biglam/hmd_newspapers huggingface dataset:
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

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Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

CHURCH OF ENGLAND TEMPER-
ANCE SOCIETY.

On Thursday evening a great meeting
under the auspices of the Church of England
Temperance Society was held in the Albert
Hall, Nottingham, in support of Sir Wilfrid
Lawson's local option resolution to be moved
in Parliament on the 11th inst. Sir Wilfrid
Lawson and Mr. Morley, M.P., were present.

STRIKE OF AGRICULTURAL
LABOURERS.
The agricultural labourers near New-
market are on strike, the farmers having
given notice to reduce their wages from 13s.
to 12s. a week. The union men on nine
farms at Westley and Borough Green are
out or have given notice to leave.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

A FORGOTTEN HERO.

The Standard of Wednesday publishes the following
;from F. T. W., Woolwich):—

-
Sir,—We admire the heroic defence of the small
post at Rorke's Drift, and the names of Chard and of
Bromhead have become household words ; but it
seems to occur to no one that the long night struggle
of the 22nd January, of which the issue secured to
Lord Chelmsford his retreat, and guaranteed Natal
against immediate invasion, was rendered possible
by the calm courage of one man on the disastrous day
of Isandula.

Whilst spiking with his own hand his last gun,
Major Stuart Smith was killed with an assegai. But
for his self-devotion the hastily-extemporised breast-
work at Rorke's Drift might hardly have for long
withstood the fire of the captured guns, which, but
for their being rendered useless, would undoubtedly
have been brought against it.
Let his name, then, have its due meed of praise, for
he died gallantly, gallant soldier that he was.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

LETTER FROM A SOLDIER.

The following is an extract from a letter
irec e ivoloL llei G
imanani ,
Manchester from
awf-hildhierhasbeben
belonging to
s column.
ciao letter is dated Drift j
,
21st :—" With the King of Zululand a nu_ary:
a sharp: battle Yoitte=&(Sunday.)
-j we
had
The
enemy are lying around us dead this morn-
ing 03 thiA as poesihle. We did not lose
E-L-2,ny Mias .16 tha'.,: .:,0-anL do not carry far,
3-z-ss uvr.y over mile. They have
ran Ba3;y up he eory, where we follow
'them to.r.osrow. "lave 150 miles to go
beer° ti 4 telaCek) tleir Kinc, lives, and
Wa- 23: it, king
by the
(-71i,ad I 17,07./3 e Ea9y come out of
it foie an sound. Warf s horrible thing;
rlo olio knows only 'thew who are in it. I
have not been in bad for over three weeks;
we lie ()a the groamel wLiEn. wo can, with one
Fzfpfrot alai lit of -4.,.Lari/ z esr.4.-, to cover us.
Zwere7 E.c.at of valtillo2 mr.st put up with.
ail' mite, and e 5176.3 .7,re all we have to
*at and drink. We exp-Jet be about six
P1,Q404 befQre kat +fie
. V onelny PropQrTY,
alor are an. awful FrOl ,
e, quite bilmiu.
SIO WA ..111POR *NS auguivi.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

HOP.

The market for hops continues very dull, and prices re-
main tiAt. The low rates prevailing fail to induce specu-
lation, and even the better kinds of hops, of which the
supply is now rather limited, are purchaseable on easier
terms. Foreign markets are all very dull. Kent, IS7B,
£1 lbs. to £5 las.; Sussex ditto, £1 15s. to £3los. ; Farn-
ham and country, £4 to £5 10s.; Worcester, £4 45. to
£5 125.; American, £2 10s. to £5 55._„. Belgian, £2 25. to
£2 ; atid,Englisb. 1977, LI, Ns. t 0.42 25.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

THE BRITISH NAVY.

It appears, according to the last Admiralty re-
turn upon which the Navy Estimates of this year
are based, that at this moment the number of men
borne upon the Fleet is 54,684, while there are besides
3,934 men in the coastguard service, ashore and afloat.
Altogether the personnel of the Navy should be as
nearly as possible 60,900, counting in the boys and the
sailors employed in manning the troopships of the
Indian Government. The blue jackets and artificers
are within a few of 30,000, the Royal Marines muster
something like 14,000, the boys 6,200, of whom rather
more than -half are in the Fieet and the remainder in
training ships.
The total number of vessels of the Fleet on the let
December, 1878, was 255, and of these 131 were serving
in various 'Arta of the world. In the Mediterranean
Fleet proper are twenty-eight ships, together with four
others comprised in tha Channel squadron. On the
North American and West Indian station are fourteen
war vessels, on the south coast of America four, in the
Pacific nine, at the Cape of Good Hope and West
Coast of Africa eleven, in the East Indies twelve, in
China twenty-one, in Australia nine, and on particular
service, surveying service, and "ordered home," in all
nineteen. Besides these there are on coastguard
service nine ironclads, which belong to ths First
Reserve.
The number of vessels in course of construction at
this moment is 37, and the amount of work that the
Admiralty proposes to get through during the next
twelvemonth is to build 12,01 tons. This means that
the war vessels building will be brought forward to an
extent representing this amount of tonnage; some of
them, like the Polyphemus, torpedo•ram, being all
but completed during the year, while others will
have but a moderate amount of work expended upon
them.
Of ironclads, there are nine building, but of these
five at least are to be armoured to a great extent with
steel. Besides battle-ships on stations, in the reserve,
and building, there are six fine craft fitting or ready
for sea in our harbours, none of which have as yet been
commissioned. These are the Nelson and North-
ampton, sister broadside ironclads; the Superb, a fine
masted ironclad purchased from the Turkish Govern-
ment; the Neptune, bearing both turrets and bat-
teries •' and the most heavily armed and armoured
masted ironclad afloat, the Dreadnought, a new
turret ship carrying 38-ton guns and armour upwards
of fourteen inches thick; and finally the Inflexible,
which is to carry by way of armament four 80-ton
guns.—Daily News.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

THE COMMAND AT THE CAPE.

