biglam/hmd_newspapers huggingface dataset:
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-09-10

THE DEPRESSION IN AGRICULTURE.

At the meeting of the British Association at York,
Mr. H. F. Moore read a paper on the effects and
lessons of the depression in agriculture which had re-
sulted from want of sunshine and American competi-
tion. He was firmly of opinion that with fair yields,
even in face of this competition, English farming
could be made to pay, but the land would not in the
future bear such heavy charges as it had done in the
past, and the agricultural community would have a
right to ask that local burdens should be more evenly
distributed, and trade made to pay a more equal
share. Besides this, rents would have to be less,
the labour bill would have to be kept at its lowest limit
and all labour-saving machinery must be encouraged.
Crops that would not bear carriage for a long dis-
tance, and that required to be sold fresh would have
to be encouraged as much AS possible, and the farmer
must be a man able to use all the appliances that this
age of wonderful activity and life could give him. The
depression had taught us all this, but it was from a
spread of the knowledge of the art of agriculture and
of its applied sciences that the greatest of all good
would come.
In the discussion which followed stress was laid
upon the importance of security for outlay and other
advantages for tenants, while the necessity of better
climatic conditions was insisted upon.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-09-10

r.lB/1E NEW LAW OF LIBEL.

Newspaper proprietors and the public generally
have reason to be grateful to Mr. Hutchinson, the
Member for Halifax' for having more than once
brought in, and at last successfully carried, so bene-
ficial a measure as the Newspaper (Law of Libel)
Act. _ _

Henceforth a newspaper report of the proceedings at
any public meeting convened for a lawful purpose will
be deemed privileged if it is fair, published without
Malice, and for the public benefit; provided always
that no refusal to insert a reasonable explanation or
contradiction has been made.
No criminal action can be commenced without the
fiat of the Public Prosecutor in England, or of the
Attorney-General for Ireland in Ireland ; and the
magistrates in Courts of Summary Jurisdiction are
not only empowered to receive evidence as to the
alleged libel being true, as to the report being fair and
published without malice and for the public benefit,
and generally as to any evidence for the defence which
might be laid before a jury, so that they may dismiss
the case if they think it likely that a jury would
acquit; but they are also empowered to deal sum-
marily with trivial cases, if the defendant does not
object, in which even a fine not exceeding 40 may be
imposed.
Finally the Act provides that the Board of Trade
may allow the registration of one or more representa-
tive proprietors instead of all the proprietors of a news-
paper.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-09-10

gout atth gistrict

PRESENTATION TO MR. NOBLE.

Mr. Noble, late stationmaster at Sturbridge
Junction Station, having been promoted to Didcot,
was entertained to supper by some friends and rail-
way officials on Saturd,y evening last, at Mr. C.
Hainbrey's, the Station Inn, the occasion being to
preseht him with a substantial testimonial as a
mark of respect. Mr. Noble was stationed here
about live years and by his courteous conduct gained
the respect not only 02 those under him but those
passengers who appreciated him for the obliging
manner in which he discharged his duties. Some
fri-nd4 met together and subscriptions were raised
and a handsome gold watch and chain, valued 20
ku:iwa,,, was purchased. At the supper the chair
wa3 ~cupid by Ur Kinsey, an-i the vice-chair by
!r. Pri.chard The proposed ‘• The
Queen," whi.ch was heartity responded to. S)ng,
Mr Pr,tehard. The chairman next proposed "T
Prince and Princess of Wales, and the rest of the
R)yal Family." In doing so he said they must
look up-n the Prince of Wales as their future king,
but they were living in a very happy time under the
t.;ign of our beloved Queen, and 11:, hoped the day
w WI be far distant before it arrived for the PrAo!
to be King. Song, Mr. Haines. The chairman
said it give him great pleasure to propose the toast
of the evening, "rho health, happiness, sod
prosperity of Mr. Noble." He believed that Mr.
Noble had been atationmalter at Stourbridge
Station for about five years). During that time he
had held the position to the satisfaction of his etLe
PI". 414 t 9 thoS Uniet Jaokarle, 130 wita
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-09-10

IMMIGRATION TO NEW YORK.

The total immigration to New York for August is
33,738, against 25,321 in August last year. The total
this year since Jan. 1 is 309,121, against 227,988 for
the same period last year. Of the August arrivals,
over 5,000 were English, 1,000 Scotch, 2,700 Irish,
14,000 Germans, 1,000 Austrians, 2,000 Swedes' 1,000
Norwegians. There were 450 French, 600 Italians,
and 713 Swiss.

