic production, and cost from JE700 to £ 800 Bravo I We are not a shabby nation. The political changes caused by death in 'he House of Lords last year give curious I evidence of the growing Conservative ten- ieney of the Peers, in spite of the frequent iccession of Liberal Peers to the House. 3ive Whig Peers died during the year, namely, tho Earl of Scarborough, Viscount lorrington, and Lords Mostyn, North, and Petre. The successors to the titles are, without exception, Conservatives. Two oinora came of ago this year-the Duke cf .Tewcastla and Lord Kenyon-both of whom .re Conservatives. Lord Salisbury will then cave Increased his t -.ijority by six votes, oanting twelve upon a division. The reater the majority, the stronger the case gainst the House of Lords. The London «omipondents have started the idea that the eldest son of the Prince of Wales is being called Prince Edward instead of Prince Albert Victor in official papers because it is proposed that he should ascend the throne at King Edward VII. There will be time to think over this before the young Prince's services are required by the State. Sir Charles Dilke's constancy to his native parish of Chelsea must be admired, but it is rather a waste of political force to put up the strongest candidate to fight the safest seat. We suppose any advanced Liberal could carry Chelsea, might not Sir Charles with greater service to his party attack the Conservative stronghold of Kensington ? Mr Gladstone z;' had a safe seat for Leeds in 1880, but he wrested Midlothian from the Tories. Sir Charles says he feels bound to Chelsea "by the terms of a public statement made in 1873," in which statement he spoke of his refusal to accept tempting proposals which had been made to him to leave those amongst whom he was born and had always lived. But 1873 is a long time ago, and no one knows better than Sir Charles Dilke how time changes circumstances and circum stances opinions. The residents and commoners of Ching- ford are taking active steps to resist an illegal enclosure of land now proceeding near Chingford Old Church. All their activity will be needed, for the enclosurers, too, are busily at work in the neighbour- hood, "making hay while the sun shines," and fearing that the golden opportunity may soon be lost. A large landowner in East Herts was engaged all last year drawing small patches of land into his estate, and unfortunately there was no organised public opposition to the aggression. No mite of land, however small or scrubby, was too insignificant for this gentleman to steal and if he could narrow a roadway or take in a ditch he did it immediately. Mr Parnell is exerting himself with un- usual energy in the affair of the Tipperary Election. At the second convention he has called to reconsider the decision arrived at last Friday, when his nominee was rejected, he will himself speak, and little doubt is felt in Ireland that on this second occasion Mr O'Connor will be chosen. Mr O'Ryan, the selected candidate of the convention, will, however, press his claims, and there will be an interesting struggle, Mr Parnell making the question one of confidence in his leadership. A return just issued by the War Depart- ment gives some interesting figures with respect to the cost of big guns for the fleet. In 1880-1 four 16 inch muzzle-loading 80- ton guns were supplied by the wjir authori- ties to the navy. Each gun cost as nearly as possible 910,500 each. Last year ten 12 inch 43-ton breechloaders were supplied at an average cost each of £ 6,240. £ 478,769 has been spent on navy guns during the last seven years. Three 18-ton 9 inch guns have cost 27,635 three 11-ton 8 inch guns, £ 5,267 fourteen 80-cwt 6 inch guns, £ 10,022; a hundred and thirty-six 81-cwt 6 inch breechloaders, £98,671; fifty-eight 36-cwt 5 inch breechloaders £ 28,252; seventy-six 22-cwt 4 inch guns, E27,510 and seventeen 13-cwt 4 inch guns, £ 5,487. Returns collected by the ilfark Lane Express show that there has been a con- siderable diminution in the quantity of land put into wheat this year. In Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire the area is greatly reduced. So, too, in some parts of Suffolk. In Northern Warwickshire and on the borders of Hereford and Wor- cester the area sown is a third less than last year, while in Somerset the reduction is about a fourth. Striking an average, the Mark Lane Express estimates the decrease for England and Wales at between 10 and 15 per cent. Henry Ward Beecher, upon being asked whether there was any truth in the rumour that he was about to be appointed Ambas- sador to England, replied; "Not any; it's ridiculous. I'm not looking for any office under Mr Cleveland, nor do I expect any from him nor is it likely that he will offer me one; nor would I accept any. I sup- ported Mr Cleveland because I thought it best for the country, and I do not want any reward for it. Right here I wish you would say—and you can repeat it as often as you like-that I am not using my influence to obtain office for anyone under the new Administration, and it is useless for persons to apply to me.

