The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-01-20 00:00:00

EPITOME OF NEWS.-
:

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Post-office savings banks on the Bfigflab model have
been opened in all parts lat.-Austria: The number of
deposits accepted in Vienna and the provincial towns
is reported to be remarkable. The first depositor in
the chief office in Vienna was the Emperor.
It appears from Mrißeauclerk's report on the
Italian railways, that -no fewer than 29 cases of rail-
way trains catching fire while running occurred in
Italy in the twelve months embraced in the last
return.

_1
Sir Stafford Northcote's health is quit? reooveked, I
and the right hon. gentleman hopes to be in London
by the 7th of February.

Out of the- 1,642 candidates who presented them-
selves for the Bombay Matriculation Examination at
the several Centres, 571 have been declared successful,
including seven young ladies.

One of ttie tishers at the lying in -state of M. Gam-
betta very nearlylost his life from an extraordinary
ca.t.w3 (says the Ganknors' Magazine). He had to
stand beside.the bier, and so numerous were the flowers
heaped upon the coin that the unfortunate man was
aspbyaiated by the overpowering aroma of the bloom.',
and-was only with difficulty brought round.
On Sunday two cottages collapsed at Ballington,
near Macclesfield. They were situated near to a dibu,ed
-ooalpit, but fortunately there were sufficient indica-
tions observable berorehand of the impending disaster
to enable the oecupants to escape to a place of safety.
It was at first supposed in the village that an earth-
quake had occurred, and great excitement prevailed.
The Melbourne Argus says that the Australian
Frozen Meat Company's works at Williamstown are
approaching completion. A large consignment of
frozen meat will shortly be forwarded to London.
Telegrams from Moscow report that persons frozen
to death are found in the streets daily, and that at
Kharkoif four cases of death caused by the severe cold
have occurred.
Tweddl-e- Hall, Albany, Ntivicirotic; Was burnt on
Tnesday, the loss occasioned amounting to 500,000
dohs.

The death is announced of Lieutenant Graham Pine
of the Gordon Higbhinders. The deceased took part 1
in the assault on Tl•tsl-Kebir, and was badly wounded
whilst gallantly leading bis men to the charge. As
soon as safe he weir removed to Malta, where he has
lain in hospital untillis death. Lieutenant Pine was
only twenty-seven years of age. He was decorated by
the Khedive for his gallantry.
A contest for the election of boys to fill two
vacancies in Christ's Hospital, London, (the "Blue
Coat School.") took place on Monday at the Municipal
buildings, Newbury, which is one of the few parishes
which enjoy the right of presenting children to the
school. This is under the will of Mr, John West, a
celebrated clothier, who had a manufactory there.
There were six candidates for the two-vacancie., all
claiming consanguinity to Mr. West. The boys elected
are named Lancaster and Herbert.
In France a committee has been formed at Chalons
sur-Marne with a view to the raising of a subscription
for the erection of a statue to General Chanzy in one
of tho squares of the town. All the general officers
who attended the funeral have contributed 100 francs.,
each by way of a 'beginning. -
Madame Christine Nilsson is 'enjoying a triumph at
New Orleans, ben* in Verfeht jisalth and voice. She
has thus far given 24 concerts in America, the gross
receipts at which have been 119,982 dols.—Madame
Patti made her farewell appearance at Philadelphia
on Friday, the 12th, singing the part of, Lieda before
an enormous audience, 'and eicitt4g boundleps enthu-
siasm. The receipts at the doors exceeded 11,000 dole.
—Mrs. Langtry concluded her two weeks' engagement
at Chicago on Saturday, the 13th. Her fourteen re-
presentations have produced 25,000 dole. She has now
given 73 American performances, the gross receipts
for which were 149,000 doh.

Government has sanctioned a grant of 100 acres of
land to the son of Jiwand Singh, the native officer of
the Guides Corps, who behaved with so much gallantry
at Cabul when Sir L. Cavagnari was killed.

