biglam/hmd_newspapers huggingface dataset:
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-15

PRICE ONE PENNY.

PUBLIC NOTICES.

TO NIGHT.

VICTORIA HALL AND I
i) K,

STOURBRIDGE.

LAST NIGHT OF THE

ANGLO AMERICAN COMBINATION

, Y.

tht
VARIETY STAR ARTISTS

Commencing at 7.45 , punctually.
Prices of admission 25., Is., and 6d.

A VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL

ENTERTAINMENT

Will be given
IN AID OF THE DISTRESS IN THE PARISEI.
AT THE BOY'S SCHOOL ROCM, WORDSLEY
Ou MONDAY, MARCH 170, 1879,

By the Gentlemen and Friends connected with the
Firm of Mesors. E. Webb and Sons.
Chair to be taken by the Bev. J- J. BLADE, M. A.

Admission 25.; Is.; and 6d.
Doors open at 7.30. To commence at 8 p.m.

Carriages may be ordered at 10.15.

Tickets may be obtained at Messrs. Mark and Moody's,
Stourbridge ; Mr. Johnson, Confectioner, Wordalev, ;
and Messrs. Ford and Addison. "Advertiser" Office,
Brierley

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.

WORCESTER SPRING RACES.

N THURSDAY and FRIDAY, MARCH
ON
THURSDAY
and 21st, a Cheap Fast Excursion train wilt
leave BIRMINGHAM (now 1:1.11/), at 10.20; a.m., liockley,
10.25 ;smettiwick Junction, 10.34; Oldbury, 10,40; Crad-
ley, 10.50; Woiverhampton, 10.10 ; .Bilaton, 10.17 ;
Daiseyibauk, 10 20; Princes. End. 10 23; Tipton, 1028;
Dudley, 10.35 ;hound Oak. 10.43 ; Brettell Lane, 10.ão;
Stourbridge, 11,5; and Kidderminster, 11.20 ; tor WOR-
C TER Foregate Street), and return from Foregate
Street at 640 p.m. each evening.
See sp.cial bits .

J Grierson, General Manager.

ri .lIE TRUSIE -; of JFSSON'S SCHOOL
Y hng f•urchae a fiece of
in o; Lear Du, ,ori,tht r.ction of a Sat 001.

kiatf-axi-Acre at lea will be required.

Application to be ii.ade to eidier of the Trustees
beiow, t,:;oiouel Fletcher. I,wnsw, od house
;:sunriiridge ; Junh Round :111,1, Esquire, Du .y ; or
job', Leaebetter, Etquire, kianhury tiui,.3iourbi dge.

i

Mdlle. Grace Lucelle's Ballet Troupe, Miss Ad 4 Thomp-
son, Miss Alice May, Miss Jeanette Jeans, Mi,s httie
Clare, Mr. Geo,ge Hall, (the Austraiian Samson), Mr.
Harry lienrick, Mr IL. Upton, Mr. Harry Barnes, Mr.
J. L. Dixon, Miss Emiry Mellon and Mr. Sau.bis Sutton.

•
•
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-15

AUSTRIAN LOTTERIES.

The Vienna Correspondent of the Globe writes :
'Many of the chief State lotteries are drawn this
month, and great excitement prevails in consequence
amongst all classes in Vienna. Few people have not
one or more tickets in some one of these ventures,
which always holds out a vague zhance of riches in
the dim future. Whenever the Viennese talks about
what he will do when rich, he always says, 'when I
am Haupt-treffer,' or winner of the big prize—this
expression is, in fact, the Austrian equivalent to
our English expretsion, 'when my ship comes
home.' Poor people will deny themselves many a
small comfort that they may have the money to pur-
chase a ticket in one of these lotteries. The State
levies a handsome duty on the prizes, and obliges
every one to get his ticket stamped with the Govern-
ment mark, so that the lottery is one of the most
fruitful sources of revenue to the exchequer. Two
big lotteries were drawn for yesterday—a poor student
winning 1,000 ducats, and a chimney sweep carrying
off 300,000 gulden, or £24,000."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-15

COUNTY COURT.

CLA.I3I FO It DAMAO ES.•—,WESTWOOD v. &mum—
A.t the County Court, on Thursday, before Mr. B.
Kettle, judge, Emma Westwood, of Brockmoor,
s ugot t., ree..ver VO dam ,ges from William Smith,
grocer, Brocktnoor, for alleged injuries to property.
Mri.Waldron (Brierley Hill, was for the plaint:ff ;
Mr.. -Percy Jobson (Dudley) for the defendants
The parties were nei,hbous, and the complaint wa,
'hat defendant had dug a drain on plaintiff's fad
ii ord-r to drain water f,om a piece of swamped
land. He had also cawed a :enant of plaintifrs to
leave in cons qu,ace of the nuisance which arose.
—Mr. jebsou admitted a trespass. and in the coursf,
of the action agred to a verdict for plaintiff fi.r £lO
and costs.

BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—The weekly meeting
of the Board was held yesterday, Mr. H. Bil-
lingham in the chair. There were also prnsent
Messrs. Raybonld, Haskew, Lavender, Wood,
Eveson,:Plant, Kelly, Rollinson, Fiddian, Brooks
Hingley, Homer, Thompson, and Burr. Admit-
ted into the house during the week 20 ; born 0;
discharged 32 ; dead 3 ; remaining 450 ; cor-
responding week lcist year 450. Out-door
relief Kiugswinford district, £5l. 13s ; S tour-
bridge district, £35 194 5d ; Halisowen di -Irict
£2l ss.4id ; non-resident 9s 41 ; total .12.1.09 7s
; against £59 17i 1141—The medical offices
presented his report. which showed the death
rate for Worcestershire, to be 18 per 1,000.
St4ffordshir.t, 22 per 1,000.
" LIGHT AND THE ETE."—Mr. George St. Clair
of Birmingham, gave a lecture on the above subject
in the Corn Exchange, on tionday evening, in con-
nection with the Associated Institute. Mr. G.
Perry presided, in the absence of the Rev. Dr.
McCave through indisposition. The lecture was
ably treated and attentively listened to, and at the
close the Chairman conveyed the thanks of the
' audience to Mr. St. Clair.
LocAL FAILURE.—A petition for liquidation was
on Thursday, "._: 1, in the Stourbridge County
Court, by 7,7 L -1- Wilcock, Solicitor, 49, Queen
Street, iVolv• , ,vton; on behalf of Mr. Christ-
opher Dain, th younger, of Oldswinford, Stour-
bridge, master and corn dealer. The liabilities
are set down at .21,500. Mr. Charles Evers, of
Stourbridge, is the receiver.
CE.A.BGE or DRUNKENNESB.—At the Police Court,
yesterday, before col. Fletcher and M. C. Cochrane,
Thomas McFaddiaii was charged with being drink
at Clent, on the ll th inst. —Poli-e-constable Wal-
lace proved .he offence, and said he found the de
tendon!: lying in tee road drunk. Tw pre,d .0-
convictions were proved against the defendant, whe
said I.e wa, very sorry. Fined lOs and costs ;in
default qne month.
DRUNK AND DI.ORDERIX.—Reuben Pear4on and
Thorn is Day wire charged with being drunk and dia-
ordedy, at the Lye, on the Bth inst. Police-con-
stable Painter proved that he saw the two &fend-
ants in the r..ad drunk and fighting.—Pleaded
! guilty, Fined 5s each and costs.
.QA.UTION TO PERSONS REPRESENTING THENISELTZ3
Adams, John Obliging,
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-15

A REMARKABLE TESTING MACHINE.

The 400-ton testing machine which was ordered in
1875 by the 'United States Board appointed to teat
"Iron, steel, and other metals" has recently been
finished, tested, and accepted (says The Times). It is
the invention of Mr. A. H. Emery, and was built at
the Ames Works, Chickopee, Massachusetts. Among
the tests were these :

A forged link of hard wrought iron, 51n. in dia-
meter between the eyes, was slowly strained in
tension, and broke short off with a loud report at
722,8001 b. To see if the weighing parts had been dis-
turbed by the great recoil, a horse-hair was next
tested, it was seven 7-1,000 of an inch in diameter;
it stretched 30 per cent., and broke at 1113, Other
horse-hairs varied between 11b. and 21b. The accuracy
of these small tests and others up to some hundreds of
pounds was checked and proved by other weighing
machines. Specanens were submitted to a million
pounds' compression; and after these, delicate struc-
tures, such as eggs and nuts, were tested in compres
sion, and violin strings in tension.
The machine consists of a double-acting straining
cylinder and ram on a carriage, at one end, and a
movable weighing apparatus at the other, the two beir g
connected by a pair of screws 48ft. long. The weigh-
ing apparatus is a reversed hydrostatic press, having
diaphragms instead of pistons. The load is transferred
by means of a fluid (alcohol and glycerine) and suc-
cessive series of large and small diaphragms to a system
of scale beams. Thus 800,0001 b., acting through an
inconceivably small space, wove a graduated indicator
1100th of an inch per pound. One pound, in moving
the indicator 1-100th of an inch, moves the platform
against which the load presses 1-42,000,000 th part of
an inch.

The total cost of the machine was about 43,000,000
dols. Unfortunat ly, Congress has refused to grant
the means to make the machine available. It has
been transferred to the custody of the Secretary of
War, and it is said that anybody may send his
materials to the Watertown Arsenal to have them
tested, if there is anybody there to test them. If any.
thing at all is done on this plain, it will be comparatively
useless, because the experiments of each constructor
will be too few for safe conclusions, and their results,
if they happen to be valuable, will be private pro-
perty. The Board has already made some investiga-
tions of large range and tabulated the results, but the
experiments will be prematurely concluded.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-15

AN ANNIVERSARY.

The Evening Standard of Tuesday (11th) says :
" To-day is the anniversary of the commencement of
a series of trade riots in Nottinghamshire, which ex-
tended over a period of five years. The hosiery trade
had become depressed, and a consequent reduction in
wages ensued. During the month of February, 1811,
thousands of distressed framework-knitters were em-
ployed in sweeping the streets at a small wage ; and on,
the 11th of March of that year they flocked into Notting-
ham and made a demonstration in the market place,
but the military prevented their doing any damage
in the town. The rioting nevertheless assumed
an organised form, and the depredators worked
in parties of from six to sixty, as circumstances
required, under the command of a leader styled
General or Ned Ludd. A large military force was
brought into the neighbourhood of Nottingham, and
two of the London police magistrates, with several
other officers, were sent down to aid the civil powers,
while a Royal Proclamation was issued and a large
sum of money employed for the purpose of obtaining
information as to the ringleaders, Frames were de-
stroyed, and houses broken into and ransacked, and
stacks fired, the Luddites declaring that they 'would
not starve whilst there was plenty in the land.' In
January, 1812, matters had become still worse, and an
Act of Parliament was passed making it death to
break a stocking or a lace frame. It was not till October,
1816, that this lawless and destructive spirit died out;
and during the five years of the disturbances it is
computed that upwards of ?, thousand stocking frames
were destroyed, to say nothing of lace machines, in the
county of Nottingham alone; and at times the evil in-
fluence spread into the counties of Leicester, Derby,
and York, and even as far as Lancaster. Common
setae at last prevailed, as the rioters realised the fact
that they were injuring themselves. as much or more
than their employers, for the mischief they did had to
be made good out of the rates—a lesson which others
have had to learn in much more recent times."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-15

