The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-03-30 00:00:00


THE STOURBRIDGE 013gERVER.

most unwillingly compelled, having no other mom,— ._
from which to raise the supplies of the year, to propose an
Increase of the income tax. We told the House at that time
that the expenditure which we ioiked for wvs for a tem-
porary purpose. That temporary emergency los, I am happy
to say, passed away. The committee will nattier from the
statement I have made that it is in our power, as it is in our
will—and lam sure it will be in our will too—to undo what
we did last year. (Cheers.) It only remains for me to state
the effect of these changes. In the first place, I think the
course we have taken—l have abstained from offering any
excuse of justification for it previously—ln bringing on the
estioratea during the loot week of the financial year is jus-
tified by the nature of our remissions, because on immense
deal of trouble is always occasioned by changes of the income-
tax to those persons who have to deduct that tax. The In-
come-tax ceases to exist on the sth April, and bonbon,
trustees, and others are placed in considerable difficulty and
uncertainty as to what they ought to deduct. It will be a
great advautage, therefore, if before the dropping of the In-
come-Tax Act we secure a resolution sanctioning the pro-
posals that I have made. (Hear, hear). The resolution I hope
to take V.enight. The report we propose to take on Morello
the 4th April. If the house to pleased to agree to it on that
day it will be in time to obviate the inonvenience I have
mentioned. I have now only to state how the account will
stand with the rectifications which I propose. Of course the
expenditure will remain the same. The customs will he
£00,030,000 ; the Excise, £33 310,000; Stamps, £0,700.6 0
nuce5.411,350.000 ; locums tax, £Ai,940,00J ; Post Office,
£1,074,000; Telegraphs, £550,000 : Crown 1and5,X,371,000 ;
and Miscellaneous, £3,300,00 making altogether £7l 675,000,
Deducting from that amount of expenditure £71,303,000 there
remains a surplus of income over expenditure of £312,000.
(Hear, hear.) I think that, considering the , ircurnstances of
the country at this moment, that will not be thought an
exorbitant sum to retain. The right hon. eolith man thou
moved the resolution relating to the income-tax, in accord-
ance with his proposal.
The customary desultory conversation followed, in the
course ot whidli Mr. White repeated his complaint that
Mr. Lowe habitually under-estimated the Revenue ; Mr.
Sclater.Booth dissented from 31r, we's views as to
the expediency if supplementary Estimates ; Mr Powell
and Mr. Greene complained that the brewers' licences
had not been reduced, and Sir. Pease found fault
null the coothmance of the heavy military expen-
diture. 3lr. W. Fowler, 3lr. Harcourt, and Mr. 31untx,
also complained of the extravagance of the Estimates
• anti the falsification of all the promises of economy; while
Mr. Gordon, 31r. A. Kinimird, and Mr. Read joined in calllng
for some reduction in tho tax on agricultural horses and
-shepherds' dogs, awl Mr. Grieve advocated the idol MIS of the
Sugar Duties to remissi n. Mr. Crawford expressed a gener.il
approval of the Budget, and Mr. Alderman Lawrence re-
peated his objections to the House Tax, which he insisted
ought to be abolished.
Mr. Ward Hunt criticisedj -Mr. Lowe's arguments on Sup-
plementary Votes, and his statements as to the balances,
and reminded bin, that he had omitted to mention whether
he intended to rc-itopose the Tea Duties which expire this
year, and also to explain bow the three millions and a-half
for the ban acks were to be raisrit
Colonel Barttelot conuratulated Mr. Lowe on having pro-
duced a commonplace Budget. Sir T. Sinclair characterized
it an a rich man's Budget. Mr. Maclie, Mr. Bowling, Mr.
Monk, 31r. 31'31ahon, 31r, Scourlield, Mr. (4. lientinck, and
Sir G. Jenkinson also made some observations, arid the
Chancellor et the Exchequer having replied, the necessary
resolutions for amending the Income Tax, Bowie Tax, and
Coffee Dallis, and for continuing the Tea Duties were agreed
to. The report was fixed for Thursday next work.
The House then went Into Committee on the Ballot Bill.
Some little time was spent in going through the remainder
of Clause 1, and on the motion that it be added to the bill
there was a long discussion Mr. Selater.Booth, who had
given notice id his intention to move its omission, postponed
Isis motion until the Report, Mid Mr. Bouverie and others
were of ooinion that a change so novel ought not to be
adopted without more discussion. Two !troth us for adjourn.
meat were defeated--one by 120 to 59, and the other by 117
to 30, and Clause 1 wna then agreed to.
The other orders were disposed of, and the House ad-
)oomed at two o'clock.