About three-fourths of the August arrivals were
farmers, and all went west and south to the farming
lands. The Commissioners of Immigration now esti-
mate the total for the year at 425,000.

MORMON EMIGRATION from ENGLAND.

The Union mail steamer Wyoming which left the
Mersey on Saturday for New York, took out among
her passengers a number of Mormons, who are on
their way to Salt Lake City. This is the fourth
party which has left Liverpool during the present
summer. It consisted of five hundred and fifty
persons, a large proportion of whom comprised whole
families. They hail from England, Scotland, Wales,
Switzerland and Germany, the two-last nal-flea
countries contributing over two hundred persons.
There were several elders with the party, returning
after a short visit to the members of the community
on this side of the Atlantic.

Including the party on Saturday, over two thousand
Mormons have left Liverpool this summer, and it is
intended to send out anothor contingent before the
season closes.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-09-10

BRIERLEY HILL LOCAL BOARD.

A monthly meeting of the above Board was held
on Monday, at the Town Hall.
Mx. Mark Rollinson presided.
The Finance Committee reported a balance in
the hands of the treasurer amounting to £503.
The report of the Sanitary and General Purposes
Committee stated, with reference to the paving of
the streets, now proceeding, that a question had
arisen regarding the ownership of the Rowley Rag
stone, limestone, brick, and other kind of paving
material which had been previously laid down, and
which would now be replaced by the new paving.
The old paving had been laid down partly at the
expense of the ratepayers, in some cases with the
sanction of the Board, and dedicated to the use of
the public in some instances for a number of years.
The committee were advised that the old paving
material was public property, and that there was
no liability on the part of the Board to compensate
the property owners. The committee considered
that the claims should not be entertained.
A long7discussion ensued upon the subject, in the
course of which it was stated that if one party was
compensated all would have to be dealt with in the
! same manner.
Mr. Thompson thought it was an injustice for the
Boat dto take up the old material and not allow
for it.
• •

_
The Clerk said the great distinction was between
a dedicated highway ant an undedicated public.
street.
Mr. Guest thought the least the Board could do
would be to give the property owners the old
material.
; Mr. Mantle referred to what he called paltry and
vexatious claims springing up, and included in one
instance a claim for a grate for a cellar window. If
anyone ought to complain it was those who lived
in the bye streets who paid a large portion of the
rates. It would be an injustice to spend their
money for improvements in the High-street, when
they would have to pay their portion of the paving
now being done.
After further discussion, the report was adopted.
The medical officer of health (Dr. Ashmead) re-
ported that the death-rate for the past month ha
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-09-10

THE CHANNEL TUNNEL.

The borings operatrions at the Channel Tunnel
,Perimental works have been suspended for a short
Quis, to admit of the removal of some of the
Taachinery. The boring at the Abbot's Cliff head-
ing having been successfully carried to the con-
tc.raplated distance, the machinery is been taken to
nieces and removed to the other heading at the
hakespeare Cliff shaft, where there is already a
I:Twerful boring machine at work drilling in the
direction of Dover. The object of the proprietors in
removing the machinery from Abbot's Cliff is under-
stood to be to enable them to bore upwards from the
Shakespeare Shaft to meet the heading which it is
calculated will greatly facilitate the progress of the
Work. Up to the present time the progress of the
Work has been of a most satisfactory nature and fully
justifies the sanguine hopes which Sir Edward Watkin
and his colleagues entertain of the ultimate accom-
Plishment of their project.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-09-10

HARVEST REPORTS.

Reports as to the harvest prospects in England,
Scotland, and Ireland have been published; and the
general result, though far from satisfactory, is rather
better than was anticipated. The general crop, how-
ever, will, in any case, fall short of the average.
Roots, as a whole, have been benefited by the moisture;
but in many parts of England the disease is reported
among the potatoes. In Ireland, on the other hand,
the potato crop is described as among the best since
1846 ; while reports as to other crops there are fairly
encouraging.

The Magnet of Monday, in its review of the British
corn trade during the past week, zeports
the temperature has been low, there has been a dry-
ing wind, and the ingathering of the crops has, there-
fore, been facilitated. Warmer weather is, required
in the late districts, but for all that there is no doubt
that the last week has been an improvement over the
previous week; and a continuance of even such
weather as we have had would go far to stimulate the
hopes of farmers. The yield of wheat is put at 10
per cent, below the average, barley 10 per cent, above,
and oats 20 per cent. below.

The South Wales .Daily .11lews of Monday contains
reports of harvest prospects in Wales and West Eng-
land from upwards of one hundred of its correspon-
dents. The general result is said to be " surprisingly
satisfactory.". In only one district is the report alto-
gether had. For nearly all the districts the reports
show that the present fine weather has saved almost
everything, and that the harvest will be much above
the average of the last three years.

