The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-03-21 00:00:00

EPITOME OF NEWS..

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

At the Marlborough street Police-court, London, on
Saturday, Edward Hampden Allbrook was charged with
embezzling the sum of £4OOO received by him for and
on account of Mr. Edward Charles Healey and others,
of the Thatched House Club, St. James's-street, of
which he (Allbrook) was secretary. Mr. Mansfield re-
manded the prisoner for a week.
The charge against Messrs. Titcomb, Pcnfold, and
Underwood, of conspiring together to defraud the
Grosvenor Bank, was resumed on Saturday at the
Westminster Police court. Mr. d'Eyncourt dismissed
the charge against all the defendants, but Mr. Bealey
asked that Mr. Waram, the bank manager, should be
bound over to prefer an indictment against them. This
was allowed, Mr. d'Eyncourt at the same time expres-
sing an opinion that it would be an idle prosecution.
Miss Hastings, a lady, residing near Malvern, and
aunt of Mr. G. W. Hastings, M.P. for East Worcester-
shire, attained her 103rd year on Saturday last. Up to
the present year the lady was in the full enjoyment of
all her faculties, and enjoyed fair health, but latterly
she has somewhat failed, and is now confined to her
room. She was, however, able to receive the congratu-
lations of her near relatives on Saturday.
Saturday last was the day fixed by a local prophet
for the occurrence of an earthquake at Walkey, and
a number of people actually gathered to witness the
expected convulsion. When the prediction was origi-
nally made several residents were scare d out of the
neighbourhood.

The extensive worsted mills of Sir Titus Salt and
Co., at Saltaire, near Bradford, were closed on Monday
morning in consequence of a strike among the spinners
against a proposed reduction of 10 per cent, in their
wages. The employers stated that if the spinners did
not return the whole works would be stopped for a
weelr, and the spinners refused on Monday morning to
resume work unless the notice of reduction be with-
drawn. The works are closed in consequence, and 2000
or 3000 workmen thrown out of employment.
At a mass meeting of chainmakers held at Craffley
Heath, Rowley, on Monday, it was decided to declare a
general strike, in consequence of the majority of the
employers having refused to pay the racognised list
prices. It was stated that in con,equence of unfair
competition wages had been reduced in some instances
by as much as 40 per cent., and operatives were unable
to get a living. About 3000 persons are affected by the
strike.

As an outcome of the Conference recently held at
the Mansion House, on the condition of the un-
employed, a committee has been appointed " to inquire
into the causes of permanent distress and the best
means of remedying the same." It is composed of the
Lord Mayor, Cardinal Manning, the Bishop of Bedford,
Rev. G. S. Reaney, Rev. R. 0. Billing, Lord Brabazon,
the Hon. C. W. Freernantle, 0.8., Monsignor Gilbert,
Mr. Frederic Harrison, Mr. George Howell, Rev. A.
Mearns, Colonel Lennox Prendergast, Mr. Thos.
Scrutton, Mr. George Shipton, Mr. Arnold White, Rev.
Brooke Lambert, and Mr. P. M. Martineau. Its sittings
will shortly commence.
In the Queen's Bench Division on Monday the action
of Mr. George Grant, stockjobber, against Mr. Edmund
Yates for a libel published in the "World," was re-
sumed. Mr. Justice Hawkins summed up, and even-
tually the jury returned a verdict for the defendant.
The Peninsular and Oriental steamer Surat has been
stopped by a French ship and searched for contraband
of wa:.

One of the night drivers of the- Scotch limited mail
between Crewe and London has hitherto been a well-
known engineer living at Crewe, named Farr. The
other night he was driving near Watford when, without
warning, he staggered and fell backwards helpless, and
apparently unconscious. The stoker promptly took
charge of the locomotive and stopped the train at the
next station, where medical attendance was secured,
but Farr never recovered consciousness, and died of
paralysis. He was followed to his grave, at Crewe, on
Saturday, by a large number of his fellow drivers.
Among the applicants for the post of hangman at
Birmingham at the execution of Kimberley, was a local
Sunday-school teacher, who sent his certificate as a
proof of his steadiness and trustworthiness for the
work.

