The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-09-03 00:00:00

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[We deem it right to state that we do not at all times identify
ourselves with our Correspondent's opinions.]

An important question to volunteers all over
the kingdom will have to be settled shortly. It
seems to be finally decided that the annual rifle
competition will not again take place on
Wimbledon-common, the Duke of Cambridge
maintaining his opposition to that site on
account Of the danger occasioned by the firing
to the occupants of his property, and the deprecia-
tion in the value of the property itself which is
thereby caused. Some people have expressed a
fear that to remove the camp from Wimbledon
will seriously. affect the attendance at the
annual meeting, but while there is suffi-
cient spirit among our riflemen to put
up with a considerable amount of incon-
venience rather than that the popular gather-
ing should suffer, it is obvious that a situa-
tion near London would be a great advantage.
There is some reason to hope that this will be
attained. The particulars have not yet tran-
spired, but a capital and easily accessible place,
near Croydon, is stated to be obtainable. If
this should prove to be the case there will be great
satisfaction. If it did not affect the main object
it would seriously militate against the popularity
of the institution if it had to be removed to any
g,reat distance from the metropolis.
The football season has commenced, but the
cricket season has not yet come to a final close,
arid the latter game has been up to this present
attracting the greatest attention. It is satis-
factory .to know that this essentially British
sport has lost none of its interest for the people.
Indeed, in no recent s=ear has so much genuine
excitement in conn on with it been felt in
the metropolis. Th endance on some days at
the Oval has more An equalled that of the
famous occasions when'the Australian teams met
the representatives of the old country. This
undoubtedly was chiefly owing to the circum-
stance that for the first time for a long period the
honour of being the leading county was likely to
fall to one of the clubs connected with the metro-
polis, For many weeks the fate of Surrey was
trembling in the balance, but its saving the game
laat week with Kent, and later Yorkshire's
defeat of Lancashire, practically decided the
premiership of the shires in its favour' before
the return match with Sussex was played. There
can be no champion county this year, for
championship honours can only be taken by an
unbeaten county, but in the proportion of wins to
matches Surrey undoubtedly stands the premier
county. Shrewsbury certainly heads the list
in batting averages, and at present may justly
be claimed as the finest batsman in the world.
The veteran W. G. Grace, however, has shown
some of his old form, and has a magnificent
record for the season.
It might have been thought that by this time
the dynamite scare had died a natural death, but
from recent events it appears that this is not the
case. Apart from the arrest of the unfortunate
and unoffending French lady in the Isle of Wight,
it transpires that a sum of thirty-five thousand
pounds a-year is still being paid in London in con-
nection with extra police precautions. What is
done with this money the public, of course, can-
not know, for it is in the nature of secret service
expenditure; but complaints are being made of
the annoyance which the continuance of the pre-
cautions entails. At the Houses of Parlia-
ment policemen accost one at every tura.
A • few days ago a gentleman of con-
siderable eminence who happened to be
carrying a book done up in paper was stopped
and compelled to undo the parcel in order to
demonstrate that he was not smuggling in an
explosive. The special detectives from Dublin
who were placed on duty at the Law Courts
some years ago retain their positions at the
various doorways, but have absolutely nothing
to do. The explanation of this probably is that
the existence of the men, and the reason for
their special appointment, have been entirely
forgotten by the authorities. A curious instance
of this kind occurred a short time ago. Many
years since a Department Committee of the
War Office was engaged in taking evidence on a
certain question; and it was thought that im-
portance would be given to the proceedings
if a sentry were placed on duty outside the place
.of meeting. In course of time the committee
concluded its labours and presented its report,
but whoever was responsible omitted to cancel
the order for the sentry, so day after day for
many years until quite recently a soldier was
kept pacing up and down until it occurred to
some official to inquire into the reason for his
presence. After some difficulty the origin of the
order was ascertained and the sentry was dis-
continued.
Not all people are disposed to accept the poet's
dictum that "where ignorance is bliss 'tis folly
to be wise," and there are some things on which
it is desirasle to be informed, although
the knowledge may be anything but
pleasant. One of the things is as to
• what Londoners are fed on. There has
been a discomforting suspicion for a long time
that the butcher and the provision dealer were
not' above tricks of trade. Proceedings which
have just been taken in a suburban police-court
have shown that the fears were well founded;
for it transpired that from a certain knacker's
yard horseflesh was sold to sausage-makers at
three-halfpence per pound. The flesh of horses
properly dressed may be a palatable and nutri- '
tious article of diet, but Britons at present
have a sentimental objection to it. as well as the
practical objection of paying for it at the price
at which ordinary meat ought to be retailed.
Celebrations, Jubilee, centennial, and other-
ise, have of late become so numerous that
there. ilti danger of growing tired of thees. But a
proposal has been mooted for a tercentenary
commemoration, which, although local in its
origin, is likely to commend itself to the country
at large. Next year will be the three hundredth
anniversary of the defeat of the Armada, and it
is suggested that Plymouth should celebrate the
oscasion in a manner befitting the important
issues which were decided in those days. The
'Hoe at Plymouth always comes to mind in cen-
nection with the stirring scenes and doughty
deeds oE the Elizabethan period in which
the men of the West Country played such pro-
minent part. But the defeat of the Armada, if
commemorated at all, deserves more than a local
celebration, and as attention has been called to
the matter in the London press it is not impro-
bable that a national character may be given to it.
At all events, the attention which will be given
to the subject may serve to clear up some his- I
tarical doubts.... Admitting the truth of the story
of the famous game of bowls, it will be interest-
. .