poral7
to lay,

In the House of Commons, March 26, Mr. Dixon, on behalf
of tin Candlish, gave notice that on the 23rd April he would
ask leave to introduce a bill to repeal the 25th clause of the
Elementary Education Act (1870).
Lord Elehn gave notice that on the 20th April he would
MOM for a select committee to inquire into and report upon
the manner in which designs and plans are obtained for
public buildings, and to report whether any changes could be
beneficially introduced into the present system.
Mr. Rylands gave notice that in committee on the Royal
Parks and Gardens Bill he would move an amendment to the
etteet, "That nothing in this Act shall authorise the pro-
hibition of the exercise of right which any persons may by
custom or by law be entitled to of holding public meetings
in any of the parks included in the second schedule of the
Act."
The Marquis of Harlington, in answer to Mr. Callan, said
that although Louth and many other Irish counties were in
a satisfactory condition as regarded crime, seizures of rifles
and otlar arms were still occasionally made, it being sup-
posed that they had been introduced into the country for
the use of the Fenian organisation. The Government were
not prepared to remove the proclamation under the Peace
Preservation Act from any of the Irish counties, yet the
subject of a partial removal, with regard to a distinction
being made between rides and other arms, was under con-
sideration.
-- • •• • • • -

munication with him had ceased. By comparing the I
history of Osborne with that detailed by the Earl of
Aberdeen in his letters to his mother, it would be con-
clusively shown that they were those of the same per-
son, although throughout his correspondence he care-
fully abstained from indicating either the name of
the ship to which he belonged or the name he had him-
self maimed.
Lord Chelmsford inquired whether there was any-
thing in connection with his family that would make
, it likely that the young man would have assumed the
' name of Osborne.
Sir It. Palmer replied in the negative. The cones-
pondenct not being continued, the family became
alarmed, and his mother requested a Mr. Alexander,
who bad 'seen chaplain and tutor in the family since
the year 1361, to go to America, in order to follow up
his traces if it were possible to In AO. It was not until
Mr. Alexander bard been in New York for six months
that 'he obtained the clue that enabled him to trace
the history of the unfortunate Earl, and to ascertain
the wanner of his death. He discovered that the young
man had sailed from Boston for Melbourne in a small
shag, called the Hera on che diet of January, WO, and
that the fatal accident by which the Earl's family and
the country were deprived of a very valuable life
occurred on the 27th of that month, when he was
washed overboard by a wave which struck the ship.
This unfortunate fact having been brought to light,
Mr. Alexander columunicated with the captain of
the Hera, and in accordaree with his reouest, the
latter sent him a nuiuber of articles belonging to
Osborne, which would be proved conclusively to have
firrinol a part of the property of the late Earl, and which
would be produced before their Lordships as part of the '
evidence of identity. The identity of the late Earl would
be proved by three classes of evidence. In the first place,
vritneeses would be called who would identify known
photographs of the Earl of Aberdeen as those of George
Osborne, and vice versa; secondly, handwriting known
to be that of George Osborne would be identified as
that of the late Earl, and, thirdly, the history of the
late Earl, as contained in his letters to his mother,
would be nhown to be that of George Osborne. The
lexrried counsel said he should offer as proof on the
latter point the evidence which had been taken in
America by the oommissioners appointed by the
Sheriff.
Lord Chelmsford desired that their Lordships should
have the assistance of the Attorney-General upon the
question whether such evidence could be received.
Mr. Charles Clark informed their Lordships that
the Attorney-General had been compelled to leave
I the House upon public business.
I The Lord Chancellor inquired whether the Attorney--
General had been represented before the commission.
Si: R. Palmer believed not.
The Lord Chancellor remarked that in that case,
~I F
perhap,, a difficul d arise, because in Scotland
proceedings of this ter were entirely ex parte.
Sir IL Palmer h been prepared for their lord-
ships raising any obje 'on to the admission of evidence
of this character, because where proofs could only be
obtained by means ef a commission, it appeared to
him that their lordships would receive the return on
the subject of a legally appointed Commission without
putting the parties to the inconveniences and expense
of a fresh commission. The witnesses were now dis-
persed throughout the world, and it would be im-
possible to get them together again to be examined be-
fore,, fresh commission. The other witnesses who were
now in this country would be examined at their lord-
ships' bar. He now proposed to tender in support of
the claim the evidence taken before the commission,
and other documentary and verbal evidence. The
Dowager Countess was unfortunately unable to attend
on the occasion, but she would give her evidence on a
future day.
On the evidence taken by the commission being
tendered,
Lord Chelmsford informed the Attorney-General
that their Lordships would admit the evidence de Gene
ease, and would give him time to consider his opinion
as to its admissibility.
The evidence was then received. The following is
an extract from the evidence of Frank Pratt, a seaman
on board the Hera at the time of the accident to the
. Earl:—
"One morning, certainly not mere than a week after we
I sailed, the tint mate, Osborne, was lost overboard ; I can't
• tell you the exact day, but it was an, the weather began
' to moderate. 'the sea was still ruining high. It was
i Omit 4 o'elock in the morning. He had just come on
i deck It was the time for changing this watch ; from
12 to 4 was the second mate's watch, from 4 to 8
was ()shortie's. I was in the second mate's watch,
but we had not gone below when the accident hap-
pened. We set about lowering the mainsail. Osborne
was hauling at the down haul of the Mailltali. 1 was within
six or eight rude of him. I heard the cry 'bias over-
board," it Was lat very dark then. lam pretty sure there
was a Mee mean. I knew at once it was Osborne. Ile was
taller than the rest of as, and dressed differently at the
time. Ile had on a long heavy overcoat. I did not see
what threw him (qr. lie could not have been struck by
the gaff because It as only half down. My impression is
that his foi.t must have get inside the Mock of the rope, and
that when the anip gave a heavy 1,11 the rope would get
taut and throw him overboarl. The rope was fast at the
other end, and did sot tall into the sea. All of us
who were on deck at the time did what We could to
help him at once. All but the captain and the steward were
there, some of us threw but ropes I got a plank and
heaved it over the stern. It was heavy, and the second
mute helped me. I heard Osborne call out repeatedly. I
can't tell what he said. Ile was jest calling for help.
The captain was below when the thing happened ; but
he soon came np. The boat was not lowered. It was
a heavy one, and we were not many of a crew, and
before it could have been lowered Osborne had ceased
to are, I think I beard lila last cry. I can't say hew
long ibis would be after he fell overboard. Time passes with-
out your noticing it on these etlealliollll. I was three years
a soldier In the American war, and I have heard many
men give their last cry. and I thought I knew it when I
heard it twin Osborne. After the cry I mean, we did not
bear him again. The ship was moviug but slowly through
the water. I don't think it was the increasing distance
that made us hear no more cries. I think he was drowned.
Of course, if ye u put it Ila a pee-Minty, I suppose it is a pos-
sibility that he may have been picked up, but I don't think
he was. lam morally certain the man was lost. Tha Hera
lay to till daylight, but when daylight came we saw nothing
of Osborne.''
Some further documentary and verbal evidence
having beau given,
The further hearing was adjourned sille die.

