The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-07-31 00:00:00

EPITOME- OF NEWS.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

On the 19th inst., despite the excessive heat, the de-
limitation work of the Afghan Boundary Commission
was proceeding uninterruptedly.
The Duchess of Cambridge on Sunday attained the
eighty-ninth anniversary of her birth, and received con-
gratulatory telegrams from the Queen, the Duke of
Edinburgh, and the Duke and Duchess of Connaught.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke of Cam-
bridge, and other members of the Royal family offered
their concratulations in person.
Sir Walter Stirling's residence, Barswood, Groom-
bridge, has been offered to the Comte de Paris, without
limit in point of time, and free of expense. The offer
has been declined owing to the uncertainty of his Royal
Highness's stay in England.
Over the Thames championship course, from
Putney to Mortlake, a sculling match for £2OO took
place on Saturday between George Bubear, of Putney,
and Peter Kemp, of Sydney, New South Wales. The
Englishman won easily by about three lengths.
Mr. A. J. Worboys and Mr. Diemen, two visitors to
Bournemouth, were bathing on Saturday morning
from the beach, nesr a spot called Darley Chine
There being a heavy surf, Mr. Worboys, who was but
an indifferent swimmer, was carried out of his depth
by the current and drowned. The deceased, who with
his wife, was staying at Bournemouth for a short time,
belonged to Cambridge.
No less than 350 Italian fishing vessels are at present
cruising off the Algerian coasts, unable to fish on
account of the rejection by the French Chamber of the
Franco-Italian Navigation Treaty.
M de Lanessap, member of the Chamber of Depu-
ties, who was recently charged by the French Govern-
ment to visit Tunis and report upon the general condi-
tion of the country, states that perfect tranquility nom
prevails in the extreme south, and that he has been
everywhere well received. M. de Lanessen adds that the
inhabitants of the province expressed themselves con-
tented, and testified to an increase in prosperity since
the establishment of the French protectorate.
Mr. Wilson Barrett's great popularity with the pro-
fession has found practical expression in the vast num-
ber of farewell gifts which have flowed in upon him
from various quarters during the past week. With
these souvenirs have been coupled in all cases hearty
good wishes for his success on the American stage.
M Boulanger, Republican, has been elected Senator
for the Department of Meuse by 620 votes against 225
votes obtained by M. Salmon, the Conservative candi.

date.
Intelligence has been received from Algiers that the
great forest fire which has been raging in the neigh-
bourhood of Saida, Algeria, is at length completely ex-
tinguished. The district of Mascara, which was
threatened by the conflagration has escaped, but the
fire has destroyed all the timber over an area of 3000
hectares. _ _ _ _

The Persian Government has prohibited the export
of fruit and wheat to the Transcaspian provinces of
Russia. _ _ _

_
The launch of the new Russian torpedo-cruiser
Lieutenant liiin took place, in presence of the Emperor
and Empress on Sunday. The keels of two new iron.
clads were also laid _

The Spanish Chamber of Deputies on Saturday finally
approved the bill ratifying the commercial treaty
between Spain and England. A Madrid correspondent,
howeer, states that violent opposition to the treaty is
being orgapised in Barcelona.
Mr. David Jones, a Welsh merchant who died re-
cently at Liverpool, has left a bequest of two thousand
pounds to the Welsh Calvanistic Methodist cocnection
for the object of preparing missionaries for work in
India. It is proposed to establish a college in India for
this purpose
Edward Brewie, a stock and share dealer, WWI corn-
mitted for ttrial on Monday at the Guildhall. Police.
court on a charge of having used threats against Mr.
0. 0. Humphreys, of the firm of Humphreys and Sons,
solicitor. The prisoner had been a client of the pro-
secutor. /t was alleged that during the past twelve
months he had written many offensive letters and
postcards.
Several cases under the new Act relating to the main-
tenance of married women who have been deserted by
husbands, came before the Westminster and Worship.
street Police-courts on Monday. The magistrate at the
latter court pointed out defects in the Act, particularly
with regard to the want of definition as to what is de-
sertion in point of time.
A special jury in the Middlesex Sheriffs' Court sat
on Monday to assess the damages in an action brought
by Mr. Cyrus NV. Field against Mr. Gordon Bennett,
for two libels contained in false statements transmitted
from London and published in New York. Mr. Field
gave evidence to the effect that the libels were calcu-
lated to do him immense Injury. In answer to a iuror,
he said he had not yet taken any action in America,
but he intended to do so. The defendant did not
appear, and the jury assessed the damages at five
thousand pounds.
Mr. Kinglake, having been asked to give his opinion
on Mr. Gladstone's Home Rule proposals, has replied
that they would not even establish a momentary set-
tlement, and that they would produce either persecu-
tion or oivil war. _ _

Lord Rosebery has officially informed M. Wadding-
ton that the Australian colonies are opposed to the
arrangements suggested with respect to the New He-
brides, and that her Majesty's Government cannot,
therefore, consent to any departure from the present
understanding_between.Great Britain and France._
. . .