ing to ascertain- the exact spot at which it was
• played, for tradition points to the site of the
bowling-green of that period at some distance
from the esplanade from which the Eddystone
light can now be seen. Macaiilay's poem is pro-
bably responsible also for some historical myths.
It is not likely a beacon fire blazed "on Edg-
cumbe's lofty halls," seeing that the halls are not
particularly lofty, and the site is not suitable for
a signal. .
. There is too much reason to fear that we are
to suffer from a severe visitation of fever, for
which probably the prolonged season of hot
weather and the consequent deficiency in the
,watar supply are in a great measure responsible.
Over a thousand patients have already been ad-
mitted to the hospitals, and it is not likely that
those reported represent the total number of
;ases. The isolation of the patients at the
-hospitals will do much to minimise the out-
break and reduce the proportion of fatal
cases. A -disquieting feature in connection
.with the present epidemic is the fact that
with the exception of the north nearly ev3ry
~part of the metropolitan district has been
attacked. From returns which have been
compiled, it appears that outbreaks of this kind
occur at pretty nearly. regular periods, so that
the date of the next visitation can be approxi-
mately fixed. This, applies also to epidemics of
smallpox, one of which is due in a year or two.
London is now provided, at an immense outlay,
with admirable hospitals for the reception of
fever and small-pox patients, but for which it
e•
would be terrible to think of the ravages which
disease would make in the most crowded quarters.
Complaint has been made of the great cost of
maintaining these establishments in working
order when there is no occasion for their.use,
but such outbreaks'as the present demonstrate
the necessity of being prepared to grapple with
themiimmediately, no matter at what expense.
Once more harrowing pictures have been drawn
I' of the condition of the houseless poor of London.
This time Trafalgar-square has- been selected as an
illustration, and it is sad-to hear of the hundreds
of poor wretches who nightly make the square
their sleeping-place. To judge from what hal
been written, it would seem as if the outcast! ol

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the street were more numerous than ever before,
but the fact is, that to people who have been
IF accustomed to London at night the scenes which
4tor have been depicted have been too common to
attract attention. No person who has had
occasion, to go through the parks or to
cross the bridges in the "silent watches"
but has noticed the scores and hundreds
of huddled forms of all ages and both sexes on
seats and in recesses. It is a mistake, therefore,
to think that there is an unusual recrudesenca