Sir Justin Gerald Aylmer, Bart., of Donadea Castle,
Castle, co. Kildare, died on Sunday morning at ten
o'clock at Trinity College, Cambridge. His death was
the result of a severe fall from a bicycle when riding in
the neighbourhood of Cambridge. Deceased matricu-
lated at Trinity, October, 1882, and was in residence as
an undergraduate at the time of his decease. He suc-
ceeded to the baronetcy on the death of his father,
Sir Gerald G. Aylmer, in 1883. He was a great
favourite with his college, which is thrown into gloom
by the sad occurrence.
It seems extremely probable that the scheme for es-
tablishing a Republic of the Central American States,
under the dictatorship of President Barrios, will come
to nothing.
The Prince of Wales held a levee at St. James's
Palace on Saturday on behalf of her Majesty. There
was a numerous attendance, and a large number of
presentations took place.
Mr. Forster delivered an address in favour of Im-
perial Federation at the Cambridge Guildhall on Satur-
day night. Prince Albert Victor was amongst those
present.
The alleged maladministration at the Poor Law
Hospital at Homerton was again under the considera-
tion of the managers of the Metropolitan Asylums
District, at their meeting on Saturday. A resolution
suspending %le medical superintendent from his office,
pending the inquiry by the Local Government Boand,
was carried by a majority of two to one. The announee-
ment was made of a considerable diminution in the
number of smallpox patients under treatment, and of
the abatement of the enidemie in London generally.

A woman named Maebean, the wife of a eerier tit
Nairn, while under the influence of drink, placel her
child on the fire instead of in the cradle, and the infant
was literally roasted to death. The mother was found
lying on the floor helpless from drink, and apparently
ignorant of what had happened.
In the action for libel brought by Mr. Edward Legge,
the originator of the " Whitehall Review," against Mr.
Edmund Yates, the proprietor of the "World," the
jury returned a verdict for the defendant.
The Queen's Bench Division have granted a rule nisi
for a certiorari to bring up to the Central Criminal
Court any indictment found at the Chelmsford Assizes
against Daniel Dredge, who stood charged with the
murder of Inspector Simmons at Romford, en the
ground that the feeling against him in the county of
ESSE% was so strong that he could not have a fair trial
at Chelmsford.

Sir R. W. Eingen presided on Tuesday, in the theatre
of the Society of Arts, over the annual. meeting of the
Teachers' Training and Registration Society, when the
report was adopted, and Mr. James Bryce, M.P., Mrs.
William Grey, and Miss Orme stated theil views as to
the usefulness of the institution.

On Tuesday the 102nd anniversary dinner of the
Benevolent society of St. Patrick was held at Free-
masons' Tavern, Earl Cowper in the chair. Con-
tributions amounting to £746 were announced, includ-
ing an annual subscription of 100 guineas from her
Majesty.
The German possessions on the north coast of New
Guinea are henceforth to be known as Kaiser Wilhelm's
Land.

At Copenhagen in the Folkething on Tuesday an
address to the King was read by the Speaker, calling
upon his Majesty to dismiss the present Ministry and
choose a new one possessing the confidence of the
House. The address has been drawn up by the leaders
of the Moderate and Radical parties.
A French cruiser while leaving Cherbourg on a trial
trip blew up and sank rapidly.
About five o'clock on Tuesday morning a fire broke
out in a large warehouse belonging to Messrs. Wilson,
steamship owners, at Hull. Two steam fire-engines
were quickly on the spot, but despite the vast quantity
of water poured on the fire, the warehouse was gutted;
and its contents were destroyed. The damage done is
very great.
An outrage has been reported to the Constabulary at
Limerick as having occurred at Askeaton, in that
county. The district has been in rather a disturbed
state for some time past. A labouring man named
Danagher and his family retired to rest at the usual
time, but were aroused by a party of Moonlighters,
who attacked the house and fired shots through the
windows and doors. These did not injure any of the
inmates, but the marauders set fire to the thatch of the
house, and the building was destroyed.
The officials at Uddingstone .Station, on the Cale.
donian Railway, on Tuesday morning discovered that a
large money safe in the booking office had been stolen
during the night. Upon further search the safe was
found 150 yards up a hill, but it was also discovered
that £29 had been stolen from it. Holes had been
drilled near the lock to enable the thieves to push back
the bolt.

