HOME AND FOREIGN.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1683, 1 June 1904, Page 19

HOME AND FOREIGN.

FORTY BLACK EYES. At Southwark, James Cuttriss (37),; printer, of : ruiiianly appearance, was charged— before Mr Paul Taylor— with assaulting his wife, Emily,* at Gravel Lane. Blackfriars. Prosecutrix, whose- p ace was terribly. disfigured, said that the pi evious night the prisoner' struck her on the mouth, knocking out a tooth, ana prodded her in the breast with a large steel file, which, he- threatened to. murder her with. The Magistrate—'how long have you been married? , Prosecutrix —Sixteen years, and I ve had a wretched life. The Magistrate—Your face was not like that when you married him? Prosecutrix said that some of the injuries lie had indicted upon her were 40 black eyes, a fractured jaw. cut cheek, broken nose, mouth permanently twisted aside, and teeth knocked out. tie nati, in addition, threatened to blind her with some vitriol' which he kept in a bottle. She desired to be a teetotaler, but he insisted on her taking drink, and one of his favourite amusements was to take her out, make her drunk, and then thrash, her. On other occasions lie would provide himself with a large quantity of beer and sit at home drinking by himself un-, til he was drunk. ' 'Then she was lucky if she did not get a black eye. She never received a farthing of his earnings, and had to work herself to keep the children. Mr Paul Taylor said she would have; been saved inahy a savage blow it she' had prosecuted her husband Prisoner was sentenced to Mur montfis’ hard labour, and the Magistrate told the wife that be would grant her a separation order AN IRISH COURTSHIP. For a widow who had ‘‘a decanter of whisky every night" and plenteous eating and drinking, an Irish tanner, named John Duff, is alleged to have jilted Miss Jane Curran, a domestic servant, living at Skerries, a watering place on the coast of County Dublin. Her action for breach of. promise against Dufi came on for hearing at Baibnggan, beiore the Recorder or Dublin. The plaintiff, described as a prepossessing young lady, stated, in examination by Mr Sullivan, tiiJt the defendant met. " her walking along the road, and said slie was very lonely looking. After this they met almost daily for six months, and she accepted . his offer of marriage, and introduced him to her mistress as her future husbahd. When she went home to her father to get money for her trousseau, the defendant caiied on her mistress and said he did not intend to marry her. ■Mr Sullivan— When did he speak, to you next? Witness—The Tuesday week before Christinas. Then he said he was s>rry he would have to give me l up. I askea him what objection he had to me, and he said he had no fault. Then lie asked me did I know a widow down in the town, and I said no. He said this widow had proposed to him,, and had told him about her means. Me said that the widow told him she had £B<>a a year from house propery in Kells, and wished nun to go ami live there, and mat she had a decanter of whisky every night and plenty of eating and drinking, (daughter.) He then asked me, what more uiU any man want? (Laughter.) Then he said that I might have his brother and the farm, and some time fi.B might go there and live with u. 3. You did not see any sense in that?—No. You were never willing to give him up? —No. Out of the money you got from your father had you gone to any expense?— Yes; about £7 as a preparation for my approaching marriage. ‘Cross-examined by Mr JBattersby, the witness said the defendant fell in love at first signt; (Laughter./ ■Did He kis3 you ? —Yes. On that first occasion ? —No, certainly not . \ ■ ■ ■ Have you taken a note of the fact that lie kissed you as you have taken a note of your expenditure?—No. Wasn't it an important fact?