The Western Mail

DUKE AND DUCHESS OF COBURG. IL VER WEDDING FESTIYITIES. A Reuter's telegram from Gotha on Monday says:—In celebration of their silver wedding the Duke and Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha held a grand reception in the Throne Room of the Castle of Friedenstein this morn- ing. Among those who came to offer their congratulations were the members of the Ducal family, with the exception of the hereditary Prince, absent through indisposition, the Grand Duke of Hesse. Prince Ferdinand of Boumania, the Hereditary Prince -d Princess of Saxe- Meiningen, Prince Philip of Coburg, and tho Grand Duke and Duchess Sergi us, In a speech of some length, Duke Alfred, who appeared to be deeply moved, returned thanks for all the signs of love and confidence extended to him- self and the Duchess, and promised loyalty in return for the loyalty extended to himself. He would, he said, ever remain one with his people, and know no higher law than the welfare of his Duchies, It W.18 announced that a silver wed- ding medal would be struck, and bestowed on all taking a prominent part in the festivities. At the closo of the reception the Minister of State proposed cheers for the Duke, which were heartily given.

rRE\T BRITAIN I AND FRANCE. DDh EBATE IN THE FRENCH CHAMBER. I 7HE NEEI) FOII A FRIENDLY UNDERSTANDING. „ „,i News tel^ram from Pardon Mon-I C:on .??eexpe<teddebateon ??<???;??m,,?nment duly took ?" tb, 10 the Chamber to-day, and was remark- ,Z ?..ber and qnahty of the orator', »ble 1 „™ or less strongly the urgent need "■fldlv "I"r:tbetween Franc. ::1 d The occasion for the debate '°d ,he production of the Undset for the L Koreisn Affair M. D'Estourne.les .?(t.t manifestations o: approval ™«d to come from most parts of the ^hrt1hoFaSho,.a affair was the -ult f'OI:t.O .nmmitted on both sides during a  ?tu?'-ke?t?y?. The by ??'?therefore, eqttidty shared by u wa< ti,ue that surt f ..M?LndoM.). FOR HIS °7 |KIRL' '??b.th??"r..tandint; between could be arrived at which "'Vl oe definite as well amicable, and of benefit, not only to the l'owers directly Tb'.tt<'??.)cofKnrop<-M. J ,1 ex.preinier, ?-"d he wag strou?y of opinion that France and England onght to °"'?  (ho in.eresU of thcir "ttZ* ""«* opinion was evi- 1 '0ac-fir und the ideas prevalent in Eng- Ti based upon '"——?"? information 'u i. regard to French P"i"' were ™ ^.tJr^t "?'? Ai for Nev,-I.idl:.d ?,nc. m?t PM? a seneroM poli, without. h f„. abandonins her admitted treaty however. M Ribot, in conclusion, said the ?' ??)nEn!T:and of French policy ?dac<i?"' Mada?ar waa not tatUM by the facts of the case. Referring to Egypt. M. ltibot said France had. cl colirse. duly taken note of accomplished (acts, hilt she could not acree that England bad any right to establish herself definitely ■it KfJ-pt without the approval and coment of [urope-M Cochin said it ?as most neces- sary for France to arrive at a commercial understanding with England in all parts of the world. The moral and material inte- rests of both countries were absolutely and emphatically opposed to a rupture of good relations between the two Governments.—M. •lelcisse then entered the tribune, and com- menced his speech by announcing that France I had accepted the invitation of the Russian Government L) join in a conference on the mbjeet of armaments. In regard to Fashoda, i -he Minister for Foreign Affairs admitted that ilajor Man-hand's mission was not a friendly j ict on their part towards England, but it was In incident of a plan of action in Africa lesoked upon long ago. M. Delcasse, in im- iresaive tones, then declarcl that the most jrecious service which he had ever been able ti render to his country was that by which a ft" months ago he had prevented a conflict between France and England, That calamity b.d been averted, but France still needed Mmaintainher?etf strong and vigilant. A FRENCH ADMIEAL'S PLAN FOR WAR. Renter s telegram from Paris on Monday gays;—The "Journal" this morning publishes an interview with a personage whom it de, stribes as one of the most prominent French admirals. lie is represented to have expressed the opinion that in the event of a eonfiict ith Great Britain it would suffice, provided the coasts were well defended, to leave the French squadrons in the maritime ports ready to take advantage of favourable opportunities, allowing the enemy to exhaust himself in useless, dangerous, and almost fruitless blockades. At the same time, the admiral feared that pubilc opinion, highly strung as it was in France, would render such tactics impossible, although ht considered that to pursae them was the only way of enabling France to await on a flrn Itilt- an unjustified attack on the part of the English. On the conclusion of M. Delcasse's speech the debate was adjourned.

GREAT BRITAIN AND THE TRANSVAAL. THE JOHANNESBURG TROUBLE. The Central News learn3 that nothing i. known at the Colonial Office of the reported reply sent to the representations of certain tggrieved financiers in Johannesburg. All the official information which has reached London is of a character to minimise the gravity of the situation, and, in any event, it is regarded as eatremely unlikely that any protest will be nude to the Boer Executive by her Majesty's Government in connection with recent events.

THE POWERS AND CHINA RELEASE OF THE FRENCH MISSIONARY. A Reuter's telegram from Paris on Monday wys —Definite news has been received that-, as tho reult of repeated representations made by tb» French Legation at Peking, the Sze C'huan rcbela have released father Fieury, the captive frtnch missionary.

THE PHILIPPINE CRISIS. SPANISH GOVERNOR AND OFFICERS 31URDERED. A Renter's telegram from Labuan on Monday toys:-The steamer Labuan. Captain Pfort, ku returned here from Port Royalist, Pala- ,:in- She reports th??t the Spanish Governor and his omfcr., were urdtred by natives as were leaving church. The natives after- tards retired to the hills, taking the women and children "nd some men prisoners. A Sowsh gunboat and the mail boat called, but again. Captain Pfort interviewed the nal;,es, and bronght a.ay the Governor's wife th other women and children. SITUATION AT ILOILO. Central Xev.-a telegram from New York on sajr;i:A dispatch from Manila reports the Filipino general in command at Iloilo issued a nrodamation calling npon the fcniartis to join the Filipinos and stand out 'nst government.

BRITISH NORTH BORNEO. Remer', teleram from Labuan on Monday I -Mr. L. P. Beaufrt. Governor of Nort??. "?. '"graphs from Kaningow that he has '?'th Mat Sai)eh. who seemed) ?.d h,d ?,"tled hl,, dispute with tha ?'?"? I" cotnpany with Mr. F r t b n, e couvitr?- ,f the T?nl' tliu W^° ':n' 1 most Powerful tribe on Ibis '?"?"rthBomea.and have hitherto the company's rule, not ?llowing ?"MM! to enter their territory. The Tu.ni- "Mg hare now Emitted and promised to *1' tale>,

THE SAMOA QUESTION. I 4!1 lc^nW Company'. telegram from b.in, It'.<>n on fonday Mys.-Xcgotiation.) hiti*uthe United States are in progre by wllch the three islands of the Samoan groups art to be ^^ided, the United States t?im the :ad ''?"? Pago Harbour; C'e--Y, the ? "th Apia Harbour; and England the j island of the group. At present the Iiatioll look like being successful.

