HOME AND FOREIGN.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1687, 29 June 1904, Page 14

HOME AND FOREIGN.

OF FKHNC® BROLSONBRS.

• r . ir„ _Jr o rensort COHieS from j^ IB, thXvnx* prisoners tave escaped Macon was to ifl-beUevod a e £ abled them ' toTake their way W the-infirmary, which Koks on to the courtyard, and let them down hy means of a long rope 'Son?™ Pieceaof od *.f»Tirtvard they entered the girls senopx, S uSU wks able to reach the street ■without being observed. Four of the escaned prisoners were charged with nu rs (tom churches, and these it i 9 said have gone to Geneva hy train, “hi“ the other two are hiding somewhere in the neighbourhood. DUCHESS© JEWELS POUND. •Paris Mav 7.—M. Hamaxdl, Chief of the Efk h ai u i—tnSKr^ this wcSion thejeweis were tho|e f veu tiv the Empress Etugenie to hei niece, me injr at the famous hotel in Place Veu do©e, in February, received a lady whom ' she had met before m Madrid. . i x ladv left it was discovered that jewels to the value >of <£4ooo were missing. The Sfarauls del Muni, Spanish Ambassador, •was informed, and he put the matter in the hands of the police. It is learned that the jewels, among them being some beautiful diamonds, were disposed of to jewellers in Paris Thewendor who ™ Hnon found, proved to be a lady visitor. request of the Duchess she was uof arcested but is held at the disposition of the police. The jewels have been restored undamaged to the owner. AfIST UNDERTAKER'S LO'VELMAKING. : A remarkable story, of an undertaker who made love tr a widow im a cemetery was told before the Lord. Chief Justice m the Dublin courts, recently. , The suit eclipses the famous case of Bardell v.. Pickwick. defendant,^ Mr ' John Cross, is a grandfather, with forty grandchildren, and the plaintiff, Mrs Kate Meagher, ha*S six children, and is also a erandmother, as counsel put it, though the honour of grandmotherhood is more recent and more limited than in the case of her professing lover. She is fortyeight years of age, and Mr Cross is sixtyMr Barry, K. 0., opening the case for Mrs Mleagher, ,said that she_was the widow of a respectable man of Limerick, and after her husband s death she took a position as housekeeper m Galway at j 660 a year, and this she gave up with the prospect of marriage before her.Mr Cross, said counsel, pursued m Limerick the somewhat sombre avocation of an undertaker. His habits had been notoriously, almost flagrantly, pious, -tie called .on Mrs Meagher for payment of a funeral bill, and was so -struck by her charms that he proposed marriage on tne . SP Taken aback, naturally, the widow hesitated; but after taking a whole day to consider the matter she accepted the offer. They celebrated the acceptance by bringing in refreshments. Then Mr Cross called on the widow everyday and twice on Sundays, and often took her for walks. One of these lovers rambles brought them to the cemetery, where the defendant's wife lay buried, and,, pointing out the monument of his late -vyife, Mr Cross said, “In the presence of my wife's remains, I promise that you will be my wife, and I will marry no woman but you/' .Subsequently the ardour of the undertaker abated, and Mrs Meagher's daughter showed some opposition to the marriage. Annoyed at this, he asked Mrs Meagher to run away with him to Dhblinfbut she refused, and subsequently he wanted to back .out of his promise. After Mrs Meagher had given evidence, her daughter, Mrs Lilian Keatq, was called, and when asked what she was most struck with iu the defendant she said, “He was a very good, holy man with means—(laughter)—and I 'thought my mother would have a happy home with Mr Cross denied the promise of marriage, and his counsel. Mr Pat Kelly, said that when old men wanted to> marry it Was not generally old women they wanted; they preferred the purple life of youth to the phosphorescences of old bones. (Laughter.) Daniel was safer in the lion's den than a man would have been among such a collection of widows and spinsters as they had in this case, for a widow scented a husband as the. camel was said to scent water afar off in the desert. (Laughter.) He; concluded by quoting ©am Weller’s advice to ‘beware of widdere." * ... The jury found for Mrs Meagher with damages. EIGHT lIF THE SEA. Ten men, survivors of a crew of twentythree, were landed at Falmouth the other were the survivors of the crew of the Spanish steamer Zazpirak, which had foundered off Land's End' after collision with the Hull steamer Cresyl on the previous evening. The . vessels, each of .which was about 1500 tons register, were in proximity To > the Wolf Rock Lighthouse, about ten miles south-west of Land's End, but so dense was the fog that the light was not visble. : h Suddenly the captain of the Zazpirak discerned the Cresyl close upon him, and ordered full speed astern. A moment J later there was a tremendous impact , •; and the bow of the Spaniard was carried away. She at once began to settle down by the head, and within three minutes had disappeared from view. - The crew jumped overooard, and in their frenzy fought one, another in the sea for possession of floating wreckage .o which to cling. . This eagerness to secure

