The Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder. — 1885-05-23 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

STRUCK BY THUNDER."  At Paddington onWednesday an inquiry was held as to the death of William \Vhitmell, a sawyer. Henry Parker, omnibus attendant, deposed that he was looking after the hones of an omnibus in Paddington, when a storm cams on suddenly, and he was "struck by thunder." —The Coroner I suppose you mean by lightning Witness: I suppoae so. Continuing, he stated that the horses ran away, and as he was stupefied by the shock he was unable to go after them immediately. As soon as he could he followed them, and found a man struggling with the horses 300 hundred yards down the road. The man was knocked down and run over by a cart. He was at once conveyed to. St. Mary's Hospital, where he died shortly after admisaion.—The jury returned a verdict of accidental deaths  MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF A SENTRY Much excitement was occasioned in the garrison at Chatham, on Wednesday, by the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of a sentry, whilst on • duty at the powder magazines at Upnor Castle. The deceased, named John Smithson, and who belonged to the Berkshire Regiment, went nn guard shortly after four o'clock on Wednesday morning on the land side of the magazine, and two hours later was discovered dead, a bullet having passed through his lungs. Owing to the position and nature of the wound, medical opinion is opposed to the theory of suicide, and the authorities, from the situation of the body and rifle, are disposed to regard the matter in • serious light. Various officers are now engaged in making a searching investigation, and much reticence is shewn. It is rumoured that the deceased's rifle was found undischarged, and that the wound was apparently from a revolver bullet. The sentry stationed 300 yards off did not hear the report.  At especial meeting of the Preston town council on Wednesday, the mayor announced that the Prince of Wales would visit Preston on the 16th of July, on the occaaion of the holding of the Royal Agricultural Show, and that he would remain in the town fur two days.  bill, backed by the names of fife. Stansfeld, Mr. John Morley, and Professor Stuart, issued on Wednesday, provides for the shortening of the duration of future Parliaments. The number of years for which Parliament should last is not speciti. d in the bill, it being intended that the blank left for the purpose should.be filled up after discussion in committee.  The new railway connecting Swanage and Cone Castle with the main line from Waterloo to Weymouth was opened on Wednesday. Swanage, which has hitherto been almost inaccessible, now hid, fiiir to become a summer report, and the land has airtady risen enormously in value.  Captain Dudley and Stephens, of the yacht Mignonette, who were sentenced to a term of im no I t for having, after tit, wreck of their vessel' taken d the eof the lad l'arker, whose remains they ate, were on Wednesday released from Holloway l'rtsm. Both men looked well but appeared anxious.  A court-martial was held on board the Vic'ory at Portsmouth onWednesday,for the trial of }An nrd Brockway, a seaman of the Asia, who skits ged with striking ship's-corporal Renord. The prisoner W 1.9 in the black list ot his ship, and when ordervd to go on deck struck the corporal, knooking him down and stunning him. The corporal having recovered, a court of inquiry was held, and while it was sitting primmer repeated the offence. He was now sentenced to two pus' imprisonment sad dismissed the worried.  r ENGLAND AND RllB4, _ A HITCH IN THE NEOO riAT/ THE GIiARDb