- •

CHARGE OF STEALING WHEAT.—David Read was
charged n ith stealing a quantity of wheat and barley.
on the 6th inst. value 4s, the property of Richard
Morrell, farmer of Quinton. Prosecutor said he
found the ba4 of wheat produ_ed uuder a bag of peas.
He had bought six bogs of white peas and six bags
of grey peas. Found that one bag was 141 b lighter.
The value of the wheat stolen is 2s and the value of
the peas 2s. The samples produced are similar to his.
Samuel Taylor said he was put to look after the men
while prosecutor was from home Saw the prisoner
walk up the granary. Saw him with an empty bag
hanging out of his pocket. Followed him, and saw him
put a bag of wheat into a hag of peas. Police-con-
stable Taylor said that he was on duty on the above
date. Called at the prosecutor's farm. He complained
of losing some wheat and peas. Charged the
prisoner with st ealing smile corn. Prisoner denied
the charge, and asked hint to search the house.
Searched the house and found the corn and peas pro •
duced. Asked him how he accounted for them being
in his house. Prisoner said the thresher gave them
to him. Asked the thresher's name. Prisoner said
he did not know it. Then charged him with stealing
the wheat and peas, value 4s the property of Mr.
Morrell. Locked him up, went back to prosecutor's
house, and. asked him for a sample of wheat and
peas produced. Prisoner on being charged said he
knew nothing about the bag of wheat produced. He
could not plead guilty and make himself a thief.
Sentenced to one month hard labour.
CHARGE OF PERJURY.— Reuben Parsons was
charged with wickedly and knowingly committing
perjury on the 11th inst. Mr. W. S. Hayes appeared
to prosecute, and Mr. T. homer defended. Mr.
Hayes said the case of perjury arose out of an assault
case tried in this Court, when the defendant swore
that h 9 was knocked down, jumped on, and trampled
on by James Bailey, Henry Hall, and William Hall.
Had it been true the defend4uts would have been
liable to a long term of imprisonment, but the cases
were dismissed, and his client felt bound to take the
present proceeding. Arthur Hayes, joint Magistrate's
Clerk proved that he administered the oath to the
prisoner. Samuel Goodman, assistant clerk, read the
notes taken on the 11th inst. Superintendent Kemp said
that defendant said he was trampled on, and stamped
on. James Bailey was the next witness, and said he
saw the defendant fighting with another man. Did
not strike or kick the defendant. Hall did not strike.
Henry Hall, Edwin Smart, and Samuel Bailey also
gave evidence. The chairman of the Bench said the
Bench were divided in their opinion. In his opinion
the case of p-rjury had been made out, the other two
Magistrates thought not, and the case was dismissed.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-15

REICENIX FELE OFFICE.

R. CiEURCTE PERRY, Solicitor, Agent
..LTUL for tourblidge, begs to rewind the public that
Lie keIt.ENIX rlas for me-uy years the only tire Office
Witt Kept a kItUiEINGIN.t. in the town, and to inform
them that it stiii keeps one there.
k or the keys of the Engine House, apply at the Talbot
Hotel; or to 'Thos. hobinson, Letter Lutter, Enville-
btreet, the engineer; and for Terms of Insurance, apply
to the Agents.

VICTORIA HALL AND RINK.

BELL STREET, STOURBRIDGE.

EASTER -H OLIDAYS.
TREE E GRAND
DRAMAEIC AND CHARACTERISTIC

ENTERTAINMENTS.

VICTORIA HALL AND it INK

SIOURBRIDGE.

THE RINK Is I\ OW OPEN DAILY.
MatiNlNG EXERCISE; 11 to 1
AFIERNOON 2.30 „ 5
}NEM.O ~ 9.30.

ADMISSION 6d. USE OF SKATES, 6.

• tstm

TRADESMENS ADDRESSES.

DUDLEY I DUDLEY 1! DUDLEY!!!

CASH ADVANCED AT A FEW HOURS NOTIcE.
)0 Householders, karmers, Cart Owners, and others.
.j_ From i 2 and upwards, without oureties, and iu
strict coi.fideuce, at tne Union Loan ,flice, 3, Priory
Street, Dudiey. (strictly Private.)
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-15

CRADLEY HEATH. FIAL SOWEN, AND DISTRICT CHRONICLE.

MONEY TO LEND, WITHOUT SURE-
TIES, BY TIIE IMPERIAL ADVANCED
BANK.—DISTANCE NO OBJECT.—AII respectable
Householders, whether they are private Gentlemen or
Ladies, Shopkeepers, Farmers, Car Poprietors, Cowl
Keepers, Tradesmen, or Clerks, that they can be ac- CaLRISTMAS is essentially the time to
commodated by this Bank with Sums of Money from ki.) obtain Monthly Subscribers for a 73ITILDING
£lO to £lOOO, repayable by easy instalments, extending. sOCIBTY. good agents will be appoin4ed, Branch
over one year and upwards, to enable thenf to increase secretaries, Liberal Corrutissiou' evening wcrk. Director
their stocks and afford them every kind • of temporary 0, Walbrook, Mansion House, London, EC.
accommodation, without friends as suretie4 and without ------ -
any unnecessary delay Applicants would do well before E3LAIR, S GOUT PILLS.
; applying to any office to consider its respectability. This,
AciNapin,gß.
ptiaEinUirqtyckSillyi.reii
\red and cured
THE GREAT ENGLI H REMEDY
. office was established in 1873, and since that time it THE
in advances bits been rapidly increasing, and it i rioittriGireUxeTru
now makes more advances than any other single private
. in a few days be this cel,brated dledicine
advance office in the provinces. Every information These . . , . .
ei.
during . .
willingly affirded. Apply, either pers ,ually or if by Pills requite no restraint .of diet their
letter state amount required, to ' - use, and are certain to prevent the die se attacking
any
LEWIS SIMMONS, Proprietor, vital part.—Sold by all Chemists, at/is lid and 2s 9d
I ...,..e...
27. South John-street, Liverpool -
er .box.
/ ,

/
/

SATURDAY, MARCHIS , 1.879.

pptients
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-18

STRIKE OF WIRE WORKERS.