At Bangor, on Tuesday, Owen Williams, labourer,
againet whom there were 26 previous convictions, was
committed for four months for assaulting Mr. Parry
Jones, Governor of her Majesty's Prison at Carnarvon.
The prisoner had been discharged from custody after
serving two months for poaching, and meeting the pro-
secutor a few minutes later he struck him a violent
blow in the face.

The Archbishop of Canterbury haring intimated his
intention of making his Primary Visitation of the dio-
cese in the course of the present year, the Archidiaconal
Visitations for the Churchwardens, which have been
fixed for the month of April, will be confined to the
ordinary business of receiving presentments and ad-
mitting the new churchwardens and sidesmen. The
clerey will not be cited.
At a Wesleyan Conference, held on Tuesday, at
Truro, the President (the Rev. Dr. Greaves) mentioned
that Dr. Wilkinson, the Bishop of Cornwall, had paid
him a complimentary visit, and he desired, although
compelled to work on different lines, to reciprocate his
courtesy and Catholicity, and to reverence him as a
scholar, a Christian, and a gentleman.
A man named James Ward has died at Manchester
from the effects of injuries alleged to have been in-
flicted upon him by the discarded lover of the girl with
whom he was Leeping company.
In London last week 2737 births and 1678 deaths
were registered. Allowing for increase of population,
the births were 173, and the deaths 154, below the
average numbers in the corresponding weeks of the last
ten years. The annual death rate per 1000 from all
causes which had been 20 and 191 in the two preced-
ing weeks, rose to 21.4. The deaths included 22 from
smallpox, 51 from measles, 7 from scarlet fever, 8 from
diphtheria, 49 from whooping cough, and 14 from
dysentery.
At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean
reading of the barometer last week was 30•16 in. The
mean temperature was 382 deg., and 2.6 deg. below the
average in the corresponding week of 20 years. The
mean showed a slight excess on Friday, but was below
the average on each of the other days of the week.
The general direction of the wind was N.B. The dura-
tion of registered bright sunshine in the week was 15-6
hours, against 25.8 hours at Glynde-place, Lewes.
In the fifty weeks of the financial year, between
April Ist and the 14th instant, the Exchequer receipts
amounted to £82,937,859, as compared with £83,494,560
in the corresponding period of the previous year. The
expenditure has been £79,765,527. On Saturday last
the balance in the Bank of England was £7,979,646, and
in the Bank of Ireland £1,197,872.
A scene of great enthusiasm was witnessed at
Sheffield on Tuesday evening on the arrival of the York
and Lancaster Regiment, widch is largely eomposed of
Sheffield men. The regiment took part in the battles
of El Teb and Tamaniee, and was now moved from
Dover to Sheffield, which is the head-quarters, to re-
place the East Yorkshire Regiment, which has been
despatched to Gibraltar. The station and its approaches
were crowded two hours before the arrival of the train,
and when the regiment detrained it was enthusiastically
cheered. The band of the York and Lancaster
(Flallamshire) Rifle Volunteers was on the platform.
The crowd followed the men all the way to the barrack!,
cheering them.
In the German Parliament the proposed subsidy of a
German steamship line to Australia has been agreed to,
and that to West Africa rejected.
The Japanese Chargé d'Affaires at the Hape has
been shot dead at Rotterdam by a Belgian girl, who
afterwards tried to commit suicide. It is said that he
promised her marriage, and that on learning he MIS
already married she committed the act.
Mr. James Marigold, of the firm of Messrs. Beale,
Marigold, and Beale, solicitors, of Newhall-street, Bir-
mingham, was in the shop of Messrs. Scruton and Son,
tailors, a New-street, making some purchases, when
he suddenly fell and expired.
No less than 13 boarding and lodging-house keepers
were summoned befoi•e the Brighton city magistrates
ea Monday, and fined in sums varying from 20s: to £5,
for selling wines, spirits, and beer without licenses, the
proceedings having been taken under the Excise Acts,
and not under the Licensing Acts. In each case
proof was given by an Excise officer who had
taken lodgings at the establishments of the defend-
ants and had obtained a supply of some excisable
article either at the table d'hote or some other meal.