It is not improbable, in view of the large
dimensions which the war has assumed at
the Cape, that her Majesty's Government
may consider the advisability of sending out
a commander of higher rank than Lord
Chelmsford to take charge of the large body
of troops who will shortly enter on a new
campaign. The choice will probably fall on
Lieutena,ut-General Sir Daniel Lysons, or
some such officer of approved experience.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

CUTTINGS FROM AMERICAN PAPERS.

A dog has been exhibited with great success in
Indiana, whose skin is perfectly smooth, the hair growing
on the inside—at least the exhibitor says so, and any Dne
who doubts the statement is welcome to pay 2,000 dollars for
the privilege of killing the animal to find out.

An editor says that the north pole is now returning
the compliments which have hitherto been paid to it by ex-
peditions in search of it, 'and is now searching for us and
by the indications of our thermometer we think it won't be
long before it will find us."

A young lady in California broke her neck while
resisting the attempts of a young man to kiss her. Young
ladies should be very careful not to resist such attempts. It
is extremely dangerous.

A Missouri editor printed a two column editorial on
the Best Breed of Hogs and a contemporary took him to
task for devoting so much space to his family affairs.

Edison is working on an infernal machine to regu-
late the man who is careful to shut the door after him all
summer, and invariably leaves it wide open just as soon as
the mercury leaves freezing point.

And still the missionary cause waxes stronger. New
Bedford has a clever young lady worth a million dollars,
and of a "rather pious turn of mind," who made up that
mind that she would be a missionary. Could anything be
more beautiful? The Church accepted her services, and
when asked what field of labour she had in view, she pen-
sively looked down at her lavender gloves and replied—
'l think I will go to Paris I"

Those newspaper editors who are too proud or too
obstinate to retract any unjust or impr6per language
which they have admitted to their columns should profit by
the example of an editor who gives notice as follows :—"I1
any subscriber finds a line in his paper that he does not like
and cannot agree with, if be will bring his paper to the
office and point out the offending line, the editor will take
his scissors and cut it out for him."

Humorists are not encouraged in China. When a
paragrapher gets off a joke on a slant-eyed Emperor, the
alleged humorist has his pig-tail cut off. The loss of this
hirhute appendage is bad enough, but when they amputate
it without rernoviug it from his head it becomes painful,
and the paragraphers propensity for joking is cured for
ever.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

MEERSCHAUM

BRIAR-ROOT PIPES,

PLAIN AND FANCY
CIGAR AND CIGARETTE HOLDERS,

And Every Description of

TOBACCONIST'S GOODS.

ALSO A FINE STOCK OF
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

TliE STOURBRIDGE OBSERVER.

of resigning his seat for East Somerset. At
a Conservative meeting in Bath, Lord Brooke
son of the Earl of Warwick, was chosen as
a candidate for the vacancy. He is likely
to be unopposed.

briskness. Instances were rare, however, of anY
large specifications being placed, the ordere
booked being chiefly for nisi/ lots for immediat
requirements. The orders for all description
of iron were more numerous than the average
of the present year, and a firmer tone prevailed
in regard to prices. This was especially the
case with respect to pig iron, the market being
favourably affected by the advance in Middles-
borough rates. The inprovement in the pig
iron trade in the North of England, and the re-
vival of trade in the Unitsd States, raised the
hopes of the local ironmasters as to a turn in
the present tide of depresion having set in.
There was an increased denand for thin sheets,
but prices continue low. Common sheets
(singles) realised £7 10s, aid sheets for working
up purposes an additional 10s upon that figure.
Branded sheets stand at the usual advance of
30s upon the price of maiked bars. Roofing
sheets were also in bettei request principally
for Russia, and a good tutdo is expected to
spring up with that Empiv on the opening of
the Northern ports to navigation. At present
British goods have to be imported to that
country via Odessa and the Black Sea, or by the
German railways via 6tetin, and trade is conse-
quently retarded by the increased expense in-
volved in freight. The inquiry for galvanized
sheets is well sustained. Coal is in slightly less
request for household purposes, and forge quali-
ties show no improvemeni.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

VIP STOURBBIDGE OBSERVER.

effect upon them, Where Is there another tribe like the
Zulus and their branches in South Africa? These men are
ruled by a savage despot, they are trained as soldiers all
their lives in regiments, properly officered, all, in fact, in
correct military style. As nearly as they can follow it, when
ranged in order of battle, each man holds a gun in his right
hand, a small shield is strung round his left arm, and in his
telt nand he holds a long' and short assegai. Their skill
with the gun being anything but great, they content them-
selves by beginning the attack with a couple of volleys.
The gun is then thrown down, and they rush upon their
opponents in a dense mass, taking the long assegai in the
rigut hand. At about from forty to sixty paces they pause
in their headlong career, and hundreds and thousands of
spears are burled at the enemy. Then the short assegai is
tAren in the right hand and the charge is resumed. When
within a few yards of the enemy they make one last mo-
mentary pause, only to snap the assegai short off across the
left knee, and then their favourite hand-to-hand conflict
ensues. Thus the tight becomes a slaughter, generally
ending in the complete success of the Zulus. Willie feel-
ing very diffident as to my right or ability to advise upon
the subject, I feel compelled to say that I think the best
plan to adopt with these psople is to meet them with
more artillery. Numerous well-served batteries of artil-
lery, Gatling guns, or mitralleuses are the only way to
meet the Zulus while they continue their present style of
lighting, for small bodies of cur men, however brave, will
otherwise be simply sent to destruction. When I read
the number of guns being used against the Zulus, I at once
came to the conclusion that the number was altogether too
small. I imagine from the fart that the Zulus din not make
a raid into Natal that their loss must have been terribly
severe, so much so as to makethem fear the result of an en-
counter with a large body of whites, or they may have
hoped by retracing their step! quickly to meet and annihi-
late the remaining portion of ,-;olonel Glyn's Column, as they
had done with the other.
'The only cheering item gamed by this great loss Is the
thought that the camp of Isasdhlwana was the Thermopylm
of Natal; that those who disd so bravely were our devoted
Spartans, who checked the ierce raid of the Zulu hordes
into Natal- They died in timbers, but thrice the number
of men, women, and children would have been massacred
in the adjacent part of Natalhad it not been for the heroic
defence of the Isandhlwana camp."