WE have on several previous occasions re- ferred to the very heavy death-rate of Cardiff, and to-day our readers will notice that in the REGISTRAR-GENERAL'S returns Cardiff is in the unenviable position of highest on the list of the 28 towns reported on by the central authority. In some previous weeks Cardiff has only been exceeded by Preston or Norwich, both well-known to be unhealthy towns but last weekTevell those places were exceeded. The death-rate at Hudders- field, the lowest on the list, was 20 per 1,000; at Cardiff it was 34-6 whilst the mean rate of the 23 great towns was 25, Cardiff thus exceeding the average by 9'6 per thousand. This is indeed a serious state of affairs, and it behoves the sanitary authority to take some stepc; in the direction of making Cardiff more healthy. Our cor- respondent who sends the returns says the excessive mortality s to some extent due to the fact that the town suffered so very severely from the principal zymotics. These were fatal in 20 cases, and included 16 of measles, and one each of diphtheria, whooping cough, fever, and diarrhoea. These 20 cases yielded a rate of 11 '2, which was the highest zymotic rate. Measles in the three previous weeks were credited with 4, 10, and 4, and during its present outbreak there have already been 97 victims to it. Such is the record, start- ling enough to rouse the authorities to do something with a view of ridding the town of such a notoriety as it now possesses.

WHAT may be termed a burial scandal, though it has nothing to do with the Church, has rocently taken place in Pem brokeshire. It is generally supposed that a coroner's inquest is held "on the body," and to make good this view of the law, the jury, as a rule, proceed to view the body. But an inquest has been held at Kilrhedyn, in the parish of Llysyfran, Pembrokeshire, the body with regard to which the inquest was being held having been buried on the previous day. It seems that about three weeks ago a man hung himself in the parish named, on a Saturday. Notice was duly given to the coroner, who appointed the inquest to be held on the following Wednesday. But the coroner on that day went to another Llysyfran, near Fishguard, a dozen or so miles distant from the Llysyfran at which the jury were waiting for him. On the coroner finding out his mistake, he instructed the constable that he would ap- pear at the proper Llysyfran on the Friday, but the neighbours of the suicide would wait no longer, and decided to bury the body, as decomposition had set in, and the corpse had become very offensive. When the coroner appeared on the scene the jury could not "view the body," and therefore, as the chief-constable of the county stated at yesterday's quarter sessions, no proper inquest had been held after all. The magistrates decided that the matter be referred to a committee to inves- tigate, Lord KENSINGTON remarking that it was decidedly a disgrace that no inquest was held till after the man was buried.

A BURIAL scandal in the true sense of the word has taken place at Grimston. The vicar of that village has shown his bitter antipathy to Dissent, and his contempt of the law as laid down in tho Burials Act. The intolerant reverend gentleman refused to allow a grave to be opened for the burial of a child of a Mr Holmes, a Wesleyan. The villagers of Grim- ston apparently do not stand in much awe of their spiritual master and pastor," for, roused to indignation by his bigotry and want of sympathy with the bereaved father, itliey burnt the [vicar's effigy on the village green; and the parish clerk, who seems. to have had a better knowledge of the rights of Dissenters than his vicar, dug the grave in spite of that gentleman, and the interment took place yesterday. The vicar has proba- bly not heard the last of the affair.

THE CLUB NUISANCE AT SWANSEA. Meeting of the Watch Committee. The monthly meeting of the watch committee of the Swansea Corporation was held at the Guildhall on Tuesday. The Mayor (Mr W. Williams) presided.—On the recommendation of the head constable, a vote of thanks was given to several persons for valuable services rendered the police in extinguishing the fires which had re- cently raged in the town. Mr CHAPMAN desired to call the attention of the committee to the number of clubs which had of recent years been opened in Swansea. At pre- sent, he said, any person can sell excisable articles by just goin,- through the form of getting up a club and writing to the Inland Revenue authori- ties, who had no power to refuse a licence to a club. He believed it was the duty of the watch committee to take cognizance of this state of things, and he suggested that it was the duty uf the council to take some steps with a view of soliciting further legislative action on the matter.—The Mayor agreed with Mr Chapman that the present mode of conducting clubs made them a nuisance. Many of them were quite unnecessary, and a great injustice to respectable licensed victuallers.—Mr Chapman would like the question to go before the council, and he offered to put a notice on the agenda of the next meeting. —The Mayor suggested that a communication be sent to the Home Secretary on the question.-A.ir Lewis asked Mr Chapman if he wished to stop all clubs.—Mr Chapman replied that he did not. He only wanted to abolish all the bogus c.ubs. All clubs should, in his opinion, bo licensed in the same way as public- bouses, and then they would be under the super- vision of the police. Ultimately it was resolved, on the motion of Mr CHAPMAN, seconded by the MAYOR, That in the opinion of the committee, further legislation was desirable as to the licensing of so-called clubs, and that the attention of the Home Secre- tary be called to the matter with a view of all clubs selling excisable articles being placed under legislative control."