The sale of the Due d'Aumale's hunting stud at Chan-
tilly took place on Monday, and excited much interest.
The twenty five horses sold realised £2425, and the
fifty-three hounds fetched £lB6.
The King of Italy has sent a large sum of money to
the Syndic of Rome, with a request that a Central
Committee may be formed to dietribute relief to the
small towns and villages that have been attacked by
cholera.
A serious riot occurred in Amsterdam on Sunday
night, in consequence of the police having prohibited
a popular but cruel sport. On Monday the disorder
was renewed to such an extent that both infantry and
cavalry had to parade the principal thoroughfares.
Sir John and Lady Macdonald have had a very long
journey by the Canadian Pacific Railway, of which he
was the originator. They were everywhere received
with great rejoicings, and presented with addresses.
An address to the Queen passed at a meeting held
at Sierra Leone to celebrate the opening of direct tele-
aphic communication between Freetown and England
having been sent to Earl Granville, his lordship has
replied conveying the thanks of her Majesty to her
loyal subjects.
The cruise of the Duke and Duchess of Connaught
came to an end on Monday morning, when the yacht
Osborne arrived at Cowes. Their Royal Highnesses on
landing drove to Osborne and were reoeived by the
Queen. They afterwards proceeded to Kent House,
where they are going to reside.
A man named Cook, agent to an East Kent brewery,
committed suicide very deliberately early on Monday
morning at Ramsgate. He first cut his throat, and
then stabbed hiraself through the heart with a large
kn fe.
Notwithstanding unfavourable weather there was a
large attendance at the opening of the great annual
rifle meeting of the army at Aldershot.
At New York it is believed that an amicable setup.
meet of the difficulty existing between the Mexican
and United States Governments may shortly be ex.
pected.
Intelligence has reached New York from Newfound-
land to the effect that the Newfoundland antholitiel
have adopted the fishery restrictions insisted upon by
the Dominion.
A general rainfall has set in throughout the Aus-
tralian Colonies.
After providing £27,247 for the public lighting of the
City of Manchester, the gas committee of the corpora-
tion report a: profit of £4239 for the past twelve
months. In many previous years the committee have
paid £52,000 annually for street improvements, but in
order to do this now they have to draw upon future
profits to the extent of nearly £28,000. The revenue
from bye p:oducts have fallen by £31,881 in three
years.
Charged at Huntingdon with stabbing his sweet-
heart, Alice Cull, with a swordstick, a coach•body
maker named Thomas Saunders, twenty-five, was on

Tuesday committed for trial. The prisoner attacked
the girl while she was out for a walk with a lady fri,nd,
stabbing her in the side and through the arm. She was
unable to attend the court, being in a precarious con-
dition:
Preparations on a large scale are being made at ton-
desberoogh-park for celebrating in the second week of
August the coming of age of the Hon. Francis Denison,
heir to the Londesborongh Peerage.
The heaviest rainfall known in Yorkshire within
recent years has occurred this week, and it is calculated
that considerably over 200 tons of rain per acre has
fallen. Much damage has been done to crops, and
serious destruction caused in orchards and market-
gardens all over the county.
, The Archbishop of York on Tuesday re-opened the
fine old Saxon church at Middleton, which has been
completely restored from plane by Mr. Hodgson Fowler
of Durham.