A New York telegram says that the visible supply
of wheat on Jan. 12 was 21,300,000 bushels, as against
21,000,060 bushels the previous week. Visible supply
of Indian corn, 9,200,000 bushels, as against 9,100,000
bushels the previous week. The export clearances of
wheat for Europe during last week amounted to
1,410,000 bushels; the export clearances of Indian
corn for Europe during last week amounted to
1,100,000 bushels.
When the London express, which arrived at Birken-
head at 9.40, was passing Bebington, on Saturday
night, the report of a pistol in the train was heard,
and on tha arrival of the train the dead body of a man
was found in one of the carriages, the lower part of
the face being blown off and quite unrecognizable.
The body was removed to Birkenhead deadhouse to
await an inquest. The deceased, who was about 35
years of age, was respectably dressed.- -An Inquest
was held on Monday. There wo.o no Identification,
and the jury retur=l a verdict of " Committed
suicide, but that there was no evidence to show his
mental conditian." It is believed the man, got into the
train at Chester.

A Latin monthly magazine has been brought out at
a training college in Potsdam, New York, in order to
give more life and rest to the study of the dead
languages. Thic Ephemeris Latina, the New York
Cre tells us, has organised a correspondence on Latin
subjects amongst the Colleges and High Schools of the
United States which the editor calls Cafena Lafin;.,
the members being annuli or link, of the Latin chain.
The magazine appears to be a capital little publication,
full of useful aids for both teachers and scholars.
Sir F. Herschell. ALP., the Solicitor-General, pre
sided the other night at the annual dinner of the North
of England Commercial Travellers' Association, at
Newcastle, and in responding for the Houses of Par.
liament he remarked that everything we could say of
the Commons might be supplemented by saying the
reverse of the Lords. For instance, it cost a good
deal to get into the,Lower House and nothing to enter
into the Upper Then the Lords adjourned early and
the Commons late. In the Lords they tvilkeetlite
and in the Commons they talked pc,ch. Some people
said the Commons went too fast; nobody could say
that of the Rouse of Lords.

The Plamers' House, one of the largest hotels in at,
Louis, Missouri, caught fire shortly before five obloilk
on bunday morning, and burnt so rapidly that four
lives were lost. The other gueats and the onpioya
eseaped 14 their night-clotheA, amid great confusion.
The ;ntense eold impeded the firemen's work. The
hotel is partly destroyed, and the loss amounts to
30,000 dols.—A N‘m York telegram says thht We fire
at the above hotel would not have resulted in the loss
of any lives probably bad not horrible recollections of
the Milwaukee calamity caused a panic. The hotc!
pr( per is not injured a particle, and tha.gnests
rushed into the streets in their n4.414' 'clothes ',cal
not have been dist:444' Tim fire was in the rear
extension Used foF tOe kitgion 4;pd @ervants' quarter.

While attempting to save his pig from being
drowned in the Don on Saturday, a Sheffield antler
got into deep water and was drowned. The pig swam
to the side and managed to get out.
Arabi Pala and his party are now (a Times tele-
gram says) be•tled quietly in the residence provided
for them at Colombo, and are Ailed to be learning
English.

The oldeA soldier in the world is dead again. He
was nearly one hundred p-are old next to the last
time he died, but we are unable to Rrty bow old he was
at his zubs,quent death.

The Punjab Government has recently sanctioned an
expenditure of 3S,ooors. for the c..-,nserviiticu ci ancient
monuments in the PunjAb.

About 2,01-10 voluLnee el...ticq to the history of
Canada have been purchased in New York for addition
to the Canadian Parliamentary Library.

The annual rat.:; of mortality last week in 28 great
towns of England and Wales averaged 224 per 1,000 of
their aggregate population, which is estimated at
8,620,975 persons in the middle of this year.
"I really was puzzled what to do for the best," said
our own Mrs. I{3mabotharn. "I was quite on the
corps of a duenna ' as the saying is.' —Punch.
Mrs. Ivor James, the favourite niece of John
lieble, the author of the "Christian Year," and to
whom the poet bequeathed his manuscripts, died on
Tuesday at Bishopston Gower, near Swansea.
The new Salvation Army " Barracks " were opened
on Sunday and Monday at Salisbury, by " Com-
mander " Sherwood, " Major " Day, and others, Mrs.
Onslow, wife of Mr. D. Onslow, M.P., taking part in
the services. "Blood and Fire" is carved in stone in
front of the building, which was formerly a Wesleyan
schoolroom.