^KTHQT-AKE SHOCKS IN GREECE. '??'?"s tetexram from Athens on ?'??say?-EarthquaJte shocks of U,).ing ??''?"' violence conti..e almost ^^Pkdly throughout the Pelol)onn?.I. 1 £ tPa morning th?r? was aver l ?Aock. ?ti,h ?e?y.d?v??.J?' inhabitants °' ,he ?""? he" assembled "?ect?"'?'??" to the Almighty for Hi- l'Ote.tiOJl. Everywhere the people remain in ?'   ?'? to be overwhelmed in ?' t'm°?M deøtrucüon.

SITUATION IN UGANDA. Renter's Agency has received intelligence from l"?unda u]) to October 25. The following are extracts from letter. written from the capital dealing with the political situationNews of the fall of Khartoum reached here by special telegram as far as Kikuyu on October 13. Before long we ought to have ptinboats down here. It appears there is seriens fighting in North Uganda, about two days from Kisita!a," (Here follow details, already received by tele- Taph, of the attack on Lieutenant Hannyrg- ton's force,) "On October 15 confirmation was received of the first reporti of fighting. It appears that three llaganda forts have been taken, the Nubians, Mwauga's people, and Kaba Regga's people being all joined together. The fort at Kisalui is surrounded by tho tnemy. In it are Lieutenant Hannyngton, Captain Grant, and aboul 70 Indians; a1.0 some Baga-nda. They are suid to be cut off from their water supply, which is a long way from the fort. On October 16 a letter from Lieutenant Hannyngton himself w.is received in the capital. He had 83 Indians and 70 Bagaada, each with 70 rounds of ammunition. The enemy had retired miles from the fort. To-day the Katikiro said he had heard thit the Nubians were marching on the capital. The Government are hurrying out all troops available, even withdrawing troops from Buddu. Communication is cut off with Captain Price in Bunyoro. A deserter came in from wanga. and stated that there were 540 natives and between 200 and 500 Nubians in the hostile force, and this nearly a year after the mutiny wa said to be on the point of being quashed. As regards theh coming her, that would b- too funny. Communications with Major Price were opened up on October 18. He made a plucky reconnaissance, attended by only an orderly. It is said, but I cannot guarantee the report, that he crept up at night to the Nubian camp and shot six of them with his own revolver. The Nubians are. as we thought, not making for the capital, but making west for Singo. On October 26 news came that the Nubians had been reinforced by Gabrieli, who camo up from BudJu, They seem determined to make a regular fight of it, and have returned to their old position only six hoars from the fort at Kisalizi. We may hear of a fight any day now."

POLITICAL CRISIS IN BEL- G I LT31. RESIGNATION OF THE PREMIER. A Central Xew. telegram from Brussels on Monday says:—The I'remior, M. de Smet de Naeyer, and the Minister of Industry and Labour, M, Nyssens, to-day handed their resig- nations to the King. The reason for the resig- nations is stated to be their disagreement with his Majesty on the question of the Electoral Bill. It is reported, however, that there is another source of disagreement between finis- ters and the King, namely, the question of the Anti-Gambling Bill, which is favoured by the Ministers, but opposed by the King. A serious erisig is imminent.

THE DREYFUS CASE. ESTERHAZY AT THE COURT OF CASSATION. A Renter's telegram from Paris on Monday says:—Major Esterhazy has been nnder exami- nation before the Court of Cassation since noon. He entered the Palais de Justice with- out being observed by anyone.

LORD CHARLES BERESFORD IN JAPAN. A Reuter's telegram from Yokohama on Mon- day says:—Lord Charles Bere-ford, speaking at Tokio before the Japanese Oriental Associa- tion on Saturday, repeated his wish for an alliance between Japan, Germany, Great Bri- tain, and the United States to protect their trade interests in China. lIe condemned any policy based on sphere; of influence in that country. Lord Charles Beresford will be received to-day in audience by the Emperor and in the evening will meet the British resi- dents of Yokohama. A Rnter's telegram from Hong Kong on Monday says:The Chinese Chamber of Com- merce here j-esterday passed resolutions for transmission to Lord Charles Beresford recog- nising the fact that his proposals would cer- tainly benefit China, thanking him, and ex- pressing confidence in him.

BRITISH BATTLESHIP IN COLLISION. The Central News Detfonport correspondent telegraphs:-An alarming incident occurred in Devonport Harbour on Monday afternoon. The battleship Collingwood, procr?eding from the Sound into the harbour, collided with the train- ing cruiser Curacao. The crash was distinctly heard ashore, and the Curacao was feen to heel over. Tugs were requisitioned and stood by her for some time, and the Collingwood dropped anchor and lowered boats. As soon as arrangements were completed the disabled cruiser proceeded up Devonport Harbour, lashed to two tugs, in order that she might be docked. This was accomplished in the evening. According to the Press Association cor- respondent. the Collingwood was going half. speed at the time, but such was the force of the collision that she made a hole below the water-line on the starboard side of the Curacao about amidships, and in twinging round the Collingwood swept away the boats and davits on the sid. of the Curacao, splin- tering thorn like matchwood, besides damag- ing the 6in. gun sponson. Further inquiries show that the accident was entirely due to the set of the current, which prevented the Col- lingwood from turning in time to avoid a collision with the Curacao.

DESPERATE POACHING AFFRAY. GAMEKEEPER BRUTALLY MAL- TREATED. A serious poaching affray occurred during th early hours of Monday morning at Welsh- pool. A gamekeeper, named John Edwards, in the employ of the Farl of Powis, hearing shots fired in Leighton Covers, went with a neigh- hour to ascertain the cause, and in a dingle was attacked by four poach rs. A desperate struggle en:ued, and Edward?3 received heavy tlows fro.D the butt of a gun, causing severe w, nnds on the head. The injured man lies in a precarious condition One of the poachers levelled his jun at Edwards while the latter was unconscious, but hi; companions dissuaded hirn from committing any rash act. The police are actively engaged in Bearching for the assailants.

FIRE AT GENOA. A Reuter's telegram from Genoa on Monday says:—About ten o'clock last night some bales of cotton which had been discharged by the steamship Barbara, of Wc3t Hart'.epool, took fire on the Christopher Columbus Pier. About 2,000 bales were destroyed. The fire was only extinguished at about one o'clock this morn- ing. with the assistance of the crews of her Majesty's ship Venus and the German and Russian cruisers Hertha and Donets.

DUKE OF COXNACGHTS VISIT TO t c, Y IT. A Central News telegram from Rome on Monday says: -The, Duke and Duchess of con-I naught arrived here to-day on their way to Egypt, Before resuming their journey they will pay visits to King Humbert and to the Pope.

HEALTH OF THE POPE. A Central News telegram from Rome on Monday «ays:—The Popo has taken a little sleep to-day, but his condition is practically unchanged. The doctors' prohibition against other than private andiences is maintained.