wreckage cost many a life, for as the vessel foundered the suction drew several men down, while the agitated water carried the wreckage hither and thither, striking the men violently and inflicting injuries which pervente.d further efforts to save themselves. The captain was the last man seen to leave the sinking ship. He jumped over the stern. As soon, as he reached the water the revolving propeller struck him, inflicting fatal injuries and throwing his body into the air. The Elnglish steamer was badly damaged, but fortunately remained afloat. The captain at once ordered the boats to be lowered, and efforts were made to save the Spaniards. The work of rescue was very difficult, for the fog was dense, and there was much floating wreckage. Ten men were rescued and taken aboard the Cresyl, and there is no doubt that the remainder perished. Only one officer of the Zazpirak, the chief mate, was saved. All the crew were Spaniards. Che of the firemen told a thrilling story, which revealed the heroic conduct of the chief engineer. I was below at the time (said the man), and heard the signal for full speed astern. Immediately following the signal there was a tremendous boom, as if there had been an explosion, and we were all thrown off our feet. Tlhe chief engineer seemed to realise ivhat .had happened, and* shouted for all of us below to get on deck. Some of us tried to get our clothing and belongings. The chief engineer remained below until every man had gone up the Sadder, and I believe this thought for his mates cost him his life, for we never saw him again. When I got on deck the how of the vessel was already, under water, and the stern in the air,. the propellor still revolving, for we had not even had time to stop the engines. We all jumped overboard. I seized a plank, and tried to get away as far from tts® ship as I could. Turning to look back, I saw the propellor strike the captain and throw his body into the air. The sea seemed like a whirlpool, dragging some of the men down, while others were struck by the floating planks, so that they were stunned, and sank without making any further effort to save themselves..

SPANISH HOSPITAL SCANDAL

MADRID;, April 25,

The recent death of a madman in the county hospital has provoked a storm of protests from the daily papers. It is now generally accepted that the madman opposed the putting on of the straitjacket, and then the warders threw him oft the ground, knelt brutally on his back, thrashed him until he was helpless, and then put on the strait-jacket. The newspapers claim the severest punishment for the warders "and the resignation, of the director of the hospital. The rooms for the insane in the hospital form the filthiest, most unwholesome, and most evil-smelling sort of an underground* dungeon, with little light, and not sufficient air for the crowd of persons who are kept there. No murderer in. the prison-house is worse lodged than these poor mad people. Spain is worse provided than any other country with public hospitals, and the reform of these, according to the latest hygienic and sanitary models in England, Germany and America would be one of the mio’st humanitarian measures that Ole Government could possibly introduce. BIG NEW YORK FAILURE • NEW YORK, April 29. The failure took place to-day of the firm of Woodend and wo., one of the biggest firms on the Consolidated ©tock Exchange. The firm, of which the sole representative is Dr W. El. Woodend. has no fewer than five branch offices in New York and thirty in other cities in America. This morning Dr Woodend wired h> the office that he was ill and would not be at the office. The sequel came later in the day, when the offices of the firm were seized by sheriff officers, and a petition in bankruptcy was filed against Dr Woodend, who was afterwards arrested on changes of receiving money for the purchase of stock for which he never furnished the certificates. Dr Woodend was a prominent figure in New York society, and the announcement of his failure has caused a startling sensation among the elect. His liabilities are estimated to amount to half a million dollars. GREAT JEWEL THEFT. Mrs Conduit, a lady who recently travelled to Ireland with her husband to enjoy the brilliant social functions which marked the Royal visit has been robbed of jewels of the value of <£4ooo while staying at the ©herbourne Hotel, Dublin. The lady was dressing in her bedroom preparatory to going to the command performance at the Theatre Royal. It i» stated that she laiu out the jewels she intended to wear on the dressing table, but left the room for a few minutes. On returning, she found the jewels were gone. The police are investigating the mystery, but so far have discovered no'clue except that a piece of paper was pasted on the window of the room, apparently as a guiding mark. On it was written the word “applied." Nothing can be gathered from this cryptic statement, but that it has a meaning for someone cannot be doubted. GYPISLE©’ PITCHED' BATTLE. BUCHAREST, April 25. Ou the outskirts of Criora is a low Quarter, consisting of a number of tumbledown and filthy houses, where many hundred gipsy families congregate. A certain dealer, one Gerasemi Gherasca, was owed £2 10s by another gypsy, Hie Stan, who was living in a camp some twentv miles away. As the latter showed no signs of paying Gherasca, m company with thirty of his comrades, set our on fo>t for the camp m which dwelt the debtor.