ANOTHER MEETING OF THE CABINET. A meeting of the Cabinet Council has been summoned somewhat unexpectedly for this (Wed- nesday) afternoon. It is understood that the forfchsoming Cabinet Council was arranged before Mr Gladstone's de- parture for Hawarden on Saturday afternoon, and that it was then understood that the Pre- mier's attendance would not be necessary. It is understood that important communica- tionshave been received at the Foreign Office from Berlin and Paris. Lord Derby arrived in town on Tuesday even- ing from Tunbridge for the purpose of attending the meeting. Lord Granville dined with Count Munster, the German Ambassador, on Tuesday evening, and great importance is attached in political circles to tnis meeting.

NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD OF I WALES. List of Prizes in the Arts Section, The pavilion and arts committees met at the eisteddfod offices, Aberdare, on Monday evening. The proceedings of the pavilion committee were of no public importance. The arts committec completed their list of prizes which are as follows:—For the best original oil painting for the best original water-colour for the best original crayon for the best (set of three) design of Chrismas or New Year cards: for the best (landscape) photograph for the best specimen of quilted patchwork counterpane in Welsh flannel for the best painted ornamental trade sign for the best metal fire-stand for the best ornamental work in leather; for the best collection of geological fossils found in Welsh mines; for the best carved oak bardic chair; for the best life-sized portrait bust of any Welsh personage for the best por- trait medallion of any Welsh celebrity for the best specimen of stone curiosities; for the best specimen of wood curiosities for the best orna- mental letter-cutting in stone; for the best original architectural design of a. monument; for the best hand-painted folding screen; for the best hand-knitted woollen stockings a special prize of L7 7s was given by Mr Willett, on behalf of his firm (Messrs Willett and Wake- ling, architects and surveyors, Merthyr), for the best original or water-colour painting landscape from nature. The thanks of the committee were unanimously given to Mr Willett for his liberal offer. As the official programme is on the point of being published:it is earnestly hoped that those desirous of patronising the national institution by giving prizes in any of the departments will kindly place themselves in early communication with the secretary, Mr J. R. Lewis. It is satis- factory to know that all the committees are doing their work in a thoroughly harmonious manner with the sole aim of making the eisteddfod of 1885 a grand success.

TIPPERARY ELECTION. I Mr Patrick O'Hyan, the candidate selected by the convention last week to represent Tipperary, writes The gathering was duly convened and thoroughly representative. If a mistake has been made what guarantee has Tipperary that it will not be repeated. But no mistake was made, and the cry now raised is a mere quibble. 'vV h at Pve, r the result, the cry is disastrous. It impeaches and strikes a deadly blow at the Parliament of the people. The man who raises it is guilty of a grave crime against his country." However, he adds, he is not a stormy petrel, and should there be a way honourable to himself and his supporters to bring about that union so vital to his country's interests, personal considerations would not in- fiuence him a breadth.—Mr Parnell is Oil hi, way to Thurles to preside at the convention there to-morrow. Mr Parnell, M.P.. arrived at Dublin on Tues- day evening fvoia London. The hon. gentleman, who looked v<:ry ;ired and pale, was almost en- tirely unnoticed, and drove at once to his hotel, where he had c lo' consultation with Mr John O'Connor, of Cork, whose rejection for the re- presentation of the ir county by the Tipperary delegates had brought Mr Parnell over to Ireland. Mr Pa-aell leaves for Thurles early this (Wednesday) morning. A Tipperary correspondent says A National League meeting was held here on Tuesday for the purpose of selecting delegates to attend the county convention at Thurles to-day, and was largely at- tended. The six original delegates who voted for O'Ryan at the late convention were rejected by a majority, and six new delegates, all of whom are favourable to O'CnT^r, were unanimously elected.

THE CHANNEL SQUADRON SCARE. Tha Pres Association Plymouth correspondent telegraphs on Tuesdiy night:—The Northumber- land sailed to-day for Portsmouth, where Admiral de Horsey will hoist his flag on board of her. The Agincourt and Achilles will leave Plymouth on Friday. In reference to the orders recently issued, it is pointed out that although the Secre- tary to the Admiralty states no change has been made, and mentions the 7th as the day of sailing, yet the official order issued on Thursday last state that it was intended the Plymouth division should leave on the 9fch. Many men were granted leave until the 7th, and some until the 8th.