TO MOTHERS—Mrs. Winfilow's Soothing Syrup has b.en used ,r 51 years by of mothers for their children while teethiD with p<?R't ''f*ty. It Mothee the cMa. loftens the gums, allays aU )IIÎII8, CUN8 wiD 60110, and la tie be«t remedy {or diarrna*. Of all chenmtt. 11, Hd, Ml

TURKISH ARMAMENTS. I PREPARING FOR CONTINGENCIES. A Reuter's Constantinople correspondent, writing wider date 18th inst., says:—Activity in Turkish military circles continues, in view of possible contingencies in the spring. Nothing is being done to improve the administration of the country, and the fact that great atten- tion is devoted to strengthening the military position is regarded as conclusive proof that no reforms will be introduced. Any attempt at disturbance in the European provinces of Turkey will be severely dealt with. The Turks are determined to fight the wholo of the Balkan States if necessary rather than concede any new form of administration for Macedonia. In a word the Macedonian problem will be found quite different from the Cretan. Besides the order given for Mauser ammunition, Irades have reoently been issued empowering the War Minisrter to enter into negotiations with Messrs. Krupp for a supply of 162 quick- firing field guns of 7* centimetres calibre. These guns are destined for 27 batteries, and partly for the new arming of the first three army corps, viz., Constantinople, Adrianople, and Salonika. Subsequently, however, the Turkish authorities decided that measures should be taken for the inspection of similar types of artillery of British and French manu- facture before concluding the contract with Messrs. Krnpp, Riza Pasha, who commanded the artillery in the late war with Greece, will, therefore, be despatched to England and tYanca with this object. It is further proposed to purchase a quantity of powder and shot for two howitzer regiments in the 2nd and 3rd Army Corps, as well as several thousand maga- zinc carbines for cavalry, in addition to the orùer recently issued for 30.000 shrapnel shells from Krupp. The expenditure on this account will be drawn on the balance remaining from the Greek war indemnity, which at the pre- sent moment amounts to £ T600,0Q0. Besides thes slim there is about CT400,000 v.il.ble to the Government from the military fund-in all, therefore, £ T1,000,000. It i8 regarded as not improbable, however, that Russia, in view of these projected armaments. may. as on former occasions, remind the Porte that outstanding debts have first charge, mean- ing, of course, the Russian war indemnity and the amount owing on account of the susten- tation of Turkish prisoners during the war. An arrangement was arrived at last summer in regard to thie two items, by which the Porte undertook to liquidate the charge in annual payments, although so far nothing is known of the settlement having been approved by the Russian Goverment. It would appear, f however, that the contrary is the case, and that the Russian Government intends shortly addressing a Note to the Porte on the subject. Moreover, none of the foreign claims arising out of tire Armenian 1llassa.cres have as yet been paid, although the Porte has been clearly given to understand that these claims will be insisted upon. It is, therefore, quite possible that the Embassies interested will again call the Porte's attention to this matter and demand settlement.

THE AMERICA CUP. STATEMENT BY SIR THOMAS LIPTON. A Glasgow correspondent telegraphs:—In view of many misleading statements circulated regarding the America Cup Sir Thomas Lipton states that many new ideas have been embodied in the new yacht, but the issue at stake is too great to induce the designers and builders to experiment to any extent. A crew of 60 picked men has been selected, and it is expected that the Shamrock will be launched early in April. |

DUBLIN CORPORATION. FIRST MEETING OF THE NEW BODY. NECESSITY OF HOME RULE. ,he first meeting of the new Dublin Corpora. tion was held on M,nd?,' Y' under the presi- dency of the Lord Mayor, Alderman Tallon. Great interest attached to the proceedings, owing to the fact that the personnel of the body was greatly changed by the new elec- tions, there being, for example, nine Labour members. Before the regular business began Councillor White proposed a resolution declaring that local government would not satisfy the national feeling, and declaring that Home Rule was necessary to satisfy the aspirations of the Irish people. This was seconded by Councillor William Redmond, M.P., and led to a warm discussion, during which three of the Conservative members pro- tested against the action of the majority in commencing the new era in the municipal life of Dublin by the introduction of a subject con- cerning which there was not unanimity either in the council or in the country.—The resolu- tion was, however, passed, amid cheers from the crowd of viqitors who occupied the gallery. Two members of the council were proposed for the office of Lord Mayor for the present year, viz.. Mr. Daniel Tallon, who was Lord Mayor during the year now closed, and Alderman Pile. Finally Alderman Pile withdrew, and Mr. Tallon was re-elected.

NEW GOVERNORS. The Queen has been pleased to approve the following appointments:- The Right Hon. Earl Beauchamp to be Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of New South Wales, in succession to the Right Hon. Viscount Hampden, who will shortly resign that post. Sir William M.?g.g." late Lieutenant- Governor of British New Guinea, to be Governor and Co..?.der-in-Chi-f of the Colony of Lagos, in succession to Lieutenant-colonel Sir H. E. K'C?llum, recently appointed Governor of Newfoundland.

BIRTH-RATE OF TENBY LOWEST ON RECORD. At a meeting of the sanitary committee of the Ten by Town Council on Monday the annual report of Dr. J. 8. Lock, the medical officer of health, was read. The report revealed the extraordinary fact that the birth-rate for the year 1898 was the lowest ever known during the 27 yeais in which Dr. Lock has been medical officer. In the year 1873, when the population of the town was 3,788, the number of births was 116, but in 1898, with a population of nearly one thousand persons more, the number was only 69. though the marriages were in excess of the usual number. Another curious fact was that tho deaths were more than the births.

HAMSTEAD COLLIERY FIRE. I At the annual meeting of the shareholders in the Hamstead Colliery Company, held in Birmingham on Monday afternoon, the Chair- man. in moving the adoption of the report, stated that the loss through the fire at the colliery in November last was £æ,786, Up to the time uf this great fire there had been 180 outbreaks of small fires, as compared with 133 in the previous year. It was expected, the Chairman added, that the colliery would be in full -it in the coarse of two years, and the loss of £ 18,350 shown in the report waa due entirely to the Are. 4

