The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-01-06 00:00:00

EPITOME OF NEWS.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

The Duke of Newoastle has again returned his
tenants 20 per cent, of their rents,

John Howland Payne, the veritable author of
"Home, sweet home,' died at Tunis, where he had
been American consul, in 1852. It is now proposed
to exhume his remains and take them " home " to
Washington.

Lord Napier of Magdala has been created a Field
Marshal, on retirement from the active duties of his
profession.
It is stated that Prince Albert Victor, who is
shortly to enter the army, will commence his duties in
the Scots Guards as a subaltern, it being the express
wish of the Prince of Wales that the young Prince
should be thoughly grounded in his duties before pro-
ceeding to the higher ranks of the profession.
Mr. George Hague, engineer, while engaged in his
Sunday school class at the Friends' Meeting-house
Sheffield, on Sunday, suddenly fell and died.

During the excavation of the tramway tunne
through posilippo, in Italy, an antique water conduit
of singular interest was discovered. The 'walls, of
thick cement, contain inscriptions indicating the villas
supplied with water.

The Birmingham Town Council have adopted a
sea.= by the water committee for a reduc-
tion of water rates upon houses up to .C.lO rental to the
extent of between £9,000 and £10,003 per annum. Two
years ago a similar scheme was adopted effeating re-
ductions to the amount of £5,000 per annum.

The annual returns of the strength and efficiency of
the Volunteer Force for the official year ending Oct.
31 last show that, on that date, the number of all arms
on the rolls was 207,346, of whom 199,523 were
efficients. At the same period in the previous year
the numbers were 208,308 and 200,162 respectively.

Crocodile farms in India are suggested by some
Calcutta journals, in view of the European demand
for the skins for various uses. It is proposed that
regular breeding establishments should be established
in those localities most frequented by "muggers," so
as to develop a fresh branch of industry.
- At Wathington on Monday, a shocking event oc-
curred at President Arthur's New Year's reception.
Mr. Allen, the Hawaiian Minister, after being pre-
sented, was attacked with vertigo, and taken to an
ante-room where he was seized with convulsions
and soon afterwards died. The reception was imme-
diately stopped.

On the day of the Immaculate Conception the Pope
made his will. While in good health he wished to be
ready for all eventualities. The testament has been
consigned to the Deacon of the College of the
Apostolic Proto•Notaries, and it is said that the Pope
has left a great part of his property in furtherance
of education.

One of the last of the survivors of those who took
part in the bombardment of Algiers has just palmed
away in the person of Capt. G. Pew, of the Royal
Navy, who died at his residence in Old Cavendish-
street, London, of acute bronchitis, on Dec. 28th, at the
advanced age of 88.
In taking over the duties of the Mayoralty of Bel-
fast on Monday Mr. Alderman Taylor said that when
he invested his successor to the Mayoralty in 1867 he
remembered observing that the progress of Belfast
bore favourable comparison with any other town of
the kingdom, and he was justified in saying that of
Belfa3t in 1883. The population had increased in that
period from 120,000 to 220,000. Their mills and
manufactories had also largely increased, and the
improvements in the streets and buildings had made
the town one of the finest in the United Kingdom.
The Citizen states that during the Christmas season
the Corporation of the City of London distributed the
sum of £5OO amongst the poor widows of freemen. As
is customary, the Common Councilmen had tickets
(each for 58.), and they distributed them amongst the
poor of the various wards. About 2,000 people par-
ticipated in the bounty.

The Bishop of Lichfield, in his pastoral, expresses
he hope that the sounds of party strife are dying
away, and that peace has been advanced through the
intervention of Archbishop rait. His lordship holds
that in his room a truly noble Archbishop has been
chosen. He considers the great danger of the clergy
is to forget the grandeur of their work, and he desires
that this year should be one of special Evangelistic
effort, adapted to the wants of different localities.
Tuesday (January 2) was the anniversary of the re-
taking of Calcutta by Clive, which took place in 1757.
On June 20, in the previous year, Fort William was
attacked by an Indian army of 70,000 horse and foot,
and about 400 elephants. The English residents were
taken prisoners, and 146 persons were crammed into
the "Black Hole Prison," a dungeon about 18 feet
square, from whence only 23 came forth alive the next
'nothing. The atrocities were afterwards, however,
fully avenged by the British army, under Clive.
Sir William Harcourt has through his private
secretary informed the Metropolitan Open-Air Tem-
perance Mission Society, who had requested him to
receive a deputation, to express their views on the
question of the Sunday closing of p ablic•houses, that
the question of the Sunday closing of public-houses is
so fully before the Secretary of State that ha fails to
see any need for the proposed deputation.
The South Wales miners have consulted the Home
Secretary as to whether, in view of the recent decision,
inspectors were justified in prosecuting employers at
collieries where lads of thirteen, who had not passed
the test of the School Board standard, were engaged,
the Home Secretary replies that the inspectors of
mines are bound to enforce against employers the late
decision, which now constitutes the law. No prosecu-
tion, however, will be instituted for any breach of the
law which occurred before the law was laid down by
the recent decision.
As showing the mildness of the season, clusters of
primroses were to be seen the other day in full bloom
in the garden of the Wesleyan chaplain at the North
Camp, Aldershot.
Mr. Alfred Curzon, of the 3rd Hussars, has met
with an accident while shooting in the grounds of
Watermouth Castle with his brother-in•law, Mr.
Walter Bassett. Mr. Bassett's gun accidentally went
off, the shot entering the neck and face of Mr. Curzon.
The wound, though severe, is not thought likely to
prove fatal.