I THE DEATH OF THE BISHOP OF LONDON. The Prelate's Last Sermon. (FROM A PHOTOGRAPH BY THE LONDON STERFO COPIC COMPANY.) The Right Rev. John Jackson, D.D,, Bishop of London, died on Tuesday morning at the age of 74, at his residence, the Palace, Fulham. The cause of death was heart disease. For some months it has been evident that the venerable prelate's strength had been gradually giving way, and at a recent visitation at St. Paul's Cathedral he expressed the conviction that he should not live long. In the Upper House of Convocation he had been provided in the last two sessions with a reclining chair, and when in the House of Lords recently he had been noticed to sit supporting his head on his hand. with evident signs of weakness. A visit to Gloucestershire in October seemed to benefit him, and up to last Sunday evening, when he greached in St. Paul's Cathedral, he gave no sign that the end was so near, the only noticeable weakness being in his voice. It was during this, his last, sermon that a dis- turbance was created by a fanatic named Freund, who shouted and created a noise during his lord- ship's address. The bishop remained n standing while it lasted, and when the man was ejected he proceeded with his sermon. Previous, however, to attending the Cathedral he walked to Fulham Parish Church to morning service, and on the way was seized with acute pain in the region of the throat. It quickly passed away, however, and he partook of luncheon after service with excellent appetite. He retired to rest shortly after ten o'clock on Sunday, but at 20 minutes past 4 a.m. his valet was aroused by the loud ringing of his master's bell, and on proceeding to his lordship's apartment he found him seated in his arm-chair in his dressing gown. He complained of great pain in his left side and chest, and seemed in great agony. Dr. Sibley was sent for, and Miss Jackson, who had been aroused, directed that poultices should be applied, which gave him relief. Dr. Sibley subsequently approved these measures, and recommended his lordship to remain in bed during Monday, and that someone should sit up with j him at night, saying, however, there was no Im- mediate cause for apprehension. Miss Marion Jackson sat in her father* dressing-room during Monday night, whence she occasionally looked into the bed-room; but at half-past five she noticed that, although her father's face was unaltered, he did not seem to be breathing. Placing her hand on his heart she found that pulsation had almost ceased. She at once summoned assistance. Restoratives were applied, and Mr Woodhouse, » practitioner, was fetched, but when he arrived ten minutes afterv. Mrds the bishop had breathed his last. Dr. Sib'ey also bishop had breathed his last. Dr. also arrived at eight o'clock. In addition to three un- married daughters of the Bishop, there were Mrs Tatham (a married daughter) and her husband at the Palace on Monday night, and other relatives the Palace on Monday night, and other relatives arrived during the day. The funeral will take place at Fulham Parish Churchyard on Saturday, when the late bishop will be laid with his wife in a grave adjoining that i 0f Bishop Bloomfield. The ceremony will be of a private character. I THE QUEEN APPRISED OF THE EVENT. During the day, the flag on Fulham Church was lowered half mast. Intelligence of his death was telegraphed to the Queen, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and other dignitaries of the Church. PULPIT REFERENCES. Prebendary Lees, preaching on Tuesday after- noon at St. Paul's, on the celebration of the Epiphany, commenced his sermon by saying that it would be unseemly to enter the cathedral pulpit that afternoon and make no reference to the awfully sudden loss which had fallen upon that church and diocese, and of which all of them must have heard but a few hours before. The lamented death of the Bishop of London created a void which must be felt by everyone, but it was especially to them there, as he stood so recently in that place, and was the last to stand there. Occurring also as it did at the festival of the Epiphany, it served to remind them more forcibly than anything else could of the reality and solemnity of those truths which this season proclaimed, and of which to him it had, indeed, been a season of mani- festation. Might those truths ever be so present and so precious to their minds and hearts, that when their call should come to pass in like manner within the vale, it might be to behold the manifestation of the glory of God to their own eternallifa, At Westminster Abbey on Tuesday afternoon, a slight allusion was made to the bishop's death by Canon Westcott, who preached. The Right Rev. John Jackson, D.D., Bishop of London, son of Henry Jackson, Esq., merchant, of London, born February 22, 1811, was educated at Reading School under Dr. Valpy, whence he proceeded to Pembroke College, Oxford, where he graduated in 1833, taking first-class honours, and gained the Denyer Theological Prize. From 1836 till 1846 he was head-master of the Proprietary School at Islington, and during part of that time incumbent of St. James's, Muswell-hill, in the parish of Hornsey. He was appointed rector of St. James's, Piccadilly, in 1846, chaplain to the Quesn in 1847, and canon of Bristol in 1852 was a select preacher before the University of Oxford in 1845, 1850, 1862, and 1866 preached the Boyle Lectures in London in 1853, and on the death of Dr. Kaye in that year was made Bishop of Lincoln. On January 4,1869, he was translated to the see of London, in succession to Dr. Tait, who had been raised to the primacy. Dr. Jackson is the author of some sermons and charges and of a. popular pamphlet entitled "The Sinfulnes of Little Sins." We are indebted for the above portrait to the Pall Mall Gazette.