miles; and a French engineer, M. Blanchet, has
drawn up a project showing that the whole work
could be done for £20,000,000, which is equal to the
cost of the Suez Canal. A company is now being
formed for that purpose, and General Zabla, the new
President of Nicaragua, is doing all he can to pro
mote the undertaking.,
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

A FEMALE CRITSOE.

The San Francisco Call contains an interesting
account of an Indian woman who was accidentally
abandoned on San Nicolas Island, off the coast of
Southern California, and spent eighteen years alone
there before she was rescued. The fact of her existence
was discovered by a man who went from the mainland
to hunt for otters and who found footprints sunk deeply
in the ground. He was unable to follow up these in-
dications till nearly three years, when one of a party
who accompanied him suddenly came upon the object of
their search. She was in a small circular enclosure made
of brushwood, about sft. high and 6f c. in diameter,
with a email opening on one side. She WAS clothed
with a garment made of skins of the shag, a species
of duck that can neither walk nor fly. This garment
reached almost to her ancles when she stood erect. She
was sitting cross-legged, skinning seal-blubber with a
rude knife made of a piece of hoop iron driven into a
piece of wood. There was no covering on her head,
except a thick matted mass of hair, of yellowish brown
colour, probably owing to exposure to the sun and the
weather; it was short, as if the ends had rotted off.
There were some wild dogs on the island, a few of which
kept near her, and seemed to regard her as a mistress.
She had lived on a plant resembling cabbage, called
by Californians polo santo, and a root known
by the name of coreomite, also blubber of the
various kind of seals, &c. She had a rude apparatus
for catching shellfish, and strong fishing lines
made of seal sinews, which seemed to indicate that she
fished in the ocean, The expression of her face was
pleasing, her features were regular, her complexion
much fairer and her form more symmetrieal than that
of the Indian women on the adjoining mainland.
Some suspect that she belonged to a tribe much further
north. She could not understand anything said to her
in any of the Indian dialects of South California,
but she had a wonderful capacity for conversing by
signs. She retained all her teeth, but they were worn
low, supposed to be due to her chewing tough and
hard articles of food, Her age appeared to be about
fifty years. She bowed to all who came near her,
greeting them with a smile. She freely accom-
panied her discoverers to their vessel, but her conduct
at once convinced them that the retained the virtue of
female modesty. She showed singular dextelity in
making water-vessels from grass and asphaltum, a
substance which is plentiful both on the island and
the mainland. She seemed to recognize various ap-
pliances of civilization. She died about seven weeks
after reaching the mainland, partly from the effects of
a fall, partly from dysentery, brought on by eating
fruits and vegetables.
Padre Gorgale4, ths superior of the mission of Santa
Barbara, has sent her dress of shag-skins, her basket
and implements to Roma, to the MuePum of the
Propaganda.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

A LECTURE ON DWELLING-ROUSES

In London, on Monday evening, professor Corfield
gave the third lecture of his course at the Society of
4rts on Dwelling-houses ; their Sanitary Construction
and Arrangements," He commenced by an account
of the systems of warming and lighting which aided
ventilation, this part of the subject having been left
ever from want of time in the last lecture. Con-
trivances ouch as Galton's stoves and Saxon Snell's
apparatus, which provided for the admission of
warmed air into the room, and so utilized a great
deal of the heat that would be lost with the
qrdinary fireplace, were, he said, much to be
recommended. Blow eombnstlon stoves made
of cast iron in which coke is consumed are not
suitable for dwelling rooms even when air is
admitted into the room through them. They dry the
air too much, and also cause an unpleasant smell from
the partial burning of the organic matter in the air.
Although the products of combustion of most lights
must be allowed to escape into the air of a room those
of gas should be conveyed away by pipes made for the
purpose, which may also be made to serve as extrac-
tors of air. Gas should be much more used for heating
and cooking purposes than it is at present, and gas
companies would do well to let out (looking stoves, at
any rate on hire, in the same way thatithey do meters.
This is the practice in some Continental cities. The
way in which we use coal in our fireplaces, thus destroy-
i ngall the valuable substances—tar, carbolic acid,
ammonia, the analine colours, <50., that are prepared
from the residues of the manufacture of gas—is
obviously absurd. Where several gas-stoves are used,
however, it is necessary to have a special supply pipe.
The main part of the lecture was devoted to the
consideration of water supply. Sources of water were
described, and it was insisted that we ought to go to
the pure sources and have water to drink "which has
not been first polluted with sewage and then filtered."
The system of constant service, which is now gradually
being adopted, is preferable in every way to that of
intermittent service. But it is necessary to have
duplicate reservoirs in order that the water may
not be supplied intermittently while the reser-
voirs are being cleaned out, as serious results
may ensue, as was thp case at Croydon. With the
intermittent service galvanized iron cisterns, or, for
cottages and basement floors, the new stoneware cis-
terns are the best, and in every case the waste or over.
flow pipe should discharg6. in the open sir. Domestic
fa lters Ought not to be required, but as for a number of
riasons we must have them, a variety were shown and
explained, among which were the !ulicated carbon and
spongy iron filters, and thp aera.tm i g glter, n which
the water as it passes through ie made to force air
through the filtering material.
The lecture was illustrated by a large number of
specimens from the Park Museum of Hygiene at
' University College.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

PRINCE LBOPOLD'S NEW ORDER.

