davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18

be paid to the Surveyor, within so
days thereafter if not t hen paid,
ticket fOl said fine with ten per cent
added for costs, is put into the hands
Of a constable or the sheriff for COL
lection,
The county court can authorize
Surveyors to hire additional hands to
keep their roads in order-tu repair
great damages casually occurring, or
upon a new road, whenever the or
dinary means and labor at their
disposal, is not sufficient. Surveyors
are also re iuired to make a report of
their accounts, &c, to the county
court, at the March term thereof in
each year.
Surveyors are entitled to compensa-
ton, at the discretion of the county
court, not to exceed 81 per day, for
the time actually employed in sum-
mOning hands to work on the road.
The account must be in writing and
sworn. to.
All extraordinary expenses are paid
by order of the county court out Of
the county fund,
TIE county court is authorized to
appoint one or more Commissioners
or Surveyors to receive proposals for
making, improving or keeping in
order the Whole or any part Of any
road therein for such length of time
as the court may prescribe, The.
contractor to give bond with security
approved by the court.
The board of Supervisors, upon
petition Of % freeholders from any
magisteral district OF districts affect
ed thereby, may odopta mixed sys-
tenn of contract and la5or-such sys-'
tenn may apply to the whole county
or any magisterial district therof,'
but urder such systems, no one can
be compelled to work more than three
days Or pay more than 3 cents Oh the
hundred dollars,
For the purpose Of carrying into
effect the provisions Of the Act, the
county court is required. as soon as
may be, toappont three discreet free
holders in each magisterial district,
to lay off their respective districts
into road precincts and aIlot the
hands to work on the public roads in
each precinct The Commissioners
will receive one dollar a day for their
services, payable by the county.
The act is in force on and after
May lst, 1875-RuSSeH Progress.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18
The N0Sv Road Law.

We are Indebted to our late dele
gaze t. the Legislature, Col. \. Full
brook, 4 q, for copy of the new
Road Law which goes into effect on
lst of May. The great length eff the
Act covering II pages Of closely
printed NATTER prccludes its publ
cation here, but the following sy-
nopsis Of it will 10 doubt be read
with interest:
When in the opinion of the Court
of any country, it is necessary to
examine any OF the roads existing in
the county, or such routes for new
roads therein as it may designate, it
shall appoint one or more Commits
sioners, not exceeding three, for that
purpose. The Commissioners must
be freeholders.
Every road is to be 80 feet wide
and the grade of no road hereafter,
located, shall exceed 5 degrees at
any point, unless otherwise ordered
by the Court.
Applications for new roads are
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. appointed
facts reported ard proceedings taken
upon the report of the Commissioners
pretty much in the same manner as
under the old law, except that jury
under a writ of dd quOd daDlnunl shall
consist of five disinterested freehol
ders appointed by the Court.
In order to have a road discontin
ued notice of application to court
must not only be posted at the door
of the Court House, as hitherto re-
quired, but also at two public places
il the neighborhOOd of said of road.
Proceedings to erect or discontinue
gates are the same as in the old law.
The county court divides into
precincts all the county roads not
under contract, and as often as it
pleases can appoint Surveyor of
each precinct, who holds his office
until another is appointed in his
stead = though, after two years SER
vices Surveyor may give up his
Office, if his road is in good order.
Each Surveyor superintends the
roads in his precinct, and he is re-
quired to keep them cleared, smooth
ed of rocks and Instructions, of
necessary width. well drained, and
otherwise in good order He is also
required to keep sign boards at tie
fork or crossing Of every road, and
when necessary, a berch Orlog across
streams, for the accommodation Of
foot passengers, &c.
The county court may appoint COM
miSsioners to re arrange any precinct
or precints.
All male persons are required to
work on some public road except
Ministers Of the Gospel persons
:nder l6 and above 60 wears of age
persons who reside in a town that
provides for its poor and keeps its
streets in order, aud any person who
has lost leg or az arm. Parties
otherwise disabled, may be emempt
on certificate Of the county court
Every person, required to work on
the public roads, shall, either in per-
son, or by a sufficient substitute when
notified by the proper surveyor, at
tend with proper tools. and work the
road on such days as the Surveyor
may direct. For every day on VII ch !
there may be i failure - ceuts must
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18