CARDIFF BOARD OF GUARDIANS We have bean requested by the clerk to the Cardiff Union to give publicity to a circular which has been addressed by Dr, H. J, Paine to the joint cemmittee of the union workhouse arid Ely Schools, upon the subject of the application of Dr. Sheen for an increase of salary. In the course of the circular, Dr. Paine say, "The hospital department at the end of 1885 consisted of ten wards, with an extra building, then called The Refuge,' but now fitted up for the reception of cases of infectious diseases, the whole capable of accommodating 130 patients the average number of cases under medical treat- ment then being 127. Dr. Sheen's salary was fixed in 1881 at Cl70 a year. The number of sick under medical treatment in the house greatly increased, so that it became necessary in the early part of last year to materially increase the extent of hospital accommodation. For some time I have frequently visited the sick wards, and have always observed that the treatment and care of the sick has been highly satisfactory. I may here mention that a few months back I received a communication from Dr. Mouat, Local Govern- ment Inspector, stating he was directed to visit the Cardiff Workhouse, and invited me as chair- man to accompany him when he made his inspec- tion this I did, Mr Bircham was also with us his inquiries were most searching, and occupied. upwards of three hours. At the termination of his visit, he expressed to me that he was highly gratified with the whole of the hospital arrange- ments, that the sick were exceedingly well cared for, and that the institution would compare advantageously with any union hospital in the kingdom these remarks I brought before the notice of the board at its next meeting. The aggregate number of cases under medical treatment, on the 1st of January in the present year, was 245. The total cases coming under the treatment of your medical officer during the year 1824 were 1,359, the daily average being 174, and the weekly number of fresh sick cases admitted 43. The average time each patient remains under medical treatment is 46 days. The present re- muneration of your medical officer is £ 170. Dividing this sum by 1,359 gives 2s 05a as the remuneration per head for each sick patient. In addition to these duties, your medical omeer has to examine at his daily visits all inmates admitted into receiving: ward before admission into the general body of the house. He has thus to make a daily visit, additional visits being required when urgent cases ara under treatment. He has also to attend the Ely Schools. As regards the latter establishment, I have for a long time considered it highly desirable the two establishment, should bo separate appointments."

CARDIFF PARLIAMENTARY DEBATING SOCIETY. This society resumed its meetings on Tuesday, when the Premier (Mr J. Andrews) introduced a resolution to the effect that the policy pursued by Mr Gladstone's Government with regard to Ire- land deserved the approval and support of the house and the country. Mr George David (member for Dudley) followed upon the other side, and moved an amendment attributing the disloyalty and crime in Ireland to the policy of the Liberal party. Mr Manning (member for Waterford) dealt with the subject from the point of view of an Irish Nationalist, and dwelt parti- cularly upon the tyranny and inj llstics practised by English officials in Ireland. Mr W. N. Gronow (member for Merthyr) replied to the preceding speakers, and while regretting the coercive part of the Liberal policy, claimed that at all events the Liberal attempts to ameliorate the condition of Ireland by land act, and other measures were much better than the constant coercion practised by Conservative Governments. No Conservative rising, the debate was con- e tinued by Mr Gausden (Liberal member for North Leicester), and Mr E. Grogan (member for King's County), and the debate was adjourned at ten o'clock until Tuesday next.

FAITH.—A hospital doctor, having prescribed for a patient struck down by fever, places a thermometer under his arm to gauge his tempera- ture accurately. On returning a few hours later the physician inquires, "Well, how are we getting on ?" receiving the unexpected reply, Oh, doc- tor, the drops have not done me any good, but the glass tube has given me immense relief!"

BIRTHS AND DEATHS IN CARDIFF. I Another Increase in the Mortality. The return of the Registrar-General for the week ending Saturday last (3rd J aliijary) shows that in twenty-eight of the largest towns in England and Wales, each containing 70,000 persons or more, and of which Cardiff is one, there were registered 6,887 births and 4,195 deaths. The deaths were equal to an annual I ate of 25'0. The rates of mortality in the several towns, arranged in order from thelowest, were as follows: Huddersfield 20'0 Plymouth 20.0 Portsmouth. 21 "2 Derby 21'4 Bristol. 21-8 Halifax 21-8 .Sunderland 220 Bolton 22-0 Hull 22'2 Sheffield 224 Birmingham 22'8 Bradford 22'9 Leeds. 23 "9 Leicester 24 "8 London 24'9 Brighton 24-9 Nottingham 26'2 Manchester 26'4 Blackburn 26-4 Birkenhea.d.. 26-4 Wolverhampton 25-6 Liverpool 28 1 Salford 28'8 Newcastle on- 'l'yne 29-3 Preston 325 Norwich 32 9 Cardiff 34-5 To the principal zymotic diseases 375 deaths were referred in the towns, equal to a rate of 2'2, the towns with the highest being; Cardiff 11-2, and Newcastle-on-Tyne Vl and those with the lowest Portsmouth 0'4, and Brighton 0-5. The highest, death-rate per 1,000 from scarlet fever were, Halifax 1-4, and Newcastle-on-Tyne 5 from measles,Cardiff 8'9, and Leicester 2-8. In the borough of Cardiff there were registered last week 106 births, as compared with 57 and 82 in the two preceding. That was the largest weekly number in the past 53 weeks, whilst the smallest m that time was 53, or just half. The 106 were equal to an annual rate of 59'1 per 1,000 of the population, est;imated to have been in the middle of last year 93,468. There was again another increase in the mortality of the borough, for the deaths amounted to 62, and in the three previous weeks the numbers were 4,652, and 58. These 62 deaths comprised 29 males and 35 females, and corresponded to a rate of 34'6. That is a very extraordinary high death- rate, and it is but seldom exceeded. It- was as much as 9'6 above that of the 28 great towns, and our borough occupied in the last week the unen- viable position of haying the greatest death- rate among them. This is to some extent due to the fact that it suffered so very severely from the principal zymotics. These were fatal in 20 cases, and included 16 of measles, and one ea.ch of diphtheria, whooping cough, fever, and diarrhoea. These 20 yielded a rate of 11'2, which was the highest zymotic rate. Measles in the three previous weeks were credited with 4, 10, and 4, and during its present outbreak there havo already been 97 victims to it. Of the 62 deaths, 20 of them were those of infants under one year, and five referred to adults who had attained 60 years and upwards. There were three deaths due to violence, five were registered on coroner's certificates after inquests, and five persons died in the public institutions of Csrdiff.

VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE. Shooting Competition at Aberdare On Saturday afternoon the members of the shooting club held their customary match at the local targets but owing to the drizzling rain the scoring was very indifferent. As usual the ranges were 200 and 500 yards, seven shots at each. The dinner in connection with the event took place at the Railway Bar on Monday, under the presi- dency of Captain Phillips, and a substantial repast was. provided by Mrs Oxenham. At the close the prizes were distributed, and we append a list of the highest scores :—Pvt. W. Richards, 59 Pvt. J. Shannon, 56 Pvt. W. Arnold, 54 Col.-Sergt. E. Shannon, 52; Capt. Thomas Phillips, 52 Sergt. John James, 51 Pvt. D. Davis, 50; Pvt. Morgan Thomas, 50 Corpl. I Howell Phillips, 49 Pvt. W. H. Jones-, 47 Sergt. R. Lilwall, 47 Corpl. W. Oxenham, 44; Major F. R. Hewell, 43 Sergt. V. Walters, 40 and Pvt. W. Her.zman, 37.

SOMETHING LIKE BCSINESSIENTERPRISE.—A Yankee bicycle-dealer has utilised the happy thought of presenting a pair of crutches and a box of court-plaster to each purchaser of a bicycle. He is monopolising the trade.

THE OPENING OF THE HIGHER- GRADE SCHOOL AT CARDIFF. I Mr Lewis Morris Expected. In connection with the visit of Mr Mundella to Cardiff on Tuesday to distribute the prizes to the University College students and to open on the following day the higher-grade school, Mr Lewis Morris has intimated his intention to be present at the public meeting' in the Queen-street hall and, at the Mayor's banquet, Sir Edward J. Reed has expressed a similar purpose. Sir Hussey Vivian will be present at the banquet and, it is hoped, at the meeting also. It is feared the health of Mr Henry Richard will prevent his coming down.

NEATH TOWNCOUNCIL. I The monthly meeting of the Neath Town Council was held at the Guildhall' on Monday afterrroon, Mr Edward (mayor) presiding.—The Town Clerk read the minutes of the committee appointed to consider the parliamentary schemes, together with the surveyor's report, the latter being a comprehensive description of the different schemes affecting the borough, with suggestions. It appeared that if each of the schemes received parliamentary sanction, vessels entering the harbour I' would have to pass no less than four bridges. The harbour commissioners thought that scheme No. 4, that of the Great Western Railway Company for a junction between their main up-line and the low-level line, might safely be allowed and en- couraged. There appeared to be a difference of opinion in the committee upon this point, but the majority favoured the views of the harbour com- missioners. The commissioners were of opinion that the scheme of the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Company for crossing the river by mea.ns of a viaduct ought to be strongly opposed, an opinion in which the committee of the council thoroughly acquiesced. With regard to the bill of the Neath Water Company for the construction of a reservoir on the land of Mr Charles Evan Thomas, of the Gnoll, the Clerk was directed to ascertain whether the company were disposed to sell the undertaking to the cor- poration. and if so, upon what terms. A reply had been received from Mr Pole, the secretary and manager, that the company were not desirous of selling the works, but that they would con- sider any definite proposal by the corporation for the purchase thereof.—The Mayor moved the confirmation of the minutes of the committee, which was seconded by Mr Alderman Gwyn, but an amendment by Mr Councillor Charles to defer the matter until after the meeting of the 26th I inst. was carried. A letter was read from Mr Howel Gwyn that he could not approve of the plan for the erection of a hall at a cost of 23,000, and he thought C5,000 should be expended.—A long discission ensued.— Mr Councillor H. P. Charles moved-" That Mr Alderman Gwyn be respectfully informed that the council has taken his letter into considera.- tion, and do not fell themselves justified in adopting the £5,000 plan, but that the council still hopes Mr Alderman Gwyn may be induced to look with favour upon the alternarive scheme." Mr IX Davies moved an amendment— That the £5,000 plan be adopted." Mr Bartlett seconded. The motion was carried, and the pro- I ceedings shortly after terminated.

