The Dewsbury Chronicle, and West Riding Advertiser. — 1873-09-20 (Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England)

GENERAL. The present high price of coal is sharpening the wits of our inventors to a pleasing degree, besides promoting the formation of coal co-operative companies, and arousing the feelings of the working classes to " striking" pitch. One effort made to reduce the cost of this product has been in the direction of introducing coal-cutting machines to the hidden depths; and another, which may perhaps exercise a powerful influence was recorded by the Times on Monday. The leading journal of the day says that a patent has been taken by Mr. Robert Stone to manufacture fuel from petroleum in conjunction with other solid ingredients, and that a company has been formed in London to carry out this and other inventions of Mr. Stone. If this proves successful it will eclipse all the coal savers and American cooking stoves in the world. But whether it does or not, It is an effort made in the right direction. Mr. Stone may feel assured that so far as sympathy goes he will have no cause to regret his attempt to reduce the price of coal. A woman bearing great resemblance to the remains in the Thames has disappeared from the barge Elizabeth, of Richmond, Surrey. The police have been informed of this fact, and are actively engaged in endeavouring to trace a clue. The adjourned inquest on the body was resumed on Monday, and after additional evidence had been called, the jury returned a verdict of "Wilful murder against some person or persons unknown." The Duke of Edinburgh, during his stay in Constantinople, is to be accommodated in the palace of Beglerberg. A shocking accident occurred about noon on Monday, at Stouehouse, Devon, involving the loss of seven lives. Eight men and boys were digging out a foundation for a new wall in the place of an old one, without first puffing the old one down. They had not been at work many hours when the old wall fell, killing four men and three boys on the spot, and so injuring another that he is not expected to recover. The owner of the property had been ordered by the Local Board to pull the wall down, as it NI as considered dangerous, but he resisted the order, and set the men to work in opposition to a summons which was served on him on Monday. A tabulated return of electoral losses and gains since the last elections shows that 28 new seats have been won by the Conservatives against seven that have passed into the hands of the Liberals. While the Conservatives either hold their own or win seats in large constituencies, the Liberal gains are chiefly contributed from the small boroughs. A terrible wreck and loss of life is reported as having occurred on Lake Michigan. No details of the catastrophe have been received, but it is stated that the unfortunate steamer was the Ironaides, and that 17 lives have been lost. An old woman, whose name at present is unknown, was knocked down and killed by a " Favourite " omnibus in Chancery-lane, London, on Thursday morning. The body was removed to the dead-house of St. Clement Danes to await an inquest. A severe gale has been blowing on the northeast coast since Wednesday night. An alarming explosion of gas occurred on Thursday on board the steamer William Batters, which was lying in Penarth Roads. No one was killed, but two of the crew were severely injured. On Thursday best coals were advanced in London to 41s. per ton. A churn of iron, over 40 yards in length and 50 feet in height, has been discovered in Dean Forest. It will occupy some years to extract. The Bank directors, at their meeting on Thursday, made no alteration in the official rate of discount. The anther of the "Life of Jesus" is ill, and almost beyond hope of recovery. It is stated in Berlin that Count Bismarck endeavoured to induce England to adopt the same policy against the Roman Catholic Church as Germany adopted, but that the English Government refused to entertain the proposal. An ugly disclosure has just been made before the Royal Commission of enquiry into the Pacific Railway Scandal. Sir John Macdonald, during his examination by the commissioners, admitted receiving 45,000 dollars from Sir Hugh Allan to aid in controlling the State elections in Ontario, soon after promising Sir Hugh the presidency of the company for constructing the railway. Sir John, however, denies the existence of any corrupt agreement as to the charter granted by the railway company. Like almost everything else in America, bribery and corruption is practised on an extensive scale, and in a manner peculiarly their own.