Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1883-07-21 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

SUICIDE AT BARNARD CASTLE. Last Saturday a profound sensation was created RA Barnard Caatle on it becoming known that Quarter-master King, late of the 3rd Battalion Durham Light Infantry, had committed suicide. Deceased lived at No. 2, Montelbo-terrace, and soon after nine o'clock his wife, having left her husband in bed, took him a cup of coffee. She revisited his room an hour afterwards, when she found him with his throat cut from ear to car. Drs. Munroe and Grant were immediately summoned, but life had long been extinct. Deceased retired on hall .pay under the Royal warrant. His compulsory retirement preyed upon his mind, and a short time ago he left Barnard Castle for Manchester, where be commenced business, leaving his family of several young children behind. Deceased and his wife had not their health in Manchester, and they returned to Barnard Castle a week ago. De- I ; ceased, who was highly respected in the regi- I meat, stood over six feet three inches in height. He had seen a good deal of service in India and Afghanistan, and has several sons in the army. The regiment to which he lately belonged is at present undergoing training at Barnard Castle, and owing to the tragic occerrence the annual sports which were to have taken place on Saturday were postponed. Deceased was a native of Suffolk.  The select Committee of the name of Cant, mons on the subject of harbour accommodation have just concluded their work for the present session, and agreed upon an interim report, which is substantially the draft one prepared by the Chairman (Mr Marjoribanks). It CO/1. tams a recommendation in favour of the pro. posal contained in Mr Blake's Fisheries Bill— viz., that a quarter of a million sterling, or such sums as Parliament may determine, should, under suitable conditions and supervision, be appropriated out at the surplus hind of the Irish Church for the development of Irish harbour accommodation. The Committee also express concurrence in what they understand to ; be the mew of the Government that three great I national harbours of refuge should be formed on the eastern coasts of Great Britain betwacn Beaehy Head and Duncimsby Point; but they do not suggest any particular site for these harbours, not having taken evidence as to the : competing claims of rival places. The Corn. mitteo further suggests that a small k harbour should be formed on the coast of Cornwall; that the rate charged by the Public Works Commissioners for harbours works should be reduced to 3; per eeut., and the period of loans extended to tiny years; also, that the Government should take over and maintain in repair the existing Irish harbours, most of which are in ruins. Colonel Nolan suggested, as an addition to the report, that the Committee should also recommend • harbour of refuge on the coast of Galway; but several members objected to any specific place being suggested, as no site was named for the proposed harbours on the mast of England and Scotism& In deference to this feeling, the addition wait limited to suggesting that the same remarks as to the desirableness of harbours of refuge on the coasts of Great Britain also applied to the necessity for one on the western coast of Ireland. Mr Blake moved that thepro. posed harbour should be at Waterferd ; but thie was rejected on the swine grounds as the original form of Colonel Nolan's suggestion; whereupon Mr Blake withdrew from the roam, intimating that he would no longer continue to act as a member of the Committee. In acidisionto making recommendations, the Committee present the evidence which they have taken, and ask for re-appointment. The enquiry will be resumed next session.  DEATH OF THE QUEEN OF THE  GIPSrES.  Esther Faa Blythe, Queen of the Border Gipsies, died at Kelso an Thursday week. The deceased was born at Yetholm, sad was a descendant of the pugnacious Will Fee., who during his lifetime was a terror to those who came in contact with him. Queen Esther occupied the " palace" at Yethohn, where, a: Leyden in his " Seenea of Intancy," says:— The vacrant ginsies place Their turf-built cots— : A sun-burnt, swarthy race. The little whitewashed cottage at the extreme end of the village, and which the people of the place with all gravity designated "the palace," was during the " Queen's' residence in it visited by people in all stations of life and from various parts of the country. The interior of the cottage was at all times the picture of cleanli• nese, and amongst its numerous decorations were the " crown " and other emblems of regal authority. Visitors invariably had their fortunes told to them by the queen, whose vivacity and affability canted strangers to enter freely into conversation with her. During her long life-time she became acquainted with many people over a wide tract of country, and her stately and graceful figure, as she walked by toe side of her donkey with baskets slung across its back, caused her to be observed by all and sundry,. Some time ago she left Yetholm to reside in Kelao, and lately she had been exhibiting signs of declining strength, through old age and general infirmity. In her Mat illness, during winch she suffered a great deal of pain, she was visited by various ladies of position in the district. At the tune of her death she was between eighty and ninety years of age. She leaves a pretty large family of grown-up sons and daughters, one of whom is "Prince" Robert of police court fame.