—No. (Laughter.) • Witness continued that the defendant only made her one present of a chain, and she denied ever kissing any young man save him. .Duff, who is about forty years af age, denied ever proposing to the plaintiff. He admitted kissing her, but said - it was quite usual for young men to kiss girls about Skerries, and the whole thing was a - mere flirtation. The jury disagreed, end the Recorder saic( it was not a proper case to have been tried by a'jury of small farmers. He adjourned it to Kilmainham Sessions. A LADY AND HER SUITORS. A prince—from Roumania. it is true—and a count were among the gentlemen to whom Mrs Herman was introduced by Mr Charlesworth, the proprietor of a matrimonial advertising sheet. Yet so far was that lady from being content that she sued Mr Charlesworth In Westminster County Court to recover £52 which she is said to have paid him on condition that he supplied her with a desirable husband. “Tall, dark, good'-looki/ig, and ladylike, Miss Herman told the Court that she was promised introductions to men with incomes of from <£3ooo to <£6ooo a year. She, had nearly ,£3ooo' of her own. Mr Charlesworth assured her he arranged 15 or 16. marriages a week. He mentioned men of title, one being a marquis, and another .a lord, but the lord had np money, and wanted some, Her grievance was, in fact,That all the “eligibles” to whom she was introduced wanted money. • ; “You were introduced to a considerable number of people, and you had lots of interviews?" asked counsel.—“Oh, .yes,"* “You wrote a description of yourself as ,

30 years of age, dark, and of commanding appearance ?”—“ Yes." Counsel handed to the witness a list of eligible suitors. “Are you aware that No. 2, whom you had a letter from, lias an income of five or six thousand a year?"—“No." “You say they all had no means. I did not say tliey all had no means. .1 said they all wanted more.” “On one occasion," continued Miss Herman, “Mr Charlesworth said, ‘There is another young man to see you !’ I replied ‘ls he nice?' and Mr Charlesworth said ‘Yes—dark 1' When I went into the room to the man he was a West Indian negro !” The hearing was adjourned. MORE SURGICAL MARVELS. Oscar Leonard, of Philadelphia, who was born without a nose. Has submitted to a remarkable operation to replace the missing feature. After the anaesthetics had been administered, .Leonard's face was laid open in triangular shape from a point between the eyes. Then the nail of liis little finger Avas lomoved, the skin lifted, ana the linger inserted in the opening in the face ac an angle which would provide a base for the building of a new nose. As soon as the skin of the finger had been fastened to the skin of the face, Leonard's body'was put in a grip-like plaster of Paris cast, so that the finger would not be jarred out of place. The first part of the operation was then complete. in a sitting position Leonard is immovable. and in that position’he will remain for three weeks. Then, if the grafting is a success, tne finger will be amputated, Leonard's aim liberated, and tiie new noie built over '.he grafted linger. Tile nostfils will be made over a frame of silver tubes inserted under the fingerbone frame. ...“BREACH OF PROMISE” CIGARS. Mrs jane Whetstone, the West Bromwich widow who was awarded a farthing damages in a breach af promise action the other week at the Birmingham Assizes. displayed in her tobacco shop window the victorious farthing with a “Mizpun” ring, presented by her faithless wooer, ana a warning —“ Ladies, beware! Mizpah is an unlucky name for engagement rings.” On the winnow is a large poster —‘"Try our breach of promise cigars, 3d.” The police have had to clear the pavement of the amused crowd, and there was a great run on “breach of promise” cigars. AMERICAN PHYSICIANS DESPERATE REMEDY. In a desperate effort to save a dying man's life,- Du BUnsser performed the difficult operation of tracheotomy on a patient in an automobile ambulance wnile it was rushing at full speed through busy streets. The patient was a man named Roth who had suffered from a severe cold toi days, but had