NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2304, 12 January 1892, Page 3

NEWS BY THE MAIL.

It is now believed that the typhoidal attack from whcih Prince George is suffering is attributable to some oysters of which he partook while on a visit to Dublin. The doctors incline to the belief that it is possible for oysters to convey the spores of typhoidal disease. The prevalence of typhoid fever among the upper classes may, it has been suggested by some physicians, be due to the habit of eating game in a very high state. The mother of Baron Denard, a high official in the Ministry of War, France, and her maid, were found in thesr rooms on Dec 4 with their throats out. The old lady who was seventy, was quite dead. The maid was still living, but in a serious condition. It is supposed that they were the victims of a murderous plot which included Denard. . A Central News telegram from rans says:— The following sad story is reported from Montaubap. A young married lady, Mdme. ' Joffis, living at Mirabel, near Montauban, had a cataleptic seizure. Two days passed, and there was no sign of returning animation, which indeed was not expected, as the lady’s friends all believed her dead. Tlffi funpraj was arranged ahd carried out, and the mourners returned to the house. Shortly afterwards the undertaker casually remarked that when the corpse was put Ipto the coffin he noticed that the bed was slightly warm where the body had lain. On hearing this the husband instantly went to the burial ar*"~ Jwtocoffln ;, romth ;— “d opened. To his horror he then found

the body turned over, the shroud torn, and the lingers of onehand bleeding, as it from a desperate attempt to remove the coffin lid. But it was too late. Mis wife, who was undoubtedly alive when buried, had since been suffocated. It is said that the Emperor William ot Germany has seriously spoken of submitting himself to a medical examination as to his sanity, in order to offer a conclusive refutation to the critics in France and England who have been throwing out hints concerning it. The naval report of the French Budget Committee, recently submitted, set forth that France now possessed thirty ironclads, twenty-six cruisers, twenty-five despatch boats, and fifty-four torpedo boats. , _ ~ The trial of Madame Thomas, at Portiguolles, was concluded on Dec. 2. The charge against her of having conducted illegal operations was fully proved, and she was sentenced to twelve years imprisonment with hard labour. Fleury, her male accomplice, was sentenced to ten years, and fifty-two female victims, tried with her, were sentenced to one year s imprisonment each. . . . . It is rumoured in Parisian theatrical circles that the Melba scandal will be compromised by the intervention of the Due D’Aumale, who is willing to pay the singer’s husband’s heavy damages to get the Due D’Orleans out of his scrape. Those who know the Due D’Aiimale s good nature and indulgence in such matters think that the report is worthy of credence. The privates of the second battalion of the Prince of Wales Leinster Regiment of Royal Canadians tried lynch law on an obnoxious corporal. It appears that the non-commissioned officer had rendered himself obnoxious to the men by his petty tyranny in such degree that they came to the conclusion that the only way to avenge themselves "was to km him, so when he was going bis rounds he was seized by the men and gagged before he could call for assistance. Despite his struggles he was dragged to a convenient spot. A noose was then thrown around his neck, and he was • soon suspended m the air. The end of the rope was made fast and the lynchers escaped, fortunately the corporal had been hanging only a short time when a sergeant discovered him and cut the rope. The man was almost dead, and it required strenuous efforts to restore him. Active search is being made for the perpetrators, but it is doubtful if this will be successful. , The First Lord of the Treasury, who visited Glasgow for the purpose of being installed as Rector of the University, being the principal speaker at a Conservative meeting there, declared positively that Ireland would never attain her desire to have a Parliament sit in Dublin. Mr Balfour said that whatever the success of the Government policy in Ireland, it at anyrate had been a sincere policy. Ihe first duty of the Government was to see the laws obeyed, and by wise administration and expenditure of money to increase the happiness of the people in every part of Her s dominions. In conclusion, Mr Balfour declared that no matter what the tuture might bring forth, it would never bring Horae Rule for Ireland. During the course of his speech, the speaker remarked that Great Britain, in his opinion would never again see a gigantic agrarian conspiracy, fed by American funds, raise its head in Ireland, and added that he hoped the country had finally and successfully emerged from its greatest difficulties. All that Ireland now wanted, he declared, was firm, liberal and kindly Government. If only Mr Gladstone would abstain from advocating impossible legislative remedies Mr Balfour is confident that a permanent cure of Irish troubles would be affected. Before a Royal Commission onH)eo. .i, Barrister Short*, Secretary of the Committee for improving the condition ot barmaids, gave some testimony astotheir condition and prospects. He estimated the number of barmaids in England at 80 000 and gave their average wages at ten shillings a week- On this sum, he said, they were expected to dpess neatly and attractively. They were occupied for fourteen hours per day, and were frequently compelled to sleep in unsanitary, damp attics. Many publicans refused to employ any barmaids except such as they could fully control; in other words, those who were free from family ties and disposed to consult the proprietor s interest in every way. Hundreds of girls are thus received, according to Mr Short*, every year the ranks Qf the bapnaidp being recruited from the middle classes, and from the professional classes to some extent. _______