TIE loss Of a great vessel at sea
is one Of those events that cause
the busiest people Of the world
to stop and think. When the
Schiller went down in sight Of
England, slumbering in its fogs,
the sound of her guns Syerc heard
by three Of the mightiest nations
Of the earth, but there came no
help. Amid the darknes ofnight
intensified by the hnpenetrable
nists that forever bathe the
western coasts OF Great Britain,
the staunchcst and grandcst vessel
flat perhaps crosses the Atlantic,
strikes upon the rocks, and in few
moments over three hundred peo~
pie find a watery grave. Such a
disaster smites the popular ear with
more terror than the shock Of bat
tie. Men who have unblanchcd
and unawed, walked to the hot
cannon's mouth, shuddcr and turn
pale as they read it. With all
that science has done and can do
the pathway Of the deep is the
pathway Of peril. There is no
safe road between us and our faith
cr5 and our friends in Europe. .
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18

BECAUSE Judge Kelly says he
finds the South peaceable, the Pen.
sYlvania radicals say he has turned
traitcr and can cutie the BeecLcr-
Tilton crowd. Yet Vice Prcsi-
dent Wilson bearded the sick
Breckenridge and the robust Pres
ton, in their dcns, and was net
swallowed alive. Even Nashville
and Memphis methim in their white
gloves and leathcrn aprons. Now
Wilson is a walking Star Spang!ed
Banner, and his tip is even more
pcrilous than that Of Ecrgt. Bates.
II he gets back alive it must mean
something. But then they viii
swear the South is merely playing
'Possum.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18
AN OCEAN HORROR.
WRECK OF THE STEAMsHIP
SCHILLER EN THE en-
GLISH CHANNEL.
TERRIBLE LOSS OF LIFE.

THE VESSEL STRIKES RETARIIERE
LEDGE DURING A DENSE roc
THREE HUNDRED AND FORTY TWO
LIVES LOST-FORTY>THREE PR
SONS RESCUED, INCLUDING TIE
FIRST, SECOND, AND FOURTH
OFFICERS, AND ELEVEN OF
ONF HUNDRED AND FORTY
ONE CABIN PASSENGER
TIE CAPTAIN DROWN
ED-TUE RESCUED
PASSENGERS AND SEA
MEN LANDED on THE
SCILLY ISLANDS-
VALUE OF THE
CARGO AND YES
SET.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18
Bristol Cotton
MILLS.

IT ANING completed our COTTON
IL MILLS at this place, we respect
fully invite the attention of the public
to the excellent quality of Cotton
Yarns and SheetIng which we are
now manufacturing. Having entire
ly new machinery of the latest inn
proved style which affords every fa-
cility for making first-class goods We
can therefore guarantee satisfaction 70
all dealers and consumers. Patronage
of all retail dealers especially solicited
Having in connection, our
mercantile business, we keep on hand
u full line of general merchandise and
are prepared to suit customers i'm al
most anything they may desire. Good
produce taken in exchange for for
goods.
Respectfully,
FULTON, SPARGER & BYRD
Apl 6, '75.-1y.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18
To be EIcctcdin NAV

The following county and distririct
officers, viz CLERK, sheriff, como
mOnwealth's attorney, treasurer -,
commissioner of revenue, Zone for
each district, to be elected by the
whole county, one constable. three
justices. one supervisor, aud one over
seer Of poor, in each district. The
and superintendent Of poor
are to be appointed 10y the Judge Of
t County Court.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18

A heavy fog prevented observations
on board the Schiller since Friday
In consequence Of the fog the engines
were put at half speed and sail was re-
duGed at O'clock on Friday night
At 10 o'clock the same night the ship
struck the ledge. \ great panic pre-
vailed. Capt. Thomas is highly
praised for his conduct during the
terrible scene which followed. Two
boats were filled with men, who re-
fused to come out. The captain fifed
his revolver over their heads to drive
them out, and then fired at them, but
without effect. Afterward the ship
was washed with her broadside to the
sea, and all on board these boats per-
ished The tackle at the sterns was
released too soon, leaving the boats
suspended by the bows.
Three boats then got away. One of
them, a Iife-boat, was so badly injured
that she sank, and, and IL of the peO-
pie Oh board of her were rescued by
the other boats.
The fog lifted an hour after the
steamer struck, and the lights were
plainly visible.
Two of the boats on the steamer
were crushed by the falling of the fun
mel.
Rockets and guns were fired from
the steamer until the powder became
wet
The deck-hOuse, crowded with peo-
pie, was sw pit away at A. NJ.
The captain gathered some of the
survivors on the bridge. All were
gradually swept away by the flood
tide, which took the doctor and cap
tain last.
The rigging which remained above
water was crowded with passengers
and crew all night The mainmast
fell at 7::30 a. m, and, being of iron,
sunk With all who had taken refuge on
it The foremast gave way soon after
ward. LIfe-boats and wreck-stuff
saved the lives of some who drifted
miles away. One man was rescued
after being in the water ten hours
Two boats from st. Agness arrived a
short time before the masts fell. They
were unable 10 approach the steamer
on account of the shoals. but picked
up stragglers in the water.
The passengers say that Capt. Thorn
as left the bridge at 3 a. m. to assist
those on the deck, and when he reach
ed the deck was swept away by heavy
sea. All concur in saying that he ex-
ercised the greatest care and was not
abed for five nights previous to the
disaster
The sea began to break over the yes
sci half ali hour after she struck, and
the tide rose % feet before day break.
Only one woman was saved
The survivors; who were landed at
Trescow, escaped in the Schiller's own
boats.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18
LATER PARTICULARS OF THE
DISASTER.
ARRIVAL OF SURVIVORS At PEN
ZANCE-CAPT. THOMAS PRAISED
FOR his CONDCCT-RIGGINGS
CROWDED WITH PEOPLE.
LONDON, May 9--Evening.