- In London last week 2,132 births and 1,719 deaths
were registered. Allowing for increase of population,
the births were 161 and the deaths 218 below the
average numbers in the corresponding weeks of the
last ten years. The annual rate of mortality from all
causes, which had steadily increased from 215 to 271
in the four preceding weeks, fell again to 23.
During the past few days several huge gaps have
made their appearance in the walls of the Great
Central Tower of Peterborough Cathedral. Mr. J.
L. Pearson, who was telegraphed for, inspected the
building, and condemned the tower as unsafe. The
Dean and Chapter have consequently given erders
for its immediate removal. The tower was erected
AD. 1350,

A curious legal question has arisen in Connecticut.
A pious lady having expressed her belief that her
prayers would bring rain an incredulous neighbour
offered her £2 if she could succeed in causing rain
within three days. Thereupon followed a slight
shower; and the lady, calling on her neighbour, re-
quested the payment of the sum promised. This the
latter refuses, stating that the shower was too slight
to be of any use. The case is to be referred to the
gentlemen of the law.
- - - -

The total income of the three English Masonic
charitab.e institutions for the year 1882 was found on
Saturday, when the accounts were closed, to have
been exceeded on one occasion only, in 1880. In that
year the income was but £237 short of £50,000. Last
year the total income was £47,444 18s. 11d., or
£2,317 12s. 6d. leas than in 1880. It exceeded the
hicome of 1881 by £4,150 43. 11d., and that of 1879 by
£2,861 7s. 2d. In donations and subscriptions the
girls' school received £13,927 Bs. 4d,, the boys' school
£13,614 18s. Bd., and the Benevolent Institution
£13,351 10a. 9d.
An immense quantity of rain fell on Monday in the
the midland counties, the result of which was that
tremendous floods prevailed in various parts of those
districts, the rivers having in many places overflowed
their banks into the adjacent meadows. Large tracts
of low-lying meadows were wholly submerged, and in
some districts footpaths were impassable.
The Malagasy Envoys had a very warm welcome at
Manchester on Tuesday. Among the sights which
they were shown were a large cotton-spinning mill, a
calico-printing establishment, and one of the largest
Manchester warehouses. They also attended on 'Change
at the hour of high 'Change, and were much interested
in the proceedings. The merchants offered them a
very warm greeting. In the evening they attended a
conversazione in the Town Hall, given in their
honour by the Mayor, and attended by about fifteen
hundred persons.

Private correspondence received by the last .
from MadagascAr states that profound tranquilitY
prevailed throughout the island. The Queen was still
absent from the capital.
The city Press states that the superficial area of the
OlLy of London is a little over one square mile, and to
cleanno f.nd water this one square mile costs nearly

mall

£30,000 a year.
The King of Portugal has had Ajuda Palace, his
town residence, connected Yfith the Lisbon Telepbor4
Exchange, and may claim to be the first European
monarch who has become a subscriber to a public tele.

phone exchange.
The Greek colony at Marseilles is about Lc open.
a subscription towards the erection of the rearbyv,
statue to Mr. Gladstone, projected by Greece FL
gratitude for his services to that country, especially in
the cession of the lonian Islands and the extension of
the Greek frontier. The Athens Academy has ahead/
subscribed 300 f.
It is announced from Berlin that the Prince of
Wales and the Duke and Duehesa of Edinburgh Will
be present at the celebration of the silver wedding of
the Crown Prince and Princess of Germany, an thd

25th inst.
"A Happy New Year to you and all yosirs.
sorry to hear of your illness; but hope you are better'
Do be careful. May He who all man's sorrows bore,
A New Year's blessing on theejpour."—Advertisernent
in The Times.