Prince Albert c mild pass his mantle of the Garter,
with the other insignia of that illustrious fraternity, to
some succeeding brother of the Order. But his
mantle cf brotherhood in that higher Order of the
wise and good, who think and work for the welfare of
men, has since his death remained without a wearer.
It has found cne, where he should have been
looked for, in his son Prince Leopold. Long and
sorely tried by sickness, this young Prince, we rejoice
to learn by his recent public utterances, has learnt in
suffering what he now teaches in speech, if not in
song.
The genial and energetic elements of a Ruling
Race were already appropriated by his brothers, but
his father's mantle of the high Order of Princely
Thinkers and Workers for Culture remained for the
youngest. Punch hails his assumption of this his true
riritit—Punch,

The United States Senate has been overburdened by
an accumulation of business, and had to work throughout
Sunday and all night. During the Sunday sitting an old
gentleman rose in the gallery and denounced the desecration
of the Sabbath.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

ROBERTSON V. LABOUCHERE.

Serjeant Parry on Thursday applied to
the Queen's Bench Division for a new trial
in the case of "Robertson v. Labonch.ere,"
on the grounds of misdirection and the
verdict being against the evidence. The
Court granted a rule nisi on the point as to
whether what took place amounted to a dis-
missal, but intimated that it would be better
to settle the matter than reconsider the
question of dismissal.

THE GLASGOW BANK DIRECTORS.
The names of Mr. Lewis Potter, Mr.
William Taylor, Mr. R. S. Stronach, and
Mr. Robert Salmond, four of the imprisoned
City of Glasgow Bank directors, have, by
order of the Lerd Chancellor, been removed
from the commission of the peace for Lan-
arkshire. It is estimated that half the
£BOO,OOO of marginal bills upon which the
liquidators of the City of Glasgow Bank
have declared dividends are invalid, and the
bank's liabilities will be to that extent de-
creased.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

THE WHALLEY RANGE MURDER.

The statement of Mr. Wade, the surgeon
who saw the constable Cock before he died
that he heard him say, "You are mistaken
—referring presumably to the suspicions
against the Habrons having been questioned
Mr. Wade writes to reiterate it, and he adds
that he told everybody connected with the
case what he heard, but was not called as a
witness. The second petition for an inde-
pendent inquiry was yesterday taken to Lon-
don by Mr. Deakin, brother of the gentleman
who employed the Habrons, for presentation
through Mr. Birley, 61. P., to Mr. Cross.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

DUDLEY TOWN COUNCIL.

On Tuesday evening the monthly meeting was
held, the Mayor (Alderman W. :\ orth) presiding.
A letter was received from the South Staffordshire
Waterworks Company stating that all the works
directed by Mr. Bateman under the judge's orders
were complete. They were well done, end the
company trusted the people of Dudley and the COW:-
Cil wou'd be satisfied.
Replying to Mr. Clark, it was:stated by the Town
Clerk that the question could flot be then discussed.
It would come on when the Water Committee re-
ported.
Alderman Wilkinson suggested the making of
shops un her the high wall at Queen's Cross. He
thought this would keep up the wall and save the
Corporation the frequent repairs.
The report of the Officer of Health (Mr. Ti mmins)
stated that the death-rate was 25 6 per Icoo. There
had been 92 deaths and 141 births. Forty-four
deAths had occurred under five years. 'there were
a few deaths from symotic disea,es. Nineteen had
died with bronchitis. Dr. Timmins reported sev-
eral houses as unfit for habitation.
Alderman Thompson called attention to the dis-
charge of the sub-inspec-,or of nutsamces and a
discus4oa ensued. It was argued on the one hand
thtit Mr. McCleod had acted improperly in diPeharg-
ing the men, and on the other hand that as long as
the inspector was held responsible for the perform-
ance of the work, he should have complete control
over the men, with power to discharge them.
The ex-Mayor, and Mr. Challingsworth reminded
the Council that the foreman was ens:aged with a
very satisfactory character, and that no complai ts
had been brought against him until a recent
di-
agreeable inquiry was instituted.
It was recommended by Alderman_Russell that
the foreman have an app
Ultimately Alderman Thompson said he should
have the matter placed on the agenda for the next
meeting.
A Selnol Board precept was received for £3,396
4s 9d.
Alderman G. Bagott thought it desirable it should
be known that the amount of the precept came out
of the poor-rate.
Mr. Clark proposed " That the question of erect-
ing public baths for the borough be now re-con-
sidered" Ho believed if the borough was polled a
large majority would be in favour of the immediate
erection of baths.
Mr. Finch seconded the motion. lie thought
that instead of spending .210,000 as originally pro-
posed, half the amount should be expended.
Mr. James Dunn considered it injudicious to
re-open the question.
Alderman Russell urged that in these times, when
material and labour were cheap, it was prudent to
build ; but he advocated baths on a less extensive
scale than these which were at first intended.