The wire workers of Manchester on Thurs-
day decided upon a strike, and many have
already fetched their tools. The employers
decline to move from the revised list. The
men declare that in some jobs this makes a
reduction of 60 per cent., and in full work
they would not be able to earn a living.
They offer to accept a revised list of their
own making, reducing wages considerably.
This proposal 11..3 been accepted at some
mills in Birmingham, Wellington, and
Salford.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-18

A PLEA FOR THE BARN OWL.

The Times has published the following letter :
Sir,—You have on several occasions befriended the
barn owl. Will you again find room for another plea
on behalf of this useful bird, suggested by the need for
its cultivation?
During many years we had at this place establish-
ments of the white or barn owl, which have always
been carefully protected, and they. proved of in-
valuable service. For some unexplained reason and
to our great regret, the owls have left us—probably
shot or trapped while ranging beyond the limit of a
safe conduct which did not cover all their feeding
grounds. Following the departure of the owls has
come a visitation of field-mice; the turf in the
grass field is honeycombed, and they now ravage
my rock garden, where, not content with shearing off
the cistus and dwarf genistas, they have cut the
Japanese honeysuckles close to the ground and done
great mischief. Since the severe weather set in, the
mice have ascended some of the trees and barked the
tender branches at 10ft. above the ground. This de-
structive habit recalls the account given by Jesse in
his "Gleanings of Natural litstory," wherein he de-
scribes an incursion of field-mice which well nigh
destroyed the young plantations in the New Forest
and the Forest of Dean.

Now, it is well known mico are the favourite food of
the barn owl; upon them it almost entirely lives, aril
is the natural provision to control the numbers
this mischievous animal. 01 field-mice, the sho4
tailed is the most destructive, and being a vegetatle-
feeder, it is difficult to trap, because it is not ear to
find an attractive bait.
. Thus wehave a remedy for a plague of mice if only
we would avail, ourselves of it; for the barn owl is so
haxmlems and so useful tUat not onlp oneit itt9 be
p;roticted, but carefully onbouragad, and it is 00 dit4

and interest of all engaged in country pursuits to
foster this bird and to make provision for its breeding
and,security. It well deserves a perpetual "close
time"; indeed, every one ought to be fined or punished
who kills a barn owl. —I am, yours faithfully,
ALFRED ELLIS,
The Brand, Loughborough, Jan. 7.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-18

(From Wednesday's Timcs,)

Vim/NA, Jan. 14.—" The Presse publishes a telegram from
St- Peta.-sburg stating that news had arrived there, rid
Teheran, that Share Ali, previous to his departure from Cabul,
held a durbar in which he declared his readiness to recog-
nize, if necessary, the suzerainty of the Czar and submit to
his military command. An aide-de-camp of the Czar will
receive the Ameer at Orenburg. In Samarcand and Tash-
kend the whole population is preparing to give him a
festive reception. In the former of these towns there lies
buried an ancestor of Shere Alt's, who is venerated as a
saint. Sher° All is accompanied by a cortege of 60 people
and a military escort of 120 men."

The following telegram from Tashkend, dated January 13
au_ been received at the London office of the New York
*terald:—" The invitation to come te Tashkend forwarded by
General Kauffman to the Ameer can reach the latter only on
the 18th. The Ameer, therefore, can arrive here only on
February 5. He is preceded by nine elephants and 2,000
horses, carrying women, treasure, and baggage. He re-
ceives daily reports from his son, Yakoob, on whom, accord-
to reports received from a credible source, English gold
beginning to exercise an influence. It is probable that
z akoob will soon usurp the throne of his father. In his
letter to the English Generals, on quitting Cebu', the Ameer
stated that he had left Yakoob only 900,000 dols."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-18

LATEST NEWS.
1

MENDICITY IN OXFORDSHIRE.
At a numerously-attended meeting of
the Magistrates of the comity of Oxford
held on Thursday, it was -unanimously re-
solved to establish a, mendicity society • for
the suppression of vagrancy and the -.assist-
ance of • the deserving wayfarer. It was
stated that the number of vagrants had
greatly increased of.late, and the proposal
made was to adopt the system now in force
in Dorsetshire. A central committee was
appointed to enter into communication with
the neighbouring counties for the purpose
of obtaining if possible joint action.

THE LA TE. PRINCESS ALICE. .
At a county meeting in Oxford on rs-jTii
day, presided over by the High Sheriff, the
following address to the Queen, proposed
by Lord De Manley and seconded by General
the Hon. G. T. Devereux, was unanimously

adopted :—“The inhabitants of the county
of Oxford desire to address your Majesty
with sentiments of profound loyalty a .d
affection, and to record their unfeigned and
respectful condolence with your :I\lajesty in
your grief and sorrow at the lamented and
premature decease .of your late illustrious
and beloved daughter the Princess Alice,
Grand Duchess of Hesse Darmstadt."

THE BURTON CRESCENT MURDER

Mary Donovan, the woman who was re-
cently charged on suspicion of murdering
Mrs. Samuel, of Burton Crescent, attended
at Bow Street on Thursday to receive
property belonging to her which had lavn
detained since she was disckarged. Her
wedding-ring, her husband's coat, and
several other articles which had been re-
deemed from pledge by the Scotland Yard
authorities, were handed to her, together
with a number of pa-vvntickets and a small.
sum of money taken from her on her arrest.
The boots and skirt mentioned daring the
proceedings were, however, detained.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-18

KIDDERMINSTER.