of want and misery. As a matter of fact the ... S FATAL YACHTING ACCIDENT AT
weather is the reason for any increase in num=
bers. A very large proportion of those who thus . d•ILFRACOMBE.
A yachting waster occurred at Ilfracombe on
sleep in the open prefer to do so in the fine Friday afternoon of last week, resulting it is feared,
nights of summer to seeking an uncomfortable in a sad loss of life. The yacht Monarch has been
bed in the common lodging-houses. All the in the habit of going on excursions daily in the Bristol
same there are many who, whatever the weather, Channel and on Friday afternoon started as usual
are condemned to go without shelter, and for with over twenty passengers and two boatmen. When
these it is suggested that some rough covering off the Tore the boat was struck by a squall, cap-
to protect them from inclement skies should be rized, and sank immediately. The shrieks and
erected at certain points and be accessible screams of the drowning people were heartrending,
without charge. and no aid was near. In eight or ten minutes,
The dispute between the Belgian and English however, a number of boats arrived at the spot,
fishermen has assumed a very serious phase, and, and many of the people who were struggling in
unless some arrangement can be come to is the water were rescued and brought lto t shore.
likely to lead to graver trouble in the future, for .Thosemeiaipcpalaremnetnly
bduetadouwter-
ouf ismevineendi ''
saote treatedatein
if the spirit of reprisal once gains a hold there is 13
oynly two cases was the treatment successful. At
no knowing where outrage will stop. Apart least 800 persons were assembled on the pier await-
from the display of violence the Belgian fisher- ing their friends, and the distress among them as
men have not been fairly treated, and the real the rescuing boats arrived without their relatives was
ground of their grievance does not appear to be indescribable. Up to nine o'clock on Friday night
understood. While English smacks in Belgian the bodies of the following had been recovered: Mr.
waters can dispose of their fish in the Wareham, J.P., St. John's Wood, London; Miss Ash,
earliest and best markets without delay, 111, Bond-street, London; Samuel Walker, Edincn-
the Ostenders in British ports are hampered ton; James T. Pinker, Tulla-villa, Bath; Mr. Turner,
by a very vexatious restriction. Before they can Lansdown-villa, Bath. The missing were: Charles
dispose of their fish they have to "declare" the Buckingham, boatman; Miss Blyton, 77, Green-
quantities through the Custom House, and as wood-road, hackney,
London
London; Mr. F. Winser'
this department does not open until late in the _u Chamberlain,London;to.n-Trent; ; Mr. Rayner M r
ay and Mr. Cox, London Mr. Lunns;
'
morning, the Belgians are unable to avail them- -ti In
and two others. The survivors include Mr. W. Gnugb,
selves of the first markets. The consequence is Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Baker, London; Mr. Frederick,
that the value of their "takes" is greatly Newport (Mon.); Mr. Barker, London; Mr. Taverner,
diminished. As this appears to be at the root Burton-on-Trent; Mr. Evans, London; and Ruinson,
of the difficulty, it is only fair some steps should boatan, Ilfracombe. Mr. Godfrey, of London, who
be taken to place the smack-owners of both was also among the survivors, says the Monarch
nations on an equality. A. F. R. , left the harbour at five minutes past three, having 21
persons on board. When passing the " Tunnels " the
boatmen attempted to turn the craft in order to pick
up a boathook, and a sudden squall capsized the boat.
The Monarch was licensed last year to carry 35 per-
sons. The first landsman who became acquainted
with the disaster was Thomas Price, jun. He and
William Gregory secured a boat and rowed as quickly
as possible to the spot. They picked up a lady and
four gentlemen, two of whom were lifeless. The Mr.
Pinker who was one of the victims was the junior
partner in a firm at Bristol and Bath of pianoforte
manufacturers, Messrs. Duck, Son, and Pinker.
A. telegram from Ilfracombe on Saturday morning
stated that no further bodies had been recovered from
the yacht Monarch, notwithstanding every exertion
had been made. Shortly after the disaster a strong
current set in to the north-west, and it was conjectured
that the remaining bodies had been carried into the
Atlantic.