The Mayor said that &ready X2OOO had been spent
and after further discussion it was reso:ved, on the
suggestion of Alderman J. H. Smith, to go on with
the bath, the expenditure not to exceed X 4,500. -

THE DlSPUrti] IN TEIE KIDDERMLNiiTER
CARPET TRADE.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

SArfURTIA V, MAR:CTE

number of deaths for the past month was 43, the
death-rate beim.. 20.7 per 1,000. The principal
causes of death 'had been—scarlatina, 9; typhoid,
3; bronchitis and pheumonia, 9,
The Assistant Medierl Officer (Mr. Beasley) re-
ported that 20 deaths had occurred in the upper
district of the parish during the month, compared
with 23 for January.
The Surveyor reported that £9l us 9d had been
expended on the highways during the month, and
that he required for the current month £l4B.
The Inspector's report showed that the expenses
in the nightsoil department amounted to £l5 3s
4a, and that he required on the same account £lO
for the current month

Inn, and prisioner' who came in shortly afterwards,
took it away with him. As this was his first Offence
prisoner was committed for seven days hard labour.:
only.
Tim BURIAL BOARD. The monthly meeting of
the Board was held on Monday, the Rev. G. D.
Boyle presiling. Mr. tSt?oke moved that a coin-
mittee be appointed to inquire into the effct of the
new table of fees on those persons who had previ-_,_
ously buried in the Ninconformist ground, and to
relieve such greviances as might be found to exist.:
Mr. Stouke said there was great rifted for some en-.
quiry He knew of a case in which a man who
only paid is 6d to bury his father had now to pay
five guineas for the burial of a relative near the
, same spot. Mr. Watson seconded the motion, which
, was carried, and the following were appointed as the
committee—the Rev. G. D. Boyle, Messrs. Herring,
James, Oatson. and Stooke. It was stated that
Messrs. Charles Harvey E. Parry, and Watson
would retire shortly from the Board, so that their
successors would have to be elected at a vestry meet-
ing on the sth ef of April next.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

TE EXPTASION ON BOARD THE
"THUNDgRER."

T4p full text of the report of the Joint Committee
appointed by the Admiralty end the War Office to
inquire into the causes of the bursting of the 38-ton
gull on board the Thunderer has now been issued.
The committee ere unanimously convinced that the
gun having missed fire at the time of the electrical
broadside, and this mis-fire not having been noticed,
it was presented to receive the full charge, and empty
common shell for the independent firing, end did re-
ceive this charge and shell while the battering charge
and the rallieer shell were still in the gun.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

HARTS HILL.

RELIEF FuND.—Yesterday, at the residence of the
treasurer, seventy four-pound loaves cf bread and 100
quarts of soup were distributed by the committee who
hope to be able to carry on another fortnight. Burns
receied this week amount t.) £1 us Od. Further sub-
scription are solicited and will be thankfully received by
the Rev. J. Hartley, chairman, Brampton Terrace ; Mr
Jro. Riley, treasurer, Pear Tree Cottage ; Mr. David
Batham, secretary, Bank Street, Brierley Hill ; or any
of the committee.

KIDDERMINSTER.

STEALING A SPADE.— •• At the Police Court on
Monday, Henry Powell was charged with stealing a
spade, belonging to George Probert, on Saturday.
Proaocutor said that heileft the spade at the Angel
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

DEATH OF DOWAGER MARCHIONESS

OF EXETER.

On Thursday, at her residence in Brook
Street, London, after a long illness, the Right
Hon. Isabella, Dowager Marchioness of Exeter
expired, at the ago of 77. The deceased lady
was daughter of Stephen Poyniz, Cowdray
House, Sussex, and co-heiress with her Sister
the late Lady Spencer, of Althorpe Park,
Northampton. She was married to the late
Marquis of Exeter, K. G., in 1824, being
left a widow in 1867. She had four sons
and two daughters, viz, William .Alleyne
Cecil, present Marquis of Exeter, Lord Brown
low Cecil, Lord Edward Cecil, R.N (deceased)
and Lord Aldeberi Cecil, late of the Rifle
Brigade; Lady Victoria, wife of the Hon. E.
Freke, of Gaston, Rutland ; and Lady Mary,
wife of Viscount Sandon.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

THE DURHAM COAL TRADE.

The Durham coalowners at Newcastle
on Thursday decided to inform Mr. Meynell
the official umpire under the sliding scale,
that his services as umpire would not be re-
quired in the present dispute. They also
decided to issue a notice for a reduction of
15 per cent, on underground labour and 10
per cent, on surface respectively, 5 and 21i
per cent, more than former reduction notice.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

FOOTBALL.

QUEEN'S COLLEGE V DUDLEY.—These clubs met
on Saturday last, on the ground of the latter, at
Dud!ey, for a return match. The Coliege was not
very well represented behind the scrimmage, as
several of the;usual backs were unable to play. 'rite
match, which was a very fast and agreeable one.
was in favour of the College team throughout, the
ball being dangerously near the Dudley head-
quarters. When play was finished the match was
declared a victory for the College by one try and
fire touches down to nil. The play of Mcssrs. W.
Sharman, H. Mole, and Ratuliffs for the Co:lege
was excellent; and that of Messrs. Goodwin, J.
Mason, and Williams for Dudley was very praise-
worthy, Teams :—Queen's College :P. Mole, back;
H. Mole and W. Sharman, three-quarter-baeks V.
A. Jones and E. Davies, half-backs; P. J. Meredith,
W. Awdry, Harbord, A. Hawkin, Ratcliffe, Strick-
land, Harvey, Duce, Whittindale, and G. Sharman,
forwards—Dudley: J. Mason, back ; Z Mason and
C. Langley, three-quarter•backs ; H. Lukis and W.
H. Goodwin, halt-backs; W. Higgs, J. Suaw,
Cramer, J. F. Izon, Dawe. Williams, F. Bateman,
E. Bagoet, J. Cropper, and subst tute, forwards.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

OLD HILL.