AIDIAULTING A MAN FROM JEALOUSY...—HeIIry Gaston
wire drawer, of Cookley, was charged before the County
Bench on Thursday with assaulting James Etheridge, a
butcher, of Ihe same place. Mr. Dawes appeared for the
complainant, and Mr. J. J. Corbett for the defendant.—
From the statement of the defendant's advocate, it ap-
peared that the latter believed there was a criminal inti-
macy between his wife iind the complainant. —The latter
stated that on the 14th jest, the defendant came into his
house and beat him in a brutal manner,—Defendant was
fined 40s and costs, or twenty-one days' hard labour.
CARRYING A GUN WITHOUT A LICENSE.—At the same
Court Ellis Houseman was fined £2 10s for carrying a
gun without a license.
TEtE SonooL BOARD.—At the meeting of the Board.
held on Thursday, a letter was read from the trustees of
Pearsall's Grammar School, which stated that they were
willing to pay the fees of a certain number of girls froto
the New Meeting Board schools at the evening classes of
the School of Art. The number would not be more than
ten.—lt was decided to make arrangements to present a
number of girls for examination by the trustees, who
would select the candidates for the "free scholarships.'

FIRE AF IRONWORKS NEAR
KIDDERMINSTER.
A fire broke out at the Stour Vale Ironworks, at
Clensmore, near Kidderminster, late on Wednesday
night. The proprietors of the works are Messrs. Crow-
ther Brothers and Morgan, and the principal articles

manufactured are tinned terne and stamping sheets. At
about ten o'clock the watchman discovered that what it
known as the "grease pot" had taken fire, and he imm,
diately put some iron plates over the top to keep down
the it anes. Information was also comveyed to the
police station, and Mr. Comber, with the fire brigade and
steam en es, was quickly on the spot. The engine
was soon gat to work, and before long the flames were
extinguished. The damage to the building is very
slight, although if it had not been for the prompt and
efficient action of the fire brigade it would no doubt hava
been serious. It is not known what amount of damage
is done to the "grease pot," which conta:ned a large
amount of tin. The place is insured. -
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-18

THE GOTHARD TUNNEL.

The Gothard Tunnel is now the longest tunnel in the
world, the length, bored from both sides, reaching a
total of 13 481 yards-93 yards longer thon the Mont
Cenis. Very nearly 3,000 yards still remain to be
excavated, and if the work goes on as rapidly this
year as it went on last the navvies from Goschen
and those from Airolo may expect about this
time twelvemonth to shake hands in the heart
of the mountain. This, however, is far from
being a certainty, for according to the calcu-
lations of the geologist; the workmen will
find directly under the Kastelhorn a thick mass of
serpentine and schist, which may prove a considerable
hindrance. Moat of the labourers employed in the
galleries are Italians. They work night and day In
shifts of eight hours each, and their work is described
as being terribly severe. The heat is so great that they
can wear no clothes whatever. They return to the
mouth of the tunnel streaming with perspiration, their
faces are yellow and ghastly, they cannot bear the
light of the sun, they walk with bent shoul-
ders, and stagger as if carrying burdens too heavy for
their strength. They are nevertheless said to be
cheerful and even merry. They support their hard
lot without repining, and save money. It is satisfac-
tory to know that the contractors by whom the men
are employed treat them with every consideration.
A surgeon is always on the spot, accidents being
frequent, and ample hospital accommodation is pro.
vided for the ailing and the hurt.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-18

THE POST OFFICE AND REGISTERED

LETTERS.

-
At the beginning of last year the Post Office
adopted a cheap system of registering letters, and at
the same time undertook the sale of registered letter
envelopes. The change lids led to a large increase
in the number of letters registered, and if the public
were better acquainted than they appear to be
with the facilities thus offered for the safe trans-
mission of money and articles of value the use
of these envelopes and registration generally would
no doubt be adopted to a still greater extent. The
envelopes have been devised with care, and seem well
suited for the purpose, being strong as well as
cheap. They are sold at prices varying from 2id. to
3d. each (which includes the registration fee), and are
in five useful sizes, from small note size to a large
cover suitable for bankers and merchants. But
the reduction in the charge and the sale of enve-
lopes are not the only improvements which have been
made, for the Post Office now undertakes to make
good up to £2 the value of any registered letter which
it loses, simply stipulating. in the case of money, that
one of its own envelopes shall be used It is on every
account most desirable that money and articles of
value should not be loosely committed to the post,
and with the facilities of sending letters securely which
are now offered, it is to be hoped that the public will
avail themselves of them.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-18

THE FRENCH LOTTERY,

At the commencement of the Paris Exhibition the
Government, wishing to enable provineial working
men to profit by the benefit,. of the great World's Fair,
proposed to bring a number of them to Paris free of
cost, but were deterred by having no funds at their
disposal, while they were afraid to apply to the
Assembly for the money lest their adversaries should
raise the cry that they were trying to secure votes in
the Senatorial elections by indirect bribery. Some
inventive genius, however, suggested a lottery,
by which a million of francs, or £40,000 might
be raised. The idea was at once adopted, and
tickets were issued at a franc each. These were
so quickly sold that a second million was
issued, and then a gambling fever ensued which
prompted further issues, until the enormous number of
twelve millions was reached. Then the authorities,
notwithstanding that the tickets were at a premium,
wisely decided to stop, and to devote their attention
to deciding how the money should be spent, and to
selecting and classifying the prizes, the £480,000 which
was realised being thus divided: £48,000 in commis-
sion and general expenses, 444,000 in bringing 22 000
to the Exhibition, £.80,000 in prizes, the remaining
£4,000 being retained for a reserve fund destined
for various unlooked for expenses, Ice. These
prizes were also increased by large presents on
the part of various exhibitors, who, either wish-
ing to advertise their names in the Journal
Officiel or to get rid of unsaleable wares, made
handsome contributions to the collection of prizes,
which is of a most extraordinary and hetereogenous
character, ranging from the eland prizes of a magnifi-
cent parure of diamonds, worth £5,000, ead a service of
to odniclation hamper, tho isublect of another
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-18