SEDUCTION BY A DOCTOR I CLOSE OF A SENSATIONAL CASE. £ 400 DAMAGES AWARDED. The Court of Queen's Bench, over which Mr. Just;c? Darling presided, was crowded on Mon- day to hear the further developments of the action brought by the father of Ojve West against Dr. Hargreaves, of Fulham, for the seduction of his daughter. Mr. Lewis Thomas appeared for the plaintiff, and the defendant appeared in person. At the request of the defendant, and by the direction of the judge, Mr. Kenyon, the asso- ciate, read two letters written by the mother of Miss West to defendant's sister. The first, was on the 17th of March, and began: If you have not a heart of stone you will feel for the suffering which your cruel brother has brought on me and mine. My dearest child has been depraved and cor- rupted by this man of the world. We now see that his apparently innocent advertisement was a blind to lure her on to ruin. In three months we find her ruined. Think of this if you have a heart or believe in a God above. One day you will have to stand befure the judgment throne of God and give an account. Think of this if you now shake off the ?lemn respon- sibiJty laid on you," The mother also said that up to then not a single slur had been cast on the f"mily, which was well connected her mother being the widow of an Indian officer. A further leiter pointed out that money was nothing in comparison with the honour of the girl The Judge: Now, Dr. Hargreaves, I under. stand you want- to say something. Dr. Hargreaves: On Friday, my lord, you found lU:y Oo F're llle Io: conduct in cross-examination. I bowed to your censure and itopped. It i3 very painful to me to say what I have now to say. Two years ago ?ly wife died (with apparent .-t ion). Thil- ;'s 'litee :Ist(:\il; ha]'e:tmo\iln ever lived—the woman who loved me and the woman I loved, the mother of my child-and this M." West has not scrupled to say and to insinuate that I, who loved this woman, inur-1 dered her. (S??nsation Mr. Thomas: There i3 not a word of this in the ev id,,?(,e. The JuJge: You had better let him say what he w., ?'L? to. h)aQtSr¡;troaves' I can easily prove that this i3 true. I can assure you, my lord, on my honour, I had not the slightest intention of torturing this woman, but I did think I was entitled in this ca?e to get everything I could from the witness without very much considera- tion of her feelings. I think you w:ll see that if I erred I had some justification. The Judge: If the question is really material to the case it may be put in a court of justice, and I shoud not prevent it being put, how- ever painful to the witness. The reason I inter- lered was that the questions you were putting did not appear. material in any way, while it was perfectly obvious that they were most pain- in. to the witness, and resulted, at the moment I interposed, in that breakdown of the witness which had also occurred with the daughter, O1lso cross-examined at great length on matter I did not think material. I should not have allowed half the questions you put to have been put by a counsel if he had charge of the case. I gave you great latitude because I recognised you were not as fami.iar with the practices of a court as a barrister would b. As to the excuse you have given for putting questions to Mrs. West of a painful character, you did not ;;esfay:'f latid o;;o'ri:, :;¡; if you wish to argue that she is not to be believed because she could make absolutely unfounded statements, such as that you murdered your wife, no doubt the questions YOII might put on the subject would be material. If you like you can ask Mrs. West a question, but I can't allow you to say she has accused you of that unless you ask her the question. Mrs. West, the mother, went again into the box. Dr. Hargreaves: Now, Mrs. West, did you ever say to Louise Cheetham, my servant, that you knew that Mrs. Hargreaves was murdered?-I ,.id, H. you heard what Mr. Gutterie, his I [hr:.ooru'd to u7:.e't his w:te met her death in a very strange and mysterious manner?" I have said nothing but that. Did you write to a Mr. Sage, a personal | !'friend of mine, and say if he wished to find out t' he mystery about my wife's death he could apply to Mr, Gutterie?-I have no doubt I said something to that effect. Dr. Hargreaves. having been sworn, then entered on his defence. He said he commenced with an absolute denial of any impropriety whatever with the girl. He was born in the North of England, and from the age of 22 had been the main support of his parent" AftN his wife's death he engaged the girl to be a companioh to his little boy. He had no faulf to find with her, and he heard nothing of the ch arge no brought against him till he came back from Africa in J. 1898. The first lettr ¡ c;ef\ from ;eJre8s et ¡;: of a broken-hearted man, but of a mar demanding money, and the first letter to his mother was scandalous. He pointed out that it was very extraordinary that the girl could not give the date of her seduction, and that no diary was produced, though he held she kept one She said when she was seduced she scratched his face, but co".d produce no wit- ne"eg who saw the scratches. He did not believe that the girl had made the story herself, but that the mother had suggested it. As a father and as a medical man, he knew that it was most uncommon for a girl who had been seduced not to attempt to screen the true father of her child. He admitted if he had seduced the girl he would be a hardened rascal and an abominable villain, and he knew the mere fact of the charge would be a damning one whatever the result. If he was acquitted the results would be almost ruinous to iiim, while if he was held guilty he knew he would be held unfit to go into decent society. He never would attempt to compromise such a thing. The charge was false, and he was there to defend it. • Cross-examined by Mr. Thomas: He did not indignantly deny the charge when first made, because he was not bound to deny every dirty charge made against him. Oh! have you had many ,.?h charges as this made against You??o,h?av? not (Laughter.) Did you know thi ? at this girl attempted to commit suicide?—She told me so. I did not Bee her at the time. After that, did you lock the surgery from her so that she could not repeat it?-NO; I trusted to her word, Louise Cheetham said she was in service with Dr. Hargreaves for three years, and his coudnct had always been that of a gentleman. Witnesg was on fairly confidential terms with Miss West, and she had spoken to her about one or two sweet- hearts. (Laughter.) Witness had never seen anything improper between defendant and Miss WNt, and had never heard Miss West call- ing for help at any time. Nor did she ever see any scratches on defendant's face, though at the time he was clean shaven. She had heard M'ss West call the gentleman who assisted defendant" Ossie." his name being Oscar. By the Judge: She had seen Dr. Worthington, who took tho defendant's practice sometimes, sit on Miss West's knee in the dining-room o? one occasion. This was about one or two o'clock while witness was clearing the dinner things away. The Judge: They did not mind you?—Oh. no. (Laughter.) How did it happen?—He was passing her chair, and he sat down in her lap. Miss West said, Don't do that," and he got up. Mrs. Hargreaves, defendant's mother, was in the house at the time. You did not tel her?-No, I thought there was no harm in it. Mrs. Hargreaves, an aristocratic ld lady, in widow's dr?8:, and the mother of the defen- dant, said she had occasion to complain of Miss West for sitting up late reading. When Mr and Mrs. West eatno to see defendant he was ill and partly unconscious, and he gave them no information about him. Mr. Blackwood said he had an interview with Miss West and her parents with regard to this maner Miss West said defendant never pro- mised her marriage, or even expressed affec- tion for her. Witness subsequently went to E- Mr Hargreaves. who declined to gIve assistance, on the ground that she would not condemn her son in his absence At the inter- view betwe en defendant and Mr. West defen- dant lost his t?mper, and told r7;e?ttha; if he assumed that bullying tone he would introduce a Penang lawyer to him. Defendant subsequently came to witness and said that he was very ill and in a hi gh fever, that he had been a fool, and lost his t' mper, Witn,,? w.! frequen tly with defendant at the t?.? of th,: allcged seduction, and he never saw any scratches on his face. The Judge (to witness): Li. sten to this part of a letter written by Mrs. West to defendant's sister:—"Mr. Blackwood said truly, that your brother, Dr. Hargreaves. did not believe in a God We do, and know Him sometimes to be a God wofi ?,!?ge,,n,e. Therefore, I try to f?l to be sorry for you all in 'the midst of my indignation." Did you say to Miss West that Dr Hargreaves did not believe in si°j;MI a I not quite sure whether Mrs. West -id that n? I agreed with her. Some conversation ensued between the judge and the eounse: as to whether Dr. Worthington could be called, and, it being found impossible to !.jl hIm, Miss West was rEHJalled and re-examined by the judge. "Just ^member that vou are taking a very serious respomi- biUty;" said his lordship. Has there ever been any kind of impropriety between you and Dr. Worthington?—Never. Did you hear the evidence as to sitting on your knees?—Yes, that was quite true. How did it happen?—He wa3 passing my chair, ud, ? suppose, for a jok.' I..t down on my knee for a moment. I said, Ctet up; don't be silly." and he got up directly. Examination continued: He never did any- thing of the sort before or since. He was about 28 years of age. He was never her lover, and she had never seen him since. The defendant then addressed the Jury, dwelling on the entire abeenoe of corrobora- tion of the plaintiff's case, and appealed to the jury to leave out all question of sentiment in the matter. Mr. Hawes followed for the plaintiff, point- ing out that in his letters the defendant did not deny the charge of seduction, but only asked what proposals the other side had to make. The Judge summed up at great length, and at the conclusion said he understood that Dr. Worthington was now in court. Oscar C. Worthington, L.H.C.P., said he was in charge of Dr. Hargreaves' practice in October, 1897, for a fortnight. He solemnly swore that no impropriety had ever taken place between hi.If ,.d Mi,? lllt. He might have sat on her knee as stated, but if he did it ,u-t have only been a j.k?. He had not been .by.?.-d. but; seeing his name in the paper, he c tie forward voluntarily. heT 'jeu;r:neolt&'Y'to consider their verdict, and found for plaintiff, and assessed damages at 9400.