Forty-three survivors of the crew
and passengers of the steamer Schiller
have arrived at PenZance. OF these
SO have gone to Plymouth the re-
manning 10 are tCO i'll 10 be moved.
The following additional particulars
OF the disaster have been received
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18
YwVHOMAS
HOUSE,
Re opened by
J. M. THOMAS,
Main Street. Bristol. Tenn.


7 HAVE again reopened the Thorn
i as House. on Main Street, and am
prepared to furnish first-Class accoIr-
modation to the public. No money
and no pains will be spared 1, make
the hotel all it wasa in its palmiest
days.
Boarders will be received on good
terms.
Being provided with good stables
am prepared to furnish stalls. food ana
attention to horses.
Rail road passengers viii find the
house located in easy distance Of the
Passenger Exchange, the tables well
furnished aud lodging unsurpassed.
Porters regularly at the trains to re-
ceive baggage and conduct passengers
Jan g. Tiff
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18

Three hundred and forty-two lives
were lost on Friday night 10y the
wreck of the steam ship Seller OF the
Eagle line, Off the Sciily Islands,
about So miles From Lands End, Eng
land. The steamship was entering
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18
GOdeY's EadS's Book,

For May, is en- cur table, full Of
choice engravingS, fashion Patterns,
&c. In fact. it is a splendid number
So a year We will club with the
BlOk at >. so.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18
CORNELIUS A. GRAY
Barber and Hair-Dresser,

FRONT STREET, one door south Of Bun
ing s Peppers Drug Store, Bath Room
tached.
May 70, lsIt.-n
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18
VYc THKMANY PURCHASERS OF
vlCTGh & RHBIER'S CHEAP PAPER

IncoHsequeHce of the new postal law Increasing
abe rates oi isrchandise, We iaa-c tie fpi,os Jog
nafice.
Parties nidefing 25e bsx o. Paper and Eavc-
Hopes. viii send 5csnts additional 60 pay increased
postage
Do orderiuEz 25e. Facsase ~ cgmm-rciai Note
Faper 10 euiresj send 10 cents additional to pay
increased rates of postage.
G-5- 80 P0per t7ilt bs cert uHiszs ne MONEY md
0Hoint name n,s y1siGge accompanies ne or.i-r.
Except 10 parties who have regular accounts with
a..
ElCTOR& ANRLER.
Nzrch 10 lS.5.-tf LyCcLb1rs,Va.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18

the English Channel on her passage
from this port to Hamburg, via Ply
mouth and Cherbourg. She struck on
the Retarricrc Ledge during dense
fog at 10 p. M, while under fGIl head
way. or the 385 persons on board, on
ly 43 were saved, including IL of the
14l cabin, and four of the 12O steerage
passenger the first, second and fourth
officers, and % members of the crew of
224 men. The Schiller carried a car
go worth probably S150,000 and a
heavy mail, a portion of which was
saved.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18
Wilslnlan's Trnunc

VIII be in this place the early part of
next week. 1t is composed Of fifteen
actors and actresses, aud will be 4
treat to the people of our town.
Information. supposed to be rclia-
bic, is to the effect that double daily
passenger trains will be run on the
Atlantic. Mississippi & Ohio Railroad
on and after the lst prOxim0.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18
FIFTY.sIx NAIL BAGS SAVED.