DRUNK AND DISORDERLY.—At The Police Court
held on Wednesday last, before Messrs. F. D. L
Smith and H. Howard, James Basterfield, w a
charged with being drunk and disorderly on th
25th ult. Joseph Hill proved that he saw the de-
fendant drunk in Cox's Lane, on the above date.
A woman gave corroborative evidence. Defendant
denied being drunk,and called two witnesses. Both
admitted that the defendant had some drink.
Fined 5s and costs._ .

_
ASSAULT CASE.—Thomas Richards was charged
with assaulting Maria Frith, on the 25th ult. Mr.
Addison defended. From the evidence of cow.
plainant it appears they have lived together for
nine years, although not married, and had five
children by him. On the evening of the above
date defendant mine into the house, and complained
that there was no supper for him. She was making
pancakes, when the defendant struck her several
times, and used her very badly. She had summoned
him before, and he had been bound over for six
months. After the defendant had beaten her, he
commenced to break the furniture, and tried to set
fire to the goods. Mr. Addison addressed the
Bench for the defence, and said that the complain-
ant was a very violent woman, and threw a hammer
at defendant which struck him on the eye. There
had been he admitted, several previous charges
against the defendant, but on one occasion com-
plainant asked for protection, and yet she still
persisted in living with the defendant. Fined 2s
6d and costs, and the Bench recommended him to
go and live with his own wife.
CAUTION TO WAoooNEllB.—James Duffield was
summoned for leaving a horse and wagon on the
road, longer than is allowed. Police-constable
Gaskin proved the case. Fined is and Costs.
DRUNK AND DISORDERLT.—Joseph Burrows was
charged with being drunk and disorderly on the
let inst. Police-constable Parker proved the case.
Pleaded guilty. Fined is and costs.—Henry Buick
was charged with a similar offence on the Ist inst.,
at Cradley Heath. Police-constable Gaskin proved
the case, and said the defendant was very drunk,
and made use of very bad language, and he had to
lock him up. Fined 2s Gd and costs, in default 14
days.
ASSAULT CASE.—Charles Henry Barnsley was
charged with assaulting William Jackson. The
case was proved, and defendant was fined is and
costs.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

THE AFFAIRS OF SOUTHERN, QUILTY

AND CO.

At the London Court of Bankruptcy on
Thursday, the case of Messrs. Southern,
Quilty, and Co., who are merchants of Fen-
charoh Street and Bombay, came before Mr.
Registrar Brougham. The debtors have
presented a petition for liquidation, with
liabilities amounting to about D 35,000, and
assets of considerable value. Mr. Trinder
applied for the appointment of Mr. J. M.
Henderson, accountant, as receiver and man-
ager of the estate, and for an order restrain-
ing further proceedings in thirteen actions,
in some of which judgment had been recover-
ed. His Honour appointed Mr. Henderson
receiver, and granted an injunction, but said
that the written assent of creditors must be
produced before he could make any order for
a manager.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

DEATH OF TWO CEETENARIANS,

Mr. Jonathan Pavior, the oldest inhabitant of
Oxford, and reputed to be in his 101st year, died in
that city on Friday in last week. Mr. Pavior was
formerly a belllaanger at Oxford.

On Monday the Rev. Dr. James Ingram, minister
of the Free Church at Unst, Shetland, died within
a month of the completion of hie 103rd year, having
been born in Aberdeenshire on the 3rd of April,
1776. He was licensed to preach the Gospel in
1800, and he was ordained a minister of the Church
of Scotland in 1803. At the disruption he be-
came a minister of the Free Church. The degree of
Doctor of Divinity was conferred on him by the Uni-
versity of Glasgow in 1844. His son, the Rev. John
Ingram, who is upwards of 70 years of age, and was
ordained a minister in 1818, has been his assistant for
a considerable time. The deceased's father lived to
the ago of 100, and his grandfather to the age 'if 105.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

THE IRON TRADE.
WOLVERHAIIrfOII, Wednesday.

There was a smaller attendance on 'Change
to-day, and the number of sales which took
place, embracing all classes of iron, was limited.
With respect to finished iron the inquiries were
mostly for the cnrumoner sorts of bars, hoops,
and working up sheets. Tin plates moved off
pretty well, and their value was steadily main-
tained. Other prices were regulated by the
basis of .26 108 for marked ban. Unmarked
bars fetched from £6 to VI 2s Id. Consumers
of girder plates sought to purchase at easier
rates, but without success, some of the offers
being declined. Boiler plates were not much
dealt in beyond the requirements for safe making
and for use in the Government dockyards..
Angles have fallen off in demand. The improved
tone which pervaded the market last week with
respect to crude iron does not seem likely to last
judging from the feeling displayed to-day.
Prices, however, were upheld, but it is question-
able whether this will be the case irt, a few weeks.
Derbyshire and West Coast pigs were in fair
inquiry for foundry purposes. Forge iron pro-
duced in the district received most attention.
Prices were for cinder pig, itils tid' part mine,
£2 15s; hot-air, £3 ss; and £4 Is Let for cold
blast. Lincolnshire and No:thark)tonshire
pigs are more neglected, though Eocorl sales of
minerals from the latter county are reported.
Cokes are less called for, and the coal trade is
till in a depressed condition. The prices ac-
cepted show no signs of improvement.