- -
THIRD-CLABB MAI/48.—A very desirable In-
novatiou in railway management (the Manchester
Guardian says) is spreading so rapidly that we may
anticipate its soon becoming universaL The Midland
Company was, we believe, the first to proclaim its
adoption of the policy of running third-class carriages
by all trains. The North Staffordshire quickly
followed suit. On and after the let of April all the
trains of the London and North-Western will convey
thinl-class passengers with the exception of the Irish
and Scotch limited mails and the surbarhan trains
running in connection with the North London line.
The Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Company
also announce that on and after April I they will issue
third class tickets over all parts of their line, by all
trains. The introduction of the new system is happily
timed to give the public the advantage of it in Easter
week. Its adoption throughout the country will
confer a boon not easily to be overrated upon the
poorer classes of society. Not wily will their oppor-
tunities of going about be greatly multiplied, but there
will be an end of the practice id compelling them to
choose between travelling at inconvenient hours of the
day and paying the higher fares.
TH E OFFICE OF QUEEN'S ADVOCATE. —The
Lords of the Treasury having determined to adopt the
system of remunerating the Attorney-General and the
Solicitor-General by salary ill lieu of fees (except so far
as regards professional fees for contentious business)
and abolishing " complimentary.briefs and payments
for services not intenued to be given," a further Trea-
sury Minute was made On the 22nd of January. in
which, after referring to the Minute relating to those
functionarks, and observing that no reference was
made in it to the office of Queen's Advocate, which is
analogous in many respects to the offices of Attorney
and Solicitor General, my Lords record their opinion
that whenever a vacancy shall be occasioned by the
retirement of the present holder of that office it will be
desirable that the subject should be consideredin order
to see whether an arrangement similar to that which
has been made in the case of the law officeri ought tb
be effected in regard to the remuneration of the Queen's
Advocate, or whether a Bill should be introduced into
Parliament, or other means taken to abolish or alter
his office."
A PRETTY STATE OF THINGS !—The Sanitary
Inspector of New York has recently made an official
report to the effect that iu that city whole blocks of
dwelling houses have been erected without any regard
to drainage and sewerage. These houses have been put
up by speculative operators under the pressure of
competitive contracts, and the temptation to execute
the work in the most hasty and superficial manner has
led to the employment of unskilled labourers and
imperfect materials. Frauds are daily perpetrated
by builders, plumbers, and other mechanics, who fur-
nish 'shoddy" supplies Thelead pipe is not sufficiently
strong to resist the pressure of the Croton water ; the
leaden and iron traps to waste pipes will not retain
either water or goy, and the stone-ware and cement
drain pipes are composed of such porous and brittle
it aterial that no skill in workmanship can make water-
tight passages or perfect ioints. As the natural con-
sequence of this careless style of building, unhealthy
gases are continually escaping, and, by pervading
dwelling-houses, cause various forms of dangerous
fevers.

