The Slaithwaite Guardian and Colne Valley News. — 1899-08-25 (Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire, England)

CHEATING THE CUSTOMS.-At Lewes Police Court on Tuesday, the head quartermaster of one of the Newhaven and Dieppe boats was fined 3os. for destroying two bottles of eau de Cologne to  prevent tlMireizure by thd Customs °Misers': THE remains of the Earl of Mexborough were  Lnterred on Wedneslay in the IWntin 6,ltholie  Church of St. Raphael at Surbiton, whore the late Countess was buried last year. The funeral was purely private, only members of the family and of the Earl's household being present. PARTICULARS to hand of the murder of French  office's in the Soudan show that the officers in  question had been sent to supersede others in charge of an expedition, and who were reported to be ill-treating natives. The commanding officer refused to be superseded, and deliberately shot his appointed succesor when he came within range.  THE rejection by the Prussian Diet of the great Central Canal Scheme is regarded by the German . .  newspapers as marking an epoch in the political history of the country. It is the first time that the Conservatives have openly defied the direct man• date of the King. There is talk of a resignation of the Ministry and a dissolution of the Diet, but neither of these steps has been definitely decided on.  The devotees of cricket will regret to hear that Mr. A. E. Johns, the reserve wicket-keeper of the Australian team, has received news by cable of the serious illness of his father, and he has resolved to return to Melbourne without delay. lie left London yesterday and proceeded overland to Marseilles, where he will early to-morrow morning (Saturday) join the Orient steamship Oroya, for Australia.  IN a circular letter to rural deans of his Diocese the Bishop of London states that after the decision of the Archbishops it becomes the universal duty of the clergy to abandon the ceremonial use of lacemse alld !ha uuc of lif4Lto ourriod übout Auring" service. The Bishop asks the rural deans to request the clergy who have introduced such usages to quietly abandon them, and to notify him of the result of their action by the first week of October. BITTEN BY A VIPER —Gathering nuts recently in a wood near Cheltenham, a 'man named Collier dropped some on the ground. While picking them up a viper darted out and bit him on the "finger. In a few minutes his arin had swollen to an enormous size, and he became so utterly prostrate that his companions had to carry him to Winehcombe Hospital, where he now lies seriously ill. This is the first case of snake poisoning known to have occurred in the district for many years. HUDDERstIELD THEATRE Rol AL.—Patrons of the drama are admirably catered for this week at the above house. Mr. Arthur Jefferson's company, including the Gordon boys brigade band, are appearing in" London by day and night." The plot is well conceived and developed, the parts are well sustained, and the piece is superbly mounted. Mr. Frank Elliston furnishes the comedy, while the part of the villain—Gideon Snake—is faithfully enacted by Mr. Frank Price. Mr. Harry Wren is a capable and popular hero, and Miss Kate Liske is effective and sympathetic as the boy " Billy."