An amusing assault case engaged the attention of
the Croxton magistrates on Tuesday. The complainant
was George Parker, and the defendant Thomas Price,
both young Cheshire farmers. It seemed that Parker
had been paying his addresses to Price's sister. a comely
widow, but had been ordered by Price to keep away,
However, the latter saw the pair together one evening.
and after castigating his sister he struck Parker &heavy
blow with his fist between the eyes. In cross-exami-
nation Parker said he had been in the habit of visiting
Price's sister late at night. He went early enough, and
then sat on the pump till she found it convenient to
come to him. On one occasion it was midnight when
she made it convenient to come. The magistrates
dismissed the case, remarking that the complainant
bad no right at the defeLdant's farm after being warned
off.
At Folkestone on Tuesday, Jean Burgorr, mas'er
of a French fishing steamer, was charged with fishing
in English waters. He had anchored his vessel at dusk
I within 300 yards of the coast, and laid lines. A fine of
• £lO was imposed.
Mr. Gladstone, acknowledging a memorial of sym-
pathy addressed to him by upwards of 50d Weslevan
ministers, expresses his satisfaction at receiving this
emphatic testimony to the justice of !t cause which he
regards as lifted far above party considerations and as
destined to a certain triumph in the end.
Replying to a correspondent. Mr. Chamberlain ex-
presses doubt as to the advisability of establishing a
new club in connection with the Radical Union,
observing that it would be better to hold their own in
, existing institutions.
Mr. Dillon. speaking at the fortnightly meeting of
the National League on Tuesday, said Ireland was
willing to wait and see what the new Government were i
going to do, but f they entered upon coercion the
i
people would strike n return at the landlords.
Mr. Mundell* took part in a discussion at the
Colonial and Indian Exhibition on Tuesday on railway
extension in the colonies, and maintained that money
might be safely lent to the colonies for enterprises of
,this description.
eongequeuce of certain transfers of jurisdiction
provided for bya recent statute, a fishery department
i will be created n the Board of Trade, with an aseistact
secretary at its head, and a chief inspector and two
other insnectore.

The Liberals of Cheshire have resolved to raise
testimonial to Mrs. Tomkinson wife of Mr. James
Tomkinson, of Willington Hall, Cheshire, and daughter
of Sir George Palmer, Bart., of Wantop Hall, Leicester,
for her exertions on behalf of her husband in his
candidature for the Eddisbury Division of Cheshire,
against Mr. Tollemache, M.P. Every week day for a
month Mrs. Tomlinson addressed one meeting, and
frequently two political gatherings, and aroused re-
markable enthusiasm.
James Donald Wildsmith, 39, was committed to the
assizes for trial. at Wolverhampton. on Monday, on the
charge of stealing a quantity of silver plate, geld
watches, and other jewellery, of the value of £2OOO
the property of the Misses Perry, Wergs Hall, Tetten-
hall. The prisoner had been in the service of the '
Misses Perry as confidential servant and butler several
years. He had since the robbery returned the stolen
property, and begged forgiveness.
An alarming fire took place on Monday n'ght at
Sneinton, a suburb of Nottingham, on the premises of
Mr. David Morton. lace and hosiery bleacher. As
extensive building of three storeys containing a law,
stock of lace and hosiery, as well as much valuable
machinery, was totally destroyed. The damage is esti-
mated at £1.5.000. A. fire took place on the same
premises about two years ago; the damage was very
high.
A sad boating accident occurred on the River
Medway, near Sheerness on Monday. Three lads—sons
of Mr. Goodban, of Sheppey—left Oakham Island in 0
boat for a sail down the river. The boat is believed to
have capsized in a squall, as it was picked up a few
hours later in Sheerness Harbour bottom upwards, and
with the sail set.
Mr. W. J. Sweet, who had been an inspector at the
Swindon Station on the Great Western Railway, for
eleven years, while superintending the departure of the
up.mail train early on Sunday morning, dropped dead
on the platform. An inquest has been held, and a
verdict of "Death from apoplexy" was returned.
The deceased was well known to the travelling public.
A large nunsber of churches are being built in the
diocese of York, and others are under restoration.
The latest church, the restoration of which has been
completed, is the ancient Norman edifice at Dalbv,
Yorkshire. It was reopened on Monday by the Arch
bishop of York. Sedbergh Pariah Church, restored
at a cost of £4.000, has also been reopened for public
worship.
A. deplorable boating accident occurred on Sunday at
Kilcummin, ODlLthe West Coast of Ireland. It is cus-
tomary for a 'attern "to be held at the place on this
particular Sunday in July. Hundreds of visitors as-
sembled there to take part in the sports and festivities
provided. Amongst them was a party of four—sow
fisting of Thomas Williams, Peter Egan, James Deis-
bunty, and Anne M`Loughlin—all of whom were under
the influence of liquor when they went to the boat in
which they were to return home. After getting some
distance from the land the boat became submerged, and
the whole of her occupants were drowned, one wee
who clung to the boat for a little time being too
intoxicated to retain his hold.
_ . _ . _

William Samuelsiwas executed at Shrewsbury on Mon-
day morning for the murder of Wm. Mabbott, a grocer's
assistant at Welshpool, whom he poisoned by placing
a quantity of strychnine in some stout, which ho gave
the deceased to drink. Samuels, who slept badly
dnring the night, and partook of a little breakfast, tied
to be supported while being pinioned, and also on the
drop. He made a full confession, and expressed deep
contrition for haying taken the life of an innocent
man. Berry was the executioner. Death was instan•
taneous.