To GLASS CUTTERS.—An Experienced
China Polisher Wanted; good:character indispen-
sible, regnlar work and good wages.--,Apply John Rose
and Co., Coalport, Shropshire.
-

MO LET, IN THE CENTRE of STOURBRIDGE
Good Stabling, Coachhouse and Cart Shed,
with Lock-up Yard.—Apply, W. Green, Plumber,
rnion Street, Stourbridg,re.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-18

THE years Mrs. S. A. ALLEN s
WORLD'S HAIR RESTORER has received the commendation
and favour of the public. It has actuired the highest
place that can be obtained for any moderate enterprise,
andcontributed to the adornment of tens of thousands of
persons, who have the proof of its servicable character,
It will positively renew and restore the original and na
te-
rat colour of grey, white, and fa led Hair. It will
strengthen and invigorate the Hair, top its falling, an
induce a healthy and luxuriant growth . No other pre-
paration can produce the same bend al al result. Sold by
11 Chemists and. Perfumers, in large bpttles, Os. Depot,
4 & 116, Southampton Row, London.
THAT CODIPLEXIOrt as flyways been held to be the in
steal in which the rose and the lily contend for masterY
roin which their beauty is blended. Great sacrifices are
made to produce an appearance corresponding with the
combination, but they never succeed. At cannot appro-
ach Nature The only arrangement thatran be made to
render men woman indepeuden tof all expedients isto
. freely use HAGAN'S MAGNOLIA BALM. it preserves the
- akin from premature wrinkles and furrows—renders it
Smooth and supple, and restores the hue which may have
taded through illness, exposure to a noxious atmosphere
the heat of summer or the frosts of winter. To be ob-
tained of all Chemists and Perfumers throughout the
vzorld. Price 38, 6d. European Depot : 114 and 110,
Bouthampton•row,London.

HAIR..

ut,-4a-1Z-
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-18

aitb gistrict gags.

COUNTY COURT.

Mr. R'upert Kettle (judge) heard at the County
:ourt on Thursday, an application wade by Mr,
of. ILvid. Thomas Parkes, a,
Laiwr, VWkierriugi a foot regimeut, the heivat.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-18

A DYNAMITE SHELL

A new invention, which, it is confidently antici
pated by many who have witnessed the preliminary
trials made with it, will altogether supersede the use
of torpedoes, is, it is stated by the St. Petersburg
correspondent of the Cologne Gazette, being much dis-
cussed at the present time by Russian naval men.
During the late war the torpedo attacks undPrtaken
by the Russians were, for the moat part, carried out by
means of torpedo boats, and notoriously very few of
them were buccessful. Of late also defensive arrange-
ments against torpedoes have been organised in
every navy, which render it very doubtful whether
in future there will be much chance of similar attacks
etc seeding; and consequently much attention has
been given in Russia since the conclusion of the war
to devising some plan for bringing explesive charges
into contact with hostile vessels without employing
torpedo boats. The result of a number of experiments
which have been made with this object in view is that
a dynamite shell has been invented, which, it is stated,
can be projected against a hostile man-of•war from a
distance of 200 paces, and which, failing upon the hull
of the vessel, or into the water near it, will explode
and so destroy, or at all events seriously damage, the
ship. The firing of these shells is said to bp attended
with far less danger than is incurred in making an
attack with torpedo boats, and as a greater effect is
Produced by a smaller charge, they are also, it is
asserted, cheaper than any kind of torpedo at present
in use.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-18

THE WHEAT CROP OF 1878.

, On the above subject, The Times has published the follow-
ing letter :

Sir,—The numerous returns, 394 in number, collected
by the Mark Lane Express of the actual and estimated
Yield of last year's wheat crop and published in its
columns on the 6th inst., appear to me to afford the
best data that have yet been obtained for forming an
aPproximate estimate of the aggregate produce of the
country. Seventy-nine of these returns report a crop
"er an average and 122 under; this gives a balance
of 43 under an average, and, taken in relation to the
394 returns obtained, is equal toll per cent., or 3 3-10
bushels under an average crop of 30 bushels, leaving a
Product of 26 7-10 bushels per acre.
The area returned as under wheat in the United
'kingdom in 1878 was 3,382,000, and the aggregate pro-
duct at, say, 27 bushels an acre, would thus Amount
!,$) 11,413,250 quarters, or, in round numbers, 11 mil-
slop quarters. Deducting 1,000,000 quarters for seed,
this leaves l 0 million quarters for consumption. Tak-
ing it at the old standard rate of 5i bushels per head
Per !innuni for a population of 34,000,000 gives 23i
million quarters.
Labour, both in town and country, is at present ex-
tensively unemployed and indifferently remunerated;
but this circumstance will not diminish the consump-
tion of the cheapest of all food, wheaten bread,
although it may lessen that of dear animal food. Oar
foreign requirements for the cereal year 1878-9 will,
therefore, be 13 million quarters, nearly equal to
tile largest importation we have ever had. This
immense foreign requirement would in bygone
Years have enhanced the price of home-grown
Wheat, but now it has no such effect; for the
average price of wheat at the present time
1,8 lower than it has been during this century—
namely, 39e. a quarter. Taking it at 40s. a quarter,
tile English product will only realize £21,000,000
,seclual to £6 ss. per acre on the area under this crop.
lieducting the cost of production and marketing,
very little, if anything, will remain for the culti-
vators, remuneration. This, though a bad look-out
for them, is undoubtedly a boon to the consuming
Million. Taking our foreign requirements at the
aam„ rate, the cost will be £26,000,000, and last year
the same quantity would have cost £31,500,000. The
aggregate saving, then, to the consuming public in
the cost of wheat will this year be £l5, 76,000 over
that of last, partly at the expense of the home grower
Lind Partly at that of the foreigner. The small residue,
if any, which will be left to the latter appears a very
inadequate inducement to continue the cultivation of
Wheat, and it is only the anticipation of better prices
that can induce the area to be extended. I may add
that, from my observations before and information
'ince harvest, I concur in the result the above figures
have worked out.—l am; Sir, your obedient servant,
THOMAS C. SCOTT.
January 13.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-18

44.

