Weekly News. — 1889-10-03 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

SERIAL STORY,  ENTITLED,  UNDER A SPELL'  !BY AN M. D..  VI MI, BF. C:),IIIENCE) IN  STRANGE STORY FROM SIERRA LEONE. In connection with the trial a few months ago of Mr. Copeland-Crawford (late Rifle Brigade), for murdering a native in one of the districts of Sierra Leone, reports have been made to the Colonial Office of a most important nature. It appears that there is a secret society in the Colony, the object of which is the extermination of white men, and it is asserted that some of the native officials are members of it. It would be unjust and improper to say more at present, especially as now the attention of the Colonial Office has been drawn to the subject the latter may be thoroughly inquired into. It may be as well, however, to remember that the counsel for the prosecution in the Copeland-Crawford case was a black man—as Lord Salisbury might call him—the acting Advocate-General, and that a black barrister brought out from England defended. It soon became evident that the charge of murder could not be sustained, and the two white men and two of the native jurymen were for complete acquittal. The two last, however, on their way from the jury room changed their minds, and thus gave the requisite majority of more than twothirds. It is significant that Mr. Copeland-Crawford and the West Indian barrister were both convicted, while the six policemen, who were natives of Sierra Leone, were acquitted. Two other circumstances merit notice. The Colonial surgeon received a letter containing dire threats in case he gave evidence in favour of Mr. Copeland-Crawford, and. the notes for the summing up Playing been intrusted for transcription to a black clerk, only the summing up was transcribed, the favourable evidence being ignored. The end of the story is that Mr. CopelandCrawford, after passing some weeks in hospital, was sent to England to undergo imprisonment, but released almost immediately after his arrival on the report of a Medical Board.—Vanity Fair.  Lord Brassey has made his award in the arbitra. tion with regard to lightermen's work and wages. A daring mode of robbery, but seldom practised on account of its difficulty, has, says a New York telegram, been resorted to near Fort Worth. A well. armed band of robbers, by placing obstacles upon the railroad, compelled the driver of a passenger train to stop his engine. The desperados were in the train almost before its occupants knew what was the matter, and threatening the latter with instant death if they offered resistance, rifled their pockets and baggage. They also forced the express safe, and obtained altogether about 10,000d01., with which they made off before the authorities could be informed of the outrage. Owing to an exceptionally high tide occurring in the Thames on Sunday morning, the engine rooms of the new Greenwich Ferry Company on both sides of the river were filled with water. The services of • @team engine on each side of the river to pump the water out were required. The working of the ferry was interfered with. The extensive irrigation works in Upper Burnish, which had fallen into disrepair before the annexation, are now being repaired-. An officer of public works has been place I in special charge at the Kyaukssi canals, with the result that many cultiva, tors are returning, and an increase of probably six laklis in the annual revenue may be expected in that district alone.  "