COLLIERY DISPUTE AT MACHEN Our Caerphilly district mining correspondent writes :-The agitation which has been pending at the Pentwyn Colliery, near Machen (and owned by Messrs Woodruffe), for some time past, was investigated by the appointed arbitra- tors, in accordance with the desire of the Caer- philly Miners' Delegate Association. On behalf of the men, t'Mr Isaac Evans, Neath, member of the joint sliding-scale committee, and Mr Farr, Bedwas, officiated Mr John Richards, manager of the Rhos Lantwitt Colliery, Caerphilly and Mr Brooks, Risca Colliery, watching the interests of the company. The principal matter for con- sideration was the price to be paid for the working of the coal, the miners con- tending that the same rate should be allowed at the colliery as that paid for the same seam at adjoining collieries. After much discussion and deliberation tho following re- solution was unanimously carried-" That the company pay the miners per ton 2s 6d, with 17 per cent. added." The other matters in dispute appertaining to the general working of the undertaking were also definitely settled, the ratio of prices allowed being considered an equivalent of that allowed throughout the district. The decision of the arbitrators has giveo every satisfaction to Caer- philly Miners' Association, and the men have resumed operations under iuost favourable auspices.

THE LLANTWIT COLLIERY, CAERPHILLY. 1 Our Caerphilly mining correspondent writes :— The suspension of operations at the Lantwitt and Black Vein Colliery, near Caerphilly, on the 1st inst., when nearly 100 hands were thrown out of employment, is at present principally attributed to an accident which occurred to the underground winding engine, the necessary repairs to which I are approaching completion. To-day (Wednesday), in all probability, the change of managemelt will definitely take place, the future supervision of the colliery being entrusted to Mr Beaeham, of York,'•hire, ic appears that a large number of the miners have resumed operations, and f hear on good authority that there is at present every prospect of the future success have resumed operations, and f hear on good authority that there is at present every prospect of the future Success of the undertaking, which not only posse ssen some of the finest maohinery in Kouth Wales, but is also tho largest colliery in the neighbour- hood. Mr Roberts, the chairman of the com- pany, has been in attendance at the workings for some time past, and I hear that some extensive alterations are being brought to an issue.

THE CWMGLO COLLIERY DISPUTE. | Our Caerphilly mining correspondent writes :— The men employed at the Cwmglo Colliery, aear Bedwas, still remain on strike. The dispute has been taken into consiaeration by the Caerphilly Miners' Delegate Association. The district secre- tary, Mr L. Miles, was recommended to coinmumj cate with Mr John Jenkins, Llanvabon, member of the sliding-scale committee, for the purpose ot obtaining his services to intercede on behalf 01 the miners with the company. On Monday afternoon Mr Jenkins attended at the colliery, when he niet a deputation of ths men, who briefly "V51' complaints, which are in reference to the durat!oil of the dismissal notices enforced by the company, and the prices and allowances in connection with the working of the colliery. It is antici- pated that Mr Jenkins will hold a consultation on Wednesday with Mr James Thomas, Ynishir Colliery, Rhondda Valley, Mr Edmund Ttiomas, J.P., Tygwyn, and Mr Thoma Iheniuj, Bed- was, directors of the company, when some defi- nite arrangements, it is hoped, will be made.

The Nile Expedition. ["DAILY TELEGRAPH" TELEGRAM. 1 KORTI, Tuesday.—I learn that one of thef soners stated he was at Metemneh four wewo i and saw four of Gordon's steamers lying alof side the bank at Shendy. The story, if true, ifl1, mean that Gordon is on the eutlook for the reD column. One battle with the Mahdi, and the* of the enterprise may be achieved within a fd night. Unless the rebels resist before our arrival there will practically mean the reIi of Khartoum. ["STANDARD" ,TELEGRAM. 1 -1 KOBTI, Tuesday.—The reports of the prisaBt ire that Metemneh is occupied in streul by the Mahdi's army. Some put <1 force at 2,000, others 5,000. The rebels hI thrown ill) an entrenchment, and are prepared' recqiye us. The prisoners admit that the whO of-the population to the south are now favourf) to the Mahdi. [" DAILY NEfl-3 TELEGRAM.1 KORTI, Tuesday.—A native report declares tO the Gakdul wells were in the hands of a hot band a, few days before General Stewart's dasb' them. [" DAILY CHRONICLE" TELEGRAMS.] KORTI, Tuesday.—The first division of » Naval Brigade are to proceed to Gakdul. Tb4 will start on Thursday, taking a Gardner gd with them. Three companies of the ligl division of the Camel Corps will escf1 the convoy, which will leave for Gal dul on Wednesday. It is not J1 known whether Sir Herbert Stewart will accotf pany the convoy, or wait until Lord NVolsell starts later on. General Stewart assured his chi that there is plenty OJ forage to be obtained' along the route to Gakdul. He lost only tweo* camels on the marchto Galdul and back, and not man fell out of the ranks. It is believed till General Stewart's report to his chief will haf the effect of expediting the general advance. GENERAL EARLE'S CAMP, -NIondiy. -IIajol General Earle formally assumed corl mand of the river force to-dif The squadron of Hussars, just arrived with tO remainder of the mounted men, went out a c0" siderable distance to-day. The whole distrio seemed entirely deserted, and no trace was fouJ* of a hostile force. The cavalry proceeded as f¡¡l as the Terai cataract, ten miles from HO dab and within four miles of tb fourth cataract. Some officers ascende a hill known as Jebel Hulkeb, and ma4 some capital sketches. The South Staffordshtf Regiment commenced building a zareba to-daf They will advance to a new camp which has beel specially selected for concentrating the variotf infantry regiments as they arrive.