The defence set up was that the liquors were merely
supplied under the impression that the excisemen were
to become boarders for a week, when they would do as
others did, and order their own supplies in.
At the Liverpool Bankruptcy Court on Monday,
before Mr. Registrar Bellringer, Mr. Henry Bull, the
founder of an iron and steel company, a power com-
pany, and a gas-light and coke company, undertakings
bearing his name and well known in the commercial world, appeared for public examination. Great interest
was shown in the case, and an unusually large number
of solicitors were concerned on behalf of the creditors.
The statement of affairs showed liabilities of £13,495,
but no assets were put down, the debtors representing
these as contingent upon arrangements that might be
made in regard to his patents. Mr. Bull was examined
at some length, and at last the inquiry was adjourned
till April 9.
At the Dartford Police-court two men, named
Thomas Love and Thomas Cooper, of Bexley-heath, has
been charged with assaulting Peter Miller on the 27th
ult. The complainant had been a witness against a
man named Pearce in this court, and on returning home
on the day in question the defendants violently
assaulted him. The magistrate committed prisoners to
gaol for six weeks, with hard labour.
The number of deaths in Sunderland last week was
116, beitg at the rate of 481. per 1000 inhabitants. In
the previous week the number was 101, representing a
rate of 41•9. The present excessive rate of mortality
is due to a very severe epidemic of measles. In one
district alone the number of deaths recorded is 130.
Since Christmas the disease has made rapid strides, and
the number of deaths increasing week by week.
At the Wolverhampton County Petty Sessions, on
Monday, James Brett, a farmer, was fined £5 for a
violent assault on John Lowry, School Board attendance
officer. The complainant had gone to defendant's house
to inquire why his child had not attended school, when
the defendant threatened to murder him, and did
strike at him with a hedging-bill.
Inc return of petitions of the House of Commons
shows an extraordinary falling-off in the ordinary work
of petitioning. The list is headed with 33,296 peti-
tioners for the Oaths Bill. There are scarcely any
petitions in temperance legislation.
The French Consul at Jersey recently applied to her
Majesty's Attorney-General of that island requesting
that he would give such instructions as he might deem
necessary to the various municipal authorities, in order
to supply him with the names and addresses of all
Frenchmen residing in Jersey who were itiabeleo per-
form military service in France under h
System of conscription. The Mayor fralt.fHoretlhieersp, existingor.
being applied to by the Attorney-Gene .
and all agreed that the demand
pose mentioned, consulted with his saudboorbdymtahtee oFffirecneresh,
.
to comply with. The May
.0 y
Consul was such as they tad nofotthfeemeilsltahnedmasneblvseeqsubeonutnld
to, and it has since been communicated torney-
held a meeting, at which thesamedectoisithne was come
General.
Two men named Marsh and Grainger were killed at
Wincobank Station, on the Midland Railway, near
Sheffield, on Saturday night, by a fast passenger train
from Leeds, their bodies being frightfully mutilated. It
is supposed they were walking from their homes to the•
station, in+ending to catch the slow train for Sheffield,
and seeing the fast train from York approaching theY •
imagined it was theirs. They had not perceived
another coming from Sheffield, and just when about to .
cross the line they were knocked down and instantly
killed.
At Canterbury, on Saturday, a daring caes of deser-
tion from the array was investigated. The prisoner
was a man named Cradwick, with several aliases, who
was charged with deserting from the Royal Horse.
Artillery, at Woolwich. After deserting, he. k a.:
intobert ht
the
es
tehdopwun
the river to apprehend Cradwickt who on perceivingthe
o about five feet of,
creek
seaman
at on
Faversham.bo board
A constable ship
icponMsari on, wet e w
constable jumped overboard in .
mud, and landed on the
opposite
side of the channel..
water. The tide being low, he scrambled through the
Running through a passage, he made for the brick-
fields, and very
soon all traces
Friday he was arrested at his of him were lost. On
s mother's house, near -
'
Canterbury. The prisoner had deserted three times
previously.
- He was ordered to be conveyed
__._..back
Woolwich ...___l •