MR. HOOLEY INTERVIEWED. HIS REPLY TO THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER'S REPORT, SOME EXTRAORDINARY STATE- MENTS. Mr. Hooley on Sunday, in an interview with a representative of the London "Evening News," declared that he will not apply for his dis- charge until he can pay .208. in the £ The ex- millionairp added:—"I am living at the rate of £12,OGO a year, and I shall continue to do so, and save a little money, too. I am all right. I have a good wife, and can earn enough to pay off all these back debts if they will only give me a bit of time." Questioned regarding the Official Rcceiver's report on his bankruptcy. Mr. Hooley derIareù with emphasis :1 am quite prepared to disprove all that he says about fraud. He has no more evidence for say- ing I have been guilty of fraud than he has for saj-'ing I am a murderer. There is not a tittle of evidence to prove anything. The Official Receiver has said he accuses me of having destroyed the books to keep things dark. Now. what earthly reason was there for me to do that? I made £ 88,000 on one affair, and I don't see why I could not do anything I liked with it. Oh, I should do quite the game thing again. The only thing I alii really cross about is what he says about the books. I shall prove that I am absolutely clear. I have heard on very high authority" (added Mr. Hooley) "that in conse- quence of my disclosing all the facts I have disclosed in reference to all the people in high places that orders have been given from head- quarters that such things should be said about me as have been said. I know this, that what has been published has been published with the sule object of damaging me in the eyes of the public." "And those people in high places, what about (!in? the interviewer asked. "Bah!" responded Mr, Hooley. with a con- temptuous curl of the lip. "Look here, I have not yet .-aid one fiftieth part of what I can say about the British peerage. I have still got a lot 0f cards up my sleeve." In further conversation Mr. Hooley stated that since Mr. Brougham's report wag framd at Ii??t half t he claims against him had been withdrawn. On Tuesday Ir, Hooley intimated his intention of applying at the London Bank- ruptey-court for an adjournment of the pro- reedings in connection with his application for a discharge, in ordervto give him time to reply to the charges made against him. Regard- ing the suggested intervention of the Public Prosecutor in the case, Mr. Hooley declared that he was quite ready for him as soon as the Public Prosecutor like, to start. Mr. Hooley further declared that his candidature for lkeston was all right. Of course, he could not he said, prosecute it .?til after hi, discharge, but he would be safe tHen, At the termination of the interview the e»miliionaire's parting remark, made with the usual smile of cheery optimism. was, "You'll see, I'll come out on top yet. G JOd-bye," APPLICATIONS IN THE LAW COURTS. The premature publication in the newspapers on Saturday of the Official Receiver's report on the Hooley bankruptcy led to three applications in the law courts on Monday. Counsel on behalf of Afr, H, J. Lawson applied that the latter might have the opportunity of denying on oath the allegation contained in Mr. Brougham's report of participation in the Beeston pneumatic tyre shares deal, whereby fr, H'ooley made a profit of £88,000, which he was alleged to have dnr ed with Mr. Lawson to the extent of £ 22,000.—Mr. Justice Wright, sitting in bankruptcy, said no doubt an oppor- tunity would be afforded Mr. Lawson of being examined in answer to the allegations in the leport at the hearing to-day (Tuesday) of the bankrupt's application for discharge. Later, a similar application to disclaim was made on behalf of Mr. Bradshaw, who, accord- ins to counsel was charged in the Official Receiver's report with fraudulent eod't Justice Wright recommended the same course as in the ?. of Mr. Lawson. adding, si g"??fl- cantly, "It may be necessary to take stringent steps to prevent the publication of such reports as this in future. That question, however, is not before me." The third application was for leave to serve short notice of motion to commit the pro- prietor, printer, and publishers of the "Sunday Special" for contempt of court in respect of an editorial in Sunday's issue of the paper com- menting upon the probable appearance o. Mr. Hooley in the dcck as the result of the 'allega- tions in the report of the Official Receiver upon debtor's application for discharge.—Justice Wright granted leave for Thursday next.

DEFENCE OF THE CLYDE. The Glasgow Chamber of Commerce has received a letter from Lord Lansdowne. the Minister for War. to the effect that the precise nature of the armament to be mounted for the Clyde defence and the site and extent of the land to be acquired have necessarily been deferred until her Majesty's Government shall have dealt with the general question of the defences of British fortresses and harbours. That question is now under consideration.

ALLEGED ATTEMPTED MURDER. SEQUEL TO THE QUASHING OF A CONVIC- TION. At Penzane on Monday Charles Kitto, a farmer, of St. Hilary, was remanded on a charge of the attempted murder of Henry Wil- liams, formerly a rate collector of the parish. Williams had been found guilty of misappro- priating money, but the conviction was quashed in the Queen's Bench Division on Saturday. Early on Sunday morning shots were fired at the house of Williams, who was struck in the face and shoulder. Williams and his wife believed the shots were fired by Kitto, who was an overseer.

DISHONEST RAILWAYMAN. At Sheffield on Monday John Henry Beevcrs, ,%md 45, wa. sent to prison for two months for withholding X54 153, 9d?, the money of the Grim-thorpe branch of the amalgamated society. He has been a member of the society eighteen years, and held the position of com- mitteemM. secretary, I!hi-a., and delegate. He haB last the situation of goods guard on the Midland, which he held for eighteen Mars. Mr. Bell, general secretary of the society, gave evidence,

THE BOY AND THE CIGARETTE. At Liverpool on Monday Joseph Overend was remanded. on a charge of wilfully setting fire to the tobacco factory of Ogden and Co. Prisoner was office boy at the factory. When arrested he admitted having gone to a cellar to smoke, and, hearing someone coming, threw down a piece of burning paper which set fire to the place, causing a good deal of damage.

THE MISHAP AT A CARMARTHEN FUNERAL, Owing to misinformation, it was unfor- tunately stated on Monday that a trap acci- dent occurred at the funeral of Mrs, Morris, Friary Cottage, Carmarthen. The incident took place at the funeral of Mr. Wm. Williams, Cefnllath, a tenant of Mrs. Morris, who, we are pleased to say, is in good health.