Arrived there, a parley was held with Hie Stan, but as he still refused to settle the amount and his camp companions began to gather round him, Gherasca and his party lost their tempers, and a battle royal ensued. Axes, knives and clubs were keenly used, and in the first onslaught no .fewer than five of the belligerents were killed, whilst nearly all were severely wounded. The defenders, however, were finally beaten iout of the camp, and Hie Stan, although badly wounded and fighting like a tiger, was forced to flee. Loss of blood made him weak, and his assailants were gaining on him, when meeting his own two-year-old son,, he seized him by the leg, and planting his back against a wall defended himself with his son's body, until others iof his party armed with fowling pieces came to his rescue and finally drove off the attacking party. It was then found that Gherasca's child was dead, • thus making? six killed outright. The bodies were buried with all secrecy at night, but nevertheless rumours off the affair began, to leak out, and now the gendarmery are in pursuit of * the ringleaders, who have taken to flight.

THE LYNCHEHAUN CASE.

WASHINGTON, May 2,

The. Supreme Court to-day affirmed the decision of Mr Morris, the United States Commissioner in Indianapolis, who refused to deliver up to the Ehglish Government the noted, fugitive Walshe, alias James Lynchehaun. The case has attracted much interest from Irishmen throughout the country. In affirming' the decison of the Indiana Circuit Court to release Lynchehaun, the Supreme Court said: —- “Both countries stipulated in the Treaty of 1842 that the alleged criminal shall be arrested and delivered up only upon such evidences of criminality, according to the laws of the place in which the fugitives were found, as would justify apprehension and commitment for-trial if the crime had been committed there. As applied to the present case, that stipulation means that Walshe, alias Lynchehaun, could not be extradited under the treaties in question, except upon such evidence of criminality as, according to the laws of Indiana, where he was found, would justify his trial if the alleged crime Had been committed in, that State. In our opinion, the evidence on the criminality of the charge must be heard and considered by some judge authorised by Acts of Congress to act in extraditon matters, and sitting in the State where the accused was found and arrested. Lynchehaun was tried in Ireland, and convicted of murder, and afterwards escaped to America It is contended in Indiana that the crime was a political one. * BRITISH ADMIRAL'S BRAVERY. Reuter's Aden correspondent, telegraphing yesterday, sends details of the capture of Illig, in Italian Somaliland, on the 21st April. The Mohawk displayed many lights as a blind to the dervishes, .and to serve as a mark whereby the other ships could anchor. All the vessels finally anchored off the mouth of the Gullule River, four miles north of Illig. At dawn, on the 21st, the Mohawk's boats made a feint of landing above Illig, where dervishes had. been seen, while the actual landing was effected at the mouth of the river. Bodies of the enemy were seen, but they retired to their zarebas. The Hampshires, with one Maxim, held a position in the enemy’s flank. The line extended across the enemy’s rear, and overlapped their works. The dervishes were seen waving flags, and - their shouts of defiance could be heard mingled with the din of horns. The admiral gave the order to advance, whereupon the enemy opened fire with rifles and one old gpn. The engagement now, became general. The British advanced in short rushes of about 100 yards. From the zarebas the whole force charged, and after a Hand-to-hand fight cleared the place of the enemy. The dervishes fled” to the huts and caves of the village below the cliffs, and the caves along the coast. It was in clearing these that the casualties occurred. When the enemy first opened fire, the admiral was in an exposed position. He displayed conspicuoiis bravery, directing the operations while the bullets hailed round him. A WEALTHY KIDNAPPER. A curious real-life romance is related from Odessa in a Liontinental paper, it concerns a lady named Marie Schielmann, her little daughter Clara, and an unknown benefactor. Madame Schielmann was travelling with her daughter from Odessa to Kamoka. The girl is a very beautiful and attractive child, and her prettiness engaged the attention of a gentleman in the same compartment. The mother fell asleep, and the stranger amused little Clara with stories, and persuaded her -to have a cup of chocolate in the refreshment room. While the two were absent the train left the station, and when later on the mother awakened and discovered her loss, she was almost frantic with grief. When the train stopped she appealed to the gendarmerie, but all efforts to trace her child failed. For eight days she lived in suspense, and then, one morning, little Clara returned to Odessa, and related a wonderful story of how the strange gentleman had laden her with the greatest love and tenderness. Nevertheless, she had grown very homesick, and when: the stranger had learnt this he had brought her to Odessa, with an envelope for her mother.

