Penistone, Stocksbridge and Hoyland Express, etc. — 1908-10-31 (Penistone, South Yorkshire, England)

CRENOSIDE NOTES.  The members of St. Mark's Guild were well entertained at their meeting last week by a lecture on "A tour round the world." given by Mr. 11. M. Gummerson. For seven years Mr. Gunimerson was engineer at sea. and during that period crammed a vast amount of experience into his life. The reminiscences and events whieh, told in a hnmorousand racy style, delighted a large audience, were drawn from the secend voyage which Mr. Gummerson undertook, viz.. from Stanches.. ter. by way of Cardiff, to Providence, a port in the United States. Setting out from Manchester on January 14th, 1900. difficulties were early encountered. Shortly after leaving Liverpool a terrific gale set in—the gale, which uprooted the oaks and chestnuts in Phoenix Park, Dublin—and the vessel had to be anchored for 10 hours. Reaching Car., diff in 10 days, instead of 36 hours, the vessel proceeded across the Atlantic towards its destination. Approaching Newfoundland, the instinct of the skipper led him to express the opinion that there -was ice in their vicinity, but the idea was repudiated on account of its improbability, for although ioebergs commonly abound in that latitude in July. they are rarely met with in the early months of the year. The vessel was travelling fullspeed ahead, when suddenly the ominous command was given, "Pull speed astern." At once the engines were reversed, but barely in time to save the ship from utter destruction. There was a tremendous crash, the ship sustained considerable damage, but fortunately no one was killed. The ship was then found to be in the imidst of an ice-pack, from which it seemed impossible to get clear. Eventually, however, the vessel extricated iteel!, but as she got near Newfoundland, it was noticed that the ship was sinking, stem downwards. Crew and vessel were saved by running her ashore, but for two months she was under repair, GO feet being practically added to her. From Providence the vessel laden with 1500 tons of coal continued her voyage to Tampico, a seaport in Mexico. A terrifis sea was entountered in this passage, compelling them to abandon their cargo, and tour firemen and two sailors were lost. At Tampico. the chief engineer, Mr. Oommerson, and another friend, went ashore, und soon found themselves in difficulties. Not being able to converse in Salmis, the language spoken, and having nothing but I American money, they fared badly. Alter certain amusing experiences they entered a I ' casino, where the gambling tables were piled with dollars. The chief (strainer speculated and won no much gold that he needed assistance to help him to carry it. But they did not get away with their booty. They were invited to take wine that 'had previously been drugged; tho stakes were recovered in full. and the trio remained unconscious till morning, when they found themselves sadder and wiser men. A very interesting description was given of the methods of disposing of dead bodies in Mexico, and of the law relating to suicide. The corpses are erected in recesses cut out of the rock, and there the skeletons remain so long as the living relatives pay rent for the premises. When suicide is attempted, interference is discouraged, and the nerson, who intervene and frustrates the intentions of the would-be suicide, u.s held responsible afterwards for the maintenance, of the person he has rescued. Even the rnurderer in Mexico is treated very leniently. In, a case which came under Mr. Gummerson's notice, a man who killed his mother on a; Saturday was received back at his work durbig the next week. 811C11 laxity in laws is' very repulsive to our English idea.s of justice, and we naturally feel shocked at such a de! grading state of civilisation. The return , journey home included some amusing MeiI dents and a certain amount of danger. Mr. Onsamerson can now afford to laugh at the dangers through which he paesed, but states , that the ship a hich will again take him over the seas is not built. A hearty vote of thanks' was given the lecturer.  A -very interesting game was played at home on Saturday between the Church Juniors and St. Andrew's 13th Old Boys' Brigade. Our lads were far too skilful for the visitors .and administered to them a merciless defeat. The first goal was scored by A. Noyland in the first minute, and shortly at. terwards the visitors got dangerous, breaking through the backs, and having only the goalkeeper to beat, hut he proved equal to the