TIIINISDAY.

Tho iron market,was well attoacecl this after
noon, awl negotiation,' were oarried en with
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

THE CABLE TO SOUTH AFRICA.

No definite arrangement has yet been
made respecting the cable to South Africa,
The Government propose to withdraw their
guarantee in case of accident to the cable,
but this stipulation the Eastern Telegraph
Company cannot agree to. The heads of
the company have asked for an interview
with the Government on the subject.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

ROWLEY REGIS LOCAL BOARD.

The ordinary monthly meeting of this Board was
held on Monday afternoon, at the new Board Room
Old Hill.
The Clerk reported that the members retiring by
rotation at the forthcoming election were Messrs.
Bennett, Barker, Guest, Plant, and Taylor.
The Chairman (Mr. W. Bassano) was appointed
returning officer, and empowered by resolution to
obtain the neccessary assistance for conducting the
election.
Mr. Ker (medical officer) reported that the tau
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

Free by poet, in Envelope, six stamps.

DISEASES PECULIAR TO WOMAN.
Gives the Cause, Symptoms and Cure. This
book is published for the special use of Females, and is
a Private Guide to the Treatment of a class of ailments
peculiar to the Female Constitution.
DE. HENRY SMITH, 8 BURTON CRESCENT, LOWDOY
W.C.

Now Ready, the THIRTIETH THOUSAND, Price One
Shilling. Free by post, 12 stamps, in envelope.
NvOMAN : AS A MAIDEN, WIFE, AND
MOTHER. Illustrated Stith ENGRAVINGS Olt
WOOD, Cloth gilt. This is a Book el great importance
to Woman.

DR. HENRY SMITH, B_BcaroN CRESCENT, LONDON,

W.C.
NOTICE TO COUNTRY INVALIDS.
Consultation by Letter without Fee.

DR. HENRY SMITH, (By Diploma of the
Royal University of Jena) who has devoted
TFIIRTY YEARS to the Special Treatment of Diseases
of the Nervous System, resulting from Exhaustion of
Nerve Power, Local Weakness, dm, will tor the benefit
of Country Invalids, on receiving a statement of case,
send his opinion, with Advice and Instructions, which,
1 followed, insure a Cure ; a Personal Interview and
expensive Consultation-fees are thus avoided.
A " Confidential " form of Correspondence to assist
the Invalids in describing their case sent Post Free.
DR. HENRY SMITH, 8, BURTON CRESCENT
LONDON, W.C.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

THE ZULU STYLE OF FIGHTING.

A gentleman named Dr. E. Halub, who has spent 1
many years in the interior, has contributed an ex-
tremely interesting article to the Cradock Register, in
which he says :
" The twenty-second of January is for ever to be re-
membered as one of the most blood-s‘ai.ed days in the
annals of Souta Africa. Tha most profound sorrow and
rage lies bean created to the hearts of all right-minded men
by the dreadful tidings flashed along the wires throughout
South Africa on Fridai and Saturday last. Fow my in-
terco.irse with the Matables I know the Z.ilu style of fight-
ing Ever since the dreadful tidings !have had constantly
before me the vision of that infuriated mass of Zulus, lien
thousands of savage gorillas, rushing on 'hose devoted men
of the 25th. Their style is not to he contrasted for a
moment with that of the colonial natives or tho e with
whow, our forces have been engaged in Griqualand West or
in the Transvaal. fhe Zulus prefer and strive to throw
themselves in overwhelming numbers on the weakest point
of the enemy. With dauntless courage and the fury of
tigers they rush on without the least concern for the
hundreds falling in their ranks or the bodies barring their
way; they press on to get to close quarters as speedily as
possilole, looking neither to left nor right, nor dreaming of
hiding for a moment behind stones or bushes. They
charge forward, for this reason preferring the open field.
Naturally courageous and vain of their prowess, they firmly
believe that they need only follow the above-mentioned
tactics and they must win the day. As for the loss they
suffer in thus advancing in great numbers they are indiffe-
rent to it, for the simple reason that they are so accustomed
to wholesale slaughter as one of their daily custdms' that
the sight of their cow
rades falling in all directions has no
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

THE HERTFORD SCHOLARSHIP AT

OXFORD.

The examiners for the Hertford Scholar-
ship have announced to the Vice-chancellor
that they have awarded it to Mr. C. A.
Dames, scholar of Balliol College ; proxime
accesserunt, A. C. Clark, exhibitioner, Balliol
College, and W. M. Windsay, exhibitioner,
Balliol College.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

THE BAYONET IN ZULULAND.

The Times publishes the following letter from "A Sergeant-
Major " :
Sir,—We read that at Isandula "the bayonet was
found to be no match for the shield and assegai."
How was that? We have been led to believe that the
bayonet has been generally relied upon to decide
almost every engagement. What, then, has caused
the change? Breechloaders taking the place of
muzzleloaders? Not with regard to the case in point,
for it is stated that the heroic, though luckless, let
Battalion of the 24th, after having expended all
their ammunition—viz., 70 rounds—had to depend
solely upon the bayonet, which, however, was found
to be no match for the shield and assegai of the Zulu
warrior. How, then, is the falling off in the practical
value of the bayonet to be accounted for in this par-
ticular instance? Easily enough, though it does not
appear to have ever been pointed out to the authori-
ties. Now, every soldier who has fired from his
Martini. Henry (or, perhaps, any other breechloading
rifle) only ten rounds, with any approach to rapidity,
knows that the barrel is then so heated that he is
unable to "grasp his rifle with his left hand
round stock and barrel," to bring it to "the
charge." If so, what could he do after having
fired seventy rounds." At best he could only
hold his rifle with his right hand round "the small,"
and allow the wood under the barrel to rest on his
left, pinching it as hard as possible to keep it steady;
but as to using his bayonet with any hope of effect,
this is out of the question, for a child could almost
knock it out of his hand. I think the noble 24th must
have been in this unfortunate plight, for undoubtedly
they expended their ammunition rapidly against the
host of advancing Zulus.

