The Dewsbury Chronicle, and West Riding Advertiser. — 1873-05-17 (Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England)

GENERAL.  The Observer says it is stated on good authority that the general election will, barring unforeseen c, gencies, be hekl next spring. Parliament wilt meet, it believes, as usual in February for a short session. The estimates w;11 then be passed, and the necessary business of the session transacted, after which Parliament will be dissolved, to reassemble as soon after Easter as possible. The Northamptonshire farmers have combined to refuse employment to labourers unless they leave the union, and 200 men have been locked out at I-Taddenham.  Mr. Mechi informs the Times that the general and copious rain, after several weeks of very cold but dry weather, has greatly improved our agricultural and fruit prospects, especially as regards the large breadth- of spring sown wheat, also barley and oats. The season is also propitious for the potato crop. Apples, pears, and cherries are likely to be abundant. Beans, peas, clover, tares, and pastures also promise well. The coal committee resumed its sittings on Mondays Mr. Pease, M.P., stated that the cost of working the coal pits had increased 50 per cent since 1870, and waves had advanced from 4s. 3d. per day to 7s. 2d. The price of the coal at the pit month had risen from 7s. 5d per ton to 20s. The National Republican League resumed its sittings at Birmingham on Monday, when resolutions were passed declaring the Republican form of Government to be the only form worthy the support of a civilised people, and that the local affairs of England, S.cotl- oil, a ricl Ireland should be rulnavecl by separate Parliaments, leaving all Imperial giu,stions to be decided by the Federal Government. _ _  The Tichborne case was resumed on Monday. The reading of the C!aimant's cross-examination was continued resdecting the lock of hair and various 'photographs, and. as to the Claimant's relations with Orton. On Tuesday the ex imination relating to the Claimant's relations with the.' Orton family was resumed, his Australian experiences, and his denial of his own letters to Ortm's -sisters. The case was again resumed on Wednesday. The reading of the cross-examination proceeds somewhat more rapidly. The matters included in Wednesday's reading were Claimant's relations with his father, and his reasons for not drawing on his bankers The reading of evidence was brought down on Thursday to the Claimant's rst, visit to Paris. During the day a sunburnt gentleman, said to be the captain of one of the vessels in which Arthur Orton sailed, occupied a seat in court, and it appeared that he recognised the defendant, the recognition apparently being mutual. It was expected that Castro and other witnesses from Melapilla would be present, but they did it arm- not appear. An inquest was held a Dewsbury on Wednesday on. the body of the male child of a servant girl named Sarah Ann Richardson, who had been employed at Batley. She had confessed the crime, and a verdict of wilful murder was returned.  The enquiry into the loss of the Atlantic was opened at Liverp3ol on Saturday morning by Admiral Schomberg. The object of the enquiry is mainly directed to the supply of provitions and 's. coal The court was crowded-, and the proceedings excited great interest. Captain J. F. Mackenzie was present, watchiug the case on behalf of the emigration department of the Board of Trade. Mr. Ismay, the managing owner of the company, in his examination, slated that there were not more than 933 people all told on board the Atlantic when she left Queenstown, and that she had 32 days' provisions on board independently of cabin stores. The Atlantic had the undergone both as to equipments and stores all surveys which were necessary. The enquiry was practically closed on Wednesday. Mr. Horsburth, superintending engineer of the White Star Line, said there was ample coal on board for the yoxage. The foreman coalheaver confirmed this statement. Mr. Foxley, chief engineer of the Atlantic, stated that the daily consumption was seventy tons. When she bore up for Halifax there were 160 tons on board. At Hull, on Thursday, a woman named Jane Crompton was remanded for a week on the charge of committing the wilful murder of her own Infant girl.