On Monday night Mr. Michael Davitt had a most
enthusiatic reception at Haslingden, where he was
brought up from a child. He was presented with an
illuminated address, and his visit arousea great
interest, a crowded audience assembling-in the largest
hall in the town to hear him lecture.

The Crown Prince of Germany is said to be "the
most decorated" of all the Germans. He is the
holder of no fewer than sixty-six different Orders,
home and foreign. After him follows Prince Bis-
marck, with forty:five, and then Conn! Moltke, with
forty-four. '
The new Parcels Post will come into operation in
June. The delay is attributable to the complexity as
well as novelty of the arrangements necessary to the
3atisfactory working of the scheme.

Last week's receipts of cotton at all United States
ports were 172,000 bales; since Ist September, 1882,
3,830,000 bales. Week's export to Great Britain,
111,000 hales; week's exports to the Continent, 54,000
bales. 'lotal since Ist September. 1882, 2,425,000
bales. Stock at all ports, 937,01)0 bales. •

The brig Goldfinder, from San Domingo bound for
Boston, has been towed into DelawaTe Breakwater,
with four men on board frozen to death, the capt%in
frost bitten, and only one man fit for duty. She
was picked up while drifting at sea, and covered with
ice.

The Prince of Wales presided on Monday at a
meeting held to arrange for a memorial to the late
Archbishop of Canterbury. It was resolved to erect
a monument in Canterbury Cathedral, to place
memorials in Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's
Cathedral, and to complete the restoration of Lambeth
Palace Chapel. A public meeting is to be held at the
Mansion H,use, over which the Duke Of Albany,
will preside, in furtherance of the movement.
Dr. Sohliemann has received permission from thT
Hellenic Government to make excavations on the
north-west of Athens, near the old Academy, where
thoee who fell in war were buried, and where the
grave of Pericles is supposed to be. After ex,haustinz
this region, the learned doctor intends to transfer his
labours to the island of Qtete.

Three ship's bpoys, all similar in appearance and
marked "Carl, Stavenger," have been picked up at
different places on the sea coast of the Shetland
Islands. They are believed to have belonged to some
vessel lost near these northern isles.
" It seems to be an inexorable law of modern
political life that tae demands made on public men
should be for ever increasing. Their administrative
duties may be heavy, and the long sessions of Parlia-
ment may impose a severe strain on their endurance,
but now-a-days the recess seems to bring only a
change of occupation and to afford no appreciable
relief. Christmas is but just over, and the leading
members of the party in power are once again at their
work."—Leader in The Times,

Monday was the anniversary of the opening of the
British Museum, which took place in 1759.

Great sensation was caused in Paris on Sunday even-
ing by one of the papers appearing with the announce-
ment in large type that the Emperor of Germany had
died suddenly. Another paper also contained the
same alarming intelligence.

The Guardian publishes the following lines, "On
Bishop Bensons's Elevation" 'to the See of Canter-
bury. They are signed Charles Wordsworth, Bishop
of St. Andrew's :
As Abram's name to Abraham,
In earnest of undying fame,
Was changed by voice from Heaven,
SO, raised to the Primatial Throne,
May Benson turned to Benison,
Proclaim henceforth in richest boon
Blessing received and given.
e contents of a wall letter-box in the ikttirn-rosd,
Erdinpt9n, near Birmingham, narrowly sscawd
destruction oh Saturday morning. Upon opening the
box at 7.30 am, for clearing, the postman was sur-
prised by a smell of smoke and gunpowder. Six letters
were found to be burned and many scorched, while a
paper fuse was found which had been filled with gun-
powder and put into the box lighted.

The Daily News learns that large numbers of
labourers in the west of Ireland have expressed a
desire to emigrate to Queensland, and it is said that
steps will be taken to ascertain the views of the
Colonial Government on the subject.
The Archbishop Designate of Canterbury, in reply
to a resolution passed at the Conference of the Cam.
bridge Temperance electors, writes :—" He will gladly
and anxiously use any opportunities which the new
position to which God has called him in the Church
may give him to promote by legislation and other
means the cause of temperance in this country.
Some *American tradesmen lave started a shop in
which all the goods sold are of tile uniform price of 99
cents. The list of articles comprises lamps, travelling
bags, tables, umbrellas, croquet sets, shirts, knives
and forks, meerschaum pipes, cases of stuffed birds,
concertinas, plated jewellery, rocking chairs, toys,
revolvers. "pieces of statuary," teapots, shoes, shawls,
'and a wide variety of other goods.