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RITUALISM IN THE CHURCH ANOTHER LETTER FROM SIR W. I HARCOURT. "INSOLENT FOLLY AND FAITHLESS PRIESTS." Sir William Harcourt, in a letter to the "Times" on Monday cn the resolutions passed at the meeting of incumbents on January 13. says it is not to be regretted that the sacer- dotalist rebels have broken out into open rebel- lion, They have driven the bishops into a corner, and the latter mmt either do their duty or surrender at discretion. Sir William says for sheer, downright, insolent folly the cartel (the incumbents' resolutions) to the bishops has never been surpassed. It is a well- considered, deliberate defiance of the law "by that conspiracy of faithless priests who are, and have long been, compassing the betrayal of the Church." Sir William asks whether the bishops are about to put the powers they possess in force or whether they intend to exercise their veto to prevent others from performing the duty they refuse to dis- charge. In the latter case, it is not the exis- tence of the veto which is in question, but of tho bishops themselves. A great number of influential members of the congregation of St. Peter's Church, Burn- ham. near Maidenhead, have sent a strong protest to the vicar against certain portions of the service to which they strongly object. The vicar has invited the protesting parishioners to meet him on Thursday to discuss the matter. ADDRESS BY THE BISHOP OF ST. ASAPH. The Bishop of St. Asaph, presiding on Mon- day evening at the annnal meeting of the central Church committee, held at St. Asaph, said that the Church was at present in the midst of a ??ituation calling for knowledge and courage. In deial- with the pr?ent ds-1 quietude and con?trovers they must not be dr?wn away from the first principles by irri- tating ?.?l exag;erted details. Every pri,?3t solemnly d?,lard his a"ent to the Book of Common p-d h.bl. man could repudiate that ,)I,?,.n declaration and at the same time retain the position to the ?,,Id ing .of which that dec'amtion was prelimi- nary. Those principles were intelligible and reasonable, but a rigid uniformity in every detail was i.i,.?ibl?. Va,? .,t be sanctioned only by those in authority, and must not imperil the main body and essentials of our public liturgy. In the Church at present: caution and calmncs were e-sential. No j school of thought ought to be held responsible for the utterances and anonymous productions! of a few extreme men; they wanted discri- luination, not indifference In some cases; practices inconsistent with the main bodv and essentials cf our liturgy had crept in-hence complaints of lawlessness and disloyalty. Sir Wil iam Harcourt had called attention to those things. It wag greatly to be regretted thti he should have found it necessary to accuse s those in authority of deliberate connivance at illegality, of failing in plain and straightfor-1 ward action-in short, of insincerity. Such language helped no good cause. Thfe d ffl- culty of dealing with the cases complained of had been deplorably increased by the passing of the Public Worship Act in 1874; and they had now before them the ta-k of sweeping up after the confusion created by that Act. It had, however, taught some valuable lessons. Statesmen were now on their guard against nanic legislation in those matters, and lead-, ing politicians were meeting the pr-nt outcry for drastic measure, with that type of sooth- ing tt?rancei which, for literary classifica- tion, might ue d?eribei b' the one word, "Mesopotamia." In applying a remedy, patience, too, was ca, l?d for, for the convic' f¡c:;eof :qope;, fr t,eth:i,n\'Ï I life of splendid devotion to the work of the Church must be treated with tenderness and weighty consideration.

SPEECH BY THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE- The Duke of Devonshire was cn Monday night tho principal guest at the annual dinner of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce. In responding to the toast of "Her Majesty's Ministers," his Grace defended the recent policy of the Government in relation to Colonial and foreign affairs. He claimed for that policy that it had the approval of the country, and he had failed to discover those symptoms of Jingoism which had troubled so greatly the philosophic meditations of Mr. John Morley. He viewed with satisfaction our improved relations with the United. States, and, passing to educational topics, said he did not contemplate the necessity or expediency of any State-aided system of commercial edu- cation. The Government wanted to organise a central educational authority in such a manner as would Enable it to take a compre- hensive view of education. They also had to help the organisation of strong local autho- rities and to take a survey of existing educa- tional resources. Mr. Chamberlain said the duke's speech would be valuable in the formation of public opinion at home and abroad. It would tend greatly to establish better appreciation of the mind of our people, which was necessary if we were to preserve good relations with our neigh. bours and allies.

SPEECH BY MR. LONG. THE ADULTERATION OF FOOD. Speaking at a Unionist meeting at Bath on Monday evening Mr. Walter Long announced that he would in the next session introduce a Bill dealing with adulteration of food. There had been no opposing voice. Mr. Long dealt at length with the Church question and the cry for legislation, but wanned those who were raising that cry that it would be made me of by those whose desire was the dis- establishment of the Church.

IRELAND IN PARLIAMENT. The secretaries to the Irish Parliamentary party have addressed a letter to the Dillonite members asking them to attend a meeting of the party in Dublin on the ",1st inst., and also to attend a conference on the Catho:ie Univer-! sity quest;on, to be held at Dublin on the 1st of February.

THE EPSOM VACANCY. MR. KESWICK RETURNED UNOPPOSED. Mr. William Keswick (Unionist) was on Mon- day nominated to fill the vacancy in the Epsom Division created by the elevation of Mr. Bucknill (Conservative) to the judicial bench, and, there being no opposition, Mr. Keswick was declared duly elected.

DIPHTHERIA AT ELY SCHOOLS. On inquiry at Ely Schools on Monday morning our representative was informed that there was no further outbreak of scarlet fever or diphtheria at the schools.

RE-ASSEMBLING OF PARLIAMENT. The Central News is officially informed that in the House of Lords the Duke of Bedford will move, and Earl Cawdor will second, the Address in reply to the Speech from the Throne. THE LEADERLESS LIBERAL PARTY. The Central News says:—There is some probability that the long-established custom of sending out just before the meeting of Parlia- ment a circular letter to the Liberal mem- bers calling upon them to be in their places and so on, will not be observed this year. The circular (which is usually on similar lines to that issued by Mr. Balfour on Monday to his sup- porteM in the House of Commons) is always s'gned by the leader of the party in that House, but at present there is 110 officially recognised leader of the Liberals in the Commons, and the customary letter has not been sent, nor can the officials say at present whether one will be issued.

RUSSIAN WARSHIPS TO BE BUILT A Renter's telegram from St. Petersburg on Sunday says:—The "Novosti" is informed that two new steamships to be built for the Rus- sian Volunteer Fleet will be ordered in Eng- I land. The cost of construction is estimated at not less than four million roubles.

DEATH OF MR WATTS WILLIAMS, ST. DAVID'8. The death has occurred of Mr. W. Watts WiiUam?. J.P.. Old Cross, St. David'" at the age of flfty-flve, after a short illness, from congestion of the lungs. He was taken ill on Sunday, the 15th inst., and his illness ter- minated fatally on Monday about six p.m. He was a justice of the peace for Pembroke- shire. member of the Pembrokeshire County Governing Body, chairman of the managers of the St. D-id'? Intm-diate School, was for six years alde? of the Pmb-k.hir. ?oun? Council, and ? member of several loW indftudml In poUtics he WM a steady and active ubera4 and in ret?on a CtUvhu?o Methodist.