The inquest on the bodies recovered from the boat-
ing disaster at Ilfracombe was opened on Saturday
afternoon before Mr. J. F. Bromeham, the district
coroner. Mr. Simonds, solicitor, of Bath, repre-
sented the family of Mr. Turner. Evidence as to
identification having been given, Wm. Rumson, a boat-
man, was called. He deposed that he and Charles
Buckingham had looked after the pleasure boat
Monarch, a boat of about ten tons register, for some
time. During the season she used to run trips, when
the average number of passengers was 23, but on one
occasion she had carried 42 persons, and they came
back safely. He had sailed her for five years. On Frilay
afternoon the yacht left with a party numbering 22
persons, including the crew. The sea was not rough,
but the wind was squally, and everything went well
until they came abreast of the tunnel about half a
mile from land, when a puff of wind from the shore
put the vessel's gunwale under. The boathook then
slipped overboard. The boat was carrying double
reef mainsail and working jib. They saw the squall
coming, but bad no time to shorten sail. Buckingham
then said they would pick up the boathook, and the
yacht was then put about, when a sudden gust of
wind from the westward cAnged the yacht to heel
over and fill. She immedi el' sank, and he found
himself in the water with the passengers around
him. He caught hold of an oar, which kept him
afloat until picked up by the yacht Lorna Doone,
about twenty minutes afterwards. By that time
several boats had arrived and had picked up
some of the persons. He had never met with an
accident before. The Monarch was a very staunch
boat and could safely carry twenty-fivo or more per-
sons. The yacht ca:ried four tons of iron ballast. In
cross-examination witness believed the vessel would
have sunk had there been only five persons abroad.
Thomas F. Godfrey, of Westbourne-villas, London,
one of the passengers, gave similar evidence, and
several other persons having been examined as to the
rescuing of the survivors, the coroner summed up.
He said the disaster appeared to be purely accidental,
and no blame was attached to any one. The jury
unanimously agreed with there remarks and returned
a verdict accordingly. A subscription was started for
the widow and family of Buckingham, the boatman':

A telegram from Ilfracombe on Sunday night stated
that the names of all the passengers on the yacht
Monarch had been ascertained, and no doubt remained
that there were more on the boat than was supposed.
It appears now that there was a total of twenty six on
board. Seventeen were rescued, and of these five died.
The names of the lost are Miss Blyton, Bond-street,
London; Mr. Lunns, age 27, Burton-on-Trent; T. K.
Smith, 22, Buckingham Palace-road, London; IT.
Reyner, Porchester-road, Bayswater, London; F.
Winser, 48, Southport; F. J. Cox, 20, Chard; James
Bards, 26, Ewell, Surrey; Henry Chamberlain, 32
of Nailswortb, Gloucester, and late of Birming-
ham; and Charles Buckingham, boatman. The com-
plete list of those rescued alive is given as follows:
A. S. Johnson, F. W. Goff, Lewisham; A. S. Johnson,
Twickenham; W. Fredericks, Newport, Monmouth-
shire; H. A. Barker, Woolwich; W. Taverner,
Burton-on-Trent; T. J. Godfrey, Westbourne-villas,
Lor.don ; Fred Evans, Westbourne-grove, Bayswater,
London; Lily Hartroll, staying with selatives at It
fracotnbe ; Leonard Knapman, Exeter; E. Keeble,
Guy's Hospital; Rumson, the captain; and Mr. Baker,
London. Friends of most of thelost went to Ilfracotnbc)
and gave descriptions of their relatives, which wit
aid in the identification of the bodies should any Ico
found. Efforts were made on Sunday to discover
the exact locality of the wreck. After grapping for
many hours the yacht was found in about twelve
fathoms of water, and the boats held on to her till a
tug arrived with two divers from the Mumbles on
board. The divers were of opinion that it would be
better to go down at the next ebb in daylight. The
tug and boats remained near the wreck till past eight
o'clock, and their movements were watched by many
hundreds of people from the beach and hills in the
naighbourbood. No other bodies have been found up
to Sunday night. At nine o'clock the tug returned,
and it was ascertained that the divers had not
entered the water, but the yacht was raised by a
grappling iron and a small rope to within a few yards
of the surface, when the rope parted. No clothing
or vestige of the bodies had then been found.

The diving operations were suspended on Tuesday
owing to the inclemency of the weather. No more
bodies have yet been recovered, notwithstanding the
rewards offered. A Board of Trade surveyor visited
Ilfracombe on Tuesday and took the depositions of
the owner of the yacht and others, and will report
the result of his inquiry to the Board. The four
bodies upon which an inquest was held have been
removed to their respective homes, but that of Miss
Ash, of Bond-street, London, was buried at Ilfra-
combe on Wednesday.