On opening the envelope Madame Schielmanii found notes to the value of <£looo, and a letter imploring her forgiveness for having caused her so much sorrow. “God has given me wealth and a good and beautiful wife. Although we have been married five years our union has not been blessed by a child, and when I saw your beautiful little <?irl, I longed to adopt her,

and make her my heiress. Though I tried hard to gain her full trust and confidence, I failed, and when my wife'and I saw how the child yearned for her natural parents, we decided to s-nd her back. /

“I send <£looo to be placed at the disposal of your dear little girl, and should means ever fail you to give her a good education, I beg you will consider my wealth at your disposal." Madame Schielmann is now making inquiries as to the identity of the secret benefactor.

AN ITALIAN SENSATION.

ROME], 'May 12.

Extraordinary public excitement has been produced here to-day by the piiblication of the report of the Parliamentary Committee appointed to inquire into the charges against Signor Nasi, exMinister of Public Instruction. The main allegations against his administration are proved for the most part to be well grounded. Signor Nasi himself had admitted the falsification of names and dates for numerous payments, though he denied that this was due to his initiative, contending that irregularity in administration had been crystallised into a system under previous Ministers, Signor Nasi’s travelling expenses Amounted to 74,884 lire (<£3000), those incurred in visiting Venice on the occasion of the fall of the Campanile reaching a total of 4687 lire (.£187), of which less than 200 lire (£8) can be accounted for. The latest editions of the evening papers report, in spite of the close watch kept on him by the police, who have dogged his footsteps during the past week, that Signor Nasi has managed to flee from Rome. A judicial warrant has, it is said, been issued for his arrest.

SUICIDEI THROUGH SHAME

PARIS, May 6

An artist named Raphael Fleuret was taken into custody last evening for stealing a branch of lilac from the grounds of a gardener at Grand Montrouge. He was so much ashamed at being led by the police through the streets inhabited by many of his acquaintances that, when he arrived at the police station he drew a revolver from his pocket and shot himself through the right temple, causing instant death.