The shipments of wheat from the Atlantic ports of
the United States to the United Kingdom amounted
during the week ended August 27 to 245,000 and to
the Continent 80,000 qrs. In addition, 70,000 qrs.
were shipped to the United Kingdom from California
and Oregon.

The stccks of foreign wheat in the Kingdom are
evidently very light, but there are good supplies of
flour and of Indian corn. The official statement of
grain stocks in Liverpool shows the gross stock of
wheat of all kinds to be 762,939 centals, against
1,409,650 centals at the corresponding period of last
year. The stock of white wheat is 434,661 centals, of
Jed 264,307 centals, and of lower qualities 63,971
centals. The stock of Indian corn is 560,337 centals,
against 243,339 centals last year; flour, 85,673 sacks
and 3,682 barrels, against 58,587 sacks and 9,916
barrels.

Quietness has been apparent in the corn trade
during the past week, and rates are fully is. to 21.
lower than on Monday last. Large supplies of English
wheat were brought to market by farmers' the
quantity sold being 21,320 qrs., according to the Mark
Lane Express, at an average of 555. 2d., compared
with an aggregate sale of 16,636 qrs., at an average of •
435. 3d., in the corresponding week of last year.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-09-10

ARRIVAL of a GORILLA in LIVERPOOL.

The steamer Senegal, Captain W. L. Keene, of the
British and African Company, which arrived in the
Mersey a few days since, brought to this country a
very fine specimen of an African gorilla. The animal,
which is but half grown, stands about four feet in
height, and was brought from Sette Cama, a small
port on the south-west coast of Africa. The animal did
not at first take kindly to his keepers, nor indeed until
the voyage home was almost completed did he exhibit
feelings of gratitude for the attention shown him. The
first advances of friendship made by those on board the
steamer towards the captive were met by a show of
the latter's teeth, which at a subsequent period of the
passage he made unpleasantly acquainted with at least
two of those on the Senegal. The gorilla was forced
into a tameness at the end of the voyage, which bids
fair for his future training. Soon after arrival in
Liverpool the animal, which is believed to be the only
one in this country at the present moment, passed into
the hands of Mr. Cross, a local naturalist. The gorilla
on nearing England allowed himself to be walked up
and down the steamer's deck, and showed a remark-
able spirit of friendliness towards his keepers.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-09-10

LUDG-ATEA }-11:2LE.

WEST-END ESTABLISHMENT-

25, OLD BOND STREET, LONDON.

.ESTABIj S 1-1 IC 13 174. 9 .

DUDL E Y AUM S HOTEL, DUDLEY.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-09-10

sworn and said that the two witnesses came to him
about 9.30 on the ni,t, of the 2nd inst., and in
consequeu, e of what'hey told him he went to the
field and tl,tre -a.w the prisoner who was standing
ty the mule with a rope and a pair of braces row d
the mule's neck. He asked pri,oner what he was
doing and he replied 'There is nothing the matter,
I am an honest, straightfo:ward man and work fur
Air. Carlyle. I have lost my way." He then sent
for the police. The mule was worth £l.s.—Police-
constable Styles proved taking prisoner into custody
—He was committed to take his trial atthe Stafford
Sessions.
ROBBING AN ORCRARD.—James Pritchard (14)
and William Carter (14), both of Old Hill, were
charged with stealing apples, the property of Mr.
Joseph Cooksey, farmer, of Haden Hill.—Mr. T.
Cooksey, who appeared to prosecute, stated that
the prosecutor had lost a large quantity of apples
from his orchard and wished to make an example
, of the defendants.—Two boys, who were in com-
pany with the defendants, but on account of them
being young Nt ere not summoned, proved the case.
I —They were each fined is and costa.
DRUNKENNESS —Henry Harris, hainmaker, of
Cradley Heath, was fined is. and costs for being
drunk in High Street, Cradley Heath, on the 2nd
inst. Sergeant Shaw proved the cnse.—Simeon
Johnson, e,hainmaker, residing in Elbow Street,
tad Nil, was, on the evidence of Police-constable
Rowlands, fined 2s 6d and costs, with the alterna-
tive of 14 days' imprisonment, for being drunk and
disorderly, on the 3rd inst
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-09-10