The French in China. THE PROPOSED EGYPTIAN CONFERENCE. ——— France and the Powers. Û' [REUTER'S TELEGRAM. J PARIS, Tuesday.—At the council of ministen this morning General Lewal, the new Minister of war, laid before his colleagues his plans for the conduct of the campaign in Tonquin, and th< organisation of the expeditionary corps, whicb is to be sent to join the French forces already there. In order that the operations may W brought to an end before the rainy season the reinforcements will start with the least possible delay. Six thousand men will leave Algeria nesf week, and a like number will be despatched it) February. General Negrier is following "a 12ill success, and hopes to reach Lang Son at ttt. nõ of the week. A. tabular statement respecting the health ot the French troops in Tonquin during the moatt of October, shows that 520 men were admitted M the hospitals, and 36 died. Nothing is known in official circles in Leadot which would justify the persistent reports to thO effect that France will shortly declare war against China. As a matter of fact it is believed no such declaration would be made without the previous presentation of a formal ultimatum to the Chinese Government, and the first news of such a step would almost certainly coma from Shanghai.

GERMAN ANNEXATIONS IN ZANZIBAR. To-day's Times, commenting on the reported German annexations in Zanzibar, saYIi :_CI Ii appears from an official statement printed in the Berlin newspapers that the German Government have not the least intention of challenging these rights of ours or of championing the preposterous claims of Herr Luderitz. At the sama time, we have had fair warning that such claim may at any time arise in quarters most embarrassing to us if the Government are not careful to show how far our rights extend and whither they must be carried in view of ilmperial neces- sities. The resources of English diplomacy must be, indeed, small if they cannot; regain the advan- tages we possessed till quite recently at Zanzibar. There, as elsewhere, vigilance; prudence, and energy are needed if we are not to see opportuni- ties slipping away from us which we may never have a chance of recovering."

PONDOLAND PROTECTORATE. [" TIMES TELEGRAM.} DURJUN, Tuesday.—The High Commissioner has notified the establishment of a British Pro- tectorate over the Pondolønd Coast between Cape Colony and Natal. IC is understood that the recent proclainstion of the Imperial authority on tho Zulu coast extends up' to the Irortuguese boundary, as anything short thereof would leave the door open for endless mischief and failure. Y esterday President Kruger met the chief military authorities of the Transvaal State in Belona prior to leaving for the western border, to most Sir C. Warren. President Kruger exorted the offieers to do everything in their power to prevent a conflict and any encroachment over the frontier. They fully endorsed this polioy. Sir C. Warren's reception at Kimberley was most enthusiastic.

THE MONETARY oRISIS IN VIENNA. [Ie pAILY CHPfNlCLE -SLEGBAM.} VIENNA, Tuesd.Two of the three iarge firms in the ipod, of the brothers Ischenkel have filed their petitions to-day. The bankrupt firms are, Bo""011 Cruder Isch«»kel> Leitmerite, Bohemia i an(* Herren August Ischenkel, So'ane of BohH»isC^» Leipa, Bohemia. The liabilities of "I Bruder Ischenkel are estimated at 3,223,000 Honn9; assets, 4,417,000 florins. Liabilities of August". Ischenkel, 2,652,000; assets, 3,620,000. The creditors will suffer little, if at all. t81r",

At Cardigan sessions on Tuesday, William Phillips, New Quay, was fined £ 10 for making a false representation for the purpose of obtaining Hi master's certificate in the merchant service. Accused had got hold of the certificate of a man named. Phillip Phillips, who died 30 years ago, and went voyages as master, having altered the Christian name. Suspicions were aroused, and the accused was called upon to give up the certifi- cate on returning from a voyage.. He then i applied for a renewal of the dead captain s certifi. cate, and was prosecuted by the Board of Trade for having ma.de a false representation. I KAT'S COMPOUND OF LINSEED, Aniseed, Senegal SquiU. 'J'f!u, &u., with Chlorodyne. 9 £ d, Is l £ d, 2s 94 1 of Chemists. 213