SCENE IN A NEW YORK THEATRE,

New York, May B.—Henry Miller, the well-known American actor, who was born in England, created a scene last night at the conclusion of the last act of “Camille,’’ which lie is producing in New York. He appeared before the curtain, and ill a violent speech, attacked the dramatic critics of the New York papers. He said they were ignoramuses, unable to understand art, and that their criticisms were largely burlesque. He added that they were incapable even of a serious attempt to be funny in their writings. TERRIBLE MOTOR ACCIDENT. Paris, May B.—The news of a terrible accident comes from Ozouere, La Eerriere, where the Paris-Basel express dashed into an automobile containing six persons, one of whom was an infant. Ail were killed instantaneously. STRANGE CONDUCT OF TEXAS MAN. For jilting his cousin, Mr Saville Bodger, from San Antonio, Texas, where he holds the position of cashier in an insurance oilier was orderod by & jury in tlio King’s bench Division the other clay to pay her <£7s compensation. Counsel told the Court that Mr Boclger came to London last year for a holidaj', and paid a visit to his cousin, Miss Kate Ada Reddan, at Camden street, Oalcleysquare N.W.. where she lived with hep stepfather.' He soon began paying attention to her, and in a few days made her an offer of marriage. On the ground that she had known him only a few days, although they were cousins, she declined the proposal. Re would not, however, accept the refusal, and pointed out many reasons why they should be engaged. One was that he wanted to go to Paris to spend the honeymoon before he returned to America. Still the lady was obdurate, though she gave him reason to believe that if lie went on pleading he might some day win hei** While on a visit to Stratford-on-Avon, Mr Eodger sent his cousin a postcard, on which he wrote: Thy bright smile haunts me stall. Eiarlv in September Miss Reddan, Mr Bodmer and Mr B'odger's sister and a cousin went to Paris for a trip. After remaining there about eight clays they came back to Brighton, and finally returned to London on September 18tli. By this* time Miss Reddan had become fond of her cousin, and when he renewed his offer on September 20tn she accepted him. The next day the engagement ring was bought> but within a week Miss Reddan was surprised to receive the following letter: My dear Kate,-Thanks for your letter received this morning. Sorry I cannot accept your kind invitation. After careiuL consideration I find I cannot write as you wish. . . In justice to yourself I must be open to you. I leave made a foolish mistake, and sincerely regret it. PEase forgive me as best you can, and let me leave old Ehgland as happy as possible with you. . . .-With great regret and much respect, your cousin S'aville. In her evidence Miss Reddan said that prior to the engagement Mr Bodger wrote her affectionate letters, and signed himRfilf “You l ' loving Saville and Your true lover, Saville." In his letters lie used the words “€. Y. K.." which meant “Consider yourself kissed," (Laughter) In cross-examination Miss Recldan said when she refused her cousin she did so simnlv because she had not seen enough of him. and not because she was engaged to a young man in South Africa; that was merely a case of friendship. Judgment was entered for the amount stated above, with costs*