THE GALE AND FLOODS. DAMAGE TO A CHURCH AT STROOD. The Central News Chatham correspondent, telegraphing on Monday morning, says: — Another misfortune has befallen St. Nicholas' Church, Sirood. At Christmas the tower was gutted by Are, and the turret and bells destroyed. Early this morning the storm hurled a portion of the tower through the roof and the nave, causing considerable damage. THE COLLISION OFF LOWESTOFT. The Hull steamer Monica on Monday morn- ing landed at Yarmouth the skipper and four hands of the Lowestoft smack Endeavour, with which the steamer coLided 011 Sunday off the Cross Sands. The crew, thinking their boat must founder, scrambled aboard the steamer. They afterwards tried to regain their boat, but without sucoess. The Endeavour was even- tually picked up by another fishing boat and taken to Lowestoft. RISING OF THE THAMES. In the Windsor distrie, of the Thames Valley the river has reached alarming proportions, and a serious flood is feared. On Saturday, at the Windsor Bridge, the Thames was in. above h'gh-w..tcr mark On Sunday night it bad increased to 27in., and on Monday morning to 3 £ in. The towing paths are submerged, and at Eton the cellars of several houses are already flooded. CASUALTIES AT CARDIFF. The Amanda R., of Genoa, left the Roath Deck, Cardiff, on Saturday, but put back again on Monday morning The captain reported that he had experienced heavy seas below Lundy, and in the conflict the mate was thrown down by a large wave, and had one of his legs broken. On Monday morning the steamship Saxon Briton, of Cardiff, docked in tho Roath Basm badly damag-ed. On the voyage from Bilbao I :In:l fafe ;r:e heavy seas having carried away the wheelhouse, bnlge, and lifeboats, besides doing consider- able deck damage. THE CARMARTHEN FLOODS. About 50 yards of the masonry wall dividing the Llangunnor main road from the fields on the riverside have been completely demolished, and its restoration v.ill nlean a large outlay on the part of the county council, who less than two years ago were compelled to incur heavy expense on similar work at the same place. The grammar school boathouse on the opposite bank was utterly wrecked, but, fortu- nately, the bo,?ti were secured in time and carried to safety. About 12ft. of water covered certain parts of the Pensarn road, and some of the houses were actually submerged over the doorposts. FLOODS IN MONTGOMERYSHIRE. The Severn and the Verniew have both over- flowed their banks. and a considerable portion of Montgomeryshire is under water. Seen from the Breidden Hills, the surrounding country resembles a great lake. The Cambrian Railway is protected by an embankment from the encroaching water, but tho line was seriously threatened neare" Welshpool, and the highway is impassable in places, The water 19 now falling. So great a fiood has not been known f?r some y?,.ri. SERIOUS FLOODS NEAR WREXHAM. Owing to the recent heavy rains, there were floods iti the neighbourhood of Wrexham which caused th3 gravest anxiety. The village of Bangor was cut off from the rest of the district, the inhabitants living in their bedrooms, owing to the Kater filling the other rooms. No services were held at the Parish Church on Sunday, as the clergy were unable to face the flood. Women woo attended the Wrexham Market on Saturday could not return to their homes as the roads were impassable. Hundreds of people on Sunday visited the district. Th. ':ft1an un:!aYTIS¡ghCeou1scie; I discerned, surrounded, as it were, by a vast lake. With the aid of a glass the village police- men were noticed doing duty with the aid of a ooracle. The mails on Sunday were returned to Wrexham, it being impossible to get within a mile of the village. There have been some miraculous escapes. A driver of a mail-cart had his horse swept off its legs by the force of the flood, but, fortunately, it managed to re-gain its footing. GRUESOME SCENES ON THE DEE. LAD DROWNED AT FESTINIOG. Our Rhyl correspondent telegraphs:—At Ban- gor, in Denbighshire, the policeman performed his rounds in a coracle, and constantly col- lided with articles of furniture and carcases of animals floating about. A most gruesome discovery was made in one house, a body of a man who had died on Friday, and been laid out, being found floating in the water. The occupants of a farm near Holt, which was almost submerged by tbe floods, were rescued by a policeman. A lad who tumbled nto the river at Festiniog was carried away by the flood and drowned. FLOODS AT MONMOUTH. RAILWAY TRAFFIC STOPPED.-MAILS DELAYED. The biggest flood experienced in Monmouth since 1852 has been flowing in the three rivers (which environ the town during Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, causing untold hardship to those of the inhabitants living in the flood's way. The Valley of the Wye for two miles above and about a mil", below the town has been.one uninterrupted sheet of water varying from half a mile to a mile wide, while on the north side all the meadows adjoining the Mon- now' have been submerged several feet deep. The Trothey also inundated its banks for a couple of miles, but the volume of water was not so great. The roads at Rockfleld, Osbas- ton. and Drybridge are impassable except in boats. Flat-bottom boats have been plying regularly in Drybridge-street for three days. The climax was reached on Sunday night, when the Wye rose several feet higher, and banKed the Monnow at the junction of those rivers, resulting in a rise of 3ft. more. The 9.1 a.m. down train, with mails and passengers, was stopped at Hadnock through the flood. Most of the passengers walked into Monmouth, and the postmaster (Mr, Smith) sent a conveyance for the mails. This line is likely to be blocked for some time. The Chepstow and Pontypool lines were clear un to six p.m. on Monday. Dr. Rutherfoord Harris, the Conservative can- didate for the boroughs, arrived there on Mon- dav afternoon. He left London on Monday morning, with the intention of travelling via Ross, but on account of the flood had to go on to Chepstow, and get in the train from Severn Tunnel Junction, which was about half an hour late. For a quarter of a mile north of Big3- weii Station the train ran through deep water, and travellers were afraid that the rising water would put out the engine fires. The lower part of Monnow-street, Monmouth, is under water. HOUSE DEMOLISHED NEAR DOWLAIS. During the fierce gale on Sunday a portion of a dwelling-house in The Hollow, at Cwmrhyda- he^d Dowlais, was blown down. A large quantity of the falling debris crashed into the interior, destroying the furniture and house- hold utensils, bnt, happily, the inmates escaped without the slightest injury.

WELSH CONCERT IX LONDON. The young Welsh baritone, Ifr. Mansell Lewis, gave a concert at St. James's-hall, Lon- don, on Monday evening. Amongst those who assisted were Mrs. Mary Davies, Madam Hamlen Ruland, Mr, Thomas T Mr. John Thomas ("Pencerdd Gwalia"), and Mr, Philip Lewis (violin!. The Rh- Male Vi?. Choir (under the conductorship of -r. Wilfrid Jones) and the London Kymric Ladies' Choir (in coautne) contrihuted ?veral part songs,

THE CHANNEL SQUADRON. The Admiralty having directed the ships of the Channel Squadron to assemble at Portland, preparatory to a cruise along the Spanish coast, the cruisers Arrogant and Pelorus left Plymouth on Monday, having been preceded by the battleship Magnificent. It is under- stood that when the Channel Squadron puts to sea its place will be taken by the Reserve.

LORD RECTORSHIP OF ST. ANDREWS. Mr. Jamea Stuart. M.P., was on Monday i.?t.1 ei d as Lord Rector of St. Andrews Uni- versity, After the ceremony Mr. Stuart d?ii- vered his inaugural address in the form of a plea for the extended ?fuln?f; of the univer- sity system of E.gi-d and Scotland in the Wuc,.tion which bore on tmde and commerce,

THE LATE BRISTOL DOCKS ENGINEER. At a meeting of the Bristol Docks Committee on Monday it was agreed to vote 1.000 guineas to the widow of Mr. James M'Currich. late docks engineer. A subscription list was also opened, and L400 was subscribed in the room. I An appeal is to be made to the citiiens.

MOTHER OF SIX POLICEMEN. A year ago the attention of her Majesty the Queen was called to the case of Mrs. Skeats, who was the mother of six policemen, all of whom were living, several of them having pensions. Her portrait was forwarded to her M,,J.ty by Sir Edward Bradford, and the Qnee? expressed a kindly interest in the cue. )f?. Skeats has jwt died at the home of her to? C?eo. at Noah's Ark, South?te. in the eighty-seventh year of her age.