steadfastly refused to call in a physician, though he was obliged to pace his room in agony, clutching at his throat and almost choking. His wife called in the family doctor, who administered temporary remedies and summoned an ambulance. Two pnysicians diagnosed the ailment as CEuenia of the larynx, a disease whic.i causes the membranes of the. threat to swell and ultimately to choke the victim to death. The chauffeur was ordered to go ahead at full speed. No sooner had they starte . than Roth had a violent choking spell, and Dr cinsser, fearing that he would die in the ambulance, drew his surgeon s knife and made a skilful cut in the throat, thus performing the operation known as tracheotomy, and inserted a silver tube, so that he could breathe. At first it seemed that the operation would prove successful, but Roth's long illness nad so weakened his heart th tt he died as he was being carried into tne hospital. __ This is believed to be the first operation of surgery performed in an automo. mile while going at full speed. . DISASTROUS AVALANCHES. An avalanche broke away from the Bpitzhorn between one and two on Tuesday morning (April fitii) and swept away tne whole hamlet of MueiHbach, consisting of three houses and three mills. Out of the 20 inhabitants, Ayhj>. were surprised in their beds, 13 perished. Other accidents are feared, the having accumulated in enormous masses on the mountains. In the commune of Pragelato, Turin, an avalanche destroyed some huts occupied by miners, of whom 100 were overwhelmed, Twenty-five managed to save themselves. TYROLESE! TOURISTS OVERWHELM, ED BY AN AVALANCHE. Six Innsbruck tourists had recently a miraculous escape, says a Vienna telegram. The party, which included two ladies, started from Innsbruck on Easter Sunday, intending to ascend the Grieskogel, in the Upper Inn Valley. They spent the night at the Peter Anich Hut. and early next morning attacked the mountain by the west ridge, keeping fixed distances apart. Suddenly, with a roar like thunder, a mighty avalanche was upon them. Three succeeded in springing aside, but the other three were whirled away over the precipices and rocks 2500 ft down tlm mountain side. Their companions began to starch without loss of time, and were rewarded by the sight of & hand and part of a face. VV orking -with feverish energy, they extricated two victims, a gentleman and a lady, and, wonderful to tell, quite unhurt.

The third tourist, Fritz Mueller, had disappeared without leaving a trace, and though two relief expeditions have ben out he has not been found.

He belonged to Culmbach, in Bavaria, and had served on the China Expedition with the Ist Lavarian Infantry. The avalanche was neariy a thous m i feet long, a hundred and fifty broad, ana twenty-five deep. ANTI-SEMITIC FURY. Further details have been received irom .Russia by the “Vossisehe Zeilung/’ showing hots* the Anti-Semitic agitation is being prosecuted. This report says that in Odessa, where the Jewish population numbers 175,000, the same measures have been adopted as weio so successful at Kiscfiineff. Now, as then, the newspaper “Shamja, ' edited by tne notorious Krusefiewan, plays a leading part, and his efforts are seconded by tne orators, wiio rouse the feelings of the lowest classes by vilifying the Jews m every possible way. Tor .some time past the “Biiamja” has been distributed gratuitously in ail parts ot the town, and measures have been taken to keep, tne fabie of “ritual murders” beiore the people. A recent article in this paper was headed. “Keep- a careiul watch over your children.” -■ One of the proclam itions _with wh'ilt the streets have been hooded says: “Believers, the Jewish Passover is at hand, take care of your children: You nave long know*n that the Jew's use the blood of Christian children at Easter.” THE MURDER OF A MISSIONARY IN PERSIA. Details have now been received in London regarding the death of the Rev. Mr Labaree, a missionary of the American Presbyterian Board, who Avas murdered in Persia.