NEW ERA FOR JEWS. BERLIN, May 6. s The "Berliner Tageblatt” is informed that the Russian Minister of the Interior, ■ ¥_ d© Plehve, has under consideration new regulations which will materially improve the position of Jews Within the Empire. ■ He is said to regard the ©listing regulations as antiquated, and believes they have been productive of much evil. The new regulations will especially improve the position of Jewish workmen in southern cities, who at present labour under numerous restrictions from which Russian, artisans are exempt. Several petty ordinances pressing unduly on the free exercise of their religion by Jews will be totally abolished at the Czar’s special desire. . 6 DEATH OF A FAMOUS COMPOSER. Vienna, May 8. —Anton Dvorak, the well-known composer, died at Prague today, after a short illness, at the age of sixty-eight. After a long career of active work in London and New York he returned to Prague a few years ago, and had the honour of beinsr nominated a life member of the Austrian "Upper House. His latest work was an opera entitled "Arinida," which was produced for the first time in Prague about four weeks ago. Dvorak was-the son of poor parents, his father being -a butcher. A MYSTERY CLEARED UP. New York, May 9:—The body of Mr E. L. Wentz, a millionaire mine-owner of Philadelphia, was found bo-day at Kellyview, Virginia, and clears up a mystery which has tortured his relatives for many months. Mr Wentz has been missing since October 20th, and it was believed at the time that he was kidnapped m the Cumberland Mountains, where he was looking after some mining properties. His friends offered large rewards for his recovery, and at one time many hundred men were scouring the mountains in search of the lost millionaire, but no authentic trace could be found of him. The body which was found to-day is not decomposed m the slightest, but shows several bullet wounds, and its evident that Mr Wentz's death is of recent dace. It is not possible, however, at present to fix the crime upon anyone. It is believed that he has been a captive to the mountaineers all these months, and that they have only recently shot him because they feared discovery. Many of the mountaineers m tde district wiieie me body was found carry on the business of illicit distillation of whisky, and if Mr Wentz was not kidnapped for ransom, which his captors feared to collect, it is probable that he was taken prisoner by the illicit whisky distillers. A GAMBLING TRAGEDY. Paris, May 9:—Another terrible tragedy has taken place at the Hotel Regina, Mr Harrend Clark, a rich American, and belonging to one of the best New York families, committed suicide by shooting himBelf in the head. He was thirty years old, and came to Jb ranee three months ago to study law. His parents objected to his leaving America, as he was of feeble constitution, and was said to be a great gambler. They gave him enough to live comfortably upon, but thanks to the credit obtainable through a well-known name he was able to obtain large sums of money in Paris. A week ago he went to Monte Carlo with a large amount, and lost all. He came back to Paris, took rooms at the Hotel Regina, where his mother and sisetr were staying, having arrived the previous day in Europe in the hope of inducing him to return tc America. The mother reproached him with bad habits. He seemed to take the matter calmly. Last evening he dined as usual, then went to his room, locked himself in, and shot himself in the forehead, and died instantly, GREAT HISTORIAN DEAD. The death is announced of Professor Frederick York Powell, the Regius Professor of Modern History at Oxford Unicersity, at Oxford, at the age of fifty-four. He had been ill for several months, and his death was prematurely announced a short time since. The only son of Mr Powell, of Wob.urnplace, a merchant of London, by his marriage with Mary, daughter of Mr James York, who translated "Count Lucanor” from the Spanish, he was born in London in 1850. He was educated at Rugby, where he is said to have acquired his taste for Scandinavian literature, at Paris, and at Oxford. He was at first a non-collegiate student at Oxford, but afterwards, in 1869, entered at Christ Church/ He took his B.A. with a firstclass in Law and Modern History in 1872, proceeded M,A. in due course, and was successively law lecturer, tutor, and student at Christ Church. He also lectured on history at Trinity College, and when Professor Freeman filled the chair of modern history York Powell acted as his deputy: in 1894, after the death of Mr J. A. Eroude, the late Queen was pleased 'to appoint him Mr Froude's successor. Professor York Powell filled many positions at Oxford. He had also acted as examiner for the Modern History Tripos at Cambridge, had been a barrister of the Middle Temple for thirty years, anl had received the degree of LL.D. from the University of Glasgow.. He was closely acquainted, with Russian affairs, and was the intimate friend of Russian exiles like Stepniak and Mr Volkhovsky. He threw himself heart and soul into the Irish literary revival, and delighted both in studying old Irish and in helping the young Irish authors and dramatists of to-day. He was. a keen patron of modem art, and was himself a designer of considerable skill. He had a passion for fencing, and did much to give that delightful sport a new vogue in this country. These are only a few instances of the Varied pursuits of a life which-was

mainly devoted to the study of history and law.

ACCOMPLICES.

Paris, May 10:—A novel method of thieving was put into practice at the Jardin des Plantes by a man named Eugene Miroix. The man has evidently been engaged in a menagerie at some time, for when he stood before the elephants' house he had only to make a simple movement to induce the animals to do what he wished. They stood on their hind legs, saluted with their trunks, and mhrclted up and down as he walked in front of the hou.se.