•

THE AFGHAN WAR.

The following has been sent from the India Office for
p u bli cation :

"From Viceroy, 11th of January, 1879.
"Stewart reports advanced cavalry under Palliser en-
'countered enemy's cavalry 600 strong, near Takht-i-pal, and
4alllY defeated them, with loss of 84 killed and prisoners.
'Our loss four wounded. enemy fled through Deh-l-gazi
towards Candahar. Date not given, probably 6th."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-18

EDISONIANA.

As an infant, it is now distinctly remembered by his old
nurse, and by his sisters, and his cousins, and his aunts,"
that lights, whether in the nursery or the parlour, the ship's
gloomy cabin or the lonely beacon far away on a ledge of
rock in the solitary ocean, had an irresistible attraction
for the youthful Edison • and it is related by his
biographers that once wien his Mother undertook a
long railway expedition in the depth of winter, and took her
baby-boy with her, he never once removed his gaze from the
lamp in the carriage, and was "good" from the beginning
of the journey to the end. The germ of some great dis-
covery in the future may have been latent in that prolonged
stare.
As he grew older, his favourite toys were miniature lamps
and candlesticks, and little speaking-trumpets, and tiny
telescopes, and he was never tired of playing at telegraphs
with his brothers and sisters and their young companions.

• ---
" The child is father of the man "—so before he was eight
the future inventor of the phonograph, the micro-tasimeter,
the megaphone, and the aerophone, had devised consider-
able improvements in the ordinary pea-shooter, whereby its
range wils greatly extended and its momentum increased,
and had added more than one note to the compass of the
Jew's harp.
At the age of fourteen he took out a patent for an ingenious
contrivance to enable persons of an obese habit to pick up
things from the floor without undergoing the inconvenience
of stooping. His instantaneous hat peg was also widely
adopted, and universally appreciated throughout the
Western States before he left cif jackets.
The Great Wall of China will probably be the scene
of Mr. Edison's first public display on any extensive scale.
A plan for the illumination of the Great Desert has also
been under consideration, but tome difficulty having arisen
with the Government about the lamp-posts, this project is
for the present abandoned.—Punch
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-18

OLD FASHIONED REMEDIES
SUGGESTED.

"A Manufacturer" writes to 2he Times:—

Sir,—lf we are to keep our trade, it must be by very
old-fashioned remedies. We must turn out good work
at a low cost, and this can only be done by working
longer hours, which means economy and thrift.
Short hours and restricted output are delusions, and
the sooner they are dispelled the better. My own
experience is to the point. I am a manufacturer of
goods which, though never surpassed for a purpose,
are closely run by others, some of foreign manufacture,
and especially so on the question of price.
Twelve months ago my stores were crammed with
manufactured stock and the demand was very
languid. My foreman advised short time and restricted
output. However, as I saw that this must result in
increased cost, I determined either to close my factory
or to turn out more stuff at a cheaper sate. /
called my men together, and put before them
Ow alternative of a 'stoppage of the works or a re.
dUction of 15 per cent, in their wages, They accepted
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-18

BAD TIMES AND FREE TRADE.

The Pall Mall Gazette publishes the following :
Sir,—ln November last I wrote you a letter you
were kind enough to print, pointing out that every-
thing produced at home was enhanced in cost, probably
10 per cent., by taxation, Imperial and local; that it
was unjust and unwise to admit the foreigner to sell in
our market without making him pay in Customs duty
the 10 per cent. that articles like those he sells have to
pay in endured taxaticn at home. Will you give me
the Opportunity of propounding a policy ?—observing
that I recollect that the decrease of the duty on
grain in 1846 and the taking off of the shilling
duty (when Mr. Gladstone was in office),
were both followed by a rice in price. My notion of
an Imperial policy is this : Absolute free trade with
such of the colonies as will accept of absolute free
trade with us, and, in addition, undertake to keep a
due proportion of land and sea forces for Imperial pur-
posea. Put alO per cent. Customs duty on all pro-
duce of those colonies that will not come in. Thus
secure plenty of colonial land to grow food and a
large market for our manufactures, and a great
Zollversin. Then charge 15 per cent. Customs duty
on everyone else, till any State would reduce their
protective duties to 10 per cent., and then meet them
at that point. Probably by this policy we should get a
reyenue of nearly ten millions, and be able to reduce
taxes to that amount.
My object in writing this is to get men who take
the trouble of thinking for themselves td turn over in
their minds the suggestion, which has only been given
in outline. The manufacturing operatives are raising
their voices in a gnat cry for reciprocity in the West
Riding; and it is of some consequence that they shoul?
know what they mean, and that other people shor"
know it also.—Your obedient servant.
E. S. CAYLEY.
Wydale, York, January 10.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-18

THE LAW OF DIVORCE IN
SWITZERLAND.