While marching through Birkenhead on Sunda,'
afternoon the Salvation Army was attacked in the
Irish quarter by an organized mob, and had to beat 0
retreat to their barracks. A drummer and a police.

man were severely hurt.
Messrs. Powell and Sing, of Liverpool, have receives
the following telegram from Mr. Alderman Hallam, of
Toronto :—" An appeal to the ratepayers of Torontg
on the question of the establishment of a rate•supported
free library in that city resulted in 5,332 votes for
and 2,846 against—a majority of 2,486 in favour of the

schscheme."_ _
-
Last week's receipts of cotton at all United Stated
ports were 251,000 bales; since let September, 1882,
3,433,000 bales. Week's exports to Great Britain,
98,000 bales; week's exports to the Continent, 62,000
bales. Total since Ist September, 1882, 2,071,009
bales. Stock at all ports, 966,000 bales.
The amount paid into the bank in connexion with
the Mayor's voluntary fund for the extinction of the
Coventry Vicar's rate, now amounts to £4,013 7s. ed.,
including a cheque for £250 given anonymousll,
through the editor of one of the local newspapers.
The estimated stocks of grain, &c., at Liverpool, at
the close of the past year, were 2,966,848 centsls
wheat, 262,386 sacks, and 4,867 barrels flour. 100,299
centals barley, 84,514 oats, 38,682 beans 23,982 p6s'
130,106 Indian corn, and 10,906 loads of oatmeal.
The death is announced of the Earl of Wetnyde
and March, in the eighty.seventh year of his age.
By the succession of Lord Elcho to the title a vocalic,'
is created in the representation of Haddington.