-■Then he disappeared for a moment in the crowd that had gathered. Suddenly an old lady raised a cry that she had been robbed, an.d at the same time a man seized the amateur “tamer." explaining that he had seen him with his hand in the old lady’s pocket. Then others present discovered that they had been robbed, and before ho could be handed over to the police he was badly handled. When he reached the station no fewer than six purses, containing altogether over «£l6, were found on him, besides a lady's gold watch. He is now awaiting trial. SEVENTY MILES AN HOUR. New York, May 10.—A fast goods train, known as the “Federal express," on the New York and New Haven Railway, was wrecked to-day near New Rochelle, New York. The train was going at a speed of seventy miles an hour, and took the curve over the Bronx River at this rate. The sharpness of the curve, however, threw the engine ana the first cars from the track, and sent them plunging down into the river, and killing the driver and stoker, the driver afterwards being found dead at the throttle. is believed that he lost control of the engine, and was unable to slow up for the curve. The train contained <£300,009 worth of -oods, much of which is damaged or spoiled. GAMBLING IN NEW YORJT. New York, May 10.—Mr Jerome, the New York District Attorney, who is a ’‘hold-over,'’ from Mayor iSeth Low’s administration, has finally succeeded in his long battle against one of the principal gambling dens of New York City. He lias at last broken up the famous Saratoga Club, a fashionable gaming house kept by a man named Canfield, and the house was sold to-day by Canfield’s agent. Mr Jerome began to take action against the club' over a year ago and subpoenaed such men as Mr Reginald Vanderbilt, the wellknown millionaire, and* Messrs Housman and Lewissokn, bankers, and many other rich men who were known to have played at the club. Despite their refusal to give evidence, and in the face of great difficulties, the District Attorney was able to secure evidence against Canfield, who fled the country, and since the law prevents his return to New York, he has now sold his property in this city. Canfield, whose fortune is popularly estimated at a million pounds, it is stated, has decided to retire and live abroad. BARON’S SHOCKING DEATH. Nice, May 10.—'Baron de Bobies was burned to death last night in the Hote* Holder, Monte Carlo. He had been in the habit of using on going to bed a lotion containing highly inflammable ingredients. Incautiously approaching a lighted candle this took fire, and in a moment the baron and the bed on which he lay .were a mass of flames. His cries alarmSd his secretary, who rushed into the room but was unable to save the unfortunate man, and was badly burned] himself. Baron de Bobies, who was seventy years old, was a native of Lorraine, where he owned considerable property. He was well known in Monte Carlo. MOTORISTS'’ MARVELLOUS ESCAPE. Nice. May 10.—-A party of Americans left the Hotel Paris, Monte Carlo, to-day in a covered fifteen horse power Panhard. While traversing the Upper C'ornicheroad above Villefranche the steering became jammed, and the car dashed with great speed into a rock and overturned. The chauffeur and a passenger were hurled across the road over the embankment. The car was wrecked, and a lady and gentleman cut with broken glass. All were able to proceed home. Elye-witnesses of the accident expected that all would be killed. Their escape from death was extraordinary. BLIND MEN IN REVOLT. Rome. May 10. —Five hundred and fifty inmates of the Blind Hospital of St. Joseph at Naples broke out into revolt yesterday because the management had published a regulation limiting the hours of outdoor exercise. A blind old man was posted in the Campanile to ring the signal bell for the outbreak, whereupon malcontents swarmed through the windows. To prevent communication with the police they had barred the entrances and destroyed the telephonic apparatus. Tney also tore up the gaspipes. One of the directors, who- sought to summon aid, was forced to leap from the balcony on the second floor to escape the fury of the rebels. Some of the rioters were badly cut and bruised. FRENCH RACING SCANDAL. Paris, May 10. —A preliminary inquiry into alleged extensive racing frauds in France has just been concluded by M. Larcher, iuge d'instruction. Six men are concerned—a trainer, two owners, an army captain, who rode in several races, a saddler, and a commission agent—and they are charged with running wellknown horses under false names at provincial meetings, disguising the colour of their coats with dyes, and giving false