The Geneva Correspondent of The limes writes :

The people of Switzerland, who possess SO great a
variety of political institutions and have tried so many
experiments in social economy., sanctioned some
years ago the introduction of what is virtually unlimited
facility of divorce. Dissolution of matrimony is de-
creed for the most trivial of causes. The result of
this state of things, as disclosed in a return just
issued by the Federal Statistical Bureau, is
rather curious than satisfactory, and does not
speak well for the effect of the experiment
on the domestic happiness of the Swiss people. The
figures set forth in the report in question refer to 1877.
In that year the various Courts of the Confederation
decreed 1,036 dissolutions of matrimony and 191 tem-
porary separations, being at the rate of 414 for every
100 marriages • while the rate per cent, in the Grand
Duchy of Baden is only 0.64; in Wurtemberg, 1 71 ;
and in Saxony, 219. The proportion varies greatly in
the different cantons, and, as might be expected, is
lower in Roman Catholic than in Protestant districts.
In Uri, Oberwalden, and Unterwalden divorces appear
to be unknown the rate per cent. in these cantons
being expressed by a cipher. In Valais it is 033'
Schwiz, 1-05; Lucerne, 1-59; Freiburg, 1'64, and
and
Zug, 2'07; while in Glaris it rises to 7'32; in Zurich
to 7 08 • in Berne to 4'97; and in Geneva to 5 52 per I
cent. tis a curious fact—and one that may be useful
to some future Buckle—that divorced people marry
more readily than celibates, the case being in the pro-
portion of about two of the former to one of the latter;
that two widows or widowers are married for one
divorced person and four for one celibate. Of 1,000
celibates of the age of 30, 99 marry; of 1,000 divorced
men 248 marry, and of 1,000 widows 430 marry a
second time. This is the experience Of Switzerland,
and from it is drawn the conclusion that, despite the
great number of divorce cases in this country, mar-
riage is a happ'er state than single blessedness, inas-
much as those who have tried it once, even though
they may have undergone the unpleasant experience
of a suit for dissolution of matrimony, are anxious to
try it again.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-18

GENERAL NEWS.

OF LoItD. BEACONSFIELD.
Lord Beaconsfield was so ranch better
. he was able to take a s'hi.lrt
yi 614 lay ith) gutaten at liugiieudina Aloaaor.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-18

THE FUGITIVE CHEYENNE INDIANS.

The American correspondent of The Times states
that the cavalry pursuing the Cheyennes who fled from
Fort Robinson overtook and surrounded them on
Saturday in bluffs, where they numbered fifty
persons, mostly women and children. On their re-
fusing to surrender, the troops sent to the fort for
cannon to dislodge them. The same night, however,
the Indians escaped, making off to the north-west,
On Sunday the cavalry resumed the pursuit, and came
up with the Indians at noon. A skirmish ensued in
which one soldier and one Indian were killed and one
Indian wounded, the Indians again escaped. The
troops again pursuing were, while crossing a small
stream in the afternoon, surprised by the Indians,
who fired a volley into them, wounding one soldier.
Two more companies of cavalry and two cannon were
sent from Fort Robinson on Sunday night to reinforce
the. troops, making altogether 300 soldiers who are
after fifteen Indians with their women and children.

The Correspondent of The Times, in a later telegram,
says :—" Telegrams from Fort Robinson state that
the troops on Monday surrounded the fugitive
Cheyennes, who gave them battle, killing several
soldiers. There are, however, no further particulars
of the affair. The commanding officer telegraphs that
the troops would be guided by humane motives in
•dealing with the Indians."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-18

EARL CAIRNS AT BOURNEMOUTH.

Earl Cairns, in speaking at the annual meeting of
the Bournemouth branch of the Church Missionary
Society, expressed his great admiration of those high-
minded and noble men, many of them men of great
learning and cultivation, intelligence and energy, who,
had they spent their lives at home, might have carried
away many of those prizes which were looked upon as the
reward of merit, but who were constrained by the love
of Christ and the desire to spread the Gospel to forsake
kindred, country, friends, and ease, and to spend
their lives amongst the heathen, often undergoing
suffering and vrivation. To such men he could well
Imagine that it was a great comfort to know that
meetings were held periodically throughout the country
to testify to their work and to show that they were
looked upon as standard bearers of truth, and that
those at home sympathised with them in the work
in which they were engaged. His Lordship pointed
out that it was as much the duty of Christians in
the pre. With
day to 'promote missions as it was in apos-
tolic times. regard to the society in connec-
tion with which they were assembled together, he said
it was a very old one and one which had been the
pioneer and forerunner of many others. It had done
a great work not only among the heathen in foreign
lands, but also at home, and it had been the source of
vitality in evangelical religion in this country, for
which they could never be sufficiently thankful. He
also wentioned that the society's funds would show a
great deficiency in this time of depression unless
efforts were made by its friends to prevent this from
occurring.

The masons and housebuilders in the Dumbarton
attest, sifter a conference with their mom, have weed
to a reduction of kt per hour in prima/it wages, and la. per
hon; Oar Tobruary 1.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-18

HOURS IN THE ENGINEERING
TRADE.

At a numerously-attended meeting of
ironnaasters, .held in London en Thursday
the question of an ext3nsion of their employes'
hours of labour was fully discussed. The
recent circular of the men's society was the
subject of criticism, and the members ar-
rived at the unanimous conclusion that the
present condition of trade made an extension
of their workmen's hours necessary.

THE THREATENED GREAT STRIKE

OF OGLLIERS.

About five hurvima miners employed at
the Main Collieries, near Barnsley, on Thurs-
day decided to refuse to accept the proposed
alteration. Mr. Frith the mines' secretary,
urged combination, and strongly advised the
acceptance of arbitration as preferable to a
stNike. The resolution to refuse arbitration
was carried by an immense majority. The
miners resolved to work out the fortnight's
notice, however.