- about six weeks ago. Mr Labaree, who tvas the son of one of the oldest and best-known oi Persian missionaries, resided, Avith his Avife and family, at Urumiah, and left home to escort an American lady as far as ivhoi another toAvn 80 miles to the north of Urumiah. lie Avas Avayiaid and murdered on his Avay home Avith premeditation by a Sayid, Av'ho only a few months previously murdered in cold bicod one of the fiest educated and most highlyrespected of the Syrians m the country. In consequence of this the British Consul forced him to- leave Urumiah, and he took refuge among the Kurds in TergoAvar. Learning that Americans Avere proceeding Klioi, the assassin and three others endeavoured to overtake the party, but failed, whereupon they shot the missionaries' servant, took- Mr Labaree mx miles to a secluded place and murdered him in a very cruel manner with'daggers. Although the Persian Government promised to secure the punishment of this terror to Christians, ffe is still protected by the cmef Mujteheid, who appears determined to save him from punishment if possible. A SOCIETY ROMANCE. The marriage took place on Tuesday (April 19th) in St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Tain of Lady vonstance Mackenzie, second daughter of the late Earl of Cromartie, Ross-sliire, niece of the present Dune of Sutherland, and sister of the present Countess of Cromartie, with Sir EdAvard Austin Stewart Richardson. Bart., of Pitfutir, Perthshire, and baotain in the Black Watch. The ceremony Ava» performed by the Very Rev. V. L. Rorison, Dean of St. AudreAvs, assisted by the Rev. F. B. Alcoclc, St. AndreAv’s Episcopal Church, Tain. Mr Graham Murray Graham, jim., of Murray Hall, w*as groomsman; Miss Christian SteAvart Richardson, of Pitfour, sister of the bridegroom, acted as bridesmaid. Mr Duncan Davidson, of Tulloch Castle, DingAvall, gave the bride aAvay. Society only recently heard of her engagement to Captain Fitzgerald, a ypuag officer in the Lancers, and the first public intimation of ner marriage to Sir EdAvard Avas made by the parish minister at the church of Kilmiur on Easter Sunday. xne wedding arrangements wer„* made very quickly, and the guests AA r ere summoned by telegram. The bride’s sister, the Countess of Cromartie, is at present in Italy, and none of the family Avere at the wedding, although it took place Avithin sight of Dunrobin. The chapel was not decorated, and there Avas no instrumental music. After the ceremony, hoAvever, the pipers struck up the clan march, and the newly-married couple drove to Tarbat House. Lady Constance rs an unconventional lady. iS'be is noAV in her 23rd year, *.s of strong muscular build and delights in outdoor amusements. She is an excellent horseAvoman, a crack shot, and a champion swimmer; As becomes her inconventionality, she visited Somaliland, and rode some distance inland, Avearing n soldier’s grey shirt, a ccAvbo-y’s hat. and lrhaki trousers. She Avas sent back bv the military authorities lest the Mullah should savoop doAvn on her. Then she Avent to the Delhi Durbar as a guest of Lord and Lady Curzon. At home in the Highlands—which she prefers to London society—she w r ears a short kilt in the Mackenzie tartan, knitted tartan stockings. a homespun coat, a Avaistcoat, and a tarn o’ shanter. It is said that at small dinner parties at Tarbat she appears in a sort of “Waverley” costume. This consists of the tartan kilt, velvet jacket, and ruffles.

It is not generally knoivn that Lady Constance’s father Avas a brother of the present Duke of Sutherland. He left all liis property to his elder daughter Sibeli, Avith a charge of £13,000 on behalf of his second daughter. The elder sister, avlio is the only countess in her own right, married in December, 1899, Major Edward Blunt, R.A., and Lady Constance was tne of her bridesmaids.;

The bridegroom is 32 years of age, and succeeded liis father in 1895..