ages in other cases, so. that they won races for which they were not qualified. Proofs were brought against the accused from Pau, Compiegne, Colombes, Maisons Lafitte, Aix-les-Bains, and other racecourses. The gang is alleged to nave made large sums. The case will shortly be heard in the Tenth Criminal Chamber, the prosecutors being the French Steeplechasing Club. Extraordinary disclosures are expected. A TRAMP’S FORTUNE. The police at Westbury (Wilts) had an eccentric visitor in a -woman who had apparently been roaming about the country. and, failing to find lodgings in the town, sought shelter for the night at the police station. Sho brought with her two bulky brown paper parcels, one of which was found to contain £344, the money being mostly in sovereigns and half-sovereigns. It turned out that some time ago she hacl come in for a legacy of about £350. and preferred to travel the country in the manner stated, and carry her money with her. A NEW DODGE. What appears to be a new and ingenious shoplifting trick is reported from Amsterdam. An elderly and highly-re-spectable-looking gentleman addressed two small boys who were standing ix* front of a jeweller’s shop window, asking which of them could run the faster. As this seemed to be a matter of opinion, the benevolent old person suggested that, they should have a race, once round what an American would call the “block.” He offered a shilling to the winner. The boys started at their best speed, and.at the same moment there was a loud crash, and the shop window flew in fragments, vout rushed the shopman. “There! There!” cried the old gentleman, pointing to the two running figures. “Those wicked little boys. I saw them do it.” Off ran the shopman after the boys. The old gentleman walked calmly into the deserted shop, filled his pocket, and toddled happily round the corner. Ihree minutes later the shopman returned with a weeping small boy’s ear in either hand. But he never saw the old gentleman nor his lost jewellery again. A STARTLING STORY. An astounding story is teld by Mr George Biggens, an old Colchester resident, who served for years in the army with the Northumberland Fusiliers and the East Surrey Regiment. Mr Biggens is a white-haired, long-bearded old man about 70 years of age, and, according to his statement, he has harboured u his chest for a considerable time a live lizard. He had, he says, suffered for many years from spasms and palpitations ir his chest, for which he was unable to account. The other evening, after a walk in. the garden, he felt an awful choking sensation and sickness coming on and on going indoors he felt a violent dart, and his throat seemed to fill up. He clutched his throat with one hand and inserted tivo fingers of the other into his mouth, and out shot a lizard on the floor. It was nearly dark at the time, and he was much astonished to see the creature scamper off across the room. By candle light and with a pair of tongs he managed to capture ir and place it in a jar. The lizard, which was nearly five inches long, was of a lightish brown colour, but it grew darker after a few days. It died four days after its startling appearance. THE SEA SERPENT AGAIN. The captain of a French gunboat lias reported to the authorities that, while cruising near Haiphong, he observed a huge marine monster of a black colour, which he at first took for a rock. Suddenly the animal reared part of its monstrous body from the water with an undulatory motion, and dived, coming up on the other side of the warship. It had a head like a turtle, was about 90 feet long and from 12 feet to 15 feet round, and travelled at eight knots an hour, spouting two jets of water from its head to a great height. SERIOUS OUTLOOK IN HUNGARY. The situation in Hungary is regarded at Vienna as serious, and even as alarming. The Socialists threaten to proclaim a general strike throughout the country. In political circles it is stated that, should this occur, Count Tisza, Premier, will place the whole kingdom under martial law. Popular excitement appears to be reaching a dangerous point, and the critical condition of affairs is further intensified by the near approach of Labour Day. Following on the tragic events at Elesd, a general strike broke out on Monday at Groswardein. Shops, cafes, restaurants and even schools are closed, and business life in the town is entirely suspended. Five thousand teamsters in Budapest, 16,000 v r orkmen at Debreczin, and a large number at Szegedin are now on strike. Troubles are also fear,ed io other towns.

In the Loiver House of the Austrian Reichsrath Herr Ellenbogen (Socialist) demanded an answer to an interpellation of his regarding the employment of troops during the Hungarian railway

strike, at the same time making use of insulting expressions regarding the Hungarian Premier. The President refused to allow Herr Ellenbogen to continue, and also called Herr Lderseh to order, the latter having shouted, “Tisza 13 a scoundrel.” Later on, while Herr Wrabetz was speaking of the disorderly scenes which disturbed the elections of the Austrian Delegation on Friday last, the Radical members began to blow whistles, and were called to order. At the conclusion of the sitting Heir EUeubogen asked if the President would not inform the Sovereign that it was not in order for an Emperor to sit down at the same table with a man~who was covered with blood and infamy from the crown of his head to the sole of his foot, the reference apparently being to Count Tisza. The President only replied by calling .Herr Ellenbogen to order.