The midsummer distribution of prizes and certifi-
cates in connection with the College of Preceptors took
place on Saturday. The awards were direributed by
Mr. G. O. T. Bartley, M.P., who said that th institn-
ti n promoted sound learning, and it ad v ced all
education by helping and examining teachers in thjr
work.

_
The half-yearly gathering of the Fire Brigade Asso-
ciation for the Northern Counties of England took
place in Liverpool on Saturday afternoon; The various
brigades in uniform assembled in front of St. George's
Hall, under the consmald of Sir Charles Firth, presi-
dent of the Asseciation, and Captain Sheen. Preceded
by the Liverpool Police Bond, they marched to the
International Exhibition, where Sir David Radcliffe,.
the Mayor received them. The officers of the associa-
tion afterwards dined in the Exhibition buildings. The
number of visitors to the exhibition on Saturday was
close on 28,000, making a total for the week of nearlv
90.000. Altogether 1,650,150 persons hay e visited the
exhibition since it was opened on the 11th May.
A desperate attempt at wife murder took place at
Whitehaven on Saturday. A 3oiner named Murray.
who is supposed to be insane, attacked his wife with
razor. A fearful struggle followed, and the door of
the house was burst open by two men, who were at-
tracted by the cries for help. The woman, who Wee
much injured, was rescued, and the man was arrested.
At Birkenhead Quarter Sessions on Saturday, Robert
M'Kinley, 40, described as a general dealer, formerll
carrying on business at Chester-street, Birkenhead,
was charged under the Debtors' Act, 1869, with
feloniously quitting Er gland within four months before
presentation of a bankruptcy petition against him, and
taking away property to the value of over £2O, which
ought to have been divided amongst his creditors. DI
October last the prisoner obtained a quantity of goods
from Manchester, and having sold a portion, he removed
the remainder to Sligo. Shortly after his petition wee
filed. He was sentenoed to eight months' imprisonment
wirh hard labour.
The 336th anniversary of the French Huguenot
Church in the crypt.of Canterbury Cathedral was cele-
brated on Sunday, and the church, which has recentll
undergone extensive restoration, "inaugurated as
memorial of the late Archbishop Tait, its great de-
fender." At the afternoon service the pulpit wee
occupied by the Rev Edward White, chairman of the
Congregational Union, and in the evening by the 110°',„
and Rev. Canon Fremantle, both sermons being '-
English.
William Jordan, a tobacconist, was committed fur
trial at the Southwark Police-court, London on Sate"
day, on a charge of throwing a corrosive fluid over hie
Ann assistant, who was very severely injured.
The Cunard reamer Bothnia, which arrived at
Queenstown on Saturday morning, reports that when in
mid-ocean, in lat. 44.10 N., long. 45*32 W., the shiP'g
chief baker. Edward Allcook, was observed to go orl
deck and walk to the forward part of the vessel, whence
he disappeared.
An interview has taken place between the rector Of
Llanarmon (North Wales), and the farmers of the
parish. At a meeting of agriculturists it was decided
to ask the rector to return 25 per cent, on the tithes
due. A deputation, consisting of Messrs Lawton and
Jones, accordingly waited upon the rector, and repre-
senrted the purpose of their visit. The clergyman told
, them that he could mike no reduction whatever, and
I that if they required relief from their burdens they
must go to their landlords. The farmers having heard
the explanation of the deputation, unanimously re-
solved that, failing a reduction of 25 per cent., to pay n°
tithes whatever.
M. de Freycinet has written a reply to M. Mar
monier's letter on the subject of Madagascar, assuring
him that the Government would not neglect anything
to safeguard the interests ot the country.
About a hundred cases of dynamite and a quantitY
of powder exploded on board a sloop at Havre on Satur•
day. The shock was severely felt in the port, some per'
tions of the shattered vessul falling a long distance
from the scene of the explosion. The town musetial
was much damaged, many windows being broken, and
the vessels in port sustained injuries.
Mr. William Morris the poet, John Williams, and
Samuel Mainwaring were charged at the Blarylebone
Police-court on Saturday, on the prosecution of the
Treasury, with obstructing Bell-street, Edgware-road,
by addressing meetings there. The two latter vrere
committed to take their trial at the Middlesex Sessions
for the common-law offence of creating a nuisance b 3
obstructing the thoroughfare. Mr. Morris was fined
shilling, as it was his first offence.