CHEQUE FORGERIES IN LONDON. Details of several smart forgeries on one of the most reputable banks in London have just come to light, says the London correspondent of the “Leeds Daily News.” Quite a number of tradesmen in the West-End and the Strand has been victimised, but up to the present the police have not been able to lay their hands on the culprits. One publican has been mulcted of £SO, ana tne latest victim is a strand restaurant proprietor, aviio was trapped on Sunday evening by a cneque drawn upon Bonus's Bank, me received a note purporting to come troni a Aveil-known Strand electrician, who was doing some Avorff for him, begging that he Avould kindly cash a cheque iur iSzo enclosed for a friend. He would willingly do it himself, only, unfortunately, lie was short of cash at tlio moment. Unsuspectingly the restaurant proprietor handed the money to the messenger, aylio was waiting, and it Avas not, until tne foiluAVing day mat no became aware that fie Jiact been tfie victim, of forgers. “CONFIDENCE TRICK” HAUL. A victim of one of the many “confidence trick*' men is Mr L. J. Hrendergast, a gentleman avlio fias just arrived at me Lceieaton Hotel, Lccieston oquare, Westminster, oil a visit to England from boutfi Africa. ne made the acquaintance of three stylishly-dressed men on the Friday nigut, and Avas relieved of a pigskin bag AViuok contained property to tne value of nearly <£UMO. W nen the loss Avas discovered the men had got clear away; but a full description of them had been given to the Scot* iand Yard officers in cUarge of the case. Tile property stolen (bays the “Chronicle ') includes the following: Tour Lank of England notes eacn for £IOO, Nos. 52U28-9, 54<R7-8, dated Jtily. 1802. one note for £SO. No. 20909, dated i6th October, 1002. Look's coupon for £4O. Liieque book containing 23 cheques pa the Standard Banff oi South Africa. A letter of introduction to Duff and Co., London. LADY'S LUCK AT MONTE CARLO. Mies Wolfsbruck, a young American dentist, has just left Monte Carlo with £7OO Avon by an extraordinary stroke of luck. She entered the Lasino one day, and in order to oo aoie to say that sno had' made a wager she placed a gold piece on a roulette table —just Avhere she aid not know. At that moment a woman, friend whom sue had not seen for a long time tapped her on the shoulder. BUe turned round, and started to talk about everything with her friend, forgetting that she was gambling, until a little later some one touched her arm and said. You had better take your money and quit.” Biie looked round, and there by her 4>frane piece Avas a great pile of money. She promptly picked up £7OO, and left Monte Carlo the next day. NOVEL BURGLARY BY A WOMAN. At the Central Criminal Court, Loadon. on Wednesady (oi pril 20th), Clara Graves (30), a Avell-dress id Avoman, of Harloav, Essex, pleaded guilty of having committed a burglary at the dAveliing-houso of a Mr Kenneth Menzies. Counsel stated the prisoner had been engaged io Mr Menzies, but the engagement Avas broken off, and Mr Menzies married another iauy. The prisouor broke into the house ci che neAvly-married pair and carried aivay the wedding presents, leaving the other valuables, and - then fired tfie house.. The indictment contained a count charging the prisoner Avith arson, but no evidence Avas offered on-this charge, tt Avas stated by the prisoner's opunsei that all the articles had been rsstored. The Judge, taking into account the fact that the prisoner had already been live AVeeka in custody, bound her over to come up for sentence if called upon. GIRL WINS £IO,OOO. A few Aveelcs ago a Paris lamplighter named Christopher bought two tickets in a lottery, one of Avliich he gave to a servant., Juliette Birit, ivho, after noticing the number, had the misfortune to lose her ticket. Then days after slie learnt that her number had Avon £IO,OOO. She at once communicated Avith the police, Avho have the meantime stopped delivery of the prize. The case is complicated by the fact that a Avorkman at xvancy bought the lost ticket from a comrade. and also claims the money. DRAMATIC SCENE ON AN ALLAN LINER. The Halifax correspondent of cha “Daily Express” reports that a dramatic scene Avas Avitnessed as the Parisian..from Liverpool, came into port the other day. The police officers, Avatching the passengers leave the vessel, arrested a mail and a young Avoman as they came down the gangway, and informed the man that he Avas wanted for abduction. The girl. Avho is very attractive, burst into tears, and threatened to commit suicide if separated from her loA'er. The arrest Avas made on instructions by cable, and the names of the pair are given by the police as Percy Mason and Harriet Heardon, of Derby. Though the man had many hundreds of pounds in his possession, they had travelled steerage in order to, escape detection. The Parisian, which had. 500 passengers aboard, had an extremely stormy passage. She Avas struck by a tidal wave at midnight on the Bth April, and a tremendous mass of water flooded the decks, carrying away the iron seats, snapping the railing of the main bridge, and smashing a portion of the woodwork. Tiie passengers were terror-stricken. A great hail-storm folloived, and waves continued to wash clear over the vessel. Two seamen were seriously injured*