Keel Gardens were visited last year by 836,676
persons, of whom 411,572 people came on Sundays.
.June was the favourite month with visitors, and the
large-t number of persons admitted in one day was on
June 6-50,688 people—while Jan. 18 claims the
smallest number, only two.

On Sunday afternoon an accident on the London
and South-Western line was witnessed by a number of
per-one near Clapham Junction. It appears that a
passenger train came along, and before William
Warner, aged 28, one of the officials, was aware of its
approach he was knocked down and carried some con-
siderable istance, The wounded man was imme-
diately after removed to the station, when it was found
that both legs were tcrribly crushed. He was taken
to London and was afterwards conveyed in an ambu-
lance to St. Thomas's Hospital, where it was found he
had sustained a comminuted fracture of tibia and fibula
(right) and comminuted fracture of the left leg. The
latter limb was amputated shortly after his admission.
In noticing the recent disaster by Bre at an hotel at
Milwaukee, a Correspondent of The Times says that
the general public may not be aware that in many
American hotels there is an effectual means of escape
provided in case of similar disasters. On every land-
ing there is a notice fixed up 'which points out to the
visitor the direction of the fire-escape. This escape
consists of a staircase built absolutely outside the
exterior wall of the hotel, and to this staircase there is
access from each landing. These escapes are generally
covered by a zinc roofin,, and are used by the servants
of the hot,ls.

A telegram from Berlin says that another boat acci-
dent has taken place at Herxheim, near Uppenheim,
a little above Mainz, by which six more fives have
been lot. In this case the accident was caused by the
incautiousness of some travellers, who were simply
gratifying their curiosity by inspecting the effects of
the inundations. Their boat was driven by the stream
against a projecting obstacle, and such was the force
of the collision that the little craft was dashed to pieces.
No one was saved, and even the names of the unfortu-
nate Dien are not known.

The annual Dog Show of the Kennel Club opened
on Tuesday at the Crystal Palace, and was largely
attended. There were more than 1,300 exhibits,
amoug. which were very fine examples of the best
breeds of the canine race.

The Northumberland miners have, it is said, by '
formal vote, taken from colhery to colliery through
the county, decided ..to send delegates to the national
demonstration to be held in London on February 15,
in favour of hfc, Bradlaugh's claims. The London
Trades Council lave alio called upon the affiliated
trades to support the demonstration. The National
Reform Union, Manchester, is urging the whole of its
branches to send delegates. Glasgow, 'Edinburgh,
Plymouth, Livernaal, Portsmouth, and Bristol have
also appoin,43 delegates. The London Radical Clubs
havc decided to hold a nUmber of meetings dnring the
next fortnight, at all of which Mr. Bradlaugh has
promised to speak.

Tuesday was the anniversary of the Battle of
Cortmna, which was fought on Jannary 16, 1809,
during the Peninsular campaigt.. The usual cuetom
of decking the colours with laurel was observed by the
battalions of the Grenadier Guardß, which took part
in the memorable engagement. The Pubaltern doing
duty with the detachment of the 2od Battalion,
which mounted the " Q-4et-n's Guard" in London,
carried the lanrel•decked colours from Chelsea
Barrack 3 the guardroom at St. James's Palaco.
Tie sand of the regiment played a selection ni rrmsiu
in the courtyard of the Palace during the oerent,:ny of
changing the guard.