GREAT FIRE AND LOSS OF LIFE IN

PARIS.
A fire broke out on Monday night in the Rue Port
Mahon, in a ladies' outfitting establishment, and it
spread so rapidly that the whole of the ground floor
Was on fire before the alarm was given. It was then
too late for the inhabitants of the other stories to run
downstairs. Five men showed great intrepidity in
ascending to the windows and saving lives. Neverthe-
less several persons were burned to death. The calcined
remains of a M. Duvivier have been found on the fifth
floor. A Mdlle. Leroyer, who had on entering from a
Walk discovered the fire, ran upstairs to alarm her
taother, who had gone to bed, and brought her down
O .the next floor, where eventually a fireman saved
her. .The smoke, while the old lady was being carried
down an escape ladder, forced Mdlle. Leroyer to go up
to her own room. Taking an heroic resolution she
tore up sheets, knotted them together, and fastening
them as a rope to the iron window guard began to
descend. The numerous spectators in the street looked
on with bated breath. When she was half way down
a knot undid, and she fell. Her skull was smashed.
A young man, who rushed forward to break her
fall, was overborne by her weight, and has his
.arroa,
..13roken. In hanging to a cord which be
self thrown out of an upper story to save him-
e ll and his mother, a vintner had his hand cut fear
i -
y, but he hung on still, and SUMO e
dd A fireman,

Who had carried four women froM the sixth floor,
ascended for cithers. The floor giving way under him,
he got out of a window On the fifth floor. Being pur-
sued by the flames) and seeing a water-pipe at a pro-
jecting Anglo, he jumped at it and caught it. He hung
on for five or six minutes, whetx he Was rescued.
Another volunteered to rush into the burning house
ancirisolate the gas ffieter. He got his comrades to
souse him first, and returned only a little burned and
scalded. The fire broke out at half-past ten. In an
hour the house was a mere sholl,
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-09-10

CHADDESLEY CORBETT.

ALARMING F atE.—On .Monday last an alarming
fire broke out at the Lodge Farm, in the occupa-
tion of Mr. F. Blakeway, of Stourbridge. Tha fire
was discovered in the fold yard between two and
three o'clock and was not put out until five o'clock
on Tuesday afternoon. There was a large quantity
of straw and ina.nuro in the yard, and it w,,s con.
*oared that some children had set it on fire
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-09-10

. -,- ,-
_ - - -

THE QUEEN AT BALMORAL.

Notwithstanding the prevailing inclemency of the
weather in the Highlands, the Queen has taken a long
drive every afternoon, and has been out of doors the
greater part of every morning. Her Majesty's life at
Balmoral is very simple and uniform. The piper
plays under her window every morning at eight ; she
has breakfasted and is out of.doors by ten, from wh;ch
hour she spends till noon in walking and occasionally
visiting at the cottages in the vicinity of the Castle ;
from noon until five, with half an hour's interval for
luncheon, she devotes herself to work which may be
termed official—reading despatches State papers, &c.,
and writing memoranda and letters in connection
therewith ; at five she sets out for hPr daily drive,
which lasts till seven, and occasionally later.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-09-10

THE CENSUS OF INDIA.

The Indian Census returns show a grand total of
252,000,000 of populaticn.
Provincial totals are as follows: Bengal, 68,8 )0,030;
Madras, 30,800,000 ; Bombay, 13,900,000; orth-
West Provinces, 33,600,000 ; Oudh, 11,4('),Ctu ;
British Punjab, 18,700,000; Native Punjab, 3,8th0,000;
Central Provinces, 11,500,000; Raj pootana., 11,00", 000;
Central India, 9,200,000; Hyderabad, 9,100,000.
The rate of increase per cent is : Bengal, 10;
Assam, 19; Sindh, 10; North-West Provinces, 6;
Central Provinces, 22; British Burrnah, 35.
The rate of decrease per cent is : Madras, ;
Bombay, a fraction; Mysore, 17.

THE GOOD AUTHOR.—Mistress.—Well, Biddy, how
do you like that book I lent you ?—Biddy.—Oh, shore
it's a beautiful book, Mum ! It's sent me to slape
three toimes !—Judy.
A GRAND SCENE.—Niagara seen by electric light
must certainly be a splendid but curious spectacle, to
judge by the description in the Yew York Herald. A
new system of illumination has been lately adopted,
and the sixtten electric lights, each of 2,000 candle-
power, are stated to produce a tine effect, combined
with the lamps already in place at Prospect Park, and
'assisted by a; full moon .and clear atmosphere. The
lights reach with striking brilliancy to Table Rock
Point, arid three-fourths of the way across the Horse-
Shoe Falls. "The deep green water, tinged with the
white foam as it comes tumbling over the Home-Shoe,
shooting up great volumes of struggling spray, with
ben thousand candle-power lights reflecting upon it, is
a kune far too grand to be described."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-09-10

A ROYAL FUNERAL IN SIAM.