LONDON, Monday, May 1O-4 a. m.--
FifLy-siX mail-bags, inciudigg twenty
seven from New Zealand. were saved
from the Schiller.
Thcsteamer Pommerania sailed from
Plymouth during the night for Ham
burg without taking any Of the survi-
vors Of the Schiller,
The statements made hy the officers
GERS of the Schiller adj nothing to the
particulars already telegraphed. All
accounts agree that tile panic which
followed the striking of the ship was
heartrending and terrible beyond de-
sCriptiOn.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18
TERMS:

TERMS:
Earding aud Spinning, zoe, if we
furnish grease, pc.
Jeans. made for 80 to - cents per
yard, according to finish and amount
of wool. which will be from to y
ounces por yard:
Satinets, 45 to so cents and from y
to IS ounces Of wool per yard.
Cassimers, Flannels, Linsey &c,
according to style and texture.
Blankets for $500 each, or 0ue-half
of the Wool for the other.
Machinery Of Of the best quality.
All work warranted to give salts
factiGn.
Address all letters and packages to
VA. & Tenn. WOOLEN MILLS,
JORDAN, PEPPER, d Co. Props.
March ch50-Gn--
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18
Raid on Distillcrics.

lhc Abingdon IHyiaht1.
Raid on DiStillcrics.
Last week a party of armed and
mounted nen under The command of
Maj. }. d. WAGNER, of Marion, three
|. 5. Marshals, and one L. S. Com
missioner, made a raid upon alleged
Illicit distiilerics in the region known
as Newmln's Ridge and Blackwater
Valley, on the Virginia and Tennes
see border. Eight persons we're ar
rested, lG distilleries with their cons
tents and large quantity of beer and
whisky was destroyed.
Tue District Conference of the VI,
/. Church, North, Colored. adjourned
last Monday night after a session of
three or four days. There seemed to
be great deal Of interest ;aken in
the meeting and many were in at
tendance.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18
$3.50 Per copy TOR One YeaI.
CLUB RATES.

LGlF- Any person getting mp n Club sill be
entitled to n copy one year TOR this service
No name wiz be entered on the subscription
list that is unaccompanicl with the cash and
the paper wiil be discontinued at the expi-
ration Of the time paid for. The first Mum
Der VIII appear 81 or before the J 9th Of
February. Postage viii be paid at the Office
Of publication and costs the subscriber
nothing.
rHhc ~ pnTrnu
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18

OF THE
Lynchburg Weekly Vir9irian.

The undersigned. yielding TO the tesire
expressed b. many friends Of TuE VIRGIN
IAN, has determined 70 issue WEEKLY,
which viii contain the choicest selections
from the Daily, including, Editorials, Mar
kets and the Latest Telezrams received on
the day Immediately preceding the day OF
its publication. The Weekly is not design
ed 10 supereede either Of the other issues Of
TIE VEGNIAN but to accommodate distant
and those il the country who
receive but one mail week. 1t will be
printed on n sheet "a by 30 inches. viii
contain 2S columns Of matter, and being in
smaller type than any other Lynchhurg
paper, will furnish an amount Of reading
matter equal TO a sheet One-fou th larger.
1t will be irEish at the low price Of
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18
NJ. L. TIAcalLr, ". a. RoprErsox, o.
BfsyxLEv-
BIaGkl8T, Robertson & BlaCklGy,
Attorneys at Law, 6
Real Estate Agents.

WILL practice i'm the counties Of SuIII
van and Washington, ard In the Fedcrs.
and supreme Courts at Knoxville, Tenn
i, real estate agents VIC offer FOR ,plc large
amounts OF improved and uuimPro,ed min
eral aHi farming lands, in quality and ca
terms 20 suit the purchasers. Oar agents
Ui'l meet emigraut ships, regularly at Nor
inil ana New York, and will be Doe corr;aut
correspondence with Emigration Societies
md Mining &, mpanies in Europe and the
United States. Pc sons having lli.1- in L.
Tenn, ). ". Va, and Ky, for saia. rT any
description, viii find purchases tl. p cur
agency. Capitalist wishing 20 inls.' iron.
Coal, Lead, Grazing and Farming f and
Water Power, will find it TO their it.-,. 70
examine our lands. We also oL,. ;JWA
property for sale
OFFICE ON FIFTH Street.
Aug. 2j, q ST
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18
Abingdon NNMS.

We clip the following items from
thc abingdon TirqiNiul.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18
DeRSUE.
DR.. J. 81. KING.

(G5adrats Of ais Baltimore college u Dl.i1i Sur
Cery.)
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18

Will Scientifically perform all Den
tai Operations aud guarantee Satisfac-
tiOn.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18
~ v A and Tim n
555g WOOIIen Mills.

Are now ready to receive WOOL. and
Will Manufacture for Cash or Wool,
or any kind of Country Produce, at
cash prices.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18

Always on hand a large stock Of Groceries
Sale, Lew, or Cash, or TO prompt payment
Jan. 26-'75-Gm
The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1875-03-27
Washington.