Admiral John Hallowes died at Milton-house, near
Portsmouth, on the 11th inst., at the age of 91, death
being occasioned partly hy Et fall. .The deceased officer'
entered the service in July, 1803, as first-class volun•
teer on board the Ranger: When his ship was captund
two years later by the Rochefort squadron he was sent
a prisoner to Verdun, where he Was detained for nearly
ha ch
six yews. On his release in 1810 he joined the Hader,
36, stationed in the Baltic, and was eubsequeutry in •
vested with the command of a gunboat,whi he
took part in an attack, op the 30th of November, 1813,
upon ths batteries defending Cuxhaven. He wai
nansle a lieutenant in 1814, and in the same year wa,t
Kesent nt the surrender of Gltickstadt, receiving a
medal and honourable mention in despatches. He was
posted in 1842, and became a flag officer in 1862, and
tall admiral in 1875

The demolition of • the Tuileries has at lawt been
began, and In pulling down s massive block of masonry
th,o remains have been found of the old columns erected
by the original architect, Philibert pelorme,
The latest development of " woman's right." is
reported from New Brunswick. At the funeral of a
woman the other day in St. John's, the pall-bearers
were six women wearing black dresses and white
veils and gloves. They carried the "coffin from the
house to the hearse, into and out of the church, and
lowered it into the grave.
In America the relief fund for sufferers by the inun•
dations in Germany has now reached 55,000 doh,. The
German Consul-General's Fund at New York amounts
to 2,300 dcis.

It is reported from Vienna that tL Crown Prince
Rudolf has abandoned his projected journey to the
East, and has resolved to devote a portion of the
money which his travels would wet jto relieving the
distress occasioned by the floods.
The duration of registered bright sunshine last week
at Greenwich Observatory was 9.4 hours (against 125
hours at Glynde Place, Lewes), the sun being above
the horizon during 561 hours; the recorded duration
of sunshine was, therefore, equal to 17 per cent, of its
possible duration.
An International Electric Exhibition is to be field in
Vienna this year. It will open on the let of August, and
be closed on the 31st of October. The rotunda and other
buildings erected for the Universal Exhibition of
1873 will be devoted to the purposes of the exhibition.

The Chinese Government is confining its purchase
of war material solely to Germany, and has
_given
large orders for the manufacture of torpedoes at Kiel,

Henry Neve, a London and North-Western Railway
passenger guard, living in Liverpool, was injured at
istantwich Station on Saturday while engaged in un-
coupling a horse•box from a train. He was conveyed
to the Company's hospital at Crewe, where he died
the same evening. Deceased had been married only
two months.

On Monday the Duke of Tack distributed the War
Medals to the Post Office Corps engaged in Egypt.
Colonel Du Plat Taylor, in the course of his remarks,
said he had received permission from the Secretary for
War, to organise two companies of Field Telegraphists
for service with the Regular Army if necessary. ,
It is stated that 4,934,0001 b. of Indian tea are afloat
on the ocean at present, coming from Calcutta to
London in 11 vessels, of which ten are steam vessels,
compared with a total afloat at this time last year of
5,205,0401 b.
•
In the financial year 1881-82, the consumption of --
water in the city of Berlin amounted to 4,819,655,555
gallons. The largest consumption took place on June r
23, being 17,402,250 gallons, or about 18 75 gallons per
inhabitant. The smalle4 consumption occurred on
April 18, being 9,980,275 gallons, or close on 11
gallons per head of the population. Within the
twelve months the oonsumption per head of the
population and per day rose from 5628 to 56 47 imp.
quarts. .
A project is on foot in Northampton among the
shoe 'operatives which, strange as it may appear, is
deserving of every encouragement. They are raising
a subscription for erecting a church to their patron
saint, St. Crispin.
Very severe weather is reported from various parts
of the United States. and there have been a number
of deaths from cold and exposure. Several people
have been lost in the snow, which is so deep in Dakota,
Minnesota, lowa, and the northern districts of Wis-
consin, that travelling is greatly dela-yed.
Considerable excitement was occasioned on Tuesday
night in the house of Messrs. Howell, of St. Paul's.
churchyard, London, by the death of one of the
managers, who, as he was going down the stairs from
the tea-room, fell suddenly forward, and on being
picked up was found to be dead. •
A telegram from Kirkwall says' that the body of
Margaret Holland was found on Sataiday morning in
a park below Cleat. She seemed to have mined her
way, and had gone a considerable( distance Out of her
road. UOV/ the poor creature hid managed to get
over all the ditches and fences will never be known.
She was lying on her back with her hands spread out.
It was Thursday night when she was first missed. On
Friday morning screams were heard from the farm of
Cleat, but those who heard them state that they
thought it was the shepherd :of the neighbouring
farm calling his sheep. The cad occurrence has cast
a gloom over the town.