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DR. RUTHERFOORD HARRIS. SPEECH AT MONMOUTH. COLONIES AND THE HOME COUNTRY. ENGLAND'S AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY. Dr. Riltherfoord Harris, the Conservative and Unionist candidate for the Monmouth Boroughs, has lost no time in setting to work after his arrival home from the Cape upon another campaign in the boroughs. He arrived at Monmouth from London on Mon- day afternoon, and was met at Troy Station by the Hon. J. Maclean Rolls, and drove at once to The Hendre, Lord Llangattock's seat, where he stays until to-day (Tuesday). The Rolls-hall at Monmonth (the splendid structure which Lord Llangattock built and presented to the town some years ago) was thronged on Monday evening with a large attendances 1 anxious to hear the doctor upon his first formal appearance in the town. He had last I ::I :P:r:;h:f t:tin:e t:dl:: committee in that centre of the constituency, but it was reserved for Monday evening for him to make his first public acquaintance with the Monmouth electors. The time of waiting for the beginning of the proceedings was pleasantly beguiled by an organ recital on the part of Mr. W H. Webb, organist of St. Mary's Parish Church. Lord Llangattock pre- sided, and was supported by Dr. Rutherfoord Harris, the Hon. J. Maclean Rolls, Colonel Walwyn (mayor of Monmouth). Major Griffin, Mr. H. T. Simmonds, Mr. Julian Waugh, Mr. James Hall, fr, John Lane, Mr. T. Davies. Mr. Horace Bailey, Mr. George Geen (chairman of the Newport Conservative Association), Coun- cillor F. Phil.ips (Newport), Air. II, D. Yorath (Newport), Mr. W. C. A. Williams, Mr. A. Vizard, Mr. G. P. Tippins, Mr. F. Ilobbs, Dr. T. G. Pros- ser, Mr. H. Long,taff (organising secretary of the association), Councillor Hamilton Bai'.ey (local organising secretary for Monmouth town), Miss Clark (Usk), and others. The local flood, no doubt, kept several active supporters away from the meeting. A letter of apology for inability to attend was received from Mr. C. D. Philips (Newport), which was read by Mr. Longstaff. CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS. Lord Llangattock, in the course of his open- ing speech, said that he never had so much pleasure in taking the chair at a meeting as ho did that evening. He felt gratified that Mr. Long-staff and his committee had done him the honour to u"k him to preside over that intere-r- ing meeting. The duties of a. chairman wem not very difficult. He was supposed to sit upon a chair. (Laughter.) He had to introduce the speaker, and to keep order whilst he was speak- ing. He had no douht but that he should have great difficulty in doing justice to the many virtues of Dr, Rutherfoord Harrb-Üpplause\- but he was sure that he should have no diffi- culty in keeping order in a Monmouth audience. (Applause.) He had no desire to say anything IlJ disparagement f the s,tting member of the Monmouth Boroughs, who was an estimable geutleman. Hi, meetings with Mr. Spicer had been most gratifying and plea- sant, But, their sitting member was not a Coriscrvatite, nor was hod a Liberal Unionist. but he was a Radical. The Conservatives and Unionists of that district had a strong convic- tion that to maintain the country in the I highest state of prosperity it was essential that they should bave a strong Conservative Govern- ment, under a great leader and statesman like Lord Salisbury, (Loud cheers.) He recol- lected that a great friend of his told him some years ago that he commenced life as a Radical; but he had tra ye]Jed over a great part of the world, and he came home a most staunch Conservative. (Applause.) He had seen England's great power in different, parts of the world; he had seen the magnifi- cent British Colonies, and he came to the con- clusion that the Little Englanders were not the men who were likely to maintain the glory of our great country. (Cheers.) That gent:eman was now. and was likely to be for ome years, the distinguished member for Sheffield. (Ap- plause.) Well, they had for some years regretted that what they believed to be the majority of the constituency in the Monmouth Boroughs had not been represented. (Ap- plause.) They had, however, been fortunate enough to secure the services of a very dis- tinguished nian-Dr. Rutherfoord Harris-(loud cheers)—who was willing to fight their battle. Dr. Rutherfoord Harris was a traveller; he had seen the world; he Wa3 a man of unbounded energy, and he had a great deal of political insight. (Applause.) He had shown that he was not one of thosewandierin gentlemen who travelled about with a carpet-bag trying to get some'hing out of a constituency. (Hear, hear.) ne had taken a liking to the county of Mon- mouthshire; he had taken one of their beauti- ful castles, and he would live there wnetber he was returned to Parliament to represent the Monmouth Boroughs or not. (Loud cheers.) It would be delight- ful. if they could get a member who would live amongst them, and who would come amonest them to take up the local questions that they had to deal with. (Applause.) He would be able to take up the charity ques- tions, the Questiong of their schools, and bring them np in the House of Commons to see that they were not being robbed of any of the money that was beincr taken away from Mon- mouth. (Cheer".) They could not have those advantages unless they had a gentleman living amonest them who understood their little difficulties and understood their wants. (Loud cheers.) lIe 'Lord Llangattock) first heard that Dr. Rutherfoord Harris was coming to the Monmouth Boroughs from his charming cousin. Lord HarrK (Applause.) He told Lord Harris that he felt rlelihted, and that the Conservatives and Unionists of the con- stituency would come forward with one voice to support Dr. Rutherfoord Harris in his endeavour Oto win the 5t,.)t. (Loud cheers.) Their protective candidate had had great experience in South Africa. He went out to the Cane in 1S82. and in 1389, on the formation of the Chartered Company, became secr«tarv of that company. He wa* a"«ociated with the Bechnanaland Rail- way. the Great Pioneer Telearanh Company, nnd, mwe imnortant than all. he was re,IIy the right h1nd man of Mr. Cecil Rh.d.- (cheer?)—during that interesting time that he was addin 800 000 square miles to the British Empire, (Cheers.) They might imagine, there- fore, that he knew something about it. (Hear, hear.) Dr. Harris a!so took great interest in the establishment of the Civil Service Pension Fund, which put the railway, telegraph, and postal employes on a much more liberal foot- ing. Ife could say a great deal more about Dr. Rutherfoord Harris, but he did not like to lay the butter on too thick, because that gentleman might not like it. (Laughter.) He felt this very strongly, however. Knowing what he did, his great experience and knowledge of affairs con. nected with South Africa, would make him e?oecially welcome in the House of Common ;h:I:y O:ortn t"¡ :0¡m:J1 or so powerful as she did at the present ime, As Conservatives, they wanted to maintain her in this high position. They wanted to conserve all that was good, and they wanted to improve all that needed improvement. They did not want to knock about the old fabric of the con- stitution, but they wanted to build it up "nd strengthen it and make it so that England should be in the future as great as she had been in the past. (Cheers) He firmly believed ttet Dr, Rutherfoord Harris was the very man to assist them in this great work. He had won bis seat in the Cape Parliament in 1894, and he wanted them to make him win the seat of the borough of Monmouth in the next election, (Cheers.) He would not further take up their time, but without more delay would introdnee Dr. Rutherfoord Harris to them. (Loud cheers ) DR. HARRIS'S SPEECH. Dr, Rutherfoord Harris, who was accorded a most enthusiastic reception, said:—My Lord, Ladies, and Gentlemen.—Before commencing what I have to say to yon to-night I should just like to say that It struck me coming through the town. driving with Lord Llan- gattock, and having the water above the axles- I could not help thinking of the old phrase of Shakspeare's, "That there is a tide in the affairs of man which taken at the flood leads to for- tune." (Cheers.) And, if it is not too fanciful a conceit, I should like to think that, under the kindly guidance and presidency of Lord Llangattock, we hare commenced a new Con- servative campaign-it is perfectly true at ita flood-and I hope it will lead to vie- tory. (Cheers.) But I --It, at the same time, express my sympathy and my commiseration with those inhabitants o! this town who have snffered so much disaster and so much discomfort owing to this flood. (Hear, hear.) I hope they will accept from awe. a stranger, my heartiest sympathy with them io their misfortune. (Cheers.) My lord, thi. not the first time that I have paid a visit w Monmouth. I was, as you know, lucky eno«tfS t" pay a flying visit here last summer And t. meet some of my friends who are here to-Dicfc*. (Cheers.) But it is true it is my first app- on a public platform in Monmouth, and 1 oN you, perhaps, an apology for what may seem my tardiness in thanking yon, as I do publicly and by word of mouth. for the h. you conferred upon me and the conAdooo; you reposed in me when you .4AJgtO A- -4 the candidate for the h