POLITICAL. gossip says that Attorney General
Williams Is about to retire, aud that General
Butler or Ex-senator Carpenter will succeed
him. 1t Is also said that Williams will succeed
Schenck as Minister to England.
ABOUT 1000 colored laborers marched to the
executive mansion the evening of the 18th
ms, and called for the President but he ex-
cused himself. They claimed that their pay had
been improperly withheld
CONGRESSMAN BILL KING. of Minnesota. is
endeavcrinS to have some changes made in Fed
eral appointments IN his district. He Is said
not to have been successful thus far.
ONE of the most improbable rumors about
the capital, is one to the effect that Pinchbaek
viii be made Secretary of the Senate in case he
Is refused a seat in that body as Senator from
Louisiana
DELEGATES are in Washington endeavoring
to procure the removal of Ex-Governor Hol
den. postmaster at Raleigh, \. c., and Collec-
tor Booth, of Baltimore.
The Senate Committee on foreign relations
has recommended the ratification of the
Hawaiian treaty, with az amendment providing
that permission shall not oe given any other
nation TO acquire another naval or coalsss
station within those islands.
AT a caucus OF Republican Senators. on the
18th inst. the sergeant-at arms question was
settled by dec ding to retain John L. French.
present incumbent. DR.. Sunderland. the
present chaplain Of the Senate, is also TO be
retained,
The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1875-03-27

The East.

SUIT for $4,000 damages against the
Paulding Furnace Company at Antwerp, Ohio
has been begun by Mrs. Catherine Kephart,
the widow of the man killed by the recent ex-
plosion in the works. 1t is claimed that, al
the time of the explosion, incompetent per-
Sons were in charge Of the engine.
THE Austrian Reichratf has thrown ont the
item in the budget, granting $4,000 thalers to
defray the expenses of that government in
our Centennial.
Rev. j. A. DAVIDSON, recently state lecturer
of tho Pennsylvania SONS of temperance, was
arrested for drunkenness at Erie, a few days
ago, and locked up In jail
A CONVENTION under the auspices Of the
workingmens association, assembled at Cleve-
la"' o., on the 18th, for the purpose of form
ing new party. About sixty deleg ates, repre-
senting twelve stases and the District of Col
umbia, were present
TEE New York canal commissioners have de-
cided to reduce canal tolls as follows: On
grain ,3311s per cent. on lumber. 30 per cent
on merchandise going from tide-water, so per
cent
The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1875-03-27
The West.

ADRIAN H. DRAKE, a merchant of Hubbards.
town, Ionia county. Michigan was
swindled of stock of goods valued at 50, 300
by Peter and Boyd Reyner January IL, 1875,
by trading the goods for lands in Wisconsin,
taking deed for certain description. Drake
has since found the land was owned by the
United States. Boyd Reyner was arrested. but
the other brother has fled.
The new iron bridge on the Maumee River,
fifteen miles from Fl Wayne, Ind, was swept
away by the freshet on the 18th inst, fears
were entertained for other bridges On the
river.
Four new indictments have been found by
the Grand jury of Cook county, ILL.,, against
W. F. Storey of the Times-three for libel and
one for publishing obscene newspaper
THE $1,000 bride money alleged to have been
paid State Senator York by IT, s. Senator
Pomeroy, has at last been returned to the lat
ter gentleman minus the costs of bribery suits
some $40
The Indians, it is said, are. anxious to sell
their right to the Black Hills territory to the
government, and ask good round price there
for.
The trial of Father Forhan, the young Cath
olic priest, charged with the larceny of money
from the Church of the Nativity, Chicago, has
resulted in his acqu ital.
SHERIDAN and his staff left New Orleans on
the 9Th inst.
TIE time having expired in which Brigham
Young was ordered by the court to pay the at
torney's fees and alimony to his divorced wife
Ann Eliza, and the old man falling to comply,
he was on the 18th inst. sentenced to fine of
1928 and one days imprisonment, for con-
tempt.
The salaries of the editors, reporters, press
men and clerks-in fact all the employees of
the Inter Ocean, except the compositors have
been cut down 121 per cent.
The annual report of the Union Pacific Rail-
road Company shows that the gross earnings
for the year ending December 81, 1874, were
SIC, 500, SS0.12, and the expenses, including
taxes, a, 652, 314.95, leaving surplus of earn
ings of 1907, 56517, equal to per centum
on the stock and bonds of the company. The
operating expenses were 54.05 per centnm of
the gross earnings, against 48.46 per centum
last year