Frankfort-on-the-Main is said to be the richest city
of its size in the world. Although there are a good
many poor people in the town, the citizens are far
better off than the inhabitants of any other city, while
If the weath were equally divided every person would
have over £l,OOO apiece. There are 100 Frankforter'
worth from £BOO,OOO to £1,400,000 each, and 2r worth
£50,000 and upwards.
Mr. J. T. Pearson, a surgeon at Stockport, while
crossing Wellington-road on his way home about
eleven o'clock on Tuesday night, was knocked down
by a brewer's dray and died soon afterwards from the
Injuries he had sustained. He was sixty-four years
of age.
The arrivals of live stock and fresh meat at Livsr.
pool during last week from the United States ana
Canada were very small, and amounted to 304 cattle,
907 sheep, 2,251 quarters of beef, and 507 carcases uf
mutton.
By a Parliamentary return, issued on Tuesday, It
is shown that the total amount raised in England in
1880-81 by local taxation was £32,434,123, the Perlia.
nsentary grants in aid having been £2,088,807.
At the annual New Year's dinner, in New York.
given by English actors to their American con/revel
one hundred were present. Mr. Wallack presided,
The healths of the Queen and the President were
drank standing after loud applause.
A New York telegram says that the visible suPPli
of wheat on Dec. 29 was 20,600,000 bushels, as against
19,800,000 bushels the previous week. Visible auppll
of Indian corn, 8,200,000 bushels, as against 7,400,0 w,
bushels the previous week. The export clearances 0'
wheat for Europe during last week amounted t°
810,000 bushels; the export clearances of Indian corn
for Europe during last week amounted to 370,00
bushels.
Sir Charles Dilke addressed on Saturday night *
special aggregate meeting of the four principal Liberal
and Radical clubs in the borough of Chelsea, and re'
ceived a cordial and unanimous vote of confidence 10
response to which the right hon. baronet stated 'his
views and expectations with regard to approaching
home legislation next session, enumerating among
other contemplated measures, Bills relating to Cur'
rupt Practices, Parliamentary Reform, and London
Goternment and the Water Supply of the Metropolith
Whilst Mr. A. E. Pease, J.P., son of Sir Joseeh
Pease, Bart., was riding, on Monday, after the Cleve-
land hounds in the neighbourhood of Guisboroughsuc
was thrown heavily by his horse, which fell upon WWI
and Lind him so badly that fears are entertained o'.
his Issavery.
On Monday morning, the Queen's New Year's gilt°
were presented to the poor of Windsor and the die'
trict. The beef was distributed in the Royal Bicliq
School at the castle, in the presence of her Majestle
clerk of the kitchen, and the local clergy, while the
coals were sent to the homes of the ticket holders.
It is stated that the Government contemplate the,
expenditure of upwards of £50,000 on the erection 01
barracks for the accommodation of convicts to be
engaged in the construction of the harbour of refuge
at Dover.
The engine-driver of a train on the Great Northorl!
line, soon after leaving Finsbury Park for Barnet r
about half-past five on Monday evening, missed Mg
fireman, who had been engaged in oiling the front 0;
his engine. The train was brought to &standstill, Alt'
search was made for the man, who soon afterwaruy
arrived at Finsbury Park. He explained that, in CO
sequence of the damp upon the engine, he had slipPe°'
falling upon the line, but fortunately clear of the
train, which was going slowly. He was unhurt, with
the exception of a cut upon the face.
At the house of Major Slade, at Devonport, 012
Monday, a singular accident occurred. A heuse•hil
was moving around the kitchen-table with souls
carving and sharp-pointed knives, when the footte
e*S•
came into the kitchen in a hurry, and ran upon th
knives the boy had in his hand. One of thew P.
trated the footman's side, from which blood inure
diately commenced to flow copiously. It was '1
necessary to remove him to the Royal Albert "
where his wound was I to be ver-
Mr, Gladstone has comnle
effects of his recent chill.
Sessions on Tuesday the Cl
four police-constables and
protecting Mr. Gladstone a
Between twelve and one
ing a shocking accident
on the Manchester, Sheffie
way, to Arthur Barber,
only been in the service of the company seven
Shortly after midnight he was seen standing on thl,
up-line, evidently awaiting the arrival of the Sheffielo,
excursion train, when an express goods from Doncas.fte:
came along the line on which he was standing,
was knocked down and killed instantaneously.
A sad occurrence took place at the North COO'
Aldershot, on Saturday. Sergeant O'Neil, Ist Be:
talion Royal Irish Fusiliers committed suicide 7s,
shooting himself through the head. He was a y0,,,,,,u0e
man, although he had had sixteen years' service. .13'.
character had been exceptionally good. Lately
turned from Egypt, he had since been the assist.
warder at the North Camp Prison, where he had tui
filled his duties up to the time of his death.
A very successful tr al of an improved telephole
has been made in Boston over a line of 563 miles
length. Consultation was carried on for three
The articulation was very distinct and powerir,
enough to be heard with the receiving telephone el"'
inches from the ear
at
The Manila papers furnish an account of the gre
typhoon which visited the Phillipine Islands °-
October 20. The typhoon began at eight o'clooll
the morning and continued with unabated fury on,
about two o'clock in the afternoon. Not a house al
Manila escaped injury. During the storm it WI
utterly impossible to walk in the streets owing to ON
force of the wind, which was rolling carriages al°ll6
like playthings, and keeping sheets of iron roofioi
floating in the air like pieces of paper. It is said tie.
during the typhoon several shocks of earthquake set:
felt. No such destructive typhoon has visited t""'
island for 50 years.
%TO
One of the most peculiar and ancient of the s• t
Year celebrations ist hat held in the cathedral
Kirkwall, in the Orkneys. The inhabitants, accorell
to old Norse customs, divide into two sections suat
m° :
meet at the Market-cross to have a general gat
football. All living above the cathedral play to
the ball to the country district, those residing belo;
the cathedral fighting to take it to the sea, the wile
game being played through the principal street a t..,
town, and hundreds of players of all grades of societ-1
often take part in the game. On Monday the WO
game took place as usual. s er
Lord Jersey, speaking at the annual Druids' disouf
at Oxford, on Monday night, maintained that Ot
land could not afford to see another power paranlouirs
in Egypt, and to prevent that it was necessary to
a supervision indefinite as to time and definite
purpose. England, he said had gone too far nose
the policy of controlling Egypt to draw back withoul
great risks.
The Army and Navy uazette says :—" We are glei
to Bee that the feeling which has been gaining gr°lll/0
of late as to the desirability of officers who have
decorations wearing them when in evening dress in Pr:i
clothes, has been encouraged by a circular that 1-
been issued to those retired officers of the Bcfss
Marines who may attend the banquet about t?,:t
given to the Duke of Edinburgh, suggesting
decorations and medals should be worn on the oaf-.
sion. But why should not the retired officers ereinj
uniform? In Germany, Austria, Russia, and
.st
military nations retired officers do wear uniform on
such occasions, and why not in England?"
The additions to the Zoological Society's Gar',
Regent's Park, London, during last week included.
bonnet monkeys, from India, presented by., Tie,
Nathaniel Cotton- two slender loris, from
presented by Dr. H. W. Lsntaigne ; a leopard. fr 7,3
India, presented by Captain Park; a crimson-croly,
weaver bird, from Madeira, presented by 2.1 r. E., by
Gain • a common heron, from Scotland, presentelt„o
Mr. H. Henderson; eleven muscovy ducks•i_l7ry
South America, presented by Major Finlay ; °co
snake, a crossed snake, a rhomb-marked snake, ;4,114
South Africa, presented by the Rev. G. H. fro;
C.M.Z.S. ; two golden-winged woodpeckers,. oa
North America, purchased • a golden-eye, Braise,
, approval; a MolucrA deer, 'born in the gardenias

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