.1

is.

It is stated that the colours of the 71st Highlanders,
captured at Buenos Ayres in the year 1806. have just
been returned to the commanding officer. They were •
brought to England in accordance with the dying wish
of their former possessor, an influential resident in
Buenos Ayres, who had kept them in the hope of - -
personally presenting them to some n_imaer or the
Royal Family.

John Huntley Tilton, second engineer of the steam-
ship Menelaus, of the -Holt line, fell .;:s.mong the
machinery at Birkenhead on SaturdayVand,•was
-cruithed to death.
'Tuesday night's London Gazette states that the
Queen. has been graciously pleased to confer the
Albert Medal of the second class upon Mt. Henry
;Kemp, Superintendent of Police in the Worcester-
shire Constabulary, for conspicuous gallantry dia.
played at a fire which occurred at Halesowen in
January, 1:':l.
The Court of Chancery has approved of the final
scheme of the Harris Trustees for the building, endow-
ment, and furnishing of a free library and niuseum
for Preston. The sums allowed are £75,000 the
building; £l6 for endowment; and f,15,000 for books,
furniture, &".
'rne King of Italy, it is said, intends to promote
the Duke of Genoa to the rank of Vice-Admiral on
the occasion of his marriage with the Princess Isabella
of Bavaria, which is expected to take place on the
20th of April next, and at the same time to place him
in command of the Maritime Department at Naples.
'Mrs. Fawcett has written a letter to the Exeter
Liberal Association acknowledging the receipt of their
congratulations on the progress of the Postmaster-
General towards recovery. The letter, which is written
from Aldeburgh, says :—" You will, I am sure, be
rejoiced, to hear that my husband bore the journey
here very well, and that we have every reason to think
the change will do him a great deal of good. He is
progressing most satisfactorily in every way."

• ,

I A serious fire occurred at the Presbyterian CherOb,
Hanley, early on Sunday morning. The fire-lurks
discovered about one o'clock, whea Chief•Constaible -
Windle and a large s.taff of officers, who Rot as a fire
brigade, proceeded to the building and found a grenit
portion of the interior in flames. They nlayed upon
the conflagration for nearly two hours before it could
be got under, by which time the pul[ it and seats in
its vicinity were completely demolished. The prompti-
tude of the police alone saved the building from total
destruoti,n. Overheating of a flue caused the fire.
A gardener named Edward Pratt has just been
buried in the parish churchyard of Leighton Buzzard
at the age of 83. He was carried to the grave by
eight grandsons, and among the followers were an
'elder brother, aged 86, and two sisters, aged 78 and 74.
Tne sons and danghters of deceased, with their hus-
bands and wives, number 21, and there are 86 grand-
children and 65 great-grandchildren. Less than ten
years ago the mother of Pratt was interred in the same
place.

Mr. Waddy, M.P., presided at a great temperance
meeting in Edinburgh on Monday evening. He denied
that-in seeking local option they warred against or
did ,V.ioknee to principles of political economy. The
mtesOon was simply whether the people ought to have
the power to deal with the liquor traffic. The prin-
ciple ot local option, he contended, was based on
justice. Sir Wilfrid Lawson and other members of
Parliament also addressed the meeting. Owing to
the crowded attendance an overflow meeting was also
held.

In London last week 2 808 births and I,s647'deathe
were registered. Allowing for increike of population,
the births exceeded by 22, whereas the deaths were
213 below the average numbers in the corresponding
weeks of the last ten years. The annual rate of
mortality from all causes, which had been equal to
271, 23'01tnd 205 per 1,000 in the three precedimg
weeks, was 207 last week. The deaths included seven -
from small-pox, 46 from measles, 31. froni scarlet fever, '
14 from diphtheria, `. 9 from whooping-cough, tw.elve
from enteric fever, three from 111-defined forms of con-
tinued fever, twelve from diarrhcea and dysentery,
and not one either from typhus or from simple cholera,
thus 154 deaths were referred to these diseases, being -
89 below the corrected average number in the corre-
sponding weeks of the last ten years.