THE NONCONFORMISTS AND THE EDUCATION
Acv—The following petition is being extensively
signed by Nonconformist congregations and associa-
tions throughout the country :
" That in the opinion at your petitioners the payment by
School Boards of the fees of children atending denomina-
tional schools constitutes an unwise and unjust application
of public money to schools under private and irresponsible
management, and violates religious liberty by devoting a
tat levied upon the whole community to the support Of the
creeds of differing Churches. That your petitioners therefore
pray your honourable House to pass a bill for the uncondi-
tional repeal of the 25th clause of the Elementary Act (1870),
and the omission of the words from clause 74 providing for
the payment of the whole or any part of the fees of any
child where the parent satisfies the School Board that he is
unable from poverty to pay the same."
SOMETHING NEW AT LAST !—Rather a novel
method of celebrating the advent of leap-year ha & been
adopted at Southville, Kentucky, and one quite un-
pleasant for the victims. This is nothing more nor
less than a public sale of the bachelors and widowers
of that enterprising town by the ladies of that vicinity.
They brought the following prices :—Lawyers (an in-
ferior grade), 5 dole, a head; farmers, from 4 dole. 25
cents. to 5 dols. 50 cents. ; doctors (common stock, and
evidently "drugs in the market"), 5 dole.; widowers,
1,000 dole., bidding spirited; bachelors without any
distinctive professions or trades, 75 cents. to 1 dol. 5
cents, and the bidding Flow. The high price paid for
the widowers seems unaccountable to the bachelors.
It is a pity to hold up no strung an inducement to wish
to be widowers.
THE PowEn OF Love—Mr. Eggleston, in
his Hoosier School master, says :—Love can pipe through
any kind of a reed. Ralph talked love to Hannah
when he spoke of the weather, of the crops, of the
spelling-school. Weather, crops, and spelling-school
—these were what his words would say if reported.
But below all these commonplaces there vibrated
something else. One can make love a great deal better
when one doesn't speak of love. Words are so poor!
Tones and modulations are better. How about a ki.,
Mr. F.? It is an old story that Whitfield could make
an audience weep by his way of pronouncing the
word Mesopotamia. A lover can sound the whole
gamut of his affection in saying "Good morning."
HIGH LIFE IN FIJI.—A grand dress ball was
given by 'the Speaker" and the "Government" of
Fiji on the 3ril of January, at Levuka. About seventy
Fidgity gentlemen were present, and thirty Fidgity
ladies only a very few of whom were able to appear in
fancy cosiume. With the gentlemen, however, the
case was different, and consequently there was a good
variety of costumes from the gentlemen of that period,
in "Fijian evening dress," whatever that may be, to
oddities of all kinds. The Hon. the Speaker, after
sustaining his part in the opening presentation, boldly
took off his coat, and went in for dancing with vigour
in his shirt-sleeves.
A HOMICIDAL STAG.—A correspondent of the
BanfAire Jourria reports Mr. Templetown, game-
keeper of Castle Grant, was attacked by a stag in the
deer park, and would have been killed by it if he had
not been rescued by a neighbouring farmer, who had
been passing at the time, and assisted him till the
screams of some women who hail seen the encounter
had brought additional help. The same stag nearly
killed another man on a former occasion.
SINGULAR AcTIoN AGAINST A NOVELIsT.—A
suit brought by M. Goupil against M. Paul Fjval, the
novelist, has just been de-diled before the Civil Tribunal
of the Seine, after occupying two sittings. The
plaintiff had iniagined that Ids mother was represented
in an odious light by one of the personages in the tale
of "La Rue de Jjrusalerri." The character in question
is a countrywoman named La Goret, residing at La
Ferte- Mace (Orne), immensely rich, as she pays
36,000 f, in taxes, but so miserly that she mutilated her
only son in order that he might be exempt from serving
in the army, and that she should not be at t: ie expellee
of buying him off ; she also allows her husband to die
for want of a doctor; her only weak point is that she
believes in the existence of Louis XVII. M. Goupil's
' mother, a widow, also resides at La Fert6 Macii, and
the coincidence of place, and the exactitude of some of
; the descriptions. has caused the plaintiff to suppose
that his family had been designated. The defendant
; protested that he did not know the G,upils, and had
; no intention whatever of picturing them; he had
, chosen a type, composed of various moral deformities,
, but entirely drawn from imaginations. The Court
gave a verdict for M. Paul Filval. with costs.