It is easy to Point out an evil, not so the remedy;
however, the latter in this case appears simple. Have
a concaved thin piece of wood (or other material)
about 3in. long, fixed on the barrel between the back.
sight and lower band, not too thick, so as to interfere
with its point-blank range; this would enable the
soldier to grasp his rifle firmly, however hot the
barrel, so as to be able to use the bayonet, with all its
renowned deadly effect.
Were I not confident that the material across the
barrel (where the hand grasps it) herein advocated is
of great importance and urgently needed to be applied
at once, I should not have written this letter.
February 27.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

POTATO.

There are larger supplies of
esPos.2;ta.fitotuOkeie7,ss.7l;dlcohaqcumototaplito:ononsi:s7pa are
.er
ss. to 10$. per ton lower. Good potatoes move off steadily.
ttßooepg9s.enst;s,v9tcsto. troja3l,2olBl.oirtoockl3o,
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

SIR F. LYCETT.

A Plymouth correspondent telegraphs
that at a meeting of the Liberals of St Ives,
Cornwall, a letter was read from Sir F.
Lycett unreservedly resigning his candida-
ture for the representation. Two gentlemen
were spoken of as possible Liberal candi-
dates, but no decision was arrived at by the
meeting.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

THE ZULU WAR.

Messrs. Donald Carrie and Co.'s Mail steamer Warwick
Castle arrived in Plymouth Sound at two o'clock on Wednes-
day morning, bringing Cape papers to 11th Inst. The Argus
has a telegram of that date from its Special Correspondent
at Peitermaritzburg, which says :—The military situation to-
day does not essentially differ from that presented a week
ago. According to all that is known here, there has been
no further fighting. Lord Chelmsford's forces have been
strengthened by the arrival of the 88th Regiment from King
William's Town, and a detachment of the Kir g's Own from
Cape Town. Several small bodies of Volunteers from Cape
Colony have also arrived, and others are daily expected. The
central quarter of Maritzbarg has been put in a state of de-
fence. and all possible preparations for the contivgency of
attack ara be ng made by the inhabitants, who could muster
upon an emergency nearly a thousand rifles. An equal
number, with ten guns, few of which possess any practical
value, defend Fort Napier, an intrenched military post
dominating the city at a distance of about a mile. Grey.
town, Helpmakaar, and the border post of Rorke's Drift, all
on the main road to Zululand, are held in force principally
by the 4th and remnants of the unfortunate 24th Regiments.
This column is gradually receiving its new equipment.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

witnesses, who swore that the complainant struck the
defendant several times first. Case dismissed.
.Kr. Henry Day, of Birmingham, will give three
dramatic entertainments in the Victoria Hall and
Rink, during the Easter holidays. The well-known
name of Henry Day, will be a sufficient guarantee
that it will be a good company.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

THE DEATIT OF SHERE ALI.

CIVIL STRIFE:JN AFGHANISTAN.
REPORTED FLIGHT OF YA.KOOB
KHAN.

TASHICEND, Wednesday, 5.40 p.m.

The Ameer, Shere Ali, died on the 21st,
after two days of agony, mitigated as far as
was in his power by the Russian doctor
Javorsky, who was sent for at the last mo-
ment. Then massacres were at once com-
menced by the three rival parties----that of
Yakoob Khan, that of his brother, and that
of his nephew. The former Governor of
Masari Sherif is a prisoner, and his house
was delivered up to pillage. The party of
Yakoob Khan having been victorious ap-
pointed a new 'governor, who at ten o'clock
on the evening of the 22nd went and re-
leased Javorsky, who had been thrown into
prison. The governor, apprehending the
anger of 15,000 infuriated soldiers who had
been let loose, escorted him in person to the
frontier. The doctor, who is the bearer of
letters detailing all the facts addressed to
General Kauffman and the Ambassadors, is
expected to day. The Ambassadors are in
despair, and are greatly disquited about their
families. They return to Afghanistan on
the 7th. It is reported that Yakoob has
abandoned Cabal; and has retired to Herat.

Sr. PETERSBUR9, Thursday.

A telegram from Tashkend states that
after the death of Shere Ali at Ilazari
Sherif, on February 21st, a conflict resulting
in bloodshed occurred between the followers
of various Pretenders to the Afghan Throne,
Yakoob Khan's party being victorious. Dr.
Javorskey, in a letter from Amoo Darin,
mentions that besides Yakoob Khan, who is
said to have fled to Herst, two other pre-
tenders—lbrahim Khan and Ahmed Khan.

GENERAL NEWS.

REPRESENTATION OF BUTESHIRE
It is stated that Lord Walter Campbell,
son of the Duke of Argyll, will contest Bute-
shire in the Liberal interest against Mr.
Dalrymple, the Conservative member.

REPRESENTATIOA OF EAST
SOMERSET,
AIAPr Allitikkv wouuced lii iutelatio4
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08

THE ZULU WAR.

ST. VINCENT (Cape de Verd), Thursday.

Messrs. Donald Currie's steamship
Florence arrived here to-day from LGudon
all well, and after embarking latest Govern-
ment despatches from England, proceeded
for Cape Town, thence to Natal to take up
her station in the transport service.