Weekly News. — 1891-03-12 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

DOG TRIES TO PROVE AN ALIBI.  Writing to Rod and Gun, a correspondent gives a practical illustration of an interesting ca.se of sheepworrying in Devonshire. "Looking out of my bedroom window just as it was daylight," he says, "I saw a flock of ewes that had recently lambed, tearing shout the field as if alarmed; and 1 quickly discovered that two dogs were hunting them. I woke up the farmer, and we were soon on the spot: but the do,:s were too quick for us, and we could only identify one of them, which we recognised as belonging to a farm about three miles off. They had killed and partially eaten two lambs, and seriously mauled three others. My friend at once got out his gig ; and we drove off to the farm from whence we thought the culprit hailed, expecting to reach there before the dog. On arriving, we told the ow.:er of the animal our errand, and he at once invited us to come and see his sheepdog, which could not possibly have committed the crime, as he was shut up of a night in the stable. There, truly enough, did we find the collie, looking half asleep and curled up in a corner among the straw. His owner triumphantly pp.:rated him out ; but he was a peculiarly-marked dog,and we had both spotted him. and, moreover, there was a broken window in the sts de. and traces ot dirty, and apparently recent. clawmarks on the wall. My farmer looked in the brute's mouth. and thought there was wool on the teeth; but the owner contended that that proved nothing, as the dog had been among his own sheep the previous evening. I then suggested that a dose of salt and water might prove if any mutton had been recently devoured; and, the two farmers consenting to this, we dosed poor Collie accordingly, msl in a few minutes he disgorged a quantity of raw iamb with the wool on it, unmistakably recently killud. mi ease was admitted proved, and the neighbours speedily came to terms as to the Question of damage. To nte it seemed a most interesting Case of canine intelligence that two scamps of dogs, one we know having sheep within a few yards of him,should not attempt any sport on their own ground; but should deliberately meet some mile,' off. and then, when interrupted. tear off to their homes, and, like a human crimina I. endeavour to prove an alibi by being found asleep in bed about the time when the murder was committed."  Inundations are reported from numerous places in Silesia. Moravia, and Lower Austria. In southern Bohemia many villages have been submerged. The perils of those who go down to the sea, in ships appear to be at least equalled by tie. dangers allieli beset those who take houses in IN-'lionable quarters of London. A member of the House of Commons has, says the Daily News, recently expended £lBO,OOO in renovating and setting in order his town residence, situated on one of the finest thoroughfares in London. He went into residence a few weeks ago, and the family were immediately stricken with illness. His young son fell seriously ill, and is not yet out of danger. Inquiries shewed that the drains were hopelessly out if order.  On Sunday evening a valuable horse, harnessed to a trap, belonging to Mr. T. .1. Leahy, of W,xxliort House, ran away when near a bridge spanning the river Blackwater at Mallow. The occupants of the carriage were a servant of Mr. Lealty's and the coachman. In an efiOrt to check the animal's flight the reins were broken. andthe horse dashed on at great speed and jumped the bridge, throwing the female occupant Mary Walsh, , violently to the ground. When picked up she wal! found to be unconscious, ;:nd both her arms and one of her legs were b3:11:.- 1),-)ktm. The horse wai killed, but the coactu!lai , fortunately escaped with but libt whim •