Weekly News. — 1892-05-19 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

THE SLAVE TRADE IN AFRICA.  Herr Krause, a West African traveller of some note, who first drew the attention of the authorities to th- fact that slaves were being sold in the Uerman settlement of Togo, has written a letter from Kpa.ido, in which he says: "The German authorities in Togo have requosted the Chiefs of Salaga not to allow me to carry on trade there, but to drive me away. This was because I had made the accusation that the Slave 'rrade was carried on in Togo. In civilised countries such a step would not have mattered, but here the request of the German authorities to drive away a German makes him an utter outlaw, and the natives believe that they may rob or even murder him with impunity. Who is responsible for this request—the German Government or a German official ? I have been able to trace it to Lieutenant Herold, at Mount Misa, from which place it was sent to the blacks. This is the gentleman who also gave the Salaga dealers and their slaves a passport in September, 1890. I am accustomed to travel in Africa unarmed. I have travelled 4,500 kilometres from the Gold Coast to near Timbuctoo. I have traversed the territories of the most various tribes, and always entered and left each country peacefully and unarmed. Science needs no bloodshed. For years I have lain down to sleep in Africa in peace,without the fear of being murdered. This peace and composure are now at an end. If the news of my murder should one day arrive in Europe the world will know the reason." The Krems Zeitumg, in printing this letter, asks the Government for an authentic explanation of the circumstances.  A threatened strike at the St. Katherine's Dock, London. was avert,d on Monday by the intervention of some of the labour leaders, who discourage hasty action. It is reported, however, that a feel. ing of disc;mtent prevails throughout the docks respecting the mariner in which the "plus" system is worked, and regarding the stoppage of pay for the half-hour's dinner time. There is reason to apprehend that a general strike of dock labourers is not far distant, though such a conflict is deprecated by those to whom the men usually look for guidance in such matters. The authorities of the Private Bill Office of the House of Commons are urging upon all Parliamentary- agents to push forward tlie'r opposed bills, so as, if possible,to conclude the inquiries before Select Committees by the 25th of next month. This date is about one month earlier than usual for concluding opposed business in Private Bill legislation. A fatal accident happened late on Wednesday night to Griffith Jones, a guard on the Cambrian Railway, at Welshpool. The deceased was in charge of a return excursion train from Chester Races, and as this train was leaving Welshpool he was attempting to close some doors when he was caught and dropped between the platform and the train. Ths wheels passed over him and be died in a few minutes.  strand : "Why do you call that ring a war relic?" Ethel: "I won it in my first engagement." Would-be masher: "Pardon me, madame, but your face is very familiar to me." Madame: "Undoubtedly. My husband is governor of the local prison."  "Doctor," said the dying editor, "I have one last favour to ask of you." "Name it," said the doctor. "I want you to attend the editor of the other paper."  An unsuccessful lover was asked by what means he had lost the object of his affections. "Alas!" he said, "I flattered her till she got too proud to speak to in.."  usetui addition to their legal handy book series has been issed by Messrs. Effingham Wilson and Co.. e•i! itled "Lunacy Law, in ts relation to custody of th- person," by Daniel Charmer, barrister-at-law, b..inz an explaoatory treatise on the Lunacy Acta 1890-91, for all who have the charge of or are brought into contact with persons of unsound mind. Messrs. Frederick Warne and Co. have just published an interesting little book entitled "Popular Studied (4 Nineteenth Century Poets," by J. Marshall Wi:cl,-r. The studies now published in volume Itm were °Jignaly d livi red as a aeries' of !wires to working men, with the aim of rousing ! their liter st in, aid prov king tbein ta a study of, I our uitieteentli-contury wets.