The Northern News. — 1896-12-26 (Carlisle, Cumbria, England)

WEST COAST OF AFRICA. 7 DEATH OF KING DUKE.  ANOTHER STEAMER FIRED ON BY THE  LIBERIANS.  The Britieh and African Company's steamer Bonny arrived at Liverpool on M.udy from the West Coast of Africa and toe Cannty Islands with mails and passengers. The Bonny had among her passengers Lieutenant Scott from Lagos.  S-be left Old Calabar on the 19th November. It was on that date officially announced that King Duke, IX., of Old Calabar, was ;lead. The intimation was signed by Magnus Duke., a distant relative, who said the chiefs and people of the late monarch intended to perform the usual native rites, and hold the customary "play and devilmaking." These rites usually last for two or thee weeks, and consist of the firing of guns, native dances, and other revelry, but no human sacrifices. Since the protectorate was formed over the river, the British have not allowed the natives to bury their dead in their houses; but it was believed that in the case of King Duke it was the intention to inter the body within the compound of the house occupied up to his death by the deceased. King Duke was about 65 years of age, and for a long time suffered from rheumatism. He lived at Duketown, and had reigned for about 20 years. It was stated that with his death would cease the reign of the Old Calabar Kings. This was also said to be the last offioial "Ju Ju" ceremony that would probably take place on the river. The African steamship Kwarra was fired at by the Liberian gunboat when going to Lagos from Liverpool. The Kwarra is the twin-screw steamer used in the branch service at Lagos. She called in at one of the Liberian ports for Krooboys. When she was tired at the shot went over the steamer within a few feet of the second officer, who was on the bridge. The Kwarra did not proceed, but waited to see what the gunboat wanted. The commander went on hoard the Ewarra and told the captain of the English steamer that he must pay fer taking labourers from Liberian ports, but the captain of the Kwarra protested against the firing of the shot, and said if the gunboat wished to draw his attention the miler course was to fire a blank cartridge. When the Bonny arrived off Liberia, homeward bound, she stopped at Cape Palmas, close by the gunboat, and signalled for some one to send from the shore. The boardingmaster and a Customs officer came off. The Bonny had a number of passenger Krooboys in the rivers who bed received their wages from traders in gin, etc. The Customs authorities claimed a fourth of the gotids as duty, and opening the cases abstracted this amount, after which they allowed the "boys" to land.  A well-known chemist and druggist named Joseph Siim, committed suicide at Wednesbury, in a most determined manner. He suddenly left the dinner table and went into the yard and took a doe of prussic acid. He then returned to the room, and said to his wife, "I've done it now. and nothing can prevent it." An emetic was administered snd artificial respiration was resorted to, but death :t`tYbk place within ten minutes' time.  An application was mado on Monday for the renewal of the licence to the Sale Hotel, Sale. Last week the holder was convicted of using unlicensed premises, and the licence was forfeited, a temporary transfer being granted to the manager of the company. Mr. Lloyd offered to accept a licence limited to the hotel only, and not the gardens, but the bench declined to grant the renewal, holding that they had no option under tlte Act to do so. Notice of appeal was given. eta