The Central Glamorgan Gazette, and General, Commercial, and Agricultural Advertiser. — 1885-02-27 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

OOO. Wherein this plan differs from the illegal lottery system is hard to see, and it may some day lead to a cry for State interference, especially as at many bazaars raffling is now frowned upon.  THE Egyptian papers issued on Monday “re of surpassing interest. They give much of the history of Khartoum during the siege, though Colonel Stewares record of events from March let to September 10th, which Gordon describes as " a gem illustrated with all the Arabic letters of the Mandi to me, &e.," would Undoubtedly have added many more interesting details. The correspondence shows that Gordon recommended the advance by the Nile route, and that Khartoum should be approached either by way of Berber or Metemmeh. On December 14, when the message reporting "Khartoum all right" was despatched, two verbal messages were sent with it. One said Khartoum could not be taken except by starvation, that the enemy was numerous and fighting oontinuous, and that the relieving force should not be scattered, but should approach in good numbers, if possible. The second message reported that provisions were short, and added—" We want you to come quickly. You should come by Metemmeh or Berber. Make by these two roads." These in ssages explain why I.vird Wolseley divided his army, sending one column towards Berber and the other across the desert. He recognised that he was fighti ig against time, and ran a great riskto reach Khartoum before the hungry garrison sold the city to the Mandi, and yet the heroic march to Metemmeh was in vain.  AT peesent it is, as is well known, settled that the Manchester ship Canal Bill shall o munenee in th, House of Lords. There is a ttrong OEM for a Joint Commi: tee, but it does appear probable that opponents will consent to t. at reasoimble and economical course. It tweios likely that the Duke of Richt:ll,l-1d will. decline to serve with the same Committee as that which was nominated last year, and it is not usual to ii nominate a Committee in part (lily. It may therefore be concluded that if the matter proceeds in its present form the Lords Committee will be entirely new. The greatest d.fficulty before the bill is the dispute with the Mersey Dock authorities, who, it appears, allege that the ii ,w plan is not such as they expected when it was intimated that there would be no opposition from Liverpool. It seems to be alleged that the revised scheme makes the email to skirt the great pool of the estuary, and that by the axis once of the deeper waterway upon the seaward side of that pool there would be a tendency to silt up, and that therefore the Liverpool objections of last year must be renew Al. This is a very serious matter for the promoters; and it will be a great disappinttneut to the Parliamentary supporters pf I.lio Lill if, after all, it should be found that Oa; Womble whieb it was understood had been given Nut Liverpool to cease from opposition is mot to be evried out.  AN unprecedented and shocking scene was witnessed in Exeter prison on Monday. Lee, the person convicted of the murder of Miss Keyse, at Babbieombe, was taken out to be hanged. At the first attempt the drop failed to act. A second and * third time the miserable man was placed on the platform, and the executioner pulled the lever, hut the drop remained fast closed, although it bad "worked" when tested in the intervals. After the third failure the Under Sheriff sent Lee back to his cell, and himself proceeded to Loudon, where he had an interview with Sir W. Harcourt. The result was that Lee received a reprieve. He has throughout firmly declared his innocence. Sir William Harcourt stated, in answer to a question, that after consideration of the ,aatter he had come to the conclusion that it would shock the public feeling if a man condemned to be hanged had twice to undergo the pangs of imminent death, and he had signed a warrant respiting Lee during Her Majesty's pleasure. the respite to the Babbicombo murderer has given the greatest satisfaction. The horror with which the story was read has done more to discredit capital 13unishment than anything which has occurred In our day. The executioner will probably again be set aside for another, as was the case with Bartholomew Binns. It begins to be recognised that if capital punishment is to remain we must have a scientific system of despatching its victims.