The Warwickshire Herald. — 1890-09-18 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

RAILWAY UNPUNCTUALITY.  It would seem from the returns issued by the Board of Trade that the trains of the Great Eastern Railway are the most punctual of all that run into the metropolis. Over 74 per cent. are "to time," or not more than three minutes late, as compared with the Great Western, 64; Brighton, 63; London and North-Western, 83; London and South-Western, 80; Chatham and Dover, 45; and Midland, 41 per cent. Including London Bridge only the SouthEastern would head the list with 78 per cent., but for Cannon-street and Charing-Cross the figures are only 53 and 58 per cent. The suburban and local trams of the Great Northern attain to 69 and 73 per cent., whereas the long-distance trains fall to 32 per cent., and the Scotch trains to 7 per cent. In reality the figures are not comparative, the distances run and the various causes of lateness not being taken into account.  Another duel arising out of the disputes in regard to General Boulanger was fought on Monday. The combatants were M. Mermeix and M. Dumonteil, Deputy of the Aisne. The former was seriously wounded.  A German named Robert Raidel, who was committed for trial in New York on the charge of assaulting a number of school girls, on Sunday committed suicide in his cell. The accused was on his way to Germany when arrested. The United States Government has received a despatch from Sierra Leone, Senegambia, announcing the death of three American missionaries. They took the fever and refused the aid of a physician, believing they could be cured hy faith.  A fatal accident took place on Monday on the railway near Corte Castle. A carter named Trent, in the employ of Mr. Kent, of Murden Farm, was driving over a level crossing, when a goods train dashed past and cut the horse and driver to pieces. A stalwart sailor, while walking along the Dee banks near Chester on Sunday, observed a pug dog apparently drowning in the river. fle stripped, plunged in, and readied the dog, which, receiving encouragement, swam ashore. The man, however, was seized with cramp and was drowned.  Mr. 31•Connell, of the Canadian Geological Survey, has just returned from investigating the Athabasks,petroleurn fields' in the Canadian north I west territories. He says that there is a greater quantity of petroleum In these than in any known district in the world. Along the Athabaska river there are vast mounds of sand, 250 ft. tHick, saturated with oil for hundreds of miles.  The Duke of Clarence, on his way from the North to South Wales on Monday, alighted at Hereford, where he was presented with an address by the Corporation. At Abergavenny he was presented with another address by the Town Commissioners, isnd, after he had briefly replied, a procession was formed, which escorted the Prince through the town to Glanusk Park. As he passed a field by the roadside, a large party of children sang the National Anthem, and much enthusiasm prevailed throughout the proceedings. Later in the evening there was a display of fireworks in the ruins of Abergavenny Castle. A Rangoon paper says it Is surprising that no one of inventive genius has yet turned his attention to the development and safe of the saponaceons sand in general use throughout Burma'', and which comes from our newly-annexed territories. The Burmese sand soap has not yet been made into cakes, but la brought down from Upper Burrnah and sold in Rangoon bazaars as a powder. It is In almost universal use amongst the Burmese, probably on account of its cheapness, 31b. being obtainable for about the cost of a cake of other brands of cap. Allowing a considerable margin for cost of manufacture of the Burmese sand soap owder into cakes andjor advertising, it might be retailed at a very small coat per cake and yet leave a handsome rat to the manufacturer.  A witty huh clergyman having usaartaces mina Iw. friend, was seed to choose the .bynum ter Were and atter Um emmen. Hie Wartime was eg follows: Wore " Obrietiank mak noe Fee peso." All.: Mimeses mks,. voles is &line