The funeral ceremonies with which the remains of
Royal personages are disposed of in the kingdom of
Siam are both magnificmt and imposing from a
spectacular point of view; but, as described by an eye-
witness writing recently from Bangkok, there seems
to be a singular mixture of rejoicing and mourning
about them.
M. Halderma.n, the American Consul at Bangkok,
was present at the obsequies of the late Queen of Siam,
,who, with her child, was accidentally drowned in the
river Menam about three months ago. The body of
the Royal lady and that of the little Princess
were recovered, and were reduced to ashes after
two days devoted to celebrating the unfortunate event.
The town of Bangkok, says M. Halderman, was
filled by an immense swarm of people, coming from
all parts of the kingdom, in spite of the extreme heat
and the terrible epidemic of small-pox prevailing at
the time. The ceremonies were of unprecedented
splendour, and cost upwards of five hundred thousand
dollars. They comprised religious rites in accordance
with the Buddhist faith, processions, horse racing,
tournaments, jousts, wrestling, boxing matches,
theatrical representations, games, fireworks, &c.
Each day the King distributed to the crowds
a number of gold and silver pieces, or lottery
tickets, which the people, rich or poor, freemen
or slaves, nobles or peasants, scrambled for in
the public places. When the fetes or funeral cere-
monies were over, the remains of the Queen and her
daughter were placed on a catafalque, conveyed with
great pomp from the palace to the edifice where the
incineration was to take place, and laid upon the
funeral pile. This the King deeply affected, then
lighted in the midst of the lamentation and wailing of
the weepers, the children, and the priests. On the
following day the ashes were collected and cast into
the river Menam, the unconsumed bones being con-
signed to golden urns, which were deposited with the
funeral relics of the Royal family.—Evening Standard.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-09-10

THE LOSS OF THE " DOTEREL."

After sitting several days the court-martial on the loss of
the Doterel concluded its proceedings on Saturday. Com-
mander Evans handed in a written statement, and called
witnesses as to the discipline and interior economy of the
ship.
The Deputy Judge Advocate read the finding of the
Court, as follows :

"The Court, having weighed and considered the
whole of the evidence laid before it, do find that Her
Majesty's ship Doterel was destroyed while at anchor
at Sandy Point, in the Straits of Magellan, about ten
a.m. on the 26th of April, 1881, and is of opinion
hat this destruction was caused by two distinct eX-
plosions which took place on board her—the first
being an explosion of gas evolved from the coal
stowed in the bunkers, and the second an explo-
sion of the powder stowed in the fore magazine.
There is no direct evidence to show in which of the
bunkers the first of these explosions originated
nor what was the actual cause of the ignition of the
gas; but the Court is of opinion that as the ship was
about to complete with coal a light must have been
introduced into one of the bunkers for the purpose of
examination of the bunker, and that an exulosion of
gas ensued which was instantaneously communicated
to the other bunkers. The Court is further of opinion
that the second explosion was a result of the first, and
that the violence of the first explosion burst open the
foremost bulkhead or the athwartship bunker, and
that the enflamed gas passed direct into the interior of
the magazine, either through rupturestmade in the after
bulkhead of the magazine or through the copper pipe
of the flooding arrangements for the magazine. This
pipe was in the compartment immediately between the
bunker and the after bulkhead of the magazine, and if it
were broken a direct passage would at once be opened
through this pipe into the interior of the magathie.
And the Court is of opinion that the powder stored in
the magazine was in this manner exploded. The
Court further finds that no blame is attributable to
Commander Richard Evans and the surviving officers
and crew of her Majesty's ship Doterel for her destruc-
tion, and, therefore, fully acquits them of all blame in
respect to it. And the said Commander Evans and
the surviving officers and crew are hereby fully
acquitted accordingly."
The President: I have much pleasure in handing
and returning Commander Evans and the surviving
officers their swords.
"With this finding" (remarks The Times in a
leader) "collapses the wild theory of Fenian agency,
of dynamite, and of infernal machines."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-09-10

No 888

BALES BY AUCTION

TO LET.

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eepers, and,Others,
APPLY TO

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Firet Floor, 48, Union Passage, Birmingham.

Distance no object.

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kddress.—Mß. WILLIAMS, 10, Oxford Terrace, Hyde
Park London.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-09-10

Enlarged Edition, pp. 860, nour4l, Is or 14 stamp s
110MCEOPATHIC F AIIILY INSTRUCTOR
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